See more of this in the discourse following An Houreglasse The Confirmation of the Computation THE first Article from the Creation to Noah is proued in Gen 5. where the ages of the Fathers are recorded From Noah to the beginning of the Deluge is proued Gen. 7.11.12 The continuance of the Deluge to the end Gen 8.14 This yeare of the Deluge being a iust solare yeare of 365. dayes as I noted before is omitted by many in their Computations and cleane left out but Io. Funccius setteth it a yeare latter than it should be and so ouer-reckoneth the time by a whole yeare For although in his first edition he begin the Deluge as all auncient Chronologers doo at the 7. day of the second month of Noachs 600 yeare yet in his second Edition vpon better aduisement as hee sayth hee beginneth it the same day in Noachs 601 yeare wherein other notable Chronologers since doo follow him But surely their reasons are lame and not concludent yea plaine flatt against Moses who sayth the beginning was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the sixe hundreth yeare of Noah not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 After the end of the six hundreth yere as he speaketh Gen. 16.3 where hee intendeth full and complete yeares For questionles ב euer importeth the day month or yeare current not complete His infallible rule as hee calleth it is most fallible and false His rule is that whersoeuer a number of yeares is set downe and months and daies be added to the same that must needs be vnderstood of yeares complete By which rule it must be vnderstood Deut. 1.3 that Moses deliuered Deuteronomie in the 11. month of the 41. yeare after the departing out of Egypt whereas Funccius himselfe maketh Iosua to begin presently after the end of the 40. yeares yea and Aaron too must be vnderstood Num. 33.38 to die in the first day of the 5. month of the 41. yeare of the Israelites departing out of Egypt which himselfe doth not thinke As for that Gen. 7.6 And Noah was six hundred yeare old when the floud of waters was vppon the earth whereupon they stand so much it is not spoken of the Beginning but of the Being of the floud vpon the earth The very instant of the beginning thereof is euidently and purposely expressed v. 11. The second Article is confirmed Gen 11. from the 10. verse to the 25. where the age of the Fathers after the floud vnto Terah are recorded But about the natiuitie of Arphaxad there is some odding For some account from the end of the Deluge to his birth but one yeare and other scarse that whereas we account two yeres For in the 1657 yeare the 2 month and 27 day the Deluge ended Gen. 8.13 The same day and month of the yeare 1659 end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 two yeares after the floud Ge. 11.10 And these two yeres are to be takē for complete as both the nature of the Duall number importeth and also the vse of the same word in scripture 2. Sam. 13. 14. Ierem. 28. For when the holy Ghost meaneth the second yeare Current hee sayth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 1. Reg. 15.2 Reg. 1. 14. 15. 19. And if it had beene expressely said that Arphaxad was borne in the 2. yere Current yet that might be in the first or second month of this yeare 1659. and therefore I make the yeare of the world 1659. and the third yeare after the end of the floud to be the first yeare of his age Eusebius between Adam and Terahs 71 yeare which he maketh Abrahams first ouerreckoneth the time by 1236 yeares For from Adam to the ende of the Deluge he sayth there are 2242 which is too much by 586. For himselfe sayth that after the account of the Hebrues it is but 1656. so the seuerall yeres of the fathers which himself a little before did set down doe amount to the same total summe of 1656. though he misse in some particulars adding to Adam 20. yeres which he taketh from Iered and to Seth 25. which he taketh from Mahaleel Yet the Lxx. Greeke Interpreters are wider off than he For they reckon to the end of the Deluge 2362. which is more than Eusebius by 120. but that totall of 2242. which Eusebius hath agreeth with the Latine Translation of the lxx Interpreters which giueth Adam 100. yeares lesse and Mathushelah 20. yeares lesse than the Greeke doth Againe betweene the Deluge and Terahs seuentie one yeare which he after the common opinion supposeth to be the first yeare of Abraham he saith there are 720. yeares which summe is surely corrupted falsefied For in the body of his Chronicle he maketh Abrahams first to be the yeare of the world 3185. vpon that ground proceedeth in all his Chronicle whereby it is euident that he maketh betweene the Deluge and Abrahams birth 942. yet the seuerall summes of the fathers ages which he setteth downe before amount to 1082. which sum the lxx make betweene the Deluge and Terahs seuentie one yeare wanting but 10. yeres which Eusebius putteth to Nahor more than the lxx did and those 10. yeares he stroke out in the sum wherby he proceedeth in his Chronicle as also 130. which both he and they giue to one Cainan because in the Hebrue there is no such man as Cainan And then there remaine the foresaide 942. which is too much by 650. as himselfe intimateth in the 51. yeare of Abraham affirming that vnto that yeare the Hebrues account but 2000 yeares The cause of this Surplussage is in the lxx Interpreters whome herein hee followeth who to make the yeares of the Fathers after the Deluge somewhat proportionable to those before the Deluge giue to all the Fathers betweene Sem and Nahor 100. yeares a peece and to Nahor 50. more than the Hebrue hath and so likewise before the Deluge the lxx gaue to Adam 200. to Lemech 6. to al the rest that wer not in their hundredths 100. a peece This Computatiton of Eusebius coupling Abrahams first with the 3185. of the world is vsed by many as Origen Epiphanius Cedrenus Nicephorus c. and by the Greeke church East Empire euen at the counsell of Basill The time of Terahs age when hee begatte Abraham is also controuersed For the Hebrues say that Terah begat Abraham when hee was 70. yeare old and so begin Abrahams first with Terahs 71. whom all Greekes and almost Latines follow For which opinion these reasons may be giuen First Moses Gen. 11.26 expresseth the 70. yeare of Terah and ioyneth next to it the name of Abraham by whom the Computation was to be continued and Terah liued 70. yeares and begat Abraham Nahor and Haran Secondly because that yeare 130. at which age by this account Terah should beget Abraham is no where expressed by Moses So that whereas all the Patriarkes haue their ages recorded only Abraham the father of all the faithfull euen the Archpatriarke hath his omitted and
both the yeares of the world and the yeare of the Lord at one time viz. about the Vernall Aequinocticall refused the new stile and Computation from the Natiuitie tooke the old from the Incarnation Yet beginning the change of the new yeare after the new yeare of the other Computation from the Natiuitie as euidently appeareth by the two dates of the Popes Reuocation in the councell of Basil he intimateth not obscurelie that this his Computation reached not to the true Incarnation of Christ by one whole yeare but that it beginneth at the feast of his Incarnation which was in the first yeare of his Natiuitie and so left out the whole last yeare before the beginning of his Computation This Computation of Blondus is vsed by the church of England and not onely heere but also in Italy by the states of Florence and Sienes all which vse the Computation from the Incarnation and begin the yeare the 25 day of March after that the Church of Rome hath begun their Computation from the Natiuitie the 25 of Decēber before As Anno Reginae 37 the 25 day of December the Church of Rome began the yeare 1595 from the Natiuitie and the Citie of Rome together with the Astronomers for they haue a peculiar Computatiō proportioned to the ancient and vsual yeare of the Romanes without any regard of the first 8 daies of Christes Natiuitie begin the same yeare 1595 the first day of Ianuarie or the feast of Circumcision which therfore is called New-yeares day as our yearly Almanacks shew and at the 25 of March following we of England Florence and Senes begin the same yeare 1595 from the Incarnation or Conception of Christ Which is as much as if Christ had beene borne and Circumcised too a quarter of a yeare before he was conceiued were it not that they by this their Computation would giue vs to vnderstand that there is lost a whole yeare of the Lord which they would regaine and restore by beginning their Computation from his Incarnation a iust yeare after his true Incarnation that is at the feast of his Incarnation or Annunciation next after his Natiuitie But the states of Pisa haue the right and perfect computation from the Incarnation which runneth alwaies a iust yeare before this of England Florence and Senes For the same 25 of March Elizabethae 37 they begin the yeare 1596 from the Incarnation and so date all their recordes writtes processes Epistles euidences c. Indeed in those places where anie of the other Computations are vsed perhaps it will seeme good and conuenient as not vnlikely it did to Blondus not to alter their account and stile ancient though erroneus but rather to keepe and retayne the vulgar and vsuall Computation both in their publique and priuate Actes because the alteration thereof would breede some confusion in their recordes and euidences But yet it is necessarie for the studious in Historie to be acquainted heerewith and to vnderstand the differences of Computations in the worlde Of this poynt I haue beene the larger partly because the author of our last great Chronicle in his description of England li. 3. ca. 14. maketh this a great scruple to vse his owne terme and so leaueth it concluding that with vs Christ is borne before he is conceiued and partly because I remember this doubt was moued to a man of manifolde learning and of great reading and iudgement as any in this land who did answere it by a distinction of Annus Natiuitatis and annus Actatis Which distinction I haue read in Iacobus Phillippus Bergomensis Chronic. li. 8. where he laboureth by that meane to take away all doubt about the yeare of the Baptisme and Passion of Christ And first he putteth a difference betweene the vsual yeare and the Emergent yeare which Emergent yeare a quouis rei euentu quouis tempore anni vsualis emergit incipit reuolutis duodecim mensibus solaribus finem habet atque iterum in sua vestigia redit iterum atque iterum circumuoluitur donec ea res numerari desinit a cuius euentu coeptum est numerari vt solet fieri in primordijs regum imperatorum And after he addeth ad hoc tempus anni emergentis annos Domini dupliciter numeramus aut secundum Natiuitatem