The famous and memorable vvorkes of Iosephus, a man of much honour and learning among the Iewes. Faithfully translated out of the Latin, and French, by Tho. Lodge Doctor in Physicke

THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE [ L] IEWES,

WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS.

The Contents of the Chapters of the 10. booke.

• 1 Senacharib King of Assyria, besiegeth Ezechias in Ierusalem.
• 2 Ezechias hauing liued for a certaine time in peace; dieth, and leaueth his sonne Manasses to succeed him.
• 3 The Kings of the Chaldees and he of Babylon, warre against Manasses, and ledde him away [ M] prisoner.
• 4 The historie of King Iosias.
• 5 Iosias death in battell, who hindered the King of Aegypt from leading his army against the Ba∣bylonians, and the euent thereof.
• 6 The army of Nabuchodonosor commeth into Syria.
• 7 Nabuchodonosor putteth Ioacim to death, and maketh Ioachin King.
• ...

• 8 Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose, besiegeth Ioachim, and is reconciled vnder composition. [ A]
• 9 Sedechias is appointed king ouer Ierusalem.
• 10 Ierusalem is taken, and the people translated into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor.
• 11 The successors of Nabuchodonosor: the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus king of Persia.

CHAP. I.

Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Ierusalem.

IN the fourteenth yeere of the raigne of Ezechias King of the two Tribes, Senacherib King of Assyria drewe forth a huge army against him, and sur∣prised all the Cities of Iuda and Beniamin by strong hand. To him Ezechi∣as [ B] sent embassadours; promising him obedience, and such a tribute as it should please him to impose. When Senacherib had heard and considered vpon the embassadours instructions, he resolued on peace, and accepted Eze∣chias offer, promising that he would depart in peace as soone as he had recei∣ued three hundreth talents of siluer, and thirtie talents of gold: swearing an oth vnto the em∣bassadors, that vnder these conditions he would depart away without offering any outrage. Eze∣chias giuing credit to these wordes of his, emptied the treasuries, and sent the prefixed summe to Senacherib, hoping to be deliuered from his enemy, and the hazard wherein his countrey stood. But the Assyrians hauing receiued the money, set light by their promises; so that Sena∣cherib [ C] went in person to make warre against the Aegyptians and Aethiopians, and left Rapsaces his generall in Iudaea with a great power, accompanied with two of his chiefest minions and courtiers, with commission to spoile Ierusalem: The names of these two were Tharata and Ana∣chares. As soone as they were encamped neere vnto the walles, they sent vnto Ezechias and com∣maunded him to come and speake with them: but he thorow feare which he had conceiued, went not vnto them, but sent three of his most familiar friends, Eliacim the superintendent of his realme, Sobna and Ioachus that had the commission of his registers. These three presented them∣selues before the chiefetaines of the Assyrian army: whom when Rapsaces had beheld, he com∣maunded them to returne vnto their master, and to tell him that the great king Senacherib was desirous to know vnder what hope he thus neglected his gouernment, and obstinately refused to [ D] obey him and receiue his army into the Citie? Is it perhaps, because he hopeth the Aegyptians will haue the vpper hand of the kings army? If that be his hope, doubtlesse he is deceiued, shew∣ing himselfe to be like vnto a man that staieth himselfe vpon a broken reede; by which hee is not onely not sustained, but in his fall also, hath his hand pierced therewith. He likewise wish∣ed him to conceiue, that this his expedition was not without the will of God, who, as in times past hath giuen them victorie ouer the Israelites; so nowe also is pleased to humble Ezechias, and to make both him and his subiects stoope vnder the Assyrian gouernment. Whilest Rapsaces spake thus in the Hebrew language (wherein he was very skilfull) Eliacim (searing least the mul∣titude should be strooken with feare vpon the hearing of these words) besought him to speake in the Syriack toong. But he sufficiently instructed what it was that he feared, answered him with [ E] a lowder voice in the Hebrewe toong, and tolde them that they ought to giue eare vnto the kings commaundement, and to yeelde themselues to his mercie, because it concerned their securitie. I am not ignorant (said he) that both you and your King doe perswade the people vn∣der a vaine hope, and fraudulently allure them to beate armes against vs. But if your valour be ought at all, and you suppose that you can leuy the siege from your walles, I am ready to furnish you with two thousand horse, giue you vs so many horsmen to approoue their valours: but you cannot giue them that you haue not. Why therefore delay you? why yeeld you not to those that are too strong for you? and are able euen in spite of your resist to ransacke your citie? where∣as you know that a willing submission is alwaies secure? contrariwise whereas duetie is inforced, there wanteth no perill of calamitie. [ F]

When both the Embassadours, and the people had heard that which the Assyrian had spo∣ken, they reported the same to Ezechias, who incontinently cast his royall garments off, and cloa∣thed himselfe in sackcloth, carrying the countenance of a disconsolate man, and casting himselfe prostrate vpon the earth after the manner of their countrey, he besought God to be assistant vnto him, since all other hope was vaine. He sent also certaine of his friends, and some Priests vnto the Prophet Esay, requiring him to pray vnto God, that since the sacrifice was offered vnto him

for publike securitie, it might please him to frustrate the enemies hopes, and to haue pitie and [ G] compassion on his people. When the Prophet had performed no lesse then he required, he recei∣ued an answere from God, by which he assured the king, and all them that were about him, fore∣telling them that the enemies should be ouercome without stroke strooken, & should retire with shame, and not with that aduantage which they bragde of at this present, because God had al∣readie determined how they should be ouerthrowne. He foreprophecied also, that Senacharib himselfe (the king of Assyria) should faile of his enterprise in Aegypt, and that vpon his returne to his owne court, he should be slaine. At that verie time the Assyrian wrote letters to Ezechias, in which he called him foole and mad man, to thinke that he could warrantize himselfe from be∣ing his slaue, yea his in especiall, who had conquered diuers and far greater nations: threatning him with vtter ruine at such time as he should surprise the Citie, if he opened not the gates of [ H] Ierusalem willingly, to entertaine his armie. When Ezechias had red these letters, he set light by them, by reason of the confidence he had in God: and hauing opened them, he spred them in the temple. And whilest he renewed his praiers vnto God for the saluation of the Citie, and his sub∣iects, Esay the Prophet told him that his praier was heard: that hereafter likewise they should manure their lands in peace & securitie, & should enioy their possessions without feare. Not long after, the king of Assyria hauing but cold successe in his expedition against Aegypt, returned back againe without doing any thing, for this cause that ensueth. He had lost much time in the siege of Pelusium, & at such time as he had alreadie raised certaine bulwarks as hie as the wall, so that he wāted nothing but to giue the assault; newes was brought him that Tharsices king of Aethiopia brought an army to rescew the Aegyptians, with an intent to take his way thorow the desart, [ I] and sodainly to charge the Assyrian armie. Senacharib troubled with these tidings, speedily de∣parted thence with his army. But Herodotus saith, that he made warre with Vulcans priest, espe∣cially for that he was both a king and a priest: Besieging Pelusium (said hee) for this cause he gaue ouer the siege. The King of Aegypt called to his God for assistance, by whose power the Arabians suffered much miserie. But in this also he erreth, in that he setteth downe the Arabi∣an for the Assyrian.

In one night (said he) there was such a multitude of mice, that they gnew all the enemies bowes and other armes: whence it came to passe, that the king being disarmed with∣drew his siege from Pelusium.

But Berosus a writer among the Chaldees maketh mention of Senacharib, and how he raigned amongst the Assyrians, and troubled both Asia and Aegypt with warre, and declareth the maner in these words. But Senacharib returning from the Aegyp∣tian [ K] warre, came before Ierusalem, and receiued the army that was there, at the hands of his go∣uernour Rhabsace, and God caused a pestilent sicknesse to fall vpon his army, which was so violent, that the first night of the siege there died one hundreth fourescore and fiue thousand men, with their gouernors and chieftains. With which losse he was so affrighted, and troubled, that fearing to lose all his army, he fled with those that remained, & retired himselfe into his kingdome to the citie called Niniue, where after he had liued for a time, he was traiterously slaine by Adramelech, and Selenar his two elder sons: and being dead, was carried into his own temple called Arusche, and his children were driuen out of the kingdome for committing the murther, and retired themselues into Armenia, and Asseradochus succeeded Senacharib. Such was the end of the Assyrian army that came before Ierusalem. [ L]

CHAP. II.

Ezechias hauing for a time remained in peace, dieth: and leaueth his sonne Manasses to succeed him.

KIng Ezechias (being in this sort beyond al hope deliuered from his feares) offered thanks∣giuing and sacrifices vnto God, with all the people, acknowledging that there was no o∣ther cause that had slaine part of his enemies, and put the rest to mortall feare, neither that had deliuered Ierusalem from thraldome, but only Gods succour and assistance. And whilst he altogither intended and was occupied about the seruice of God, he fell sicke of a grieuous dis∣ease, [ M] so as the Physitions despaired of his health, and his friends expected nothing but his death. This sicknesse of his was accompanied with a grieuous care, because hee had no children, and sawe that he was now to depart the world, and to leaue his house desart, and his kingdome deso∣late. Being therefore in this sort toyled with discontents, he lamented and besought God, that it would please him to lengthen his life a little time, vntil he had children to succeed him, and that he would vouchsafe that his soule might not be taken from him, before he were the father of a

sonne. Hereupon God taking compassion of him (and the rather, because he was not grieued for [ A] that the pleasures of his kingdome were taken from him; but for that he sought for a lawful heire to succeed him in the princedome) he sent the Prophet Esay vnto him, to assure him, that after three daies he should be recouered of his sicknesse: and that after he had liued some fifteene yeers more, he should depart out of this life, and leaue a lawfull heire behind him. When the Prophet (according as he was commanded) had brought these tidings to the king; he doubted both the vnexpected messenger, and the mightinesse of his disease: for which cause he required some pro∣digious signe at Esatas hands, to the intent that he might certainly beleeue, that he was sent as a messenger from God vnto him for the truth of those things, which either exceede our hope, or reason, are wont to bee confirmed by these meanes. Whereupon Esay asked him what signe he required, and it should be giuen him. For which cause he requested, that since the declining [ B] sun had alreadie aduanced his shadow ten degrees within the royall lodging, he would cause it to return vnto the place where it was before, and ouerrun againe the same lines of shadow. On this occasion the Prophet besought God, that it would please him to confirme the king by this mira∣cle: who seeing that which he desired, was sodainly deliuered from his sicknesse, and ascended the temple to worship and praise God. At that time it hapned, that the monarchie of the Assyrians was destroied by the Medes, (whereof I will speake in another place.) Anon after, Balad King of Babylon sent an Embassadour to Ezechias with presents, calling him his allie and friend: who receiuing his messengers, willingly feasted them, and shewed them his treasures, his arsenall, and all other magnificence that he had of gold and precious stones, and after he had giuen them pre∣sents for Balad, he dismissed them. Whereupon the Prophet Esay came vnto him, asking him [ C] from whence those embassadours came? To whom Ezechias answered, that they were of Baby∣lon, & came vnto him from the king, telling the Prophet how he had shewed them all that which he had, to the end that hauing seene and obserued his riches and power, they might afterwards certifie their king thereof. Whereunto the Prophet replied, saying: Know thou that within a lit∣tle time thy riches shall be transported into Babylon, and thy children shall be made Eunuches, and (being no more men) shall be slaues vnto the King of Babylon. All which God gaue him to vnderstand before it hapned. For which cause Ezechias was sore troubled, to heare these tidings, saying, that he desired that his people might not fall into those miseries: but since it was impossi∣ble to change the decree of God, he required that he might haue peace during his life time. Of this Balad king of Babylon, Berosus maketh mention. This Prophet truly diuine, and admira∣ble [ D] for the veritie of his prophecies, is accounted to haue spoken nothing that was vntrue, but to haue left in writing all that which he prophecied: the truth whereof, hath afterwards in effect ap∣peared to posteritie. Neither did he alone performe this much, but besides him, twelue others haue done the like, and all that which is hapned vnto vs, either good or euill, hath fallen out truly according to their prophecies. But hereafter we will speake of euerie one of them. Now when as Ezechias had liued his prefixed time (according as we haue forespoken) and gouerned his king∣dome in peace, he died when he was fiftie foure yeeres olde, and in the nine and twentith yeere of his raigne.

