for his Opinion citeth not onely Iosephus who in the twelfth Booke of his Antiquities and second Chapter speaking of this Story maketh no mention of any such Diuision and Seperation into seuerall Cels but euen this present Worke of Aristeus who in the one and twentieth Chapter of this Booke speaketh plainely that they mette and conferred euery day together till the Ninth houre To reconcile these seuerall Opinions it is to be noted that of all these Fathers some onely as Iustin Martyr Iraenens Clemens Alexandrinus and Epiphanius make expresse mention of the Cels the Rest speake onely of a Miraculous Consent and Agreement of theirs about the same thing as Tertullian Chrisostome and Saint Augustine For it is not necessary that what those Fathers spake of the Miraculous Consent of the Translators should be vnderstood of their separation into seuerall Cels For it is Miraculous enough for so many men assembled together in so short time to agree all in their Opinions without Disputes and Delayes which are ordinary in a Multitude where there is such diuersity of Iudgments So that the third Opinion is not onely S. Hieromes but may bee Tertullians Chrisostomes and Saint Augustines too and the most probable and most receiued questionlesse it is of all the three For Iustin Martyr the first broacher of those Cels it was not improbable for the Iewes to perswade him those Ruines a Apud Alexandriam vestigia Cellularum se vidisse narrat Iustinus in Oratione exhortatoria ad Gentes which hee saw were the Cels wherein the Translators were inclosed because in Religious mindes the Deuotion is commonly stronger then the Iudgement And for Epiphanius it is likely hee tooke vp that of the two and two to a Cell from Report and Relation and not from his owne Reading for none besides himselfe euer made mention of such a businesse Nor is it worth obiecting that At inquiuÌ„t Epiphanius Aristeus legit et â—itat Bell. lib. â— de verbâ— Dei. ch 6. Sess At. Epiphanius that vtters this Opinion cites this Aristeus our Author whereby some would conclude that this Aristeus our Author hath eyther beene corrupted since the time of Epiphanius and that the mention of those Cels haue beene expunged Or that before Epiphanius his time the true Booke of Aristeus was neuer extant but in it it was for if they pitch vpon the first and say that Aristeus Cum Aristeus Eâ—non multo post losephus nihil tute retulerint Hieron in Praeâ—aâ— in Pent. was intire and whole in Epiphanius his time but corrupted since they are refilled out of Iosephus and Eusebius that wrote before Epiphanius that haue many things Verbatim out of Aristeus but not a sillable of those Cels. But I leaue the businesse to the Iudgement of the Reader assuring that St. Hierome esteemed Aristeus worthy of beleefe for hee hath writ these words in the Preface of the Pentateuck of Moses his Booke viz. Et nescio quis primus Author Septâ—uaginta Cellulas c. i. d. I knowâ— not who was the first that by his Dreame hath built in Alexandria 72. Cels the which were seperate and that they writ iust the same sillables for being that nether Aristeus the great Esquire of Ptolomy nor Iosephus that was long time after make any mention but say the Interpreters were assembled together in a Hall and there conferred together and Prophesied not for it is one thing to bee a Prophet and another to bee an Interpreter For in the one the spirit fore-tels things to come in the other the copious abundance of the tongue and the Knowledge translates that hee vnderstands hitherto Saint Hierome But be this difference as it it will to please Miracle-louers it greatly matters not for ceraine it is that all Graue Testimonies and Authors which haue toueht hereaâ— say there was such a Ptolomeus Philadelphus such a Library For as Philo the Iewe sayth Iesus the Sonne of Sirach one inserted into the Geneology of Christ Prince and Captain of the Children of Israel in the time of Pâ—olomeus Philadelphus King of Aegypt came to Alexandria a City of Aegypt where he gathered out of that flourishing Library his Booke of Ecclesiasticus as Bees from diuers Flowers gather sweete Honey And Strabo sayth speaking of the Beauty of the City Alexandria that Ptolomeus Philadelphus was so great a louer of Learning that he erected a Library containing 400000. Books the Fame whereof being published through the World many people of diuers Nations resorted thither to see it And how Eleazer High priest of the Iewes at the request of Pâ—olomeus sent 72. Interpreters to Translâ—te the Bible out of Hebrew into Greeke which was as Iosephus obserueth in An Abstract of the whole History out of oâ—ephus the third yeere of his Raigne before Christ 260. in recompence of which courtesie hee sent to bee dedicated in the Temple of Hierusalem a Table of Gold richly adorned with Carbuncles Smaragdes and other precious Stones Two stately Cups and Thirty Bowles of pure Gold as it appeareth in Iosephus Lib. Antiq. 12. The Academy continued there till after Christs time as you may reade Acts 6 But the Library was consumed 47. yeeres before Christ and the City greatly defaced For Iulius Caesar at that time making Warre vppon Pompey the yonger who continued with his Sister Cleopatra in this City caused the Kings Nauy to bee set on fire and the Library standing neere to it the flame tooke hold of it and burnt it downe to the ground with all that was in it and so was the end of that their Sacred Volume by this Disaster VVhereof this History which I haue done into English for your ease shewes its first passage into that place and consumption But this Story of ARISTEVS hath ouer-dured those flames Which I thus commend to your Christian View desiring pardon in that I haue noâ— done so well as I would but I haue followed my Author as neere as I could A short Discourse of the Antiquity and Dignity of the Sacred Bookes and Excellency of their inspired Writer the Prophet MOSES By the English Translator AS the true GOD is the Ancient of Dayes and Times so it pleased Him that His perpetuall HISTORIE contayned in Holy Scriptures should excell in Antiquity of time all other Histories and Writings of the World that can be found the Writings of the Pagans and Nations being all vnder these and long after and that only of MOSES the subiect of this former History contaynes the account of yeares iustly from the Creation and beginning of the World euen vnto the comming of the promised Redeemer A reckoning I say so iust and certayne that there is no such to be found For to come to the Time wherein the Prophet of GOD MOSES the first Writer of Holy Writ began to Write manifestly vnder the Lord of Heauen and Earth wee may gather and without preiudice of all that then could be done as by a passage amongst many other
