A BRIEF CHRONOLOGIE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, AS PLAIN AND easy as may be, according to the extent of the several historical books thereof. Comprised first in a few Verses to a short view for some help of memory: and afterward more particularly laid forth and explained, for a further light to the course and proceeding of the holy Story. With a Catalogue of the holy Prophets of God, as touching the times wherein they prophesied. LONDON. Printed by john Harison, for Thomas man.. 1600. To the Reader. NOt only are the works of God to be reverenced & regarded in themselves, but also in respect of the most wise and excellent course & order of the contriving and disposing of them. God hath made all things beautiful in the time and season thereof. Eccles. 3. 11. And Act. 15. 18. From the beginning of the world God knoweth all his works, saith the Apostle james. His meaning is that he knoweth them so, that according to his foreknowledge he hath most wisely disposed every one of them. It must needs be acknowledged therefore, that it is the duty of all that desire to be wise in the Lord, to seek after the knowledge of him, both in his works, and also in the orderly course of effecting them, according as he himself hath in his holy Scriptures revealed the same. To this purpose is that which Moses writeth Deut. 4, 32. Inquire now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, & ask from the one end of the heaven to the other, if there came to pass such a great thing as this, or whether any such like thing hath been heard, etc. And that which we read in the 111. Psal. vers. 2. 3. 4. etc. The works of the Lord are great, and aught to be sought out of all those that love them. His work is beautiful and glorious, his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be had in remembrance, etc. And verily, if we weigh things with a right iudgemen●…, we shall find that this is the very end wherefore God hath created time itself, and placed the Sun and the Moon in the firmament for the distinction of the day and the night, and that they should be for signs and for seasons, for days and for years, for summer and for winter, Gen. 1. 14. etc. and chap. 8. 12. For these are but the Ushers as it were, to point us to the word of God, as to the head master & teacher of his school▪ that from thence we might learn not so much what God hath done in making the world for man, as what he hath done in the world for the praise of his glory ever since he hath made the same: and chiefly what course he hath taken for the renewing of the world ever since mankind hath corrupted and disordered the same. For want of which observation, our Saviour Christ, the true sun of righteousness, earnestly blameth the jews, for that they observing the signs of fair and foul weather, etc. altogether neglected the signs of the time, and season of his coming unto them. Mat. 16. 1. 2. 3. All the excellent works of God are so chained & linked together, that we cannot well know the latter without the knowledge of the former. As a help therefore hereunto, serveth this present chronologizing of the holy Scriptures. Wherein two things have been intended and endeavoured: the one plainness, the other shortness, and in either of them as much certainty as could be attained unto for the help of the Christian Reader, from the express and entire direction of the Scriptures themselves. God of his mercy vouchsafe his blessing upon it to all good ends and uses whereunto it may serve thee, to his honour and glory, even for our Lord jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Thine in the Lord. R. A. A brief Chronologie of the holy Scriptures. Comprised first in a few verses. SAcred Genesis first of all, The Scripture story doth contain, Of years 2 thousands hundreds three And sixty eight since world began. The second Book which Moses wrote Called Exodus, of going out: One hundred forty adding six, This is the sum whereto 'tis brought. The third, of Levi bearing name, Shows many things, but ekes the score With never a year: but Numery Hath thirty eight, & near one more. Then Deuteronomie doth supply, All which that year to want we see: So all five Books to thousands two, Add hundreds five & fifty three. Next, joshua space of 17 years, judges two hundreds ninety nine: The first of Samuel fourscore, The next hath forty, David's reign. The first of Kings, from Solomon Hath years one hundred & seventeen Next, hundreds three, forty and five, As by due trial may be seen. This Story reacheth to the time, When captive state to juda fell: Yea to the year of forty five, That they were thr all in strange Babel. The books of days or Chronicles, No longer Story do set down: Save forty five, to Cyrus' reign, They make increase to seventy one. Then Ezra, Nehem ', & ester's book, Show captive jews sent home again: Where they abode 4 hundred years, Yea ninety more till Christ was slain. For, thus is Daniel rightly scanned, I mean the speech of Angel there: Who thither, from thrall seventies end, Defineth seven times seventy year. So then, since man was first create, And likewise since his woeful fall, Till Christ his death: 'tis thousands three hundreds nine, & sixty six in all. Whence take we thirty three & then, There do remain but thousands three: And hundreds nine, thirty & three, Till Christ took flesh to make us free. Now since that time, how many years Have passed just by yearly count: He knoweth but little, that cannot tell, The sum whereto they do amount. But use hereof what should be made, Most wise may live & still may learn: Christ taking life, and dying death, To life doth call, from sin doth warn. For as he came in base estate, And stayed no whit, the time once come: So will he hast a glorious judge, Of life & death, to give last doom. Repent therefore, thy sin forsake, Believe in him whom God hath sent: Be sorry for all days and times, Wherein thou hast thy life misspent. Thus times & seasons if thou weigh The more exact, the better stay: But if thou do this use neglect, The greater skill, the worse defect. Thy friend doth friendly wish thee well Let small default not much offend. One year, yea more may pen escape But God's accounts can none amend. In the year of the everlasting reign of our Lord jesus Christ 1600. For he shall reign for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke. 1. 33. In the year of the world's decay 5533. For the heavens and 3933 from the beginning of th●… world, to the birth o●… Christ: an●… 1600 to th●… present yer●… since his birth, they make this total sum of the old age of the world. 5533. the earth wax old as doth a garment, and as a vesture they shall be changed. Psal. 102. 26. And 1. Cor. 7. 31. The fashion of this world goeth away. And 2. Pet. 3. 10. 11 The world and all things therein must be dissolved. And 〈◊〉. ep. 4. 7. 8. Now the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober & watching in prayer. But above all things have servant love among you. etc. A more full opening and explaining of the former verses, for a further light to the course of the Story, according to the Index of the letters prefixed unto them, and first concerning GENESIS. 2368. years. THe long extent of the history of the first book of Moses may be certainly collected, as followeth. Adam, the first man From A●… to the deluge wer●… ten generations. that ever was, lived from the day wherein God created and made him, the space of 930 years. For so we read it expressly mentioned. Gen. 5. vers. 5. The which age of Adam reached to the 56. year after that 1. Sheth●… who supplieth the room o●… Abel, wh●… Cain sle●… 2. Enosh. 3. Kenan. Lamech was borne, Gen. 5. 28. as it is easy to be gathered from the genealogy thus. Adam was 130 year old, when his son Sheth was borne. From Sheth to the birth of Enosh, were 105 years. From Enosh to Kenan 90. From Kenan Mahalaleel. Iered. Henoch Methuah. Lamech Noah. 〈◊〉. Shem. to Mahalaleel 70. From Mahalaleel to Iered 65. From Iered to Henoch 162. From Henoch to Methushelah 65. From Methushelah to Lamech 187. From Lamech to Noah 182. All which, we read Gen. chap. 5. from the 3. verse to the 29 of the same chapter. So all these nine several numbers, 130 from Adam's creation to the birth of Sheth: 105 to Enosh: 90 to Kenan: 70 to Mahalaleel: 65 to Iered: 162 to Henoch: 65 to Methushelah: 187 to Lamech: these (I say) put all together, with a further addition of 56 years of Lamech, they do amount to the former sum of 930 years, which were the years of the whole life of Adam. Now from the 56 year of Lamech, in the which Adam died, to the birth of Noah, which was in the 182 year of Lamech, as was mentioned a little before out of Gen. chap. 5. 28. there is a surplusage of 126 years. From the birth of Noah to the universal deluge, or drowning of the world, were 600 years. Gen. chap. 7. 11. That is to say, 502 years to the birth of Shem: and from Shem to the birth of Arpachshad 100 years: who was borne two years after the flood. Gen. chap. 11. 10. and chap. 5. 32. compared with Gen. chap. 10. ver. 21. according as Tremelius and junius do rightly translate that verse thus: To Shem also, who was the father of all the sons of Heber, & the brother of japheth the eldest, there was an offspring borne. Whence it is evident, that not Shem, but japheth was the eldest son of Noah, albeit Shem is for honour's sake first mentioned in that 32 verse of the 5. chap. in so much as the holy Story was afterward to be continued from Shem, and not from japheth. And note also that in the same respect, Gen. 10. 2. japheth hath the first place given to him by an hysterosis or backwardness of order, familiar to the scriptures: & Ham keepeth still the second place as we see in the 6. verse of the same chapter, though he were the youngest of the three, as we read in the 24. verse of the 9 chapter. From the flood to the birth of Abram were From th●… deluge or drowning of the world to the birth Isaak, in whom all t●… nations o●… the earth are blesse●… there wer●… likewise t●… generations 1. Arpac●… shed. 2. Shelah. 3. Eber. 4. Peleg. 5. Reu. 6. Serug. 7. Nahor. 8. Terah. 9 Abram. 10. Isaak. 352 years, as may be seen from the account of the Genealogy, Gen. chap. 11. from the 10. ver. to the 27. in this manner as followeth. Arpachshad the son of Shem was borne two years after the flood, as was said even now. From Arpachshad to the birth of Shelah were 35 years. From Shelah to Eber 30. From Eber to Peleg 34. From Peleg to Reu 30. From Reu to Serug 32. From Serug to Nahor 30. From Nahor to Terah 29. From Terah to Abram 130, as it is evident in that Terah lived 205. years. Gen 11. 32. and died in Haran when Abram was yet but 75 years old, Gen. 12. 4. For from the beginning of this 12. chap. it appeareth that Abram removed not from Haran till after that Terah his father was dead. And thus also it is plain that Abram was not the eldest son of Terah, though, for honour's sake, and because the holy Story was to be continued from him, he is set before Nahor his elder brother, as was observed before concerning Shem the second son of Noah. Wherefore touching that which is written cha. 11. 26. (Terah lived 70 years and begat Abram, Nahor and Haran) it must be understood, that at his seventith year he began his generation with Nahor or Haran, after the first whereof, Abram was borne many years after. Now all these years, from the flood to the birth of Abram; that is to say, two years before Arpachshad was borne; then 35 of the life of Arpachshad; and 30 of Shelah; and 34 of Eber; and 30 of Peleg; and 32 of Reu; and 30 of Serug; and 29 of Nahor; and 130 of Terah; nine several numbers, as before, they arise to one whole sum of 352 years. From the birth of Abram to the promise of the Gospel, which God made the first time unto him, were 75 years, as it is set down Gen. chap. 12. 5. For this promise was first made to Abram, when he departed out of Haran; & that was soon after the death of Terah, as is manifest by the process of the Story from the last verse of the 11. chap. From this promise of the Gospel to Abram, unto the birth of Isaak, were 25 years, Gen. ch. 21. 5. For add 25. years to the former 75, and they make 100, which was the age of Abram when Isaak was borne. From the birth of Isaak to the birth of jaakob jaakob. were 60 years Gen. chap. 25. vers. 26. From the birth of jaakob, to the time he went down to Egypt for his relief against the famine, there passed 130 years, Gen. chap. 47. 9 And after this, jaakob lived in Egypt 17 years, so that his whole age was 147 years, as it is recorded in the same 47. chap. verse. 48. From the death of jaakob, to the death of joseph, where with the Story of Genesis is ended, joseph. there were 53 years; as may be proved thus. For in so much as jaakob died, when joseph was 57 year old; (as may plainly be gathered by conference of these places following: Gen. 41. ver. 46. where it is written that joseph was 30 year old when he stood before Pharaoh. And verse 53 of the same chapter, The seven years of plenty were ended. And chap. 45. verse 6. Two years of the famine were passed at the second time of the coming of josephes' brethren unto him. And chap. 46. 1. etc. In the third year of the famine jaakob himself came down to Egypt. And chap. 47. 28. jaakob lived in the land of Egypt 17 years. All which years, to wit, 30, 7, 3, 17, they do make the age of joseph at the death of jaakob to be 57) And further, seeing joseph lived 110 years, Gen. 50 22. 