them When Hezekiah had reigned 29. years he went to the Lord about Anno mund 3245. In the reign of Hezekiah Israel was carryed away Captive and the Kings of Israel ceased and so not mentioned after Manasseh succeeded his father Hezekiah and was 12. years old when he began to reign But he did evil in the sight of the Lord and was a gross Idolater In the former part of his reign he builded again the High places reared Altars for Baal sacrificed his own son c. and did worse then the Heathen In his time the Lord left not Manasseh and Judah without reproof But they hearkned not Therefore the Lord threatned to bring the same destruction upon Manasseh and Jerusalem as he had brought upon Samaria and the house of Ahab and to wipe them clean from all their filthiness as a man wipeth a dish and turneth inside down to keep it from dust and soon after the Lord brought up the King of Assyria the Rod of his anger who took Manasseh among the thornes whither he was run to hide himself and bound him in fetters and carryed him to Babylon In this low estate Manasseh humbled himself greatly before the Lord and the Lord heard his prayer and restored him again to his Kingdom And now Manasseh knew out of real experience that the Lord was God After this Manasseh repaired and reformed yet the people still sacrificed in the High places and when Manesseh had reigned 55. years he slept with his fathers and they brought him not into the Sepulchres of the Kings but buried him in the Garden of his own house at Uzza about Anno mund 3300. Amon the son of Manasseh at the age of 22. years was Crowned King of Judah he again destroyed Religion set up Idolatry walked in all the wicked ways of his father and his own servants conspired against him and slew him in his own house when he had reigned 2. years about Anno mun 3302. Amon coming to the Crown at 22. years of age reigning but 2. years and his son Josiah 8. years old when he came to the Crown unless Amon had Josiah at 15. years of age which is not ordinary there must be an interval between Amon and Josiah After the death of Amon the people took Josiah his son when he was 8. years old and made him King Josiah walked in all the waies of David he again destroyed Idolatry repaired the Temple and was a choice Reformer Josiah also renewed the Covenant with the Lord and all the people to be the Lords people and keep his Commandments Nevertheless the Lord turned not from his fierce and great wrath before denounced against Judah because of the sin of Manasseh whereby he provoked the Lord in Josiahs daies the King of Egypt went to War against the King of Assyria at Euphrates and Josiah went out against him I do not finde the ground of his quarrel but probably Josiah might take offence at the King of Egypt for passing through his Land yet Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt sent Embassadors to Josiah to let him know he intended not to War against him but against the house against which God had commanded him to fight and charged Josiah not to meddle with him left God should destroy him But Josiah being a man of courage would not be said to turn his face upon any yet his resolution being not rightly ordered and not hearkning to the words of Necho from the mouth of God Josiah was shot in the sight and his servants brought him in his Chariot to Jerusalem and he died there and all Judah and Jerusalem and the Prophet Jeromiah lamented Josiah who reigned 31. years about Anno mund 3333. Upon the death of Josiah the people took Jehoahaz a younger son and Crowned him King when he was 23. years old Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord according to all that his fathers had done But Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt came up put Jchoahaz in bonds when he had reigned 3 moneths laid a Jerusalem taken by the King of Tax upon the Land of 100. talents of Silver and one Talent of Gold and made Eliakim Jehoahaz his elder brother King of Judah in the room of Josiah his father and called his name Jehoiakim but took Jehoahaz into Egypt and he died there Jehoiakim now succeeded being 25. years old Jehoiakim seems to be well pleased to have the Crown and to gratifie his new Master he forthwith gave the Tribute of silver and gold to Pharaoh but taxed all the Land for it It 's an easie matter to grant large sums of Money when they lay it upon others to pay and this the holy Pen-man notes in general that Jehoiakim did evil according to all that his fathers did so Nebuchadnezzer came up against him and Jehoiakim became his servant and submitted to him Ah how doth sin unman men and render them low slavish spirits When men leave God they will stoop to any bondage But Jehoiakim after three years rebelled against the King of Babylon and the Lord sent against him the Caldees the Syrians the Moabites and Amonites to destroy Judah for the sins of Manasseh and for the innocent bloud he brought upon Jerusalem which the Lord would not pardon so Jehoiakim ended his daies in trouble when he had been King but hardly reigned 11. years about Anno mund 3344. Jehoiachim the son of Jehoiakim succeeded his father in the Throne and in his sin but the King of Babylon came up with an Army and laid siege to Jerusalem and Jehoiachim and his Princes went out rendred themselves prisoners and delivered up the City when he had reigned three moneths in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzers reign At this time the King of Babylon made havock of the Temple took away the Treasures of the Lords house and the Kings house and carryed all away Captives but the poor of the Land and made Mattaniah Jehoiakims brother King of Judah and called his name Zedekiah Zedekiah was 21. years old when he came to the Throne and did according as his fathers had done before him And after some time he also rebelled against the King of Babylon and in the 9. year of Zedekiahs reign in the 10. day of the 10. moneth Nebuchadnezzer brought up all his Army and laid siege to Jerusalem In the 11. year of Zedekiah on the 9. day of the 4. moneth June the Famine prevailed in the City which was exceeding great the City was broken up and the men of war fled by a back way and the King went towards the plains of Jericho But the Chaldeans pursued him and brought him to the King of Babylon to Riblah where they gave sentence upon him so they put the sons of Zedekiah to death before his eyes
times and deeply mourned over the sins and sufferings of their brethren and especially the woful desolations of the Temple and worship of God gave them a glorious deliverance from the Armies of Antiochus and liberty again to restore the pure worship of God This news being brought to Antiochus he was astonished and lying down upon his bed fell sick with grief and in his trouble lamented his cruelty against the Jewes whom he destroyed without cause acknowledging the just hand of the Lord was upon him for it So giving order for the education of his son he died in the 149. year of the Kingdom of Grecia and in all reigned 12. years 9. Antiochus named Eupater succeeded Antiochus Epiphanes his father in the Kingdom and reigned two years 10. Demetrius son of Seleucus came from Rome and gathered an Army whereby he surprized Antiochus in his Palace and reigned in his stead 9. years 11. Alexander the son of Antiochus Epiphanes got an Army and came against Demetrius who had slain his brother Eupater and possessed the Kingdom and in a set battel Alexander overthrew the Army of Demetrius where he also was slain and Alexander sat upon the Throne When Alexander was now established in the Kingdom he sent Embassadours to Ptolomy King of Egypt to make a league of amity with him and to give him Cleopatra his daughter to wife Ptolomy King of Egypt seemed to rejoyce in the motion and appointed Ptolomais to be the place of their meeting for to accomplish the Marriage which was done with great glory But both these Kings hearts were to do mischief and according to Daniels Prophesie they spake lies at one Table for Ptolomy went about through deceit to get Alexanders Kingdom and joyn it to his