CHRONOLOGY Chap. I. Definitions Page 1. Chap. II. The Grounds of Chronology 9. The Testimony of Authors 9. Reasons of the uncertainty of Chronology 13. Certain means of Computing Times as 9. 1. By the Testimony of Authors 18. 2. By Eclipses and Aspects of the Planets 18. 3. Vndisputed Epochas 21. Chap. III. Of the Uncertainty Chronologers are at concerning the Year wherein our Saviour was Born 23. A Catalogue of Authors disagreeing in this point 25. Chap. IV. The Usefulness of Chronological Tables to Beginners Different Divisions of Times in order to help the Memory 34. § 1. First Division of the Times into two Parts 37. § 2. Second Division into three Parts according to Varro 38. § 3. Third Division into four Parts according to the Poets 40. § 4. Fourth Division according to the several Ages of the World 42. § 5. Fifth Division of Times into thirteen Parts 43. Chap. V. A New Division of Times or the 14 Royal Epocha's of Universal Chronology 44. Epocha 1. Adam or the Creation of the World 45. Epocha 2. Noah or the Vniversal Deluge 47. Epocha 3. The Vocation of Abraham 49. Epocha 4. Moses or the Written Law 51. Epocha 5. The Taking of Troy 53. Epocha 6. Solomon or the Temple finished 54. Epocha 7. Romulus or Rome Founded 56. Epocha 8. Cyrus or the Iews restor'd 58. Epocha 9. Scipio or the Carthaginians Conquer'd 62. Epocha 10. The Birth of IESUS CHRIST 65. Epocha 11. Constantine or the Peace of the Church 69. Epocha 12. Charlemaign or the Establishment of the new Empire 74. Epocha 13. Constantinople taken by the Turks and the Christian Empire of the East terminated 83. Epocha 14. King Charles II. Restor'd the ancient Government and Laws of England re-establish'd and Europe in a profound Peace 91. PART II. Introduction to History and a Character of Historians Chap. I. Of the several Benefits of History 97. Chap. II. Rules to be observ'd in Writing History 107. Chap. III. The manner of Studying History Of the Four ancient Monarchies and of the different kinds of Political Government 112. Chap. IV. Divisions of History 121. Art 1. The Authority of the History of the People of God contain'd in the Books of the Old and New Testament 126. The Order of the Books of the Old and New Testament 131. Art 2. Of Civil History 〈…〉 145. Chap. V. The most Celebrated Authors that have written of Church History 150 An Account of the Qualities Lives and Writings of each particular Author 151 c. Chap. VI. Of the most considerable Greek and Latin Authors of Civil Histoâ—y 175. § 1. Greek writers of History Their Qualities Lives and Writings and the Iudgments of Criticks upon them 177 c. § 2. Latin Writers of ancient History an Account of each Author and his Works with the Opinions of Criticks upon them 197 c. PART III. An Account of the Ancient Monarchies which preceeded the Birth of JESUS CHRIST Chap. I. An Account of the Church of God under the Old Testament 225 Sect. 1. The State of the People of God under the 22 Patriarchs 228. A Remark concerning the Origine of Nations 230. A Remark concerning the Heads of Families of the People of God 235. Sect. 2. The State of the People of God under the 22 Iudges or Leaders 236. Sect. 3. The State of the People of God under 22 Kings 239. The Succession of the Kings of Israel 244. Sect. 4. The State of the People of God in the Time of the 22 Ancestors of Iesus Christ 249. Chap. II. An Account of the Assyrian Monarchy 254. The State of the Assyrian Monarchy from Nimrod it's first Founder down to Sardanapalus which is about 1360 years 2â—â— The State of that part of the Assyrian Monarchy which was under the Babylonians from Belochus the first King to the Death of Belshazzar the last King which lasted 271 Years 260 The State of that part of the Assyrian Monarchy which was Govern'd by the Medes from Arbaces their first King to Cyaxares or Darius the Mede 261 Chap. III. Of the Persian Monarchy 262. The Succession from Cyrus to Alexander's Conquest 262 c. Chap. IV. Of the Grecian Monarchy 267. The History of Alexander's Conquests 267. to 279 The Kingdom of the Syrians under the Successors of one of Alexander's Captains 280 The Kingdom of Pergamos or Asia Minor erected by Antigonus one of Alexander's Captains 288 Chap. V. Of the Empire of China 291 Chap. VI. Of the Kings of Egypt 297 Sect. 1. The State of Egypt under 47 Kings surnam'd Pharaohs which lasted 1220. Years till it was conquer'd by Cambyses 299 Sect. 2. The State of Egypt under 11 Kings of Persia which lasted 193 Years viz. to the time it was subjected to Alexander 305 Sect. 3. The State of Egypt under the Greeks viz. Alexander the Great and the 12 Ptolomy's which lasted 301 Years that is till Augustus made Egypt a Roman Province 308 Chap. VII Of Sicyonia The Succession of its Kings c. 314 Chap. VII Argos The Succession of its Kings from Inachus to Perseus 316 Chap. IX Athens 317 Sect. 1. The State of Athens under 17 Kings for 488. Years 319 Sect. 2. The State of Athens under 13 perpetual Archontes which lasted 316 Years 321 Sect. 3. The State of Athens under 8 Decennial Archontes 322 Sect. 4. The State of Athens under annual Archontes which lasted 751 Years 322 Chap. X. Of the Kings of Troy 330 Chap. XI Of the Spartans or Lacedemonians 332 Sect. 1. The State of Lacedemonia under 14 Kings for 397 Years that is from Lelix to the Heraclides 333 Sect. 2. The State of Lacedemon under the Kings called Heraclides 334 Sect. 3. The State of Sparta under the Kings whose Power were restrain'd by the Gerontes 335 Sect. 4. The State of Sparta under the Kings with the five Ephori 336 Chap. XII Of Corinth The Succession of its Kings c. 343 Chap. XIII Of the Kings of Mycene 346 Chap. XIV The Kings of Thebes 348 Chap. XV. Of the Macedonians 352 Sect. 1. The State of Macedon under 20 Kings from Caranus to Philip the Father of Alexander 352 Sect. 2. The State of Macedon under Alexander 355 Sect. 3. The State of Macedon under 17 Kings after Alexander 355 Chap. XVI Of the Kings of Lydia to Croesus 361 Chap. XVII The Kings of Tyre till it was conquer'd by Alexander 363 Chap. XVIII Of the Italians Latins Romans and of the Fourth or Roman Monarchy 367. Sect. 1. The State of Italy under the Janigenae or Siculi which lasted 557 years 368 Sect. 2. The State of Italy under 15 Kings called Aborigines which lasted 577. from Janus to Romulus 369 Sect. 3. The Regal State of Rome which lasted 245 years 371 Sect. 4. The Consular State of Rome from Brutus the first Consul to the perpetual Dictatorship of Julius Caesar which took up the time of 464 Years divided into fifteen Periods 378 Period 1. From the Banishment of Tarquin to the first Dictator 379