places wee read of in the 17. Chapter of the Booke of Exodus where it is sayd GOD Commaunded him to Write and that in the same yeare the people of Israel issued out of Aegypt which was from the Creation of the World 2513. vpon which wee may aduertise our selues that the yeares are Calculated according to Verity of the sayd Scriptures by the Faithfull Seruants of GOD which haue happily trauayled therein And therefore wee neede not rest vppon the calculation of Histories Annalls and humane Chronicles or other Writers that haue not intirely followed Holy Scriptures who are discordant amongst themselues and many times directly opposite to one anothers times Therefore if we dilligently search all Antiquities and Writings of men of all Nations that haue any appearance of certayne time wherein those Writings were made and after conferre those times with the things recited and inregistred by the Holy Prophet MOSES and the time wherein he Writ them we shall see manifestly the Excellency and Antiquity that he is herein aboue all men For the Fables and disguisments of prophane Poets Greekes and Latins which all came long time after MOSES Amongst them I say we shal see no other but manifest Dreames Lyes and amongst other things noteable some corruptions of the Sacred Scriptures long before Written of which they hauing heard some inckling and receiued it as from hand to hand or drawne it from his Writings or heard it recounted by the Father to the Sonne and they from their Auncestors which were the Children and Successours of the three Sonnes of Noe who was the second Father of humane kinde and restorer of the Nations of all the World all issuing from his Posterity after the vniuersall Flood His three Sonnâ—â— as Holy Scripture hath acquainted vs with were Sem Cham and Iaphet of whom are descended all the Earth And this before spoken is easily and sufficiently discouered in the Writings of the sayd Pagans by the proper names of the sayd Children of Noe and of their Successors which of long time before these writings and prophane Histories had beene named by MOSES For the Pagans testifie thaâ— the people had made of these Auncient Father Idolls and gods As of Iaphet Iapetus they drew Iauan Ianus and Ion and because they were names held in the Hebrew Letters or value of them they accommodated them to their tongues and letters and to make them more easie and glib in their accustomed pronounciation came neere but with alteration And if we will goe more high and weigh the old Times of the first Age which preceeded the Flood as wee haue it from that onely History of MOSES in the Holy Bible we shall easily perceiue that the Pagan Poets and Writers haue receiued euen the Auncient names and mingled them amongst their Fables and Dreames and drawne them from the Holy Scriptures And so it shall appeare plainly that their falce god Vulcan is not very hard to vnmaske that he was a mortall man and one of the Sonnes of the other Lamech the prime Bigamist and corrupter of Marriage who descended of that accursed Race of Caine And this appeares by the faculty of this Vulcan which was a Smith or forger of Armour And MOSES declares him so and by his name too for hee is by him called Thu-vulcain and euery one any thing skil'd in the Hebrew knowes that if they leaue the first letter which is seruile and put to forme the name according to the manner of the Hebrewes it will appeare meere Vulcain for their letter ב B. hauing not a pricke in him is pronounced as our v consonant And for the name of Vulcains wife by MOSES cald Nehama which signifieth faire in their language or as speakes the Latins Venusta It is a playne course to discouer vayne beauty or their so much celebrated vnchast and wanton Venus A goodly Race and fayre family of that accursed murtherer Caine. And here may we see some of the proper gods and Idols of the poore Pagans amongst that Anthil of such other ill stolne names vnhandsomely fetch'd from the Holy Scriptures with and by the subtilty of the Diuell to the end that a wicked troope of execrable â—yants violent oppressors of men Theeues and Adulterous desperates shaken off and damned by the VVord of GOD. Of whom the first Apostate and lyer Sathan made his counterfeit gods and Idols the old Serpent expert and knowing in all malice that there was no better way for him to muffle and blind humane iudgement from the knowledge of the true GOD at first ingrauen in the Soules of men but by this counterfeite deuice with Posterity But to passe further in our begunne purpose touching the fabulous writings of the Pagan Poets wee shall finde that their Discourse in the best we can of it is but corruptions of the Truth in the Holy Scriptures of GOD or things therein reuealed turn'd by them into dreames and prophane Narrations As we may see in that they writ of the Creation of the world and gouernment of the same of the Diuine vertue that Ouid. 1. de Meâ—â— Virgil. 6. de Aeneid Virgill Eglog â—â— 5. sustaines and interiourly nourisheth all things of the consumation of Heauen and Earth with fire at the last day and also of the restoration of the World and of all things in such good order for all so many confusions proceeding from sinne All which things they might obtaine and by some darke meanes draw from the Bookes of Holy Scripture and sacred Prophets Translated out of Hebrew into other Languages or vnderstand some thing by meanes of the dispersion Iosephus antiq of the People of Israel spread through all the Prouinces of the Romane Empire and through all the Quarters of the World For the Iewes had for the most part leaue in all places to hold their Synagogues and to haue publicke Lectures of Act. 18. 20 their Law and Prophets When thesâ— Poets flatterers of men turn'd all that spoken of the Person of Christ the promised Redeemer that then was expected falsely to apply theâ— by flattery to their Princes false-gods Virgil. Aâ—â—erd and Idols But let vs leaue all those Iuglers and Lyers that durst bee so prophanely bold to corrupt the pure Verity of Gods Word and speake wee of the Gentiles Writings how long they came after Moses and Writ since he and that euen they haue giuen Testimony to him and his Diuine Writings which may at least suffice to convince all Contradictors that Moses was in Nature and before them all Wee vnderstanding that his reckoning is a perpetuall following all the yeeres since the Creation of the World euen vnto his time as it is easie to gather by his Bookes and his account of the yeeres and liues of the first Fathers from Adam vnto the Patriarke Abraham and after from his Successors as from Father to Sonne to wit Isaacke Iacob Leui Caath Amram and then Aaron and Moses himselfe Children of the sayd Amram And that hee
of the Captaines of Great Alexander the third Monarch Lagus began his Reigne in the 271. yeare before the incarnation of our Lord Iesus Christ This Ptolomeus Philadelphus was endoctrined in the Science of good letters by Strabo the Peripateticke in which he became so excellent that he was esteemed one of the most accomplished Princes of his Time but that which was in him the most admirable was the Bounty Debonarity Sweetnesse and Gentlenesse of his Spirit accomodated with the manners and complexions of all worthy and deseruing persons By this meanes he entred so farre and before in the grace of all the World that euery one in his thought wisht he were King And his Father knowing his right of Succession was to be so and reioycing in his hopes of him made him to bee Crowned King and deuested himselfe of all Authority without reseruing any Power Right or Preheminence to himselfe onely a Superintendency ouer the Guard of the King his Sonne glorying to be Father of such a King For the admiration he had of his high Vertues kindled and gaue occasion betweene them both of a most kind contention in mutuall offices the Son yeelding to the Father and the Father to the Sonne in all and by all through