whole Nations boast that they descend This Epocha therefore is proper to recollect whatsoever the Fabulous Times had that was most certain and most eminent But what is seen in the Sacred History is in all Points most remarkable Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1177 the prodigious Strength of Samson Years of the World 2887 and likewise his marvellous Weakness Eli Years of the World 1176 the High-Priest Venerable by his Piety Years of the World 2888 Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1095 and unhappy by the Guilt of his Sons Samuel Years of the World 2909 an irreproachable Judge and a Prophet chosen by God to anoint Kings Saul the first King of Gods People his Victories his presumption to Sacrifice without the Priests his Disobedience pitifully excused under the pretence of Religion his Reprobation his fatal Fall About this time Codrus King of Athens gave up himself to death for the safety of his People and by his Death they got the Victory His Sons Medon and Nileus dispute for the Kingdom Upon this occasion the Athenians abolish all Regality and declare that Jupiter was their only King They created Governours or perpetual Presidents but they were subject to render an account of their Administration These Magistrates were called Archontes Medon the Son of Codrus was the first who exercised this Magistracy and it continued a long while in his Family The Athenians extended their Colonies into that part of Lesser Asia which was called Ionia The Aeolick Colonies were set up much-what about the same time and all the Lesser Asia was filled with Greek Towns Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1055 After Saul came David that admirable Years of the World 2949 Shepherd the Conqueror of the fierce Goliah and of all the Enemies of the People of God a great King a great Conqueror and a great Prophet worthy to sing out the Praises and wonderful Works of his great Creator in a word a Man after God's Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1034 own Heart as he himself stiles him and Years of the World 2970 Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1014 who by his Repentance did even turn his Years of the World 2990 Offences to the Glory of his Maker To this Pious Warriour succeded his Son Solomon Wise Just Peaceful whose Hands Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1012 undefiled with Blood were accounted worthy Years of the World 2992 to build the Temple of God VI. Epocha Solomon or the Temple finished 5. Age of the World This was about the year 3000. of the World the year 488. since the Departure out of Aegypt and to adjust the Times of Sacred History with those of the Profane 180 years after the taking of Troy 250 years before the Founding of Rome and 1000 years before Jesus Christ when Solomon Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1004 finished that stupendious Edifice He Years of the World 3000 Years be ∣ fore J. C. 1003 celebrated the Dedication of it with an extraordinary Years of the World 3001 Piety and Magnificence And this famous Action was followed with several other Wonders of the Reign of Solomon which ended in shameful Weaknesses He gave up himself to the Love of Women which debased his Mind made his Heart grow wavering so that at last his Piety degenerated into Idolatry God tho' justly provoked yet spares him for the sake of David his Servant however he would not suffer his Ingratitude utterly to go unpunished he divides his Kingdom after his death under his Son Rehoboam The Brutish Pride of that young Prince causes Ten of his Years be ∣ fore J. C. 975 Tribes to be cut off from him which Jeroboam Years of the World 3029 separated from their God and from their King For fear lest they should return to the Kings of Judah he forbids them going to Sacrifice at the Temple of Jerusalem and he sets up his Golden Calves to which he ascribes the Name of the God of Israel that so the Innovation might appear less strange The same Reason made him retain the Law of Moses which he interpreted according to his own Will and Pleasure but almost all the Politie of it he caused to be observed as well the Civil as Religious so that the Pentateuch remained still in veneration among the separated Tribes Thus was the Kingdom of Israel set up against the Kingdom of Judah In that of Israel Impiety and Idolatry reigned and triumphed But Religion tho' it was several times clouded in that of Judah yet it was always preserved there About this Years be ∣ fore J. C. 971 time the Kings of Aegypt were very powerful Years of the World 3033 The Four Kingdoms had been re-united under that of Thebes It is believed that Sesostris that famous Conqueror of the Aegyptians is that Sesac King of Aegypt whom God made use of to chastise the Impiety of Rehoboam In the Reign of Abijah the Son of Rehoboam is observable that great and mighty Victory which the Piety of that Prince gained him over the Schismatical Tribes Hâ—s Son Asa whose Piety is commended Years be ∣ fore J. C. 917 in Scripture is taken notice of there Years of the World 3087 to be a Man who in his Sicknesses relied more upon the Humane Help of Medicines than of the Goodness and Power of God Years be ∣ fore J. C. 924 In his time Amri King of Israel built Samaria Years of the World 3080 Years be ∣ fore J. C. 914 where he established the Seat of his Years of the World 3090 Kingdom This Time is followed with the admirable Reign of Jehosaphat wherein flourished Piety Justice Navigation and the Military Art Whilst he appeared in the Kingdom of Judah another David Ahab and his Wife Jezabel who then reigned in Israel joyned to Jeroboam's Idolatry all the Impieties Years be ∣ fore J. C. 899 of the Gentiles They perished both of Years of the World 3105 them miserably God who had bore with their Idolatries was resolved to revenge upon them the Blood of Naboth whom they had caused to be slain because he had refused as the Law of Moses required to sell them the Fee of his Paternal Inheritance Their Sentence was pronounced by the Mouth of the Prophet Elijah Ahab was killeâ— some time after notwithstanding all Years be ∣ fore J. C. 987 his â—ircumspection to save himself About Years of the World 3107 this time we are to râ—ckon the Foundation of Carthage which Dido wâ—o was come from Tyre built in a Place after the Example of Tyre which was very convenient for Traffick as it was likewise for becoming Mistress of the Sea It is somewhat hard to assign the Time when it formed it self into a Republick but the mixing of the Tyrians and Africans made it become equally Warlike and Trafficking The ancient Hâ—sâ—orians who place its Origine before the Ruine of Troy seem to fancy that Dido rather enlarged and fortified it than that ever Years be ∣ fore J. C. 888 she laid the Foundations of it Affairs began
had built was placed in the Holy of Holys a place iâ—â—cessible a Symbol of the impeâ—â—â—rable Majesty of God and of Heaven forbidden to Men until Jesus Christ had opened them an Entrance into it by the shedding of his â—tood On the Day of the Dedication of the Temple God appeared there in his Majesty He chose that place to establish his Name and his Worship there He forbad them there to Sacrifice in any other place The unity of God was demonstrated of the Unity of his Temple Jerusalem became a holy City the image of the Church 〈◊〉 God was to inhabit as in his true Temple and of Heaven where he will make us eternally happy by the manifestation of his glory After that Solomon had built the Temple he built also the Palace of the Kings the Architecture of which was worthy so great a Prince His Country-house which was called The Forest of Lebanon 1 Kings 7.2 10. was equally magnificent and delicate The Palace which he made for the Queen was a new Ornament to Jerusalem Every thing was great and splendid in those Buildings The Potches the Galleries the Walks the King's Throne and the Tribunal where he sate to judge Cedar was the only Wood he made use of in all those costly Works All things shined there of Gold and rich Stones The Citizens and the Strangers admired the Majesties of the Kings of Israel The rest was correspondent to this Magnificence 1 Kings 10. 2 Chron. 8 9. The Towns the Arsenals the Horses the Chariots the Prince's Guard the Commerce the Navigation and the good Order with a profound Peace had made Jerusalem the richest City of the East The Kingdom was at rest and abounded with all things every thing there represented the heavenly glory In the Wars of David were seen the wearisome Toils by which they were to deserve it and in the reign of Solomon how peaceable and quiet the Enjoyment of it was But the raising of these two great Kings and of the Royal Family was th' effect of a particular Election David himself celebrates the Marvel of it in these words 1 Chron. 28.4 5. The Lord God of Israel chose 〈◊〉 before all the House of my Father to be King over Israel for ever for he hath chosen Judah to be the Ruler and of the House of Judah the House of my Father and among the Sons of my Father he liked me to make me King over all Israel and he said to me Solomon thy Son shall build my House and my Courts for I have chosen hiâ— to be my Son and I will be his Father This Divine Election had a higher object than what at first appeared That Messiah so often promised as the Son of Abraham was also to be the Son of David and of all the Kings of Judah It was upon the prospect of the Messiah and of his Eternal Reign that God promised to David that his Throne should be maintained for ever Solomon chosen to be his Successor was designated to represent the Person of the Messiah Wherefore God saith of him 2 Sam. 7.14 I will be his Father and he shall be my Son a thing which he never said with that energy and force of any King nor of any Man Also in the time of David 1 Chron. 