Henry the 8. and was crowned at 9. years of age In the 2. year of his reign he did so much towards reformation that the Church-service was turned into English In the Kings Minority the Duke of Somerset was made Lieutenant Protector but not long after was committed to the Tower and after was beheaded at Tower-hill King Edward about 16. years of age fell sick and died when he had reigned 6. years 5. months and odd daies An. 1554. After the death of Edward Lady Jane wife to the Lord Clifford fourth son to the Duke of Northumberland was proclaimed Queen as given to her by Edward the 6. But Lady Mary eldest daughter to King Henry had the grater party and so came to the Crown She soon restored the Pope Cardinal c. to his former Supremacy over England and dashed the reformation begun and appointed the Church-service again in Latine To make sure Queen Mary beheaded the Lady Jano Clifford the Duke of Suffolk the Lord Clifford and others to take them off from laying claim to the Crown Yet she did not sit quiet in the Throne But to compleat her sin she drunk deep of the bloud of the Saints and sent many multitudes to heaven in fiery chariots The Queen married Philip Prince of Spain Yet the Lord shut up her womb that she had no child and cut her off when she had raged over the Saints in this Nation 5. years 4. months and odd daies Anno 1559. Elizabeth sister to Queen Mary now came to the Crown she again rejected the Pope and did something towards Reformation of Religion She had great honour in the hearts of the people and was a terror to forain Nations and reigned 45. years An. 1604. After Queen Elizabeth James King of Scots descended from Margaret daughter to Henry the 7. came to the Crown of England He was a man of much learning and writ divers Books But his practice answered not his light and professions How he passed over the death of his son Prince Henry was observed by many and how the Lord reached him at last many have said more then I will write King James sawyed the Scepter of England Scotland and Ireland 22. years 3. days An. 1626. Charles succeeded his father James Contrary to the counsel once given by King James to Heary his son Charles did marry with Henerietta Maria of France a Papist and gave her the liberty of her Religion by Articles of Marriage By her interest Popery was advanced through corrupt Bishops and the true worship of God was little known in England what the life of Charles was is yet fresh in the memory of most alive at this day He set all the three Nations on a fire that yet is not quenched nor is like to be In England Ireland and Scotland the sword hath spilt the bloud of many thousands and as he was worthy the Lord gave him bloud to drink who was beheaded at White-hall West minster January 30. An. 1649. when he had born the Crown 24 years 10. months and 7. days Thus as in a Map I have represented some remarkable passages in the rise and succession of Kings from Saul to our present Age. If this little be laid up in the minds of men by this taste you may judge much of all their Lives and Reigns that is vailed under the Curtain To my best skill I have only run down sacred and prophane History and have taken the relations of others and written their Stories But if so much wickedness came to light what was done in the dark that is open to the all-seeing eye of Heaven Surely a woful sad burden have this sort of men I may well say Monsters been to all People and Nations where-ever they were And that the Dragon the Beast and all their limbs shall be utterly destroyed by Jesus Christ who is King of Kings I question not I am perswaded the work is now upon the wheel and as Jesus Christ is imbraced here will appear more and more to clear up to the Saints another way of governing his people then yet we see There is nothing hinders but our unworthiness But if I may discover what I see yet afar off I conceive the Governours call'd and set up by Jesus Christ shall be like Jesus Christ himself humble self-denying Saints such as shall set up a publike and not a self-interest Such as shall ease burdens and not oppress Such as shall deliver the poor and not seed upon them Such as shall guide the people by the rule of Gods sacred word and not make lust and self-will their law and force it by a long Sword For certain if the Lord did not leave wise-men to themselves they could not but easily reade their own ruine by multiplied examples in all times God is the same yesterday to day and for ever And in the same way that God did manifest his righteousness and justice under the sacred Scriptures the same hath been the Lords providences and dispensations in the world ever since the Scriptures were written and as the Apostle expresseth it These things were written for our examples upon whom the ends of the world are come I may say sin was the rise of Monarchy sin hath been the strength of Monarchy and Monarchy hath been the punishment of sin ever since it was Therefore when the sin of Kings grew high the Lord stirred up some to punish pull down these Kings by the shedding of much bloud and exhausting of treasure But when such had got into the Kings State they did the same that the King did before them when their sin again was full the Lord raised up others to destroy them and their Families And this is the track of times But when Jesus Christ is truly received there shall be an end of this proud oppressing sort of men the Saints shall rule then judgement and righteousness shall run down like mighty streams Now for the accomplishment of these blessed promises wait and pray till Christ say It 's done AN EPITOMY OF PAPACY THat there was a Gospel Church in the City of Rome in the times of the Apostles is clear by Divine authority And that this Church of Christ had ordinary Church Officers Bishops and Deacons I think there is no question But the better to discover the Roman Antichrist two things have been in debate amongst the godly 1 Whether the first Bishops of the Churches of Christ had and did exercise by power given from Jesus Christ a Lordly and Soveraign Jurisdiction over the Saints in their particular Churches 2 Whether the power of one Bishop or Pastor by the institution of Jesus Christ did extend to divers Churches The judgements of many learned men are published to the World upon these needful questions yet I desire to assert my thoughts in this place First That ordinary Church Officers
reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab King of Israel he walked in all the waies of Asa his father and took out of the land those Sodomites that remained in his fathers daies In his time he made peace with Israel by matching his son with Ahabs daughter and by that neer affinity to that wicked King joyned with him to fight his battles which sin of his was deeply threatend and soundly reproved from the Lord. This good man had great infirmities yet did more in reforming his people then any King after Solomon to his time and reigned 25. years about Ann. mund 3045. Nevertheless the High places were not taken away Jehoram succeeded his father Jehoshaphat in the Kingdom but not in his piety when he was settled in the Throne he murdered his six brethren the sons of his father and divers Princes This was a woful beginning and yet the holy Pen-man gives this account of him that he walked in the waies of the Kings of Israel like as did the house of Ahab for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife Marriage with Idolatrous wives hath been the ruine of many men and Nations And to all the rest of this wickedness Jehoram set up Idols and compelled Judah to worship them I shall omit some things but I may not pass the miseries God brought upon his people and this vild person as the just reward of his sin yet less then he deserved though eternity may pay for all In his time the Edomites revolted and set up a King amongst themselves at the same time also Libnah revolted because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord. But Jehorams sad doom was sent to him in writing from the Prophet Elijah possibly it might be in this extraordinary way either to give the full certainty of the sad judgements determined against him or rather to prevent some bloudy design of of this wicked King against the Prophet for the discharge of his duty But soon after the Lord stirred up the Philistines and Arabians who came to judah and carryed away all the substance that was Jound in the Kings house and his sons and his wives so that Jehoahaz the yongest son was saved And after all this the Lord smote Jehoram with an incurable disease in his bowels of which he languished for the space of two years and in the end his bowels fell out and so died but Judah buried him not in the Sepulchres of their Kings Thus he lived wickedly dyed miserably and was buried shamefully when he had reigned or rather raged 8. years About Ann. mun 3053. In the 12. year of Joram King of Israel the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Azariah the youngest son of Jehoram who was lest alive King of Judah This is the general account the Holy Ghost gives of him That he walked in the waies of the house of Ahab for his mother Athaliah the daughter of Omri King of Israel was his Counsellor to do wickedly In 2 King 8. 26. it's said Azariah was 22. years old when he began to reign but 2 Chron. 22. 