own 12. In the 165. year Demetrius Nicanor son of Demetrius who was overcome by Alexander came out of Crete with an Army against Alexander but Ptolomy King of Egypt having by deceit got into many of Alexanders Cities left Garisons therein and in the mean time offers a league with Demetrius and to give his daughter Cleopatra to him whom he had given before to Alexander which was done Thus Ptolomy quieted Demetrius and so took the opportunity to set the Crown of Asia and Egypt both upon his own head When Alexander heard of this he came with his Army out of Cilicia and made War with Ptolomy but was worsted and flying into Arabia Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexanders head and sent it to Ptolomy but Ptolomy died the third day after and so Demetrius came to the Crown in the 167 year of the Kingdom Demetrius Nicanor came thus to the Kingdom yet injoyed little peace for Tryphon who had been of Alexanders party finding Demetrius his Army murmuring against him set up Antiochus the son of Alexander and lav sore upon Sinialcus the Arabian to deliver young Antiochus that he might reign in his fathers stead At last Tryphon got Antiochus Crowned and drawing unto him many Souldiers who were discontented from Demetrius won Antioch and so got much power All this was done in policy by Tryphon for when opportunity served he kill'd Antiochus and set the Crown upon his own head by this means Demetrius was full of trouble all his days and going with his Army towards Media to get help to fight with Tryphon Arsaces King of Persia smote his Host and took Demetrius prisoner in the year of the Kingdom 172. 13. Antiochus Sadetes son of Demetrius the King gathered a great Army in the Isles of the Sea to recover his Kingdom from Tryphon He came up in the 174. year at which time most of Tryphons forces left him and joyned with Antiochus Tryphon seeing troubles coming upon him fled to the City Dora where Antiochus laid siege against him with an Army of 120000. foot and 8000. horsemen and beset the Town by Land and Sea But Tryphon got away and went by Sea to Oethosias and the King pursued him At this time Antiochus brake his Covenant with the Jews and made War upon them where Judas was slain Yet John his brother pursued the Victory and gave an utter overthrow to the Army of Antiochus How long Antiochus reigned is not left certain but he is thought to reign 3. years 14. Antiochus Pius 12. years 15. Demetrius Nicanor 4. years 16. Alexander 2. years 17. Antiochus Gryphius 29. years There now arose much strife amongst the Nations which continued about 10. years but the Syrians to end the strife amongst the Princes chose Tygranes King of Armenia to govern them who reigned about 18. years And now the Syrian Monarchy being thus weakened through strife and division Pompey the Roman General came up with an Army overcame Tygranes conquered Syria and brought all in subjection to the Roman Empire about Ann. mund 3902. A View of the Roman Empire THis Empire had it's Original from Rome as is well known Italy is a Country in this part of the World called Europe and lies thus Italy is rounded with the Ionian and Adriatique Seas except towards France and Germany from whom it is parted by the Alps. This Region was distinguished into four parts 1. Hesperia 2. Latium 3. Ausonia and 4. Oenotria Of all the Cities wherewith Italy was beautified Rome had the first place and became Mistress of the World This City is supposed to be founded by Romulus and Rhemus in the reign of Hezekiah King of Judah about Ann. mund 3230. This City in her glory spread her lines to the compass of 50. miles But this City felt the fury of the Gaules and by them was laid in heaps So that now Rome standeth lower upon the Bank of Tiber and is drawn into narrower bounds This Empire hath according to Daniels Prophesie differed greatly from the other three and in nothing more then in the several changes of Government yet as the Lord described to Daniel this fourth and last earthly Kingdom in several parts and properties it is apparent that no City or Empire of the World hath answered the Vision like this of Rome Daniels fourth beast is described with 10. horns but John in the Revelation having a Vision of the same beast saw him with seven heads and ten horns where the Holy Ghost there interpreteth the seven heads to be seven mountains and the ten horns ten Kings Both which time hath proved true in Rome First Rome in her plantation was built upon seven hills which are thus named and numbered 1. Palatinus 2. Capitolinus 3. Viminalis 4. Aventinus 5. Exquilinus 6. Caelius 7. Quirinalis Secondly Rome hath been eminent for seven changes in the Government of the Empire every of which in their time had Supreme Authority 1. By Kings 2. Consulls 3. Decemviri 4. Dictators 5. Tribunes 6. Senate 7. Emperours or Caesars But though ambition and avarice did cause these changes in the Roman State yet the word of the Lord
Zachariah had reigned but six moneths about An. 3195. Now sin was high and judgement neer Shallum had lost shame and Conscience to murder the King openly yet this was the fulfilling the word of the Lord and the end of Jehu's race In the 39. of Azariah or Uzziah King of Judah Shallum began to reign over Israel and Menahem smote him and flew him when he had reigned a just moneth Now it was ordinary to murder Kings for a Crown and the people wofully slaved by Tyranny yet all the fruit of sin An. 3195. In the 39. year of Azariah King of Judah Menahem began to reign over Israel I may not omit to mention the bloudy beast-like cruelty of this wretched Tyrant which was great When Menahem came up from Tirzah which was formerly the chief City and the seat of the Kings of Israel with purpose to murder the King at Samaria the City Tizrah refused to open the gates to him Thereupon he destroyed the City and all the Coasts thereof and ript up all the women who were with child But though he murdered the King to sit on his Throne yet he departed not all his daies from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin It doth appear this bloudy Tyrant sat not quietly in his new aspired seat for upon discontents amongst the people Pul King of Assyria took the opportunity of that division to bring up his Army against Israel In this strait Menahem gave Pul 1000. Talents of silver to be on his side to confirm the Kingdom in his hand And Menahem exacted it of the people especially of the wealthyest of them Oh the woful bondage and slavery Israel were now brought to A bloudy Tyrant kills their King and exacts money from them to confirm himself in the Throne he got by murder yet thus he reigned 10. years about Anno 3205. In the 50. year of Azariah King of Judah Pekaiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin But Pekah the son of Remaliah a Captain of his conspired against him and killed him when he had reigned two years about An. 3207. In the 52. year of Azariah King of Judah Pekah began to reign over Israel he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin In his daies came Tiglah Pilneser King of Assyria and took from him a great part of his Kingdom even eight Cities and Countries and Hoshea the son of Elah conspired against Pekah and slew him when had reigned 20. years about An. 3220. In the 12. year of Ahaz King of Judah Hoshea began to reign over Israel He was bad but not so bad as the Kings that were before him This we must believe because it 's sacred Scripture But the Lord would let us know that many of the Kings of Israel were more then bloudy Murderers It is plain Hoshea did murder Pekah yet stands nine years before he took the Crown of Israel and became King about Anno 3229. In his time Shalmanezer King of Assyria came up against him and Hoshea subjected to him and paid him tribute as a sub-King but the King of Assyria not having his tribute paid for some years and finding that Hoshea did hold confedracy with the King of Egypt Shalmaneser shut up Hoshea in prison After which he brought up his Army and besieged Samaria three years The siege was laid in the 7. year of Hoshea continued the 8. year and Samaria was taken in the 9. year of Hoshea which was the 6. year of Hezekiah King of Judah This was the final Captivity of the Kingdom and people of Israel and the sad fruit of their own doings which is largely exprest by the sacred Pen-man of this History so that Israels destruction which they brought upon themselves by their vile abominations was finished about Anno mun 3238. What dreadful miseries these desperate Idolaters and vile Murderers called Kings brought upon this people Israel who were the Lords peculiar people I leave to sad and serious thoughts But to gather the better account of these times which seem greatly to differ I will here put down a very brief Chronology of the beginning and time of the reign of the Kings of Judah and Israel c. Kings of Judah IN the 18. year of Jeroboam Abijam son of Rehoboam began to reign 1 King 15. 