22.10 and under the Kings his Sons the Mystery of the Messiah was declared more than ever by the wonderful Prophecies which were clearer than the Sum at Noon-day David perceived it afar off and sung of it in his Psalms with a grandcur that nothing will ever be equal to it Oft-times he only thought of celebrating the glory of his Son Solomon and of a sudden being transported beyond himself and carried far away Matth. 6.29.12.42 Psal 72.5.11.17 he saw him who was greater than Solomon both in glory and wisdom The Messiah appeared to him sitting upon a Throne more lasting than the Moon He saw at his feet all the Nations overcome and blessed in him agreeable to the Promise made to Abraham He raised his sight higher still and said 〈◊〉 saw him in the light of his Saints Psal 110. and before the Morning coming from all Eternity out of the Bosome of his Father the Eternal High Priest and without a Successor neither succeeding himself to any One created extraordinarily not according to the order of Aâ—râ—â— but after the order of Melchisedâ—â— a new order which the Law knew nothing of He beheld him sitting on the right hand of God and seeing from the highest Heavens his Enemies his Footstool He is astonished at so great and wonderful a Spectacle and ravished with the glory of his Son he calleth him His Lord. He saw him God that God had anointed him to make him over all the Earth Psal 45.3 4 5 6 7 8. c. by his Meekness Truth and Righteousness He was in Spirit assisting to the Council of God and heard from the very Mouth of the Eteâ—nal Father that Word which he addressed to his only Son Psal 2.7 8. This day have I begotten Thee whereto God joyned the Promise of a perpetual Empire Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Thou shalt break them with a rod of Irâ—n thâ—â— shalt dash them in pieces like a Pâ—tter'â— Vessel Why do the Heathen rage and the People imagine a vain thing the Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their Bâ—nds asunder and cast away their Cords from us He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derisiâ—n for their foolish Projects and in spight of all their ridiculous opposition he will establish the Empire of his Christ Be wise therefore Psal 2.10 O ye Kings be instructed ye Jâ—dges of the Earth He establishes him upon themselves and they must be the first Subjects of that Christ whose Yoke they would have so fain shook off And tho' the Kingdom of that great Messiah be often foretold in the Scriptures under the most pompous and magnificent Idea's yet God did not hide from David the Igonominies of that blessed Fruit of his Loinâ— This Instruction was necessary for the People of God If that People as yet but weak had need of being drawn on by Temporal Promises yet it was not fâ—t to let them only have regard to these Humane things as their utmost and most soveraign Felicity and as their only Recompence wherefore God shews them afar off that Messiah so much promised and so much desired the Model of Perfection the Object of their Complaisances and Delight swallowed up with Grief The Cross appeared to David as the true Throne of that new King He saw his hands and his feet pierced and that all his bones might be told Psal 22.16 17 18 19. they looked and stared upon him being most
for many Millions of years Plat. in Tim. Diod. 1. § 1. It was the Mother of both Men and Beasts which the Land of Egypt watered with the River Nilus had brought forth whilst all Nature besides was barren The Priests that composed the History of Egypt out of that vast continuance of Ages which they only filled with the Fables and Genealogies of their Gods did it â—o imprint into the minds of the People the Antiquity and Nobleness of their Country But their real History was circumscribed within reasonable Bounds and yet they found so much as to lose themselves in an infinite Abyss of Time which seemed to bring them near to Eternity But yet their love to their Country had more solid Foundations Egypt was in fine the most beautiful Country in the World the most plentiful by Nature the best cultivated by Art the richest the most commodious and the most adorned by the care and magnificence of her Kings There was nothing but what was very great in their Designs and in their Work What they made in Nilus is incredible It rained very seldom in Egypt but that River which watered it all by its orderly Flowings brought to it the Rains and the Snows of other Countreys For the multiplying of so beneficial a River Herod 2. Diod. 1. §. 2. Egypt was Traversed with an infinite number of Chanels of an incredible length and largeness Nilus carried fruitfulness every where with its wholsom Waters united Towns to one another and the great Sea to the red Sea kept up Commerce both within and our of the Kingdom and fortified it against the Enemy so that it was altogether both the Nourisher and the Defender of Egypt The Fields were swallowed up with it but the Towns that were set above by vast pains and labour and raised as Islands in the midst of the Waters joyful at such their advancements they beheld all the Plain overflown and at the same time made fruitful by the Nile When it swelled it self above Measure there were great Lakes cut hollow by the Kings that opened their Bosoms to the poured our Waters They have their discharges prepared great Sluces opened or shut them up as there was occasion and the Waters having thus their retreat tarried no longer on the Earth than just what was necessary to Marle and make 'em fertile Such was the use of this great Lake which was called the Lake of Myris or of Moeris Herod 10. Diod. ibid. It was the name of the King that had caused it to be made One would be astonished to read what notwithstanding is very certain that the Compass of it round was about a hundred and fourscore of our Leagues That too much of the good Land might not be lost by the cutting it hollow they extended it chiefly towards the Coast of Libya The Fishery was worth to the King vast Sums of Money and so when the Land did not produce any thing it yielded Treasures by being covered with the Waters Two Pyramids each of which bore upon a Throne two Colossus-like Statues the one of Myris the other of his Wife were raised three hundred Foot high in the midst of the Lake and were of an equal Depth under the Water So that they shewed that they were built before the Hollow was filled and that a Lake of that vast Extent was made by Man's Hand under one single Prince Those who do not know to what degree the Earth may be improved take for a Romance what is related of the number of the Towns in Egypt Herod 2. Diod. 1. 2. The Richness of them is no less incredible There was not one of them that had not magnificent Temples and most stately and august Palaces Architecture discovered there in all things such a noble Simplicity and Greatness that it took up the whole Imagination Diod. Ibid. The long Galleries exposed to every ones View such Sculptures in them as Greece took for Models Thebes was able to dispute it with the finest Cities of the Universe Her hundred Gates which Homer sung of are known to all the World She was as full of People as she was vast Pomp. Mel. 1. 9. and it was said she could at one time draw out ten thousand Combatants thro' each of her Gates Let there be if you please a little stretch in that Number yet it is most certain that her People were not to be numbered The Greeks and the Romans have celebrated their Magnificence and their Grandeur though they had only seen the Ruines of her Strab. 17. Tac. Ann. 2. 6. so extremely splendid were her Remains If our Travellers had got so far as where this City was built they would no doubt have yet found something incomparable in her Ruines For the Works of the Egyptians were made to hold out against the destruction of time Their Statues were Colosses Herod Diod. loc citat their Pillars vast Egypt aimed at Grandeur and to strike the Eyes at a distance but always to content by the Justice of the Proportions There were discovered in Sand or Salid you know very well that that is the name of Thebais Temples and Palaces almost yet entire Voyag pr. by M. Thevenot where those Pillars and Statues are innumerable One Palace is admired there above all the Remains of which seem only to continue to efface the Glory of all even the greatest Works Four Galleries whose Prospect lost our Sight bounded on each side by Sphinxes of as curious a Substance as their Greatness is remrkable serve as Avenues to four Portico's of such a hight as were an Astonishment to the Eyes What Magnificence and Extent was there As yet those that have described to us this prodigious Building have not had time of going round it nay and are not very sure they have seen above half of it but however all they have seen was very surprizing A Hall which seems to be placed in the middle of that stately Palace was supported by six score Pillars of thirty Foot in Compass proportionably high and intermixt with Obelisques which so many Ages have never been able yet to demolish Even the Colours that is to say that which rather tryed the Power of time are still preserved among the Ruines of that admirable Edifice ay and preserved in their Strength and Vivacity So skilled was Egypt in imprinting the Characters of Immortality on all her Works Now that the Name of the King is gone thro' all the unknown Parts of the World and that that Prince likewise extends his Researches as far as he hath caused to be made the most beautiful Works of Nature and of Art would it not be an Object worthy of so noble a Curiosity to discover the Beauties which Thebais locks up in her Desarts and to inrich our Architecture with the Inventions of Egypt What Power and what Art was it that could make such a Country to be the Wonder of the Universe And what Beauties might
