The first Chapter, of the Creation, and other things coincident.

CHAP. II.

CHAP. III. Of the state of the Hebrewes.

• liued vnder the protecti­on and em­pire of
  • Patriarkes.
  • Chiefetaines or Gouernours.
  • Iudges.
  • Kings: againe,
  • Chiefetaines after the captiuitie.
  • Priests before the captiuity. and
  • Priests after the captiuity.
• had to doe with the
  • kings of the
    • Persians.
    • Egyptians.
    • Syrians.
  • strangers, and with the emperors of Rome.

• Iudges, from Iosue to Saul.
• Kings, from Saul to the captiuitie.
• Priests, from the captiuitie to Christ.

For exact vnderstanding of this chapter, it is expedient to note well the fift booke of this first part; from the se­cond chapter, to the end of the same booke.

CHAP. IIII. Of the Patriarkes.

[...]he Patri­ [...]kes of the [...]ebrewes were,

• Abraham Isaac liued yeeres
  • one hundred, & begat Isaac, Ge. 21.5.
  • threescore, and begat Iacob, Ge. 25.26
• Iacob caled also Israel, Ge. 35.10
  • he had 12 children with
    • Lea,
      • Ruben Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Simeon Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Leui Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Iudah Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Isachar Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Zabulon Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
    • Zilpha the handmaid of Lea,
      • Gad Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Aser Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
    • Rachel
      • Ioseph Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Beniamin Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
    • Bala,
      • Dan Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
      • Nephtali Ge. 35.22. these were the heads of the twelue Tribes.
  • he liued 147. yeres, Gen. 47. ve. 28. hee was 70. yeeres in E­gypt.
• Ioseph, was ruler of Egypt 80. yeeres: he di­ed when he was one hundred and tenne yeres old, Gen. 50. verse 26.

After these Patriarks, the Hebrews liued in bondage to the Egyptians, but 144. yeeres; albeit (as is already prooued) their whole abode in Egypt was 215. yeares. See the third age, and the probation thereof.

CHAP. V. Containing a Table, of the Princes and Iudges of the Hebrewes.

The princes of the He­brewes were these two,

• Moses he ruled 40. yeares.
• Iosue he ruled 27. yeres, or 40: to­gether w ^t Othoniel.

Moses and Iosue are not reckoned among the Iudges, be­cause they did not onely iudge, but also rule the people. Ly­ranus.

There were 13. Iudges ouer the Hebrewes, a­mōg whom

• Othoniel A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 40
• Aioth A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 80
• Barach A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 40
• Gedeon A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 40
• Abimelech A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 3
• Thola A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 23
• Iair A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 22
• Iephthe A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 6
• Abesan A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 7
• Ahialon A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 10
• Abdon A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 8
• Samson A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 20
• Heli y ^e priest A. M. 2572 ruled yeres A. M. 2852 40

All this is prooued in the second chapter a­foregoing in the fourth age.

Here is to be obserued, See Athanasius in synopsi. that from Iair to Iepthe there was no iudge, which was for the space of eighteene yeeres together, Iud. 10. verse 4, 5, 8, & seq.

The prophet Elias was Gods messenger in Samaria, in the dayes of Asa and Iosaphat the good kings of Iuda, 3. Ki. 15.24. and in the time of Achab, the bad king of Israel, 3. Ki. 18. the heart of king Asa was perfit all his dayes, 2. Paralip. 15.17. and king Iosaphat sought the Lord, Anno mund [...] 3088 and walked in the wayes of his father Dauid, 2. Paral. 17. about the age of the world 3088.

CHAP. VI. Containing, a Table of the kings of Iuda and of Israel.

• vnited vnder king
  • Saul, with whom was Samuel, Acts 13
  • Dauid.
  • Salomon.
• deuided into the kingdom of
  • Iuda, or the two tribes of Iuda and Beniamin, whose kings were,
    • Roboam Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 17 yeeres
    • Abias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 3
    • Asa Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 41
    • Iosaphat Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 25
    • Ioram Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 8
    • Ochozias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 1
    • Athalia Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 7
    • Ioas Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 40
    • Amazias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 29
    • Ozias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 52
    • Ioathan Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 16
    • Achaz Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 16
    • Ezechias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 29
    • Manasses Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 55
    • Amon Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 2
    • Iosias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 31
    • Ioachas Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 3 moneths
    • Eliachim or Ioachim Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 11 yeeres
    • Iechonias or Ioachim or Coniah Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 3 moneths
    • Sedechias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3410 11 yeeres
  • Israel or Samaria, whose kings were,
    • Ieroboam Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 21 yeeres
    • Nadab Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 2
    • Baasa Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 24
    • Hela Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 2
    • Amri or Omri Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 12
    • Achab Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 22
    • Ochozias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 2 [...]
    • Ioram Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 12
    • Iehu Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 28
    • Ioachas Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 17
    • Ioas Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 16
    • Hieroboam Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 41
    • Zacharias Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 6 moneths
    • Sellum Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 1 moneth
    • Manahen Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 10 yeeres
    • Phacêas or Pekahiah Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 2
    • Phacêe or Pekah Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 20
    • Ose [...]or Hosheah. Anno mundi 3030 and raigned Anno mundi 3283 9 yeeres.

Peruse the second chap­ter aforegoing, where these things are proo­ued sufficiently.

CHAP. VII. Of the captiuitie and circumstances thereto pertaining.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Prophetes and Priestes of the Hebrewes vn­till the captiuitie.

The Pro­phets and priestes of the Iewes,

• Prophetes,
  • Ionas who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Oseas who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Abdias who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Amos who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Esaias who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Iohel who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Michaeas who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Nahum who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Abacuc who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Hieremias who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Baruch who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Sophonias who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Ezechiel who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Daniel who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Aggaeus who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Zacharias who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
  • Malachias who liued in the time of both king­domes, that is to say, of Iuda and of Is­rael, especially in the time of the captiui­tie of Ba­bilon.
• Priestes,
  • Sadoch in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Achimaas in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Ioram in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Auxiera­mus in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Nidaeas in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Sudaeas in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Hilus in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Ioathan in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Vrias in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Nerias in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Odaeas in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Sellum in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Helchias in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Zara in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.
  • Iosedech in the time of all these the children did euer suc­ceede their fathers, vn­till the cap­tiuitie. but after the captiuitie it was other­wise.

CHAP. IX. Of the Actes and times of the Prophetes i [...] briefe maner.

A. M. 3180. The Pro­phets of the old te­stament, A. M. 3504.

• Ionas prophesied to the Niniuites, in the time of Ozias.
• Osee prophesied against Samaria, in the time of Ioatham.
• Abdias prophesied against the Idumeans and other e­nemies of the Israelites, in the time of Ioatham.
• Amos prophesied against the nations adiacent to them, in the time of Ozias.
• Esaias prophesied against Iuda and Iurasalem, in the time of Ioatham.
• Ioel prophesied to Iuda and Ierusalem. in the time of Ozias.
• Michaeas prophesied against Ierusalem and Samaria, in the time of Ioatham.
• Nahum prophesied to the Assyrians and Niniuites, in the time of Ioatham.
• Abacuc prophesied against Babylon and Nabuchodo­nosor, in the time of Manasses.
• Ieremias prophesied to the citie of Ierusalem, in the time of Iosias, and Zedechias.
• Sophonias prophesied against Iurusalem and Iuda, in the time of Iosias.
• Ezechiel prophesied to the captiues in Babylon, in the time of Ioachim.
• Daniel prophesied to his countrey men in Babylon, in the time of Ioachim.
• Haggaeus prophesied to all the people in Ierusalem and Iuda, in the time of Zoroba­bel.
• Zacharias prophesied to the people of Ierusalem and Iuda, in the time of Zoroba­bel.
• Malachias prophesied to the people of Ierusalem & Iuda, in the time of in the end of the captiuitie [...]

CHAP. X. Containing a particular description of the time of the Prophets called the greater.

CHAP. XI. Of the Prophets called the lesser.

CHAP. XII. Of the diuerse names of the tribes, and of the vse therof in reading the Prophets.

CHAP. XIII. Of the destribution of the offices of the 12. lesser prophets.

These pro­ [...]hets were [...]ppointed, [...]ome of thē

• to threaten the captiui­tie; as
  • Osee against both the kingdoms of Is­rael and Iuda.
  • Ioel against the two tribes onely.
  • Amos against the two tribes, and the kingdomes adioyning.
  • Micheas against the kingdome of Israel e­specialy, because it was y ^e cause of ruine to y ^e rest.
• to comfort the Iewes; as
  • Abdias With threats against the kingdome of the Idu­means.
  • Ionas With threats against Niniue and the Assirians.
  • Nahum With threats against the Niniuites for their re­uolt the second time.
  • Abacuc With threats against Nabuchodonosor and the Chaldeans, who al wer enimies to the Iewes.
• to call home from the captiuity; as
  • Sophonias who preached returne to come.
  • Aggeus who preached returne present.
  • Zacharias who preached returne present, with aduise to build the temple.
  • Malachias who preached returne past, with exhortati­on to pietie.

CHAP. XIIII. Of the time when they prophecied.

Of the pro­phets, some prophecied

• before the captiuitie, as well of the ten tribes of Israel, as of the two tribes Iuda and Beniamin; as
  • Esay
  • Osee
  • Ioel
• after the captiuitie; as
  • Daniel
  • Aggeus
  • Zacharias.
• when the captiuitie was at hand; as
  • Ieremie in Iewrie
  • Ezechiel in Babilon

Ex Hier. in 1. cap. Ieremiae.

CHAP. XV. Of the deuision of the Bookes of the Prophets.

The bookes of the prophets con­taine nine common places; to wit,

• Doctrines Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Speculations Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Exhortations Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Cōminations Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Lamētations Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Consolations Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Prayers Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Histories Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.
• Predictions Ex Epipha­nio, de mēs. & pond. in initio.

CHAP. XVI, Containeth the acts, age, time, and death of famous men that were before the captiuitie of Babylon.

The first chapter, of the originall and continuance of the monarchie.

CHAP. II. Of the kings of the Assyrians and Babilonians, after the death of Sardanapalus, and the diuision of the monarchie.

Phul Belochus.PHul Belochus was the first king of the Assyrians, after the diuision of the Empire, and death of Sardanapalus: hee was a magnificall and fortunate Prince, and Niniue was his pallace, he was president of Babilon, in the time of Sardana­palus, after whose miserable death, he enioyed halfe of the mo­narchie, as I haue shewed in the first chapter and second secti­on: he ruled 48. yeares in all.

Phul. Assar.Phull Assar surnamed Tiglath, was the second king of the Assyrians: he was a verie bad king, he destroyed Galile, and led some of the tribes into captiuitie: he raigned 23. yeares.

Salmanasar.Salmanasar was the third king of the Assyrians, hee was a tyrannicall and cruell king: this Salmanasar destroyed the kingdome of Israel, besieged Samaria, tooke it, battered it downe, slew the king, and led away into Media, the people that remained after the slaughter: for hee was ruler in that countrey, and he raigned eleuen yeares.

Sennacherib.Sennacherib the fourth king of the Assyrians, was an arro­gant, wicked & godlesse man: he bent himself against god, with sacrilegious and blasphemous speeches: he sent a great host a­gainst Hierusalem, but Gods Angell smote in his armie an hundred, foure score and fiue thousand; insomuch that he was enforced to retire, and to dwell againe in Niniue. For his blas­phemie against god, an horrible death befel vpon him, for as he was in the temple worshipping his God Nisroch, Adramelech and Saresar his owne sonnes, smat him with the sword, and they escaped when they had slaine him, into the land of Arme­nia, 4. King. 18, 19, chap. so was he murdered euen before [Page 79] the idoll, whom he adored for God, and by them by whom he ought by nature to haue bin defended: he raigned 15. yeares. That the wickednes of this Senacherib might be noted of all posterities, his image was set vp in Egypt, with this inscrip­tion ouer it as writeth Herodotus.

That is to say,

Whosoeuer shall behold mee with his corporall eies let him learne by my calamitie to honour the euerliuing God, and not to blaspheme him as I did: for which cause I made this mi­serable end, being murthered by mine owne children. Note heere, that after Eusebius, Senacherib was also called Sal­manasar, which I thinke consonant to the holy scriptures.

Assar-addon succeeded Senacherib his father, but was not fortunate: for the strength of the Assyrians began to decay, e­uen while his father was yet liuing. Besides this, the mighty prince Merodach-baladan the Chaldee made wars both with him & his father before him: forthwith after the death of Sena­cherib hee wanne Babylon, and enioyed it with other territo­ries in Assyria, vntill the death of Assar-addon, from whose death hee possessed the whole Empire: Hee raigned tenne yeares.