2. it 's said he was 42. years old when he began to reign This deserves further thoughts to reconcile yet in both places it is said he reigned but one year Azariah had but a short reign and the Holy Ghost adds this as a further reason which is worth observing he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab for they were his Counsellors to his distruction About Anno mund 3054. Ahaziah going to visit Joram King of Israel son of his grand-father Ahab when Jehu came to execute judgement upon Ahabs house he found Ahaziah King of Judah hid in Samaria and put him to death with the rest this news being brought to Athaliah his mother she set up her self Queen of Judah and at first she murthered the seed Royal of her own son to sit quietly in the Throne Yet to make good his word to David the Lord preserved Joash who was secretly stole away from amongst the Kings children by Jehosheba Ahaziahs sister and hid five years with his Nurse in the house of the Lord. Jehosheba was wife to Jehoiada the Priest by whose Counsel and help Joash was saved alive In the seventh year Jehoiada made Joash known to the Captaines of the Army and taking an Oath of them Guards were appointed the Kings son was brought forth and Crowned at which there was great rejoycing when Athaliah heard the great noise in the Temple she came forth to know the matter But seeing the King stand by the Pillar according to the usual manner of the Kings of Judah at their Coronation she rent her cloaths and cryed Treason Treason But Jehoiada commanded to lay hold on her and to have her out of the range of the Temple and to kill her which they did when she had reigned 7. years about Anno 3061. Joash or Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign which was the seventh year of Jehu so soon as Joash was Crowned King Jehoiada caused a Covenant to be made between the King and the people and between the King people and the Lord and presently all the people went into the house of Baal and they destroyed it thoroughly Joash reigned well while Jehoiada lived yet the High places were not taken away but after the death of Jehoiada the Princes of Judah had full recourse to the King and by their flatteries the King was drawn to Idolatry that both the King and his Courtiers left off to worship God in the Temple and served Groves and Idols The Lord in mercy sent Prophets to reprove their sin and bring them back again but they would not harken to these then the Lord sent Zachariah the son of Jehoiada the Priest who dealt plainly both with the King and people he told them Because yea have forsaken the Lord the Lord also hath forsaken you and that was the reason they could not prosper This home preaching they could not digest and by the command of the King the good man was stoned to death in the Court of the Lords house though he was an extraordinary Prophet sent by God and the son of Jehoiada It 's a known truth Tyranny can know no relations when they are not any thing yet Zachariah left his bloud at their doors and appealing to the righteous God and Judge of all the earth who upon his death said The Lord look upon it and require it And the Lord did so For about the end of the year the Syrians came to Jerusalem with a small company and the Lord delivered a very great Host into their hand because they had forsaken the Lord God thus God executed his judgement against
day and this was the reason because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers Sin un-mans men and renders Champions slaves Here was a woful slaughter yet Israel took also captive 200000. women with their sons and daughters and much spoil and brought them to Samaria But Obed a Prophet of the Lord in Samaria went out to meet the Army of Israel and said Behold because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah he hath delivered them into your hands and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven And now you purpose to keep them bond-men and bond-women to you But are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord your God Now hear me therefore deliver them again for the fierce wrath of God is upon you Wonderful O wonderful wisdom and bowels of God! that the sin of his people should bring them to the sword and slavery and yet this misery the sin of those that are the Lords executioners Sin divides and raiseth war amongst brethren yet the Lords fierce wrath is upon those brethren who execute Gods wrath upon their sinful brethren because they have sinned against God themselves But in these straits King Ahaz sent to the King of Assyria to help him for to all the rest the Edomites had again smitten Judah and carryed away captives The Philistines also invaded the Cities of the low Countries and took away many Towns and Villages and dwelt in them for the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz King of Israel Kings seldom sin alone And dreadful are the sins of great men when the sin of the chief Magistrate may bring National judgements The more effectually to engage the King of Assyria Ahaz took a part of the Treasure out of the house of the Lord and out of the house of the King and of the Princes which I finde not done before and gave it to Tilgath-Pilneser King of Assyria But he helped him not Certainly the strength of man cannot deliver the Nation that God will break down But in the time of this distress the King did trespass yet more against the Lord and above others the Holy Ghost hath left this black brand upon him This is that King Ahaz And the reasons follow he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus which smote him saying Because the gods of the Kings of Assyria helped them therefore will I sacrifice to them that they may help me But the text saith They were the ruine of him and of all Israel 2. Reason for that Ahaz gathered together the Vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God and shut up the doors of the house of the Lord and made him Altars in every corner of Jerusalem and in every several City of Judah he made High places to burn Incense to the gods and provoked the Lord to anger When Ahaz had thus run out 16. years in these abominations he died and they buried him in the City but not in the Sepulchres of the Kings about Ann. mun 3216. In the third year of Hoshea King of Israel Hezekiah son of Ahaz King of Judah began to reign he was 25. years old when he came to the Crown and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord according to all that David did Hezekiah excelled all the Kings from David that went before him and after was none like to him In the first year of his reign in the first moneth he began to reform and opened the doors of the Lords house and restored Religion he removed the High places brake down the Images and took away the Brazen Serpent set up by Moses to which the people burnt Incense and reformed thorowly yet in the 14. year of Hezekiah Sennacherib King of Assyria came with a mighty Army against all the fenced Cities of Judah and took them Then Hezekiah sent an humble submissive message to the King of Assyria desiring of him to draw â—way his Army and he would pay him what he would lay upon him Sennacherib appointed Hezekiah to give him 300. Talents of Silver and 30. Talents of Gold Whether Hezekiah was able to raise the same is not certain but he did what he could Hezekiah took all the silver that was found in the Lords house and in the Kings Treasury At that time also Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the Temple and from the pillars and gave it to the King of Assyria But as pride hath no bowels and a covetous heart knows no pity Sennacherib is unsatisfied with all the Treasure Hezekiah could scrape up though he pilled and defaced the house of God for it and therefore sent an insolent Army up against Jerusalem This put all Jerusalem into a terrible fear and now they have none to slee to but the Lord Hezekiah sent away Messengers presently with his sad complaints to the Prophet Isaiah to pray to the Lord for them And Isaiah comforts them with a sweet and seasonable answer from the Lord that the Lord will send a blast upon Rabshakeh and he should hear a rumour and return to his own Land and there he should fall by the sword in his own Land So Rabshakeh returned from Jerusalem for he heard that Sennacherib was gone from Lachish and Rabshakeh found him warring against Libnah After this Sennacherib brought his Army into Judah a second time and then sent Messengers with a Letter to Hezekiah stopped full of pride blasphemy When Hezekiah had received the Letter he went into the Lords house and in prayer spread it before the Lord and begged his help and the Lord promised him that the King of Assyria should not lay siege or shoot an Arrow into Jerusalem but he would defend it and save it And that very night the Lord sent an Angel who smore in the Assyrians Camp 185000. So Sennacherib departed and went to Niniveh In these daies Hezekiah fell sick and neer to death But upon his prayer the Lord restored him and added 15. years more to his daies Upon Hezekiahs recovery the King of Babylon sent a present unto him which he accepted and to gratifie the Messengers Hezekiah shewed them the house of his precious things the house of his Armor and his Treasures c. But the Prophet Isaiah sadly reproved his pride and vain-glory that he who had such abundant experience of an allsufficient God in the Creatures nothingness should have his heart going out to his wealth and works And therefore the Prophet foretold Hezekiah of the woful Captivity which should come from Babylon Herein Hezekiah fell sadly but God left him to see what was in his heart and this lesson we have all to learn That the best of Saints stand not longer then the Lord sustains and keeps
Provence In his time there fell great strife between the King and the Barons At first they kept Parliaments apart and after their consultations raised Armies and in a battel the King with his sons Edward and Richard and many Nobles were taken prisoners But Edward being set at liberty got up an Army and fell on afresh so at last the Earl of Leicester and many great ones were slain in the battel of Evesham This begot bloudy wars and brought woful desolations to poor England And to the merciless sword the Lord brought fearful judgements of Plagues Famine Earthquakes and many other strange wonders in heaven and earth But Henry resigned all to death the 16. of November 1273. when he had reigned 56. years and 28. days Edward the eldest son of Henry succeeded his father He married Elianor the daughter of the King of Spain in his fathers life-time Ann. 1254. King Edward banished the Jewes this Nation In the memory of Queen Elianor he built stately Crosses where the Corpes rested every night In his reign there was great wars with the French Welch and especially with the Scots who oft rebelled but were as oft subdued yet in those wars the King got a bloudy Flix of which he died the 7. of July An. 1308. when he had reigned 34. years 7. moneths and odd days Edward the 2. succeeded his father He was said to be a dissolute Prince hated of his Nobles and contemned of the Common people He married Isabel daughter to the French King In his time also the Scots rebelled vanquished the Kings Army and after besieged him in York and burnt the Suburbs The Barons also raised War against the King for defending Piercy and the Spencers his creatures against justice In which straits the King sent the Queen to mediate with her