not certainly known who compil'd this Book tho' some ascribe it to Samuel It represents the Republick of the Iews under the Dominion of Iudges counting from the death of Ioshua to that of Sampson It contains a Series of History of it may be 317 Years that is to say from the Year of the World 2570 to 2887. Therein the Israelites are to be found groaning under very severe Hardships God having delivered them over to the Power of their Enemies for the Punishment of their Idolatries VIII Ruth This Book whose Author is not known contains an Example of uncommon Piety and of the singular Providence of God Ruth a Moabitish Woman being not willing to forsake her Mother-in-Law follows her till she comes into her own Country where God so employs his Providence for the Welfare of Ruth that she marries for her second Husband Boas a very rich Man of that Country and becomes Mother of Obed Grand-father of David from whom our Saviour Iesus Christ descended according to the Flesh. There is no doubt but this History of Ruth hapned in the time of the Iudges 'T is said to be during the Administration of Samgar about 28 Years after the death of Ioshua IX The first Book of Samuel contains all that passed under the Governments of Heli and Samuel as likewise under the Reign of Saul for about the space of 101 Years that is from the Year of the World 2848 to 2949. X. The second Book of Samuel comprehends all the Reign of David during 40 Years XI The First Book of Kings contains the History of Solomon's Reign as likewise how his Kingdom was divided after his Death Afterwards it treats of Four Kigns of Iuda There is in this Book a Series of History for the space of 126 Years XII The Second Book of Kings contains the several Reigns of 12 Kings of Israel to the Destruction of that Kingdom and of 16 Kings of Iuda to the Captivity of Babylon This Book also relates wonderful Things of Elijah and Elisha his Companion It contains in all the History of 308 Years The Author of the First and Second Books of Kings is unknown but all together include the space of 597 Years XIII The First Book of the Paralipomenes or Chronicles XIV The Second Book of the Paralipomenes or Chronicles These two Books are so nam'd because they contain the Acts and other Circumstances which had been omitted in the foregoing Historical Books This Second ends at the Year of the World 3468. where ended likewise the 70 Years of Captivity when Cyrus gave Liberty to the People of Iuda to return into their own Country to build their Temple and the Walls of Ierusalem 'T is commonly thought that Esdras was Author of these two Books XV. The First Book of Esdras according to the common Opinion was written by the Person whose Name it bears It contains the History of the Captivity of the Iews with their Deliverance and Re-establishment in Iudea from the first Year of Cyrus his Reign to the 20th of Artaxerxes sirnam'd the Long-handed All which comprehends the space of 28 Years computing from the Year of the World 3468 to 3550. XVI The Second Book of Esdras was compil'd by Nehemiah It begins at the 20th Year of Artaxerxes and continues even to the beginning of the Reign of Darius his Son sirnam'd the Bastard which comprehends the History of the Iews during 31 Years and extends to the Year of the World 3581. XVII Tobit There are those that are of Opinion that Tobit the Father and the Son were the Compilers of their own History but this carries no Authority along with it Tobit was one of those Israelites that was transported out of Samaria by King Senacherib This Book includes several great Examples of Virtue and excellent Principles of Morality You may there observe Tobit faithful to God even under strange Trials His Charity the Care he had to bury the Dead his Patience after he had lost his Sight and finally his admirable Instructions of Piety to his Son Tobit the Son informs us with what Dispositions we are to engage in Marriage In a word the Providence of God towards all those that put their Trust in him shines throughout the whole course of this Book XVIII Iudith The Author of this Book is by no means known Huetius was of Opinion That it was writ during the Captivity in Babylon tho' the History of Iudith related in this Book hapned according to the Opinion of the Learned before this Captivity Thus it is thought that this wonderful Expeditâ—on of that Pious Widow who was 64 Years old when she cut off Holofernes's Head was transacted after King Manasses was Re-establish'd Iudith liv'd 41 Years after this bold Action that is to say to the Year of the World 3389. when she was 109 Years of Age. XIX Esther The History of Esther hapen'd under the Reign of Darius Son of Histaspes It is Ahasuerus who is all along mention'd in this Book The Composure of it is attributed to Mordecai but it appears to me that Esther might also have had a hand in it XX. Iob. It is thought that this Book was first written in Arabick and afterwards Translated into Hebrew by Moses The History of Iob can by no means be a Fiction the Persons and Nations therein mention'd by their proper Names the several Testimonies of Tobit Ezekiel and S. Iames together with the Sentiments of the ancient Fathers ought to convince us that this Story is true Iob was either before Moses or else at the same time with him and this History probably hapned during the Israelites being in the Desert because there is no mention made in it of the written Law XXI The Psalms These are commonly ascrib'd to David altho' there be many that are none of his and which have been written a long time after his Death as well by Esdras as other Prophets XXII The Proverbs of Solomon This Book was Compos'd by him whose Name it bears and contains excellent Precepts of Life as well in what relates to the Service of God as our duty towards our Neighbour XXIII Ecclesiastes also belongs to Solomon This Book decries perfectly the Vanity of the greatest Enjoyments in this World XXIV The Canticles or Song of Songs is also of Solomon This Book is altogether Mystical It describes in a very lively manner the incomprehensible Love of Christ towards the Church his Spouse as likewise the Churches return to Christ. S. Ierom observes that among the Iews none were suffer'd to read this Book till they had attain'd the Age of 30 Years so that we may say with this Father That Solomon writ his Proverbs for those that were just entred in the Paths of Piety his Ecclesiastes for such as were somewhat advanc'd But for his Canticles they requir'd a Mind altogether elevated and disengag'd from the Clogs of this World XXV The Book of Wisdom This Book contains the Spirit and many other Things of Solomon altho' in all
into the Church and particularly mentions what relates to the Iews He there describes the several Persecutions of the Martyrs their Contests and Disputes concerning Ecclesiastical Discipline and in a Word whatever else relates to the Affairs of the Church Without this History we could never have had the least knowledge of the first Ages of the Church for those who have writ after him have only began where he ended Du Pin after having affirm'd that this History of Eusebius was not so compleat as could have been Wish'd Adds moreover That his Defects have not been sufficient to obscure his Merit The Learned Henricus Valesius has translated him into Latin which he has join'd to the Greek Text. And some Learn'd Gentlemen of the University of Cambridge have made a Translation of him into English for the benefit of such as understand neither Latin nor Greek IV. St. Epiphanius was born in the Year of Christ 332. in a Village of Palestine He spent his Youth under the Monastick Tutelage of St. Hilarion and several other Monks of Palestine About the Year 366. He was elected Bishop of Salamis Metropolis of the Island of Cyprus The Book he wrote is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which being against Heresy is to be look'd upon as a Treatise belonging to Ecclesiastical History This Tract is divided into three Parts The First contains the Heresies that have been before Jesus Christ which St. Epiphanius has reckon'd up to be 46. The Second consists of 23. and the Third of 11. So that thus this Book comprehends in all 80 Sects or Heresies This St. Epiphanius was an Implacable Enemy of the followers of Origin V. Rufinus a Priest of Aquilea flourish'd at the same time with St. Ierom to whom after having been a great Friend he became an inveterate Enemy He had a more than ordinary Esteem for Origin He set himself to read and translate his Books and undertook his defence against all those that Accus'd him This Zeal of his towards Origin was the chief cause of his Disagreeing with St. Ierom who had taken the contrary side Amongst all the Books of his Composing we shall only take notice of those two of Ecclesiastical History which he has added to the Translation of Eusebius He there continues the History of the Church to the Death of the Emperor Theodosius These Books were Dedicated to Chromacius of Aquilea and were writ about the time that Alaric King of the Goths ravag'd Italy They are indifferently well Penn'd yet there are considerable Faults to be found in the History VI. St. Ierom was born in the City of Strigna or Stridon situate upon the Confines of Pannonia