he may be thought a grave wise Man and that by the Fear in which the Oppressed live he may be thought a Reverence to the Oppressed at least it will dazel the Eyes of Underlings keeping them from prying into the weakness of their Governours Thus the time in which by well using it Men might attain to be such as they ought they do usually mispend it in seeking to appear such as they are not so procure more Indignation than was feared instead of the Respect that was hoped which is of dangerous Consequence in an unable Spirit in high Authority too passionate in Execution of an Office and cannot be checked but by violence If Amaziah thought by extreme rigour to uphold his Reputation what did he but make the People think he hated them who easily believed he did not love them He had indeed provided for his own security by revenging on his Father but who shall take Vengeance or on whom of a Murther in which every one hath a part Surely God himself who hath not given Leave to the People to shed the blood of his Anointed Yet as he was careless of God and was carried head-long with his own Affection so his Subjects by his Example not enquiring what was their Duty rose up against him with a precipitant Fury which yet he could not avoid by flying to Lachish as a choice Town for Strengh and Affection where yet he found no other Favour but that they would not kill him with their own Hands but abandon'd him to the Conspirators sent after him who dispatched him with little Opposition § 11. Amaziah being Slain the Throne of Iudah was vacant Eleven Years for as he out-lived Ioash King of Israel 15 Years which Ieroboam held and must dye the 15 th of Ieroboam so it is expresly said Vâ—ziah his Son began to Reign in the 27 th of Ieroboam being 16 Years old and Reigned 52 Years which argueth 11 Years Inter-regnâ—m Others to avoid this Inter-regnum have made divers Conjectures as G. Mercator c. But I know not why it may not be admitted in Iudah seeing the like necessity hath inforced it in the Kingdom of Israel as between the death of Ieroboam 2. and his Son Zecharias and between Peka and Hosea Such suspence of the Crown of Iudah is more probable considering how things stood at the death of Amaziah although the computation were not so apparent For the Publick Fury which extended so far against the King's Person was not like to be appeased 'till order was taken to redress the Matters which caused that eruption We need not then wonder that they who involv'd themselves in the former Treason against the Father would stay the Crown 'till things were set in order the Prince being so young and to be under protection c. To make Ieroboam's Reign to begin the 11th with his Father were the best but only for swallowing up so much of Ioash's Reign extending the Years of the Kings of Israel and contracting the Years of the Princes of other Nations § 12. Contemporaries with Amaziah and Eleven Years after were Ioash and Ieroboam in Israel Cephreras and Mycerinus in Egypt Sylvius Alladius and Sylvius Aventinus in Alba Agamemnon in Corinth Diognetus Pheredus and Ariphron in Athens Thelectus in Lacedemon when the Spartans won Towns from the Achaians Sardanapalus in the 21 st Year of Amaziah succeeded Acrozapes his Father in Assyria 21 Years and was slain the Year before Azariah entred and ended Ninus's Line after 1240 Years Empire This unhappy voluptuous Prince was so base he durst let no Man see him 'till at length Arbaces Governour of Media got a sight of that beastly Spectacle of a Man in Woman's Attire counterfeiting an Harlot which moved him to such indignation that he brake with Belosus a Chaldean about casting off the Yoke of so unworthy a Creature Belosus pleased him too well to tell him he should enjoy the Kingdom who promised him thereupon the Kingdom of Babylon Being thus agreed the one stirr'd up the Medes and Persians the other the Babylonians and Arabians and so drew together 40000 Men against Sardanapalus who contrary to his former course of Life became a Man gathered his Forces and encounter'd the Rebels and foil'd them in three Battles and had not Belosus promised unexpected Succors Arbaces had broken up the Camp About that time an Army out of Bactria was coming to assist the King but Arbaces encountring it upon promise of Liberty drew them to joyn with him In the mean time the King supposing Arbaces to be fled Feasted his Army Triumphing before Victory The Rebels strengthned with new Supplies came upon him by Night forced his Camp unprepared for resistance and made the King retire into the City Ninive leaving Salaminus his Wives Brother to keep the Field 'till new Succours came Arbaces overthrew the King's Army slew Salaminus and lay two whole Years before the City in hope to win it by Famine for force it hâ— could not the Wall being an hundred Foot high and so thick that three Chariots might pass in the Front upon the Rampire But what he could not now do the River Tygris did the third Year for in a swelling after a Rain it cast down 20 Furlongs and made a fair Breach for Arbaces to enter Sardanapalus either terrified with accomplishment of the old Oracle that Ninive should never be taken 'till the River became an Enemy to it or seeing no means of resistance he at last consumed himself and Family with fire in his Palace CHAP. XI X Of Uzziah and his Contemporaries in Israel and elsewhere of his two Successors § 1. UZziah or Aaria being Sixteen Years of Age succeeded his Father Amaziah in the Twenty Seventh Year of Ieroboam and Reigned Forty Two Years he served the God of his Fathers and prosper'd His Victories and Atchievments were far beyond any since the time of David and his Wealth exceeded any since Solomon's days Ieroboam also King of Israel prospered in the North and won Damascus and Hamath not for his Piety being an Idolater It was only the Lord's compassion on Israel so extreamly afflicted by Aram. Yet as God's goodness to Iehu his Grandfather could not win him from Ieroboam's politick Idolatry of the Calves no more could it make Ieroboam his Son render the Honour due to the only giver of Victory so that the Promise made to Iehu for Four Generations grew to an accomplishment to be a fair warning to his Son to expect a Change except himself or his Son would change his Idolatry But as Ieroboam ended his days in his Idolatry so his Son Zachary who should have succeeded presently was held out many years without apparent reason but only the two Calves at Dan and Bethel yet Secondary Causes were like not to be wanting Probable it is that as Ieroboam's Reign had bred many brave Captains so they saw so little in Zechary to respect him for or perhaps found something which
