Breviarium chronologicum being a treatise describing the terms and most celebrated characters, periods and epocha's us'd in chronology, by which that useful science may easily be attained to / writ in Latin by Gyles Strauchius ... ; and now done into English from the third edition, with additions. Strauch, Aegidius, 1632-1682. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A61814 of text R39107 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing S5941). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 1065 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 255 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A61814 Wing S5941 ESTC R39107 18213253 ocm 18213253 107175 2248552008

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A61814) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 107175) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1131:7) Breviarium chronologicum being a treatise describing the terms and most celebrated characters, periods and epocha's us'd in chronology, by which that useful science may easily be attained to / writ in Latin by Gyles Strauchius ... ; and now done into English from the third edition, with additions. Strauch, Aegidius, 1632-1682. Sault, Richard, d. 1702. [18], 476, [4] p. Printed for A. Bosvile ... and P. Gilburne ..., London : 1699. Added illustrated t.p. Book IV has special t.p.: Breviarium chronologicum. Book IV : treating in perticular of the most celebrated epoch's. "To the reader' signed: R.S. (i.e. Richard Sault, the translator)"--NUC pre-1956 imprints. Imperfect: tightly bound, faded, with print show-through and some loss of print. Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. eng Chronology, Historical. eebo Breviarium chronologicum. Being a treatise describing the terms and most celebrated characters, periods and epocha's us'd in chronology. By which that Strauch, Aegidius, 1699 510 153373 1231 0 0 0 0 0 80.26 D The rate of 80.26 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2011-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2011-08 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-12 Sampled and proofread 2011-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2012-05 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

Breviarium Chronologicum .

BEING A TREATISE Describing the Terms and Most Celebrated Characters , Periods and Epocha's us'd in CHRONOLOGY .

By which that Useful SCIENCE may easily be attained to .

Writ in Latin by Gyles Strauchius , D. D. and Publick Professor in the University of Wittebergh .

And now done . into English from the Third Edition , with Additions .

Time of it self is nothing , but from Thought Receives its Rise , by lab'ring Fancy wrought , From things consider'd whilst we think on some As present , some as past , or yet to come . Creech 's Lucretius .

LONDON , Printed for A. Bosvile at the Dial against St. Dunstan's Church , and P. Gilburne at the Harrow the Corner of Chancery-Lane , both in Fleetstreet , 1699

Mr. LOCK in his Thoughts of Education , page . 327. speaking of the usefulness of Chronology , says ,

THE most useful Book I have seen in that part of Learning is a Treatise of Strauchius , which is Printed in 12แต’ under the Title of Breviarium Chronologicum , out of which may be selected all that is necessary to be taught a Young Gentleman concerning Chronology .

STRAUCHIUS'S CHRONOLOGY depiction of of two figures standing on spheres

TO THE READER . Reader ,

I Here present thee with the Translation of an Author who has never yet appeared in an English Dress , one so famous for that sort of Learning he treats of , that I thought it might prove no ungrateful Work to the Publick to make him speak our Language , which has already been so great a Stranger to Chronology , the Subject which our Author here so learnedly handles . In it thou wilt find that Accuracy , Method , and Exactness , that it may justly be esteemed the most useful Book of this kind that has ever yet appeared abroad in the World , and withal so fully written , that it contains all that is necessary to be taught a young Gentleman concerning Chronology .

The Usefulness of this Study I cannot better recommend to thee , than in the Words of the Ingenious and Learned Mr. Lock ; who thus expresses himself upon this Occasion in his Extraordinary Thoughts concerning Education : With Geography ( says he ) Chronology ought to go Hand in Hand ; I mean , the general Part of it ; so that he may have in his Mind a View of the whole Current of Time , and the several considerable Epocha's that are made use of in History . Without these two , History , which is the great Mistriss of Prudence and Civil Knowledge , and ought to be the proper Study of a young Gentleman , or Man of Business in the World ; without Geography and Chrenology , I say , History will be very ill retained , and very little useful ; but be only a Jumble of Matters of Fact confusedly heaped together without Order or Instruction . 'T is by these that the Actions of Mankind are ranked into their proper Places of Times and Countries ; under which Circumstances they are not only much easier kept in the Memory ; but in that natural Order are only capable to afford those Observations which make a Man the better and the abler for reading them . After this , he extends his due Praises to our Author , as the best Chronologer he has met with yet extant . But herein he only follows the Opinion of the Learned World , which has always discovered a particular Value for this Piece ; as may appear by the several large Impressions that have been bought up since its first Publication ; And 't is for this Reason I presume to set it in a clearer Light and more publick View ; that so a Book of such General Use and Concernment may not any longer be continued to a particular Set of Men : Upon which score I hope this Translation may meet with an Acceptance and Entertainment suitable to the Worth and Character of the Author .

As to the Translation it self , the Author's Method has been followed in every thing , except in that tedious Way , he has made use of , by Question and Answer ; which breaking off so often the Thread of the Discourse , renders it less pleasing to the Reader , and not more useful . This I have endeavoured , and , think may modestly say , I have amended , by turning the Author's Questions into a Marginal Summary of the adjoining Section ; and the Answer of it , which in the Original is long and full of Quotations , into the Section it self ; and these agree generally the several Responses there ; with which is to be hoped may be more agreeable and easier retained by thee .

The Quotations , which are many in the Original , and much used by most German Writers , I have only taken the Sence of , except such as are most material , referring thee , if such is thy Curiosity , to the others in the Margin : And where the Author is so prolix in Things of little Moment , and only shews his Skill in confuting the Author of the Mystic Chronology , and others not of his Opinion , I have thought fit rather to give thee the Sum of it than cumber thee ( as Mr. Lock calls it Pag. 328 ) with his Arguments at large .

And lastly , to make the Work as compleat as I could , I have added several Tables which are of great use for the more clear understanding the ensuing Discourse , particularly that useful one of Mr. Flamstead's about the Equation of Time .

R. S.
THE CONTENTS . INtroduction , Page 1 BOOK I. Of the Terms in Chronology . Chap. I. Of some Chronological Terms , viz. Minutes , Scruples , Moments , p. 8 Ch. II. Of Hours , p. 11 Ch. III. Of Vigils and Watches , p. 19 Ch. IV. Of Days , p. 23 Ch. V. Of Months , p. 32 Ch. VI. Of Years , p. 39 Ch. VII . Of Epacts , p. 48 Ch. VIII . Of a Lustrum , Saeculum or Aevum , p. 54 Ch. IX . Of the Epocha , Aera , Cycle and Period , p. 58 BOOK II. Of Chronological Characters . Ch. I. Of Chronological Characters in general , p. 60 Ch. II. Of Hebdomatick or Weekly Characters , p. 62 Ch. III. Of the lesser sacred annual Character , or the Sabbatic Cycle , p. 71. Ch. IV. Of the greater sacred annual Character , or the Sabbatic Cycle , p. 83 Ch. V. Of the Solar Cycle , p. 87 Ch. VI. Of the Lunar Cycle , p. 91 Ch. VII . Of the Cycle of Indiction , p. 97 Ch. VIII . Of the Character of the Roman Consulate , p. 104 BOOK III. Of Periods . Ch. I. Of the Period of Calippus , p. 112 Ch. II. Of the Period of Hipparchus , p. 119 Ch. III. Of the Victorian Period , p. 123 Ch. IV. Of the Constantinopolitan Period , p. 125 Ch. V. Of the Julian Period , p. 131 BOOK IV. Of the Celebrated Epocha's . Ch. I. Of the Epocha of the World , p. 155 Ch. II. Of the Epocha of the Jews , p. 174 Ch. III. Of the Epocha of the Deluge , p. 179 Ch. IV. Of the Chaldean Epocha , and the Reigns of the Assyrian Monarchs , p. 191 Ch. V. Of the Epocha of the Years of Abraham , p. 204 Ch. VI. Of the Epocha of the 430 Years the Jews sojourned in Aegypt , of which Mention is made in Exodus 12. v. 40. p. 211 Ch. VII . Of the Epocha of Inachus the Founder of the Kingdom of Argos in Peloponnesus , and his Successours , p. 216 Ch. VIII . Of the Epocha of Cecrops , the first Founder of the Kingdom of Athens , and his Successours , p. 219 Ch. IX . Of the Epocha of the Israelites leaving of Aegypt , p. 224 Ch. X. Of the two Epocha's of the Division of the Land of Canaan among the Tribes of Israel ; and of their first beginning to cultivate the Ground , 233 Ch. XI . Of the Epocha of the Destruction of Troy , p. 236 Ch. XII . Of the Epocha of the Reign of David and his Successours in both Kingdoms of Judah and Israel , p. 245 Ch. XIII . Of the Epocha of the Temple of Solomon , p. 253 Ch. XIV . Of the Epocha of 390 Years of the Iniquity of the House of Israel , mentioned in Ezekiel , c. 4. v. 5. p. 260 Ch. XV. Of the End of the Reign of Sardanapalus , and the Epocha of the Median Empire , p. 261 Ch. XVI . Of the Olympiad Epocha , p. 26โ— Ch. XVII . Of the Epocha of the Building of Rome , p. 274 Ch. XVIII . Of the Nabonassarean Epocha , p. 280 Ch. XIX . Of the Epocha of the Conquest of Samaria by the Assyrians , and the Destruction of the Kingdom of Israel , p. 284 Ch. XX. Of the Epocha of Nebuchadonosor , who is in the Holy Scripture called Nebuchadnezzar , p. 290 Ch. XXI . Of the Epocha and Interval of the 70 Years of the Babylonian Captivity mentioned in Chron. 36. p. 292 Ch. XXII . Of the Epocha of the Destruction of the Temple of Solomon , p. 298 Ch. XXIII . Of the Persian Epocha of Cyrus , p. 301 Ch. XXIV . Of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus , and the End of the first Monarchy , p. 306 Ch. XXV . Of the Epocha of the Banishment of the Roman Kings , and the Establishment of the Consular Dignity . p . 312 Ch. XXVI . Of the Epocha of the first War betwixt the Greeks and Persians , or the time of the Battle fought near Marathon , p. 315 Ch. XXVII . Of the Expedition of Xerxes into Greece , and the Epocha of the Battle of Salamis , 320 Ch. XXVIII . Of the Epocha of the Peloponnesian War , p. 325 Ch. XXIX . Of the Epocha and Interval of the 70 Weeks of Daniel , mentioned in c. 9. v. 24. p. 329 Ch. XXX . Of the Epocha of the Graecian Empire in Asia , and the Beginning of the Epocha after the last Battle fought betwixt Alexander and Darius , p. 372 Ch. XXXI . Of the time of the Death of Alexander the Great , and the Epocha of the Years of Philip , p. 377 Ch. XXXII . Of the Epocha of the Seleucides , which is also called the Graecian or Alexandrian Epocha , 382 Ch. XXXIII . Of the Epocha and time of the Asmoneans , who were afterwards called Maccabaeans , p. 386 Ch. XXXIV . Of the Antiochian Epocha , p. 390 Ch. XXXV . Of the Julian Epocha , p. 393 Ch. XXXVI . Of the Epocha of the time of Herod , &c. p. 398 Ch. XXXVII . Of the Spanish Aera , otherwise called the Aera of Caesar , or Aera of Aera's , p. 412 Ch. XXXVIII . Of the Epocha of the Battle of Actium , used among the Aegyptians , p. Ch. XXXIX . Of the Ep. of the Augustus's , p. 419 Ch. XL. Of the true and vulgar Epocha of Christ , p. 423 Ch. XLI . Of the Epocha of the Passion of Christ , p. 431 Ch. XLII . Of the Epocha of the last Destruction of Jerusalem , p. 442 Ch. XLIII . Of the Epocha of Dioclesian , p. 452 Ch. XLIV . Of the Epocha of Constantine the Great , p. 458 Ch. XLV . Of the Epocha of New Rome , or the City of Constantinople , and the Division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western , p. 467 Ch. XLVI . Of the Turkish Epocha , commonly called the Epocha of Hegira , p. 473 Ch. XLVII . Of the Persian Epocha commonly called Yezdejerd , p. 474 Ch. XLVIII . Of the Jellalaean Epocha otherwise called the Royal Epocha and the Epocha of the Sultans , p. 475 The End of the Contents .
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE Breviarium Chronologicum , Concerning the Nature and Constitution of CHRONOLOGY . DEFINITIONS . 1. Chronology is a Science wherein time ( Quatenus , Quantum ) is consider'd as to its use in History . 2. It s Division is into General and Special . 3. The General part is that which considers time in General , with its divers Denominations and Characters ; and first of all it explains the Julian Period , the common Receptacle of all Epocha's . 4. The special part is that which considers time in particular , by demonstrating the certainty of Epocha's , and taking a view of all the Calenders or Fasti of divers Nations . 5. Therefore the special part includes a review and computation of Epocha's .

ยง . I. SPecial Chronology is a discipline distinct from other things ; its true indeed , few things can be known of time , its very definition being obscure , according to what St. (a) (a) Aug. 14. Confess . Austin says , Quid ergo est Tempus ? Si nemo ex me quaerat , Scio ; si quaerenti explicare velim , Nescio ; nor is (b) (b) De Invent. Cicero less embarass'd in his thoughts upon it ; Tempus , says he , est id quo nunc utimur , &c. and because of these difficulties , many are for referring all we know of time , to Astronomy ; but , I think , erroneously , for where-ever an Instructive Object wholly peculiar is at hand and that entire , there is a certain peculiar Discipline distinct from others , and such an Instructive Object is Time , as the whole following discourse will evince .

ยง . II. Besides Chronology has the conditions Chronology a Science . requisite to intitle it to the name of a Science for there 's a Scientifick Object . and its affections or properties , as also Chronological characters which supply the place of Causes , as if it were to be shewn , that the year of Christ 1664. was the 6377th year of the Julian Period , it might be done after this manner ; that year which has 21 for the character of the Solar Cycle , 12 for the Lunar , and 2 for the Cycle of Indiction , that is the 6377th year of the Julian Period , but the 1664th year of Christ is such , Ergo , &c. and we shall give the Demonstrations of the same in all the Epocha's , and though some err in Chronology , t is the fault of the Artist , not of the Art .

ยง . III. And some erroneously confound History with Chronology ; for tho' a Chronologer considers Chronology distinct from History . time for the use of History , yet t is certain Chronology and History don't coincide ; for Chronology explains time it self , and declares how it comes to be distinguished by such and such Characters . But History only reports things done in time ; we have no demonstrations of things done in History , but most certain ones of things in Chronology ; a Chronologer divides and characterizes time , an Historian collects all passages he can to make his History compleat , but we deny not these Disciplines to be useful to each other , since the Historian receives the Chronologers time noted by Characters , and the other his Actions as Examples . Hence some say , History has two Eyes , Chronology and Geography , which is not unlike what (c) (c) Prolegom . in Euseb. Scaliger says , Chronologia anima Historiae est , sine quรข Historia non spirat , quae quanto multit , tanto Chronologia illi praestat , ut corpori anima . Nor has Petavius spoken unwisely . (d) (d) Ration . Temp. part 2. lib. 1. cap. 1. Historia rerum praeteritarum est narratio . Chronologia verรฒ rerum earundem certis ex indiciis ad sua tempora temporumque partes accommodatio . Quare huic illa materiam copiamque suppeditat , haec illi vicissim formam ac velut Regulam adhibet , illa simplici rerum gestarum ordine contenta est ; nec annorum singulorum exactam rationem instituit : haec annos ipsos quoad licet , annorumque partes , quibusdam notis ac vestigiis assequitur .

ยง . IV. But Chronology and the Doctrine of times Difference of Chronology and doctrine of times . according to Petavius (e) (e) Proleg . op. Chronol. c. 3. , seem to differ in this ; Chronology says he , is an Art of assigning the Memory of things past in their times , distinguisht by proper Notes and Characters ; but the Doctrine of times is a Science which enquires the conditions and properties of time as useful for Mankind ; yet we can distinguish no difference between 'em , but Physical and Natural , for we see not how Petavius's Definitions agree with his promise , who said , Se velle de natura hujus Scientiae disserere secundum Philosophos maximรฉque Dialecticos .

ยง . V. A Science is said to be Subalternate , not Chronology subalternate , or contain'd in Astronomy . only because in the Universality of an Object it acknowledges a Superior . In which Sense all Mathematical Sciences are Subalternate to Physicks ; and as it assumes a Subject contain'd in the subject of another Science , yet so as that it may add some accidental difference to it , but also as it assumes the Conclusions of some Subalternate Science in the room of Principles , which conditions may be seen among the Schoolmen . Whereas therefore Chronology has not only a Subject contain'd under the object of Astronomy , and superadds to it some accidental difference , as a distinction into certain Periods , and such contemplations as are useful to History , as also assumes many other principles out of Astronomy , as that the Solar Tropical year is 365 d. 5 h. 49โ€ณ , that the Lunar Month is 29 d. 12 h. 45โ€ฒ . and others of like Sort , it may not unjustly be said that Chronology is Subalternate to Astronomy , as Musick to Arithmetick , Opticks to Geometry , &c.

ยง . VI. And as in other Sciences the Explication A Chronologers Business . of a Scientifick Subject is requir'd , what principles of Being and Knowing , what affections and kinds ; so a Chronologer ought to take care that he explains the nature of time according to these Heads ; he must not confound Measure with Measuring ; whole Theories with Tables of Celestial Motions , are not to be propos'd by him who promises an Artificial and Scientific Method ; in short , he ought not to confound Heaven with Earth .

ยง . VII . Certain characters of Times and Epocha's , are not to be admitted upon the Authority Rule of Chronological Controversies . of any Man , not Scaligers ipse dixit , whose Errors Petavius has distributed into four Heads . The 1st Prophesying without any proof . The 2 d Collections from places of the Ancients ill understood . 3 d False Reasonings . 4th Self Contradictions , which we would not repeat to Scaliger's discredit ; every Artificer deserves some praise , though the Art may not be advantageously handled .

ยง . VIII . (f) (f) Matth. Beroaldus , David Paraeus , &c. Some have decry'd all Chronology , Sacred Writ no exact Chronology . except what may be drawn from Sacred Writ ; from whose sufficiency tho' we wou'd not detract , yet 't is certain a perfect Chronology is not to be attained this way ; for the Bible leaves off at Cyrus , and begins again at Darius , which interval must be determin'd from profane History . Hence Scaliger rightly , Actum esset de Chronologia Sacra , si absque exoticis monumentis foret , quod cum Sapientissimi Scriptores Tatianus , Clemens Alexandrinus , Tertullianus , Africanus , Eusebius , aliique animadvertissent omnino sine exotica Historia intervalla sacra deprehendi posse desperarunt . Dicatur igitur tumidis Buccis , elalo supercilio atrocem injuriam spiritui sancto fieri , si Historia Sacra ab exotica subsidium petat . Quasi magna illa ignominia sit si Historia exotica Sacrae ancilletur .

ยง . IX . Yet there 's a certain Author who as the Mystical Chronology of the N 7. Creation of the World was perform'd in 7 days , is for concluding that the N. 7. carries in it great Mysteries , but since there 's no reason either in Nature or History for such Surmizes , we shall pass it by as a Dream of one that talkt at adventure . See Chronologus Mysticus in sole temp. p. 3. & alibi .

ยง . X. But in Ancient times the Clerks who Of Antient Chronologers . were esteemed most Learned , had the business of Chronology commended to 'em by the Magistrate ; it was not only to the Alexandrian Bishop , that the Indiction of Easter was committed in the Nicene Synod , but it was a most antient Institution . The Hierophantae amongst the Aegyptians and Greeks , the Priests among the Jews , the Chaldaean South-sayers amongst the Babylonians , the Brachmanes amongst the Indians , the Pontifices amongst the Romans , the Druids amongst the Gauls , &c. presided over the popular Calendars .

ยง . XI . And altho' we are not willing with Scaliger Chronology a difficult Science . to frighten any one with this passage , Nemo nisi liberalibus disciplinis & omnigenis Artibus initiatus accedat . Yet 't is certain Chronology has some difficulties before 't is attain'd , because the Knowledge of all Sciences is requir'd , and 't is even immers'd in the Ocean of Mathematicks and History .

ยง . XII . The Division of Chronology into a General and Special part seems just , both from Of the division of Chronology . the condition of the Object to be known , which 1st appears to the Humane Mind in general , afterwards in particular ; as also from the Analogy of other Sciences ; for whereas all Sciences may be divided into General and Special , there seems a true reason why in delivering the Doctrine of Times , we should not depart from this Method .

ยง . XIII . The following Division is attributed According to others . to Elias , not the Thisbite , but a more Modern Master of the Jews , Duo millia inane , duo millia Lex , duo millia Messias : Which Tradition is divers ways , and almost in every Interval erroneous . (b) (b) Lib. 12. contra Faustum . Augustine divides it thus into six Ages : the First from Adam to Noah , the Second from Noah to Abraham , the Third from Abraham to David , the Fourth from David to the Babylonish Captivity , the Fifth from the Captivity to Christ , the Sixth from the Coming of Christ to the End of the World , which the Seventh shall receive , comprehending Eternal Life . And this Division is followed by Beda and Isidore : According to others these Six Ages are expressed , as in the following Verses :

Primus Adam , Justusque Noe , magnus Pater Abram , Et posthaec Moses , David , Natusque Redemptor : Septima fine caret , locat requieque beatos .
Breviarium Chronologicum . Of the Nature and Constitution of CHRONOLOGY .
BOOK I.
CHAP. I. Concerning some-Terms in Chronology , and those the most common , viz. Minutes , Scruples and Moments . 1. A Minute is usually the least Part of time , which is commonly called a Scruple . 2. A Scruple is one thing as it is taken in the usual and Mathematical sense , and another as it is receiv'd in the Jewish . 3. The Vulgar and Mathematical Scruple is the 60th part of an Hour , divisible into 60 other Parts , and so on ; whence they are called 1โ€ฒ 2โ€ณ 3โ€ด 4 ' ' ' ' , &c. 4 A Jewish Scruple is the 1080th part of an Hour , divided usually farther into Moments . 5. A Jewish Moment is the 76th part of a Scruple .

ยง . 1. FAbricius Paduanus (a) (a) In Cโ—โ—en Temp. Annul . p. 35. hath observ'd that the ancient Chronologers divided the Hours into Points , Moments , Vncias and Atomes : So that the Point was the 4th part of The Ancients Division of in Hour . an Hour , a Moment the 10th part of a Point , an Uncia the 12th part of a Moment , and an Atome the 47th part of an Uncia ; so that a whole Hour contains 4 Points , 40 Moments , 480 Uncia's , 22560 Atomes ; but this Division is now grown obsolete .

ยง . 2. Yet Chronologers as well as Mathematicians , Mathematical Division , do not only divide the Hours and its Parts , but also every Total , or any thing that is like it , into 60 Scruples : For although the Division of the whole into Points may be free , yet , to avoid the Trouble of computing which Fractions cause , except the 10 ( which is still better ) a more fit than this can't be found out , especially if it be observed that those 60 Parts may be used as Integers , as it may be more at large shewn in Arithmetick .

ยง . 3. But the Author of the New Moons The Jewish Division . gives this account why the Jews divided the Hour into 1080 Scruples , viz. that because there is no Number more easily divisible into so many Parts as is the 1080 , being that it can be divided by 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 15 , 20 , &c.

ยง . 4. And this the Jews , according to their Institution of it Divine . wonted Superstition and Boastings of Revelations , will not have of any Humane Invention , but assert it to be Divine . Concerning which , R. Samuel saith , Isachar ascended into Heaven , and brought from thence 1080 Parts .

ยง . 5. Neither would they have this to have been By others used . used by any others besides themselves , since that from Aben Ezra to the 12th Chapter of Exodus these Portions are called the Parts of Israel , tho' very falsely , Scaliger having observed (b) (b) Lib. 1. de Emend . Temp. that both the Samaritans , Arabians and Persians , as well as other Eastern Nations have made use of this Division as well as they .

ยง . 6. However to reduce those Jewish Scruples How to reduce Mathematical to Jewish Scruples . to the Mathematical , and these again to the Jewish , you may say , If 60 Mathematical Scruples give 1080 Jewish , how many will the aforesaid Mathematical Scruples give ? And again , if 1080 Jewish Scruples be equal to 60 Mathematical Scruples , how many of them will be equal to the aforesaid Number of these ? And it will appear when the Operation is finished , that one Mathematical Scruple contains 18 Jewish , and one Jewish 3โ€ณ 20โ€ด of the Mathematical ; and on this Accounts are the following Tables calculated .

Math. Jud. 1 18 2 36 3 54 4 72 5 90 6 108 7 126 8 144 9 162 10 180 20 360 30 540 40 720 50 900 60 1080
Jud. Math. โ€ณ โ€ด 1 3 20 2 6 40 3 10 0 4 13 20 5 16 40 6 20 0 7 23 20 8 26 40 9 30 0 10 33 20 โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ด 20 1 6 40 30 1 40 0 40 2 13 20 50 2 46 40 60 3 20 0 70 3 53 20 80 4 26 40 90 5 0 0 100 5 33 20 โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ด 200 11 6 40 300 16 40 0 400 22 13 20 500 27 46 40 600 33 20 0 700 38 53 20 800 44 26 40 900 50 0 0 1000 55 33 20

ยง . 7. Epiphanius reports , that divers of the Marcosians ( so called from one Marcus a celebrated Wise Man who espoused the Valentinian Heresie ) Of some that divide the Hours otherwise . divided the Hour into 30 Parts , which Division was not peculiar to them , but comprehended the two Equinoctial Hours ; whence undoubtedly it came to pass , that whereas 30 Degrees were equal to that time , the Marcosians divided their compounded Hour into so many Parts . So likewise the Inhabitants of Cataja ( which the Ancients called Serica ) and the Subjects of the great Cham of Tartary divide the Year into 24 equal Parts ; so that every Part contains 15 Days and 2814 Particles , and ten thousand of these Particles ( every one of which they call a Fenack ) answer to one Day amongst them ; Of which more hereafter .

CHAP. II. Concerning Hours . 1. An Hour is commonly called the 24th part of a Day . 2. There are two sorts of Hours ; some are called equal , others unequal . 3. Equal Hours , which the Greeks call ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , are those in which the Night and Day are divided into 24 equal Parts . 4. Vnequal Hours , which the Greeks call ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , are those wherein the time of the natural Day is divided into 12 Parts , and the Night into as many .

ยง . 1. ALthough some will have the Word Hour in Latin , Hora , divided from the Greek The Derivation โ—f the Word Hour . Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , which signifies to limit or bound ; because it is the Measure of time ; yet the most common Opinion is , that its Original is owing to the Egyptians ; because Macrobius * * Saturn . l. 1. c. 21. , and from him many others observe , that the Sun with them was called Horum ; of which Opinion Pausanias was also long since .

ยง . 2. But the Word Hour has not always What it signifi'd formerly . been of the same signification ; but in ancient times an Hour did indefinitely express a short space of time ; in which sense the LXX Interpreters have sometimes translated it , and Vlpian in Athenaeus ( not without Reason ) doubteth whether it may be used as for a Definite , or set part of the Day in the Writings of the Ancient Greeks . Certain it is in St. Luke ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , St Luke ch. 14. v. 17. is used for Supper-time . Besides , Homer calls ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ the Coeli janitrices ; to which Ovid alludes , bringing in Janus .

Praesideo foribus coeli cum mitibus Horis .

Some believe that heretofore the four Seasons of the Year , wherein the Sun finished its Course , had the Name of HOVRS , as ancient Writings do testifie . Others there are would have the Reason hereof to be , that because an Horus instituted a certain three-monthly Year ; therefore the Ancients called Spring , Summer , Autumn and Winter Years ; nay the Year it self Horus ; of which thing some Footsteps appear in this , that the Greek Annals called them their Hori , and their Writers Horographici . And others there are also who in a particular Acceptation of the Word , think that the Greeks call that Part of Time an Hour wherein the Dog-Star arises ; whence Galen in his Book de Alimentis calls those Horean Fruits which sprung up at that time wherein the Dog-Star arose ; and Horace says ,

Flagrantis atrox hora Caniculae , &c. Lib. 3. O. 13 โ–ช

So that in general the Ancients by an Hour have signify'd an Age ; by the 12th Hour , Old Age , as in that Dialogue of M. Crassus , and the King of Galatia . What mean you ? says he , art not thou now arrived at the 12th Hour , and yet talkest of building a new City ?

ยง . 3. Herodotus relates , (a) (a) Lib. 2. that the Graecians Why the Ancients divided the Day into 12 Parts . received from the Aegyptians the Use of the Pole , the Gnomon , and the twelve Parts of the Day : and Pierius Valerianus (b) (b) Hieroglyph . Lib. 6. says , that the Original of that Use among the Aegyptians was , because their Priests were wont twelve times a Day to cry aloud with a howling Noise to their Cynocephalus ; and both Cicero and Marius Victorinus have taken notice of such a Ceremony to Serapis .

Galen remarks other things of this Number , viz. that the Romans used it not only for their Hours , but also in Weights , Measures , &c. as being a Number divisible into many aliquot Parts .

ยง . 4. And doubtless Astronomers according What Hours the Ancients had . to the Motion of the Aequator , have constituted equal Hours , yet it is apparent that the Ancients used the unequal more than the equal Hours . St. John says (c) (c) St. John c. 10. 9. , are there not 12 Hours of the Day ? which must be false , if Equinoctial : As likewise St. Matthew (d) (d) Mat. 20. in the Parable of the Vineyard ; where those that came at 11 , staid but one Hour ; and that place of Plautus in Pseudolus (e) (e) Act. 5. Sc. 9. , must mean the same Hours , as well as this of Martial :

Otia , Prisce , brevi poteris donare libello : Hora nec aestiva est , nec tibi tota perit .

ยง . 5. It is not known at what time the Custom of dividing the Days into Hours began among The dividing Days into Hours the most ancient Way . the Aegyptians , yet undoubtedly it is but of short standing amongst other Nations , and chiefly the Romans , which Censorinus (f) (f) de Nat. Deorum . C. 23. observes as an Argument that the Word Hour was not known amongst the Romans 300 Years after the Building of the City , by reason there is not any mention made of 'em in the 12 Tables , as the other Laws after that time do ; before which the Divisions were only before and after Noon ,

ยง . 6. The Turks not having Clocks as we have , The Turks divided theirs . the Priests in their stead stopping their Ears with their Fingers , proclaim from the Top of their Mosks the Cock-crow , the Break of Day , Noon-tide , Three of the Clock and Twi-light , with a very high Voice : The same Custom the old Romans used , as appears by Martial .

Horas quinque , puer , nondum tibi nuntiat , & tu Jam conviva mihi , Caeciliane , venis .

And in Athenaeus mention is made of ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , a mercenary Hour-teller ; and also of ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , a Parasite that declared Supper-time .

ยง . 7. But amongst the many Instruments the The Ancients manner of noting the Hours of the Day . Ancients made use of to distinguish their Hours , the Sun-Dial or Heliotropia is certainly the most ancient . For , in the Holy Scripture we read (g) (g) 2 King . 20. of Ahaz's Dial , where that great Miracle was wrought of the Sun 's going back ten Degrees ; about which not only R. Solomon , but other Interpreters agree that those Degrees were the Indices of such parts of the Day : Nor do we believe that this so publick a Machine was only in use amongst Mathematicians , as Salmasius fancies , against whom Dion . Petavius very well urgeth , that then it would not be the Custom to erect them so publickly in the Market-places ; and much more from hence the Falsity of a contrary Opinion doth appear , that the Use of Fortune-tellers and Astrologers were very severely forbidden by the Jews . However , the Use of Dials was not only long since known to the Jews but to other Nations , as the Greeks , as Diogenes Laertius reports ; and the Romans , as Pliny (h) (h) D. L. Lib. 7. C. 60. relateth . Pomponius also gives an Account of a famous Dial in the Field of Mars , which Persius speaks of when he says ,

Stertimus indomitum quod despumare Falernum Sufficiat quinta dum linea tangitur umbra .

ยง . 8. And since we cannot at all times be A Description of the Roman Clepsydra . so happy as to enjoy the Light of the Sun , the ancient Romans or rather the Greeks , to make some amends for the frequency of Storms , &c. found out , according to the Ingenuity of that Age , an artificial Invention . The Author , as Pliny (i) (i) L. 7. C. 60. writes , was Scipio Nasica ; which Pancirollus gives the following Description of ; They took says he , a Vessel made of Glass , in the bottom of which was a narrow Hole done about with Gold , lest the Water should wear it away . On the other part of the Vessel was drawn a right Line , having the twelve Hours set upon it ; after which they filled the Vessel with Water which issued Drop by Drop out of the little Hole ; they thrust a Cork into the Water , fastned to a little Wand , the end of which pointed at the 1st Hour , and as the Water fell down more at the 2 d , 3 d , &c. Hours . This in the Greek was called a Clepsydra , and with us an Hour-Glass .

ยง . 9. Natural Hours are not every where Natural Hours not every where unequal . unequal , since that there cannot be any difference of Hours Artificial and Natural , as to the Quantity , with those that live under the middle of the Torrid Zone , or under the Aequator , where the Signs of the Zodiack ascend directly : Yet is it otherwise with those that live under the Temperate Zone , if the Sun be in the Equinoctial Points .

ยง . 10. And it is commonly thought , that all the Hours of the Day , which they call ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , Equal one with another . are equal one with another ; not considering , that the very Days from Noon to Noon are unequal ; and then their Parts can never be equal ; but since the Inequality is but little , a Mathematician ought to know it ; but 't is but of little moment in ordinary Uses .

ยง . 11. Unequal Hours are called Planetary ; because Astrologers have taught with greater Vanity Why artificial are called Planetary . and Superstition than Certitude , that the several Planets rule in several Hours , beginning this Order from the first Hour on Sunday , and continuing of it , as you may see in the Table annext ; in which it is supposed against all Astronomick Reason , that Venus , Mercury . and the Sun were the Inferiour Planets ; Mars , Jupiter , and Saturn Superiour ones . All which were the Dreams of an unhappy Age.

ATableofthe Hours of the Day . DAYS . I II III IV V VI VII 1. โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ 2. โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ 3. โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ 4. โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™€ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ 5. โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ 6. โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ 7. โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ 8. โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ 9. โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ 10. โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ 11. โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ 12. โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ Hours of the Night DAYS . I II III IV V VI VII 1. โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ™€ 2. โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ 3. โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ 4. โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ 5. โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ 6. โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ 7. โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ 8. โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ 9. โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ 10. โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ 11. โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚ โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ 12. โ˜ฟ โ™ƒ โ™€ โ™„ โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ โ™‚

ยง . 12. Unequal Hours may be reduced to How to reduce the uneโ—uโ—โ— to equal . equal , by knowing first the Quantity of the Natural Day : of which the time , of the Year and Place being given and known ; say , as 12 Hours is to the Quantity of the Natural Day , so is one equal Hour to the unequal Hour that answers it ; by this means the Proportion between equal and unequal Hours will be so well known , that it will be very easie to reduce them . For Example , suppose here at Wittebergh , That the greatest Natural Day is 16 Hours and an half ; then one equal Hour 22โ€ฒ 30โ€ณ will answer to an unequal Hour , or the twelfth Part of the Natural Day .

ยง . 13. There are several Computations of Of the Denominations of Hours . an Hour amongst several Nations in their Denominations and setting of them in order . The Graecians commonly began theirs from the Rising of the Sun , the Italians from its Setting , the Europeans generally from Midnight ; but the Vnequal Hours , some do term them the Jewish , as also Ancient .

ยง . 14. The Custom of the Romans in their The Ancients Division of Hours for Labour . Division of their several Hours of the Day for their ordinary Concerns , Martial gives us the following Account of , viz.

Prima satulantes atque altera continet hora ; Exercet raucos tertia causidicos ; In quintam varios extendit Roma labores ; Sexta quies lapsis ; septima finis erit ; Sufficit in nonam nitidis octava palaestris ; Imperat extructos frangere nona teres . Hora libellorum decima est Eupheme meorum , Temperat Ambrosias cum tua cura dapes . Et bonus aethereo laxatur nectare Caesar Ingentique tenet pocuia parca manu : Tunc admitte jocos gressu metire licenti , Ad matutinum nostra Thalia Jovem .

But the Greeks used six Hours only for the dispatching their Affairs , spending the rest in the Refreshment of the Body and Mind ; whence these Verses ,

Sex Horis tantum rebus tribuuntier agendis , Vivere post illas littera zeta monet .

As also ,

In sextam labor usque horam : namque inde notantur Litterulis vitae commoda habere jubent .
CHAP. III. Of Vigils and Watches . 1. A Vigil is a certain space of Time , wherein the Natural Day and the following Night was formerly divided into certain Parts , so called from the changings of Centinels or Watch-men . 2. There are two Vigils , one of the Day , and the other of the Night . 3. Those of the Day , or rather Centries , Watch and Wards , were most commonly four equal Parts of a Natural Day , each of which contained three Hours . 4. And those of the Night , with some Nations were four equal Parts of the Night , of the same Continuance with the former .

1. THE Ancient Division of the Night and The Ancient Division of the ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Day , were into Evening and Morning ; of which the History of the Creation often makes mention ; and although the Lights were not created till the third Day , yet the Motion of the first Light resembling the Sun that follow'd after , might make a distinction of Evening and Morning .

ยง . 2. The Name of Vigils or Watches arose The Names of the Vigil . from the Watchmen changing their Posts every three Hours , lest they might either fail , and be over-wearied for want of Sleep , or that too much time might be given to the Enemy to execute their treacherous Practices against the City ; whence it 's plain , that it had its first Rise from a Military Custom ; and this Flavius Vagetius ( a ) confirms , giving this Account of the same ; namely , That out of every Century four Horse , and as many Footmen were drawn forth to keep the Watch , and that because it was difficult for the same to keep Guard all Night : Therefore was it thought necessary to divide it into four Parts , according to the Order describ'd before : The Watch was set by Sound of Trumpet , and call'd off by that of the Cornet : Besides which the Tribunes appointed some of the chiefest to go about the Watch to see if any were remiss in , or left their Posts .

ยง . 3. But since we can find little about the Days Watches , we shall only speak of those of โ— . Jews ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . the Night . Some think that the Jews divided the Night at least into three Watches , the first of which began at Sun-set , and lasted till Midnight ; whence in Job (b) (b) C. 4. v. 13. it is called the Time when deep Sleep falleth on Men. The second is supposed to begin at Midnight , and end at the Cock-crow , where the third commences , lasting until the Sun begins to rise . And indeed the Jews themselves do frequently make mention of three Watches : For in their Thalmud (a) (a) De Re Mil. Lib. 3. Book of Prayers and Thanksgivings ) R. Isaac the Son of Samuel saith , There are three Watches of the Night , in every one of which the Holy and Blessed God sitteth roaring like a Lyon ; and saith , Woe unto you Children ; for I have devoured my House by reason of your Sins , and burnt my Temple , &c. and the like you may find in R. Salom (c) (c) Ad Exโ—d 14. Conf Jud. 7. 19. : But in the time of the New Testament it is plain , that the Night was divided into four Watches , a Custom probably introduced by the Romans ; as in those Places of Mat. 14. v. 25. Mark 6. v. 48. c. 13. v. 35. in which sense Suidas interpreteth ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , calling it the fourth Part of the Night .

ยง . 4. Some think that the Jews received this Received from the Romans . Custom of dividing the Night into Watches , from the Romans , yet without much Ground : For as much as mention is made of the Jewโ—sh Vigils before ever the Name oโ— Empire of the Romans was known to the Jews : But it cannot be denied but that the Jews followed the Roman Custom when the Jewish Policy began to decline .

ยง . 5. Yet the famous Scaliger (d) (d) L. 7. dโ— Em. Tem. p. 637. is of opinion Another sort of Vโ—gโ—ls . that the Jews as well as the Romans and Greeks divided their Night and Day into four Parts , and called those Quarters the Vigils ; the first of which ( as he says ) was from Sun-set to Midnight : The second also called the Middle , as being betwixt the two Suns , viz. the Setting of the one , and Rising of the other , was from Midnight to the Sun-rise . After these was the Morning-Watch , which began at Sun-rise , and continued till Noon : The last continued from Noon till Sun-set .

ยง . 6. But the Romans distinguished their Night How the Romans divided the ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . and Day by various Names ; some of which we find in the twelve Tables and others elsewhere , the Beginning and End was Midnight ; after followed the Night , after this the Cock-crow , after this the Dead of the Night , after this before Day , after this Day-break , after this the Morning , after this the Forenoon , then Noon ; after this the Afternoon , then late ; after this the Evening , then Twilight ; after this Candle-light , after that Bed-time , after that far in the Night , then to Midnight , and so Midnight again .

ยง . 7. However we are yet in the dark as to How they and the Greeks agreed in this matter . the Greeks agreeing with the Romans , although it is no doubt , but that in the time of War the Romans divided their Night into four Parts ; and some think , that the Greeks imitated them herein ; tho' many Places in ancient Writings seem to contradict it : From which it appears , that the Greeks divided their Day and Night rather into three than four Parts ; as appears by Seneca in Thyeste , where the Chorus is introduced thus : Quo terrarum , &c. And in Andromache thus :

Partes ferรจ nox aima transierat duas , Sen. Trag. Clarumque septem verterant stellae jugum , &c.

And the Scholiast very clearly on the 10th Iliad of Homer : For as the Poet divided the Day into three Parts , viz. into Morning , Noon and Evening , so does he the Night : ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ : For he would have the Hom. Iliโ—d . Night to consist of Three Vigils .

CHAP. IV. Of the Days . 1. A Day is that Space of time wherein the Sun in its rising and setting , performs either an entire Course , or a certain Part of the Globe . 2. It is commonly divided into Natural and Civil . 3. That Space of time is called the Natural Day , which passeth betwixt Sun-rise and Sun-set . 4. The Civil Day is that which contains one Revolution of the Heavens , and so including also the Night , distinct from the Natural Day , whence the Greeks call it ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . 5. Days also are either Holy-Days or not . 6. Holy-Days are those wherein Business is laid aside ; which the Romans formerly called Nefasti . 7. And those are made holy , either by Divine or Humane Authority . 8. Some People by Divine Right observe Sundays and other Holy-Days . 9. But many Nations by Humane Imposition did heretofore vainly observe several Days , and do at this time ; as may appear in the ensuing Discourse , and the various ways of chusing them . 10. Those that are not Holy-Days , but Work-Days , are also called Fasti , being those wherein the solemn Offices are not performed either to the true God , or the false Gods of the Gentiles .

ยง . 1. THose that call that Space of time a The reason of the Natural and Civil Day . Natural Day wherein the Sun is upon the Horizon , are chiefly moved thereto , because Nature and not Art effects that Day , but those that would have it an entire Revolution of the Sun , alledge that Nature intends a perfect Circulation , likewise ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ is called a civil Day , because that the Citizens were wont to use it in dating their Contracts and other Civil Actions ; and again they call the Suns staying upon the Horizon an Artificial Day , since that it 's then convenient for Artificers to do their Work ; and as some will add , because the Differences of such days cannot be made , but by the Workmanship of Almighty God , and may be understood by the use of an Artificial Sphere .

ยง . 2. But an Artificial Day is not taken in the same Not the same with all Authors . Sence by all Authors , for what in Chronology we call a Natural Day , the same the Astronomers usually term an Artificial , and what we call a Civil , they call Natural .

ยง . 3. The measure of the Civil Day ( according to The measure of a Civil day . Chronologers ) and the Natural ( according to Astronomers ) is by the daily Motion of the Sun round the Earth , or as Astronomers do otherwise speak , it is an entire Revolution of the Aequator , with so much over as answereth to the Suns own Motion , receding in the mean time on the Ecliptick , whence the Complements are unequal . The mean ones are 59โ€ฒ . 8โ€ณ . in time 3โ€ฒ . 57โ€ณ , by which part of time the Solar days exceed the day of the Primum Mobile .

ยง . 4. The difference of a Natural day from The difference ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . the Civil , consisteth in their equality and inequality , some calling those that are unequal Natural days , and those that are equal Civil , though very absurdly ; for those that dwell under the Aequator , have all Natural days equal , and if we should speak truly , Civil days are not equal , by reason of the inequality of what is added ; so if a Country just under the Pole was habitable , its Inhabitants would have their Natural day neither equal nor unequal ; for it is called equal or unequal , in respect of each other ; however they would know no other day till the year was past . Yet it is true in an Oblique Sphere , for its Inhabitants would have their Natural days unequal , whence Ovid when he would describe an impossibility , says ,

Longa dies citior brumali tempore , noxque Lib. de Pโ—nto 2. Tardior hybernรข solstitialis erit .

And heretofore also Boetius .

Tu Frondifluae frigore brumae , Stringis lucem breviore rotรข . Tu cum fervida venerit aestas , Agiles noctis dividis horas .

ยง . 5. Yet all Civil days are equal and precisely All Civil days precisely 24 hours . 24 hours , for in that time an entire Revolution of the Aequator from rising to setting is performed ; but because the Sun like other Stars whilst it turns round so quickly upon the Aequator , hastens towards its rise , performing its mean daily course in 59โ€ฒ . 8โ€ณ . but the space is unequal and hence the former degree of the Ecliptick , together with a degree of the Aequator being come to the Meridian , the Sun wants some little space ; to compleat which , a little part of time should be added , besides 24 hours which by reason of the Suns apparent unequal Motion , will be unequal as above , but this is fully rectified by the Famous Astronomer Mr. Flamsted , in his Calculation of the following Table of Aequation of Time . viz.

ATableoftheEquationofDays,bywhichmaybefoundhowmuchagood Pendulum Watch oughttobefasterorslowerthanatrueSun-Dial,everydayintheYear. Days . Januar. Februa . March . April . May. June . โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ฒ W. too f. ** W. too slow . โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ 1 8 Watch too fast . 52 14 46 10 08 0 46 4 12 1 W. too slow . ** Watch too fast . 02 2 9 14 14 45 9 51 0 30 4 14 0 49 3 9 36 14 43 9 34 0 14 4 14 0 36 4 9 58 14 40 9 17 0 01 4 14 0 24 5 10 19 14 36 9 00 0 17 4 14 0 12 6 10 38 14 32 8 42 0 32 4 13 0 01 7 10 58 14 27 8 24 0 46 4 12 0 14 8 11 17 14 21 8 06 1 00 4 10 0 27 9 11 35 14 14 7 47 1 14 4 08 0 40 10 11 52 14 07 7 28 1 28 4 05 0 53 11 12 09 14 Watch too fast . 00 7 Watch too fast . 09 1 40 4 02 1 07 12 12 26 13 52 6 50 1 52 3 Watch too slow . 58 1 20 13 12 40 13 43 6 32 2 04 3 54 1 33 14 12 53 13 33 6 13 2 16 3 48 1 46 15 13 06 13 23 5 54 2 27 3 43 1 58 16 13 18 13 12 5 36 2 37 3 37 2 11 17 13 30 13 01 5 17 2 47 3 30 2 23 18 13 42 12 49 4 58 2 57 3 23 2 36 19 13 51 12 36 4 38 3 06 3 15 2 49 20 13 59 12 23 4 19 3 15 3 07 3 01 21 14 08 12 10 4 01 3 23 2 59 3 12 22 14 16 11 56 3 42 3 30 2 51 3 23 23 14 23 11 42 3 23 3 37 2 43 3 34 24 14 29 11 28 3 05 3 43 2 33 3 45 25 14 33 11 13 2 46 3 49 2 22 3 55 26 14 37 10 57 2 28 3 54 2 10 4 06 27 14 41 10 41 2 11 3 58 1 58 4 16 28 14 44 10 25 1 53 4 02 1 46 4 25 29 14 45 1 36 4 06 1 34 4 34 30 14 46 1 19 4 08 1 24 4 43 31 14 46 1 02 11 13
A Table of the Equation of Days , by which may be found how much a good Pendulum Watch ought to be faster or slower than a true Sun-Dial , every day in the year . Days . July . Aug. Sept. Octob. Nov. Dec. โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ โ€ฒ โ€ณ 1 4 52 4 42 3 40 13 15 15 29 5 53 2 4 59 4 32 4 00 13 28 15 21 5 25 3 5 06 4 21 4 21 13 42 15 12 4 57 4 5 13 4 11 4 42 13 55 15 02 4 27 5 5 20 4 00 5 03 14 08 14 51 3 57 6 5 27 3 48 5 24 14 20 14 40 3 Watch too slow , * Watch too fast . 28 7 5 33 3 36 5 45 14 32 14 27 2 59 8 5 37 3 23 6 06 14 43 14 14 2 30 9 5 41 3 10 6 26 14 53 14 00 2 00 10 5 44 2 56 6 47 15 03 13 46 1 29 11 5 Watch too fast . 48 2 42 7 Watch too . slow . 08 15 Watch too slow . 12 13 Watch too slow . 30 0 59 12 5 51 2 Watch too fast . ** Watch too slow . 27 7 28 15 21 13 13 0 28 13 5 54 2 12 7 49 15 29 12 56 0 02 14 5 55 1 56 8 09 15 36 12 38 0 32 15 5 56 1 40 8 29 15 42 12 18 1 02 16 5 56 1 23 8 49 15 48 11 59 1 32 17 5 56 1 07 9 09 15 53 11 39 2 01 18 5 55 0 50 9 29 15 57 11 18 2 31 19 5 54 0 33 9 49 16 00 10 54 3 00 20 5 52 0 15 10 08 16 02 10 34 3 29 21 5 50 0 03 10 26 16 04 10 11 3 57 22 5 47 0 22 10 44 16 05 9 48 4 25 23 5 43 0 41 11 02 16 05 9 24 4 53 24 5 39 1 00 11 20 16 05 8 59 5 20 25 5 34 1 19 11 37 16 04 8 34 5 48 26 5 28 1 38 11 54 16 01 8 08 6 15 27 5 22 1 58 12 11 15 58 7 42 6 41 28 5 15 2 18 12 28 15 54 7 14 7 07 29 5 07 2 39 12 44 15 49 6 47 7 33 30 4 59 2 59 13 00 15 43 6 20 7 58 31 4 51 3 19 15 36 8 22

ยง . 6. That the Distinction of the Day into The Ancient Distinction between Civil and Natural days . Natural and Civil is very ancient , plainly appears by that Stratagem the Thracians formerly made use of , which as Strabo relates (a) (a) Lib. 9. p. 277. was thus . Ephorus says he , Writes that the Thracians making Truce with the Boetians ( so that then they might have less regard to their Camps ) fell upon 'em by Night and destroyed them , whereby they broke the Truce ; but the Thracians denied they did any such thing , since that the Truce was made for the days , and they fell upon them by Night ; whence is the Proverb , Thracicum Commentum : The like Story Plutarch relates in 's Laconick Apophthegms .

ยง . 7. The Variety of several Nations in their Of the various beginnings of days . fixing the beginning of their days is very great , as well as that of their Months and Years ; but as to several of the Ancients this following Memorable Distich , gives some small account of , viz.

Atticus occasum spectat Babylonius ortum Nox media Ausonii , media at Lux perplacet Vmbris .

ยง . 8. Those People indeed that have computed Those that begin their day from Sun-set . their days from Sun-set , are such as have observed the course of the Moon ; for in that time the Rule of the Lunar Seasons appear in the Starry Orb , this they may perhaps have preferred to all others in imitation of Moses , which there is no question but by the Jews , Arabians Athenians , and other Eastern Countries as well as in Africa , was made use of .

ยง . 9. And this also was used by the Babylonians , From Sun-rโ—se . Chaldaeans , Syrians and Persians , whom Dionysius Petavius , (b) (b) L. 7. de Doct. Temp. p. 609. Ptolomaeus and Hypparchus following , accounted their beginning of their day from Sun-rise .

ยง . 10. But the Custom of Calculating the From Midnight . days from Mid-night , is chiefly ascribed to the Ausonians , the most Antient Inhabitants of Italy , with whom it is very well known the Romans did agree for many years ; and probably this may be the reason of its Institution , because that from that time wherein the Sun hath travers'd the lower part of the Meridian , it will then begin to rise again ; so that there might be a sort of Harmony betwixt the beginning of the year and day , for of this Ovid thus speaks .

Principium capiunt Phoebus & annus idem .

Plutarch brings other Reasons besides this in his Problems , which may be seen in Varro , and from him in (c) (c) Noct. Aโ—โ— . Lib. 3. c. 2. Aulus Gellius .

ยง . 11. And the Vmbrians ( a People well known From Noโ—โ—โ—ide . in Italy ) near the Appennine Mountains and the Adriatick Sea , whom the Greeks supposed only to have surviv'd the General Inundation ; whence their Name ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , or showery ( as Pliny (d) (d) Plin. l. โ— . c. 14. and Solinus (e) (e) Cap. 8. would have their Original ) usually accounted their Day from Noon ; with whom the Hetruscians the Borderers on the aforesaid Appennine Mountains , do agree . And because the Meridian is a fixed immovable Circle ( and easie for Observations ) the Mathematicians have followed this Custom two several Ways ; some beginning their Days slower by 12 Hours , and others sooner by the said time , than the Civil ; of the former sort were Tycho Braye and his Followers ; of the latter , Alphonsus and his Disciples .

ยง . 12. But many Authors of good Account How by the Aegyptians . disagree concerning the Aegyptians . Alexander ab Alexandro (f) (f) Geneal . Dier . Lib. 4. l. 20. says , that the Aegyptians and Athenians began their Day at Sun-set , which lasted to the same time next Day . Others there are , who have given out that the Aegyptians together with the Chaldaeans began their Day from Noon-โ—โ—de , whom Christmannus upon Alfraganus follows . Pliny (g) (g) L. 2. 77. says that the Aegyptians computed their Civil Day from Midnight to Midnight . Nor are there wanting Arguments that will prove them to have begun their Day from Noon ; which way Ptolemy frequently follows : But Salmasius , considering those Difficulties , makes use of this unheard of Solution : For he supposeth (h) (h) Exercit Plin. p. 552. the Aegyptians not to have had Vnequal Years , but Equal ; and yet the Year consisted of 365 Days and a Quarter ; which fourth Part or six Hours he supposes to be added every Year ; whence it hapned , that if the first Year began at Midnight , the next began six Hours later , or in the Morning , the third at Mid-day , and the fourth at Sun-set : So that the first Day of every Year had not a certain , but fourfold Beginning in respect of the Hour . But since this Opinion seems contrary to all other Authors , it is not to be relied on : And we shall still retain the same Opinion , that the Aegyptians , at least some of 'em , began their vulgar Year at Sun-rise .

ยง . 13. The Gauis and ancient Germans seem How by the Ancient Gauls and Germans . but little to differ from the Jewish Custom about this matter , since these People observe the Moon in their Affairs , which Tacitus takes notice of , when writing of the Germans : They assemble ( says he ) on certain Days , either upon a New or Full Moon , unless any thing accidental or unexpected falls out . And it is probable that those Days began from Sun-setting , according to the Custom of other People which observed the Moon 's Motion ; as Tacitus farther confirms ; For transacting Business , they believe this Juncture of Time the most auspicious : Neither , do they reckon by Days as we do , but by Nights ; and they so order and appoint things , as if the Night seem'd to usher in the Day . And Caesar writes almost the same thing of the Gauls . This Custom the English observe to this Day , which our Sennight , derived from Seven Night , and Fortnight from Fourteen Nights , doth confirm . But in Bohemia and Borders of Poland the ancient German Custom is observed , where the Day is from Sun-set to the same time next Day ; so that the Clock at Sun-set may be heard 24 times .

ยง . 14. The Jewish and Political European Time may be reduced to the Mathematick , How to reduce the Jewish and Civil Day to the Mathematical . beginning at Noon , if you substract from the Jewish 18 Hours , ( for so many Hours the Jewish Computation anticipates the Mathematical , both in their Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs ; ) a whole Day being added , if without it no Substraction can be made , the Remainder will shew the time sought . But if our Political Time , beginning from Midnight , was to be compared with the Mathematical , there will be no need of Reduction , if in the Afternoon : But if in the Morning , add 12 to the given Hour , and substract 1 from the Number of Days , the Sum or Difference is the Mathematical time sought .

CHAP. V. Of Months . 1. A Month is that part of Time wherein we usually divide a Year into 12 , and sometimes into 13 Parts . 2. Months are either Astronomical or Civil . 3. Astronomical are those that depend on the motion of the Stars . 4. And because we generally have respect to the Luminaries in ordering of 'em , some we call Lunar and others Solar . 5. A Lunar Month is that Space of time which is spent in the Revolution of the Moon through its proper Orb ; or from a Synod to a Synod ; and from the Appearance of the Moon after one Synod , to its Appearance again after another . 6. Hence Nature seems to produce a threefold Lunar Month , that is , a Synodical , Periodical and Month of Illumination . 7. The Lunar Periodical Month is that Space of time in which the Moon by her Motion returneth to the same Place of the Zodiack whence she departed . 8. The Synodical is that Space of time from one Conjunction of the Luminaries till the next Conjunction following . 9. The Month of Illumination is that Space of time intercepted betwixt the first Day , whereon the Moon is seen after her Conjunction with the Sun , and the last Day of her being visible . 10. The Solar Month is that Space of time wherein the Sun runs through one of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack in its proper Motion . 11. A Civil Month is a System of Days which different Nations differently observe in their Civil Affairs , as it best pleaseth them .

ยง . 1. AS to the Etymology of a Month it is The Etymology of the Word . observable that in almost every Language it is derived from the Moon , as among the Hebrews ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ denoteth as well the Moon as a Month. Among the Greeks ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ signifies the same thing . Cicero derives the Latin Word Mensis (a) (a) Lib. 2. de Nat. Deor. from the Courses of the Moon , since they make Spaces which the German Word Monat and our Word Month , both derived from the Moon , do likewise denote .

ยง . 2. From which it appears that the Hebrews , The Ancient Form of Months . Greeks , Latins , and Germans observed the Course of the Moon : For although Arguments deduced from Etymologies of Words are but of little force ; yet they are strengthened if joined with other Proofs , especially if we take notice of the extraordinary Aptness of the Hebrew Language and its Harmonical Communion with those others mentioned before : whence Julian in that Hymn dedicated to the King of Kings , says , That all the Months with all other Mortals are numbred from the Moon , save we only and the Aegyptians , who compute our Days of the Year by the Motion of the Sun . Neither was the Lunar Month unknown long since to the Romans , tho' the Apostate excepts them , since that the true time in respect of Parturition ; which with them was ten Months , seems to be the same with these : In which Sense these Lines of Ovid are to be understood :

Annus erat decimum cum Luna receperat Orbem , Hic numerus magno tunc in honore fuit . Seu quia tot digiti , per quos numerare solemus , Seu quia bis quino foemina mense parit .

ยง . 3. As to the Mystick Months , consisting of 49 or 7 times 7 Days ; although there can be Of Mystick Months . no Nation so barbarous as wholly to lay aside all Analogy with the Motion of the Heavenly Bodies , in appointing their Times ; yet the Author of this Mystick Chronology spares not to lay it on the Jews themselves ; and though these are foolishly asserted or rather foolishly feigned ; yet is this Opinion maintained with great Absurdities : For nothing can be so unreasonable , as that God , who created the Luminaries for set-times , Years and Months , should teach a People peculiar to himself any other thing . Neither is the fore-mentioned Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ derived from the Moon , of so late a Date . Beside , who knows not that the Jews in the chief Feast of their Passover observe the Moon , and always celebrate the Feast on the Full Moon , and that on the 15th Day of the first Month. But suppose the Jews had their Mystical Month consisting of 49 Days ; yet this Number of Days have no Agreeableness with the Lunar Motion : So that instead of Full Moon , you will have nothing but mere Darkness . Nor do the Writers of the Old Testament oppose this Truth , who doubtless were sacred and holy Persons ; and these speaking of Sacred and Divine things , have made mention of the 8th and other Months beyond the 7th : So that if only this must be thought a Mystery by reason of the Number 7 , contrary to the Sentiments and Opinions of all Men ; why did not this Mystery-Expounder likewise surmise the same thing of a Day of 7 Hours , and of Hours of 7 Minutes , and so further on ?

ยง . 4. We here again mention the Periodical Of a Periodical Month. Month , lest due Consideration should be wanting as to its Use ; whence Kepler calleth the Periodical Month the Physicians Critical Month ; as to the Quantity of which , it is indeed unequal , and can be found no otherwise than by Astronomical Calculation , by which it will appear that its mean Motion is performed in 27 Days , 7 Hours , 43 Minutes , 5 Seconds .

ยง . 5. The difference between a Periodical and The difference of a Periodical and Synodical . a Synodical Month , is , because the first is called Periodical only in respect of the Moon 's Orbit , but Synodical in respect of its Conjunction with the other Luminaries . And because the Sun from the time of its Conjunction does not continue in the same Place of the Zodiack , but moves forwards towards the East , it causes , that the Moon finishing its Course does not find the Sun again in the same Point it left him ; but is removed almost a whole Sign from its former Place ; and that it might overtake the Sun again , it plainly appears that a certain Space of time is requisite , besides the Periodical , to make up the Synodical Month.

ยง . 6. But as to the true Quantity of the Synodical Of a Synodical Month. Month , we are to gather it from Astronomers , who study its Motion ; as Chronologers the Time in which the Motion is made ; however , since a Synodical Month is apparently unequal , we shall content our selves with the enumerating from several Authors the mean Motion , as they call it ; of which Tycho Brale's we take to be the most Genuine : They are these ;

d. h. โ€‘ โ€‘ 1 Cleostratus 29 12 00 00 00 00 00 00 2 Harpalus , 29 12 50 54 33 00 00 00 3 Eudoxus , 29 12 43 38 11 00 00 00 4 Cipparchus , 29 12 44 03 15 44 39 04 5 Calippus , 29 12 44 12 45 57 26 49 6 Metonis , 29 12 41 26 48 30 38 18 7 Ptolomy , 29 12 44 31 20 00 8 Alphonsus , 29 12 44 03 03 00 9 Tubul Prut , 29 12 44 03 09 00 10 Tycho Brahe , 29 12 44 03 09 00

ยง . 7. The Quantity of a Synodical Month is not the same at all times ; for in the Summer Synodical net always the same . Solsticeโ— when the Sun seems to move slowest the Synodic Month appeareth less , being about 29 Days , 6 Hours , and 42 Minutes : But in the Winter , when the Sun's Motion seems faster , the Moon follows the Sun in a slower Space ; for which reason the Synodical Month then seems greater , viz. 29 Days 19 Hours , and 37 Minutes , as some Astrologers do observe . So that what has been said in the preceding Section about a Synodical Month , is to be understood as to the mean from which the true differs sometimes 14 Hours ; and so is either greater or less .

ยง . 8. Some Months we have called Pleni and others Cavi ; the Pleni are those that consist of Of the Months Pleni and Cavi . 31 Days , the Cavi of 30 ; and these two in the Lunar Year or Lunae-Solar , are placed alternately , by reason of the Dependence of the 12 Hours , which , if omitted in one Month , and doubled in another , make 24 : For which reason they can be no longer neglected , but are to be compleated by the 30th Day , over and above the 29th .

ยง . 9. Some by the Month of Illumination Of the Months of Illumination . will have that Space of time which is intercepted between the first and last Light of the Moon ; which Acceptation of the thing , though it be otherwise well ; yet since no such Month was ever used by any sort of People we know of , it is only here mentioned to serve the Curiosity of some .

ยง . 10. Besides , the Lunar Month of Illumination is The Quantity of the same . not of any certain Quantity , being sometimes seen sooner and sometimes later , as her Latitude is Northward or Southward , her Motion swifter or slower ; or in Signs descending or ascending , right or oblique , as Astrologers have observed .

ยง . 11. The Arabians , Turks , and indeed all that make use of the Epocha of Hegyra , usually Of the Turks and Arabians their Year . reckon their Month from the first Phasis , and observe no more in their Lunar Year , than that one New Moon come before another ; and that lest the Mirth of the Calends , which with them were solemn and sacred , because of the Eclipse or Suffering of the Sun , which might then happen , might be turned into Sadness : For which reason the Turks upon their Towers and Turbats always place a Crescent or Half Moon . And this some have asserted about the Ancient Jews ; yet is not the Assertion approved of by all Chronologers ; others supposing that the Jews most commonly made use of a Lunar Calculation , and at the same time to have attended only the Observation of the Phasis , not from thence that they might foretel the New Moon , but that they might sanctifie it , and receive the first Sight of the same , with this Prayer , Be thou a good Omen to us and to all Israel ! As also that they might examine the Exactness of their Tables , and from them the Calculation sought for .

ยง . 12. As for the Britains , they anciently observed The Custom of the Britains . the Phasis of the Moon ; but when by reason of the great Winds and Clouds arising from the Ocean , the Moon 's Phasis could not be discerned , they followed a more certain Guide , the Tydes ; according to the Ebbing and Flowing of which they do at this Day make great Account .

ยง . 13. As to the Solar Month , there is very The Quantity of a Solar Month. great Inequality in it ; because the Sun in Cancer seems to us to move slower ; for which reason the Month of the Summer Solstice contains near 31 Days , 11 Hours and 36 Minutes ; but in Capricorn , where the Motion of the Sun appears more swift , Astronomers account the Months of the Winter Solstice only to consist of 29 Days , 8 Hours and 54 Minutes , the mean Quantity therefore of every Solar Month will be 30 Days , 10 Hours and 15 Minutes , that is as long as the Sun is in the Equinoctial Signs .

ยง . 14. The Civil or Political Months are Of Civil Months . threefold , either altogether uncertain , having no regard to the Lunar or Solar Motions , as those of the Aegyptians in the Equal Year , of the Romans in the Year of Romulus , &c. or coming pretty near to the Solar Astronomical Months as the Julian , or the Lunar Astronomical , as the Jewish , Turkish , and others .

CHAP. VI. Of Years . 1. Year is a certain space of time , whose parts are commonly called Months . 2. And it is either Astronomical or Civil . 3. The Astronomical Year so called , is that whose quantity is so determined by the motion of the Heavenly Bodies , as neither the appendant Hours nor Minutes are omitted therein . 4. And because it has peculiar respect to the Luminaries it is twofold , Solar and Lunar . 5. The Solar year , is that space of time wherein the Sun by his proper Motion , departing from any one point of the Ecliptick , returns to the same again , and therefore it is either Tropical and Natural , or Sydereal . 6. The Tropical or Natural year , is the space of time , in which the Sun departing from one of the Tropical , Equinoctial , or Solstitial points , and running through the whole Ecliptick , returneth to the same point again , and it's Quantity is 365d . 5h . 49โ€ฒ . 7. The Solar Sydereal year , is the space of time in which the Sun returns to the same Star from whence he departed , and it's Quantity as Astronomers tell us , is 365d . 6h . 9โ€ฒ . 8. That we call a Lunar year , ( in ordering of which , respect is had to the Lunar Motions ) is either common or embolismal . 9. The common Lunar year contains 12 Synodical Lunations , the extent of which is 351d . 8h . 49โ€ฒ . 10. The Lunar embolismal year contains 13 Lunar Astronomical Months , the Quantity of which is 383d . 27h . 33โ€ฒ . and this year is frequently used in the Lunar or Soli-Lunar Computation . 11. The Political or Civil years are those whose use is in Civil and Ecclesiastical Affairs , in appointing them as well as may be with respect to the Luminaries , but amongst the several sorts of Civil years , the Julian is the most celebrated , as we shall show in the Sequel of this Discourse . 12. And those sorts of years are either equal or mean , or true and unequal . 13. The mean or equal are those that always consist of 365d . and 6h . but are not in common use . 14. The true Julian years , are either common or Bissextile . 15. The common consists of 365 days and 6h . the Bissextile of 366 , and such are all the years of Christ when divided by 4 into aliquot parts , according to that Distich .

Tunc bissextus erit , partes per quatuor aequas

Annos partiri cum poteris Domini .

16. But the Bissextile is a day arising from the 4 times 6 hours , which are omitted in the Julian years .

ยง . 1. THis word Annus or Year in the 3 Ancient The Etymology of the Word Annus . Languages , is derived as it were from a thing that goes round , or a Circle ; for so much the Hebrew word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ does signifie ; and for the same reason in the Greek is it called ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , and some will have it the word Annus is derived from the Greek ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ circum , but it is a little absurd to derive the Latin from the Greek and they are more in the right , who say that the word did formerly signifie a Circle ; however , it is certain that An coupled , did signifie as much as Circum , as in the word ambire , to which the Poet doubtless alludes when he says ,

In sโ— suโ— pโ—r โ—โ—stigia volvitur annus .

Or it may be Annus from Anguis a Snake ; for that the Egyptians before they had the use of Letters , represented it by a Serpent or Snake biting her Tail , which the Poet very well speaks of .

Est ignota procul , nostraeque impervia menti , Vix adeunda Deis annorum squalida mater , Immensa spelunca aevi , quae tempora vasto Suppeditat , revocatque sinu . Complectitur antrum Omnia qui placido consumit Numine serpens , Perpetuumque viret squamis , caudamque reducto Ore vorat , tacito relegens exordia lapsu .

ยง . 2. But Astronomical Years do not depend Of Astronomical years . wholly on the Luminaries , since by the Stars there could be no denomination of the year , and it is very certain that the Saturnine year is computed to 955 days , 12 hours , or almost 30 Julian years ; and the Astronomers make the Jovian year to have 4331d . or almost 12 Julian ; the year of Mars 687 days , or almost 2 years , but the years of Venus and Mercury as to their extent , differ not much from the Solar Motion . And the fixed Stars have also their Periods , though they move but very slowly , which is the reason a year of these according to Hipparchus and Ptolomee is equal to 36000 Julian ; to Alphonsus 49000 , to Tycho Brahe and Kepler 25806 , and to Longo-montanus 26046 , as Ricciolus (a) (a) Tom. 1. Almag . notes these and others opinions , and from him Macrobius observes (b) (b) In form says . c. 11. that a year is not only what we commonly call so , but the Stars as well as the Luminaries have their years , that is , a Motion from a certain place of the Heavens , to the same again .

ยง . 3. The Tropical Astronomical year of the Why also called Tropical . Sun is not so termed from the Solstices , as some of the Ancients were of opinion ; but generally from the points of Changings , and the Suns double Motion ; for many Authors shew that the Equinoctials , as well as Solstitials are called Tropicks , as Manilius (c) (c) About the end of the 3. B. , and Sextus Empiricus (d) (d) L. 5 c. 1. in the Edition of Stephanus , do make appear .

ยง . 4. The Solar Sydereal Year is greater than the Tropical , because the fixed Stars use their Less than a Solar Sydereal . own Motion , and whilst that the Sun performs it's course through the Zodiack , they move 50โ€ณ faster towards the East ; therefore the Sun wants at least 21โ€ฒ to be even with them , and by so much is a Sydereal year greater than a Tropical .

ยง . 5. Some will have it that the Achaians Solar Sydereal years , by whom used made use of this Sydereal Solar Year , which they began with the rise of the Pleiades or 7 Stars , and that the Egyptians nicely observed the rising of the Sun with the Dog-Star , as it appears from their Antient writings ; yet it is owing more to fancy than any Astronomical strictness , to have respect to the Sydereal Solar Conjunctions , and that more in such an Age , wherein the slowest Motion of the fixed Stars was not sufficiently known .

ยง . 6. But the Turks and Arabians make use of the Lunar year some-what adapted to civil use , and the same custom is also observed in Tartary , Siโ—m , Japan , Peru , and other places ; and those that attribute this Custom to the Gauls and Germans , seem not mistaken , since Bede , who doubtless was well acquainted with our Ancestor's , their way of Computation , is very plain that they made use of the Lunar year ; these are his words , Cum verรฒ Embolismus , hoc est 12. mensium Lunarium annus occurreret , superfluim mensem aestati apponebant , ita ut tunc tres menses LIDA vocarentur , & ob id annus ille TRILIDI cognominabatur . Yet the Ancient Names of the German Months oppose this opinion , which as they are marks of the appointed Seasons , so do they supply instances of a Solar year , such are Giuli , &c. but some may say that these are later Names , and our Ancestors only had 'em from the Romans .

ยง . 7. The Lunar Year has this inconvenience , The Inconveniences of the Lunar year . that the same Months in several Lunar years , have not the same Season , the occasion of which is , that the Lunar year being less than the Solar by almost 11 days , in three years time every Month will have the Season of that which went before it , and so further in succession of time , viz. in 16 years those Months which were in Summer , will be Winter , and vice versรข , a thing the Turks who use this sort of years , are very sensible of .

ยง . 8. However the Jews who follow the How the Jews appoint their Months , Years . Moons Motion in their Accounts , by intercalating an entire Month , retain still the same Seasons every Month , and as often as there is the difference of 30 days between the Common Lunar , and the Solar Year , they substitute an Embolismal Month called the Veadar , and hence it is that they have Lunar Months in the same Season ; and their year may not improperly be called Lunae-Solar .

ยง . 9. But Kepler says that the Jews after their Of their Calendar after their Departure out of Egypt . departure out of Egypt , used only the Solar year so that , thereby he would make the Lunar Solar Calendar but of late date . His Description of it is in the following words , Patriarchas quidem aio , &c. The Patriarchs , says he , made use of the Egyptian year of 365 days , divided into 12 Months , 11 of which contained 30 , and the 12th 35 days . But whereas the beginning of the Egyptian year went through all the Seasons of the year at their departure out of Egypt , it hapned in Autumn , whereas it should have hapned in the Spring ; for which reason Moses commanded the Month of first Fruits to be made the first Month , by which the Egyptian movable year became fixed . But admit this to be true , it does not thence follow , that a Lunar was Established according to the Egyptian way ; I know some Objections , but shall not take upon me the place of an Adversary . However this I confess , the Jewish year until the Graecian Monarchy , to have been Solar , not Lunar ; and so he goes on further , page 91. with whom Lydial agrees in this opinion ( Viz. That the Jewish year always began about the N. Moon , and that all the other Months save the last , did consist of 30 days . Now this is not worth contending for , for though it may well be supposed that the Jews after their Departure out of Egypt , did not leave their Ancient Solar Form of the years ; for according to Josephus , none of their Ancient rites as to their year were innovated ; yet however we cannot be perswaded but that their Ecclesiastical year from their departure out of Egypt to the time of the Macedonians , were purely Solar , without the least Regard to the Lunar Motion , since we find frequent mention made of it in the Holy Scriptures .

ยง . 10. As to Mystical Years , since they are only Of the Julian year . the Off-spring of one Man's Brain , and never yet used by any sort of People , what we have said of Months , may indifferently be applyed to the years which are merely fictitious , and grounded neither on Holy or Prophane Writings , nor Revelation which the Author Hainlinus mostly seems vainly to value himself upon .

ยง . 11. But Chronologers use the form of the Of the Julian year . Julian year , as a constant and acurate rule of their times , whence it happens that they do not only refer to the Julian Calendar , those things which came to pass after it's first Institution , but by way of prolepsis , make use of the same from the beginning of the World , nay , before the beginning it self ; and that for 3 Reasons . 1st . Because this sort of year is universally known , and as equally fitted to the Egyptian , and Nabonassarean as other years . 2ly . That after the Nabonassarean , it is the most plain and easie of any . 3dly . Because the same Months in this year , have the same changes of the Seasons fixed , which and other like Reasons induced that famous Mathematician , Kepler , to lay aside the Gregorian , and make use of the Julian in his Tables of Heavenly Bodies ; nay , and Petavius , tho' very much addicted to the Gregorian Stile , cannot but give the Julian this Character , viz , the Julian year ( says he ) when fitted to use , is the most agreeable to the Nature of things , since that comes as near as can be to the course of the Sun , and is no less fit to Register the times , for which reason it is made use of in the Chronicles and Annals of most Writers , and that not only in recording of things since its Institution , but before nay from the beginning of the World it self . Wherefore for example sake when they would assign the Eclipses of the Sun or Moon , or the Wars of Cities and Kingdoms , and their famous Actions in their years and seasons , they always make use of the Julian Years and Months , as if they were then used by them , which by Anticipation and a sort of fiction they institute , by which ours will more easily agree with them , being fitted to the common times . Nor will the Reader be tired in observing the different sorts of years . For Petavius saith that it is the most exact Account of time , and easiest to be made use of , and which beyond all others is most fitted to common use , and cometh nearer to the Revolution of the Sun , than any other sort of year whatever ; and these and many other Reasons there are , why the Julian year should in general be explain'd , being likewise the Receptacle of all other Epocha's .

ยง . 12. The Ancients did not add at the end Of the Bissextile . of the year that whole day arising from the 4 times 6 hours , but to February , reckoning the 6 of the Calends of March twice over , yet still accounting those two Days for one , in which sense Celsus (c) (c) De Verb. sig. L. 2. takes it . For ( says he ) it matters not whether it be on the former or the latter days , since that those are but accounted one , which Marcellinus notes , was always thought by the Romans unfortunate .

ยง . 13. Since a Julian year is taken to be 365 The difference between a Solar Tropical and a Julian year . days 6 hours , and the Solar Tropical mean years , according to Longo-montanus , to be 365d . 5b . 48โ€ฒ . 55โ€ณ . it thence appears , that the difference of quantity between them following the said Longomontanus's Hypothesis , is but 11โ€ฒ . 5โ€ณ . which Chronologers usually call the Civil Equinoctial Procession ; and that because in so much time the places of the Equinox do vary in the Julian year , by which means in the space almost of 130 years , the Equinoctial and Solstitial points seem to go backward a whole day .

ยง . 14. As to the space of time of the great Of the great Canicular year . Canicular year , which is called the Stoick or Cynick period , Censorinus gives us this account of it (f) : The Moon ( says he ) belongs not to the Egyptian year , which we call Canicular ; because it begins the first day of the Month they call the Thoth , when the Dog-Star arises . For their Civil ( d ) De Die Nat. c. 18. year has only 365 days , without any intercalatory day ; therefore the space of 4 years with them , is almost a day less than the Natural 4 years , by which it happens that in the year 1461. it revolves to the same place . This year is by some called Heliacal , as belonging to the Moon , and by others ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ .

ยง . 15. As the Heathens were destitute of the Of Plato's great year . light of Scripture , and consequently of the Original of the World , so they err strangely about its end . The great year of Plato was a very notable fiction . The Stoicks as well as the Platonicks , thought that the World must have naturally an end , when all the Stars were again revolved to the same point ; but what Period of years this Revolution may require , is not as yet known , even Kepler himself despairs of the Possibility of this invention , when he asserts that the Motion of the Stars are incommensurable with themselves .

ยง . 16. Lastly , as to Aristotle's Greatest year , some Of Aristotle's greatest year . confound it with Plato's great year , from which notwithstanding it differs , which Censorinus further thus speaks of : There is ( says he ) another year , that Aristotle calls the greatest , rather than the great , which the Spheres of the Planets constitute when they come together , to the same places where they were before ; the Winter of which made the Worlds Deluge , and its Summer will make the last Conflagration , &c. but Marsilius makes mention of another real year , in which the Soul of Man finishes its Circuit of Transmigration , which time they say is perform'd in 12000 years , to 3 of which years , the great year of the World is equal , consisting of 36000 years , wherein the Anima Mundi performs its Course ; but Peter of Aliacus the Cardinal , does otherwise determine the Quantity of the great year ; for says he , as from the beginning of Aries to the end of Virgo , is equal to the half of that space , which is from the beginning of Libra , to the end of Pisces ; so ought there to be from the Birth of Christ , to the end of the World , as much time as was from Adam , or the Creation of the World , to the coming of our Saviour ; this space was 5260 years , therefore according to him from the beginning of the World to the end will be 10400 , all the Stars finishing their Courses , &c.

CHAP. VII . Of the Epacts . 1. Vnder the Name of Epacts , we usually understand the Difference between a Lunar and Julian year . 2. The Epacts are either Civil or Astronomical . 3. The Civil Epacts are days intercepted between the common Julian year of 365 days , and the Lunar ( taken at large ) of 354 days , hence the Annual Epacts consist of 11 days , except in every 19 year in which there are 12. 4. The Astronomical Epacts may be termed those Days , Hours and Minutes , which are intercepted between the common Lunar year , and the mean or equal Julian year , which are 10d . 12h . 11โ€ฒ . 22โ€ณ . 16โ€ด .

ยง . 1. THe word Epact is derived from the Greek The Etymology of the Epacts . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , which besides other things , signifies to intercalate : In which sense Plutarch in Numa uses it ; and in the Egyptian Nabonassarean Computation , the 5 days besides 12 Months , consisting of 30 days to compleat the year , are termed the ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ or added days , and therefore because the Epacts are days that are to be added to the Lunar year , this Denomination is no ways absurd .

ยง . 2. The reason of the Epacts , is the difference The reason of the Epacts . of the quantity between the Lunar and Julian year ; for the common is not Equal , but less than the Julian , but both are made use of in the Ecclesiastical Account ; some Authors bethought themselves of reducing the one to the other , which they effected by appointing the Epacts .

ยง . 3. A difference indeed was ever between The time when first known . the Lunar and Julian year ; but because Sosygenes the Author of the Julian Calendar , in that form of a year he proposed to Caesar , little regarded the Moons Motion ; it is probable that the use of the Epacts was anciently unknown , and came in use with the Cycle of the Moon , in the time of Dionysius : therefore since the first year of the Dioclesian aera , had the first Cycle of the Moon , and no such cause could be taken from the motion of the Moon , it may be supposed that the order of the Lunar Cycle , and consequently of the Epacts , may be deduced from the Dioclesian aera ; and after that to be taken , or rather the invention of Meto , Calippus and Hipparchus , being lost and obliterated , to have been used amongst the Christians .

ยง . 4. There are some other Writers , who by How some Writers receive the same . the Epacts understand the difference between the Lunar and Solar Tropical year , and others between the true Julian common , and the mean Lunar year , in which sense Joannes Baptista Ricciolus , (a) (a) Almagiโ—โ—i Nov. part 1. f. 1. p. 241. takes them . In the Rodolphin Tables Epacts are calculated to be 10d . 15h . 11โ€ฒ . 21โ€ณ . 49โ€ด . 33 ' ' ' ' . in the Prutanick 10d . 15h . 11โ€ฒ . 21โ€ณ . 52โ€ณ . 24 ' ' ' ' . but according to Nicholas Mulerius in the Frisick Ptolomaick Table , that time is supposed to be the Epacts , which is computed backward from the beginning of the year , to the next preceeding new Moon , which agrees to what before we have laid down .

ยง . 5. The greatest number of the common Number of the Epacts . Epacts is 30 , for as often as the number of the Epacts exceedeth this , so often is the whole Embolismal Month consisting of 30 days , always to be added to the Lunar year , so that it may be equal to the Solar or Julian year . And the 30 days of the Embolismaean Month , absorbs this Addition , that in the Computation of Epacts they are not accounted for , as the Authors of this way have perswaded themselves and others . The Table of Epacts in this our Age , is as follows .

Years . Ep. 1. 11. 2. 22. 3. 3. 4. 14. 5. 25. 6. 6. 7. 17. 8. 28. 9. 9. 10. 20. 11. 1. 12. 12. 13. 23. 14. 4. 15. 15. 16. 26. 17. 7. 18. 18. 19. 29.

ยง . 6. The Epacts as the Cycle of the Moon , resolve The Revelโ—โ—ion โ—f the Epacts . into themselves again in 19 years , which being elaps'd , the Ancients were of opinion the Cycle of the Epacts were exactly performed , for which reason at the Numbers of this 19 years Cycle , they were wont to fix the Epacts of the Moon , as in the following Table ; the meaning of which is thus . The Product of the Character of the Cycle , and 11 being divided by 30 the 3 s. being taken away , the remainder is the Product of the Moons Cycle .

Cycl . โ˜ฝ . Ep. 1. 8. 2. 19. 3. 0. 4. 11. 5. 22. 6. 3. 7. 14. 8. 25. 9. 6. 10. 17. 11. 28. 12. 7. 13. 20. 14. 1. 15. 12. 16. 23. 17. 4. 18. 15. 19. 26.

ยง . 7. Since that an Account of the days in Of the Hours , &c. that remain besides the Epacts . the common year cannot easily be had , therefore parts of days belonging to the Lunar and Julian years , although they are really unequal , yet in common use may be made equal one with another till that in the last year of the Lunar Cycle , they may be by the Lunae Saltus laid aside .

ยง . 8. Chronologers make frequent mention of Of the meaning of the leap of the Moon . this Saltus Lunae or the Moon-leap , in treating of the Epacts ; this happens in the last year of every Cycle , by reason that in the space of 19 years , the Excess of the Julian year above the Lunar is at large computed at 209 days , which being divided by 30 , it gives 6 Embolismal Months ; and 29 days will remain , which when the Cycle is resolved into it self , 30 days are taken in stead of 29 , or a 7th Embolismal Month , whence it follows in stead of 11. in the Epacts we must use 12 in the 19th year ; wherefore when the Epact of the last year exceeds one day by a Metonymia , they call it the Moon-leap , or Lunae Saltus .

ยง . 9. The Quantity of Astronomick Epacts may The Quantity of Astronomic Epacts . be thus known . The mean Julian Year being 365 Days , 6 Hours , and the Lunar , according to Tycho Brahe's Hypothesis , 254 Days , 8 Hours , 48 Minutes 37โ€ณ 44โ€ด . So that the difference will be 10 Days , 21 Hours , 11 Minutes , 22โ€ณ , 16โ€ด , which difference ought every Year to be subtracted from the Julian Year , that the mean New Moons and Full Moons may return to the same Julian Day again .

ยง . 10. The reason of the Saltus Lunae , and the Reason of the Saltus Lunae . Use of the Number 12 , instead of 11 in the Epacts in the last Year of the Cycle of the Moon , is because the true Difference between 19 Lunar , and 19 Julian mean Years is 206 Days , 18 Hours , and almost 36 Minutes : So that if for every Year 11 Epacts were only used , there would happen 209 in 19 Years ; and then the New Moons would change the Epacts 2 Days and more : Therefore to prevent this , an Embolismal or 30 Days Intercalation , which Astronomers define to be 29 Days , 12 Hours , 44 Minutes , 3โ€ณ , 8โ€ด , 39 ' ' ' ' , is always made use of , and so the Quantity of every Embolismal Month exceeds the Astronomical 11 Hours , 15 Minutes , and 57 Seconds ; which multiplied by 7 , is equal to 3 Days , 6 Hours , 5 Minutes , 39 Seconds ; and these being aded to the Difference between the 19 Julian and Lunar Years before determined , the same will make 210 Days , 1 Hour and almost 28 Minutes . Now , that the Epacts might attain to this Sum , 12 is assumed to the 19th Year : By which the Number of the Epacts is equal to 210 Days ; and the difference is only one Hour and a few Minutes .

ยง . 11. Yet although the Cyclic Defect Of the Cyclic Defeโ—t . of 1 Hour and a few Minutes may seem but small , for which reason the Ancients took no further Notice of them ; yet in the space of near 312 Years they make an entire Day , whereby the New Moons get before the Epacts : Therefore in this our Age it is necessary aforesaid Epacts be augmented by 3 , and they will serve us : Or if the Product of the Character of the Cycle of the Moon , and 11 be divided by 30 the Remainder ( besides the Quotient ) will express the Number of the Epacts , as is shewed in the Table hereafter .

ยง . 12. The Use of Epacts is to shew in their The Vse of the Epacts . Places , the Moon 's Age , and chiefly the Full Moon before Easter , which is the Use the first Authors of the Epacts intended them for .

ยง . 13. The difference of the Epacts of the The difference of Epacts of the Old and N. Calendars . Ancient Calendars from the New is as much as the Sum of Days taken away ; whence Unites being subtracted from the Epacts of the old Calendar we have the Epacts of the New One.

ยง . 14. And if March , or the Month that goes before How to know the Age of the Moon . March be named , the Sum of the Epacts or Days of the Month are said to shew the Age of the Moon ; but if that intended follow March , the Number of the Month from March may be added , and the 3 Min. as often as can be , left out ; by which means the Age of the Moon every Month may be every Day known .