26. it cannot be, but he must live 53 years after that jaakob was dead. And thus upon the laying together of all the above named numbers, in this order following; first, 930, which was the age of Adam: secondly, 126, from the death of Adam to the birth of Noah: thirdly, 600 to the flood: fourthly 352 to the birth of Abram: five, 75 to the promise first made to Abram: sixtly, 25 to the birth of Isaak: seventhly, 60 to the birth of jaakob: eightly, 147 the age of jaakob: ninthly, 53 the time that joseph survived jaakob: we have a full declaration that the general sum of years from the creation of Adam, which was the sixth day after the world began, to the death of joseph, where with the whole hrstorie of Genesis is ended, they are 23 68 EXODUS 146 years. FRom the death of joseph, to the birth of Moses were 65 years. From the birth of Moses, Moses. to the time that God sent him to parley & treat with Pharaoh, for the deliverance of his people out of bondage, were 80 years, Exod. 7. 7. The very next year after this, Israel departed out of Egypt; even on the 14. day of the Departure ●…ut of Egypt. first month, Exod. chap. 12. and chap. 13. And in the third month of the same year, the Lord did publish his Law from heaven, descending upon mount Sinai, Exo. 19 1. etc. 11. etc. and ch. 20. Giving of ●…he law. The Ta●…ernable ●…rected. And in the very beginning of the next year after this, the Tabernacle of God was reared up, Exod. chap. 40. 17. 18. Thus far reacheth the second book of Moses called Exodus: All the years whereof reckoned together; that is to say, 65 from the death of joseph to the birth of Moses: 80 to his embassage from God to Pharaoh: 1 to the giving of the Law, and until the rearing of the Tabernacle: they grow to the number of 146. But it may here be demanded, what proof we have, that between the death of joseph, & the birth of Moses, were just 65 years. We gather that it must needs be so, because that otherwise there could not be 430 years from the promise of the Gospel made first to Abraham; unto the giving of the law. Of which intermediant space of time, we have undoudted testimony, Exod. 12. 40. 41. and Gal. 3. 17. And therefore the warrantise of this is a sure confirmation of that. LEVITICUS, only one month. Confer that which we read, Exod. chap. 40. verse 17. The Tabernacle was reared up the first day of the first month in the second year: with that which Moses writeth in the first verse of the first chapter of Numbers, in these words, The Lord spoke again unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tabernacle of the congregation, the first day of the second month, in the second year after that they were come out of the land of Egypt. etc. Here therefore is the story of never a whole year, but only of one month. NUMBERS, 38 years, and 9 months. COmpare that beginning of this book of Numbers, with the third verse of the first chapter of Deuteronomie where thus we read: And it came to pass in the first day of the eleventh month in the fortieth year that Moses spoke to the children of Israel, etc. Of these forty years, yield one for the giving of the law, to the rearing of the Tabernacle, unto Exodus; and one month to Leviticus; so there shall remain to Numbers 38 years and 9 months. DEUTERONOMIE, two months at the least, which make up the 39 year of the book of Numbers, and reacheth to the end of the fortieth year that Moses spoke to Israel. THis is evident, in that (as was mentioned before out of Exod. chap. 7. vers. 7.) Moses was 80 years old when he led Israel out of Egypt; but he died not till he had lived 120 years, as we read, Deut. 34. 7. Moses was one hundredth and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated, etc. So the●… Deuteronomie maketh up the 39 year of Numbers: whereunto add one year borrowed from Exodus, and we have the whole forty years that Moses spoke to the children of Israel. Note here that the forty years wandering of Israel in the wilderness is to be reckoned from their first entrance into it, Exod. 16. 35. Nehem. 9 21. Read also Psalm 95. For even three days after their deliverance they begin to murmur, Exod. 15. 22. Nevertheless it is not pronounced for a curse unto them till Numbers, 14. 34. This curse ended with the death of Moses. JOSHVAH, 17 years. THis is proved, in that there being 480 years betwixt the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, to the time wherein king Solomon joshua. laid the foundation of the Temple of jerusalem, which was in the fourth year of his reign, 1. King. chap 6. verses 1. and 37: there are of this sum of 480, every year recorded in the holy Scriptures (except from the beginning of joshuah his government, to the time of his death) to the number of 463 years, as will be manifest by the acc●…unt following. For (as hath been already declared) from the time that Moses began to speak to Israel, to the time of his death, was 40 years. The time of the judges (as will more clearly appear anon) was 299 years: of Eli 40: of Samuel and Saul 40: of David 40: of Solomon 4, to the time wherein he began to build the Temple. Wherefore only 17 years are wanting to fufilll that number of 480. And the same must needs be the years wherein joshua governed and guided Israel after the death of Moses, to the time of his own death, josh. 1. 1. where thus we read: Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke unto joshua the son of Nun, Moses minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead: now therefore arise thou, go over this Iorden thou & all this people unto the land which I give them. etc. And cha. 24. 29. And after these things joshua the son of Nun the servant of the Lord died being 110 years old. JUDGES, 299 years. THis was the space of time, wherein the thirteen judges, chronicled and renowned in the book of judges, did as heroical & most valiant Captains of the Lord, judge, avenge & deliver the people of Israel out of the hands of their enemies; as the rehearsal of the several distance of years, from judge to judge, will hence forth show and confirm to be true. For from the death of joshua to the death of God stirred up 13 mighty judges for the deliverance of Israel, after the death of joshuah. 〈◊〉. Othniel. Othniel the first of these judges, were 40 years judg. 1. 1. etc. After that joshua was dead, the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying: Who shall go up for us against the Caananites, to fight first against them. And ch. 3. ver. 9 10. 11. When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord stirred up a Saviour to the children of Israel, and he saved them; even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Calebs' younger brother, etc. So the land had rest to the fortieth year, when Othniel the son of Kenaz died. From the death of this Othniel, to the times 2. Ehud. 3. Shangar. wherein Ehud the second judge, and Shamgar the third, had judged Israel; there were 80 years chap. 3. 30. 31. For in that account the time of Shamgar must be reckoned with the time of Ehud, or else comprehended in the former part of the 40 years next following; because otherwise, the time wherein he executed the judgement of God, should be altogether omited. It is likely that his time was but short. From those 80 years, to the end of the government of Deborah, who was the fourth judge, though a woman; there passed 40 years, chap. 4. Deborah 5. 31. Fron this year, to the end of Gideons' judgement, 5. Gideon. who was the fifth judge; were also 40 years, chap. 8. 28. After Gideon was Abimelech, 6. Abimelech. the sixth judge, who judged Israel 3 years chap. 9 22. Next Abimelech, arose Tolah the 7. Tolah. seventh judge, who judged Israel 23 years, chap. 10. 1. 2. Then jaire the eight judge, he 8. jaire. 9 Jephtha. judged 22 years, chap. 10. 3. Jephtha the ninth, judged 6 years, chap. 12. 7. And after Jephtha, 10. Ibsan. Ipsan, who was the tenth judge: he judged 7 years, chap. 12. 9 Next Ibsan, rose Elon the eleventh, 11. Elon. he judged 10 years, chap. 12. 11. And in the same chapter, verse 14. Abdon hath the 12. Abdon. place of the twelfth judge, by the space of 8 years. And last of all, Samson the thirteenth, 13. Samson who mightily judged & avenged Israel whole 20 years, cha. 16. 31. All these particular numbers, 40 to the death of Othniel: 80 to the death of Shamgar: 40 to the end of Deborah's government: 40 to the death of Gideon: 3 of Abimelech: 23 of Tolah: 22 of jaire: 6 of Jephtha: 7 of Ibsan: 10 of Elon: 8 of Abdon: 20 of Samson: they make up one whole sum of 299 years. And so far extendeth the book of the judges. As for that which is written in the beginning of the thirteenth chapter of this book, concerning that 40 years of Israel's oppression, under the hands of the Philistims; as though it had been betwixt the time of Abdon & Samson, it is not so to be understood: but we must reckon those years beginning so as they must end either at or with the government of Samson. In the which time of forty years though Israel had judges, yet we are thereby given to understand, that they were sundry times greatly molested by their adversaries, within the compass of the same. And concerning all that which followeth in the rest of the book of the judges, from the 17. chapter, to the end of the book: as also touching that history recorded in the book of Ruth: though the matters therein contained, be placed after the time already accounted; yet do they belong to some of the former seasons. And of the history of Ruth, it is expressly afirmed in the beginning thereof, that it fell out in the time that the judges ruled: at such time as there was a dearth in the land of Israel, etc. 1. Book of SAMVEL, 80 years. THis space of 80 years, was partly the time of Elies' government, which continued 40 years, 1. Sam. chap. 4. vers. 18. And partly, it Eli. Samuel. Saul. was the time both of samuel's government, and also of the reign of Saul; the which reckoned together, were likewise 40 years. So is that to be understood, which we read Act. 13. 20. 21. God gave to Israel judges about 450 years, unto the time of Samuel the Prophet. The Apostle in that number reckoning the time of Elie his government among the judges, and also vulgarly reckoneth the times as they are dated, as well for the oppressions of Israel by their adversaries (such as were Chusan, by the space of eight years, Eglon 18. Sisera 20. The Madianites 7 The Amonites 18. The Philistims 40) as for their deliverances by their judges and saviours 299, besides the 40. years of Elie. And then it followeth in the former place of the Acts. So after that, they desired a King: & God gave unto them Saul, the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. The Apostle here also reckoning the goverument of Samuel with the reign of Saul; under the covert whereof, it is as it were shadowed or concealed. 2. Book of SAMVEL, 40 years. THe reign of king David, was also the space of 40 years: 2. Sam. 5. 4. 5. In Hebron (saith the Text) he reigned 7 years and six David. months over juda: and in jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and juda. Thus with the end of king David's reign, which was at the end of his life; this second book of Samuel endeth. 1. Book of KINGS, 117 years. THis 117 years is the time of the reign of five Kings of juda. First of Solomon, who reigned 40 years 1. King. chap. 11. 42. The first ●…ooke of Kings con●…aineth the ●…istory of 5 ●…ings of ●…uda. 〈◊〉. Solomon. 〈◊〉. Rehobo●…am. 〈◊〉. Abiiam. Then Rehoboam, the son of Solomon 17 years, chap. 14. 21. The third Abijam, whose reign was three years, chap. 15. 2. but not complete; so that the third year of Abijam was also the first of Asa. For jeroboam beginning his reign over Israel, when Rehoboam began to reign over juda; it is expressly said, that Abijam began his reign in the eighteenth year of jeroboam, chap. 15. 1. And it is likewise said, that Asa began his reign, in the twentieth year of the same jeroboam. We have therefore, only two whole years, betwixt Rehoboam and Asa. This Asa, the fourth king of juda; to wit, of 4. Asa. those mentioned in this first book of Kings: he reigned 41 years, as we read further in the 15. verse of the same 15. chap. In the fifth place, the reign of jehoshaphat, is 5 Ichoshaphat. numbered to be 25 years: and his death is chronicled in this book. Nevertheless, the story of this first book of the Kings, reacheth but to the 17 year of his reign, chap. 22. ver. 51. 52. So that the history of this book is but 117 years. For so many and no more are the particular sums; 40 of Solomon: 17 of Rehoboam: 2 of Abijam: 41 of Asa: 17 of jehoshaphat, if we number them altogether. 2. Book of KINGS, 345 years. IN this second Book of the Kings, the holy Story is continued from the 18. year of jehoshaphat, The second book of Kings containeth the history or 15. kings of juda, beside queen Athaliah, chap. 3. 1. to the last; that is to say, unto the 25. year of his reign. Yet so, as the story runneth under the name of jehoram his son; because from the former seventeenth year of jehoshaphat, jehoram ruled as Viceroy in stead of his father, chap. 1. 17. And again who maketh up the number of 16. 1. jehoram 2. Ahaziah Athaliah. 3. jehoash. 4. Amazia. 5. Azariah or Vzziah 6. jotham. 7. Ahaz. 8 Hezekiah 9 Manasses. 10. Amon. 11. josiah 12. jehoahaz. 13. jehoiakim. 14. jehoiachin. 15. Zedekiah. yet more specially, from the 22 year of his father's reign, chap. 8. 