he saith also that the land shal be desolate 70. yeares At that time and before the land became desolate and therefore Philo distinguisheth the Desolatiō from the Transmigration affirming that the Captiuitie ended 70. yeares after the Desolation and 81. after the Transmigration Also Ezechiel Cap. 40.1 maketh the SMITING of the Citie the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and beginning of his generall aera and computation As in the same place he maketh the second Captiuitie the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a speciall computation because then himself and his owne king were caried away and therefore he calleth it our Captiuitie And Daniell in like sort Cap. 9.2 maketh Ieremies 70. yeares to be the terme and time of the destruction or desolation of Ierusalem And right so the holy Ghost 2 Chr. 36.17 beginneth the same with the taking sacking of the Citie and massacring of the Iewes at the same The end of these 70. yeares is the beginning of the Persian Monarchie at the taking of Babilon by Cyrus as the holy Ghost sheweth euidently And they were seruants to the King of Babel and his sons till the kingdom of the Persians had rule to fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Ieremie c. 2. Chro. 36.20.21.22.23 And Ieremie himselfe doth end them at or immediatly before the visiting of Babel Cap. 25.11.12 And this land shall be desolate and these nations shall serue the King of Babel 70. yeares and as soone as the 70. yeares are ended I will visit the King of Babel What time of the yeare Babilon was taken is not any where expressed Onely Herodotus saith thy Cyrus began the siege in the Spring and preuailing nothing a good space he deuised to turne the current of Euphrates aside that they might suddenly enter the Citie thorow it and so set his soldiars to worke about it which required some time since the cutting of Gyndes cost thē a sommers worke And therefore the next Spring must be well spent before it coulde be finished But Ieremie is plaine that the 70. yeares must be ended before the king of Babell be visited And they ended in the ninth day and fourth month of 3486. and immediatly after it seemeth that Babilon was taken and the king slaine as Daniel and Xenophon report Hierome in his exposition vpon Daniell reporteth that the Iewes had a tale among them that Baltassar seeing the 70. yeares expired thought the promise false and all cock sure and therfore vppon a iollitie and vaunting ouer the Iewes made his great banquet and sent for all the vessels of the temple as Daniel sheweth But the same night he was slaine and the promise fulfilled Heerewith agreeth the supputation of Metasthenes attributing to Nabuchodonosor 45. yeares Euil Merodach 30. Reg. Assar 3. Labassar 6. Balt Assar 5. which make 89. thence take Nabuchodonosors 19. which were before the Captiuity and there remain 70. For Metasthenes followeth the computation of the Chaldaeans as doth Daniel and Ptolomie who beginne Nabuchodonosors raigne in Iehoiakims third yeare that is a yeare before Ieremie beginneth it so that his 19. yeare by them is but his 18. yeare by Ieremie Iosephus also agreeth with this account For Ant. Iud. li. 10. ca. 12. he saith that Nahuchonosor raigned 43. that is so many yeares complete beside the odde monthes which were almost another yeare And therefore those odde monthes he ioyneth to the odde monthes of Regassar whom he calleth Neregal Assar and so maketh him foure yeares which with the other kinges make iust 70. Ioseph cont Appion And Iulius Aphricanus who maketh the second yeare of Syrus to be the 72. yeare of the desolation of the Temple Beda de nat rerum 66. The ninth article cannot be confirmed out of the holy Scripture For although some of the heathen Monarkes of that space be there mentioned yet not all neither haue they that are any terme of their raygnes or distinction of yeares set downe Againe Metasthenes though he haue a computation of years yet he hath great obscuritie and great diuersitie from the Grecians Insomuch that some coniecture that the kinges named by Metasthenes and Philo vnto Longiman are not the same persons nor of the same line and house as those be which the Graecians speake of The principall oddes and differences I will briefly set downe before I come to the proofe of this article The holy scripture thus farre mentioneth the kinges both of Assyria and Babilon 1 Pul king of Assyria whom the Historicians call Phul Belochus made Menahem king of Israel tributary 2. Reg. 15. about the yeare of the world 3240. 2 Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria in the time of Pekahiah caried the tribe of Nepthalim captiue into Assyria about the yeare 3250. and after he diliuered Achaz from the kinges of Syria and Israel Cap. 16.7.9.10 about the yeare 3270. 3 Salmaneser king of Assyria subduing Hoseas king of Israell made him his vassall and tributarie in Achaz 12. yeare A. M. 3274. 2. Reg. 17.1.3 But anone after Hoseas rebelled and Salmaneser taking him committed him to prison and caried his people the tenne Tribes away captiue vers 4.5.6 4 Sennacherib king of Assyria inuaded Iudaea tooke many townes besieged Lachis made Ezechias to become tributarie againe who had rebelled against Salmaneser before and not content heerewith after he had receiued the Tribute sent his armie against Ierusalem where hauing a wonderfull ouerthrow he fled home to Niniue and there was slaine by two of his owne sonnes Cap. 18.13 19.35.36.37 This was in Ezechias 14. yeare A. M. 3290. 5 Assaraddon king of Assyria sonne of Sennacherab succeeded his Father his two brethren the parricides being fled for feare into the land of Ararat Cap. 18.37 He was also called of the Iewes Osnapar Ezr. 4. 10. and this king caried people and planted Colonies in the Cities of Samaria in stead of the Israelites 2. Reg. 17.14 Erz. 4.2 Heere ceased that race and progenie The kinges of Babilon are thus farre recorded 1 Berodach Baladan or as Esay calleth him Merodac Baladan the sonne of Baladan king of Babilon sent letters with a present to Ezechias 2. Reg 20.12 That was about Ezechias 14. yeare Sennacherib being then king of Assyria and hauing the seat of his chiefe resiance at Niniue But when Merodac began his raigne the scripture doth not shew but he is the first that is called king of Babilon 2 Mention is made of another whose Captaines tooke Menasses king of Iuda captiue and caried him to Babilon 2. Chro. 33.11 his name is no where recorded but onely his title King of Assyria whereby it is to be gathered that after Assaraddon the kinges of Babilon had Niniue and the whole kingdome of the Assyrians For it is manifest that this king was of the race of Merodac because they brought Menasses captiue to Babilon which the olde kinges of Assyria had lost before Sennacheribs time 3 Mention is likewise made of a king of Assyria against whom Pharao Neco king
AN HOVREGLASSE Contayning I A Computation from the Beginning of Time to Christ by X. Articles II A Confirmation of the same for the times controuersed before Christ as also that there wanteth a yeare after Christ in the vsuall Computation With other matters offered to the iudgement of the learned and vse of the studious in Chronologie and Historie By Thomas Pie Doctor of Diuinitie LONDON Printed by John Wolfe 1597. To the most Gracious and Reuerend Father in Christ IOHN by the prouidence of God Lord Archbishop of Canterburie Primate of all England and Metropolitane and one of her Maiesties most Honorable priuie Councell HOW necessarie and requisite Chronologie is in the studie of all Historie Diuine or Humane it being the right eye thereof as Geographie is the left there is no man vnlesse he be blinde of both eyes but may easily discerne and will freely confesse Without which we cannot but wander in the estate affaires of the world as Polyphemus in his caue and be tossed in the vast Ocean of Historie as a Pilot without the Northstarre discerning nothing in the mayne course thereof but an huge heape of diffused matter For which cause Athenaeus is so sharpe in reprehending both Plato and Xenophon for misnoting the times of some stories and Thucidides findeth the same fault with Hellanicus Dionysius with Fabius Pictor Plutarch with Thucidides for misdating the Ostracisme of Themistocles and the Raigne of Artaxerxes and Tullie with certaine before him which made Numa to be the scholler of Pythagoras who was borne not a fewe yeares but whole ages after Numa And therefore it is the more straunge that Ouid after him should fall into the same errour Hieron ad Nepot de vica clericali Hierome writing to Nepotian of vnlearned preachers in his time alleageth this example out of an Oration of Tully for Quintus Gallus which now is not extant Quidam Poeta nominatus homo perliteratus cujus suntilla Colloquia Poetarum Philosophorum cum facit Euripidem Menandrum intersese alio loco Socratem Epicurum disserentes quorū aetates non annis sed saeculis scimus esse disiunctas quantos is plausus clamores mouet multos enim condiscipulos habet in Theatro qui simul literas non didicerunt Doubtlesse had Tullie himselfe beene there or at the sermons of