reigned seventeen years he died and left his Kingdom to his Son Ioash Joash who also reigned with him about three years for that he began his reign in the 37th year of Ioash King of Iudah A. M. 3159. Joasi 37. and is held by the Jews to be that Deliverer mentioned to have been sent by God He overcame the Syrians thrice as dying Elisha foretold him whom he visited and consulted about the affairs of his Kingdom and thereby recovered the Cities lost to Hazael by his Father Upon the occasion formerly mentioned he took Ierusalem with Ahaziah the King of Iudah and breaking down the wall of the City 400 cubits plundred the House of the Lord and the Kings house He also was guilty of Ieroboam's sin and died after he had reigned together with his Father and by himself sixteen years Jeroboam the Second 10. His Son came after him Ieroboam by name Chap. 14. whom God made instrumental to preserve Israel nay to raise it to the highest top of greatnesse it arrived at For he recovered Damascus and Hamath A. M. 3175. Amatziae 16. which had by right belonged to the Tribe of Iudah with whatsoever the Syrians had taken from his Predecessors from the antient border of the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Plains or the Lake Asphaltites as Ionas the Prophet the Son of Amitthai had foretold the same with him that prophecyed against Ninive being of Gath-Hepher a Town of the Tribe of (k) Josh 19.13 Zebulon in (l) Isa 9.1 Galile of the Gentiles out of which therefore arose a Prophet though the learned Pharisees so earnestly urged the contrary to Nicodemus In this King's dayes also prophecied Hosea and Amos called from the Herd in Iudaea to prophecy to the people of Israel Notwithstanding all that God did for Ieroboam he did evil also in his sight accompanying his Ancestors in the sin of Ieroboam the son of Nebat He reigned 41 years 2 Kings 25. and after his death the affairs of his Kingdom fell to decay way being made for the ruine of his house and an Anarchie insuing for 24 years For so it must be if Zacharias his Son began not his reign till the 38th of Uzziah King of Iudah Zachariah A. M. 3238. Hazariae 38. the last of Ieroboam falling in with the 14th of this King seeing Uzziah is said to have begun his reign in the 27th of his and he reigned 41 years This may well seem strange in this Kingdom where Princes were often made away by Usurpers but God had promised Iehu that his Children should reign to the fourth Generation and this Zacharias might be a posthumus or however very young and therefore not admitted by the Nobility to govern till he had attained to such ripenesse as was convenient for so great a charge 11. Zachariah doing evil in the sight of the Lord as did his Ancestors reigned but six moneths Shallum being then slain by Shallum the Son of Iabesh who reigned in his stead in the 39th year of Azariah King of Iudah He enjoyed his usurped royaltie but a short space being after two moneths served so himself by Menahem the Son of Gadi Menahem who also reigned in his stead Menahem smote Tiphsah and all that were therein with the Coasts thereof from Tirzah because they opened not to him and ripped up the Women with child He did evil in the sight of the Lord not departing from the sin of Ieroboam all his dayes wherefore God stirred up the Spirit of Pul King of Assyria Pul King of Assyria invadeth Israel who invaded the Land but he gave him 1000 talents of Silver which he wrested from the richest of his Subjects to confirm the Kingdom in his hand After he had held it ten years he died and his Son Pekahiah reigned in his stead in the 50th year of Azariah so that Menahem having begun his reign in the 39th of that King and reigning but ten years here seemeth an Inter-regnum of a year or more to have happened after his death except that be admitted which some think viz. that Menahem did not peaceably enjoy the Kingdom till about a year after Shallum's death Pekahiah purchasing it then of Pul so that beginning his reign in the 39th of Azariah or Uzziah A. M. 3250. Haraziae 50. must be understood peaceably and in that year ending Then must Pekahiah have begun his reign in the very beginning of the 50th year and so a few moneths being added to the ten years of Menahem at the furthest there will be no need of an Inter-regnum Pekahiah treading in the wicked steps of his Praedecessors reigned two years and then was slain by Pekah the Son of Remaliah one of his Captains who possessed himself of his Seat Pekah 12. Pekah joyned with the King of Syria against Ahaz King of Judah slew in Judah 120000 in one day all valiant Men because they had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers Zichri a mighty Man of Ephraim 2 Chron. â—8 slew Maaseiah the King's Son Azrikam the Governour of the house and Elkanah that was next the King Two hundred thousand were also carried Captive with much spoil all which Oded the Prophet when they came to Samaria procured to be sent back This made Ahab purchase the help of Tiglath-Pileser King of Assyria 1 Chron. â— 26 who first destroying the King and Kingdom of Damascus caried the inhabitants thereof into Captivity and then came against Pekah and transported the Reubenites The Reubenites Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasses carried Captives into Assyria Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasses into Halah Habor Hara and to the River Gozan then crossing Jordan he set upon Galilee and caried away the Inhabitants thereof with all the Napthalites which remained of those that were left by Benhadad into Assyria Pekah doing evil in the sight of the Lord after he had reigned twenty years was slain by Hosea the Son of Elah who usurped the Kingdom 13. Hoshea the 19th King of Israel began his reign in the 12th year of Ahaz King of Judah who reigned seven or eight years with his Father Jotham 2 Kings 17.18 A. M. 3272. Achazi 12. and began to reign by himself in the 17th year of Pekah Hoshea the nineteenth last King of Israel so that Hosea may truly be said to have began his reign in the 20th year from the inauguration of Jotham which we must say except we allow of a kind of Inter-regnum for eight or nine years during which time Hoshea for the stirs that hapned could not peaceably enjoy the Kingdom and then must we lenghthen out the time of this Kingdom longer by so many years Hoshea did evil in the sight of the Lord but not as the Kings of Israel which were before him Against him came up Salmanasser King of Assyria and made him his tributary Vassal which he continued for
16. p. 779. C. inhabited part of Arabia from the River Euphrates to the Red-sea called Arabia Petraea from Petra the Metropolis of the Countrey which wanting fruits abounded in Sheep and Cattel (h) Lib. 19. p. 722. A. Diodorus describeth it to have lyen like a Wildernesse untilled as without inhabitants without Rivers or Fountains It was unlawfull with them to sow or plant to drink wine or build houses being extraordinary desirous of liberty and judging these things but temptations to such as were stronger to inthral them Some of them kept Camels others Sheep some used to convey Spices brought out of Arabia the Happy to the Sea When they were invaded by an Enemy they betook themselves into the Wildernesse which being vast and without water affoarded them sufficient protection Another son of Ismael named Kedar gave name to a place of Arabia the Desart often mentioned in Scripture It is thought that though the Chusaeans Madianites and Ismaelites were of several Originals yet they dwelt promiscuously together and grew up into one Nation of the Saracens 11. Fifteen years after this Isaack being 138 years old and blind Gen. â—7 sent his eldest son Esau to Hunt for Venison that he might eat and blesse him before his death But Jacob by his mother's help supplanted him and got the blessing having formerly bought his birthright for pottage Hereat Esau inraged determined to kill him after his fathers death which Rebecca knowing sent him into Mesopotamia to her brother Laban that he might thence also take a wife out of her own kindred and not make his choice amongst the Hittites of which Esau had married two wives In his journey Chap. 28.29.30 God appeared to him in a dream and blessed him for which cause he changed the name of the place from Luz into Bethel Coming to Laban after a moneths time Jacob flieth from his brother into Mesopotamia he Covenanted to serve him seven years for his youngest daughter Rachel which being ended Leah the eldest was given to him in her stead and presently after Rachel for which he agreed to serve him other seven years A. M. 2246. Rachel most beloved continued barren and Leah because neglected obtained favour of God to be fruitfull which raised such emulation betwixt them as Rachel first and then Leah gave her maid to his bed accounting the Children begotten on them as their own Within seven years he had by Leah seven sons His issue viz. Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Issachar Zabulon and a daughter named Dinah by Bilhah Rachel's maid two sons Dan and Naphtali by Zilpah Leahs maid also two sons Gad and Asher Lastly by Rachel her self one son named Joseph and born the fourteen year of his service ending Six years longer he served Laban for wages being to have the Cattel of such and such a colour which his hard master changed ten times but could not withstand the providence of God in his growing rich His return 12. Having served his father-in-law and Uncle twenty years Chap. 31.32 c. and observing what envy he had contracted from him and his sons he stole away with all he had and proceeded three dayes on his yourney ere his departure was known Then Laban with his friends pursuing overtook him after seven dayes in Mount Gilead which from the event of this meeting had its name After several expostulations they made a Covenant Laban being warned by God not to hurt him and in Testimony thereof laid together an heap of stones which Jacob called Galead but Laban in his Syrian tongue Jegar-Sahadutha Jacob then continued his journey towards Canaan A. M. 2266. wrestling with God's Angel in his way from which he received a blessing and the sirname of Israel His brother Esau also met him and lovingly received him contrary to his fears The first place he stayed at was Succoth so called because there he built an House and made Booths for his Cattel Thence he passed over Jordan and came to Sichem where he bought of Hamor the father of Sichem a Field for a hundred Lambs or so many pieces of money How long he continued in either of these places is not expressed Demetrius * and Alexander Polyhistor wrote that he abode ten years in Socot Apud Euseb praeparat Evang. lib. 9. cap. 21. saying nothing of Sichem perhaps because he made little stay there Indeed Dinah seemeth to have been ravished not long after their first coming thither Hamor speaking to his Citizens concerning them as persons lately come and her curiosity to see the women of that Countrey probably may be thought to have proceeded Dinah ravished from the strangenesse of it At the end of these ten years she was ravished then sixteen years old being born a little before Joseph and perhaps the same year To be revenged upon Sichem who committed the rape her two brothers Simeon and Levi slew him and put the whole Citie to the sword coming upon them when they were yet sore by Circumcision which he had procured them to admit of that he might obtain the maid for his wife 13. Jacob much troubled hereat was commanded by God to go to Bethel having buried all the strange gods and the earings of his family under the Oake in Sichem At Bethel he erected an Altar to the Lord and here Deborah the Nurse of Rebecca died Thence he removed to Ephrath being 107 years old Rachel dieth and when they had almost reached the place Rachel died in Travel of Benjamin having as Demetrius and Alexander wrote lived with her husband 23 years Eleven years after Jacobs return into Canaan Chap. 38. when he was now 109 years old Joseph being hated of his brethren because he had brought to their father their evil report and for his dreams which presaged his preheminence over them they sold him to the Ismaelites Joseph sold A.M. 2277. who carried him down into Egypt where Potiphar Captain of the Kings Guard bought him being now seventeen years old Ten years he lived with him till refusing to satisfie the wanton desires of his Mistresse he was falsly accused by her of her own fault and cast into prison The year after he interpreted the Dreams of the chief Butler and Baker of Pharoh both which were in prison with him and accordingly the Baker was hanged but the Butler restored who yet forgat Joseph 14. At this time his Grand-father Isaac died aged 180 years A. M. 2288. in the 2288 year of the World He was buried in Hebron by his two Sons Esau and Jacob Isaac dieth the former having as some think they have ground in charity to believe reconciled himselfe to his Brother and joyned himselfe to the Church not being estranged from the Grace of God but onely from the speciall and particular Covenant as to the promised Seed which they have the same reason to think concerning Ismael The Funerall past and the Goods divided betwixt them being both
Chron. 19 20 21. chap. travelling himself from Beersheba unto Mount Ephraim to accomplish it he also constituted Judges to whom he gave a pious and strict charge After this the Moabites Ammonites and a great multitude of others invaded him against which he first strove by Prayer to God and thereby obtained Victory his Enemies being so stricken with madnesse that they fell upon and slaughtered one another Afterwards intending to send Ships for gold to Ophir because he joyned with wicked Ahaziah King of Israel the Lord spoiled the works and the Ships were broken at Esion-geber Some think he made his Son Partner in the Kingdom it self having formerly been but his Vicegerent a year or two before he died He reigned 25 years or rather 24 with some odd months Joram 6. To Jehosaphat succeeded Joram being 32 years old 2 Chron. 21. A. M. 3109. to the best Father the worst Son who being established in his Seat made away all his Brethren and some of the Princes In his dayes the Edomites or Idumaeans who hitherto from the time of David had been in subjection to the Kings of Judah revolted They had heretofore been governed by a Vice-Roy chosen either out of themselves or the Jews but now they made themselves a King the Prophecie of Isaac the common Progenitor of both Nations being now fulfilled that though Esau should serve his younger Brother Jacob yet the time should come when he should break the yoak from off his neck Gen. 27.40 At the same time Libnah a City of the Priest's in the Tribe of Judah revolted because he had forsaken the God of his Fathers for having married Ahab's Daughter he followed the example of his house making high-places in the Mountains of Iudah and causing his Sujects to commit Idolatry therein Because of this 2 Chron. 21. vers 12. there came a Writing to him from the Prophet Elijah rebuking him for his sin and foretelling his punishment Elijah being before this taken up to Heaven the Jews have believed that this Letter was sent down thence Some think there was another Prophet of this name but most are inclined to believe that foreseeing before his assumption the Idolatry of this man he left this Letter with his Schollers to be delivered to him in due time According to the threatnings therein contained God first stirred up against him the Philistins and Arabians who making an invasion took away all his goods his wives and sons except Jehoahaz the youngest otherwise called Ahaziah and Azariah Afterwards God struck him with an incurable disease in his bowels which after two years came out of his body so that he miserably died having reigned eight years three whereof are to be reckoned in conjunction with his father He was buried without honour at Jerusalem not in the Sepulcher of Kings not desired missed nor lamented Ahaziah A. M. 3116. 7. 2 Kings 8. 2 Chron. 22. Ahaziah his son succeeded him who followed the steps of his Grand-father Ahab's wicked family and became a Patron of Idolaters But having scarce reigned one year he went down to Jezreel to visite his Uncle Joram King of Israel where they were both killed by Jehu 2 Kings 9. Joram being slain outright and Ahaziah dying shortly after of his wound at Megiddo Athaliah his mother seized upon the Kingdom Athaliah usurpeth Chap. 11. 2 Chron. 24. wherein to establish her self she destroyed all the Royal seed Onely Jehosheba the daughter of Joram and wife to Jehojada the High-Priest withdrew Joash an infant her brother's son and hid him six years in the house of God At the end of these years Jehojada brought him out to the people then seven years old and anointing him King slew Athaliah restored the worship of God and destroyed the house of Baal whose Priest Matthan he slew before the Altar Joas 8. Joas then succeeded his father after six years 2 Kings 12. A. M. 3122. who did what was good and just as long as Jehojada the Priest lived and through his advice took care to repair the Temple which now had stood 155 years But Jehojada being dead who lived 130 years the Jews observing that he the repairer of the Temple was born the same year that the builder thereof died Idolatry brake out afresh through his connivance The Prophets exclaimed against it in vain especially Zacharias the son and successor of Jehojada against whom Joas was so far transported beyond the bound's of piety gratitude to his father's memory that he commanded him to be stoned and that in the Court of the house of the Lord. Whil'st as he died he said The Lord look upon it and requite it So he did for after a years time the forces of Hazael King of Syria though but small invaded Judah destroyed all the Princes of the people and sent the spoyl to their King Joas himself they left very sick of great diseases but when they were departed from him his own servants conspired against him for the bloud of the sons of Jehojada the Priest and slew him on his bed in the 40th year of his reign A. M. 3160. 9. Amaziah his son succeeded him Chap. 14. who also seemeth to have reigned with him the three last years seeing he is said to have begun his reign in the second year of Joas King of Israel When he was confirmed in his seat 2 Chron. 