A briefe of the Bible drawne first into English poësy, and then illustrated by apte annotations: togither vvith some other necessary appendices. By Henoch Clapham.

31. Staffe.

Cyrus (a) returnes them with full libertie, To build Gods house: But Enemies arise, That for a while, do stay That and the Citie. Then Nehemi, vnto his People hies. Then Temple and the Cities Walls were reard, (b) Maugre the hearts of them, before they feard.

a) In Cy∣rus his first year (for the 70. were finished) the King hauing caused his Peo∣ple, to furnish them with ne∣cessaries, they re∣turne with sheaues in their bosom, that went forth by weeping Crosse.

And here beginneth EZRA.

In the First Returne Zerub-babel, (Contrary 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Confusion) is the Peoples Captaine. Comming to Ierusalem, they lay the foundation, but from the 3. yeare of Cyrus his Commandement, it was hindred. After that falleth out Ahashuerosh his Decree, for Massacring Iewes, but Hester, through her Vnkle Mordechai his stirring vp, turned the Iudgement

vpon Haman and his house (Reade here HESTERS storie) and Mordechai is exalted.

Darius Ar••axast, the third King of Persian Mo∣narch, he, Ezra. 6. sensiblie feeling Iehouahs hand against his people, because the Iewes were stayed from the holy worke, He in his second yeare renu∣eth Cyrus his Predecessors Commandement. Now beginneth Haggai to reprooue his People, for ha∣uing so great minde to the building of their owne houses, in the meane time neglecting the Lordes House. Togither with him the Lord stirred vp Za∣chariah for the worke. In the 6. yeare of Artaxast, or Artahshasht, the substantiall partes of the Tem∣ple were finished. The next yeare after, Ezra and his holy Host make the Second Returne. In the 20. yeare of the King (Nehcm. 2. 1. And here must be∣ginne Nehemiahs Story) Nehemiah Tirshatha, or Butler, commeth to Ierusalem, and reareth vp the Cities walles: and nowe were the Temples appur∣tenances finished, which was 46. yeares from the Foundation laid, Iohn, 2. 20. and a Iubile of years, that is, seven seavens, or 49. yeares: whereof Ga∣b••••el certified Daniel, Dan. 9. 25. But Daniel mour∣neth for the hinderance, Chap. 10. which was in Cyrus 3 yeare.

(b) Assurs People, (Reade of them, in Hoshea last Israels King) they starting from Samaria, and the Cities thereabout, did all they could to hinder it: but it could not be stopped, beyond Gabriels sea∣ven seavens of yeares. The Lordes prefixed time, shall stop the Devill and all his black band: What ••eedes Israel feare: