Gregorii posthuma, or, Certain learned tracts written by John Gregorie. Together with a short account of the author's life and elegies on his much-lamented death published by J.G.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

VIA VNA COR VNVM

DE AERIS & EPOCHIS. Shewing The Several Accounts of Time among all Nations, from the Creätion to the present Age.

TO determine the Confusion of Things, Chro∣nologie taketh part with Historie, which in∣terweaving the Account of Time with the passages of Storie, rendreth the Series more distinct, and fitter for comprehension.

Not to bee curious about the description of Time,* 1.1 where∣of S. Austin confessed, Si nemo ex me quaerat, scio; si quae∣renti explicare velim, nescio. 'Tis the measure of all our Mo∣tions, and is divided By the two greater Lights of Heaven, into Daies, and Moneths, and Years, Gen. 1. The two lesser parts of Time will offer themselvs in the consideration of the greater.

A Year, though it might have been as truly said of anie other Star or Planet, yet is it now made proper to the Sun and Moon, whose Revolution in the Zodiack is the gene∣ral

definition of this part of Time, so that everie Moneth, in the stricter sens, should bee taken for a Lunar Year: but that use hath prevailed against the right acception, making the Moon's Year to bee that space of Time wherein shee measureth the Zodiack twelv times, or maketh twelv Conjunctions with the Sun. This cours shee dispatcheth in the space of 354 daies, 8 hours, and som odd minutes, eleven daies, or well nigh before the Sun.

The Sun's Year is the Revolution of his Motion in the Ecliptick, which if it bee accounted in the Zodiack, it useth to bee called Annus Temporalis, becaus it so distinguisheth the quatuor Tempora, Summer, Winter, &c. It is otherwise term∣ed (and indeed most properly) Annus Tropicus or vertens, becaus the Astronomers of old reckoned this Year from the Tropicks first, as it may seem, though after also from the Equinoctial's depending upon the Sun's entrance into these Points,* 1.2 which they used to observ with a great brazen Circle planted 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the square Porch at Alexandria, mentioned by Hipparchus, whom Ptolomie citeth in the third of his Almagest. & 2. Chap. which is concerning the quantitie of the Year.

If the Revolution bee accounted from anie fixed Star to the same again, the Year is then called Annus Sidereus, first appointed by Thebit the Arabian, and very much advanced by the late learned Copernicus against the unsounder opini∣on of Ptolomie, in whose judgment it seemed as deceivable as to account from the wandring Saturn, or Jupiter.

A Year therefore in our most useful sens, is that space of Time, in which the Sun passeth through the twelv Signs rec∣koning his Motion from under anie one of the fixed Stars (but from Aries to chuse) unto the same again.

The precise Quantitie of this Year in Daies is determin'd of by all to bee 365, but the surplus of Hours and Mi∣nuts hath verie much and vainly exercised the most curious.

To saie nothing of Democritus, Harpalus, Meton, Aristar∣chus, Archimedes and others, who assigned each of them his several Quantitie. Julius Cesar's Mathematician setteth down 365 daies and six hours: Hipparchus and Ptolomie found this

to exceed as much as made up the three hundredth part of one daie. Albategnius doubled this proportion. The Corre∣ctors of the Romane Calendar like none of these, and whereas all the rest adjudged the Surplus to bee less then the fourth part of a Daie, Copernicus findeth it to bee more, and setteth down 365 daies, 6 hours, and 40 seconds. Censori∣nus therefore said well that the Year consisted of 365 daies, and one part of the sixth, but how much, saith hee, no bodie know's. But the Julian proportion, as most readie for cal∣culation, hath obtein'd in Chronologie.* 1.3 Erit igitur (so Sca∣liger said of his) instituti nostri fundamentum Annus Julianus.

CHAP. I. Concerning the Characters of Time.

A Character in Chronologie, is a certain Note where∣by an infallible judgment is made of the time pro∣posed.

They are either Natural or Civil. Natural, as Eclipses, the Cycles of the Sun and Moon, &c. Civil, as the Sabba∣tical Years, the Indictions &c. Their importance in Histo∣rie is more then their appearance. Sine his, without these (saith Scaliger) omnis conatus irritus, 'tis to no purpose to go to work. Character temporis (as the same Autor) constituit fines audaciae Computatorum, ut qui in hoc negotio Characterem negligat non magis fit audiendus, quàm qui negat principia. Can. Isagog. Wee begin with the natural Characters, and first

CHAP. II. Of the Eclipses.

EClips is more properly said of the Moon then of the Sun. The Eclips of the Moon is caussed by the Inter∣position of the Earth. The Eclips of the Sun by the Inter∣position

of the Moon, therefore the Sun cannot bee Eclip∣sed but when hee is in Conjunction with the Moon; nor the Moon, but when shee is in opposition to the Sun: yet neither do the Eclipses com to pass, as often as these Lights oppose or conjoin; for then they should bee Monethlie: Onely that Conjunction or Opposition maketh an Eclips which is Diametral; that is, when the center of the Earth and the centers of both the Luminaries shall bee in the same line, which hapneth to bee there onely, where the Moon's Eccentrick cutteth the Sun's in that Line, which is therefore called the Ecliptick. This intersection is (as needs it must) but in two places, called by Ptolomie the Nodi, one asscending, the other descending. The Arabians term them the Dragon's Head and Tail, from the fashion of the Intersections as they imagine it. But neither do these Inter∣sections keep one certain place, but moving make a Circle of 18 Years, so that the Eclips of the Moon which shall fall out the tenth of December next, in the 20 deg. of Gemini, shall 18 Years hence com to pass in the same Sign again.

Therefore Eclipses beeing Periodical, the begining of the World supposed, the Astronomer by Calculation can attein to anie, and all that ever have been by the same Rules, by which hee foretelleth those that shall bee so, that if anie where in Storie this Character shall occurr, nothing can more assure the Time.

Let Instance bee made in the Begining of the Grecian Em∣pire, the appointment whereof dependeth upon the Battel at Arbela, or (as Plutarch correcteth) at Gaugamele. Eleven daies (saith the same Autor) before this fight an Eclips of the Moon was seen. 'Twas the second hour of the Night, saith Plinie, the Moon then rising in Sicilie. Astronomical calculation demonstrateth that this Eclips (all things con∣sidered) could not fall out but in the second Year of the 112 Olympiad, which was the 3619 of the World, the Sun beeing then in the 24 deg. of Virgo. And therefore that God in Cicero mistook the cours of the Stars, who pre∣saged,* 1.4 that if the Moon should bee Eclips'd in Leo, a little before the Sun's rise, the Victorie should fall on Alexander's

side. So indeed it did, but neither was the Moon then in Leo, nor the Sun in the East.* 1.5 For such is the assurance of this Character, that though the Astronomer learn of the Historian, that there was an Eclips; yet where, and oft-times when it was, the Historian might learn of him.

Eusebius and Dio set down that there was an Eclips of the Sun a little before the death of Augustus; but by a Calculati∣on Astronomical, the Eclips was not of the Sun but of the Moon, nor was it a little before, but a little after his death.

S. Hierom reporteth, that in his time (about the Year of Christ 393) so terrible a darkness overshadowed the earth (obscurato sole) that everie man thought the World was at an end. Nos scindimus Ecclesiam (saith hee to Pammachius) qui ante paucos menses, circadies Pentecostes, cum obscurato Sole omnis Mundus jam jámque venturum Judicem formidaret.

But the Astronomers finde that there could bee no Eclips of the Sun then, nor near about that time; but in such ca∣ses they answer, that the Interposition was made by som un∣usual exhalations, of that opacitie, which might intercept the Sun's light, in as great a measure as if the Moon had com between; Such an one was that Eclips (as som Histo∣rians miscal it) which was seen so often in one Year be∣fore Cesar's death, and that of the Year 798, the Sun bee∣ing so dark for 18 daies together, ut naves in mari aberrarent,* 1.6 which was a greater Eclips then the Moon could make.

Yet neither is it here to bee dissembled that the Astrono∣mers themselvs do not alwaies agree about this infallible Character, for Moller findeth out, by his Frisian Tables, manie Eclipses which cannot bee attein'd unto by the Pru∣tenick Tables, or those of the King Alphonsus, &c. To ex∣cuse this, wee are to laie an imputation upon their Tables, as beeing not all exacted from the same Hypotheses, or not performed with like elaborate erection: Or otherwise wee are to saie (supposing the Tables to bee exact) that som er∣ror was committed in the calculation of the Eclips. And in this case wee are to guid our selvs by the greatest Ma∣sters in the Art. For what if Moller saie that the Year of

Cesar Augustus his diseas cannot bee demonstrated by the Eclips of the Moon in the begining of Tiberius, becaus the Moon was Eclipsed both the Year before and after. Se∣thus Calvisius may satisfie, that neither of those could bee to∣tal, as this was, and whereas the one of those was seen at 7, the other at 8 of the Clock at night, this was seen at 5 in the Morning.

And therefore all this notwithstanding, the Character is to bee accounted excellent and of singular importance, which Aristotle himself, not ignorant of, appointed Calisthe∣nes at the siege of Babylon, to reserv with all possible care the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Astronomical calculations of the Chaldeans, as Simplicius relateth. And the care was taken, yet none of these observations (though known to bee very manie) could escape the injurie of time, save onely three Eclipses, which came to Ptolomie's hands, unto which, himself added three more of his own observation, serving very much to the ad∣vancement of Historical Truth, though this bee but a small number, in comparison of those manie which the Histori∣ans here and there have committed to Memorie; for indeed wee are not for this matter, much less beholden to ignorance then to knowledg. Wee know when it was that a Romane General durst not give Battel for fear of an Eclips: and that of the Moon in the begining of Tiberius, as one men∣tioned,* 1.7 as Tacitus can tel us, affrightned the mutinous Soul∣diers into order and accord: And 'tis not long since the Conqueror of the Indies persuaded the Natives, that hee had complained of them to their Moon, and that such a daie the God should frown upon them, which was nothing els but an Eclips, which hee had found out in his Al∣manack.

However this ignorant Admiration was an occasion to the Men of those daies, not to leav so strange an Accident, as an Eclips out of their Storie, especially if it happened to bee great, or concurring with anie notable design: little aiming at that which the reach of those daies hath brought to pass upon them, which by turning over the leavs of that celestial volume, recovereth their Eclipses again; and by

application of this Character, maketh as sure of the time proposed, as if it had been written in Heaven.

CHAP. III. Concerning the Cycle of the Sun.