25. A. M. 3160. he put those to death that slew his father sparing their Children according to the Law of Moses In his 12th year he undertook an expedition against the Edomites with 300000 of his own Subjects and 100000 Israelites which he hired for 100 Talents of silver But as he was about to begin his march a Prophet dehorted him from joyning to himself the Idolatrous Israelites so that he dismissed them and they returned home in great discontent He prospered against the Idumaeans but the Souldiers dismissed fell upon his Cities and smiting 300 of them took much spoyl Yet he at his return to amend the matter having brought home the gods of the Edomites set them up to be his gods bowed down before them and burnt incense to them The Lord being sore angry for this sent first a Prophet to him whom he rejected But burning with a desire to be revenged upon the Israelites he sent and defied Joas their King who admonished him to be well advised but this being in vain they met and joyned battel wherein Amaziah was taken and led back to Jerusalem the Wall of which Citie Joas demolished 400 Cubits and plundering the house of the Lord with the Kings house then departed Fifteen years after Amaziah lived but then having turned away from following the Lord a conspiracy was made against him in Ierusalem whence he fled to Lachish and there was slain by the pursuers after he had reigned 29 years Uzziah 10. He left a son named Uzziah and Azariah who succeeded him 2 Kings 15. but being
and whatsoever was in his house for which Isaiah the Prophet denounced the carrying away of all these things to Babylon For the pride of his heart there was wrath upon him and Iudah yet he humbled himself both he and the inhabitants of Iudah so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in his dayes He flourished in abundance of riches and honour stopped the upper water-course of Gihon and brought it streight down to the West-side of the Citie of David He reigned 29 years 3 whereof were together with his father being dead they buried him in the chiefest Sepulchers of the sons of David and all Iudah with the Inhabitants of Ierusalem did him honour at his death Manasses 15. Manasses his son succeeded him at the Age of twelve years 2 Kings 21. 2 Chron. 33. A. M. 3304. Olymp. 19. an 4. and therefore was begotten by him after his recovery He did evil in the sight of the Lord above those Nations which the Lord had cast out before Israel being more Idolatrous then any of his Predecessors he was also given to Witchcraft and Divinations built Altars for all the Host of heaven which he served in the two Courts of the house of the Lord wherein he also set up an Image of the Grove which he had made He filled Ierusalem with innocent bloud amongst other Martyrs Isaiah the Prophet as it 's said being sawn asunder with a wooden saw because he was free with him in reproving his ungodly life although he was of the bloud royal as the son of Amos the brother of King Amaziah according to the tradition of the Jews who also have related him to have been father-in-law nay as some Grand-father by the Mothers side to Manasses himself In such wickednesse continued he for several years till such time as God sent upon him the Captains of the King of Assyria Esarchaddon some think who took him lying hid amongst the thorns and carried him bound with fetters unto Babylon which City as it appeareth from this place was now again under the King of Assyria Here having leisure and occasion to bethink himself in his affliction he repented was humbled greatly and besought the Lord who heard his Prayer and restored him to his Kingdom After this he knew that the Lord was God and purged his Realm of Idolatry which Reformation the Jews make to have been in the 33th year before his death He reigned 55 years Amon. 16. Amon his Son succeeded him in his Kingdom and Idolatry A. M. 3359. Olymp. 33. an 4. but not in his Repentance worshipping and sacrificing to all the carved Images which his Father had made and going on to trespasse more and more After two years his servants conspired against him and slew him in his own house Chap. 34. all whom the people of the Land put to death and made Iosiah his Son a child of eight years old King in his stead Josiah He in the eighth year of his reign began to seek after the God of his Fathers and in his twelfth to cleanse his Kingdom and all the Land of Israel from Idolatry although the greatest part of the later was now subject to the King of Assyria 2 Kings 23. 2 Chron. 35. A. M. 3368. Olymp. 35. an 4. In the 18th year of his reign and of his age the 26th he commanded the Temple to be repaired and the Worship of God therein restored where also finding a Book of the Law he renewed the Covenant between God and the people and celebrated such a solemn Passeover as had not been kept in Israel since the time of the Judges Now if the time of the Judges and the Oppressions be not confounded but taken at their full length then this year being the 9â—0th ending or the 931th beginning from the entering into Canaan was the 7th of the 133 week or the last of the 19th Jubilie Iosiah in his 31th year ending disguised himself that he might fight with Necho King of Aegypt who was going up against the Assyrian and would not hearken to his words from the mouth of God labouring with him to refuse fighting against the Lord who had sent him and commanded him to make haste Therefore joyning battell with him in the Valley of Megiddo he was sore wounded and being carried to Ierusalem died there all Iudah and Ierusalem mourning and making great lamentation for him Jehoahaz 17. Whilst Pharaoh was busie in his affairs against the Assyrians the people made Jehoahaz the younger Son of Josias King 2 Chron. 36. A. M. 3392. Olymp. 41. an 4. who continued but three moneths in the dignity For Pharaoh having finished his work at Euphrates and in Coelesyria came to Jerusalem whence he led away into Aegypt this young King and left his elder Brother Eliakim in his place whose name he changed into Jehoiakim Jehoiakim imposing a taxe of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold upon the Land Though Jeoahaz be said to have reigned three moneths yet some will have a year to have passed betwixt the 31 year of Josias and the first of Jehoiakim partly for that Josias seemeth to have reigned something more than 31 years and some space would be taken up in so solemn a mourning for him before the instalment of Jehoahaz and also to consult about this thing seeing it was against right and custom to give this honour to the younger Brother lastly some time perhaps some moneths was requisite for setling the affairs of Judaea about the instalment of Jehoiakim and the tribute Ludovicus Cappellus moreover giveth a whole year to Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim though the Scripture speaketh but of three moneths a piece that the last year of Zedekiah might fall into the 390th year from the rent of the Kingdom of which more when we arrive at that time 18. Jehoiakim thus advanced by Pharaoh Necho was 25 years old when he began to reign which if so he was born in the fifteenth year of his Father's age as if Jehoahaz was 23 when he began his reign he must also have been born in the sixteenth of Josiah This maketh Josiah to have applied himself to procreation of children at least in the fourteenth year of his life which seeming too early and not agreeable to the Piety of that Prince there are that suspect for 25 ought to be read 15 and 13 for 23 so that the one might be born in the 24 and the other in the 25 year of his Father But thereis no necessity for such a reading of the Text. The fourth year of Jehoiakim fell in with the first of Nebuchadnezar King of Babylon Ierem. 25 1 3. and was the 23th from the 13th of the reign of Josias wherein Jeremiah the Prophet first began to prophesy and hence it also appeareth that Iosias reigned at least full 31 years and that one passed between his death and the beginning of Iehoiakim else 23 onely had passed betwixt the