Hieroms vnlearned preachers I would God our age were voyde of the like he would haue exclamed Ad Atticum li. 6. as he did of one Metellus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 turpem Oh foule ignorance of Historie It is a wonder to see the Beauperes of the Lawe Bartolus and Paulus Castrensis rouing at Randon about the time and age of Papinian and Diocletian and that when they handle the same of purpose for the reconciliation of certaine lawes and a verie world to behold the great Antiquaries of the Saxons Specul Saxon. li. 3. ca. 43. Alb. Stadenfis ad annū 917. Epiph cont haer l. 7. tom 3. Socrates li. 5. ca. 21. Lact. diuin instit li. 4. ca. 5. Aug. de doctr Ch. li. 2. Retract li. 2. De ciuit Dei li. 18. auerring that their first auncestors were Alexanders Macedonian companies which assoone as Alexander was dead arriued in Germanie euen iump at that time when Theodorik king of Frankes had warre with Ermifrid king of Thuringians which was little lesse than a thousand yeares after Alexander and the great Historicians of the Danes Iohannes Magnus Archbishop of Vpsala Pantaleon and Heminges making Dan the Archege and Grandsire of the Danes to be equall in antiquitie to Gedeon who was at the least a thousand yeares after Gedeon And therefore the lesse maruell that the great Fathers in Diuinitie are sometime out of their numbers too as Epiphanius mistaking the death of Iustin Martyr to be vnder Adrian Socrates misplacing the martyrdome of Polycarpus to be vnder Gordian Lactantius affirming that Moses was 900 yeare before the Troian warre and Augustin himselfe likewise auouching that Plato went into Aegypt in the time of Ieremie the prophet and producing Ambrose for a witnesse thereof though afterward he both confesse the misciting of Ambrose and also acknowledge that Plato was borne after Ezra his time But it is not my purpose here to imitate Castor Rhodius who as Suidas recordeth hath written in large volumes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Errours of time and Ignorances of Historie In ancient time the Pagans so out faced and ouerbore the Christians with such mistaken Histories antedated and forged authorities worne and worme-eaten antiquities that the Christians were constrained to bestow more time and diligence in that studie as among other Eusebius and before him Clemens Alexandrinus haue performed that part most painfully and profitably whose tract other since haue diligentlie traced And albeit many in our time haue laboured in this argument with great paines and no lesse praise whose candle my selfe 〈◊〉 scarse worthy to hold yet finding none of them all fully to content me in the mayne Computation of the yeares of the worlde or thorowly to cleare that principall account being the grounde of Chronologie and as it were the maine bodie whereout all other Computations as branches doe spring no man I hope will blame my indeuours eyther for wading further in the broken yce to finde out the trueth or for diuulging my opinion and reasons in this naked shadow and short delineation since it is done to this ende that the iudgement of the learned may be had thereof not that the coniectures of other should be preiudiced thereby as I would not haue the conceites or authoritie of any to preiudice or forestall the trueth It was truely said of Seneca to Lucilius of all partes of learning generally and it is verified of this specially Epist l. 8. ep 7. Multum egerunt qui fuerunt ante nos sed non peregerunt Besides this great men imployed in great matters busied with waightie affaires and bestowing their studie in the greater partes of learning haue not that libertie and quiet leasure which these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and lesser studies doe require Which since the Almightie hath vouchsafed me as I take it for no small benefite of his goodnes especially in these euill times and very dogdaies of the Church and Religion which now lie together in a desperate paroxisme and most dangerous fitte ioyntly shaken and assaulted by Poperie and Atheisme and daily weakned yea hazarded by both but that the zealous care of her sacred Maiestie and the carefull foresight of her Honourable counsaile holdeth in life so I thought it my duetie to imploy some part thereof in these smaller and lower argumentes which greater matters will not suffer other men to stand about and thorowly to looke into Which labours of mine if the lownesse thereof in regard of your Highnes breede not too great a disparage I hight as wholly due to your Grace in respect not onely of the common right in that you are the highest person
wherein as God bindeth himselfe to be with Ieroboam to build him a sure house as he did to Dauid and to make him king ouer the tenne tribes after Solomons death So likewise he bindeth Ieroboam to harken to all that God commanded him to walke in his waies and to keep all his statutes and precepts as Dauid his seruant had done Which couenant God for his part most faithfully obserued defending Ieroboam from Solomon that sought his death preseruing him in Aegypt renting the ten Tribes from Solomons sonne and making him king ouer them But Ieroboam was no sooner in his kingdome but the couenant was for his part cleane forgot and fordone and thence Ezechiel taketh the beginning of bearing the burden of the iniquitie of the house of Israell The end of the bearing of this burden and the forbearing of the iniquitie is both plainely expressed and also typically represented to be the besieging of the Citie Ierusalem yet not the besieging simply for at the beginning of the siege they were in case good enough feeling no punishment at all but that necessitie when as by reason of the siege the Citie grewe to be in harde termes and extreeme famine and beganne to consume in their iniquitie Then indeed Gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and forbearing of them was at an end his burthen was laid downe his rod taken vp and the punishment begunne as God most plainely expoundeth the type himselfe vers 16.17 Sonne of man behold I will breake the staffe of bread in Ierusalem and they shall eate bread by weight and with care and they shall drinke water by measure and with astonishment because the bread and water shall faile they shall be astonished one with another and shall consume in their iniquity When and how truely this was performed appeareth manifestly Ier. 52.6 Now in the fourth month the ninth day the famine being sore in the Citie so that there was no bread for the people of the land the Citie was broken vp c. And with this famine Ezechiel in the next Chapter beginneth euidently the laying down of the burthen and the punishment of the iniquitie vnder an other type 1 Sonne of man take thee a sharpe knife and make it passe vpon thy head vpon thy beard then take thee balances to wey and deuide the heare 2 Thou shalt burne with fire the third part in the middes of the Citie when the daies of the siege are fulfilled and thou shalt take the other third part and smite about it with a knife and the last third part thou shalt scatter in the wind and I will draw out a sword after them 3 Thou shalt take of them a few in number and bind them in thy lappe 4 Then take of them againe and cast them into the middes of the fire thereof shall a fire come into all the house of Israell 5. Thus saith the Lord this is Ierusalem The rest of the exposition followeth after 9 Behold I will doe in thee that which I neuer did before neither will I doe any more the like because of all thy abominations 12 The third part of thee shall die with the pestilence and with famine shall they be consumed in the middest of thee This was performed before the taking of the Citie as I shewed before 2. Reg 25.6 an other third part of thee shall fall by the sword round about thee which was in breaking of the wall and taking of the Citie 2. Reg. 25.7 and the last third part I will scatter into all windes and will drawe out a sword after them this was done vers 8. and the armies of the Chaldaeans pursued the king and all his armie was scattered from him Heere you see the first beginning of the punishment is the famine in the City wherewith no doubt they had beene grieuously consumed before the Citie was taken The Citie was taken in the ninth day of the fourth month of the yeare 3416. which is from the 15. day of the eight month of the yeare 3025. being Ieroboams first yeare 390 yeares complete beside the three monthes and fifteene daies of 3025. which must goe to make vp Ieroboams first yeare which was wholly numbred in the article before and also beside the three monthes and nine daies of 3416. which must goe likewise to make vp the first yeare of the captiuitie and followeth to be reckoned in the next article Heerewith also lump the 40. yeares of Iudaes iniquitie spoken of by Ezechiell Cap. 4. vers 6. which beginne with the 13. yeare of Iosias as God himselfe sheweth their beginning Ier. 25.3 From the 13. yeare of Iosias the sonne of Amon king of Iuda euen vnto this day that is the 23. yeare the word of the Lord hath come vnto me and I haue spoken earlie vnto you rising earely and speaking but ye