had expresse charge to Write for the very last the yeere since the creation of the World 2513. and of his life the 80. yeere and hath continued his Holy Stories euen to the yeere of his Death and of the world 2553. Now since that time GOD hath alwayes so prouided for the aduancement of his Glory and the edification of his Church that the perpetuall History of her and the certaine account of the yeeres of the World hath beene continued and still put in Writing by his Prophets As it is to bee seene in the Holy Bookes that treate and contayne the Gouernment of Ioshua and the Iudges then to Samuel and the Kings of the People vnto the transmigration into Babylon and of other Gouernors which haue succeeded them after their returne from thence And finally the Prophet Daniel hath declared the rest of the time that is The 490. yeeres since the sayd Deliuerance of the Iewes and returne from Babylon by the meanes of Cyrus Daniel 9. King of Persia euen to the Death and Resurrection of Christ the Redeemer promised to the holy Fathers which is our Lord Iesus the eternall Sonne of God true God and true Man who appeared liuing after his Luk 24. 1 Cor. 15. Death and Resurrection to more then fiue hundred faithfull Witnesses at one time besides his other manifestations and mounted visibly into Heauen in the yeere of the World 3961. Now if wee will search all the Histories of all the Nations of the World of whom the Writings are ariued to our Age the most Ancient time of which they make mention shal be of their Antique destruction of Troy by the Greekes The History whereof hath beene written by Dictis of the I le of Creet which is the best Testimony they haue for the present and since by Homer and many others And from this Destruction Diodorus Siculus renowned amongst the Historians began his Bookes now the same according with the common Iudgement and Calculation of knowing men comes onely to be about 358. yeeres before the building of Rome the same time then fallsâ— to bee in the 16. yeere of the Gouernment of Elon Iudge of the People of Iudgeâ— 12 Israel mentioned in the Booke of Iudges And the same was 316 yeeres before the first Olympiade the reckoning of the Annalls of the Greekes So then the sayd Destruction of Troy falls to be onely vnder the yeere of the World 2838. when therefore wee shall giue consent that their Writings the most certaine whose Narrations wee may best giue credit vntoâ— Yet the Prophet Moses shal be found much more Auncient then all the Writers of the World what Nation soeuer though they are in great number and of whom wee see yet the Old Bookes in these last times in their proper Tongues And that hee hath put his hand to the Pen and began to Write his Diuine Reuelations of the Creation and Conduct of the World euen to his time and his sacred History and Prophesies touching the Church of GOD shall at least bee 325 yeeres before all other Writers of whom there is any mention or newes in the World that is to say in the yeere of the World 25â—3 Whereupon wee note euen to this Present against all those prophane mockers that haue disgorged that enormious blasphemy amongst others that the World is eternall and of it selfe which if it were so as they dreame and that it had no such beginning as is written by Moses they might finde then by all and in all Languages many Histories of infinite times and many Chronicles of many Ages and of old times that haue praeceded Moses in the account of yeeres But wee see that there is no such and that the Holy Bible is found euen in the middle amongst all sorts of enemies that strâ—ue to destroy loose abollish burne and extermine from the World the Bookes of it and for all thereto they had so long time yet neuerthelesse they neuer could nor euer shall For wee see the sayd Bible yet in his proper Writing and Language and of all others of what Nation soeuer the most celebrated and renowned And if they could finde any History which had beene written before Moses was borne into the World yet shall it contayne their time and composition with more yeeres and ages as wee can gather from the Holy Scriptures euen to this present yeere 1633. since the Natiuity of Christ The which account of times past from the Creation vnto this present yeere shall come to amount to 5563 yeeres but such Histories neyther can bee found nor euer were But for Moses and his faithfull Writings euen prophane Authors and Histories of the Gentiles themselues haue beene euen as it were â—iuinely constrayned to â—eaâ—e testimony maâ—ger their Calâ—mnies Lyeâ— Dreames and Disguisings through and by the Invincible force of Truth And so they haue serued for Certificates to all Nations of the venerable and well knowne Antiquity of him and his Holy Writs For some of them haue noted and writ thus as a thing notorious of their times to witt That is the East Trogus Iustinus parts and of