most holy Marty on the 20 of December as it is recorded in his Acta or the Memorials of him collected by Philo Whom he causeth to be cast to wild beasts at Rome Gaius and Agathopes who followed him from Syria to Rome concerning which as also three Epistles which go under his name the Dissertations of the most Reverend and Learned Arch-Bishop of Armagh are to be consulted 5. Ignatius being vexed by a tedious journey that his constancy might be shaken when he came to Troas or new Troy Consule usserium in notis ad Epist Ignatii ad Philadelphenos built not far from the place where that of Priamus stood understood that Peace was restored to his Church of Antioch This came to passe whilst Trajan stist continued there consulting about the Parthian War as appeareth from Malela the Historian of that City Tiberianus his letter to Trajan For Tiberianus the President of the chief Nation of Palestine moved the Emperour to moderation by this letter I am wearied with punishing and putting to death the Galilaeans who come before us under the name of Christians according to your Commands yet they cease not to reveal themselves for the slaughter And although I have laboured both by exhortation and threatnings that they might not dare to make known themselves to me as professors of that doctrine yet being prosecueed they do not cease I desire therefore that what your pleasure is in this kind your Majesty would please to certifie me * In voce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suidas mentioning also this message of Tiberianus unto Trajan Mitigateth the Persecution addeth that the Emperour forbad all his Subjects to punish the Christians Yet that this indulgence was not so universal but that it most especially concerned Palaestine Syria and other parts of the East where the Emperour then resided appeateth from Ignatius his deprecation that the persecution might cease when he was even to be brought into the Amphitheatre as the Acta or Memorials concerning him relate But besides this Letter of Tiberianus there is extant another of Pliny the younger who was moved to write to the Emperour upon the same occasion and for the same end 6. For being Propraetor of Bithynia the variety of cases in those that were accused troubled him As also the letter of Pliny Junior although Plin. Epist 97. l. 10. to comply with the iniquity of the times he declareth that such as stood out his threatnings thrice he commanded to be led to punishment He signifieth that out of such as had formerly been Christians but now worshipped the Images of the Emperour and the gods and blasphemed Christ he could not get any confession of any other fault or error than that they were wont on a day appointed before it was light to meet together and sing an hymn to Christ and bound themselves by a Sacramentum or religious oath not for any wickednesse but that they should not commit robbery theft or adultery that they should not break promise nor cheat Which being done they were wont to depart and meet again to eat promiscuously but innocently To get out the truth he tortured two women servants but could not find any thing justly chargeable though through his Ethnick pravity and desire to please the Emperour he termeth the faith Superstitio prava immodica or a naughty and immoderat superstition He addeth that it seemed to him a thing worthy of serious consideration especially for the number of those that were in danger for many saith he of every age and order and of both Sexes are brought and will be brought into danger For not onely hath the contagion of this superstition gone through Cities but also Villages and fields which as it seemeth might be stopped and corrected To be sure it 's clear enough that the Temples which were almost desolate begin to be frequented and the sacrifices of long time intermitted to be restored beasts for that is use now going off which till now scarcely any would buy Whereby it is easie to guesse what a multitude of men might be reclaimed if there were but place for repentance Thus Pliny to whom Trajan answereth that we may onely repeat the sum that Christians are not to be sought for but if accused and convicted except they recant to be punished concerning the absurdity and injustice of which Sentence Tertullian excellently argueth in his * Chap. 2. Apology most worthy to be read of all Christians 7. In the reign of Trajan died St. John the Apostle the time and manner of his death being uncertain The death of St. John the Apostle though all agree as to the place which was Ephesus (a) In Jovinian l. 1. Jerome referreth his death to the 68 year after the Passion of Christ which fell in with the third of Trajan and the 27 of December on the first Feria (b) Arabica Kirstenii apud Jacob. Cappellum ad A. D. 103. Others place it in the 71 after Christs Passion and the sixth of Trajan Dorothaeus Bishop of Tyre in his tract written concerning the lives ends and Martyrdoms of the Prophets Apostles and 70 Disciples writeth that being 120 years old yet living the Lord would so have it he buried himself (c) Ut supra in Mat. c. 20. Jerome alleged out of Tertullian that in the time of Nero though others say in the reign of Domitian he was thrown at Rome into a tun of hot boyling oil yet thereby took no harm but came out after this trial purer than he went in (d) In John tract 124. Augustine calleth him a Martyr by will Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus as (e) Lib. 3. c. 31. Eusebius allegeth sticketh not to call him a Priest a Martyr and a Doctor But that which (f) Ubi supra Augustine writeth of his end is strangest of all and let the credit thereof rest in the choise of the Reader How John caused at Ephesus his grave to be made and in presence of divers went in alive and being no sooner in and to their seeming dead they covered him Which kind of rest saith he is rather to be termed a sleep than death For that the earth of the grave bubleth or boyleth up after the manner of a Well by reason of John's resting in it and breathing a sign of his slumbring therein Though he died at Ephesus yet was not the succeeding Bishop much lesse any other Heir of that Authority which for so many years he had obtained in the Church as having many years outlived the rest of the Apostles For to the Apostles succeeded not Apostles nor universal Messengers of Christ of which sort John was for many years and he alone but Bishops every one circumscribed within his own limits In the dayes of Trajan and this third persecution was Crucified (g) Euseb l. 3. cap. 32. Simeon Cleophas Bishop of Jerusalem being 120 years old Justus a Jew succeeded him after whom some place
for some time to the Ceremonies of it After the death of James the Apostles from every quarter (e) Euseb l. 3. cap. 11. gathered themselves together at Jerusalem for the Election of a Bishop and chose Simon Cleopas In an assembly of the Apostles certain Canons were agreed on and published by Clemens as 't is said But (f) Concil tom 1. those that now go for them are corrupt the corruption of the Apostolical constitutions and of Ignatius his Epistles having proceeded from the same hand as reverend Usher sheweth in his Dissertation concerning the said Epistles who as to this matter is therein most worthy to be consulted About the time of Nerva the Emperour were two (g) Euseb l. 3. c. 23. Synods summoned in Asia for reformation of the Churches and Consecration of Bishops where St. John the Apostle being sent for was present About the beginning of Marcus Antoninus was a Synod at (h) Idem l. 5. cap. 16. Ancyra in Galatia where the figments of Montanus were confuted by Apollinarius And there were held in Asia sundry Synods in which Montanus was excommunicated and his Heresie condemned The brethren in (i) Lib. 5. c. 3. France also assembled together and censured the opinions of Montanus writing to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome that he would maintain the Peace of the Church there against such Hereticks (k) Lib. 5. c. 19. Serapion also Bishop of Antioch held a Synod there about the middle of Commodus his reign where together with many other Bishops he condemned the Montanists or their Heresie called the Phrygian Heresie because Montanus was of that Countrey Not long after was held a Council at (l) Idem l. 5. cap. 23. Rome by Victor the Bishop about the Celebration of Easter in Palaestine also in Pontus and Gall were Synods called about the same matter Controversie concerning Easter 38. This controversie about Easter is mentioned by Eusebius not till the last year of the 243 Olympiad which fell in with the fourth of Severus but â—appellus thinketh it first arose in the first of the 242 Olympiad and the tenth of Commodus wherein this feast was celebrated by the Jews and the Churches of Asia Minor at a wrong time as Theophilus Bishop of Caesaraea thought viz. by the Jews on the fifteenth of Nisan March 20. but by the Christians of Asia on the fourteenth of Nisan March 19. on the fourth Feria three dayes before the Vernal Aequinox Beda de natura rerum cap. 28. 46. de Aequinoctie Theophilus supposing that the Aequinox hapned on March the 25. and that so it ever did and for this cause that the Sun was on that day created and that Christ arose again the same day as also that the Lords Supper was instituted on the 22 of March contended that is was utterly against reason to prevent the Epoche of the Aequinox so many dayes and the day whereon the Lords Supper was instituted Wherefore he procured the Fathers of Palestine assembled in a Synode to make these Canons 1. That never except after March 21. 