Chapter VII: Documents (2)

It is hard to say what is certaine among the so many, and so uncertaine opinions concerning the originall of the _Indians_ of the new World. If you aske, what is my opinion upon the relation of _Montezinus_, I must say, it is scarce possible to know it by any Art, since there is no demonstration, which can manifest the truth of it; much lesse can you gather it from Divine, or humane Writings; for the Scriptures doe not tell what people first inhabited those Countries; neither was there mention of them by any, til _Christop. Columbus_, _Americus_, _Vespacius_, _Ferdinandus_, _Cortez_, the Marquesse _Del Valle_, and _Franciscus Pizarrus_ went thither; and though hitherto I have been of this minde, that I would speake only of solid, and infallible things, (as those things are which concerne our Law) and the obscurity of the matter, making me doubt, whether it would be worth a while for me to attempt it; yet at last I was content to be perswaded to it, not that I looke to get credit by it, but that my friends, and all who seeke for truth, that have put me upon this work, may see how very desirous I am to please them.

I shall speake somewhat in this Discourse, of the divers opinions which have been, and shall declare in what Countries it is thought the ten Tribes are; and I shall close, after that I have brought them into their owne Country, which I shall prove by good reasons, following the Revelations of the holy Prophets, who I beleeve cannot be expounded otherwise, whatever some thinke; yet I intend not to dispute these things, but according to my custome, shall lay down fairly, and faithfully, the opinions of the _Jewes_ only.

_SECT. 2._

You must know therefore, that _Alexis Vanegas_ saith, that the first Colonies of the _West-Indies_ were of the _Carthaginians_, who first of all inhabited _New-Spaine_, and as they encreased, spread to the Island _Cuba_; from thence to the continent of _America_; and after that towards _Panama_, _New-Spaine_, and the Isle of _Peru_. And he grounds himselfe on that reason, that as the _Carthaginians_ (who of old did most use the Seas) so those of _Peru_, and the Inhabitants of _New-Spaine_, did make use of Pictures instead of Letters.

But this opinion doth not satisfie, because they anciently were white men, bearded, and civill in converse; but contrarily those of _Panama_, St. _Martha_, and the Isles in _Cuba_, and _Barlovent_, went naked. Further-more, who can thinke that the language which he saith, they first spoke, should be so soone changed, that it should be wholly another; and there is no agreement between the one and the other. The learned _Arias Montanus_ thinkes, that the _Indians_ of _New-Spaine_, and _Peru_, are the Off-spring of _Ophir_ the sonne of _Jokton_, the nephew of _Heber_. And he backes his opinion, by the name _Ophir_, which by transposition of letters, is the same with _Peru_; and he adds, that the name _Parvaim_ in the duall number, doth signifie the _Istmus_ between _New-Spaine_ and _Peru_, which first was called _Ophir_, then _Peru_; and that these Countries are that _Peru_, from whence King _Solomon_ brought Gold, precious Stones, &c., as in _1 King._ _chap._ 9. _v._ 10. & _2 Chron._ 9.21. This opinion seems more probable than the other, and may be backed by another name of the River _Piru_, which according to _Gomoras_, lyes in the second degree from the Equinoctiall line, from _Panama_ 222. miles; as also by the name of the Province _Jucatan_, which may be derived from _Joktan_ the father of _Ophir_. But besides that this notation is somewhat farre fetcht, it crosses what _Josephus Acosta_ affirmes in _1. Histor._ of _Jud._ _c._ 13. who saith, that the name _Peru_ was unknowne to the _Indians_ themselves before those _Spaniards_ gave that name. Add to this what _Garcillasso de la Vega_ in the first part of his Commentary on _Peru_, _c._ 4. saith, that when a certaine _Spanyard, Basco Nunnez de Balboa_, lived in that Country, and asked a Fisher-man, what was the name of that Province, he answered _Beru_; (which was the Fisher-mans owne name, he thinking that was the question) and he farther said, that the name of the River where he fished, was called _Pelu_. Hence you may see, that _Peru_ is made of both those words; which also many _Spanyards_ besides him, we have mentioned, doe testifie. Besides, who can thinke that _Solomon_ neglecting the _East-Indies_, a place so rich, and abounding with all things, should send a Fleet so farre off as to the _West-Indies_. Also we read in _1 King._ 9. that _Solomon_ made ships in _Ezion-Geber_ on the shoare of the red Sea, which also _Jehosaphat_ did, with _Ahaziah_, as _Ezra_ saith, in _2 Chron._ 20. and it is certaine that those of those Countries went that ordinary way to _India_. And it will not follow, that because the holy Scripture sometimes saith, that they went to _Tarsis_, and sometimes; that they went to _Ophir_, that therefore both those places are the same; since that _Tarsis_ is not, as some thinke _Carthage_, or _Tunes_ in _Africa_ for that the Navie of _Solomon_ did not set sayle from _Joppa_, a port of the Mediterranean, but from _Ezion-Geber_, a Port of the red Sea, from whence they could not sayle to _Carthage_, but to the _East-Indies_. The answer of _Isaac Abarbanel_ to that argument, cannot be admitted, who saith, that an arme of _Nilus_ did run into the red Sea, and another arme ran into the Mediterranean, by _Alexandria_ in _Ægypt_; since it was never heard, that ships of great burden, did swim in those rivers; and would not he then have built his Navie in the Port of _Alexandria_? It is more true that _Tarsis_ is the Ocean, or _Indian_ Sea; and because they came into the Ocean, after that they had sayled over the red Sea, which is but narrow, therefore the Scripture saith, _They Sayled_ to Tarsis. _Rabbi Jonathan ben Uziel_ followes this opinion, who in his Paraphrase, for _Tarsis_, puts (the Sea.) The same saith _Franciscus de Ribera_, in his Comment. on _Jonah_, and also _Rabbinus Josephus Coen_, in his _Chronology_; who ascribe the word _Tarsis_, to the _Indian_ Sea; because that _Ophir_ is the same Country, which of old is called, _The Golden Chersonesus_; and by _Josephus_, _The Golden Land_; and at this day _Malacca_; from whence they brought Ivory, for the great number of Elephants which are there; none of which are in the _West-Indies_, and _Solomons_ Navie stayed in those Ports of _India_ three yeares, because they traded with the Inhabitants! I know that learned _Grotius_, and famous _de Laet_ thinke differently; as also those quoted by them; but I shall not insist in confuting their opinions because I study brevity. I doe like of, in part, the opinion of the _Spaniards_ who dwell in the _Indies_, who by common consent doe affirme that the _Indians_ come of the ten Tribes. And truly they are not altogether mistaken, because in my opinion, _they were the first planters of the Indies_; as also other people of the _East-Indies_ came by that Streight which is between _India_, and the Kingdome of _Anian_. But that people, according to our _Montezinus_, made warre upon those Inhabitants the _Israelites_, whom they forced up unto the mountaines, and the in-land Countries, as formerly the _Brittaines_ were driven by the _Saxons_ into _Wales_.

