THe Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth the work of his hands,Psalm 19. 1. In the Creation of which and the whole earth, and sea, and all things therein contained, of meer nothing within the compass of six daies; and in his wise and graci­ous ordering and guiding of all things, is abun­dantly set forth his infinite and unutterable wis­dom, power, greatness, and goodness: His end herein is first and chiefly for his own glory, The Lord made all things for himself, Prov. 16. 4. And secondly, mens happiness, unto whom [Page 4] the dominion of all things was under God com­mitted, Gen. 1. Psalm. 8. 6.

That men may come therefore to some un­derstanding thereof, I shall first speak of the Heavenly and of the Earthly Globes, and the se­veral matters incident thereunto. Then I shall also make a brief description of the foure parts of the earth, and the countries in each part, the several Religions professed in them; with their varieties of trade and commodities therein, never yet set forth in a Treatise of this nature.

The whole wo [...]ld therefore is divided into two parts, Ethereal, or Celestial, and Elemental; Of which there are two Globes accordingly, the heavenly and the earthly; Now a Globe is a proportionable representation of the heavens or of the earth; the Ethereal, Celestial, or heavenly part doth compass the Terrestial o [...] earthly, and containeth the ten upper Spheres, or neerest un­to the earth, the Moon 2. Mercury 3. Ve­nus 4. the Sun 5. Mars 6. Iupiter 7. Saturn 8. the starrie firmament 9. the Chrystalline heaven, having no stars at all, 10. the Primum Mobile, or first mover, containing all the rest within it, and moving from the east to the west, carrieth about with it in violence all the other Spheres. The rest of the Spheres have contrary motions, every one in his kind, though far slower then the other, & the motions are contrary from the west to the east; and so are carried about oftentimes by the [Page 5] first mover, before they make one perfect revolu­tion in themselves.

The Chrystaline or ninth sphere his motion is almost insensible, and is called the trembling motion, pe [...]formed (according to the opinion of latter Astronomers) in four thousand nine hun­dred years.

The eight sphere being the starry firmament, in seven thousand years, the sphere of Saturn in thirty years, of Iupiter in twelve years, Mars in two years, the Sun passeth the Zodiack in three hundred sixty five daies, Venus ends her course in somewhat more then a year, Mercury holds equal pace with the Sun, and the Moon co [...]rseth about the heavens once every eight and twenty daies.

Thus much for the Celestial or heavenly part of the world, wherein I shall need say nothing of the religion of Angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, seeing it is manifest enough to every one, that there they keep their first esta [...]e; The religion also of the fallen Angels (who are held by many to be thrust out of heaven, and to abide in the Aire, whereupon Sathan is called the Prince of the aire, Eph. 2. 2.) is so no [...]o [...]ious for enmity against God and all manner of wick­edness, that poor man is more sen [...]ient of [...]o­row, for their tentations, then [...] with words to express their wickedness to the life.

The Elemental part of the world is fourfold, [Page 6] earth, water, aire, fire, as may be seen in that round figure of the frame of the heavens and ele­ments one within another; the inmost and mid­dlemost circle containing earth and water inter­mixed together; the next the three regions of the air; and immediately above that Orbe is the element of fire: all which you may eas [...]ly discern by their seve [...]al names in their proper places. And [...] mu [...]h [...] s [...]ffice to have spoken of the Glob [...] of [...] whole world.

I shall now peak first generally and briefly of the Globe of the whole earth▪ and things inci­dent thereunto [...] th [...]n [...] parti [...]ularly of the [...], and every remarkable co [...]n [...]y in each part, as I promised in the be­ginning.

The Globe of the earth therefore is defined to be a sphe [...]ic [...]l body propo [...]tionably composed of ea [...]h and water, the two parts thereof.

The parts of the earth are either real or ima­gin [...]ry.

The real parts are either Continents or Islands, A Continent is a great quantity of Land not in­terlaced or separated by the sea, wherein many kingdoms and p [...]incipalities are con [...]ained; as Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

An lsland, called in La [...]ine insula quasi in sale, is a part of the earth environed [...]ound with wa­ters; as Brittain, Iava, St. Laurence Isle, Ber­moodes.

Now these again are sub-divided into a Pen­insula, [Page 7] Isthmos, and a Promontory. A peninsu­la is such a tract of land, which being almost in­compassed round by waters, is nevertheless joy­ned to the firm land by some little Isthmus, as Peloponesus, Taurica, Cymbrica and Pervana.

An Isthmus is a little narrow neck of land which joyneth any peninsula to the continent; as the straits of Dariene in Peru, and Corinth in Greece.

A Promontory is some high mountain which shooteth it self into the sea, the utmost end of which is called a Cape: as that great Cape of good hope; and Cape Verde in Africa, Cape Gomerie in Asia, and that of Saint Michaels mount in Corn­wal, the north Cape in Norway, and divers others.

There are also other reall parts of the earth, as mountains, valleys, fields, plains, woods, and the like.

The other general part of the Globe is the water, divided into the Ocean. Secondly, the Sea. Thirdly, the Straits. Fourthly, Creeks.

The Ocean is the general collection of all wa­ters, which invironeth the whole world on eve­ry side.

The sea is part of the Ocean, to which we can­not come, but through some strait, as the Me­diterranean sea, the Balti [...]k sea, and the like.

These two take their names either f [...]om the adjacent places, as the British Ocean, the [...]er­man sea, the Atlantick sea, and the like: Or from [Page 8] the first Discoverer, as the Magellanick sea, For­bushers Straits [...], or from some remarkeable ac­cident, as the Red sea from the red colour of the [...]ands, and the like.

Thirdly, a strait is a part of the Ocean re­strained within narrow bounds, and opening a way to the sea, as the straits of Gibralter, Hellespont, Anian.

Fourthly, A creek is a crooked shore, thrust­ing forth as it were two arms, to embrace and affectionately to hold the sea; as the Adriatick, Persian and Corinthian creek. Hitherto belong Rivers, Brooks, and fountains engendred of con­gealed aire in the earths concavities, and se­conded by sea-waters, creeping through hidden crannies thereof.

Thus much of the real parts of the earth in ge­neral.

The compass of the whole earth is cast by our latest learned Geographers, twenty one thousand six hundred English miles, which we thus com­pute. We see by continued experience, that the Sun for every degree in the heavens, gaines sixty miles upon the earth towards his circuit round, and after three hundred sixty degrees returneth to the same point in respect of us as before it was. Add the number of sixty so oft, and you will find the account the same, and so by propor­tion of the circumference to the Diameter, which is, tripla sesqui septima. the same which twenty two hath to seven.

[Page 9] We may count likewise the earths thickness to the center: The whole Diameter by rule being less then a third part of the circuit. That in the propor­tion to twenty one thousand six hundred, will be six thousand eight hundred seventy two, halfe the number will reach the middle of the world, and that is, three thousand four hundred thirty six, being considered with great exactness, as the measure of such a great bulk as the earth is, can easily be taken and comprehended.

Geographers attribute unto the earth five circles.

The first is the Equinoctial, when the Sun in his course is come thereunto; about the eleventh of March and September, the day and the night are of equal length through the whole earth. It is also termed the Equator, and by the sea-faring men the middle Line; because it divideth the earth into two equal parts, of which the one ly­eth towards the north, the other towards the south. And because it is in the middest between the two poles of the world, one in the north, the other in the south. The second circle is called the Tropick of the Crabb, because when the sun is come thither about the tenth of Iune, it returneth by little and little unto the Equator. And then unto them that dwell on the north­side of the Equator, is the day longest; and shor­test to them that dwell on the southside thereof. This circle is distinct from the Equi­noctial twenty three degrees, three mi­nutes [Page 10] and an halfe, Northward.

The third is called the Tropick of Capricorn, because the sun being come thereto on the ele­venth of December, turneth his course backward to the Equator; and then contrariwise, to them who live on the north of the Equator is the day shortest, and longest to them on the south thereof; it is distant from the Equinoctial southward twenty three degrees, thirty one mi­nutes and an half.