THe division of the Year into 52 Weeks, becaus it setteth off one daie supernumerarie, maketh an alteration in all the rest; so that the daies of the Week (which use to bee assigned by the letters of the Alphabet) fall not alike in se∣veral Years; but Sundaie this Year, must fall out upon the next Year's Mondaie, and so forwards till seven Years; and (becaus the Bissextile superaddeth another daie everie fourth Year) till four times seven, that is twentie eight Years bee gon about. This Revolution is called the Cycle of the Sun taking name from Sundaie, the Letter whereof (called therefore Dominical) it appointeth for everie year. It is found by adding nine (for so far the Circle was then gon about) to the Year of our Lord, and dividing the whole by 28. So to the year following 1639, if 9 bee added, the nu∣merus factus will bee 1648, which divided by 28 leaveth 24 for the Cycle of the Sun.

CHAP. IV. Concerning the Cycle of the Moon.

THe Cycle of the Moon is the Revolution of 19 years, in which space (though not precisely) the Lunations do recurr.

For becaus of the Sun and Moon's unequal motions, the changes falling out inconstantly, the time of Conjunction could not bee still the same. This varietie the Antients per∣ceiving to bee Periodical, endeavored to comprehend what Circle it made in going about. Cleostratus the Tenedian per∣suading

himself, that the Varietie finished within the space of 8 years proposed his Octaëtris, affording thereby no smal direction; But the error of this was discovered in part by Harpalus first, and after that by Eudoxus, but more fully by the learned Meton, who, finding that the Revoluti∣no was not completed in less time then the space of 19 years, set forth his Enneadecaëtris, within the Circle where∣of the Lunations (though not exactly) do indeed recur; so that if the Quadrature of the Moon shall fall out as this daie of this year; the like shall return again, the same daie of the 19. year succeeding. This Cycle is therefore called Cyclus decennovennalis, and from the Autor Annus Metonicus, from whose Athenians the Egyptians may seem to have recei∣ved it, as the Romanes from them, in letters of gold; from whence, (if not from the more pretious use of it) it ob∣tein'd to bee call'd,* 1.8 as yet still it is, the Numerus Aureus, or Golden Number. It was made Christian by the Fathers of the Nicene Councel, as beeing altogether necessarie to the finding out of the Neomenia Paschalis, upon which the Feast or Easter, and all the Movable rest depended. It self is found by adding an unite to the year of our Lord, and dividing the whole by 19, the remainder shall bee the Cycle of the Moon, or if nothing remain, the Cycle is out, that is nineteen.

CHAP. V. Concerning the Ferial Character.

THe Character of anie Time propos'd, is that which re∣maineth after all the Septenaries bee cast away from the whole summ converted into daies.

In rationibus Solis & Lunae (saith Scaliger) de dierum aggre∣gato semper abjicimus omnes septenarios; & residuum, cum horis & scrupulis est Character temporis propositi.

So the Character of a Moneth consisting of 29 daies, 12 hours, and 793 minutes, is 1.12.793. that is Feria prima∣hor.

12. min. 793. for so much remaineth more then the Septenaries. The Ecclesiastical year of old, began at Easter, the first Week whereof was all Holiedaie, the daies beeing distinguished by prima, secunda, tertia, &c. added unto Feria. From thence the daies of anie other Week began to bee called Feria prima, secunda, &c. 'Tis a Character of good assurance if the Historian set down Quâ Feriâ, what daie of the Week the Act was don. And if hee set down what Ho∣lie or Festival daie it was, 'tis a double Character. An Ex∣ample shall bee the deceas of great Otho, which, as som Histo∣rians cast, happened in the Year of Christ 972, as others, in the Year 973, but they saie too, that hee died the seventh of Maie, upon the fourth daie of the Week, and a little be∣fore Whitsontide; but the seventh of Maie could not fall upon the Feria quarta, but in a year whose Dominical letter was E. which was the Letter of 973, as 'tis certain from the Cycle of the Sun, which that year was 2.

Besides, the Cycle of the Moon was 5, therefore the Ter∣minus Paschalis that year was March the 22, therefore the 11 of Maie was Whitsundaie, which cannot bee said of the years before or after. Therefore 'tis certain that Otho died that year, or els hee died not that daie.

CHAP. VI. Concerning the great Conjunctions.

COnjunctio superiorum is not the same thing now as of old. The antient Astrologers called no Conjunction great but that of trium Superiorum, when Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars met altogether. But the later finding the effects of the two conjoined more strong and prevailing then of the three; have given the name of a great Conjunction onely to that of Saturn and Jupiter.

These two superior Planets finishing their Circles in un∣equal time, they make three Conjunctions in the whole Re∣volution. The twelv Signs in Astrologie are divided into

four Trigons, or Triplicities, each denominated from the connatural Element; and so they are three Fierie, three Aë∣rie, three Waterie, and three Earthie. Nineteen years, and som odd daies and hours gon about, Saturn and Jupiter meet together in Signs of the same Triplicitie: 198 years gon about they meet in signs of several Triplicitie, but not altogether in complying: 794 years and 214 daies gon a∣bout they meet in Signs of contrarie Triplicitie. The first of these is called Conjunctio Minor; the second Media. This latter Magna, the great Conjunction, when Saturn joineth force with Jupiter in the fierie Trigon or Triplicitie, which though it happen in 794 years, and 214 daies, yet it useth to bee accounted by the Numerus rotundus of 800.

By these Conjunctions, Cardinal Aliac undertook to re∣form the whole State of Chronologie, and make infallible demonstration of the years of the World.

To bring this about, hee first of all supposed out of Al∣bumazar the figure of Heaven when the World began: That the Horoscope was in the seventh of Cancer, and that the Sun was in the 19 of Aries, the rest of the Planets accor∣••ingly assigned.

This taken for granted, hee brought himself to that first and great Conjunction, which falling out in the wateris Triplicitie, insinuated such an influence into the Inferior bodies, as brought upon the World that universal Deluge, as Aoniar, and Albumazar delivered out of their Antients. By this Conjunction hee assigned 2242 years for the Inter∣val betwixt the Flood, and the begining of things, but which was neither true in it self, nor following his own Principles. And therefore wee may imagine what Conclu∣sion hee was likely to make, whose foundation was not bet∣ter appointed: though otherwise a great Conjunction may bee set down among the Characters of Chronologie; but rather to assure, then to finde out the moments of time; and more concerning that which is to com, then those which are gon and past.

Concerning the Civil Characters, and first of the Sabbatical Years.

AS the Jews everie seventh Daie, so their Land everie seventh year kept a Sabbath, which was therefore called Annus Sabbaticus, and the whole seven, Hebdomas Annalis, a Week of Years. These seven years seven times told made 49 years, and the 50 was their Jubile, so called from Jobel, which, as som Rabbins interpret, is as much in Arabick, as Aries in Latine;* 1.9 for so Aquiba one of their Doctors reporteth, that when hee travelled in Arabia hee heard the people call a Ram Jobel. Add hereunto that when the Jubile came, a great sound of Trumpets was to bee made through all Israël in sign of the Remissions, and these Trumpets, they saie, were made of Rams horns. But this, though favoured also by the Chaldie Paraphrase, yet soundeth not so credibly to the Learned,* 1.10 especially the known Arabick not acknowledging that word. And if not, then it may bee said, that Jobel signifieth anie Musical (how∣ever horrid) sound, so called as Masius helpeth it out, from Jubal the Father of them which plaie upon the Harp and Organ.

The Jubiles though by Institution begining at the 2500 year from the Creätion, yet are Proleptically reckoned from the begining of the world; which also was considered by the Autor, for the first year of Moses his first Jubile, was the last of the 51 Jubile from the Worlds Creätion, ac∣counting from the Autumn where the Jubiles begin.

If it bee said that such or such a thing was don in a Sab∣batical year, 'tis a very good Character in the Jewish Chro∣nologie.

'Tis an ordinarie opinion that Nebuchadnezar was the same with that Nabopolassar in the Canon of Ptolomie; But

'tis certain out of the Prophet Jeremie, that the 18. year of Nebuchadnezer was a Sabbatical year, and it may bee demon∣strated out of the Almagist, that the 18 of Nabopolassar was not, therefore they were not the same by this Character.

But in accounting the Sabbatical years, this rule is to bee observed, that the same year which endeth one Jubile, begin∣eth the next, or otherwise the Scripture it self would bee charged with error. And therefore Bucholcer and others who were not aware of this, are not to bee trusted for their Sab∣batical Chronologie.* 1.11 Eusebius himself was not much bet∣ter advis'd: and yet Hesychius could tell that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the space of 49 years.

Those who think the Sabbatical years noted in the Jew∣ish Calendars not to bee truly so call'd, may as well saie so of their Sabbatical daies. Those who think the Sabbatical years were disused in the Captivitie, must consider better of the Prophets words, who, when they seem to saie such a thing, are not to bee understood of the simple celebration, but the Moral Solemnities, as Jer. 34. and elswhere. Those who think the Sabbatical years, though instituted, yet never to have been observed among the Jews, may repent of that mistake as well as Scaliger himself. In Frag. p. 34.

CHAP. II. Concerning the Indictions.

INdiction ab indicendo. 'Twas the Revolution of 15 years, devised, as our Bede thinketh, to avoid confusion in Chronologie, likely to arise from the Common use, which was to saie, such a thing was don in such a year of such a Reign, without considering what time of the year the King that then was began to rule, or what time the Pre∣decessor ended. But why this period should be called an In∣diction, the causses given saith Calvisius, multae sunt quas si legas, cùm diversissimae sint, incertior abis quàm accessisti. Several reasons are set down in Sir Henrie Spelman's Glossarie, out

of Cedren, Scaliger, Paul Petavius and others. The first and greatest pains about this were taken by the learned Onuphri∣us, yet unprofitably. Scaliger considered of a new reason, but which Baronius refuteth ad Annum Christi 312. Scaliger again replieth in his next edition, and seemeth to acquit himself of the Cardinal's exception,* 1.12 but cannot bee heard neither by Petavius nor Calvisius, though as much adored by this later, as slighted by the former. And indeed saith Pe∣tavius, this is one of those things which could never yet bee found out, through very much enquirie hath been made after it.

