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
the death of Saul and then David was onely Crowned King of Judah at Hebron by a small party of Israel the greater number following Ishbosheth the son of Saul who was made King of Israel by Abner Captain of Sauls Host and now they fell to war and bloud-shed In this war Davids party got the better but a little after Ishbosheth reproving Abner for lying with one of his fathers Concubines Abner was displeased and thereupon sought to betray Ishbosheth Kingdom to David and had audience with David about it But Joab Captain of Davids Host returning from pursuit of the enemy and hearing that Abner had been at Davids Court and was newly departed Joab sent for him back and being returned Joab took Abner aside as if he would speak privately to him and secretly stabbed him to the heart in revenge upon Abner for killing Asahel Joabs brother The death of Abrer did greatly astonish those that followed Ishbosheth and as his Kingdom was declining Baanah and Rechab two false brethren finding an opportunity secretly murdered Ishbosheth cut off his head and carryed it to David These wretches hoped now to have been greatly advanced by David for this bloudy cruelty but good David troubled at their sin gave them the just reward of traytors yet upon the death of Ishbosheth at the end of 7. years all Israel came into David and the whole Kingdom was setled in him There is no question but David was a very godly and precious man neither will I afresh rake amongst his many and great sins over which he deeply mourned and which free grace pardoned yet this may be observed that his sin brought much misery upon all Israel and because of bloud the Lord denied him the honour to build his House neither do we finde since David that great Warriers have done much in Church-reformation David was 30. years old when he was Crowned King of Judah He reigned over them 7. years and six moneths and over all Israel 33. years In all 40 years and six moneths and left Solomon his son upon his Throne About Anno mundi 2929. Solomon succeeded his father David In the fourth year of his reign was the foundation of the House of the Lord laid in the moneth Zif or And in the 11. year in moneth Bul or October which is the eighth moneth was the house finished so was he seven years in building it About Ann. mund 2940. Solomon walked long with the Lord and the Lord made him glorious in the world yet in his old age which should have been most fruitful in holiness his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not perfect with the Lord. This sin of Solomon a sin against so many and high engagements of love and obedience greatly provoked the Lord to alter his purposes concerning him and his house upon which God threatned certainly to rend the Kingdom from him and to give it to his servant Yet this sad sentence was sweetly mixt with mercy That the Lord would not do it in his daies for Davids sake Nor rend away all the Kingdom but leave one Tribe to his son for his fathers sake and Jerusalem sake whom he had chosen But to all the rest Solomon was a great oppressor of his brethren as will appear more anon and reigned over all Israel 40. years about An. mund 2969. Upon the death of Solomon all Israel came to Shechem to Crown Rehoboam son of Solomon Against which time they called Jeroboam home who fled for his life from Solomon into Egypt And being returned Jeroboam was speaker for the Congregations of Israel who required ease of Rehoboam from that grievous yoke put upon them by Solomon his father before they would establish him in the Throne Rehoboam desired time to give them answer to which they willingly granted In the interim Rehoboam consulted with his fathers old Counsellours and they advised him to consent to the people But this not well suiting to Rehoboams humour he also called his young Courtiers who Counselled him to keep his Prerogative and keep them under Rehoboam upon the next meeting returns this full answer My little finger shall be thicker then my fathers loynes c. Though here appeared a visible just cause that Israel should provide for their own safety against oppression yet assuredly it was of the Lord to make good that same word he had threatned against Solomon and therefore Israel refusing to submit to Rehoboam only the Tribe of Judah set him up King of Judah the rest set up Jeroboam King of Israel of which in its place But this was occasion of a sad breach in the bowels of Israel and there was War between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their daies and to the rest this was a woful consequent that fell out upon that unnatural strife about a King while brethren were letting out the bloud of brethren and one weakened by another they gave occasion to the common enemy to accomplish his design upon them all for Shishake King of Egypt came against Jerasalem and made a great spoil upon the Lords house and the Kings house and took away rich prizes of golden shields made by Solomon which never again were made good But above all Judah provoked the Lord by Idolatry and they suffered Sodomites in the land and did commit the same abominations that the Heathen did that the Lord cast out before them Yet Rehoboam reigned 17. years in Jerusalem and slept with his fathers About Anno mund 2986. And to the rest the Lord hath set this black brand upon this King That he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. In the 18. year of Jeroboam Abijam or Abijah began to reign over Judah he walked in all the sins of Rehoboam his father yet for Davids sake the Lord gave him a lamp in Jerusalem and set up his son after him in the Throne But Abijah reigned only 3. years 2989. In the 20. year of Jeroboam King of Israel Asa son of Abijah was set up over Judah the Holy Ghost hath left this glory upon his name still that he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and expresseth this as a great mark of the uprightness of his heart to God that he spared not his Queen-Mother who was an Idolater but put her down from being Queen and burnt her grove The bloudy War between the house of Judah and Israel was not yet ended but lasted between Asa and Baasha the third King of Israel all their daies and Asa reigned 41. years about Anno mund 3020. But yet the high places were not removed Vers. 14. Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to
Joash At this time Hazael King of Syria destroyed all those wicked Princes from among the people and to pacifie him Joash King of Judah took all the holy things dedicated by Jehoshaphat Jehoram and Ahazia his father with all the gold found in the Treasury of the Temple and in the Kings house and sent them to Hazael and he carryed them to Damascus this was a just and dreadful misery that the Kings sin especially brought upon the Jewes But the Lords hand stayed not there For Joash himself was afflicted with great diseases and for the bloud of the sons of Jehoiada the Priest his own servants conspired against him and kill'd him in his bed And after they buried him but not in the Sepulchres of the Kings This I would leave to consideration That none can stand long when they leave the Lord and the Lord forsakes them but a shameful end shall follow a wicked life this King reigned 40. years about Ann. mun 3100. In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz King of Israel Amaziah son of Joash King of Judah was set up King at his first coming to the Crown he did some good things in hypocrisie as his father did but when he was settled in the Kingdom he put to death those servants that killed his father After this Amaziah raised an Army of three hundred thousand choise men to make War with the Edomites yet thinking himself too weak he hired also 100 thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel But by a Prophet the King was admonished not to joyn with that Army of Israel because God was not with those Idolatrous wicked people upon which Amaziah dismist them but in much discontent they