CHAP. III.

The Kings of Chaldaea and Babylon warre against Manasses, and take [ E] him prisoner.

HIs sonne Manasses (the sonne of Achiba, a woman borne in Ierusalem) succeeded him in the kingdome. This man forsooke his fathers waies, and followed sinister customes, ex∣pressing in his manners all kindes of mischiefe, not omitting any impietie, but addicting himselfe to all the iniquities of the Israelites, who were destroied because of their sinnes commit∣ted against God. He was so impudent as he spared not to pollute the verie temple of God, the Citie, and the whole countrey: for making his entrie in despite of God, he slew afterwards all those that were vertuous men among the Hebrewes. And although he had no want of Prophets; [ F] yet so it is, that he killed euery day some: so that Ierusalem was ouerflowen with bloud. For which cause God being prouoked vnto wrath by these his so hainous offences, sent diuers Prophets the one after the other, both to the king and to the people, by whom he threatned to inflict the same calamities vpon them, which (for contempt of religion) the Israelites their brethren had a little before that suffered. But they vnwilling to giue trust to these speeches of theirs (whose admoni∣tions had they respected, they might haue auoided their imminent euils) at length in effect expe∣rimented

the truth thereof. For whereas they perseuered in their accustomed and dissolute man∣ners, [ G] God incensed the king of Chaldaea and Babylon against them; who sending his army into Iudaea, and spoiling the whole region, at length surprised and led away Manasses prisoner, and made him subiect to what punishment it should please them to inflict vpon him. At last the wretch (taught by his owne mischiefe) acknowledged his sinne, and humbly besought God in prayer, that he would make his enemy curteous and mercifull: neither did God shew himselfe in∣exorable; but hauing compassion on his miseries, gaue care vnto him, and after some space of time, the Babylonian sending him home, restored him to his former gouernment. As soone as he was returned backe to Ierusalem, he began (as much as in him lay) to shew the fruits of re∣pentance, and to feare God in all things, cleansing his spirit of all those sinnes, whereunto before time he was addicted. He purged the temple also, and cleansed the Citie; and from that time [ H] forward, he addicted himselfe wholy to thinke how he might giue God thankes, for that he had thus retired him from ruine, and how he might passe all the remnant of his life in his fauor. He taught the people likewise to doe the like, telling them what miseries they had endured within a few yeeres, for that they had demeaned themselues impiously. He repaired the altar also, and according to Moses prescript offered thereon solemne sacrifices, and after that he had purua•…•…ed those things that concerned the seruice of God, as it appertained; he bethought himselfe like∣wise of the securitie of the Citie of Ierusalem, and carefully repaired the old and ruined wals, an∣nexing also an other inclosure thereunto, and erecting high towers likewise, furnishing the same with munition and victuall sufficient for a Citie of defence. And so much was he changed du∣ring the rest of his life, that he was held most happy; and after the time he began to serue God, [ I] diuers tooke example of vertue by imitating him. After he had liued sixtie and seuen yeeres, he died in the fiue and fiftith yeere of his raigne, and was buried in his garden. His kingdome came into the hands of his sonne Amos, the sonne of Emalsema, of the citie of Iabath; who imi∣tating his fathers youthly course, was slaine in his owne house, by a conspiracie plotted by his owne houshold seruants, after he had accomplished the yeeres of foure and twenty, and raigned two. After his death the people slew his murtherers, and he was buried with his father, and the kingdome was giuen to his sonne Iosias, who was only eight yeeres olde.

CHAP. IIII.

The Historie of Iosias. [ K]

IOsias mother was of the Citie of Boseeth, and was called Ieda: he was a man of a good nature, and of his owne instinct inclined to vertue, conforming himselfe to the customs and manners of his progenitor Dauid, both in the scope and rule of all his life. When he grew to be twelue yeeres old, he gaue manifest approbation of his pietie and iustice: for he drew the people to a conformable course of life, and to the detestation and abolishing of Idols, that were no gods, and to the seruice of the only and true God of their forefathers. And con∣sidering the actions of his predecessors, he began to rectifie them in that wherein they were de∣ficient, with no lesse circumspection, then if he had been an olde man; and that which he found to be correspondent and aduisedly done by them, that did he both maintaine and imitate. All [ L] these things did he both by reason of his innated wisedome, as also by the admonishments and counsailes of the elders: for following orderly the lawes (both in respect of publike policie, as also in religion) he walked vprightly, in that by obseruing them he could not erre. For circuiting both the Citie and the whole countrey, the king raced downe and defaced the woods that were made for strange gods, and ouerthrew their altars; and all those gifts that had been offered vnto them by his predecessors, were defaced in a mockerie: and in this manner caused he the people to returne to the seruice of God, and to forsake the honour that they did vnto Idols. He offered likewise the ordinarie sacrifices and burnt offrings vpon the altar, and established Iudges and ma∣gistrates to determine publike debates, and to doe each man right, charging them to haue no lesse respect of equitie, then they had of their owne liues. He sent also thorow all the countrey, [ M] commanding all those that would be cōtributors, either in gold or siluer, towards the reparation of the temple, should bring in their beneuolence according to their wils, and faculties. And when all the money was gathered togither, hee appointed superintendents, both ouer the temple, as also ouer the charges that were defraied in the reparation thereof: namely, Amasias, who was already gouernor of the city, and Saphan the secretarie, and Ioata Committee ouer the registers, with the high Priest Elcia: who with all expedition and diligence prouided workmen, and all that

which was requisite for the building, and began the worke. This sodaine and speedy reparation [ A] of the temple gaue a manifest testimonie of the kings pietie, who when he had attained to the eighteenth yeere of his age, sent Elcia the high priest, and caused him to melt downe the remain∣der of the money that was giuen towards the building of the temple, and to make vessels, cups, and ewers for the seruice of the altar. He commanded also, that all the gold and siluer that was in the treasurie should be brought forth, and employed after the like manner in cups, and other vessels. Now whilest the high Priest searched the treasurie, he found the sacred books of Moses in the temple, which he brought and deliuered to the scribe Saphan; who after he had perused the same, presented them vnto the king, giuing him to vnderstand that all that which he had com∣manded was accomplished: besides that, he read the bookes vnto him. Which when the king had heard, he rent his clothes, and called Elcia the high Priest vnto him, and the scribe Saphan, [ B] with certaine other of his inward friends, and sent them vnto the Prophetesse Olda the wife of Sal∣lum, a man in high dignitie, and famous, by reason of his nobilitie: commaunding them that when they came vnto her, they should endeuour to appease Gods wrath, and labour to recouer his fauour; because it was to be feared, that by reason that their auncestors had transgressed the lawes of Moses, they should be in danger to be dispossessed of their countrey, and abandoned by all men, should at length perish miserably. When the prophetesse had heard the kings com∣mandement, she willed those that were sent vnto her to returne vnto the king, and to certifie him from her, that God had giuen a sentence against them, which might not be reuoked, by any praiers whatsoeuer; namely, that since they had transgressed the law of Moses, the people should perish, and should be cast out of their countrey, and depriued of al their goods that they had, and [ C] for that they haue not grown to amendment in so long time; notwithstanding the prophets had exhorted them to repentance, and had foretold the punishment of their impieties, which should happen vnto them, to the end that they might beleeue that God is God, and that he faileth not in any thing that he hath foretold by his prophets. Furthermore she said, that he forbore as yet to send these afflictions vpon them, for Iosias sake who was a vertuous man: but that after his de∣cease God would poure his intended punishments vpon the people. This prophecie of the wo∣man they signified vnto the king, who sent into all parts and assembled the people in Ierusalem, commanding the Priests and Leuites, and generally all men without distinction of age, or per∣son to be present in that conuention. Now when they were assembled, he first of all caused the sacred bookes to be read, and afterwards standing aloft vpon his throne, he caused all the people [ D] to sweare and promise that they would serue God, and keepe Moses lawes. Whereupon all of them did willingly approoue whatsoeuer he said, promising to doe that whereunto they were exhorted. And therewithall offering vp present sacrifices vnto God, they besought him to shew himselfe fauourable and mercifull towards them. The king likewise commanded the hie priest that if there were any necessarie in the temple which were made by his predecessors in honour of Idols and strange Gods, he should cast it out. And after that a great quantitie was found there∣in, all of it was gathered togither and burnt, and the ashes afterwards were scattered here and there. And as touching the Priests (that appertained to Idols that were not of the race of Aaron) he put them to death. When these things were thus executed in Ierusalem, he came afterwards to the plaine countrey; and all that which Ieroboam had erected there in honour of Idols, he vtterly [ E] defaced it, and the bones of the false Prophets were burnt vpon the altar that Ieroboam had buil∣ded. This had the prophet foretold that came to Ieroboam, at such time as he offered sacrifice, and told him in the presence of all the people, all that which should happen: namely, that one of Da∣uids posteritie called Iosias, should doe these abouenamed things: which prophecie tooke ef∣fect three hundreth, sixtie and one yeere after. After this, King Iosias transported himselfe to the Israelites (who had auoided the captiuitie and seruitude of the Assyrians) and perswaded them to forsake their impieties, and the seruices they had performed to strange Gods, and to honour the soueraigne and true God of their fathers, and to cleaue vnto him. He made a search also tho∣row euerie house, borough, and citie, fearing least as yet there should be any Idol hidden. Hee likewise sought out the chariots that were made by his auncestors, in honour of the sunne, and all that which was adored whatsoeuer it were, and vtterly abolished the same. After hee had [ F] in this sort purged the countrey, he assembled all the people in Ierusalem, where he celebrated the feast of vnleauened bread, and the solemnitie of Easter. Towards the performance whereof, he gaue the people young kiddes and lambes, to the number of thirtie thousand, and three thou∣sand bullocks for burnt offrings: and the chiefe amongst the Leuites distributed amongst the other Leuites fiue hundreth lambs, and fiue hundreth bullocks. Hauing therefore such an abun∣dance

of beasts they sacrificed according to the law of Moses (the priests taking charge thereof, [ G] and confirming the rest of the people by their example) Neither was there euer such a solemnitie kept by the Hebrewes since the time of Samuel the Prophet; because all things were done accor∣ding to the lawes and auncient customes, which were obserued in the time of their fathers. Af∣ter this Iosias liued in peace, riches, honour, and estimation amongst all men: and thus fini∣shed his life.

CHAP. V.

Diuers exploits of Nechao.

