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
into the Church and particularly mentions what relates to the Iews He there describes the several Persecutions of the Martyrs their Contests and Disputes concerning Ecclesiastical Discipline and in a Word whatever else relates to the Affairs of the Church Without this History we could never have had the least knowledge of the first Ages of the Church for those who have writ after him have only began where he ended Du Pin after having affirm'd that this History of Eusebius was not so compleat as could have been Wish'd Adds moreover That his Defects have not been sufficient to obscure his Merit The Learned Henricus Valesius has translated him into Latin which he has join'd to the Greek Text. And some Learn'd Gentlemen of the University of Cambridge have made a Translation of him into English for the benefit of such as understand neither Latin nor Greek IV. St. Epiphanius was born in the Year of Christ 332. in a Village of Palestine He spent his Youth under the Monastick Tutelage of St. Hilarion and several other Monks of Palestine About the Year 366. He was elected Bishop of Salamis Metropolis of the Island of Cyprus The Book he wrote is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which being against Heresy is to be look'd upon as a Treatise belonging to Ecclesiastical History This Tract is divided into three Parts The First contains the Heresies that have been before Jesus Christ which St. Epiphanius has reckon'd up to be 46. The Second consists of 23. and the Third of 11. So that thus this Book comprehends in all 80 Sects or Heresies This St. Epiphanius was an Implacable Enemy of the followers of Origin V. Rufinus a Priest of Aquilea flourish'd at the same time with St. Ierom to whom after having been a great Friend he became an inveterate Enemy He had a more than ordinary Esteem for Origin He set himself to read and translate his Books and undertook his defence against all those that Accus'd him This Zeal of his towards Origin was the chief cause of his Disagreeing with St. Ierom who had taken the contrary side Amongst all the Books of his Composing we shall only take notice of those two of Ecclesiastical History which he has added to the Translation of Eusebius He there continues the History of the Church to the Death of the Emperor Theodosius These Books were Dedicated to Chromacius of Aquilea and were writ about the time that Alaric King of the Goths ravag'd Italy They are indifferently well Penn'd yet there are considerable Faults to be found in the History VI. St. Ierom was born in the City of Strigna or Stridon situate upon the Confines of Pannonia and Dalmatia in the Year of Christ 345. His Father Eusebius sent him to Study at Rome under the celebrated Donatus where he soon made a considerable progress in Letters He receiv'd the Orders of Priesthood at Antioch from the Hands of Paulinus then Bishop of that City He has writ a great number of Books amongst which is to be found A Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Writers from the time of Iesus Christ down to his own when he wrote He compos'd this Tract at the request of Dexter Prefect of the Pretorium and in imitation of Suetonius and other Prophane Authors who have compil'd the Lives of the Philosophers and other famous Men. We have also his Chronicle which we must not look upon as a bare Translation of Eusebius St. Ierom having therein alter'd and added many Things Nay he has moreover continu'd this Chronicle from the 20th Year of Constantin to the sixth Consulate of Valens and second of Valentinian that is down to the Year 378. VII Sulpicius Severus a Priest of Agen equally famous for his Birth Genius and Piety who flourish'd about the same time with St. Ierom and Rufinus He was a Disciple of St. Martin whose life he wrote The chief of his Works is his sacred History consisting of two Books both which contain a well penn'd Epitome of the most remarkable Occcurrences in the Jewish and Christian Churches from the Creation of the World to the Consulship of Stilicon and Aurelian that is to say to the Year of Christ 400. He has all along imitated Salust for Brevity but infinitely surpasses him in clearness and beauty of Expression We have not any Abridgment of History says Mounsiuer Du Pin so well Digested and elegantly writ as this Epitome yet its Author is not always exact for he has committed several Errors in the History especially in that of the Church This Author has enlarg'd very much upon the Priscillianists and of all Writers gives us the best Account of them VIII St. Austin was born in Tagasta a City of Numidia under the Empire of Constantius the thirteenth of November in the Year of Christ 354. He became a Convert in the 32d Year of his Age and was ordain'd Bishop of Hippo in 395. and afterwards Dy'd as piously as he had Liv'd the 20th of August in the Year 430. being about 76 Years old Altho' there be a great many things throughout his whole Works that relate to Ecclesiastical History Yet we shall here mention only his small Treatise of Heresies written in the Year 428. at the request of the Deacon Quovult Deus to whom also it is Dedicated This Tract is no more than a brief Account of the several Sects of Hereticks and their principal Errors He begins with the Sinonians and ends with the Pelagians there being in all 88 Heresies You shall scarce meet with any thing in this whole Book but what is taken either from St. Epiphanius or Philaster Monsieur Du Pin speaking of this last who has reckon'd up 20 different Heresies before the Incarnation of Christ and 120 since his Birth to the Year 380. says That his Stile is Mean and Groveling that he had little or no Learning that he has made several considerable Mistakes in this small Treatise which is written with no manner of exactness and wherein are abundance of Errors The same Opinion Cardinal Bellarmin has of him in his Book De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis Father Labbe would have this Author's Works read with a great deal of Caution and St. Austin says That St. Epiphanius had writ better than Philaster but that nevertheless he was a Person of singular Piety and good Morals IX Pallades a Native of Galatia left his Country about 20 Years old to retire among the Hermits of Egypt He was ordain'd Bishop of Hellenopolis in the Year 401. and afterwards chosen Bishop of Aspon a City of Galatia and dependent on the Metropolitan See of Ancira He was a great Friend of Rufinus a Defender of Origin an Allie with Pelagius and Enemy to St. Ierom. In the Year 421. He writ a History of the Lives Actions Miracles and Sayings of the most Holy Monks that he had met with in Egypt Lybia Thebais and Palestine This History was Addrest to one Lausus which gave occasion afterwards for Naming it The Lausian History In this
