A Letter to a Friend Touching Mordecais Age 2

The Printer to the READER.

T HAT the Letter following might better be understood, I requested the Author, that one special Text might be set before it, as he had translated it. Daniel, 9.24. I heard him affirm, that none, for skill in Hebrew, would blame that Translation: and though many differ, it was not for ignorance of the tongue; but by their conceit touching the matter, drawing the words as they judged of the whole cause. Thus he translated that point, which was Gabriel's speech; who came to Daniel, praying at the time of the Euening offering, or three of the clock, or ninth hour by Scripture phrase: ( at which hour 490. years after most exactly, our Lord gave up the Ghost, and told, that at the beginning of his Prayer, came forth the word (or answer from God) which he came to show, and saith thus. Seauentie sevens (of years) are cut out, for thy people, and for thy holy City; to consume wickedness, and to abolish sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring righteousness everlasting, and to seal Vision and Prophet, and to show Christ, the Holy of Holy. Know and mark; from the out-going of the Word, to return and to build Jerusalem, unto Christ the Governor, shall be seven sevens (of years,) and sixty and two sevens: (in the other) it shall be restored and built, Street and Wall; and troublous shall these times be. In that after the sixty and two sevens, Christ shall be killed; and not for him self: thereupon the City and Holy place shall he destroy, the Governors own people to come, & their end shall be with a Flood: and at the end of War, it shall have a final judgment to desolation. But he shall confirm the Testament for many the last Seven; when in Halfe that Seven, he shall end the Sacrifice and Oblation. Afterwardes, by an Army abominable, he shall make a desolation, even till utter destruction, and final judgment flow upon the desolate.

And thus much for the Readers preparation, to understand the Epistle following.

To his good friend A. T. of Mordecai his age: a light to Gabriel's Seauenties.

Y OV desire to know of me, in what age Mordecai lived; because you hold his times, to help much the truth of Chronicle, whereby sundry Books of the holy Prophets may better be understood. Your request is reasonable; because you rightly judge of the profit arysing by that knowledge: For whereas the chief Prophecy in all the Old Testament, touching the time of salvation, is obscured, that of Dan. 9.24. and also Dan. 11. Ester, Ezra, Nehemiah, Aggi, Zacharias, by reason that men attribute near 100. years more then common likelihood can suffer, or some writers old and late, will grant to these men after Babel was taken; I mean to Cyrus, Cambyses, Darius Histaspis, and Xerxes. They who hold Ahasuerus to be Xerxes, (who be the chiefest Patrons of that excessive time) if it can be shown that Mordecai was in Captivity 63. years, must needs grant that from Cyrus surprysing of Babel, to Ahasuerus end, when yet Mordecai was somewhat active: 30. years agreeth more with the common course of life, then 12 • . And that being settled, touching years thence to Tiberius 18. year: Some old Greek accompt will very well agree with us for Daniel's Seauens, to make up 490. years. Wherefore your judgment, careful to know his times, must be allowed: and endeavor to satisfy your request, must be used.

The Scripture whereupon disputation of late groweth, is this. Ester 2.5. In the City of Shushan, there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordochai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a man of Jemini, which had been carried away from Jerusalem with the Captivity that was carried away with Iechoniah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel had carried away; & nourished Hadassa, that is Ester, his Vncles daughter: for she had neither father nor mother; and the Maid was fair & beautiful to look on: and after the death of her father & her mother, Mordecai took her for his own Daughter. To this text I think good to join immediately, another touching them, who were captived with Iechoniah, to show that not only valient Men, but also Women and Babes, were then carried captive: of which Babes, Mordecai might be one. Thus it is written, 2. King. 24.14. And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the Princes, and all the strong men of War, even ten thousand into captivity, and all the Workemen & cunning men: so none remained, saving the poor people of the land. Now if none were left but the Poor of the earth, Noble-women & Children must needs be in the reckoning of the Captivity. But let us return to the first text Ester 2.5. upon which Scripture, we must weigh what hath been thought, and may be. I hold it doubtless, that Mordecai by this text, was in the Captivity. The same held also the most ancient; that it may appear, this opinion not to be new, but holden constantly of long time, the Father of TRVETH.