16. For joram the son of Ahab, beginning his reign in the eighteenth year of jehoshapat; the fifth year of this joram must be the 22. year of jehoshaphat. And from this time, that is, from the fifth year of joram, doth jehoram the son of jehoshaphat (even four years before the death of his father) begin his reign of that 8 years, which is mentioned in the 17. verse of the eight chapter last alleged. For otherwise, how should jehoram the son of jehoshaphat, reign to the twelfth year of joram the son of Ahab, whose first year was the eighteenth of jehoshaphat, & the second of jehoram's viceroyship, as hath been noted before? So then, we have, beside the remnant of Iehoshaphats reign (which was four years from the end of his 17. while jehoram his son was first viceroy) we have, I say, in the entrance of this second book of Kings, Jehoram's more full reign, for the space of 8 years, beginning at the 22. year of jehoshaphat; that is to say, the first four years by special commission, and thence forth other four in his sole regency; to wit, so long as he survived his father. And after this, we have in the rest of this book the reign of 14 kings of juda; beside Queen Athaliah, who maketh up the number of 16, as is noted before. Of the which kings, Ahaziah the first, reigned one year, chap. 8. 26. Next after him, Athalia, a woman usurper, by the space of six years, chap. 11. 3. And after her, jehoash the second king, who reigned 40 years, chap. 12. 1. Yet so, as from his 38. year, Amaziah his son rule as Viceroy in his room; as may appear by this, that joash king of Israel, beginning his reign over Israel, at the 37. year of joash king of juda, cha. 13. 10. Amaziah is afterward said to have begun his reign, in the second year of the same joash, chap. 14. 1. which must be the 38. year of joash, king of juda. And the same also, two years before jehoahaz, the father of joash king of Israel died; in so much as the seventeenth year, which was the last of jehoahaz, touched the last year of the reign of joash king of juda; seeing he began his reign in the 23. year of the same joash of juda, and reigned 17 years in Israel, chap. 13. 1. So then, the son of jehoahaz was viceroy in Israel, as Amaziah was in judah. Three years therefore are to be abated, either of the 40 years of jehoash, or of the 29 years of Amaziah; unless we could see sufficient reason to say, that Amaziah reigned 29 years, beside that time wherein he was viceroy. Next unto Amaziah, was Azariah, otherwise called Vzziah 2. Chron. chap. 26. whose reign continued 52 years. But the beginning of Azariahes' reign is not to be reckoned, till the twelfth year after the death of his father; because Amaziah (as the Story testifieth) lived but 15. years after the death of jehoash king of Israel, ch. 14. verse 17. The which his 15 years, could reach but to the 15. year of the reign of jeroboam, who began not his reign, till the 15. year of Amaziah, as we read in the same 14. ch. the 23. verse. And hereunto add, that it is further expressly set down, ch. 15. 1. (as hath been alleged before) that Azariah began not his reign, till the 27. year of jeroboam, which was 11 years after the death of Amaziah. We are therefore in this place (for the perfecting of our computation) to interpose eleven years betwixt the death of Amaziah, and the beginning of the reign of Azariah, who was but four year old when his father Amaziah died. Neither did he begin his reign, till he was 16 years of age, as it followeth in the 2. verse of the same 15. chapter. Whence also, it will fall out, that as juda was eleven years without a king, by reason of the nonage of Azariah, or for what other cause soever: so was Israel, fifteen years after that vacancy or interregnum of juda, for the space of 22 years likewise without a king. That is to say, from the end of jeroboams reign, which was at the 15. year of the reign of Azariah. So that Zachariah the next king which succeeded jeroboam, and was the fourth from jehu, 2. King. chap. 10. 30. he began not his reign, till the 38. year of Azariah, as we read ch. 15. 8. 12. Some, in their Chronologie admit not these years of vacancy, either in juda or in Israel, and therefore begin the reign of Azariah 15 years before the death of his father: yea, and for the same cause also, do make Zachariah immediately to succeed jeroboam in Israel, without any interruption of the royal government. But the former account is to be followed; the rather, because without the former addition, we shall not find that number of Ezekiels' 390 years, figured by so many days, from the time that Israel fell to idolatry under jeroboam the son of Nebat, to the desolation of jerusalem at the burning of the Temple. Read Ezek. ch. 4. verses 4. 5. 6. etc. But let us hast forward. Ater Azariah, jotham reigned 16 years, 2. King. 15. 32. 33. Next to jotham, was Ahaz, who likewise reigned 16 years, chap. 16. 1. 2. After Ahaz, reigned Hezekiah 29 years, chap. 18. 1. 2. Manasses succeeded Hezekiah, and reigned 55 years, ch. 21. 1. The longest reign of any king either in juda or Israel. Then Amon reigned two years, cha. 21. 19 And after Amon, josiah; whose reign was 31 years, chap. 22. 1. Next to josiah was jehoahaz; but he reigned only three months, chap. 23. 31. After jehoahaz, jehoiakim reigned eleven years, chap. 23. 36. Then jehoiachin, whose reign was but three months and ten days. For so soon after he began to reign, did the king of Babylon subdue him, and carry him away captive to Babel, 2. King. chap. 24. 8. etc. and 2. Chron. chap. 36. 9 etc. Instead of this jehoiachin, the same king of Babylon placed Zedekiah, who reigned eleven years, 2. King. 24. 18. Finally, from thence, to the time that Euilmerodach the next king of Babylon, succeeding Nabuchadnezzar, restored jehoiachin to a princely dignity; there passed 26 years. For he was advanced in the 37. year after that he was carried away captive, 2. King. chap. 25. vers. 27. From the which if we subtract those 11 years of Zedekiah, the remainder is 26. So all the years of the Story of this second book of Kings, containing these several numbers: 4 of jehoshaphat: 8 of jehoram: 1 of Ahaziah: 6 of Athaliah: 40 of jehoash or joash: 26 of Amaziah, abating the three years of his viceroyship: 11 years of the vacancy: 52 of Azariah: 16 of jothan: 16 of Ahaz: 29 of Hezekiah: 55 of Manasses: 2 of Amon: 31 of josiah: 11 of jehoiakim: 11 of Zedekiah: and from thence 26 to the advancement of jehoiachin in Babel: they are in the total sum 345. THis captivity of juda began in the fourth year of jehoiakim, jer. 25. 1. For Nebuchadnezzer The Captivity of juda beginneth. laying siege against jerusalem, in the third year of jehoiakim, Dan. chap. 1. 1. he subdued the same jehoiakim, and carried him away captive the next year, 2. King. 24. 1. and 2. Chron. 36. 5. 6. 7. At the which time also, Daniel and some other of the children of the Nobles, and such as were of the blood royal of juda were led into captivity, as is evident in the same first chapter of Daniel. And that the captivity of juda began at this time, (though it was increased twice after, 2. King. 24. 10, etc. and chap. 25. 1. etc.) Read Matth. chap. 1. verse 11. compared with 2. Chron. 36. 9 Where see the note of Tremelius and junius, for the opening of that place, by another like place, 2. Kin. chap. 16. 2. and also how that which is written 2. Chron. 36. 9 agreeth with 2. King. 24. 8. For by this conference of places, it is manifest, that jehoiachin was eight years old, not when he himself, but when jehoiakim began to reign. Near upon which time, the Evangelist Matthew, in the place before cited, beginneth the captivity, writing thus: Iacim (he meaneth jehoiakim) begat jechonias (that is jehoiachin) and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon. FOr from the beginning of the fourth year of jehoiakim, reckon the rest of his reign, Years 45 from the beginning of the captivity, to the end of the second book of Kings. which was 8 years, 2. King. chap. 23. 36. & ch. 24. 12. (in so much as the 8. year of the reign of the king of Babel was the eleventh year of jehoiakim) and add moreover, to these eight years of jehoiakim, those 37 which followed from the carrying away of jehoiachin the son of jehoiakim to Babel, until jehoiachin was there advanced, as we saw before (with the which advancement of jehoiachin, the second book of Kings is concluded:) and so we have the story continued till 45 years after that the captivity of juda began. 1. Book of CHRONICLES. THe first book of Chronicles, so called in Greek, after the Hebrew inscription; which is, the first Book of days or times; it is only an abridgement of the whole history of the holy Bible, from the beginning of the world, to the end of king David's reign, saving that the genealogies of Israel are described more at large, chap. 2. etc. 2. Book of CHRONICLES, continueth the Story 25 years longer than 2. Kings. THis second book of Chronicles, beginning at king salomon's reign, carrieth forth the story of the second book of Kings, no further then to the first year of Cyrus' king of Persia; that is, only 25 years beyond the extent of that second book of Kings. For the captivity The captivity of juda endeth. beginning at the first year of Nabuchadnezzar, and continuing all the time of his reign; yea & also under the reign of Euil-merodach, as was alleged before; and yet further, unto the death of Belshazzar, Dan. chap. 5. and chap. 7. 1. and chap. 8. 1. and jer. 25. 26. (where the Prophet prophesieth against this drunken king under the name of Sheshach, which word in the Babylonian tongue, noteth the solemnizing of some feast, as it were to Bacchus. See the note of Tremelius & junius upon that place of jerimiah) The captivity (I say) thus beginning at the first year of Nabuchadnezzar, and continuing to the first year of Cyrus, whereat the second book of Chronicles endeth: it is the space only of 70 years. Read 2. Chron. 36. 21. 22. and Ezra 1. 1. etc. and Dan. 9 1. etc. So then, to out former sum of 345 years, contained in the Story of the second book of Kings; that is, to the 45. year of the captivity of juda: we have in this second book of Chronicles, only the addition of 25 years, to make up the number of 70: which was the end of the same captivity. EZRA, NEHEMIAH, and DANIEL, 490 years. IN the days of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel, many thousands of the jews, being by the The return of juda out of their ●…aptiuity. conduct of Zerubbabel and other Princes, and namely of Sheshbazzar, that Tirshatha or Commissioner, whom king Cyrus had appointed chief Prince of juda, to put them in possession of their land by his authority, Ezra ch. 2. 1. 2. & verse 36. and chap. 5. 14. 15. 16. (Whether Zerubbabel, or rather one properly named Sheshbazzar, were that Tirshatha or Commissioner as afterward it is recorded that Nehemia was for his time Tirshatha or the king's Commissioner, Nehem. chap. 8. verse 9 and chap. 10. 1.) the jews (I say) being thus by thousands returned to their own land, whereunto God of his most gracious goodness had restored them; they do earnestly endeavour to re-edify the holy city and temple of jerusalem, which Nebuchadnezzer had burnt in the 19 year of his reign, 2. King. 25. 8. 9 10. they were through the same most gracious goodness of God, settled to remain and abide therein, from the time of that their return, to the death of our Saviour Christ; that is, by the space of 490 years, Dan. 9 24. etc. In the which space also, they enjoyed the gracious and comfortable protection of God, under the reign of the kings of the Medes & Persians, for the first 100 of those years & more. But let us consider of this portion of the holy history more particularly. And first concerning the book of Ezra. EZRA. THe book of Ezra, continuing the holy Ezra. history from the return of juda out of their captivity, unto the time that the Temple and city of jerusalem was built, which was the space of 49 years; (to wit, from the first year of Cyrus to the twentieth year of Darius the son of Ahashuerosh, whom it is thought Queen Ester bore unto him: concerning which space of time unto the building of the Temple finished, read Daniel chap. 9 25. where the Angel informed Daniel that it should be performed in the first seven times seven years, that is in 49 years) it reporteth the Story in this order. Cyrus' King of Persia, proclaimed liberty to the jews to return to their land; yea he gave them his princely encouragement and furtherance, towards the building of the Temple and city of jerusalem, for the worship of the true God of Israel, Ezra, chap. 1. And this no doubt he did with the consent of Darius, who was of the seed of the Medes, and was made King of the Chaldeans. These two kings and their kingdoms being confederate together in one monarchy, Dan. chap. 5. ver. 28. 31. and chap. 6. 1. 2. 3. 8. etc. and chap. 9 1. 2. likewise Ester 1. 3. 19 So then the jews in the second year of their coming, laid the foundation of the Temple, chap. 3. 8. Nevertheless shortly after they had done so, they were forthwith hindered from proceeding in the work of the Lord, by diverse malicious adversaries who laboured their hindrance to the uttermost of that they could any way procure. The work therefore stayed, even from the third year of Cyrus, that it could not prosperously go forward, until the second year of Darius the son of Ahashuerosh, of whom mention was made a little before, Ezra chap. 4. vers. 5. 24. and Zacharie, chap. 1. 1. This second year of Darius, was the 32. year after the jews return, as may easily be perceived, in so much as the 19 year of the same Darius (which was the year before Nehemiah came in commission, for the finishing of the walls and gates of jerusalem, Nehem. 1. 1.) it was the 49. after their return; according to the speech of the Angel Gabriel to Daniel, alleged before. The reason of the hindrance of the Lords building, even so soon after the gracious commission of Cyrus' king of Persia, and Darius of the Medes, it seemeth to have been this; that Darius of the Medes dying shortly after, and Cyrus following his wars abroad; Artashasht the son of Cyrus (called of Greek writers Cambyses) being king or Viceroy in peace at home, was willing to hearken to the accusation of the jews adversaries: and so was Ahashuerosh also after him. Ezra. ch. 4. 