Indiction is most properly said de Tributo Indicto,* 1.13 as appea∣reth by the Title in the Code. And becaus these Tributes in∣dicebantur in Quinquennium, therefore that which was wont to bee called Lustrum, was otherwise acknowledged by the Name of Indiction, answering to the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; as in Circle, so in use; the Indiction beeing nothing els but a Romane Olympiad. Succeeding times put tertia Lustra to∣gether, and called three by the Name of an Indiction; so reckoning their years, and begining at the Emperor Theo∣dosius, saith Cedren, but deceiving himself, for the 273 Olym∣piad in the Fasti Siculi hath this Synchronism. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Here begin the Indictions of Constantine. Hee saith of Constantine, for that before this time there had obteined in the Antiochian use, a Julian In∣diction. Indictio Juliana Antiochensium, begining in Julius Cesar, 48 years, Ante C. N. noted therefore in the same Fasti with an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the first Indiction, but as I think of 5, not 15 years. Those of Constantine began (as was said) in the 273 Olympiad, in the third Consulship of Constantine, and second of Licinius. Therefore they began 312 years post Ch. Nat. as onely Petavius is not certain of. Therefore the Indictions began at the verie dismission of the Nicene Council; succeeding, saith Onuphrius, in place of the Olympiads, which, as unchristian, the Emperor had for∣bidden.

The same Autor citeth a Canon of the Council, That the Bishops Rescripts &c. should bear the date of the Indicti∣ons,

&c. but to bee taken upon his own trust, for the Ca∣non, saith Petavius, is not there to bee sound.

But certain it is, that the Indictions began at this time, consisting of 15 years: and if not with som relation to those three years, during which the Council assembled, al∣lowing for each of those a Lustrum or Quinquennal, then likely for the reason given by Venerable Bede, or at least-wise for som other which wee know not off.

And becaus at the verie same time the Emperor celebrated his Vicennalia with great largesses and distribution of dole unto the people, as the use was; therefore the Greek of New Rome rendred the Latine Indicto by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, distri∣butio, and Palladius in the life of S. Chrysostom, saith, that the Asian Bishops came to Constantinople, decima tertiâ Distri∣butione, And with the same respect, the Rescript of Hono∣rius relaxeth the debita contracta, usque ad initium Fusionis quintae, meaning the Indiction. Cod. Theod. De indulgent. lib 6.

The Emperor Justinian made a Law, That no Writing should pass without the date of the Indictions &c. sic enim (saith hee) per omnia tempus servabitur, &c. L. Sancimus No∣vel. 42. And the providence was material, for the Indicti∣ons have proved to bee an excellent Character in Chrono∣logie, for the assurance of things don since the times of Con∣stantine.

For the time of the year, the Indictions were fixed in Se∣ptember originally, as may bee seen by the Rescript of Ana∣stasius in L. ult. de An. & Tribut. And in the 24 of that Moneth as the Subscriptions testifie: but not alike reteined in both the Empires, for by the use of Constantinople, they begin at the ••alends of September, since the time of Justi∣nian saith Scaliger, and that in conformitie to their new year, which began at the same time: but the Western Cesars date from the 24 as of old: The first useth to bee called In∣dictio Constantinopolitana, the second Caesarea, add to those the Romane Indiction, begining (as their year also) from the Calends of Januarie.

When wee finde in Storie that such a thing is said to have

been don in such an Indiction, as Indictione primâ, secun∣dâ, tertiâ, &c. the number is still to bee understood of the same, not several Circles. For instance. Pelagius the Pope beeing accused of the Faction, against his Predecessor Vigilius, went up into the Pew, and putting the Gospel-book upon his head purged himself by Oath. This was don saith the Appendix to Marcellinus, Indictione secundâ. Hee meaneth not the second Indiction, but the second year of the seventeenth.

To give an instance of this Character.

Rome (saith Prosper, Cassiodorus, &c.) was taken by Alaric the Goth. Varane and Tertullo Coss, or at least, as Marcelli∣nus, Varane solo Cos. for his Collegue Tertullus was not cho∣sen till the Calends of Julie. Marcellinus addeth, that it was taken Indictione octavâ. Orosius, and Cedren undertake that this was don in the year post. Ch. Nat. 411. but this answereth to Indictio nona, therefore the Citie was taken the year before, by this Character.

CHAP. III. Concerning the Periods.

THe Indictions, as the Circles of the Sun and Moon are verie assuring Characters even by themselvs, sed eorum fallax est usus nisi quaedam ex illis Periodus instituatur, but of much greater certaintie, saith Scaliger, if brought into a Circle or period; which was also considered by Dionysius the Abbat, who therefore (taking som example from Victo∣rius Aquitanus) multiplied the Cycle of the Moon into the Cycle of the Sun, that is 19 into 28, which made up 532 years, and so it was called the Cyclus Magnus, and from the Autor, Dionysianus. Unto this the great Scaliger superad∣ded the third Character of Indictions, the Revolution▪ whereof hee multiplied into the other two, that is 532 by 15, and the whole Circle was 7980: and this is that magna Periodus Juliana Scaligeri; Juliana, from the Julian form, by

which it measureth, and Scaligeri, from the last Hand.

The admirable condition of this Period is to distinguish everie year within the whole Circle, by a several certain Character: for, as in that of Dionysius, Let the Cycle of the Sun bee 2, and the Moon 3, or whatsoever, in what year soever; the same never had, nor never again could fall out within the space of time: so in this of Scaliger, let the Cy∣cle of the Moon bee 5, that of the Sun 23. Let the Indicti∣on bee 6, as it falleth out this present year 1638. I saie the same Characters shall not again concurr till the revolution of 7980 years bee gon about.

This Period the Autor fixed in the Tohu, or eternal Cha∣os of the World, 764 Julian years before the most reputed time of Creätion, so that the Circle is not yet out, but shall bee the 3267 of the Incarnation.

This hee did, that hee might comprehend all, and more then ever was don, all Aera's, Epoche's and Terms in Chro∣nologie, and in special, that of Orbis Conditi, which, through varietie of opinion, was so inconstantly dispos'd of, that Chronologers knew not where to six themselvs: then also that hee might give som account for the Heroïcal times of those Egyptian Dynasts pretending Antiquitie manie years further back into the Chaos, then the Mosaïcal 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Be∣gining.

All this and more hee hath brought to pass by this in∣comparable Period, which bringing the three Characters to a concurrence yearly, distinct and several, must needs deliver up a most infallible account of time.

To advance the opinion of their concurrence, let them first bee singly considered.

Josephus saith at the end of his Antiquities, that hee fi∣nished that work in the thirteenth year of Domitian, and 56 of his own age, &c.

Scaliger demonstrateth by the Circle of the Moon, that either hee saith not true of the thirteenth of the Emperor, or els himself was one year elder.* 1.14 Again,

The Chronologers are not a little ashamed that they should not bee able to satisfie, as concerning so late and fa∣mous

a Calamitie, as the siege of Constantinople, by Mahumed the second: especially recommended to posteritie, not one∣ly by the deep impressions of so vast a Miserie, but also by som secret concours of Fatalitie, as beeing both built and lost by a Constantine, and the son of Helen.

Thus far they agree, that the Citie was taken either Anno 1452, or els 1453, post Ch. Nat. they agree also for the most part, that it was taken the 29 of Maie, feriâ 3.

The Patriarchical, as also the Political Historie set forth by Crusius, equally affirm that the Citie was taken in the year, 1453, Chalcondyles and Hieromonachus his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 re∣port, that it was the year before, but all agreeing that the daie was Tuesdaie, the 29. of Maie.

I saie that the year 1452 had 5 for the Circle of the Sun, therefore the 29 of Maie could not that year fall upon Tuesdaie, but the daie before, therefore either the Citie was taken the year 1453, or els it was not taken the 29 of Maie; but they all agree that it was taken that daie, therefore it was taken that year, by the Circle of the Sun. Therefore al∣so the state of the Citie stood 425 years longer then Valens the Astrologer foretold, who beeing demanded concerning the fate of Constantinople, erected the Figure of Heaven for the Nativitie thereof. The Horoscope was Cancer. Having considered the Stars hee gave this Judgment, that the Ci∣tie should live to the age of 696 years, but those are past and gon, saith Zonaras, except hee would bee meant of the flourishing state, for otherwise hee was deceived.

The Character of Indictions of what importance it is, that therefore absolute Chronicle of Marcellinus can testifie. Quod cùm singulis Collegiis consulum (saith Scaliger) suas Indictiones reddat, nihil habemus hodie perfectius in eo genere. de Emend. Temp. pag. 513.

By an old Romane Inscription. Such an one died Con∣sulatu Stiliconis secundo & 7 Kal. Novembres Die Beneris o Ra Ouarta. Marcellinus noteth this Consulship with Indictione tertiâ, therefore it was in the year of Christ 405. but the Cycle of the Sun for this year was 22, therefore the 7 Ca∣lends of November could not fall out upon Fridaie, but the

daie before. Besides the second Consulship of Stilico succee∣ded immediately the sixth of Honorius, but the year before had 5 for the Circle of the Moon: for Claudian saith, that Honorius entred the Citie the Calends of Januarie, Lunâ adhuc rudi, therefore the New Moon was in the end of De∣cember, which could not bee, except the Cycle had been five. Therefore the year before the sixth Consulship of Honorius was the year of Christ 403, therefore the sixth Consulship of Honorius was the year 404; and therefore the second of Stilico was 405. In this demonstration the three Chara∣cters all concurr, but not periodically, yet to the making up of a strange Truth; for by this it will follow, that hee which inscrib'd the Tomb did not know the Consul's name, though hee lived at the same time. Scaliger therefore. Quàm barbari sunt & impuri (saith hee) qui doctrinam Cyclorum irri∣dent. De Emend. Tempor. p. 514, 515.

Thus much assurance wee can make to our selvs from the several abilities of each Character, but which if they meet together in this Period, set such a mark upon the time pro∣posed, as maketh it to bee known from anie other whatsoe∣ver, within the duration of the world, or the whole Circle at least. Artificiosissima Periodus! as Helvicus admireth, with manie others: so that the Autor needed not to break forth into his Nos qui eam excogitavimus periodum hanc satìs laudare non possumus. Canon Isagog. Lib. 3. Yet

Salian (otherwise a great Annalist) looseth a Chapter or two in the disparagement of this Period, as hee exspected it should redound, but it falleth out unto his own. The ab∣surdness of his exceptions betraie him thus far, that hee could have no juster caus why to expose this period, then that himself had been so unfortunate as to build his Annals upon a less during foundation. But of what accomplishment this Period is, I think wee may best of all bee judg'd by Petavius, the most open mouth against that great restorer of Chronologie. This Petavius saith, that there is not one thing in that whole Book, De Emendatione temporum, not lia∣ble to just reproof, this onely period excepted, then which hee confesseth to know nothing more important for the ad∣vancement

of Chronologie: and therefore earnestly com∣mendeth it unto general practice, assuring all men that by this means, the most insuperable confusions of time may bee reduc'd to order, with most incredible eas and effect.