aut secundū aetatem c. By this Emergent yeare we account the yeare of the Lord two waies eyther by his Natiuitie or by his age Whereupon Christ being borne in the end of the vsuall yeare he meaneth of the Romans he had of the last yeare of his Natiuitie but onely 7 daies but the first yeare of his age from the 25 day of December wherein he was borne to that day tweluemonth is ended in the second yeare of his Natiuitie And so he accomplished two yeares of his Natiuitie after the vsuall yeare almost in the first yeare of his age and the second yeare of his Natiuitie and the first of his age is all one Whereby it commeth to passe that the yeares of Christes Natiuitie are 34 and a halfe almost c. Anone after and in the 33 yeare of his age and 34 of his Natiuitie Christ suffered Againe therefore Iulius Caesar being slayne in March whence Augustus Empyre is accounted Christ began the first yeare of his Natiuitie in the end of Augustus 42 yeare c. This difference I thought good to alledge because it may serue the Historician to many good purposes as namely it openeth and declareth the meaning of Oroseus where he saith anno Augusti 42 prope emenso Christus natus est as before I expounded it As for the scruple before mentioned and moued it doth somewhat ouershadowe it but not cleane take it away shifting it off prettily but not satisfying it fully For if we take the common and vulgar Computation of Christ to be secundum Natiuitatem after his Natiuitie then indeed the second yeare of Christ secundùm Natiuitatem must begin before the second yeare of Christes true Incarnation and so onward the Computation secundum Natiuitatem will begin a quarter of a yeare before the Computation from his Incarnation Although the first yeare of Christ secundum Natiuitatem which contayned but 7 daies began three quarters after the beginning of the first yeare of his Incarnation But heere first I say that in the common and vulgar Computation of Christendome the yeare of the Lord is not taken secundum Natiuitatem but secundum aetatem beginneth not at the first day of Ianuarie but at the 25 day of December which was the day of his Natiuitie as appeareth by the councell of Constance which putteth the 28 of December and the 11 of March both in one yeare And although the Astronomers and some other haue reduced the yeare of Christ to the vsuall yeare of the Romanes and beginne it with the beginning thereof that is at the first day of Ianuarie being the day of Christes Circumcision yet they doe not account those 7 daies
and chiefest patron of my profession or of that speciall interest in that you are the Visitor and Ouerseer of Merton Colledge my tender parent but also euen of a certaine propertie which your Grace in regard of many benefites aboue other hath in me now that I am bereft of that Reuerend Father D. Bickleie late L. Bishop of Chichester Qui nobis haec otia fecit Wherefore crauing pardon for my boldnesse heerein I humblie submit this short treatise to your Graces censure and fauour and with daily prayers commit your Grace to all the blessinges of the Almightie September 1597. Your Graces most bounden THOMAS PIE. The first Article From Adam to Seth Yeares 130 Seth to Enosh Yeares 105 Enosh to Kenan Yeares 90 Kenan to Mahalaleel Yeares 70 Mahalaleel to Iered Yeares 65 Iered to Henoch Yeares 162 Henoch to Mathushelah Yeares 65 Mathushelah to Lamech Yeares 187 Lamech to Noach Yeares 182 Noach to the beginning of the Deluge Yeares 599 Beginning of the Deluge to the end Yeares 1 The Summe from the Creation to the Beginning of the Deluge 1655. yeares 1. month 16 dayes End of the Deluge 1656. yeares 1. month and 26. dayes Beginning of the Deluge to the end of it 12. months containing 354. dayes for the common yeare and one day for the Bassextil yeare and 10. dayes ouer which with the foresaid odde day make vp the Epacts so that Noach was in the Arke precisely a iust Solar yeare vnlesse the yeare 1656. had the month Veadar intercalated as Wolphius seemeth to proue and then he was a yeare and a month full The second Article From End of the Deluge to Arphaxad Yeares 2 Arphaxad to Shelah Yeares 35 Shelah to Heber Yeares 30 Heber to Peleg Yeares 34 Peleg to Rehu Yeares 30 Rehu to Serug Yeares 32 Serug to Nahor Yeares 30 Nahor to Terah Yeares 29 Terah to Abraham Yeares 130 The summe from the Deluge to Abraham Yeares 352 Creation to Abraham Yeares 2008 Abraham was borne in the yeare of the world 2009. which is accounted for his first yeare The third Article Abrahams age before the beginning of the Peregrination or Soiourning that is before hee went from Vr of the Chaldees Yeares 70 Abraham departed from Vr in the yeare 2079. which is the first of his Peregrination The fourth Article The Peregrination or soiourning of the Hebrues from Abrahams departing from Vr to the Israelites departing out of Aegypt Yeares 430 The Israelites departed out of Egypt in the yeare 2509. which is the first yeare of their departing The fift Article From the departing of the Israelites out of Aegypt to the Foundation of the Temple that is to the ende of Solomons fourth yeare in the seconde month whereof the Temple was sounded yeares 480 The Temple was founded in the second month of the yeare of the world 2988. The sixt Article From the beginning of Solomons fift yeare to the ende of Rehoboams first yeare yeares 37 The first yeare of Rehoboam and Ieroboham was the yeare of the world 3025. The seuenth Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Bearing of the burden of the iniquitie of Israel from the sinne of Ieroboam and the Apostasie of the tenne Tribes in the first yeare of Ieroboam to the end of the siege taking of Ierusalem in the eleuenth and last yeare of Zedechias yeares 390 The siege ended and Ierusalem was taken the ninth day and fourth month of the yeare 3416. in the very ende both of Zedechias 11. yeare Nabuchodonosors 18. which yeare 3416 falling some small part in Nabuchodonosors 18. but the greater part in his 19. is the first yeare of the Captiuitie The eight Article The punishment of the iniquitie viz. the Captiuitie of the people from the taking of Ierusalem by Nabuchodonosor to the taking of Babylon by Cyrus yeares 70 The Captiuitie ended in the beginning of the yeare of the world 3486. which was the first yeare of the deliuerance and likewise the first yeare of Cyrus The ninth Article From the taking of Babilon to the Edict of Artaxerxes Longimane for the Returne of the people and building of the Citie by Ezra that is to Artaxerxes 7. yeare exclusiuè Yeares 78 Artaxerxes seuenth yeare in the very beginning whereof the Edict proceeded forth was the yeare 3568. The tenth Article Daniels 70. weeks from Artaxerxes Edict to the death of Christ in the 34. yeare of his life Yeares 490 Conclusion At the death of Christ there were complete and ended 4053. yeares of the world out of which substract 34. backward to his Conception or Incarnation and there will be 4019. complete before his incarnation which was on the day of the Vernal Aequinoctiall beginning the yeare of the world 4020. and hee was borne as learned Astronomers haue calculated it agreeably to this Computation the day of the winter Solstice being friday in the yere of the world 4020. the 29. day of Cisleu of the Hebrues Olympiad 194. Y. 3. the 28. day of Anthestion of the Athenians Andyneus of the Macedonians Rome 751. the 8. Calends of Ianuarie of the Romaines 25. day of December of the Romaines Nabonassar 747. the 4. day of Tibi of the Aegyptians Augustus Empire 42. or his xiii Consulship Indichon 4. hauing the Golden number 19. Circle of the sunne 8. Dominical letter E. because of the erroneous intercaling else it should haue beene D. The next yeare was the last omitted leape yeare And so since Christ the yeare of Iulius Caesar remained vnuiolated till Gregorie xxij 1582. yeares See Page The Computation after Christ THe yeare of the world 4020. and the Incarnation of Christ began iust together But the vulgar and vsuall Computation from the Incarnation of Christ vsed in this Realme and other places doth not reach to Christs true Incarnation and the beginning of the yeare 4020. by one whole yeare but beginneth the first day of the yeare of the world 4021. Wherefore in reducing that vulgar computation to the true computation of Christs Incarnation and then consequently by it to the yeares of the world you must euer first adde one to the yeare of that vulgar computation which also must bee done to the computations of the church of Rome from the Natiuitie or 25. of December and of the Citie of Rome and Astronomers from the Circumcision or first of Ianuarie between the Incarnation or twentie fiue of March and the said daies of Natiuitie and Circumcision following But the first quarter of their said computation runneth iumpe with the last quarter of the same yeare of his true incarnation As thus Februarie second one thousand fiue hundred ninetie fiue according to the computation of Rome and the Astronomers is also Februarie second one thousand fiue hundred ninetie fiue according to the true computation of his Incarnation But the first day of Aprill one thousand fiue hundred ninetie fiue according to the computation of Rome is the first of Aprill one thousand fiue hundred ninetie sixe after the true computation of Christs Incarnation