5. 6. 7. And this seemeth to be the cause of daniel's great grief, ch. 10. 1. 2. 3. Moreover the jews were too easily discouraged, & of themselves over slothful, as may appear by the earnest reproofs which the Lord giveth them by his holy Prophets. Hag. chap. 1. 1. 2. etc. and Zach. ch. 1. 1. 2. etc. Nevertheless, so soon as they resumed the work, and at the instigation of the Prophets, earnestly set upon it; according to that we read further, Ezra, chap. 5. 1. 2. by the singular mercy of God, they find so gracious furtherance at the hands of Darius then king of Persia, even in the second year of his reign, and their labour so prospered, that the house of God was finished in the sixth year of his reign, Ezra, chap. 6. 1. etc. verse. 15. And in the 7. year of the same Darius (called also Artashasht, king of Persia) Ezra cometh from him, furnished a fresh, as it were with a new supply; yea with a most large augmentation of the king's favour and bounty, toward the people and house of God, Ezra 7. vers. 8. 9 etc. to the end of the chapter. NEHEMIAH. IN the twentieth year of his reign, the same Darius or Artashasht king of Persia, granteth Nehemi●… Nehemiah a new commission (for he is now Tirshatha or Commissioner from the king, cha. 8. 9 and chap. 10. 1. as was mentioned before) for the perfecting of the whole building of the Lord; whatsoever was wanting, concerning any appurtenances to the Temple, or touching the walls and gates of the whole city, Nehem. chap. 1. 1, etc. and chap. 2. 1. etc. The which service of perfecting & finishing the whole work he did through the blessing of God, perform with all faithfulness, and singular expedition; that is, i●… the space of 52 days, by the willing and industrious diligence of the thousands of juda. Thus wonderfully did the Lord from time to time, prosper his work in the hands of his servants, when they did earnestly set upon it, contrary to all the malignant endeavours of the wicked. Read Nehem. 2. 17. & chap. 3. 1. etc. & chap. 6. 1. etc. 15. 16. And thus was the whole building of jerusalem perfected at the end of the first seven weeks of years, as was observed before in Ezra. Nehemiah having brought the outward buildings to this perfection, he remaineth still among the jews, a gracious Governor and foster-father of God's Church and people, by the space of 12 years: that is, from the twentieth year of Darius' king of Persia, to the 32. year of his reign. This Darius was the most bounteous benefactor which the jews ever had, among all the heathen Princes, under whose subjection they were. We may not altogether unfitly, call him for honour's sake, the jews Constantine. Read Nehem. ch. 5. 14. From the time (saith Nehemiah) that the King gave me charge to be Governor in the land of juda, from the twentieth year even to the 32. year of King Artashasht, that is twelve years: I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the Governor, etc. But rather I fortified a portion of the work, etc. Moreover there were at my table a hundredth and fifty of the jews and rulers, which came unto us from among the heathen, etc. Yea and though at the 32. year of Darius, Nehemiah left the jews, and returned to the king, who was then by a new style written king of Babel, Nehem. chap. 13. 6. yet so tender was his care over the people of God, and so zealous was he of God's glory; that he entreated leave of the king to go to them again. Which request also he obtained of him. How long this was after that he had left them, it is not expressed; neither yet how long he remained with them, after he was come to them. Only this is specified, that he renewed a worthy service among the people of God, to the great honour and glory of God, and to the singular benefit of his people, in reforming the abuses, both of the house and Offices, and also of the Sabbath of the Lord. Read chap. 13. 7. etc. And thus the jews the people of God, were in prosperous estate, and graciously protected and blessed of God, under the reign of the Persian kings, as these books of Ezra & Nehemiah do declare, for the better half of those hundredth and thirty yearés, while their Monarchy (combined with the Medes) did continue. As touching the latter part of their reign, it may probably be conceived of us, that the kings of Persia which succeeded, were no enemies to the people and true worship of God, which their predecessors had so graciously favoured & privileged: and the rather because of the troubles which arose unto them from the Grecians, Dan. chap. 11. 2. 3. etc. ESTER. HEre, let us in a few words note by the way, Ester. concerning the book of Ester, that though it be placed in order after the book of Nehemiah, yet the notable and very memorable history of the jews wonderful deliverance from the intended massacre of Haman described therein, was by most likelihood fulfilled in the time of the reign of Ahashuerosh mentioned before in the second chap. of Ezra verse 6. (This Ahashuerosh in the book of Ester and that Ahashuerosh in the book of Ezra being all one) And the deliverance was wrought in the twelfth or thirteenth year of the king's reign, as we read Ester chap. 3. verses 7. 13. In which history, note these special things: first. that God would by the great danger which fell upon the jews, correct the slackness of them in returning to their own land, out of those profane nations: Secondly, that God's mercy was wonderful, in sparing of their lives. And last of all, the slackness of the people that were already returned to jerusalem, may hence be discovered, in that notwithstanding Mordecay after their deliverance was in high favour with the king, and very careful for his part, to procure the wealth of his people, Ester chap. 10. 2. 3. they did for all that, greatly forslow the building of the house of God, as we have seen before. Thus much concerning the book of Ester, without interruption of the former course of the history. Now let us go forward to the rest of the 490 years, recorded before out of the prophesy of Daniel. DANIEL. WE have seen already from the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Ester, what Daniel. was the state of the jews for the former part of these 490 years of Daniel: and it may also be discerned from Daniel himself. Wherein, though they had their troubles, yet it was rather prosperous, then adverse and trouble some. But as touching the middle part of the same 490 years; that is, from the time that Alexander of Macedonia had subdued the Persians under the Grecians: the jews more & more corrupting their ways, and the worship of God (as it is evident by the prophesy of Malachi the last of the prophets, whom God sent much about that time, or not long before, vehemently to reprove their most grievous and enormous sins) they are through the just judgement of God, because of the hardness and impenitency of their hearts, heavily afflicted, oppressed, and spoiled by sundry and diverse heathen kings; specially, by the divided successors of Alexander, compared to ten horns, Dan. ch. 7. 24. whom also, in respect of the situation of juda, he partly calleth Southern kings (namely those five Ptolemy's, who successively ruled in Egypt) and partly he calleth them Northern kings: of the which, three bare the name of Seleuchus, and four were called by the name of Antiochus, with some difference of Surnames, who ruled in Syria, according to that which we read Dan. ch. 8. and ch. 10. and chap. 11. The fulfilling of which prophesy, is plainly and plentifully testified by the records of very many heathen Historio graphers, for the space of 149 years (whose writings are extant among us) that is, from the beginning of the Grecian monarchy by Alexander, to the end of the reign of that most vile & barbarous persecutor Antiochus Epiphanes; with whom Daniel endeth his prophesy, touching the special afflictions of juda, chap. 11. verse 21. etc. to the end of the chapter. Read also the first book of Maccabees, chap. 1. vers. 1. etc. After that Alexander the Macedonian, the son of Philip, went forth of the land of Chittim, and slew Darius' king of the Persians and Medes, and reigned for him, as he had before in Grecia, he took great wars in hand, etc. and verses 8. 9 10. 11. So Alexander had reigned 12 years when he died. And his servants reigned every one in his room. And they all caused themselves to be crowned after his death, and so did their children after them many years, and much wickedness increased in the world. For out of these came the wicked root, even Antiochus Epiphanes the son of K. Antiochus, which had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the 137. year of the kingdom of the greeks. And chap. 6. 16. King Antiochus died in the 149. year. Now concerning the last part of the 490 years of Daniel; that is to say, from the miserable end of Antiochus in his reign, to the death of our Saviour Christ, which was the space of 211 years; the greater part was spent in the weakening and wasting of the Greek monarchy, partly by the ill success of their wars against juda, and partly by their wars among themselves, according to the prophesy of Daniel, chap. 2. 41. 42. 43. 44. but chiefly by the Romans, who altogether subdued them, according as Ezekiel prophesied that they should. Read ch. 38. and chap. 39 These prophecies were fulfilled about threescore years before the seventy sevens of Daniel were expired. For so many years passed from the utter suppressing of the Grecians broken Monarchy, and the end of those years. Now therefore, albeit juda (strengthened of God) did from the end of vile Antiochus his reign, recover their kingdom and government, and obtained the free possession of the city of God, by the mighty valour of judas Machabaeus (read 1. Machab. chap. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. etc. In his acts he was like a Lion, etc. and ch. 6. vers. 58. 59 The heathen finding themselves to decrease daily, they consent that the jews should live after their law as they did afore, and they agree of peace. Read also 2. Machab. chap. 10. 1. 2. 3. etc. Machabaeus and his company through the help of the Lord wan the Temple and the city again, etc. and chap. 15. 38. Thus far concerning Nicanors matters, and from that time the Hebrews had the city in possession.) And although the Romans after they had gotten the sovereignty, did nothing against the religion of the jews; yet their estate, even at the best, was full of misery, by reason of the manifold corruptions of God's worship among themselves, and because of their great wickedness in the course of their life, specially among their high Priests, leaders and guides. For they were of divers sects both pharisees and Sadduces, as we read in the Gospel, yea and Essaei also, as other stories make mention. Whereunto the Prophet Zacharie hath respect, chap. 11. 8. where the Lord threateneth before hand, that he would cut off three Shepherds in one month, in so much as his soul loathed them, etc. Which also came to pass, after they had showed themselves obstinate and incorrigible, even to the rejecting of our Saviour Christ. For hereby they provoked God in the highest degree; and therefore he sent the Roman army in his wrath, to take their nation utterly away; as we are hereafter further to observe, concerning the proper time & season thereof. And thus we are come to the end of the 490 years, comprended in the seventy seven of Daniel, chap. 9 24. etc. Of the which, the first seven times seven years; that is, 49 years, were spent in the building of the Temple; three years being reckoned till the foundation was laid, & the other 46 before it could be finished: by reason of the great and often hindrances which the jews had, as hath been declared before. Read also john 2. 20. Forty & six years was this Temple a building. From thence were 67 sevens, that is, 434 years. And last of all, the Prophet reckoneth one seven more; of the The appearing & manifestation of Christ, as also the time of his death. which the latter half, that is, three years and a half, were appointed by God, to be the time from the Baptism of our Saviour Christ, which was at the thirtieth year of his age, unto his death, which was at the 4. Passover, following after his baptism. For so we read, Luke chap. 3. verses 21. 22. 23. At his Baptism (saith the Evangelist) he began to be about thirty years of age. But concerning the Passcovers, in the times whereof, our Saviour Christ went up to jerusalem to the celebration of them; we have only three expressly and by name mentioned, the first and third, only by the Evangelist john, chap. 2. 13. The jews Passeover was at hand, therefore jesus went up to jerusalem. And again, chap. 6. 4. Now the Passeover a feast of the jews was near. Nevertheless, the second Passeover is mentioned by the same Evangelist, chap. 5. 1. After that there was a feast of the jews (saith S. john) and jesus went up to jerusalem, etc. This feast, as may be showed by good reason, is most likely (if not altogether certain) to be the second Passeover. Consider of that which our Saviour Christ spoke in the fourth chap. verse 35. There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest. Now at the passover began the jews barley harvest: read Exod. 9 31. Leuit. 23. 6. 10. 11. 15. 16. and Deut. 16. 8. 9 And it seemeth to be the same feast, mentioned Luke ch. 6. 