and revenge the other 2 And it was God's will when he would impose that long and tedious Journey upon Abraham that the Countreys should be in Peace through which he wandred to which end those Millions of Warriours and Engins perished with Semiramis to make the Recovery of lost Liberty the more easy Lastly Histories report that Arrius who succeeded Ninias recovered Bactria and Caspia and Baleus or Xerxes reduced the rest even to Egypt which argueth their former Revolt § 13. Consent of Writers almost forceth us to think as I have delivered touching the Four Kings yet if we take them rather for Four petty Kings which in that sluggish Reign of Ninias had gathered Colonies out of those Four Countries and Planted themselves elsewhere we shall remove some difficulties For if Chedorlaomer were King of Persia it self beyond Babylon what a Journey were it to come so far and gather such Forces which must pass so great Countries as Assyria Chaldea Mesopotamia Syria and part of Arabia to Conquer five small Cities and leave all the rest of Canaan yea to come in Person and that the second time But the Scripture maketh this Invasion no great matter but as matching four Kings to five as if the five were not so unequally matched though petty Kings as of necessity they had been if these four had been absolute Kings of the Kingdoms whose Names they bear If then the former Conjectures cannot agree to the Text to the Authority whereof all Human Reason must subscribe let the received Opinion stand that Amraphel was Ninias who was become inferiour to Chedorlaomer of Persia. From the Assyrian the History of Abraham leadeth us to the Egyptian Kingdom then also flourishing CHAP. II. Of the Kings of Egypt from Cham to the Delivery of the Israelites THE Kings of Egypt 'till Israel 's Deliverance and the causes of the uncertainty of the History § Cham after Babel's Confusion having known Egypt's Fertility Planted it Anno 191 after the Flood Osiris succeeded Anno 352. Typhon or Hercules Anno 603. Orus 620. Sesostris the Great 735. Sesostris the Blind 786. Busiris or Oris 2 d. Anno 782. Acenchere or Thermutis or Meris 820. Rathoris 832. Chenchrese 841 drowned Augustin a diligent searcher of Antiquities omitted the Succession of Egyptian Kings finding no certainty of them through the Ambition of their Priests who to magnify the Antiquities which they only kept filled the Records with Romances and Names of Kings which never Reigned Other good Authors were over-credulous of what they found so Recorded Published the same in their own Names Of these Annius finding some Fragments and adding what he would is no farther to be Credited than where approved Writers Confirm his Assertion Herein the Old Christian Writers follow Eusebius but the Modern Annius and Prophane Authors follow Diodorus Herodotus c. § 2. C ham began his Reign in Egypt after the Flood Anno 191. § This is gathered from the Dyanasties of Egypt whose 16 th began in the 43 d. year of Ninus The 12 first under their 12 great Gods lasted 84 Years seven a-piece the 13 indured 14 years the 14 lasted 26 the fifteen was 37 which three last were under three younger Gods All the 75 added together make 161 years which being deducted out of 352 the remainder is 191 the beginning of Government there after Cham's arrival The same also is probable from their coming to Babel which being after the Flood Anno 131 and Forty years according to Glicas spent in Building we can allow no less than Twenty years for the slow passing such a Company through such a difficult long way which Sums being added make up 191 years when the first Dynasty began for to begin them sooner were either to plant Egypt as soon as Babel or with Mercator to make them before the Flood which their number exceeding the number of those long-liv'd Fathers will not admit § 3. The Dynasties of Egypt were not absolute Kings but Vice-Roys under Kings § The probability of this will appear by the custom of Kings governing by Great Men as of old the Kings of France by the Master of the Palace the Turk by a Grand Visier the Philistin Kings which came out of Egypt had a Captain as Abimelek had Phicol the Kings of Israel as Saul had Abner David had Ioab And Cham's lend disposition to follow Pleasure might breed the Custom which continued even to the days of Ioseph advanced to the place by Pharaoh from which Example William Arch Bishop of Tyre affirms the same Form of Government continued in Egypt in his days when the Sultans govern'd under the Calif as Lieutenants under a King How these Dynasties succeeded and how long they continued is uncertain § 4. Cham. and Mizraim or Oris § Of C ham the Scripture calls that Country the Land of Ham not for being Peopled by his Sons for so were other Countries which yet are never so called but for that himself planted it Osiris called himself the Eldest Son of Saturn as in Diodorus lib. 1. which Saturn of Egypt was Grand-father of Ninus as in his Monument Of Cham came the Temple of Hammon near Egypt And in Ierom's days the Egyptians called their Country Ham so Ortelius saith out of Plutarch that Egypt was called Chemia That Cham reigned 161 years is not improbable considering Sem his Brother lived 600 years Mizraim or Osiris according to Diodor succeeded of whom the Land also took its Name and by the Natives is yet called Mezre as Reineccius sheweth How long he Reigned is hard to determine but that he began at Abraham's Birth is probable when the Dynastie of the Thebaei began according to Eusebius § 5. Osiris Reign is guessed at by his Son Lebabim or Hercules Lybeus his Warring with Typhon and the Giants his Associates in Revenging his Fathers Death His Egyptian Wars he ended and begun his Italian in the 41 Year of Baleus King of Assyria according to Berosus when he left the Kingdom to his Brother Orus To this Egyptian and many other Wars before his Italian Krentzhemius alloweth but 6 Years which draweth Osiris Death to the 34 th Year of Belus and so makes him Reign 297 Years and so should end 7 Years after Israel came into Egypt This cannot be for the King under whom Israel came out-lived Iacob and had Reigned from before Ioseph's standing before Pharaoh yea we may give 13 Years more of Ioseph's Bondage to him This King then could not be Osiris who lived not so long as Iacob nor Typhon nor Hercules but Orus Son of Osiris advanced by Hercules § 6. Typhon and Hercules their Reigns are not distinctly defined only Orus is placed 7 Years after Osiris by Krentzhemius and whose Reign seemeth to last 115 Years and from whose Death to the Israelites Departure are 122 Years Sesostris or Sesonchosis succeeded according to Scholiast Apollonii He was a great Conquerour in Asia even into India and Europe Whom Iustin erroniously maketh Vexoris saith
and took an Hundred private Hostages The Rhodians presently erect Statues for Lysimachus and Cassander and make a God of Ptolomy § 3. Demetrius chaseth Cassander beyond the Straits of Thermopilae and recover'd all that Cassander held there the like he did in Peloponesus setting all Free and translateth Sicyon to anâ—ther place and called it Demetrius Then he was proclaimed General of all Greece and Athens decreed all his Commandments should be held Sacred and just with God and Men Cassander's Case now oblig'd him to seek Peace for Macedon but Antigonus will have absolute submission which made Cassander sollicit the Confederates Lysimachus Ptolomy and Seleucus who apprehending the common danger agree to joyn Forces against a common Enemy Lysimachus with part of Cassander's Forces begins and passeth the Hellespont makes hot War in Asia which Antigonus hasteth to oppose but cannot force Lysimachus home who stayed for Seleucus's coming and made him send for Demetrius c. § 4. Seleucus is come and joyned with Ptolomy's Forces and Lysimachus making Sixty four Thousand Foot Ten Thousand Five Hundred Horse Four Hundred Elephants and One Hundred aâ—med Carts Antigonus had Seventy Thousand Foot Ten Thousand Horse and Seventy Five Elephants they met at Ipsus near Ephesus where the only memorable Thing was that Demetrius encountred young Antiochus Son of Seleucus and so pursued him in flight that Seleucus interposeth his Elephants between Demetrius and Antigonus's Phalanx and with his Troops of Horse so forced it that many soon revolted and left him to death Thus Princes commonly succeed who are more fear'd by their Enemies than lov'd by Friends § 5. Demetrius finding all lost made a speedy retreat to Ephesus with Four Thousand Horse and Five Thousand Foot thinking long to be at Athens the Worshippers of his Godhead not knowing they had repealed his Deity 'till he met their Messengers not as Theories to Consult at their Oracle but as Officers to prohibit his entring their City which shameless Ingratitude more afflicted him than all the rest yet he spake them fair 'till he recovered his Ships out of their Haven In the mean time the Confederates are dividing his Father's Provinces of which Seleucus seised on Syria and part of Asia the less whereat the rest repined and consulted to oppose his Greatness in time whereof he was not ignorant knowing the Law of Sâ—â—te ought not to permit the over-growing of Neighbours Therefore to serve his turn of Demetrius against Lysimachus he Married his Daughter Stratonica but to save the life of his Son Antiochus who was passionately in love with her he gave her to him The like Alliance was between Ptolomy and Lysimachus Demetrius and Cassander Demetrius and Ptolomy yet not bound to each other but for the present as it hath been with Christian Kings whom neither Bed nor Book can make faithful in their Covenants Yet Demetrius had this advantage by Seleucus's Affinity that he got Cilicia from Plistarchus Brother to Cassander who yet was pacified by Phila their Sister Wife to Demetrius who also about that time married Ptolomy's Daughter yet Seleucus had rather have Demetrius further off having a mind to Cilicia as Ptolomy had to Cyprus and offered ready mony for it but in vain for Demetrius had already found there Twelve Thousand Talents of his Fathers § 6. Demetrius with Three Hundred good Ships entreth Attica besiegeth the City of Athens which Ptolomy sought to relieve but could not so by extream Famine it was yielded but was spared notwithstanding all their unthankfulness yet he put a Garrison in it to keep them honest by force Then he went to Peloponesus against Lacedemon but was hastily called away into Asia where Lysimachus had won many Towns from him and Ptolomy besieged Salamis in Cyprus where his Mother and Childrâ—n reâ—ained Yet hearing of Cassander's death and that his Sons Antipater and Alexander fought for the Kingdom and that Antipater had furiously slain their Mother Thessalonica for affecting his Brother he chose rather to go to assist Alexander who desired aid of him and Pyrrâ—us King of Epirus § 7. Pyrrhus Son of Aeacides an Infant at his Father's death was conveyed unto Glaucias King of Illyria who at Twelve Years old set him in his Kingdom out of which six years after he was forced and went to serve Demetrius who married his Sister and after the Overthrow at Ipsus became Hostage to Ptolomy upon his reconciliation with Demetrius In Aegypt he got the favour of Berenice Ptolomy's principal Wife and Married her Daughter and was restored to Epirus He being requested of Alexander to aid him against Antipater for reward took Ambracia by force Acarnania and much more leaving the united Brethren to divide the rest Demetrius also bâ—ing come after all was done is discontented and pretending Alexander had plotted his death slew him at a Feast and seized on his part of the Kingdom At which Antipater who had Married Lysimachus's Daughter was so inraged that his Father-in-Law to quiet him took away his troublesome life Thus the House which Cassander had raised with so much Treachery and Royal-Blood fell on his own Grave before the Earth was throughly setled Demetrius after this access of Dominion grew to such dissoluteness in Wine Women and Idleness that he would not endure the trouble of Petitions and doing justice so that the People grew weary of his idleness and the Souldiers of his vanity Having lost all he had in Asia and Cyprus but his Mother and Children which Ptolomy honourably sent him home he went against Thebes and won it twice then he went against Pyrrhus with two great Armies of which one led by Pentauchus was overthrown and he beaten by Pyrrhus upon Challenge hand to hand which loss offended not the Macedonians so much as the young Princes behaviour pleased them seeming to see a lively figure of Alexander in his best qualities This esteem of Pyrrhus was increased by the dislike which he had of Demetrius for his Insolency and Cruelty to his Souldiers of whom he said The more of them died the fewer he had to pay In the end he grew sensible of their general hatred which to prevent he intended a War in Asia with a Royal Army of almost One Hundred Thousand Foot and Twelve Thousand Horse and a Navy of Five Hundred Sail of which many exceeded all former greatness Seleucus and Ptolomy doubting the issue are earnest with Lysimachus and Pyrrhus to joyn against him who accordingly invade Macedon Lysimachus entring that part next him and when Demetrius went against him Pyrrhus broke in on his side and took Berrhaea which News put all the Camp in a consternation few forbearing seditious Speeches and many desiring to return home But he perceiving their design to go to Lysimachus their Countryman led them against Pyrrhus a Stranger thinking so to pacify them wherein he was deceived For though they were as hasty as he to meet with Pyrrhus yet was it not to fight with him but to
Peace between the Two Lions of Gold and Gules doth by many Degrees exceed both by sparing our Blood and assuring the Land As it pleased God to punish the Usurpation and unnatural Cruelties of our own Kings so do we find he dealt with the Sons of Lewis Debonair Son of Charlemain For after Debonair had put out his Nephew Bernard's Eyes the Son of Pipin the Eldest of Charlemain King of Italy and Heir of the Empire and after that caused him to die in Prison there followed such Murder and Bloodshed Poisonings and Civil Wars till the whole Race of that famous Emperor was extinguished Debonair further to secure himself put his Bastard Brothers into a Monastery But God rais'd up his own Sons to vex invade imprison and depose him alledging the former Violences to his Nephew and Brothers Yet he did that which few Kings do he publickly acknowledg'd and recanted his Cruelty against Bernard in the Assembly of the States But Blood unjustly spilt is not easily expiated by Repentance And such Medicines to the Dead have but dead Rewards He having also given Aquitain to Pipin his Second Son sought after that to cast him out as indeed he did his Son after him of the same Name at the Persuasion of Judith to raise her Son Charles Lothair his eldest Son he left King of Italy and Emperor against whom his Nephew Pipin of Aquitain Lewis of Bavier and Charles the Bald made War between whom was fought the most Bloody Battel that ever was known in France in which the Loss of the Nobility and Men of War encouraged the Sarazens to invade Italy the to fall upon Almain and the Danes upon Normandy After being invaded by Lewis and by his own Conscience for rebelling against his Father and other Cruelties he quits the Empire and dyes in a Monastery Charles the Bald seizeth on Pipin his Nephew and kills him in a Cloyster oppresses the Nephews the Sons of Lothair and usurps the Empire His Son Caroloman rebells and hath his Eyes burnt out by his Father Lewis of Bavier and his Son Caroloman are overthrown by Charles and Lewis dies of Grief as Charles doth of Poison by Zedekias his Phisician a Jew Whose Son also Lewis le Begne dy'd of the same Potion and Charles the Simple succeeded whose Natural Brothers Lewis and Charlemain rebell'd The Younger is slain by a wild Boar the Elder brake his Neck as did also the Son of Bavier Charles the Gross became Lord of what Debonair's Sons had held in Germany who invading Charles the Simple is forsaken of Nobles Wife and Wit dying a distracted Beggar Charles the Simple held in Wardship by Eudes Mayor of the Palace and after by Robert his Brother lastly is surprised by the E. of Vermandois and dyed in Prison Lewis his Son succeeded and brake his Neck one of his Sons dyes of Poyson the other in Prison Francis I. was one of the worthiest Kings that ever France had except his exposing the Protestants of Mirandel and Cabriers to the Fire and Sword of which though he repented and charged his Son to do Iustice on the Murderers yet was not that unseasonable Care accepted of by God who cut off his Four Sons without Issue to succeed And notwithstanding all their Subtilty and Breach of Faith with all their Massacres upon those of the Religion the Crown was set on his Head whom they all endeavoured to ruin and the Protestants are now in number and strength more than ever Spain has found God the same as Don Pedro of Castile may witness who as he became the most merciless of all Heathen or Christian Tyrants as the History of Spain records so he perish'd by the Hands of his Younger Brother who dispossessed all his Children of their Inheritance John D. of Burgoign may parallel this King if any can who after a Trayterous Murder of the D. of Orleance caused the Chancellor Constable divers Bishops Officers of Justice of the Treasury Requests Chamber of Accompts with Sixteen Hundred others suddenly to be slain which kind of Death eased the World of himself Ferdinand holding Arragon by Vsurpation of his Ancestors added Castile and Leon which he held by force of Arms from the Daughter of the last Henry and expell'd his Neece from the Kingdom of Navarr He betrayed Ferdinand and Frederick King of Naples his Kinsman to the French with the Army sent to their succour The Politick King who sold Heaven and his own Honour to make his Son the greatest Monarch saw his Death with his Wives and her untimely Birth buried together the like End he saw of his own Eldest Daughter his Second dyed Mad his Third was cast off by our King Henry VIII and the Mother of a Daughter whose unhappy Zeal shed a Deluge of Innocent Blood and had all his Kingdoms possest by strange Masters Charles V. Son to Arch. D. Philip who had Married Ferdinand's Mad Daughter after the Death of many Multitudes of Christian Souldiers and renowned Captains in his vain Enterprizes upon France Germany and other States while the Turk took the City of Rhodes was in conclusion chased out of France and in some sort out of Germany being persued by D. Maurice over the Alps which he passed by Torch Light and crept into a Cloister and became his Son's Prisoner who paid him very slowly Philip II. his Son not content to hold Holland and Zealand wrested by his Ancestors from Jaqueline their lawful Prince and to possess many other parts of the Netherland Provinces in Peace by persuasion of that mischievous Cardinal of Granvil and other Tyrants forgetting the remarkable Services done to his Father and the Forty Millions of Florens presented him at his Entrance and his solemn Oaths twice taken to maintain their Privileges which they had enjoyed under Thirty five Earls conditional Princes began to Tyrannize over them by the Spanish Inquisition and other intolerable Impositions and lastly by Force of Arms sought to make himself not Monarch only like the Kings of England France c. but Turk-like to overturn all their National Fundamental Laws Privileges and Customs To effect this he easily obtained a Dispensation of his Oaths from the Pope and then divided the Nobility under the Government of his base Sister Margaret of Austria and Cardinal Granvil Then he employ'd that Merciless Spaniard Ferdinand Alvarez D. of Alva who in six Years cut off Eighteen Thousand six Hundred Gentlemen and others by the Hand of the Hang-man Failing of his purpose by Force he tryeth Policy and sent Don John of Austria his Bastard Brother who upon the Papal advantage made no scruple to swear and having received Six Hundred Thousand Pounds of the Provinces to ease them of the Garrisons he suddenly surprized the Citadel of Antwerp Namure c. yet after so many Thousands slain Thirty six Millions of Treasure spent in six Years he left the Countrey and the King spent above One Hundred Millions with the Death of Four Hundred Thousand Christians
Land also indured three Years Famine for Saul's wrong to the Gibeonites which was relieved by the death of Seven of Saul's Issue of which Five were the Sons of Michoâ—'s Sister as by an Elipsis the Hebrew will bear as in the like ver 19. As the Lord by this Execution secured David's House from Competitors so was the Nation strengthened by the valour of many brave Commanders of which Six Colonels under the General had Thirty Captains of Thousands among whom the difference of place and Honour grew by meer consideration of Virtue as we see Abishai Brother of Ioab and the King's Kinsman short in Honour of the first Three David thus Established in ostentation of his Power provoked the Lord to punish his People with Pestilence for his numbring of them and slew Seventy Thousand § 8. David's last Acts. § Abishag in his impotence keepeth him Warm c. Adonijah aspireth which causeth David publickly to declare Solomon his Successor and to set him in his Throne whereupon Adonijah and his Associates were scattered After this David having two especial Cares remaining of which he desired to discharge his Thoughts one concerning Solomon's peaceable holding his Crown the other about building the Temple he called a Parliament of all the Princes c. In this Assembly he signifieth his purpose and the approbation of God chargeth all and Solomon by Name v. 9. and produceth the pattern of the Work according to the Form which God himself had appointed laying down his own preparation whereto the Princes and others added their free-will offering This being done David made a solemn Feast at which time Solomon was again anointed King and received Fealty of the Princes People and the King's Sons After all this David as upon his Death-Bed again with powerful words giveth Solomon the Charge of the Lord his God and then adviseth him concerning Ioab who otherwise tho' of exceeding desert yet for his intolerable Insolence came to such an end by Justice when time served as many worthy Men had done for acts of the like presumption David after Forty Years Reign died being Seventy Years old having been a Man of small Stature exceeding Strength and for internal Gifts and Graces passing all others and putting his Human Frailty apart commended by God himself to be according to his own Heart Being a Prophet as well as a King he fore-told Christ more lightsomly and lively than all the rest and writ many Psalms but whether all the Book is disputed though Chrysostom and Augustin hold it Christ and his Apostles cite him § 9. David and Solomon's Treasures § David's Treasure exceeded as appeareth by what he gave toward the Temple 1 Chron. 22.14 which amounteth to 3333â— Cart loads of Silver or 6000 l. sterling to every Cart-load and 23 Millions and 1000 l. in Gold a matter incredible but for Testimony of Scripture where consider how such a Treasure could be raised by Parcimony Eusebius cites Eupolemus for a Navy which he sent from Melanis or Achanis to the Isle Vpher or Opher by Ortelius then his Husbandry which was great his Presents Tributes Taxations Capitations his Spoils the Riches of the Sanctuary long increasing by large Gifts and the Portion out of all Prizes from Enemies even from Ioshua's days Of Solomon's Treasure see 1 Kings 9.20 and 10.14.29 See Iosephus of the Treasure he hid in David's Sepulcher out of which Hircanus took 3000 Talents and Herod more § 10. David's Contemporaries § Achis a Philistin King of Gath and another in Solomon's days Latinus Sylvius King of Alba. Cedrus the last King of Athens after whom they changed the Government into a Principality for Life without Regal Title This change was made in honour of Codrus voluntarily slain for their sakes in a War with the Dores to disappoint the Oracle Eupalus the Third King of Assyria sate 38 Years Ixion the second King of the Heraclids in Corinth Son of Eurythenes Agis the second King of the Heraclids in Lacedemon he restored the Laconians and made the Citizens of Helos Slaves for refusing Tribute as at length all the Messenians were and thereof called Helons that is Slaves Slave came from Sclavi which were Samaritans now Russians which Conquering Illyria would be called Slaves which with them signifieth glorious but when the warm Clime had thawed their Northern hardness but not ripened their Wits the Italians which made many of them Bond-men used their Name in Reproach calling all Bond-men Slaves Achetratus succeeded Agis in whose time Androchus the Third Son of Codrus assisted by the Iones built Ephesus in Caria and was slain of the Carians He also held Erithrae famous for Sybyls which writ Verses of Iesus Christ Son of God the Saviour reported by Augustine who saw them Vaphres King of Egypt began to Reign when David Besieged Rabba Magnesia on Meander in Asia founded now and Capua Campania CHAP. XIV Of Solomon Anno Mundi 2991. § 1. SOlomon began to Reign in the 2991 st Year of the World and was first Congratulated by Hiram King of Tyre according to the Ancient Custom of Princes Though his Reign were peaceable yet his beginning was with the blood of his Brother Adonijah without warrant either from his Father or the Law of God The occasion was his desire of Abyshag but being his Elder Brother who also had sought the Kingdom it was enough as a word is to the Wise and he which seeth the Claw knows whether it be a Lyon or no. Solomon took the motion as a demonstration of a new Treason such was the jealousie of seeking a King's Widow or Concubines as Absolom's taking his Father's Concubines was a taking possession of a Royalty so it was applied to David by Nathan c. 2 Sam. 12.8 Birth-right pleaded by Adonijah was according to God's Law and of Nations but the Kings of the Iews were more Absolute and not without Example in Iacob for private Inheritance As for what we read of Peoples Elections it was but an acknowledging him whom the Lord chose and not to frustrate the Elder 's Right Solomon also executed Ioab deposed Abiathar and put Shemei to death He Married the Daughter of Vaphres as Eusebius calls him King of Egypt and according to his request to God obtained extraordinary Wisdom especially for Government as appeared in the Example purposely set down of his judging the two Harlots yet did he excell in all other Knowledge § 2. Solomon's Building and Glory § Renewing the League with Hiram of Tyre he had much of his Materials for his Buildings from him Of the Glorious Temple and parts of it many Learned Men have Written as Salmeron Montanus Bibera Barradas Azorius Villalpandus Pineda c. The Letters which passed between Solomon and Hiram Eusebius sets down out of Eupolon which Iosephus also Records in his Antiquities Lib. 8. § 2. Besides the matchless Temple he made many other Magnificent Buildings of which Gerar on the Border of Ephraim taught the Egyptians to
