we should indanger all our Lives and Estates only for her sake She hath been already a long time in Greece and I think it were better she should spend the rest of her days which cannot be many in that Countrey than that we should run such great hazards to fetch her home again I again declare Dread Sir I speak not this for fear or want of Courage but because the chance of War is uncertain and lest fortune by this adventure should confound and destroy our Realm or at least cause us to wish a thousand times that we had never undertaken so dangerous an Enterprize When Paris heard Hector thus declare his mind he was much concerned and standing up say'd Dread Lord I beseech you hear me one word To what ill end can this undertaking against the Greeks possibly come Are we not furnished with as gallant and couragious Knights as any in the World Yes certainly and are able to defy the greatest force can be brought against us Go on therefore I intreat you with your design in sending some Men and Ships to Land and Forrage in Greece and if you please to accept of my Service I shall most readily undertake this imploy not doubting but to do them very great damage and to bring away some Noble Lady by exchanging of whom you 〈…〉 your Sister Hesione without further troubâ—â—â— Deiphobus the third Son confirmed what Paris had say'd but Helenus the fourth who was a Priest or Southsayer smartly replied Mighty Father and Soveraign beware that the thirst of revenge do not bring upon you greater mischiefs You know very well I understand and can foretel things to come as you have often experienced The Gods forbid that it should ever happen Paris should be sent into Greece for if you make an assault upon them I now declare and presage you shall see this Honourable City destroyed by them and your Trojans and all your Children killed be therefore perswaded not to adventure upon what will certainly end in utter desolation with the death of your self and Queen and we that are your Children shall not escape For if Paris go into Greece all these evils shall surely come upon you The King was much disturbed at these words and for some time all stood silent when Troylus his youngest Son briskly answered My noble Lords why are you discouraged for the words of this cowardly Priest who you know doth as naturally hate War and Fighting as he loves good eating and drinking Who can believe that any man knows future events unless they are revealed to him by the Gods it were then great folly in us to concern our selves about his dreams If Helenus be afraid let him go into the Temple and sing Service and let us Dear Lord and Father revenge by force of Arms the injuries we have received from the Greeks send your Ships therefore instantly and doubt not but your valiant Subjects will procure you sufficient satisfaction from your enemies The whole Assembly approving this advice they broke up and Priamus presently dispatcht his two Sons Paris and Deiphobus to raise Forces in Panonia though Cassandra his Daughter Sirnamed the Prophetess upon hearing this their resolution like one frantick thus cryed out O Noble City of Troy what Fury hath moved thy Citizens to bring thee to ruin and desolation How soon wilt thou be overthrown and destroyed even unto the ground O Queen Hecuba for what crime hast thou deserved to see the lamentable death of all thy Children Why dost thou not prevent Paris from going into Greece which will be the cause of so many deplorable mischiefs She then ran to her Father and drowned in tears humbly besought him by no means to proceed in this enterprize because by her Science she certainly foresaw horrible effects would undoubtedly follow But neither the disswasions of Hector nor Helenus nor the admonitions of Cassandra could prevail in the least upon the mind of Priamus nor stagger his resolution as if inevitable destiny had absolutely designed the ruin both of himself and his Kingdom In the Spring Paris and Deiphobus returned with three Thousand stout Soldiers and were soon after imbarqued in twenty Ships accompanied with Aeneas Anthenor and Polidamas and Landing at Sparta were received by Menelaus King thereof with all expressions of kindness and civility and when his Affairs did require his presence in Crete now Candia he left Paris at his Pallace in his absence but the Affection of this King was requited with a notable Treason and Ingratitude For Paris having secretly Contracted a Friendship with Helena his Queen the Sister of Castor and Pollux and accounted then one of the greatest Beauties in the World he Debauched her and when he saw a favourable opportunity he rifled his Pallace plundered the City of Argos and carried all away Captive with Helena and her two Ladies of Honour and at length brought them all to Troy The next Morning he married her in the Chief Temple of that City King Priamus received his Sons and their Booty with great joy remembring his hard usage from the Greeks during his Captivity and because they had utterly ruined his City in the Reign of his Father Laomedon in hope likewise hereby to recover his Sister Hesione out of their hands When Cassandra heard and saw the rejoicing at the Marriage of Paris which lasted eight days throughout the whole City she like a Frantick Woman cryed out O unhappy Trojans what madness is it to rejoice at this Wedding which will bring so many evils Your selves and your Children shall be slain this Famous City shall be utterly destroyed O unhappy Mothers you shall see your sucking Babes torn in pieces before your Eyes O most unfortunate Mother and Queen Hecuba where wilt thou find Tears enough to weep for the Murder of thy Children O blind and foolish people why do you not send Helena home again before the Swords of your Enemies be sheathed in your Bowels do you believe that her King and Husband will not seek Revenge Yes certainly and woful will his vengeance be unto you O unhappy Helena thou wilt be the cause of sad calamities to this our Countrey King Priamus hearing her thus crying commanded her silence which she refusing was cast into Prison where she continued many days Happy had it been for him and his people too had they believed this warning of hers which might have prevented those desolations that will be read with pity to the end of the World. Menâ—laus who was at that time with King Nestor at Epirus hearing the news of the carrying away his Wife and ruin of his City was exâ—reamly disturbed and sent to Agamemnon King of Mycene his brother to come to him who arriving and understanding the affair he was mightily concerned for this disgrace of Menelaus which obliged him to acquaint the Princes of Greece with this notable affront which all the Nations had received by this Action They all agreed to consult about this business in
to keep as it were a Parliament of the whole World some Magicians advised him not to enter that City affirming it would be fatal to him therefore declining it he turn'd aside to Bersia a City heretofore unpeopled on the other side Euphrates where he was importuned by Anaxarchus the Philosopher to despise the Presages of the Magicians as false and uncertain and if proceeding from Destiny or Nature not to be prevented Going therefore to Babylon after a while he again prepared a Solemn Feast which he had for some time intermitted where he devoted himself absolutely to mirth both day and night After which Thessalus his Physician invited him and his Companions to another debauch where taking the Cup into his hand in the middle of his draught he groaned as if he had been struck through with a Sword and his Body became so extream tender that he complained if but touched as though he had been wounded His Friends said his disease was occasioned by excess of Wine though it were really Treason the infamy whereof the power of his Successors did suppress The Author of this Treason was Antipater who when he beheld his dearest friends commanded to death his Son in law slain and himself who had performed such considerable Service in Greece disrespected and accused by his Mother Olympias of many insolencies and likewise considered his late severity to his Lieutenants and expected the same treatment to make sure work with the King he suborned his son Cassender with his Brother Philip and Jolla who used to minister to him to poison him So great was the strength of the Poyson that it could not be contained in Iron Brass nor any thing but a Horses hoof Cassander was bid to intrust none but