The fourth is called the Arctick circle; the fifth the Antartick; of which the one is distant twen­ty three degrees, thirty one minutes and an half from the no [...]th pole; the other just so many from the south pole. And are described by the revolu­tion of heaven from the Poles of the Zodiack, which is the sun. Mercator the ancient Astrono­mer understood by the Arctick circle not onely that aforesaid, but also every circle whose half Diameter answereth to the pole in any place whatsoever, and containeth, according to the Al­titude of every countrey, certain starrs, which never set, but alwaies are above the earth; so that in all regions differing in Latitude, this circle is diverse, as also is the Antarctick. Now the four lesser circles, the two Tropicks and Polar circles, do fitly part the earth into five Zones, that is to say girdles, because they compass like bands, the round Globe of the earth. The first of these Zones lyeth under the Artick or north circle, and is called the cold north Zone; the second [Page 11] lyeth under the Antartick or sourth circle is cal­led the cold south Zone; the third is situate in the middle between the two Tropicks called the scorched Zone; the fourth lyeth under that which is between the north circle and the Tro­pick of Cancer, and is called the temperate north Zone; the fifth also is under that space which is between the Tropick of Capricorn, and the south circle, and is called the temperate south Zone.

Now to understand rightly the situation of countries, their Longitude and Latitude accor­ding to the mind of Geographers is to be known. The Latitude of places which with the height of the pole is alwayes one, beginning at the E­quinoctial, is taken two manner of wayes; either towards the south, or towards the north, unto the number ninety. The Longitude is returned from the Meridian circle, and about the west I­slands called Carva and Flores, beginning right at the Equator easterly, and running forwards un­to the number three hundred sixty. As for ex­ample, London lyeth from the Equinoctial north­ward, fifty one decrees and a half, which is the Latitude; and the Longitude thereof is twenty degrees answering unto that degree of the Equi­noctial, reckoning from the Meridian.

And now that I have briefly touched upon the Longitude and Latitude of countries, and having often spoke of the Meridian and Horizon: I shall I hope not unprofitably take time in a word or two, to tell you what each of them are.

[Page 12] The Meridian is a great circle rounding the earth from pole to pole. There are many Meri­dians according to the divers places in which a man liveth. But the chief and first Meridian pas­seth through the islands Saint Michael and of the Azores.

The Horizon is a great circle designing so great a space of the earth as a quick sight can ken in an open field: the use of it is to discern the di­vers risings and settings of the starrs.

I shall now speak a little of the Climates, and Parallels, and then I hope I have done with things generally concerning the earth.

A climate is a space of the earth included within the space of two parallels.

The use of them is to shew the difference of length and shortness of daies over all the world, as you may see in the midst of every climate, the number of the longest day in the year, under that climate; the longest day in one climate dif­fering half an hour from the longest of another, so that there are twenty four climates, consisting of forty eight parallels, ere the day come to be twenty four houres of length, which is twelve houres longer then the Equinoctiall day is. Now under the Equinoctial line, and thirteen degrees, that is, three parallels on either side thereof, the dayes exceed not the length of twelve houres, but after in every clime encrease the length of half an hour; and when they come to forty eight parallels and twenty fo [...]r climates [Page 13] (as I said before) the dayes being then twenty four houres long, their encrease is then by whole weeks and moneths, till in the twenty fourth clime about the pole, the day is full half a year long; and it is thus between the Equator and the north pole. So it is between the said Equator and the south pole: wherefore there are two sorts of climes, that is, twenty four northern, and as ma­ny southern, touching the names of which and other circumstances, I shall say nothing here, but leave the readers to other more long discourses, thinking this enough in a tract of this nature to have spoken of things generally concerning the whole earth.

The whole earth is now divided into four parts.

• Europe.
• Asia.
• Africa.
• America.

Of each part, and their several regions, Empires, kingdoms, dominions, Common-wealths, Titles of honours and laws, as briefly as I can, together also with their sundry trade and com­modities.

Europe, though the least of the three first parts of the world, nevertheless excelleth all other parts in worthiness, power, renown, multitudes of well-builded cities, and of people skilful in all kind of arts, also excelling in vertue, and the knowledge of God, better then all the riches of the world.

[Page 14] Through the Grecian and Romane Empire in it, it hath had once the dominion over Asia and Africa. Mr. Heylin mentions in it fourteen mother tongues, which I will not stand now to name.

It hath plenty of grain, plants, fruits, coles, rivers, and fountains of admirable vertue; it needs nothing but what may be well spared, as hot spices, not so fit for our temper, precious jewels, the nourishers of vain and soul-destroying pride, and wild beasts, which cause deserts where they breed; yet of gold, silver, and other commodi­ties it hath a part: it is divided on the east from Asia, partly by the rivers Duina, and Tunnis, and partly by the l [...]ke called Meotis, now termed Mare de le Zabbacche, & pone Euxine, or Mare Maggiore.

From Africa, it is severed by the midland sea; on the west and north side it hath the great Oce­an; I shall follow Mr. Heylins method in the desciption of the regions and countries thereof, beginning with first Italy, then going secondly to the Alps, thirdly, France, fourthly Spain, fifthly Britain, sixthly, Belgia, sevently, Germany, eighthly Denmark, ninethly, Swethland, tenthly, Russia, eleventh Poland, twelfth, Hungary, thir­teenth, Sclavonia, fourteenth, Dacia, and the fifteenth Greece; speaking of the several islands, as they relate to some or other of these greater countries.

Italy, the mother of all Latine learning [Page 15] stretcheth out easterly on Asia between the A­driatick and Thuscan Seas, and borders towards the west upon France, and towards the north on Germany, and is severed from those countries by the river Varus, and the mountains called Alpes, the rest being compassed with the sea. It hath had seven kinds of government, first Kings, se­cond Consuls, third Dictators, fourth Decemviri, fifth Tribunes, sixth Emperours, seventh Popes. It flourished most in the time of Christ, and a lit­tle afterwards by means of the great and wide dominion of the mighty city of Rome, which then reigned as Queen of the world, over many lands of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

This land excelleth all the lands of Europe, in fruitfulness and pleasantness, the inhabitants are witty, industrious and frugal, yet hot and lascivi­ous. And withall the men very jealous, and that taken to be not without cause. The religion there now professed is the Popish Religion, unto which they are more straitly kept by the Inquisi­tion.

The chief wares which are carried out of Italy into other countries, are rice, silks, velvets, sat­tins, taffaties, grogrems, rashes, stamels, bum­basins, fustians, felts, serving for clokes, costly ar­ras, gold and silver-thred, allum, gals, Venetian drinking and looking-glasses. It containeth at this day the kingdoms of Naples, Sicily, and Sardinia, the lands and patrimony of the Church so called▪ which the Pope possesseth; the great Dukedoms [Page 16] of Urbin and Tuscani, the Common-wealths of Venice, Genoa, and Luca, and the estates of Lumbardy, being the Dukedoms of Millain, Mantua, Modena, Parma, Montferrat, and the principality of Piemont; of all which I shall ob­serve somewhat.

The Kingdome of Naples in Italy, is enviro­ned on all sides with the Adriatick, Ionian and Tuscan seas, excepting where it joyneth on the west to the lands of the Church, from which se­parated by a line drawn from the mouth of the river Tronto or Druentus, falling into the Adria­tick, to the spring head of Axofenus, taking up all the east of Italy, one thousand four hundred sixty eight miles; it hath anciently been called the kingdome of both the Sicilies. The fertilest place of all Italy, abounding in all things neces­sa [...]y for life, delight and Physick. Hence are also brought the Neapolitan horses. It hath had thirteen Princes, twenty four Dukes, 25. Mar­quesses, ninety Earles, and nine hundred Ba­tons, not titular onely, but men of great estates; It hath had twenty six Kings of several countries, beginning first with the Norman race, and now being in the hand of Spain; the disease called now the French Pox, was first in all Christen­dome found here. The Arms of this kingdome are Azure [...]seme of Fleur de Lices, or a file of three Labels Gules.

Its revenue is two millions and an half of crowns, whereof twenty thousand are the Popes [Page 17] his chief rent, and the rest so exhausted in main­taining Garisons upon the Natives, and a strong Navy against the Turks, that the King of Spain receiveth not a fourth part thereof clearly; it hath twenty Arch-bishops, and one hundred twenty seven Bishops-Seas.