CHAP. IV. Concerning the Aera's.

IN the account of Time, there must bee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Ʋnde and the Quo. Accordingly Chronologie whatsoe∣ver, fixeth it self upon som certain term, to which the rec∣koning shall refer. The most natural Term would bee the World's creätion, from which the Jews and wee Christi∣ans account our Times, though wee rather from the Redem∣ption: Si origo Mundi in Hominum notitiam venisset indè exor∣dium sumeremus. Censorin. De Die Natal. Cap. 20. Som of those who could not attein the Worlds begining, reckon∣ed from their own. So the Romanes ab Orbe Condita. Other∣wise this Account useth to respect either som great Name, or som Notable event. So the Greeks account from their Olym∣picks, and the Assyrians from Nabonasser.

These or the like Terms of Computation, Censorinus ex∣presseth by the word Tituli. They are most usually known by the Names of Aera & Epoche. They are called Epoche's, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à sistendo, quòd illis sistantur & terminentur men∣surae temporum, saith Scaliger, De Emendatione Temp. Lib. 5. pag. 358.

Aera (saie the Alphonsine Tables) Hispanis dicitur tempus limitatum ab aevo aliquo sumens exordium.

It was first of all said of the Aera Hispanica respecting the time of Cesar Augustus. The Spaniards to complie with the successes of their Triumvir (for the Division assigned Spain to Augustus) received at that time the Julian form, account∣ing the same from the Emperor under this Style (as Sepul∣veda conceiteth) Annus erat Augusti, or A. er. A. which in time for want of Interpunction was put together, and became the word Aera. Sepulved.

To this, Scaliger. Ridicula saith hee, Ridicula, & tamen illi viro erudito adeò placuit Commentum suum, ut ejus rei gratiâ dun∣taxat scriptionem illius Libelli de emendatione Anni suscepisse vi∣deatur, &c.

James Christman fetcheth the word out of his Arabick, from Arah, computare; which, becaus of the Spanish usage, might receiv som probabilitie from their conversation with the Moors; But the Arabick Geographer in the second part of the fourth Clime deriveth this Etymon ab aere flavo, and the Saracen calleth this term Aeram Aeris, that is, saith Christ∣man, Aeris solvendi Fisco Romano, meaning a certain Tribute imposed by Augustus, first upon the Spaniards, and afterwards upon the whole Empire.

Som (but most unreasonably) derive the word from He∣ra, one of the names of Juno, so Garcios Loisa out of Hinc∣mare, as hee thinketh; others from the same word, as it be∣tokeneth dominion, so they force it; they should rather have considered that Hera in the Spanish tongue signifieth time, though from a Gothick Original, from whence our Saxons had their gere, or year, as wee now call it. And this may seem to bear som relation to the word, especially for that Aera is oftentimes used for Annus in Isidore's Chro∣nicle and elswhere. Sir Henrie Spelman's Glossarie may bee seen in this word. Scaliger, Petavius, Calvisius and others confirm, that Era in old Latine signified as much as Numerus, and 'tis manifest enough out of Nonius Faustus Regiensis, and Cicero himself; and this they hold to bee the most like∣lie derivation of the word, if it bee, yet hee that first observed it was Resendius a Spaniard, in an Epistle to a friend of his, who required his Opinion concerning the Aera Hispanica.

But becaus this Etymon doth no waie intimate why that use of the word should bee peculiarly taken up among the Spaniards (except it were true which Scaliger considered that it was in use elswhere, but against which Petavius hath gi∣ven a probable reason) the Notation in the Glossarie would rather bee taken, and so it may bee a word of the Gothick derivation, translated thence to the Spanish use, and properly said of their Epoche, but now the common name of all others.

Those Aera's or Epoche's are severally to bee fixed, and first of all that of Orbis Conditi.

CHAP. V. Aera Orbis Conditi.

MUch question hath been made among the Chronolo∣gers, in what time of the Year the World should begin, and more, as som think, then needed. Not so, for be∣side that for either reason also this ought not to bee indiffe∣rent to learned men, yet in Chronologie it importeth neces∣sarily that the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (as it is therefore called) bee assured to som certain time, wherein the Accompt shall determine; seeing therefore it was necessarie that som one term or other must bee taken, why not the true to choos?

If the Question were asked indefinitely, whether the World began in the Spring, the Summer, the Winter or the Autumn, the answer must bee, That it began in all. For so soon as the Sun set forth in his Motion, the seasons imme∣diately grew necessarie to several positions of the Sphear, so divided among the parts of the Earth, that all had everie one of these, and each one or other at the same time.

The Question therefore is to respect som particular Ho∣rizon; and becaus it is not doubted, but that the Sun first to this upper Hemisphear, and in special from the Horizon of our first Parents; The Quere is to bee mooved concerning the Holie-Land; at what time of the year the World there began.

'Tis agreed upon by all, that it began in som Cardinal point; that is, that the Motions began from the Eastern Angle of the Holie-Land, the Solstitial or Aequinoctial points one or other of them asscending in the Horoscope. Nay, Mercator excepted, scarce anie man doubteth but this point was Aequinoctial, either in the Spring, or Autumn. Whether in this or that, was antiently a great Question be∣tween the Doctors Eliezer and Joshua, as the Seder Olam rela∣teth.

Scaliger Joseph, and (becaus hee did) Sethus Calvisius, Torniellus and others, fix this begining in the Autumn, which also was the Opinion of our Bacon long ago.

But the Father Julius was not of his son's minde. Mun∣dum (saith hee) primo vere natum Sapientes autumant, & crede∣re par est. So the more part Maintein, and for the best rea∣sons. And if it were not otherwise evident, Nature it self is very convincing, whose Revolutions begin and end in the vernal Aequinox. Nor can anie other good reason bee given why the Astronomers should deduce all their Calcula∣tions from the Head of Aries.

The Aera of the Flood falleth within the 1656 year of the Worlds Creätion, as the Hebrew Scripture is plain, why 'tis otherwise in the Greek accompt shall bee said hereafter.

CHAP. VI. Nabonassar's Aera.

WAs of all prophane ones of the greatest note and use. Altraganus Albategnius and the King Alphonso's Ta∣bles call him Nebuchadonosor, or Nebuchadnezar, deceived as it seem's by the Almagest. So Ptolomie's Book entitled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Magnae Constructionis, is call'd by the Arabick Translators Althazor and Serig, who, at the instance of Almamon their King, turn'd this book into that language, and that they might speak Ptolomie's title in one word, they set down Al∣mageston, that is the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the Great Work. The Tran∣slators of this Almagest use to render Ptolomie's Nabonassar by Bechadnetzer, giving too much heed to the likeness of Names. Alfraganus and Albategnius followed the Arabick Translation of Ptolomie, and the Alphonsine Tables, the La∣tine Translation of that.

Mercator, Funccius, the Prutenick Tables; Origanus and manie others confound this Name with Shalmanesser's, the Assyrian King. But James Christman maketh demonstration that the times agree not, besides other circumstances added

by Scaliger inducing the same truth, with the evidence whereof Origanus holding himself convinced was not asha∣med to make his retractation.

Yet Christman and Scaliger themselvs found it an easier matter to tell who Nabonassar was not, then who hee was. It seemed to Christman, that hee might bee the same with Be∣ladan the father of Merodach, or at least that hee was a King of Babylon, whose own name was unknown, Nabonassar bee∣ing the Royal Name of that Kingdom, as hee thinketh, and common to them all. Scaliger putteth this together, and assuring himself that Nabonassar was the same with Beladan, maketh no doubt but that was the name of the King, this of the man. So the 5 book of his Emendations, but the third of his Isagogical Canons, confesseth this also to bee a mistake.

This Error was first discovered by the Appearance of Ptolomie's Canon, which setteth down a List of the Baby∣lonish, Persian and Romane Kings, from Nabonassar's time, to the time of Ptolomie. Mention was made of this Canon by Panodorus, Anian, and George the Syncellus, amongst whom Scaliger (but lately and not intirely) met with it. Sethus Cal∣visius received a Transcript of a more perfect Copie, from D. Overal, Dean of S. Paul's; the Original whereof is exstant in Biblioth. Bodlian. and set out with Ptolomie's Hypothesis by D. Bambrigge.

The Canon begineth,

Κανων Βασιλειων

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉	ιδ.	Nabonassari	14.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉	β	Nadii	2
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉	ε	Chinceri & Pori	5
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉	ε	Jugaie	5
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉	ιβ	Mardocempadi	12

&c.

Nabonassar therefore was King, not as som thought of Egypt, but Babylon; who for delivering his People from the subjection of the Medes, was made the Aera of their King∣dom; from whom the Chaldeans (and the Egyptians there∣fore)

accounted their Celestial Calculations. For his Syn∣chronism, The Canon setteth him down the fifth before Mardocempad or Merodach-cen-pad, the same with Meredach Baladan, who sent Messengers to K. Ezechia to enquire con∣cerning the Retrocession of the Sun. But for a more certain demonstration of the time, three Lunar Eclipses noted by Hipparchus, are set down by Ptolomie in the fourth of his Al∣magest. The first was seen at Alexandria the 16 daie of Mesori, in the 547 year of Nabonassar. This Eclips by the Julian Calculation and Tables of Calvisius, fell out upon Fridaie the 22 of September, at 7 of the Clock in the afternoon, and 20 minutes; the Sun then beeing in the 26 of Virgo. It was the Year 4513 of the Julian Period, that is the 3749 from the Worlds Creätion, out of which if wee deduct the 547 years of Nabonassar, the remainder will bee 3203, the year of the Worlds Creätion, wherein this Aera was fixed; The daie as the King Alphonsus, and before him the Transla∣tors of the Almagest have delivered, was Dies Thoth, or Mer∣curii; answering to the 26 of the Julian Februarie, begining (so Ptolomie) at high noon, the Sun then entring into Pisces, and the Moon, beeing in the 11 degree and 22 minutes of Taurus. And the same conclusion will follow from the two other Eclipses, reduced in like manner to our Cal∣culation.

And to put all out of doubt, Censorinus saith that the 986 Year of Nobonassar was the 238 of Christ, but that was the 4951 of the Julian Period. Therefore Nabonassar's Aera began in the 3967 year of the same Period, which was the 3203 Year from the World's▪ Creätion. So that the Aera is undoubtedly assured.

This Aera still accounteth by Epyptian years, which are therefore called Anni Nabonassarei, and becaus it began upon Wednesdaie, the first daie of their first Moneth, which (as the daie it self) they hold holie to Thoth or Mercurie) useth to bee called Nabonassar's Thoth.