through the greatest part of Asia and Europe with incredible Hazards and Fatigue He gives his History the Title of Bibliotheca Historica by reason that he had therein collected according to the Order of Time all that the other Historians as Berosus Theopompus Ephorus Philistes Callisthenes Timeus and several more great Authors had written before him but the Misfortune is that not only these famous Historians Writings are lost but all the greater part of Diodorus Siculus for of 40 Books whereof his History consisted there are only 15 now remaining What a prodigious Loss is this All the Gold of Potosi would not be sufficient to reward the Person that should recover these admirable Writings Vtinam says Vossius nobile adeo opus integrum nobis pervenisset Monsieur de la Mothe le Vayer upon this occasion has these Words I declare I would willingly go to the end of the World were I but certain of finding this great Treasure and I cannot but envy Posterity the bare probability of recovering those precious Works This is what Diodorus's History contain'd according to what he says himself of it in his Preface Our Six first Books says he comprehend all that hapned before the War of Troy together with many fabulous Matters here and there interspers'd Of these the three former relate the Antiquity of the Barbarians and the three latter contain those of the Greeks The eleven others which follow these include all that hapned remarkable in the World from the Destruction of Troy to the Death of Alexander the Great Lastly the other Twenty three extend to the Conquests of Julius Caesar over the Gauls when he made the Brittish Ocean the Northern Borders of the Roman Empire The Stile of Diodorus is that which we term Indifferent and Photius is of the same Opinion when he says that Diodorus's manner of Writing is very clear and not in the least affected That it is not too much after the Attick fashion nor too full of Old Words and that in a word it is very consistent with History Father Rapin says Diodorus Sicuâ—us is a great Man but that he is too much beholden to Philistes Timeus Callisthenes Theopompus and others Eusebius of Caesarea set a great value on the History of Diodorus He frequently Quotes it with great Praises or to say better he has borrow'd most of his Evangelical Preparation from it Pliny says of Diodorus that he is the first among the Greek Authors that laid aside telling of idle Stories Primus apud Graecos desiit Nugari Diodorus VI. Dionysius usually stil'd Halicarnassaeus because a Native of that City as Strabo in the XIV Book of his Geography observes He came to Rome a little while after Augustus had ended the Civil Wars where he lived for 22 Years during which time he collected all he thought necessary to assist him in his design of writing a History He owns that over and above the Memoirs which the most famous Romans then furnish'd him with he was not a little beholden to the Conversation he had with the meaner Citizens His History contain'd in all 22 Books to which he gave the Title of The Roman Antiquities but whereof we have now only the Eleven first remaining which end when the Consuls first began to Govern which happen'd in the Year after the Founding of Rome 312. The whole Work extended to the beginning of the Punick War in the Year of the Founding of Rome 488. Dionysius Halicarnassaeus himself made an Abridgment of his own History but which Epitome never reach'd down to us yet we should have no reason to regret the loss of the Abridgment were we but in possession of the Original The loss of this great Work is so much the greater in that this Author was reputed the most exact in his Chronology of all other Historians Scaliger observes That we have no Author remaining who kept good Order in the placing of his Years And what is more to be admir'd is that Dionysius of Halicarnassaeus altho' he was a Stranger at Rome yet has writ better of the Roman Antiquities than any of the Latin Historians Le Vayer cannot forgive this Author for his Credulity in believing all the frivolous Stories he relates which have not the least resemblance of truth in them It plainly appears says he that he was impos'd upon by all the Old Women of his time whose Chimney-corner Tales he reported for Miracles Few Historians can escape sometimes telling Rhodomontades which nevertheless have an Air of greatness in them which envigorates their Writings but this Author suffer'd himself to be so wholly carry'd away by them that he never car'd to distinguish between Probable and Improbable Thus he makes Clelia that illustrious Roman Maid who had been given in Hostage to King Porsenna to escape and to swim through the Tyber to Rome where she had only ask'd leave to Bath in it But Valerius Maximus mounts her on Horseback and makes her escape that way which is the more probable of the two for can it be believ'd that a timerous Girl who was apprehensive of the least danger would undertake to swim through a River when there was no occasion for it the Peace being then almost Concluded But yet it must be acknowledg'd that there is something Great Heroick and Wonderful in a Roman Lady's throwing her self into a River like a Mad body Monsieur Rapin says That the Exhortation Dionysius Halicarnassaeus puts into the mouth of Brutus to stir up the Roman People to revenge the Death of Lucretia and the Harangue which he makes for Valerius about the most proper form of Government are both too long and tedious That Photius extremely commends his Digression in his VII Book where he describes the Tyranny of Aristodemus That Dionysius Halicarnassaeus in his Roman Antiquities shews a great deal of Sense Knowledge and Reasoning Moreover that he is very Exact Diligent Judicious and much more sincere than Titus Livius Also that he is more to be valu'd yet at the bottom that he is a very Prolix Orator VII Plutarch was of Cheronea a City in Baeotia His Works shew us that he was a Philosopher Historian and Orator all at a time He first studied under Ammonius and afterwards Travell'd into Greece and Egypt to consult the Learned there then he return'd to Rome and was greatly esteem'd by the Emperor Trojan who honour'd him with the Dignity of Consul He has writ several Treatises but what we set most by is his Lives of the most illustrious Men both Greeks and Romans He has always met with great Commendation whereof Vossius gives an extraordinary Instance He says That Theodorus Gaza being one day ask'd If all Books were to be cast into the Sea which should be thrown last Gaza answer'd that it should be Plutarch This Gaza was a Person of great Merit and who retir'd into Italy much about the time that the City of Constantinople was taken by the Turks There Cardinal Bessariâ—n honour'd him with