of the East Yet were there of them Dwelling in the South they were grown so many that the East could not hold them § 4. Kings of the Ten Tribes from Jeroboam to Achab § Ieroboam flying from Salomon into Aegypt to Shishaâ— whom Eusebius calls Osochores whose Daughter he Marryed as Adad the Edumenian had his predecessor's Wive's Sister and were prepar'd by Shishak to shake the Kingdom of Iudea that he might pillage it as he accordingly did in the fifth year of Rehoboam This Man was exalted to be King of the Ten Tribes preferring the Policies of the World before God's Service and Honour To prevent the â—eoples falling from him by resorting to Ierusalem he erected the two Calves c. Ieroboam reigned at Sichem Twenty two years Nadab his Son succeeded two years and was slain by Baasha who rooted oâ—â— all Ieroboam's Seed and reigned twenty four Years at Thersa and Ela his Son succeeded two years and was slain in his Cups by Zimri who succeeded seven days but Homri in revenge of Ela besieged him and made him burn himself and succeeded transferring the Regal Seat to Samaria and reigned twelve years § 5. Ahab suceeded his Father married the Daughter of the King of Zidon and embraced her Religion as Ieroboam had his Egyptian Wives Ahab was slain after twenty two years Ocharius succeeded his Father and dyed of a Fall in his second year and his Brother Ioram succeeded 12 years who with Aid of Iuda and Edom could not subdue Moab who sacrificed Edom's Son taken in an â—ruption which he made out of the City whereupon the Siege was broken up through Edom's displeasure against Israel for refusing to make Peace with Moab to save his Son Amos 2.1 Iehu slew Ioram and succeeded twenty eight Years whose Son Iehoâ—haz succeeded seventeen years and was molested by Aza Ioas succeeded his Father sixteen years recover'd from Aram what his Father lost and sacked Ierusalem Ieroboam succeeded his Father forty one years râ—â—over'd all from Hamâ—th to the dead Sea and Zacharias his Son succeeded Six Months and was slain by Shallum who succeeded two Months and Menahen slew him and succeeded ten years with much Cruelty Pekahia his Son succeeded two years and Peka slew him and succeeded twenty years In his time Tyglath Pileser King of Assyria Invaded Israel and carried many Captives into Assyria He was drawn in by Achas King of Iuda whom Peka of Israel and Rezin of Damascus wasted and first he surprized the Monarchs of Syria and Damascus and then Israel prepared the way to Iuda Hosea slew Peka and succeeded nine years in whose time Tiglath Pileser carried the rest of the Ten Tribes Captives and re-peopled the Country with Cuthites out of Arabia Deserta the Persians with Calaneans bordering on Syria and Sepharims out of Mesopotamia with the Avims of old inhabited the Philistins Land but now Inhabited Deserta and called Havaei CHAP. VIII The History of the Syrians bordering their Tribes on the East of Jordan DAmascus in this Border most famous for Antiquity Beauty Riches is called the City of Joy and House of Pleasure The Hebrews think it built by Hus Son of Abraham others as Ierom ascribe it to Damascus Son of Eleasar Abraham's Steward but was before Eleasar David subdued it in the overthrow of Adadezar but Rezin Servant to Adadezer escaped with the broken Forces recovered it and was made King Adadezer returned out of Egypt and forced out Rezin and became King of Syria for Nine Descents § 2. Of the first Kings of Damascus and their growing up § That Damascus was of Note in Abraham's days his Steward is an Argument what the Government was then and long after the Reason of Moses's Story led him not to handle The first occasion was in David's Reign who seeking to Establish the command of Israel unto Euphrates as God had promised Invaded Adadezer who was then of the greatest Force in Syria strictly taken containing Damascus Saba Camath or Ituraea and Geshur Adadezer King of Saba called to his assistance the Damascenes who are not ranked under a King but after the overthrow Reson a Commander under Hadadesar gathered the broken Forces surprised Damascus where David had put a Garrison and was made King there as it seemeth after David's death So that as Rehob and his Son Adadezer are the first Kings of Syria Saba and Toi the first Kings of Camath so Rezon is the first King of Damascus which before was commanded by the Kings of Saba whose Power became formidable to the King of Camath The next King is Adad of Edom who coming out of Egypt whether he fled from David and finding his Forces too weak to recover Edom it seemeth he surprised Damascus and became King of Aram. The next King of Aram was Hezion whom his Sons Tabremmon succeeded the Father of Benhadad who assisted Asa King of Iuda against Baasha King of Israel Almost Fifty years after Benhadad was taken Prisoner by Achab and promised to restore what his Father had taken from Israel This was a Second Benhadad who slew Achab and Besieged Samaria the second time and was smothered by Hazael who succeeded him and did much mischief to Lud but brought Israel to a low Ebb 2 Kings 13.7 § 3. Of the later Kings was Benhadad two or rather three who lost what Hazael had gotten three other succeeded of the same Name in one of whose times Ieroboam 