CHAP. VII. The Aera of the Olympiads.

THe Olympick Games were instituted for the exercise of the Grecian Youth, by Hercules (as the Tradition go's) to the honor of Jupiter Olympius, near unto whose Temple they were perform'd in the Olympian field. The Exercise was called Pentathlon, or Quinquertium, from the fivefold kinde. The Victor was crowned with an Olive, and tri∣umphantly carried in a Chariot into his own Citie, and, which is to the purpose, his name was publickly recorded.

The time was (as onely Pindar hath revealed) at the full Moon which followed the Summer Solstice. They were ce∣lebrated everie fifth year; and the Interval was called an Olympiad, consisting of 4 Julian years, and the odd Bissex∣tile daie, which was the caus, as som think, why this form of year was first introduced.

The first Celebration by Hercules vanishing in the Intermis∣sions, grew to bee less famous then the restitution by Iphitus, whereof so much more notice hath been taken then of the other, that this which was manie years after, is yet account∣ed for the first Olympiad. The time or Aera whereof is as∣sured by the Character of that extraordinarie Eclips, which the Sun suffered with our Saviour, noted by Phlegon to have happened in the 202 Olympiad, which multiplied by four maketh 808 years, between the first Olympiad, and the Passion of Christ.

Besides that, Thucydides reporteth that in the first year of the Peloponnesiack War, on a summer's daie in the afternoon, there hapned an Eclips of the Sun, so great an one, as that the Stars appeared. This Eclips, by Astronomical Calcula∣tion, is found to bee the second daie of Julie, in the year be∣fore Christ 463, at which time (as Crusius calculateth) the Sun was Eclipsed in the 6 of Leo, half an hour after 5 in the afternoon, the digits of the Eclips were 9, and four third parts, therefore almost one fourth part of the Sun was visi∣ble,

respecting the Horizon of Athens, but in Thrace the Eclips was well nigh total; so that the Stars were seen.

This therefore was that Eclips which Thucydides saith was seen in the first year of the Peloponnesiack war.

In the fourth Year of the same War, the same Autor saith that Donius Rhodius wan the Prize in the Olympicks, and this was the fourth year of the 87 Olympiad, and that was the 460 year before Christ. If therefore the 87 Olympiads bee multiplied by 4, they becom 348 Jùlian years, which if they bee added to 460, the total will bee as before, 808 years, or the 202 Olympiad before the Passion of Christ.

Again Thucydides reporteth, that in the 19 year of the Pe∣loponnesiack War, the Moon was Eclipsed, and this was as Diodorus Siculus relateth in the fourth year of the 91 Olympiad. That Eclips of the Moon, as Crusius calcula∣teth, fell out upon the 27 daie of August, in the 445 year before the Passion of Christ. If therefore 90 Olympiads bee multiplied by 4, they make up 360 Julian years, to which also must bee added the three first years of the 91 Olympiad, and then they are 363, which added to 445, make up 808 years before the Passion of our Saviour, which falleth with the 3173 year of the World, and is the Aera of the Olympiads.

CHAP. VIII. Aera Ʋrbis Conditae.

THe Italians, by an old custom, used to account their years from the time of their first Plantation; yet in this the lesser towns were more happie then the Mother Citie: Rome her self not having attein'd to know her own begin∣ing, til Cato's time; who considering the absurditie, search∣ed the Censor's Tables, and bringing down the account to the first Consuls, got within a little of Ʋrbs Condita. It rested onely to make good the Interval from the Regifugium to the Palilia; so the Aera of the first foundation is called from

the Rites done to Pales Pastorum Dea, the Shepherds Holie∣daie as wee may call it, celebrated the same daie the Citie was built. Propertius Lib. 4.

Ʋrbi festus erat, dixere Palilia, Patres Hic primus coepit moenibus esse dies.

The Interval, as Cato found it, amounted to 243 years, Te∣rence Varro (who at the same time studied the point) reckon∣ed one year more; and from thence, saith Scaliger, in factio∣nes duas res discessit, there became two sides, one for the Ca∣tonian Palilia, the other for the Varronian; though Petavius (that Scaligero-mastix) affirmeth that the former was not Cato's opinion; and Sethus Calvisius demonstrateth that they were both but one.

This Epilogism was found out by Tarutius (or as hee is more rightly called (Taruntius Firmanus, a great Astrologer of those daies, who at the solicitation of Varro cast the Na∣tivitie of Rome; which to recover, hee first of all tried for the Founders Horoscope. To attain to this, hee entred in∣to a consideration of the main actions of his life; and be, caus hee had understood by Tradition that there hapned an Eclips when Romulus was conceived in the womb, hee went the Hermetical waie, as that is called, to finde out the Nati∣vitie by the conception.

After consultation with the Stars, and a due comparison of this with what was otherwise known, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hee con∣fidently pronounced this Judgment.

That Romulus was conceived in the first year of the second* 1.15

Olympiad, the 23 daie of the (Egyptian) moneth Choeac, at the third hour of the daie, the Sun beeing then totally Eclipsed. That hee was born the one and twentieth of the Moneth Thoth, about the Sun rising. That the Foundation of Rome was laied the ninth daie of Pharmuth between two and three a clock in the morning, the Moon beeing then in Jugo. So the Astrologer.

Otherwise the Tradition was (which also Taruns consi∣dered) that the Foundation of Rome was laid in the third year of the sixth Olympiad, the Sun and Moon then bee∣ing

in an Ecliptical conjunction, which defection was no∣ted by Antimachus the Teïan Poet.

For the first Eclips, as his Tables (which are said to bee those of Hipparchus) directed him, it fell out in the first year of the second Olympiad, upon the 23 daie of the Moneth Choeac, which answereth to the 24 of June at three a clock in the morning. Yet according to Tyche, Ptolomie's, and the King Alphonsus their Tables, the latitude was then so great that there could bee no Eclips at that time. So Sethus Calvi∣sius and others. Nicolas Muller pretended, that this Eclips could not bee found out by the Prutenick Tables, but by the Frisian, which hee was then about (his own and more ela∣borate) hee promiseth to account for it. Calvisius answer∣eth, that the Prutenick Tables according to Copernicus his Hy∣potheses were most exactly performed, and that hee doubted Muller could not stand to his word. Yet since that Muller hath calculated this Eclips, and found it to bee by his Frisian Tables, according as the Astrologer set down.

Henrie Bunting findeth it in the second year of the second Olympiad, one year later then the Astrologer. And this may seem to bee nothing out of the waie. For Dionysius Halicar∣nassius reporteth, that Romulus as hee came not into the world, so hee went not out without an Eclips. Now Ro∣mulus reigned 37 years, at which verie time the Sun was Eclipsed, upon Saturdaie the 26 of Maie about 7 of the clock in the afternoon▪ the Sun then setting at Rome; and the greatest absurditie Calvisius could finde in this was, that it setteth off but 18 years for the age of Romulus at the buil∣ding of Rome; which as hee think's could not make him ma∣ture enough for the importance of this undertaking; but considering all other circumstances agree so well, the Acce∣ption is unjust enough.

For the other Eclips pretended to bee at the Foundation of the Citie. Nicolas Muller findeth that also in his Frisian tables, yet confesseth it could not bee seen at Rome; but in Asia 'twas visible hee saith, and so might bee known to Antimachus.

And this maketh somthing for the Astrologer, who (as Cicero citeth him) found the Moon at the Foundation in

Jugo, that is, as Solin may seem to interpret it, in Libra; the rather, becaus the Poët Manilius saith, that Rome was built in Libra. So Petavius: but Solinus (though hee knew not what hee said) yet saith too, That the Sun was then in Taurus, which is demonstrated by Bunting, and more∣over, that it was in the twentieth degree; and therefore the more learned Scaliger and his Calvisius interpret the Astro∣logers in Jugo, to bee the same which is now said in Nodo, which is as much as to say, that the Sun and Moon were then in Conjunction, as Muller saith well, and that the Sun was intra terminos Eclipticos, within the Ecliptick terms at Rome, but not so far as to make the defection visible in that Horizon.

Howsoever the Astrologer according to his Calculation set down that Rome was built in the third year of the sixth Olympiad, which Terence Varro took for his resolution; and so reckoned from the Regifugium to the Palilia 244 years; Marcus Cicero, Titus Pomponius Atticus and the Em∣peror Augustus approving the Epilogisms, and besides them Plutarch, Plinie, Paterculus and others, and 'twas the received opinion; and is infallibly demonstrated in Mercator's Chro∣nologie, by eight several celestial Characters or Eclipses, which calculated to Nabonassar's Aera fall even with the Astrologer. To say nothing of Crusius, who hath don somthing to the same purpose, or Peter Appian, who evinceth the same (I saie not how truely) out of the Figure of the Heavens, which Turnus found (but as Julius Solinus descri∣beth it) at the laying of the Foundation, Verrius Flaccus in the Fasti Capitolini setteth down Rome built in the fourth year of the sixth Olympiad, one year later; and the Canons of Eratosthenes in the first year of the seventh Olympiad one year more, or rather but one in all; for the Registers of the Capitol agree with Cato, and hee differeth nothing from Varro, if Calvisius may bee Judge.

Therefore altogether neglecting Temporarius his morosi∣sitie (who was so far out of conceit with Turnus, that hee would not believe that there was ever such a man as Romu∣lus) we say that Rome was founded in the third year of the

sixth Olympiad which was in the year of the Worlds Cre∣ätion 3198, and before the Incarnation 750.

CHAP. XI. Aera Septimanarum Septuaginta, the seventie Weeks.

THis Aera was fixed by the Angel Gabriel, Dan. 9. Seven∣tie Weeks (saith hee to the Prophet) are determined up∣on the People, &c. vers 24. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the Commandment, to restore and build Je∣rusalem unto the Messiah the Prince, shall bee seven Weeks, and threescore and two Weeks, &c. And after threescore and two Weeks shall Messiah bee cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the Prince that shall com shall destroy the Citie and the Sanctuarie, &c. And hee shall confirm the Covenant with manie for one Week, and in the midst of the Week hee shall caus the Sacrifice and the Oblation to ceas, and for the overspreading of abominations hee shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, &c. So the Angel.

The Weeks are to bee understood not of daies, but Years; and those not of the Moon, but the Sun; and so 70 by 7 is 490 years, from the time of the going forth of the Com∣mandment &c. unto the Abomination of desolation. But where to begin or end this Epilogism, is the vexata Quaestio, as Scaliger cal's it, a question that hath endured the greatest controversie, involved with circumstances of such notable intricacie, that a Scholar of verie great parts ('tis reported by one that knew the man) fell mad with studying how to make this good.