brother the French King She took with her her son Edward But she not returning so soon as her husband appointed her and with all discovering some compliance with some Nobles sled out of England to France the King proclaimed them all to be banished But the Queen her son Edmund Woodstock all of Kent the Kings brother with many Nobles came into England and joyned with the Barons and City of London by which they raised a great Army took divers strong Holds and at last the King and his creatures The King was committed prisoner to the Earl of Lancaster but the creatures were hanged headed and quartered The Queen her son and Barons came presently to London and the next day called a Parliament where the King was deposed when he had reigned 19. years 6. moneths and some daies An. 1328. Edward the eldest son of Edward the 2. was set up in his fathers stead at 14. years of age It is said His father was soon after murdered in Corfe-Castle But the young King was much ordered by his mother A peace was made with the Scots and Daviâ—â— Scotland married Joan King Edwards â—â—ster But to keep all quiet at home the old Queen who contrived the death of King Edward her husband also plotted the death of his brother the 〈◊〉 of Kent and caused him to be beheaded at Winchester the 3. year of King Edward the 3 's reign In the 6. year of Edward the Scots rebelled and possessed Barwick The King laid siege before them and the Scots endeavoured with their Forces to raise the siege But were overcome in battel where were shin of the Scots 8. Earls with 1300 horse and 35000. footmen Upon this Barwick was delivered the King placed Edward Baliol Governour who was after King of Scotland About the 11. year of this King War arose with France King Edward â—â—ised a Navy of about 200. sail of Ships and went to Flanders where in a Sea-sight he overcame the French and Normans and stiled himself King of England and France Thiâ— King took Calice and made great inroads and woâ—â— desolations in France and the 〈◊〉 iâ— the Scots upon England They burnt Calice Penneth and came killing and burning down to Durham But after King Edward made peace both with the French and Scots upon honourable terms After this the King of Spain was driven out of his Kingdom by his Bastard brother and Edward Prince or Wales went to the Kings relief with a great Army and in a battel put the Bastard to flight King Edward reigned 50. years and 4. months who departed this life the 21. of June An. 1378. Richard the son of Prince Edward his father being dead succeeded his Grand-father Edward the 3. He came to the Crown at 11. years of age As he was young he hearkned to young Counsellours and neglected his old and wise Council which brought sad troubles to the Nation and woful misery to himself In the first year of his reign the French made great inroads and wasted many Towns in England and at this time Guns were invented The King in these straits laid a great Tax upon the Nation Upon which some Countries rose in Arms went to London and did great hurt but were after appeased by the King through fair promises This Richard married Anne daughter to the King of Bohemia who brought hither the use of women riding side-ways on horseback Some Earls and Barons seeing the King missed and the Nation misgoverned by a few persons they considered how it might be reformed and thereupon raised an Army of 40000. and came to London to the King upon this the King called a Parliament suddenly in which Parliament Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of England and divers others were convicted of Treason and put to death An. 1388. Richard sent to the City of London Ann. 1392. to borrow of them 1000. li. but they refusing he called the Maior Sheriffs and Aldermen of London to a Council at Nottingham and there appearing the King Arrested and imprisoned them and nulled all their liberties Queen Anne dying the King took Isabel the King of France's daughter to wife and so made peace there The King now grew high again and put to cruel death the Earl of Arundel and divers others for dealing with him about his ill Government This King shed much bloud of the Nobility and Bishops besides others which lay in the bosoms of many and not forgot though he carried it with a high hand But the King going into Ireland Henry Duke of Hereford and Lancaster with others who were out of the Land came into Yorkeshire to whom went the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Westmerland and many Lords and gathering up an Army they laid siege to Bristol where they took the Lord Treasurer and some others and beheaded them The King hearing of this hasted out of Ireland and landed in Wales and more fully understanding the Dukes strength took to the Castle of Conway and desired a Treaty The Duke of Lancaster met the King but the
A LITTLE VIEW OF THIS OLD VVORLD IN TVVO BOOKS I. A Map of Monarchy Wherein the state of the World is represented under Kings with their entrance Reign and Ends from King Saul to King Charls II. An Epitomy of Papacy VVherein is discovered the rise of Anti-christ with the Entrance Reign and Ends of the Popes of Rome for 740 years till the Pope was fully declared to be the Anti-christ A Work fitted for the Press Five years agone and now published by Tho. Palmer Pastor of a Church of Christ in Nottingham LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman and are to bee sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Crown in Popes-head Alley 1659. To the Council of State of the Common-Wealth of England Honourable Worthies THe Lord God Almighty is the original of all Created beings and his glory is the great end he is carrying on both in Earth and Heaven Wisdome Grace and Power are the Essence of God and from himself he made and governs the whole Creation independently and none can say Why hast thou done thus There is some parity between a Saints Soul-state and the true Church-state Darkness and bondage precedes light and comfort sufferings goe before rest Abrahams true Seed are in AEgypt they pass the red Sea and wander in a houling Wilderness before they can possess the promised Land of Canaan and all these former dealings of God with his people in Covenant were written for examples and types for us upon whom the ends of the world are come Jehovab hath not usually made great promises to his people and inriched them with his Free Grace but he hath brought them to live upon him by faith for the performance of the word that went out of his mouth yet as God saw the state of future times he was pleased still to discover and fore-tell to his suffering Saints the enemies fall and the Churches advance and glory in this world The state both of the Jewish and Christian Church as to their sufferings union and glory were fully represented in Daniels Visions and Johns Revelations When Jesus Christ was in the Flesh hee was frequently Preaching and in Parables representing the Churches suffering and raised estate and after him the Apostles taught the same things The Prophets and Apostles spake not only of the Churches future sufferings under the Beasts false Prophet the Dragon and the Whore but God was pleased also to compute and measure the time of Saints sufferings to their promised Redemption In Christs fore-telling the events of time after his Resurrection hee gives not his Disciples the number of years but leaves with them several fore-going signs of their promised Redemption that both by computation of time and by signs the Saints might the better finde the time of the Beasts reigns and the appearing and Kingdome of Jesus Christ. Indeed Chronologies are imperfect and I judge the very year of the Beasts fall and Churches deliverance cannot be asserted by man yet I humbly conceive that both from computations and signs God hath begun his Churches deliverance in these Nations The Churches Restoration is as fully promised as her afflicted state fore-told and when the Dragon and the Whore have had their time of tyranny over the Saints why should we not certainly beleeve and look for promised rest If you please here to take a view of the Kings of the Earth and examine Antichrists plots and practices they have fulfilled the Word of God by the mouthes of his Prophets and answer them exactly as face answers face in a Glasse Great Senators I may be bold to say God hath honoured England above all the Nations of the earth and you above many Sons of men in making use of you to begin and prosess your resolutions for the establishment of Truth and Holiness in these Lands it was only the Lords free mercy that brought and hath continued the Gospel in England above any Country and Kingdom in Europe and may we not upon that ground beleeve that appearing and kingdom of the Son of Man promised shall here begin and from hence run from Nation to Nation till all the Vials of Gods Wrath be poured out upon the Churches enemies that great voyce out of the Temple in Heaven be fulfilled saying The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Truely the night is not yet past and the Lords work in your hands is attended with great difficulty yet you shall ever have a Pillar and a Cloud to guide and defend if you keep your eye upon them I think I may say God now calls you to an unwonted work the bringing in of the New Heavens and New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness which is the Kingdom of Saints in this World Carnal Counsellours and worldly Politicians know little of the Lords designs at this day and will doe as little in his work God is now staining worldly glory God is now fulfilling promises to his Son and his Saints and none but the Spiritual-wise understand the work before you I beseech you look much to God hearken after the teaching and light of the Spirit in the Churches of Christ and so act that you may render up your account with joy not with fear This is the end and all of my desires in this little peice I humbly present you with who shall rejoyce to bee found serviceable in his generation to promote the great design of Jesus Christ and shall abide Your Honours real and faithful Servant in my Lords Work Tho. Palmer From my Lodging upon London Bridge the 4th Mon. 1659. To all that beleeve and look for the Kingdom of Christ and glory of the New-Testamen-Church in this World Precious souls IT was the providence of my dear Father when he took me from more rough imployment in the Warrs of England to call me to preach the Gospel of Light in a dark corner which was not without success and comfort to my soul and refreshing to many at home and abroad but after a little time Satan raised so great opposition against some few painful Servants of the Lord who with my self joyned freely to preach the Gospel on week-days from Town to Town where we were invited by any of the Lords people that after the continuance of this course for about two years and some light especially in the order of the Gospel brake forth the Parish Ministers shut the doors of the Comman Meeting-places against us and by degrees put an end to those fruitful and blessed exercises My more publick Ministration of the Gospel being so prevented and my preaching in my Parish-relation by the same spirit of Antichrist made very ineffectual that young Converts were staggered about Church-order and many Christians drew back It was upon my heart to imploy my spare hours to prepare something for the Presse and preach in Print when I could not preach in other mens Pulpits