1 2. and reigned 3. years In the 20. year of Jeroboam Asa son of Abijam reigned 1 King 15. 9 10. he reigned 41. In the 4. year of Ahab Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign and continued 25. years 1 King 22. 41 42. In the 5. year of Joram Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat was crowned in his fathers life-time and reigned 8. years 2 King 8. 16 17. In the 12. year of Joram the people crowned Azariah the youngest son of Jehoram King who reigned one year 2 King 8. 25 26. Athaliah destroy'd the seed Royal and set up her self and continued 7. years 2 King 11. 1 4. In the 7. year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign and reigned 40. years 2 King 12. 1. In the 2. year of Joash Amaziah son of Joash King of Judah began to reign and continued 29. years 2 King 14. 1 2. and was then kill'd by a conspiracy vers 19. In the 27. year of Jeroboam all the people took Azariah and made him King in his fathers stead 2 King 14. 21. he reigned 52. years 2 Chro. 26. 3. Before him Judah had no King for 12. years In the 2. year of Pekah Jotham the son of Azariah or Uzzah began to reign and continued 16. years 2 King 15. 32 33. Consider 52. and 2. of Pekah In the 17. year of Pekah Ahaz the son of Jotham began to reign and continued 16. years 2 King 16. 1 2. In the 3. year of Hoshea Hezekiah the son of Ahaz began to reign and reigned 29. years Kings of Israel IN the 2. year of Asa Nadab the son of Jeroboam reigned 1 King 15. 28. he reigned 1. year In the 3. year of Asa Baasha set up himself King 1 King 15. 28. he reigned 24. years vers 33. In the 26. year of Asa Elah the son of Baasha reigned 1 King 16. 8. he reigned 2. years In the 27. year of Asa Zimri set up himself 1 King 16. 10. seven daies vers 15. In the 31. year of Asa Omri set up himself and reigned 12. years 1 King 16. 23. In the 38. year of Asa Ahab son of Omri began to reign and continued 22. years 1 King 16. 29. In the 17. year of Jehoshaphat Ahaziah son of Ahab began to reign and continued part of 2. years 1 King 22. 51. and had no son In the 18. year of Jehoshaphat Jehoram the
Salsbury Plain and took the King prisoner In this low condition the King was constrained to give Kent Sussex Suffolk and Norfolk to Hingest and there he set up his Kingdom In this interim of time Aurelius Ambrosius son to Constantine brought over an Army out of France to recover his right and falling upon Vortiger burnt him in his Castle in Wales when he had reigned 6. years more An. 466. Aurelius Ambrose being set in the Throne hasted speedily with an Army against Occa son of Hingest at York In that battel he took Occa prisoner and soon after set up the great stones upon Salisbury Plain in memory of the Brittains that were buryed there who were treacherously murdered by the Saxons as before In this Kings time the Saxons grew fast They set up the South Kingdom of Saxons containing Somersetshire Dorsetshire and Cornewall Also Porthe set up the East Kingdom of the Saxons containing Norfolk and Suffolk Not long after Aurelius Ambrose was poysoned when he had reigned 32. years An 498. Uter Pendragon then bare the royal Diadem No Lady would please him but the Duke of Cornewall's wife and on her he begat Arthur Pendragon and reigned 18. years An. 516. Arthur the son of Uter succeeded his father He fought twelve battels with the Saxons when Arthur had much subdued these enemies at home he committed the Government of Brittain to one Mordred and followed the Wars beyond Sea But in his absence Mordred confederated with the King of the West Saxons and set up himself King of Brittain The news of this coming to Arthur he speedily returned to Brittain with an Army and gave battel to Mordred in Cornewal where Mordred was slain and Arthur deadly wounded yet they brought him to Glastenbury where he died when he had governed 16. years An. 532. Constantine a kinsman of Arthur got the Crown after him But Aurelius a Brittain raised War against him and slew him when he had reigned 3. years An. 535. Aurelius Conan Nephew to Arthur was crowned King of Brittain about An. 545. There was now great strife for the Kingdom and it appears that for some time one King was kill'd before another got to the Throne At this time Arthurs brother was next heir to the Crown but Aurelius his Couzin got it by great hand having the longer Sword and kept his Uncle a prisoner In the time while these were striving for the Crown the Saxons got ground and set up the fifth and sixth Kingdoms of the Saxons Aurelius reigned 33. years An. 578. Vortipor succeeded his father Conan He was a vile person he put away his wife and kept his daughter for his Concubine He reigned 4. years An. 582. Malgo-Conan then had the rule He delighted in the filthy sin of Sodomy he kill'd his wife and took his brothers daughter In wickedness he reigned 4. years An. 586. Cara next got the Crown This King was so vile abominable and wicked that the people moved the Saxons and the King of Ireland to make War against him and after two years they drove him out of his Kingdom An. 588. The Brittains were now exceedingly wasted the Christian faith before received neer worn out The Saxons prevailing against the Brittains drive them to the desolate Mountains in Wales and got the whole Dominion of this Land In the time of the Saxons the Inhabitants of this Land were called Angles or Anglishmen and now English-men and the Brittains Welch-men But though the Brittains were driven into Wales yet there they elected Kings over them and as they had strength made War upon the Saxons until King Cadwalladar Anno 687. The Saxons being now masters of Angland or England they set up their Heptarchy or seven several Kingdoms and every King had his Dominion But when other competitors were gone Ambition and a varice set them at variance until one Kingdom had swallowed up all the other Alas alas It 's not Towns or Countries or some Nations that will satisfie aspiring spirits Time and great experience hath proved this Possibly it may be expected that I should go through the Lines of these several Saxon Kings But I find them treading in the same steps of those that went before them and those that follow after are the right sons of their Progenitors Therefore I will enter again with Monarchy and pass all the rest from the expulsion of the Brittains into Wales and the whole Land as divided amongst the Saxons until the Nation was again run up into one Monarchy which was from An. 588. to 872. In the time of the Saxon Heptarchy the Danes made their first inroad into England by Portland Island in the West but were then repulsed An. 800. Yet after they came with redoubled force and entered in Northumberlaud against whom Ethreldred King of the West Saxons who had greatest strength of the Saxon Kings gave them battel but the King was there slain when he had reigned 5. years and the Danes still kept their hold about An. 871. Alfred or Alured last King of the West Saxons began the first Monarchy of the Saxons in England He put the Saxons Laws into English he restored and repaired the City of London and made it again habitable which was wasted and burnt by the Danes An. 839. It is thought also that this King was the first Founder of the