Years of the World 3116 to change Figure in the Kingdom of Judah Athaliah the Daughter of Ahab and Jezabel carried Impiety along with her into the House of Jehosaphat Jehoram the Son of so pious a Prince chose rather to imitate his Father-in-Law than his own Father Years be ∣ fore J. C. 885 The Hand of God was upon him His Years of the World 3119 Reign was short and his End dreadful In the midst of his Chastisements God wrought unheard-of Prodigies even in favour of the Israelites whom he would now recaâ—l to Repentance They saâ— without ever being converted the Wonders of Elijah and Elisha who prophesied during the Reign of Ahab Mâ—rrâ— Aâ—â—na and five of his Successors At this time Hâ—mer flourished as Hesiod had done Thirty years before The Ancient Manners aâ—d Customs which they represent to us and the Vestigia that they still keep with much Grandeur and with the ancient Simplicity does not a little serve to let us understand the Antiquities that are a great deal more remote and the Divine Simplicity Years be ∣ fore J. C. 884 of the Scripture There had been terrible Years of the World 3120 Spectacles in the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel Jezabâ—l was thrown down out of a Tower-window by the command of Jehu who valued not the painting her Face and tyring her Head but fulfilled the Word of the Lord in causing his Horses to tread her under their Feet He killed Jehoram King of Israel the Son of Ahab even all the House of Ahab was destroyed and it wanted but a little of drawing that of the Kings of Judah into its own Ruine King Ahazia the Son of Joram King of Judah and of Athaliah was slain in Samaria with his Brethren as an Ally and Friend to the Children of Ahab As soon as this News was brought to Jerusalem Athaliah resolved to cut off all that remained of the Seed-Royal without sparing her own Children and so to reign and govern by the loss of her own Only Jehoash the Son of Ahaziah a Child that then hung at the Breast was stole away from her Fury by Jehosheba his Aunt Jehosheba the Sister of Ahaziah and Wife of Jehoiada the High-Priest hid him in the House of the Lord and saved that only precious Remainder of the House of David Athaliah who thought him dead with the rest lived without fear Plat. de Repâ—◠〈…〉 Arist â—olit l. 2. c. 9. Lycurgus prescribed Laws to the Lacedemonians He is rebuked for having made them all Martial after the Example of Minos whose Institutions he had followed and for having but little provided for the Womens Modesty for that so he might make all his Men Soldiers he obliged them to a very laborious and temperate Life Nothing was stirring in Judah against Athaliah and therefore she thought her self established during a six years Reign But God raised her up an Years be ∣ fore J. C. 678 Avenger in the holy Sanctuary of his Temple Years of the World 3326 When he was come to be seven years old Jehoiada made him known to some of the Rulers over Hundreds with the Captains of the Guard and the Royal Army whom he had carefully managed and being assisted with the Priests he anointed the young King in the Temple Easily were the People persuaded to acknowledge the Heir of Davâ—d and of Jehosaphat At the noise whereof Athaliah ran to dissipate the Conspiracy but being forced without the Ranges of the Temple she there received the Reward of her Crimes As long as Jehoiada lived Joash reigneth well keeping to the Law of Moses After the Death of this holy Man of God corrupted by the Flatteries of his Courtiers he falls in with them to downright Idolatry The High-Priest Years be ∣ fore J. C. 840 Zacharias the Son of Jehoiada was resolved Years of the World 3164 to reprove him for it but Jehoash without ever being mindful of what he owed to his Father caused him to be stoned But Vengeance followed close at the heels of Years be ∣ fore J. C. 839 this for the next year Jehoash being beaten Years of the World 3165 by the Syrians and fallen into contempt was assassinated by his own Subjects and Amaziah his Son a better Man than himself was set upon the Throne Years be ∣ fore J. C. 825 The Kingdom of Israel being wasted and Years of the World 3179 depressed by the Victories of the Kings of Syria and by Civil Wars re-assumed its Forces under Jeroboam II. who was more pious than his Predecessors Hoziah otherwise called Azariah the Son of Amaziah also governed the Kingdom of Judah with no less Honour and Glory This is that Years be ∣ fore J. C. 810 Famous Hoziah that was smitten with Leprosie Years of the World 3194 and often reproved in Scripture for having towards his latter days presumed to take upon him the Priestly Office and against the Prohibition of the Law had himself offered up Incense upon the Altar of Perfumes He was to be set aside though he was a King according to the Law of Moses and Jotham his Son who was afterwards his Successor did wisely govern the Kingdom Under the Reign of Hoziah the Holy Prophets the Chief of whom at that time were Hosea and Isaiah began to publish their Prophecies in Writing and in particular Books the Originals of which they deposited in the Temple to serve as a Monument to Posterity The Lesser Prophecies which were given only vivâ voce were as was usual registred in the Rolls of the Temple with the History of the time The Years be ∣ fore J. C. 776 Olympic Games instituted by Hercules and Years of the World 3228 long discontinued were re-established and from that re-establishment came the Olympiades by which the Grecians counted their Years Aboâ—â— this time ended that which Varro calls thâ— Fabulous because the profane Histories then were full of confusion and falsities and the Historical times began wherein the affairs of the World were reported with more exactness and fidelity The first Olympiad is marked out by the victory of Corebus They were renewed every five years and after four years Revolution There in the Assembly of all Greece at Pisa first and afterwards at Elida those famous Combats were celebrated where the Conquerors were crowned with incredible Applauses The Exercises likewise were in great honour and Greece every day became more strong and more cultivated Italy as yet was almost all over savage The Latin Kings of Aeneas's Race reigned at Alba. Phul was King of Assyria 'T was believ'd he was the Father of Sardanapalus called according to the Eastern Custom Sardan Pul that is to say Sardan the Son of Phul. 'T was also thought that this Phul or Pul had been King Years be ∣ fore J. C. 771 of â—ineveh who joined with his People in Years of the World 3233 Repentance at the Preaching of Jonas That Prince invited by the Confusions of the Kingdom of Israel went to invade it but
being come to an Agreement with Manahem he established him in the Throne that he went to Usurp by Violence and received by way of acknowledgment the Tribute of a thousand Talents Under his Son Sardanapalus and after Alcmaeon the last perpetual Archon of the Athenians that People whom his humour led insensibly to affect a popular Estate lessened the Power of their Magistrates and in ten years wholly overthrew the Archontick Administration The first of this way was Charops Romulus and Remus sprung from the antient Kings of Alba by their Mother Ilia re-established in the Kingdom of Alba their Grandfather Numitor of which his Brother Amilius had dispossest him and presently after they founded Rome whilst Jotham Reigned in Judah VII Epocha Romulus or Rome founded That City which was to be the Mistress of the World and in futurity the chief Seat of the Romish Religion was founded toward the end of the third year of the sixth Years be ∣ fore J. C. 754 Olympiad 430 years after the taking Years of the World 3250 of Troy from whence the Romans believed their Ancestors to be sprung and 753 years before Jesus Christ Romulus being bred up hardly with Shepherds and always Years of Rome 1 engaged in Warlike Exercises consecrated this City to the God of War who he Years be ∣ fore J. C. 748 said was his Father About the time of Years of Rome 6 Rome's Birth through the effeminate Luxury of Sardanapalus happened the Fall of the first Empire of the Assyrians The Medes a warlike People animated by the Discourses of Arbaces their Governour set an Example to all his Subjects of contemning and scorning him All were up in a general revolt against him and at length he perished in his chief City where he saw himself constrained to fling himself into the Fire with his Concubines his Eunuchs and his Riches Out of the Ruins of this Empire were seen to come three great Kingdoms Arbaces or Orbaces whom some call Pharnaces freed the Medes who after a very long Anarchy had three most puissant Kings Moreover presently after Sardanapalus there appeared a second Kingdom of the Assyrians Years be ∣ fore J. C. 747 of which Nineveh was the chief City Years of Rome 7 and a Kingdom of Babylon These two last Kingdoms are not unknown to prophane Authors and are much celebrated in the sacred History The second Kingdom of Nineveh is founded by Tilgath of Tiglath the Son of Phalaser called for this reason Tiglathphalesar to whom was also given the name of Ninus the younger Baladan whom the Greeks called Belasis established the Kingdom of Babylon which is known by the name of Nabonassar From thence the Aera of Nabonassar famous with Ptolomy and the antient Astronomers who reckoned their years by the Reign of that Prince It is fit to explain here the signification of this word Aera which is a number of Years began at a certain point of Time which some extraordinary Accident makes remarkable Wicked Years be ∣ fore J. C. 740 and Sinful Ahaz King of Judah oppressed Years of Rome 14 by Rezin King of Syria and by Pekah the Son of Remaliah King of Israel instead of having recourse to God who stirred him up those Enemies to punish him called Tiglathphalesar the first King of Assyria or Nineveh who brought the Kingdom of Israel to its last extremity and utterly destroyed that of Syria and at the same time he ravaged that of Judah which had desired