We muſt first fix but upon a ſmall number of Epocha's, ſuch as, in the times of antient History, are Adam, or the Creation; Noah, or the Deluge; the calling of Abraham, or the beginning of God's Alliance with Man; Moſes, or the written Laws; the taking of Troy; Solomon, or the building of the Temple; Romulus, or the founding of Rome; Cyrus, or the People of God delivered from the Captivity Babylon; Scipio, or Carthage overcome; the nativity of our bleſſed Saviour; Conſtantine, or the peace of the Church; Charlemaine, or the Eſtabliſhment of the new Empire.

I make this Eſtabliſhment of the new Empire under Charlemaine, as the end of the antient History, becauſe it is there that you will find the antient Roman Empire wholly to conclude and end. And therefore I ſtay and fix you at ſo conſiderable a point of the Ʋniverſal History. The continuance ſhall be preſented to you in a Second Part, which I deſign ſhall bring you to the Age, which the Immortal actions of your Father make illuſtrious, and to which, the ardour you ſhow of following ſo great an Example, makes us, yet to hope a new luſtre may be added.

The Deſign of this firſt Diſcourſe is divided into Three Parts.

After this general Explication of the deſign of this Work, I find there are three things neceſſary for me to do, to draw all the profit I hope for from it.

Epocha. • dam, or • e Creati • THE Firſt Epocha will immediately preſent you with a moſt wonderful Sight. God, who created the Heavens and the Earth by the Word of his Power,Age of World. and made Man after his own Image. It is with this, Moſes begins, the moſt ancient of Hiſtorians, the moſt ſublime of Philoſophers, and the wiſeſt of Legiſlators.

He makes this the Foundation as well of Years before J. C. • 004his Hiſtory, as of his Doctrine, and Laws. Years of the World. 1 Afterwards he ſhews us how all Men were ſhut up in one, and even his Wife to proceed from himſelf; then he comes to the Concord of Marriages, and the Society of Mankind eſtabliſhed upon this Foundation; the Perfection and Power of Man, how much he bo • e of the Image of God in his whole Man; his Empire over all Creatures; his Innocency, together with his Felicity in the Garden of Eden, whoſe Memory is conſerv'd in the Golden Age of the Poets; the Divine Precept given to our firſt Parents; the Malice of the Tempting Spirit, and his Appearance under the Form of a Serpent; the Fall of Adam and Eve, moſt diſmal to all their Poſterity; the firſt Man juſtly puniſhed in all his Children, and Mankind curſed by God; the firſt Promiſe of Redemption, and the future Victory of Men over the Devil who had deſtroyed them.

Years be∣fore J. C. 3875 Gen. v. 3.4.The Earth began to fill, and Crimes increaſed. Years of the World. 129 Cain, the firſt-born of Adam and Eve, ſhewed to the early World the firſt Tragical Action; and Vertue began then to be perſecuted by Vice. There appeared the contrary Tempers of the two Brothers; the Innocence of Abel, his Paſtoral Life, and his acceptable Sacrifices; thoſe of Cain rejected, his Avarice, Impiety, Parricide, and Jealouſie, the Parent of Murthers; the Puniſhment of that Crime; the Conſcience of the Parricide diſturbed with continual Fears; the firſt Town built by this wicked Man, who fought out for himſelf an Aſylum againſt the Hatred and Horrour of Mankind; the Invention of Arts by his Children; the Tyranny of Paſſions, and the prodigious Malignity of Mans Heart always carried out to Evil; the Poſterity of Seth faithful to God, notwithſtanding this Depravation: Years be∣fore J. C. 3017 Pious Enoch miraculouſly taken Years of the World. 987 out of the World, that was not worthy to enjoy him; the diſtinction of the Children of God from the Children of Men, that is to ſay, of thoſe who lived according to the Spirit, from them who lived after the Fleſh; their Commixture, and the univerſal Corruption of the World; the Ruine of Men Years be∣fore J. C. 2468 reſolved by a juſt Judgment from God; his Years of the World. 1536 Wrath declared to Sinners by his Servant Noah; their Impenitence, and their Obduracy Years be∣fore J. C. 2348 at laſt puniſhed by the Deluge; Noah Years of the World. 1656 and his Family preſerved for the repairing of Mankind.

This is what fell out in 1656 Years. Such is the Beginning of all Hiſtories, in which is manifeſted the Almightineſs, Wiſdom, and Goodneſs of God; the happy Innocence under his Protection; his Juſtice in revenging Crimes; and at the ſame time his Patience, and waiting to be gracious, in ſtaying for the Converſion of Sinners; the Greatneſs and Dignity of Man in his firſt Inſtitution; Gen. ii. • 5. iii. 17, • 8, 19. iv. • . 〈◊〉 Ib. iv. 2. the Genius of Mankind ſince it was corrupted; the Nature of Jealouſie, and the ſecret Cauſes of Violences and Wars,Ib. iii. 21. • croſ. Chald. Hiſt. Chald. Hie • on. Egypt. • hoen. that is to ſay, all the Foundations of Religion and Morality.

With Mankind Noah preſerved the Arts, as well thoſe which ſerved for the Subſiſtence of Humane Life, and which Men knew from their firſt being, as thoſe they had ſince invented. Thoſe firſt Arts which Men learn'd ab origine, and apparently from their Creator, are • iſt. Mnaſ. Nic. Da • aſc. l. 96. Abyd. de Med. & Aſſyr. Agriculture, theAp. Joſ. Antiq. l. 1. • . 4. & l. 1. • ont. Apion, & Euſeb. L. IX. Paſtoral Art, thatPraep. Ev. • . 11, 12. Plut. opuſc. Pl • ſne So • ert. terr. an •• quat. Lucian. de 〈◊〉 Syr. of Clothing themſelves, and it may be too that of Building, and making Lodgings for their Security. And we do not ſee the beginning of theſe Arts in the Eaſt, in thoſe Places whither Mankind is ſince ſcattered.

The Tradition of the Univerſal Deluge has gone thorow all the Earth. The Ark in which Noah and his Family were preſerved hath been ever celebrated in the Eaſt, and chiefly in thoſe Places where it ſtaid after the Flood. There are divers other Circumſtances of this moſt excellent Hiſtory taken particular notice of in the Annals and Traditions of the Ancient People: all the Particularities of Time, and every thing elſe concurring as much as poſſibly can be expected in ſo remote and diſtant an Antiquity.

II. Epocha. Noah, or the Deluge. 2. Age of the World.After the Flood is obſervable the ſhortning of Man's Life, and a change and alteration of the way of Living, and a New Nouriſhment ſubſtituted in ſtead of the Years be∣fore J. C. 2348 Fruits of the Earth; ſome Precepts given Years of the World. 1656 Years be∣fore J. C. 2347 to Noah only viva voce, the Confuſion of Years of the World. 1657 Years be∣fore J. C. 2247 Tongues at the Tower of Babel, the firſt Years of the World. 1757 Monument, and Mens Weakneſs, the Diviſion of Noah's three Sons, and the firſt Diſtribution of Lands.

The Memory of the three firſt Authors of Nations and People is preſerved among Men. Japhet, who Peopled the greateſt part of the Weſt, continues there in great veneration under the Name of Japhet. Cham and his Son Canaan have been no leſs known among the Aegyptians and Phoenicians; and the Remembrance of Shem has been always held Sacred among the Hebrews, who came from him.

A little after this firſt Diviſion of Mankind, Nimrod, a Wild Man, became by his violent Humour the firſt of Conquerors; and this was the Origine of all Conqueſts. He eſtabliſhed his Kingdom in Babylon, Gen. x. 9, 10, 18. in the ſame Place where the Tower was begun, and had been carried up to a ſtrange height, but yet it ſeems not up to that ſtature the Vanity of Man intended or deſired it. Round about it, much-what at the ſame time, Niniveh was built, and ſome other ancient Kingdoms ſetled. They were but ſmall in thoſe firſt and early Times, and there was even in Aegypt it ſelf Four Dynaſties or Principalities; that of Thebes, that of Tine, that of Memphis, and that of Tanis, which was the Chief of Lower Aegypt. To much about this time may be referred the beginning of the Laws and Policies of the Aegyptians, that of their Pyramids which remain to this day, and that of the Aſtronomical Obſervations of as well thoſe People, Years be∣fore J. C. 2233 as of the Chaldeans. We may likewiſe Years of the World. 1771 bring up to about this time, and no higher, the Obſervations which the Chaldeans (for they were without diſpute the firſt Obſervers of the Stars) gave in Babylon to Calliſthenes for Ariſtotle. Porphyr. ap. Simp. l. ii. de Caelo.

Every thing begins: There is no antient Hiſtory wherein there appears, not only in theſe firſt times, but a long time after, ſome manifeſt Veſtigia of the newneſs of the World. We ſee Laws were to be made and eſtabliſhed, Manners to be amended, and Empires to be formed. Mankind coming out by degrees from Ignorance; Experience inſtructs them, and Arts are either invented or perfected. Accordingly as Men multiplyed, the Land was populated, and Inhabitants came to live nearer to one another. Mountains and Precipices were paſſed over; Rivers croſt, and at laſt the Seas; and Men eſtabliſhed new Habitations. The Earth, which in the Beginning was but a wild Foreſt, now took another Form; the grub'd-up Trees gave way to Fields, Paſturages, Hamlets, Burroughs, and at length to Cities. They began then to have the Art and Cunning of taking ſome kind of Beaſts, of tarning others, and bringing them up to Labour and Service. At firſt they were uſed to ingage and fight with wild Beaſts. The firſt Heroes made themſelves ſignal in theſe ſort of Exerciſes. Gen. x. 9. This gave occaſion to the inventing of Arms, which afterwards Men turned one againſt another: Nimrod, the firſt Warrior and firſt Conqueror, is called in Scripture a mighty Hunter. But Man's Skill lay not only in Beaſts, he knew alſo how to bring up Plants, and ripen Fruits. He likewiſe reduced Metals to his uſe, and by degrees made them ſerviceable to all Mankind. And as it was but natural, that time ſhould invent and find out a great many things, ſo likewiſe time made ſeveral other things be forgot, at leaſt to moſt Men. Thoſe firſt Arts which Noah had preſerved, and which are always kept up in ſome Countries, where • ver there is a firſt Eſtabliſhment of Mankind, that is to ſay, in new Plantations, are loſt proportionably, as they are diſtant from that Country. For either they muſt be learned over again with time, or elſe thoſe who had preſerved them, muſt carry them over to thoſe others. Wherefore we ſee all things, to come from Lands that have been always inhabited, where the Grounds and Foundations of Arts remain in their Perfection, and there alſo is to be learned every day things very conſiderable. The Knowledge of God, and the Remembrance of the Creation was preſerved there; but it did daily degenerate, and grew weaker and weaker. The Ancient Traditions were either quite forgot, or at leaſt obſcure and dim: The Fables and Stories that have ſucceeded them, retain'd only the groſs Ideas of them: Falſe Deities multiplied and became more numerous, and that gave occaſion to the calling of Abraham.

III. Epocha. The Call of Abraham. 3. Age of the World.Four hundred twenty ſix Years after the Deluge, as every Body walked after their own ways, and never were mindful of that God that made them, this great Creator, to hinder the Progreſs of ſo abominable a Years be∣fore J. C. 1921 Wickedneſs, in the midſt of their Sins, began Years of the World. 2083 to ſet apart to himſelf a choſen People. Abraham was elected to be the Father of the Faithful: God called him in the Land of Canaan, where he reſolved to eſtabliſh his Worſhip, and to ſettle the Children of that bleſſed Patriarch whom he ſaid he would multiply as the Stars of Heaven, and as the Sand on the Sea-ſhore. To the promiſe that he made of giving this Land to his poſterity, he joyn'd another far more great and illuſtrious, and that was that mighty bleſſing, which was to extend to all the people of the World in Jeſus Chriſt coming forth from his off-ſpring. Heb. vii. 1. 2, 3, &c. This was that Jeſus Chriſt whom Abraham honoured, in the Perſon of the great High-Prieſt Melchiſedeck, unto whom he gave the tent of the Spoils, which he had got, returning from the ſlaughter of Kings, and by whom he was bleſt. In the midſt of theſe vaſt Riches, and of a Power commenſurate to that of Kings, Abraham ſtill kept to his old ways and cuſtoms, he ever led a plain, ſimple, and paſtoral Life, which yet had its due Magnificence, and the Patriarch made it principally appear in his generous Hoſpitality to all People. Heaven Years be∣fore J. C. 1856 at laſt was pleaſed to ſend him Gueſts; Years of the World. 2148 the Angels revealed to him the Counſels of God; he believed them, and appeared in all things full of Faith and Piety.

In his time Inachus, the moſt antient of all Kings known by the Grecians, founded the Kingdom of Argos. After Abraham, there was Iſaac his Son, and Jacob Grandſon, the Imitators and followers of his Faith and Simplicity in the ſame paſtoral Life. God did alſo to them reiterate the ſame Promiſes he had made to Abraham their Father, Years be∣fore J. C. 1759 and as he had done him, he conducted them Years of the World. 2245 in all things. Iſaac bleſſed Jacob, to the prejudice as well as grief of Eſau his elder Brother; and deceived in appearance, in effect and reality he executes the Counſels and Determinations of God. Jacob, whom God protected, was in all things to be preferred to Eſau. An Angel, with whom he myſteriouſly fought, gave unto him the Name of Iſrael, from whence his Poſterity were called Iſraelites. From his Loins came the Twelve Patriarchs, Fathers to the Twelve Tribes of the Hebrew People; among others Levi, from whence iſſued the Miniſters of Sacred things; Judah, from whom came CHRIST, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; and Joſeph, whom Jacob loved above all the reſt of his Children. In him were made manifeſt ſome new Secrets of Providence: But above all things was ſeen the Innocence and Wiſdom of young Joſeph, who was always an utter Enemy to Wickedneſs and Vice, and careful to repreſs and hinder it in his Brethren; his Myſterious and Prophetick Dreams; his Brethren jealous, and Jealouſie twice the Years be∣fore J. C. 1728 Cauſe of a Parricide; the ſelling of this Years of the World. 2276 their Great Brother; his Fidelity to his Maſter, and his moſt admirable Chaſtity; the dangerous Calamities it brought upon him; Years be∣fore J. C. 1717 his Priſon, and his Conſtancy; his Predictions; Years of the World. 2287 his miraculous Deliverance; that Years be∣fore J. C. 1715 Famous Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dreams; Years of the World. 2289 the Deſert of ſo Great a Man required; his Genius elevated and fitted for his Place; and God's Protection, which made him to Rule Years be∣fore J. C. 1706 where-ever he was; his Foreſight; his wiſe Years of the World. 2298 Counſels, and his abſolute Power in the Kingdome of the Lower Aegypt: By this means here was the Safety of his Father Jacob and his Family. This Family, cheriſhed by God, was thus ſetled and eſtabliſhed in that part of Aegypt whereof Tanis was the Capital, and of which the Kings took Years be∣fore J. C. 1689 the Name of Pharaoh. Jacob dies, and a Years of the World. 2315 little before his Death he delivers this moſt celebrated Prophecy, where diſcovering to his Sons the Patriarchs the State of their Poſterity, he particularly points out to Judah the time of the Meſſiah's coming into the World, who was to proceed from his Race. This Patriarch's Houſhold became a very great People in a little time; and this prodigious increaſe and multiplying raiſed the Aegyptians Jealouſie: The Hebrews are unjuſtly hated, and without any pity perſecuted: God raiſes up Moſes their Years be∣fore J. C. 1571 Deliverer, whom he preſerved from the Years of the World. 2433 River Nilus, and made him fall into the Hands of Pharaoh's Daughter: She brought him up as her own Child, and inſtructed him in all the Wiſdom of the Aegyptians. At that time the People of Aegypt ſetled themſelves in ſeveral Places of Greece. The Years be∣fore J. C. 1556 Colony that Cecrops brought out of Aegypt Years of the World. 2448 founded twelve Cities, or rather Towns, of which he made the Kingdom of Athens, and where he eſtabliſhed with the Laws of his Country, the Gods that were to be worſhipped there.Marm. Arund. ſeu Aera Att. A little after hapned the Deucalion-Flood in Theſſaly, confounded by the Greeks with the Univerſal Deluge. Hellen the Son of Deucalion reigned in Phtie, a Country in Theſſaly, and gave his Name to Greece. The People, which before were called Greeks, ever ſince have born the Name of Helleneſes, tho' the Latins have called them by their old Name. Moreover, about this time Cadmus the Son of Agenor tranſported into Greece a Colony of Phoenicians, and founded the City of Thebes in Boeotia. The Syrian and Phoenician Gods came along with him into Greece. In the mean while Years be∣fore J. C. 1531 Moſes grew up in years, and about the Fortieth Years of the World. 2473 of his Age he deſpiſed the Riches of the Court of Aegypt; and touched with the Wickedneſs of his Brethren the Iſraelites, to appeaſe and moderate them, he ventured his own Life. But theſe Men were ſo far from receiving any Benefit by his Zeal and Courage, that they expoſed him to the Fury of Pharaoh, who was reſolved on his Ruine. Moſes flies out of Aegypt into Arabia, to the Land of Midian, where his Virtue, which was always ready to relieve the Oppreſſed, made him find a ſafe Retreat. Years be∣fore J. C. 1491 This Great Man, without any hopes of delivering Years of the World. 2513 his People, or expectation of better Times, had ſpent Forty years in keeping the Flock of Jethro his Father-in-Law, when he ſaw in the Deſart a Burning Buſh, and heard the Voice of the God of his Fathers, who ſent him back into Aegypt, to bring forth his Brethren the Children of Iſrael out of Captivity. There appeared the Humility, Courage, and Miracles of that Divine Legiſlator; the Hardneſs of Pharaoh's Heart, and the terrible Plagues which God ſent upon him; the Paſſover, and the next day the Paſſing over the Red Sea: Pharaoh and the Aegyptians drowned in thoſe Waters, and the abſolute Deliverance of the Iſraelites.