2. That never but after the fourteenth Moon 3. That never after April 24. 4. That never except on the Lords day Easter should be celebrated on that day which next followed the fourteenth Moon hapning next after March 21. Hereby he hoped it would come to passe that Easter would ever be observed within the moneth of Aries In the Synode of Palaestine where these Canons were made the aforesaid Theophilus Bishop of Caesarea and Narcissus of Jerusalem presided Of that at Rome Victor the Bishop was President In that of Pontus Palmas as the most antient did govern In that of the Bishops of Gall Irenaeus presided There was another of the Bishops throughout Ostroena and the Cities therein contained and especially held by Bauchillus Bishop of Corinth with many others all which saith Eusebius with one and the same sentence and judgement ordained the same Decree With those also consented Cassius Bishop of Tyre and Clarus Bishop of Ptolemais They affirmed that it was the Apostolick tradition and custom as yet retained that the fasting dayes should be broken up on no other day than that wherein our Saviour arose from the dead And the Church of Alexandria celebrated Easter on the self-same day with them 39. But all the Churches throughout Asia as of an antient tradition thought good to observe the high-feast of Easter in the 14th Moon on which day the Jews were commanded to offer their Paschal Lamb. As much as to say that upon what day soever in the week that Moon fell the fasting dayes were finished and ended Polycrates of Ephesus chief of these Bishops in his Epistle to the Church of Rome sheweth the custom of Asia observed unto his time in these words We observe the unviolated day of Easter neither adding any thing thereto neither taking any thing from it For notable pillars of Christian Religion have rested in Asia which shall arise at the last day when the Lord shall come home from Heaven with glory and restore all the Saints to joy Philip one of the twelve Apostles now lying at Hierapolis and his two daughters who kept themselves Virgins all the dayes of their lives the third also after the end of her holy conversation rested at Ephesus John also who lay on the Lord's breast and wore the Priestly Attire both a Martyr and a Doctor slept at Ephesus Moreover Polycarpus Bishop of Smyrna and a Martyr Thraseas an Eumenian both a Bishop and a Martyr slept at Smyrna What shall I speak of Sagaris both a Bishop and a Martyr lying at Laodicea Also of blessed Papirius and Melito an Eunuch who was led and guided in all things he did by the holy Ghost and now resteth at Sardis waiting the message from Heaven when he shall arise from the dead All these celebrated the Feast of Easter according to the Gospel in the fourteenth Moon swarving no where but observing the rule of faith To be short and I Polycrates the meanest of you all do retain the tradition of my forefathers of which also I have imitated some For there were seven Bishops before me and I am the 8th which alwayes have celebrated the Feast of Easter on that day in which the people remove the leaven from amongst them I therefore my brethren who now have lived 65 years in the Lord have conferred with the brethren throughout the World and have read and over-read the holy Scriptures yet will not be moved at all with those things which are made to terrifie us For my Ancestors and Elders have said that we ought rather to obey God than men Afterwards he speaketh of the Bishops that consented and subscribed to his Epistle after this manner I could repeat the Bishops that were present whom you requested me to assemble whom also I have assembled together whose names if I should write would grow unto a great number they have visited me a simple Soul and a man
years of age had a Son named Nachor And Nachor one when he was 29 called Terah or Thare Abram 2. Terah being 70 years old begat Abram Nachor and Haran Vers 26. Not that all these were born at the same time or are to be accounted in age as we find them in order What year of his Father he was born De istis lege Ludov. Cappellum Chronol Sacra notis ad Tabulam 5. Joh. Gerard. Vossii Isagog Chronolog Dissert 5. c. 6. Jacob. Cappell Hist Sacra Exotica ad A. M. 2003 multus alios priority in years not being constantly observed in Scripture but rather that of piety and true worth Haran is to be reckoned as the eldest who died at Ur of the Chaldees before his Father departed thence and left 3 children viz. one Son named Lot and two Daughters Milcah married to his Brother and her Uncle Nahor and Sarai or Iscah to Abram The second was Nahor Father to Chesed or Chased and so Abram the youngest because he was born not in the 70th as hath been thought but 130 year of his Father For Terah lived in all (a) Vers 32. 205 year and died in Charan Abram when he came out of Charran which (b) Acts 7. â—4 Stephen saith was after his Father's death was (c) Gen. 12.4 75 years old which being deducted out of 205 130 years will remain But if he was born in the 70 year of his Father then at his death was he 135 years old and having Isaac born to him when 100 in the Land of Canaan he must with him have returned back to Charran which seemeth very incredible or else he left it not at his Father's death as Stephen must make us believe he did 3. Abram therefore was born in the 130 year of his Father's life A. M. 2008. and the 2008th of the World as is clear from the ages of all his Progenitors taken at the births of their Sons and laid together About the 70 year of his age God commanded him to leave his Father's house SECT I. Gen 11.12 Acts 7. and come into the Land which he should shew him promising to make of him a great Nation to blesse him and in him all the Families of the Earth He obeying this command drew on his Father also with him He cometh from Ur to Canaan and so together with Lot the Son of Haran and Sarai Abram's wife they came from Ur of the Chaldaeans to Charran and dwelt there A. M. 2078. Dwelling there seemeth to intimate a longer stay than of one year so that some probably think 5 years to have been there spent For Terah now very old might detein them by his weaknesse they being unwilling to leave him till they saw him either recovered or dead But after his death mindfull of God's command they left Charran and came into the Land of Canaan Thence into Canaan This journey from Ur to Charran was the beginning of the 430 years of his and his posteritie's sojourning in a strange Land the promise also made to him being so many years before the promulgation of the Law in Mount Sinai as the Apostle Paul hath observed 4. The first place of Canaan in which Abram made any stay was Sichem Gen. 12. where God again appeared to him and renewed his Promise another of giving that Land to his Seed being added to it and in this place he built the first Altar to the Lord. Thence he removed towards the hilly Country and the Eastern tract of Luz afterwards called Bethel where he built another Altar and so proceeded into the Southern Coasts whence a Famine drove him into Aegypt Sojourneth in Aegypt There he sojourned and taught the Aegyptians Astrology which Josephus saith they were ignorant of till he communicated to them the knowledge of it and of Arithmetick His wife being beautifull for fear of his life he counterfeited himself her Brother so that Pharaoh began to cast his affections on her till plagued by God he was constrained to dismisse them both in peace Out of Aegypt then he returned to that place between Hai and Bethel where he built the second Altar Chap. 13. Now was he and Lot grown so rich that no longer could they conveniently live together Lot being departed to the Plains of Sodom God again renewed his promise to Abram which he more largely explained both as to the giving of the Land and the propagation of his Posterity After this as he was commanded he went and viewed the Land then pitch't his Tents in the Plain of Mamre neer Hebron where he built another Altar to the Lord. 5. At this time 4 Kings about the River Euphrates Chap. 14. viz. Amraphel King of Shinar oâ— Babylonia Arioch King of Ellasar thought to be Arabia because of a City upon the borders of that Country called Ellas Chedorlaomer King of Elam afterwards Persia and â—idal King of Nations thought to be many petty Kingdoms adjoyning to Phoenicia and Palaestine came and fought against the 5. Kings of the Pentapolis viz. Bera of Sodom Birsha of Gomorrah Shinab King of Admah Shemeber of Zebojim and the King of Bela afterwards called Zoar all who had 12 years served Chedorlaomer Recovereth Lot and the Booty from the 4 Kings and in the 1â—th rebelled They overthrew these five petty Princes led away much pillage and many Captives amongst which was Lot who then sojourned in Sodom Abram hearing this armed 318 servants and pursuing them recovered Lot and all the prey which he restored to the owners In his return Melchisedech whom some improbably make Sem King of Salem or Jerusalem Priest of the most high God brought forth Bread and Wine and blessed him to whom he gave the Tithes of all In this storie Abram is first called an Hebrew by Moses And there came one which had escaped and told Abram the Hebrew which word in Scripture is not found applied to any other before him 6. Some (d) Vide Bochartum Phaleg lib. 2. c. 10. think he was so called from Heber the Son of Salah and that this appellation onely was proper to his Family Why called an Hebrew because it kept the most antient or Hebrew tongue incorrupt But (e) Lege Ludov Cappell Chronol Sacra p. 111 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others finding the word to signifie one that cometh from beyond the water or a Stranger think it was given to Abram upon no other account then because he came from beyond Euphrates None of Heber's Posterity being called so but onely he and some of his they think addeth much to their reason They conclude that the Hebrew language was not appropriate to Heber as a reward of his piety because those that descended of him used it not alwayes and to others besides his posterity it appeareth to have been natural They instance that Laban spake Syriack and the Canaanites and Philistins the Hebrew naturally as