Som reckon the Epilogism from Cyrus, others from Da∣rius Hystaspis, and som from the seventh, others from the 20 of Artaxerxes Longimanus, accordingly ending the Weeks, som at the profanation of the Temple by Antiochus, others at the destruction of the Temple by Pompey, or that of He∣rod, or els at the Passion.

The truest of the fals, is that which begineth at the se∣venth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, and endeth in our Sa∣viours

Passion: for this maketh a good account of the years. It was the opinion of the learned Bunting, Funccius, &c. but that which I perceiv to bee rested upon, is the judgment of Scaliger followed by Calvisius, and this begineth the Epilo∣gism at the second year of Darius Nothus, and determineth it in the final destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. For the Angel saith expresly, that after seven Weeks and sixtie two weeks, the Messiah beeing cut off, the holie Citie shall bee destroied &c. and that in the middle of the seventieth week the Sacrifice and Oblation shall ceas, and for an overspreading of abomination, &c. which is plainly called by our Saviour, the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the Prophet &c. and therefore no question, but the feventie Weeks are to end with the Holie Citie. Their begining was to bee from the time of the going forth of the Commandment, &c. And this, though such an one was given first by Cyrus, and thirdly by Artaxerxes, yet most purposely from Darius Nothus in the second year of his reign. The 13 year of Darius Nothus is the 20 of the Pelo∣ponesiack war by Thucydides that was the 92 Olympiad, and this was the 3538 from the Worlds Creätion, or 4302 of the Julian Period, therefore the 2 year of Darius Nothus was the 4290 of the Julian Period, and that was the 3562 from the worlds Creätion. The Cycle of the Sun was 6 and the Moon 15. And the Interval is expressly 490 years. For the Holie Citie was destroyed in the seventieth year of the In∣carnation, which was the 4019 from the Worlds Creätion, and the 4783 of the Julian Period; the Cycle of the Sun was 23, and the Moon 14.

CHAP. X. Aera Alexandrea,

WHat time Seleucus began to succeed in his part of the Empire of Asia, The Greeks disusing their Olympian account, set up a new Aera, which though it reckoned from the reign of Seleucus, yet it bare the name of the conquerour

from whom it was called Aera Alexandrea Graecorum, or Syr•• Macedonum. Seleucus began to raign twelv years after the death of Alexander, as appeareth by Alba••egnius and the Al∣magest; which consenteth also to Diodorus Siculus, who affirmeth that the first year of Seleucus was the first of the 117 Olympiad.

Therefore this Aera was fixed in the 4402 of the Julian Period, which was the 3638 from the world's Creätion; the Cycle of the Sun was 6, and the Moon 13. The Aera was fixed saith Scaliger (though Petavius will not yield it) by Calipus of Cyzicum, who finding that Meton's ciclus decennovenalis exceeded the Moon's Revolution one qua∣drant of a daie, put four of these together, and detracting from thence one whole daie for the quadruple excess of hours, gave an exacter account of the Lunations then before.

This Cycle the Author to the honor of Alexander be∣gan the 28 of June, in the Summer Solstice at the new Moon, which followed the fight at Gangamele. And this was in the year of the world 3619 as the Eclips assureth which hap'ned eleven daies before, but becaus this fell out to bee in the second year of that Olympiad, Calippus altered his minde, and stayed nineteen years to make his Period concur; but Alexander deceasing within seven years, the Aera could not begin till twelv years after, which was the first of the reign of Seleucus, and 3638 of the World.

CHAP. XI. Aera Dhilcarnian

IS the same with the Alexandrea Graecorum, and hath no∣thing proper but the Name, which it self also is nothing but Alexander in other words as by the Arabick Geogra∣pher and otherwise 'tis made known. Dhilcarnain, that is, habentis duo cornua, as Albumazer's Translator expresseth it. So Alexander was called with relation to the Ram in Da∣niel's

Vision as som divine, but then they are fain to read it Ailcarnain, not considering that it is not the word in Ara∣bick as in Hebrew, for a Ram, the Arabians if they had meant thus, would have said not Aiie, but Hamelcarnain; but let that pass, for the word written in it's own language ma∣nifestly importeth no more then one that hath two horns.

So Alexander, saith Christman, might bee called either for that his Empire was bipartite into Asia and Syria, (which is not altogether so true) or otherwise, for that hee joined the East and West together with Conquests, holding as it were the two Hornes of the World in his Victorious hands.

And this hee saith, becaus as Hercules in the West, so Alexander set up two Pillars for a non ultra to the Eastern World. The Arabians themselvs saie more; For though the more commonly known Historians of this Conqueror Q. Curtius and Arrian out of his Ptolomie and Aristobulus take no notice of Alexander's falling in the Western World, (Cedren excepted, wheresoever hee had it) yet the Arabick Geographer doubteth not to affirm, that hee was the man by whose appointment and Design that Isthmos Gaditane••s was cut out, and the Atlantick Ocean let into the Mediter∣ranean, so making that Streight or Fretum (therefore not to bee term'd Herculeum) now called the Sreights of Gibral∣ter, or as it should bee Gebal Tarec, that is Tarec's Hill, so called saith the Arabick Geographer from Tarec the Son of Abdalla, who having transported his Barbarians over the Streight, secured his Army with the Natural fortification of that Place. Geographus Arabs. 1. par. cl. 4.

But why Alexander should bee called Dhilcarnain or habens duo cornua, Scaliger's reason is beyond exception, and which Petavius himself could not choos but commend. Alex∣ander to rais himself a reputation of Divinitie, suborned the Priest to entitle him the son of Corniger Ammon, thence∣forth the Cyrenians, who had formerly used to express this Jupiter horned in their Coins, transferred this honor to the Conqueror, and so the reputed son, as the Father was known by the name of Corniger which when it came to the Arabians was to bee said as here it is Dilcarnian.

CHAP. XII. The Jews Aera.

ALexander the Great with his Grecian Armie marching towards Jerusalem with all intention of hostilitie, the High Priests and Levites came forth to meet him, all in their Holie Garments. The King beholding this reverent Assemblie, made an approch himself alone, and drawing near to the High Priest fell down and worshipped. The Ca∣ptains wondring to see the son of Jupiter Ammon, who had given command that all men should worship him, himself to fall down to a Jew, Parmenion drew near and made bold to ask him the question. To whom Alexander; 'Tis not the Priest saith hee, but his God whom I adore, and who in his verie habit appeared unto mee long ago at Dius in Ma∣cedonia, and encouraged mee in my undertakings for the Empire of Asia. This don, the King ascended the Temple, where Sacrifice first don to God, the prophecie of Daniel was brought forth, the high Priest turning to that place which foretelleth of a mightie Prince of Graecia that was to conquer the Persians, which, the circumstances well agreeing, the King readily applyed unto himself, and so departed verie well pleased, and full of hope, leaving the People to their Antient peace.* 1.16 So their Historian Josephus; and the Book Taanith Cap. 9.

But it is added moreover by Abraham the Levite in his Ca∣bala, that the High Priest by waie of acknowledgment made faith to the King, that all the children which should bee born that year to the holie Tribe should bee called by his Name; and moreover that from the same Time they would henceforth compute their Minian Staros, or Aera of Con∣tracts, &c. fol. 3.

CHAP. XIII. AEra Dionysiana Philadelphi.

A Celestial year is such an one as keepeth touch with the Sun, the Months whereof begin at his entrance into the Signs precisely, and especially serving for the Pro∣gnostication of the Seasons. Such a kinde of year Dionysius an Astrologer in Egypt set up after the example of Metan and others; (as by Theon 'tis noted upon Aratus.) The Aera whereof hee fixed in the first yeare of the famous Ptolomie, surnamed Philadelph. 'Tis often cited in the Almagest, which also giveth Testimonie that this Aera began in the 463 of Nabonassar's Thosh,* 1.17 which was the fourth year of the 123 Olympiad, answering to the 4429 of the Julian Period, which was the 3665 of the world's Creätion. The Cycle of the Sun was 5, and the Moon 2.

But neither was this this year of Dionysius meerly coelestial, 'twas also civil, as Scaliger discovereth▪ yet of no greater use in Historie to reconcile one place in that golden book (as the same Autor termeth it) of Jesus the son of Sirach. That wise man saith that in the 38 year when Evergetes was King, hee came into Egypt, &c. but how could that bee, saith Scaliger seeing this Ptolomie raigned but 26 years. To saie as som do that hee meant the years of his own life,* 1.18 or the life of Ever∣getes, is rather to excuse the Autor, then interpret him. And therefore 'tis to bee said that hee referreth to the Dionysian Account, in the 38 whereof hee might com into Egypt in the time of Evergetes. And therefore Petavius upon his E∣piphanius first, and again in his Doctrina Temporum, had little reason to fall so foully upon the much more learned Autor of this and manie other admired Revelations.

CHAP. XIV. AEra Hispanica.

JƲlius Caesar in the fourth of his Dictatorship, appointed his Mathematicians to the Correction of the Roman Year;* 1.19 which is the begining of the Julian Account. The The 283 whereof Censorinus saith, was the 1014 of Iphilus, and that the 986 of Nabonassar. Therefore the Julian Ac∣count began the 703 of Nabonassar which was the 4669 of the Julian Period, and 3905 from the Worlds Creätion. The Cycle of the Sun was 21, and the Moon 14. Seven Years after, and 38 before the Nativitie of Christ, the Spaniards beeing brought under the subjection of the Em∣pire, received also this form of year; their Aera from that time forth bearing Date from hence: which though it was the fifth of Augustus, yet the Style went in the Dictators Name; and so the King Alphonso would bee understood in his Tables, when hee calleth this Term Aera Caesaris, mean∣ing the Dictator.

CHAP. XV. Aera Actiacae Victoriae. &c.

CAEsar Augustus having triumphed over Antonie and Cle∣opatra in the battel of Actium, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 saith Dion, became himself to bee Monarch of the World, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. in∣somuch that hee gave command that the Empire should be∣gin to compute their Acts from this daie's Achievment; which was the second of September by Dion. It was the year of the World 3919, and 4683 of the Julian Period; as otherwise, and also by an Eclips noted in the Fasti Seculi, 'tis manifest; yet by the decree of the Senate, this Aera was fixed in the destruction of Alexandria, which was taken

August the 29, of the year following, 'twas the 16 Julian year, and the 294 from the Death of Alexander.