Syâ—ia it selfe there had beene an Abraham an Israel and euen a Ioseph who say they was a Sonne of the sayd Israel sold by his brethren and led into Aegypt Then how hee was receiued into the Court and held very dearely with the King to whom hee foretold the grieuous and great famine so as without the diuine Counsell by him giuen whereupon the admonished King gathered vp and made reseruation of Corne before the time of the sayd Famiâ—e Aegypt had perished And finally how his Successor Moses and all his People issued out of Aegypt came to Mount Syna how they consecrated the Seuenth day for their Sabbaoth or Resting dayâ— But I wil leaue this Discourse though diuersified from a spark of Truth that these Historians haue mixed with their owne deuices as prophaâ—â—e and in which they were poorely Aduertised and deceiued by the subtilty of Sathan as we may well know by conferring their VVriting with the Holy Bible And bee it that these Scofferâ— of GOD and his Holy Word dare be so bold to say and calumniate that MOSES and his haue suppressed and abolished all praeceâ—ent Histories making their Writings to be before all others thereby to Authorize them the better but wee will leaue those their calumnies to the iudgement of any of sound sense and vnderstanding If that could be or can haue any place or shaddow of beliefe amongst men of sound iudgement or reasonable Discourse for if they wil put into mature consideration the small meanes and contemptible quality in the world of these poore Israelites but Shepheards and breeders of Cattle and which is worse people exposed to the oppressions and hard seruitude vnder their puissant Enemies and euill disposed Neighbours Then who shall make comparison of them with great Kings and people of the Earth Babilonians Aegytians Syrians Romans and other Potentates who with all their Authority
that all the Iewes that eyther before or since haue beene taken and led away in what fashion or manner soeuer shall be sent francke and free For the ransome wee haue ordayned that is to say twenty drachmes for euery head the which summe the men of Warre shall take vpon the distribution of the staple and munition of Victuals and the rest shall goe vpon the reuenew of the Table to the King or reserued For we are duely informed that those Iewes were constituted and brought away prisoners agaynst the Counsell of our deceased Father and agaynst all right and reason And that by the boldnesse and insolence of the Men of Warre they were Conducted into Aegypt and their Countrey wasted and desolated when it was sufficient to haue the men of Warre of the said Countrey at their deuotion and all the Prouince reduced into obedience Intending then to doe and render right to euery one Vniuersally and especially to those who receiue iniury vnder the iniust domination of another Moreouer to search diligently and particularly all things concerning right and equity and to preferre Piety and Religion aboue all things Our will and pleasure is that all Iewes whatsoeuer beeing bond and Slaues in this Realme in what part soeuer they be found be it in the Colonies or else where or be it in what soeuer manner they were brought into our Kingdome shall be deliuered enfranchised and set at Liberty for we are pleased it shal bee so done And to the ende that no person shall be interessed or receiue dammage wee commaund that three dayes after the publication of this present Edict euery one whom it doth concerne shall bring before vs their requests contayning the number of heads that euery one hath set at liberty For so it pleaseth vs to haue it for the profit of Vs and our Kingdome Declaring further that the goods of those who are not obedient to this our Edict that their shall be forfeit and Consiscate And we giue liberty to whosoeuer will to accuse and bring in their contumacy or contempt of our will and pleasure THIS Edict being written perfited and brought to the King to know if his pleasure were it should be Published in this manner or that hee would Correct and acknowledge it When hee perceiued that these Words viz. And those that before and since had bin led Prisoners were wanting hee inserted of his liberality and magnificence He then made presently the money to be doubled in the summe to his Treasurer and Officers of his Finances The which distribution was dispatched in the space of seauen dayes And there was defrayed well neere sixe hundred sixty thousand Talents for there were found a great multitude of Children with their mothers which were all set at liberty and for euery head of those was payed by the Commaundment of the King twenty Drachmes Which was accomplished by the King to his great liking and contentment And after all was done he commanded Demetrius by course of estate to deliuer him the denomberment of the Hebrew Volumes For these Kings haue in Custome to comprehend all things