Thestalus so that when the Feast was in his house after Philip hast tasted the Kings Cup having the poyson ready in cold Water they put it into the Wine Four days after Alexander finding Death certainly approaching said He believed it was the fate of his Family to dye about thirty years Old. After which he pacified his Souldiers who were ready to mutiny suspecting he perisht by Treason being therefore brought into the highest place of the City he admitted all into his presence and gave them his right hand to kiss and when all wept he appear'd without the least trouble comforting those who impatiently lamented his courage being now as invincible against death as formerly against his Enemies The Souldiers departing he askt his Friends about him If they thought they should have another King like him When all holding their Peace he confidently presaged as if he had seen it with his Eyes That Macedon should lose much bloud in his quarrel and many Thousand Lives would be sacrificed at his Funeral He then commanded his Body to be buried in the Temple of Jupiter Hammon and then fainting away his Attendants demanded whom he would constitute heir of his Empire he only answered To the most Worthy So great was the vigor of his mind that though he left behind him his Son Hercules his Brother Arideus and his Wife Roxane big with Child yet forgetting those Obligations he only nominated The most Worthy to be his Heir as if it were unreasonable that any but a valiant man should succeed a Conqueror With these words as if the Spirit of Discord had been sent among them his chief Captains instantly grew jealous of each other and privately sought to gain the favour of the Soldiers to themselves On the sixth day being Speechless he gave his Ring off his Finger to Perdâ—ccas which for the present pacified the growing dissentions for though by voice he was not nominated Heir yet by choice he seemed to be so Alexander deceased being Thirty three years and one mouth Old a man endewed with a mighty Spirit above other men whose Mother Olympias dream't when he was conceived that she had commerce with a God and by his Actions he after seemed to be above the condition of Mortal men There appeared also many Presages of his future greatness on his Birth-day for two Eagles flying all that day round about the Palace setled at last upon the battlements of his Fathers Court seeming to prognosticate to him the two Empires of Europe and Asia and on the same day his Father received the glad tydings of two Victories one in Illyria and another in the Olympick race whither he sent some Charlots drawn with four Horses which portended to the Infant the Victory over all the World. He was of admirable apprehension and learning and was educated under Aristotle the most famous Philosopher Being invested in his Fathers kingdom he commanded himself to be called King of all Countreys and Lord of the World So great a confidence had his Souldiers in his good fortune that he being present they scared not though unarmed the force of any Enemy He never encountred any Adversary whom he did not overcome nor besieged any City which he did not take nor invaded any Nation over whom he did not Triumph and therefore deservedly gain'd the name of Alexander the Great and one of the Worthies of the World. Yet was this Great Conqueror at length destroyed not by the valour of his Enemies but the Villany and Treason of his own Friends and Subjects He lived in the Year of the World 3611 before Christ 337 years The History of Julius Caesar first Emperor of Rome The Third Worthy of the World. GReat Julius Caesar next attain'd the Name Of the Third Worthy Whose immortal Fame Remains still fresh in the Records of time He to the Empire of the World did clime And what he Conquer'd by his Sword in Fight He with his Pen did elegantly write At length through many wounds his Soul hence fled And he who ner'e before was Conquered In War He who with slaughter strew'd So many Lands With his own bloud imbru'd The Seat of wronged Justice And fell down A Sacrifice t' appease the incensed Gown Julius Caesar of the Noble Family of the Juliâ— so called as some think from Julus Ascanius the Son of Aeneas from whom they were ambitious to have descended and Caesar because it is said he was cut out of his Mothers Womb though others derive it a Caeso Elephanto from his Grandfathers killing an Elephant He was but Sixteen years old when his Father died and yet was designed the next year to be High-Priest of Jupiter and having divorced himself from his first wife whose birth was not so eminent as his Fortune he married Cornelia daughter of Cinna who had been four times Consul by whom he had his daughter Julia Sylla used all possible arguments to have separated him from her but not prevailing he pursued him as an Enemy and designed to arrest him At length by the intercession of the Vestal Virgins and some of his kinsmen he obtained pardon though Sylla then cryed out by way of prediction Take him then since you will needs have him but know the person for whom
War I will send some Prudent Person fairly to demand the Restitution of Hesione which if granted I will be content to remit all their other Affronts The whole Council approved of this his Resolution and Anthenor one of his Princes was instantly dispatcht to Salamine to King Telamon and being admitted into his presence he thus Addressed him Sir Priamus King of Troy hath sent me to your Highness to desire you would please to restore him his Sister Hesione whom contrary to the Laws of Honour you detain as your Concubine it being no way proper to your glory thus to abuse the Daughter and Sister of a King who issues from a more Noble Family than your self Yet if you please to send her back my Master is willing to pass by all other Indignities and Damages which he hath received from you or yours King Telamon upon hearing this Message fell into an extreme Passion and fiercely replyed Friend whatever you are I cannot but much admire at the weakness of Priamus with whom I have no Correspondence nor Amity and whom I have not the least cause to fear nor grant his request Thy King ought to remember that I and others my Confederates came into his Country to revenge an injury which his Father Laomedon offered to some of our Allies and because I was the first who entered the City of Troy with great danger of my Life and Effusion of my Blood Hesione of whom thou speakest was bestowed upon me as the recompence of my Victory to use her at my pleasure and since she is so Noble and Beautiful a Lady I am very unwilling to be deprived of what is so delightful to me and whom I obtained with so much pains and danger go therefore and tell Priamus that he is never like to recover her but with the point of his Sword Neither can I think that thou art a very discreet Person to undertake such a Voyage with so great peril of thy Life and to bring such an Errand into a Countrey where thou and thy Countreymen are mortally hated I command thee therefore to go hence with all speed as thou hopest to escape a severe and cruel death Anthenor instantly took Shipping and carried the same Message to King Peleus then to King Castor and Pollux and lastly to Duke Nestor all of them Graecian Princes who all defied Priamus with the utmost contempt and scorn especially Nestor who all inraged said Thou vile wretch were it not for my Nobility I would cause thy Tongue to be pluckt out of thy mouth for presuming to utter such things before me and in despight of thy King would see thee torn piecemeal by Wild-Horses Anthenor doubting he might be as good as his word returned immediately to Sea and sailed toward Troy where at length after many dangers he arrived in safety And then in the Company of several Noblemen he presented himself before King Priamus all the Barons of the Realm and all the Kings Sons being present to hear what Tydings he brought To whom Anthenor gave a full Account of his Embassy and of all that happened to him during his Voyage At the recital whereof Priamus was very much disturbed and by their opprobious Speeches he perceived that it was impossible to recover his Sister without bringing on himself the utmost force and fury of the Graecians Soon after he again assembled his Nobility to his Palace of Ilium to whom he thus spake My Lords you may remember that by your advice I sent Anthenor into Greece to demand the return of my Sister by all fair means possible you likewise are sensible what injurious