his Assistance Thus the Kings of Assyria took Years be ∣ fore J. C. 721 the way to the Holy Land and resolved Years of Rome 33 upon the Conquest of it They began with the Kingdom of Israel which Salmanasser the Son and Successor of Tilgath Pilneser utterly destroyed Osee King of Israel relied upon the succour of Sabacon otherwise called Sua or Soü◠King of Aethiopia who had invaded Aegypt But that mighty Conqueror could not get it out of the hands of Salmanassar The ten Tribes with whom the Worship of God was quite worn off were transported to Nineveh and being dispersed among the Gentiles they so lost themselves there that no farther tracing of them can be discovered There remained some of them who were mixed among the Jews and made a small part of the Kingdom Years be ∣ fore J. C. 715 of Judah At this time happened the Years of Rome 39 Death of Romulus He was always fighting and always victorious but in the midst of his Wars he notwithstanding laid the Foundation of Religion and Laws A Years be ∣ fore J. C. 714 long Peace gave Numa his Successor a good opportunity to finish that Work He formed Years of Rome 40 Religion and qualified the wild and extravagant Manners of the Romans In his time the Colonies that came from Corinth and several other Towns of Greece founded Syracuse in Sicily Crotona Tarentum and perhaps some other Towns in that part of Italy to which the most antient Greek Colonies which were spread over all the Country had already given the name of Great Greece In the mean time Hezekiah the most Pious and the justest of all the Kings Years be ∣ fore J. C. 710 ever since David reigned in Judah Sennacherib the Son and Successor of Salmanassar Years of Rome 44 besieged him in Jerusalem with a vast and prodigious Army which was in one night destroyed by the Hand of an Angel which went out and smote in the Camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five Thousand Hezekiah being delivered in so wonderful a manner served God with all his People more faithfully than ever But Years be ∣ fore J. C. 698 after that Prince his Death under his Son Years of Rome 56 Manasseh the ungrateful forgat their God and so disorders and calamities were multiplied Years be ∣ fore J. C. 687 upon them A popular State or commonwealth Years of Rome 67 was then formed among the Athenians and they began to elect annual Archontes or Governours the first of whom was Creon Whilst wickedness increased in the Kingdom of Judah the Power of the Kings of Assyria which were to be their avengers grew daily stronger under Esarhaddon Years be ∣ fore J. C. 681 the Son of Sennacherib He re-united the Years of Rome 73 Kingdom of Babylon to that of Nineveh and equalled in Great Asia the Power of the Years be ∣ fore J. C. 677 first Assyrians 2 Kings xvii 24. 1 Esd iv 2. In his Reign the Cuthians Years of Rome 77 People of Assyria since called Samaritans were placed in the City of Samaria instead of the Children of Israel These joined to that of Idolatry the Worship of God and obtained of Esarhaddon an Israelitish Priest who taught them the manner of the God of the Land that is to observe the Law of Moses God resolving not to have his Name utterly abolished in a Land that he had given to his People he left there his Law as an earnest and testimony 2 Kings xvii 27
mighty puissant Kings as all the East stood in awe of and it was Cyrus that crushed the Empire by his taking of Babylon If therefore the generality of the Greeks and Latins that have followed them make no mention of those Babylonian Kings if they have given no place to that great Kingdom among the first Monarchies whose continuance and after-accidents they relate in a word if we can scarce find any thing in all their works of those famous Kings Tiglath-Pilesar Salmanasar Sennacherib Nebuchadnezzar and several others so renown'd in Scripture and in the Eastern Histories we may then surely attribute it either to the Ignorance of the Greeks who were more Eloquent in their Reports than studious and industrious in their Searches or else to the loss we have had of what was more exact and faithful in their Histories Indeed Herodotus had promised a particular History of the Assyrians Herod l. 1. c. 28 47. which we have not either by our sad misfortune of its being lost or of his not having had time to do it and we cannot imagine that ever so judicious and Historian would have forgotten the Kings Herod l. 2. c. 91. of the second Empire of the Assyrians especially since even Sennacherib who was one of them we find mentioned in the Books that we now have of this great Author as being King both of the Assyrians and Arabians tSrabo liâ— 15. Strabo who lived in the time of Augustus reports what Megastenes an Ancient Author near the time of Alexander had left in Writing concerning the mighty Conquests of Nebuchadnezzar King of the Chaldees whom he makes to run through Europe enter into Spain and extend his Arms as far as the Colonies of Hercules Aelian calls Tilgamus King of Assyria Aelian liâ— 12. Hist Anim. c. 21. that is to say Tilgath or Tiglath which we find in the Holy Scriptures and in Ptolomy we meet with an Enumeration of the Princes of great Empires among whom there is a long succession of the Kings of Assyria who were unknown to the Greeks and whom it is easie to reconcile to the Sacred Hystory If I would bring in the Accounts of the Syrian Annals Berosus Abydenus Nicolas of Damascus Joseph Antiq l. 9. ult 10. c. 11. l. 1. cont Ap. Euseb Prap. Ev. 9. I could be too tedious even for a long-winded Reader Josephus and Eusebius of Caesarea have preserved the pretious fragments of all those Authors and indeed of an infinite many more which they had entire and perfect in those times whose Testimony is a confirmation to us of what we read in the Holy Scripture concerning the Eastern Antiquities and especially concerning the Assyrian Histories As to the Monarchy of the Medes which has the second Preference among the great Empires by most of the prophane Historians as separated from the Empire of Persia certain it is that the Scripture ever unites them both together And your Highness sees that besides the Authority of the sacred pages the bare order of Matters of Fact shews us that it is that we are still to look at The Medes before Cyrus though they were very powerful and considerable yet were much lessened by the greatness of the Kings of Babylon But Cyrus having Conquered their Kingdom by the collected Forces both of Medes and Persians of which he afterwards became the Master by a Legitimate Succession as we have observed from Zenophon it seems most probable that the great Empire of which he was the Founder as it ought indeed did take his Name to both Nations so that That of the Medes and Persians are but one and the same thing tho' the glory of Cyrus made the name of the Persians to be the more prevailing It may be also thought that before the VVar of Babylon the Kings of the Medes having extended their Conquests to the Greek Colonies in lesser Asia were by that means famous among the Greeks who attributed the Empire of greater Asia to them because they were only acquainted with them of all the Kings of the East And yet the Kings of Nineveh and Babylon who were greater and more puissant but more unknown to the Greeks have been near quite forgotten in those Bâ—oks that are remaining to us concerning the Grecian Histories and all the time from Sardanapalus down to Cyrus have been only given to the Medes And therefore we need not to trouble our heads so much in reconciling as to this point the prophane to the sacred History For as to what respects the first Kingdom of the Assyrians the Scripture gives us but a very slight touch by the Bye and neither mentions Ninus who was the Founder of that Empire nor excepting Phul any other of its Successors because their History was no way interfering with that of the People of God As for the second Kingdom of the Assyrians most of the Greeks are either quite ignorant of them or else because they have not throughly known them as they ought they have confounded them with the former VVhen therefore those of the Greek Authors sâ—all be objected to us who according to their own Caprice and Fancy range the three first Monarchies and make the Medes Successors to the antient Empire of Assyria without speaking a word concerning what the Scripture seems to be so strong in there is only this answer to be made that they were unacquainted with this part of the History and they are no less contrary to the more curious and best informed Authors of their own Nation than they are to the Holy Scriptures And that which in one word answers all the difficulty the sacred Authors who are nearer to the times and places of the Eastern Kingdoms writing moreover the History of a People whose affairs were so intermixed with those of these great Empires though they had no other advantage besides this it were enough to put the Greeks and Latins to Silence who followed them But if notwithstanding the obstinacy should go on still to maintain this celebrated order of the three first Monarchies and that to keep entirely to the Medes the second rank which is ascribed to them any are wilfully resolved to make the Kings of Babylon subject to them in affirming still that after an hundred Years Subjection these at last should deliver themselves by a Revolt yet in some manner it doth save the Câ—ntinuance of the sacred History but it doth very little agree with the best prophane Historians to whom the sacred History is more favourable in that it ever unites the Empire of the Medes to that of the Persians There is yet remaining to be discovered one of the Causes of the obscurity and darkness of these antient Histories And it is this that as the Eastern Kings took up several names or if you please several titles which in some length of time they espoused as their own Name and which the People either translated or pronounced variously according to the several particular Idioms of each