University of Oxford He reigned 29. years and 6. moneths Ann. 900. Edward the elder succeeded his father Alfred He subdued the Kings of Scotland and Wales He built divers Towns and Nottingham-Bridge and reigned 24. years An. 924. Adelstain or Athelstain son to Edward took the Throne and did much in his time He expell'd the Danes out of the Land and reigned 15. years Anno 939. Edmund succeeded his brother Athelstain and was slain when he had reigned 5. years An. 344. Edmund left two sons young and Eldred brother to Edmund took on him the Government as Protector but soon after he was Crowned King and reigned 9. years An. 953. Edwin the son of Edmund succeeded his Uncle Eldred and in the day he was Crowned he ravished his own kinswoman the wife of a Noble man and put her husband afterwards to death that he might have her For this and some other abominable acts his Subjects deprived him of his Royal dignity when he had reigned 4. years An. 957. After Edwin Edgar his brother was set on the Throne He was a good Commonwealths-man and reigned 16. years An. 973. Edward the second son of Edgar succeeded his father but was murdered when he had reigned 3. years Anno 976. Etheldred the second son of Edgar murdered his brother and set up himself in the Throne But by this bloody act and other ill carriages he lost the hearts of
son of Ahab began to reign and continued 12. years 2 King 3. 1. In the 12. year of Joram King of Israel Jehu kill'd him and set up himself and reigned 28. years 2 King 9. and 10. 36. In the 23 year of Joash Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign and continued 17. years 2 King 13. 1. In the 37. year of Joash Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign and continued 16. years 13. 10. In the 15. year of Amaziah Jeroboam the son of Jehoash began to reign and continued 41. years 2 King 14. 23. In the 38. year of Azariah Zachariah the son of Jeroboam began to reign and continued but 6. moneths 2 King 14. 13. In the 39. year of Azariah Shallum kill'd Zachariah and set up himself and reigned one moneth 2 King 15. 13. 10. In the 39. year or same of Azariah Menahem kill'd Shallum and set up himself and continued 10. years 2 King 1 h. 14 17. In the 50. year of Azariah Pekaiah son of Menahem began to reign and continued 2. years 2 King 15. 23. In the 52. year of Azariah Pekah kill'd Pekaiah and set up himself and reigned 20. years 2 King 15. 25 27. In the 12. year of Ahaz Hoshea began to reign and all Israel was taken Captives the 9. year of his reign 2 King 17. 1 6. and 18. 10 11. This was the final Captivity of Israel Thus you have the several Kings of Judah and Israel gathered up in a few words but for the better finding out of a true computation of these times I will yet give them more briefly Kings of Judah 1. Saul 40. years 2888. 2. David 40. years and 6. moneths he began his reign 2929 3. Solomon 40. years 2969 1. Rehoboam 17. years 2986 2. Abijam 3. years 3989 3. Asa 41. years 3020 4. Jehoshaphat 25. years 3045 5. Jehoram 8. years 3053 6. Ahaziah 1. year 3054 7. Athaliah 7. years 3061 8. Joash 40. years 3100 9. Amaziah 29. years 3129 10. Azariah 52. years 3194 11. Jotham 16. years 3200 12. Ahaz 16. years 3216 13. Hezekiah 29. years 3245 Thus far the Kings of Judah have the beginning of their Reigns accounted from the reigns of the Kings of Israel except the four first Kings Manasseh 55. years  3300 14. Amon 2. years 3302 15. Josiah 31. years 3333 16. Jehoahaz 3. moneths  17. Jehoiakim 11. years 3344 18. Jehoiakin 3. moneths  19. Zedekiah 11. years which with Zedekiahs reign is 3355 These were Kings of Judah after the division and before who ended about An. mun 3355. By this account this kingly race lasted 519. with Saul and from David 477. years Kings of Israel 1. Jeroboam 22. years he began his reign with Rehoboam 2969 2. Nadab 1. year 2971 3. Baasha 24. years 3017 4. Elah 2. years 3011 5. Zimri 7. daies 3019 6. Omri 12. years 3031 7. Ahab 22. years 3053 8. Ahaziah 2. years 3055 9. Jehoram 12. years 3067 10. Jehu 28. years 3095 11. Jehoahaz 17. years 3112 12. Jehoash 16. years 3130 13. Jeroboam 41. years 3171 14. Zachariah 6. moneths 3195 15. Shallum one moneth 3195 16. Menahem 10. years 3205 17. Pekaiah 2. years 3207 18. Pekah 20. years 3227 19. Hoshea 9. years 3236 These were the Kings of Israel after the division which began about Anno mun 2969. and lasted 267. years The Monarchy of Chaldea CHaldea is a Country or Province in that part of the World called Asia it hath on the East Assyria on the West Syria on the North Armenia and on the South Arabia Deserta The chief Cities were Ur Erech Accad Carnel and Babel or Babylon Nimrod was the first founder of the Tower of Babel and of the City Babylon neer Euphrates and was the first that ever took the title of King about 150. years after the Flood and Anno mundi 1807. Belus succeeded in the Kingdom Belus was called Jupiter Babylonious the image of whom was worshiped and had the name of Bel and Baal Historians give account of the growth of this Monarchy and record the names of 44. Kings from Belus to Nebuchadnezzer the Great who subdued all Syria part of Egypt and Judea of whom Daniel speaks c. Nebuchadnezzer the first of that name was son to Merodach-Baladan Lieutenant of Babylon under Assaradon King of Assyria But having his opportunity he revolted and overcoming Assaradon in the 12. year of his reign Merodach possessed the Empire and after lest Nebuchadnezzer his son to reign in his stead Nebuchadnezzer began his reign in the fourth year of Jehoiakim King of Judah Ann. mund 3346. In the fourth year of his reign in the eighth year of the reign of Jehoiakim Nebuchadnezzer made War with Pharaoh-Necho King of Egypt and took all from him which he had gotten from the River of Egypt unto the River Euphrates and so Jehoiakim King of Judah became a servant and was tributary to Nebuchadnezzer King of Babylon three years In the 11. year of Jehoiakim he rebelled against the King of Babylon who came up and bound him in fetters and carryed him to Babylon and Jehoiakim his son reigned in his stead In the 18. year of Nebuchadnezzer he came up against Jerusalem and laid siege to it in the 9. year of Zedekiah King of Judah and took the City in the 11. year of Zedekiah which was the 19. year of Nebuchadnezzer At which time he made the Temple and City desolate and this was the last and great Captivity of the Jews Anno mundi 3365. In the 23. year of Nebuchadnezzer when he had subdued the Kings of the Ammonites Moabites c. he led his Army into Egypt and having gotten the whole Country Nebuchadnezzer began his Monarchy and was now the first of the four Kings In the second year of Nebuchadnezzers Empire he had the Dream expounded by Daniel for the 2. year of his reign as King of Assyria was 17. years before the last Captivity After this Nebuchadnezzer reigned as Emperour of Babylon 22. years and in all 45. which I thus compute Nebuchadnezzer began to reign in the fourth year of Jehoiakim Jehoiakim reigned 7. years more Jehoiakin three moneths but was not taken away until the end of the year Zedekiah reigned 11. years In the 37. year of Jehoiakins captivity Evilmerodach began to reign Jer. 52. 31. so that Nebuchadnezzer had reigned 19. years at the captivity and after sway'd the Scepter 26. years in all 45. After Nebuchadnezzer succeeded Evilmerodach his son who reigned 30. years I finde Chronologers differ much about the successors of Evilmerodach yet I Judge from the word of the Prophet Jeremiah Belshazzer only succeeded 37. years so that more years of necessity then 30. are to be allowed to Evilmerodach to compleat the 70. years of the Jews Captivity in Babylon Authors speak of others But the sacred History saith The Jews were servants to Nebuchadnczzer and his sons until the