2 d. recovered Damascus it self and Chamath to Israel which by David's Conquest had belonged to Iuda Rezin the 10 th after Adad 1 st molesting Achas and was taking Elath is by Achas's Procurement taken and Slain by Tiglath Pileser and the Kingdom of Damascus dissolved § 4. Of lesser Kingdoms in Syria Gessur where Talmai reigned after Ammihur Sophena or Syria Saba or Coelosyria had Rehob and Adadezer after him whose Kingdom translated to Damascus by Rezin ended with the Kingdom of Israel not long after Ninus's Race in Sardanapalus had been ended by PhulBelechus Father of this Tiglath whose Son Salmanassar led Israel Captive as his Father had Damascus Senacharib Son of Salmanasser attempted Ierusalem in vain but 132 years after Israel's Captivity it also went to Babylon § 5. Hierusalem in Ioshua's days had Adonizedek for King and was not inferiour to Hozar the chief of all Canaanites This City of old called Iebus Inhabited of by Iebusites and therefore likeliest to be Builded by Iebusaeus the Son of Canaan and not by Melchisedek for it could not be in Abraham's way returning from his Victories but rather that Salem by Iordan of which we spake in Manasses Though Ioshua slew their King yet they held out 400 Years till David won it Solomon so perfected the Strength Beauty and Riches of it besides the renowned Temple that the World had not the like That Ditch hewn out of the Rock Sixty Foot deep and Two Hundred and Fifty broad with Walls Gates and Pallaces defended One Hundred Fifty Thousand Men besides Women
Subjects against their Fellows whose Cause might well be favour'd by many who yet durst not discover themselves being unarmed as they might when Weapons were put into their Hands So desperate is the Condition of Tyrants who think it a greater Happiness to be Feared than Loved yet are oblig'd to fear those whose Love would make them dreadful to others § 4. Iehoram taking no notice of God's displeasure by these Afflictions was threatned by a Prophetical Writing sent to him being such a Tyrant as the Prophets durst not reprove him to his Face as they had done many of his Predecessors bad as well as good but they writ to him keeping themselves from him Elias being Translated might have left this Writing or as some conjecture by mistaking in Writing one Letter for another Elias is put for Elisha c. The Accomplishment of the Prophecy proved as terrible as the Sentence when the Philistins which from David's days durst never look out brake in upon him c. with the Arabians a naked People on Horse-back of no Force dwelling in a Barren Desert So that the one quarter of those whom Iehosaphat Mustered had been able to repel greater Forces than both these Enemies could raise had the Iudean People been Armed as by their Prince's Jealousy they were not according to the Policy of the Philistins in the days of Saul The House of Iehoram which they surprised seemeth rather a Country House than in Ierusalem considering they made no further Ravages It is probable all Iehoram's Children were not now slain considering the Slaughters made after by Iehu and Athaliah within two years Lastly himself after two years Torment voided his Guts c. And as the People had small cause of comfort in his Life so they observed not the decency of pretending Sorrow for his Death neither had he the Honour of his Ancestors Burial though his Son Succeeded and his Wife did all Athaliah busie in Plotting her own Greatness and providing trusty Counsellors for her Son thought it unreasonable to offend the Eyes of the People with a magnificent Funeral of a Man by them detested and chose rather to let the Blame of past Actions lie upon the Dead than by doing him Honour to procure an ill Opinion of her self and Children which it now concerned her to avoid Such is the quality of Wicked Instigators to charge the Man whose Evil Inclination they corrupted by sinister Counsel not only with his own Vice but with their Faults also when once he is gone and can profit them no longer Thus we may clearly see how the corrupted Affections of Men impugning the Revealed Will of God accomplish nevertheless his hidden Purpose and without miraculous means confound themselves in the seeming Wise Devices of their own Folly All Men may likewise learn to submit their Judgments to the Ordinance of God rather than to follow Worldly Wisdom contrary to his Commandments § 5. Ahaziah succeeded his Father in the Twelfth year of Iehoram King of Israel and was guided by the same Spirits that had been his Father's Evil Angels Touching his Age 2 Chron. 22.2 a Point more difficult than important I see not a more probable Conclusion than that of Torniellus's mentioning an Edition of the Seventy at Rome Anno. 1588 which saith he was Twenty years old when he succeeded and the Annotations thereon which cite other Copies which give him two years more c. He accompanied Iehoram King of Israel to Ramoth Gilead and returneth home after the Battle and presently took a new Journey to visit Iehoram It seems his speedy return to Ierusalem was not pleasing to Athaliah as interrupting her in her Plots who therefore sought to oblige him abroad if it were but in a vain Complement to visit one whom he had seen but yesterday But however these things may seem accidental yet all concurred as disposed at this time to fulfil the high pleasure of God yea Athaliah's secret Plots which intended nothing less § 6. Ahaziah and that Family perished with the House of Ahab § Iehu is anointrd King and made Executioner of the Sentence of God against the House of Ahab according to the Prophecy of Elias and is proclaimed by all the other Captains He having this Honour upon the sudden thrown upon him was not slow in the heat of their Affections to put himself in possession and to set on foot the Business which so nearly concerned him and not to be retarded being no more his own than God's Ahab's House never so flourished having Seventy Princes of the Blood a valiant King honoured with the Victory of Ramoth Gilead so deeply Allied with Iudah and Courted by the King and so many Princes of his Blood that it might discourage all common Enemies and make Rebellious Enterprises hopeless In this Security and Joy of the Court for the King's Recovery and Entertainment of the Princes of Iudah the King his Court and Friends are suddainly surprized and slain neither could Iezebel's Painted Majesty nor Man-like Spirit with untimely brave Apothegms terrify her Adversary who of her Servant became her Lord at whose Command her base Grooms feared not to violate her affected Majesty Ahaziah is also wounded to Death CHAP. XVII Of Athaliah and Ioash that succeeded her § 1. AThaliah Vsurpeth and upon what pretences § Ahaziah being dead after one Years Reign his House was not able to retain the Kingdom 2 Chron. 