those two great Men had given to the World so lively and fair an Image of the voluntary Oblation of Jesus Christ and in their Souls had tasted if the bitternesses of his Cross they were esteemed truly worthy of being his Ancestors Gen. 22.28 Abraham's faithfulness made God confirm to him all his promises and blessed anew not only his Family but also in his Family all the Nations of the World In effect he continued his protection to Isaac his Son and to Jacob his Grand-child They were his imitators and adhered as he did to the Antient Faith to the Antient manner of living which was the Pastoral to the Antient Government of Mankind where every Father of a Family was a Prince in his own House Thus in the Changes and Revolutions continually made among Men the Holy Antiquity revived in the Religion and in the conduct of Abraham and of his Children God did also repeat to Isaac and to Jacob the same Promises which he had made to Abraham Gen. 25.11.26.4.28.14 and as he called himself the God Abraham so he took upon him the name of the God of Isaac and of the God of Jacob. Under his protection those three great Men began to dwell in the Land of Caanan but as strangers and without possessing there a foot of ground until the Famine brought Jacob into Aegypt where his Children being multiplied became soon after a great People Acts 7.5 as God had promised him But tho' this People whom God made to be born in his Covenant were to be enlarged by Generation and that the Blessing was to follow the Blood yet this great God failed not mark out to them the Election of his Grace For after he had chosen Abraham from among the Nations out of the Children of Abraham he chose Isaac and from the two Twins of Isaac he chose Jacob to whom afterwards he gave the name of Israel Jacob had twelve Sons who were the twelve Patriarchs heads of the twelve Tribes All were entred into the Covenant but Judah was chosen from amidst all his Brethren to be the Father of the Kings of Israel and the Father of the Messiah so much promised to his Ancestors The time was come that the ten Tribes being cut off from the People of God for their Infidelity the Posterity of Abrahâ—m lost its Antient Blessing that is to say the Religion the Land of Canaan and the hopes of the Messiah but only in the Tribe of Judah which was to give the name to the rest of the Israelites who were called Jews and to all the Country which was called Judea Thus the Divine Election appeared still even in that carnal people which was to be preserved by ordinary propagation Gen. 49.10 Jacob in his Spirit saw the Mystery of this Election just before he dyed when his Sons stood round about his Bed to receive the blessing of so good a Father God discovered to him the Estate of the twelve Tribes when they should be come to the promised Land he reveals it to them in a few words and those few words include innumerable Meysteries Though all that he spoke of Judah's Brethren be expressed with an extraordinary magnificence and shews the man transported out of himself by the Spirit of God when he comes to Judah he is carried out yet higher Judah saith he thou art He whom thy Brethren shall praise Gen. 49.8 9 10. thine hand shall be on the neck of thine Enemies thy Fathers Children shall bow down before Thee Judah is a Lyons Whelp From the prey my Son thou art gone up He stooped down he couched as a Lyon and as an old Lyon who shall rouse him up The Scepter that is to say the Authority shall not depart from Judah nor a Lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be The rest of the Prophecy is about the Countrey which the Tribe of Judah shall posses in the Holy Land But the last words as we have seen them howsoever we take them signifies nothing but him who was to be the Ambassador of God the Minister and Interpreter of his Will the Accomplishment of his Promises and the King of the new People that is to say the Messiah or the Anointed of the Lord. Jacob speaks expresly to none but to Judah from whom that Messiah was to come In the destiny of Judah alone he comprehends the destiny of all the Nation which after its dispersion was to see the rest of the other Tribes re-united under the Standards of Judah All the Terms of the Prophecy are clear there is only the word Scepter which the common use of out Tongue might make us take for the only Royalty whereas in the Sacred Language it signifies in general Power Authourity and Magistracy That use of the word Scepter runs through all the pages of the Scripture It plainly appears also in the Prophecy of Jacob and the Patriarch means that in the days of the Messiah all Authority shall be put to an end in the House of Judah which imports the total ruine of a State Thus the times of the Messiah are noted out to us here by a double change By the former the Kingdom of Judah and of the Jews is threatned with its last ruine By the latter there was a new Kingdom to be set up not of one single People but of all People over whom the Messiah was to be the head and hope In the Style of Holy Writ the Jews are called in the singular number and by way of eminence Isa 65. c. Rom. 10.21 Isa 2.2 3.49.6.18.51.4 5. The People or the people of God And when we find it used the plural those who are versed in the Scriptures understand the other people who we see also are promised to the Messiah in the Prophecy of Jacob. This great Prophecy comprehends in a few words all the History of the Jewish People and of Christ our Saviour who was promised to them It points out to us all the course of the people of God and it effectually continues to this day Therefore I pretend not to make a Commentary of it to You there is no need for You to have one since by barely observing their course You will easily see the sence of the Oracle unvailed of it self and that the very events themselves will be their own Interpreters After Jacob's death III. Moses the written Law and the bringing of the People into the promised Land the People of God abode in Aegypt unto the time of the Mission of Moses that is to say about two hundred years So that it was four hundred and thirty years before God gave his people the Land which he had promised them He was resolved to accustom his Elect to rely upon his Promise being assured that it should be fulfilled either sooner or later and always at the exact time appointed by his Eternal Providence The Iniquities of the Amorites both
stirring up the least Sedition among Men it will excite all the Earth He is neither violent nor impetuous and he who was hardly known when in Judea shall not be only the Foundation of the Peoples Covenant but also the Light of all the Gentiles Ibid. 6. Under his admirable Reign the Assyrians and the Egyptians shall be no longer but one and the same People of God with the Israelites Blessed be Egypt my People and Assyria the work of my Hands Esai 10.25 and Israel mine Inheritance All shall become Israel Ibid. 60.1 2.3 4 11.61.1 2.3 11.62.1 2.65.1 2 15 16.66.19 20 21. Malach. 3.10 Psal 110.2 all shall become holy Jerusalem is no more particular private City It is the Image of a new Society where all the People are gathered together Europe Africa and Asia received Preachers in whom God had put his Sign that they might discover his Glory to the Gentiles The Elect till then called by the Name of Israel shall be called by a new Name which shall signify the fulfilling of the Promises and an happy Amen The Priests and the Levites who till then came from Aaron shall for the time to come come from the midst of the Heathens that is the Gentiles A new Sacrifice more pure and agreeable than the old shall be substituted in its place and then shall be known the reason why David had consecrated a High-Priest of a new Order The Just shall descend from Heaven as the Dew the Earth shall bring forth her But and it shall be the Saviour with whom Righteousness shall be seen to arise Heaven and Earth shall joyn to bring forth as by a common Delivery him that shall be both Heavenly and Earthly together New Ideas of Virtues shall appear in the World in his Examples and in his Doctrine and the Grace which he will shed abroad will imprint them in their Hearts Every thing will be changed by his coming and God hath sworn by himself and the word is gone out of his Mouth in Righteousness and shall not return Isai 45.23 that unto him every knee shall how and every tongue shall swear and acknowledg his soveraign Power This is one part of the marvellous things which God hath shewn to the Prophets under the Kings the Sons of David and to David before all others All have written beforehand the History of the Son of God who was also to be made the Son of Abraham and of David And thus every thing hath fell out in the Order of the divine Counsels This Messiah shewn afar off as the Son of Abraham is yet shewn more near as the Son of David An eternal Empire is promised to him The Knowledg of God is spread abroad throughout the World is set to us as the certain sign and as the fruit of his coming The Conversion of the Gentiles and the Blessing of all the People of the World so long since promised to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob is anew confirmed and all the People of God lived in that expectation In the mean time God governed them after a most admirable manner He made a new Covenant with David and obliged himself to protect him and the Kings his Successors if they would walk in the Commandments which he had given them by Moses 2 Sam. 7 8 9 10 c. 1 King 9.4 5. 2 Chron. 