would not heare This day that he speaketh of was as appeareth vers 1. the fourth yeare of Iehoiakim and the first yeare of Nabuchodonosor which was as he saith the 23. yeare of that computation For Iosias 19. last and Iehoiakims foure make iust 23. adde thereto 17. to make vp Nabuchodonosors 18. for Iehoiakims 4. was his first and there amount iust 40. And heerewith also agreeth notably the tradition of the Iewes for the standing of the Temple which R. Abraham the Cabalist recordeth namely that the temple stood 427. yeares By our account the temple was founded in the second month of the yeare 2988. and it was desolated in the 5 monthe of 3416. The space betweene is iust 427. yeares full and complete beside the peece of the first yeare wherein it was founded and the peece of the last yeare wherein it was destroyed Beda li. de nat rerum Cap. 66. saith that it was burnt the 430 yeare after it was begunne to be founded which differeth but one yeare which perhaps Beda added to make the numberfull and round Both these accounts aswel of the 40. years of Iudaes iniquity of the 390. of Israels iniquitie are confirmed to the eie in the chronological table of the kings of Iudae Israel The eight article is recorded Ier. 25.11 And this whole land shall be desolate and an astonishment and these nations shall serue the king of Babell 70. yeares And also 2. Chro. 36.2 And they were seruants to the King of Babel and his sonnes till the kingdome of the Persians had rule to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Ieremie vntill the land had her fill of her Sabbothes For all the daies that she lay desolate she kept her Sabbothes to fulfill 70. yeares This is the punishment of the iniquitie set downe by Ezechiel Cap. 5. as before is shewed and the 70. years of Captiuitie prophesied by Ieremie which beginne at the taking of Ierusalem and end at the taking of Babilon For at the taking of Ierusalem they became absolutely the king of Babels seruantes and so continued without interruption 70. yeares as Ieremie foreshewed Cap. 25.11 where
of Aegypt warred in the ende of Iosias raigne wherein Iosias was slaine 2. Reg. 23.29 His name is not recorded but he might well be Nabuchodonosors father whom Berosus in Iosephus calleth Nabulassar but Iosephus himselfe calleth him Nabuchodonosor too In the ende of his raigne Niniue was destroyed and vtterly razed by him and Assuerus Tob. 14.17 whereupon afterward the kings keeping their Court and resiance at Babilon were called againe the kinges of Babilon See my Bibliotheca historica in Monarchiarum Perioche 4 Nabuchodonosor king of Babilon began his raigne in Iehioakims fourth yeare Ier. 25.1 tooke from the king of Aegypt all that he had betweene Euphrates and Nilus 2. Reg. 24.9 whereby it is cleare that the king of Assyria against whome Neco warred and this king of Babilon weere both of one state and kingdom though their titles differ In his seauenth yeare he took Iehoiakim in his eight Iehoiacin in his 18 Zedechias in his 19. he burnt the Temple and Citie He raigned 44. yeares 2. Reg. 24. 25. Ier. 52. 5 Euil Merodac king of Babilon began his raigne in the 37. yeare of Iehoiacins captiuitie Iehoiacin was caried away in the very beginning of Nabuchodonosors eight yeare To his seauen adde the other 37 there will be 44. and they were not fully complete neither So that whereas Iosephus de Ant. li. 10. cap. 12 saith that Nabuchodonosor raigned 43. yeares he meaneth fullie complete beside the odde months which were almost another yeare But Metasthenes giuing 35. yeares to Nabuchodonosor beginneth his raign at Iehoiakims third yeare when he was made Generall of his fathers warres his father being sicke See Pag. 6 Baltassar king of Assyria and the verie last of that line of whome Baltassar aliâs Daniel speaketh mentioning his first yeare Cap. 7.1 and his third Cap. 8.1 and the last yeare and very last night wherein at his solemne feast and great banquet he was slaine Cap. 5.30 but in what yeare of his raign that was done Daniel doth not specifie And this is all that ther is spoken of that Monarchy Baltassar being destroyed the Monarchie came was translated to two states ioyntly together the Medes and the Persians as the Scripture sheweth First Daniel prophesied to Baltassar that verie night that his kingdom was deuided and giuen to the Medes Persians Cap. 5.28 againe he saith that Darius Medus or Darius of the seede of the Medes being 62 yeare olde succeeded Baltassar Cap. 5.31 and that in the kingdome of the Chaldeans Cap. 9.1 who in the beginning of his raigne highly promoted Daniel Cap. 6.4 Likewise that Cyrus the Persian then raigned with him appeareth Cap. 1.21 where Daniel saith that he remayned in the seruice of the kinges of Babell to the first yeare of Cyrus or of Cyrus the Persian Cap. 6.29 or Cyrus king of Persians Cap. 10.1 which were not true if Cyrus raigne began not with the raigne of Darius because Daniels estate was altered by Darius Therefore he coupleth them together Cap. 6.29 And Daniell prospered in the raigne of Darius and the raigne of Cyrus the Persian And he sheweth that their lawes were made by both states and had their force and authoritie from both states euen in the beginning of Darius Medus Cap. 6.9.12.15 according to the law of the Medes and Persians And both of them had equall soueraintie and administred the affayres of the Monarchie ioyntly as the Romanes had often times two Augusti in which state Annius Verus and Marcus Antoninus were the first as Spartian noteth in his Adrian Hi sunt qui postea duo pariter Augusti primi rempublicam gubernauerunt For Darius is said by Daniel to haue 120. prouinces Cap. 6.2 and Cyrus saith of himselfe that God had giuen him all the kingdomes of the earth 2. Chro. 36. Esd 1.1 Of Darius Daniel mentioneth no more than his first yeere Cap. 9.1 11.1 who dying in the second yeare of his raigne the Monarchie came wholly and soly to Cyrus the Persian And therefore Daniel altereth his stile calleth the third yeare the third yeare of Cyrus king of Persians Ca. 10.1 with out any mention of Darius With this historie of the holy scripture Xenophon agreeth notably For first he maketh two distinct kingdomes one of the Persians wherof Cambises was king another of the Medes whereof Astyages was king Which two nations were cōbined togetherin league which they confirmed by making of mariages one with another as Cambises maried Astyages daughter by whom he had Cyrus which was the chiefest grieuance and cause of the complaint that the king of Assyria alledged by his Ambassadors to Craesus and other confederates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saying that the Medes Persians were great mightie nations combined together made mariages one with another and were so linked in one that vnlesse they were preuented and weakened it were danger they woulde set vpon other nations seuerally and supplant them By which inducemēts and rewardes withall many other nations being drawen to his side old Astyages being dead and Cyaxares that is Darius Medus raigning in his fathers steede the Assyrian made warre against the Medes and Persians and inuaded the land of the Medes being next to him Whereupon there was leuied an armie in Persia of 30 thousand olde trayned and beaten soldiers beside 1000. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and worthie leaders to passe into Media for Cyaxares ayde wherof Cyrus was Generall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the auncient counsellers of Persia made him Emperour or Generall of the armie that went into Media And thereupon no doubt foreners and those especially that were farre of called him king of Persians and of Persia When he came into Media Cyaxares and he so ioyned together l. 2. that the chiefe state was in Cyaxares who bare the charges of the armie but the ordering of the battle and all matters of warre were chiefly menaged by Cyrus who first had a great victory against the Assyrians wherein their king was slaine perhaps it was Euil Merodach for Gobryas cōmendeth him for a good man The like suceesse he had against Craesus and the rest of the confederates whom he chased hauing drawen the Hyrcanians to his side Afterwarde at the instance of Gobryas a vassal of the king of Assyria whose sonne this new king of Assyria sonne of him that was slaine in the former battle l. 3. had slaine Cyrus marched on toward Babilon chalengeth the king to fight hand to hand Which being refused 5. he remoued thence to rescue the countrey of Gadata another vassal of the Assyrian that newly was reuolted to Cyrus and after passed by the walles of Babilon againe and returned to the confines of Media whither he sent for Cyaxares to view the armies and to deliberate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what he thought best to haue done after this When Cyaxares came he had the best of the spoyles and pillages for his share and the Pauilion of the king of Assyria gorgeously