and thence to Athens where he was acquitted in the Court of Areopagus about his mother the suffrages for and against him being equal in which case judgement alwayes passed on the Defendants side Paterculus l. 1. A little after this he is thought to have killed Pyrrhus as he was sacrifizing to his father at the Temple of Delphos and then resumed his wife Pausan in Corinthiacis When Menelaus was dead he obtained the Kingdom of Sparta the Lacedaemonians being more willing to receive him as the Grand-son of Tyndareus by Clytemnestra than the base sons of Menelaus Nicostratus and Megapenthos begotten on a slave It is probable that he as his father before him was supream Lord of Argos and that the Successors of Melampus and Bias ever since the division of the Kingdom or for a good space held their principalities of his Predecessors and himself But now being King of Lacedaemon and the greatest part of Arcadia lying near to Argos after the death of Cylababos the son of Sihenelus who left no Children and that Amphilochus was departed thence to the Amphilochians to whom he gave name having the Phocians constant friends to him he easily made himself sole master of Argos and so this Kingdom was re-united about 140 years after the threefold division of it Divers years after he placed a Colony of the Aeolians in Asia * Strabo l. 13. pag. 582. four ages before that of the Ionians and shortly after died in Arcadia when he had reigned 70 years 34. He left (b) Vide Pausan ut priùs p. 60. Apollodorum l. 2. pag. 123. two sons One legitimate and named Tisamenus from his revenging his fathers death begotten on Hermione and another born of Erigone the daughter of Aegisthus Tisamenus succeeded him according to Pausanias though Paterculus writeth that both of them reigned after their fathers death Tisamenus Scarce was Tisamenus warm in his seat when he was displaced by the Heraclidae or posterity of Hercules They had several times attempted their return into Peloponnesus but were ever frustrated till now Hyllus the son of Hercules once or twice Cleodaeus his son after him and Aristomachus his son also with the same successe Aristomachus left three sons Temenus Cresphontes and Aristodemus which being grown up consulted the Oracle of Apollo concerning their return and had the same answer their father formerly had that they should attain their desire if they went by the way Stenygrus which word in the Greek being of an ambiguous signification Aristomachus thinking by it to be meant the Isthmus as a narrow way led down his forces through it and miscarried Temenus objecting this the Pythia or woman that delivered the Oracles answered that their Ancestors by their misunderstanding had been Authors of their own infelicity for whereas Hyllus was told that the third fruit was to be expected the third Generation was meant and not the third crop or summer as he expounded it and accordingly perished And as for Stenygrus by it they were to understand the deep Sea on the right hand as one entreth Peloponnesus and not the narrow Isthmus Having received this answer and conceiving all things now to be fulfilled and ripe for their effectual return they built ships in Aetolia upon that Sea the place wherein they were made thenceforth keeping the name of Naupactus from that occasion Whil'st they were about this work a certain Prophet appeared to them and foretold them several things but Hippotes taking him for a Magician sent on purpose to delude the Army killed him For this a Pestilence was sent amongst them about which consulting the Oracle they were bidden to banish Hippotes for 10 years and use the conduct of a Captain with three eyes for two years space The return of the Heraclidae 35. Seeking out such a man they met one (c) Apollodorus Oxylus an Aetolian son to Thoas that went to the siege of Troy who being on hors-back had but one eye now returning into his own Countrey from Elea in Peloponnesus whither he had been banished for killing a man Him they made Captain of the expedition bargaining to procure him the possession of Elis as (d) Eliac 1. p. 150. Pausanias witnesseth who reporteth him to have ridden on a Mule that had but one eye and therefore to have been taken for the man meant by the Oracle through the perswasion of Cresphontes Being ready they (e) Polyaenus Stratag l. 21. A.M. 2901. gave out they would march again through the Isthmus and by that means the Peloponnesians attending their motions there easily passed over the Sea and landed at Molycrjum Three parts of Peloponnesus especially they challenged as their due Argos because descended of Perseus whereas Tisamenus the present King was of the posterity of Pelops Lege Pausan in Argolicis Strabon l. 18. p. 352 c. who had no right to that Kingdom Lacedaemon for that Hercules killed Hypocoon who had expelled Tyndareus thence and restored the later to the Kingdom on this condition to keep it for his children Messenia because having also conquered it when he destroyed the City Pilus and slew all the brothers of Nestor he gave it to him of meer goodness and compassion but on the same condition as Lacedaemon to Tyndareus The dominion of Argos without much adoe they got into their hands after that taking a certain Village in the confines thereof Temenus fortified it and used it for a place of retreat for carrying on the War One Philonomus betrayed Sparta into their hands Strabo lib. 18. p. 365. which they entered with sound of Pipes instead of Trumpets as most effectual by the tune to make the Soldier attentive and keep his ranks which use was constantly observed by the Lacedaemonians Polyaenus together with that of the Harp 36. Tisamenus and the Achaeans thus expelled these parts Phusan in Achaicis Messenicis Laeinicis and out of Messenia by the Heraclidae and Dorienses their associates sent to the Ionians then inhabiting Peloponnesus their Neighbours desiring leave to live amongst them But they being jealous of him lest for his high birth and valour he should be chosen King of the Country denied their request The Achaeans then driven by necessity and desperation attempted to get by force what they could not by intreaty and though they lost Tisamenus in the fight drave the Iones out of their Seats and constrained them to passe into Attica where they were received by the Athenians through the perswasion of Melanthus the King As for the Heraclidae when they came to divide what they had won Argos fell to Temenus Cresphontes by fraud used in the Lot obtained Messene and Lacedaemon became the portion of Procles and Eurystheus the sons of Aristodemus who was slain by the sons of Pylas kinsmen to Tisamenus before they entered Peloponnesus They also according to their ingagement possessed Oxylus of Elis. Temenus obtained Argos 37. Temenus being setled in Argos
was said to belong to their Masters But in processe of time when the Romans degenerated from their former worth and honour some by Roberies others by breaking of houses and other villanies got money whereby they purchased their freedom Some by helping their Masters in these things obtained liberty as a reward others on condition to let them enjoy the monthly allowance of Corn out of the publick purse or other Largesses conferred by Princes upon poor Citizens Sometimes they were manumitted through the levity and vain-glory of their Lords some having by their Testaments set at liberty all their Slaves to obtain a fame of clemency after their death and that their Funerals might be celebrated by a great train of such as wore caps upon that occasion in which pomp a thousand Rogues have been seen who much better deserved hanging This was laid to the charge of the Mistresse of the World that challenging the Empire over all she should defile her self with such impure Citizens which custom might have been reformed as Dionysius observeth by the care of the Censors who inquiring into the lives of Senators and Knights never considered what persons were unfit to be admitted Free-men 36. Tullus not onely clipped the power of the Patritians and Senate but took away half of the King's Prerogative also Whereas the former Princes called before themselves all controversies Tullius clipeth the King's power and took cognisance of crimes as well committed against particular persons as the publick he separated these causes making himself Judge of such as respected the Commonwealth and referring the quarrels of private persons unto others to whom he prescribed Laws and Rules for to go by After he had thus ordered the Common-wealth he caused the Latines to build a Temple at Rome to Diana upon the Aventine hill whereat they should meet and feast every year and so preserve themselves as one body politick in unity and concord If any controversie arose betwixt particular Towns it was to be decided by the judgement of others in such a manner as the Amphyctiones in Greece were wont to proceed the Council of the Ionians at the Temple of Ephesus and that of the Dorienses in the Temple of Apolla built by common consent at Epitropium These things were done by Tullius at home according to Dionysius Livie and others to which we may add from Pliny that he first stamped money with the image of Cattel whence it was called Pecunia whereas the Romans before his time used it in a rude lump or Masse As for his actions abroad he warred with the Hetruscans 20 years who refused to obey him as an obscure man and renounced the league formerly made In all battels both with the united Nation and particular Cities he ever had the better triumphed over them thrice and at length forced them to submit to the yoak on the same terms as formerly Tarquinius had imposed it except that from three Towns that had been principal in the revolt hee took part of their grounds which he divided to those that had newly been made free of the City Is murdered by his son in Law and his own daughter Having done these things at home and abroad when he was grown old and not far from the natural period of his life he perished by the devices of Tarquinius his son in law and of his own daughter 37. Tullius had two daughters by his wife Tarquinia which he married to their two Cousin-germans the grand-sons of Tarquinius joyning them in wedlock according to their age as he thought it most equal and convenient But it hapned that they were matched together with those of dispositions clean contrary to one another Lucius the elder a man of a bold arrogant and tyrannical nature had an honest modest wife and one most dutiful towards her Father on the contrary Aruns Tarquinius the younger being of a mild and sweet disposition light on a wicked woman one of a bitter spirit against her Father ready for to attempt any thing Lucius breaking out into passion against his Father in Law for keeping the Kingdom from him was still appeased by his wife but Aruns being content to stay his time and averse to any thing that might favour of disrespect to Tullius was importuned ever and disquieted by his wive's earnest and tedious sollicitations to attempt the utmost though with the destruction of her Father for the obtaining of the Soveraignty This woman being impatient of her husband's backwardnesse and bewitched by the fury of ambition resolved to change husbands if it might be and match her self to the other Tarquin who suited well with her own humor she brake her mind to Lucius telling him of what a sordid spirit they were to suffer an Usurper so long to possess their Patrimony railing against her own husband as a man of a poor and degenerate disposition and at length made a profer for them two to dispatch out of the way their present unequal yoak-fellows and then unite themselves in that relation thereby to bring about their noble and gallant design He was not backward to a compliance and the device was accordingly brought about after which they resolved by force to expel Tullius from the Kingdom if hee would not give place on his own accord raising a faction of the Patritians that were discontented with the King 's new modelling of the State and the poorest Plebeians whose assistance they purchased openly without any respect to right or modesty Tullius was not ignorant what they intended and feared also to be destroyed ere hee could provide for his defence yet thinking it an unseemly thing to make War upon his son in Law and his own daughter and punish them as Enemies he indeavourd by fair means to take them off before their Friends blaming admonishing and dehorting Tarquinius from the intended injury 38. Effecting nothing hereby but the other saying he would plead his cause in the Senate he called together the Fathers and gave him liberty to speak Tarquin laid his claim to the Kingdom as his Grand-fathers Heir and alleged that Tullius kept it from him unjustly having got all his preferment from their family and obtained the place illegally without the consent of the Senate Tullius replied that the Kingdom was in the power of the People to dispose of it to whomsoever they would which he proved from the example of Tarquinius Priscus who being a stranger was preferred before the Marcii He mentioned how well he had deserved of him by protecting and taking care of him in his minority and as for his coming to the Government without the ordinary assent of the Senate that concerned the Fathers and not him He then appealed to the Senate whether ever he had wronged or carried himself arrogantly towards any of them that they should conspire with his son in Law against him and in conclusion told them that if they thought Tarquinius the fitter man he should not be against the profit of the Commonwealth
Antiqu. l. 11. c. 1. the year wherein Jerusalem was taken and 42462 Jews as Josephus reckoneth up the number departed and went into Judaea Though the other Tribes formerly led into Captivity by Salmanasar might have the same liberty of returning yet having together with the memory of their antient Countrey lost their affection to their God and it regarded not the time the Lord having onely promised liberty of returning to those that were exported by Nebuchadnesar And a great part of the Tribe of Judah it self if not the greater unwilling to leave their possessions got in a strange Land as also discouraged by the difficulties and troubles they were to undergo preferred perpetual banishment before the seat and habitation of their Ancestors 2. In the second year of the Persian Empire and the second moneth A.M. 3474. V.C. 223. Olymp. 62. an 2. when all things were in a readinesse according to Commission given by the King who defrayed the charge out of his own Revenue and restored the Golden Vessels carried away by Nebuchadnesar the Levites were set over the work of the Lords house and Zorubbabel laid the foundation of the second Temple The second Temple built at Jerusalem to the joy of the younger sort born in Captivity but with the lamentation of the elder who had seen the glory of the former house When the Chuthites whom Esarhaddon planted in Samaria heard of their progresse in the work they first fraudulently offered their assistance pretending the same religion and being rejected so corrupted the Courtiers who either kept the thing from Cyrus or he was then busied in his Wars as Josephus writeth that the building was hindred for several years untill the second of Darius the son of Hystaspes For this the Prophet Daniel who was yet alive Dan. 10. and nigh 90 years old as having been carried into Captivity 73 years before mourned and fasted three weeks and had the great and last Vision concerning the future Kings of Persia of Alexander the Great and his Successors in Asia and Egypt untill the time of the Hasmonaeans or Maccabees But whether he lived past the third year of Cyrus or no is uncertain 3. Concerning the end of Cyrus many and several things are written According to Herodotus Trogus and others he invaded the Massagetes and perished in their Countrey The end of Cyrus variously reported The Queen of this Scythian people named Tomyris he first made a pretence to sue to for marriage but she being aware of this design to entrap her forbad him entrance whereupon betaking himself from wiles to force he laid a bridge over the River Araxes and provided for the passing of his Army over Whil'st he thus imployed himself she was so hardy as to send him a message offering him either to invade her Countrey or else to permit her a passage into his Amazed at it he referred the matter to his Council what should be done therein where some advised him to suffer her to passe the River but Craesus stifly opposed it shewing the danger in case he were overthrown but in one battel and advised him after he had set over his men and discovered the enemy to leave the weakest sort amongst his Army there in the Camp plentifully provided of strong wines with which liquor being utterly unacquainted they would make themselves drunk and so might be easily destroyed This advice succeeded accordingly and amongst the rest Spargapises the Queen's son was taken prisoner who as soon as he came to himself desired to be loosed and put an end to his life with his own hands out of a deep sence of his condition His mother knowing nothing of his death with threatning language required Cyrus to dismisse him and when she saw he returned not gathered together all her forces wherewith counterfeiting flight she trained the King into streights and by an ambush laid in the Mountains cut him off with his whole Army to the number of 200000 men His head she cast into a bason of bloud upbraiding him with cruelty in these words satisfie thy self with bloud after which thou hast thirsted Lib. 2. To this story Diodorus addeth that she nailed his body to a Crosse 4. But Ctesias wrote that the last War he made was against the Derbices a people also of Scythia whom though he overcame SECT 1. yet he received a wound in fight of which he died three dayes after Xenophon saith he died aged and in peace and how finding himself almost spent he called to him his friends with his two sons Cambyses and Smerdis or Tanaoxares whom after a long Oration wherein he discoursed much concerning the immortality of the Soul and the punishment and reward which is due to things committed in this life he exhorted by the strongest arguments to perpetual concord and love If so he acted like one that had received the knowledge of the true God which he had opportunity also to know from Daniel and others being by them instructed in the Scriptures Some think that the variety of these reports proceeded from the study of the Persians to conceal the shame of his being overthrown by the policy of a woman Others observe that had he lost his whole Army in Scythia it is scarce probable that his son would have transported all his remaining Forces into Egypt so soon and hereby leave that side of his Kingdom destitute and naked when the Scythian Nation bordering upon Media was so victorious not to add that Cambysses would not have been able to undertake and perform such a Conquest in so little a space Considerable certainly is that which the Writers of Alexander's Acts have committed to memory as Curtius Plutarch Arrianus and even Aristobulus who by command of the King was an eye witnesse of it as he is cited by Strabo Lib. 15. p. 730. That he was buried in his own Citie Pasagardis in Persia where his Epitaph was plain to be read in which after telling the Traveller who he was he desired him not to grudge him that earth wherewith his body was covered Vide Plutarch in Alexandro The Tomb was opened by Alexander either out of hope to find some Treasure or what was pretended out of desire to honour his dead body with some Ceremonies and in it were found an old Target two Scythian Bows and a sword The Coffin wherein he lay Alexander caused to be covered with his own Roab and a Crown of Gold to be set thereon These things something weaken the credit of that opinion which Herodotus relateth as the most probable of those that were held in his time But lesse credit is to be given to that * Maleta which will have him slain in a Sea-fight against the inhabitants of Samus and * Lucian in Macrobiis another that lengtheneth his life to 100 years whereas he scarce passed 70. Herodotus giveth to his reign 29 years but most agree that he reigned 30. which must be counted from his
it would prosecute with War to his utmost power both at Sea and Land The Ambassadors went home and made report of what was proposed to the several Commonwealths who grudged it much that the Cities of Asia for whose liberty Agesilaus had taken so much pains should be so unworthily again betrayed But being necessitated to submit they accepted of the conditions and the peace was sworn to at length by all Greece in the second year of the 96th Olympiad A. M. 3618. and the 18th year of Artaxerxes A. M. 3618. 75. Artaxerxes being thus freed from this tedious controversie with the Graecians set himself to a preparation for the Wars of Cyprus Diodorus l. 16. ad Olymp. 98. ann 3. from which as yet he had been diverted Evagoras by this time through the assistance of Chabrias whom the Athenians had sent to his aid with 800 Peltasts and ten Gallies had brought under the whole Island having got together also a most numerous Army whilest the King was kept in play by the Graecians For he entred into society with Acoris King of Egypt Artaxerxes turneth his forces from the Graecians against Cyprus who furnished him with great store of money and Hecatomnus the Viceroy of Caria under-hand supplied him with some for the hiring of forein Souldiers and the King of Arabia with others who bore no good will to Artaxerxes sent a great power of men He had in a readinesse 90 Gallies whereof twenty lay at Tyre in Phoenicia which with other Cities he had got into his hands and the rest anchored readily furnished before Cyprus The King gathered together both his Land and Sea forces the former consisting of 300000 men and the later of 300 Gallies Over his Land Army he appointed General Orontes his son-in-law and Teribazus Admiral of his Navy who taking up their forces out of Phocaea and Cuma marched down into Cilicia whence passing over into Cyprus with great industry they began the War 76. Evagoras having 6000 men of his own many more Auxiliaries and having hired a great force of strangers over and above money being very plentifull with him first with his Pinnaces well Armed set upon the Enemies ships as they brought in provisions whereof some he took others he sunk or chaced away Hereby it came to passe that no Commodities being imported into the Island a great dearth ensued in the Persian Camp and hereby a mutiny of the Souldiers especially of the mercenaries who fell upon their Officers and killed some of them This put Glos the Admiral upon a resolution to sayl with the whole Fleet into Cilicia whence he brought sufficient supply which Evagoras seeing and considering his Navy to be far inferiour to the Persian he got ready other sixty ships and procuring fifty more from Acoris who readily furnished him with all things necessary for the War he made up his Fleet 200 sayl Getteth a victory at Sea against Evagoras Then exercised he his men often to prepare them for a fight and that to the terror of the Enemy who beheld it and at length as the Persian Fleet sayled by Citium he fell upon it taking some Vessels and sinking others but the Admiral and other Commanders standing close to their tackling a sharp conflict ensued in which though Evagoras at the first prevailed yet Glos with all his power and with great earnestnesse and valour grapling with him he was at length after great losse put to flight 77. The Persians after this victory mustered all their forces both by Sea and Land at Citium and presently both wayes laid siege to Salamine Now Evagoras though he had had the better of it formerly in some sallies out upon the besiegers cooled in his courage after this defeat Though the siege was very straight and pressing yet resolving to continue the War he left his son Pythagoras for the defence of the Citie with full Authority and departed by night with ten Gallies into Egypt where he laboured hard with Acoris the King to perswade him to carry on the War with him and that with all his power He granted him some money Diodorus ad ann 4. Olymp. 98. but for that he was discouraged by the late defeat nothing according to his expectation so that returning and finding the Citie very much straightned and himself destitute of succour he was forced to send about an accommodation Teribazus offered his consent upon these terms that quitting all the Cities except Salamine he should for that pay a yearly Tribute to the King and be at his command as a servant to his Lord which though hard he consented to except the last thinking it a great disgrace to be at his back as a servant and more reasonable to be subject to him as one King to another His Captains disagree and peace is made 78. Teribazus not admitting of this exception Orontes his colleague and emulator accused him by secret Letters to the King as well for other matters as that having an opportunity sufficient to take Salamine he did not use it but spent his time in treaties with the Enemy he farther laid to his charge privatly entring into friendship with Lacedaemon sending to consult the Oracle about warring against the King and especially alluring the Officers by honours gifts and promises Artaxerxes believing these things wrote back to Orontes to arrest Teribazus and send him presently unto him who accordingly sent earnestly desired to be brought to his tryal but being for the present committed to prison and the King employed in the Cadusian War his judgement was still delayed In the mean time Orontes being now General with full power and authority in Cyprus finding that Evagoras with great courage still held out and that his own Souldiers taking ill the imprisonment of Teribazus refused to obey him sent to Evagoras to treat of peace offering him the same conditions he was formerly willing to admit of from Teribazus He being thus delivered beyond hope concluded a peace on these terms to pay yearly Tribute for the Kingdom of Salamine and as King to be obedient to the King of Persia Isocrates in Evagora And thus the Cyprian War ended ten years after the first preparation for it and after it had been managed 2 years Artaxerxes after all this time and the expence of 50 Talents leaving Evagoras in effect in the same condition he was before 79. Gaus the Persian Admiral after this War Diodorus ut suprà having married the daughter of Teribazus fearing lest because of his affinity he should be suspected also by the King and suffer upon that account resolved for a prevention to fortifie himself against him by entring into league with his Enemies This he did presently with Acoris of Egypt Gaus out of fear conspireth with the Lacedaemonians against the King and wrote to the Lacedaemonians to excite them to break the peace making large offers of what he could do for Greece They had of late as before cast in
him to be the right Lord and owner of her Great outcries and lamentation being made as well by the by-standers as the Virgin 's relations Appius commanded all to depart and gave order to Claudius to take possession of his Slave Virginius seeing there was no way but to yield to the Tyrant's lust if his daughter lived desired he might speak with her a little aside as to take his last farewell which being granted he drew her hanging upon him and pitifully bewailing her condition towards a Butchers stall whose knife taking into his hands he said Daughter I will send thee to our Ancestors both free and of honest repute for the Tyrant will not suffer thee to be either here and therewith he stabbed and dispatch'd her 14. With the bloudy knife in his hand he ran through the Citie calling the People to their liberty and coming to the Gate rode Post to the Army a company of 400 Plebeians following after In the same posture he came to the Camp at Algidum holding the knife which together with his cloaths was all bloudy Calling the Soldiers together he took occasion from his own misfortune to let them see in what condition their liberty stood and with urgent reasons perswaded them to revolt from the ten and redeem their Countrey They being conscientious as to their Sacramentum or Military Oath whereby they had sworn not to forsake their Leaders but follow them whithersoever he told them they were discharged from any Obligation because the Law for the Oath supposed the Captains should be created according to the Laws which the ten were not having usurped the power ever since the last time for the Comitia Being satisfied herewith the Army departed some few Centurious onely remaining and took up its station in the Aventine Mount and the next day fortifying the Camp chose ten Captains whereof M. Oppius was the Chief Presently there came a great party from Fidenae and joyned with them being offended with the murther of Siccius and they chusing also ten men out of their body to the twenty the whole matter now contended for was referred Appius in the mean while having gone by force to suppresse the tumult he had raised in the Citie was overpowered by the faction of Valerius and Horatius formerly mentioned and now perceiving that most of the odium lay upon himself as the principal cause he kept himself in his house Sp. Oppius therefore assembled the Fathers at which time came the Captains from Fidenae requiring that the revolters might be punished L. Cornelius accordingly moved that they should all be remanded back to their charges which if they obeyed the Ring-leaders onely were to be punished but if they refused the Senate then should consider how all those might be dealt with who had betrayed their trust But the Fathers were too sensible of present grievances to hear the motion of such corrupt interest Procureth the destruction of the Decemvirate and were prevailed with by Valerius and Horatius to make Peace with the Army which by this time was departed to the Holy Mount on condition that the same form of Government should return as was in being before the creation of the Decemviri 15. Valerius Potitus and M. Horatius Barbatus both inheritors of popularity The next Consuls prefer Popular Laws were created Consuls in the Centuriate Comitus who according to their promise to the Commons when they procured them to lay down Arms that they would by all means possible procure their benefit preferred divers Laws to the regret of the Patritians One was that such Laws as the Commons enacted should passe in the Comitia of the Curiae wherein they were more prevalent than the Partitians as those in the Centuriate by reason of their influence upon the Equites and the richer sort of Plebeians were ever too strong for the multitude by reason of the distribution of the several Classes into Centuries formerly shewn After this the Tribunes whereof Virginius was one thought fit to call the Decemviri to an account Virginius being appointed the accuser of Appius insisted most saith Livie upon that Law which commanded the defendant to have liberty till such time as his or her slavery was proved which Appius had gone about to violate in his daughter's case Before the trial being committed to prison for that no bail would be taken he was there found dead as some thought secretly made away by the Tribunes but as they and others gave out having hanged himself After him Sp. Oppius as next to him in guilt was accused and being condemned died the same day in prison by his own hands saith Livie The other eight banished themselves and Claudius the pretended Master of Virginius was driven out after them with which justice the State was satisfied and indemnity given to all others Things thus seeming to be setled the Consuls took the field against the Aequi Volsci and Sabines against whom their successe was such as deserved a Triumph but the Senate gave them a repulse being grieved at the Laws they had made in behalf of the Commons Claudius also the Uncle of Appius accused them of the murther of his Nephew and other violent courses taken against the Decemviri and their party whereas all ought to have been according to agreement buried in oblivion The Consuls appealed to the People and complaining much of the Senate procured by the help of the Tribunes a Law to passe for their receiving the privilege of Triumph from the People 16. The Commons by all the privileges already obtained were but more inflamed with a desire of greater each morsel out of the prerogative of the Patritians adding unto their appetite After three years they required to be made partakers of the Consulship which hitherto the other had enjoyed Yet the multitude being insatiable and restlesse demand the Consulship being elected in the Centuriate Comitia wherein they themselves had the power The Tribunes provided a bill for making the People free and at their own choice whether they would create Patritians or Plebeians at every election which thing the Senators bearing most hainously as seeing their privileges utterly ruined thereby thought all things to be endured rather than the Law should passe The Allies of Rome now sent for aid against the Aequi and Sabines who invaded them and news was brought that the Veientes and Ardeates would revolt but the Tribunes those Popular Tyrants hindred all Levies Publick businesse hereby hindred suffering none that refused to be listed to receive punishment neither could the Senate prevail with them to defer the matter till the Warre should be ended The Consuls in so difficult a time held a private conference of certain Senators whereof Claudius according to the genius of his Ancestors was all for resistance urging that nothing was in this matter to be yielded to the Commons who went about to change the constitution of the State and thereby were enemies to it But T. Quintius shewed what
for he contented himself with the Equestrian rank neither could he not obtain greater things but he would * Maecenas eques Hetrusco de Sanguint regum Intra fortunam qui cupis esse tuam Propertius l. 3. not He had great power with Augustus which he improved to the allaying of his passion and doing good offices for others as one example shews above the rest On a time as Augustus sate in Judgment and was about to sentence many to death he perceiving it and nor able to come at him for the croud wrote these words Rise up at last Executioner in a table and cast them into Caesar's lap as some other matter who having read them presently departed without condemning any Neither did this offend Augustus but he was glad that he had one who would be so free with him and curb that anger which either his inclination or the urgency of businesse moved him to (a) Cilnius Arreti Tyrrhenis ortus in oris Clarum nomen erat Silius Italicus Cilnius was the antient name of his Family and Arretium in the Tyrrhenian Coasts the place of it (b) L. 7. c. 5â— Pliny telleth strange passages of him as that he never was without an Ague and for three years before his death never slept a quarter of an hour together In the same year which was that wherein Augustus mended the Calendar and called the moneth Sextilis after himself Horace the Poet also died in the 57 year of his age His familiarity with Caesar and Maecenas is sufficiently known His life is written by Suetonius 40. Augustus having again quieted all Nations and shut the Temple of Janus the third time having ordained a general taxation throughout the Empire that he might know the State and worth thereof having also refused the name of Dominus or Lord with great earnestnesse which he forbad even his Children and Nephews by an edict to use towards him the Lord and Heir of all things came into the World in the fulnesse of time revealed by the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Daniel for the fulfilling of the promises made concerning the seed of the woman The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ which should break the serpents head A. M. 4003. Ol. 194. an 3. V. C. 752. Caesare Augusto 13. M. Plautio Silano Coss Great difference there is in assigning the year of the World wherein our Saviour was born by reason of the difficulty of computation arising from the several versions of the Scriptures the intricate and uncertain successions of the Judges the variety of the forms of years and the several reckonings as to parcels of such as are related in Scripture A great help for the regulation of these things is afforded from prophane Histories But it beginneth but with Cyrus whose History as to the restauration of the Jews presenteth us with the first certain note of conjunction he being so named both by holy and prophane Writers but not Nebuchadnesar and yet the duration of his reign is also uncertain Yet as from all these opinions weighed together a good account may be given in another place more proper for the length of it as to the year of the World so the Evangelist teaching us that in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Christ was about thirty years old it must needs follow that Augustus reigned fifteen years after his birth so that if we count as some do the reign of Augustus from the death of Julius Caesar it lasted 57 years and then must Christ be born in the 42 of it But if we follow them as the order of this Work doth who with more reason fetch the beginning of his Empire from the death of Antony and the conquest of Aegypt then Christ's birth fell into the 28 year thereof and according to the computation which we most approve into the 4003 year of the World the 752 of the City and the third year of the 194 Olympiad wherein Caesar Augustus himself the thirteenth time and M. Plautius Silanus were Consuls Although Cyrenius who was Consul ten years before and is called elsewhere P. Sulpicius Quirinus might not formally be President of Syria which Office as others say was now obtained by Quintilius Vanus Josephus Antiq. l. 17. c. 7. who succeeded Saturninus who as yet was not departed out of the Province yet being set over this taxation by Augustus in that place this title might well be given him though he then governed Cilicia De bello Judaic l. 1. c. 15. as Herod is by Jesephus said to be constituted Procurator of all Syria though it had it's Officers who were to act by his assistance and direction Herod had now reigned 37 years and odd moneths and being deluded by the Wise Men whom he willingly suffered to search out Christ that he might destroy him killed all the children in and about Bethlehem of two years and under Matth. 2.16 which cruelty was but agreable with his disposition and constant practice Here that we may describe his affaires we must make a little digression and take them where we formerly left them A digression to the affairs of Herod 41. After he had obtained the possession of his Kingdom Josephus Antiq. l. 15. c. 1 c. he put to death 45 of Antigonus his friends having procured him to be beheaded as we formerly shewed Then did he prefer to the High-Priesthood one Ananel an obscure man neglecting Aristobulus the son of Aristobulus the King and brother to his own wife Mariamne and Antony desiring to see this youth for the fame of his beauty he fearing the Roman might advance him to stay him at home gave him the Priesthood and excused his neglect to send him by the inclination of the Jews to rebellion Perceiving him then to be in extraordinary favour with the Jews and that his mother Alexandra which he kept very close because of her restlesse spirit plorted the escape of her self and son into Aegypt a year after as he was swimming he caused him to be drowned and though Cleopatra accused him hereof to Antony yet by presents he made his Peace He maketh away Aristobulus In the Civil Wars he sided with Antony who having forces sufficient desired him to chastize the Arabians that denied the Tribute imposed on them This he did and though at first his attempts miscaried yet in another battel he quite overthrew and brought them under After the overthrow of Antony he had little hope that his own matters would go well He murdered Hyrcanus who onely survived of all the males of the Royal Family and whom he had recalled from Babylon Idem ibid. c. 9 c. whither he was caried by the Parthians He took the advantage of the old man's intent to flye into Arabia through the importunity of his daughter Alexandra who promised him great things if Herod should miscary under the power of Augustus Then providing as well as he could for the worst in case it should happen
his Passion and Resurrection to Tiberius and the Senate with the miracles done by him or by them in his name and how the multitude of believers daily increasing he was accounted a God Tiberius hereupon reported the matter to the Senate with his favourable suffrage that Christ might be accounted a God But the Senate because they were displeased that they had not first moved it refused to canonize him and by an Edict commanded that Christians should be banished the City especially by reason that Seianus the great minister of State most obstinately contradicted this Religion But Tiberius by another Edict threatened death to the accusers of Christians These things thus related by (a) Lib. 7. c. 4. Orosius are also witnessed by (b) Ecc. Hist l. 2. c. 2. Eusebius Tertullian and Justin Martyr whereof the testimonies of the two later are incontrolable for in their Apologies they durst not mention such things and cite such testimonies as they must needs know would be easily confuted 84. (a) Apologet. c. 5. Tertullian writeth that Tiberius referred it to the Senate with the prerogative of his own suffrage but they having not approved the thing refused it Caesar notwithstanding remained firm in his resolution and threatned such as should accuse the Christians This he openly asserteth in his Apology to the Pagans writing also in another (b) Cap. 21. place of the same excellent Work that Pilate who in his heart believed in Christ at the same time wrote all the History of him to the Emperour Tiberius whereupon the Caesar ' s themselves had worshipped our Master if their Government in so doing had been consistent with the men of this World and Christians permitted to have been saluted Caesars He giveth another reason why Christ was not at first worshipped as a God There was an antient Law that forbad introducing new ceremonies into Religion as worshipping strange Deities unlesse approved by the Senate and this was an unviolable and unalterable Law to which the Prince himself was subject He instanceth that Marcus Aemilius would have had divine honours rendred to his Idol called the god Albarnus but could not obtain it As for Justin Martyr he maketh it more evident telling plainly the Pagans in his second Aplogy that they may know these things thus to have been in the Acts which were written under Pontius Pilate and again that they might know that Christ wrought such miracles from the Acta or Acts made under Pontius Pilate Now the word Acta signifieth sometimes the Journal Book of the Senate then called Acta Senatus and otherwhiles the Records of the People or of the Publick then named Acta Publica De Actis consulant omaino Tirones Justum Lipsium in Comment ad Taciti Annal. lib. 5. Diurna and Urbana In the former sort was contained whatsoever was done or said by the Fathers In the later things concerning the People as Publick Judgments punishments Assemblies buildings nativities the death of eminent persons mariages and divorces These afforded matter for Historians to digest and adorn Now Justin Martyr either meaneth those Acta Publica wherein might be recorded what notable things hapned in the Provinces and set under the administration of the several Deputies or Governours or rather those Acta which Pilate himself composed in his Province For we cannot but imagine that care would be taken for the recording of things memorable as well in other places as in the City it self The Provinces had their Subcensors and their Tables And the Presidents and Deputies not onely certified by letters occasionally what happened but as we may easily apprehend did refer in Acta all memorable things which were sent to Rome and there it 's probable either transcribed into or laid up with the Acta Publica But thus much of the testimonies of Jews and Heathens concerning Christ 85. the Lord Jesus having risen the third day from the dead and after his resurrection given commission and instructions to his Disciples whom he ordained his Ambassadors to the whole World forty dayes after he arose ascended into Heaven The Ascension of Christ and sent down the Holy Ghost upon his Disciples according to his promise for the furnishing of them to the Work ten dayes after his ascension Many being converted to the Faith the Church increased and living in Love and Unity together they had all things common none calling any thing his own which he possessed About the end of the year as is rationally computed the Greeks or Hellenists Jews which living out of Judaea spake Greek in a peculiar dialect which is called Hellenistick and used the Scriptures in their Synagogues in that language murmured against the Hebrews or those who both read and spoke Hebrew for that their widdows were neglected in the daily ministration Hereupon the Apostles committed it to the number of the faithful to chuse seven men who should take care of what was gathered for the poor The seven Deacons made and these Ecclesiastical Writers call Deacons About this time James the Apostle the son of Alphaeus who is also called the brother of the Lord and was sirnamed Just was created the first Bishop of Jerusalem For thus Clemens wrote in the sixth Book of his Hypotyposewn as he is cited by Eusebius Peter and James and John though they were preferred after the ascension of the Lord contended not amongst themselves for glory and honour but with one consent appointed James the Just Bishop of Jerusalem The same Clemens in his first Book distinguished thus concerning the two which bore the name of James There were two James James the first Bishop of Jerusalem the one termed Just who was thrown down headlong from the pinacle and brained with a Fullers club the other beheaded Of him that was called Just Paul made mention saying I saw none of the Apostles save James the brother of the Lord. In the year following Christ's resurrection a great persecution was raised by the Jews against the Church wherein Stephan one of the seven Deacons and the Protomartyr was stoned to death by the procurement especially of Saul a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia But in this same year as this Saul was journying to Damascus to make havock of the Church he was converted and called to the Apostleship A. D 33. Ol. 203. an 1. V. C. 787. after which he went from Damascus into Arabia as he himself testifieth in his Epistle to the Galathians Saul converted Pilate making a slaughter of the Samaritans Eusebius in his Chronicon placeth the conversion of Saul afterwards called Paul in the nineteenth year of Tiberius 86. About this time it happened that a certain man who sought by all means the favour of the multitude Joseph Antiq. l. 18. c. 5. drew the Samaritans to Mount Gerizim which they accounted holy above all other mountains promising to shew them there the holy Vessels buried in a certain place by Moses Many had gathered themselves to the foot of