instinct of Deuotion and Piety so they gaue liuely touches to one the other in all reduceable fitting offices which was cause that the People conceiued a great fidelity and amity towardes them so as it seemed euen the diuine prouidence prepared this noble spirit to introduce that great good amongst Humanes as to make them participants of the Lawes and Diuine illuminations wherewith God had fauoured the People of the Iewes aboue all the Nations of the world And it seemeth that euen then his Almightinesse made a preparatiue for the vocation of the Ethnicks and Gentiles by communication so of his holy Law whereof Ptolomy was the ordayned Minister to call the Seuenty Interpretors into Aegypt to Translate into the Greeke Language which then was the most traded and vulgar As the Latines now in Christendome through the whole Vniuerse So as I am amazed at some fanaticall spirits that hinders vs from the knowledge of God in not giuing his Word in the Language of the People wheresoeuer as is appertaining to euery one in regard of Saluation I would aske those men what language spake those Dames of Rome Paula Eustochina Melania Susanna Fabiola Demetria Furia Flauia Blesilla and others For the institution of whom Saint Hierome Translated many Bookes of Holy Scriptures out of strange tongues into Latine which was the naturall language of the sayd Ladies I would also know who was more wise or better inspired then Saint Hierome Further it seemes they eyther are or would seeme to be ignorant of the institution of the Emperour Iustinian who ordained that those who song in the Temples that they should sing high and so intelligible that all the people might vnderstand them But to returne to Ptolomy he vndertooke to erect a Lybrary in the Capitall City of his Realme Alexandria the Charge whereof hee gaue to Demetrius Phalerius Prince and an Athenian Philosopher who erected it so sumptuously that there was not the like in all the world and it lasted vntill the first Warre of the Romanes against the Alexandrians This King had to wife Arsinöe to whom hee caused a Statue to bee raysed in height 4. Cubits of one entire Stone call'd a Topace the which had beene giuen to Berince the Mother of Ptolomy by a Prince named Philemon 2. Of ARISTEVS the Author of this HISTORIE ARISTEVS the neere Kinsman and Friend of King Ptolomeus Philadelphus is named by a Praesal in Pentatauchum Mosi St. Hierome Ptolomei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Shield of the King or hee that definds the King with his Shield or â—earer of the Shield Royall which â—emes to me that he held some such â—ace about the King his Maister as wee call at this day the Great Esquier of the Kings body he was the principall Sollicitor for Liberty of the Iewes that then were held Slaues throughout all the Dominions of Ptolomy for hee made the first request for them and obtained it And for this cause hee was sent Embassadour with Andrea Prince of the Gardes belonging to the King vnto Hierusalem to deale with the Great Pontiffe Eleazar who sent to the King Ptolomus sixe Doctors of euery Tribe to goe on with the Translation and Version of the holy Bookes of Moses Hee writ diligently his Voyage where hee shews openly how and by what course those 72. Interpreters behaued themselues in the sayâ— Bookes b Iustin dialog cum Tryphone Irenaeus Lîb 3. Cap. 25. Clemon Alexandr lib. 1. stroÌ„ Epiphanius de mâ—ns et Ponditbus Euseb preparat lib. 8. ca. 1. Some haue beene of Opinion that they Translated all the Bible but it is more likely to many thâ— c Hieron in questionibus Hebraicis in Cap. 5 Ezechielis et in Cap. 2 Michiae Iosephi praefat in Antiquit. et lib. 12. Antiquit. Cap. 13. Philo. de â—â—â—a Mosis 〈◊〉 2. they Translated but the fiue Bookes that is Genesis Exodus Leuiticus Numbers and Deuteronomy which they call the Pentaleucke which â— the Law of Moses for Aristeus speakes but of the Law of Moses and it is not likely that they touched the Bookes Historicall nor the Prophets for if it had beene so Aristeus would not thereof haue beene silent Moreouer that which they Translated was finished in the space of 72. dayes which is about two Moneths and a halfe and that 's a Time too small and therefore impossible to Translate all the Old Testament Neuerthelesse I am not ignorant that there was a Turning of other Bookes of the Bible that goe by the Name of the Seuenty two Interpreters But I am perswaded that they were not then done in Aegypt vnlesse that after they were returned to Hierusalem they Translated the rest of the Holy Bookes although both in that and other Opinions I submit mee to the deliberation of the Church from which I will not stray But howeuer this Translation was manifestly Miraculous which is sufficiently shewed by that our Lord Iesus Christ and his Apostles in Alegations of the Law vseth the Version of these Seuentie two Interpretors I haue spoken these few words of Aristeus to the end the Reader shall not thinke that this is that Aristeus Proconensis that could bee invisible when hee listed making folkes beleeue that hee could dye and rise againe when hee would of whom speakes Suidas Herodotus Pliny and Plutarch in the life of Romulus 3. Of ELEAZER the Great Pontiffe of the Iewes ELEAZER of whom Aristeus makes mention was brother of Simon surnamed the Iust Hee after the decease of his Brother Simon in the yeere of the raigne of Ptolomy Ptolomeus Laegus first of that Name 35. was made Chiefe of the Synagogue of the Iewes by reason that Onias Sonne of Simon his Brother was vncapable of
had expresse charge to Write for the very last the yeere since the creation of the World 2513. and of his life the 80. yeere and hath continued his Holy Stories euen to the yeere of his Death and of the world 2553. Now since that time GOD hath alwayes so prouided for the aduancement of his Glory and the edification of his Church that the perpetuall History of her and the certaine account of the yeeres of the World hath beene continued and still put in Writing by his Prophets As it is to bee seene in the Holy Bookes that treate and contayne the Gouernment of Ioshua and the Iudges then to Samuel and the Kings of the People vnto the transmigration into Babylon and of other Gouernors which haue succeeded them after their returne from thence And finally the Prophet Daniel hath declared the rest of the time that is The 490. yeeres since the sayd Deliuerance of the Iewes and returne from Babylon by the meanes of Cyrus Daniel 9. King of Persia euen to the Death and Resurrection of Christ the Redeemer promised to the holy Fathers which is our Lord Iesus the eternall Sonne of God true God and true Man who appeared liuing after his Luk 24. 