Passage over Olympus was as difficult now as then So that Aemilius fell to enquire and found a Passage over Olympus but narrow leading to Perrabia difficult of Ascent but slenderly Guarded either not found or not attempted by Martius whose Men being tryed in getting over Ossa would hardly adventure such another But Paulus was a far more able Commander and had Taught them better than to question a Generals Command and made choice of five Thousand for the Enterprize whom he committed to his two Adopted Sons Scipio Aemilianus and Quintus Fabius Maximus These two the better to conceal their Journey over the Mountains Marched out another way till Night came and the Consul made shew as if he would have set upon Perseus and gain a Passage over Enipeus to divert him from the business intended so that Scipio and Fabius having forced the small Guard got in three Days over and were not discovered till the Guard which fled were come to the Camp Then was all in a Tumult and the King most of all amazed hasteth to Pydna where he consults whether he should Fortifie some Town or put all to the hazard of a Battle which latter though the worst is resolved upon and that which the Consul wished The King chose the place near Pydna whither the Consul came but made a stand till a place for the Camp were Intrenched and the Souldiers refreshed after Marching though both sides thought it long especially the Romans feared lest the King should remove further off That Evening was the Consul told by a Tribune of an Ecclipse of the Moon that Night and the Natural cause of it who was contented it should be Published in the Camp to prevent their Fear Superstition captivates the Wise where the help of true Religion is wanting Aemilius as soon as the Moon recovered her Light Congratulated her with a Sacrifice for which Plutarch calls him a Godly Man And the next Morning he made another to Hercules about which much of the Day was spent before the Grecian partial God gave a good sign to the Entrals of the Sacrifice so that on Day neither side had any great desire to Fight Yet after ten of the Clock upon a light occasion of watring of Horses two or three of each side fell to Blows and Parties came in so fast that both the Generals were forced to put their Men in order of Battel and after an Oration set them together But Perseus used the shift of a Coward to leave his Men and withdraw himself to Pydna pretending Sacrifice which being unseasonable proved him an Hypocritical Coward He sped accordingly for returning he found it little better than lost but got the Honour to be present that he might run away with his Men leaving Twenty Thousand Foot slain in the Field while he recovered Pella from which he fled in â—he Night for fear of his own Peopâ—e and came to Amphipolis but was glad to beâ— gon by Sea with his Treasure to Samothrace The Head having forsaken the Body little Sense was left or Strength to stand all the Kingdom fell presently into the Conquerours hand â—â—ile the King taketh Sanctuary with his Treasure Wife and Children in Samothrace and after base Suit to the Consul endeavours to escape in a Cretian Ship which having taken in much of his Treasure set Sail and left him in the lurch in the end he was forced to yield himself and all into the Consuls hand and so made the Conquest compleat Being before the Consul he meanly prostrated himself so that he seemed to dishonour the Victory as obtained upon a Man of so base a Condition Thus ended the Macedonian Kingdom after a War of Four Years and the Glory of the World was Translated to Rome § 9. Gentius King of Illyria with fifteen Thousand Men at Lyssus ready to assist Perseus upon Receipt of the Mony promised was attack'd by Anicius the Roman Praetor who drove him into Scodra or Sutary where after a while he yielded himself and all his Men to the Roman Praetor who ended that War in Thirty days § 10. Rome swelling with the Pride of her Fortune called the Rhodian Embassadours whom they threaten as Parties with Macedon whose Cause they had presumed to undertake And though they Congratulated the Victory Deprecated their Folly and their Citizens had put to Death or sent Prisoners to Rome all the chief Men of the Macedonian Faction yet War had been Proclaimed against them but for Cato who said it would be judged rather a Quarrel at their Wealth than any just cause considering also what Friends they had been to Rome in former Wars Macedon was divided into four Quarters and each prohibited Commerce with other Their Laws abrogated new given and all the Nobles sent into Italy and the Tribute lessened by half which was the best part of the Liberty Rome used to give Greece must now bear her Yoke and all that can be found not only Associates with Perseus but good Patriots which were not held serviceable to Rome were sent to Rome and there clapt up of which sort a Thousand were sent out of Achaea and Polybius among them This was the Virtue of the Roman Oath and League Epirus was more barbarously dealt with and given to the Souldiers to Plunder for their Pay to save the Macedonian Treasure whole So in one day seventy Cities of the Roman Confederates were Plundered by the Companies put into them in Peace only to Quarter and One Hundred and Fifty Thousand made Slaves which act of Aemilius stained his other Virtues § 11. Antiochus the Great dyed in the Thirty sixth Year of his Reign Seleuchus his Eldest Son succeeded Twelve Years whom Daniel described Three Hundred Years before Onias being then High Priest Mac. 3. The First Book of Maccabees ends An. 167 of the Syrian Kings the Second Book ends the 151 Year Antiochus Epiphanes succeedes his Brother in Syria An. 137 whose death he procured Ptolomeus Epiphanes after twenty four Years left Egypt to his Son Ptolomeus Philometor so called by the Rule of contraries for Murdering his Mother he was hated by his Subjects and rebelled against by his Brother Ptolomy Phiscon who got possession of Alexandria upon which contention Antiochus Epiphanes his Uncle thought to possess that Kingdom under pretence of protecting the Young Prince Antiochus's proceedings herein and at Ierusalem are Recorded 1. Mac. 1. About the beginning of the Macedonian War when besides the Spoil of Egypt he took all Coelosyria and sold the High Priests place to Iason thrust out Onias and after sold it to Manelaus who procured Onias being fled into the Sanctuary at Daphus by Antioch to be Murdered 2 Mac. 4. Onias his taking protection of Apollo and Diana seemed allowed by the Author which argues the Book to be Apocryphal His Second Expedition into Egypt 2 Mac. 1. was foreshewn by prodigious Signs in the Air for forty days together and was occasioned by the unexpected agreement of the Brethren which
the compass it has to qualify and mask over inward Deformities for a time Yet no man can long continue masked in a counterfeit Behaviour The things which are forced for pretences having no ground of Truth cannot long dissemble their own nature and the Heart will be seen at the Tongues end In this great dissimilitude of reasonable Creatures the common People are ill Iudges of honest things and their Wisdom is to be despised said Eccles. As for the better sort every Vnderstanding has a peculiar Iudgment by which it both censureth others and valueth it self and therefore I will not think it strange if my worthless Papers be torn by Ratts since in all Ages Censurers have not spar'd to tax the Reverend of the Church with Ambition the severe to themselves with Hypocrisie lovers of Iustice with Popularity and Men of the truest valour with Vain-glory For nothing is so easie as to Reprove and Censure I will not trouble the Reader with repeating the deserv'd Commendations of History yet true it is that among many other Benefits for which it has been honour'd it triumphs in this over all Human Knowledge that it gives Life to our Vnderstanding since the World it self has Life even to this day And it has triumphed over Time which nothing else but Eternity has done for it has carried our Knowledge over the vast devouring space of many Thousand Years and has opened the piercing Eyes of our Mind that we plainly behold living now as if we lived then that wise Work of the great God saith Hermes By it I say we live in the very time when it was Created behold how it was govern'd how cover'd with Water and again repeopl'd How Kings and Kingdoms flourished and fell and for what Virtues or Vices God made the one prosperous and the other wretched Neither is it the least of our Debt to History that it has made us acquainted with our dead Ancestors and raised them out of Darkness to teach us no less wise than eternal Policy by comparing former Miseries with our own ill Deservings But neither the lively Instructions of Example the Words of the wisest nor Terror of future Torments have yet so wrought upon our stupid Minds as to make us remember That the infinite Eye and Wisdom of God doth pierce through all our Pretences Nor to make us remember That the Iustice of God requires no other Accuser than our own Consciences which by no false Beauty of our apparent actions nor all the formality which we to gull Mens Opinions put on can be covered from him Examples of God's Judgments in particulars upon all Degrees that have played with his Mercies would fill Volumes For the Sea of Examples hath no Bottom though Marks set on private Men are when their Bodies are cast into the Earth written only in their Memory which lived with them so that the Persons succeeding who saw not their Fall fear not their own Faults God's Iudgments on the Greatest have been Recorded to Posterity either by those happy Hands which the Holy Ghost guided or by others Now to point as far as the Angels Fall for Ambition at Kings eating Grass with Beasts for Pride and Ingratitude at Pharaoh's wise Action when he slew the Infants at Jesabel's Policy in covering Naboth's Murder with many Thousands of the like were but a Proof that Example should be rejected at a distance For who hath not observed what Labour Practice Peril Blood-shed and Cruelty the Kings and Princes of the World have undergone and exercised taken upon them and committed to make themselves and their Issues Masters of the World yet hath Babylon Persia Macedon Rome or the rest no Fruit Flower or Leaf springing upon the face of the Earth Nay their very Roots and Ruins do hardly remain for all that the Hand of Man can make is either over-turned by the Hand of Man or Consumed by Time Politicians say States have fallen either by Foreign Force or Domestick Negligence and Dissention or by a third Cause rising from both Others observe That the greatest have sunk under their own weight others That Divine Providence hath set a Period â—â— every State before the first Foundation thereof as Cratippus objected in Pompey But seeing the Books following undertake the Discourse of the first Kings and Kingdoms and that a short Preface cannot run very far back to the Ancients I will for the present examine what Advantage has been gain'd by our own Kings and their Neighbour Princes who having beheld both in Divine and Humane Letters the success of Infidelity Injustice and Cruelty have notwithstanding Planted after the same Pattern Mens Iudgments agree not and no mans Affection is stirred up alike with Examples of the like nature but is either touched with that which seemeth to come nearest to his own private Opinion or else best fits his Apprehension But the Iudgments of God are unchangeable no Time can weary him or obtain his Blessing to that in one Age which he Cursed in another Those therefore which are Wise will be able to discern the bitter Fruits of irreligious Policy as well in old Examples as new for ill Actions have always been attended with ill Success as will appear by the following Examples We have then no sooner passed over the violence of the Norman Conquest but we encounter that remarkable Example of God's Justice upon the Children of Henry I. who having by Force Craft and Cruelty over-reached his Brother Robert D. of Normandy Vsurped the Crown of England and disposessed him of his Dukedom and barbarously deprived him of his Sight to make his own Sons Lords of all but God cast them all Male and Female Nephews and Neeces Maud excepted into the bottom of the Sea Edward II. being Murdered a Torrent of Blood followed in the Royal Race so that all the Masculine Princes few excepted dyed of the Bloody-Flux And though Edward III. in his young Years made his knowledge of that horrible Fact no more than suspicious yet his putting to death his Vnkle the Earl of Kent made it manifest he was not ignorant of what had past nor greatly desirous to have had it otherwise But this Cruelty the unsearchable Iudgment of God revenged on his Grandchild and so it fell out even to the last of the Line That in the Second or Third Descent they were all buried under the Ruins of those Buildings whose Mortar had been tempered with innocent Blood For Richard II. having Murdered his Vnkle of Glocester was himself Murdered by Henry IV. Henry IV. having broken Faith to his Lords and by Treason obtained the Crown Entailed it by Parliament upon his Issue and by many Treacheries left all Competitors defenseless as he supposed leaving his Son Henry V. full of Valour and signal Victories yet was his Grand-child Henry VI. and his Son the Prince without Mercy Murdered and his Crown transferred to the Houses of his Enemies It was therefore a true Passage of Caussabon a Day an Hour
a Moment is enough to overthrow what seemeth founded in Adamant Henry VI. overwhelmed with the Storm of his Grandfathers grievous Crimes generally esteemed an innocent Prince yet refused the Daughter of Armaignac of the House of Navarre to whom he was Ally'd and Married a Daughter of Anjou and so lost all that he had in France He also condescended to the unworthy Death of his Vnkle of Glocester the main Pillar of the House of Lancaster Buckingham and Suffolk contrived the Duke's death by the Queen's procurement but the Fruit was answerable to the Plantation and they and their Adherents were destroy'd by York whose Son Edward depriv'd Henry the Father and Edward the Son of Life and Kingdom The Politick Lady the Queen lived to see the miserable End of her Husband Son and all her Adherents her self plunder'd and Father beggar'd to Ransom her Edward IV. hath his turn to Triumph when all the Plants of Lancaster except the Earl of Richmond were extirpated whom he had also bought of the D. of Britain but could not keep him But what stability can Edward's Plantation promise when he had seen and approved Prince Edward's Murder by Glocester Dorset Hastings c. which escaped not the Iudgment of God in the same kind He instructed Glocester to Murder Henry VI. and taught him the Art to kill his own Sons and to Vsurp the Crown Richard III. The greatest Master in Villany of all that went before him who by necessity of his Tragedy being to play more Parts in his own Person than all the rest yet so well fitted every Mans Humour that join'd with him as if each had acted his own Interest Buckingham and Hastings Enemies to the Queen and her Kindred are easily allured to condescend that Rivers and Grey the King 's maternal Vnkle and half Brother should first be separated from him then imprisoned and for avoiding future Inconveniences to lose their Heads Having brought them to the practice of that common Precept which the Devil has written on every Post To depress whom they have injur'd and to destroy whom they have depress'd Then Buckingham has it form'd in his Head That when the King and his Brother shall be of sufficient Age they will take severe Revenge of the Wrong to Rivers and Gray and therefore of necessity the King and his Brother must be made away Hastings being sounded by Catesby and found not fordable by reason of his Fidelity to his Masters Sons after an attempt to kill him sitting in the Council the Hangman must get the Tyrant an Appetite to his Dinner by striking off his Head a greater Iudgment of God than this upon Hastings I never observ'd For the same Hour and in the same lawless manner by his Advice the Execution of Rivers and Gray was performed Buckingham has yet a part to play for Richard in persuading the Londoners to Elect him King and to be rewarded with the Earldom of Hereford But after much vexation of Mind and unfortunate attempts being betrayed by his trustiest Servant he lost his Head at Salisbury without troubling his Peers Richard after other Murders and Mischievous Policies having destroy'd his Nephews and Natural Lords by the great Out-cry of innocent Blood became an infamous spectacle of Shame and Dishonour both to his Friends and Foes Henry VII the Instrument of Gods Iustice in cutting off the Cruel King Succeeded a Politick Prince if ever there was any who by the Engine of his Wisdom beat down as many strong Oppositions both before and after he wore the Crown as ever any King of England did For as his Profits held the Reins of his Affections so he wayed his Vnderstanding by his Abilities leaving no more to hazard than what cannot be denyed in all Human Actions This King never indured Mediation in rewarding Servants and was therein exceeding wise for what himself gave himself received both Thanks and Love Knowing that the Affections of Men purchased no way so ready as by Benefits were Trains which better became Great Kings than Great Subjects On the contrary in whatsoever he grieved his Subjects he wisely put it off to those that he found fit Ministers of such Actions He used not to begin their Processes whom he hated or feared by the Execution as Lewis XI did Yet he somewhat follow'd the Errors of his Ancestors as the Head of Stanley who set the Crown on his and the Death of the young E. of Warwick Son to George D. of Clarence do shew and likewise the Success of his Grand-children of the first Line c. Henry VIII the Pattern of a merciless Prince Succeeded One who precipitately advanced many but for what Virtue no Man could imagine and with change of his Fancy ruined them no Man knowing for what Offence To how many others gave he abundant Flowers from whence to gather Hony and in the end of Harvest burnt them in the Hive How many Wives did he cut off or cast off as his Fancy or Affection changed How many Princes of the Blood with many others of all Degrees did he Execute What causeless cruel Wars did he make upon his own Nephew King James V What Laws and Wills did he invent to establish the Kingdom in his own Family using his sharpest Weapons to cut off the Branches which sprang from the same Root that himself did Yet God took away all his own without increase though for themselves in their several Kinds all Princes of eminent Virtues And that Blood which King Henry affirmed that the cold Air of Scotland froze up in the North God hath diffused by the Sun-shine of his Grace from whence his Majesty now living and long may is Descended Of whom I may say truly that Malice her self cannot charge him justly with any of those foul Spots by which the Consciences of all the forenamed Princes were defiled or the Sword of his Iustice stained with any Drops of that innocent Blood which had stained their Hands and Fame And for the Crown of England it may truly be avowed He received it from the Hand of God neither hastning the Time upon any provocation nor taking Revenge upon any that sought to put him by it And refused Assistance of her Enemies that wore it long with as great Glory as ever Princess did He entred neither by Breach nor Blood but by the ordinary Gate which his own Right had set open and was received in at it by an universal Love and Obedience Thus the Northern parts of Britany infinitely severed from the South in Affection for a long time whereof grew deadly Wars with much Cruelty were at length happily united For which Blessing of God never to be forgotten as we are bound to much Thankfulness so the Fruit of this Concord maketh all petty Grievances to appear but as a Mole-Hill to a Mountain And if the uniting of the Red Rose with the White were the greatest Happiness next Christian Religion that ever the Kingdom received from God to that Day certainly the
Heathens concerning God 31 8. Heathenism and Iudaism when destroy'd 32 9. Satans last Refuge 33 CHAP. VII Of Noah's Flood § 1 2 3. God's forewarning of it neither Ogyges's Flood nor that of Ducalion nor that of the Umbri was Noah's 34 35 3 4. Some Records of the Vniversal Island Noah's Flood supernatural ibid. 6. No need of new Created Waters What the Chataracts of Heaven are ibid. 8 9 10. Noah's Memory among the Heathen His Ark was of sufficient capacity rested upon the Hills Taurus 36 37 38. CHAP. VIII The Planting of Nations Noah's Sons which the Eldest 45 § 1. Whether Shem or Ham Elder than Japhet ibid. 2. All Histories must yield to Moses Lords of the first Ages were of the Issue of Ham. 45 3 4. Of the Isles of the Gentiles Of Gog Magog Tubal and Mesech 46 5 6 7 8 9 Berosus's Fiction Gomer and Togarma setled in the East Of the other Sons of Japhet Of Ascanes and Riphath Gomer's Eldest Son Of the four Sons of Javan 47 48 49. 10. Cush the Eldest Son of Ham was in Arabia 50 11. Mizraim chief Planter of Aegypt 52. 12. The Bounds of Canaan his Eleven Sons where situated ibid. 13. The Sons of Cush 54 14. The Issue of Mizraim 55 15. Sem's Posterity 56 CHAP. IX The Beginning and Establishment of Government 58 Sect. 1. Of Regal Absolute and Regal tempered by Laws 59 2. The approved sorts of Government 60 3. The good Government of the first Kings ibid. 4. The Original of Nobility 61 CHAP. X. Of Nimrod Belus and Ninus 62 Sect. 1 2 3 4. Nimrod first Sovereign after the Flood Built Ninive Established the Babylonian Monarchy 63 5 6 7 8. Of Ninus and Belus in whose time Image-Worship began The first Idolater 64 65 CHAP. XI Of Ninus Semiramis and Belus ibid. BOOK II. From Abraham's Death to the Destruction of Solomon's Temple which was 1525 Years 67 CHAP. I. The time of Abraham's Birth and Order of the Assyrian Empire ibid. Sect. 1 2 3. Some Successors of Semiramis and of the Birth of Abraham 68 4. Terah begat Abraham in his 130th Year 69 5 6 7. Answers to several Objections about Abraham's Age. 70 71 8. The Assyrian times regulated by Abraham's History ibid. 9. Amraphel probably was Ninias 72 10 11. Arioth King of Alassar Tidal King of Nations 73 12. Chedorlaomer chief of the Four 74 CHAP. II. Of the Kings of Egypt from Cham to the Delivery of the Israelites 75 Sect. 1. The Kings of Egypt and the causes of the uncertainty of the History ibid. 2. C ham began his Reign in Egypt after the Flood Anno 191. ibid. 3. The Dynasties were not Kings but Vice-Roys 76 4. Cham and Mizraim or Oris ibid. 5 6. Osiris's Reign guess'd at Typhon and Hercules their Reigns 77 7 8. Busiris or Orus's Reign Rathoris succeeded his Sister 78 CHAP. III. Israel's delivery out of Egypt 79 Sect. 1. Israel's Captivity and Moses's Birth ibid. 2. Cities of Egypt in Scripture ibid. 3 4 5. Moses's Preservation and Education Pharaoh and his Army drowned and Moses's Passage Miraculous 80 81. CHAP. IV. § 1. The Israelites Journey from the Red Sea to Sinai 83 2. Of the Amalekites Midianites Kenites and of Jethro ibid. 3. When the Law was given 84 CHAP. V. §. 1 The Story from receiving the Law to Moses's death 84. 2. The Offering of the Twelve Princes The Passover and Jethro's departure 85 3. Israel's Iourney from Horeb to Kades 86 4. Their unwillingness to return they remove to Zin 87 5 6. They turn to the North. ibid. 7. Of the Book of the Lord's Battels and other lost Books 88. 8. Moses sparing Lot's Issue 89 9. The Midianites and Moabites corrupt Israel ibid. CHAP. VI. Of the Bordering Nations Of other Renowned Men and of Iushua's Acts. 90 Sect. 1. How the bordering Nations were prepared to be Enemies to Israel ibid. 2 3. Of the Kings of the Canaanites and Moabites Of the Midianites Amalekites and Ismaelites 91 4 5 6 7. Prometheus Atlas Pelasgus Ducalion Hermies Aesculapius when they flourished 92 93 94 95. 8. Of Joshua Othoniel and his Cotemporaries 96 CHAP. VII Sect. 1 2. Of the Phoenician Kingdom and the Invention of Letters 99. 3 4. The Kings of the Ten Tribes from Jeroboam to Achab. 101. CHAP. VIII The History of the Syrians bordering their Tribes on Jordan 103 CHAP IX Memorable things from Joshua to Jeptha 107 CHAP. X. The War and Destruction of Troy 114 CHAP. XI Of Samson Eli and Samuel 117 CHAP. XII Of Saul the First King of Israel 120 CHAP. XIII Of David and his condition under Saul his Reign overthrows the Philistins and Hadadezar his Troubles last Acts his vast Treasure his Cotemporaries 126 CHAP. XIV Of Solomon Anno Mundi 2991. His Building and Glory sends a Fleet to Ophir his Fall Writings and Cotemporaries 133 CHAP. XV. Solomon's Successors to Jehoram Rehoboam's Impiety Punishment End and Cotemporaries Abija succeeds Rehoboam Asa succeeds Abija Israel unhappy under her Princes Jehosaphat succeeds Asa. His Cotemporaries 136 CHAP. XVI Of Jehoram and Ahaziah Jehoram's Reign alone Ahaziah perished with the House of Ahab 143 CHAP. XVII Athaliah's Vsurpation and Government for 6 Years 149 CHAP. XVIII Of Joash Amaziah and their Cotemporaries the Death of Jehojada and Apostacy of Joash Zachariah murdered by Joash The Death of Joash who is succeeded by Amaziah who is overthrown by Joash and afterwards slain An interregnum in Iudah Of Amaziah's Cotemporaries and of Sardanapalus 153 CHAP. XIX Of Uzziah and his Cotemporaries the end of his Reign and Life Of the Olympian Games Jothan and his Cotemporaries Achas and his Cotemporaries 165 CHAP. XX. Of Italy and Rome's Foundation The Aborigines The Latin Kings 'till Aeneas a Trojan of the Blood Royal The beginning of Rome Romulus's Birth and Death 171 CHAP. XXI Of Hezekiah and his Cotemporaries his Deliverance his Sickness and Recovery Kings in Media in his Reign 175 CHAP. XXII Egyptian Kings from Moses to Hezekiah many of which were only Regents or Vice-Roys 177 CHAP. XXIII Of Manasses who succeeded Sethon and his Cotemporaries his Bondage and Enlargement The Messenian Wars 181 CHAP. XXIV Of Ammon Josiah and the rest to the Destruction of Jerusalem 187 BOOK III. From the Destruction of Ierusalem to Philip of Macedon 197 CHAP. I. From the Destruction of Jerusalem to the Assyrian Fall The Connection of Sacred and Prophane History The Babylonish Captivity several Opinions concerning it Nebuchadnezzar's Victories and Actions 197 CHAP. II. The Persian Greatness how it grew 204. CHAP. III. Cyrus the first Persian Monarch He takes Babylon His last Wars His Decree for Building God's Temple His two Sons and three Daughters 206 CHAP. IV. The Persian Affairs from Cyrus to Darius 110 CHAP. V. Darius the Son of Histaspes his Actions and Death 212 CAHP. VI. Xerxes Emperour of Persia his vast Army Opposed by Leonidas burnt the Temple of Athens The Peloponesians beat his Fleet. His Army is soon after Vanquish'd