returned and taking the time they fell upon many Cities of Judah as they went flew 3000. of them and took much spoil Amaziah prospered in this battel and smote 10000. men and 10000. men which they took prisoners they carryed to the top of a steep Rock and threw them down that they were broken in pieces Amongst the spoil of the Edomites Amaziah took their gods and set them up to be his gods and burnt Incense to them Good Lord what folly will not wise and great men commit when God leaves them Amaziah was exceedingly lift up in this Victory and now he thinks to revenge the wrong done to him by the Army of Israel and therefore he sent a Challenge to Joash King of Israel The King of Israel was unwilling to meet Amaziah and disswaded him from it But Amaziah would not be so satisfied therefore Joash King of Israel went to Bethshemesh in the land of Judah and gave battel to Amaziah In this battel Judah was worsted and Amaziah taken prisoner The King of Israel now having the field he marched his Army to Jerusalem brake down the Wall took all the gold silver and vessels in the Lords house with the Treasures of the Kings house He also took Hostages for subjection and so lest Amaziah in Jerusalem This was in the 14. year of Amaziahs reign but Amaziah after this sell from the Lord the people conspired against him in Jerusalem upon which he sled to Lachish yet they sent after him and flew him there when he had reigned 29 years about Anno mundi 3129. After the Death of Amaziah Judah was without a King 13. years which this appears In the 15 year of Amaziah the son of Joash King of Judah Jeroboam son of Joash King of Israel began to reign And in the 27. year of Jeroboam King of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah King of Judah to reign Now from the 15. of Amaziah to the 29. is 14. years to Jeroboams reign so that to the 27. of Jeroboam there must needs be an interval of 13. years to the Crowning of Amaziah about An. mun 3142. The People of Judah took Azariah son of Amaziah and made him King in his fathers stead At 16. years old Azariah was Crowned King of Judah in the 27. year of Jeroboam King of Israel Azariah or Uzziah did well in all the former part of his reign He was a man of War built divers Forts in Jerusalem and both built and took in several Cities he also did much in reformation of Religion and so long as he sought the Lord God made him to prosper But when he was strong his heart was lifted up in him to his destruction For he transgressed against the Lord his God by going into the Temple and usurping the Priests Office to burn incense upon the Altar Azariah the Priest with 80. Priests of the Lord went in after the King and withstood him and said It pertaineth not to thee Uzziah to burn Incense to the Lord but to the Priests the sons of Aaron that are consecrated for it Go out of the Sanctuary for thou hast transgressed neither shall it be for thy Honour Then was the King wroth with the Priests and presently the Leprosie rose upon his forehead and the Priests discerning of it they thrust him out from thence and he himself also hasted to go out because the Lord had smitten him After the King dwelt in a house several from others and was a Leper until the day of his death and Jotham his son was over the Kings house judging the people of the landâ— Uzziah or Azariah reigned 52. years about An. mund 3194. In the second year of Pekah King of Israel Jotham began to reign over Judah Jotham did according to all that his father Uzziah did before him but yet the High places were not taken away and the people did corruptly In his time he built the high Gate of the house of the Lord and built Cities and Forts Jotham became mighty because he prepared his waies before the Lord his God he was 25. years old when he began to reign and reigned 16. years about An. 3200. In the 17. year of Pekah King of Isreal Ahaz the son of Uzziah King of Judah began to reign He was 20. years old when he began to reign but he did wickedly and walked in the ways of the Kings of Israel and made his son to pass through the fire according to the abomination of the Heathen he made Moulten Images for Baalim and burnt Incense in the high places then Rezin King of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah King of Israel joyned their forces and came up and laid siege to Jerusalem at this time the King of Syria recovered the City Elah which was taken from his Kingdom by Azariah King of Judah and between Rezin and Pekah they almost destroyed the Kingdom of Judah for the Lord delivered them into their enemies hands The King of Syria smote the Army of Ahaz and carryed away a great multitude of them to Damascus And Pekah slew in Judah 120000. valiant men in one
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
then put out his eyes bound him in fetters of Brass and led him to Babylon And in the 5. moneth the 7. day in the 19. year of Nebuchadnezzer Nebuzaradan the Captain-General of the Army made a full destruction of the glorious City and amongst the rest he took also those that fell away to the King of Babylon and carryed them Captives all together It is very remarkable that when perfidious men have served the turn of Tyrants themselves will equally suffer with their brethren This was the last and great Captivity which continued 70. years Thus we have the sad estate of Judah under their Kings which they so much desired and whether they have not been as dreadful a scourge to this people as God foretold they should be I leave others to judge I have only this further to tender to examination whether the grounds of those intervals of Government mentioned after the Race of the Kings of Israel ended have any weight and if they have then there are more years to be added The Kings of Israel after the Division which begun Ann. 2969. I Have here run down the Line of the Kings of Judah from first to last so that you have the beginning and end of Kingly Government amongst the Jewes which were the peculiar Church and People of God under the Old Testament which lasted from the beginning of Saul's reign unto the Captivity in the 11. year of Zedekiah which was 516. years viz. from Anno 2948. to Anno 3365. the year or neer the time of Judahs last and great Captivity mentioned before In the next place I will make out a little to take a brief view of the Kings of Israel after the Division which began with Jeroboam about Ann. mund 2969. The King and Kingdom of Israel consisting of 10. Tribes was but the testimony of Gods wrath and the punishment of Solomons sin which in some measure came to pass in Rehoboams time when Rehoboam resused to ease the Taxes of the Land the people refused to take him and make him their King and so the people called Jeroboam and made him first King over Israel about Anno mundi 2969. Jeroboam was now the first King of Israel after the Division But he fearing in his heart that the minds of the people might change and fall off again from him he turns Politician and letting go the fear and conscience of God set up Idolatry and the worship of Calves to please the people and keep them from going to worship at Jerusalem O when men leave God and live upon humane policy to uphold a carnal interest they will break all the bonds of Religion to preserve their own standing I will not gather up the Catalogue of this vile mans miscarriages The black brand the Holy Ghost hath so oft set upon him shews what he was Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin Yet under all his abominations the Lord permitted Jeroboam to reign 22. years about Ann. mund 2991. In the second year of Asa King of Judah Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel He walked in the way of his father and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin and when Nadab lay in siege against Gibbethon Baasha murdered him in the third year of Asa and reigned in his stead a-about Anno mund 2993. In the third year of Asa King of Judah Baasha set up himself King of Israel and to clear