Merodach-baladan the first king of the Babylonians, for the fame and memorie of the ancient kingdome of Assyria, was called king of the Assyrians also, as were likewise other kings that followed him. He first transported the maiestie of the Assyrians to the Chaldees or Babylonians, for the glorie of Niniue, where the kings pallace was of olde, was nowe translated to Babylon: for which benefit Merodach after his death, was honoured for a God of the Babylonians, Ier. 50, ver. 2. he raigned 40. yeares.

Ben-merodach the second king of the Babylonians was a milde and mightie Prince: he raigned 21. yeares.

Nabuchodonosor the first or the old, the third king of the Ba­byloniās after Merodach, Nabuchodono­sor priscus. was father to that Nabuchodonosor who subdued Hierusalem, and erected the Babylonian mo­narchy: he made two great battailes, the one against Phaortes [Page 80] aliâs Arphaxad king of the Medes; the other against Nechao the mightie king of the Egyptians. Hee slew king Arphaxad in the mountaines of Ragau, as the storie of Iudith maketh mention. But Nechao ouercame him, and enioyed all Syria: he raigned 35. yeeres.

Nabuchodono­sor magnus.Nabuchodonosor the great, sonne of Nabuchodonosor the first, shortly after his fathers death wanne againe all Syria. He was the mightiest king of all the kings of Babylon, much spoken of in holy Writ. Hee subdued the citie of Ierusalem, and led away the inhabitants thereof captiues to Babylon. This Nabuchodonosor, as he was mightie in power, so was he prowd in heart. He made an image of golde and set it vp in the plaine of Dura, in the prouince of Babylon. Which done, he commaunded all his princes, nobles, dukes, iudges, recei­uers, counsellers, officers, and all gouernors of his prouinces, to come to the dedication of the image. Hee appointed an he­rald to crie aloude, that when they heard the sound of the cor­net, trumpet, harpe, sackebut, psalterie, dulcimer, and other in­struments of musicke, then they should fall downe and wor­ship the image. And because the three holy Iewes Sidrach, Misach and Abednego, would not adore the image, hee caused them to be cast into a very hote burning ouen: from which fie­ry furnace, God deliuered them myraculously. In regarde whereof Nabuchodonosor magnified the liuing God, & made a decree, that al people and nations which spake against the God of Sidrach, Misach, and Abednego, shoulde bee drawen in pee­ces, and their houses made a iakes, Dan. 3.29. After this, the king still swelled in pride; so that he was cast out from his kingdome, driuen from men, ate grasse as oxen, and his bodie was wet with the dew of heauen; till his haires were growen as Eagles feathers, and his nailes like birdes clawes, Dan. 4. verse 30.

Euil-marodaco.After Nabuchodonosor magnus succeeded Euil-merodach; after him, Balthazar. Balthazar: of which two, see the first chapter in the fourth section.

CHAP. II. Of the destruction of Troy

THe kingdome of Troy was of great antiquitie; it began as sundrie Chronographers write, a little before the death of Moses, about the 32. yeare after the departure of Israel out of Egypt. They write that Dardanus was the first king of the Troians, and Priamus the last.

Alexander the sonne of Priamus surnamed Paris, tooke a­way violently Helena wife to Menelaus king of the Lacede­monians, which fact was the occasion of the most bitter and bloody battell of the Troyans. This battel was fought of the most valiant people in Asia and Europe; with mortall enmi­tie and inestimable losse on both sides; with the bloud and de­struction of many most flourishing regions.

Troy was taken, burnt, A. M. 2935 and vtterly destroyed 340. yeares before Rome was built, in the age of the world 2935.

From the captiuitie of Troy, vntill the first Olimpias, were complete 340. yeares: albeit Liui [...]s and some other haue their different supputations.

CHAP. III. Of the supputation of the Greeks.

THe olde Greekes did account as wee doe nowe, by the yeres of our Lord, the first Olimpias, the second, the third, the fourth, and so forth.

Some holde that Olimpias is the space of fiue yeeres, but if thou wilt not be deceiued therin (gentle reader) reckon it but for the space of foure yeares. The supputation of the Greeks by the Olimpiads is of all writers deemed true; and therefore albeit before their Olympiads euerie one wrote as pleased himselfe, yet after their Olympiads, wee ought greatly to re­spect their account.

Africanus writeth that the first Olimpias was in the first yere of Ioatham king of Iuda, and so it should be in the age of the world 3251. others dissent fro that computation & affirme [Page 82] it to bee in the time of Ioas; and then it chanced in the age of the world 3130. which supputation seemeth not so probable, and therefore with Affricanus, Eusebius, and others, I imi­tate the former: but in reckoning the time of Iotham and Io­as, I dissent from them both as is alreadie shewed.

CHAP. IIII. Of the citie of Rome.

ROme was builded in the end of the sixt Olympias, in the age of the world 3218. after the destruction of Troy 340. before the incarnation of our sauior Iesus Christ, about 729. yeares.

Romulus and Rhemus were brothers, twinnes, both of one age. Contention and controuersie fell betweene them, after whether of them the citie which they had newly built should be named. The contention grew from words to tu­mults, from tumults to strokes, from strokes to bloudy bat­tel; insomuch as in the bickering Rhemus was slaine: after his death Romulus enioyed the Empire alone, of whome the City was called Rome.

Rome hath beene sundrie times sacked and ouerthrowne by the Gothes and Vandals: [...]laricus. first by Alaricus the Gothe, in the yeare of our Lord God 412. Anno Dom. 412 This king besieged Rome, and after burned it; during which siege such famine was in the ci­ty that the mothers were constrained with hunger to eate their owne children.

It was besieged, taken and sacked the second time, by Gen­sericus the Vandal, Gensericus. in the yeare of our Lord 456.

An. Dom. 456It was besieged, sacked, and subuerted the third time by Totilas king of the Gothes in the yeare of our Lord 548. in the yeare after the citie was built, [...]otilas. 1300, in which siege as in the first, An. Dom. 548 the famine was exceeding great; mothers were en­forced contrarie to nature and kinde, to kill and eate the flesh of their owne children. Procopius, Palmerius,

[Page 83]The same Totilas about three yeeres after beganne to re­paire and build vp the citie of Rome, Totilas built vp the city of Rome. and gaue leaue to the ci­tizens to returne into the citie in the yere of our Lord 551.

The kings of the Ro­manes;

• Romlus Anno mundi 3220 reigned & was king of Rome Anno mundi 3438 38 244
• Numa Pompilius Anno mundi 3220 reigned & was king of Rome Anno mundi 3438 43 244
• Tullus Hostilius Anno mundi 3220 reigned & was king of Rome Anno mundi 3438 33 244
• Ancus Martius Anno mundi 3220 reigned & was king of Rome Anno mundi 3438 24 244
• Tarquinius priscus Anno mundi 3220 reigned & was king of Rome Anno mundi 3438 37 244
• Seruius Tullius Anno mundi 3220 reigned & was king of Rome Anno mundi 3438 44 244
• Tarquinius Superbus Anno mundi 3220 reigned & was king of Rome Anno mundi 3438 25 244

Kings first raigned ouer the Romanes 244. yeres. After kings, the common weale of the Romanes was gouerned by Consuls, then by Tribunes and Dictators, and againe by Consuls, for the space almost of 464. yeeres, euen vntil Iu­lius Cesar, who was the first emperour of Rome, Iulius Caesar. A. M. 3924 and raigned 5. yeeres, seuen moneths, in the second yeere of the 183. O­lympias, and in the age of the world 3924.

CHAP. V. Of the Emperours of Rome.

[Page 87]The names of the Cae­sars;

• 7 Galba, Otho, Vitellius succeeded by murdering one another. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 1 yeere and 9 moneths
• 8 Vespasianus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 9 yeres, 11. mon. 22. daies
• 9 Titus eius filius. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 2 yeeres, and 8 moneths
• 10 Domitianus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 15 yeres, and 5 moneths
• 11 Nerua. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 1 yeere, and 5 moneths
• 12 Traianus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 19 yeres, and 6 moneths
• 13 Adrianus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 21 yeres, and 10 moneths
• 14 Antoninus Pius. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 23 yeres, and 3 moneths
• 15 M Antoninus Verus with his brother L. Au­relius Commodus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 19 yeeres
• 16 Commodus the sonne of Antoninus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 13 yeeres
• 17 Aelius Pertinax. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 6 moneths
• 18 Seuerus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 18 yeeres
• 19 Antoninus Caracal­la. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 6 yeeres
• 20 Macrinus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 1 yeere
• 21 Marcus Anton. Au­relius aliâs Heliogaba­lus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 4 yeeres
• 22 Alexander. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 13 yeeres
• 23 Maximinus. Anno Dom. 69 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 237 3 yeeres

[Page 88]The names of the Ce­sars,

• 24 Gordianus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 6 yeares
• 25 Philippus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 7 yeares
• 26 Decius. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 1 yeare, & three monethes.
• 27 Gallus cum Volusiano. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 2 yeares and 4 monethes
• 28 Valerianus and Galie­nus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 15 yeares
• 29 Claudius. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 1 yere, and nine monethes
• 30 Aurelianus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 5 yeares and 6 monethes
• 31 Probus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 6 yeares and 4 monethes
• 32 Carus with his sonnes Carinus and Numeria­nus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 2 yeares
• 33 Dioclesianus with Maximianus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 20 yeares
• 34 Galerius was Augustus, togither with Constan­tius. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 2 yeares
• 35 Constantinus magnus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 31 yeares
• 36 Cōstantinus, Cōstantius, & Constans, the 3. sons of Constantine the great. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 24 yeares, and 12 daies
• 37 Iulianus Apostata. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 2 yeares and 8. months
• 38 Iouinianus. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 8 monethes
• 39 Valentinianus and Va­lens. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 13 yeares, and fiue monethes
• 40 Gratianus with his bro­ther Valentinianus, and Theodosius the first. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 6 yeres, and 10 monethes
• 41 Arcadius. Anno Dom. 240 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 387 5 yeares

[Page 89]The names of the Cae­sars;

• 42 Honorius Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 9 yeeres
• 43 Theodosius 2. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 29 yeeres
• 44 Martianus aliâs Martinianus Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 7 yeeres and 2 moneths
• 45 Leo 1. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 16 yeeres
• 46 Zeno Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 11 yeeres
• 47 Anastasius 1. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 16
• 48 Iustinus 1. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 8
• 49 Iustinianus 1. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 38
• 50 Iustinus 2. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 7
• 51 Tiberius 2. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 29
• 52 Mauritius Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 8
• 53 Phocas Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 17
• 54 Heraclius Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 27 yeeres
• 55 Constantinus 3. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 2
• 56 Constans Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 17
• 57 Constantinus 4. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 10
• 58 Iustinianus secundus, Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 4
• 59 Leo secundus aliâs Leontius Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 7 yeeres
• 60 Tiberius 3. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 2 yeeres
• 61 Philippicus Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 7 moneths
• 62 Anastasius 2. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 3 yeeres
• 63 Theodosius 3. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 2
• 64 Leo 3. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 24
• 65 Constantinus 5. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 35
• 66 Leo 4. Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 6
• 67 Constantinus sextus. with his mother Irene Anno Dom. 392 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 314 19 yeeres

[Page 90] [...] names [...] Ce­sars,

• 68 Carolus magnus. 1. after the translation of the Em­pire. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 743 14 yeares
• 69 Ludouicus 1. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 36
• 70 Lotharius 1. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 15
• 71 Ludouicus 2. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 11
• 72 Carolus 2. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 743 6
• 73 Carolus 3. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 12 yeares 6 moneth
• 74 Arnulphus. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 12 yeares
• 75 Ludouicus 3. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 6
• 76 Berengarius 1. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 4
• 77 Berengarius 2. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 4
• 78 Lotharius 2. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 12
• 79 Otho 1. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 2
• 80 Otho 2. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 17
• 81 Otho 3. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 16
• 82 Henricus 1. dux Bat. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 19 yeares 5. monethes
• 83 Henricus 2. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 17 yeares
• 84 Henricus 3. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 48
• 85 Henricus 4. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 29
• 86 Lotharius 3. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 12
• 87 Conradus sucuus Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 15
• 88 Fridericus 1. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 37
• 89 Henricus 5. aliâs 6. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 743 10 yeares
• 90 Otho 5. aliâs 4. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno. Dom. 743 13
• 91 Fridericus 2. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 33
• 92 Rodulphus. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 19
• 93 Aldulphus. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 1 yeare 3. monethes
• 94 Albertus. Anno Dom. 333 The raigne of the Cae­sars. Anno Dom. 743 9 yeares

[Page 91]The names of the Cae­sars;

• 95 Henricus 6. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 5 yeares
• 96 Ludouicus 4. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 33
• 97 Carolus 4. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 32
• 98 Venceslaus. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 22
• 99 Robertus Bat. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 10
• 100 Sigismundus. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 27
• 101 Albertus 2. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 2
• 102 Fridericus 3. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 53
• 103 Maximilianus. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 26
• 104 Carolus 5. Flandr. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 30 yeares
• 105 Ferdinandus. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 6 yeres, 4. [...]
• 106 Maximilianus. Anno Dom. 752 The raigne of the Cae­sars; Anno Dom. 998 11 yeares

Of these Emperours more shalbe said in peculiar [...] when I come to the second part and first booke thereof.

