The Annals of the World

I N the beginning God created Heaven and Earth, Gen. 1. v. 1. Which beginning of time, according to our Chronology, [Year before Christ 4004] fell upon the entrance of the night preceding the twenty third day of Octob. [The Julian Period 710] in the year of the Julian Calendar, 710.

Upon the first day therefore of the world, or Octob. 23. being our sunday, God, together with the highest Heaven, created the Angels. Then having finished, as it were, the roof of this building, he fell in hand with the foundation of this wonderful Fabric of the World, he fashioned this lowermost Globe, consisting of the Deep, and of the Earth; all the Choir of Angels singing together, and magnifying his name therefore. [ Job. 38. v. 7.] And when the Earth was void and without form, and darkness covered the face of the Deepe, on the very middle of the first day, the light was created; which God severing from the darkness, called the one day, and the other night.

On the second day [ October 24 being Monday ] the firmament being finished, which was called Heaven, a separation was made of the waters above, and the waters here beneath enclosing the earth.

Upon the third day [ Octob. 25. Tuesday ] these waters beneath running together into one place, the dry land appeared. This confluence of the waters, God made a Sea, sending out from thence the rivers, which were thither to return again [ Eccles. 1. verse. 7.] and he caused the Earth to bud, and bring forth all kinds of herbs and plants, with seeds and fruits: But above all, he enriched the garden of Eden with plants; for among them grew the tree of Life, and the tree of Knowledge, of good and evil. [ Gen. 2. verse. 8, 9.]

On the fourth day [ Octob. 26. which is our Wednesday ] the Sun, the Moon, and the rest of the Stars were created.

On the fifth day [ Octob. 27. Thursday ] Fish and flying Fowl were created, and endued with a blessing of increase.

And upon the sixth day [ Octob. 28. which is our Friday ] the living creatures of the earth took their creation, as well going, as creeping creatures. And last of all, man was made and created after the image of God, which consisted principally in the divine knowledge of the mind, [ Coloss. 3. verse. 10.] and in the natural and proper sanctity of his will, [ Ephes. 4. verse. 24.] And he forth-with, when all living creatures, by the Divine Power, were brought before him, as a Lord appointed over them, gave them their names, by which they should be called. Among all which, when he found none to help him like to himself, lest he should be destitute of a fit companion, God taking a rib out of his side, whiles he slept, fashioned it into a woman, and gave her to him for a wife, establishing, withal, a law of marriage between them; then blessing them, he bade them wex and multiply, and gave them dominion over all living creatures, and for them all he provided a large proportion of food and sustenance to live upon. To conclude, sin being not yet entered upon the world, God beheld all that he had made, and, behold, it was exceeding good. And so was the evening, and so was the morning of the sixth day. [Gen. 1. verse. 31.]

Now upon the seventh day, [ Octob. 29. which is, with, us Saturday, ] when God had finished his work which he intended, he then rested from all labor, and blessing the seventh day, he ordained and consecrated the Sabbath, [ Gen. 2. verse. 2, 3.] because therein he took breath, as himself is pleased to speak of himself, [ Exod. 31. verse. 17.] and, as it were, refreshed himself. Nor as yet (for ought appeareth) had sin set footing into the world. Nor was there any punishment laid by God, either upon man-kind, or upon Angels. Whence it was, that this afterward was set forth for a sign, as well of our sanctification in this world [ Exod. 31. verse. 13.] as of that eternal Sabbath, to be enjoyed hereafter; wherein we expect a full deliverance and discharge from sin, and the dregs thereof, and all punishments belonging thereunto, [ Heb. 4. verse. 4, 9, 10.]

After the first week of the world ended, as it seemeth, God brought the new married couple into the garden of Eden, and charged them not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; but left them free use of all the rest.

But the Devil, envying God's honor and man's felicity, tempted the woman to sin by the Serpent; whence himself got the name and title of the old Serpent. [Apoc. 12. verse. 9. and 20. verse. 2.] The woman then beguiled by the Serpent, and the man seduced by the woman, brake the ordinance of God concerning the forbidden fruit; and accordingly being called, and convicted of the crime, had their several punishments inflicted on them: yet with this promise added, that the Seed of the woman should, one day, break the Serpents head, (i.) That Christ in the fullness of time should undo the works of the Devil, [1 John. 3. verse. 8. Rom. 16. verse. 20.] From whence it was, that Adam then first called his wife Eve; because she was then ordained to be the mother, not only of all that should live this natural life, but, of those also who should live by faith in her seed; which was the promised Messias: as Sara also afterward was counted the mother of the faithful, [1 Pet. 3. verse 6. Gal. 4. verse 31.]