which Iesus Christ had founded and Rome became thenceforward Metropolis of the Spiritual Empire Also when the time was come that the Roman Power which had vainly boasted it self of Eternity was to undergo the Fate of other Empires Rome tho' become a Prey to Barbarians yet preserv'd its ancient Grandeur by means of Religion for those Nations who had Conquer'd the Romans having by little and little softned their Manners by the observation of Christian Piety their Kings thought none of their Titles so glorious as that of being Protectors of the Christian Church Thus the Empires of the World have been serviceable to Religion and have preserv'd the People of God wherefore that same God which had caus'd his Prophets to foretel the divers Conditions of his People made them also Prophecy of the Succession of Empires You are acquainted with those places where Nebuchodonosor was mark'd out to Punish the Pride of the People especially of the Jews who approv'd themselves so ungrateful towards their Creator You have also no doubt observ'd Cyrus nam'd 200 Years before his Birth to re-establish the People of God and to chastize the Arrogance of Babylon The destruction of Nineveh likewise was not foretold with less certainty Daniel in his wonderful Visions has briefly but fully represented to us the Babylonish Empire together with that of the Medes Persians and Greeks The Blasphemies and Persecutions of Antiochus were also Prophesied of as well as the miraculous Victories the People of God gain'd over that cruel Tyrant In these Prophets you may find all these famous Monarchies come to nothing by little and little and the new Empire of Iesus Christ to be so expresly Characteriz'd that there is no reason to doubt of its being meant as by Name of the Kingdom of the most High the Kingdom of the Son of Man c. being Pronounc'd to be a Kingdom that should subsist even in the midst of the Ruin of all others and to which alone Eternity was promised God therefore who made use of so many different Nations to Chastize Employ Enlarge or Protect his People having a mind to be known for the Author thereof discover'd the great Secret to his Prophets and caus'd them to foretel it before he put it in Execution Whereupon these Empires being made Partners with the Designs of God their Fate has been foretold by the same Oracles of the Holy Spirit which Prophesied of the Succession of the faithful People Nothing demonstrates better the necessary Relation between Sacred and Profane History than this excellent Discourse of the Bishop of Meaux where we may observe the proceedings of God in the Revolution of Empires and by what means the Almighty Wisdom brings his Ends about even in those Matters where we think either our Prudence or Policy has had the larger share I would gladly have all Youth learn by Heart as much at least of this admirable Discourse as we have just mention'd for thereby they may be able to unravel if I may so say all the Intrigues betwixt God and Man and discover the first Principles of all Affairs which History has handed down to us Profane Historians have always fill'd us with confus'd Ideas but the Bishop of Meaux has demonstrated the Hand of God to have set all the Springs of Causes at work and that for the peculiar end of Preserving and Sanctifying his People Men misguided by their Passions think all must be related in History that contributes to satisfy either their Avarice or Ambition but they are deceiv'd for like Children they only see the Wheels of the Movements without being able to guess at the Mechanism and Causes of them The Sanctification of the Church is the secret Spring of all that has hapned most considerable in the World from its Creation and the Fall and Rise of Empires is the Mechanism of the Almighty Altho' we cannot always discover what share God has had in certain Affairs yet it must never be deny'd that he has had any Who could ever have imagin'd that the Grandeur of the Roman Empire which we commonly look upon as an effect of the great Wisdom and Valour of the Romans should have ever contributed towards the publication of the Gospel and the glory of the Church In a word there might have been only one History which should have been that of the City of God where Empires and Dominions might have been brought in as so many Incidents and Episodes which have only collateral Relation to the History of the Church Nevertheless as the Devil will always have a share in humane Affairs and that S. Austin together with the Holy Scriptures attribute to him a Power over the Kingdoms of the World we divide History into Ecclesiastical for the Affairs of the Church and into Civil for the Affairs of Empires and Republicks We make no use of the Word Profane as being improper for the History of Christian Kingdoms whose Kings are the Protectors and Cherishers of the Church This I presume may be sufficient to justify my preferring this Division of History to that of all others which have treated on the same Subject ARTICLE I. The Authority of the History of The People of God contain'd in the Books of the Old and New Testament THE History of the Iews is contain'd in the Books of the Old Testament which is sufficient to convince any Christian that it is unquestionable and will never admit of any Doubt Yet it is not to my purpose to quote any Fathers hereupon or to shew what they have advanc'd in their Disputes against the Pagans to prove the Truth and Divinity of the Bible those Matters being to be met with in the Books of such Doctors as have writ upon that Subject Nevertheless as it is chiefly at Genesis that the Deists and Atheists level their Criticisms it would not be amiss to say something in vindication of that Holy Book and the rather because the History therein contain'd being once establish'd all the other parts of Religion necessarily follow on course 1. Then it is certain that Moses was Author of the Book of Genesis Nay more positive says du Pin in the first Tome of his History of Ecclesiastical Writers speaking of this Book than that either Homer was Author of the Iliads and Odysses or Herodotus or Thucydides of those Histories that are ascrib'd to them The Holy Bible continues he afterwards teaches me that Moses was Author of the Pentateuch Thus are the Five Books of Moses call'd of which Genesis is the First Iesus Christ proceeds Dupin and the Apostles have assur'd me as much ancient Authors concur in the same Opinion and all other People agree with them c. We may find in the same Book a number of Witnesses to evince this Truth of which some were Iews others Christians and others Pagans all which positively affirm that Moses writ the Book of Genesis and all the rest of the Pentateuch 2. Moses without dispute was a much more ancient Writer