he saith also that the land shal be desolate 70. yeares At that time and before the land became desolate and therefore Philo distinguisheth the Desolatiō from the Transmigration affirming that the Captiuitie ended 70. yeares after the Desolation and 81. after the Transmigration Also Ezechiel Cap. 40.1 maketh the SMITING of the Citie the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and beginning of his generall aera and computation As in the same place he maketh the second Captiuitie the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a speciall computation because then himself and his owne king were caried away and therefore he calleth it our Captiuitie And Daniell in like sort Cap. 9.2 maketh Ieremies 70. yeares to be the terme and time of the destruction or desolation of Ierusalem And right so the holy Ghost 2 Chr. 36.17 beginneth the same with the taking sacking of the Citie and massacring of the Iewes at the same The end of these 70. yeares is the beginning of the Persian Monarchie at the taking of Babilon by Cyrus as the holy Ghost sheweth euidently And they were seruants to the King of Babel and his sons till the kingdom of the Persians had rule to fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Ieremie c. 2. Chro. 36.20.21.22.23 And Ieremie himselfe doth end them at or immediatly before the visiting of Babel Cap. 25.11.12 And this land shall be desolate and these nations shall serue the King of Babel 70. yeares and as soone as the 70. yeares are ended I will visit the King of Babel What time of the yeare Babilon was taken is not any where expressed Onely Herodotus saith thy Cyrus began the siege in the Spring and preuailing nothing a good space he deuised to turne the current of Euphrates aside that they might suddenly enter the Citie thorow it and so set his soldiars to worke about it which required some time since the cutting of Gyndes cost thē a sommers worke And therefore the next Spring must be well spent before it coulde be finished But Ieremie is plaine that the 70. yeares must be ended before the king of Babell be visited And they ended in the ninth day and fourth month of 3486. and immediatly after it seemeth that Babilon was taken and the king slaine as Daniel and Xenophon report Hierome in his exposition vpon Daniell reporteth that the Iewes had a tale among them that Baltassar seeing the 70. yeares expired thought the promise false and all cock sure and therfore vppon a iollitie and vaunting ouer the Iewes made his great banquet and sent for all the vessels of the temple as Daniel sheweth But the same night he was slaine and the promise fulfilled Heerewith agreeth the supputation of Metasthenes attributing to Nabuchodonosor 45. yeares Euil Merodach 30. Reg. Assar 3. Labassar 6. Balt Assar 5. which make 89. thence take Nabuchodonosors 19. which were before the Captiuity and there remain 70. For Metasthenes followeth the computation of the Chaldaeans as doth Daniel and Ptolomie who beginne Nabuchodonosors raigne in Iehoiakims third yeare that is a yeare before Ieremie beginneth it so that his 19. yeare by them is but his 18. yeare by Ieremie Iosephus also agreeth with this account For Ant. Iud. li. 10. ca. 12. he saith that Nahuchonosor raigned 43. that is so many yeares complete beside the odde monthes which were almost another yeare And therefore those odde monthes he ioyneth to the odde monthes of Regassar whom he calleth Neregal Assar and so maketh him foure yeares which with the other kinges make iust 70. Ioseph cont Appion And Iulius Aphricanus who maketh the second yeare of Syrus to be the 72. yeare of the desolation of the Temple Beda de nat rerum 66. The ninth article cannot be confirmed out of the holy Scripture For although some of the heathen Monarkes of that space be there mentioned yet not all neither haue they that are any terme of their raygnes or distinction of yeares set downe Againe Metasthenes though he haue a computation of years yet he hath great obscuritie and great diuersitie from the Grecians Insomuch that some coniecture that the kinges named by Metasthenes and Philo vnto Longiman are not the same persons nor of the same line and house as those be which the Graecians speake of The principall oddes and differences I will briefly set downe before I come to the proofe of this article The holy scripture thus farre mentioneth the kinges both of Assyria and Babilon 1 Pul king of Assyria whom the Historicians call Phul Belochus made Menahem king of Israel tributary 2. Reg. 15. about the yeare of the world 3240. 2 Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria in the time of Pekahiah caried the tribe of Nepthalim captiue into Assyria about the yeare 3250. and after he diliuered Achaz from the kinges of Syria and Israel Cap. 16.7.9.10 about the yeare 3270. 3 Salmaneser king of Assyria subduing Hoseas king of Israell made him his vassall and tributarie in Achaz 12. yeare A. M. 3274. 2. Reg. 17.1.3 But anone after Hoseas rebelled and Salmaneser taking him committed him to prison and caried his people the tenne Tribes away captiue vers 4.5.6 4 Sennacherib king of Assyria inuaded Iudaea tooke many townes besieged Lachis made Ezechias to become tributarie againe who had rebelled against Salmaneser before and not content heerewith after he had receiued the Tribute sent his armie against Ierusalem where hauing a wonderfull ouerthrow he fled home to Niniue and there was slaine by two of his owne sonnes Cap. 18.13 19.35.36.37 This was in Ezechias 14. yeare A. M. 3290. 5 Assaraddon king of Assyria sonne of Sennacherab succeeded his Father his two brethren the parricides being fled for feare into the land of Ararat Cap. 18.37 He was also called of the Iewes Osnapar Ezr. 4. 10. and this king caried people and planted Colonies in the Cities of Samaria in stead of the Israelites 2. Reg. 17.14 Erz. 4.2 Heere ceased that race and progenie The kinges of Babilon are thus farre recorded 1 Berodach Baladan or as Esay calleth him Merodac Baladan the sonne of Baladan king of Babilon sent letters with a present to Ezechias 2. Reg 20.12 That was about Ezechias 14. yeare Sennacherib being then king of Assyria and hauing the seat of his chiefe resiance at Niniue But when Merodac began his raigne the scripture doth not shew but he is the first that is called king of Babilon 2 Mention is made of another whose Captaines tooke Menasses king of Iuda captiue and caried him to Babilon 2. Chro. 33.11 his name is no where recorded but onely his title King of Assyria whereby it is to be gathered that after Assaraddon the kinges of Babilon had Niniue and the whole kingdome of the Assyrians For it is manifest that this king was of the race of Merodac because they brought Menasses captiue to Babilon which the olde kinges of Assyria had lost before Sennacheribs time 3 Mention is likewise made of a king of Assyria against whom Pharao Neco king
in fight was slaine himselfe This is the summe of Herodotus wherein the league betweene the Medes and Persians as two nations linked and confederate in one is cleane dashed and also Darius Medus or Cyaxares is quite wipt out beside the taking of Babylon in the day time and other diuersities Metasthenes differeth from both these for first hauing reckoned vp the kinges of Medes from Arbaces to Apanda in the same sort as Ctesias Guidius doth in Diodorus sixt booke who also addeth that Apanda was called Astyages of the Grecians he saith that Cyrus and Darius subdued him and raigned in Persia sixe yeares and after resigning the kingdome of Persia to Cambyses his sonne they made warre against Tamaris sixe yeares In the sixt yeare being called out by the Babilonians they slewe Baltassar reunited the Monarchie and translated it to the Persians where they raigned ioyntly two yeares and then Cyrus 22 alone whome succeeded Priscus Artaxerxes Assuerus 20 yeares being Darius sonne who reuenged the Tamarical faction Patruum which by deceite slewe his fathers brother Cyrus After him followed his sonne Darius Longiman Heere you see Metasthenes maketh Cyrus and Darius brethren and both Persians because after the subduing of the king of Medes they raigned in Persia and after the killing of Baltassar they reduced the Monarchie to the Persians as Diodorus maketh Cyrus for of Darius he maketh no mention king of Persians when he tooke Apanda Secondly he preferreth Cyrus as the elder and better in that his sonne Cambyses was made king of Persia before they had Babylon 3 He maketh them to haue sixe yeares warre with Tamaris before they slew Baltassar though Cyrus were not slaine there 4 That the kingdome of Persia was resigned to Cambyses six yeares before the taking of Babylon of whose issue and succession he speaketh nothing but affirmeth that Priscus the sonne of Darius succeeded Cyrus in Babylon 5 that the Babilonians rebelled against their king and sent for Cyrus and Darius to ayde them 6 Betweene Cyrus and Longiman he maketh but one king Priscus whereas the Greekes reckon three and that agreeably to Daniel to whome Chap. 10.1.2 the Angell sheweth that betweene Darius Medus and the rich king that should rayse all against the Graecians that is Xerxes there should be three kinges of Persia and he should be the fourth Those were Cyrus Cambyses Darius Histaspis and Xerxes of which three last Herodotus writeth of certaintie without intimation of any other reportes Philo in Breuiar li. 2. agreeth with Metasthenes but that he giueth an Epithet to Darius that died in Cyrus second yeare naming him Darius Histaspis and further addeth that the principall fautor of the Tamaricall faction was Artaxat who compelled the Assyrians Medes and Persians to reuolt from Priscus in so much that Priscus kept himselfe at Babylon but in the end be sudued Artaxat Thus you see the great oddes among writers in this article all which Clemens Schubertus laboureth and toyleth to reconcile together But I doubt he hath lost both oyle and toyle Yet that which he hath done perhaps may giue light to some other grounded Historician to effect some further matter The meane season for the order of the kinges or Emperours in the Persian Morarchie we are to followe Xenophon for Darius and Cyrus and Herodotus for the rest as most agreeable to holy Scripture And for the Confirmation of these two last articles and the iust Chronologie thereof I will take a course more certaine Virg. Georg 1. euen the course of the Sunne with the Moone Solem quisdi cere falsum Audeat obserued by Ptolomie and other of the most autentique humane writers And to tye their Chronologie to the Computation of the Scripture which ceaseth with the ende of the Captiuitie Ieremie the Prophet helpeth vs to a string or sinewe Cap. 25.1 where he coupleth the fourth yeare of Iehoiakim that is the 3398. yeare of the world with the first yeare of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon This verse of Ieremie is the very kay of Chronologie wherefore I will first shew how the Diuine and Humane Chronologie is locked together and after vnlocke and open it with this kay And first as we reckon the yeares of the kinges of Iuda after Ezechias for full and complete so we begin their raigns alike as we did his that is at the beginning of the vsuall yeare as shall appeare in the Table Wherefore Iehoiakims fourth began euen with the beginning of 3398. Againe Nabuchodonosors first yeare did not beginne euen with the first day of Iehoiakims fourth yeare but at the first day of the month Phamenòth being the seuenth month of the Chaldaeans which Phamenòth in that age began about or rather anone after the middle of Thamus which was the fourth month of the Hebrewes so that about three monthes and an halfe of Nabuchodonosors first concurred with Iehoiakims fift as appeareth Ier. 52.29 where one captiuitie or carying away of the Iewes is attributed to Nabuchodonosors seauenth yeare which could not be before Iehoijakims 11 yeare when Iehoiakim and the Nobles were caried away And so by this means Iehoiakim raigned not aboue two monthes of his 11. yeare not full so much I meane as was in Nabuchodonosors seuenth and then Iehoakim raigned three monthes who was taken in Nabuchodonosors eight yeare the beginning of which three monthes was in Nabuchodonosors seuenth the end in his eight so that Zedechias began in the beginning of the sixt month of the yeare of the world 3405. that is about the middle of the second month of Nabuchodonosors eight yeare and consequently the fourth month of the yeare 3416. the ninth day whereof the Citie was taken was the verie latter ende of Nabuchodonosors 18. yeare VVherefore Ieremie vers 29. referreth that Captiuitie to Nabuchodonosors 18 yeare with which 18 yeare he coupleth Zedechias 10. too Cap. 23.1 For they concurred a month and an halfe together Againe Cap. 25. vers 12. he placeth the burning Desolation of the Temple and Citie in the fift month the seuenth day of the month that is Nabuchodonosors 19 yeare For his 19 yeare began about the midde of the fourth month about a fortnight after the taking of the Citie And that fift month was the ending and expiring of Zedechias 11 yeare as Ieremie affirmeth plainly cap. 1.3 vnto the ending of the eleuēth yeare of Zedekiah euen to the carying away of Ierusalem captiue in the fift month And thus it is euident and manifest how the years of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon and king of the Chaldaeans as he is called 2. Chron. 