CHAP. I. Of the originall of the monarchie and succes­sion in the same.

GOd most mightie and most faithfull, for his power doth whatsoeuer plea­seth him; and for his promise sake, hee vndoubtedly accomplisheth whatsoe­uer he hath said. He suffered the Iews his peculiar people to be long afflicted by the Babilonians; but after that 70. yeares were fully complete and expi­red, according to his promise, Isai. 45 1.48.20. He with great ioy wrought their deliuerance. He ap­pointed king Cyrus to set them at libertie, whom for that pur­pose he called his annointed, Es. 45.1. Which Cyrus hauing conquered the kingdome of the Medes against Astyages, left the said kingdome to Darius his vncle, by whose aide he tooke Babylon, and so transported the Monarchie of Babylon to the Persians.

Cyrus deliuered the Iewes from captiuitie, the very same yeare that he took Babylon. He also gaue them great treasures to build the temple of Hierusalem, and sent them home againe vnder the conduct of Zorobabel, Esd. cap. 1. cap. 2. 2. Par. 36. ver. 23. Esd. 7. v. 15. [...] 5.8. He commaunded to giue them of his own reuenewes day by day, so much as should be necessary. Esd. 6. verse 8.9. [...] 7, 2.

Cyrus king of Persia brought forth by the hand of Mithri­dates the treasurer, all the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nabuchodonosor had taken out of Hierusalem, and pla­ced in the house of his false God. Cyrus numbred them vnto Sesbazer the Prince of Iuda. To wit, 30. Chargers of gold: a [Page 93] thousand chargers of siluer; 29. kniues, thirtie basons of gold 410. basons of siluer, and of other vessels 1000. all which with other rich gifts, the king bestowed on the Iewes, to build vp againe their Temple, Esd. 1. 2. Par. 36.

The building of the Temple was hindered by the aduersa­ries of Iuda and Beniamin, that is, An. mundi. 3300 the inhabitants of Sama­ria (whom the king of Assyria had placed in the stead of the ten tribes,) which ten tribes he had carried away vnto Ashur, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the riuer of Gozan and in the citie of the Medes: 4. King. 1 [...] ▪ for at that time the Medes and Persi­ans were subiect to the Assyrians; which vexation & hindering of the Iewes in building their Temple, The Hebrewes call Darius As­suerus. Bergom. lib▪ 5. p. [...]1. continued about the space of thirtie yeeres; that is, vntill the sixt yeare of Darius the sonne of Histaspis surnamed Assuerus, and Artaxerxes, indifferently, Esdr. cap. 4.

CHAP. II. Of the time of repairing the temple in Hieru­salem.

KIng Cyrus in the first yeare of his raigne, as hee was the Persian monarke, Esdras. 6▪ vers 3. set the Iewes at liberty and appointed them to build the Temple againe in Hierusalem. I say (as monarke) because (as learned men write) hee had raigned certain yeres in Persia, before he tooke Babylon & became the monarke. Cambyses and other aduersaries did a long time hinder the building of the Temple, so as it had not the accom­plishment vntill the sixt yeare of Darius Assuerus, Esdr. 6. vers. 15. Albeit Darius in his second yeare gaue commande­ment, that the worke should go forward, Esdr. chap. 4. ver. 24.

CHAP. III. Of the continuance of the monarchie.

Darius Ochus was a tyrannicall and bloudthirstie king; he murdered his two brethren, that so he might enioy the king­dome. Hee made warre with the Egyptians, and by that meanes cruelly vexed the Iewes. By this prince, and vntil the time of Alexander the great, the church was euer in great mi­serie and affliction: All the priuiledges graunted by Cyrus and Darius, were vtterly taken away; but God (who neuer wil forsake his church, though hee suffer it to be tossed and turmoi­led for a time) in the end brought solace and true ioy vnto the Iewes. [...]he Persian mo­ [...]rchie endured [...]49. yeares, and [...]ght monethes. For shortly Darius Ochus was slaine of Bagoses, by whom also Arsames was murdered: and Darius Arbelas the last king of the Persians, was ouercome and slaine of A­lexander the Great. So that the monarchie of the Persians en­dured 249. yeares, and eight moneths: after the supputation of others, 191. whereof more at large hereafter. The resistance was so great, that the Iewes were enforced to builde with one hand, and to holde their weapons in the other. Nehe. 4. verse 17.

The Monarchie of the Persians reached from India, euen to Ethiopia ouer an hundred and seuen and twentie prouinces, Est. cap. 1. verse 1.

Darius Assuerus king of the Medes, Persians, and Chal­deans, to shewe the riches and glorie of his kingdome, and the honour of his maiestie, made a feast to all his princes and ser­uauntes, and to all captaines and gouernours of his prouinces, for the space of an hundred and fourescore dayes. And when these daies were expired, the king made another feast, to all the people of Susan the chiefe citie, both vnto the great and small, [...] very magnifi­ [...]all feast, and be­ [...]ming so migh­ [...]e a prince. none excepted. This he did for the space of seuen daies, in the court of the kinges pallace, vnder an hanging of white, greene, and blew clothes, fastened with cordes of fine linnen, [Page 99] and purple, in siluer ringes, and pillers of marble. The beds were of golde and of siluer vppon a pauement of porphirie and marble and alabaster, and blew colour. They gaue them drink in vessels of gold, and chaunged vessell after vessell, and royall wine in aboundance, according to the power of the king, and none was compelled to drinke more then as best pleased him, Est. cap. 1. v. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

CHAP. IIII. Of the weekes mentioned in Daniel.

CHAP. V. Of the sabbaoth and festiuall dayes of the Iewes.

WHen the children of Israel were come againe out of cap­tiuitie, they, and all such as had forsaken heathenish ido­latry, and ioyned themselues vnto them, kept the feast of vn­leauened bread seauen dayes with ioy. And after the temple was finished in the sixt yeere of Darius, the Priests, Leuites, and residue of the children of the captiuitie, kept the dedication thereof, Esdr. 6.16, 22. Concerning which festiuall dayes and the like, because many are superstitious, and some very igno­rant, it shall not be impertinent, in this place to set downe a briefe discourse thereof.

CHAP. I. Of the originall of the monarchie, and the circum­stances of the same.

ALexander king of the Macedonians, for his martiall prowesse and heroical vertues surnamed the Great, began to reigne in Macedonia, when Darius Arbelas was made king of the Persi­ans. He made warre with the said Da­rius, he conquered and slew him in A­sia, and so translated the Monarchie from the Persians, vnto the Greekes.

The monarchie of the Greekes, An. mundi. 3641 began in the seuenth yeare of Alexanders reigne, in the age of the world, 3641.

The histories of the Greekes are much more recent, then the stories of the Iewes. For all their histories, are after the first monarchie of the Babylonians and Assyrians; neither haue they any thing certaine, which is more auncient then their Olim­piades. Which Olimpiades had their beginning in the first or second yeare of Ioatham king of Iuda, (as Glareanus▪ Paulus Phrigio, Bibliand [...]r, and others doe write,) though some wri­ters otherwise of credite, holde the contrary, in the age of the world, 3251. which was about, An. mundi. 3251 230. yeares before the mo­narchie of the Persians.

This Monarchie tooke the name of king Alexander, and was termed indifferently the monarchie of the Greekes, or of Alexander: because he so excelled all others, in power, valure, fortitude, and other vertues, as none in the world were deemed comparable to him. He is highly commended by the prophets, [Page 122] I [...]remie and Daniel, as a most valiant and happie emperour. Daniel describeth a Goate, Dan. 1. verse 5▪20.21. which ouercame the Ramine: and hee declareth manifestly, that the goate was the king of the Greekes, the Ram of the Persians. His fathers name was Philip, his mothers name Olympias.

Olympias was the mother of Alexander, and was also ta­ken for the space of 4. yeres, as I haue already proued. But O­lympias is a mountaine in Greece between Thessalia and Ma­cedonia, aboue the which there appeareth no cloud: In regard whereof, it is vsurped of the Poets for heauen. This hill as Plutarchus writeth, is tenne furlonges in height.

Dan. 8. v. 8.22.The prophet Daniel speaking of the goate: that is, of Alex­ander, foretold that his Empire shoulde be deuided into foure kingdomes, and so it came to passe. For Cassander had Mace­donia; Seleucus, Syria; Antigonus, Asia the lesse, and Pto­lemeus Egypt. For the exact vnderstāding of Daniels prophe­sie, it is necessarie to vnderstand the succession of the kings and their reignes, especially of the kinges of Syria, of whom the Scripture maketh precise mention.

King Alexander reigned sixe whole yeares, and died in the seuenth; after his death, the nobles had mortall domesticall warres amongst themselues, striuing for the space of thirteene yeares, who should haue dominion. This chaunced after that the Empire was deuided, as is already said; and shall appeare more at large, in the third chap­ter following.

CHAP. II. Of the kinges of Syria, succeeding Alexander.

The kings of Syria and Asia

• 1 Seleucus Nicanor Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 31 yeares
• 2 Antiochus Soter. Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 19
• 3 Antiochus Theos Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 15
• 4 Seleucus Gallinicus Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 20
• 5 Seleucus Ceraunus Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 3 yeares
• 6 Antiochus Magnus Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 36
• 7 Seleucus Philopator Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 12
• 8 Antiochus Epiphanes Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 12
• 9 Antiochus Eupator Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 2 yeares
• 10 Demetrius Soter Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 10
• 11 Alexander filius Epiphan. Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 5
• 12 Demetrius Nicanor Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 2
• 13 Antiochus Sedetes Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 3
• 14 Tryphon Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 3
• 15 Antiochus pius Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 12 yeares
• 16 Demetrius Nicanor Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 4
• 17 Alexander Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 2
• 18 Antiochus Gryphus Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 29
• 19 Seleucus sonne to Gryphus, was at strife with his vncle and others of his kinred, for the space of ten yeares. Anno Mun. 3647 the reign of euerie king of Syria, and Asia Anno Dom. 3877 10 yeares

CHAP. III. Of the kings of Macedonia, and of the diuision of the Em­pire after the sixt yeare of Alexander.

THe holy will of the liuing God was, that foure mightie kings shoulde succeede Alexander the Great, after the sixt yeare of his raigne, whereof euerie one should possesse a part, and no one be so mightie as himselfe, which thing was euident­ly foretolde by the Prophet Daniel. Daniel cap. 8. ve. 22.

The foure kings that succeeded Alexander, to wit, Cassan­der, (who raigned in Macedonia and Grecia) Seleucus (who raigned in Syria) Ptolomeus (who raigned in Egypt, and An­tigonus (who raigned in Asia) did all descend of the house, Petigree, and bloud royall of Alexander that most puissant and valiant Emperour, and for that cause surnamed the Great.

Cassander caused Olympias daughter of Neoptolemus and mother to Alexander, Cassander a cru­el prince. a most chast and vertuous Queene, to be beheaded cruelly, that so hee might raigne more licenti­ouslie: but God the iust iudge, (who for his wisedome seeth all things, and for his iustice sake letteth no sinne passe vnpuni­shed) did so in his eternall prouidence dispose of Cassanders issue, as it was a worthie spectacle to the world. For Antipater and Alexander his sonnes, had mutual mortal bloudie warres the one against the other, as concerning the kindgome of Ma­cedonia. But what was the ende? Antipater was slaine by Lysimachus his father in law, and Alexander by Demetrius the sonne of Antigonus; who both were their owne complices, to whom they trusted and sought for helpe at their hands.

CHAP. IIII. Of the kings of Egypt.

Anno mun. 3608PTolomeus the sonne of Lagus began his raigne in Egypt, immediately after the death of Alexander, though not with­out [Page 129] bloudshedding and great warres for sundry yeares, as is areadie said. He was one of Alexanders captaines, as were al­so Antigonus, Nicanor, and Cassander.

The names of the kings of Egypt

• Ptolomeus Lagi Filius Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 40 yeares
• Ptolomeus Philadelphus Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 38
• Ptolemeus Euergetes Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 26
• Ptolomeus Philopator Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 17
• Ptolemeus Epiphanes Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 24
• Ptolomeus Philometor Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 35 yeares
• Ptolomeus Euergetes Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 29
• Ptolomeus Soter aliàs Phys­con, filius Cleopatrae Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 17 yeares
• Ptolomeus Alexander, Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 10
• Ptolomeus Phiscon, aliàs Lathurus Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 8
• Ptolemeus Dionysius Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 30
• Cleopatra Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 22 yeares

CHAP. V. Of the Septuagints.