next after God produc'd their Crowns and the Peoples Love so purchas'd kept them on their Heads § 4. From this beginning of Regality grew Nobility Princes chusing by the same Rule of Virtue Men to assist them which Honour succeeded not by Blood but Virtue which is true Nobility the note of one Excelling another in Virtue and should bind Nobility not to degenerate As for Riches Power Glory c. they do no more define Nobility than bare Life defines a Man Honour is the Witness of Virtue and well-doing and true Nobility is the continuance of it in a Family so that where Virtue is extinguished they are like painted Images worshipped by the Ignorant for Christ our Lady and other Saints Flowers not manured turn to Weeds and the purest Fountain running through a filthy Soil is soon Corrupted Race and Linage is but the Matter Virtue and well deserving of a Common-wealth is the Form of true Nobility which being found in Posterity over-weigheth our proper Honour acquired by our own Virtue but if Virtue be wanting to Nobility by discent then Personal acquired Nobility is to be preferred without comparison for that by Descent may be in a very Villain There is a third Nobility which is in Parchment purchased by Silver or Favour being Badges of Affection which when Princes change they could wish they were blotted out But if we had as much Sense in our denegeration in Worthiness as we have of Vanity in deriving our selves from such Parents we shou'd perceive such Nobility to be our Shame CHAP. X. Of Nimrod Belus and Ninus § 1. NIMROD the Sovereign after the Flood was generally held a Tyrant But Melancton and Onomasticum Theologicum judge otherwise And it seemeth that his leading this Troop to Shinar was rather given him than Usurped seeing it is not Recorded that Noah or any of the Sons of his Body came with him or were in that presumptuous Action Some Ancients conceive Suphne and Ioctan were also Leaders but joyned not in that unbelieving Attempt and therefore lost not their Language § 2. Nimrod Belus and Ninus were different Persons though Eusebius and Ierom confound the two first and Augustine makes Belus King of Babylon which Argueth him to be Nimrod Mercator with less probability confounds Nimrod and Ninus out of Clemens Diodorus Siculus Reports that Ninus subdued Babylon which perhaps had Rebelled upon setling the Empire at Ninive which was also in Shinar § 3. Nimrod not Assur Built Ninive as Iunius hath rendered Moses's Text agreeable to Reason and Sense though Writers differ That Assur Built it greeth not with Moses's Order who especially intending the Story of the Hebrews first handleth the Birth of Noah's other Sons beginning with Iaphet proceeding with Cham and lastly with Shem not intermingling one with the other till he had set down a brief of all Three In the Narration of Cham he makes a distinct Discourse of Nimrod and his Brethren being to speak after at large of Babels Confusion by it self to shew us the Founder of the place and of the Empire which first over-ruled all the rest As for the Assyrian Kingdom it arose from the Babylonian according to Iunius So Calvin before followeth Epiphanius Ierom Cyril Methodius and P. Comestor with Cedrenus took Assur Gen. 10.11 to be Nimrod's Son as doth Torniellus of late But Rab. Maurus understood it as Iunius Yet Calvin contrary to Iunius and himself objecting Esay 23.13 than which no place more difficult to prove Assur founded the Chaldean much more the Assyrian Empire But the City of the Chaldeans founded and after destroyed by the Assyrians may with good probability be understood of Vr called Vrcta by Ptolomy Chaldeopolis by the Greeks and Cameria by Hecateus This Vr stood upon the chief stream of Euphrates by which it passed into the Persian Gulf though now it is stopped and runneth into Tigris of which stoppage Niger and Pliny speak This City then had Trade with Tyrus and was a Port Town By which the Sabeans sent Commodities to Babylon and so to Tyre This Vr founded by Shem's Son Assur was afterwards destroyed by the Assyrians which God fore-seeing sent away Abraham from thence That the Founder differs from Assur the destroyer is agreeable to the Truth and circumstances For thus Seth's Posterity which followed Assur being Planted at Vr were separated from the Idolatrous Chushits And if Sem's Son Assur founded Ninive how left he it to Ninus Son of Belus and Husband of Semiramis § 4. Nimrod called Saturn by Iulian Africanus established the Babylonian Monarchy which he inlarged into Assyria Where he Founded Ninive and other Cities which his Son Belus finished who after Nimrods 114 Years Reign succeeded and spent much time in draining the Marshes of Babel and began with Sabbatius in Armenia and Scythia Saga which Ninus finished § 5. Ninus's days might well afford many Kingdoms if we consider the order of their departing from Babel according to their Kindred every Family following the chief thereof whom Nature and Necessity taught the rest to submit unto and who took opportunity from Time and Nimrod's examples to exercise legal Authority Belus who succeeded Nimrod found Sabatius King of Armenia and Scythia able to resist him whom I take to be Tanais in Iustine As for his Vexoris Reineccius hath judiciously taken to be Sesostris the Great some Ages after Ninus Belus in common accompt Reigned 65 Years § 6. Belus I judge to be a Name rather given by Ninus for Honour to his Father than taken by him Cyrill calls him Arbelus and saith he was the first that would be called God Bel say the Learned signifying the Sun in Chalde and there Worshipped for God And many words in Scripture grew from it Bel Baal Belzebub Baalim which Name was given to God till upon abuse he forbad it The first Idolatry grew from hence c. The Old the most Ancient of every Family and Kings which Founded Cities were called Saturns their Sons Iupiters and Valiant Nephews Hercules § 7. Image-Worship began from Belus in Babel c. Schoolmen shift off this fearful Custom strangely For seeing the very Workman-ship is forbidden how can the heart of a wise Christian satisfie it self with the distinction of Douleia and Latrua and Hyperdouleia which can imply but a difference of Worship and it is most strange that Learned Men do strain their Wits to defend what Scripture oftentimes expresly forbids and Curses the practicers And where they say the Prophets condemn Heathen Idols only it is manifest Moses spake of the Living God saying You saw no Image when the Lord spake to you in Horeb. Basil forbids us to imagine any Form of God lest we limit him in our Minds what Presumption then is it to put him under the Greasy Pensil of a Painter or the rusty Tool of a Carver Rome for 170 Years by Numa's Law held it impiety till Tarquin Priscas and Varro condemned it as Augustin shews So Seneca Sybil
strange God's as Terah himself Ios. 24. Yet after Abraham's being called their willing departure with him from their Country and ordinary reverend Speeches of Iehova prove they were no Infidels and without Faith Gen. 24.31 50. I dare not therefore pronounce them out of the Church who I am sure were in the Faith § 6. Abraham's being first named proveth him not the Eldest § If in Scripture it appear not that God made especial choice of the First-born as it is in Seth Isaac Iacob Iuda David c. the being first named can prove no Birth-right Shem is first named among the Sons of Noah whereof said Augustine Order of Nativity is not here respected but signification of future Dignities in Gen. 25. And he rather judged Abraham the Youngest of the Three Piety saith he or rather Divine Election which draweth with it Piety and the Fear of God gave precedence to Shem among the Sons of Noah and to Abraham among the Sons of Terah Again Moses testifies Abraham was 75 Years old when he left Charran Stephen saith it was after Terah's death at 83 he rescued Lot at 86 Ismael was born and Isaac at 100 and all in Canaan But if he begat Abraham at 70 Abraham must be 135 Years old when he entred Canaan c. Moreover by this Accompt Isaac must be 35 years Old and Ismael 49. at Terah's death and Born in Mesopotamia contrary to Scripture Thirdly by this reckoning Terah should be but 145 Years Old at his Death when Abraham was 75. Fourthly Sarah being within Ten Years of Abraham her Unkle Haran her Father being his younger Brother must beget her at Nine Years Old which Reason Lyra useth The like Reason is taken from the Age of Lot the Son of Haran called an Old Man at Abrahams's Eighty third year § 7. The Conclusion noting the Authors on both sides § It agreeth with Scripture Nature Time and Reason that Haran was Terah's Eldest Son Augustin was herein uncertain and what he saith in his City of God lib. 16.15 is answered in his 52d Question on Gen. And as he follow'd Iosephus so Isidore and Beda follow him The Hebrews and generally the Romanists following the first Opinion allow but 292 Years from the Flood to Abraham But Theodoret and divers later Beroald Codornan Beucer Calvin Beza Iunius c. hold Abraham begotten in the 130 th Year of Terah Scaliger Seth Calvisius c. to the contrary call it Heresy in Chronology Bucholcreus Chitreus Functius and others follow them yet Torniellus in his Annals confutes them But if we advisedly consider the state of the World in Abraham's days we shall rather increase the time from the Flood to Abraham as the Septuagint did to 1072 than shorten it to 292 For such paring of Time to the quick draws the Blood of the Story if Scripture's Testimony were not supreme Seeing then we know the World was so peopled and Kingdoms so furnished with Cities of State and Strength more time is required for it than many imagine c. § 8. The Assyrians Times order'd by Abraham 's History § Thus Abraham's Birth being 352 Years after the Flood and so the 2009 th Year of the World bringeth Ninus's 43 to the same date of the 352 Years we must consider what probably was spent before the coming to Shinar admitting Chus were born the Year after the Flood His youngest Son Nimrod Founder of the Empire born after Dedan Son of Raamah the fourth Son of Chus could not according to the ordinary course of those Times be esteemed Born 'till 65 Years after Chus allowing 30 Years to Chus before his first Son and 30 Years to Raama Father of Dedan born before Nimrod and 5 Years for his five Elder Brethren Allow 60 Years after for two Generations before their setting forth before Shinar and six Years for their Travail with Wives Children and Cattel out of the East through over-grown Countries and Mountains Thus 131 Years are spent before Babel is taken in hand the 221 Years which remain of 352 are divided to Ninus 42 before Abraham's Birth 65 to Belus and 114 to Nimrod yet this maketh Nimrod in all not above 180 Years old which was not much for that Generation Gen. 11.3 in which they lived yea 400 Years Ninus lived 9 Years after and Semiramis suceeded 42 Years when Abraham was 52 Years old Ninias or Zameis succeeded 38 in whose 23 d Year Abraham at 75 years old came to Canaan and 10 years after Abraham over-threw Amraphel King of Shinar which may seem to have been Ninias in whose 33 d year it happen'd though the Reasons to the contrary are not easily answer'd § 9. Amraphel King of Shinar probably was Ninias § Ninias was King of Babylon at that time in the 85th year of Abraham It is objected that Chedorlaomer was greater now than Amraphel who therefore was not like to be Ninias To this it may be answered under Ninias the Babylonian Command was fallen and the Persian his Neighbour King of Elam was enlarged § 10. Arioch King of Ellassar § This Country can neither be Pontus nor Hellespontus as some think being so far out of the way to be drawn by the Persian who little needed to seek such aid against such petty Kings which had not in all so much ground as Middlesex of which sort Canaan had 33 destroyed by Ioshua And the whole Country these four Kings subdued was no more than the two little Provinces of Traconitis or Basan and the Region of the Moabites Stephanus a Grecian Cosmographer de Vrbibus findeth Ellas in the Border of Coelosyria and Hierom calls it the City of Arioch This City was also in the Borders of Arabia of which Arioch indeed was King and Confederate with the Assyrian Kings as in Ninus's Life c. § 11. Tidal King of Nations § There were divers petty Kingdoms adjoining to Phoenicia and Palestine as Palmirenia Batanea Laodicene Apamena Chalcidice Cassiotis Chalibonitis having Mesopotamia on the North and Arabia on the East It is probable these were joined together under Tidal § 12. Chedorlaomer the chief of the Four § He was not King of Assur and the other three Vice-Roys as Pererius judgeth for Moses never useth Elam for Assyria or Babylon Neither do I believe the Assyrian or Babylonian Kingdoms were very large at this time 1. From Example Things hastily set up with violence last not as Alexander's Conquests and Tamberlain's whose Empires dyed with them neither had they time to review what they had done God adjoining short life to asswage Fury and Nature cares least for what she doth in hast Ninus persued boundless Dominion with Violence Semiramis exceeded him c. 2. Ninias having changed Nature and Condition with his Mother preferring Pleasure and Ease before Honour and Greatness as he indured his Mother's Reign so wanted he Spirit to maintain what she left him against Neighbouring Princes whose Wounds and Wrongs from his Parents put them in mind to cure the one
Reineccius some Ages after Ninus This Sesostris some think is Besak but it is not so as divers differences in setting out their Wars do manifest Whereas after Orus Menas is Reported by Herodotus and Diodorus Reineccius noteth that Osiris was so called by way of Dignity Krentzhemius probably gathers that Menas was Mercurius Ter-maximus Conquerour Philosopher and Benefactor to Mankind giving good Laws and teaching profitable Arts to his Conquered People After 33 Years he fell Blind as did Pherones his Son whom 14 Years after Orus the Second or Busiris succeeded 75 Years before Israel's Departure out of Egypt § 7. Busiris or Orus the Second whom Reineccius judgeth to have been a new Family though according to all Mens computation he began 5 Years after Moses's Birth yet might he be first Author of the Israelites Misery Ruling as Vice-Roy under the blind King whom he might easily draw to that Oppression of Strangers so to ease the Subjects and to win their Favour to promote his Off-spring to the Crown which he attained and held 30 Years according to Eusebius After him Thermutis Pharaob's Daughter which took Moses out of the Water succeeded Eusebius calls her Acencris but placeth Amenophis next before Busiris Herodotus and Diodorus call Sesostris Son Pheron so it may be she was his Daughter who Marrying Busiris Reigned after him 12 Years § 8. Rathoris or Athoris succeeded his Sister 9 Years and after him Chencris who perished in the Red Sea and Achencris succeeded 8 Years and Cherres 15 in whose 15 Years Epaphus Son of Teligonus Rathoris Brother Reigneth in the lower Egypt and Built Memphis Epaphus had Lybia which had Agenor Belus and Busiris Belus had Ameus or Danaeus who Reigned 4 Years after Cherres and then by Egyptus or Ramesses his Brother expelled who Reigning 68 Years he had Fifty Sons Danaeus had Fifty Daughters He began the Kingdom of Argos in Greece CHAP. III. Of Israels Delivery out of Egypt § 1. OF Israel's Captivty and Moses Birth § L. Vives on Augustin cites divers Opinions of Moses Birth but to me it is most Probable that he was Born while Saphrus called Spherus and Ipberus Govern'd Assyria Orthopolis Cicyonia and Criasus the Argives and Sesostris 2 d. the Egyptians For according to Augustin he led Israel out of Egypt about the end of Cecrops King of the Athenians which falls about the 9 th Year of Ascatades of Assyria who Ruled 41. Sparetus his Predecessor 40. Mamelus before him 30. And Saphrus 20 before So that from the 19 th of Saphrus to the 9 th of Ascatades which was the 46 th of Cecrops are 80 Years which was Moses Age when he brought Israel out of Egypt There being then 64 Years between Iosephs ' Death and Moses's Birth the Israelites Oppression seemeth to begin some 8 or 9 Years before Ioseph Dyed Anno Mundi 2370. Moses 80 th Year of Age was 2514. § 2. Of the Cities of Egypt mentioned in Scripture § Zoan Num. 13.23 called Taphnus Ier. 2.43 c. Ezek. 30. The Septuagint calls it Tanis c. This was near Gosen and chief City of the lower Egypt On or Heliopolis in the South of the lower Egypt Gen. 41.45 after Iunius Here Onias Built a Temple for the Jews under Ptolomy Philopater which stood till Vespasian's time Noph the City Esa. 19.13 Hos. 9.6 is called Mopb or Memphis by the Septuagint Pelusium which the Septuagint calls Sois. Montanus Lebna Iunius Sin Belbeis after now the Septuagint calls Diospolis and was afterwards called Alexandrina by Ierom. Moses 's Preservation and Education § Pharaoâ— having by Oppression discontented the Israelites and then doubting what a Poor Oppressed Multitude might be provoked to by suggestion of the Devil resolved the Slaughter of the Male Children in their Birth giving Order to all their Midwives by Two of the Chief of them But being by their Piety disappointed he Commanded all his People to perform his Bloody Decree which yet his Beloved Daughter finding Moses in an Ark of Reeds in Nilus was so far from Executing that she took him out of the Water and gave him Princely Education as her own Whose Excellent Learning testified by Pâ—ilo and Iosephus Martyr Stephen Confirmeth Leaving Iosephus's Fancy of Moses Besieging Saba of Ethiopia which he won by the means of the Kings Daughter whom he Married c. Moses in Rescuing an Israelite having slain an Egyptian fled into Arabia Petrea in whose Mountainous Desarts apart from the Glory of the World the Glory of God covered him over being from an Honourable Adopted Son of a Kings Daughter turned into the Condition of an humbe Shepherd In this Country lying between Iudea and Egypt he lived 40 Years skilful in the ways of the Wilderness through which he was to lead Israel and by exercise in a Pastoral Life he was prepared to Principality and perfected his Learning gotten in Egypt by Meditation in the Wilderness From Government of gentle Cattel Kings are called Shepherds to teach them to rule Men. Moses being called back into Egypt is Taught a Name by which he Describes God to the Hebrews setting out his ever only Being there being nothing â— that hath being of it self but that Eternal One of whose being all other things are but shadows Of all the Ten Plagues the last only brought that Tyrant Pharaoh to an absolute submission when he began to fear his own Life The Paschal Lamb was a Sacrament of our spotless Saviour § 3. Pharaoh seeing the Israelites departure with the Spoil also of the Egyptians bethought himself and pursuing them with all his Power Exod. 14.7 over-took them after Three Days March And though Moses knew he went out with the mighty Hand of God yet he neglected nothing becoming a Wise Man and a Valiant Conductor So he removed from Ramases in Goshen whither the dispersed Hebrews were gathered as to their Rendezvous and Marched Eastward toward Etham and Encamped at Succoth the Fifteenth Day of Abib which thenceforth was accounted the first Month of their Year for Religious Occasions leaving another for Politick which they distinguish from Sacred in Recording things Transacted § 4. Israel passing from Succoth kept Mountainous rough Ground on his left-hand to Etham that Pharaoh's Chariots should not compass him From Etham the next day he Marched South Eight Miles and on the Third day he came to Pihachoroth between the Mountains of Etham on the North and Baalzephon on the South and Encamped upon the wash of the Sea § 5. Moses who feared nothing but God himself comforting the fearful Multitude Exod. 14.13 called on God and putting in practice his Direction safely passed over the Foord which the Lord had made and left their stupified Enemies to the merciless Waves which returned upon them This Sea called Chencrese in which Pharaoh Perished the 16 th Year of his Reign is commonly called the Red Sea though of the Colour of other Waters It seemeth to me that Name grew from the Clifts Sands Islands and
Providence had order'd to the contrary by ordinary means For first these Nations having setled there from the beginning and matched with Canaanites and fallen to their Idolatry and having had neighbourly Commerce with them it could not be but they should affect them being also the ancient Inhabitants Secondly the Israelites by long abode in Egypt were become strangers to them and the less affected for differences in Religion and feared for being a Potent United People whereas the Canaanites were divided and therefore not feared of them so much Thirdly both Ismalites and Edomites being Carnal People might resent the Actions of Israel for their old Quarrels between their first Parents yet none of these directly opposed them in defence of the Canaanites Only the Amalekites which are commonly taken to be a Tribe of Edom offered them violence which was never forgiven § 2. Of the Kings of the Canaanites and Moabites § Speaking of the Canaanites we understand the seven Nations descended from Cham by Canaan whose proper Habitation was bounded by Iordan on the East the Mediterranean Sea on the West Of these the first we read of is Hamor the Hittitish Lord in Iacob's days of the Hittites Arad is the Second who is named King of the Canaanites in the South of Canaan bordering on Edom and the Red Sea Sihon King of Heshon and Og King of Bashan were next who had driven out the Moabites and Ammonites out of all the Valley East of Iordan Adonizedek is the Fifth with whom Ioshua nameth Four other Kings all Amorites Iabin King of Hazor or which afore-time was head of those Kingdoms and Iobab King of Madon then Adonibezek that Tyrant of Bezek and Iabin the Second King of Hazor Iudg. 4. overthrown by Baras The Midianites descended from Abraham by Midian the Son of Ketura Some of them dwelt by the Red Sea where Ragvell or Revell called also Iethro and Kenis was King and Priest others of them were mixed with the Moabites and dwelt in Nabothea on the South-East of the Dead Sea whose Five Princes are named There are four others named slain by the Ephramites and Gideon Oreb and Zeb Zeba and Salmunna § 3. Of the Amalekites and Ismaelites Of Amalek's Original § Of them and of the Israelites few Kings are named and though the Ismaelites were more in number yet in Moses's days Amalek was more renowned than the rest of the Ismaeliets as after in the days of Saul when they were increased so far that he pursued them from Sur to Havila It seemeth the Israelites had left the barren Desarts of Arabia Petraea called Sur Paran and Sin to the Posterity of Ketura which joined with them and planted themselves in the better parts thereabout Nabaioth the Eldest of the Twelve Princes enjoy'd that fruitful part of Arabia Petraea which borders on Iudaea on the East they also peopled a Province of Arabia Felix Kedar the Second gave name to the East part of Basan or Batanea called Kedarens or Cedrens Abbiel the Third gave Name to Adubenes near the Mountains and divideth Arabia Felix from the Desart The Raabens were of Moshma which joyns to the Orchen near the Arabian Gulf by Zagmais Duma of whom came the Dumeans between the two former where was the City Dumeth Massa bred the Massams Hadar or Chadar the Athrites in Arabia Felix by the Napatheans Thema begat the Theminians among the Mountains where is the City Thema Ietur Father of Itureans or Chamathens whose King was Tohu in Davids days Naphish bred the Nubeans in Syria Zoba under King Adadezer in David's Days Cadma of whom came the Cadmonaeans or Asitae Worshipping the Fire as did the Babylonians The Amalekites opposed Israel from their coming out of Egypt joyning with all their Enemies as with the Canaanites Moabites Midianites and Edumaeans § 4. Prometheus Atlas and Pelasgus flourished in Moses Days § Pelasgus was now chosen King of Arcadia for teaching the Inhabitants to Erect Cottages and to make Food and Bread of Acorns who before lived on Roots and Herbs So long was it before Agriculture and Civilty came into Europe out of Egypt and the East Prometheus also flourished in this Age of the World Of whom it was Reported he formed Men out of Clay for his framing Men unto Wisdom His stealing Fire from Iupiter was his skill in the Stars which with great Study he got on Caucasus which occasion'd the Fable of his being bound there c. Africanus makes him within 44 Years of Ogyges Porphyry puts him with Inachus Atlas his Brother now flourished both Sons of Iapetus who according to Aescuâ—us had two others Oceanus and Hesperus Famous in the West There were others of the same Name but Mount Atlas South of Marocco came from him and both these of Cepheus and his Wife Cicero saith their Divine Knowledge occasioned those Fables Atlas skill in Astronomy produced the Pleiades and Hyades from his Daughters Some ascribe the finding out the Course of the Moon to him but others to Archas of whom Arcadia took Name who boast they are more Ancient than the Moon that is before her Motion and Influence was observed But Isacius Tzetzes a curious searcher of Antiquity ascribes it to Atlas of Lybia of Incomparable Gifts and Strength of whom Thalis Mirtius had his first Rudiments Ducalion King of Thessaly was the Son of Prometheus says Herodotus Apollonius Hesiod and Strabo In his time fell that great Inundation of Thessaly in which so few escaped the Vengeance which their exceeding Wickedness had drawn upon them Only Ducalion and Pyrrha excelling in Virtue escaped upon his Fathers fore-warning Phaetons Confiagration happened in Ethiopia and in Istria and the Mountain Vesuvius § 6. Mercurius Ter-Mximus called Hermes of the Greeks now flourished excelling all the Heathens in Wisdom Plato ascribes all invention of Letters to him whom Philo Biblius calls Tauntus Egyptians Tâ—oyth Alexandrians Thot As for the Conjecture that a Grecian Mercury carried Letters into Egypt is improbable seeing all profane Antiquity acknowledge that Greece had Learning out of Egypt and Phoenicia And that Cadmus brought Letters out of Egypt into Greece which was while Minos was King of Crete Lyncius the King of the Argives who succeeded Danaus who had Reigned 50 Years and Stenelus 10 Years before him and Crotopus before him in whose 10 Years Moses Dyed So much difference of time is between Hermes and Cadmus his coming into Boetia Neither did the Two Mercuries of Egypt mentioned by Augustine come out of Greece but Epolemus and Artapances ascribe that invention to Moses who taught it the Hebrews of whom the Phoenicians had it and Cadmus from them Ficinus is deceived thinking that Mercury upon whose Book he Commenteth was Four Descents after Moses So Ludovicus Vives thinks the Author of those Books was Grand-child to Mercury Ter-Maximus His long life of 300 Years might give ocsion to some to find him at one time to others at another and they