Nothâ— 12. eloquent tongue and great reputation for wisdom perswaded the people to change the Commonwealth and elect Magistrates by lot whereas formerly they were left to the suffrages of the people The former way inclined to Oligarchy The State new modelled by Diocles. but by this admission was given to the meanest and unfittest person to Govern which ill agreeth with the fame of Diocles his wisdom Some think that the multitude having got a promise from the great ones in the late danger in case they would well demean themselves now wrested this Law from them that Diocles perswaded the Nobility and the better sort to give way to the time for avoiding some greater mischief and then he with his Collegues having power from the whole State as Diodorus addeth form'd this new Commonwealth with convenient Laws whereby this liberty was bounded and other things defined as they thought but falsly made for publick good This Diocles was in punishment of vice rigid and inexorable and yet most just in what was deserved by any man His Laws were so well thought of by the vulgar that many Cities of Sicily received them on their own accord the whole praise of the invention being given to him though he had others joyned with him in the work that were excellent for wisdom and prudence In after-times one Cephalus under Timoleon and Polydorus under Hieron were deputed to the making of Laws but neither of them were accounted Legislators but both Commentators upon him who in the form of his speech was something short and obscure 19. Diocles amongst other Laws ordained Diod. ad Olymp. 91. ann 4. that it should be Capital for any man to come into the Forum or place where the people was wont to meet with his Arms and that neither the plea of ignorance nor any other excuse should stand him in stead that so offended Afterwards it hapned that he himself having issued out against the Enemy who made incursions as he returned with his sword heard of a tumult in the Forum and so went direrectly thither not thinking what he had about him Being for this reprehended by a private man as breaking his own Laws he cried out he would do no such matter but establish them with his blood and therewithall killed himself In the Commonwealth thus new modelled by him 't is uncertain what order there was or what method was observed in acting There was a Senate consisting of 600 men as we understand from Diodorus but the fame of it was very obscure and the power as may be gathered exceeding small which maketh it be so seldom mentioned The multitude was sole Lord of all and dayly meeting together created the chief Magistrates disposed of the Militia placing and displacing Officers therein decreed War made peace contracted Leagues and Alliances exercised power as to life or death granted Indemnity banished and recalled at their pleasure Other things of lesser moment were left to Magistrates which were various as in other popular Commonwealths They were annual as the Generals abroad 2. 3. 4. or more as the people pleased the General at home who was over the Militia of the Citie in time of peace and had great authority Others were chosen by lot as Judges Treasurers Censors and such like amongst which were also those that oversaw the matters at Sea the Citie having an excellent site for trading But things could not thus long stand the Government being such and wherein the wisest sort could do least and the foolish unexperienced rabble was most powerfull though having no skill in State affairs they little minded what they did and onely aimed at their private advantage Hereby they were easily led aside by one who cunningly though underhand Dionysius inslaveth Syracuse wrought his own designs For scarce were 8 years passed over from the overthrow of the Athenians when Dionysius the son of Hermocrates a man of a subtile head and deep dissimulation so fooled the multitude as obtaining from it a Guard for his person he invaded the Tyranny in the fourth year of the 93th Olympiad the very same that the Citie of Athens was yielded up to Lysander How this was effected must more particularly be related to let the reader behold the danger of Antimonarchical Government and the happinesse of a people under that of hereditary Kings How this was effected by degrees 20. The Citizens of Aegesta who had entred into League with Athens against the Syracusians and been cause of the Athenian War by reason of the controversie betwixt the Selinuntians and them about some grounds were in great fear after the overthrow of their friends to be called to account quitted those grounds for which they had contested But their adversaries not resting satisfied with the restitution of these Territories but seizing also upon part of the adjoyning Region they sent to Carthage for help giving up themselves into their protection The Carthaginians were very desirous to be masters of this Citie so fit for their purpose of Conquering Sicily but on the other hand they stood in fear of the Syracusians who had so lately grapled with and worsted the power of Athens Yet their ambition prevailing they promised them aid which they committed to the care of Hannibal then one of their principal Magistrates giving him Commission to make War if the case should so require After the death of Amilcar the affairs of Carthage had been managed by his and his brothers sons being six in number Justin lib. 19. under whose conduct War was made upon the Moors and Numidians and the Africans were also constrained to remit the Tribute which had been formerly paid them for the site of the Citie Now it was that this great numerous family being dangerous to the liberty of the Citie by doing and judging all things 100 Judges were chosen from amongst the Senators who received an account from the Generals at their return from the War that by this awe they might so manage affairs abroad as having an eye upon Justice and the Laws at home To Amilcar in Sicily succeeded his son Amilco who having good successe in the War both by Land and Sea on a sudden lost his Army by the force of Pestilence for which disaster there was a sad mourning at Carthage as it is largely described by Justin and he at his return killed himself Hannibal was his brothers son being the Grandson of Amilcar by his son Gesco or Gisgo as * Ad Olymp. 92. ann 3. Diodorus informeth us 21. Hannibal having an inbred hatred against all Greeks A.M. 3595. Olymp. 92. ann 3. V.C. 344. Darii Nothi 14. and an earnest desire by his own acts to redeem the credit of his family was glad of an opportunity to gratifie his Countrey and near upon seventy years after the overthrow and death of his Grand-father undertook the employment He first sent to the Syracusians referring the matter betwixt the two Cities unto them that the Selinuntians refusing
Ser. Furio Coss He presently lifted her up His mother prevaileth with him to retreat and cried our Mother thou hast got the victory advantageous to my Countrey but destructive to my self and accordingly drew off the Volsci into their own Countrey who were variously affected Some blamed both him and the action others that were studious of peace did neither and some though they condemned the thing yet absolved the man who was constrained by so great necessity to do it yet none refused to obey his orders but followed him more through the authority of his virtue than of his power 58. But when he was come to Antium Tullus the great Aemulator of his glory supposing he had a sufficient advantage against him required him to lay down his Office and give an account of his actions to the people He refused to resign his place except commanded by the people to do it unto which he said he was not afraid to give an account of any thing he had done at that present The people being called together the principal of Tullus his faction instigated them against him but when he arose to speak for himself those turbulent spirits for shame gave way and all sober and peaceable men openly declared they would hear him candidly and judge him according to right and equity Tullus then fearing the mans eloquence and sufficiently apprehensive how much repute the very Crime objected would bring him for they could not seem to be injured by him in not taking Rome without considering that he had brought things to that passe