The Greek additions to Ester, plainly show, that in ancient time, Mordecai was holden to be of Jeconiah captivity for thus it is written Ester 11.2. Mardocheus the son of Jairus, the son of Semei, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, had a Dream; a Jew dwelling in the city of Susis, a Neble man, that bare office in the kings Court, He was also one of the Captivity which Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon brought from Jerusalem with Jeconiah. That those Greek additions be very old, it appeareth by Ios. Ben-gorion, whom Drusius thinketh to be Flanius Josephus: For Ben-gorion in his Hebrew story followeth them; and the Greek Church stiffly enough held them. Wherefore, if that age were now alive, and called to an after reckoning for the Persian continuance, I judge by Mardochais age, they would willingly cut off about a hundred years, for their ouerreaching Chronicle; and rejoice not a little, to have Daniel's times brought to plainness. They did not only of ancient days allow of the Greek additions for Mardochais times; but in their own writings do the like. Josephus saith, that Mordecai had been at Babylon. Clemens saith, that he was in the Captivity. So doth Athanasius in Synopsi in Hester. Codrenus placeth Ahasuerus in the beginning of Darius, and Cy. Monarchy. Zonarus much followeth Josephus. These men's testimonies against their own negligent accompt, should seem to be void of partiality.

The like I may speak of the Latins. Pagnin his skil in Hebrew, giveth place to none Italian, former nor later. In his translation of Ester, out of doubt Mordecai is a man of Benjamin, which was carried captive with Jeconiah. The French glory of Vatablus, and his judgment, by our learned Fathers, who put before the Bible his brief sum touching it, hath been greatly esteemed. Vatablus removeth the doubt further, showeth that Kish there is named, to show Mordecai to come of the Kings seed. Now where some doubt why obscure Kish father to Saul, rather thē Saul, should be recorded: for them a certain Hebrew yieldeth a reason that satisfieth me. As Mordecai taught Ester to hide her kindred: so the other Jews endeavored to do, and kept the memory of Mardochais nobility rather by Kish, famous amongst them, and obscure to strangers, then by Saul, whō Haman of Ameleck might have heard of. If any despiseth the Hebrews reason, let him bring a better. With Pagnin and Vatablus agreeth Arias Montanus: whose like if Spain had bred many, the Pope should have been closely bitten to the heart. Though he follow the common Chronicle, yet he made conscience of wresting holy Scripture. Tremellius likewise, whose translation giveth place to none (whom I could wish for many special points, not to be altered by following the Heathen) he translateth the Hebrew so, as speaking, that Mordecai was of Jeconiah captivity. This Italy, Fraune, Spain, & Germany held.

And least any should take advantage by the relative (Which,) to refer it to Kish, & not to Mordecai, they translate the last antecedent before it; that is, (MAN of Benjamin) in a case joined to Mordecai, and disceauored from Kish. Two reasons moved them to that, (as I think): one, because in the Hebrew upon the word Kish, lieth a stay of a King-accent, in force and form like a Comma in Latin. An other was, because a Sentence is joined on a Copulatiue; which cannot be removed from Mordecai, who was carried captive, and nourished Ester. Also it seemed to them senseless, to admit in the midst, a long Narration touching Kish, where the speech began of Mordecai, and afterward to make a sudden step again to Mordecai: and so would I think. These who commend upon Ester, follow the same Lyra, Brenz, Bullinger, Lauaterus. The argument in the Bible translated at Goneuah, before the Book of Ester, draweth in the same yoke. And on the Latin John. Benedictus. So the French doth, and many more. And whereas expressly Mordecai is named amongst them who did, or might return from Babylon in the first of Cyrus. I see no reason why the many of them who affirm even that Mordecai there, to be Esters cosen, should be rejected. I will not soon believe, that the providence of God would in Scripture so place names, that thousands of the painfullest and the wisest, should be deceived, as holding them the same men, when they are other. As Nehemiah's Ezra 2.2. is holden of the most, to be the same who is Artaxast his Cup-bearer. And Ezra Nehe. 12. coming home in Cyrus first, is holden of the Hebrews, to be the same who wrote the Book named so; and lived to the last times of the Persians; and by 4 Ezra 3. may very well be. So no more will I admit two Mardochaies, then I will here two Nehemiah's and two Ezras, seeing I see no reason why obscure men should be chief in catalogue of personages, and famous men be left vnreckoned, who in open dealing have the next glory to Zerubbabel and Joshua. But of the other two, Nehemiah's and Ezra, I may take some other time of a longer Discourse. I will return to Mordecai. They who hold of the Pope, notwithstanding their error in giving the Persians too long a continuance, yet would not in the particular deal here against their conscience: for their table in Apparatu Bibliorum holdeth Mordecai Esters kinsman, to be of the captivity of Jeconiah, and also to be the same that is mentioned Ezra. 2.2. So Schubertus, and Lyra, rather hold Mordecai much above. 100. year, then with Burgensis deny him to be of Jeconiah captivity. And John Benedictus noteth (from Philo ) that he lived 198. years. Likewise some of our own country, who have by authority written in notes simply enough, gathered frō Codomanus, place Mordecai so, that well he might be of the captivity of Iechoniah. Notwithstanding that some who have trauayled more in this kind, would soon conclude that thereupon they must cut near 100. years from their own accompt. The testimony of any against them selves, should have some force. Bucholcherus bringeth it as a most common opinion, that he lived in the days of Evil-merodach and Balsasar.