and changes and over-turnings can bee expected in Churches and States till he come and be lift up whose right alone it is to rule as King of Saints and King of Nations As yet the Lords people see little into this great Mystery of the Prophets and if you find slips and failings in my Computations of years or application of Prophecies cover them or correct them in love considering my love to Christ and his Saints hath ingaged me in this Work and as yet it is neither dark nor light I confesse the whole Book is little more than a Transcript of Divine and prophane Histories in all which I have been faithful to God and Men which Mite I now cast into the poor Saints Treasury and if the Lord Jesus Christ shall make it a seasonable word of truth to Saints it will bee the comfort and crown of him who waites and prayes for the promised Redemption of Sion T. P. A MAP of MONARCHY LIB I. ALL the dealings of God with man are works of wonder As the Lords electing Love hath been cast upon a few of old Adams children to evidence the freedome and riches of his grace So the infiniteness of his Almighty power is manifest in his guidance preservation and protection of these chosen ones through the oppositions and difficulties they meet with in this world For the sake of these was Christ promised Laws Ordinances and Government given For the first 2000. years sin reigned and there were few persons whom the Lord approved of as godly About which time the Lord singled out Abraham and made a special Covenant with him and his seed after his faith Abraham had one Isaac descending from him Isaac had but one Jacob coming out of his Loynes but from Jacob came the twelve Patriarchs I will omit many passages of Gods providence in those times yet it 's manifest that the Church of God then was contained in one Family and though Jacobs Family had in it seventy souls at his going into Egypt amongst themselves these were onely under houshold-Government The time of Israels bondage until their full deliverance was 430. years all which time till neer the end Israel in civil things were under the Government of the Kings of Egypt But when Israels oppressions brought them to their prayers the Lord heard their cries and made provision for their deliverance by the hand of Moses to whom the Lord gave the Government of his people Israel as Judge I cannot here let pass the glorious appearance of God in the multiplying of these people that in the Land of their sad afflictions and hard bondage the number of seventy souls entering Egypt were multiplied to six hundred thousand and 3000. and 550. men of War besides the Tribe of Levi. The Lord now having made good his promise to Abraham in so great a measure that from a Family they were increased into a Body Politick or Commonwealth For the well-ordering of whom God in his wisdom gave to them a sweet fatherly Government under the name and title of Judge many or most of which were Prophets and High-Priests elected by the people not to have a violent proud arbitrary or absolute dominion over them but to minister justice and guide them by the counsel of God Under this happy Government the Lord blessed this people about 450. years It is too manifest that upon the corruptions of some in Government the people would not be satisfied until they had cast off that Government the Lord had given them and blessed to them and would have a King to Judge them like all the Nations This Heathenish request sadly grieved good Samuel and much displeased the Lord yet God in his unsearchable wisdom having great designes to accomplish in the world granted Israel their desires though to be a scourge and a curse to them and commanded Samuel to tell them what oppressors and Tyrants these Kings should be to them And Israel groaned wofully under this Kingly Monarchical Government for about 517. years which ended with the last and great Captivity in Babylon but upon their restauration and return they again set up the Government by Judges according to the institution of God and so continued it many of which Judges ruling after the Captivity as before were High-Priests Now as Kingly Monarchical Government hath been most general in the world and these Kings and Emperours implacable enemies and bloudy persecutors of Christ and the interest of the Saints yea and such as have been the great instruments of the Devil to keep down or keep out Christ from his Kingly Monarchical visible Government over the Saints and Churches which God the Father hath promised to him and conferred upon him I will therefore spot a little Paper and spend a little time to run down the line of Monarchy to give a touch upon the enterance reign and ends of some Kings Emperours and Kings again in the latter times I will begin with the Kings of Israel at their ending I will come to Daniels four Kings and fall in with the Histories of the Kings of England until that name was taken away at White-hall West-minster The Map of Monarchy WHen nothing but a King would Saul content Israel Samuel caused all the Tribes of Israel and all the People to gather to Mizpeh where they chose Saul the son of Kish for chief Captain This was a free election of the People and no secret combination of any party Yet I cannot but note the modesty of the young man seeming to judge himself unfit for so great an honour and high trust hid himself from the Crown If we may judge affections by actions Saul sought the Asses with more desire then a Kingdom And possibly if he had continued in his Native imployment his life might have been longer and his sin less But being now lift up to the Throne Saul ruffles in the world and did something while God was with him yet when the Lord took from Saul the spirit of Government and courage he fell into gross wickedness in the life-time of Saul David was anointed King over Israel I will not insist upon the vile practices of this ungodly man which came to miserable end for not finding a man willing to separate his distracted soul from his miserable body he fell upon his own sword and became his own executioner But this I must further add the lusts of Saul cost Israel dear for he spent much treasure spilt much of their bloud and reigned with Samnel 40. years about Anno mun 2888. For the wickedness of Saul the Lord rejected him took away the spirit of Government he had and commanded Samuel to anoint David the son of Jesse when Saul had reigned but a few years yet David was not set upon the Throne until
the death of Saul and then David was onely Crowned King of Judah at Hebron by a small party of Israel the greater number following Ishbosheth the son of Saul who was made King of Israel by Abner Captain of Sauls Host and now they fell to war and bloud-shed In this war Davids party got the better but a little after Ishbosheth reproving Abner for lying with one of his fathers Concubines Abner was displeased and thereupon sought to betray Ishbosheth Kingdom to David and had audience with David about it But Joab Captain of Davids Host returning from pursuit of the enemy and hearing that Abner had been at Davids Court and was newly departed Joab sent for him back and being returned Joab took Abner aside as if he would speak privately to him and secretly stabbed him to the heart in revenge upon Abner for killing Asahel Joabs brother The death of Abrer did greatly astonish those that followed Ishbosheth and as his Kingdom was declining Baanah and Rechab two false brethren finding an opportunity secretly murdered Ishbosheth cut off his head and carryed it to David These wretches hoped now to have been greatly advanced by David for this bloudy cruelty but good David troubled at their sin gave them the just reward of traytors yet upon the death of Ishbosheth at the end of 7. years all Israel came into David and the whole Kingdom was setled in him There is no question but David was a very godly and precious man neither will I afresh rake amongst his many and great sins over which he deeply mourned and which free grace pardoned yet this may be observed that his sin brought much misery upon all Israel and because of bloud the Lord denied him the honour to build his House neither do we finde since David that great Warriers have done much in Church-reformation David was 30. years old when he was Crowned King of Judah He reigned over them 7. years and six moneths and over all Israel 33. years In all 40 years and six moneths and left Solomon his son upon his Throne About Anno mundi 2929. Solomon succeeded his father David In the fourth year of his reign was the foundation of the House of the Lord laid in the moneth Zif or And in the 11. year in moneth Bul or October which is the eighth moneth was the house finished so was he seven years in building it About Ann. mund 2940. Solomon walked long with the Lord and the Lord made him glorious in the world yet in his old age which should have been most fruitful in holiness his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not perfect with the Lord. This sin of Solomon a sin against so many and high engagements of love and obedience greatly provoked the Lord to alter his purposes concerning him and his house upon which God threatned certainly to rend the Kingdom from him and to give it to his servant Yet this sad sentence was sweetly mixt with mercy That the Lord would not do it in his daies for Davids sake Nor rend