The History of the Old Testament Methodized, Title page – Introduction
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE Jewiſh Affairs, From the End of the OLD TESTAMENT TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE Jewiſh Hiſtory.
THE Hiſtory of the Old Teſtament ends (as we have ſhewed) with the Book of Nehemiah, and extends no further than the 32th. year of Artaxerxes Longimanus. Now for the better underſtanding the ſtate of … Jewiſh affairs from the 32 of Artaxerxes to the Birth of Chriſt … taining a ſpace of 358 years, which is the interval or interſtitium between the Old and the New Teſtament) it will be requiſite to ſet down.
1. What Perſian Kings ſucceeded Artaxerxes till that Kingdom was conquered and ſwallowed up by Alexander the Great, and ſo an end put to the Perſian or ſecond Monarchy.
2. To ſpeak ſomething of Alexander in whom the Grecian or Third Monarchy began, and the four Kingdoms into which his Empire was divided after his death, till they were ſwallowed up by the Romans, who began the Fourth Monarchy, and under whoſe Empire our Saviour was born.
3. To ſhew who were High Prieſts among the Jews from their return out of Captivity to our Saviours time, where we ſhall have occaſion to ſpeak ſomething of the Hiſtory of the Maccabees till their power was ſwallowed up by Herod, made King by the Romans.
For the Firſt, the Perſian Kings who ſucceeded Artaxerxes *The Perſian Kings that preceded him were Cyrus, Cambyſes, Darius Hiſtaſpis, Xerxes, Artaxerxes Longimanus.Longimanus were theſe,
Darius Nothus.
Artaxerxes Mnemon.
Darius Ochus.
Arſes vel Arſames.
Darius Codomannus, who being conquered by Alexander, the Perſian Monarchy ceaſed, and the Greek or Macedonian began in Alexander the Great.
Secondly, This third Monarchy was Typically prefigured in a threefold Viſion, recorded by the Prophet Daniel. The firſt Viſion hereof we have Dan. 2. v. 32, 39. where 'tis repreſented by the belly and thighs of braſs; as the belly and thighs are under the breſt and arms (by which the Perſian Monarchy was typified) ſo this was to ſucceed that. It was fitly compared to braſs becauſe of Alexander's warlike proweſs and hardineſs, for in twelve years ſpace he ſubdued all Aſia, and great part of Europe and Africa, beginning to reign when he was but twenty, and dying at thirty two. He overthrew Darius in three Battels, the firſt at the river Granicus; the ſecond at Iſſus of Cilicia, the third at Arbela or Gaugamela, and ſo got the Aſian Empire, which he held ſix years from the death of Darius, and then died.
The ſecond Viſion hereof we have Dan. 7.6. After this I beheld, and lo! another (beaſt) like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl, the beaſt alſo had four heads, and dominion was given unto it.
1. Alexander was compar'd to a Leopard for his cunning, ſwiftneſs and cruelty.
2. To a Leopard with four wings on his back, intimating his ſwiftneſs in conquering.
3. With four heads, becauſe his Empire was divided into four Principalities after his death, as we ſhall afterwards ſhew.
4. Dominion was given to him by God. See Dan. 2.21. Prov. 8.15.
The third Viſion hereof, Dan. 8. from v. 5, to 13. which we have explained v. 21. In which Viſion,
1. The He-goat repreſents the Grecian King.
2. The notable horn between his eyes ſignifies Alexander and his power and prudence.
3. He came from the weſt, that is, from Macedonia that lyes weſt from Aſia.
4. His going on the face of the whole earth, ſignifies his marching from thence into Aſia, and into other parts of the world.
5. His not touching the ground ſignifies his celerity in motion.
6. He ran upon the ram, that is, upon Darius Codomannus, v. 20.
7. He brake his two horns, namely conquered him who was King of Medes and Perſians, and ſo grew great.
8. When he was ſtrong the great horn was broken, ſignifying how Alexander ſhould be cut off in the flower of his age, as he accordingly was in the thirty ſecond year of his age, by a Fever contracted (as is ſuppoſed) by drinking over much wine in Babylon.
9. And laſtly inſtead of the great horn four notable horns aroſe, that is, four great men who divided his dominions among them; ſo that the Monarchy of the Greeks after Alexander's death was divided into four Kingdoms, namely the Kingdom, 1. of Macedonia. 2. Syria. 3. Aſia minor. 4. Egypt. But Daniel in his 11th. Chapter Propheſies chiefly of the Kings of Syria and Egypt, viz. the Kings of the North and of the South, becauſe Judea lay between them both, and was miſerably ground and haraſſed by them both.