in fight was slaine himselfe This is the summe of Herodotus wherein the league betweene the Medes and Persians as two nations linked and confederate in one is cleane dashed and also Darius Medus or Cyaxares is quite wipt out beside the taking of Babylon in the day time and other diuersities Metasthenes differeth from both these for first hauing reckoned vp the kinges of Medes from Arbaces to Apanda in the same sort as Ctesias Guidius doth in Diodorus sixt booke who also addeth that Apanda was called Astyages of the Grecians he saith that Cyrus and Darius subdued him and raigned in Persia sixe yeares and after resigning the kingdome of Persia to Cambyses his sonne they made warre against Tamaris sixe yeares In the sixt yeare being called out by the Babilonians they slewe Baltassar reunited the Monarchie and translated it to the Persians where they raigned ioyntly two yeares and then Cyrus 22 alone whome succeeded Priscus Artaxerxes Assuerus 20 yeares being Darius sonne who reuenged the Tamarical faction Patruum which by deceite slewe his fathers brother Cyrus After him followed his sonne Darius Longiman Heere you see Metasthenes maketh Cyrus and Darius brethren and both Persians because after the subduing of the king of Medes they raigned in Persia and after the killing of Baltassar they reduced the Monarchie to the Persians as Diodorus maketh Cyrus for of Darius he maketh no mention king of Persians when he tooke Apanda Secondly he preferreth Cyrus as the elder and better in that his sonne Cambyses was made king of Persia before they had Babylon 3 He maketh them to haue sixe yeares warre with Tamaris before they slew Baltassar though Cyrus were not slaine there 4 That the kingdome of Persia was resigned to Cambyses six yeares before the taking of Babylon of whose issue and succession he speaketh nothing but affirmeth that Priscus the sonne of Darius succeeded Cyrus in Babylon 5 that the Babilonians rebelled against their king and sent for Cyrus and Darius to ayde them 6 Betweene Cyrus and Longiman he maketh but one king Priscus whereas the Greekes reckon three and that agreeably to Daniel to whome Chap. 10.1.2 the Angell sheweth that betweene Darius Medus and the rich king that should rayse all against the Graecians that is Xerxes there should be three kinges of Persia and he should be the fourth Those were Cyrus Cambyses Darius Histaspis and Xerxes of which three last Herodotus writeth of certaintie without intimation of any other reportes Philo in Breuiar li. 2. agreeth with Metasthenes but that he giueth an Epithet to Darius that died in Cyrus second yeare naming him Darius Histaspis and further addeth that the principall fautor of the Tamaricall faction was Artaxat who compelled the Assyrians Medes and Persians to reuolt from Priscus in so much that Priscus kept himselfe at Babylon but in the end be sudued Artaxat Thus you see the great oddes among writers in this article all which Clemens Schubertus laboureth and toyleth to reconcile together But I doubt he hath lost both oyle and toyle Yet that which he hath done perhaps may giue light to some other grounded Historician to effect some further matter The meane season for the order of the kinges or Emperours in the Persian Morarchie we are to followe Xenophon for Darius and Cyrus and Herodotus for the rest as most agreeable to holy Scripture And for the Confirmation of these two last articles and the iust Chronologie thereof I will take a course more certaine Virg. Georg 1. euen the course of the Sunne with the Moone Solem quisdi cere falsum Audeat obserued by Ptolomie and other of the most autentique humane writers And to tye their Chronologie to the Computation of the Scripture which ceaseth with the ende of the Captiuitie Ieremie the Prophet helpeth vs to a string or sinewe Cap. 25.1 where he coupleth the fourth yeare of Iehoiakim that is the 3398. yeare of the world with the first yeare of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon This verse of Ieremie is the very kay of Chronologie wherefore I will first shew how the Diuine and Humane Chronologie is locked together and after vnlocke and open it with this kay And first as we reckon the yeares of the kinges of Iuda after Ezechias for full and complete so we begin their raigns alike as we did his that is at the beginning of the vsuall yeare as shall appeare in the Table Wherefore Iehoiakims fourth began euen with the beginning of 3398. Againe Nabuchodonosors first yeare did not beginne euen with the first day of Iehoiakims fourth yeare but at the first day of the month Phamenòth being the seuenth month of the Chaldaeans which Phamenòth in that age began about or rather anone after the middle of Thamus which was the fourth month of the Hebrewes so that about three monthes and an halfe of Nabuchodonosors first concurred with Iehoiakims fift as appeareth Ier. 52.29 where one captiuitie or carying away of the Iewes is attributed to Nabuchodonosors seauenth yeare which could not be before Iehoijakims 11 yeare when Iehoiakim and the Nobles were caried away And so by this means Iehoiakim raigned not aboue two monthes of his 11. yeare not full so much I meane as was in Nabuchodonosors seuenth and then Iehoakim raigned three monthes who was taken in Nabuchodonosors eight yeare the beginning of which three monthes was in Nabuchodonosors seuenth the end in his eight so that Zedechias began in the beginning of the sixt month of the yeare of the world 3405. that is about the middle of the second month of Nabuchodonosors eight yeare and consequently the fourth month of the yeare 3416. the ninth day whereof the Citie was taken was the verie latter ende of Nabuchodonosors 18. yeare VVherefore Ieremie vers 29. referreth that Captiuitie to Nabuchodonosors 18 yeare with which 18 yeare he coupleth Zedechias 10. too Cap. 23.1 For they concurred a month and an halfe together Againe Cap. 25. vers 12. he placeth the burning Desolation of the Temple and Citie in the fift month the seuenth day of the month that is Nabuchodonosors 19 yeare For his 19 yeare began about the midde of the fourth month about a fortnight after the taking of the Citie And that fift month was the ending and expiring of Zedechias 11 yeare as Ieremie affirmeth plainly cap. 1.3 vnto the ending of the eleuēth yeare of Zedekiah euen to the carying away of Ierusalem captiue in the fift month And thus it is euident and manifest how the years of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon and king of the Chaldaeans as he is called 2. Chron. 36.6 are locked and linked to the yeares of the kinges of Iuda according to the Computation of the raigne of Nabuchodonosor which is vsed in the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles and in Ieremie the Prophet Now for the vse hereof and opening of the Chronologie by this kay you must knowe that Ptolomie taketh the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or marke of his aera or Computation from the
beginning of a king of Babylon of the Chaldaeans whom he nameth Nabonassar Ptol. l. 4. ca. 6. 8. From whence he maketh the second of Mardocempad to be the 28. yeare and the fifth of Nabopolassar to be the 127. c. Who and when Nabonassar l. 5. c. 14. Mardocempad Nabopolassar were will appeare if we take some king that is certainely knowne and agreed vpon and thence proceeding backward finde out the other The next king that is knowne and agreed vpon Ptol. l. 5. ca. 14. is Cambyses the sonne of Cyrus whose seauenth yeare is Cambyses 225. then consequently Cambyses seauenth is the 99. yeare from Nabopolassars 5. To Cambyses 7 adde Cyrus 7. and the 70. yeares of captiuitie the first whereof was Nabuchodonosors 19. then 14 backward to Nabuchodonosors fift and all make 98. which is one too short Wherefore the Computation of Nabuchodonosors raigne in Ieremie and the bookes of Kinges beginneth later by a yeare than the aera and account of Ptolomies Nabopolassar Nowe if it can be shewed that Nabuchodonosors raigne began a yeare before that computation of Ieremie we may vndoubtedly affirme that Ptolomies Nabopolassar is Ieremies Nabuchodonosor And this will easily and euidently appeare by two sufficient witnesses Berosus the priest of the Chaldaeans and Daniel the Prophet brought vp in Chaldaea to the learning of the Chaldaeans First Berosus lib. 3. rerum Chaldaicharum hath these wordes recorded by Iosephus de antiqu Iud. lib. 10. Cap. 11. Nabuchodonosor the father hearing that his Lieuetenant whom he had set ouer Aegypt Syria and Phoenicia had reuolted from him and being vnable for sicknesse to goe against him in his own person made his sonne Nabuchodonosor Emperour or Generall of his armie and sent him against the Rebell who ioyning battle with him conquered him and recouered his countrie againe The meane season Nabuchodonosor the father died of his sicknesse in Babilon hauing raigned 21 yeares Nabuchodonosor hearing of his fathers death straight waies left some of his friendes to bring the captiue Iewes Syrians and Phoenicians together with the army and cariage to Babilonia and himselfe accompanied with a fewe sped him in all hast to Babilon thorow the wildernesse Where taking vpon him the gouernment of the kingdome which the Chaldaeans kept for him till he came he was made Lord of all his fathers Empyre And first of all he disposed the captiues