than any of those Authors who have acquir'd so great Reputation in the World and procur'd Greece the Title of The Mother of Sciences and Arts for he liv'd near 500 Years before Homer 800 before the Philosopher Thales who writ the first concerning Nature 900 before Pythagoras and above 1100 before either Socrates Plato or Aristotle who have been the most celebrated and chief Masters of all the Wisdom of Greece Preface to the French Translation of Genesis 3. It is true that Moses writ the History of the Creation a long time after it since that he writ Genesis it may be about the Year of the World 2550. But this ought not to gravel any Man of Sense for when once he has conceived that Mâ—ses foresaw future Things through the Spirit of God which revealed them to him it will not be hard to believe that he was also Inspired with those that were past and before his Days This History also may be very well establish'd without having any recourse to Revelation for it is possible Moses might have said to those of his Time I am resolved to write of the Transactions from the beginning of the World to this Day and of which I believe no Body can be better inform'd than my self for Amram my Father has often said to me Son I will relate to you all the History of the World down even to us according as I have learnt it from Levi my Grandfather who had what he told me from Isaac his Grandfather with whom he liv'd 33 Years And as for what relates to Isaac he might have heard all what he told Levi from Sem with whom he liv'd also 50 Years Now nothing can be more probable than that Sem might say to Isaac after this manner You may safely believe what I tell you about the Deluge since I have been an Eye-witness of all I pretend to know And you ought likewise to believe me when I acquaint you about the Creation of the World and of all what relates to Adam since I liv'd near 100 Years with Methusalem my Great Grandfather who learnt all these Matters from Adam himself with whom he liv'd 243 Years So that between Isaac and Adam there are but two Persons Mathusalem and Sem and then between Isaac and Moses his Father there is only one more who is Levi. Insomuch that to speak plainly without having Recourse to Supernatural Proofs never any History deserv'd greater Credit than that of Genesis A TABLE Of the Hereditary and Domestick Traditions of the Patriarchs who might reasonably be presum'd to Instruct one another from Adam even down to Moses  Born in the Year of the World Liv'd Years Dy'd in the Year of the World Adam liv'd 143 Years with 1. 930. 930. Mathusalem liv'd 98 Years with 687. 969. 1656. Sem who liv'd 50 Years with 1558. 600. 2158. Isaac who liv'd 33 Years with 2108. 180. 2288. Levi who liv'd a long time with 2255. 137. 2392. Amram Grandson of Levi whom no doubt he had seen since this Amram was Father of Moses who was born only 41 Years after the Death of Levi. It is certain that Moses writ nothing but what was within the Memory of Man since he was only removed from Adam about Four or Five Generations Between Adam and Isaac there are but two Persons Methusalem and Sem and between Isaac and Amram the Father of Moses there is but one who is Levi. It follows therefore that Adam Methusalem Sem Isaac Levi and Amram the Father of Moses have successively convers'd with and instructed each other in the History of the World which was then only that of their several Families especially at a time when there were no other Histories which Men might apply themselves to or divert themselves with It is not my Design here to confute the several Objections which the Enemies both of the Iewish and Christian Religion have rais'd against the Pentateuch and other Books of the Bible That is altogether foreign to my purpose and would engage me so deep in Theological Disputes that I should quickly lose Sight of my Introduction to History Any one may be satisfied by Monsieur Huetius Bishop of Auranches his learned Treatise concerning Evangelical Demonstration or the famous Father Simon 's Book of the Inspiration of the Sacred Writers what might be answer'd to the frivolous Arguments which Spinosa who liv'd some short time in Holland brought in his trifling Treatise call'd Tractatus Theologico-Politicus against the Truth and Divinity of the Holy Bible This Author tho' born a Iew falls nevertheless very severely upon Judaism without shewing at the same time any great kindness for Christianity So that we may reasonably infer That his Design was to abolish all Religion particularly the Iewish and Christian and establish Atheism and Libertinism leaving every Body to their liberty of believing what they pleas'd providing at the same time they prov'd no Disturbance to the Common-wealth But Father Simon has sufficiently demonstrated That this Spinosa was a Blockhead and that he understood neither the Criticks of the Scripture nor the Learning of the Iews In a Word what I have said particularly of Genesis may suffice to Imprint in us a more than ordinary Idea of the Authority and Divinity of this Book which is the sole Foundation of all the rest of the Bible The Order of the Books of the Old and New Testament First the Old Testament consists of 45 Books I. Genesis comprehends the History of the Creation of the World the Lives of the Patriarchs the Deluge the Genealogy of the Offspring of Noah down to Ioseph and in short all the History of 2369 Years II. Exodus so call'd from its giving an Account of the coming of the People of Israel out of Egypt contains likewise the Transactions of Moses in the Desert how God gave the Laws of the Decalogue to the People and whatever hapned during the space of 145 Years from the Death of Ioseph to the building of the Tabernacle III. Leviticus which contains the Laws Ceremonies and Sacrifices of the Jewish Religion the perpetual Fire distinguishing Beasts clean from unclean and many other Things of which the Inspection and Management belong'd peculiarly to the Levites IV. Numbers where is to be found the numbering of the People of Israel after they came out of Egypt with their History of 39 Years till they went into the Desert V. Deuteronomy that is The Second Law not that Moses then gave a different Law from what he had before published on Mount Sinai but because he therein renewed it to the Children of such as dy'd in the Desert These are the Five Books of Moses call'd the Pentateâ—ch and which contain the History of 2552 Years and an half computed from the Creation of the World VI. Ioshua 'T is commonly thought Ioshua himself was Author of this Book It comprehends the History of 17 Years to be reckon'd from the death of Moses to that of Ioshua VII Iudges It is