History If they are both of the same Author Procopius deserves to be branded with the Character of a base contemptible Wretch since he could blow Hot and Cold as we say in the same Breath People have been very hot upon this account and Mr. le Vayer after having arraigned him with his uâ—ual Abiliâ—y concludes however with saying That after all those Anecdotes were perhaps never written by Procopius because according to the Opinion of the Learned the Greek of that Work differs very much from that of the VIII Books of his History This deserves some Consideration and teaches us not to be too rash in condemning any Body There is still another Work of Procopius which is a Treatise or rather a History of the Edifices which Iustinian raised with a royal Magnificence Evagrius tells us That he had made it his business to repair and build up again anew 150 Towns Rapin says Procopius in his secret History is very exact in things of no importance and forgets to give us the particulars of what is most material Iosephus Appian Dion Cassius Procopius are great Speakers as well as Thucidides and Xenophon who had taken this humour of haranguing out of Homer Procopius draws the Picture of Theodora by her Amours Procopius discontented with the Emperor Iustinian and the Empress Theodora follows his Passion and corrupts Truth Procopius is exact in his Accounts because he accompanied Belisarius in the Wars and was a witness of his great Actions but he is too dry in his History of Persia which looks more like a Journal than a History He gratified his Passion by writing his secret History but he hearkned to his Moderation by suppressing it for they Publish'd after his Death what he had taken care to conceal during his Life wherein he is not altogether inexcusable XVI Agathias tells us himself in his Preface that he was of Murina a Town in Asia which he distinguishes from another of the same name in Thrace and followed the Law at Smirna His History which contains five Books was undertaken by the Advice of a certain Eutichianus first Secretary of State who without doubt furnished him with curious Pieces and important Memoirs without which he could not have so well succeeded in it as he has done He begins his History where that of Procopius ends that is at the Death of the Emperor Iustinian or under the Empire of Iustin II. Mr. de la Mothe le Vayer says That among several very remarkable things which are found in the five Books of Agathias's History we must take a particular notice not only of what he says concerning the succession of the Oriental Monarchies towards the end of the Second but principally what he adds in the Fourth about the succession of the Kings of Persia from that Artaxerxes who wrested the Empire from the hands of the Parthians who had usurp'd it For besides the exactness and industry of Agathias in handling this Subject the authority of one Sergius who procured from the Annalists and Library-keepers of the Kings of Persia what this Author reports carries a great weight along with it Having now survey'd the most considerable Greek Historians or at least the chief of what are still extant we shall proceed to the Latin §. 2. Latin Historians I. Iulius Caesar was as great a Man by his Pen as by his Sword which makes Quintilian say of him that he wrote and spoke and fought with the same superiority of Spirit Eodem animo dixit quo bellavit Caesar had almost an universal Knowledge and Pliny speaks of him as of a Prodigy of Learning and Wit He learnt Astronomy in Egypt and Published afterwards a Tract concerning the motion of the Stars which was the more curious in that he foretold his own Death upon the Ides of March. If what Pliny says be true we must own that Caesar has had a more active and vigorous Mind than all the rest of Men. He reports that he used sometimes to Read Write Dictate and hearken to other People at once that he made nothing of Dictating four Letters of Importance at the same time and that he has often kept seven Amanuenses employ'd Caesar has compos'd a great many Works but I confine my self to those which relate to History His Commentaries which contain VII Books have always been in great Esteem They are so naked says Cicero and so destitute of those Ornaments that he was able to give them that one may plainly see he never design'd to write a compleat History These VII Books of the Gallick Wars are for the most part an Account of Caesar's Actions and he seldom mentions any thing but what he hath been an Eye-witness of We may say the same of the three Books of the Civil War against Pompey which are certainly Caesar's notwithstanding what some have said to the contrary The Learned do remark That his Books are full of excellent Things and such as are able to Form both great Captains and wise Politicians which gives Vossius occasion to exclaim against those Masters of the Latin Tongue who put Caesar's Works into the Hands of their Disciples only for the sake of the Elegancy and Propriety of the Language This says he is to admire Leaves while we neglect the most excellent Fruit in the World Vossius's Advice upon this Matter is too important to be omitted in this place these are his very Words Sane ex eo haurire est maximaâ—um utilissimarum rerum copiam quam verborum elegantia contenti negligunt minus etiam Pueris sapiunt qui nunquam ita se arboris frondibus oblectabunt ut egregios ejus fructus contemnant De Hist. Lat. lâ—b 1. cap. 13. Monsieur Rapin says Xenophon has a soft delicate way of Writing His Discourse which is like a pure and clear Stream has no Parallel in all the Writings of the Ancients except Caesar's Stile than which nothing was ever writ with greater Purity in Latin The Observation of a modern Critick who finds a difference of Stile in the Books of the Civil War which he pretends not to be written with the same Purity as the Wars in Gallia is a squeamish Niceness which I cannot but wonder at for my part I must freely own that my Taste is too gross to be sensible of it and therefore I am of Suetonius's Opinion who puts no difference between them I am charm'd with the Elegancy and Simplicity of that Author and find no Body that ever writ with so much clearness Thus Caesar as plain as he is has something more noble in the plainness and simplicity of his Discourse than Tacitus in all the Pomp and Stateliness of his Expressions And we meet sometimes with a Negligence in the Ancients better than all the Accuracy and Exactness of the Moderns Caesar's Narrative is admirable by its Purity and Eloquence but it is not lively enough and wants a little of that Force which he used to desire in Terence One cannot be said to