7.17 c. 2 Sam. 11 12 c. if not he pronounced against them very severe Punishments David who had forgot himself for a little while was the first who felt them but having somewhat recovered himself by his unfeigned Repentance he has a confluence of Wealth poured upon him and is proposed as the model of an accomplished King The Throne is established in his House 1. Kings 11. Whilst Solomon walked in the Steps of his Father's Piety he was happy but in his old Age he was drawn aside and God who spared him for the Love of his Servant David declared he would punish him in the person of his Son Thus he lets Parents to know that according to the secret Decree of his Judgments he makes their Punishments to continuâ— after their Death and he keeps them in submission to his Laws by that Interest which is the dearest that is the Interest of their Family In the Execution of his Decrees the foolishly wilfull Rehoboam is given up to an extravagant Council his Kingdom is lessened and ten of the tribes revolt from him 1 Kings 12.16 17 c. Whilst those ten Rebellious and Schismaticall Tribes were departed from their God and their King the Children of Judah who were faithful to God and to David whom he had chosen continued in the Covenant and in the Faith of Abraham The Levites and the Tribe of Benjamin joined with them the Kingdom of the People of God subsisted by their union under the name of the Kingdom of Judah and the Law of Moses was strictly observed In spight of the lamentable Idolatries and Corruption of the ten separated Tribes God remembred his Covenant with Abraham with Isaac and with Jacob his Law was not quite extinct amidst those rebellious People he was continually calling them back to Repentance by innumerable Miracles and by the constant warnings he sent them by his Prophets Hardned in their Wickedness at such a rate he could no longer bear with them 2 Kings 17.7 8 9 10 11 12 c. but he drove them out of the Land of Promise without hopes of ever suffering them to settle there again The History also of Tobit happened at the same time and during the beginnings of the Captivity of the Israelites it discovers to us the Conduct of the Elect of God who still remained in the separated Tribes That Holy Man Tob. 1.5 6 7. c. dwelling among them before the Captivity knew not only how to keep himself Pure from the Idolatries of his Brethren but also how to put the Law in Practice and to worship God publickly in the Temple of Jerusalem without ever being drawn aside by their ill examples or perswaded to a Compliance through servile fear Id. 19 20 21. When he was a Captive and persecuted at Nineveh he and his Family still retained their Piety and that admirable manner with which both he and his Son Tobias had their Faith rewarded even here upon Earth shews that notwithstanding Captivity and Persecution God had secret ways of making his Servants sensible of the Blessings of the Law in raising them evermore by the afflictions they were to suffer to higher and more exalted thoughts By the Examples of Tobit and his Holy Admonitions those of Israel were stirred up to acknowledge at least under the Rod the hand of God which chastised them but yet they almost all continued in obstinacy those of Judah so far were they from taking warning by Israel's Chastisements that they followed their ill examples God did not cease admonishing them by his Prophets whom he sent one after
Chaldees under which they were led captive For fear lest they should be surprized at the glory of the Wicked and of their proud Reign the Prophets have sufficiently told them of their short continuance Isaiah who saw the glory of Nebuchadnezzar and his mad pride long before he was born Isai 13 14 21 45 46 47 48. has foretold his sudden fall together with that of the Empire Babylon was scarce any thing when that Prophet saw its Power and a little while after its Ruine Thus the Revolutions of the Cities and Kingdoms which tormented the People of God or gained advantage by their destruction were written in his Prophecies Those Oracles were followed with a hasty Execution and the Jews tho' so severely punished yet saw to fall before them or with them or quickly after according to the Predictions of their Prophets not only Samaria Idumea Gaza Ascalon Damascus the Cities of the Ammonites and the Moabites their perpetual Enemies but the chiefest of the great Empires Tyre the Mistress of the Sea Tanais Memphis Thebes with its hundred Gates and all the Riches of its Sesostriâ— Nineveh also the Seat of the Kings of Assyria their cruel Persecutors and the proud and mighty Babylon victorious over all the rest and rich with their Spoils 'T is true Jerusalem by her sins was destroyed at the same time but yet God did not leave her without hope Isaiah Isai 44 45. who had foretold her Ruine had likewise seen her glorious re-establishment and had also named him Cyrus who was to be her deliverer tho' it was two hundred years before he was born Jeremiah Jer. 25.11 12. c. 29.10 whose Predictions had been so exactly particular in pointing out that ungrateful People's certain destruction had promised them a most sure Return after they had indured seventy years Captivity During all that time those vanquished People were respected by the Prophets and those Captives foretold both the Kings and the People their terrible Destinies Nebuchadnezzar who would fain be worshipped Dan. 11.46 47 4.1 26. himself worships Daniel being astonished at the Divine Secrets which he had discovered to him he understood from him the Decree that was gone out against him and which was soon after executed upon him That victorious Prince triumphed in Babylon the City whereof he made the greatest strongest and most beautiful that ever the eye of the Sun beheld 'T was there that God heard him thundering out his pride Tho' he 's happy and invulnerable if I may be allowed the phrase at the head of his Armies and throughout all the course of his Conquests yet he was to fall in his own House according to the Oracle of Ezekiel Ezek. 31.3 4 5 6 7. c. Whilst he was standing in admiration of his greatness and the beauty of Babylon and raising himself above Humanity Dan. 4.30 31. saying Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the House of the Kingdom by the might of my Power and for the honour of my Majesty God strikes him deprives him of his understanding drives him from men and gives him his dwelling with the Beasts of the Field Ibid. 34. At the time assigned by Daniel his understanding returned unto him and he blessed the most High and praised and honoured him who liveth for ever whose Dominion is an everlasting Dominion and whose Kingdom is from Generation to Generation in acknowledgment of his Almighty Power but his Successors received no benefit by his Example The Affairs of Babylon were embroyled and the time set forth by the Prophecies for the re-establishing of Judah happened amidst all those Troubles Cyrus appeared at the Head of the Medes and Persians all things yield and bow to that dreadful Conquerour Herod liâ— 1. Xenoph. l. 2 3. â—5â— â—aliâ— Jer. 41.46 〈◊〉 l. 7 â—adâ—g He made but slow advances to the Chaldeans and besides his march was often interrupted The news of his coming was spread from one end of the Earth to the other as Jeremiah had foretold at last it was determined Babylon which was often threatned by the Prophets and always proud and impenitent at last came to see her Conquerour whom she despises Her Riches her high Walls her People that were not to be numbred Ibid. her prodigious Extent which included a very great Country as all the Ancients do testifie and her infinite Provisions do swell her up with pride Having felt a very long and sharp Siege without any great Inconvenience she made a scorn and derision of her Enemies and at the Intrenchment which Cyrus made round about her Nothing was heard in her but Feasts and Rejoycings The King Belshazzar who was Nebuchadnezzar's Grandchild and as proud as he too but not so full of address Dan. 5.1 c. made a great Feast to a thousand of his Lords and drank Wine before the thousand That Feast was celebrated with unheard of Excesses Belhazzar sent for the Golden and Silver Vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the Temple of Jerusalem and so intermixes Prophaneness with his Luxury The wrath of God thereupon was declared and at the same time came forth fingers of a man's hand Ibid. 5. and wrote over against the Candlestick upon the plaister of the Wall of the King's Palace where the Feast was celebrated terrible words and the King saw the part of the hand that wrote Daniel interprets the meaning of it and that Prophet who had foretold the direful fall of the Grandfather makes also the Grandchild to see the Thunderclap that was coming to fall upon him for his overthrow In the execution of God's Decree Cyrus on a sudden makes an onset on Babylon Euphrates being turned off into the Trenches which he had so long before prepared discovers to him its vast Channel through which unforeseen passage he makes his Entry Isai 13.17.21.2.45 46 47. and so that proud Babylon as the Prophets had foretold was delivered as a prey to the Medes and to the Persians and to Cyrus So perished with her the Kingdom of the Chaldeans which had destroyed so many other Kingdoms Jer. 50.23 so was the Hammer of the whole Earth cut asunder and broken Jeremiah had plainly foretold it The Lord breaketh the Rod wherewith he had broken to pieces so many Nations Isaiah foresaw it The People accustomed to the Yoke of the Chaldean Kings Jer. 51.20 saw it themselves when they were under the Yoke Art thou also say they Isai 14.10 13 14. become weak as we art thou become like unto us Thou that saidst in thy heart I will ascend into Heaven I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God I will ascend above the heights of the Clouds I will be like the most High What the same Isaiah had likewise declared saying Babylon is fallen is fallen That great Babylon Id. 21.9 and all her graven Images are broken to the ground Bell boweth down and Nebo her great