PTolomeus Philadelphus had a librarie so well furnished with al kind of good books as the like was not to be found in al the world: Anno Mun. 3643 this king was highly renowmed for his manifold vertues, especially for his peaceable gouernment, and for his forwardnesse in furthering of learning. Hee was verie bene­ficiall and friendly to the Iewes. Learned men of all nations had concourse vnto him, whome he euer receiued honourably, and rewarded them bountifully: he sought diligently the ori­ginall of all nations, arts, and religions, and he perceiued that the Iewes were most ancient, and that no certaintie touching the creation of the worlde could be founde any where, but in their histories and among them. Wherefore hee desired of the Iewes that their scriptures might bee translated into the Greeke tongue, and that they woulde sende him 72. of their best learned men, for that end and purpose. To which godly motion the Iewes did willingly condescend, and sent vnto him 72. learned men, verie expert in the Hebrew and Greeke language. These learned men the king receiued ho­norably, and by their helpe hadde the holy Bible translated into the Greek tongue. Of this interpretation called the Sep­tuagints, diuers write diuersly: some writers otherwise lear­ned and of great account, as Ireneus, Chrysostomus, Iustinus, Augustinus, and others, doe thinke that these 72. Iewish priests sent by Eleazarus the hie priest, brother to Symon Priscus, into Egypt to king Ptolomeus to translate the old testament out of their vulgar tongue, that is, the Hebrew into Greeke, did translate the same seuerally, being placed in 72. distinct celles, so as no one coulde know what another did, without diuine inspiration. This notwithstanding, The translation of the septua­gints. they all agreed so perfectly when their interpretations were com­pared together, as if they had beene all in one place, and one acquainted with anothers act. Which if it were true (the de­cision whereof I leaue in suspence to the iudgement of the [Page 132] reader, it coulde not but pr [...]ceede of the holyghost. Others as saint Ierome, Aristeas, Iosephus, and all the Iewish Rabbins, hold the flat contrarie opinion, and auouch boldly, that the re­port of the 72. celles, and of the translation accomplished in so many seueral places, is nothing else but a fable. Which latter opinion seemeth more probable (though not certaine,) because the Iewes could best tel the case, of whom S. Hierome recei­ued his opinion. Howsoeuer it was, two things are certaine, first, that the Hebrew text is the foundation and originall, and onely to be stoode vpon, so often as any difficultie ariseth in the olde testament. Secondly, that howsoeuer they did translate, yet was there such corruption of their translation, euen in saint Hieromes time, and before his dayes; as it was found in very many places, [...]rer. ad Chrom. [...]m. 4. fol. 8. to swarue wholly from the Hebrew. Which thing not only Saint Hieerome, but Origen and other writers do witnesse: [...]enebrarda [...]eat papist con­ [...]steth no lesse. for which cause Saint Hierome and Saint Au­gustine do verie wisely and grauely exhort, to haue recourse to the Hebrew in the old Testament, and to the Greeke in the new Testament, so often as any varietie doth appeare. And here wee must note two things; first that those priests which Eleazar sent to Ptolomee, were 72. in number, as sundrie thinke, albeit the two odde persons be omitted of others, for breuitie sake. Secondly, that they translated onely the Penta­teuche, as writeth Iosephus in his first booke of antiquities. Adde heereunto with the same Iosephus that they were sent to his librarie at Alexandria, where if wee will beleeue Genebrar­dus, were 54. thousand and 800. bookes.

CHAP. VI. Of Esdras, Zorobabel, and Nehemias.

God, albeit hee doth often afflict and exercise his people, with the crosse of temporall punishment for their good, that so they may beholde their owne vnworthienesse, and appeale to his mercie, and wholly depend vppon his holy prouidence, yet for his mercie sake, hee doth in all ages and at all times [Page 133] excite worthie persons, for their great commoditie and solace. For after that he had visited the Iewes, and kept them in bon­dage seauentie yeares in a strange countrey among infidels and idolaters, hee raised vp diuers excellent men for their pre­seruation, to wit, Zorobabel, Esdras, and Nehemias. Zoroba­bel was the captaine that brought them home, and caused the temple to be builded: Nehemias builded vp the walles of the citie, deliuered the people from oppression, and prouided that the law of God was put in execution among them. This Ne­hemias was in great fauour and authoritie with king Artax­erxes, and so obtained most honourable and ample letter pa­tents, for the accomplishment of whatsoeuer he did desire.

Esdras descended of the kinred of Aaron, hee was a priest well learned in the law of Moses. Hee was called Esdras the scribe, that is, one who had authoritie to write the lawe and to expound it. Saint marke calleth such a one a Scribe: Saint Mathew tearmeth such persons Lawyers, and doctours of the lawe, which is a point well worthie the obseruation.

This Esdras performed the office of a true priest indeed, for he collected the bookes of holy scripture, which were dispersed after the destruction of Hierusalem in time of the captiuitie, without which bookes pure and sincere religion could not con­sist. Yea, Hier. praefat. in libr. reg. to. 4. fol. 7. so soone as the temple was builded againe vnder Zorobabell, he is noted (as Hierome recordeth,) to haue found out the Hebrew letters, we now vse, whereas vntil that time, both the Samaritans and the Hebrewes had the selfe same characters. Eusebius Caesariensis a man as well of great anti­quitie as of learning, calleth Esdras the most excellent diuine, Euseb. in chro [...]. 4 [...]4 [...] ▪ and skilfull doctour among the Iewes; affirming that hee changed the Hebrew letters for this ende and purpose, lest the Iewes should conuerse with the Samaritans. He addeth further, that his memorie was so great, as he could recite the scriptures without the booke. Some write that he inuen­ted the prickes annexed to the text, but o­thers hold the contrarie.

CHAP. I. Of the partition of the Monarchie, and the reason of the same.

THe former part of the Monarchy of the Greekes which is from King Alex­ander the great, vnto the Machabees, conteineth 155. yeares, and may be proued exactly, by the chronographie of holy Writ. The latter part of the Monarchie, (which is from the Ma­chabees vnto Christ, or if yee will, from Antiochus Epiphanes, to Herodes Magnus, which is al one,) contayneth 173. yeares; but cannot be proued out of the holy scriptures as the former part, (which is the cause of this my partition for perspicuitie sake;) yet may it bee gathered suf­ficiently out of the bookes of the Machabees, Iosephus, Iuli­us Africanus, and Egesippus.

CHAP. II. Of the gouernment of the Iewes after the captiuitie.

A triple gouernment was among the Iewes, betweene the captiuitie & the aduent of our sauior Christ Iesus, for they were gouerned first by princes of the tribe of Iuda and royall 1 stocke of Dauid, from the captiuitie vntill Antiochus.

After that they were gouerned by priests, who were not of 2 the royal petegree of Iuda, but of the tribe of Leui. This state was by the Machabees, in time of Antiochus and his successors the kings of Syria, vntill Aristobulus the first king among the Iewes after their captiuitie.

They were gouerned thirdly, by kings, being partly of their 3 owne bloud and partly strangers This state continued from Aristobulus vntil king Agrippa, albeit the birth of our sauiour befell in the 32. yeare of king Herod; which quadruple variety I will set down in foure seuerall sections for perspicuitie sake.

CHAP. III. Of the 2300. daies.

Daniel had a vision of great persecution, that shoulde come vnto the church: Dan. 8. v. 12, 13, &c. that the daily sacrifice should cease, and Gods trueth be troden vnder foote. And that the sinnes of the Iewes, were the cause of such horrible afflictions. Yet for the solace of Gods children (whom he neuer forsaketh finally) the time of the desolation is appointed and pronounced, in these obscure words: Vnto the euening and morning, two thousand and three hun­dreth; then shall the sanctuarie be cleansed.

Sundrie (as S. Hierome witnesseth) trouble themselues miserably, about the exposition of this place. Some for, 2300 read 2200, least sixe yeares and three monethes abound. Other some vnderstand the place of Antichrist, and that this shalbe re­allie complete in him, which was spoken typically of Antio­chus. And this childish imagination, doe our late Iesuites and other papistes imitate: whose fantasticall interpretation was confuted by S. Hierome before they were borne.

The temple was prophaned sixe yeares, three monethes, and an halfe.But the meaning is plaine and easie; that is, vntill so many naturall daies be past, which in all make sixe yeares, three monethes and an halfe. For so long was the temple prophaned, 1 vnder the wicked king Antiochus. And that this is the true sence of the place, I prooue by two reasons. First, because that (vnto the morning and to the euening) cannot possibly be vnder­stood, of either yeares or monethes: and yet can the same be 2 truely and simply verified, in so many natural daies. Secondly, because the prophet of God doth expound the rest of the vision, euen of the kinges of Syria. And my reasons are confirmed by S. Hieromes testimonie, Hier. in cap. 8. Daniel [...]. whose expresse words are these, Vespere autem & manè, successionē diei noctísque significat. The eue­ning and the morning doth signifie, the succession of the day and the night. And in the very same place hee prooueth by Iosephus, and the bookes of the Machabees, that the setting vp of Iupi­ters Image in the Temple, and the time of the desolation wrought by Antiochus, is correspondent to the 2300. daies.

CHAP. IIII. Of the priestes of the Iewes after the captiuitie, vnto Alexander the Great.

The names of the priests

• Iesus Filius Iosedech Anno mun. 3427 the time that they liued Anno mun. 3645 72 yeares
• Ioachim Anno mun. 3427 the time that they liued Anno mun. 3645 30
• Eliasib, aliàs Nechasib Anno mun. 3427 the time that they liued Anno mun. 3645 40
• Ioiada Anno mun. 3427 the time that they liued Anno mun. 3645 24
• Ionathan, aliàs Ioannan Anno mun. 3427 the time that they liued Anno mun. 3645 52
• Iaddo, aliàs Iaddua Anno mun. 3427 the time that they liued Anno mun. 3645 28 yeares

Iesus or Ieshua was the high priest in the returne, euen as Zorobabel or Zerubbabel was the ciuill gouernour. Esd. 1. & 3. vers. [...] Diuers thinke diuersly, of this succession; but I deliuer plainly, what I iudge most probable.

CHAP. V. Of the priests of the Iewes, from king Alexander vnto the Machabees.

The names of y ^e priests

• Onias Priscus A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 25 yeares
• Simon Priscus A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 13
• Eleazar A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 20
• Manasses A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 27 yeares
• Simon Iunior A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 28
• Onias Iunior A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 39
• Iason A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 3 yeares
• Menelaus A. M. 3643 the time that they liued A. M. 3805 7 yeares

This Menelaus was a very wicked priest, whom Antiochus put to death at Berytus. Antiochus moreouer inhibited Onias his sonne to succeed him, and appointed Alcimus aliâs Iacimus the high priest: which Alcimus was of the race and petigree of [Page 142] Aaron, but not of the same familie. Onias therefore sonne to Menelaus went into Egypt, and insinuating himselfe into the amitie of Ptolomee Philometor and Cleopa [...]ra his wife, per­swaded them to build a temple in Heliopolis, like to that of Hie­rusalem, and to make him priest in the same place.

Ioseph. antiq. lib. [...]0. cap. 8.Iacimus after he had been high priest three yeares, died; lea­uing no successor behinde him, and so the citie of Hierusalem, was seuen whole yeares togither without a priest.

Afterward the gouernment of the Iewes, was committed to the familie of the Assamoneans, and then they rebelled against the Macedonians, and made Ionathan the high priest.

These points, and specially the case of Iacimus or Alcimus, ought diligently to be marked, against the mangled and fondly commended popish succession, whereof by the power of God, more shalbe said hereafter.

From about this time vntill Herod the great, Iudas Ma­chabeus and others of his race, had the gouernment and priest­hood among them.

From Herode vntill Christ our redeemer, were yeares 32. plus minus. During which time, priests were not made of the line of the Assamoneans; neither could Aaronicall succession, be found any where at all: priesthoode was bought with money, and the hie priest was changed euery yere. Iosephus. lib. 20. antiquit. cap. 8. Which obseruation, if it be annexed to the case of Alcimus, will confound our pa­pistes vtterly. So write Iosephus and Eusebius. Yea Iosephus addeth, that from Herod vntill the citie was burnt by Titus, there were 28. priestes, who liued 107. yeares.

CHAP. VI. Of the varietie of religion before the incarnation of Christ our Sauiour.