Pergamos the Kings of it 288 Pericles Archon of Athens 325 Perseus K. of Mycene 347 Perseus last K. of Macedon 360 Defeated by the Romans 394 Persian Monarchy began 262 Monarchs from Cyrus to Darius 262 to 267 Persians invade Greece 264 339 St. Peter's Epistle 143 Petrus Comestor's Hist. 164 Phaleg 48 228 231 Pharamond K. of France 71 Pharsalia Battel there 402 Philaterus K. of Pergamos 289 Philemon Epistle to 142 Philip K. of Macedon 60 266 Philippians Epistle to 141 Philistines afflict the Israelites 238 Philo Iudaeus his Writings 150 Philostratus's Writings 191 Phocian War 328 Picus Count of Mirandola 86 Pindar the Poet. 60 325 Pisistratus Tyrant of Athens 323 Platea the Battel there 60 265 Platina's Hist. 170 Plato 60 328 Plautus 394 Plutarch's Writings 188 Polybius's Hist. 184 Pompey 63 398 399 401 His Death 402 Printing invented 82 Procopius's Hist. 195 Protestant the Name first began 87 Proverbs the Book of 134 Psalms the Book of 1â— Ptolemy Lagi K. of Egypt 309 Ptolemy Philadelphus ib. The Ptolemies their Successors 309 to 313 Punick Vide Carthaginian Pyrrhus K. of Epirus 61 Wars with the Romans 388 Q. Quintus Curtius's History p. 210 R. Reformation of Religion in England p. 87 Rehoboam 55 240 Rhodes besieged by Turks 82 Taken 86 Richard I. K. of England 79 Richard II. 81 Richard III. 85 Richelieu Cardinal chief Minister in France 89 Rochel taken 89 Rodolph of Hapsburgh Emp. 80 Romans the Epistle to 140 Rome founded 56 371 372 It s Regal State 371 It s Consular State 377 Factious Disorders there 383 395 Burnt by the Gauls 386 It s History and Wars 371 ad finem Romulus King and Founder of Rome 371 Rufinus's Hist. 153 Ruth the Book of 132 Ryswick Peace there 96 S. Sabellicus's Hist. 171 Saladine Sultan of the Turks p. 79 Salmanasser 57 Salust's Hist. 200 Samaria whence so called 233 Sampson 54 238 Samuel 54 238 Samuel the Books of 132 Sardanopolis 56 Saturn K. of Latium 369 Scanderbeg K. of Epirus 82 Scipio Africanus 62 293 Aemilius or African Junior 62 394 Seleucus Nicanor K. of Syria 61 280 Semiramis Q. of Assyria 49 256 Senacherib K. of Assyria 57 Invades Iudea 242 260 Septuagint Translation of the Bible p. 61 309 Seth. 46 288 Shem. 47 228 230 Sicyonia the Kings of it 314 c. Sidon built 233 Sisyphus K. of Corinth 344 Smalcaldon League made 87 Socrates the Philosopher 60 328 His History 157 Sodom and Gomorrah burnt 50 Solomon K. of Israel 54 240 Solon 323 Solyman the Magnificent 86 Sophocles 60 328 Sozomen's Hist. 157 Spain Arragon and Castile united 85 Spanish Armada against England destroyed 88 Sparta Vide Lacedemon St. Stephen stoned 66 Stephen K. of England 79 Steronius's Hist. 164 Strato 329 Suetonius's Hist. 218 Sulpicius Severus's Hist. 154 Sumaquam the Chinese Historian 297 Sylla 63 397 Syracuse built 57 Taken by the Romans 393 Syrian Kingdom began by Seleucus Nicanor 281 His Successors 281 to 288 T. Tacitus's History p. 212 Tamerlain the Tartar 82 Tangropylix first Sultan of the Turks 78 Tarentum built 337 Tarquins the Original of the Family 375 Tarquinus Superbus last King of Rome his Story 376 377 Tartars conquer China 195 Terah 228 Terence the Poet. 63 394 Thales 323 Thebes its Hist. and Kings 348 Themistocles 60 324 Theocritus 329 Theodoret's Hist. 156 Theodoric K. of the Goths p. 71 Theodosius 70 Theophanes 330 Theophrastus 329 Thermopylae the Persians routed there 324 Theseus 320 Thessalonians Epistle to 142 Thetmosis or Amasis K. of Egypt 50 299 Thrasybulus 327 328 Thucydides's Hist. 180 Tigranes K. of Syria overcome by Romans 288 Timothy Epistle to 142 Titus Epistle to ib. Tobit the Book of 133 Totilas takes Rome 72 Trent Council there 87 Tribunes of the People at Rome 381 Trithemius's Hist. 172 Triumvirate at Rome 399 The Second 407 Troy its Hist. and Kings 330 Taken by the Greeks 53 331 Tullus Hostilius K. of Rome 373 Tyre its History and Kings 363 to 367 V. Valentinian p. 70 Velleius Paterculus's Hist. 209 Venice built 70 Vespasian Flavus 67 Vespasian Titus ib. Victor Uticensis's Writings 167 Vittimius's Hist. 169 Vincent of Beauvais's Writings 167 Virgil the Poet. 64 410 Vitry Iam. of his Writings 167 W. Wencâ—slaus Emperor of Germany p. 82 Westphalian Treaty 90 Wickliff lived 81 William Conq. K. of England 77 William Rufas 78 William Pr. of Orange born 90 Restored to his Honours in Holland 99 Marries the Lady Mary ib. Comes to England 94 Declared King ib. Wimpheling's Hist. 152 Wise Men of Greece lived 323 Wisdom the Book of 135 Wittinkind's Hist. 161 X. Xenophon p. 60 His Writings 182 Xerxes King of Persia invades Greece 264 Xerxes II. 265 Z. Zachariah p. 60 250 His Prophecy 138 Zechariah K. of Israel 247 Zedechias 58 Carried Captive to Babylon 244 Zenobia Q. of Palmyra 68 Zephaniah 243 His Prophecy 138 Zodiack its Obliquity discovered 324 Zonarius's Hist. 163 Zorobabel leads back the Iews to Ierusalem 250 Zozimus's History 19â— FINIS Books lately Printed for Tim. Child A New History of Ecclesiastical Writers and of all Church Affairs from the time of our Saviour to the end of the Ninth Century Written in French by L. E. du Pin and Englished with Additions Folio A Continuation of this Work to the end of the Twelfth Century will be published in May 1698. Thesaurus Geographicus a New Body of Geography or compleat Description of the Earth and of the most considerable Cities thereon Illustrated with Historical Remarks and above 50 Maps and Copper Cuts Folio Ovidii Metamorphosis cum Notis Interpretatione in usum Delphini 8 o. Sallustii Historia cum Notis Interpretatione in usum Delphini 8 o. Ioan. Clerici Ars Critica in qua ad Studia Linguarum Latinae Graecae Hebraicae via munitur veterumque emendandorum Spuriorum Scriptorum à Genuinis dignoscendorum Ratio Traditur 8 o. The Acts and Negotiations together with the particular Articles at large of the General Peace concluded at Ryswick by the Illustrious Confederates with the French King 8 o. Dr. Gibson's Anatomy of Human Bodies The 5th Edition corrected and enlarged both in the Discourse and Figures 8 o. Alcali Vindicatum An Impartial Enquiry into the Fallacious Reasons and Erroneous Philosophy of a late Physico-Medical Essay touching Alcali and Acid c. By W. Coward M. D. 8 o. A Physico-Theological Discourse upon the Divine Being Providence of God Existence of Humane Souls Revealed Religion Modern Inspiration and Enthusiasm with Epistolary Conferences between Dr. Horneck and the Author 4 o.