_SECT. 3._

The first ground of that opinion is taken from _2 Esdra._ 13. _v._ 40. &c. (which we quote as ancient, though it be Apocryphall) where it’s said, that the ten Tribes which _Salmanaster_ carried captive in the reigne of _Hoseas_, beyond _Euphrates_, determined to goe into Countries farre remote, in which none dwelt, whereby they might the better observe their Law. And as they passed over some branches of _Euphrates_, God wrought Miracles, stopping the course of the Floud, till they had passed over; and that Country is called _Arsareth_. From whence we may gather, that the ten Tribes went to _New-Spaine_, and _Peru_, and possessed those two Kingdoms, till then without Inhabitants. _Genebrardus_, quoting _Esdras_ concerning that wandring of the ten Tribes, saith, that _Arsareth_ is _Tartaria_ the greater, and from thence they went to _Greenland_, for that _America_ is lately found to be on that side farther from Sea, than it is upon other sides, being almost an Island, and they might passe from _Greenland_ by the streight of _Davis_ into the Country _Labrador_, which is now called _India_, being fifty miles distant from thence, as _Gomoras_ saith in his History. The same journying of the ten Tribes into _India_, is confirmed by that which _P. Malvenda_ reports, That _Arsareth_ is that Promontory which is neare to _Scythia_, or _Tartary_, neare the Sea, called by _Pliny_, _Tabis_, where _America_ is parted from the Country of _Anian_ by a narrow Sea; which also on that side parts _China_, or _Tartary_ from _America_; so that there might be an easie passage for the ten Tribes through _Arsareth_, or _Tartary_ into the Kingdomes of _Anian_, and _Quivira_; which in time might plant the new world, and firme land; which in bignesse equals _Europe_, _Asia_, and _Africa_ put together; _Alonsus Augustinianus_ counting from the shoare of the North Sea, from the Country of _Labrador_ 3928 miles, and from _Sur_ 3000. miles; but _Gomaras_ counts from _India_ by the South, and _Sur_, 9300. miles; which space is bigge enough for the ten Tribes, that they may there spread in places hitherto unknowne.

_SECT. 4._

He strengthens this opinion, that in the Isle St. _Michael_, which belongs to the _Azores_, the _Spaniards_ found Sepulchres under ground, with very ancient Hebrew letters, which _Genebrardus_ hath Printed, _in lib._ _1. chro._ _p._ 159. From whence we gather, that in that inscription there is a mistake of the letter (T.) so that the sense of it is, _How perfect is God. Sehalbin is dead. Know God._ Unlesse you will have them to be proper Names, and to signifie him that is dead, and his Father, in which sense for (M) you must read (B) and then the sense will be, _Meetabel seal, the Son of Matadel_; such names ending in (el) are common in Scripture, as _Raphael_, _Immanuel_, and the like. Let it suffice him who is pleased with neither of those conjectures, that _Hebrew_ Letters were found there. And though that Island is remote from the _West-Indies_, yet it might be by accident that they might put in thither.

_SECT. 5._

That seemes to be to the purpose which _Garcillassos de la Voga_ saith in his Comment. on _Peru_, _lib._ 3. _c._ 1. _That in_ Tiahuanacu _a Province of_ Collai, _among other Antiquities, this is worthy of memory_, (_being scituated at the Lake which the_ Spaniards _call Chutuytu_) _That among the great buildings which are there, one was to be seene of a very great pile, which hath a Court 15. fathoms broad; a wall that compasseth it, 2 furlongs high; on one side of the Court is a Chamber 45 foot long, and 22 broad; and the Court, the Wall, the Pavement, the Chamber, the Roofe of it, the entrance, the posts of the 2 gates of the Chamber, and of the entrance, are made only of one stone; the three sides of the Wall are an ell thick; the_ Indians say, _that that House is dedicated to the Maker of the World_. I conjecture that building to be a Synagogue, built by the _Israelites_; for the Authors who writ about the _Indies_, tell us, that the _Indians_ never use Iron, or Iron weapons. Also the _Indians_ were Idolaters, and therefore it could not be that they should build an house to God. _P. Acosta in lib._ 6. _Ind. histor._ _c._ 14. mentions such buildings as are in that place; and he reports that he measured a stone which was 38. foot long, 18 foot broad, and sixe foot thick. _Petrus Cieza_ in his first part of his Chronicles of _Peru_, _c._ 87. relates, That in the City _Guamanga_, which is scituated by the river _Vinaque_, there is a vast building, which because then it seemed almost ruined by time, it therefore had lasted many yeares. He asking the neighbouring _Indians_, Who built that great Pile? He learnt, that it was made by a people (who were bearded, and white as the _Spaniards_) who came thither a long time before (and staid some time after) the _Indians_ raigned there; and the _Indians_ said, that they had received it from their Fathers by Tradition. The same _Cieza_, _cap._ 10. 5. of the Antiquity of _Tiguanac_, saith, that what the _Indians_ boast to be very ancient, can by no meanes be compared with that Ancient building, and other things. From all which you may well gather, that the first Inhabitants of that place were the _Israelites_ of the ten Tribes, because they were white, and bearded.