by his incredible valour and dexterity that they were near taking of it would not expect the judgement of the multitude but crying out with his complices that the betrayer of the Volsci was not to be suffered to hold the Tyranny over them by refusing to lay down his Office rushed out and slew him in the place Though no man stood up in his defence yet that this wicked act displeased most it presently appeared He is slain For upon report of his death they came generally out of the Towns and buried him honourably adorning his sepulchre as of a General and a famous Warrier with Arms and Trophies Such was the end of the Eminentest man of that age for valour who by his sour rigidity procured extreme hazard to his Countrey and destruction to himself whilest he preferred private revenge before publick good and yet would not stoop to any provision for his own safety 59. At Rome upon Marcius his retreat was such exultation as is suitable to the joy of those that are rescued from utter desolation The Senate Decreed to the women what honours they would ask but they onely desired they might build a Chapel to Women's fortune in the place where they had delivered their Countrey which was done at the publick charge and they at their own dedicated the image When the death of Coriolanus was heard there was neither expression of joy nor sorrow further than this that the women were permitted to mourn for him ten moneths the longest time allowed by Numa for the nearest relations according to Plutarch The Consuls not long after took the field with a considerable Army but had no occasion to make trial of it for the Volsci and Aequi joyning their forces together resolved to take the Romans unprovided but in their march they fell out about a General of whether Nation he should be and from words to blows in such a manner that they fought a great battel and if night had not severed them one party had been utterly destroyed The year following the new Consuls C. Aquilius and T. Sicinius overthrew the one the Hernici and the other the Volsci amongst whom fell Tullus Actius a man of personal valour but no good conduct Their Successors Proculus Virginius and Sp. Cassius took the field with the Legions the Aequi falling to the former as the Volsci and Hernici to the later The Volsci presently asked peace having in the last battel lost the flower of their strength and after them shortly the Hernici refusing any more to contest for equality with the Romans Cassius having received money and provisions as from such as confessed themselves conquered gave them truce and referred them for conditions to the Senate 60. After along debate the Fathers resolved they should be received into amity and that Cassius at his discretion might prescribe the conditions of the League confirming whatsoever they should be Cassius returning home asked and obtained a triumph though he had neither taken any City worsted any Enemy nor had any Captives or spoils for ornament of the solemnity which possessed men with an apprehension of his arrogancy and procured him envy After his triumph be published as conditions of peace the very same that were granted to the Latines which gave great distaste it being conceived an unworthy thing to make strangers equal in privilege with their kinsmen the Latines such as could allege no merit with those who had exceedingly well deserved of the State the Patritians took it also disdainfully that he would determine fully on his own head a matter of such weight without asking any of them his advice His three Consulships and two Triumphs made him seem to himself far superiour to any of the same rank so that no lesse than the Principality would now content him Cassius aimeth at the Soveraignty Knowing that the ordinary way to it was to gain the favour of the People by some great act of kindnesse he resolved upon that course and first to divide amongst them certain publick grounds which through the neglect of the Magistrates had been seized on and possessed by the rich The successe might have been dubious had he stayed here but he would also have the Latines into the lot with the Hernici his new denizons that he might procure the favour of those Nations The day after his Triumph calling together the People according to the custom he recalled to their memories the great services he had done in his several Consulships how in the first he had subdued the Sabines in the second reduced the Commons into the City after the appeasing of the Sedition as also received the Latines into fellowship and Communion in the third the Volsci of Enemies were made friends and the Hernici a great and powerful Nation received into close and inward confederacy By these discouses he insinuated as if above all others he took charge of the Commonwealth and so would continue to do And he concluded with a promise to do more for the Commons than any man ever did who was most in favour and that should presently appear 61. The day following he called together the Senate which was very much troubled at his speech and declared that because the Common People were very useful both in procuring Dominion and defending Liberty it was convenient to divide to them those publick grounds which were most impudently held from the State by some Patritians and pay
his power almost three years * Corn. Nepos in Eumene One reporteth that he was slain at the River Nile by Seleucus and Antigonus 7. Ptolomy came over to the Kings whom with the Officers he magnificently entertained and then an election being to be made of a new Governour for them in the room of Perdiccas though he could easily have procured himself to be chosen yet he got two others elected viz. Pithon one of Alexander's most intimate friends and Aâ—idaeus who having the care of the funeral committed to him Pithon and Aridaeus chosen into his place And Eumenes declared an Enemy Pithon layeth down Antipater chosen into his place had at the desire of Ptolomy buried the King's body at Memphis against the will of Perdiccas The Army now being displeased at the death of Craterus declared Eumenes an Enemy and chose Antigonus together with Antipater Generals for the subduing of him But Pithon and Aridaeus held not their places long for Eurydice the wife of Aridaeus the King being a woman of a notable spirit would have nothing done without her knowlege and grew so intolerable that Pithon therewith wearied and seeing the Macedonians too much addicted to her called the Soldiers together and laid down his Protectorship Into his room then Antipater was elected with full power 8. Against him also Eurydice raised such a Sedition in the Army A. M. 3685. Ol. 115. an 1. V.C. 434. Ptolom 4. taking occasion at the want of pay that with much ado he escaped the danger of his life by the means of Antigonus and Seleucus After this he anew divided such Provinces as he saw convenient placing and displacing Governours He created Antigonus General against Eumenes sending his own son Cassander as Collonel with him He createth Antigonus General against Eumenes by whom he might be certified in case he attempted any thing for his own establishment and then with the two Kings he marched for Maceâ—onia Eumenes having intelligence concerning these Councils made all preparations possible for resistance In the Spring Antigonus came against him into Cappadocia where he first attempted by Libels thrown into his Camp to draw his Soldiers from their obedience offering a great reward for his head Eumenes gave his Soldiers thanks for their fidelity but told them that these Libels were feigned by himself to try them which was a notable device and of such he was full to make them wary of giving credit to such for the time to come Yet some proved false to him as one Perdiccas who drew away a considerable party but was pursued and taken and being put to death the Soldiers returned to obedience But Apollonides his General of the Horse did most mischief Eumenes worsted through treachery for being corrupted by Antigonus when they came to joyn battel he passed over with his Troops to him whereby Eumenes had the worst of it and lost about 8000 men with his Cariages 9. Apollonides the Traytor he caught and hanged then flying a private way he returned to the Camp and there buried his dead to the wonder and amazement of the Enemy after which he could have plundred the carriages of Antigonus but for burthening his Soldiers with the booty Being driven to and fro in this flight at length he betook himself to a Castel called Nora situate in the Confines of Cappadocia and Lycaonia and dismissed all his Army except 500 Horse-men and 200 Foot as also such friends as were unwilling to undergo the hardship of a Siege Antigonus before he would lay close siege to the place called him forth to a Treaty requiring him to come to him a Superiour to which he answered that he accounted no man his Superiour so long as he had a Sword by his side Besieged in Nora This parley though managed with much respect came to nothing and Antigonus leaving a party sufficient to carry on the Siege marched against Alcetas and Attalus A. M. 3686. Ol. 115. an 2. V. C. 435. Ptolom 5. two of Eumenes his confederates whom he suppressed About this time Antipater died in Macedonia and at his death more swayed by the Publick good than any selfish respect Antipater dieth and leaveth his place to Polysperchon