The particular KINGS that Reigned ſucceſſively in thoſe Four Kingdoms, were theſe;
KINGS of MACEDONIA.
1. A Rideus Brother of Alexander, he reigned under Tutors or Protectors, Perdiccas and Antipater.
2. Caſſander Son of Antipater.
3. Philip Son of of Caſſander.
4. Antipater and Alexander both Sons of Caſſander, they ſtruggle for the Kingdom, and ſo deſtroy one another.
5. Demetrius Peliorcetes Son of Antigonus King of Aſia, who reduced it under his power.
6. Pyrrhus King of Epirus who conquered Demetrius, and alſo Lyſimachus, Lord of Thracia, but he held it but ſeven months.
7. Lyſimachus, Lord of Thracia.
8. Ptolemeus Ceraunus, Son of Ptolemaeus Lagi firſt King of Egypt, and Brother of Philadelphus. Lyſimachus being kill'd by Seleucus King of Aſia, he ſlew Seleucus and invaded Macedonia, and held it 9 months.
9. Meleager.
10. Antipater.
11. Soſthenes.
12. Antigonus Gonatas, Son of Demetrius Poliorcetes laſt King of Aſia, ſo that tho' the Seleucidae got Aſia, yet the poſterity of Antigonus got Macedonia & held it ſeveral years.
13. Demetrius Secundus, Son of Antigonus.
14. Antigonus Tertius, called Doſon, Tutor of Philip.
15. Philippus Son of Demetrius Secundus. He was vanquiſhed by the Romans.
16. Perſeus the laſt King of Macedonia, who was conquered by Paulus Aemilius the Roman Conſul, and condemned to perpetual im…riſonment. His Son was made one of the Scribes …o the Roman Senate. So …he Kingdom of Macedon came into the Roman Power, A.M. 3803. who made it a Province.
KINGS of Syria, or KINGS of the North. See Dan. 11. v. 15.
1. SEleucus Nicanor.
2. Antiochus Soter Son of Seleucus.
3. Antiochus Theos. Dan. 11.6.
4. Seleucus Callinicus, Son of Theos. Dan. 11. v. 7, 8, 9.
5. Seleucus Ceraunus, Son of Callinicus. Dan. 11.10.
6. Antiochus Magnus ſecond Son to Callinicus. Dan. 11.10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. to the 20. He was a Friend to the Jews.
7. Seleuchus Philopator, eldeſt Son of Antiochus Magnus called alſo Soter. He is called alſo a Raiſer of Taxes, Dan. 11.20. He ſent Heliodorus to rob the Treaſury of the Temple at Jeruſalem. He was taken away by Poiſon given him by Heliodorus.
8. Antiochus Epiphanes 2d. Son to Antiochus Magnus, ſucceeded his Brother Seleuchus Philopator, called a Vile Perſon. Dan. 11.21. He was kill'd alſo by the little Horn, Dan. 8.9. He got the Kingdom from his Brothers Son Demetrius by craft: So that between the Poſterity of this Antiochus Epiphanes, and of Demetrius there were Wars for almoſt 200 years, ſometimes one getting it, and ſometimes another: See more of him in Dan. 11. from v. 20. to the 30. he prophaned the Temple, and brought in great miſery upon the Jews.
9. Antiochus Eupater, he makes Wars upon the Jews.
10. Demetrius Soter, Son of Seleucus Philopator, 7th King of Syria, Nephew to Antiochus Epiphanes; He makes Alcimus that fled to him, High Prieſt. He wars againſt the Jews, 1. By Bacchides; 2. By Nicanor; 3. By Bacchides and Alcimus.
11. Alexander Bala, ſon of Antiochus Epiphanes, a Friend to the Jews.
12. Demetrius Nicanor, ſon of Demetrius Soter. He caſt out Alexander Bala: A great Friend to the Jews at firſt, but afterwards falſe to them.
13. Antiochus Entheus, ſon of Alexander Bala: A Friend to the Jews. He was helped into the Throne by Tryphon General to Alexander Bala.