and Dalmatia in the Year of Christ 345. His Father Eusebius sent him to Study at Rome under the celebrated Donatus where he soon made a considerable progress in Letters He receiv'd the Orders of Priesthood at Antioch from the Hands of Paulinus then Bishop of that City He has writ a great number of Books amongst which is to be found A Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Writers from the time of Iesus Christ down to his own when he wrote He compos'd this Tract at the request of Dexter Prefect of the Pretorium and in imitation of Suetonius and other Prophane Authors who have compil'd the Lives of the Philosophers and other famous Men. We have also his Chronicle which we must not look upon as a bare Translation of Eusebius St. Ierom having therein alter'd and added many Things Nay he has moreover continu'd this Chronicle from the 20th Year of Constantin to the sixth Consulate of Valens and second of Valentinian that is down to the Year 378. VII Sulpicius Severus a Priest of Agen equally famous for his Birth Genius and Piety who flourish'd about the same time with St. Ierom and Rufinus He was a Disciple of St. Martin whose life he wrote The chief of his Works is his sacred History consisting of two Books both which contain a well penn'd Epitome of the most remarkable Occcurrences in the Jewish and Christian Churches from the Creation of the World to the Consulship of Stilicon and Aurelian that is to say to the Year of Christ 400. He has all along imitated Salust for Brevity but infinitely surpasses him in clearness and beauty of Expression We have not any Abridgment of History says Mounsiuer Du Pin so well Digested and elegantly writ as this Epitome yet its Author is not always exact for he has committed several Errors in the History especially in that of the Church This Author has enlarg'd very much upon the Priscillianists and of all Writers gives us the best Account of them VIII St. Austin was born in Tagasta a City of Numidia under the Empire of Constantius the thirteenth of November in the Year of Christ 354. He became a Convert in the 32d Year of his Age and was ordain'd Bishop of Hippo in 395. and afterwards Dy'd as piously as he had Liv'd the 20th of August in the Year 430. being about 76 Years old Altho' there be a great many things throughout his whole Works that relate to Ecclesiastical History Yet we shall here mention only his small Treatise of Heresies written in the Year 428. at the request of the Deacon Quovult Deus to whom also it is Dedicated This Tract is no more than a brief Account of the several Sects of Hereticks and their principal Errors He begins with the Sinonians and ends with the Pelagians there being in all 88 Heresies You shall scarce meet with any thing in this whole Book but what is taken either from St. Epiphanius or Philaster Monsieur Du Pin speaking of this last who has reckon'd up 20 different Heresies before the Incarnation of Christ and 120 since his Birth to the Year 380. says That his Stile is Mean and Groveling that he had little or no Learning that he has made several considerable Mistakes in this small Treatise which is written with no manner of exactness and wherein are abundance of Errors The same Opinion Cardinal Bellarmin has of him in his Book De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis Father Labbe would have this Author's Works read with a great deal of Caution and St. Austin says That St. Epiphanius had writ better than Philaster but that nevertheless he was a Person of singular Piety and good Morals IX Pallades a Native of Galatia left his Country about 20 Years old to retire among the Hermits of Egypt He was ordain'd Bishop of Hellenopolis in the Year 401. and afterwards chosen Bishop of Aspon a City of Galatia and dependent on the Metropolitan See of Ancira He was a great Friend of Rufinus a Defender of Origin an Allie with Pelagius and Enemy to St. Ierom. In the Year 421. He writ a History of the Lives Actions Miracles and Sayings of the most Holy Monks that he had met with in Egypt Lybia Thebais and Palestine This History was Addrest to one Lausus which gave occasion afterwards for Naming it The Lausian History In this
is certain that he sent a great Army against Greece which was defeated by Miltiades at the Battel of Marathon where 110000 Persians were cut off Darius likewise engaged in a War against the Scythians but was routed by them But he subdued the Rebelling Babylonians by the barbarous Policy of Zopyrus who was a great Favourite of Darius and to serve his Master was content to cut off his own Nose and Lips and so mangled fled to Babylon pretending his cruel Master had thus Rewarded all his Services which gaining him Credit with the Babylonians he found an opportunity of betraying them and their City to Darius 3465. 4. Xerxes I. succeeded his Father Darius and reigned 21 years Upon his first Accession to the Throne he was stirred up by Mardonius to engage in a War against Greece The Preparations for this War took up 10 years time after which he led so vast an Army against the Grecians that all Greece could scarce contain them He attack'd it both by Sea and Land His Land-Forces according to Herodotus were above Two millions three hundred thousand Men and his Naval Strength as Cornelius Nepos informs us consisted of a Fleet of Twelve hundred Long-Ships and Two thousand Ships of Burden All or most of this great Army was lost in this Expedition The first Defeat Xerxes met with was at Thermopylae where Leonidas and Three hundred Spartans killed Twenty thousand Persians After this he was routed at Sea near Salamis by Themistocles and forced to make his Escape in a Fisher-boat Mardonius his General burnt Athens and was shortly after routed and killed at Platea by Pausanias The same day Forty thousand Persians were killed at Mycale in Asia by Leotychidas and Xerxes himself at last was killed in his Bed by Artabanus Captain of his Guards Iosephus makes him to be the same with Ahasuerus who married Esther the Iew but others pretend Darius Histaspes was the Man 485 3486. 5. Artaxerxes I. succeeded his Father Xerxes and reigned 40 years He was famous for the Sweetness of his Temper and for the Greatness of his Courage He was Sirnamed Longomanus because his Right Hand was longer than the other He killed his Brother Darius supposing him by the false Accusation of Artabanus to have killed Xerxes and that Captain attempting to kill Artaxerxes was killed by him 464 3525. 6. Xerxes II. succeeded his Father Artaxerxes and reigned only two months For being made drunk at a Feast his Brother Sogdianus killed him as he slept in his Palace 425 7. Sogdianus succeeded and reigned only 7 months He was deserted by his Friends deceived by Oaths and Promises came to Darius Nothus and was killed by him 3526. 8. Ochus or Darius Nothus succeeded Sogdianus and reigned about 20 years 424 3545. 9. Artaxerxes II. Sirnamed Mnemon succeeded his Father Darius and reigned 43 years Cyrus Governor of Lydia rebell'd against his Brother Artaxerxes and being aided by the Spartans and other Greeks offered him Battel at Cunaxa where he was defeated and killed After the Fight was over the King ordered the Body of Cyrus to be looked out caused his Head and his Right Hand with which he had been wounded in the Engagement to be cut off 405 This Artaxerxes in imitation of Cambises caused such Judges as received Bribes to be flea'd alive and cover'd the Tribunals where they sate with their Skins that so the Judges might have constantly in view the Punishment prepared for all such Delinquents He had a Son named Arsames by one of his Concubines but Ochus his lawful Heir perceiving him to be very much in favour with the King killed him and soon after the King himself died with Grief at the loss of that Darling 3588. 10. Ochus who took upon him the Name of Artaxerxes III. succeeded his Father and reigned 23 years He being assisted by Mentor the Rhodian subdued and wasted Egypt rifled the Temples and carried away from them all the Books of Learning and History which Bagoas afterwards redeemed at a great Price Artaxerxes derided the Egyptian Gods and to revenge an Affront caused an Ox under which Figure their chief God Apis was worshipped to be sacrificed to an Ass. This King aided the Perinthians against Philip King of Macedon and at last falling sick was poisoned by Bagoas who being an Egyptian could not forgive the Affront put upon his adored Apis. This Bagoas bore a great Sway both in the Army and in the State and was the Person that placed Arses the youngest Son of Artaxerxes upon the Throne putting all the rest to Death 362 3611. 11. Arses succeeded and reigned two years and a few months But Bagoas understanding that this King intended to punish him for the Crimes he had committed prevented his Design by poisoning him in the third Year of his Reign 339 3641. 