XLIII Malachi Prophesied after the re-edifying of the Temple He reproves the several Abuses which were crept into the Iewish Discipline As he is the last of the Prophets and that no more was to be expected till the coming of Iesus Christ he exhorts the People to stick to the Law of Moses till the Messiah should appear in the World XLIV The I. Book of Maccabees XLV The II. Book of Maccabees These two Books contain the State of the Church under the Third Monarchy which was that of the Greeks continuing Forty Years from the Death of Alexander the Great to that of Demetrius Soter The Second Book is an Abridgment of the Book of Iason who was one of the Iews of Cirena The Author of the First Book is not the Author of the Second as it appears to the Learned both from the difference of Style and different manner of counting the Years Secondly The New Testament contains 27 Books I. The Gospel according to St. Matthew was writ about 6 Years after the Death of Christ at the request of those Iews who had imbrac'd the Christian Faith St. Matthew from a Publican became an Apostle He has undertaken in his Gospel to relate the Royal Race of our Saviour and to represent him according to the Life he led in the Flesh wherefore he speaks chieflly as St. Austin remarks of those Actions and Instructions in which the Son of God has in a manner temper'd his Wisdom with his Divine Majesty that he might render the Example of his Life the more Imitable and Agreeable to our Weakness II. The Gospel according to St. Mark was written in the 3d Year of Claudius or the 43d of Christ according to the ordinary way of Reckoning that is 10 Years after our Saviour's Death This Gospel St. Mark writ at Rome at the request of the Christians of that Church and according to the Instructions he had receiv'd from St. Peter whose Disciple he had been He has follow'd St. Matthew in a many Things and in some places only abridg'd him nevertheless there are many Passages he has dwelt longer upon and observ'd many considerable Circumstances which St. Matthew omitted III. The Gospel according to St. Luke was writ by him 23 Years after Christs Ascension This St. Luke was a Physician and as he was very well acquainâ—ed with the Greek Tongue he has writ more elegantly than either St. Mark or St. Iohn He was not of the number of Apostles as was St. Matthew and St. Iohn but one of their Disciples in like manner as Saint Mark. IV. The Gospel according to St. Iohn the Son of Zebedee and Brother of St. Iames sirnam'd Major was written at Ephesus about the Year of Christ 96. and 63 Years after his Passion upon occasion of the Heresy of Cerinthus and Ebion both which maintain'd That Iesus Christ was but a Man whereupon all the Bishops of Asia and several others entreated St. Iohn to treat more largely on the Matter than the Three Apostles his Predecessors had done and to establish Christ's Divinity beyond Contradiction It was hereupon that Saint Austin observ'd That the other Three Evangelists had only trac'd Christ upon the Earth and as it were walk'd along with him in recounting the Actions of his mortal Life but that St. Iohn had soar'd like an Eagle above human Pitch and discover'd the Word even in the Bosom of God without being dazled with the Lustre of his Glory V. The Acts of the Apostles are properly the Birth and Establishment of the Church which was about the time of the Death of Jesus and the Accomplishment of all his Mysteries St. Paul is particularly celebrated in this History it having been writ by St. Luke who was his Disciple This Book contains the History of 29 or 30 Years from the death of Christ to the time St. Paul was carry'd Prisoner to Rome the first time which was in the Year 63. Which makes some believe that St. Luke wrote this Book at Rome at the same time The Epistles of St. Paul VI. His Epistle to the Romans is plac'd first not that it was writ first but according to the Dignity of the Place and the Church where it was writ The Subject of it is to abate the excessive Pride of the Iews and Gentiles and to unite under Jesus Christ as the Corner-stone by the Bonds of Grace and a Spirit of Humility This Epistle was writ from Corinth in the Year of Christ 57. and 24 Years after his Passion VII His First Epistle to the Corinthians he writ from Ephesus about the Year of Christ 57. and 24 Years after Christ's death Therein St. Paul lessens the Pagan Eloquence and Philosophy which the Corinthians so greatly admir'd He teaches 'em moreover how to prepare for the Communion c. VIII His Second Epistle to the Corinthians writ from Macedon near the same time with the First and sent them by Titus and St. Luke St. Paul therein chiefly admonishes the Corinthians to beware of false Apostles whom he attacks severely naming them Deceitful Workers and Ministers of the Devil IX His Epistle to the Galatians was writ to these People from Lesser Asia a little while after they had been converted by him upon account of false Teachers who had seduced them by persuading them that the Gospel would not be sufficient to save them unless they continu'd to Circumcise their Children and to submit to other Ceremonies of the Law He brings many Books out of Scripture to dissuade the Galatians from this Error and to convince them that they ought no longer to be Slaves under the Old Law but to enjoy the Freedom of the New This Epistle was writ from Ephesus in the Year of Christ 56. and 23 Years after his Passion X. His Epistle to the Ephesians writ from Rome when St. Paul was in Bonds there about the Year of Christ 62. and 29 Years after his Passion This great Apostle therein admonishes the Inhabitants of this Metropolis of Asia Minor not to give Ear to the Preachers of Iudaism who would not only have the Law join'd to the Gospel but also intermixt many other Fables with this Error XI His Epistle to the Philippians writ to the Christians of Philippi in Macedonia from Rome where St. Paul was then Prisoner Here this Holy Apostle professes a more than ordinary Affection for that People which he had Converted and who sent him thither considerable Subsistence when he was in want He exhorts them to continue always stedfast in their Faith to decline Disputes to love Prayer to be humble and charitable to each other to be unshaken in Adversity and to be always replenished with Peace and Joy XII His Epistle to the Colossians writ from Rome while he was Prisoner there in the Year of Christ 62. This People being of Phrygia not far from Laodicea having receiv'd the Faith they were afterwards not a little pester'd with ignorant Seducers who would needs intermix Iudaism and Philosophy with the Gospel St.