36.6 are locked and linked to the yeares of the kinges of Iuda according to the Computation of the raigne of Nabuchodonosor which is vsed in the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles and in Ieremie the Prophet Now for the vse hereof and opening of the Chronologie by this kay you must knowe that Ptolomie taketh the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or marke of his aera or Computation from the
beginning of a king of Babylon of the Chaldaeans whom he nameth Nabonassar Ptol. l. 4. ca. 6. 8. From whence he maketh the second of Mardocempad to be the 28. yeare and the fifth of Nabopolassar to be the 127. c. Who and when Nabonassar l. 5. c. 14. Mardocempad Nabopolassar were will appeare if we take some king that is certainely knowne and agreed vpon and thence proceeding backward finde out the other The next king that is knowne and agreed vpon Ptol. l. 5. ca. 14. is Cambyses the sonne of Cyrus whose seauenth yeare is Cambyses 225. then consequently Cambyses seauenth is the 99. yeare from Nabopolassars 5. To Cambyses 7 adde Cyrus 7. and the 70. yeares of captiuitie the first whereof was Nabuchodonosors 19. then 14 backward to Nabuchodonosors fift and all make 98. which is one too short Wherefore the Computation of Nabuchodonosors raigne in Ieremie and the bookes of Kinges beginneth later by a yeare than the aera and account of Ptolomies Nabopolassar Nowe if it can be shewed that Nabuchodonosors raigne began a yeare before that computation of Ieremie we may vndoubtedly affirme that Ptolomies Nabopolassar is Ieremies Nabuchodonosor And this will easily and euidently appeare by two sufficient witnesses Berosus the priest of the Chaldaeans and Daniel the Prophet brought vp in Chaldaea to the learning of the Chaldaeans First Berosus lib. 3. rerum Chaldaicharum hath these wordes recorded by Iosephus de antiqu Iud. lib. 10. Cap. 11. Nabuchodonosor the father hearing that his Lieuetenant whom he had set ouer Aegypt Syria and Phoenicia had reuolted from him and being vnable for sicknesse to goe against him in his own person made his sonne Nabuchodonosor Emperour or Generall of his armie and sent him against the Rebell who ioyning battle with him conquered him and recouered his countrie againe The meane season Nabuchodonosor the father died of his sicknesse in Babilon hauing raigned 21 yeares Nabuchodonosor hearing of his fathers death straight waies left some of his friendes to bring the captiue Iewes Syrians and Phoenicians together with the army and cariage to Babilonia and himselfe accompanied with a fewe sped him in all hast to Babilon thorow the wildernesse Where taking vpon him the gouernment of the kingdome which the Chaldaeans kept for him till he came he was made Lord of all his fathers Empyre And first of all he disposed the captiues in conuenient places in Babilonia and with the spoyles which he had got furnished and beautifyed the Temple of Belus Among this company of captiues Daniel was one Dan. 1. ver 1.2.3.4.5.6 and therefore none can tell the time better then he heare what he saith In the third yeare of Iehoiakim King of Iuda came Nabuchodonosor King of Babilon vnto Ierusalem and besieged it And the Lord gaue Iehoiakim King of Iuda into his hand with part of the vesse s of the house of God which he caried into the land of Shinar to the house of his God And the king spake to Ashphenaz the maister of his Eunuches to bring certaine of the children of Israel of the Kinges seede whom they might teach the learning tongue of the Chaldaeans among these were Daniel c. Ioyne to these 2. Reg. 25.2 2. Chr. 35. the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles and see the concent Two or three yeares before this Pharao Neco King of Aegypt went vp against the king of Assyria to the riuer Euphrates and besieged Carshemish whom Iosias as feodarie or confederate to the king of Assyria seeking to resist was slaine and the people of the land made Iehoahaz his sonne king of Iuda whom Neco taking imprisoned a while at Riblah and after caried him into Aegypt making Eliakim his brother whose name he turned into Iehoiakim king in his steede Yet the Iewes woulde not vouchsafe him the name of King while his brother Iehoahaz liued but onely the title of high Priest as he is called in the booke of Iudith For they still hoped for and earnestly expected the returne of Iehoahaz out of Aegypt as Ieremie sheweth plainely Cap. 22.11.12 and about this time as it is most probable Nabuchodonosors Lieuetenant seing Neco preuaile so mightily reuolted from his maister to him and betrayed all those countries into his handes which Berosus speaketh of Wherefore Nabuchodonosor sent his Captaine Holophernes against those Rebelles with a great power but what bad successe he had the booke of Iudith sheweth This voiage of Holophernes happened while Iehoahaz king of Iuda was captiue in Aegypt and his brother Iehoiakim raigned at home though the people did not vouchsafe the name of King his brother being aliue Holophernes being ouerthrowne â—eros Nabuchodonosor in the third yeare of Iehoiakim his brother being then dead in Aegypt beeing sicke himself made his sonne Viceroy sent him to reduce those countries into subiection againe and to reuenge the ouerthrow of Holophernes who in the same third yeare of Iehoiakim Dan. 1. besieged Ierusalem and in the beginning of the next yeare made Iehoiakim to yeeld 2. Reg. 24.3 and become his vassal and Tributarie And so pursuing the victorie passed thorow Syria and recouered Carchemish Ier. 46.2 giuing the armie of the king of Aegypt a great ouerthrowe there Then hearing of the death of his father he sped him into Babilon and became sole Monarch as Berosus saith Afterward Iehoiakim rebelling against him he made his second voyage into those countries wherein he tooke Ierusalem in his 7 yeare and recouered from the king of Aegypt whatsoeuer he held from Euphrates to Nilus 2. Chro. 36 6. 2. Reg. 24.9 Thus the storie recorded by diuerse in sundry parcels hangeth together Heere is all the oddes that Daniel beginneth Nabuchodonosors raigne in Iehoiakims third yeare when he was made Generall in his fathers sicknesse as Berosus saith with the title of King of Babilon Beda de rat temp nat retuÌ„ cap. 66. and Ieremie with the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles beginne it in Iehoiakims fourth yeare when his father being dead he beganne his sole Monarchie ouer the whole Empyre Iudaea and all which he had then newly subdued againe But doubtlesse Daniel being brought vp in Babilon in the learning and language of the Chaldaeans vsed the right computatioÌ„ of the Chaldaeans which Metasthenes followeth also attributing to Nabuchodonosors raigne 35 years and Ptolomie likewise following the obseruations and calculations of the Chaldaeans vseth the same And Nabuchodonosors 5 by all their accountes is but his 4. by Ieremies computation which is iust 99. yeares from Cambyses 7. as Ptolomie saith And therefore we conclude that Ptolomies Nabopolassar is that Nabuchodonosor which destroyed Ierusalem So likewise by Ptolomie this 5 of Nabopolassar is the 100. yeare from the second of Mardocempad draw these 100 yeares backe and the holy Scripture will lead you to the 25 yeare of Ezechias and 3302 of the worlde So that Mardocempads first was Ezechias 24. yeare the 3301. yeare
of the worlde This Mardocempad certainely was the next king that succeeded Merodath Baladan in Babilon whose name is not recorded in the holy Scripture but he seemeth by all probabilities to be that king which caried Ezechias sonne Menasses captiue to Babilon 2. Chron. 33.11 In like sorte this second of Mardocempad was Nabonassars 28 yeare as Ptolomie saith drawe thes 28 yeares backe with the odde daies you shall finde that Nabonassar began in the ende of the yeare of the worlde 3275. that is in Achaz 13 yeare and the beginning of the first yeare of Hoseas Tributarie raigne vnder Salmaneser Now if we can finde who was then king of Babilon we may vndoubtedly say that he was Nabonassar It is generally taken by the learned Chronologers Funccius Mercator Erasmus Rainoldus Eucelcerus other that this Nabonassar was Salmaneser which caried awaye the tenne Tribes in Ezechias sixt yeare But vnder correction I take him to be Merodac Baladan as Esay calleth him who in the booke of Kinges is termed Beroodoh Baladan the first king of the Chaldaeans or Babilonians Esay 39.1 2. Reg. 20.12 and the very founder of that kingdom and house I will shew my reasons briefly and leaue the iudgement to the learned 1 This Nabonassar raigned as appeared before out of Ptolomie to the 23 yeare of Ezechias whereas Salmaneser died before the 14 yeare of Ezechias For then Senacharib was king of Assyria 2 Albeit the same yeare of the worlde 3275 being the 12. and 13. of Achaz Salmanesar was king of the Assyrians and the same yeare made a great voyage into Palestina against Hoseas king of Israel and subduing him made him his vassal Teodarie and Tributarie 2. Reg. 17.3 yet it is most certaine that before the 14. yeare of Ezechias the kinges of Assyria had lost Babilon and Chaldaea there beeing then a new king Merodac Baladan and it become another distinct kingdome from the kingdome of the Assyrians whose seat was at Niniue as the holy Scripture euidently sheweth 2. Reg. 17.12 Ierem. 