NEchao King of Aegypt hauing gathered great forces, conducted his army towards the [ H] floud Euphrates, to warre against the Medes and Babylonians, who had destroied the empire of Assyria: for Nechao affected the gouernment of all Asia. Now when he drew neere vnto the Citie of Mende (which was vnder Iosias subiection) King Iosias denied him pas∣sage, and would not suffer his army to march thorow his countrey. For which cause Nechao sent a Herauld vnto him, to let him vnderstand, that it was not against him that he made warre, but that he bent his course towards Euphrates: for which cause he wished him in no sort to hinder his intended iourney, least thereby he should be constrained to make warre vpon him. But Iosias respected not this demaund of his, but resolued himselfe to hinder his passage thorow his coun∣trey: And truely I suppose that the destinies pricked him forward to this arrogance, to the end he might haue some occasion to doe something against Nechao. For whilest he disposed his army, [ I] and rode from one band to an other, being mounted vpon his chariot, he was strooken with an arrow that was shot by a certaine Aegyptian, which cooled and tempered the spleene he had in warre. For feeling himselfe sorely ouerpressed with paine, by reason of his wound; he comman∣ded his army to retire, and returned himselfe to Ierusalem, where he died of his wound, and was buried with his fathers with great magnificence, after he had liued nine and thirtie yeeres, and raigned thirtie and one. For him the people mourned with great heauinesse, lamenting and sor∣rowing for many daies. The Prophet Ieremy also made a deploration ouer him in lamentable verse, which is as yet extant euen in these daies. This Prophet left in writing those euils that should afterwards happen vnto the citie, and the captiuitie wherewith we are entangled at this present, and the surprisall of Babylon. Neither hath he alone foretold the same: but the Pro∣phet [ K] Ezechiel hath likewise done the like; who first left two bookes written of the same argu∣ment. These two Prophets were of the race of the Priests. But Ieremy kept in Ierusalem, from the fourteenth yeere of the raigne of Iosias, vntill the destruction of the Citie and temple; as in time and place conuenient we will declare, setting downe those occurrences that hapned to this Prophet. After the death of Iosias (heretofore mentioned) his sonne Ioaz succeeded him in the kindome, at such time as he was twenty and three yeers olde, who raigned in Ierusalem; his mo∣thers name was Ametala: he was a man full of impietie, and of a malignant and peruerse nature. The King of Aegypt returning from the warre, sent vnto Ioaz, commanding him to meet with him in Samath a Citie of Syria, where he was no sooner arriued, but he kept him prisoner, commit∣ting the kingdome to Eliacim his brother (on the fathers side) who was his elder brother likewise. [ L] He changed his name also, and called him Ioachim: he imposed atribute also on Iudaea, of one hundreth talents of siluer and a talent of golde, which Ioachim paid. And as touching Ioaz, hee led him into Aegypt, where he finished his daies, after he had been king three moneths, and ten daies. Now Ioachims mother was called Zabuda, of the Citie of Abuma. He was a wicked per∣son, and of a malignant nature, hauing neither pietie towardes God, nor respect of equitie to∣wardes men.

CHAP. VI.

Nabuchodonosors army commeth into Syria.

IN the fourth yeere of his raigne, a certaine man called Nabuchodonosor possessed the [ M] kingdome of Babylon; who at that time went out with a great army against Carcha∣besa (a Citie scituate neere vnto Euphrates) resoluing with himselfe to fight against Ne∣chao king of Aegypt, vnder whose power all Syria was subiect. Nechao vnderstanding of the Ba∣bylonians intent, and how great his army was, made verie little account thereof, but with a huge army addressed himselfe towards Euphrates, with an intent to repulse Nabuchodonosor. But he

was ouercome in battell, and lost diuers thousands of his men. Whereupon the Babylonian [ A] (passing Euphrates) seazed all Syria as far as Pelusium (Iudaea onely excepted.) The fourth yeere that Nabuchodonosor raigned ouer these conquered countries, & the eight yeere of the raigne of Ioachim ouer the Hebrewes, the Babylonians led forth his army against the Iewes, with a mightie power, threatning them to vse al hostility, except Ioachim would pay him tribute. Ioachim fearing his threats bought his peace with siluer, and paid him for three yeers space the tributes that were imposed on him. But in the third yeere (vnderstanding that the Aegyptian was vp in armes a∣gainst the Babylonian) he denied the paiment of the tribute; notwithstanding he was frustrated of his hope, for the Aegyptians were not so hardy as to make warre. All which the Prophet Iere∣my daily foretold him, signifying vnto him that he builded his hope in vaine vpon the Aegypti∣ans, and that it would fall out that the Citie should be ouerthrowne by the king of Babylon, and [ B] Ioachim himselfe should be deliuered prisoner into his hands. But because there was no meanes for them to escape this iustice, all that which he said was nothing auailable. For notwithstanding the people and gouernours heard thereof, yet made they no reckoning of the same; but were dis∣pleased with those counsailes which he proposed vnto them, accusing Ieremy as if he tooke plea∣sure to vtter and publish ominous and aduerse presages against the king: they likewise called him in question before the kings counsaile, and required that he might be condemned. Whereupon some of them gaue sentence against him: the rest reproouing the aduise of the elders that were thus addicted, tooke a more discreete course, and caused the Prophet to depart out of the kings house, forbidding his aduersaries to doe him any mischiefe: they protesting that he had not only foretolde the future calamities of the city, but that many before him had done the like, as Micheas [ C] and diuers others; & yet that no one of them had suffered any euill by the kings of their time, but that contrariwise Micheas had been honoured as a Prophet sent from God. By these words they appeased the people, and deliuered Ieremy from the death intended against him. This man wrote all his prophecies, and red them to the people in their fasts, and assembled them in the temple in the ninth moneth of the fifth yeere of the raigne of Ioachim, which booke he had composed touching that which should happen vnto the Citie, the temple, and the people. When the go∣uernours heard the same, they tooke the booke from him, and commanded that both he and his secretarie Baruch should withdraw themselues out of the sight of men: and they tooke the booke, and presented it vnto the king; who in the presence of his friends, commanded his secretarie to reade the same: and after he had heard the contents thereof, he waxed wondrous wroth, and ren∣ting [ D] it in pieces, cast it into the fire, intending that it should neuer be seene. He sent out likewise a strickt commission to seeke out Ieremy and his secretarie Baruch, and to lead them out to be pu∣nished. But they had preuented his indignation.

CHAP. VII.

Nabuchodonosor putteth Ioachim to death, and establisheth Ioachin in the kingdome.

NOt long after this, he went out to meete the king of Babylon, who was marched out [ E] to make warre against him: and being incredulous and carelesse of the Prophets pre∣dictions, he opened the gates vnto him, supposing that he intended him no euill. But when the Babylonians were entred into the Citie, the King obserued not his promises, but put all such to death as were in the flower and beautie of their yeeres, and spared none of the inhabi∣tants of Ierusalem: with them also he slew their king Ioachim, and caused his body to be cast from the toppe of the wals, and vouchsafed him no sepulture, establishing Ioachin his sonne King of the countrey, and of the citie. Moreouer he tooke three thousand of the most honourable Citi∣zens of Ierusalem prisoners, and led them to Babylon with him, amongst whom was the Prophet Ezechiel, at that time very yoong in yeers. This was the end of king Ioachim, who liued thirty six yeeres, and raigned eleuen. Ioachin that succeeded him in the kingdome was the sonne of Nosta [ F] of Ierusalem, and raigned three moneths and ten daies.

CHAP. VIII. [ G]

Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose and besiegeth Ioachin, and receiueth him vnder composition.

AS soone as the Babylonian had bestowed the kingdome of Iudaea on Ioachin, he was seazed with a sodaine feare, which made him suspect least Ioachin remembring himselfe of the iniuries he had done vnto him by the murther of his father, might draw the coun∣trey into rebellion, and reuolt against him. For which cause he sent out certaine forces and besie∣ged Ioachin in Ierusalem; who being a man of a good nature and of an vpright heart, was loth to forsake the Citie in that danger without a gouernour, considering that it was for his cause that [ H] the common weale was in that hazard. For which cause, taking his wife and his neerest akin with him, he deliuered them into the hands of the captaines that were sent against him, receiuing an oth from them, that neither they nor the Citie should receiue any harme. But this promise con∣tinued not a yeere: for the King of Babylon obserued it not, but commanded his captaines to im∣prison all the youth and artificers that were in the Citie, and to bring them bound vnto him. The number of them was ten thousand eight hundreth thirtie and two persons, besides Ioachin, his mother, and his neere allies, whom they tooke prisoners.

CHAP. IX.

Sedechias is made King ouer Ierusalem by the Babylonian. [ I]

IN steed of Ioachin, he appointed Sedechias his vncle king of Ierusalem, whom hee bound by an oth that he should gouerne the countrey without any innouation, or par∣tiall fauour towards the Aegyptians. This Sedechias was one and twentie yeeres olde, at such time as he came vnto the kingdome, and was Ioachims brother by the mothers side: he was a contemner of all lawes, and a peruerter of ordinances. For the yoong men that were about him were without the feare of God, and all the people vnder his dominions committed whatsoeuer outrages were best liking vnto them. For this cause the Prophet Ieremy came vnto him, prote∣sting oftentimes against him, and denouncing, that (if he renounced not all those impieties and iniquities he vsed, and addicted not himselfe to that which was iust, but gaue eare vnto his gouer∣nours, [ K] amongst which there were many wicked men, and to those false Prophets that misled him, trusting that the Babylonians should not make warre against his Citie, but that the Aegyptians should leuie an army and ouercome them) that then he should incurre much miserie: for (said he) they haue no truth in their sayings, and those things also which they pronounce, are not to be spoken. Whilest Sedechias gaue eare to these discourses of the Prophet, he was perswaded, and acknowledged al that to be true which he had spoken, & very profitable both for him, & his peo∣ple: but anon after his friends corrupted him, & diuerted him according to their own opinions. Ezechiel also at the same time had prophecied in Babylon all those calamities which were to fall vpon the tēple, & sent notice to Ierusalem of that which he had receiued frō God. Notwithstan∣ding Sedechias gaue no credit to his prophecies, by reason that all the Prophets were accustomed [ L] to accord in all things the one with the other, as touching the surprisal of the city, and the impri∣sonment of Sedechias: but Ezechiel differed in this, that he said that Sedechias should not see Ba∣bylon; notwithstanding that Ieremy had prophecied, that the king of Babylon should lead him away prisoner in bonds, because therefore these two accorded not in their sayings; he concluded that the matter wherein they agreed, was of no consequence. Notwithstanding all things hap∣ned vnto him according as the Prophets had pronounced, as we will declare in a conuenient place. After that he had continued his alliance and friendship with the king of Babylon for the space of eight yeers, he brake the league that was between them, and confederated with the Ae∣gyptians (vnder hope that they should ouercome the Babylonians.) Which when the king of Babylon vnderstood, he led forth his army against him, and destroied his countrey to the vtter∣most: [ M] so that after he had taken his Cities of defence, he finally planted his army and besieged Ie∣rusalem. The Aegyptian perceiuing the estate wherein his allie Sedechias was, leuied a huge ar∣my, and came into Iudaea, with an intent to raise the siege. Whereupon the Babylonian with∣drew his army from Ierusalem to encounter with the Aegyptian, and fought with him, and ouer∣came him in battell, and pursued him with such alacritie, that he put him to flight, and droue him altogither out of Syria. As soone as the Babylonian was dislodged from Ierusalem, the false pro∣phets

deceiued Sedechias, telling him that the Babylonian should neuer more returne to make [ A] warre either against him or his nation; and that he should neuer any more depart from his house in Babylon; and that they who had beene led away captiues, should returne home againe, loa∣den with those vessels of the temple which the king of Babylon had taken from them.

But the Prophet Ieremie presenting himselfe before the king, prophecied the contrary to these impostures, assuring both him and the people, that no profit could befall them by meanes of the Aegyptians, for that the Babylonians should ouercome them, and should returne and encampe before Ierusalem, and besiege the same, and destroy the people by famine, and lead them away prisoners that were remaining, and carry away all their substance; & that after they were seazed of the riches of their temple, they should finally burne the same. As for the Citie, they should race it:

and (said he) they shall keepe vs captiue for the space of seuentie yeares: And from this serui∣tude [ B] the Persians and Medes shall deliuer vs, at such time as they haue gotten the Empyre out of the hands of the Babylonians: then shall they send vs backe againe into our countrey, and we shall build our temple anew, and establish the Citie of Ierusalem.