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
Paul here admonishes them not to suffer themselves to be seduc'd by these Philosophers and moreover to corroborate their Faith gives them a Scheme of the Christian Life they should lead XIII His Epistle to the Thessalonians written according to the Opinion of St. Chrysostom before any of the others Thessalonica was then Metropolis of Macedon This People had been converted by St. Paul and confirm'd in the same Belief by Timothy whom St. Paul sent among them afterwards He professes a great Kindness for them in this Letter which he writ from Corinth in the Year of Christ 52. and 19 Years after his Passion XIV His First Epistle to Timothy whom he stiles his natural Son in the Faith was writ from Macedon in the Year of Christ 64. St. Paul after having made this dear Disciple of his Bishop instructs him by this Letter in all the Duties of that Holy Ministry St. Austin says That those who design'd to serve the Church ought always to have before them the two Epistles to Timothy with that to Titus which all teach how the Ministers of the Gospel are to behave themselves XVI The Second Epistle to Timothy writ from Rome when he was Prisoner there the second time about the Year of Christ 65. and 32 Years after Christ's Passion and a little before his own Martyrdom It contains excellent Instructions for those that God has entrusted with the communicating of his Gospel XVII His Epistle to Titus seems to have been written from Macedon towards the Year of Christ 64. St. Paul having chosen Titus to be Bishop of the Island of Crete now Candia he here sets down the Qualifications which are requir'd to execute that Function XVIII His Epistle to Philemon was writ from his Prison in Rome in the Year of Christ 62. This Philemon was a Person of great Account in a City of the Colossians whom St. Paul had converted to the Faith Onesimus was his Slave and fled from him to visit St. Paul at Rome whom he knew to be his Master's Friend whereupon St. Paul converted baptized and sent him back to Philemon with his Recommendation in this Epistle XIX The Epistle to the Hebrews was thought to have been writ by St. Paul but some have question'd it His Design seems to have been the same that he proposed when he writ to the Romans and Galatians for in a word these Three Epistles appear to have had but one End which was to prove that true Justice did not proceed from the Law but that it is Jesus Christ that bestows it on us through Faith and Inspiration XX. The General Epistle of St. Iames. It is term'd General by reason of its being addrest to all the Faithful wheresoever dispers'd St. Iames his Intention therein was to prove That Faith without Works would not be alone sufficient for our Salvation XXI The First Epistle of St. Peter was principally design'd for the Iews whose Apostle he properly was as St. Paul was of the Gentiles He writ it from Rome which he couches under the Name of Babylon a little before his Death This Epistle consists throughout of Morality and which ought to be look'd upon as an Abridgment of a Christian and Pious Life of which it contains chiefly the Rules and Instructions XXII The Second Epistle of St. Peter was writ a very little while before the Martyrdom which hapned about the Year of Christ 66. after having been foretold it from Heaven by a Vision as he himself relates This Epistle differs from the former which only tended to advise the Faithful to live a holy and virtuous Life But in this Second Epistle he admonishes them withal against the Illusions of false Teachers by which he means as it is thought the Followers of Simon Magus and the Nicolaitans which he decries and contends with by many solid and pathetick Expressions XXIII The First Epistle of St. Iohn was addrest according to the Opinion of St. Austin to the Parthians that is to say to the Believers scattered abroad throughout the ancient Empire of the Persians and which was then in the Parthians Possession Neither the Time when nor Place where it was written is known In this Epistle St. Iohn opposes that pernicious Error of Simon Magus who was of Opinion That Faith was sufficient to save us without good Works XXIV The Second Epistle of St. Iohn was a private Epistle sent to a Christian Lady by him sirnam'd The Elect. He therein altogether overthrows the Impiety of Basilides and his Disciples who taught That Iesus Chrict was not truly Man but only a Fantom and consequently his Passion not real XXV The Third Epistle of St. Iohn is addrest to one Caius whom that Saint commended for the Purity of his Faith and Charity both towards his Brethren and Strangers XXVI The General Epistle of St. Iude call'd also Thadeus was written after the Death of the greater part of the Apostles to exhort Believers to apply themselves stedfastly to the Doctrin of Jesus Christ which they had preached to them He therein falls upon the Followers of Simon and the Nicolaitans who contenting themselves with a barren Faith and without good Works introduc'd into the Church a sort of Libertinism and corrupted Morals XXV The Apocalypse or Revelations of St. Iohn was written in the Isle of Pathmos where this Apostle was confin'd by the Emperor Domitian about the Year of Christ 94. and Two before he writ his Gospel S. Austin acknowledges this Book is very hard to be understood because there are very few clear Things in it which might serve to enlighten the Obscure nevertheless there are some plain and profitable Instructions to be met with in several Places and chiefly in the 2d and 3d Chapters which might be term'd the Gospel of Christ risen from the Dead by reason of many Doctrins therein mentioned which Christ pronounced after his Resurrection and which the Evangelists had omitted Thus you have a Catalogue and an Account of all the Sacred Books Therein are contain'd the Precepts of Eternal Life And as they are to be ranked among the number of Fools that contend with Reason and such among Hereticks as dispute and oppose the Christian Doctrins So says St. Austin are those always to be rang'd with Infidels who reject the Holy Scriptures Contra rationem nemo Sobrius Contra Scripturam nemo Christianus Contra Ecclesiam nemo Pacificus senserit Lib. 4. de Trinit cap. 6. By the Truth and Piety of these admirable Books the Authority of the Holy Scripture subsists and it is a kind of Impiety to call any of its Authors in question But nevertheless we are not bound to have the same Veneration for the other Ecclesiastick Writers Such only as have been immediately Inspir'd by God Almighty are to be look'd upon as Infallible and those alone are they which have been acknowledg'd by the Canon of the Holy Scriptures As for other Authors however Holy they might be yet we do not rely implicitly upon what