50.17 2. Reg. 19.36 This Merodac is the first that in scripture hath the Title of King of Babilon and Ieremie maketh him the very author father and founder of that kingdome race and familie Ier. 50.2 As it is apparant that he raigned in Babilon when Ezechias was sicke so there can be no reason shewed to the contrarie but he began his raigne there 14 yeares before nay it is most probable and likely that Salmanassar being that yeare 3275. a farre of and occupied in his warres in Syria and Israel Merodac Baladan tooke that opportunitie to reuolt from him and erect that new kingdome By occasion whereof Ezechias king of Iuda anone after rebelled against Salmaneser too 2. Reg. 18.7 entering into league with the newe king of Babilon For it appeareth that they were combined and confederate against the king of Assyria because Merodac sendeth so friendly to Ezechias to congratulate his recouerie and because Ezechias sheweth his Embassadors so readily all his treasure and power to this ende that the other of the league might see what forces he was able to make against the common enemie the king of Assyria And about the same time Hoseas king of Israel induced by these examples reuolted from Salmaneser and entred into league with So king of Aegypt 2. Reg. 17.4 But shortly after Salmaneser subdued him again which Senacherib his sonne attempting to doe to Ezechias had that miraculous ouerthrow 2. Reg. 19.35 which Merodac hering together with Ezechias recouery sent that solemne congratulatiō Cap. 20.12 3 I see no reason why Ptolomie or the Chaldaeans should take aeram Chaldaeorum the Computatiō of the Chaldees from Salmaneser king of Assyria more thā from any other king before him as Pul or Tiglath Pileser But euery man may see reason enough why he should take it from Merodac because he was the founder of that kingdom of the Chaldaeans their first king of Babilon first raiser of that house familie as Ieremie maketh him and Daniel maketh that kingdom of Merodac his successors the race of the Nabuchodonosors the first of his foure Monarchies Dan. 1. 7. Surely new aeraes computations dates are taken from new great euents and actions as deliuerance from seruitude and restoring of libertie 1. Mac. 13.42 And such a one as that was this action of Merodac deliuering the Chaldaeans from the bondage of the Assyrians As for the difference of the name it is most vsuall that forrenners and they which are farre of hauing a diuerse language call the same king by another name than he is called at home As whome the Chaldaeans themselues cal Nabopolassar the Iewes called Nebucadnetzar whom Daniel calleth Baltassar which doubtles was his right Chaldaean name Herodotus calleth Labynetus Iosephus Naboandel Alphaeus Naboniddochus Eus praep Eu. l. 9. our Merodac himself is called Berodach 2. Reg 20.12 Esar-chaddon is called also Osnapar Ezr. 4. But to leaue this to the iudgement of the learned it is agreed certaine that Nabonassar was that king which raigned then in Babilon Wherfore to come to the ninth Article Censor l. de die natali it may be proued eyther by proceeding in Ptolomies Computation or by the account of the Olympiades For Censorinus coupleth the 986. yeare of Nabonassar with the 2. yeare of Olymp. 254. that is as he expoundeth himself the 1014. yeare from the first Olympiad and indeede the yeare of Nabonassar began then much about the beginning of the Olympical yere Substract 986. out of 1014. and there remayne 28. by how many yeares the first Olymp. began before Nabonassar beside the daies which Nabonassars aera hath lost in that space by wanting the leape yeare And therefore the Olympiades began in the yeare of the world 3247 being Vzziahs 52. yeare By this account the first yeare of Cyrus Monarchie being the 23. yeare of his Regiment or raygne is the third yeare of the 60. Olympiad which agreeth with Euschius l. 10. Praep. Euang. cap. 13. where out of Thallus Castor Diodorus Polybius and Phlegon he placeth the first yeare of Cyrus Regiment or raigne in the first yeare of the 55. Olympiad The distance of 78. yeares from Cyrus first to the beginning of Artaxerxes Longimans seuenth is proued thus Diodorus Siculus Pag. 260. placeth Xerxes death in the 4. yeare of the 78. Olympad and Artaxerxes beginning about 4 or 5 monethes before the ende of the same yeare which by resolution are 312. yeares Adde thereto 5 more to make vp Artaxerxes sixt and there will be 317. in the ende whereof Artaxerxes 6 began and ended within three or foure moneths of the ende of 318. abstract thence 238. accrewing of 59 full Olympiades and two yeares of the 60. Olympiad which were before Cyrus first and there remayne 78. and about three quarters which three quarters were passed of the yeare 3. Olymp. 60. before the beginning of Cyrus first The same may be proued by Iulius Aphricanus who
yeare in the fourth month which was the fift yeare of king Iehoiacins captiuitie To the last 14 of Iosias adde 11 for the raignes of Iehoiakim Iehoiacin 5 of his captiuitie and there are iust 30. So likewise the Iewes besieged in Bethzura in the 50 yeare of the Greeks were driuē to yeeld the towne for want of vittailes by reason of the Sabboth yeare 1. Maccab. 6.49 For the 49 yeare of the Greeks that is 3759 was a sabboth yeare whereby they intermitted the tillage of that yeare and the haruest of the 50 yeare and their olde store of the haruest of 49 which should haue serued them till they might haue new fruites of the yeare 51 was spent by them which had escaped from the Gentiles and were come into Iudaea vers 53. Againe Herods oppugning of Ierusalem was in a Sabboth yeare which caused great famine in the Citie Ioseph li. 14. ca. 28. meaning not that the Sabboth yeare continued all the time of the siege which could haue beene no great cause of famine because they ought to haue had store enough of all the former yeare for all the Sabboth yeare and the yeare after too though they had had no warres at all but because the oppugning began in the end of the Sabboth yeare wherin no supply might be made which in the winter following caused great dearth indeede The Citie was taken as Iosephus saith the 185 Olymp. Vipsanius and Gallus being Consuls the third month and it was the third yeare of that Olympiad because their consulship began at Ianuary in that third yeare and in October before the Sabboth yeare ended and a little before that the Citie was oppugned and besieged by Herod and Silo Ioseph li. 14. ca. 27. where grew a mutinie among the Romane soldiars not liking to winter there for want of prouision which want grewe by reason of omitting the haruest before in regard of the Sabboth yeare Ioseph li. 14. ca. 27. Moreouer the sonne of God was Incarnate of the virgine Marie to whom the great and glad newes was brought by an Angel from heauen the verie first yeare of the 30 Iubilie and the same Sauiour of the world hauing accomplished the worke of our redemption rested in his sepulchre not onely the sabboth day but also the Sabboth yeare For in the 10 day of the 7 month of the yeare 4053 next before the passion of Christ beganne the 215 Sabbath yeare wherein Christ Iesus by his Passion purchased for vs true manumission eternall remission perfect liberty and euerlasting rest euen Sabboth vpon Sabboth as the Prophet speaketh To which Sabboth yeare and acceptable yeare of the Lord he prepared his countreymen of Nazaret in his sermon there not long before Luke 5. Nowe that the 10 Articles of the Computation from the creation to Christ be clearely confirmed and that the Olympiades be tyed to the Aera of Nabonassar and they both be applyed to the yeares of the world which are most certainely continued in holie scripture till the Captiuitie of Babilon it shall not be amisse to doe the like with the yeares of Rome which depend of the Olympiades because that Computation is much vsed in the Romane Historiographers And for the beginning of the Computation Aera or stile of Rome which the Chronologers briefly note with these two letters V. C. that is vrbis conditae of the building of the Citie there is great difference among the ancient writers as is well obserued by Solinus and more particularly by Sigonius Of the three principall opinions the first beginneth it in the yeare 3 Olymp. 6 or 23 yeare of Iphitus the second in 4 Olymp. 6. or 24 yeare of Iphitus the third in 1 Olymp. 7. or the 25 yeare of Iphitus The reason of which differences I will endeuour briefly to shewe and to reconcile these Computations for the better light to the studious in Historie And heereto the distinction vsed by Liuie in his verie beginning will helpe vs a little where he saith Ante conditam condendamuè vrbem before the building of the Citie was finished or before the building of the Citie was begunne First therefore it is held as certaine of the Romane Historiographers that Romulus hauing reuenged the iniuries of Amulius and leauing the rule and gouernment of Alba to Numitor incontinently and with all speede began the building of a new Citie the plot whereof was drawen out with a plough the foundation laid on the day of the shepheards feast called Palilia which after was called Natalis vrbis the birth day of the Citie which was as Plinie saith li. 18. c. 16. the 11. Calendes of May that is the 21 day of April in the third yeare of the sixt Olympiad as Plutarch recordeth in his Romulus that is the yeare of the world 3270 and within 46 daies of the ende of that third yeare and beginning of the fourth Which space of 46 daies is accounted for a yeare and at that instant Plutarch beginneth where he saith that Numa Pompilius was borne when Romulus built the Citie and that he began his raigne in the 40 yeare of his age And Paterculus In the 6 Olympiad 22 yeares after the first beginning of them Romulus hauing reuenged the iniuries of his grandfather built that is began to build the Citie of Rome in the feast Palilia in the Palatine But in his Computation he vseth the common account ab vrbe condita from the time after the Citie was built as straight followeth from which time that is post vrbem conditam as he speaketh Pag. 40. to thy Consulship M. Vinicius are 781 yeares and that was done after the taking of Troy 430 yeares as the place is corrected And Liuie when he saith that Romulus had peace 40 yeares And Pomponius Atticus and M. Tullius as Solinus setteth downe their opinions Cap. 2. The Citie was in building and accomplishing a whole yeare being finished at the same feast in the 4 yeare of the 6 Olympiad that is the 21 of April 3271. where began the account V. C. that is ab vrbe condita and Romulus raigne of 37 yeares And from thence Varro taketh his Aera Computation which is followed by Eutropius Orosius and Censorinus where he saith This yeare the stile whereof is the Consulship of Vlpius and Pontianus is the yeare 1014 from the first Olympias beginning it but only from the Summer Solstice about which time the Olympique plaies and games were shewed and the 991 yeare after Rome was built beginning it at the Palilia whence the yeares of Rome are accounted Nowe Dionysius a Greeke and writing in Greeke to make the Computation of Rome agreeable and proportionable to the yeare and Computation of the Greekes did cast away those fewe daies of the last yeare of the 6 Olympiad and did begin it with the beginning of the new Olympiad and maketh from the destruction of Troy to that time 432 yeares agreeing iust with Diodorus Siculus who maketh it 408 yeares from the
