Hexapla in Danielem: that is, A six-fold commentarie vpon the most diuine prophesie of Daniel wherein according to the method propounded in Hexapla vpon Genesis and Exodus, sixe things are obserued in euery chapter. 1. The argument and method. 2. The diuers readings. 3. The questions discussed. 4. Doctrines noted. 5. Controversies handled. 6. Morall observations applyed. Wherein many obscure visions, and diuine prophesies are opened, and difficult questions handled with great breuitie, perspicuitie, and varietie ... and the best interpreters both old and new are therein abridged. Diuided into two bookes ... By Andrevv Willet Professour of Diuinitie. The first booke.

Quest. 5. That there were more then three kings of Persia, as may be gathered out of the Scripture.

1. Concerning the iust number of the kings, that there were neither three onely, as the Hebrewes, nor 5. as Tertullian lib. aduers. Iudaeos, nor 8. onely as Isidor. lib. 5. Etymol. and Ioannes Annius, whom I••annes Driedo, and Ioannes Lucidus followe, not yet so many, namely 14. as Pererius, and the most doe hold, as is shewed before quest. 37. vpon the 9. Chapter.

2. But the opinion of the Hebrewes, who most of them hold that there were but 3. kings of Persia, Cyrus, Assuerus the husband of Esther, and Darius whom Alexander o∣uercame: and some of them name a fourth beside, Cambyses betweene Cyrus and Assuerus: This opinion may euidently be refelled by Scripture: which maketh mention at the least of 5. kings of Persia: Pererius thinketh that sixe are named in Scripture: 1. Cyrus. 2. then As∣suerus, called also Artaxerxes, which was Cambyses, who hindered the building of the Temple, Ezra. 4. 3. then Darius the sonne of Hystaspis, vnder whom the Temple was ree∣dified, Ezra. 5. vnder whom the Prophets Haggie and Zacharie prophesied. 4. Artaxer∣xes Longimanus by whom Ezra and Nehemiah were sent, Ezra. 7. Nehem. 2. 5. the fift was Assuerus the husband of Esther, which is thought to be Artaxerxes Mnemon. 6. and the sixt was Darius whom Alexander ouercame, in whose time Iaddua was high Priest, Nehem. 12. 22.

But in this collection Pererius diuersely faileth. 1. in that he maketh Assuerus and Ar∣tashasht mentioned Ezra. 4. to be all one, whereas the last named was Cambyses, the other Darius Hystaspis, as is shewed before quest. 58. c. 9. 2. he thinketh the Temple beganne to be reedified vnder Darius Hystaspis, which was Darius Longimanus, as is shewed before likewise, quest. 45. c. 9. 3. he taketh Assuerus, Esthers husband to be Artaxerxes Mne∣mon, which was rather Darius Hystaspis, for Mordecai his age, who was one of the captiui∣tie of Iechonia, will not suffer the storie to be deferred so long: see before c. 9. quest. 44.

3. This then may be affirmed, that at the least fiue seuerall kings of Persia, are named in the bookes of Ezra and Nehemiah: as Cyrus is mentioned, Ezra. 4. 3. then Assuerus, which was Darius Hystaspis, and before him, Artashasht, that is Cambyses, which first hindered the worke of the Temple, Ezra. 4. 6, 7. afterward Darius, which was Artaxerxes Longima∣nus, Ezra. 6. 1. called also Artashasht, v. 24. and Darius the last king, Nehem. 12. 22.