The Hebrews are not least regarded for commenting as touching the Story, contained in proper speeches of the Prophets. Of them I have seen twelve several Writers touching Ester: By which all, it may be learned, that the Jews held Mordecai to be of Jeconiah Captivity; as the Talmud in Megillath Ester, two Chaldee Paraphastes. Ibn-Ezra, Solomoh-Rashi: which are joined in Bonbergius Bibles; seven Commentaries printed in little Books alone. Add Midras Rabbah, who passing it over, as touchng plain words, in the whole Discourse showeth what the Author thought. And seeing the Jews ever since Mardochais time, yearly in the month Adar, celebrate a Feast for the deliverance by him. It would be too rash to affirm so many thousands, now 2000. years, not to understand his story: but in a trick of Grammar, all to be ouerreached. Moreover, closely they give a bitter frumpe to some Christians in Sepher Iuchasim in the word Ezra, when they sayne Mardochoi to live 400. years teaching their children thereby, how unskillful many of our side are in the story of Scripture: for if this be true, that no Male were carried with Jeconiah but fit then for war, and under the terms of, All Jerusalem, 2. Kin, 24. Women and Babes be not contained: If also from Zedekias captivity the seventy years must begin, and Mordecai live in the end of the Persians: and if Eusebius times, and Jerome's hold: then by our assertions must Mordecai be holden towards 400. year old. But justly is Eusebius blamed of Johannes Benidictus, and Marianus Soctus. And Jerome may not be cited for them that would have Mordecai borne in the fourth age after the captivity. For Scaliger, and such as lean upon him, hold that Darius (who built the Temple 17. yere after Cyrus first) was after Mordecai: So that he will of force have Mordecai near Cyrus times. And Eusebius may be confuted by himself, citing Hellanicus out of Celemens, who writeth thus: Atossa the Queen of the Persians first invented Epistles. Though Epistles were used of old, as in Judah and Israel: also in Homer II. yet when Heathen skant used written records, the letters sent by Hester Adossa to 127. Provinces, might well be the most ancient for famous & fresh memory in Helianicus days, whom Thucydides nameth as his former. And herein the antiquity, who had followed the games of Olympia, to teach of man's redeemer against express word in Daniel's ninth, control themselves, and call times to as short a reckoning, as truth hereafter much by Heathen accompt will require. An Hebrew disputeth learnedly, to teach us that Esters stories fell out soon after the captivity: because many of rare godliness must needs then be amongst them, that God should in sundry places, give them so great glory. It is not commonly seen, that the age vnafflicted, should be of more godliness, then they who before, had felt God's hand. Joshua's elders and their posterity teach us so to think: likewise David's age, & Robeames. Moreover, the Apostle giveth that company a singular testimony, Hebr. 11.24. who by faith avoided the edge of the sword. I doubt not, but that of them it is spoken there. Ouer & besides, the prophecy of Jeremiah touching the good Figs, may very well have accomplishment in Mordecai. And Lyra would think, that in Mardochaies story, mention is made of Jeconiah captivity, to show, namely in some, that favor of God performed, which in the good Figs was shown. Here I may for the help of the Reader, abridge Jeremiah's words, from Ier. 24. To him God shown Two basket of Figs: one of good Figs, the other of naughty Figs. After Jeconiah, the Nobles and Artificers of Judah were carried daptiues: As the good Figs, would God know those captives, and bring them home: and as the naughty Figs, would God give Zedekias and his Princes, for a terrible plague.