The kingdom of Sicilia in Italy is situate un­der the fourth climate; the longest day being thirteen hours and an half; it shoots forth into the Sea with three capes or Promontories.

The people are ingenious, eloquent and pleasant, but withal very inconstant and full of talk; they invented Oratory, Pastoral Eclogues, hour-glasses, with military En­gins. The soyl is incredibly fruitful in Wine, Oyl, Honey, Minerals of gold, silver, and al­lum; together with plenty of salt, and sugar; there are also gems of Agats, and Emeralds; it yieldeth also great store of the richest silk, hath most excellent and delicious fruits both for tast and colour; with abundance also of all sorts of grain. Here is the hill Aetna, which many have taken to be hell, and ignorant Papists Purgatory, because of its sending forth of flames of fire, which the brimstone there causeth. It hath many Cities. Rivers, and Lakes, of which I cannot stand to treat.

There were eight Kings of Sicilia, six of the first whereof were called to rule. In the year one thousand two hundred eighty one, the house of Arragon governed it, and there hath succeeded [Page 18] ten Kings; It is now united to the Crown of Spain the revenue is eight hundred thousand, some say million of Duckets disbursed again on the enter­tainment of the Vice-Roy & defence of the Island the Arms are four Pallets, Gules sable, being those of Arragon between two Flanches Argent, char­ged with as many Eagles Sabel beaked Gul [...]s.

It hath had seven Princes, four Dukes, thi [...] ­teen Marquesses, fourteen Earls, one Viscount, and forty eight Barons; the people are Pa­pists, and have three Arch-Bishops, and nine Bishops.

The Island and kingdome of Sardinia in Italy, lyeth west from Scicilie from the neerest point Cape Boy, or Cape Bara.

It is distant about two hundred miles, it is in lenghth one hundred eighty miles, ninety in breadth, five hundred sixty in the circuit, and is situate under the fourteenth climate, the longest day being fourteen houres; there is neither Woolf nor Serpent, neither venomous or hurtful beast, but the fox onely, and a little creature like a spider, which will by no means endure the sight of the Sun, excep [...] [...] by violence: Some pools it hath, very plentiful of fish▪ but general­ly are destitute of River-water, that they are fai [...] to keep the rain which fals in winter for their use in summer; by means whereof, and for that there is is no passage, for the Northern winds being obstructed by the high mountains neer Cap-Lugudori, the air is generally unheal­thy, [Page 19] if not pestilential. The soil is very fertile, but ill manured, well stored with all sorts of cat­tel; the horses hereof [...]ot, headstrong and hard to be broken, but will last long: the bullocks naturally gentle, so that the country-man doth as familiarly ride them, as they do in Spain on Mules or Asses, here is also the beast called Mu­frones or Muscriones, found in Corsica also, but in no other part of Europe, somewhat resembling a Stagg, but of so strong an hide, that it is used by the Italians in stead of Armour, of the skinne of which carryed to Cordova in Spain, and there dressed is made the right Cordovant leather; al­so there is an herb whereof if one eat, it is said that he will dye with laughter; the herb being of such a poysonous nature, that it causeth the man to dye with such a convulsion of sine [...]s, tha [...] he seemeth to grinne or laugh at the time of his death. The people are small of sta [...]re, their complexion inclining unto swarthiness, rude in manners, very slothful and rebellious, yet given to hunting, their dyet mean, their appa [...]el in towns gorgeous, in villages base, their religion papistically formal, little curious, their Clergy being counted the most illiterate and ignorant in that part of the world called Chris [...]endome; it [...] now in the hands of the king of Spain, [...] by a Vice Roy, who resides at Calari [...] ▪ and must of necessity be a Spa [...]ard, under whom are [...] Deputies, Governour [...], [...] [Page 20] what profits arise here to the King of Spain, I have no where found. The arms hereof are said to be Or a cross Gules betwixt four Saraçens heads Sable curled argent. There are also divers small islands belonging thereunto. And lastly it hath three Arch-bishops and fifteen Bishops.

The lands of the Church, or the Popes Do­minions in Italy, lie west of the realm of Na­ples, extended north and south from the Adri­atick to the Tuscan Seas, bounded on the north­east with the river Trontus, on the south-east with the Axofenus, by which two parted from that kingdome as on the northwest by the rivers Poe and Frore; by which separated from the State of Venice: and on the southwest by the river Pis­cio, by which it is divided from the modern Tuscany, or the State of the Florentine. It is the middle of Italy, having in breadth from one Sea unto another, above one hundred miles, and in length above three hundred miles; the land ex­ceeding fertile, abounding with multitudes of people, seldome consumed with wars; they are good husbands for their ground, but no trades­men for Manufactures; there have been fifteen Exarches of Ravenna in Romandiola; seventeen Dukes and Marquesses of Ferrara: the revenue whereof was two hundred fifty thousand crowns yearely, but now it is not worth so much to the Pope: there have been also six Dukes of Ur­bin, the revenues are one hundred thousand crowns; but the chiefest glory they have, is of [Page 21] the city Rome, sometime the Empress of the world: there are accounted to have passed in it sixty five Bishops before it usurped the spiritual supremacy over Christendome; Bonifacius the third in the year of Christ six hundred and six making the sixty sixth Bishop, so ful [...]illing the mark of Antichrist, Rev. 13. 18. of the number six hundred sixty six, which also the numeral let­ters make up in his arrogant Title, Genera Lis VI­Car Ius DeI In terrIs.

The Bishops taking this Title in the year one thousand six hundred forty four, had been one hundred seventy nine, and both added together, two hundred forty four; and how many more they shall be, he onely knoweth, who knoweth all things; the ordinary temporal revenues of the Pope, are two millions of crowns, but the ex­traordinary spiritual, twice as much. There were several orders of monks installed at several times, called the orders of Sain [...] Basil, Austin, Ierome, Carmelites, Crouched Fryers, Dominicans, Bene­dictines, Franciscans, Iesuites, and Oratorians: And of women the Orders chiefly of Clare and Bridget, which to name onely, I think may suffice in a Treatise of this nature. The Arch-Bishops here are forty four, the Bishops fifty seven.

The Italian Provinces of the State of Venice, lie northward of the lands of the Church from Romandiola to the Alps, bounded on the South with the Territory of Ferrara and the rest of Ro­mandiola [Page 22] on the west, with the Dukedome of Mil­lain on the north, with the main body of the Alps, and on the east with the Adriatick sea and the river Arsia, by which its parted from Libur­nia, a Sclavonian province. It abounds with wise people and fruitful cities and countries; their re­ligion is popish, but not so absolutely slavish as the rest. They b [...]ptize the Sea yearely, and their Duke marryeth it as often.

Their government is Aristocratical and popu­lar; they have had neer one hundred Dukes of Venice; they have two principal orders of Knight­hood, of Saint Mark the Patron of the city, in­stituted one thousand three hundred thirty, and renewed one thousand five hundred sixty two. They are to be of noble blood, at least a Gentleman; their word or Motto is, Pax tibi Marce: the other is of the glorious Virgin, institu­ted one thousand two hundred twenty two: their charge is to defend Widows and Orphans, and to procure (as much as in them is) the peace of Italy. The Arms of the order is a purple cross between certain stars; the Habit a white Surcoat over a russet cloak, and seems to be religious as well as military: there are in this Italian part of Venice, two Patriarchs, and sixteen Bishops.