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
speak when he does it to the purpose Livy perswades more by his sound Morals than great Capacity For through the various Intrigues Interests Passions and other Disorders which he describes he gives a glimpse of an honest Mind which proclaims a better Man than Historian We see in them the inmost recesses of the Heart of those he describes the very bottom of his own and among the false Lights he discovers in their Conduct he is never out himself He judges well of all for his Soul is as Upright as his Wit is True Livy is the most accomplish'd of all Historians for he has all the great Parts requisite to write History a fine clear Imagination a noble Expression a true Judgment an admirable Eloquence He has none but great Ideas in his Mind he fills his Readers Imagination by what he says by that means he affects the Heart and moves the Soul He has the greatest Genius for History and is one of the greatest Masters of Eloquence that ever liv'd I don't understand what Asinius Pollio means by reproaching him with a Country way savouring of Padua which he calls Patavinity His great Talent is to make People feel what he says by ingaging those that read him in his own Sentiments by inspiring them with his Hopes and Fears and giving them all his Passions by his admirable Art of setting the most secret Springs of the Heart a going I hope the Reader will easily excuse me for dwelling so long upon Livy's History He is the great Master of this Art and deserves to be well known and since no Man can give us a better account of him than Monsieur Rapin I thought it proper to give you this long Abstract V. Velleius Paterculus was nobly born as he proves from those of his Name that had born the greatest Employments in the Army And he had himself been in the Wars with great Honour and Reputation He had been Tribune of the Soldiers and had Travell'd through the Provinces of Thracia Macedon Achaia Asia Minor and on both the Banks of the Euxin Sea so that both by his Employments and Travels he had great advantages to write History The two Books that remain of History for the greatest of his Works are lost begin about the Sixth Year of the Reign of Tiberius and are dedicated to Marcus Vinicius Consul who had Marry'd Tiberius's Grand-daughter His Style is pure clear elegant and such as is thought worthy of the best Age of the Roman Empire There are in his History some particulars not to be found any where else Never did any Man know better than he how to blame and how to commend yet in some Peoples Opinion he goes a little too far in the Praises he gives to the House of Caesar Augustus But how can a Man avoid that Fault when he writes his History before the Eyes of the reigning Family Therefore I easily forgive him the excessive Praises he gives to Tiberius but really he is guilty of too gross Flattery when he bestow'd so much Incense upon Sejanus his Favourite whom he endeavours to make pass for the honestest Man that Rome ever saw Velleius Paterculus is very exact in setting down the Times of the Events he speaks of he describes the Original of several Cities he makes the Eulogy of those that have been famous in the Wars in the Government of the State or in the Sciences in short there 's a great deal to be learnt from that Author Father Rapin speaks thus Paterculus and Florus are florid genteel delicate and agreeable in their mean way of Writing Let Paterculus be pretty trim and genteel in the Character he has pitch'd upon but let Livy be great and serious because small Beauties have need of Ornament to shew themselves whereas the great ones need no Addition to their natural Graces We must always speak within bounds let an Historian never diminish or exaggerate Things either as Tacitus who casts his Venom upon every Thing or Paterculus who makes every Thing look gay and pleasant VI. Quintus Curtius was a Roman Knight the Age he liv'd in is not well known but the most common Opinion is That he flourish'd under the Emperor Vespasian Quintilian who mentions all the Historians of Note in the Tenth Book of his Institutions written in Domitian's Time yet says not one Word of Quintus Curtius's History which induces us to believe That his Work might not have been Publish'd at that Time which Opinion is also confirm'd by the silence of the other Ancients Quintus Curtius has written the History of Alexander the Great in X Books but the two First with the end of the Fifth and some little places of the Tenth have been lost There is not a more excellent Author among the Latin Writers than Quintus Curtius He may be said to be among Historians what Alexander is among Conquerors and that the Panegyrist is to the full as great as his Hero So that Alexander would have now no Reason to complain that he had not like Achilles Homer to celebrate his Actions Some are for Livy's Style others for that of Tacitus but all agree upon the Excellence of that of Quintus Curtius which is beyond all dispute worthy of the Age of Augustus as Vossius speaks Imo vel Augustaeo aevo digna est dictio Iustus Lipsius says that he is the Author that Princes should make themselves most familiar with and that they ought to have him continually in their Hands Let us now consult Rapin's Judgment upon this Author Quintus Curtius says that Critick is shining and florid Nothing can be more Polite than Quintus Curtius he has a florid and gay Expression which extreamly pleases the Men of Wit Every thing ought to be grounded upon Reason and therefore Quintus Curtius is not always in the right When he endeavours to make his Hero so admirable he does not make him take the wisest Resolution but on the contrary the most Heroick and Perillous he always finds a Charm in Danger and cares not so much for Conquests as the Honour of Conquering It is in his Power to surprize Darius in the Night and by that means keep him from knowing how weak he was Darius having double the Men But this great Man who is less sollicitous of getting a Victory than making his Valour to be admired attacks the King of Persia in the broad Day being resolv'd rather to die with Honor than Conquer by a Surprise Darius after his defeat offers to divide Asia with him and proposes a Match between him and his Daughter but Alexander rather chuses to arrive at Glory thro' Dangers than become a Master so peaceably he will hear none of these Proposals and aims at nothing but what 's extraordinary His Historian I must confess does him a great deal of Honor but does not all this great Honor want a little probability Does he not make his Hero more Rash than Wise and more Venturesome than Ambitious He thought those Sentiments