ยง . 15. If we would find in the old Calendar How to find Easter . the 14th Moon or Easter from the Epacts , then the Sum of the Epacts being less than 26 , must be subtracted from 47 ; if greater , or equal to 26 , they must be subtracted from 46 ; the Remainder will shew the Day reckoned from the Calends of March , on which Easter ought to be assigned in the old Calendar .

ยง . 16. The Epacts by shewing plainly the Age Why the Epact's are called the Golden Number . of the Moon , have obtained the Name of the Golden Number ; but yet the Wariest Chronologers are often mistaken ; who laying aside the more tedious way , make use of this short way , which shews the Errors both of the Julian and Gregorian Stile .

CHAP. VIII . Of a Lustrum , Saeculum , or Aevum . 1. A Lustrum is a certain Space of time anciently appointed for Civil Vse ; and tho' formerly it was reckoned to consist of 5 Years , yet Chronologers do now repute it only as Four . 2. An Aevum is sometimes taken for the Age of a Man , sometime it denotes Infinite Duration . 3. A Saeculum is the Space of One Hundred Years .

LVstrum ( which signifies a purging by Sacrifice ) is derived ร  Luendo , from paying or The Lustrum and its Vse among the Ancients . expiating : For in times past when the Sacrifices were performed ; the Tributes were paid both by Capitation of the Men , till the time of Constantine the Great ( as is now done amongst the Turks ) and also according to the Custom of Taxing Acres of Land and other Goods . The Ancients also , as Festus remarks , were wont to lett out their (a) (a) Vide Matth. Wesen . paratitla , ad dig . L. 1. Tit. de Censibus Farms for the Space of a Lustrum .

ยง . 2. The (b) (b) Tit. Liv. and his Epitomizer Zonarus , Lib. 2. Vide Cic. de Leg. Lib. 3. Fran. Hotoaeannus de Magist . โ—om . p. 107. Ancients unanimously assert , that T was the Duty of the Censors to purifie ( lustrate ) the People . Lustration amongst the Romans was the Duty of the Censors . These Leased out the Publick Revenues , took care of the High-ways and publick Buildings , examined the Riches of every City , and inspected their Manners .

ยง . 3. Servius Tullius Son-in-law of Tarquinius The fiโ—st Author of this Luโ—โ—ration was Servius Tuliius . Priscus , introduced this Custom : For of him (c) (c) Liv. Lib. 1. C. 42. Livy thus writes ; He instituted the Valuation of every Man's Estate ; whence Taxes were laid not by Capitation of Men , as formerly ; but according to their Estate . In another Place (d) (d) C. โ—4 . he ascribes to him the * * Solum in the Language of the Etโ—โ—โ—ci signifies whโ—le . Suovetaurilia or Solitaurilia ( an Immolation of a whole Bull , a Ram and a Boar ) : The Taxation of the Estate being made ( says Liโ—ius ) which he hastened by fear of the Law being made against those that avoided it ; as also by Threatenings of Death and Imprisonment , all the Roman Horse and Foot appeared in Centuries in the Field of Mars ; where , after Exercise , he ( Iustravit ) purify'd the whole Army by the forementioned Sacrifice , whence this Action was called the Lustrum , being perfect at the finishing of the Taxation .

ยง . 4. This Case is controverted amongst the The Return of the Lustrum amongst the Romans was every 5 Years . Antiquaries : (c) (c) Plin. L 2. C. 47. G. โ—udaeus in Pand ad L. &c. Some will have it that the Lustrum amongst the Latines answers to the Olympiads amongst the Greeks , viz. a Space consisting of 5 Years from Lustrum to Lustrum inclusive ; yet so as that every fourth Year being finish'd , reckoning the Lustrum one ; on the beginning of the 5th a new Lustrum was performed ; and on the 9th another , and so on : But (f) (f) Isid. Hispal . L. 5 C. 37. Eโ—ym . โ—arnab . Brison . de significat . verb. L. 10. Jos. Castโ—l . Tab. Capit. Varro , Ovid. Hor. others of better Authority will have but one Lustrum in five Years , reckoning the Lustrum the last of the five . Claudian is very particular in this matter :

โ€” Cum flavescentia centum Messibus aestivae dโ—โ—โ—ndens gargara falces , Spectatesque iterum nulli celebrantia ludos Circumflexa rapit centenus secula Consul . His annis , qui Lustra mihi bis dena recensent , Nostra ter Augustos inter pomoeria vidi Temporibus variis , &c.

But perhaps this difference amongst Authors arises from the Change of the Lustrum : For according to Livy , when Aemilius was Dictator , it was changed from 5 Years to one and a half . However , among all Chronologers at this time a Lustrum is reputed constantly for the space of four Years , which was the first Opinion .

ยง . 5. The Lustrum of Julian and Narbonassar There are two sorts of Lustrum , the Nโ—bonassarean and the Julian . differ but one Day ; the former consists of 3 common Years and one Bissextile , which makes 1461 Days ; the other is made up of 4 common Years , or 1460 Days .

ยง . 6. The Aevum of the Ancients in its proper Aevum its Signification . and received Signification pass'd for the Age of one Man ; and in this Sense 't is used by the Nurse in Seneca's Tragedies , dissuading Hippolytus from a solitary Life :

Quam varia lethi genera mortalem trahunt , Carpuntque turbam ; pontus , & ferrum , & doli . Sed fata credas deesse ? sic atra styga Jam petimus ultrc , coeliโ—em vitam probet Sterilis juventus : hoc erit , quicquid vides , Vnius โ—vi turba , & in semet ruet .

ยง . 7. Philosophers use the Word Aevum to Other Significations of it amongst โ—ther Writers . signifie Duration , or that which has a Beginning but no End ; whence the Duration of finite Minds is commonly expressed by this Word . But Censorinus (g) (g) De die โ—โ—tali . Cap. 16. makes no distinction betwixt Aevum and Eternity : Aevum , says he , is tempus unum , &c. is one and the greatest Time , immense without End , which always was , and ever shall be after the same manner ; nor is any one concerned in it more than another : And afterwards , That which has no End cannot be compared with Measure : Wherefore I shall not endeavour to measure out an Aevum by any Number of Years , or Ages , or lastly , by any Model of finite Time .

ยง . 8. Censorinus (h) (h) Lib. jam Citato reports , that Men had not Seculum , its Signification . agreed in his time about the Quantity of a Saeculum . He distinguishes it into Secula Naturalia and Secula Civilia . The Natural he defines to be the longest Space of a Man's Life , which being variable and unequal , he first comments upon the manner of the Etrusci : The Ritual Books of the Etrusci ( says he ) seem to teach us these Naturalia Secula , viz. They examined when any Town or City was founded , who at that time were born ; from thence beginning their Secula Naturalia ; the last of which dying , the Seculum expired : Again , of all that were lately born and alive at that time , he that lived the longest determined the second Seculum Naturale , &c. The Seculum Civile is the Space (i) (i) Varro de ling Lโ—t Nov. 3. Albericum Gentilem de diversis temp. appโ—itionibus . Cap. 2. of a hundred Years .

ยง . 9. Censorinus relates this pleasant Comment out Wโ—y a Seculum or the Age of Man is โ—โ—mmoniโ— reputed to be of 100 Years . of Varro and Discorides , that at Alexandria , where they were used to preserve their Dead , they took notice of those that died in their ful Strength , and observed the Increase and Decrease of their Bodies , viz. in the first Year they encreased 2 Drams , the second 4 , and so on till 50 Years ; and after the 50th Year they decreased again , each Year two Drams ; till at the End of an hundred Years they returned to the same Weight .

CHAP. IX . Of the Epocha , Aera , Cycle and Period . 1. The Epochae and Aerae are solemn remarkable Times , from which Men begin to reckon . 2. The Cycle and Periods are such Spaces of time as revolve into themselves again .

ยง . 1. AMong the Greeks ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ signifies inhibere , The Derivation of the Word Epocha . insistere , to fix , or limit a certain Point of time from whence all Men may reckon .

(a) (a) Cordโ—b . Hispan . de anni emend . Some will have it come from a vicious Of the Word Aera . Punctation A. ER. A. i. e. ANNVSERAT AVGVSTI ; But it being anciently written ERA with a single E , this Etymology may be rejected . (b) (b) Fabricius Paduan . in Catena temp. Annal. 41. Others write it Heram , ab Hero , as first fixed from some great Man or Monarch . (c) (c) Isidorus Lib. V. Etym. c. 36. Others will have Aeram , ab Aere , from the Tribute-Money wherewith Caesar Augustus taxed all the World , and stamp'd the World upon it , that in its Circulation it might carry a Symbol of Universal Subjection to the Roman Empire . Of the Antiquity of this Word we have no tolerable Satisfaction but that it Antiquity of the Word Aera . anciently was writ (d) (d) In Cipstis Hispanicts legitur ERA , ut per Inscript . Nebrissa patet . Etiam eandcm vocis notationem haberi in Concilii Carthaginiensis & Tolerani Libris . ERA.

There ought to be Characters ready at hand Of the Care of a Chronologer in fixing and explaining an Epocha . whereby an Epocha may be established ; else all Care will be fruitless : For since Epocha's , as Scaliger says , are only Notations and Titles of Time : They ought to have proper and distinct Characters .

ยง . 3. It comes from the Greek Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , Cycle , its derivation and Multiplicity Circulus , a Cycle : or that which revolves it self again . Thus there are Horary , Diurnal , Lunar , Solar , Secular Cycles , &c. as hereafter .

ยง . 4. We almost understand the same by a A Period is different from a Cycle , Epocha or Era. Period as by a Cycle , only here ; a Period once ended , never begins again ; tho' a Cycle continually begins again after its Revolution . When Cycle , Aera or Epocha is lost and never revived , the Determination is a Period : Therefore it differs from an Epocha and Era in this ; 't is Terminus ad quem : they , Termini ร  quo .

The End of the First Book .
OF Chronological Characters , BOOK II.
CHAP. I. Of Chronological Characters in general . 1. Chronological Characters are the Principles from which we shew . 2. These Characters are either Astronomical or not Astronomical . 3. Astronomical Characters are those which are taken from the Stars measuring time by their Motion , and are made use of to decide Chronological Controversies , such are chiefly the Aequinoxes , the Solstices , the New Moons , the Lunar Phases , the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon , the Conjunction of the Planets , either with the fixed Stars , or betwixt themselves ; and others of the like Nature . 4. Those Characters which are not Astronomicaโ— , are such as owe their Original either to the Will of God or Man , and determine either Days or Years . Of which we shall speak in order hereafter .

ยง . 1. THAT Chronology does not want its Whether there are any , and what sort of Principles in Chronology . certain Principles is evident , if we consider those Characters , which in part we have named ; and which hereafter we shall explain : Nor is the Suffrages of Witnesses in this Affair inconsiderable : For well , as St. (a) (a) Lib. 3 de Civ . Dei , Cโ—p. 3. Augustine said , I am equally certain of the Building of Rome and Constantinople . For what if I have seen Rome with my Eyes , I know nothing of it but what I believed from other Witnesses . Therefore Chronology in this part is like other Sciences , in which the Conclusion is not believed except it be firmly proved or demonstrated . But if from Authority only without any Character or other necessary Connection of Years , a Series of time shall be laid down how the whole begins to be but Opinion , and has nothing in it to uphold a firm Perswasion . But Chronological Principles differ from Physical ones in this ; the former relate to Knowing , the latter to Being .

ยง . 2. When we argue from one Science to A Chronologer proving his Conclusions from Astronomical Principles does not amiss . another , where the Objects are different in toto genere ; this is a Fault : but whereas Chronology is subalternate and dependant upon Astronomy ; and has its Object contain'd under the Object of Astronomy , 't is no Error , any more than for an Architect to use Geometry , or a Musician Arithmetick .

ยง . 3. Astronomical Characters are not made Astronomical Characters cannot be conveniently used in Chronology to consider why Acting is but only that it is . use of in Chronology as Conclusions , but as first Principles ; then there is no need of demonstrating them : Wherefore we think they act preposterously who gives in their Chronological Writings whole Theories , and those of the Sun , Moon and fixed Stars , which Petavius (c) (c) De Doctrina temp. lib. 8. De veris & accutatis Solis ac Lunae motibus & amborum deliquiis agitur , ร  pag. 696. usque pag. 886. has also done in a very prolix Work : whereas the Knowledge of Astronomy is supposed or taken for granted by a Chronologer .

ยง . 3. It may sometimes happen the Aequinoxes Not only the โ–ช mean timex the Aequinoes , Solstices , and Coniunctions of the Luminarier , but also the true , is necessary to be known by a Chronologer . Solstices , also the mean New and Full Moons may fall upon another Day , as the true may ; but whereas to find . out the true Places of the Luminaries require a more prolix Calculation , let the Chronologer consult the Astronomer : But whereas such Alteration seldom happens , he may , being not perfect in Astronomy , be content with the Knowledge of the mean Motions .

ยง . 4. The Conjunction of the Planets , their Other Astronomical Characters besides what are laid down , may be assigned . mutual Aspect , their Ingress into other Points of the Zodiack , besides the Cardinal ones , with other Characters yet less frequent , may be made use of in Chronological Concerns .

CHAP. II. Of the Hebdomatic or Weekly Character . 1. The Weekly Character is that whereby we distinguish one Day of the Week from another . 2. The Week is a System of 7 Days continually recurring ; and to this end divinโ—ly ordained , That the Memory of the six Days Creation might be preserved , that the seventh might be kโ—pt holy , and that Man and Beast might rest . 3. One Denomination of the Days of the Week : is vulgar , owing its Original to Gentilism , Another Chronological , repeating the Order of the Days in the Week . 4. In common Vse the Days of the Week are denominated from the Planets in this Order : The first from the Sun , the second from the Moon , the third from Mars , &c. 5. The Chronological Denomination of the Days of the Week is disposed in Order ; as , the first Day is called Feria prima , the second , Feria secunda , &c.

ยง . 1. AT the Creation , the 7th Day was The Observation of the 7th Day or the Hebdomatic Character was in use from the Creation of the World . sanctified ; and from hence Men , to whom that Law was given , ought to continue it so , since that Sanction was made only (a) (a) Mark 2. 27. because of Man ; but upon the 7th Day of the Creation this Sanction was made ; from thence there is derived the REmarkableness of this Character , add to this the Mention of the Sabbath in Scripture as a noted thing , even before the (b) (b) Exod. 16 26. Law was made ; which without doubt , the Author of the Epistle to the (d) Heb. refers , asserting that eternal Rest which God had prepar'd for his Children ; not only by the Possession of the Holy Land , but also by that Sabbath which was prefigured from the Original of the World : Some also will refer to this that Passage of (d) (d) Gen. 8. 11. Noah ; who in the time of the Flood sent not out the Birds till after the 7th Day to try whether the Waters were abated ; which Argument sufficiently restrains and fixes the Sanction upon the 7th Day , as a positive and moral Duty upon Men , notwithstanding the Objections of ( c ) Chap. 6. 3. (e) (e) โ—ob Loeum . Tomarus Rivetus . some against it , who would have the Sabbath take its Original from the raining of Manna in the Wilderness .

ยง . 2. All Chronologers who admit the Antiquity The Order of the ( Feriโ— ) or Days in the Week , has been preserv'd always incorrupt till our times . of the Hebdomatic Cycle , always look upon the Order of the Days of the Week to have been the same ; so that to deny it , would be to call in doubt one of the first Principles in Chronology .

ยง . 3. (f) (f) Joseph . Scaliger Lib de Eโ—โ—nt Temp. p. 8. Some will have it , that the Roman Why all the Days in the Week are now called Feriae . Church , whom all Chronologers follow , called every Day in the Week Feria ; Feria 1 ma , Feria 2 da , &c. because the old Ecclesiastical Year began from the Pasca , and the Pasca was called Annus novus , as now in the Church of Antioch ; and for the same reason in that of Constantinople , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ; but all the Days of the Pascal Week were called feriati , as St. Jeromโ— and other Ancients witness : And hence it obtain'd for the Days of the other Weeks to be called Feriae , in imitation of that . Some say , we follow the Custom of the Jews in this Reckoning ; of which hereafter : But Tostatus , and after him , Cornโ—ร  Lapide , that the Church by the Institution of Pope Sylvester , called all the Days of the Week Feriae ; First , because every Day in the Week ought to be a Holy-day to a Christian : Secondly , That so far as related to Ecclesiastic Offices ; and the Ministers of the Church , those Days are really Feriโ— or Festa , Holidays ; and every thing is to be rested from but Divine Worship .

ยง . 4. We cannot seek for the Derivation of this Word Sabbath among the Greeks , as Plutarch has done from ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , a Name of Revellers ; nor among the Aegyptians ร  Sabbo , a Word signifying a Disease in the Groin ; but 't is derived from the Hebrew Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ which signifies Rest , as referred to the Institution of God , when after six Days Creation he rested upon the 7th . (g) (g) Lib. 5. Cornelius Tacitus being ignorant of this Jewish Custom , has invented several Fables about the Original of the Word ; which may be perused by any one that thinks it worth his Pains .

ยง . 5. In times past they did not only call the 7th Day of the Week the Sabbath ; but from What it is we ought to understand about the use and signification โ—f the Word Sabbath this very Day all the Days of the Week received their Denominations ; as , our Sunday they called the one or first (h) (h) Matth ! 28. 1. 1 Cor. 16. 2. Mark 16. 9. Day after the Sabbath , our Monday the second Day after the Sabbath , Tuesday the third , and so on : that by the Word Sabbath they sometimes meant the whole Week , is evident from that Passage of the proud Pharisee (i) (i) Luke 22. 12. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , I fast twice in the Week . On the contrary , for the Word Week the Ancients wou'd sometimes use the Term Sabbath , as in this Passage ; (k) (k) 2 Maccab: 6. 11. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ signifies no more than to keep the Sabbath .

ยง . 6. Amongst divers Opinions about it , that of What we are to understand of the Sabbatum ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Scaliger seems to be most reasonable , and has been approved of by B. Schmidius , Langius , and others , viz. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , Hebraicรจ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ the first Sabbath after the second of the Days of unleavened Bread : Upon which there was Oblation of Fruits , and from whence seven Weeks (l) (l) Lev. 18. 15. were reckoned till Pentecost : and therefore the Sabbaths betwixt the Pasca and Pentecost were thus named :

TheSaturdaysbefore ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Quasi modo geniti . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Miscricordias Domini . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Jubilate . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Cantate . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Vocem jucunditatis . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Exaudi . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Pentecosten .

ยง . 7. After many other Fabulists , Menasseh Ben Of the Sabbatic River which the Jews were wโ—nt to alledge in Testimony โ—f the Sabbath , which was sanctified by God . Israel (m) (m) In Concil. Quaest. 36. in Exodum . writes , that the Sabbatic River is a Testimony of the Sabbath sanctified by God , whereof mention is made in the Babylonian and the Jewish Talmud : Rabat , Jalcut , and Josephus also an Historiographer of great Authority , makes mention of it as running through Phoenicia in Assyria ; which after six Days of its own Accord stops its rapid Course , and afterwards runs after the same manner ; and therefore it received the Name of the Sabbatic River , from its Rest on the seventh Day . Others (n) (n) R. Moses ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ . will have it , that this River is Gozen , over which the ten Tribes pass'd , and at the Coming of the Messiah they shall be freed from their Captivity ; and according to the Ancient Wisemen (o) (o) Cap. 4โ— . 9. Isaiah speaks of the People beyond this River , which is commonly called Flumen Lapidum . But these are childish Fables of the Jews : For the above-mentioned Josephus says , This River runs very swift on the Sabbath Day . These are Rivers that run only out of the Brains of the Rabbi's , which are near a-kin to the Poets .

ยง . 8. (p) (p) Photius in Excerptis ad Nichom . Not only among the Gentiles accustomed What we ought to judge of the Numb . 7 , which determines the Cycle of the Feriae . to Superstition , was the Number 7 had in great repute , but also amongst the Christians many wonderful things are spoken of the mysterious Character 7. Nor has Augustine (q) (q) Lib. 5. Quaest. super Deut. & Lib. 2. de Cive Dei cap. 21. escaped the Prejudice , who makes 7 of 3 and 4 a very perfect Number . The firstof these ( viz. 3. ) says he , is wholly odd , and denotes Excellency ; the other is perfectly equal , and denotes the Mother of Justice , Equability and a sacred Agreement in things . This Number 7 is also assum'd into the most sacred Mysteries , is concerned in the Formation of Corporeal Things , and appears a Symbol of Perfection . Others , as Philo , Robertus Pontanus , &c. reckon up those things wherein the Number 7 is concerned ; as almost all Sacrifices were offered by sevens , as 7 Bullocks , 7 Rams , which always was observed by that mercenary (r) (r) Numb 23. 1. Prophet Balaam . Nor do we want Examples of it among the Gentiles , as in that Passage of the Poet ;

Nam grege de intacto septem mactare juvencos Praestiterit totidem lectos de more bidentes .

And those who reckon up the Mysteries of the Number 7 , tell us , that the chief Feasts of the Jews were reckoned to 7 Months of the Year , and continued 7 Days , in the Pasca they the unleavened Bread 7 days and then they reckoned 7 Weeks to the Pentecost ; many joyful Days were celebrated in the 7th Month. Wisdom built her House upon 7 Pillars : In the Lamp of the Sanctuary there were 7 Candles : St. John in the Revelations saw 7 Golden Candlesticks ; and in Zachary a Stone had 7 Eyes : In the New Testament there were 7 Deacons chosen ; and through the whole Apocalypse of St. John the different State of the Church is described by the Number 7 : Christ commands him to write to the 7 Churches of Asia , and their 7 Angels : The mystical Book was sealed with 7 Seals : 7 Angels with 7 Trumpets and 7 Vials represented the State of the Church in the last Days . They yet add to these in Natural things , that there are 7 Planets , 7 fixed Stars called the Pleiades , the 7 Hyades ; and both the Bears are figured with 7 Stars . There are 7 habitable Climates in the Earth : The Structure of the Humane Body is 7 Feet : And innumerable other things are wont to be alledged by (s) (s) Vide Philonem passim in suis Scriptis . Roberti Loei Angli Pโ—โ—giationem veri sublati . p. 25. Meursii denarium Pythagoriโ—โ—โ—โ— , &c. those who seek Mysteries in the Number 7.

ยง . 9. In Section the 3d and 4th of this Chapter The naming of Days in Weeks is not the same now among the Jews and Christians as it was at first . we have given an Account of the Denomination of the Days in the Week among the Jews ; and in ยง. 3d. Ch. 2d . of the accounting by Feriae , among the Romans and Eastern Christians : But now we all use the Names of the Planets in the Days of the Week .

ยง . 10. The Order of the Planets , if you The reason why the same order of the Planets in naming the Days of the Week was not observed among the Ancients . consider their Spheres or Orbs , is express'd by this memorable Versicle :

Post SIMSVM sequitur , ultima LVNA subest .

But there 's nothing attended to less than this in the Names of the Days of the Week . Dio (t) (t) Lib. 37. Hist. Rom. Cassius gives us the reason and Original of this , which , he that pleases may read at length , and understand upon what Grounds they first fixed the Musick of the 7 Spheres , and how they would have the Days of the Week concerned in it . The Custom of the Egyptians in these musical Proportions ( tho' known every where ) was formerly unknown to the Ancient Greeks ; therefore each had their distinct Way .

ยง . 10. In ancient times the 7th Day of the Of thrse Days of the Week which among divers People have been kept holy . Week was kept holy ; which Custom owing its Original to the Divine Institution , the Jews at this time observe ; but the Christians have receded from it , distinguishing themselves in this matter from the Jews , consecrating the first Day of the Week to Divine Worship ; And Examples of this Worship seem to be fetch'd even from the time of the (u) (u) John 20. 19 , 26. Acts 15. also 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1 and โ— . Apostles . Certainly , except Christians could alledge Apostolick Tradition , they would scarce with so much Religion and Constancy have observed the first Feria or Sunday : That Melito a Cotemporary of Justin would have wrote a whole Book upon that Matter ; that whole Companies of the Faithful would have incurr'd the Suโ—picion of the Idolatrous Worship on Sunday ; that they would even with their Blood (w) (w) Tertul. Apol. Cap. 16. testifie their Sanction of that Day : For the Martyrs being asked , (x) (x) D. Danhov . disp. dec . oct. ยง. 5. Hast thou kept the Lord's-day ? answered , I am a Christian and cannot pass it by . The Africans in Guinea observe Wednesday , which they call Dio Fetissos , and abstain from their accustomed Labours on that Day . The Turks every Year observe Friday , either from the Command of Mahomet , or from an ancient idolatrous Custom brought from the Indians to the Arabians ; on which those Worship their chief Deity , called Venerem CHOBAR , of which Worship Jerome takes notice in the Life of Hilarius , in these Words ; He came to Elusa , says he , by chance on that Day , where the Anniversary had occasioned a Concourse of the People of the Town in the Temple of Venus : For they worship her before Lucifer ; to whose Worship the whole Nation of Saracens is devoted .

ยง . 11. A Common Year , for Example , being The Reason why all Julian Years begin not on the same Day . ended , which begins upon one Day , the second Year begins not upon the same , but the next Day after : And if that should happen to be a Bissextile , the second Year would have begun on the third Day after ; the reason of which from the Quantity of our Year is evident : For the Common Year having 365 Days in it , or 52 Weeks and one Day over , and the Bissextile 2 Days over and above the 52 Weeks , divide either 365 or 366 by 7 , ( the Days in one Week : so that if the Year begins on a Monday , the last Day in the Year will be on a Monday , and then the first Day of the next Year must be Tuesday .

ยง . 12. Whoever will give himself the Trouble What 't is we understand by Roman Nundinae . of inspecting fully into this matter , may peruse (y) (y) Lib. Saturn Cap. 16. Vide etiam Fred. Tโ—โ—โ—โ—annum . Macrob. which in short is this ; That upon the 8th Day , ( not the 7th ) they met in the Fields to sacrifice for the Dead , and consult the Country-Affairs , and promulgate Laws that were establish'd ; and afterwards upon the ninth Day they consulted about Trade and City-Affairs ; and these Concourses of People were called Nundinae : Some say they were instituted by Romulus : Others by Servius Tullius .

ยง . 13. Among other Praises of Constantine the Of the time the Roman Nundinae were abrogated , and the Feriae primae substituted in their room . Great , this is not the least : That on the Lord's Days or Sundays , he commanded the Gentile Legions to pray : For thus (z) (z) Lib. 4. de Vita Constant . M. Cap. 19. Eusebius ; When he had taught all his Soldiers to sanctifie this Day of Salvation , which we call the Day of Light or Sunday , he gave leisure to those , who by Divine Instinct , believed that they should freely frequent the Church of God , and pray unto him without Molestation : And others , who had not yet been sensible of the Divine Doctrine , he commanded by another Law , That on Sundays they should go out into the Fields of the Suburbs , and there use all together the same Form of Prayer upon a Signal given .

CHAP. III. Of the lesser Sacred Annual Character or the Sabbatic Cycle .

1. The Sabbatic Cycle is a System of 7 Lunae-solar Years continually recurring , instituted by God for this reason , That the Earth and Men might have their Vicissitudes .

ยง . 1. THE Sabbatic Years are of Divine Institution , as may be seen at large Lev. 25. 2. where the Earth and the Vines were to be plough'd and gathered for 6 Years , and the 7th Year to rest and not be cultivated . See also Exod. 23. 11. The beginning of the Sabbatic Cycle was the 7th inclusive from the time , when the Division of the Land ( into which the Israelites were then about to enter ) was to be made by (a) (a) Exod. 46. Lot . If this be observed , all the Sabbatic Years will doubtless be rightly fixed , and no Errors about it can happen ; if not , we have no certain Character can be assigned us to proceed upon .

ยง . 2. Calvisius , (b) (b) Isโ—g . Chron. c. 25. when other Authors disagree Of those Years that are certainly Sabbatic . among themselves , has fixt these . The 15th Year of the Reign of Hezekiah (c) (c) 2 Kings 19. 29. King of Juda , was Sabbatic : The Year in which Antiochus Eupater (d) (d) Mโ—c . 6. 49. besieged Jerusalem , was Sabbatic : The Year in which Simon Maccabaeus was slain by (e) (e) Josephus l. 4. c. 28. Ptolemy was Sabbatic : The Year of the Captivity of Jerusalem by Herod (f) (f) Ibid. was Sabbatic : The Year before the Destruction of Jerusalem (g) (g) Ibid. by Titus Vespasian , was Sabbatic : The Year of Christ , 1189 was (h) (h) Mโ—t. Pโ—tis . Sabbatic : The Year of Christ 1602 was (i) (i) Jโ—daecrum Calend. Sabbatic . Besides these of Calvisius , others might doubtless be fixt .

ยง . 3. There are (k) (k) Lauren. Codomont . l. 2. Cโ—ron . Quaest. 40. & temp. l. 3. Chron. Dem. p. 103. Chronol. myst . in sole temp. p. 22. some who tell us , that the Their Opinion must be false wโ—โ— assert that by the Divine Command the Sabbatic Cycle was in use among the Jews before the distrโ—bโ—tion of tโ—eir Land by Lot . first Sabbatic Year of the Law was that in which the Israelites being brought by Moses to the Borders of Jewry and Land of Canaan , a little after the Death of Moses began to enter and possess it under their Captain Joshua : So that they will have this Cycle to begin 7 before what is assigned by Scaliger , Calvisius , and before these Eusebius . But this agrees not with the Divine Precept : For the Jews at that time did not enter into the Land of Canaan ; For altho' the Tribes of Reiโ—ben , Gad , and ยฝ of Menasses received the Kingdom of Sihon and Bashan from Moses ; yet it was not to these only , but the whole People that the Divine Command was given : Nor was the Land on this side Jordan properly called (l) (l) Nunb . 32. 29 , 30. 31 , and 32. also 33. 51. also 35. 14. Canaan : Nor did the Tribes inhabit it to whom it was assigned : For these ought , with the rest of the (m) (m) Ibid. Tribes , to pass over Jordan , from whence , after many Years they (n) (n) Josh. 22. 3 , and 4. returned again . Add to these things , That Moses in Deuteronomy , which Book he proposed to the People only one (o) (o) Cap. 1. 3. Month , before his Death speaks of the Land of Promise , not as yet possest , but to be possest . Deut. 6. 10. But when the Lord thy God shall bring thee into the Land , &c. Therefore it can't be said Israel was entred into the Promised Land , to wit , Canaan , before the Death of Moses .

ยง . 4. Although by what precedes , it is certain Whether we are to think that the Sabbatic Cycle was analogous to the Hebdomadic , and consequently whether it can be of the same use in determining the first Year of the World . that the Historical Beginning of the Sabbatic Cycle is to be derived from the Distribution of the Land by Lot , yet we shall not reject their Opinion , who think that God in ordaining this Cycle had respect to the Sabbath of Days ; and that therefore the first Day of the World was also the first in the Sabbatic Year ; as the first Day of Creation was the first in the Hebdomadic Cycle . For this Opinion seems not improbable , when the Reason of this Cycle was not less universal than that of the Diurnal Hebdomadic Cycle . Therefore the Opinion of Rob. Pontanus Cรกledonius a Britain , does not displease us , when he asserts as much , saying , (p) (p) De Sabbaticorum Annorum Period . c. 2. p. 13. That the Reason of this sacred Observation preceeding by sevens , has its Foundation in the Law of Nature , as the Example of God himself , which precedes all Laws , from whence we may fairly gather , that this Reason of reckoning by Sabbaths has respect to the Original of the Word , and by a continual Series to be deduced from the first Sabbath : That as God himself rested from the Work of Creation on the 7th Day , so those Years of Rest , ( Sabbaths and Jubile's ) came from the same exemplary Principle .

ยง . 5. Some of the Jewish (q) (q) Mโ—imonides c. 10. de Schemitha & Jobel . Rabbi's seem to The Sabbatic Cycle is a Character of certain and indubitable credit in respect of Time . derogate from the Certainty of this Character when they tell us , The Israelites had reckoned 17 Jubile's from the time they went into the Land of Canaan , till the time they went out of it again . And the Year in which they went out , when the first Temple was destroyed , was at the end of a seventh Year , and the 36th of a Jubile . For the first Temple stood 410 Years ; and after it was destroyed , this Computation was also lost and abolished ; from thence the Land lay desart 70 Years , and the 2 d Temple was built , which stood 420 Years : And in the 7th , after it was rebuilt , Esdras returned and restored this Aera the 2 d time : And from that Year they began to reckon another Aera , and made the 3 d Year of the 2 d Temple Sabbatic : And they reckoned 7 Sabbatisms , and consecrated the 50th Year , altho' it was not Jubile , yet they reckoned under the 2 d Temple , so as that they did consecrate Sabbatisms . Dionysius Petavius also follows Maimonides , and is also of this Opinion (r) (r) Lib. 9. de Doctrina Temp. c. 26. . But as the Ignorance of the Jews in Chronological Affairs is very notorious , so there 's nothing at all in this Discourse of Maimonides which would shake our Opinion , that is not apparently false ; and argues the Author much mistaken about the Computation of Esdras , at the end of 70 Years Restauration . For Calvisius most truly (s) (s) Isag . c. 26. says , For who could suspect that the Jews in a Babylonian Captivity of 70 Years , could forget their Sabbatic Years , and afterwards institute others , which should not be the same in order as those before the Captivity ? why should not the Jews as well have forgot their Sabbath Day , and afterwards also institute another ? But this is impossible ; for God , the Preserver of his own Institutions and Creatures would not have suffered such Set-times to have been disturbed from the Creation of the World : So that the true Sabbatic Years were not changed , but truly restored after the Babylonish Captivity : For the Jews in that Captivity had Fields , (t) (t) Jer. 29. planted Vineyards , mow'd and gather'd Grapes : So that they were busied in those very things as were most proper to put 'em in mind of their Sabbatic Years . Nor did their Exile endure beyond the Memory of any that were then alive . At this Day , where-ever they are dispersed , they truly know and reckon up their Sabbatic Years . How then could these forget them , who had celebrated the Sabbatic Years in Judea , and were returned back again into Judea to celebrate them after their Captivity ? But admitting they had forgot 'em , yet after their Return they would have learn'd 'em again of the Samaritans , who celebrated the Sabbatic Years with the Jews before the Captivity , and had constantly retain'd 'em all that time ; for they were near Neighbours ; the distance betwixt Jerusalem and Samaria being not above 6 German Miles ; and the Nation of the Jews was very superstitious and tenacious of their Ceremonies , as is well known . 'T is therefore a vain thing for any one to suspect a Change in the Sabbatic Years .

ยง . 6. A certain Author (u) (u) Autor Solis & Clavis Temp. itemque vindiciarum . does not only conjecture , Whether the Sabbatic and Jubilean Tears never had , nor could have any other Form than such a mystical one wherein 343 Days are reckoned for a Tear . but promises a Demonstration of the Affirmative ; but we deny both , and our Reasons are , 1. Because from the Author 's own Confession , neither the Scripture , nor any other , ancienter Book makes mention of such a mystic Year . 2. Because the six Years of Agriculture have without doubt sometimes coincided with the Solar Year : For otherwise the times of Sowing and Harvest would have been uncertain . 3. Because the (w) (w) Lev 25. 9. Scripture attributes to the Jubilean and Sabbatic Years a fixt Beginning and State . Thou shalt reckon ( says God ) seven Weeks of Years , &c. Then thou shalt cause the Trumpet to sound every where on the 7th Month , on the 10th day of the same Month , the Day of Expiations , ye shall cause the Trumpet to be sounded throughout the whole Land . From which Words Interpreters have hitherto inferr'd , that the Jews ought to begin the Jubilean Years from the same 10th day of the Month Tisri ; whereas 't is immediately added , That ye may sanctifie the 50th Year . And although the Author of Mystical Computation ( of whom we shall speak in the next Section ) hath sought a Solution in the Ambiguity of the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ as a Proclamation , or a Command of the Solemnity of the Jubilean Year ; indeed it was joined to a certain Day of the Civil Calendar , whereas the Jubilean Year , without any Relation to this Command , took its Original elsewhere ..... How ill it becomes a Learned Man to trifle in a serious Affair : For who knows not that a better Account may be given of the Beginning , than of the Proclamation of the Jubilean Years ? who is ignorant of the Emphasis of the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ? Or who shall perswade himself that a Year should be sanctified amongst the Jews some Months before it began ? Maimonides speaks much juster (x) (x) In Halacha Schemidda Vejobel . c. 10. on this Subject . From the beginning of the Year , to the Day of Expiations , the Servants were neither dismiss'd , nor did they serve their Masters , nor were the Fields restored . What then ? They did eat , drink , and were merry ; and every one put a Crown upon his Head : But as soon as the Day of Expiations was come , the Senators of the Sanhedrin sounded Trumpets , and sent away their Servants free ; Fields were then also restored . 4. From that mystic Form which is against the Laws of Sydereal Years , it would follow , that it might be possible that the Product of one should maintain the Jews for three Years together ( against Lev. 25. 21. & sequ . For although mention is there made of three Years ; yet by no means were they compleat and separately reckoned , as is evident from the Place just mentioned : On the contrary , 't is evident that this Hypothesis brings in a new Method destitute of all Probability . For if ( for Example ) the Beginning of the Sabbatic Year should fall upon the Vernal Month Nisan ; which would sometimes happen , the Jews could not gather the Fruits , because of the Religion of the Year ; and consequently on the preceding Year they would hardly have given themselves the trouble of Sowing ; but neither was it lawful to sow about Tisri the Autumnal Month of the same Year : Therefore they could not mow about Nisan the Year following . It was therefore necessary for 'em to wait till they could have the Harvest of the 3d Year . โ€”

ยง . 7. The Absurdity of that Opinion is The Mystic Sabbatic Cycle hence evident : For admitting it , the Sabbatic Years would undoubtedly be wholly deprived of their best Character when amongst the Sabbatic Years , from the faithful Tradition of Historians , the intercepted time divisible into aliquot Parts should not always be 2401 Days , or the Quantity of a mystic Sabbatic Cycle .

ยง . 8. The Author of (y) (y) Sโ—lโ— Temp. p. โ—1 . in vind. p. 4. the mystic Chronology The manner how the Author of mystic Chronology would prove his Opinion about the Sabbatic and Jubilean Years . premises some Hypotheses , which , he says are founded in Scripture , and which are granted by all that allow of the Old Testament , whether Christians , Jews , or Turks .

1. That God made the World in six Days . 2. That on the 7th he rested from the Work of the Creation . 3. That any 7th from this , and consequently all the Multiples of 7 following one another in Arithmetic Progression ( as 7. 14. 21. 28 , &c. ) were made Sabbaths or destin'd for Rest , in Memory of the preceding six Days Creation , and resting on the 7th . 4. Therefore if from any Sabbath we go backwards by the spaces of 7 Days , or the Interval of a Week , we shall at last come to that Day of Divine Rest . 5. And this is an inseparable Property , resulting from the Institution it self , and the Divine Fact , viz. That it should be a Multiple of the Time , and calls back into our Memory , and points at the Divine Rest , and the very individual Day thereof . 6. That God instituted a Sabbatic Year as wโ—ll as a 7th Day , in memory of his Rest , in which he also would have the same (z) (z) Lev. 25. 4. Arithmetic Progression . 7. That in the Sabbatic Years he would have observed and commanded the Observation not only of an (a) (a) Lev. 25. 4. Arithmetic Progression , but also a Geometric one , viz. the Square of the Sabbatic Year , or 7 7 โ–ช 49 Years he instituted for the Jubile . 8. The Sabbatic Year ought to be neither greater nor less than the time of Labour and ( a ) Fruits or Culture of the Earth which in this Year God would have omitted . 9. That time must be greater than 49 , and less than 366 Days . 10. That there is no Number betwixt 49 and 366 , by which we can return back again to the Root 7 , unless 343 , viz. the Cube of 7.

From these Hypotheses he says , follows this Apogogic Syllogism . Every memorial time of Divine Rest taken from the 7th Day of Creation , ought to be multiple of the Number 7 , and by a given Regression , viz. both Arithmetic and Geometric in a given Proportion , viz. Septuple , to point out the first of the Divine Rest , or the Individual 7th of the Creation :

But the Mosaic , Sabbatic and Jubilean Years are a memorial time of Divine Rest begun on the 7th Day of the Creation :

Ergo , &c.

And hence further he adds an Epistomonic Syllogism , as he calls it . Whatever Years ought to be multiple of the 7th Day of Creation , and shew the same by a regression as well Arithmetic as Geometric , must consist of some Number betwixt 49 and 366 ; between which 't is impossible they should be either more or less than 343 :

But the Sabbatic and Jubilean Years ought to be multiple of the 7th Day of Creation , and shew it by a Progression as well Arithmetic as Geometric ; and to consist of a Number betwixt 49 and 366 : Therefore 't is impossible that the Sabbatic and Jubilean Years should have either more or fewer Days than 343. 10. 10 , &c.

This is the Basis of this mystic Computation ; but which is built upon the Sand : For first of all our Mysteriographer puts us in mind of a strange Agreement betwixt Christians , Jews and Turks , in their admitting of the Old Testament . But how great soever the Agreement of the two former be , that of the Turks is a Dream of the Author . Indeed we know the (b) (b) Hotting . in Hist. Orient . p. 409. Turks value the Law of Moses , believe that Christ is the Son of Mary , the Spirit of God , his Word and his Apostle , but only in such a sense as Mahomet has left them . The Turks tell us of many things depraved in the old , many things omitted , and many added : Nor do they acknowledge the History of the Creation or the first Week from the Mosaic Writings , as the Christians and Jews do ; but are wont to report many Fables of them , which that Impostor invented ; as when God made Adam , the Throne of God , Paradise , &c. he held in his Hand a Pen โ—00 Miles long , and 80 broad . Besides , the Turks keep not the 7th but the 6th Day of the Week holy , contrary to Moses . So little occasion has our Author from the Agreement of the Turks for the Foundation of any of their Hypotheses ; nor according to the sense of his 5th Hypothesis will meet with great Agreement betwixt the Christians and Jews . The Times of our Saviour's Nativity , his Circumcision , of the Eremetic Fast , &c. are Memorials of those things which hapned long since ; though no one ever yet of any mystic Multiples . Further , the 6th , 8th , and 9th Hypotheses are no where extant in the Old Testament ; nor are they received by any Christians , if you except our (c) (c) Hanlinus . Author and his Disciples ; nor are they granted by the Jews ( not to mention the Turks . ) God had no respect to the first Sabbath in constituting this System of Years ; that from the 7th Day of the Creation the Quantity of the Year should be deduced by an Arithmetic and Geometric Progression ; there are no Footsteps of it in that place our Author has cited in Leviticus . But the rest are evident . So very false do we find our Author's Philosophy , when we consider the (d) (d) Lev. 26. 3 , 4 , 5. Amplitude of of the Divine Promises . In short , the Author of this mystic Computation has acted ignorantly , when he makes one of his Limits a System of 366 Days , when the Jews knew nothing of it , their Annus Communis being 354 Days , their Annus Embolimaeus 384 , and the Mean 367. Having shewed the Falsity of these Hypotheses , we easiy see what Answer ought to be given to the Discoverer of such Paralogisms , in which there is not the least Probability .

ยง . 8. Although the Divine Wisdom is inscrutable , Of the chief Reasons why the Sabbatic Cycle was instituted . yet we ought not to reject their pious Opinions , who observe these as Reasons of such a Divine Institution . (f) (f) Com. in Lev. 1. God . 2. the Earth . 3. the Poor . 4. Strangers . 5. Brutes . 6. Servants . 7. Debtors . 8. all the Israelitโ—s promiscuously .

ยง . 9. 'T is the allowed Opinion of (e) (e) Ex. 23. 11. Lev. 25. 4. Deut. 31. Dr. D. Walth . spong Mos. Alphons . In the 7th Year the First-Fruits were consecrated to God , and the Tyโ—hes to the Priests . Abulensis Episcopus , That the Oblation of First-Fruits did not cease ; because though the Fruits were not gathered in for the use of their Masters as being common for any one , yet the Right of their Fields did belong to them , or the Privilege , or Excellency , as some say , before all others . So that it 's probable they might gather the First-Fruits , and offer some part to the Priests . But as to the Tenths , the Priests had nothing to complain of , if in that Year wherein the Fruits were not gathered ( that they might be preserved for their Masters Use ) they did not receive the Tenths . 1. Because in that Year wherein God did bestow as much as was necessary , for three Years , the Tenths of the Priests were multiplied . 2. Because it was free for them in common with poor Persons and Strangers , to enjoy the Benefit of such gathering , provided they laid 'em not up in Barns or Granaries .

ยง . 9. So long as the Jews lived in obedience to Of the Streights that every โ— year reduced the Jews to . the Law , they wanted not abundance of Encrease : but when they began to rebel and grow stubborn , they sufficiently experienc'd what things God had forbidden the Transgressors of his Laws . For when their Conquerors impos'd Tributes upon them they could not discharge 'em on the 7th Year . Josephus often mentions this Calamity , and his Relation about Alexander the Macedonian , sufficiently proves it : For when at Jerusalem he had learnt , that a Graecian should have the Government of the Persians , glad of the Prophecy , as to be fulfilled in him , he bid the Jews ask some great thing of him ; to whom they answered , he could give nothing greater than a Relaxation of the Tributes for the 7th Year ; and that was their (g) (g) Vid Cunโ—โ—m de Repub. Jud l. 1. c. 4. l. Request .

CHAP. IV. Of the greater sacred Annual Character , or the Jubilean Cycle .

1. The Jubilean Cycle is a System of 7 Sabbatic Cycles , or 49 Lunae-Solar Years continually recurring ; and for this end divinely instituted , that in the Judaic Republic , the Wealth of a jew should not oppress the rest ; but that the Good of the Tribes should always be immovable ; as also that the Years of Servitude might cease .

ยง . 1. THE Word Jubile is not ร  Jubilo , as those Why this Cycle and first of all its last year should be called a Jubile . little read in Hebrew suppose ; nor from the rustic Inclamation of the Greeks , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ; but either from ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ which Word signifies a Ram , because this Solennity was promulgated with a ( h ) Ram's Horn ; or else from ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ which Root signifies a bringing back ; and that , as Serarius notes upon Joshua , with a certain singular Emphasis of Joy and Mirth .

ยง . 1. (b) (b) In Annalib . โ—d An. 1584 Numb. 2 & 3. Torniellus supposes it probable that Whether we have yet any Footsteps of the Observation of the Jublโ—ean Year . the Jews never observed any Jubilean Year before the Babylonian Captivity . But we dare not assert so much ; whereas not only in the time of Joshua , but the pious Kings , as David , Joshaphat , and others , it s very probable they would have some respect to the Reason of such a Divine Institution . In the 2d Kings (c) (c) v. 1. & sequ . the Jubilean Year seems to be described , when K. Joram graciously gave the Shunamitish Woman ( a ) Josh 6. 5. those Privileges that were proper to a Jubilean Year ; and yet the Circumstances of History seem to render this Opinion suspected : For Joram lived about the Year 3053 , and in 3061 was killed by Jehu , in which 8 Years no Jubile could happen . Perhaps that in Ezech. 29. 17 , more probably refers to a Jubile , where he makes mention of a 27th Year : For I cannot see how that can relate to any other Epccha at this time known ; Of which more hereafter .

ยง . 3. Whereas 't is very certain we have not The Jubilean Cycle consisted of 49 Years so many Jubilean as Sabbatic Years : And therefore from the latter we can scarce judge of the Jubilean Cycle . From hence it happens that Chronologers so little agree about the Quantity of this Cycle , but dispute with the greatest Heats of these Darknesses of the ancient Laws . Of the five Opinions about this matter , the first is , That the Jubilean Cycle consisted of 50 (d) (d) Here. Sain . ad an. 2544. Serarius ad Josh. 13. Pareus , Cor. โ— Lap. iโ— . Lโ—v. 25. Years ; the second is that of the famous William Langius , who (e) (e) L. de an . Christi c. 11. p. 138 , & seq. contends that the Jubilean Year depended upon the Sabbatic ones yet so , that after the Expiration of โ—7 annual Sabbatic Years the same was one with the 50th : so that the Jubilean Year was always the first in the Annual 7 : The third is the Opinion of our Mystic Chronologer , who makes the Jubilean Cycle to be of 45 Julian Years and 271 Days over : The fourth Opinion is theirs (f) (f) Jos. Scal Buntingus , Mesilinus , Codomannus , Mercator , Calv. Ubbo Fโ—โ—mius , Helvicus , B. Thummius , B. Behmius , Spanhemius , Petavius , Cloppenburgius , Junius , Tremellus , and many more . , who assert the Jubilean Year was the same with 7 times the 7th Year , or 7 times the Sabbatic Year , and so the Jubilean Cycle precisely made 49 Years : The fifth Opinion is only proposed as probable by the same Cloppenburgius (g) (g) Schol. Sacrit . p. 42. ; where he supposes impossible for the Jews to mix their Computation , and reckon both by 49 and 50 Years , which he supposes very easie for 'em to do , the great Period of Jubilean Years being admitted , which is made by multiplying 49 into 50 , whose Product makes that Period 2450. We assent to their Opinion who assert the Jubilean Cycle to consist of 49 Lunae-Solar Years : For besides that ; the Sabbatic Year had many Privileges in common with the Jubilean Year , which is inferr'd from the Biblic Style , the Consent of the Jews , and Rabbi Adda's Calendar , it would follow also that if the Jubilean Year was different from the Sabbatic ; the Earth would rest for two whole Years and the Jews must sustain themselves with the Produce of one Year for four Years together , which seems wholly repugnant to the Sense of the Divine Command : Nor does it hinder that the same Jubilean Year in the Mosaic Text is sometimes called the Quinquagesimus , whereas that is not to be otherwise understood than as Pindar called the Olympiad , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , and as we are wont to call the 7th Day the 8th . Of those Characters which the Popes Instituted for their Jubilean Years .

ยง . 4. The Roman Pontiffs , after the manner of Apes , have endeavoured to imitate the Institution of God in their Jubilean Institutions ; but divers of 'em after different manners . The first Author of a Jubilean Year was Boniface the 8th , whose Encomium Platina (h) (h) P. 231. de U. P. gives : He ordained that every 100 Years the Treasury of Indulgences should be open'd ; but the Publication of a peculiar Bull which is (i) (i) In Extra v. L. U. de poenit . remis c 2. extant , and which instituted the 1300th Year to be Jubilean . But Clemens the sixth , ( this precarious Institution of Boniface , since the Age of Man not extending to 100 Years , might see no Jubile ) made every 50th Year Jubilean ; to which end he gave notice in the Year 1345 that the following 1350 should be a Jubile . This Bull is extant in the Book last cited in the Chapter of Vnigenitus , in that Year , as Petrarcha witnesses , there was such a Concourse of People at Rome , that it was no wonder if from such a defiled Air a most grievous Plague arose , which so exhausted all Italy , that there were scarce Ten Thousand left alive . But Vrban the sixth corrected this Institution , transferring the Jubile from the 50th Year to the 33d ; and he appointed that the Year 1390 should be Jubile : And afterwards be continued every 33 Years ; whereof he saw not the first , but died in 1389 : yet Boniface the ninth celebrated the Jubile which was forbidden by Vrban the sixth ; yet so as that in the Year 1400 he again forbad the Jubile ; as (k) (k) Vide etiam Krantzii Metrop . olin . l. 10. Onuphrius witnesses . Lastly , when the Romans perceived that these Jubilean Concourses were advantageous to them , Paul the second reduced the time of the Jubile to 25 Years , the Sanction whereof his Successor Sextus the fourth confirmed by a peculiar Bull in the Year 1473 , which is extant in the same Book c. Quemadmodum . And by that it was ordained , that in the Year 1475 the Jubile was celebrated , and every 25th Year following . But of these Annual Jubilean Solennities , and their Privileges ( which are Indulgences ) and of which you may read more largely in their Bulls above-cited , this is not the least Solennity , viz. At that time the Pope opens ( as they call it ) a golden Gate , to which an infinite Concourse of Men approach for obtaining the Remission of their Sins ; then he strikes the Gate with a little golden Mallet , which afterwards , as a Token of Honour , he gives to somebody ; then the Workmen break the Gate with Bars , and the People who force in , scramble for the Ruins of it among the Dirt โ–ช and under the Feet of one another .

CHAP. V. Of the Solar Cycle .

1. The Solar Cycle is a certain System of Time , consisting of 28 Years , or 7 Julian Lustra's , which being elapsed , the same Order of Bissextiles or Dominical Leters , return again , according to the old Method .

ยง . 1. THE Solar Cycle is call'd a Period of 28 The Reason why the Solar Cycle is called a Period of 28 Years . Years ; not because it shews the Motion of the Sun , but because by its help we know the Dominical Letter or the Character of Sunday ; and hence it appears , that this Appellation is Metonymical , not proper ; altho' the Cycle , if it be wholly considered , does retain the Characters of each of the 28 Years , and the Denomination of the whole from the Number of the Cycle sought . Why the Ancients made the Period of Bissโ—xtiles โ–ช โ— Dominical Letters to consist of 28 Years .

ยง . 2. The Reason is , because neither sooner nor later than after 28 Years , all the Varieties return again which arise from the Changes of the Dominical Letter and Bissextile : For if in the Nabonassarean Year there had been no Bissextile ( l ) Vide Polyd. Virg. de invent . rerum , c. 8. the Cycle of 7 Years would have sufficed , because when on the same Day that a common Year ended , upon which it began , the following year would also begin on the following Day , &c. But the Bissextile Year renders this Affair more difficult : So that a Cycle of 7 Years will not be sufficient , because the last Day in the Year is not the same on which it began , but the following : so that in the space of 7 Years all the Variety cannot recurr as before , but there must be the Number of Years for a Bissextile , viz. 4. and the Number of Days in a Week , viz. 7. that are concerned , which multiplied , make 47 = 28 the Solar Cycle . Vide Monach. Method . cap. 3.

ยง . 3. The time of this Institution is not certain . Of the time of the Institution of this Cyโ—le . (a) (a) Lib. 3. Canonum Isagog . p. 172. Scaliger deduces it from the Year of Christ 328 , when the Nicene Council was dissolved . From which Dionysius (b) (b) Lib. 6. de Doctrinโ— Temp โ–ช โ—ap. 28. Petavius blames Scaliger , as his way is ; saying , Scaliger only guesses it , and derives a false Opinion of it , in thinking that the Nicene Council continued till that time . In like manner (c) (c) Lib. 2. de Annis Christi , c. 7. Langius thinks the Solar Cycle was owing to the fourth Year after the Nicene Council , but with no greater Certainty than Scaliger had proposed his Opinion before him . We cannot from any ancient Books find any Certainty about it .

ยง . 4. It shews the initial Day of every Of the Vse of the Solar Cycle . Year in the Julian Account , and consequently it directs us to the Weekly Characters of the other Days , the Dominical Letter , and the Quantity of the Year .

ยง . 5. This varies according to the diversity Of the Disposition of the Domiโ—โ—cโ—l Lโ—ttโ—โ—s โ—nd the โ—โ—โ—tial in the Solar Cycle . of the Julian and Gregorian Calendar . For the Julian the following Table will serve for ever .

Cycl . f. init . l. Dom. 1 2 GF 2 4 E 3 5 D 4 6 C 5 7 BA 6 2 G 7 3 F 8 4 E 9 5 DC 10 7 B 11 1 A 12 2 G 13 3 FE 14 5 D 15 6 C 16 7 B 17 1 AG 18 3 F 19 4 E 20 5 D 21 6 CB 22 1 A 23 2 G 24 3 F 25 4 ED 26 6 C 27 7 B 28 1 A

But in respect of the Gregorian Calendar , the last Table fails ; and for the present Age that which follows will serve .

Cycl . f. init . l. Dom. 1 CB 6 2 A 1 3 G 2 4 F 3 5 ED 4 6 C 6 7 B 7 8 A 1 9 GF 2 10 E 4 11 D 5 12 C 6 13 BA 7 14 G 2 15 F 3 16 E 4 17 DC 5 18 B 7 19 A 1 20 G 2 21 FE 3 22 D 5 23 C 6 24 B 7 25 AG 1 26 F 3 27 E 4 28 D 5

ยง . 6. There are not now eight Letters as Of the Order how the Characteristic Letters of the Days in the Week are placed . were in the old Julian Calendar , but only 7 ; and they are placed in a retrograde Order , as is evident from the preceding Tables : Whence also Beda exprest the Order of the Dominical Letters in this Versicle :

Grandia , Frendet Equus , Dum Cernit Belliger Arma.

ยง . 7. If we consider the Constitution of the Of what would be desirable in the ancient disposition of the Solar Cycle . Civil Year , thโ— Cycle is convenient enough ; but it answers less accurately to the Reason of the Solar Year ; because it supposes that every Year is 365 Days and 6 Hours ; whereas there are 11 Minutes wanting of that time .

CHAP. VI. Of the Lunar Cycle .

1. The Lunar Cycle or Golden Number , consisting of 19 Lunae-Solar Years , whereof 12 are of 30 Days , 7 of 28 Days to the Month , as a System of Julian Solar Years ; which being elapsed , the mean New Moons are supposed to return upon the same Days .

ยง . 1. BEcause the Greeks were taught by their Oracles , Of the Number of Years . that are required for the Sun and Moon to coincide again . that their accustomed Sacrifices were to be offered ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , which they interpreted of the Years of the Sun , of their Days and Months , which they referr'd to the Moon ; and were always sollicitous , how by certain Periods and disagreeing Motions of the Luminaries they might reduce these to a Third something in which they might agree ; Hence in the ancient times they are said to have used a Biennium , intercalating every other Year : But Fault was found with this , and 't was succeeded by a Quadrennium ; upon whose Returns the Olympic Games were celebrated . After this came the Octennium , of which mention is made in rehearsing the times of (a) (a) Apollod . Bibl. l. 3. Cadmus . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , &c. But Cadmus sewed Mars every Year for those whom he slew : But that Year was then the space of 8 Years . (b) (b) Vide Euseb. Ec. l. 7. c. 20. Cens . de D. N. c. 6. Macr. l. 1. Saโ— . c. 12. Scal. de Emend . temp. l. 2. p. 46. Pet. de doct. temp. T. 1. l. 2. c. 2. & in Uranolog . l. 4. cap. 1. Hyppolitus , Cleostratus , Tenedus , Harpalus , and others of the Ancients seem to have interpolated this Period of Years . Next come the Duodennium , which seems to have been observed by the Learned only , and may be gather'd from Censorinus c. 18. The next was the Dodecaeteris , consisting of 12 Years . To this Chaldaic Year there is a Name , which those that deal in Nativities accommodate not to the Course of the Sun or Moon , but other Observations : Because then , say they , Tempests , the good Success of Fruits , Barrenness , and Diseases hapned . But amongst all the Cycles of the Ancients , there 's none more famous than ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of Meto the Athenian , which is used to be called The great Year of Meto , although it 's uncertain whether Meto was the first Author of this Cycle ; tho' Livius seems to attribute this Invention to Numa Pompilius , and Geminus to Euctemonus and Philippus . This is certain , that this Cycle consisting of 19 Years comprehends 6946 Days , or 19 Solar Years , and almost so many Lunar years , in which they interpolated 7 times in this Order , according to Dionysius Petavius , 3 , 6 , 8 , 11 , 14 , 17 , 19. But in the Course of this time Meto , or whoever was the Author of this Cycle , thought that 235 Lunations would be exactly compleated , a hundred and ten New , and a hundred and twenty five Full Moons , making nineteen Solar Years ; afterwards Calippus attempted to correct this Period by conjoining four Metonic Cycles , and giving to them 22759 Days , taking away one Day in the space of 76 Years . And yet Calippus found many other Censors and Correctors , as Democritus , Hipparchus , Ptolemy , and others : All which did not wholly reject , but only interpolated the Metonic Cycle .

ยง . 2. All this was done at first that the Pasca Why not only Greek Insodels , but also Christians at the beginning of the N. Testament were so sollicitons of the Harmeny of the Lunae-Solar Motions . might be rightly observed , and that in one Night the Sacrifice of Prayer might every where be offered for the Resurrection of the Lord ; for 't is certain in rightly celebrating the Pasca , they had respect in the force of the Divine Institution , both to the Reason of the Sun and Moon , though they a little mistook themselves ; because they thought the Julian Year and Solar Tropic did agree well together .

ยง . 3. In ancient times the Asiatic Christians Of the chief Disagreement of the Ancients in the Command of the Pascal Solennity , and for what reason the Lunar Cycle was observed . did continually celebrate the Pasca upon the 14th Moon , or in the Full Moon , viz. at the same time with the Jews ; and these alledged John the Evangelist , from whom they received this Custom . But the Eastern Christians never celebrated the Solennity of the Pasca , except upon the Lord's Day ; nay , when they seemed to have this Solennity in common with the Jews , and they alledged for themselves the Custom of St. Peter . The Montanists , receded from both , neglecting the Lunar Course ; but looking only to the Solar , appointing the 9th Calendar of April to be the Vernal Aequinox , and the Pasca to be observed upon the 14th from this Day . Among the French Martinus Dumiensis and Beda relate that the Pasca was anciently observed the 25th of March , the Custom of whom , when Cirvelius would again introduce , he was for that stigmatized for his Rashness by Mariana .

ยง . 4. And they kept not the Solennities of their Fasti as indifferent things ; but against the Rule Of the great Esteem that Christians ad fโ—r these Controversiโ—s . of St. Paul , they condemned one another for neglecting the Punctilio's of time . Now Pius the first , and after him Eleutherius were taken up with this Affair ; but above all the rest , Victor acted most violently , sending the Thunder of his Anathema against the Greeks ; but was successless , as many others of the Popes were . The venerable Session at Nicea at last by degrees asswaged his exasperated Disposition , as afterwards this Custom of the Western Christians obtained , according to Eusebius , Theodoret , &c.

ยง . 5. (c) (c) Lib. Cap. 2. Anatolius upon Eusebius mentions , Of the time in which the Vse of the Lunar Cycle was known to Christians . that first of all in the time of the Nicene Council the Use of this Cycle had been known : and this appears from an Epistle of St. Ambrose , 'T is not a mean part of Wisdom to define the Day of the pascal Solemn Assembly ; both Divine Scripture instructs in it , and the Tradition of our Ancestors , who assembling at the Nicene Synod , amongst other things relating to Faith , did collect as well true as admirable Decrees ; for in that memorable Assembly , several Persons skilful in Calculation , being gathered together , did as it were constitute a Circle of 19 Years , as an Example for following Generations . This Circle they called Enneadecaeterida . Let us follow that Example ; not that we ought to doubt with any vain Opinion concerning so great an Assembly ; but true Reason being found in it , let the Affections of all so concur , that upon the same Night our Sacrifice may be offer'd for the Resurrection of our Lord .

ยง . 6. Altho' we say that we have those things Whether the Christians received the Lunar Cycle from the Jews . which the Christians first invented from the Latter Jews , yet from the Scope which the first Authors of the Cycle intended , it seems apparent that they examined the secret Writings of the Jews , lest they should celebrate at the same time the Feast of the Pasca with Unbelievers : For suppose the ancient Lunar Cycle together with the Pascal Times were different from the Cycle of the Jews , certainly Christians , could not know by the Use of the same Cycle at what time the Jews would celebrate the Pasca , nor how they ought to refrain from the sacred Things of their Adversaries (d) (d) Ration . pag. 9. de doct. Temp. T. 1. p. 615. : Isaacus Argyrus confirms my Opinion in this , that before the Pasca of the Christians the Judaic one was placed ; which in the Holy , and first Oecumenic Synod , the Holy Fathers so constituted , that it might be observed in what Day of the Week the Pasca of the Jews fell , that on the following Lord's Day the Christians might perform theirs .

ยง . 7. Tho' the first Authors of the Lunar Cycle thought that 19 Lunae-Solar Years were equal to Whether or no the first Authors of the Lunar Cycle thought that 19 Luna-Solar Tears , or 235 Lunations were equal to 19 equal Jul. Years The manner how the Ancients us'd the Lunar Cycle , noting down Pascal Limits from its Numbers . 19 Julian Years , yet 't is not so , if we regard Mathematical Rigour ; for they will fall betwixt both : For 19 Julian Years make 6939 D. 18 H. but 19 Lunar Solar Years contain only 6939 D. 16 H. 32โ€ฒ , 20โ€ณ , whose difference is 1 H. 27โ€ฒ , 40โ€ณ , yearly . And so much do 19 mean New and Full Moons , lose every 19 Years which in about 1257 Years make four Days almost .

ยง . 8. To find the just time of the Pasca . the ancient Christians , as was now said , used the Lunar Cycle ; and that the Use hereof may more largely appear , we shall lay down the whole Lunar Cycle , with the Pascal times , in which the utmost Limits are the 23d of March , ( for upon this Dโ—โ— the Author of the Vernal Equinox would have it fall , which the Full Moon Pascal ought always to precede very nearly ; and April the 19th ; whence Christians would never celebrate their Pasca before the 22d of March , or after the 25th of April . To which the ancient Verses of those Computers have Relation .

Extremum Pasca monstrat tua passio Marce , Item ,

Pasca nec undenas Aprilis ante Kalendas , Nec post septenas Maii valet esse Kalendas ,

C. โ˜ฝ . 1 T. P. April 5 2 Mar. 25 3 April 13 4 April 2 5 Mar. 22 6 April 10 7 Mar. 30 8 April 18 9 April 7 10 Mar. 27 C. โ˜ฝ . 11 T. P. Apr. 15 12 Apr. 4 13 Mar. 24 14 Apr. 12 15 Apr. 1 16 Mar. 21 17 Apr. 9 18 Mar. 29 19 Apr. 17

But in the Gregorian Year the Pascal Limits are found by the Lunar Cycle till the Year 1700 from the following Table :

C. โ˜ฝ . 1 T. P. April 12 2 April 1 3 Mar. 21 4 April 9 5 Mar. 29 6 April 17 7 April โ—โ— 8 Mar. 26 9 April 14 10 April 3 C. โ˜ฝ . 11 T. P. Mar. 23 12 Apr. 11 13 Mar. 31 14 Apr. 18 15 Apr. 8 16 Mar. 28 17 Apr. 16 18 Apr. 5 19 Mar. 25

ยง . 9. Some think that for its Worth and The Reason why the Character of the Lunar Cycle was in times past called โ—he Golden Number . great Use that it might be compared with Gold , and from this Comparison take its Name ; whereas it was a Rule for the Ancients in calculating the Full and New Moons , upon which account (e) (e) Ration . p. 9. & de doct. temp. T. 1. p. 615. Petavius says , Beginning at any Year . For Example , from that which gives a New Moon on the 23 d of Jan. Feb. 21st , March 23 d , &c. Vpon those Days he wrote the Figure 1 in the Margin of the Calendar , on the 2 d Year they considered and found the New Moons got forward about 11 Days , viz. on Feb. 10. and March the 12th , &c. and against those Days they placed in their Calendar the Figure 2. So on the 3 d , 4th and following Years upon those Days , that the New Moon fell every Month they placed the Figures 3 , 4 , &c. against them in the Calendar . And at last having past over 19 Years , they renewed the same Figures again . These were the Figures or Numbers in the Calendar which were called the Golden Number . Others relate that the Alexandrians in times past sent this Cycle to the Romans in a Silver Table , writ with Golden Figures , and thence they took their Name .

CHAP. VII . Of the Cycle of Indiction .

1. The Cycle of Indiction is a System of 15 Julian Years perpetually recurring , that the times of certain Pensions might be made known to the Roman Subjects .

ยง . 1. SOme of the Graecians will have Indictio quasi in Actio ; and Cedrenus is admired What we ought to understand by tโ—e Name Indiction . for following this Opinion . Onuphrius will have Indictio to come ab Indice Crucis , seen by Constantine when he fought against Maxentius : But these are frivolous Conjectures . Indictio rather comes ab indicere , and was particularly used at first to denominate a certain Species of Pensions . (a) (a) Apud Pudaeum in Pandect p. 83. Ascanius reckons up three kinds of Pensions or rather Pensitations , well known to the ancient Romans . First , the Canon to which Imposts , Tributes , &c. were referr'd . Secondly , the Oblation , at this time called the Aids : And Thirdly , the Indiction , which the Ancients called Collecting . Cicero also calls it collected . The Greeks call this Cycle ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Dio calls it ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . In the same Sense that the Olympias is called ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Also ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , &c. which last Words are used by the Writers of the Antiochian History . By the (b) (b) Pallad. de Rebus Gestis , Chrysost. & Cod. Theod. de Indulg Debit . Latines Distributiones and Fusiones were commonly used instead of Indictiones .

ยง . 2. There are many Opinions in this matter . The chief are these : (c) (c) Lib. 11. de doct. temp. item in Ration . p. 1. l. 6. c. 1. First , Dionysius Of the Original and Antiquity of these Indictions . Petavius brings a great many Opinions about the time ; but thinks them all Conjectures . (d) (d) Canon . Isagog . l. 3. p. 179. Joseph Scaliger thinks this kind of Pension of long standing ; and that anciently 't was the same with the Lustrum of 5 Years ; whence we find this Inscription on Moneys โ— . B. and โ— . T. viz. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , &c. There are (e) (e) Scal. in Animadv . ad Euseb. Jac. Usserius in Annal. ad aetat , munc . sext . p. 320. others which deduce these Indictions from the Antiochian Aera , which was about 48 years before Christ ; from whence they also deduce the Julian , Adrian , Antonian , Constantinian , Valentinian , &c. Indictions . (f) (f) Maximus Monachus & Martyr in brโ—vi ennโ—rratione Christiani Pasch. Gr. Mon. Others will have the Aera of Indictions begin with the 2d of Augustus . Others again (g) (g) Cedrenus & al. will have the Indictions begin at that time when Augustus overcame Antoninus at the Promontory of Epirus near Nicopolis ; which hapned about 31 years before Christ . Sixthly , the famous (h) (h) L. 1. de Anno Christi . c 8. Langius proposes a Conjecture to be examined by the Learned , whether or no this Cycle belongs not to the Emperour Adrian , from the Annotation of a certain anonymous Author in the first year of the 224th Olympiad . Adrian coming to Rome , remitted those things which were done to the publick Treasury of the Emperour and Roman People , constituting a time of 16 years , from whence , and to which it should become due . He whom this Learned Writer calls Anonymus , is the same with Dio. Cassius , who has almost the very same Words in the History of Adrian ; as also in the History of Marcus Antoninus . Seventhly , There are those (i) (i) Pentagathโ—s Onuphrius in Fastis . Scal. Marc. Zuet . Boโ—horn . Hist. Universal . p. 267. who settle these Indictions in the Year of Christ 313. because in that Year Constantine overcame Maxentius ; and suppose that this Tyrant was cast off the Milvโ—an Bridge and drowned . The Eighth and last Opinion is the Vulgar ; that the Calculation of Indictions began on the 24th of September in the Year of Christ 312 , which must certainly be true , from the Words of (k) (k) In the 4th Yeโ—r of the 272d Olymp. Eusebius . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . This Baronius , and his Epitomizer Spondanus , object against Scโ—liger . (l) (l) Isag c. 16. Calvisius admits of no other Original of Indictions than this . Also Petavius , because he would not contend against either Opinion , says , The vulgar Indictions were deduced from the year of Christ 312. The same is also held by (m) (m) De divers . temp. Apell . c. 2. Albericus Gentilis . We also are of the same Judgment ; yet , First , we distinguish betwixt the Lustra and Indictions , which Scaliger confounds . Secondly , bewtixt the common Indictions , and those which kept their stated Intervals , and the Uncommon , which were instituted according to the Will of the Emperor and the Exigence of the Republick , as other Pensions were . Thirdly , betwixt the Indictions themselves and the Cycle of Indictions ; or betwixt the Political and Chronological Use of Indictions . For it is certain , that the Indictions which are referr'd to the ancient and more modern Times can be deduced only from the Year of Christ 312 , except any one had rather understand by a Year the remote Interval of ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Fourthly , we again note that the first Year of Indictions may be joined to the Year of Christ 313. if we have reference to the last 9 Months , the greater part of that Cyclic Year : for the first year of Indictions began Sept. 24 , or the 8th of the Calends of October , Anno Christi 312 ; whence it is evident that the rest of the indictionary Months may very commodiously be referred to the Year 313.

ยง . 3. So ( m ) dreams a certain Person , when in Whether the Custom of reckoning the times was โ—st thought on by the Christians to reโ—oncile the Eva โ—elists with prโ—fane Hโ—stโ—rians . his new , true and exact Chronology , falsely so called , he delivers a great many Falsities about the Original of Indictions ; which it would be too troublesome to relate and confute . Those that please may consult the Author .

ยง . 4. Historians labour under great Incertainties in naming the Cause of this Institution . Herwart's Opinion is rejected : Scaliger's agrees not Wโ—y ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Cycle of Indiction was 1st โ—โ—stituted ( n ) Joannes Georgius Herev . dโ— Hohenโ— . well with himself , where (o) (o) L. 15. de Emend . de Temp. he labours in one place for the Antiquity of the Antiochian Indictions ; and elsewhere that they were deduced from the Quinquennales and Vicennales of Constantine ; but if the Elapsed from 15 years to 20 was called an Indiction , consequently all the rest of the ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ may be so called : which Opinion about Constantine is as different from the Principles of Historians . So it is well confuted by D. (p) (p) In Man โ–ช ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Chron. Behmius , and rejected even by Scaliger's own Followers . Nor was Cardinal Baronius more happy in opining ; for he supposed that the Cycle of Constantine ceased , especially as to its Use , among the Roman Soldiers : In the year of Christ 312 , when by the Institution thereof it came to pass , that having served 15 years , might have his Dismission , and go free where-ever he pleased without any Capitation : Or if he would tarry , he should then have greater Advantages ; whereas formerly they were to serve 16 years ; which Opinion of Baronius , as it seems improbable , so it is opposed by (q) (q) L. 11. de doct. Temp. Petavius . Our Opinion is , that this Cycle was at that time known , when Constantine the Emperor had need of Money to pay off his Soldiers , and renew the War against Licinius ; but this Aera of Indictions was made more solemn ; because the same seemed to the Christians to be an Epocha of their restored Liberty after the Conquest of Maxentius .

ยง . 5. There are commonly reckoned up three How many Indictions were there , or are there โ—โ—w in use . sorts of Indictions , whereof the first was called the Caesarean ; because the Caesars had respect to it in paying Persons , and signing the Instruments of Causes . This Indiction fell upon the 8th of the Calends of October , or on the 26th Day of September ; For after Harvest was over , the time of Autumn was thought most proper for paying Tributes . The second was called Constantinopolitanean , in which they signed ( as they do at this Day ) the more Oriental Calendars , as appears from the Briefs of the Hieremian Patriarch , and of the Turco-Graecian Crucius . This begins upon the Calends of September ; whence some think that its Use began when the Graecians at the Solemnity of the New Year chose the Autumn of the first Month thereof . Ambrosius understands one of these Indictions , when he thus writes to the Bishops of Aemilia ; This is the first Month according to coming out of Aegypt , and the First according to the Law , and the Eighth according to our Custom : For the Indiction begins on the Month of September . The third is called Pontifical , or the Roman , which begins upon the Calends of January , and continually follows the 2 former , within 4 Months almost . To these may be added the Antiochian , which (r) (r) Canon . Isโ—gog . p. 2โ—5 . Scaliger by the Authority of Causabon , and the Patriarch Ignatius , certainly determines Of the reason why the Roman Eโ—perors wouโ—d have this Cycle of Indictions known iโ— the Common People . to the Month of May.

ยง . 6. We are commonly wont to preserve those things which appear useful to us . In like manner the Caesars , when at the stated times of Indictions , their Treasuries were encreased , ordained that the Character of Indiction should be noted in the publick Instruments . Thus we read what the Emperor Justinian commanded in the 47th Novelia : Whence we oblige those who minister in Affairs ; or where-ever any Acts are performed , and the Notaries who write their Instruments in any Form in this great City , and in all other Nations whom God has subjected to us , that they thus begin : In the third Year of the Empire of the most Sacred Emperor Augustus , &c. and afterwards to name those Consuls which are in that Year ; and in the third place , the Indiction , the Month and the Day : So the Time shall be preserved in all Affairs : And these things are to be fixt in Writings for the Memory of the Empire , the Order of the Consulate , and other Observations What it was that the Subjects of the Roman People were to pay 'em at the Expiration of this Quindecennial Time . that may be interposed .

ยง . 7. And 't was not for the sake of Remissions but of collecting Subsidies , that those Indictions were chiefly constituted ; but what , and in what Order the Subjects of the Roman People were to bring , the Ancients have not remarked . Elegius Noviomensius Episcopus , who flourish'd about the middle of the 7th Age in the 2d (s) (s) Sixteen of these Hโ—mil . are extant in Biblioth. Patrum . Hom. speaks of divers Tributes ( as the Moderns after him ) according to divers Lustrums in which the Cycle of Indictions was finished . In the first Lustrum there was a Tribute of Gold collected : In the second , one of Silver ; and in the third , one of Brass : And the Annotator upon the 47th Novella delivers the manner very different . Anciently , ( says he ) the Romans in every 15 Years , received a Tribute from the whole World . In the first 5 Years , Iron to make Armour for the Roman Soldiers . In the 2 d Silver , out of which the Soldiers were to be paid their Wages . In the 3 d Gold which was laid up in the Treasury for the Roman Republick . But since , the Writers of the following Age make mention of this Matter in so different a manner , that we can hardly believe this Tradition .

CHAP. VIII . Of the Character of the Roman CONSVLATE .

1. The Roman Consulate is a Character wherein two Roman Consuls were named ; whence we come to the Knowledge of anything done in that time .

ยง . 1. THE Reason of the Roman Consulate being mentioned among the Characters of Times , is because both Latin and Greek Writers by namโ—ng two Consuls were wont to Of the reason why we mentiโ—n the Roman Consulate among the Charโ—cters โ—f the Times . fix the times of things done ; and that by a most ancient Custom , which Lucan intimates while he calls these Years Consular Years : And amongst the Latins , Pacatus in a Panegyric delivered to Theodorus Emperor of Rome , speaks remarkably ; A certain Captain is promoted to perform the Discipline of Sieges ; a Prefect is preferr'd to look after a Province ; a Consul is created to give a Name to the Year , &c.

ยง . 2. After the Ravishment of Lucretia by Of the time in which the Offโ—โ—e , Dignity and Character of a Consul ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ in use ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ the Romans . the Son of Tarquinius Superbus , the Romans having abolished the Regal Dignity , created Consuls to govern the Empire , rather to consult with , than to domineer over their Liberty , or one King two Consuls were created ; that if one should prove bad , the other having equal Power might restrain him : And 't was the Pleasure of the People that they should not enjoy the Empire above one Year , lest a Continuation of their Power should render them insolent ; but they were always civil , knowing that after one Year they should be deprived of all again (a) (a) Vide Florus l. 1. c. 9. .

ยง . 3. Lipsius (b) (b) De Magistrat Veteris Romani Populi c. 7. disputes about this , and those What it is we ought to understand by the Name and Office of Consuls . who derive their Name from the End or Design of it ; which was to consult and provide for the Citizens . (c) (c) Flor. Lib. 1. c. 9 Others derive their Name from their Office , which is to consult ; that is , ask the Senate . Others interpret 'em ร  judicando , which , in the sense of Quintilian (d) (d) Lib. 1. c. 9. is the same thing as consulendo ; from whence this Proverb , boni consulas , i. e. judices . But the Judgment of Lipsius about this Diversity is , that the first Etymology is more popular , the third more subtle , the middle more true ; because 't was the Business of a Consul to interrogate and refer to the Senate ; as Livius (e) (e) Lib. 7 hath written ; 't was his part to enquire into their Judgment . Cicero (f) (f) Lib. 3. de Leg. also says , Let there be two in the Regal Empire , and let 'em be called Praetors , Judges , Consuls , ร  Praeeundo , Judicando , Consulendo : Let 'em have the chief Power of the Militia : Let 'em obey no one : Let the Safety of the People be their Supreme Law , &c.

ยง . 4. As to the time of the Year the Consuls Of the time of the year in which the Roman Consuls undertook the Consulate . began , we find great Variation according to the Diversity of Times , which does not a little disturb Universal History ; we shall alledge some from Dionysius Halicarnassaeus and Livius . First of all therefore , who is he that cannot gather from the Character of the (g) (g) Regifugium was a Feast amongst the Romans . Regifugium held on the 6th of the Calends of March , that the Election of Consuls fell upon February ? For the Consuls followed the Kings , as is the Common Opinion : The Successors of the first Consuls began their Consulate on the Ides of March , on the Ides of May , on the 3d of the Ides , Sextil . on the Ides of Sextil . on the Ides of December , on the Calends Sextil . on the Calends of September , &c. as is evident from the two Writers above-mentioned . At length the Custom obtained , that the Calends of January were destined for the Consulate , lest the Years of the Curulean Magistrates , especially the Consuls , should differ from the Civil or Common Years ; at which time we dare not say , that the Heads of the Roman Republick undertook the Affair . 'T is the Opinion of Justus Lipsius , that from the Year 598 , the (h) (h) Epitome Liviana , c. 47. Calends of January were sacred for the Change of the Consuls : Nor in the Times of (i) (i) Lib. 4. de Pont. Eleg. 9. Ovid was it different , as appears from these Verses :

Altera Laetitiae est , nec cedens causa priori : Successor tanti frater honoris erit . Nam tibi finitum summo Graecine Decembri Imperium Jani suscipit ille die .

And in (k) (k) Fastorum l. 1. another Place ,

Jamque novi praeeunt fasces , nova purpura fulget , Et nova conspicuum purpura sentit Ebur .

In like manner also Lucan ;

Instabรกtque dies qui dat nova nomina Fastis , Quique colit primus ducentem tempora Janum .

ยง . 5. The Consulate ordinarily continued a Of the time that the Consuls remained in their Office . Year ; though some think 't was more than the Common Year ; and although the Roman People conferred upon Africanus a continual Consulate ; yet some Examples break not a General Rule : For the Consulate , ( as say (l) (l) Lib. de Ira , c. ult. Seneca ) was an Annual Honour ; or as (m) (m) L. de Patien . in sine . Tertullian has it , the fleeting Joy of one Year .

ยง . 6. There were ordinarily two Consuls , extraordinarily Of the number of Consuls that yearly praesided over the Roman People . sometimes more , one of the two dying , or being removed at the Pleasure of the Caesars : For thus Julius Obsequens speaks of those that were removed ; 'T is evident that no one that had taken away the Office of his Colleague lived a Year . And (n) (n) In vit. Commodi . Lampridius , speaking of those that were unduly elected , says , For then 1st there were 25 Consuls chosen for one Year , all the Provinces were sold , &c. And of Extraordinary Consuls Seneca thus writes ; He made me a Consul , but not an ordinary one , &c. Also Suetonius (o) (o) In Domit. in six Consulates he had but one that was Ordinary . And Suetonius seems to refer to this in his Observations of the Emp. Augustus , he also required that so often as a Consulate was given to him , he should have two Colleagues : And adds , Yet all crying out against him , he could not obtain that the Majesty should be lessened ; because he bore that Honour not himself alone , but in Conjunction with the other .

ยง . 7. Those that anciently wrote of the Roman Of the Certainty that may be attained from the Series of Consuls , and the Signature of the Times . Affairs , were wont to note diligently that there were two Consuls , which acted for the space of four Years , as is evident from Cuspiniโ—nus's Monument , which four Years they called Chronica Consularia ; but we cannot be so happy as to consult these Consularia of the Consuls , since time has wholly destroyed these ancient Writings , or miserably defaced 'em : but 't is thus that (p) (p) Dionys. Dio Livius , &c. some would make good this Defect : And first of all , the Capitoline Marbles discovered in the last Age conduce much towards it : For in the Year of Christ 1547 , ( as Caivisius has it , the Capitoline Tables written formerly out of the Minutes of the Senate by Verrius Flaccus the Grammarian , and publickly set up in the Roman Forum by the Command of the Emperor Augustus ; and afterwards being broken in pieces , and dispersed by the Injury of Times , were lost and covered under Ground ; by which ancient Guides ( found afterwards again ) very many Antiquaries have endeavoured to correct the Roman Fasti or Calendars ; but no one has been more successful in those Enquiries than Onuphrius , an Acquaintance of the Cardinal Alexander Farnesius , to whom these Tables were brought when first found : For he afterwards published at Venice the Roman Calendars and Triumphs , from the time of Romulus , till that of Charles V. in the Year 1557 ; yet the Alexandrian Chronicle is not to be wholly neglected , which carries the Name of the Sicilian Calendars : For this Book having been taken from amongst the most ancient Writings , was first found in Sicily , being part of the ancient Library of Jerone Surita , and sometimes โ—โ—ted by Scaliger and Causabon . This Book Antonius Augustinus ( Auditor rotae ) first brought with him into Italy : Fr. Sylburgius bought it for six Pieces of Gold , and gave it to Heschelius , who brought it to the Augustine Bibliotheque ; from whence it was published by Matth. Raderus .

ยง . 8. Some suspect that a Lustrum of 4 Pairs That all the Pairs of Consuls for every year since the first Instiโ—ution of the Consulate answering to the Monuments of Antiquity already cited , do not at this Day appear , nor are now known . and consequently of 4 Years , was observed in the Roman Calendars ; for many Years are wont to be reckoned from the Solemnity of the Consuls ; which we have already remark'd , were 2. This Defect , it seems , has given the best Writers much Trouble : For , first of all , there are some who think that either the Names of some Consuls were lost , or that there were Dictators put in the room of Consuls ; or that a Quadrennium ( or Space of Four Years ) was managed without Consuls ; which Opinion , not to mention other Difficulties , seems to labour under this , viz. That it does not sufficiently appear in what place the new Pairs of Consuls were inserted . Also the Government of Dictators was half-yearly , nor decreed but by the Consuls : There are some in the second place that guess , the Order of Consuls had respect to the Years of the City . I always suspected , and I think not without Grounds ( says Onuphrius ) that four Years were inserted in the Calendars , either of Dictators without Consuls , or without either Dictators or Consuls ; because Livius , who wrote the History of those Times ; found no such thing in the Annals whence he made his History . Therefore I sometimes thought that they fixed the Building of Rome with C. Fabius Pictor in the 29th of the Olympiads , That the Order of Consuls might answer to the Years of the City . But it seems not safe to contradict the unanimous Consent of the best Writers . Thirdly and Lastly , There are some who seem , not without Grounds , to suspect that from the very corrupt Disposition of the Romulian and Pompilian Year ; and because the Consuls at that time did enter upon their Office . Therefore these Doubts have arisen .

Scilicet arma magis quam sydera , Romu'e , noras , Curaque finitimos vincere major erat ,

ยง . 9. And as 't was said before that there were What 't is we ought to think of their Opinion , who are yet perswaded that there were five Pair of Consuls in the Consular Calendar . four Pair of Consuls , so we have (q) (q) Jโ—annes Georgius Herwart ab Hohenburg , Auster Novae , verโ— , & exactรจ ad Calculum Astronomicum revocatae Chron โ–ช โ— . some that will have the same Calendars to abound with Five Pair of Consuls : But since , what this Author has advanced , as any one may read him if they think it worth the while , is repugnant to Universal History ; and if his Hypothesis were admitted , it would rather disturb Chronology , than bring any Light unto it : Besides , the same Authorities he makes use of to advance his Hypothesis , he rejects them in other Places : Therefore we also shall reject all that he has said upon this Matter .

ยง . 10. The Consuls were mark'd in the Of the time that the Dignity of a Consulate was in use amongst the Romans . Calendars till the Year of Christ 541 ; but after Julius Caesar , as he himself speaks , Rome had only the Shadow of a Common-wealth , and only the Names of Consuls were retained : For then indeed ,

Omnia Caesar erat .