14. Tryphon a foreigner, but Capt. General to Alexander Bala: A moſt treacherous perſon to the Jews.
15. Antiochus Sidetes, ſon of Demetrius 1 mus. Soter, and Brother to Demetrius 2 dus. Nicanor, who was held captive by the Parthians, called Pius by the Jews, becauſe on the Feaſt of Tabernacles he ſent them a great Bull to be offered to God. He was firſt kind to the Jews, afterwards very injurious.
16. Demetrius Secundus ſon of Demetrius 1 mas. and elder Brother of Antiochus Sidetes. He was before, the 12th King of Syria, but driven out of his Kingdom, and now reſtored.
17. Alexander Zebenna, an Egyptian.
18. Antiochus Griphus ſon of Demetrius Secundus.
19. Antiochus Cizicenus, ſon of Antiochus Sidetes the 15th King of Syria, Brother of Antiochus Gryphus. At this time the Kingdom of Syria was miſerably ſhaken by inteſtine Wars raiſed by the children of theſe two laſt Kings that ſtrove for the Kingdom, ſo that it became a prey to Tigranes King of the Parthians.
20. Tigranes King of Armenia major, with the help of the Parthians, gets the Kingdom of Syria. He was conquered at laſt by Pompey, and the Kingdom of Syria taken away from him, but that of Armenia was reſtored to him. And ſo the Kingdom of Syria was reduced under the Roman power, and made a Province by Pompey 260 years after Alexanders Death.
KINGS of ASIA minor.
1 ANtigonus Baſtard to Philip King of Macedon. He ſucceeded Alexander in the Kingdom of Aſia and reigned Eleven years.
2. Demetrius ſon of Antigonus, he brought almoſt all Greece under his Power. Afterwards by Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria, his Son-in-Law, he was overcome when he had reigned Thirteen years, and being impriſoned Two years, he there died. And ſo the Kindgom of Aſia came into the power of the Kings of Syria, and was joyned to that Kingdom, A. M. 3683.
KINGS of Egypt, or KINGS of the South.
1. PTolemeus Lagi, ſon of Lagus a Macedonian, called Soter. He conquered Paleſtine, and took Jeruſalem, uſed the Jews cruelly at firſt, but afterwards was more kind to them. He carried a great many of them into Egypt, and let them live there with the ſame freedom as his other Subjects. And hereupon many others of the Jews went down into Egypt and lived there. Daniel ſpeaks of him, Chap. 11. v. 5.
2. Ptolemeus Philadelphus ſo called, becauſe he married his ſiſter Arſinoe. He was ſon of Ptolemaeus Lagi, by Bernice his 2d. Wife. Ptolemaeus Ceraunus eldeſt ſon of Ptolemaeus Lagi, by Euridice his firſt Wife, being put by. He was a very learned King, and a great lover of Learned men. He married his Daughter Bernice to Antiochus Theos, 3d. King of Aſſyria, Dan. 11.6. He founded the famous Library at Alexandria. He procured the Tranſlation of the Septuagint. He was after this a great Friend to the Jews. He redeemed a vaſt number of them that were Servants, from their Maſters, with his own Money, and made them Free, and was otherwiſe very munificent to them.
3. Ptolemeus Euergetes, ſon of Philadelphus, and his Siſter-wife Arſinoe. This King carried himſelf commendably; but all the Egyptian Kings after him were debauched perſons. He led a great Army into Syria againſt Seleucus Callinicus, and overcame him; of which Daniel ſpeaks Ch. 11. v. 7. He was poiſoned by Ptolemaeus Philopator his ſon.
4. Ptol. Philopater, ſon of Ptol. Euergetes, called Philopator per antiphraſin; He kill'd his Mother alſo, and his Brother, married his Siſter. He waged War againſt Antiochus Magnus 6th. King of Syria, and overcame him. After the Victory he would needs offer Sacrifices to God at Jeruſalem, but he was forbidden by the High Prieſt to enter into the Temple. Hereupon being enraged againſt the Jews, he carries multitudes of them into Egypt to be deſtroyed of Elephants; of him Daniel ſpeaks, Chap. 11.11.
5. Ptol. Epiphanes, ſon of Ptol. Philopator. He was but 5 years old when he began to reign. Antioch. Mag. hearing of his Fathers death, and taking advantage of his Childhood, and procuring Philip of Macedon to joyn with him, comes againſt Egypt with a great Army; He is met by a great Army of the Egyptians under Scopas their General, in the North part of Paleſtine, where the Egyptians are beaten. He takes the Tower of Sion, and ſo became Lord of Judea. He afterwards marries his Daughter Cleopatra to Ptol. Epiphanes, and gives her for Dowry, Coeloſyria and Judea. Of theſe things Daniel ſpeaks, Ch. 11.13, 14, 15.
6. Ptol. Philometor, ſon of Ptol. Epiphanes, he married his own mother Cleopatra, and had a Daughter, called Cleopatra, by her. Antiochus Epiphanes 8th. King of Syria his Ʋncle brings a great Army into Egypt againſt him, and takes many of his Cities. He marries his Daughter Cleopatra to Alexander Bala the 11th. King of Syria. The Nuptials were celebrated at Ptolemais, to which Jonathan the High Prieſt was invited by Alexander, and gave great Preſents to both Kings. Ptol. Philometor afterwards finding his Son-in-law treacherous, he took his Daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius Nicanor, who overcoming Bala by the help of Philometor, got the Kingdom of Syria.
7. Ptol. Phyſcon, 2d. ſon of Ptol. Epiphanes; He married Cleopatra his Neice, who whas firſt married to Alexander Bala, then to Demetrius Nicanor.
8. Ptol. Lathurus, eldeſt ſon of Phyſcon, he married firſt Cleopatra his Siſter, and then by the perſwaſion of his mother, putting her away, he married his younger Siſter Salone. Afterwards he was driven out of the Kingdom by his mother, and fled to Cyprus, when Alexander Jannaeus King of the Jews beſieged Ptolemais, the beſieged called Ptol. Lathurus out of Cyprus to their aid. He fights with Alexander and overcomes him, and ſlays 30000 of the Jews, and uſed his victory cruelly.
9. Ptol. Alexander, 2d. ſon of Phyſcon, was ſet up by his mother whilſt his brother Lathurus remained in Cyprus. He killed his mother, and then was driven out of the Kingdom by the Egyptians, and flying to the Iſland Coos, there lived privately to his death.
10. Ptol. Lathurus is now called back out of Cyprus, and enjoys the Kingdom of Egypt again.
11 Ptol. Auletes, ſon of Ptol. Lathurus by Salonice his Siſter-Wife, he uſed to contend for maſtery with Fidlers, thence called Auletes. He buys the Friendſhip of the people of Rome, with great gifts, which he exacts from his Subjects, and ſo is hated by them, and ejected out of his Kingdom. He flies to Rome for help, but not obtaining it, after a long waiting, he goes to Epheſus, where he carried Letters from Pompey to Gabinus Praefect of Syria, that he ſhould uſe his endeavour to reſtore him, which Gabinus effected, yet this Auletes's Son afterwards deſtroyed Pompey.
12. Ptol. Dionyſius junior, ſon of Ptol. Auletes, his Siſter was Cleopatra, laſt Queen of Egypt, whom he marries, and joyns with himſelf in the Government by the command of Julius Caeſar, who had conquered Alexandria and all Egypt. He kill'd Pompey flying to him from the Pharſalian Battel. Julius Caeſar coming with his Army into Egypt, this Ptol. Dionyſius ſtrives to fly away by Sea, and is there drowned.
13. Cleopatra daughter of Auletes, and Siſter and Wife to Ptol. Dionyſius. After his death, Antonius was ſo enamoured of her, that putting away his former Wife Octavia Auguſtus's Sister, he married her, whereupon he was engaged in a War with Auguſtus, and being conquered by him in a Naval Fight, at Actium, he flies into Egypt with Cleopatra, where he kills himſelf, and Cleopatra, leſt ſhe ſhould be carried in Triumph, kills her ſelf with Aſps; and ſo Egypt was reduced into the Form of a Province by Auguſtus.
3ly, We are to ſhew who were High Prieſts among the Jews from their return out of the Captivity to Chriſts time. The Catalogue of them follows.
1. Joſhua the Son of Jozedeck who returned out of Captivity (where his Father died) with Zerubbabel, and began and forwarded the building of the ſecond Temple, and the ſettlement of the people. He was High Prieſt all the time of Cyrus and Ahaſuerus, and ſome part of the time of Darius. The High Prieſthood was now grown poor and low, but was reſtored to its dignity with the renovation of the Covenant to that office, Zach. Ch. 3. and Joſhua being a Type of Chriſt, both he and the people were comforted with a promiſe of his Incarnation.