Diuers men gaue credit to these words of Ieremie; but the gouernours and contemners of God, intreated him verie cruel∣ly, as if he had beene a man transported out of his sense. And whereas he had an intent to visit his natiue countrey Anathoth, some twentie stounds off of Ierusalem, one of the magistrates en∣countring him in his iourney, & laying hold on him, retained him, loading him with this slander, that he went & stole away to submit himself to the Babylonians. But Ieremy answered, that he was falsely accused, & that he repaired only to the place where he was borne. This Prince giuing him no credit, arrested him, and brought him before the iudgement seat, where he sustained all sorts of [ C] outrages & torments, and was shut vp in prison to be punished, & remained there for a time, suffe∣ring the extremitie of wrong and iniurie. The ninth yeare of the raigne of Zedechias, and on the tenth day of the ninth moneth, the King of Babylon came and encamped the second time before Ierusalem, and entrenched himselfe round about the same, for the space of eighteene moneths, and laid batterie and siege thereto, with as great spleene as might be possible: And they that were besieged therein, were encountred with two most hainous afflictions, famine, and most grieuous pestilence. At this time the Prophet Ieremy being in prison, held not his peace, but cried with a loud voice, and preached, and exhorted the people, willing them to entertaine the Babylonians, and to open their gates vnto them: because that in so doing they might warrantize themselues with all their families, whereas otherwaies they were assured of destruction. He foretold them [ D] also, that if any one remained in the Citie, he should most assuredly either perish by famine, or the enemies furie: but if so be they submitted themselues to the enemies mercy, they should es∣cape from death. But those gouernours that heard him speake after this sort, gaue him no credit, in that they were not as yet pressed with the danger: for which cause they came vnto the king, and after a despitefull manner, told him all that which had beene spoken, accusing Ieremy, and re∣prouing him for a mad man; vrging this, that he had abated their courage, and by his wofull predictions, had weakned the hearts of the people, which were otherwaies readie to fight for him and their countrey, by reason that he flying vnto the enemie, menaced them with the surprisal and vtter ruine of their Citie. But the king in regard of the naturall humanitie and iustice that was in him, was not any waies whetted in respect of his owne interest; yet to the intent he might not [ E] seeme to be vtterly opposed to the gouernours, by contradicting them, he deliuered the Prophet into their hands, to deale with him howsoeuer they pleased. Who hauing obtained this libertie from the king, entred the prison on the sodaine, and laying hold on Ieremy, they let him downe into a pit full of mud, to the intent he might die in that place, and be strangled by the ordure: in effect, he was set therein vp to the necke. But one of the kings seruants (an Aethiopian by na∣tion) certified the king of the Prophets affliction, assuring him that his friends and gouernours did not iustly, so to thrust and burie the Prophet in the mud, and cursedly to conspire against him, tyring him with bonds and tortours worse then death. For which cause the king hearing this newes, was sorie that he had deliuered the Prophet to the gouernours, and commaunded the Aethiopian to take thirtie men of his court with him (with cords and such other things necessary, [ F] as might concerne the safetie of the Prophet) charging him with all expedition to deliuer him from that captiuitie. Hereupon the Aethiopian furnished with men and necessarie meanes, drew the Prophet out of the mud, and dismissed him without any gard. That done, the king sent for him in secret, demaunding of him if he had any message to deliuer him from God, praying him to let him vnderstand what soeuer he knew as touching the successe of the siege. The Prophets answere was, that although he should tel him, yet it would not be beleeued; & that if he should ex∣hort

him, he would not giue eare or listen vnto him.

But (said he) O king, thy friends haue con∣demned [ G] me to death, as if I had beene a most wretched malefactor. But where are they now at this present that haue deceiued thee, and bore thee in hand, saying, that the Babylonian would not come and besiege thee? Now will I take heed how I tell thee the truth, for feare least thou condemne me to death. Hereupon the king swore vnto him that he should not die, neither that he would deliuer him into the hands of the gouernours: for which cause Ieremie grounding him∣selfe vpon the faith which he had plighted vnto him, counselled the king to yeeld vp the Citie to the Babylonian, because that God had willed him to signifie vnto the king, that if he would saue his life, and auoid the imminent daunger, and saue his Citie from vtter ruine, and preserue the temple from burning, he should submit; or otherwise, that none but he should be the cause of all these euils that should happen vnto the Citie and Citizens, and of that calamitie that should [ H] confound both him and all his familie. When the king heard this, he told him that he would doe according as he had counselled him, and performe whatsoeuer he thought necessarie to be done: but that he feared his friends, who were alreadie of the Babylonian faction, least being accused by them, he should be deliuered (by their meanes, and the kings displeasure) vnto death. But the prophet encouraged him, telling him that his feare was in vaine; assuring him that he should suffer no euill, if so be he yeelded vp the Citie: and that neither his wife, nor children, nor the sacred temple should either endure desaster, death, or ouerthrow.

Vpon these words the king dis∣missed Ieremy, charging him to communicate the counsell that was held betweene them to no one of the Citizens, no not to the princes, if so be they should light on any inckling of their con∣ference, or aske of him whether the king had sent for him: aduising him to answere, if so be [ I] they were inquisitiue that he resorted to the king, to request him that he might be no more im∣prisoned: all which the Prophet performed, for they instanced him verie much to know, for what cause the king had sent for him.

CHAP. X.

Ierusalem is taken, and the people carried into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor.

MEane while the Babylonian continued his violent siege against the Citie of Ierusalem, and hauing raised towers vpon certaine bulwarks, he droue away by this meanes all those [ K] that approched neere vnto the walles: he raised also (round about the circuit of the Ci∣tie) diuers platformes, that equalled the walles in height. Meane while the Citie was as valiant∣ly and couragiously defended by the inhabitants, for neither pestilence nor famine plucked down their spirits: And although that within the Citie they were tormented with these scourges, yet were not their resolutions distracted by the warre, neither did the enemies inuentions astonish them, nor their engines affright them; but that they inuented new countermines: so that all the battel betwixt the Babylonians and Iewes seemed to be a trial both of valour & art; whilest these by the one doe assuredly hope to surprise the Citie, and the other thought their safetie consisted herein, if they ceased not by new inuentions to frustrate their enemies endeuours: And in this estate continued they both for the space of eighteene moneths, vntill they were consumed by fa∣mine, [ L] and by the darts that were shot against them by those that shot from the towers. At length the Citie was taken by the princes of Babylon (in the eleuenth yeare of the raigne of Zedecias, the ninth day of the fourth moneth) who were put in trust by Nabuchodonosor to performe the siege. For touching his owne person he made his aboad in the Citie of Reblata. Now if any man be desirous to know the names of them that had commaundement at such time as Ierusa∣lem was surprised, these they be, Nergelear, Aremantus, Emegar, Nabosar, and Echarampsar. The Citie being taken about midnight, the princes of the enemies armie entered into the temple: which when Zedecias vnderstood, he tooke his wiues and his children, with the princes and his friends, and fled thorow a great valley by the desart: which when the Babylonians vnderstood by certaine Iewes that were reuolted, and had submitted themselues vnto them, they arose earely [ M] in the morning to pursue them, and ouertooke and surpised them neere vnto Iericho. Whereu∣pon those princes and friends of Zedecias that had taken their flight with him, seeing the enemies neere vnto them, forsooke him, & scattering themselues heere and there, concluded each of thē to saue himselfe. When as therefore the enemies had apprehended him, who was attended by a few followers only, and accompanied by his children & wiues, they brought him vnto the kings pre∣sence, who no sooner beheld him, but he called him wicked and perfidious, and vpbraided him

with breach of his promise, and contempt of his maiestie, to whom he had sworne he would [ A] keepe it to his vse. Furthermore he reproched him for his ingratitude, in that hauing receiued the royaltie from his hands (which he had taken from Ioachin to bestow it on him) he had notwith∣standing employed all his forces against his benefactor.

But (said he) that great God that hateth thy trecherie hath deliuered thee into my hands: and when he had spoken these words, he caused Zedechias friends and children to be slaine before his eies, with all his other prisoners: afterwards commaunding his eies to be plucked out, he led him to Babylon. All which hapned vnto him, according as the prophets Ieremie and Ezechiel had foretolde him: namely, that he should be surprised and brought before the king of Babylon, and should speake with him face to face, and should see him with his eies (for so had Ieremy prophecied) but being made blind and conducted to Babylon, he should not see the Citie of Babylon (according as E∣zechiel [ B] had foretold.) All which may sufficiently expresse to those that knowe not the nature of God, how diuers and admirable his iudgements be, in disposing all things in good order, and presignifying those things that are to come, euen as in this place there appeareth a most signall example of humaine errour and incredulitie, by which it was not lawfull for them to auoid their future calamitie, neither shunne their vnremoueable destinie.

Thus was the race of the kings ex∣tinguished that descended from Dauid; who were in number one and twentie, that raigned after him. All of them together gouerned fiue hundreth and fourteene yeares, sixe moneths and ten daies: adding thereunto the twentie yeares of the first king Saul, who was of an other tribe. Af∣ter this, the Babylonian sent Nabuzardan general of his army vnto Ierusalem to spoile the temple, giuing him in charge to burne both it, and the kings pallace, and to race and leuell the Citie with [ C] the ground; and afterwards to transport the people into Babylon. Who arriued there the eleuenth yeare of the raigne of Sedechias, spoyled the temple, & caried away the vessels that were cōsecrated to Gods seruice, both those of gold, as also them of siluer: he tooke likewise the great lauer that was giuen by Salomon. The columnes and pillars of brasse, with their chapters likewise, and the tables and candlestickes of gold, and after he had borne away all things, he burned the tem∣ple the first day of the fist moneth of the eleuenth yeare of Sedechias raigne, which was the eighteenth of Nabuchodonosors gouernment. He burned also the kings royall pallace, and raced the Citie. This temple was burned 470. yeares, sixe moneths, and 10 daies after the foundation therof: & in the yeare 1062. six monethes & ten daies, after the departure of the people out of Aegypt: & 1950. yeres, six moneths & ten daies, after the Deluge: from the creation of Adam vntil [ D] the ruine of the temple, there were three thousand; fiue hundreth and thirteen yeares, six moneths and ten daies. Thus haue we set downe the number of the yeares, and orderly expressed what, and in what time euerie thing hath beene performed. The generall for the king of Babylon ha∣uing destroyed the Citie, and transported the people, tooke prisoners the high Priest Sareas, and his fellow in office the Priest Sephan, with the gouernours and keepers of the Temple; which were three; the Eunuch also which had the charge ouer the rest, and seuen of Sedechias friends and his secretarie, besides sixty other gouernours, al which (together with the vessels which he had pillaged) he sent to Reblatha a Citie of Syria, vnto the king of Babylon; who commaunded in that place that the high Priest and gouernours should be beheaded: as for the rest of the prisoners and Sedechias the king, he carried them with him to Babylon: he sent also in bonds, with the rest, Io∣sadoch [ E] the son of Sareas the high Priest, whom he had put to death in Reblatha (as we haue here∣tofore declared) And for that we haue reckned vp the race of the kings, & set down likewise what they were, and how long they continued, me seemeth that it shall not be vnnecessarie to recite the names of the high Priests, and to report who they haue beene, that haue administred the priesthood vnder the kings. Sadoc was the first high Priest of the temple builded by Salomon: After him his sonne Achimas succeeded in that honour, and after Achimas Azarias, after whom succeeded Ioram, and after Ioram Ioschua, after Ioschua Axioram, who had for his succes∣sor Phideas, to Phideas succeeded Sudeas, to Sudeas Iulus, to Iulus Iotham, to Iotham Vrias, to Vrias Nerias, to Nerias Odeas, to Odeas Saldum, to Saldum Elcias, to Elcias Sareas, to Sareas Iosadoch, who was carried away prisoner into Babylon: all which haue succeeded in the priesthood by li∣neall [ F] descent. When Nabuchodonosor was come to Babylon, he shut vp Sedechias in pri∣son, where he kept him vntill he died, and after his death he honoured him with a royall tombe. He likewise offered the vessels that he had taken out of the temple of Ierusalem vnto his gods, and caused the people to inhabite the countrey of Babylon, deliuering the high priest from his bonds. The generall Nabuzardan that led the people away captiue, left the poorer sort in the country of Iudaea, & those also that voluntarily yeelded themselues vnto him, ouer whom hee ap∣pointed

Godolias the sonne of Aicam gouernour (a man that was both vpright and noble) com∣manding [ G] them to till the land, and to pay their assigned tribute to the king. He drew the Pro∣phet Ieremy also out of prison, perswading him to repaire with him to the king of Babylon, tel∣ling him that he had receiued expresse commaundement from the king, to furnish him with all thinges necessarie for that iourney; but if he were not contented to repaire to Babylon, he should declare to him in what place he would make his aboad, to the intent he might certifie the king thereof. But the Prophet would not follow him, neither depart or soiourne in any o∣ther place, desiring rather to liue amidst the ruines of his countrey, and among the pitious re∣liques of his poore nation.