For what betwixt the Affection of Popularity , and ( mostly ) by the Counsel of their Authority , the Caesars drew the Consulate to themselves , sometimes using Force in it . For so Suetonius remarks of his Augustus in these Words ; In the twentieth Year of his Age he invaded the Consulate , moving his Legions after an hostile manner towards the City ; and having sent an Embassy to treat for him in the Name of the Army ; whilst the Senate delayed , Cornelius Centurio the Chief of the Embassy throwing open his Cloak , shewed him the Head of his Sword , and was not afraid to speak in the Court , If you will not do it , this shall do it . At length , on the 15th Year of Justinian , in which only Basilius was Consul , this Order of Consuls was wholly extinguish'd ; and after this Year , for 25 of the following Years they wrote thus : After the 1st , 2 d , 3 d , &c. Years of the Consulate of Basilius . Thus the Character of the Consuls fell , and the Times in the Roman Affairs were noted with the Years of the Emperors , and a little after with the Years of Christ .

ยง . 11. Custom at last obtained , that upon the The Reason why Justinian the Emperor toโ—k away the Dignity of the Consulate from the Senate . 1st Day of the Consulate , the new Consuls were used to excessive Expences ; Cesar , therefore as appears from the 105th Novella , endeavoured to restrain them by a certain Law , in which he not only forbid that they should throw Gold about , but in general โ–ช that they should not do any thing so immense and irregular : But when the Consuls again ambitiously violated these Limits , the Emperor prescribed , so that upon this Account they often ruined their Families , and reduced them to extream Necessity the Consular Dignity was taken away from the Senate : after that the Name of the Consuls , which had almost continued 1000 Years , was extirpated , and the Republick of Rome began to fail , as Justinian speaks in the Novella above cited .

The End of the Second Book .
OF THE Most Celebrated Periods . BOOK III.
CHAP. I. Of the Period of Calippus . DEFINITIONS . 1. The Calippic Period is a System of 76 years as well Lunar as Solar ; which being elapsed , the Reckoning of the Solar and Lunar Motion recurrs , as at first , the Ancients thought that when this Period was finished , the Conjunctions of the Sun and Moon hapned again upon the same Day of the Solar as they were observed to have done before . 2. This Sum of Years arises by the Multiplication of 19 ( the Metonic Cycle ) into 4. 3. This Calippic Period comprehends 58 Common Years , and 28 intercalatory Ones , 940 Lunations , and 27759 Days .

ยง . 1. THE Greeks being advised by their Of the Reason and Occasion of the Calippic Period , or a System of so great a time . Oracle that they ought to sacrifice as well by Lunae-Solar Times , as by Days , Months and Years , after various manners of Cycles , as that of 2 , 4 , 8 , 12 , Years space ; in which they committed great Mistakes , the Moon , ( as we have it in Aristophanes ) complaining out of the Clouds that the Athenians had no consideration to the Lunar Motions : At length Meto thought of the 19 years Cycle , and published the same at Athens in the 86th year of the 4th Olympiad ; so that the Metonic Cycle was in the 1st year of the 87th Olympiad , or the 4282d . of the Julian Period . Of him Diod. Sic. thus writes , That when Bosphorus K. of the Spartans was dead , and Seleucus , who reigned only four years , succeeded him , there was one Meto , Brother of Pausanias at Athens , famous for Astronomy ; who on the 13th day of Scirrophorion ( an Attic Month ) published his Enneadecaterides ; for in so many years the Stars return to the same Places , and as it were , finish a great Year : Therefore this Year is by some called Meto's Year ; for that Man seems to have followed the Truth in this Prediction and Description : For the Stars have their Motions and Significations answerable to this Description : So that very many of the Greeks who follow this Account , even to this time seem not to have erred . But since the Observations of succeeding Times have sufficiently shewed us that this Metonic Cycle does not exactly answer to the Lunae-Solar Motions . Calippus endeavoured to reform it by a new Period , subtracting one Day from every 4 Cycles .

ยง . 2. Calippus Cyzicenus of Mysia , as he is called That Calippus Cyzicenus was the Author of this new Period . by the Ancients , not Cygicenus , as 't is read in Josephus Blancanus's Chronology of famous Mathematicians . Yet though this Period had its Name from Calippus , yet 't is without doubt , but Timcchares , Aristellus , Polemarchus , who all flourished about that time , consulted the Author of this System ; and whereas we read that he came with Polemarchus to Aristotle at Athens upon Account of some Opinions of Eudoxus , Aristotle in his 62d Metaph . Text. 47. makes mention of this Calippus .

ยง . 3. The Period of Calippus began in the Of the time when Calippus his Period began . Summer of that Year that Alexander the Great conquered Darius in a difficult Battle at Arbela , which was in the 3d Year of the 112th Olympiad , or in the Year of the Julian Period 4384. which is manifest from (a) (a) ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ . Ptolemy , who brings 4 Observations from Timochares at certain years of the first Calippic Period .

ยง . 4. 'T was said above that Calippus intercalated Of the Order of Intercalatory Years to be observed in the Calippic Period . 18 times in the space of 76 Years ; but upon what Account , and in what time he has inserted those Months , would seem difficult , if Geminus had not noted that Calippus in his new Period had changed nothing in the computing of Intercalation in the Metonic Cycle : From whose Testimony we gather that Calippus intercalated so often as Meto's Cycle required : But we have above shew'd that Meto's Intercalatory Years were 3. 6. 8. 11. 14. 17. 19. Moreover , the first Year of the Calippic Period was the 8th in the Metonic Cycle , which we gather from the space of 102 Years , betwixt the Beginning of Meto's Cycle ( in the Year of the Julian Period 4282 ) and the Calippic Period ( in the Year of the Julian Period 4384 : ) Therefore it seems probable to us that the intercalatory Years of the Calippic Period were these following : 1. 4. 7. 10. 12. 15. 18. 20. 23. 26. 29. 31. 34. 37. 39. 42. 45. 48. 50. 53. 56. 58. 61. 64. 67. 69. 72. 75.

Seventy six Solar Tropic Years , allowing That the ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Period ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ . 365 D. 5 H. 48โ€ณ , 40โ€ณ , to a Year , make 27758 D. 9 H. 57โ€ณ , 40โ€ณ ; but the Days in 940 Lunations are 27758 D. 18 H. 7โ€ฒ , 0โ€ณ , supposing the Quantity of one Lunation to be 29 D. 12 H. 44โ€ฒ , 3โ€ณ , the Sum of 27759 Days are attributed to one Cycle , which agrees with neither of the other , being less than one by almost 10 Hours , and less than another by above 18 H. But that the Examination of the Cycles and Lunae-Solar Periods may be liable to less Difficulties , we have thought fit to construct the following Tables , whose Use is very great and obvious .

I.Tab.ForSolarTropicYears. Y. Sol. Trop . Days . H. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . 1 365 5 48 55 2 730 11 37 50 3 1095 17 26 45 4 1460 23 15 40 5 1826 5 4 35 6 2191 10 53 30 7 2556 16 42 25 8 2921 22 31 20 9 3287 4 20 15 10 3652 10 9 10 20 7304 20 18 20 30 10957 6 27 30 40 14609 16 36 40 50 18262 2 45 50 60 21914 12 55 0 70 25566 23 4 10 80 29219 9 13 20 90 32871 19 22 30 100 36524 5 31 40 200 73048 11 3 20 300 109572 16 35 0 400 146096 22 6 40 500 182621 3 38 20 600 219145 9 10 0 700 255669 14 41 40 800 292193 20 13 20 900 328718 1 45 0 1000 365242 7 16 40 2000 730484 14 33 20 3000 1095726 21 50 0 4000 1460969 5 6 40 5000 1826211 12 23 20 6000 2191453 19 40 0 7000 2556696 2 56 40 8000 2921938 10 13 20 9000 3287180 17 30 0 10000 3652423 0 46 40
II. Tab. For Julian Mean Years . Y. Jul. Days . Hours . 1 365 6 2 730 12 3 1095 18 4 1461 0 5 1826 6 6 2191 12 7 2556 18 8 2922 0 9 3287 6 10 3652 12 20 7305 0 30 10957 12 40 14610 0 50 18262 12 60 21915 0 70 25567 12 80 29220 0 90 32872 12 100 36525 200 73050 300 109575 400 146100 500 182625 600 219150 700 255675 800 292200 900 328725 1000 365250 2000 730500 3000 1095750 4000 1461000 5000 1826250 6000 2191500 7000 2556750 8000 2922000 9000 3287250 10000 3652500
III.Tab.ForLunations. Lunat . Days . Hours . โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . 1 29 12 44 3 2 59 1 28 6 3 88 14 12 9 4 118 2 56 13 5 147 15 40 16 6 177 4 24 19 7 206 17 8 22 8 236 5 58 25 9 265 18 36 28 10 295 7 20 31 20 590 14 41 3 30 885 22 1 34 40 1181 5 22 6 50 1476 12 42 37 60 1771 20 3 9 70 2067 3 23 40 80 2362 10 44 12 90 2657 18 4 43 100 2953 1 25 15 200 5906 2 50 30 300 8859 4 15 45 400 11812 5 41 0 500 14765 7 6 15 600 17718 8 31 30 700 20671 9 56 45 800 23624 11 22 0 900 26577 12 47 15 1000 29530 14 13 30 2000 59061 4 25 0 3000 88591 18 37 30 4000 118122 8 50 0 5000 147652 23 2 30 6000 177183 13 15 0 7000 206714 3 27 30 8000 236244 17 40 0 9000 365775 7 52 30 10000 295305 22 5 0

CHAP. II. Of the Period of Hipparchus . 1. Hipparchus 's Period is a System of 304 years Lunar and Solar , which being elapsed , the Ancients thought the Reckoning by the Lunar Motion would exactly coincide again with the Solar ones . 2. This Period comprehends 3760 Months , and 111035 Days . 3. The Sum of these Days arises from the Multiplication of the Calippic Period , viz. 27759 into 4 , subtracting Vnity from the Product .

ยง . 1. THIS is the Author that corrected the Of the Author of this Cycle . Computation of Calippus , and thought of a new one : His Name was Hipparchus of Nicaea in Bithynia , ( according to Strabo ) or the Island of Rhodes ( according to Ptolemy ; ) and he made such Proficiency in Astronomy , that (a) (a) Lib. 2. c. 26. Pliny says of him , Nunquam satis landatus . But whether this was the same with another famous Astronomer , who was called Abrahis or Abrachis , according as Lucas Gauricus and Josephus Blancanus thought , you may read Clavius's (b) (b) Vide Comment. ad Joan. de Sacroboscโ— Sphaeram . Disputations ,

ยง . 2. The Age of this Astronomer is sufficiently Of the time that Hipparchus lived and published his Period . fixed from his own Observations ; for he takes notice of a Vernal Aequinox in the 3d Year of the 150th Olympiad , that it hapned upon the 30th of Messori , which is October the 3d. of the Jul. Period 4552 ; and on the following Years he gives us other Observations ; whereof Ptolemy mentions 8 ; and the difference betwixt the first and the last , is 3โ— Years : Therefore he flourished in the time of the third Punic War ; and he gave himself up to this Study from the Year 4552 , to the Year 4586 , according to the Julian Account ; in which time 't is indisputable but he must have fixed his Period .

ยง . 3. He found that the Period of Calippus Of the Reason why Hipparchus corrected the Calippic Period . was assumed too great by near a Quarter of an Hour ; so that 4 Periods being elapsed , the Moon would come to the old Place again in the Solar Calendar , if one Day were subtracted ; which he accordingly did . Of this Affair Longomontanus (c) (c) Danic . Theor. l. 1. c. 2. p. 175. thus writes : Meto in 304 , which hapned nearly betwixt him and Hipparchus , had committed an Error of 5 Days , in his Cycle then , because he look'd upon the Solar Year to be almost 365ยผ Days ; because he found the Conjunction of the Sun and Moon not so precise as it should be , which Calippus thought of , whilst examining an Eclipse of the Moon 6 years before the Death of Alexander the Great ; So that he corrected Meto , subtracting one Day in every 4 Cycles ; from whence he made his own Period of 76 Years : But whereas Calippus himself had usurped , that the Solar Year consisted of 365ยผ Days ; and also in the Course of the Moon it lost something . Therefore Hipparchus in like manner corrected Calippus , taking from him in 4 Periods or the space of 304 Years , one whole Day , and consequently 5 from Meto in that time . But this Error of one Day committed by Calippus , Hipparchus rejected for a whole Solar Year , subtracting only so much after 304 years and one Day altogether in 304 years . Hence it comes to pass that the Measure of the Tropick Year 365ยผ Days is lessened by Hipparchus by the 300th part of one Day ; that is , 4โ€ฒ . 48โ€ณ : So that time should , according to him , be thought but 365 D. 5 H. 55โ€ฒ . 12โ€ณ .

ยง . 4. For if according to the Rule of the preceding That Hipparchus did not follow in his Period what he thought of in his mind . Tables , you examine this Period , 304 Solar Tropical Years make 111033 D. 15 H. 50โ€ฒ . 40โ€ณ . But 3760 Lunations make 111035 D. 0H . 37โ€ฒ . 24โ€ณ . So that there remains an evident Disparity , and the Error is owing to this , that the Quantity of the Solar Year was assumed greater than the constant Account of the Solar Motions require .

ยง . 5. The Gregorian Hypothesis is this , that That the Authors of the Gregorian Calendar have not rightly corrected the Fault of Hipparchus โ–ช Period . the Sun and Moon are not together in the same Place of 304 years as Hipparchus had taught , but after 312 ; which Cycle of Years the Gregorian Correctors have substituted instead of that of Hipparchus , hereby acting absurdly two ways : First , the Authors of this Cyclic Method have taken away from this Lunar Cycle worse than any before them and without any reason have deduced their Reckoning rather from Cycles than Computation : 2dly , nor have they rightly observed the Laws of the Celestial Motions ; for which way soever you calculate , you shall never make 312 Solar Years , and 312 Lunar Years , that they should exactly coincide with a constant perpetual Revolution .

ยง . 6. Those who undertake to correct the How the Errors of the Ancients have been corrected by Lunae-Solar Calculations . Lunae-Solar Cycles and other Periods of the same nature , seem to me not very unlike those who take up Water in a Sieve ; for both of 'em lose their Labour : We cannot successfully find the Lunae-Solar Morions except by Tables built upon Celestial Observations , whereby we fully know the Times of the Aequinoxes , the Varieties of the Lunar Phases , coming this way only to the Archives of the Stars ; when those that have declined this way , and endeavouring to substitute another Period in the room of that of Hipparchus , could never have another Recompence , but Errors for their Errors : So that the Pope himself was once amazed when he saw the Jews , the Slayers of Christ , his Colleagues in the Paschal . So that Christophorus Clavius was compelled to write , to the Eternal Infamy of the reformed and ancient Periods : Demonstrandum erit Maestlino in Kal. Greg. alios errores praeter quatuor reperi . Oh the Folly of the Age ! Pray , how many Full Moons , Paschals ( for 't was for their sakes that so much Pains were taken , partly in mending , partly in constituting a-new the Periods of the Ancients ) could those little Parasites , while they were nourished 10 Years at Rome by Gregory , be able to compute with a little diligence for the Tables of Celestial Motions , without the use of fallacious Cycles and Periods ! So that they were able to avoid many Errors , of which Clement VIII . wrote foolishly enough , when he said , vitari non potuerint . In short , there is no Cycle , no Period , however ingeniously contrived , which we can pronounce sufficient to reconcile the Motions of the Sun and Moon by an accurate , useful and perpetual Agreement .

CHAP. III. Of the Victorian Period . 1. The Victorian Period is a System of 532 Lunae-Solar and Julian Years , which being elapsed , the Characters of the Moon fall again upon the same Day and Feria , and revolve in the same Order , according to the Opinion of the Ancients . 2. 'T is otherwise the great Paschal Cycle ; because the Christians first used it to find the true time of the Pascha's . 3. But the Sum of these Years arises from the Multiplication of 29 into 28 , the Numbers of the Lunar and Solar Cycle .

ยง . 1. THO' there were many Victorius's by Name , as Victorius Pictaviensis , who Of the Author of this Period . suffered Martyrdom under Dioclesian , and another about the Year of Christ 324 , who in a Roman Synod met in Trajan's Baths , was condemned because he presumed to argue about the Paschal Cycles received into the Church : But the Learned agree , that one Victorius different from the former , and by Nation , and Aquitane , was the Author of the Cycle of 532 Years . Theophilus and C. Cyrillus computed the times of the Pascha's for only 95 Years : For Dionysius Exiguus remarks upon both , and wrote thus to Petronius the Bishop : That Pope Theophilus dedicating a Course of 100 Years to Prince Theodosius the Elder , and S. Cyrillus composing a Cycle of Times for 95 Years , both kept in all things this Tradition of the holy Council , to observe the 14 Paschal Moons . When therefore Hilary I. Archdeacon , after Pontifex R. had observed that those Particulars were found out , and that the Table of Theophilus Alexandrinus was almost at an End , he commanded Victorius , who at that time was lookt upon as the best Computator of the Age , to assist the Church in this Necessity ; who for this substituted the Period I have described , that the same being elapsed , the Feriae and Conjunctions might return and happen again upon the same Day .

ยง . 2. 'T was before Hilarius received the Pontificate Of the time of publishing this Period . that Victorius had his Command about this Cycle , which is gathered from an Epistle of Hilarius to Victorius ; which , it 's said , is now extant in the Sirmondian Codex , which has this Inscription : Dilectissimo , &c. To the most beloved , honourable and holy Brother Victorius , Hilarius , Bishop and Arch-deacon of the City of Rome , &c. But till some Years were clapsed , and Hilarius made Pope , this Cycle was not published ; as appears from the Prologue written to the same Pope : Domino , &c. To Hilarius the truly Holy Lord and Pope , venerable in Christ , Bishop of the City of Rome , Victorius , &c. Marianus Scotus speaks the clearest of this Matter , who upon the Year 463 , writes the following Words : Victorius upon the Command of P. Hilary wrote the Paschal Cycle of 532 Years .

ยง . 3. And Victorius fixed his Period , not from the Of the time that victorius fixed his Period . time he first discovered it , but from the Passion of Christ , which he makes to be in the Year of the Consulate of Ruffus and Rebellius , which Character seems to agree with the 29th Year of the common Aera .

ยง . 4. Yet the Annals of the Ancients witness , How victorius's Period was accepted . that Victor , a Bishop of Capua , wrote against the Faults of the Victorian Cycle ; and Beda seems to take his part against Victorius . But how Victorius was mistaken , is not so evident to us , since we find no Copy at this Day of his Cyde ; for that Fragment which Petavius (a) (a) De Doctrina Temp. Lib. 2. Cap. 67. cites , he himself thinks spurious . But this is certain , that Dionysius Exiguus upon the Occasion of Victorius's Period found out a more accurate and newer Paschal Cycle , viz. of 525 Years : Who desires to see more of these , may consult (b) (b) Gennadius de Viris illustribus , c. 8. Ifidorus Epise. l 6. c. 17. Scal. Mar. Baron & Petav. Authors .

CHAP. IV. Of the Constantinopolitan Period . 1. The Constantinopolitan Period is a System of 7980 Julian Years , whereof the first has the Solar Cycle of 28 Years , the 2 d the Lunar of 19 Years , the 3 d the Indiction of 15 Years . 2. This Sum arises from the continual Multiplication of the Number of Years in the Solar Cycle , Lunar Cycle and Indiction . 3. The Greeks do not reckon the same Cycles as the Romans do . 4. The first Solar Cycle of the Greeks is the 18th of the Latines , and the 1st of the Latines is the 12th of the Greeks . 5. The 1st Lunar Cycle of the Greeks is the 4th of the Latines , and the 1st of the Latines is the 17th of the Greeks . 6. But for the most part , they reckon the Cycle of the Indictions as the Romans do : For what Number the Greeks give to the Cycle of Indictions from the Calends of September , the same the Romans give from the Calends of January .

ยง . 1. ALtho' we dare not assert with Josephus (a) (a) Lib. 5. de Emend . Temp. p. 363. Scaliger that the Constantinopolitan Of the Original of the common Graecian Aera , and in what sense the Greeks understood it . Computation was a Period merely artificial , which the Vnlearned that followed , fetched from the Creation of the World with the same Vnskilfulness as the Jews do their Reckoning ; Yet the Number of the Greek Version of the 70 Interpreters do very nearly agree with this Aera : Nor hath it been denied by (b) (b) L. 9. de doct. Temp. Petavius , that this was the Reason of preferring the Conveniency of certain Cycles , chiefly that of the Moon and Indictions , to others , which were to be interpolated by the Greeks , and that especially which we now use ; which Cycles that they might commodiously agree , the Greeks studied to follow Panodorus Monachus , or some other Author ; by a Subtraction or an Addition of a few Years to that old and well-known Sum : So that nothing hinders why we should less call that Computation a Period which the Greeks call by the Name of an Epocha or Aera ( the Commodity and Disposition of the Cycles in the Computation being considered ) for by that Name ( viz. Period ) we take notice that not only Scaliger , but also Langins and others used to call that Computation , tho' 't was afterwards opposed by Petavius .

ยง . 2. The Use of this Epocha is very great , Of the Vse of the Constantinopolitan Eโ—ocha or Pโ—โ—iโ—d . when at Constantinopolis and Alexandria they make both use of it for noting their Kalendars ; whence the same Aera is called by both their Names . (c) (c) De Dominicis & Hโ—bdomadibus Graecโ—rum . Leo Allatius doubts not to call it the Calculation of the whole Eastern Church , which is almost every where solemn , and which all make use of not only for the direction of the times , and showing the solemn Days of their Calendars , but in their Trades and familiar Conversations .

ยง . 3. The Graecian Year was two-fold , first Civil , which they began with the Indiction Of the Beginning of the Graecian Years . from September ; 2d , the Ecclesiastic , which they began from the Cycle of the Sun and Moon from April . Hence the Computations of these years divided by the Cycle of the Sun and Moon , are to be lessened by Unity in the former Months , which , as Petavius notes , Scaliger had not considered .

ยง . 4. The 1st year of Christ in relation to this Period may be shewn from many Examples of Of the first Year of Christ in relation to this Period , and how other Years of Christ are to be connected with the Years of this Aera . Authors which used the Constantinopolitan Aera : As for Example , by Isaac Argyrus , it is gathered that the first Year of the vulgar Aera began on the 4th Month of the Year 5509 ; whence it 's evident that betwixt the beginning of this Epocha , and that of the vulgar Aera , there were 5508 Years and 4 Months , which , if added to the Year of the Christian Aera , it shews the time according to the Greek Account ; or if subtracted from the time of the Constantinopolitans , it shews the time answering to our vulgar Computation : so that there is no use of those large Tables invented by Leo (d) (d) Lib. de Domiโ—iโ—โ—s & Hโ—bdomโ—dibus . Allatius .

ยง . 5. And from the Sum of the Years and How the Graecian Years ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Julian . Months reckoned according to the Greeks , subtract 795 Years , 4 Months , and the Remainder is the Time answering in the Julian Account ; or if you add to the Julian Years and Months the 795 Years 4 Months , you have All the Greek Writers did not make use of this Computation . the Graetian Year .

ยง . 6. Although at this Day many of the Greeks make use of this Aera ; yet there are others especially amongst the ancient Writers , that use another Epocha different from this ; whence Jacobus (e) (e) In Epocham illustrium them it Capellus reckons upon divers Aera's which are distinctly made use of by the Greek Writers . The first is , if you look back to the Creation of the World , according to the Reckoning of the Latines , the Constantinopolitan Reckoning just now explained , will be found false : The 2d is the Graec. Aera , us'd by the Aethiopians , which begins the 9th Year from the Alexandrian or Constantinopolitan Aera upon the 9th Indiction , and the 26th Julian Solar Cycle , and commences upon the Autumn : The third also is a Graecian Aera frequently used by Cedrenus . He deduces it from the 16th year of the Alexandrian Epocha , the 8th of the Aethiopian , and from the first Indiction : The fourth is that which Maximus Monachus usurps , and is deduced from the 17th Year current of the common Graecian Aera ; for betwixt the Epocha of the World's Creation , and the Year of Christ , Miximus reckons 5492 Years . Petavius reckons up the Varieties of the Greek Computations after another manner , who in respect to Dionysius's Christian Aera , admits only two Aera's of the Greeks , whereof the first makes the Nativity of Christ upon the 5493d Year of his Aera ; the other upon the Year Hโ—w the Greek and Latin Cycles may be compared . 5509 ; about which (f) (f) L. 9. de doct. temp. Petavius may be consulted .

ยง . 7. The Latin and Greek Cycles may be compared by Help of the following Table , which shews the Lunar and Solar Cycles of both : For we have already shewn how the Latin Cycle of Indictions agrees with the Graecian Cycles ; to which we may add that the Graecian Cycles answer to the Latin Cycles till March or April : If therefore the Character of the following Months in relation to the Solar Cycle of the Latins , answering to the reckoning of the Greeks be sought , the Tabular Numbers in the Column Graec. ought to be encreased by Unity . Indeed I am not ignorant that Isaac Monachus wrote that the Year , in respect of the Solar Cycle , began from October ; but in respect of the Lunar Cycle , from the Calends of Janury ; but if we consider the usual Greek Computations , that Method we have now prescribed , will be more natural .

SolarCycle. LAT. GRAEC . 1 12 2 13 3 14 4 15 5 16 6 17 7 18 8 19 9 20 10 21 11 22 12 23 13 24 14 25 15 26 16 27 17 28 18 1 19 2 20 3 21 4 22 5 23 6 24 7 25 8 26 9 27 10 28 11
LunarCycle. LAT. GRAEC . 1 17 2 18 3 19 4 1 5 2 6 3 7 4 8 5 9 6 10 7 11 8 12 9 13 10 14 11 15 12 16 13 17 14 18 15 19 16

CHAP. V. Of the Julian Period . 1. The Julian Period is a System of 7980 Years , whose first Year had 1 for the Character of the Solar Cycle ; also of the Lunar Cycle , and also of the Indiction , all reckoned according to the manner of the Latines , from Noon upon the Calends of January . 2. This Period arises from the continual Multiplication of 28 , 19 , and 15 , the Cycles of the Sun , Moon and Indiction . 3. In respect of its Vse , this Period contains in it the Reason of all other Epocha's ; so that we are chiefly to reduce all other Aera's to it .

ยง . 1. THIS Period was not called the Julian , because it was invented by Julius Of the reason why this is called the Julian Period . Caesar , since 't was not received till the Year 4669 ; but because this System consists of Julian Years .

ยง . 2. This Epocha is not Historical but Artificial , Of its Author . since 't was invented only for the Use of true Epocha's : For Scaliger considering that the Calculation was very intricate , since , if we consider the Years of the Creation , the year of Christ , or any other Epocha whatever , another Person could not understand what Year this or that Writer meant ; therefore to remove such Doubts about reckoning upon the times , he thought of this Period ; and when he saw that there was no other Epocha , whose Beginning was incontestable among Chronologers , he fixed this : For he continually multiplied the three Cycles of the Sun , Moon , and Indiction together , and the Product resulting he called the Julian Period . By this means , avoiding those Inconveniencies , which were wont to arise from the different Computation of Years ; but no one can doubt , who has considered the 2 Periods , viz. the Constantinopolitan and the Julian ; but that the former was the occasion of the latter . For they agree in Quantity and in Principles ; since , as Scaliger has taught , both arise from the Multiplication of the Cycles ; but they disagree in respect of the Terminus ร  quo , since the Beginning of the Const. Period is supposed to precede the other Period by 795 years : Nor have the Years of the Julian Period the same Beginning as the Const. have ; since we begin those from Noon upon the Calends of January ; but these partly from the Autumn , partly from the Spring . But what Praise Scaliger has deserved , even from his Enemy , because of the Use of this Julian Period , is evident from the following Words of (a) (a) Lib. 9. Cap. 1. Petavius , where he says , Truly there is scarce any thing in all Scaliger 's Chronological Books which is of any Moment , or may avoid Reprehension , besides his Explication of the Julian Period . And as we have deservedly , condemn'd the rest , and because of their intolerable Errors , and have rejected them from all Vse in History ; so we ought much to esteem this Artificial Cycle of Year and its Vse . Which is sufficient from an Enemy and constant Adversary .

ยง . 3. The first Use of the Julian Period Of the most remarkable Vses of the Julian Period . is this ; that we can explain our Minds to one another : For every Year of this Period has its Cycles ; all of which no other Year in the whole Period has . And on the contrary , the Year of the Creation being stated , we may first enquire how many years any Author reckons from the Creation to the Year of Christ which Multiplex Inquisition , Experience will teach any one who doubts of it , is troublesome and full of Difficulties , according to the Method of other Periods . The 2d Use is , that the 3 Cycles are found in this Period : The 3d Use is this , that if it can be found how the Chronological Characters can be found , and that the Years of any other Epocha can be connected with the years of the Julian Period , the same Characters also with little Labour may be applied to the years of all other Epocha's , which also is the Cause why we shall explain in certain Sections the Invention of the Chronological Characters in the Julian Period , and afterwards in particular , the Connexion of Historical Years , with the Julian Period . For whereas in all other Chapters we have particularly spoken how those Characters might peculiarly be applied to Aera's : So it shall be sufficient that we have mentioned how they may be compared together in the Julian Account ; so that it only remains , that in the mention of Epocha's we only shew how all the Years reckoned from any Period agree with some certain year in the Julian Period .

ยง . 4. The first Year of Dionysius's Christian Of the Principle that Scaliger followed in instituting the Years of the Julian Period . Epocha by the consent of all the Latines , had for its Characters 10 , the Solar Cycle : 2. the Lunar , 4. the Roman Indiction ; which three Cycles being found in no other year of the whole Julian Period , besides 4714 , the first of the Christian Aera : Therefore this Dionysian Epocha must rightly agree with that year of the Julian Period , and each with each , as Scaliger noted , and as Petavius truly wrote : The Beginning of the Years of Christ , which Men call , the Christian Aera is as it were the Limit and Hinge of Chronology , and the common Term in which the Reasoning of all Chronologers meet , as if they are drawn through many Turnings and Windings into the same Computation .

ยง . 5. Whereas the first year of the Julian Period , reckoning back from the true beginning An Enquiry whether the System of the Julian Period is sufficient to assign all the Epocha's of the World of all Chronologers . of the World , is 764 ; it easily appears , that the disagreeing Opinions for many years may commodiously be referred to the Julian Period : Nor is it found amongst those Writers who reckon from the Hebrew and Latin Codices of Bibles that ascends the assigned Epocha of the Creation , ascends beyond the beginning of the Julian Period : But if we examine the Reasons of profane History , and first of all , of the Aegyptian and other Authors , who follow the Numbers of the 70 Interpreters , we cannot deny this Period to be insufficient to reconcile all the Disagreements that happen about the Epocha of all the World's Creation till Abraham , the Computation of the Greeks exceeds that of the Latines by more than a thousand years , as shall be shew'd in its Place ; for which reason , besides that we now mentioned , we call the Julian Period Postulatitious ; by means whereof we can commodiously explain those Opinions which differ so much from the Hebrew Truth .

ยง . 6. Let the given Number of years be The Cycle of the Sun , Moon and Iudiction of any Year in the Julian Period being given to find the Dominical Letter , the 1st Fโ—โ—โ—a , and the Quantity of the Year . divided by 28 , 19 , and by 15 ; look at the Remainders , not at the Quotients , and we have the Character of the Cycle sought : If nothing remains , 't is the last of the Cycle sought . Afterwards , the Solar Cycle being known , the Dominical Letter , the first Day of the Year , and the Quantity of the Year , are readily found from the last Table , Page 130 : For easier Computation in this Matter , we have added the following Table .

Cyc . โ˜‰ Cyc . โ˜‰ Cy. In. Cyc . Ju. 1 28 19 15 49 2 56 38 30 98 3 84 57 45 147 4 112 76 60 196 5 140 95 75 245 6 168 114 90 294 7 196 133 105 343 8 224 152 120 392 9 252 171 131 441

ยง . 7. Cast away the Thousands and Hundreds ; How it may be known whether any assign'd Year is Bissextile er Common . divide the Remainder by 4 : If nothing remains 't is Bissextile : If 1 , 2 , or 3 remains , 't is the common Year , and the 1st , 2d , or 3d after a Bissextile .

ยง . 8. 'T is necessary by the Praxis in the preceding Section to find the first Day in the How the Character belonging to any given Day in any given Year of the Julian Period may be sound . given Year , and the Quantity of the given Year , if the Day sought be after February ; which being known , diminish the Sum by 1 , and add it to the Number of the Days , from the beginning of January inclusive ; afterwards divide by 7 , and the Remainder shews the Day of the Week . For easier Calculation the following Table is subjoined ; wherein the Days , for any Number of Months are set down .

InaYear Common Bissextile . January D. 31 F. 3 D. 31 F. 3 February 59 3 60 4 March 90 6 91 7 April 120 1 121 2 May 151 4 152 5 June 181 6 182 7 July 212 2 213 3 August 243 5 244 6 September 273 7 274 1 October 504 3 305 4 November 334 5 335 6 December 365 1 666 2

ยง . 9. From the compleat Sum of the Bissextile How the Character of the Feria of any Day in a given Year may be found without knowing the Solar Cycle . years of Christ , and of the Days of the current Year , subtract Unity ; ( and for the New Kalendar , besides Unity , the other Days that are to be subtracted ) divide the Difference by 7 , and the Remainder shews the Feria or Day of the Week sought .

ยง . 10. Observe the Order of the Dominical How the Dominical Letter , which is otherwise known by the Solar Character in the years of the Julian Period , may without it be found in the years of Christ . Letters in the subjoined Scheme :

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. A B C D E F G

By 7 divide the Sum of 5 , and of the elapsed Bissextiles of the Year of Christ ( whose Sum is known by dividing the Years of Christ by 4 ) subtract the Remainder from 8 , and you have the Dominical Letter in a Bissextile Year to be reckoned from the 6th of the Calends of March ; But in the new Kalendar you first subtract the Number of Days that are to be subtracted .

ยง . 11. Divide the Number of Days elapsed The manner how the Letter answering to any Day in any Year of the Julian Kalendar may be readily found . from the Calends of January , and the Remainder is the Number answering to the Letter sought , putting A for 1 , B for 2 , &c.

ยง . 12. The chief Use of this System of Time is , that we cannot only assign the Characters of any given year ; but also if the Characters be The Cycle of the Sun , Moon and Roman Indiction being given , the corresponding Year in the Julian Period may be thus found . given , we can find the year answering . To do the last , we shall propose two ways : The first is this ; The Number of the years of the Solar Cycle being given , subtract from them those of the Lunar ( adding 28 , if the Subtraction cannot be made with it ) , multiply the Difference by 56 : Again , take the Sum of this Product , and that Number from which the Subtraction was made , and by 532 , the Quantity of the Victorian Period ) you have the year of the Victorian Period , the difference betwixt this year , and that of the given Indiction divided by 15 , and the Remainder multiplied by 1064 ; the Sum of the Product of the Victorian year found as above ( if not exceeding 7980 , the Quantity of the Julian Period ) will give the year sought .

ยง . 13. With the Number of the Solar Cycle Or thus . enter the following Table , and under the Character โ˜‰ take out the answering Numbers ; as also under the Character โ˜ฝ , take the Numbers answering to the Lunar Cycle , divide the Aggregate of these by 15 , subtracting the Remainder from the Number of the given Indiction , add the Difference to the former Aggregate ; and against the Sum under the Title Indict . is the Year of the Julian Period fought .

Cycl . N. โ˜‰ โ˜ฝ Indict . 1 57 476 6916 2 114 420 5852 3 171 364 4788 4 228 308 3724 5 285 252 โ—660 6 342 196 1596 7 399 140 532 8 456 84 7448 9 513 28 6384 10 38 504 5320 11 95 448 4256 12 152 392 3192 13 209 336 2128 14 266 280 1064 15 323 224 7980 16 380 168 17 437 112 18 494 56 19 19 532 20 76 21 133 22 190 23 247 24 304 25 361 26 418 27 475 28 532

ยง . 14. Altho' we think that the true Use of Of the Obscurity of the Julian Period . this System does abundantly compensate for any Difficulty that can occur , and that nothing could be more proper to remove the intricate Perplexities of Chronologers than an Observance of the clear Disposition and evident Reasons of its Characters , yet there is one thing we cannot pass by ; that if any Person is not pleased with the Use of this Period , he may more commodiously use the Dionysian Aera of Christ , with the years before it began than any other Epocha whatever : For altho' (a) Petavius concludes , Caโ—ebit ; qui hanc Periodum omitโ—et , praesenti illius fructus , ut per singulorum triโ—n Cyclorum โ—โ—โ—โ—โ—โ—ulus divisi annorum numeri Cyclos corum proprios exhibeant . But this Difficulty may be removed if one will observe that these Numbers 9 , 1 , 3 , are to be added to the year of Christ forwards , and the Sums to be divided by 28 , 19 , 15. But if the years should happen to be before Christ ; then let the Sums be divided by the Numbers 28 , 19 , 5 , and subtract the Remainders from 10 , 2 , 4 , assuming Circles as oft as is necessary , we have the Characters answering to the year before Christ's Nativity . For Example ; to the year of Christ add 4713 ; or from the year before Christ subtract 4714 , the Sum or Difference gives the corresponding year in the Julian Period .

ยง . 15. Whereas the Sabbatic and Jubilean years How to find the Character . of the Sabbatic Cycle for the Years of the Julian Period . begin not as the Julian do ; ( for we reckon these from 120 , a-clock on the Kalends of January : But those from the 10th Day of the first Autumnal Month Tisri as above ) it further appears that any Sabbatic or Jubilean year is concerned with Petavius Lib. 1. c. 4. two years of the Julian Period , with the first in respect of the 3 Months , the latter in respect of 9. This premised , note that to all the year of the Julian Period , considered in respect of the 9 , we are to add 6 , and divide the Sum by 7 , and the Remainder is eitherโ—o , and then 't is a Sabbatic year ; if any , it is the Cycle of the Sabbatic year belonging to the year given : But if the same Character be sought in respect of the latter Months of the Julias year , omit the Addition of 6 , and let the given Sum of years be divided by 7 , and you have it as before . But the Rule of Scaliger in this (c) (c) Jโ—l . Isag . p. 9. Affair is this ; All the Sevens of the Solar Cycle are the 7th Years of the Week ; And therefore what year soever shall happen after the next 7 of the Solar Cycle , that is the first year of the legal Week , &c. is to be understood of the years of the Julian Period , considered not in respect of the former but latter Months .

ยง . 16. Although in the Opinion of the Mystic Chronologer , the way of finding this Character The manner of finding the Character of the Jubilean Cycle in the years of the Jubilean Period . in the Julian Period may seem intricate , since the Quantity of the mystic Jubilean year has nothing common with the Quantity of the Julian ; yet we shall not deliver a less easie Method of finding the Character of the Julian Cycle ; and 't is that whereby we found before the Character of the Sabbatic Cycle ; Therefore to any years of the Julian Period considered here in respect of the 1st 9 Months nearly , add 20 to the Number of the years of the Julian Period , divide the Sum by 49 , and the Remainder is either of which always shews the Jubilean year ; or else 1 , 2. 3 , when it shall determine that year in the Jubilean , which the remaining Number expresses .

ยง . 17. The Ancients thought the Solstices , &c. The Cardinal Times of the Aequinoxes and Solstices are constantly applied to certain days of the Julian Kalendar . fixt ; and they relate of Sosygenes , that he thought that neither in his nor succeeding Ages , the Winter Solstices could happen but upon the Calends of January . Thus also the Fathers in the Nicene Council , that the Vernal Aequinox cou'd not recede from the 20th or 21st of March ; but the Event shews that both were deceived : For 't is now evident that the Winter Solstice , with the other Cardinal Times have fallen otherwise .

ยง . 18. Although very many after different Of finding the time of the Vernal Aequinox . ways , were wont to think of a Method how to find the time of the Aequinoxes and Solstices ; yet we doubt not but ours which follows is most compendious , easie , certain , and accommodated to Chronological Calculations . The Foundation of it , and first of all of the Table , by whose Help the Computation is performed , is twofold : First , it 's evident that Tycho Brahe at Ween in the year of Christ 1584 , observed the Vernal Aequinox on March the 9th , 21 H. 30 M. Afternoon ; and that the same Day of Observation was on a Bissextile , 70 D. from the Calends of January ; in like manner in the following year 1585 , he observed the Vernal Aequinox to happen on the 10th day of March , 3 H. 19 M. and in the year 1586 , March 10th , 9 H. 8 M. Secondly , (d) (d) L. 1. Theor. c. 5. Longemontanus thus determined the Quantity of the Tropic Year : The Quantity of the Tropic Year says he , is now more subtilly , and with greater diligence observed by us than any one before to be 365 D. 5 H. 48 M. 58 Sec. the Anticipation being limited and subtracted from the Mean of the Julian Year 365 D. 6 H. &c. From these Hypotheses we have constructed the following Table , whose Use is this : At the compleat given Year of the Julian Period in which the time of the Vernal Aequinox is sought ; take out the Numbers of Anticipation , and subtract them from a Radix answering to the current year , the time of the Vernal Aequinox is known , reckon'd from Noon-day at Ween .

TheRadixfortheGivenYear. D. H. โ€ฒ . Bissextile . 119 8 31 1st after Biss . 117 14 31 2d after Biss . 117 20 31 3d after Biss . 118 2 31
A Table for anticipating the Aequinoctials in Julian Years according to the Hypothesis of the Danish Astronomy . Years . H. Min. Years . Days Ho. Min. 1 0 11 100 0 18 28 2 0 22 200 1 12 57 3 0 33 300 2 7 25 4 0 44 400 3 1 53 5 0 55 500 3 20 22 6 1 6 600 4 14 50 7 1 18 700 5 9 18 8 1 29 800 6 3 47 9 1 40 900 6 22 15 10 1 56 1000 7 16 43 20 3 42 2000 15 9 27 30 5 32 3000 23 2 10 40 7 23 4000 30 18 53 50 9 14 5000 38 11 37 60 11 5 6000 46 4 20 70 12 56 7000 53 21 3 80 14 47 8000 61 13 47 90 16 38 9000 69 6 30 100 18 28 10000 76 23 13

ยง . 19. From the time of the Vernal Aequinox , subtract 89 D. 5 H. 40 Min. the Remainder To find the Solstices . is the time of the Winter Solstice , where you must note that in both the present and following Ages the Winter Solstice does not fall upon the mentioned , but the preceding year ; and therefore that a Subtraction may be made , the Days of the preceding year , or at least , of the last Month , are to be added to the Sum from whence you subtract ; but if 93 D. 9 H. 15 M. be added to the time of the same Vernal Aequinox , the time of the Summer Solstice is had ; to which last Sum let 93 D. 9 H. 15 Min. be again added , and you have the time of the Autumnal Aequinox sought ; or if immediately you desire to know the Autumnal Aequinox from the Vernal , add to that 186 D. 18H . 30 M. and you have the time of the Autumnal Aequinox , which again the following Aequinox manifests by adding to the time of the Autumnal 178 D. 11 H. 19 M. &c.

ยง . 20. Whereas the Tables which Astronomers use , begin either from the Epocha of the To find the Characters of the mean , new and full Moons in the Julian Period . World , or that of Christ ; and therefore are not universal : Ours shall be fitted to the years of the Julian Period ; whereby we can apply all Chronological Characters to all times . The Use of the Tables constructed for this end , is this ; Let there be taken out under the Title Rad. P. Jul. the compleat time proposed , and let the corresponding Motions of the Moon 's Longitude be added thereto , computing 60 Minutes to a Degree , 30 Degrees to a Sign , and 12 Signs to a Circle or one whole Period . If then the N. Moon of any Month is sought , subtract the above Addition from 12 Signs or 360 Days ; but if a F. Moon , then from six Signs , assuming a whole Circle to make the Subtraction possible , if need be ; if nothing remains , the Character of the Moon 's Conjunction which is sought , falls upon the end of the preceding Month ; if any thing remains , and that Remainder be 12 D. 11โ€ฒ 27โ€ณ , ( in which case one Day 's Addition is necessary , ) or if greater , enter the 4th Table therewith , which is constructed for Days , and there seek the Remainder , which if it answers exactly , 't is done ; if not , take the next less and subtract ; with the difference enter the 5th Table of Hours , and if need be , proceed to Minutes and Seconds . The Sum of all which , is the time to be reckoned from 12 a-clock at Vranburg , the beginning of the Month Current : If for other Places , the difference of Longitude in time must be added or subtracted . But you are to note , 1st , That if the proposed Month be not January , you must first work for the Solar Cycle of the given Year , by which you may know whether these Motions being taken out , belong to a Bissextile or common Year . 2dly , The N. Moon of one Month being known , that of the next is also known , by adding 29 D. 12 H. 44 Min. or of the preceding , by subtracting so much ; Wherefore if you take the time of the N. Moon , and want the time of the following F. Moon , add 14 D. 18 H. 22โ€ฒ . to the time of the N. Moon ; or if by the given F. Moon you would seek out the N. Moon preceding , subtract the same Sum from the known time of the F. Moon ; and from hence the Conjunction of the Luminaries being known for any one Month of the Julian Year , they are easily found for any other ; and for this the Table Lib. 3. C. 1. will be useful .

The First Table of the Mean Lunar Motions for each of the Years in the JulianPeriod. Moon 's Longit. Moon 's Latit . S. O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . S. O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . Radix P. Jul. 8 10 41 19 4 26 7 11 I 4 21 48 49 5 11 56 31 II 9 1 26 11 10 10 39 17 III 1 11 3 33 3 9 22 3 IV 5 20 40 57 8 8 4 49 V 10 12 29 46 1 20 1 20 VI 2 22 7 9 6 18 44 6 VII 7 1 44 31 11 17 26 52 VIII 71 11 21 53 4 16 9 38 IX 4 3 10 42 9 28 6 9 X 8 12 48 5 2 26 48 55 XI 0 22 25 27 7 25 31 41 XII 5 2 2 50 0 24 14 27 XIII 9 23 51 40 6 6 10 58 XIV 2 3 29 3 11 4 53 44 XV 6 13 6 25 4 3 36 30 XVI 10 22 43 46 9 2 19 16 XVII 3 14 32 35 2 14 15 47 XVIII 7 24 9 57 7 12 58 33 XIX 0 3 47 20 0 11 41 19 XX 4 13 24 43 5 10 24 6
The Second Table for Years collected from the Julian Period . Moon 's Longit. Moon 's Latitude . YEARS . S. O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . S. O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . XX 4 13 24 43 5 10 24 6 XL 8 26 49 25 10 20 48 11 LX 1 10 14 8 4 1 12 17 LXXX 5 23 38 50 9 11 36 22 C 10 7 3 33 2 22 0 28 CC 8 14 7 5 5 14 0 56 CCC 6 21 10 38 8 6 1 24 CCCC 4 28 14 11 10 28 1 52 D 3 5 17 44 1 20 2 20 DC 1 12 21 17 4 12 2 47 DCC 11 19 24 49 7 4 3 15 DCCC 9 26 28 22 9 26 3 43 DCCCC 8 3 31 55 0 18 4 11 M 6 10 25 28 3 10 4 39 2 M 0 21 10 55 6 20 9 18 3 M 7 1 46 23 10 0 13 57 4 M 1 12 21 50 1 10 18 36 5 M 7 22 57 18 4 20 23 16 6 M 2 3 32 46 8 0 27 55 7 M 8 14 8 14 11 10 32 34 8 M 2 24 43 4 2 20 37 12
The Third Table , for Months of the Common Year . MONTHS . Moon 's Longit. Moon 's Latitude . O. S. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . O. S. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . January 0 17 54 47 1 20 6 36 February 1 29 15 15 2 0 31 55 March 0 17 10 2 3 20 38 30 April 0 22 53 23 4 27 31 20 May 1 10 48 11 6 17 37 55 June 1 16 31 32 7 24 30 45 July 2 4 26 20 9 14 37 21 August 2 22 21 7 11 4 43 56 September 2 28 4 58 0 11 36 46 October 3 15 59 15 2 1 43 21 November 3 22 42 36 3 8 36 11 December 4 9 37 23 4 28 42 26 Of the Bissextile Year . January 0 17 54 47 1 20 6 36 February 0 11 26 41 2 13 45 40 March 0 29 21 29 4 3 52 16 April 1 5 4 50 5 10 45 6 May 1 22 59 37 7 0 51 41 June 1 28 42 58 8 7 44 31 July 2 16 37 45 9 27 51 6 August 3 4 32 32 11 17 57 41 September 3 10 15 53 0 24 50 31 October 3 28 10 41 2 14 57 7 November 4 3 54 2 3 21 49 57 December 4 21 48 49 5 11 56 31
The Fourth Table for Days . DAYS . Moon 's Longit. Moon 's Latitude . S. O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . S. O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . 1 0 12 11 27 0 13 13 46 2 0 24 22 53 0 26 27 31 3 1 6 34 20 1 9 41 17 4 1 18 45 47 1 22 55 3 5 2 0 57 13 2 6 8 48 6 2 13 8 40 2 19 22 34 7 2 25 20 7 3 2 36 20 8 3 7 31 34 3 15 50 5 9 3 19 43 0 3 29 3 51 10 4 1 54 27 4 12 17 37 11 4 14 5 54 4 25 31 22 12 4 26 17 20 5 8 45 8 13 5 8 28 47 5 21 58 54 14 5 20 40 14 6 5 12 39 15 6 2 51 40 6 18 26 25 16 6 15 3 7 7 1 40 11 17 6 27 14 34 7 14 53 56 18 7 9 26 0 7 28 7 42 19 7 21 37 27 8 11 21 28 20 8 3 48 54 8 24 35 13 21 8 16 0 21 9 5 48 59 22 8 28 11 47 9 21 2 44 23 9 10 23 14 10 4 16 30 24 9 22 34 41 10 17 30 16 25 10 4 46 7 11 0 44 1 26 20 16 57 34 11 13 57 47 27 10 29 9 1 11 27 11 33 28 11 11 20 27 0 10 25 18 29 11 23 31 54 0 23 39 4 30 0 5 43 21 1 6 52 50 31 0 17 54 47 1 20 6 35
The Fifth Table for Hours and Minutes . โ˜ฝ 's Lon. โ˜ฝ 's Lat. โ˜ฝ 's Lon. โ˜ฝ 's Lat. H โ–ช O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . O. โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . โ€ฒ . โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . โ€ฒ . โ€ณ . 1 0 30 29 0 33 5 31 15 45 17 5 2 1 0 57 1 6 10 32 16 15 17 38 3 1 31 26 1 39 14 33 16 46 18 11 4 2 1 54 2 12 19 34 17 16 18 44 5 2 32 23 2 45 23 35 17 47 19 18 6 3 2 52 3 18 27 36 18 17 19 51 7 3 33 20 3 51 32 37 18 48 20 24 8 4 3 49 4 24 36 38 19 18 20 57 9 4 34 18 4 57 41 39 19 49 21 30 10 5 4 46 5 30 45 40 20 19 22 3 11 5 35 15 6 3 49 41 20 50 22 36 12 6 5 43 6 36 52 42 21 20 23 9 13 6 36 12 7 9 58 43 21 51 23 42 14 7 6 41 7 43 3 44 22 21 24 15 15 7 37 9 8 16 7 45 22 51 24 48 16 8 7 38 8 49 11 46 23 22 25 21 17 8 38 6 9 22 16 47 23 52 25 54 18 9 8 35 9 55 20 48 24 23 26 28 19 9 39 4 10 28 25 49 24 53 27 1 20 10 9 32 11 1 29 50 25 24 27 34 21 10 40 1 11 34 33 51 25 54 28 7 22 11 10 29 12 7 38 52 26 25 28 40 23 11 40 58 12 40 42 53 26 55 29 13 24 12 11 27 13 13 46 54 27 26 29 46 25 12 41 55 13 46 51 55 27 56 30 19 26 13 12 24 14 19 55 56 28 27 30 52 27 13 42 53 14 53 0 57 28 57 31 25 28 14 13 21 15 26 4 58 29 28 31 58 29 14 43 50 15 59 8 59 29 58 32 31 30 15 14 19 16 32 13 60 30 29 33 โ— I. I. II. III. I. II. III. II. II. III. II. III. II. II. III. IV. II. III. IV.

ยง . 21. For the given time of Conjunction How to distinguish the Ecliptick Conjunctions from the Nโ—n-Ecliptick in the Julian Period . under the Title Radix P. Jul. take out the corresponding Numbers under Motus Latitudinis Lunae , and let the Numbers thus found be added together ; and let the Signs multiplied by 30 be changed into Degrees and added to the rest if any . Further , note that by frequent Observations Astronomers gather , that the Solar Eclipses happen , when in the time of the N. Moon the mean Motion of the Moon 's Latitude is under 12 D. or above 168 D. and below 192 D. or above 348 D. also the Lunar Eclipses do happen when in the time of the Full Moon the mean Motion of the Moon 's Latitude is below 17 D. 30โ€ฒ . or above 162 D. 30โ€ฒ . and below 197 D. 30โ€ฒ . or above 342 D. 30โ€ฒ . And although these Notes in finding out the Lunar Eclipses are sufficiently true , yet the Solar are not so certain : For it may happen , tho' seldom , ( for certain Reasons ) that an Occultation wholly , or ( what 's more frequent ) in a certain Place only , may be hindered ; but of this doubtful Momentous Case let the Astronomer be consulted .

ยง . 22. Since those Parts of the Aequator which are Of the Reduction of time fโ—om oโ—e Meridian to anโ—tโ—er . above and below the Horizon are the vulgar Measure of time , and that the same Point in the Aequator can't ascend or descend at the same time every where , it follows , that it can't be the same Hour of the Day in all Places at once ; but the Sun will arise sooner towards the Eastern Parts , and later towards the Western Parts of the World . For Example ; if we would compare the Hour of the Day at Vranburg and Jerusalem together , at which Place the Sun rises first , there will be more Hours reckoned . Now a good Watch shews the Jews to be 2 H. 16โ€ฒ . before the Vranburgers , in the difference of Meridian ; but besides the Jews began their Days different from the Vranburghers , viz. at Sun-set , whereas all Europe else begin their Political Day from Midnight , and the Mathematicians from Noon ; which last Computation being observed here , the Jews are 18H . and 2โ€ณ . adding 16 Min. or is a whole Day , excepting only 3 H. 14โ€ฒ . for generally in all Places by the Satellites of Jupiter , the difference of Longitude in Degrees and Minutes are known , which are easily converted into Time , by allowing 15 Degrees for an Hour , and so on Proportionably .

The End of the First Part.

Breviarium Chronologicum .

BOOK IV.

Treating in Particular Of the most Celebrated Epocha's : Of which mention is made either in Sacred or Prophane History , digested according to their Antiquities .

LONDON , Printed in the Year 1699.

Breviarium Chronologicum .
BOOK IV. Treating in Particular of the most Celebrated Epocha's .
CHAP. I. Of the Epocha of the World . DEFINITIONS . 1 Due Regard is to be had to the Computation of Years , which , according to the Tenure of the Sacred Writ of the Old Testament , contains 1656 Years to the Deluge . 2. Neither ought these Intervals of Time to be neglected , which are transmitted to Posterity by the Prophane Histories . 3. From whence it will appear that by right comparing the Sacred and Prophane Histories , there must be counted 3949 Years , according to the Dionysian or vulgar Aera , from the first beginning of the World to the Birth of Christ . 4. It seems to be very probable , that by God's special Direction the first Year of the World , was also the first of the Sabbatic and Jubilean Cycles . 5. The first Day of the World used also to be fixed in one of the Cardinal Points of the Sun ; to wit , either the Aequinox or Solstice . 6. Both the Holy Scripture and the most Ancient Monuments of prophane History seem to intimate that the Beginning of the first Year of the World ought to be constituted in Autumn ; which has induced us to fix the first Day of the World in the Autumnal Aequinox . 7. And forasmuch as by the Consent of the most exact Chronologers , the first Nights immediately after the Creation of the World were enlightened by one of the principal Lunar Phases , their Hypothesis ought also to be taken into consideration . 8. Neither ought the Opinion of some other Chronologers to be neglected , who maintain , that since the Hebdomadic or Weekly Cycle owes its Offspring to the last Day of the Mosaick Hexameron , and has thus continued ever since without Interruption to our time , it may be gathered from thence , that the first Day of the said Hexameron has likewise been the first Feria . 9. This has induced Scaliger to affirm , that the World was created in the Year of the Julian Period 764 , on the 26th Day of October on the first Feria in the eighth Solar Cycle , and the fourth Lunar Cycle . 10. Wherefore there being , according to Scaliger 's Ye investigate the year since the beginning of the Epocha of the World . Computation , 763 Years and 9 Months difference betwixt the beginning of the Julian Period and the beginning of the World : If the said Number of Years and Months be added to the Number of Years of the World , the Product will be correspondent to the Year and Month of the Julian Period . But if the same be subtracted from the Julian Period , there remains the time which is counted from the first beginning of the World .

ยง . 1. NOT only the Gentiles , who according Whether it be impossible to fix this Epocha upon a certain Foundation . to the Opinion of Pythagoras , Plato , and some of Aristotle's Followers , acknowledged neither Beginning nor End of the World ; but also some of the Christian Philosophers , have ridiculed the Chronologers for attempting to determine any certain Season of the Year , for the Creation of the World looking upon it as a frivolous Question , and not worth the Enquiry of the Learned , it being , say they , evident that the Times of the Seasons vary in the World according to the different Climates . But whilst these Gentlemen pretend to ridicule the Chronologers , they make themselves ridiculous to all the World : For tho' it be undeniable , that pursuant to the Spherical Disposition of the Terrestrial and Celestial Globes , there must needs be observed at one and the same time a great Variety of Seasons in different Climates , yet does not that in the least affect the Chronologers , who without the least respect to the Season , determine their Times by the Ingress of the Sun into the Cardinal Points of the Zodiack .

ยง . 2. The Gentiles were as little sollicitous It is not impossible to find out the time of the Creation of the World . about the Year it self , as the time of the year , when the World was created : According to Censorinus , (a) (a) De D. N. c. 21. Varro did contribute three several Intervals of time ; the first from the beginning of the World to the Deluge ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ; the second to the Olympiad ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , and the third ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . And Ptolemy (b) (b) Lib. 3. magr . Construct . himself reprehends those , who pretend to determine the true Epocha of the World .

But the Gentiles are not the people only that exclaim against the Presumption of the Chronologers , in pretending to remedy an Evil which they look upon as incurable . There are also not a few among the Christians who consider this Aera no otherwise than the Gordian Knots , not to be dissolved by Human Art . Of this Opinion are Gabriel Rollenhagius , Gerard John Vossius , Nicolaus Mullerus , and Dionysius Petavius (c) (c) Ratio temp. part. 2. c. p. : But among all the rest , no body inveighs so much against the Chronologers upon this score as Isaac Pierius in his Treatise concerning the Prae-Adamites .

I cannot altogether agree in my Opinion with those who would persuade us that Scaliger's Epocha of the World is so demonstratively proved as to be past all Contradiction : Nevertheless , I could on the other hand never find any Satisfaction in Scepticism . It is therefore my Opinion , ( 1. ) That all the Characters ( alledged as such by Scaliger ) are not equally Authentick , some of them being certain others uncertain . ( 2. ) Among the Characters , that of the Interval , which we have said to be betwixt the time of the Epocha of the World , and the Dionysian Aera of Christ ought to be preferred before the rest . ( 3. ) That tho all the Characters of Scaliger are not infallible ; yet are they more certain than those introduced or made use of by his Adversaries . ( 4. ) To conclude of the Validity of these Characters , they ought to be all taken together , no Judgment being to be given of all from the Uncertainty of one in particular .

ยง . 3. There has been as much Dispute among Of the particular Intervals betwixt the Epocha of the World and the Dionysian Aera of Christ . the Chronologers concerning the true Method and Order of the particular Intervals , as about the whole Interval it self , betwixt the Epocha of the World and the Dionysian Aera of Christ . I agree with these , who range them in the following Order :

Years . From the Creation of the World to the Deluge , are (d) (d) Gen. 5. 3. seq. 7. 6. 1656. From thence to the Birth of Abraham (e) (e) Gen. 11. 11. seq. , 292 From thence to the Vocation of Abraham (f) (f) Gen. 12. 4. , 75 From thence to the departure of the Jews out of Aegypt (g) (g) Ex. 12. 40. Gal. 3. 17. , 430 From thence to the 4th year of the Reign of Solomon , or the Building of the Temple (h) (h) 1 Reg. 6. 1. , 480 From thence to the Reign of Jeroboam (i) (i) 1 Reg. 11. 42. , 36 From thence to the End of the years of the Sins of the House of Israel (k) (k) Ezec. 4. 5. , 390 From thence to their Return out of their Captivity , ( 11 years subtracted from 20 , so many being to be counted betwixt the Captivity of Jechoniah and Zedekiah ) (l) (l) Jer. 39 13. , 59 From Cyrus to the second year of Darius Nothus , according to the Monuments of prophane History , 110 From thence to the Destruction of the second Temple (m) (m) Dan. 9. , 490 Therefore from the Creation of the World , to the Destruction of the 2d Temple must be counted , 4018 And whereas the second Destruction of Jerusalem hapned in the year of the Aera of Christ 69 The whole Interval betwixt the Creation of the World and the vulgar Aera of Christ , remains 3949

ยง . 4. It being evident that this Account is Reasons for the maintaining of any Hypothesis . founded upon the Testimony of the Holy Writ , till the time of the Destruction of the second Temple ; and that we have but once call'd to our Aid the ancient and true Monuments of prophane History ; I see no reason why the same should not carry along with it at least a great Probability . For , granted ( what is objected by some ) that a Difference ought to be allowed betwixt the Years and Days , at the time of the Patriarchs and ours , this does not destroy the whole Certainty of these Intervals of Years , it being by the Consent of the Learned , put long ago beyond all Question , that the Years mentioned by Moses in the first Book of his History , were either Solar or Luna-Solar Years ; or , at least , not much different from the Solar , and consequently from the Julian Year ; of which we shall have occasion to say more hereafter in the Epocha of the Deluge .

ยง . 5. After many Contests arisen concerning The Objection of Isaacus Vossius examined the Difference of some Years , Isaacus Vossius has some time ago declared open War against the whole Body of Chronologers , in his Dissertation published in the Year 1658 , under the following Title ; A Dissertation concerning the true Age of the World ; where it is demonstrated that betwixt the time of the Creation of the World and the Birth of Abraham , there are at least 1440 years wanting . Not long after this Dissertation , he published his Chronologia Sacra , as he calls it , where he begins the 32d Chapter with these following Words : Sometime ago we have made it appear , that according to the vulgar Calculation there is a Defect of no less than 1440 years from the Beginning of the World till the time of Moses . Besides which , it is now our Opinion ( which appeared doubtful to us before ) that 60 years more ought to be added to the said Sum , Thara the Father of Abraham being born so many years later . There is therefore a Defect of Fifteen whole Ages , in the vulgar Calculation , the time from the beginning of the World till the Death of Moses being computed by the modern Jews to consist of 2493 years ; whereas the true Interval is 3993 years . It will not be amiss to insert here the Defects in the same Order as they have been set down in Opposition to the Vulgar Chronology , by Isaacus Vossius .

HisOpinionisthat,therearewanting, Years . Betwixt Adam and Seth. 100 Betwixt Seth and Enoc , 100 Betwixt Cainan and Malaleel , 100 Betwixt Malaleel and Jared , 100 Betwixt Enoch and Methuselah , 100 Betwixt the Deluge and Arphaxad , 10 Betwixt Arphaxad and Cainan , 100 Betwixt Cainan , and Arphaxad , 130 Betwixt Salem and Heber , 100 Betwixt Heber and Phaleg , 100 Betwixt Phaleg and Ragau , 100 Betwixt Ragau and Serug , 100 Betwixt Serug and Nachor , 100 Betwixt Nachor and Thara , 100 Betwixt Thara and Abraham , 60 1500

But Vossius does not stop here ; but alledges several other Intervals , which he says , are deficient in the vulgar Chronology : These are the following :

Years . Of the Jews after Joshua , 18 The time of the Servitude of Israel under Cushan , 8 The Anarchy after the Death of Othoniel , ... Their Servitude under the Moabites , 18 The Anarchy after the Death of Ahud , ... Their Servitude under Jabin , 20 The Anarchy after Deborah , ... Their Servitude under the Midianites , โ— The Anarchy after Jair , ... The Servitude under the Ammonites , 18 The Anarchy after the Death of Abdon , ... Their Servitude under the Philstines , 4โ— The Anarchy after the Death of Heli , the High-Priest , 2โ—

These and several other Defects are imputed to vulgar Chronology by Isaacus Vossius ; to prove which , he calls to his Aid not only the Authority of the 70 Interpreters , and Josephus , but also the Ancient Monuments of the Aegyptians , Chaldeans , and Chineses ; which , he says , are of a much older Date than the vulgar Epocha's of the World , and that the only way to remove all Difficulties in this kind for the future , is to add a certain Number of Years to the vulgar Epocha : Weโ— can be either so blind as not to see , says he (n) (n) P. 280. , โ—โ— whi dare deny , that the most proper and the only wโ—โ— to convince those who make use of the Authority โ—โ— Prophane History in contradiction of the Sacreโ— Writ , is to demonstrate the Truth of the Sacreโ— History out of the Annals of the Gentiles ? Bryeโ— Walton seems to be of the same Opinion with Vossius ; for in the Prolegomena to his Bible printed in London , he declares that the Computation , according to the Hebrew Text , is not to be relied on ; but that in its stead the 70 Interpreters ought to be consulted . But as we shall have Occasion to examine the Authority of the Greek Computation in that Chapter of the Epocha of the Deluge , so as to what has been objected to Chronologers concerning the newly invocated prophane Antiquities , I cannot but give this seasonable Caution ; that it appears to me the most unbecoming a Christian Philosopher to prefer the fabulous Relations of the Gentiles before the Authority of the Sacred History . Besides that , Vossius ought to have considered , that his 15 Ages will fall much short from supplying the Difference there is betwixt the vulgar Epocha of the World and those of the Chineses and other Gentiles . Neither can he be ignorant that among the Gentiles themselves Plutarch and Censorinus , and among the Christians , St. Austin , have many years ago left it as their Opinion to the World , that the years mentioned in the Chronologies of the Gentiles are not of the same length with ours .

ยง . 6. But since we have said enough about the Epocha of the World , according to the Computation What time of the year the World was created . of the Intervals ; the next thing in order which is offered to our Consideration is , to insert something also concerning the Four Quarters of the Year . Tacitus relates that the ancient Germans knew no more than of Three Seasons of the Year : But the Division of the Year into Four Cardinal Quarters has been received many Ages among most Nations . The Beginning of the Spring is fixed at the time of the Ingress of the Sun into โ™ˆ , of the Summer in โ™‹ , of the Autumn in โ™Ž , of the Winter in โ™‘ . The Subject of our present Enquiry is , in which of these Four Cardinal Points the first Day of the World is to be fixed .

There is scarce any body that I know of who has taken upon him to plead for the Winter in this case , unless it be (o) (o) Lib. 1. c. 3โ— . Cluverius , who in his German Antiquities seems to misapply the Word Hyems or Winter , when he says thus ; Quaeritur nunc , quรข tempestate initium anni fecerint Celtae , veris , aestatis , an hyemis principio ? Omnino , hyemis credo principio , ut Aegyptii , Hebraeorumque vetustissimi : Nam id ipsum conditi Aevi fuit initium .

There are also a few Modern Authors who fix the time of the Creation of the World in the Summer . But both Solinus and Macrobius relate , that this was the Opinion of the ancient Aegyptians . For the (p) (p) Polyhist . c. 35. first expresly says , that the Aegyptian Priests had fixed the first Day of the World on the 18th of July : And (q) (q) โ—n Soโ—โ—n Scip. l. 1. c. 21. Macrobius aledges concerning the Aegyptians , That as they were the first that applied themselves to Astronomy , so they had attributed the Lion as the proper House to the Sun ; because , says he , this was considered among them as the Native Sign of the Sun .

Gerhardus Mercator who ( according to the Testimony of Buntingus ) was the most exact Chronologer of his time , follows the Opinion of the Aegyptians , in this Point ; because it is related in the History of the Deluge , that the Dove returned with a green Olive-Leaf on the 17th Day of the 11th Month. Now if it be allowed that the Olive-Tree does not blossom but in May , the Consequence is plain enough . And if the 11th Month counted from the beginning of the World , be correspondent to the Month of May , the Month of July must of Necessity have been the first .

But there are many Eminent Writers , who with equal Passion plead either for the Spring or Autumn . Among those who set up for Patrons for the Spring , (r) (r) L. 3. Georg , Virgil declares himself thus :

Non alios prima crescentis origine Mundi Illuxisse dies , aliumve habuisse tenorem Crediderim ; Ver illud erat , Ver magnus agebat Orbis , & hybernis parcebant Flatibus Euri.

Of the same Opinion are Eusebius , S. Ambrose , S. Cyril , S. Austin , Beda , Melancton , Bucholzerus , Buntingus , Cedomannus , Keplerus , Kratzhemius , Mercerius , Aโ—stadius , Spondanus , Capellus , Edward Simpson and William Lange ; as also Scaliger , at first , besides the Armenians , Persians , and most other Eastern Countries , who all begin their Computation with the Spring .

But those that have declared for the Autumnal Quarter , are not Inferiour in Authority to the others . Those who at present occur to my Memory , are , (s) (s) Ezec. c. 1. S. Jerome , Nicolaus Lyra , almost all the Jewish Writers , but especially Josephus (t) (t) L. 1. anโ— c. 4. , Menasseh ben Israel (u) (u) Con p 18โ— . , who cites a great Number of his own Country-men , Alphonsus Testatus , Torniellus , Scaliger , Petavius , Helvicus , Bhemius , Maestlinus , Vobo Emmius , Calvisius , Philippus , Cinverius , Jacobus Vsserius , Joannes Temporarius , Hainlinus , Helwigius , all the Russians and other modern Nations ; to which Opinion we also subscribe .

ยง . 7. And we will alledge here in short the Arguments Reasons elledged fโ—r ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Assertion . which commonly are , or may be made use of for the Confirmation of this Opinion ; among which are some of the Rabbi's , which contain more Vanity than Certainty . ( 1. ) Because the Patriarchs in most ancient times always began the Year in Autumn , and that therefore the Jews would not without an express Command begin their Ecclesiastical Year in the Month of Nisan . ( 2. ) Because the Time of gathering the Fruits of the Earth ( which without doubt was in Autumn in Palestine ) is called the Revolution of the Year in the Holy Scripture . ( 3. ) Because it is said (x) (x) Exod. 23. c. 16. 34. c. 22. that the Deluge began in the second Month , to wit , in respect of the Years from the beginning of the World . And the same is mentioned by (y) (y) L. 1. c. 4. Josephus , to have been Marchesvan , or the second in Autumn . ( 4. ) Because the Sabbatic and Jubilean Years began in Autumn , which being instituted for to let the Grounds rest during that time , this Ordination of God would appear not so suitable if the Creation of the World had begun in the Spring . ( 5. ) Because the Day of Expiation to be celebrated on the 10th Day of the Month Tisri seems to be instituted in Remembrance of the Fall of Adam : But if Adam's Fall did happen in Autumn , consequently the Creation of the World began about the same time . ( 6. ) Because according to the most ancient Institution of the Jews , the Story of the Creation of the World was to be read in the same Month Tisri . ( 7. ) Because the (z) (z) In 3 Reg. 8. vโ—a . 2. Chaldean Interpreter asserts that the first Autumnal Month has also been the first of the World . ( 8. ) Because there seems to be the same Relation betwixt Darkness and Light as there is betwixt Autumn and the other Seasons of the Year : But Darkness was before Light , and by consequence Autumn before the rest . ( 9. ) Because it is said of the Trees , That they contained their Seed within them , which seems not to be so congruously applied to the Spring as to the Autumn . ( 10. ) Because Rabbi Eliezer and some other Jews by transposing the first Word of Genesis , interpret it thus according to their Cabbala .

ยง . 8. Dionysius Petavius affirms , that God commenced Whether the World was created about the time of the N. Moon . the great Work of Creation in the year of the Julian Period 730 , on the 20th day of October on the first Feria ; and that the Moon was at the full on the 27th of October , on the second Feria some Hours after Midnight , and that consequently on the fourth day , being the 29th of October , when the Moon was created it appeared somewhat in its Decrease . But it appears more probable to me , that the World , or at least the great Luminaries were created about the New Moon : so that our first Parents saw the Moon Cornicular before the first Quarter , and thus encreasing till the Full Moon ; whereas if it be supposed that the Creation of the World was begun in the Full Moon , they must have seen the Moon first in its Decrease , and afterwards in its Increase , and consequently in its retrograde Course .

ยง . 9. The Arguments arising among the Chronologers Of the difference among the Chronologers concerning the Lunae-Solar Characters . concerning the Lunae-Solar Characters at the time of the Creation of the World may conveniently be divided into several Classes : For there are some who altogether reject the Consideration of these Characters , among whom one of the chiefest is the Author of the Mystical Chronology . There are secondly , not a few who fix these Characters depending on the Motion of the Sun and Moon , ( a ) De Doctr. Temp l. 9. c. 6. on the first Day of the Mosaick Hexaemeron , being of Opinion that on the same day when the Work of Creation was begun , both these great Luminaries did enter into one certain Cardinal Point of the Sphere ; of which Opinion is also Dionysius (b) (b) De Doctr. Temp. l. 9. c. 6. Petavius . The Third Classis consists of such as appoint the Fourth Day of the Creation to the Aequinox and principal Lunar Phasis , this being the Time when God created the great Luminaries . Some , says Jacobus Capellus , begin this Time of the N. Moon and the Aequinox on the first Feria , when the Light was created . But it appears to me more probable that they ought to begin on the 4th Feria , when the Sun was created . Michael Moestlinus and Laurentius Codomannus are constant Adherers to the same Opinion . In the fourth place , there are also some who appropriate these Characters to the first Day of the second Week ; of which Opinion are (c) (c) In Can. Chron. Vbbo Emmius and (d) (d) L. 5. emend . Temp. Scaliger . Neither ought in the 5th Place the Opinion of Mr. William Lange (e) (e) L. 2. de Enn. Christ . to be pass'd by in Silence ; who says thus ; The Creation of the World was in the Spring , on the first Day of the first Week of the first Month of the first Year . To extricate our selves in some measure out of these Difficulties , I see no better Remedy than to have Recourse to the most exact Account that can be made , according to the Lunae-Solar Tables , with this Caution , not to insist so much upon these fictitious Motions , which , as Hainlinus well observed , are only invented by the Astronomers for better Method's sake , than upon the true and real ones . Accordingly we have , pursuant to the Hypotheses of the Danish Astronomy ( which are the Basis of our Mathematicall Tables ) investigated the Lunae-Solar Motions to begin with Sun-set according to the Custom of the Jews in Palestine .

Oct. f. H. โ€ฒ โ€ณ . Tempus Syz. med. an . 764 27 2 7 36 20 Intervallum addendum , 7 32 6 Tempus Syz. verae , 27 2 15 8 26 Sign . Gr. Longit. โ˜‰ med. 6 2 40 30 Anomalia โ˜‰ med. 6 2 19 57 Prostaph . โ˜‰ Add. 5 11 Longit. โ˜ฝ ร  โ˜‰ med. 0 3 49 37 Anomal . Lunae , 1 19 57 32 Prostaphaer . Lunae Subtr . 3 44 28 Anomal . Aequinoct . 8 2 29 30 Prostaph . Aequin . Add. 24 19 Verus Locus Solis , 6 3 10 6 Verus Locus Lunae , 6 3 10 6

From whence it appears , that on the same day of October in the year 764 , of the Julian Period , on which (f) (f) Isag . in Cal. Cap. 7. Scaliger , not without Reason , believes the World to have been created , the Autumnal Aequinox and N. Moon did not happen together ; notwithstanding this has been contradicted by many , who have been deceived by these Astronomical Tables , that were not exactly congruous to the true Motions of these Luminaries . Neither am I the only Person who has observed this Discrepancy betwixt the Equinoxes , and the time of the N. Moon . Nicolaus Mullerus has likewise acknowledged a Difference betwixt them , of 15 Days : Wherefore out of these several alledged Opinions and Calculations of the Astronomers , it is manifest that we ought not to insist too rigorously upon the Characters of the Aequinox and N. Moon , but that it is sufficient to know that the Creation of the World hapned about the time of the Aequinox and N. Moon .

ยง . 10. (g) (g) Lib. 1. Theor. c. 2. Christianus Longomontanus , who has Of the Opinion of Longomontanus . published the Danish Astronomy , has likewise pretended to a new Character , founded upon the Motion of the Apogaeum of the Sun ; but besides that , the Point of the Apogaeum is a meer Astronomical Fiction , invented for the better explaining of the several Celestial Motions : It is confess'd by the Consent of the best Astronomers , that the Motions depending on it are not sufficiently known to make them a Foundation of any solid Opinion . (h) (h) Lib. โ— . de Sole , c. 25. John Baptist Ricciolus has exhibited us a Catalogue of 17 of the ablest Astronomers who affirm this for an undeniable Truth .

ยง . 11. There is a great Discrepancy betwixt Concerning the various Opinions about the Computation of this Epocha . the Greeks , Hebrews , and modern Latin Authors about the true Computation of the Years of the World . St. (i) (i) Ad Tit. Cap. 3. Hierom did in his days already complain that even among those that had founded their Calculations from the Hebrew Text , there were very few who did agree entirely in their Opinions . This Variety of Sentiments has encreased since to that degree , that to pretend to examine and correct the almost innumerable Differences of all these Authors , would be to undertake an endless piece of Work . Joannes Wolfius , Sixtus Sinensis , Krantzhemius , Elias Reusnerus , Leo Allatius , Fabritius Paduanus , and many others have endeavoured to make a Collection of the several Opinions concerning the Epocha of the World ; but upon a strict Examination we have observed that these great Men , whilst they endeavoured to discover the Errors of others , are unhappily fallen under several Mistakes themselves , by confounding the vulgar Epocha of Christ , with those supposed as such by those Authors they intended to correct .

To give you a small Epitome of the various Opinions of the best Astronomers on this Subject , I have inserted here about half a hundred of them , disposed in such an Order as that in the first Column you may find the Year of the Julian Period , which has been assigned for the Epocha of the World , according to the Hypothesis of each Author , whose Name stands equal with the Number , tho' he perhaps himself not as much as dreamt of the Julian Period . The second Column shews the Interval betwixt the beginning of the World and the vulgar Epocha of Christ , according to the Opinion of each Author , whose Name is mentioned in the same Line with the Number . Betwixt both the Columns we thought fit to insert the Number of the Cycle of the Sun that we might not be censured of pretending to give you Instructions without a right Character ; and that we might present the Reader with a Key to as many Chronological Treatises as there are Authors Names contained in the next following Table :

The World was created according to the Opinion of Y. of the Jul. Per. โ˜‰ s. Cyc . Int. till the Ep. of Chr. Alphonsus K. of Castile . 5709 m. 3 25 6484 m. 9 The Author of the Sicilian Collections , 7085 m. 3 1 5608 m. 9 Is . Vos . and the Greeks , 7096 12 5598 Theophilus , 7179 11 5515 The Constantinopolitans and Alexandrians , 7185 m. 9 17 5508 m. 3 The Aethiopians , 7194 m. 3 26 5499 m. 9 Cedrenus , 7200 m. 3 4 5493 m. 9 Pandorus , 7201 5 5493 Maximus the Monk 7292 m. 3 6 5491 m. 9 Sulpitius Severus , 7225 1 5469 Victor Giselius in his Observations upon Sulpit. 7275 23 5419 Isod . Hispalensis , 7484 8 5410 Eusebius , 7493 m. 3 17 5200 m. 9 Beda , 7495 19 5199 Orosius and the Author of the Roman Martyrology , 7496 20 5198 Marianus Scotus , 521 m. 3 17 4192 m. 9 Laurentius Codomann . 572 m. 3 12 4141 m. 9 Tho. Lyd. an E. Auth. 610 m. 3 22 4103 m. 9 Michael Moestlinus , 634 m. 3 18 4079 m. 3 J. Bapt. Ricciolus , 651 m. 3 7 4062 m. 3 Jacob Salian , 660 m. 3 16 4053 m. 9 Henricus Spondanus , 662 m. 3 18 4051 m. 9 William Lange , 672 m. 3 28 4041 m. 9 Erasmus Reinholt , 692 m. 9 20 4021 m. 3 Jacob Cappell , 708 m. 3 8 4005 m. 9 John Wichman , 709 m. 3 9 4004 m. 9 Edward Simson , 710 m. 3 10 4003 m. 9 Jacob. Usser . Armach 710 m. 9 10 4003 m. 9 Laurent . Eichstadt . 710 4004 Dion . Petavius , 730 m. 9 0 3983 m. 3 Krantzheim , 740 m. 3 14 3971 m. 9 Abraham Bucholtzer , 743 m. 3 15 3970 m. 9 Elias Reusnerus , 744 16 3970 Christianus Matthias & Joannes Cluverius . 745 m. 3 17 3968 m. 9 Henricus Buntingus , 746 m. 3 18 3967 m. 9 Christianus Longomontanus , 747 m. 9 19 3966 m. 3 The same Author in his Hypothesis in Astronomiam Danicam , 750 22 3964 Philip Melancton , Peucerus and Funccius , 750 22 3964 Jacob Haynlin , 750 m. 9 22 3963 m. 3 Alphonsus Salmeron , 756 28 3958 Joannes Georg. Herw . ab Hoenburg , 759 3 3955 Scaliger , Calvisius , Ubbo Emmius , Behmius and Helvicus , 764 m. 9 8 3949 m. 3 Christianus Schotanus , 765 m. 9 9 3948 m. 3 Joannes Microelius , 766 10 3948 Hermann . Contractus , 768 m. 3 12 3945 m. 9 Matthaeus Beroaldus , 786 m. 9 2 3927 m. 3 Andreas Helwigius , 877 m 9 9 3836 m. 3 The Jewish vulgar Computation , 953 m. 9 1 3760 m. 3 David Gantz , 954 2 3760 The lesser Chronicle of the Jews , 1044 8 3670

CHAP. II. Of the Epocha of the Jews . 1. This Epocha has the same beginning with the Creation of the World . 2. It begins in Autumn in the Month Tisri . 3. The years of this Epocha are Lunae-Solar years , containing sometimes twelve , sometimes thirteen Months . 4. May consequently be compared to the Julian years . 5. The first year of this Epocha was likewise the first in the Sabbatic Cycle . 6. From the Beginning of this Epocha to the vulgar Dionysian Aera , are 3760 Years , and about four Months . 7. The beginning of this Epocha falls out in the year of the Julian Period 953 , in the first Month of Autumn , in the first Cycle of the Sun , and the third of the Moon , according to the Latin Calculation . 8. Wherefore if you add to the Jewish Epocha 952 To find the Year since the beginning of this Epocha . Years and 8 Months , the Sum will be equivalent to the Year of the Julian Period ; and if you subtract the said 952 Years and 8 Months from the Year and Month of the Julian Period ; the Residue shews the Year of the Jewish Epocha .

ยง . 1. THIS Epocha is called the Jewish Epocha , The Origin of this Epocha . because the Jews commonly make use of it in their Records and Writings ; sometimes expressing the whole Number of Years ; sometimes by leaving out the Thousands ; of which more hereafter .

ยง . 2. The Jews do as little agree in this Epocha , Different Opinions among the Jews concerning this Epocha . as the Christians in theirs , concerning the Creation of the World , as is manifestly apparent out of their Chronologies . But as we Christians make use of our vulgar Aera of Christ , notwithstanding the same is looked upon as erroneous by the Learned , so the Jews use this Epocha of the Beginning of the World in all their Records .

ยง . 3. The Jews express this Epocha sometimes How the Jews write the years of this Epocha . by Letters , sometimes by Numbers , and very frequently abbreviated , by leaving out the millennary Number . As for Instance : The Learned Jew , Menasseh Ben Israel , when he published the Hebrew Bible in our time at Amsterdam , affixed to it , the Year 395. Whereas , if he had express'd the whole Number of Years , he must have writ , in the year 5395.

ยง . 4. Both the Time and Author of this Epocha Of the Author of this Epocha . is unknown as well among the Jews as Christians . Scaliger refers the Origin of this Epocha to the time of the Seleucides . Christomannus is of Opinion that the Jews did not introduce this Epocha till after their Babylonian Thalmud . There are also others who believe this Epocha to have been received among them in latter Ages ; as may be seen in (a) (a) Eclog. l. 1. c. 1. Samuel Petit , and (b) (b) de Doct. Temp. l. 7. c. 17. Petavius . It is our Opinion that the Jews cannot shew any sufficient Authority for the Antiquity of this Epocha .

ยง . 5. We told in the preceding Chapter that the Concerning the difference betwixt the Christians and Jews in this Epocha , World was created in the year 764 of the Julian Period . And whereas the Jews , according to their Hypothesis , refer it to the year 953 of the Julian Period , it is manifest that betwixt the true Epocha of Scaliger and the Jewish there is a difference of 189 years . Josephus Scaliger , Henricus Wolffius , Robertus Pontanus , and several others , are of Opinion that this was only an artificial Epocha among the Jews , not intended to determine the true time of the Creation of the World . But I cannot find any Reason sufficient to induce me to agree with them ; because it has always been entituled as such ; and the Jews were so careful in maintaining , or at least palliating this Computation of their Epocha of the World , that they have industriously contracted several Intervals into a less Number of Years , especially in what relates to the second Monarchy and the Interval betwixt the Destruction of the first , and the rebuilding of the last Temple , contrary to the ancient and undoubted Monuments of both the Sacred and Prophane History ; as is most evident out of the lesser Chronicle of the Jews in the Intervals set down from the Creation of the World to the Destruction of the second Temple .

Years . From Adam to the Deluge , 1656 From the Deluge till the Division of Tongues , 340 From thence till the Nativity of Isaac , 52 From thence to the time of their going out of Aegypt , 400 From thence till their Arrival in the Land of Canaan , 40 From thence to the Babylonian Captivity , 850 From thence to the rebuilding of the Temple , 70 From thence to the Destruction of the second Temple , 420 The total Sum from the Creation till the Destruction of the 2d Temple being 3828

From whence it is apparent , that they would not have their Epocha pass for an Invention ; but the true Aera of the Creation of the World . But there are not a few , among whom is (c) (c) Chron p. 237. Isaacus Vossius , who imputes to the Jews that they did thus mutilate their Computations not till after the Destruction of Jerusalem , out of a Hatred to the Christian Name ; when besides many other lesser Intervals , they cutt off 1440 years from the true Computation extant in their most ancient Manuscrโ—pโ—s , that thus by introducing a Defect of two thousand Years , they might render the Coming of Christ dubious to Posterity .

ยง . 6. And the Jews did not settle their Annual Of the Jewish Years . Computations upon imaginary or fictitious Notions ; but for many Ages past were guided by the Motions of the great Luminaries . Thus Maimonides says , the Months of the Year are the Months of the Moon . Our Years are computed by the Years of the Sun .

ยง . 7. Yet Scaliger has been very anxious in finding According to which Hypothesis the Jews regulated their Years . out which of the Astronomical Hypotheses the Jews have followed in their Lunae-Solar Year : But in my Opinion he might have saved himself much Labour and Time , if he would but haโ—e considered that the Jews had followed the Footsteps of Ptolemy , as is sufficiently demonstrated by Nicholaus Mullerus in his Preface to a Treatise concerning the Lunae-Solar Years of the Jews .

ยง . 8. The Names Order , and Number of Days The Names and Order of the Jewish Months . of the Jewish Months according to their Political Year ( for the Ecclesiastical Year begins with the Month Nisan ) are expressed in the following Table .