destruction of Troy to the first Olympiad Iulius Solinus followeth Dionysius as you may see Cap. 2. Comparing and proportioning our times and the Greekes together we finde that Rome was built at the beginning of the 7 Olympiad in the 433 yeare after Troy was taken And in the same place he sheweth that in the yeare V. C. after Rome was built 801 there was written in the publique actes the 207 Olympiad which exceedeth the other by 24 yeares And so Clemens Alexand. Strom. li. 1. reckoneth from the first Olympiad to the time that Rome was built 24 yeares This Computation of Dionysius and Solinus is most vsuall And although there be but small oddes betweene the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or markes of these two last accountes of Varro and Dionysius viz. as much as from the 21 of May to the first day of Hecatombaeam about the sommer Solstice yet it breedeth in account the oddes of a whole yeare because Varro endeth his first yeare of Rome with the 4 yeare of the 6 Olympiad and beginneth his second yeare where Dionysius beginneth his first and so he accounteth those fewe daies betweene the Palilia and the Olympiades for one yeare The same oddes must be obserued if you suite the Computation of V. C. to the vsuall yeare of Rome which began at Ianuarie that Varroes first yeare ende at Ianuarie next ensuing the building Dionysius first begin but at the same Ianuarie Whereupon Eutropius and Orosius place Augustus death in the yeare of Rome 767 which after Dionisius account was but 766. In the same sort Orosius endeth Augustus first yeare at Ianuarie where the Ciuil and Common yeare ended accounting the short time betweene the 10 Cal. of October and the Calends of Ianuarie for one yeare and then at Ianuarie in his first yeare beginneth his second yeare Whereupon he saith that Christ was borne anno quadragesimo secundo Augusti propemodum emenso Of the yeares of Rome depend the yeares and catalogue of the Consuls Dionys l. 1. pa. 46. which began in the yeare of Rome after Dionysius 245. and of both them that is of the yeares of Rome and of the Consuls depend the yeares of the Emperours and of the yeares of the Emperours depend the yeares of Christ For S. Luke coupleth the 30 yeare of Christ with the 15 of Tiberius so that the 15 yeare before Tiberius is the first of Christes Natiuitie and that was the 42 yeare of Augustus For out of the 56 yeares of his Empyre take 14 and there remaine 42 which 42 yeare is the 15 yeare before Tiberius in which Christ was borne as all the ancient writers agree Euseb Eccl. Hist li. 1. ca. 5. Epiph. cont Haer. li. 1. tom 1. Tertul. cont Iudaeos Pag. 128. Oros l. 7. ca. 2. And for the further confirmation of this Computation it doth heereby appeare most clearely that the birth of Christ is rightly and iustly placed in the 751 yeare of Rome after Dionysius account and also in the 4020 yeare of the world For Paterculus affirmeth vol. 2. p. 40. that Augustus Caesar was created Consul where Suetonius Eusebius Eutropius and the most part begin his Empyre and Monarchie though Tacitus begin it at Iulius Caesars death but then he attributeth 58 yeares to his Empyre the 10 Calendes of October 709 yeares post conditam Romam after Rome was built which yeares are fully complete and as much as from the sommer Solstice vnto the 22 of September adde thereto 42 and there will be 751 in which yeare Christ was borne Now for the yeare of the world it appeared before that Dionysius began the Computation of the yeares of Rome with the 7. Olympiad which was about the sommer solstice of the yeare of the world 3270 which taketh vp the first yeare of Rome and of the 7 Olympiad all saue one quarter Wherefore to 3269 and a quarter adde 709 and a quarter that is from the sommer solstice to the 22 of September and then 41 of Augustus and a quarter from the 22 of September to the 25 of December and there will amount 4019 yeares and three quarters to the Natiuitie of Christ And heere it shall not be amisse to note the harmonie and agreement betweene Paterculus and other ancient and autentique writers in this poynt Paterculus giueth for a note worth the remembrance that the said 10 Calendes of October or the 22 day of September was a day before Augustus was full 20 yeare old pridie quà m viginti annos impleret And first for the day Suetonius agreeth affirming Cap. 5. that Augustus was borne 9 Cal. Octobris or 23 day of September Secondly for the yeare it may be gathered thus Florus and Eutropius affirme that when Iulius Caesar was slaine Augustus was 18 yeare olde whereto we must adde as much as from the 23 of September to the Ides or 15 day of March on which day Iulius Caesar was slaine After his death Antonius and Dolobella being Consuls tooke the authoritie vpon them til Ianuarie following wherin Hirtius and Pansa were created Consuls who afterward were slaine at Mutina and the 10 Cal. of October next after their death Augustus was made Consul and the morrow after as you see was iust 20 yeare old So that from Iulius Caesars death to Augustus Consulship was about a yeare and halfe Which agreeth likewise with the account of Paterculus For Eutropius saith that Iulius Caesar was slaine anno ab vrbe condita septingentesimo ferè ac nono In the yeare after the building of Rome seuen hundred and almost nine He addeth almost because the seuen hundreth and ninth yeare was not fully complet by his account and Varroes indeede not begun by Dionysius account and the 22 of September tweluemonth after Augustus Consulship began so that as Paterculus saith 709 yeares after the building of Rome were fully complet before Augustus Consulship and as much as from the sommer solstice to the 22 of September And whereas Solinus Cap. 2. saith that Hirtius Pansa were Consuls in the 710 yeare of Rome he must not be taken as though their creation were in the yeare 710 but that the 710 began about the middle of the yeare of their Consulship or else that therein he followeth the Computation of Varro and not of Dionysius But he is greatly ouerseene in the same place auouching that Augustus was created Consul decimum octauum annum agens being in his 18 yeare Contrarie to Paterculus as you heard before and to Suetonius likewise who saith Consulatum vigesimo aetatis anno inuasit He forcibly tooke the Consulship in the twentith yeare of his age Of the Computation by the yeares of Christ AT this day all Christendome vseth to make their accountes Computations by the years of Christ And yet notwithstanding presently after Christ that Computation was not vsed but the common order of accounting and dating was by the Consuls of Rome sauing that the Church had a particular Aera or Computation of their
before for a yeare but cleane cast them away and reckon them not at all as Forosemproniensis sheweth pag. 2. li. 4. and as the yearely Almanackes testifie which after the Circumcision keepe euer the same yeare of the Lord that the Church of Rome doth whereas otherwise they woulde haue a yeare more Thirdly if it were so that the common and vsuall Computation of Christendome did take the yeare of the Lord secundùm Natiuitatem yet that will not helpe the matter and cause in hand because Bergomas maketh but 33 yeares betweene Christes Incarnation and Passion and then we are in as bad case as we were before For a whole yeare of the life of Christ is still lost so that the Computation will not reach to the true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Christes Incarnation by a whole yeare By this also you may see that the dreame of Paulus Forosemproniensis was nothing but a dreame He writeth that he had shewed him in a vision or reuelation that all Chroniclers and Historiographers did anticipate the yeare of the Lorde and put the Natiuitie of Christ two yeares sooner than they shoulde and this vision or dreame rather he laboureth tooth and nayle to confirme whereas indeed in the vsuall Computation the Natiuitie of Christ is set backe by one yeare If you desire to knowe to what yeare of the worlde the yeare of any other Computation is to be referred adde to your yeare of the Olympiades 3246. Rome 3270. after Dionysius 3269. after Varro Nabonassar 3275. The Chaldaeans 3710. The Greekes 3711. Dionysius 3735. Antioch 3971. The Councel 3981. Christes Incarnatiō 4019. after the Computation of Pisa 4020. after any other Computation as England Florence c. Passion 4053. Diocletian 4313. The Turkes 4640 The Persians 4650. As thus The Councel of Nice was holdē Aera 363 add therto 3986 we shal find the yeare of the world 4349. Again from 363 substract 38 and you haue the yeare of Christ 325 adde thereto 4024 and you finde that way too the same yeare of the world 4349. Yet it is hard to giue a rule to reconcile the Computation of Eusebius and the Greekes with this Computation because he maketh new oddes almost in euerie article But after Christ there is one vniforme order For he placeth the birth of Christ in the yeare of the world 5199 which is too much by 1174 and that must be subducted out of this Computation But the Computation of the Emperour and Patriark in the Councel of Basil which couple the 6944 of the world with the yeare of Christ 1435 is too much by 1484 yeares By the like respect hauing a yeare of any one Aera or Computation by this table ye may easily reduce it to any of the other But in these concurrences due regard must be had what time of the yeare euery Computation beginneth otherwise as Dionysius Halycarnassaeus complaineth of Thucidides manner of Computation it will be hard to couple them together but that there will be an oddes of one yeare And therefore it shall not be amisse to set downe the seuerall formes and beginnings of these yeares by the which the principall Computations are reckoned First the yeare of the Hebrewes consisteth of 12 monthes the odde hauing 30 daies and the euen 29 whose names be 1 Abib or Nisan 2 Iiar or Ziu 3 Siuan 4 Thamus 5 Ab 6 Elul 7 Thisri or Ethanim 8 Marchesuan or Bul 9 Cisleu 10 Tebeth 11 Schebath 12 Adar And because all this amounteth but to 354 daies in the common yeare therfore to meete and match the course of the Sunne they insert in certaine yeares a thirteenth month of 30 daies which they call Veadar according to their cicle and rule of 19 yeares wherein the 3. 6. 8. 11. 14. 