succeeded to Michael VI. Emperor of Constantinople This Cedrenus was a great Plagiary having Robb'd Iohn Curopalate of almost all that he says after the death of Michael I. to the Reign of Isack Comnenes It was then customary among the Greeks to rifle the Dead and this ill Example extended also to Letters Eusebius made bold with Africanus George Sincellus a Monk of Constantinople who liv'd in the Eighth Century likewise Pillag'd him in his turn and moreover Criticis'd upon him most unmercifully After him comes George Theophanus a Man in other respects good enough but he could not forbear treading in the Paths of others and enriching himself with the Spâ—ils of such has had gone before him But still herein he was more moderate than George Cedrenus whose Theft was so exceedingly extravagant that Father Labbe the Jesuit in his Book de Script Eccles. expresses himself very much displeas'd when Vossius made it a Question Whether George Cedrenus were more beholden to Iohn Curopalate or Iohn Curopalate to George Cedrenus But the Truth is these modern Greek Peices are of no great Worth for they are generally made up of the Raggs of Antiquity Patch'd and Sow'd unjudiciously together As all these different Greek Works have been generally Stollen I have not thought it convenient to allow 'em any particular Article but imagine I have done sufficient to let the World know how little they ought to be Valu'd XXVII Ingulphus an English-man of London was a Monk in the Abby of Fontenelles in Normandy and afterwards Abbot of Croyland in England He flourish'd between the Years 1050 and 1109. when he dy'd He has written an Account of the Monasteries in England from the Year 664 to 1067. which was the first Year of the Reign of William the Conquerour whose Secretary 't is said Ingulphus was after he became King of England XXVIII Iohn Zonarius a Monk of the Order of St. Basil flourish'd about the Year 1120. He has written an Universal History in III Volumes Whereof the First contains the Affairs of the Jews from the Creation of the World to the Destruction of Ierusalem The Second comprehends an Abridgment of the Roman History from the Foundation of Rome to Constantin the Great The Third contains the Actions of the Eastern Emperors from Constantin to Alexis Comnenes M. Vossius allows this Author a greater share of Genius and Exactness than he seems to have Merited by his Works This Historian before he became a Monk had divers considerable Employments in the Eastern Emperors Courts XXIX Honorius Autunensius so nam'd from his having been Prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Autun in Burgundy He flourish'd under the Reign of the Emperor Henry V. about the Year 1120. There is a very large Chronicle of his which M. Vossius says is a great Honour to its Author being of no common Benefit to the Publick Gloriam sibi publico fâ—uctu quaesivit Volumine quod summa Historiarum vel Magnum Chronicum Opus Nuncupatur Vossius c. We have likewise an Account of the Ecclesiastical Writers from this Author which he entitles De Luminaribus Ecclesiâ—e XXX William of Malmesbury or Somerset a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict in the Monastery of Malmesbury where he was Library-keeper He has Writ Five Books of English History and Two which are call'd Historia Novella It ends with the Year 1142. when it is thought that its Author dy'd He is look'd upon to be one of the best Writers of the History of England XXXI Henry Steronius a Monk of the Abbey of Altaich in Germany liv'd in the 14th Century He has compil'd Annals which begin with the Year 1152. being the First of the Reign of Frederic Barbarossa and proceed on to the Year 1273. when the Emperor Rodolphus I. of the Family of Hapsbourg began his Reign Eberard Arch-deacon of Ratisbonne continues these Annals down to the Year 1305. This Author Steren likewise writ the several Lives of the Emperors Rhodophus of Hapsbourg Adolphus of Nassaw and Albert of Austria down to the Year 1300. Vlriâ— and Conrade Wellirige of Ausbourg two Brothers and Monks of the Order of St. Benedict made an Addition to this Work which extends to the Year 1335. XXXII Henry of Huntingdon Arch-deacon and Canon of Lincoln in England flourish'd about the Year 1153. being the time when Stephen King of England dy'd He has written the History of England in X Books from the Descent of the Angels and Saxons upon Britain to the Year 1153. Polidore Virgil says this was an excellent Historian Historicus Egregius XXXIII Petrus Cemester or Peter the Eâ—ter was Native of Trâ—ies in Champagne He quitted the Benefice which he had in the place of his Birth to become a Member among the Regular Canons of St Victor at Paris where he dy'd in October towards the Year 1198. and his Tomb and Epitaph in the Church of St. Victor have been frequently Visited by the Curious He was a very learn'd Man for the time while he liv'd He compos d the History call'd Scolastick which Sixtus of Siena extreamly commends tho' he says withal that its Author has intermixt with it a great many Apocryphal Actions which have no good Warrant from Antiquity In this History which consists of XVI Books â—he Abridges all the Old and New Testament adding here and there some Notes and Remarks drawn out of the Fathers and some profane Writers XXXIV Otho of Freisingen so nam'd for having been Bishop of that City was Son to Leopold Marquess of Austria equally Illustrious for his Birth Learning and Piety Being Dissatisfied with the Professors of the College of Newbourg which his Father had Founded he went to Study in the University of Paris He afterwards admitted himself of the Order of White-Fryars in the Monastery of Morimond of which in a short time his Virtue advanc'd him to be Abbot Having been chosen Bishop of Freisingen he return'd into Germany in the Year 1148. when he waited on the Emperor Conrade in his Expedition to the Holy-Land But upon his Return being convinc'd more than ever of the Vanity of Things of this World he hasted to his belov'd Retirement of Morimond where he dy'd the 21st of September in the Year 1158. This Otho writ a Chronicle in VII Books from the beginning of the World to the Year 1146. He also compil'd the Life of Frederick Barberossa which Radevic a Canon of Freisingen continu'd XXXV William a French-man tho' some say a German was elected Arch-bishop of Tyre in Phenicia the 30th of May 1175. He has written the History of the Holy-War under Godfrey of Bulloign Which he begins with the Year 1095. and ends with that of 1180. This Work comprehends XXIII Books but the last is not quite finish'd Iohn Harold has hereto added VI Books after a Fashion The Year of William of Tyre's Death is unknown XXXVI Helmodius a Priest of Busoen near Lubec liv'd in the Twelfth Century in the time of the Emperor Frederic