Days . I. The Autumnal Quarter consisting of 1. The Month Tisri , containing 30 2. The Month Marchesvan , containing 29 3. The Month Casleu , containing 30 II. The Winter Quarter consisting of 4. The Month Tabeth , containing 29 5. The Month Schebhat , containing 30 6. The Month Adar , containing 29 III. The Spring Quarter consisting of 7. The Month Nisan , containing 30 8. The Month Jiar , containing 29 9. The Month Sivan . containing 30 IV. The Summer Quarter consisting of 10. The Month Tamuz , containing 29 11. The Month Ab , consisting 30 12. The Month Elul , 29

ยง . 9. And because the Jews made use of Solar years , but Lunar Months , they must of necessity , besides the 12 ordinary Months , interpose at certain Several sorts of the Jewish Years . times an extraordinary one : From whence it comes that they divided their Years in the common Years of 12 Months , and the Embolismaean Years . And whereas their Months consisted by turns of 30 , and again of 29 Days ; the first are called the compleat , the last the defective Months : And to prevent any Confusion which might arise from this alternative Change in the Translation of the Feria's , they were obliged either to augment or diminish the Number of Days of certain Months ; so that the Years of the Jews were divided into six several sorts : For

TheCommonYearwasdividedinto Days . 1. The abounding Year , containing 355 2. The common Year , containing 354 3. The defective Year , containing 353

The Embolismaean Year was likewise divided into

Days . 4. The abounding Year , containing 385 5. The common Year , containing 384 6. The defective Year , containing 383

These Varieties of Years proceeding from the Interpolation of Days affected only the three Months Adar , Marchesvan , and Casleu : For in the Embolismaean Year there were two Months of Adar , and in the abounding Year the Month Marchesvan was always compleat , as in the defective Year the Month Casleu was always defective : So that in the first there were always three successive compleat Months , in the last always three successively defective .

CHAP. III. Of the Epocha of the Deluge . 1. This Epocha ought in all respects to be congruous to the Hebrew Text written by Moses . 2. According to the 5th and 7th Chapters of Genesis the Distance betwixt this Epocha and that of the World , ought to be 1656 years . 3. It must agree in all respects with the other Intervals of Time , till the Beginning of the Vulgar Christian Epocha , which contains 2293 years . 4. Care is to be taken that none of the Patriarchs be involved in the Waters of the Deluge . 5. Thus it will fall in the Year of the Julian Period 2420 , in Autumn , in the Cycle โ˜‰ . 12. โ˜ฝ . 7. 6. And since therefore there are 2419 years and near How to investigate the years since the Deluge . 10 months difference betwixt the Beginning of the Julian Period and the Epocha of the Deluge , if the said Sum be added to the Number of years since the Deluge , the Product will be exactly correspondent to the Year of the Julian Period . But if the above said Number of Years and Months be subtracted from the whole Product , the Residue shews the Year and Month of the Epocha of the Deluge .

ยง . 1. PLiny in his Natural History , (a) (a) Bibl. l. 1. Diodorus Whether the years of the Patriarchs were monthly years . Siculus , as likewise (b) (b) Saturn . l. 1. Macrobius , with many others , relate that among the Aegyptians their Years were in most ancient times sometimes of one Month , sometimes of two , three or four Months ; which has perhaps moved Varro ( according to (c) (c) L. 2. c. 13. Lanctantius his Testimony ) to interpret the Computation , of Moses not of Solar but Lunar Years . But this may be sufficiently confuted by that Mention is made in (d) (d) Gen. 8. 13. Genesis of the first , second and seventh Months , which destroys this Notion . (e) (e) 14. 8. Gen. 7. v , 11. c. 8. 5. Besides that according to this Supposition the Patriarchs must have procreated Children at the Age of five , six , and seven Years , as is most evident in (f) (f) Gen. 11. 26. Thara the Father of Abraham , who is said to have begot Abraham in the 70th Year of his Age.

ยง . 2. And as most Chronologers agree in this Point , Whether they were Soโ—โ—r or Luโ—ae-Solar years . that the Years used by the Patriarchs have not been much different from those in the Julian Calendar ; so they are divided in their Opinions whether in those Ancient Times they made their Computations by Lunae-Solar or Solar Years . The Jews are of Opinion that the Year of the Deluge was the same with their ordinary Year , conโ—isting of 12 Months , according to the Motion of the Moon . Some of their Rabbi's have been vain enough to pretend to persuade the World that during the time of the Deluge , the two great Luminaries did not appear above that Hemisphere ; and that Noah did distinguish the Times of the Days , Nights , Months and Years , partly by the Natural Instinct that was in some Beasts within the Ark , of distinguishing the Times as in the Ass , Cock , Turkey , &c. partly by a certain Gem of the same Nature with that by which they say , Moses knew the exact difference of Times , when he conversed with God for 40 Days . There are not a few among the Christians , but especially Henricus Buntingus and William Lange , who agree with the Jews in this Supposition concerning the Lunae-Solar Years .

But Scaliger is quite of another Sentiment , being perswaded that before the Babylonian Captivity there were not the least Footsteps of these Lunae-Solar Years to be met with in the Holy Scripture ; because it is said of David and Solomon , That they had twelve Officers which provided Provisions for the King and his Houshold ; each Man made Provision for his Month in the Year : And that therefore if the Lunae-Solar Year had been in use among the Jews of that time , there must have been thirteen Officers by reason of the Embolismaean Year , consisting of thirteen Lunar Months . It is for this Reason that Scaliger as well as Johannes Behmius , Vbbo Emmius , Sethus Calvisius and others , plead for the Solar Year at the time of the Deluge , each Month , like the Aegyptians , consisting of 30 days , with an Addition of five Days at certain Intervals . I must confess 't is of no great Consequence as to the Historical Truth , whether we admit the Lunae-Solar or Solar Years ; yet It cannot be denied but that there are strong Probabilities to be met with in the History of the Deluge , which appear in behalf of the Solar Years . It is said in (g) Genesis , That on the 17th day of the second Month all the Fountains of the โ–ช Cap. 7. v. 11. Earth and the Windows of Heaven were opened ; and (h) (h) Cap. 8. v. 3. that the Waters began to abate after the end of an hundred and fifty Days ; (i) (i) Cap. ib. v. 4. and that the Ark rested on the seventeenth Day of the seventh Month. From whence it is evident that these could be no Lunar Months , each of which consisting only of 29 Days and 12 Minutes , could not make up the Number of 150 Days . It is therefore most probable , that they regulated themselves at that time according to the same Calendar , which afterwards was called the Aegyptian , each Month of which contained exactly 30 Days ; and at the end of every Year an Addition was made of five Days , besides that at the end of every Age , consisting of 120 Years , ( of which also mention is made in (k) (k) C. 6. v. 3. Genesis ) there used to be a further Addition of fix other Days : In which point also (l) (l) Lib. 9. C. 9 โ–ช de Doct. temp. Dionysius Petavius seems to agree with Scaliger , though in most other Matters he is contradictory to his Opinion .

ยง . 3. The following Table represents the vast Disproportion betwixt the Greeks on the one , and Dโ—ffโ—rence betwixt the Hebrew and Greek Computations . the Hebrews and Latines on the other side , concerning the Number of Years of the Antediluvian Patriarchs .

According to the Hebrews , Years . LXX Int From the Creation to Seth are 130 230 Gen. 5. v. 3 From thence to Enoch , 105 205 6 From thence to Cainan , 90 190 9 to Mahaleel , 70 170 12 to Jared , 65 165 15 to Enoch , 162 162 18 to Methuselah , 65 165 21 to Lamech , 187 187 25 to Noah , 182 188 28 to the Deluge , 600 600 Gen. 7. 6 Sum of the Years before the Deluge , 1656 2262

ยง . 4. Both the ancient and modern Authors are Various Opinions concerning this difference . extremely divided in their Opinions concerning this vast Disproportion betwixt the Hebrew and Greek Text. (m) (m) Lib. 19. c. 43. de Civ . Dei . St. Austin is of opinion , that sโ—me being pre-possessed with an Opinion that the Years of the Patriarchs were to be understood of Lunar or Monthly Years โ–ช had inserted these Alterations in the Version of the LXX Interpreters . Mโ—rin with some others , on the other hand maintain that the Hebrew Text is corrupted . But among all the modern Authors , Isaacus Vossius and Bryon Walton plead strongly for the Authority of the Greek Version ; and accuse all the Chronologers of a most manifest Error for having left out above fifteen Ages in their Computation of the Age of the World . If Moses should rise again , ( says (n) (n) P. 248. Vossius ) in our Days he would not be able to understand one Word of the Jewish Books , they having got their Letters from the Chaldaeans , their Points and Accents from the Massoreths . Vossius goes yet further , alledging that not only the Letters but the Sense it self is corrupted , not only by the Carelessness of the Transcribers , but especially by the inveterate Malice of the Jews . His Words containing the whole Substance of his New Hypothesis are these : He , says he , that has a desire to attain to the Vnderstanding of the true sense of the Holy Writ , ought not to make the least Reflection upon the Vowels which are inserted by the Massoreths : But if any use is to be made of them et all , it must be done by correcting them according to the Translation of the LXX Interpreters . Thโ—โ— is the true Text , whose Authority is founded upon the Approhation of the most ancient Jews , the Evangelists , the Apostles , and the whole Primitive Church . To give my real Sentiment in this weighty Affair , considering the great Reputation established by the Approbation of Antiquity , of the undoubted Skill of the LXX Interpreters in the Hebrew and Greek Languages , and their unquestionable Fidelity and Sincerity , they ought not to be bereaved of their due Praise , if we were well assured that this Version was transmitted to Posterity without any Alteration . But those , who accuse the Chronologers with so much Boldness would have done well to have been fully satisfied first whether the Hebrew Text or the Greek Version was adulterated , especially since the last is called by many in Question , nay even looked upon as supposititious . Of which Opinion is the Learned Bp of Armagh , who in a particular Treatise pretends to demonstrate , that the true Version of the LXX Interpreters was always kept close in the Alexandrian Library , no body being permitted to read , much less to transcribe it . That after the Burning of the said Library another had been compiled , and substituted in the room of that of the LXX Interpreters about the time of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus , which being approved of as genuine by some , was received by the Apostles and their Disciples in the Church . T is true , Armโ—chanus has not many Followers in this Opinion ; but there are not wanting such as believe that we have only Fragments of the true Version of the LXX Interpreters left now a-days , the rest being only Additions which are put upon the World under the same Name . It appears to me , says (o) (o) Lib. 2. c. 6. de V. D. Bellarmine , probable that the Version of the LXX Interpreters is as yet extant , but so much vitiated and corrupted that it is scarce to be known . And which way are we assured that the said Translation was made from the Hebrew ? For if it was done from the Samaritan only , it carries not the same Weight with it as if it had been taken from the Original .

ยง . 5. The Arguments which Vossius alledges in The Arguments of Vossius for his Hypothesis . behalf of the Translation of the LXX Interpreterpreters , and its Preference before the Hebrew Text , may be comprehended under three several Heads : the first is the Authority and Consent of most Nations , as the Aegyptians , Chinese and others : The second is the Authority of all the Fathers of the Primitive Church . Those who follow the common Compution (p) (p) Dissert. de aetat . mundi , p. 257. ( says he ) rely barely upon the Authority of the Rabbins , but we upon the the true sense of the Hebrew Text before it was adulterated by the Jews . We rely , I say , upon the Authority of the LXX Interpreters , of all the Fathers and the whole primitive Church , together with the Consent of all the most ancient Nations . The third Objection is , that the Intervals related in the Genealogies of so numerous an Offspring are in no wise proportionable to their vast Number . The first Objection has been already answered by us in the first Chapter . The second is resolved by (q) (q) De Nat. Christi , p. 250. Gerard John Vossius the Father of Isaacus Vossius , who says that the Intention of the Primitive Fathers and Councils being merely to promote those things which properly belong to the advancing of the true Christian Faith , were not willing to enter into Disputes about these indifferent Matters , but retain'd the Translation of the LXX Interpreters , for the better Conveniency of such as were not versed in the Hebrew Tongue . In the third he relies upon a false Supposition , as if the ancient Fathers had not had a more numerous Offspring than what is expresly set down in the Books of Moses , whereas the Scripture only gives us some of their Genealogies , not an entire Catalogue of their Posterity , as has been well observed by (r) (r) De Civ . Dei , l. 15. c. 15. St. Austin .

ยง . 6. Petavius , with some of his Adherents , Whether the 1656 Years till the Deluge were compleat Years . call in question whether the 1656 Years mentioned by Moses to have been betwixt the Creation of the World and the Deluge were compleat Years : But Scaliger , Henr. Buntingus , Sethus Calโ—iโ—โ—s , Behmius , Frankenbergius and William Lange positively affirm it . First because of the Age of Methusalem it being said (s) (s) Gen. โ— . v. 26. that Methusalem after he begot Lamech , lived 782 Years . But if the Deluge began in the six hundredth Year of Nโ—โ—โ—'s Age , Methusalem could not have lived above 781 years : for Lamech lived 182 Years when he begat (t) (t) Gen. 5. v. 28. Noah : If to these be added 599 Years , which our Adversaries pretend to have been the Age of Noah at the time of the Deluge , the whole Product will amount to 781 Years , which is contrary to the express Words of Moses . Secondly , because Moses makes use of a Phrase in this Place , which always comprehends the Number of compleat Years . Thirdly , because the subsequent Intervals confirm it .

ยง . 7. Henricus Buntingus , and Jacobus Hainlinus ; Whether the Deluge began in the Spring . but above all others , Gerhardus Joannes Vossius , are fully of Opinion that the Deluge began in the Spring , looking upon this Season as the most proper for the Propagation of those Creatures ( u ) Isag . Chron. c. 5. that went forth out of the Ark : And , that if it had hapned in Autumn they would have been in danger of perishing by Famine by reason of the approaching Winter : Whereas the Spring Season might furnish them with sufficient Alimony in a short time . But it seems more probable to me , that the Deluge began in Autumn ; because the Ancients began their Year in Autumn , without question in respect to the Epocha of the World , of which we have spoke in the first Chapter . And the sacred History tells us expresly that the Deluge began in the second Month. This General Destruction ( says (x) (x) L. 1. c. โ— . Ant. Josephus ) hapned in the six hundredth Year of Noah , in the second Month , which is called among the Macedonians Diโ—โ— , among the Jews Marshu , ( and commonly Marchesvan ) according to the monthly Account of the Aegyptians . In answer to the Objections made by our Adversaries against the Autumnal Season , we alledge the Words of the Learned Behrnius (y) (y) Man . Chron. p. 10. : Did Noah give these Gentlemen any Account of what stones of Provisions there was left when he went forth out of the Ark ? Did not the whole Surface of the Earth furnish a sufficient Quantity of Dead Carcasses for the Voracious wild Beasts to feed upon ? Besides what the Tops of the Mountains dunged with the slimy Relicts of the Waters , (z) (z) Gen. 8. 5. and nourished for five months , before by the Rays of the Sun might afford for their Sustenance ? And supposing some Animals did not procreate immediately after the Deluge ; this could not create a Famine in Noah 's Family .

ยง . 8. There is a great Dispute among the Of the โ—0 Days Rain and 150 Days of the Increase of the Chronologers concerning the forty Days Rain , and the Increase of the Waters for 150 Days , mentioned in the Relation of the Deluge . To enucleate which , we must look upon the Words of the Text in (a) (a) C. 7. v. 11. 17. 24. Genesis : In the six hundredth year of Noah 's Life in the 2 d Month , the 7th day of the month , the same day were all the Fountains of the great deep broken up , and the Windows of Heaven were opened , and the Rain was upon the Earth 40 Days and 40 Nights ; and the Flood was 40 Days upon the Earth , and the Waters encreased , and bare up the Ark , and it was lift up above the Earth ; and the Waters prevailed , and were encreased greatly upon the Earth , and the Ark went upon the face of the Waters ; and the Waters prevailed exceedingly upon the Earth , and all the high Hills that were under the Heaven were covered ; and the Waters prevailed (b) (b) Cap. 8. v. 3. 4. upon the Earth an hundred and fifty days ; and the Waters returned from off the Earth continually ; and after 150 days , the Waters were abated ; and the Ark rested in the 7th Month , on the 17th day of the Month upon the Mountains of Ararat . From these Words the Jewish Chronologers pretend to prove that the 40 Days ought not to be included in the 150 ; and that therefore the total Increase of the Waters of the Deluge lasted 190 Days ; whereas on the other hand Scaliger is of opinion that the 40 Days are included in the 150. Joannes Waltherus looks upon this Question to be involved in such Difficulties as not to be easily resolved . But upon strict Examination of the whole History of the Deluge , it is no difficult Task to judge that Scaliger's Opinion is to be preferred before the other ; it being said expresly that there were five Months pass'd from the beginning of the Deluge , when the Ark rested upon the Mountains of Aratat . Now if the 40 Days were not to be included in the 150 Days , it must of necessity follow , that each of these Months had contained 38 Days .

ยง . 9. There being so many various Opinions Various Opinions concerning the Vniversality of the Deluge . concerning the Universality of the Deluge , as well in respect of the Terrestrial Globe as the total Destruction of all its Inhabitants , we will give you a Scheme of the chiefest among them . The first are the Jews , who extend this Universality of the Deluge , not only to all the Terrestrial Creatures , but the Fish which , they say were suffocated by the Heat of the Rains and Waters which broke out of the deep Fountains of the Earth . There are secondly , also some among the Jews who deny this Universality of the Deluge , and pretend , that besides the eight Persons included in the Ark , Ogg the King of Basan was preserved . To the third Class belong the Scholasticks , who are of opinion that Enoch , who at that time dwelled in the Paradise , was not involved in the Deluge . To the fourth Class belong those who maintain , that not only a few Persons , but whole Nations never felt the Effects of this great Inundation , but that the Jews only , and the other Inhabitants of Palestina perished in it . The fifth in order don't deny but that a total Destruction of the whole Humane Race was caused by the Deluge ; yet so as that the whole Terrestrial Globe was not overwhelmed by the Waters : which Opinion is founded upon two other Hypotheses ; to wit , That at the time of the Deluge the Earth remained as yet for the greatest part desolate without any Inhabitants ; and that all the Waters of the Universe could not have been sufficient to cause an universal Deluge . This Abraham Mylius pretends to demonstrate , that if all the Waters of the Universe had been sent down upon Earth , they could not have covered the Tops of the highest Mountains . (c) Isaacus Vossius approves of both these Hypotheses . The sixth and last are those who have chosen the truest ( b ) Diss . de Aetat mundi , p. 284. Opinion , and maintain that the Deluge was Universal , both in respect of the Terrestrial Globe and its Inhabitants ; because the Motive which induced God thus to punish the whole Earth was universal , God complains that every Imagination of the Thoughts of Man's Heart was only evil continually . ( 2. ) God's Threats were universal without Exception : I will destroy Man whom I have created , from the Face of the Earth , both Man and Beast , and the creeping thing , and the Fowls of the Air ; for it repented me that I have made them . ( 3. ) The Execution was universal : (e) (e) Gen. 7. v. 21. All Flesh died that moved upon the Earth , both of Fowl and of Cattle , and of Beast , and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth ; and every Man . ( 4 โ–ช ) The building of the Ark it self was a convincing Argument for the Universality of the Deluge : For what else could have moved Noah to build it when he might have transferred himself with his Family to another Place : And ( 5. ) It would have savoured much of Folly , if Noah had taken so much pains to gather all the Creatures in the Ark , if there had been enough left in other Places . To all this may be added the general Consent of the Gentiles , who , tho' they have mixed their Relations of the Deluge with many of their Fables and Fictions ; yet all agree in this Point , that it has been universal . It is for this reason I cannot sufficiently admire how the Learned (f) (f) L. 18. c. 8. de Dei. St. Austin could be so much overseen as to declare , that there were not the least Footsteps of this Deluge to be met with in the Greek and Latin Authors ; the contrary of which has been sufficiently demonstrated by (g) (g) Lib. 1. de Relig. Hugo Grotius . ( d ) Gen. 6. v. 5. 7.

CHAP. IV. Of the Chaldaean Epocha , and the Reigns of the Assyrian Monarchs . 1. The principal thing to be taken care of in this Epocha is , not to fix its beginning beyond that of the Deluge . 2. To be very cautious in contradicting the Authority of Cresias Cnidius , Diodorus Siculus , Aemilius Sura , Castor , Eusebius , and some other Ancient Historians . 3. Care ought also to be taken , that the time of this Epocha be not contracted into too narrow a Compass , it being evident out of the Holy Scripture , that the Chaldaean and Assyrian Monarchy is very ancient . 4. The beginning of the Chaldaean or Babylonian Aera ought to be fixed at same remarkable time or other mentioned in their History , either from the first Foundation of their Capital City , or the Original of that Monarchy . 5. From the Beginning and first Institution of the Chaldaean Aera , till the time of Alexander the Great , are computed 1903 Years , according to Callisthenes ; Because , says (h) (h) Aristoc . de Coel. Libr. Simplicius , these Astronomical Observations which Callisthenes , ( pursuant to the Instructions received from Aristotle ) had sent to Babylon , were not then to be met with in Graecia ; which , as Porphyrius affirms , were preserved 1903 Years ; to wit , till the Times of Alexander the Great . 6. The Assyrian Monarchy has lasted near 1300 years , according to Cresias Cnidius and (i) (i) Lib. 2. Bibl. Diodorus Siculus , Aemilius Sura , in Velleius Paterculus , Trogus in Justin , (k) (k) In Chron. Eusebius , (l) (l) C. 17. c. 21. de civ . Dei . St. Austin . 7. The Assyrian Monarchy did already flourish at the time of Abraham , according to the Testimony of (m) (m) L. 11. Ant. c. 10. Josephus , who speaking about the Expedition of Abraham , undertook against the four Kings , says , that it hapned at the time when the Assyrians were Masters of Asia . 8. It seems very probable that the Assyrian Monarchy began in the times of Phaleg , about which time also hapned the Confusion of Tongues (n) (n) Gen. c. 11. v. 9. . 9. All the ancient Histories both of the Greeks and Barbarians agree in this point , that the first Monarch of all Asia was Ninus the Son of Belus , the Founder of the Capital City of the Assyrians of the same Name . 10. Ninus was not absolutely the first King over the Chaldaeans and Assyrians , but Belus reigned before him , according to Castor in Eusebius . We have only mentioned Belus , but have begun our History with the Reign of Ninus . 11. The Assyrian Monarchy began to flourish about the same time when Babylon was either built or enlarged , and made the Royal Seat of that Empire , where Nimrod kept his Residence , as is manifest out of (o) (o) C. 10. v. 10. Genesis and (p) (p) L. 1. Ant. c. 5. Josephus . All the prophane Historians seem to agree in this , that Babylon was built by Belus ; concerning which Abydenus with Eusebius says , Belus built the Walls of Babylon . And Dorotheus Sidonius in Julius Firmicus . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . The ancient City of Babylon , the Work of Belus the Tyrian . ( q ) Scr. Evang. L. 9. c. 4. (k) (k) L. 5. c. 1. Curtius makes mention of the Royal Residence of Belus . (l) (l) L. 23. c. 20. Ammianus Marcellinus of the Temple of Belus . (m) (m) L. 1 โ— . โ—6 . Pliny of the Sepulch . of Belus . 12. The Observations therefore mentioned by Porphyrius , to have been made at Babylon , were begun in the Year of the Julian Period 2481 , and the Assyrian Monarchy was founded by Nimrod or Belus in the Year of the Julian Period 2538. Any Year of the Julian Period given to find the Year sincโ— the Beginning of this Epocha . 13. If therefore you subtract 2480 Years from any Year of the Julian Period , the Remainder will be the Year of the Chaldaean Epocha ; and if in like manner you subtract 2537 Years from the same Year of the Julian Period , the Superplus will shew the Year since the Beginning of the Assyrian Monarchy .

ยง . 1. THere are not a few who call in question Concerning the Authority of Ctesias Cnidius . the Authority of Ctesias Cnidius concerning the Chronology of the first Monarchy . I am not , ( says (n) (n) In Bibl. de Sec. mund aet . p. 12โ— . Christianus Schotanus ) of the same Opinion with Ctesias , tho' I am not ignorant that most Historians have declared for him Two Objections are made against his Authority ; First because Plutarch did in his time accuse him of Falshood in his Writings ; and (o) (o) Cโ—d . 72. Photius says , that his Books are filled up with Fables . Secondly , Because Herodotus has lived a considerable time before Ctesias , and consequently has a Prerogative before him . But neither of these two are sufficient to destroy the Authority of Ctesias : For as to the first , Plutarch and some others of the ancient Historians have objected as many Errors to Herodotus as Ctesias : Neither see I any Reason why a whole History should be rejected by reason of some few Errors , especially when we are destitute of others , from whence we might receive better Instructions ; and that Plutarch did not call in question his whole History , but only some particular Passages . As to the second , it is observed that Ctesias though he lived after Herodotus ; yet being conversant in Persia and Assyria , and having the Opportunity of inspecting their Records and Annals , ought to be preserred before him . There being besides this but forty Years difference betwixt the Computation made by Herodotus and that of Ctesias , it is much more safe to follow the latter , till Herodotus's Followers can shew us more Authentick Monuments of Antiquity , which I much question , How to reconcile two several Possages of Ctesias . whether they will ever be able to effect .

ยง . 2. Diodorus Siculus out of Ctesias gives us two different Computations concerning the time of the Assyrian Monarchy . Of the first he says thus : (p) (p) Lib. 2. Bibl. p. 7โ— . โ—dit . Rhodomic . Vnder the Reign of Sardanapalus , the Assyrian Monarchy , after it had flourished 1360 Years ( according to Ctesias Cnidius , Lib. 2. ) was devolved to the Medians . Of the second he has these Words : (q) (q) Codemโ—n . Lib. p โ—โ— . Thus the Assyrian Empire , which from the time of Ninus had lasted 1400 Years , was destroyed by the Medians . To resolve this Difficulty , it seems that the last Passage of Dicdorus Siculus , as well as several others of this Author has been adulterated , it being manifest that according to Ctesias , the Assyrian Monarchy did not flourish much above 1300 Years . Thus much is certain , that Clemens Alexandrinus , does not attribute more than 1300 Years to the Assyrian Monarchy out of Diodorus and Ctesias , which agrees exactly with the time mentioned in the Eusebian Fragments , collected by Scaliger .

ยง . 3. The following Table represents a The Names and Order of the Assyrian Monarchs . Catalogue of the Assyrian Monarchs , according to Eusebius and Africanus , till the time of Sardanapalus . We have added to the Computation of Eusebius , the Year of the Julian Period , in which , according to this Hypothesis , each of these Kings began his Reign : And to the Computation of Africanus likewise the Year of the Julian Period pursuant to the Opinion of Scaliger and William Lange , out of which every one may choose such as he finds most suitable to his own Judgment .

Num. Afr. Nom. & Num Reg. Euseb . A. R. Eus . Anni P. J. A. R. Afr. A. P. J. Scal. A. P. J. Lang. 1 1. Belus . 60 2538 55 2357 2370 2 2. Ninus . 52 2598 52 2412 2425 3 3. Semiramis . 42 2650 42 2464 2477 4 4. Ninyas . 38 2692 38 2506 2519 5 5. Arius . 30 2730 30 2544 2557 6 6. Aralius . 40 2760 40 2574 2587 7 7. Xer. s . Bal. 30 2800 30 2614 2627 8 8. Armamith . 38 2830 38 2644 2657 9 9. Belochus . 35 2868 35 2682 2695 10 10. Balius . 52 2903 52 2717 2730 11 11. Seth. s . Alt. 32 2955 32 2769 2782 12 12. Mamythus s . Maminthus . 30 2985 30 2801 2814 13 13. Mโ—โ—e . s . Ash . 28 3013 28 2831 2844 14 14. Sphโ—โ—us . 22 3041 22 2859 2872 15 15. Mamylus s . Mamythus . 30 3063 30 2881 2894 16 16. Sparthaeus s . Sparetus . 40 3093 42 2911 2924 17 17. Ascatades . 38 3133 38 2953 2966 18 18. Amyntes . 45 3171 45 2991 โ—004 19 19. Beiochus . 25 3216 25 3036 3049 20 20. Balatores s . Bellepares . 30 3241 30 3061 3074 21 21. Lamprides . โ—0 3271 30 3091 3104 22 22. Sosares . 20 3301 20 3121 3134 23 23. Lampraes . 30 3321 30 3141 3154 24 24 Panyas . 40 3351 45 3171 3184 25 25. Sosarmus , 22 3391 42 3216 3229 26 26. Mithraeus . 27 3418 27 3258 3271 27 27. Teutamus . s . Teutanโ—s 32 3445 32 3285 3298 28 28. Teutโ—us . 44 3477 44 3317 3330 29 Arabelus . 42 3361 3374 3โ— Cโ—aโ—aus . 45 3403 3416 31 Anabus . 38 3448 3461 32 Babius . 37 3486 3499 33 29. Thinaeus . 30 3521 30 3523 3536 34 30. Dercylus . 40 3551 40 3553 3566 35 31. Eupacmes . s . Eupales . 38 3591 38 3593 3606 36 32. Laosthenes . 45 3629 45 3631 3644 37 33. Pyritiades . 30 3647 30 3676 3089 38 34. Ophrataeus . 21 3704 21 3706 3718 39 35. Ephachares . s . Ophratenes . 52 3825 52 3727 3739 40 36. Ocrazeres s . Acracarnes . 42 3777 42 3779 3791 41 37. Sardanapal . 19 3819 20 382โ— 3833 The whole Time and End is . 1300 3838 1484 3841 3852

ยง . 4. Because Euscbius has left out four Kings , which are inserted in the Catalogue of Africanus , Concerning the difference betwixt Eusebius and Africanus . and consequently his Computation falls 162 Years short of the other ; he has not escaped the Censures of the Chronologers . (r) (r) In โ—โ—imadr . ad Euseb. Josephus Sealiger says that Eusebius did this for no other Reason , but to make the Reign of Teutamus coincident with the Trojan War . On the other hand (s) (s) โ— . 9 c. 12. de doct. temp. Petavius speaks much in the Commendation of Eusebius , because he would not follow his Footsteps when he found them to be erroneous . What should move ( says he ) Eusebius , rather to follow Africanus than Diodorus , Cresias , and several other Historians , who attribute no more than 1300 Years to the Assyrian Monarchy ? I agree thus far with Petavius , as the Eusebian Catalogue is consonant to the Computation of the Holy Scriptures ; whereas that of Africanus relies barely upon the Computation of the Septuagint : Neither ought it to be pass'd by in Silence here , that the Hypothesis of Eusebius is confirmed by the Authority of (t) (t) Lib. 2. Biโ—lioth . Diodorus Siculus . These are his Words : The Supplies of Men sent by the Assyrians , under the Command of Memnon the Son of Tithon , to the Trojans , deserve also to be remembred here : For under the Reign of Teutamus , the twentieth King after Ninyas the Son of Semiramis , that ruled over all Asia , the Greeks engaged in a War against the Trojans under their General Agamemnon above a thousand Years after the Assyrians had been Masters of Asia . Out of these Words of Diodorus it is apparent that Eusebius was not the only Person who had made the Reign of Teutamus coincident with the time of the Trojan War , though at the same time it is evident by our Hypothesis that all the ancient Historians who are of the same Opinion , are in a gross Error for having mistaken Teutamus for Thinaeus .

ยง . 5. It has been shewed before how Africanus Concerning the Opinion of Africanus . made his Computation according to the Number of Years attributed to the Reign of each of the Assyrian Monarchs , in which he has been egregiously mistaken : For if 1484 Years be subtracted from the 3838 Years of the Julian Period ( which proved fatal to Sardanapalus ) the beginning of the Assyrian Monarchy will thus fall in the Year 2354 of the Julian Period a considerable time before the Deluge , which did not happen till in the Year 2420 of the Julian Period . But Africanus being misled into this Error by the Computation of the Greeks or the LXX Interpreters , had consequently no Opportunity of making Reflexion upon the Absurdity that must needs ensue of the Assyrian Kings Reigns at the time of the Deluge . It is much more to be admired how (u) (u) Can. Isag . p. 1โ—1 . Josephus Scaliger , who in all other Matters constantly adheres to the Hebrew Computation , should in this Point be so much taken with the Hypothesis of Africanus ; especially since ( according to his own Supposition ) the Deluge began in the Year 2420 of the Julian Period .

ยง . 6. Herodotus speaks thus concerning the Assyrian Concerning the Opinion Herodorus of the Assyrโ—an Monarchy . Empire : After the Assyrians had ruled in Asia about 520 Years , the Medians were the first who bravely asserted their Liberty after they had shaken off the Assyrian Yoke , other Nations followed their Example . Besides several others โ–ช Jacobus Vsserius , and Christianus Schotanus consent with Herodotus in this Point . But Herodotus's Authority alone could never be prevailing enough with me to detract so much from all the other most ancient Historians Reputation , as to look upon their Relations as so many Fables or Fictions . For first , according to Plutarch himself , nothing is more common than for Herodotus to be in a Mistake in the Relations of these things which were transacted before his time . Secondly , it is worth Observation , that Herodotus only made mention of the Assyrian Empire , as it was , by the bye ; so that his Words cannot be supposed to come in Competition with the Histories of these Authors , who having had the Opportunity of searching narrowly into the Transactions of the Assyrians , have transmitted their Monuments to Posterity . Thirdly , the Words of Herodotus which follow immediately after the above-mentioned Passage , in which he pretends to impose upon the World ( as shall be demonstrated hereafter ) that the Medians lived without Kings till the time of Dejoces , render his Assertion concerning the Assyrian Empire very suspicious . Fourthly , as the Ancient City of Nineve is an unquestionable Argument for the Antiquity of its Founder Ninus ; so it plainly demonstrates the Ignorance of Herodotus . Fifthly , the Words in the above-mentioned Passage are so dubious and obscure that it is impossible for any body as much as to guess from thence at the beginning or end of the Assyrian Monarchy ; there being not the least mention made from who 's Kings Reign it was , that Herodotus intended to begin his Computation ; nor by what fatal Accident and under what King a Period was put to this Monarchy : Not to mention here that some are of Opinion that this Passage in Herodotus is supposititious .

ยง . 7. The main Objection made against that Interval which we have set betwixt the Deluge Obโ—ection against the Intervals betwixt the Deluge and Beginning of the Assyrian Monarchy . and the Epocha of the Assyrian Monarchy is , how eight People that went forth out of the Ark of Noah could be sufficient to produce in so little a time so numerous a Stock as to suffice for the erecting so potent an Empire , which is the reason that St. (x) (x) L. 8. c. 22. de Civ . Dei . Austin has extended this Interval to a thousand Years . Of the same Opinion is also (y) (y) Diss . de ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . mund. p. 257. Isaacus Vossius , who ridicules those that pretend to answer this Objection , by a Supposition that the Patriarchs began to procreate Children under the Age of twelve . But (z) (z) Lib. 9. c. 14. de doctr. temp. Dionysius Petavius has attempted another way to satisfie the World in this Scruple , by supposing only ( which will be granted without Reluctancy by every body ) that they began to procreate at 17 years of Age ; from whence , by multiplying the Number of 8 , and its Product with 8 , he demonstrates that a vast Number of People must needs have been procreated in two hundred sixty and one years time by so long-lived a Generation as was the first Posterity of Noah , as may be seen out of the following Computation .

Anni โ— Diluv . Num. Genitorum . VIII 8 XXXI 64 LIV 512 LXXVII . 4096 C 32768 CXXIII 262144 CXLVI 2097152 CLXIX 16777216 CXCII 134217728 CCXV 1073741824 CCXXXVIII 8589934592 CCLXI 68719476736

ยง . 8. There is also no small Contest among the Historians concerning the first Monarch or Who was the first Assyrian Monarch . King of the Assyrians ; Some following the Footsteps of the Pseudo Berosus mention , one Saturn , who ; they say , reigned 56 Years . Others maintain that the Babylonian Empire was divided into three Principalities , the first of which was that of the Chaldaeans , whose first King was โ—vechoos ( whom some will have to have been the same with Ninus : ) The second of the Arabians , whose first King was one Mardโ—centes : The third , of the Assyrians , whose first King was Belus : Of which you may consult (a) (a) Lib 2 p. 131. Scaliger , Christianus Schotanus , and Isaacus Vossius in his Treatise of the second Age of the World . But it appears most probable to me , that the Babylonian Empire was always under the Jurisdiction of one single Monarch , till the time of Sardanapalus ; and that Nimrod , of whom mention is made in (b) (b) C. 10. v. 9. 10. Genesis , was the same Belus whose Name is so famous in prophane History . 'T is true that (c) (c) Lib. 1. Chron. Eusebius mentions also one Saturn , but he adds expresly that he believes him to have been the same with Belus . What concerns the two Principalities , which Scaliger and Schotanus ( according to Africanus ) pretend to have been before the time of Belus , they are to be look'd upon as mere Fictions ; as being contradictory to the Sacred Writ , and the true Epocha of the Deluge it self , or at least to its Universality .

ยง . 9. (d) (d) 3 Can. Isag . Scaliger has made a very useful Observation The Observation โ—f Scaliger concerning the Assytian Monarchy . concerning the Assyrian Empire , that it has been more famous for its Antiquity than its Greatness : For though its Power and Extent was very vast in the Beginning , yet the Assyrian Monarchs giving themselves over afterwards to all manner of Voluptuousness and becoming careless of the Publick Welfare , many of the Conquer'd Nations shock off the Assyrian Yoke , What is mentioned in the Books of the Judges and of the Kings in the Sacred Writ concerning the King of Babylon , the Syrians and some other Nations bordering upon Palaestina , not acknowledging the Jurisdiction of the Assyrian King , seems to be understood , not of the most ancient Assyr . Monarchy when in its flourishing State , under the Reigns of Nimrod and Ninus , but of its later times , when this Monarchy already began to be in a declining Condition . Of which see Dionysius Halicarnassโ—us Lib. 1. Antiq. Rom.

ยง . 10. The Observations made concerning the Political Observations coโ—cโ—rning this Monarโ—โ—y . Policy of the ancient Assyrian Monarchy by Rob. Bailius , ought not to be pass'd by in Silence ; For after Ninus and Semiramis with their vast Armies had overpowered far distant Nations , their Successors chief Maxims of State tended only to this , How to keep what they had got , not to extend their Conquests : For which Reason they built the most magnificent Palace of Ninive , where they always kept themselves very close , being very seldom to be seen by any body but their nearest Servants , whereby they imprinted into the Minds of the People an extraordinary Character of their Majesty , as having something much above the common Rank of Mankind , whilst they themselves devoted themselves wholly to all manner of Voluptuousness . Besides this , they drew every Year a vast Number of Soldiers out of the Provinces under their Jurisdiction , who being quartered in and about the City of Ninive , and commanded by such a one as was thought most faithful : These Forces struck Terror both in the Subjects living in the Center of the Empire , and the other Nations under their Jurisdiction . This Army was also disbanded , and the General as well as the Governours of the Provinces changed every Year , whereby they took away all Opportunity of putting them in a Condition to invade the Empire . Thus the Assyrian Empire continued for 1300 Years , till the time of Sardanapalus , when the Medians put an End to this Monarchy .

CHAP. V. Of the Epocha's of the Years of Abraham . 1. The time of the Birth of Abraham must be look'd for in the 11th Chapter of Genesis , which contains an exact Account of the Ages of the Patriarchs after the Deluge . 2. The Year of the Birth of Abraham ought to be coincident with the seventieth Year of Thara (a) (a) Gen. 11. v. 26. . 3. According to the Mosaick Computation , the Interval betwixt the Deluge and Abraham is of 292 Years . 4. Abraham was born when the Assyrian Monarchy flourished in Asia , according to St. Austin (b) (b) L. 16. c. 17. de Civ . Dei . . 5. The Vocation of Abraham was in the 75th year of his Age (c) (c) Gen. 12. v. 4. . 6. From the 75th year of his Age , ( being that of his Vocation ) begins the Epocha of the time of the Children of Israel 's abiding in Aegypt , being 430 years , till the time of their going out of Aegypt ; from whence to reckon backwards to the Nativity of Abraham , are 505 years (d) (d) Gal. 3. v. 17. Jos. L. 2. c. 6. Antiq. . 7. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old (e) (e) Gen. โ—โ— . v. 1. 5. . 8. Abraham died when he was 175 years old (f) (f) Gen. 25. v. 7. . 9. According to this Computation Abraham was born in the year 2712 of the Julian Period , in the 24th Cycle of the Sun , and the 16th of the Moon . The Vocation of Abraham hapned in the year 2787 of the Julian Period , the Birth of Isaac in the year 2812 of the Julian Period , and the Death of Abraham in the year 2887 of the same Period . 10. If therefore from any certain year of the Julian Any year of the Julian Period given to find the Year since the beginning of this Epochโ— . Period be subtracted 2711 years for the Nativity of Abraham , 2786 for his Vocation , 2811 for the Birth of Isaac , and 2886 years for the Death of Abraham , the Residue will shew the desired year of the Epocha of Abraham . On the other hand , if the above-mentioned Numbers of years be added to the year of the Epocha of Abraham , the Products will be correspondent to the years of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THE following Table represents the several Of the Computation of the Interval betwixt the Deluge and the Birth of Abraham . Computations of the Interval betwixt the Deluge and the Birth of Abraham .

From the Deluge , According to the He. LXX Int. Josephus . Genesis xi To Arphaxad , 2 2 12 Verse 10 To Cainaan , 0 135 135 Salah , 35 130 130 Verse 12 Eber , 30 130 130 Verse 14 Phaleg , 34 134 134 Verse 16 Ragau , 30 130 130 Verse 18 Serug , 32 132 130 Verse 20 Nachor , 30 130 132 Verse 22 Thara , 29 79 129 Verse 24 Abraham , 70 70 130 Verse 29 The whole Sum of years from the Del. to Abrah. 292 1072 1192

Both the Computation of the LXX Interpreters and that of Josephus is taken out of Isaacus (g) (g) Dissert. de aetat . Mundi . c. 8 Vossius , who , as well as (h) (h) Chronol. Sacr. p. 108. Bryon Walton , follow in the Intervals of Years , both before and after the Deluge , the Computation of the Greeks .

ยง . 2. (i) (i) Chron. Sacr. p. 107. Isaacus Vossius follows the Footsteps Whether Arphaxad was born in the โ— d or 12th year after the Deluge . of Josephus in the time of the Birth of Arphaxad , being of Opinion that in Genesis 11. v. 10. where it is said Shem was an hundred years old , and begat Arphaxad two years after the Deluge , it should be said twelve ; which Error he attributes to the Carelessness of the Amanuensis , For , says he , how else could Arphaxad have two elder Brothers , Elam and Assur ? for among the Sons of Shem , Arphaxad is mentioned in the third place : And to suppose that these three Sons , and perhaps as many Daughters , were all born in two years time , is ridiculous . But the Computation of Josephus is free from all these Difficulties , especially concerning the Age of Shem. To this it is answered by some , that the Opinion of Vossius being contrary both to the Hebrew Text , and the Translation of the Septuagint , it may rationally be supposed , that the two elder Brothers of Arphaxad were either Twins born in the first year after the Deluge ; or that Shem's Wife conceived whilst she was in the Ark , and immediately after brought forth the Eldest , and in a years time after , the Second . There are also some who believe Arphaxad to have been the First-born ; because it is said in Genesis 11. 2. that Shem , after he begat Arphaxad , begat Sons and Daughters , and not before .

ยง . 3. There is another difficulty in the Genealogy Of Cainan who is put betwixt Arphaxad and Salah . of the Post-Diluvian . Patriarchs concerning Cainan , who in the Translation of the LXX Interpreters is put betwixt Arphaxad and Salah . These are their Words in Gen. 10. v. 24. And Arphaxad begot Cainan , Cainan begot Salah . And in the 11th Chapter , v. 11. And Arphaxad lived 130 years and begot Cainan . And the first of Chronicles , Chap. 1. v. 27. And Arphaxad begot Cainan , and Cainan begot Salah . Cainan is also mentioned in the 3d Chapter , v. 35. of St. Luke , which was the Son of Salah , which was the Son of Cainan , which was the Son of Arphaxad . The Syriack , Latin , German , Low-Dutch , and English Translations do not only follow the Footsteps of the LXX Interpreters in this Point , but also among our Modern Authors , Alphonsus Salmero , Augustus Torniellus , Jacobus Saltanus , Isaacus Vossius , and Bryon Walton , who relying upon the Authority of St. Luke , agrees with them in Opinion . But there are very weighty Reasons which have moved others to contradict this Assertion . For , first , in the Hebrew Text no mention is made of Cainan : 2. In some of the most ancient Translations of the Bible , especially in the Samaritan , as also by (k) (k) Lib. 1. c. 6. ant. Josephus , otherwise a strict Adherer to the Chronology of the Septuagint , no mention is made of Cainan . 3. In some ancient Copies of the Gospel of St. Luke , Cainan is likewise not mentioned ; as in that of Theodorus Beza , where Arphaxad is put immediately after Salah , which has moved Theodatus and Cartwightus , the first to leave him out in his Italian , the last in his Latin Translation : And Vsserius cites above twelve of the Fathers and Ecclesiastical Writers , who know nothing of this Cainan . 4. There are also some who are of Opinion that Salah had a double Name , his second Name being Cainan ; and that there ought to have been no distinction in St. Luke betwixt these two Names . 5. Others will have it , that the LXX Interpreters have inserted this Cainan on purpose to make Moses agree with the Aegyptian History . But be it as it will , my Opinion is , that the Computation of Moses cannot be erroneous , Ger. Jo. Vossius has made this useful Observation (l) (l) Heres. 55. contra Mโ—โ—chis . , that because neither Epiphanius nor St. Hierom (m) (m) In Trad. Ebraic . make the least mention of Cainan , neither the said Cainan is to be found in the best Roman Edition of the Septuagint , published by the Care of Caraffa , it is very probable that in the original Manuscript of the LXX Interpreters no mention was likewise made of Cainan .

ยง . 4. The Words of Moses concerning the Whether the Birth of Abraham was โ—oincident with the 70th Year of Thara . Nativity of Abraham are as follows : (n) (n) Gen. 11 v. 2โ— . And Thara lived 70 years and begat Abraham , Nachor and Haran . From which Words the Chronologers conclude , that Abraham was not above 70 years younger than his Father Thara . 1. Because Moses having been so exact in mentioning the 75th year of the Age of Abraham , as also the 86th (o) (o) Gen. 16. v. 16. , and the (p) (p) Gen. 12. 4. and 17. v. 24. 99th , it seems very improbable he should have neglected that of his Nativity . 2. Because in the Catalogue of the Children of Thara , he gives the Preference to Abraham . In 1 Chron. 1. v. 28. Israel is put before Ismael his elder Brother ; but what wonder if he had the Preference given him before the Son of his Father's Maid . Otherwise it is observable that the Scripture always relates the Genealogy of those born in Wedlock in the same Order as they were born . This is manifest in the Children of Rachel , who , though much beloved by their Father , yet are inserted according to the time of their Nativities . And even he who had sold the Prerogative of his Birth-right , yet is mentioned as the eldest in the Sacred History . 3. Because Abraham seemed to be startled at the Promise made him , looking upon it as an Example without a Parallel , to be blessed with a Son when he was 100 years old (r) (r) Gen. 17. v. 17. . But it is not probable that Abraham would have considered it as a miraculous thing , if he himself had been born ( according to the Opinion of some in the 130th year of his Father Thara's Age.

ยง . 5. And there arises another Difficulty in the Of the time of the Departure of Abraham out of Haran . Sacred Chronology concerning the time of the Departure of Abraham out of Haran , it being said by Moses that (s) (s) Gen. 12. v. 4. Abraham was 75 years old when he departed out of Haran ; and by St. (t) (t) Acts 7. v. 4. Stephen , that he removed from thence when his Father was dead : From whence it is evident , that if 70 years of Thara , when he begat Abraham , be added to 75 , the Age of Abraham when he removed out of Haran , the Product will be 145 years ; whereas (u) (u) Gen. 11. v. โ—2 . Moses says of Thara , that his Days were 205 years , and that he died in Haran : Which has moved St. Hierom and Scaliger to look upon this Question as the Gordian Knot . Others , among whom are Nicholas de Lyra , Calvinus , Cajetanus , Martyr , Torniellus , Musculus , Beroaldus , Salianus , Pareus , Junius , Henricus Philippi , Jacobus Capellus , Ludovicus Capellus , Temporarius , Vsserius , Isaacus Vossius , and several more , pretend to resolve this Knotty Question , by asserting that Abraham was begot by Thara when he was 130 years old ; and that the Words in Genesis , Thara lived 70 years and begat Abraham , Nahor and Haran , are to be understood thus : That Thara was 70 years old when he began to beget Children , among whom was Abraham ( who had the Preference , as being the Father of the Believers ) Nahor ( the First-born ) and Haran ( the Second ; ) but the Dissolution of this Gordian Knot is owing to St. Austin , who is of Opinion that Abraham did at least depart twice out of Haran , but did not fix his Habitation in Canaan till the second time . With St. Austin agree in this Point Brentius , Gesnerus , Pererius , Cornelius ร  Lapide , Alphonsus Tostatus , Lorinus , Robertus Bailius , Dionysius Petavius , and others .

ยง . 6. Eusebius in his Computation of the years Of the erroneous Computation of Eusebius . of Abraham is fallen into an Error , when he affirms the Interval of time betwixt the beginning of the Julian Period and the Nativity of Abraham to have been 2696 years and 9 months ; whereas according to the Calculation of the Hebrew Text , the same hapned in the year 2712 ; which is the true Reason that some who were not sensible of this erroneous Computation of Eusebius , have been mis-guided in many of the following Epocha's .

ยง . 7. There are some who are of Opinion that Abraham is mentioned in Prophane History . not the least Footsteps of this Epocha of Abraham are to be found in prophane History : But these may be convinced of their Mistake by (x) (x) L 1. c. 8. Ant. Josephus , who alledges the Words of the true and ancient ( not the supposititious ) Berosus : In the tenth Generation after the Deluge there lived a just and great Man among the Chaldaeans , who among other things , was well versed in Astronomy . And in (y) (y) L. 36 c. 2. Justin we find the Testimony of Trogus Pompeius : The Jews , says he , have their Offspring from Damascus , a famous City of Syria : their Kings were Abraham and Israel . See also Clemens Alexandrinus and Eusebius , L. 13. c. 12 (z) (z) Strom. V. .

CHAP. VI. Of the Epocha of the CCCCXXX . Years the Jews sojourned in Aegypt ; of which mention is made in Exodus 12. Verse 40. 1. The beginning of this Epocha must be congruous to the time of that solemn Promise mentioned in (a) (a) C. 12. v. 3. c. 15. ad Gal. 3. v. 17. Genesis , to have been made to Abraham . 2. Due Regard ought to be had to the Age of the Forefathers of Moses , as described in Exodus (b) (b) C. 6. v. 19 , 20. . 3. The End of it must be coincident with the time of their leaving of Aegypt . 4. The Number of the Generations of the Levitical Families recited in the above-mentioned Places ought also carefully to be observed . 5. The same Respect must be had to the other Intervals . 6. Care must be taken , that not any thing be inferr'd contradictory to the Testimony of Josephus in his 2 d Book of Antiquities , Chap. 5. They left , says he , Aegypt in the Month of Xanthicus , in the 430th Year after the Coming of our Father Abraham into Canaan ; and in the 215th Year after the Migration of Jacob into Aegypt , Moses was then in his 30th Year of Age , and his Brother Aaron three years elder than he . 7. Accordingly we affirm , that the first year of this Epocha was coincident with the 76th year of the Age of Abraham , which was the 2787th year of the Julian Period , Cycle โ˜‰ . 15. โ˜ฝ . 13. and its End in the Year 3217 of the Julian Period . 8. If therefore 2780 years be subtracted from any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue Any year given of the Julian Period to find the year since the beginning of this Epocha . will shew the year of this Epocha : But if the same be added to any certain year of this Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period . There is not any Certainty concerning the Months , they being not mentioned in the Holy Scripture : for the Traditions of Rabbi Solomon , who asserts , that God did make his Covenant with Abraham in the Month of Nisan , is no more Authentick than the rest of the Jewish Traditions .

ยง . 1. (c) (c) Exerc. Bibl. MOrinus and (d) (d) Chron. sacr. c. 2. p. 3. Isaacus Vossius are of Whether the Hebrew Text be corrupted concerning these 430 years . Opinion that the Hebrew Text concerning the 430 years of the sojourning of the Israelites in Aegypt has been adulterated , and therefore prefer the Samaritan and Greek Translations : In the first it is said thus ; The sojourning of the Children of Israel and their Forefathers who dwelt in the Land of Canaan and Aegypt , was four hundred and thirty years : Whereas in the Hebrew Text it is thus express'd by Moses ; The sojourning of the Children of Israel , who dwelt in Aegypt was four hundred and thirty years . But besides the Divine Testimony of the unquestionable and most authentick Authority of the Hebrew Text , (e) (e) C. 5. v. 18. St. Matthew and St. (f) (f) C. 16. v. 17. Luke , and in other Places , the Chaldaean , vulgar Latin and Arabick Translations are sufficient to attest the genuine Lection of the Hebrew Text in this Place , as well as the frequent Allegations of many of the most ancient Authors .

ยง . 2. There are not a few who pretend to begin This Epocha has not it's beginning from the time of Jacob 's going into Aegypt . this Epocha from the time of Jacob's going into Aegypt , of which we read in (g) (g) C. 46. Genesis , but according to this Hypothesis , it is impossible to compleat the Number of 430 years of the Israelites sojourning in Aegypt ; for it being said (h) (h) Gen. 46. v. 11. that Jacob came into Aegypt with Kohath the Son of Levi ; if the whole Age of Kohath be computed as well as that of his Son Amram ( the first being of 133 , the last of 137 (i) (i) Exod. 7. v. 7. Years ) and the 80 Years of Moses when he spoke to Pharaoh , be added to them both , the whole does not exceed 350 Years , which is 80 Years less than 430 Years ; from whence it 's evident that our preceding Computation is to be preferr'd before this , it being especially confirmed by the Authority of the Jewish Rabbi's and most of the Greek and Latin Authors . The Greeks , according to the Translation of the LXX Interpreters , whose Words are these : The sojourning of the Children of Israel and their Forefathers who dwelt in the Land of Aegypt and in the Land of Canaan , they and their Fathers , were 450 years . But the Latin Interpreters have followed in this Point the Footsteps of the two Learned Fathers St. Jerom and St. Austin . These 430 years , says the first , (k) (k) C. 3. Ep. ad Gal. are to be computed from the time when God said unto Abraham , And in thee shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed . There are to be computed ( says St. Austin ) 430 years from the 75th year of the Age of Abraham , when the first Promise was made unto him by God , till the time of the Children of Israel 's going out of Aegypt ; with whom agrees Gregorius Syncellus , who affirms that the 4โ—0 years of the sojourning of the Children of Israel in the Land of Canaan and Aegypt , ought , according to the Opinion of all the Interpreters and Historians , to be computed from the 75th year of Abraham .

ยง . 3. The Jewish Interpreters agree in this Point The Jews agree with our Opinion in this point . in their Opinion with the Latines ; The true Explication , says Rabbi Levi , of these 430 years is to be sought for in these Words , and to be begun from the time when God said unto Abraham , Thy Seed shall be a Stranger in a Land that is not theirs . Of the same Opinion are likewise Rabbi Solomon , Seder Olam , Michilta Rabah , El Pharao , Schemoth Rabah , and Tanchuina Schemot .

ยง . 4. Eugubinus , Genebrardus and Gerhardus Johannes The Opinions of Eugubinus , Genebrard . and G. J. Vos refuted . Vossius begin this Epocha from the time of the going of Jacob into Aegypt , and the last from the time of Joseph's being sold into Aegypt . 1. Because that in (l) (l) Ex. 12. v. 40. Exodus and the (m) (m) Acts 7. v. 6. c. 13. v. 16. Acts , as well as in (n) (n) Gen. 15. v. 1โ— . Genโ—sis , there is only mention made of their dwelling in Aegypt , not in the Land of Canaan . 2. They look upon it as incongruous to the true Sense of the Scripture , that their dwelling in Canaan should be accounted a Servitude or Exile . 3. They alledge in their behalf , the Passage in the History of (o) (o) C. 5. Judith ; where it is said , when the Earth was overwhelmed with Famine , they went into Aegypt , where in 400 years they encreased into an innumerable Multitude . To the first Argument we have already answered with the Words of St. Austin . As to the second , they are extreamly mistaken in their Explication , when they have put the Fore-fathers of the Israelites in the Possession of the Land of Canaan ; whereas according to the (p) (p) C. 7. v. 5. Acts , Abraham had no Inheritance in it , no not so much as to set his Foot on . And in the Epistle to the (q) (q) Heb 11. v. 13. Hebrews , they are said to have been Strangers and Pilgrims there . The third may be refuted out of Vossius himself , who , though of a contrary Opinion , yet is forced to confess that the Argument taken from the History of Judith is of no great Weight , Achior being introduced by the Author there as a Foreigner , who , perhaps might not have a full Insight into the Transactions and Chronology of the Jews . Some deduce this Epocha from the Nativity of Isaac .

ยง . 5. St. (r) (r) L. 16. c. 24. de civ . Dei . Austin's Words sufficiently testifie that some among the Ancients have been of Opinion that this Epocha of 430 years ought to begin with the Nativity of Isaac ; and some of the Jewish Interpreters have constantly affirmed the same ; and have of late Years been followed by Sieurs de Dieu and Ludovicus Langius , the last of whom (s) (s) L. โ— . c. 4. de an . Christi . says , It is very evident that Abraham was born in the 130th year of Thara , and consequently in the 2680th year of the Julian Period ; and that he begot Isaac when he was 100 years old , which was the Seed promised to him before ; from whence , till the time of the Promulgation of the Law , are to be computed the 430 years mentioned by St. Paul (t) (t) Gal. 3. v. 17. , &c. But the Hypothesis of Langius is built upon a wrong Foundation , there being nothing mentioned concerning the Nativity of Isaac either in the Hebrew Text or that of St. Paul : And as to what relates to the Nativity of Abraham in the 130th year of Thara , has been refuted before .

CHAP. VII . Of the Epocha of Inachus , the Founder of the Kingdom of Argos in Peloponnesus , and his Successors . 1. As the most Ancient Greek History owes its Foundation to the Memory of Inachus King of Argos , so in fixing the beginning of the Epocha of this King , the Footsteps of Castor and Tatianus ought to be followed before others , according to the Computation mentioned by Eusebius (a) (a) Lib. 1. Chron. . 2. According to the Testimony of these Authors , but especially of Castor , 372 years ought to be counted betwixt Inachus and Sthenelus the Son of Crotopus . 3. The Kingdom of Argos fell after it had flourished 544 years , till the time of Pelops . 4. After Acrisius , reigned Sthenelus 8 years : He was succeeded by Euristheus , who reigned 43 years . Him succeeded Atreus and Thyestes , who reigned 65 years ; after whom reigned Agamemnon , whose Reign lasted fifteen years ; and in the last year of his Reign Troy was destroyed by the Greeks , according to the Authority of the above-mentioned Authors . 5. Vpon the Computation of these most ancient Authors , Scaliger has founded his Calculation , who affirms that the Epocha of Inachus begins in the 2857th year of the Julian Period , Cyc . โ˜‰ . 1. โ˜ฝ . 7. 6. If therefore 2856 years be subtracted from any To find the year since the beginning of this Epocha . certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the Beginning of this Epocha ; and if on the other hand the said Number be added to 2856 years , the Product must be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. WE did judge it not beyond our purpose The Antiquity of this Epocha . to afford a peculiar Chapter for this Epocha , considering the Antiquity and famous Transactions of these Kings , on whose History depends in a great measure that of the Destruction of Troy . And tho' the Sicyonians were also in former Ages in great Renown among the Greeks , yet if we rely upon the Authority of Pausanias , the first contended for the Priority with all the rest .

ยง . 2. There are some who deduce the Origin The Origin of the Argivi . of the Argivi ouโ— of Aegypt ; but with the same Uncertainty as most other Nations , Inachus their first King however has been very famous in the ancient History , as among others may appear out of these following Lines of (b) (b) Lib. 2. Carm. Od. 3. Horace .

Dives ne , prisco natus ab Inacho , Nil interest , an pauper & infima De gente sub dio moreris , Victima nil miserantis orci , Omnes eodem cogimur . Omnium Versatur urna : serius , ocyus Sors exitura , & nos in aeternum Exilium impositura Cymba .

ยง . 3. The Names and the Kings of Argus , and The Names and Order of the Kings of Argus . the time of their several Reigns is expressed in the following Table ; in which we have followed the Footsteps of Eusebius in imitation of Scaliger and Petavius ; unto which is added the year of the Julian Period , in which each of these Kings began his Reign .

Names of the Kings Time of their Reigns Julian Period . According to Pausanias , Inachus . 50 2857 Phoronaeus . 60 2907 Phoroneus . Apis. 35 2967 Argus . Argus . 70 3002 Pirasus . Criasus , 64 3072 Phorbas . Phorbas , 35 3126 Tropas . Triopas , 46 3161 Jasus . Crotopus , 21 3207 Crotopus . Sthenelus , 11 3228 Sthenelas . Danaus , 50 3239 Gelanor . Lynceus , 41 3289 Danaus . Abas , 23 3330 Lynceus . Proetus , 17 3353 Abas . Acrisius , 31 3370 Acrisius , Stheneleus , 8 3401 &c. Euristheus , 43 3409 Ath. & Thyestes , 65 3452 Agamemnon , 15 3517

ยง . 4. The Ancients are much divided in their Various Opinions concerning the Chronology of these Kings . Opinion concerning the Chronology of these Kings ; for Pausanias , Hyginus , and Clemens Alexandrinus disagree with Eusebius , and those other above-mentioned Authors . Pausanias mentions several Kings not named by Eusebius , and omits others , who is followed by Hyginus ( and according to the Computation of Clemens Alexandrinus , ) there are no more than 400 years to be computed from the beginning of this Epocha , till the time of the Destruction of Troy . Tho' it cannot be denied that Pausanias has been industrious in collecting the History of the Graecian Kings , yet considering that his Relation is not free from Fables , and incompleat the Times of the Reigns of each of these Kings , being left out , we have all the Reason in the World to prefer the Authority of Eusebius in this Case .

CHAP. VIII . Of the Epocha of Cecrops , the first Founder of the Kingdom of Athens , and his Successors . 1. For want of more ancient Monuments of Antiquity concerning the Epocha of Cecrops , its Origin must be investigated , partly out of Eusebius , partly out of the Asiatick Chronicle , which being come to light but some years ago , is known by the Name of Marmora Arundeliana . 2. The time of Cecrops is coincident with that of Moses , according to (a) (a) In Chron. Eusebius and Eustachius , (b) (b) In Hexamer . Bishop of Antiochia . 3. According to Eusebius there are 375 years from the beginning of the Reign of Cecrops till the time of Mnestheus . 4. According to Pausanias , the same Number of years ought to be accounted from thence to the Destruction of Troy . 5. The Succession of these Kings ought to be regulated in such a manner as to make the Destruction of Troy coincident with the last times of the Reign of Mnestheus , the said City being taken by the Greeks in the 22 d year of his Reign , according to the Marmora Arundeliana . 6. According to the Computation of Clemens Alexandrinus Theseus reigned near fifty years before the Destruction of Troy . 7. Vpon these and other Characters Scaliger has founded his Computation of the beginning of the Government of Athens , which at first being Monarchical , began in the 3158th year of the Julian Period . Cyc . โ˜‰ . 22. โ˜ฝ . 4. 8. If therefore 3157 years be subtracted from any To find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the true year since the beginning of this Epocha ; and if the same Number of 3157 be added to the years of the Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THE Athenian Monarchy is commonly Thโ— several Dynasties of the Athenians . distinguished into three several Classes ; the first being of their Kings , the second of their Archontes ( or Princes ) who reigned during Life ; the third of their Decennial Archontes : a Catalogue of which may be seen in the following Chronological Table , according to Scaliger out of Eusebius and the Animadversions of Petavius .

The first Dynasty of the AthenianArchontes. Num. Reg. An. Reg. Scal. Pe. Jul. An. Reg. Petav. P. Jul. 1. Cecr . Diphyes , 50 3158 50 3156 2. Cranaus , 9 3208 9 3206 3 Amphyction , 10 3217 10 3215 4. Erychtonius , 50 3227 50 3225 5. Pandion , 40 3277 40 3275 6. Erichteus , 50 3317 50 3315 7. Cecrops II. 40 3367 40 3365 8. Pandion II. 25 3407 25 3405 9. Aegeus , 48 3432 48 3430 10. Theseus , 30 3480 30 3478 11. Mnestheus , 23 3510 23 3508 12. Demophoon 33 3533 33 3531 13. Oxynthes , 12 3 12 3564 14. Aphydas , 1 3578 1 3576 15. Thymoetes , 8 3579 3577 16. Melanthus , 37 3587 37 3585 17. Codrus , 21 3624 21 3622
The second Dynasty of the Athenian Archontes . Num. Princip . An. Reg. Scal. Pe โ–ช Jul. An. Reg. Petav. Pe. Jul 1. Medon , 20 3645 20 3644 2. Acastus , 36 3665 36 3664 3. Archippus , 19 3701 19 3700 4. Thersippus , 41 3720 41 3719 5. Phorbas , 31 3761 31 3760 6. Megacles , 30 3792 30 3791 7. Diogenetus , 28 3822 28 3821 8. Phereclus , 19 3850 19 3849 9. Ariphron , 20 3869 20 3868 10. Thespieus . 27 3889 27 3888 11. Agamestor , 20 3916 20 3915 12. Aeschylus , 23 3936 23 3935 13. Alcmaeon , 2 3959 1 3958
The third Dynasty of the Decennial AthenianArchontes. Num. Princip . An. Reg. Scal. Pe. Jul. An. Reg. Petav. Pe. Jul. 1. Charops , 10 3960 10 3960 2. Aesimides , 10 3970 10 3970 3. Clidicus , 10 3980 10 3980 4. Hippomenes , 10 3990 10 3990 5. Leocrates , 10 4000 10 4000 6. Apโ—andrus , 10 4010 10 4010 7. Eryxias , 10 4020 10 4020

ยง . 2. There is a difference of 20 years in the Difference in the Chronology concerning this Epocha โ–ช Chronological Computation of Eusebius , and that of the Arundeliana Marmora , concerning the beginning of this Epocha ; the last putting the beginning of the Reign of Cecrops so many years before the other ; which difference betwixt these two ancient Historians is scarce to be decided in our times . Concerning some other Difficulties in the Chronology of the Athenian Kings , Petacius (c) (c) In Ration . p. 112. may be consulted .

ยง . 3. There are also various Opinions about The Etymology of Diphyas โ–ช as the Sirname of Cecrops . the Etymology of the Word Diphyes , the Sirname of Cecrops , Some will have him to have been a Monster , as (d) (d) L. 3. Apollodorus ; others , of a Human Shape , but a prodigious Bulk . According to (e) (e) Chron. Par. prior . Eusebius he was called Diphyes , either by reason of his Tallness , or because he was born an Aegyptian , and understood both that and the Greek Tongue . Demosthenes says , that he was reputed to have been half a Man and half a Dragon ; because he was compared for his Prudence to a Man , for his Strength to a Dragon .

ยง . 4. After the Decennial Princes , annual Governours The Annual Magistrates of Athens . were introduced at Athens , according to (f) (f) Chron. ad Olym. 24. Eusebius and Pausanias . Nine of the principal Men of the City were elected yearly to have the Administration of the Government . He that was the Governour in chief , and in whose Name all Affairs of Moment were transacted , was called Archon Eponymus ; the six following , Thesmodethae , the eighth a King , the ninth , Polemarchus ; of which Postellus may be consulted .

CHAP. IX . Of the Epocha of the Israelites leaving of Aegypt . 1. The Beginning of this Epocha was at the Entrance of the 431st year of the sojourning of th Israelites in Aegypt , which Interval was its first Origin to the Vocation of Abraham (a) (a) Exod. 12. v. 40. . 2. The same year was the 480th , to count backward from the beginning of the Epocha of Solomon (b) (b) Gal. 3. v. 16 , 17. . 3. It was likewise the 46th year before the Distribution of the Land of Canaan by Lot , which was the first Sabbatic and Jubilean Year (c) (c) 1 Reg. 6. v. 1. . 4. Moses was at the time of the Israelites going out of Aegypt 80 years of Age (d) (d) Exod. 7. v. 8. . 5. The Month when the Israelites went out of Aegypt was the first in the Ecclesiastical year of the Jews , called Nisan , and began the New Moon next to the Vernal Aequinox (e) (e) Exod. 12. v. 2. . 6. The Day of their going out of Aegypt was on the Full Moon , the 15th of Nisan , beginning in the Evening of the Passover (f) (f) Numb. 33. v. 3. . 7. In the Hebdomadic Cycle it has for its Character the fifth Feria ; because the 22 d Day of the Month Jiar was the seventh Feria (g) (g) Exod. 16. v. 1. sequ . . 8. According to these Characters it is evident that the Jews kept their Passover in the 3217th year of the Julian Period , Cyc . โ˜‰ . 25. โ˜ฝ . 6. on the 16th day of April , about Sun-set , and went forth out of Aegypt very early the next Morning , and kept their Sabbath on the 23 d day of May , when they collected the Manna ; and on the 5th day of June the Law was promulgated in the Mount of Sinai (h) (h) Ex. 19. v. 20. . 9. If therefore 3216 years and 3 Months be subtracted To find out the Year since the beginning of this Epocha . from any certain Year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of this Epocha . And if this Residue be added to these 3216 years , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THere are some who maintain that the year of the going of the Children When the Sabbatic Year began . of Israel out of Aegypt has been the third in the Sabbatic and Jubilean Cycle : But (i) (i) Diss . de Agn. Pasch. ยง โ—4 . Dorsheus has sufficiently demonstrated that the true Origin of the Sabbatic Year is not to be looked for till 46 years after , when the Israelites being put in the Possession of the Land of Canaan , distributed the same among themselves by Lot .

ยง . 2. And Moses does not make an exact Mention The Jews went out of Aegypt on the 15th of Nisan . of the time of the New Moon , next following after the Vernal Aequinox , in the beginning of the Month of Nisan ; but most of the ancient Writers agree in this Hypothesis with the modern Authors , that the Passover which was instituted at the time of their going out of Aegypt , was celebrated by the Jews on the 15th Day of the Month of Nisan , when the Moon was at the Full , as has been sufficiently demonstrated by (k) (k) Lib. 3. c. 10. Antiq. Josephus ; by Philo , ( who was contemporary with Christ ) in many Places ; by (l) (l) Lib. 7. c. 31. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History ; and among the Moderns , by (m) (m) Lib. de nat. rer. c. 61. Beda .

ยง . 3. Moses is also silent as to the exact time The celebrated the Passover at the time of the F. Moon . of the Full Moon , when the Jews celebrated the Passover ; but since he has been very careful in mentioning the End of the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth day of the Month of Nisan : For the celebrating of the Passover it seems in my Opinion to include the Character of the F. Moon . Of this Opinion are (n) (n) โ—iโ— . 3. Hist Nicephorus Beda and (o) (o) Lib. 3 de vit. Mos. Philo.

ยง . 4. There is likewise a Dispute betwixt the Whether they celebrated it on the โ— th or 15th day of Nisan . Chronologers , and betwixt these and the Interpreters of the Holy Scripture , whether the time of the Passover , which is the beginning of the Epocha , of the Israelites going out of Aegypt , ought to be fixed on the fourteenth or fifteenth day of the Month of Nisan . It is our Opinion that the Ancient Jews did celebrate their Passover in the Evening โ–ช at the end of the fourteenth , and the beginning of the fifteenth day of the Month of Nisan . 1. Because the day of their going out of Aegypt is mentioned to have been the fifteenth of the Month of (p) (p) Numb. 33. v. โ— . Nisan ; from whence it is evident that according to the Jewish Institution they celebrated the Passover on the same day . 2. From the Hebrew Text : the Words are as follows ; (q) (q) โ—xod 12. v. 5 , 6. Your Lamb shall be without Blemish , of the first Year ; you shall take it out from the Sheep or Goats : and you shall keep it up till the fourteenth day of the same Month ; and the whole Assembly of the Congregation of Israel shall kill it in the Evening . 3. From the Computation of the days of Unleavened Bread , the Words of the Institution of this Feast are these : (r) (r) Ex. 12. v. 17. And you shall observe the Feast of unleโ—vened Bread : for in this self same day have I brought your Armies out of the Land of Aegypt ; therefore shall you observe this day in your Generations by an Ordinance for ever . In the first Month , on the fourteenth day of the Month , at Even , you shall eat unleavened Bread , until the one and twentieth day of the Month at Even . Which Words plainly intimate , that the Feast of the Unleavened Bread ended on the one and twentieth Day of the Month of Nisan in the Evening , it being likewise said in the following Verse ; Seven Days shall there be no Leaven found in your House . It is very evident from thence , that the beginning of the Days of the Unleavened Bread ought to be fixed on the End of the fourteenth Day of the Month of Nisan , or on the Beginning of the fifteenth , to count from Sun-set . And it is sufficiently demonstrable out of many Passages in (s) (s) Exod. 12. v. 6. 17. Holy Scripture , that the Feast of the Unleavened Bread , and of the Passover began on the same ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . That which has occasioned this difference among the Chronologers is , that since that time the Jews have begun their Months from the New Moon ; so that the same day which before was the fifteenth , was afterwards called the fourteenth day of the Month Nisan .

ยง . 5. The Chronologers do disagree in their The Israeliteโ— went out of Aegypt on the 5th โ—eria . Opinions concerning the Character of the Feria , when the Israelites went out of Aegypt . There are many , among which are Henricus Buntingus , Hicronymus Zanchius and Hamlinus , who maintain this day to have been the seventh Feria : They alledge in their behalf the Words in Deuteronomy : (t) (t) C. 5. v. 15. Remember that thou wast a Servant in the Land of Aegypt ; and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence , through a mighty hand and a stretched out Arm ; Therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath Day . (u) (u) Lib. 2. c. โ— . de an Christ . p. 263. William Lange determines the Day of their Departure out of Aegypt to have been the fifteenth of Nisan , the fifth Day of April according to the Julian Calendar , the first Day of the Unleavened Bread , and the sixth Feria , which he pretends to prove from the Authority of the Seder Olam Rabbah , or the great Hebrew Chronicle ; with whom , in some measure consents (x) (x) Lib. 1. p. 53. demonstr. Chronol. Temporaritis . But the most general Opinion is , that the Jews began their Passover , and went out of Aegypt on the fifth Feria , to commence the Day from the Sun-set . Besides , many of the Ancients , among the Modern Chronologers , (y) (y) L. 3. Can. Isag . p. 282. Josephus Scaliger , (z) (z) Lib. 2. Tit. 3. Cap , 1. Behmius in his Chronological Manuduction , Dorsheus , Frankenbergerus , and Calvisius agree in this Point ; because it has most evidently appeared out of the Astronomical Calculations , that in the first year of the Departure of the Israelites out of Aegypt . the Passover which was celebrated at the Full Moon was coincident with the fifth Feria ; and the same Character is correspondent to what is related in Exodus in the sixteenth Chapter : For if the two and twentieth day of the second Month ( called Jiar ) was the seventh Feria , it must needs follow , that the fifteenth of the Month of Nisan was the fifth Feria . For betwixt the twenty second Day of the Month Jiar and the fifteenth of Nisan are thirty seven Days ; which , if divided by 7 , the Residue is two Days ; which if subtracted from 7 , there remains 5 ; which demonstrates the fifteenth Day of the Month of Nisan to have been the fifth Feria : That the 23d of the Month of Jiar was the seventh Feria , is evident out of the above-mentioned sixteenth Chapter of Exodus , where it is said , that on the fifteenth Day of the second Month ( Jiar ; they came unto the Wilderness of Sin ; the same Day they murmured against Moses , and in the Evening the Quails came up and covered the Camp ; and the next following Day being the sixteenth , before Sun-rising they were blessed with the Manna for six Days together ; to wit , the 16th , 17th , 18th , 19th , 20th , 21st . The last Day they gathered twice as much as the other Days ; because of the Rest of the Sabbath of the next following Day being the 22d and the seventh Feria . But to give you a more exact Idea of such Maters as have a Relation to the Chronology of this Epocha , the following Table represents the three first Months of the Year of the Israelites Departure out of Aegypt , and their Congruity with the Julian Calendar .

D. of the Mon. Nis . Days of the Mon. of April . The Feriae . 1 II 5 The beginning of the Ecclesiastical Tear 2 III 6 3 IV VII 4 V 1 5 VI 2 โ˜‰ in โ™ˆ . 6 VII 3 7 VIII 4 8 IX 5 9 X โ— ( Exod. 12. v. 3. 10 XI VII Segregation of the Paschal Lamb. 11 XII 1 12 XIII 2 13 XIV 3 14 XV 4 ( out of Aegypt . 15 XVI 5 The Pas . First-born slain . Departure 16 XVII 6 They pitch their Tents in Etham . 17 XVIII VII They pitch in Pihahiroth . 18 XIX 1 They pass through the Red Sea . 19 XX 2 20 XXI 3 They pitch in Marah . 21 XXII 4 22 XXIII 5 23 XXIV 6 24 XXV VII 25 XXVI 1 26 XXVII 2 27 XXVIII 3 28 XXIX 4 29 XXX 5 30 I of May 6
D. of the Mon. Jiar . Days of the Mon. of May. The Feriae . 1 II VII 2 III 1 3 IV 2 4 V 3 5 VI 4 6 VII 5 7 VIII 6 8 IX VII 9 X 1 10 XI 2 11 XII 3 12 XIII 4 13 XIV 5 14 XV 6 15 XVI VII They come to the Wilderness of Sin . 16 XVII 1 The Gathering of Manna . 17 XVIII 2 18 XIX 3 19 XX 4 20 XXI 5 21 XXII 6 22 XXIII VII No Manna by reason of the Sabbath . 23 XXIV 1 They come in Raphidim . 24 XXV 2 25 XXVI 3 Moses strikes Water out of the Rock . 26 XXVII 4 The Jews vanquish the Amalekites . 27 XXVIII 5 Jethro comes to Moses . 28 XXIX 6 Election of the LXX Elders . 29 XXX VII
D. of the Mon. Siv . Days of the Mon. of June . The Feriae . 1 XXXI 1 They come into the Wildern . of Sinai . Exod. 19. v. 1. 2 I June . 2 3 II 3 4 III 4 5 IV 5 6 V 6 7 VI VII Beginning of the 40 days Moses staid 8 VII 1 upon the Mount , the End of which falls in the Month of Tamuz , which is observed as a Fast-day by the Jews to this day . 9 VIII 2 10 IX 3 11 X 4 12 XI 5 13 XII 6 14 XIII VII 15 XIV 1 16 XV 2 17 XVI 3 18 XVII 4 19 XVIII 5 20 XIX 6 21 XX VII 22 XXI 1 23 XXII 2 24 XXIII 3 25 XXIV 4 26 XXV 5 27 XXVI 6 28 XXVII VII 29 โ—XVIII 1 3โ— XXIX 2

ยง . 6. The Words in (a) (a) Cap. 12. v. 6. Exodus , and the whole Of the time when they killed the Lamb for the Passover . Assembly of the Congregation of Israel shall kill it betwixt the two Evenings , have met with various Interpretations . Aben Ezra understands by it the Interval betwixt Sun-set and the Beginning of the Night ; of which Opinion is also Rabbi David Kimchi : But since , according to (b) (b) L. 7. c. 17. de Bel. Judaic . Josephus , at the Feast of one Passover there were slain 255600 Lambs , we also agree with the same Author in Opinion , who asserts that the Jews used to begin at nine a-clock ( about three in the Afternoon with us ) to kill these Beasts , and leave off again at eleven ( about five with us . )

CHAP. X. Of the two Epocha's of the Division of the Land of Canaan among the Tribes of Israel , and of their first beginning to cultivate the Ground . 1. They first began from that time after they Israelites had passed the River of Jordan , and made themselves Masters of the Land of Canaan (a) (a) Numb. 33. v. 51. seq. . 2. At which time all the Tribes had their particular inheritance assigned them (b) (b) Numb. 34. v 1. seque . 3. The year of this Distribution was the 45th after the second , from the time of their going out of Aegypt , as is evident from the Words of (c) (c) Jos. 14. 7. 16 Caleb : Forty Years was I when Moses the Servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-Barnea to espy out the Land ; and I brought him word again as it was in mine Heart . And now behold the Lord hath kept me alive as he said , the 45 years , ever since the Lord spake this Word unto Moses , while the Children of Israel wandred in the Wilderness ; and now I am this day eighty five years old (d) (d) Vid. Num. 1. and 13. . 4. The year of the Distribution of the Land was the last Sabbatick Year in the Proleptick Cycle ; and the following was the first in the Sabbatick Cycle , according to God's Institution . (e) (e) Lev. 25. v. 2. When you come into the Land which I give you , then shall the Land keep a Sabbath ( Rest ) unto the Lord ; Six years thou shalt sow thy Field , and six years thou shalt prune thy Vineyard , and gather in the Fruit thereof : But in the seventh year shall be a Sabbath of Rest unto the Land , a Sabbath for the Lord ; thou shalt neither sow thy Field , neither prune thy Vineyard (f) (f) Vid. Ex. 23. v. 10 , 11. and Deut 15. v. 1 , &c. 31. v. 9. . 5. From these Characters we conclude , that the year of the Division of the Land was coincident with the 3261st year of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 15. โ˜ฝ . 14. And that the first year of cultivating the Ground began in the Month Tisri , or first Autumnal Month of the same year of the Julian Period . 6. If therefore 3261 years and 9 Months be subtracted Any year given of the Julian Period to investigate the year since the beginning of this Epochโ— . from any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the Year since the beginning of the Epocha of the Division of the Land of Canaan ; and if 3262 Years and 9 Months be subtracted from the same year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews , that since the beginning of the Epocha of the cultivating of the Land . And if these several 3261 and 3262 years be added to the years of the before-named Epocha's , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. (g) (g) L. 9. c. โ—5 . de doct. temp Dionysius Petavius in Opposition to Whโ—ther the beginning of the Sabba tick Year may be gathered from the Words of Caleb . Scaliger , maintains , that from the Words of Caleb no exact Computation can be made as to the year of the cultivating of the Land , it being dubious whether the same ought to be accounted from the Beginning or End of the forty sixth year after the Departure of the Israelites out of Aegypt ; But besides , that the Perspicuity of the Words of Caleb is an undeniable Argument against Petavius , it is evident that the year of the Distribution of the Land was a Sabbatick Year ; and that of the cultivating of the Land the first of both the Sabbatick and Jubilean Cycles .

ยง . 2. (h) (h) L. 2. Chron. Laurentius Codomannus , (i) (i) L. 3. Johannes Different Opinions concerning the Epocha of cultivating the Ground . Temporarius , in his Chronological Demonstrations , Jacobus Capellus , and several other modern Chronologers , are of Opinion that the first year of the cultivating of the Land was the fortieth after the Departure of the Israclites out of Aegypt ; at which time Joshua being declared Successor to Moses , they passed Jordan , and the Manna ceased . But it seems very improbable to me , that the Jews should immediately after their passing that River , have begun to cultivate the Ground before they were in possession of any considerable part of it ; and that in a fertile Country , where , without question , they found the Cities and Country stored with all manner of Necessaries for their Sustenance .

ยง . 3. In Seder Olam , or the Hebrew Chronicle , published by Genebrardus , which is of great Authority The Opinion of the Jews concerning it . among the Jews , the Author pretends to evince , that the Division of the Land was not made till seven years after the six and fortieth year after the going out of Aegypt ; but they are mere Jewish Trifles , not deserving a Place here , as may be seen in (k) (k) In Jos c. 13. quaest. 14. Serrarius .

CHAP. XI . Of the Epocha of the Destruction of TROY .

1. This Epocha being much involved in Fables and Poetical Fictions , the same must be carefully distinguished from the true Historical Relโ—tions ; so that not all that has been left us by Antiquity of the Destruction of Troy , ought to be looked upon as fabulous ; neither the true History be commaculated with the Fictions of the Poets .

2. Care ought to be taken that the time of the Destruction of Troy be not confounded with that of the beginning of the War , it being evident out of (a) (a) L. 2. Aenied . Virgil that it was not taken till after a War of ten years .

โ€” captique dolis , lachrymisque coactis , Quos nec Tydides , nec Larissaeus Achilles , Non anni domuere decem , non mille carinae .

The whole War lasted ten Years , six Months and twelve Days .

3. According to the Testimony of Timaeus in Censorinus from the first Olympiad , which began in Summer , to account backwards to the Time of the beginning of the Trojan War , are 417 years .

4. From the Destruction of Troy to the first Olympiad , are 408 years . From the Trojan War , says (b) (b) L. 1. Bib. Diodorus Siculus , to the time of the Return of the Heraclides , I compute 80 years , from thence to the first Olympiad , 328 years .

5. Soon after the Destruction of Troy , Aeneas with some of his Countrymen arrived in Italy ; from whom the People of Rome had their first Off-spring , according to St. (c) (c) L. 3. c. 2. de Civ . Dei . c. โ— . Austin . It ought not to be pass'd by in Silence here , says Solin* , that Aeneas in the second year after the Destruction of Troy came into Italy with 600 of his Countrymen , and pitched his Tents near Laurentum .

6. The Arcades , Pelasgi , Epeans and Eleans , as also the Trojans , were those Nations that laid the first Foundation of Rome , in the 402 d year after the Destruction of Troy , in the 7th Olympiad , according to (d) (d) Rom. Anโ— . L. 2. Dionysius Halicarnassaeus and Velleius Paterculus .

7. The Trojan War and the Destruction of that City hapned under the Reigns of Priamus King of Troy and of Menelaus King of Lacedaemon ; the first had a Son called Alexander ( otherwise Paris ) who carried away Helen from her Brother Agamemnon .

8. The Destruction of Troy hapned in the last year of the Reign of Agamemnon , according to (e) (e) L. 2. Chr. 11. Eusebius .

9. Mnestheus King of Athens was present in the Trojan War , according to (f) (f) L. 1. Strom. Clemens Alexandrinus .

10. From the Nativity of Moses till the Destruction of Troy , are near 400 years , as (g) (g) L. 10. de prโ—p . Evang. Cap. โ— . Eusebius has computed it .

11. From the Destruction of Troy to the End of the Peloponnesian War , when the Athenians obtained the Principality in Greece , are according to the Computation of (i) (i) Lib. 14 Diodorus Siculus 779 years .

12. From the Destruction of Troy till the year which preceded the beginning of the Reign of Agathocles the Tyrant , are computed 866 years , But Agathocles began to reign at Syracusa when Demogenes was Archon ( or Prince ) of Athens โ–ช and L. Photius and M. Tostius Consuls of Rome (k) (k) Diod. Sic. Bibl. l. 19. .

13. From the Destruction of Troy , till the time of Lactantius , who writ in the year 287 after the Birth of Christ are 1470 years according to (l) (l) L. 1. de fals. Relig. Lactantius himself .

14. All the Ancients agree in Opinion , that the Destruction of Troy hapned in the beginning of the Summer Quarter , as among others , is evident out of (m) (m) L , 3. Aeneid . Virgil.

Postquam res Asiae , Priamique evertere gentem Immeritam visam superis , ceciditque superbum Ilium , & omnis humo fumat Neptunia Troja : Diversa exilia , & desertas quaerere terras , Auguriis agimur divรปm : classemque sub ipsa Antandro & Phrygiae molimur montibus Idae , Incerti quo fata ferant , ubi sistere detur : Contrahimusque viros . VIX PRIMA INCEPERAT AESTAS . Et Pater Anchises dare fatis vela jubebat .

15. The Month of Thargelion was always accounted unfortunate among the Barbarians ; because on the four and twentieth day of this Month Troy was believed to have been taken , according to Ephorus , Callisthenes , Damasthes , Philarchus and Plutarch in the Life of Camillus .

16. The time of the Day when the victorious Greeks entred the City of Troy , is indigitated by (n) (n) Lib. 2. Aen. Virgil.

Vertitur intereร  coelum & ruit Oceano nox , Involvens umbra magna terramque populumque , Myrmidonumque dolos . Fusi per moenia Teucri Conticuere : Sopor fessos complectitur artus . Et jam Argiva phalanx instructis navibus ibat . A Tenedo , tacitae per amica silentia Lunae , Littora nota perens .