reign of the Kingdom of Persia 3435. The Monarchy of Media and Persia. MEdia and Persia are two Regions in in Asia Media is limitted on the East with Parthia on the West with Armenia on the South with Persia on the North with the Caspian Sea The chief Cities of old in this Country were Laodicea Appannia Rhaga Tauris Persia is bounded on the East with the River Indus on the West with the Persian Gulf on the North with the Caspian Sea on the South with the main Ocean Persia hath 10. several Provinces and many Cities of which as chief were Persepolis Casbin and Susis Media and Persia were distinct Kingdoms but were united under Cyrus King of Persia which after became the second Monarchy This Kingdome is signified by the breast and arms of Silver in Nebuchadnezzers image But in regard Cyrus was the chief King and Monarch and yet the taking of the Kingdom of Babylon is given to Darius King of the Medes it 's necessary to reconcile this in the first place Darius of the Medes call'd Cyaxares the son of Astyages or as Daniel nam'd him Ahasuerus the eighth King of the Medes being old and having no son and withal finding his Souldiers unconstant to him Darius gave Mandana his daughter unto Cyrus King of Persia who was his sisters son and joyned him in the Government with him and so united the Kingdoms of Media and Persia but how long time they reigned together is not certain Darius called to his help Cyrus his son in law and at that time won the most mighty City of Babyon and so brought the Empire to Media and Persia. This Victory is given to Darius as the chief in Government and aged about 62. years who it's thought lived not passing one year after this Victory and then Cyrus came to be sole Emperour of Persia where began the second Monarchy Historians agree not about the Kings of Persia neither for number names or times of their Reigns neither need we much to seek after them sith now the Computation of times falls into Daniels Numbers Therefore I will forbear to set down any of them but refer the Reader to a further view of these in the Annotations I give upon Dan. 9. But all Writers with one consent agree That Alexander son of Philip King of Macedon made War against Darius and overcame him in three Battels where Alexander took Darius his Mother his Wife and Children but Darius himself was murthered by his own Souldiers in flying to save himself So the Empire of Persia had its end and was translated to Grecia The Monarchy of Grecia GRrecia or Greece is a Country in Europe bounded on the East with the AEgean Sea the Hellespont on the West Italy and the Adriatique Sea on the North with Mount Hemus on the South with the Jonian Sea Greece is parted into Provinces Peloponnesus Athalia Epirus Albania Macedonia Migdonia and Thracia Peloponnesus is in compass 600. miles and rounded with the Sea only it joyns to the main Country by a neck of land of five miles in breadth 1. Peloponnesus contains five Countries and many Cities of which were Lacedemon in Laconia and Corinth 2. Achaia contains seven Countries and beautified with many Cities of which was famous Athens in Attica Thebes in Boetia Delphos in Phocis Lepanto in Lacris 3. Epirus was famous amongst other things for Mount Pindus 4. Albania 5. Macedonia had also Countries and Cities This Province was famous for the Birth of Alexander the great 6. Migdonia this Province hath many Cities of which are Apollonia Neapolis and Thessalonica 7. Thracia in which are the famous Cities of Adrianopolis and Constantinople Grecia continued a Kingdome for the reign of 22. Kings to Alexander the great who became Monarch of the World Alexander son to Philip King of Macedonia in the 7. year of his reign fully overthrew Darius of Persia and brought the Empire to Grecia and after reigned Monarch 5. years some say 7. years It is said that Alexander reigned 12. years but it 's supposed 12. years as King of Macedon not as Emperour of Grecia But Alexander going to Babylon there died of an Ague others say of Poyson at 30. years of age However in this sickness perceiving he should dye He called his servants such as were honourable and had been brought up with him from his youth and parted his Kingdom among them whilst he was yet alive Of which the chief are these four Seleucus had Syria Ptolomeus Egypt Antigonus Asia the less and Cassander had Macedonia All these put Crowns upon themselves and each affecting Soverainty over the rest they soon fell to great and continual Wars amongst themselves but the main conflicts were between the Kings of Syria Egypt call'd by Daniel The Kings of the North and South Dan. 11. This was the third Kingdom represented in Nebuchadnezzer's image c. and in Daniel vision by c. But amongst all these I will only mention the Race of the Syrian Kings as most sit for us to consider and giveth the most light to understand the 11. Chap. of Daniel Syria hath on the East Euphrates on the West the Mediterranean Sea on the South Palestine or Canaan and on the North Cilicia and other parts of the lesser Asia This Country is thought in part or in whole to be the very place of Paradise the Garden of Eden Syria contains three Provinces 1. Phoenicia lying upon Canaan where are these Cities Ptolomais Sarepta Sidon Tyrus 2. Province is Coelosyria the chief City of which was Damascus the Royal seat and of these Kings of Syria Scriptures speak much The 3. Province is Syro-Phoenicia whose chief Cities were Beritus Aleppo or Sabab Biblis Tripolis and Antiochia There was also Palmyra which was a City and Province The Kings of this Country were as follows Seleucus Nicanor was the first King of Syria and reigned 32. years 2. Antiochus Soter 19. years 3. Antiochus Theos 15. years 4. Seleucus Gallinicus 20. years 5. Selences Ceraunius 3. years 6. Antiochus Magnus 36. years 7. Seleucus Philopater 12. years 8. Antiochus Epiphanes son to Antiochus Magnus succeeded his brother Seleucus and is the vile person Daniel speaks of Dan. 11. 21. and that wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes son of Antiochus the King and he reigned in the 137. year of the Kingdom of the Greeks 1 Mac. 1. 10. On the 15. day of the month Casleu by the Romans November in the 145. year of the Grecian Kingdom they set the abomination of desolation upon the Altar and burnt the books of the Law 1 Mac. 1. 54. c. Joseph Antiq. 12. lib. 7. chap. Dan. 8. 9. to 12. Thus Antiochus prevailed against the Jews and fulfilled the word of the Lord spoken by Daniel but the Lord again appearing in mercy to a few of his own people who had kept themselves from the abominations of those evil
deferring his baptism to be baptized in Jordan where Christ was baptized Constantine had three sons to whom he divided his Empire First Constantine whom he made Emperour over the Western parts of his Empire in the 10. year of his reign Secondly Constantius whom he set over the Eastern parts of his Empire in the 20. year of his reign Thirdly Constans had his Empire assigned to him in the 30. year of his fathers reign The division of the Roman Empire is given more particularly Thus 1. Constantine had the Alpes France Spain England Ireland the Isles of the Orchades and Thile 2. Constantius had the Countries of Asia and Thracia 3. Constans had Italy Affrick with the Isles Sclavonia Macedonia Achaia Peloponnesus and Grecia Of all the Empire Constantine the great delighted in Byzantius a City in Thracia which he made the Emperial seat and called it Constantinople In the 65. year of his age and the 31. of his reign Constantine fell sick and for the recovery of his health went to the hot Baths in Helenopolis But finding his sickness to increase he left the Baths and came to Nicomedia and without the walls of the City was baptized into the faith of Christ by Eusebius Pastor of the Church in Nicomedia Constantine greatly rejoyced in his baptism and after made his Will and the 22. day of May in the 65. year of his Age and the 31. of his reign he departed this life An. 340. Though the Empire was divided by Constantine in his life time to his three sons and each had large Dominions Yet as ambition can keep no bonds Constantine made War upon his brother Constans and invaded some of his Countries This stirred up Constans who went against his brother where Constantine the Elder brother lost his Army and life together This gave encouragement to Constans who past the Mountains and in two