22.9 which Speech hath bred the question of Ioash's Pedigree Athaliah having Reigned under her Sons Name had laid the Plot to play the Queen under her own Title if her Son fail'd and to that end had furnished the King Councel and Places of Chief Command with Men fittest for her purposes And though Ambition be violent yet seldom is it so shameless as to neglect Beauty It is not therefore improbable to think that Athaliah seeing the Royal Blood so wasted in her Husband and Son's days had by some means drawn her Husband or Son to make her Heir if the King's Blood should be extinct considering that without some such order taken when the King's Blood fail'd the Kingdom were like to be torn in sunder by Competitors or some Popular Seditious Man should be chosen that would subvert all regularity and exercise his Cruelty on such as they loved most and cast aspersions on the Royal House Pretence of Testaments to thrust out true Heirs is no new thing Yea what is new under the Sun To prefer a younger before the natural Heir hath proof in David and for State-Policy to slay a Brother by example of Solomon c. And though these had ground of their doings yet they which follow Examples which please them will neglect the Reasons which please them not Solomon slew Adonijah which had Rebelled and was entred a new practice Iehoram slew his Brethren better than he David purchased the Crown yet he gave it by God's direction when as Ahaziah sought to cut off David's Issue which the Lord had appointed
next after God produc'd their Crowns and the Peoples Love so purchas'd kept them on their Heads § 4. From this beginning of Regality grew Nobility Princes chusing by the same Rule of Virtue Men to assist them which Honour succeeded not by Blood but Virtue which is true Nobility the note of one Excelling another in Virtue and should bind Nobility not to degenerate As for Riches Power Glory c. they do no more define Nobility than bare Life defines a Man Honour is the Witness of Virtue and well-doing and true Nobility is the continuance of it in a Family so that where Virtue is extinguished they are like painted Images worshipped by the Ignorant for Christ our Lady and other Saints Flowers not manured turn to Weeds and the purest Fountain running through a filthy Soil is soon Corrupted Race and Linage is but the Matter Virtue and well deserving of a Common-wealth is the Form of true Nobility which being found in Posterity over-weigheth our proper Honour acquired by our own Virtue but if Virtue be wanting to Nobility by discent then Personal acquired Nobility is to be preferred without comparison for that by Descent may be in a very Villain There is a third Nobility which is in Parchment purchased by Silver or Favour being Badges of Affection which when Princes change they could wish they were blotted out But if we had as much Sense in our denegeration in Worthiness as we have of Vanity in deriving our selves from such Parents we shou'd perceive such Nobility to be our Shame CHAP. X. Of Nimrod Belus and Ninus § 1. NIMROD the Sovereign after the Flood was generally held a Tyrant But Melancton and Onomasticum Theologicum judge otherwise And it seemeth that his leading this Troop to Shinar was rather given him than Usurped seeing it is not Recorded that Noah or any of the Sons of his Body came with him or were in that presumptuous Action Some Ancients conceive Suphne and Ioctan were also Leaders but joyned not in that unbelieving Attempt and therefore lost not their Language § 2. Nimrod Belus and Ninus were different Persons though Eusebius and Ierom confound the two first and Augustine makes Belus King of Babylon which Argueth him to be Nimrod Mercator with less probability confounds Nimrod and Ninus out of Clemens Diodorus Siculus Reports that Ninus subdued Babylon which perhaps had Rebelled upon setling the Empire at Ninive which was also in Shinar § 3. Nimrod not Assur Built Ninive as Iunius hath rendered Moses's Text agreeable to Reason and Sense though Writers differ That Assur Built it greeth not with Moses's Order who especially intending the Story of the Hebrews first handleth the Birth of Noah's other Sons beginning with Iaphet proceeding with Cham and lastly with Shem not intermingling one with the other till he had set down a brief of all Three In the Narration of Cham he makes a distinct Discourse of Nimrod and his Brethren being to speak after at large of Babels Confusion by it self to shew us the Founder of the place and of the Empire which first over-ruled all the rest As for the Assyrian Kingdom it arose from the Babylonian according to Iunius So Calvin before followeth Epiphanius Ierom Cyril Methodius and P. Comestor with Cedrenus took Assur Gen. 10.11 to be Nimrod's Son as doth Torniellus of late But Rab. Maurus understood it as Iunius Yet Calvin contrary to Iunius and himself objecting Esay 23.13 than which no place more difficult to prove Assur founded the Chaldean much more the Assyrian Empire But the City of the Chaldeans founded and after destroyed by the Assyrians may with good probability be understood of Vr called Vrcta by