in conuenient places in Babilonia and with the spoyles which he had got furnished and beautifyed the Temple of Belus Among this company of captiues Daniel was one Dan. 1. ver 1.2.3.4.5.6 and therefore none can tell the time better then he heare what he saith In the third yeare of Iehoiakim King of Iuda came Nabuchodonosor King of Babilon vnto Ierusalem and besieged it And the Lord gaue Iehoiakim King of Iuda into his hand with part of the vesse s of the house of God which he caried into the land of Shinar to the house of his God And the king spake to Ashphenaz the maister of his Eunuches to bring certaine of the children of Israel of the Kinges seede whom they might teach the learning tongue of the Chaldaeans among these were Daniel c. Ioyne to these 2. Reg. 25.2 2. Chr. 35. the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles and see the concent Two or three yeares before this Pharao Neco King of Aegypt went vp against the king of Assyria to the riuer Euphrates and besieged Carshemish whom Iosias as feodarie or confederate to the king of Assyria seeking to resist was slaine and the people of the land made Iehoahaz his sonne king of Iuda whom Neco taking imprisoned a while at Riblah and after caried him into Aegypt making Eliakim his brother whose name he turned into Iehoiakim king in his steede Yet the Iewes woulde not vouchsafe him the name of King while his brother Iehoahaz liued but onely the title of high Priest as he is called in the booke of Iudith For they still hoped for and earnestly expected the returne of Iehoahaz out of Aegypt as Ieremie sheweth plainely Cap. 22.11.12 and about this time as it is most probable Nabuchodonosors Lieuetenant seing Neco preuaile so mightily reuolted from his maister to him and betrayed all those countries into his handes which Berosus speaketh of Wherefore Nabuchodonosor sent his Captaine Holophernes against those Rebelles with a great power but what bad successe he had the booke of Iudith sheweth This voiage of Holophernes happened while Iehoahaz king of Iuda was captiue in Aegypt and his brother Iehoiakim raigned at home though the people did not vouchsafe the name of King his brother being aliue Holophernes being ouerthrowne â—eros Nabuchodonosor in the third yeare of Iehoiakim his brother being then dead in Aegypt beeing sicke himself made his sonne Viceroy sent him to reduce those countries into subiection againe and to reuenge the ouerthrow of Holophernes who in the same third yeare of Iehoiakim Dan. 1. besieged Ierusalem and in the beginning of the next yeare made Iehoiakim to yeeld 2. Reg. 24.3 and become his vassal and Tributarie And so pursuing the victorie passed thorow Syria and recouered Carchemish Ier. 46.2 giuing the armie of the king of Aegypt a great ouerthrowe there Then hearing of the death of his father he sped him into Babilon and became sole Monarch as Berosus saith Afterward Iehoiakim rebelling against him he made his second voyage into those countries wherein he tooke Ierusalem in his 7 yeare and recouered from the king of Aegypt whatsoeuer he held from Euphrates to Nilus 2. Chro. 36 6. 2. Reg. 24.9 Thus the storie recorded by diuerse in sundry parcels hangeth together Heere is all the oddes that Daniel beginneth Nabuchodonosors raigne in Iehoiakims third yeare when he was made Generall in his fathers sicknesse as Berosus saith with the title of King of Babilon Beda de rat temp nat retuÌ„ cap. 66. and Ieremie with the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles beginne it in Iehoiakims fourth yeare when his father being dead he beganne his sole Monarchie ouer the whole Empyre Iudaea and all which he had then newly subdued againe But doubtlesse Daniel being brought vp in Babilon in the learning and language of the Chaldaeans vsed the right computatioÌ„ of the Chaldaeans which Metasthenes followeth also attributing to Nabuchodonosors raigne 35 years and Ptolomie likewise following the obseruations and calculations of the Chaldaeans vseth the same And Nabuchodonosors 5 by all their accountes is but his 4. by Ieremies computation which is iust 99. yeares from Cambyses 7. as Ptolomie saith And therefore we conclude that Ptolomies Nabopolassar is that Nabuchodonosor which destroyed Ierusalem So likewise by Ptolomie this 5 of Nabopolassar is the 100. yeare from the second of Mardocempad draw these 100 yeares backe and the holy Scripture will lead you to the 25 yeare of Ezechias and 3302 of the worlde So that Mardocempads first was Ezechias 24. yeare the 3301. yeare
of the worlde This Mardocempad certainely was the next king that succeeded Merodath Baladan in Babilon whose name is not recorded in the holy Scripture but he seemeth by all probabilities to be that king which caried Ezechias sonne Menasses captiue to Babilon 2. Chron. 33.11 In like sorte this second of Mardocempad was Nabonassars 28 yeare as Ptolomie saith drawe thes 28 yeares backe with the odde daies you shall finde that Nabonassar began in the ende of the yeare of the worlde 3275. that is in Achaz 13 yeare and the beginning of the first yeare of Hoseas Tributarie raigne vnder Salmaneser Now if we can finde who was then king of Babilon we may vndoubtedly say that he was Nabonassar It is generally taken by the learned Chronologers Funccius Mercator Erasmus Rainoldus Eucelcerus other that this Nabonassar was Salmaneser which caried awaye the tenne Tribes in Ezechias sixt yeare But vnder correction I take him to be Merodac Baladan as Esay calleth him who in the booke of Kinges is termed Beroodoh Baladan the first king of the Chaldaeans or Babilonians Esay 39.1 2. Reg. 20.12 and the very founder of that kingdom and house I will shew my reasons briefly and leaue the iudgement to the learned 1 This Nabonassar raigned as appeared before out of Ptolomie to the 23 yeare of Ezechias whereas Salmaneser died before the 14 yeare of Ezechias For then Senacharib was king of Assyria 2 Albeit the same yeare of the worlde 3275 being the 12. and 13. of Achaz Salmanesar was king of the Assyrians and the same yeare made a great voyage into Palestina against Hoseas king of Israel and subduing him made him his vassal Teodarie and Tributarie 2. Reg. 17.3 yet it is most certaine that before the 14. yeare of Ezechias the kinges of Assyria had lost Babilon and Chaldaea there beeing then a new king Merodac Baladan and it become another distinct kingdome from the kingdome of the Assyrians whose seat was at Niniue as the holy Scripture euidently sheweth 2. Reg. 17.12 Ierem. 50.17 2. Reg. 19.36 This Merodac is the first that in scripture hath the Title of King of Babilon and Ieremie maketh him the very author father and founder of that kingdome race and familie Ier. 50.2 As it is apparant that he raigned in Babilon when Ezechias was sicke so there can be no reason shewed to the contrarie but he began his raigne there 14 yeares before nay it is most probable and likely that Salmanassar being that yeare 3275. a farre of and occupied in his warres in Syria and Israel Merodac Baladan tooke that opportunitie to reuolt from him and erect that new kingdome By occasion whereof Ezechias king of Iuda anone after rebelled against Salmaneser too 2. Reg. 18.7 entering into league with the newe king of Babilon For it appeareth that they were combined and confederate against the king of Assyria because Merodac sendeth so friendly to Ezechias to congratulate his recouerie and because Ezechias sheweth his Embassadors so readily all his treasure and power to this ende that the other of the league might see what forces he was able to make against the common enemie the king of Assyria And about the same time Hoseas king of Israel induced by these examples reuolted from Salmaneser and entred into league with So king of Aegypt 2. Reg. 17.4 But shortly after Salmaneser subdued him again which Senacherib his sonne attempting to doe to Ezechias had that miraculous ouerthrow 2. Reg. 19.35 which Merodac hering together with Ezechias recouery sent that solemne congratulatiō Cap. 20.12 3 I see no reason why Ptolomie or the Chaldaeans should take aeram Chaldaeorum the Computatiō of the Chaldees from Salmaneser king of Assyria more thā from any other king before him as Pul or Tiglath Pileser But euery man may see reason enough why he should take it from Merodac because he was the founder of that kingdom of the Chaldaeans their first king of Babilon first raiser of that house familie as Ieremie maketh him and Daniel maketh that kingdom of Merodac his successors the race of the Nabuchodonosors the first of his foure Monarchies Dan. 1. 7. Surely new aeraes computations dates are taken from new great euents and actions as deliuerance from seruitude and restoring of libertie 1. Mac. 13.42 And such a one as that was this action of Merodac deliuering the Chaldaeans from the bondage of the Assyrians As for the difference of the name it is most vsuall that forrenners and they which are farre of hauing a diuerse language call the same king by another name than he is called at home As whome the Chaldaeans themselues cal Nabopolassar the Iewes called Nebucadnetzar whom Daniel calleth Baltassar which doubtles was his right Chaldaean name Herodotus calleth Labynetus Iosephus Naboandel Alphaeus Naboniddochus Eus praep Eu. l. 9. our Merodac himself is called Berodach 2. Reg 20.12 Esar-chaddon is called also Osnapar Ezr. 4. But to leaue this to the iudgement of the learned it is agreed certaine that Nabonassar was that king which raigned then in Babilon Wherfore to come to the ninth Article Censor l. de die natali it may be proued eyther by proceeding in Ptolomies Computation or by the account of the Olympiades For Censorinus coupleth the 986. yeare of Nabonassar with the 2. yeare of Olymp. 