The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

EZRA. CHAP. I. And 2 CHRON. XXXVI. vers. 22. 23.

CYRUS published a Decree for the Jews returning to their own Land again; This Decree was signed at the very instant of Daniels prayer, Dan. 9. 23.

Darius was yet alive and reigning, as appears by comparing Dan. 9. 1. but the Decree and Proclamation is the Act of Cyrus, not only in regard of a Prophesie that went before concerning him, Esay 44. 28. but also be∣cause he was the greater Conqueror, and the greater Prince. For 1. He was not only sharer with Darius in the Conquest of Babylon, but was also sharer with him in the Kingdom of Media, as being sole heir to it; but Da∣rius had no claim with him in the Kingdom of Persia. 2. Berosus, not that of Annius, but cited by Josephus, Lib. 1. cont. Apion saith, that Cyrus had con∣quered even all Asia, before he came to besiege Babel; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Cyrus delivered out to Zerubabel, who by the Chaldeans was called Shesbazzar, all the Vessels of the Temple that Ne∣buchad-nezzar had captived. In the summing of them there is some obscu∣rity, for there is a particular given only of two thousand four hundred ninety nine, and yet the Text summeth up five thousand four hundred, for it particulareth only those that were of a greater size, but summeth up both the great and little; for 2 Chron. 36. 18. it is said, that the King of Babel brought all the Vessels of the House of God, both great and small to Babel, vid. Joseph. Antiq. 11. 1.