IV. Epocha. Moſes, or the Written Law.The Time of the Written Law now begins. It was given to Moſes Four hundred and thirty years after the Calling of Abraham, Eight hundred fifty ſix years after the Flood, and the ſame year that the Hebrew Years be∣fore J. C. 1491 People came out of Aegypt. This Date is Years of the World. 2513 very obſervable, becauſe it is very uſeful for deſignating the whole time that has elapſed ever ſince Moſes unto Jeſus Chriſt. All this Time is called the Time of the Written Law, to diſtinguiſh it from the precedent Time, which is called the Time of the Law of Nature, wherein Men had only for their Guide and Rule of Governance, Natural Reaſon, and the Traditions of their Anceſtors. God then having freed his People from the Tyranny of the Aegyptians, and brought them into the Land where he deſigned to be ſerved and worſhipped; before ever he eſtabliſhed it there, he propoſed to him the Law according to which he was to live. He wrote with his own Hand upon two Tables of Stone, which he delivered to Moſes upon the top of Mount Sinai, the Foundation of this Law, that is to ſay, the Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, which contain the Firſt Principles how God is to be worſhipped, and Humane Society preſerved. He dictated to the ſame Moſes the other Precepts, by which he eſtabliſhed the Tabernacle, Heh. ix. 9, 23. the Figure of Future Time; the Ark, wherein God diſcovered himſelf to be preſent by his Oracles, and in which the Tables of the Law were kept; the Advancement of Aaron the Brother of Moſes; the High-Prieſt, the Ceremonies of their Conſecration, and the Form of their myſterious Habits; the Prieſts Functions, the Sons of Aaron; thoſe of the Levites, with the other Obſervances of Religion; and that which is moſt beautiful and decent, the Rules of good Manners, the Policy and Government of his choſen People, of whom he would be himſelf the Legiſlator. This is what is obſervable in the Epocha of the Written Law. Afterwards, we ſee the Journey continued in the Wilderneſs; the Revolts, the Idolatries, the Puniſhments and Conſolations of the People of God, whom this Almighty Legiſlator reduced by theſe means by degrees: the Anointing of Eleazor Years be∣fore J. C. 1452 the High-Prieſt, and the Death of his Years of the World. 2552 Father Aaron: the Zeal of Phineas the Son of Eleazor, and the Prieſthood ſecured to his Poſterity by a particular Promiſe. During this time the Aegyptians continued the Eſtabliſhment of their Colonies in divers Places, chiefly in Greece, where Danaus the A • gyptian was made King of Argos, and diſpoſſeſs'd the Ancient Kings that came Years be∣fore J. C. 1451 from Inachus. Towards the end of the Iſraelites Years of the World. 2553 Journying in the Wilderneſs, we ſee the Beginnings of Wars, which are rendred ſucceſsful through the Prayers of Moſes. But he dies, and leaves to the Iſraelites their whole Hiſtory, which he had carefully digeſted from the beginning of the World even to the time of his Death. This Hiſtory is continued by the command of Joſuah, and his Succeſſors. This afterwards was divided into ſeveral Books; and hence it is that we have the Book of Joſuah, the Book of Judges, and the Four Books of Kings. The Hiſtory which Moſes wrote, and in which all the Law was included, was alſo divided into Five Books, which are called the Pentateuch, and which are the Ground of Religion. After the Death of that Man of God, we read of the Wars of Joſuah, Years be∣fore J. C. 1445 the Conqueſt and Diviſion of the Holy Land, Years of the World. 2559 and the Rebellions of the People, puniſhed and re-eſtabliſhed at divers times. There Years be∣fore J. C. 1405 are likewiſe the Victories of Othoniel the Son Years of the World. 2599 Years be∣fore J. C. 1325 of Kenaz, the Brother of Caleb, who delivered Years of the World. 2679 him from the Tyranny of Chauſan-Riſhathaim King of Meſopotamia; and Eighty years after That, of Ehud the Son of Gera, Years be∣fore J. C. 1322 over Eglon King of Moab. About this Years of the World. 3682 time Pelops the Phrygian, the Son of Tantalus, reigned in Peloponneſus, and called that famous Country by his Name. Bel the King of the Chaldeans received from thoſe People Divine Honours. The ungrateful, Years be∣fore J. C. 1305 murmuring Iſraelites fall again into Servitude. Years of the World. 1699 Jabin King of Chanaan ſubjecteth Years be∣fore J. C. 1285 them; but Deborah the Propheteſs who Years of the World. 2719 judged the People, and Baruc the Son of Ahinoam, overcame Siſera the General of Years be∣fore J. C. 1245 that Kings Army. Thirty years after this, Years of the World. 2759 Gideon that mighty Man of Valour, even without fighting purſues and overcomes the Years be∣fore J. C. 1236 Medianites. Abimelech his Son uſurped the Years of the World. 2768 Authority by the Murther of his Brethren, exerciſed it after a Tyrannical manner, and Years be∣fore J. C. 1187 at laſt loſeth it and his Life together. Jephtha Years of the World. 2817 makes his Victory bloody by a Sacrifice that was not to be excuſed but by a ſecret Order and Diſpenſation from Heaven, concerning which it hath not pleaſed him to reveal any thing to us. In this Age there hapned very remarkable things among the Gentiles. Herod. l. 1. c. 26. For, according to Herodotus his Account, which ſeems to be the moſt exact, Years be∣fore J. C. 1267 we are to reckon for that time 514. years Years of the World. 2737 before Rome, Gen. x. 11. and from the time of Deborah, Ninus the Son of Bel, and the Foundation of the firſt Empire of the Aſſyrians. The Court was eſtabliſhed at Nineveh, an Ancient City, and then pretty Famous; but it was made more Splendid and Glorious by Ninus. Thoſe who aſcribe 1300 years to the firſt Aſſyrians, have their Foundation from the Ancientneſs of the City: and Herodotus, who allows them but 500, ſpeaks only of the Empires Duration ſince its beginning under Ninus the Son of Bel to extend it ſelf into the Upper Aſia. A little after, and in that Conqueror's Reign, Joſ. xix. 20. Joſeph. Antiq. 8.2. we are to fix the Foundation, or the Renewal of the ancient City of Tyre, whoſe Navigation, and whoſe Colonies rendred it ſo Years be∣fore J. C. 1252 conſiderable. At laſt, a little after Abimelech's Years of the World. 2752 time, we meet with the memorable Combates of Hercules the Son of Amphitryon, and thoſe of Theſeus King of Athens, who made but one great City of the twelve Towns of Cecrops, and inſtituted a better Form of Government among the Atheninians. During Jephtha's time, whilſt Semiramis, who came from Ninus, and was the Governeſs of Ninyas, inlarged the Aſſyrian Empire by her Victories. The Famous City of Troy, already taken once by the Greeks under Laomedon its third King, was Years be∣fore J. C. 1184 utterly reduced again by the Greeks, under Years of the World. 2820 Priam the Son of Laomedon, after a Siege of ten years.

V. Epocha. The Taking of Troy. The fourth Age of the World.This Epocha of the Ruin of Troy, which hapned about the year 308. after the Departure out of Aegypt, and 1164 years after the Deluge, is very conſiderable, as well becauſe of the Importance of ſo great an Years be∣fore J. C. 1184 Event, celebrated by two of the greateſt Years of the World. 2820 Poets of Greece and Italy; as becauſe that every thing may be brought to this Date which was moſt remarkable in thoſe called the Fabulous, or H • roick Times; the Fabulous, by reaſon of the Fables in which the Hiſtories of thoſe Times are wrapt, and Heroick, by reaſon of thoſe whom the Poets have called the Sons of the Gods, and Heroes. Their Lives were not far from this Overthrow: For in the time of Laomedon the Father of Priam, were all the Heroes of the Golden Fleece, Jaſon, Hercules, Orpheus, Caſtor and Pollux, and all the others that are known to you; and in the time of Priam likewiſe, during the laſt Siege of Troy, there were Achilles, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Ʋlyſſes, Hector, Sar • edon the Son of Jupiter, Aeneas the Son of Venus, whom the Romans acknowledged for their Founder, and ſeveral others, from whom the moſt Illuſtrious Families, and even whole Nations boaſt that they deſcend. This Epocha therefore is proper to recollect whatſoever the Fabulous Times had that was moſt certain, and moſt eminent. But what is ſeen in the Sacred Hiſtory, is in all Points moſt remarkable; Years be∣fore J. C. 1177 the prodigious Strength of Samſon, Years of the World. 2887 and likewiſe his marvellous Weakneſs; Eli Years of the World. 1176 the High-Prieſt, Venerable by his Piety, Years of the World. 2888 Years be∣fore J. C. 1095 and unhappy by the Guilt of his Sons; Samuel Years of the World. 2909 an irreproachable Judge, and a Prophet choſen by God to anoint Kings; Saul, the firſt King of Gods People, his Victories, his preſumption to Sacrifice without the Prieſts; his Diſobedience pitifully excuſed under the pretence of Religion; his Reprobation, his fatal Fall. About this time Codrus King of Athens gave up himſelf to death for the ſafety of his People, and by his Death they got the Victory. His Sons Medon and Nileus diſpute for the Kingdom. Upon this occaſion the Athenians aboliſh all Regality, and declare that Jupiter was their only King. They created Governours, or perpetual Preſidents; but they were ſubject to render an account of their Adminiſtration. Theſe Magiſtrates were called Archontes. Medon, the Son of Codrus, was the firſt who exerciſed this Magiſtracy; and it continued a long while in his Family. The Athenians extended their Colonies into that part of Leſſer Aſia which was called Ionia. The Aeolick Colonies were ſet up much-what about the ſame time, and all the Leſſer Aſia was filled with Greek Towns.

Years be∣fore J. C. 1055 After Saul came David, that admirable Years of the World. 2949 Shepherd, the Conqueror of the fierce Goliah, and of all the Enemies of the People of God; a great King, a great Conqueror, and a great Prophet, worthy to ſing out the Praiſes and wonderful Works of his great Creator: in a word, a Man after God's Years be∣fore J. C. 1034 own Heart, as he himſelf ſtiles him, and Years of the World. 2970 Years be∣fore J. C. 1014 who by his Repentance did even turn his Years of the World. 2990 Offences to the Glory of his Maker. To this Pious Warriour ſucceded his Son Solomon, Wiſe, Juſt, Peaceful, whoſe Hands Years be∣fore J. C. 1012 undefiled with Blood, were accounted worthy Years of the World. 2992 to build the Temple of God.

VI. Epocha. Solomon, or the Temple finiſhed. 5. Age of the World.This was about the year 3000. of the World, the year 488. ſince the Departure out of Aegypt, and, to adjuſt the Times of Sacred Hiſtory with thoſe of the Profane, 180 years after the taking of Troy, 250 years before the Founding of Rome, and 1000 years before Jeſus Chriſt, when Solomon Years be∣fore J. C. 1004 finiſhed that ſtupendious Edifice. He Years of the World. 3000 Years be∣fore J. C. 1003 celebrated the Dedication of it with an extraordinary Years of the World. 3001 Piety and Magnificence: And this famous Action was followed with ſeveral other Wonders of the Reign of Solomon, which ended in ſhameful Weakneſſes. He gave up himſelf to the Love of Women, which debaſed his Mind, made his Heart grow wavering, ſo that at laſt his Piety degenerated into Idolatry. God tho' juſtly provoked, yet ſpares him for the ſake of David his Servant; however he would not ſuffer his Ingratitude utterly to go unpuniſhed: he divides his Kingdom after his death, under his Son Rehoboam. The Brutiſh Pride of that young Prince cauſes Ten of his Years be∣fore J. C. 975 Tribes to be cut off from him, which Jeroboam Years of the World. 3029 ſeparated from their God, and from their King. For fear leſt they ſhould return to the Kings of Judah, he forbids them going to Sacrifice at the Temple of Jeruſalem, and he ſets up his Golden Calves, to which he aſcribes the Name of the God of Iſrael, that ſo the Innovation might appear leſs ſtrange. The ſame Reaſon made him retain the Law of Moſes, which he interpreted according to his own Will and Pleaſure: but almoſt all the Politie of it he cauſed to be obſerved, as well the Civil as Religious; ſo that the Pentateuch remained ſtill in veneration among the ſeparated Tribes.

Thus was the Kingdom of Iſrael ſet up againſt the Kingdom of Judah. In that of Iſrael Impiety and Idolatry reigned and triumphed. But Religion, tho' it was ſeveral times clouded in that of Judah, yet it was always preſerved there. About this Years be∣fore J. C. 971 time the Kings of Aegypt were very powerful. Years of the World. 3033 The Four Kingdoms had been re-united under that of Thebes. It is believed that Seſoſtris, that famous Conqueror of the Aegyptians, is that Seſac King of Aegypt, whom God made uſe of to chaſtiſe the Impiety of Rehoboam. In the Reign of Abijah the Son of Rehoboam is obſervable that great and mighty Victory, which the Piety of that Prince gained him over the Schiſmatical Tribes. H • s Son Aſa, whoſe Piety is commended Years be∣fore J. C. 917 in Scripture, is taken notice of there Years of the World. 3087 to be a Man who in his Sickneſſes relied more upon the Humane Help of Medicines, than of the Goodneſs and Power of God. Years be∣fore J. C. 924 In his time Amri King of Iſrael built Samaria, Years of the World. 3080 Years be∣fore J. C. 914 where he eſtabliſhed the Seat of his Years of the World. 3090 Kingdom.

This Time is followed with the admirable Reign of Jehoſaphat, wherein flouriſhed Piety, Juſtice, Navigation, and the Military Art. Whilſt he appeared in the Kingdom of Judah another David, Ahab and his Wife Jezabel, who then reigned in Iſrael, joyned to Jeroboam's Idolatry all the Impieties Years be∣fore J. C. 899 of the Gentiles. They periſhed both of Years of the World. 3105 them miſerably. God, who had bore with their Idolatries, was reſolved to revenge upon them the Blood of Naboth, whom they had cauſed to be ſlain, becauſe he had refuſed, as the Law of Moſes required, to ſell them the Fee of his Paternal Inheritance. Their Sentence was pronounced by the Mouth of the Prophet Elijah. Ahab was kille • ſome time after, notwithſtanding all Years be∣fore J. C. 987 his • ircumſpection to ſave himſelf. About Years of the World. 3107 this time we are to r • ckon the Foundation of Carthage, which Dido, w • o was come from Tyre, built in a Place, after the Example of Tyre, which was very convenient for Traffick, as it was likewiſe for becoming Miſtreſs of the Sea. It is ſomewhat hard to aſſign the Time when it formed it ſelf into a Republick; but the mixing of the Tyrians and Africans made it become equally Warlike and Trafficking. The ancient H • ſ • orians, who place its Origine before the Ruine of Troy, ſeem to fancy that Dido rather enlarged and fortified it, than that ever Years be∣fore J. C. 888 ſhe laid the Foundations of it. Affairs began Years of the World. 3116 to change Figure in the Kingdom of Judah. Athaliah the Daughter of Ahab and Jezabel carried Impiety along with her into the Houſe of Jehoſaphat. Jehoram, the Son of ſo pious a Prince, choſe rather to imitate his Father-in-Law than his own Father. Years be∣fore J. C. 885 The Hand of God was upon him. His Years of the World. 3119 Reign was ſhort, and his End dreadful. In the midſt of his Chaſtiſements God wrought unheard-of Prodigies, even in favour of the Iſraelites, whom he would now reca • l to Repentance. They ſa • , without ever being converted, the Wonders of Elijah and Eliſha, who propheſied during the Reign of Ahab, M • rr • . A •• na. and five of his Succeſſors. At this time H • mer flouriſhed; as Heſiod had done Thirty years before. The Ancient Manners a • d Cuſtoms which they repreſent to us, and the Veſtigia that they ſtill keep, with much Grandeur, and with the ancient Simplicity, does not a little ſerve to let us underſtand the Antiquities that are a great deal more remote, and the Divine Simplicity Years be∣fore J. C. 884 of the Scripture. There had been terrible Years of the World. 3120 Spectacles in the Kingdoms of Judah and Iſrael. Jezab • l was thrown down out of a Tower-window by the command of Jehu, who valued not the painting her Face, and tyring her Head, but fulfilled the Word of the Lord, in cauſing his Horſes to tread her under their Feet. He killed Jehoram King of Iſrael, the Son of Ahab: even all the Houſe of Ahab was deſtroyed; and it wanted but a little of drawing that of the Kings of Judah into its own Ruine. King Ahazia the Son of Joram King of Judah and of Athaliah, was ſlain in Samaria with his Brethren, as an Ally and Friend to the Children of Ahab. As ſoon as this News was brought to Jeruſalem, Athaliah reſolved to cut off all that remained of the Seed-Royal, without ſparing her own Children, and ſo to reign and govern by the loſs of her own. Only Jehoaſh the Son of Ahaziah, a Child that then hung at the Breaſt, was ſtole away from her Fury by Jehoſheba his Aunt. Jehoſheba the Siſter of Ahaziah, and Wife of Jehoiada the High-Prieſt, hid him in the Houſe of the Lord, and ſaved that only precious Remainder of the Houſe of David. Athaliah, who thought him dead with the reſt, lived without fear.Plat. de Rep •• 〈…〉 Ariſt. • olit. l. 2. c. 9. Lycurgus preſcribed Laws to the Lacedemonians. He is rebuked for having made them all Martial, after the Example of Minos, whoſe Inſtitutions he had followed; and for having but little provided for the Womens Modeſty: for, that ſo he might make all his Men Soldiers, he obliged them to a very laborious and temperate Life. Nothing was ſtirring in Judah againſt Athaliah, and therefore ſhe thought her ſelf eſtabliſhed during a ſix years Reign: But God raiſed her up an Years be∣fore J. C. 678 Avenger in the holy Sanctuary of his Temple. Years of the World. 3326 When he was come to be ſeven years old, Jehoiada made him known to ſome of the Rulers over Hundreds, with the Captains of the Guard and the Royal Army, whom he had carefully managed; and being aſſiſted with the Prieſts, he anointed the young King in the Temple. Eaſily were the People perſuaded to acknowledge the Heir of Dav • d, and of Jehoſaphat. At the noiſe whereof Athaliah ran to diſſipate the Conſpiracy; but being forced without the Ranges of the Temple, ſhe there received the Reward of her Crimes. As long as Jehoiada lived, Joaſh reigneth well, keeping to the Law of Moſes. After the Death of this holy Man of God, corrupted by the Flatteries of his Courtiers, he falls in with them to downright Idolatry. The High-Prieſt Years be∣fore J. C. 840 Zacharias, the Son of Jehoiada, was reſolved Years of the World. 3164 to reprove him for it; but Jehoaſh, without ever being mindful of what he owed to his Father, cauſed him to be ſtoned. But Vengeance followed cloſe at the heels of Years be∣fore J. C. 839 this: for the next year Jehoaſh being beaten Years of the World. 3165 by the Syrians, and fallen into contempt, was aſſaſſinated by his own Subjects; and Amaziah his Son, a better Man than himſelf, was ſet upon the Throne.

Years be∣fore J. C. 825 The Kingdom of Iſrael being waſted and Years of the World. 3179 depreſſed by the Victories of the Kings of Syria, and by Civil Wars, re-aſſumed its Forces under Jeroboam II. who was more pious than his Predeceſſors. Hoziah, otherwiſe called Azariah, the Son of Amaziah, alſo governed the Kingdom of Judah with no leſs Honour and Glory. This is that Years be∣fore J. C. 810 Famous Hoziah that was ſmitten with Leproſie, Years of the World. 3194 and often reproved in Scripture, for having towards his latter days preſumed to take upon him the Prieſtly Office, and againſt the Prohibition of the Law, had himſelf offered up Incenſe upon the Altar of Perfumes. He was to be ſet aſide, though he was a King, according to the Law of Moſes; and Jotham his Son, who was afterwards his Succeſſor, did wiſely govern the Kingdom. Under the Reign of Hoziah, the Holy Prophets, the Chief of whom at that time were Hoſea and Iſaiah, began to publiſh their Prophecies in Writing, and in particular Books, the Originals of which they depoſited in the Temple, to ſerve as a Monument to Poſterity. The Leſſer Prophecies which were given only vivâ voce, were, as was uſual, regiſtred in the Rolls of the Temple, with the Hiſtory of the time. The Years be∣fore J. C. 776 Olympic Games, inſtituted by Hercules, and Years of the World. 3228 long diſcontinued, were re-eſtabliſhed, and from that re-eſtabliſhment came the Olympiades, by which the Grecians counted their Years. Abo •• this time ended that which Varro calls th • Fabulous, becauſe the profane Hiſtories then were full of confuſion and falſities, and the Hiſtorical times began, wherein the affairs of the World were reported with more exactneſs and fidelity. The firſt Olympiad is marked out by the victory of Corebus. They were renewed every five years, and after four years Revolution. There in the Aſſembly of all Greece, at Piſa firſt, and afterwards at Elida, thoſe famous Combats were celebrated, where the Conquerors were crowned with incredible Applauſes. The Exerciſes likewiſe were in great honour, and Greece every day became more ſtrong, and more cultivated. Italy as yet was almoſt all over ſavage. The Latin Kings of Aeneas's Race reigned at Alba. Phul was King of Aſſyria. 'Twas believ'd he was the Father of Sardanapalus, called according to the Eaſtern Cuſtom Sardan Pul, that is to ſay, Sardan the Son of Phul. 'Twas alſo thought, that this Phul, or Pul, had been King Years be∣fore J. C. 771 of • ineveh, who joined with his People in Years of the World. 3233 Repentance at the Preaching of Jonas. That Prince, invited by the Confuſions of the Kingdom of Iſrael, went to invade it; but being come to an Agreement with Manahem, he eſtabliſhed him in the Throne that he went to Uſurp by Violence, and received by way of acknowledgment, the Tribute of a thouſand Talents. Under his Son Sardanapalus, and after Alcmaeon the laſt perpetual Archon of the Athenians, that People whom his humour led inſenſibly to affect a popular Eſtate, leſſened the Power of their Magiſtrates, and in ten years wholly overthrew the Archontick Adminiſtration. The firſt of this way was Charops. Romulus and Remus ſprung from the antient Kings of Alba, by their Mother Ilia, re-eſtabliſhed in the Kingdom of Alba their Grandfather Numitor, of which his Brother Amilius had diſpoſſeſt him; and preſently after they founded Rome, whilſt Jotham Reigned in Judah.

VII. Epocha. Romulus, or Rome founded.That City, which was to be the Miſtreſs of the World, and in futurity the chief Seat of the Romiſh Religion, was founded toward the end of the third year of the ſixth Years be∣fore J. C. 754 Olympiad, 430 years after the taking Years of the World. 3250 of Troy, from whence the Romans believed their Anceſtors to be ſprung, and 753 years before Jeſus Chriſt. Romulus being bred up hardly with Shepherds, and always Years of Rome. 1 engaged in Warlike Exerciſes, conſecrated this City to the God of War, who he Years be∣fore J. C. 748 ſaid was his Father. About the time of Years of Rome. 6 Rome's Birth, through the effeminate Luxury of Sardanapalus, happened the Fall of the firſt Empire of the Aſſyrians. The Medes, a warlike People, animated by the Diſcourſes of Arbaces their Governour, ſet an Example to all his Subjects of contemning and ſcorning him: All were up in a general revolt againſt him, and at length he periſhed in his chief City, where he ſaw himſelf conſtrained to fling himſelf into the Fire with his Concubines, his Eunuchs, and his Riches. Out of the Ruins of this Empire, were ſeen to come three great Kingdoms. Arbaces, or Orbaces, whom ſome call Pharnaces, freed the Medes, who after a very long Anarchy, had three moſt puiſſant Kings. Moreover, preſently after Sardanapalus there appeared a ſecond Kingdom of the Aſſyrians, Years be∣fore J. C. 747 of which Nineveh was the chief City, Years of Rome. 7 and a Kingdom of Babylon. Theſe two laſt Kingdoms are not unknown to prophane Authors, and are much celebrated in the ſacred Hiſtory. The ſecond Kingdom of Nineveh is founded by Tilgath, of Tiglath the Son of Phalaſer called for this reaſon Tiglathphaleſar, to whom was alſo given the name of Ninus the younger. Baladan, whom the Greeks called Belaſis, eſtabliſhed the Kingdom of Babylon, which is known by the name of Nabonaſſar. From thence the Aera of Nabonaſſar, famous with Ptolomy, and the antient Aſtronomers, who reckoned their years by the Reign of that Prince. It is fit to explain here the ſignification of this word Aera, which is a number of Years began at a certain point of Time, which ſome extraordinary Accident makes remarkable. Wicked Years be∣fore J. C. 740 and Sinful Ahaz King of Judah, oppreſſed Years of Rome. 14 by Rezin King of Syria, and by Pekah the Son of Remaliah King of Iſrael, inſtead of having recourſe to God who ſtirred him up thoſe Enemies to puniſh him, called Tiglathphaleſar the firſt King of Aſſyria or Nineveh, who brought the Kingdom of Iſrael to its laſt extremity, and utterly deſtroyed that of Syria, and at the ſame time he ravaged that of Judah which had deſired his Aſſiſtance. Thus the Kings of Aſſyria took Years be∣fore J. C. 721 the way to the Holy Land, and reſolved Years of Rome. 33 upon the Conqueſt of it. They began with the Kingdom of Iſrael, which Salmanaſſer the Son and Succeſſor of Tilgath Pilneſer utterly deſtroyed. Oſee, King of Iſrael, relied upon the ſuccour of Sabacon, otherwiſe called Sua, or Soü • , King of Aethiopia, who had invaded Aegypt. But that mighty Conqueror could not get it out of the hands of Salmanaſſar. The ten Tribes, with whom the Worſhip of God was quite worn off, were tranſported to Nineveh, and being diſperſed among the Gentiles, they ſo loſt themſelves there, that no farther tracing of them can be diſcovered. There remained ſome of them, who were mixed among the Jews, and made a ſmall part of the Kingdom Years be∣fore J. C. 715 of Judah. At this time happened the Years of Rome. 39 Death of Romulus. He was always fighting, and always victorious; but in the midſt of his Wars, he notwithſtanding laid the Foundation of Religion and Laws. A Years be∣fore J. C. 714 long Peace gave Numa his Succeſſor a good opportunity to finiſh that Work. He formed Years of Rome. 40 Religion, and qualified the wild and extravagant Manners of the Romans. In his time the Colonies that came from Corinth, and ſeveral other Towns of Greece, founded Syracuſe in Sicily, Crotona, Tarentum, and perhaps ſome other Towns in that part of Italy, to which the moſt antient Greek Colonies, which were ſpread over all the Country, had already given the name of Great Greece. In the mean time Hezekiah, the moſt Pious, and the juſteſt of all the Kings Years be∣fore J. C. 710 ever ſince David, reigned in Judah. Sennacherib, the Son and Succeſſor of Salmanaſſar, Years of Rome. 44 beſieged him in Jeruſalem with a vaſt and prodigious Army; which was in one night deſtroyed by the Hand of an Angel, which went out, and ſmote in the Camp of the Aſſyrians, an hundred fourſcore and five Thouſand. Hezekiah being delivered in ſo wonderful a manner, ſerved God with all his People more faithfully than ever. But Years be∣fore J. C. 698 after that Prince his Death, under his Son Years of Rome. 56 Manaſſeh, the ungrateful forgat their God, and ſo diſorders and calamities were multiplied Years be∣fore J. C. 687 upon them. A popular State or commonwealth Years of Rome. 67 was then formed among the Athenians, and they began to elect annual Archontes or Governours, the firſt of whom was Creon. Whilſt wickedneſs increaſed in the Kingdom of Judah, the Power of the Kings of Aſſyria, which were to be their avengers, grew daily ſtronger under Eſarhaddon Years be∣fore J. C. 681 the Son of Sennacherib. He re-united the Years of Rome. 73 Kingdom of Babylon to that of Nineveh, and equalled in Great Aſia, the Power of the Years be∣fore J. C. 677 firſt Aſſyrians. 2 Kings xvii. 24. 1 Eſd. iv. 2. In his Reign, the Cuthians, Years of Rome. 77 People of Aſſyria, ſince called Samaritans, were placed in the City of Samaria, inſtead of the Children of Iſrael. Theſe joined to that of Idolatry, the Worſhip of God, and obtained of Eſarhaddon, an Iſraelitiſh Prieſt, who taught them the manner of the God of the Land, that is, to obſerve the Law of Moſes. God reſolving not to have his Name utterly aboliſhed, in a Land that he had given to his People, he left there his Law as an earneſt and teſtimony.2 Kings xvii. 27, 28, &c. But their Prieſt gave them only the Books of Moſes, which the revolted ten Tribes had retained, during the time of their Schiſm. The Scriptures compoſed by the Prophets, who ſacrificed in the Temple, were by them deteſted; and therefore the Samaritans have received no other than the Pentateuch even down to this day.

Whilſt Eſarhaddon and the Aſſyrians ſo firmly were ſetling themſelves in greater Aſia, the Medes likewiſe began to be conſiderable. Dejoces their firſt King, named Arphaxad in Scripture, founded the Great City Ecbatana, and laid the Foundations of a great Empire. They had ſet him on the Throne to reward his vertues, and to put an end to the diſorders, which Anarchy had cauſed among them. Conducted by ſo great a King,Herod. l. 1. c. 27. they ſupported themſelves againſt their Neighbours, but they did not enlarge their Years be∣fore J. C. 671 Dominions. Rome daily grew, but it was weakly. Under Tullus Hoſtilius the Third Years of Rome. 83 King, and by the famous Battle between the Horatii and the Curatii, Alba was conquered and ruined: Its Citizens incorporated in that victorious Ville did mightily greaten and fortify it. Romulus was the firſt who took that way to make it more flouriſhing, where he received the Sabins, and other vanquiſhed People. And they forgat their Overthrow, and became moſt Faithful and Affectionate Subjects. Rome in extending it's Conqueſts regulated it's Militia, and it was under Tullus Hoſtilius, that it began to learn that Noble Diſcipline, which made it to be at laſt the Years be∣fore J. C. 670 Miſtriſs of the Univerſe. The Kingdom Years of Rome. 84 of Egyyt weakned by its long Diviſions, was re-eſtabliſhed under Pſammeticus. That Prince, who owed his Safety to the Ionians and Carians, eſtabliſhed them in Egypt then ſhut to Strangers. About this time the Aegyptians began to commerce with the Greeks, and ſince that time alſo the Hiſtory of Aegypt down to the mingling of pompous Fables by the Artifice of the Prieſts, began, as Years be∣fore J. C. 657 Herodotus tells us,Herod. l. 2. c. 95. to have ſome certainty. In the mean time the Kings of Aſſyria became more and more terrible to all the Eaſt. Years of Rome. 97 Saoſduchin, the Son of Eſarhaddon, called Nebuchadonoſor in the Book of Judith, in battle array defeated Arphaxad, King the Medes. Years be∣fore J. C. 656 Fluſhed with this Succeſs, he attempted to Years of Rome. 98 conquer all the Land. To compaſs this his deſign, he paſſed the Euphrates, and ravaged all as far as Judah. The Jews had provoked God, and given themſelves up to Idolatry, after the Example of Manaſſ • h; but they had repented with that Prince, and God took them into his Protection. The Conqueſts of Nebuchodonoſor and Holofernes his General were upon a ſuddain ſtopt by the hand of a Woman. Dejoces, although he was beaten by the Aſſyrians, left his Kingdom in a condition of growing greater under his Succeſſors. Whilſt Phraortes his Son, and Cyagorus the Son of Phraortes ſubdued Years be∣fore J. C. 643 Perſia, and puſhed on their Conqueſts to leſſer Years of Rome. 111 Years of Rome. 641 Aſia, even to the borders of Halys, Judah Years of Rome. 113 indured the deteſtable Reign of Amon, the Son of Manaſſeh; and Joſiah the Son of Amon, wiſe and prudent from his Childhood, endeavoured to repair the Diſorders that were cauſed by the wickedneſs and impiety of his Predeceſſor-Kings. Rome, when Ancus Martius was King, brought ſome Latines under it's ſubjection and government, and continuing to make Citizens of her Enemies, ſhe ſhut them up within her Walls. The Veienſes, already weakened by Romulus, Years be∣fore J. C. 626 ſuffered new Loſſes. Ancus puſhed on his Years of Rome. 128 Conqueſts as far as to the Neighbouring Sea, and built the City of Oſtia at the Mouth of the River Tyber. At this time the Kingdom of Babylon was invaded by Nabopolaſſar. That Traitor, whom Chinaladan, otherwiſe called Sarac, had made General of his Armies againſt Cyagorus King of the Medes, joyned himſelf with Aſtyages the Son of Cyagorus; took Chinaladan in Nineveh, deſtroyed that great City, ſo long a time the Miſtriſs of the Eaſt, and ſet himſelf upon the Throne of his Maſter. Under this ambitious Prince Babylon grew in Pride and haughtineſs. Judah, whoſe Impiety waxed more Years be∣fore J. C. 624 and more, had every thing to fear. The pious Years of Rome. 130 King Joſiah for ſome ſmall time by his great humility ſuſpended the puniſhment, which his people had deſerved; but the evil increaſed under his Childrens Reign. Nebuchadonoſor Years be∣fore J. C. 610 II. more terrible than his Father Years of Rome. 144 Nebuchadonoſor, ſucceeded him. This Years be∣fore J. C. 607 Prince bred up in Pride, and always ingaged Years of Rome. 147 in War, made prodigious Conqueſts both in the Eaſt and Weſt; and Babylon threatned to bring all the Land into ſubjection and vaſſalage. His Menaces had ſoon their effect upon the People of God. Jeruſalem was left wholely to this proud and mighty Conqueror, who took it three times. The firſt at the beginning of his Reign, and in the fourth year of the Reign of Joachim, from whence begins the 70 years of Babylon's Captivity, taken notice of by the Prophet Jeremiah; the ſecond under Jechonias, or Joachin the Son of Joachim; Jer. xxv. 11, 12. c. xxix. 10. and the laſt under Ze • ekiah, when the City was utterly deſtroyed, the Temple burnt, and the King Years be∣fore J. C. 599 carried Captive to Babylon with Serajah the Years of Rome. 155 Years be∣fore J. C. 598 High-Prieſt, and the b • t part of the people. Years of Rome. 156 The moſt eminent of thoſe Captives were the Prophets Ezekiel and Daniel, with them alſo are reckoned the Three Children whom Nebuchadnezzar could not make to worſhip his Golden Image, nor conſume by his Fiery Furnace. Greece was flouriſhing, and its Seven Wiſe Men made themſ •• ves illuſtrious. Years be∣fore J. C. 594 Some time before the laſt deſolation of Jeruſalem, Years of Rome. 160 Solon one of the Sev •• preſcribed Laws to the Athenians, and eſtabliſhed Liberty Years be∣fore J. C. 578 upon Juſtice: The Phocians of Ionia Years of Rome. 176 brought their firſt Colony to Marſeilles. Tarquin the Antient King of Rome, after he had conquered a part of Tuſcany, and adorned the City of Rome with his Pompous and Magnificent Works, finiſhed his Reign. In his time the Gauls, led on by Belloveſus, poſſeſſed in Italy all the Suburbs round about Years be∣fore J. C. 566 Po, whilſt that Seg • veſus his Brother, Years of Rome. 188 carried far up into Germany another ſwarm of the Nation. Servius Tullius, Tarquin's ſucceſſour, eſtabliſhed the Cenſus, or the Liſt of Citizens that were diſtributed into certain Claſſes, whereby that great City was regulated and ordered as a private Family. Nebuchadnezzar beautifyed Babylon, which was mightily inriched by the Spoils of Jeruſalem, and the Eaſtern Country: But it did not enjoy them long: For that King who had illuſtrated it with ſuch magnificence, when he was dying, ſaw the approaching ruin of that famous City. His Son Evilmerodac, Years be∣fore J. C. 562 whoſe Debauches had rendred him odious, Years of Rome. 192 Years be∣fore J. C. 560 lived not long, for he was killed by Nerigliſſor Years of Rome. 194 his Brother-in-Law,Abyd. apud Euſeb. l. 9. Praep. Ev. c. ult. who uſurped the Kingdom. Piſiſtratus alſo in Athens uſurp'd the Soveraign Authority, which he underſtood very well how to keep for thirty years amidſt ſeveral viciſſitudes, and afterwards left it to his Children. Nerigliſſor could not bear with the power of the Medes, which grew very great in the Eaſt, and therefore declared war againſt them. Whilſt Aſtyages the Son of Cyagorus I. was preparing to reſiſt him, he dyed, and left the War to be maintain'd by his Son Cyagorus II. called in Daniel, Darius the Mede. He appointed for the General of his Army, Cyr • s the Son of Mandana his Siſter, and of Cambyſes King of Perſia, who was ſubject to the Empire of the Medes. The Reputation of Cyrus, which had been ſignalized in divers Wars under Aſtyages his Grand-father, re-united moſt of the Eaſtern Kings under the Standards of Cyagorus. He Years be∣fore J. C. 548 took in his Capital City Croeſus King of Lydia, Years of Rome. 206 and poſſeſt himſelf with his vaſt Eſtate and Riches; he brought down the other Allies Years be∣fore J. C. 543 of the Kings of Babylon; and extended Years of Rome. 211 his Dominion not only over Syria, but alſo very far in the leſſer Aſia. At laſt he marches Years be∣fore J. C. 538 againſt Babylon, takes it, and ſubmits it to Years of Rome. 216 Cyagorus his Uncle, who being no leſs affected with his Fidelity than his great Exploits, gave him his only Daughter and Heireſs in Years be∣fore J. C. 537 Marriage. In the Reign of Cyagorus, Daniel Years of Rome. 217 already honoured under the precedent Reigns with ſeveral Viſions from Heaven, in which he ſaw paſs before him in ſuch plain and manifeſt Figures ſo many Kings and Empires, learnt by a New Revelation, thoſe Seventy famous Weeks, by which, the Time of Jeſus Chriſt, and the Deſtiny of the Jewiſh People are explained. It was the Weeks of Years, and contain'd 490 Years; and this way of computation was ordinary and familiar among the Jews, who obſerved the Seventh Year, as well as the Seventh Day with a Religious repoſe. Years be∣fore J. C. 536 Some time after this Viſion, Cyagorus dyed, Years of Rome. 218 as well as Cambyſes the Father of Cyrus; and this great Man, who ſucceeded them, joined the Kingdom of Perſia, till then obſcure, unto the Kingdom of the Medes ſo mightily greatn'd by its Conqueſts. Thus was He the quiet and peaceable Maſter of all the Eaſt, and founded the greateſt Empire that ever was in the World. But that which is moſt remarkable for the continuance of our Epochas, is, that this great Conquerour in the firſt Year of his Reign, gave his Decree for the Re-eſtabliſhing of the Temple of God in Jeruſalem, and the Jews in Judea.

Here we ought a little to make a ſtop, becauſe it is the moſt entangled place of all the Antient Chronology, by reaſon of the difficulty in conciliating the Prophane Hiſtory with the Sacred. No queſtion but your Highneſs hath already obſerved, that this account I have given you of Cyrus is much different from what you have read of him in Juſtin that he ſpeaks nothing of the ſecond Kingdom of the Aſſyrians, nor of thoſe famous Kings of Aſſyria and Babylon, ſo memorable in the Sacred Hiſtory; and in ſhort, this Relation of mine is very incongruous to that which is reported by the Author of the three firſt Monarchies; of that of the Aſſyrians, ended in the Perſon of Sardanapal • s; that of the Medes ended in Aſtyages, the Grandfather of Cyrus, and this of the Perſians began by Cyrus, and deſtroy'd by Alexander.

Your Highneſs may be pleaſed to add to Juſtin, Diodorus, with moſt of the Greek and Latin Authors whoſe Writings are yet extant, who give you theſe Hiſtories after quite another manner than this I have followed.

As to what belongs to Cyrus, Hieron in Dan. the Prophane Authors are in no agreement among themſelves about his Hiſtory; but I thought it beſt to follow rather Xenophon with St. Jerome, than Cteſias a fabulous Author, whom moſt of the Grecians have copy'd, and written after, as Juſtin and the Latins have follow'd the Grecians; and I have preferred him even to Herodotus himſelf, tho' he is a moſt excellent and judicious Reporter. And that which hath determined me to this choice, is, that Xenophon's Hiſtory the moſt probable and likely in it ſelf, hath alſo this great advantage, that it is the moſt conformable to the Scriptures, which, by reaſon of its antiquity, and the Relation of the Jewiſh Affairs to thoſe of the Eaſtern People, deſerves to be eſteemed beyond all the other Greek Hiſtories, tho' one did not know that it had been dictated by the Holy Spirit.

Plat. in Tim.As to the three firſt Monarchies, what moſt of the Greek Authors have written of them, ſeems very doubtful to the Sages of Greece. Plato in general ſhews us, that under the name of Egyptian Prieſts, the Greeks were extreamly ignorant of Antiquities: and Ariſtotle hath ranged among the fabulous Reporters,Ariſt. • olit. v. 10. thoſe that have written of the Aſſyrians.

The Greeks have written very negligently, and becauſe they had a mind to pleaſe and divert by their Hiſtorical relating of their Antiquities, Greece which was ever very curious about them; they have taken up Reports upon confuſed and dark Memorandums, and ſo ſatisfied themſelves with putting them into an agreeable and delightful order, without being at any great pains or care to ſearch whether they were true, or not.

And certainly, the way which was commonly taken to rank the three firſt Monarchies is moſt apparently fabulous. For after the downfal of the Empire of Aſſyria under Sardanapalus, next appear the Medes, and after them the Perſians; as if the Medes had been Succeſſors to the mighty Power of the Aſſyrians, and the Perſians had eſtabliſhed themſelves upon the ruin of the Medes.

Whereas, on the contrary, it is moſt certain, that when Arbaces abandoned the Medes againſt Sardanapalus, he did only deliver them, without any ſubmitting of the Aſſyrian Empire to them. Herodotus, Herod. l. 1. c. 26, 27. followed herein by the moſt approved Chronologers, mentions nothing of their firſt King Dejoces, until 50. years after their revolt; and it is the more to be credited, becauſe of the concurrent Teſtimony both of this great Hiſtorian and of Xenophon (not to trouble you now with any others) that during the time that is allotted to the Empire of the Medes, Herod. 1. Xenoph. Cyrop. • , vi, &c. there were in Aſſyria ſuch mighty puiſſant Kings, as all the Eaſt ſtood in awe of, and it was Cyrus that cruſhed the Empire by his taking of Babylon.

If therefore the generality of the Greeks and Latins that have followed them, make no mention of thoſe Babylonian Kings; if they have given no place to that great Kingdom among the firſt Monarchies, whoſe continuance and after-accidents they relate; in a word, if we can ſcarce find any thing in all their works of thoſe famous Kings Tiglath-Pileſar, Salmanaſar, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, and ſeveral others ſo renown'd in Scripture, and in the Eaſtern Hiſtories, we may then ſurely attribute it, either to the Ignorance of the Greeks, who were more Eloquent in their Reports, than ſtudious and induſtrious in their Searches, or elſe to the loſs we have had of what was more exact and faithful in their Hiſtories.

Indeed Herodotus had promiſed a particular Hiſtory of the Aſſyrians, Herod. l. 1. c. 28, 47. which we have not, either by our ſad misfortune of its being loſt, or of his not having had time to do it, and we cannot imagine that ever ſo judicious and Hiſtorian would have forgotten the KingsHerod. l. 2. c. 91. of the ſecond Empire of the Aſſyrians, eſpecially ſince even Sennacherib, who was one of them, we find mentioned in the Books that we now have of this great Author, as being King both of the Aſſyrians and Arabians.

tSrabo, li • . 15. Strabo, who lived in the time of Auguſtus, reports what Megaſtenes, an Ancient Author, near the time of Alexander, had left in Writing concerning the mighty Conqueſts of Nebuchadnezzar King of the Chaldees, whom he makes to run through Europe, enter into Spain, and extend his Arms as far as the Colonies of Hercules. Aelian calls Tilgamus King of Aſſyria, Aelian. li • . 12. Hiſt. Anim. c. 21. that is to ſay, Tilgath, or Tiglath, which we find in the Holy Scriptures; and in Ptolomy we meet with an Enumeration of the Princes of great Empires, among whom there is a long ſucceſſion of the Kings of Aſſyria, who were unknown to the Greeks, and whom it is eaſie to reconcile to the Sacred Hyſtory.

If I would bring in the Accounts of the Syrian Annals, Beroſus, Abydenus, Nicolas of Damaſcus; Joſeph. Antiq. l. 9. ult. & 10. c. 11. l. 1. cont. Ap. Euſeb. Prap. Ev. 9. I could be too tedious even for a long-winded Reader. Joſephus and Euſebius of Caeſarea have preſerved the pretious fragments of all thoſe Authors, and indeed of an infinite many more, which they had entire and perfect in thoſe times, whoſe Teſtimony is a confirmation to us of what we read in the Holy Scripture concerning the Eaſtern Antiquities, and eſpecially concerning the Aſſyrian Hiſtories.

As to the Monarchy of the Medes, which has the ſecond Preference among the great Empires by moſt of the prophane Hiſtorians, as ſeparated from the Empire of Perſia, certain it is, that the Scripture ever unites them both together. And your Highneſs ſees, that beſides the Authority of the ſacred pages, the bare order of Matters of Fact, ſhews us, that it is that we are ſtill to look at.

The Medes before Cyrus, though they were very powerful and conſiderable, yet were much leſſened by the greatneſs of the Kings of Babylon. But Cyrus having Conquered their Kingdom by the collected Forces both of Medes and Perſians, of which he afterwards became the Maſter, by a Legitimate Succeſſion, as we have obſerved from Zenophon; it ſeems moſt probable, that the great Empire, of which he was the Founder, as it ought indeed, did take his Name to both Nations, ſo that That of the Medes and Perſians are but one and the ſame thing, tho' the glory of Cyrus made the name of the Perſians to be the more prevailing.

It may be alſo thought, that before the VVar of Babylon, the Kings of the Medes having extended their Conqueſts to the Greek Colonies in leſſer Aſia, were by that means famous among the Greeks, who attributed the Empire of greater Aſia to them, becauſe they were only acquainted with them of all the Kings of the Eaſt. And yet the Kings of Nineveh and Babylon, who were greater and more puiſſant, but more unknown to the Greeks, have been near quite forgotten in thoſe B • oks that are remaining to us concerning the Grecian Hiſtories; and all the time from Sardanapalus down to Cyrus, have been only given to the Medes.

And therefore we need not to trouble our heads ſo much in reconciling as to this point the prophane to the ſacred Hiſtory. For as to what reſpects the firſt Kingdom of the Aſſyrians, the Scripture gives us but a very ſlight touch by the Bye, and neither mentions Ninus, who was the Founder of that Empire, nor, excepting Phul, any other of its Succeſſors: becauſe their Hiſtory was no way interfering with that of the People of God. As for the ſecond Kingdom of the Aſſyrians, moſt of the Greeks are either quite ignorant of them, or elſe becauſe they have not throughly known them as they ought, they have confounded them with the former.

VVhen therefore thoſe of the Greek Authors ſ • all be objected to us, who, according to their own Caprice and Fancy, range the three firſt Monarchies, and make the Medes Succeſſors to the antient Empire of Aſſyria, without ſpeaking a word concerning what the Scripture ſeems to be ſo ſtrong in; there is only this anſwer to be made, that they were unacquainted with this part of the Hiſtory; and they are no leſs contrary to the more curious, and beſt informed Authors of their own Nation, than they are to the Holy Scriptures.

And that which in one word anſwers all the difficulty; the ſacred Authors, who are nearer to the times and places of the Eaſtern Kingdoms, writing moreover the Hiſtory of a People, whoſe affairs were ſo intermixed with thoſe of theſe great Empires, though they had no other advantage beſides this, it were enough to put the Greeks and Latins to Silence, who followed them.

But if, notwithſtanding, the obſtinacy ſhould go on ſtill to maintain this celebrated order of the three firſt Monarchies, and that to keep entirely to the Medes the ſecond rank which is aſcribed to them, any are wilfully reſolved to make the Kings of Babylon ſubject to them, in affirming ſtill that after an hundred Years Subjection, theſe at laſt ſhould deliver themſelves by a Revolt; yet in ſome manner it doth ſave the C • ntinuance of the ſacred Hiſtory; but it doth very little agree with the beſt prophane Hiſtorians, to whom the ſacred Hiſtory is more favourable in that it ever unites the Empire of the Medes to that of the Perſians.

There is yet remaining to be diſcovered one of the Cauſes of the obſcurity and darkneſs of theſe antient Hiſtories. And it is this, that as the Eaſtern Kings took up ſeveral names, or if you pleaſe, ſeveral titles, which in ſome length of time they eſpouſed as their own Name, and which the People either tranſlated, or pronounced variouſly, according to the ſeveral particular Idioms of each reſpective Language; Thoſe ſo antient Hiſtories, whereof there is left now but a very few good Memorials, are by this means become in all Probability ſo very dark and imperfect. The confuſion of names hath no doubt contributed very much both to the things as well as perſons of them; and from hence proceeds our Trouble, rightly to ſituate in the Greek Hiſtory thoſe Kings, who have had the Name of Ahaſuerus, as much unheard of to the Greeks, as it was well known to the Eaſtern Countries.

VVho would indeed believe that Cyagorus was the ſame name as Ahaſuerus, made up of the word Ky, that is to ſay, Sir, or Lord, and from the word Axare, which manifeſtly returns to Axuerus, or Aſſuerus, and ſo Ahaſuerus? Three or Four Princes have gone under this Name, though they had others beſides. If we do not know that Nebuchodonozor, Nebucodroſor, and Nebocolaſſar were only one and the ſame Name, or the Name of but one Perſon, it would be difficult for us to believe it; and yet the thing is moſt certain. Sargon is Sennacherib; Ozias is Azarias; Sedechias is Mathanias, Joachas is alſo called Sellum. Aſarhaddon, which is indifferently pronounced Eſarhaddon, 2 Eſdr. iv. 2, 10. or Aſarhaddon, is called Aſenephar by thoſe of Cutha: and by an odd bizar kind of unaccountableneſs, of which we can find no ground, or Origine; Sardanapalus is by the Greeks called Tonos Concoleros. We could preſent you with a long Liſt of Eaſtern Perſons, to whom in Hiſtories ſeveral different Names have been given; but it is ſufficient in general to underſtand this cuſtom. It is not unknown to the Latins, among whom Titles and Adoptions have multiplyed Names in ſo many kinds. Thus the Title of Auguſtus, and that of Africanus became the Sir-Names of Caeſar Octavianus and the Scipio's; and in like manner the Neros have been Caeſars. The thing is not to be doubted, and a longer diſcuſſion of a matter ſo apparently manifeſt, would be needleſs to you.

I will not now offer to trouble your Highneſs any further with the knotty difficulties of Chronology, which are as little neceſſary as uſeful for you. This was of too great importance not to be cleared up in this place; and after we have ſaid what we think is ſufficient for our purpoſe, we will return to the train of our Epochas.

It was then 218 years after the foundation of Rome, 536 years before Jeſus Chriſt, VIII. Epocha. Cyrus, or the Jews re-eſtabliſh'd 6. Age of the World. after the 70 years of Babylons Captivity, and the ſame year that Cyrus founded the Perſian Empire; That this Prince, elected by God, to be the deliverer of his People, and the reſtorer of his Temple, ſet about this great work. Forthwith after the publication of his Decree, Zerubabel, accompanied with Jeſus Years be∣fore J. C. 536 the Son of Joſe • ec, the High-Prieſt, brought Years of Rome. 218 back the Captives, who rebuilt the Altar, and laid the foundations of the ſecond Temple. Years be∣fore J. C. 535 The Samaritans being jealous of their Years of Rome. 219 glory, were reſolved to go ſhares with them in this great Work, and under the pretence of worſhipping the God of Iſrael, 1 Eſdr. iv. 2.3. tho' they joined with it their Idolatries to their own falſe Gods, yet they beſought Zerubabel to give them leave to aſſiſt him in the Building of that Temple. But the Children of Judah who deteſted their corrupted Worſhip, rejected their Propoſition. The provoked Samaritans therefore croſſed and perplexed their Deſign by all the ways of Artifice and Violence imaginable. About the ſame time, Servius Tullius, after he had agrandized the City of Rome, was contriving in his Head, how to reduce it to a Commonwealth. But Years be∣fore J. C. 533 he periſhed in the midſt of thoſe his Deſigns, Years of Rome. 221 by the Counſels of his Daughter, and by the Command of the proud Tarquin, his Son-in-Law. This Tyrant invaded the Kingdom, and for a long ſeries of time exerciſed all manner of Cruelties and Outrages. In the mean while the Perſian Empire was growing up: Beſides thoſe vaſt Provinces of the greater Aſia, all the greater Continent of the Leſſer Aſia, became obedient to Years be∣fore J. C. 525 it. The Syrians and Arabians were ſubjected; Years of Rome. 229 and Egypt, which was ſo jealous of its own Laws, yet received theirs. This Years be∣fore J. C. 522 Conqueſt was got by Cambyſes, the Son of Years of Rome. 232 Cyrus. But that fierce Man did not long ſurvive his Brother Smerdis, whom an ambiguous Dream cauſed privately to be put to Death. The Mage, or chief Smerdis ruled for ſome time under the name of Years be∣fore J. C. 521 Smerdis, the Brother of Cambyſes; but this Years of Rome. 233 cheat was ſoon diſcovered. The ſeven principal Lords conſpired againſt him, and one of them was ſet upon the Throne. This was Darius the Son of Hyſtaſpes, Herod. l. 4. c. 159. who in his Inſcriptions ſtiled himſelf the Beſt, and the handſomeſt of all Men. There are many remarkable things that make us know him to be the Ahaſuerus ſpoken of in the Book of Heſter, tho' ſome there are of another Opinion. At the beginning of his Reign,1 Eſdr. v.vi. the Temple was finiſhed, after ſeveral interruptions occaſioned by the Samaritans. There was an irreconcileable hatred between two People, ſo that nothing was more oppoſite than Jeruſalem and Samaria. It was in the Years be∣fore J. C. 513 time of Darius, when the Liberty of Rome Years of Rome. 241 and Athens, and the great Glory of Greece began. Hermodius and Ariſtogiton, Athenians, reſcued their Country from Hipparchus the Son of Piſiſtratus, and are killed by his Guards. Hippias the Brother of Hipparchus endeavours, but in vain, to ſupport himſelf: for he is repulſed: The Tyranny of the Piſiſtratus's is abſolutely extinguiſhed: The reſcued Athenians erect Statues to their Saviours, and re-eſtabliſh the popular State. Hippias throws himſelf into the Arms of Darius, whom he already found diſpoſed to attempt the Conqueſt of Greece, ſo that all his hope was in his Protection. At the ſame time when he was repulſed, Rome alſo was delivered of her Tyrants. Tarquin the Proud by his violent Outrages had made Years be∣fore J. C. 509 Royalty odious: The incontinency of Sextus Years of Rome. 245 his Son was the complement of its deſtruction. Lucretia raviſhed made her to become her own Murdreſs: her Blood, together with the harangues of Brutus, animated and inſpirited the Romans. The Kings were baniſhed, and the Conſulary Empire was eſtabliſhed according to the model and projection of Servius Tullius; but it was ſoon weakned by the Jealouſies of the People. For in the very firſt Conſulate, P. Valerius the Conſul, memorable for his Victories, became ſuſpected by his Citizens; ſo that to pleaſe and ſatisfy them, he was obliged to eſtabliſh the Law of Appeals to the People from the Senate and Conſuls in all cauſes wherein the puniſhing of a Citizen was concerned. The expelled Tarquins found Defenders; for the Neighbouring Kings looked upon their Baniſhment as an injury done to all Crowned Heads in general; Years be∣fore J. C. 507 and Porſenna, King of the Cluſians, Years of Rome. 247 a People of Etruria, took up Arms againſt Rome. And being now reduced to its laſt extremity, and almoſt conquered and taken, it received its Salvation from Horatius Cocles. The Romans did prodigious things to ſecure their dear beloved Liberty, and Scevola a young Citizen, burnt off that Hand which had not reached Porſenna. Clelia, a young Lady, made that Prince aſtoniſhed at her Courage and Bravery; and Porſenna left Rome in Peace, and the Tarquins remained now without any hopes of Years be∣fore J. C. 500 Succour. But Hippias, for whom Dari • s declared, Years of Rome. 254 had better hopes. All Perſia was up in his Favour and Athens had a great threatning Years be∣fore J. C. 493 Cloud of War hanging over it. Whilſt Years of Rome. 261 that Darius was making his Preparations for it, Rome, which was ſo well fortified againſt Strangers, had e'en like to have been deſtroyed within it ſelf: Jealouſy began to re-inforce and take head again, among the Patricians and the People: and the Conſulary Power, altho' it had been already moderated by the Law of P. Valerius, did yet ſeem ſomewhat too great to that People, who were now grown very fearful of their Liberty; ſo that he retreated to Mount Aventin • ; and the Counſels which were violent, were likewiſe unſucceſsful: The People could not be reduced, but by the peaceable Remonſtrances of Menenius Agrippa: and they were forced to find out a ſweetning kind of temperament, and to give to the People, Tribunes that might be able to defend them againſt the Conſuls. The Law which eſtabliſhed this new ſort of Magiſtracy, was called the ſacred Law, and hence was the riſe and origine of the Tribunes of the People. Darius had at laſt declared againſt Greece. His Son-in-Law, Mardonius, after he had gone through Aſia, thought to overthrow the Grecians with the number of Years be∣fore J. C. 490 his Soldiers; but Miltiades defeated that Years of Rome. 264 vaſt Army, in the Plain of Marathon, with ten thouſand Athenians. Rome grew victorious over all her Enemies round about, and ſeem'd to be apprehenſive of none but thoſe within her own Bowels. Coriolanus a zealous Patrician, and the greateſt of his Captains, notwithſtanding all his Services, being baniſhed, by the popular Faction, conſpired the deſtruction of his Country, Years be∣fore J. C. 489 brought the Volſci againſt her, reduced her Years of Rome. 265 Years be∣fore J. C. 488 to the greateſt Extremity, and could not be Years of Rome. 266 moderated, but by the Influence of his Mother. Greece did not long enjoy the repoſe which the Battle of Marathon had given it: Years be∣fore J. C. 480 for to revenge the affront of Perſia, and Years of Rome. 274 Darius; Xerxes his Son and Succeſſor, and the Grandſon of Cyrus by his Mother Atoſſa, aſſaulted the Grecians with eleven hundred thouſand Fighting Men, (ſome ſtick not to ſay ſeventeen hundred Thouſand) not to reckon his Forces at Sea of twelve Hundred great Ships. But Leonidas, King of Sparta, who had no more than three hundred Men, ſlew of them twenty thouſand, at the Straights of Thermopylae, and fell with his own. By the Counſels of Themiſtocles the Athenian, the Sea-forces of Xerxes were the Years be∣fore J. C. 479 ſame Year defeated and beaten, near Salamina. Years of Rome. 275 That Prince repaſſed the Helleſpont in fear; and a year after, his Land-Army which was commanded by Mardonius, was utterly hew'd to pieces near Platea, by Pauſanias King of Lacedemonia, and by Ariſtides the Athenian, ſurnamed the Juſt. The Battle began in the Morning; and by the Evening of that memorable Day, the Grecians of Ionia, who had ſhook off the Perſian Yoke, killed of them Thirty thouſand in the Battle of Mycala, under the Conduct and Command of Leotychides. That General, to put courage into his Souldiers, told them, That Mardonius was now overcome in Greece. The News proved true, either by a prodigious effect of Fame, or rather by a happy accident; and all the Greeks of the Leſſer Aſia were reſtored to their Liberty. This Nation every where got very conſiderable advantages; and a little before, the Carthaginians, then mighty powerful and great, were beaten in Sicily, where they were going to extend their Dominions at the inſtance and importunity of the Perſians. However, notwithſtanding all this bad ſucceſs, they would not leave off their new deſigns upon an Iſland which was ſo commodious to ſecure them the Empire of the Sea, which their Commonwealth greatly deſired. Greece had it then, but ſhe only regarded the Eaſt, and the Perſians. But Pauſanias came to ſet free the Iſle of Cyprus from their Yoak, Years be∣fore J. C. 477 as ſoon as he had framed the project of enthralling Years of Rome. 277 Years be∣fore J. C. 476 his Country. Yet all his Deſigns Years of Rome. 278 were fruitleſs, tho' Xerxes promiſed him all things: the Traytor was betrayed by him whom moſt he loved, and his infamous Years be∣fore J. C. 474 Love coſt him his Life. The ſame Year Years of Rome. 280 Xerxes was killed by Artabanus his Captain of the Guards, Ariſt. Polit. v. 10. whether that perfidious wretch deſigned to poſſeſs the Throne of his Maſter, or that he ſeared the ſeverities of a Prince, whoſe cruel Orders he had not ſo punctually executed. Artaxerxes, who had formerly been his Son, began his Kingdom and Government, and not long Years be∣fore J. C. 473 after receiv'd from Themiſtocles a Letter, Years of Rome. 281 who, being proſcribed by his own Citizens, made him an offer of his Services againſt Greece. He very well underſtood what eſteem he ought to have for ſo great and renowned a Captain, and therefore made a Years be∣fore J. C. 467 firm eſtabliſhment of Friendſhip with him, Years of Rome. 287 maugre all the Jealouſies of his Nobles.1 Eſdr. vii, viii. It was this brave and magnanimous Prince that was the Protector of the Jewiſh People, and in his twentieth year, which is memorable by his glorious Deeds, he permitted Years be∣fore J. C. 454 Nehemiah to re-eſtabliſh Jeruſalem with her Years of Rome. 300 Walls. But this Decree of Artaxerxes did differ from that of Cyrus; for Cyrus's only was in reſpect to the Temple,2 Eſdr. ii. 1. This of Artaxerxes was made for the whole City. From this Decree, foreſeen by Daniel, and ſet down in his Prophecy, the Four hundred and ninety Years of his Weeks begin. This important date hath very ſolid foundations. The Baniſhment of Themiſtocles is placed in Euſebius his Chronology, as in the laſt year of the Seventy ſix. The Olympiad, which comes back to the Two hundred and eighty of Rome. The other Chronologiſts put it a little lower: but the difference is very little, and the Circumſtances of time do much aſſure the Date of Euſebius. They are likewiſe pretty agreeing with Thucydides, a moſt exact Hiſtorian;Thucyd. l. 1. and that grave Author, almoſt a Contemporary, as well as a fellow Citizen of Themiſtocles, makes him to write his Letter about the beginning of Artaxerxes his Reign.Cornel. Nep. in Themiſto. Cornelius Nepos, an Ancient and Judicious, as well as an Elegant Author, will not have us queſtion this Date, after the Authority of Thucydides: and it is ſo much a ſtronger Argument, becauſe another more Antient Author than Thucydides was, agrees with him. 'Tis Charon of Lampſacus cited by Plutarch; Plut. in Them. and Plutarch adds himſelf, That the Annals, this is to ſay, thoſe of Perſia, concur with thoſe two Authors. But however he does not follow them, tho' he gives us no reaſon for it; and thoſe Hiſtorians who begin the Reign of Artaxerxes eight or nine years later, agree neither in time, nor are they of ſo great an Authority. Therefore, beyond all diſpute, we ought to reckon the beginning of it toward the end of the ſeventy ſix Olympiad, and near the 280 year of Rome, and ſo the twentieth year of this Prince will come to be about the end of the eighty firſt Olympiad, and near the 300 year of Rome. Whereas thoſe, who, to conciliate Authors, reject this, and make the beginning of Artaxerxes his Reign to fall out lower, are forced to conjecture, that his Father had at leaſt aſſociated him to the Kingdom when Themiſtocles wrote his Letter: but which way ſoever it be, our account is ſecure. This Foundation being ſettled and granted, the reſt of the Account is eaſie to be made, and the Conſequence will render it plain and evident. After Artaxerxes had made his Decree, The Jews laboured mightily to rebuild their City and the Walls thereof as Daniel had propheſied. Dan. ix. 25 Nehem. ii. 17, 18, 19. Nehemiah managed and ordered the work with a great deal of Prudence and Courage in defiance to all the oppoſitions of the Samaritans, Arabians, and the Ammonites. The People ſat about the Work, and Eliaſhib the High-Prieſt incouraged them by his Example. In the mean while the new Magiſtrates which were ſet over the People of Rome, increaſed the Diviſions of that City; and Rome brought under a Monarchy did want thoſe Laws which were neceſſary for the good Conſtitution of a Common-weal. The Reputation of Greece, which had made her ſelf more famous by her Government than Years be∣fore J. C. 452 by her Victories, excited the Romans to Years of Rome. 302 follow her Example; ſo that they ſent Deputies to ſearch into the Laws of Greece, and eſpecially into thoſe of Athens, which were more agreeable to the State of their Years be∣fore J. C. 451 Republick. According to this Model, ten Years of Rome. 303 abſolute Magiſtrates which they created the next Year after, under the Name of the Decemviri, digeſted and ſet down the Laws of the Twelve Tables, which are the Years be∣fore J. C. 450 Ground and Foundation of the Roman Law. Years of Rome. 304 The People, overjoy'd at the Equity wherewith they were made, ſuffered them to uſurp the ſupreme power; which they uſed Years be∣fore J. C. 449 with Tyranny enough. So that there were very Years of Rome. 305 great Convulſions by the Intemperance of Appius Clodius, one of the Decemviri, and by the Murther of Virginia, whom her Father had rather have ſlain with his own Hand, than have abandoned her to be a Sacrifice to the Paſſion and Luſt of Appius. The Blood of this Second Lucretia awakened the Romans, ſo that the Decemviri were quite thruſt out. But whilſt the Laws were framing under theſe ten Magiſtrates, Eſdras, a Doctor of the Law, and Nehemiah the Governour of the Jewiſh People newly re-eſtabliſhed in Judah, were reforming the Abuſes, and bringing in the Law of Moſes, ſo that they began to be obſerved in the firſt place. One of the main points of their Reformation was to oblige all the People,2 Eſdr. xiii. Deut. xxiii. 3. and particularly the Prieſts, to leave their ſtrange Wives, whom they had married contrary to the expreſs Letter of the Law. Eſdras put the Holy Books in order, and made a very exact review of them, and collected the Antient Memoires of the Jews, to compile out of them the two Books of Paralipomena, or Chronicles, to which he added the Hiſtory of his own Time, which Nehemiah finiſhed. By thoſe Books is that long and tedious Hiſtory, which Moſes had begun, ended; and which the following Authors continued without interruption till the re-building of Jeruſalem. The reſt of the Sacred Hiſtory is not writ in the ſame train. Whilſt Eſdras and Nehemiah were making the laſt part of this great Work, Herodotus, whom the Prophane Authors call the Father of Hiſtory it ſelf, began to write. So that the laſt Authors of the Holy Hiſtory met with the firſt Author of the Greek Hiſtory; and when this began, That of the Jews, only to take it from Abraham, already had made up five Ages. Herodotus never thought to ſpeak of the Jews in that Hiſtory he hath left us; and the Greeks would not inform themſelves of any, but ſuch People whom War, Commerce, or a great Fame had made notorious and conſiderable. Judah, that with great difficulty began to raiſe it ſelf from the Aſhes of its Ruine, never in the leaſt attracted their regards. And it was in this miſerable and calamitous time that the Hebrew Language ceaſed to be common. During the Captivity, and afterwards by the commerce that happened between them and the Chaldeans, the Jews learned the Chaldee Tongue, which very much bordered upon their own, and had almoſt the ſame Idiom and Genius. This reaſon induced them to change the ancient Figure of Hebrew Letters, and ſo they writ Hebrew in the Chaldee Characters which were moſt in uſe among them, and eaſier to be made. This alteration was almoſt inſenſible between the two Neighbouring Languages, whoſe Letters were of the ſame value and efficacy, only differing ſomewhat in their formation. From that time the Holy Scripture was only to be found among the Jews in the Chaldee Letters; But the Samaritans ſtill kept their old way of Writing. Their Poſterity have perſevered in the ſame Cuſtom, even down to our days, and by that means have preſerved the Pentateuch, which they call the Samaritan, in ancient Hebrew Characters, ſuch as they found them in Medals, and in all the Monuments of paſt Ages.

The Jews lived very peaceably and quietly under the Authority of Artaxerxes. That Prince being forced by Cymon the Son of Miltiades, General of the Athenians, to make a ſhameful peace, utterly deſpaired of overcoming the Greeks by force, and ſo only thought of making his advantage by their feuds and diviſions. There happened very great Convulſions between the Athenians and Lacedemonians. Thoſe two people, being jealous each of other, ſhared all Greece. Pericles an Athenian began the Peloponneſian Years be∣fore J. C. 431 VVar, during which Theramenes, Thraſybulus Years of Rome. 323 and Alcibiades, Athenians, made themſelves famous and conſiderable. Braſydas and Mindarus, Lacedemonians, dyed there in fighting for their Country. This VVar laſted ſeven and twenty years, and ended to the advantage of the Lacedemonians, who had brought on their ſide Darius, ſirnamed the Baſtard, the Son and Succeſſor of Artaxerxes. Years be∣fore J. C. 404 Lyſander, General of the Lacedemonians Years of Rome. 350 Fleet, took Athens, anc chang'd it's Government. But Perſia ſoon was ſenſible that it had made the Lacedemonians too powerful, and therefore the Perſians upheld the young Cyrus in his Revolt againſt Artaxerxes Years be∣fore J. C. 401 his eldeſt Brother, called Mnemon, becauſe of Years of Rome. 353 his great and admirable memory, the Son and Succeſſor of Darius. This young Perſon, being delivered both from priſon and death by his Mother Paryſatis, reſolves upon revenge, gains the Noblemen to him by his infinitely obliging carriage, traverſes Aſia the leſs, and goes and offers battle to the King his Brother, even in the heart of his Empire, wounds him with his own hand, and believing himſelf too ſoon a Conqueror, he periſhed by his own raſhneſs. The ten thouſand Greeks that ſerved him, make that aſtoniſhing retreat, where at laſt commanded Xenophon that great Philoſopher, and great Captain, who hath written the Hiſtory of it. The Lacedemonians continued their attacques Years be∣fore J. C. 396 upon the Perſian Empire, which Ageſilaus the Years of Rome. 358 King of Sparta made to tremble in the leſſer Aſia; but the Diviſions of Greece called him back into his own Country. About this time the City of the Veji, which almoſt equalled the glory of Rome, after a ten years ſiege, and a great many good Succeſſes, was taken by the Romans under the Conduct of Camillus. His generoſity gained him yet another Conqueſt. Years be∣fore J. C. 394 The Faliſci, whom he beſieged, rendred Years of Rome. 360 themſelves to him, being touched at what he had done, in ſending them back their Children, whom a School-Maſter had delivered to him; but Rome would not conquer by Treacheries, nor take advantages from the perfidiouſneſs of a wretch, that turned the Obedience of an innocent Age into ſuch an Abuſe. A little after, the Gauls Senonians came into Italy, and beſieged Cluſium, Years be∣fore J. C. 391 and the Romans loſt againſt them the famous Years of Rome. 363 Years be∣fore J. C. 390 battle of Allia. Their City was taken and Years of Rome. 364 burnt. And whilſt they were defending themſelves in the Capitol, their Affairs were re-eſtabliſhed by Camillus whom they had baniſhed. Polyb. l. 1. c. 6. l. 2. c. 18, 22.The Gauls continued ſeven months Maſters of Rome, and being called away by other affairs, they drew off, but it was not without carrying away with them good ſtore of Years be∣fore J. C. 371 ſpoil. During the Commotions of Greece, Years of Rome. 383 Epaminondas a Theban made himſelf ſignal by his equity, moderation and temper, as much as by his Victories. It was obſerved he held this for a conſtant Rule, never to tell a Lye, ſo much as in jeſt. His Actions became dazling and illuſtrious in the laſt years of Mnemon, and in the firſt of Ochus. Under this ſo great a Captain, the Thebans were victorious, and the Power of Lacedemonia abated, Years be∣fore J. C. 359 and grew leſs. That of the Macedonian Years of Rome. 395 Kings began with Philip, the Father of Alexander the Great. And notwithſtanding all the oppoſitions of Ochus and Arſes his Son, Kings of Perſia, and the greater difficulties ſtill which the Eloquence of Demoſthenes, that mighty Defender of Liberty, raiſed againſt him in Athens; the victorious Prince for twenty years together kept all Greece in Years be∣fore J. C. 338 ſubjection, where the Battle of Cheronea, Years of Rome. 416 which he gained over the Athenians and their Allies, gave him a moſt abſolute Power. At this famous Field, whilſt he was breaking the Athenians, he had the joy and happineſs to ſee Alexander at eighteen years of age ruſhing in upon the Theban Troops, and among others, upon that which they called The Sacred Troop of Friends, which they look'd on as Invincible. Thus being Maſter of Greece, and ſupported by a Son of ſuch great hopes, his Deſigns muſt needs be high, and he reſolved on nothing leſs than the abſolute Ruine of the Perſians, againſt whom he had declared himſelf Generaliſſmo. But this was reſerved for Alexander: For in Years be∣fore J. C. 337 the midſt of the Solemnities of a new Marriage, Years of Rome. 417 Philip was aſſaſſinated by Pauſanias, Years be∣fore J. C. 336 a young Man of a good Family to whom Years of Rome. 418 he had not done Juſtice. The Eunuch Bagoas the ſame year killed Arſes King of Perſia, and cauſed Darius the Son of Arſames, ſirnamed Codomannus, to ſucceed him in the Kingdom. He deſerves bv his Valour to be ranked, according to the (otherwiſe) moſt probable Opinion, which gives him his Extraction from the Royal Family. So that there were two Couragious and Magnanimous Kings began their Reigns together, Darius the Son of Arſames, and Alexander the Son of Philip. They looked upon each other with Eyes of Jealouſie, and they ſeem as born to diſpute the Empire of the World betwixt them. But Alexander reſolved to ſtrengthen himſelf well, before he would engage with his Rival. He revenged the Death of his Father, reduced thoſe Rebellious People that Years be∣fore J. C. 335 contemned his Youth; he overcame the Years of Rome. 419 Greeks that vainly attempted to ſhake off their Yoke; and ruined Thebes, where he ſpared none but the Houſe and deſcendant Iſſue of Pindarus, whoſe Odes were the Admiration of Greece. Mighty and Victorious, Years be∣fore J. C. 334 he marched, after theſe famous Exploits, Years of Rome. 420 Years be∣fore J. C. 333 at the Head of the Greeks, againſt Years of Rome. 421 Years be∣fore J. C. 331 Darius, whom he overthrew in three ſeveral Years of Rome. 423 Years be∣fore J. C. 330 Battels in Array, enters triumphantly Years of Rome. 424 Years be∣fore J. C. 327 into Babylon and Suſa, deſtroys Perſepolis, Years of Rome. 427 an ancient Seat and Palace of the Kings of Perſia, puſhes on his Conqueſts as far as Years be∣fore J. C. 324 the Indies, and at laſt returns to die at Babylon, Years of Rome. 430 being, but Three and thirty years of age.

In his time Manaſſes, the Brother of Jaddus Years be∣fore J. C. 333 the High Prieſt, raiſed Commotions Years of Rome. 421 among the Jews. He had married the Daughter of Sanballat the Samaritan, whom Darius had made a Nobleman of that Country. Rather than he would repudiate that beautiful Stranger, to which the Council of Jeruſalem, and his Brother Jaddus would fain have obliged him, he embraced the Schiſm of the Samaritans. And ſeveral of the Jews, to ſhun the like Cenſures, joined themſelves to him. He was reſolv'd at that time to build a Temple near Samaria, upon Mount Gerizim, which the Samaritans believed was bleſt, and ſo to make himſelf the High-Prieſt of it. His Father-in-Law, a moſt intimate Friend of Darius, aſſured him of this Prince's Protection, and the effect and Conſequence was ſo much the more favourable to him; for Years be∣fore J. C. 332 Alexander raiſed himſelf, Sanballat deſerted Years of Rome. 422 his Maſter, and brought his Troops over to the Victorious, at the Siege of Tyre. Thus he obtained whatſoever he deſired, the Temple of Gerizim was built, and the Ambition of Manaſſes was ſatisfied. The Jews in the mean time, being ever faithful to the Perſians, refuſed to give Alexander the ſuccour he demanded of them. He went to Jeruſalem, full of Reſolution to take his Revenge; but his Mind was alter'd when he beheld the High-Prieſt coming out to meet him, with the other Prieſts that offered Sacrifices, all cloathed with their proper Veſtments for Ceremony, and in Proceſſion before the People in White. They ſhewed to him the Prophecies that foretold his Victories, out of Daniel. So that he granted to the Jews all their Requeſts, and they kept with him the ſame Fidelity as they had always done before to the Kings of Perſia.