Ptolomy Chaldeopolis by the Greeks and Cameria by Hecateus This Vr stood upon the chief stream of Euphrates by which it passed into the Persian Gulf though now it is stopped and runneth into Tigris of which stoppage Niger and Pliny speak This City then had Trade with Tyrus and was a Port Town By which the Sabeans sent Commodities to Babylon and so to Tyre This Vr founded by Shem's Son Assur was afterwards destroyed by the Assyrians which God fore-seeing sent away Abraham from thence That the Founder differs from Assur the destroyer is agreeable to the Truth and circumstances For thus Seth's Posterity which followed Assur being Planted at Vr were separated from the Idolatrous Chushits And if Sem's Son Assur founded Ninive how left he it to Ninus Son of Belus and Husband of Semiramis § 4. Nimrod called Saturn by Iulian Africanus established the Babylonian Monarchy which he inlarged into Assyria Where he Founded Ninive and other Cities which his Son Belus finished who after Nimrods 114 Years Reign succeeded and spent much time in draining the Marshes of Babel and began with Sabbatius in Armenia and Scythia Saga which Ninus finished § 5. Ninus's days might well afford many Kingdoms if we consider the order of their departing from Babel according to their Kindred every Family following the chief thereof whom Nature and Necessity taught the rest to submit unto and who took opportunity from Time and Nimrod's examples to exercise legal Authority Belus who succeeded Nimrod found Sabatius King of Armenia and Scythia able to resist him whom I take to be Tanais in Iustine As for his Vexoris Reineccius hath judiciously taken to be Sesostris the Great some Ages after Ninus Belus in common accompt Reigned 65 Years § 6. Belus I judge to be a Name rather given by Ninus for Honour to his Father than taken by him Cyrill calls him Arbelus and saith he was the first that would be called God Bel say the Learned signifying the Sun in Chalde and there Worshipped for God And many words in Scripture grew from it Bel Baal Belzebub Baalim which Name was given to God till upon abuse he forbad it The first Idolatry grew from hence c. The Old the most Ancient of every Family and Kings which Founded Cities were called Saturns their Sons Iupiters and Valiant Nephews Hercules § 7. Image-Worship began from Belus in Babel c. Schoolmen shift off this fearful Custom strangely For seeing the very Workman-ship is forbidden how can the heart of a wise Christian satisfie it self with the distinction of Douleia and Latrua and Hyperdouleia which can imply but a difference of Worship and it is most strange that Learned Men do strain their Wits to defend what Scripture oftentimes expresly forbids and Curses the practicers And where they say the Prophets condemn Heathen Idols only it is manifest Moses spake of the Living God saying You saw no Image when the Lord spake to you in Horeb. Basil forbids us to imagine any Form of God lest we limit him in our Minds what Presumption then is it to put him under the Greasy Pensil of a Painter or the rusty Tool of a Carver Rome for 170 Years by Numa's Law held it impiety till Tarquin Priscas and Varro condemned it as Augustin shews So Seneca Sybil
Land also indured three Years Famine for Saul's wrong to the Gibeonites which was relieved by the death of Seven of Saul's Issue of which Five were the Sons of Michoâ—'s Sister as by an Elipsis the Hebrew will bear as in the like ver 19. As the Lord by this Execution secured David's House from Competitors so was the Nation strengthened by the valour of many brave Commanders of which Six Colonels under the General had Thirty Captains of Thousands among whom the difference of place and Honour grew by meer consideration of Virtue as we see Abishai Brother of Ioab and the King's Kinsman short in Honour of the first Three David thus Established in ostentation of his Power provoked the Lord to punish his People with Pestilence for his numbring of them and slew Seventy Thousand § 8. David's last Acts. § Abishag in his impotence keepeth him Warm c. Adonijah aspireth which causeth David publickly to declare Solomon his Successor and to set him in his Throne whereupon Adonijah and his Associates were scattered After this David having two especial Cares remaining of which he desired to discharge his Thoughts one concerning Solomon's peaceable holding his Crown the other about building the Temple he called a Parliament of all the Princes c. In this Assembly he signifieth his purpose and the approbation of God chargeth all and Solomon by Name v. 9. and produceth the pattern of the Work according to the Form which God himself had appointed laying down his own preparation whereto the Princes and others added their free-will offering This being done David made a solemn Feast at which time Solomon was again anointed King and received Fealty of the Princes People and the King's Sons After all this David as upon his Death-Bed again with powerful words giveth Solomon the Charge of the Lord his God and then adviseth him concerning Ioab who otherwise tho' of exceeding desert yet for his intolerable Insolence came to such an end by Justice when time served as many worthy Men had done for acts of the like presumption David after Forty Years Reign died being Seventy Years old having been a Man of small Stature exceeding Strength and for internal Gifts and Graces passing all others and putting his Human Frailty apart commended by God himself to be according to his own Heart Being a Prophet as well as a King he fore-told Christ more lightsomly and lively than all the rest and writ many Psalms but whether all the Book is disputed though Chrysostom and Augustin hold it Christ and his Apostles cite him § 9. David and Solomon's Treasures § David's Treasure exceeded as appeareth by what he gave toward the Temple 1 Chron. 