by Edicts and to do nothing be it neuer so small a businesse without Writing aswell because of their Royall highnesse as also that beleefe may more certainly bee giuen thereto Therefore to the end you may as it were see all before your eyes I will here inserte the Tenour and Copy of the request made to the King by Demetrius and the Epistles which were sent for those that were franchis'd so as one may see the multitude and in what habite they were and in what Artes and Professions they were different and how they were Registred and inroled The Exemplary of Demetrius his request to the King was this The Request of Demetrius Phalerius to the King PTOLOMEVS PHILADELPHVS GReat Sir Since it hath pleased you to giue me Commaundment to search in all places for all manner of Bookes to fill serue and Decorate your Library I haue thought it good and necessary wee obtayne and get the Bookes of the Iewes Lawes and some other we are yet short and vnfurnisht of and because the sayd Bookes of the Iewes are Written in Hebrew Characters proper and best knowne to the Iewes onely and therfore not yet falne into your Royall hands Neuerthelesse that they may be gayned and ranked amongst your other Volumes partly for the Wisedome contayned in them partly for their Sublimity and Diuine hight of matter they contayne Of which Poets and Historians make often mention as very profitable to instruct to good mannets to institute and addresse the Republicke into the fairest shape of Gouernment by reason of the excellency of men therein mentioned to the Reuerence of matters therein intreated as a Scripsit librum de Iudaeis teste Suida Hecateus Abderita plainely testifieth These things seriously considered Great King it would doe properly well if it would please you to write to Ierusalem and to the great Pontiffe therein that he would send you sixe men of euery Tribe or Line and that they be such as are of good parts and Condition of venerable age best knowing and Vers'd in their owne Law that being all able Translators they may with iudgement choycely elect and choose that course of expression may be consonant and Harmoniously agreeing amongst themselues And this done great Sir I shall hope you will accomplish a course worthy of so excellent an intention and at last wel agreeing with your desires The King hauing read this request ordayned Letters should bee drawne and sent to Eleazer the High Priest about this businesse In the which was signified vnto him the deliuerāce of the Iewes from their Captiuity With the Letter he ordayned also to be made ready Cups Vessels and a Table of pure Gold with fifty Talents of Gold and seauenty of siluer for oblations there to be offered with many precious Iewels and stones of very great price Commanding the Gold-workers with all speede to finish these things and the money in Talents for the oblations to be raysed incontinently And because you shal at full vnderstand the Kings viuacity in this businesse I send you here the Coppy of the Letter the King Writ whereof the Tenour is as followeth King PTOLOMEVS PHILADELPHVS to ELEAZER Chiefe Pontiffe of the Iewes COnsidering the great Multitude of Iewes inhabiting within our Territories of whom some had beene led from Hierusalem in the times that the Persians had the Domination the others following our deceased most Honourable Lord and Father being adioyned with him whereof many were receiued into his pay and ranke as his Souldiers and men of Warre whereof the most faythfull and trusty were established in the most strong Forts as Garrisons by that meanes to bridle the insolences of the Aegyptians Wee since being come to the Crowne and hauing singular affection to exercise Liberality and Munificence towards all persons and in speciall vnto the Cittizens we haue franchised and set at Liberty more then a hundreth Thousand
the custome of the Countrey is that when any Ambassadours arriue for any businesse they are sent about it is not permitted that they be presented to the King if they are not Ambassadours from Kings or or of Signiories and excellent Common-weales without great difficulty to haue Audience vntill thirty dayes after their Arriuall and sometime longer according as the King shall haue respect to the dâ—gnity and grâ—atnesse of those which sent them But the King â—aâ—â—ng made auoydance of those he esteemed not necessary to this Entertayment remayned in the Hall there walking vntill the Doctors were preseâ—ted vnto him to do him their Reuerence Who being introduced did their duties in deliuering the Presents sent to the King from ELEAZER â— Likewise they Presented him with diuers skins of Parchment exceeding fine smooth and delicate bound to one so the other by a binding that was fareâ— and excellent In these Skins was the DIVINE LAVV of MOSES in Letters of The deliuery of the Hâ—ly LAVV or Sacred Bookes of MOSES in Hebrevv