YOV desire to know of mee , in what age Mardochai lyued ; because you hold his times , to helpe much the truth of Chronicle , whereby sundry Bookes of the holy Prophets may better be vnderstood . Your request is reasonable ; because you rightly iudge of the profite arysing by that knowledge : For whereas the chiefe Prophecie in all the old Testament , touching the time of saluation , is obscured , that of Dan. 9.24 . and also Dan. 11. Ester , Ezra , Nehemiah , Aggi , Zachary , by reason that men attribute neare 100. yeares more then common likelihood can suffer , or some writers old and late , will graunt to these men after Babel was taken ; I meane to Cyrus , Cambyses , Darius Histaspis , and Xerxes . They who hold Assuerus to be Xerxes , ( who be the chiefest Patrons of that excessiue time ) if it can be shewed that Mardochai was in Captiuitie 63. yeeres , must needes graunt that from Cyrus * * Some giue Cirus but three yeeres , & that vnder Cambyses 7. to Darius Hystaspis 12. y. as Sedcrolam , and Xerxes bu● 10. alnoe : some more , as in Clem. Alex. Cyrus hath y. 30. Cambyses 19. Darius Hystaspis 46. Xerxes 26. Their times before the surprising of Babilon , & viceroigne , might well haue so much as other abridge from this : but from Babylons fal 30 yeere must be their most . surprysing of Babel , to Assuerus end , when yet Mardochai was somewhat actiue : 30. yeeres agreeth more with the common course of life , then 12● . And that being setled , touching yeares thence to Tiberius 18. yeare : Some old Greeke accompt will very well agree with vs for Daniels Seauens , to make vp 490. yeares . Wherefore your iudgement , carefull to know his times , must be allowed : and endeauour to satisfie your request , must be vsed .

The Scripture wherevpon disputation of late groweth , is this . Ester 2.5 . In the Citie of Shushan , there was a certaine Iew whose name was Mordochai , the sonne of Iair , the sonne of Shimei , the sonne of Kish , a man of Jemini , * * The question herevpon ariseth , whether Mardochai or Kish was of the Captiuity . which had been caryed away from Ierusalem with the Captiuitie that was caried away with Iechoniah king of Iudah , whom Nebuchadnezar king of Babel had caried away ; & nourished Hadassa , that is Ester , his Vncles daughter : for she had neither father nor mother ; and the Maide was fayre & beautifull to looke on : and after the death of her father & her mother , Mardochai tooke her for his owne Daughter . To this text I thinke good to ioyne immediatly , another touching them , who were captiued with Iechoniah , to shew that not only valient Men , but also Women and Babes , were then caryed captiue : of which Babes , Mardochai might be one . Thus it is written , 2. King . 24.14 . And he caryed away all Ierusalem , and all the Princes , and all the strong men of Warre , euen ten thousand into captiuitie , and all the Workemen & cunning men : so none remayned , sauing the poore people of the land . Now if none were left but the Poore of the earth , Noble-women & Children must needes be in the reckoning of the Captiuitie . But let vs returne to the first text Ester 2.5 . vpon which Scripture , we must weigh what hath bin thought , Of old time it hath bin holde● , that Mar●●●●●● was of 〈◊〉 ●as cap●●●● . and may be . I hold it doubtlesse , that Mardochai by this text , was in the Captiuity . The same held also the most auncient ; that it may appeare , this opinion not to be new , but holden constantly of long time , the Father of TRVETH .