The Dukedome of Florence or the estate of th [...] G [...]eat Duke of Tuscany, is divided in the east from Saint Peters Pat [...]imony by the river Pisca, on [...]he west from the Common-wealth of Genoa, by th [...] river[?] Macra, and the strong fort of Sare­zana, [Page 23] on the north from Romandiola, and Marca Anteritana by the Appeninne hils: and on the southside, it is bounded with the Tuscan or Terr­henian seas: It was a while a free State, having Princes of the house of Medici, but now it is governed by the Duke of Florence, or great Duke of Tuscany, of the same family. The length of this State is two hundred sixty mile, the breadth in some places much inferiour: the onely order of Knighthood here is that of Saint Stephen, in [...]itu­ted one thousand five hundred sixty one. It is kept August 6. yearely, and hath all the privi­ledges of them of Malta, upon condi [...]ion that they of the order should make a vow of charity, of continual chasity and obedience; they are to be nobly born, and in lawful wedlock, of [...] Romish Church, and without note of infamy; their Robe is of white Chamlet, with a red cross of their lefr side sowed upon their midday Gar­ments, or their wearing cloaks: the number is uncertain; the great Duke is the supreme Master of it, the revenues are very great; besides the great Duke is a Merchant, and taketh Excise al­most of every thing: the Arms are Or, five Torte­cax, Gules, two two & one and one in chief, Azu­re charged with three florwre-de-luces of the first. Here are three Arch-Bishops and twenty six Bishops.

The free State of Luca in Italy, lyeth betwixt the State of the great Duke, and the Common-wealth of Genoa; they are a free, courteous, mo­dest [Page 24] people of good judgement and discreet, wisely preserving their liberty against the strength of potent neighbours, they are in­dustrious also, well seen in Manufactures, espe­cially in weaving cloth of gold and silk. The Do­minions of it are eighty miles, the revenue is eighty thousand crowns yearely; it can raise for war fifteen thousand foot and three thousand horse; the government is mixed of Aristocracy, and Democracie: the principal Magistrate, called Gon Falinere, is changeable every second month, assisted by a certain and determinate number of citizens, whom they change every sixth month also, during which time they lie together in the palace or common hall; their Protector is also elective, of some neighbour King or State; their religion is Popish; they have two Bishops, onely acknowledging the Arch-Bishop of Florence for their Metropolitan.

The Common-wealth of Genoa in Italy lieth west of Tuscany, from which it is divided by the river Macra. They were anciently a large State, but have now onely Liguria and the isle of Corsica in their power; the men were good war­riors, Merchants, and given to usury, which they learned of the Jews. Mr. Heylin reporteth, that it was the saying of a merry fellow, that in Christendome there were neither Scholars enough, Gentlemen enough, nor Jews enough: not Scholars enough, for then so many would not be double or treble-beneficed; not Gentle­men [Page 25] enough, for then we should not have so many Pesants turn gentlemen; nor lastly, Jews enough, for then so many Christians would not turn Usu­rers.

The women here are priviledged above all I­taly having liberty to talk with whom they will, and be courted by any that will both publickly and privately; from hence and some other parti­culars, they have made this proverb of the State of the country; Mountains without wood, Seas without fish, men without faith, and women without shame. They have a Duke and eight more assistant with him, all subject to the gene­ral counsel of four hundred men; the Duke and his eight assistants hold but two years; Spain is their Protector, and they have one Arch-bishop, fourteen Bishops.

The States of Lumbardy in Italy is bounded on the east with Romandiola, and the State or Territo­ry of Ferrara, on the west with that part of the Alps which divides Italy from France, on the north (reckoning Marca Trevigiana within the bounds thereof) with that part of the Alps which lyeth towards Germany; and on the fo [...]th with the A­pennine, which parteth it from Liguria or the States of Genoa: as Italy is the garden of Europe, so Lumbardy is the Garden of Italy for the fruitfulness.

The Dukedome of Millain in Italy, hath on the east the States of Mantua and Parma, on the west Piemont, and some part of Switzer­land [Page 26] one of the Provinces of the Alps, on the north Marca Treuigana, and on the south the Apennine, which parteth it from Liguria Or the States of Genoa: It hath had several Lords and Dukes of Millain, accounted the chief Dukedome in Christendome, but now under the Spaniards; the aunual rent worth eight hundred thousand Duckets; but considering all charges, the Spani­ard is taken to be out in keeping it. The arms are Argent, a Serpent Azure crowned, Or, in his Gorge an infant Gules, there are one Arch-Bi­shop, six Bishops.

The Dukedome of Mantua in Italy, is boun­ded on the west with Millain, on the east with Romandiola, on the north with Marca Triugia­na▪ and on the south with the Dukedome of Par­ma; the soyl is reasonable good, and yieldeth all sorts of fruits, being well manured plentiful in corn, pastures and abundance of Vines, but the inhabitants not so civil and well bred as the rest of Italy, childish in their apparel, without manly gravity, in entertainment of friends and exacting all they can from strangers; it is a free State, & hath many Dukes thereof, the chief order of Knigh­hood in these Dukedomes is of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, instituted Ann. one thousand six hundred eight, it consisteth of twenty Knights whereof the Mantuan Dukes are Soveraigns. The collar hath threds of gold, laid on with fire, and enterwoven with these words, Domine pro­basti.

[Page 27] To the collar are pendent two Angels suppor­ting three drops of blood, and circumscribed, Nihil ista triste recepto. It is accounted a great circuit, but not worth above five hundred thou­sand Ducats: the arms are argent, a cross Patee Gules between four Eagles sable membred of the second, under an Escuchion in fise charged quarterly with Gules, a Lion Or and Or three bars sable: here are one Archbishop, four Bishops.

I shall pass by the Dukedoms of Modena, Par­ma, and Mountferrat, as being all three but small esttates of Italy, and having but four Bishops amongst them all: the arms of Modena the same with the Dukedome of Ferrara, and the arms of Mountferrat, Gules, a chief argent: thus much for Italy.

The principality of Piemont a part of the Alpes, situate at the foot of the Mount is boun­ded on the east with Millain and Mountferrat, on the west with Savo [...], on the north within the Switzers, and on the south it runneth in a nar­row valley to the Mediterranian, having Mount­ferat on the one side Province and a part of the Alps upon the other: it is very fertile compared with Savoy, and Switzerlaad, but thought to be inferiour to the rest of Italy: the Arms of this principallity are Gules, a cross argent, charged with a Label of three points Azure. It is now sub­ject to the Dukedome of Savoy.

Savoy strictly and specially so called, is boun­ded on the East with Wallisland, and part of Pie­mont [Page 28] on the west, with Daulphin and La Bress, on the south with some parts of Daulphine onely, and on the north with Switzerland and the lake of Geneva. The country is altogether hil­ly and mountainous, very healthful but not very fruitful: the common people are naturally very dull, but the Gentry pleasant, ingenious, and ci­vil: there have been neer thirty Earls and Dukes of Savoy: it is a very strong place with fortifications of nature; the revenue ordinarily a million of crowns yearely. The onely order of Knighthood here is that of the Anunciado, or­dained one thousand four hundred and eight; their collar is of fifty links, to shew the mysteries of the Virgin; at the end is her portraiture with the history of the annunciation, instead of a Mot­to these letters F. E. R. T. i. e. Fortitudo ejus Rhodum tenuit, are engraven to every plate or link of the collar, each link being interwoven one within another in form of a true lovers knot; the number of the Knights is fourteen beside the Duke the Soveraign of the order; the solemnity held annually on our Lady day: the Arms are G. a cross A. Geneva is a city of the Dukedome of Savoy, now a free State, having cast off both the Pope and their own Duke, and kept freely by their neighbours jealousie each of other touch­ing it; the religion is Calvinist Protestant, the government Presbyterial, the language the worst French, the people industrious, and Mer­chants; their situation, for neighbours advantagi­ous thereunto.

[Page 29] Wallisland reacheth from the mountain de Burken to the town of Saint Maurice, where the hills do close and shut up the valley, which is so narrow in that place, that a bridge laid from one hill to another (under which the river Rosue doth pass) is capable of no more then one Arch onely, and that defended with a Castle, and two strong gates; on other parts it is inviro­ned with a continual wall of steep and horrid mountains, covered all the year long with a crust of ice, not passable at all by armies, and not without much difficulty by single passen­gers, so that no citadel can be made so strong by Art as this country is by nature. The val­ley is very fruitful in Saffron, corn, wine, and most delicate fruits, having medows and pleasant pastures. They have also a Fountain of Salt, and many hot Bathes, and medicinal waters; they have cattle enough to serve them; also a wild Buck, equal to a Stagg in bigness, footed like a Goat, and horned like a fallow Deer, leaping with wonderful agility, and so not easily caught, but in summer time, for then with the heat he is blind. The people are courteous towards strangers, but very rough and churlish towards one another: they are of the Ro­mish religion, and subject to the Bishop of Sion. The Deputies of the seven Resorts having not on­ly voices with the Cantons in his election but be­in chosen they joyn with him also in the Diets for choosing Magistrates, redressing grievances, and determining matters of the State.