characters to King PTOLOMY Gold and in the HEBREVV Language a thing truely admirable to looke vpon As they presented them to the King sitting in his Estate The King presently turned towards them regarding them All the one after the other and then demaunded of them the Bookes of the LAVV Then they displayed the Roules involued in these skins of Parchment or Vellame afore-sayd Which the King seriously beholding remayned as one â—auish'd a pritty space Then after adored the HOLY LAVV by seauen times saying these Words We giue you thankes my Maisters and much more him that hath sent them hither and the High GOD aboue all of whom these are the Sacred Words Then the sayde Doctors and all those who were assistant with the King shewed great tokens of ioy with plaudities and there fell teares of Ioy from the Kings eyes as wee see many times that excessiue contentments will draw teares from the Eyes especially in excellencies that are of spirituall condition and inclination Then the King commanded that the Skins and Bookes of the LAVV should be returned into their placeâ— Which done hee saluted them saying Reason will graue Sirs that first I do you Honour and Reuerence because I haue made you to come hither of which I giue you my hand to the ende I assure you that this very day shal be to me the Day that all the dayes of my life I will hold great and memorable and shal bee Celebrated euery yeare with feasting because you not only come to see me but in like sort it hapned I obtayned a Sea-fight agaynst Antigonus Wherefore wee will that this very day you reioyce your selues in Feasting with vs. Incontinently hee commanded the Princes should be inuited Amongst whom he did me the Honor to make me sit Moreouer he caused to be put foorth in full shew all the rich mooueables wherewith the Pallace Royaâ—l was in great Feasts vsed to be decked â— In like sort hee commaunded â— they should make ready Lodgings very neare to the Castle in the most sumptuousâ— manner they could And in like sort the King ordayned that the Feasts should bee readied in most Opulent and Magnificent manner could be possible And then the King commaunded Niâ—anor his Chiefe Physitian to bid Dorothea Controuler of the House as from the Will and Commaund of his Maiesty that he should and that with all dilligence deliuer all things necessary for euery one of the Doctors as well for their vse as for the adornment of their Lodgings and that without fayling as from the ordinance and commaund of the King which incontinently was accomplished with great celerity by many hands As wee see is conformable in great Citties when they prepare to make great Feasts and publicke Banqueting when there is chosen CoÌ„missaries which are ordayned to furnish euery one of that is in his charge and office The establishments of the King who assisted in care euen himselfe and his people in Truth were Nature of good Officers and Subiects not troublesome people grumlers at their paynes taking or vnwilling to their Commaunders for they furnished with all freenesse and Ioyfulnesse and with Honour all they saw requisite and necessary executing the commaunds of the King with pleasant and ioyfull countenances so was the King fully serued and freely Obayed in this and diuers other Respects For Dorothea was very liberall and Magnificent and very carefull in his charge and Office which was chiefly to haue in regard the Furnish for these graue and Reuerent persons not vsing things formerly adopted to such vses but choyse and fresh stuffes sparing nothing was in his power He assigned to euery one of them his Couch of Ease besides his Bed with fayre Ornaments as the King had Commaunded Moreouer the King would that the halfe of them should be so placed and seated at the Table that they might bee face to face agaynst him and the others here and there from his Seate Royall Forgetting nothing might any wayes do them honour or might serue and accommodate their very thoughts After the seats of the Table were well and magnificently placed and prepared for euery one the Kings commaund to Dorotheae was that all those that came from Iudeae should haue Victuals distributed and such as they desired according to the fashion of their Countrey and ordinance of their Law Neuerthelesse that they should be furnished therein abundantly as also for their Oblations Vowes and Sacrifices according to the custome of their Nation After all these Ceremonies the King prayed one of them named Eleazer the most aged of all those came with vs to make the Prayers Who as he was very Venerable being then risen from his Seate began in this manner GOD Almighty fill thee O King with all goodnesse and giue grace to thy Wife and to thy Children and that thy plenty may bee Permanâ—nâ— without alteration or change all the course of thy Life and theirs Hardly had he ended this Prayer but there rose a bruite and