left Polysperchon who after himself was the oldest of Alexander's friends now living Protector of the Kings and Captain with full authority Cassander his son stomached this very much and consulting how to advance himself to be chief secretly entered into confederacy with divers Captains Amongst these was Ptolomy whom he desired that he would send him some ships out of Phoenicia for all that Country together with Judaea hee had now got into his power into the Hellespont But the death of Antipater strangely also made way for the inlargement of Eumenes 10. For Antigonus now being lest chief in Asia thought of no lesse than getting it all into his power and for that end strove to ingtatiate himself with the several Captains Judging that the conjunction of Eumenes might be of great advantage to him he sent Hieronymus his Country-man who being an * Vide Vossium de script Graecis l. 1. c. 11. Historian wrote of the acts of Alexander and his Successors to desire him that forgetting the fight in Cappadocia he would enter into society with him and receive a larger Province He required that he should take an oath which slightly passing over the Kings he had framed to his own advantage His death procureth the inlargment of Eumenes Eumenes unwilling to swear fealty to him with the assent of Hieronymus and the besiegers changed the form of the oath and swore to have the same friends and enemies not onely with him but with Olympias and the Kings Hereupon the Siege was raised after a years continuance which he had born with admirable chearfulnesse and prudence and now being let loose drew many followers after him so that within a few dayes besides the 500 which had continued with him in the Castel he had 2000 at his devotion Antigonus was very angry that he had changed the form of the oath and by Letters checked the besiegers for admitting of it requiring them to besiege him again but it was too late Thus they were as far from closing as before and still were further set at distance by the affaires which now were on foot in Macedonia 11. Polysperchon having succeeded Antipater as was before said recalled Olympias out of Epirus A. M. 3687. Ol. 115. an 3. V. C. 436. Ptol. 6. whither her enmity with Antipater had driven her inviting her to take the care of her young grand-son upon her But Cassander resolving to venture for Macedonia entred into confederacy with Ptolomy and Antigonus the later whereof gladly promised him assistance out of love to the memory of his father as he pretended but indeed desirous that he should be diverted by so great a Warre whilst he in the mean time might make sure of Asia Polysperchon to secure Greece in
years they shall joyn themselves together for the Kings daughter of the South shall come to the King of the North to make an agreement But as it followeth she shall not retain the power of the Arm neither shall he stand nor his Arm c. For Philadelphus dying shortly after Appian in Syriacis Antiochus took again his former wife Laodice who being sensible of the injury and fearing her husbands inconstancy poysoned him after he had reigned 15 years 6. Laodice his wife kept his death close Idem ibid. Justin lib. 27. till such time as she had secured the Kingdom to Seleucus her eldest son sirnamed for his victories though of none but one we read Callinicus Seleucus sirnamed Callinicus and Pogon and from his beard Pogon The next thing she went about was to make away Berenice who understanding that some were sent to kill her shut up her self in Daphne a Town near Antioch and when she was besieged news flying about the Cities of Asia they commiserated her condition and out of respect of her Fathers and Grandfathers Dignity sent men to her relief But above all A. M. 3759. Ol. 133. ann 3. V.C. 508. Ptol. Euerget 1. her brother Ptolomy Euergetes being affrighted at her danger hastened out of his Kingdom with his whole power Yet ere any relief could come she was taken by treachery promise of safety being made to her and quickly slain at which base and unworthy act the Cities conceiving great indignation Ptolomy Euergetes revengeth the death of his sister Berenice provided a great Fleet and to revenge her death gave up themselves to Ptolomy who invading Syria slew Laodice seized upon Caelesyria with Seleucia got into his hands Syria Cilicia and the upper Provinces beyond Euphrates and almost all Asia even as far as Bactria Without doubt he had Conquered all Seleucus his Kingdom had he not been forced by a Domestick Sedition to return after whose departure Seleucus having prepared a great Fleet for the reducing of those Cities which revolted from him lost it in a great Tempest at the which they were so far from rejoycing that pitying him for this shipwrack they voluntarily returned to obedience 7. Rejoycing that he fared so well by his shipwrack he now made War upon Ptolomy but being overthrown fled to Antioch in great fear Idem ibid. being as destitute as before though he found not such relief For writing to his younger brother Antiochus He invadeth Ptolomy and thence is cast into great straights he craved his help offering him all Asia within the Mountain Taurus for a reward who though he was but yet fourteen years old being greedy of reigning imbraced this occasion and then behaved not himself as an helper or brother but like a robber intending to get the whole Kingdom He shewed incredible boldnesse in invading and snatching whence he had the Sirname of Hierax or Goshauck Ptolomy hearing of his aiding his brother lest he should have two to deal with at once made Peace with Seleucus for ten years and then Antiochus hiring the Gauls with them made War upon his brother in the other's stead in which he had the better of it Antiochus Hierax his brother rebeleth and they supposing Seleucus to be slain in the battel that cutting off all the Royal race they might be Lords of Asia turned their force against him that hired them so that Antiochus was glad to purchase his freedom with Gold and enter into society with his Mercenaries The two brothers being thus at odds and every one gaping after Asia Eumenes of Bithinia puts in amongst the rest and overthrowing the Gauls and after them Antiochus got a great part of it into his possession Idem lib. 41. Now also Arsaces hearing of the distresse of Seleucus perfected the revolt of the Parthians for invading that Country with a band of robbers he slew the Governour Andragorus and invaded the Principality and not long after seizing on the Kingdom of the Hyrcanians Arsaces perfecting his revolt establisheth his Parthian Kingdom so strengthened himself thereby that after some years he overthrew Seleucus and established his Kingdom Hence the Parthians accounting ever after the day of this Victory as the day of their liberty constantly observed it and Arsaces being no lesse memorable to them than Cyrus to the Persians Alexander to the Macedonians or Romulus to the Romans out of honour to him they called all their Kings by his name This beginning of Arsaces fell out in the first of the 135 Olympiad of the City 510 the second of Seleucus and the third of Ptolomy Euergetes A. M. 3761. 8. Idem lib. 27. Now understanding that Eumenes had got the greatest part of Asia into his power and both the brothers had even lost their Principalicies yet could they not agree but instead of opposing the forein and common Enemies sought the destruction of each other by renewing the War In the next battel Antiochus was overthrown and flying many dayes and not knowing how to bestow himself The two brothers renew the War and at length being wearied he went to Artamenes King of Cappadocia his Father in Law by whom at first being received very civilly he afterwards understood there was a plot laid against him and fled thence Whereupon not knowing where to be secure he betook himself to Ptolomy judging he might rather trust to him than his brother being as well he might be mindful of what he would have done to him or had deserved of him Ptolomy commanded him to be narrowly looked to but by the help of a certain whore with whom he had been too familiar he deceived his Keepers and got away Yet as he was flying he was slain by thieves Seleucus also almost at the same time being outed of his Kingdom and thrown by an horse ended his life Dye after he had reigned about twenty years A. M. 3779 the third of the 138 Olympiad 98 years after the death of Alexander 9. He left two sons Seleucus and Antiochus Seleucus Ceraunus of which the former succeeded according to his birthright in the seventh year of Antigonus Doson King of Macedonia and was Sirnamed Ceraunus Eumenes King of Pergamus who had got so much of Asia into his power now being dead of Drunkennesse Attalus his younger brother's son succeeded him and had got all on this side Taurus into his power which being understood by Seleucus Ceraunus he thought it concernd him to look about him Polybius lib. 4. Appian in Syriacis and with Achaeus whose Father Andromachus was brother to Laodice his wife passed over Taurus with an Army against him but then was poysoned in Phrygia by the treachery of Apaturius a Galatian and Nicanor after he had reigned scarce three years Achaeus to revenge his death presently slew the conspirators and then ordering the Army with great wisdom and courage recovered all on this side the Mountain Taurus which had been lost A. M.