12. Darius Codomannus the Son of Arsamas was set up by Bagoas whom he poisoned upon suspicion that he designed to serve him as he had done his Predecessors He reign'd about 6 years 336 This was the Darius whom 3616. Alexander gave Battel to and defeated at the Granicum a River of Phrygia In this Engagement Alexander was in great danger of his Life his Helmet being cleft asunder by the stroak of a Scymeter but Clytus came in to his Defence and cut off the Hands of him who was going to repeat the Blow 334 The next year Darius offered Battel to Alexander near Issus a City of Cilicia seated upon the Mediterranean wherein he was defeated lost 50000 Men with his Baggage his Mother Sisigambis his Wife Statira his two Daughters and his Son Ochus who was not then above 6 years old Two years after this viz. 3619. Alexander gave Battel to Darius near Arbela a City of Assyria wherein 90000 Persians were cut off and Darius put to flight This was the last stroke Darius gave for the Maintenance of the Persian Monarchy He afterwards threw himself into the Hands of Bessus Governor of Bactria who traiterously imprison'd and murder'd him by which the Persian Monarchy terminated and that Empire became subject to Alexander who erected the Third or Grecian Monarchy whereof we are next to Treat 331 CHAP. IV. Of the Grecian Monarchy BEfore we shew you this mighty Monarch in his Grandeur it may not be amiss to speak a little of the Birth Character and Actions of Alexander before his Persian Expedition together with his surprizing Progress in the Conquest of the Eastern World 'T was in the year of the World 3595 before Christ 355 that Alexander the Son of Philip King of Macedon was born at Pella a City in Macedon His Mother Olympias while she was with Child of him dream'd That her Bowels were extended over all Asia which was verified in the Conquests made by the Son she at that time bore in her Womb. He was born with all the Endowments of an Heroick Spirit had a great and aspiring Soul a Temper full of Fire a lively Genius and thô impatient of Restraint was
and told Seleucus that his Son's Distemper was Incurable How so said the King Because reply'd the Physician he is in love with my Wife Ah! said Seleucus to him I know you are more my Friend than to let my Son die and to hinder him from marrying your Wife Pray Sir replied Erasistratus were it your Case would you let him have yours Ay Ay said the King and all my Dominions to boot if his Life could not be saved without it Upon this the Physician unravelled the whole Mystery to him and told him in plain terms that Stratonice was the Person whom he so passionately lov'd Seleucus was as good as his Word called the People together and made a very pathetical Speech to them that they might not be surprized at such an unusual kind of Marriage For thô he had already a Son by his dear Stratonice yet he made no scruple to marry her to Antiochus his eldest Son and not a Man opposed it Thô this Complaisance was very irregular yet none can deny but Seleucus was a very great Prince He was killed by Ptolemy after he had reigned about 35 years 3668. 2. Antiochus Soter succeeded his Father and reigned about 12 years 282 3680. 3. Antiochus Theos the Son of Antiochus Soter and Stratonice reigned about 24 years His Sirname of Theos was given him by the Milesians because he had freed them from the Tyranny of Timarchus He was poisoned by Laodicea one of his Wives whom he had put away and afterwards recalled to Court 270 3704. 4. Seleucus Callinicus or Poron succeeded his Father and reigned about 20 years He died with a fall off his Horse This King aided by the Gauls engaged in a long War against Antiochus Hierax 246 3723. 5. Seleucus Seraunus succeeded his Father and reigned 3 years He was poisoned in Phrygia by his Lieutenant-Generals as he was marching to make War against Attalus 227 3726. 6. Antiochus the Great succeeded his Brother Seleucus being sent for from Babylon by the Aâ—my which was then encamped in Syria that so he might take Possession of the Kingdom He reigned about 36 years He was engaged in a War against several Nations First he waged War against Ptolemy Philopator King of Egypt was beat by him and sued for a Peace which Ptolemy very generously granted him Afterwards he carried on a War against the Romans by whom he was always worsted so that at last he was obliged to sue for a Peace This King likewise routed Malon received Hannibal invaded Greece and was defeated by Glabrio At last having his Treasures drained by these unsuccessful Wars to fill them up again he resolved upon rifling the Temple of Iupiter in Elimais but he was killed in the Attempt by the People of the Place Before his Death he nominated his Son Seleucus Philopator for his Successor 224 3763. 7. Seleucus Philopator succeeded his Father and reigned about 12 years He did little because the ill Successes of his Father against the Romans had exhausted his Kingdom This is that Seleucus mentioned in the Second Book of Maccabees where 't is said of him that because of the Respect which he bore to the High-Priest Onias he supplied the Temple with its necessary Sacrifices every year However Daniel stiles him Vilissimus indignus Decore Regio i. e. The basest and the worst of Men not worthy of the Royal Diadem 187 About the end of his Reign he was prevailed upon to send Heliodorus to rifle the Treasures belonging to the Temple of Ierusalem and it may be very well affirmed that his Weakness was the cause of those Troubles and Seditions which afterwards happened both in Church and State He was at last killed by Heliodorus 3775. 8. Antiochus Epiphanes or the Illustrious who had been carried to Rome as an Hostage after the Defeat of his Father Antiochus the Great made his Escape thence at the end of 3 years and Demetrius the Son of Seleucus was sent thither in his stead As soon as Antiochus was returned into Syria Heliodorus who would fain have been King killed Seleucus But Eumenes and Attalus outed Heliodorus and left Antiochus the Illustrious in quiet Possession of the Kingdom of Syria who reigned over it about 12 years He took away the High-Priesthood from Onias who was a Man of excellent Piety and bestowed it on the Impious Iason his Brother and the next year he took it again from Iason and bestowed it on his Brother Menalaus who gave more Money than the former for it Two years after this a Rumour being spread that Antiochus died in his Expedition against Egypt Iason raised great Disturbances in Ierusalem which caused Antiochus after he had defeated the Egyptians to exercise unheard-of Cruelties in Iudea and to carry away all their Treasures Afterwards Antiochus sent Apollonius into Iudea who one Sabbath-day killed a whole Congregation who were got together to offer Sacrifice Some say that he sent Lysias Gorgian Timotheus and other Commanders against the Iews who were all routed by Iudas Maccabeus Much about this time it was that this Iudas retired into the Wilderness choosing to live upon Herbs rather than defile himself with those prophane Meats which in all Parts were then sacrificed But at last Antiochus hastening out of Persia to Ierusalem with a Design to cut off all the Iews of that Place fell out of his Chariot bruised his whole Body and died of a loathsome Disease 175 3786. 9. Antiochus Eupator succeeded his Father and reigned about 2 years Lysias according to some but Philip according to others governed his Kingdom made a Peace with Iudas Maccabeus which was soon after violated About this time it was that Eleazar having assaulted an Elephant upon which he supposed the King was killed the Beast and was crushed to Death by the fall of him 164 Antiochus having taken Bethsura went against Ierusalem and made a Peace with the Iews but it being broke he caused the Walls to be demolished led away Menalaus along with him whom he put to Death as the Cause of all the War and put Alcimus into his Place 3788. 10. Demetrius Soter the Son of Seleucus Philopator having made his Escape from Rome came to Antioch put Antiochus and Lysias to Death and when he was King sent Bacchides into Iudea with Alcimus to whom he promised the High-Priesthood He afterwards sent thither Nicanor who made a League with Iudas Maccabeus but he having broke it was soon after killed by Nicanor This Demetrius reigned about 11 years 162 The People of Antioch rebelling against Demetrius took a young Man named Alexander who was said to be the Son of Antiochus the Illustrious and being assisted by the Neighbouring Kings set him upon the Throne 3799. 11. Alexander Epiphanes or Balas becoming Master of Ptolemais sent to Ionathan to make a League with him and settled him in the High-Priesthood which had been vacant 7 years and a half by the Death of Alcimus This Ionathan was the first High-Priest of the Race of