away all the Kingdom but leave one Tribe to his son for his fathers sake and Jerusalem sake whom he had chosen But to all the rest Solomon was a great oppressor of his brethren as will appear more anon and reigned over all Israel 40. years about An. mund 2969. Upon the death of Solomon all Israel came to Shechem to Crown Rehoboam son of Solomon Against which time they called Jeroboam home who fled for his life from Solomon into Egypt And being returned Jeroboam was speaker for the Congregations of Israel who required ease of Rehoboam from that grievous yoke put upon them by Solomon his father before they would establish him in the Throne Rehoboam desired time to give them answer to which they willingly granted In the interim Rehoboam consulted with his fathers old Counsellours and they advised him to consent to the people But this not well suiting to Rehoboams humour he also called his young Courtiers who Counselled him to keep his Prerogative and keep them under Rehoboam upon the next meeting returns this full answer My little finger shall be thicker then my fathers loynes c. Though here appeared a visible just cause that Israel should provide for their own safety against oppression yet assuredly it was of the Lord to make good that same word he had threatned against Solomon and therefore Israel refusing to submit to Rehoboam only the Tribe of Judah set him up King of Judah the rest set up Jeroboam King of Israel of which in its place But this was occasion of a sad breach in the bowels of Israel and there was War between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their daies and to the rest this was a woful consequent that fell out upon that unnatural strife about a King while brethren were letting out the bloud of brethren and one weakened by another they gave occasion to the common enemy to accomplish his design upon them all for Shishake King of Egypt came against Jerasalem and made a great spoil upon the Lords house and the Kings house and took away rich prizes of golden shields made by Solomon which never again were made good But above all Judah provoked the Lord by Idolatry and they suffered Sodomites in the land and did commit the same abominations that the Heathen did that the Lord cast out before them Yet Rehoboam reigned 17. years in Jerusalem and slept with his fathers About Anno mund 2986. And to the rest the Lord hath set this black brand upon this King That he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. In the 18. year of Jeroboam Abijam or Abijah began to reign over Judah he walked in all the sins of Rehoboam his father yet for Davids sake the Lord gave him a lamp in Jerusalem and set up his son after him in the Throne But Abijah reigned only 3. years 2989. In the 20. year of Jeroboam King of Israel Asa son of Abijah was set up over Judah the Holy Ghost hath left this glory upon his name still that he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and expresseth this as a great mark of the uprightness of his heart to God that he spared not his Queen-Mother who was an Idolater but put her down from being Queen and burnt her grove The bloudy War between the house of Judah and Israel was not yet ended but lasted between Asa and Baasha the third King of Israel all their daies and Asa reigned 41. years about Anno mund 3020. But yet the high places were not removed Vers. 14. Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to
Joash At this time Hazael King of Syria destroyed all those wicked Princes from among the people and to pacifie him Joash King of Judah took all the holy things dedicated by Jehoshaphat Jehoram and Ahazia his father with all the gold found in the Treasury of the Temple and in the Kings house and sent them to Hazael and he carryed them to Damascus this was a just and dreadful misery that the Kings sin especially brought upon the Jewes But the Lords hand stayed not there For Joash himself was afflicted with great diseases and for the bloud of the sons of Jehoiada the Priest his own servants conspired against him and kill'd him in his bed And after they buried him but not in the Sepulchres of the Kings This I would leave to consideration That none can stand long when they leave the Lord and the Lord forsakes them but a shameful end shall follow a wicked life this King reigned 40. years about Ann. mun 3100. In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz King of Israel Amaziah son of Joash King of Judah was set up King at his first coming to the Crown he did some good things in hypocrisie as his father did but when he was settled in the Kingdom he put to death those servants that killed his father After this Amaziah raised an Army of three hundred thousand choise men to make War with the Edomites yet thinking himself too weak he hired also 100 thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel But by a Prophet the King was admonished not to joyn with that Army of Israel because God was not with those Idolatrous wicked people upon which Amaziah dismist them but in much discontent they returned and taking the time they fell upon many Cities of Judah as they went flew 3000. of them and took much spoil Amaziah prospered in this battel and smote 10000. men and 10000. men which they took prisoners they carryed to the top of a steep Rock and threw them down that they were broken in pieces Amongst the spoil of the Edomites Amaziah took their gods and set them up to be his gods and burnt Incense to them Good Lord what folly will not wise and great men commit when God leaves them Amaziah was exceedingly lift up in this Victory and now he thinks to revenge the wrong done to him by the Army of Israel and therefore he sent a Challenge to Joash King of Israel The King of Israel was unwilling to meet Amaziah and disswaded him from it But Amaziah would not be so satisfied therefore Joash King of Israel went to Bethshemesh in the land of Judah and gave battel to Amaziah In this battel Judah was worsted and Amaziah taken prisoner The King of Israel now having the field he marched his Army to Jerusalem brake down the Wall took all the gold silver and vessels in the Lords house with the Treasures of the Kings house He also took Hostages for subjection and so lest Amaziah in Jerusalem This was in the 14. year of Amaziahs reign but Amaziah after this sell from the Lord the people conspired against him in Jerusalem upon which he sled to Lachish yet they sent after him and flew him there when he had reigned 29 years about Anno mundi 3129. After the Death of Amaziah Judah was without a King 13. years which this appears In the 15 year of Amaziah the son of Joash King of Judah Jeroboam son of Joash King of Israel began to reign And in the 27. year of Jeroboam King of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah King of Judah to reign Now from the 15. of Amaziah to the 29. is 14. years to Jeroboams reign so that to the 27. of Jeroboam there must needs be an interval of 13. years to the Crowning of Amaziah about An. mun 3142. The People of Judah took Azariah son of Amaziah and made him King in his fathers stead At 16. years old Azariah was Crowned King of Judah in the 27. year of Jeroboam King of Israel Azariah or Uzziah did well in all the former part of his reign He was a man of War built divers Forts in Jerusalem and both built and took in several Cities he also did much in reformation of Religion and so long as he sought the Lord God made him to prosper But when he was strong his heart was lifted up in him to his destruction For he transgressed against the Lord his God by going into the Temple and usurping the Priests Office to burn incense upon the Altar Azariah the Priest with 80. Priests of the Lord went in after the King and withstood him and said It pertaineth not to thee Uzziah to burn Incense to the Lord but to the Priests the sons of Aaron that are consecrated for it Go out of the Sanctuary for thou hast transgressed neither shall it be for thy Honour Then was the King wroth with the Priests and presently the Leprosie rose upon his forehead and the Priests discerning of it they thrust him out from thence and he himself also hasted to go out because the Lord had smitten him After the King dwelt in a house several from others and was a Leper until the day of his death and Jotham his son was over the Kings house judging the people of the landâ— Uzziah or Azariah reigned 52. years about An. mund 3194. In the second year of Pekah King of Israel Jotham began to reign over Judah Jotham did according to all that his father Uzziah did before him but yet the High places were not taken away and the people did corruptly In his time he built the high Gate of the house of the Lord and built Cities and Forts Jotham became mighty because he prepared his waies before the Lord his God he was 25. years old when he began to reign and reigned 16. years about An. 3200. In the 17. year of Pekah King of Isreal Ahaz the son of Uzziah King of Judah began to reign He was 20. years old when he began to reign but he did wickedly and walked in the ways of the Kings of Israel and made his son to pass through the fire according to the abomination of the Heathen he made Moulten Images for Baalim and burnt Incense in the high places then Rezin King of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah King of Israel joyned their forces and came up and laid siege to Jerusalem at this time the King of Syria recovered the City Elah which was taken from his Kingdom by Azariah King of Judah and between Rezin and Pekah they almost destroyed the Kingdom of Judah for the Lord delivered them into their enemies hands The King of Syria smote the Army of Ahaz and carryed away a great multitude of them to Damascus And Pekah slew in Judah 120000. valiant men in one