409 Adam 46 228 Adrian 67 Aeneas settles in Italy 53 369 Aeneas Sylvius's Hist. 170 Aeschines 60 329 Aeschylus 60 Africanus Iulius his Chronicle 151 Agamemnon K. of Mycene 347 Agathias's Hist. 196 Agrim Battel there 95 Ahazias K. of Iudah 241 Aix la Chapelle Peace there 92 Alaric K. of the Goths 71 Albert of Austria Emp. Ger. 80 Albigenses persecuted 81 Alcibiades 60 326 327 Alexander the Great 60 His History 267 to 280 355 Alexandria in Egypt built 309 Alexius Comnenus 78 79 Alfred K. of England 75 Almarez K. of Ierusalem 79 Alphonsus the Chast K. of Spain 74 Alphonsus K. of Portugal 90 America discovered 86 Amos. 67 241 Amos's Prophecy p. 137 Amurath Sultan of the Turks 81 Anacreon 325 Andronicus Paleolog II. Emp. C.P. 81 Annibal the Carthaginian Admiral 390 Anthony Marc. 64 312 313 406 408 409. Anthony of Florence's Hist. 169 Antiochus Epiphanes 62 Antiochus Soter 61 Antoninus Marc. Aurel. 67 Antoninus Pius 67 Appius's History 190 Aratus 330 Archimedes ibid. Archontes Governor of Athens 321 c. Argonaut's Voyage 52 Argos the Kings of it 316 Aristobulus 63 Aristobulus K. of the Iews 252 Aristophanes 60 328 Aristotle 328 Arnold of Lubeck's Hist. 166 Arphaxad 228 230 Arrian's Hist. 189 Arthur K. of Britain 72 Asa K. of Iudah 40 Ascanius Son of Aeneas 369 Asia Minor the Kings of it after Alexander 288 c. Assur Son of Sem. 230 Assyrian Kings their Names and time of Reign from Nimrod to Sardanapalus 256 Athaliah 56 241 Athens its History p. 317 c. Burnt by Mardonius 324 Plague there 325 Atolf K. of the Goths in Spain 71 Attila K. of Hunns ib. St. Augustine his History Works 155 Augustulus Emp. 71 Augustus Caesar. 64 406 Emperor of Rome 410 Aurelianus V. 68 Austin the Monk Archbishop of Canterbury 72 Austrian Family its Founder 80 Axan Sultan of the Turks 78 B. Babylonian Kings 261 c. Babylonish Captivity of the Iews 243 Bajaret Sultan of the Turks 82 Baldwin K of Ierusalem 78 Baronius's Annals 173 Baruch 243 His Prophecy 131 Bede's History 159 Belgrade taken by Turks 86 Belshazzar K. of Babylon 261 Belus K. of Assyria 255 Berah K. of Sodom 49 Bergamos Iames of his Hist. 171 Berosus his History 329 Boadicea Q. of Britain 66 Boethius Hector his Hist. 173 Boetia its Situation 348 Bonfinius's History 171 Boyne Battel there 95 Breda Peace there 92 Britain Ioseph of Arimathea preached there 66 Lucius first Christian King there 67 Christianity established there 72 The Saxons called in 71 Saxon Heptarchy erected 71 72 The Danes infest the Land 76 77 Brutus and Cassius 63 405 Their Death 407 Brutus L. Iunius Founder of the Consular State of Rome p. 378 379 C. Cadmus p. 301 Brought Letters to Greece 52 His Story 349 c. Caesar C. Iulius 63 399 His Victories 400 c. In Britain 400 401 Perpetual Dictator and Emperor of Rome 404 His Writings 197 His Death 405 Cainam 46 228 231 His Sons Founders of Nations 233 Calendar corrected by Caesar. 403 Corrected by P. Gregory 88 Callymachus 329 Cambyses 59 262 Conquered Egypt 304 Candia taken by Turks 92 Cannae the Battel there between Hannibal and the Romans 392 Canticles the Book of 135 Canute the Dane King of England 77 Carloman K. of France 76 Carolus Gustavus K. of Sweden 90 Carthage built 56 Conquered by Romans and destroyed 63 394 Carthaginian War First 61 389 Second 61 391 Third 61 394 Cassiodorus's History 162 Catiline's Conspiracy 399 Catullus 64 Centuriae Magdeburgens 173 Chalecondylas's History 170 Charlemain K. of France 73 Declared Emperor 74 Charles Martel governs France 73 Charles the Bald Emp. 75 Charles V. King of Spain and Emperor 86 Resigns his Crown 88 Charles I. K. of England 89 Charles II. K. of England restored 91 His Death 93 China the History of its Monarchs p. 291 to 297 The Wall between it and Tartary built 297 Choniates Nicelas his Hist. 166 Chronicles the Book of 133 Cicero M. Tull. 399 400 His Death 407 Cimon General of the Greeks against the Persians 324 Cinossema Battel there 326 Claudius Emp. 68 Clelia a Roman Virgin her remarkable Courage 380 Cleopatra Q. of Egypt 312 407 Her Death 409 Clovis K. of France 71 Cecrops Founder of the Athenians 300 319 Codrus K. of Athens 320 Coecles Horat. his Courage 380 Collatinus Lucretia's Husband Consul of Rome 378 Colossians Epistle to 142 Columbus discovers America 86 Confucius the Chinese Philosopher 296 Constantine the Great Emp. 69 Constantine XIII Palaeologus last Emp. C. P. 83 Constantinople General Council there 70 Taken by Turks 83 Consular State of Rome its Beginning 378 Corimodus Emp. 67 Corinth its History and Kings 343 344 c. Corinthians Epistle to 141 Coriolanus C. Mar. his Story 382 Crassus 399 401 Crates the Philosopher 61 Cresus K. of Lydia 58 362 Cromwell Oliver usurps the Government of England 90 Curopolates his History 162 Cyrus the first Persian Monarch 262 D. Donatus K. of Argos p. 301 316 Daniel 58 His Prophecy 136 Cast into the Lionls Den. 250 Dardanus K. of Troy 52 Darius Codomannus K. of Persia overcome by Alexander 267 Darius Hystaspes K. of Persia. 59 262 Darius Nothus 265 K. David 54 239 Decemviri a sort of Government at Rome created 384 Their ill Government and expulsion ibid. The Demetrii their Successors 284 c. Demetrius Soter K. of Syria 283 Demecritus the Philosopher 60 Demosthenes 60 328 Deucalion 319 Deuteronomy its Contents 131 Dictator at Rome first created 381 Dioclesian Emperor of Rome 68 Diodorus Siculus's History 185 Diogenes Laertius's Writings 190 Diogenes 328 Dion Cassius's History 191 Dionysius Halicarnasseus's History 187 Domitian Emp. of Rome 67 Draco's Laws 323 Drake sailed round the Earth 88 E. East-Indies first Voyage thither p. 85 Eber. 228 Ecclesiastes the Book of 134 Ecclesiasticus 135 Edgar 76 Edmond ib. Edmond Ironside 77 Edred 76 Edward the Confessor 77 Edward the Elder King of England 76 Edward the Martyr 77 Edward I. 80 Edward II. 81 Edward III. ib. Edward IV. 85 Edward VI. 87 Edwin 76 Egbert K. of England 75 Eginard's Hist. 16â— Egypt Children of Israel in Bondage there 22â— Egypt plagued by Moses p. 330 The Kings of it 297 to 313 Conquered by Nebuchadnezzar 303 Subject to the Persian Monarchy 305 to 308 Subject to Greeks 308 c. Eli Judge over Israel 238 Elias the Prophet 241 Elijah 55 Raises the Shunamite's Son 246 Elizabeth Q. of England 87 Elon judges Israel 238 England infested by Danes 75 Enoch 46 228 Enos ib. ib. Epaminondas 328 Ephesians Epistle to 141 Ephori of Lacedemon instituted 335 Esdras the Book of 134 Esther the Book of ibid. Ethelbert K. of England 75 Ethelred ib. Ethelstan 76 Ethelwald 75 Ethelwolph ib. Evagrius's Hist. 159 Euclid 329 Eudo K. of France 76 Evilmerodach K. of Babylon 261 Euripides 60 328 Eusebius's History and Chronicle 153 Exodus the Book of 231 Ezekiel 58 His Prophecy 136 Ezra 60 His Prophecy 250 F. Fabius