Epiphanius, in praefat. contr. haere­ses

• Barbarisme, before the floud, from the time of Adam.
• Scythisme, after the floud, from y ^e daies of Noah.
• Grecisme, which began of the idolaters, and was deuided into the sect of
  • Pythagoreans
  • Platonickes
  • Stoickes
  • Epicures
• Iudaisme, which was from the time of Abraham; it was deuided into the
  • Scribes
  • Pharisies
  • Sadducees
  • Hemerobaptists
  • Osseans
  • Nazareans
  • Herodians
• Samaritisme, from the time of Nabuchodonozor, it was deuided into the
  • Gorthenes
  • Sebneans
  • Essenes.
  • Dositheans.

At what time as the Church was miserably afflicted, with the tyrannie of Antiochus; sectes and diuisions euery where a­rose, and pure doctrine was troden vnder foote. Before Christ these three were the principall; the sect of the Pharisies, the sect of the Sadduces, and the sect of the Essenes.

The Pharisies as some thinke [...], had their denomination ac­cording to the etimologie of the word; that is, of separation, because they did separate themselues from the common sort of Gods people, and liued after another maner. Yet others thinke more fitly, that they had y ^• name of y ^e interpretation of the holy scriptures, because they taught out of the chaire of Moses, and declared the scriptures vnto the people. So write Reuchli­nus and Iosephus: Iosephus de Bel­lo. Iud. lib. 2. ca. 7. and the etimologie of the name is consonant therunto. For the Hebrew word [...], doth as properly signi­fie to expound, as to deuide. [...] For which consideration (saith Io­sephus) they are called Pharisies, that professe the knowledge of the legall rites.

[Page 144]The Sadducees were corrupt with the Philosophie of the Greekes, they had many things common with the Epicures, they denied the resurrection, they held that there were neither Angels nor spirits, they reiected the bookes of the prophets; and al this notwithstanding, they would be called Sadducees, that is, iust men, as the worde soundeth in the Hebrew tongue.

The Essenes, that is workers, were euen such and none o­ther, then this day be our popish Monks and Iesuits. For the Essenes fled from the common people, they dealed not with secular affaires, they gaue themselues to contemplation, they had all things in common, they woulde not marrie, they had precise houres appointed for reading, and prayer, they liued in great abstinence, they dwelt in celles, and were clad in poore attire. These were the Essenes saith Iosephus, who best knew the sects of his owne time, Iosephus de bel­lo. Iudaico lib. 2. Cap. 7. and of his deare countrey-men, and who knoweth not our popish Dominicans, Franciscans, Scotsts, Thomists, and Iesuites, to be the selfe same secta­ries? They differ onely in these sixe points; first they vse not so strict abstinence, as I haue proued in the first booke, in the 17. chapter and eleuenth section. For our Iesuites will conuerse with the best, and eate of all meates that are the best; yea, they are so farre cons [...]med with seuere abstenicie, that their great doctor Heywood, when hee did sowe sedition in this Realme, against his naturall soueraigne and natiue countrey, pronoun­ced before a great assemblie (after he had beene reproued for not keeping the popish fasts) that he could dispense both with him­selfe and others, to eate vppon all dayes at their pleasures: which thing neuerthelesse the common people deluded with their doctrine, thinke verily to be the ready way to hell. Se­condly, the Essenes were distinguished from other people, by their vsuall precise kind of abstinence, where and with whome soeuer they did conuerse: but our Iesuits are so farre from that, that if you meet them in the common inne vpon the friday at Douer, or other place of arriuall on what day soeuer; yea, though it be good fryday, they wil eate flesh with you for com­panie, Our Iesuits can temporize. and so accommodate themselues to the time, as you may worthily deeme them worldelie politikes, and not reli­gious [Page 145] Iesuites as they professe to be. Thirdly, the Essenes were louers of peace; but our Iesuits are fosterers of rebellion; the Essenes sought quietnes, but our Iesuits stirre vp sedition in euerie countrey. Fourthly, the Essenes delt faithfully with all men, but our Iesuits deale vnfaithfully and glorie in the same. Their constant doctrine is, (marke wel my words,) that one may say and sweare cleane contrarie to his minde, so these three points concurre. First, if the iudge or magistrate before whom he sweareth, be not a competent iudge or lawfull magi­strate; such a one is not in England by their opinion, the Pa­pists onely excepted. Secondly, if the matter bee not an arti­cle of their faith. Thirdly, if they dissemble to redeeme their vexation or trouble: and this kinde of dealing is with them, a godly politike equiuocation. The doctrine [...] the Iesuits, to dissemble with God and man. This rotten foundation once laide, they make many sandie buildings thereupon: for they will both say and sweare to their neighbours, iudges, and ma­gistrates, here in England, that they haue not said masse, bin in such places, reconciled such persons, beene in such company, and so foorth, when for all that they haue daily practised the same; yet they perswade themselues, that all this may lawfully be done. The like execrable and plaine diabolicall e­quiuocation they vse, when to auoid the danger imminent, they are content with their lippes to acknowledge our most grati­ous soueraigne for their Queene, but in their hearts thinke the flat contrarie. Which thing is euident, by the detestable ex­communication of their pope Pius, whereof I haue spoken at large, in the preface of my Motiues. For in that deuillish curse proceeding fro the master deuil himselfe, her most excellent M. is not called the true and lawfull Queene, but the pretensed Queene of England; which their dissimulation, is the flat he­risie of the Helchesits. Fiftly, the Essenes taught to yeelde faithfull seruice and obedience to all magistrates, specially to princes: but our Iesuites stirre vp their Popes to sowe sedi­tion, and to make warres against Princes, to excommunicate them, and to dispossesse them of their royall scepters. Sixtly, the Essenes professed humilitie as well in deede as in worde: but our Iesuites professe nothing lesse indeede, though they desire to be so reputed. This is to be proued many wayes, for [Page 146] first, whereas euery secte of their Religion, the Domini­cans, the Franciscans, the Carthusians, the Carmelites, the Capuchenes, and the rest, hath some one cardinall for their protector; the late hatched Iesuites being rumors to all the rest, cannot be content to submit themselues to any cardinall; for which their hautie mindes, they are iustly despised of them all. Againe, for a shew of humilitie, their professed fathers so termed, will haue no possessions: yet they labour closely tooth and naile, to get large possessions to the Seminaries, to their penitentiaries, readers, students, and nouices; of whome all, and their liuings, they are to dispose at their pleasures. Third­ly, albeit cardinalles be next to the pope, and aboue all, but the pope; and albeit also that our Allen was made cardinall by their procurement, that so he might aduance them at the reco­uerie of England, which they thought certaine by their poli­tike intended inuasion; yet were, and are they so hie minded, that such Iesuites, as they odly send into this realme, must haue greater priuileges then any that he can procure, although there be neuer so great oddes in the persons: yea, the Iesuits do this day so rule in this realme among the papists, as they may rather seeme Cardinalles or Popes, then humble friers professing pouerty. For they place and displace the rest of the Seminaries, at their good pleasures. They haue their intel­ligencers, their spies, their collectors, their spare and fresh horses, [...], our Iesuites humble holie [...]. their fine lodgings, their secret places, their sanctua­ries in euery shire, good towne, and citie. They sease and tax the richer sort of papists, to whom, when, and how much they shall contribute. Of their cruell dealing and pride intolle­rable I haue spoken more at large in my Motiues.

[Page 147]

The first Chapter, of the originall of the Roman Empire and fourth Monarchie.

ALexander by testament assigned the administration of the kingdom of the Iewes, vnto Queene Alexandra his wife. After whose death Aristobulus rose vp in armes against his brother Hircanus, and dispossessed him aswel of the priesthood, as of the kingdome. Hircanus therefore (by the perswasi­on of Antipater father to Herod the great, a very factious and cruel man, whom king Alexander had highly aduanced) fled into Arabia, there humbling himself to the king, who (through the faire speeches and large promises of Antipater) prepared a strong army, and by that meanes placed Hircanus againe in his kingdome. But Areta king of Arabia was no sooner de­parted, then Aristobulus came vppon Hircanus with a fresh might [...]e supplie. At that time Pompeius that worthy and va­liant captaine, being then Consull of Rome, and hauing con­quered Tigranes the king of Armenia, thought the cruell [Page 150] warres betweene the two brethren, to be a fit occasion to dis­possesse them both of the kingdome. Hee therefore came with a mightie power to Hierusalem, where he slew 1200 Iewes: restored the pristhood to Hircanus, carried away Aristobulus prisoner to Rome for a triumph, and made the Iewes subiects and tributaries to the Romanes. This was done in the age of the world 3909. after Rome was built 691. yeares, A. M. 3909. in the third yeare of the 179. Olympiade.

Pompeius surnamed the Great for his incomparable victories (for he subdued Armenia, Spaine, Affrica, Judea, Colchis, Albaina, Syria, Iberia, Arabia) did wonderfully en­rich the Romaines, bringing at one triumph into their com­mon treasurie 2000. talents of gold and siluer. It is written of him that hee excelled in martiall prowesse: hee subdued the valiant captaine Sertorius, and vanquished Mithridates the mightie king of Pontus. This Pompeius tooke to wife Iu­lia the daughter of Iulius Cesar, who liued not long: after her death, the amitie betweene Pompey and Cesar decreased; and by reason of their insatiable ambition, ciuill warre brast out, in which Cesar vanquished Pompey, and Pompey fleeing into Egypt, was there slaine deceitfully. After whose death Iu­lius Cesar enioyed Asia, Affrica, and all the Romaine empire, in the yeare of the world, three thousand, nine hundred, and foure and twentie, which was fiue and fourtie yeares before the birth of Christ, 706. yeares after the citie of Rome was built, in the second yeare of the 183. Olmypiade. Yet for the space of fiue yeares or more, he was grieuously molested with warres, and coulde not quietly enioy the Empire: hee liued in peace little more then fiue moneths.

Iulius Cesar was a verie vertuous, valiant, and mercifull Prince. When he came out of Egypt to Rome, he brought an excellent and skilfull mathematician with him: hee caused the yeares to be obserued after the course of the sunne, and pro­cured the mathematicall science to bee taught throughout all Italy.

After the death of Iulius Cesar, Octauius Augustus suc­ceeded, and raigned as Emperour after him, and was sur­named Cesar. From henceforth all Emperours of Rome [Page 151] were called Cesars, of Iulius Cesar, and Augusti, of Octaui­us Augustus, their two first Emperours.

CHAP. II. Of the Emperour Nero.

NEro was the sixt Emperour or Cesar of the Romaines, in whome ended al the family of Augustus. In the begin­ning of his empire; he liued for some yeares honestly: after­ward he became horribly vicious; he exceeded in all naughtie dealing and tyrannie, & yet had his education vnder the graue, reuerend, and wise Seneca.

Nero was adopted into the empire by Claudius, who mar­ried his mother Agrippina. He was so blodthirstie and cruel, that he caused his owne mother, his wife, his brother, and his deare friend Seneca, to be murthered cruelly.

In the dayes of Nero, a comet appeared for the space of sixe moneths; which was a rare and wonderfull thing.

Nero was the first Emperour of Rome, that by publique e­dict caused the christians to be tormented: about the tenth yere of his raigne saint Peter and saint Paul were put to death at Rome. Saint Peter was crucified with his head downward; and saint Paul was beheaded with the sword.

Nero, besides all other his wicked actes, burnt Rome, and in the foureteenth yeere of his raigne (which was the two and thirtieth yeare of his age) hee receiued condigne punishment for his due deserts. He cutte his owne throate with his owne knife, and vttered these most execrable wordes, Haec est fides. This is my faith and beleefe.

CHAP. III. Of the ten persecutions of the christians, made by the ten Emperours of Rome.

THe first persecution was made by Nero, as is alredy said, the second by Domitianus, the third by Traianus, the fourth by Antoninus, the fift by Seuerus, the sixt by Maximi­nus, the seuenth by Decius, the eight by Valerianus, the ninth by Aurelianus, the tenth by Dioclesianus.

The tenth and last persecution exceeded al the rest, as eccle­siasticall histories make relation: the persecution was furthered by Maximianus, and continued by Maximinus; Maximianus in the east, and Dioclesianus in the west made such hauocke of the church, as the christiās could abide no where, without most bloody persecution: the temples were set on fire, the bookes of holy scripture were burnt, and many thousands slaine within the space of 30. dais. This persecution indured sundry yeres, to which the faithful soules seemed to allude in the Reuelatiō; when they desire God the iust iudge, to auenge their innocent blood. Apoc. 6.10

Dioclesianus restored Egypt to the empire, and when hee perceiued his authoritie to be weakened by reason of tumults and dissentious; he sought to strengthen himselfe by ioyning Maximianus vnto him, whome he made equall to himselfe in imperiall regiment.

These two Dioclesianus and Maximianus being nowe e­quall in authoritie, were called Augusti: they both afterward gaue ouer the administration of the empire, and betooke them­selues to the quiet state of a priuate life: Dioclesianus chose Galerius to supply his place, and Maximianus appointed Constantius in his stead.