his title to the Crown Baasha murdered all the house of Jeroboam he left not any to breath Oh the dreadful sins the gain of a Crown brings some men to Baasha destroyed the house of Jeroboam yet Baasha walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin wherein he made Israel to sin and reigned 24. years Ann. 3017. In the 26. year of Asa King of Judah Elah the son of Baasha began to reign About this time the Lord sent the Prophet Jehu to denounce evil against Baasha and his house in being like the house of Jeroboam and yet killed him Though God raised up Baasha to execute his judgements upon Jeroboams house yet the Lord charged this for sin of Murder upon Baasha because Baasha lived in the sins of Jeroboams house Oh oh oh that this were set deep upon the hearts of all that God makes executioners of his justice upon others This came suddainly upon Baasha's house for Zimri Captain of half Elah's Chariots conspired against Elah and when he had drank himself drunk in the house of Arza his Steward Zimri smote him and killed him in the 2. year of his reign and reigned in his stead about Anno 3018. In the 27 year of Asa King of Judah Zimri set up himself King of Israel and as soon as he sat on the Throne he killed all the house of Baasha he left him not one to piss against the wall Neither kinsfolks nor friends Zimri thought now to establish the Throne in his own posterity by removing all that stood in the way But when the Army that was encamped against Gibbethon heard what Zimri had done they made Omri Captain of the Host King over Israel in the Camp and presently went up and laid siege against the City Tirzah where King Zimri was When Zimri saw the City was taken he went into the Palace of the Kings house set it on fire and was burnt with the house when he had reigned but 7. daies Oh what will not carnal proud men do for a fleeting uncertain Crown The people of Israel upon the death of Zimri were divided half followed Tibni the son of Ginah to make him King And half followed Omri Much confusion continued amongst them for four years but Tibni dying Omri came to the Crown alone about An. 3023. In the 31. year of Asa King of Judah Omri began to reign over Israel Omri bought the Hill Shomeron or Samaria of Shemel for two Talents of silver But Omri did worse then all that were before him It is said he reigned 12. years yet he began to reign alone the 31. year of Asa and died the 38. of Asa by which it appears that the Kings account the year wherein they are Crowned for the first year of their reign and so accounting the former four years to Omri's time Omri reigned 12. years about An. 3031. In the 38. year of Asa King of Judah Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel Ahab was a very wicked man but I will only give you what is recorded in general of him That he did evil above all that were before him And Ahab did provoke the Lord to anger above all the Kings of Israel that were before him One would judge who reads the lives of all the other Kings that a man could not
which people eat mans flesh In the 8. year he subdued Scotland and made them do homage In England he left no natural Noble man to bear rule but so impoverished the Nation by great Taxes that much Tillage was laid down and good ground laid wast many miles together When the Tyrant had brought the nation into extream poverty he imposed upon them an Oath of allegiance and went into Normandy and not long after falling to War with the King of France he was over-heat in his fat body by his harness upon him and got a painful disease and dyed the 9. of Sept. when he had reigned 20. years 10. moneths and about 25. daies Anno 1008. William Rufus the 3. son of Duke William took advantage of his elder brother Roberts absence stepped into the Royal Throne and began his reign from the death of his father Most of the Nobility stood for Robert and raised war against William But by pleasing words and fair promises he gained some of them to him and then subdued the rest by force After Robert claimed his right to the Crown and William refusing to surrender they fell to War and at length agreed that if either of them had not issue the Crown should descend to the survivers In the 11. year of Williams reign all the Lands belonging to Earl Godwin whose son proved a perfidious perjured man by the breaking in of the Sea was utterly overwhelmed with water which is added to the vast Ocean and still bears the name of Goodwins sands King William was one that fulfilled the curse of God upon that kind of Government for it is recorded of him that he did not only shave but slea the people of England But the just had of God found him out and at last Sir Walter Terril shooting at a Deer in New Forrest which his father had made a Forrest by the destorying the People and Town 30. miles together the King being there hunting the righteous Lord guided the Arrow to Williams brest of which wound he fell dead and spoke no word Some of his men laid the dead body upon a Colliers Cart drawn with one poor horse which came by accident which carried him to Winchester where he was buried the day after at whose burial men could not weep for joy He reigned 12. years 10. moneths and about 22. daies An. 1101. Henry brother to Rufus the 4. son of William Duke of Normandy who for his learning was called Beau-Clark got into the Throne after his brother William Rufus At first he abated the taxes and reformed the Laws But Robert Duke of Normandy returning from the holy Wars made War upon his brother Henry for the Crown of England At this time Robert was appeased with money but upon this quarrel was raised a second and third War Till at last Henry took Robert prisoner and Duke Robert endeavouring escape was taken and then Henry caused his brothers eyes to be put out and kept close prisoner to his death King Henry in a Council or Parliament had power given him over the Clergy But he took their Money and suffered them to do what they pleased And unto all other his black sins It 's plain he was a whore-monger for he made Robert his bastard-Bastard-son first Earl of Golcester Many dreadful judgements and great signs of Gods displeasure were manifested upon the Land about these times Yet Henry ruled 35. years and 4. moneths and died the first day of December An. 1136. Steven Earl of Bulloin son to Alice daughter to William the Conqueror claimed the Crown of England and succeeded his Uncle Henry He was a gallant Souldier and much favoured and eased the people But the Nobles of England sent for Maud King Henry's daughter who was married to the Emperorr of Rome of the French line and promised her to possess her in the Throne of England At this time also the King of Scots invaded the North parts and woful desolations were made in the Land by Armies on all sides But at last Steven made peace by adopting Henry son to Maud to succeed him in the Kingdom so Steven died in peace the 25. day of October when he had reigned 18. years 10. moneths and odd days An. 1155. Henry the 2. called Henry Plantagenet next took the Royal Scepter And now again the Saxon line was restored Maude daughter to King Henry son to William the Conqueror was first married to the Emperour and after to Geffery Plantagenet Earl of Angeou and Duke of Normandy by whom he had this Henry who married Elianor descended from Malcolme a Saxon. It was observed of this King that he was unsteadfast or unfaithful in his promises and a wedlock breaker He caused his son Henry to be Crowned in his life-time who married the King of France's daughter But Henry and his brethren raised great Wars against their father who died the 6. day of July An. 1189 when he had reigned 34. years 9. moneths and 12. days Richard the 2. son to Henry the 2. took the Crown of England He sold great possessions and immunities from the Câ—own and after pretending that he had 〈◊〉 his Seal caused all that had purchased to have their Deeds and Patents sealed again Richard left the Government of England with a Chancellor