HEaven was too long a reach for man to recover at one steppe . And therefore God first placed him upon the earth , that he might for a time contemplate upon his inferiour workes , magnifie in them his Creator : and receive here a hope of a fuller blisse , which by degrees he should at last enjoy in his place of rest . For this end was the lower world created in the beginning out of a rude masse , which before had no forme . And that it might be made habitable , the Lord separated the dry land from the waters upon the third day . Yet so as still they make but one Globe , whose Center is the same with the middle world ; and is the point and rest as it were of all heavie bodies , which naturally apply themselves to it : and there are supported by their owne weight and equall poyze .

(2) It hath seemed incredible ( to such as measure the wonders of God by mans wisdome ) that this massie part of the world should subsist by it selfe , not borne up by any outward prop , incompast onely with subtile and fleeting ayre , such as can neither helpe to sustaine nor resist the fall , could the earth be moved from her due place . But the wonder will cease if we remember , that the Lord sitteth upon the circle of the earth , Isa. 40. He set it upon her foundations so that it shall never move . He covered it with the deepe as with a Garment . The waters would stand above the mountains , but at his rebuke they fled . Yet he set them a bound which they should not passe , Psal. 104.

(3) Thus ordered by divine providence the Earth and Sea compose themselves into a Sphericall figure , as is here described . And is caused by the proper inclination of each part , which being heavie , fals from every point of the circumference , and claps about the center : there settles as neer as it may towards his place of rest . We may illustrate both the figure and situation by a familiar similitude , to an ingenious apprehension . Suppose we a knot to be knit in the midst of a cord that hath many ends : and those to be delivered to sundry men of equall strength , to be drawne severall waies round from every part , above and below , and on each side ; questionlesse whilest every man drawes in the boes of the knots , it must needs become round : and whilst they continue to pluck with equall strength , it must rest immoveable in the middle betwixt them : since every strength , that would destroy , hath a strength equall to resist it . So it is in the bosome of the earth , where every part meets upon equall priviledges of nature : nor can any passe farther then the center , to destroy this compacted figure : for it must meet there with a body that will oppose it . Or if not , yet could it not passe since every motion from the middle were to ascend , which Nature will not permit in a body of weight as the earth is .

(4) Now though in a Sphere every crosse line which way soever drawne , if it runne through the middle , must needs be of equall quantity , and therefore admits no difference of length or b●edth : yet the Geographers for their purpose have conceived ( and but conceived ) a Longitude and Latitude upon the earth . The Longitude they reckon from the first Meridian in the Azores , and so Eastward round number the degrees upon the Aequator : The Latitude from the Aequator to each Pole , and number the degrees upon the outward Meridionall circle . This inkling may suffice to instruct the ignorant in the search of any place that shall be hereafter mentioned in my Discourse .

(5) The compasse of the whole is cast by our latest and most learned , to be 216000. English miles ; which though none ever yet so paced , as to measure them by the foote : yet let not the ignorant reject this account , since the rule by which they are led cannot faile . For we see by continuall experience , that the Sunne for every degree in the Heavens gaines sixtie miles upon earth towards his circuit round : and after 360. degrees returneth to the same point in respect of us , as before it was . Repeat the number of sixtie so oft , and you will finde the account just . And so by proportion of the Circumference to the Diameter ( which is triplu sesqui septima the same which 22. hath to 7. ) we may judge like wise of the earths thicknesse to the Center . The whole Diameter must ( by rule ) be somewhat lesser then a third part of the circle : that in proportion to 216000. will be 6872. halfe the number will reach the middle of the world , and that is 3436. In this report both of the quantitie and forme of the earth , we must not require such exactnesse as cannot vary a hairs bredth : for we see that the mountains of the earth , and often times the waves of the Sea make the superficies unequall . It will be sufficient , if there be no difference sensible to be reckoned in so great a balke . For let us rudely hew a ball out of a rough stone ; still it is a ball though not so smooth as one of Crystall . Or suffer a mote to fall upon a Sphaere of glasse it changeth not its figure : farre lesse are the mountaines which we see in respect of the whole lumpe . For other rules or termes Geographicall I referre thee to a peculiar tract , that will afford me more roome and time .