17. and 19. haue the said thirteenth month And further to make vp the odde minutes in euery fourth yeare they intercalate one day as we doe in our leape yeare This yeare began as some are of opinion before the departure out of Aegypt at the Autumnal Aequinoctiall as the Arabians Persians and latter Iewes begin their yeare and as the Computation of the yeare for the Iubilies began But out of doubt it is that after the departure out of Aegypt Nisan was made the first month beginning of the yeare Exod. 12.2 This month shal be vnto you the beginning of months euen the first month of the yeare Which began at the new moone next to the vernal Aequinoctial At which Aequinoctial the old Astronomers began their yeare and the Church beginneth the yeare of the world And therfore Dionysius Exiguus to make the year of Christ proportionable to the yeare of the world began it at the Incarnatiō or Conceptiō which was on the vernal Aequinoctial But in the year of the Lord 1351 for a speciall cause before spoken of it was reduced to the Natiuitie of Christ And so there is but a weeke oddes between the Ecclesiastical or Church Computation of Rome and the ciuill or imperiall Computation For the Church of Rome begin their newe yeare at the day of Christes Natiuitie that is the 25 of December and the Empyre beginneth their new yeare the first day of Ianuarie which we in this realme and other countries too commonly call new yeares day because the late Astronomers begin their new yeare there as our yearly Almanackes doe witnesse and Paulus Forosemproniensis sheweth parte 2. l. 4. The Astronomers of our time which after the manner of the Romanes haue reduced the Computation of yeares to Ianuarie and the radices motuū to the beginning of Ianuarie in the first yeare of Christes Natiuitie begin the first yeare of his Natiuitie at the 8 day of his Natiuitie not accounting the daies betweene his Natiuitie and Ianuarie Which may euidently appeare by this for they which seeke the place of the Planets at the houre of Christes Natiuitie goe backe 7 daies from the radices of the Planets noted in the tables And this manner of Computation obserue not onelie Astronomers but also Diuines allowed in Christian Religion as Petrus de Aliaco Nicholaus Cusanus Rogerus Bachon and generally all that haue sought out the places of the planets at the houre of Christes Natiuitie The like or greater dissonancie there is betweene the beginning of the Indictions of the Empyre and the Indictions of the Pope The Indictions of the Empyre begin the 8 Calendes of October but the Pope beginneth his Indictions three monthes after the 8 Calendes of December that is at the day of Christes Natiuitie The Aegyptians are made by Herodotus li. 2. and by Diodorus Siculus li. 1. to be the inuentors and first autors of the yeare But indeede as they had it from the Hebrewes among whom Noach himselfe the first of the renewed world did ordaine the yeare and monthes as Ioseph Antiqu. Iud. li. 1. and Berosus l. 3. affirme distinguishing the yeare by the course of the Sunne and the 12 monthes by the course of the Moone so
appeare vnto vs if we consider these fewe pointes First in remouing the Aequinoctial he condemneth the councel of Nice who thought it not meete to remoue it at all but fixed it where they found it viz. at March 21. as Iulius Caesar left it at March 25 and so Petrus Cameracensis vrged in the councel of Constance and had perswaded Iohn xxiij if he had continued in the popedome and of the same opinion was Paulus Forosemproniensis in his Paulina parte 1. Secondly he taketh not the right 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 marke or point For if he would needes remoue it why did he not reduce it to the originall and first beginning of the Iulian yeare that is to the 25 of March which place it had at the Natiuitie of Christ a thing more memorable than the councel of Nice But they must needes shew their mindes euen in this how they more affect and preferre the actions of the Church than of Christ Iesu If the Aequinoctials must needes be fixed and kept from varying fixe them where they ought to be fixed that is where they were at their Creation or at the least where they were at Christes Passion and Resurrection For the right celebrating therof they pretend to be the cause of their alteration But rather why are they not suffered to runne their race and hold on their course which they euer haue kept since the beginning For what authoritie hath he more than all the world before him to set the heauens their boundes and prescribe lawes to the starres yea to bridle the Sunne it selfe as though he held the world in his hand Cannot he be content that the Sunne Moone and Starres shall keepe their course and the festiuall daies be solemnised in their appointed times as well as God himself was Why doth he take vpon more than God himselfe did in the Leuiticall Passouer and other solemnities which being once by him appointed continued a longer time than from the councell of Nice to Gregorie xiij without any alteration of the yeare He may assure himself that if it had beene necessarie or meete to be done or anie inconuenience had growen by the not doing of it God himselfe would haue altered it in that strickt pedagogie of his people who were so precisely tied to the obseruation of daies and times Thirdly the manner of remouing it was cause of great confusion and trouble by taking of 10 daies out of one month at one push as they did contrarie to the wisedome of Augustus Caesar who to amend the surplussage of three daies caused the three next leape yeares to be omitted And contrarie to the iudgement of his owne predicant Friar Iohannes Maria who affirmeth that that waye would be difficilis gignens perturbationem magnam Epit. de emēd Calend ca. 3. dissidium in Ecclesia Dei per orbem diffusa and of Iohannes Lucidus Samotheus who intimateth that the same waie would be troublesome and that the safest and best waie were to fixe it where they found it as the Nicene fathers had done The whole councel of Basil refused this waie of Gregorie xiij though greatlie and vehementlie vrged vnto them by Cardinall Cusan and Hermannus Zoestius Fourthly for the remedie prouided for hereafter the meanes of omitting three leape yeares in euerie 400 yeares will not keepe the Aequinoctial at the 21 of March For the variation of it from Iulius Caesar to Gregorie xiij is not agreeable to that proportion For by his reckoning in 133 yeares and one third part it goeth backe one daie Nowe from Iulius Caesars instituting of the Calendar to the yeare 1582 are 1627 yeares In which summe you haue 133⅓ but 12 times beside the remainder of ¼ almost So that by this reckoning at that yeare 1582 the Aequinoctiall is remoued from the 25 and 26 of March not full 12 daies and a quarter wheras all Astronomers hold that it is remoued 15 daies So likewise from the councell of Nice which was in the yeare of Christ 325 to that yeare 1582 there are 1257 yeares in which summe we haue 133⅓ but nine times beside the remainder of ¼ and a little more So that by this account the Aequinoctiall is remoued from the 21 daie of March not much more than nine daies and a quarter and Pope Gregorie hath stricken out of the Calendar full 10 daies Wherfore his Calendar must needs be false eyther in the place of the Aequinoctiall which is reduced to the 21 of March or in the new quantitie of the yeare and remedie prouided for the perpetuitie of it And surely this is a notable argument of mans dulnesse of wit and dimnesse of sight euen of his owlish eies as Aristotle calleth them in the great workes of God For indeed the exact course of the Sunne and the iust quantitie of the yeare is incomprehensible of mans wit Which hath bred among the best Astronomers at the least 20 diuerse opinions of the quantitie of the yeare all differing from this of Gregories as you may see in Censorine de die Natali Cap. de anno vertente and in Picus Mirandula aduers Astrologos li. 9. ca. 9. where he noteth and obserueth that Azerchel Baten Isaac Israelita and some iunior Astronomers doe holde that as the daies doe lengthen and shorten so the yeares do likewise and that in the yeare of Christ 1310 the yeare was at the shortest and within a while after would begin to lengthen againe Lastly for the terme that this Calendar will serue I take it one of the wisest actes of his Holines when as he auoucheth that his Calendar will serue and last without alteration till the yeare of Christ 5000. For vnlesse the terme be long the labour is needlesse because in a hundred yeares the variation is not sensible and therefore causeth no inconuenience at all in that as himselfe saith 133 yeares and a third part make but one daies oddes And therefore since the Creation the Aequinoctiall hath odded but 42 daies now it would be 1463 yeares before it could get out of March where now it is And whether the world shall last so long God knoweth Sure we are that it shall not last so long after Christ as it had lasted before Christ For the holie Ghost well nigh 1600 yeares agoe saith It was the endes of the world 1. Cor. 10.11 the last daies Heb. 1.1 yea the last houre 1. Ioh. 2.18 and therefore we must needes be now in the last minute of the last houre our hourglasse being almost out Wherefore let them that be wise consider whether the Pope in setting that tearme of 5000 yeares of Christ shew not himselfe and his to be of the number of those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mockers 2 Pet. 3. which Peter prophesied should come in the last daies and say where is the promise of his comming c. But let vs comparing the wordes and warninges of our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles with the tearme of times heere set downe