them When Hezekiah had reigned 29. years he went to the Lord about Anno mund 3245. In the reign of Hezekiah Israel was carryed away Captive and the Kings of Israel ceased and so not mentioned after Manasseh succeeded his father Hezekiah and was 12. years old when he began to reign But he did evil in the sight of the Lord and was a gross Idolater In the former part of his reign he builded again the High places reared Altars for Baal sacrificed his own son c. and did worse then the Heathen In his time the Lord left not Manasseh and Judah without reproof But they hearkned not Therefore the Lord threatned to bring the same destruction upon Manasseh and Jerusalem as he had brought upon Samaria and the house of Ahab and to wipe them clean from all their filthiness as a man wipeth a dish and turneth inside down to keep it from dust and soon after the Lord brought up the King of Assyria the Rod of his anger who took Manasseh among the thornes whither he was run to hide himself and bound him in fetters and carryed him to Babylon In this low estate Manasseh humbled himself greatly before the Lord and the Lord heard his prayer and restored him again to his Kingdom And now Manasseh knew out of real experience that the Lord was God After this Manasseh repaired and reformed yet the people still sacrificed in the High places and when Manesseh had reigned 55. years he slept with his fathers and they brought him not into the Sepulchres of the Kings but buried him in the Garden of his own house at Uzza about Anno mund 3300. Amon the son of Manasseh at the age of 22. years was Crowned King of Judah he again destroyed Religion set up Idolatry walked in all the wicked ways of his father and his own servants conspired against him and slew him in his own house when he had reigned 2. years about Anno mun 3302. Amon coming to the Crown at 22. years of age reigning but 2. years and his son Josiah 8. years old when he came to the Crown unless Amon had Josiah at 15. years of age which is not ordinary there must be an interval between Amon and Josiah After the death of Amon the people took Josiah his son when he was 8. years old and made him King Josiah walked in all the waies of David he again destroyed Idolatry repaired the Temple and was a choice Reformer Josiah also renewed the Covenant with the Lord and all the people to be the Lords people and keep his Commandments Nevertheless the Lord turned not from his fierce and great wrath before denounced against Judah because of the sin of Manasseh whereby he provoked the Lord in Josiahs daies the King of Egypt went to War against the King of Assyria at Euphrates and Josiah went out against him I do not finde the ground of his quarrel but probably Josiah might take offence at the King of Egypt for passing through his Land yet Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt sent Embassadors to Josiah to let him know he intended not to War against him but against the house against which God had commanded him to fight and charged Josiah not to meddle with him left God should destroy him But Josiah being a man of courage would not be said to turn his face upon any yet his resolution being not rightly ordered and not hearkning to the words of Necho from the mouth of God Josiah was shot in the sight and his servants brought him in his Chariot to Jerusalem and he died there and all Judah and Jerusalem and the Prophet Jeromiah lamented Josiah who reigned 31. years about Anno mund 3333. Upon the death of Josiah the people took Jehoahaz a younger son and Crowned him King when he was 23. years old Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord according to all that his fathers had done But Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt came up put Jchoahaz in bonds when he had reigned 3 moneths laid a Jerusalem taken by the King of Tax upon the Land of 100. talents of Silver and one Talent of Gold and made Eliakim Jehoahaz his elder brother King of Judah in the room of Josiah his father and called his name Jehoiakim but took Jehoahaz into Egypt and he died there Jehoiakim now succeeded being 25. years old Jehoiakim seems to be well pleased to have the Crown and to gratifie his new Master he forthwith gave the Tribute of silver and gold to Pharaoh but taxed all the Land for it It 's an easie matter to grant large sums of Money when they lay it upon others to pay and this the holy Pen-man notes in general that Jehoiakim did evil according to all that his fathers did so Nebuchadnezzer came up against him and Jehoiakim became his servant and submitted to him Ah how doth sin unman men and render them low slavish spirits When men leave God they will stoop to any bondage But Jehoiakim after three years rebelled against the King of Babylon and the Lord sent against him the Caldees the Syrians the Moabites and Amonites to destroy Judah for the sins of Manasseh and for the innocent bloud he brought upon Jerusalem which the Lord would not pardon so Jehoiakim ended his daies in trouble when he had been King but hardly reigned 11. years about Anno mund 3344. Jehoiachim the son of Jehoiakim succeeded his father in the Throne and in his sin but the King of Babylon came up with an Army and laid siege to Jerusalem and Jehoiachim and his Princes went out rendred themselves prisoners and delivered up the City when he had reigned three moneths in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzers reign At this time the King of Babylon made havock of the Temple took away the Treasures of the Lords house and the Kings house and carryed all away Captives but the poor of the Land and made Mattaniah Jehoiakims brother King of Judah and called his name Zedekiah Zedekiah was 21. years old when he came to the Throne and did according as his fathers had done before him And after some time he also rebelled against the King of Babylon and in the 9. year of Zedekiahs reign in the 10. day of the 10. moneth Nebuchadnezzer brought up all his Army and laid siege to Jerusalem In the 11. year of Zedekiah on the 9. day of the 4. moneth June the Famine prevailed in the City which was exceeding great the City was broken up and the men of war fled by a back way and the King went towards the plains of Jericho But the Chaldeans pursued him and brought him to the King of Babylon to Riblah where they gave sentence upon him so they put the sons of Zedekiah to death before his eyes
then put out his eyes bound him in fetters of Brass and led him to Babylon And in the 5. moneth the 7. day in the 19. year of Nebuchadnezzer Nebuzaradan the Captain-General of the Army made a full destruction of the glorious City and amongst the rest he took also those that fell away to the King of Babylon and carryed them Captives all together It is very remarkable that when perfidious men have served the turn of Tyrants themselves will equally suffer with their brethren This was the last and great Captivity which continued 70. years Thus we have the sad estate of Judah under their Kings which they so much desired and whether they have not been as dreadful a scourge to this people as God foretold they should be I leave others to judge I have only this further to tender to examination whether the grounds of those intervals of Government mentioned after the Race of the Kings of Israel ended have any weight and if they have then there are more years to be added The Kings of Israel after the Division which begun Ann. 2969. I Have here run down the Line of the Kings of Judah from first to last so that you have the beginning and end of Kingly Government amongst the Jewes which were the peculiar Church and People of God under the Old Testament which lasted from the beginning of Saul's reign unto the Captivity in the 11. year of Zedekiah which was 516. years viz. from Anno 2948. to Anno 3365. the year or neer the time of Judahs last and great Captivity mentioned before In the next place I will make out a little to take a brief view of the Kings of Israel after the Division which began with Jeroboam about Ann. mund 2969. The King and Kingdom of Israel consisting of 10. Tribes was but the testimony of Gods wrath and the punishment of Solomons sin which in some measure came to pass in Rehoboams time when Rehoboam resused to ease the Taxes of the Land the people refused to take him and make him their King and so the people called Jeroboam and made him first King over Israel about Anno mundi 2969. Jeroboam was now the first King of Israel after the Division But he fearing in his heart that the minds of the people might change and fall off again from him he turns Politician and letting go the fear and conscience of God set up Idolatry and the worship of Calves to please the people and keep them from going to worship at Jerusalem O when men leave God and live upon humane policy to uphold a carnal interest they will break all the bonds of Religion to preserve their own standing I will not gather up the Catalogue of this vile mans miscarriages The black brand the Holy Ghost hath so oft set upon him shews what he was Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin Yet under all his abominations the Lord permitted Jeroboam to reign 22. years about Ann. mund 2991. In the second year of Asa King of Judah Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel He walked in the way of his father and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin and when Nadab lay in siege against Gibbethon Baasha murdered him in the third year of Asa and reigned in his stead a-about Anno mund 2993. In the third year of Asa King of Judah Baasha set up himself King of Israel and to clear his title to the Crown Baasha murdered all the house of Jeroboam he left not any to breath Oh the dreadful sins the gain of a Crown brings some men to Baasha destroyed the house of Jeroboam yet Baasha walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin wherein he made Israel to sin and reigned 24. years Ann. 3017. In the 26. year of Asa King of Judah Elah the son of Baasha began to reign About this time the Lord sent the Prophet Jehu to denounce evil against Baasha and his house in being like the house of Jeroboam and yet killed him Though God raised up Baasha to execute his judgements upon Jeroboams house yet the Lord charged this for sin of Murder upon Baasha because Baasha lived in the sins of Jeroboams house Oh oh oh that this were set deep upon the hearts of all that God makes executioners of his justice upon others This came suddainly upon Baasha's house for Zimri Captain of half Elah's Chariots conspired against Elah and when he had drank himself drunk in the house of Arza his Steward Zimri smote him and killed him in the 2. year of his reign and reigned in his stead about Anno 3018. In the 27 year of Asa King of Judah Zimri set up himself King of Israel and as soon as he sat on the Throne he killed all the house of Baasha he left him not one to piss against the wall Neither kinsfolks nor friends Zimri thought now to establish the Throne in his own posterity by removing all that stood in the way But when the