(6) When the earth and sea were thus prepared with a due figure , a just quantitie and convenient seate both in respect of the heavens and themselves : Nature began ( at command of the most High ) to use her art , and to make it a fit dwelling place for the image of God , for so was man created : and so indeed was the earth no other then the picture of heaven . The ground brought forth her plants and fruits : the skies were filled with the fowle of the ayre : the waters yeelded their fish , and the field their cattle . No sooner his house was thus furnisht , but man enters upon his possessions the sixth day . And that shall be our tract to find out the worlds first Inhabitants ; where it was peopled in the beginning : and how it was over-spread with Countries and Nations , as now it is .

(7) In the first age , there was little need of skill to measure the whole earth . A garden plot might suffice , and so ( for a time ) it did . It was planted in Eden . But where that was I may not peremptorily determine , nor indeed dare I be so curious in the search . The hidden things belong to the Lord , the revealed to us , Deut. 29. God himselfe in the beginning set a Cherubin , and the blade of a sword shaken to keepe the re-entry from our first Parents : and we may affirme , hath concealed it ever since . Yet to satisfie ( in some measure ) such as are more inquisitive , I will touch at the severall conjectures , which have passed upon the place of this earthy Paradise , Rog. Higden Monk of Chester , and with him Ioh. Trevisa set it in the field of Damascus : and many other probably ( enough ) have thought it was in the land of Canaan . For that in divers places , it is noted with attributes proper to the garden of Eden . She was seated in the midst of Nations . Ezek. 5. It was a Land of Wheat , Barley , and Vines , Figtrees , and Pomegranates , a Land of Olives and Hony , a land whose stones were iron , and out of whose hils might be digged brasse , Deut. 8. She was pleasant above all Lands , Ezek. 20. Yet Franciscus Iunius , D. Willet , Sr. Walt. Raleigh and others , make it a part of Mesopotamia , North-west from Babylon , about the degree of 78. in Longitude , & of Latitude 35. where stil the Rivers meet mentioned in Genesis . And where Ptolemy hath the Audanites , a corrupt name ( as is supposed ) from Eden . Certainly it was about the middle of the earth , and abounded by a peculiar blessing of God , with all kinds serviceable for the use of man .

(8) But Adam soone lost his possession by his disobedience , and was cast out on the East side of the Garden where he placed himselfe . Moses makes no more particular Relation . Cain is specified to have gone out of the presence of the Lord into the Land of Nod , and there built him a Citie , and named it after his sonnes name Henoch : this was the first Citie and was seated ( some thinke ) about Mount Libanus . As the place , so the time when it was founded is uncertaine : but the common conjecture gives it to be about two or three hundred years after the Creation , when the world was replenished ; as well it might be within that compasse , if we compare it to our knowne Stories . Abraham in 215. years had 600. thousand of his owne stocke , in the blessed line , besides women and children . And in this number we omit his other seed , of whom came twelve Princes . Questionlesse after this proportion the people multiplied in the beginning , and so for 1656. yeares forward , and that must needs fill a large portion of the earth , most likely those parts of Asia that lye neerest to their first seat . For they wandred no farther then necessitie of roome compelled them .

(9) But now as man , so the sinne of man was growne to a height . For this the wrath of God fell upon them in a Flood , that destroyed the whole earth saving eight persons , Noah and his family , who were commanded into an Arke built by Gods owne direction , and is held to have been the pattern for all Ships to all posteritie .

( 10 ) When the anger of the Lord was ceased , and the waters abated , after 150. dayes float the Arke rested upon the Mountaines of Ararat in Armenia . They are supposed by most to be the same which Ptolemy calleth Montes Cordios , about the degree 75. Longitude , and in Latitude 39 Master Cartwright a Tayailor of our owne Nation reports himselfe an eye-witnesse of many ancient and ruinous foundations there , which the Inhabitants have beleeved through all ages to be the work of those first people , that for a long time durst not adventure into the lower Countries for feare of another Flood .

( 12 ) There when their number increased , and they forced still to seeke new Colonies , they were ambitious to leave a name behind them for posteritie : and therefore adventured upon a building whose top should reach heaven : and so indeed it did ; for it fetcht from thence Gods second vengeance . He confounded their speech , that they no longer understood one the other . Thus they were broke off from their impious attempt , and scattered upon all the earth ( about an hundred years after the Flood ) into seventy two severall Nations , as some have punctually numbred them .