[Page 30] Switzerland hath on the east the Grisons, and some part of Tyrol in Germany, on the west the mountain Iove and the lake of Geneva, which parts it from Savoy, and Burgundy, on the north Suevia, another province also of the upper Ger­many; and on the south Wallisland, and the Alps which borders on the Dukedome of Millain. It is totally in a manner overgrown with craggy mountains, but such as for the most part have grassy tops, and in their hollowness rich medows and nourishing pastures, being two hundred for­ty miles in length, and one hundred eighty in breadth: the inhabitants are rich, and rugged of disposition like their land, good souldiers and mercenary almost to every one; their religion mixed, some Papists, some Protestants, Zwingli­ans, yet they have agreed to tolerate one ano­ther; their government popular.

The country of the Grizons is bounded on the east with the country of Tyrol, with Switzerland on the north, with Suevia, and a part of the Switzers, on the south with Lombardy, a very mountanous and barren land, the people now Protestant, their government popular; in these Alpine parts there are two Arch-Bishops, thir­ [...]teen Bishops.

France hath alwayes been held the principal and worthiest kingdom of all Christendome; it is bounded on the east with Germany, and south­ward with the Mediteranian Sea, south-east with the Alps, and on the north with the Brittish Sea. [Page 31] It is very fruitful in all sorts of grain, and what­soever is needful for the maintenance of life, es­pecially it hath great abundance of wines, wherewith many other lands are also served. It is divided into many great Dukedoms and Pro­vinces, hath in it also divers great, mighty and fa­mous cities, the people are heady; but ingenious and good warriours. The government is meerly regal, and at the pleasure of the Prince, of which it hath had many great and powerful ones: the religion of the Land is Popish, but there are ma­ny Protestants there, who although they have been greatly persecuteed, yet sometimes their number hath indulged them in the exercise thereof: the chief orders of Knighthood yet ex­tant here are first of Saint Michael, instituted one thousand four hundred and nine. It consist­ed first of thirty persons, but after, of three hun­dred: the habit of the order a long cloak of white damask, down to the ground, with a bor­der interwoven with cocklsheells of gold, inter­laced and furred with Ermins, with a hood of Crimson Velvet, and a long tippet about their necks; they wear a collar woven with Cockle­shels: the word immensi tremor oceani; the picture of Saint Michael Conquering the Devil was an­nexed to the collar, the seat thereof anciently, Saint Michaels mount in Normandy, and the day Saint Michaels day. Secondly of the holy Ghost, ordained one thousand five hundred seventy nine. The order of Saint Michael is to be given [Page 32] to none but such as were first dignified with this, whereunto none were to be admitted, but such as could prove their nobility by three descents: their oath to maintain the Romish Catholick religion, & prosecute all opponents to it: their robe a black velvet mantle, pourtrayed with lillies and flumes of gold, the colar of Flower-de-luces, and flow­ers of gold, with a Cross, and a Dove appendent to it: The Arms of France are Azure three Flow­er-de-luces Or; it hath seventeen Arch-Bi­shops, one hundred and eight Bishops, and one hundred thirty two thousand Parishes.

The Pirenean Hills are onely a bound between France and Spaine, two potent kingdoms; the whole length not reckoning in the windings & turnings, affirmed to be eighty Spanish Leagues at three miles to a league: the people barbarous, but of what religion my Author saith not: It may be he esteemed them so barbarous, that he thought they could live without any religion at all.

Spain is severed from France by the Pirenean Mountains, on all other sides it is invironed with the Sea, it containeth at this day divers king­doms, one Gothes, two Navars, there have been fourty one Kings: The arms are Gules a carbun­cle nowed, Or, the chief order of knighthood was of the Lilley, their Blazon a pot of Lilies with the pourtraiture of the Virgin ingraven upon it; their duty to defend the faith, and dayly to repeat cer­tain Avemaries, thirdly Biscay, and Empascon, [Page 33] hath had nineteen Lords: their arms Argent, two wolves sable, each of them in his mouth a lamb of the second: four, Leon and Oviedo, hath had thir­ty Kings; the arms are argent; a Lion passant crowned, Or; five, Gallicia hath had ten Kings: the arms Azure semee of Cressets fiched, a Cha­lice crowned, Or, six, Corduba hath had twenty Kings: the arms Or; a Lion Gules armed and crowned; of the first a border, Azure charged with eight towers argent: seven, Granado hath had twenty Kings, the arms Or, a Pomgranate slipped, Vert: eight, Murcia: nine, Toledo, hath had eleven Morish Kings: ten, Castile hath had twenty Kings; the order of Mercie is his chief order here: their arms are a cross argent, and four beads, Gules in a field, Or; their habit white; the rule of their order that of Saint Augustine: their duty was to redeem Christians taken by the Turks with such money as was bestowed upon them: eleven, Portugal hath had twenty one Kings: the principal orders of Knighthood here, are first of Avis wearing a green cross: se­cond, of Christ, instituted one thousand three hundred twenty one, their robe is a black Cas­sock under a white surcoat, wherewith a red cross stroked in the midst with a white line: their du­ty to expel the Moores out of Boetica the next neighbour to Portugal: the arms of this king­dome are argent on five Escouchins Azure, as many Befants in Saltire, of the first pointed sable, within a border Gules, charged with seven tow­ers [Page 34] Or: eleven Majorca hath had successively four Kings: twelve, Aragon hath had twenty Kings: the order of Knighthood is of Mintesa, their robe a red cross upon their breast; the arms Or, four Pallets Gules: all these are now united in one Monarchy of the King of Spain: Their re­ligion Popish, whereunto they are kept by the violence of the Inquisition. The land yields all sorts of wines, oyles, sugar, grain, metals, as gold and silver; it is fertile enough for the inha­bitants, whose ambitions for the most part are base, the meanest proud, the best, superstitious and hypocrites, many of them lascivious, yet good souldiers, by patience in enduring hunger, thirst, labour. The King is not rich by reason of his great expences to keep his dominions, in which he hath eleven Arch-bishops, fifty two Bi­shops.

England together with Scotland on the north part thereof, maketh the greatest Island of Eu­rope, and the richest in the world, situated in a ve­ry temperate soil and wholesome air, and excee­ding fruitful in wheat and other grain, hath ma­ny pleasant rivers, plentifully stored with fish, excellent havens, commodious and safe, mines of silver, lead, iron, espetially of fine tinne; innu­merable flocks of sheep, bearing fine wool, of which is made cloth that serves not only them­selves, but is also transported into other parts: the chief city is London, the inhabitants are brave warriers both at sea and land, and many of them [Page 35] learned and witty: the orders of Knight-hoo [...] are of Saint George, or of the Garter; there are twenty six Knights of it, whereof the King of England was the Soveraign: the Ensigne is a blew Garter, buckled on the left leg, on which these words are embroidered, Honi soit qui ma­l y pense; about their necks they weare a blew ri­band, at the end of which hangeth the image of Saint George, upon whose day this order is for the most part celebrated. Secondly of the Bath, instituted one thousand and nine. They used to be created at the Coronation of Kings and Queens, and the installing of the Prince of Wales. Their duty to defend true religion, Widows, Maids, Orphans, and to maintain the Kings rights; the Knights thereof distinguished by a red riband, which they weare ordinarily about their necks, to difference them from Knights Bachelours, of whom they have in all places the precedence, unless they be also the sons of noble men, to whom their birth gives it before all or­ders. Thirdly of Baronets, an hereditary ho­nour: the arms are Mars, three Lions passant gardant Sol.

Scotland, invironed with the sea, except on the south side where it bordereth with England, is not so fruitful, yet hath of all things enough to sustain it self; the head-city is Edenborough. Scotland giveth not many sorts of course woollen cloth, wool, mault, hides, fish. The principal order of Knighthood here, is that of Saint An­drew. [Page 36] The Knights did weare about their necks a collar interlaced with thistles, with the picture of Saint Andrew appendant to it. The Motto is, ‘Nemo me impune lacessit.’