which Iesus Christ had founded and Rome became thenceforward Metropolis of the Spiritual Empire Also when the time was come that the Roman Power which had vainly boasted it self of Eternity was to undergo the Fate of other Empires Rome tho' become a Prey to Barbarians yet preserv'd its ancient Grandeur by means of Religion for those Nations who had Conquer'd the Romans having by little and little softned their Manners by the observation of Christian Piety their Kings thought none of their Titles so glorious as that of being Protectors of the Christian Church Thus the Empires of the World have been serviceable to Religion and have preserv'd the People of God wherefore that same God which had caus'd his Prophets to foretel the divers Conditions of his People made them also Prophecy of the Succession of Empires You are acquainted with those places where Nebuchodonosor was mark'd out to Punish the Pride of the People especially of the Jews who approv'd themselves so ungrateful towards their Creator You have also no doubt observ'd Cyrus nam'd 200 Years before his Birth to re-establish the People of God and to chastize the Arrogance of Babylon The destruction of Nineveh likewise was not foretold with less certainty Daniel in his wonderful Visions has briefly but fully represented to us the Babylonish Empire together with that of the Medes Persians and Greeks The Blasphemies and Persecutions of Antiochus were also Prophesied of as well as the miraculous Victories the People of God gain'd over that cruel Tyrant In these Prophets you may find all these famous Monarchies come to nothing by little and little and the new Empire of Iesus Christ to be so expresly Characteriz'd that there is no reason to doubt of its being meant as by Name of the Kingdom of the most High the Kingdom of the Son of Man c. being Pronounc'd to be a Kingdom that should subsist even in the midst of the Ruin of all others and to which alone Eternity was promised God therefore who made use of so many different Nations to Chastize Employ Enlarge or Protect his People having a mind to be known for the Author thereof discover'd the great Secret to his Prophets and caus'd them to foretel it before he put it in Execution Whereupon these Empires being made Partners with the Designs of God their Fate has been foretold by the same Oracles of the Holy Spirit which Prophesied of the Succession of the faithful People Nothing demonstrates better the necessary Relation between Sacred and Profane History than this excellent Discourse of the Bishop of Meaux where we may observe the proceedings of God in the Revolution of Empires and by what means the Almighty Wisdom brings his Ends about even in those Matters where we think either our Prudence or Policy has had the larger share I would gladly have all Youth learn by Heart as much at least of this admirable Discourse as we have just mention'd for thereby they may be able to unravel if I may so say all the Intrigues betwixt God and Man and discover the first Principles of all Affairs which History has handed down to us Profane Historians have always fill'd us with confus'd Ideas but the Bishop of Meaux has demonstrated the Hand of God to have set all the Springs of Causes at work and that for the peculiar end of Preserving and Sanctifying his People Men misguided by their Passions think all must be related in History that contributes to satisfy either their Avarice or Ambition but they are deceiv'd for like Children they only see the Wheels of the Movements without being able to guess at the Mechanism and Causes of them The Sanctification of the Church is the secret Spring of all that has hapned most considerable in the World from its Creation and the Fall and Rise of Empires is the Mechanism of the Almighty Altho' we cannot always discover what share God has had in certain Affairs yet it must never be deny'd that he has had any Who could ever have imagin'd that the Grandeur of the Roman Empire which we commonly look upon as an effect of the great Wisdom and Valour of the Romans should have ever contributed towards the publication of the Gospel and the glory of the Church In a word there might have been only one History which should have been that of the City of God where Empires and Dominions might have been brought in as so many Incidents and Episodes which have only collateral Relation to the History of the Church Nevertheless as the Devil will always have a share in humane Affairs and that S. Austin together with the Holy Scriptures attribute to him a Power over the Kingdoms of the World we divide History into Ecclesiastical for the Affairs of the Church and into Civil for the Affairs of Empires and Republicks We make no use of the Word Profane as being improper for the History of Christian Kingdoms whose Kings are the Protectors and Cherishers of the Church This I presume may be sufficient to justify my preferring this Division of History to that of all others which have treated on the same Subject ARTICLE I. The Authority of the History of The People of God contain'd in the Books of the Old and New Testament THE History of the Iews is contain'd in the Books of the Old Testament which is sufficient to convince any Christian that it is unquestionable and will never admit of any Doubt Yet it is not to my purpose to quote any Fathers hereupon or to shew what they have advanc'd in their Disputes against the Pagans to prove the Truth and Divinity of the Bible those Matters being to be met with in the Books of such Doctors as have writ upon that Subject Nevertheless as it is chiefly at Genesis that the Deists and Atheists level their Criticisms it would not be amiss to say something in vindication of that Holy Book and the rather because the History therein contain'd being once establish'd all the other parts of Religion necessarily follow on course 1. Then it is certain that Moses was Author of the Book of Genesis Nay more positive says du Pin in the first Tome of his History of Ecclesiastical Writers speaking of this Book than that either Homer was Author of the Iliads and Odysses or Herodotus or Thucydides of those Histories that are ascrib'd to them The Holy Bible continues he afterwards teaches me that Moses was Author of the Pentateuch Thus are the Five Books of Moses call'd of which Genesis is the First Iesus Christ proceeds Dupin and the Apostles have assur'd me as much ancient Authors concur in the same Opinion and all other People agree with them c. We may find in the same Book a number of Witnesses to evince this Truth of which some were Iews others Christians and others Pagans all which positively affirm that Moses writ the Book of Genesis and all the rest of the Pentateuch 2. Moses without dispute was a much more ancient Writer
than any of those Authors who have acquir'd so great Reputation in the World and procur'd Greece the Title of The Mother of Sciences and Arts for he liv'd near 500 Years before Homer 800 before the Philosopher Thales who writ the first concerning Nature 900 before Pythagoras and above 1100 before either Socrates Plato or Aristotle who have been the most celebrated and chief Masters of all the Wisdom of Greece Preface to the French Translation of Genesis 3. It is true that Moses writ the History of the Creation a long time after it since that he writ Genesis it may be about the Year of the World 2550. But this ought not to gravel any Man of Sense for when once he has conceived that Mâ—ses foresaw future Things through the Spirit of God which revealed them to him it will not be hard to believe that he was also Inspired with those that were past and before his Days This History also may be very well establish'd without having any recourse to Revelation for it is possible Moses might have said to those of his Time I am resolved to write of the Transactions from the beginning of the World to this Day and of which I believe no Body can be better inform'd than my self for Amram my Father has often said to me Son I will relate to you all the History of the World down even to us according as I have learnt it from Levi my Grandfather who had what he told me from Isaac his Grandfather with whom he liv'd 33 Years And as for what relates to Isaac he might have heard all what he told Levi from Sem with whom he liv'd also 50 Years Now nothing can be more probable than that Sem might say to Isaac after this manner You may safely believe what I tell you about the Deluge since I have been an Eye-witness of all I pretend to know And you ought likewise to believe me when I acquaint you about the Creation of the World and of all what relates to Adam since I liv'd near 100 Years with Methusalem my Great Grandfather who learnt all these Matters from Adam himself with whom he liv'd 243 Years So that between Isaac and Adam there are but two Persons Mathusalem and Sem and then between Isaac and Moses his Father there is only one more who is Levi. Insomuch that to speak plainly without having Recourse to Supernatural Proofs never any History deserv'd greater Credit than that of Genesis A TABLE Of the Hereditary and Domestick Traditions of the Patriarchs who might reasonably be presum'd to Instruct one another from Adam even down to Moses  Born in the Year of the World Liv'd Years Dy'd in the Year of the World Adam liv'd 143 Years with 1. 930. 930. Mathusalem liv'd 98 Years with 687. 969. 1656. Sem who liv'd 50 Years with 1558. 600. 2158. Isaac who liv'd 33 Years with 2108. 180. 2288. Levi who liv'd a long time with 2255. 137. 