However to give it the better Authâ—â—rity we will set down the Words of Iustus Lipsius 〈◊〉 his 61st Epist. In the Knowledge of Times it is enouâ—â— says he to understand the general Series and Order Things and to see where the Empires Wars and 〈◊〉 remarkable Events have their beginning and end Aâ— he wish'd that some Body would give us such a Tabâ—â— Dionysius Petavius has answer'd his Desire and puâ—â—lish'd Chronological Tables in Latin And of 〈◊〉 Days the like has been done in English in a smâ—â—â— Pocket Volume ingeniously contriv'd by Colonel Pâ—â—â—sons Others have multiplied the Tables to that degâ—â—â— that they make up a whole Book which 't is true are 〈◊〉 more compleat and of excellent Use when the Reaâ—â—â— is grown to more Proficiency Of these Helvicus is 〈◊〉 best unless our Country-man Mr. Tallent may be pâ—â—â—ferr'd And then to make the better Impression on the Mâ—â—mory I would have the whole History of the Woâ—â—â— divided into certain Epocha's which should commeâ—â— from some very notable Action and by Synchroâ—â— apply'd to other Actions by which means the times 〈◊〉 smaller Events would be the better remember'd Again as Geometricians resolve a Problemn by examining it part by part and forming an Analysis so here if the History be divided first into Two afterwards into Three Four or more Epocha's it will much facilitate the Learning 'T is for this Reason that we have made use of this Method proposing first only the great Aera's of the World and our Saviour then divide it into 4 7 and 13 parts the Times whereof having fixed we proceed to set down Particulars in a larger Chronology divided into Fifteen Royal Epocha's 'T is not to be express'd what a vast Light these different Divisions of the Times will give to this Study from which People have always been discourag'd by reason of its Obscurity It is well known That Division among Logicians is one of their best Means of arriving to the exact Knowledge of any Subject in Dispute which made Socrates call it An Art inspired by God §. 1. First Division of the Times into two Parts THe First Part contains all that space of Time from the Creation of the World to the Birth of JESUS CHRIST which according to our Computation through all this Book is of 3950 Years This is properly what they call The Time of the Old Testament During this long Extent we see the Estaâ—lishment and Downfal of three Great Monarchies â—iz the Assyrian Persian and Grecian which have preceded the Empire of the Romans In that space of 40 Centuries we shall find also a â—reat Number of other States Kingdoms and Repubâ—icks the greatest part of which became Roman Proâ—inces when Rome a little before the Birth of the Son of God made her self Mistress of the whole Universe The Second Part contains all the Time elapsed from the Birth of JESUS CHRIST to this present â—ime which according to the Vulgar Computation is â—698 Years This is what they call the Time of the New Testament which space of 17 Ages comprehends all the most considerable Events and Transactions in the Roman Empire in the Eastern and Western Empires in the Kingdoms of France Spain and England and in the other States and Republicks of Europe Asia Africa and America These are the two most important Epocha's in History One is the Creation of the World by the Eternal Father and the other the Restauration of the World by the Son of God consubstantial to his Father §. 2. Second Divison of the Times into three Parts according to Varro VArro divides the whole Series of Ages into three Times the first of which he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obscure and uncertain the second 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fabulous and the third 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Historical I. The obscure and uncertain Time is that from the first Original of Mankind down to the Deluge oâ— Ogiges about the Year of the World 2154. and 17â—â— Years before the Vulgar Aera and 1020 before thâ— Frist Olympiad This Time is called obscure and uncertain because the Historios of the Nations of the World give no Account of what has happen'd for 2â— Centuries II. The fabulous Time begins at the Deluge of Ogiges and reaches as far as the Olympiads that is to thâ— Year of the World 3174. and 776 Years before thâ— Vulgar Aera and lasts 1020 Years It is called fabulous because in effect whatever Prophane Historian have written about those Times is intermixt with 〈◊〉 great many Fables What they relate about the Argoâ—nautes Vlysses Helena Hercules and some others is foâ— incoherent that we know not what to think of it Wâ— must make the same Judgment of the Burning of Troy And if we should strictly examine what Poets have lefâ— us upon that Subject we should perhaps be apt to beâ—lieve That Troy was never but a Fiction of their Imagination What Herodotus relates from the Taking of Troy to the Olympiads signifies very little and is intermix'd with a great many Tales and Romantick Stories If he had been serious in his Accounts of the Scythians Egyptians and several other Nations we should be obliged to call him the Father of Lies and Fables whom Cicero honours with the Title of the Father of History But tho' we should be forc'd to give Credit to those Relations which carry so few Characters of Truth with them we would not therefore be much the better for it since Herodotus's History reaching no higher than Giges King of the Lydians who lived about the Year of the World 3238. and 712 Years before the Vulgar Aera he leaves us at a Loss and in the Dark for about 3300 Years of which he gives no Account What we find in Berosus Manetho Metasthenes Philo and Annius is still very uncertain and there 's a great deal of Reason to doubt whither there ever were Kings that bore the Names which those Authors give them And indeed we meet no where in all the Old Testament with the Name of any of those Kings of the Assyrians so much celebrated by Prophane Historians whereas we often meet with those of the Princes of the Moabites Ammonites Mesopotamia Egypt Syria and others less considerable that have been either the Enemies or Allies of the Iews We must not expect more Light from other Historians Diodorus Siculus begins his History at the Siege of Troy Trogus Pompeius ascends no higher than Ninus and who shall instruct us of what has happened before those Times Christian Religion into whose Hands the Holy Scriptures are deposited can alone by the Light she draws from them connect the first Times into a continued and uninterrupted Succession from the beginning of the World to the Return from the Babylonian Captivity And then as we find more Obscurity in the Accounts of Time in the Holy Scripture we find in requital more Light in the Writings of Prophane Authors However we must observe That the Bible serves only to