1. Wherefore, seeing these words of our Saviour Christ, Four months, and then cometh harvest, were spoken after the first Passeover, john 2. yea at such time as our Saviour Christ in his returning from judea into Galilee, was now come to Samaria. john chap. 4. 3. 4. 5. etc. And seeing there is no feast commanded in the law, whereunto our Saviour should go up to jerusalem, within the space of four months before harvest, until the passover itself should come about; it secmeth to follow by good reason, that the feast mentioned john 5. 1. whereunto our Saviour Christ went at the celebration thereof in jerusalem, should be the Passeover at 〈◊〉 and no other feast. And if the Passeover 〈◊〉 also it is the second, placed before that cha●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be the thi●…. Read this point, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ed and disputed by Chemnitius, i●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chapter of his Prolegomena before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Gospel. And as touching the last Passeover, whereunto our Sa●… Christ went up at jerusalem, all the Eua●…gelists make express mention of it, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Mark 14. 1. Luke. 22. 1. john. chap. 〈◊〉. 55. & ch. 12. 1. & chap. 13. 1. From the Creation of man to the death of our Saviour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 years 3966 by the former account. FOr all the former numbers laid together; that is to say, 2368 year, which is the extent of the history of Genesis: 146 of Exodus: 39 of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomie: 17 of I oshua: 299 of the judges: 80 of the first book of Samuel: 40 of the second book of Samuel: 117 of the first book of Kings: 345 of the second book of Kings: 25 years of the second book of Chronicles: 490 of Ezra, Nehemiah: and Daniel, to the death of our Saviour Christ: they all do amount to this one general sum, 3966. From the birth of our Saviour Christ to this present year of the same our Lord jesus Christ his reign, are 1600 years. From this time; that is, since our Saviour Christ came into the world; and chiefly from the The time of the casting off of the jews. time of his most clear manifesting of himself: the jews more & more corrupting their ways and hardening their hearts to the uttermost against God, even unto the denial & crucifying of the son of God: they have for the same their extreme contempt & obstinacy, been most justly rejected and cast off, from being a people to the Lord. And for the same cause also, have the city and Temple of jerusalem been utterly subverted, and laid altogether waste by the Romans; that is, by the furious armies of the Emperor Titus, and Vespasian his son. This was about forty years after the death of our Saviour Christ, agreeable to the prophesy of Daniel, cited before, chap. 9 26. 27. Read also Zacharie, chap. 14. 1. 2 And according as our Saviour himself (he being yet among the jews) did forewarn that it should come to pass, Matth. chap. 24. verses 15. 16. etc. 34. and Luke chap. 19 43. 44. and chap. 21. 5. 6. 20. etc. 32. 33. And yet further also, according to their own fear, whereof we read john 11. 48. The Romans (say the jews) will come and take away both our place and the nation. The accomplishment hereof is plentifully recorded in the history of josephus; howsoever, as we read Act. ch. 6. 14. the jews could not abide to hear that it should fall out so. Nevertheless since the ascension of our Saviour The time of the calling of the Gentiles. Christ, which was forty days after his resurrection. Act. 1. vers. 1. 2. 3. And from Pentecost, which was ten days after the same ascension; even immediately after that the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost were poured down upon the Apostles, Act. ch. 2. 1. 2, etc. the Gospel of Christ's everlasting kingdom and righteousness began to be preached, and did thenceforth spread itself more and more, from jerusalem unto all the nations of the earth, and Christ jesus was believed on in the world, according to his own appointment and promise. Act. 1. 4. 8. Thus the Lord destroying the material Temple of jerusalem, because of the sin and apostasy of the jews, who had profaned and polluted the same; he therewithal began forthwith to magnify his rich mercy toward the Gentiles, in the erection of his spiritual jerusalem among them, Ephes. 2. 13. etc. & 1. Pet. 2. 4. etc. according to the former prophecies of David, Psal. 110. and Isai chap. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. & Micah, chap. 4. 1. 2. 3. Yet the Gospel was not so received and believed among the Gentiles, but that it found great resistance, from the hand and power of the Roman Emperors, by the space of 300 years, under the reign well near of 40 of them, (a very few excepted) even from bloody Nero, who raised the first cruel persecution ●…rch ●…ng 〈◊〉. against Christians, to the emperors Maxentius & Licinius, with whom the tenth of those grievous and outrageous persecutions of the primitive Church, so famous in Ecclesiastic all stories, ended. These persecutions our Saviour Christ himself partly foretold to all his Apostles before his death, Matt. chap. 10. ver. 16. 17. 18. and cha. 24. 9 and Luke ch. 21. 12. 13. But he revealed the same more fully to his Apostle john, after his ascension up into heaven, in the time of the reign of the Emperor Domitian, who raised the second persecution against Christians. In the which persecution, the Apostle john himself was banished into the I'll Patmos; where he had the same Revelation showed unto him, for his own comfort, and for the comfort of all the Churches of Asia in their afflictions. Read the first four chapters of the Revelation. Read also chap. 6. and chap. 13. 1. 2. etc. 10. These hot persecutions of the Christians (wherein the Gospel of Christ hath been witnessed by the manifold torments and deaths of many thousands of blessed martyrs) they continued until the time, that it pleased God to turn the heart of Constantine first, and then of some other of the Emperors after him, to believe and embrace the Gospel of Christ: and so to become foster-fathers' unto his Church, according to the prophesy of Isaiah more than six hundredth years before it came to pass: as we read, chap. 49. the 23. verse. And yet again, even in those times, wherein The peace of the church mixed with sundry afflictions. Christian Emperors favoured the Gospel, the Churches were by another manner of affliction greatly molested; that is to say, by certain very dangerous heretics & their bold sectaries, the Arrians, and divers other: whereunto the Apostle had respect, in that he spoke to the Elders of Ephesus, etc. Act. 20 30. Moreover (saith Paul) of your own selves shall men arise; speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them. And 1. Cor. 11. 19 There must be heresies even among you. etc. And here withal also, Antichrist arose; that is to The rising of Antichrist. say, a succession of ambitious wackedmen, affect●…ng superiority, yea aspiring after a sovereign rule and dominion in the Church, whom our Saviour Mat. 24. 24. Luk. 21. 8. calleth false Chrisis (even the same which began in the Apostles time, 2. Thes. 2. 7. The mystery of iniquity doth already w●…rke. and 1. joh. 2. 18. & 3. op. ver. 9 10.) This Antichrist; that is, this wicked sort of proud men, from time to time abusing all that peace & prosperity which God gave to the Church by the favour of the Christian Emperors; it did grow apace: and now hath attained long since, to the height of that most abominable pride and presumption whereunto it cunningly climbed. So that thenceforth, (that is, from the time that Pope Boniface gate the supremacy, by the traitorous conspiracy of Phocas the murderer, & so forth from the time of Gregory the third, that stout maintainer of images against Leo the Greek Emperor, yea against the express commandment of God himself) they have sacrilegiously usurped, and to this day for many hundreds of years, have and do wretchedly abuse, both the seat of justice, and also the chair of religion; against all Christian kings and princes, and against all the people of God, yea against the very throne of God himself, according as the Apostle Paul foretold that they would, 2. Thes. 2. vers. 3. 4. And the holy Angel to the Apostle john, Revel. chap. 17. and in other chapters before that, and namely chapter 13. from the 11. verse. So that the wicked Popes, as they have been more in number then the persecuting Emperors before them, so have they been more cruel and noisome to all true Christians than they were, ever since the time they have intruded themselves into their seats, and challenged a souereign●…ie above them. But blessed be God, who hath not only long ago foretold this rising, ●…ea swelling of Antichrist. The fall of Antichrist. as it were from the bottomless pit, and likewise his fall: but also of his infinite mercy, le●…eth us now living, understand of the beginnings●…, yea and see with our eyes some gracious proceedings of the s●… his fall, by the faithful preaching of the Gospel: by the which he shall su●…ly come to utter ruin for ever, from the almighty and most glorious arm of the Lord, as it were from the highest heaven: according to that which we read, 2. Thes. chap. 2. 8. & Reu●…. chapters 17. 18. 19 20. For our Saviour Christ The last judgement. shall to the same end at the last day, appear the second time from heaven, in his divine glory & majesty to judge the whole world. Nevertheless, so will the Lord proceed in the wasting and overthrowing of Antichrist, & of the spiritual mystery of iniquity, that all true Christians must still, even to the end of the world, prepare & arm themselves to manifold afflictions and trials: which will continually be incident to the Church of God, partly by the importunity of subtle and contentious ●…retikes, the spiteful brood and fry of Antichrist, and partly by the cruelty of malicious and violent adversaries. For as there have been in the Church false Prophets in former times, so there will be false teachers still, who will privily bring in damnable here●…es, 2. Pet. 2. 1. etc. And the Apostle Paul telleth us, that in the last days there shall come perilous times, 2. Tim. 3. 1. 2. 3. And our Saviour himself affirmeth, that it must of necessity be, that many offences and stumbling blocks will be cast before us, by the devil and his instruments, to the end we might be hindered from making strait steps in the way of the kingdom of God, so long as the world shall continue, Matth. 18. 7. and john 14. 27. and Chap. 15. 18. etc. and ch. 16. 1. 2. 3. 33. But blessed is he (saith the same our blessed Saviour) that shall not be offended in me. Luke 7. 23. Let us therefore in the name of our good God, arm ourselves with patience, that we may endure all afflictions necessary, and ●…uerstride all needless offences, after the example of all good and wise servants of God; and so constantly hold out without offence, unto the day of Christ jesus, who assureth us in truth, that he will come quickly, Revel. chap. 22. 20. Read also Matt. 24. 42. 44. and Luke chap. 12. 40. and 1. Thes. 5. 2. etc. Heb. 10. 37. and 2. Pet. 3. 8. 9 10. and Revel. 3. 3. and chap. 16. 15. Wherefore let us pray in comfortable hope, and from a lively faith, with the holy Apostle, Even so, come quickly, Amen. Come Lord jesus in thy due time. Amen. Amen. A Catalogue of the holy Prophets of God, as well of those so called, whose Prophecies are not expressedly recorded, as of the rest: according to the order and course of the times wherein they prophesied, by a distribution of them into certain Classes or companies. And first, of the Prophets among the patriarchs or chief Fathers before the Flood. WE may well persuade The first classis or company of Prophets. ourselves, that Adam the father of all mankind is to be accounted a Prophet; seeing the Lord God from the beginning, committed to him the publishing of the promise, and prophesy of the Messiah, the Prince of Prophets, and the very ground of all prophesy, whatsoever was at any time to be revealed to the Churches of God. And so also are we justly to account, of many other of the patriarchs of the old world; as namely of Sheth, in whom the loss of faithful Abel was restored: (For God, saith Eva, hath appointed me another seed for Abel, because Kain slew him, Gen. 4. 25.) and so we are to think of Enosh the son of Sheth, in whose age men began in special manner to call upon the name of the Lord; that is to say, to exercise the duties of Gods true worship more publicly, and under some course of discipline, for the preserving of the children of God, the posterity of Sheth, from the children of men, the profane and licentious offspring of Kain: according to that which we read Gen. chap. 4. 