1 Cor. 15. Death and Resurrection to more then fiue hundred faithfull Witnesses at one time besides his other manifestations and mounted visibly into Heauen in the yeere of the World 3961. Now if wee will search all the Histories of all the Nations of the World of whom the Writings are ariued to our Age the most Ancient time of which they make mention shal be of their Antique destruction of Troy by the Greekes The History whereof hath beene written by Dictis of the I le of Creet which is the best Testimony they haue for the present and since by Homer and many others And from this Destruction Diodorus Siculus renowned amongst the Historians began his Bookes now the same according with the common Iudgement and Calculation of knowing men comes onely to be about 358. yeeres before the building of Rome the same time then fallsâ— to bee in the 16. yeere of the Gouernment of Elon Iudge of the People of Iudgeâ— 12 Israel mentioned in the Booke of Iudges And the same was 316 yeeres before the first Olympiade the reckoning of the Annalls of the Greekes So then the sayd Destruction of Troy falls to be onely vnder the yeere of the World 2838. when therefore wee shall giue consent that their Writings the most certaine whose Narrations wee may best giue credit vntoâ— Yet the Prophet Moses shal be found much more Auncient then all the Writers of the World what Nation soeuer though they are in great number and of whom wee see yet the Old Bookes in these last times in their proper Tongues And that hee hath put his hand to the Pen and began to Write his Diuine Reuelations of the Creation and Conduct of the World euen to his time and his sacred History and Prophesies touching the Church of GOD shall at least bee 325 yeeres before all other Writers of whom there is any mention or newes in the World that is to say in the yeere of the World 25â—3 Whereupon wee note euen to this Present against all those prophane mockers that haue disgorged that enormious blasphemy amongst others that the World is eternall and of it selfe which if it were so as they dreame and that it had no such beginning as is written by Moses they might finde then by all and in all Languages many Histories of infinite times and many Chronicles of many Ages and of old times that haue praeceded Moses in the account of yeeres But wee see that there is no such and that the Holy Bible is found euen in the middle amongst all sorts of enemies that strâ—ue to destroy loose abollish burne and extermine from the World the Bookes of it and for all thereto they had so long time yet neuerthelesse they neuer could nor euer shall For wee see the sayd Bible yet in his proper Writing and Language and of all others of what Nation soeuer the most celebrated and renowned And if they could finde any History which had beene written before Moses was borne into the World yet shall it contayne their time and composition with more yeeres and ages as wee can gather from the Holy Scriptures euen to this present yeere 1633. since the Natiuity of Christ The which account of times past from the Creation vnto this present yeere shall come to amount to 5563 yeeres but such Histories neyther can bee found nor euer were But for Moses and his faithfull Writings euen prophane Authors and Histories of the Gentiles themselues haue beene euen as it were â—iuinely constrayned to â—eaâ—e testimony maâ—ger their Calâ—mnies Lyeâ— Dreames and Disguisings through and by the Invincible force of Truth And so they haue serued for Certificates to all Nations of the venerable and well knowne Antiquity of him and his Holy Writs For some of them haue noted and writ thus as a thing notorious of their times to witt That is the East Trogus Iustinus parts and of Syâ—ia it selfe there had beene an Abraham an Israel and euen a Ioseph who say they was a Sonne of the sayd Israel sold by his brethren and led into Aegypt Then how hee was receiued into the Court and held very dearely with the King to whom hee foretold the grieuous and great famine so as without the diuine Counsell by him giuen whereupon the admonished King gathered vp and made reseruation of Corne before the time of the sayd Famiâ—e Aegypt had perished And finally how his Successor Moses and all his People issued out of Aegypt came to Mount Syna how they consecrated the Seuenth day for their Sabbaoth or Resting dayâ— But I wil leaue this Discourse though diuersified from a spark of Truth that these Historians haue mixed with their owne deuices as prophaâ—â—e and in which they were poorely Aduertised and deceiued by the subtilty of Sathan as we may well know by conferring their VVriting with the Holy Bible And bee it that these Scofferâ— of GOD and his Holy Word dare be so bold to say and calumniate that MOSES and his haue suppressed and abolished all praeceâ—ent Histories making their Writings to be before all others thereby to Authorize them the better but wee will leaue those their calumnies to the iudgement of any of sound sense and vnderstanding If that could be or can haue any place or shaddow of beliefe amongst men of sound iudgement or reasonable Discourse for if they wil put into mature consideration the small meanes and contemptible quality in the world of these poore Israelites but Shepheards and breeders of Cattle and which is worse people exposed to the oppressions and hard seruitude vnder their puissant Enemies and euill disposed Neighbours Then who shall make comparison of them with great Kings and people of the Earth Babilonians Aegytians Syrians Romans and other Potentates who with all their Authority
succeeding in his Fathers place as being vnder age This Eleazer therefore receiued the Honour that in his Time the Holy Translation of the Law was made by the Seuenty two Doctors that hee sent to Ptolomeus second of that Name King of Egypt as Aristeus hath left by writing 4. Of DEMETRIVS PHALERIVS DEMETRIVS PHALERIVS was an Athenian Orator and Philosopher as Cicero notes in the first Booke of his Offices calling him a subtill and sharpe Disputant and in the rest an Orator little vehement Hee had beene Disciple of Theophrastus hee was a man of such Knowledge excellent Carriage that forraigne Kings had him in admiration and drew him to their Seruice euen Cassander King of Macedon And for this Reputation the Athenians gaue him the Principality of the City and Common-weale in which hee was Ten yeeres in great prosperity But some of the Citizens hauing conceaued malice against him chased and threw him out of his estate and then he was honorably receiued of King Ptolomy of whom we speake where hee was Maister of the Lybrary Royall the Athenians hauing formerly raysed to him 360. Statues of Marble in despight cast them to the earth and iudged him to death as a Traytor of which Demetrius being aduertised sayd a At virtutem non euerterunt Diog. Laert in vit Demet. The Athenians haue throwne downe my Statues * but they cannot ouer-turne my Vertue for which they first erected those Statues He was wont to say that b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Diog. Laert ibid. Eloquence was as necessary in a Common-weale as a Sword in the Warres Hee dyed by the byting of an Aspick and was buried in the Region of Busina neere to Diospolis NOW FOLLOWETH the History of ARISTEVS Ambassador of King PTOLOMEVS PHILADELPHVS concerning his Voyage vnto Ierusalem and the first Translation of the Holy Bible by the seauenty two Elders Written in Greeke 1900. yeares since ARISTEVS to his brother PHILOCRATES WEll knowing your Naturall and good inclination Philocrates to haue alwayes had in great esteeme the knowledge of all things and that you haue beene desirous nay couetous to vnderstand the occurrences and passages of good achiuements I haue deliberated to frame vnto you by Writing a thing not onely excellent but well deseruing to be knowne which vnto vs is hapned being sent Excellence of this History of late vnto Eleazer great Pontiffe of the Iewes But because these things shal bee more facile vnto you I