Secondly of Nova Scotia, ordained by King Iames, one thousand six hundred twenty two, hereditary; but the Knights thereof distinguished by a riband of Orange Tawney: the arms of the kingdome are Sol, a Lion rampant, Mars within a double Tressure counter-flowred.

Ireland is full of brooks, marshes, waters and woods, hath good pasture, and abundance of tame and wild beasts, but little grain: the inhabi­tants are rude and wild people, yet through the conversation and government of the English are dayly more and more brought to civility; the aire here is very temperate, cooler in summer and warmer in winter then in England: the arms of Ireland are Azure, and Harp Or stringed Argent.

The Isles belonging to great Brittain are the Surlings or Scillies, Garnesey, Iarsey, Wight, Ang­lesey, Man, Hebrides, Orcades, and many others. All which three Kingdoms and Islands aforesaid, make up one Common-wealth under the go­vernment of his now Highness OLIVER, Lord Protector. Their religion is Calvinist Pro­testant, their government called Independent.

The Low Countries contain seventeen Pro­vinces, the Dukedoms of Brabant, Guelderland, Lymburge and Lisenburge, the countries of Flan­ders, Artois, Henault, Holland, Zeland, Namen. Zukfen, the Marquisate of the holy Empire, the [Page 37] Lord-ships of Freezland, Michlen, Ouserisen and Graving; all which are lands above measure well tilled and inhabited, containing two hun­dred and eight cities, fortified with walls and ditches, and about six thousand three hundred villages, with parish Churches, besides the Castles, Forts, and Noble mens houses, which are almost infinite in number. This land is wate­red with many excellent rivers, as the Rhine, the Mose, the Mard, the Scheld, and others. It hath also many commodious Sea-Havens, abounding in ships, and very skilful and expert Mariners and Pilots, as by their navigations may appear, whereby they have compassed as it were the whole world. The inhabitants also are very va­liant and notable warriors as well by sea as by land, as their enemies themselves will witnes. They are excellently well skilled in all cunning and handy-crafts. Many attribute unto them the invention of the Sea-compass, as also the needle, and laudable art of printing of books: they send abroad into other parts all sorts of linnen and wollen cloth, Camerick, Pasement­lace, of gold, silver, and silk, Taffata, wrought Velvet, Grograms, Sayes, whole and half Velvet baggs, silk laces, say, and linnen.

All manner of twined thred, wrought silk, re­fined sugar, prepared buff, and Ox hides, as also Spanish leather, pictures, books, cables, ropes, and other ship-furniture, cards, pinns, and all kind of mercery, dried and salt fishes, herring, [Page 38] butter, cheese, and bisket; the people are of the reformed religion, but Flanders and Artois, and they are Papists; they suffer any religion amongst them: the principal order of Knighthood ordai­ned by these Princes is that of the Golden Fleece instituted one thousand four hundred thirty nine, ordained, as some conceive, from Gideons fleece; their habit is a collar of gold interlaced with iron seeming to strike fire out of a flint, or ex fer­ro flammam being the word, at the end whereof hung the Toison'd at Or, or a fleece of gold, th [...] King of Spain may now make as many of them as he please. There are in these parts three Arch-bishops, fifteen Bishops.

Germany is one of the greatest Provinces in Europe, (and is in the midst thereof) bounded on the east with Hungary and Polonia, on the south with Italy and Bolonia, on the west with France; and on the north with the north sea, and with the sea called Mare Balticum. In the middest where­of lyeth Bohemia, wherein stands Pragu [...], where the Emperour commonly keeps his court: it is adorned with magnificent towres, well fortified and furnished with such a number of castles, and of villages, such abundance of people, and with such politique government, that she may compare with any. The soyl is fruitful both in corn and wine, it hath many navigable rivers, sto­red with plenty of fishes, most excellent foun­taines and hot Bathes; Mines of gold, silver, tin, copper, lead, and iron, it hath very learned men, [Page 39] skilful in all sciences and mechanick arts: the re­ligion is here very diverse, for there being many free Provinces, some are Papists, some Protest­ants, and of these again some Calvinists, some Lutherans: There are six Arch-bishops, and thirty four Bishops.

Denmark and Norway are very great regions bordering southward upon Germany; they ex­tend toward the north to seventy one degrees and thirty minutes, and north Latitude towards the east; they border upon Sweden, and on the west and north-side they are invironed with the sea, they at this time are under the government of one King who is Lord of Seland. Greenland, Hitland, and Gothland, these Kingdoms afford unto other lands oxen, barley, malt, stock-fish, tallow, sand, nuts, hides, goat-skins, masts, deales, oaken boards, wood to burn, pitch, tarre, brimstone, and the like: their religion is the Lutherans.

The chief order of Knighthood in it is that of the Elephant, their Badge a collar powdered with Elephants, towred supporting the Kings arms, and having at the end the picture of the Virgin Mary. The arms of the Land are quarterly Or three Lions pasant, Vert, crowned of the first for the Kingdome of Denmark, and two Gules, a Lion rampant Or crowned and armed of the first in the Paws, a Dansk hatchet; argent for the Kingdome of Norway; there are two Arch-Bishops, thirteen Bishops.

[Page 40] Sweden is a great and mighty kingdome, bor­dering on the east upon Muscovia, on the south unto the Baltick Sea, and Denmark on the west unto Norway, and on the north unto the Finmark and the Zurick Sea. The merchandises it sel­leth are copper, iron, lead, costly furres, buff, and ox hides, goat-skins, tallow, pitch, barly, malt, Hazel-nuts, and such like things: their re­ligion is Lutheran: the arms of the Kingdome Azure, three crowns, Or, hath two Arch-bi­shops, eight Bishops.

Russia is the last region towards the east in Eu­rope, a good part of it is in Asia, it is bounded on the north with the Frozen Sea, on the east with Tartaria, on the west it borders upon Livonia, and on the realm of Sweden, and on the south with the sea called Mare Caspium, the greatest part is extreme cold, but for the help of the in­habitants nature hath stored it with furs, sables, white fox, martins, and other commodities, as cattel, corn, and fruit: the whole region is sub­ject to the Emperor of Russia, a wast tract, and as wild a government.

The people are base, ignorant, contentious, and foolishly superstitious; after the Greek Church, they deny the proceeding of the Holy Ghost, they bury their dead upright, with many other ceremonies: Muscovia is the seat of the Empire. The country affords very good flax, and hoop to make casks, and ropes, and store of hides, as well of oxen as helks, [Page 41] much salt fish, and whales grease, the arms are sable, a partel open of two leases and as many degrees, Or. Here is one Patriarch, two Arch-bi­shops, eighteen Bishops.

Poland is bounded on the south with Molda­via, and Hungary, on the east with Muscovia, and with the Tartaries, per O Coptiques, on the west with Germany, and on the north with the Baltick Sea, the religion is partly with the Greek Church, partly with the Roman, and so there are here of the Romish Church three Arch-bishops, and nineteen Bishops, and of the Greek Church, two Arch-bishops; and six Bishops: The arms are one Gem, and Eagle, an Ass argent crowned and Nowed, Or, for the region of Polonia, and two Gules a Chevaleir ar­med Cap a pe advancing his sword argent mounted upon a barbed courser of the second for the Dukedome of Lituania: the commodities sent thence are Spruce or Dantz beer, amber, wheat, rye, and other grain; hony, wax, hemp, flax, pitch and tarr: it hath also mines of copper and iron.

Hungary is bounded on the south with Bosnia and Croatia, on the west with Germany, on the east with Moldavia and Valacha, and on the north with Polonia: a great and mighty Kingdome, and exceeding fruitful, it hath many navigable rivers, wherein are multitude of fish.

The people are strong, and shew their antiqui­ty [Page 42] to be of the Scythians, by thei [...] neglect of lear­ning, and barbarous manners; their sons equally inherit without priviledge of Birthright; their daughters portion is onely a new attire. The German Emperor and the Turk share it be­tween them; the commodities that go from thence are divers sorts of colours, wheat, beef, salt, wine, and river-fish salted: the arms are bar wise of eight pieces, Gules and argent: there are here two Arch-bishops, thirteen Bishops.