In the midſt of theſe his Conqueſt, Rome Years of Rome. 428 was engaged with her Neighbours the Samnites, Years of Rome. 429 and were extremely put to't to reduce Years of Rome. 430 them, notwithſtanding the Valour and Conduct of Papyrius Curſor, the moſt famous of her Generals. After the Death of Alexander, his Empire was divided. Perdiccas, Ptolomee the Son of Lagus, Antigonus, Sileu • us, Lyſimachus, Antipater, and his Son Years be∣fore J. C. 324 Caſſan • e • ; in a word, all his Captains that Years of Rome. 430 were bred up in War, under ſo great and mighty a Conqueror, deſigned to make themſelves Maſters of it, by their Arms: They ſacrificed to their Ambition all the Family of Alexander, his Brother, Years of Rome. 430 Years of Rome. 436 Years of Rome. 438 Years of Rome. 443 Years of Rome. 445 his Mother, his Wives, his Children, and even his Siſters; ſo that there was nothing to be ſeen but Fields of Blood, and dreadful Revolutions. In the midſt of ſo many diſorders, ſeveral of the People of leſſer Aſia, and thereabouts freed themſelves, and formed the Kingdoms of Pontus, Bithynia, and Pergamus. The Goodneſs of the Country made them afterwards Rich and Powerful. Armenia likewiſe at the ſame time ſhook off the Macedonian Yoak, and became a very great Kingdom. The two Mithridates's, Father and Son, founded that of Cappadocia. Years be∣fore J. C. 323 But the two moſt puiſſant Monarchies Years of Rome. 431 Years be∣fore J. C. 312 that were then raiſed, were that of Egypt, Years of Rome. 442 founded by Ptolomee, the Son of Lagus, from whence came the Lagides, and that of Aſia or Syria, founded by Seleucus, from whence proceeded the Seleucides. This latter compriſed, beſides Syria, thoſe vaſt and rich Provinces of higher Aſia, which made up the Perſian Empire: ſo all the Eaſt owned Greece, and learned the Language of it. Nay, even Greece it ſelf fell under oppreſſion by the Captains of Alexander. And Macedonia, his antient Kingdom, which gave Laws as well as Maſters to the Eaſt, was left a Prey to the firſt Comer. Caſſander's Children drive each the other out of that Kingdom. Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, who had poſſeſſed one part of it, was driven out Years be∣fore J. C. 296 by Demetrius Poliorcetes the Son of Antigonus, Years of Rome. 458 Years be∣fore J. C. 294 whom alſo he expelled in his turn: Years of Rome. 460 Years be∣fore J. C. 289 This is he who was likewiſe once forced out Years of Rome. 465 Years be∣fore J. C. 286 by Lyſimachus, and Lyſimachus by Seleucus, Years of Rome. 468 Years be∣fore J. C. 281 whom Ptolomee Ceraunus, driven out of Egypt Years of Rome. 468 Years be∣fore J. C. 280 by his Father, Ptolomee the firſt killed like Years of Rome. 473 a Traytor, notwithſtanding all his Kindneſſes. Years of Rome. 474 That perfidious Man had no ſooner invaded Macedonia, but he was attacqued Years be∣fore J. C. 279 by the Gauls, and was ſlain in a Fight he had with them. During theſe troubles in Years of Rome. 475 the Eaſt, They came into leſſer Aſia, led on by their King Brennus, and ſetled themſelves Gallo-Greece, or Galatia, called ſo from their own Name, from whence they went to Macedonia, which they ravaged, and ſo made all Greece to tremble. But their Army was deſtroyed in the Sacrilegious attempts on the Temple of Delphos. This Nation was active, and yet in every thing Years be∣fore J. C. 278 unfortunate: ſome years before the buſineſs Years of Rome. 476 Years be∣fore J. C. 283 of Delphos, the Gauls of Italy, whoſe continual Years of Rome. 471 Wars, Polyb. l. 2. 20. and frequent Victories had made them the dread and terrour of the Romans, were animated againſt them by the Samnites, the Brutians, and Etrurians. At firſt they returned back with a new Victory, but the Glory of it was quickly ſullied by ſlaying the Ambaſſadors. The Romans being inraged, marched againſt them, defeated them, entred into their Territories, Years be∣fore J. C. 282 where they founded a Colony, beat them alſo Years of Rome. 472 a ſecond time, by ſubjecting one part of them, and forcing the other to demand Peace. After that the Gauls of the Eaſt had been driven out of Greece, Antigonus Gonatas, Years be∣fore J. C. 277 the Son of Demetrius Poliorceters, who Years of Rome. 477 reigned about twelve years before in Greece, but very unquietly, without any difficulty invaded Years be∣fore J. C. 280 Macedonia. Pyrrhus was otherwiſe engaged Years of Rome. 474 for being forced out of that Kingdom he was in good hopes to ſatisfie his Ambition with the Conqueſt of Italy, whither he was called by the Tarentines. The Battle which the Romans came to get over them and the Samnites, afforded them only this Reſſource, Years be∣fore J. C. 279 that he carried away from the Romans thoſe Years of Rome. 475 Victories which would be his ruin. Py • rhus his Elephants affrighted them; but the Years be∣fore J. C. 278 Conſul Fabricius made the Romans ſoon ſee that Pyrrhus was not unconquerable. The Years of Rome. 476 King and the Conſul ſeemed to diſpute between the glory of Generoſity, rather than that of Arms: Pyrrhus rendred to the Conſul all his Priſoners without a Ranſom, ſaying, It became him to make War with the Sword, and not with Money; and Fabricius ſent back to the King, his treacherous Phyſician, who had offered to poiſon his Maſter for him. About theſe times Religion, and the Jewiſh Nation began to appear among the Greeks. Thoſe People being civilly treated by the Kings of Syria, lived in tranquillity and Peace according to their Laws. Antiochus the God, Grandſon of Seleucus, ſent them up and down into the leſſer Aſia, Joſeph. Ant. 12.3. from whence they got themſelves into Greece, and every where enjoyed the ſame Rights, Priviledges, and Liberty, as the other Citizens. Ptolomee the Son of Lagus, had already ſetled them in Egypt. Years be∣fore J. C. 277 Under his Son Ptolomee Philadelphus, their Years of Rome. 477 Scriptures were turned into Greek, and then came out that excellent Verſion, called the Septuagint Verſion. This was done by thoſe Learned old Men, whom Eleazer the High-Prieſt ſent to the King, who deſired them. Some would have only had the five Books of Moſes tranſlated,Joſeph. l. 1. Antiq. c. 1. l. 12. c. 2. and the reſt of the ſacred Books might afterwards be turned into Greek for the uſe of the Jews that were ſcattered all over Egypt and Greece, and who had forgot not only their own ancient Language, which was the Hebrew, but alſo the Chaldee, which the Captivity had taught them. They made themſelves a Greek Mixture, which they called the Helleniſtick Tongue: The Septuagint, and all the New-Teſtament is written in this Tongue. And during this diſperſion of the Jews, their Temple was made famous over all the Land, and all the Kings of the Eaſt preſented there their offerings. The Weſt was intent on the War Years be∣fore J. C. 275 of Rome, and Pyrrhus. In ſhort, this King Years of Rome. 479 was defeated by the Conſul Curius, and ſo went back to Epirus. But he was not there long at quiet, but he reſolved to make Macedonia recompence him for the ill ſucceſſes Years be∣fore J. C. 274 he met with from Italy. Antigonus Gonatus Years of Rome. 480 was blocked up in Theſſalonica, and forced to leave to Pyrrhus all the reſt of the Kingdom. Years be∣fore J. C. 272 But he took heart again, whilſt that Years of Rome. 482 the reſtleſs and ambitious Pyrrhus was making War upon the Lacedemonians, and thoſe of Argos. The two hoſtile Kings were brought into Argos at one and the ſame time, by two contrary Caballs, and at two ſeveral Gates. There was a mighty Combat in that City: and a certain Mother who ſaw her Son purſued by Pyrrhus, whom he had wounded, knocked that Prince on the Head with a Stone. Antigonus, thus being defeated of his Enemy, re-enters Macedonia, who, after ſome changes and Revolutions, was at Peace with his Family. The Confederacy of the Achaians kept him from growing Great. It was the laſt Rampier of the Grecian Liberty, and it was that which produced the laſt Heroes of it with Aratus, and Philopoemen. The Tarentines, whom Pyrrhus fed with hopes, called in the Carthaginians after his Death. But that ſuccour did them very little good; for they were beaten with the Brutians and the Samnites their Allies. Theſe, after ſeventy and two years continual Wars, were forced to ſubmit to the Roman Yoak. Tarentum followed at the heels, and the Neighbouring People could not hold out, and ſo all the antient People of Italy were ſubjugated. The Gauls often beaten, durſt not ſtir. Polyb. lib. 1, 2.1. And after 480 Years Warring, the Romans ſaw themſelves Maſters of Italy, and began to conſider the affairs abroad: They were not a little jealous of the Carthaginians, who were grown very powerful in their Neighbourhood, by the Conqueſts they had made in Sicily, from whence they were coming to fall upon them, and Italy, in the Relief of the Tarentines. The Republic of Carthage had two ſides of the Mediteranean Sea. Beſides that of Africa, which ſhe almoſt entirely poſſeſſed, ſhe extended her ſelf towards Spain, by the Straights. Being thus Miſtreſs of the Sea, and of Commerce, ſhe had invaded the Iſles of Corſa and Sardinia. Sicily could ſcarce defend it ſelf, and Italy was too nearly threatned, not to be concerned with ſome apprehenſion. From thence proceeded the Punic Wars, notwithſtanding the Treaties Years be∣fore J. C. 264 which were ill obſerv'd on both ſides. Years be∣fore J. C. 490 The firſt taught the Romans to fight at Sea, and they were preſently Maſters of an Art, which before they knew little, or nothing Years be∣fore J. C. 260 of; and the Conſul Duilius, who was the Years of Rome. 494 Years be∣fore J. C. 259 firſt that gave Battle at Sea, gained it. Regulus Years of Rome. 495 Years be∣fore J. C. 256 got the like Reputation, and landed in Years of Rome. 498 Africa, where he was forced to fight with that Prodigious Serpent, which obliged him to employ all his Army againſt it. But every thing yielded; and Carthage, being reduced Years be∣fore J. C. 255 to her laſt Extremity, did juſt make a ſhift Years of Rome. 499 to ſave herſelf by the aſſiſtance and ſeaſonable Relief of Xantippus the Laced • monian. The Roman General is beaten, and taken; but his Priſon renders him more great and illuſtrious than his Victories. For being upon his Parole ſent back to treat about the exchange of Priſoners, he told the Senate the conditions, which was all hopes and Grace to them that would voluntarily ſurrender themſelves; and ſo returned to a moſt certain Death. Two dreadful Shipwracks forced the Romans to leave their new Empire of the Sea to the Carthaginians. And the Victory hung a long while in dubious ſuſpence between the two People, and the Romans were juſt upon the point of yielding: Years be∣fore J. C. 241 but they repaired their Fleet; and one ſingle Years of Rome. 513 Battle decided the Buſineſs, and the Conſul Lutatius concluded the War. Carthage was obliged to pay Tribute, and to quit with Sicily all the Iſles that were between Sicily and Italy. The Romans got that Iſland entirely, ſaving only what Hieron King of Syracuſa, their Ally, kept of it. After the War was ended, the Carthaginians thought now only of Deſtruction by the riſing of their Army. They had, according to their Cuſtom, made it up of Strangers, who revolted to them for their pay. Polyb. lib i. c. 62.63. lib. ii. • . 1. Their cruel and ſevere Government forced them to join to thoſe mutinous Troops, almoſt all the Cities of the Empire, and Carthage being cloſely beſieged, had utterly been loſt, if it had not been for Hamilcar, ſirnamed Barcas. He alone maintain'd the Years be∣fore J. C. 238 laſt War: And the Citizens are indebted Years of Rome. 516 to him for the Victory, Poly. lib. i. 79. • 3. • 3. which they got over the Rebels. But it coſt them Sarainia, which the Revolt of their Garriſon opened to the Romans. And for fear of engaging with them in a new War, Carthage was forced to ſurrender up that Iſland, which was of ſuch importance; and alſo to inlarge her Tribute, ſhe deſigned in Spain to re-eſtabliſh her Empire, which had been ſo much ſhaken by this Revolt: Hamilcar went into that Province with his Son Hannibal of but Years be∣fore J. C. 230 nine years of Age, and there dyed in a Battle. Years of Rome. 524 And during the nine Years, in which he managed the War, with as much Addreſs as Valour, his Son was made a Warrior under this ſo brave a Champion, and took all at once, an implacable hatred againſt the Romans. Aſdrubal his Ally was made his Father's Succeſſor; who governed his Province with a great deal of Prudence, and in it built New Carthage, which kept Spain under Subjection. The Roman: were taken up in the War againſt Teuta, Queen of Illyria, who exerciſed Piracy unpuniſhed over all the Coaſt. Fluſhed with the Spoil ſhe made upon the Greeks, and thoſe of •• ir s, ſhe deſpiſed the Romans, and ſlew their Ambaſſador: But ſhe was ſoon t • ken down: for the Romans left her but a very ſmall part of Years be∣fore J. C. 229 Illyria, and got from her the Iſle of Corſmi • on, Years of Rome. 525 Years be∣fore J. C. 228 which that Queen had uſurped. They Years of Rome. 526 then made themſelves to be reſpected in Greece, by a ſolemn Embaſſage, and this was the firſt time that they acknowledged their Power there. Polyb. lib. ii. 12.22. The great Succeſſes of Aſ •• r d • al made them wonderful jealous; but the Gauls of Italy kept them from m •• ling with the affairs of Spain. Li. •• l. lib. 21. They continued quiet five and forty Years. And the Youth that were bred up in that time, ne're thought of paſt l • ſtes, but began again to m •• ace 〈◊〉 .

The Romans, that they might with ſecurity attack ſuch turbulem Neighbours, made themſelves ſure of the Carthaginians. The Treaty was concluded with Aſd • u • al, who promiſed not to paſs beyond the Heber. Years be∣fore J. C. 224 The War between the Romans and Years of Rome. 530 the Ga •• s went ſuriouſly on on both ſides: The Tra • ſalſims joined with the • iſalſin s; and all were beaten. Con • olitanus, one of the King of the • a • ls, was taken in the fight: A •• r • eſtus, another Kin • , was his own Murtherer: the Victorious R • mans at the firſt time paſſed the River Po, being reſolved to take from the Gauls at the adjacent places to that River, of which, for ſo many Ages ſince, they had been in poſſeſſion: Victory was their attendant whereſoever they went: Milan was taken; and almoſt all the Cou • try was brought into ſubjection. About that time Aſdrubal died; and Hanibal, though he was not five and twenty years old, was put in his Years be∣fore J. C. 220 place. From that time War was foreſeen. Years of Rome. 534 The new Governour openly ſet himſelf to ſubdue Spain, without any reſpect to Terms. Rome then hearkened to the complaints Years be∣fore J. C. 219 of Sagonius, her Ally. And the Years of Rome. 535 Roman Ambaſſadours went to Carthage. The re-eſtabliſhed Carthaginians were now no longer in a humour of yielding. Sicily raviſhed out of their Hands, Sardinia unjuſtly forced from them, and Tribute enhanced, ſtuck ſhrewdly in their St • machs. So that the Faction which would have Hannibal abandoned, proved very weak. That General deſigned to have at all. By ſecret Embaſſies they were aſſured ot the Gauls of Italy, who being not longer able to attempt any thing by their own Forces, took this opportunity to relieve themſelves. Hannibal traverſes all Heber, the Pyrenees, all Gallia Tranſalpine, the Alpes, and upon a ſudden falls upon Italy. The Gauls neglected not to fortify their Army, and made Years be∣fore J. C. 218 the laſt effort for their Liberty. Four loſt Years of Rome. 536 Years be∣fore J. C. 217 Battles made them believe, that Rome was Years of Rome. 537 Years be∣fore J. C. 216 very near her mine, Sicily ſides with the Years of Rome. 538 Years be∣fore J. C. 215 Conquerour. Hieronymus King of Syracuſa Years of Rome. 539 Years be∣fore J. C. 212 declares himſelf againſt the Romans; almoſt Years of Rome. 542 all Italy abandons them; and the laſt Reſſource of that Republick ſeemed to give up it ſelf in Spain with the two Scipio's. Amidſt theſe extremities, Rome was indebted for her Salvation to three great Men. The conſtancy of Fabiua Maximus, who putting himſelf above Popular Rumours, made War by retreating, and was a Rampier to his Countrey. Marcellus, who Years be∣fore J. C. 214 raiſed the Siege of Nola, and took Syracuſa, Years of Rome. 540 Years be∣fore J. C. 212 by thoſe Actions put Courage and Vigour Years of Rome. 542 into the Souldiers. But Rome, which admired thoſe two wonderful Perſons, thought they ſaw in the young Scipio ſomething more ſtrange and ſurprizing. The aſtoniſhing ſucceſſes of his Counſels confirmed the Opinion they had of him, that he came of Race Divine, and converſed with the Gods. At twenty four years of Age he engaged to go into Spain, where his Father Years be∣fore J. C. 211 and Uncle had but newly been ſlain: He Years of Rome. 543 Years be∣fore J. C. 210 attacked New Carthage, as if he had been Years of Rome. 544 actuated by Inſpiration and his Souldiers quickly got the Field. All that ſaw him turned ſtraight to the Roman ſide: The Carthaginians yield up Spain to him; at his coming into Africa, Kings becauſe his Homagers: Carthage it ſelf trembled in her turn, and ſaw her Arms defeated: Victorious Hami • al after ſixteen years is in vain called back, and cannot defend his Countrey: F • r Scipio gives Laws unto it: The Years be∣fore J. C. 202 Sirname of Africanus is his recompence: ſo Years of Rome. 552 that the Romans having conquered the Gauls and Africans law themſelves then beyond further apprehenſion, and fought afterwards ſecure without hazard.