Galerius and Constantius were not equal in power and au­thoritie, but as viceroyes and substitutes; and therefore they were not called Augusti, but onely Cesars.

Maximianus would afterward haue returned to the admini­stration of the empire, to the end that he might haue aduanced his sonne Maxentius to the imperial regiment; for which cause Constantius his sonne in law caused him to be slaine.

[Page 153]Dioclesianus hauing liued many yeares as a priuate man, at length slew himselfe; so to auoid the displeasure of Constantius and Licinius, to whom hee was suspected to take part with Maxentius their enemie.

Constantinus surnamed the Great, succeeded his father Con­stantius, when hee had reigned foure yeares after the death of Dioclesianus. This Constantinus was the first christian Em­perour, a zealous fauourer of Christes gospel, and the onely patrone of Christianitie.

CHAP. IIII. Of the siege of Hierusalem by Titus.

Titus the sonne of Vespasianus the Emperour of Rome, was a man of such valure, prudence, and humanitie, & so beau­tified with all kinde of heroicall vertues, that he was common­ly named in the mouth of euery man, Amor & delitiae humani generis, the onely delight of mankinde. In the second yeare of Vespasianus, in the moneth of Aprill, when the Iewes did ce­lebrate their Passeouer, (at which time great concourse of peo­ple was assembled from euery coast,) hee besieged the citie of Hierusalem, and the eight day of September, he conquered the same by force and assault.

Although the citie of Hierusalem, Iosephus de bel­lo. Iud lib. 7.6, 18 was fiue times taken and destroied before, by Nabuchodonozor▪ Asocheus, Antiochus, Pompeius, and Herodes; yet was there in the siege made by Titus, such famine, sedition, and domesticall desolation, as the like hath not been knowne in any citie. The mothers murthered their owne naturall children, and that done, boiled them, so to saturate their insatiable hunger. This seemeth incredible, but holy writ reporteth no lesse, as I haue prooued in the first book, and the eight chapter of the former part. The wiues snatched meate out of the mouthes of their husbandes, the children from their parentes, and the mothers plucked it out of the mouthes of their infantes. When they killed their children, and one another for want of foode; they could not doe the fact so se­cretly, but it was espied, & taken from thē by others of greater [Page 154] force: for so soone as their doores were shut, others suspecting that they were eating meate, came violently vpon them, and tooke from them the meat alreadie chewed in their mouth. Yea it is incredible to be tolde (saith Iosephus) what tortures and af­flictions many suffered, Ioseph. vbi sup. ca. 11. to enforce them to disclose, where they had hid but one loafe of bread.

Iosephus being a Iew himselfe, and greatly fauouring his countrey men, (being taken prisoner of the Romaines long be­fore, and at that time in great credite both with Titus and Ves­pasianus his father,) laboured by all meanes possible to per­swade the Iewes, that they well considering their own distresse and the mightie force of the aduerse part, woulde in time while there remained place for mercie, yeeld themselues to Titus, and giue vp their citie into his hands. But in vain was his oration; he had not eloquence to perswade them.

From king Dauid to the siege made by Titus, were 1179 yeares, & from the building of the city to the destruction therof, 2177. yeres. Yet such was the deformity of their sins, and their ingratitude in Gods sight; as neither the antiquitie of their Ci­tie, neither their wōderful riches, neither their renown through­out the world, nor the glorie of their religion, was able to de­fend it from vtter desolation.

A noble woman, Marie by name, daughter to Eleazer, dwelling beyond Iordan, and flying to Hierusalem for aide, was there besieged with others. An horrible fact, and vglie to be­hold. In the time of the great fa­mine, she killed her own son; and when she had eaten part, she reserued the rest. Others perceiuing that shee had gotten some meate, did manace death vnto her, vnlesse shee woulde tell where it was hidde. Which shee doing for feare, they were all astonied at the sight thereof. It is my sonne (saith the woman) eate thereof, for I haue eaten before you. I woulde neither haue you more effeminate then a woman, nor more pitifull then a mother. O horrible monster of the worlde! What can bee more vnnaturall, then the fact? What more cruell, then the wordes? Ouer and besides those that were slaine in the famine, plague, and the sworde; sixteene thou­sand were sent by Titus to Alexandria, there to doe seruile workes, as bondmen. Two thousand hee carried with him [Page 155] for a triumph, whom in publicke spectacles hee proposed to be deuoured of wilde beastes.

CHAP. V. Of Constantinus surnamed the Great.

COnstantinus for his pietie and heroicall vertues, surnamed the Great, was the first Cesar that professed Christ and christianitie. He was a right christian in deed; as who for a ma­nifest signe of his true zeale in religion, had the gospel of Christ Iesus caried publickly before him.

He commanded the holy Bibles to be copied out of his owne priuate charges, and to bee sent into all partes of Christen­dome.

He called togither the learned men, from all partes of the world, to consult and giue their opinions, concerning contro­uersies in religion. During which time of disputation, as also for their iournies to and fro, hee graunted them free allow­ance, of all necessarie prouision. He withstoode the tyrannie of Maxentius, and restored peace vnto the Church.

He builded the citie of Constantinople, terming it by his owne name; where was before a goodly mart towne, Sozom. lib. [...]. c. [...]. then cal­led Bizantium. Thither was the empire translated, and the ci­tie called new Rome. For he enuironed it with large walles, and added magnificall building thereunto.

CHAP. VI. Of the warres betweene Constantine and Maxentius.

The most religious Emperour Constantinus, preparing for warres against Maxentius, who had thirsted the bloud of chri­stians, and fearing greatly the danger of the battell imminent, did often lift vp his eies towardes heauen, and humbly reque­sted helpe at Gods hands. Being at that time a great fauourer [Page 157] of christian religion, and a zealous worshipper of the euerliuing God, (albeit hee had not as yet receiued the signe of Christes passion) he saw in the firmament the euident signe of the crosse; which so glistered with fierie brightnesse, as he was astonied at the sight thereof. While he was doubting with himselfe, he be­held the angels of God standing by him, and saying thus vnto him. Constantine, [...]. O Constantine, in this signe get thou the victorie. Constantine beeing ioyfull with this vsion, and assuring himselfe of the victory against Maxen­tius; made in his owne forehead the signe of the crosse; which before he had seene in the firmament. So write Eusebius Caesariensis, Socrates, Sozomenus, Cassiodorus, and many others of approoued antiquitie. Whereupon the papistes would infer, that it is lawfull to make images, to set them vp in churches, and to adore the same religiously. For perspicuous confutation whereof, with a manifest declaration of the state of the contro­uersie (because it is maliciously defended by some, vnsoundly impugned by others, of others not throughly vnderstood,) I purpose to set downe these few conclusions.

CHAP. I. Of Christs birth.

ABout the time that Elias the Cabba­list foretolde, in the age of the worlde 3969. the eight calends of Ianuary, in the third yeere of the 194. Olym­piade, the 32. yeere of king Herode, and the 42. yere of Augustus Cesar, was our Lorde and Sauiour Christ Iesus borne into this world. For al­beit the 4000. yeres were not complete & fully ended, yet was his prediction true (as some report it) because he added, that God would shorten the time for his elect.

Our Lord and Sauiour was conceiued by the holighost, Philip. 2. vers. 7. 1. Pet. 2. vers. 2 [...]. ta­king flesh, blood, & bone of the blessed virgin Mary, made like vnto vs in all things (sinne onely excepted) true man and true God, hauing two perfect natures subsisting in one diuine per­son; by reason of which hypostaticall vnion, his holie mother was truely called deipara and [...] as well the mother of God as of man.

Christ assuming the perfect nature of man, lost no part of his nature diuine, and consequently he must haue two willes, diuine and humane, of God and of man.

Christ assuming the perfect nature of man, must needs haue euery thing pertaining to the perfection thereof, among which the sensitiue appetite is one, which wee call sensualitie, yet in Christ Iesus there was no motion of sensualitie, which was not ordered by reason, and wholy obedient to the same. For the sensitiue appetite to be moued according to the course of it owne nature, was nothing repugnant to the diuine and reaso­nable humane wil of Christ. The blessed virgin being 14 yeres [Page 162] of age, conceiued Christ her son by the power of the holie ghost the 25. day of March. He was before all worlds, and by him al things were made; Luc. 1.31. yet was he incarnat in the end of the world, borne after a new and miraculous maner of the virgin Marie, Matth. 1.18. who was Saint Iosephs lawfull wife.

Christ the sonne of the euerliuing God, tooke vpon him the forme of a seruant, was poorely borne in a stall, and made him selfe of no reputation; Philip. 2.7. and all this he did for the loue of man, to teach man humilitie, and to abase himselfe as Christ his Lorde and master gaue him ensample. Luc. [...].1, 2. In those dayes Cyrenius be­ing gouernour of Syria, Augustus Cesar sent out an edict, to taxe all that were subiect to the Roman empire. Then Ioseph being of the house and linage of Dauid, went vp from Galile to be taxed in Bethlehem with Mary his wife, being then big with childe, where she brought forth Christ, and wrapping him in swadling clothes, laide him in a cratch, bicause there was no roome for them in the Inne.

So soone as Christ was borne, the angels of God nothing regarding the pride of mightie men, declared to the poore shep­heards the godhead and office of the childe lying in the cribbe; how that he was borne to be the sauiour of the world. Luc. 2.9, 16, 17 After the departure of the angels, the shepheards went to Bethlehem, where they found Marie, Ioseph, and the sweete babe lying in the cribbe: at their returne they published abroad, that which was tolde them of that childe.

CHAP. II. Of the infancie of our Sauiour Christ.

Luc. 2.21.WHen Christ Iesus was but eight dayes olde, he was cir­cumcised, euen then beginning to spend his blood for the loue of man: for albeit he was the head of the church, yet was he subiect to the law, to deliuer man from the curse of the lawe.

Epiphan. haer. 51The 13. day after Christs natiuitie, certaine wise men came a long iourney out of the East, to adore the Sauiour of the world. And albeit Epiphanius affirmeth constantly that this comming was the second yere after Christs birth; yet S. Hie­rome, S. Augustine, and other learned writers receiue the for­mer opinion as most authenticall: and they haue great reason [Page 163] so to do, because the scripture seemeth to say no lesse. For first, the wisemen or astronomers are said to come, when Christ was borne. Which phrase can not be fitly verified, but of a thing present or lately done. Againe, the wisemen found the babe in Bethlehem, and consequently they came before the day of the purification: for after that time, Christ is not knowne to haue bin in Bethlehem. The Papists claime the wise­mens bodies in diuers places. And though the papists hold by a vain tradi­tion, that these wise men were three kings of Cullen, Gaspar, Melchi [...]r, and Baltasar, yet is it neither certaine, that they were kings, neither yet that they were no more but three. And their owne reason thereof is very friuolous, because their bo­dies are chalenged, to be as well at Millaine as at Colen. But here I must answer to some obiections, which seeme to fortifie Epiphanius his opinion.

CHAP. III. Of the perfect age of Christ.

IEsus Christ when he was 30. yeeres of age, left Galilee, and came to the floud Iordan, Math. 3. vers. 13. where he was baptized of saint Iohn his precursor. By which act, he sanctified our baptisme in himselfe: the outward signe whereof putteth vs in minde, that we must change our liues, and become better; assuring vs as by a seale, Rom. 6. vers. 3, 4. that we are ingraffed into Christ; whereby our old man dieth, and the new man riseth vp againe.

So soone as Christ was baptized, a voice came downe from heauen saying; Math. 3. vers. 17. This is my beloued sonne, in whom I am wel pleased. Math. 4. vers. 1. This done, he was tēpted in the wildernes of y ^e deuill. Christ hauing fasted 40. daies, Math. 4. ver. 2, 14, 15, 16. and being tempted of the deuil, returned by the power of God into Galile; & after that a great fame was spread abroad of him in all the region, hee came to Nazareth, where he had beene brought vp, and as his custome was, went into the synagogue on the sabbaoth day, to expound the scriptures

Christ the third day after he came to Cana a towne in Ga­lile, was present at a marriage, where he made water wine, the first myracle that euer he wrought. Iohn. 2. vers. 1, 9.

[Page 165]After Christ was baptised, he began to preach the Gospell, being 30. yeares of age, as is already saide. Which holy exer­cise, hee practised almost three yeares before his passion: his preaching was in the yeare of Iubilee, because he preached the glad tidings of the gospell, the remission of sinnes, the salua­tion of his people.

CHAP. IIII. Of Christs death and passion.