254. that is as he expoundeth himself the 1014. yeare from the first Olympiad and indeede the yeare of Nabonassar began then much about the beginning of the Olympical yere Substract 986. out of 1014. and there remayne 28. by how many yeares the first Olymp. began before Nabonassar beside the daies which Nabonassars aera hath lost in that space by wanting the leape yeare And therefore the Olympiades began in the yeare of the world 3247 being Vzziahs 52. yeare By this account the first yeare of Cyrus Monarchie being the 23. yeare of his Regiment or raygne is the third yeare of the 60. Olympiad which agreeth with Euschius l. 10. Praep. Euang. cap. 13. where out of Thallus Castor Diodorus Polybius and Phlegon he placeth the first yeare of Cyrus Regiment or raigne in the first yeare of the 55. Olympiad The distance of 78. yeares from Cyrus first to the beginning of Artaxerxes Longimans seuenth is proued thus Diodorus Siculus Pag. 260. placeth Xerxes death in the 4. yeare of the 78. Olympad and Artaxerxes beginning about 4 or 5 monethes before the ende of the same yeare which by resolution are 312. yeares Adde thereto 5 more to make vp Artaxerxes sixt and there will be 317. in the ende whereof Artaxerxes 6 began and ended within three or foure moneths of the ende of 318. abstract thence 238. accrewing of 59 full Olympiades and two yeares of the 60. Olympiad which were before Cyrus first and there remayne 78. and about three quarters which three quarters were passed of the yeare 3. Olymp. 60. before the beginning of Cyrus first The same may be proued by Iulius Aphricanus who
as Eusebius sheweth Demonst Euang. l. 8. ca. 2. and Hierome in Dan. 9. placeth Artaxerxes 20. in the yeare 4. Olymp. 83. and also by the raygnes of the Kinges of Persia for Cyrus 7. Cambyses 8. with the Magi Darius Histaspes 36. Xerxes 21. and Longimans 6. make iust 78. To Cyrus I attribute 7 yeares after the taking of Babilon l. 8. pa. 183. as Xenophon doth For he saith that Cyrus liued seuen monthes of winter in Babilon three monthes of spring at Susis in Persia and two moneths of the heate of Summer at Ectabana in Media And it is clear if we consider the time wherein by all probabilitie the Citie was taken and the terme requisite to establish the kingdome and to set all thinges in order at Babilon whereof Xenophon speaketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pag. 184. that he stayed about a yeare at Babilon before he went towards Persia Nowe Xenophon further saith that he came seuen times in that order to Persia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At which seuenth comming his father and mother being dead and himselfe verie aged giuing solemne and condigne thankes to the Gods for giuing him both good directions in all his great actions and also grace to imbrace and follow their directions he ended his life The first iourney of Cyrus into Persia was in the ende of his first yeare and the seuenth iourney was in the end of his seuenth yeare Wherefore we cannot giue lesse than seuen yeares to Cyrus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kingdome or Monarchie and 30. yeares to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Regiment as Cicero Eusebius and Iustin doe Which 30. yeares are to be reckoned from that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and instant of time wherein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the ancient counsellers of Persia chose him Emperour or Generall of the Armie that went into Media The tenth article is set downe Dan. 9.24 Seuentie weekes are determined vpon thy people and vpon thy holy Citie These 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seuenthes or seuen nightes sennightes as we say or weekes are not to be accounted by daies but by years as all do agree And seuentie seuenties of yeares are 490. yeares The beginning of these 490. years the Angell fixeth most certainely sheweth plainely to Daniel in the next verse Therefore vnderstand and marke From the proceeding forth of the word or Edict to bring againe the people and to build Ierusalem vnto Christ shal be c. This Edict proceeded forth in Artaxerxes seuenth yeare as it is recorded Esz 7. from the 12 verse to the 26. Artashasht King of Kinges to Ezra the Priest and perfect Scribe in the Lawe of the God of Heauen 13. I haue giuen commandment that euery one that is willing in my kingdom of the people of Israel and of the Priestes and Leuites to goe to Ierusalem with thee shall goe 14 Therefore art thou sent by the King and his seuen counsellers to make inquisition in Iudah and Ierusalem of the lawe of thy God which is in thy hand This branch is for the bringing againe of the people after which followeth the second branch for the presentes which the King and the Princes and the people sent to be offered to the God of Heauen in his house at Ierusalem and then the third branch for the immunities and liberties of the Priestes Leuites all other ministers of the house of God vers 24. and lastly insueth vers 25. the fourth branch for restoring the Policie and Gouernment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ordayning of Magistrates establishing and executing of lawes And thou Ezra after the wisedome of thy God that is in thy hand appointe Iudges and Iustices of Oyer and Terminer to all the people that is beyond the riuer of all that know the law of thy God and them which know it not teach 26. And whosoeuer will not doe the Lawe of the Lord thy God and the Lawe of the King let him haue iudgement without delay eyther of death or of banishment or of confiscation of goods or of imprisonment Heere you see commission is giuen to Esdras to restore a common wealth in Iuda and Ierusalem to ordaine Magistrates and Officers of their owne to execute lawes to punish all manner of offenders and to exercise all sortes of punishment which be the principall and essentiall partes of a Citie as Cicero said Ciuitas est in qua est Consul est Senatus est iuris aequitatis quae vincula sunt ciuitatis repetita memoria And these were at this time and by this Edict graunted to the Iewes and neuer before being much more of the essence of a Citie than the repayring of walles which Nehemias came about To Daniel the Angel speaketh of a word or Edict that hath two branches the first to bring againe the people the other to build the Citie of Ierusalem both which Esdras had but Nehemias wanted the one and Zorobabel wanted the other Wherefore considering the euidencie of Daniels prophecie the Angels speech and waighing withall the wonderfull concent harmonie of the best approued humane writers with this Computation which after will appeare it cannot be but cleare and manifest to all men that Daniels weeks begin neyther at the one nor at the other of them though many learned men haue made the beginning thereof at each of them As at Nehemias comming in Longimans 20 yeare the common exposition beginneth Daniels 70 weekes whom very many great Clarkes followe as Beda Petrus Galatinus and of late Lucidus Samotheus and Clemens Schubertus c. But as that is taken it differeth not in time from our account For they make it the 20 yeare not of his sole raigne after his father but from the beginning of his raign while his father liued the 20 yeare whereof was but the 7 of his sole raigne which I reckon of So they iump with vs. Yet that is not the commission which the Angell prophecied of 1 Because Nehemias did bring none from Babilon with him The Latin vulgar Translatiō omitteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de reducendo c which deceiued them and caused thē to beginne there but came onely to repayre the building 2 He repayred not so much the Citie as the walles Cap. 2.17.4.1 and as the whole suruey of the worke sheweth in all the third Chapter 3 That commission was out before though the worke were neglected which appeareth in that he maketh mention of Ouerseers of the worke before he acquainted any man with his commission or purpose Cap. 7.16 At Cyrus first yeare and at the going out of the word at Daniels prayer R. Aben Ezra beginneth Daniels weekes whom of late Tremellius and Henricus Wolphius follow But that cannot be the word which the Angell ment because the Angell poynteth out describeth and from all other words distinguisheth the word that he ment by two notable euident markes and signes namely that it should be the going forth of a word to bring againe the people