and went into Normandy and there he agreed with the King of France to go to Jerusalem In his absence John his brother set up himself King But upon Richards return John was perswaded by his mother to lay down the Crown and Richard was again crowned King of England the 12. day of March and then he entered again upon all the Lands he had sold unless they would buy them again How this man loved Money and let go Conscience any may judge But after he was shot with a poyson'd dart of which he died the 6. day of April or the second moneth An. 1200. when he had reigned 9. years and 9. moneths John now succeeded his brother Richard He was divorced from his wife and married another Amongst other the great evils he brought upon England this was not the least That he resigned his Crown with the Realms of England and Ireland to the Pope The Barons fell at difference with the King and obtained help from France upon which the King sleeing up and down ended his miserable life at Newark Castle as some say by poyson But when he was dead his servants divided what he had not leaving enough to cover his dead body and then left him He died the 19. of Octob. Ann. 1217. when he had run out 17. years and 6. moneths with some odd daies Henry the eldest son of Richard by a second wife or Concubine was set upon the Throne at 9. years of age Upon this the French withdrew out of the Nation He took to wife Elianor daughter of Raymond Earl of
Provence In his time there fell great strife between the King and the Barons At first they kept Parliaments apart and after their consultations raised Armies and in a battel the King with his sons Edward and Richard and many Nobles were taken prisoners But Edward being set at liberty got up an Army and fell on afresh so at last the Earl of Leicester and many great ones were slain in the battel of Evesham This begot bloudy wars and brought woful desolations to poor England And to the merciless sword the Lord brought fearful judgements of Plagues Famine Earthquakes and many other strange wonders in heaven and earth But Henry resigned all to death the 16. of November 1273. when he had reigned 56. years and 28. days Edward the eldest son of Henry succeeded his father He married Elianor the daughter of the King of Spain in his fathers life-time Ann. 1254. King Edward banished the Jewes this Nation In the memory of Queen Elianor he built stately Crosses where the Corpes rested every night In his reign there was great wars with the French Welch and especially with the Scots who oft rebelled but were as oft subdued yet in those wars the King got a bloudy Flix of which he died the 7. of July An. 1308. when he had reigned 34. years 7. moneths and odd days Edward the 2. succeeded his father He was said to be a dissolute Prince hated of his Nobles and contemned of the Common people He married Isabel daughter to the French King In his time also the Scots rebelled vanquished the Kings Army and after besieged him in York and burnt the Suburbs The Barons also raised War against the King for defending Piercy and the Spencers his creatures against justice In which straits the King sent the Queen to mediate with her brother the French King She took with her her son Edward But she not returning so soon as her husband appointed her and with all discovering some compliance with some Nobles sled out of England to France the King proclaimed them all to be banished But the Queen her son Edmund Woodstock all of Kent the Kings brother with many Nobles came into England and joyned with the Barons and City of London by which they raised a great Army took divers strong Holds and at last the King and his creatures The King was committed prisoner to the Earl of Lancaster but the creatures were hanged headed and quartered The Queen her son and Barons came presently to London and the next day called a Parliament where the King was deposed when he had reigned 19. years 6. moneths and some daies An. 1328. Edward the eldest son of Edward the 2. was set up in his fathers stead at 14. years of age It is said His father was soon after murdered in Corfe-Castle But the young King was much ordered by his mother A peace was made with the Scots and Daviâ—â— Scotland married Joan King Edwards â—â—ster But to keep all quiet at home the old Queen who contrived the death of King Edward her husband also plotted the death of his brother the 〈◊〉 of Kent and caused him to be beheaded at Winchester the 3. year of King Edward the 3 's reign In the 6. year of Edward the Scots rebelled and possessed Barwick The King laid siege before them and the Scots endeavoured with their Forces to raise the siege But were overcome in battel where were shin of the Scots 8. Earls with 1300 horse and 35000. footmen Upon this Barwick was delivered the King placed Edward Baliol Governour who was after King of Scotland About the 11. year of this King War arose with France King Edward â—â—ised a Navy of about 200. sail of Ships and went to Flanders where in a Sea-sight he overcame the French and Normans and stiled himself King of England and France Thiâ— King took Calice and made great inroads and woâ—â— desolations in France and the 〈◊〉 iâ— the Scots upon England They burnt Calice Penneth and came killing and burning down to Durham But after King Edward made peace both with the French and Scots upon honourable terms After this the King of Spain was driven out of his Kingdom by his Bastard brother and Edward Prince or Wales went to the Kings relief with a great Army and in a battel put the Bastard to flight King Edward reigned 50. years and 4. months who departed this life the 21. of June An. 1378. Richard the son of Prince Edward his father being dead succeeded his Grand-father Edward the 3. He came to the Crown at 11. years of age As he was young he hearkned to young Counsellours and neglected his old and wise Council which brought sad troubles to the Nation and woful misery to himself In the first year of his reign the French made great inroads and wasted many Towns in England and at this time Guns were invented The King in these straits laid a great Tax upon the Nation Upon which some Countries rose in Arms went to London and did great hurt but were after appeased by the King through fair promises This Richard married Anne daughter to the King of Bohemia who brought hither the use of women riding side-ways on horseback Some Earls and Barons seeing the King missed and the Nation misgoverned by a few persons they considered how it might be reformed and thereupon raised an Army of 40000. and came to London to the King upon this the King called a Parliament suddenly in which Parliament Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of England and divers others were convicted of Treason and put to death An. 1388. Richard sent to the City of London Ann. 1392. to borrow of them 1000. li. but they refusing he called the Maior Sheriffs and Aldermen of London to a Council at Nottingham and there appearing the King Arrested and imprisoned them and nulled all their liberties Queen Anne dying the King took Isabel the King of France's daughter to wife and so made peace there The King now grew high again and put to cruel death the Earl of Arundel and divers others for dealing with him about his ill Government This King shed much bloud of the Nobility and Bishops besides others which lay in the bosoms of many and not forgot though he carried it with a high hand But the King going into Ireland Henry Duke of Hereford and Lancaster with others who were out of the Land came into Yorkeshire to whom went the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Westmerland and many Lords and gathering up an Army they laid siege to Bristol where they took the Lord Treasurer and some others and beheaded them The King hearing of this hasted out of Ireland and landed in Wales and more fully understanding the Dukes strength took to the Castle of Conway and desired a Treaty The Duke of Lancaster met the King but the