The Greeke additions to Ester , plainely shew , that in auncient time , Mardochai was holden to be of Iechonias captiuitie for thus it is written Ester 11.2 . Mardocheus the sonne of Iairus , the sonne of Semei , the sonne of Kish , of the tribe of Beniamin , had a Dreame ; a Iew dwelling in the citie of Susis , a Neble man , that bare office in the kings Court , Hee was also one of the Captiuitie which Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon brought from Ierusalem with Iechonias . That those Greeke additions be very old , it appeareth by Ios. Ben-gorion , whom Drusius thinketh to be Flanius Iosephus : For Ben-gorion in his Hebrew storie followeth them ; and the Greeke Church stifly enough held them . Wherefore , if that age were now aliue , and called to an after reckoning for the Persian continuance , I iudge by Mardochais age , they would willingly cutte off about a hundred yeares , for their ouerreaching Chronicle ; and reioyce not a little , to haue Daniels times brought to plainnes . They did not onely of auncient dayes allow of the Greeke additions for Mardochais times ; The auncient Greekes by their owne graunt , would shorten much their accompt for the Persians yeares . but in their owne writinges doe the like . Iosephus sayth , that Mardochai had been at Babylon . Clemens sayth , that he was in the Captiuitie . So doth Athanasius in Synopsi in Hester . Codrenus placeth Assuerus in the beginning of Darius , and Cy. Monarchy . Zonarus much followeth Iosephus . Pagnins carefull translation is voyde of doubt , that by it , Mardochai is of Iechonias captiuitie . These mens testimonies against their owne negligent accompt , should seeme to be voyde of partialitie .

The like I may speake of the Latines . Pagnin his skil in Hebrew , giueth place to none Italian , former nor later . In his translation of Ester , out of doubt Mardochai is a man of Beniamin , which was caried captiue with Iechonias . The French glory of Vatablus , and his iudgement , by our learned Fathers , who put before the Bible his briefe summe touching it , hath been greatly esteemed . Vatablus agreeth With Pagnin , & further speaketh of Kish : Whom he holdeth him to be . Vatablus remoueth the doubt further , sheweth that Kish there is named , to shew Mardochai to come of the Kinges seede . Now where some doubt why obscure Kish father to Saul , rather than Saul , should be recorded : for them a certaine Hebrew yeeldeth a reason that satisfieth me . As Mardochai taught Ester to hide her kindred : so the other Iewes endeuored to doe , Why Kish rather then Saul is named . and kept the memorie of Mardochais nobilitie rather by Kish , famous amongst them , and obscure to strangers , then by Saul , whom Haman of Ameleck might haue heard of . If any despiseth the Hebrewes reason , let him bring a better . With Pagnin and Vatablus agreeth Arias Montanus : Arius Montanus , & Tremebus translations . whose like if Spaine had bred many , the Pope should haue been closely bitten to the heart . Though he follow the common Chronicle , yet he made conscience of wresting holy Scripture . Tremelius likwise , whose translation giueth place to none ( whom I could wish for many speciall poynts , not to be altered by following the Heathen ) he translateth the Hebrew so , The common iudgement of Italy , France , Spaine , and Germany . as speaking , that Mardochai was of Iechonias captiuity . This Italy , Fraune , Spayne , & Germany held .

And least any should take aduantage by the relatiue ( Which , ) to referre it to Kish , & not to Mardochai , they translate the last antecedent before it ; Vir , not Viri . that is , ( MAN of Beniamin ) in a case ioyned to Mardochai , and disceauored from Kish . Two reasons mooued them to that , ( as I thinke ) : one , because in the Hebrew vpon the word Kish , lyeth a stay of a King-accent , in force and forme like a Comma in Latin . Tipheha the King-accent , vsually distinguisheth . An other was , because a Sentence is ioyned on a Copulatiue ; which cannot be remoued from Mardochai , who was caryed captiue , and nourished Ester . Also it seemed to them senseless , to admit in the middest , a long Narration touching Kish , where the speach began of Mardochai , and afterward to make a sodaine steppe againe to Mardochai : and so would I thinke . These who commend vpon Ester , follow the same a. a. Lyra. Brentius , Bullinger , and Lauaterus vpon Ester . Lyra , Brentius , Bullinger , Lauaterus . The argument in the Bible translated at Goneuah , before the Booke of Ester , draweth in the same yoke . And on the Latin Ioh. Benedictus . So the French doth , and many more . And whereas expressely b b Mardochai is named Ezra among them who gaue their names to returne ( if occasion best serued so ) in the 1. of Cyrus . Mardochai is named amongst them who did , or might returne from Babylon in the first of Cyrus . I see no reason why the many of them who affyrme euen that Mardochai there , to be Esters cosen , should be reiected . I will not soone beleeue , that the prouidence of God would in Scripture so place names , that thousandes of the painfullest and the wisest , should be deceiued , as holding them the same men , when they are other . As Nehemias Ezra 2.2 . is holden of the most , to be c. c. R. Symeony there vpon Neh. 12.3 . The authour of Ezra 4. was watchful to folow the common opinion to make Ezra to be of the captiuitie , as immediate sonne to Saraia● killed at the third captiuitie . 52 y. before the. 70. ended . Or Nehemias and Ezra , seuerall treatises are purposed . the same who is Artaxast his Cup-bearer . And Ezra Nehe. 12. comming home in Cyrus first , is holden of the Hebrewes , to be the same who wrote the Booke named so ; and liued to the last times of the Persians ; and by 4 Ezra 3. may very well be . So no more will I admit two Mardochaies , then I will heere two Nehemiahs and two Ezras , seeing I see no reason why obscure men should be chiefe in catalogue of personages , and famous men be left vnreckoned , who in open dealing haue the next glory to Zorobabel and Ioshua . But of the other two , Nehemias and Ezra , I may take some other time of a longer Discourse . I will returne to Mardochai . They who hold of the Pope , notwithstanding their errour in giuing the Persians too long a continuance , yet would not in the perticular deale here agaynst their conscience : for their table in Apparatu Bibliorum holdeth Mardochai Esters kinsman , to be of the captiuitie of Iechonias , and also to be the same that is mentioned Ezra . 2.2 . So Schubertus , and Lyra , rather hold Mardochai much aboue . 100. yeere , then with Burgensis deny him to be of Iechonias captiuitie . And Iohn Benedictus noteth ( from Philo ) that he lyued 198. yeeres . Likewise some of our owne countrey , who haue by authoritie written in notes simply enough , gathered from Codomanus , place Mardochai so , that wel he might be of the captiuitie of Iechoniah . Codomon & his translater simply ouerseene . Notwithstanding that some who haue trauayled more in this kinde , would soone conclude that thereupon they must cut neare 100. yeeres from their owne accompt . The testimony of any against them selues , should haue some force . Bucholcherus bringeth it as a most common opinion , that he liued in the dayes of Euilmerodach and Balsasar .

