between
these ridges of mountains is called the Great Plain; it reaches from
the village Ginnabris, as far as the lake Asphaltitis; its length is two
hundred and thirty furlongs, and its breadth a hundred and twenty, and
it is divided in the midst by Jordan. It hath two lakes in it, that of
Asphaltitis, and that of Tiberias, whose natures are opposite to each
other; for the former is salt and unfruitful, but that of Tiberias is
sweet and fruitful. This plain is much burnt up in summer time, and, by
reason of the extraordinary heat, contains a very unwholesome air; it is
all destitute of water excepting the river Jordan, which water of Jordan
is the occasion why those plantations of palm trees that are near its
banks are more flourishing, and much more fruitful, as are those that
are remote from it not so flourishing, or fruitful.

3. Notwithstanding
which, there is a fountain by Jericho, that runs plentifully, and is
very fit for watering the ground; it arises near the old city, which
Joshua, the son of Naue, the general of the Hebrews, took the first of
all the cities of the land of Canaan, by right of war. The report is,
that this fountain, at the beginning, caused not only the blasting of
the earth and the trees, but of the children born of women, and that it
was entirely of a sickly and corruptive nature to all things whatsoever;
but that it was made gentle, and very wholesome and fruitful, by the
prophet Elisha. This prophet was familiar with Elijah, and was his
successor, who, when he once was the guest of the people at Jericho,
and the men of the place had treated him very kindly, he both made them
amends as well as the country, by a lasting favor; for he went out of
the city to this fountain, and threw into the current an earthen vessel
full of salt; after which he stretched out his righteous hand
unto heaven, and, pouring out a mild drink-offering, he made this
supplication, That the current might be mollified, and that the veins of
fresh water might be opened; that God also would bring into the place
a more temperate and fertile air for the current, and would bestow upon
the people of that country plenty of the fruits of the earth, and a
succession of children; and that this prolific water might never fail
them, while they continued to be righteous. To these prayers Elisha
[14] joined proper operations of his hands, after a skillful manner,
and changed the fountain; and that water, which had been the occasion