exclamation of ioy with a pleasant murmur and plaudite that lasted a pritty while Thus all things being disposed and prepared to jouisance all the Company betooke themselues to make great cheare and those who attended vppon the Table were very ready and dilligent to their Offices as the Controler had ordayned them Amongst those who serued at the Table were the Children of the King Custom of agypt vvas so and all the most greatest Peeres and Lords Answers of the Doctor Iewes to the Questions propounded by King PTOLOMEVS PHILADELPHVS WHen the time came and occasion presented it selfe for Discourse the King by certaine pauses began to aske them by order and as they were plac'd at the Table according to the age of euery one to him therefore that was set most highest hee made to him this Question How he should maintaine his Kingdome whole and safe vnto the end AFter the Doctor had a little studied he answered you shall great
all things neoessary for the Life carefully prouided and prepared with great conuenience and ease In this place Demetrius entreated them they would dispose themselues to the Interpretation of the Law in which they began to trauell disputing and conferring together of euery thing vntill they came all to one generall accord and consent to resolue in a true sence aduisedly The which done they set downe in Writing that which was so by them composed and reduced into good order the most learnedly and the most eloquently that they could by the aduice and counsell of all they put it apart that the same after might bee put into the hands of Demetrius Their Colloquiums and Conferences lasted from the Morning vntill nine of the Clocke and so rising from these Disputes they went to take Recreation and Ayre for their health after all things were sumptuously administred vnto them For Dâ—rothea who had the same in charge was therein so carefull that there was nothing made ready for the Kings Person but euery day they had as much of the same to euery single person and hee would once the day come to visit them with courtship in his owne proper Person and they sometimes to salute with reuerence the King and so returne to priuacy Euery Morning it was custome to make their prayers to GOD after they had washt their hands in the Sea as the Iewes accustomably vse Lauations so after to their readings and interpretations I was so bold to aske them why they so washed their hands before they made their prayers to which demâ—â—nd they made this Answere that this washing of the hands did admonish them to doe nothing wickedly but to accomplish all things of their actions to Piety and Sanctity because that all the workes they doe with their hands might bee effected according to iustice and truth and cleanenesse as we haue before-sayd To conclude these Personageâ— being in such Serenity of ayre Beauty of dwelling Tranquility of silence and Pleasantnesse of repose and Royall entertainment finished the worke vndertaken and which is a note of maruaile they had so expresly taken order amongst themselues and followed it with such care and diligence that the Interpretation of Law was fully finished in the space of 72. dayes Demetriuâ— then seeing the Translation and Interpretation of the Law was so wel and happily brought to an end made the meanes that the multitude of the Iewes then being in Aegypt were conuccated to the place where the Worke was then perfited to whom hee shewed how all things had beene done beginning with all circumstances of the Enterprize and all in the presence of the Interpreters To the King all the Multitude attributed great praise and gaue infinite thankes for being the mediate cause of so important a good and a benefit of such excellency Lâ—â—ewise they shared a part of the Honour to Demetrius intâ—earing him to shew them that fauour as to haue a Copie for their Princes for to haue their aduice and to deliberate vpon the profit or damage might arise vpon the same In this sort was the Law reuiewed visited and re-knowne in the assistance of the Princes of the Iewes and of the Multitude and of the Ambassadors of Townes vpon the which spoken and proclaimed the 72. Doctors being present that all was well and holily Translated and that all was most very well so prouided that nothing thereof should be changed and that all things should remaine in the same estate without alteration of the least thing or title of the world As the Translation was thus approued of all and the Decree made for the ratification of the same Demetrius â— commanded that according to their custome they should make Imprecations and Maledictions against those which should vndertake or should presume to adde any thing thereto or to transferre it otherwayes by changing efficacing ordering any thing whatsoeuer it were vnto that which was so perfectly now written And when all was perfected and accomplished in this