_SECT. 6._

To this opinion adde an argument taken from what Logicians call _a simili_; for he that will compare the Lawes and Customes of the _Indians_ and _Hebrewes_ together, shall finde them agree in many things; whence you may easily gather, That the _Indians_ borrowed those of the _Hebrewes_ (who lived among them) before, or after they went to the unknowne Mountaines. The _Indians_ of _Jucatan_, and the _Acuzainitenses_ doe circumcise themselves. The _Totones_ of _New Spaine_, and _Mexicans_ (as _Roman_ and _Gomaza_ in the generall History of the _Indians_ testifie) rend their garments, if there happen any sudden misfortune or the death of any. _Gregorius Gracias in Monarchia Ingasonum_, an Isle of _Peru_, saith, that _Guainacapacus_ hearing that his sonne _Atagualpa_ fled for feare of the Army of his enemy, he rent his garments. The _Mexicans_, and _Totones_, or the _Totonacazenses_ kept continually fire upon their Altars, as God commands in _Leviticus_. Those of _Peru_ doe the same, in their Temples dedicated to the Sun. The _Nicaraguazenses_ doe forbid their women who were lately brought a bed, to enter their Temples, till they are purified. The inhabitants of _Hispaniola_ thinke those doe sin, who lye with a woman a little after her childe-birth. And the _Indians_ of _new Spaine_ doe severely punish Sodomie. Many of the _Indians_ doe bury their dead on the Mountaines; which also is the _Jewish_ custome; and _Garcias_ saith, the name _Chanan_ is found in those Countries. You may wonder at this, that the _Indians_ doe every fifty yeares celebrate a Jubilee, with great pomp, in _Mexico_, the Metropolis of the whole Province. Also that on the Sabbath day all are bound to be present in the Temple, to performe their Sacrifices, and Ceremonies. They also were divorced from their wives, if they were not honest. The _Indians_ of _Peru_, _New-Spaine_, and _Guatemala_ did marry the Widdowes of their dead Brethren. May not you judge from these things, that the _Jewes_ lived in those places, and that the _Gentiles_ learned such things of them? Adde also to what hath been said, that the knowledge which the _Indians_ had, of the Creation of the world, and of the universall Flood, they borrowed from the _Israelites_.

_SECT. 7._

The fourth ground of this opinion is, that the _Indians_ are of a browne colour, and without beards; but in the new world, white, and bearded men were found, who had never commerce with the _Spaniards_; and whom you cannot affirme to be any other than _Israelites_; because also as they could never be overcome, so shall they never be fully knowne, as appeares by what followes. _Petrus Simon_ a _Franciscan_, in his History of finding out the firme Land, saith, that in the reigne of _Charles_ the fifth, he commanded one called _Philippus de Utre_ thither, to discover, and plant those Countries; that he found them unknowne toward the North of _America_ about five degrees, in the Province of _Omeguas_, which is neare the Province of _Venezuela_, and now is called _Garracas_. And he having learned of their neighbours, the greatnesse of that people both in wealth, and in war, he determined to war upon them. Who when they had marched a good way, at last found a rich City, full of people, and faire buildings; and not farre off two Husband-men tilling the ground; whom they would have made Prisoners, that they might be their interpreters. But when they saw themselves set on, they fled apace towards the City; but _Philippus d’Utre_ and his Souldiers followed them hard on Horse-back, and had almost taken them; whereupon the Husband-men stood still, and with their Speares wounded _Philip_ in the breast, piercing through his Brest-plate made of wooll to keep off Arrowes. He wondering at the dexterity of that people, judged it a wiser course, not to make war upon that Province, and people so expert in warre, and who dared to resist armed men. Therefore he retreated with his Company. And to this day none goe to that people, neither is it knowne which way to goe to them. It is probable that they are _Israelites_ whom God preserves in that place against the day of redemption. _Alonsus de Erzilla_ testifies the same thing, in 2. part. _Sua Araucaniæ._ _Cant._ 27. where describing those places, he thus speakes in Spanish.

