26. _I was exalted as a Palm Tree in Engaddi, and as a Rose Plant in Jericho._ That the Rose of _Jericho_, or that Plant which passeth among us under that denomination, was signified in this Text, you are not like to apprehend with some, who also name it the _Rose of S. Mary_, and deliver, that it openeth the Branches, and Flowers upon the Eve of our Saviour's Nativity: But rather conceive it some proper kind of Rose, which thrived and prospered in _Jericho_ more than in the neighbour Countries. For our Rose of _Jericho_ is a very low and hard Plant, a few inches above the ground; one whereof brought from _Judæa_ I have kept by me many years, nothing resembling a Rose Tree, either in Flowers, Branches, Leaves or Growth; and so, improper to answer the Emphatical word of exaltation in the Text: growing not only about _Jericho_, but other parts of _Judæa_ and _Arabia_, as _Bellonius_ hath observed: which being a drie and ligneous Plant, is preserved many years, and though crumpled and furdled up, yet, if infused in Water, will swell and display its parts. [Sidenote: _Turpentine Tree in_ Ecclus. 24. 16.] 27. _Quasi Terebinthus extendi ramos_, when it is said in the same Chapter, _as a Turpentine Tree have I stretched out my Branches_: it will not seem strange unto such as have either seen that Tree, or examined its description: For it is a Plant that widely displayeth its Branches: and though in some European Countries it be but of a low and fruticeous growth, yet _Pliny_[200] observeth that it is great in _Syria_, and so allowably, or at least not improperly mentioned in the expression of _Hosea_[201] according to the Vulgar Translation. _Super capita montium sacrificant,_ etc. _sub quercu, populo et terebintho, quoniam bona est umbra ejus._ And this diffusion and spreading of its Branches, hath afforded the Proverb of _Terebintho stultior_, applicable unto arrogant or boasting persons, who spread and display their own acts, as _Erasmus_ hath observed. [200] Terebinthus in Macedonia fruticat, in Syria, magna est. _Lib. 13._ Plin. [201] Hosea. 4. 13. [Sidenote: _Pomegranate in_ 1 Sam. 14. 2.] 28. It is said in our Translation. _Saul tarried in the uppermost parts of Gibeah, under a Pomegranate Tree which is in Migron: and the people which were with him were about six hundred men._ And when it is said in some Latin Translations, _Saul morabatur fixo tentorio sub Malogranato_, you will not be ready to take in the common literal sense, who know that a Pomegranate Tree is but low of growth, and very unfit to pitch a Tent under it; and may rather apprehend it as the name of a place, or the Rock of _Rimmon_, or Pomegranate; so named from Pomegranates which grew there, and which many think to have been the same place mentioned in _Judges_.[202] [202] Judges 20. 45, 47. _Ch._ 21. 13. [Sidenote: _A Green Field in_ Wisd. 19. 7.]