his Common Places which will produce another Advantage for by this second Reading he must undoubtedly engraft them the deeper into his Memory But here a great deal of Care must be taken to reject Minutia Trifles which contribute nothing to the Benefit of the Publick which ought to be the chief end propos'd in reading History Hoc est illud praecipue in cognitione rerum Salubre Frugiferum omnis te exempli documenta in illustri posita Monumenta intueri Vnde tibi tuaeque Reipublicae quod imitere capias inde faedum exitu quod vites Liv. lib. 1. Hist. I would here conclude this Chapter did I not foresee two Observations which it is necessary Youth should be acquainted with OBSERVATION I. Vpon the Four Monarchies There is a very considerable Error crept into Chronology and History which relates to the placing of the Four Monarchies for they are commonly thought to have succeeded each other immediately As first the Assyrian Empire is supposed to end with Sardanapaluâ— and then the Median to succeed to all the Power of the Assyrians which is not true for altho' Aâ—baces caus'd the Medians to revolt from Sardanapalus whom he consequently freed from the Yoke of the Assyâ—ians yet the Assyrian Empire continu'd after this for near 150 Years to the time that Cyrus the Great ruin'd it by the taking of Babylon What remain'd of the Assyrian Monarchy after the death of Sardanapalus was term'd the second Assyrian Empire which altho' it was altogether unknown to the Greeks yet it is nevertheless famous in Holy Scripture The like Fault is committed in regard to the Medeâ— and Persians of which the Bishop of Meaux speaks thus As to what relates to the Monarchy of the Medians which the greatest part of Prophane Historians place in the second Rank and separate from that of the Persians it is certain that the Holy Scripture unites them together and over and above the Authority of these Holy Books the bare Order of Matters require it should be so The Medes before Cyrus altho' they were powerful and very considerable yet were they totally eclips'd by the Grandeur of the Babylonish Kings but Cyrus having conquer'd their Kingdom by the united Force of the Medes and Persians and to which afterwards he came to be the lawful Successor as we have observ'd after Zenophon that Great Empire whereof he was the Founder ought reasonably to take its Name from those two Nations altho' the Glory of Cyrus has occasion'd that of the Persians to be prefer'd Also it may well be imagin'd that before the War with Babylon the Median Kings having extended their Conquests all over the Greek Colonies of Lesser Asia might have been exceedingly famous among the Greeks who consequently might have attributed the Empire of all Asia to them inasmuch as they were then acquainted with no other Eastern Kings for the Kings of Nineveh and Babylon who have been more Potent have scarce been so much as mention'd in those Remains we have of the Greek Historians when all that was considerable from the time of Sardanapalus to that of Cyrus was wholly ascrib'd by them to the Medes Bodin imploys all the 7th Chapter of his Method to refute those that make the Four Empires of the Assyrians Persians Greeks and Romans to succeed immediately to each other and who likewise pretend that those Monarchies were figured to us by the Four Beasts and the Statue compos'd of Four Metals spoken of by the Prophet Daniel and which they also affirm are to continue to the end of the World But here Bodin finds no great difficulty to demonstrate that the Roman Empire which was the last of the Four came to a Period under Augustulus in the Year 475. and that from thenceforward it was never more able to re-establish it self for it is most absurd to imagine the present German Empire to be the same with the Roman as appears by the ancient and modern Bounds for the Roman Empire in the time of Trajan according to Sixtus Rufus was bounded on the North by the Danube and the Oâ—cades on the West by the Isle of Cadiz on the East by the Euphrates and on the South is contain'd all that was then known to be habitable in Africa to which Trajan added moreover his Conquests in Mesopotamia and Arabia Felix whereas at this Day what is call'd the Empire of the Romans scarce comprehends the hundredth part of that All Asia as every Body knows is now under the Turk Persian Mâ—gul c. and Rome has nothing left to boast of in Africk England France Spain Portugal Denmark c. with all Greece and the neighbouring Countries as likewise Sicily Sardinia c. are now fell off from that Empire and are long since become New States under several potent and formidable Kings Italy which was the first Patrimony of the Roman Empire is at this Day subject to divers Princes and Rome it self under the absolute Dominion of the Pope Father M. Lomejer has lately maintained That the Four Sovereign Monarchies boasted of by so many Authors did not take up all that space of time from the building of the Tower of Babel to their supposed Conclusion for he pretends that there were other Monarchies both before and after these as likewise several considerable Empires which flourished at the same time with them The Image which Nebuchodonosor saw in a Dream did not foretel the Four pretended Monarchies seeing that David who expounded this Dream says That the first should be the Empire of Nebuchodonosor whose Reign would be the most Glorious for that afterwards the others would decrease by little and little till they came to be of small Note And moreover the Assyrian Empire was in its declension when Daniel expounded Nebuchodonosor's Vision By all that has been observed we may collect That those who lay down the Successions of the Four Monarchies for a Ground of Universal History may build upon a deceitful Foundation OBSERVATION II. Vpon the several kinds of Government As there is frequent occasion to speak of Empires Monarchies Republicks Aristocracies c. in History and as it may happen that they may not always be rightly understood I do not think it amiss to give some general Ideas of them and first of I. Theocracy which is when a State is govern'd by the sole Power and Will of God For Example The ancient Government of the Iews was a Theâ—cracy as Iosephus observes for God there administred all Matters relating to a Sovereignty For 1. He gave them Laws which were either Political Ceremonial or Moral 2. He denounc'd War order'd their Camps and nam'd their Generals 3. He created their Magistrates appointed them Judges even to Saul's time who were then as it were his Viceroys and moreover it was by his Order that Samuel consecrated Saul King of Israel Thus we see God was pleased to be a Monarch and Sovereign Judge and Arbiter over the Iews but this Theocracy or Divine Government lasted only to