2392. Amram Grandson of Levi whom no doubt he had seen since this Amram was Father of Moses who was born only 41 Years after the Death of Levi. It is certain that Moses writ nothing but what was within the Memory of Man since he was only removed from Adam about Four or Five Generations Between Adam and Isaac there are but two Persons Methusalem and Sem and between Isaac and Amram the Father of Moses there is but one who is Levi. It follows therefore that Adam Methusalem Sem Isaac Levi and Amram the Father of Moses have successively convers'd with and instructed each other in the History of the World which was then only that of their several Families especially at a time when there were no other Histories which Men might apply themselves to or divert themselves with It is not my Design here to confute the several Objections which the Enemies both of the Iewish and Christian Religion have rais'd against the Pentateuch and other Books of the Bible That is altogether foreign to my purpose and would engage me so deep in Theological Disputes that I should quickly lose Sight of my Introduction to History Any one may be satisfied by Monsieur Huetius Bishop of Auranches his learned Treatise concerning Evangelical Demonstration or the famous Father Simon 's Book of the Inspiration of the Sacred Writers what might be answer'd to the frivolous Arguments which Spinosa who liv'd some short time in Holland brought in his trifling Treatise call'd Tractatus Theologico-Politicus against the Truth and Divinity of the Holy Bible This Author tho' born a Iew falls nevertheless very severely upon Judaism without shewing at the same time any great kindness for Christianity So that we may reasonably infer That his Design was to abolish all Religion particularly the Iewish and Christian and establish Atheism and Libertinism leaving every Body to their liberty of believing what they pleas'd providing at the same time they prov'd no Disturbance to the Common-wealth But Father Simon has sufficiently demonstrated That this Spinosa was a Blockhead and that he understood neither the Criticks of the Scripture nor the Learning of the Iews In a Word what I have said particularly of Genesis may suffice to Imprint in us a more than ordinary Idea of the Authority and Divinity of this Book which is the sole Foundation of all the rest of the Bible The Order of the Books of the Old and New Testament First the Old Testament consists of 45 Books I. Genesis comprehends the History of the Creation of the World the Lives of the Patriarchs the Deluge the Genealogy of the Offspring of Noah down to Ioseph and in short all the History of 2369 Years II. Exodus so call'd from its giving an Account of the coming of the People of Israel out of Egypt contains likewise the Transactions of Moses in the Desert how God gave the Laws of the Decalogue to the People and whatever hapned during the space of 145 Years from the Death of Ioseph to the building of the Tabernacle III. Leviticus which contains the Laws Ceremonies and Sacrifices of the Jewish Religion the perpetual Fire distinguishing Beasts clean from unclean and many other Things of which the Inspection and Management belong'd peculiarly to the Levites IV. Numbers where is to be found the numbering of the People of Israel after they came out of Egypt with their History of 39 Years till they went into the Desert V. Deuteronomy that is The Second Law not that Moses then gave a different Law from what he had before published on Mount Sinai but because he therein renewed it to the Children of such as dy'd in the Desert These are the Five Books of Moses call'd the Pentateâ—ch and which contain the History of 2552 Years and an half computed from the Creation of the World VI. Ioshua 'T is commonly thought Ioshua himself was Author of this Book It comprehends the History of 17 Years to be reckon'd from the death of Moses to that of Ioshua VII Iudges It is
likelihood he was none of the Author of it It may be divided into 3 Parts 1. Until the VII Chapter it is an Exhortation to the Study and Love of Wisdom 2. To the X. Chapter it Explains the Origin of Wisdom 3. All the rest Describes the Effects and Productions of Wisdom XXVI Ecclesiasticus was Compos'd in imitation of Solomon's Ecclesiastes as may appear by the great number of Moral Sentences almost the same with his Iesus Son of Sirach writ it in Hebrew whereof S. Ierom says he has seen a Copy The Greater Prophets XXVII Isaiah of these is the Chief and most Excellent He himself has collected into one Volume all the Prophecies he made under the several Reigns of Osias Ioathan Ahaz Ezechias and even to the time of Manasses by whose Command according to the Tradition of the Iews he was cruelly Saw'd asunder with a wooden Saw XXVIII Ieremiah Prophecy'd for 45 Years to wit from the third Year of King Iosias to the fifth after the Taking of Ierusalem and Destruction of the Temple that is to say from the Year of the World 3375. to 3420. and 584 Years before the Birth of Christ. He was of the Sacerdotal Race He always declar'd after an undaunted manner against the Irregularities of his Time His Style according to S. Ierom is Mean as to Words but Majestick in its Thought The Prophet Baruch was his Secretary who in Collecting the several Prophecies which Ieremiah has made upon divers Occasions observ'd no order of Time This Holy Prophet was Ston'd by some impious Iews in Egypt who were not able to bear with the freedom of his Admonitions XXIX Baruch was Secretary and Disciple to Ieremiah which does not hinder but he might be of Noble Birth as Iosephus says he was He says himself that he wrote this Book of Prophesies in Babylon but it is not exactly known at what time XXX Ezechiel of the Sacerdotal Race was Transported under Iechonias into Babylon where he began to Prophesie the fifth Year after his Captivity His Book is all over full of Riddles and Figures and which 't is thought he affected to the end that the Caldeans might not be acquainted with the condition of Affairs among the Iews He foretold the Deliverance of this People the Reign of Messias the Calling of the Gentiles the establishing of the Church its Victories and the Downfall of its opposers XXXI Daniel descended of a Royal Stock was carried when but an Infant a Captive into Babylon by Nebuchodonozor He was Educated in the Learning of the Caldees for 3 Years It was about this time that he deliver'd Susanna accus'd by the two Vicious Elders and that but a little after he began to Prophesie The Iews will not allow him a place among the Prophets because say they he liv'd in the Babylonish Court rather like a Courtier than a Person inspir'd by God nevertheless Iesus Christ himself stiles him a Prophet The Twelve Minor Prophets XXXII Hoseas writ all the Prophesies that go under his Name S. Ierom finds his Style Pathetic and Sententious He Prophesied under 4 Kings viz. Iosiah Ioathan Ahaz and Hezechias In his Prophecies he takes upon himself the Person of God He quarrels with punishes and repudiates the Synagogue which he represents as if taken in Adultery and places the Church in its stead Thus he foretels 1. The Reprobation of the Synagogue and the Calling of the Church 2. He reproves Idolatry and the other Crimes of the Israelites And 3. He promises Mercy and Salvation to all such as shall be reclaim'd XXXIII Ioel. It is no easie matter to find out what time he Prophesied He foretels the Destruction of Ierusalem and under the Symbol of that City he speaks of the Destruction of the whole World and the last Judgment XXXIV Amos was a Shepherd or Herdsman of Tecoa a poor Town God who never makes use of slender Abilities chose this Person for a Prophet in the Time of Iosias King of Iuda and Ieroboam Son of Ioas King of Israel two Years before that Earthquake which hapned towards the 23d Year of Iosias's Reign about the Year of the World 3216. and 788 Years before the Birth of Christ. XXXV Obadiah It is not known about what time he Prophesied It is thought to be this Prophet that is mention'd in the III. Book of Kings Chapter the 18. and Verse 4. who was Governor of Ahabs House and who nourish'd the hundred Prophets in a Cave Of all the Prophets his Prophecy is the shortest altho' for the Mysteries it contains it yeilds in nothing to the others Prophecies says S. Ierom. XXXVI Ionas whom God sent to Niniveh to Preach Repentance not unlikely under the Reign of Phul which we believe to be Father of Sardanapalus about the Year of the World 3197. and 807 Years before the Birth of Christ. He was the only Prophet that God sent among the Gentiles He himself was Author of the Account of his Mission to Nineveh He was Native of Geth-Checher a Town belonging to the Tribe of Zabulon in Galilee This shews either the Ignorance or Malice of the Pharisees when they said to Nicodemus Art thou also of Galilee Search and look for there was never any Prophet came out of those Parts John 7.52 XXXVII Micah Prophesied under the Reign of Ioathan Ahaz and Hezechias He has the Character of Wit and Style like to that of Isaias He inveys vehemently against the Idolatry as well of the Two as the Ten Tribes He proclaims the Ruin of Samaria and the Captivity of those of Ierusalem by the Assyrians and Caldeans and he also foretels their deliverance and that Christ shall be born in Bethlem XXXVIII Nahum whose Country is unknown foretels the Destruction of Nineveh by the Caldeans because that People had persecuted the People of God It is likewise a little uncertain where he Prophesied XXXIX Habakkuk Neither his Country nor the time when he Prophesied is known There would be no great difficulty to know the time providing this Habakkuk were the same that the Angel carry'd by the Hair of the Head to Daniel's Den but which the Learned will by no means have to be XL. Zephania Illustrious by his Birth was of the Tribe of Simeon He liv'd at the same time with Ieremiah whose Works he seems to have Abridg'd especially considering his conformity of Style He speaks plainly of the Calling of the Gentiles the Foundation of the Church the Remission of Sins of Sanctification and Eternal Salvation by Iesus Christ. XLI Haggai earnestly exhorts the People of God to the building of the Temple He complains of the Iews neglect therein and promises Zorobabel who undertook that Work after it had been basely forsaken that the Messiah should be born of his Race XLII Zachariah liv'd in the time of Haggai and he also sollicited the re-building of the Temple He is full of Enigmas and Figures he speaks nevertheless very plainly of the coming of Christ and of his Life and Passion
Relation there are many surprizing Stories of wonderful Austerities and Examples which would be dangerous to imitate Several learned Men are of Opinion that this Palladius was likewise Author of the Life of St. Chrysostome X. Paul Orosius a Spanish Priest of the City of Tarragon and Disciple of St. Austin flourish'd under the Emperors Arcadius and Honorius The City of Rome having been taken in the Year 410. by Alaric King of the Goths the Pagans had a mind to render the Christians Odious by accusing them of being the cause thereof as likewise of all the other Calamities which befel the Roman Empire It was upon occasion of this Reproach that Paul Orosius at the Request of St. Austin undertook their Defence by shewing that all Ages have produc'd the like Misfortunes and that the Empire of Rome has never been more free from 'em than since the Birth of Christ. This Work says Du Pin is a kind of Vniversal History divided into VII Books which is not ill writ and yet not over-exact for there are many gross Faults to be met with both in the History and Chronology XI Theodoret Bishop of Cyrus a City of Syria was born in Antioch The Greek Church never had a Prelate more Learn'd and of a better Judgment He was elected into this See about the Year 423. And in 431. he assisted at the Council of Ephesus He wonderfully refuted the Heresies of his time both with Tongue and Pen. Those Works we have of his sufficiently convince us of his deep Learning and great Parts He wrote V Books of Ecclesiastical History which begun with the Heresy of Arius and proceeded on to the time of Theodosius the Younger which likewise Gennadius says he continu'd to the reign of Leo in V other Books but which however are now lost Vtinam quis tantum Thesaurum eruat e Tenebris sicubi adhue delitescunt says Father Labbe the Jesuit Among the other Works of Theodoret there is his Monastical History containing the Lives of the most famous Anchorets of his Time This Book is entituled Philotheus that is as Nicephorus explains it The History of the Beloved of God Herein are related great and wonderful Examples of Virtue XII Socrates say the Schools learnt Grammar at Constantinople under the care of Ammonius and Helladius both Natives of Alexandria He has written an Ecclesiastical History in VII Books which either begins or ends that of Eusebius that is from Constantin and continues to the 17th Consulship of Theodosius the Younger which begins with Festus in the Year 439. so that this History of Socrates comprehends the space of 140. Years Photius says it is very Uncorrect as to its Stile and less Authentick in expounding the Doctrin of the Church He gives us a great deal of reason to believe that he was byass'd to the Errors of the Novatians in that he extreamly commends the Bishops of that Persuasion and blames the Catholicks with a great deal of Vehemence XIII Sozomen Native of Salamis in the Island of Cyprus frequented the Bar for some time at Constantinople He has written IX Books of Ecclesiastical History from the third Consulship of Crispus and Constantin Junior both Sons of Constantin the Great and both Emperors to the seventeenth Consulship of Theodosius Junior that is to say from the Year 324. to the Year 429. We have lost a Continuation of this History for near 20 Years It is somewhat strange that Theodoret Socrates and Sozomenes should all Three undertake the same Work at the same time The reason I suppose must be that they did not like each others Works For it is certain says Nicephorus Writing upon this Subject that the Readers and Writers are often of different Opinions Also these Historians might well be presum'd to favour the Party they Adher'd to XIV Victor of Vtica a Bishop of Africa in the fifth Century of the Church has written an Account of the African Persecution by the Vandals in III Books the beginning whereof shews that it was compos'd in the Year 487. under the Reign of the Emperor Zeno about 60 Years after the Vandals had pass'd from Spain to Africk over the Streights of Gibraltar You shall there meet with a List of the African Bishops which were then involv'd in that Persecution among which Victor himself was not spar'd by the Tyrant Huneric XV. Cassiodorus was Chancellor and chief Minister to Theodoric the Goth and several other Kings of Italy From the Age of 20 Years he was rais'd to all the great Employments in the State all which he acquitted with that Address that he might well serve for a Model to the most refin'd Politicians that succeeded him Under the Reign of Vitigius perceiving the Power of the Goths begin to decrease in Italy he retir'd from the World to his Monastery of Viviers which he had caus'd to be Built on the Extremities of Calabria Amidst his most Burthensom Employments he did not omit Writing several excellent Books of which we shall only mention those that relate to History His Chronicle dedicated to King Theodoric was compos'd while he was a Minister of State says Father St. Marthe in his Life of Cassiodorus It is very much Abridg'd containing only the Names of the Consuls and their principal Actions Vossius after Ioseph Scaliger calls this Chronicle Farrago Cassiodori Chronicon tantum farrago est Which Injury against so great a Man the learned Benedictin that was Author of his Life could not endure They find Fault with him says He for not being exact in Chronology in a work which was purely Chronological It is therefore that they fall upon this great Person with so much Gall and Fury They particularly accuse him of being deceiv'd in counting the Consuls from the Emperor Tiberius to Dioclesian but they might be answer'd that he was not deceiv'd only by depending on the Authority of Eusebius he reckon'd the Consulship of Junius Brutus an Olympiad sooner than he ought That the multitude of Consuls amounting to 25. made in one Day caus'd a great Confusion among Historians and that in a Word the Faults of Cassiodorus are for the most part to be imputed to his Copyers c. He has also written a History consisting of three Parts and drawn out of three Authors viz. Socrates Sozomenes and Theodoret all which he has reduc'd into XII Books All these three Historians he got his Friend Epiphanius the School-Divine to Translate and out of them he afterwards compos'd a Body of History selecting out of each what he found most Excellent and Proper for his Purpose He likewise writ a History of the Goths in XII Books of which we have reason to regret the Loss and whereof we have now remaining only what Iournandez Bishop of Ravenna has preserv'd and which is to be found among the Works of Cassiodorus King Athalaric own'd that this Work was of a profound Reach that its Author had therein rescu'd from Oblivion several ancient Gothish Monarchs which were quite forgot
succeeded to Michael VI. Emperor of Constantinople This Cedrenus was a great Plagiary having Robb'd Iohn Curopalate of almost all that he says after the death of Michael I. to the Reign of Isack Comnenes It was then customary among the Greeks to rifle the Dead and this ill Example extended also to Letters Eusebius made bold with Africanus George Sincellus a Monk of Constantinople who liv'd in the Eighth Century likewise Pillag'd him in his turn and moreover Criticis'd upon him most unmercifully After him comes George Theophanus a Man in other respects good enough but he could not forbear treading in the Paths of others and enriching himself with the Spâ—ils of such has had gone before him But still herein he was more moderate than George Cedrenus whose Theft was so exceedingly extravagant that Father Labbe the Jesuit in his Book de Script Eccles. expresses himself very much displeas'd when Vossius made it a Question Whether George Cedrenus were more beholden to Iohn Curopalate or Iohn Curopalate to George Cedrenus But the Truth is these modern Greek Peices are of no great Worth for they are generally made up of the Raggs of Antiquity Patch'd and Sow'd unjudiciously together As all these different Greek Works have been generally Stollen I have not thought it convenient to allow 'em any particular Article but imagine I have done sufficient to let the World know how little they ought to be Valu'd XXVII Ingulphus an English-man of London was a Monk in the Abby of Fontenelles in Normandy and afterwards Abbot of Croyland in England He flourish'd between the Years 1050 and 1109. when he dy'd He has written an Account of the Monasteries in England from the Year 664 to 1067. which was the first Year of the Reign of William the Conquerour whose Secretary 't is said Ingulphus was after he became King of England XXVIII Iohn Zonarius a Monk of the Order of St. Basil flourish'd about the Year 1120. He has written an Universal History in III Volumes Whereof the First contains the Affairs of the Jews from the Creation of the World to the Destruction of Ierusalem The Second comprehends an Abridgment of the Roman History from the Foundation of Rome to Constantin the Great The Third contains the Actions of the Eastern Emperors from Constantin to Alexis Comnenes M. Vossius allows this Author a greater share of Genius and Exactness than he seems to have Merited by his Works This Historian before he became a Monk had divers considerable Employments in the Eastern Emperors Courts XXIX Honorius Autunensius so nam'd from his having been Prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Autun in Burgundy He flourish'd under the Reign of the Emperor Henry V. about the Year 1120. There is a very large Chronicle of his which M. Vossius says is a great Honour to its Author being of no common Benefit to the Publick Gloriam sibi publico fâ—uctu quaesivit Volumine quod summa Historiarum vel Magnum Chronicum Opus Nuncupatur Vossius c. We have likewise an Account of the Ecclesiastical Writers from this Author which he entitles De Luminaribus Ecclesiâ—e XXX William of Malmesbury or Somerset a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict in the Monastery of Malmesbury where he was Library-keeper He has Writ Five Books of English History and Two which are call'd Historia Novella It ends with the Year 1142. when it is thought that its Author dy'd He is look'd upon to be one of the best Writers of the History of England XXXI Henry Steronius a Monk of the Abbey of Altaich in Germany liv'd in the 14th Century He has compil'd Annals which begin with the Year 1152. being the First of the Reign of Frederic Barbarossa and proceed on to the Year 1273. when the Emperor Rodolphus I. of the Family of Hapsbourg began his Reign Eberard Arch-deacon of Ratisbonne continues these Annals down to the Year 1305. This Author Steren likewise writ the several Lives of the Emperors Rhodophus of Hapsbourg Adolphus of Nassaw and Albert of Austria down to the Year 1300. Vlriâ— and Conrade Wellirige of Ausbourg two Brothers and Monks of the Order of St. Benedict made an Addition to this Work which extends to the Year 1335. XXXII Henry of Huntingdon Arch-deacon and Canon of Lincoln in England flourish'd about the Year 1153. being the time when Stephen King of England dy'd He has written the History of England in X Books from the Descent of the Angels and Saxons upon Britain to the Year 1153. Polidore Virgil says this was an excellent Historian Historicus Egregius XXXIII Petrus Cemester or Peter the Eâ—ter was Native of Trâ—ies in Champagne He quitted the Benefice which he had in the place of his Birth to become a Member among the Regular Canons of St Victor at Paris where he dy'd in October towards the Year 1198. and his Tomb and Epitaph in the Church of St. Victor have been frequently Visited by the Curious He was a very learn'd Man for the time while he liv'd He compos d the History call'd Scolastick which Sixtus of Siena extreamly commends tho' he says withal that its Author has intermixt with it a great many Apocryphal Actions which have no good Warrant from Antiquity In this History which consists of XVI Books â—he Abridges all the Old and New Testament adding here and there some Notes and Remarks drawn out of the Fathers and some profane Writers XXXIV Otho of Freisingen so nam'd for having been Bishop of that City was Son to Leopold Marquess of Austria equally Illustrious for his Birth Learning and Piety Being Dissatisfied with the Professors of the College of Newbourg which his Father had Founded he went to Study in the University of Paris He afterwards admitted himself of the Order of White-Fryars in the Monastery of Morimond of which in a short time his Virtue advanc'd him to be Abbot Having been chosen Bishop of Freisingen he return'd into Germany in the Year 1148. when he waited on the Emperor Conrade in his Expedition to the Holy-Land But upon his Return being convinc'd more than ever of the Vanity of Things of this World he hasted to his belov'd Retirement of Morimond where he dy'd the 21st of September in the Year 1158. This Otho writ a Chronicle in VII Books from the beginning of the World to the Year 1146. He also compil'd the Life of Frederick Barberossa which Radevic a Canon of Freisingen continu'd XXXV William a French-man tho' some say a German was elected Arch-bishop of Tyre in Phenicia the 30th of May 1175. He has written the History of the Holy-War under Godfrey of Bulloign Which he begins with the Year 1095. and ends with that of 1180. This Work comprehends XXIII Books but the last is not quite finish'd Iohn Harold has hereto added VI Books after a Fashion The Year of William of Tyre's Death is unknown XXXVI Helmodius a Priest of Busoen near Lubec liv'd in the Twelfth Century in the time of the Emperor Frederic
and keep up his great Credit in Rome under the Reigns of Commodus Caracalla Macrinus and Heliogabalus who took a particular delight in putting to Death the best of Men. However if what he related in his 72d Book about his Familiar be false yet we must acknowledge the admirable Prudence and wise Conduct of that great Man in the most difficult Times for Merit and Virtue There 's one thing very unaccountable in Dion Cassius's History which is his Satyrical Invectives against Cicero Brutus and Seneca whom he charges with the most enormous Crimes I shall not mention any of them because they rather deserve to be blotted out of his Writings than any stress to be laid upon them And 't is upon that score that Vossius charges this Historian with Malice or want of Judgment Omnino haec aut insignem judicij defectum aut malam mentem arguunt At last Dion Cassius through the inspiration of his Genius left Rome and returned to his Birth-place to avoid the ambush that the Pretorian Soldiers had laid for him He retired to Nice says Mr. de la Mothe le Vayer towards the latter end of his Life to pass there in quiet the remaining part of it in which he did like those Animals which are said always to come and die in their Form Father Rapin gives us this Judgment upon him Thus the long Discourse which Dion makes in the 56th Book of his History in Commendation of Marriage and Celibacy is not very much to the purpose The Speeches of Agrippa and Moecenas to Augustus the first of which advises him to quit the Empire and the others to keep it are both admirable in Dion Cassius but they are so long that they make up the whole 52d Book Dion Cassius has lost his Credit with most Men by the extraordinary Things he relates without Judgment For instead of following the Truth he runs into improbabilities as when in the 66th Book of his History he tells you That Vespasian restored a Blind Man to his Sight by Spitting on his Eyes XII Herodian was originally a Grammarian of Alexandria as well as his Father Apollonius sirnamed Discolos or difficult He spent the best part of his Life at Rome in the Court of the Emperors where he had an opportunity to inform himself with the curious Nicety observable in his Books of a thousand fine things not to be met with any where else His History is divided into VIII Books and contains a Series of Seventy Years that is the Government of all the Emperors that have succeeded one another from Marcus Aurelius Antoninus the Philosopher to the Young Gordianus Son to the first Dion Cassius and Herodian are the first that have acquainted us with the Pagan Ceremonies which the Romans us'd in the Funeral Honours paid to the Ashes of the Emperors and all that was practis'd at their Consecration and Apotheosis that is as their being rank'd amongst the Gods Dion Cassius gives us a very curious Description of the Funeral Pomp of the Emperor Augustus which is one of the finest Pieces in all his Works and he does not forget to tell us with what dexterity they made the Eagle fly from the top of the Funeral Pile from whence that Iupiter's Bird seem'd to carry up to Heaven the Emperor's Soul Herodian in imitation of Dion Cassius describes very finely the Funeral Rites perform'd to the Ashes of the Emperor Severus which his Sons had brought from England to Rome in a Vessel of Alabaster He acquaints us how they were received with Adoration by the Senate and all the People and carried in an Urn by the Consuls to the Temple where the Sacred Monuments of the Emperors were deposited c. These things deserve to be seen in the Original to which therefore we refer the Reader Photius speaking of the Merit of Herodian's History does not stick to say that if we attend to all the Parts requisite in an Historian there are few Authors that ought to be preferr'd before him XIV Zozimus who flourish'd under the Reign of the Young Theodosius has compos'd a History divided into VI Books The 1st gives a summary Account of the Lives of the Emperors from Augustus to Dioclesian but we want something of it Photius pretends that Zozimus made bold with the History of the Cesar's written by Eunapius how far this Charge is true we cannot well determine because we want Eunapius's Work Vossius relates that there was a Report in his Time that the