years possessed himself of all his brothers Dominions But upon the death of Constantine the Souldiers chose Magnentius Emperour who prosecuted the War against Constans and in a short time had him murdered by conspiracy Thus in a little time the Eldest and youngest of Constantines sons came to sudden if not sad ends Constantius the only son of Constantine now living having knowledge of these things left Gallus his brother in law his Lieutenant in Asia and with a great Army came into Italy against Magnentius Upon the first Battel the Army of Magnentius was totally routed but himself escaped away with life Magnentius in this low condition sent Ambassadours to Constantius for peace But that being refused by Constantius Magnentius resolved to try his fortune in another pitched battel which also proved unhappy to him and not finding now a way open to save his life he slew himself and so the whole Empire came into the hand of Constantius But in the absence of Constantius Gallus rebelled and set up himself Emperour of the East Yet Constantius by a wile got Gallus into France and when he had him there soon took off his head and so ended that strife Constantius then took Julian his brothers son into Government and left him in France Julian prospered in War and growing into the affection of the Souldiery they elected him Casar Augustus The news of this sorely displeased Constantius who was drawing down his Army against Julian But in the way Constantius died of an Apoplexia the 3. day of November in the year 45. of his age when he had reigned 11. years with his father Constantine and 25. years after him An. 365. Julian now succeeded in the Empire and the 11. day of December following the death of Constantius was proclamed Emperour At Julians first coming to the Empire he found the people greatly divided but being unsound in Religion to which he much pretended to please his Uncle and get the Crown now he set himself to please men In Policy he applyed himself to every sort and framed his behaviour to every humor He slattered some he allured others with gifts and places of preferment and gave all their liberty in Religion to establish himself Julian's hypocrisie and dissembling of the Christian Religion was undiscovered until this time But now having got his design and setled in the Throne he manifested himself a desperate Apostate soon opened the Idol Temples and offered sacrifice therein After this the Christians were banished his Court and the vilest persons taken into favour Julian now persecuted the Christians with bitter hatred and studyed how to root out Religion He would not put Christians to death because Martyrs had so great honour but as Learning was a great help to maintain the Doctrine of the Gospel Julian made a Law that Christians should not be trained up in the Schools of Literature And further to trouble the Christians he called in again the Jewes and gave them Authority and supplies to build the Temple in Jerusalem there to offer sacrifice The unbelieving Jewes rejoycing in this opportunity set themselves busily to work But though the seasonable word of Cyril was slighted by them yet the righteous hand of God was upon them by which the word of the Lord was fulfilled In that very night following the Lord caused an Earthquake by which the very foundations of the Temple was cast up and fire as lightening which burnt the Tools of the Work-men c. About this time Julian drew his Army into Persia where he was shot with a poysoned Arrow of which wound he died the 26. of June the 31. year of his age in the 3. year of his reign alone An. 367. Jovinian was next chosen Emperour by the Army He gave some liberty to the Christians but died the 17. of February in the 33. year of his age when he had reigned but 7. moneths Valentinian was chosen Emperour by the Souldiers the 25. day of February This Emperour being married and yet having a minde to a beautiful Maid that pleased him much he made a Law That as many men as would might have two wives and so took Justina to be his second wife After this he broke a Vein in his Lungs whereat the bloud streamout until he died thereof which was the 16. of November in the 45. year of his age and the 13. of his reign An. 380. After the death of Valentinian there arose great strife between his sons Some chose Gratian who came by the first wife and some chose Valens who was by the second wife But the bastard carryed it Valens was an Arrian by profession and sadly persecuted the Christians In his reign the Goths driven out of their own Country by the Huns were taken into protection by the Roman Emperour and placed in Thracia But soon after the Goths laid siege against the Imperial City of Constantinople and the Emperour coming against them in battel was slain the 9. of August in the 3. year of
his people This division gave hope again to the Danes to set up themselves in the Nation and in a little time they grew so great Etheldred was content to give them yearly tribute of 1000. li. to purchase his peace to sit in the Throne But the Danes finding Etheldred willing to lye down to the burthen while his people had money to pay by degrees they enhanced the 1000. li. per. an to 48000. li. per. an and when the King could not pay the tax he secretly laid a plot to which the people oppressed readily comply'd to pay the Danes for all together So upon the 12. day of Novemb. 1012. the Saxons kill'd all the Danes in the night In revenge of this Massacre Swain King of Denmark invaded England with fire and sword and possessed himself of this Monarchy All the strength that Etheldred could raise was no ways able to repel these conquering Danes but King Swain tyrannized over the Saxons Etheldred died when he had reigned 38. year An. 1014. Swain King of Denmark left his son Canutus to rule in England But Edmund called Iron-side a valiant man son to Etheldred set up himself in the Kingdom after his father and made War upon Canutus the new King of the Danes Many bloudy battels were fought between the Danes and the Saxons and neither part prevailed so that the Kings agreed to end the quarrel for the Empire between them These stout Kings fought hand to hand for the Crown In which Combat they manifested their skill in arms as well as courage and wearied out themselves in fighting but neither overcame and so they agreed to divide the Nation between them this was accordingly done But not long after Edmund was treacherously murdered by one that thought thereby to be preferred by Canutus Yet Canutus like a man of worth hated that wicked murder of so gallant a Prince and for his reward caused the Murderer to be tormented to death and cast into a Ditch Yet here the Kingdom of England was only reduced under Canutus An. 1018. Canutus having thus brought the Nation of England unto the Government of the Danes He put to death the next heir apparent of the Saxons which was in England But the better to confirm the Kingdom to him he propounded a motion of a Marriage with the Widow of Etheldred who was fled into Normandy with two of her sons Emma the widow agreed to match with Canutus upon condition that the Kingdom of England should be confirmed unto the children begotten of her Shortly after she bare a son to Canutus called Hardie Canutus By this Affinity Canutus strengthened himself greatly and subduing the Scots was King of England Scotland Denmark and Norway and reigned 20. years An. 1028. Hardie Canutus having his residence in Denmark Harold son to Canutus by a former wife by assistance of the Danes set up himself King of England Harold knowing by what interest he was brought in and setled in the Throne he displaced the English and put the Danes into places of Honour and Trust. He banished Emma and put Alured her youngest son by Etheldred to death and reigned 3. years An. 1041. Hardie Canutus after the death of his brother Harold possessed the Crown of England and in hatred of his brothers wickedness caused Harolds body to be digged out of the earth and cast in into the Thames But Hardie Canutus being at a marriage feast died suddenly in the midst