issue was the King was sent to the Tower to be tryed by Parliament where he was deposed and murdered or as some write the King resigned the Kingdom to Henry Duke of Lancaster and Hereford much confessing his mis-government when he had ruled 22. years 3. months and some daies An. 1400. Henry the 4. son of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was now elected and crowned King of England He was descended of Edward the 3. though not next in succession of bloud and here comes in the Line of Lancaster King Richard quickly deposed was sent to Pomfret Castle and as some write there quickly murdered King Richard had yet a great party of Nobility and others that still appeared for him when he was deposed and many conspiracies there were against Henry to have killed or poyson'd him Indeed King Henry cut them off apace but it 's probable these were the death of Richard Henry put men to death for words About this time the Welch on one part and the Scots in the North did wast greatly In the 3. year of Henry Henry Percie son to the Earl of Northumberland Thomas Percie Earl of Worcester with a great part of the Barons and Commons fought a great battel against King Henry In this battel at Shrewsbury many fell on both parts but there Sir Thomas Percie was taken prisoner and after beheaded It was a sad time with England by frequent Mutinies amongst them and great judgements of Plague and Earthquakes upon them And when Henry had sat upon the royal Throne 13. years 6. moneths and odd daies he died the 20. of March An. 1414. Henry the 5. now bare the Crown Yet the Earl of Cambridge Sir Thomas Grey with others conspired his death but being discovered he took off their heads The King prepared a great Army and with a Fleet of 1000. sail of Ships he past to Normandy and got great Victories After this Henry was made Regent of France and then married Katherine the Kings daughter Katherine bare Henry the Kings son but Henry died himself in France the last day of August Anno 1423. when he had reigned 9. years 5. moneths and odd daies Henry son to Henry the 5. succeeded his father and was crowned at 8. months old In his Infancy the Government of the Nation was committed to the Duke of Glocester the guard of his person to the Duke of Excester and the guidance of France to the Duke of Bedford In this year Charles King of France died and the Kingdom descended to Henry the 6. and so the most of the Nobility delivered the possession thereof to the Duke of Bedford for the Kings use After in An. 1432. Henry was crowned King of France in Paris and so returned to England Yet to make all sure he took to wife Margret the Kings daughter of Cicily An. 1445. But this glorious rising Sun soon declined After the death of the Duke of Bedford in France France fell off the Dukedom of Normanday lost And here at home the Duke of Glocester by order of Parliament was Arrest upon which in sorrow he soon died Also the Duke of Suffolk was banished but as he was passing the Sea a Ship of war met him and there they beheaded him and cast his body into the Sea These things brought discontents and mutinies at which time came up to London the Commons of Kent who made fearful slaughters by fire and sword After this the Duke of York began commotions and the Barons were divided The King the Duke of Buckingham the Duke of Somerset the Earles of Pembrook Northumberland Devonshire Stafford Dorset and Wiltshire with many Barons marched to St. Albans and in the Town of St. Albanes in Peters street was a fierce and cruel battel fought where on the Kings side were slain the Duke of Somerset the Lord Clifford and many others and the King taken whom the Duke of York the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury brought to London and in a Parliament the Duke of York was made Protector the Earl of Salisbury Chancellour and the Earl of Warwick Captain of Calice But by the Queens interest the Duke of Yorke was dismist the Protectorship These evil sparks for a time were concealed and a feigned agreement seemed to be amongst them But about a year after the Duke of York and his party appeared again with a puissant Army in the field and gave the King battel at Northampton where his Army was routed and the King taken prisoner in the field The Duke of York now claimed the Crown and by Parliament he was proclaimed heir apparent But the Queen gathered up a company of Northern men who neer Wakefield in a sharp fight kill'd the Duke of York and his son Edmund Also the Queen routed the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Norfolk neer St. Albanes and delivered King Henry her husband The Earl of Warwick fled into Wales to the Earl of March who had in a battel put to flight the Earl of Pembrook and Wiltshire and with the Earl of Warwick went most of the South Country people Upon these Earls joyning they marched towards London and the King having intelligence of it drew away towards the North and went to York But the Earls marched on to London where they were joyfully entertained and the 4. day of March Edward Earl of March was proclaimed King of England And thus Henry the 6. lost the Crown when he had reigned 38. years 6. months and odd daies An. 1462. Edward Earl of March called Edward the 4. was son to Richard Duke of York descending from the fourth son of Edward the 3. and so brought in the house of York to the Crown When Edward had adorned his Temples with the Crown he now endeavoured to keep it on his head and presently drew his Army towards King Henry at York Neer Todcaster a bloudy battel was fought where many Nobles fell and in all were slain 35711. persons But Edward had the field Upon this fearful rout the Duke of Exceter the Duke of Somerset with many others fled to the King at York and then King Henry his Queen and their party left York and fled to Scotland Yet after this King Henry came into England to venture the hazard of another fight and was again routed at the battel of Hexam where many Nobles were slain but King Henry escaped with life yet he and some others lived in Woods and Caves unknown about a year Now King Edward was quiet he took to wife the Widow to Sir John Grey In the 5. year of Edward King Henry was taken neer York and carried prisoner to the Tower of London But now the Duke of Clarence raised an Army in the North against King Edward his brother and to him fell in the Earl of Warwick which brought great trouble to the Nation King Edward hearing this left his Army at Nottingham and fled into
reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab King of Israel he walked in all the waies of Asa his father and took out of the land those Sodomites that remained in his fathers daies In his time he made peace with Israel by matching his son with Ahabs daughter and by that neer affinity to that wicked King joyned with him to fight his battles which sin of his was deeply threatend and soundly reproved from the Lord. This good man had great infirmities yet did more in reforming his people then any King after Solomon to his time and reigned 25. years about Ann. mund 3045. Nevertheless the High places were not taken away Jehoram succeeded his father Jehoshaphat in the Kingdom but not in his piety when he was settled in the Throne he murdered his six brethren the sons of his father and divers Princes This was a woful beginning and yet the holy Pen-man gives this account of him that he walked in the waies of the Kings of Israel like as did the house of Ahab for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife Marriage with Idolatrous wives hath been the ruine of many men and Nations And to all the rest of this wickedness Jehoram set up Idols and compelled Judah to worship them I shall omit some things but I may not pass the miseries God brought upon his people and this vild person as the just reward of his sin yet less then he deserved though eternity may pay for all In his time the Edomites revolted and set up a King amongst themselves at the same time also Libnah revolted