will first declare you the Causes by the which we were sent and then I will come to the Progresse of the Matter so as I will fashion my Discourse to Your vnderstanding and that the most truely I possible can aswell for the dignity of the Subiect as to delight your Spirit desirous of all good Knowledges assuring my selfe that man hath in him nothing more excellent and praysable then incessantly to desire Learning eyther by the meanes of Histories or by the Obiects of things or by experience of Affaires themselues For the Spirit of Man though Rude and Childish is greatly adorned and embellished when from the beginning it Delighteth to Taste and Rellish those most nectarine faire worthy and excellent things that may conduct him by an infallible course to follow Piety and Reason WE therefore searching with great curiosity the Knowledge of Diuine things and could not attayne them not vnderstanding the Diuine Law without being interpreted and rendred into our knowing tongue we vndertooke to goe Ambassador vnto one onely Person who amongst his Cittizens and others by debonarity and great glory was the most Honorable and who not onely did great Honor and Profit to the Citizens with whom He conuersed but also to all the other Iewes of what other place or wheresoeuer WE beeing then well informed that they had the DIVINE LAVV written in Hebrew Characters in â—kins of Parchment we were ioyfull to accept this charge giuen vs by the King as also that the Colonies heere of the Captiue Iewes desired the same aboue all things of the World who had beene hither ledâ— by the Kings Father who had puâ— into his Obedience the City of Ierusalem and all the Countrey adjacent BVT since we are falne to makâ— mention of that businesse it shaâ— not be impertinent to giue you to vnderstand the whole Discourse thaâ— thereby you may haue better intelligence knowing well that it shalbâ— much better more carefully to informe you how to fashion you to thâ— seruice of GOD Reuerently theâ— to trauayle your selfe in the search oâ— mens Lawes or Actions although they may be iust Which affectioâ— you haue sufficiently manifested since from an â—le so far Remote you are come into this Countrey to see in Person those things which may serue you to the adornment of your Spirit without hauing Respect to place whatsoeuer I haue here therefore Reduced by Writing First what hath seemed to me worthy of Memory touching the Nation of the Iewes as I haue something vnderstood by the Learned and Wise Priests of Aegypt to the end that by this meanes I may ayde and encrease by some meanes Your knowledge For one ought to haue in Remembrance the good they haue receiued from persons and especially to those to shewe all gratitude who appertayne vnto vs And principally You that haue knowledge of Vertue drawing from your Brother not onely Resemblance Proximity of blood and Linage which may thrust on with the same impetuosity of Courage to attayne the Honour Glory and Beauty of Vertue assuring my selfe that neyther the admiration of Gold or Riches neither the appearance of things more precious serue to nothing but vayne-glory neyther will yeeld you such fruit as we may gather from Knowledge Institution and consideration of all good Disciplines For the rest to the ende that it may not seeme that we exercise ostentation in being prolix in this Preface I will reduce me to that which from my purpose hath extrauagated DEmetrius Phalerius master of the Kings Library giuing order with the greatest care hee could to buy Bookes from all parts of the World And to that end imploying great numbers of Persons as Factors spread abroad in many places who had charge to buy and Transcript them they so doing and that diligently the designe of the King was accomplished and executed at leastwise in the best manner for him possible For wee being present the King asking him how many thousand Volumes he had gotten together in his Bibliotheicke He answered that for the present hee had no more then two hundred thousand and that he ☞ hoped erelong to haue to the number of 500000. But Sir sayd hee I haue vnderstood that the Lawes of the Iewes deserues also to bee Copied and Translated and to be put in your Library And what hinders it answered the King that they be not haue you not all things to serue you commodiously to this purpose Demetrius Answerd that it was needefull that those Lawes were Translated and Interpreted because that the Iewes
vsed the propriety of their Characters according to their Language all otherwayes then the Aegyptians following the disposition of theyr Letters they adopting and accommodating them to the propriety of their Voyce and that they were much deceiued who held they spake the Syrian tongue for theyr fashion of speaking was farre otherwayes To this the King replyed that hee would write to the Pontiffe of the Iewes to the end that all might be obtayned what was requisit to bring to effect this affayre as Demetrius pretended Then it came into my spirit that Time and occasion presented themselues for deliuery of all the Iewes the which his Father Ptolomeus Lagus had led prisoners from Iudea into Aegypt For the which deliuerance I had often prayed Sosibius the Tarâ—ntine and Andrea Captaine of the Guarde to the Kings Body For these two Commanding in the Army had brought into obedience all that which was in Syria and Phenicia filling all these Regions with feare and terrour and then were the Iewes led some Prisoners others in manner of Colonies in such a manner and multitude that there was brought into Aegypt to the number of a 100000 men of whom were chosen well neere 30000. all men of Warre who were established for the Guard of the Prouince True it is that before there had bin sent with the Persians and other Companies that were sent against the King of Aethiopia vnder the Charge of Psammiticke but all those which were there were not of so great nuÌ„ber as those which were led away by onely Ptolomeus Lagus For as we haue sayd hee adress'd to Armes all those whom Age or Force shew'd to bee proper and all the rest of the Populer as well Children Old men Woemen he instituted as Colonies determining in himselfe that if at any time his men of Warre grew insolent that none could surpasse them in course or necessity of Warre hee had meanes to abate such their presumption by those might rise from these Colonies Now then seeking the occasion to bring about the Liberty of these poore men as I haue formerly sayd and hauing found my opportunity I opened my desire to the King thus prosing The Proposition of Aristeus to King Ptolomeus Philadelphus for the deliuery of the Iewes IT is nothing wonderfull my Gracious Lord and King if it come to passe many times that the very affayres which wee manage notes and argues vnto vs contrariety and as it were direct against vs for all the Nations of the Iewes haue one selfe-same Law the which wee desire to bee ours not onely Copied but also Translated into the Greeke language How then suppose you to send to them about this businesse when the greatest part of them is here in your Kingdome held Prisoners Vnlesse it may please Your Magnanimity and Worthy Noblenesse to desire theyr Holy Bookes after you haue giuen free Liberty to those who liue heere in great calamity and affliction hauing aboue all things Respect to that GOD which makes your Kingdome