22.14 which amounteth to 3333â— Cart loads of Silver or 6000 l. sterling to every Cart-load and 23 Millions and 1000 l. in Gold a matter incredible but for Testimony of Scripture where consider how such a Treasure could be raised by Parcimony Eusebius cites Eupolemus for a Navy which he sent from Melanis or Achanis to the Isle Vpher or Opher by Ortelius then his Husbandry which was great his Presents Tributes Taxations Capitations his Spoils the Riches of the Sanctuary long increasing by large Gifts and the Portion out of all Prizes from Enemies even from Ioshua's days Of Solomon's Treasure see 1 Kings 9.20 and 10.14.29 See Iosephus of the Treasure he hid in David's Sepulcher out of which Hircanus took 3000 Talents and Herod more § 10. David's Contemporaries § Achis a Philistin King of Gath and another in Solomon's days Latinus Sylvius King of Alba. Cedrus the last King of Athens after whom they changed the Government into a Principality for Life without Regal Title This change was made in honour of Codrus voluntarily slain for their sakes in a War with the Dores to disappoint the Oracle Eupalus the Third King of Assyria sate 38 Years Ixion the second King of the Heraclids in Corinth Son of Eurythenes Agis the second King of the Heraclids in Lacedemon he restored the Laconians and made the Citizens of Helos Slaves for refusing Tribute as at length all the Messenians were and thereof called Helons that is Slaves Slave came from Sclavi which were Samaritans now Russians which Conquering Illyria would be called Slaves which with them signifieth glorious but when the warm Clime had thawed their Northern hardness but not ripened their Wits the Italians which made many of them Bond-men used their Name in Reproach calling all Bond-men Slaves Achetratus succeeded Agis in whose time Androchus the Third Son of Codrus assisted by the Iones built Ephesus in Caria and was slain of the Carians He also held Erithrae famous for Sybyls which writ Verses of Iesus Christ Son of God the Saviour reported by Augustine who saw them Vaphres King of Egypt began to Reign when David Besieged Rabba Magnesia on Meander in Asia founded now and Capua Campania CHAP. XIV Of Solomon Anno Mundi 2991. § 1. SOlomon began to Reign in the 2991 st Year of the World and was first Congratulated by Hiram King of Tyre according to the Ancient Custom of Princes Though his Reign were peaceable yet his beginning was with the blood of his Brother Adonijah without warrant either from his Father or the Law of God The occasion was his desire of Abyshag but being his Elder Brother who also had sought the Kingdom it was enough as a word is to the Wise and he which seeth the Claw knows whether it be a Lyon or no. Solomon took the motion as a demonstration of a new Treason such was the jealousie of seeking a King's Widow or Concubines as Absolom's taking his Father's Concubines was a taking possession of a Royalty so it was applied to David by Nathan c. 2 Sam. 12.8 Birth-right pleaded by Adonijah was according to God's Law and of Nations but the Kings of the Iews were more Absolute and not without Example in Iacob for private Inheritance As for what we read of Peoples Elections it was but an acknowledging him whom the Lord chose and not to frustrate the Elder 's Right Solomon also executed Ioab deposed Abiathar and put Shemei to death He Married the Daughter of Vaphres as Eusebius calls him King of Egypt and according to his request to God obtained extraordinary Wisdom especially for Government as appeared in the Example purposely set down of his judging the two Harlots yet did he excell in all other Knowledge § 2. Solomon's Building and Glory § Renewing the League with Hiram of Tyre he had much of his Materials for his Buildings from him Of the Glorious Temple and parts of it many Learned Men have Written as Salmeron Montanus Bibera Barradas Azorius Villalpandus Pineda c. The Letters which passed between Solomon and Hiram Eusebius sets down out of Eupolon which Iosephus also Records in his Antiquities Lib. 8. § 2. Besides the matchless Temple he made many other Magnificent Buildings of which Gerar on the Border of Ephraim taught the Egyptians to
five thousand more § 9. Mardonius's Army of thirty thousand was increased to fifty thousand with the Macedonians Thaebans and Thessalians against which the Forces of Greece were One hundred and ten Thousand of which forty thousand were weightily Armed All these comfronted one another in a convenient place belonging to the Plataeans who gave it to the Athenians upon the Oracles promise of Victory if the Battle were fought on Athenian ground In the end the Armies encounter each other Mardonius is slain his Army destroyed and Artabasus with three thousand flyeth to Byzantium and so Shipped into Asia § 10. Xerxes being at Sardis committed Sixty thousand to Tygranes to keep Ionia and the Coast where his two Admirals lay at Mycale who perceiving the Grecian Fleet was coming drew their Ships on ground and fortifyed the places and disarmed the Samians among them and set the Miletians far off to keep the Streights doubting them The Greeks resolutely â—orce them and the Samians in the Fight get what Weapons they can and play the Devil against the Persians whose Example the Ionians follow so that the Persians are overthrown and of those that fled the Milesians had the slaughter this was the Evening of that Day the Battel was at Plataea which was the last that was heard of this mighty Army levied against Greece § 11. Xerxes not regarding these Losses was engag'd in the love of his Brother's Wife who rejected him and after of her Daughter Wife to his Son whereof did follow the Salvage Cruelty of Amestris his Wife on his Brother's Wife and his Murther of his Brother Masistes her Husband CHAP. VII The Greek Affairs from the Persian Wars to the Peloponesian of Twenty Seven Years § 1. THE Greeks having utterly defeated that Persian Army of Seventeen Hundred Thousand and left a few thousands of them that the Peloponesians sent home leaving Xantippus and his Athenians assisted with the