because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord. But Jehorams sad doom was sent to him in writing from the Prophet Elijah possibly it might be in this extraordinary way either to give the full certainty of the sad judgements determined against him or rather to prevent some bloudy design of of this wicked King against the Prophet for the discharge of his duty But soon after the Lord stirred up the Philistines and Arabians who came to judah and carryed away all the substance that was Jound in the Kings house and his sons and his wives so that Jehoahaz the yongest son was saved And after all this the Lord smote Jehoram with an incurable disease in his bowels of which he languished for the space of two years and in the end his bowels fell out and so died but Judah buried him not in the Sepulchres of their Kings Thus he lived wickedly dyed miserably and was buried shamefully when he had reigned or rather raged 8. years About Ann. mun 3053. In the 12. year of Joram King of Israel the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Azariah the youngest son of Jehoram who was lest alive King of Judah This is the general account the Holy Ghost gives of him That he walked in the waies of the house of Ahab for his mother Athaliah the daughter of Omri King of Israel was his Counsellor to do wickedly In 2 King 8. 26. it's said Azariah was 22. years old when he began to reign but 2 Chron. 22. 2. it 's said he was 42. years old when he began to reign This deserves further thoughts to reconcile yet in both places it is said he reigned but one year Azariah had but a short reign and the Holy Ghost adds this as a further reason which is worth observing he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab for they were his Counsellors to his distruction About Anno mund 3054. Ahaziah going to visit Joram King of Israel son of his grand-father Ahab when Jehu came to execute judgement upon Ahabs house he found Ahaziah King of Judah hid in Samaria and put him to death with the rest this news being brought to Athaliah his mother she set up her self Queen of Judah and at first she murthered the seed Royal of her own son to sit quietly in the Throne Yet to make good his word to David the Lord preserved Joash who was secretly stole away from amongst the Kings children by Jehosheba Ahaziahs sister and hid five years with his Nurse in the house of the Lord. Jehosheba was wife to Jehoiada the Priest by whose Counsel and help Joash was saved alive In the seventh year Jehoiada made Joash known to the Captaines of the Army and taking an Oath of them Guards were appointed the Kings son was brought forth and Crowned at which there was great rejoycing when Athaliah heard the great noise in the Temple she came forth to know the matter But seeing the King stand by the Pillar according to the usual manner of the Kings of Judah at their Coronation she rent her cloaths and cryed Treason Treason But Jehoiada commanded to lay hold on her and to have her out of the range of the Temple and to kill her which they did when she had reigned 7. years about Anno 3061. Joash or Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign which was the seventh year of Jehu so soon as Joash was Crowned King Jehoiada caused a Covenant to be made between the King and the people and between the King people and the Lord and presently all the people went into the house of Baal and they destroyed it thoroughly Joash reigned well while Jehoiada lived yet the High places were not taken away but after the death of Jehoiada the Princes of Judah had full recourse to the King and by their flatteries the King was drawn to Idolatry that both the King and his Courtiers left off to worship God in the Temple and served Groves and Idols The Lord in mercy sent Prophets to reprove their sin and bring them back again but they would not harken to these then the Lord sent Zachariah the son of Jehoiada the Priest who dealt plainly both with the King and people he told them Because yea have forsaken the Lord the Lord also hath forsaken you and that was the reason they could not prosper This home preaching they could not digest and by the command of the King the good man was stoned to death in the Court of the Lords house though he was an extraordinary Prophet sent by God and the son of Jehoiada It 's a known truth Tyranny can know no relations when they are not any thing yet Zachariah left his bloud at their doors and appealing to the righteous God and Judge of all the earth who upon his death said The Lord look upon it and require it And the Lord did so For about the end of the year the Syrians came to Jerusalem with a small company and the Lord delivered a very great Host into their hand because they had forsaken the Lord God thus God executed his judgement against
exceed in sin those who had gone before him yet we must give credit to the sacred word But it is manifest the Lord brought dreadful judgements upon Israel in Ahabs reign and Ahab being seduced by false Prophets was slain at Ramoth-Gilead according to the word of the Lord by the Prophet Micaiah when he had reigned 22. years about An. 3053. Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel the 17. year of Jehoshaphat King of Judah He walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin But the judgement of God was upon him for he fell down from an upper Chamber in Samaria and was sick In which sicknesse he sent to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether he should recover of his sickness As the Messengers were going the Lord spake to Elijah the Prophet and bad him go meet the Messengers and say to them Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the God of Ekron Now therefore thus saith the Lord Thou shalt not come down from that bed which thou art gone up to but shalt surely die So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord when he had reigned two years about An. 3055. Ahaziah King of Israel had no son and so Joram or Jehoram the second son of Ahab reigned in his stead Jehoram did evil in the sight of the Lord yet not like his father and mother for he put away the images of Baal though he clave to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin In the 23. year of his reign and in the first year of Ahaziah King of Judah Joram perswaded Ahaziah his brother in law to go out to War with him against Hazael King of Syria at Ramoth-Gilead In that battel Joram was wounded and went to Jezreel to be healed But the measure of the sins of Ahabs house being now full the Lord called out Captain Jehu and makes him King of Israel to be his executioner upon Ahabs family The Souldiers had a grudge in their hearts against Joram and so soon comply'd with Jehu and Jehu as readily conspired against Joram his Master Yet Jehu consulted his confederates and presently gave charge when he was proclaimed King that none should go to tell the news at Court but Jehu himself drives on furiously to Jezreel to put Joram to death When Jehu came neer to Jezreel Joram went out to meet him but discovering treachery Joram turned and fled yet Jehu drew a bow with all his might and sent a speedy messenger of Death after him and the arrow went out at his heart Thus Joram died in the 12. year of his reign about An. 3067. In the first year of Ahaziah King of Judah Jehu came to be King of Israel and effectually fulfilled the word of the Lord in the destruction of Ahabs house But he kept Ahabs sin which also proved his ruine Jehu was mighty zealous to fulfil the word of the Lord in the total destruction of Ahabs family as it concurred with his own interest for the establishing the Crown in his Posterity But when Jehu had got the Crown he took no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart but play'd the hypocrite and hug'd the sins of Jeroboam which made Israel to sin So though he was the Lords executioner yet the Lord charged that bloud upon him as a Murtherer In his sin he died when he had reigned 28. years about An. 3095. In the 23. year