corrupt in Judgment the least of which Offences were heinous to a King how odious then is it to God to make him break Promises to Deceive to pervert Judgment Four Hundred Years after Saul's breaking this Oath of his Fore-Fathers brought evil on all Israel which manifested that God had not forgotten that his Name had secured secured that Poor People and he did them Justice on Saul's House And certainly if Equivocating may delude another the strength of the Objection is broken and Truth in all Tryals is driven away and honest Men are Inthralled to Villanies No League between Kings nor Truce between Armies but the Sword must still be held unsheathed Yet can it not do oftentimes what the Powerful Name of God in an Oath can do in making of Peace and procuring Passage for Men held no security like an Oath no Witness Surety or Judge like God neither durst Men which feared him call him forth to their occasions but with Religious Truth Almarick the Fifth King of the Christians in Palestine breaks Faith with Elbadech Caliph of Egypt who thereupon called the Turk to aid who after he had made War beat the Christians out of Palâ—stine neither could the Wooden Cross brought into the Field as the last Refuge Save them having for-sworn by him which was Crucified on it So when Eugemenes Commanded the King of Hungary after a great Victory to break the Oath with Amurath he lost himself and Thirty Thousand Christians Lastly Observe how it pleased God that the unconquered Cities became Thorns in their Eyes c. See Iosh. 1. 2. 11. 13. Ioshua Governed 18 Years others hold more or less but the Necessity of 480 Years from their Delivering to Solomon's Temple admits no more nor any space between him and Othoniel Ericthonius King of Athens Lynceus of Argive Phoenix and Cadmus flourished now CHAP. VII Of the Phoenician Kingdom and of the Invention of Letters § 1. I Have gathered a Brief of those Kings of whom Time hath left any Record to Posterity The Limits of this Kingdom of Phoenicia in the South are uncertain Strabo extends it to Pelusium the first Port of Egypt Corvinus and Budaeus to Gaza Pliny takes but Ioppa Ptolomy who seldom failed in his Art stayeth at Chorseus which seemeth to be the River at Megiddo He also begins it in the North at Elutherius which falls into the Sea at Aradus North of Orthosia Thus it comprehends these Maritime Cities Aradus Orthosia Tripolis Botris Biblus Beritus Sidon Tyrus Acon Dora and Caesarea of Palestine so that it Commanded the Trade of the Mediterranean for all the East Zidon was the Regal Seat and so continued till Ioshua and all the People were called Zidonians as Procopius confirmeth in his Vandal Wars That Zidon the First Son of Canaan was the Founder we doubt not and yet it was in his Posterities command in Moses Days As for Agenor whether he was an Egyptian of Thebes or a Native of this Country bred up there it may be that in Ioshua's days he and his Four Sons Cadmus Phoenix Cyrus and Cilix might come out of Egypt with such Force as the Egyptians could spare to the succoâ—r of the Coast and so to Fortifie the Sea Towns having the benefit of such Ships as were then in use And when Cadmus his Eldest pursuing Taurus King of Crete who had stoln away his Sister Europe in the Surprize of Tyre was drawn into Greece he seated himself there Agenor commiting this Country to his Two Sons called it by his Name when also North Tyrus was Built and Zidon Fortified whereof it was that Agenor was reputed the Founder from whose time Phoenicia became more Famous Belus whether Grandfather or Father to Agenor as some judge it is no matter but it seemeth he was Ancienter to the Phoenicians who Honoured that Name great was the strength of these Phoenicians Cities which held out against the Iews but put Nebuchadonosor and Alexander to great difficulties Touching the mention of Letters the Ethiopians claim it and that Atlas Orion Orpheus Linus Hercules Prometheus Cadmus had the first light from them and that Pythagoras was instructed by the Lybians The Phoenicians boast of it and indeed they were very Ancient and had Famous Records used by Iosephus Lastly Some ascribe it to Moses without all probability seeing Learning then flourished in Egypt and Assyria but true it is the Excellent Spirits of the First Age found it either Seth Enos c. And God every where present hath given this Invention to Nations which never had Commerce with others As in Mexico were found Books like Egyptian Hieroglyphicks The Americans have an Heraldry § 2. Of the Phoenician Kings especially of Tyrus § Agenor living with Ioshua Phoenix succeeded after whom till the Siege of Troy when Phasis Governed we find not who succeeded In Ieremy's time we find Zidon and Tyre had petty Kings and in Xerxes time Tetrannestus Ruled that part of Phoenicia at the Persians Command and afterwards subdued by Nebuchadonosor Alexander also cast out Strabo King of Zidon and put in Balonimus a Poor Gardner of the decayed Royal Blood preferred by another Citizen to whom Hephestion offered it by Alexander's gift more we find not of Zidon Tyrus sometime a Daughter of Zidon outlived her Mother and had her own Kings of which Twenty in Descent are found in Iosephus and Theophilus Antiochius though they differ in the time of their Reigns and other particulars Abibalus the First whom Suron succeeded and paid Tribute to David and Solomon Others Named by Iosephus and Theophilus Fellow to Ithabalus called in Scripture Eâ—hbaal Father to Iezabel who is there called King of the Zidonians and by Iosephus King also of the Tyrians The Third from him they Name Pigmalion whose Sister Elisa Married Sycheus whom Pigmalion slew for his Wealth but was prevented by Elisa who Conveyed it to a Ship and fled into Africa where she Built Carthage 143 Years 8 after Solomon's Temple and as long before Rome and 289 after Troy's Destruction Eluleus succeeded who overthrew Salmanassers Fleet in the Port of Tyrus Ethobales succeeded in whose time Nebuchodonoser after 13 Years Siege won Tyrus Baal succeeded Ethobales and after Baal 't was govern'd by Iudges successively § 3. Bozius believes that the Tyrians proceeded from the Edumaeans c. But is confuted by Scripture by which it appears that Eliphas which came from Theman to Iob was no Edomite nor was that Theman in Edumaea but in Arabia East from Iob whereas Edom was South Ismael had a Son called Theman who by all likelihood gave Name to Theman in the East From â—hom Eliphaz Iobs Friend descended Suhe also a Son of Kethura and Midian his Brother of whom came Bildad the Shuite and the Midianites at their first setling were sent by Abraham into the East which from Canaan was Arabia the Desart not Seer which was South So in the History of the Judges the Midianites and Amalekites are said to be
of the East Yet were there of them Dwelling in the South they were grown so many that the East could not hold them § 4. Kings of the Ten Tribes from Jeroboam to Achab § Ieroboam flying from Salomon into Aegypt to Shishaâ— whom Eusebius calls Osochores whose Daughter he Marryed as Adad the Edumenian had his predecessor's Wive's Sister and were prepar'd by Shishak to shake the Kingdom of Iudea that he might pillage it as he accordingly did in the fifth year of Rehoboam This Man was exalted to be King of the Ten Tribes preferring the Policies of the World before God's Service and Honour To prevent the â—eoples falling from him by resorting to Ierusalem he erected the two Calves c. Ieroboam reigned at Sichem Twenty two years Nadab his Son succeeded two years and was slain by Baasha who rooted oâ—â— all Ieroboam's Seed and reigned twenty four Years at Thersa and Ela his Son succeeded two years and was slain in his Cups by Zimri who succeeded seven days but Homri in revenge of Ela besieged him and made him burn himself and succeeded transferring the Regal Seat to Samaria and reigned twelve years § 5. Ahab suceeded his Father married the Daughter of the King of Zidon and embraced her Religion as Ieroboam had his Egyptian Wives Ahab was slain after twenty two years Ocharius succeeded his Father and dyed of a Fall in his second year and his Brother Ioram succeeded 12 years who with Aid of Iuda and Edom could not subdue Moab who sacrificed Edom's Son taken in an â—ruption which he made out of the City whereupon the Siege was broken up through Edom's displeasure against Israel for refusing to make Peace with Moab to save his Son Amos 2.1 Iehu slew Ioram and succeeded twenty eight Years whose Son Iehoâ—haz succeeded seventeen years and was molested by Aza Ioas succeeded his Father sixteen years recover'd from Aram what his Father lost and sacked Ierusalem Ieroboam succeeded his Father forty one years râ—â—over'd all from Hamâ—th to the dead Sea and Zacharias his Son succeeded Six Months and was slain by Shallum who succeeded two Months and Menahen slew him and succeeded ten years with much Cruelty Pekahia his Son succeeded two years and Peka slew him and succeeded twenty years In his time Tyglath Pileser King of Assyria Invaded Israel and carried many Captives into Assyria He was drawn in by Achas King of Iuda whom Peka of Israel and Rezin of Damascus wasted and first he surprized the Monarchs of Syria and Damascus and then Israel prepared the way to Iuda Hosea slew Peka and succeeded nine years in whose time Tiglath Pileser carried the rest of the Ten Tribes Captives and re-peopled the Country with Cuthites out of Arabia Deserta the Persians with Calaneans bordering on Syria and Sepharims out of Mesopotamia with the Avims of old inhabited the Philistins Land but now Inhabited Deserta and called Havaei CHAP. VIII The History of the Syrians bordering their Tribes on the East of Jordan DAmascus in this Border most famous for Antiquity Beauty Riches is called the City of Joy and House of Pleasure The Hebrews think it built by Hus Son of Abraham others as Ierom ascribe it to Damascus Son of Eleasar Abraham's Steward but was before Eleasar David subdued it in the overthrow of Adadezar but Rezin Servant to Adadezer escaped with the broken Forces recovered it and was made King Adadezer returned out of Egypt and forced out Rezin and became King of Syria for Nine Descents § 2. Of the first Kings of Damascus and their growing up § That Damascus was of Note in Abraham's days his Steward is an Argument what the Government was then and long after the Reason of Moses's Story led him not to handle The first occasion was in David's Reign who seeking to Establish the command of Israel unto Euphrates as God had promised Invaded Adadezer who was then of the greatest Force in Syria strictly taken containing Damascus Saba Camath or Ituraea and Geshur Adadezer King of Saba called to his assistance the Damascenes who are not ranked under a King but after the overthrow Reson a Commander under Hadadesar gathered the broken Forces surprised Damascus where David had put a Garrison and was made King there as it seemeth after David's death So that as Rehob and his Son Adadezer are the first Kings of Syria Saba and Toi the first Kings of Camath so Rezon is the first King of Damascus which before was commanded by the Kings of Saba whose Power became formidable to the King of Camath The next King is Adad of Edom who coming out of Egypt whether he fled from David and finding his Forces too weak to recover Edom it seemeth he surprised Damascus and became King of Aram. The next King of Aram was Hezion whom his Sons Tabremmon succeeded the Father of Benhadad who assisted Asa King of Iuda against Baasha King of Israel Almost Fifty years after Benhadad was taken Prisoner by Achab and promised to restore what his Father had taken from Israel This was a Second Benhadad who slew Achab and Besieged Samaria the second time and was smothered by Hazael who succeeded him and did much mischief to Lud but brought Israel to a low Ebb 2 Kings 13.7 § 3. Of the later Kings was Benhadad two or rather three who lost what Hazael had gotten three other succeeded of the same Name in one of whose times Ieroboam 2 d. recovered Damascus it self and Chamath to Israel which by David's Conquest had belonged to Iuda Rezin the 10 th after Adad 1 st molesting Achas and was taking Elath is by Achas's Procurement taken and Slain by Tiglath Pileser and the Kingdom of Damascus dissolved § 4. Of lesser Kingdoms in Syria Gessur where Talmai reigned after Ammihur Sophena or Syria Saba or Coelosyria had Rehob and Adadezer after him whose Kingdom translated to Damascus by Rezin ended with the Kingdom of Israel not long after Ninus's Race in Sardanapalus had been ended by PhulBelechus Father of this Tiglath whose Son Salmanassar led Israel Captive as his Father had Damascus Senacharib Son of Salmanasser attempted Ierusalem in vain but 132 years after Israel's Captivity it also went to Babylon § 5. Hierusalem in Ioshua's days had Adonizedek for King and was not inferiour to Hozar the chief of all Canaanites This City of old called Iebus Inhabited of by Iebusites and therefore likeliest to be Builded by Iebusaeus the Son of Canaan and not by Melchisedek for it could not be in Abraham's way returning from his Victories but rather that Salem by Iordan of which we spake in Manasses Though Ioshua slew their King yet they held out 400 Years till David won it Solomon so perfected the Strength Beauty and Riches of it besides the renowned Temple that the World had not the like That Ditch hewn out of the Rock Sixty Foot deep and Two Hundred and Fifty broad with Walls Gates and Pallaces defended One Hundred Fifty Thousand Men besides Women
and Children It endured many changes Shishak of Egypt Sackt it so did Ioas of Israel but Nebuchadonozor fulfilled all Gods Judgments threatned and made way to Seventy Years Desolation and Captivity of City and People After the restoring by Cyrus Bagòses Lieutenant and Artaxeres spoiled it and after Alexanders Empire was divided Ptolomy the First pretending to Offer Sacrifice then Antiochus Epiphanes and Apollonius his Lieutenant after him spoiled it and Pompey long after took it But after all Repairs that wicked Herod did so Reedifie and Adorn both Temples and Cities that it far exceeded what Solomon did continuing in this state about Forty Years after our Saviour's Death Titus invested it till it was taken and Demolished it in which by Famine Pestilence Sedition and Enemies Sword 1100000 were consumed 65 Years after being in part repaired Elius Adrian for a new Revolt Overthrew all and Built another which he called Elia Capitolia and Decreed that never Iew should dare after to enter or from high place look to behold it Yet after the Christian Religion flourished in Palestine it was Inhabited after by Christians 500 Years and then it was taken by Egyptian Sarazens and held 400 Years and then regained by Godfrey Bouillon and so continued 88 Years when the Souldan of Egypt won it but lastly Selim the Turk took it and called it Cusunbaris § 6. Malicious Reports of the Heathen as Quintilian Diodor Strabo Iustin Tacitus touching the Iews Original answered by Iosephus against Appion and Tertullian in his Apologet. CHAP. IX Memorable things from Joshua to Jeptha and the Destruction of Troy § 1. IVDA by Gods Directions took the Management of the War after Ioshua was Dead Caleb with Phineas and the assistance of Seventy Elders were in Ioshua's time Commanding in Chief Their Achievements we read Iudg. 1. as also of the other Tribes which sought to establish their own Territories What befel them after upon their making Peace with the Canaanites and their affliction 8 Years and how Othniel the Son of Cenas Younger Brother to Caleb delivered them from Chushan a King of Mesopotamia who Oppressed them we read in Scripture How long it was between the Death of Ioshua and Othniel is uncertain though it could not be a short time considering what Wars followed and the Surprize of Laish by the Danites and their Warring with Benjamin are thought to be in this interim which War so weakened them that they could not so strongly resist their Bordering Enemies § 2. Othniel Governed 40 Years in whose 20 th year Pandarius Fifth King of Athens entred and Reigned 40 Years Father of Erictheus and Progne and Philomela in the Fables Cadmus about this time obtained Thebes which Amphion and Zethus Governed after Triptolâ—mus is placed first by Augustine of whom and the rest Authors so disagree that I desire to be excused if I Err with better Judgments whereto I submit For if the first Authors had but a borrowed uncertain light from other Conjectures all our labour in Example to uncover the Sun is for ought I see a more over-shading § 3. Ehud was next who Delivered Israel from Eglon King of Moab after 18 Years Misery Samgar his Successor freed them from the Philistins so from Othoniel's Death 8 Years expired Elimelek went to Moab in Ehud's days and Ruth's Story is referred hither Adoius King of the Molosseans in Epirus had by Ceres his Wife a Fair Daughter called Proserpina a common Name of such whom Peritheus intending to steal drew Theseus into the attempt which being discovered Aidonius surprized them cast Peritheus to Cesarus his Mastive and kept Theseus Prisoner till Hercules delivered him by a strong hand Pindus's Mountains in Epirus of which Oeta is Chief whence Acheron springeth Erictheus was King of Athens whose Daughter Orythia Boreas King of Thrace Forced Tereus King of Phocis in Greece Inhabited by Thracians Married Progne the Daughter of Pandarius and Ravished her Sister Philomela and cut out her Tongue for which Progne killed his Son Itys and made Meat of him for Tyrus and fled to Athens Tros began to Reign in Pardania the 47 th Year of Ehud about which time Tantalus was King of Lydia not Phrygia whose study of Wisdom made him neglect the Pleasure of Riches of which he had great Plenty Others said his covetous Mind made him miserable whereof grew that Fable c. Here the Author is out Taxing the unfolding of Secrets to Vulgars perverting Mar. 4.11 Cecrops 2 d. 7 th King of Athens and Arrisius Thirteenth King of the Argives now Reigned the first 40 Years the other 31 toward the end of the 8 Years Pelops lived of whom Peloponesus took Name Titius Tyrant of Panopea in Phocis slain by Apollo Admetus King of Thessaly Perseus of Peloponesus and Medusa slain by Perseus Souldiers of whose Blood sprang Pegasus Belerophon's Horse with which he slew Chimera a Pyrat of of the Lycians Ion of whom the Athenians are called Iones or rather of Iovan c. § 4. The former 80 Years of Peace and Plenty having bred security it brought forth neglect of Gods Commandments and their ripe Sins called for God's Judgment who raised Iabin King of Hazor who laid an heavy yoke on Israel 20 Years keeping his chief holds even in Naphtalim and reduced them to such a weakness as among Forty Thousand a Weapon was not seen But as Volumes may be gathered of Examples proving all Power is the Lords how impotent soever his means be so now the Lord set it out in delivering Israel two Women Deborah and Iael striking the chief stroke Thus Forty Years were expired under Iabin Deborah and Barac Argos's Kingdom which had continued 544 Years was Translated to Micenae Built by Perseus Son of Danae Daughter of Acrisius King of Argos The King of Argos The King of Argives we find Inachus whose Daughter Io was the Egyptian Isis Phoronius Apis Argus Pirasus Phorbas Triops Crotopus Sthelenus Donaus Lynieus Abas Acrosius Pelops After the Translation to Micenae Perseus Sthenelus Eurystheus Atreus Son of Pelops Agamemon Egypthus Orestes Tisamenus Penthilus and Cometes Midas now King of Phrygia and Ilus who Built Ilium Contemporaries with Debora § 5. Barac was no sooner dead but Israel returned to their impious Idolatry and God raised up the Midianites assisted with the Amalekites to infest them yet his Compassions which never fail raised them up a Deliverer Gideon the Son of Ioash whose story is largely set down in Holy Scripture His severities in the revenge upon Succoth and Penuel his own Sons found shortly after his death For the debts of Cruelty and Mercy were left unsatisfied And because he Converted the Gold into an Ephod a Garment proper to the High-Priest and set it up in his City Ophra as it drew Israel to Idolatry so was it the destruction of his own House Aegeus Son of Pandeon now reigned in Athens Euristheus in Micenae whom Atreus succeeded who killed Thyestes his Brother's Children and feasted
this as other Questions of Time c. Eusebius in his Evan. praepar out of Tatian nameth many Greek Writers more Antient than Homer Hesiodus's Age is also questioned some hold him Elder some Younger than he But Varro leaves it uncertain finding that both the Fathers lived some Years together Senyes or Senemyres seemed to have Ruled Egypt at this time For Tenefersobris his Successor preceded Vaphres Father-in-Law to Solomon About the end of Saul the Amazons and Cymmerians Invaded Asia After the Fall of Troy Six Kingdoms grew up as the Latins in Italy Lacedemon Corintâ— and Achaia in Greece Syria Soba and Damascus under the Adads in Arabia of which were Ten Kings which began and ended in effect with the Kings of Israel which now changed their form of Government into a Monarchy CHAP. XIII Of David First of his Estate under Saul § 1. DAvid's hazards after he was designed King were many first with Goliaâ— which won him Fame with all Love with Ionathan like that he bare to his own Soul and a ground of deadly Hatred in Saul though it brake not out 'till he had entertained him to play on his Harp and had made him his Son-in-Law when in a raving Fit he threw his Spear at him Censorinus speaketh of Esculapius a Physician and Seneca of Pythagoras's Curing Frenzie by Musick but Saul's Madness arose from the Cause of Causes and therefore incurable and the ease he had God ordained for the Musician's good more than the King 's Saul after this fearing to trust David about his Person imploy'd him against the Philistins hoping of his Fall by them And being disappointed therein he moved Ionathan and his Servants to kill him but in vain From many other desperate Perils the Lord delivered him at home and abroad yea in a Mutiny of his own c. as the History of this part of his Life witnesseth Saul being slain the Philistins Victory was such as some Towns even beyond Iordan were abandon'd and left to their Oppression without resistance It is therefore to be wonder'd at that they being Warlike and Ambitious did not follow the Victory to make the Conquest entire But it may be that the Civil Wars between David and the House of Saul immediately breaking out gave them hope of an easie Victory over both whereas their farther Pursuit might inforce an Attonement against a common Enemy § 2. David's beginning of his Reign was opposed by Abner who sought to advance Ishbosheth the Son of Saul yet without right while Mephibosheth the Son of Ionathan lived The first War was defensive in David when Abner fought it upon a Challenge of twelve Combatants on either side which slew each other like the Combate between 300 Lacedemonians and as many Argives wherein three survived and between the Horatii and the Curatii for the Romans and the Latins The Text Chap. 3.1 makes it probable The Wars between David and Ishbosheth lasted longer than two years so that those two Years mentioned Chap. 2.13 some Rabins refer to the time when this was written § 3. Abner being reconciled to David was murthered by Ioah in revenge of Asael and in jealousie of his Place and Dignity which admitted of no Companion much less a Superiour as he doubted Abner would prove being General of Ten Tribes Upon like jealousie he also murdered his own Kinsman Amasa The death of Abner might greatly have endanger'd David's Condition if any thing could withstand God's Ordinance therefore he wisely bewailed it so openly complaining of Ioab's Greatness which makes Princes oft put up Wrongs at their hands yet he publickly Cursed him c. § 4. David's Reign over all Israel after Ishbosheth's death being confirmed his first Enterprize was against Ierusalem the Center of the Kingdom held by the Iebusites from Ioshua to that day whose strength was such that in derision they Manned the Wall with Blind and Lame Men but lost it The Pâ—ilistins hearing of David's Anointing thought it good to try him before he was warm in his Seat but were overthrown twice David after this brought the Ark to the City of David after which he intended to Build a Temple but was forbidden because he was a Man of War The Wars which he had made were just yet God refused to have the Foundation of his Temple to be layed by his hands whereby the damnable Pride of Princes appeareth who by terrours of Wars think to grow to Greatness like the Almighty not caring to imitate his Mercy and Goodness or to seek the blessed Promise by our Saviour to Peace-Makers yet God so accepted his Religious intent that his Kingdom was confirmed to him and his and a Promise is made of that Everlasting Throne to be Established in his Seed § 5. David after this overthrew the Philistins and demolished their strong City of Gath which was their Frontier Town at the entrance into Iudah and Ephraim from whence they made their incursions and thither retreated and was therefore called in the Text the Bridle of Amgar After this he gave them 4 Overthrows of which see 2 Sam. 21.17 But the Conquest of Moah and the Arabian Wars came between Of Moab he slew two parts and saved a third to till the ground yet the occasion is uncertain only Moses for bad them to seek their peace From thence to Syria Zoba against Hadadezer § 6. David overthrew Hadadezer going to inlarge his Borders to Euphrates which purpose for Euphrates cannot be understood of David who upon this Victory and winning of Damascus upon it had a fair way and help of Chariots and Horses now won sit for such a Journey if he had intended it all which notwithstanding he returned to Ierusalem This purpose is better referred to Hadadezer Next hereto followed the Victory against the Ammonites and their Confederates with the severe Revenge David took for the Affront Hanun shewed his Ambassadors But before Rabba afterwards called Philadelphia was Besieged David gain'd another great Victory over the Aramites brought to Helam by Adadezer out of Mesopotamia from whence yet David proceeded not to Euphrates § 7. David 's Troubles in his Reign § As Victories beget Security and Prosperity Forgetfulness of former Misery and many times of God himself the giver of all Goodness so it fell out with this good King For being free from dangerous and apparent Enemies he began to indulge Human Affections as we see in his Carriage towards Vriah and his Wife forgetting the zealous care which formerly he had to please God in the precise keeping of his Commandments After this he fell by degrees from the highest Happiness and his Days were filled with inter-changeable Joys and Woes and the Sword never departed from his House Then followed the death of the Adulterous Child Incestuous Rape of Thamar Murder of Amnon Insurrection Usurpation Incest and Death of Absalom the Treachery of Ziba the Affront front of Shimei the Insolence of Ioab the Rebellion of Sheba the Murder of Amasa c. The