When the generall Nabuzardan vnderstood his resolution, he gaue charge to the gouernor Godolias (whom he left in Iudaea) to haue care of him, and to furnish him with all that which he [ H] wanted; and after he had gratified him with presents, he departed. Meane while Ieremy dwelt in the Citie of Masphath, praying Nabuzardan that he would send him his disciple Baruch (the son of Neria, a man of a noble family, and excellently learned in that countrey language.) Nowe when as these that during the siege of Ierusalem were retired out of the Citie, vnderstood of the retreat of the Babylonians, they assembled togither from all parts, and came to Masphath to Godolias, vnder the conduct of Iohn the sonne of Careas, and Iezanais and Sareas, and others. And besides these, a certaine man called Ismael of the bloud royall, a wicked and fraudulent man, who during the siege of the Citie, had retired himselfe to Bathal king of the Ammonites, and had soiourned with him during all the troubles. Who being in this sort assembled before him, Go∣dolias counselled to remaine in that countrey without any feare of the Babylonians, promising [ I] that in manuring their land they should incurre no inconuenience. All which he confirmed vn∣to them by an oth; adding further, that if any disturbance were offered to any man, he would readily assist him. He gaue each one this aduise likewise, to inhabite any Citie that best liked them; promising them to send them thither, with such things as appertained to them, to build them houses and furnish their habitations; promising them that when time serued, hee would make their prouision of corne, wine, and oyle, for their maintenance during the winter time: which when he had proposed these conditions vnto them, he gaue them leaue to depart, and in∣habite the countrey wheresoeuer they best liked. Now when the rumour ran amongst the peo∣ple of Iudaea, that Godolias had thus curreously entertained those that were fugitiues, and how he had permitted them to inhabite and till the countrey (prouided that they paid their tribute to the [ K] Babylonian) diuers of them repaired incontinently to him, and inhabited the countrey. And Iohn and the other gouernours being with him, and assured both of his clemencie and courtesie, begā intirely to loue him. For which cause they told him, that Bathal king of the Ammonites had sent Ismael to murther him by some treacherie, that by that meanes he might haue the dominion ouer the Israelites that remained, in that he was of the bloud royal. Assuring him, that the means of his deliuerance from that treason, was, if so be he would commaund them to kill Ismael in se∣cret: assuring him on the contrarie side, that they feared, that if Ismael should happen to kill him, their whole nation that remained, was like to fall to vtter ruine. But Godolias tolde them plainly, that these stratagems they intended, were practized against a man that had receiued pleasure at his hands; and that it was not likely that he whom he had succoured during the time of his ne∣cessitie, [ L] would be so wicked or impious against his benefactor, as to attempt to murther him, whom in any occasion or necessitie he could not but to his great shame and indignitie, either flie or forsake. Yea, said he, although those things are true which you informe me of, yet had I rather die, then oppresse a man that hath committed his life to my trust. For which cause Ihon and the rest (seeing their perswasions were in vaine) departed from him. Some thirtie daies after, Ismael (accompanied with ten men) came to Masphath to Godolias, who receiued them with pre∣sents and magnificent entertainment, so that to expresse to Ismael and his companions how har∣tily they were welcome, Godolias drunke so hard that he was somwhat ouerseene with wine. Now when Ismael perceiued him to be in that key, and ouerloaden with drinke and sleepe, he stept vnto him with his ten associates, & cut both his throat and theirs, who kept him company at the [ M] banquet: after which murther, he issued out by night and slew all the Iewes that were left in the citie, & those Babylonian soldiers also that were left in garrison in that place. The next day there came fourescore men of the countrey to Godolias with presents, being vtterly ignorant of that which had hapned. Ismael knowing them, called them vnto him, as if he intended to bring them to Godolias, and as soone as they were entred, he locked the court and slew them, and afterwards cast their bodies into a deepe ditch, to the intent they might not be discouered. Of this number

there were some that escaped, who besought him that they might not be put to death, before they [ A] had deliuered certaine moueables, garments, and corne that they had hidden in the field: which when Ismael vnderstood, he spared them: But he kept them prisoners that were in Masphath with their wiues and children, in the number of whom were the daughters of Sedecias, whom Nabu∣zardan had left with Godolias. This done, he retired backe againe to the king of the Ammonites. Iohn and the gouernours of his company, vnderstanding of the actes committed by Ismael in Masphath, and aboue all, of the murther of Godolias, they were wonderfully displeased: so that each of them assembling his priuate force issued forth to pursue and persecute Ismael, whom they ouertooke neere vnto a fountaine in Hebron. The prisoners that were with Ismael, seeing Iohn his confederates, tooke courage, supposing that it was some succours that came to helpe them, and forsooke him that led them, and began to ioyne with Iohns followers: and thus fledde Ismael [ B] with his eight men, to the king of the Ammonites. Iohn gathering togither all those whom he had rescued from Ismaels hands, both Eunuches, women, and children, retired into a certaine place called Mandra, where he soiourned all that day, resoluing from thence to depart into Ae∣gypt, fearing least the Babylonians should put him to death, if they should remaine in Iudaea, for that they would be displeased with the death of Godolias, whom they had planted in the go∣uernment.

Being thus plunged and perplexed with these deliberations, they addressed themselues to the Prophet Ieremy, beseeching him to enquire of God, and to certifie them, what it behooued them to do in this their doubtfull estate, binding themselues by an oth to doe that which Ieremy should commaund them. Hereupon the Prophet promised that he would aske counsell of God for [ C] them: and some ten daies after, God appeared vnto him, and willed him to certifie Iohn, the go∣uernours, and the rest of the people, that if they inhabited Iudaea he would assist them, and haue care of them, and keepe them so, as the Babylonians (whom they feared) should doe them no harme: but if they departed into Aegypt, he would abandon them, and would be so incensed a∣gainst them, that he would thrall them in the like miserie, as their brethren had indured in times past. Whilest the Prophet thus warned them from God, they would not beleeue him, in that he commanded them to remaine in that place by Gods prescript ordinance: but they imagined that vnder a false pretext of Gods commaund, he had counselled them thereto, but that in effect he spake in fauour of his disciple Baruch, perswading them to stay there, to the end they might be consumed by the Babylonians: contemning therefore the counsell which God gaue them by [ D] the Prophet, both Iohn and the rest of the multitude went into Aegypt, and led with them both Baruch and Ieremy. Whither they were no sooner come, but God told the prophet that the Baby∣lonian should lead his army into Aegypt: for which cause he willed him to foretel the people that Aegypt should be destroyed, and that they should partly be slaine in that place, and partly led cap∣tiue to Babylon. Which came in like manner to passe: for in the fift yeere after the destruction of Ierusalem (which was the three and twentith yeere of the raigne of Nabuchodonosor) Nabuchodo∣nosor in his owne person led his army into Coelosyria, and hauing conquered the same, he made warre vpon the Ammonites and Moabites. And after he had brought these nations vnder his o∣beisance, he went and sought against the king of Aegypt and ouercame him: and after he had slaine their king that gouerned at that time, and planted an other in his place, he afterwards [ E] tooke the Iewes that he found in that countrey, and carried them prisoners into Babylon. By this means we haue learned, that the state of the Hebrewes being brought to this point, hath bin translated twise to the other side of Euphrates. For the people of the two tribes were captiued by the Assyrians, during the raigne of Oseas; and consequently that of the two tribes, vnder Na∣buchodonosor king of the Babylonians and Chaldees, vpon the taking in of Ierusalem. True it is that Salmanazar after he had displaced the Israelites, planted the Chutheans in their place, who beforetime inhabited the innermost of the countries of Persia and Media, and were called Sama∣ritanes, according to the name of the place which they inhabited: but the Babylonian hauing led the two tribes prisoners, hath not planted any other people in their places.

For this cause Iudaea, Ierusalem, and the temple, remained desert for the space of seuentie [ F] yeeres: and all the time that passed betweene the captiuitie of the Israelites, vntill the destruction of the two tribes, was a hundreth and thirtie yeeres, six moneths, and ten daies. But Nabuchodo∣nosor chose the most noblest yoong men amongst the Iewes (and such as were allied to king Se∣decias, and esteemed likewise for the good disposition and faire proportion of their bodies and faces) and committed them to masters to be instructed, commaunding that euery one of them should be gelded, according as they were accustomed to deale with yoong children of other na∣tions,

