tioned, where the family of Shem was enumerated,

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that unto Heber were born two sons; the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided. I think that we may, from the preceding portions of Scripture, observe two different occurrences, which are generally blended together. First, that there was a formal migration of families to the several regions appointed for them, according to the determination of the Almighty Secondly, that there was a dissipation of others, who stood their ground, and would not acquiesce in the divine dispensation. These seem to have been two distinct events, and to have happened in different places, as well as at different times. In the beginning of the latter history, mention is made of people's journeying, and proceeding towards a place of settlement. It is generally thought, that the whole of mankind is included in this description; and it is inferred from the words of Moses. And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. But I am not certain that these words afford any proof to this opinion: for, in respect to what is here said, I do not see, but

Genesis. c. 10. v. 25. Peleg signified division,

that a migration of families might have happened antecedently to this journeying from the east. The passage, when truly translated, does not by any means refer to the whole of mankind. According to the original, it is said indeterminately, that in the journeying of people from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar. The purport, therefore, of the whole passage amounts only to this, that, before there was any alteration in the language of mankind, a body of people came from the east to the place above specified. This is all that is said: so that I am far from being satisfied that the whole of mankind was engaged in this expedition from the east. The Scripture does not seem to say so: nor can there be any reason assigned why they should travel so far merely to be dissipated afterwards. We have reason to think, that soon after the descent from the Ark, the Patriarch found himself in a fine and fruitful country; for so it is described by Strabo and others; and there is nothing that we can suppose to have been done at Shinar, but might have been effected in the

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62 L. 11. p. 800. Ararat, regio in Armeniâ campestris est; per quam Araxes fluit; incredibilis ubertatis. Hieron. in Esaiam. c. 37. See Tavernier's Travels, p. 14, 15. and Tournefort. letter 7th.

spot where he first resided; I mean in respect to migration. The region about Ararat may be esteemed as nearly a central part of the earth; and it is certainly as well calculated as any other for the removal of colonies upon the increase of mankind. The Ethnic writers, in their accounts of the wanderings of Isis and Jonah, seem to allude to the journeying of mankind; and they speak of the country about Caucasus as the place from whence those travels began. The same is to be observed in the original history of the Minyæ, which is called the retreat of the Argonautæ for they retire from the region about Caucasus to the remotest parts of the earth: and it is well known, that Ararat in Armenia is a part of that vast chain of mountains called Caucasus and Taurus. Upon these mountains, and in the adjacent country, were preserved more au-. thentic accounts of the Ark, than almost in any other part of the world. Moses Chorenensis takes notice of the many memorials relating to antient times, which were preserved by the people of Armenia. They were commemorated in their poems, songs, and sacred hymns. 63 Cæterum veteres Armenii in carminibus suis, cantilenis ad cymbala, ac tripudiis, longè copiosiorem de his rebus

3 L. 1. c. 5. p. 19.

mentionem agitant. The antient Armenians in their poems and hymns, which are accompanied with cymbals and dances, afford a far more copious account of these events than any other nation. The place where mankind first resided, was undoubtedly the region of the Minya, at the bottom of Mount Baris, or Luban, which was the Ararat of Moses. Here I imagine, that the Patriarch resided; and 4 Berosus mentions, that in this place he gave instructions to his children, and vanished from the sight of men. But the sacred writings are upon this head silent: they only mention his planting the vine, and seemingly taking up his abode for a long time upon the spot. Indeed, they do not afford us any reason to infer that he ever departed from it. The very plantation of the vine seems to imply a purpose of residence. Not a word is said of the Patriarch's ever quitting the place; nor of any of his sons departing from it, till the general migration. Many of the fathers were of opinion, that they did not for some ages quit this region. According to Epiphanius, they remained in the vicinity of Ararat for five generations, during the space of six hundred and fifty-nine years. 65 Μετα δε τον

64 Apud Euseb. Chron. p. 8..

65 Hæres. 1. 1. p. 5.

κατακλυσμον, επίφασης της λαρνακος τε Νωε εν τοις ορεσι τους Αραράτ, ανα μέσον Αρμενιων και Καρδύεων, εν τῷ 18 βαρ ορει καλεμένω, εκείσε πρωτον οικησις γίνεται μετά τον κατακλυσμού των ανθρωπων κακει φυτεύει αμπελωνα Νωε Γινονται δε τοις

προφητης, οικιςης τε γίνεται τε τοπ8. αυτό παισι παιδες, και παιδων παιδες, έως πέμπτης γενέας, ετων εξακοσίων πεντηκοντα εννέα. After the Ark upon the decrease of the waters had rested upon the mountains of Ararat, upon that particular eminence called Lubar, which bounds the countries of the Armenians and the Cardueans; the region where it settled became the first place occupied by mankind. Here the Patriarch Noah took up his residence, and planted the vine. In this place he saw a large progeny descend from him, children after children-to the " fifth generation, for the space of six hundred and fifty-nine years.

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During the residence of mankind in these parts, we may imagine, that there was a season of great happiness. They for a long time lived under the mild rule of the great Patriarch, before laws were enacted or penalties known. When they multiplied, and were become very numerous,

The same is mentioned by this writer in another place. Πεμπτη γενια μετα τον κατακλυσμον, πληθυνόντων αςτι των ανθρωπων απο το Λεβας της Αρμενίας, τοτ' εσιν Αραρατ της χώρας, γίνονται εν πεδιῳ Σινααρ. 1. 1. p. 6.