visit those parts in Rehoboam's days before they were sent for Thadimor Ioseph held to be Palmyra in the Desart of Syria to the North-East of Libanus the utmost Border of Solomon's Dominion which Ierom calls Thermeth and by Adrian Rebuilt and called Adrianopolis He also Repaired and Peopled the Towns Hiram refused and made his first and only Journey in Syria Zobah to establish his Tributes and then visited all the Borders of his Dominions from Palmyrena in the North to Eziongaber and Eloth in the South upon the Red-Sea § 3. Solomon from Eziongaber sent a Fleet to Ophir an Island of the Molucca's in East-India from whence he received 430 Talents of Gold all Charges defrayed Of the word Tharsis see before lib. 1. c. 8. § 9 10. Pineda dreamt Ophir was in the Cades or Calis-Malis his Country in Spain of old called Turtessus whereto the next way by the Mediterranean was hindred by the great Atlantick Island exceeding all Africa swallowed up and choaking the Streights with Mad like his Dream of Ionas's Whale which in 3 days swam about all Africa into the Red-Sea to cast him up 12000 Miles in compass Solomon's Chariots Horsemen daily Provision Wisdom c. See 1 Kings 4.10 with 2 Chron. 9. § 4. Solomon 's Fall and term of Life § Solomon forgetting what the Lord Commanded as he had plenty of all other things so of Wives even of Idolatrous Nations 1 Kings 11.1 2. prohibited whereupon they turned his heart after other Gods for which the Lord punish'd him with Enemies in his Age and rent his Kingdom from his Son as he threatned 1 Kings 11. Touching his Age it is conjectur'd by his Father's Actions whose Conquests were ended before he wan Rabba when Solomon was not Born So that half of David's Reign being spent at the time of vanquishing the Ammonites Solomon's Birth must fall after David's 20 Years and above a Year it could not be seeing Rehoboam's Age at Solomon's death compared with the many heavy things which befell David after and that David in his Charge to Solomon speaketh as to a Man grown though Solomon at Nineteen Years old speaking to the Lord about his weighty Charge might well call himself a Charge Some time after Ammon forced Thamar and two Years after was slain by Absolom who fied to Geshur where he abode three Years yet saw not his Father's face for two years How long after he brake into Rebellion is uncertain which seemeth to be the 30 th Year of David's Reign but the 40 th Year after his Anointing as those words 2 Sam. 15.7 may well be taken Which 40 Iosephus Theodoret and the Latin Translation read 4 Years to wit from Absolom's Return § 5. Solomon's Writings In his Proverbs he teacheth good Life and correcting the contrary In Eccles. the Vanity of Humane Nature In the Canticles he singeth the Epithalamion of Christ and his Church The Book of Wisdom the best Learned make us think it none of his and Kimchi ascribeth the 3 other to Isaiah the Prophet Iosephus also tells us of his own Invention rather than truly that Solomon wrote Books of Enchantments But certainly so strange an Example of Human Frailty was never read of that a Man endowed with Wisdom by God himself in honour of whom and for his Service he built the first and most glorious Temple of the World was made King not by Law but the Love of God and became the Wisest Richest and Happiest of all Kings did in the end by perswasion of weak wretched Idolatrous Women forget and forsake the Lord of all the World and giver of all goodness of which he was more liberal to him than to any that ever the World had § 6. Solomon's Contemporaries were Agelaus in Corinth Labotes in Lacedâ—monia Silvius Alba over the Latins Leosthenes in Assyria Argastus and after Archippus in Athens Baliastrus succeeded Hiram in Tyre others put Bozorius between Sesac after Vaphres in Egypt whom Eusebius calls Smerides and others by other Names CHAP. XV. Solomon's Successors to Jehoram The Kingdom divided REhoboam succeeded his Father but was not so Wise as to resolve the People's Petition without Counsel nor yet to discern of Councils which is the very best of Wisdom in Princes and all others for though he consulted with grave advised Men yet he was Transported by his Favourites who ignorant of the nature of Severity which without the Temper of Clemency is Cruelty it self thrust him on to threaten an Increase of what was unsupportable already ignorant also that Severity is to be used for the Help and not for the Hurt of Subjects These foolish Parasites could better judge of the King's disposition which Learning was sufficient for to enable them to the Places they held This Answer of Rehoboam set forward Ieroboam's designs and the Prophecie of Ahijah as the sequel shewed for the People at once chose Ieroboam and after the manner of all Rebels forgetting Duty to God and Bonds of Nature renounced all interest in David the Honour of their Nation and murder the Officers sent to appease them After this Rehoboam intended Wars upon them but was stayed by the Prophet from God Ieroboam fortified himself and to prevent re-uniting by communion in Religion impiously set up a new Worship learn'd in Egypt expelling the Levites Thus by irreligious Policy he founded that Idolatry which rooted Israel out of the Land at last neither could he be stayed by the Prophet that foretold his Advancement nor Miracle upon his own hand This point of Policy must be made good though it cast off God and the Religion of his Fathers Whereunto an Italian Historian compares the Policy of his Nation in making good the State they have gotten by what means soever as if God would not oppose it Upon this ground Amos must not Prophecie at Bethel it is the King 's Court. Iehu will upon this ground maintain the Worship of Calves and Hen. IV of France change Religion c. whom yet the Protestants whom he forsook never hurt as the Papists did whom he followed But of the wretched end of such Policy all these are notable Examples § 2. Rehoboam 's Impiety Punishment End and Contemporaries § Rhehoboam Fortified his Cities as well against Egypt as Ieroboam and then forsook the Lord 1 Kings 14. and 1 Chron. 11. But in his Fifth Year Sesac of Egypt who favoured Ieroboam taught him how weak Fortifications are where God watcheth not the City Sesac brought with him the Lybeans Cusits of Arabia and Succaeans which were not the Troglodits spoken of by Pliny and Ptolomy as Iunius judgeth These were 600 Miles from the best of Egypt and were in the 22 d degree North from the Line too far for such an occasion The Succaeans were rather Arabian Egyptians as the Ichthyophagy in Ptolomy between the Mountains Alabastrine and the Red-Sea when this powerful Sesâ—c wan Ierusalem and other Cities of Iuda and added to the Spoil of them the Temple and
the King's House and the Egyptian Kings after claimed Sovereignty of Iuda After 17 Years Reign Rehoboam died and Ieroboam out-lived him 4 Year Tersippus in Athens Doristus in Sparta Priminas in Corinth Sylvius Alys over the Latins Periciades in Assyria and Abdastrartus in Tyre whom his foster-Foster-Brother Murdered and Usurped 12 Year but Astartus Son of Baleaster recovered the Kingdom from them § 3. Abia succeeded Rehoboam in his Kingdom and Vices yet God was pleased to give him the Victory over Ieroboam of whose Subjects he slew 500000 though he suffered his Father to be vanquished by Sesac the Egyptian not for want of Strength but Wisdom and Carriage which God giveth when and where it pleaseth him Who by the Affinity by which Solomon thought to assure his Estate the Lord brake it in his next Successor And tho' then God used to shew the Causes of such Judgments by his Prophets yet is he the same just God to raise and throw down Kings and Estates for the same Offences And those Afflictions of Israel and the Courses thereof are set down for Presidents to succeeding Ages As the Famin for Saul's Cruelty David's Calamities for Vriah Solomon's loss of Ten Tribes for Idolatry Rehoboam for Idolatry and Sodomy in the Land Ieroboam Ioram Ahab Iesabel The like Judgments are executed daily for the like Offences though Men wise in the World raise these effects no higher than to second Causes § 4. Asa after three years succeeded Abijah who reformed Religion and prospered He overthrew Zerah and his 100000 Men c. That Zerah was an Arabian not an Aethiopian was proved before But after he fell to rely on Man and hired Benhadad against Baasha not relying upon the Assistance of God he fell to persecute the Prophet which reproved him and to oppress the People for which God plagued him There lived at the same time Agesilaus and Bacis of Corinth Astartus and Astarlaius Kings of Tyre Alys and Capis Kings of the Latins Ophrateus in Assyria Tersippus and Phorbas in Athens Chemmis in Egypt whom Cheops succeeded and Reigned Fifty six years to the sixteenth of Ioas Baasa King of Israel began in the Third year of Asa and Reigned Twenty four years which was about the Twenty sixth Year of Asa so that his Attempt against Asa 2 Chron. 16.1 was the 26th of Asa but the 36th of the Kingdom of Iuda called Asa's because he there Reigned in it Consider that Rehoboam Reigned seventeen years Abijah three and Asa Forty one in whose Three Baasan began so the Thirty sixth year of Iuda's Kingdom fell in the Sixteenth year of Asa. § 5. The Alterations in the Kingdom of Israel in the Reign of Asa might have reduced the Ten Tribes to the House of David if God had not determined the contrary Ieroboam lost 500000 Nadab his Son in two years lost his Life and Kingdom so that of his Fathers Worldly Wisdom to Establish a Kingdom in his Posterity nothing remained but the hateful Memory that he made Israel to sin Baasa rooting out Ieroboam's House yet imbraced his Idolatry which drew the same Sentence of God's Wrath upon him and his Family and tho' he thought it Wisdom to Fortify his Kingdom which he found weakened by Asa by making League with Benhadad yet God turned his Wisdom into Foolishness and by the same Hand destroyed Nephtalim Ela Son of Baasha succeeded and was slain by Zimri who wanting strength to defend himself against Omri had Courage enough to burn himself in Terza Omri by the Peoples Division was a while opposed by Tibni but prevailed § 6. Israel thus afflicted under those unhappy Princes it is a wonder that the People returned not to their ancient Kings and reunited not to those Two Mighty Tribes but they still continued in grievous oppressions of the Factious Usurpers and Competitors and under the revenging hand of God for their defection To say God's secret Will was such was not reason either to the Ten Tribes not to return nor to Abijah after he had so weakned Israel not to perfect his Conquest for though his Father was restrained expresly by the Lord yet was not he We may then boldly look into two Causes First Why the People bore so quietly the slaughter of Nadab and interpretation of Ieroboam their own chosen King and revenged the death of Ela Son of Baasa an Usurper It is therefore probable that the People by defection from Rehoboam seeking ease of former Burthens found Ieroboam and his Son to retain some Kingly Prerogatives which had been grievous to them under Solomon which Baasa had forborn and reduced the form of Civil Government to a more temperate Method which much pleased them Secondly the same may be the Reason they returned not to the House of David whose Scepter they found so heavy under Solomon and were threatned by his Son with more burthen They had seen Ioab and Shimei slain without all form of Judgment Adonijah without Cause as Ieroboam should have been which lawless Power grew more barbarous in Iehoram Manases c. As for the Kings of Israel we find no such arbitrary proceeding for even Iezabel kept the form judicial against Naboth And well it may be though Ieroboam had established a Law against the Prophets of God which the Idolatrous People approved by which Law Iezabel slew so many This difference of Power Arbitrary and according to Law made the People of Iudah less affectionate to their Princes than the Israelites who were accustomed not to kill their Kings as the Iudeans did but revenged when they were able such as were slain by Usurpers The like moderation of Kingly Prerogatives in the Government of England gained such affection of the People as never any perish'd by the Fury of the People whose heat in greatest Insurrection was extinguished with the blood of some great Officers Let not Monarchs fear straitning of their Absoluteness by mighty Subjects as long as by their Wisdom they keep the hearts of the People who will be sure to come in on their side As Briarius with his hundred hands assisted Iupiter when all the Gods conspired against him For a good Form of Government is sufficient of it self to retain the People not only without assistance of a laborious Wit but even against all devices of the shrewdest Politicians every Sheriff and Constable being sooner able to arm the Multitude in the King's behalf than any over-weening Rebel against him Princes immediately assign'd by God or getting Command by strong hand have presumed of more Absolute Prerogatives than Kings Chosen and the People which thought Obedience to Princes a part of Duty to God will endure much more with patience than others who have Kings of their own chusing § 7. Iehosaphat a Religious Happy Prince succeeded Asa whose Forces of Men of War were 1160000 by which he recovered his Tributes from the Arabians and Philistins besides his own Garisons yet his Country did not exceed the County of Kent
Subjects against their Fellows whose Cause might well be favour'd by many who yet durst not discover themselves being unarmed as they might when Weapons were put into their Hands So desperate is the Condition of Tyrants who think it a greater Happiness to be Feared than Loved yet are oblig'd to fear those whose Love would make them dreadful to others § 4. Iehoram taking no notice of God's displeasure by these Afflictions was threatned by a Prophetical Writing sent to him being such a Tyrant as the Prophets durst not reprove him to his Face as they had done many of his Predecessors bad as well as good but they writ to him keeping themselves from him Elias being Translated might have left this Writing or as some conjecture by mistaking in Writing one Letter for another Elias is put for Elisha c. The Accomplishment of the Prophecy proved as terrible as the Sentence when the Philistins which from David's days durst never look out brake in upon him c. with the Arabians a naked People on Horse-back of no Force dwelling in a Barren Desert So that the one quarter of those whom Iehosaphat Mustered had been able to repel greater Forces than both these Enemies could raise had the Iudean People been Armed as by their Prince's Jealousy they were not according to the Policy of the Philistins in the days of Saul The House of Iehoram which they surprised seemeth rather a Country House than in Ierusalem considering they made no further Ravages It is probable all Iehoram's Children were not now slain considering the Slaughters made after by Iehu and Athaliah within two years Lastly himself after two years Torment voided his Guts c. And as the People had small cause of comfort in his Life so they observed not the decency of pretending Sorrow for his Death neither had he the Honour of his Ancestors Burial though his Son Succeeded and his Wife did all Athaliah busie in Plotting her own Greatness and providing trusty Counsellors for her Son thought it unreasonable to offend the Eyes of the People with a magnificent Funeral of a Man by them detested and chose rather to let the Blame of past Actions lie upon the Dead than by doing him Honour to procure an ill Opinion of her self and Children which it now concerned her to avoid Such is the quality of Wicked Instigators to charge the Man whose Evil Inclination they corrupted by sinister Counsel not only with his own Vice but with their Faults also when once he is gone and can profit them no longer Thus we may clearly see how the corrupted Affections of Men impugning the Revealed Will of God accomplish nevertheless his hidden Purpose and without miraculous means confound themselves in the seeming Wise Devices of their own Folly All Men may likewise learn to submit their Judgments to the Ordinance of God rather than to follow Worldly Wisdom contrary to his Commandments § 5. Ahaziah succeeded his Father in the Twelfth year of Iehoram King of Israel and was guided by the same Spirits that had been his Father's Evil Angels Touching his Age 2 Chron. 22.2 a Point more difficult than important I see not a more probable Conclusion than that of Torniellus's mentioning an Edition of the Seventy at Rome Anno. 1588 which saith he was Twenty years old when he succeeded and the Annotations thereon which cite other Copies which give him two years more c. He accompanied Iehoram King of Israel to Ramoth Gilead and returneth home after the Battle and presently took a new Journey to visit Iehoram It seems his speedy return to Ierusalem was not pleasing to Athaliah as interrupting her in her Plots who therefore sought to oblige him abroad if it were but in a vain Complement to visit one whom he had seen but yesterday But however these things may seem accidental yet all concurred as disposed at this time to fulfil the high pleasure of God yea Athaliah's secret Plots which intended nothing less § 6. Ahaziah and that Family perished with the House of Ahab § Iehu is anointrd King and made Executioner of the Sentence of God against the House of Ahab according to the Prophecy of Elias and is proclaimed by all the other Captains He having this Honour upon the sudden thrown upon him was not slow in the heat of their Affections to put himself in possession and to set on foot the Business which so nearly concerned him and not to be retarded being no more his own than God's Ahab's House never so flourished having Seventy Princes of the Blood a valiant King honoured with the Victory of Ramoth Gilead so deeply Allied with Iudah and Courted by the King and so many Princes of his Blood that it might discourage all common Enemies and make Rebellious Enterprises hopeless In this Security and Joy of the Court for the King's Recovery and Entertainment of the Princes of Iudah the King his Court and Friends are suddainly surprized and slain neither could Iezebel's Painted Majesty nor Man-like Spirit with untimely brave Apothegms terrify her Adversary who of her Servant became her Lord at whose Command her base Grooms feared not to violate her affected Majesty Ahaziah is also wounded to Death CHAP. XVII Of Athaliah and Ioash that succeeded her § 1. AThaliah Vsurpeth and upon what pretences § Ahaziah being dead after one Years Reign his House was not able to retain the Kingdom 2 Chron. 22.9 which Speech hath bred the question of Ioash's Pedigree Athaliah having Reigned under her Sons Name had laid the Plot to play the Queen under her own Title if her Son fail'd and to that end had furnished the King Councel and Places of Chief Command with Men fittest for her purposes And though Ambition be violent yet seldom is it so shameless as to neglect Beauty It is not therefore improbable to think that Athaliah seeing the Royal Blood so wasted in her Husband and Son's days had by some means drawn her Husband or Son to make her Heir if the King's Blood should be extinct considering that without some such order taken when the King's Blood fail'd the Kingdom were like to be torn in sunder by Competitors or some Popular Seditious Man should be chosen that would subvert all regularity and exercise his Cruelty on such as they loved most and cast aspersions on the Royal House Pretence of Testaments to thrust out true Heirs is no new thing Yea what is new under the Sun To prefer a younger before the natural Heir hath proof in David and for State-Policy to slay a Brother by example of Solomon c. And though these had ground of their doings yet they which follow Examples which please them will neglect the Reasons which please them not Solomon slew Adonijah which had Rebelled and was entred a new practice Iehoram slew his Brethren better than he David purchased the Crown yet he gave it by God's direction when as Ahaziah sought to cut off David's Issue which the Lord had appointed
to Reign 2 Chron. 23.3 § 2. Iehu had so much business in establishing his own Kingdom that he could not molest Athaliah as he desired she being of Ahab's House Among other things about Religion he destroyed Baal's Priests and though never King of Israel had such a way to overthrow Ieroboam's Idolatry seeing he needed not fear the Peoples return to David's House in appearance quite rooted out and had his Calling by an unexpected Favour of God and for his Zeal against Baal had a special promise for Four Generations yet he wou'd needs piece out God's Providence with his own Circumspection He had no doubt displeased many about Baal and should offend more in taking away Ieroboam's ancient Idolatry yet all these never thought of making him King if God had not done it when more difficulties appeared in getting them now than in keeping them though with their offence whom he sought to retain by forsaking God This Ingratitude of Iehu drew terrible vengeance from God on Israel executed by Hazael according to Elisha's Prophesie 2 Kings 8.12 with 10.32 Thus Israel succeeded under Iehu whose carriage and success was better in murthering his Master that trusted him than in defending his People from Cruel Enemies And thus it commonly falls out that they which can find all difficulties in serving him to whom nothing is difficult instead of finding what they propound by contrary Courses overwhelm themselves with troubles they sought not and are by God whom they first forsook left unto the miserable Labours of their own blind Understanding and Wisdom wherein they reposed all their Confidence § 3. Athaliah's Government by Israel's Calamities stood the safer she having leisure to settle it It is probable also she held Correspondence with Hazael as King Asa had done and had secured her self by Gifts having robbed the House of God for Baalim whose Idolatry she set out with Pomp to recommend it to the People as she sought by want of means to make the Service of the Sanctuary neglected § 4. Ioash's preservation was by means of Iehoshabeth Ahaziah's Sister and Wife unto Iehojada the High-Priest the upholder of God's Service in those unhappy times By her Piety it seemeth she was not Athaliah's Daughter yet had she access to the Court and conveyed the young Child with her Nurse into the Temple where he was secretly brought up that the Tyranness could not discover it and thought it not fit to make much ado about him but rather let it be thought he was dispatched with the rest lest the People hearing of his escape should hearken after Innovation § 5. Athatiah had acted as Queen above 6 Year without molestation when suddenly the Period of her Glory and Reward of her Wickedness met together and the young Princes Age required no longer to be concealed for his better Education to fit him with Courage and Qualities proper for a King and to prevent the over-deep rooting of Impiety by the longer Reign of that Cursed Woman Iehojada wisely considered this and combined with Five Captains of whom he was best assured by whom he drew over other great Men to Ierusalem And because it was difficult to draw open Forces together he gave order to the Levites which waited by course in the Temple that they should not return home 'till they knew his further pleasure Thus admitting new Comers and retaining the old he secretly gathered together a competent number to encounter the Queens Guard and furnished them out of the Armory of the Temple which King David had made with which also he armed the Captains and their Followers c. All things being in readiness they proceed to the Execution and the young King is joyfully Crowned and the Tyranness Usurper coming in desperately without Forces ignorant of the business ended her own Tragedy with a sudden and shameful death Iosephus's Report of her coming with her Power which were repelled c. is not credible though all the Forces she could bring could not frustrate the Council of God yet her Indiscretion made the effect more easie § 6. Athaliah had no doubt considered Iehoram King of Israel's rashness casting himself into the gaping Gulf of danger yet her self is by the like Bait drawn into the same Trap and as she lived like Iezebel so was she rewarded with her These two Queens were in many things alike each Daughter Wife and Mother to a King each over-ruled her Husband was an Idolater Ambitious Murderous each slain by Conspiring Subjects suddenly c. We read not what became of Athaliah's Sons her Sacrilegious Imps which robbed the Temple c. CHAP. XVIII Of Joash Amaziah and their Contemporaries § 1. JOASH about Seven Year Old began to Reign under the protection of Iehojada during his Minority When he came to Age he took two Wives by Iehojada's Advice repairing David's Family almost worn out The first Act he took in hand after he Ruled without a Protector was the reparation of the Temple which had been his Sanctuary which he followed with much Zeal § 2. Iehojada the Priest being 130 Year Old died before his Country could have spared him and was buried among the Kings as he well deserved This Honour seemeth to have come from the People for the King had soon forgot him as one eased of Debt and was easily flattered by the Princes so that he quickly forgot his old well-deserving Counsellor yea God himself Author of all Goodness He which had 30 Years shewed Zeal to restore true Religion and root out Idolatry which had been growing some 16 Years was easily drawn to fall away when he perceived his Princes Inclinations and being once entred that course he ran headlong as one who thought Liberty the only Token of a King no longer to endure the sower Admonitions of Devout Priests Hereby it appears he which had been so long among the Devout as Saul among the Prophets was not of them but like an Actor upon the Stage had counterfeited to express more Zeal and lively Affection than they could do which were truly Religious Iehoahaz Son of Iehu King of Israel Reign'd 17 Years from the 23 d of Ioash King of Iudah § 3. Ioash having broken loose from God is given over to Men not so easily shaken off for Hazael King of Aram returning from Gath set on toward Ierusalem which forc'd Ioash to buy his Peace with all the Treasure he could make Holy or Common yet he never enjoyed Peace with Hazael who sent a small Army after and destroyed his Princes and ravag'd his Country Many might be the Motives to excite Hazael against Iudah he had an experienc'd Army Iudah had assisted Israel at Ramoth and the Journey from Gath to Ierusalem short yet it is probable that the Sons of Athaliah encouraged him with hope of a great Party to be drawn by them of such as favoured them otherwise it is improbable that Hazael would have awaked a sleeping Enemy However it were it was of God who knoweth how to prefer