_Some Countries there, so populous are seen,
As one continued City; which have been
Never as yet discovered; but unknowne
To other Nations; have laine hid alone;
Not found by forreigne sword, nor forreigne trade
Doe either seeke, nor suffer to be made,
But unacquainted live, till God shall please
To manifest his secrets: shew us these._

_SECT. 8._

_Ioannes Castilianus Vicarius_ living in the City _Pampelona_ of _Nova Granada_ in _Peru_, saith, that when _Gonzalus Pisarrus_ had revolted from his people, he sent some to search out new Countries of the _Indians_ who lived East-ward, whose number could never be knowne, because that (as some say) their Country is above two thousand miles in length, if you compute from the head of the river _Maragnon_, which runs neare _Andes_ of _Cusco_, unto the place where it runs into the Sea, where therefore the River began to be navigable, _Petrus d’Orsna_ being a Captaine, went by water, and his Souldiers with him, in Vessels called Canows; which when they were too small for the force of the streame, he built Brigandines, on the banke of the River _Guariaga_, which washing the Province _Chachapoyas_, runs into _Maragnon_. He was scarce gone aboard his Brigandines, when one of his own Souldiers named _Aquirre_, a stout man, killed him, who by common consent succeeded the slaine. When they had gone a little way, they found a plaine without a mountaine, where many houses stood on each side of the banke of _Maragnon_, being built by the _Indians_. They still went on for forty eight houres together, and saw nothing but tall, and white houses, which they feared to goe into, because the Inhabitants were numerous, and because they heard the noyse of Hammers; for which cause they thought the Inhabitants to be Gold-smiths. They went on still, and now sayled in the North Sea, but alwayes neare to the shoare of the Province of _Margareta_, where _Aquirre_ was catcht by the Inhabitants and hanged; for they heard that he had killed his Captaine _Petrus de Orsua_.

_SECT. 9._

_Caspar Bergarensis_ (whom I have oft spoke with) went from the City _Laxa_, which is in the Province of _Quiti_ in _Peru_, and accompanied the Colonell _Don Diego Vaca de la Vega_ going to seeke a new Country.

In the yeare 1622. they came to the Province _Jarguasongo_, which had been discovered by Captaine _Salines_; and they passed the Mountaines _Cordilleræ_, where the River _Maragnon_ is not above a stones cast over. In the Province of the _Inde Mainenses_ they built a City, whose name was St. _Franciscus de Borja_, at _Esquilache_. In his company were one hundred _Spaniards_ in Canows. Having conquered those _Indians_, and compelling them to sweare fealty to the King of _Spaine_; the Colonell being instructed by the _Mainenses_, went to other places, after he had put a Garrison into his new City. Having sailed fifty leagues in the River (he found some Cottages of the _Indians_ which there hid themselves) by favour of many Rivers which there run into _Maragnon_. When they had sayled into the River _Guariaga_, where _Petrus de Orsua_ had built his Brigandines, and was killed by _Aquirre_; they asked the _Indians_ whom they had taken (who were called _Guariaga_, from the Rivers name) what people doe live on the Rivers side? they told the Colonell, that five dayes journey off, there live men of tall stature, comely in presence, and have as great beards as the _Spaniards_ have, valiant, and warlike, who are not skilled in Canowes, though the rest of the _Indians_ use no other; he presently returned the same way he came.

_SECT. 10._

In _Farnambuc_ about forty yeares since, eight _Tabaiares_ had a minde to looke out new Countries, and to see whether the Land that was beyond, and unknowne, were inhabited. They having spent foure moneths in travelling Westward, they came to mountaines, to whose top they got with difficulty, and found a plaine which a pleasant river doth compasse, by whose banke side dwelt a people who loved commerce, they were white, and bearded; and this five of the _Tabaires_ (for three perished by the way, and only five returned) told to the _Brasilians_ after nine moneths.

_SECT. 11._

In our time, under King _Philip_ the third, Captaine _Ferdinades de Queiros_ being returned out of _India_ (where he had spent most of his life) to _Rome_, he shewed a Table of Lands yet undiscovered. From thence he went to _Madrid_, and five ships were given him by the Governour of _Panama_ (to whom he was sent) to perfect his designe. He began his journey, and was scarcely entred the South Sea, but he found Land, which he called, _The Isle of Solomon_, and _Hierusalem_, for reasons which he told me. He in his course of sayling alwayes kept close to the shoare of those Islands; he saw those Islanders of a browne colour, and took many; others dwelt in greater Islands, and more fruitfull; these were white, and wore long garments of silk; and the Pilot being bid to bring his Ship neare the shoare, he split his Ship upon a Rock, (and the Islanders running greedily to the sight) which being sunke, the Captaine went thence, looking for the firme Land, which he found to be forty degrees beyond; and he went three hundred miles neare the shoare; and when he perceived the Country to be inhabited by the smoke which he saw, and would put into a Port on the side of the River, there ran to him many white men, of yellow haire, tall like Giants, richly cloathed, and of long beards. But one of the Vessels being wracked in the Havens mouth, he was forced to put out to Sea; whereupon the Islanders sent two Chaloffi of a browne colour, (as the inhabitants were of the first Island) with sheep, and other provisions, and fruits, but desiring, and threatning them, if they did not depart: The Captaine brought those Chaloffi into _Spaine_, from whom the _Spaniards_ could learne nothing but by signes; and instead of answers, (when they were asked) would shew their beards, as if such those were, who were their Lords, and had sent them, and if they were asked about Religion, they would hold up their fingers to Heaven, implying, that they worshipped but one God. A little while after, they dyed in _Spaine_. The Captaine returned to _Panama_, having left his two Ships which were wracked; and when the Governour sued him, by meanes of the Senators, who are over the _Indian_ affaires, he was dismissed, and returned with his Ships into _Spaine_, where he abode two yeares before his matters were dispatched. But the King created him Marquesse of the Countries found out by him, and commanded to give him a good Army, where-with to compasse his designes. But he scarce got to _Panama_, when he dyed, not without suspition of being poysoned by the Governour.