of his cups in the third year of his reign in England An. 1043. Here ended the Line of the Danish Kings and the Saxons again restored Edward the remaining son of King Etheldred was again brought into England and crowned at Winchester He released the money paid to the Danes call'd Danes-gift He also collected a body of Common Laws He cured the swelling of the Throat since called the Kings evil And for holiness of life was called Sr. Edward and Edward the Consessor King Edward took to wife Edgiâ—ha the daughter of Earl Godwin but died without issue when he had reigned 23. years and 6. moneths and odd daies An. 1067. In the life time of Edward he made Harold son to Earl Godwin Regent of England in the non-age oâ— Edgar grand-child to Edmund Ironside who was the heir apparent to the Crown until he should come to age Unto which Edward the Confessor took an Oath of Harold But when Edward was dead Harold refused the Regentship and crowned himself King of England which shortly after brought distraction upon him and misery to all the Nation Yet for all I may not pass in silence the good nature of the man that he had some respect to Prince Edgar For though he took his Kingdom yet Harold gave him the Earldom of Oxford and above all spared his life But the righteous God soon raised black clouds and sad storms to disquiet Harold with his dear purchased Crown and the whole Nation for their wicked compliance with a sorsworn King Harold King of Norway came with a great Army to fall upon England both by Sea and Land And while Harold of England was preparing to encounter the King of Norway William Duke of Normandy landed a compleat Army in England the 28. of September An. 1067. and claimed the right to the Crown of England by gift from Edward the Confessor This the Duke pretended and what small probability there is to assert the truth of it men may easily judge by Edwards care to set up Edgar the next in succession of bloud Harold of England at this time had much wasted his men in a great battel fought with Harold of Norway But having got the better of that enemy he rallied his wearied Souldiers to fight William Duke of Normandy a new competitor for his ill got Crown In this battel Harold was slain and the Normans got the Victory and the Kingdom together where there fell with their King 66654. English Souldiers when Harold had reigned but 3. moneths An. 1067. Here ended the Race of Saxon Kings in England Normans Kings of England WIlliam Duke of Normandy called William the Conqueror was a Bastard-son of Robert Duke of Normandy who began his reign over England the 14. day of October 1067. or by many 1066. Upon these Wars Edgar the true heir to the Crown of England fled into Scotland and many English men with him who after raised an Army and came into England and besieged York where William had a Garison for himself Edgar got the City and possessed it But William came with a great Army and dâ—ave Edgar back to Scotland At Williams first coming to the Crown very considerable Cities in England stood against him so that he was established in the Throne by shedding of bloud of much innocent bloud which God hath and will yet judge some for In the 4. year of his reign was a dreadful Famine in
Henry the 8. and was crowned at 9. years of age In the 2. year of his reign he did so much towards reformation that the Church-service was turned into English In the Kings Minority the Duke of Somerset was made Lieutenant Protector but not long after was committed to the Tower and after was beheaded at Tower-hill King Edward about 16. years of age fell sick and died when he had reigned 6. years 5. months and odd daies An. 1554. After the death of Edward Lady Jane wife to the Lord Clifford fourth son to the Duke of Northumberland was proclaimed Queen as given to her by Edward the 6. But Lady Mary eldest daughter to King Henry had the grater party and so came to the Crown She soon restored the Pope Cardinal c. to his former Supremacy over England and dashed the reformation begun and appointed the Church-service again in Latine To make sure Queen Mary beheaded the Lady Jano Clifford the Duke of Suffolk the Lord Clifford and others to take them off from laying claim to the Crown Yet she did not sit quiet in the Throne But to compleat her sin she drunk deep of the bloud of the Saints and sent many multitudes to heaven in fiery chariots The Queen married Philip Prince of Spain Yet the Lord shut up her womb that she had no child and cut her off when she had raged over the Saints in this Nation 5. years 4. months and odd daies Anno 1559. Elizabeth sister to Queen Mary now came to the Crown she again rejected the Pope and did something towards Reformation of Religion She had great honour in the hearts of the people and was a terror to forain Nations and reigned 45. years An. 1604. After Queen Elizabeth James King of Scots descended from Margaret daughter to Henry the 7. came to the Crown of England He was a man of much learning and writ divers Books But his practice answered not his light and professions How he passed over the death of his son Prince Henry was observed by many and how the Lord reached him at last many have said more then I will write King James sawyed the Scepter of England Scotland and Ireland 22. years 3. days An. 1626. Charles succeeded his father James Contrary to the counsel once given by King James to Heary his son Charles did marry with Henerietta Maria of France a Papist and gave her the liberty of her Religion by Articles of Marriage By her interest Popery was advanced through corrupt Bishops and the true worship of God was little known in England what the life of Charles was is yet fresh in the memory of most alive at this day He set all the three Nations on a fire that yet is not quenched nor is like to be In England Ireland and Scotland the sword hath spilt the bloud of many thousands and as he was worthy the Lord gave him bloud to drink who was beheaded at White-hall West minster January 30. An. 1649. when he had born the Crown 24 years 10. months and 7. days Thus as in a Map I have represented some remarkable passages in the rise and succession of Kings from Saul to our present Age. If this little be laid up in the minds of men by this taste you may judge much of all their Lives and Reigns that is vailed under the Curtain To my best skill I have only run down sacred and prophane History and have taken the relations of others and written their Stories But if so much wickedness came to light what was done in the dark that is open to the all-seeing eye of Heaven Surely a woful sad burden have this sort of men I may well say Monsters been to all People and Nations where-ever they were And that the Dragon the Beast and all their limbs shall be utterly destroyed by Jesus Christ who is King of Kings I question not I am perswaded the work is now upon the wheel and as Jesus Christ is imbraced here will appear more and more to clear up to the Saints another way of governing his people then yet we see There is nothing hinders but our unworthiness But if I may discover what I see yet afar off I conceive the Governours call'd and set up by Jesus Christ shall be like Jesus Christ himself humble self-denying Saints such as shall set up a publike and not a self-interest Such as shall ease burdens and not oppress Such as shall deliver the poor and not seed upon them Such as shall guide the people by the rule of Gods sacred word and not make lust and self-will their law and force it by a long Sword For certain if the Lord did not leave wise-men to themselves they could not but easily reade their own ruine by multiplied examples in all times God is the same yesterday to day and for ever And in the same way that God did manifest his righteousness and justice under the sacred Scriptures the same hath been the Lords providences and dispensations in the world ever since the Scriptures were written and as the Apostle expresseth it These things were written for our examples upon whom the ends of the world are come I may say sin was the rise of Monarchy sin hath been the