2. Joiakim the Son of Joſhua.
3. Eliaſhib the Son of Joiakim, Nehem. 12.10.
4. Joiada the Son of Eliaſhib.
5. Jonathan, or Johanan the Son of Joiada, Nehem. 12.11, 22. Joſephus calls him John, Antiq. Lib. 11. C. 7. and relateth how he ſlew his own Brother Jeſus in the Temple, whom Bagoſis (the chief Commander for Artaxerxes Mnemon) would have made High Prieſt, for which foul fact Bagoſis broke into the Temple and laid a Tax of forty drams upon every lamb that was ſacrificed in the daily Sacrifice.
6. Jaddua Son of Jonathan, Neh. 12.11, 22. He had a Brother call'd Manaſſes who had married Sanballat's daughter, and for that was driven from the Prieſthood, which occaſioned the building of the Temple on mount Gerizim, as we have ſhewed before. This Jaddua met Alexander in the High Prieſts Veſtments when he marched in fury againſt Jeruſalem, and the very ſight of him appeaſed him.
7. Onias the Son of Jaddua.
8. Simon or Simeon the juſt; of him the Jewiſh writers ſpeak many excellent things.
9. Eleazar, Simeons Brother; this was he that ſent the ſeventy two Elders to Ptolemaeus Philadelphus to tranſlate the Law into Greek.
10. Manaſſes, Eleazar's Uncle, Brother to Onias the firſt.
11. Onias the ſecond, Son of Simeon the Juſt, a covetous wretch, who brought the diſpleaſure of Ptolemaeus Euergetes upon him by his covetouſneſs, and refuſing to pay a moderate tribute of twenty Talents, uſed to be paid by them to the King of Egypt.
12. Simon the ſecond, Son of Onias the ſecond.
13. Onias 3us the Son of Simon the ſecond.
14. Jeſus the Brother of this Onias 3us his Brother leaving a Son behind him but very young, this Jeſus (who called himſelf Jaſon) was by Antiochus Epiphanes made High Prieſt, but Antiochus being afterwards offended with him, ſet up his Brother Menelaus.
15. Onias the Brother of Jaſon; Jaſon by the aſſiſtance of the people drave him out of the High Prieſthood; whereupon he flies to Antiochus, and forſakes his Country's Laws and Religion to procure his favour, and Antiochus coming in to reſtore him brought in ſuch trouble as Iſrael had never ſeen ſince they were a Nation to that time. See Dan. 11.30, 31. Dan. 12.1.
16. The woful pollution Antiochus had brought into their Religion and the Temple cauſeth Mattathias a Prieſt of the courſe of Joiarib (the firſt of the twenty four) though he was now old to ſtand up for the maintenance of their Religion, and for the deliverance of his Country. Here began the name and renown of the Aſmonean *Joſephus ſays that Mattathias was the ſon of Aſamonaeus, or rather the Grandſon of Simon Sirnamed Aſamonaeus. David in Pſal. 68. v. 32. uſeth Haſmonim to expreſs Princes, and great men.family. Mattathias not living long after his firſt appearing a Champion for his diſtreſſed Country, he left the charge of that war to his Sons after him, among whom,
17. Judas his Eldeſt Son (Sirnamed Maccabeus from theſe four Acroſtick Letters in his Enſign, foreign Exod. 15.12. Lord who is like thee among the mighty) was choſen High Prieſt by the people, and the firſt on whom they conferred the honour both of Prince and Prieſt. He undertook the quarrel of his people and their Religion, and was very victorious in many battels, but at laſt was ſlain.
In theſe times of confuſion one Alcimus was put in High Prieſt by Demetrius Soter, and bare the name, a miſchievous wretch, and one that came to a fearful end. See 1. Mac. 7.12, 13, 14. and Ch. 9. v. 55, 56.
18. Jonathan ſucceedeth his Brother Judas as chief Commander; he was made High Prieſt by Alexander Bala Son of Antiochus Epiphanes. He was very valiant and ſucceſsful, and at laſt was ſlain by Tryphon, ſee 1 Mac. Ch. 9. & Ch. 10. & Ch. 11. & 12.
19. Simon his Brother ſucceeds him; he was alſo valiant and ſucceſsful in the quarrel of his people like his Brethren, but ſlain at laſt treacherouſly by his own Son-in-law Ptolemaeus at a Feaſt.
