The works of that late most excellent philosopher and astronomer, Sir George Wharton, bar. collected into one volume / by John Gadbvry ...

1. Of the Vulgar Accounts, Notes, and Festivals.

The Christians of the East and Greek Church, do number

	Years.
From the Creation unto this present Year	7161
The Jews, Hebrews, and later Rabbines	5413
Ergo, they differ in their Computation	1748

HEavens direct us! what a Difference here's, [Full seventeen hundred forty twice four years:] Whose R••ck'ning shall we trust? or shall we wait, Till some New Prophet rise, and Calculate The year? [That year which Saints in Heav'n not scan, Yet needs must be confin'd by prying Man!] But if nor Jews, nor Christians can it find, If Plato saw not, surely they are blind.

The Christian Abyssines and Egyptians, from the Dioclesian Aera, or that of Martyrs, 1369

Thus rots that Tyrant: And may all the same, Who act like Cruelty, yet hate the Name.

The Saracens and Turks from Hegira, or the flight of their Prophet Mahomet. 1063

The Turks are very Holy in their way; They Preach, give Alms, and most devoutly Pray;

And live in hope: Our Zelots do no more, Unless to over-do, and ne'r give or'e. Had we been born in Turky, we should set As great a rate on Rascal Mahomet, As Turks themselves: If they in England, then We had been all alike [Good Christian-Men.] "Tis Birth and Education, which doth make "Religion: that which Seals it, is, the Stake.

The Astronomers from Nabonassarus (of Egyptian Years, consisting each of 365 days) 2401.

They (of all others) can account the best, Yet are accounted of, but like the rest: The snarling Priest (who Numbers never knew, More than to tythe his Pigs, or whence they grew; But like the Ale-wife, chalks behind the door, And sets even Christ and Moses on the score) Gains more belief in striving how to bribe Our Reason, than do all that Learned Tribe. But know (fond Men) the Bible was not writ For you to draw Chronologies from it: To prop up Faction, warrant Breach of Laws, Absolve from Oaths, and Chain us to your Cause; To teach Men Trades, or Sciences, or Arts: 'Twas made to rectifie and steer our Hearts. "Wretched those Souls, who thus (by you) are fed "With Tares and Husks, instead of Heav'nly Bread.

From the Death of Alexander the Great, 1976.

He who Conquered all the spacious Earth, Was Conquered himself for want of Breath: He that (whilst living) could endure no Bound, Rests now contented with six foot of Ground.

"His Birth, his Valour, his Exploits and Glory, "All tumbled in a heap of Doubtful Story. Even so at length (Great * 1.1 Conqu'rours) shall you be Or'e-come, confin'd, as close, as low as he. Ten Thousand Armies strength will not defend: Your Conquests, and your selves must have An End, Nor can they yield you Comfort when you die, Be'ng nothing but a splendid Robbery.

Since the Julian Institution, 1698

Since the Gregorian Emendation, 71

Our State have been Reforming twelve long Years, The Church, Court, Country, City, (Hair and Ears:) Should they the English Kalendar omit, 'T will be forgot when they begun to sit: Ages to come, who thirst to Celebrate Their Famous Deeds, shall find them without Date; And know no more when CHARLES or Strafford dy'd, Than some, When Christ was Born, or Crucify'd. Perhaps, mistake the Persons with the Times, Finding so like, their Suff'rings, and their Crimes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This was purely Prophetical, and is now most happily verified