answers they gave to my proposals and how little they value the wrongs we have received insomuch that they threaten us with new mischiefs which Heaven forbid should ever fall upon us But since we have a strong and well fortified City and several considerable Princes firmly confederate with us in my opinion we are in a Capacity to revenge these reiterated damages Therefore if you think fit we will send our Forces privately into their Countreys where finding them utterly unprovided of defence we shall be able in some measure to right our selves upon them Neither ought you to be discouraged because they have been lately so victorious against us since it often happens that the Conquerors at length are vanquished by the Conquered All present were satisfied with this determination and being all dismist he called all his Sons who were not present at the debate to whom he again declared his intention with tears in his eyes to this purpose Dear Sons you ought never to forget the death of your Grand-father Laomedon nor the servitude of your Aunt Hesione whom the Greeks our inveterate Enemies abuse at their own pleasure which methinks should stir up thoughts of revenge in your minds but if this do not move you yet you ought to endeavour it for my Satisfaction who have brought you up with the utmost care and diligence and who am ready to dye with sorrow and vexation in reflecting on the multiplied injuries I have received from them And thou my Wise and Valiant Son Hector thou who art the Eldest of thy Brethren I require thee chiefly to undertake this matter thou shalt be the Principal Commander in executing this my will and all the rest will gladly obey thee yea the whole Kingdom will willingly submit to thy Conduct whom they know to be so valiant and couragious and therefore upon thee I must lay all the burden of this War and discharge my self thereof not doubting but by thy prudence and valour all will be brought to an happy effect and thy Father be revived in his old Age with the reports of thy growing glory To this speech Hector returned this mild and discreet answer Dear Father and my Soveraign Lord I am satisfied that there are none of your Sons but are sufficiently inclined to require satisfaction for any wrongs offered us or any of our Family according to the quality of the Person abused so doth the injury appear greater It is natural to men to seek redress of injuries yea the very Beasts by nature strive to do the same Neither Most Dear Father is there any of your Sons who ought more sensibly to resent the Murder of our Lord and Grandfather than I who am the eldest But I beseech you before you undertake this enterprise to consider seriously what may be the Issue and Event thereof otherwise you may have cause to repent that ever it was begun I speak not this out of Contradiction or Cowardise but only to induce your Highness to take mature advice and deliberation in the matter You know that all Africa and Europe are Subject to the Greeks and that they abound with stout and valiant Souldiers so that our strength in men at Arms is not comparable to theirs Why therefore should we who live in peace and quietness disturb our own Welfare and Prosperity Hesione is not of so much value that
surmise With causeless grief bedew Calphurnias Eyes Yet though he seemed to slight these Prodigies they had such influence upon him that he had once some thoughts of staying at home that day But D. Brutus coming and perswading him not to disappoint the Senate now it was full and had long attended him he went about Eleven a Clock By the way he was presented by a Person he met with a Paper discovering the whole Conspiracy but he put it among his Papers in his left hand as if he would read it anon Having then Sacrificed to the Gods and succeeding in none in defiance of all these ill Omens he entred the Senate laughing at Spurinna for a false Prophet seeing the Ides Ides of March were come without any disaster to which he replied They are come indeed but not past As soon as he was set the Conspirators placed themselves about him pretending to do him honour and immediately Cimber Tullius who had ingaged to begin addrest himself to him as if to demand something but Casar seeming to put him off to another time Cimber catcht hold of his Gown by both Shoulders and Caesar crying on t that This was violence one of the Cassii came and stab'd him under the Throat Caesar laying hold of his Arm struck it through with his Dagger and endeavouring to rise was stopt by another wound when Brutus assaulted him he cryed out And art thou amongst them too my Son Brutus but seeing several Swords presented to his Breast he covered his head with his Gown and in this manner received twenty three wounds and died without speaking a word or fetching so much as a sigh Which the Poet thus expresses Hopeless he hides his Face and fixed stands T' indure the fury of revenging hands Suppressing groans or words as loth to shame His former life or dying stain the Fame Of those great deeds throughout the World exprest These silent thoughts revolving in his Breast Yet has not Fortune changed nor given the power Of Coesars head to any Conqueror By no Superiors proud command I dye But by subjected Romes Conspiracy Who to the World confesses by her fears My Power and Strength to be too great for hers And from Earths highest Throne sends me to be By after Ages made a Deity Being dead all the Conspirators fled and he was carried home in a Litter They once resolved to have drawn his Body into Tyber to have confiscated his Estate and make void all his Acts but were afraid of M. Antonius the Consul He was afterward buried with very great Magnificence and Pomp and instead of a Funeral Oration M. Antonius the Consul published an Act of the Senate by which they decreed him all Honour both Humane and Divine and likewise caused an Oath to be read whereby they obliged themselves in the defence of a single Person The Funerals being over the people ran in multitudes with Firebrands in their hands to set the Houses of Brutus and Cassius on Fire Some thought that his sickness made him desire to live no longer all agree he died according to his own desire for reading how Cyrus being under the extremity of a Disease gave directions for his Funeral abhorring so tedious a death he wisht when he died it might be of a sudden and the day before his death being at Supper with Lepidus a question arising which was the best death he declared In his Judgment a sudden and unexpected He died in the 56 year of his Age and was Cannoniz'd among the Gods not only by those who made the Decree but by the perswasion of the People Of his Murtherers scarce any out-lived him three years or died a natural death All stood Condemned and fell by divers Accidents some drowned at Sea others killed in Fight and some flew themselves with the same Dagger wherewith they had Murdered Caesar He lived in the year of the World 3901. and before the Birth of Christ 47 years The Hist of Joshua Capt. General and Leader of Israel into Canaan The Fourth Worthy of the World. Joshua's much Woâ—thâ—â— than the Three before They False Gods he the True God did adore By whose Great Pow'r and over-ruling hand The Sun and Moon he caused still to stand And made a longer day than e're was known Whereby Gods Enemies might be overthrown He thirty Kings subdu'd in Canaan And setled Israel in their Conquer'd Land At length beâ—â—â—â— full of Years and Victories He leaves to Israel this last advice That they should serve the Lord and him obey And then God from the Earth takes him away WHO can see the Sun and not remember Joshua and the great Commerce that this valorous Captain had with the King of Stars All the world lift up their Eyes to it but none but he hath lifted up his voice so far as it to make himself be heard and obeyed The Stars knew Joshua or Jesus because he bore the name of him that formed them It is he that gave us the foretasts of the name of Jesus at which the Heaven the Earth and Hell do bend the knee Moses knowing that by Gods appointment he was to die and not enter into the Land of Canaan When they came upon the Borders he called the Israelites together and spake to them to this purpose Seeing saith he I go to my Ancestors and God hath prefixed this day for my departure it is very just that while I am alive and stand in your presence I should give him thanks for the care and providence he hath hitherto had of your Affairs not only in delivering you from so many evils but also in largely imparting his blessings to you and because he hath also assisted me with his savour whilst with my utmost I endenvoured to make you as happy as possible for it is he only who hath begun and accomplisht all those great things that have been done for you and who hath made me his Minister and Servant in all the good which you have received For all which blessings I have thought it requisite in departing from you to praise the goodness of that God who in time to come shall have the care and charge over you and to acquit my self of that debt I leave you this remembrance That you ought to serve and honour the Lord and reverence the Ordinances which he hath given you whereby he may continue his favour toward you and may give you grace to preserve and keep his Excellent Commands Surely a Law-giver that were no more than a man would be much displeased with those who should violate his Ordinances and set them at nought Do not you therefore tempt God who is provoked to anger when those Laws which he himself hath established and given you shall be contemned and neglected Whilst Moses pronounced these his last words and foretold to the Tribes their several Destinies and wished them all manner of blessings the whole multitude brake out into Tears and the Women beating their breasts shewed their sorrow
When Joshua saw them thus dejected falling on his face to the Earth he thus addressed himself to God. O Lord thou knowest we have not been induced by our own rashness and temerity to attempt the Conquest of this Land by force but have been thereunto incouraged by thy Servant Moses to whom thou didst promise by divers signs to give us this Country to inhabit and that our Armys should always have the Victory in Battle and of these thy promise we have oftimes experienced the certain accomplishment But now O Lord what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their Enemies for having beyond all expectation received an overthrow and lost some of our Souldiers we are extreamly terrified by this accident lest the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the Land should hear it and should incompass us and cut off our name from the Earth for we have little hope of any prosperous proceedings in time to come But be thou assistant to us O Lord who art Almighty and in thy mercy change our present sorrow into joy our discouragement into confidence and give us Victory Joshua having made this Prayer God presently commanded him to arise and purge the People from that Sacriledge and Theft which had been committed among them by concealing those things which were consecraed to himsef assuring him that his was the cause of their present Calamity which as soon as it was discovered Israel should be again victorious over their Adversaries Joshua hereupon calling for the High Priest and the Magistrates he cast Lots upon the Tribes and the Lot fell upon the Tribe of Judah he then cast them again upon Families and it fell upon the Family of Zacharias Lastly the Lots were cast Man by Man and it fell upon Achan who unable to deny what was discovered by God himself confessed the fact and produced what he had concealed whereupon he was presently stoned to death and the Anger of the Lord was appeased Then Joshua having purified the People led them forth against the City of Ai and laying an ambush of men secretly over night above the City early in the morning he drew the Enemy out to fight who being encouraged by their former success boldly assaulted them but Joshua seeming to retreat and flie drew them farther off the City imagining that the Israelites fled and that they should gain a second Victory over them and thereupon all the Men of Ai and of the next City Bethel were called out to pursue them so that there was not a man left in either City When Joshua suddenly making a stand and giving a signal to those in ambush they instantly marched into the City and set it on fire which when the Men of Ai looking back perceived they presently fled and scattered themselves through the Fields but were pursued so furiously that few escaped the King of Ai was taken alive and hanged on a Tree by Joshua and twelve thousand even all the Inhabitants of Ai were slain that day The spoil they got was very considerable both in Silver and Cattel all which Joshua when he came to Gilgal distributed among the Souldiers The Gibionites who dwelt near Jerusalem having notice what had happened to Jericho and Ai and fearing the same misfortune since they understood that Joshua intended utterly to root out the Canaanites from off the Earth they resolved to send Ambassadors to conclude a Peace with him and knowing that if they owned themselves to be Canaanites Joshua would make no League with them They came to him with protestations that they had no converse nor alliance with that Nation but being incited by the fame of his glorious Victories they were come from a very far Countrey which he might perceive by their old Shoes and Garments and by the mouldy Bread which were all new when they set forth on their Journey but by the length of the way were now in the condition they saw them And that they were assured that God had given the Israelites the Land of Canaan to inherit with whom they therefore desired to be confederate By this subtil practice they perswaded the Hebrews to enter into Amity with them and Eleazer the High Priest and the Council of Elders sware to them that they should for the future be their Friends and Allies and no hostility should be offered them In three days after Joshua incamping on the Borders of their Countrey understood that the Gibeonites dwelt not far from Jerusalem and were Canaanites and sending for the Chief of them charged them with this deceitful dealing who alledged that having no other way to procure their safety they were obliged to make use of this whereupon he called to him the High-Priest and Elders and they concluded not to infringe the Outh of God but however for this treachery they were condemned to be Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water to the Camp. When the King of Jerusalem heard that the Gibeonites had submitted to Joshua he assembled live Kings his Neighbours and resolved to fall upon them who perceiving their danger desired Joshua to assist them who marching with all speed to their relief he with his whole Army fell upon them early in the morning and quickly put them to flight and pursuing them to a steep Tract called Bâ—thhoron the Lord destroyed a great number of them by Thunder Lightning and Hailstones from Heaven and the night approaching Joshua with mighty Faith cryed out Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon and thou Moon in the Valley of Ajalon and the Sun stood still and the Moon was stayed till the Peope had avenged themselves on their Enemies and the Sun did not go down about a whole day and there was no day like that before or after it that the Lord hearkned to the voice of a man for the Lord fought fâ—r Israel and the five Kings hid themselves in a Cave near Makkedah but were discovered and brought to Joshua who commanded his Captains to tread upon their Necks as an evident token to them of success against all the rest After which he slew thom and hanged them on five Trees and their Forces were utterly cut off and destryed After this wonderful success Joshua led his Army to the Mountains of Canaan where having made a great slaughter and taken rich booty he brought back the People to Gilgal The Renown of the Israelites Victories and that they gave no quarter coming among the Neighbour Nations they were possest with extream fâ—ar and resolved to try their utmost strength Whereupon their Kings raised an Army of three hundred thousand Foot â—en thousand Horse and twenty thousand Chariots so great an Host as was sufficient utterly to swallow up the Israelites But the Lord bid Joshua not to fear since they should all surely be delivered into his hand Incouraged by these promises Joshua marcht out couragiously against his Enemies and the fifth day he came upon them The Encounter was strong and the Slaughter very great multitudes being
hand of God his mortal Enemy was now delivered into his power by whose death he might put an end tâ— all his Calamities But David by a strong inspiration from God resolved in his heart never to lay his hands upon Gods Anointed and contenting himself with only cutting off the Skirts of his Garment he went out of the Cave after Saul and cryed after him with a loud voice saying Behold my Lord my Father and my King the innocence of my hands and be no more filled with vain and false suspitions of poor David you cannot be ignorant that God at this time had put me into your power and that I could have taken away your life to have saved my own but God by his grace hath preserved me from such ill thoughts and hath secured you from all danger I had never yet any intent to hurt you though you cease not to persecute and torment my life with a thousand afflictions Alas my Lord what is it you desire Against whom are you come forth with so great a strength of Arms and Horses against a poor dead Dog a miserable little Beast I beseech the living God to be Judge between us and to make you sensible of the goodness of my cause Saul was so amazed with this action that he ran to him and imbracing him weeping said This O David is a sure sign whereby I know for certain thou shall reign after me so great a goodness not being able to be rewarded but by an Empire I only beseech and intreat you to have pity on my poor Children after my death and not to revenge upon them the injuries I have offered you Hereupon he swore to deal peaceably with him for the future But the Spirit of Saul was unequal and oft departed from reason for a long season Whereupon David resolved to go out of the Kingdom to Achish King of the Philistines a Sworn Enemy to Israel since he could not besecure any where else yet did he never bear arms against the people of God At last the fatal day of Saul drew near and he saw the Philistines came upon him with their utmost strength and being troubled in mind in the confusions of a disturbed Spirit he sought to the Divine Oracles to learn his destiny in this pressing necessity but this unhappy Prince sought after the dead in vain having trod under feet the admonitions of the Living and therefore he applies himself to the Witch of Endor who by Samuels appearance foretold the routing of his Army his own death and likewise his Childrens sad Fate at which he was so affrighted that he fell into a Swound Being recovered he went to his Army and the next morning perceived the Philistines wonderfully increased and resolv'd to fight And his own people exceedingly weakened and seeming to carry misfortune in their faces The Enemies gave the onset with very great violence and overthrew the foremost of the Israelites wherein Jonathan with his two Brethren sealed the last proofs of their valour with their bloud and death in the sight of their miserable Father who seeing he could not dye so soon as he desired suffered himself to fail upon his own Sword vomiting forth his Soul and bloud with ragings and griefs unspeakable While this unhappy Battel was fought David was pursuing the Amalakites who in his absence had sackt the Town of Ziglag the place of his retiring whom he overtook loaden with their prey and regained his two Wives Ahinoam and Abigail whom they had taken away As he came from this Battle a young Amalekite presents himself and brings him the news of the death of Saul and Jonathan and his other Sons affirming that he himself had stood by at the death of the King and had helped him to die by his own command Whereat David moved with extream grief tore his garments wept fasted and made a funeral Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan Causing likewise the Amalekite to die who by his own confession was accessary to the death of the King And though David at this time might have taken possessesion of the Kingdom yet upon prudent deliberation he thought it not convenient to be too hasty Whereupon Abner a chief Captain without losing time seeing there yet remained a Son of Saul alive named Ishbosheth aged forty years though of little courage and less understanding he made him presently come into the Camp and caused him to be proclaimed the true and lawful Successor of Saul not so much for the love he bore him or the esteem of his sufficiency as intending to reign by him and over him All the People swore Allegiance to Ishbosheth except the Tribe of Judah from whom David sprung which joyning together in favour of him crowned him King in Hebron where he reigned seven years before he possest the whole Kingdom of Israel Afterward Abner laying aside his war-like humor fell in love with a Concubine of Sauls named Rispah whereat Ishbosheth being offended Abner for one poor word spoken in a very mild manner entred into a rage against the King and said It was to use him as a Dog to quarrel with him for a woman after so great Services as he had done for the Crown and from whom he held both his Life and Kingdom The poor Prince held his peace and durst not answer a word to this bold Fellow and was pitifully devoured by his own Servant Abner grew so hot with anger that he dispatcht Messengers to David to desire his friendship and promiseth to bring the whole Kingdom of Ishbosheth into his hands David answered That he was willing to make peace with him if he would cause his Wife Michol to be restored to him whom they had married to another after his departure which was readily agreed to and performed Mean time Abner powerfully sollicites the people of Israel to betake themselves to David since God had committed their safety and rest into his hands who would unite all the Tribes under one Monarchy which would make him a happiness to his people helpful to his friends and terrible to his Enemies This Discourse prevail'd very much on the Principal ones of the Nation who saw small hopes of Ishbosheth he being disparaged both by Nature and Fortune Soon after Abner meets David at Hebron who made him a Feast hearkned to his Propositions and conducted him back with honour Joab who was at that time absent soon understood the coming of Abner and being jealous that the Friendship of a man who seem'd to draw a whole Kingdom after him might much prejudice his interest he enters roughly into the Kings Chamber telling him that Abner was but a deceiver who came to spy out his secrets and that he ought to have secured him when under his power And since David seeing him in such a rage answered nothing Joab without Authority sends a message to Abner to return to Hebron under colour of treating more fully with David He lightly believed it and came back the same way when
Army observing from a Hill the flight of their Frieâ—â—s and the readiness of the Jews to give them battel were so discourag'd that they fled likewise whereupon Judas and his men return'd to gather the Pillage where finding great store of Gold Silver Scarlet and Purple they return'd home with Joy praising God for their good success Lysias was extreamly concerned at this overthrow and presently invaded Judea with Sixty thousand Chosen Foot and five thousand Horse and incamped in Bethsura Which Judas hearing came out against him with only ten thousand men and seeing their number so vastly exceed his he cryed earnestly to God that he would please to fight with him and for him and then charged the front of the Enemy with such force that he discomfited and slew above five thousand of them Lysias perceiving the resolution of the Jews who would rather dye than lose their liberty He returned with the rest of his Army to Antioch to reinforce them Mean while Judas assembled the People and told them That having obtained so many Victorys through the mercy of God they ought now to go up to Jerusalem and purifie the Temple that was desolate and to offer Sacrifices according to the Law of the Lord Then going up with a great multitude of People he found the Temple desolate the gates burnt and grass growing within the same At this sad spectacle he and all present could not forbear weeping and presently applyed themselves to purge the Temple Then Judas caused a Table a Candlestick and an Altar for Incense to be made all of Gold putting up a Rail and Gates to the Temple and throwing down the Altar which was prophaned by Antiochus he built a new one of stones neither Newed nor Hammered And on the twenty first of Chasleu or September lights were put in the Candlesticks perfumes layd upon the Altar Loaves set upon the Table and Sacrifices offered upon the New Altar which had been neglected for three years past Then did Judas and his Countrymen celebrate a Feast unto the Lord for eight days praising God with Hymns and Psalms He also inclosed Jerusalem with a Wall and built 〈◊〉 Towers thereon in which he planted Garrisons against the incursions of the Enemy and fortified Bethsura for a defence to it The Nations â—ound about envying this prosperity of the Jews surprized many of them by Treachery whereupon Judas made an incursion slew many Idumeans and brought a great prey out of their Countrey besieging the Sons of Baan their Prince who lay in wait for the Jews and at length setting fire to their Towers killed all that were therein After this he overcame a mighty Army of the Ammorites under the command of Timotheus taking and burning their City of Jazor and leading their Wives and Children Captive into Judea The Neighbouring People hearing of his departure assaulted the Jews and Galaad who retiring into the Fort of Dathema sent to Judas for relief And at the same time Letters came out of Galilee that they were indangered by the Inhabitants of Ptolemais Tyre Sydon and others thereabout Judas hereupon sent his Brother Simeon with three thousand chosen men to relieve Galilee and himself with his Brother Jonathan and eight thousand others marched to Galaad Simeon fought against his Enemies in Galilee and slew about three thousand pursuing them to the Gates of Ptolemais and taking much spoil and releasing many Jewish Prisoners he returned victoriously home But Judas passing Jordan was there inform'd that his Brethren were Besieged in their Cities and Castles and some already in great extremity Hereupon he first fell upon the Inhabitants of Bozra took their City set it on fire and kill'd all able to bear Arms Then marching all night he arrived early next morning to the Castle where the Jews were Besieged by the Army of Timotheus who were just ready to scale the Walls when Judas dividing his Forces into three Battalions couragiously assailed them who hearing it was Maccabeus were surprised with such dread that they instantly fled Judas his men slaying about eight thousand in the pursuit Then marching to Molla he seized it slew all the men therein and burnt it with Fire after which he destroy'd several other places Soon after Timotheus raised another Army wherewith he marched to Jordan exhorting them valiantly to oppose the Jews and to hinder their passage over the River since if they once past Jordan they were sure to be defeated Judas hearing this marched hastily against the Enemy and passing the River unexpectedly fell upon them with such violence that casting away their Arms they fled for their lives some endeavoured to save themselves in Carnain but Judas taking that City and Temple slew them and burnt the same and then he led away all the Jews who dwelt in Galaad with their Wives Children and substance and brought them into Judea When he drew near the Town of Ephion they had barricado'd up his way that he could not pass and refusing upon his desire to open the passage he Besieged the City took it by assault burnt it and slew all the Inhabitants After this passing over Jordan they came into Judea with great joy and gladness praising God and Offering Sacrifices of Thanksgiving for the safe return of the Army because in all these Batrles and Encounters they had not lost one Jew But whilst Judas and Simeon were gone upon these expeditions the two Captains with whom he had left the rest of his Forces with a strict command to have a watchful Eye over Judea but not to join Battle with any Enemy till his return being desirous to gain the repute of valiant men went out with their Souldiers toward Jamnia against whom Gorgias Governor of that place issued out and slew two thousand of them the rest flying back into Judea Then Judas and his Brethren took divers Cities from the Idumeans and with much Booty and great Joy returned home The Bloudy Antiochus being at this time in Persia heard of a wealthy City called Elymais wherein stood a rich Temple of Diana Thither he went and beseiged it but the Inhabitants sallied out and with great loss drove him from thence whereupon he returned to Babylon where having notice of the overthrow of his Captains in Judea and the power of the Jews this with his former defeat so wrought upon him that he fell sick and finding no hope of recovery he called his most familiar Friends about him telling them That he was plagued with this violent and desperate affliction for tormenting the Jews destroying the Temple committing horrid Sacriledge and contemning the True God But now he vowed if it pleased the Lord to restore him he would become a Jew and do many great things for them and would go through all the known World to declare thâ— power of God Who knowing his hyprocrisy continued to plague him in a terrible manner He had an intollerable pain and torment in his bowels and inward paits from whence issued abundance of Worms
was made over to them upon condition they should defend the Land against the Picts and Scots And in short time greater priviledges were granted them upon Vortigerns marrying the daughter of Hengist an exceeding beautiful Lady who was brought over on purpose to steal away the heart of a dissolute Prince so that by thaâ— alliance and the fruitfulness of the Countrey so many 〈◊〉 this populous and Military Nation came in that Kent iâ— a little while grew too narrow for them and Hengist 〈◊〉 extend their power into all parts of the Kingdom perswaded Vortigern to plant a Colony of them in the Nortâ— beyond Humber to be a continual guard against all invasions on that side Which being granted he sends foâ— Occa his Brother and his Son Ebusa to manage that design and hereby the Saxons came to possess Kent and Northum beland which contained all the Countrey from the Riveâ— Humber to Scotland And now of Servants they became Masters contemâ—ing their Entertainers and committing many insolencies whereupon the Brittish Nobility combine together and resolve to depose Vortigern the Author of this inconsiderate admission of Strangers and to chuse Vortimer 〈◊〉 Son in his stead a Prince of great worth who whilâ— he lived gave them many fierce encounters but all prevailed not for the Saxons being possest of the chief Gaâ—â— of the Land which lay open to their own Countrey 〈◊〉 receive continual supplies from thence without resistanâ—â— had the advantage to weary them all out at last And beside force they are said to have used treachery in murthering three hundred of the Brittish Nobility at Ansbury where they innocently met to treat of a peace with them took their King Prisoner and would not release â—im but upon granting them three Provinces more Also the long life of Hengist a Politick General who â—ved almost forty years made much for the setling â—heir Dominion here which was not effected withâ—ut a great deal of labour and much effusion of â—loud For the Brittaines being by continual Wars made exâ—ert in Military discipline grew at length so inraged to â—e their Countrey ravished from them by Forreigners â—hat they sold their Liberties and Inheritance at a very â—ear rate Wherein much must be attributed to the courage â—nd gallantry of their Leaders from whom the Spirit and alour of a people doth usually proceed of whom none â—re more worthy to be remembred than Aurelius Ambrosius â—e last of the Romans and our worthy Prince Arthur â—e Noblest of the Brittains A man in conduct and vaâ—ur almost above a man and worthy of eternal memoâ—y who while he stood bore up the sinking state of his â—ountrey He was the Son of Vter Pendragon by the â—ir Igrene and during his life had continual War â—ith the Saxons and the Picts and Scots who were someâ—â—mes confederate with them In the beginning of his â—eign the two Kings of these two Nations seemed to envy â—s advancement to the Crown of Brittain Loth King 〈◊〉 the Picts having married the elder sister of Aurelius â—mbrosius and Vortigern and Conran King of Scots â—â—e younger and because Arthur was begot out of wedâ—ck though his Mother was after married to Vter â—â—ey thought it more reasonable the Kingdom should deâ—end to their Sisters Son than to him Whereupon Loth â—â—nt Ambassadors to the Brittish Lords and Nobility reâ—iring that according to the ancient Laws and Cusâ—â—ms of this Realm they should receive him as King who â—nd Married the Sister and Heir of the two brethren Amâ—osius and Vter their last Kings The Erittains received â—is Message with great scorn disdaining to think of subâ—iting to a stranger and dispatching the Ambassadors â—ith many reproaches against Loth and the Picts they proclaimed Arthur King of the Realm who raising a potent Army marched instantly against the Saxons hoping to engage them before the Picts should join which doubtless they would do suddenly Having therefore procured more aid from Armorica or little Brittain in France they met with the Saxons within ten Miles of London whom they vanquisht in two set battels and obliged them to pay Tribute and receive such Governors over them as Arthur should appoint with several other very hard conditions to the great rejoicing of the Brittains for such prosperous and happy success under their new elected King. After this the Brittains easily took London where Arthur continued for some time in consultation with his Nobility and Commanders how they should proceed it their Wars against the rest of the Saxons Having aâ— length prepared a mighty Army Arthur resolved to geâ— against those beyond Humber in the North with whom the Picts had concluded a League whereby they were obliged to assist each other against their Common Enemies the Brittains Arthur marching into Yorkshire incamped near the Enemy who were already joined together and resolving to fight the next day he appointed Howel Commander of the French Brittaines to ingage the Picts while himself dealt with the Saxons The battel was very furious and for some time the Victory was doubtful but at length the Picts were put to flight which the Saxons perceiving and thinking themselves unable to bear the whole Force of the Brittains they likewise left the Field and fled with all speed toward York Arthur pursuing them beseiged that City almost three months the Saxons valiantly defending it and making brisk sallies upon the Besiegers but at length provisions growing very scarce they were just ready to have surrendred when notice was given them that a strong Army of Picts and Saxons were coming to their relief together with Occa who escaping into Germany from the last battel was newly arrived with fresh Forces in the River of Humber whereupon the Saxons refused to treat any further not doubting but the Brittains would be quickly forc't to raise the seige and be glad to get off with their own lives Arthur having Intelligence of these Succors and judging it no wisdom to stay for their coming considering how many of his Souldiers were diseased and sick by lying so long in the Field raised his seige and went into Wales where leaving the French Brittains to quarter that Winter he with his choice Troops marched to London to prevent any disturbance from the Kentish Saxons or others In the Spring having mustered his Forces he proceeded against Colgern and Occa the two Saxon Generals who coming out of Northumberland wasâ—ed and destroyed the Brittish borders with their usual Cruelty Whereupon Arthur encountring them twice in â—attel overcame in both and then again beseiging York 〈◊〉 at length got possession thereof by means of a Brittain who living among the Saxons within the City privately â—et in some Brittains in the dead of the night who breaking open the gates gave entrance to the whole Army Arthur would not suffer many of the Saxons to be slain but â—ardoned all who beg'd quarter thereby to gain a repuation of Clemency amongst his adversaries The Britains having thus gotten York many skirmishes
who hearing that Constantine was proclaimed Prince was much disturbed and sent Ambassadors to Arthur to complain that contrary to the honour of a King he by proclaiming Constantine his Heir had broken the League between himself and his Father and endeavoured to defeat him of his rightful Inheritance desiring him not so easily to consent to the perswasions of the Brittains as thereby to violate the Laws both of God and man and admonishing him yet to observe the League which he had solemnly sworn to and to perswade his Subjects to do the like lest they should provoke the wrath of Almighty God against them who is a just revenger of the breach of all Oaths Leagues and Covenants To this the Nobles of Brittain answered That the League concluded between Arthur and Loth endered but for their Lives and was determined upon the death of either of them and therefore Arthur had done nothing but according to the duty of a Prince who tendred the peace and happiness of his Subjects in providing one of their own Nation to succeed him thereby to prevent the Realm from falling into the hands of strangers which they could by no means suffer Therefore if the Picts loved their Weal Security it would be good for them to be contented with their own Bounds and Dominions since if they should attempt to gain other mens Estates and Territories they would be forced in a short time to see the mischievous Consequences of such ill advised undertakings The Ambassadors of Pictland returning with this Answer the whole Nation were so stirr'd with indignation that they resolved immediately to revenge their wrongs by open War But first they endeavoured to procure the Scots to assist them and sending Ambassadors to Eugenius then King of Scotland he readily agreed to their requests upon pretence that some Scotch Rebels who fled to Arthur were received by him and likewise suffered to make In roads into Scotland Arthur having notice of these Transactions and War being Proclaimed against him he first secured the Sea coasts with consâ—derable forces to prevent the Landing of the Saxons if they should attempt it And then marched with the rest of his Army as far as the River Humber near the Banks whereof he pitcht his Tents a place formerly fatal for the overthrow of the Brittains expecting the Scots and Picts who in a short time came up to them and both Armies were in sight ready to ingage each other when certain Bishops of all the three Nations riding to and fro took great pains to perswade the Kings to Peace and Concord especially since what they were going to try with the Sword and the loss of much Bloud and many Lives might as well be composed by an Amicable and Friendly Agreement Neither could they better gratifie the Saxons the common Enemies to the Christian Religion than by weakning and destroying each other to make way for them to Conquer all together Mordred and Eugenius were induced by these carnest exhortations to refer the differences to some indifferent Persons and presently to lay down their arms upon assurance that the League with King Loth should be faithfully observed Arthur was also content for his part to have agreed thereto but the other Brittains especially the Kindred and Allies of Constantine utterly refused it and gave divers reproachful words to the Bishops for their unseasonable interposing since they were already ranged in battel so that it might be doubted they designed to betray their Army to their Enemies under pretence of an unprofitable agreement After this both Parties ingaged with great fury but the Brittains had such disadvantage by the place where they stood which was full of Mire Bogs and Mosses that they could neither advantagiously defend themselves nor offend their Enemies yet the Battel continued a long time with the slaughter of so many men that the river Humbâ—r near which it was fought grew red with bloud and carried a multitude of dead bodies into the Sea. In the heat of the sight a subtil Scot cryed out with a loud voice in the Brittish tongue that Arthur and most of his Nobility were slain and it was therefore in vain to resist any longer or hope for Victory but better for every man to shift for himself and endeavour to make his escape This news wonderfully incouraged the Scots and Picts but the Brittains were so much astonished at it that the greatest partinstantâ— fled away Others judging it only a crafty device to discourage them continued to make the utmost resistance till they were overpowred and almost every man slain This Victory was veryhardly got and cost more lives than any other for many years before for of the Scots and Picts who won the Feild there were killed above Twenty Thousand together with King Mordred and abundance of the Nobility of both Nations Of the Brittains and their confederates in the fight and pursuit above thirty thousand fell and among them King Arthur himself and Gawan brother to Mordred who had such an intire affection for his Lord and Master Arthur that he fought couragiously on his side that day against his own brother Mordred Gawan and most part of the Brittish Nobility were likewise slain Next day the Camp was plundred and among other rich spoyls Guyniver King Arthurs Wife with a great number of other Ladys and Gentlewomen were taken Prisoners though she and some others were afterward redeemed upon ransom This Bloudy Battel was fought in the year of our Lord 542. the 26 year of the reign of King Arthur and so much weakned both the Picts Scots and Brittains that they could not recover their losses in man years The same year many strange Prodigies were seen The Grass and Herbs in Yorkshire were stained with Bloud Near Camelon a Cow brought forth a Calf with two heads and an Ewe brought forth a Lamb of both Sexes The Sun for several days appeared like Bloud The Sky was full of bright Stars at noon divers days together In Wales there was a Battel between the Crows and Magpies on one side and the Ravens on the other and great slaughter was made on each side The Body of this famous Worthy was buried at Glassenbury in Somersetshire in the Church yard and discovered in the reign of King Henry the second who being informed by a Welch Ministrel that could sing many Historys in Welch of the Acts of the ancient Brittains declared that Arthurs Body was there buried Sixteen foot deep between two Pillars lest his Enemies the Saxons should have found him Henry caused the place to be dug up After they had digged about seven Foot they found a mighty broad Stone with a leaden Cross fastened to that part which lay downward with this Inscription Hic jacet Sepultus inclytus Rex Arthurus in Insulae Avaloniae Here lieth the renowned King Arthur in the Isle of Avalonia His Body was inclosed in a great Tree made hollow whith being opened his Bones appeared of a very great bigness his
God is very poor himself since his Messengers are so very mean and contemptible and thereupon takes occasion to retire Charlemagne resolving to be revenged for this bold affront of the Saraeen raises an Army of an hundred and thirty thousand men wherewith he defeated Aigolands Forces at Pampelona and carried away the head of this prophane King as a Tropby of his Victory and afterward utterly defeated the remainder of his Forces The Saracens again Mustering a new Army Rowland Nephew to Charles marches against them with only twenty thousand men and being suddenly set upon in his passage over the Pyrenean Mountains he is over powerâ—d with numbers and retiring himself apart for some refreshment he there perishes for thirst by reason of the long and painful Combat he had indured yet not without revenge for he killed Marseilles one of their Kings with his own hand Charlemagne advertised of this unexpected loss returns suddenly and takes revenge on the Saracens killing a vast number of them and building Tombs for Rowland and those other valiant Commanders who died in the Bed of Honour and his other urgent Affairs in France requiring his presence he returned thither That the War in Spain ended with little success having disturbed Charles at divers times for fourteen years past At his return from Spain Charlemagne finds occasion to exercise his Valour first in Italy where Alde I se the Son of Didier again attempted to settle himself but was soon suppressed with much loss to the Lombard Rebels The like occasion bred a War in Germany For King Tasilon Son in Law to Didier by his Wives perswasions endeavours to shake off the Yoke and flies to Arms ingaging the Huns and other Nations against Charlemagne who suppressed them with such happy success that Tasilon being Vanquished and found guilty of Treason and Rebellion was according to the Salique Law condemned to lose his Estate whereby the Kingdom of Bavaria ended and was incorporated into the Crown of France The Huns from whom the Hungarians are derived together with the Danes Westphalians and divers other Nations who were united in this War against Charles were all brought under his Obedience their Countreys containing Hungary Valachia Bohemia Transilvania Denmark and Poland Thus the French Mâ—narchy grew great by the happy Valour of â—â—â—rlemagne France Italy Germany Spain and Hungary made the Romon Empire in the West and Charles being Master of these goâ—dly Provinces was in effect Emperor thereof and wanted only the Title which he obtained by this means Leo being then Pope of Rome a strange sedition was raised against him by Silvester and Gampul men of great credit in the Court of Rome who in a Solemn procession seize upon the Pope before St. Laurence Church they stript him of his Pontificial robes throw him to the ground tread him under their feet bruise his face with their fists and having drawn him ignominiously through the dirt they throw him into Prison But he continued not long there being freed by a Groom of his Chamber and recovering St. Peters Church he intreats Vingise Duke of Spoleto to free him from this miferable Captivity who presently marching to Rome carried him thence to Spoleto From whence he goes with all speed to France to Charles whom he found ingaged in many troubles who yet neglected all other affairs to assist Leo in this his great necessity And marching to Rome with a potent Army he speedily pacifies all disturbances and punishes the Popes Enemies according to Law Leo being thus put into possession of his Soveraignty declares Charles to be Emperor of the West which with the price of his bloud lost in opposing the furious incursions of barbarous Nations he had valiantly gotten possession of and accordingly Crowns him Emperor with the full consent of the Roman People who asisted at his Coronation crying with one general voice All happiness long life and Victory to Charles Augustus Crowned the Great and Peaceable Emperor of the Romans always happy and victorions This was performed in the year of our Lord 800. Italy having for thirty years past suffered horrible Confusions without Emperor without Laws and without order The Seat of the Roman Empire since Constantine the Great remained at Constantinople a City of Thrace convenient for the guard of the Eastern Provinces All the West being full of strangers who having expelled the Roman Name and Authority the force of the Empire remained in the East where the State was in a strange confusion by fatal differences Constantine Son to Leo the Fourth was then Emperor who together with the Empire was governed from his infancy by Irene his Mother At this time there was great division in the East about Images which had already continued eighty years the 〈◊〉 ops would needs bring them into the Christian Church but were always opposed by Constantines Predecessors but the Empress having assembled a Council at Nice it was there decreed by her consent and earnest desire That â—mages should be planted in Christian Churches for Devotion Charlemagne did not approve of this decree but writ or caused to be written a small Treatise against this Council to be seen at this day and called A Treatise of Charlemagn's touching Images against the Greek Synod The present Emperor Constantine retained the hereditary hatred of his Father and Grand-Father against them so that being now of age and in possession of the Empire he disanulled all those new decrees and caused images in all places to be beaten down yet he still shewâ—ed respect to his Mother allowing her great part of her former Authority which occasioned an horrible Tragedy to follow for being inraged both for his crossing her new opinion about Images and for the loss of part of her power She resolves to disposless him of the Emâ—ress and having corrupted the Chief Officers with her Sons Money she seized on him put out his eyes sent â—im into banishment where he soon after died for greif and took possession of the Empire for her self These unnatural Tragedies were acted in the East while Charlemagne by his great Valour erected an Emâ—ire in the West After Constantines death Irene sent to Charles to excuse her self disowning the Murther and charging it on some who had done it without her command and likewise treated with him about Marrying â—er his Empress being lately dead premising to consent he should be declared Emperor of the East and that â—he would resign up all her power to him but Charlemagne would not accept thereof the Nobility and People after this had such a publick derestation of her the Murtheress of her own Child that having sufâ—ered â—er three years Nicephorus a Noblemant of Greece affâ—â—ed â—y the Chief of the Couâ—â— and with the consent of the people makes himself Emperor and only Banishes Irent He afterwards Treats and Compounds with Charles thaâ— the Empire of the East continuing under his Command that of the West should remain to Charlemagne which being confirm'd by the general assent