endeared him to the Syrians that his name was sung throughout the Towns and Villages Peace being by his means restored as it were unto the Country and the People unto their possessions and thereby became he known to Sextus Caesar the President and kinsman to the Dictator A. M. 3961. Ol. 184. an 1. V. C. 710. Hyrcani 20. C. Jul. Caesare 5. M. Antonio Coss Phasaelus his brother was hereby much stirred up to emulation and most courteously behaved himself to those of Jerusalem so that their Father was honoured by the People like a King and yet notwithstanding preserved his fidelity intire to Hyrcanus But divers of the chief of the Jewish Nation understanding how he flourished both upon his own account and that of his sons inwardly fretted thereat and the rather because he made use of Hyrcanus for his own ends as they conceived haveing contracted friendship with the great ones and Rome and perswaded him to send them money yet getting to himself the credit and profit of the gift But especially the forward and bold disposition of Herod affrighted them whom they looked upon as a young and growing Tyrant and therefore they grievously enveighed against Antipater to Hyrcanus as one who caried away all the profit of the Kingdom an empty name being onely left to himself and laboured to bring him into suspicion hinting that ere long the vizard would be taken off and he would dearly pay for the negligence of his own affaires This they enforced by that bold act of Herod's killing Ezechias and the rest in contempt of the Laws which suffer no man how wicked soever He is summoned to Jerusalem to answer for killing Ezechias a thief to be put to death till he first be cast by the sentence of his Judges Hyrcanus though slow enough to believe any thing yet having these things often sounding in his ears together with the lamentations of the mothers of those that were slain grew something moved and summoned Herod up to Jerusalem to give an account of his actions before the Judges 22. Herod having setled the affairs of Galile appeared but with a guard Idem ibid. Ant. et de bello as his Father had written to him yet with a moderate one lest taking care for his one safety he should affright Hyrcanus Sextus Caesar hearing of it threatningly wrote to Hyrcanus for to quit him which he was inclinable enough unto loving him as his own son and when he appeared to answer no body durst accuse him He appeareth but with a guard except one Sameas bolder than the rest who inveighed against him for the manner of his appearance not suitable at all to humility or guilt The meeting being incouraged by his words had certainly condemned him had not Hyrcanus foreseen it and sent him out of the way on purpose having put off the determination to the next day Herod retired therefore to Damascus and afterwards visiting Sextus Caesar and setling his affaires plainly gave out that he would no more appear thought he were cited at which they at Jerusalem fretted and sought to perswade Hyrcanus that all this tended to his ruine and indeed he was convinced of it yet could he do nothing for that innate dulnesse which evermore accompanied him though shortly after hearing that Herod having purchased of that Caesar the Government of Coelesyria he feared he would imploy his power against him And indeed so it hapned for disdaining now that he had been commanded to come and plead his cause he matched towards Jerusalem with an Army and if his Father and Brother had not met him and shewed him the uncertainty of the event of War and that he was rather beholding to Hyrcanus for discharging him than had reason to be angry with him for being as it were forced by others to summon him up he had made mischief enough And had done mischief but that his father and brother diverted him But being prevailed with by them he thought it was sufficient for him to have made a shew of his power and so retreated About this time Caecilius Bassus in favour of Pompey made away Sexius Caesar and got his Army to submit to him but divers of Caesar's party came to revenge his kinsman's death and a War ensued about Apamea whither Antipater mindful of the benefits received from Caesar sent his sons with aid unto his Captains The Warre being drawn out in length Marcus or rather L. Statius Murcus was sent to succeed Sextus Appian de bellâ— civili lib. 3. Patere lib. 2. cap. 69. and in the mean time Julius Caesar was slain in the Senate house which as it bred disturbance and trouble to the whole Roman Empire so neither did Judaea escape without it's portion thereof 23. A civil War ensuing Josephus Antiquit. l. 14. c. 18 19. de bello l. 1. c. 9. the chief Captains on both sides runing up and down to provide themselves for it Cassius one of the conspirators came into Syria where raising the siege at Apamia he drew both Murcus and Bassus to his own party and then conquering the Country levied men and exacted grievous contributions But especially he afflicted Judaea laying a taxe of above 700 Talents of Silver upon it Antipater committed the raising of the money to his two sons and others whereof Herod first of all raised that which was imposed upon Galile and brought it thinking it good policy to purchase the favour of the Romans at the cost of others Divers Cities with their Inhabitants were fold to make up the sum amongst which were principal Gophna Emaus Lydia and Thamna and Cassius having done this was further so inraged Grievous exactions by Cassius that he had slain Malichus also one of the Collectors had not Hyrcanus by the means of Antipater stopped his mouth with 100 Talents of his own money But Antipater was badly rewarded by Malichus for after the departure of Cassius he laid in wait for his life thinking that he being removed out of the way the greater security would happen to the affairs of Hyrcanus Antipater getting knowledge of his intention passed over Jordan to provide himself to revenge this treachery but he being a most crafty dissembler so denied the matter with oaths to his two sons that they reconciled him to their Father who by his intercession then saved him when Marcus the President of Syria upon the report of his attempting new matters had resolved his death But he preserved him to his own destruction For A. M. 3962. Ol. 184. an 2. V. C. 751 Hyrcani 21. his son Herod for his good service being made Procurator of Syria by Cassius with promise also of the Kingdom of Judaea if he got the better Malichus then so feared him that he resolved to make him away which within a short time he effected procuring him to be poysoned by Hyrcanus his brother Antipater poysoned by Malichus and getting a Company of Soldiers to him invaded the
obtain their help but he refused A. D. 66. V. C. 818. The next after him that was put to death was Annaeus Seneca the Philosopher and Nero's School-master Seneca his School-master put to death not being convicted of any treason though accused by one Natalis as it 's thought to please Caesar such an earnest desire his Scholar had to dispatch him having formerly without effect attempted it by poyson Being commanded to dye he did it very chearfully though he was forced to seek for death several wayes For he had so starved himself with abstinence that he could not bleed and poyson would not work upon him but at length entering into a bath he was stifled with the fume of it having all this while discoursed even to his last according to his wonted elegancy such excellent things as being then taken from his mouth came afterwards abroad Such was the end of this excellent Philosopher concerning the character of whom Students are rather to trust to Cornelius Tacitus than to Dio if Justus Lipsius be a competent Judge Dio accuseth him of extortion adultery with Agrippina and what not He maketh him a Sodomite and to have taught his Scholar that wickednesse Lipsius his Apology for him against Dio. as also the cause and procurer of the death of Agrippina and a cart-load of other Calumnies saith * Quam consule in Comment ad Taciti Annal l. 14. omnino ad l. 15. Lipsius doth the idle man heap upon him contrary to the belief and mind of all men What cause was there of this hatred or what reward had he for lying for Seneca lived so long before him that he neither could injure him nor oblige him I believe saith he it was a certain perversity of judgement and manners which also set him keen against Cicero and all good men I desire that youth may take heed and so to gather the flowers of Antiquity from these fields that they do not also gather poison But as for what concerneth the riches and galantry of Seneca see Reader and read his excellent Treatise De vita beata which he wrote with no other design than to stop the mouthes of these Calumniators especially from the seventeenth Chapter Thus hath Lipsius prevented us in our Apology for this excellent person in whose vindication much might be said 36. Pompeia Paullina