Till this time the Egyptian account measured by Nabonas∣sar's year, consisting of 365 daies, without anie intercala∣tion of the odd hours; in the place hereof the Julian form succeeded; And becaus the Egyptians called everie daie in the year by the Name of som God, which were therefore called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and everie year of their Lustrum's or Quadriennals in like manner, which were therefore called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Anni Deorum, these years were henceforth called in honor of Augustus, Anni Augustorum Deorum, or Anni Au∣gustorum, as 'tis recorded by Censorinus, who onely menti∣oneth them by this Name.

This Aera Actiaca continued in use till the time of Diocle∣sian, who having gained himself an Opinion of Wisedom and Fortune among his People, thought himself worthie from whom the Computation should now begin, which was don. It was therefore called by those of the Empire Aera Dioclesianea; but by the Christians Aera Martyrum San∣ctorum, from the great Passion of Saints in the 19 of this Emperor's Raign, wherein more then one hundred fortie and four thousand Christians suffered persecution in Egypt. Thus Ignatius the Patriarch of Antioch answered Scaliger by his Letters; Vir, saith Scaliger, quo doctiorem Oriens nostro se∣culo non tulit. But the Aera Martyrum and that of Dioclesian begin at the same time; as Christman upon his Alfraganus proveth out of Abull Hassumi an Arabick Historiographer. And to assure the beginning of Dioclesians Aera, Theon upon the Almagest noteth an Eclips of the Moon at Alexandria,* 1.20 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in the 81 year of Dioclesian, and 1112 of Nabonassar. Ashyr the 29, and 6 of Phamenoth, and this Eclips, exacted to the Julian form, hapned November 25, a little after midnight, in the year of the World 4313, and 364 from the Incarnation; the Sun was in the 5 of Sagittarie. Therefore Dioclesian's Aera was fixed in the 1032 of Nabonas∣sar, which was the 284 from the Incarnation. Therefore as it is called Aera Martyrum, it referreth not to the persecuti∣on in the 19 of Dioclesian, but to that of his first year,

wherein Diodorus the Bishop celebrating the Holie Commu∣nion with manie other Christians in a Cave, was immured into the earth, and so buried all alive. Eusebius in Dioclesian.

This Aera is used by S. Ambrose, Epiphanius, Evagrius, Her∣mannus, Contractus, Bede and others. It stood in common Chri∣stian use, until the times of Dionysius the Abbot, who in stead hereof brought in the Aera of Christ's Incarnation, so that (as Peter Aliac, our Bede, and others) the Christians did not use to reckon by the years of Christ, until the 532 of the Incarnation, yet Scaliger may bee seen, De Emend, lib. 5. p. 495. & p. 496. & p. the 18 of his Prolegomena.

Nor is it to bee thought, saith Christman, that this Aera Martyrum was utterly abolished, except we mean it of Rome; for saith hee 'tis yet in use among the Egyptians, Arabians, Persians, Ethiopians, and generally the Eastern men.

Scaliger saith it once and again (how truly I doubt) that it never was but as it still is used in the Egyptian and Ethio∣pian Churches: No doubt,, but that it was most proper to Egypt where it first began, for which caus it is called by the Arabians Teric Elgupti the Aera Aegyptica. From the Egyptians the most part of the world received it, though the Abassines or Ethiopians in a directer line, as whose Patriarch and Re∣ligion is subject to that of Alexandria. The Ethiopians call it the Anni Gratiae.

CHAP. XVI. Aera Christi Nati.

DIonysius the Abbot who as wee said was Autor to the world of accounting by this new Aera, infinitely more concerning then that of Dioclesian, fixed the same in the 4713 of the Julian Period which answereth to the 3950 year from the World's Creätion, so that the Anni Christi were not in use of Computation till the 532 year after the Nativitie, as it was fixed by Dionysius. This Dionysian 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the more accurate in Chronologie finde to bee at fault, but

not themselvs agreeing upon the difference. To saie nothing of the Bishop of Middleburgh, who affirmeth that this Aera was behinde-hand with the true Nativitie 22 years, and that S Paul himself had revealed this to him, though afterward hee changed this opinion, S. Paul it seem's not beeing in the right, and believed that this Aera was so far from beeing 22 years behinde, that it was two years before-hand with the truth. Capellus laboreth to prove that it is a Metachronism of six years, Kepler of five, Decker of four, others of three, Sca∣liger of two, who demonstrateth, as hee himself thinketh, that the first year Dionysian of Christ ought to bee reckoned the third Learned Bunting one of the first who took this ex∣ception, demonstrateth that the difference is but of one year. Hee proveth it thus. Taking for granted out of S. Luke, that the thirtieth year of Christ is Synchronical to the fifteenth of Tiberius. Hee noteth an Eclips of the Moon set down by Tac••tus in the first year of Tiberius, the two Sexti, Pompeio & Apuleio Coss. This Eclips hapned upon Thursdaie the 27 of September, in the 4727 of the Julian Period, which was the 3963 from the Worlds Creätion. And seeing, as most certain it is, that this Eclips fell out in the first year of Tiberius, and that the fifteenth of Tiberius answereth to the 30 of our Sa∣viour's age, it followeth, that the first of Tiberius was the fif∣teenth of our Saviour; and the first of our Saviour was the 4712 year of the Julian Period, one year sooner then the Dionysian 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or, as it may bee, the verie same; for 'tis doubt∣ed what S. Luke meaneth by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; our own Translation rendreth, that Jesus began to bee about thirtie years old, &c. which considering, and that the first of Tiberius was but the begining of a year, the difference may seem to com within compass of som reconciliation.

For the time of the year. The Alexandrian, and therefore the Ethiopian and Armenian Churches deliver that our Savi∣our was born the 6 of Januarie, the same daie hee was bapti∣zed, accordingly they celebrate both the Festivals in one daie of the Epiphanie, which for that it hath been of som stand∣ing in those parts, prevailed so far with Causabon, as to forsake the more received opinion, but not considering

how slenderly this Tradition pretendeth. Som question of of old there was in the Church of Alexandria (so their Clement reporteth) as concerning the daie of this Nativitie. To resolv this doubt they observed this cours: The daie of his Baptism supposed, which as wee, they held to bee the Epiphanie, they supposed also out of the forequoted place of S. Luke, that our Saviour was born and Christ'ned the same daie, for that hee was 30 years old when hee was ba∣ptized. Their conclusion therefore was, that our Saviour was born the sixth of Januarie, which how consequent it is I need not saie. The forenamed Bishop of Middleburgh set∣teth down our Saviour born in April. Beroaldus thinketh, hee was born about the begining of October. So Scaliger; Calvisius about the end of September. As for the daie saith Scaliger, Vnius Dei est, non Hominis definire: and Hospinian persuadeth, that the Christians did not celebrate the 25 of December, as thinking Christ was then born, but to make amends for the Saturnalia.

How much better had it been for these men to content themselvs with the Tradition of the Church, then by this elaborate unfruitful search to entangle the Truth.

The Religion of this 25 daie, though Scaliger saie it, non est nupera neque novitia, 'tis Apostolical by the Constitu∣tions of Clement. &c.

* 1.21Nor doth Chrysostom's Oration saie much less. The Ca∣tholicus Armeniorum in Theorinus Dialogue make's this good by Antient Monuments brought from Jerusalem to Rome by Titus Vespasian; or if this Autoritie could bee rendred suspicious, wee cannot elude the Persian Ephemeris, nor the Astronomical Tables of Alcas, in both which our Saviour is set down born the 25 of December. And truely the strange and rare position of Heaven at this Nativitie, doth not a little reinforce my belief, though otherwise not much given to admire matters of this nature; for Cardan finde's it in the Figure of our Saviour, there hapned this daie a Conjuncti∣on of the two great Orbs, which is of that kindle, which Nature can shew the World but once, except the World en∣dure more then fourty thousand years.

CHAP. XVII. Aera Passionis Dominicae.

NO less question hath been made about the Year of our Saviour's Passion, then that of his Nativitie. Thus much is certain, That hee suffered upon Fridaie the fourth of Nisan.

Not to take notice of the Acts of Pilate cited by the He∣reticks in Epiphanius. Clemens of Alexandria delivereth, That our Saviour suffered in the 16 of Tiberius, and 25 of Phamenosh, which answereth to the 21 of March; but our Saviour suffered upon Fridaie, therefore the Dominical that year was E: but the 16 of Tiberius had 11 for the Cycle of the Sun, therefore the Dominical Letter was not E, but A: therefore either the Passion was not upon that daie, or els it was not that year.

Epiphanius affirmeth that our Saviour suffered the 20 of March, but hee suffered (as before) upon the feria sexta, therefore the Dominical must bee D, for otherwise Fridaie could not fall upon March the 20. This hap'ned Anno 19 of Tiberius; but the Cycle of the Moon for the year was 15, therefore the Passover that year was not celebrated March the twentieth, but the fourth of April, and feria not sexta but septima.

Manie other forms of this opinion are set down by the Antient, but which will not endure the touch of these Cha∣racters.

Phlegon Trallianus noteth an Eclips of the Sun the fourth year of the 202 Olympiad, the most horrible that ever was. No man ever doubted but this was that which the Scripture noteth at our Saviour's Passion, observed also by the Astro∣nomers in Egypt, reported to have said those words, Aut De∣us Naturae patitur, &c. The Reverend Father Dionysius may bee seen in his Epistle to Polycarpus and to Apollophanes, but who when hee saith, that this was don by the Interposition of the Moon, doth not a little betraie his Tradition; for

the Sun and Moon were then Diametrically opposed, and the Moon her self totally Eclipsed in Libra to the Antipodes of Jerusalem; therefore the Eclips was supernatural.

The fourth year of the 22 Olympiad answereth to the 19 of Tiberius, and the 33 of the Nativitie, which was the 4745 of the Julian Period, and 3982 of the World, in the 78 Ju∣lian year, and 780 of Nabonassar; and becaus it was feria sexta, therefore it was the third daie of April, there hap∣ning the verie same daie a natural Eclips of the Moon in the 11 of Libra, which began at Jerusalem at 5 of the clock and 49 minutes in the afternoon. Therefore this daie was exceeding terrible, for the Sun was totally once, and the Moon once totally, and twice Eclipsed.

CHAP. XVIII. Hegira Muchammedis.

