many passages in the sacred records; to discern the force and beauty of the language in which they are clothed, and the admirable propriety and significance of their allusions; in one word, to derive all the advantage from the sacred volume which it is calculated and intended to bestow,-we must render ourselves familiar with the physical and moral condition of the countries where it was written; we must examine the Geographical situation of Canaan and the surrounding states, ascertain the site of their principal towns and cities, and acquire some knowledge of their history: to this must be added, a suitable acquaintance with the Natural History of the East, and with the Customs and Manners of its Inhabitants. In prosecuting this plan, it is only pro posed to give the reader a rapid sketch of

SACRED GEOGRAPHY.

CHAP. I.

GARDEN OF EDEN-LAND OF NOD-CITY OF ENOCH.

The Site of the Garden, interesting to the Biblical Student.-The Deluge could not destroy all traces of it.-Planted in the land of Eden.-Various conjectures about the true situation :—The land of Eden lay on the banks of a large river :-In its progress divided into four streams, the Pison, the Gihon, the Hiddekel, and the Euphrates :—The course of the Hiddekel or Tigris, and the Euphrates, well known.-Attempt to trace the course of the Pison and the Gihon.-The land of Eden lay on both sides of the single channel common to all the four rivers.—On this single channel, it is most probable the Garden was planted.—The primitive idea of the Garden of Eden long preserved in the east.

The Land of Nod.—True situation of this country involved in much obscuscurity.-Adjoining the land of Eden.-City of Enoch.-Opinion of Huetius ill founded.-Land of Nod and city of Enoch probably situate in the eastern extremity of Arabia Petræa.

A DESIRE to ascertain the site of the Terrestrial Paradise, is both natural and laudable. Planned by the infinite wisdom, and furnished by the exuberant goodness of Jehovah, it was the first special proof of his kindness to man after his creation; and though no longer existing, the very name is fitted to excite a crowd of interesting reflections in every well-disposed mind. The investigation is undoubtedly attended with many difficulties; but these, it is hoped, are not insurmountable, and by consequence, they only stimulate the mind to active exertion, and hold out a more ample reward to the successful inquirer.

The universal deluge certainly made a deep impression on the surface of our globe; but it could not mate

rially change the great features of nature. That mighty agent might dissolve and level some hills and mountains of softer consistency,-might swallow up the waters of some minor streams, or give them a different direction, -might bury some extensive tracts of country, with all their habitations and improvements, in the bottom of the sea, and compensate for their destruction, by elevating submarine districts of equal extent into dry land; but the more solid parts of our earth must have remained as before that awful catastrophe. It is unreasonable to suppose, that the waters of the deluge, in the short space of one hundred and fifty days, could melt the stupendous range of the Armenian or Gordiæan mountains, or give them a different position on the surface of the globe. When they retired, the torrents which, before that calamity, descended from the sides of those mountains to swell the magnificent streams of the Euphrates and the Tigris, must have resumed their ancient course, and poured their tributary waters into the same capacious channels. The language which the sacred writer employs when he speaks of the Euphrates, seems to confirm this remark. In his description of Paradise, he observes, "The fourth river is Euphrates ;" and in the 15th chapter of the same book he mentions it again, but without any notice that it was a different stream, or that it had changed its course; on the contrary, he now uses the definite article, which he could not have done with propriety if it were not the same river. In the 18th verse he speaks of it again, in the very manner in which we commonly mention a thing already known; and in every other part of his writings where he mentions the Euphrates, he continues to use the same mode of speech. But it could not be his design to deceive the

reader even in a point of minor importance; and if the antediluvian Euphrates was not the same with "that great river the river Euphrates," which he informs us watered the rich fields of Babylonia, he could not be ignorant of the fact. From this statement we think it is evident, that the surface of our globe has suffered no change by the deluge, which ought to discourage us from attempting to ascertain the real situation of the terrestrial Paradise.

The sacred historian has favoured us with only a few brief hints, in relation to the seat of primeval happiness. A more particular description, after the fall of man, had been attended with no real advantage; while the concise view which he has given, is well calculated to instruct mankind in the folly of seeking a place of rest or happiness on earth, in the propriety of regarding this world as a place of exile, and in the imperious necessity of turning from the evanescent enjoyments of time, to the pure and imperishable pleasures of the heavenly Paradise.

The Garden of Eden was contrived by the wisdom, and planted by the hand of God himself, for the residence of the first pair; and, as its name imports, it was the centre of every terrestrial pleasure. The munificence of the Creator stored it with every plant, and flower, and tree, that was pleasant to the eye, grateful to the smell, and adapted to the sustenance of sinless man. A river went out of Eden to water it, whose ample and refreshing streams, so necessary to the very existence of an oriental garden, visiting every part of the sacred enclosure, diffused a perpetual verdure, and imparted to every plant a beauty, vigour, and fertility, perhaps unknown in any other district of that delightful region.

But though no doubt can be entertained of its being

richly furnished with every pleasure suited to the intended abode of innocence and peace, we have no direct information where it was placed. The true situation of Paradise continues to be involved in much obscurity; and, perhaps, all we can hope to obtain from the most careful and well-directed investigation is, an approximation to the truth. The notices which the inspired writer has recorded, invite, rather than discourage, our researches, and promise a result destitute neither of pleasure nor advantage.

a

The Garden of Eden was situate, according to Moses, "eastward in Eden." The Hebrew word Eden signifies pleasure or delight; and certainly intimates the superior beauty of the region which was known by that name. For the same reason it was, in succeeding ages, imposed as a proper name on several other places remarkable for the pleasantness of their situation, and the diversified richness of the scenery with which they were adorned.

To one of those fertile spots which, in the progress of time, and in allusion to the garden of God, obtained the name of Eden, the prophet Amos directs our notice in these words: "I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden."" The place which, in the time of the prophet, bore this name, is supposed, by the learned Huet and others, to be a deep valley situate between the mountains Libanus and Antilibanus, not far from Damascus, the metropolis of Syria. In this romantic and sequestered vale, the credulous natives believe the terrestrial Paradise was placed; and proud of occupying the interesting spot where dwelt the father of the human family before the entrance of sin,