Lastly, this I think, and hold, that none ever denied Mordecai to be of Jeconiah captivity, but such as follow the reckoning of Olympia Games. All this considered, I judge it will not soon take place, that some would teach this opinion to be new, or untrue, that Mordecai is said to be of the Captivity of Jeconiah. And this of Mordecai being granted, my sharpest combaters (I trust) will not deny, but that Daniel might well understand his own words: and the Seauenties, from the hour of their utterance, and first year of Darius and Cyrus, in propriety of speech, draw us unto the year wherein our Lord by death, brought light and life to the world. Thus I thought good, though as fast as my Pen could run, to write my mind touching Mordecai: that you might be better confirmed to hold the truth of Daniel's sevens: the plainness & propriety whereof, many Christians strive more to make uncertain, then did the Jews; whom yourself heard at Franckfurt and Wormes.

To this I will join a particular reckonig, agreeable to Daniel's Seauens: even from such as for the whole, agree not wholly with that, which I steadfastly hold to be the truth.

Cyrus 3. year: Schubert. Well may he have reigned 27. year before.

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

Ahasuerus holden most commonly to be Darius Hystaspes, 12. years in Seder Olam.

Xerxes, of whose sole government Ezra maketh no mention: only Dan. 11. He is said to be the rich King, that should stir all against Grecia. Some hold him to be Ahasuerus in Hester. Upon their assertion I desputed in Mordecai: Schubertus granteth him 10. years of sole government: but Tremellius joineth them to his fathers raigue, and maketh him but viceroy: and all 20.

And these be the chief Kings whose accompt troubleth Commenters upon Daniel, Hester, Ezra, Nehemiah's, Aggai, and Zacharias, against the plain simplicity: which those books process do require. Of them I purpose to write other several Mreatises, to confirm this accompt in effect which others Jews and Gentiles hold, and to overthrow that excessive reckoning, which the Games of Olympia cause to more harm for Jews, then the Idole Iouis Olimpij was loathsome in their Temple in old time. Now mark other Kings hence from Clemens 1. Strom.

Artaxerxes 41. His 20. year finisheth seven sevens to the building of Jerusalem, and full finishyng of the Temple, as writeth Ibn Ezra, Tremellius, Beroaldus, Wolfius: & the French notes before Ezra touch it. The Greeks Josephus, Clemens, Eusebius, Cedrenus, ending the Temple in that time, had relation to the seven sevens Dan. 9. though the Olympiades carry them somewhat aside; but by a friendly censure, one might cite them to that texts meaning, whereupon they stayed; specially seeing otherwise they are little constant, or worthy credit, but when many confirm the matter with them.

Darius 8. years.

Artaxerxes 42. years. In this Kings days, Xenophon and Ctesias lived, and wrote of him, Plutarch wrote also, and many Grecians more. The more impudent be the wicked Jews, which leave him out, to shorten the time, and disannul by all other extremity, Daniel's Seauens.

• Ochus 3. years.
• Darius 6. years.

Their years in all, are 130.

The Greeks.
• Alexander 6. Herein I somewhat mende Clemens from all other Grecians.
• • Ptolemy Lagi 40. years.
  • Pto. Philadelphus 27. y. rather. 37.
  • Pto. Euergetus 25. years.
  • Pto. Philopater 17. years.
  • Pto. Epiphanes 24. years.
  • Pto. Philometor 35. years.
  Clemens coppy omitteth ten years, in someone; by like in Philad. to finish the sum of 294. years: which sum, in two places he hath.
• Pto. Phiscon 29. years.
• Pto. Lathurus 36. years. Strabo would place Lathurus before Physcon.
• Pto. Dionysius 29. years.
• Cleopatra 22. years.

The whole sum is 300, years.

From Cleopatra's overthrow by Augustus, to 18. of Tiberius 60. years, by accounts of the old and the later.

And this I have laid down, that you might better know, where the Jews help the Gentiles to hold the truth, for what times the Scriptures fully help us and where the Jews may easily be confuted, and the Gentiles agree commonly. This being well weighed, you may see that in Mordecai, Antiquirie and Noueltie must both agree, to cast Daniel's Seauens: as I shown in the Consent of Scripture, which I wrote.

This one Treatise of Mardochas well considered, will make men more capable of truth, in sundry arguments, for manifesting of Daniel.