CHrist called twelue vnto him, whom hee named Apostles, and sent them into the whole world, to preach the gospel to al nations; that so they might be witnesses of his doctrine con­firmed with many myrracles. Which doctrine being accom­plished, hee offered vp himselfe an vnspotted sacrifice vpon the altar of the crosse, for the expiation of the sinnes of the worlde. And this he did the 18. yeare of Tiberius Cesar, Tertull. aduersu Iudaeos. p. 134. in the eight Calends of Aprill, if wee follow Tertullians supputation a­gainst the Iewes.

Christs passion began not onely in his taking and deliuerie vnto death, but euen from the verie instant of his conception, and continued vntill hee yeelded vp the ghost. For as Ludol­phus writes learnedly, when Christ, as God foresaw in his di­uine wisedome, the cruell and bitter torments, which hee was to suffer infallibly, hee coulde not but naturally sorrow for the same: as which were throughout all his body, throughout all the members of his body, and throughout all the inferior pow­ers of his soule. He suffered in all his time, in all his body, in all his works. In time of his infancie, basenesse of his mothers womb, pouertie, asperitie, vilitie in the manger, persecution of y ^e aduersarie, flight into Egypt. In time of his adolescencie, fre­quent disputations, painful peregrinations, lothsome precipita­tions, In his iuuenile age, most bitter & cruell death: for in his whole body, he sustained paines intollerable; in his eies the ef­fusion of tēder teares, in his delicate eares, the hearing of con­tumelies and execrable blasphemies; in his eie-lids the pangs of buffetting; in his nostrils the stinch of vglie spitting; in his sweete mouth, the bitternesse of vineger and gall, in his hands [Page 166] the prints of the nailes, whipping and oft scourging, through­out his blessed bodie. What he sustained in his works, cannot easily be expressed by the tongue of man. For they reuiled his diuine preaching, his most sacred conuersation, his miraculous operation. He was led as a lambe to be slaughtered, and as a theefe to be hanged; yet neither did he shew any impatience, nor sought any reuenge, albeit hee could haue caused a legion of Angels, to haue attended him at his only word: he was bound as a theefe, accused as a theefe, condemned as a theefe, he was crowned with a crowne of thornes among theeues, as if hee had beene the master theefe of all theeues; the iudge was iud­ged, the King was derided, the Lord of all lords was turmoy­led. And yet behold the wisedome of our heauenly Salomon; for as Adam trespassed on Fryday, so did he suffer on Fryday, as mans saluation seemed to require. Where we haue to con­sider his patience, who was led as a lambe to be slaine, his hu­militie, who was condemned with theeues; his charitie, who died for his enemies, his pouertie, who was borne in a manger, and this done, wee may worthily exclaime; O captaine where is thine ensigne? O prince, where is thy palace? O bishop, where is thy my [...]er? O king, where is thy diademe? After the consideration hereof, we must acknowledge, that Iesus Christ our sweete redeemer, suffered all these pangs, tortures, tor­ments, and villanies, for the sinnes and loue of man, and ther­fore that mans part and dutie is to abhorre, detest, and eschew sinne, and that for his sake and loue, who hath first so tenderly beloued vs.

CHAP. V. Of the houre of Christs death, and the circumstances of the same.

CHrist was led out of the walles of the earthly Ierusalem, into Golgotha, a foule place of dead mens carkases, so to declare vncleannesse indeede, not of himselfe who was most holy, most pure, most innocent, but of vs most wretched sin­ners, whose sins he willingly tooke vpon him, to the ende that [Page 167] we by faith in him, being made cleane through his bloud and passion, might bee brought into the heauenly Ierusalem, the ioy of all ioyes, the kingdome of heauen.

Christ suffered his bitter and healthfull passion, without the walles of the citie, a little before the sixt houre, and gaue vppe his blessed ghost at the ninth houre: Heb. 13. vers. 12 Mat. 27. vers. 50 Mark. 15 vers. 25. Ioh. 19. ver. 14. so as hee was about three houres, in most cruell torments vpon the crosse. In which time from the sixt houre to the ninth, darknesse arose ouer al the land. Whereby wee may sensibly perceiue, how angrie God was against our sinnes, which hee so seuerely punished in his onely sonne. For euen at the feast of the Passeouer and in the full Moone, when the sunne shined ouer all the rest of the world, and at midday, that corner of the world, wherein so wic­ked an act was committed, was couered with extreame dark­nesse three houres together.

Christ hanged naked vpon the crosse, and was vilainously reproued, as if he had beene the most wicked caitife that euer was in the world, to the ende, that we being clothed with his righteousnesse, and blessed with his curses, and sanctified by his onely oblation, may be clensed from our sinnes and exalted vppe to heauen. But here it is expedent, that I answere to an important doubt.

CHAP. VI. Of Christs resurrection, and the adiuncts thereof.

AT such time as Christ the sonne of the euerliuing God suffered his passion, wonderfull and strange sights happe­ned. The Sunne was darkened, the Moone being in the full gaue no light, (a thing so repugnant to nature, that Diony­sius Areopagita pronounced boldely (though then an Eth­nicke) that either the sonne of God was tormented, Mar. 15. ver. 33. or else the worlde woulde bee dissolued;) the vaile of the Temple was rent in twaine, earthquakes were seene, the rockes were clouen asunder, Math. 27. vers. 51 the graues were opened, and such as slept, arose with Christ to life againe.

Christ after his resurrection appeared sundry times; first, to Marie Magdalen, when she taried still at the sepulchre, to see Christ after his disciples were gone away to their owne home. [...]ohn. 20. ve. 10 11.

Christ appeared the second time the selfe same day to two of his disciples, li [...]. 24 verse 10, 13, 15, 17. as they went to a towne called Emaus, which was distant from Ierusalem about three score furlongs. [Page 169] The cause of the second apparition was this; because the saide disciples would not beleeue that which Mary Magdalen, and Ioanna, and Mary the mother of Iames, and other women, told them of Christs resurrection.

Christ appeared the third time to all the Disciples, (Tho­mas onely excepted, Iohn. 20. ver. 1 [...]. who was then absent) which apparition was done the first day of the weeke, and when the doores were shut, where the Disciples were assembled for feare of the Iewes, and then Iesus stoode in the middes of them and be­stowed his peace vpon them.

Christ after eight dayes appeared the fourth time to his disciples, Iohn. 10. v. 26, 27 comming into the middest of them euen when the doores were shut, and bidding Thomas to see his hands, and to put forth his hand into his side, and to be no longer incredu­lous, but faithful.

Christ appeared the fift time to his Disciples, at the sea of Tiberias, where they were fishing, at whose word they casting out their net, Math. 28. v. 16, 17 were not able to draw it at all for the multitude of fishes. By these and other his apparitions, he made his re­surrection manifest vnto the world. Sixtly, hee appeared to the eleuen Disciples in the mount of Galile. Iohn. 21. ver. 1.9 But from hence arise doubts very worthie the examination.

CHAP. VII. Of Christes ascension and being in heauen.

CHrist hauing presented himselfe by many infallible tokens, after that hee had suffered his passion, conuersing visibly with his disciples by the space of fourtie daies (in which time he spoke of th [...]nges pertaining to the kingdome of God, & told them that they should be his witnesses in Hierusalem, Act. 1. ver. 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & de in­ceps. & al Iu­dea, & in Samaria, and vnto the vttermost part of the earth) he commanded them that they should not depart from Hierusalē, but shuld wait for the promise of the father; which things when he had spoken, hee was taken vp in a cloud out of their sight. While they looked stedfastly toward heauē, two men stood by them in white apparel, & said to them; ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing into heauen? this Iesus which is taken vp fro you into heuen, shal so come as ye haue seen him go into heuen. Then y ^e disciples returned to Hierusalem frō the mount Oliuet which is neer to Hierusalē, being frō it a sabaoths dayes iorny, [Page 172] which is about 2000. paces or two English miles.

While the Apostles (whose names are Peter, Iames the son of Zebedeus, Act. 1. v. 13.14 Iohn, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartho­lomew, Mathew, Iames the sonne of Alpheus, Symon Ze­lotes, and Iudas Thaddeus,) expected the comming downe of the holy ghost at Hierusalem; there abode with them certain women, and Mary the mother of Iesus, and his brethren (that is his kinsfolkes.) For it was as well behooueable, to haue the wiues confirmed, as the husbandes; because they were af­terward, to be partakers of the daungers with them. All which praied with one accord, not onely for the sending of the holy ghost, but also for deliuerance from present daungers, wherewith they were beset.

Act. 3. v. 21.Christ ascended vp into heauen, must there remaine vntill his second aduent, the day of doome general. And so he neither is, nor can be, in the round cake, as papistes impudently con­tend.

After Christes ascension and comming of the holy Ghost, his apostles went abroad preaching the gospel to all nations: whose limites, actes, and death, the next chapter in particular maner shall describe.

CHAP. VIII. Of the seuerall precinctes, liues, and deathes of the Apostles, taken out of Epiphanius, Tertullian, Optatus, Eusebius, Oe­cumenius, Nicephorus, and others.

CHAP. IX. Of the three sonnes of Constantine.

COnstantine when he had raigned 38. yeares appointed by his last will and testament, that his three sonnes, Anno. Dom. 342. Constan­tinus, Constantius, and Constans should rule the Empire in seuerall parts seuerally: to wit, Constantinus, in France, Spaine, and Germanie; Constantius in the East, & Constans in Italie and Illyricum.

Constantinus was not content with partiall assigned go­uernment, but desired to haue the sole and onely administration of the Empire: for which cause, hauing too much confidence in the power of man, specially in an euil cause, he made warres a­gainst his brother Constans in Italie; but by that occasion he was slaine, and so his brother Constans possessed al the West Empire.

CHAP. X Of Iulianus apostata.

IVlianus Apostata was nephew to Constantius and brother to Gallus: he was so excellent wel learned, Anno Dom, 365 that in his youth he read the scriptures publikely in the church of Nicomedia: afterwards he went to the famous vniuersitie of Athens, and studied there; but after the death of his brother Gallus, Con­stantius sent him into France and Germanie. Not farre from Argentoratum hee put to flight 30 thousand Almains, for which cause by the fauour of the souldiers, he was sodainely at Argentoratum designed Emperour.

At such time as great dissention arose among christi­ans, through diuersitie of opinions in Religion, in so much that some dispaired, and other some fell to Idolatrie, then the [Page 176] new Emperour Iulianus preferring his owne sonne before the true worship of God, and thinking that to abandon the chri­stian religion, was to aduance his royall and imperiall estate, forsooke the Christian faith, denied Christ openly, and became an Apostata.

He inhibited christians to serue in warres amongst the Ro­maines, he ouerthrew the schooles of learning, and spoyled the churches of their treasures. Which thing hee did in derision, telling the Christians that hee fauoured them in so doing, be­cause through pouertie, they might sooner come to heauen.

CHAP. XI. Of the Manichees.

An. Dom. 274THe Manichees began their heresie in the dayes of Aurelia­nus Emperor of Rome, whose grand-master was Manes a Persian borne. This Manes dispersed his poyson, in very large circuits: First in Arabia, after that in Africa. This here­sie increased so mightily, as it coulde not be quenched, by the space of two hundred yeares: this was the fundamentall ground of their false and hereticall doctrine, that there are two Gods, the one good, and the other bad, and yet both to be e­ternall. This doctrine seemed plausible to mans reason, at the first publishing thereof: for since God is good of his owne nature, and yet euill aboundeth in the worlde, it seemeth to followe necessarily, that as there is a good God, so there must also bee a peculiar euill God, equall to the good God in power and eternitie.

The Manichees will neither eate flesh, neither egges, nei­ther milke, August. de heres. ad q.v. deum, 46. D. neither doe they drinke wine, albeit they will eate grapes; they thinke that hearbes, trees, and plants, haue life in such manner, as they feele great paine when one cutteth or plucketh them vppe by the rootes, or otherwise: for this respect they deeme it an heynous offence, to purge the field from thornes and thistles, and so they condemne husbandrie, (the most innocent art of all,) as guiltie of many murders, yet they thinke husbandrie or tillage of the grounde to bee pardonable in their auditors, because by that their labor they [Page 177] bring foode to their elect; in whose bellies the substance is pur­ged, and the offence taken away. And consequently, although themselues do no murders actually, as they pretēd; yet do they liue of manifest murders, practised by others really. Where note by the way, that the church of the Manichees consisted of two sortes of people, their elect and their auditors.

They held this fantasticall opinion, Epiphan. haer. 66. lib. 2. to. pa. 205. that whosoeuer did eate flesh, should be made the same thing which he did eate. As for example, if a man did eate an hogge, he should be made a hog; if a bull, he should become a bull; if a bird, he should be a bird; if a fish, a fish, and so in the rest.