manner hee adjured the Iewes to hold keepeâ— and preserue it inviolably foreuer the which they promised to doe with great Ioy and Acclamation So Demetrius finding himselfe greatly satisfied in himselfe especially because hee had beene a Conductor of the Worke and that hee had giuen to the King such contentment in the happy execution and accomplishment of his charge and of this his felicity made great congratulations to the King Who hauing after with great diligence visited this Interpretation and considered the profundity of the Sence of the Law-maker which hee admired with an astonished regard hee sayd to Demetrius how comes it to passe that none of the Poets or Historians hath not put their hands to this Law being that it is a thing of so high and ☞ perfect Excellency To which Demetrius answered that no body neuer durst touch it as well for the reuerence of the same as also that GOD hath forbidden it so as some hauing presumed to attempt it haue beene chastised with Diuine punishment Whereupon they haue beene constrayned to desiste from their enterprize For as testifieth Theopompuâ— which by a recitall of himselfe saith that presuming to transferre into his History some secrets of the Holy Law hee was afflicted more then 30. dayes following with a perturbation of his vnderstanding But calling vpon GOD in the interuals and cessations of the most vehement fitts of this his Malady it was told him in his sleepe this punishment was sent him from God for hauing presumed to prophane and falcifie things Sacred So by this Vision he was corrected repented and re-came to his good sences againe And sayd Demetrius vpon mine owne knowledge I affirme that Theodorus a Tragickeâ— Poet willing to vsurpe something from this Law therwith to enrich his Poesie lost his sight Neuerthelesse aduising with himselfe and concluding that this his audaciousnesse was the cause of his blindnesse prayed to God for many dayes whereby hee came againe to health The King saying that this was wisely spoken adored the Law making Commandement that the Books of the same should bee preserued the most curiously and carefullest that might be possible and deuising with the Interpreters benignely and graciously prayed them that when they were in Iudea they would often come and see him Finally hee gaue order that they should be honourably returned backâ— and conducted into theirâ— Countrey promising them that how oft soeuer and when they pleased to returne he would entertaine them as his principall friends so honouring them with faire presents according to their merits and commanding that all things should bee made ready for the dispatch of their returne vsing towards them all Royall Magnificence Hee gaue to euery one of them three rich Habilliments and two Jalents of Gold and an excellent Cup of the waight of a Talent Moreouer furniture for the whole furnish of a Chamber ouer and aboue hee sent to Eleazer ten Table-beds or Couches of ease which had the feete of Siluer and ornified with all that was
places wee read of in the 17. Chapter of the Booke of Exodus where it is sayd GOD Commaunded him to Write and that in the same yeare the people of Israel issued out of Aegypt which was from the Creation of the World 2513. vpon which wee may aduertise our selues that the yeares are Calculated according to Verity of the sayd Scriptures by the Faithfull Seruants of GOD which haue happily trauayled therein And therefore wee neede not rest vppon the calculation of Histories Annalls and humane Chronicles or other Writers that haue not intirely followed Holy Scriptures who are discordant amongst themselues and many times directly opposite to one anothers times Therefore if we dilligently search all Antiquities and Writings of men of all Nations that haue any appearance of certayne time wherein those Writings were made and after conferre those times with the things recited and inregistred by the Holy Prophet MOSES and the time wherein he Writ them we shall see manifestly the Excellency and Antiquity that he is herein aboue all men For the Fables and disguisments of prophane Poets Greekes and Latins which all came long time after MOSES Amongst them I say we shal see no other but manifest Dreames Lyes and amongst other things noteable some corruptions of the Sacred Scriptures long before Written of which they hauing heard some inckling and receiued it as from hand to hand or drawne it from his Writings or heard it recounted by the Father to the Sonne and they from their Auncestors which were the Children and Successours of the three Sonnes of Noe who was the second Father of humane kinde and restorer of the Nations of all the World all issuing from his Posterity after the vniuersall Flood His three Sonnâ—â— as Holy Scripture hath acquainted vs with were Sem Cham and Iaphet of whom are descended all the Earth And this before spoken is easily