26. compared with chap. 6. vers. 1. etc. The same judgement are we to conceive of some other, if not of all the rest of the patriarchs descended of Sheth. Nevertheless, seeing the present purpose is to gather together those only, which more principally than the rest, are expressly noted to be endued with a special gift of prophesy; either for excellency of doctrine, in opening the mystery of salvation, or moreover and beside that, have had the grace of foretelling such things to come, which tend to the same scope and end. We will therefore begin with Henoch, who was the seventh generation from Adam, borne no longer than 622 years after that the world was created. This Henoch, though so near the beginning of the world, yet he prophesied of the last judgement, which shall be at the time of the second appearance of our Saviour Christ in glory, at the end of the world; as we read, Jude, verses 14, 15. Enoch also (saith Jude) the seventh from Adam prophesied saying: Behold, the Lord cometh with thousands of his Saints, to give judgement upon all men, and to rebuke all the vugodly among them, of all their wicked deeds. The second chief Prophet of the old world (I mean as touching those, whose prophecies are expressed) was Noah, the ninth generation from Adam; one, yea the principal of those eight persons, who were saved, when the whole world beside (for the wickedness thereof) was utterly drowned. This Noah, the eighth person (one of that small number which were saved) a Preacher of righteousness, as the Apostle Peter calleth him, in his second epistle, chap. 2. vers. 5. he prophesied of this first destruction of the world by water an hundredth and twenty years before it came to pass Gen. chap. 6. vers. 9 etc. This huge and terrible judgement of God, fell upon the world in the year which was after the creation thereof 1656. Noah prophesied also that the posterity of Shem his second son, should be a people peculiar to God, above any other branch or line of his posterity, until the Messiah should come. The accomplishment of which prophesy, began about four hundredth years after to be in singular gracious manner manifested to Abraham, and so forth, in the generations from him succeeding. He prophesied likewise of the calling of the Gentiles; that is, of the rest of the nations, which were to descend from his other two sons, after that Christ should appear: but more specially of those nations which should come of japheth his eldest son: in so much as Ham his youngest son, was by the spirit of prophesy accursed of God, according to that occasion which he himself by his ungracious fact, gave unto his father to denounce the same, Gen. chap. 9 25. 26. 27. The posterity of japheth were the Persians and Grecians, and the people of these parts of the world, the which we ourselves and the neighbour nations do inhabit, Romans, Italians, Germans, etc. Gen. chap. 10. 2. etc. The fulfilling of which prophesy, hath continued from the time of the ascension of our Saviour Christ; shortly after the which time, even within a few days, the Gospel was preached to the foresaid posterity of japheth for the most part, as is evident, Act. 2. 9 10. 11. to Parthians and Medes and Elamites, etc. though some of Egypt, etc. (who were of the posterity of Ham) be rehearsed there. Read Gen. 10. 6. etc. And that of the posterity of Ham some were to be called also to the faith of the Gospel, read Psal. 87. and Isai. chap. 19 verses 18. etc. 23. 24. 25. and Zach. chap. 14. 16. Prophets, such as were patriarchs, or chief Fathers of the people of God, since the flood to the time of the judges, which was the space of more than 700 years. ABraham was in his time a Prophet of the The second classis or company of Prophets. Lord; for so God himself testifieth of him, Gen. 20. 7. where he speaketh thus to Abimelech king of Gerar: Deliver the man his wise again, for he is a Prophet, and he shall pray for thee, etc. Isaak prophesied that Esau, though he was his eldest son, should serve jaakob the younger brother: to the end it might appear, that the interest and right of the spiritual blessing and inheritance, cometh not by nature, but of free mercy and grace, Gen. chap. 27. 40. compared with Rom. 9 vers. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. jaakob prophesied of the several blessings, which he knew that God would a long time after his death, bestow upon the twelve tribes or kindreds, which were to be the posterity of the twelve patriarchs, his children. He prophesied also, that the Messiah should come of the tribe of judah. Gen. 49. joseph foretold the dearth of seven years, which God would send upon the world, after seven former years of plenty immediately foreruning: and therefore he may well stand among the Prophets, as one in that number whereof the Lord speaketh, saying: Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm. Psal. 105. 15. Moses was a Prophet, most famous & mighty both in word and in deed, all the time of his ministery and service to God, touching the deliverance of his people out of the bondage of Egypt; and also in respect of his government afterward, Deut. ch. 18. vers. 18. and chap. 34. 10, 11, 12. and Act. 7. 22. Read also for a proof of the excellent spirit of prophesy which was in him, the holy Songs and Psalms which he hath left in writing, Exod. chap. 15. and Deut. 31. 22 and ch. 32. and Psal. 90. which according to the title thereof, is a Psalm which Moses the man of God did indite. Miriam also the sister of Moses, was a Prophetess in the same time that Moses lived. Exo. 15. 20. Moreover, in his days, God gave the spirit of prophesy for a certain season, to seventy Ancients of Israel, all at one time: of the which number Eldad and Medad had the same their extraordinary gift continued longer unto them then had the rest, Numb. chap. 11. ver. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. Balaam (though otherwise of a wicked mind, even such a one as loved the wages of unrighteousness, according to that mark, whereby the Apostle Peter brandeth him, 2. ep. 2. 15.) yet he was guided by the Spirit of God, to utter a true and holy prophesy, concerning the happy estate of Israel above all other people, under the most gracious protection and blessing of God; and namely for that the Messiah, as it were a most bright star, should arise from among them, etc. Numb. chap. 23. and chap. 24. Wherefore, (albeit he was a wicked man) yet in so much as God used him as his instrument, enlightened for the time, to give forth this so holy a prophesy; we may not altogether unfitly, rehearse him in this respect among the holy Prophets of God. Consider here, whether Heman and Ethan the Ezrahites, who wrote the 88 and the 89. Psalms, were before Moses in time, as their Psalms stand in order of number before his, in the book of the Psalms. Verily, if it may be affirmed, as some learned men do judge, and as it is very lik●…, that they were the same, of whom mention is made both 1. King. chap. 4. vers. 30. and also 1. Chron. chap. 2. vers. 6. that is to say, if they were the sons of Zarah, the near posterity of judah by Thamar, of whom we read Genes. chap. 38. vers. 30. then also it is very likely, that they were before Moses; or at least his equals in time, or shortly after him. And so consequently their Psalms specially that of Ethan, which is the 89. Psalm; it must needs from so ancient a time, be to be esteemed an admirable prophecy concerning David's anointing to the kingdom by Samuel, & his prosperous success in obtaining of the same 300 years at the least, before David was born: (like as king josiah was by name prophesied of, as touching that which he should do, above 300 years before his birth, as we are afterward more exactly to observe) & also concerning the afflictions of the Church bewailed therein, even such afflictions as fallen upon it in the captivity of Babylon, which fell out as long a time after that King David was dead. But grant that they were that Heman and Ethan which are recorded, 1. Chron. 6. 33. and vers. 44. likewise chap. 25. ver. 4, 5, 6. concerning Heman, both which were yet of another tribe (that is of Levi) when those named, cap. 2. are of judah, as hath been already showed: but grant (I say) that they were those who lived not only in K. David's time, as being his Seets or Prophets (which yet is only said of Heman, 1. Chron. 25. 5. & that also in respect of his singing of Prophetical Psalms such as king, David indicted & not because himself did prophesy.) Grant notwithstanding (I say again) that they lived not only in king David's time, but also in king Salomon's days, yea that they survived him, and saw also (as some think) that miserable havoc, which Shishak king of Egypt made in the cities of judah, & in the house of God, the treasures whereof he carried away, etc. as we read, 2 Chron. ch. 12. in the reign of Rehoboam, after that Solomon was dead. Yet Ethans' Psalm must needs be taken for a prophetical instruction touching a great part of it, as being fitted to be a monument for the direction of the Church, how to comfort itself and to bemoan the own calamity, in the most doleful and distressed estate, which the Prophet by the Spirit of God foresaw, that it should afterward fall into. So then, these two were endued with a notable gift of prophesy, although it be not granted that they were so ancient, as that they should be reckoned in this second classis or company of Prophets. Let us proceed to the third company. Prophets, such as were in the time of the judges, and so forth to the beginning of the reign of the Kings. DEborah was a Prophetess about 80 years The third classis or company of Prophets. after the death of joshua. judges, chap. 4. 4. At that time Deborah a Prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth judged Israel. Read her excellent song as it followeth in the fifth chapter. In the second chapter of the first book of Samuel, vers. 27. etc. A Prophet is sent to Eli to prophesy against him, his children, and posterity, which was partly fulfilled, chap. 4. read also 1. Kin. chap. 2. 27. All Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that in the days of Eli, faithful Samuel was the Lord's Prophet. 1. Sam. 3. 20. He prophesied first against the sons and posterity of Eli, verses 11, 12, 13, etc. according to the prophesy of the man of God even now mentioned, unless rather we understand that to be written concerning Samuel himself. See Tremelius & junius in their annotations upon that place. Read also Act. 3. 22. Neither must Hannah the mother of Samuel, be forgotten, when we speak of such women, as God graced with his excellent gift of prophesy: as her prayer and thanksgiving giveth us to understand, from the beginning of the second chapter of the first book of Samuel. And the rather will we judge so, if we compare her speech with the thanksgiving of the virgin Marie: for we shall perceive, that Hannah was enlightened to have a respect unto Christ in her magnificent description of the most mighty power of God, joined with his most rich and tender mercy, which also is the argument of the virgin Maries Magnificat. In the time that Samuel anointed Saul to be ●…ing of Israel, mention is made of a company of Prophets which prophesied: and that Saul himself a little while after he was anointed, prophesied among them, 1. Sam. chap. 10. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. This prophesying no doubt, was an excellent kind of uttering the excellent things of Gods spiritual kingdom, from the enlightening of the Spirit of God, according to the former grounds & principles of prophesy, contained in the books of Moses, which were read and studied among the people of God. Of this kind of prophesying, we read again in the same first book of Samuel, chap. 19 verses. 18, 19 etc. where it is written, that at Naioth in Ra●…ah there was a company of Prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as one appointed over them. And further, that the messengers which Saul sent to apprehend David, were for the time, so heavenly affected with that which they hard, that they also broke forth to the magnifying of the name of God, for the same things which he revealed to them. This was done thrice by three several companies of messengers, the one sent after the other. Last of all, Saul himself went to Rama, with an evil purpose against David; but the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he, laying aside his former mind, as well as his warlike weeds; he prophesied all that day, and all that night. Here we may see the most gracious and mighty power of the spirit of prophesy, to affect & alter the minds of men, & to fill them with spiritual joy; although we cannot reckon all those for holy Prophets of God, who are thus suddenly affected with the spirit of prophesy. neverless, by occasion hereof, and specially because Saul for a time, was as a Prophet among the Prophets; let us come to that company of true Prophets, whereof we are to make rehearsal, from the beginning of the reign of the kings of judah and Israel. Prophets, such as were from the beginning of the reign of the kings of judah and Israel, the which we are to consider of, under many companies. But first concerning some of the Kings themselves. KIng David, whom the Prophet Samuel, at The fourth Classis o●…●…ōpany of Prophets. the commandment of God, anointed to be king over Israel next after Saul; he was himself a most excellent Prophet of God. So it is testified of him, Act. 2. 30. etc. Seeing he was a Prophet (saith the Apostle Peter) and knew before that God had sworn, etc. he prophesied of the resurrection of Christ, etc. yea, he prophesied of the whole person and office of our Saviour Christ, touching every degree, both of his humiliation, and also of his exaltation, as many of his Psalms do plentifully declare. Read Psal. 2. Psal. 16. Psal. 22. Psal. 45. Psal. 68 Psal. 110. and many other. In K. David's reign was the Prophet Nathan, 2. Sam. 7. 2. etc. & ch. 12. And the prophet G●…d, who was called David's Seer, 2. Sam. 24. 11. and 2. Chron. 29. 