( 13 ) Whether Noah himselfe were present , or to what place he removed , it is uncertaine . He had yet two hundred and fiftie yeares to live , and thought to have had his habitation in Phaenicia North-ward from Palestine about the degree of 66. and 33.

( 14 ) His sonnes , Sem , Ham , and Iapheth possest their severall Provinces of the world . From Iapheth came the Isles of the Gentiles , of which we are a part , to him Europe is by most allotted . Sem not guiltie questionlesse of that proud enterprise , rested himselfe in the land of Canaan , which he knew as it was revealed to Abraham , should be given to his posteritie . Yet part of his issue , ( the sonnes of Iocktan ) were divided and lived remote toward the East . To him was Asia . But Cham by his fathers curse , for discovering his nakednesse , roaved to the utmost parts of the earth , and peopled with his progeny especially those Countries which are most toucht in Histories for Barbarisme and Idolatrie . As indeed how could it otherwise be ? since himselfe had lost his father that should instruct him : and therefore could deliver no precepts to his children , but left every one to his owne inventions . And those that at the confusion spred where ever they came this diversitie of Customes and Religions , that possesse the world at this day . To him was Africa .

( 15 ) America too doubtlesse had her portion in the division , though not so soone or so immediate , but seemed rather of later times to have received her people from the bordering parts of Asia : and those are thought by most to have beene first inhabited by Iocktan and his thirteene sonnes the issue of Sem. It is said in the text they possessed the East part from Mesha to Sephar , Iosephus takes the first for a Countrey , and the second for a Mountaine in India : in so much as that he strictly bounds out their possession from the River Cephew to Ieria , which is now called the East or Portugall Indies . Indeed many of those Easterne Regions are noted to beare the name as yet of Iocktans sonnes . The Shabeans sound as if they had Sheba to their father . And from Havilah is a Countrey in Ieria . From Saphira , Iosephus derives Ophir , both of especiall fame for their plentie of Gold . But it is Doctor Willets opinion that Ophir was rather the same Region in the West Indies which is now called Peru. To say truth , we have little certaine of the first Inhabitants which were seated in America , or the parts of Asia neere about her : whether they were so long since knowne I must doubt . For the bestowing of Iocktan and his sonnes , it was toward the East from Mesha to Sephar : but where those are Saint Ierome confesseth himselfe at a stand . And for my part I will travell no farther in these hidden mysteries , then I find a path beaten before me .

( 16 ) This may satisfie the ingenuous , that I have ( as farre as I might in this little roome ) tract the first Nations from their first Founders which they had in the beginning . But to draw the direct line of every people mixt as now they are , I thinke a worke impossible . To me I am sure it is . For besides our severall translation , and promiscuous commerce , that puzzle us in the knowledge of our selves : we have of late found , and as yet are in search of a new people , that know not their owne originall ; nor have we any meanes to examine it , but conjecturall , such as may faile . To Moses time the Scripture affordeth us a certain truth for as many as he mentioneth . And since we have some light from such as have laboured in the search of Antiquities . The families ( as Iosephus gives time ) are truly and curiously brancht forth and placed among the Genealogies before our Bible of the last translation .

( 17 ) Thus farre it was requisite we should know at large the growth of the world from the beginning ; and how the whole earth which at first knew but one Land-Lord , hath beene since rent into severall parcels , which Kings and Nations call their owne , and maintain their claime by force of Armes . This little compasse will not admit a more particular Relation of their affaires . For that I must referre my Reader to their Historians , and now descend to the Geographicall description and division of the world , as in after ages it was found by our first Artists , and hath beene since more at large discovered by the experience of our later travell●urs .

( 18 ) And in this we may full observe our 〈◊〉 . For questionlesse by the same degrees almost as it was inhabited , so it grew into the knowledge of our ancient Geographers . And therefore our first Authours in this Science bounded their descriptions within a lesse compasse , and divided the world into those three parts onely , which you see lye closest about the point of the earth , where the first men , first Religion , first Citie , first Empire , and first Arts were . For in Ptolemyes time ( about an hundred and fortie years after Christ ) we heare not of either Land or Sea knowne more then was contained in Asia , Africa , and Europe .