and sufficiently discouered in the Writings of the sayd Pagans by the proper names of the sayd Children of Noe and of their Successors which of long time before these writings and prophane Histories had beene named by MOSES For the Pagans testifie thaâ— the people had made of these Auncient Father Idolls and gods As of Iaphet Iapetus they drew Iauan Ianus and Ion and because they were names held in the Hebrew Letters or value of them they accommodated them to their tongues and letters and to make them more easie and glib in their accustomed pronounciation came neere but with alteration And if we will goe more high and weigh the old Times of the first Age which preceeded the Flood as wee haue it from that onely History of MOSES in the Holy Bible we shall easily perceiue that the Pagan Poets and Writers haue receiued euen the Auncient names and mingled them amongst their Fables and Dreames and drawne them from the Holy Scriptures And so it shall appeare plainly that their falce god Vulcan is not very hard to vnmaske that he was a mortall man and one of the Sonnes of the other Lamech the prime Bigamist and corrupter of Marriage who descended of that accursed Race of Caine And this appeares by the faculty of this Vulcan which was a Smith or forger of Armour And MOSES declares him so and by his name too for hee is by him called Thu-vulcain and euery one any thing skil'd in the Hebrew knowes that if they leaue the first letter which is seruile and put to forme the name according to the manner of the Hebrewes it will appeare meere Vulcain for their letter ב B. hauing not a pricke in him is pronounced as our v consonant And for the name of Vulcains wife by MOSES cald Nehama which signifieth faire in their language or as speakes the Latins Venusta It is a playne course to discouer vayne beauty or their so much celebrated vnchast and wanton Venus A goodly Race and fayre family of that accursed murtherer Caine. And here may we see some of the proper gods and Idols of the poore Pagans amongst that Anthil of such other ill stolne names vnhandsomely fetch'd from the Holy Scriptures with and by the subtilty of the Diuell to the end that a wicked troope of execrable â—yants violent oppressors of men Theeues and Adulterous desperates shaken off and damned by the VVord of GOD. Of whom the first Apostate and lyer Sathan made his counterfeit gods and Idols the old Serpent expert and knowing in all malice that there was no better way for him to muffle and blind humane iudgement from the knowledge of the true GOD at first ingrauen in the Soules of men but by this counterfeite deuice with Posterity But to passe further in our begunne purpose touching the fabulous writings of the Pagan Poets wee shall finde that their Discourse in the best we can of it is but corruptions of the Truth in the Holy Scriptures of GOD or things therein reuealed turn'd by them into dreames and prophane Narrations As we may see in that they writ of the Creation of the world and gouernment of the same of the Diuine vertue that Ouid. 1. de Meâ—â— Virgil. 6. de Aeneid Virgill Eglog â—â— 5. sustaines and interiourly nourisheth all things of the consumation of Heauen and Earth with fire at the last day and also of the restoration of the World and of all things in such good order for all so many confusions proceeding from sinne All which things they might obtaine and by some darke meanes draw from the Bookes of Holy Scripture and sacred Prophets Translated out of Hebrew into other Languages or vnderstand some thing by meanes of the dispersion Iosephus antiq of the People of Israel spread through all the Prouinces of the Romane Empire and through all the Quarters of the World For the Iewes had for the most part leaue in all places to hold their Synagogues and to haue publicke Lectures of Act. 18. 20 their Law and Prophets When thesâ— Poets flatterers of men turn'd all that spoken of the Person of Christ the promised Redeemer that then was expected falsely to apply theâ— by flattery to their Princes false-gods Virgil. Aâ—â—erd and Idols But let vs leaue all those Iuglers and Lyers that durst bee so prophanely bold to corrupt the pure Verity of Gods Word and speake wee of the Gentiles Writings how long they came after Moses and Writ since he and that euen they haue giuen Testimony to him and his Diuine Writings which may at least suffice to convince all Contradictors that Moses was in Nature and before them all Wee vnderstanding that his reckoning is a perpetuall following all the yeeres since the Creation of the World euen vnto his time as it is easie to gather by his Bookes and his account of the yeeres and liues of the first Fathers from Adam vnto the Patriarke Abraham and after from his Successors as from Father to Sonne to wit Isaacke Iacob Leui Caath Amram and then Aaron and Moses himselfe Children of the sayd Amram And that hee