flourish and You in high prosperity who is the same GOD which hath giuen them that Sacred Law which wee desire to haue For they worshipping the GOD which hath made and created all things and is the very same whose wonderfull Workes all Humanes see and admires though some not so clearely as others for Sir wee and others Call him Iupiter and that not without reason for it hath seemed good to our Ancestors because by him are procreated and liue all Creatures the which also they esteeme the Conductor and Gouerâ—our of the whole Vniuerse And altough that hee holdes in his Domination all men mortall neuerthelesse shining with Spirituall light hee neyther frustrates nor deceiues the â—owes and Prayers of those implores his ayde Wee then ought humbly to desire that hee would incline our hearts to such good affections as to doe good and that freely to euery one and especially to deliuer and free those which are in slauery and bondage for being that Humane kind is the Worke and Creation of God who hath power to turne the heart and incline it to what part it pleaseth him Wee many times and in diuers fashions desire it would please him to lead vs to a perfection in goodnesse as the principall Ruler of hearts vnderstanding and spirit By this acknowledgement I conceiue a great hope to come to the Head of this businesse principally because I know God to be fauorable to those that pray for things reasonable and equitable For when men adopt themselues wholy to seeke and accomplish things tending to Iustice and perfection of good workes God the Lord of all things conducts and addresseth their actions and affections to blessed happy effects ends The King then as something gained with a contented Countenance sayd to Andrea how many is there of the Iewes detayned in Captiuity He answered in few words more then 100000. it is a small request then said the King Aristeus requires of vs Sosibius and some others then there present answered it is a thing Sir worthy of Your Highnesse and Magnificence to make an agreeable present vnto God by their deliuerance in liew of thankes and action of acknowledgement beeing that the Gouernour of Heauen and Earth haâ— exalted you into more Sublimiâ— then all your Predecessors and it will do well you by this make â—e manifestation of your thankes The King then disposed to Banqueting A Dâ—ma is 3 shillinâ— sixe penâ— that is 3. Pound â— 10. shillings thâ—â—eaâ— and pastines in a full Feast and assembly of his Noble Commanded that the Iewes should bee all searcht out and that euery body of them should bee rebought for the summe of 20. Drackmes by pole and to confirme the same that his Edicts should bee made and that heerein as much speed and promtitude should be made as might possible be And so it seemed that GOD perfitted and brought to passe our desires for hee pleased to put into the heart of the King to set at liberty not onely those that by the Army of the King his Father led Captiues into Aegypt but also all others that before or since had beene carried Prisoners into Aegypt by what meanes soeuer the summe then of those were franchis◠〈◊〉 Talenâ—â— 600 F 〈…〉 Crâ—â—nes mounted vnto 400. Talents Moreouer I hold it not out of purpose to â—â—d you the Copie and Tenour of the Edict by which you may vnderstand the greatnesse of the Affayre and â—e debonarity and facility of the King who was moued by the Goodnesse of God for the saluation of many ⧠The Edict of King Ptolomeus Philadelphus for the Deliuerance of the Iewes WEe will and commaund all those that followed Armes vnder our deceased Father through the Countrey of Syria and Phaenicia entring into the Land of Iudea and their taking the Iewes and leading them prisoners hauing applied them to their workes and seruice both in Townes and fields That they shall deliuer and restore them into full Liberty moreouer we will
ordayning that from our Money a iust ransome should bee payed to all those that held them Prisoners valuing at a certayne price and summe for euery head of them with desire to giue order by reason and to remit them into good estate and tranquillity whom the Impetuosity Cruelty and Disorder of Warre had disturb'd and diuerted from Right and Equity In which wee esteeme to haue done a good and holy deede as a worke yeelding thankes to the Great GOD for all his great benefits receiued from him wee make him this Offering for hauing adorned and celebrated before all the World this our Kingdome with a most remarkable Peace Tranquility and notable Glory And those others which had beene Slaues and Bondmen in our Army wee haue ordayned Souldiers in the Company and them who haue beene found more recommendable in Faith and Fidelity wee haue made them Chiefes and most aduanced in our Court. Further because we desire those and all others of the Nation spread and scattered through the Vniuerse to bee thankefull to our Fauours wee haue deliberated to make that your Law which is Written in Hebrew Letters should bee Translated into the Greeke Language and that our Royall Library bee adorned therewith as it is with other Books you shall doe well then as a thing to vs very agreeable and correspondent to our Designe and Intention if you elect out of euery Tribe or Line of your Nation sixe of the most Ancient Personages and those shall bee found of the best breeding and sufficiency and most Authorised in the Seruice of the Law and haue the best Style in Writing to make for vs this Translation for so shall the Verity thereof bee best and cafiliest drawne if the Company of the Interpreters bee men of mature Iudgement and well exercised in the Law well waighing that to effect well and worthily such an Interpretation and Translation it is needefull there be Solicitude curious Study and Meditation which may bee found in the Many see more then one onely consideration of many who are more sharpe more subtile and more cleare-seeing then of one alone Moreouer wee shall esteeme that by th' accomplishment of so great a Worke there will redound to vs great Honour and Glory For this cause therefore wee haue sent vnto you Andrea Chiefe of the Guarde belonging to our Person and Aristeus men of Honorable place in our Court hauing Commission from our part to present you with Iewels for your Sacrifices and for other vses an Hundred Talents of Siluer Besides heerein you shall doe vs contentable pleasure and courtesie resenting Amitie if you haue neede of any thing to require it of vs for wee will not fayle to accomplish and accommodate you therwith immediately To this Epistle Eleazar made Answere in these words ELIAZER Pontiffe to King PTOLOMEVS PHILADELPHVS our most illustrious Friend IF you are well Sir and the Queene Arsinöe and my Lady your Sister and your Children my Lords praysed be God for health is a thing to be desired and thanked for as a due vnto him which is the Giuer thereof As for vs wee are in good prosperity also lauded be the Giuer Wee haue receiued your Letters which brought vnto Vs great Contentment by reason of your Counsell Enterprise and Designe as also for the loue and good will you beare to vs. Hauing receiued them wee made a great Assembly of the People to whom by a long Discourse hauing made knowne your Liberality towards our Nation and demonstration of your Presents and Oblations to the end they should vnderstand your holy affection and Piety towards