revolted Ionês who took Sestos in the Streight of Hellespont between which and Abidos Xerxes's Bridge had stood and in the Spring return'd home taking their Wives and Children with them out of the Islands where they had left them The Athenians neglecting their private interest fell presently to fortifie their City which the Lacedemonians doubting the Athenians power at Sea dissuaded but in vain being held in suspence with fair words till the work was ended and then were answer'd That Athens knew what belonged to her safety as they had shewed in the Persian War without direction from others § 2. The Athenians sent out Thirty Ships the Lacedemonians Twenty the rest of Greece adding thereto Pausanias of Lacedemon having the Conduct who having possess'd themselves of many Principal Places in Cyprus went from thence to Thrace and recovered Bizantium now Constantinople from the Persians After this Pausanias beginning to play the Tyrant is called home and Docres put in his Place who is also misâ—iked as indeed a good Commander might be in comparison of the Wise and Virtuous Aristides Commander of the Athenians much more Men of ill desert The Lacedemonians being weary of following the War of which the Athenians were eagâ—r return home and take their easâ— while the other got Honour and had all the rest of the Greeks willing to be Commanded by the Athenians and to bear what Charge they lay upon them for the common defence of Greece gladly referring themselves to Aâ—istides But just Aristides could not prevent the Athenians making Slaves of their Fellows in short time imposing Thirteen Hundred Talents a year upon their Confederates Timon Son of â—â—â—â—iades was General who brought many Inhabitants 〈◊〉 Greece into the Athenian Servitude while neglecting to follow the Wars chusing rather to bear the Chaâ—ge than seâ—ve grew weak as the other became strong Timon having taken Phaleis entrâ—d Erquidom in Pamphiâ—ia overthrew the Persian Army at Land and took two hundred Ships and forced Eighty Sail of Phaenicians to râ—â— on groâ—nd and perâ—â—â— This forced the Persians to an honourable Peace with the Athenians § 3. Xerxes becomes cruel to his Kindred and those about him which made hiâ— Uncle Artaâ—â—â—â—â— to repose less safety in his Fidelity thaâ— in the hope of a Crown by destroying a Cruel Cowaâ—dly and Hated Prince Thus by means of Millorldatus an Eunuch the King is murther'd and his Son Darius charg'd with it and put to death But Artabanus is surpriz'd by Artaxerxes and slain § 4. Artaxerxes making Peace with the Athenians Themistocles seeking to check the Peoples insolency in their Democratical Government is Banished Ten Years who for safety fled to Persia where to avoid leading Forces against Athens he Poisoned himself § 5. Athens contrary to the Peace with the Persians measuring Honour by profit thought to Surprize Cyprus a convenient Seat for any State which would Trade with Syria Egypt Cilicia c. But Timon with two hundred Sail solicited by Icarus King of Lybia to joyn in Conquest and shewing him Egypt accepted the motion succeeded in the Attempt to the taking two parts of Memphis 'till Magabazus sent Forces to assist the Persians there by which means the Athenians were forced to Prosopotes and there slain with loss of all their Gallies and fifty more sent to their assistance § 6. The Athenians in these six years of Egyptian War held their own with advantage winning the Aegyptian Phocis Tanagra c. spoiled the Sea-Coast of Peloponesus and then made a Peace with them § 7. Artaxerxes Longimanus to whom most good Authors give forty and some forty four years was he which so much favoured the Iews as we see in Esdras and Nehemiah which was that Ahasuerus who Married Hester lived in Susa and Reigned from India to Aethiopia and therefore a Persian Now as Darius Hystaspes his many Wives the Honour he left Atossa in Iojachim's being High-Priest in the days of Artaxerxes prove he was not Hesters Husband so much less was Xerxes and Mordocha proveth he could be none of the succeeding Kings of Persia. § 8. The Greeks prosecute their Civil-War leaving the Persians in Peace for many Ages Their Egyptian Expedition being come to nought the Lacedemonians recover Delphos which the Athenians regain and commit to the Phocians But the Baeotians recover their Liberty against the Athenians as did Eubaea and Megaras and Athens seek Peace with Sparta for thirty years but after six years Invaded Samos CHAP. VIII Of the Peloponesian War § 1. GReece was never under the Government of one Prince 'till Philip of Macedon and Alexander his Son and by them rather United than Subjected as they were by the Kings following who brought all Greece into servitude except those Two which deserved it most Athens and Lacedemon which distracted all by their private quarrels drawing all the rest to side with them Lacedemon having lived under one form of Government four hundred years used only to War as glorying only in Valour The Athenians to the contrary measured Honour and all by Gain The Lacedemonians were
sent T. Manlius who in his Consulship had won the Island with Twenty Two Thousand Foot and Twelve Hundred Horse as their commendable manner was to suport in their Provinces those Men and their Families which had first subdued them Manlius soon after his Arrival in one Day overthrew Hyostius who in his Fatherâ—s absence would needs venture upon the old Soldiers who slew above Thirty Thousand Men. Asdrubal the bold and other Carthaginians came soon after and made Manlius leave Cornus which he had Besieged and go to Calaris where in a Battle he slew Twelve Thousand and took Three Thousand Hyostus Asdâ—ubal and the rest dy'd and the Rebellion ended Sicily also grew troublesome after the Battle at Cannae when old Hierom King Siracuse dying left his Kingdom to Hyeronismus a Grandchild fifteen Years Old under tuition of fifteen Principal Men of which Andronodorus that Married Demarata Daughter