_SECT. 12._

That which I am about to tell, shall serve for a proofe of that which I said of the _West-Indians_. A Dutch Mariner told me, that not long since he was with his ship in _America_, seven degrees towards the North between _Maragnon_, and great _Para_, and he put into an Harbour in a pleasant River, where he found some _Indians_ who understood _Spanish_, of whom he bought Meats, and Dywood; after he had stayed there six moneths, he understood that that River extended eighteen leagues towards the _Carybes Indians_, as far as the ship could goe; and that the River is divided there into three branches, and they sayling two months on the left hand, there met them white men, and bearded, well bred, well cloathed, and abounding with gold and silver; they dwelt in Cities enclosed with wals, and full of people; and that some _Indians_ of _Oronoch_ went thither, and brought home much gold, silver, and many precious stones, Which he having understood, sent thither some Sea-men; but the _Indian_ dyed by the way, who was their guide, and so they did not proceed, but stayed there two months, and trucked with the _Indians_ who were sixty leagues from Sea. That Province is called _Jisbia_, and is subject to _Zealand_; they have no commerce with the _Spaniards_, and the inhabitants travell securely every way. I heard that story by accident from that _Dutch_ Master of the Ship; whence some of us guessing them to be _Israelites_, had purposed to send him againe to enquire more fully. But he dyed suddenly the last yeare, whence it seemes that God doth not permit that those purposes should take any effect till the end of dayes.

_SECT. 13._

Yet I give more credit to our _Montezinus_, being a _Portingal_, and a _Jew_ of our Order; borne in a City of _Portingal_, called _Villefleur_, of honest and known Parents, a man about forty yeares old, honest, and not ambitious. He went to the _Indies_, where he was put into the Inquisition, as the successor of many who were borne in _Portingal_, and descended from them, whom the King of _Portingal_, _Don Manuel_ forced to turne Christians: (_O wicked, and unjust action_, saith _Osorius_; and a little after, _This was done neither according to Law, nor Religion_,) and yet to this day they privately keep their Religion, which they had changed, being forced thereto. He being freed from the Inquisition, very diligently sought out these things, and oft spoke with those men, and then was not quiet till he came hither, and had told us that good newes. He endured much in that journey, and was driven to great want, so that no house would give him food, or give him money for his worke. I my selfe was well acquainted with him for six months together that he lived here; and sometimes I made him take an Oath in the presence of honest men, that what he had told, was true. Then he went to _Farnambuc_, where two yeares after he dyed, taking the same Oath at his death. Which if it be so, why should not I beleeve a man that was vertuous, and having all that which men call gaine. And who knowes but that shortly the truth of that Prognostick may appeare, which our _Montezinus_ learned from the _Mohanes_; answerable to that which _Jacobus Verus_ an Astrologer of _Prague_ writ after the apparition of the Comet in _Ann._ 1618. and dedicated to his Highnesse the Prince _Palatine_, where he thus discourseth: The Comet going towards the South, doth intimate that the Cities and Provinces which God doth threaten, are those of the _West-Indies_, which shall revolt from the King of _Spaine_, who will finde that losse greater then he imagined, not that the _Indians_ rebell against him of themselves, but that they are provoked to it being stirred up by others. Neither did the Comet only fore-tell that, but the eclipse of the Sun, which was in that Country the yeare before. Thus far the Astrologer. Our ancient Rabbins say, though we doe not beleeve the Astrologers in all things, yet we doe not wholly reject them, who sometimes tell truth.

_SECT. 14._

Thus farre of the _West-Indies_, of which _Isaiah_ may be understood (because it lyes in the midst of the Sea, and also hath many Islands) in _Isa._ 60.9. _The isles shall waite for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring their Sons from far, their silver and their gold with them_, Jer. 31.10. _Heare the Word of the Lord O ye Nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattereth Israel will gather him_, Psal. 97.1. _The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoyce, and the multitude of isles be glad._ Where part of the ten Tribes doe dwell unknown to this day.

_SECT. 15._

You must know that all the ten Tribes were not carried away at the same time. _Pul_ the King of _Assyria_ (as I shew in the second part of my Reconciler) conquered, and carried away the Tribes of _Reuben_, _Gad_, and halfe _Manasseh_, in the reigne of _Peka_, as you may see in _1 Chron._ 5.26. and _Josephus in li._ 9. _c._ 11. _Tiglahpileser_ eight yeares after took _Ijon_, _Abel-beth-maachah_, _Hazor-Gilead_, _Galilee_, all the land of _Naphtali_, and he carryed away all the Captives into _Assyria_, in _2 King._ 15.29. At last _Shalmaneser_ King of _Assyria_, nine yeares after, in the reign of _Hoshea_ the Son of _Elah_, besieged _Samaria_ three yeares; which being taken, he carried away. _Hoshea_, with the rest of the Tribes, in _2 King._ 17.6. Of those three times the Prophet _Isaiah_ speakes, _Isa._ 9.1. saying, the first captivity was gentle, if you compare it with the last, which was grievous, and unsufferable, when the Kingdome and Monarchy of _Israel_ ceased.