what was ordinary to himself and scorned to be checked by a Prophet having before lost One Hundred Talents by one of them without any Benefit From this proud Contempt of God and Conceit of his own Sufficiency little Inferior to David he challenged Ioash King of Israel and upon occasion of the late Wrongs done by his Subjects perhaps required Subjection of the Ten Tribes by Right from his Ancestors David and Solomon Had he only required Satisfaction It may be Ioash would not have returned such an Answer as argueth an Insolent proud Challenge Ajax's Father wished him the Victory by the Gods assistance He answered that Cowards got Victory so but he would have it without them after which proud Speech and many valiant Acts upon some disgrace he fell Mad and killed himself Amaziah's Thoughts were like Parents of like words and he might as well have said he had the Victory without God which made him insolently challenge Ioash as if he were able to encounter a valiant Leader and People trained up in a long Victorious War because he had defeated the weak broken Edomites As his first Counsel among his Parasites to defy Ioash was foolish so was his proceeding which was carelessness in providing and preventing in both which his Adversaries took the start and prevented Amaziah with a brave Army in his own Country to save him the labour of a long March This sudden Invasion much discouraged Iudah who having devoured Israel in their greedy hopes saw themselves disappointed and their own Estates seized by the others This Issue was that Amaziah was taken and was led in Triumph to Ierusalem which to save his Life he basely procured to be opened to the Conqueror who made a large breach in the Wall at which he rid in made what Spoil he thought fit and departed § 9. Ioash King of Israel being in Possession of Ierusalem it may be marvelled why he seized not upon the whole Kingdom especially considering he might think the Kingdom was not tyed to the House of David as appeared in Athaliah and that the Iudaeans were liklier to endure his Government being such a Conqueror and descended of Kings of which Iehu was Anointed from God I need not add the Commodities growing by Union of these two Kingdoms neither read we of any special Prohibition to him but it appears Ioash minded not the Kingdom for then he would not have aimed at such a Triumph and Entrance at a Breach which is one of the greatest Affronts to Citizens but would have entred at a Gate with fair Intreaty of a People rather yielding than vanquished he would also have forborn the Spoil especially of the Sanctuary which the People prefer to their Lives and in forbearing whereof he had won the Opinion of Piety as the Sacrilege upon the House of their God and his branded him with a Mark of extraordinary Prophaneness who by execrable Church-Robbery became odious and lost the Inheritance of the whole Orchard by stealing a few fair Apples The Citizens provoked by these Indignities after a few days would gather Spirit to conceive the Enemy was of their Mould and that themselves were not disarmed were a great multitude had Provision and such advance of Place as Armed Women and Children and considering the Evils grown and like to encrease by former Cowardize would grow to a desperate Resolution to correct the first Errors Upon these grounds it is certain that great Towns entred by Capitulation are not so easily held as entred as Charles VIII th of France found at Florence which made him come to Terms when he saw the Citizens Resolution rather to hazard all than to submit to his intollerable Conditions being now entred the Town Besides Ioash might consider how hardly he could make good his Possession against the Army of Iudah rather terrified than broken and lastly Ioash having had the Three Victories against Aram promised by the Prophet he should not expect a perpetual Success against them and therefore thought it best to return home with the best Security he could for conveying his rich cumbersom Booty and to make head against the Aramites who in his Absence had taken the Advantage and given Israel such a Blow as he could never recover taking therefore Hostages for his quiet Passage he returned home § 10. Amaziah who threatned to work wonders and raise again the Empire of David was stript of his Lions Skin and appeared nothing so terrible a Beast as he had been painted and became an Argument of scoffing to many as the Shame which falls on an Insolent Man seldom fails of much Reproach Governours are commonly blamed by the Multitude for the Calamities which befall them though by the Peoples default but every Child could see the Root of all this Mischief in this Bastard which having provoked a valiant Adversary for Fear betrayed the City opened unto him by this base intreaty to save his Life which his Brutal Father would not do which he redeemed at so dear a rate as the Spoil of City and Temple which might easily have been saved by a little delay which would have forced Ioash faster home than he came out hearing of the Aramites and a little Courage in that space recover'd would have perswaded him to leave his Baggage behind him had not this good King given Hostages for a Convoy That this punishment and dishonour brought him back to God appeareth not but the contrary by the Reason of the Conspiracy Related by the Holy Ghost He which tells a Man in Adversity of his sins past shall sooner be thought to upbraid him with his present Fortune than to seek his Reformation which might make the Priest and Prophets little welcome to him On the other side his Flatterers which sought to raise up his Heart of which themselves might always be Masters wanted no plausible Matter and he was not the first Noble Commander which hath been foiled as David himself abandoned Ierusalem to Absalom Sesac was sent into the City as well as Ioash the Temples Pillaging had been excused by Necessity of State his Captivity excuseth his Command to open the City but they which opened it were to blame knowing he was not his own Master when he commanded it his Captivity was his Honour who might have escaped by Fight as others did which betrayed him by running away while he fought to incourage them by his Example yet his Mischance saved Thousands while the Enemy wisely preferred the surprize of a Lyon before the Chase of an Army of Stags which followed him These or the like Speeches might have satisfied Men if the King had studied to please God but as he still neglected the Favour of God so after this he out-living his Honour Fifteen Years recovered no Love of his Subjects by his Government but increased their Hatred to his Ruine He which thinketh himself less Honoured than he deserveth in his own Opinion will force his Authority to be esteemed a severe Man that by affected Sowerness
moved disdain that they could not agree to submit unto him 'till some principal of them were dead every Man of them in the mean time holding what he could c. This Anarchy lasted about 23 Years from the 11 th Year of Vzziah when Ieroboam died unto the 38 th of the same Vzziah in the which Zechariah entred and sate 6 Months And though some suppose Ieroboam to Reign 11 Years with his Father and to cut off so much of this Inter-regnum yet they leave 12 Years but I prefer the former as best agreeing with the Reign of other Princes and not extend Ieroboam's Reign and Life as this doth Zechariah the Son of Ieroboam the last of Iehu's Line after 6 Months Reign was by Sallum slain fulfilling the 4 Generations following to Iehu yet not warranting Sallum to slay him as Iehu had been against Iehoram Thus Ieroâ—oam's Captains were grown so headstrong that they neither indured his Son nor one another so that in 14 Years their Reigned five Kings Sallum after 1 Month's Reign in Samaria was slain by Menahem Mâ—nahem of Tyrza Reigned 10 Years a Cruel Persecutor of Sallum's Friends In his time came Pull the Assyrian whom he pacified with a Thousand Talents of Silver and so was confirmed in his Kingdom against such as opposed him Pekahiah succeeded his Father 2 Years in the Year of Azariah King of Iudah Peka the Son of Remaliah slew Pekahia and Reigned 20 Years § 2. Vzziah whose Succession had been endangered by the hatred to his Father but by Holy Men brought up and advanced as was Ioash and had his Holy Zechariah under whose direction he prospered as Ioash under good Iehojada But as Ioash after his Tutor's death so Vzziah after his Zechariah forgetting the Law of God which had separated the Priest's Office from the King 's would needs usurp the same for which presumption being reprov'd by Azariah the Priest the Lord seconded the just reprehension and struck the King with Leprosie Thus he which presumed to draw near the Holiest was cast from among common Men. Iosephus enlargeth this History and reports of an Earthquake which some mistake for that in Amâ—s which was in Ieroboam the 2 ds days long before Vzziah § 2. Contemporaries with Vzziah Among the small Prophets Hosea Ioel Amos Obadiah and Ionas lived with Uzziah if Hierom's Rule hold to range a Prophet whose time is not expressed with the next before then Ioel and Obadiah are of this time Ionas seems to me the first that foretelleth Ieroboam's Victory and Prophecied of Christ rather by Sufferings than Writing now extant whereas all the other Prophets have express Promises of the Messias Esaiah also now prophecied writ much with excellency both of Stile and Argument foretelleth the Birth Miracles and Passion of our Saviour with calling of the Gentiles more like an History of things past than a Prophecy of things to come as Hierom saith Bochoris had Reigned in Egypt 10 Years when Vzziah entred Asychis succeeded then Anysis whom Sabacus succeeded 50 Year of which the 10 first were with Vzziah Ariphron's 2 last Years of 20. Thespeus 27. Aganestor's 20. and Aeschylus's 3 first of his 23 in Athens ended with Vzziah so did the 7 last of Sylvius Aventinus's 37. with 23 of Sylvius Procas and the first of Sylvius Amulius 22 in Alba. In Media Arbaces began his new Kingdom with Vzziah and held it 28. and Sosarmus his Son 30 Year § 4. Arbaces having taken Ninive utterly ruined it to transfer the Empire to the Medes as he had promised he also made his Partakers Rulers of Provinces retaining only the Sovereignty yet with such moderation as neither offended the Princes his Assistants nor the generality of the People For calling Belosus into question for Embezling the Treasure he referred his Condemnation to the Captains and then pardoned him and gave him the Province of Babylon with the Treasure He also â—â—eed the Persians and Bactrians as he promised and so weaken'd his Sovereignty so that in time the Assyrian incroached upon some Towns of the Medes and extended it self to Israel but when the Assyrian cast off the Mede's Yoak is uncertain As also when Babylon and Ninive became subject to one The Opinion current 'till of late is according to Metastenus in Annius That â—elosus called also Phut Belosus and in Scripture Pul or Phul Reigning 42 Years in Babylon got part of Assyria into his hand and left it to Tiglaâ— Pileser his Son and his Posterity 'till Merodach prevailed This Tradition though Annius's Authors be suspected is justified by Circumstances in other Authors as Belosus enjoying Babylon Dâ—â—dorus relates and no Authors speak of any special Governour of Assyria neither stood it with Policy to set a particular King in Assyria whâ—n to prevent the riâ—ing again thereof Ninive was ruined and the Inhabitants transplanted Upon the like Considerations Roâ—e destroyed Carthage and Capua being Towns Capable of Empire c. It is not then to be thought that Ninive and the Assyrianâ— could rise in three or four Years by any oâ—her tâ—â—n Beâ—osus so near a Neighbour and of so rich a Province for Hâ—rodotus esteemed it for Richâ—s and Powâ—r as the third part of the Perâ—iâ—â— Empire who aâ—so joyned the Treasure found in the Palace of Ninâ—ve § 5. The Olympian Games were restored by Iphylus in the Fifty fiâ—st of Vzziah The first Founder of them was Hercules and were so called of the City Olympia or Pisa near Elis a City in Peloponesus near the River Aâ—pheus where Iupiter had a Temple reputed one of the Worlds Wonders These Games were exercised after every Four years end which were discontinâ—ed loâ—g until the days of Iphitus when Lycurgus lived and continued in Greece 'till the Reign of Theodosius saith Cedrenus or to Constantine after others Varro held all Grecian Stories Fabulous before these but Pliny esteemeth none true before the Fifty fifth Olympiad when Cyrus began to Reign Many seek to find the Years of the World when they began but can set down no certainty others seek it from Troy's Fall more uncertain than they The certainty of things following the Olympiads teacheth to find their beginning to which use Eratosthenes hath set down the years ensuing unto the death of Alexander from the Olympian Institution Four Hundred fifty three years So for placing their beginning the 51st of Vzziah we have Cyrus's Reign to prove it being the first of the Fifty fifth Olympiad So Alexander's death the First year of the 144 th Olympiad So the Eclipse when Xerxes mustered at Sardis the last of the Sixty fourth Olympiad or the Two Hundred Sixty Seventh year of Nabonassar which leads us back to Xerxes and so to Cyrus whence we have Seventy Years to the destruction of Ierusalem and so through the Reigns of the Kings of Iudah to Vzziah's 51st The Solemnity was such by concourse from all the Greeks their Exercise was all bodily Feats and the Reward a Garland of
Palm or Olive so that the choice Orators Poets and Musicians resorted thither to shew their skill in setting out his Praise that won the Garland with such Vanity said Tully as if it had been a Conquest of a Province The time of the year was the Fifteenth of Hecatobaeon our Iune whereto they brought the Full Moon § 6. Iotham Twenty Five years old succeeded his Father Vzziah in his life time and reigned 26 years happy in all things as he was Devout and Virtuous 2 King 15.33 Contemporaries Aucomenus succeeded Pelesteus in Corinth whom Annual Magisteus succeeded contrary to Pausan. Aesculus in Athens Accamenes in Sparta Tiglath Pileser in Assyria Twenty five years and Two with his Son Twenty Seven in all Nahum the Prophet now fore-told the destruction of Ninive One Hundred and Fifty years beforehand Sosarmus and Medidus succeeded Arbaces in Media the Second and Third Kings there § 7. Achas succeeded in Iudah one year with Iotham in the Seventeenth year of Peka he was Twentâ— years old and Reigned Sixteen years an exceeding Idolater Sacrificing his Sons to Moloch or Saturn after the manner of the Heathens used of old Levit. 18. Deut. 12. by many Nations and at this day by the Americans as Acosta witnesseth c. God raised â—im Enemies on all sides so that when he saw his dead Gods failed him yet neglecting the living God he sought Aid of Tiglath Pileser who embraced the Advantage to go through with what his Father entred but had no leisure to finish it He therefore invaded Syria and won Damascus all Israel made Iudah Tributary though Achaz had hired him Contemporaries the Ephori in Lacedemon 130 years after Lycurgus opposed to Kings as the Tribunes in Rome against Consuls Alcamenon in Athens the last Governour for Life after which followed a Magistrate for Ten years Sylvii of Aeneas's Race ended after Three Hundred Years Romulus now built Rome the Eighth of Achaz the First of the Seventh Olympiad CHAP. XX. Of Italy and Rome's Foundation in Ahaz's time § 1. ITALY before the Fall of Troy was known to the Greeks by the names of Hesperia Ausonia Oenotria of a Colony of Arcadians and Italy of Italus Reyneccius derives the Name rather from a Colony of Aetolians which Inhabited Brundusium from whose Names with small Change that part was called Italia which in time grew the common name saith Pliny Such change in the Aeolic Dialect is Familiar as to call an Island Peopled by Aetholians Aethalia The Original of Greeks and Latins was from Iavan who sailing over the Ionian Sea between Aetolia and the Western Ocean planted Greece and Italy Reyneccius makes Atlai Italus one which Berosus calls Cethim Italus but is deceived for Atlas is esteemed more Antient than Moses and if he were Cethim or Kithim Noah's Grand-Son his Antiquity exceeds that of Italy which Name Virgil confesseth later and from a Captain But seeing Hercules a little before Troy's Fall left a Colony of Eleans or Aetoleans it may be under the command of one called Aitolus a Name famous among Aetolians Italy might take Name of him § 2. Aborigines that is the Natives of the place Inhabited Latium whom Halycarnassus Varro and Reyneccius think to have been Arcadians who used to vaunt of their Antiquity having more constantly kept their Country in Peloponesus than other Greeks yet being fruitful sent Colonies to other Countries as when Evander was sent into the same parts of Italy Pelasgi an Antient Nation after gave Name to all Greece but such of them as came into Italy lost the Name of their Tribe in a short time Sicani Ausones Aurunci Rutili in after Ages disturbed Latium whiâ—h Satâ—rn had brought to some Civility and taught to dung the Ground That Latium took the name of Saturn's lurking there from Iupiter is far fetched and questionless a Fable yet many Fables were occasioned from some Antient Truths It may be then that Saturn hiding himself was some allusion to the old Opinion of the Wise Heathen that the true God was an unknown God to whom Paul found an Altar dedicated It cannot be in vain that the word Saturnus should also signify hidden coming of the Hebrew Satar to hide as some think c. Reyneccius proceedeth in deriving Latium from the Posterity of Iavan Inhabiting a Territory in lesser Asia called Elaitia who after the Trojan War went into Italy whence might grow Elaitinus and so Latinus c. § 3. The Latin Kings 'till Aeneas were Saturnus Picus Faunus Latinus Whether Saturnus were he whom the Greeks called Cronos e. the time of the Aborigines will admit but his Names of Stercus or Sterculius do argue him another so called of the Dungs he taught them to lay upon their ground Ezechiel often cals Idâ—ls Deos Stercoreos as Belzebul is Dominus Stercoreus c. § 4. Aeneas a Trojan of the Blood-Royal came to Latium with some 1200 Trojans and Married Laviana King Latinus's Daughter He had a Son before by his Wife Creusa Daughter of Priamus called Ascanius and Sirnamed Iulus After Aeneas's death Lavinia was great with Child by him and fearing Ascanius fled into a Wood where being Delivered the Child was called Sylvius Posthumus Bâ—t upon the Peoples disapproving of Lavinia's flight Ascanius called her home used her like a Queen and Educated her Son Ascanius to avoid dissention left the City Lavinium to Laviana and Founded Alba-Longa where he Reign'd about 30 Year and left his Son Iulus who upon contention with Sylvius whom the People favoured left the Kingdom and took the Priesthood for him and his Posterity Sylvius Posthumus Reigned 29. Sylvius Aeneas 31. Sylvius Latinus 10. Sylvius Alba 39. Sylvius Atis 36. Sylvius Capijs 28. Sylvius Capelus 13. Sylvius Tiberinus 8. Sylvius Agrippa 41. Sylvius Alladyus 19. Sylvius Aventinus 37. Sylvius Procas 23. Sylvius Amulius 44. He expelled his Elder Brother Sylvius Numitor slew his Son Aegestius and made his Daughter Ilia a Vestal-Virgin Numitor who yet either by her Uncle or some Warlike-Man conceived 2 Sons Romulus and Reineccius who in time slew Amulius and all his Family and restored Numitor in whom the Kingdom of Alba ended and received Magistrates Yet it contended with Rome 'till her Three Curiatij were vanquished by the Three Horatij Champions for Rome After this Metius the Alban Dictator following Tullus Hostilius in his War upon Tullus's disadvantage withdrew his Companies to distress Tullus for which he was torn in pieces at two Chariots and Alba Reigned but the Citizens were made free Denisons and her Nobles Patricians of Rome among whom was a Family of Iulij which hath since risen in Iulius Caesar c. § 5. Rome which devoured the Alban Kingdom and brake all the Kingdoms from Euphrates to the Western Ocean as that Alban the IV th a Beast with Iron-Teeth forespoken of cometh now to be handled only touching her Original which some seek to derive from Ianus others from the Greeks Plâ—tarch in the Life of Romulus
as Numa in Peace He made breach with the Albans but doubting the Tuscans their common Enemies would make advantage of the Dissention they put it to a Combate of three Brethren on either side Cousin Germans and of equal years and strength but the Horatij of Rome prevail'd against the Curatij and Alba where the Latins submit to Rome and Alba not long after was demolished Hyppomanes had Ruled seven years in Athens in the entrance of Manasses and the three last Governours for ten years were in his time In whose times ◠follow Halicarnasseus who professing care in matching the Grecian years with the Roman Occasions beginneth with Rome's Building the first year of the seventh Olympiad and the first of Cecrops in Athens Midas now Reigned in Phrygia c. The Scythians invaded him Syracuse in Sicily Founded by Archias Miscellus and other Corinthians Nicomedia formerly Astacus in Propontis enlarged by Zipartus's Navy of Thrace Sybilla of Samus now lived according to Pausanias Croton on the Bay of Tarentum built by Miscellus Gela in Sicily Phaselis in Pamphylia Chalcedon in Asia built by the Magerenses The Parthians expelled Lacedemon were Conducted by Phalantus into Italy where they took Tarentum CHAP. XXIV Of Ammon Josiah and the rest to the Destruction of Jerusalem § 1. AMMON Twenty two years old Succeeded two years and was as Wicked as his Father had been his Servants slew him Iosiah Eight years old succeeded Thirty one Years He sought after the God of his Father David and at Twelve years old made a worthy Reformation fulfilling the Prophecy delivered at Bethel to Ieroboam By which History it appears that Bethel and some parts of the Ten Tribes were come under the Power of Iudah either taken in by Hezechiah upon the death of Assurhaddon while the Babylonians who loved him were busie in Assyria or at Manasses's Inlargement The Babylonians not yet fit to deal with the Egyptian so far off to oblige Iudah to them were content with this Inlargement as necessary against the Egyptians This may be the Reason Manasses Fortified himself after his return which was not against the Babylonians but the Egyptians as appeared in Iosiah his opposing Necho with such earnestness as argueth a firm League with the Babylonians That Egypt's Friendship was little worth Iudah had oft found and payed for by the Assyrians and Babylonians displeasure for adhering to Egypt yet had it been a small matter upon his earnest Request to let him pass if Iosiah had not been obliged to the Babylonians by his Ancestors Covenant to Offend and Defend neither had it been Wisdom to Encounter such an Army offering no Violence Whatever moved Iosiah it is likely he forgot as the best do sometimes to ask Counsel of God and depended on the Babylonians too much which could not please God The Conclusion was that God for the Wickedness of the People took away that good King who had stayed his Hand from Revenging himself upon them whose Miseries presently insued his Death so much bewailed of all § 2. Neco Son to Psamniticus following his Fathers designs who had made entrance into Syria being assisted by the extraordinary Valor of the Greeks and knowing how Assyria stood in danger by the Power of the Medes intended with a Powerful Army to visit Euphrates and strengthen the Passages about Carchemish or further to Invade Syria Having therefore over-thrown Iosiah in his way not intending to stay the Conquest of Iudah he proceeded and took Cadytis perhaps Carchemish and became in a manner Lord of all Syria saith Iosephus particularly of the Phoenicians whom he set to Sail from the Arabian Gulf round about Africa by the Cape of good Hope In his return from Euphrates he took Ieboahaz the younger Son of Iosiah whom Ieremy calls Shallum whom the People had made King and put him in Bonds and put Eliakim in his place calling him Iehojakim and layed a Tribute on the Land but forbore the Conquest Iehoahaz was King but three Months Iehojakim the Elder Son of Iosiah Reigned Ten years he was of the Egyptian Faction and of the behaviour of the worst of his Ancestors which had so Infected the Land that the Chief Priests also were defiled therewith Yet the Lord raised up Prophets which reproved him among whom Vriah flying from the Tyrant which sought his Life is from Egypt sent back to death contrary to the Custom of Nations § 3. Of the Kings of Media and Babylon § Merodach Son of Baladan taking advantage of Senacherib's Misadventure and Death with the Assistance of his Sons made himself King of Babylon but kept in Action 'till Assurhaddon's death Eleven years so that he could not intend Syria but was well rewarded then by a great part of Assyria if not by all as some less probably think Yet his little concern with the Assyrian Affairs all his long Reign argues him busied at Home in setling his Purchases there and having Amity with Hezekiah Ben. Mirodacb his Son succeeded Twenty one years whose Governours as I take it captivated Manasses in whose time Psamniticus with his Greek Mercenaries prevailed in Syria which might procure Manasses his release and it may be a part of the Kingdom of Samaria which the Babylonians could not now intend Nabulassar his Son succeeded Thirty five years whose works at home kept him from looking abroad for Phraortes King of the Medes Invaded Assyria and Besieged Ninive which it seems was not yet subject to Babylon for Nabonassar repelled him not but the Scythians Invaded Media and forced him thence Phraortes Son of Deioces King of Media having inlarged his Dominions attempted Ninive which yet remained of her self well enough saith Herodotus Custom of Danger hardened the Un-war-like whom sudden unknown Dangers amaze Ninive had now been long exercised so that Phraortes and his Family perished there Cyaxares his Son a braver Man of War won in Lesler Asia all from Halis Eastward He Besieged Ninive and took it saith Eusebius whom I rather believe than Herodotus saying the Scythians came upon him which is not likely for we cannot think him so improvident but rather hearing they were to guard Media he left the City which about this time was destroyed as we read in Tobit a Book of sufficient Credit for the Story of those Times And sure we are the Prophecy of Nabum was fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar and probable it is that Nabulassar after Cyaxares left it in weak case might seize upon it easily and put a Vice-Roy in it which upon their Rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar were utterly destroyed § 4. The Scythians about this time made a great Expedition into Asia of which Herodotus speaks much and many Fabulous things ill agreeing with the time Their first Eruption must needs be within the Reign of Psamniticus King of Egypt who met with them in Palestine and got them by intreaty and gifts to leave the Country Before this they had wasted Media and molested Assyria Babylonia c. and◠are said to have