The Hebrewes are not least regarded for commenting as touching the Story , conteyned in proper speaches of the Prophets . Of them I haue seene twelue seuerall Writers touching Ester : By which all , it may be learned , that the Iewes helde Mardochai to be of Iechonias Captiuitie ; as the Talmud in Megillath Ester , two Chaldy Paraphastes . Aben-Ezra , Solomoh-Iarchi : which are ioyned in Bonbergius Bibles ; seauen Commentaries printed in litle Bookes alone . Adde Midras Rabbah , who passing it ouer , as touchng plaine words , in the whole Discourse sheweth what the Authour thought . And seeing the Iewes euer since Mardochais time , yearely in the moneth Adar , celebrate a Feast for the deliuerance by him . It would be too rash to affirme so many thousandes , now 2000. yeares , not to vnderstand his story : but in a * * Whether Kish or Mardochai should be of the captiuitie . tricke of Grammer , all to be ouerreached . Moreouer , closely they giue a bitter frumpe to some Christians in Sepher Iuchasim in the word Ezra , when they sayne Mardochoi to liue 400. yeares teaching their children thereby , how vnskilfull many of our side are in the story of Scripture : The Iewes floute Christians ignorant of Mardochaies times . for if this be true , that no Male were caryed with Iechonias but fitte then for warre , and vnder the tearmes of , All Ierusalem , 2. Kin , 24. Women and Babes be not conteyned : If also from Zedekias captiuitie the seauentie yeares must begin , and Mardochai liue in the end of the Persians : and if Eusebius times , and Ieromes holde : then by our assertions must Mardochai be holden towardes 400. yeere olde . But iustly is Eusebius blamed of Iohannes Benidictus , and Marianus Soctus . And Ierome may not be cited for them that would haue Mardochai borne in the fourth age after the captiuitie . For Scaliger , and such as leane vpon him , hold that Darius ( who buylt the Temple * * So S. Jerome thinketh , as do som Hebrewes and G●yn . vpon Ag. 17. yere after Cyrus first ) was after Mardochai : So that he will of force haue Mardochai neare Cyrus times . And Eusebius may be confuted by himselfe , citing Hellanicus out of Celemens , who writeth thus : Atossa the Queene of the Persians first inuented Epistles . Hillanie us of Atossa . Though Epistles were vsed of olde , as in Iuda and Israel : Jl. zeta in Bellero phontes . also in Homer II. yet when Heathen skant vsed written recordes , the letters sent by Hester Adossa to 127. Prouinces , might well be the most ancient for famous & fresh memory in Helianicus dayes , whom Thucidides nameth as his former . And herein the antiquitie , Thucidides dyed in the times of Peloponnesas warres . who had followed the games of Olympia , to teach of mans redeemer against expresse word in Daniels ninth , controll themselues , and call times to as short a reckoning , as trueth hereafter much by Heathen accompt wil require . An Hebrew disputeth learnedly , An Hebrewes reason of Esters tymes . to teach vs that Esters stories fell out soone after the captiuitie : because many of rare godlynesse must needes then be amongst them , that God should in sundry places , giue them so great glory . It is not commonly seene , that the age vnafflicted , should be of more godlynesse , then they who before , had felt Gods hand . Ioshuahs elders and their posteritie teach vs so to thinke : likewise Dauids age , & Robeames . Moreouer , the Apostle giueth that company a singuler testimonie , Hebr. 11.24 . who by fayth auoyded the edge of the sword . I doubt not , but that of them it is spoken there . Ouer & besides , the prophecie of Ieremy touching the good Figges , may very well haue accomplishment in Mardochai . And Lyra would thinke , that in Mardochaies story , mention is made of Iechonias captiuitie , Lyra vpon Ier. 24. to shew , namely in some , that fauour of God performed , which in the good Figges was shewed . Heere I may for the helpe of the Reader , abridge Ieremies wordes , from Ier. 24. To him God shewed Two basket of Figges : one of good Figges , the other of naughtie Figges . After Iechonias , the Nobles and Artificers of Iudah were caried daptiues : As the good Figges , would God know those captiues , and bring them home : and as the naughty Figges , would God giue Zedekias and his Princes , for a terrible plague .

Lastly , this I thinke , and hold , that none euer denied Mardochai to be of Iechonias captiuitie , but such as * * Eyther of themselues , or led by others . follow the reckoning of Olympia Games . All this considered , I iudge it will not soone take place , that some would teach this opinion to be new , or vntrue , that Mardochai is sayd to be of the Captiuitie of Iechonias . And this of Mardochai being graunted , my sharpest combaters ( I trust ) will not deny , but that Daniel might well vnderstand his owne wordes : and the Seauenties , from the houre of their vtteraunce , and first yeare of Darius and Cyrus , in propriety of speach , draw vs vnto the yeare wherein our Lord by death , brought light and life to the world . Thus I thought good , though as fast as my Pen could run , to write my minde touching Mardochai : that you might be better confirmed to hold the trueth of Daniels seauens : the plainnes & propriety whereof , many Christians striue more to make vncertaine , then did the Iewes ; whom your selfe heard at Franckfurt and Wormes .

To this I will ioyne a particuler reckonig , agreeable to Daniels Seauens : euen from such as for the whole , agree not wholly with that , which I steadfastly hold to be the trueth .

Cyrus 3. yeare : Schubert . Well may he haue reigned 27. yeare before .

Cambyses Artaxast. 7. yeares : Herodot . But be reigned in his fathers life 2. yeares of them , at the least : as appeareth by conferring Ezra 4. with Dan. 10.