Maximus 61 392 Flavius Blondus's Hist. 169 The Flood 47 288 Fohi Emp. of China 291 Freculphus's Chronicle 160 Frederick Barbarossa Emp. 79 Frederick II. Emp. goes to the Holy Land 80 Fredoard's Chronicle 162 French Monarchy founded 71 Fulk K. of Ierusalem 79 G. Galatians Epistle to p. 141 Galba Emp. Rom. 66 Gauls sack Rome 60 386 Genesis Book of 131 Gideon 52 Glaber Rudolphus's Hist. 162 Glocester present Duke of born 94 Godeau's Hist. 174 Godfrey of Bolleign K. of Ierusalem 78 Golden Number found out 325 Gomer's Sons Authors of Nations 233 Goths invade Italy c. 67 Gracchus turbulent at Rome 395 Gregory of Touâ—'s Hist. 159 Gun-powder Plot in England 89 Guns invented 81 Gustavus Adolphus 89 H. Habakkuk 57 243 His Prophecy 138 Haggai 60 250 Ham. 230 Hannibal the Carthaginian General 61 391 Passes the Alpes and invades Italy 391 Defeats the Romans 392 Harold K. of England conquered by William 77 Hardicanute the Dane K. of England ib. Hebor 48 228 230 Hebrews Epistle to 143 Hegira of the Turks 7 72 Hegisippus's History 151 Heli. 53 Heliograbalus 68 Helmodius's Hist. 166 Hengist the Saxon K. of Kent 71 Henry I. K. of England 78 Henry II. 79 Henry III. 80 Henry IV. 82 Henry V. ib. Henry VI. ib. Henry VII 85 Henry VIII 86 87 Henry III. K. of France stabb'd by Clement p. 88 Henry IV. K. of France stabb'd by Ravillac 89 Heraclides Kings of Lacedemon 334 Kings of Corinth 345 Heraclitus 60 Herald the Dane K. of England 77 Hercules 52 347 Herod the Great 64 253 Herodian's Hist. 193 Herodotus's Hist. 177 Hesiod 56 Hezekiah K. of Iudah 242 Hipparchus K. of Athens 324 Hipias K of Athens invited the Persians into Greece 324 Hippocrates 60 Hircanus High-Priest of the Iews 253 Holland declared a Free State 89 Holofernes beheaded by Iudith 260 Homer 54 Holy League in France 88 Honorius Autunensis's Chronicle 163 Horace 64 410 Horat. Coecles defends the Bridge at Rome against Porsenna 380 Hosea 56 241 His Prophecy 136 Hoshea K. of Israel carried Captive with the 10 Tribes 247 Hovedon's Hist. 166 Huntingdon Hen. of his History 164 I. Iacob p. 50 228 His Sons 235 Iair judges Israel 237 St. Iames his Epistle 143 Iames I. K. of England 89 Iames II. 93 94 Iaphet 47 230 His Sons Authors of Nations 233 Iared 46 228 Iavan his Sons Authors of Nations 234 Iebus Ierusalem so called 233 Iehoaz K. of Iudah deposed by the K. of Egypt p. 243 Iehoram K. of Iudah 238 Iehosâ—aphat 55 240 Iehu K. of Israel 246 Ieptha judges Israel 238 Ieremiah 242 His Prophecy 135 Iericho built 245 St. Ierom's Hist. Works 154 Ieroboam K. of Israel 244 Ierusalem taken by the Babylonians 244 Temple rebuilt by Zorobabel 250 The City and Temple taken by Pompey 252 Taken by Vespasian 253 Oppressed by Turks the Holy War began 78 Regained by Godfrey 78 Retaken by Turks 79 Iews the Government of them from the time of Zedekiah to the coming of Christ. 249. c. Their Kings 252 c. Iezebel 245 Ingulphus's Writings 163 Inquisition erected in Spain 85 Iob the Book of 134 Iocasta Q. of Thebes marries Oedipus 350 Ioel. 56 242 His Prophecy 137 St. Iohn 67 His Gospel 140 His Epistles and Revelations 144 Iohn K. of England 79 Ionah 56 242 His Book 137 Ioseph 50 229 Ioseph of Arimâ—thea 66 Iosephus's Hist. 163 Ioshua 52 236 His Book 131 Ireland conquered by the English 79 Isaac 50 228 Isaiah 56 241 His Prophecy 135 Israel the Kings of it 244 Israelites their several Servitudes and Deliverers 237 c. Israelites carried Captives to Babylon p. 243 The Ten Tribes carried into Captivity by Shalmaneser 247 Oppressed in Egypt by Thermutis 300 Italy its first State 368 Iudah the Kings of 240 c. St Iude's Epistle 144 Iudges the Book of 131 Iudges the Israelites governed by 236 c. Iudith the Book of 134 Cut off Holofernes Head 242 260 Iugurthine War 396 Iulian Account of Time 403 Iustin's History 219 K. Kings the Book of p. 132 Krantz's History 172 L. Lacedemonia its History and Kings p. 332 to 337 342 Laius K. of Thebes 350 Lamech 46 238 Law given by God 51 Leopoldus the present Emp. 90 Lepanto Battel there 88 Lepiduâ— 406 408 Leuctra the Battel there 341 Leviticus the Book of 131 Lewis XIV K. of France 90 Livy 410 His History 203 Lollard Walter burnt 81 Lombardy Kingdom founded 7â— Lucius Florus's History 217 Lucius K. of Britain 64 Lucretia ravished 59 377 Lucretius the Poet. 64 396 Luitprand's History 161 St. Luke's Gospel 139 Luther preaches against Indulgences 86 Lycurgus 55 329 335 Lydia its History and Kings 361 c. M. Maccabees the Book of p. 139 Maccabeus the Iewish Captain 252 Macedon its History and Kings 352 c. Magellanica the Streight of discovered 87 Mahalaleel 46 228 Mahomet 72 Malachi 251 His Prophecy 138 Malmesbury William of his History 164 Manasses K. of Iudah 242 Manetho's History 329 Mardonius the Persian General 265 324 Mariners Compass invented 81 St. Mark 's Gospel 139 Mark Anthony 312 313 406 408 His Death 409 Mary Q. of England 87 Mary II. dies 96 Massanello at Naples 90 St. Matthew's Gospel 139 Matthew Paris's History 167 Maximilian Emp. 86 Medes the Kings of from Arbaces to Darius 261 Messenian War 336 Messina built 337 Methusalem 46 228 Mexico and Peru conquered by the Spaniards 87 Micah 56 242 his Prophecy 138 Miletum Battel there 326 Military Tribunes in Rome created 385 Misraim Son of Ham. 231 His Sons Authors of Nations 232 Mithridates 63 397 Moors expelled Spain 85 Moses 50 229 236 300 Musical Notes invented 77 Mutius the Roman burns his own Hand 380 Mycale the Battel there 326 Mycene its History and Kings 347 N. Naaman's Leprosy cleansed p. 246 Naboth 245 Nahor 228 Nahum 57 242 His Prophecy 138 Nebuchadnezzar 57 260 Takes Iehoiakim Prisoner 243 Turned into a Beast 249 260 Nehemiah 60 Rebuilt the Walls of Ierusalem 250 Nero Emp. 66 Netherlands united to Spain 85 Nice Council held there 70 Nicephorus Calistus's Hist. 168 Nicephorus Gregorianus's Hist. ib. Nimeguen Peace there 93 Nimrod 48 232 Ninus K. of Assyria 48 255 Nioâ—â— her Story 350 Noah 46 228 Normans settle in France 76 Numa Pompilius 57 373 Numbers the Book of 131 O. Obadiah p. 241 His Prophecy 137 Oedipus K. of Thebes his Story 350 Ogyges Deluge 50 Olympick Games and the computation of Time from them instituted 56 321 Orange Will. Prince of Heads the Protestants in Holland and is Assassinated at Delft 88 Origine of the ancient Nations of the Earth 230 Orosius's Hist. 156 Otho Freisingensis's Hist. 165 Ottoman Sultan of the Turks 80 Ovid the Poet. 64 410 P. Pallades's Hist. 155 Parchment first made at Pergamos 291 Paris's Rape of Helen 52 330 Parthians their Derivation 337 Patriarchal State of the Israelites p. 228 Paul the Deacon's Hist. 160 Pausanias the Spartan General 338 Peloponesian War 325 c. 339 Pepin K. of France 73