the wife of Seneca Dio calleth her a most noble woman perhaps the daughter of Pompeius Paullinus to whom Tacitus giveth the title of Consularis and who was set over the publick customs or imposts cut also her veins that she might die with him but Nero bearing her no malice as it happened sent some to stop the bleeding and recover her Seneca had another brother besides the father of Lucan who was also put to death This was Annaeus Novatus otherwise called Junius Gallio from his adoptive Father being also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and then Governour of Achaia Their Father was M. Annaeus Seneca a Rhetorician of Coruba in Spain whose Suasories and Controversies are yet extant joyned to his sons Works Nero proceeded in his madnesse and cruelties Acting the Stage-player still he was reviled at his return home by Poppaea his wife for which he kicked her great with child and thereupon she miscaried Then raged he against many of greatest note Nero killeth Poppaea amongst whom was Mela the father of Lucan who had formerly perished for the conspiracy and this allaied the grief which was conceived for the death of many others by the pestilence that now raged because they seemed thereby well delivered from the fury and rage of the Prince who now neither used choice nor measure in his slaughters Being puffed up with the successe of his cruelty he said that None of his Predecessors knew their power hinting also that he meant to destroy the remnant of the Senators It was believed he had a great desire to deliver up quick men to be devoured of an Aegyptian a monstrous eater of raw flesh or any other thing that was given him 37. Neither was there wanting to him luxury and effeminatenesse suitable to his cruelty nor any other vice whereby the truth of that saying of Domitius his father might appear who hearing of his birth said that Of himself and Agrippina could proceed nothing but accursed detestable Vide. Sueton. in Nerone c. 1 2 3 4 5. and to the dammage of the Commonwealth For in him seemed to meet and be conjoyned not onely all the vices of his own family which of late had been too pregnant of them but all the corruption of his Country from the beginning to his very time The heighth of his wickednesse He lengthened his feasts from Noon to Midnight accounting no use of riches but in the abuse of them Such he thought to be sordid and base as took account of their expenses and he extolled and admired his Uncle Caius for spending in so short a time so vast sums as had been hoarded up by Tiberius To Tiridates that came to Rome to take the Diadem from his hands he allowed an incredible sum for his daily expenses and as profusely gratified him at his departure He put on no garment twice plaid for vast sums at dice fished with a golden net when he journyed any whither he never had lesse than 1000 Caroches in his train Idem ibid. c. 31 32. Tacitus Annal. lib. 15. c. 42. and he caused his mules to be shod with Silver But his house exceeded all belief having built it out of the ruines of the City For length for pleasantnesse of groves and fish-ponds it was incredible garnished also with Gold and precious stones To the madnesse of this expence he was incouraged by one that made him fair promises of discovering a vast treasure in Africk which Dido the Queen flying out of Tyre should thence bring with her But being deceived as was likely with so foolish a project he took such courses as became Nero to recruit his coffers 38. When Tiridates was departed into Armenia he went into Greece there to act Tragedies to sing and run races in the Chariot Running in the Olympick Games although he fell from his Chariot yet he was rewarded with a crown as Victor He took from Apollo the Cyrrhaean Territory and defaced the place whence they were wont to receive Oracles killing men at the hole whence the blast came He attempted to cut through the Isthmus of Peloponnesus digging first himself and carying out the first basket of Earth upon his shoulders but with the same successe as others had before him When he was in Achaia news came from Cestius Gallus President of Syria concerning the rebellion of the Jews Being long vexed with the injuries of the Deputies and Governours they could no longer contain themselves Christ's blood lying heavy upon them and crying for vengeance they themselves executed part of it The Jews rebel For such robberies in the Country A. D. 67.
ex Dione that a golden neck and head was grown up on his shoulders and that he was fully assured Golden dayes after Domitian that after him were thereby portended golden dayes to the Commonwealth This truly came to passe through the abstinence moderation and excellent government of the six succeeding Princes during the reign of whom the Roman Empire for temporal respects enjoyed more happinesse than ever before or after Strangers affording that which the Natives of Italy would not contribute to their own Country 2. Cocceius Nerva an old man and born in Crete say some Aurelius Victor though others make him a native of Narnia in Italy after the death of Domitian had the Empire put upon him Nerva succeedeth him by the Legions which then quartered amongst the Sequani in Gall. After his assuming the Government a strong rumour went abroad that Domitian was yet living which somewhat perplexed him till by Parthenius and Petronius Captains of the guards he was put out of doubt and afterwards his election was confirmed by the Senate He took down the golden and silver Statues erected to Domitian whereof was raised a great sum of money and forbad any to be set up to himself Euseb Eccles Hist l. 3. c. 21. He recalled such as his predecessors banished and amongst others the Christians so that St. John the Apostle returned out of Pathmos unto Ephesus Calpurnius Crassus by vast promises attempted to draw the Soldiers from him but being happily discovered he onely banished him to Tarentum He eased the Commonwealth of the grievous impositions laid upon it and having conjoyned these two things in the times of some of his Predecessors insociable viz. Soverainty and Liberty although he had kindred of his own yet he adopted M. Ulpius Trajanus a Spaniard born who then ruled Germany Tacitus in Agricola preferring herein the publick good before private respects Adopteth Trajan and dieth He lived with him but three moneths For falling out with one Regulus a Senator he was in so great a passion that it drove his natural heat into a Feaver whereof he died on the sixth before the Calends of February having lived 65 years and reigned one year four moneths and nine dayes in the 851 year of the City A. D. 98 he himself the fourth and Trajanus Caesar the second time being Consuls 3. Trajan succeeded him Orosius l. 7. c. 12. and took the Ensigns of the Empire at Agrippina a Colony in Gall. He presently reduced all Germany beyond the Rhine into it's wonted condition Trajan succeedeth him brought under also several Nations beyond the River Danubius But Diurpanes or Diurpanis Decebalus or Decibalus for he hath several names King of the Daci A. D. 98. V. C. 851. Trajani 1. who had formerly forced Domitian to pay tribute held him stifly to it for the space of five years with the expence of so much blood that there wanted linnen to bind up the wounds of the Soldiers His Wars and the Emperour tare his own robe to supply the defect thereof But at length he brought them under and planted Colonies in that Country He reduced Armenia having killed him that seized on it conquered Parthia whence he was called Parthicus and passing over Tigris and Euphrates invaded Persia and Assyria and got into his hands Seleucia Ctesiphon and Babylon Considering Trajan as an Heathen Prince in excellency of Government he was second to none He extended the Empire further than any of his predecessors so that now it reached from the Irish Ocean beyond the River Tigris from the Atlantick Sea to the Persian Gulf He extendeth the Empire further than ever from the Mount Atlas to the Calidonian Forrest as also as far as the River Albis and beyond Danubius He had in his intention to invade India with a Fleet which he ordered to be provided in the Red Sea He was saluted Optimus by the Senate His moderation was exceeding great being backed with such a confidence of his own innocence that giving a dagger to Saburanus according to the custom when he made him Captain of his Guard A moderate person in civil matters he bade him use it in his behalf if he did well but imploy it against him if he found him to transgresse the bounds of Law and equity for as much as he that ought to look to others should most of all look to himself He so used his Subjects as he himself he said would desire his Prince should use him were he a private person Though he was not learned himself yet he much favoured humane and secular Learning conversing very familiarly and often with the Professors thereof