( 19 ) And of that he never knew the East and North parts of Asia ; nor the South of Africa , no nor the most Northerly parts of Europe : but placed the end of the world that way in ultima Thule , about sixtie three degrees from the Aequator . And Southward the other way not above 17. degrees , in Prosso perm●torio , which at this day is called Mosambique Kicks . So the whole Latitude of the world , then knowne , did not reach the fourth part of the Compasse . In the Longitude indeed they came not so farre short ; yet left they just halfe to the search of their posteritie . For they placed their first Meridian in the Fortunate Islands , and ended their reckoning in Region Sinarum of the Easterne Indies , and that is distant but 180. degrees toward the 260. which is the compasse of the whole .

( 20 ) But God in these latter times hath inlarged our possessions , that his Gospel might be propagated , and hath discovered to us Inhabitants almost in every corner of the earth . Our latter Geographers have set their marke beyond Ptolemies 60. degrees Eastward . And West-ward to the utmost parts of America . So that there are already knowne 340. of the earths Longitude . Toward the North Pole we have gained more in proportion , as farre as Nova z●mbla , and the sea is knowne to be navigable to the eight first degrees . Whether the rest be Land or not , it never yet appeared to any ( as I heare of ) but an Oxford Frier by a magique voyage . He reports of a black rock just under the Pole , and an Isle of Pygmies : other strange miracles , to which ( for my part ) I shall give little credit till I have better proofe for it then the Devils word .

Now of all the Southerne course is most unknowne ; and yet Art hath not beene idle , nor altogether lost it selfe in the search : it hath discovered Countries about the 52. degree toward the Pole , but so uncertainly , that it may well yet keep her name of Terra incong●ita .

( 21 ) Admirable was the wit of that man that first found out the vertue of the Loadstone , and taught thus to apply it in the Art of Navigation . And indeed the industry of them is much to be honoured , that have since ventured both their meanes and persons upon dangerous attempts , in the discoveries of people and Nations that knew not God , nor had apparant meanes for their redemption without his helpe . Among these ( though the Genoa , Spaniard , and Portugall , carry the first name ) we have noble sp●rits of our owne Nation , not to be ranked in the last place . Stupenda fuit revera industria Anglorum , saith Keckerman . And indeed we may justly enough requite him with his owne Elogie . The Dutch too have done their parts to joyne a new world to the old .

( 22 ) To us it may be well called a new World : for it comprehends in it two Continents , either of them larger then two parts of the other are .

The one is that Westerne Hemisphere that beares the name America from Americus Vesputius : but was indeed discovered ( seven yeares before he knew it ) by Christopherus Columbus in the yeare 1492. And the other is the Terra Magellanica , seated above the South Pole , and first found by Ferdinand Magellanus some twenty yeares after or thereabout : and is thought to be greater then the whole earth besides . Hitherto it is but conjecturall , and some few Provinces have been rather described then knowne . You shall find them named in their severall Regions upon the Sea-coasts . Nova Guinea , Terra del Feugo , Psittacorum regio , Lucach , Beach , and Maletur .

( 23 ) With these additions the world by some is divided into sixe parts , Europe , Asia , Africa , America , Septentrionalis , Incognita , and Terra Australis Magellanica : which are thus disposed in the Globe of the earth . Asia in the Easterne Hemisphaere .

And being the first part which was inhabited , shall be the point unto which I will direct the rest : part on the West and part on the South is Africa scituated : on the North and West Europe : more toward the West America utraque : full North Septentrionalis incognita : and full South the Terra Magellanica .

( 24 ) Those we will reduce ( in our method ) to the foure common parts which generally passe in our descriptions of the world : Europe , Asia , Africa , America utraque : in this last include the Terra Septentrionalis , and Magellanica ( as others have before done ) and allow it not a severall part by it selfe , in regard that little can be reported of those Countries , but what may be dispatcht in a few words . The Inhabitants are not many in either , and those barbarous , in the Terra Magellanica they goe naked . In the land Del Feugo there is much smoake . In Psitta●●rum Region there are great ●●●rats . In Beach gold . In Mal●●● spices .

( 25 ) Of the rest severally I shall not need here to inlarge my Discourse , since the particular Map of every Region may justly challenge it as their proper right : and will be I hope very shortly extant for my Reader to peruse .