of Joash King of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel Here is a difference in sacred accounts to be considered Joash began his reign in the 7. year of Jehu Jehu reigned 28. years And Jehoahaz son to Jehu began not his reign till the 23. year of Joash By which it appears Jehoahaz the son of Jehu came not to the Crown for two years after his fathers death And when he was set up Jehoahaz followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which made Israel to sin he departed not therefrom In his time the Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the Syrians so that of the great Armies that Israel had formerly raised now the King had only 50. horse-men 10. Chariots and 1000. foot For the King of Syria had destroyed them Now Jehoahaz sought to the Lord and the Lord raised them help pitying their woful oppression but yet Israel departed not from the sins of Jeroboam and kept the Grove in Samaria Jehoahaz reigned 17. years about An. 3114. Between Jehu and Jehoahaz there was an inter-reign for two years which were to be placed above but I have added those two years to the 17. of Jehoahaz In the 37. year of Joash King of Judah Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel Jehoahaz began to reign in the 23. year of Joash and reigned 17. year which makes 40. years yet it 's said Jehoash began his reign the 37. year of Joash By which it appears Jehoash was Crowned in the life of his father and so those years accounted to his reign Little is said of this King but this is recorded that he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam but walked therein and run out 16. years about An. 3130. In the 15. year of Amaziah King of Judah Jeroboam the son of Jehoash or Joash reigned in his stead here again is a different account as thus Joash began to reign in the 37. year of Joash King of Judah who reigned 40. years and Jeroboam began to reign in the 15. of Amaziah which are 18. years whereas Joash King of Israel reigned but 16. years here are two years difference which time Amaziah did reign with his father Joash Jeroboam departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin yet the Lord made him victorious for the delivery of Israel from very bitter afflictions and restored them to much liberty he reigned 41. years about An. 3171. In the 38. year of Azariah King of Judah Zachariah the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel here again is the like case as before Azariah King of Judah began to reign the 27. year of Jeroboam King of Israel Jeroboam reigned 41. years from 27. to 41. is 14. years of Azariah's reign and in the 38. year of Azariah Zechariah began his reign So that Israel was 24. years without a King 3195. Zechariah followed his fathers and departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin and Shallum flew him before the people and reigned in his stead when
hath been fulfill'd in it and upon it that there is little to be accomplished I shall wholly pass over the State of Rome under all these former Governments and onely speak to the Imperial When the Romans had ended their War in France Civil War arose amongst themselves between Julius Caesar and En. Pompey his kinsman Pompey and Caesar were both Roman Generals and had great interest in the people But Pompey laying his design to get into sole power would have Caesar put out of his Consulship unlesse he would disband his Army Caesar could not think himself safe to dismiss his Souldiers yet did offer that he would do it if Pompey would do the like Yet this equal motion not being accepted Caesar presently speeded to his Army in France marched into Italy and there possessed himself of divers strong Holds This news being brought to Pompey he rallied his Army and gave Battel to Caesar. But in this Fight Pompey's Army was routed and Pompey himself fled into Egypt But where Pompey looked for requital of former kindness his low estate was now despised and Ptolomy King of Egypt fearing uprores in his Country by harbouring Pompey he caused Pompey to be treacherously slain and so Caesar came to sole power In the 5. year of this Civil War Julius Caesar returned to Rome and now enemies being vanquished abroad and the people pacisied at home Julius Caesar had the honour of Dictator but having the power of the sword he assumed Supreme Authority to himself chose Senators of his own party and conferred honours and Offices of the Weale-publike upon whom he pleased By this usurpation Caesar was lost much in the affections of the people in general and hated by divers So that conspiracies were made against him and at last he was murdered in the Senate the 15. of March the 5. moneth after he came to Rome by those he had shewn great kindness to The Roman Monarchy here took beginning and from hence I intend to trace the Emperours so long as the Roman Empire lasted and give a view to the world what beastly Monsters most of them were according to the Visions of them to Daniel After the death of Julius Caesar Octavius Augustus Caesars sisters son drew the Souldiers after him and pretended to put himself into Arms for the Wealepu like At this time the Government of Triumviri were established and the Rule given to Augustus and two of his friends But the greedy ambition of sole Authority ingendred strife amongst the three Governours M. Lepidus was soon deposed for conspiring against Augustus And not long after Augustus made War upon Antonius who had married the sister of Augustus for putting her away and marrying the Queen of Egypt In this War Augustus overcame and made Antonius and Cleopatra his new wife to kill themselves And thus Augustus came to the Empire of Rome Historians say Our Saviour Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin in the 42. year of the reign of Augustus That Christ was born in the reign of Augustus the Scripture assures us but to finde out the particular year of his reign we must consult Chronologers John Sleidan saith It was the 29. year of Augustus c. Yet these may be thus reconciled accounting 13. years of Augustus his reign as Triumviri and 29. in sole Government as Emperour the birth of Christ falls in the 42. year of Augustus after which he reigned 14. years and in all 56. and died Anno Christ. 15. After Augustus Tiberius his son in law took the Empire At first he seemed hard to be perswaded to accept the Crown and for some time did nothing of moment without the Senate But when he was well setled in the Throne he did what he pleased In the 15. year of Tiberius Jesus Christ was Baptized and entered upon his publike Ministry and suffered death in the 18. or beginning of the 19. of the reign of Tiberius Cytreus upon the 21. of Mat. hath it thus Our Saviour Christ Jesus when he had lived here on earth 33. years and something more suffered death for the Salvation of mankinde the 25. day of March in the 18. year of the reign of Tiberius In his reign also Steven was stoned John Baptist beheaded and Paul called In all Tiberius reigned 22. years and odd moneths An. Christ. 