yeare in the fourth month which was the fift yeare of king Iehoiacins captiuitie To the last 14 of Iosias adde 11 for the raignes of Iehoiakim Iehoiacin 5 of his captiuitie and there are iust 30. So likewise the Iewes besieged in Bethzura in the 50 yeare of the Greeks were driuē to yeeld the towne for want of vittailes by reason of the Sabboth yeare 1. Maccab. 6.49 For the 49 yeare of the Greeks that is 3759 was a sabboth yeare whereby they intermitted the tillage of that yeare and the haruest of the 50 yeare and their olde store of the haruest of 49 which should haue serued them till they might haue new fruites of the yeare 51 was spent by them which had escaped from the Gentiles and were come into Iudaea vers 53. Againe Herods oppugning of Ierusalem was in a Sabboth yeare which caused great famine in the Citie Ioseph li. 14. ca. 28. meaning not that the Sabboth yeare continued all the time of the siege which could haue beene no great cause of famine because they ought to haue had store enough of all the former yeare for all the Sabboth yeare and the yeare after too though they had had no warres at all but because the oppugning began in the end of the Sabboth yeare wherin no supply might be made which in the winter following caused great dearth indeede The Citie was taken as Iosephus saith the 185 Olymp. Vipsanius and Gallus being Consuls the third month and it was the third yeare of that Olympiad because their consulship began at Ianuary in that third yeare and in October before the Sabboth yeare ended and a little before that the Citie was oppugned and besieged by Herod and Silo Ioseph li. 14. ca. 27. where grew a mutinie among the Romane soldiars not liking to winter there for want of prouision which want grewe by reason of omitting the haruest before in regard of the Sabboth yeare Ioseph li. 14. ca. 27. Moreouer the sonne of God was Incarnate of the virgine Marie to whom the great and glad newes was brought by an Angel from heauen the verie first yeare of the 30 Iubilie and the same Sauiour of the world hauing accomplished the worke of our redemption rested in his sepulchre not onely the sabboth day but also the Sabboth yeare For in the 10 day of the 7 month of the yeare 4053 next before the passion of Christ beganne the 215 Sabbath yeare wherein Christ Iesus by his Passion purchased for vs true manumission eternall remission perfect liberty and euerlasting rest euen Sabboth vpon Sabboth as the Prophet speaketh To which Sabboth yeare and acceptable yeare of the Lord he prepared his countreymen of Nazaret in his sermon there not long before Luke 5. Nowe that the 10 Articles of the Computation from the creation to Christ be clearely confirmed and that the Olympiades be tyed to the Aera of Nabonassar and they both be applyed to the yeares of the world which are most certainely continued in holie scripture till the Captiuitie of Babilon it shall not be amisse to doe the like with the yeares of Rome which depend of the Olympiades because that Computation is much vsed in the Romane Historiographers And for the beginning of the Computation Aera or stile of Rome which the Chronologers briefly note with these two letters V. C. that is vrbis conditae of the building of the Citie there is great difference among the ancient writers as is well obserued by Solinus and more particularly by Sigonius Of the three principall opinions the first beginneth it in the yeare 3 Olymp. 6 or 23 yeare of Iphitus the second in 4 Olymp. 6. or 24 yeare of Iphitus the third in 1 Olymp. 7. or the 25 yeare of Iphitus The reason of which differences I will endeuour briefly to shewe and to reconcile these Computations for the better light to the studious in Historie And heereto the distinction vsed by Liuie in his verie beginning will helpe vs a little where he saith Ante conditam condendamuè vrbem before the building of the Citie was finished or before the building of the Citie was begunne First therefore it is held as certaine of the Romane Historiographers that Romulus hauing reuenged the iniuries of Amulius and leauing the rule and gouernment of Alba to Numitor incontinently and with all speede began the building of a new Citie the plot whereof was drawen out with a plough the foundation laid on the day of the shepheards feast called Palilia which after was called Natalis vrbis the birth day of the Citie which was as Plinie saith li. 18. c. 16. the 11. Calendes of May that is the 21 day of April in the third yeare of the sixt Olympiad as Plutarch recordeth in his Romulus that is the yeare of the world 3270 and within 46 daies of the ende of that third yeare and beginning of the fourth Which space of 46 daies is accounted for a yeare and at that instant Plutarch beginneth where he saith that Numa Pompilius was borne when Romulus built the Citie and that he began his raigne in the 40 yeare of his age And Paterculus In the 6 Olympiad 22 yeares after the first beginning of them Romulus hauing reuenged the iniuries of his grandfather built that is began to build the Citie of Rome in the feast Palilia in the Palatine But in his Computation he vseth the common account ab vrbe condita from the time after the Citie was built as straight followeth from which time that is post vrbem conditam as he speaketh Pag. 40. to thy Consulship M. Vinicius are 781 yeares and that was done after the taking of Troy 430 yeares as the place is corrected And Liuie when he saith that Romulus had peace 40 yeares And Pomponius Atticus and M. Tullius as Solinus setteth downe their opinions Cap. 2. The Citie was in building and accomplishing a whole yeare being finished at the same feast in the 4 yeare of the 6 Olympiad that is the 21 of April 3271. where began the account V. C. that is ab vrbe condita and Romulus raigne of 37 yeares And from thence Varro taketh his Aera Computation which is followed by Eutropius Orosius and Censorinus where he saith This yeare the stile whereof is the Consulship of Vlpius and Pontianus is the yeare 1014 from the first Olympias beginning it but only from the Summer Solstice about which time the Olympique plaies and games were shewed and the 991 yeare after Rome was built beginning it at the Palilia whence the yeares of Rome are accounted Nowe Dionysius a Greeke and writing in Greeke to make the Computation of Rome agreeable and proportionable to the yeare and Computation of the Greekes did cast away those fewe daies of the last yeare of the 6 Olympiad and did begin it with the beginning of the new Olympiad and maketh from the destruction of Troy to that time 432 yeares agreeing iust with Diodorus Siculus who maketh it 408 yeares from the
perceiuing the houreglasse to be almost runne out and seeing all these thinges knowe that he is neere euen at the doores Math. 24.23 and because wee know not when the time will be Let vs take heede watch and pray Mark 13.33 making our selues readie and euer waiting with all attendance to be caught vp in the cloudes to meete the Lord in the ayre 1. Thess 3.17 who hath said Reuel 22.20 Surely I will come quickly Yea come Lord Iesu Amen A Table coupling the yeares of the Kings of Iuda with the Kinges of Israel and them both with the yeares of the world taken out of the bookes of Kinges and Chronicles wherein the beginninges of their raignes are certainely recorded and also some middle yeares compared together as here is represented to the eie Juda. World Israel REhoboam the sonne of Solomon succeeded his father but at his Caronation the 10 Tribes reuolted from him and so he raigned ouer the tribe of Iuda onely 1. Reg. 12.16.17.20 the space of 17 years 1. reg 14.21 Rehoboam 3025 1 Ieroboam Ieroboam the son of Nebat was proclaimed king of Israel by the 10 tribes he raigned 22. yeares 1. Reg. 12. 14.20 The 15. day of this eight month Ieroboam ordained the solemne feast of his Golden Calues ca. 12.32 which was as solemnely kept and celebrated by the Israelites vers 30. Heere beganne the Iniquitie of Israel Ibidem Ezech. 4.  a    2 2 3026    17 17 3041 18   19 Abijam the sonne of Rehoboam began his raigne in Ieroboams 18. yeare and raigned three yeares 1. Reg. 15.1.2 Abijam 1 3042    20 2 3043    21 3 3044    1 Nadab Nadab the sonne of Ieroboam began his raigne his father being aliue in the second yeare of Asa and raigned two yeares 1. Reg. 15.25 Asa the sonne of Abijam began in Ieroboams 20. yeare and raigned 41 years 1. Reg. 15.9.10 Asa 1     22   2 2 3045    Baasha Baasha the sonne of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab and killing him obtained the kingdome He began in the third yeare of Asa raigned 24. yeare 1. Reg. 15.27.28.33 3 3046    2 4 3047    24 20 3069 1 Ela Elah the sonne of Baasha began in the 26 of Asa and raigned two yeares 1. Reg. 16.8  3070  Iehosaphat the sonne of Asa began in Achabs 4 yeare and raigned 25 years 1. Reg. 22.41 27     2  3081 1 Zimri Omri Tibni Zimri Captaine of halfe Elahs Chariots slue Elah in the 27 yeare of Asa He raigned but 7 daies For Omri Generall of the host being the same day proclaimed king in the Campe subdued him in 7 daies Tibni was proclaimed king by another side against Omri But he died in the 31 yeare of Asa and so Omri raigned alone Jn the third yeare of his sole raigne he finished Samaria and remoued the Court thither so he raigned 6 yeares at Tirza and 6 at Samaria in all 12. 