perceiuing the houreglasse to be almost runne out and seeing all these thinges knowe that he is neere euen at the doores Math. 24.23 and because wee know not when the time will be Let vs take heede watch and pray Mark 13.33 making our selues readie and euer waiting with all attendance to be caught vp in the cloudes to meete the Lord in the ayre 1. Thess 3.17 who hath said Reuel 22.20 Surely I will come quickly Yea come Lord Iesu Amen A Table coupling the yeares of the Kings of Iuda with the Kinges of Israel and them both with the yeares of the world taken out of the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles wherein the beginninges of their raignes are certainely recorded and also some middle yeares compared together as here is represented to the eie Juda. World Israel REhoboam the sonne of Solomon succeeded his father but at his Caronation the 10 Tribes reuolted from him and so he raigned ouer the tribe of Iuda onely 1. Reg. 12.16.17.20 the space of 17 years 1. reg 14.21 Rehoboam 3025 1 Ieroboam Ieroboam the son of Nebat was proclaimed king of Israel by the 10 tribes he raigned 22. yeares 1. Reg. 12. 14.20 The 15. day of this eight month Ieroboam ordained the solemne feast of his Golden Calues ca. 12.32 which was as solemnely kept and celebrated by the Israelites vers 30. Heere beganne the Iniquitie of Israel Ibidem Ezech. 4.  a    2 2 3026    17 17 3041 18   19 Abijam the sonne of Rehoboam began his raigne in Ieroboams 18. yeare and raigned three yeares 1. Reg. 15.1.2 Abijam 1 3042    20 2 3043    21 3 3044    1 Nadab Nadab the sonne of Ieroboam began his raigne his father being aliue in the second yeare of Asa and raigned two yeares 1. Reg. 15.25 Asa the sonne of Abijam began in Ieroboams 20. yeare and raigned 41 years 1. Reg. 15.9.10 Asa 1     22   2 2 3045    Baasha Baasha the sonne of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab and killing him obtained the kingdome He began in the third yeare of Asa raigned 24. yeare 1. Reg. 15.27.28.33 3 3046    2 4 3047    24 20 3069 1 Ela Elah the sonne of Baasha began in the 26 of Asa and raigned two yeares 1. Reg. 16.8  3070  Iehosaphat the sonne of Asa began in Achabs 4 yeare and raigned 25 years 1. Reg. 22.41 27     2  3081 1 Zimri Omri Tibni Zimri Captaine of halfe Elahs Chariots slue Elah in the 27 yeare of Asa He raigned but 7 daies For Omri Generall of the host being the same day proclaimed king in the Campe subdued him in 7 daies Tibni was proclaimed king by another side against Omri But he died in the 31 yeare of Asa and so Omri raigned alone Jn the third yeare of his sole raigne he finished Samaria and remoued the Court thither so he raigned 6 yeares at Tirza and 6 at Samaria in all 12. 1. Reg. 16. Achab the sonne of Omri began in the 38 yeare of Asa and raigned 22 yeares 1. Reg. 16.29 Achab going the warre against the king of Assyria left his sonne Ahazia viceroy at home who began in Iehosaphats 17 yeare and raigned 2 years 1. reg 22.51 Ahaziah died in the beginning of his 2 yeare whom his brother Iehoram succeeded in Iehosaphats 18 yeare 2. Reg. 3.1 that is the second yeare of Iehoram of Iuda 2. Reg. 1.17 He raigned 12 yeares For his father was slaine in that warre 38    3082 12 Jn his 17 yeare he with Achab went to warre against the King of Assyria leauing his sonne Iehoram as Viceroy in his steade at home But returning safe out of the warre he receiued the kingdome againe till the third yeare of Iehoram king of Israel wherein Iehosaphat at the request of Iehoram going to warre against Moab placed his sonne Iehoram as viceroy againe and neuer after displaced him Heere began Iehorams raigne of 8 years viz. 4 with his father and 4 alone 2. Reg. 8.16 39     1 Achab  3083 2 40     3  3084  41     4 Iehosaphat 1 3099    19  3100  16     20 1 17  1 Ahaziah 1   IehoraÌ„ 3101    21   2 18   2 3102 1 Iehoram IehoraÌ„ 1 3106 5 7 3112 11 Ahaziah was made viceroy by reason of his fathers disease in his bowels 2. Reg. 9.20 His Father died in the beginning of his 8 yeare and so Ahaziah was proclaimed absolute king in the 12 yeare of Iehoram of Israel 2. Reg. 8.25 and anon after was slaine by Iehu Ahaziah viceroy    3113 12 8     Iehu Iehu the sonne of Iehosaphat the sonne of Nimsi being anoynted king of Israel slevv Iehoram king of Jsrael and Ahaziah king of Iuda 2. Reg. 9.6.24.27 He raigned 28 years Cap. 10.36 Ahaziah   Athaliah destroying all the rest of the blood royall saue Ioash that was hid from heâ— raigned after her sonne 6 yeares 2. Reg. 11.3 Athalia 1    3118 6 6   Ioash the son of Ahaziah began at the solemne feast Easter a little before Iehues 7 beganne for his 23 was begun before Iehues 28 was ended He raigned 40 yeares Cap. 12.2 Ioash 1 3119    7 2 3120    8 22 3140    28 23 3141 1 Iehoachaz Iehoachaz the sonne of Iehu began in the 23 yeare of Ioash and raigned 17 yeares 2. Reg. 13.1.2 Ioash the sonne of Iehoachaz was made viceroy of Israel because of the warre which the king of Syria made against them 2. Reg. 13.10 whereof he was the deliuerer vers 5. 25. he began in the 37 yeare of Ioash king of Iuda and raigned viceroy and absolute king 16. yeares 37 3155 15.1   Ioash 1 38 3156  Amaziah the sonne of Ioash was made viceroy of Iuda because of the warre which Chazael king of Syria made against Iuda 2. Reg. 12.17 14.1 He began in the 2 yeare of Ioash of Israel and raigned viceroy and absolute king 29 yeares Amaziah  16.2 15 3170 16   1 Ieroboam Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash began in the 15 yeare of Amaziah and raigned 41 yeares 2. Reg. 14.23 19 3171  29 3184    15 a Heere is a vacancie or Interregnum of 11. yeares in Iuda 3185    16  3196    27 Vzziah alâ—âs Azariah the sonne of Amaziah began in Ieroboams 27 year and raigned 52 yeares 2. Reg. 15.1 Vzziah 1    3210    41 15 Â
  3211    51 Heere is a vacancie or Interregnum almost of 23 yeares in Israel 16    3233  38    3234 1 Zacharias Zacharias the sonne of Ieroboam began in the end of the 38. yeare of Vzziah and raigned 6. monthes 39  Sallum Sallum killed Zacharias and raigned one month in Vzziahs 39. yeare 2. Reg. 15.8.13  3235 1 Menahem Menahem killed Sallum in the verie ende of Vzziahs 39. yeare and raigned 10. yeares vers 17. 40    3245  50  1 Pekahiah Pekahiah the sonne of Menahem began in the 50 yeare of Vzziah and raigned 2. yeares 2. Reg. 15.23  3246  51     2  3247  52    * The first Olympiad Game was kept and celebrated by Iphitus at the full moone of HecatoÌ„baeon that is the first month of the Athenians about the summer Solstice and hence the Computation of Iphitus and of the Olympiades are to be reckoned 1 Pekah Pekah the sonne of Remaliah kill ng Pekahiah began in the 52. yeare of Vzziah and raigned 20 yeares 2. Reg. 15.27 In his daies Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria tooke from him diuerse townes and caried away the tribes of Ruben Gad halfe the tribe of Menasses all Galilie and the whol tribe of Naphthalie captiue into Assyria 2. Reg. 15.29 1. Chron. 5.26 Iotham the sonne of Vzziah began a little before the beginning of Pekahs second yeare for Iothams 20 was begun before Pekahs 20 were ended but Pekahs second was Iothams first he raigned 16 yeares 2. Reg. 15.32 IothaÌ„ 1 3248    2 16 3263    17 Achaz the sonne of Iotham began in the 17. yeare of Pekah and raigned 16. yeares 2. Reg. 16.1 Achaz 1    3264 18 2   18    3265    16 3   19    3266    20 4   20    3267    1 Hoseas Hoseas the sonne of Elah killing Pekah began in Iothams 20. yeare 2. Reg. 15.30 He meaneth Achaz 4. yeare which woulde haue beene Iothams 20 had he liued so long yet he vseth his Computation being dead because he had made no meÌ„tion of Achaz before 5    3274  12  8   a Salmaneser king of Assyria tooke a voyage against Hoseas made him his vassal to hold that kingdome of him in Fee and for tribute in the 12 yeare of Achaz Here began a new stile and Computation of Hoseas which afterwarde is vsed 2. Reg. â—7 1  3275    1 Hoseas 13 * Merodac Baladan the sonne of Baladan taking the oppotunitie of Salmanesers absence busines in the great warres of Syria and Samaria reuolted from him and proclaimed himselfe king of Babilon From this first king and first beginning of the kingdome of Babilon Ptolomie taketh the Epoche and marke of his aera and Computation naming him Nabonassar   3276    2 14    3277  15  3 Ezechias began in the third yeare of Hoseas tributarie raigne a little before the feast of Easter and raigned 29 yeares 2. Reg. 18 1.2 He rebelled against the king of Assyria denying the tribute which Achaz vndertooke 2. Reg. 16.7 entering into league with the newe king of Babilon as it seemeth by the great kindnes betweene them afterward Merodac sending ambassadors with presentes to him and Ezechias shewing them all his treasure that they might see what forces he could make against the common enimie the king of Assyria Ezechias 3278    4 16   2 3279    5 b Hoseas incouraged by the example good successe of Merodac king of Babilon and Ezechias king of Iuda reuolted from Salmaneser and entred into league with So king of Aegypt 2. Reg. 17.4 3 3280  4 3281 6 c Salmaneser maketh his second voyage against Hoseas   7 d Samaria besieged three yeares 2. Reg. 18.9 5 3282    8 6 3283    9 e Samaria taken and Israel caried captiue into Assyria in the 6 yeare of Ezechias and the 9 of Hoseas vers 10. Heere ended the kingdome of Israel which had continued 259 yeares to this yeare of the world 3283 adde 23 more of Ezechias 55 of Manasses 2 of Amon 31 of Iosias and you come to the yeare of the world 3394 the next yeare is Iehoiakims first as heere followeth Iehoiakim was made king of Iuda by Pharao Neco king of Aegypt to hold it of him for tribute he raigned 11 yeares 2. Reg. 24.1 in the beginning of his 11 yeare he was taken by Nabuchodonosor 1 Iehoiakim 3395  2 3396  3 3397 a Nabuchodonosor the father being sicke Nabuchodonosor the greate was made viceroy of Babilon and went with great forces against the king of Aegypt other rebels which had reuolted from him in which voyage he besieged Ierusalem and made Iehoiakim to yeelde and become his vassal and tributarie 2. Reg. 24.3 Dan. 1.2.3 and gaue the armie of the king of Aegypt a great ouerthrovv at Carshemish Jer. 46.2 at this making of Nabuchodonosor viceroy in his fathers life time Daniel Ptolomie and Metasthenes begin his raigne that is in Iehoiakims third yeare by vvhich Computation he raigned 45 yeares 4 3398    1 Nabuchodonosor Nabuchodonosor the father being dead Nabuchodonosor the great vvas made absolute King Monarke of the vvhole Empyre Beros in Ioseph li. 10. ca. 10. vvhere Ieremie the bookes of Kings and Chronicles and Iosephus begin his raigne of 43 yeares complete besides the odde monthes He began in Iehoiakims 4 yeare Ier. 25.1 vvith the beginning of the 7 month of the Chaldaeans called Phamenòth vvhich began about the middle of Thamus the 4 month of the Hebrues 5 3399    2 10 3404 7 11 3405  Iehoiacin raigned three monthes and 10 daies which began in Nabuchodonosors 7 and ended in his 8.2 Reg. 24.10.11.12 2. Chro. 26.10 Ier. 52.28 Iehoiacin  8 Zedekiah began his raign in Nabuchodonosors 8 yeare in the 6 month of the vsual yeare of the Hebrues 2. Reg. 24.18 2. Chron. 36.11 Ier. 52.1 Zedekiah 1    3406  2  9  3407  3  10  3413  9     16 Ierusalem was besieged by Nabuchodonosor in the 10. day of the 10. month in Zedechiahs 9. yeare 2 Reg. 25.1 a    3414    17 The famine began to be extreme in the Citie 10    3415  11     18  3416  b The 9. day of the fourth month in Zedechiahs 11. yeare Ierusalem was taken ver 6. Ier. 52.6 which was in Nabuchodonosors 18. yeare Ier. 52.29     19 c The 7. day of the fifth month the temple and Citie was burnt which was in Nabuchodonosors 19. yeare 2. Reg. 25.11 and the verie end and expiring of Zedechias 11. yeare Ier. 1.3   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