Years be∣fore J. C. 250 About the middle of the firſt Punick War,Years of Rome. 5 • 4. Theodotus Governour of Bactria headed a thouſand Cities againſt Antiochus, ſirnamed the God, the Son of Antiochus Soter, King of Syria. Almoſt all the Eaſt followed this Example. The Pa • thia • s revolted under the Conduct o • A • aces, who was Chief of the Houſe of the A •••• id • , & • ounder of an Empire, • hich, by degrees extended i • ſe •• into al • the upper Aſia.

—The Kings of Syria, and thoſe of Aegypt, f •• ſhed one againſt the other, meditated on ••• hin • but m • tual ruine, either by force, o • fraud. Damaſ • s, and hi • T • rritory, whi •• was called Coelo-Syria, and which was a Confine to the two Kingdoms, was the S • bj •• t of their Wars; and the Affairs of Aſia were abſolutely diſtinct and ſeparate from thoſe of E rope.

During all thoſe ſad times, Philoſophy flouriſhed in Greece; the Sect of the Italian Philoſophers, and that of the Eniques, filled it with great Men, among whom there were mixed ſeveral extravagant Perſons, to whom Critical Greece would no • vouch ••• e to • ive the name • f Philoſoph • rs. In the time of •• r • s and Ca •••• ſ •• , Pythagoras 〈◊〉 the It l ck Sect in the Upper Greece, a •• about Naples. And very •• ar the ſame 〈◊〉 Th •• es the Mileſ • an fo • med that of the •• i •• e • r • m th • n •• proceeded th ſe great 〈…〉 , He • aclitu • , D • m • crit • , Empe •• cles, P •••• ni ••• , Ana •• goras, who, a little 〈◊〉 the P • lop ••• ſian War, diſcover'd the World t • be made by an Eternal Spi ••• . S •• r t s in a ſhort time after reduced P • iloſo • hy to the ſtudy of good manners, and was the Father of Moral Philoſophy; Plato, his Diſciple, chief of the Academy; Ariſtotle Plato's Diſ • iple, and Maſter of Al • xander, chief of the P ripatetick; under the Succeſſors of Alexander, Z • n • ſirnamed Citian, from a Town in the Iſle of Cyprus, where he was born, chief of the Stoicks; and Epicurus the Athenian, chief of thoſe Philoſophers that bear his name; if likewiſe we may count thoſe Philſophers who openly deny a Providence, and who, being ignorant what duty was, defined Vertue by Pleaſure. We may alſo reckon among the greateſt Philoſophers Hippocrates the Father of Phyſick, who was eminently famous amongſt others in thoſe happy times of Greece. The Romans had at the ſame time another ſort of Philoſophy, which did not conſiſt in Diſputes, nor in Diſcourſes, but in Frugality, in Poverty, in the labours of a Countrey life; and in thoſe of War, wherein they made their Glory to conſiſt; in that of their Countrey, and of the Roman Name: which made them at laſt the Maſters both of Italy and Carthage.

IX. Epocha. Scipio, or Carthage conqu •• ed. In the Year 552. from the Foundation of Rome, about 250 Years after the Foundation of the Perſian Monarchy, and 202 Years before Jeſus Chriſt, Carthage was made ſubject to the Romans. Hannibal never Years be∣fore J. C. 202 ceaſed underhand to ſtir them up Enemies Years of Rome. 552 whereſoever he could: but he only enſnared all his old and new Friends in the ruine of their Countrey, and his own too. By the Victories of the Conſul Flaminius, Years be∣fore J. C. 198 Philip King of Macedonia, an Ally of the Years of Rome. 556 Years be∣fore J. C. 196 Car • haginians, was overcome; the Kings of Years of Rome. 558 Macedonia brought to great ſtraits; and Greece freed from their Yoke. The Romans attempted to deſtroy H ••• nibal, whom they found to be ſtill feared, notwithſtanding his loſſes. That Great Captain forced to Years be∣fore J. C. 15 ſave himſelf from his Countrey, ſtirred up the East againſt them, and brought their Years of Rome. 559 Years be∣fore J. C. 193 Arms into Aſia. By his powerful Arguments Years of Rome. 561 and Perſwaſions, Antioch • s, ſirnamed the Great King of Syria, became Jealous of their Forces, and made War with them, but, in doing ſo, he followed not the Counſels of Hannibal, who had engaged him in it. Beaten both by Sea and Land, he receiv'd the Law which the Conſul Lucius Scipio, the Brother of Scipio Africanus, impoſed upon him, and he was ſhut up in Mount Years be∣fore J. C. 182 Taurus. Hannibal fled for refuge to Pruſias Years of Rome. 572 King of Bythinia, eſcaped the Romans by Poyſon. They are feared by all People, and will not ſuffer any other Power beſides their own. Kings were obliged to give them their Children, as Hoſtages of their Faith. Antiochus, ſince called the Illuſtrious or Epiphanius, the ſecond Son of Antiochus, the great King of Syria, continued a long while at Rome in that Quality, but about the Years be∣fore J. C. 176 end of the Reign of Seleucus Philopater, Years of Rome. 578 his elder Brother, he was reſtored; and the Romans would have in his Room Demetrius Years be∣fore J. C. 175 Soter, the Kings Son, then about ten years of Years of Rome. 579 Age. In this time of Convulſion Sele • cus died; and Antiochus uſurped the Kingdom over his Nephew. The Romans were taken up in the affairs of the Macedonians, where Perſeus was troubling his Neighbours, and would no longer keep to thoſe Conditions that were impoſed upon King Philip his Father.

YOƲR Highneſs ſees the twelve Epocha's which I have followed in this Abridgment: I have chained to each of them the principal matters that are dependent thereon. You may now without any great difficulty diſpoſe of, according to the order of Time, the great accidents of the Antient Hiſtory, and range them (as I may ſo ſpeak) each under its proper Standard.

I have not in this Abſtract forgot that celebrated distinction which the Chronologiſts make of the continuance of the World in 7. Ages. The beginning of every one of them ſerves us for an Epocha: If I have mixt any others with them, it is that ſo things may be more diſtinct, and that the order of time may be opened to You with leſs confuſion.

When I ſpeak to You of the order of Time, I do not pretend, My Lord, that You ſhould ſcrupulouſly charge Your memory with all the dates; much leſs that You ſhould concern Your ſelf with all the nice diſputes of the Chronologiſts, where moſt an end they differ but in a very few years. There is no question but that this contentious Chronology which ſcrupulouſly is taken up about thoſe ſmall matters hath its uſe; but that is not Your object, and is of very little ſervice to enlighten the mind of a great Prince. I would not be too refined upon this diſcuſſion of Time, but in the calculations I have already made, I have ſtill followed that which has appeared to me the moſt probable, without troubling my ſelf to be Guarranty for it.

In the ſupputation of years which is made ſince the time of the Creation down to Abraham, we had best join with the LXX. which makes the World older, whereas the Hebrew makes it younger by many Ages: Although the Authority of the Original Hebrew ſeems as if it ought to carry it, yet it is a thing ſo indifferent in it ſelf, that the Church, which hath with St. Jerom, followed the ſupputation of the Hebrew in our Vulgar Tranſlation, hath left that of the LXX. in its Martyrology. In effect, what matter is it for Hiſtory either to diminiſh, or to multiply void Age, where alſo there is nothing to give an account of? Is it not enough that the times, where the dates are important, have their fixed Characters, and the diſtribution of them be ſupported on certain foundations? And tho' even in thoſe times there ſhould be a diſpute about ſome years, it ſhould ſcarce ever make us perplexed and uneaſie. As for inſtance, if we ſhould put it ſome years ſooner or later when Rome was founded, or our bleſſed Saviour born, You must own that ſuch a diverſity makes nothing to the courſe of Histories, nor to the accompliſhing of the Councils of God. You muſt be careful to ſhun the Anachroniſms which ruffle and embroyl the order of Affairs, and leave the others to the diſputes of the Learned.

I will not further oppreſs Your memory with the account of the Olympiads, tho' the Grecians, who make uſe of that, render them very neceſſary for the fixing of Times. It is fit You ſhould know it, that You may, when there is occaſion, have recourſe to it: But it will be ſufficient to keep to the dates which I propoſe to You, as being the mos • ſimple, and the moſt followed, which are thoſe of the World to Rome, thoſe from Rome to Jeſus Chriſt, and thoſe from Jeſus Chriſt to all ſucceeding Generations.

But the true deſign of this Abridgment is not to explain to You the order of Time, tho' it be abſolutely neceſſary in the reading of all Histories, and in ſhewing how they relate to one another. I have told You, My Lord, That my principal Object is to make you conſider in the order of time, the courſe of the people of God, and that of great Empires.

Theſe two things roul together in this great Movement of Ages, where they have, as I may ſay, one and the ſame courſe. But it is needful, to understand them truly, to detach them ſometimes one from the other, and to conſider whatſoever hath relation to each of them.

ABove all, Religion, and the courſe of the people of God, conſidered in this manner, is the greateſt, and moſt uſeful of all the objects that can be propoſed to men. It is pretty to have before our Eyes the different States of God's People under the Law of Nature, and under the Patriarchs;The Courſe of Religion. I. The Creation, and the firſt Times. under Moſes, and the Written Law; under David, and the Prophets; ſince the Return of the Captivity until Jeſus Chriſt; and in ſumm, under Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, that is to ſay, under the Law of Grace, and under the Goſpel; in the Ages which waited for the Advent of the Meſſias, and in thoſ • in which he appeared; in thoſe where the Worſhip of God was confined to one Angle People, and in thoſe were conformable to the antient Prophecies, it was ſpread abroad over all the face of the Earth; in thoſe, at laſt, wherein Mankind ſtill clogged with Infirmities, and groſs Ideas, has had need to be ſupported by Temporal Rewards and Puniſhments, and in thoſe wherein the Faithful, that are the moſt inſtructed, ought now only to live by Faith, ſetting to minds upon Celeſtial good things, which will yield them Eternal pleaſure and ſatisfaction, and ſuffering, through the hopes at laſt of coming to enjoy them, all the evils and miſeries of this World which can exerciſe their Patience.

Certainly, my Lord, nothing can come into the heart of man to conceive more worthy of God, than that he ſhould firſt of all chooſe to himſelf a people, which ſhould be a moſt manifeſt Example of his Eternal Providence; a people whoſe good or evil depends on Piety, and whoſe condition bears evidence to the Wiſdom and Juſtice of him who governs them. Here it was where God began, and this he fully diſcovered in the people of the Jews. But after he had by ſo many ſenſible manifeſtations eſtabliſhed this immutable foundation, whereby he alone after the pleaſure of his own Will did manage all the events of the preſent life, it was time to exalt men to higher thoughts, and to ſend Jeſus Chriſt, to whom it was reſerved to diſcover to a new people collected out of all the people of the World, the Secrets and Myſteries of a life to come.

You may eaſily follow the Hiſtory of theſe two ſorts of people, and obſerve, as Jeſus Chriſt doth, the Union of them both, ſince that whether looked for or given, it was ever the Conſolation and the Hope of the Sons of God.

Thus then Religion was always uniform, or rather always the ſame from the beginning of the World; they always acknowledged the ſame One God, as the Author, and the ſame Jeſus Chriſt, as the Saviour of Mankind.

Thus You will ſee there was nothing more antient among men than the Religion which You profeſs, and it is not without reaſon that your Anceſtors have accounted it their greateſt glory to be the Protectors of it.

What Teſtimony is this of its truth, to ſee that in the times wherein the prophane Hiſtories have nothing in them but what is fabulous, or, at moſt, things that are confuſed, and half forgotten, the Holy Scripture, that is to ſay, (without controverſie) the moſt antient Book in the World, brings us back by ſo many curious but preciſe accidents, and by the ſame thread of things, to their true principle, that is to ſay, to God, the Maker of all things; and does point out to us ſo diſtinctly the Creation of the Univerſe, that of man in particular, the happineſs of his firſt Eſtate, the cauſes of his miſeries and frailties; the Corruption of the World, and the Deluge; the beginning of Arts, and thoſe of Nations; the diſtribution of Countries: in a word, the propagation of Mankind, and other matters of the ſame importance, whereof humane Hiſtories ſpeak but confuſedly, and oblige us elſewhere to ſeek for the certain ſources of them.

And if the Antiquity of Religion gives it ſo much Authority, its continued courſe without interruption, and without alteration for ſo many ſucceſſive Ages, and notwithſtanding all its manifold ſurprizing obſtacles, does manifeſtly diſcover to us, that it is the hand of God alone that ſuſtains it.

What is there more marvellous than to behold it always ſubſiſting upon the ſame foundations of the beginnings of the World, and neither the Idolatry and Impiety which ſurround it on every ſide, nor the Tyrants that have perſecuted it, nor the Heretics and Infidels who have endeavoured to corrupt it, nor the Cowardly that have betrayed it, nor the unworthy Schiſmatics who have diſhonoured it by their Crimes; nor, to conclude, the length of time, which alone was ſufficient to wear away all humane things; neither of theſe, I ſay, have been capable, not only not to extinguiſh, but ſo much as to alter it.

If we now ſhall conſider what Idea this Religion, for whoſe Antiquity we have ſo great a Reverence, gives us of its object, that is to ſay, of the firſt Being, we ſhall confeſs that it is ſuperiour to all humane apprehenſions, and deſerving to be regarded as coming from God himſelf.

That God whom the Hebrews and the Chriſtians have always ſerved and worſhiped, hath nothing in common with thoſe Divinities full of Imperfection, and even of Vice, which the reſt of the World adored. Our God is One, Infinite, Perfect, only worthy to revenge Wickedneſs and Vice, and to Crown Vertue, becauſe that He alone is Holineſs it ſelf.

He is infinitely above that firſt Cauſe, and of that firſt Mover, which the Philoſophers of old have acknowledged, but yet have not adored. Thoſe of them that have been the moſt remote, have propoſed to us one God, who finding a matter Eternal, and exiſting by it ſelf as well as He, hath put it into frame, and faſhioned it as a common Artificer, conſtrained in his work by that matter, and by thoſe diſpoſitions which he did not make, without ever being able to comprehend, that if the matter were of it ſelf, it could not ſtay to have its perfection from a ſtrange hand, and that if God be infinite and perfect, he hath not to do whatſoever he pleaſeth, but only of himſelf, and of his omnipotent Will. But the God of our Fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of whom Moſes hath delivered wonders to us, hath not only ranged this World, but he hath done it all entire in its matter, and in its form. Before he had given it a Being, nothing had it but himſelf. He is repreſented to us as that God that made all things, and that by his word, as well becauſe he did all by the moſt excellent reaſon, as becauſe he did it without the leaſt of difficulty, and that to make ſuch a moſt glorious work as this World, he was only at the expence of one word, that is to ſay, it coſt him no more than his bare will and pleaſure.

And to follow the Hiſtory of the Creation, ſince we have begun it, Moſes hath taught us, That that mighty Architect, to whom things coſt ſo little, was pleaſed to make them at ſeveral times, and by returns from thence where he had before given over, and to create the World in ſix days, to ſhew that he acted not through an impulſe of neceſſity, or through a blind impetuoſity, as ſome Philoſophers have vainly imagined. The Sun emits at once (without any reſerve) the power of all its rays; but God, who acts by intelligence, and with a Sovereign liberty applies his Virtue and Power to what he pleaſeth, and juſt to ſo much too as he pleaſeth: And as in making the World by his word, he diſcovers that nothing can trouble or with-hold him, by making it at ſeveral reſumptions, it is ſufficiently plain and evident to us that he is the Maſter of his Matter, of his Action, of all his Enterpriſes, and that he hath not in any of his proceedings any other Rule but his Will, which is always right by it ſelf.

This Conduct of Almighty God doth likewiſe ſhew to us, that every thing cometh immediately out of his hand. The People and the Philoſophers who have believed that the Earth mingled with Water, and aſſiſted (forſooth) with the warm beams of the Sun, had produced of it ſelf, through its own fecundity, Plants and Animals, were moſt groſly miſtaken. The Scriptures have made us to underſtand that the Elements are barren, if the word of God makes 'em not fruitful. Neither the Earth, nor the Water, nor the Air would ever have had Plants, or Animals, which we now ſee in them, if God, who had made and prepared the matter of them, had not alſo formed them by Almighty Will, and had not given to every thing the proper Seeds whereby to multiply in all the ſucceeding Ages.