20. Johannes Hircanes the Son of Simon; he ſacked Samaria, deſtroyed the Temple on Mount Gerizim in the 200th year after it had been built by Sanballat. In his latter days he grew much offended with the Phariſees (whom at firſt he much favoured) and fell to the Sadduces. The people enjoyed much tranquility under him.
21. Ariſtobulus his Son; he firſt took upon him the ſtile of King, he kill'd his ſecond Brother Antigonus, famiſhed his Mother, and died vomiting blood.
22. Alexander Jannaeus Brother to Ariſtobulus, and third ſon to Hircanus; he took alſo the Title of King; he waged war againſt Ptol. Lathurus. He was hated of his own people, and much vexed with their inſurrections againſt him. He died at laſt of a Quartan Ague which held him three years.
23. Hircanus his Son is made High Prieſt, but his mother Alexandra by the help and aſſiſtance of the Phariſees ſwayed the Kingdom.
24. Ariſtobulus younger Brother to Hircanus, after the death of their mother Alexandra maketh war upon his Brother Hircanus, and drives him from his Kingdom to a private life, and takes both Kingdom and Prieſthood upon himſelf. They both deſire help from Pompey. Ariſtobulus by ſome misbehaviour provoking Pompey, occaſioneth the ſacking of Jeruſalem, and the ſubjecting of the Jews to the Roman yoke, from under which they were never after delivered. Pompey reſtoreth the High Prieſthood to Hircanus, and carrieth Ariſtobulus and his Son Antigonus and his two daughters priſoners to Rome. Julius Caeſar after Pompey's death being aſſiſted by Antipater (an Idumaean, but of the Religion of the Jews) in his Egyptian wars againſt the Pompeyans, the war being ended, Caeſar made him Procurator of all Judea, and confirmed Hircanus in the Prieſthood; Antipater makes Phaſaelus his Elder Son Governour of Jeruſalem, and Herod his Younger Governour of Galilee.
25. Alexander the Son of Ariſtobulus eſcaped out of the hands of Pompey when he carried his Father and his Brother Antigonus to Rome. In Judea he raiſes divers ſtirs and tumults, and affecting the Kingdom, is twice ſuppreſſed by the Roman Gabinius.
26. Antigonus, Ariſtobulus's other Son eſcaping from Rome into Judea, firſt by the help of the King of Tyrus, and after by the help of the Parthians he ſtriveth to get the High Prieſthood and Kingly dignity from Hircanus. In order hereunto taking Hircanus priſoner he cauſeth his ears to be cut off, and by that blemiſh or maim he makes him uncapable of the Prieſthood, and delivers him to the Parthians to be carried to Babylon. This being done, for the preſent he enjoys the Kingſhip and Prieſthood. Herod in the mean time flying to Rome, he is made (through Anthony's power with the Senate) King of the Jews; and getting ſome forces there with them he returns into Judea, and conquers and takes Antigonus and ſends him to Anthony, who cauſes him to be put to death. And ſo the Kingdom of Maccabees ended 126 years after it began. After this Herod and his ſucceſſors, or the Romans made whom they would High Prieſts. See Lightf. p. 30. & Capellus's Chronolog. p. 29.
Julius Caeſar having gotten the Dictatorſhip or ſupreme Government of the Romans into his hands, about forty ſeven years before the Birth of Chriſt began the Roman or fourth Monarchy, and continued it about five years, and ſo was the firſt Roman Emperour.
To him ſucceeded Octavius Auguſtus who began to reign about forty two years before the Birth of Chriſt, and reigned about fifty ſix years, but the firſt twelve of them he governed together with M. Anthony and M. Lepidus (they three making the Triumvirate) the latter forty four he reigned alone. In the 31th. year *Aliqui aliter computant, & aſſerunt Chriſtum natum 41 An. Imperii Auguſti, Anno que Mundi 3948.of his reign (reckoning the beginning of it from his victory at Actium) our bleſſed Saviour was born, and in the 35th. year of the reign of Herod.
The third Roman Emperour was Tiberius, in the 18th. year of whoſe reign our Lord and Saviour was Crucified.
HAving thus given a general view of the Jewiſh Affairs from the end of the Old Teſtament to the Birth of Chriſt, we ſhall now ſpeak a little more largely of that ſubject, collecting (for the main) our Hiſtory thereof out of the Books of the Maccabees, and the writings of Joſephus, and other Modern Authors who have written of thoſe times, and particulariy out of the Annals of the renowned Ʋſher.