MAhomet having introduc'd a new Superstition, which the men of Mecha impatient (as all other of altera∣tion) resented not, was forced to flie that place. This flight of his, or persecution, as hee had rather it should bee thought, in allusion to that of Dioclesian, and compliance with the Christians Aera Martyrum, was called Hegira Mu∣chammedis, that is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the flight of the persecuted Prophet. It fell out upon Fridaie the 16 of Julie, and 622 of the Incarnation, begining (as their years are Lunar) from the new Moon of that time, but which they account not as others from the Conjunction it self, but from the Horning, which is the caus why they set up in their Steeples a Cre∣scent, as wee a Cross in ours. From this Aera Fugae Mucham∣medanae they reckon their years.

CHAP. XIX. Aera Jesdigerdica.

THis Aera was fixed, saith Albumazar, Anno Hegirae 11, Rabie prioris, 22. fer. 3. which answereth to the 16 of June, Anno Christi 632, so called from Jesdagerd the last Per∣sian King, in whom that Empire saith Haithon the Armenian, was lost the same year of our Lord unto Othman the Saracen; to bee reckoned not from the inauguration as Alphraganus and Isaac the Monk and som others, but from the death of Jesdagerd.

The Persians begin their year at the Vernal Aequinox ac∣curately observing the Sun's entrance into the first point of Aries, which daie they call Neuruz, that is, Novus dies; from ruz, which in their tongue signifieth a daie, and Neu, novus, new; entertaining this time with great solemnitie, which they hold so sacred, that no Matrimonie there is accounted legitimate if not contracted in the Spring.

Now, becaus the Aegyptian year, to which that Aera did applie, still anticipated the Sun's motion, and gave an unjust account of the Equinox, the Sultan of Corasan or Mesopota∣mia, appointed eight of the most learned Astrologers of that age (amongst whom Aben sina or Avicen was one) to make an exact determination of the Tropical year, which was don as they could. This new form was fixed in the Aequinox observed by them, the Sun entring the first point of Aries, Thursdaie the 18 of Phrurdin at two of the Clock in the afternoon, in the 448 year of Jesdagard, and 471 of the He∣gira, which was 1079 of the Incarnation according to Di∣onysius. The Cycle of the Sun was 24, the Moon 16.

This Aera from the Style of the Emperor was called Gela∣laea, that is, Aera Augusta or Imperatoria, as that word signifieth in the Persian Dialect.

CHAP. XX. What is Proleptical, and what Historical Time.

HIstorical Time is that which is deduced from the Aera Orbis Conditi. Proleptical is that which is fixed in the Chaos: The Jews call it tempus Tohu, as the Chaos is cal∣led by their Moses, Gen. 1. So the new Moon which they suppose to bee upon the second of the fix daies, that is, if the Luminaries had then been, they call Novilunium Tohu, for that as yet there was neither Sun nor Moon.

The first example of Proleptical Time was given by the Greek Church, who in their Computations follow the Ho∣lie Scripture of the Septuagint. Therefore their Aera Or∣bis Conditi is sixed in 5500 year Ante Christum Natum. Their more Artificial men, perceiving that this vast Epilogism was good for somwhat els, besides the measuring of Times, applied it to the Characters, and they found that divided by 19 and 28, it gave the Circle of the Sun and Moon, but divided by 15 it gave not the true Indiction; therefore they added 8 to the summ, and so it became a Technical or Arti∣ficial Period, comprehending the three Characters, and be∣caus it supposed 8 years of the Tohu, it was Proleptical; but which the Times following not considering reckoned Historically, as if the Aera Orbis had then been fixed; but are thus to bee corrected.

This Account is used by the Maronites, Grecians, and ge∣nerally by the Eastern Church, it is called Aera Graecorum, or more properly Periodus Constantinopolitana, from the Seat of the Empire, where it may seem to have been devised.

By this Example Scaliger made up his Julian Period, which it self also, as this, consisteth of Time, partly Histori∣cal, and partly proleptical.

CHAP. XXI. Considering the Causses of that infinite Varietie which is found to bee amongst Chronologers.

FRederick Husman in his Epistle to the Elector Palatine reckoneth up 40 several Opinions concerning the Con∣nection of those two famous Aera's; this of Christi Nati, and that other of Orbis Conditi. And I doubt not but this di∣versitie might bee redoubled if anie bodie would undertake that such frivolous pains.

The extremest varietie is that of the Greek and Hebrew Scripture, making a difference of two thousand years; an occasion justly taken by som equally to disparage the auto∣ritie either of the one or the other. For it cannot bee but that this Epilogism must bee detracted from the Hebrew, or superadded to the Greek, there beeing no mean waie of re∣conciliation. But certainly, the Hebrew (though I hold it not so everie waies incorrupt, as if not one jot or title of the same suffered the common fate of time) yet I believ it to bee the Original, and by the incredible diligence of the Masora, subservient to the greater providence of God, to retain more of it's own puritie, then anie other Scripture whatsoever; and therefore that it resteth in the Greek Translation, to account for this difference: yet neither do I think that choice Assemblie so neglected by God in a matter so importantly cared for by him, as to recede so fouly from their Original.

I rather cast this corruption upon the dregs of Time, as∣suring my self that this imposture was put upon us by the Hellenists, those among them who affected that antient He∣resie of the Chiliasts; the conceit whereof I affirm to bee the occasion of this corruption.

Other differences in that Connexion have these lesser Causses.

That profane Historie maketh no certain account of Time before the Olympiads.

That in the Romane affairs (a most important piece of Historie) the Consulships are not registred in the Fasti with that distinction and care as was necessarie, experience where∣of hath been made by the industrious examinations of Onu∣phrius and Cuspinian.

That the Historians themselvs generally did not consider so much the designation of Time, otherwise then with a re∣ference to their own Aera's, which were but uncertainly fixt.

That manie of them wrote not the Historie of their own Times.

That som of them took libertie to relate those things in∣clusively, which others related exclusively.

That several Nations reckoned not by the same form of years. That all Nations not Christian, affected an Opinion of greater Antiquitie then their own beginings, endevour∣ing therefore to leav the Storie of their rising as possibly uncertain to posteritie, as in them laie. So the Egyptians tell us of Heroes past, who by their reckoning reigned long before the world was made; which they saie with as much credit, as the Indians tell us, that they have out-liv'd four Suns alreadie, and that this which wee have is the fifth from their begining: To saie nothing of Janbazar Tsa∣reth and Roani, men that lived before Adam's time, as the book Heubattish make's report, and that one Sombasher was Adam's Tutor.

But the greatest caus of all is for that Professed Chrono∣logers of our own times, such as Funccius, Beroaldus, Bu∣cholcer, nay Satian, Baronius, Torniellus, and Gordon themselvs were altogether unacquainted with anie Artificial waie of this work, not knowing how to make application of Na∣tural and Civil Characters to the assuring of Times. One of the first who began to know what was to bee don in this matter, was the most learned, and perceiving Mercator, who Instituted a Chronologie by waie of Demonstration Astro∣nomical. To this begining, somthing by Crentzeim was ad∣ded; but verie much more by Bunting the Autor of a most elaborate Chronologie, demonstrating by the Characters

of Eclipses, the Sun and Moons Circles, and with Calcu∣lation of everie Eclips since the world began.

But this Art hath received greatest perfection from that excellent work of Scaliger de Emendat. Temporum, upon whose grounds Calvisius hath erected a most incomparable Chronologie for demonstration of time by Eclipfes, and Cy∣cles of the Sun and Moon severally applyed to everie year, yet wanting so much to accomplishment as may seem to bee added by the incredible pains of Helvicus; who excelleth Calvisius (though otherwise excelled by him) in Synchro∣nismes infinitely added, and the application of the Julian Period, which why Sethus Calvisius should not measure is ve∣rie much to bee marvelled. These two therefore put toge∣ther make up Chronologie everie waies absolute, and brought to such a perfection as needs not to bee added un∣to; for though I doubt not, but that even those also are somtimes failing, as for som other necessarie and unavoid∣able defects; so also for that they are not throughly advi∣sed, whose Tables Astronomical they best and most se∣curely may follow. Yet I assure my self the differences caus∣sed by this is but verie small and insensible, that it cannot bee much amended though never so much care should bee taken, and that by tampering it may bee made much wors, as by the learned, infinite and equally unprofitable pain of Petavius, is too well known. Therefore good it were, that Chrono∣logie brought to this degree of complement, might exspect no extremer hand, but beeing stampt with the impression of som publick autoritie, might go currant in general Opi∣nion, without farther clipping or defacing upon whatsoever specious and pretending reformations.

CHAP. XXII. Of Canon Chronological.

THe designation of Time secundum intervalla, the Chro∣nologers call Canon: which if it set the Aera's down singly is termed Canon, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: if it make a Connexi∣on of them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

An Example of the first is,

	Anni
From the Aera of the Julian Period	Unto that of Orbis Conditi	764.
Unto the Ʋniversal Deluge	2419
Unto the Birth of Abraham	2711
Unto the Destruction of Troy	3530

An Example of the second is,

The Creätion fell out in the 764 of the Julian Period. The Flood came upon the earth Anno 1656 of the Creäti∣on, and 2420 of the Julian Period. Our Saviour Christ was born Anno Mundi 3949, Anno Period. Jul. 4713, Olym∣piad 194, and 748 of Nabonassar.

This Connexion of things is called Synchronism, whe∣ther it bee of the intervals themselvs, or together with the Storie.

An error committed herein is called Anachronism: and either saith too much, and that is a Prochronism; or too little, and that is a Metachronism.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Confession. 11. cap. 14.
• * 1.2

  Cabasil. in 3. Ptolem. C. 2.
• * 1.3

  Emend. Tem∣por. l. 1.
• * 1.4

  Cic. de. Divi∣nat. lib. 1.
• * 1.5

  De Emend. Temp. lib. 5. Chronolog. Bunting. fol. 126.
• * 1.6

  Scal, in Pro∣legom. pag. 51.
• * 1.7

  Tacitus An∣nal 1.
• * 1.8

  Origan.
• * 1.9

  Talmud. in Rosh. Hassa∣na.
• * 1.10

  Targum in Josu. 6. v. 4.
• * 1.11

  Hescych. Le∣xic. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.12

  Scalig. in Prolegom. p. 210.
• * 1.13

  Cod. lib. 10. Tit. 16.
• * 1.14

  De Emend. Temp. l. 5. p. 476.
• * 1.15

  Plutar. in Roma.
• * 1.16

  Antiquitat. Lib. 11.
• * 1.17

  Ptolm. lib. 10. C. 4. & 5 Almagesti.
• * 1.18

  Emendat. Temp. lib. 5.
• * 1.19

  Dion lib. 11.
• * 1.20

  Theon. Hypom. 6. in Ptolem. Al∣mag. p. 248.
• * 1.21

  Antiquitat. Lib. 11.