Army that was encamped against Gibbethon heard what Zimri had done they made Omri Captain of the Host King over Israel in the Camp and presently went up and laid siege against the City Tirzah where King Zimri was When Zimri saw the City was taken he went into the Palace of the Kings house set it on fire and was burnt with the house when he had reigned but 7. daies Oh what will not carnal proud men do for a fleeting uncertain Crown The people of Israel upon the death of Zimri were divided half followed Tibni the son of Ginah to make him King And half followed Omri Much confusion continued amongst them for four years but Tibni dying Omri came to the Crown alone about An. 3023. In the 31. year of Asa King of Judah Omri began to reign over Israel Omri bought the Hill Shomeron or Samaria of Shemel for two Talents of silver But Omri did worse then all that were before him It is said he reigned 12. years yet he began to reign alone the 31. year of Asa and died the 38. of Asa by which it appears that the Kings account the year wherein they are Crowned for the first year of their reign and so accounting the former four years to Omri's time Omri reigned 12. years about An. 3031. In the 38. year of Asa King of Judah Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel Ahab was a very wicked man but I will only give you what is recorded in general of him That he did evil above all that were before him And Ahab did provoke the Lord to anger above all the Kings of Israel that were before him One would judge who reads the lives of all the other Kings that a man could not
exceed in sin those who had gone before him yet we must give credit to the sacred word But it is manifest the Lord brought dreadful judgements upon Israel in Ahabs reign and Ahab being seduced by false Prophets was slain at Ramoth-Gilead according to the word of the Lord by the Prophet Micaiah when he had reigned 22. years about An. 3053. Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel the 17. year of Jehoshaphat King of Judah He walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin But the judgement of God was upon him for he fell down from an upper Chamber in Samaria and was sick In which sicknesse he sent to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether he should recover of his sickness As the Messengers were going the Lord spake to Elijah the Prophet and bad him go meet the Messengers and say to them Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the God of Ekron Now therefore thus saith the Lord Thou shalt not come down from that bed which thou art gone up to but shalt surely die So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord when he had reigned two years about An. 3055. Ahaziah King of Israel had no son and so Joram or Jehoram the second son of Ahab reigned in his stead Jehoram did evil in the sight of the Lord yet not like his father and mother for he put away the images of Baal though he clave to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin In the 23. year of his reign and in the first year of Ahaziah King of Judah Joram perswaded Ahaziah his brother in law to go out to War with him against Hazael King of Syria at Ramoth-Gilead In that battel Joram was wounded and went to Jezreel to be healed But the measure of the sins of Ahabs house being now full the Lord called out Captain Jehu and makes him King of Israel to be his executioner upon Ahabs family The Souldiers had a grudge in their hearts against Joram and so soon comply'd with Jehu and Jehu as readily conspired against Joram his Master Yet Jehu consulted his confederates and presently gave charge when he was proclaimed King that none should go to tell the news at Court but Jehu himself drives on furiously to Jezreel to put Joram to death When Jehu came neer to Jezreel Joram went out to meet him but discovering treachery Joram turned and fled yet Jehu drew a bow with all his might and sent a speedy messenger of Death after him and the arrow went out at his heart Thus Joram died in the 12. year of his reign about An. 3067. In the first year of Ahaziah King of Judah Jehu came to be King of Israel and effectually fulfilled the word of the Lord in the destruction of Ahabs house But he kept Ahabs sin which also proved his ruine Jehu was mighty zealous to fulfil the word of the Lord in the total destruction of Ahabs family as it concurred with his own interest for the establishing the Crown in his Posterity But when Jehu had got the Crown he took no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart but play'd the hypocrite and hug'd the sins of Jeroboam which made Israel to sin So though he was the Lords executioner yet the Lord charged that bloud upon him as a Murtherer In his sin he died when he had reigned 28. years about An. 3095. In the 23. year of Joash King of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel Here is a difference in sacred accounts to be considered Joash began his reign in the 7. year of Jehu Jehu reigned 28. years And Jehoahaz son to Jehu began not his reign till the 23. year of Joash By which it appears Jehoahaz the son of Jehu came not to the Crown for two years after his fathers death And when he was set up Jehoahaz followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which made Israel to sin he departed not therefrom In his time the Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the Syrians so that of the great Armies that Israel had formerly raised now the King had only 50. horse-men 10. Chariots and 1000. foot For the King of Syria had destroyed them Now Jehoahaz sought to the Lord and the Lord raised them help pitying their woful oppression but yet Israel departed not from the sins of Jeroboam and kept the Grove in Samaria Jehoahaz reigned 17. years about An. 3114. Between Jehu and Jehoahaz there was an inter-reign for two years which were to be placed above but I have added those two years to the 17. of Jehoahaz In the 37. year of Joash King of Judah Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel Jehoahaz began to reign in the 23. year of Joash and reigned 17. year which makes 40. years yet it 's said Jehoash began his reign the 37. year of Joash By which it appears Jehoash was Crowned in the life of his father and so those years accounted to his reign Little is said of this King but this is recorded that he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam but walked therein and run out 16. years about An. 3130. In the 15. year of Amaziah King of Judah Jeroboam the son of Jehoash or Joash reigned in his stead here again is a different account as thus Joash began to reign in the 37. year of Joash King of Judah who reigned 40. years and Jeroboam began to reign in the 15. of Amaziah which are 18. years whereas Joash King of Israel reigned but 16. years here are two years difference which time Amaziah did reign with his father Joash Jeroboam departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin yet the Lord made him victorious for the delivery of Israel from very bitter afflictions and restored them to much liberty he reigned 41. years about An. 3171. In the 38. year of Azariah King of Judah Zachariah the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel here again is the like case as before Azariah King of Judah began to reign the 27. year of Jeroboam King of Israel Jeroboam reigned 41. years from 27. to 41. is 14. years of Azariah's reign and in the 38. year of Azariah Zechariah began his reign So that Israel was 24. years without a King 3195. Zechariah followed his fathers and departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin and Shallum flew him before the people and reigned in his stead when
times and deeply mourned over the sins and sufferings of their brethren and especially the woful desolations of the Temple and worship of God gave them a glorious deliverance from the Armies of Antiochus and liberty again to restore the pure worship of God This news being brought to Antiochus he was astonished and lying down upon his bed fell sick with grief and in his trouble lamented his cruelty against the Jewes whom he destroyed without cause acknowledging the just hand of the Lord was upon him for it So giving order for the education of his son he died in the 149. year of the Kingdom of Grecia and in all reigned 12. years 9. Antiochus named Eupater succeeded Antiochus Epiphanes his father in the Kingdom and reigned two years 10. Demetrius son of Seleucus came from Rome and gathered an Army whereby he surprized Antiochus in his Palace and reigned in his stead 9. years 11. Alexander the son of Antiochus Epiphanes got an Army and came against Demetrius who had slain his brother Eupater and possessed the Kingdom and in a set battel Alexander overthrew the Army of Demetrius where he also was slain and Alexander sat upon the Throne When Alexander was now established in the Kingdom he sent Embassadours to Ptolomy King of Egypt to make a league of amity with him and to give him Cleopatra his daughter to wife Ptolomy King of Egypt seemed to rejoyce in the motion and appointed Ptolomais to be the place of their meeting for to accomplish the Marriage which was done with great glory But both these Kings hearts were to do mischief and according to Daniels Prophesie they spake lies at one Table for Ptolomy went about through deceit to get Alexanders Kingdom and joyn it to his own 12. In the 165. year Demetrius Nicanor son of Demetrius who was overcome by Alexander came out of Crete with an Army against Alexander but Ptolomy King of Egypt having by deceit got into many of Alexanders Cities left Garisons therein and in the mean time offers a league with Demetrius and to give his daughter Cleopatra to him whom he had given before to Alexander which was done Thus Ptolomy quieted Demetrius and so took the opportunity to set the Crown of Asia and Egypt both upon his own head When Alexander heard of this he came with his Army out of Cilicia and made War with Ptolomy but was worsted and flying into Arabia Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexanders head and sent it to Ptolomy but Ptolomy died the third day after and so Demetrius came to the Crown in the 167 year of the Kingdom Demetrius Nicanor came thus to the Kingdom yet injoyed little peace for Tryphon who had been of Alexanders party finding Demetrius his Army murmuring against him set up Antiochus the son of Alexander and lav sore upon Sinialcus the Arabian to deliver young Antiochus that he might reign in his fathers stead At last Tryphon got Antiochus Crowned and drawing unto him many Souldiers who were discontented from Demetrius won Antioch and so got much power All this was done in policy by Tryphon for when opportunity served he kill'd Antiochus and set the Crown upon his own head by this means Demetrius was full of trouble all his days and going with his Army towards Media to get help to fight with Tryphon Arsaces King of Persia smote his Host and took Demetrius prisoner in the year of the Kingdom 172. 13. Antiochus Sadetes son of Demetrius the King gathered a great Army in the Isles of the Sea to recover his Kingdom from Tryphon He came up in the 174. year at which time most of Tryphons forces left him and joyned with Antiochus Tryphon seeing troubles coming upon him fled to the City Dora where Antiochus laid siege against him with an Army of 120000. foot and 8000. horsemen and beset the Town by Land and Sea But Tryphon got away and went by Sea to Oethosias and the King pursued him At this time Antiochus brake his Covenant with the Jews and made War upon them where Judas was slain Yet John his brother pursued the Victory and gave an utter overthrow to the Army of Antiochus How long Antiochus reigned is not left certain but he is thought to reign 3. years 14. Antiochus Pius 12. years 15. Demetrius Nicanor 4. years 16. Alexander 2. years 17. Antiochus Gryphius 29. years There now arose much strife amongst the Nations which continued about 10. years but the Syrians to end the strife amongst the Princes chose Tygranes King of Armenia to govern them who reigned about 18. years And now the Syrian Monarchy being thus weakened through strife and division Pompey the Roman General came up with an Army overcame Tygranes conquered Syria and brought all in subjection to the Roman Empire about Ann. mund 3902. A View of the Roman Empire THis Empire had it's Original from Rome as is well known Italy is a Country in this part of the World called Europe and lies thus Italy is rounded with the Ionian and Adriatique Seas except towards France and Germany from whom it is parted by the Alps. This Region was distinguished into four parts 1. Hesperia 2. Latium 3. Ausonia and 4. Oenotria Of all the Cities wherewith Italy was beautified Rome had the first place and became Mistress of the World This City is supposed to be founded by Romulus and Rhemus in the reign of Hezekiah King of Judah about Ann. mund 3230. This City in her glory spread her lines to the compass of 50. miles But this City felt the fury of the Gaules and by them was laid in heaps So that now Rome standeth lower upon the Bank of Tiber and is drawn into narrower bounds This Empire hath according to Daniels Prophesie differed greatly from the other three and in nothing more then in the several changes of Government yet as the Lord described to Daniel this fourth and last earthly Kingdom in several parts and properties it is apparent that no City or Empire of the World hath answered the Vision like this of Rome Daniels fourth beast is described with 10. horns but John in the Revelation having a Vision of the same beast saw him with seven heads and ten horns where the Holy Ghost there interpreteth the seven heads to be seven mountains and the ten horns ten Kings Both which time hath proved true in Rome First Rome in her plantation was built upon seven hills which are thus named and numbered 1. Palatinus 2. Capitolinus 3. Viminalis 4. Aventinus 5. Exquilinus 6. Caelius 7. Quirinalis Secondly Rome hath been eminent for seven changes in the Government of the Empire every of which in their time had Supreme Authority 1. By Kings 2. Consulls 3. Decemviri 4. Dictators 5. Tribunes 6. Senate 7. Emperours or Caesars But though ambition and avarice did cause these changes in the Roman State yet the word of the Lord
the Jewes for under Titus Jerusalem was sacked the Temple burnt and the most dreadful slaughter of the miserable Jewes that ever happened to them or any other people the 8. day of September An. 73. In the reign of Vespatian Timothy was put to death at Ephesus by the worshippers of Diana Vespatian reigned 10. years and died of a Lask An. 81. Titus succeeded his father Vespatian and reigned two years and two moneths An. 83. Domitian second son to Vespatian followed his brother Titus Domitian began the second persecution against the Christians in his fathers reign but prosecuted it when he came to the Empire Domitian was taken into Government with his brother Titus whom he soon murdered and falling from one wickedness to another in the hight of his sin he caused himself to be worshipped as God This vile monster respected neither estate age or sex but exercised great cruelty to all In his time the Apostle John was put into a vessel of boiling oyl but the Lord miraculously preserving his life after which he was banished into the Isle Patmos where he had the Revelation After Domitian had shed much bloud he was murdered and his Corps mangled by his own servants when he had reigned 15. years An. 98. Nerva was now called to the Empire At this time the Senate made void all the honours conferred by Domitian and proclaimed liberty to all in exile By which John was restored in the first year of Nerva and openly preached the Gospel John lived to the age of 120. years and going into a grave which he had made with his own hands he laid himself down and slept with the Lord. Nerva reigned 1. year and 4. moneths Anno 100. Trajan a Spaniard the adopted son of Nerva had the Crown Trajan was very fair in the first part of his reign but about the 10. year of his reign he began the third bloudy persecution against the Christians Trajan died of a Lask when he had reigned 19. years and 6. moneths An. 118. AElius Adrianus succeeded in the Empire and for some time continued the persecution against the Christians but after gave them their liberty In the 18. year of his reign he sent an Army into Judea against the Jewes who had revolted and by woful slaughters they were overcome and banished their own Country so that by the Emperours decree the Jewes were not to come so neer Judea as to stand upon the top of an hill and look to their own native Country At this time the Jewes were dispersed that unto this day they have not been a Nation nor enjoyed the common priviledge of Laws and Government amongst themselves as a Commonwealth And upon this dispersion of the Jewes Jerusalem was dedicated to idol-worship the worship of God the dayly sacrifice wholly ceased and Jerusalem called by the name of AElia after the Emperours own name In all Adrian reigned 21 years and died An. 139. Antoninus Pius was next chosen to the Empire by the Senate upon the desire of Adrian He lived peaceably and died in the 23. year of his reign Anno 162. Antoninus Verus succeeded his father Pius in the Empire but not in his piety or peaceableness He raised the fourth persecution against the Christians and continued 19. years An. 181. Commodus came next to Imperial Rule He continued the former persecution but the Lord doing a miracle upon the prayers of his people the Emperour staid that persecution Commodus reigned 13. years and died by poyson Anno 194. Pertinax succeeded in the Empire He was a friend to Christians and in his time the Church had peace and flourished much Pertinax reigned but 6. moneths Severus took the Scepter He was favourable to the Christians for ten years but being stirred up against them by malicious accusations he raised the fifth persecution He reigned 18. years and died at York An. 212. Caracalla succeeded his father Severus in the Empire and in his persecution of the Christians but was slain when he had reigned 7. years and 6. moneths Anno 220. Macrinus succeeded and died in the first year An. 221. Antonius Heliogabalus reigned 4. years An. 225. Alexander Severus took the next turn He was a valiant Warrior and reduced divers Countries to obedience But going against the Germans he was slain by his own Souldiers when he had reigned 13. years An. 238. Maximinus succeeded Alexander He began the 6. persecution up on the Christians and his main design was upon the Teachers thinking thereby the better to root out Religion Maximinus did subject some Countries to the Roman Empire but for his cruelty the Souldiers hated him and in his absence chose Gordianus Emperour whom the Senate confirmed Maximinus thus deposed thought upon revenge and raising what strength he could laid siege to Aquileia But the Senate sent out an Army against him and both Maximinus and his son were presently slain by his own Souldiers in 3. year of his reign An. 241. Gordianus was now established in the Emperial seat yet after by the Treason of Philip chief Governour under Gordianus Gordianus was betray'd and murdered by his own Souldiers in the 6. year of his reign An. 247. Philip now ascended the throne but was paid in his own coyn when he had reigned 7. years An. 254. Decius was now chosen to be Emperour by the Army He raised the seventh persecution against the Christians He left the Government of the Publike Weale to the Senate and went forth to War against the Scythians but both he and his son were traiterously slain when he had reigned something more then a year An. 255. Gallus was presently made Emperour by the Army and the better to keep his new Crown made a dishonourable peace with the Scythians But Amilianus Governour of Mysia stirred up the Souldiers to prosecute the War against the Scythians who were put to flight and hereupon the Souldiers made him Emperour This stirred Gallus who forthwith raised an Army against Amilianus his competitor but in that battel Gallus was slain so ended the strife when he had reigned about a year An. 257. Amilianus was next to succeed but while Gallus and he were contending for the Crown another Army which lay about the Alps called Valerian a man of a Noble family to the Emperial dignity Whereupon Amilianus his Souldiers soon took away his life when he had held the Throne but 3. moneths and joyned with the new Emperour Valerian now setled in the Empire took Gallienus his son into Government with him At first Valerian greatly favoured the Christians and had many in his Court But after being incensed against them by an Egyptian Enchanter raised the eighth persecution about An. 259. Yet the righteous God made him feel the