25. King Solomon was also a holy Prophet, as his books, the proverbs, Ecclesiastes, & the Song of Songs do excellently declare. In the thirtieth chap. of his proverbs, the prophesy of Agur concerning Christ, under the names of Ithiel & Veal is recorded. It seemeth that his time was much about Salomon's reign. At the least his doctrine being of like excellency with Salomon's, and of like form of teaching, it was therefore inserted and joined with his proverbs. And seeing the next chapter, which is the last of the proverbs, containeth a like notable doctrine, uttered by queen Bathsheba the mother of King Solomon; we cannot but account it a royal monument of her Princely grace, in the roll of Princely Prophets. And so will we go forward, to overtake the troops of those, which are marched band after band before us. Prophets, such as God sent specially to juda, and to the Kings thereof, after that the ten tribes were departed from them. IN the reign of Rehoboam, the son of king The fifth Classis or company of Prophets. Solomon, was Shemaiah the prophet, and also the prophet Iddo, mentioned 2. Chron. 12. 15. They wrote certain books of public acts & genealogies. In the reign of Asa, Azariah the son of Obed prophesied to the encouraging of king Asa, and of all juda and Benjamin, to continue faithful to the Lord; he assuring them, that then the Lord would be with them, to defend them against all their enemies, 2. Chron. 15. 1. etc. 8. But chap. 16. 7. etc. Hanan●… the prophet is sent of God, to reprove the same king Asa, for making a covenant of league and truce with the king of Aram. In the reign of king jehoshaphat, prophesied jehaziel the son of Zechariah, to encourage jehoshaphat and the people of juda, in hope of their victory against those mighty armies of the Ammonites and Moabites, and of mout Seir, which came out against them, 2. Chro. chap. 20. ver. 1, 10, 14, etc. But in the end of the same twentieth chap. Eliezer the son of Dodevah, of Maresha, he prophesied to the reproof of jehoshaphat, because he had joined himself with Ahaziah, a wicked king of Israel: the prophet plainly telling jehoshaphat, that the Lord would therefore surely break his ships, which he had made and prepared to go to Tarshish. In the reign of king joash, Zechariah the son of jehoiada the priest, as also other Prophets of God, prophesied against the declining of the king and the people, after the death of jehoiada; but they most outrageously stoned Zechariah to death, in the court of the Lords house, 2. Chron. 24. 19, 20, 21, 22. and Matth. chap. 23. 34. 35. In the reign of king Ahaz, prophesied Oded a prophet of the Lord, to the reproof of the cruelty of Israel, at that time committed against juda, 2. Chron. 28. 9 etc. The prophet Isaiah prophesied in the reign of many kings; that is to say, in the days of Vzziah, jotham, Ahaz, & Hezekiah, kings of juda, chap. 1. 1. He prophesied so plainly of Christ; of his Deity, of his humanity, that he should be borne of a virgin, etc. finally, that he should die for the sins of his people, & make a conquest over all their enemies, for their perfect deliverance, etc. that he may not unfitly be called an evangelical Prophet. He continued prophesiing by the space of about threescore years. About the time that Isaiah began to prophesy, it is supposed that joel uttered his prophesy, against jerusalem and judah, for the same their great and grievous sins, against the which Isaiah crieth out in the beginning of his prophesy, Hear o ye heavens, etc. He foretold the gifts of the holy Ghost, which our Saviour Christ should bestow upon his Church, chap. 2. 28, 29. The which how it hath been fulfilled, read Act. 2. 14, 15, 16, etc. and in many other places of that book. The Prophet jeremiah, prophesied in the reign of king josiah, from the thirteenth year of his reign, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fifth month of the second captivity, jer. 1. 2. 3. So he prophesied at the least 41 years, if not something more. He prophesied of our Saviour Christ, that he should be the righteousness and salvation of his people. He foretold and constantly affirmed against many false Prophets, the seventy years captivity of judah, under the king of Babel for a punishment of their sins. Zephaniah also prophesied in the reign of king josiah; but continued not so long as jeremia did, chap. 1. 1. He earnestly calleth for the repentance of the people, and foretelleth the calling of the Gentiles, which should come to pass in the days of the Gospel, chap. 3. Moreover, in the reign of josiah, was Huldah that excellent Prophetess, to whom josiah sent for counsel & comfort: of whom we read 2. King. 22. 14. The Prophet Ezekiel, prophesied from the fifth year of the first captivity, which began at the fourth year of jehoiakim, chap. 1. vers. 1. 2. he had many notable visions, and laboured mightily with the people, both by doctrine & example; that they might humble themselves under the hand of God, and profit by so great a visitation and punishment, as their captivity was, which most justly fell upon them for their grievous sins. He prophesied also many notable things concerning the kingdom of Christ to come. In the reign of jehoiakim also prophesied Urijah, according to the words of jeremiah: for the which cause jehoiakim put him to death. Read jerem. chap. 26. 20, 21, 22, 23. Daniel being carried into captivity, with the first, in his young years, was shortly after endued with a singular gift of prophesy, and prophesied in the captivity, even to the end of the 70 years thereof, chap. 1. 3. 6. and chap. 9 1, 2, etc. He interpreted the dreams and visions of Nabuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. He himself saw many holy visions, according to the which he foretold the alterations of states and kingdoms, which should fall out in the world, until the coming of Christ in the flesh. He prophesied also of the very time of Christ his death, and of that horrible destruction which was to come upon jerusalem, by the Romans, as a just vengeance upon the jews, for abusing their power, to crucify the Lord of life & glory, which was as the filling up of the measure of all their other sins, and rebellions against the Lord their God, Dan. chap. 2. and chap. 4. and chap. 7. etc. Haggai and Zechariah, two very notable prophets, they prophesied to the people of judah, after their return out of captivity, to stir them up to the building of the Temple, after that it had for too long a time, been over-carelesly neglected of them; while in the mean season, they were double-diligent in the garnishing of their own houses. Read Ezra chap. 5. 1, 2. and Hag. ch. 1. 1. etc. and Zech. chap. 1. 1. etc. Ezra himself may worthily be reckoned of us, among the excellent and most holy and wise Prophets of God, as the books of holy Scripture which he wrote, do evidently declare. And these were the Prophets, which God of his great mercy and goodness, sent more specially to judah and the kings thereof, after that the ten tribes were departed from them. Prophets which the Lord sent to the ten tribes of Israel, and to the Kings thereof, after that they were departed from the tribe of judah. WE may not unfitly begin this company ●…he sixth ●…assis or ●…pany of ●…rophets. of holy Prophets, with Ahijah the Shilonite, of whom we read, 1. King. chap. 11. 29. etc. He is that Prophet whom the Lord sent to prophesy unto jeroboam the son of Nebat, that it was the purpose of God to rend the kingdom out of the hands of Solomon; & to make him king over ten tribes of Israel. This was the judgement of God against the sin of Solomon and of the people, in his latter time, for that they forsook the Lord, and worshipped the idols of the heathen, as it followeth in the same eleventh chapter vers. 33. The accomplishment of which prophesy, read in the very next chapter, even shortly after the prophesy was uttered to jeroboam, read chap. 12. ver. 15. etc. In the reign of this jeroboam, in so much as he, contrary to the will and commandment of God, set up idolattie to serve his own wicked devise and policy, for the preventing of the pebples' revolt, which he suspiciously scared: the Lord therefore sent a prophet out of judah, unto Bethel in Israel, the chief place of his new erected idolatry, even at such time as he himself was dedicating the altar which he had made, chap. 12. 26. etc. 33. And the Prophet prophesying against his idolatry, telleth jeroboam, standing by his altar to offer incense, that a child should be borne to the house of David, josiah by name, who should break down his altar, and destroy the Priests of his high places, ch. 13. 1. etc. The accomplishment whereof read 2. King. ch. 23. 15, etc. 20. This prophesy did the Prophet give forth about three hundredth and thirty years before king josiah was borne. This Prophet was he, who hearkening to the lie of that old Prophet of Bethel, was for his transgressing of God's commandment, in that he eat and drank in the place, whereof God had said unto him, Thou shalt neither eat nor drink: he was therefore killed in the way, by a Lion which met him. Nevertheless, as it may seem, for a monument of God's mercy in forgiving the sin of this Prophet, he restrained the Lion from devouring his body; as it is recorded in the same 13. chapter. Read also 2. King. 23. 17. 18. In the reign of the same jeroboam, the ancient Prophet Ahijah of Shilo, who at the beginning told jeroboam, that he should be king over the ten tribes of Israel; he is now afterward, toward the end of his wicked & idolatrous reign (even then when Ahijah could not see, through the decay of his sight by reason of age) the minister of God, to prophesy against jeroboam and his posterity, 1. King. chap. 14. 2. 4. etc. 18. This was fulfilled after that Nadab the son of jeroboam had reigned two years. For Baasha conspired against Nadab, and slew him first, & then also he smote all the house of jeroboam, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. So we read chap. 15. vers. 27. 29. In the days of king Baasha, who began his reign over Israel, in the third year of Asa king of juda; jehu the son of Hanani prophesied against Baasha, like as the former two Prophets had prophesied against jeroboam, 1. King. 16. 1. etc. In the days of Ahab, who began his reign over Israel, in the 38. year of Asa king of juda, prophesied Elijah that mighty Prophet of the Lord, against Ahab & his posterity. 1. King. 17. etc. He reduced the people of Israel to the acknowledgement of the true God of Israel. He prophesied likewise, by writing against jehoram the son of jehoshaphat, who left the good ways wherein his father had walked, & followed the wicked ways of the kings of Israel. For as the holy Story saith, he had the daughter of Ahab to wife; and he wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, and compelled judah so to do. Wherefore the Lord by his Prophet Elijah, sent a grievous prophesy, threatening fearful diseases and a horrible death against him; which also took effect, as we read 2. Chron. 21. Michaiah also, the son of Imlah, prophesied against wicked king Ahab, 1. King. 22. And before him, another Prophet, whose name is not expressed, chap. 20. 41, 42. But verses 13. 14 22. and verses 28, 29. God sent a Prophet to prophesy unto him his double victory over the great army of the Aramites. In the reign of jehoram the son of Ahab. and so forth unto the reign of joash the son of jehu, prophesied Elisha the prophet, who succeeded Elijah in Israel, 2. King. chap. 3. etc. and ch. 13. vers. 14. etc. But before Elisha had received of the Spirit of Elijah; the children of the Prophets, both they of Bethel, and other which were at jericho, prophesied that God would in extraordinary manner take away Elishaes' master, that is Eljiah from him. 2. King. chap. 2. 3. 5. In the reign of jeroboam the son of joash prophesied jonah the son of Amittai, who was of Gath Hepher, 2. King. 14. 25. This was the same jonah, whom the Lord sent about the middle time of the reign of jeroboam, to prophesy against Nineveh: as we shall see further anon. Prophets, which prophesied more jointly, both concerning juda, & also concerning Israel, after their separation: yea, and some of them, even after the captivities of either of them. The se●… classis o●… company Proph●… HOsea prophesied, in the reign of the same kings of judah, when Isaiah prophesied; to wit, in the days of Vzziah, jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, with whom also are mentioned, the days of jeroboam the son of joash king of Israel, chap. 1. 1. of his prophesy; to the end that Israel might the rather be admonished, that his prophesy belonged to them, as ●…el as it did unto judah, for the reproof of their sins, & for the comfort of either of them, if they would repent, and lay hold of the promises of the gospel, which he by the spirit of prophesy, published, as belonging to them both. In the reign of the same Vzziah king of judah, and in the the reign of jeroboam the son of joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake; which was not long after the beginning of the reign of Vzziah; the Prophet Amos prophesied, concerning judah and Israel, though chiefly and for the most part concerning Israel, chap. 1. 1. etc. He prophesied particularly against Amaziah, that malignant and proud priest of Bethel, chap. 7. He prophesied also of the destruction of jerusalem and of the captivity, and restoring of the people of judah and Israel. Finally, he prophesied of the calling both of the jews and Gentiles, saying: God will raise up the tabernacle of David, etc. ch. 9 1, etc. 11. For the performance of which Prophecy, read the testimony of the Apostle james Act. chap. 15. verses 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Simeon hath declared, how God did first visit the Gentiles, to take of them a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the Prophet, as it is written: After this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, etc. that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord which doth all these things. And the Apostle addeth, From the beginning of the world God knoweth all his works. In the reign of jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah kings of judah, prophesied the Prophet Micah, the Morashite, concerning Samaria and jerusalem, chap. 1. 