And soon after ,

Invadunturbem somno , vinoque sepultam .

17. From what has been alledged upon the Authority of the best Historians , it may probably be inferr'd , that the Destruction of Troy hapned in the 3530th year of the Julian Period , Cyc . โ˜‰ . 2. โ˜ฝ . 15. in the Night betwixt the 11th and 12th day of June .

18. If therefore 3529 years and five Months be subtracted To find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . from any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of this Epocha ; and if the said 3529 years be added to the year of the said Epocha , the Product must be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. HOW famous soever the Destruction of Whether the Destruction of Troy be only a Fable . Troy is , both among the Greek and Latin Historians , yet there are some who either call the whole or the greatest part of what the Ancients have left us , concerning it , in question : Among the first of those was Dio. Chrysostomus , who relying upon the Authority of a certain Aegyptian Priest , relates , that it appeared out of the Ancient Aegyptian Monuments that Helen had been the Daughter of Tyndareus King of Sparta , and was married to Alexander the Son of Priamus , King of Troy . That the Greeks out of a Motive of Jealousie of the Greatness and Power of Troy , had entred into a Confederacy against Priamus ; but with very ill Success , the Trojans having gotten the better of the Greeks in several Engagements , in one of which Achilles was slain by Hector : One Metrodorus of Lampsacus , introduced by Tatianus , denies that there were ever such Persons living as Hector , Achilles , Agamemnon , Helen and Paris ; and that these Names had been only inverited by the Poets to adorn their Fictions . (o) (o) Ital. Ant. Lib. 3. Philippus Cluโ—erius does not absolutely contradict the Destruction of Troy ; but speaks much in Commendation of Dio ; and absolutely rejects the Relation of Aeneas coming into Italy . But tho' it be undeniable that the Greeks have not been the most exact in their Annals , which have been much adulterated by the fabulous Relations of their Poets ; yet this cannot be alledged as a sufficient Reason for the rejecting so considerable a part of History , confirmed by the Authority not only of the Greeks but of the Latins , and most other Nations . It is unquestionable that the Ruines of Troy are undeniable Arguments of its former Greatness , which our Adversaries , to save themselves , pretend to have been destroyed by Earthquakes and Inundations . But it appears to me unreasonable to call to our Aid the Elements to maintain the Authority of a Foreign Aegyptian Priest , in Opposition to what has been asserted for Truth by so many Greek and other Historians .

ยง . 2. Those that contradict the Destruction of Some Arguments for and against the Destruction of Troy . Troy , alledge also in their behalf , that Homer was both the first Poet and Author among the Greeks . It is true , that all the Greek Historians , whose Names have been transmitted to Posterity , have lived some Ages after the Trojan War ; yet is it not from thence to be inferred , that Homer was either the first or the only Author who has given an Account of the Expedition of the Greeks against the Trojans . A certain Poet , says (p) (p) Lib. 14. c. 21. var. Hist. Aelian , whose Name was Syagrus , lived after Orpheus , who first of all brought the Trojan War into Metre . And what Ovid says of Macro is a sufficient Argument that there were not wanting among the Latins who endeavoured to supply the Defects of Homer in the Trojan War . These are his Words :

Tu canis aeterno quicquid restabat Homero , Ne careant summa Troica bella manu .

ยง . 3. As there are some who reject the whole Concerning the Authority of Homer . History of Troy as fabulous , so there are not wanting such as put Homer in the same Rank with other Historians . Both are , in my Opinion in an Error , as is manifest out of what is related concerning the wooden Horse ; which , though it be not only circumstantially described by Homer and Virgil , but also was used in a Proverbial Sense among the Roman Orators , as is manifest from these Words of Tully : Out of the School of Isocrates , like out of the Trojan Horse , came forth a vast Number of great Men : Yet (q) (q) In At. Pausanias himself is very plain in telling the World that this Horse was nothing else but a certain Engine invented by one Epeus ( a Pattern of which stood in the Castle of Athens ) to batter the Walls of strong Cities : And he adds , that those who believe otherwise , must needs look upon the Trojans to have been the greatest Fools and Blockheads in the World : Neither does (r) (r) L. 2. Aen. Virgil seem to have been quite ignorant of it , when he introduces Laocoon speaking these following Words :

Aut hoc inclusi ligno occultantur Achivi , Aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros , Inspectura domos , venturaque desuper urbi .

ยง . 4. Some are of Opinion that the Destruction Troy was a whole Kingdom . of Troy was comprehended only in one City ; But according to (s) (s) L. 13. Strabo , the Country under the Jurisdiction of the Trojan Kings consisting in nine large Principalities , was called Troja ; which being invaded and conquered by the Greeks , they at last made themselves Masters of Troy , the Capital City , which has , questionless , introduced this Mistake of converting this War , which lasted in all ten years , into a Decennial Siege .

ยง . 5. This Epocha was so famous in most ancient The Destruction of Troy was much celebrated among the Ancients . time , that if we believe (t) (t) Prโ—โ—em . โ— 1. Diodorus Siculus , this was the first Term unto which the Greek Historians related their most ancient and remarkable Transactions . And what has rendred this Epocha the more famous to Antiquity , is , that the Conquest of Troy was bought with the Loss of so many brave and great Heroes ; from whence is arisen the Proverb ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , thus expressed by Catullus :

Troja nefโ—s , commune sepulchrum Europae Asiaeque Troja virรปm & virtutum omnium acerba cinis .

ยง . 6. The Chronologers disagree also as to the true time of this Epocha : for besides the various Different Opinions concerning this Epochโ— . Opinions alledged by Clemens Alexandrinus , Porpoyrius has made the Destruction of Troy coincident with the Reign of Semiramis ; as on the contrary , (u) (u) In Chron. Cap. 34. Johannes Georgius Herwart ab Hohenโ—urgh has put no more than seven Ages betwixt the Destruction of Troy and the Epocha of Christ But , to set aside these extravagant Notions , there are three several Opinions more , which carry with them the greatest Probability . The first fixes the taking of Troy in the 3530th year of the Julian Period ; which is also our Opinion ( for Reasons alledged in the beginning of this Chapter ) as well as of Dionysius Petavius and Jacobus Capellus . The second is of Josephus Scaliger with his Followers Calvisius and Emmius , who affirm that Troy was destroyed in the year 3531 of the Julian Period , on the 22d of June , in the year of the World 2767. The Third Opinion is of Buntingus , who maintains that the Destruction of Troy hapned in the year of the World 2787 , in the year of the Julian Period 3532 , on the 21st of June .

ยง . 7. As the greatest part of the Trojan History is involved in great Obscurity ; so its time remains Kings of Troy as yet undetermined , we being ignorant how long Teucrus reigned over that Kingdom . Out of the following Table it will appear that from the time of Dardanus , Son-in-law to Teucrus , till the Destruction of Troy under Priamus , there was a continual Succession , from Father to Son , of six Kings for 296 years .

Years . An. Pe. Jul. 1. King Teucrus , โ€” 2. Dardanus , his Son-in-law , 65 3234 3. Erichtonius , his Son , 46 3299 4. Tros , his Son , 49 3345 5. Ilus , his Son , 40 3394 6. Laomedon , his Son , 44 3434 7. Priamus , his Son , 52 3478 From Dardanus to the Destruction of Troy , 296 3530

ยง . 8. There is also a great Dispute who was the Founder of the City of Troy or Ilium . The first Founder of Troy . The common Opinion is , that Ilus the Son of Tros was the Founder of this City , according to which Supposition Troy has not stood an Age and an half . Of this Opinion is (x) (x) L. 13. Geor. de Regn. Troj . p. 174. Strabo and Conon in Photius . Reinerus Reineccius , with some others , attribute it to Tros . Others go back as far as to King Dardanus , to whom they give the Honour of having laid the first Foundation of Ilium or Troy ; with whom consents (y) (y) L. 5. Aen. Virgil when he says thus :

Dardanus , Iliacae primus pater urbis & auctor Electrรข ut ( Graji perhibent ) Atlantide cretus , Advehitur Teucros , &c.

CHAP. XII . Of the Epocha of the Reign of David and his Successors in both Kingdoms of Judah and Israel . 1. The beginning of the Reign of David is coincident with the 30th year of his Age (a) (a) 2 Sam. 5. v. 4. 3. . 2. The first year of this Epocha precedes the Death of David 40 years (b) (b) Ibid. Chron. 3. v. 4. c. 30. v. 27. . 3. The 44th year of this Epocha , or the fourth of the Reign of Solomon is coincident with the 480th year after the going of the Children of Israel out of Aegypt (c) (c) 1 Reg. 6. v. 1. . 4. The same 44th year is the year of the building of the Temple of Solomon (d) (d) 1 Reg. 6. v. 1. . 5. The 81st year of this Epocha is the first of the Reign of Jeroboam , and of the 390 years of the Iniquity of the House of Israel ; because Solomon and his Father reigned each 40 years (e) (e) Ezec. 4. v. 5. . 6. The Reigns of the Successors of David in both Kingdoms ought to be regulated according to the true Synchronism of the sacred Writ , the years of their Reigns being involved in no small Difficulties . From whence it is apparent that the first year of David 's Reign is coincident with the 3654th year of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 14. โ˜ฝ . 6. 7. If therefore the 3653 years be subtracted from To investigate the Year since the beginning of this Epocha . any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of this Epocha ; and if 3653 be added to the Number of years of this Epocha , the Product is the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THE Interval betwixt the 3260th year of Difficulties concerning the Nativity โ—f David . the Julian Period when the Jews first conquered Palestine , and the 3624th year of the Julian Period when David was born , being of above 360 years , and to be divided betwixt Salmon , Boatz , Obed and Jesse , involves the Nativity of David in no small Difficulty . For the Genealogy of the Ancestors of David , is thus represented (f) (f) Ruth 4. v. 2โ— . seque : And Nashon begot Salmon , and Salmon begot Booz , and Booz begot Obed , and Obed begot Jesse , and Jesse begot David . So that every one of these must be supposed to have begot Children when they were near 100 years old ; it being evident that Nashon entred Palestine with Joshua . (g) (g) Numb. 1. v. 7. c. โ— . v. 3. c. 7. v. 12. Lyra , Salianus , Genebrardus , Catharinus , Jansenius , Esthius , and their Proselytes , to remove this Difficulty , have substituted two more of the same Name with Boaz , but in vain , since the same Genealogy is repeated in three several other Places , to wit , 1 Chron. 2. v. 11 , 12. in St. Matth. 1. v. 4. in St. Luke 3. v. 32. Our Opinion is , that without having Recourse to these Tergiversations , it may rationally be supposed , that the Ancestors of David begot Children in their old Age , as it is evident in Boatz out of the Book of Ruth (h) (h) C. 3. v. 10. , and in Obed out of 1 Sam. 17. v. 12.

ยง . 2. There being a seeming Contradiction in Difficulties concerning the Kings of Judah & Israel . the Chronological Computation of these Kings in the Hebrew Text , Dionysius Petavius , Alstedius , Torniellus , Buntingus , and several others believe the same to have been adulterated . But this being the way to dissect , but not to dissolve the Knot , it will be more convenient to find out some other way to reconcile these Differences . It is therefore observable , that in this Chronology sometimes the incompleat years are taken for compleat ones : as for Instance , when Ieroboam is said to have reigned 22 years , is to be understood of 21 compleat years , at the beginning of the 22d . Thus it is also to be taken with the 24 years attributed to (k) (k) 1 Reg. 15. v. 33. Baasha instead of 23 ; with the 12 years of (l) (l) 1 Reg. 16. v. 23. Amri instead of 11 , &c. In other Places , instead of the incompleat years expressed , the compleat ones ought to be understood . As for Instance , when it is said that (m) (m) 1 Reg. 15. v. 9. Asa began his Reign in the 20th year of the Reign of (i) (i) 1 Reg. 14. v. 20. Jeroboam , is to be taken in this sense ; that he began his Reign at the beginning of the 21st year of Jeroboam . In some Passages it appears that several , but especially Father and Son reigned at the same time : so it is said of (n) (n) 1 Reg. 15. v. 25. Nadab , that he reigned in the first year together with his Father Jeroboam : Of (o) (o) 1 Reg. 16. v. 8. Ella , that he reigned at the same time with his Father Baasha . The same is said of (p) (p) 1 Reg. 22. v. 52. Ahaziah and Ahab ; of Jehoshaphat and Jehoram , 2 Reg. 3. v. 1. Of this there is an evident Example in (q) (q) 1 Reg. 16. v. 21. Amri , who is said to have reigned 12 years ; to wit , including the time that Thibni assumed the Royal Dignity . It is further observable , that in the Chronology of these Kings the Computation begins not always from the beginning of their Reigns , but from some remarkable Epocha or Revolution : As , it is said that (r) (r) 2 Chron. 16 v. 1. Baasha came up against Ramah in the 36th year of the Reign of Asa , when it is evident that he died in the six and twentieth year of the Reign of Asa (s) (s) 1 Reg. v. 6. 8. some interpret thus ; that here is to be understood the 36th year since the Division of the Kingdom after Solomon's Death ; as if it had been expressed thus : In the thirty sixth year after the Division of the Kingdom , of which Asa was King . There are also some Footsteps of certain Vacancies of the Throne betwixt Amaziah and Azariah the Kings of Judah , and betwixt Jeroboam and Zacharias Kings of Israel . All which we leave to the Choice and Decision of the judicious Reader .

ยง . 3. There is no better way to reconcile the How to reconcile these Differences . Chronological Differences about the Kings of Judah and Israel , than by making a due Comparison betwixt the Synchronisms and Combinations of Years of the several Kings of both these Kingdoms . The following two Tables exhibit at the same instant the Mutual Connection of the Reigns of these Kings , according to the Tenure of the Sacred Scriptures : But because the Years of their Reigns are not always correspondent to this Connection , I have added those other Years , which , by reason of their Usefulness in reconciling these Differences , I have called the Chronological Years .

An. P. J. Succession of the Kings Scrip. Years of the Kings of of Judah . of Israel . Jud. Israel . 3654 1 David 40 3694 1 Solomon 40 3734 1 Rehoboam 1 Jeroboam 17 22 3751 1 Abijam 18 3 3753 1 Asa 20 41 3754 2 1 Nadab 2 3755 3 1 Baasha 24 3778 26 1 Ella 2 3779 27 1 Simri 3783 31 1 Amri 3790 38 1 Ahab 12 3793 1 Jehoshaph . 4 25 22 3809 17 1 Ahaziah 2 3810 18 1 Jehoram 12 3814 1 Jehoram 5 8 3821 1 Ahaziah 12 1 3822 1 Athaliah 1 Jehu 6 8 3828 1 Jehoash 7 40 3850 23 1 Jehoahat 17 3864 37 1 Joash 16 3865 1 Amaziah 2 29 3879 15 1 Jerob . II 41 3905 1 Azariah 27 3942 38 1 Zacharias 52 6 m. 3943 39 1 Shallum 1 m. 3943 39 1 Menahem 10 3954 50 1 Pekajah 2 3956 52 1 Pekah 20
Chron. Years of the Kings of Places of Scripture . Jud. Israel 40 2 Sam. V. 4. 1 Chron. III. 4. c. 30. v. 27. 40 20 1 Reg. XI . 42. 17 1 Reg. XIV . 21. 3 1 Reg. XV. 1. 2 Chr. XIII . 1. 40 1 Reg. XV. 9. 1 1 Reg. XV. 25. 23 1 Reg. XV. 33. 1 1 Reg. XVI . 8. 1 Reg. XVI . 15. 16. 11 1 Reg. XVI . 23. 19 1 Reg. XVI . 29. 1 Reg. XXII . 41 , 42. 1 1 Reg. XXII . 52. 12 2 Reg. III 1. 7 2 Reg. VIII . 16. 1 2 Reg. VIII . 25. 6 28 2 Reg. XI . 1 , 2 , 3. c. ix . 12. 35 2 Reg. XII . 1. 14 2 Reg. XIII . 1. 15 2 Reg. XIII . 10. 40 2 Reg. XIV . 1. 63 2 Reg. XIV . 23. 52 2 Reg. XV. 1. 1 2 Reg. XV. 8. 0 2 Reg. XV. 13. 11 2 Reg. XV. 17. 2 2 Reg. XV. 23. 28 2 Reg. Xโ— โ–ช โ—7 .
An. P. J. Succession of the Kings Scrip. Years of the Kings of of Judah . of Israel . Jud. Israel . 3958 1 Jothram 2 16 3973 1 Ahaz 17 16 3984 12 1 Hosea 9 3986 1 Hezekiah 3 29 3991 6 Finis . 4015 1 Manasseh 55 4070 1 Ammon 2 4072 1 Josiah 31 410โ— 1 Jehoahaz 55 4103 1 Jehojakim 2 4106 4 1 Nebuchad . 31 4114 1 Jehoiachim 8 Nebuchad . 3 m. 4114 1 Zedekiah 11 4124 11 โ—9 Nebuch .
Chron. Years of the Kings of Places of Scripture . Jud. Israel . 15 2 Reg. XV. 32. 13 2 Reg. XVI . 1. 7 2 Reg. XVII . 1. 29 2 Reg. XVIII . 1. 2 Reg. XVIII . 10. 11. 55 2 Reg. XXI . 1. 2 2 Reg. XXI . 19. 13 2 Reg. XXII . 1. 0 2 Reg. XXIII . 31. 10 2 Reg. XXIII . 36. Jer. XXV . 1. 0 2 Reg. XXIV . 12 , 8. 10 2 Reg. XXV . 18. 2 Reg. XXV . 38. Jer. LII . 12. 29.

CHAP. XIII . Of the Epocha of the Temple of SOLOMON .

The exact time of the building of the Temple of Solomon must be determined according to the Sacred History , where we read these following Words : (a) (a) 1 Reg. 6. v. 1. 10. And it came to pass in the four hundred and fourscore year after the Children were come out of the Land of Aegypt , in the fourth year of Solomon's Reign over Israel , in the Month Zif , which is the second Month , that he began to build the House of the Lord .

The Interval betwixt the going out of the Israelites out of Aegypt , and the time of David ( on which depends the Computations of the Epocha of the Temple , being the fourth year of the Reign of Solomon ) ought to be regulated according to the Genealogy of David , described in Ruth 4. 20. seq. 1 Chron. 11. 11. Matth. 1. 5. where it is to be observed , that Nashon , who lived and died whilst the Israelites were in the Desart , (b) (b) Numb. 1. v. 7. c. 7. โ— . 12. begot Salmon , Salmon begot Boatz , and Boatz begot Obed , Obed begot Jesse , and Jesse David .

This Interval ought also to be regulated in such a manner as not to be contradictory to the Words of (c) (c) Judg. 11. v. 26. Jephtha ; Whilst Israel dwelled in Heshbon and her Towns , and in Aroer and her Towns , and in all the Cities that be along by the Coasts of Arnon three hundred years ; why therefore did you not recover them within that time ? Which Computation of Jephtha , according to the Hypothesis of the time of Servitude , and of the Government of the Jews under the Judges to be accounted by its self is absolutely false .

Betwixt the fourth year of the Reign of Solomon , the first of the Epocha of the Temple , till the first year of the Iniquity of Israel , of which mention is made in Ezek. 4. 5. are computed 37 years ; because (d) (d) 2 Chron 9. v. 10. Solomon reigned 40 years ; and the general Defection of Israel hapned under (e) (e) 1 Reg. 12. v. 26. Jeroboam , the first year after Solomon 's Death .

The first Temple was built by (f) (f) 1 Reg. 6. v. 3โ— . Solomon in seven years : And in the elevenh year , in the Month Bul ( which is the eighth Month ) was the House finished throughout all the Parts thereof , and according to all the Fashion of it : So was he seven years in building of it .

From the time of the Foundation of the Temple of Solomon till its Destruction , which hapned in the year of the Julian Period 4124 , and 8 Months , are 427 Years and 6 Months ; which Interval is calculated from the fourth year of the Reign of Solomon till the last year of Zedekiah , out of the Books of the Kings and Chronicles ; in which Opinion agree with us , not only most of the Jewish Interpreters , but also among the modern Chronologers , Josepus Scaliger , Henricus Buntingus , Sethus Calvisius , Michael Moestlinus , Henricus Philippi , Jacobus Hainlinus , and many more .

From these Characters may be collected the beginning of this Epocha , according to which Solomon laid the first Foundation of the Temple in the year of the Julian Period 3697 , in the Month of May , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 12. โ˜ฝ . 2. and compleated the whole Structure in the 3704th year of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 8. โ˜ฝ . 18. in the Month of October .

8. If therefore 3696 years and 4 Months be subtracted from any certain year of the Julian Period , Any certain year given of the Jul. Period to find the year since the beginning of this Epocha . the Residue shews the year since the beginning of the Epocha of the building of the Temple : And if in like manner 3703 Years and 9 Months be subtracted from the same year of the Julian Period , the Residue demonstrates the year since the finishing of the Structure of the Temple of Solomon . But if to the year of either of these two Epocha's the before-mentioned Sums be added , the Product , corresponds to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THere are not a few among the Interpreters Different Opinions concerning the 480 years . of the Holy Scripture who are of Opinion that the Calculation of the 480 years computed (g) (g) a Reg. 6. to have been betwixt the time of the going out of the Israelites out of Aegypt , till the building of the Temple by Solomon , is erroneous . Serrarius makes this Interval instead of 480 , 680 years ; others would have it 580 years ; among whom are Melchior Canus , Johannes Walterus , Nicholaus Raimarus , and Hugo Grotius : But besides that this pretended Adulteration of the original Text , is contradictory to the Providence and Promise of God this Computation of 480 years is confirmed by the joint Consent of the Chaldaean , the Greek , of the LXX Interpreters , the Latin and other Translations .

ยง . 2. Others who are not so forward in Contradicting Others Opinion concerning the same . the Authority of the Sacred Writ , and yet disagree with us in our Hypothesis , are of Opinion , that in the above-mentioned (h) (h) Ibid. Computation of 480 years betwixt the time of the Israelites leaving of Aegypt and the Epocha of the Temple of Solomon , are only accounted the years of each of the Judges that ruled over Israel , without including the several Intervals of their Bondage oโ— Anarchies . Ludovicus Capellus is of this Opinion ; but above all others , (i) (i) Isag Chโ—on c. 7. Gerhardus Johannes Vossius patronizes this Fiction , alledging from the Authors of the Sacred History his Intention had been only to give an Account of those times the Israelites were governed by Moses , Joshua , the Judges and Kings , without taking any Notice of those Intervals when the Israelites lived in Servitude , the Memory of which could not but be very dreadful to them . But this appears to me a very frivolous Reason , since I cannot see why the Time and Interval might not be inserted with as much Ease as the Relation of the Servitude it self . Besides that , according to this Supposition , both the Time and Circumstances of the Destruction of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah must have been pass'd by in Silence , they being much more dreadful than the Anarchies and Intervals of Servitude of the Israelites .

ยง . 3. There are also others who maintain that the Some begin this Interval from another time . the Computation of these 480 years ought to be interpreted not from the time they passed thro' the Red Sea , but from the time of the Distribution of the Land of Canaan by Lot ; which Interpretation they pretend to prove to be consonant to the Sacred Historical Phrase from the Words in Deuterenomy 4. v. 44 , 45 , 46. And this is the Law which Moses set before the Children of Israel . These are the Statutes and Testimonies , and the Judgments which Moses spake unto the Children of Israel after they came forth out of Aegypt ; on this side Jordan , in the Valley over against Beth-peor , in the Land of Sihon King of the Amorites , who dwelt at Heshbon , whom Moses and the Children of Israel smote after they were come forth our of Aegypt . They add to this a Parallel Passage out of the 115th Psalm , v. 1 , 2 , 3. When Israel went out of Aegypt , the House of Jacob from a People of strange Language , Judah was his Sanctuary , and Israel his Dominion ; the Sea saw it and fled , Jordan was driven back . Which has induced Lautentius Codomannus to affirm the above-mentioned Term of 480 years had its Beginning not till that time when the Tribe of Dan had its peculiar Inheritance assigned to them , according to which Supposition he computes from the first beginning of the Israelites leaving of Aegypt 599 years : and Sabellicus , Melchior Canus , and Michael Moestlinus account 592 years Dionysius Petavius (k) (k) Lib. 9. de Doctr. Temp. computes 520 years , by adding 40 years ( the Israelites were in the Desart ) to the 480 years . But Petavius , as well as the other above-named Chronologers , have put a wrong Sence upon the Phrase of the whole Scripture in these two Passages of Deut. 4. and Psalm 114 ; which they alledge as Parallel to one another , there being not intended the least distinct Account of the time of the Israelites going out of Aegypt , but only mentioned in general Terms ; it being evident that the going out of the Israelites out of Aegypt is in the Scripture Phrase to be understood from the time of their passing through the Red Sea . As for instance , in Numb. 33. v. 38. it is said , And Aaron the Priest went up into Mount Hor , at the Commandmont of the Lord , and died there in the fortieth year after the Children of Israel were come out of the Land of Aegypt , in the first day of the fifth Month.

ยง . 4. Dionysius Petavius and some others who pretend to enlarge this Computation of 480 years , alledge that it is contradictory to the Calculation Whether this Computation of 480 years be contradictory to the Sacred Writ . of the times of the Judges and Intervals of Bondage of the Israelites : But these Gentlemen have neglected what has long ago been observed by some Interpreters , that the Intervals of the Bondage of the Israelites are included in the times of their Judges ; and that sometimes several Tribes have had their several Judges ; so that two or more have been their Heads at the same time . To confirm which , let us look into the Book of the Judges , c. 4. v. 2. where it is related that the Israelites lived in Subjection undeโ— Jabin twenty years ; and yet in the 4th Verse it is added , And Deborah a Prophetess , the Wife of Lapidoth , she judged Israel at that time . Who can be so much beyond himself as to suppose that the twenty years of their Bondage ought to be separately computed besides the time of Deborah ; which is confirmed by another Passage in the the same Book , where it is said of Sampson (l) (l) Judges 15. 20. be judged Israel in the days of the Philistines 20 years .

ยง . 5. Though it be not always requisite in How the 480 years were divided between the Kings and Judges . a Chronologer to give , an exact Account of all the particular Intervals of time when the whole is beyond Question ; yet for the better Satisfaction of the Curious , we will represent in the following Table several Opinions of some of our modern Chronologers concerning these Intervals .

FromthetimeofthegoingoutoftheIsraelitesoutofAegypt,arecomputedYearsaccordingto Petavius . Is . Vos . Wil. Lang. Ours Scripture Proofs . Moses , 40 40 40 40 Numb. 14. v. 33. Joshua , 14 26 14 17 The Seniors , 10 13 Bondage under Chushan , 8 8 8 Othniel , 40 40 40 40 Judg. 3. v. 10. Servit . under the Moab . 18 18 0 Ehud , 80 80 80 80 Judg. 3. v. 20. Bond. under Jabin , 20 20 0 Deb. & Bar. 40 40 40 40 Judg. 4. v. 4. Servit . under the Midian . 7 7 0 Gideon , 40 40 40 40 Judg. 8. v. 32. Abimelech , 3 3 40 3 Judg. 9. v. 22. Thola , 23 23 3 23 Judg. 10. v. 2. Jair , 22 22 23 22 Judg. 10. v. 3. Servit . under the Ammonit . 0 18 22 Jephtha , 6 6 18 6 Judg. 12. v. 7. Ibzan , 7 7 6 7 Judg. 12. v. 9. Elon , 10 10 7 10 Judg. 12. v. 11. Abdon , 8 8 18 8 Judg. 12. v. 14. Bond. under the Philist . 0 40 20 Sampson , 20 20 3 20 Judg. 15. v. 20. Eli , 20 40 40 1 Sam. 4. v. 18. Sam. & Saul , 40 32 20 40 Acts 13. v. 21. David , 40 40 20 40 2 Sam. 5. v. 4. Solomon , 4 3 4 4 1 Reg. 6. v. 1. Sum , 520 667 479 480

CHAP. XIV . Of the Epocha of the three hundred and ninety years of the Iniquity of the HOVSE of Israel , mentioned in Ezec. Chap. 4. v. 5. & seq. 1. The beginning of the Epocha of these 390 years must be fixed at the time of the General Defection of the People of Israel under the Reign of their King Jeroboam , of whom it is said frequenth in the Holy Scripture , that he made Israel tโ— sin : But the utmost Period of this Epocha must not be extended beyond the Destruction of the Temple of Solomon , this being the Intention of the Prophetical Vision , as is manifest out of Ver. 1 , 2 , 7 , 13 , &c. 2. Accordingly we affirm the first year of this Epocha of 390 years to have been coincident with the 3734th year , and the last year of the same Epocha with the 4124th year of the Julian Period . 3. If therefore you subtract from any certain Sum To find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . of years of the Julian Period 3733 years , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of this Epocha . And if you add the known time of this Epocha to the said 3733 years , the Product will be equivalent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. BVcholzerus Creutzhemius and some others The Beginning and End of this Epocha . begin this Epocha from the fourth year of Rehoboam and Jeroboam ; for which they alledge 2 Chron. 11. v. 17. Tremellius begins it from the time that Solomon turned his Heart from the Lord , as Funccius , Codomannus , and some others , extend its Period till the 23d year of Nebuchadnezzar , or the 5th after the Destruction of the Temple . But they neglected to take notice that Ezechiel in this Passage speaks particularly of the Iniquity of the House of Israel , separately from that of Judah .

ยง . 2. It being expresly said , that (a) (a) 1 Reg. 6. v. 1. Solomon How long after the building of the Temple this Epocha began . began to build the Temple in the 4th year of his Reign ; and it being likewise evident that he reigned in all 40 years , it must of necessity follow that the first year of Jeroboam , who at the same time with Rehoboam immediately succeded Solomon , was the 37th year after the beginning of the Building of the Temple , and consequently the 2734th year of the Julian Period .

CHAP. XV. Of the End of the Reign of Sardanapalus , and the Epocha of the Median Empire . 1. Sardanapalus was the last , and ( according to Diodorus Siculus ) the five and thirtieth Assyrian Monarch , of the same Family with Ninus , descended in a direct Line and uninterrupted Succession from Father to Son ; of which see Velleius Paterculus . 2. This Sardanapalus being besieged in the City of Ninive , by Arbaces , was in the third year of the Siege forced to burn himself . Diodorus Siculus . (b) (b) 1 Reg. 11. v. 4โ— . 3. This Disaster hapned in the 20th year of his Reign . 4. From the time of the beginning of the Assyrian Monarchy till the fatal End of Sardanapalus are computed 1300 years , as has been demonstrated before in the Chapter of the Epocha of the Assyrian Monarchy . 5. Arbaces was the first Founder of the Monarchy of the Medes ; and according to Ctesias , Diodorus , and Eusebius reigned 18 years , who 6. give the following Account of the Succession of the Kings of Media .

Years . 1. Arbaces reigned 18 2. Mandauces 50 3. Sosarmus 30 4. Artycas 50 5. Arbianes , otherwise Cardiaceas 22 6. Arsaees , otherwise Dejoces 40 7. Artynes , otherwise Phraortes 22 8. Astibaras , otherwise Cyaxares 40 9. Apandas , otherwise Astyages 35

7. The Period of the Empire of the Medes is to be fixed in the first year of the Epocha of Cyrus the Founder of the Persian Monarchy , about the year 4155 of the Julian Period , after it had flourished 317 years .

8. Cyaxares , the last King but one of the Medes began his Reign in the 2 d year of the 37th Olympiad ( according to (a) (a) In Chron. Euseb. ) and reigned 40 years . See Ctes . and Herodot .

9. Vnder the Reign of Cyaxares the last King but one , or the Reign of Astyages the last King of Media , there hapned a very remarkable Eclipse of the Sun . Of which (b) (b) Lib. 1. Herodotus speaking of Cyaxares , This is he , who being engaged in a War with the Lydians , when they were in the very heat of Battle , the Day turned into Night . (c) (c) Lib. 1. Stromat . Clemens Alexandrinus makes also mention of the same Eclipse . Eudemus , says he , in his Astrological History , affirms that Thales did foretell that great Eclipse of the Sun which hapned at the time when the Medes and Lydians were engaged in a bloody Battle , under the Reigns of Astyages the Son of Cyaxares over Media , and of Alyattes the Father of Croesus , over Lydia .

From whence it may be concluded that the Disaster of Sardanapalus hapned about the year 3839 of the Julian Period , which was also the first of the Reign of Arbaces , that he was succeeded by Mandauces in the year 3866 of the Julian Period ; that about the year 3916 of the Julian Period Sosarmus began his Reign , whose Successor in the year 3946 was Artycas , who in the year 3997 was succeeded by Cardiaceas ; that after him in the year of the Julian Period 4019 Dejoces began his Reign ; in the year 4058 Phraortes , in the year 4081 Cyaxares , and in the year 4121 Astyages ; and that lastly the Empire of the Medes ended with Astyages in the year 4155 of the Julian Period .

Now therefore by subtracting the several above-mentioned Numbers of years of these Kings from any certain year of the Julian Period , the true time of each of them since the beginning of their Reigns may be investigated , as may sufficiently be seen out of the foregoing Examples .

ยง . 1. SVidas , and some others have endeavoured to The Etymology of Sardanapalus . deduce the Etymologies of Sardanapalus from the Greeks ; but in my Opinion Reinerus Reineccius , and many more have with more Reasons sought for its Orignal among the Assyrians ; to wit , from SAR , DAN and NIPHIL , which three Words signifie GREAT , LORD and CONQUEROR ; which Title they say he assumed in the same manner as Attila called himself the SCOURGE OF GOD , and Mahomet the Turkish Emperor assumed the Title of TERROR OF THE WORLD .

ยง . 2. The Effeminacy of Sardanapalus proved The Occasion โ—โ—โ—he Revolution in the Assyrian Empire . the Occasion of the Ruin of the Assyrian Monarchy : For Arbaces Governour of Media being admitted into his Presence as he was sitting among his Concubines in Womens Apparel , handling his Needle like the rest , took a Resolution from that time to withdraw himself from under the Jurisdiction of so Effeminate a Prince ; and being encouraged afterwards by the Hopes of Success , by an Aegyptian Priest , famous for his Skill in Astrology , he put his Designs in Execution , and in a bloody War at last vanquished this Monarch , and became Master of the Empire .

ยง . 3. (d) (d) Bibl. Histor. Schotanus is of Opinion that Sardapalus Sardanapalus is not the same Name with Asser-Haddon . is the same with Asser-Haddon , who is mentioned 2 Reg. 19. v. 37. and in Es. 37. 38. to have been the Son of Sennacherib . But there are many Reasons to the contrary : For it is related of Sardanapalus that he lived a very odious and effeminate Life , according to that noted Epitaph of the Greek Poet Chaerilus .

Cum te mortalem nรดris , praesentibus exple Deliciis animum , post mortem nulla voluptas . Namque & ego cinis ecce , Nini Rex maximus olim . Haec habui , quae edi , quaeque exaturata libido , Hausit ; at illa jacent multa & praeclara relicta .

Whereas Asser-Haddon , when he began to take the Administration of the Kingdom in hand , found it in a very ill State , and was forced to wage long and bloody Wars with the Murtherers of his Father . Herodotus , upon whose Authority Schotanus so much relies , relates that under the Reign of Sardanapalus the Medians having shaken off the Assyrian Yoke , enjoyed for many Years their own Laws and Liberty , free from the Oppression of their Kings , till at last Dejoces reduced them under a more strict Subjection . But from the time that Asser-Haddon succeeded his Father in the Empire , being the 14th of Hiskiah , and 3999th of the Julian Period , there was but a slender Interval till the Reign of Dejoces . And since it is evident that both Sardanapalus and Sennacherib were not unknown to (e) (e) Lib. 2. 2 Reg. 15. v. 19. Herodotus , it is very improbable that he should not have mentioned the Son .

ยง . 4. Annius and (f) (f) Op. Chron. L. 1. p. 105. 2 Chron. 5. v. 26. Robertus Bailius are of Concerning the Division of this Monarchy . Opinion that after the Death of Sardanapalus , the Assyrian Monarchy was divided betwixt Belochus or Belesis and Arbaces ; so that the first had for his share Babylon , and the last Media and Persia . But this is absolutely contradicted by Diodorus Siculus ; who says that this Belochus being a Babylonian Priest , such as they call Chaldaeans , famous for his great Skill in judiciary Astrology , who had foretold Arbaces the Conquest of the Assyrian Empire , was afterwards by him made Prefect , or Governour of Babylon .

ยง . 5. The Followers of Annianus , among whom are Sleidan and Nicholaus Reusnerus , are Whether ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ was the same with Belochus . of Opinion that Phul , of whom mention is made in the (g) (g) Isag . p. 195. Holy Scripture , was the same Belochus mentioned by Annianus to have been Monarch of Babylon . But the contrary may be demonstrated if it be considered that Sardanapalus lived about the year 3839 of the Julian Period , and that Menahem the King of Israel was made tributary to Pul the King of Assyria in the year of the Julian Period 3943 , which is above 100 years difference . Besides that , Pul is dignified with the Title of King ; whereas we have shewed already that Belochus or Belesis was only Governour of Babylon .

ยง . 6. Some are very sollicitous about the History of these Assyrian and Chaldaean Kings , of How to reconcile the Sacred History concerning those Kings after the Death of Sardanapalus . whom mention is made in the Scripture after the Death of Sardanapalus ; to which I answer , that it is very probable that after the Death of Arbaces , the Assyrians might in some measure recover their ancient Liberty , and be governed by their own Kings , tho' scarce any Footsteps of them are to be found in prophane History , of which Orosius has given us this Compendious Account : (h) (h) L. 1. c. 19. Thus was the Assyrian Monarchy transferred to the Medes ; but soon after heavy Wars were carried on among these Nations with various Success ; which to particularize here , is beyond our Purpose : sometimes the Schytes , sometimes the Chaldaeans got the upper hand ; but the Empire was at last devolved again to the Medes .

ยง . 7. Herodotus , with some of his Followers , Dejoces was not the first King after Sardanapalus make Dejoces the first Monarch of the Median Empire ; But , as has been alledged before , there are other Authors , who having been more careful in inspecting the Authentick History of the Assyrians , ought to be preferr'd in this Point before Herodotus . We have alledged the Words of Diodorus Siculus concerning Arbaces before ; whose Testimony is confirmed by (i) (i) L. 1. c. 3. 4. Justin , who says expresly that Arbactus ( Arbaces ) formerly Governour of Media , was made King after Sardanapalus . And this seems also the most probable , if it be taken into Consideration , that a Democratical Government appeared in all Ages contrary to the Genius of the Asiaticks : So that ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of the Medes , was used as a Proverb among the Poets ; according to Lucan ,

Felices Arabes , Mediique , Eoaque tellus , Quam sub perpetuis tenuerunt fata Tyrannis .

And Virgil (k) (k) Lib. Georg. 4. speaks to the same purpose , when he describes the Nature of the Bees .

Praeterea Regem non sic Aegyptus & ingens Lydia , nec populi Parthorum , aut MEDVS Hydaspes Observant , rege incolumi , mens omnibus una est , &c.

The Observation made by Reinerus Reineccius upon this Passage of Herodotus seems to be very agreeable to the Truth ; to wit , that perhaps the Medes enjoyed a great share of Liberty under their first Kings ; which by degrees being degenerated into a Licentiousness , Dejoces was the first who re-established the Royal Prerogative and Authority .

ยง . 8. The Eclipse of the Sun mentioned before out of Herodotus and Clemens Alexandrinus , has Concerning the Solar Eclipse mentioned by Herodotus . been like the Pomum Eridis among the Astronomers and Chronologers , there being as many Opinions as Heads about it , too many to be enumerated here ; but have before all the rest , chosen that of Clemens Alexandrinus and Pliny , who affirm that this Eclipse of the Sun did not happen ( as Herodotus relates ) under the Reign of Cyaxares , but under Astyages , in the year of the Julian Period 4129 , on the 28th of May , towards Sun-set , which appeared the more terrible to the Medes and Lydians engaged in the Heat of Battle , the nearer the Sun was to its Period .

ยง . 9. The following Table shews the Congruity The Congruity betwixt the Reigns of these Kings with the Jul. Period . betwixt the Reigns of each of the Median Kings , and the years of the Julian Period , according to our and Petavius's Computation ; unto which we have added the Calculations of Joseph Scaliger and William Lange , somewhat different from ours .

Number and Names of the Median Kings . Ann. Regn A. P. J. No. A. P. J. Sc. A. P. J. La. 1 Arbaces , 28 3838 3841 3852 2. Mandauces , 50 3866 3869 3880 3. Sosarmus , 30 3916 3919 3930 4. Artycas , 50 3646 3949 3960 5. Arbianes , s . Card. 22 3996 3999 4010 6. Dejoces , s . Arsaees , 40 4018 4021 4032 7. Phraort . s . Artyn . 22 4058 4061 4072 8. Cyaxeres , s . Astibar . 40 4080 4083 4093 9. Astyages , s . Apand . 35 4120 4123 4132 Finis . 4155 4163 4167

CHAP. XVI . Of the Olympiad Epocha .

1. An Olympiad is an Interval of four Greek Years of different Length , at the Expiration of which the Olympiad Games dedicated to Jupiter Olympicus , were solemnized among the Greeks .

2. The Olympiad Epocha is confirmed by very famous and unquestionable Characters , as by several Eclipses related by (a) (a) L. 2. 4. 7. Thucydides and others From whence it is evident that the Olympiad Epocha began in the year of the Julian Period 3983 , in Summer , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 18. โ˜ฝ . 5.

3. To have a just Connection of the years of the Olympiads with thโ— Julian Period , subtract one of the Number of the Olympiads , the Residue multiply with 4 , unto which add the Number of years of the Running Olympiad ; and the Product will shew the time of year since the beginning of this Epocha : If to these you add 3937 years and 6 Months , the whole will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

4. But if you have before you the certain year of the Julian Period , and would find out what year of any Olympiad is correspondent to it , subtract from the Number of years of the Julian Period 3937 years and 6 Months ; divide the Residue by 4 , and the Quotients and Superplus will shew the year of the Olympiad correspondent to it .

ยง . 1. THE first Author of the Olympiad Games is said to have been one Pisus , of whom The first Founder of the Olympian Games . nothing is left but the Name . But Pelops the Son of Tantalus is much more famous in History , who order'd them to be celebrated in Honour of Jupiter Olympius . They were afterwards revived again by Atreus and Hercules , and dedicated to the Memory of Pelops . Last of all Iphitus the Son of Praxonides did once more re-establish this Solemnity , after it had been neglected for a considerable time before ; since which time they have been continued without Interruption , and the Olympian Years were called likewise Iphitaean Years from Iphitus .

ยง . 2. The Olympiad Epocha is so much celebrated for its Certainty , that some account the Number of Olympiads among the Chronological Characters , yet is not free from all Dispute : For , according to the Testimony of Phlegon and (b) (b) In vit. Lycurg . Plutarch the Olympian Games were instituted in the time of Iphitus and Lycurgus . Furthermore (c) (c) Lib. poster . Chron. Eusebius makes Lycurgus cotemporary with Jehu , and his time coincident with the 1130th year of the Epocha of Abraham ; so that according to this Computation , Lycurgus and Iphitus flourished about the year of the Julian Period 3827. Furthermore , most of the Chronologers agree in Opinion with Caius Julius Solinus , who affirms that Iphitus revived these Olympian Games in the 408th year after the Destruction of Troy . If both these Computations be compared , it follows from thence , that Lycurgus and Iphitus did flourish both in the year of the Julian Period 3827 , and in the year 3938 , which is above a hundred years difference . To obviate this Difficulty , I see no better Expedient than to suppose that even after the time of Iphitus the said Games were sometimes discontinued till the time of Eleus Coroebus , who , according to Pausanias and Phlegon , was the first who got the Victory in the Race of the Olympian Games . If any body can shew us a more convenient Explication , we are ready to agree with him in Opinion .

ยง . 3. The Olympian Games are like so many Concerning the Vsefulness of this Epocha . Annals by which the ancient Greeks have computed not only their own , but also the Histories of other Nations ; from whence Varro has borrowed his three remarkable Distinctions of Time , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , before the Deluge ; ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , before the Olympiads , and ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , since the beginning of the Olympian Epocha : And Justin Martyr and Africanus thus far agree with Varro , that before the time of this Epocha , nothing of solid History has been written in Grece .

ยง . 4. The Olympian Games were celebrated Where those Games were celebrated . in the Elean Fields near the River of Alpheus in Peloponnesus , which is now called Morea . Pausanias relates , that the Pisaeans did also attempt once to institute the Olympian Games among them , but that the Eleans never reckoned them among the Number of their Olympiads .

ยง . 5. There is a great difference betwixt an Olympias Of how many years an Olympiad was composed . and an Olympian Year : Olympias is called both the Game it self and the Quadrennial Interval ; after the Expiration of which these Games were always renewed . Some Authors there are however , who have taken it for a Quinquennial Cycle ; as in (d) (d) L. 4. Eleg. 6. Ovid ,

In Scythia nobis quinquennis Olympias acta est .

And (e) (e) In Here. Fur. Seneca ;

Quantus incedit populus per urbes , Ad novi ludos avidus theatri , Quantus Eleum ruit ad Tonantem , Quinta cum Sacrum revocavit aestas .

But in this Passage he seems to speak not of the compleat , but running fifth year : And as for Ovid , it is possible he confounded his Roman Lustrum with the Greek Olympiad ; from whence I conclude that Olympias consisted of four years ; and that an Olympian Year contained the fourth Part of an Olympias .

ยง . 6. The Olympian Games were fixed to a double What time of the year they were celebrated . Character ; to wit , to that of the F. Moon , next following to the Solstitium aestivum , or Summer Solstice : But by reason of the Ignorance of the ancient Greeks in Astronomy , the certain Days of the first Olympiads remain uncertain ; for which reason it is , that Diodorus Siculus โ–ช and Pliny have not begun their Olympian Years from the Summer Solstice ; but from the Beginning of the Roman Civil Year , which has occasioned no small Dispute among the Chronologers , who did not take notice of this their Method .

ยง . 7. Tho' it be beyond all Question that the Concerning the Olympian Years . Olympian Games were regulated according to certain Celestial Characters of the Sun and Moon ; yet were the Olympian Years , separately considered , neither Lunar , nor Solar , nor Lunae-Solar , but Political Years , consisting sometimes of 360 , sometimes of 361 , and 362 , and again of 390 , 391 and 392 Days , &c.

ยง . 8. The Olympian Year consisted of twelve The Olympian Year consisted of 12 Months . Months , each Month containing 30 Days : Their Names and Order are as follows ;

1. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , or Summer Months . 2. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 3. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 4. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . or Autumn Months . 5. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 6. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 7. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , or Winter Months . 8. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 9. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 10. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , or Vernal Months . 11. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 12. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ .

Unto these they added at last two Days , which they called ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ; they were also entitled ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , because it was the Custom in the Graecian Common-wealths to dedicate these two Days to the Election of their Magistrates .

ยง : 9. The Olympian Years were of two sorts , each of them admitting again of a three-fold Difference : For they were either ,

Common Years , consisting of 12 Months , and these are again either ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , of 362 days , of which before . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of 361 days , one day being taken out of the Month Boรซdromion . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of 360 days , 2 days being taken out of the same Month. Or Embolimโ—an years , consisting of 13 Mon. by doubling the Mon. Posideon , and these were again either ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of 39โ— days . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of 391 days , one day being taken out again of the Month Boรซdromion . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of 390 days , one being taken out of the same Month.

ยง . 10. Some are of opinion that the last Olympiad Concerning the End of this Epocha . was celebrated about the year of Christ 312 , under the Reign of Constantine the Great ; but Cedrenus affirms that they were continued for a considerable time after ; and the last Olympiad was the 293d , which , according to this Computation , must be coincident with the year of Christ 393.

CHAP. XVII . Of the Epocha of the building โ–ช of ROME . 1. This Epocha must be regulated either according to the Computation of Varro or Cato . 2. Whereas Cato affirms , that the first Foundation of the City of Rome was laid in the Spring of the 24th Olympian Year ; and Varro , that it was begun to be built in the Spring of the 23 d Olympian Year ; the Connection of this Epocha must be fixed to one of these above-mentioned Olympian Years . 3. The first Foundation of the City of Rome was laid on the same day the Latines celebrated their Feast called Palilia .

Accordingly it must be determined , that if we follow the Computation of Cato , the City of Rome was begun to be built in the year of the Julian Period 3962 , Cycle โ˜‰ . 14. โ˜ฝ . 10. but according to the Calculation of Varro , in the year 3961 , Cycle โ˜‰ . 13. โ˜ฝ . 11 , on the 21 day of April .

If therefore , according to Cato , 3961 years and three Months , or according to Varro , 3960 years and To investigate thโ— year since the beginning of this Epocha . 3 months be subtracted from any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of the Epocha of the building of Rome : But if the above-mentioned Numbers of Years and Months be added to the time of the said Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. NOtwithstanding this Epocha is the most Concerning the dโ—fferโ—nce betwixt Cโ—to and Varro . celebrated of the whole World ; yet is not free from all Disputes , occasioned by the Negligence of the ancient Romans , who not only before the Times of Cato and Varro did regulate their Computations by this Epocha ( which was not introduced till five of six hundred years after the Building of the City ) but also afterwards did disagree in the true time , there being a whole year's difference betwixt the Computation of Cato and that of Varro . And Dionysius Halicarnassaeus goes another year beyond both , and fixes the Epocha of the building of the City in the 25th Olympian Year ; and says , that the first Feast of the Palilia was celebrated at Rome in the year of the Jul. Period 3963. These three Authors being of an equal Authority , and it being scarce to be determined whether the Ancient Roman Records of the Consuls or those of the Censors ought to be preferred , we will suspend our Judgment in this nice Point . But it ought to be observed , that Augustus , Claudius , and the other Emperours in their Proclamations followed the Varronian Calculation ; as also Plutarch , Cornelius Tacitus , Dion , Cellius , Censorinus , Onuphrius , Baronius , and most of the Modern Chronologers : But the Computation of Cato , Solinus , Eusebius ; and Dionysius Halicarnassaeus himself , as is evident out of his (a) (a) Lib. 2. Writings . And if we believe Capellus , Cicero , Livy , Pliny and Paterculus , begin this Epocha promiscuously , sometimes from the Varronian Palilia , sometimes from the foregoing year , sometimes also from the first day of January of the following year . See (b) (b) Com. in L. 3 โ–ช Augustin . de Civ . Dei . Ludovicus Vives and (d) Jacobus Capellus .

ยง . 2. It is very evident out of the Roman History , The Roman Feast calโ—ed Palilia . that the Feast called Palilia was one of the most celebrated at Rome , instituted in memory of the time of the first Foundation of this City , according to Propertius . ( c ) Thematism .

Vrbis Festus erat dixere Palilia Patres , Hic primus coepit moenibus esse dies . Annua Pastorum convivia , lusus in urbe , Quum pagana madent fercula divitiis . Quumque super raros foeni flammantis acervos Trajicit immundos ebria turba dapes . Romulus excubias decrevit in otia solvi โ–ช Atque intermissรข castra filere tubรข .

Which is also confirmed by (d) (d) In Vit. Romuli . Plutarch . As to the Etymology of the Word Palilia , Servius affirms that Pales was called by the Romans the Goddess of Forage , whose Feast used to be celebrated on the 21st day of April , from whence this Feast was called Palilia in like manner as the Star called by the Modern Astronomers Oculus Tauri , which in ancient times used to rise about the 21st of April , was also called Palilicium . There are some others who derive it ร  pariendo , and in lieu of Palilia would have it called Parilia .

ยง . 3. It is the common Opinion , that Romulus Wโ—ether Romulus was the first โ—โ—under of Rome . was the first Founder of the City of Rome ; but (e) (e) Lib 1. Dionysius Halicarnassaeus says , The Historians don't agree neither about the time , nor the true Founder of the City of Rome . And (f) (f) In Vit. Romuli . Plutarch speaks much to the Tame purpose ; Notwithstanding , says he , the most glorious Name of this City is so much celebrated among Foreign Nations , it remains as yet uncertain who was its first Founder . (g) (g) Lib. 3. c. 2 , in Ital. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Philippus Cluverius alledges many more of this kind out of the Ancient Historians ; and concludes , that the fictitious Relation of the Greeks concerning Romulus and Remus is so gross and palpable as not to be received by People of Sense . But though it be undeniable that the History of Romulus and Remus is involved in many fabulous Circumstances , yet cannot this be alledged as a sufficient Reason to annul the Authority of so many Ancient Historians , especially since it appears very congruous to the Ancient Chronology , that about the beginning of this Epocha , from whence the Romans deduce the Origin of their City , lived one Romulus .

ยง . 4. (h) (h) Ad L. 12. An. Tacit. Justus Lipsius , with the rest , who call the History of Romulus in question , deny Troy Of the Roman Origin . to have been the Parent of Rome : But I cannot but agree with St. (i) (i) De Civ . Dei . Austin , who begins his third Book with the following Words : The People of Rome owe their first Offspring to the City of Troy , otherwise called Ilium . (k) (k) Lib. 1. c. 4. And in another Place , The City of Troy , ( says he ) the Mother of the People of Rome . Accordingly there have not been wanting who have deduced the Genealogy of Romulus and Remus from Aeneas and his Posterity ; of which we have given a Scheme in the following Table ; according to the Sentiment of the Poet :

Haec domus Aenaeae cโ—nctis dominabitur oris Et nati natorum , & qui nascentur ab illis . Tros is said to have had three Sons , to wit , Ilus K. of Troy , Ganymedes and Assaracus From whom descended Capys . Anchyses . Aeneas , whose first Wife was Creusa the Daughter of K. Priamus , the 2 d , Lavinia , Daughter to K. Latinus . Ascanius , who succeeded his Father . IULUS who was a Priest . Sylvius K. after his Brother Ascanius . Aeneas Sylvius . Latinus . Alba. Atys . Capys . Capetus . Tiberinus . Agrippa Aventinus Procas . Numitor expell'd by his Brother . Aegestus . Rhea , a Vestal Virgin . Romulus . Remus . Amulius . Alladius .

ยง . 5. The Ancient Roman Year consisted of ten Months only , and these neither Lunar nor Solar Of the year instituted by Romulus . ones , but regulated at the Pleasure of their first Founder . March was the first , of 31 days ; April the second , of 30 days ; the third was May , of 31 days ; the fourth , June , of 30 days ; Quinctilis was the fifth , of 31 days ; Sextilis , the sixth , of 30 days ; the seventh was September , of 30 days ; the eighth , October , of 31 days ; November the ninth , of 30 days , and December the tenth , of 31 days : The whole year consisting of 304 days . Fenestellus , Licinius , Macro , and Scaliger , are of Opinion , that from the time of Romulus the Roman Year was divided into twelve Months : But there are so many of the most Ancient Authors who confirm by their Authority our Assertion , that it would be superfluous to alledge them here ; we will only take notice of the Words of (k) (k) Lib. 1. Fastor . Ovid :

Tempora digereret cum conditor urbis in anno Constituit menses quinque bis esse suo ; Scilicet arma magis , quam sidera , Romule , noras , Curaque finitimos vincere major erat . Est tamen & ratio Caesar , quae moverit illum , Errorรฉmque suum quo tueatur , habet . Quod satis est utero matris , dum prodโ—ret infans , Hoc anno statuit temporis esse satis , Per totidem menses ร  funere conjugis uxor Sustinet in vidua tristia figna domo .

And considering that the Genius of Romulus appear'd more inclin'd to warlike Exploits than Astronomy , it is no great Wonder if he introduc'd such an irregular Form of the year , which by reason of its Inconveniencies , was alter'd by Numa Pompilius .

ยง . 6. The City of Rome has at several times Hโ—w lโ—ng Rโ—me flourished . felt the direful Effects of many dangerous Revolutions but especially when Alaric , after a long Siege , being at last become Master of it , ruined it with Fire and Sword , where the Goths exercised such unheard of Cruelties against the Inhabitants , as if they intended ( as Johannes Mariana (l) (l) Lib 4. de reb . Hisp . expresses it ) to revenge upon them all the Injuries the World had received in former Ages from the Hands of their Ancestors .

CHAP. XVIII . Of the NABONASSAREAN EPOCHA . 1. This Epocha is founded upon so-many Characters as are too many to be inserted here : We will only take notice of two sorts : Among the first are to be accounted many Eclipses related by Prolemy . To the second Class belongs the Computation of this Epocha , with Respect to many others , by (m) (m) Lib. de D. Nat. c. 21. Censorinus . 2. From whence it appears that this Epocha begun in the year of the Julian Period 3967 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 19. โ˜ฝ . 15. on the 26th day of February , on the fourth Feria , in the Afternoon . But , because there is some Difference betwixt the years of this Epocha and the Julian years ( the Nabonassarean years consisting exactly of 365 days ) the Connection of these two cannot conveniently be treated of in this place .

ยง . 1. THE Historians , who have frequently made use of this Epocha , yet are silent The first Foundation of this Epocha . both as to the Author and the Occasion of its Origin . Thus much is certain ; that its Beginning was either fixed to some remarkable Revolution or great Victory . The Opinion of Dion . Petav. seems not very improbable ; to wit , that the Babylonians rebelling against the Medes , had chosen for their King one Nabonassar , whose Successors afterwards subdu'd again both the Medes and Assyrians .

ยง . 2. Concerning the Name and Author of Of its Founder . this Epocha there is no small Dispute among the Interpreters . It s Origin is , without question from the Chaldaean ; for NABO signifies (b) (b) Psal. 46. v. 1. as much as an Idol , in the Chaldaean Tongue ; from whence Nebuchodonosor , Nebuzaradan , Nabonid , &c. are derived . It is also beyond all question that Nabonassar has been King of Babylon ; but what Funccius , Mercator and others have affirm'd him to have been the same with Salmanassar and Sardanapalus is contrary to Truth .

ยง . 3. As the Disposition of the Nabonassarean years owes its Offspring to the Aegyptians , so The Vsefulness of this Epocha . and the Successors of Nabonassar . many of the Ancient Historians , but especially Ptolemy , make frequently use of this Epocha in their Computations ; so that there is scare any one Epocha which is likely to be of more use to those that are curious in Chronology than this , especially since that an Authentick Catalogue of these Kings has been publish'd out of a Greek Manuscript of Ptolemy , wherein you may see the true Connexion of the years of the Reigns of these Kings with the years of the Nabonassarean Epocha . And this Catalogue being look'd upon as one of the most Authentick Pieces in Chronology ; unto which we shall have occasion to have Recourse at several times hereafter I judged it not beyond our Purpose to insert here without any Alteration , this excellent Monument of Antiquity .

The Catalogue of the Kings of AssyriaandMedia. Anni Regn. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Nabonassar , 14 14 Nadius , 2 16 Chinzirus and Porus , 5 21 Jugaeus , 5 26 Mardocempadus , 12 38 Arcianus , 5 43 Abasileutus I. 2 45 Belibus , 3 48 Apronadius , 6 54 Rigebelus , 1 55 Mesessimordacus , 4 59 Abasileutus II. 8 67 Assaradinus , 13 80 Saosducheus , 20 100 Chyniladanus , 22 122 Nabopolassarus , 21 143 Nabocolassarus , 43 186 Ilvarodamus , 2 188 Niricassolassarus , 4 192 Nabonadius . 17 209
II. The Kings of Persia . Anni Regn. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Cyrus , 9 218 Cambyses , 8 226 Darius I. 36 262 Xerxes , 21 283 Artaxexres I. 41 324 Darius II. 19 343 Artaxerxes II. 46 389 Ochus , 21 410 Arostus , 2 412 Darius III. 4 416
III.TheGraecianKings. Nab. An. Phi. Alexander M. 8 424 4 Philippus Aridaeus , 7 431 7 Alexander Aegus , 19 443 19
IV.TheGraecian Kings over Egypt. Ptolemaeus Lagus , 20 463 39 Ptolemaeus Philadelphus , 38 501 77 Euergetes I. 25 526 102 Philopater , 17 543 119 Epiphanes , 24 567 143 Philomater , 35 602 178 Euergetes II. 29 631 207 Soter , 36 667 243 Dionysius , 29 696 272 Cleopatra , 22 718 294
V. Of the Roman Kings . Anni Regn. Nab. Philipp . Augustus , 43 761 337 Tiberius . 22 783 359 Caius , 4 787 363 Claudius , 14 801 377 Nero , 14 815 391 Vespasianus , 10 825 401 Titus , 3 828 404 Domitianus , 15 843 419 Phil. Nab. Phil. Nerus I. 1 844 420 Trajanus , 19 863 439 Adrianus , 21 884 460 Antoninus , 23 907 483

CHAP. XIX . Of the Epocha of the Conquest of Samaria by the Assyrians , and the Destruction of the Kingdom of Israel . 1. Samaria , the Capital of the whole Kingdom of Israel , was taken by the Assyrians in the sixth year of Hezekiah King of Judah (a) (a) 2 Reg. 18. v. 10. . 2. In the ninth year of the Reign of Hosea King of Israel (b) (b) 2 Reg. 17. v. 1. . 3. Vnder the Reign of Shalmanassar King of Assyria (c) (c) Ibid. . 4. Some time before Sennacherib who in the 14th year of the Reign of Hezekiah , came up against the City of Jerusalem (d) (d) 2 Reg. 18. v. 13. . 5. As likewise before the time of (e) (e) 2 Reg. 19. v. 37. Assarhaddon the Son of Sennacherib , who transferred the Royal Seat of the Assyrian Kings from Ninive to Babylon : For the Successour of Hezekiah , Manasseh , was carried by the King of Assyria to Babylon (f) (f) 2 Chr. 33. v. 11. . 6. King So reigned at that time in Egypt ; as is apparent out of 2 Reg. 17. v. 4. 7. From whence we conclude that the Conquest of Samaria by the Assyrians hapned in the year of the Julian Period 3991 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 15. โ˜ฝ . 1.

If therefore from any certain year of the Julian Period To investigate the Year since thโ— beginning of this Epocha . be subtracted 3390 years ; or the same Number be added to any certain year of this Epocha , the Residue of the one , and the Product of the other will shew the year either of the time since the Beginning of this Epocha , or of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. IT has been controverted among the Chronologers Whโ— was Shalmanassar who this Shalmanassar was that conquer'd Samaria . (g) (g) Chron. part. 2. Eusebius and Clemens Alexandrinus confound him with Sennacherib . Funccius , Buntingus , Mercator , and several other of the most Learned Modern Chronologers , affirm this Shalmanassar to have been the same Nabonassar of which mention is made by Ptolemy . But this Opinion has been sufficiently refuted by (h) (h) De Emend . Temp. Scaliger , by Calvisius , and Behmius . The Celestial Characters fixed by Ptolemy to the Times of Nabonassar having not the least Relation to this Hypothesis .

ยง . 2. There arises also another Controversie Of the Synchronism of Hosea and Ahaz . concerning (i) (i) 2 Reg. 15. v. 30. Hosea , who is said to have slain Pekah in the 20th year of Jotham , and to have succeded him in the Kingdom . The 20th year of the Reign of Jotham was questionless the 4th of the Reign of Ahaz , who reigned 16 years : So that Hosea began to reign in the 4th year of Ahaz . But it being said 2 Reg. 17. v. 1. that in the 12th year of Ahaz , Hosea began to reign , the Question is , how the beginning of his Reign can be fixed both in the 4th and 12th year of Ahaz ? Unto which it is answer'd , that the beginning of the Reign of Hosea may be considered in a double respect . For from the 4th year of Ahaz , till his 12th , he reigned as Sovereign ; whereas after the said 12th year he was tributary to the King of (k) (k) 2 Reg. 18. v 1-9 , 10. Assyria .

ยง . 3. There is no less Dispute among the Chronologers concerning So the King of Egypt , of Of King So , mention'd in the H. Scriptuโ—e . whom mention is made in the Scripture , whom some call Bochorin Saitin ; others by another Name : But I take it for granted , that Cambyses King of Persia , did , according to Eusebius and Herodotus , conquer Egypt in the 5th or 6th year of his Reign ; which , according to Ptolemy , was the 225th year of the Nabonassarean Epocha ; or the 4191st year of the Julian Period . I will in the following Table give you a Catalogue of the Egyptian Kings ; which from the year 4191 ( to count backwards ) have reigned till the year of the Julian Period 3991 ( when the Destruction of the Kingdom of Israel hapned ; ) from whence it will appear , that at that time Sabacus the King of Aethiopia reigned in Egypt . In the first Column you will see the Names , and in the second , the Times of the Reigns of these Kings ; in the third , the year of the Julian Period when they began to reign , and in the fourth , the last year of each of their Reigns ; in the fifth you will find the several Places cited out of Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus , which confirm our Assertion . The Pages are cited out of Herodotus , according to the Edition of Henricus Stephanus , An. 1592 ; and out of Diodorus Siculus , according to the Edition of Laurentius Rhodomannus , An. 1604.

Names of the Kings . An. Reg. Init. An. Per. Jul. Fin. An. Pe. Jul. Testimony of Psammenit . 0 4190 4191 Herod . p. 187 Amasis , 44 4147 4190 186 Apries , 25 4122 4147 173 Psammis , 6 4116 4122 173 Necas , 17 4099 4116 172 Psammetic . 54 4045 4099 171 Dodecharc . 15 4030 4045 Diodor. 59 , 60 Interregn . 2 4028 4030 Di dor. 59 Sabacus , 50 3978 4028 Herod . 161

ยง . 4. (l) (l) Lib. 9. c. 14. Ant. Josephus affirms that the Israelites were How many years the Kingdom of Israel flourished . forced to quit their Country 947 years after their going out of Egypt , 800 years after the Death of Joshua , and 260 years , 7 months , and 7 days after the Division of the Kingdom under Jeroboam ; But the Computation of Josephus is contradictory to it self : For according to his Calculation from the time of the Israelites going out of Egypt , the Destruction of that Kingdom must have hapned in the year of the Julian Period 4163 , and consequently later ; But according to his Computation , from the time of the Distribution , of the Kingdom this Destruction must have hapned in the year of the Julian Period 3973 , and consequently sooner than our Epocha . It is therefore our Opinion , that ( according to the Table of the Kings of Judah and Israel which we have given heretofore ) the whole Duration of the Kingdom of Israel from the time of Jeroboam till the Destruction by the Assyrians , was only of 257 years .

ยง . 5. Concerning the Place whither the ten Tribes of Israel were carried into Captivity we read Whither the Israelites were carried . thus in the Holy (m) (m) โ— Reg. 17. v. 6. 18. v. 10. Scripture : The King of Assyria did carry away Israel into Assyria , and put them in Habah and in Habor by the River of Gozan , and in the Cities of the Medes . From whence we conjecture that the Israelites were dispersed in Assyria and Media , and more especially in those Provinces bordering upon the Caspian Sea , the Tygris and Euphrates . As to the River of Gozan , I am of Fuller's Opinion , that the said River is the same which is since called by the Persians , Cyrus , a River of Media .

ยง . 6. Some of the Ancient Jewish Interpreters Of the River of Gozan . maintain that this River of Gozan was the Sabbatic River , the Source of which they pretend to be near Kalicut in the Indies , which , they say is very boisterous six days in the Week ; but during the Sabbath , very calm : But others look for it in Media .

ยง . 7. One Aaron Levi , alias Antonius Montezini Of the Opinion of Antonius Montezini . in his Treatise writ Anno 5404 , and dedicated to Manasseh Ben Israel , pretends to inform the World that in the West Indies he had found out a most prodigious Number of Jews , who being governed there by their own Laws to this day , were separated from the other Indians by a great River . But besides that , this Impostor sufficiently contradicts himself in his Relations , making his Fellow-Travellour sometimes a Christian , sometimes a Pagan , sometimes a Jew . Our late Voyages into those Parts have sufficiently detected this Imposture . Thus much is beyond all question , that in the time of (n) (n) L. 2. c. 5. Josephus , the Israelites did not inhabit America , but near the River Euphrates .

ยง . 8. Philippus Mornaeus , Leunclavius , Genebrardus , The Modern Tartars are not the Off-spring of the Ancient Jews . and Postellus in his Description of Syria , are of Opinion , that the Turks and Tartars owe their Offspring to the Jews , which they conjecture by the great Multitude of Jews living in Russia , Lithuania , and some other of the most Northern Parts of Europe ; and by some Words , as those of Dan , Zabulon and Naphthali , which they say are used to this day among the Tartars ; the Etymology of which they deduce from the Syriack Tongue , signifying as much as the Remainders ; and that of Turk as much as an Exile in the Hebrew Language : But this is contrary to the most Authentick History of those Parts , who deduce the Origin of the Tartars from the Scytes , the Posterity of Japhat , not of Shem. And concerning the Etymology of the Words they are egregiously mistaken ; and it seems very strange that Paulus Venetus who lived in the Court of the Great Tartar Cham , and other Travellers should not have been able to hear the least of the Danites , Naphthalites , &c. Of the Coloniโ— sent by the Assyrian to Samaria .

ยง . 9. Concerning those Colonies that were sent by the Kings of Assyria into Samaria , we read thus in the Holy (o) (o) 2 Reg. 17. v. 24. Scripture : And the King of Assyria brought Men from Babylon , and from Cuthah , and from Hava , and from Hamah , and from Sepharvaim , and placed them in the Cities of Samaria , instead of the Children of Israel ; and they possessed Samaria , and dwelt in the Cities thereof . Among all these the Chutaei were the most celebrated , according to the Testimony of (p) (p) L. 9. c. ult. Josephus ; Colonies , says he , were sent out of Persia , but especially from the Country bordering upon the River Cutah , who fixed their Habitations in Samaria , and the other Cities of Israel .

ยง . 10. The great and noble Asnaphar mentioned Of Asnaphar mentioned in the Scripture . in the Holy (q) (q) Ezr. 4. v. 10. Scripture , is by Reinerus Reineccius and others taken for the same with Shalmanassar , by others for Sennacherib ; But it appears sufficiently out of the second Verse of the same Chapter of Ezra , that this Asnaphar was no other than Assarhaddon .

CHAP. XX. Of the Epocha of NABUCHADONOSOR , who is in the Holy Scripture called Nebuchadnezzar . 1. The beginning of this Epocha is to be regulated in such a manner as not to be contradictory to the Holy Scripture , to the before-mentioned Catalogue of the Kings of Ptolemy , or the Authentick History of Berosus . 2. The 4th year of King Jehoiachim is coincident with the first year of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar (a) (a) Jer. 25. v. 1. . 3. It was in the 8th year of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar , that Jehoiachim , upon the Persuasion of Jeremiah the Prophet , did surrender himself to that King , who carried him to Babylon (b) (b) 2 Reg. 24. v. 12. . 4. The Destruction of the City of Jerusalem hapned in the 19th year of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar (c) (c) 2 Reg. โ—โ— v. 8 โ—er. 5โ— . v. 12. 29. . 5. The 37th year after the Captivity of Jehoiachim is coincident with the first year of the Reign of Evilmerodac (d) (d) 2 Reg. 25. v. 27. Jer. 52. v. 31. . 6. And the 127th year in the Nabonassarean Epocha . 7. In the same year hapned the Eclipse of the Sun , according to (e) (e) Lib. 5. Ptolemy , which is coincident with the 4093 d year of the Julian Period , 22 d of April . From whence it may be concluded , that the fiโ—st year of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar was coincident with the 4106th year of the Julian Period , Cyc . โ˜‰ . 12. โ˜ฝ . 2. 7. If therefore the 4105 years be subtracted from Any certain year given of the Jul. Period to find the beginning of this Epocha . any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of this Epocha ; and if the said 4105 years be added to the years of the Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. BEsides what the Sacred History furnishes Of the History โ—f the Chaldaean Kings . us withal concerning the Chaldaean Kings , Ptolemy , the Fragments of Berosus , in Josephus , Lib. 1. against Appian , and those of Megasthenes in (f) (f) Lib 9. c. 4. de praep. Evang. Eusebius , are such precious Monuments of Antiquity in relation to the Chaldaean Monarchy , as are not sufficiently to he valued .

ยง . 2. Johannes Annius an Italian Monk , seeing Of the supposititious Writโ—ngs publโ—shed by Annius . that the Books of Berosus , Megasthenes and Manethon were in great Esteem among the Learned , did endeavour to impose some fictitious Pieces under their Names upon the World ; to wit , his Commentary upon the five Books of Berosus , of the Antiquity of the World , Manethon's Supplement to Berosus , Megasthenes his Annals of Persia , &c. But his Imposture has been discover'd long ago , especially by the difference there appears betwixt his Chronological Computations , and those extant in the Fragments of Berosus and Megasthenes .

ยง . 3. The Etymology of Nebuchadnezzar some deduce from the Chaldaean NABO , which signifies Of the Etymology of Nebuchadnezzar . as much as an Idol ; in like manner , as of the Words Nebuzaradan , Nabonides , Nergal Sharezer , &c.

ยง . 4. Funccius , Moestlinus and Hainlinus are of Whether Nebuchadnezzar and Nabopolassar are the same . Opinion that Shalmanassar of whom Mention is made in the Holy Scripture , is the same with Nabonassar , mentioned by Ptolemy ; and that the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity ought to be fixed to the time of the Destruction of Jerusalem , and consequently to the 19th year of the Reign of Nabopolassar . But it is sufficiently apparent out of Berosus that Nabuchodonosor the Son of Nabopolassar carried the Jews into Captivity ; and that Nabuchodonosor is the same with Nebuchadnezzar .

ยง . 5. And there is an exact Harmony in the Of the time of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar . Computation of the years of Nebuchadnezzar , betwixt the Holy Scripture and the Fragments of Berosus ; to wit , of 43 years : For the first year of the Captivity of Jehoiachim was the eighth of (r) (r) 2 Reg. 24. v. 12. Nebuchadnezzar ; and the 37th of his Captivity was coincident with the first year of (s) (s) 2 Reg. 25. 27. Jer. 52. v. 35. Evilmerodach : From whence it is evident that the foregoing year being the 36th of the Captivity of Jehoiachim , was the 43d and last of Nebuchadnezzar .

ยง . 6. Besides there is a remarkable Difference in Of the difference of the Names of the Chaldaean Kings . the Names of these Kings betwixt the Sacred and prophane History . But it appears sufficiently out of the History of Danicl , that it was the Custom of the Chaldaeans to change their Names .

ยง . 7. There is no question that during the Of the Vacancy in the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar . Septennial Vacancy of the Throne under the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar when he was driven from among the Sons of Men (i) (i) Daniel 5. v. 21. , the Queen in Conjunction with the chief Men of the Kingdom , had the Supreme Administration of Affairs . Herodotus speaks much in Commendation of a certain Baylonian Queen , called Nitocris , which perhaps may have been the Queen Consort of Nebuchadnezzar .

ยง . 8. There is also some difference in the Annals Of the difference in the Annals of these Kings . of the Babylonian Kings ; for the same year which Daniel calls the third of Jehoiachim , is called by Jeremiah the fourth of Jehoiachim . And in the Ptolemaean Catalogue Nabopolassar has no more than 21 years assign'd him for his Reign ; whereas in the Fragments of Berosus his Reign is extended to 29 years . Unto which we answer , that First , sometimes the incompleat years are taken for the Compleat ones . Secondly , that sometimes two have reigned together at the same time ; And Thirdly , that the Historians have not always been careful alike in setting down the exact Number of years .

CHAP. XXI . Of the Epocha and Intervel of the 70 years of the Babylonian Captivity mentioned 2 Chron. 36. v. 20 , 21. Jer. 25. 11. c. 29. v. 10 , &c. 1. This Epocha or Interval ought to be limited according to the Testimony of the Holy Scripture , in the Chronicles , Jeremiah and Ezekiel . 2. The Beginning of this Epocha ought to be fixed to that time when the greatest part of the Jewish Nation , together with their King , were carried into Captivity , 3. When these were carried away Captives , to whom Jeremiah writ his Epistle , from the 1st Verse to the 11th of the 24th Chapter . 4. When those were carried away Captives , of whom many returned afterwards , ibid. (a) (a) Cap. 25. v. 5. . 5. When King Jehoiachim was carried into Captivity , to wit , in the 8th year of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar (b) (b) 2 Reg. 24. v. 12. . 6. It was the 9th year of the Captivity when the Babylonian King sate down before Jerusalem , which was likewise the 9th of the Reign of Zedekiah (c) (c) Jer. 39. v. 1. . 7. The first year of the Destruction of the Temple was the 12th of the Captivity (d) (d) Ezek. 33. v. 21. . 8. The 21st year of the Captivity was coincident with the 4th year of the Desolation of the Temple of Solomon (e) (e) Ezek. 40. v. 1. . 9. The 5th year of the Captivity seems to be made coincident with the 30th year of Nabopolassar by Ezekiel (f) (f) C. 1. v. 1 , 2. . 10. In the 70th and last year of the Captivity , Cyrus was Monarch , not only over Persia , but also over Babylon , and of almost all Asia ; so that he might well make use of these Words : The Lord God of Heaven hath given me all the Kingdoms of the Earth (g) (g) Ezr. 1. v. 2. .

From whence we conclude , that the first year of the Captivity hapned in the year 4113 of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 25. โ˜ฝ . 9. and that the said Interval ended in the year 4183 of the Julian Period .

If therefore 4113 or 4183 years be subtracted from any certain year of the Julian Period , the To investigate the Beginning and End of this Epocha . Residue shews the year since the Beginning or End of this Interval . And if the said Numbers be added to the years of the Beginning or End of this Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THere are some who begin this Epocha Of the differences concerning the true beginning of this Epocha . of the 70 years Captivity in the 13th year of Josiah , which they end with the first year of the Persian Epocha , or the Reign of Cyrus . They have been mis-led into this Error , because Jeremiah mentions the 13th year of Josiah ; from which time , they pretend , are to be computed 70 years to the beginning of the Persian Epocha . But it being evident , that in the 70th year after the 13th of Josiah , Cyrus ( tho' at that time King of Persia ) yet was not Sovereign of Babylon ; how could he without the Approbation of the King of Babylon , release the Jews from their Captivity ?

ยง . 2. Behmius , Dionysius Petavius , Robertus Bailius , Whether they began with the 3 d or 4th year of Jehoiachim . Vossius , Simson , Beroaldus , with their Followers , fix the Beginning of this Epocha in the 3d or 4th year of King Jehoiachim ; but it appears to me , that (h) (h) 1 Chron. 36. v. 6. Jehoiachim was never carried to Babylon as a Captive , but that during the eleven years of his Reign he only was tributary , or under the Subjection of (i) (i) Dan. 1. v. 1. Nebuchadnezzar (k) (k) 2 Reg. 24. v. 1. , who also made War upon his Son , because the Father had refused to obey his Commands : so that it was (l) (l) 2 Reg. 24. v. 12. Jehciachim , who , with the whole Royal Family , and many thousand other Jews , was carried into Captivity . There is but one Objection of some Moment against us ; which is , that if the Beginning of this Interval of 70 years be computed from the Captivity of Jehoiachim , the same will not exactly be correspondent in its Period with the Epocha of Cyrus ; but this Objection will be answered hereafter in its proper Place , when we shall treat of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus .

ยง . 3. Eusebius (m) (m) In Chron. Sulpitius Severus , Johannes Whether from the first Destruction of Jerusalem . Funccius and Hainlinus , begin this Epocha of 70 years from the time of the first Destruction of the City of Jerusalem ; but they have been sufficiently refuted by (n) (n) Man . Chronol. p. 107. Johannes . Behmius : Besides that , Funccius has founded this Hypothesis upon another no less erroneous than this ; to wit , that Nebuchadnezzar mentioned in Scripture , is the same with King Nabopolassar of Ptolemy .

ยง . 4. Those who maintain that the Beginning Of the pretended difference betwixt Jeremiah and Ezekiel . of the 70 years Captivity is to be fixed in the 4th year of Jehoiachim , pretend that the two Prophers Jeremiah and Ezekiel differ in their Computation , as to the Beginning of this Captivity to evince which , they have invented four several Transmigrations of the Jews ; But without entring upon a Dispute concerning the Reality of these several Captivities , they alledge it seems very improbable that Ezekiel who was cotemporary with Jeremiah , and writ his Prophefie after him , should have inserted a different Computation from the first , and have relinquished a certain establish'd Epocha to introduce a new one , which could not but involve their Prophesies in great Obscurity and Difficulties . The Character which Ezekiel fixes to his Epocha , when he calls it Our Captivity , puts the Matter beyond question .

ยง . 5. There is also some Dispute concerning the Of the Passage in Zechariah Concerning the 70 years . 70 years mentioned by Zechariah (o) (o) C. 1. v. 12. c. 7. v. 5. : The Words are as follows : O Lord of Hosts , how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem , and on the Cities of Judah , against which thou hast had indignation these 70 years : And , When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh Month , even these 70 years . And since (p) (p) C. 1. v. 1. 7. Zecharias lived at the time of Darius , and in the 2d year of his Reign had this Vision , and seems to fix the last Period of the 70 years Captivity to his time , some have from thence taken occasion to begin this Epocha from the total Destruction of the City of Jerusalem . But if we consult the original Text , it will be apparent , that the Prophet does not speak of the 70th year , but of 70 years which were past before the time of the Prophet Zechariah .

CHAP. XXII . Of the Epocha of the Destruction of the Temple of Solomon . 1. The Destruction of this Temple hapned in the 11th and last year of King Zedekiah (a) (a) 2. Reg. 25. v. 2. Jer. 34. v. 2. c โ–ช 52. v. โ— . . 2. And in the 11th of the Captivity of Jehoiachim , when Ezekiel was likewise carried away to Babylon , who in the next following , being the 12th of the Captivity , was informed of the Destruction of the City (b) (b) Ez. 33. v. 2โ— . . 3. And in the 19th , year of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar (c) (c) 2 Reg. 25. v 8. Jer. 32 v. 1. c. 52. v. 12. . 4. The year of the Destruction of the Temple was the last of the Interval of the 390 years of the Iniquity of the House of Israel ; so that the last year of this Interval is coincident with the Destruction of the Temple of Solomon (d) (d) Ez โ–ช 4. v. 5. . 5. In the same year the Jews made a Covenant to observe the Sabbatic Year , in proclaiming Liberty to their Men-Servants and Maid-Servants , according to God's Institution (e) (e) Dโ—ut 15. v. 13. Jer. 34. . 6. The year of the Destruction of the Temple โ—โ— coincident with the third year of the 57th Olympiad , according to (f) (f) Chron. lib. post . Eusebius . 7. By the unanimous Consent of the most authentic Historians and Chronologers , whose Computations are founded upon the true Connection of the before-enumerated Epocha's , and the Catalogue of the Kings of Judah , the Destructian of the Temple of Solomon hapned in the 428th year after it was begun to be built . 8. It hapned at the same time when VAPHRES whom Herodotus calls Apries , reigned in Egypt , according to Clemens Alexandrinus and Eusebius , whose Fall is described by Herodotus consonant to the Prediction of Jeremiah , who calls this King Pharaoh-hophra (g) (g) C. 44. v. 30. . 9. The Temple of Jerusalem was laid in Ashes betwixt the 9th and 10th day of the Month Ab , the fifth Month in the Ecclesiastical Year (h) (h) Jer. 52. v. 12. . 10. The first Destruction of the Temple hapned on the same day of the Month that the second Temple was burnt by the Roman Soldiers (i) (i) Jos. l. 7. c. 9. 10. .

From whence we conclude that the Destruction of the Temple of Solomon hapned in the year of the Julian Period 4124 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 8. โ˜ฝ . 1. on the 1st day of August โ–ช โ—n the 6th Feria .

If therefore 4123 years and 7 months be subtracted from any certain year of the Julian , the Residue shews the year since this Epocha . And if the Number of 4123 years and 7 months be added to the known year of this Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. AS it is evident out of Jeremiah , Chap. 34 , The Destruction of the Temple hapned in the Sabbatic Year . that the year of the Destruction of the Temple was a Sabbatic Year : So (k) (k) Aโ—nal . Sacr. Laurentius Codomannus , Michael Moestlinus , and Jacobus Hainlinus , make the same year a Jubilean Year : But their Hypothesis being founded upon the Manumission of Servants , which according to the Mosaic Law was not only performed in the Jubilean , but also in the Sabbatic Year , is not convincing enough to make us adhere to their Opinion : For it is expresly said in Deut. 15. 1. 12. And if thy Brother , โ— Hebrew Man or Hebrew Woman , be sold unto thee , and serve thee six years ; then in the seventh thou shalt let him go free from thee . See Behmius L. 1. Manud . Chron. p. 79.

ยง . 2. Concerning the Synchronism of the Of Vaphres the Egyptian King . Egyptian King VAPHRES , and the Destruction of Jerusalem , both Clemens Alexandrinus and Eusebius do agree : For the first makes the second year of this King coincident with the seventh year of the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar ; and the second makes the seventh year of the Reign of Vaphres coincident with the second year of the forty seventh Olympiad with the eleventh year of the Reign of Zedekiah , with the eighth of Astyages , and the eighteenth of Tarquinius Priscus ; besides that , the History of this King agrees exactly with the Prophesie of Jeremiah : (l) (l) Cap. 44. v. 30. Thus saiโ—โ— the Lord ; Behold I will give Pharaoh-hophra , King of Egypt , into the Hand of his Enemies , aโ—โ— into the Hand of them that seek his Life , &c. For according to (m) (m) Lib. 2. Herodotus , he was taken Prisoner by Amasis , who headed his rebellious Subjects , and was strangled by him .

CHAP. XXIII . Of the Persian Epocha of Cyrus . 1. Cyrus began his Reign in Persia , in the 35th year of the Reign of Astyages , according to Herodotus . 2. In the 29th or 30th year before his death , according to Herodotus and Ctesias . 3. In the first year of the 55th Olympiad , according to Diodorus , Thallus , Castor , Polybius , Phlegon , cited by (a) (a) Lib. 10 โ–ช de Praep Evang. Eusebius . 4. The seventh year of Cambyses , which was the 37th since the beginning of this Epocha , was the 225th of the Nabonassarean Epocha , at what time there was an Eclipse of the Moon , according to (b) (b) Lib. โ— . Ptolemy . 5. The 20th year of the Reign of Darius Hystalpes , being the 58th since the Beginning of the Reign of Cyrus in Persia , is coincident with the 246th year of the Nabonassarean Epocha , when there hapned another Eclipse of the Moon , according to Ptolemy . 6. The 31st year of the same Darius Hystaspes , or the 69th since the beginning of the Persian Epocha of Cyrus was the 257th year of the Nabonassarean Epocha , when , according to Ptolemy , there hapned another Eclipse of the Moon . 7. The ancient Persian Empire , to reckon from the first year of the Reign of Cyrus , did stand 728 years according to Agathias .

From these Characters we conclude , that the first year of the Reign of Cyrus was coincident with the 4155 year of the Julian Period , or at least , with the latter End of the 4154th year , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 10. โ˜ฝ . 13.

If therefore 4154 years be subtracted from any certain To investigate the year since the beginning of this Epocha . year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of the Persian Epocha of Cyrus . Or if 4154 years be added to the known year of the said Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. BEroaldus , with some others , is of Opinion , Of the Vncertainty of the ancient Persian History . that the ancient History of the Persian Empire is involved in so many fictitious Relations by the Greeks , that it is less difficult in our Eye to judge of the Truth of that History , than it was at the times of Herodotus , Josephus , Manetho , Megasthenes , or Ctesias , to whom we are beholding for the most ancient Monuments of Antiquity in the Persian History . Yet they seem to be too severe in their Judgment , it being beyond all question , that these , as well as many others of the ancient prophane Historians , have confirmed their Computations by undeniable Celestial Characters ; and therefore not to be absolutely rejected , by reason of the Mixture of some fabulous Relations .

ยง . 2. There is not any other Epocha which is Of the Certainty of the Beginning of this Epocha . so well established by the General Consent of all the ancient Historians in reference to the time of the Olympiad , than the Persian Epocha of Cyrus , who all agree , that Cyrus began his Reign in Persia at the time when the fifty five Olympiad Games were celebrated in Gracia .