that in Nebuchadnezzar's Seven Years of Madness Niglisar might govern by his Wife Nitocris's means Nebuchadnezzar's Daughter and Labassardach after him but slain after Nine Months presently before Nebuchadnezzar's Restauration CHAP. II. The Persians greatness how it grew § 1. THAT the Medes were chief in the overthrow of Babylon the infallible Witness of Two great Prophets maketh good Esa. 13 17. Ier. 51.11.28 according to which Iulius Africanus proveth Babel was taken before Cyrus began to Reign So that the Empire lost by Balthassar the last of Belochus's Line fell to Cyaxares or Darius Medus the last of Arbaces's Race who succeeded his Father Astyages c. § 2. Cyrus to whom alone the Greeks ascribe the Conquest of Babel was thought immediate Successor to Astyages by some who deny he had any other Son than this Cyrus Son of Mandane his Daughter Viginer also probably reasoneth that Astyages had no such Son as Darius being unknown to so many Authors there named But Negative Arguments from Authors are of no force and necessity Either Astyages must be Darius in Daniel 9. which his Time will not suffer or another Successor before Cyrus must be granted who for Life commanded all Yet in regard he was Old and followed not the Wars in Person but Cyrus as his Lieutenant did all the Greeks who heard only of him ascribed all to him as did the Persians in Honour to him who shortly brought all to them § 3. Xenophon's Report of the Wars between the Assyrians and the Medes and Persians The Assyrians having command of so many Countries desired to bring under the Medes and Persians Knowing therefore their great strength he perswaded Croâ—sus the rich and strong King of Lydia to join with him which he easily yielded for the quarrel to the Medes who had warred against Alyattes his Father These together compose an Army of Two Hundred Thousand Foot and Sixty Thousand Horse but are overthrown by Darius and Cyaxares King of the Medes and Cyrus General of the Persian Forces and the Assyrian King slain so that many Assyrians revolted and Babylon was glad for her security to get mercenary strength while Cyrus pursueth his Victory to lesser Asia and took Croesus Prisoner After this followed the Attempt at Babylon Cyaxares bearing the Charge and Cyrus being Leader c. § 4. Achaemenes govern'd in Persia when Arbaces did the like in Media and both joined with Belochus against Sardanapalus and after held Persia for himself as the other did Media and Babylon yet Arbaces's absolute Command decayed 'till Deioces One hundred fortys year after when Salmanassar Reigned in Syria so that neither the Medes nor Persians found it fit to stir From Deioces to Astyages there past above Ninety years in which time Phraortes Reigned but not like to have Conquered Persia as Herodotus Writ For Susiana was under Daniel's Charge for Nebuchadnezzar who also would hardly have ventured into Syria and Egypt leaving such an Enemy on his Back It seemeth the Successors of Achaemenes did little worth remembring seeing in the Persian Greatness nothing was Published of their first Kings Xenophon reports the Crown descended from Father to Son many Descents and that Cambyses begot Cyrus so that the Story of Astyages's giving Mandane his Daughter to a base Man to disable her Issue whose Greatness he feared is improbable Two Races sprung from Achaemenes the First according to Reyneccius are Darius Cyrus First Cambyses Cyrus the Great Cambyses c. Of the Second Race came the Seven Princes who overthrew the Magi and chose Darius Son of Hystaspes one of them for King Persia first called Elemais of a Son of Shem c. Their City called Persepolis in the Second Book of Maccabees is called Elemais in the First Book and now Cyrus but Built in another place for that which Alexander destroyed at the request of the Harlot Thais The First Kingdom known to us according to the Interpreters of Gen. 14. was Chedorlaomer with whom Amraphel or Ninus joined in the War against the Arabians CHAP. III. Of Cyrus the First Persian Monarch § 1. CYRVS saith Strabo was so called of the River which watereth Persia Herodotus saith it signifies a Father Plutarch saith the Son Esai named him almost Two Hundred years before He Conquered Lydia and took Croesus before Babylon which he won in the Fifty Fifth Olympiad and in the Twenty Eighth Olympiad upon a Rebellion subdued it again § 2. Lydia had Lydus the Son of Atys her first King which Family was extinguished Argon descended from Hercules was chose by the Oracle and held Twenty two Generations to Candaulus the last Gyges succeeded him in Bed and Kingdom which he left to Atys Father of Sadiattes Father of Halyattes who begat Croesus All their time was One Hundred Seventy years Croesus so inlarged his Dominion that he was Inferiour to no King of that Age commanding Phrygia Bythynia Caria Misia Paphlagonia c. He in confidence of his good Success envying Cyrus's Fame and desirous to check his Prosperous Undertakings asked Counsel of Apollo Then Darius who assured Croesus passing Halis's River shall dissolve a great Dominion An Answer doubtful because the Devil was Ignorant of the Event § 3. Croesus thus resolved despised all Sandanes his Consellor's Arguments to the contrary as the Barrenness of the Enemies Country their hard manner of Living War-like Indefatigable and Prosperous by whose Fall he can gain only Fame wherein he excelled and if he were Beaten his Loss could be hardly told or soon conceived Croesus proceeds with a powerful Army but is staid at Pterium a strong City of Capadocia which he sought to force while Cyrus advanc'd Cratippus answer'd Pompey well That Kingdoms have their Increase and Periods from Divine Ordinance and so was it with these two great Princes whose Forces meeting the Persians had somewhat the better but Night parted them Croesus doubtful of the next days Success quit the Field to Cyrus and with all haste got into Sardis and because of Winter sent home his Forces not doubting any persuit Cyrus finding the Lydians gon followed slowly after to avoid discovering and having good Intelligence of Croesus's proceedings delay'd 'till the Forces were dispos'd to their Winter Garrison when unexpectedly he invested Sardis and in fourteen days forced it Croesus thrusting in among the multitude was ready to be slain had not his dumb Son forced by Passion cried Spare Croesus who thereupon was brought to Cyrus who judged him to be burnt Being upon the heap of Wood he cryed out O Solon Solon Solon and upon urging to declare what he meant answer'd That he found Solon's words true That no Man knew his own Happiness 'till his End Cyrus hearing thereof called for him remembring his own Mortality forgave him and ever after used him as a King and Companion Xenophon Reports that Cyrus used him so without speaking of the purpose of burning belike thinking it a Cruelty unworthy Cyrus so to use his Great Unkle by his Grandmother
from thence and other parts with which he repassed Oxus on whose South he built Six Towns near one another for mutual Succour But he is troubled with ◠new Rebel Arimaxus a Sogdian who with Thirty thousand maintain'd the Top of an Hill which Alexander could not Win 'till three hundred choice young Men crept up to the Top thereof upon promise of Ten Talents to the first Nine to the Second and so to the rest in proportion of which Thirty two were lost thus Wit effecteth what Force could not § 19. Alexander having committed Maracanda and the Countries about it to Clytus slew him soon after for that in a drunken fit he derided the Oracle of Hamon and objected to the King the death of Parmenio Thus in Cups the one forgot whom he offended the other whom he slew which when he was recover'd he would have revenged on himself but for Calisthenes's persuasion remembring too late he had deserved as much as any and had saved his Life Drunkenness both kindles and lays open every Vice it removes Shame which gives impediment to bad Attempts c. Spitamenes shortly after was murdered by his Wife and Dataphernes is sent bound by the Dalians to Alexander who proceeded into Gabara where he lost a Thousand in a Tempest and the rest suffered Hunger Cold Lightnings c. So he came to the Cohortans which welcomed him with Feasting and a Present of Thirty fair Virgins of which one was Roxane afterward his Wife Here he tore Calisthenes asunder on a Rack without any proof for Harmolaus's Treason But indeed for Reasoning at a Drinking against Deifying Alexander propounded by a Parasite and heard by the King standing behind a Partition Seneca calls this Act his eternal Crime which no Virtue or Felicity can redeem for whatsoever can be spoken to his Praise is not answerable to this Reproach He slew Calisthenes § 20. Alexander with Twelve Thousand Foot and Horse entred the Indian Borders where after a few days Nisa built by Bacchus was delivered from whence he went to Dedala and so to Arcadera abandoned by the Inhabitants so that they failed of Victuals and were forced to divide the Army Here he took Nora c. and came to Indus where Hephestion had prepared Boats and had persuaded Omphis King of the Country who offered his Service to Alexander and presented him with Fifty Elephants Abiasaris hearing thereof made his peace with Alexander so that Porus only remained the other Enemy of Omphis Alexander sent to command his Homage at the Border of his Kingdom He answered he would attend him there but for other acknowledgment he would take Counsel of his Sword Porus attends him on the Bank of Hydaspes with Thirty thousand Foot Nine hundred Elephants Three hundred Armed Chariots and a great Troop of Horse The River was Four Furlongs broad and swift and deep with many Islands of which one was well shaded with Wood where Alexander staid and sent Ptolomy up the River with a great part of the Army which Porus supposing to be the Whole removed to oppose their coming over while Alexander recovered the further Shore without Resistance and advanceth towards Porus who a while took him to be Abiasares his Confederate come over the River to aid him But finding it to the contrary he sent his Brother with Four thousand Men and a hundred Armed Waggons having four hundred Armed Men in them but of small use by reason of late Rain and the Scythians which Galled their Horses and made them overturn the Waggons Perdicas charg'd the Indian Horses and made all to retire which made Porus move forward with the gross of his Army that the scatter'd parts of his Vant-guard might recover his Rear c. The Elephants much molested the Macedonians 'till being inraged by the galling of Arrows and Darts they turned head upon their follower's Foot c. After a long and doubtful Fight Porus fore wounded and Abandoned by his Men and over-matched in Numbers and skill of Leaders fell into the Conquerors hands who restored and inlarged his Kingdoms § 21. Alexander having overthrown Porus and hearing by these Indian Kings that one Agamenes beyond Ganges commanding many Nations was the powerfullest King of all these Regions and able to bring into the Field Two hundred thousand Foot three hundred Elephants twenty thousand Horse and two thousand armed Chariots was much inflamed to proceed but all the Art he had could not persuade the Souldiers thereto only they are content to follow him to the South having Indus for his guide So he returned to Acesines intending to lay up his Fleet where it encountreth Hydaspes by which two Rivers he built two Cities Nicae and Bucephalon Here he intended a fourth supply of six thousand Horse-men and seven thousand Foot out of Thrace and twenty five thousand Rich Armour from Babylon which he distributed among the Souldiers Hereabout he won many Towns received One hundred Embassadors from an Indian King with a Present of three hundred Horses one hundred thirty Waggons and one thousand Targets Sailing Southward by many obscure Nations among them he built another Alexandria and took among many other places one called Samus whose Inhabitants fought with poisoned Swords Being come to the out-let of Indus he sent to discover the Coast along toward the Mouth of Euphrates After part of Winter spent here he marched in Eighteen Days to Gedrosia in which Passage his Army suffered such Misery for want of Food that not the fourth part returned alive § 22. Alexander came to Carmania and drawing near Persia he fell to imitate Bacchus's Triumphs in Cups which Swinish hateful Vice always inflamed him to Cruelty For the Hang-man followed the Feast saith Curtius and Apastes a Provincial Governour was slain by his Commandment Here Cleander and his Fellows employed in the Murder of Parmenio brought him a supply of Five thousand Foot and one thousand Horse but upon complaint of their Out-rages Cleander and the rest with six hundred Souldiers were commended to the Hang-man to the joy of all Alexander removed and came to Pasargada where Cyrus was buried and was presented with many rich Gifts by Orsines a Prince of the Race of Cyrus whom Alexander put to Death by the practice of Bagoas one his of Eunuchs because he was neglected of him the Accusation that he had robbed Cyrus's his Tomb was from Two loose Fellows Phrates also was slain upon suspicion of his Greatness so headlong was he become to shed Blood and believe false Reports Calanus an Indian Philosopher burnt himself being Seventy three years old fore-telling Alexander of his own Death shortly after Alexander removed to Susa where he Married Statira Darius's Eldest Daughter and her Sister he gave to Hephestion and Eighty Persian Ladies to his Captains and at the Marriage hé gave Six thousand Cups of Gold to so many Guests Harpalus his Treasurer in Babylon having been lavish of the Treasure fled away with five thousand Talents and six thousand hired
Cynea who replied He might do so if he could be content with his own Pyrrhus carrieth an Army of almost Thirty Thousand choice Souldiers to the Tarentines who were nothing forward in provision for War which while he was employ'd about Levinus the Roman Consul drew near wasting the Lucans so that Pyrrhus was forc'd with his own and some weak assistance of the Tarentines to try the Roman Valour But seeing them come on so bravely he offered to arbitrate a Peace between them and the Tarentines but was answered They neither chose him their Iudge nor feared him their Enemy Pyrrhus upon view of their Camp perceiving he had to deal with Men well-trained set a strong Corps du Guard upon the passage of the River which when he saw them force he thought it time to bring on his whole Forces before all the Army was come over and all little enough while Spear and Sword were used But when his Elephants came in the Roman Horse quickly turned head and the Foot at the sight and first impression of those strange Beasts fled with such consternation that they left their Camp to the Enemy Yet Pyrrhus by this trial finding the Romans could better endure many such Losses than he such Victories sent Cyneas to persuade an Agreement with the Romans which they refused as long as he was in Italy This Answer inflam'd Pyrrhus with desire to enter into League with that gallant City which refused to treat of Peace except he first left Italy They come therefore to a second Battel which he obtain'd by his Elephants but with such loss of the Flower of his Army that he desired any occasion to be gone with Honour § 4. Pyrrhus waiting an opportunity to leave Italy hath two occasions offered and first from Madecon where Ptolomy Ceraunus who had murthered Seleucus his Protector was slain by the Gauls who came out of the Country with those who took Rome and passing through many Countries and making long abode in Pannonia at length came to Macedon under one Belgius after whom came Brennus another Captain with One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Foot and Fifteen Thousand Horse which Sosthenes with the Macedonians avoided by shutting up the Cities At the same time also the Cicilians sent to Pyrrhus for aid against the Carthaginians which occasion he took and with Thirty Thousand Foot and Two Thousand Five Hundred Horse entred Sicily expell'd the Carthaginians won Erex the strong City and in Syracusa began to play the Tyrant But being again called into Italy by the Tarentines against the Romans he was beaten by the Carthaginians Gallies and after that forced out of Italy to Epirus by M. Curius the Roman § 5. Antigonus Son of Demetrius Poliorcetes with an Army Navy and Treasure came into Macedon while Brennus with most of his Gauls was gone to plunder the Temple of Delpâ—os leaving Fifteen Thousand Foot and Three Thousand Horse These went to Antigonus requiring him to buy his Peace to whose Embassadors he shewed his Riches Navy Camp and Camels This being reported at their return inflamed the Gauls to hasten thither of whose coming Antigonus having intelligence left his Camp and put himself and all his Men into a Wood so the Gauls finding him gone hasted to the Sea-side supposing him fled Part of Antigonus's Army having recovered their Ships espying the Gauls presumptuous disorder taking their time suddenly went on shoar and set upon them with such Resolution that after the slaughter of many the rest yielded to Antigonus This Success bred in the Barbarians a great reputation of Antigonus but his own Men had no better opinion of him than of one who crept into Woods at sight of the Enemy This appeared shortly after when Pyrrhus being returned to Epirus with a small Army of Eight Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse came to make Devastations in Macedon in hope to force Antigonus to compound with him for his Peace At his entrance Two Thousand of Antigonus's Souldiers Revolted to him and many Cities yielded by which good beginning he took Courage to attempt Antigonus and his Army for the Kingdom Antigonus had no inclination to fight with him but to weary him with protracting time but Pyrrhus so forced a Streight in which he overtook him that he slew most of the Gauls Antigonus not taking any care to relieve them which the Captains of the Elephants fearing to be their own case yielded Then Pyrrhus went to the Phalanx which could not be Charged but in Front which was very dangerous but perceiving they had no desire to fight he drew near to them in Person persuading them to yield which they presently did so Antigonus with a few Horse fled to Thessalonica but is forced by Ptolomy Son of Pyrrhus who pursued him to fly to Peloponesus § 6. Pyrrhus having gotten the Kingdom of Macedon beaten Antigonus and the Gauls he thought himself without match in any of the Kingdoms of Alexander's Conquests He therefore raised an Army of Twenty Five Thousand Foot Two Thousand Horse and Twenty Four Elephants as against Antigonus in Peloponesus to free such Cities as he held there but indeed to restore King Cleonymus to Lacedemon but made shew of all Friendship to them This dissimulation the Lacedemonians had used 'till none would trust them and yet now they were not hurt by Pyrrhus's use of it by reason of his deferring the assaults 'till they had fortified the Town which was never done before He assailed the Town three days together and had won it the second day but for a Fall his wounded Horse gave him and the third day relief came unto them so that despairing to carry it he was content to go to Argos whither one Faction of the City called him promising to render it as the other Faction called Antigonus but both sides repented it when they were come and desired their departure which Antigonus assured them by Hostages Pyrrhus promised but design'd it not for by Night his Complices opened him a Gate at which his Army entred 'till the Elephants came which stop'd up the Gates from whence grew the Alarum the Citizens arm and put the Souldiers in the dark to great confusion they being ignorant of the Streets yet Pyrrhus gain'd the Market-place Antigonus came to their rescue and Pyrrhus is slain by a Slate cast from an House by a Woman whose Son was fighting with him THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD BOOK V. Part I. From the setled Rule of Alexander's Successors 'till the Romans Conquer'd Asia and Macedon CHAP. I. Of the First Punick War § 1. CArthage had stood above Six Hundred Years when she contended with Rome for Sicily it surpass'd Rome in Antiquity One Hundred and Fifty Years as well as in Dominion which extended from the West part of Cyrene to Hercules's Streights Fifteen Hundred Miles wherein stood Three Hundred Cities It commanded Spain and all the Islands in the Mediterranean South-West from Sicily it had Flourished about Seven Hundred and Thirty Years when
sent T. Manlius who in his Consulship had won the Island with Twenty Two Thousand Foot and Twelve Hundred Horse as their commendable manner was to suport in their Provinces those Men and their Families which had first subdued them Manlius soon after his Arrival in one Day overthrew Hyostius who in his Fatherâ—s absence would needs venture upon the old Soldiers who slew above Thirty Thousand Men. Asdrubal the bold and other Carthaginians came soon after and made Manlius leave Cornus which he had Besieged and go to Calaris where in a Battle he slew Twelve Thousand and took Three Thousand Hyostus Asdâ—ubal and the rest dy'd and the Rebellion ended Sicily also grew troublesome after the Battle at Cannae when old Hierom King Siracuse dying left his Kingdom to Hyeronismus a Grandchild fifteen Years Old under tuition of fifteen Principal Men of which Andronodorus that Married Demarata Daughter of Hiero designing how to be the only Man applyed himself to the King pushing him on to assume the Government wherein he quickly exceeded and turned Tyrant He affected not the Romans as his Father had done despising the present weakness of Rome and casting an Eye upon the prevailing Fortune of Carthage entred League with them upon Condition that Sicily should be his But while he was busie herein his Tyranny produced Treason against his Person which took effect at Leontium where he was slain Andronodorus push'd no by his Wife endeavoured to become Tyrant but finding it yet too â—ard to compass applauded the Peoples liberty and so by them is chosen chief Praetor He â—inding Themistius who Married the Sister of Hieronymus affected as himself as he was also Wiv'd dealt with him and drew him to take his part But being too free in communicating their design 't was discover'd to the Senate so that entring into the Senate both were slain and their Wives also for affecting Royalty Then new Praetors are chosen in their place called Epicides and Hippocrates Born in Carthage but of Syracusan Parents both which Hannibal had used in the League with Hieronymus who being in Office opposed the Roman League But finding the People afraid of Marcellus who also required the City to expel them they stirred up the Leontines to take their Liberty as Syracuse had done for seeing the Tyrant was slain there it was no reason they should remain Subject to Syracuse When Marcellus heard that Leontium revolted from Syracuse he offered his help and won the Town in a day So the two Ringleaders fled to Hebersus but the Citizens were pardoâ—ed tho' the contrary Report bred a mutiny against the Roman Praetors Cruelty among the Syracusan Mercenaries These being led by their Praetors to Herbesus Epicides and Hyppocrates came out with Olive Branches to the Army wherein Six Hundred Creets whom Hannibal had used well took Protection of them and at Megara by a counterfeit Letter of Hyppocrates to Marcellus from Syracuse intreating him to make away their troublesome Mercenaries the Army was in such Uproar that the Praetors fled for Life So the Army was led by Hyppocrates to Syracuse who let him in where he slew whom he lifted set Slaves and Prisoners free as is usually done by Tyrants and thus the two Brethren became Lords of Syracuse Marcellus hearing of the alterations hoping by his success at Leontium to make short work at Syracuse presently Besieged it by Sea and Land omitting no violence and terrour in two or three Assaults but was beaten off not so much by virtue of the Defendents as by the skill of that Noble Mathematician Archimedes who at Hiero at the late King's request framed such Engines of War as did the Romans more mischief than could have been done by Cannon either by Sea or Land for they cast among them great Stones and Timber and by an Iron Graple would take up a Galley by the Prow and shake out all the Men c. Marcellus not knowing which way to turn and loath to give over resolved to famish the Town which was a desperate piece of work considering the large Haven and their Carthaginian Friends who even then had sent Himilco with twenty five Thousand Foot three Thousand Horse and twelve Elephants and Bomilcar with a Fleet had Victualled the City Upon Himilco's Landing many Towns yielded which forced Marcellus to rise with a great part of his Army to prevent him of other places as he did but came too late to Agrigentum which Himilco had gotten Winter coming on Marcellus leaving sufficient Force before Syracuse went to Leontium where Studying how to save his Honour which his leaving the Enterprize would impeach he falls on another Point of Dishonour to prevail by Treason which yet succeeded not In the end a Fugitive out of the City informed him of a Feast to be held to Diana for which there was plenty of Wine Upon this in the Night he scaled the Walls and took some part of the City which was divided by Walls like four or five Cities The Souldiers and Citizens after this offer to compound which Marcellus liketh but once or twice it is interrupted and being at a stand Marcellus in the time of the Treaty corrupted one of the Captains of the Town which was a Mercenary Spaniard by whose Treason he entred the Town and had a Booty no less than that of Carthage In this surprize Archimedes was slain whose death Marcellus lamenteth and Buried him Honourably This under-dealing of Marcellus was not approved at Rome considering Hiero's benefits and that the Citizens when at Liberty favoured Rome but were now over-ruled by Tyrants and MercenaÌ„ries Yet the Senate thought not good to restore the Booty nor give over the the Dominion Nevertheless it was not so well with Syracuse before as after considering their Factions Conspirators Tyrants Murders Banishments c. which yet Justifieth not Rome's injustice more than him which stole the Cup from a sick Person because he was always drinking in it After this all Sicily yeilded except Agrigentum c. held by Epicides Hanno and Mutines a Numidan a Wise and Valiant Man by whom Marcellus was much interrupted yet was his Virtue so envied by Hanno that he took his Charge from him The Numidians were so Incensed with this Indignity to their Country Man that they left Hanno and committed themselves to Mutines disposition who entring into Intelligence with Valentine Levinus the Roman Consul newly come delivered Agrigentum into his hands and assisted in the Conquest of all the rest § 16. Rome wanting Money to pay off the Souldiers and to mannage the War against Hannibal and that in Sicily when Marcellus and Livinus were chosen Consuls they proposed that the Consuls should bring in all the Money they had that the Senators do the like reserving of Gold or other Plate only a Salt-seller a Cup a Ring and some pieces of Art as Toys for their Wives and Children This example the Gentlemen and Commonality followed cheerfully all holding it equal that every private