The Manichees held also, that if any man marry a wife, Epiphan. vbi sup. that same man so soone as he passeth out of this life, is changed in­to another bodie, and becommeth a woman. Yea they say fur­ther, that if a man kil a man, an asse, or other liuing thing, that man straight after his death, is changed into that liuing thing which he killed, be it a mouse, serpent, or whatsoeuer else.

The Manichees vse to blesse their meates in this man­ner: O bread, neither did I reape thee, Epiphan. in ca­tal. dogmatum Manich. neither did I grinde thee, neither did I make thee, neither did I bake thee; but an o­ther did al these things, and brought thee to me, my selfe there­fore do eate thee without offence. These and other like mon­strous assertions did this heresie bring forth. This is the grace that they vse.

CHAP. XII. Of the Pelagians, taken out of Saint Augustine.

PElagius sometime a monke, and a Brytan borne, extolled free-will so much, Anno. Dom. 413 that hee ascribed little or nothing vnto grace. He affirmed that man may keepe all Gods holy com­maundements, without his diuine grace: and being reprooued (saith saint Austen) for derogating so much from the grace of God; he answered with vnchristian subtiltie, that grace was therefore giuen to man, that hee might keepe Gods lawes with more facilitie.

[Page 178]That grace (saith Pelagius) without which wee can doe no­thing that good is, is onely in our free-will: which free-will God ingraffed in our nature, without any our deserts: so that God helpeth vs by his law and doctrine to this end onely (saith Pelagius) that wee may learne what to hope for, and what to do; but not to do, what we know ought to be done.

The Pelagians hold (saith S. Austin) that infants in their carnall natiuitie, are so pure and free from originall sinne; that they neede not the second and spirituall regeneration, of water and the holie ghost. Now if any man would aske the Pelagi­ans, to what end infants are baptized: They will answere forsooth (saieth saint Austen) that by this externall regenerati­on they may haue accesse into heauen, and not thereby to be ab­solued from the guilt of sinne. For if they die without Bap­tisme, yet do they promise them eternall life, but without the kingdome of heauen. This is the heresie of Pelagius, which I haue sincerely recited out of saint Augustine, that excellent writer and immoueable pillar of Christs church, because many talke thereof, who seem not throughly to vnderstand the same. With which heresie how the papists agree, and how they dis­sent from the same, shall (God willing) bee shewed when I come to the next Booke, in the chapter of mans Iustification.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Arrian heresie.

ARrius the heretike was the reader of diuinity in Alexandria, a man of great learning and eloquence, Anno Dom. 323 but withall, prowd and ambitious. He denied the diuinitie and godhead of Iesus Christ, affirming him to be pure man, and a meere creature. Which his blasphemous doctrine was dispersed throughout Egypt, Lybia, Alexandria, Thebais, and many other prouin­ces.

Alexander a godly bishop laboured by all meanes possible, to dissuade Arrius from his pestiferous and execrable heresie: but all his trauell was in vaine, because many other bishops and cleargie men embraced the opinion of Arrius, and obsti­nately defended the same.

The most christian emperour Constantinus worthily surna­med [Page 179] the Great, deepely lamenting the church of God to be di­uided with schisme and dissention, Niceph. li. [...]. c. 1 [...] Euleb. de vita Constant. lib. 3. cap. 5.6. sent Hosius the Bishop of Corduba in Spaine, to Alexander and Arrius with his owne hand-writing, earnestly exhorting them to set all dissention a­side, and to agree in vnitie, peace, and trueth. But when the blessed Emperour could not preuaile in his holy purpose, hee commaunded al christian bishops to resort at a certaine day de­signed, to Nice a citie in Bithynia, where this great contro­uersie was decided before Constantine himselfe; and Arrius with his complices driuen into exile.

The Emperour Constantinus sent for Arrius into his pal­lace, so meaning fully to make trial of his opinion: Socrat. li. 2. ca. 2 [...] Nicephor. libr. 8. histor. cap. 51. who when he asked Arrius if he were of the same opinion with the coun­cill of Nice; Arrius without all deliberation and stay, subscri­bed in the presence of the Emperour to the decrees of the saide councill. Then the emperour greatly admiring that fact, wil­led Arrius to confirme his subscription with an othe: to which Arrius yeelded deceitfully, as he had done before: insomuch, that the Emperour being per [...]waded that Arrius was an or­thodox and good christian, charged Alexander the bishop of A­lexandria seuerely, to receiue Arrius againe into his woonted place and dignitie. Yet Alexander knowing Arrius to be an e­nemy to God and his holy religion, and suspecting his dissi­mulation with the Emperour his soueraigne; fearing God on the one side, and reuerencing his soueraigne on the other; gaue himselfe to deuout and earnest prayer, so commending the whole cause vnto God. While Alexander was thus deuout­ly occupied, behold, news came vnto him, that as Arrius came from the emperours pallace, the worme of conscience did won­derfully trouble him, and solubilitie of body did so vehemently assault him, that hee was inforced sodainely to withdraw him­selfe to a common place, where while he sought to haue the or­dinary course of nature, blood gushed but, all his inwards fell from him, and so he perished most miserably.

The secret subtiltie, wherwith Arrius fought to deceiue the godly and most christian Emperor, was this: Arrius wrote his execrable opinion of Christ, in a peece of paper kept close­ly vnder his arme holes: that [...], hee subscribed in the [Page 180] presence of the Emperour: then the Emperour maruelling that he would so doe, vrged him to confirme the same with an oath. Arrius roundly tooke an oath, that he thought as he had written, meaning indeede of his first writing, which hee kept secretly vnder his arme-hole. Where euerie one may see how grieuous a sinne it is to dissemble with God and his annoin­ted magistrate; for so much the rare inflicted punishment doth euidently conuince.

CHAP. XIIII. Of Nestorius and his heresie.

NEstorius Bishop of Constantinople, albeit hee denied not Christ to be god as Arrius did, Anno Dom. 433 yet he affirmed pure man to be borne of the blessed virgin, & that she therefore ought not to be called [...], the mother of God. Whose heresie was condemned in the Ephesine councell, vnder Theodosius iunior then Emperour of Rome.

Nestorius his heresie consisted in this, that since the bles­sed virgin was a woman, God could not be borne of her, and consequently she ought not to be called the mother of God. For although he neither denied in Christ, the deitie nor the huma­nitie, yet did hee place two persons in Christ together with the two natures: and consequently he denied the wonderful hypo­staticall vnion, which our christian faith acknowledgeth.

Arrius held, that Christ was only man, wholly voide of the nature and person of God: but Nestorius helde, that Christ had both the nature and person of God, as also both the nature and the person of man: which last was the formalitie of his heresie, and therefore ought well to be obserued of the reader. For albeit there be two natures in Christ, the nature of God, and the nature of man, yet is the [...]re but one onely person in Christ, which is the person or subsistence of God: for in that diuine person by vnspeakeable hypostaticall vnion, the true nature of man subsisteth, without the person of man. By rea­son hereof it is truely saide, and christianly beleeued, the sonne of God was borne of the blessed virgin, the sonne of God did suffer torments, the sonne of God was crucified, the sonne of God rose againe the third day; the sonne of God ascen­ded into heauen: All which Nestorius denied, because hee [Page 181] seuered the natures, by multiplying persons in Christ Iesus. Christ therefore taking vpon him the nature of man, Note this poin [...] well. did single it from the person of man, vniting it to himselfe, and making it subsist in his diuine person; by reason of which supernatural v­nion, Christ became perfect God and perfect man, hauing two distinct natures, subsisting in one indistinct person▪

CHAP. XV. Of Macedonius and his heresie.

MAcedonius the Bishop of Constantinople, denied the ho­lyghost to be God: he said the sonne was God indeed, Anno. Dom [...] 383. and equal with the father in substance, but the holyghost (with him) was without honor and dignitie, a seruant and minister, little better then the Angels.

For the condemnation of this wicked heretike and heresie, the second generall councell was holden at Constantinople, vnder the Emperours Gra [...]ianus and Theodosius: where were assembled 150. fathers, for that onely end and purpose.

CHAP. XVI. Of Eutiches and his heresie.

EUtiches (whose complices Dioscorus and Seuerus helde the same opinion,) was the Abbot of Constantinople, who, Anno Do [...] 456. while hee sought to auoid the opinion of Nestorius diuiding one Christ into two sonnes and two persons, fell into another mischiefe, and taught more absurdly then Nestorius, to wit, that Christ had but one onely nature, after the hypostaticall vnion was accomplished, because the humanitie was absorpte of the diuinitie: for so Christs diuinitie vncapeable of all mor­talitie, was pe [...]force made partaker of the bitter death vpon the crosse: as therfore Nestorius to auoide the confusion of natures, multiplied the persons; so contrariewise Eutiches, to auoide the multiplicitie of persons, admitted the confusion of natures.

These heretikes, Eutiches, Dioscorus, and Seuerus, were con­demned by the fourth famous generall councel of Chalcedon, celebrated vnder Ualentinianus and Martianus the Empe­rours, where were present 360. Bishops.

CHAP. XVII. Of Mahomet and the Saracens.

MAhomet descended of the Image of Ismael and Agar, and being a very poore orphane, ioyned himselfe to his kins­woman Chadiga; first, as an hired seruant, afterward as her betrothed husband; & so was greatly enriched by her, as who was a woman of exceeding wealth Which Chadiga, when she took very heauily, that Mahomet was troubled with the faling euil; he told her, it was no disease, but that the archangel Ga­briel then appeered to him, whose wonderfull maiestie because he was not able to behold, he fell groueling vpon the ground.

An. Dom. 623This Mahomet professed himselfe to be the mighty prophet of the euerliuing God, & by that meanes stirred vp to sedition, great troupes of men aswel in Asia as in Africa: which people he infected with a new kind of religion, & perswaded them that they were called Saracens by Gods holy decree, of Sara the wife of Abraham; & that they were the lawful successors of that diuine promise that was made to Abraham & his seed for euer.

The form of the aforesaid mangled religion, Mahomet (who was borne and buried in Mecha a citie in Arabia) composed by the help of the Arrian monke Sergius, and called it the Alco­ran: which word (Alcoran) in the Arabian language, signifieth (law or doctrine.) In which Alcoran they professe that Christ is a prophet, and an excellent doctour; but withall, they deny him to be God, and the true Sauiour of the world.

The Saracens called Arabians of the place, Ismaelites of Ismael, and Agarenes of Agar, being in wages vnder Hera­clius the emperour, Genes. 16.4. Genes. 17.20. rebelled for want of pay about the yere of Christ 628. and within 38. yeeres they conquered all Syria, Damascus, Ierusalem, much of Assyria, and the greater part of Asia: al which they subdued to the religion of Mahomet, at that time but newly broched, and of the Arabians or Saracens first of all receiued. For so soone as the Agarenes dwelling in Arabia, and seruing in wars vnder Cesar, vnderstoode by pro­clamation that they could no longer haue the emperours pay; they stirred vp sedition against the Romane captaines: by the meanes whereof the power of Mahomet encreased; to whome [Page 183] the common people being destitute of an head, and in some di­stresse for want of mony, did submit themselues, aswell for his great riches, as for other his singular gifts.

The Iewes, Arrians, and pseudochristians, did al embrace Mahomets Alcoran and mangled religion: they first subdued Arabia and part of Syria; for in Damascus Mahomet had his pallace.

The Saracens hauing mightily enlarged their dominions, diuided themselues into seuerall gouernements: they termed their chiefe lord Caeliphae, their next gouernour, Seriphes, next to him a Sultan, who was ouer euery prouince: at length, the empire was translated to the Turkes.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the originall of the Turkes.

THe Egyptians wearied with the yoke of the Romans, sub­mitted themselues to the Saracens, and receiued their re­ligion. They continued Saracens aboue 400. yeres, vntil such time as the Sultan of Syria conquered them, which was a­bout the yeere of our Sauiour Iesus 1170. at which time he made himselfe Sultan of Egypt also: at length the multitude of captiues, Anno Dom 1203 which the Sultan had brought from the Tartari­ans for his warres, growing mighty, killed the Sultan, & took to themselues the kingdome of Egypt. They called their king Turquemenius, and conquered al Asia the lesse from the Sul­tan of Asia, which they termed Turkia. And thus they conti­nued till Zelimus the great Turke conquered Egypt, and de­stroied the gouernment of the Mamaluchies, Anno Dom 1517 which were chri­stians that had denied their faith; so it remaineth vntil this day, vnder the Turke, holding the new no religion of Mahomet, as do all of the east for the greater part.

This kingdome or empire of the Turkes, began about the yere of our Lord 1300. in the dayes of Othomannus the rich and mighty Turke; for before it was of no reputation, Anno Dom 1300 though it had some being. The church of God flourished before this tyranny, one ful thousand yeeres, euen from the dayes of Con­stantine the great. From this time the kingdome of Mahomet was called the empire of the Turkes.