_SECT. 16._

The ten Tribes being conquered at severall times, we must thinke they were carried into severall places. As we beleeve they went to the _West-Indies_ by the strait of _Anian_, so we thinke that out of _Tartary_ they went to _China_, by that famous wall in the confines of both. Our argument to prove it, is taken from the authority of two Jesuites, who erected their Colledges in those Countries. _Nicholaus Trigantius_ a Dutch-man in his discourse of the Christian expedition under-taken by the Jesuites to _Sina_, saith, We finde that in former time the _Jewes_ came into these Kingdomes. And when that society had for some yeares seated it selfe in the Court of the _Pequinenses_, a certaine _Jew_ came to _P. Matthæus Riccius_; he was borne in _Chamfamfu_ the metropolis of the Province _Honan_, and was surnamed _Ogay_; and now being licensed to the degree of a Doctor, he went to _Pequin_. But when he read in a certaine Booke writ by a Doctor of _China_, concerning the _European_ affaires, That our fathers are not _Sarazens_, and know no God but the Lord of Heaven and Earth; and would perswade himselfe that ours did professe the Law of _Moses_, he went into the Church with _P. Matthæas Riccius_. On an Altar there was the effigies of the Virgin _Mary_, and the childe Jesus, whom St. _John_ his fore-runner worshipped with bended knees; now that day was the Holy-day of _John_ the Baptist. The _Jew_ thinking it was the effigies of _Rebecca_, and her two Sons, _Jacob_ and _Esau_, he bowed also to the Image, but with this Apology, that he worshipped no Images, but that he could not but honour these who were the Parents of our Nation. And he asking if the foure Evangelists on both sides of the Altar, were not foure of the twelve sons of _Jacob_; the Jesuite answered, Yes, thinking he had asked of the twelve Apostles. But afterward the _Jew_ acknowledged to the Jesuite that he was an _Israelite_; and he found the Kings Bible, and acknowledged the _Hebrew_ Letters, though he could not read them. By this occasion our people learnt, that ten or twelve families of _Israelites_ were there, and had built a very neat Synagogue which cost ten thousand Crownes, in which they have kept the five Bookes of _Moses_ with great veneration for six hundred yeares. He also affirmed, that in _Hamcheu_ the Metropolis of the Province _Chequiona_, there are farre more Families, with a Synagogue; and else-where that many Families live without a Synagogue, because that by little and little they are extinguished. He relating many things out of the Old Testament, he differed but little in pronouncing those names. He said, that some among them were not ignorant of the _Hebrew_ Tongue, but that himselfe had neglected it, having studied the _China_ Tongue from a Childe. For which cause he was counted almost unworthy of their society, by the Ruler of the Synagogue. But he chiefly looked after this, that he might get to be Doctor. Three yeares after _P. Matthæus Riccius_ sent one of our brethren to that Metropolis, who found all those things true. He compared the beginnings, and endings of the Bookes which the _Jewes_ keep in their Synagogue, with our Pentateuch, and saw no difference, this only, that those had no pricks. The other Jesuite is _Alfonsus Cimedro_, who likewise saith, that there is a great number of _Jewes_ in the Province of _Oroensis_, on the West part of _China_, who know nothing of the comming, and suffering of Jesus. And he from thence gathers, that they are of the ten Tribes, (which opinion I also am of) because those _Chineses_ observe many _Jewish_ Rites, which you may see in a manuscript, which the noble _Jaochimus Wicofortius_ hath. And why might not some of them saile from _China_ to _New-Spaine_, through the streight between _China_, and _Anian_, and _Quivira_, which doe border upon _New-Spaine_; and from thence they went to the Isles of _Panama_, _Peru_, and those thereabouts. These in my judgement are those _Chineses_ of whom _Isaiah_ speakes, Chap. 49. vers. 12. (treating about _Israels_ returne to his Country.) _Behold, these shall come from afarre, and these from the North, and from the West, and these from the Land of Sinim._ And so _Ptolomy_ in _lib._ 7. _c._ 3. _tab._ 11. cals it The country of _Sinim_, or _Sina_; and this is the true sense of the words; _Aben Ezra_ therefore is mistaken, who derives it of Sene, a bush or wood, which he placeth in _Ægypt_.