strength of Monarchy and Monarchy hath been the punishment of sin ever since it was Therefore when the sin of Kings grew high the Lord stirred up some to punish pull down these Kings by the shedding of much bloud and exhausting of treasure But when such had got into the Kings State they did the same that the King did before them when their sin again was full the Lord raised up others to destroy them and their Families And this is the track of times But when Jesus Christ is truly received there shall be an end of this proud oppressing sort of men the Saints shall rule then judgement and righteousness shall run down like mighty streams Now for the accomplishment of these blessed promises wait and pray till Christ say It 's done AN EPITOMY OF PAPACY THat there was a Gospel Church in the City of Rome in the times of the Apostles is clear by Divine authority And that this Church of Christ had ordinary Church Officers Bishops and Deacons I think there is no question But the better to discover the Roman Antichrist two things have been in debate amongst the godly 1 Whether the first Bishops of the Churches of Christ had and did exercise by power given from Jesus Christ a Lordly and Soveraign Jurisdiction over the Saints in their particular Churches 2 Whether the power of one Bishop or Pastor by the institution of Jesus Christ did extend to divers Churches The judgements of many learned men are published to the World upon these needful questions yet I desire to assert my thoughts in this place First That ordinary Church Officers
this man he held the Nestorian Heresie and favoured that Party but was taken away by the hand of Gods Justice when he had governed two years anno 496. Upon the death of Anastatius Symachus was set up by one Party and Laurence by another Party at this time Zeno Emperour of the East had sent Theoderick King of the Ostrogothes with an Army into Italy who in two Battels overcame Odoazer King of Rome and in the last slew him Theoderick now coming to Rome complaint was made to him of the undue Election of Symachus to the Sea of Rome To end this quarrel Theoderick calls a Synod at Rome of the Bishops of Italy who gave the Chair to Symachus and banished Laurence But after four years the Party for Laurence brought him back again to Rome and now the Faction grew from words to blowes that much bloud was spilt and great mischief done At this Theoderick was greatly offended deposing of them both and made Peter Bishop of Altin Bishop of Rome in the fifteenth year of Symachus anno 509. Peter continued as some think six years and dyed anno 515. Hormisda was taken into the Pontifical Chair and did much for the Papal interest He made many Bishops his Vicars over the Western Provinces which for honour sake was well accepted by such as looked for preheminence over others Hormisda Governed nine years and dyed anno 524. John the first now took his turn Theoderick sent Bishop John Ambassadour to the Emperour Justine at Constantinople who gave him great honour and although hee was crowned before by the Patriarch of Constantinople yet had John also to put on his Crown a second time This extraordinary entertainment of John Bishop of Rome with the Emperour caused Theoderick to suspect some confederacy against him so that when John returned Theoderick clapt him up in Prison and after there beheaded him when hee had born his Honour two years and ten months anno 527. There was a great division upon the next Election and so great that the Sea was voyd fifty eight dayes but then Theoderick put in and carried it for Faelix the second who governed but two years anno 529. Upon the death of Faelix new strife arose about the Election of another Bishop some stood for Boniface and some for Diascorus and neither Party would yeeld But about eighteen days after Diascorus dyed and the Dignity was left to Boniface the second Great mischiefs did now arise at every Election of a new Bishop but to prevent this Boniface called a Council and there it was ordered That a Successor should bee created in the life-time of the present Bishop and upon that order Boniface nominated Vigillius a Deacon for his Successor But soon after Boniface grew suspicious of his Successor and called another Synod to whom hee accused Vigilius for Treason and so voyded the nomination The woeful troubles of these times were very great yet the pride and avarice of the Clergie no whit abated but to all the rest of their abominations the Worship of God was corrupted and their Service or Liturgy in Latine yet Boniface kept the Chair but two years and departed anno 531. John the second succeeded Boniface the second Now the Bishops took the Titles of Holinesse Arch-Bishops Patriarks and some of them Popes Justinian Emperour of the East being newly come to the Crown had a desire to keep fair with the Bishop of Rome who was now grown great the better to regain Italy which Theoderick had got to himself and thereupon sent an Ambassadour to John with a Gratulatory Epistle as here followeth To the Holy John Arch-Bishop of Rome and Patriarch We will that your Holinesse know all matters which belong to the State Ecclesiastical c. And the same Emperour writing to the Bishop of Constantinople gives him yet a higher stile as thus The most holy Arch-bishop of this royal City and universal Patriarch We will that your Holinesse know all matters which belong to the State Ecclesiastical and we have written to the same effect to the Pope of old Rome c. It s beyond an Epitomy to gather up the wickednesse of these times yet this I may not omit to insert Some to get voyces upon Election for Bishop promised such large bribes to Senators and Courtiers that when they came to bee Bishop they sold the very Vessels of the Church to pay c. John the second ruled two years anno 533. Agapete followed John so soon as he was setled he also was sent Ambassadour to Justinian to Constantinople while Agapete was there hee presided in a Council yet lived but one year anno 534. Upon the death of Agapete Theodatus set up Silverius in the Episcopacy and by fear and force caused many Priests to subscribe to it Silverius came in by force and was thrust out by fraud the Empresse Theodora being of the Eutychian Heresie thought Vigilius before mentioned a fit subject for a bad design and therefore she promised to make him Pope of Rome and give seven hundred marks of Gold if when hee was Pope hee would abrogate the Council of Chalcedon and confirm the faith of Theodosius Anthymius and Severus Hereticks of the same profession And withall she promised to send to Belisarius at Ravena to set him in the Sea Vigilius was willing to accept the motion and the more effectually to engage Belisarius in the expedition Vigilius promised Belisarius two hundred marks for his part Bellisarius went presently to Rome and forth-with charged the Bishop of Treason in holding secret intelligence with the Goths to surprize the City of Rome and Letters were forged to the same purpose as written by Silverius Upon this accusation the Bishop was first clapt up in Prison and then secretly banished The Sea being thus voyded the next day an Election of a Bishop was called and Vigilius put into the Roman Chair Now when Vigilius was installed Belisarius requires his Fee but when Vigilius was in hee refused to pay the money unlesse Belisarius would give Silverius into his hand this made a little pause but at last Belisarius gave up Silverius to the rage of Vigilius who shut him up close Prisoner and there starved him to death And now for his engagement to the Empresse Vigilius did as much as he could he that blushed not wilfully to break the Commandements of God to get the Episcopal Seat made no scruple to deny the Faith of Christ. This was so grosse that Baronius the Papal Champion was ashamed of him and with open mouth calls him a Wolf a Thief and Antichrist But if Antichrist appeared so early in the Roman Sea where is the Apostolical succession so much boasted on by Papists and some others amongst our selves Vigilius grew hateful for his wickednesse with all good People and was