ยง . 3. But concerning the time of his Reign , Of the Reign of Cyrus . and of his Death , there are various Opinions . Lucianus allots him a hundred years , and (c) (c) Lib. 1. de Diโ—in . Cicero threescore and ten ; of which he reign'd 30 years . But as this Epocha is founded upon the time of his Reign ; So it is sufficient for us to know , that according to Ctesias , Dionysius , Justin , Eusebius and Clemens Alexandrinus , Cyrus reigned in all 30 years . Herodotus speaks of 29 , and Sulpitius of 31 years .

ยง . 4. There is a remarkable Difference betwixt the Chronological Computations of Xenophon Concerning the different Opinions of Xenophon and Herodotus about Cyrus . and Herodotus concerning the Reign of Cyrus . For Xenophon makes Astyages the last but one among the Median Kings ; whereas Herodotus affirms him to have been the last . Xenophon relates that Astyages died in Peace when Cyrus was but very young , leaving the Kingdom to his Son Cyaxares ; but Herodotus says , that Cyrus conquered Astyages . Xenophon says , that the Father of Cyrus was one of the Princes of Persia , descended from Perseus ; and that he had all the Advantages of a most generous Education in his Father's and Grandfather's Court ; whereas Herodotus makes him the Son of one Cambyses of an ignoble Birth ; and that without the Knowledge of his Grandfather he was educated among the Shepherds . Xenophon allots no more than 11 years for the Reign of Cyrus ; but Herodotus 29. The first says he died upon his Bed ; the last , that he was slain in the War against Tomyris the Queen of the Massagetes . In answer to which we will alledge the Words of Cicero โ–ช Cyropoedia Xenophontis non ad fidem historicam , sea ad effigiem justi imperii atque optimi principis est conscripta .

ยง . 5. The Dispute is no less great among the Of the Succession of Cyrus and Daratron of the Persian Empire . Chronologers concerning the Succession and true Computation of the years of the Persian Monarchs in order to reconcile the Prophane History with the Sacred Writ . The Jews allow of no more than four Persian Kings mentioned in the Scripsures : Beroaldus and his Followers don't contract the Persian Monarchy into so narrow a Compass , allowing 130 years to this Empire , but cannot agree in the Chronological Computation , and what Character to allot to each of these Monarchs ; as may be seen out of the following Table , set down by Beroaldus .

Cyrus Major . 2. Assuerus Artaxerxes . 3. Darius Assyrius . 4. Artaxerxes Pius . 5. Xerxes the Terror of Greece . 6. Artaxerxes Longimanus . 7. Darius Nothus . 8. Artaxerxes Mnemon . 9. Ochus . 10. Arses , otherwise Arsanes . 11. Darius Codomannus , Brother of Arsanus , Son of Ochus .

But if we follow the Footsteps of the Ptolemean Catalogue , of Herodotus , Thucydides , Ctesiโ—โ— , Justin , Diodorus , Berosus , and many others , the following Table gives an exact Account of the Succession and Chronology of the Persian Kings :

Compleat Years . 1. Cyrus Major , 29 2. Cambyses cum Magis , 8 3. Darius Hydaspes , 34 4. Xerxes , 21 5. Artaxerxes Longimanus , 43 6. Darius Nothus , 19 7. Artaxerxes Mnemon . 43 8. Ochus , 23 9. Arses , 3 10. Darius Codomannus , 5 The Total Sum of the Years of the Persian Kings , 228

ยง . 6. The Character mentioned by (d) (d) In Vit. Alexand. Of thโ— last Period of the Persian Monarchy . Plutarch , in the last year of the Reign of Darius Codomannus , much strengthens our Opinion concerning the Duration of the Persian Empire : For he says , That at that very time when the last Battle was fought betwixt Darius and Alexander , there hapned an Eclipse of the Moon ; which , according to the true Astronomical Calculation , was in the 446th Olympian Year , or in the second year of the 112d Olympiad , on the twentieth day of September ; which evidently proves the Mistake of Beroaldus , who affirms , that the Death of Darius hapned in the first year of the 113th Olympiad . If therefore a true Balance be made betwixt the 217th Olympian Year , being the first of the 55th Olympiad , when Cyrus began to reign in Persia , and the 446th Olympian Year , it will demonstratively appear , that the Persian Empire , according to our Assertion , flourished about 228 or 229 years .

CHAP. XXIV . Of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus , and the End of the first Monarchy . 1. Cyrus put an End to the first Monarchy by the Conquest of Babylon , under the Reign of Darius Medus , who being called in prophane History Nabonnedus , succeeded Balthasar in the Babylonian Empire , according to Berosus , Herodotus , Ptolemy , and many others . 2. Cyrus marched with a vast Army out of Persia , and after having carried Fire and Sword thro' Asia , attack'd Babylon in the 17th year of Nabonnedus , according to Berosus . 3. From the first year of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus till the beginning of the Reign of Cambyses , according to the Celestial Characters mentioned by Ptolemy , are accounted 9 years . 4. From the beginning of the Nabonassarean Epocha till the time of Cyrus , are accounted by Ptolemy 209 years .

From these Characters it is concluded , that the first year of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus , mention'd in Prophane History was coincident with the 4176th year of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 4. โ˜ฝ . 15.

If therefore 4175 years be added to any certain year To find out the year since the Beginning of this Epocha . of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus , according to the Calculation of the Prophane Historians , the Product will shew the year of the Julian Period . And if the said 4175 years be subtracted from the known year of the Julian Period , the Residue will shew the year since the Beginning of this Epocha .

ยง . 1. THere are some who don 't allow of any Whether the Babylonian and Persian Epocha of Cyrus be the same difference betwixt the Persian and Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus ; but maintain , that in one and the same year he made himself Master of Persia , Media , Assyria and Babylon ; which being repugnant to all the best Monuments of Antiquity , it is a Wonder to me how some among the Learned could be misguided into this Opinion .

ยง . 2. There are some who affirm that Balthasar Whether Balthasar was the last King of Babylon . was the last King of Babylon , who was vanquished by Cyrus in Conjunction with Darius the King of the Medes ; being misguided by the Authority of (a) (a) Lib. 10. c. 12. Ant. Josepus , whose Words are as follows : Abilamerodach died in the 18th year of his Reign , and was succeeded by his Son Niglisar , who reigned 40 years . After his Death succeeded his Son Labosordach , who dying about 9 Months after , the Kingdom was devolved to Balthasar , whom the Babylonians call Naboandel . He was engaged in a bloody War against Cyrus King of Persia , and Darius King of Media ; and whilst he was besieg'd in Babylon , was surprised by a most prodigious Vision ; and not long after both Balthasar and the City fell into the Hands of Cyrus King of Persia , who took Babylon in the 17th year of the Reign of Balthasar , &c. But Josephus is mistaken in this Relation , as may appear out of the Fragments of the true Berosus inserted by (b) (b) Lib. 1. contra App. Josephus himself : For Labosordach mentioned by Josephus , is the same with Balthasar : Neither hapned the Conquest of Cyrus under his Reign : Neither did Darius the Median conquer the Kingdom of Babylon ; But , according to Berosus and Megasthenes , was declared King of the Babylonian Empire .

ยง . 3. It is also called in Question by some whether Darius the Median mentioned in the Scripture , Whether Darius Medus is the same with Nabonnidus , is the same with Nabonnidus , mentioned by Herodotus and other Historians ; because that Nabonnidus is called by Berosus , the Babylonian ; but Darius is surnamed in the Scripture the Median : But since Darius is mentioned in the Scripture as the immediate Successour of Belsazar ( who in prophane History is called Labosoradach ) and that the other Historians have made Nabonnidus ( or Laponytus as Herodotus calls him ) it seems more than probable that these two Names belong to one and the same Person , especially since Megasthenes says of the Babylonians . They declared Nabonnichus a Foreigner their King .

ยง . 4. Henricus Buntingus , with some others , Of the Opinion of Xenophon concerning Darius Medus . relying upon the Authority of Xenophon , would make this Darius Medus the same with Cyaxares , mentioned in prophane History . But concerning the Authority of Xenophon we have spoke sufficiently before .

ยง . 5. There are also many learned Authors , who being misled by Josephus , would have this Darius Medus was not the Son of Astyages . Darius to have been the Son and Successor of Astyages , and Uncle to Cyrus . But tho' Darius was originally of Media , (c) (c) Dโ—n. 9. ver. 1. yet he is not called King of Media , but of Chaldaea ; And Justin sufficiently contradicts this Opinion , when he says , Astyages had no Male Issue .

ยง . 6. According to Berosus , whose Fragments are inserted by Josephus , Cyrus , after he had vanquished Of the Conquest of Babylon . Darius , besieged the City of Babylon ; which being well provided with Provisions sufficient to sustain a long Siege , the Inhabitants bid Defiance to the Persians , who at last having found means to drain the River of Euphrates , ( which runs through the City ) by diverting its Course into the adjacent Marshes , surprised the City . Herodotus relates , that the Persians , the better to put their Design in Execution , had pitch'd upon a Day , which being one of the Festivals among the Babylonians , they were bufied in Dancing and other Jollities . The Prophet (d) (d) Cap. 44 v. 27. Isaiah seems to have foretold this Derivation of the River of Euphrates , when he says of Cyrus , That saith to the Deep , be dry ; and I will dry up thy Rivers : as the Conquest of Babylon , in the Absence of their King , was foretold by (e) (e) C. 51. v. 31. Jeremiah : One Post shall run to meet another , and one Messenger to meet another , to shew the King of Babylon that his City is taken at one End ; and that the Passages are stopโ— , and the Reeds they have burnt with Fire , and the Men of War are affrighted , &c.

ยง . 7. There is also a Contest among the Chronologers Whether Cyrus conquered Babylon before Croesus . whether Cyrus conquer'd the Babylonian Empire after he had vanquished Croesus , or before . Justin relates , that Croesus assisted the Babylonians against Cyrus ; who , after the Conquest of Babylon , marched into Lydia against Croesus , who was vanquished and taken Prisoner by him . But Herodotus says expresly that Cyrus vanquished Croesus before the Conquest of Babylon ; and Eusebius (f) (f) Chronic. and Julius Solinus Cap. 7. agree in Opinion , that the Conquest of Lydia hapned in the first year of the 58th Olympiad . (g) (g) C. 25. v. 26. Jeremiah seems to favour the last ; when after he had mentioned all the other Kings before , he says thus of the King of Babylon ; And the King of Sheshach shall drink after them .

ยง . 8. Some of the Chronologers make the first Of the first year of Cores mentโ—on'd in the Scriptures . year of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus coincident with the same year which is in the Scriptures called the First Year of Cores . They alledge in their behalf , that to reckon backwards from the fourth year of King Jehoiachim ( when according to the Opinion of some , the Flower of the Jewish Nation was carried into Captivity by Nebuchadnezzar ) to the first year of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus , compleats exactly the time of 70 years ; and that the Conquest of Babylon by Cyrus , and his Deliverance of the Jews out of their Captivity , is agreeable to the Prophecy of (h) (h) C. 25. v. 12. Jeremiah ; And it shall come to pass when 70 years are accomplished , that I will punish the King of Babylon and that Nation , saith the Lord , for their Iniquity , and the Land of the Chaldaeans ; and will make it perpetual Desolations . But I must needs give the Preference to the Opinion of Scaliger , who makes a difference betwixt these two Aera's . For it being evident out of (i) (i) C. 24. v. 1 , 2. c. 33. v. 21. c. 40. v. 1. Ezekiel and several other Passages alledged before of the Holy Scripture , that the End of the 70 years Captivity mentioned under the first year of Cores , must be accounted backwards to the time of Jehoiachim . This time is in no wise agreeable to the Calculation of Berosus's and Ptolemy's Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus . There is also another Objection to be made against this first year of the Babylonian Epocha ; to wit , that since , by the Consent of most Historians , Cyrus reigned 9 years after , it is very probable that the Jews would not have neglected in all this time to rebuild the Temple ; especially , since it is evident out of (k) (k) C. 2. v. 3. Ezra , that Cyrus never recalled the said Edict . For which Reason it appears more probable that the first year of Cores mentioned in the Scripture , was not long before his Death , it being else very difficult to imagine how Cambyses the Successour of Cyrus could have prevented the same Edict to be put in Execution . And here it is very observable , that in prophane History the year when Cyrus entred the Babylonian Empire and vanquished Darius , is expresly mentioned ; but the Conquest of the City of Babylon , which in all Probability , tโ—anscend a considerable time , is pass'd by in silence . From whence it is apparent , that the Prophane Historians fix the Beginning of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus to that time when he vanquished Darius : But it seems as if the Holy Scripture understood by the first year of Cores the same year when he made himself Master of the Capital City of Babylon , as it is with the Aera Actiaca ; which some begin from the Battle of Actium ; others from the Conquest of Alexandria . There is also another Observation to be made , That the Words in the Original Text do not expresly denote the First Year of Cores ; but rather One of the Years of Cores ; which , I wonder how it should slip the Observation of so many Interpreters .

CHAP. XXV . Of the Epocha of the Banishment of the Roman Kings , and the Establishment of the Consular Dignity .

The Characters of this Epo ha are 1. The Banishment of the Roman Kings , and the Establishment of the Liberty of the People of Rome . 2. The Establishment of the Consular Dignity in Rome . 3. The Interval of 244 years betwixt the Epocha of the Building of the City of Rome and this Epocha , as may be gathered from Livy , Messala , Corvinus , and several other Roman Historians . 4. The first Consulate of L. Junius Brutus and L. Tarquinius Brutus , the last of which enjoyed this Dignity but for a very little time , being obliged to abdicate himself from the Consulate by reason of his Name and Affinity with the Royal Family , and was succeeded by P. Valerius Poplicola . 5. The Kings were banished Rome at the same time that those of Athens were delivered from the Tyranny of the Pisistratides , according to Pliny , Lib. 34. c. 4. 6. The first Tarentin Games , after the Banishment of the Roman Kings were instituted by Valerius Poplicola , according to the Testimony of Valerius Antias in Censorinus , c. 17. 7. Pythagoras of Samus was in Italy at the same time when L. Brutus freed his Native Country from the Tyranny of the Roman Kings Cic. Tusc. 4. 8. Soon after the Banishment of the Roman Kings , the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus was dedicated by M. Horatius Pulvillus who was chosen Colleague to Poplicola after the Death of Brutus who was slain in the Field , according to (a) (a) Histor. l. 3. Tacitus and (b) (b) L 5. c. 1โ— . Valerius Maximus . 9. The 6th Day of the Calends of March , Tarquin the last of the Roman Kings was forced to leave the City , the Banishment of the Roman Kings being by the ancient Roman Historians fixed to that day .

These and innumerable other Characters shew the year of this Epocha to have been coincident with the year 4206 of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 6. โ˜ฝ . 7. in the Beginning of the Spring , which time we look upon as to be unquestionably in reference to the Banishment of the Roman Kings .

If therefore from any certain year given of the Julian Period be subtracted 4205 years and 2 Months , the Any year given of the Julian Period to find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . Residue shews the year since the Banishment of the Roman Kings ; And if the before-mentioned Sum be added to the year of the said Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THE ancient Historians make mention of these seven following Roman Kings :

Years . 1. Romulus , who reigned 37 A Vacancy of the Throne , which lasted 1 2. Numa Pompilius , who reigned 43 3. Tullus Hostilius , who reigned 27 4. Ancus Martius , who reigned 24 5. Tarquinius Priscus , who reigned 38 6. Servius Tullius , who reigned 44 7. Tarquinius Superbus , who reigned 25 The Sum 244

ยง . 2. The Occasion of the Banishment of the Roman Kings , and the Establishment of the Consular Government mentioned by Livy , Florus , Aurelius Victor , and other Roman Historians , is contracted by (c) (c) L. 2. de Fin. Cicero in these following Words ; Lucretia being ravished by the King's Son , laid violent Hands upon her self . The Grief conceived at so extraordinary an Action by the People of Rome , proved the real Cause of the Liberty of their City under the Conduct of Brutus .

ยง . 3. The Annual Government of the Roman Consuls being looked upon as so many Characters of Time , by the Ancients , have been very industrious in ordering the Catalogue of these Consuls ; but they all are fallen short from what has been done in this kind , since in the year 1547 the Publick Records called Tabulae Capitolins , were found at Rome , which ( as it is supposed ) were first collected by Verrius Flaccus Grammaticus , by Command of the Senate , and afterwards published under the Reign of Augustus , Cuspinianus , Carolus Sigonius , and Onuphrius Panvinius had the chief Management in restoring and ordering this Catalogue ; but notwithstanding all their Ingenuity and Industry , have not been able to supply the Defect of four Pair of Consuls that were wanting in these Records . I cannot but agree with Calvisius in this Point ; who attributes this Defect of these four Pair of Consuls , to the Irregularity of the Ancient Roman Calendar .

CHAP. XXVI . Of the Epocha of the first War betwixt the Greeks and Persians , or the time of the Battel fought near Marathon . 1. All the Ancient Authors who have made mention of this War , agree that the Persians and Greeks were first engaged in War after the burning of the City of Sardis , and the Banishment of the Pisistratides from Athens . 2. The Battel of Marathon was , according to Thucydides , fought in the 20th year after the Banishment of Hippias from Athens . 3. At which time Darius Hystaspes Father of Xerxes reigned over Persia , whose Generals were Datis and Attaphernes , Son to Attaphernes , Brother of Darius ; and the Athenians had chosen Miltiades their General ; as may be seen in Herodotus , Plutarch , Justin , Cornelius Nepos , and a great many others . 4. This Defeat of the Persians hapned in the fifth or sixth year before the Death of Darius : So that the Battel of Marathon was fought in the 31st year of the Reign of Darius Hystaspes , according to Herodotus . 5. In the same 31st year of Darius there hapned a notable Eclipse of the Moon , which Ptolemy observes to have been in the Night betwixt the third and fourth day of the month Tybis , in the year of the Julian Period 4223 , on the 25th of April , the 4th Feria . 6. The Athenians obtained this signal Victory when Phanippus was Archon ( or Prince ) of Athens , who was succeeded by Aristides , as may be seen in (e) (e) In Vit. Arist. Plutarch . After Phanippus ( says he ) under whose Government the Athenians vanquished the Persians near Marathon , Aristides was constituted Archon . 7. At the same time Macerinus and Augurinus were Consuls at Rome , according to Sulpitius Severus . 8. The Battel of Marathon was fought in the 16th year after the Death of Brutus , who freed his Native Country from the Kingly Government , according to Dionysius Halicarnassaeus . 9. Of this Expedition (f) (f) L. 3. de Leg. Plato , with whom agree (g) (g) Lib. 1. Thucydides and (h) (h) Orโ—t . 31. Lysias , has the following Words : About ten years before the Sea-Fight near Salamis , Datis came with the Persian Fleet into Graecia , by the Order of Darius , who had expresly commanded him under pain of Death to conquer and carry away Captives the Eretrians and Athenians . 10. The Athenians obtained this Victory over the Persians towards the End of the 260th year after the Building of the City of Rome , according to the Observations of (i) (i) Lib. 17. c. 21. A. Gellius and Sulpitius Severus . 11. The Battel of Marathon was fought either before , or just at the time of the Full Moon , as is evident out of what (k) (k) Lib. 6. Herodotus has observed concerning the Lacedaemonians , who at the Request of Phidippus , were to assist the Athenians . These are his Words : The Lacedaemonians were not unwilling to assist the Athenians against the Persians : but they were not at that time in a Condition to put it immediately in Execution , being forbidden by their Laws ; it and being the ninth Day of the Month ; on which day the Soldiers refused to march , as being just upon the Point of the Full Moon . 12. (l) (l) In Camill. Plutarch observes that the Battle of Marathon was fought on the 6th day of the Month Boรซdromion , and inserts a whole Catalogue of Days of the Month Boรซdromion , which prov'd fatal to the Persians . On the 6th day of the Month Boรซdromion ( says he ) the Persians were defeated by the Greeks at Marathon , on the 3d of the same Month near Plataeas , on the same day near Mychale , on the 26th at Arbelas . The Athenians vanquished the Persians at Sea near Naxus , under the Command of Chabrias their General , near the Full Moon of the Month of Boรซdromion , and near Salamis , on the 20th day of the same Month.

According to the several Observations and Testimonies of the Ancient Historians concerning this Signal Victory , we agree with Scaliger , that this Battle was fought in the year of the Julian Period 4223 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 23. โ˜ฝ . 5. towards Autumn , or about the time of the Full Moon in August , which hapned in that year , on the 21st day of the same Month , which Scaliger being misguided by the Athenian Years , has fixed on the 5th day of October .

If therefore from any certain given year of the Julian Any certain year given of the Julian Period to find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . Period be subtracted 4222 years and seven Months , the Residue shews the year since the Victory obtained at Marathon : Vnto which , if the above-mentioned Sum be added , the Product is correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THE War betwixt the Greeks and Persians The Occasion of the War betwixt the Persians and Greeks . was occasioned thus : The Ionians inhabiting the Sea-Coasts of Asia , had rebelled against Darius ; and being assisted by the Athenians , had burnt the City of Sardis ; which so incensed Darius , that he ordered one of those who attended him at Supper , to repeat every day thrice these Words , MY LORD , REMEMBER THE ATHENIANS . Another Cause was the Banishment of the Pisistratides by the Athenians , who also grossly abused the Ambassadors sent by Darius . Hippias , who was descended from the Family of the Pisistratides , and likewise banished Athens , was not idle in improving these Opportunities to his Advantage ; and to stir up Darius against the Athenians , which at last turned to his own Destruction , he being stain in the Battle of Marathon , as is evident out of (m) (m) L. 2. c. 9. Justin and (n) (n) Ad Attic. 9. Ep. 12. Cicero .

ยง . 2. Those who have left us the History of these Times affirm , that Darius sent a Fleet of The vast Army of Darius . 600 Ships into Greece under the Command of Datis a Median by Birth , and Artaphernes the Son of his Brother Artaphernes ; who , together with Hippias and an Army of 200000 ; or , as some will have it , 300000 Foot , and 10000 Horse , invaded Greece , but with very ill Success . Of which Herodotus , Justin , Probus , and others may be consulted .

ยง . 3. The Athenians , who saw themselves Of the Bravery of the Athenians . not in a Condition to oppose a proportionable Force to that of their Enemies ; yet did not lose Courage ; but having gathered what Forces they could , both of their own and amongst the Plataeans , who were the only People that assisted the Athenians ; they , with 10 or 11000 Men , courageously encountred the Persians ; which Heroick Action of the Athenians is very pathetically represented by (o) (o) Orat. 3โ— . Lysias the Athenian , and one of the ten Orators of Greece : Neither ought it to be pass'd by in Silence what is observed by (p) (p) Dissert. 14. Maximus Tyrius ; to wit , that the Athenian Forces were for the most part composed of Country Fellows , who , at the News of the Enemies landing at Marathon , flock'd in from the adjacent Countries to defend their Native Country against so powerful an Invasion .

ยง . 4. Sethus Calvisius is of Opinion that Plutarch Whether the Battle of Marathon was fought โ—โ— the 6th day of the Month Boรซdromion . was mistaken in his Relation , when he says that the Battle of Marathon was fought on the sixth day of the Month Boรซdromion : because , says he , this Battle hapned just at the N. Moon , but in the Athenian Years the F. Moon could not happen on the sixth day of the Month Boรซdromion . But this Objection being founded upon the Supposition of Scaliger concerning the Athenian Years , which has not met with an entire Approbation from those who are the most skilful in the Graecian Antiquities ; we cannot agree in this Point with Scaliger's Opinion , who assigns the Month of October for the Battle of Marathon . But it seems very improbable , that the Persians not used to the Rigour of the Winter Season , should have chosen the Month of October for so great an Expedition , before the Month of Boรซdromion , which is accounted among the Summer Months by the Athenians .

CHAP. XXVII . Of the Expedition or Descent of Xerxes into Greece , and the Epocha of the Battel of Salamis . 1. Xerxes the Son of Darius , to revenge the Disgrace received by his Father at Marathon , resolved to prosecute the War begun in his Father's time against Greece : For which purpose after vast Preparations made for five years together , he began his Expedition against Greece in the sixth year , according to (a) (a) Lib. 2. c. 10. Justin . 2. Xerxes , after he had conquered Egypt , of which he had made his Brother Achamenes Governour , invaded Greece at the Instigation of Mardonius , according to (b) (b) Lib. 7. Horodotus . 3. This Descent was made on the same year that Calliades was Archon at Athens , according to Herodotus , Dionysius Halicarnassaeus , and Diodorus Siculus . 4. It was made in the same year that the 75th Olympiad was celebrated among the Eleans , where Assylus of Syracusa won the Race , according to Diodorus Siculus . 5. It hapned in the year 297. after the first Olympiad , according to the Testimony of Eratosthenes in Clemens Alexandrinus . 6. Besides , that total Eclipse of the Sun which hapned in the same year that Xerxes began his Expedition against Greece , (c) (c) Herod . L. 7. and was observed by the Persians in the Spring , as they were ready to break up from Sardis : There hapned also another Eclipse of the Sun , which being observ'd by Cleombrotus as he was performing his Sacrifice , he returned with those Forces that were sent to post themselves in the Isthmus โ—โ— Sparta (d) (d) Her . Lib. 9. 7. The Battel of Salamis was fought ten years after that of Marathon , according to Plato , Thucydides , and Lysias . 8. The Defeat of the Persians near Salamis hapned in the same year that Caesus Fabius and Sp. Fโ—sius Furus were Consuls at Rome , according to Dionysius Halicarnassaeus (e) (e) Lib. 9. 9. The Battel of Salamis was fought about the time that the Greeks solemnized their Feast called Mysteria ; as may be gathered from (f) (f) Lib. 8. Herodotus . 10. The Day on which this Battle was fought โ–ช was the 20th day of the Month of Boรซdromion , as has been observed by Plutarch , cited in the foregoing Chapter .

From whence may be concluded , that the Battle of Salamis hapned in the year of the Julian Period 4234. Cycl . โ˜‰ 6. โ˜ฝ . 16. in Autumn ; and that Xerxes โ—โ—de his Descent in the Spring .

If therefore from any ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ given of the Julian To investigate the Tear since the beginning of this Epocha . Period be subtracted โ–ช 4233 years and eight Months , the Residue shโ—ws the year since the beginning of this Epocha : And if the said Sum be added to the year of this Epocha , ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THE Historians differ in their Relations Of the vast Number of the Forces transported by Xerxes into Greece . concerning the Number of Forces which Xerxes transported into Greece ; yet so , that according to the most modest Computation they allow them to have been 700000 at least ; whereas the most make them amount to an almost incredible Number . For Herodotus says the Persian Army consisted of 2310007 Foot and 80000 Horse , not comprehending the Servants and others that followed the Army . Justin says , Xerxes had brought together an Army of 700000 Men out of Persia , besides 300000 Auxiliaries ; so that it was not without Reason said from his Army , that they consumed and dreined whole Rivers , and that all Greece was not big enough to contain them . (g) (g) Vit. Themist . Probus makes his Army to consist of 700000 Foot and 40000 Horse ; and (h) (h) Orโ—t . 3โ— . Lysias represents the Number of the Persians transported into Greece by Xerxes as incredible . This Expedition therefore having been of such an extraordinary Moment , and the Defeat of so vast an Army proportionable to the Greatness of the Enterprize , what wonder if this was look'd upon as one of the most memorable Epocha's in the ancient times . The most memorable Engagements betwixt the Persians and Greeks .

ยง. 2 โ–ช The first Engagement after the Descent made by Xerxes in Greece , betwixt the Greeks and Persians , hapned at Thermopylae , where Leonidas the Spโ—cโ—โ—n General and King did encounter the whole Force of Asia ; and notwithstanding he was foretold by the Oracle that he should lose the Day , he animated his Soldiers in the following Words : Let us , Fellow-Soldiers , dine as if we were to sup together in the other World . Leonidas was slain in the Engagement by the Persidy of the Inhabitants of the Place , who had betrayed the Avenues and Passages to the Enemy ; but the Persians did not purchase this Victory without the Loss of 20000 Men on their side . The Tombs of the Lacedaemonians were adorned with the following Epigram of Simonides , as it is to be found in Latin in (k) (k) I. 9. Cicero .

Dic , hospes , Spartae , nos te hic vidisse jacentes , Dum sanctis patriae legibus obsequimur .

The next Encounter hapned near Artemisium , where both Parties having fought with almost equal Fortune , the Greeks , under Conduct of Themistocles , drew the Persians into the Streights of Salamis , where they were entirely routed . Notwithstanding which , the Greeks and Persians came to another Engagement in the next following year near Plateae , a City of Boeotia , where Mardonius at the Head of an Army of 200000 Foot and 20000 Horse , was slain in the Field , with a great Number of Persians , as may be seen more at large in (l) Herodotus , in (m) (m) L. 11. c. l. 9. Diodorus Siculus , in (n) (n) In Lacon . Strabo and Pausanias . On the same day hapned that memorable Sea-Fight betwixt the Greeks and Persians near Mycale , wherein the first were likewise victorious ; after which the Persians were so far from being able to recover their Loss , that they were forced in their Camp ; and afterwards Xerxes and his Successours lost all the strong Holds they were possessed of in those Parts .

ยง . 3. After which unfortunate Battel of Salamis , The Flight of Xerxes . Xerxes sought his own Safety in a most ignominious Flight , leaving so vast an Army without a Head : And he , who had covered the Sea not long before with his Fleet , now satisfied himself with a small Fisher-Boat ; which , after it had been for some time tossed up and down by the tempestuous Weather , at last conveyed him to the Asiatick Shoar ; where being despised by his Subjects , he was unfortunately murthered by Arbanus . ( i ) Tusc. quaest. L. 1.

ยง . 4. Scaliger is of Opinion that this Xerxes , Whether Xerxes is the same with Ahasuerus . who by his unfortunate Expedition into Greece , has given the Name to this Epocha , was the same with Ahasuerus , who is mentioned to have espoused Esther in the Holy Scripture . It must be confess'd that some Objections may be made against this Assertion : But thus much is certain on the other hand , that it is not destitute of a great Probability : For , not to insist upon the Affinity of the Word Oxyares ( which was the Name of Xerxes before he came to the Crown ) the great Character given of the Power of Ahasuerus is most suitable to Xerxes . For tho' the Persian Monarchs , both before and after the Reign of Xerxes , were Masters of many great Provinces , yet there is scarce any of them since Xerxes , who could boast that the Limits of his Empire extended from the Indies to Aethiopia ; and that none of the Predecessours of Xerxes could pretend to that Glory , seems to be manifest out of the Oration of Mardonius the General of Xerxes ; whose Words spoken to the Soldiery are thus related by Herodotus : It would be very unbecoming to us , who have conquer'd the Saca's , Indians , Aethiopians and Assyrians , out of no other Motive than the Desire of extending our Conquests , should let the Greeks , who have been the first Aggressors , go off unreveng'd . And if we inspect the Catalogue of the Persian Kings as mention'd by Esdra , and how congruous it is to our Opinion , I cannot but wonder how the same should have been so little regarded by those , who elsewhere appear so zealous in maintaining their Opinions out of the Scripture against the Chronologers . Those who would have Ahasuerus to be the same with Artaxerxes Longimanus , are very well censured by Christianus Adamus Ruperti : Such , says he , as make Artaxerxes Longimanus the Spouse of Esther , have not rightly compared the Holy Scripture with the ancient Monuments of Prophane History . Vnless we be , ( concludes he ) quite unacquainted with the Book of Esther and Esdra , we must confess that Ahasuerus was the same with Xerxes : For he is expresly put before Artaxerxes I. and Darius Nothus .

CHAP. XXVIII . Of the Epocha of the Peloponnesian WAR. 1. Thucydides (a) (a) Lib. 2. in his Commentary of this most famous War , lays down the Characters of this Epocha ; among which are two Eclipses of the Sun and one of the Moon : The first Eclipse of the Sun he makes coincident with the Summer of the same year when the Peloponnesian War began . Plutarch (b) (b) In vit. Pericl and Valerius Maximus make likewise mention of this Eclipse . 2. The 2 d Eclipse of the Sun Thucydides (c) (c) L. 4. makes coincident with the beginning of the 8th year of the Peloponnesian War . 3. The 3 d Eclipse being in the Moon , Thucidides (d) (d) L. 2. makes coincident with the 19th year of the Peloponnesian War (e) (e) L. 2. . 4 โ–ช According to the Testimony of the same Author , the Peloponnesian War began in the same year that Pythodorus was Archon at Athens , and Aenesias Ephorus of Sparta ; yet so , that the first , after two Months from the Beginning of this War was succeeded by Euthydemus , as the last was by Brasidas : So that the greatest part of their annual Government being coincident with the first year of this Epocha , its Origen is commonly deduced from the time of the Magistracy of these two last . 5. The first year of the 86th Olympiad when Lysimachus was Archon at Athens , and Isocrates was born , was the fifth year before the Peloponnesian War , according to Dionysius , Plutarch , and Laรซrtius . 6. The 18th year of the Peloponnesian War was coincident with the same Olympiad when Crocinus of Thessalia won the Race ; and when Eudius or Eudicus was Ephorus at Sparta , and Pythodorus Archon at Athens : And in the same year hapned the Eclipse of the Sun , which , by the Astronomical Calculation has been found to have been in the year of the Julian Period 4310 , on the third Day of September , according to (f) (f) L. 2 Rer. Graec. Xenophon . 7. The Peloponnesian War began with the Spring according to Thucydides , L. 2.

From these and other Characters too many to be inserted here , we conclude that the Peloponnesian War began in the year of the Julian Period 4283 , in the Spring , Cycle โ˜‰ . 27. โ˜ฝ . 8.

If therefore from any certain year of the Julian To find out the year since the Beginning of this Epocha . Period be subtracted 4282 years and 3 months , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of the Peloponnesian War : And if the same Sum be added to the said year of this Epocha , the Product must be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. IT is very well worth Observation what The Occasion of the Peloponnesian War . (g) (g) Bibl. l. 12. Diodorus Siculus and (h) (h) L. 3. c. 3. Valerius Maximus relate concerning the Occasion of this War . For Pericles a Man of great Authority among the Athenians , having converted a vast Sum of Money which was given by the Athenians to rebuild the Castle of Athens , to his own Use , and finding himself not in a Capacity to give an Account of it to his Fellow-Citizens , appeared one day very melancholy at home . Alcibiades being then but a Youth , perceiving him to be more than ordinary pensive , ask'd him what made him look so much concern'd ? Unto which Pericles answering , because he did not know how to make up his Accounts . Alcibiades reply'd , then you have nothing else to do , but to find out a way not to be accountable at all . Pericles taking the Hint , from that day found Means to persuade the Athenians to begin this War , imagining that thereby they would be prevented from calling him to an Account .

ยง . 2. And tho' this War be commonly called the Who were concerned on both sides in this War . Peloponnesian War , yet were not the Peloponnesians and Athenians alone concerned in it , but all Greece . On the side of the Peloponnesians were the Lacedaemonians , whose General was Archidamus , the Megarians , Locrians , Phocenses , Ambrecioti , Lucadians , the Boeotians , Corinthians , and Syconians . The Athenians had for their Confederates the Chii , Lesbii , the Plataeenses , Messenii , Caria , Acarnanes , Corcyrei , Jacynthii , Cyclades , besides those of Ionia , Hellespont and Thracia , who were Tributaries to the Athenians . See Pausanias * * In Lacon . How long the Peloponnesian Warโ—asted . .

ยง . 3. (i) (i) Ad Reb. Graec. Xenophon allots 28 years and 6 months for the Peloponnesian War ; but Dionysius Petavius has very well observed that Xenophon has made an Addition of one year , there being no more than 27 years and 6 months to be accounted from the Spring of the 4283d year of the Julian Period when this War begun , till the Autumn of the 4310th year of the Julian Period when it was ended , and was rendred remarkable by a notable Eclipse of the Suns : both the Beginning and the End of this War , being illustrious by two Eclipses of the same . In the 10th year of this War the Greeks , as Thucydides relates , made a Truce which was very ill observed .

ยง . 4. The annual Magistracy of the Archontes The Names of the Athenian Archontes , and Lacedemonian Ephori during this War . at Athens , and of the Lacedaemonian Ephori , having both their Beginning about the time of the Aestival Solstice , and the Names of the several Archontes and Ephori being look'd upon as so many Characters in the History of this War , we have for the more Perspicuity's sake , inserted their Names in the following Catalogue , each in his due Order , with an Addition of each year of the Julian Period โ–ช when these Archontes and Ephori began their Magistracy being about the time of the Summer Solstice .

Ann. Bell. Archontes . Ephori . An. Pe. Jul. I. Pythodorus , Aenesias . 4282 II. Euthydemus . Brasidas . 4283 III. Apollodorus . Isanor . 4284 IV. Epaminon . Sostratidas . 4285 V. Diotimus . Exarchus . 4286 VI. Euclides . Agesistratus . 4287 VII . Euthydemus . Angenidas . 4288 VIII . Stratocles . Onomacles . 4289 IX . Isarchus . Zeuxippus . 4290 X. Aminias . Pityas . 4291 XI . Alcaeus . Phstolas . 4292 XII . Aristion . Clinomach . 4293 XIII . Astyphilius . Ilarchus . 4294 XIV . Archias . Leon. 4295 XV. Antiphon . Chaeridas . 4296 XVI . Euphemus . Patesiades . 4297 XVII . Aristomnestus . Cleosthenes . 4298 XVIII . Chabrias . Lycarius . 4299 XIX . Pisander . Eperatus . 4300 XX. Cleocritus . Onomantius . 4301 XXI . Callias . Alexippidas . 4302 XXII . Glalicippus . Theopomp . 4303 XXIII . Glaucippus . Isias . 4304 XXIV . Diocles. Aracus . 4305 XXV . Euctemon . Evarchippus . 4306 XXVI . Antigenes . Pantacles . 4307 XXVII . Callias . Pityas . 4308 XXVIII . Alexias . Archytas . 4309 XXIX . Pythodorus . Eudicus . 4310

CHAP. XXIX . Of the Epocha and Interval of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel mentioned in the 9th Chapter , Verse 24. 1. By these 70 Weeks are to be understood annual Weeks , or an Interval of 490 years . 2. During this Interval of Years the Messias was born , and suffered Death , Vers . 24. 3. The beginning of this Epocha is to be fixed to that time when that solemn Edict of rebuilding the City of Jerusalem was made . 4. The End of these 70 annual Weeks ought to be coincident with the time of the total Destruction of that City , according to the Words in (a) (a) C. 9. v. Daniel , Seventy Weeks are determined upon thy People , and upon thy holy City ; and the Words of (b) (b) C. 24. v. 15. St. Matthew , When you shall see the Abomination of Desolation stand in the holy Place . 5. From the beginning of this Interval or Epocha , till the 32 d year of the Reign of Artaxerxes Mnemon , when Nehemiah returned โ—โ—t of Persia , ought to be accounted 7 annual Weeks โ—โ— 49 (c) (c) Nehem. 13. v. 6. Years , Dan. 9. v. 25. 6. Scaliger 's Opinion seems to be not improโ—โ—blโ— โ–ช that the first year of these 70 Annual โ—โ—eks was likewise the first both in the Sacred , Sabbโ—tic , and Jubilean Cycle : For the Angel calls theโ— expresly Annual Weeks , which are equivalent โ—โ— the Sabbatick Cycle , and all together make ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Interval of 490 Years , or 10 Jubilean Cycle โ–ช And what has been said of the first year of thโ— mystical Interval , may likewise be applied to ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ last Year .

From whence Scaliger and his Followers conclโ—โ—โ— that the first year of the 70 Weeks of Daniel ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ coincident with the 4292 d year of the Juliโ—โ— Period ; and that the last year was coinciโ—โ—โ—โ— with the 4782 d year of the same Julian โ—โ—riod .

If therefore 4292 years be subtracted from ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shโ—โ—โ— To investigate the year since the beginning of this Epocha . the year since the beginning of this Interval โ—โ— 70 Annual Weeks . And if the said Suโ—โ—โ— added to the year of this Epocha , or Interโ—โ—โ—โ— the Product will be correspondent to the year โ—โ— the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. NOT only the Jews look upon the Dโ—termination of the time mentioned ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Whether it be possible to find out the time determined by the 70 Weeks . Daniel in these 70 Weeks as impossible ; but ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ not a few among the Christians , consider ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ same as intangled in almost insurmountable Diโ—โ—โ—โ—culties . (d) (d) Homil. 39. Origen Adamantius in his Explicatโ—on upon these Words of Christ in St. Matthโ—โ— c. 24. When ye shall see the Abomination of Dโ—solation stand in the holy-Places , makes use of tโ—โ— following Expression : It belongs only to Daniel aโ—โ— ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Holy Men ( as were endowed with ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ ) to give the right Interpretation ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Words , and what is meant by the Abomiโ—โ—โ—โ—on of the Desolation . St. Austin was of the ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Opinion , and could never be prevailed upโ—โ— to determine any thing concerning these 70 โ—eeks โ–ช as may be seen out of his 80th Epistle ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Hesychius . In like manner , says St. ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ โ–ช I know that the Learned are divided in ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ Opinions about this Question , every one judging ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ to the best of his Vnderstanding . And ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ it is dangerous to give a positive Judgโ—โ—โ—โ— concerning the different Opinions of so ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Men in the Church , and to prefer ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ โ—โ—ntiments of some before the others , I will ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ โ—โ—โ—ented to rehearle only the several Opiniโ—โ—โ—โ—ving it to the Judgment of the Reader ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Footsteps he will be pleased to follow . ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ โ—โ—glish Interpreters of the Bible , especially ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ โ—ho have made their Animadversions upon ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Translation , follow S. Jerom's Example , re ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ โ—nly the Opinions of others , without de ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ any thing in the matter . The Dutch ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ what inclining to the Opinion of Bero ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ in their marginal Notes upon the Bi ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ the same Rule , as may be seen out of ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Words : Vnto what time the Be ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ End of these 490 years is to be fixed , ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Dispute : Some begin them with the ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ the Monarchy of Cyrus , and would ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ with the Death of Christ , which seems ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ plainest of all , according to Isaiah c. 44. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ and c. 45. v. 13. 2 Chron. c. 36. v. 22 , 23. ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ . v. 1. Others make the Beginning of ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ coincident with the 7th year of the Reign ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ Longimanus , and their End likewise ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ of Christ . Others begin from the ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ the Reign of Darius Nothus , and end with the Destruction of Jerusalem . All which we leave to the Determination of the Reader . But among all others , the Hypothesis of Reinoldus puts the Determination of this Prophecy beyond all Possibility , when , the better to palliate his erroneous Opinion , that these 490 years ought to begin from Cyrus and end with the Messias , he insinuates , that by these LXX Weeks there was not intended any certain determined time : but in a sense usual in the Scripture , a certain Number was set for an uncertain . It is undeniable that the Calculation founded upon this Prophecy concerning the 70 Weeks , is involved in no small Difficulties ; nevertheless , not such as are impossible to be surmounted . For else it had been spoken in vain by the Angel , KNOW THEREFORE AND VNDERSTAND , if it had been beyond all possibility of being comprehended by Mortal Men : And what Benefit could be supposed to accrue to Mankind from such Words as were altogether incomprehensible by Human Understanding . As it is beyond all Dispute , that the Event renders Prophecies more perspicuous ; so it is in this case , that since the time prefixed by the Angel is expired long ago , the Event it self has in a great measure illustrated the Words of this Prophecy ; so that we need not despair of its Interpretation . And since it is evident , that the Angel expresly mentions both the Beginning and End of these 70 Weeks , the Hypothesis of Reinoldus ought to be rejected , as directly opposite to the Words of the Holy Scripture .

ยง . 2. Among the Christian Interpreters , (f) (f) Hom โ–ช 29. in Matth. Concerning the Interval of 7 Weeks mentioned by the Angel . Origen understands by each of the Angelical Weeks seven times ten Years : So that the whole Number of these 70 Weeks makes up 4900 years . He fixes their beginning to the Creation of Adam , and their end to the Destruction of the second Temple . There are also some among the Jews who interpret these 70 Weeks of so many Jubilean Cycles , and conseโ—uently make up their whole Number 3430 years . But both these Opinions are so absurd and founded upon Suppositions contrary to the Phrase of the Scripture and the Nature of this Interval , that there are but very few who have espoused either of these Opinions : For two sorts of Weeks are only mentioned in the Scripture : The first is the Week consisting of seven Days ; on the last of which , to wit , the seventh Feria , the Jews were commanded to rest from their ordinary Employments in memory of the seventh day when God rested after the Creation of the Universe . And besides these Weeks consisting of 7 Days , we also find in the holy Scripture Annual Weeks , each of which are equivalent to 7 years . Of these Moses makes mention in (g) (g) Cap. 25. ver. 8. Levitieus ; And thou shalt number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee , seventy times seven years , and the space of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years . It is no very difficult Matter to determine which of these two sorts of Weeks is to be understood in this Prophecy ; it being evident , that since the Prediction of the Angel was made in respect of a thing that was to happen not till a considerable time after , these 70 Weeks , could not be understood of the Common Ones , but of Annual Weeks โ–ช For it is said , that in the Space of 7 Weeks the City was to be rebuilt ; which certainly could not be done in 49 Days or 7 Weeks time . And the Event it self ( the best Interpreter of Prophecies ) has convinc'd us , that the Edict of rebuilding the City , the Appearing of the Messias , and the total Destruction of the City did not happen till 490 years after , which was the exact time of 70 Weeks foretold by the Angel . From whence it plainly appears that the Weeks mentioned in Daniel were Annual Weeks , each of which contained the Space of 7 Years and the whole Interval of 70 Weeks 490 Years . Most of the Jewish Interpreters themselves are forced to agree in this Point with us , that the Angel intended by these 70 Weeks 490 Years ; tho' they differ from us , both in the Beginning and End of this Interval . (h) (h) Term. vit. hum . p. โ—68 . Menasseh Ben Israel says ex-expresly , The 70 Weeks of Daniel make up 490 Years . And to the same Purpose (i) (i) Comment. in Dan. Rab. Isaac Abarbinel expresses himself , as also Rabbi Joseph Jacchias , and Rabbi Aben Ezra , and many more .

ยง . 3. Julius Africanus who is supposed to have Whether these 490 years consisted of Lunar Years . been the first among the Christians that traced the Chronology of the holy Scripture . Eusebius ( according to the Opinion of Scaliger and Gerhardus Johannes Vossius ) having transcribed out of his Works entire Pages in his Chronology . This Africanus and after him Theodoretus , with several others , are of Opinion that these 490 years are to be understood of Lunar Years , which make 475 Solar Years . Dionysius Carthusianus , who ( according to Rob. Bellarminus flourished about the year of Christ 1450 ) affirms that this Opinion was received in the Scholastick History , and by those Doctors of the Church that profess themselves Followers of Beda . But these Interpreters have been misguided by the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ which , not only in the vulgar Translation , but also in the time of Tertullian , has been translated are abbreviated : For Tertullian in his Book written against the Jews in the Chapter of the Passion of Christ and the Destruction of Jerusalem , cites the Words of the Angel in the following manner : Seventy Weeks are abbreviated upon thy People , and upon thy Holy City , to finish the Transgression and to make an End of Sins , and to make Reconciliation for Iniquities , and to bring in everlasting Righteousness ; Which has misguided these Interpreters into this Error , That not the common Years , but such as are shorter than the rest , ought to be understood in this Prediction : In which Sence Carthusianus says : These Weeks are said to be shortened , not so as to be lessened in their Number , but in Quantity ; because the Lunar Year falls 11 Days shorter than the Solar Year . But these Interpreters have missed the true Meaning of the Original Text , which does not imply so much a Shortening , Lessening or Abbreviating , as the Determination of certain exact Intervals of time . So that it remains unquestionable that the Angel in this Prophecy did speak of the Solar Years , and at the same time exactly determined the Beginning and the End of this Interval . See Corn. ร  Lapide upon this Passage .

ยง . 4. That the Beginning of this Interval Whether the beginning of this Interval is to be fixed to the time of that solemn Edict of rebuilding the City . ought to be fixed to the time of that solemn Edict of rebuilding the holy City , appears most evidently from the Words of the Angel in (k) (k) Cap. 9. v. 25. Daniel , Know therefore and understand , that from the publishing of the Commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem , &c. according to the Translation of Junius and Tremellius ; or , from the going forth of the Commandment , as Pagninus and Luther have translated it . And that thereby was intended the rebuilding of a City , which was formerly destroyed , is evident from the Words and the whole Scope of the Prophetick Text , the Angel having spoken these Words as God's Answer to the Prayers of Daniel , which were as follows : Now therefore , O our God , hear the Prayer of thy Servant , and his Supplications , and cause thy Face to shine upon thy Sanctuary , that is desolate for the Lord's sake . I cannot therefore but be surprized to see some of the Fathers look for the Beginning of this Interval any where else than where is is fixed by the Angel ; especially what could move Origen to go back as far as Adam ; and , as we have said before , to make the Number of these Weeks amount to 4900 years . Thus (m) (m) Lib. contra Jud. Tertullian , with several others of the Ancients , and among the modern Writers Raymondus and Andreas Helvicus would deduce its Origin , not from the time of this solemn Edict or Commandment , but from that time when God foretold the rebuilding of the Temple and City by the Prophet . But the Jews make themselves most ridiculous in that , to invalidate the Arguments of the Christians , by which they prove from this Prophecy , that the Messias is already come , they pretend to put this fictitious Computation upon the World , that the Weeks of Daniel ought to begin with the Destruction of the first โ–ช and end with the Destruction of the second Temple : so that the 70 years of their Captivity , during which time the Temple remained desolate , is to be added to 410 years โ–ช which , they say , is the time the 2d Temple has stood ; as may be seen in their Chron. Major . in Rabbi Isaac Abarbinel , Rabbi Isaac Ben Abraham , and others of the same Stamp . This Opinion is contradictory to the express Words of the Angel ; That from the going forth of the Commandment to restore the City , these 70 Weeks are to be computed . Besides that , it is ( l ) Cap. 9. v. 17. absolutely false that there is an Interval of 490 years betwixt the Destruction of the first and the second Temple . For , as has been sufficiently demonstrated before (n) , the Destruction of the first Temple hapned in the Year of the Julian Period 4124 ; whereas the second Temple was laid in Ashes in the Year of the Julian Period 4783 ; so that the whole Interval amounts to no less than 659 years . It is also quite beyond the Purpose , when the Jews pretend to explain the Words of the Angel concerning the Messiah , of King Cyrus : For tho' we read in (o) (o) C. 45. v. 1. Isaiah , Thus said the Lord to his Anointed , to Cyrus , no Infetence is to be made from thence , that the Word Messiah , either by it self , or with such Attributes as occur in this Passage of Daniel , are ever applied in the Scripture to any Earthly Prince . See D. Mulleri Judaism c. 10. and Constantini L'Empereur , Annotat. ad Jachiโ—d .

ยง . 5. We read of four several Edicts concerning Four several Edicts concerning the Rebuilding of the City occur in the Scripture . the Restauration of the Jews and the Rebuilding of the Temple and City in the Holy Scripture . The first we meet with , is in (p) (p) C. 1. v. 1. Ezra . In the first Year of Cyrus King of Persia ( that the Word of the Lord by the Mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled ) the Lord stirred up the Spirit of Cyrus King of Persia , that he made a Proclamation throughout all his Kingdom , and put it also in Writing ; saying , Thus said Cyrus King of Persia , The Lord God of Heaven hath given me all the Kingdoms of the Earth , and he hath charged me to build him an House at Jerusalem , which is in Judah . Who is there among you of all his People ? His God be with him , and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah , and build the House of the Lord God of Israel , ( he is the God which ( m ) Ch. 22. is in Jerusalem , &c. The same Words we read also in the (q) (q) C. 6. โ— . โ—2 . 2โ— . Chronicles , pursuant to the Prophecy of (r) (r) C. โ—โ— . Isaiah . The second Mandate or Edict concerning this Restitution is describ'd likewise by (s) (s) C โ–ช 6. v. โ—โ— . 11. 12. Ezra , which being sent by Darius in the same year that the Prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophesie to the Governours beyond the River , contains the following Words : Let the Work of this House of God alone : Let the Governour of the Jews , and the Elders of the Jews build this House of God in his Place . &c. Also , I have made a Decree , that whosoever shall alter this Word , let Timber be pulled down from his House , and being set up , let him be hanged thereon , and let his House be made a Dunghil for this ; And the God that hath caused his Name to dwel there , destroy all Kings and People that shall put to their Hand to alter and to destroy this House of God which is at Jerusalem . I Darius have made a Decree ; let it be done with speed . And the Prophecies of Hโ—ggai and Zachariah cited by Ezra , mention expresly the second Year of Darius , and the Month. for thus we read in Haggai , Chap. 1. v. 1. & seq . In the second Year of Darius the King , in the sixth Month , in the first Day of the Month , โ—โ—me the Word of the Lord by Haggai the Prophet unto Zetubbabel the Son of Shealtiel , Governour of Judah , and to Joshua the Son of Josedech the High Priest , saying , thus saith the Lโ—rd of Hosts , &c. Go up to the Mountain and bring Wood , and build the House , and I will take Pleasure in it , and I will be glorified , said the Lord , The same Mandate is repeated by (t) (t) C. 1. v 1. Zโ—chariah in the eighth Month of the same second Year of Darius ; when , pursuant to God's Commandment , and the Decree of the Persian King , the Work was happily brought to Perfection , according to the Words of Ezra (u) (u) C. โ— . v. 15 , 16. . And this House was finished on the third Day of the Month Adar , which was in the sixth year of the Reign of Darius the King : And the Children of Israel , the Priests , and the Levites , and the rest of the Children of the Captivity , kept the Dedication of this House with Joy . The third Edict is likewise described by (x) (x) C. 7. v. โ— . sโ—qโ— . Ezra . This Ezra went up from Babylon ; and the King granted him all his Request , according to the Hand of the Lord his God upon him . And there went up some of the Children of Israel , and of the Priests , and the Levites , and the Singers , and the Porters , and the Nethinims , unto Jerusalem in the 7th year of Artaxerxes the King . And he came to Jerusalem in the 5th Month , which was in the 7th Year of the King . This Decree of King Artaxerxes granโ—s full Liberty to the Jews to return to Jerusalem , and exempts all the Priests , Levites and other Ministers of the House of God from Toll , Tribute or Custom . The fourth Edict concerned particularly Nehemiah (y) (y) Ezr. โ— . v. 13. 24. , who in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes got leave to go to Jerusalem with the King's Letter to the Governours beyond the River , and unto Asaph the Keeper of the King's Forests , that he should give the Jews Timber to make Beams for the Gates โ—f the Palace , which appeโ—tโ—ineth to the House , and for the Wall of the City , and for the House he was to enter into , as may be seen more at large in Nehemiah , Chap. 2. from the 1st to the 9th Verse . And these are the four several Mandates concerning the Restauration of the Jews , and the Rebuilding of the Temple and City ; unto one of which , the Beginning of these 70 Weeks mโ—st be fixed . For the better understanding of the different Opinions of the Chronologers concerning the Time and Reigns of these Kings , unto whom the said Mandates are ascribed , we have given you in the following Table a Catalogue of the Persian Kings , according to the Computation of Ptolemy , the Manuscript of which was first found at London in England ; and from thence sent over into Germany by Mr. Overall . We have added the years of the Julian Period , and all those Passages in the holy Scripture , where mention is made ( according to our Opinion ) of these Kings :

An.Reg.In.Per.Jul. Cyrus , 9 4176 Ezr. c. 1. v. 1. Cambyses , 8 4185 Dan. c. 11. v. 2. Magus & Darius Hystaspis , 36 4193 Dan. c. 11. v. 2. Xerxes I. 21 4229 Dan. c. 11. v. 2. Ezr. c. 4. v. 6. Est . c. 1. v. 1. Artaxerxes I. iโ— . Longimanus , 41 4250 Ezr. c. 4. v. 7. Darius II. five Nothus , 19 4291 Ez. c. 4. v. 24. c. 6. v. 12. Hag. c. 1. v. 1. Zec. c. 1. v. 1. Artaxerxes II. or Mnemon 46 4310 Ezr. c. 7. v. 1. 12. Neh. c. 2. v. 1. Ochus , 21 4356 Arostus , or Arses , 2 4377 Darius III. or Codomannus 4 4379 Neh. c. 12. v. 22.

ยง . 6. There are not a few both among the Ancient Whether the Beginning of this Epocha ought to be fixed to the time of the Solution of the Babylonian Captivity . and Modern โ—nterpreters , who would have this Epocha of the 70 Weeks begin from the time of the Edict of Cyrus , of which mention is made by (z) (z) C 1. v. 1. sequ . Ezra , and in the (a) (a) 2 Chr. c. 3โ— . v. 23. Chronicles . Among the Ancients , Clement of Alexandria patronizes this Opinion before all others ; and of the Modern Authors , David Paraeus , Constantine L'Empereur , and (b) (b) Chr Sacr. p. 183. Johannes Wichmannus , especially (c) (c) Chr. l. 3. c. 7. Matthaeus Beroaldus and Beroaldus Broughton an Englishman ; unto which Opinion also the Dutch Interpreters seem to incline , as appears out of their Original Annotations heretofore mentioned , but without any Probability of Truth . For first , the Prophecy mentions such a Decree as was to be put in Execution โ–ช from the very beginning of these 70 Weeks ; And it is evident that the Mandate of Cyrus did not take immediately the intended Effect , as may be seen in (d) (d) C. 4. v 4. 5. Ezra , when he says , The People of the Land weakened the Hands of the People of Judah , and troubled them in building , and hired Councellours against them to frustrate their Purpose all the Days of Cyrus King of Persia , even unto the Reign of Danius , King of Persia . It was 2dly , foretold by the Angel , that the Streets and the Walls of the City were to be built again in the space of the 7 first Weeks , which , it is evident , was not accomplished in 49 years after the Edict of Cyrus ; for thโ— we should allow never so many years to the Reign of Cyrus after the Solution of the Babylonian Captivity , it will nevertheless be impossible to make the Time when Nehemiah finish'd the Walls in the 32d year of the Reign of Artaxerxes fall within the Compass of seven Annual Weeks , or 49 Years . See Nehemiah c. 13. v. 6. 3dly , The whole Structure of Beroaldus's Artificial Hypothesis is built upon a very weak Foundation ; to wit , that the End of these 70 Weeks is to be compleated with the Death of Christ , contrary to the Intention of the Angel ; when he says of this Interval , Seventy Weeks are determined upon thy People , and upon thy Holy City . 4thly , Unless we will positively contradict all the Persian , Greek and Roman Annals , it is impossible to reduce the Interval from Cyrus till the Passion of Christ to 490 years . For , supposing with Beroaldus , that Christ suffered in the 33d year of his Age , in the 4th year of the 202d Olympiad , in the year 784 from the Building of the City of Rome , in the 18th year of the Reign of Tiberius , in the year of the World 3961. Supposing , I say , that according to the Synchronisms of Beroaldus , Christ suffered in the year of the Julian Period 4745 , the Beginning of these 70 Weeks , and ( according to the Hypothesis of Beroaldus ) the Solution of the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews must be coincident with the year of the Julian Period 4255 , when Cyrus was dead , long before the Interval from the Beginning of the Babylonian Epocha of Cyrus till the 18th year of the Reign of the Emperour Tiberius , comprehending no less than 569 years , as most evidently appears out of the following Table :

According to the Computation of Ptolemy, strengthened by innumerable Chronological Characters it appears that , Years . Cyrus reigned 9 Cambyses reigned 8 Darius I. reigned 36 Xerxes reigned 21 Artaxerxes I. reigned 41 Darius II. reigned 19 Artaxerxes II. reigned 4โ— Ochus reigned 21 Arostus reigned 2 Darius III. reigned 4 Alexander the Great reigned 8 Philippus Aridaeus reigned 7 Alexander reigned 12 Ptolemaeus Lagus reigned 20 Ptolemaeus Phiโ—adelphus reigned 38 Evergeโ—es reigned 25 Philopater reigned โ—7 Epiphanus reigned 24 Philomater reigned 35 Evergeโ—es II. reigned 29 Soter reigned 36 Dionysius reigned 29 Cleopatra reigned 22 Augustus reigned 43 Tiberius reigned 17 Sum 569

ยง . 7. Those who pretend to fix the Beginning Some reject the Authority of the ancient Hโ—storians concerning the Persian Monarchs . of these 70 Annual Weeks to the first year of Cyrus , and their End to the time of the Passion of Christ , make use of this Method , that they reject the Authority of all the most ancient prophane History , and allow of no other Persian Kings but what are mentioned in the Sacred History of these Times . (e) (e) ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . 3. cap. 8. Beroaldus says thus : Both out Modern and Ancient Prophane Historians are ignorant of the time of the Persian Monarchy , or how many Kings swayed the Sceptre over that vast Empire , as is very evident from their various and dubious Relations . But we that are informed by the Holy Scripture concerning the first Persian Monarchs , and know the rest out of the Ancient Monuments of Prophane History are in a better Capacity to give a solid Judgment of these Times than ever could be expected from Herodotus , Josephus , Manctho , Metasthenes , or Ctesias , upon whose Authority the most rely upon in the History of these Times . And there are others also who are more rigorous in their Judgment , in not allowing the Ancient Monuments of Prophane History the least Certainty as to this Point , and denying every thing that is not expresly mention'd concerning these Monarchs in the Sacred History . We don 't in the least blame these Authors for extolling and maintaining the Authority of the Sacred History , but judge it more safe to keep the middle Way : For , it would be of very ill Consequence under the specious Pretence of a pious Intention to reject such things as have been received by the joint Consent of most Historians and Chronologers , and to call in question the whole Histories of those Historians who lived next to these times , to wit , Herodotus , Thucydides , Xenophon , Ctesias , Cnidius , ( whose Monuments are transmitted to Posterity , and remaining to this day or Theopompus , Ephorus , Timโ—us , Callisthenes ( whose Works are lost , but the ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ of them to be found in (f) (f) Biblioth. Diodorus Siculus . ) Besides that , the Reigns of these ancient Persian Monarchs are rendred illustrious to Posterity by many Celestial Characters , as may beseen in (g) (g) Almagest . l. 5. c. 14. Ptolemy . As to what relates to that Argument , that no other of the Persian Monarchs are to be allow'd of , but such as are mentioned in the Scripture . (h) (h) Chron. l. 2. p. 58. Vbbo Emmius has very well answered Hugo Broughton ( who patronizes the same Opinion ) in the following Words โ–ช To prove their Hypothesis , they alledge , that only these Kings are named by Ezra and Nehemiah , and therefore the rest mention'd in Pโ—ophanโ— History ought to be considered as supposititious . If this way of arguing be allowable . I see no Reason why it may not be said with the same Right : The Books of the Kings and the Chronicles mention only five Assyrian Kings , to wit , Phul , Theglaphalaโ—sar , Sโ—โ—โ—anassar ; Sennacherib , Asar-Hโ—โ—don ( for Meroโ—โ—โ— , Nabuchodonโ—sor โ–ช Balshazar , and Evilmerodach were Chaldaeโ—โ—s , not Assyrians ) therefore no other Kings have ruled over Assyria . And thus we might proceed to the Kings of Syria and Egypt . Can any thing be more weak or more vain ? For what is more evident than that in the History of one particular Nation no further mention used to be made of the Kings of the Neighbouring Nations than is requisite for the explaining or perfecting their Relations ; and that a whole Catalogue or Series of the Kings of any Nation is not to be look'd for ; but in the particular History of that Nation the Author intends to treat of . Of which , to say more would be superfluous , &c.

ยง . 8. One of the main Questions , and the most difficult to be resolved belonging to this Point , It was Darius Nothus whose Edict is mentioned Ez c. 6. is , which of the three Darius's is to be understood by that Darius mentioned by Haggai , Zechariah and Ezra . It is well known that the first Darius is commonly sirnam'd Hystaspis , the second Nothus , and the third Codomannus . Concerning the last , it is put beyond all Dispute by the Consent of all the Chronologers , that he had not the least Share in this Decree or Edict ; but about the two first , the most learned Interpreters are very different in their Opinions . (i) (i) Ant. Lib. 9. cap. โ— . Josephus refers this Edict to Darius Hydaspis , of whom he relates , that being put in mind by Zorobabel of his Promise ( before he was King ) of rebuilding the City and Temple of Jerusalem , and to restore all the Vessels and Utensils carried away by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon , he joyfully granted his Request , commanding his Governours to conduct him and his Followers safely to Jerusalem to perfect the Structure of the Temple , and ordering those of Phoenicia and Syria to furnish them with Cedars from Mount Libanon . But tho' Bishop Vsher stands up in defence of the Opinion of Josephus , yet his Relation renders the whole very dubious : For he describes this Edict as an Effect of the Marriage betwixt Darius Hydaspis and Esther , which , how much contrary it is to Truth , we have spoke of sufficiently before ; not to mention the unpardonable Mistake of Josephus , when he makes those who went with Nehemiah to Jerusalem to amount to many Millions . On the other hand , there are very strong Motives which induce us to believe , that the Edict of the Rebuilding of the Temple was made by Darius Nothus in the second year of his Reign . For , First , it must be understood of the Reign of the same Darius , when the Jews lived in Cieled Houses , and the Temple laid waste , which was the Reason they were afflicted with a general Scarcity (k) (k) Hagg. 1. v. 4. c. 2. v. 16. Now , there being but 12 years betwixt the Edict of Cyrus and the second year of the Reign of Darius Hydaspis , it seems very improbable that in so short a time , especially under the Reign of Cambyses , the Jews should have built themselves Ceiled Houses , and have quite laid aside that Zeal they had so lately shewn in contributing cheerfully towards the Rebuilding of the Temple (l) (l) โ—zr . 2. v. 68. seq. . Secondly , it is to be understood of the Reign of the same Darius , under whose auspicious Reign the Jews , after they had endured a great deal of Misery , began to enjoy the Benefit of a more peaceable State , pursuant to the Words of God in (m) (m) C. 8. v. 11. seq. Hag. 2. v. 9. Zechariah : But now I will not be unto the Residue of this People as in the former days , saith the Lord of Hosts : For the Seed shall be more prosperous , the Vine shall give her Fruit , and the Ground shall give her Encrease , and the Heavens shall give their Dew , and I will cause the Remnant of this People to possess all these things ; and it shall come to pass , that as ye were a Curse among the Heathen and House of Judah and House of Israel , so will I save you and ye shall be a Blessing : Fear not ; but let your Hands be strong . For thus saith the Lord of Hosts ; As I thought to punish you when your Fathers provoked me to Wrath , saith the Lord of Hosts , and I repented not : so again have I thought in these Days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the House of Judah : Fear ye not . But who is so little versed in the History of the Jewish Nation , as to be ignorant of the many and various Calamities the Jews groaned under after the Reign of Darius Hydaspis . Thirdly , the above-cited Passages are to be understood of the same Darius who lived and reigned many years after the Solution of the Babylonian Captivity , it being evident out of (n) (n) Cap. 5. v. 6. Ezra , that the Persian Nobles had not the least Remembrance of the Edict published in behalf of the Jews by Cyrus : For which Reason it was that they were obliged to search the Royal Records . But this appears in no wise agreeable to the Reign of Dar. Hydaspis , there being but a few years betwixt the beginning of the Reign of Cyrus , and that of this Darius , who , it is probable , was one of the chief Persian Lords under Cyrus . But this being applied to the Reign of Darius II. sirnamed Nothus , there remains not the least Difficulty , there being betwixt Cyrus and Darius Nothus above a hundred years . For the Confirmation of which , I cannot but alledge here the Words of (o) (o) Hisโ— . Univ p. โ—58 . Rupertus , formerly Professor in the University of Altorf : If it was Darius Hydaspis that granted Leave to the Jews to rebuild the Temple ; how is it possible that the Edict of Cyrus ( concerning the Restauration of the Jews ) could be so entirely forgotten ? For Darius Hydaspis was one of the principal Persian Lords under Cyrus ; and yet this same Darius is obliged to have Recourse to the Records . Nehemiah was forced to inspect the Genealogies of those that returned with Zorobabel , when at the time of Darius Hydaspis there were living such among them as were able to give an Account of their own Descent . What can be more absurd ? When we therefore read of Darius , that he ordered the Records to be searched ; and of Nehemiah , that he was obliged to inspect the Genealogies ; we may rationally conclude with Scaliger , that the Edict of Cyrus was not a thing of a late Date , at that time when Darius was petitioned about the Rebuilding of the Temple ; and that consequently it could not be Darius Hydaspis who was coetaneous with Cyrus , but Darius Nothus , who granted Liberty to the Jews to rebuild their Temple . Fourthly , The Words in Haggai and Zechariah are to be understood of the same Darius who was , at least , the third after Cyrus ; it being evident from the following words of (p) (p) Cap. 4. ver. 5 , 6 , 7. Ezra , that Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes reigned betwixt Cyrus and this Darius ; and that under both their Reigns the Building of the Temple was obstructed . These are his Words : And the People of the Land hired Counsellours against the People of Judah , to frustrate their Purpose all the Days of Cyrus King of Persia , even unto the Reign of Darius King of Persia : And in the Reign of Ahasuerus , in the Beginning of his Reign wrote they unto him an Accusation against the Inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem : And in the Days of Artaxerxes writ Bishlam , Mithridat , Tabeel , and the rest of their Companions , unto Artaxerxes King of Persia . and the Writing of the Letter was written in the Syrian Tongue , and interpreted in the Syrian Tongue . And in the 17th and following Verses of the same Chapter may be read the Answer of Artaxerxes , forbidding the Rebuilding of the Temple . But betwixt Cyrus and Darius Hydaspis there reigned but one lawful King , which was Cambyses ; wherefore the Words of Ezra , both in this Passage and in the 6th Chapter , v. 1. 15. cannot be understood from the Son of Hydaspis : Whereas on the other Hand Darius Nothus having reigned betwixt the two Artaxerxes's , to wit , Artaxerxes Longimanus , and Artaxerxes Mnemon , all the Circumstances of the Holy Text concur for his Reign . Notwithstanding the unquestionable Perspicuiry of this Argument , Dionysius Petavius has found out another Objection against Scaliger , which has been embrac'd and promoted by some of his Followers . Among the rest , a certain Modern (q) (q) Author Periโ—โ—li ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Author has the following Words : This Cambyses , this Smerdes , the Son of Cyrus either true or supposititious , we believe to have been the same with Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes , mention'd in the Scripture ; as appears out of the Words of (r) (r) C. 2. v. 2. Daniel , where it is said , That after Cyrus , till the time of Artaxerxes , there reigned three Kings over Persia ; which would not be agreeable to the Catalogue of the Persian Kings , if Smerdes were not numbred among them . The Objection that there is to the Congruity both in the Letters and Syllables betwixt Artaxerxes and Cambyses , and Ahasuerus and Smerdes , is of little Moment : For Cambyses and Smerdes were their Names when they lived yet in a private Condition , โ—or were perhaps their Sirnames , which afterwards , when they attained the Royal Dignity , were changed and transmuted into those of Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes . So according to (s) (s) L. 11. c. 6. Ant. Josephus , the Son of Xerxes was by his Father called Cyrus , by the Greeks Artaxerxes , and in the Scripture Ahasuerus ; and if we may rely upon the Testimony of Seder Otam (t) (t) C. 30. Rabba , the Persians called all their Kings Artaxerxes . Thus fat those who would have Darius , mentioned in โ— Ezra and by the other Prophets , to have been the Son of Hydaspis , which is in no wise agreeable to the true Computation of the History of these Times . And to make Artaxerxes the same with Cambyses , and Ahasuerus the same with Smerdes , is an unaccountable Way of arguing . It is undeniable , that among the Persian Kings there was a Supposititious or Pseudo-Smerdes ; but that he should be the same Ahasuerus mentioned in Scripture , is not alone very improbable , but absolutely contradictory to Truth , it being manifest out of Herodote , that this Magus did reign only a few Months ; which time he bestowed in settling himself in the Throne which he had usurped , not in oppressing the Jews . And what is related of Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther , has very little or no Relation to the Pseudo-Smerdes , this Impostor having never appear'd in publick during his short Reign , which lasted only a few Months , not 7 Years , as it is said of Ahasuerus (u) (u) Esth. 2. v. 16. . It is also very evident from all the Circumstances of the Original Text in Ezra , that in those ancient times ; ( for what hapned since in that kind we will not pretend to dispute at this time ) all the Persian Kings were called Artaxerxes's , or Artasastas's , or Ahasuerus's . There are likewise some who maintain , that Ezra did by Artaxerxes and Ahasuerus understand one and the same King of Persia : but contrary to the Tenure of the Sacred History , which assigns them not only different Names , but also different Actions . For under the Reign of Ahasuerus divers Accusations were brought against the Jews , but without Success : Whereas in the time of Artaxerxes the Jews were , pursuant to a Royal Mandat , publickly oppos'd in the building of the Temple by their Enemies . Fifthly , If , according to our Opinion , by this Darius , is to be understood Darius Nothus , and the Beginning of these 70 annual Weeks be fixed in the second year of his Reign , this Interval , as described by the Angel Gabriel , will , by a just Computation , founded upon undeniable Chronological Characters amount exactly to 490 years , till the time of the Destruction of Jerusalem . Wherefore we conclude with the Words of (x) (x) Lib. 7. p. 591. de Emend . Temp. Scaliger : It is , says he , very apparent , that this Darius , in the second year of whose Reign the Rebuilding of the Temple was begun afresh , must be Darius Nothus , who reigned betwixt the two Artaxerxes's , viz. Art. Machrocire , or Longimanus and Artaxerxes Mnemon or Memor . The Predecessor of Artaxerxes Longimanus could be no other Person but Xerxes , who is called Oxyares in the Scripture , which was his Name before he obtained the Royal Dignity .

ยง . 9. Those who differ from us in Opinion The Age of Zorobabel and Joshua are not contradictory to our Opinion . concerning this Darius mentioned by Ezra , make , among others , this Objection , That our Hypothesis is not agreeable to the Age of Zorobabel and Joshua ; which Objection being answered very succinctly by (y) (y) Lib. 6. p. 603. de Em. Temp. Jos. Scalig. I think it not beyond our Purpose to insert his Words : They make , says he , this Objection ; because from the time of the Edict of Cyrus , when Zorobabel and Joshua were sent to Jerusalem , till the 2d year of the Reign of Darius Nothus , are less or more 106 years . And , say they , how could they be living after 106 years ? But , for my part , I see no great Occasion why they should so much wonder at it , there being not wanting Examples in the Holy Scripture , that several Persons , but especially Those whom God had chosen Instruments to rule his People and Church , have lived above 130 years . And don 't we see in our Age some who attain to the Age of 120 years , and are in their full Senses ? But what is most remarkable , is , that Petavius , who is the main Champion against ours and Scaliger's Opinion , and looks upon the Age of Zorobabel as a thing very improbable , is very liberal in attributing , at least the same Age to Sanballat . For (z) (z) Lib. 13. de Doctr. Temp. Petavius himself makes Nehemiah's Journey into Palaestine coincident with the 4259th year of the Julian Period ; and it is evident out of (a) (a) C. 4. Nehemiah , that the before-mentioned Sanballat flourished about the same time . Now , according to Petavius's own Hypothesis , Alexander besieged Tyrus in the year of the Julian Period 4382 ; so that from the time of Nehemiah's Journey into Palaestine ( when Sanballat flourished ) till the taking of Tyrus , after a Siege of 7 Months , are to be accounted 123 years : For the before-named Sanballat assisted in the Siege of Tyrus , and died not long after in Alexander's Camp in the Siege of Gaza , as may be seen more at large in (b) (b) L. 12. c. โ— . Ant. Josephus . From whence it is evident , that supposing this Sanballat but 27 years old at the time of Nehemiah's Journey into Palaestine , he was 150 years old when he died , and consequently Petavius contradicts his own Opinion . But there is something peculiar in the Age of Zorobabel and Joshua , which is so far from carrying with it the least Improbability , that long Life was promised as a particular Benefit from God , to all such as should return from the Babylonian Captivity , according to (c) Zechariah : Thus saith the LORD of Hosts , There shall yet old Men and old Women dwell in the Streets of Jerusalem , and every Man with his Staff in his hand for very Age. Many Examples might be produced of such Persons as have lived to a great Age , in Scaliger's Behalf : But for Shortness โ–ช โ— C. โ— . v. 4. sake , we are willing to pass them by in Silence ; and refer the Reader to other Historians .

ยง . 10. Those who pretend that the Son of The Interval of above 100 years is not contradictory to our Opinion . Darius Hydaspis is to be understood in the above-mentioned Passages of Ezra and the other Prophets , alledge against us , that it is very improbable that the Inhabitants of the Country should have nourished their Hatred against the Jews for 110 years , this being the Interval from the Edict of Cyrus to the 2d year of the Reign of Darius Nothus . But I cannot see the least Improbability why the Inhabitants of the Country who were profess'd Enemies of the Jews , and envious of their Prosperity , should not have propagated their Hatred to their Posterity : Wherefore I cannot but agree once more with (d) (d) L. 6 p. 594. de Em. Temp. Scaliger , That since Nehemiah himself confesses , that in the 20th year of the Reign of Artaxerxes he was for a considerable time employed in searching into , and finding out the true Genealogies of such of the Jews as returned with Zorobabel , and that the same is confirmed by Ezra ; who says , that Darius Nothus ordered the Royal Libraries and Records to be searched , to find out the Edict of Cyrus . Nothing can be more evident , than that there were a very few living at that time of those who returned with Zorobabel , that could give a verbal Account of their Descent ; and that the Edict of โ—rrus was of so ancient a Date , as to be past the Memory of Men.

ยง . 11. Those who are not pleased with Scaliger's Whether the Passage in Zechariah be contradictโ—โ—โ—โ— to ใ€ˆโ€ฆใ€‰ . Chronological Computation , alledge among other Matters , against him , that the following Passage in (e) (e) C. 1. v. 12. Zechariah contradicts his Hypothesis concerning Darius : Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said , O LORD of Hosts , how long wilt thou not have Mercy on Jerusalem , and on the Cities of Judah , against which thou hast had Indignation these threescore and ten years . From whence they draw the following Consequence , That since from the time of the Destruction of Jerusalem , till the second year of Darius Nothus , are elapsed above 70 years , the Restauration of the Temple is not to be referred to that King's Reign . But Scaliger has answered them very well , that this Passage of Zechariah is as little agreeable to their Opinion concerning Darius Hydaspis , since these 70 years differ as well from the time of Darius Hydaspis , as of the second year of Darius Nothus . He adds therefore , that those 70 years of which mention is made by the Angel in Zechariah , begin about the 29th or 30th year of the Reign of Darius Hydaspis , when the Jews were forely oppressed by their Enemies , and their Condition grew worse after the Death of the said Darius , about the beginning of the Reign of Artaxerxes , as may be seen more at large in (f) (f) C. 4. v. 5. c. 6. Ezra .

ยง . 12. And thus having given you an Account of The Beginning of the 70 Weeks is to be fixed in the 2 d year of Darius Nothus . the different Opinions among the Chronologers concerning Darius , we will now proceed to the main Point in question , and endeavour to prove by the following Arguments , that the Beginning of this Interval of the 70 Annual Weeks ought to be made coincident with the second year of Darius Nothus .

1. At what time was issued the most solemn and peremptory Mandat of the Restauration of the City and the Sanctuary ( in respect of which she is called the Holy City ) which was put in Execution accordingly , from that time ought to begin the Computation of the 70 Weeks mention'd in Daniel ;

But in the second year of the Reign of Darius Nothus such a solemn and peremptory Mandat was issued forth :

Therefore the 70 Weeks mentioned in Daniel , &c.

The Major Proposition is evident from the Words of the Angel . It was requisite that that same Edict , from the issuing forth of which were to begin these 70 Weeks , should have some peculiar Prerogative above all the others , which was , that , pursuant to this Edict , the Jews rebuilt their City and Temple , which they had not been able to effect hitherto , tho' back'd by others . The Minor Proposition is sufficiently proved out of Haggai , Zachariah and Ezra ; from whence it is evident , that the Decree made in the second year of Darius Nothus , was the most solemn Edict in respect of God , who caused the same to be published by the Prophets Haggai and Zachariah ; in respect of the King of Persia , who not only positively commanded the Restauration of the Temple , but also threatned those who should oppose the Jews in this Undertaking , and likewise furnished the necessary Charges ; and lastly , in respect of the happy Success which was owing to the Decree of Darius ; it being said in (g) (g) Eโ—โ— . 6. v. 1. sequ . Ezra , That the House was finished on the third Day of the Month Adar , which was the 6th year of the Reign of Darius . And this Argument is so convincing , that not only the most famous modern Chronologers , to wit , Scaliger , Vbbo Emmius , Calvisius , Mich. Moestlinus , Franckenbergerus , and many more , but also some of the ablest Divines ; and especially Helvicus , (h) (h) C. 6. v. 16. Behmius , and G. Konig Professor of Divinity in the University of Altorf , with many others , agree in this Point , that the Beginning of these 70 Weeks ought to be fixed at the time of the Edict issued forth in the 2d year of Darius Nothus . LVTHER himself , tho' he was of Opinion , that this Darius was the same , who in prophane History is called Artaxerxes Longimanus , which Error might be very pardon able when Chronology was as yet involved in many Difficulties , of which it has been cleared since : Nevertheless he puts it beyond all Doubt , that the Interval of these 70 Weeks ought to begin with the 2d year of the same Darius , when this Solemn Edict was published , as may be seen in his Preface to the Prophet Haggai :

2. That year , which , by counting backwards , is coincident with the 490th year from the Destruction of the 2 d Temple , is the same year where the Interval of these 70 Weeks ought to begin :

But the 2 d year of the Reign of Darius Nothus is the 490th year , counting backwards from the Destruction of the 2 d Temple :

Therefore these 70 years , &c.

The Major Proposition will be proved more at large hereafter from the Angelical Prediction , and the Term prefixed by the Angel in (i) (i) C. 9. v. 23. 26. Daniel , and from a Parallel Passage in (k) (k) C. 24. v. 15. Matthew . The Minor Proposition is easie to be proved ; for it has been shewn before in a particular Chapter , and is approved by the joint Consent of Scaliger , Petavius and many others of the best Chronologers , that the Destruction of the 2d Temple hapned in the year of the Julian Period 4783. If therefore from 4783 be subtracted 490 years , there remains 4293 , Year of the Julian Period , which , that it was coincident with the 2d year of Darius Nothus is thus demonstrable : Artaxerxes Longimanus the Predecessour of Darius Nothus died , according to (l) (l) Can. Chron. Ptolemy , in the 324th year of the Nabonassarean Epocha ; and the 324th year of the Nabonassarean Epocha is coincident with the 4291st year of the Julian Period . If therefore the last year of the Reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus was the 4291st year , and also the first of Darius Nothus , it follows , that the 5293d year was the second of the Reign of the same Darius .

3. That time from whence , by a just Computation are accounted 7 annual Weeks or 49 Years , till the finishing of the Streets and Walls of the City ( a due Regard being also had to the subsequโ—โ—โ— Intervals ) ought to be made the Beginning of the 70 Weeks :

But from the 2 d year of the Reign of Darius Nothus till the finishing of the Walls and Streets of the City , are computed 7 annual Weeks or 49 Years , without any Prejudice to the subsequent Intervals :

Therefore these 70 Years , &c.

The Major Proposition is evident from the Words of the Angel . The Minor concerning the 7 annual Weeks is thus proved out of (m) (m) C. 13. v. 6. Nehemiah . Nehemiah after the finishing of the Walls , returned in the 32d year of the Reign of Artaxerxes . ( And that this was under Artax . Memor , we shall have Occasion to prove hereafter . ) Darius Nothus reigned in all 19 years ; so that from the 2d year of his Reign , till the 32d of his Successour are to be computed 49 years , which exactly amounts to the Number mentioned by the Angel . Of the other particular Intervals we shall say more hereafter .

4. According to which Opinion the Angelical Weeks ( due Regard being had to other Circumstances ) begin and end with the Sabbatick and Jubilean Cycles ; that Opinion carries along with it more Probability than the others :

But our Opinion has this Prerogative , as is mentioned in the Beginning of this Chapter :

Therefore our Opinion , &c.

The Major Proposition we prove from thence , that it appears very probable , that when the Angel made mention of the Annual Week , he made Reflection upon the Sabbatick and Jubilean Cycles , these being in the Holy Scripture likewise called Weeks , as has been shewn before . The Minor is proved by the Calculation inserted in the 172d and following Pages of this Epitome .

ยง . 13. As we have given you our Opinion concerning the Beginning of this Interval of the 70 Who was Artaxerxes ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ by โ—zโ—a and Nehemiah . Weeks ; so we will likewise take a View of what has been maintained by others , especially concerning Artaxerxes , or Artasasta , in the 7th year of whose Reign (n) (n) C. 7. v. 6. Ezra went into Palestine , as did (o) (o) C. 2. v. 1. Nehemiah in the 20th year of his Reign . Those who differ from us in Opinion about the Beginning of the 70 Weeks , do also disagree with us concerning this Artaxerxes : For those who would fix the Beginning of this Interval of 70 Weeks to the time of these Edicts mentioned by Ezra and Nehemiah , understand by this Artaxerxes the same who is sirnamed Longimanus ; of which Opinion are Africanus , Joh. Funccius , Henr. Buntingus , Tho. Lydiott , Temporarius , Dion . Petav. Will . Lange , Rob , Baily , and others . On the other hand Scaliger and his Followers understand by this Artasasta , Artaxerxes II , the Successour of Darius Nothus , the same Artaxerxes who is sirnamed Memor - ; which Opinion we will endeavour to maintain by the following Arguments :

1. By Artasasta or Artaxerxes , mentioned by Ezra , is to be understood the same King of Persia ; who reigned , not only after Cyrus , Ahasuerus , and Darius ( mentioned by Ezra , ) but also after another King of Persia of the same Name :

But Artaxerxes Memor , and not Artaxerxes Longimanus , is the same King , who reigned , not only after Cyrus , Ahasuerus and Darius , but also after another King of Persia of the same Name :

Therefore Artaxerxes , &c.

The Major Proposition is evident from the Words of Ezra in the 4th Chapter , where he gives an Account of the Troubles befaln the Jews , under the Reigns of Cyrus , Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes ; and again in the 7th Chapter , where he mentions another Artasasta or Artaxerxes , in the 6th year of whose Reign Ezra did go into Palaestine : See what has been said before upon those Passages of Ezra . The Minor Proposition we prove out of the Catalogue of the Persian Kings and their Succession .

2. The same Artasasta or Artaxerxes , of whom it is said , that he obstructed the Rebuilding of the Temple , and by his Edicts shewed himself an Enemy to the Jewish Nation , cannot rationally be supposed to be the same whom Ezra and Nehemiah praises for his Affection and Benefits bestowed upon the Jews :

But Artasasta or Artaxerxes , who in prophane History is sirnamed Longimanus , is the same , of whom it is said , that he obstructed the Rebuilding of the Temple , and by his Edicts shewed himself an Enemy to the Jews :

Therefore Artaxerxes Longimanus , &c.

The Major Proposition proves it self : The Minor is evident from the Words of Ezra , cited before out of his 4th Chapter .

3. The same Artasasta or Artaxerxes , from whose Reign till the time of Alexander the Great there is a larger Interval of Years than is suitable to the Age of Men , and particularly to that of Sanballat and Nehemiah ( according to the Judgment of those of a contrary Opinion ) is not to be supposed to be the same mentioned by Ezra and Nehemiah :

But from the Reign of Artaxerxes , sirnamed Longimanus , till the time of Alexander the Great , there is a larger Interval of Years than is suitable to the Age of Men , but especially to that of Sanballat and Nehemiah ( even according to the Judgment of those of a contrary Opinion :

Therefore Artaxerxes Longimanus , &c.