1. Reg. 16. Achab the sonne of Omri began in the 38 yeare of Asa and raigned 22 yeares 1. Reg. 16.29 Achab going the warre against the king of Assyria left his sonne Ahazia viceroy at home who began in Iehosaphats 17 yeare and raigned 2 years 1. reg 22.51 Ahaziah died in the beginning of his 2 yeare whom his brother Iehoram succeeded in Iehosaphats 18 yeare 2. Reg. 3.1 that is the second yeare of Iehoram of Iuda 2. Reg. 1.17 He raigned 12 yeares For his father was slaine in that warre 38    3082 12 Jn his 17 yeare he with Achab went to warre against the King of Assyria leauing his sonne Iehoram as Viceroy in his steade at home But returning safe out of the warre he receiued the kingdome againe till the third yeare of Iehoram king of Israel wherein Iehosaphat at the request of Iehoram going to warre against Moab placed his sonne Iehoram as viceroy againe and neuer after displaced him Heere began Iehorams raigne of 8 years viz. 4 with his father and 4 alone 2. Reg. 8.16 39     1 Achab  3083 2 40     3  3084  41     4 Iehosaphat 1 3099    19  3100  16     20 1 17  1 Ahaziah 1   IehoraÌ„ 3101    21   2 18   2 3102 1 Iehoram IehoraÌ„ 1 3106 5 7 3112 11 Ahaziah was made viceroy by reason of his fathers disease in his bowels 2. Reg. 9.20 His Father died in the beginning of his 8 yeare and so Ahaziah was proclaimed absolute king in the 12 yeare of Iehoram of Israel 2. Reg. 8.25 and anon after was slaine by Iehu Ahaziah viceroy    3113 12 8     Iehu Iehu the sonne of Iehosaphat the sonne of Nimsi being anoynted king of Israel slevv Iehoram king of Jsrael and Ahaziah king of Iuda 2. Reg. 9.6.24.27 He raigned 28 years Cap. 10.36 Ahaziah   Athaliah destroying all the rest of the blood royall saue Ioash that was hid from heâ— raigned after her sonne 6 yeares 2. Reg. 11.3 Athalia 1    3118 6 6   Ioash the son of Ahaziah began at the solemne feast Easter a little before Iehues 7 beganne for his 23 was begun before Iehues 28 was ended He raigned 40 yeares Cap. 12.2 Ioash 1 3119    7 2 3120    8 22 3140    28 23 3141 1 Iehoachaz Iehoachaz the sonne of Iehu began in the 23 yeare of Ioash and raigned 17 yeares 2. Reg. 13.1.2 Ioash the sonne of Iehoachaz was made viceroy of Israel because of the warre which the king of Syria made against them 2. Reg. 13.10 whereof he was the deliuerer vers 5. 25. he began in the 37 yeare of Ioash king of Iuda and raigned viceroy and absolute king 16. yeares 37 3155 15.1   Ioash 1 38 3156  Amaziah the sonne of Ioash was made viceroy of Iuda because of the warre which Chazael king of Syria made against Iuda 2. Reg. 12.17 14.1 He began in the 2 yeare of Ioash of Israel and raigned viceroy and absolute king 29 yeares Amaziah  16.2 15 3170 16   1 Ieroboam Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash began in the 15 yeare of Amaziah and raigned 41 yeares 2. Reg. 14.23 19 3171  29 3184    15 a Heere is a vacancie or Interregnum of 11. yeares in Iuda 3185    16  3196    27 Vzziah alâ—âs Azariah the sonne of Amaziah began in Ieroboams 27 year and raigned 52 yeares 2. Reg. 15.1 Vzziah 1    3210    41 15 Â
  3211    51 Heere is a vacancie or Interregnum almost of 23 yeares in Israel 16    3233  38    3234 1 Zacharias Zacharias the sonne of Ieroboam began in the end of the 38. yeare of Vzziah and raigned 6. monthes 39  Sallum Sallum killed Zacharias and raigned one month in Vzziahs 39. yeare 2. Reg. 15.8.13  3235 1 Menahem Menahem killed Sallum in the verie ende of Vzziahs 39. yeare and raigned 10. yeares vers 17. 40    3245  50  1 Pekahiah Pekahiah the sonne of Menahem began in the 50 yeare of Vzziah and raigned 2. yeares 2. Reg. 15.23  3246  51     2  3247  52    * The first Olympiad Game was kept and celebrated by Iphitus at the full moone of HecatoÌ„baeon that is the first month of the Athenians about the summer Solstice and hence the Computation of Iphitus and of the Olympiades are to be reckoned 1 Pekah Pekah the sonne of Remaliah kill ng Pekahiah began in the 52. yeare of Vzziah and raigned 20 yeares 2. Reg. 15.27 In his daies Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria tooke from him diuerse townes and caried away the tribes of Ruben Gad halfe the tribe of Menasses all Galilie and the whol tribe of Naphthalie captiue into Assyria 2. Reg. 15.29 1. Chron. 5.26 Iotham the sonne of Vzziah began a little before the beginning of Pekahs second yeare for Iothams 20 was begun before Pekahs 20 were ended but Pekahs second was Iothams first he raigned 16 yeares 2. Reg. 15.32 IothaÌ„ 1 3248    2 16 3263    17 Achaz the sonne of Iotham began in the 17. yeare of Pekah and raigned 16. yeares 2. Reg. 16.1 Achaz 1    3264 18 2   18    3265    16 3   19    3266    20 4   20    3267    1 Hoseas Hoseas the sonne of Elah killing Pekah began in Iothams 20. yeare 2. Reg. 15.30 He meaneth Achaz 4. yeare which woulde haue beene Iothams 20 had he liued so long yet he vseth his Computation being dead because he had made no meÌ„tion of Achaz before 5    3274  12  8   a Salmaneser king of Assyria tooke a voyage against Hoseas made him his vassal to hold that kingdome of him in Fee and for tribute in the 12 yeare of Achaz Here began a new stile and Computation of Hoseas which afterwarde is vsed 2. Reg. â—7 1  3275    1 Hoseas 13 * Merodac Baladan the sonne of Baladan taking the oppotunitie of Salmanesers absence busines in the great warres of Syria and Samaria reuolted from him and proclaimed himselfe king of Babilon From this first king and first beginning of the kingdome of Babilon Ptolomie taketh the Epoche and marke of his aera and Computation naming him Nabonassar   3276    2 14    3277  15  3 Ezechias began in the third yeare of Hoseas tributarie raigne a little before the feast of Easter and raigned 29 yeares 2. Reg. 18 1.2 He rebelled against the king of Assyria denying the tribute which Achaz vndertooke 2. Reg. 16.7 entering into league with the newe king of Babilon as it seemeth by the great kindnes betweene them afterward Merodac sending ambassadors with presentes to him and Ezechias shewing them all his treasure that they might see what forces he could make against the common enimie the king of Assyria Ezechias 3278    4 16   2 3279    5 b Hoseas incouraged by the example good successe of Merodac king of Babilon and Ezechias king of Iuda reuolted from Salmaneser and entred into league with So king of Aegypt 2. Reg. 17.4 3 3280  4 3281 6 c Salmaneser maketh his second voyage against Hoseas   7 d Samaria besieged three yeares 2. Reg. 18.9 5 3282    8 6 3283    9 e Samaria taken and Israel caried captiue into Assyria in the 6 yeare of Ezechias and the 9 of Hoseas vers 10. Heere ended the kingdome of Israel which had continued 259 yeares to this yeare of the world 3283 adde 23 more of Ezechias 55 of Manasses 2 of Amon 31 of Iosias and you come to the yeare of the world 3394 the next yeare is Iehoiakims first as heere followeth Iehoiakim was made king of Iuda by Pharao Neco king of Aegypt to hold it of him for tribute he raigned 11 yeares 2. Reg. 24.1 in the beginning of his 11 yeare he was taken by Nabuchodonosor 1 Iehoiakim 3395  2 3396  3 3397 a Nabuchodonosor the father being sicke Nabuchodonosor the greate was made viceroy of Babilon and went with great forces against the king of Aegypt other rebels which had reuolted from him in which voyage he besieged Ierusalem and made Iehoiakim to yeelde and become his vassal and tributarie 2. Reg. 24.3 Dan. 1.2.3 and gaue the armie of the king of Aegypt a great ouerthrovv at Carshemish Jer. 46.2 at this making of Nabuchodonosor viceroy in his fathers life time Daniel Ptolomie and Metasthenes begin his raigne that is in Iehoiakims third yeare by vvhich Computation he raigned 45 yeares 4 3398    1 Nabuchodonosor Nabuchodonosor the father being dead Nabuchodonosor the great vvas made absolute King Monarke of the vvhole Empyre Beros in Ioseph li. 10. ca. 10. vvhere Ieremie the bookes of Kings and Chronicles and Iosephus begin his raigne of 43 yeares complete besides the odde monthes He began in Iehoiakims 4 yeare Ier. 25.1 vvith the beginning of the 7 month of the Chaldaeans called Phamenòth vvhich began about the middle of Thamus the 4 month of the Hebrues 5 3399    2 10 3404 7 11 3405  Iehoiacin raigned three monthes and 10 daies which began in Nabuchodonosors 7 and ended in his 8.2 Reg. 24.10.11.12 2. Chro. 26.10 Ier. 52.28 Iehoiacin  8 Zedekiah began his raign in Nabuchodonosors 8 yeare in the 6 month of the vsual yeare of the Hebrues 2. Reg. 24.18 2. Chron. 36.11 Ier. 52.1 Zedekiah 1    3406  2  9  3407  3  10  3413  9     16 Ierusalem was besieged by Nabuchodonosor in the 10. day of the 10. month in Zedechiahs 9. yeare 2 Reg. 25.1 a    3414    17 The famine began to be extreme in the Citie 10    3415  11     18  3416  b The 9. day of the fourth month in Zedechiahs 11. yeare Ierusalem was taken ver 6. Ier. 52.6 which was in Nabuchodonosors 18. yeare Ier. 52.29     19 c The 7. day of the fifth month the temple and Citie was burnt which was in Nabuchodonosors 19. yeare 2. Reg. 25.11 and the verie end and expiring of Zedechias 11. yeare Ier. 1.3   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