1. He plainly foretold the place where our Saviour Christ should be borne, & that his kingdom shall be over all and for ever chap. 5. 1, 2, etc. Malachi, the last of the Prophets of the old testament; he prophesied after that the Temple & city of jerusalem were re-edified by Zerubbabel and jeshua, and by the great help of Ezra and Nehemiah: and after that the people had exceedingly corrupted, both the worship of God, and also their own lives and conversations, as the prophesy itself doth declare. He foretold the coming of our Saviour Christ into his Temple, and of the coming of john Baptist before him, under the name, and by the mighty Spirit of Elijah, that great Prophet of God: who (as the Prophet Isaiah had prophesied many years before, chap. 40. verse 3, etc.) was a crier in the wilderness to call forth the people to come out to him; but did not go to the Temple, as Malachi prophesied, that our Saviour Christ should. Read the third chapter of his prophesy, verses 1, 2, 3, 4. & chap. 4. 1. etc. And that his prophesy concerned not only judah, but also all the rest of the scattered tribes of Israel, it may appear both by the words of the beginning of his prophesy, ch. 1. ver●…. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. and chap. 2. 11. and also the same may be evident from the conclusion, ch. 4 verses 4, 5, and 6. Prophets, which prophesied more sp●…ially concerning foreign nations. IOnah was in special manner sent of God to ●…e eighth ●…is or ●…panie 〈◊〉. prophesy against Nineveh, that great and chief city of the Assyrians; by whose prophesy the city was moved to repentance. The time when he prophesied was noted before. The Prophet Nahum also prophesied against Nineveh; but after that time, wherein jonah prophesied; and when they had left off to do the works of their former repentance. Obadiah prophesied against Edome: yea, & generally against all nations, the enemies of God's Church; that they should drink of the cup of God's wrath. Habakk●…k ●…rophesied against the Chaldeans, when their hearts were lifted up, by their victories against the Assyrians; and when their sins were grown up near to the full. But he prophesieth salvation to all the faithful, whosoever shall believe in the name of Christ. For the just (as he saith) shall live by his faith, chap. 2. 4. Read also his prophetical prayer in the third chapter. Prophets of the new Testament. THe prophesy of the new Testament, is indeed, The last classis or company of Prophets. rather a most clear, lightsome, & full interpretation of all former Prophecies of the old Testament, than any prediction or foretelling of things to come, except the rising and fall of Antichrist: yet because even the things heretofore foretold, are more clearly & fully revealed by the brightness of the Gospel; therefore in either respect, both of interpretation, and prediction, the new Testament must be allowed to have the honour of Prophets, as well as the old. The Prophets therefore in the new Testament, were first of all, those which prophesied immediately before, and at the birth of our Saviour Christ. Immediately before, first Elizabeth conceived with john the Baptist, Luk. 1. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. And then the Virgin Marie, conceived with our Saviour Christ, by the holy Ghost: in the same chapter, verses, 46, 47, etc. 55. Thus was the conception of our Saviour honoured by the spirit of prophesy. And it pleased God to honour women, as it were with the first fruits of this grace of the Gospel in their hearts, like as it pleased him to use them as his honourable instruments, to serve for the manifestation of Christ himself, the matter and argument of the whole mystery of the Gospel. Thirdly Zacharie; whom unbelief bereaved of the honour, to be the first: he prophesied both of the high office of john, and of the divine person of our Saviour Christ at the birth of john, in the same chap. vers. 67, etc. to the end of the chap. The Prophets which prophesied at the birth of Christ (that we may omit the Angels, whom we cannot properly call Prophets, though at this time they did prophesy; that is, in most excellent wise lay forth the singular causes of joy, which came to the world, by the birth of a Saviour, even Christ the Lord) let us come to the Shepherds, to whom the Angels appeared, to certify them of the birth of Christ, whom we may more boldly call by the name of Prophets, seeing no doubt after they had seen Christ, they were for the time endued with an excellent spirit of prophesy, to publish abroad that which was told them of that child, even to the wonderment of all that heard them. Luke chap. 2. 16, 17, 18. Such were the Prophets more immediately before, and at the birth of our Saviour Christ. Now secondly, touching those that prophesied somewhat longer after the birth of our Saviour: we will not make any great scruple to lend the name of Prophets to the Magis or Sages and wise men, which came out of the East, to worship our Saviour, shortly after his birth: For if they had not been enlightened by the spirit of prophesy in some measure, they could never have been sufficiently encouraged by the star, to have gone so great a journey to seek Christ, as they did; or boldened enough, in a strange nation to inquire of him so undoubtedly, as they did, in that they asked; Where is the king of the jews which is borne? For we have seen his star in the East, and we are come to worship him, Mat. 2. 2. And much less, after they had found him in poor & contemptible estate, would they have offered their gifts or presents, as testimonies of their spiritual homage; if they had not been confirmed in their persuasion, by the holy spirit of God. vers. 10. 11. After these Magis, prophesied Simeon, at the presentation of our Saviour Christ in the Temple, Luke 2. 25. etc. 35. And immediately after Simeon, Anna, a very ancient Prophetess, uttered her prophesy, confessing Christ, so acknowledged of Simeon, to be in truth the Lord. verses 36, 37, 38. Thus, even at the beginning of the appearance of our Saviour, he was acknowledged by the Spirit of prophesy. When the time came that he should be more fully manifested to all Israel, which was, when he was about thirty years of age. Luke 3. 23: john the Baptist being a Prophet, yea greater than a Prophet, Luke 7. 26. He did not only point Christ out personally, when he showed himself; but he preached assuredly, that he should show himself before he had seen him: & therefore baptised the people into his name, who should shortly show himself to be the Saviour, among them. As touching our Saviour himself, we know that he was the Prince of Prophets, most mighty in word and deed, to whom all the Prophets give witness: and whom God promised to raise up, as one, of whom Moses was but a certain figure and type, Luke chap. 24. verse 19 and verses 25, 26. 27. Read also Deut. chap. 18. 15. Act. 3. 22. 23. 24. and chap. 10. 38. 43. He hath revealed most clearly the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, even from the bosom and counsel of the Father. Isai. chap. 9 6. john. 1. 18. By his Spirit all the former Prophets prophesied according to that which is written concerning Noah. 1. Pet. 3. 18, 19, 20. He foretold the destruction of jerusalem, which accordingly came to pass: as also, that many Antichrists should rise up, as since they have done, & namely in the succession of the Antichrist of Rome: and finally, that he will come again at the last day, to judge the world: which shall as certainly be performed in due time by him, as any thing which he hath foretold, is already accomplished, in the season thereof. Finally, after the ascension of our Saviour Christ up into heaven; from the which time the gifts of the holy Ghost were abundantly poured down upon the Church: many were furnished with the gift of prophesy: for so we read Ephes. 4. 11. He gave some to be Apostles, & some Prophets, etc. See the proof of it, Act. chap. 11. 27, 28. In those days came Prophets from jerusalem to Antiochia. Of the which, one named Agabus, foretold the great famine, which came upon all the world under Claudius the Emperor. The same Agabus foretold the afflictions of Paul, Act. 21. 10. 11. And in the same chapter vers. 8. 9 Saint Luke reporteth, that Philip the Evangelist had four daughters which did prophesy. Read again chap. 19 6. Paul laid his hands on cercertaine Disciples of Ephesus, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. The Apostle Paul himself, by the spirit of prophesy, foretold the time of the rising of Antichrist; & that he should fall again, 2. Thes. chap. 2. So doth the Apostle john in the book of the Revelation, chap. 17. where also, he noteth out the place and seat of Antichrist, by such a descrption of it, as agreeth only to Rome. Yea in that book he describeth very lively the afflictions of the Church, such as should fall upon it, even to the end of the world. And last of all, how glorious the estate thereof shall be thenceforth, when Christ shall once have perfected the marriage betwixt himself and it. And thus the whole prophesy of the holy Scriptures is with that prophetical book sealed and shut up. Revel. chap. 22. 18. 19 20. 21. The Conclusion. THis constant spirit of prophesy, as it were the lodestar or haruenger of time; and the certain performance of all things in their proper seasons, even as they were foretold; as well the more particular, as the more general Prophecies, and that also concerning all foreign and heathen nations, as well as concerning judah and Israel: according as holymen of God spoke, not of private motion, but as they were moved and guided by the holy Ghost, as the Apostle Peter testifieth, 2. ep. ch. 1. 20, 21. (Inso much as we may say generally, according to that we read, Amos 3. 7. Surely the Lord hath done nothing but he hath revealed his secret to his servants the Prophets.) And chiefly the constant foretelling & performance of all things concerning Christ jesus our Lord, and his kingdom; concerning every part of his humiliation, and the whole glory which was to follow, according as the Prophets are said to have searched into these things 1. Pet. 1. 10. 11. This constant and certain spirit of prophesy (I say) given to the Church, from time to time, for the clearing & confirming of that foundation of all prophesy, which God himself had laid from the beginning, as was said before, and which we read of Gen. 3. 15. etc. in that he hath by his own voice published, that the seed of the woman should break the serpent's head: according also to that which is written, that God is the father of Prophets, and that his Spirit is the Spirit of prophesy, 1. Sam. 10. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. and chap. 19 20. etc. It is an infallible confirmation of the truth of our Christian religion, and of the certainty of God's determinate counsel, and most vigilant providence in the continual ordering and governing of his Church, and all the holy affairs and ordinances given unto it, from the beginning to the end; according to that which the Lord himself saith, Isai 46. 9 10. Remember the former things of old: for I am God and there is no other God, and there is no king like me. Who declareth the last thing from the beginning: & from of old, the things that were not done, saying: My counsel shall stand, and I will do whatsoever I will. And as the Apostle james saith, as was alleged before, Act. 15. 18. From the beginning of the world God knoweth all his works: that is to say, he so knoweth them, that he hath a care to accomplish and perform them, every one in the time and season thereof, according to his own counsel and appointment with himself. And now further, let us diligently observe, that the certainty of all things already accomplished, according to the prophecies formerly given forth of them, aught to be a like undoubted confirmation of our faith, in the assured expectation of all things foretold, whatsoever the holy scriptures certify us to be yet unfulfilled. Such as are the full consumption and abolishment of Antichrist, by the brightness of the Lords coming 2. Thes. 2. 8. That the Lord will from time to time call home his full number, both of the lost jews, and also of the Gentiles to the faith and salvation of Christ, even to the end of the world Rom. 11. 25. etc. and Matth. 24. 31. That there shall be a general resurrection of the dead; & a general judgement upon all men, either to perpetual woe and misery, or to eternal happiness and glory, Mat. 25. 31. The use of which our faith and persuasion, & of the whole ground & warrantise thereof, ought finally, and for our full conclusion, to be this; that we being afore hand made privy to all these holy secrets of God, & being in undoubted expectation of the fulfilling of them, & chiefly of the coming of our Saviour Christ to judgement; should according to the most holy instruction of the Gospel, both learn and practise more and more to deny all ungodliness & worldly lusts, and to live soberly, and justly, and godly in this present world. Tit. 12. 1. 12. etc. God of his infinite mercy vouchsafe us his grace so to do, even for the same our Lord jesus Christ's sake. Amen. The few errata escaped in some books of this Impression. To the Reader, lin. 11. In for It. Pag. 20. lin. penult. in, is wanting. Pag 36. lin. ult. adout, for about. Pag. 38. Titus and Vespasian, by a misplacing of the words, for Vespasian and Titus.