Sclavonia hath on the south the Adriatick Sea, on the west part of Italy, Greece on the south east, and Hungary on the north; part of it belongs to the Turk, some to the Venetian estate, some to the Hungarians, and some to the Austrians: the arms Argent, a Cardinals hat, the strings meeting in base Gules perpendant and placed in a true loves knot; there are four Arch-Bishops, twenty six Bishops.

Greece, once a mother of learning and arts, now the den of the Turkish Empire who hath its abode at Constantinople: it is bounded on the west with the Adriatick Sea, on the north with the mountain Hemus, on the south with the Mediterranean Sea, and on the east Aegypt, Hel­lespont Propontis. The commodities brought from hence are gold, silver, coper, divers colours, wines, and velvets, Damask and Turkish Grogram; their religion hath in it some substantial error, as that they deny that the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son, they hold also baptisme [Page 43] of fire to be necessary, yet they resist the Autho­rity of the Bishop of Rome.

And thus now have I finished Europe, the first part of the world.

ASia is now the second part of the world, eparated from Europe by the floods Tanais and Duina, and from Africa, by the narrow part of Lod le lakis.

Unto Egypt, it is bigger then Europe or A­frica, and doth far exceed them in riches, as pre­cious stones and spices: this region hath been renowned by the first & second Monarchs of the world: there man was created, placed in Para­dise, seduced by Sathan, and redeemed by our Saviour: In this part was done most of the histo­ries mentioned in the Old Testament; and many things also in the New: the eminent persons that have the rule of Asia, are the Kings of Chi­na, the King of Persia, the great Turk, and the Emperour of Russia.

Tartaria is bordered upon the north sea, east­ward upon the Sea of China, southward upon the Provinces of China, of India, with the flood Oxdo and the Sea Mare Caspium, and towards the west with the flood Mare Steneum, and Mor­ [...]ovia.

The Tartariaus are divided into certain com­monalties ot colonies, one from another, so they differ in manners and trade of life: they are men of a squa [...]e stature, broad and gross faces, their eyes sink into their heads, and looking somewhat a squint; they are strong of body, and [Page 49] hardy: they eat horses, and all other beasts ex­cept hogs, howsoever they are slain.

China is bounded on the east by the east Sea; on the west with India, and Bramus; and on the north it is divided from Tartaria with a wonder­ful wall four hundred miles long, built between the mountaines: it is divided into fifteen King­doms or great Provinces, and having a peculiar Prince, but all yielding obedience to their great King: it is reported that he may bring into the field three hundred thousand foot, and two hun­dred thousand horsemen. The land is fruitful of grain, and beasts wild and tame, wines, of preci­ous stones, gold, copper, iron, steel, and pearl, and good store of silk; also very great cities, well peopled; Paquin is the royal city, of which things be written that be incredible: the people are lively, witty, wondrous artists, they make wag­gons that sayl over the land as the ships do over the Sea: the art of Printing and making of guns, is more ancient with them then with us: they have good laws according to which they do live; but they want the knowledge of God, for they are heathens, and worship the sun, moon, and stars, yea and the Devil himself that he may not hurt them.

Iapan aboundeth so with gold, that it is re­ported that the Kings palace was covered there­with in the time of Paulus Venetius.

India situated between Persia and the Tartars, Sinca, and the Indian Sea: all writers account [Page 50] it the best and goodliest land in the world, for it [...] almost the whole world with precious Jew­els and pearls, medicinal drugs and perfumes, that it may be called an earthly paradise, and it belongs to the Spaniards.

Persia is a mighty rich land, governed by the Sophy, though he a Mahometist: yet warreth against the Turk for the religion of Mahomet, [...] differences in expounding the Al­cora [...] out of Persia are brought the Bezor stone and other precious stones, pearls of great value, and many [...]k-works.

N [...]tolia or Asia the less, wherein is that part of land fo [...]m [...]rly called Canaan, by which lye the Arabians: this Asia is a good and fruitful country, and hath been eminent in the true re­ligion; for therein were written the most part of the New Testament. It is almost divided from Africa by the Red and Mediterranean sea, and is now a part of the Turkish empire.

The chief Islands of Asia are Zellant, whose ground is alwayes green, and the trees laden with blossoms and fruits, as oranges, lemons; the ci­namon grows here in whole woods, for it is the second rind of a tree, but being cut and laid in the sun, becomes red: the tree in three years space receives his [...]ind again; besides many other beasts, here are a multitude of Elephants.

Sumatra yieldeth besides other sorts of spices, abundandce of pepper, here are also moneys of divers metals, of which the inhabitants [Page 51] have learned to cast good Ordinance; very great Elephants are found here, which being learned are serviceable in war. The Rhinoceros, a deadly enemy to the Elephant, is found here, for though he be less yet he warreth with him, having whet his horn on the rock, he therewith seeks to rip up the Elephan [...]s belly. He is by many held to be the true Unicorne: every part of him, espe­cially his horn, being sovereign against all poyson.

Iava is very fruitful in several spices and Indi­an fruits, especially pepper.

Benda a second Island, but very famous, for herein onely are several islands: hereabout grow all the nutmegs and mace which are in great abundance sent into all the world: the trees on which nutmegs grow, yield three times in the year fruit, onely in August and December, but the most and best in April.

The islands of the Mollucas, though but sand, yet are known all over the world, by reason of the plenty of cloves which grow up here onely are dispersed over all the world, they are five in number, Ternate, Tidon, Matir, Mantrian and Bachion. Victuals are here scant, for there grows neither rice nor any other grain; it hath no cat­tel but a few goats and hogs: they make their bread of certain trees and roots. In these islands onely are found the bird of Paradise, which for [Page 52] the strangeness and fairness of feathers exceeds all the birds in the world.

Thus much touching the second part of the world.

AFrica, the third part of the world, is separa­ted from Europe by the Mediterranean sea, and from Asia by the Red Sea; she yieldeth gold, balm, ivory, ebony, sugar, ginger, dates, aloes, myrrh, feathers: also Madera, the countryes in Asia now follow.

Barbary is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea northward, on the east with Egypt, on the south with the mount Atlas, and westward with the Altantick ocean: the inhabitants are faithless, crafty in promising, and also in performing; they are fraudulent, covetous, and beyond measure jealous of their wives: their country yields olives, figs, dates, oranges, and a certain kind of goat, whose hair makes a stuff as fine as silk.