_SECT. 17._

I Could easily beleeve, that the ten Tribes as they increased in number, so they spread into more Provinces before-mentioned, and into _Tartary_. For _Abraham Ortelius_ in his Geography of the World, and Map of _Tartary_, he notes the place of the _Danites_ which he cals the Hord, which is the same which the Hebrew _Jerida_, signifying _A descent_. And lower, he mentions the Hord of _Naphtali_, possessed by _Peroza_ in the yeare 476. _Schikhardus_ in his Tarich or series of the Kings of _Persia_, amplifies the History of this War, where _ex lib. 4. of Agathias_, he thus saith, _A little after, when they were eased of that Plague_, (_sc._ 7. yeares drought) _in the time of the Emperour_ Zeno, Firuz _made a double warre with_ Naphtali, _in which at last he was destroyed. For first of all he was brought to the streights of places unknowne; who then sought for peace upon this condition (and obtained it) that he should sweare that he would never after provoke them; and that he should doe reverence to this Conquerour in token of subjection: which afterward by the counsell of the Magicians he performed craftily, for he bowed towards the Eastern Sun, that his owne people might thinke that he bowed rather to the Sun (after his Country custom) then to honour his Enemy. But he did not truly performe that first agreement, though confirmed by Letters Patents; who because he could not digest the disgrace of bowing to his Enemy, he prepared a new Army and went against them; but a second time he being entrapped by the badnesse of the Country, he lost his life; and many with him, in a Gulf which the_ Naphthalites _had prepared for him, having dressed it over with reeds, and some earth throwne a top; they having left in the middle some high grounds, and trees where their Scouts were, that their stratagem might not be found, and that the_ Persians _might more confidently attempt the ditch. Thus a rash King paid for his perfidy, he excelling more in daring, then in counsell, as_ Agathias _saith. The patent by which peace had been agreed, was hung upon a speare, and might be seene of him at distance, that he might remember his Oath, repent, and desist from his enterprise; but he cared little for that. But when by his unexpected fall he saw he should dye, it is said that he pulled off from his right eare a pearle of huge bignesse, and whitenesse, and least any after him should finde it (more likely that his corps should not be knowne) he threw it a great way off._ The same Author askes, who those _Naphthalites_ were, and by many arguments he proves that they are the relicks of the _Jewes_; saith he, _I doe wholly thinke that they are the relicks of the_ Jewes _of the Tribe of_ Naphtali, _whom_ Triglath Pilesser _the_ Assyrian _carried into those places, in_ 2 King. 15.29. _For_ 1. _The name, in the best copies of_ Agathias, _which_ Lewenclavius _hath mended, is the same fully; in other Bookes it wants nothing but an (h) now it is scarce possible that in a word of many syllables that should fall out by chance_. 2. _Their countenance discovers it, for as Procopious_ I. C. _saith, they are not blacke, or foule in their countenance, as the_ Auns _are among whom they live, but the only white men of that Country; that it may evidently appeare that they came from some other place thither_. 3. _Their manners agree, for the same Author saith, that they are not_ Nomades, _as the_ Huns _who are unconstant in their dwelling, and eate up one place after another; but they inhabite one certaine place. Besides, they observe Law and equity, as the_ Romans; _and have pollicy, being well governed by their Prince: both which is rare among their neighbour Nations. Also they doe not lay abroad their dead, as the_ Barbarians _doe, but they decently cover them with earth. Lastly, their jornalls doe testifie that many_ Jewes _live there, especially in the mountaines, who have searched to the mid-land countries of East_-Asia, R. Benjamin, _f._ 23. _From thence_ (_the coast of_ Persia) _is 28. dayes journey to the mountaines_ Nisebor, _which are neare the river_ Gozan. _The Israelites which come from thence into_ Persia, _say, that there in the Cities of_ Nisebor, _are four Tribes_ (_sc._ Dan, Zebulon, Asor, Naphtali,) _of the first captivity, which_ Shalmaneser _the_ Assyrian _carried thither, as in_ 2 King. 17.6. _he brought them to_ Habor, _and_ Halah, _the river_ Gozan _and the Mountaines of_ Media. _The compasse of that Country is twenty dayes journey; and they possesse Cities, and Castles upon the Mountaines, by one side of which, runs the river_ Gozan; _neither are they subject to the Nations, but have a Governour over them, by name_ R. Joseph Amarkela _a Levite, and there are among them some who study wisdome. They sow, and reap; yea they wage war to the Country of_ Cuth. _In_ the same place _Ortelius_ adds, in the Country _Tabor_, or _Tibur_ (which _Solinus_ commends, in _c._ 49.) they dwell a people, who though they have lost the holy writings, they obey one King, who came into _France_, in Ann. 1530. and spoke with _Francis_ the first, was burnt at _Mantua_ by the command of the Emperour _Charles_ the fifth, because that he did privately teach Judaism to Christian Princes, and to the Emperour himselfe. _Boterus_ saith the same in his relations of the farthest part of _Tartary_. But both these were deceived; for _Rabbinus Josephus Cohon_, a man worthy to be beleeved, relates this more truly in his Chronology, saying, that the _Jew_ who came out of that Country, was the brother of the King of the _Israelites_, was called _David_ the _Reubenite_; and having seene _India_ in his passage, he came to _Portugal_, where he converted the Kings Secretary to Judaism, who fled from thence with him, taking the name of _Selomoh Molho_; he in short time was so well versed in the Law, yea in the _Cabala_ it selfe, that he made all _Italy_ admire him. The Secretary together with the _Reubenite_, endevoured to draw the Pope, _Charles_ the fifth, and _Francis_ the first to Judaism. _Selomoh Molho_ was taken at _Mantua_, and burnt alive, in the yeare 1540. He yet was offered his life, if he would turne Christian. The _Reubenite_ was by _Charles_ the fifth carried prisoner into _Spaine_, where he shortly after dyed. _Abraham Frisol Orchotolam_ remembers the _Reubenite_, saying, Forty five years agone _David Reubenita_, a Prince of the _Israelites_, came from _Tabor_, a Province of _Tartary_, into _Europe_, who said that two Tribes are there; and other Tribes a little farther, under their Kings, and Princes, and also an unspeakable number of people. Perhaps the Province _Tabor_ is the same that _Habor_; which is mentioned in 2 King. 17.6. that the ten Tribes were brought by _Salmaneser_ to _Habor_, and _Halah_; now the Hebrew letters (_h_) and (_t_) are neere in fashion. _Eldad Danita_ of the Tribe of _Dan_, came out of those Countries five hundred yeares agone (a letter from whom, which we call _Sephar Eldad Danita_, is kept to this day) and being examined by the Rabbins, was found an approved man. The learned Rabbi _David Kimhi_, who lived 450. yeares since, in _etymol. suo_ in the word _Segiah_, he saith, _Rabbi Jonah_ writes of the name of _Rabbi Juda Aben Karis_, that he heard _Eldad Danita_ say, &c. And so what I said is true, as appeares by the testimonies produced.