whom he subdued by force. He allowed them victuall from his owne table, and they were [ G] taught and instructed in the disciplines of the countrey, and in the Chaldeetoong. These were verie apte to learne wisedome: and for that cause he commanded that they should be trained vp in the exercise thereof. Of these there were foure of Zedechias kindred, faire in body, and vertu∣ous in nature, who were called Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias; whose names the Babyloni∣an changed, and willed them to be called by other names, distinct and different from their own: Daniel was called Balthasar; Ananias, Sidrach; Misael, Misach; and Azarias, Abdenago. These did the king esteeme very highly for their excellent nature, and for the great affection that they had to attaine vnto learning and wisedome, wherein they profited greatly, and were for that cause highly reckoned of by him. And whereas Daniel and his kinsemen thought good to liue au∣sterely, and to abstaine from those meates that came from the kings table, and in generall from [ H] all things that had life, they went vnto Askenas the Eunuch (who had the care and charge ouer them) beseeching him to conuert those meates to his owne vse, which were sent them from the kings table, and to allow them herbes and dates, and such things as had no life; because they in∣tended to hold that course of life, and to forsake all other. Askenas told them, that he was ready to condescend vnto their demaunds; but that he feared, least being called for by the king, they should be found to be leane in body, and discoloured in face (for without doubt in following that diet, they must needly lose their colours, and be lesse dispost in comparison of others) which might be the cause to bring him into hazard of his head. They perceiuing that Askenas inten∣ded nought els but his securitie, perswaded him to allow them but ten daies of approbation, vn∣der condition that if by that regiment of diet their habitude of body should not be any waies al∣tered, [ I] they might continue in that fashion of life and diet, which they had intended from that day forwards: but if they should be found leane and weake, and lesse proportionable (then they that sed vpon the kings allowance) that then they should returne to their accustomed diet. Now it so fell out, that not onely their bodies were better in growth, but they seemed rather better fed, and of a taller statute then the rest: so that they that liued vpon the kings ordinarie, seemed leane and wearish; where as Daniel and his companions made shew as if they had beene nourished with dainties, and brought vp in aboundance. From that time forward, Askenas tooke all that which was allowed the foure yoong men from the kings table, and boldly kept it to himselfe, gi∣uing them in steed thereof, the diet that they chose and delighted in. They hauing their spirits more pure and subtill to comprehend their masters instructions, and their bodies more strong to [ K] endure labour (for their spirits were not charged with diuersitie of meates, nor their bodies effe∣minated for the same cause) attained the more readily to all that doctrine that was taught. them by the Hebrewes and Chaldees: Daniel especially hauing profited in wisedome, studied the inter∣pretation of dreames, and God appeared vnto him. Two yeeres after the surprisall of Aegypt, king Nabuchodonosor dreamed a wonderfull dreame, the issue whereof God made him see in a dreame: but he forgat the same when he arose out of his bed. And for that cause sent he for his Chaldees and diuines, telling them that he had dreampt a dreame, but that he had forgot the same; commanding them to declare vnto him what the dreame was, and the signification thereof also. Whereunto they answered, that it was impossible for men to sound out the secret thereof; notwithstanding they promised him, that if he would declare his vision vnto them, they would [ L] cause him to vnderstand the signification thereof. Hereupon Nabuchodonosor threatned them with death, except they represented his dreame vnto him; and they protesting that they could not fulfill his request; he commanded them all to be slaine. But Daniel hearing how the King had condemned all the sages to death, and knowing that both he and his companions had part in that danger, addressed himselfe to Ariochus the captaine of the Kings guard, requiring him to informe him, for what cause the king had adiudged the Chaldees and sages to be put to death: And hauing intelligence what had hapned as touching the dream, & how the king by forgetting the same, had charged them to informe him therin, & how they had answered that it was impossi∣ble for them to performe the same, and how thereby they had prouoked the king to displeasure: he besought Ariochus to go vnto the king, and to procure one nights repriue in the behalfe of [ M] the Aegyptians and Chaldees, in that he hoped during that night time to beseech God and in∣treat from him both the dreame and the signification thereof. Hereupon Ariochus told the king what Daniel had requested, who respited the execution of the Magitians for that night, vntill he might see what would become of Daniels promise: who retiring himselfe with his companions into his chamber, besought God all the night long to manifest vnto him the dreame, and deli∣uer the Magitians and Chaldees from the kings wrath, with whom both he and the rest of his

companions were like to die, except he might know what the king had dreampt the night past, [ A] and what was the interpretation thereof. Whereupon God (hauing compassion of the daun∣ger wherein they were, and taking pleasure in Daniels wisedome) signified vnto him both the dreame and the signification thereof, to the intent the king might be resolued in the meaning thereof.

Daniel hauing receiued the truth from God arose verie ioyfully, and certified his brethren, (who had alreadie lost all hope of life, and thought on no other thing but death) and gaue them courage and hope of life. Hauing therefore rendred thanks vnto God, for that he had had com∣passion of their young yeeres, as soone as it was day he went vnto Arioch, requesting him that he might be brought to the kings presence, certifying him that he would open vnto him the dreame which he had seene the night past. Now when Daniel was brought vnto the kings pre∣sence; [ B] he besought him that he would not esteeme him to be more wise then the other Chal∣deans and magicians in that, whereas none of them could expound his dreame, he did at∣tempt to expresse the same: for that came not to passe, by reason of his experience, or for that he was more industrious then they were, but (said he) God hath had compassion on vs that were in daunger of death; and at such time as I requested him to grant me, and my countrie men life, he hath certified me both of your dreame, and the signification thereof. I was not so much a∣grieued for that in our innocency we were adiudged to death by thee, as afraid of thine esti∣mation and glory, which was hazarded by condemning so many and so innocent and iust men to death: whereas that which you haue required of them sauoreth nothing of humane wit, but is the onely worke of God: Whilest therefore thou thoughtest in thy selfe, who it was that [ C] should commaund the whole world after thy selfe, at such time as thou wert asleepe, God inten∣ding to let thee know all those that should gouerne after thee, presented thee with this dreame. It seemed vnto thee that thou sawest a great statue, wherof the head was of gold; the shoulders and armes of siluer; the belly and thighes of brasse; and the legs and feete of yron. Thou beheldst after that, a great stone (that was drawen from a mountaine) that fell vpon the statue, and beat downe and burst the same, and left no whole peece thereof: so that the gold, siluer, yron, and brasse were poudered as small as dust: whereupon a violent wind seemed to blow, which by the furie and force thereof, was borne away and scattered into diuers countries: on the other side the stone grewe so mightie, that it seemed to fill the whole earth. This was that vision that appea∣red vnto you, the signification whereof is expressed after this manner. The head of gold signi∣fieth [ D] your selfe (and those kings of Babylon that haue been before you.) The two hands and shoul∣ders signifie that your Empyre shal be destroied by two kings, the one part by the king of the east, cloathed in brasse, whose force shall be abated by an other power, resembling that of yron; and he shal haue the power ouer the whole earth, by reason of the nature of yron which is more strong then gold, siluer, or brasse, he told the king also what that stone signified. But for mine owne part; I thought it not expedient to expresse it in this place: because the onely but and intent of my writings is onely to register such things as are past, and not such matters as are to come. But if any man haue a desire to know these things, and cannot bridle his curiositie, but will vnderstand such matters as are hidden, let him •…•…ead the book of Daniel, which he shal find amidst the sacred scrip∣tures. When king Nabuchodonosor had heard these things, and remembred himself of his dreame, [ E] he was astonished at Daniels wisedome, and casting himselfe prostrate on the earth after the man∣ner of those that adore God, he embrased Daniel, giuing direction that sacrifice should be offered vnto him, as if he were God. Moreouer he called him by the name of God, and committed the administration of his whole kingdome to him and his companions, who by reason of the com∣motions and conspiracies of their maligners and detractors, hapned to fall into most eminent and dreadfull daunger, vpon this occasion that ensueth. The king built a golden Image sixtie cubits high, and sixe in bignesse, and erected it in a great plaine neere vnto Babylon, and being readie to dedicate the same, he assembled all the gouernours and princes of his countries, com∣manding then first of all, that as soone as they should heare the trumpet sound, they should pro∣strate themselues on the earth to adore the statue; threatning that whosoeuer should do the con∣trarie, [ F] he should be cast into a burning furnace: whereas therefore all of them adored the statue vpon the sound of the trumpet. Daniel and his companions vtterly refused to performe that du∣tie, alledging for their iustification that they would not transgresse the lawes of their countrey: for which cause being apprenended, they were instantly cast into the furnace of fire, and (protected therein by Gods prouidence) escaped death beyond all mens expectation. For the fire touched them not, neither could it burne during their aboad in the furnace. For God so fortified their

bodies that they could not be consumed by fire: which accident made them in greater estima∣tion [ G] with the king, for that he saw they were vertuous and beloued by God: and for that cause they were highly honoured by him. Not long after this, the king saw an other vision in his sleepe, which signified vnto him, that being cast from his empire, he should conuerse with sauage beasts, and that hauing liued in that estate in the desart for the space of seuen yeares, he should recouer his kingdom again. Hauing had this dreame, he assembled the Magitians once more, demanding their answere, and the signification thereof. But it was impossible for any one of them eyther to find out, or declare the intelligence of this dreame vnto the king: onely Daniel discouered the same, and the effect was answerable to his prediction. For the king passed the forelimited time in the desart, so that no man durst intermeddle with the affaires of estate during seuen yeares. But after he had called vpon God, that it would please him to restore him to his kingdome, he repos∣sessed [ H] the same again. Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities, accor∣ding as I haue found them written in holy books: for in the entrance of my history I haue answered those obiections: so that I haue openly protested, that I will onely faithfully translate the Hebrew Histories into the Greeke tongue; & according to my promise, relate that which is contained ther∣in, without adding any thing of mine owne, or concealing ought of an other mans. After that Na∣buchodonosor had raigned fortie three yeares, he died: he was a man of execution, and more happie then any of his predecessors. Berosus maketh mention of his actes in the third booke of his Chal∣daique historie, where he speaketh thus. His father Nabuchodonosor, hauing notice that the gouer∣nour whom he had appointed ouer Aegypt, & the neighbouring parts of Coelosyria & Phaenicia, was reuolted from him (being at that time in himselfe vnable to endure the troubles of warre) [ I] committed a part of his forces vnto his son Nabuchodonosor, who was in the flower of his age, and sent him forth against him: who encountring the rebell, and fighting with him, ouercame him, and brought the countrey vnder his subiection. Meane while Nabuchodonosor the father died, of a sicknes in Babylon, after he had raigned one and twentie y•…•…ares. Nabuchodonosor the sonne, hauing notice of his fathers death, gaue order to the affaires of Aegypt, and the rest of the countrey, and committing the care and transportation of the Iewes, Syrians, Aegyptians, and Phaenicians to his friends, to bring them to Babylon with his army and carriage, he with a fewe men made hastie iourneies thorow the desa•…•…t. And when he had taken the administration of the kingdome vpon him (which in his absence was in the hands of the Chaldees, and by their chief∣taine was reserued vntil his returne vnto his vse) he became Lord of all his fathers Empire. When [ K] his prisoners were arriued, he assigned them conuenient dwelling places in the countrey of Ba∣bylon; and with the spoiles of the warre, he magnificently repaired and decked the Temple of Bel, & other places. He enlarged the olde Citie, and repaired & beautified it with other buildings: by meanes wherof, they that would besiege the same, were hindred from cutting off of the currant of the riuer, to the preiudice of the inhabitants. He enuironed it inwardly with a treble wall, and outwardly with as mig•…•…tie and as many enclosures, and made all of burnt bricke. The wals were magnificently builded, & the gates brauely adorned in maner of temples. He caused a pallace to be builded neere vnto his fathers auncient pallace: the magnificen•…•… and ornament wherof, I am too weake witted to expresse; onely this thing most memorable, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ue thought good to note downe, that these huge, great and pompous buildings were finished in fifteene daies. In this pal∣lace [ L] he had vaultes raised so high, that in outward appearance they seemed to bee moun∣taines, on which all sorts of trees were planted. He deuised and prepared also a goodly gar∣den, and called it the hanging garden, because his wife (hauing beene brought vp in the coun∣trey of Media) desired to haue a place conformable to that of her birth. Megasthenes in the fourth booke of his Indian Historie, maketh mention of this garden in that place, where he in∣forced himselfe to proue, that this King surpassed Hercules in valour and execution of worthie actions. For he said, that Nabuchodonosor ouercame the chiefe Citie of Libya, and a great part of Spaine. Diocles in the second booke of his Persian Historie, and Philostratus in his Phae•…•…i∣cian and Indian Historie, make mention of this King, saying, that he ouercame the Ci∣tie of Tyre at the end of thirteene yeeres; at such time as Ithobal raigned ouer the Tyri∣ans. [ M] This is the summe of all that which the Historiographers write as touching this King.

CHAP. XI. [ A]

Nabuchodonosors successors, the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia.

AFter Nabuchodonosors death, his sonne Euilmerodach obtained the kingdome, who in∣continently deliuered Iechonias king of Ierusalem out of prison, and held him in the number of his most esteemed friends, and gaue him presents, and committed the go∣uernment of the pallace of Babylon into his hands. For his father had not kept his promise with Iechonias, when he surrendred himselfe, his wife, children, and friends into his hands, in the behalfe of his countrey, and to the intent that the Citie of Ierusalem should not be rased [ B] by those that besieged it, as we haue heretofore declared. Euilmerodach died in the eighteenth yeere of his raigne, and Niglisar his sonne obtained the kingdome, which hee possessed fortie veeres, and afterwards died. After him the succession of the kingdome came vnto his sonne cal∣led Labosardach, which continued in him but for the space of nine moneths, and after his death it came vnto Balthasar, who by the Babylonians was called Naboandel. Against him Cyrus king of Persia, and Darius king of Media made warre; and at such time as he was besieged in Baby∣lon, there hapned a meruailous and prodigious spectacle.