Counsellor left by his Uncle Antigonus to incroach upon the Liberties of the Achaeans who finding it opposed by Aratus he contrives to bring him into disgrace with Philip. The King by the grave admonition of Aratus and the example of Amphitamus an Elean Captain discovers Appelles's Malice who failing of his desire designs to be King himself as the Spider made a Web to take the Swallow which drove the Flies out of the Chimney He enters upon a Plot against the King how to check the good Success of his Proceedings and draws Leontius one of the Targenteers and Megale the King 's chief Secretary into the Conspiracy But the Reward of their Treason was their own Ruin After this a Peace is Solicited by several Embassadours to which Philip condescended by persuasion of Demetrius Pharius who also persuaded him to a League with Hannibal § 3. Philip upon the Peace of Greece prepares for Italy to assist Hannibal against the Romans whom Pharius hated for expelling him out of his Kingdom which they had forgiven him § 4. Philip before his Italian Expedition thought fit in Policy to bring the Greeks Associates under a more absolute Form of Subjection as Apelles had formerly advised but Demetrius Pharius could better observe the Kings humours and without Contention supplanted Aratus with the least Appearance which Apelles could never do by more forceable means In a Faction between the Nobles and Commons of the Messenians Philip was intreated to compose the difference of which occasion he was glad designing to assume the Government into his own hands But being discovered he pretended a Sacrifice in the Castle of Ithome and purposed to seize upon it which Demetrius called a Kingly point not to be neglected for so he should hold the Ox by both his Horns meaning that Ithome and Acrocorinthus were the two Horns of Peloponesus Yet Philip asking Aratus his Judgment he was told by him that in taking that Castle he should lose his strongest Castle which was his Credit upon which he gave over his purpose but with secret disgust of Aratus and his Son Next he seized on Oricum a Town of the Epirots his followers and besieged Apolonia and so instead of setling the Country he kindled that Fire which could never be extinguished till it lâ—id hold on his own Palace After that he Invaded the Messenians with open Force but in vain in which Attempt he lost Demetrius and afterwards out of a Tyrannical humour the worse he sped the more angry he grew against those who seemed not to favour his injurious doings as particularly against Old Aratus and his Son whose Poisoning he procured This was the recompence Aratus got for bringing the Macedonians into Peloponesus in spite of Cleomenes his Countryman and a Temperate Prince § 5. The Achaeans upon Aratus's Death chuse Philopoemen Praetor By whom they were persuaded to cut off their Expences in Bravery of Apparel Houshold-stuff and dainty Fare and bestowed it upon Armies As also he altered their Weapons and manner of Fighting and fitted them for Hand-service At this time Machanidas Lycurgus Tyrant of Lacedemon who entred the Country of the Mantinaeans was Courageously received by Philopoemen and slain with his own hand and four Thousand with him and as many taken Prisoners § 6. Philip having made Peace with the Romans and Aetolians prepares to invade Attalus King of Pergamus Son of Attalus the younger Brother of Philetarus the Eunuch the Treasurer of Lysimachus King of Thrace from whom he fled for fear of his Tyranny and seized upon Pergamus and nine Thousand Talents of Lysimachus's and Reigned twenty Years as Eumenes his Brothers Son did after him twenty two Years and Attalus after him an active Prince Bountiful and Valiant He made use of the Gauls then setled in Asia in that part which is called Galatia and Quarrels with Prusias King of Bithynia whose Ancestors began to Reign some Generations before the Great Alexander § 7. Prusias having Married the Daughter of Philip intreated-him to come over into Asia to Conquer Cios for him and not having any cause of Quarrel he besieged the Town took it omitting no Cruelty to the Inhabitants contrary to his promise made to divers Embassadours from the Rhodians and other Estates to whom he became odious Attalus considering to what end Philip's violent Ambition tended joining to the Rhodians fought with him at Sea where he sustained far greater loss than they and in the end was forced Home they pursuing him § 8. Attalus and the Rhodians solicite Rome against Philip So did Aurelius their Agent in Greece but Rome was not in Condition till Hannibal was Vanquished when the River of Styx was dried up that is when the necessity of Peace with Philip was taken away Attalus and the Rhodians meet the Roman Embassadour while Philip winneth Abidos in Asia § 9. Rome hearing the Calamity of Abidos resembling that of Saguntum could not ground a Quarrel thereon but thinking of another Saguntum at Athens a Confederate formerly wronged by Philip and imploring their aid which yet the People denied till P. Sulpicius the Consul told them that Philip's preparation was indeed for Italy if he could win Athens This feigned pretence prevailed and the Consul is sent who took not the way to Macedon but Landed at the River Apsus between Dyrrachium and Apolonia where he began the War and sent C. Claudius with Twenty Gallies and Souldiers to relieve Athens against certain Pyrates or Robbers by Sea and Land § 10. Claudius groweth weary of standing like a Scare-Crow to save all the Athenian Fields from Spoil and understanding that Chalcis in Eubaea was negligently Guarded Sailed thither in the Night and took it by Scalado Plunder'd it and set it on Fire Consuming the Kings Magazines of Corn and other Provision of War Philip hearing the News at Demetrias twenty Miles off marcheth speedily but finding them gone he Posteth to Athens in hope to surprise it in the Night but they had Intelligence of his coming So after a Skirmish before the return of Claudius he departed to Corinth and thence to an Assembly at Argos called against Nabis Tyrant of Lacedemon which had Invaded them after Philopoemen was out of Office and gone to Crete Here Philip by coming would have drawn the Achaeans to break with the Romans but was discover'd and so parting made no other Attempt against Athens having failed except in demolishing some Temples of admirable Workmanship in Attica Sulpicius Encamped near Apsus sent his Lieutenant Apistius to the Borders of Macedon who took Antripatria and put it to the Sword and Fire and other Towns and returned to their Camp by which Success divers of the Neighbours which affected not Philip offered Friendship to the Romans The Aetolian Parliament was at hand whither the Macedonians Romans Athenians c. send to persuade them to their Party The Macedonians set out the true scope of the Romans pretensions of Friendship by their Subjecting of Messana and Syracuse the
performance he had already given his Son Demetrius an Hostage and four Hundred Talents Great was the joy at the conclusion but the Aetolians are dissatisfied and the Baeotians still favour the Macedonians Some also fear the Romans will prove the worse Neighbours not knowing the Romans design against Antiochus But to prevent all bad Rumours Quintius at the Istinian Games Proclaimed freedom from Garrisons and Liberty of their own Laws to the Corinthians Phocians Locrians Eubaeans Achaeans of Pithiotis Magnetians Thessalians and Perrhubians which the Greeks applauded with exceeding Thanks He also sent to Antiochus by his Embassadour then present requiring him to keep from the free Cities of Asia and restore to Ptolomy and Philip what he held of theirs and not to pass into Europe with an Army CHAP. V. Of the Roman Wars with Antiochus and his Adherents § 1. SEleucus Nicanor slain by Ptolomy Cerannus Anno 4. Clymp 124. Antiochus Soter his Son succeeded Nineteen Years to whom Berosus the Chaldaean Dedicated his Assyrian-History which is notoriously falsified by Fryar Annius He neglected revenging his Fathers Death who had so loved him that he gave him Stratonica his own Wife being sick for her Antiochus the God as the flattering Melesians called him for freeing them from Timarchus the Tyrant succeeded Fifteen Year His first Wife was Laodice to whom he took also Bernice the Daughter of Ptolomy Philadelphus King of Egypt and so compounded the War between them but falling into the hatred of Laodice she Poisoned him for it when her Son Seleucus Callinicus was ready to Reign She also murthered Bernice and her Son two or three Years after Ptolomy's Death but the Brother reveng'd it Ptolomy Philodelphus Son of Ptolomy the first King of Egypt after Alexander began to Reign with his Father and continued Forty Years He was first derived from Alexander's Successours which made League with Rome and his Off-spring the last of those Royal Families they rooted out He set at Liberty all the Iews which his Father made Slaves in Egypt and sent rich Gifts to God's Temple in Ierusalem and requested of Eleazer the Books of Holy Scripture and seventy two Learned Hebrews to Translate them into Greek to furnish his Library in Alexandria of which Genebrard thinks Iesus Sirach was one whom Iansenius proveth then living Iosephus Antiq. li. 12. c. 2. reports one Aristaeus writ the History thereof Seleucus Callinicus began his Reign with his Father's Murder which cost his Mothers Life she being slain by Ptolomaeus Evergetes in revenge of his Sister who Invaded Seleucus but was called Home by Domestick Troubles Seleucus perceiving himself not beloved of his Subjects sought not to gain them by merit but by force prepares a great Fleet against them whereon all his hope relyed which God overwhelmed in the Sea and himself hardly escaped His Subjects hoping he would become a new Man in Commiseration offer him their Service which so revived him that he raised an Army against Ptolomy who overthrew him which made him send for aid to his Brother Antiochus Hierax or Hawk for he cared not on whom he Preyed who was but fourteen Years Old and was extream Ambitious Before he came Seleuchus made Peace with Ptolomaeus but had no Peace of his Brother who overthrew him But shortly after overthrown himself by Eumenes King of Pergamus Son of Attalus and forced to flye away was taken up in Capadocia by Artamenes who designed to betray him which made him take his Wings to Egypt where Ptolomy knowing his persidious Nature imprisoned him whence escaping by means of a Harlot he fell into the hands of Thieves who murthered him Seleuchus at this time going to subdue the Bactrians and Parthians was taken Prisoner by Arsaces Founder of the Parthian Kingdom who yet released him but returning Home he broke his Neck by a fall from his Horse after twenty Years Reign Seleuchus Ceraunus succeeded his Father Three Years and was slain by Treason leaving Antiochus his Brother to succeed and Achaeus to Govern the Army § 2. Ptolomaeus Evergetes who suceeded Philadelphus yet Reigned having Married Berenice Daughter of Magas King of Cyrene added it to his Kingdom and as he thought the Countries of Coâ—losyria Palestine c. His and his Successours Wars with the Seleucidae were Prophecied of by Daniel Onias the High Priest had provoked him by detaining covetously twenty Talents Tribute but was pacified by Iosephus a Iew and having Reigned Twenty six Years Dyed in the 139 Olympiad Antiochus scarce Fifteen Years Old when he began his Reign which lasted Thirty six Years in his Minority was wholly Governed by one Hermias an Ambitions Man who incited him unseasonably to War against Ptolomaeus for recovery of Coelosyria c. while Molo the Kings Lieutenant in Media Rebelled Xenaetas is sent with Forces into Media which are overthrown while Antiochus lay in the Valley of Marsyas between Libanus and Antilibanus seeking to pass into Coelosyria Hearing therefore the News of Xenaetas he hastens into Media which he recovered from Molo whose left Wing Revolting to the King Molo with divers of his Friends to shorten the work killed themselves and so prevented the Hangman with their own Swords After this came the joyful News of his Queen's being Deliver'd of a Son Fortune being thus bountiful Antigonus Marches against Artabanes King of the Atropians who being very Old and Timerous yielded to whatever he Propos'd Antiochus in the East thought good to visit his Borders between the Caspian and Euxine Sea in which Journey his Physician informed him against Hermits of whom himself was grown Jealous and therefore consented to his killing About these times Achaeus rebelled in hope the King would perish in his Expedition yet Antiochus more intending the recovery of Coelosyria neglected him till he had gotten Seleucia first called Antigonia founded by Antigonus and after won by Seleuchus and then by Ptolomy Such is the vanity of Men who think to eternize their Names not by works of Vertue but of Greatness which never lasteth long Theodotus the Aetolian Ptolomy's Mercenary which formerlâ— dâ—fended Caelosyria agâ—inst Antiocâ—us now weary of his former Faithfulness Mercenary like sells it to him who took possession of Tirus and Ptolomais with the Aegyptian Fleet there Antiochus herewith emboldned aims at Egypt it self ruled by Agathocles and Sosibius whilst Ptolomy himself minds only his Pleasure These two make secret preparation but openly solicite Peace by themselves and several of their Allies and Antiochus willing to rest this Winter agreeth on a Truce for four Months to Treat of Peace which he designed only to lull his Enemies asleep who watched him better than he did them During the Truce Embassadours from Egypt are heard and both sides plead their right to Coelosyria and propound Covenants but both would have it or nothing The Truce ended Antiochus takes the Field presuming his ordinary Power will serve against his unprovided Enemies but was deceived and well beaten for it at Raphia losing Ten Thousand
unprosperous than that of Generals besides the Rapes Slaughters Devastations c. which are so hateful to God That were not the Mercies of God infinite as Monluc Marshal of France confessed it were in vain for those of his profession to hope for any portion thereof such Cruelties being permitted or committed by them And true it is that as the Victories obtained by so many of the greatest Commanders are commonly ascribed either to Fortune or to their Followers or Cowardize of the vanquished so the most whose Virtues have raised them above all Envy have in the end been rewarded either with Disgrace Banishment or Death as Examples both of the Romans and Grecians Witness § 3. Philip well perceiving the Romans aimed at his Kingdom repented himself of his Obsequiousness to them Yet was in ill Condition to help himself having been beaten by them his People unwilling to deal with them and no Friends to assist him Yeâ— Necessity the Mother of Invention made him resolved to remove the Inhabitants of his Maritime Towns to Emathia and people them with Thracians that feared not the Romans He also designed to draw the Bacternae an hardy Nation beyond Danubius into Dardania and to root out the Dardanians always troublesome to Macedon But this device took slow effect and was hindred divers ways His Subjects removed against their Will broke into words which his cruel Nature seeking to repress by putting many unto Death increased to exclamation which inflamed him barbarously to Massacre their Children After this the Furies enter his own House and Vengeance was poured upon him from Heaven in his own Children as was thought by the jealousie he had of Demetrius his Younger Son and the fear Prusius had of him for his Interest in the Romans Affections Wicked Instruments are not wanting who counterfeit a Letter from Quintius to Philip intreating for Demetrius with an intimation of his ambitious Desire against his Brother Prusius One Didas also to whom he was committed by Philip pretending Friendship to him sounded him and told the King that he meant to flye to the Romans who would not fail him So the Father without any examination commanded his unhappy Son to be Murdered and after upon his Cousin Antigonus his searching found out the Contrivance too late Hereupon he intended to confer the Kingdom upon Antigonus but Death prevented it § 4. Perseus succeeded his Father who had Reigned Forty two Years he thought it not expedient to imbroil himself so soon with the Roman War but to settle his Dominions and therefore to prevent danger slew Antigonus Then to get his Subjects Affections he sate in Judgment and made them many publick Shows and to win the Romans he sent and renewed the League Masanissa had heretofore taken the Country of Emporia from Carthage and about this time he took other Land from them by force about Seventy Towns and Castles of which when the Carthaginians complained by their Embassadours prostrate with Tears before the Senate desiring Right or Liberty to defend themselves against him or at least to know how far Masanissa should be allowed to proceed And if none of these would be granted that then the Senate it self would inflict upon them what they thought meet rather than to keep them in continual fear of this Numidian Hangman See the fruits of their Envy against that valiant Family of the Barchines and of the Roman Peace desired by Hanno which hath made them Slaves to the Servants of the Numidian whose Fathers they had used to sell over Africk and Greece Their Answer was gentle but without effect and Masanissa hath a mild rebuke Perseus is not yet brought into such a Yoke but must be for he is questioned for taking up Arms without their leave though to subdue his own Rebels After the same manner they dealt with Greece And of all others with the Achaeans who presumed most on their Favour So that all saw that the Roman Patronage tended to nothing but the bondage of Greece This gave Perseus hopes to find a Party there as indeed he did though it little availed him § 5. Eumenes King of Pergamus hated Perseus exceedingly not only for an Hereditary quarrel with Macedon but for that he perceived the Greeks began to favour him more than himself whom they seemed to neglect for being over serviceable to Rome For Redress hereof he thought it not hard to induce the Romans utterly to overthrow the Macedonian Kingdom which the Greeks now adored to which end he took a second Journey to Rome where he laboured to provoke the Fathers against Perseus which needed not though yet they heard him willingly that their Pretence of War might have the fairer shew as proceeding from the information of such a King come on purpose so far as out of Asia The Rhodians also were there with the Macedonian Embassadours to answer with matter of recrimination that Eumenes had provoked the Lycians to Rebel against the Rhodians Careless Audience was given to the Rhodians for their Friendly Office in conveying Laodice the Daughter of Antiochus to Perseus and their Answer is that the Lycians were assigned to Rhodes not as Vassals but Associates Thus their Subjects are become their Fellows Masanissa and the Aetolians whose Subjects were not increased by the Romans or by the Cities and Peo +ple bestowed upon them after Antiochus's Overthrow but their Friends had cause to resent this Decree The Macedonian Embassadours were heard not so carelesly as angerly being glad that Harpatus the chief Embassadour had by violent Speeches given them cause of anger And though Perseus his faint Heart was not sit to threaten Yet now he might think to get more by a little Bravery than submission seeing the Eyes of all Greece were set upon him for a Delivery from the Roman Servitude And it seems Perseus was not very cautious of offending them when he hired three or four Ruâ—â—ians to Murder Eumenes in his return from Worshiping at Delphos whom they had left for Dead though he recovered The Report of his Death made Attalus his Brother to take upon him as King and would have taken Stratonica his Wife as a matter of State had not Eumenes's coming home put a stop to it All which Eumenes only checked with wishing him not to Marry with the Queen till he was sure the King was Dead who then bequeathed her to him The Senate upon these occasions Decree War and send Embassadours to require satisfaction or to denounce it which Perseus slights calling the Romans greedy and insolent commanding them to depart This present heat was too much he wanting constant resolution which he neglected in hope of Peace § 6. Rome had now fair occasion of War with Macedon which though it had been long sought yet the preparation for War was to seek and the want of it helped to sound the disposition of Greece which they solicite by Embassadours with better terms than Threatnings though they durst not but promise aid to them
incens'd him he designing they should destroy one another So he entred Egypt though the Young King intreated the contrary by Embassadours of whom he demanded Cyprus and Pelusium and took Memphis and other places The Egyptians seek help from Rome but in vain they being now deep in with the Macedonian War the like they desire of the Greeks especially the Achaeans whose forwardness was hindred by the Roman Faction yet at length the Senate being moved with compassion of the Embassadours lamentable behaviour and supplication sent C. Popilius and others with Command that Antiochus should leave Egypt to which he submitted according to the Prophet Daniel or rather the History of Daniel § 12. Rome we see is grown terrible When the greatest Kings must how to her Majesty how shall inferiour Kings and States carry themselves to be assured of Favour Eumenes had been very officious and help'd to kindle the Fire which has burnt up the Kingdom of Macedon He therefore sends Attalus his Brother to Congratulate the Victory and crave Aid against the Gallo-Greeks But Attalus had succeeded better if he had requested his Brothers Kingdom which because he did not as they expected the Fathers went from what they had promised of his having Enus and Maronia as for the Gallo-Greeks they have a Message sent them rather to incourage than dissuade them The displeasure of the Senate being so manifest Eumenes will again visit them but the Fathers will not receive him it being decreed that no King shall come within Rome Yet Prusius King of Bythinia a little before had been welcomed after a better manner as he who gave these Mortal Gods the Title and Worship done to them kissing the Threshold and calling them his Gods and Saviours commending his Son Nicomedes to their Tuition Cotys the Thracian excused his helping Perseus and intreats the discharge of his Son taken with Perseus's Children which is granted with admonition of his good behaviour to Rome Masanissa only kept his Reputation with these great Masters who stand by him in all Quarrels with Carthage whose Ruin he must help forward before his own turn be served His Congratulations are well accepted Perseus and Gentius the unhappy Kings have the last Act to play at Rome in the Triumphs of Aemilius and Anicius being led in Chains before their Chariot Perseus made application to Aemilius not to be put to the disgrace and was scornfully answered that he might prevent it meaning he might kill himself his end is uncertain whether starved or by over-watching Alexander his Youngest Son became a Turner in Rome what conceit soever his Father had of him when he gave him that Name in wantonness of Sovereignity in which he commanded poor Men to be slain for getting up his Treasure out of the Sea by Diving He considered not that the greatest Oppressours and the most abject Wretches are all subject to one high Power governing all alike with absolute Command But such is our Unhappiness that instead of that blessed Counsel to do as we would be done to which teacheth Moderation wâ—â—â—tertain that arrogant Thought I will be like the 〈◊〉 that is I will do what pleaseth my self The very desire of ability to do Evil without controul is a dangerous Temptation to the performance God hath granted it to few and very few they are which use it not to their own damage as Princes who rack their Sovereignity to the uttermost extent teach others by the like strain to root out their own Progeny Nay excellent Princes are often forced to flatter some base Minion or Harlot which Governs some unworthy Fellow that Governs all of which there are too many Examples Aemilius's Triumph so glorious by reason of a Kings Person brought also such Riches into the Roman Treasury that till Iulius Caesar's Death the State never needed to burden it self with Tribute The joy of this Triumph God abated with the loss of his Two Sons one Five days before another Five days after it We have seen the beginning and end of the three First Monarchies of the World whose Founders thought they should never end And the Fourth of the Romans is already at the highest where we left it in the Field wherein nothing is left to shadow it from the Eyes of the World But after some time the Storms of Ambition shall tear her Branches her Leaves shall fall her Limbs wither and a Rabble of barbarous Nations shall cut her down These great Conquerours have been the Subject of our Ancient Histories and Tragical Poets shewing us their great undertakings not so much desiring Rule over others which is so full of Care as hunting after Fame which Ploweth up the 〈◊〉 and Soweth in the Wind. And certainly as Faâ—â— has often been dangerous to the Living so is it of no use to the Dead who if they did understand what is Reported of them they would wish they had stolen out of the World without â—oise rather than to hear the Report of their Treacheries Murders Rapines giving the spoil of Innocent labouring Souls to the idle and insolent Since the Fall of the Roman Empire omitting the Germans neither great nor of long continuance there hath been no State formidable in the East but the Turk nor in the West except the Spaniard who by so many Attempts hath sought to make himself Master of all Europe As one who is powerful both by his Indian Treasure and many Kingdoms he possessed in Europe But as the Turk is now Counterpoised by the Persian So if for so many Millions spent by English French and Netherlands in defensive War and diversions against them Two Hundred Sixty Thousand Pound were imployed for Two or Three Years it is easie to demonstrate how they may be brought to live in Peace and their swelling Streams be brought within the Banks These are the only Nations of Eminency to be regarded of us the one seeking to root out the Christian Religion the other the sincere Profession of it If farther Reason be required of the continuance of this boundless Ambition of Mortal Men than desire of Fame we may say That the Kings and Princes of the World have always laid before them the Actions not the Ends of those great ones the Glory of the one Transporting them never minding the Misery of the other till it seized upon him They neglect the Advice of God while they hope to live but when Death comes then they believe what it tells them Death without speaking a word persuades what God with promises and threats cannot do though the one hates and destroys Man whereas the other made and loves him I have considered saith Soloâ—â—n all Works that are under the Sun and behold all is Vanity and vexation of Spirit Who believes this till Death beats it into us It was Death which forced the Conscience of Charles 5th and made him enjoyn Philip his Son to restore Navarre and Francis the First King of France to command justice to be done upon the Murderers of the Protestants in Merindol and Calabries till then neglected Death alone can make Man know himself the proud and insolent that he is but abject and can make him hate his forepast Happiness The rich Man he proves a naked Beggar which hath interest in nothing but in the Gravel that fills his Mouth and when he holds the Glass before the Eyes of the most Beautiful they see and acknowledge their Deformity and Rotteness O eloquent just and mighty Death whom none could advise thou hast persuaded what none hath presumed thou hast done whom all the World have flattered thou hast cast out of the World and despised Thou hast drawn together all the extravagant Greatness all the Pride Cruelty and Ambition of Man and covered it all over with two narrow Words Hic jacet Lastly Whereas this Book bearing this Title The First Part of the general c. implying a Second and a Third which I intended and have hewn out besides many other Discouragements persuading my Silence it hath pleased God to take that glorious Prince out of the World for whom they were designed Whose unspeakable and never enough lamented loss hath taught me to say with Iob Versa est in luctum cithara mea organum meum in vocem flentium FINIS Ecclesiasticus 11.7 From the Creation to Abraham 2009 Years In Pomanâ—ro Orpheus de summo Jove Gen. 1.1 Ver. 2. Gen. 1.3 Gen. 1.6 De opâ—r Dei De Ment. Idiot * See Aug. de Civ D. * Stralo lib. 17. Gen. 6.11 Strabo De Civ Pliny Sybilla Plin. l. 14.12 Sect. 1. Sect. 3. Pagus P. Belonius See cap. 8. Sect. 3. See cap. 8. Sect. 3. Augustine Augustine Natalis Comes â— Iudg. N. Damascenus Numb 12. in success See cap. 1.4 Sect. 2. * See Junius De Civ li 13.14 Ant. lâ— 7.12 See Siracides 47. â—3 14. c. * Lib. 1. Sect. 3 14. and c. 10. * Diodorous Siculus out of Câ—esias Strabo Plutarch * So Functius * Apries in Herodotus * Her lib. 3. * Iust. l. 9. * De Civ Lib. 19. * See Cap. 4. §. 8.