our God Shewing publickely the twenty Vessels and Viols of Golde the thirty of siluer which we haue sent the fiue cuppes of Gold with the Table of proportion and the hundred Talents of siluer for the prouision and re-eadying of the victimes and other Vses requisite to the Sacrificers Which Iewells were to vs presented by Andrea one of our Princes and Aristeus Persons truely worthy of note both in corporall beauty and excellency of Behauiour and Condition as also rare Knowledge briefely Lords worthy in all things of your Conuersation and Iustice by whom wee haue beene fully informed of your will and intention according with the Tenor of your Letter Wherefore wee will wholy put our selues into endeauour to accomplish your desire For although it be a difficult thing to well bring to perfect effect yet for the Times to come it will be an Argument of our great Confederation and Amity For you haue obliged our Citizens with a great and as it were an inestimable Benificence Whereupon wee haue offered to GOD the Sacrifice of Thankesgiuing for You your Sister Children and Friends and the whole multitude of people hath prayed to GOD for your Prosperity and that it will please him to addresse your affection in all your Acts and that GOD the Ruler of all things will make your Realme to flourish and increase in Peace and Glory And that the Translation of the Sacred Law may redound vnto your Vtility and Profite After these Sacrifices were accomplished all the People being to 〈…〉 wee haue chosen the persons 〈…〉 sort and men of honor and of good life and Report beeing sixe of euery Tribe or Line which we haue sent to you with the Holy Law which was left to vs by the Inspired Writer Moses Be it your pleasure Sir to returne them vs after the Translation of the Bookes shal be accomplished These are the Names of those which were chosen from all the Lines and Tribes of the Iewes for to go into Aegypt to make the first Translation of the Holy Bible or Law of MOSES Of the first Tribe IOsephus Ezechias Zacharias Ioannes Ezechias Heliseus Of the second Iudas Simon Somoâ—lus Adeus Mathias Eschâ—â—ias Of the third Neemias Iosephus Theodosius Baseas Ornias Dacis Of the fourth Ionathas Auxeus Heliseus Annanias Chebrias Sacheus Of the fifth Iasacus Iacobus Iesus Cabateus Simon Leuis Of the sixth Iudas Iosephus Simon Zacharias Somelns Selemias Of the seauenth Sabbateus Iason Iesus Theodotus Ioannes Ionathas The eighth Theodosius Iason Iesus Theodotus Ioannes Ionathas The ninth Theophilus Abrahamus Arsamus Iason Endemias Danielus The tenth Hieremias Eleazarus Zacharias Baneas Heliseus Datheus The eleauenth Samuel Iosephus Iudas Ioathes Chabel Desitheus The twelfth Isaelus Ioannes Theodosius Arsamenus Abiethas Ezecelus Number of all 72. Such was the answere to the Letters of the King NOw I will declare vnto you the most succinctly I possible can the beauty and Decoration of the things we found in Hierusalem being with Eleazer and those also which were sent vnto him for all was wrought with singularity of manufacture and of most exquisite beauty the King beeing therein so carefull and intentiue to performe abundantly all that was necessary for excellency of finishing the Worke that of his owne proper motion hee went and came visiting euery one of the Maister-Worke-men and Gold-smithes whom hee helde so close to their businesse
necessary to the full trim of them Further hee sent him a present of 30. Talents of Cilicia that is to say ten Roabes whereof the one was of Purple and a faire Crowne of a 100. Tunicks of Crespe of Viols of Basins and two Cups of Gold for the Sacrifices After hee made intreaty to Eleazer that when any of the sayd Doctors should desire rather to returne to him then to remaine in Hierusalem that hee would not hinder him by any meanes for he protested he made great esteeme of wise mens company and that hee would spare for nothing to draw them to him In which he should well imploy his riches with Soueraigne content profitably and not in vayne things as doe some prodigall Princes Behold here my Philocrates the Present which I promised you in which I hope you will take more pleasure then in reading vayne Fabulous Narrations beeing that you vse to Whet and sharpen your vnderstanding in the exercitation of high deedes and gests In which you haue imployed much time which hath giuen me occasion now to Write you more worthy and excellent and the best that I could chuse because that betwixt vs I would kindle a kinde contention and emulation of aymiable Vertue for the desire to haue and intelligence of things more worthy to be obserued and which are the most excellent The end of ARISTEVS his History Proofes Concerning this HISTORY FOlloweth diuers Opinions of diuers Authors Auncient and Moderne concerning this Businesse and Translation of the LAVV of MOSES And first an Extract from the fourth Chapter of the fifth Part of the seuerall Collections of Pietro Messie in which there fell sayth he an admirable and miraculous hap viz. How the 72. Interpreters being put seuerally into seuerall Cels by the Commission of the King without possible meanes to conferre the one with the other and that after they had made so seperated euery one his Traduction and being brought altogether before the King withal their Traductions the which neuerthelesse were found so conformâ— that there was not one sillable more iâ— the one then in the other Which could not be without the especialâ— Grace and Operation of the Holy Ghost As sayth Saint Augustineâ— Ireneus and Tertullian who sayth he had seene in his Time and in Alexandria the very Bookes Writteâ— by the hands of the 72. Translators who were in Hebrew and in Greeke As much also sayth Iustin the Phylosopher in the Booke of his Aduertisements that hee made to the Pagans and Gentiles Where he saith That King PTOLOMEVS madâ— to be built without the Citty of Alexandria 72. Halls to lodge seuerally the 72. Traductors and there prouided very Honourably for them all of all that to them was necessary Iâ— the which place the sayd Translatorsâ— remayned without seeing the onâ— the other vntill that such their Translations were perfectly finished And he affirmeth also to haue seene therâ— the Ruines and olde-Walls of these buidingsâ— which were kept as Relickes and things Sacred And although Saint Hierome and Ruffinus agree not in the number of the sayd Chambers the matter is not great Seeing that according to Saint Augustine and many other Authors euery Translator made his Translation a part without conference with the other yet all the Traductions found conforme And truely how euer when it is duely considered it appeares a great Mistery and may be held for a great Miracle this conformity of stile and of Order to Translate a thing so â—ong and so diuerse although all the Translators had beene together and that they had begun this Worke at this time For we see that it is enough to accord two men in one onely poynt when they are to mixe some thing together After the Translation was finished the Iewes that remayned in Egypt and which had beene Versed in their LAVV recommended to the King this Holy Writing wherewith the King was right well content And for certayne according to Iosephus and Eusebius King PTOLOMIE was astonished at the Holy Scriptures and rauishingly taken with their Misteries That hee demaunded of