The Major Proposition is 1st evident from thence , that Sanballat did flourish in the time of Nehemiah (p) (p) Neh. 4. Jos. Lib. 12. c. 8. Ant. , about the year of the Reign of Artaxerxes XXVI . and likewise served under Alexander the Great . 2dly , That Nehemiah was also living still about the time of Alexander the Great , is manifest from thence , that he makes mention in his 12th Chapter in the 11th Verse , of Jaddua , whose meeting with Alexander the Great is famous among the Jews . Corn. ร  Lapide and his Adherents have found out this Exception , That this part of the Book of Nehemiah was not writ till after his Death ; and that Nehemiah might have seen Jaddua , not when he was High Priest , but when as yet in his tender Years . But the first Objection has not so much as the least Probability in it , the whole Content of the Words of Nehemiah sufficiently evincing , that both the preceding and following Words of the Relation concerning Jaddua could be writ by no body but Nehemiah himself : And which way can it rationally be supposed that Nehemiah did not know Jaddua , when it is expresly said , that he removed Manasseh the Brother of Jaddua from his Person ; because he was Son-in-Law to Sanballat . See Nehemiah Chapt. 13. v. 28. and Josephus , Lib. 13. But , to take away all further Scruple , it is said , These were the chief Men in the time of Nehemiah : And what is more absurd and ridiculous than to suppose that Children were inserted in the Catalogue of the Principal Men. The Minor Proposition is proved by the Interval of Time betwixt Artaxerxes Longimanus and Alexander the Great : For supposing Sanballat to have been 30 years of Age in the 20th year of the Reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus , by adding the several Years of the Reigns of the Persian Kings to it according to the Catalogue of these Kings , we may , without much Difficulty , investigate the Age of both these Persons .

In the 20th year of the Reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus , Nehemiah and Sanballat are supposed to be 30 years of Age.

Add to these the remaining Part of Artaxerxes Longimanus his

Reign , Years . 21 The Reign of Darius Nothus , 19 Of Artaxerxes Memor , 46 Of Ochus , 21 Of Arostus , 2 Of Darius Codemannus , 4 Thus Nehemiah and Sanballat at the time of Alexander the Great were 143 Years of Age.

4. The same Artaxerxes is understood by Ezra and Nehemiah , from the 20th year of whose Reign , to count backwards to Cyrus , are elapsed so many years as are sufficient to obliterate the Genealogies of those that returned out of the Babylonian Captivity :

But this may fitly be applied to Artaxerxes Memor :

Therefore , &c.

The Major Proposition is proved out of the 7th Chapter of Nehemiah . The Minor derives its Certainty from the before-mentioned Catalogue . Neither have our Adversaries any thing else to object against this Argument , but the Longaevity of Nehemiah and Sanballat , which has been sufficiently answered before .

ยง . 14. Joh. Funccius , Henr. Buntingus , Lansbergius , Whether this Computation of Daniโ—l ought to begin with the time of the Edict of the 7th year of Artaxerxes , mentioned in Ezr. 7. v. 6. and many of their Followers are of Opinion that the beginning of these 70 Weeks ought to be fixed to the time of the Edict of the 7th year of Artaxerxes , mentioned in Ezra . Funccius appoints its Beginning exactly on the 12th day of March , when Ezra and the Jews began their Journey from the River Ahava towards Jerusalem ; but their Hypothesis is founded upon a wrong Basis , by confounding Artax . Longimanus with Artax . Memor . Besides that , in the 7th year of this Artaxerxes mentioned in Ezra ( understand which of the two you will ) no particular Command or Edict was issu'd for rebuilding the Temple and Holy City , but only for the Return of the Remainders of the Jews to Jerusalem under the Direction of Ezra . And since , according to their own Hypothesis , the Structure of the Temple was compleated before , to wit , in the 6th year of the Reign of Darius Hystaspis , it is evident that this Edict cannot have any Relation to that mentioned by the (r) (r) Daniel 9. ver. 25. Angel . Lansbergius , to avoid this Contradiction , has invented this Expedient , That the two several Mandates or Edicts issued by Artaxerxes , one in the 7th year of his Reign concerning the RESTAVRATION of the Jews ( under the Direction of Ezra ) the other in the 20th year of his Reign , concerning the Rebuilding of JERVSALEM , ( under the Direction of Nehemiah ) ought to be joined together ; and what is wanting in one to accommodate the whole to the Words of the Angel , must be supplied out of the other . But how can it be conceived , that a certain Number of Years can be determined and fixed to the End of a certain Term beginning from such different times , as is the 7th and 20th years of Artaxerxes ? This Arithmetical Nicety of Lansbergius , I confess , is past my Apprehension , nothing being more certain , than that those who attribute a double Beginning to these 70 Weeks , must at the same time acknowledge a double Period or End , which is contradictory to the Words of the Angel , who mentions only ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ an Edict or Mandate , not ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , Edicts .

ยง . 15. Africanus and Theodoretus , and among our Whether the Beginning of this Computation is to be fixt ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ time of the 20th year of Artaxerxes . Modern Authors , Tho. Lydiott , Joh. Temporarius . Corn. ร  Lapide , Joh. Vossius , and others , who interpret the Words in Ezra and Nehemiah of Artasasta or Artax . Longimanus , begin this Epocha of the 70 Weeks with the 20th year of this Reign , when Nehemiah went up to Jerusalem to rebuild the Walls and Gates of the City . But above all the rest , (s) (s) L. 12. c. 32. de Doct. Temp. Dionys. Petav. patronizes this Opinion , which however he explains in a peculiar manner : We do ( says he ) agree for the most part with those who begin these 70 Weeks with the 20th Year of the Reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus : But we differ from them in the Computation of these 20 Years , which we begin , not from the time of the Death of Xerxes , but from the time he was made his Consort in the Empire . So that the Beginning of the Reign of Artaxerxes admits of a two-fold Explication ; one to be fixed in the 12th year of the Reign of Xerxes , in the Year of the Julian Period 4240 ; the other immediately after his Death , in the Year of the Julian Period 4249 ; Artaxerxes having reigned as a Consort with his Father near 10 years , or at least enjoyed the Title of a King . And soon after , The 20th Year of the Reign of Artaxerxes ( to reckon from its first Beginning ) is coincident with the 4259th Year of the Julian Period , with the 2 d Year of the 81st Olympiad , with the Year of the World 3529. If the Epocha of the 70 Weeks or of 490 Years be begun from this 20th Year of his Reign , its Period is coincident with the Year of the Julian Period 4748 , with that of the World 4018 , which is coincident with the 4th Year after the Passion of Christ : So that in the third Year of the 30th Week the MESSIAH was cut off . For the Prophecy of this Interval of 70 Weeks ought not to be interpreted thus ; as if the Mystery foretold by it was not to be accomplished till the total Expiration of these Weeks : But it is sufficient that its Accomplishment is to be looked for in the last Week of this Interval , though not brought quite to its final Period . Thus far Petavius . Against this Hypothesis built upon the erroneous Supposition , that Artasasta mentioned in Ezra and Nehemiah is the same with Artax . Longimanus , the Arguments alledged in the preceding Paragraph may take place for the most part : Besides which , we will insert the following Objections in Contradiction of this erroneous Opinion . First , The Edict of Artaxerxes ( whether Longimanus or Memor ) had only a Relation to the repairing the Walls and Ditches of the City that was rebuilt before : But the Angel mentions expresly the Words of Rebuilding of Jerusalem ; And it appears very improbable to me , that the Holy Scripture should have pass'd by the Epocha of Rebuilding the City , and in lieu of it substituted , that from the Rebuilding of the Walls . Secondly , It was foretold by the Angel , that the Streets and Walls of the City were to be accomplished in the space of 7 annual Weeks : But if the Epocha of 70 Weeks is to be begun from the 20th Year of the Reign of Artaxerxes , how are these 49 Years to be computed , (u) (u) Cap. 13. ver. 6. Nehemiah being ( according to his own Testimony ) returned from Jerusalem in the 32d Year of Artaxerxes . Thirdly , if these 70 Weeks must begin in the 20th Year of Artaxerxes Longimanus , their Period must be coincident with the Year 4760 of the Julian Period , in which Year hapned neither the Passion of Christโ— , or the Destruction of Jerusalem . For Art. Longimanus began his Reign , according to Ptolemy and the other ancient Chronologers , in the Year of the Nabonassarean Epocha 284 : So that the 20th Year of his Reign was coincident with the 304th Nabonassarean Year , or the 4270th Year of the Julian Period ; unto which , if 490 Years be added , it produces 4760 of the Julian Period . But it is sufficiently demonstrated in another Place , that Christ suffered Death in the Year of the Julian Period 4746 ; and that the last Destruction of Jerusalem hapned in the 70th Year of Christ , or in the 4783 Year of the Julian Period . From whence it is evident that this Computation from the 20th Year of the Reign or Art. Longimanus ; which has , as I suppose , also induced (x) (x) Lib. 10. c 2โ— . de Doct. Temp. Petavius to confess concerning this fabulous Invention , That this Opinion was not in the least mentioned in any of the Ancient Historians . And , supposing that Xerxes in the 12th Year of his Reign , when he was preparing for his Grand Expedition against Greece , did ( according to the Custom of the ancient Persian Monarchs ) nominate Artaxerxes his Successour , no Inference can be made from thence , that the same Artaxerxes did 7 years after , being the 18th Year of the Reign of Xerxes , exercise an absolute Royal Authority , when Xerxes was at home in Person : Neither can it be alledg'd that Artaxerxes when he granted his Patent to Ezra , could act otherwise than a Sovereign , and only as a Titular King , the said Objection being contradictory to the Words of the said Royal , Diploma , recited in (y) (y) C. 7 v. 11 , 12. seq. Ezra , Artaxerxes King of Kings unto Ezra , &c. I make a Decree , that all they of the People of Israel , and of his Priests and Levites , in my Realm , which are minded of their free Will to go up to Jerusalem , go with thee . For asmuch as thou art sent of the KING and of his seven Counsellours to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem , according to the Law of thy God which is in thine hand : and to carry the Silver and Gold which the KING and his Counsellours have freely offer'd , &c. And soon after (z) (z) Ezra 7. ver. โ—1 . , And I , even I , Artaxerxes the King , do make a Decree to all the Treasurers which are beyond the River ; that whatsoever Ezra shall require of you ; it be done speedily , unto an hundred Talents of Silver , &c. From whence it appears , that in the 7th year of Artaxerxes mentioned in the Scripture there reigned no other Monarch in Persia , which induces me to argue thus :

If Xerxes had had an Intention to make his Son Artaxerxes his Consort in the Empire , he would have done it at that Juncture of time when he was undertaking his Expedition against Greece :

But this was not done at that time :

Therefore Artaxerxes , &c.

The Major Proposition proves it self , that Juncture of time when the King with the Chief Men of the Empire were to go upon an Expedition remote from the Empire , being the fittest of all to nominate a Successour . The Minor is granted by Petavius himself , when he makes the first year of Artaxerxes coincident with the 12th Year of the Reign of Xerxes . I argue further :

If it be true , that after the Death of Xerxes there was a Contest about the Succession in the Empire , betwixt Darius the eldest Son of Xerxes and Artaxerxes , his younger Son , who by the Assistance of Artapanus , obtained the Imperial Crown ; it follows , that the said Artaxerxes was not constituted King a good many years before his Father's Death ; or that he quietly exercised the Royal Sovereign Prerogatives :

But , according to the Testimony of Diodorus Siculus , Ctesias , and other Historians , the first is true :

Therefore also , &c.

The Opinion of Is . Vos . has so little Resemblance to Truth , that I cannot but stand amazed how a Man of Sense , and who , besides this , pretends to a considerable share of Learning , could fall into so many Errors at a time , which scarce deserve an Answer .

ยง . 16. Those who anticipate the time of this The End of the 70 Weeks is to be fixt at the time of the Destruction of the City . Epocha , would have this Interval of the 70 Weeks finish at the time of the last Destruction of Jerusalem ; for which they alledge the Words of the (a) (a) Daniel 9. ver. 26. Angel . And after threescore and two Weeks shall the Messiah be cut off . So that , according to their Opinion , these threescore and two Weeks are to be added to the seven Weeks mentioned before by the Angel ; which together make up 59 Weeks till the final Period of this Epocha . But , as we shall have Occasion to say something more about the Division of this Epocha in 7 and 62 , so we grant , without the least Contradiction , that the Birth and Passion of the Messiah hapned in this Interval of the 70 Weeks ; but cannot see , that the least Consequence can be drawn from the Words of the Angel , to make the final Period of this Epocha coincident with the time of the Passion of Christ . For the very INSCRIPTION of this Interval expresses clearly the Meaning of the (b) (b) Dan 9 v. 24. Angel , which is , THE REBUILDING AND DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY CITY : Seventy Weeks are determined upon thy People and upon thy Holy City : And it would be very hard to suppose that the Angel should recede in his subsequent Narration , from what he had intimated before in his Introduction . Certainly the Relation of an Historian would be look'd upon as very incompleat , who having promised in his Preface to give an Account of Matters till the last Destruction of Jerusalem , should break off the Thread of his History 40 years before the said Destruction hapned . Besides , if we look upon the 26th and 27th Verses of the 9th Chapter of Daniel , it will be obvious , that the End of these 70 Weeks is described in such a Manner as has a most particular Relation to the Destruction of the City by the Romans , the Forerunner of which was the Abomination of Desolation , cited by (c) (c) Mat. 25. v. 15. Mark . 13. v. 14. Christ out of Daniel ; and who could be a more excellent Interpreter of the Angelical Prediction than Christ himself .

ยง . 17. Having said enough concerning our Hypothesis Concerning the Divisiโ—n of the 70 Weeks into โ—โ— and 62. of the Beginning and End of this Interval , we must add something also concerning the Division of it . These are the Words of (d) (d) L. 6. de emend . Temp. Scaliger : In this Division some look for a Mystery , others divide them into several Intervals , so as to begin the first Interval of 7 Weeks with the time of the first Edict of Darius ; the second from thence of 62 Weeks ; unto which they add one at last . I am against both : For I see no more Mystery in the Division of this Interval of 70 Weeks , than in the Division of the Shekel in Ezekiel , &c. Which Opinion is likewise embraced by (e) (e) Orat. de 70 Hebd . Calixtus . Tho' we have for the most part agreed with Scaliger as to the Beginning and End of this Epocha , yet we cannot but blame his Presumption , in making so little Account of the Division of this Interval made by the Angel himself ; and I am perswaded that there are few who will imagine that this exact Division of the 70 Weeks in so solemn a Prophecy as this , could be accidental and of no Moment . See (f) (f) Lib. 3. can. 5โ— . Clas. Philol. Sacr. And concerning the Passage in Ezekiel , with an Answer to the Argument of Scaliger , consult (g) (g) Disp. 10. Thes. 16. Francius in Schol. Sacrif .

ยง . 18. Scaliger , as he makes the Beginning of Whether the 20 and 12 Weeks have a different Beginning . the 70 Weeks coincident with the 2d Year of Darius Nothus , and its End with the last Destruction of the City of Jerusalem : So he finishes the 62 Weeks with the Passion of Christ , and fixes their Beginning in the 5th Year of Artax . Memor , with whom agree in this Opinion , Tremellius , Junius , and several other Modern Authors ; as there are not wanting on the other hand some who alledge , that if the 70 and 62 Weeks had a different Beginning , the Word Commandment or Edict , mentioned by the Angel , should have been express'd in the plural Number . Those who cannot agree with the Opinion of Scaliger , I would advise to fix the Beginning of these 62 Weeks in the 2d Year of Darius Nothus , and to include in that Interval the 7 Weeks allotted for the Rebuilding of the Streets and Walls of the City : But lest we should exceed the Bounds of an Epitome , we will conclude this Chapter , leaving the Determination of the Matter to every one 's own Judgment .

CHAP. XXX . Of the Epocha of the Graecian Empire in Asia , and the Beginning of the Epocha after the last Battle fought betwixt Alexander the Great and Darius Codomannus , and of the Period of Calippus .

1. The Origin of the Graecian Empire in Asia , must be traced to that time when Alexander the Great was declared Imperator over all Greece , who succeeded his Father in the Kingdom in the same Year that Eveneto was Archon at Athens , and L. Furius and C. Menius were Consuls at Rome .

2. Darius Codomannus began his Reign over Persia much about the same time that Alexander succeeded his Father Philip in the Kingdom of Macedonia .

3. Just before the Graecian Expedition against Asia the Thebans were vanquished , at which time Alexander , pursuant to the Resolution taken in the Council , did totally destroy the City of Thebes , and thereby put all the other Graecian Commonwealths that were much inclined to revolt , under a great Consternation .

4. In the same Year that Ctesicles was Archon at Athens , and Caius Sulpicius and Lucius Papyrius Roman Consuls , Alexander marched at the Head of his Army to the Hellespont ; from whence having transported his Forces out of Europe into Asia , he fought the Battle of Granicum .

5. In the second Year of the Asiatick War , when the Battle near Issus was fought , Nicocratus was Archon at Athens , and Caesus Duilius and L. Papyrius Consuls of Rome .

6. In the third Year of this Asiatick War of the Greeks , Nicocratus was Archon among the Athenians , and M. Attilius and M. Valesius Consuls of Rome .

7. In the same third Year , and in the second before the Battle of Gaugamela , was the 114th Olympiad celebrated , where Grylus of Chalcedon carried the Day ; and in the same Year Tyrus was likewise taken by Alexander .

8. In the 4th Year of this Asiatick War , when Darius was vanquished at Gaugamela , Aristophanes was Archon of Athens , and Sp. Posthumius and T. Veturius Roman Consuls .

9. In the same Year that the Battle of Gaugamela was fought , Alexander , after his Return from the Temple of Jupiter Hammonius , founded the City of Alexandria . For these Characters we are obliged to (a) (a) Lib. 17. Diodorus Siculus , which are for the most part approved by other Historians .

10. Alexander , after the Victory obtained over Darius near Gaugamela , made himself Master of Asia in the 5th Year of his Reign , according to (b) (b) Lib. 11. vโ—r. 14. Justin .

11. The same Year was the 5th Year of Darius , at its Beginning Ptolemy allowing but four years for the Reign of Darius .

12. Eleven Days before this last Battle fought betwixt Darius and Alexander , there hapned a very remarkable Eclipse of the Moon , according to (c) (c) Vit. Alexand. Plutarch .

13. The same Eclipse has been observed , according to Plutarch , in the Month of Boโ—dromion , towards the latter End of the Summer , or the Antumnal Aequinox ; at which time the Greeks used to celebrate the Eleusinia , dedicated to Ceres , of which (d) (d) In Herc. Far. L. An. Seneca has the following Words :

Quantรข cum longae redit hora noctis , Crescere & somnos cupiens quietos Libra Phoebeos tenet aequa currus : Turba secretam Cererem frequentat , Et citi tectis properant relictis , Attici noctem celebrare mystae : Tanta per campos agitur silentes Turba , &c.

This Eclipse hapned in the year of the Julian Period 4383 , on the 20th day of September , 4 little before Midnight , the whole Obscuration being of 14 Inches ; Of which Eclipse (e) (e) L. 2. c. 70. Pliny likewise makes mention .

14. The next following Summer after the Victory obtained by Alexander near Gaugamela , Calippus Cyzicenus began a new Period of 76 years , as is evident from the four Observations of Timocharis upon the years 36 , 37 , 47 , and 48 , mentioned by (f) (f) L. 7. c. 3. Ptolemy ,

15. In the same year that Calippus began this New Period , Darius , whilst he was gathering Recruits in Bactria , and the circumjacent Provinces , was made Prisoner by Bessus his own Lieutenant over the Province of Bactria ; who having fettered him with Golden Fetters , at last murthered him , when Aristophanes was Archon at Athens , and Cn. Domitius and Au. Cornelius Roman Consuls . In this all the Ancient Historians do agree , but especially (g) (g) Loc. Cit. Diodor. Sicul. From these Characters we conclude that the Battle of Gaugamela was fought in the year of the Julian Period 4383 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 15. โ˜ฝ . 13. on the first day of October ; and that the Period of Calippus began with the Summer of the 4384th year of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 16. โ˜ฝ . 14. and that Dar. Codoman . the last Monarch of Persia was slain in the same year .

If therefore from any certain year of the Julian To find out the year since the Beginning of these Epโ—c . Period be subtracted 4382 years and 9 months , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of the Graecian Empire in Asia , or since the Battle fought near Gaugamela : And if 4383 years and six Months be subtracted in the same manner , the Residue is equivalent to the year since the Beginning of the Period of Calippus , or the Death of Dar. Codomannus . But if to these years of these Epocha's be added the before mentioned Number of years , the several Products will be correspondent to the several years of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. (h) (h) L. 2. Hist. Sacr. Pers. PEtrus Bizarrus has made a very large The Occasion of this Afratic War , and of the ensuing Revolution . Collection of the Motives which induced Alexander the Great to engage in a War against Darius Codomannus . The Remembrance of the past Injuries and Troubles the Greeks had received from the Hands of Darius Hydaspis and Xerxes ; the private Quarrels with the Family of Alexander , who had not only been contumeliously treated by the Ambassadours of Darius , and in his Letters , in which he called himself the King of Kings , and Alexander his Servant , but also his Father's Death , upon whose Head Darius had set a vast Sum of Money , and had done the like to Alexander himself . But the chief Motive was his immensurable Ambition to build his future Greatness upon the Ruin of the professed Enemies of his Country , as may be conjectured from that Epistle writ by Alexander in Answer to the Letter of Darius mentioned by (i) (i) L. 17. Diodorus Siculus .

ยง . 2. The Battle which decided the Fate of the Asiatick Empire betwixt the Persians and In what place this Battle was fought . Greeks ; and from whence begins this Epocha , is commonly called the Battle of Arbela , whilst others are of opinion that it was fought near Gaugamela . It seems to be very strange how the Historians could confound these two Places which lie at about 600 Stadia from one another ; Of which I can give no better Account than to alledge the Words of (k) (k) Lib. 16. Georg. p. 507. ad Caus . Strabo : Arbela , says he , is under the Jurisdiction of Babylon , and situated not far from it . On the other side of the River Lycus , in the Plains of Aturia is the City of Ninus . In the Province of Aturia is likewise the Village of Gaugamela , famous for the great Victory obtained by Alexander the Great against Darius , &c. But the Macedomans seeing Gaugamela to be but a poor Village , and Arbela a considerable Place , built ( as it is reported ) by Arbelus the Son of Athmoneus , they dispersed it abread , that they had fought and obtained this signal Victory near Arbela , which has misguided several Historians into this Error . Of which consult the Notes of Freinshemius upon Curtius .

ยง . 3. (l) (l) L. 5. de Emend . Temp. Joseph Scaliger is of Opinion , that Whether Plutarch committed an Error in his Character of the Lunar Eclipse . Plutarch committed an Error in the Character of this Lunar Eclipse mentioned before . But the Matter duly weighed , this Objection is made without sufficient Reason , against an Historian of so extraordinary a Reputation . For he does not mention expresly any certain Day of the Month Boโ—dromion , but only the Feast of Eleusinia , which was celebrated by the Greeks for several Days together . Besides that , the Constitution of the Attick Year as proposed by Scaliger , and according to which he has corrected Plutarch , is not sufficiently established and approved among us , which is , questionless , the Reason that Calvisius , who otherwise never fails to follow closely the Footsteps of Scaliger , has not made the least Animadversions upon this Passage of Ptolemy ; for which Reason it is also our Opinion that this Character of so ancient an Author ought not to be rejected .

CHAP. XXXI . Of the time of the Death of Alexander the Great , and the Epocha of the Years of Philip. 1. Alexander the Great lived 32 Years and 3 Months , which are to be computed from the first Year of the 106th Olympiad , when Philip the Father of Alexander received the Congratulations about the Victory obtained by Sarmenio over the Illyrians , according to (a) (a) L. 7. Arrian and (b) (b) Vit. Alex. Plutarch . 2. Alexander reigned 12 Years and 7 or 8 Months , according to Eratosthenes in Clement of Alexandrina , (c) (c) L. 17. Diodorus Siculus , Arrian , Eusebius , Sulpitius Severus , and 1 Maccab. c. 1. v. 8. 3. After 7 years were compleated since the Victory of Alexander over Darius , Alexander died near Babylon . (d) (d) L. 2. Sulp. Severus . 4. Agesias was Archon at Athens in the same year that Alexander died . See Diodor. Sicul. Arrian . 5. In the same year were Consuls of Rome C. Poetelius and L. Papyrius . See Diodorus Siculus . 6. In the same year was the 114th Olympiad celebrated , where Micinas of Rhodes carried the Day . (e) (e) L. 1. contr. Appion . Josephus , Diodor. Sic. (f) (f) L. 7. Arrian . (g) (g) L. 8. demonstr. Evang Eusebius . 7. Alexander died 236 years after Cyrus , who began to reign over Persia at the Beginning of the 55th Olympiad . Euseb. L. cit . 8. From the Beginning of the Nabonassarean Epocha till the Death of Alexander are computed 424 years according to (h) (h) L. 3. Ptolemy . 9. The year of the Christian Aera 238 , was the 562 d after the Death of Alexander , according to (i) (i) de D. N. c. 21. Censorinus . 10. 1214 years after the Death of Alexander there was a Solar Eclipse observed at Aracta ; both the great Luminaries being in the Sign of the Lion ; and that the same Eclipse hapned in the year of Christ 891 , on the 8th day of August about Noon , is manifest from the Ecliptical Calculations . Albategn . 11. The Death of Alexander is thus related by (k) (k) Vit. Alex. Plutarch : On the 18th day of the Month Daesius , being seized with a Fever , he remain'd all that Night in the Bath . The next day after Bathing he hept his Bed-Chamber , where he played at Tables with Medius . Having bathed again at Night , and assisted at the Sacrifice , he eat with much Eagerness . The same Night his Fever return'd again . The 20th day of the Month , after having bathed again , he assisted at the Solemn Sacrifice ; and being laid down in the Bath , he pass'd his time with a certain Commander of a Ship , who gave him a Relation of his Voyage , and of what he had observed otherwise most remarkable in the Ocean . The 21st being pass'd in the same manner , his Fever encreased towards Night : And the next day the Fever growing more violent , he was carried from thence to another Place near the great Bath , where he entertain'd himself with the Generals of his Army , giving his Orders to them . On the 24th day , his Fever still encreasing , he would assist at the Sacrifice , whither he was forced to be carried ; and ordered the Generals and other Chief Men to tarry within the Court , and that the Colonels and Captains should keep Guard without the Gates . On the 25th he was carried into one of the inner Apartments of the Castle , where he slept a little ; But his Fever did not diminish . When the Generals came to attend him he had already lost the Use of his Tongue , which continued thus on the 26th . The Macedonians believing him to be dead , came in a tumultuous manner to the Gates ; and having forced those that attended to admit them within the King's Apartment , they all passed one by one without their Arms by his Bed . On the same day Python and Seleucus were dispatch'd to the Temple of Serapis to consult the Oracle whether Alexander should be conveyed thither : But they received for Answer , that they should not remove Alexander from the Place he then was in . On the 28th towards Night he died . Thus it is recorded in the Diary . 12 It is very probable that the Month Daesius of the Macedonians was in the same Year coincident with the Month Thargelion of the Athenians ; of which these are the Words of Aelianus (l) (l) L. 2. c. 35. Var. Hist. : It is reported also that Alexander was born and died on the self-same Day , being the 6th of the Month Thargelion . 13. After the Death of Alexander , and many and long Debates among the Generals , Aridaeus the Son of Philip , who also had taken the Name of Philip , was by the Majority of Suffrages constituted King , and Perdiccas , unto whom Alexander , when at the Point of Death , had given his Ring , was chosen Regent ; pursuant to which all the Governours of the Provinces and other principal Officers were ordered to obey their Commands . This was done in the same year when Cephisodorus was Archon of Athens . Diod. Sic. L. 68.

From these Characters it is evident that Alexander died in the Spring of the 4391st year of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 23. โ˜ฝ . 2. and that from the same year , about the Summer Season , when another Archon succeeded at Athens , the Philippean Period had its Beginning .

If therefore from any certain year of the Julian To investigate the year sinโ—e the beginning of these Epoc. Period given , 4390 years and 3 Months be subtracted , the Residue shews the year since the Death of Alexander the Great . To find out the Year since the Beginning of the Philippean Period , several Months more must be subtracted . And if the same Number of Years and Months be added to the year since the Beginning of these Epocha's , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THere is some Dispute about the true About what time Alexander died . time of the Death of Alexander the Great . For A. Gellius allots no more than 11 years for the Reign of Alexander ; whereas (m) (m) L. 15. Strabo . accounts as many after his last Victory obtained against Darius . But neither of these two are of sufficient Authority to counterbalance what has been said before concerning the true time of his Death .

ยง . 2. It is also call'd in question whether his How Alexander died . Death was occasioned by Poison or Debauchery . Of the first Opinion is (n) (n) L. 16. c. 16. Justin . He was ( says he ) vanquished at last , not by the Bravery of his Enemies , but by the Perfidiousness of his own Friends and Subjects . And Curtius (o) (o) L. 10. says expressly , It was believed that his Death was occasioned by Poison , &c. But (p) (p) Vit. Alex. Plutarch says , that this Account of his being made away by Poison , was look'd upon as a Fiction ; because his Body shew'd not the least Marks of it after his Death , tho' it laid several Days exposed to the Heat of the Sun , whilst the Contentions lasted among the Generals .

ยง . 3. After the Death of Alexander the whole The Change of Affairs after the Death of Alexander . Body of this vast Empire was torn in many Pieces , among which four Kingdoms are the most remarkable , pursuant to the Vision of Daniel . For Ptolemy seized Egypt , Seleucus Babylon , Antigonus the Lesser Asia , and Antipater Macedonia and Greece .

ยง . 4. The Histories of these Times make Mention of two Philips ; the first Philip the Son Who was that Philip that gave the Name to the Philippean Period . of Amyntas II. Father to Alexander the Great ; the second Aridaeus , the natural Brother of Alexander . Scaliger , Christmannus , Serarius , and others attribute the Origin of this Epocha to the first : But the same having been unknown till after the Death of Alexander the Great it appears more probable to me , that it owed its first Off-spring to Philip the Brother of Alexander , who was born of Philinna a Thessalian Lady , and Mistress to K. Philip. See (q) (q) L. 18. Bibl. Diod. Sicul. For the rest , the Philippean Years were , according to (r) (r) De D. N. c. 21. Censorinus , like the Nabonassarean Years .

CHAP. XXXII . Of the Epocha of the Seleucides , which is also called the Graecian and Alexandrian Epocha , and of the Convenant and Therick DHILCARNAIN , mentioned in the Book of the Maccabees . 1. The Epocha of the Seleucides , used especially among the Asiaticks , owes its Name and Off-spring to Seleucus ; and has its Beginning at that time when the said Seleucus had made himself Master of Babylon , and the Provinces of Media and Susa . 2. Seleucus made himself Master of Babylon in the same Year that Polemus was Archon of Athens . 3. In the same year that the 117th Olympiad was celebrated , when Parmenio of Mitylene got the Victory in the Race . 4. In the same year that L. Papyrius was the 5th time , and C. Junius the 2 d time Roman Consuls . All which Characters are related by (s) (s) C. 69. Diod. Siculus . 5. In the 148th year of the Graecian Epocha , Judas the Maccabean did purge the Temple of Jerusalem , after its Prophanation by the Gentiles (a) (a) 1 Mac. 4. v. 52 , 53. ; which Restauration of the Temple hapned in the first year of the 145th Olympiad , according to (b) (b) L. 12. c. 11. Ant. Josephus . 6. The 150th year of this same Epocha , when Antiochus Eupator besieged Jerusalem , was a Sabbatick Year (c) (c) 1 Mac. 6. v. 53. (d) (d) Jos. L. 12. c. 14. . 7. After the Death of Alexander the Great , Onias the High-Priest ruled at jerusalem ; at which time Seleucus having made himself Master of Babylon , reigned sole Monarch in Asia in the 12th year after the Death of Alexander . 8. From Seleucus , to account backwards to Cyrus , are computed 248 years . These two Characters are expressed in the same Words by (e) (e) L. 8. 6. 2. demon . Evang. Eusebius . 9. The Year 1194 of the Epocha Therick Dhilcarnain , which in the Nurenburg Edition of Albategnius , illustrated with Notes by Joh. Regiomontanus , is called ADILCANARI ) was coincident with the 1206th year since the Death of Alexander . 10. The year 1202 of the same Epocha , in which hapned a notable Eclipse of the Sun , was 1214 after the Death of Alexander , according to (f) (f) C. 27. 10. Mahomet the Son of Cruen , in his Book de Scien . Stellar . And it is manifest from the Astronomical Tables , that the Eclipse of the year 1202 of the Epocha Therick Dhilcarnain is coincident with the year of Christ 891 , the 8th , day of August . 11. Nothing certain is to be determined concerning the Months of the Years of this Epocha ; which are in the first Book of the Maccabees frequently begun with the Month of Nisan . See 1 Mac. 7. v. 1. c. 9. v. 3. c. 10. v. 1 , 21. c. 13. v. 22 , 41. c. 16. v. 14. But in the 2 d Book of the Maccabeans , and those of the Jewish Historians , from the Month of Tisri .

From whence it appears , that the Beginning of this Epocha is coincident with the year of the Julian Period 4402 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 6. โ˜ฝ . 13. and that the Author of the first Book of the Maccabeans speaks for the most part of the Vernal Season of this year ; in the 2 d of the Autumnal .

If therefore 4401 years and 3 Months be subtracted from any certain year of the Julian Any certain year given of the Jul. Period to find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . Period , the Residue shews the year since the Beginning of the Graecian Epocha , according to the first Book of the Maccabeans : And if 4401 Years and 9 Months be subtracted in the same manner , the Residue will be equivalent to the Number of years since the Beginning of the same Epocha , according to the 2 d Book of the Maccabeans .

ยง . 1. (g) (g) Lib. 15. JVstin relates that this Seleucus was the Who was Seleucus that gave Birth to this Epocha . Son of Apollo and Laodice . After the Death of Alexander the Great , when his Empire was divided among the Generals of his Army , this Seleucus had Syria for his share ; but being forced from thence by King Antigonus he sought for Shelter by Ptolemy King of Egypt ; till returning at the Head of a considerable Army , he made himself Master of Babylon , in Remembrance of which this Epocha was instituted .

ยง . 2. The Jews call this Epocha the Aera of The Jews call this Epocha the Aera โ—f the Covenant or Principalities . Contracts or Covenant , or the Aera of Principalities ; because , as they say , when Alexander the Great , after he had made himself Master of Persia , marched towards Jerusalem with an Intention to destroy that City , he was met by the High-Priest Simon , who otherwise is called Jaddus ; who having prevailed with him to alter his Intentions , upon this Condition , that all the Sons of the Priests that were born in the same year should be called Alexanders . This Epocha was from thence called the Epocha of Contracts or Covenants ; as may be seen in Wilhelmus Schickardus , who in his Preface to the Tarich of the Persian Kings , alledges the Words of Rabbi Abraham the Levite . But (h) (h) L. 10. de Doct. Temp c 42. Petavius deservedly ridicules the Ignorance of the Jewish Interpreters , who pretend that the Beginning of this Epocha was at the time when Alexander had made himself Master of Asia ; whereas the same did not arise till 12 years after his Death , and 18 years after his Interview with the High-Priest . For which Reason I prefer the Opinion of those who call this Epocha the Aera of Principalities ; because after the Death of Alexander his Empire was divided into many Principalities .

ยง . 3. The Arabians called this Epocha of Seleucus , This Epocha is called Therick Dhilcarnain โ—โ— the Arabians . Therick Dhilcarnain , and the Greeks ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , which signifies as much as the Horned Epocha . Christmannus is of Opinion that the Arabians and Greeks have called Alexander the Horned , as being Monarch both of Orient and Occident . Wilhelmus Schickardus and others maintain that he was called thus , because he vanquished Darius Codomannus , who by (i) (i) C. 8. Daniel is compared to a Ram. But Scaliger's Opinion seems to be preferr'd before the rest , who derives this Denomination from thence , that Alexander was reputed the true Son of Jupiter Ammon , and the supposiโ—itious Son of Philip : For , according to Schickardus himself , the Arabians used to call those that pimped for their Wives , and educated Bastards under the Pretence of their own Children , HORN-BEASTS .

ยง . 4. Joseph Scaliger and (k) (k) L. 10. c. 43. de Doct. Temp. Dionysius Petavius Whether the Author of the 2 Book of the Maccabeans begins always these Years from the Month Tisri . maintain that the Author of the 2d Book of the Maccabeans constantly begins the Years of this Epocha with the Month Tisri ; but it being said in the 2d Book of the (l) (l) C. 15. v. 37. Maccabeans that it was decreed that the 13th Day of the 12th Month should be celebrated ; which Month is called in the Syrian Tongue ADAR ; this contradicts the Opinion of Scaliger and Petavius . For , if at that time the Month of ADAR was the last , it follows , that the Month of NISAN was the first , they beginning their Year with the Spring . For the rest , those Authors who mention this Epocha , make use sometimes of the Nabonassarean Years , sometimes of the Julian Years ; of which see (m) (m) L. 10. c. 40. de Doct. Temp. Dionysius Petavius .

CHAP. XXXIII . Of the Epocha and time of the Asmoneans , who were afterwards called Maccabeans . 1. This Epocha must be regulated according to the true Succession of Mattathias , Judas Maccabeus , Jonathan , Simon , &c. as expressed in the Books of the Maccabeans , and by Josephus . 2. Mattathias began to be famous about that time when Antioc . Epipha . 3. The same Mateathias died in the 146th year of the Graecian Epocha (a) (a) 1 Mac. 2. v. 70. . 4. In the 148th year of the same Epocha , Judas Maccabeus Son of Mattathias , rendred himself famous by restoring the Levitical Service among the Jews (b) (b) 1 Mac 4. v. 52. . 5. In the 152 d year of the Graecian Epocha Jud. Maccab. was slain in the Battle fought against Bacchides , and was succeeded by his Brother Jonathan (c) (c) 1 Mac. 9. v. 3. 18. 28. . 6. Jonathan being murdered by the Treachery of Tryphon , (d) (d) 1 Mac. 12. v 48. Simon his Brother was made Prince over the Jews , and fought with such Success against the Gentiles , that it was under his Government said of the Jews , (e) (e) 1 Mac. 1โ— . v. 41 , 42. In the 170th Year the Israelites were delivered from the Yoke imposed upon them by the Heathens : And from that time on they used to write in their Inscriptions , IN THE FIRST YEAR OF SIMON THE CHIEF HIGH-PRIEST , GENERAL AND PRINCE OF THE JEWS . 7. The 172 d year of the Graecian Epocha was coincident with the 3 d year of Simon the Chief High-Priest (f) (f) 1 Mac. 1โ— . v. 27. . 8. The Epocha of Simon began with the Ecclesiastical Year , or in the Spring (g) (g) 1 Mac. 13. v. โ—1 . . 9. The last of the Asmonean Race was Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus the Brother of Hyrcanus , whom Antonius caused to be nailed to the Cross ( which was the first Instance of that kind of Execution of a King among the Romans ) and after he had been well scourged , to be strangled . See (h) (h) L. 14. Antiqu. c 29. Jos. and (i) (i) L. โ—9 . Dio. 10. The Government of the Asmoneans , till the Death of Antigonus , lasted 126 years ; and was succeeded by Herodes , sirnamed the Great . See (k) (k) L. 14. c. ult. L. 15. c. 1. Ant. L. 1. c. 13 โ–ช de Bel. Jud. Jos. and (l) (l) L. 1. c. 3. de Excid . Hierosol . Hegesippus .

From these Characters it is evident that the Asmonean Race flourished about the year of the Julian Period 4548 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 12. โ˜ฝ . 7. at which time Mattathias died : That in the 4549th year of the Julian Period Jud. Maccab. acquired immortal Glory among the Jews , by restoring their publick Service ; and that he was slain in the year of the Julian Period 4555 : And lastly , that the Epocha of Simon had its Beginning in the year 4571 of the Julian Period .

How any certain year of the Julian Period may How to find out any year of these Epocha's . be conveniently connected with the years of these Epocha's , is sufficiently evident from what has been said upon this Point in the preceding Chapters , to wit , for the year since the Death of Mattathias , must be subtracted 4547 years ; for the year since the Restauration of the Levitical Service by Judas , 4548 years ; and for the year of the Epocha instituted in honour of Simon , must be subtracted 4570 years and three Months , &c.

ยง . 1. THE Words of Josephus , where he relates the Family of Mattathias being The Derivation of the Name of the Asmoneans . ambiguous , some have made the Word Asmonean a proper Name , others an Appellative . It is , I think sufficient for us to know that the Word Asmonean signifies as much in the Hebrew as Great Men and Governours ; in which Sence it is explained by Rabbi Kimchi .

ยง . 2. Many who insist upon the Promise of Of which Tribe the Asmoneans were descended . the Scepter of Judah , would have the Asmoneans descended from the Tribe of Judah ; of which Opinion are Genebrardus and Baronius : But the last of these two has changed his Opinion in his last Edition of his Annals , it being evident out of the Books of the Maccabeans (m) (m) 1 Mac. 2. v. 1. c. 14. v. 29. , that the Asmonean Family was descended from the Tribe of Levi ; which is likewise agreeable to the Genealogy of Josephus (n) (n) L. 12. c. 8. . What is alledged by some of the Asmonean Race to be descended on the Mother's side from the Family of David , is of no great Consequence , it being not customary among the Jews , to let the Succession pass to the Females .

ยง . 3. Judas the Son of Mattathias was the first How they were called Maccabeans afterwards . who was sirnamed the Maccabean (o) (o) 1 Mac. 2. v. 3. : But concerning the Interpretation of this Word there are diverse Opinions . (p) (p) L. 3. Art. Cab. Johan . Reuchlinus and Serrarius would have it to have been an Inscription in the great Standard of Judah , and to signifie as much as WHO IS LIKE UNTO THE LORD AMONGST THE GODS ? And that Judas from thence had received the Sirname of Maccabean . But (q) (q) L. 2. 13. misc . Fullerus interprets it , THROUGH ME IS THE PLAGUE , to wit , in Reference of the refractory Gentiles and Apostates .

ยง . 4. Many Learned Men are of Opinion , The Administration of the Government was in the Tribe of Levi before the Asmoneans . that the supreme Administration of the Government among the Jews was not lodged in the Tribe of Levi till the time of the Asmonean Family , but contrary to Truth : For (r) (r) L. 20. c. 8. Josephus says expresly , that after the Return of the Jews to Jerusalem by the Command of Cyrus , Jesus the Son of Josedec was High-Priest ; WHO , says he , AND WHOSE POSTERITY , in all Fifteen , governed the Jewish Commonwealth till the time of Antiochus Eupator . St. Jerome (s) (s) In Jer. c. 22. in Ez. c. 21. consents with Josephus , and (t) (t) In C. 1. Ez. Lyra has the following Words : God governed his People after they had taken Possession of the Land of Promise , by three different Forms of Government : First , by the Judges , of which in the Book of the Judges . Secondly , by the Kings , of which in the Book of the Kings . Thirdly , by the High-Priests , from their Return out of the Babylonian Captivity , till Christ . And it is remarkable what is related by (u) (u) L. 11. c. 8. Josephus , that when Alexander the Great stood in need of the Assistance of the Jews at the Siege of Tyrus , he directed his Letters written for that Purpose to Jaddua the then High-Priest .

CHAP. XXXIV . Of the Antiochian Epocha or ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ .

The Chief Characters of the Antiochian Epocha are , 1. The Beginning of this Epocha is coincident with that time when the Battle of Pharsalia was fought ; where Pompey 's Army was put to an entire Rout , and he himself slain soon after through the Perfidiousness of Septimus , Salvius , and Achillus . 2. The 2 d year of the Reign of the Emperour Leo was the 506th ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , in which year , to wit , on the fourth day of the Month Gorpiaeus ( the same with the Month of September by the Romans ) hapned a great Earthquake , which shook almost all the Houses of the New City , according to (a) (a) L. 2. c. 12. Evagrius . 3. In the 150th year of this Epocha , under the Reign of Trajan there hapned another most terrible Earthquake , mentioned by the same Evagrius . 4. In the 575th year of this Epocha , on the first day of the Month of Xanticus ( our first of April ) the Emperour Justin being at the Point of Death , constituted Justinian , his Sister's Son , his Consort in the Empire , according to the same (b) (b) L. 4. c. 9. Evagrius . 5. The first year of this Epocha is coincident with the 1969th year of Abraham . Euseb. Vpon which year Eusebius speaks concerning the Antiochian Computation . 6. In the same first year of this Epocha began likewise the first INDICTION , which was followed afterwards by others , as it is well observed by Scaliger ; so that the Antiochian Years divided by 15 , the Residue shews the true Character of the Cycle of Indictions .

From these and other Characters , but especially those remarked by Evagrius , it may be concluded that this Aera began in the year of the Julian Period 4665 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 17. โ˜ฝ . 10. in Autumn .

If therefore 4664 Years and 9 Months be subtracted Any certain year given of the Julian Period to fโ—โ—d out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . from any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the year since the Beginning of the Antiochian Epocha .

ยง 1. IN the Chronicle of Alexandria it is observed that Liberty was proclaimed at Antiochia This Epocha began in Autumn . on the 20th day of May ; which , if it be so , it follows , that the Epocha of the Antiochian Liberty had its Beginning before the Battle fought betwixt Caesar and Pompey ; The Battle of Pharsalia being , according to the Testimony (c) (c) L. 3. B. G. of Caesar himself , fought when it was near Harvest-time : But most of the best Chronologers agree in this point , that this Epocha had its Beginning , not in the Spring , but in the Autumn next preceding the Battle of Pharsalia : For which Reason Scaliger and Calvisius appoint the first day of October for the Beginning of this Epocha , which , in my Opinion , would have been better on the 22d of September , this having been anciently the Beginning of the Indictions .

ยง . 2. John Christopherson an Englishman , a famous Why this Epocha is called ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Interpreter of the ancient Graecians , has translated the Words of Evagrius , where he makes mention of ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ; in the Year in which Antiochia received its Name ; but quite beyond the Purpose ; Antiochia having received its Name above 260 Years before this Epocha , from Antiochus ; besides that the Greek Word does not admit of this Explication . The Opinion therefore of Scaliger appears most probable , that thereby they had a Respect to the Cycle of Indictions , which was begun with the first Years of this Epocha .

CHAP. XXXV . Of the Julian Epocha .

The Julian Epocha begins with the Correction of the Calendar , which was begun , 1. When Caesar , then High-Pontiff , was the third time , and Em. Lepidus Consuls of Rome , according to (a) (a) C. 2. De Die Nat. Cens . and Dio. 2. The Julian Years owe their Offspring to the 4th Consulship of Caesar , according to the same Cens . Loc. Cit. 3. The 283 d Julian Year is coincident with the same Year that Ulpius and Ponticanus were Consuls at Rome , and with the Year since the Building of the City 991 , according to Cens . Cap. 21.

From whence we conclude that the first Julian Year began on the first of January , in the Year of the Julian Period 4669 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 21. โ˜ฝ . 14. and that consequently the preceding 4663th Year was the Year of Confusion .

If therefore 4668 years be subtracted from any certain given year of the Julian Period , the Any certain year given of the Jul. Period to find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . Residue shews the year since the Beginning of this Epocha . And if to the Year of this Epocha the before-mentioned Number of Years be added , the Product easily shews the Year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. JVlius Caesar finding that the Pontiffs of Why Caesar altered the Form of the Year . Rome , whose Care it was to intercalate the Years which were to be Lunae-Solar Years , had abused their Authority , and managed this Intercalation according to their own Conveniency , and to oblige their Friends according as they were inclined to lay down , sooner or later , their Magistracies , resolved to correct this Corruption : Of which see Censorinus .

ยง . 2. (b) (b) Lib. 26. Rer. Gest. Ammianus Marcellinus gives an Account How this was affected . at large how Caesar proceeded in the Correction of the Old Calendar ; The Sum and whole Basis of which is , That Sosigenes did make the Solar Tropick Year consist of 365 Days and 6 Hours ; but that the 6 Hours were not to be accounted , till ( all together ) they made up one Day , which was to be added to the 4th Year , on the 22d of February ; so that this Interval of 48 Hours was to be accounted for one and the same Day . Of which see also Celsus .

ยง . 3. The Year of Romulus began with the How the Months were ordered in the Julian Year . Month of March , according to the Poet :

Martis erat primus mensis , Venerisque secunduโ— , Haec generis princeps , ipsius ille pater . Tertius ร  Senibus , Juvenum de nomine quartus , Quae sequitur numero turba vocata fuit .

But under the Reign of Numa Pompilius the Romans were pleased to add the two Months of January and February ; so that January was the first ; of which the Poet has the following Words :

Primus erat Jani mensis , quia janua prima est , Qui sacer est imis manibus , imus erat . Postmodo creduntur spatio distantia longo Tempora bis quini continuรขsse viri .

At the time of Julius Caesar therefore the same Order was observed in the Months which is retained to this day .

ยง . 4. The Motive that induced Caesar to begin the Julian Year with the first of January , or Why Caesar begon the Year with the first of January . the Hybernal Solstice is thus represented by the Poet :

Dic age frigoribus , quare novus incipit annus , Qui melius per Ver incipiendus erat ? Omnia tunc florent , tunc & nova temporis aetas , Et nova de gravido palmite gemma tumet , &c.

After having said much more in Praise of the Spring , the Poet makes this Answer :

Bruma novi prima est ; veterisque novissima Solis , Principium capiunt Phoebus & annus idem .

ยง . 5. The Year which preceded the first Julian Of the Year of Confusions . Year was called the Year of Confusion ; because it consisted , by reason of the Neglect of the Intercalations , of 15 Months or 445 Days , as is evident from the Words of Censorinus . Caesar , says he , when High-Pontiff of Rome , in his third Consulship , and in the first of Emil. Lepidus , to correct what had been neglected before , intercalated two Months consisting of 67 Days , betwixt the Months of November and December , having already added 23 Days to the Month of February , and this made that Year to consist of 445 Days . And (c) (c) Vit. Caes . Suetonius represents the Correction of Caesar in the same manner ; from all which it is evident that the Year of Confusiโ—โ— began on the 14th day of October , in the Year of the Julian Period 4667.

ยง . 6. Though Caesar had been very careful in appointing the exact time of Intercalation ; yet The Correction of the Julian Tears . Caesar having been slain in the second year of this Epocha , out of Ignorance of those who had the Management of the Calendar , these Intercalations were made sooner than it ought to have been ; which induced Octavius Augustus to undertake the Reformation of these Julian Years , which is thus related by Macrobius : The Priests , says he , have given Occasion to a new Error by their Intercalations . For , whereas they ought to have intercalated that Day which is made up out of four times 6 Hours , at the latter End of each 4th year , at the Beginning of the 5th ; they did make this Intercalation at the Beginning of each 4th year . This erroneous Intercalation was continued for 36 years together ; in which time 12 Days , were intercalated instead of 9. This Mistake was likewise corrected by Augustus , who ordered that the 12 next following years should not be intercalated ; that these three Days , which , by the Over-hastiness of the Priests , were introduced , might be swallowed up thus in this Interval . Afterwards he ordered ( pursuant to Caesar 's Intention ) that at the Beginning of each 5th year one Day should be intercalated ; and that this should ( for an everlasting Remembrance ) be cut in Brass .

ยง . 7. It is undeniable , that there is some Mutation in the Ingress of the Sun into the Celestial Whether the Julian Years need another Correction . Points ; and that likewise the Feasts of Easter have been misplaced in the Old Calendar . Nevertheless I cannot see any sufficient Reason which should induce us to approve of the Gregorian Correction or any other ; but rather to retain the ancient Form of the Year , as in the times of Julius Caesar , and without cutting off a Day , by reason of the Preceding Equinoxes , to investigate the Plenilunium Paschale out of the most exact Astronomical Tables ; and to โ—ix the Feast of Easter on the first Feria next ensuing the said Plenilunium , thus following the Footsteps of both the Emperours Julius and Constantine . For it is well known , that the first regulated the Publick and Civil Records according to the Motion of the Sun , in which he followed the Opinion of Sosigenes , and his Solar Year . We have before us the Examples of many great Mathematicians , and of Ptolemy himself , who did not reject the Fasti Nabonassarei ; tho' in the same no Account was made of the Hours belonging to the Solar Year ; and what should move us to pretend to any new Alterations in the Julian Calender , which agrees much more with the Celestial Motions ? For , what Detriment is it to the Common-wealth , if โ—โ—e Equinox be fixed now on the 9th or 10th Day of March , which , in the times of Julius Caesar used to fall out upon the 23d Day of the same Month ? On the other hand , what a Confusion would it be , if by rejecting the Julian Year we should be put under a Necessity of rendring useless all the Astronomical Tables and the Julian Period ? For which Reason it is , that Johannes Keplerus , who was Mathematician to three Emperours , when he compiled his Tabulas Rudolphinas , did not follow the Method of Gregorius , but retained the Julian Computation : Neither need we ( like Gregorius ) be at the Charge of many thousand Pounds to find out the Paschal Plenilunes ; the same being without great Difficulty to be investigated out of the Astronomical Tables , where the Equinoxes and Plenilunes have their exact appointed times . To be short , as the Church does not impair the Civil Power , so the Feasts need not interfere with the Imperial Records ; especially at this time when we may make use of the Words of the (a) (a) Col. 2. v. 16 , 17. Apostle , Let no Man judge you in respect of any Holy Day , or the New Moon , or of the Sabbath-Days , which are a Shadow of things to come .

CHAP. XXXVI . Of the Epocha of the time of Herod and the Reigns of the Foreign Kings over the Jews . 1. Herod , who afterwards was sirnamed the Great , was by Antipater declared Prince of Galilea , when he was scarce 15 years of Age. (b) (b) L. 14. c. 17. Antiq. L. 1. c. 8. de Bell. Jud. Josephus . 2. This was done after Julius Cโ—โ—โ—r had put a happy Period to the Alexandrian War , and had conferr'd great Honours upon Antipater the Father of Herod . (c) (c) L. โ—4 . c. 15. 17. Ant. Jos. 3. This same Herod solliciting for Succours against the Parthians , was by Anthony and Augustus , with Consent of the Senate and People of Rome , declared King of Judaea in the 184th Olympiad , when C. Domit. Calv. the second time , and C. Asin . Pollio were Consuls of Rome , whose Consulate was coincident with the Year before Christ 40 , according to the vulgar Epocha . See (d) (d) L. 19. v. 26. Jos. 4. The City of Jerusalem was besieged and taken by Herod and Sosius in the Sabbatick Year , when M. Agrippa and Canid. Gallus were Consuls at Rome in the 185th Olympiad , in the third Month , on the Day of their great and solemn Fast ; on which Day the said City was likewise taken by Pompey 27 years before . See (e) (e) L. 14. c. 18. Ant. Josephus . These Characters shew the taking of this City to have been coincident with the 37th year before Christ . 5. The Battle betwixt Anthony and Augustus was fought near the Promontory of Actium in the 7th year after Herod had taken the City of Jerusalem , according to Josephus (f) (f) L. 15. c. 17. ; which Battle hapned in the 31st year before Christ , and in the 15th Julian Year , as shall be shewn hereafter . 6. Herod was confirmed in the Kingdom , and had the Crown , which he had laid down of his own accord , restored to him , when Augustus marched into Egypt , which was in the 2 d year after the Battle of Actium , and the 30th year before Christ . 7. Herod lived but eight Days ( Josephus says five ) after he had caused his Son Antipater to be slain . He reigned in all forty years . Chron. Temp. Sec. 8. The 18th year of the Reign of Herod was the 15th year after his taking the City of Jerusalem , and in the same year he began to rebuild the Temple which he had caused to be pulled down before . See (g) (g) L. 17. c. 10. Ant. Josephus . 9. The Days that Herod reigned over all the Jews are 37 years , and Herod died ; a Man who had been very prosperous in his Vndertakings . These are the Words of the Hebrew Text of (h) (h) L. 5. c. 41. Josephus , translated by Sebastianus Munsterus from the Constantinopolitan Copy , and published by Hen. Petrus in the year 1540 at Basil . For the true time of the Beginning of the Reign of Herod over all the Jews must be computed from his taking the City of Jerusalem . 10. When Herod 's Recovery was despaired of , Judas Sariphaeus and Matthias Margalothus made their Attempt upon the Golden Eagle ; for which they and their Adherents were burnt alive : And in the same Night hapned a Lunar Eclipse , and the King grew worse . See (i) (i) L. 17. c. 8. Josephus . Another such Eclipse hapned a year before the vulgar Epocha of Christ . 11. The Tyrant died not many Months before the Feast of the Passover : For Archelaus , who , by the last Will of Herod was appointed his Successour in the Kingdom , did engage at the time of the Feast of the Passover with those that were risen in Rebellion to revenge the Death of Matthias and his Friends ; of whom , after he had slain several thousands , he ordered that all such as by reason of the Feast were come to Jerusalem , should return to their Homes . See (k) (k) L 17. c. 11. Josephus . 12. Our Saviour's Birth , and the Murder of the Children of Bethlem under two years of Age , of which mention is made in (l) (l) c. 2. v. 16. Matthew , hapned before the Death of Herod . 13. Archelaus , before he had reigned quite 9 years , was despoiled of the Kingdom , and banish'd into France ; (m) (m) Jos. l. 2. c. 6. de Bell. Jud. after which , Judaea , from being a Kingdom , being annexed to the Province of Syria , Quirinus or Cyrenus was sent thither as Governour , to take their Inhabitants , and to dispose of the private Estate of Archelaus . Quirinus brought along with him Coponius a Commander of a Body of Horse , unto whom he left the Administration of Affairs in Judaea (n) (n) Jos. l. 17. c. 1. . It was in the 37th year after the Battle of Actium , and the taking of Alexandria (o) (o) Jos. l. 18. c. 3. , that this Taxation was made , which is coincident with the 7th or 8th year of the vulgar Aera of Christ .

According to these Characters we conclude that the time of Herod is to be regulated in the following manner . He was made Prince of Galilea about the year of the Julian Period 4667. 2. He was declared King at Rome in the Year of the Jul. Period 4674. 3. He conquered Jerusalem in the year of the Jul. Period 4684. 4. Augustus confirmed his Reign in the year of the Jul. Period 4684. 5. He rebuilt the Temple of Jerusalem about the year of the Jul. Period 4691. 6. He died in the year of the Jul. Period 4713. before the Feast of the Passover . 7. His Successour was banished about the year of the Jul. Period 4721.

If therefore any certain year of the Julian Period be given , subtract from that year for the Beginning of the Princely Dignity of Herod 4666 years ; for the Beginning of his Reign 4673. years ; for his Conquest of Jerusalem 4676 years ; for his being confirmed in the Kingdom by Augustus 4683 years ; for the Rebuilding of the Temple 4690 years ; for his Death 4712 years for the Banishment of Archelaus 4720 years : And if the same Numbers which have been subtracted , be added to the several years known by the Residues , the Products will be correspondent to the years of the Jul. Period .

ยง . 1. NIch. Damascenus who was a familiar Friend Of the Family of Herod . of Herod himself , traces his Origin from the Babylonian Jews ; which , tho' it has been contradicted by Josephus , yet has been embrac'd by the Author of the Hebrew History cited by (p) (p) Ad Sulp. Sever. p. 250. Drusius , and among the Christians by Torniellus , Africanus , Eusebius , Baronius , Serrarius , and others , deduce his Origin from the Philistians of Ascalon ; but Josephus makes Herod an Idumean ; which is a Demi-Jew ; the Idumeans , who were conquered by Joh. Hircanus having embraced the Jewish Religion , which being the most probable Opinion , is likewise confirmed by the Testimony of the Author of the Chronicle of the 2d Temple .

ยง . 2. Is . Causab . Sealiger , Kepleras , Torniellus , Herod was made Governour of Galilea in the 15th year of his Age. Spanhemius , Langius , and almost all the modern Chronologers accuse Josephus of a notable Error in appointing the 15th year of Herod's Age when he was made Prince of Galilea by his Father Antipater ; in lieu of which they would have it 25 or 26 years . But the Circumstances of the whole History sufficiently evince that Josephus did commit no Mistake in putting 15 instead of 25. The only Objection is , that according to Josephus himself , Herod was but 15 years old at the time of the Alexandrian War , and the Beginning of the Julian Epocha ; and in the 45th year of the Julian Epocha ; when he died , he is said to have been 70 years old . To which it is to be answered , That the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , made use of by Josephus , may be taken here for one of above 60 years old ; or else , that the Text is adulterated in this Passage , rather than contradict so many unquestionable Circumstances relating to this History .

ยง . 3. The true time of the Death of Herod is When Herod died . involved in no small Difficulties . Joh. Kepl. Dion . Petav. and Fred. Spanhem . refer his Death to the 42d Julian Year , to wit , three years sooner than has been asserted by us : But Herod having received the Royal Diadem in the 6th Julian Year after the Feast of the Passover , from thence to the 42d Julian Year cannot be computed more than 35 years ; whereas Josephus expresly mentions 37 years . Furthermore , if Herod be supposed to have died in the 42d Julian Year , it must follow , that our Saviour was born in the 41st Julian Year ; from whence , to the 74th Julian Year , which is coincident with the 15th year of the Reign of Tiberius , are about 33 years ; which , according this Hypothesis , must have been the Age of our Saviour ; which is contradicted by (q) (q) C. 3. v. 1. 23 St. Luke : and , to affirm , that Herod died before the Birth of Christ , is contrary to the Evangelical History .

ยง . 4. Those before-mention'd Authors , who What Reasons are alledged against our Opinion . anticipate the Death of Herod three years before us , alledge in their behalf the Text of Josephus , which mentions not only 37 years for the Reign of Herod , but also attributes compleat 9 years for Archelaus after the Death of Herod . If , say they , the Coronation of Herod hapned in the 6th Jul. Year , from thence to the 42d Jul. year when Herod died , are 36 years . And , if from the 51st Julian Year when Aemilius Lepidus and C. Arun. Nepos were Consuls at Rome ; and which , according to (r) (r) L. 5 Dio Cassius , hapned the Banishment of Archelaus , thโ— 9 years of his Reign , be subtracted , the Residue is correspondent to the 42d Julian Year , when Archelaus succeeded his Father . This , they say , appears further out of the Computation of the Years of Philip the younger Son of Herod . The 37th year of his Age , which was his last , is made coincident by (s) (s) L. 18. c. 6. Josephus with the 20th year of the Reign of Tiberius ; but the 20th year of the Reign of Tiberius began in September in the 78th Julian Year ; of which , if the 36 years of Philip be subtracted , the Residue is again correspondent to the 42d Julian Year , when Philip succeeded his Father Herod in some Part of the Kingdom . It cannot be denied that this Computation carries along with it a great Probability , if the same were also agreeable to the other before-mentioned Characters . According to this Hypothesis , the whole Series of the History of the Jews must be called in question , or else that Josephus was only misguided in the Relation of the History of Herod ; or else , that these Errors are crept in by the Negligence of the Transcribers . But the safest way is to keep to these Characters mentioned at the Beginning of this Chapter , and not to reject these Demonstrations for the sake of some Niceties .

ยง . 5. Laurent . Suslyga and Is . Vossius refer the Death of Herod to the 43d Julian Year , or to Some refer the Death of Herod to the 43 d Julian Year . the year of the Jul. Period 4711 : But besides what has been alledged before against Keplerus and Petavius , it is to be observed that these two have made but little Reflection upon the Character of the Lunar Eclipse mentioned by Josephus .

ยง . 6. Alstedius , Wilhelmus Langius , and Wickmannus , Some to the 44th year . make the Death of Herod coincident with the 43d Julian Year , or the year of the Jul. Period 4712 ; by which means they pretend to come nearer to the 37 years appropriated by Josephus to the Reign of Herod : But since this Opinion labours under the same Difficulty with the former , in respect of the Eclipse of the Moon , I choose rather to follow the Opinion of Scaliger , than to grapple in the Dark when it is left to my Choice to walk in the Light .

ยง . 7. The Celestial Characters having been always Vnto what time the Lunar Eclipse is to be referred . considered as the surest Guides for the Chronologers , most of those Authors who dispute about the true time of the Death of Herod , have endeavoured to bring that notable Eclipse of the Moon mentioned by (t) (t) L. 17. c. โ—8 . Ant. Josephus , within the Compass of their several Hypotheses . Laurentius Codomannus (u) (u) An. S. Script . p. 69. has the following Words of this Eclipse : ` In the year of the World 4133 , a little before Midnight which followed the 8th day of November , in the 2d year of Christ , hapned that Eclipse of the Moon mentioned by Josephus in the 17th Book and 8th Chapter . The next following day being the 9th day of ` November , Herod the Great being then very ill , &c. Tho. Lydiott maintains that this same Eclipse hapned in the Beginning of the Night which followed the 20th day of February of the 52d Julian Year . Joh. Keplerus , and Dion . Petavius declare for that Eclipse of the Moon which hapned on the 13th day of March , 2 Hours and 45 Minutes after Midnight . (x) (x) C. 149. p. 75. Joh. Georg. Herwart ab Hoeโ—burg in his New and Truly Astronomical Chronology , makes this Eclipse the same with that which hapned in the 47th Jul. Year , and the 754th year since the Building of Rome , according to Varro's Computation ; when on the 20th day of February the Moon was eclipsed an Hour before Midnight , the Sun being at that time in the 29th Degree , 51 Minutes of Aquarius . Wilhelm . Langius alledges that Eclipse for the true one , which hapned in the 44th Julian Year in the Morning , on the 20th day of January , the End of which was seen at Arbela , and the Middle in some more Oriental Parts . But Scaliger is of Opinion that the Lunar Eclipse mentioned by Josephus , near the time of the Death of Herod , hapned on the 8th day of January , in the 45th Jul. Year . Thus has this memorable Character so industriously observed and set down by Josephus proved the Apple of Contest among the Chronologers . To give the best Judgment we can in so difficult a Point , it ought to be observed , that those who have bestowed so much Pains in applying these Eclipโ—es to their Hypotheses , have lost much Labour and Time , unless the same be likewise agreeable to the other Circumstances . Thus it may rationally be supposed that the Lunar Eclipse mentioned here by Josephus was visible at Jerusalem , it being mentioned as a peculiar Character belonging to the History of the Jews ; and the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ seems to intimate that the same hapned near Midnight , not in the Evening or Morning , in Opposition to Langius . It is also very probable that the same was not so inconsiderable as it is made by Petavius ; but that it was very remarkable and worth the taking notice of by so great an Historian . There is also another Circumstance worth our particular Observation ; that there must be betwixt this Eclipse and the ensuing Passover an Interval sufficient for the transacting all those Matters that are related in that Place by (y) (y) L. 1. c. 21. de Bell. Jud. Josephus : Herod falling dangerously ill after this Eclipse , consulted the Physicians ; and after he had for some time used their Prescriptions , he was by their Advice carried to the Bath . After his Return from thence he received Letters from Rome ; and finding himself grow worse and worse , he caused Antipater to be slain , and died not till five Days after : After which were celebrated the Funeral Rites with great Pomp , his Corps being carried from Jericho to Herodium above 200 Stadia . After all this had been transacted , the Slaughter of several thousands ensued at the time of the Passover , all which is not probable that it could have been done in so few Days as Keplerus and Petavius allot for this Interval . So that the whole matter duly weighed , Scaliger's Opinion deserves to be preferr'd before all the others ; of which we will give you a Scheme in the following Table :

Hor. Grad . โ€ฒ โ€ณ Media 8 accidit Vranib . tempore Astronom . compl . A. Per. Jul. 4712. 8 Jan. 15 40 21 Intervallum inter veram & mediam 8 Subtr . 4 17 24 Tempus apparens verae 8 Vranib . 8 Jan. 11 22 57 Anomalia Aequin . Sing . 1. 6 31 0 Longit. Solis , 9 16 14 32 Anomal . Solis , 7 8 8 6 Longit. Lunae . 5 27 49 17 Anom . Lunae , 7 13 10 19 Latit . Lunae , 5 26 50 2 Prostaphaer . Aeq . subtr . 16 10 Prostaph . Solis add . 1 18 0 Hor โ€ฒ โ€ณ Prostaph . Lunae add . 3 28 47 Locus Solis verus in โ™„ . 17 16 24 Locus Lunae verus in โ™‹ . 17 16 23 Latit . Lunae Austral . 1 38 Semidiameter Vmbrae , 45 16 Semidiameter Lunae , 16 49 Pars Lunae deficiens , 61 30 Digiti Ecliptici 21 , Min. 34 , Motus Lunae horarius , 32 59 Scrupula Incidentiae & morae dimidiae , 62 4 Tempus Incidentiae . 1 52 54 Initium Eclipsis Hierosolymis p. merid . 8 Jan. 11 21 17 Medium , 13 14 11 Finis , 15 7 5 Duratio , 3 45 48 Latit . โ˜ฝ . ad init . Bor. 4 7 Latit . โ˜ฝ . ad sinem Austr . 7 22

ยง . 8. Baronius objects against Josephus that he has left out nine years in the whole Computation of Concerning Baronius his Computation of the Reign of Herod . the years of the Reign of Herod . And because it is related by (x) (x) L. 7. c. 8. Ant. L. 14. c. 17. L. 1. c. 21. de Bell. Jud. Josephus , that he died when he had lived 70 years , and that he had received the Government of Galilea in the 15th year of his Age ; from whence he concludes , that the 37 years mentioned by Josephus ought to begin with that time , when Augustus gave him the Title of King , being not permitted to reckon the preceding Years among his Reign ; and that consequently the first of the 37 years was coincident with the 15 Julian Years , in which happened the Battle near Actium , when Augustus was the third time , and Messala Consuls of Rome ; in the 2d year of the 178th Olympiad : So that the Nativity of Christ hapned at the Beginning of the 29th year of this Epocha ; and Herod's Death in the 8th year of Christ . Tho. Lyddiot has for the greatest part followed the Footsteps of Baronius . But this Opinion is founded upon such Suppositions as are altogether groundless ; no Inference being to be made from Herod's being confirmed in the Kingdom by Augustus , that he was deprived of the Royal Title and Dignity , before the Phrase Confirmare aliquem in Regno , not implying among the Romans to create one a King , which is manifest from thence , that Herod had before obtained the Royal Dignity by the mutual Consent of Anthony and Augustus and the Approbation of the Senate .

ยง . 9. The Words spoken by the Jews to our Saviour , Forty and six years was this Temple in Concerning the 46 years mentioned in St. Joh. c. 2. v. 20 building , have puzzled the Interpreters , some of whom have explained them of the Temple built by Zorobabel ; but it is evident from the History of Herod , that they spoke in this Passage of the Temple that was rebuilt by Herod , which was begun in the 18th year of his Reign and in its Height in the 28th year of his Reign ; and not brought to its Perfection till 46 years after the first Preparations were made for this great Structure . There is one Objection against it , which is , that (a) (a) L. 1โ— . c. 14. Ant. Josephus says in another Place , that the Temple of Herod was built in 18 Months , which is to be understood from its outward Parts , tho' there are also some who interpret the Interval of 46 years betwixt the 18th year of the Reign of Herod and the first year after the Baptism of Christ thus ; that the Structure of the Temple was interrupted for some time .

ยง . 10. (b) (b) L. 2. c. 4. Saturn . Macrobius is the only Person among Whether mention is made of the Murther of the Children by Herod in prophane History . the Prophane Historians , who makes mention of the Murther of the Children by Herod in these Words : Augustus having understood that among the Male Children under two years of Age , which were slain in Syria by the Command of Herod his own Son had been among their Number , he said , It is much better to be the Hog than the Son of Herod . There are not wanting such as look upon this as a meer Fiction . Others refer these Words of Augustus to the Murther of his Son Antipater ; others to another Son of his under two years of Age , who was slain among the rest at Bethlehem ; and that Antipater's Murther hapned after that of the Male Children , which is evident from (c) (c) L. 1. c. 8. Hist. Eccles. Eusebius and (d) (d) L. 7. c. 8 , 9. Ant. Josephus : the first of which says expresly , that the Murther of the Children of Bethlehem was committed before Herod fell ill ; and the last affirms , that Antipater was not slain till five days before his Death .

ยง . 11. Scaliger admires what could induce Josephus did not mention this Murther of the Male Children . Josephus to pass by in Silence this Murther of the Children under two years of Age at Bethlehem in the History of Herod ; which is not only excused , but defended by (e) (e) P. 159. Chr. Sacr. Isaac Vossius ; who alledges in his Behalf , that after so many Cruelties and Murthers of Wives , Sons , Relations and Friends , committed by Herod , Josephus looks upon this as so inconsiderable as scarce to deserve a Place in his History . But that this Murther was not so inconsiderable as Vossius would persuade us is sufficiently testified by (f) (f) C. 2. v. 16 , 17 , 18. St. Matthew in the following Words : Herod slew all the Children that were at Bethlehem , and in all the Coasts thereof , from two years old and under , &c. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the Prophet , saying , In RAMA was there a Voice heard , LAMENTATION and WEEPING , and GREAT MOURNING ; Rachel weeping for her Children , and would not be comforted , because they are not .

ยง . 12. The common Opinion is , that our At what time hapned this Murther of the Children at Bethlehem . Saviour was born on the 25th day of December ; and that on the 13th day after , being the 6th of January , the Wise Men came to Jerusalem , and from thence went directly to Bethlehem , where , having paid their Adoration , and being warned of God , they returned homewards immediately after ; and that Herod seeing himself mocked by the Wise Men , had thereupon perpetrated that Piece of Cruelty against the Children at Bethlehem ; so that the whole was transacted before the Purification of the Virgin Mary in the first Month of the forty fourth Julian Year . But if the Matter be duly weighed , we shall find that this Computation is in no wise agreeable to the true Chronological Circumstances . For whether these Wise Men came out of Arabia or Persia , certain it is , that they could not perform so great a Journey in 13 Days after the Apparition of the Star , which , according to the Evangelist , was the SIGNAL of the NEW-BORN KING ; considering especially the Inconveniencies of the Winter Season . It is also worth Observation , what is related by the Evangelist (g) (g) Matth. 2. , That Herod flow all the Children that were two years old and under . Herod had been , questionless , informed by the Wise Men , that they had been near a whole Year upon their Journey since the time of the Apparition of the Star , which induced Herod to cause all the Children of two years old and under , to be slain . So that it may be more probably concluded from the Words of the (b) (b) Matth. 2. v. 16. Evangelist , that Christ was at that time about one year old , than that he was of a few Days ; and that the Wise Men did not come to adore Christ in his Cradle a considerable time after the Purification of his Mother , about the Beginning of the second Year of Christ , and the forty fifth Julian Year .

CHAP. XXXVII . Of the Spanish Aera , which is otherwise called the Aera of CAESAR , and the Aera of Aera's . 1. This New Aera was introduced in Spain at that time , when after the Death of C. Jul. Caesar , who had conquered Spain , Caesar Octav. M. Anton. and M. Aemil. Lep. were Masters of the Roman Empire . 2. After they had with their joint Forces overthrown Brutus and Cassius in that bloody Battle of Philippi . 3. After they had divided the Provinces of the Roman Empire betwixt them a second time : of which Division see (a) (a) L. 48. Dio Cassius . 4. This Division of the World was made in the Year since the Building of the City 714. 5. When Domit. Calv. and C. Asin . Pollio were Roman Consuls , according to Dio and (b) (b) L. 3. c. 24. de reb. Hisp . Joh. Mariana . 6. In the 438th Year of this Aera in September , under the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius , Roman Emperours , and Flav. Stilico , and Flav. Aurel. Roman Consuls , the first Council , composed of 19 Bishops , was held at Toledo , against the Heresie of Priscillianus , as is evident out of the Inscriptions of the Decrees of this Council , cited by Alph. Villadiego . 7. In the 440th year of the Spanish Aera ; Arcadius and Honorius were the fifth time Consuls of Rome ; and in the same year hapned an Eclipse of the Sun in November . 8. In the year 447 of the Spanish Aera the Alani , Vandals and Suevians entred Spain . Idat. in Chronol. 9. (c) (c) L. 3. contr. Jud. Jul. Pomerius Bishop of Toledo says thus : It is no difficult Matter to investigate the Year since the Nativity of Christ : For this Aera was invented 38 years before the Birth of Christ ; and we now account the 624th Year of this Aera . If therefore 38 years ( this being the Interval betwixt this Aera and the Nativity of our Saviour ) be subtracted from thence , the Residue is 586 years .

From these and other Characters , too many to be mentioned here , it is manifest that the Spanish Aera begun with the first of January in the year of the Julian Period 4676 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 28. โ˜ฝ . 2.

If therefore 4675 years be subtracted from any certain year of the Julian Period , the Residue To investigate the year since the beginning of this Epocha . shews the year since the beginning of this Epocha ; and if the said 4675 years be added to the known year of this Aera , the Product will be correspondent to the year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. (d) (d) L. 5. p. 445. de Em. Temp. JOsephus Scaliger , who follows the Footsteps of (e) (e) L. 48. โ—ist . Rom. Dion , affirms that the Spaniards How this Aera was introduced in Spain . would not receive this Aera till they received a signal Overthrow from the Proconsul Domitius Calvinus . But it being evident out of the same Dion , that this Defeat did not happen till in the second year of this Aera , it is much more probable to aquiesce in the Relation of Joh. Mariana , that the Spaniards followed in this Aera the Footsteps of the Antiochians and Aegyptians , who , about 11 years after the Death of Cleopatra , began to compute their years from the Reign of Augustus , to shew their ready Submission and Obedience to their new Prince .

ยง . 2. The Provinces of the Roman Empire were at two several times divided betwixt the This Aera was introduced at the time of the 2 d Division of the Empire . Triumviri . In the first Division Octavius had for his share Italy , Africa , Sicily and Sardinia ; Lepidus , Spain and Gallia Narbonensis ; Anthony , the whole Gallia on both sides of the Alps ; which Division was made , according to (f) (f) L. 46. Dion , in the year since the Building of the City 711. Some begin this Aera with this first Division , which hapned in the 4th year after the Death of Caesar ; but according to the Chronological Circumstances , the same may be with more Certainty referr'd to the second Division , which was made in the 6th year after Caesar's Death .

ยง . 3. This Aera is generally made use of in the Acts and Decrees of the Synods , and other Spanish The Vsefulness of this Aera . Inscriptions , the most famous Synods of Spain and Africa being distinguished and described according to the Computation of the Spanish Aera .

ยง . 4. (g) (g) L. 3. c. 24. de reb. Hisp . Joh. Mariana observes that the Use of When the Vse of this Aera ceased . this Aera ceased in the year of Christ 1383 , under John I. King of Castile , in whose stead was introduced the Aera of Christ , following in this Point the Example of those of Valentia and Portugal .

CHAP. XXXVIII . Of the Epocha of the Battle of Actium used among the Aegyptians . 1. Octavius took up Arms against Anthony , who having receded from the Rules agreed upon betwixt the Triumviri , and being entangled in the Snares of Cleopatra , had given unto her ( to the no small Detriment of the whole Roman Empire ) the Provinces of Phoenicia , Syria , Cyprus , a great part of Sicily , of Judaea , and that part of Arabia Nabataea that extends its self towards the Ocean . 2. After the Death of Sext. Pompeius , the King of Armenia was taken Prisoner ; and the other Nations which were engaged in War against Caesar , were forced to submit , and the Parthians restored to a peaceable Condition . 3. The chiefest Motive which induced Caesar to arm against Anthony , was , that he had understood that Anthony had called Caesario in his last Will the Son of Julius Caesar , and had ranged him amongst the Family of the Caesars . 4. This Civil War betwixt Caesar and Anthony begun after the Philippean , Perusian and Sicilian Wars , when Cn. Domitius and C. Sossius were Roman Consuls , both of the Anthonian Faction . 5. In the same year that the Battle of Actium was fought , Caesar was the third time , and Vai . Messala Roman Consuls . See (a) (a) L. โ—0 . Hist. Rom. Dio Cassius , (b) (b) Vit. Antoniโ— . Plutarch , (c) (c) In Octav. August . Suetonius , Florus , Eutropius , Orosius , and others . 6. The Battle of Actium was fought in the 7th year of the Reign of Herod , at which time he was raising Forces for the Service of Anthony ; who having refused to accept of them , ordered him to employ them against the Arabians . See (d) (d) Lib. 15. c. 6 , 7. Anโ— . Josephus . 7. The Battle of Actium was fought on the second day of September , according to Dio , sub initio Lib. 1. 8. In the next following year Octav. undertook the second Expedition against Anthony and Cleopatra , who then laid violent Hands upon themselves . This hapned when Octavius was the 4th time , and M. Crassus Consuls of Rome . According to (e) (e) Loc. Cit. Dio and Aurel. Cassiodorus . 9. Cleopatra laid violent Hands upon her self in the 22 d year of her Reign , according to (f) (f) In Chron. Euseb. (g) (g) Regn. Success . Jornand . and especially (h) (h) Vit. Antoโ—iโ— . Plutarch , who says , she was thirty nine years old when she died . 10. Caesar reigned in Conjunction with Anthony 12 years , and afterwards 44 years . See Suetonius (i) (i) Loc. Cit. . 11. According to (k) (k) In Chron. Euseb. Cleopatra laid violent Hands upon her self in the 3 d year of the 187th Olympiad . 12. The Actian or rather Alexandrian Epocha of the Aegyptians ought to be coincident with the THOT of Nabonassar 769 , which is called the Actian THOT . See Ptolemy . 13. The 42 d year of Augustus was the 28th year since the Conquest of Aegypt and the Death of Anthony and Cleopatra , the last of the Royal Race of the Lagidae in Aegypt ( after they had reigned 295 years ) in the same year hapned the Nativity of our Saviour . See Euseb. (l) (l) Chr. L. 1. c. 5. Hist. Eccles. . 14. The 1014th year since the Beginning of the first Olympiad , and since the Building of Rome 991. The 283 d Julian Year was the 267th year since the Conquest of Alexandria . See (m) (m) C. 21. de D. N. Censorinus . 15. Aegypt was conquered by Oct. Caesar , in the Month of August . See (n) (n) L. 1. c. 12. Sat. Macrob. 16. Likewise Octavius made himself Master of Alexandria , on the first day of August . See Orosius (o) (o) L. 6. c. 19. . 17. On the same day that Caesar took Alexandria , the Rhaeti were 15 years after defeated by Drusus his General . See (p) (p) L. 2. Rer. August . Porphyrion , which has been likewise expressed by Horace in the following Verses : โ€” Nam tibi quo die Portus Alexandraea supplex , Et vacuam patefacit aulam , Fortuna lustro prospeโ—a tertio Belli secundos reddidit exitus : Laudemque , & optatum , peractis Imperiis , decus arrogavit .

From these Characters it is certain that the Battle near the Promontory of Actium was fought in the year of the Julian Period 4683 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 7. โ˜ฝ . 9. on the 2 d day of September ; and that Alexandria , after the Defection of Anthony 's Fleet to Caesar , was taken in the next following year , and that of the Julian Period , 4684 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 8. โ˜ฝ . 10. on the first day of August , and that in the same Month Cleopatra following the Example of Anthony , laid violent Hands upon her self .

If therefore from any certain year of the Julian To investigate the Year since the Beginning of this Aera . Period given , be subtracted 4682 years and 8 Months , the Residue shews the year since the Battle fought near Actium . And if 4683 Years and 7 Months be subtracted in like manner , the Residue is correspondent to the year since the Conquest of Alexandria and Aegypt by Octavius Augustus .

ยง . 1. THIS Epocha , which is called the Actian , is taken in a three-fold Sence among the Ancient Historians . For some deduce Various Computations of the Actian Aera . its Origin from the Battle of Actium , according to (q) (q) L. 51. Hist. Rom. Dio. Clemens Alexandrinus , and some other Aegyptian Writers , begin it in the next following Year from the Conquest of the City of Alexandria : Since which time others have begun their Computations from the time that the Aegyptians received the Julian Year instead of the Nabonassarean , which was done in the Seven hundred and twenty fourth Nabonassarean Year , on the Twenty ninth of August .

CHAP. XXXIX . Of the Epocha of the Augustus's . 1. Both the Years and Name of the Augustus's owes it Origin to that time when Octav. Caesar was entitled with the Name of AUGUSTUS by the Roman Senate , which Title has since been transmitted to all his Successours . 2. Octavius was not sirnamed AUGUSTUS till after he had entred the City thrice in Triumph , had put a Period to the Civil War , restored Tranquillity to the whole Roman Empire , had heaped great and many Benefits upon the City and People of Rome , had fill'd up the Senate with his Friends , and had the legal Administration of the Government conferr'd upon him by the Senate and People of Rome . 3. At which time Octavius was the 7th time , and M. Vipsan . Agrippa the 3 d time Consuls of Rome . See (a) (a) L. 2. Hist. Rom. Dio , (b) (b) C. 21. Censorinus , and Aur. Cassiodorus . 4. When Aegypt was reduced under the Roman Jurisdiction two years before . (c) (c) Loc. Cit. Censorinus . 5. The Years of the AUGUSTUS'S begin with the first of January , though Caesar was entitled with the Name of AUGUSTUS by L. Munatius Plancus , and the rest of the Roman Citizens , on the 14th of January . See Censorinus , with whom very nearly agrees Ovid , when he says thus : Idibus in magnis castus Jovis aede Sacerdos Semimaris flammis viscera libat ovis . Redditaque est omnis populo provincia nostro : Et tuus AUGUSTO nomine dictus avus .

From these Characters we conclude that the Epocha of the Augustus's , and the legal Administration of the Government by the Caesars , began with the Month of January , in the year of the Julian Period 4687 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 11. โ˜ฝ . 13.

If therefore 4686 years be subtracted from any certain To investigate the year since the beginning of this Epocha . year of the Julian Period , the Residue shews the desired Year since the Beginning of the Epocha of the AUGUSTUS'S .

ยง . 1. THere is no less than 6 several Beginnings How manifold is the Beginning of this Epocha . of this Epocha : For some begin it with the Death of Julius Caesar ; others with the first year when Octavius was Consul of Rome , which was in the third Julian Year ; Some from the time of the Triumviral Division , being the 6th Julian Year ; others from the time of the Battle of Actium , being the 15th Julian Year ; others from the Conquest of Alexandria and Aegypt ; others at last from the time Octavius received the Title of AUGUSTUS .

ยง . 2. It has been said before how that the Romans The Romans and Aegyptians differ in this Epocha . begin the years of Augustus from that time when Octavius received that Title . But the Aegyptians being conquered two years before that time , the third year of the Augustus's among the Aegyptians is the first with the Romans .

ยง . 3. Suetonius gives us the Reason why Octavius Why Octavius was firnamed Augustus . was firnamed Augustus in the following Words : Oct. Augusti Cognomen assumpsit , Munatii Planci sententia : cum quibusdamcensentibus , Romulum appellari oportere , quasi & ipsum conditorem urbis , praevaluisset , ut Augustus potius vocaretur , non tantum novo , sed etiam ampliore cognomine : quod loca quoque religiosa , & in quibus augurato quid consecratur , augusta dicantur , ab auctu , vel ab avium gestu , gustรบve : As Ennius likewise relates in the following Words :

Augusto augurio , postquam inclyta condita Roma est .

And in the same Sence says Ovid , L. 1. Fastor .

Sed tamen humanis celebrantur honoribus omnes : Hic socium magno , cum Jove nomen habet . Sancta vocant Augusta patres , augusta vocantur Templa Sacerdotum โ—ite sacrata manu .

From hence also the Greeks call it Venerable and Sacred , according to (d) (d) Lib. 3. Dio ; but the Germans have committed an Error in the Etymology of this Word , when they have interpreted Augustus an Increaser of the Empire .

ยง . 4. I am of Opinion , that it will be of no The principal Heads of the History of Augustus . small Use to reduce the principal Heads of the History of Augustus to the Julian Period and the Julian Years .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4651 , 23d of September , Octavius was born .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4670 , in the 2d Jul. Year , in the 19th Year of the Age of Octavius , on the 15th of March , Julius Caesar was slain ; and Octavius being sent by Julius , who was preparing for an Expedition against the Daci and Parthians towards Apollonia , returned to Rome as soon as he understood that Caesar had made him his Heir .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4671 , in the 3d Jul. Year , Anthony was vanquish'd in a bloody Battle near Mutina .