fatal presage and those ungrateful wretches having rejected one JESUS who preached up to them grace mercy and life God sent them another JESUS who was only to pronounce to them woes irrecoverable and remediless and the inevitable decree of their approaching Ruine Let us search a little farther into the Judgments of God under the Conduct of the Scriptures Jerusalem and the Temple thereof were twice destroyed once by Nebuchadnezzer and the other time by Tituâ— But in each of those times the Justice of God was made manifest by the same ways though it was more conspicuous in the latter For the better understanding the order of the Councells of God let us first lay down this Truth so often established in the sacred Oracles that one of the most terrible effects of Divine Vengeance is when in the Punishment of our precedent Sins it delivers us up to a reprobate Mind so as that we are deaf to all wise and wâ—olesome Admonitions blind to the ways of Salvation which are shewn to us ready to believe every thing that ruins us provided it does but flatter us and bold and daring to undertake any thing without ever measuring our own Strength with that of our Enemies whom we provoke Thus Jerusalem and its Princes were destroyed the first time under the hand of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon Weak and always beaten by that victorious King they often found they made but vain Efforts against him and were obliged to swear Fidelity to him The Prophet Jeremiah declared to them from God that God himself had delivered them up to that Prince and there was no Safety for them but in submitting to the Yoke He told to Zedekiah King of Juda and to all his People saying I spake also to Zedekiah King of Juda according to all these Words saying 2 Chron. 36.12.13 Jer. 27.12 17. Bring your Necks under the Yoke of the King of Babylon and serve him and his People and live for why will ye die wherefore should this City be laid waste But they believed not his Word Whilst Nebuchadnezzar kept them strait shut up by the prodigious Intrenchments he had made round about the City they suffered themselves to be deceived and bewitched by their false Prophets who puffed up their Minds with imaginary Victories and told them in the Name of the Lord although the Lord had not sent them Jer. 28.2 3. 2 Kings 25. I have broken the Yoke of the King of Babylon within two full Years will I bring again into this place aâ—l the Vessels of the Lords House that Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon took away from this place and carried them to Babylon The People being seduced by these Promises suffered Famine and the hardâ—st Extremities imaginable and attempted so much by their audacious Madness that there was no room left to shew them Mercy The City was overthrown the Temple was consumed by Fire and all things were destroyed With these Marks the Jews confessed that the Hand of God was upon them But that the divine Vengeance might be as plain and manifest to them in the last Destruction of Jerusalem as it had been in the former there was seen in them both the same Seduction the same Temerity and the same Hardness and Obduracy Tho' their Rebellion had brought upon them the Roman Arms and they had rashly shook off a Yoke under which all the World then bowed Titus would not destroy it But on the contrary he made them several offers of Pardon not only at the beginning of the War but also then when they could no longer escape his Hand He had already raised round about Jerusalem a long and vast Wall fortified with Towers and Redoubts as strong as the City it self when he sent to them Josephus their fellow Citizen one of their Captains one of their Priests who had been taken in that War in the defence of his Country What did he not say to them to move them to accept of Caesar's Terms What powerful Arguments did he make use of to invite them to return to their Obedience He made them see that both Heaven and Earth conspired against them and their Ruine if they resisted was inevitable and that their absolute Safety was in the Mercy and Clemency of Titus Save said he to them the Holy City save your selves save this Temple Joseph 7. de bel Jud. c. 4. the Wonder of the World which the Romans pay Reverence to and which Titus will not see destroyed but with Regret and Sorrow But what way was there to save People that were so obstinate on their own Ruine Being led away by their false Prophets they would not hearken to such wise and salutary Discourses They were reduced to Extremity Famine destroyed greater Numbers of them than the Sword and Mothers slew and then dressed and eat up their own Children Titus touched with their sad Calamities called his Gods to witness that he was not the cause of their Ruine During these miserable Times they still gave Faith to the false Predictions which promised them the Empire of the World Nay more the City was taken the Fire was already blasing on all sides And yet those mad People still believed their false Prophets who assured them that the Day of Salvation was come that so they might still resist and there be no hopes of Mercy left for them In fine they were all massacred the City was utterly overthrown and saving some Remains of Towers which Titus reserved to serve as a Monument to Posterity there was not one Stone left upon another Your Highness sees then that the same Vengeance broke out now upon Jerusalem as did befal it under Zedekiah Titus was no less sent by God than Nebuchadnezzar The Jews were destroyed in the same manner There was seen in Jerusalem the same Rebellion the same Famine the same Extremities the same ways of Salvation opened the same Seduction the same Obduracy the same Fall and in a word that every Circumstance was like the other The second Temple was burnt under Titus the same Month and the same day of it as the first was under Nebuchadnezzâ—r Ibid. c. 9 10. Every thing was remarkable and the People could not doubt but that the Vengeance was from Heaven However there is between these two Destructions of Jerusalem and of the Jews very memorable Differences but which all tend to make us see in this latter a Justice more declared and rigorous Nebuchadâ—â—zzar commanded that Fire should be set to the Temple Titus forgot no Arguments to save it tho' his Counsellors represented to him that so long as it should stand the Jews who were resolved to destroy them iâ— they could would never leave off their Rebellions But the fatal Day was come which was the tenth of August which had once before seen the Temple of Solomoâ— burnt down to the Ground Notwithstanding all the Prohibitions of Titus openly declared before the Romans and the Jews and notwithstanding the natural Inclination of the
the coming of the Messiah were past Juda was no longer a Kingdom nor indeed a people Other People acknowledged the Messiah which was to be sent Jesus Christ was shewn to the Gentiles At that sign they had recourse to the God of Abraham and the Blessing of that Patriarch was of equal extent with the Earth The Man of Sorrows was preached and the Remission of Sins was declared by his Death All the Weeks were run out the Desolation of the People and of the Sanctuary a just Punishment of Christ's Death had its last Accomplishment in fine Christ appeared with all the Characters which was then acknowledged by the Tradition of the Jews and therefore there was no excuse for their Incredulity Also we see since that time indisputable Marks of their Reprobation After Christ's Ascension they only more and more plunged themselves in Ignorance and Misery from whence the verv Extremity of their Afflictions and Calamities and the Shame of having been so often begulled into Error will deliver them or rather the Goodness of God when the time settled by his Providence for the Correction of their Ingratitude and the tameing of their Pride shall be fulfilled In the mean while they remain the Scorn and Derision of the People as well as the Object of their Aversion and so long a Captivity as they have been under has not given them a Sence of coming to themselves tho' it ought to be sufficient to convince them Hier. Ep. ad Dar. Tom. 3. Epist. For truly as St. Jerome saith to them What look you for O incredulous Jew You have been guilty of many Crimes during the times of the Judges Your Idolatry hath enslaved you to all the Neighbor Nations but God hath had great Compassion for you and hath not failed sending of Saviours to you You have multiplied your Idolatries under the Kings and yet the Abominations into which you fell under Ahaz and Manasseh have not been punished but by Seventy Years of Captivity Cyrus came and restored you your Country your Temple and your Sacrifices At the last you were o'rewhelmed by Vespasian and Titus fifty Years after Adrian compleated your Destruction and it is now four hundred Years that you have lain under Oppression Thus spake St. Jerome the Argument has been strengthened since for twelve hundred Years have been added to the Desolation of the Jewish People We will therefore tell them instead of four hundred Years that sixteen Ages have seen their Captivity to continue without ever having their Yoke any whit lighter What have you done O ungrateful People Slaves in all Countries and to all Princes you do not serve strange Gods How hath God who chose you now forgot you and what are become of his antient Mercies What Crime what Attempt even greater than Idolatry makes you feel a Punishment which never yet before did all your grievous Idolatries bring down upon you Are you silent Cannot you understand what makes God inexorable to you Matt. 27.25 26. John 19.15 21. Remember those Words of your Forefathers his Blood be on us and on our Children And so likewise that we have no King but Caesar The Messiah will not be your King keep therefore to what you have chosen continue Slaves to Caesar and to Kings until the Fulness of the Gentiles be accomplished and at last all Israel be saved XI Particular Reflections on the Conversion of the Gentiles The profound Councils of God which resolved to convert them by the Cross of Jesus Christ The Arguing of St. Paul upon this manner of their Conversion THIS Conversion of the Gentiles was the second thing which was to come to pass at the time of the Messiah and the most assured sign of his coming We have seen how the Prophets had clearly foretold it and their Promise was verified in the times of our Lord. 