37. Caius Caligula now took the Imperial Scepter This Emperour abounded in cruelty Idolatty and pride forgetting he was but dust he claimed to himself the honour of God causing the people to pray to him and dedicated the Lords holy Temple in Jerusalem never before so defiled to new Caius as a famous God In the time of Caius Pilate who past Sentence of death upon Christ fell into a tormenting disease and to end his misery kill'd himself Also Herod that beheaded John was put down and banished Caius himself was also slain by his own Guard when he had reigned 3. years and 10 moneths An. 42. Claudius Uncle to Caius came next to the Throne He was a great Warrior and reduced many Countries to obedience to the Roman Scepter amongst others this Nation of England and married his daughter to Arviragus the King and in memory of that great solemnity he built Kaerlow now Glocester An. 44. When Claudius had borne the Crown 13. years 8. moneths and 20. daies he died An. 56. Nero took the next turn He past the former part of his reign quietly But after he was setled he fell into abominable wickedness his malice carried him beyond the bounds of humanity that he tormented to death his own mother his brethren and his wife Nero to all other evils raised the first persecution against the Christians In this persecution Peter and Paul the Apostles suffered Martyrdom and by this means the Gospel was much spread at which time it 's said The Gospel was brought into England by Joseph of Arimathea Upon the cruelty of Nero divers Countries rebelled and great troubles were raised in the Roman State but to prevent a deserved death by the sentence of the Senate Nero became his own executioner when he had reigned 13. years and 8. daies An. 69. The Empire at the death of Nero was in great disorder and the Sword bare the greatest sway By this means Galba was set upon the Throne yet he kept it but 7. moneths and 7. daies but was beheaded Otho succeeded Galba yet he continued his honour but for 3. moneths and he was slain Vitellius took the next turn who was Emperour but 8. moneths and he was dispatched Vespatian being now General of the Roman Armies sent against the Jewes the Army proclaimed Vespatian Emperour of Rome Hereupon the Emperour left the Government of the Army to his son Titus and himself returned to Rome At this time the Lord fulfilled the word of Prophesie in a great measure upon
the Jewes for under Titus Jerusalem was sacked the Temple burnt and the most dreadful slaughter of the miserable Jewes that ever happened to them or any other people the 8. day of September An. 73. In the reign of Vespatian Timothy was put to death at Ephesus by the worshippers of Diana Vespatian reigned 10. years and died of a Lask An. 81. Titus succeeded his father Vespatian and reigned two years and two moneths An. 83. Domitian second son to Vespatian followed his brother Titus Domitian began the second persecution against the Christians in his fathers reign but prosecuted it when he came to the Empire Domitian was taken into Government with his brother Titus whom he soon murdered and falling from one wickedness to another in the hight of his sin he caused himself to be worshipped as God This vile monster respected neither estate age or sex but exercised great cruelty to all In his time the Apostle John was put into a vessel of boiling oyl but the Lord miraculously preserving his life after which he was banished into the Isle Patmos where he had the Revelation After Domitian had shed much bloud he was murdered and his Corps mangled by his own servants when he had reigned 15. years An. 98. Nerva was now called to the Empire At this time the Senate made void all the honours conferred by Domitian and proclaimed liberty to all in exile By which John was restored in the first year of Nerva and openly preached the Gospel John lived to the age of 120. years and going into a grave which he had made with his own hands he laid himself down and slept with the Lord. Nerva reigned 1. year and 4. moneths Anno 100. Trajan a Spaniard the adopted son of Nerva had the Crown Trajan was very fair in the first part of his reign but about the 10. year of his reign he began the third bloudy persecution against the Christians Trajan died of a Lask when he had reigned 19. years and 6. moneths An. 118. AElius Adrianus succeeded in the Empire and for some time continued the persecution against the Christians but after gave them their liberty In the 18. year of his reign he sent an Army into Judea against the Jewes who had revolted and by woful slaughters they were overcome and banished their own Country so that by the Emperours decree the Jewes were not to come so neer Judea as to stand upon the top of an hill and look to their own native Country At this time the Jewes were dispersed that unto this day they have not been a Nation nor enjoyed the common priviledge of Laws and Government amongst themselves as a Commonwealth And upon this dispersion of the Jewes Jerusalem was dedicated to idol-worship the worship of God the dayly sacrifice wholly ceased and Jerusalem called by the name of AElia after the Emperours own name In all Adrian reigned 21 years and died An. 139. Antoninus Pius was next chosen to the Empire by the Senate upon the desire of Adrian He lived peaceably and died in the 23. year of his reign Anno 162. Antoninus Verus succeeded his father Pius in the Empire but not in his piety or peaceableness He raised the fourth persecution against the Christians and continued 19. years An. 181. Commodus came next to Imperial Rule He continued the former persecution but the Lord doing a miracle upon the prayers of his people the Emperour staid that persecution Commodus reigned 13. years and died by poyson Anno 194. Pertinax succeeded in the Empire He was a friend to Christians and in his time the Church had peace and flourished much Pertinax reigned but 6. moneths Severus took the Scepter He was favourable to the Christians for ten years but being stirred up against them by malicious accusations he raised the fifth persecution He reigned 18. years and died at York An. 212. Caracalla succeeded his father Severus in the Empire and in his persecution of the Christians but was slain when he had reigned 7. years and 6. moneths Anno 220. Macrinus succeeded and died in the first year An. 221. Antonius Heliogabalus reigned 4. years An. 225. Alexander Severus took the next turn He was a valiant Warrior and reduced divers Countries to obedience But going against the Germans he was slain by his own Souldiers when he had reigned 13. years An. 238. Maximinus succeeded Alexander He began the 6. persecution up on the Christians and his main design was upon the Teachers thinking thereby the better to root out Religion Maximinus did subject some Countries to the Roman Empire but for his cruelty the Souldiers hated him and in his absence chose Gordianus Emperour whom the Senate confirmed Maximinus thus deposed thought upon revenge and raising what strength he could laid siege to Aquileia But the Senate sent out an Army against him and both Maximinus and his son were presently slain by his own Souldiers in 3. year of his reign An. 241. Gordianus was now established in the Emperial seat yet after by the Treason of Philip chief Governour under Gordianus Gordianus was betray'd and murdered by his own Souldiers in the 6. year of his reign An. 247. Philip now ascended the throne but was paid in his own coyn when he had reigned 7. years An. 254. Decius was now chosen to be Emperour by the Army He raised the seventh persecution against the Christians He left the Government of the Publike Weale to the Senate and went forth to War against the Scythians but both he and his son were traiterously slain when he had reigned something more then a year An. 255. Gallus was presently made Emperour by the Army and the better to keep his new Crown made a dishonourable peace with the Scythians But Amilianus Governour of Mysia stirred up the Souldiers to prosecute the War against the Scythians who were put to flight and hereupon the Souldiers made him Emperour This stirred Gallus who forthwith raised an Army against Amilianus his competitor but in that battel Gallus was slain so ended the strife when he had reigned about a year An. 257. Amilianus was next to succeed but while Gallus and he were contending for the Crown another Army which lay about the Alps called Valerian a man of a Noble family to the Emperial dignity Whereupon Amilianus his Souldiers soon took away his life when he had held the Throne but 3. moneths and joyned with the new Emperour Valerian now setled in the Empire took Gallienus his son into Government with him At first Valerian greatly favoured the Christians and had many in his Court But after being incensed against them by an Egyptian Enchanter raised the eighth persecution about An. 259. Yet the righteous God made him feel the
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