In the same Year , on the 19 day of August , Octavius then but 21 years of Age , was made Consul , and on the 27th day of November , Octavius . Anthony and Lepidus divided the Roman Empire betwixt themselves .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4672 , in the 4th Jul. Year , Octavius and Anthony fought against Brutus and Cassius , and vanquish'd them near Philippis .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4676 , in the 8th Jul. Year , was made the second Division of the Empire , which gave Birth to the Spanish Epocha .

In the Year of the Jul. Period , and the 10th Jul. Year , Sextus Pompeius was vanquished by Caesar , being strengthened by the Forces of Lepidus .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4681 , in the 13th Jul. Year , the Jealousie that had been for some time betwixt Anthony and Caesar broke out into open Enmity .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4683 , in the 15th Jul. Year , Anthony was overthrown by Caesar near Actium .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4684 , in the 16th Jul. Year , Caesar conquered Alexandria and Aegypt , and Anthony and Cleopatra killed themselves .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4687 , in the 19th Jul. Year , Octavius Caesar was sirnamed AUGUSTUS . Of which see Vellejus Paterculus , Lib. 2.

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4711 , in the 43d Jul. Year , in the 42d of the Reign of Augustus , our Saviour was born .

In the Year of the Jul. Period 4727 , in the 59th Jul. Year , on the 19th day of August , died the Emperour Octavius Augustus in the 76th Year of his Age , and was succeeded by Tiberius .

CHAP. XL. Of the True and Vulgar Epocha of CHRIST .

To regulate the Epocha of the Nativity of Christ , both according to the Tenure of the Sacred and Profane History , these following Characters must be observed . 1. Our Saviour was born in the Days of Herod the King , who was succeeded by Archelaus (a) (a) Mat. 2. v. 1. 22. . 2. When Octavius Augustus was Emperour of Rome (b) (b) Luk. 2. v. 1. . 3. By whom was sent out a Decree that all the World should be taxed (c) (c) Ibid. . 4. And this Decree was made first when Cyrenius was Governour of Syria (d) (d) Luk. 2. ver. 2. 5. In the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar , Pontius Pilate being Governour of Judaea , and Herod being Tetrarch of Galilee , and his Brother Philip Tetrarch of Iturea , and of the Region of Trachonitis , and Lysias the Tetrarch of Abylene ; Annas and Caiaphas being the High-Priests , &c. JESUS himself began to be about thirty years of Age , being ( as was supposed ) the Son of Joseph , which was the Son of Heli (e) (e) Luk. 3. v. 1 , 2 , 23. , 6. In the 6th Month after Elizabeth had conceived John by Zecharias the Priest of the Course of Abia , after the Days of his Ministration were accomplished , the Angel Gabriel was sent to announce to the Virgin Mary the Conception of Christ (f) (f) Luk. 1. v. 23. 26 , 36. . 7. Thus says Clem. Alexandrinus : Our Saviour was born in the same 28th year when the fixed Decree was made by Augustus about a Taxation : Which , doubtless was said in Reference of what is related by (g) (g) Lib. 1. Dio Cassius ; That the Day when Alexandria was taken by Augustus , was ordered to be kept as an Anniversary Feast , from whence was to be begun the Computation of the following Years . 8. It was therefore in the 42d year of the Reign of Augustus , and in the 28th after the Conquest of Aegypt , and the Death of Anthony and Cleopatra , that our Saviour JESUS CHRIST was born ; at the time of the first Taxation by Cyrenius then Governour of Syria , in the City of Bethlehem of Judaea , pursuant to the Prophecies of the Prophets : These are the Words of (h) (h) L. 1. c. 5. Hist. Eccles. Euseb. with whom agree , as to the Year of Augustus , (i) (i) L. 1. Haer. Clem. Alexandrinus , Epiphan (k) (k) Contr. Jud. c. 8. Tertullian , (l) (l) L. 1. c. 1. L. 7. c. 2. Paul . Orosius , (m) (m) Chr. Euseb. St. Hierome , Isodorus , Jornandes , Zonaras , &c. 9. The Death of the Emperour Commodus hapned 194 years after the Nativity of Christ . But the Emperour Commodus was murthered ( according to Clem. Alexandrinus (n) (n) L. 1. Str. ) in the year of the Aegyptian Aera 222. His Death is describ'd by Dio Cassius (o) (o) L. 72. H. R. . 10. At the time of the Nativity of our Saviour Lentulus and Messala were Roman Consuls ; though there are also some who refer his Nativity to the Consulship of Augustus the 13th time , and of Plautus Sylv. See Aurel. Cassiodorus , Geo. Cedrenus , (p) (p) Lib. 1. Haeres . Epiphan. Lucius Dexter , Mar. Scotus , &c. 11 Christ was born in the Year of the Constantinopolitan Epocha 6506 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . Graec. 18. โ˜ฝ . 15. See Geor. Cedren . 12. Christ was born on the 23 d day of December , according to the vulgar Opinion ; which Opinion was already generally received at the time of Theophilus Bishop of Caesarea in Palaestine , who lived under the Reign of Commodus and Severus : And Vict. Pictav affirms , that in the 3 d Age after the Nativity of Christ , the same was celebrated among the Christians about the Hybernal Solstice , which Custom was afterwards retained by those present at the General Councils of Baset and Florence ; as also the ancient Roman Catholick Writers of the Martyrologies , Breviaries , Diaries , &c.

From these Characters it seems evident to me , that our Saviour was born in the Year of the Julian Period 4711 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 7. โ˜ฝ . 18. on the 25th day of December .

If therefore 4711 years be subtracted from any certain Year given of the Julian Period , the Residue How to investigate the Year of this Epocha . shews the Year since the Beginning of this Epocha , &c.

But there being a Difference of two whole years betwixt the vulgar Computation and this ; If therefore 4713 years be subtracted from any known Year of the Julian Period , the Residue will be correspondent to the Year since the Beginning of this Epocha : Or if the said 4713 years be added to the known year of this vulgar Epocha , the Product will shew the Year of the Julian Period .

And if , according to the Opinion of some , the Computation be begun in the Year preceding the vulgar Epocha , let the same be subtracted from the 4714th Year of the Julian Period ; and the Residue will shew the Year of the Julian Period , correspondent to the Year next preceding the Nativity of Christ . And if the true Year of the Julian Period be known , and you would investigate the Year before the Beginning of the vulgar Epocha , subtract 4714 years from the known Year of the Julian Period , and the Residue will shew the Year next preceding the vulgar Epocha .

ยง . 1. (q) (q) Dubior . Ev. Part 2. dub. 1. FRed . Spanheim . (r) (r) Syn. disp. select . Exc. 8. Joh. Cloppenburgius , Whether it be impossible to find out the true year of the Nativity of Christ . Joh. Vossius , and many others , are of Opinion that it is impossible to determine the true Year of the Nativity of Christ . They alledge that the uncertain Beginnings of the several different Epocha's , and their unequal Conceptions , and uncertain Foundations , together with the various Interpretations of so many Authors of Note , are insuperable Difficulties . They add to this the Institution of the Christian Epocha , not till a considerable time after the Nativity of Christ , the different Opinions and Computations concerning the Reign of Herods , the Taxation of Cyrenius , and the thirty Years of Christ ; from whence they conclude that all the Opinions of the Chronologers concerning this Epocha , are founded upon false and uncertain Conjectures . But we being , in the Constitution of this Epocha guided by the Sacred Writ , the Authority of very ancient Chronologers , and the unquestionable Truth of the Celestial Characters this Epocha may be look'd upon as entangled in some Difficulties ; but ought not to be numbered amongst the Impossibilities .

ยง . 2. The Interpreters are much divided in their Opinions concerning the Taxation under Concerning the Taxation under Cyrenius . Cyrenius , the main Difficulty arising from thence , that at the time of the Nativity of Christ , Sentius Saturninus , and not Cyrenius , was Governour of Syria : For (s) (s) L. 17. c. ult. Ant. & L. 18. c. 1. Josephus enumerates the Governours of Syria , in the following Order : Sentius Saturninus , Quintilius Varus , Quirinius : Besides that , he makes not the least Mention of the first Decree of Augustus at the time of the Nativity of Christ , but only of the Taxation under Cyrenius after the Banishment of Archelaus and the Death of Herod . To resolve this Difficulty , the Interpreters have had Recourse to divers Explications . Theodorus Beza pretends to correct the Text of St. Luke , and to substitute the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ for the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . But , besides that it is of very ill consequence to correct the Sacred Text , neither Porphyrius , nor Julian the Apostate , tho' they were not unacquainted with what is said in the New Testament concerning the Taxation of Cyrenius under the Reign of Herod , never attempted to contradict it ; and (t) (t) Apol. 2. pro Christ . Justin Martyr alledges in his Behalf the Taxation-Books made by Cyrenius . Calvin and Salmero accuse Josephus of a Mistake in the time of the Taxation of Cyrenius : But , to lay so gross an Error at the Door of so great an Historian , is , in Effect , to call in question the Veracity of his whole History . Neither am I of the same Opinion with Eusebius (u) (u) L. 1. c. 5. Hist. Eccl. , who maintains the Taxation mentioned by (x) (x) L. 17. c. 15. L. 18. c. 1. Josephus , to have been the same with the Taxation , of which mention is made by St. Luke , Spanhemius having sufficiently shewn the great Difference there is betwixt them . (y) (y) Chron. c. 241. Joh. Georg. Herwart and (z) (z) Ecl. Chr. Kepler interpret the Words of St. Luke (a) (a) C. 2. v. 2. , thus ; that the Genitive Case ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ joined with the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , ought to be taken in the Comparative Mood , and signifies as much as if it had been said , that this Taxation was the first and was made before Quirinius or Cyrenius was Governour or Prefect of Syria . But if this had been the Sence of St. Luke , he would , questionless , have express'd it thus : ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , this being more agreeable to the Style of this Evangelist . In my Opinion it is the safest way to conclude , that either Cyrenius has been twice Governour of Syria , or that he was sent at the time of the Nativity of our Saviour on purpose into Syria with full Power to regulate this Taxation ; the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ implying any superiour Power ; and that Josephus did not make mention of it , because it came perhaps never to his Knowledge .

ยง . 3. This Character of the Nativity of Christ , Hโ—w to reconcile the Synchronism of the 15th year of Tiberius and the 30th of Christ . which ought to be considered as one of the fundamental ones of this Epocha , has met with dubious Interpretations : For some of them explain the Words of ( a ) St. Luke thus : Jesus began to be thirty years of Age , &c. Whereas others would have it , Jesus was about thirty years of Age , to wit , when he began his Ministry . Of the first Opinion is Scaliger , who (b) (b) C. 3. v. 23 L. 3. Isag . Chron. pretends to evince that Christ was then entring his 31st year of Age. But I am rather inclin'd to believe that the Word ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ is made use of here in an Eliptick Sense ; and that it ought to be understood as relating to ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ or ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , or the Ministry of Christ .

ยง . 4. This vulgar Epocha of the Nativity of Whether the Vulgar Epecha of Christโ— be the true one . Christ was not only made use of by the Christian Writers at the time of Beda , but the same has also met with a Patron among the Modern Authors in the Person of Henr. Harvil . a Franciscan Fryar , but to no great Purpose , it being certain that the same is repugnant to the true Computation of the time of Herod , and the Synchronism of the 15th year of the Reign of Tiberius , and the 30th year of the Age of our Saviour , and several other Ecclesiastical Characters before-mentioned .

ยง . 5. There is not the least Question but that Dionysius , sirnamed Exiguus , a Native of Scythia , Whether Dionysius Exiguus was the first Author of this Epocha . and a Roman Abbot , was the first Author of the Vulgar Aera of the Nativity of Christ about the Year 527 ; the Ancients accounting their Years before that time , either from the Building of the City of Rome , from the Consuls , or the Emperour Dioclesian , or from the first Indiction . See W. Langius (d) (d) L. 1. c 1. de An Christi . .

ยง . 6. In the Roman Martyrology , published by the Conterning the Synchronismโ— mentioned in the Roman Martyrology . Authority of Pope Gregory XIII , and revised by the Command of Pope Vrban VIII , we find these following Words , which are every year on the 25th day of December read in publick : In the Year since the Creation of the World , when God created Heaven and Earth 5199 : And since the Deluge , in the 2957th ; and the Birth of Abraham in the 2015th year : From Moses , and the time of the Israelites leaving of Aegypt , in the 1510th : And from the time of David 's being anointed King , in the 1032 d Year ; In the 42 d annual Week of Daniel ; In the 194th Olympiad : In the 752 d Year since the Building of Rome ; in the 42 d Year of the Reign of the Emperor Oct. Augustus , when the whole World was blessed with Peace . In the 6th Age of the World , Jesus Christ , Eternal God , and Son of the Eternal Father , conceived from the Holy Ghost , 9 Months after his Conception was born in Bethlehem of Judaea from the Virgin Mary . But the Roman Catholick Writers themselves acknowledge the many Contradictions contained in the Synchronisms of this Martyrology , as may be seen in Baronius and Dionysius Petavius ; and may be easily refuted out of several of the preceding Chapters .

ยง . 7. There being neither the Day nor the The different Opinions concerning the Month , and Day of the Nativity of Christ . Month of the Nativity of Christ mentioned in the Holy Scripture , this has given Occasion to several different Opinions . For ( 1. ) there are not a few ( among whom is Tho. Lydiott ) who maintains Christ to have been born in the Spring , which Opinion was already embraced by some at the time of Clemens Alexandrinus and Paulus , a Bishop of Middleburgh (e) (e) L. 19. c. 4. , in his Treatise of the Day of the Passion of Christ , presented to the Emperour Maximilian , pretends to fix the Day of the Nativity of Christ on the 25th of March , exactly at the time of the Vernal Aequinox . ( 2. ) There are others who affirm that our Saviour was born in Autumn ; which Opinion however they pretend to prove by different Arguments : For Beroaldus calls to his Aid the half Annual Week mentioned by Daniel (f) (f) C. 9. , and the Sabbatick and Jubilean Years , and the Feasts of Expiation , which had their Beginnings in Autumn ; but Josephus Scaliger has recourse to the Levitical Order instituted by David (g) (g) 1 Chr. c. 23 , v. 27. c. 25. v. 7. ; from whence he deduces the time of the Ministry of Zacharias ; and from thence the Conception of John the Baptist , and consequently his Birth and the Nativity of our Saviour . ( 3. ) Others are of Opinion that Christ was born on the 6th day of January , which makes Scaliger in his Animadversions upon Eusebius affirm , that the whole Christian Church in the East did at the time of Eusebius , and in the preceding and next following Age believe that Christ was born on the 6th day of January , and according to (a) (a) Col. 10. Cassianus , the Aegyptians did celebrate the Nativity of Christ on the same day . Last of all , the most general Opinion is , that Christ was born on the 25th day of December , which being maintained by many Learned Men , and among them , by St. Chrysostom , is received in our Churches , and is most agreeable to my Judgment .

CHAP. XLI . Of the Epocha of the Passion of Christ .

1. Christ suffered after he had for some time after his solemn Inauguration by the Holy Ghost , described by (b) (b) C. 3. St. Luke , taught upon Earth , both by his Words and Deeds ; it being evident out of the History of the Gospel , and especially out of the Parable of the fruitless Fig-Tree , mentioned by (c) (c) C. 13. v. 7. St. Luke , that our Saviour after the Beginning of his Ministry , was several times present at the Solemnity of the Passover .

2. Christ suffered when Josephus Caiaphas was High-Priest among the Jews , as is manifest out of (d) (d) C. 11. v. 49. St. John , (e) (e) C. 3. v. 2. St. Luke ; and (f) (f) C. 4. v. 6. the Acts ; which Dignity he enjoyed from the eighth Year of the Reign of Tiberius , and from the 4741st year of the Jul. Period , till the 15th year of the Reign of Tiberius , and the 4748th year of the Jul. Period , when , according to Josephus (g) (g) L. 18. c. 3. 6. Antiq. , he was deposed by Vitellius , and Jonathan the Son of Annas substituted in his Place .

3. Christ suffered when Pilate was Praefect of Palaestine , according to the Testimony of the Evangelists and (h) (h) L 18. c. 4. Josephus . The first Founder of this Name , says Tacitus (i) (i) L. 15. Annal. , was Christ , who under the Reign of Tiberius was put to Death by Pontius Pilate , then Governour of Palaestina . But Pontius Pilate was 10 years Praefect of Palaestina , to be counted backwards from the Death of Tiberius , to wit , from the Year of the Jul. Period 4740 , till the Year of the Julian Period 4750. Vitcllius , says Josephus (k) (k) L. 18. c. 5. Antiq. , having made his Friend Marcellus Governour of Judaea ordered Pilate to return to Rome , to answer before Caesar concerning such Matters as were objected against him by the Jews . Thus , after he had governed the Province for whole 10 years , being forced to submit to the Orders of Vitellius , he undertook a Journey to Rome ; but before he could reach the City , Tiberius died .

4. When Herod Antipas was Tetrarch of Galilee (l) (l) Luk. 23. v. 6. , who afterwards , in the 4th year of the Reign of Caius , was banished , and Agrippa was substituted in his Place . See Josephus (m) (m) L. 19. c. 7. Ant. .

5. When the Full Moon of the Passover was coincident with the 6th Feria , and when our Saviour eat the Passover with his Disciples , See (n) (n) C. 19. v. 31. St. John , (o) (o) C. 15. v. 42. St. Mark , and (p) (p) C. 23. v. 56. St. Luke .

6. In the same year that hapned that notable Eclipse mentioned by the Evangelist (q) (q) Mat. 27. v. 45. Luk. 23. v. 45. in the following Words : From the 6th Hour there was Darkness over all the Land , unto the 9th Hour : And concerning which Eclipse Phlegon Trallianus has left a remarkable Observation to Posterity : In the 4th Year , says he , of the 202d Olympiad , there hapned the greatest Eclipse that ever was known before : For on the 6th Hour , the Day was converted into Night ; so that the Stars appeared in the Firmament . There was likewise felt a great Earthquake in Bithynia , which ruined the greatest part of the City of Nicea .

7. Christ suffered in the Month Nisan , which was the first in the Ecclesiastical Year , and on the 14th day of the same Month , at the time of the Full Moon ; according to the Words of God (r) (r) Exod. 12. v. 2. , This Month shall be unto you the Beginning of Months ; it shall be the first Month of the Year to you : Speak you unto all the Congregation of Israel , saying , In the 10th day of this Month they shall take to them every Man a Lamb , according to the House of their Fathers , a Lamb for an House : And you shall keep it up till the 14th day of the same Month , and the whole Assembly of the Congregation of Israel shall kill it in the Evening : And they shall take of the Blood and strike it on the two Side-Posts , and on the upper Door-Post of the Houses , wherein they shall eat it : And they shall eat the Flesh in that Night rost with Fire , and Unleavened Bread ; and with bitter Herbs they shall eat it . Of this same Feast of the Passover , (s) (s) L. 3. de Vit. Mos. Philo has these following Words : On the fourteenth day of the same Month , when the Moon is at the Full , the Jews celebrate their publick Feast of the Passover , which the Chaldaeans call Pascha .

From these Characters those who adhere to the Opinion of Scaliger conclude that our Saviour did eat his last Passover ( ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ) in the Year of the Julian Period 4746 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 14. โ˜ฝ . 15 , on the 3 d day of April ; and that on the same day , according to the Jewish Computation ) Christ suffered Death .

If therefore from any certain year of the Julian Period , How to find out any year of these Epocha's . 4745 Years and 3 Months be subtracted , the Residue shews the year since the Passion of Christ . And if the said 4745 Years and 3 Months be added to the known Year of this Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the Year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THere are various Opinions concerning the Characters of this Epocha ; but those The various Opinions of the Fathers concerning this Epocha . before alledged may be look'd upon as the choicest ; the Ecclesiastical Characters alledged by the Ancient Fathers , being for the most part involved in many Errors , and contradictory to themselves . The most of them are of Opinion , that our Saviour did not teach in publick above one Year and some Months ; and that he was crucified in the 2d Year after his Baptism , which Opinion they found upon the Prophecy of (t) (t) C. 61. v. 1. Isaiah : The Spirit of the Lord is upon me ; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good Tidings unto the Meek ; he had sent me to bind up the Broken-hearted , to proclaim Liberty to the Captives , and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound : To proclaim The ACCEPTABLE YEAR of the LORD , and the Day of Vengeance of our God , to comfort all that mourn . Which Prophecy is applied to Christ by (u) (u) C. 4. v. 19. St. Luke : So that many of the ancient Fathers have fixed the time of the Death of our Saviour in the 30th year of his Age , and in the 15th or 16th year of the Reign of Tiberius , on the 25th day of March ; which Opinion among the Modern Authors , Ger. (x) (x) Diss . de Temp. Dom. Pass . Joh. Vossius has likewise embraced . But as we shall have Occasion to shew hereafter , our Saviour did celebrate more Passovers after the Beginning of his publick Ministry : Neither was the Paschal Full Moon coincident with the 6th Feria in that Year , which is appointed by the Fathers for the Passion of Christ : Neither is it agreeable to that remarkable Observation of the Eclipse by Phlegon : Neither do these Fathers agree in their Opinions among themselves : For Tertullian , Clem. Alexandrinus , Julius Africanus , Lactantius , and St. Austin affirm , that Christ preached but one Year in publick ; whereas St. Jerome allows two , Ignatius three , and Irenaeus more years ; the last of them being of Opinion that Christ was 50 years old when he suffered Death . From whence it appears , that the Opinions of the Fathers concerning this Epocha is built upon a very uncertain Foundation .

ยง . 2. Among the Ancients , Beda ; and the Moderns , Ger. Joh. Vossius have made use of this Method How many Passovers Christ celebrated after the Beginning of his Ministry . to investigate the Year of the Passion of Christ from the Number of the Passovers celebrated by him after the Beginning of his Ministry , tho' it be evident that the last is invoโ—ved in the same Difficulties with the first ; the Chronologers differing as much in their Opinion , if not more , concerning the last as the first . For First , there are some who allow of no more than one Year and a few Months after his Baptism , as has been mentioned before . Secondly , Some allow of three Passovers after the Baptism of our Saviour , among whom is Epiphanius , St. Hierom , Beda , Nich. de Lyra , Alphonsus Tostatus , Pererius , Maldonatus , Calvinus , Musculus , Dionysius Petavius , and Helwigius . There are , Thirdly , others who affirm that our Saviour did celebrate four Passovers after his Baptism . The first they pretend to prove out of the 2d Chapter , v. 13 , 23. of St. John ; the second out of the 4th Chapter , v. 35. and the 5th Chapter , v. 1 , of St. John ; the third out of the 6th Chap. v. 4. and v. 2. of St. John ; the 4th out of the 12th Chap. v. 1. of St. John , the 22d , Chap. v. 1. of St. Luke , the 14th Chap. v. 1. of St. Mark , and the 26th Chap. v. 1. of St. Matthew : Of which Opinion are (y) (y) Nat. ad Joh. 5. Corn. ร  Lapide , Baronius , Torniellus , Beza , Junius , Jansenius , Henr. Pโ—ilippi , Hugo Grotius , Franciscus Toletus , Joh. Wicโ—mannus , and most of the Dutch Interpreters . Fourthly , Scaliger , Calvisius , Helvicus , Calixtus , Wilhelm . Langius , Causabonus , Deckerius , and Rob. Bailius , allot 5 Passovers after the Baptism of Christ ; and Jacobus Hainlinus , who makes the Interval betwixt the Baptism and Passion of Christ to consist of 5 years and a half , does likewise allow 5 Passovers after his Baptism . Among these different Opinions , we adhere , as we have done frequently before , to that of Scaliger . But the Difficulty is how to prove this 5th Passover out of the Holy Scripture , which has been attempted by some , by comparing Chap. 12. v. 1. of St. Matthew , with the 6th Chap. v. 1. & sequ . of St. Luke ; Also by comparing the 9th Chap. v. 51. of St. Luke , with his 10th Chap. v. 8. and 38. But it is our Opinion that we need not be so very anxious in finding out the 5th Passover in the Holy Scripture ; since , tho' the same be not expresly mentioned , yet no Inference is to be drawn from thence , that the same may be proved from other undeniable Circumstances .

ยง . 3. Alphonsus , Tostatus , Fran. Toletus , Corn. ร  Christ did not celebrate the last Passover with the Jeโ—โ— . Lapide , Baronius , Henr. Broughton , Joh. Cloppenburgius , and several others , are of Opinion that our Saviour did celebrate the last Passover with the Jews ; but against all Reason , as has been allowed by Causabonus . For the Day of the Passion of Christ on which our Saviour did likewise eat the Passover , is expresly called (z) (z) Joh. c. 19. v. 14. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , the Preparation of the Passover ; and Supper being ended , (a) (a) C. 13. v. 1. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , before the Feast of the Passover he washed the Feet of his Disciples . And the Reason why the Jews would not enter the Judgment-Hall , was (b) (b) C. 18. v. 28. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , that they might eat the Passover . And there is but little likelihood that the Pharisees , who were so very superstitious in observing all the nicest Points of the Ceremonial Law , would have prophaned this Feast by the Accusation of Christ , when the pious Women were so scrupulous as not to dare to buy Spices and Ointments . See St. (c) (c) C. 16. v. 1. Mark and St. (d) (d) C. 14. v. 42. John .

ยง . 4. There is a great Dispute , which is not Whether Christ did celebrate the Passover on the 14th day of the Month. easily decided among the Interpreters , whether Christ eat the last Passover on the 14th day of the first Month , according to the Institution of the Law , or whether he celebrated it before the Full Moon . Those who adhere to the Greek Church are of Opinion that Christ did celebrate the last Passover ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ : But when we consider that Christ subjected himself to the Law , this Opinion carries along with it but little Probability . Besides that , the Words of Christ to his (e) (e) Mat. 26. v. 17. Mar. 14. v. 2. Apostles sufficiently imply the time of the Passover ; and how can it be supposed that those who let not slip the least Opportunity of slandering our Saviour , should have pass'd by in Silence such a Trespass against the Law . Hugo Grotius makes a Distinction betwixt ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ and ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ; The first , he says , was celebrated at Jerusalem , according to the Institution of the Law , at a certain prefixed time , when the Paschal Lambs were killed only by the Priests and Levites . The second , he says , was the same which is to this day celebrated by the Jews in other Parts , where they only eat Unleavened Bread with a few bitter Herbs ; and this he supposes was the same celebrated by our Saviour before his Passion . But it is absolutely false , that according to God's Institution , the Priests alone were to kill the Paschal Lamb , as may be seen in (f) (f) C. 12. Exodus and (g) (g) C. 23. Leviticus ; and the contrary is testified by (h) (h) L. 2. c. 5. Ant. Josephus and (i) (i) L. 3. vit. Mos. Philo , with whom agree Lorinus the Jesuite , Corn. ร  Lapide , Dorsheuโ— and Wil. Langius . And it is worth Observation , that Christ did not command his Disciples to prepare only Unleavened Bread with bitter Herbs : but several times makes mention of the Paschal Lamb : And , acording to (k) (k) Syn. Jud. c. 12 , 13 , 14. Joh. Buxtorfius , when the Jews celebrate the ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ they never eat the Paschal Lamb , neither in ancient nor our Times To resolve in some measure this Difficulty , it seems , that pursuant to the ancient Traditions of the Rabbi's , the Pharisees , who closely adhered to them , never celebrated the Passover on the 2d , 4th , and 6th Feria , notwithstanding that the Moon was at the Full. But on the other hand , such among the Jews as were not so much addicted to these Traditions , did eat the Passover at the time of the Paschal Plenilune . So that our Saviour celebrated the Passover with his Disciples at the time of the Full Moon , in the first Month , which was in that Year on the 6th Feria ; whereas the Pharisees , pursuant to their Traditions , did not eat it till on the 7th Feria ; but durst not object any thing of this nature to our Saviour , for fear of disobliging such as celebrated the same Passover on the 6th Feria . I am not ignorant that there are not a few among the Learned , among whom is Ger. Joh. Vossius , who are of Opinion that this Translation of the Feasts is not so ancient : But , that this Translation of the Feasts is of a very ancient Offspring among the Jews , is sufficiently shewn by Scaliger , Is . Causabonus , Sebastianus Munsterius , Corn. Jansenius , Joh. Mariana , and Paulus Middleburgensis , out of the Fragments of Gamaliel and other most ancient Monuments . And it is beyond all Reason what is alledged by Vossius , to wit , that the 14th day of the Month could fall out before the Aequinox ; it being unquestionable , that , according to the Jewish Calendary , the N. Moon of the first Month was always next preceding the Vernal Aequinox . Scaliger and Schimidius come much nearer to the Point , when they assert , that some among the Jews following their ancient Traditions , used to transfer the Feast of the Passover from the 14th Day of the first Month to the next following Sabbath .

ยง . 5. It is evident , both from the Words of Who was High-Priest among the Jews at the time of the Passion of Christ . the Holy Scripture , and the Testimony of Josephus , that Caiaphas was High-Priest at the time of the Passion of Christ . The only Objection is taken from the 3d Chapter , ver. 2. of St. Luke , where it is said Annas and Caiphas being the High-Priests , the Word of God came unto John . See the (l) (l) C. 4. v. 6. Acts : Which Objection is sufficiently answered by (m) (m) Prol. in Euseb. Scaliger ; to wit , that Annas was not actually High-Priest at that time , but only his Vicar to supply his Place upon any emergent Occasion . Others will have it , that the Dignity of the High-Pontiff being for Life , they always retained the Name though they were deposed , as Annas was who was mentioned here , in the first place by reason of his great Authority , as having been High-Priest himself , and seen both his own Son and Son-in-Law in the same eminent Station .

ยง . 6. The miraculous Eclipse which hapned at the time of the Passion of Christ , was both Whether that Eclipse which hapned at the time of the Passion of Christ was supernatural and universal . supernatural and universal : Supernatural , because it hapned in the Full Moon ; it being evident , that since the Solar Eclipses are caused by the Interposition of the Moon betwixt the Sun and the Eyes of the Beholders , the same could not happen according to the ordinary Course of Nature : Universal , according to the Words of the Evangelists St. (n) (n) C. 27. v. 45. Matthew and St. (o) (o) C. 23. v. 44. Luke , which is likewise confirmed by the Dialogue betwixt Dionysius and Apollophanes recited by Suidas in his Lexicon upon the Word Dionysius ; where , among other things , Dionysius answered Apollophanes concerning this Eclipse : Aut Deus patitur , aut vicem Patientis deflet ; Either God himself suffers , or else is extremely concerned about him that suffers : Which contradicts the Opinions of Origenes , Laur. Valla , Erasmus Roterdamus , and Is . Peyrerius , who maintain that this was only a particular Eclipse which was not observed at Athens , or any other Place beyond the Horizon of Jerusalem . And the Authority and Testimony of Phlegon makes it one of the most unquestionable Characters of the time of the Passion of Christ .

ยง . 7. Christ suffered on the 6th Feria ; For the Christ suffered on the 6th Feria . Day on which Christ was crucified , is called by (p) (p) C. 15. v. 42. St. Mark and (q) (q) C. 19. v. 31. St. John ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ; which is Preparation , or the Day before the Sabbath . 2. It is said , that the Women staid but one Day before they came to the Sepulchre . See St. Luke , c. 23. 3. The Syrian and Arabick Interpreters unanimously agree that Christ suffered on the Friday ; as 4. do the most ancient Fathers and Ecclesiastical Writers . 5. It is confirmed by the Calculation of the Paschal Plenilune , which was coincident with the 33d Year of Christ , which Plenilune did happen that same Year on the 6th Feria . All which sufficiently contradicts the Assertion of Paulus Middleburgensis and Willhelmus Langius , that Christ suffered on the 5th Feria , or on Thursday . What they alledge for themselves , that it is said in (r) (r) C. 12. v. 40. Matthew , That the Son of Man shall be three Days and three Nights in the Heart of the Earth , some compute from the first Beginning of Christ's Passion ; others interpret it by three ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , containing two Nights and one Day .

CHAP. XLII . Of the Epocha of the last Destruction of the City of Jerusalem .

For the better understanding of this Epocha , these following Chararacters ought to be taken into Consideration . 1. The Jewish War ( in the fourth Year of which Jerusalem was taken ) began in the second year after Florus was made Governour of that Province ; and in the 12th year of the Reign of Nero. See (a) (a) Lib. 20. c. ult. Ant. Josephus . The Jews bore it patiently , says (b) (b) L. 5. Histor. Tacitus , till the time when Gessius Florus was made Governour ; then the War began to break out , when Cestius Gallus , then Deputy-Governour of Syria endeavouring to force them to a Compliance , they were vanquished in several Engagements . 2. This Destruction of Jerusalem hapned at the time of the Expiration of the 70 Angelical Weeks , which , according to the Words of the Prophet (c) (c) C. 9. v. 24. Daniel were determined upon the People and the Holy City . 3. This Destruction of Jerusalem hapned in the 2 d year of the Reign of Flavius Vespafianus , according to (d) (d) L. 6. c. 47. de bell . Jud. Josephus and (e) (e) In Chron. Eusebius . The Reign of Vespafian commences with the first day of July ( when Tiberius Alexander , then Governour of Aegypt , first induced the Legions to swear Fealty to Vespafian ) in the 2 d year after the Death of Nero : For ( according to (f) (f) L. 66. Dio Cassius , there was an Interval of a whole Year and 22 Days betwixt the Death of Nero and the Beginning of the Reign of Vespasian ) I say , in the same Year when the Battle was fought near Cremona , and Vitellius was slain on the day of the Feast of Saturn . See (g) (g) L. 3. Tacitus : And about which time hapned a notable Eclipse of the Moon , which contributed not a little towards increasing the Tumult and Mutiny in Vitellius 's Army . See (h) (h) L. 65. Dio. Such an Eclipse hapned in the Year of the Vulgar Aera of Christ 69 , on the 18th day of October , as may be easily investigated by the Astronomical Calculations . 4. It was the 2 d Year of the 212th Olympiad when the Romans made themselves Masters of the City of Jerusalem . See (i) (i) In Chron. Euseb. 5. The Destruction of Jerusalem hapned in the same year that Fl. Vesp . Augustus a second time , and Titus were Roman Consuls . See (k) (k) L. 66. Dio Cassius . 6. It was the 331st Year before the Consulship of Stilico and Aurelianus , when the City of Jerusalem was taken by the Romans . See Sulpit. Severus . 7. Titus began the Siege of Jerusalem on the first day of the Vnleavened Bread , on the 14th day of the Month Xanticus , on the same day that the Jews were freed from the Aegyptian Bondage . See (l) (l) L. 5. C. 11. de Bel. Jud. Josephus . 8. The Temple was laid in Ashes on the 10th day of the Month Lous , on the same Day that the Temple was destroyed by Fire by the King of Babylon . See (m) (m) L. 7. c. 9 , 10. Josephus and Seder Olam . 9. The City was taken on the 8th day of the Month Gorpiaeus , and upon a Saturday , which Day is in great Veneration among the Jews to this Day . See Josephus and (n) (n) L. 66. Dio Cassius .

From these Characters it is evident that Titus began the Siege of Jerusalem in the Year of the Julian Period 4783 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 23. โ˜ฝ . 14. on the 14th day of April ; and that the Temple was laid in Ashes on the 6th day of August in the same Year ; and the total Desolation of the City on the first of September .

If therefore from any certain Year of the Julian Period be subtracted 4782 Years and 3 Months , Any certain year given of the Julian Period to find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . or 7 Months , or 8 Months , the Residue shews the Year since the beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem , and the Destruction of the Temple and City . On the other hand , if to the known Years of this Epocha the before-mentioned Sum of Years and Months be added , the Product will be correspondent to the Year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THE true Chronology of the Destruction Where we must look for the Chronology of this Epocha . of Jerusalem must chiefly be looked for in the Books of Josephus , he having been at the same time a Prisoner in the Roman Camp , and employed by them as a Messenger to the Besieged . And tho' the Jewish Rabbi's , but especially Rabbi Isaac Abarbinel , do exclaim against his Authority , yet their Calumnies are of little Consequence against so great an Historian , it being certain that the Rabbi's themselves are Ignorant as to the true time of the Destruction of their City , as we shall have Occasion to shew immediately .

ยง . 2. The Rabbi's in their Chronological Treatises Concerning thโ— Jewish Computation of this Epocha . relate this Destruction in the following Words ; especially in their Great Chronicle : From the time of the War of Vespasian , till the War of Titus , are 24 Years : From the time of the War of Titus , till the War with Barcozbe 16 Years . Thus , according to Rabbi Jose , the days of good Works and Sins , return within one another . As for Example , the first Temple was destroyed on the Eve of the Sabbath , towards the latter end of the 7th Year ; and it was likewise in the Week of the Station of Joarib , and the 9th day of the Month Ab. In the same Manner hapned the 2 d Destruction . And at both times the Levites were singing the Canticle ; And what Canticle ? God our Lord will return upon their Heads their Iniquity , and destroy them in their Malice , &c. In the other Chronological Treatise written by Rabbi David Ganz , they indeed own that Expedition of Fl. Vespasian and Tit. Vespasian to have been the same ; but at the same time relate Matters in a very different manner concerning Josephus , and the Destruction of the Temple to the 3828th Year after the Creation , and the 420th Year after its first Foundation . All which is a convincing Argument of the Ignorance of the Jews in relation to their own History , and the Destruction of their City .

ยง . 3. We have already said in the foregoing Concerning the Computation of the Fathers of this Epocha . Chapter , that the Fathers have too much contracted that Interval betwixt the time of the Baptism and Passion of Christ , from whence it is evident that their Computations of the Interval betwixt the Passion of Christ and the Destruction of Jerusalem being built upon an erroneous Hypothesis , no great Account is to be made upon their Opinions in this Point .

ยง . 4. (o) (o) De โ—su Tab. p. 59. Joh. Jac. Hainlinus is of Opinion , that Whether the Destruction of the City hapned in the 71st year of Christ . the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem hapned in the 71st year of Christ , and in the 4784th year of the Jul. Period ; But this Opinion being founded upon the Fictitious Hypothesis of his Mystical Years , is directly repugnant to the Ancient History : Neither is it possible to find out an Expedient to make the Month of September of the 71st year of Christ coincident with the 2d year of the Reign of Vespasian , as our Author would willingly persuade the World .

ยง . 5. It is a very difficult Task to explain What Months are understood by Josephus in his Relation of the Destruction of Jerusalem . the Foreign Names of the Months mentioned by Josephus in his Relation of the Destruction of Jerusalem : For in his 6th Book Ch. 4. (p) (p) De Bel. Jud. he says , the Siege began on the 14th day of the Month Xanticus : And in the same Book , in the 8th Chapter , he says , that the Romans made themselves Masters of the first Wall on the 5th day of the Month Artemisius . Thus he frequently makes mention of the Month Lous , and refers the total Desolation of the City to the 8th day of the Month Gorpiaeus . It is beyond all dispute , that Josephus had borrowed these Names from the Macedonians , who being subdued by the Romans , had been forced to change their Ancient Lunar Calendar for the Solar of the Romans . The Macedonian Months do thus correspond with the Julian :

Audinaeus , January . Peritius , February . Dystius , March . Xanthicus , April . Artemisius , May.
Daesius , June . Panemus , July . Lous , August . Gorpiaeus , September . Hyperberetaeus , October . Dius , November . Apellaeus , December .

But whether Josephus by the Names of these Macedonian Months did understand them according to the Julian Months , is a great Question : Ruffinus , Josephus Scaliger , Calvisius , Archbishop Vsher , and many others , are of this Opinion : But for my part , I am rather inclined to believe that Josephus by these Macedonian Names did understand the Jewish Months . For it is expresly said by Josephus , that his Country-men did go out of Aegypt on the same 14th day of the Month Xanthicus when Titus began to invest the City of Jerusalem ; and it being unquestionable that this was the 14th of the Month Nisan , there is but little Probability that Josephus intended to make this day of the Month Nisan correspondent with a certain Day of the Julian Calendar : And the Characters of the Epocha of the Departure of the Jews out of Aegypt shewing most evidently that the Jews did depart out of Aegypt , not on the 14th but 16th day of April , we may rationally conclude , that Josephus did by the Month Xanthious understand the Month Nisan ; on the 14th day of which Month the Feast of the Passover was constantly kept by the Jews . Secondly , it is not very probable that the Jews should refer the Day of the first Destruction of their Temple to any certain Day of the Julian Calendar , which was not as much as thought of at that time , it being mention'd by Josephus , that on the 10th day of the Month Lous likewise the first Temple was destroyed by Fire . I see no Reason why by the Month Lous should not be understood the Month called AB by the Ancient Jews . Thus the Words of the Prophet Jeremiah (q) (q) C. 52. v. 12. may be reconciled with the Relation of Josephus : In the Month , says the Prophet , on the 10th day of the Month ( AB ) which was the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon , came Nebuzaradan Captain of the Guard , which served the King of Babylon into Jerusalem , and burned the House of the Lord , &c.

According to this Hypothesis the Months are as follows :

Xanthicus , Nisan . Artemisius , Giar . Daesius , Sivan . Panemus , Tamutz . Lous , Ab. Gorpiaeus , Elul . Hyperberetaeus , Tisri . Dius , Marchesvan . Apellaeus , Casleu . Audinaeus , Tebeth . Peritius , Schebath . Dystius , Adar .

ยง . 6. It is commonly supposed , that Jerusalem How ofteโ— Jerusalem was taken . was taken but twice ; and that not altogether without Reason , if it be understood in reference of its total Destruction . Nevertheless (r) (r) L. 8. c. 18. de Bell. Jud. Josephus affirms that it was taken five several times before it was destroyed by Titus . Jerusalem , says he , was taken five times before ; By Asoch the Aegyptian King , and after him by Antiochus , then by Pompey , and after these by Herod and Sosias , who preserved the City : But before that time , the King of Babylon had laid it quite desolate . Which sufficiently contradicts that Vain-glorious Inscription mentioned by (s) (s) Inscr . Ant. fol. 154. Justus Lipsius , which is as follows :

IMP. TITO . CAESARI DIVI VESPASIANI . F. VESPASIANO . AUG. PONTIFICI . MAXIMO . TRIB. POT . X. IMP. XVII . COS. VIII . P. P. PRINCIPI SUO . S. P. Q. R.

QUOD . PRAECEPTIS . PATRIS . CONSILIISQUE . ET . AUSPICIIS GENTEM . JUDAEORUM . DOMUIT . ET . Uโ—BEM . HIEROSOLYMAM . OMNIBUS . โ—โ—โ—TE . SE. DUCIBUS . REGIBUS . GENTIBUSQUE . AUT . FRUSTRA . PETITAM . AUT . OMNINO . INTENTATAM . DELEVIT .

ยง . 7. The Temple Destroyed by Titus , is generally The Temple destroyed by Titus was the 2 d Temple . called the second Temple : For tho' , according to (t) (t) L. 15. c. 14. Ant. Josephus , Herod did demolish the Temple , and built a new one instead of it ; yet this being done only with an Intention to render the Structure of the Temple the more Magnificent ; and having no relation to its interiour Parts , is therefore not called the 3d , but the 2d Temple .

ยง . 8. Josephus affirms , that in the Siege , and How many of the Jews perโ—shed in the Siege and the whole War . taking of the City of Jerusalem there perished of the Jews 1100000 , which is confirmed by (u) (u) In Chron. Eusebius , (x) (x) L. 7. c. 6. Orosius , and Sulpitius Severus : But J. Lipsius has computed the whole Number of the Jews slain and taken Prisoners in their Civil and Foreign Wars within the space of the last 7 Years in the following manner :

At Jerusalem by the Command of Florus , 630 At Caesarea by the Inhabitants , 20000 At Scythopolis , 13000 In Askalon , 2500 At Ptolemais , 2000 At Alexandria , 50000 At Damascus , 10000 At the taking of Joppa , 8400 In the Mount Cubulon , 2000 In the Battle near Ascalon , 10000 By Surprise , 8000 At Aphac , 15000 In the Mount ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , 11600 At Iotap , 30000 At the taking of Joppa a second time , 4200 Near Taricha , 6500 At Gamala , 9000 In their Flight from Giscala , slain 2000 Taken 3000 Of those of Gadar , slain 13000 taken 2200 Slain in Idumaea , 10000 At Gera , 1000 At Macheron , 1700 In the Forest of Jardes , 3000 In the Castle of Massada , 960 At Cyrene , 3000 During the Siege of Jerusalem , 1000000 made Prisoners , 97000 The whole Number , 1339690

ยง . 9. According to the Latin Version of the Whether the Kingdom of the Jews โ—โ—ased with the Destruction of Jerusalem . Chronicon of Eusebius translated by St. Hierome , and the Chronicle of the before-mentioned Rabbi David Ganz , the Royal Dignity was quite abolished among the Jews at the time of the last Destruction of the Temple ; which is contradicted by Scaliger , who demonstrates by a certain Coin with this Inscription , Post captam Judaeam adhuc erat ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , that Agrippa did not die in the 3d Year of the 212th Olympiad . We agree thus far with Scaliger , That Agrippa did retain the Royal Title after the Destruction of Jerusalem ; of which Photius in (y) (y) Cod. 33. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , has these following Words : The Chronicle of Justus Tiberiensis was read , which had for its Title THE HISTORY OF JUSTUS TIBERIENSIS OF ALL SUCH AS WERE CROWNED KINGS OF THE JEWS . This Author was a Native of Tiberias , a City in Galilee , which has given him his Sirname . He begins his History with Moses , which he continues till the Death of Agrippa , the 7th King of the Family of Herod , and the last of the Jewish Kings . He received the Crown under the Reign of Claudius ; his Power encreased by Nero , and became more potent under Vespasian . He died in the third Year of the Reign of Trajan , with which Year he concludes his History . But it is very evident out of several Passages in Josephus , that Agrippa was neither King of the Jews nor Jerusalem : For he allows him not the least Authority over Judaea , unless what concerned the (z) (z) L. 20. c. 8. Ant. Temple ; but says , (a) (a) L. 20. c. 3 , 5. that by the Favour of Claudius he was put in the Possession of the Kingdom of Chalcis , and by Nero regaled with the Cities of Tiberias , Tarichaea and Julia , with 14 other Towns of less Note : And that the whole Judaea , the greatest part of Galilee and Samaria , was under the Jurisdiction of the Roman Praefects , is , according to the Testimony of Josephus , past all Dispute .

CHAP. XLIII . Of the Epocha of Dioclesian , which is commonly called by the Aegyptians the AERA OF MARTYRS , by Eusebius the AERA ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , or of Persecution , by the Aethiopians the AERA OF GRACE , and by the Mahometans the AERA ELKUPTI . 1. The Aera of Dioclesian begins in the same Year that Dioclesian , after the Death of Carus and Numerianus , was declared Emperour . 2. The Emperour Dioclesian entred Nicomedia in Triumph on the 15th day of September , and the first of January following appeared in publick as Consul . 3. About that time Carinus the 2 d time , and Numerianus were Roman Consuls , who were succeeded by Dioclesian ( already declared Augustus ) and Aristobulus . This is not only thus related in the Chronicon Alexandrinum , but also by (a) (a) Lib. 23. Ammianus Marcellinus , who says expresly that when Dioclesian was Consul with Aristobulus , he was dignified with the Title of Augustus . And thus we find it recorded in the Publick Records called Fasti Capitolini , IMP. CAES. C. AVRELIO DIOCLESIANO AVG. II ..... ARISTOBVLVS . 4. The 3 d Indiction then began with the Month of September , according to the Chronicon Alexandrinum . 5. The first year of the Reign of Dioclesian is coincident with the 2301st year of the Epocha of Abraham ; unto which if 2696 years be added , the Product shews the year of the Julian Period , as has been demonstrated before , according to Euseb. in Chron. 6. In the 89th year since the Beginning of the Reign of Dioclesian , says (b) (b) L. 10. Ep. 83. ad Epiph. St. Ambrose , the Full Moon falling then out upon the 21st day of March , we did celebrate Easter upon the last day of March . Those of Alexandria and other Places in Aegypt , the Full Moon happening with them on the 28th day of the Month Phamenoth , did celebrate their Easter on the 5th day of the Month Pharmuth , which was , like among us , the last day of March . Again , in the 93d year since the Beginning of the Reign of Dioclesian , it being then Full Moon , on the 14th day of the Month Pharmuth , and Sunday , they celebrated Easter on the next following 21st day of the same Month , which , according to our Calendar , is the 14th day of April . 7. The 92 d year since the Beginning of the Reign of Dioclesian is coincident with the 12th year of the Reign of Valentinian and Valens , and the 8th of Gratian. 8. It was in the 248th year since the Beginning of the Reign of this Tyrant , when Dionysius , sirnamed Exiguus , first began his Paschal Cycle , according to Dionysius Exiguus himself in his first Epistle , mentioned by (c) (c) Append. de Doct. Temp. Dionysius Petavius . Consult also (d) (d) C. 45. de Rat. Temp. Beda . 9. The Aegyptians began the Years of the Aera of DioclesianI with the Month Thot , being our 29th day of August . 10. In the same Year that Dioclesian a second time and Aristobulus , were Consuls at Rome , Carinus Margo was slain , and Dioclesianus was exalted to the Empire . Thus says (e) (e) In East . Idacius . 11. In the 19th year of the Reign of Dioclesian , in the Month Dystius , ( which is among the Romans the Month of March ) Easter being near at Hand , the Emperour caused a Proclamation to be published , that all the Churches should be pulled down and laid level with the Ground ; that all their Papers should be burnt , and the Christians be deprived of all their Places and Dignities ; and that such among them as persevered in their Faith should be accounted infamous and be made Slaves . Of which see Eusebius (f) (f) L. 8. c. 3. Hist. Eccl. , Metrophanes and Alexander in (g) (g) Cod. 256. Photius ; as likewise Ignatius the Patriarch of Antioch of which mention is made by Scaliger (h) (h) L. 5. p. 49โ— . de Em. Temp. . 12. In the same year , being the 19th of the Reign of Dioclesian , and the first of the Persecution , Dioclesian was the 8th time , and Maximianus the 7th time Roman Consuls , according to Idacius . 13. The year when Dioclesian began the Persecution against the Christians , was coincident with the 351st year since the Beginning of the Antiochian Epocha , according to Eusebius in Chron. 14. In the 2 d year of the Persecution Dioclesian did abdicate himself at Nicomedia , and Maximin . at Milan . See (i) (i) L. 8. c. 8. Hist. Eccl. Eus. Idac. Eurrop . 15. It was in the 3 d year of the Persecution raised against the Christians by Domitian , when Constantius died , according to Metrophanes and Alexander in (k) (k) Cod. 256. Photius . But the time of the Death of Constantius is thus expressed by (l) (l) L. 1. c. 1. Socrates : Constantius was proclaimed King in Britain instead of his Father Constantius , in the first year of the 271st Olympiad , on the 25th day of July . 16. In the 4th year of the Persecution Constantine began his Reign , according to Euseb. in Chron. 17. In the 19th year of the Reign of Dioclesian , in the Month of March , in Easter time , the Christian Churches were pulled down , according to St. Hierom in Chron. Euseb.

From these , and innumerable other Characters , too many to be inserted here , it is evident , that Dioclesian was declared Augustus in the year of the Julian Period 4997 , Cycl โ˜‰ . 13. โ˜ฝ . 19. on the 17th day of September ; and that the Aegyptians began this Aera on the 29th day of August ; and that the Persecution against the Christians began in the year of the Julian Period 5016 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 4. โ˜ฝ . 19. in the Month of March .

If therefore 4996 years and 8 Months be subtracted How to find out any year of these Epocha's . from any certain year of the Julian . Period , the Residue shews the year since the beginning of the Aera of Dioclesian : And if in the same manner 5015 Years and 3 Months be subtracted , the Residue will be correspondent to the year since the Beginning of the Persecation raised by Dioclesian against the Christians . But if you desire to investigate the Year of the Julian Period , you must add the above-mentioned Number of Years and Months to the known Year of these Epocha's .

ยง . 1. (m) (m) L. 5. de Em. Temp. p. 494. SCaliger is of Opinion that this Epocha Whether this Epocha begins with the Reign of Dioclesian . began three years or more before Dioclesian was declared Emperour and Augustus ; but in my Opinion , he has been misguided in this Point by Aurel. Cassiodorus , who has confounded in so miserable a manner the Years of the Reign of Dioclesian , that there is not the least Reason to follow his Footsteps .

ยง . 2. The Ancients were for the most part of this Opinion , that the Epocha of Dioclesian had Whether the Ancients began this Epocha from the time of the Persecution . its Beginning from the time of the Persecution raised by this Tyrant against the Christians , as may be seen out of the (n) (n) L. 5. p. โ—โ—6 . de Em. Temp. Epistle of Ignatius the Patriarch of Antiochia written to Scaliger upon this Account ; You are also , says he , very desirous to be informed concerning the AERA of MARTYRS used among the Aegyptians , its true Origin and Denomination : You must know then that it has its Beginning from the 19th Year of the Reign of that impious ( ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ) King Dioclesian ; at which time he raised the most Violent Persecution against the Christians , ordering their Churches to be demolished ; and that such as refused to pay Adoration to the Idols , should be killed . Pursuant to this Edict , there were alone in Aegypt one hundred and forty four thousand and seven hundred Believers sacrificed to his Fury : From which time began the AERA ELKUPTI , or the AERA of MARTYRS , whose Blood was shed by Dioclesian . But it is apparent that this Patriarch is under a Mistake ; and that he has confounded the Year of the Beginning of his Reign with that of his Persecution against the Christians . And it is not altogether improbable , but that the Aegyptians , to abolish the Memory of this Tyrant , have changed this Epocha , which had borrowed its Name from Dioclesian into that of the MARTYRS .

ยง . 3. There is no great Difficulty in finding The Congruity betwixt the Months of this Epocha and the Julian Months . out the Congruity there is betwixt the Months of this Epocha and the Julian Months , if it be taken into Consideration that the Years of the Aera of Dioclesian , or of the MARTYRS , both in respect of their Quantity and the Order of the Bissextiles or Leap-Years , agree for the most part with the Julian Years : For they do , like us , intercalate a Day at certain times . The whole Difference lies in the Quantity of the Months and the Beginning of the Year : For the Aegyptians have made their Months all ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , and begin their Year with the 29th day of August , adding to the common Year , after the Month Mesori , five Epagomena's ; and to the Leap-Year six Epagomena's . The โ—ollowing Table shews the true Connection betwixt ours and the Aegyptian Months .

InciditNeomeniaMensis 1. Thoth in 29 Augusti . 2. Paophi 28 Septembr . 3. Athyr 28 Octobr. 4. Chojac 27 Novembr . 5. Tybi 27 Decembr . 6. Mechir 26 Januarii . 7. Phamenoth 25 Februarii . 8. Pharmuti 27 Martii . B. 26. 9. Lachon 26 April , B. 25. 10. Payni 26 Maii , B. 25. 11. Epiphi 25 Junii , B. 24. 12. Mesori 25 Julii , B. 24. 1. Epagomen 24 Augusti , B. 23. 2. Epagomen 25 Augusti , B. 24. 3. Epagomen 26 Augusti , B. 25. 4. Epagomen 27 Augusti , B. 26. 5. Epagomen 28 Augusti , B. 27. 6. Epagomen Init. Anni , B. 28. Aug.

CHAP. XLIV . Of the Epocha of Constantine the Great , and the Transactions under his Reign . 1. Constantine the Great was immediately after the Death of his Father Constantius Chlorus , both by his Testament and the Approbation of the Souldiery proclaimed Caesar . (a) (a) L. 1. de Vit. Const. M. Eusebius . 2. Constantius Chlorus died on the 23 d day of July , when Constantius Caesar and Maximianus Jovius were both the 6th time Roman Consuls , at the time of the 10th Indiction . See Chron. Alexandrinus , Idacius , and (b) (b) L. 1. c. 1. Socrates . 3. The first Year of Constantine the Great iโ— coincident with the 4th Year of the 10th Persecution raised by Dioclesian against the Christians . Hieron . in Chron. 4. This Persecution began in the Year of the Antiochian Aera 351 , in the 19th year of the Reign of Dioclesian , when Dioclesian Augustus was the 8th time and Maximianus Herculius the 7th time Roman Consuls . See (c) (c) Chron. Alex. Eusebius . 5. The Year in which the Tyrant Maxentius was vanquished was the 6th year after the Death of Constantius Chlorus , and likewise of the Reigns of Maxentius and Constantine the Great . Maxentius , says the Panegyrist , speaking to Constantine the Great , having squander'd away whole six years in Idleness , made his Birth-day remarkable by his Death , that the Tyranr might not defile that Sacred and Religious Septenary Number , by entring into the 7th Year of his Reign . 6. The Tyrant Maxentius was slain when Constantine and Licinius were both the 2 d time Roman Consuis , in the 4th Year of the 272 d Olympiad , according to St. Hierome ; towards the latter End of Autumn , says Nazarius , at the Beginning of the Winter ( about the Month of October ) in the Year of Christ 312. 7. At the time of the Decennalia of Constantine the Great , that is to say , in the 7th Year of his Reign , he appointed his Son Constantine sirnamed Junior , Caesar ; according to (d) (d) L. 4. c. 40. de Vit. Const. Eusebius ; and the Chron. Alexandrinum mentions that it hapned in the Year of Christ 316 , when Sabinus and Ruffinus were Roman Consuls . 8. The same Year that the Council of Nicaea was finished , was coincident with the Year when Constantine the Great celebrated the Vicennalia , being the Beginning of the 21st Year of his Reign . See (e) (e) L. 3. c. 14. L. 4. c. 47. de Vit. Const. Euseb. (f) (f) L. 1. c. 12. Socrates , (g) (g) L. 1. c. 24. Sozomenus , and Ishmael Ibn Ali a Mahometan Writer by (h) (h) L. 1. p. 102. de Ann. Chr. Langius . 9. Concerning the time of the Council of Nicaea , ( says (i) (i) L. 1. c. 9. Socrates ) it was called together , as may be seen in the Annals on the 22d day of May , when Paulinus and Julianus were Roman Consuls , in the 636th Year after the Reign of Alexander the Great , since the Beginning of the Aera of the Seleucides . And the Edicts published by Constantine the Great shew these Characters to direct us to the 325th Year of Christ . 10. The Council of Nicaea did not last much above one Year ; and according to (k) (k) In Annal. Eutychius , all the Bishops were met in the City of Nicaea , within the Space of one Year and two Months . 11. The before-mentioned Vicennalia are said to have been celebrated by Constantine the Great in the 2 d Year of the 276th Olympiad , when Constantine was the 7th time and Constantius Roman Consuls , in the Year of Christ 326. See Eus. in Chron. Fast . Sic. 12. In the 30th Year of Constantine the Great , when Dalmatius was proclaimed Caesar , Constantius the 6th time and Albinus were Roman Consuls , according to St. (l) (l) Chron. Alexandr . Jerome . 13. Constantine the Great died on the 20th day of May , being then Witsunday , according to (m) (m) Lib. 4. c. 53. & 64. in Vit. Constant . Eusebius and the Chron. Alexandrinum , when Felicianus and Titianus were Roman Consuls . Consult Sozomen , Chron. Alexandrinum , and (n) (n) Hist. Tripart . Idacins . In the fourth Year of the 278th Olympiad , at the Age of 65 Years . See Chron. Alexandr . 14. From the Death of Constantine the Great , to count backwards to the Beginning of his Reign , are computed about 31 Years , according to (o) (o) L. 1. c. 12. Socrates ; 30 Years and 10 Months , according to Idacius and (p) (p) In Chr. St. Jerome ; 30 Years , 9 Months and 27 Days , according to (q) (q) In Fast . Onuphrius . 15. The 341st Year of Christ , when Marcellus and Probinus were Roman Consuls , was coincident with the 5th Year after the Death of Constantine the Great ; and in the same Year was held the Council of Antiochia . See ( q ) Socrates . (r) (r) L. 2. c. 5. Hist. Eccles.

From these Characters it is evident , First , That Constantius Chlorus died , and was succeeded in the Empire by Constantine the Great in the Year of the Julian Period 5019 , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 7. โ˜ฝ . 3. on the 25th day of July . Secondly , that Maxentius was vanquished in the Year of the Julian Period , 5025 , towards the latter End of September . Thirdly , That the Council of Nicaea began in the Year of the Julian Period 5038 , on the 22 d day of May , and lasted till the Year of the Julian Period 5039 , in July ; at which time Constantine the Great celebrated the Vicennalia at Nicomedia , and in the next Year at Rome . Fourthly , That Constantine the Great died in the year of the Julian Period 5050 , on the 22 d day of May.

If therefore from any certain year of the Julian Period given , be subtracted 5018 years and 7 To investigate the Years since the Beginning of these Epocha's . Months , the Residue shews the year since the Death of Constantius Chlorus , and the Beginning of the Reign of Constantine the Great : Likewise if you would investigate the year since the Death of Maxentius , and the Propagation of the Christian Doctrine throughout the whole Roman Empire , subtract from any known year of the Julian Period 5024 Years and 9 Months . And for the time since the Council of Nicaea , 5037 years and 5 Months ; for the time since the Death of Constantine the Great subtract 5049 years and 5 months , and the Residues will be correspondent to the years of these several Synchronisms . But if to the known years of these several times before-mentioned , the above-named Numbers of Years and Months be added , the Products will be correspondent to the several years of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. (s) (s) In Euseb. p. 226. JOsephus Scaliger speaking of the Times of Const. the Great , breaks out into The History of Constantine the Great is very uncertain . these Words : Nothing is more uncertain than the Beginnings of these Emperours , from Carus to Valentinian . (t) (t) Ad An. Christi โ—06 . 16. Baronius is so positive in his Assertion that Const. the Great was not only first proclaimed Caesar in Britain , but also was a Native of that Island , and was elevated to the Imperial Dignity by his Country-men , that he looks upon those who pretend to contradict it little better than mad Men. Nevertheless (u) (u) L. 4. c. 11. de magn. Rom. Justus Lipsius , a Man of great Judgment , is of Opinion that this Emperour was born at Tharsus a City of Bithynia : And there are not a few who affirm according to (x) (x) L. 1. ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . Constantius Porphyrogennetus and the Manuscript of Fermicus , that he was born at Naisum a City of Dacia . But we will only alledge the different Opinions of the Chronologers : The Author of the Chron. Alexan. says that Const. Chlorus died at York when Constantius the 6th time and Maxim . Jovius were Roman Consuls ; with whom agrees (y) (y) In Fast . Onuphrius , when speaking of the Year when FL. VALERIVS , CONSTANTIVS CHLORVS P. F. AVG. VI. ET GALERIVS VALERIVS MAXIMIANVS P. F. AVG. VI. were Roman Consuls , he says further thus :

EODEM ANNO A. D. โ—I . KAL . AVGVSTI .

IMP. CAESAR CONSTANTIVS AVG. MORTVVS EST.

The Ancient Author of the Excerpta alledged by (z) (z) P. 69. Scaliger , erroneously refers his Death to the Consulship of Licinius and Crispus . The Year of these Consuls mentioned by us is coincident with the Year since the Building of Rome 1058. But (a) (a) L. 7. c. 17. Orosius says , that Constantine began his Reign in the Year 1061 , since the Building of Rome . We have proved before , that Const. the Great was proclaimed Caesar in the Year of Christ 306 ; which Opinion is approved of by (b) (b) Part 2. l. โ— c 11. Petav. in Ration . Tempor . Nevertheless the same Petavius , in his Treatise de Doct. Temp. deduces the Beginning of the Reign of Const. the Great from the 305th Year of Christ , having read in the History of Socrates that Const. the Great died in the first Year of the 271st Olympiad , on the 25th day of July . Scaliger affirms , that Const. the Great was not proclaimed Caesar till the Year of Christ 307. And (c) (c) L. 4. c. 53 de Vit. Const. Eusebius says expresly , that Const. the Great reigned 31 Years and some Months ; with whom agrees the Author of the Chron. Alexand. and Joh. Monachus , who allot 31 Years and 10 Months for the Reign of this Emperor . (d) (d) L. 2. n. xvii . Philostorgius affirms that he reigned beyond the 32d Year . On the other hand , St. Jerome , Eutropius , Onuphrius , and many more , who are of the same Opinion with us , allow no more than 30 Years and 10 Months for the Reign of Const. the Great ; and Scaliger but 29 Years and 10 Months . There is no less Dispute about the Age of Const. the Great . Eusebius says he was not quite 64 Years old when he died , there wanting a few Months and Days . But Socrates , Sozomenus , Ruffinus , Cassiodorus , and a great many others , affirm that Const. the Great died in the 66th Year of his Age. They are also no less divided in their Opinions concerning those that were Consuls at Rome when Const. the Great died . Those who refer his Death to the Consulship of Felicianus and Titianus we have cited before . But in the Consular Records published by Antonius Contius , we find his Death coincident with the Consulship of Vrsus Lupulus and Polemius , and consequently one Year later ; and (e) (e) In Chron. Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus with the Consulship of Constantius the 2d time , and Constans , and consequently two Years later . And who is as much as able to enumerate , much less to decide the different Opinions concerning the Reign of Const. the Great ? Our before-mentioned Characters are the surest Guides to extricate us out of this Labyrinth .

ยง . 2. Some of the Ancients were of Opinion , Whether Constantine was proclaimed Caesar before his Father's Death . that Constantine was proclaimed . Caesar before his Father's Death , which seems to be confirmed by the Authority of Eusebius , when he allots 32 Years for the Reign of this Emperour . And the Author of the Chron. Alexandr . says expresly , that the Year of the Death of Constantius was the 2d Year of Constantine . And (f) (f) In Chron. Cassiodorus speaking of the Consulship of Dioclesian the 10th time , and Maximus the 7th time , has the following Words : Constantius not troubling himself with any Business , was contented with the Title of Augustus ; which is the Reason , that some years of his Reign are included in the Reign of his Son Constantine , who , as it was reported , was born from Helen his Concubine , &c.

ยง . 3. But tho' (g) (g) L. 1. c. 16. de Vit. Const. Euseb. relates that Constantine was Whether Constantine was declared Emperour and Augustus immediately after his Father's Death . proclaimed Emperour and Augustus at the time of Constantius his Father's Funeral : yet if we give Credit to the ancient Monuments of these Times , we must conclude that Constantius either immediately after , or perhaps before his Father Constantius's Death , was declared Caesar ; but did not take upon him the Titles of Imperator or Augustus till after his Marriage with Fl. Maximiana Fausta , the Daughter of Maximianus Herculeus , as among others appears out of the Oration of the Panegyrist , spoken in the Presence of Maximian and Constantine Augustus ; where among others , he has these Words : TIBI CAESARI ADDITUM NOMEN IMPERII : And further , as follows ; ET TIBI , CONSTANTINE , PER SOCERUM NOMEN IMPERII ACCREVERIT , &c.

ยง . 4. There is a Dispute among the Historians , Whether Constantine was the first Christian Emperour . whether Const. the Great , or the Emperour Philip , sirnamed Arabs , was the first Christian Emperour . (h) (h) L. 5. c. 27. Hist. Eccl. Eusebius affirms , that already in his time it was granted by many , that this Philip had embraced the Christian Religion ; and (i) (i) L. 7. c. 18. Orosius says expresly , that this Philip was the first of all the Christian Emperours ; and that Constantine was the first Christian Emperour except Philip. On the other hand , Eusebius seems to call in question the Christianity of Philip ; when he says , that among all the other Emperours , Constantine was the only one who was initiated by the holy Baptism ; with whom agrees in Opinion Lactantius in his Preface ; when he says , that he was the first of all the Roman Princes who had laid aside his erroneous Opinion , and was come to the true Knowledge of God ; and relates of this Philip Arabs , that he was an Idolater . Scaliger is of Opinion , that in Reality he was a Pagan , but pretended to be a Christian for some Reasons of State : So that the best Chronologers agree in this Point , that the Epocha of the Christian Emperours begins with the Reign of Const. the Great .

ยง . 5. Augustus having refused to accept of the The Origin of the Decennalia and Vicennalia . Empire any otherwise than for the Space of ten Years , was the first who instituted the Decennalia ; concerning which (k) (k) L. 53. Dio Cassius has these following Words : Caesar , to remove from himself all Suspicion of being ambitious of the Royal Dignity , so odious to the Romans , but much coveted by him ; for which Reason he would accept of the Government of the Provinces for 10 years , only , adding these Words ; That if he could reduce them to a State of Tranquillity in a less time , he would sooner abdicate the Government .

ยง . 6. There is also a great Question among the Historians how long the Council of Nicaea lasted . Concerning the time of the Nicaean Council . Scaliger is of Opinion that it was dissolved in the 3d Year after it was called together ; with whom agree (l) (l) L. 1. c. 1. de Concil. Bellarminus and (m) (m) Ad An. Chr. 338. Genebrardus , but is contradicted by Baronius and Petavius . Those who disagree with Scaliger , alledge in their behalf the Words of Alexander and Metrophanes in (n) (n) โ—oโ— . 256. Phot. which are as follows : The Council being ended after three years and a half , for it began on the 15th day of April , and continued till three years after , not only till the same Month of April , but till the September next following ; But I look upon it as unquestionable , that the End of the Council of Nicaea ought to be made coincident with the Vicennalia of Const. the Great .

CHAP. XLV . Of the Epocha and the Encoenia of NEW ROME , or the City of Constantinople , and the Division of the Roman Empire into the Eastern and Western Empire . 1. The first year of this Epocha is coincident with the 25th year of the Reign of Constantine the Great , according to St. Jerome and Cedrenus . 2. The solemn Consecration of this City was made in the Third Indiction , according to the same Cedrenus . 3. When the second Feria did fall upon the 11th day of May , according to the same Cedrenus , and the Anonymous Author of the Chron. Alexandrinum cited by (a) (a) P. 284. Scaliger . 4. In the year of the World , according to the Greek Computation , 5838. according to Zonaras , Cedrenus and Joh. Monachus . 5. In the 2 d year of the 277th Olympiad . See Chron. Eus. Hieron . 6. In the 360th year since the Reign of Augustus , according to Suidas . 7. When Gallicanus and Symmachus were Roman Consuls , according to the Chronicon of Causabon cited by Scaliger . 8. At the time of the 5th Indiction , Mavortius being then alone Consul at Rome , in the 197th year after the Building of Constantinople , the Emperour Justinus did appoint Justinianus , his Nephew , his Successour in the Empire , on the first day of April , according to Comes Marcellinus .

From these Characters it is evident that the Encoenia , or Consecration of the City of Constantinople did happen on the 11th day of May in the 5043 d year of the Julian Period , Cycl . โ˜‰ . 3. โ˜ฝ . 8.

If therefore from any certain year given of the Julian Period , be subtracted 5042 Years and 4 Any certain year given of the Julian Period to find out the year since the beginning of this Epocha . Months , the Residue shews the year since the Beginning of the Epocha of Constantinople : And if the said Sum of 5042 Years and 4 Months be added to the known Year of this Epocha , the Product will be correspondent to the Year of the Julian Period .

ยง . 1. THIS Epocha is scarce mentioned by some Chronologers ; Nevertheless we judg'd Why this Epocha is treated of in particular . it not for our Purpose to pass it by in Silence : First , because the Constantinopolitans always made a great Account of this Epocha , especially in their publick Records , as may be seen in (b) (b) L. 5. de Em. Temp. Scaliger . And in the Imperial Laws of (c) (c) L. 7. de Feriis . Valentinian and Theodofius , we read these following Words : Kalendarium quoque Januarium consuetos dies otio mancipamus . His adjicimus NATALITIOS DIES VRBIVM MAXIMARUM ROMAE atque CONSTANTINOPOLIS , in quibus debent jura differri , quia ab ipsis nata sunt . Secondly , because this occasioned the greatest and most pernicious Change in the Government of the Roman Empire . Thirdly , because by this Innovation the Number of Patriarchs increasing , this gave Birth to great and innumerable Contests among the Bishops . Consult (d) (d) C. 3. Annal. Zonar . & G. Codinus .

ยง . 2. Suidas in his Lexicon says , that the Ancients The Derivation of the Word Encoenia . by the Word Encoenia understood any publick Solemnity , or rather Initiation : In which Sence are taken the Encoenia of the Temple of Solomon , of the Maccabaeans and Emperours . Among the Latines they were called Dedications or Consecrations , being certain Days appointed to give Thanks to God Almighty on the Account of something of Moment brought to a happy Conclusion , and to implore him for the Continuance of his Mercies . Of these Consecrations consult the (e) (e) C. 1. de Consecrationibus . Jus Canonicum .

ยง . 3. All the Historians agree in this Point , The Derivation of the Word Byzantium . that the City of Constantinople was founded by Const. the Great upon the Ruines of the ancient Byzantium ; but they are of different Opinions concerning the Origin of this Word . Most of them however agree in this , that Byzantium received its Name from its Founder King Byzantes , or a famous Commander at Sea called Buzes . Georgius has this following fabulous Tradition ; That Byzantes was Son of Neptune , and Cornuta the Daughter of Io , a Concubine of Jupiter ; and that he received his Name from the Nymph Bezia , who had educated him in Thrace . This Byzantes , says Codinus , after he had made himself famous by his Exploits among those inhabiting the Mountains of Thrace , founded the City of Byzantium .

ยง . 4. The Oracle of Delphis had pronounced The Tradition of the Ancients concerning the City of Byzantium . the following Words concerning the City and Inhabitants of the Ancient Byzantium : That the Inhabitants of that City , situate upon the Thracian Shoar near the Pontus Euxinus should enjoy great Happiness . But they are very infamous for their Intemperance ; for which Reason they were sirnamed ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ . And (f) (f) L. 3. c. 14. Hist. Aelianus Varro upbraids them with Drunkenness , prostituting their Wives to Strangers , and Cowardice . And Menander says , that the Merchants of Byzantium were so much addicted to Wine , that they rarely used to stir from the Bottle all Night .

ยง . 5. We read of several unfortunate Wars Concerning the Destruction of the ancient Byzantium . waged by the Byzantines in the ancient Histories ; but the two last are most remarkable . In the first of these two they were , according to Zonaras , closely besieged by Severus ; which Siege they endured with a great deal of Bravery and Constancy for three Years ; when , after a most obstinate Resistance , having consumed all their Provisions , and lived for some time upon Human Flesh , they were forced to surrender to Severus , who killed all their Soldiers and chief Men , and dismantled the City : But the 2d proved the total Destruction of this famous City under Gallienus ; who , as Trebellius Pollio (g) (g) In Gal. relates it , did make such a Slaughter among the Inhabitants of Byzantium , that not one Family escaped his Wrath , unless it were perhaps such as hapned to be at the same time in Foreign Parts .

ยง . 6. (h) (h) L. 2. c. 2. Sozomenus affirms , that Const. the Great having taken a Resolution to build a City What induced Constantine to found this new City upon the Ruines of the ancient Byzantium . after his own Name , first attempted to lay its Foundation upon the Ruines of the Ancient Troy , near the Sepulchre of Ajax ; but being admonished in a Dream to desist from that Enterprize , he had pitched upon the old Byzantium , which he fortified with very strong Walls . There are others who believe that Const. the Great did build this City as a Bulwark and Check to the Greatness of the Persians who were then very formidable in the East ; and to keep the Syrians and other Neighbouring Nations in Obedience by this potent City .

ยง . 7. And Const. the Great being very desirous to The Reason of the sudden Increase of this City . enlarge his new City to the utmost of his Power , gave all imaginable Encouragement to Strangers , by his great Liberality towards them . And St. Jerom observes that Const. the Great was so ambitious of enlarging this City , that he transferred Colonies from other Places thither . (i) (i) L. 2. c. 2. Sozomenus ascribes this sudden Encrease of Constantinople partly to the Piety of the Emperour , partly to the Charity and Liberality of its Inhabitants to Strangers .

ยง . 8. But the Chronologers are divided in their The Authors differ about the Beginning of this Epocha . Opinions concerning the true Beginning of the Encoenia of New Rome . Some there are who make them coincident with the same Year the Council of Nicโ—a was finished ; among whom is (k) (k) L. 8. c. 26. Nicephorus Callisthus , who has been severely reprimanded upon this Account by Camerarius . Others differ two Years from our Opinion , induced by the Authority of Cassiodorus ; who says , that under the Consulship of Pacatianus and Hilarianus , the City of Byzantium was called Constantinople after Const. the Great . But (l) (l) Ad An. Chr. 330 Coesar Baronius has sufficiently demonstrated , that Cassiodorus was led into this Error by his wrong Computation of the Years of the Reign of Constantine . Some recede but one Year from our Assertion , making the Encoenia of Constantinople coincident with the Year 331 of Christ , and with the Consulship of Annius Bassus and Ablabius Aegyptius ; concerning which (m) (m) Fast . Cons. Onuphrius cites these following Words :

HOC ANNO ANTE DIEM V. EID. MAI.

CONSTANTINOPOLIS NOVA ROMA AB IMPERATORE CAESARE CONSTANTINO MAXIMO PIO FELICE AUGUSTO DEDICATA EST.

But Onuphrius's Opinion being not agreeable to the Relations of the ancient Historians deserves in no wise any Preference before ours ; which is founded upon the Authority of the best Monuments of Antiquity .

ยง . 9. To reconcile the different Opinions How to reconcile these Differences . concerning the Beginning of this Epocha , it is to be observed that those that fix its Beginning sooner than we , have begun their Computation from the time its first Foundation was laid by Constantine ; which was some Years before its Consecration ; Whereas those who reduce this Epocha from the 28th Year of the Reign of Constantine have had respect to the time of its full Perfection , some Years after its Consecration ; as evidently appears from the Words of (n) (n) L. a. c. 9. Philostorgius , who relates it to that time when Constantinople appeared in its full Glory , so as to contend for the Superiority with Rome it self . But as to the Opinion of Georgius Codinus Curopalates , who in his Origines Constantinopolitanae , published by Georgius Doโ—sa , makes the Beginning of this . Epocha coincident with the 12th year of the Reign of Constantine , it does not deserve an Answer .

ยง . 10. The Design of Const. the Great to increase Concerning the Division of the โ—โ—man Empire . the Power and Strength of the Empire by Old and New Rome , one in the Western , the other in the Eastern Part of the Empire , proved very pernicious in the End ; this unadvised Division having exposed the Empire to Ruin and Destruction . And it has been well observed by (o) (o) C. 40 de Comit. Onuphrius , that Const. the Great , by removing the 15 Legions that guarded the Borders of the Danube and Rhine , had invited the barbarous Nations of the Goths , Alans , Burgundians , and Franks to over-run the Western Empire .

CHAP. XLVI . Of the Turkish Epocha , commonly called the Epocha of Hegira .

This Epocha begins from the time of the Flight of Mahomet from Meccha , which , without Contradiction , hapned in the Year of Christ 602 , or in the Year of the Julian Period 5335 , on the 16th day of July , on the 6th Feria . But this Epocha being composed of Lunar Years , consisting of 354 Days , 8 Hours , and 864 Scruples , its Connection is very difficult with the Julian Years .

ยง . 1. SOme are of Opinion , that this Epocha owes its Offspring to Hagar , from whence the The Origin โ— . this Epocha . Turks deduce their Origin . But it seems more probable that the same has its Beginning from the time of the Flight of their Prophet Mahomet from the City of Meccha . Consult Hottin . in Hist. Orient . p. 260. & seq .

ยง . 2. The Turks compute their Years by 12 The twelve Months of the Turks . Months , whose Names are thus express'd by Gravius :

1. Moharram . 2. Safar . 3. Rabia prior . 4. Rabia poster . 5. Jomada Prior. 6. Jom . Posterior . 7. Rajab . 8. Schaaban . 9. Ramadan . 10. Schawal . 11. Dulkaadah . 12. Dulheggiah .
CHAP. XLVII . Of the Persian Epocha , called commonly YEZDEJERD . 1. The Years of the Persian Epocha are equivalent to the Nabonassarean or ancient Aegyptian Years . 2. This Epocha derives its Name from Yezdejerd , the Son of Schariar , the last Persian King . 3. The Graecian Epocha precedes the Persian 344324 Days , and the Arabian is 3624 Days before the Persian Epocha , according to the Testimony of Ulug Begg an Indian Prince on both Sides of the River Ganges . 4. The Persian Aera is coincident with the 1379th Year , and 3 d Month , or 90 Days of the Nabonassarean Epocha , according to Alfraganus .

From these Characters it is evident that this Aera began in the Year of the Julian Period 5345 , on the 16th day of June , on the third Feria . But because the Connection of these Years with the Julian Years is very difficult , by reason of their Difference , it will be too long to be inserted here .

ยง . 1. THE Disposition of the Years of the The Disposiition of the Years of this Epocha . Persian Epocha is the same with the Nabonassarean Years , every one consisting of 365 Days ; and their Months are ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ ใ€ˆโ—Šใ€‰ , they add Five Days to the Month Aban , which the Astronomers commonly insert in the latter end of the Year . The Names of their Months are thus express'd by Gravius .

1. Fervadin . 2. Ardabahesht . 3. Chordad . 4. Tir. 5. Mordad . 6. Sharivar . 7. Mโ—her . 8. Adan . 9. Abur . 10. Dรฎ . 11. Bโ—hmaโ—โ— . 12. Esfandarmod .

ยง . 2. This Epocha has beyond all Question , its The Origin of this Epocha . Beginning from the Times of Yezdejerd , or the Year of the Julian Period 5345. The only Question is , whether it began with the Beginning of the Reign of this Prince , or from the time of his Death . Alfraganus , Scaliger , Christmannus , and several others , are for the last ; to wit , from the time that Yezdejerd was vanquish'd and slain by Othโ—โ—an near the City of Merga . But the before-mentioned Vlug Begg , cited by Gravius , deduces its Origin from the Beginning of the Reign of this Prince .

CHAP. XLVIII . Of the Jellalaean or Gelalaean Epocha , otherwise called the Royal Epocha , and the Epocha of the Sultans .

This Epocha began in the Year of the Julian Period 5792 , on the 14th day of March , at the time of the Aequinox . It is composed of Solar Years consisting of 365 Days , 5 Hours , 49 Minutes and 53โ€ณ ; From whence it is evident , that to investigate its Connection with the Julian Period , you must subtract 5791 Years and 7 Months .

ยง . 1. THIS Epocha is purely Astronomical , invented For what Vse this Epocha was invented . on purpose for the Conveniency of finding out the exact time of the Vernal Aequinox ; at which time the Persians celebrate a most solemn Festival . Of which see (a) (a) Iโ—โ—n . Pers. part. 2. p. 307. & 494. Olearius .

ยง . 2. The Persians make use of three several The three-fold Persian Calendar . sorts of Calendars : For they compute by the Turkish Years , or those of Hegira , by the Nabonassarean , and lastly , by the Jellalean Years . The first is observed in their Solemnities ; the second is made use of by private Persons in keeping their Accoun ; the third in their great Feast called NEURUZ .

ยง . 3. (b) (b) L. 4. de Em. Temp. Scaliger mentions not only the Name Who was the Founder of this Epocha . of the Prince , who was the first Founder of this Epocha , but likewise those who were of his Council . His Name was Albu Arsalan Elselegeuki , Elhaโ—โ—araz , Muschahi Sultan Corasan : The Names of his eight Counsellours are as follows : Omar , Elhaiama , Abu Hali , Hasen the Son of Haitham , Elbirum , Aba , Eloโ—apha , Elbuzgiani , Ellukari , Judge of the District of Elphakati and Abensina , commonly called Aoisena .

FINIS .
Courteous Reader ,

TO give you at once a short View of all these Epocha's , which ( after our general Doctrine of Time ) we have treated of in this Epitome ; and to shew you the most compendious Way of making an exact Connection betwixt the several Epoch's we have exhibited in a small Table the Difference betwixt the Julian Period and all the other Epocha's . As , for Example ; If the Year of Christ 1664 , and the fifth Month of the Year , commonly called the Month of May , be given to find out the Synchronisms of these Epocha's ; you must know the Year of the Julian Period : If therefore you add out of the above-mentioned Table 4713 Years to the before-said Sum , the Product will shew you the Year of the Julian Period , to wit , โ—377 , which is correspondent to the known Year of Christ . On the other hand , If you subtract from the same Year the Sum you find opposite to each Epocha , this shews you the true Method of making a just Connection betwixt these Epocha's and the known Year of Christ . It is further to be observed , That where you find an Asterisk or* , affixed to any of these Epocha's , it indigitates , that the usual Computation of the Years of this Epocha is not congruous to the Julian Period ; and that therefore the Connection betwixt them is to be look'd for in our Computistica .

FromthebeginningoftheJulianPeriod,to Y. M. 1. The Creation of the World , 763 9 2. The Jewish Epocha , 952 8 3. Moses 's Flood , 2419 10 4. Porphyrius 's Chaldaick Epocha , 2480 5. Assyriac Kingdom , 2537 6. Nativity of Abraham , 2711 7. โ€” his Calling , 2786 8. Isaac 's Nativity , 2811 9. Abraham 's Death , 2886 10. Beginning of the Kingdom of the Argives , 2856 11. Beginning of the Kingdom of Athens , 3157 12. Departure out of Aegypt . 3216 3 13. Entr. of the Israelites into Palaestine , 3261 9 14. Their Tilling it , 3262 9 15. Destruction of Troy , 3529 5 16. David 's Reign , 3653 17. First Foundation of the Temple , 3696 4 18. It s Encoenia , 4703 9 19. The Defection of Jeroboam , 3733 20. Arbaces , the 1st King of the Medes , 3838 21. Mandaces , the 2 d , 3865 22. Sosarmus , the 3 d , 3915 23. Artica , the 4th , 3945 24. Cardicea , the 5th , 3996 25. Phraortes , the 6th , 4057 26. Cyaxares , the 7th K. of the Medes , 4080 27. The Beginning of Astyages , 4020 28. The End , 4154 29. The Olympiads , 3937 6 30. The Varronian Epocha of the Building of the City , 3960 3 31. The Catonian , 3961 3 32. * The Nabonassarean Epocha , 3966 2 33. Destruction of Samaria , 3990 34. The Beginning of Nabuchadonosor , 4105 35. LXX Years Captivity , 4113 36. Destruction of the first Temple , 4123 7 37. The Beginning of Cyrus in Persia , 4154 38. in Babylon , 4175 39. Flight of the Kings , 4205 2 40. The Battle at Marathon , 4222 7 41. at Salamis , 4233 8 42. The Beginning of the Pelopon . War , 4282 3 43. The Beginning of the 70 Weeks of Daniel , 4291 44. The Battle at Gaugamel , 4382 9 45. The Begin . of the Calip. Period , 4383 6 46. The Death of Alexander , 4390 3 47. The Epocha of the Seleucides , 4401 3 48. The Death of Mattathias Asmonaeus , 4547 49. The Restauration of the Jews , Mac. 4548 50. The Epocha of Simon , 4570 51. The Antiochian Epocha , 4664 9 52. The Julian Epocha , 4668 0 53. The Beginning of the Reign of Herod , 4673 54. The taking of Jerusalem , 4676 55. The Death of Herod , 4712 2 56. The Spanish Aera , 4675 57. The Battle at Actium , 4682 8 58. The taking Alexandria , 4683 7 59. The Epocha of the Augustus's , 4686 60. The true Birth of Christ , 4711 61. The Vulgar , 4713 62. The Passion of Christ , 4745 3 63. The Destruction of the second Temple , 4782 7 64. The Beginning of the Dioclesian or the Aera of Martyrs , 4996 8 65. The Dioclesian Persecution , 5015 3 66. The Death of Constantius Chlorus , 5018 7 67. The Conquest of Maxentius , 5024 โ— 68. The Nicaean Council , 5037 5 69. The Death of Constantine the Great , 5049 5 70. The Encoenia of Constantinople , 5042 4 71. * The Epocha of the Hegira , 5334 6 72. * The Epocha of Yezdejerd , 5344 5 73. The Epocha of Jellalaean , 5791 3

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