The suruey of popery vvherein the reader may cleerely behold, not onely the originall and daily incrementes of papistrie, with an euident confutation of the same; but also a succinct and profitable enarration of the state of Gods Church from Adam vntill Christs ascension, contained in the first and second part thereof: and throughout the third part poperie is turned vp-side downe.

CHAP. IIII. Of the kings of Egypt.

* 1.1PTolomeus the sonne of Lagus began his raigne in Egypt, immediately after the death of Alexander, though not with∣out

bloudshedding and great warres for sundry yeares, as is areadie said. He was one of Alexanders captaines, as were al∣so Antigonus, Nicanor, and Cassander.

The names of the kings of Egypt

• Ptolomeus Lagi Filius Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 40 yeares
• Ptolomeus Philadelphus Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 38
• Ptolemeus Euergetes Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 26
• Ptolomeus Philopator Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 17
• Ptolemeus Epiphanes Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 24
• Ptolomeus Philometor Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 35 yeares
• Ptolomeus Euergetes Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 29
• Ptolomeus Soter aliàs Phys∣con, filius Cleopatrae Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 17 yeares
• Ptolomeus Alexander, Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 10
• Ptolomeus Phiscon, aliàs Lathurus Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 8
• Ptolemeus Dionysius Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 30
• Cleopatra Anno Mun. 3647 the time of their reigns Anno mun. 3921 22 yeares

The first obseruation.

It is to be obserued, that as of Iulius Cesar, euery Empe∣rour of Rome was afterward called Cesar; and of Octauius Augustus, Augustus; so was Artaxerxes the common name of all the kinges of Persia; so was also euery king of Egypt, cal∣led indifferently Ptolomeus, or Pharao. Which obseruation helpeth more then a little, to vnderstand sundry textes of holy scripture.

The second obseruation.

We must obserue secondly, that albeit a monarche haue the chiefest soueraigntie on earth, yet is he not the sole and vniuer∣sall gouernour, so as there is no other king ouer anie other nati∣on. For though the highest and supreme power, authoritie, and dominion be in euerie monarchie, so as no other power, no not independent, is able to ouerrule or preuaile against the same; yet were there euer powers independent ouer and besides the said monarchies, not subiect to the iurisdiction thereof. In the time of the monarchie of the Babylonians or Assyrians,

worthie kings (though of lesse might and authoritie) raigned in Egypt, in Israel, in Greece, and else where. In the time of the Persian monarchie, the Macedonians and the Romaines had their authoritie; so likewise when the Greekes and Romaines hadde the monarchicall and imperiall seate with them, other kings had their seueral dominions, albeit very small in respect.

The third obseruation.

Cleopatra the Queene of Egypt, expelled her sonne La∣thurus from the kingdome, by reason of his tyrannicall regi∣ment, and made his brother Alexander king of Egypt in his place. Lathurus fled away into Cypres, & Alexander raigned not long, for he was so afraide of his mothers crueltie, that hee forsook the kingdom, and fled away. And so Cleopatra, for the greater part of the 18 yeres ascribed to Lathurus & Alexander had hir raigne alone. But at length Alexander her son stew hir, and possessed the kingdome againe. Yet this Alexander was expulsed by the Egyptians for his crueltie, and Lathurus a∣gaine restored, who raigned a fewe yeares, and then dyed. This must bee diligently obserued for the clearing of many difficulties, which otherwise will not easily be vnderstood, tou∣ching the yeeres and raignes of the kings.

The fourth obseruation.

Cleopatra was the last Queene of Egypt, succeding her brother Dionysius. But after that she loued Antonius and re∣belled against Augustus, he ouercame both, for which cause they murthered themselues, and so Egypt became subiect to the Empire of the Romaines.

The fift obseruation.

Ptolomeus Phisco, was a cruel filthie beast, he married his owne sister,* 1.2 lay with his owne daughter, killed his children with his owne hands, & gaue them to be eaten of his own wife their mother. This Ptolomeus some thinke to be all one with Euergetes: some deeme him to be his successor, otherwise called Soter, which opinion I preferre as more probable.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno mun. 3608
• * 1.2

  •• beastly and ••ost cruel fact.