not certainly known who compil'd this Book tho' some ascribe it to Samuel It represents the Republick of the Iews under the Dominion of Iudges counting from the death of Ioshua to that of Sampson It contains a Series of History of it may be 317 Years that is to say from the Year of the World 2570 to 2887. Therein the Israelites are to be found groaning under very severe Hardships God having delivered them over to the Power of their Enemies for the Punishment of their Idolatries VIII Ruth This Book whose Author is not known contains an Example of uncommon Piety and of the singular Providence of God Ruth a Moabitish Woman being not willing to forsake her Mother-in-Law follows her till she comes into her own Country where God so employs his Providence for the Welfare of Ruth that she marries for her second Husband Boas a very rich Man of that Country and becomes Mother of Obed Grand-father of David from whom our Saviour Iesus Christ descended according to the Flesh. There is no doubt but this History of Ruth hapned in the time of the Iudges 'T is said to be during the Administration of Samgar about 28 Years after the death of Ioshua IX The first Book of Samuel contains all that passed under the Governments of Heli and Samuel as likewise under the Reign of Saul for about the space of 101 Years that is from the Year of the World 2848 to 2949. X. The second Book of Samuel comprehends all the Reign of David during 40 Years XI The First Book of Kings contains the History of Solomon's Reign as likewise how his Kingdom was divided after his Death Afterwards it treats of Four Kigns of Iuda There is in this Book a Series of History for the space of 126 Years XII The Second Book of Kings contains the several Reigns of 12 Kings of Israel to the Destruction of that Kingdom and of 16 Kings of Iuda to the Captivity of Babylon This Book also relates wonderful Things of Elijah and Elisha his Companion It contains in all the History of 308 Years The Author of the First and Second Books of Kings is unknown but all together include the space of 597 Years XIII The First Book of the Paralipomenes or Chronicles XIV The Second Book of the Paralipomenes or Chronicles These two Books are so nam'd because they contain the Acts and other Circumstances which had been omitted in the foregoing Historical Books This Second ends at the Year of the World 3468. where ended likewise the 70 Years of Captivity when Cyrus gave Liberty to the People of Iuda to return into their own Country to build their Temple and the Walls of Ierusalem 'T is commonly thought that Esdras was Author of these two Books XV. The First Book of Esdras according to the common Opinion was written by the Person whose Name it bears It contains the History of the Captivity of the Iews with their Deliverance and Re-establishment in Iudea from the first Year of Cyrus his Reign to the 20th of Artaxerxes sirnam'd the Long-handed All which comprehends the space of 28 Years computing from the Year of the World 3468 to 3550. XVI The Second Book of Esdras was compil'd by Nehemiah It begins at the 20th Year of Artaxerxes and continues even to the beginning of the Reign of Darius his Son sirnam'd the Bastard which comprehends the History of the Iews during 31 Years and extends to the Year of the World 3581. XVII Tobit There are those that are of Opinion that Tobit the Father and the Son were the Compilers of their own History but this carries no Authority along with it Tobit was one of those Israelites that was transported out of Samaria by King Senacherib This Book includes several great Examples of Virtue and excellent Principles of Morality You may there observe Tobit faithful to God even under strange Trials His Charity the Care he had to bury the Dead his Patience after he had lost his Sight and finally his admirable Instructions of Piety to his Son Tobit the Son informs us with what Dispositions we are to engage in Marriage In a word the Providence of God towards all those that put their Trust in him shines throughout the whole course of this Book XVIII Iudith The Author of this Book is by no means known Huetius was of Opinion That it was writ during the Captivity in Babylon tho' the History of Iudith related in this Book hapned according to the Opinion of the Learned before this Captivity Thus it is thought that this wonderful Expeditâ—on of that Pious Widow who was 64 Years old when she cut off Holofernes's Head was transacted after King Manasses was Re-establish'd Iudith liv'd 41 Years after this bold Action that is to say to the Year of the World 3389. when she was 109 Years of Age. XIX Esther The History of Esther hapen'd under the Reign of Darius Son of Histaspes It is Ahasuerus who is all along mention'd in this Book The Composure of it is attributed to Mordecai but it appears to me that Esther might also have had a hand in it XX. Iob. It is thought that this Book was first written in Arabick and afterwards Translated into Hebrew by Moses The History of Iob can by no means be a Fiction the Persons and Nations therein mention'd by their proper Names the several Testimonies of Tobit Ezekiel and S. Iames together with the Sentiments of the ancient Fathers ought to convince us that this Story is true Iob was either before Moses or else at the same time with him and this History probably hapned during the Israelites being in the Desert because there is no mention made in it of the written Law XXI The Psalms These are commonly ascrib'd to David altho' there be many that are none of his and which have been written a long time after his Death as well by Esdras as other Prophets XXII The Proverbs of Solomon This Book was Compos'd by him whose Name it bears and contains excellent Precepts of Life as well in what relates to the Service of God as our duty towards our Neighbour XXIII Ecclesiastes also belongs to Solomon This Book decries perfectly the Vanity of the greatest Enjoyments in this World XXIV The Canticles or Song of Songs is also of Solomon This Book is altogether Mystical It describes in a very lively manner the incomprehensible Love of Christ towards the Church his Spouse as likewise the Churches return to Christ. S. Ierom observes that among the Iews none were suffer'd to read this Book till they had attain'd the Age of 30 Years so that we may say with this Father That Solomon writ his Proverbs for those that were just entred in the Paths of Piety his Ecclesiastes for such as were somewhat advanc'd But for his Canticles they requir'd a Mind altogether elevated and disengag'd from the Clogs of this World XXV The Book of Wisdom This Book contains the Spirit and many other Things of Solomon altho' in all