Manuscript of Eunapius's History was in the Library of Venice However the Five other Books of Zozimus are much larger and more exact particularly when he comes to the Times of Theodosius the Great and his two Sons Arcadius and Honorius because he then speaks of what he has seen himself He descends as far as the second Siege which Alaric laid to Rome and speaks of the occasion of his falling out with Honorius Photius says That Zozimus snarls and barks like a Dog at Christians and it cannot be denied but that this Pagan Author had an implacable hatred against the professors of Christianity which has made him guilty of Injustice upon some occasions For altho ' Constantine and the other Christian Emperors were not altogether free from great Crimes and upon that score ought not to be spared by an Historian especially that does not forget their Virtues yet it is certain that the hatred he had for Religion has given him a singular Complacency in inveighing against the Vices of Constantine and other Christian Emperors 'T is also out of the same Spirit that he charges the Christian Religion with all the Miseries that befell the Romans and ascribes the decline of their Empire to the Contempt they had for the old Religion and the Worship of those Gods under whose protection Rome had flourished for 1200 Years Leunclavius a Learned German Apologizes for Zozimus and says That it is no wonder for a Pagan to speak ill of the Christian Religion However there is an excess of Heat and Animosity in his Writings which transgresses the Laws of History and therefore can never be justified XV. Procopius was of Caesaria in Palestine from whence he came to Constantinople in the time of the Emperor Anastasius He was both a Rhetorician and Lawyer and came afterwards to be Secretary to Belisarius whose Actions he has celebrated His History contains VIII Books the two first which treat of the Persian War have been Abridged by Photius in his Bibliotheca The two following speak of the War of the Vandals and the four last describe the Wars of the Goths Besides these VIII Books there 's still a Ninth which has made a great deal of Noise in the World it is Entituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Inedita Things not Published This is a most bitter and abusive Satyr against the Emperor Iustinian and the Empress Theodora and these August Persons are no less defamed in these Anecdotes than they are commended in Procopius's
home He rebuilt the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius fortified the Hill Ianiculum made a large Ditch called Fossa Quiritium built a large Prison in the heart of the City fronting the Forum enlarged the Pomaerium of the City and built a Town called Ostia at the Mouth of the River Tyber In his time Lucumo an Hetrurian the Son of Demaratus a rich Merchant of Corinth came to Rome with his Wife Tanaquil from Tarquinia in Hetruria He changed his Name into Lucius adding that of Tarquinius from the Place of his Birth By his Liberality and magnificent way of Living he became known to Ancus and was beloved by the People Ancus made him a Senator and at his Death Guardian of his two young Sons who being Minors occasioned an Interregnum and gave opportunity to 3336. 5. L. Tarquinius Sirnamed Priscus to manage the Publick Affairs and in the end obtain'd the Government for in a Speech to the Senate he in a manner begg'd the Crown and was made King and reigned 38 years 614 In the beginning of his Reign the better to ingratiate himself with the common People he chose 100 out of the most Eminent of the Plebeians and added them to the Senate which made up the number of 300. These last were called Patres minorum Gentium i. e. Senators of a lower Degree He likewise increased the number of Vestal Virgins from four to seven The Latines warred against him but were forced to sue for Peace After this he defeated the Sabines twice and obliged them to do the same Next he had to deal with the Hetrurians or Tuscans whom he likewise conquered in several Battels and humbled them so far that they owned him for their Prince and in token of their Allegiance presented him with a Crown of Gold an Ivory Chair a Sceptre with an Eagle on the top a Purple Coat wrought with Gold and a Purple Gown pink'd This King built the Walls of the City which before were patched up in haste with large square Stone adorn'd the Forum with Porticos Galleries and Shops made several Cloacae or Common-Shores to carry the Filth of the City into the Tybâ—r built the Circus for Publick Games with Seats and Galleries for the Spectators and laid the Foundation of the Capitol At last he was killed by the two Sons of Ancus Marcius 3374. 6. Servius Tullus succeeded and reigned 44 years 576 This Prince was the Son of a Noble Prisoner taken by Tarquin at Corniculum a Town in Latium He was in great Repute with Tanaquil the Wife of Tarquin who gave her Daughter in Marriage to him and was an Instrument of making him King The Senate was against it but the People were for it and elected him at the Comitia Curiata Not long after his Settlement he according to Promise divided the publick Lands among the poorer sort He enlarged the City taking three Hills to the four former viz. the Quirinal Viminal and Esqueline He divided the City into four Parts making four Tribes instead of three and first instituted the Census or Numbering the Citizens according to six distinct Classes or Orders After this he instituted the Lustrum which was to be repeated every five years and was the first who coined Money at Rome with the Image of a Sheep whence it had the Name of Pecunia Nor did he only settle Affairs at home but took care likewise to suppress Disturbances abroad For the Hetrurians revolting he had Wars with them for 20 years successively defeated them several times triumphed over them thrice and obliged them to sue for a Peace He married his two Daughters to the Grandsons of Tarquinius Priscus Aruns and Tarquinius who was afterwards Sirnamed Superbus The latter had a mild-natur'd Wife the former an imperious Dame Tarquin agreed with his Brother's Wife to kill the one her Husband and the other his Wife and afterwards to marry together which was accordingly put in Practice After this Tarquin killed his Father-in-Law and his Wife Tullia hastening to salute her Husband King ordered her Chariot to drive over the Body of her dead Father in that Street which before was called Cyprius but after the Fact it was called Vicus Sceleratus 3418. 7. Tarquinius Superbus having thus barbarously killed his Father-in-Law usurped the Kingdom and reigned 25 years 532 Upon his mounting the Throne he put all the Friends of Tullus to Death and dreading the natural Consequences of his Tyranny and ill-gotten Greatness kept a stronger Guard than ordinary about his Person He managed the whole Affairs of the State himself slighted the Senate diminished their Authority cut off several of them and seized upon their Estates Among the rest Marcus Iunius was one who left behind him a Son named Lucius Iunius Lucius fearing he should suffer the same Fate with his Father and eldest Brother counterfeited himself a Fool was thence called Brutus and kept by Tarquin in his House to make his Children sport He carried on the Dissimulation for many years very dexterously and was at last the chief Instrument in banishing the Tyrant Tarquin was engaged in several Wars first marched against the Sabines and subdued them Then began a War with the Volsci which with some Intermissions lasted above 200 years and took from them Suessa-Pometia Next he fell upon Gabii which he took by the Treachery of his Son Sextus who under a pretence of Deserting from his Father for some Injuries offered him got to be their General and cut off the chief Citizens After this he built the Capitol and bought the three Books of the Sibyls Oracles six of the nine that were offered him being burnt which Books were kept as Sacred by the Quindecimviri in the Capitol and perished in that Building when it was burnt in Sylla's time At last he proclaimed War against the Rutili and invested their Metropolis Ardea At the time that the Army â—ay before this City it was that Sextus Tarquin's Son inflamed by Lucretia's Beauty stole priviâ—y to Câ—â—latia where she resided and ravished her The virtuous Lucretia almost dead with Grief and Shame sent for her Father from Rome and her Husband Collatinus from the Camp desiring them to bring along with them some of their particular Friends Publius Valerius came with her Father Lucretius and Lucius Iunius Brutus with her Husband to them she related the whole Story and immediately with a Ponyard stabbed her self to the Heart They were startled at the Sight and filled with Grief and Indignation but to their great Surprize Brutus throwing off his Disguised Folly declared his Resolution and made them swear upon the bloody Ponyard to assist him in revenging this and the other Wickednesses of Tarquin and his Family by expelling him and them the Government And immediately entring upon Action they shut up the City-Gates and assembled the Senate who being made sensible of the Wickedness of their King and his Family issued out a Decree of Expulsion against Tarquin Afterwards Brutus brought out Lucretia's Body exposed it to