Egypt hath Idumea on the east, and the bay of Arabia; on the west Barbary, Numidia, and part of Lybia, on the north the Mediterranean Sea, on the south Ethiopia superior or the A­bassin Empire. It containeth in length five hun­dred sixty two Italian miles, and in breadth one hundred sixty, situated under the second and fifth climates, so that their longest day in sum­mer is not above thirteen houres and a half. The air is very hot and of [...]ensive, the soil is fruitful, by the overflowing of Nilus, it hath [Page 56] rich pastures wherein they feed great store of camels, horses, asses, oxen, greater of growth then usually in most places else: and by reason of the morishness of the country, they have al­so great store of fouls, it is furnished with great plenty of metals, some precious stones, good wines, and fruits, as lemons, oranges, pomgra­nates, citrons, figs, cherries, and such as these, ex­cellent both for tast and colour: here grow the Palm trees, which alwayes grow in couples, the male and female, both thrust forth cods full of seed, but the female alwayes fruitfull, and that not except growing by the male, and having his seed mixed with hers: the pith of these trees is an excellent sallade, better then an hartichoke, which in tast it doth much resemble; of the bran­ches they make bedsteds, lattices, &c. of the leaves, baskets, mats, fans, &c. of the outward husk of the cod, cordage, of the inner brushes; the fruit it bears is best known by the name of dates, which are in tast like figs: and finally it is said to yield whatsoever is necessary to the life of man: it is the nature of this tree, though never so ponderous a weight were put upon it, never to yield to the burden, but still to resist the heavi­ness of it, and to endeavour to lift and raise it self the more upwards; a fit emblem of the re­surrection: the people are not black, but tawny or olive-coloured; they weep and mourn over the bodies of their dead, daubed over with dung, they hold it a great impiety to burn or bury them, [Page 57] but having embalmed them they lay them in so me inner room: the men keep at home for the house-hold business, the women follow merchandise and affairs abroade; the men carry burdens upon their heads, and the women upon their shoulders: a witty and ingenious people, the first inventers of Geometry, Arithmetick, Phy­sick, Astronomy, Nec [...]omany, and Sorcery, yea they found out the very use of letters. The Christi­ans among them differ from all other Christi­ans; first, using circumcision with baptisme. Se­condly, conferring all orders under priesthood on infants immediately after baptisme, their pa­rents, till they come to sixteen years of age, per­forming what they promised in their behalf, to wit, chastity, fasting on Wednesday and Friday, and the four Lents of the year. Thirdly, reputing baptisme not to be of any efficacy except minist­red by a priest in the open Church, in what extre­mity soever. Fourthly, & yet not baptising any chil­dren till the fortieth day, though they die in the mean time. Fifthly, giving the Lords Supper to infants as soon as christened. Sixtly, contracting marriages in the second degree without dispen­sation. Seventhly, not observing the Lords day, nor any Festivals, except in cities. Eighthly, rea­ding the Gospel writ by Nicodemus. They differ from the Papists in these things: first, administring the Lords Supper in both kinds: secondly, with leavened bread: thirdly, admitting neither ex­treme unction nor the Lords Supper to those that [Page 58] are sick: fourthly, nor Purgarory not prayer for the dead: fifthly, not using elevation in the act of administring: and sixthly, accounting the Ro­man Church for he [...]etical, and esteeming the La­tines no better then the Iews.

Mount Atlas is a ridge of hils, of exceeding height, and of no small length, it is above the clouds, and is alwayes covered with snow in the midst of summer, full of thick woods; and against Africa so fruitful, that it affords excellent fruits of its natural growth, not planted, grafted, or in­oculated with the hand of man.

Lybia hath mount Atlas on the north, by which it is parted from Barbary and Asrenaca, on the east with Lybia, Marmarica interposed be­twixt it and Egypt, and part of Ethiopia superior, or the Abassine Empire, on the south with Ethio­pia inferior, and the land of Nigros, and on the west with the main Atlantick Ocean; the country abounds with dates, the chief diet of the people, which commonly rotteth out their teeth; their goats they feed with the stones, wherewith they grow fat, and yield store of milk; the air is so [...]ound, that it cureth the French Pox without any Physick; the inhabitants are a base and vile peo­ple, thieves, murderers, treacherous, and igno­rant of all things, feeding most on dates, barley, and carrion, counting bread a diet for holidayes; their garments of the coursest cloth, so short that [Page 59] they cover not half the body; the richer sort wear a jacket of blew cotton, with great sleeves, they ride upon camels without stirrup or sad­dle, a leather thrust through an hole made in the nose of the camel, serves them for a bridle, and to save spurs, they use a goade; their religion is Mahome [...]isme.

The land of Negros is bounded on the east with Ethiopia superior, on the west with the Atlantick Ocean, on the north with Lybia Deser­ta, and the south with the Ethiopick Ocean, and part of Ethiopia inferior: the country very hot by reason of the situation under the torrid zone, yet very well inhabited, full of people, and in some places alwaies grass, well watered, specially where the River Niger overfloweth, well stored with corn, cattel, and garden ware, well wood­ed, having store of beasts wild and tame; they want fruit trees, they have both gold and silver mines very pure; the inhabitants are of little wit, and destitute of all arts and sciences, prone [...] luxury, and for the most part Mahometans.

Ethiopia superior is bounded on the east with the Red Sea, and the Sinus Barbaricus, on the west with Lybia inferior: the Realm of Nabia in the land of Negros, and part of the Kingdome of Congo in the other Ethiopia, & on the north with Egypt, and Lybia Marmarica, and on the south with the mountains of the moon: it is in length a thousand five hundred miles; in breadth half [Page 60] as much: the religion of the people is, they use to circumcise their children both males & females. Secondly, they baptize the males at forty, & the females 80 daies after circumcision. Thirdly, after the Lords Supper, they are not to spit till sun-set. Fourthly, they profess but one nature and one will in Christ. Fifthly, they accept only the three first General Councels. Sixthly, their Priests live by the labour of their own hands, for they allow them nothing, nor permit them not to beg. Se­venthly, they baptize themselves every Epipha­nie in lakes and ponds, because that day they suppose Christ to have been baptized of Iohn in Iordan. Eighthly, they eat not of those beasts which in the old law are reckoned for unclean, and they keep the Jews Sabbtah equally solemn with the Lords day. Tenthly, they minister the Lords Supper to infants presently after baptisme. Eleventhly, they reach the reasonable soul of man is derived from the parents by seminal pro­pagation. Twelfthly, that infants dying unbap­tized, are sanctified in the womb by vertue of the Lords Supper received by the mother after her conception. And finally, they shew a book of eight volumes, writ as they say by the Apost­les assembled at Jerusalem for that purpose, the contents therof they observe most solemnly, and they differ from the Papists as the Christians in Egypt, they are under the goverment of Prester Iohn and the Turk.

I pass by Ethiopia inferior, the people being [Page 61] Pagans, and likewise I omit the several Islands of Africa being but small, because I have been so large already.

AMerica, the fourth part of the world, hath obtained this name from Americus Vespu­tius, who in the year of Christ one thousand four hundred ninety seven, did sail about it; but it was first of all discovered by Christopher Colum­bus, five years before, who went out with the authority of Ferdinando King of Castile, and called it the new West-Indies, by reason of the likeness, where they seem to return to the other Indies. It is divided into two parts, one is called Mexicana and Peruana: the Spaniards and Hol­landers possess a great part thereof, which they have fortified very strongly: it is exceeding rich of gold and silver, insomuch, that as the Histo­rians witness, Attalalipa King of Peru, being taken prisoner by the Spaniard, for his ransome did offer and promise to fill his prison, being a place of twelve foot long and seventeen foot broad, once full of gold, to such a height, as he standing upon the toes of his feet, was able to reach with the points of his fingers stretched on high; or fill the same twice as full of silver, if they had rather have that, unto the uppermost roof of it: yea the Spaniards when they first en­tred into the country shod their horses both with gold and silver, as Historians testifie. Peruana is divided now adaies into three several parts, ac­cording to the situation of the land, to wit, in [Page 66] plain land, in mountains, and in lands which are hilly grounds without them. Out of these coun­tries are brought over into Europe, gold, silver, Beza, and other precious stones, salsaparilla, sugar in abundance, Brasil wood, cotton, costly plumes, jackanapses, several sorts of curiously fea­thered birds, and many more druggs, and mer­chandise; and thus much for the fourth part of the world.

Magellanica, which some Geographers would have now the fifth part of the world, is since found out to be a very little part, as consisting onely of some few Islands, and the southern side of the Magellanick Straits so called, by Fredericus Ma­gellanicus, who discovered it in the year one thousand five hundred and twenty, writing moreover that there he had seen tall men about nine, and ten foot high; and he saw many fires which the inhabitants had kindled, doubtless by reason of the coldness of the weather, he named it the land of fire, or smoky, whereby he presu­med the more, that it must needs be a very vast great country reaching east and westwards unto new Guinney, according to which guessing it hath hitherto been delineated by the maps of Geo­graphers; but since hath there in stead thereof a large and wide Sea been found both by Iacob Le Mair, who in the year one thousand six hun­dred sixteen, sayling about the southern coast of these islands entred into the Indies, and by Iohn [Page 67] Davis in the year one thousand six hundred forty two, who sayling toward the north, about one thousand 6 hundred forty further then Guinny dis­covered divers lands, and passing on the southside sayled about the east coast of new Guinny, and so going on westward, he came to the Indies; whence we may certainly gather that all the for­mer descriptions and definitions of the Magella­nick and unknown lands, are but meer abuses and certain devised fables.

And thus now God enabling me, I have fini­shed the description of the world, and the four parts thereof: and leave my endeavours herein to the judgement of the Reader.