Balthasar sate vpon a certaine festiuall in a royall chamber, where he was serued with great store of vessell fit for his maiestie and royaltie; and with him at the banquet there sate his concu∣bines, and most intirest friends. At which time (to shew his magnificence) he caused those ves∣sels [ C] to be brought out of the temple of his God, which Nabuchodonosor his predecessor (fearing to employ to his owne vse) had stoared vp in his Idols temple. But Balthasar was so puffed with pride, that he dranke out of them, and employed them to his vses. Now so came it to passe, that whilest he quaffed and blasphemed the name of God, he sawe a hand issuing from a wall, which wrote in the same certaine syllables: by which vision being somewhat terrified, he assembled his Magitians and Chaldees, and all that sort of people (who amongst those barbarous nations made profession to interprete prodigies and dreames) to the intent they might signifie vnto him the meaning and vnderstanding of that writing. Now when these Magitians had told him that they could in no sort sound or vnderstand the same, the king was sore vexed and toubled at this vnexpected vision: whereupon he caused it to be proclaimed thorow his countrey, that whoso∣euer [ D] should read that writing, and declare the meaning thereof, he would giue him a golden chaine, and a purple robe (such as the king of Chaldees wore) and besides all this, the third part of his Empire. After this proclamation, the Magitians assembled togither with greater con∣course, and were farre more diligent and inquisitiue to finde out the signification of the wri∣ting: but they were no lesse grounded therein then they were at the first. Meane while the kings grandmother seeing him wholy amated in minde, began to comfort him, and to tell him that there was a certaine man amongst the prisoners of Iuda, led thither at such time as Nabuchodono∣sor destroied Babylon, whose name was Daniel, a man wise and expert in searching out of things that were impossible and only knowne vnto God, who euidently expounded that which Nabu∣chodonosor required, at such time, as no other man could satisfie his demaund. Whereupon the [ E] king called him vnto his presence, and telling him what proofes he had heard of his wisedome, and of that diuine spirit that was in him, and how he only was fit to interprete those things which otherwise were obscured from other mens knowledge; he praid him to informe him what that hand writing signified, promising him in reward thereof a purple garment, a golden chaine, and the third part of his Empire: to the end that being honoured with these titles for his wisedome, he might grow famous amongst all men, who demaunding the reason, should know the intent why he was honoured. But Daniel (refusing all these presents of his, in that the wisedome that is giuen from aboue is not corrupted thereby, but is freely answerable to those that haue neede thereof) told him that that writing did foretell him the end of his life, because he had not learned to feare God, neither to lift his thoughts higher then humane nature: notwithstanding he had [ F] seene the chastisement wherewith his predecessor had been punished, for the outrages he com∣mitted against God. For that Nabuchodonosor hauing been driuen to lead his life among beasts by reason of his impieties, after diuers requests and supplications had obtained mercie, and was returned vnto humane conuersation, and into his owne kingdome; for which cause all the time of his life he praised almightie God the gouernour of all things: whereas he had omitted to do the like, and had blasphemed the name of God in diuers sorts, and had swilled both himselfe

and his concubines in the vessels dedicated to God: For this cause God was displeased with [ G] him, and certified him by this writing, what end he should expect. Whereupon he expoun∣ded the writing in these termes: Mane (which is as much to say, as number) sheweth that God hath numbred the daies of thy life and dominion, which shall endure but a little while. Thekel signifieth a ballance; God therefore (said he) waying thy gouernment sheweth that it shall be o∣uerthrowne: Phares, this word signifieth a fragment, God shall breake thy kingdome, and shall diuide it amongst the Medes, and Persians. When the king had heard this interpretation, hee was very sorrowfull (according as the nature of things so desastrous, and so apparant required.) Notwithstanding he delaied not to performe those presents which he had promised the Prophet, although (as he well perceiued) the words aboaded him ill, and gaue him all that which he pro∣mised him, considering with himselfe, that it was his owne destinie that he ought to accuse, and [ H] not Daniel, who like a vertuous man had declared the truth of things: notwithstanding they were very vnfauorie in his eare. Not long after, this Balthasar and the Citie were ouerthrowne and ta∣ken by Cyrus king of Persia and his army. For this was that Balthasar, vnder whom, and in the se∣uenteenth yeere of whose raigne, the surprisal of Babylon hapned. This as farre as I could gather, was the end of king Nabuchodonosors posteritie.

Darius (who with his allie Cyrus) had destroied the estate of the Babylonians, was threescore and two yeeres olde at such time as he tooke Babylon. He was Astyages sonne, and is otherwaies called by the Greekes. He tooke the Prophet Daniel, and led him with him into Media, and kept him neere vnto him, doing him much honour: for he was of the number of the three gouernors whom he constituted ouer three hundreth and threescore prouinces; for so had Darius com∣manded it. [ I] Now Daniel being thus honoured and beloued by Darius, and onely trusted by him in all things, for that God was with him, was grieuously hated: for they are most hainously ha∣ted, who haue greatest interest in Princes fauours. Whereas therefore they that were iealous of the good esteeme which he had with Darius, sought occasion to calumniate and backbite him, he warily cut off all opportunitie thereof: for he would neither be bribed with siluer, nor corrup∣ted with presents, supposing it to be an act of much dishonestie, to receiue gifts after a man had done any curtesies. He therefore gaue his maligners no manner of ground to detract from his re∣putation. Yet notwithstanding, they seeing they could finde no hole in his coat, whereby his honour might be touched, blamed, or calumniated, they sought out a new meanes to disgrace him. For they perceiuing that Daniel did thrise euerie day make his praiers vnto God, they sup∣posed [ K] that they had found a iust pretext to worke his ruine: For which cause they came vnto Da∣rius, certifying him that the princes and gouernours had concluded to gither to this effect: That for thirtie daies space an intermission should be granted to the people; during which time, it was neither lawfull for them to demaund any thing, neither of himselfe, or of any man or God what∣soeuer; and if any man should attempt any thing against this common decree, it was ordered that he should be cast into the Lyons denne. But the King perceiuing not the drift of their ma∣lice, nor how they sought by this deuise to entrappe Daniel, told them that he liked of the decree, and promised to confirme the same, and propounded a publike edict, wherein the princes resolu∣tions were ratified. Now whilest all men endeuoured thorow seare, carefully and diligently to ob∣serue this edict, Daniel set light thereby, and according to his accustomed manner standing in [ L] all mens sight, he worshipped his God, and prayed vnto him. Whereupon, the princes (hauing got that occasiō which they long expected) came readily vnto the king, & accused Daniel for that he onely amongst the rest had presumed to infringe their decree: vrging moreouer, that he did it not for the religion sake that was in him, but because he was obserued and watcht by his malig∣ners. And for that they feared least Darius by reason of the great affection he bare vnto Daniel, should be ready to pardon him (notwithstanding he had transgressed their edict) they conclu∣ded vpon no milder iudgement, but that he might be cast into the Lyons denne, according to the forme of the edict. Darius hoping that God would deliuer Daniel, and that no harme should befall him by the iawes of wilde beasts, exhorted him patiently to endure that aduenture. Now as soone as he was cast into the den, the king sealed vp the stone that closed the mouth thereof, [ M] and departed, spending all that night without repast or repose, so grieuously was he distempered in Daniels behalfe. And when the day was come, as soone as he arose he came vnto the den, and finding the seale vnbroken wherewith he had marked the stone, he opened the same, and called vnto Daniel with a'loud voice, asking him if he were whole and in safetie. He hearing the king speake, answered that he had receiued no hurt: whereupon Darius commanded that they should draw him out of the Lyons den. His aduersaries perceiuing that Daniel had escaped all incon∣ueniences

(because that God had taken care of him) would not that he should escape: and there∣upon [ A] told the king that the Lyons did neither touch nor approch Daniel, because they had beene fed and gorged before. For which cause, the king displeased with their iniurious malice, com∣manded a quantitie of flesh to be cast vnto the Lyons; and when they were glutted, he willed that Daniels enemies should be cast among them, to the intent he might know whether the Lyons would touch them or no, when they were gorged. At which time Darius saw verie manifestly, that God had by his power warranted Daniel from death. For as soone as the nobles were cast into the den, the Lyons spared not one of them, but tore them all in pieces, as if they had beene hungry and without meate. I suppose that these Lyons hauing been a little before glutted with meat, did not annoy these men by reason of their famine; but I rather iudge that their malignitie did whet on their furie: for when as God so pleaseth, vnreasonable creatures doe iustice vpon ma∣lignant [ B] and enuious men. Daniels aduersaries being in this sort exterminated and destroied, Da∣rius gaue notice hereof to all the subiects of his prouinces, praysing that God whom Daniel ado∣red, saying, that he was the onely true God, who had all power: he honoured Daniel likewise with especiall regard, esteeming him amongst the chiefest of his familiars. He therefore being thus famous and admirable (because he: was beloued by God) builded in Ecbatane in the coun∣trey of the Medes a magnificent castle, and a meruailous monument that remaineth euen vnto this day, which seemeth to those that looke thereon, that it is but newly builded, and made but that very day which they behold the sarine; the beautie thereof seemeth so liuing and perfect, as that continuance of time doth in no sort deface it. For it fareth with buildings as with men, they wax olde and are enfeebled by yeeres, and lose their beauty; at this day all the kings of Media, [ C] Persia, and Parthia are entombed in this Castle, and the charge thereof is committed to a priest; who is a Iew: and this custome continueth euen vntill this day. Neither is that to be buried in silence, which is worthy especiall admination in this man: For all exceeding felicitie that was incident to a most famous Prophet, attended him; and during his whole life time he was both most highly honoured by kings, and reuerenced by the common sort: and after his death his me∣morie is perdurable. For all the bookes which he left in writing, are red amongst vs euen at this present; and we haue been perswaded by the reading thereof, that Daniel had conference with God. For he hath not onely prophecied of things to come (as other Prophets haue done) but also hath determined the time wherein those things should happen. And whereas other Pro∣phets were accustomed to foretell aduersities, and for that occasion were misliked both by prin∣ces [ D] and their people; Daniel foretold them alwaies good successe: so that he hath drawne vnto him the good will of all men, by reason of those pleasing predictions that he pronounced; and by the issues thereof he hath obtained a testimony of truth, and a reputation likewise of diuinity, and hath left vs certain writings, by which he hath manifestly declared the immutabilitie and ex∣act certaintie of his prophecies.