'T is certain that then only and neither sooner nor later what the Philosophers never durst attempt what the Prophets nor the Jewish People when they were the most protected and the most Faithfull could not do that twelve Preachers sent by Jesus Christ and the Witnesses of his Resurrection accomplish'd So that the Conversion of the World was to be neither the Work of Philosophers nor of Prophets but it was reserved alone to Christ and was the Fruit of his Cross Indeed it was necessary that this Christ and his Apostles should come out of the Jews and that the preaching of the Gospel should begin at Jerusalem Isaiah 2.2 It shall come to pass in the lâ—st Days that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and all Nations shall flow unto it as Isaiah elegantly expresses it That was the Christian Church Ibid. 2. And many People shall go and say come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the House of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his Ways and we will walk in his Paths Ibid. 17 18. The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day and the Idols he shall utterly abolish But Isaiah who saw those things saw also at the same time that that Law which to judge among the Nations Ibid. 3 4. and to rebuke many People was to come out of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Which made our Saviour say John 4.22 that Salvation is of the Jews And it was very convenient that the new Light which was one day to enlighten the People plunged in Idolatry should spread it self over all the World from that place where it had always been It was in Jesus Christ the Son of David and of Abraham that all the Nations were to be blessed and Sanctified We have often observed it but have not yet observed the Cause for which that suffering Jesus that crucified and despised Jesus was to be the only Author of the Conversion of the Gentiles and the alone vanquisher of Idolatry St. Paul hath unfolded to us that great Mystery in the first Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians and it is worth our while to consider that admirable Place with the following words Christ saith he sent me to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.17 18 19 20. Isaiah 29.14 33.18 not with wisdom of Words lest the Cross should be made of none effect for the preaching of the Cross is to them that Perish foolishness but unto us who are Saved it is the Power of God For it is written I will destroy the Wisdom of the Wise and will bring to nothing the Vnderstanding of the Prudent Where is the Wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this World hath not God made foolish the Wisdom of this World Doubtless since it was not able to deliver Men from their Ignorance But see what reason St. Paul gives of it 'T is after that in the Wisdom of God the World by Wisdom knew not
of his People hath also caused them to foretel the Succession of the Empires You have seen the places where Nebuchadnezzar hath been pointed out as he that was to come and punish the proud People and particularly the Jews so ungrateful against their Author You have heard Cyrus named two hundred Years before he was bâ—â—n as he that was to set up again the People of God and to punish the Pride of Babylon The Ruine of Nineveh was as clearly foretold Daniel in his admirable Visions hath caused to go before your Eyes in a moment the Empire of Babylon that of the Medes and Persians that of Alexander and the Grecians The Blasphemies and the Cruelties of Antiochus the Illustrious were there foretold as well as the miraculous Victories of the People of God over so violent a Persecutor We see there those famous Empires to fall one after another and the new Empire which Jesus Christ was to set up is there so expresly described by its proper Characters that there is no way to mistake it 'T is the Empire of the Saints of the most high the Empire of the Son of Man an Empire which was to subsist in the midst of the Ruine of all the rest and to which alone Eternity is promised The Judgments of God upon the greatest of all the Empires of this World that is to lay upon the Roman Empire have not been kept hid from us You have just now had it from the mouth of St. John Rome her self hath felt the Hand of God and hath been like others an Example of his Justice But its fate was happier yet than that of others for being purged by her Punishments from the remaining dreggs of Idolatry she now no longer subsists but by that Christianity which she declares to all the World Thus have all the great Empires which we have seen upon the Earth concured by several ways and means to the weal of Religion and the glory of God as God himself hath declared it by his Prophets When you read so often in their Writings that Kings in troops shall enter into the Church and be the Protectors and Nursing Fathers of it those words presently put into your mind the Emperours and other Christian Princes and as the Kings your Ancestors have more than any other signalized themselves in protecting and enlarging the Church of God I shall not be afraid to assure you that it is they who of all the Kings are most clearly foretold in those eminently remarkable Prophecies God therefore who was resolved to make use of divers Empires either to chastise or exercise or to enlarge or protect his People willing to make himself known for the Author of so admirable a Councel revealed the Secret of it to his Prophets and hath caused them to foretel what he had resolved to execute Wherefore as the Empires began the order of Gods Decrees on the People whom he had chosen so the fortune of those Empires were found declared by the same Oracles of the Holy Ghost which foretold the Succession of the faithful People The more you accustome your self to follow great things and to recal them to their Principles the more will you stand in admiration of those Councels of Providence It behoves you to take the Ideas of them betimes which will clear up every day more and more in your Minds and you will be the better able to refer humane things to the order of that eternal Wisdom on which they depend God doth not every day declare his Will by his Prophets concerning Kings and Monarchies that he sets up or destroys But having done it so often as to those Empires whereof we have been speaking he shews us by those famous Examples what he does in all others and he teaches Kings these two fundamental Truths First That it is he who forms Kingdoms to give them to whom he pleaseth And Secondly That he knoweth how to make them serve in the time and order which he hath decreed to the Designs he hath on his People This may it please your Highness ought to keep all Princes in an intire Dependance and to make them always careful of the Orders of God that so they may lend their Hand to what he purposes for his own Glory upon all Occasions that he offers them But this Succession of Empires if we will consider it more humanly hath very great Advantages especially for Princes seeing that Arrogance the ordinary Companion of so exalted a Condition is so very much quelled by such a Spectacle For if Men learn to moderate themselves by seeing Kings die how much more will they be struck by seeing Kingdoms themselves to perish and from whence can they receive a more plain Lesson of the Vanity of humane Greatness Thus when you behold as in an instant before your Eyes the Death and Downfal I do not say of Kings and Emperors but of those mighty Empires that have made the whole Universe to tremble when you behold both the antient and the new Assyrians the Medes the Persians the Grecians and the Romans all before you successively and all to fall as I may say one upon another this dreadfull Destruction presently makes you sensible that there is nothing solid among Men and that Inconstancy and Agitation is the proper Partage and Portion of humane things BUT that which will render to your Highness this Spectacle both more advantagious a more agreeable II. The Revolutions of Empires have particular Causes which Princes ought to study will be the Reflection you shall make not only on the Rise and Fall of Empires but also on the Causes of their Progress and on those of their Ruine For Sir that same God who hath made the Chain of the Universe and who as he is Almighty by himself hath resolved for the establishing of Order that the Parts of so great an All should depend one upon another that same God hath also decreed that the course of humane things should have its Issues and its Proportions I mean that Men and Nations have had Qualities commensurate to the Advancements to which they have been designed and that expecting some certain extraordinary Strokes wherein God hath been willing to manifest his own Hand in particular there are no very great Changes happen but what may deduce their Causes from precedent Ages And as in all Affairs there is that which prepares them that which determines to undertake them and lastly that which makes them have Success So the true Science of History is to observe in every time those secret Dispositions which have prepared and made way for great Changes and the important Conjunctures which have brought them to pass Indeed it is not sufficient to look only just before one that is to say to consider those great Events which all on a sudden do decide the fortune of Empires He that would reach to the Bottom of humane things ought to take them at their first Head and Spring and he must observe