_SECT. 18._

Part of the ten Tribes also live in _Ethiopia_, in the _Habyssin_ Kingdome; as divers _Habyssins_ reported at _Rome_. _Boterus_ in his relations speakes the same thing, that two potent Nations doe live neare _Nilus_, and that one of them is that of the _Israelites_, who are governed by a mighty King. A Cosmographer who hath added notes to _Ptolomyes_ tables, saith thus in his table of _New Africa_; that part of _New Africk_ was unknowne of old, the head of _Nilus_ not being knowne, which is in the Mountaines of the Moone, as the Ancients call them; where there dwels a great number of _Israelites_, paying tribute to _Prester John_. _Rabbi Abraham Frisol_ in the Book already quoted, saith, that in his time some who had been in those Countries, reported the same to _Hercules_ the Duke of _Ferraria_. And without question from hence the _Habyssins_ learned Circumcision, the observation of the Sabbath, and many more _Jewish_ rites. Of these _Isaiah_ seemes to speake, in _Isa._ 18.1, 2. _Woe to the Land which under the shadow of sails doth saile beyond the rivers of_ Ethiopia, _by whom_ (the Prophet saith) _are sent Ambassadors in ships of Bulrushes_, (such as the _Æthiopians_ use, commonly called _Almadiæ_.) _Bring back a people driven out of their Country, and torn, and more miserable then any among us. Gifts shal be brought to the Lord of Sebaoth, in the place where the name of the Lord of Sebaoth is worshipped, in the mount Sion._ The Prophet _Zephany_ saith the same, in _Zeph._ 3.9, 10. _Then will I give to the people that they speaking a pure language, may all call upon the name of God, whom they shall serve with reverence; from beyond the rivers of_ Ethiopia _they shall bring to me for a gift, Hatray_ the daughter of my dispersed ones, (that is, the Nations of _Æthiopia_.) Which agrees with that of _Isa._ _And your Brethren_, (which are the ten Tribes) _shall bring gifts to the Lord_.

_SECT. 19._

And without doubt they also dwell in _Media_; from thence they passed _Euphrates_, whither they were first brought, as in _2 King._ 17.24 and in the book of _Tobit_. _Josephus_ also speakes of them in the Preface of his Book of the War of the _Jewes_, that the _Jewes_ did think that their brethren, who dwelt beyond _Euphrates_, and farther, would rebell against the Romans. _Agrippa_ in his Oration to the people of _Jerusalem_, that they would not rebell against the _Romans_, speakes thus; _What associates doe ye expect to joyne with you in your rebellion, and war? doth not all the knowne world pay tribute to the_ Romans? _Perhaps some of ye hope to have help from them beyond_ Euphrates. And in _lib._ 2. _Antiquit._ _c._ 5. speaking of those who in the time of _Ezra_ returned from _Babylon_ to _Jerusalem_, he saith, _All Israel dwelt in_ Media; _for two Tribes only dwelt in_ Asia, _and_ Europe, _and lived subject to the_ Romans; _as the other ten on the other side_ Euphrates, _where they are so many, that they cannot be counted_. It is not therefore to be doubted, the people encreasing after their first transportation, they sought out new places, which we have formerly mentioned.

_SECT. 20._

Lastly, all thinke, that part of the ten Tribes dwell beyond the river _Sabbathian_, or sabbaticall. _Rabbi Johanan_ the Author of the _Jerusalem Talmud_, who lived 160. yeares after the destruction of the second Temple, saith in his treatise of the _Sanhedrim_, _cap._ 17. That the ten Tribes were carryed into three places, _sc._ to the Sabbaticall river, to _Daphne_ the suburbs of _Antioch_, and thither where a cloud comes downe and covers them: And that they shall be redeemed from those three places; for so he opens that place of _Isa._ Cha. 49.9. _That they may say to the Captives, Goe forth_, (_sc._ to them who are at the Sabbaticall river) _to them that are in darknesse, shew your selves_, (_sc._ to them who are compassed with the cloud) _and to all, they shall be refreshed in the wayes_, (_sc._ to them who live in _Daphne_ of _Antioch_ which is in _Syria_.) Whence you may observe, that the learned man _l’ Empereur_ translated it ill, _at the sides of Antioch_, whereas _Daphne_ is the proper name of a pleasant Grove near _Antioch_. _Sedar olam_ makes mention of that cloud, and calls them _mountaines of obscurity_, And in _Talmud tractat. Sanhedr._ _c._ 11. _R. Jonathan ben Uziel_, who lived a hundred yeares before the destruction of the second Temple, in _Exod._ 34.10. where the Lord saith, _I will doe wonders before all thy people, such as was never done in the whole earth, or in any Nation_, &c. and he refers all those things to the transportation of the people. _He shall draw them to the rivers of Babylon: and shall carry them to the Sabbaticall river, and shall teach them, that those miracles were never performed to any Nation of the known world._

Our ancient Rabins in _Beresit Rabba_ (no mean book) in _Perasach_, do say that _Tornunsus_ asking how it should appeare that the day which we keep, is the seventh day, on which God rested after the creation of the world; _Rabbi Aquebah_ (who lived 52 yeares after the destruction of the second Temple) answered by an argument taken from the stones of the Sabbatical River, which in the six dayes are tossed up and down with a continuall motion, but do rest on the Sabbath day and move not. The same is said in the _Babylonian Talmud, tractat. Sanhed. c._ 7. _& in Tanuh Perasach. c._ 9. _In eodem Beresit Raba, in Perasach_ 37. _Rabbi Simon_ saith, _The ten Tribes were carried to the Sabbaticall river but Juda and Benjamin are dispersed into all Countrys_. In _Asirim Raba_, the last verse of the Song, its said, _Our bed is flourishing_; that it is meant the ten Tribes, which were carryed to the Sabbaticall river; and that river running all the week, doth cause the ten Tribes there remaining to be shut up; for though on the seventh day the river doth rest, yet it is forbidden by our Law to take a journey then; and for that reason they remained there miraculously, as lost, and concealed from us. So that of _Isa._ 49. _That they say to the prisoners, go forth_, is interpreted of them in _Jalcut_. _R. Aquebah_ after the same manner explains that of _Levit._ 36.38. _And ye shal perish among the heathen._ And that of _Isa._ 27. _ult._ _And they shall come, who were ready to perish in Assyria._ Because they are remote from the rest, therefore another Rabbi in Bamibar _Raba Parasa_ 16. applyes to them that of _Isaiah_ 49.12. _Behold them who come from farre_: that so all those Authors mention that River.