It is said, that being at Susa the Metropolitane Citie of Persia, at such time as he walked a∣broad attended by his familiars, that there fel an earthquake with a great noise: so that he was left alone, and all his companions fled from him. And that thereupon being sore troubled, he fell vpon his face, and both his hands: at which time some one touched him, and commaunded him to stand vp, and to see that which should happen to his countrimen after diuers ages. Being [ E] therefore raised vpright, there was a great ramme shewed vnto him, that had diuers hornes, the last whereof was the greatest of all. Afterwards he looked towards the west, and perceiued a goat carried thorow the ayre, that butted at the ramme, and hauing encountred him twise, had bea∣ten and trampled him vnder his feete. Thirdly, he saw a goat, in whose forehead there grew one great horne onely: which being broken, foure others broke out in steed thereof, bending each of them towards the foure windes of the world. He hath written also, that from them, there shal arise another little one also, which as God (who presented the vision to him) told him, being growne to perfection, should warre against the whole nation of the Iewes, and take the Citie by force, and confound the estate of the temple, and hinder the sacrifices, for one thousand two hundreth ninety and six daies. [ F]

Daniel writeth that he saw these things in the field of Susa, and hath declared that God him∣selfe told him what that vision signified, which was, that the Ramme signified the kingdomes of the Persians, and the Medes: His hornes signified the kings that were to raigne in those king∣domes; and that the last horne signified the last king, who should surpasse all the rest in riches and glorie. That the goat signified, that there should come a certaine king among the Greekes, who should fight at two seuerall times with the Persian, and should ouercome him in warre; and

afterwards possesse the whole gouernment: And that by the great horne that grew in the front [ G] of the Goat, the first King was represented; and how that after he was taken away, fower other should spring thereout. And whereas euerie one of these turned themselues toward the foure corners of the world, it was a signe that after the death of the first, he should haue foure successors, that should depart the kingdome betweene them: who neither should be his allies or chil∣dren; yet such notwithstanding as should commaund the world for many yeares: That from them, there should arise a certaine King that should oppose himselfe against the Hebrewe nation, and their lawes, and should ouerthrow their pollicy; spoyle their temple, and be a let that for three yeares space the sacrifices should not be solemnized. Now so hath it hap∣ned, that our nation hath beene so handled vnder Antiochus the famous, as Daniel had foreseene, and hath written diuers yeares before, all that which should happen. [ H]

At the same time Daniel wrote as touching the Empyre of the Romanes, how it should destroy our nation: and hath left all these things in writing, according as God declared them vnto him; so that they who read and consider those things, that haue hapned, admire Daniel for the honour that God dignified him with, and find thereby that Epicures erre, who driue all diuine prouidence from humaine life, and affirme that God gouerneth not the affaires of the world; or that the world is administred by a happie and incorruptible es∣sence, which causeth all things to continue in their being: but say, that the world is manna∣ged by it selfe, by casualtie, without any conductor, or such a one as hath care thereof. For if it were so, and that it were destitute of a soueraigne gouernour (as we see shippes destitute of their pilots to be drowned by the winds; and chariots that haue no driuers to conduct them, [ I] to be at one against another) euen so should it perish, and should ruinate it selfe by such an ir∣regular motion. By these things therefore that Daniel hath foretold, I iudge that they are farre estraunged from the truth, that affirme that God hath no care of humaine affaires; for if wee see that all things happen casually, then happen they not according to his prophecie. But I haue written hereof according as I haue found and red, and if any one will thinke otherwise, let him continue his opinion as long as him list.

Notes

• The yeare of the world. 3231. be∣fore the Natiui∣tie of Christ. 733.
• 4. Reg. 18. The destructi∣on of Iudaea.
• The oth of Se∣nacherib, and his breach thereof.
• Rapsaces per∣swasion, to cause Ezechias submit.
• 4. Reg. 19. Ezechias in aduersity hath recourse to God, he is cō∣sorted by Esay.
• The yeare of the world. 3231. before Christs Natiuity 733.
• Herodotus of Senacharib.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 11.
• The punish∣ment of Se∣nacharib, for displeasing God.
• Patricides.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus. chap. 3.
• 4. Reg. 20.
• Ezechias sick∣nesse and the prolongation of his life assu∣red by miracle
• The yeare of the world, 3231. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie, 733.
• The Assyrian Monarchie de∣stroied. The embassage of the king of Babylon to E∣zechias.
• The captiuitie of Babylon forepropheci∣ed by Esay. The yeare of the world. 3232. be∣fore Christs birth 732.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 4.
• Ezechias death.
• 4. Reg. 21. Manasses im∣piety and cru∣elty. The yeare of the world. 3247. be∣fore Christs birth 717.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 5. Alias cap. 4.
• The yeare of the world 3247. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie. 717. Manasses sur∣prised and led prisoner into Babylon. and after his re∣pentance re∣stored to his kingdome. The yeare of the world. 3288. be∣fore Christs birth 676. Manasses puri∣fieth the citie and consecra∣teth the tem∣ple againe.
• The yeare of the world. 3302. be∣fore Christs birth 662. Manasses death.
• Amos king of Iuda a wicked prince.
• The yeare of the world. 3304. be∣fore the birth of Christ. 660. Iosias king of Iudae. 4 Reg. 22. Iosias resto∣reth the true seruice of God. The feare of the world, 3307. be∣fore Christs birth 657.
• Iosias rooteth outidolairie. The yeare of the world. 3321. be fore Christ birth. 643. Iudges. The zeale of the people in the reparation of the temple.
• The yeare of the world. 3321. be∣fore Christs birth 643.
• Moses sacred bookes found in the temple.
• Olda the pro∣phetesse sent vnto by Iosias.
• The pophecie of the Iewes miserie.
• 4 Reg. 23. A liuely image of a godly prince.
• The truth of the diuine ora∣cles. 3. Reg. 13.
• The celebrati∣on of the passe∣ouer.
• The yeare of the world 3321. be∣fore Christs birth 643. Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 9. Alias cap. 5.
• The yeare of the world. 3334. be∣fore Christs birth 630. The Egyptians worke their passage tho∣row Iudaea.
• 4. Reg. 23.
• Iosias death.
• An Epitaph written by Ie∣remy on Iosias
• 2. Paral. 25. Ieremy pro∣phecieth the captiuitie. of Babylon. In what time Ieremie liued. Ioaz king of Iuda. 4. Reg. 23. 2. Paral 36. Hedio & Ruf∣finus. chap. 7. Alias. chap. 6. Eliacim cal∣led Ioachim made king of Iuda. The yeare of the world. 3335. be∣fore Christs birth 629.
• The yeare of the world. 3336. be∣fore the birth of Christ. 628. Nabuchodo nosor king of Babylon war∣reth against the Egyptians.
• The yeare of the world. 3336. be∣fore Christs birth 628.
• Ioachim paseth Nabuchadnez∣zar tribute. 4. Reg. 24.
• The yeare of the world. 3343. be∣fore Christs na∣tiuitie, 621.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 8. Ioachim reuol∣teth from the king of Baby∣lon.
• The yeare of the world. 3345. before Christs Natiuity 619. Ieremy fore∣telleth the de∣struction of Ierusalem. Ier. 22.
• Nabuchad∣nezzars enter∣tainment into the citie, and his crueltie. 4. Reg. 24. 2. Paral. 36. Ioachin or Ie∣chonias king of Iuda.
• The yeare of the world. 3346. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie. 618.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus. chap. 9.
• 4. Reg. 25.
• Nabuchodo∣nosor a truce •…•…eaker.
• Sedechias king of Ierusalem seduced by his courteours & false prophets, giueth no eare to Ieremy.
• Ezechiel pro∣phecieth the destruction of the temple.
• The yeare of the world. 3354. be∣fore Christ birth. 610. Sedechias re∣uolt from the Babylonian. Hedio and Ruf∣finus, chap. 10. The king of Egypt com∣ming to rescue the king of Ie∣rusalē, is ouer∣throwne by Nabuchodo∣nosor with all his army, and driuen out of Syria.
• The yeare of the world. 3346. be∣fore the Natiui∣tie of Christ. 618. Sedechias se∣duced by false prophets The prophecy of the captiui∣tie of Babylon and the deli∣uerie. Ier. 25. 29. 37.
• The yeare of the world, 3354. be∣fore Christs birth 610. Ierusalem be∣sieged. 4 Reg. 25. Ier. 39. Two mightie enemies, Famine and pestilence. Ieremy per∣swadeth them to yeeld.
• The reward of godly preach∣ers in this life.
• Sedechias neglecteth the prophets good counsaile for feare of the gouernours.
• The yeare of the world, 3354 be∣fore Christs birth 610.
• Ierusalem be∣sieged eigh∣teene moneths and at length taken.
• The yeare of the world. 3356. be∣fore Christs birth 608.
• Sedecias fly∣eth by night, and is suprised by the enemie.
• The yeare of the world, 3356. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie, 608.
• Sedechias hath his eies pulled out, and his children slaine before his face.
• How many and how long the kings raigned that were of Da∣uids luie.
• The temple the pallace, and the citie spoiled and burnt.
• The captiuitle of Babylon.
• The high Priests in Ie∣rusalem.
• Sedecias death
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus. chap. 11.
• The yeare of the world. 3356. be∣fore Christs birth 608. Godolias cap∣taine of the fugitiues. Ieremy set at libertie by the Baby lonian, and richly of∣fered and pre∣sented.
• Baruch dis∣missed out of prison. The Iewes re∣sort to Mas∣phath to Go∣dolias.
• The yeare of the world. 3356. be∣fore the Natiui∣tie of Christ. 608.
• Iohn releaseth limaels cap∣tiues.
• Iohn asketh counsaile of God, and be∣ing informed refuseth the same.
• Ier. 42. 43.
• The prophecy of the Babylo∣nian armie, and the Iewes captiuitie.
• The yeare of the world. 3361. be∣fore Christ birth. 603.
• The yeare of the world, 3361 be∣fore Christs birth 603. Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 12. Dan 1. Daniels for∣wardnes and his fellowes towardnes in studying wise∣dome and good letters.
• The yeare of the world, 3363. be∣fore Christs na∣tiuite, 601. Dan. 2. Nauchodo∣nosor drea∣ming, forget∣teth his vision sendeth for the magitions not able to disco∣uer his doubts, he threatneth them with death.
• The yeare of the world. 3•…•…63. be∣fore Christs birth 601.
• The vision and the Rouelati∣on thereof opened to Da∣niel.
• Daniel telleth the king his dreame, and the enterpre∣tation thereof.
• Nabuchodo∣nosors dreame of the foure monarches of the world.
• Daniel and his fellowes ad∣uanced to ho∣nour. The yeare of the world, 3364 be∣fore Christs birth 600,
• The kings edict for honouring the goldē sta∣tue. Dan. 3.
• Daniel and his kinsmen refu∣sing to adore the statue are cast into the furnace.
• The yeare of the world 3364. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie. 600.
• The yeare of the •…•…ld, 3369. be∣fore Christs na∣•…•…uitie, 595.
• Dan. 4. The dreame and exposition thereof.
• Nabuc•…•…odo∣sors death.
• The yeare of the world, 3381. be∣fore Christs birth 583. Berosus of Na∣buchodosor. Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 13.
• Megasthenes of Nabucho∣donosor. D•…•…ocles. Philostratus.
• The yeare of the world, 3382. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie, 582.
• Euilmerodach releaseth le∣chonias from his long im∣prisonment. 4. Reg 25. Ierem. 52. Niglisar. Labosardach. Balthasar or Naboandel king of Babyl•…•…
• The yeare of th•…•… world. 3421. be∣fore Christs birth 543.
• Dan. 5: Balthasar see•…•…h a hand thrust out of a wall and writing certaine sil∣lables. The yeare of the world. 3425. be∣fore the birth of Christ. 539.
• •…•…he yeare of the •…•…rld. •…•…25. be∣fore Christs birth 9•…•…9. Daniel inter∣preteth the writing to the king. The king per∣formeth his promises to Daniel.
• Babylon sur∣prised by Cy∣rus king of Persia.
• The force of enuie. Daniels ho∣nour and vp∣rightnes. Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 14. Dan. 6.
• Daniel cast in∣to the Lions denne.
• The yeare of the world. 3425. be∣fore Christs birth 539. Daniels ene∣mies rent in pieces by the Lions.
• Daniels pro∣phecies.
• Daniels vision of the Ramme and Goat, by whom the king of Media, and Persia were prefiguted.
• Dan. 2.
• The yeare of the world 3425. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie. 539.
• Daniels pre∣dictions of the Romane Empyre. Dan. 9.
• The Epicures errour con∣uicted.