Demetrius Phalerius who had the charge of his Library saying how comes it that Lyourgus Solon and other Law-giuers are so silent of the Law of the Iewes To whom Demetrius answered saying Sir this LAVV as you may sufficiently see comes from GOD so that no Law-giuer durst be so hardy to touch it or take from it any Tract For euen Theopompus was strucken by the Diuine Hand with perturbation of his Sense and with a Cardiacke passion for hauing will to mixe the Holy History of the Hebrews by his Inriching it with eloquent Words and Rhetoricalâ— colours But after returning to GOD and commending himselfe to his mercy it was reuealed to him in a Dreame that his Disaster came vpon him for so attempting to embellish and as hee thought to enrich the Sincerity of the Holy Scriptures with drest Words and trim'd Phrases and to communicate it so to the Pagan and Infidels It comes also into my thought how Theodorus a Tragicke Poet suddenly lost his sight for hauing taken one onely passage of Holy Writ for argument of his Tragedy but repenting him of the same and doing pennance for this forfeit hee recouered his sight as before HItherto are the words of Pietrâ— Messie by the which wee may see the diuersity of opinions that is amongst Authors concerning this Translation of the LAVV of Moses For my selfe it seemeth to me that Aristeus which was alwaies present and that had conduced the affaire in part meriteth that one doe him the Honour to giue beleefe to his History although some Doctors therein vary Thus the Auncient Fathers of the Church are diuided in their Opinions concerning the manner of this Translation And that three wayes Some are of opinion that the Seuenty Translators were parted into seuerall Cels. Others that they were put two and two into a Cell And others that they all conuersed and confered together to make vp this Translation Of the first Opinion is a Oratiâ—ne exhortaâ—o iâ— ad Gentâ—s Iustin Martyr who reaches that they were parted all into seuerall Cels and that euery one of them Translated the Scripture after the same manner without difference so much as of a word And this Opinion of Iustin Martyr hath beene taken vp since by b Irenâ—i lib. 3. ch 25 Iraeneus c Catcâ—h 4 Cyrill d Sâ—â—omaâ—â—m lib. 1 Clemens Alexandrinus e Apoâ—ogetici cap. 19. Tertullian and f Homil. 7 in Math. Chrysostome Of the second Opinion is g Liâ—ro de Mâ—â—â—uâ—iâ—â—t Pondelibus Epiphanius who writeth that these Translators were put two and two into a Cell and that euery Paire or Couple of them made the very same Translation toâ—idem verbis and that in all there were iust Sixe and thirty Copies of that Translation Of the third Opinion is h Praefat. in Pent. St. Hierome who beleeueth that the Translators communed and conferred together to make the Worke. Who
their Edicts Forces and Armies yet had neuer power to abollish the Holy Bookes written simply by our poore Shepheards when they could not conserue their Royall Lybraries fauoured of all the World Truely this may well put to the blush these wiselings that shew themselues fooles in so speaking and discoursing without Discourse and will iudge of things without inquiry Now for the Integrity of MOSES for vs Christians wee are sufficiently cleared and satisfied by the Authority Praise of Moses of the Holy Spirit of GOD. Who hath giuen excellent Testimony by all the Scriptures both in the old and New Testament of his Originall and Linage beeing descended from the latter Leuy Nephew of the Holy Patriarch Abraham Also of his miraculous conseruation and Deliuerance from Death and Waters from whence he was drawne foorth and then had that name of MOSES in their language Then his royall education and breeding his Loue to his afflicted people and his Magnanimity to despise humane greatnesse in preferring the iust cause and sufferance of CHRIST the Redeemer then look'd for before all the Regall estate and great Treasure of Aegypt Moreouer his sufferance long and bitter for the defence of right and equity and for the deliuerance of the poore afflicted His Diuine calling to the Charge and Gouernement of his People his Patience Gentlenesse and Perseuerance with such faithfulnesse in the difficult execution of this weighty charge and the singular gift of Prophecy and of his Diuine miracles so strange and supernaturall that they haue beene admired and celebrated of all the whole World But there is one poynt aboue allâ— very remarkeable and which is more then sufficient to ouercome humane Reason and to shewe the Integrity of MOSES which is that if hee had would hee might easily and according to the manner of men occupied the Monarchy and Domination for his Children and their posterity vppon all the people of Israel And with the same the two fertile Kingdomes reduc'd vnder his hand and Conquered beyond Iordane Neuerthelesse he left his Sonne Gersom and Eliezer and their posterity priuate men and of most simple estateâ— amongst the other Leuites And the same Children remayning subiect to the Sacrificers successors of Aâ—ron and to the Magistrate and Gouernors of Israel More that he hath himselfe written and Inregistred his owne proper faults and yet more notable those of his House as of his Brother Sister and Nephews and the redoubtable iudgements of GOD's chastisements and punishments of them all Of which things all his People were witnesses in number more then sixe hundred thousand Persons And if they could haue contraried him for any falsâ—ity eyther for the present or times to come If hee had beene I say such as they could haue found any bracke in his actions or in his Writings or falsenesse in eyther his Person or any of his in his Life and his miracles in his Writings or end But in the contrary all the Hebrewes and Iewes which haue beene since that time and are now neere 3000. yeares since and that are dispersed through all the VVorld who are in so great a number that if they were revnited into a body of People and into a State their multitude should be innumerable and might astonish the most greatest Nation of the whole Vniuerse All those I say haue all receiued from their Auncient Fathers from their Kings and Princes and their Sacrificators and Auncestors from Father to Sonne and from hand to hand and with an admirable consent euen in the middle of so many confusions and dissipations haue kept and yet keepe alwayes in their Bibles the Holy VVritings of MOSES in their proper Letters and Hebrew Tongue as Bookes most True and Veritable Sacred and Diuine And such so Knowne and Acknowledged in all Nations with the excellent Testimony Authority and Holinesse of them that CHRIST himselfe hath spoken of them and the Prophets and Apostles also in their Writings and Allegations I and the most Auncient Pagans and Strangers cannot with sound sense but acknowledge them And so Reader although I haue beene as I formerly sayd something prolixe yet the Excellency of the Subiect forc'd and bound me to be so teadious herein to shew as an illustrious Addition the worthines of the Bookes and Diuine Writings as their Antiquity Dignity as also the Excellency of their Humane VVriter from the Dictate of the Most Highest And being the matter whereof wee haue formerly Entreated I held it not impertinent though I haue dealt too weakely in so worthy a Businesse but referre the rest and it to your charitable Censure FINIS