whom he also preferred to publick Offices 4. Humane and Secular Learning he favoured and that onely For he raised the third persecution against the Heavenly Doctrin and the Church of Christ But persecuteth the Church to which cruelty the worldly wise men seem most of all to have contributed Being puffed up with the Victory he had obtained over the Daci and Thracians after the ending of the second Dacian War in the ninth year of his reign Decebalus having killed himself as he was maching against Osroes or Chosdroes the Parthian King and the Armenians having commanded all that would not worship his false gods to be put to death Jgnatius the Scholar of St. John the Apostle and Bishop now of Antioch was brought before him whilst he lay in his passage in this City Ignatius standing in his presence he said who art thou Devil Cacodaemon who makest haste to transgresse our Commands His discourse with Ignatius Bishop of Antioch and perswadest others to destroy themselves Ignatius answered No body calleth Theophorus a Cacodaemon for Devils flie from the Servants of God But I know thou so callest me because I molest them For I confesse I have Christ the heavenly King and dissolve their councils Trajan demanded who is Theophorus Ignatius replyed He who hath Christ in his breast Trajan said Dost not thou think we have the Gods in our breast which assist us against our Enemies Ignatius answered In that thou esteemest the Devils of the Gentiles to be gods thou errest For there is one God who made Heaven and Earth and Sea with all that are in them and he hath one onely begotten Sonne Jesus Christ whose friendship I have obtained Trajan then said Thou speakest of him that was crucified by Pontius Pilate Ignatius replyed Of him who crucified sin and the inventor of it and who approveth not of him that serveth Idols but who in his heart wisely understandeth this Trajan added Dost thou they carry Christ in thy self Ignatius said Yea for it is written I will dwell and walk in them Trajan concluded thus I award that Ignatius who saith he beareth in himself the Crucified be conveyed in bonds by Soldiers to the great City Rome there to be devoured of beasts for a show to the People This was accordingly executed upon the
thing He herewith extreamly displeased betook himself to his Chamber where in a roule he wrote down the names of such as he would have killed and amongst them those three in that order we mention them had the first places them followed a great number of Senators the goods of whom he intended to distribute amongst the Fencers and Soldiers to purchase mirth and jollity from them and defence from these This writing he laid upon his bed where he did not suspect that any would come at it But a little boy with whom he was wont to play coming thither took it up and went out with it in his hand whom Martia meeting and taking up in her arms Lege Herod ubi supra Eutrop. l. 8. Xiphil ex Dione Aurel. Victor fearing it might be something of consequence read it and thereby discovered the matter which she presently imparted to the other two They all concluding that haste was to be made Martia gave him poyson and when that succeeded not they hired one Narcissus to strangle him So Commodus died who by his Lieutenants overthrew the Moors and Dacians and bridled Pannonia Germany and Britain which would have thrown off the yoak He died on the last day of the Julian year the 32 of his age when he had reigned almost 13 years A. V. C. 945. He is murdered A. D. 192 he himself the seventh and Helvius Pertinax the third time being Consuls 35. The Conspirators did not make known his death till they had made means for a Successor and then gave out that he died of an Apoplexy which was easily believed because of his voluptuous life Herodian l. 2. He upon whom they pitched was Helvius Pertinax an old Soldier who had done good service in Britain where he was near killing by his Soldiers but severely corrected their insolence He had been thrice Consul yet being thus delivered from the danger he was in by Commodus considering the meannesse of his birth he would have declined the burthen Helvius Pertinax but it was put upon him by the Senate and the Army acknowledged him He gave great hopes of an excellent Prince behaving himself modestly and suitably towards all men Olymp. 242. an 4. V.C. 445. A.D. 192. He restrained Promoters took away divers tolls and gabells lately imposed and restrained the rapines and insolence of the Soldiers This troubled the guards exceedingly who being so much the more sensible of the change brought upon them by strict discipline as they remembred the liberty given them by Commodus resolved to make tryal of another and an end of Pertinax In the strength of this resolution they set upon and killed him though he had like so excellent a person gravely and stoutly admonished them of their duty He died in the 85 day of his reign and the 69 year of his age Q. Sosius Falco and C. Julius Erucius Clarus being Consuls 36. Now that we may briefly carry on the series of Ecclesiastical matters Bishops whence we left them In the second year of M. Aurelius Philosophus died Anicetus the Bishop of Rome and Soter being the 13th of this Sea succeeded him according to Damasus In his 10th year Soter died and was succeeded by Eleutherius In the 6th of Commodus died Eleutherius on the 7th before the Calends of June Maternus and Bradua being Consuls in which year Commodus and Cleander to overturn the power of the Consulship created 25 Consuls for which Cleander was afterwards punished being carried to Rome amongst the worst sort of slaves In the following year Eleutherus was succeeded by Victor an African Commodus the fifth time and Glabrio being Consuls Touching the purity of the Church of Rome at this time Aegesippus thus wrote (a) Euseb Hist lib. 4. cap. 22. When I came to Rome I stayed there till Anicetus was chosen Bishop whose Deacon was Eleutherius whom Soter succeeded after him Eleutherius In all their successions and in every one of their Cities it s no otherwise than the Law and the Prophets and the Lord himself preached Irenaeus also wrote Now (b) Euseb l. 5. cap. 6. Eleutherius was the 12th Bishop from the Apostles after the same order the same Doctrine and Tradition of the Apostles truely taught in the Church at this day continued in our time From Marcus the first Bishop of Jerusalem from amongst the Gentiles some reckon 13 Bishops unto Narcissus of whom are many things reported He (c) Idem lib. 5. cap. 11. lib. 6. c. 8 9. was accused of an hainous crime and although he was innocent yet left he his Church and fled into the Wildernesse where he continued a long time In the mean while his accusers were wonderfully plagued from above to the example of all perjured persons After his departure Dios was Bishop unto the reign of Severus as is gathered from Epiphanius After Cornelius was (d) Idem lib. 4. c. 20. 24. Theophilus Bishop of Antioch he wrote of Elemental Institutions and dedicated them to Autolycus Also against the Heresie of Hermogenes and Marcion After him followed Maximinus and then (e) Idem lib. 5. c. 19. 22. Serapion After Celadion in the Church of Alexandria (f) L. 4. c. 20. l. 5. c. 9. Agrippas was Bishop about the 8th year of Marcus and governed 12 years Him succeeded (g) L. 5. c. 9. 20. Julianus in the first of Commodus and governed 10 years Then followed (h) L. 5. c. 22. l. 6. c. 26. Demetrius who continued 43 years 37. During the reign of Commodus were several Synodes or Councils held against the Heresie of Montanus and about the Celebration of Easter Because before this time Councils were but few Councils we would not give any account of them in a scattered manner but now shall briefly recite from the first of all such as hapened untill the end of Commodus The (a) Acts 1. Apostles immediately after the ascension of our Saviour returned from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem and there assembled together for the election of one to succeed in the room of Judas the Traitor where they chose Mathias This is the first Council The (b) Acts 6. second was summoned of the Apostles and Disciples at Jerusalem about removing the tumult risen betwixt the Graecians and Hebrews about their Widows wherein they chose seven Deacons as they are called by Ecclesiastical Writers The (c) Acts 15. third was held by the Apostles Elders and Brethren at Jerusalem concerning circumcision and observation of the Law where it was resolved that the faithfull should abstain from bloud from that which is strangled and from fornication the which they published by their Letters unto the Churches of Antioch Syria and Cilicia The fourth was held by James Bishop of Jerusalem Paul (d) Acts 21. and the Elders at that Citie also where for removing of suspition and winning of the brethren it was decreed that Paul should clear and purifie himself according to the Law yielding