of Hiero designing how to be the only Man applyed himself to the King pushing him on to assume the Government wherein he quickly exceeded and turned Tyrant He affected not the Romans as his Father had done despising the present weakness of Rome and casting an Eye upon the prevailing Fortune of Carthage entred League with them upon Condition that Sicily should be his But while he was busie herein his Tyranny produced Treason against his Person which took effect at Leontium where he was slain Andronodorus push'd no by his Wife endeavoured to become Tyrant but finding it yet too â—ard to compass applauded the Peoples liberty and so by them is chosen chief Praetor He â—inding Themistius who Married the Sister of Hieronymus affected as himself as he was also Wiv'd dealt with him and drew him to take his part But being too free in communicating their design 't was discover'd to the Senate so that entring into the Senate both were slain and their Wives also for affecting Royalty Then new Praetors are chosen in their place called Epicides and Hippocrates Born in Carthage but of Syracusan Parents both which Hannibal had used in the League with Hieronymus who being in Office opposed the Roman League But finding the People afraid of Marcellus who also required the City to expel them they stirred up the Leontines to take their Liberty as Syracuse had done for seeing the Tyrant was slain there it was no reason they should remain Subject to Syracuse When Marcellus heard that Leontium revolted from Syracuse he offered his help and won the Town in a day So the two Ringleaders fled to Hebersus but the Citizens were pardoâ—ed tho' the contrary Report bred a mutiny against the Roman Praetors Cruelty among the Syracusan Mercenaries These being led by their Praetors to Herbesus Epicides and Hyppocrates came out with Olive Branches to the Army wherein Six Hundred Creets whom Hannibal had used well took Protection of them and at Megara by a counterfeit Letter of Hyppocrates to Marcellus from Syracuse intreating him to make away their troublesome Mercenaries the Army was in such Uproar that the Praetors fled for Life So the Army was led by Hyppocrates to Syracuse who let him in where he slew whom he lifted set Slaves and Prisoners free as is usually done by Tyrants and thus the two Brethren became Lords of Syracuse Marcellus hearing of the alterations hoping by his success at Leontium to make short work at Syracuse presently Besieged it by Sea and Land omitting no violence and terrour in two or three Assaults but was beaten off not so much by virtue of the Defendents as by the skill of that Noble Mathematician Archimedes who at Hiero at the late King's request framed such Engines of War as did the Romans more mischief than could have been done by Cannon either by Sea or Land for they cast among them great Stones and Timber and by an Iron Graple would take up a Galley by the Prow and shake out all the Men c. Marcellus not knowing which way to turn and loath to give over resolved to famish the Town which was a desperate piece of work considering the large Haven and their Carthaginian Friends who even then had sent Himilco with twenty five Thousand Foot three Thousand Horse and twelve Elephants and Bomilcar with a Fleet had Victualled the City Upon Himilco's Landing many Towns yielded which forced Marcellus to rise with a great part of his Army to prevent him of other places as he did but came too late to Agrigentum which Himilco had gotten Winter coming on Marcellus leaving sufficient Force before Syracuse went to Leontium where Studying how to save his Honour which his leaving the Enterprize would impeach he falls on another Point of Dishonour to prevail by Treason which yet succeeded not In the end a Fugitive out of the City informed him of a Feast to be held to Diana for which there was plenty of Wine Upon this in the Night he scaled the Walls and took some part of the City which was divided by Walls like four or five Cities The Souldiers and Citizens after this offer to compound which Marcellus liketh but once or twice it is interrupted and being at a stand Marcellus in the time of the Treaty corrupted one of the Captains of the Town which was a Mercenary Spaniard by whose Treason he entred the Town and had a Booty no less than that of Carthage In this surprize Archimedes was slain whose death Marcellus lamenteth and Buried him Honourably This under-dealing of Marcellus was not approved at Rome considering Hiero's benefits and that the Citizens when at Liberty favoured Rome but were now over-ruled by Tyrants and MercenaÌ„ries Yet the Senate thought not good to restore the Booty nor give over the the Dominion Nevertheless it was not so well with Syracuse before as after considering their Factions Conspirators Tyrants Murders Banishments c. which yet Justifieth not Rome's injustice more than him which stole the Cup from a sick Person because he was always drinking in it After this all Sicily yeilded except Agrigentum c. held by Epicides Hanno and Mutines a Numidan a Wise and Valiant Man by whom Marcellus was much interrupted yet was his Virtue so envied by Hanno that he took his Charge from him The Numidians were so Incensed with this Indignity to their Country Man that they left Hanno and committed themselves to Mutines disposition who entring into Intelligence with Valentine Levinus the Roman Consul newly come delivered Agrigentum into his hands and assisted in the Conquest of all the rest § 16. Rome wanting Money to pay off the Souldiers and to mannage the War against Hannibal and that in Sicily when Marcellus and Livinus were chosen Consuls they proposed that the Consuls should bring in all the Money they had that the Senators do the like reserving of Gold or other Plate only a Salt-seller a Cup a Ring and some pieces of Art as Toys for their Wives and Children This example the Gentlemen and Commonality followed cheerfully all holding it equal that every private