Upon this occasion our first Parents, clad by God with raiment of skins, were turned out of Eden, and a fiery flaming sword set to keep the way leading to the tree of Life, to the end they should never after eat of that fruit, which hitherto they had not touched Gen. 3. verse. 21. 22. &c. whence it is very probable, that Adam was turned out of Paradise the self same day that he was brought into it, which seemeth to have been upon the tenth day of the world (answering to our first day of November, according to supposition of the Julian Period) upon which day also, in remembrance of so remarkable a thing, as in all reason it should seem, was appointed the solemnity of Expiation, or atonement, and the yearly fast, spoken of by Saint Paul, Acts 27. verse 9. termed more especially by the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , wherein all, as well strangers as home-born people, were commanded to afflict their souls with a most severe intermination, that every soul which should not afflict itself upon that day should be destroyed from among his people, [Lev. 16. v. 29. and 23. verse 29.]

After the fall of Adam, Cain was the first of all mortal men that was born of a woman, [ Gen. 4. verse 1.]

Abel being murdered by his brother Cain, [Year of the World 130. d.] the first born of all man-kind, God gave Eve another son in his stead; whence his name was called Seth, c. 4. v. 25. when Adam had now lived 130 years, c. 5. v. 3. From whence it is gathered, that between the death of Abel, and the birth of Seth, there was no other son born to Eve; for then he should have been recorded to have been given her instead of him: so that whereas now the race of man-kind had been continued to the term of 128 years, it is probable, that the number of men was so increased in the world, that Cain might justly fear, through the conscience of his crime, that every man that met him would also slay him. [ c. 4. v. 14, 15.]

Seth now being 105 years old, [Year of the World 235. d.] begat a son, [The Julian Period 945] whom he named Enoch; [Year before Christ 3769] which signifies, the lamentable condition of all man-kind. For even then was the worship of God wretchedly corrupted by the race of Cain: whence it came, that men were even then so distinguished, that they who persisted in the true worship of God, were known by the name of the children of God; and they which forsook him, were termed the children of men, Gen. 4. v. 26. and 6. 1, 2.

Cainan the son of Enoch was born when his father was 90 years old, [Year of the World 325. d.] [ c. [The Julian Period 1035] 5. v. [Year before Christ 3679] 10.]

Mahalaleel was born when Cainan his father had lived 70 years, [Year of the World 395. d.] [ c. [The Julian Period 1015] 5. v. [Year before Christ 3069] 12.]

Jared was born when his father Mahalaleel had lived 65 years, [Year of the World 460. d.] [ c. [The Julian Period 1017] 5. v. [Year before Christ 3544] 15.]

Enoch was borne when his father Jared had lived 162 years, [Year of the World 622. d.] [ c. [The Julian Period 1332] 5. v. [Year before Christ 3382] 18.]

Mathusalah was born when Enoch his father had lived 65 years [ c. [Year of the World 687. d.] 5. v. [The Julian Period 1397] 25.]

Lamech [Year before Christ 3317] was born when his father Mathusalah had lived 187 years, [Year of the World 874. d.] [ c. [The Julian Period 1584] 5. v. [Year before Christ 3130] 25.]

Now Adam the first father of all man kind, [Year of the World 930. d.] died when he had lived 930 years. [The Julian Period 1640] [Year before Christ 3074]

As for Enoch, [Year of the World 987. d.] the seventh from Adam, [The Julian Period 1697] God translated him in an instant, [Year before Christ 3017] whiles he was walking with him, that he should not see death, after he had lived 365 years, [ c. 5. 23, 24, Heb. 11. 5.]

Seth the son of Adam died when he had lived 912 years, [Year of the World 1042. d.] [ c. [The Julian Period 1752] 5. v. [Year before Christ 2962] 8.]

Noah the tenth from Adam, [Year of the World 1056. d.] was born when his father Lamech had lived 182 years, [The Julian Period 1766] [Year before Christ 2948] [ c. 5. v. 29.]

Enoch the third from Adam, [Year of the World 1140 d.] died when he had lived 905 years, [ c. 5. v. 11.] [The Julian Period 1850] [Year before Christ 2864]

Cainan the fourth from Adam, [Year of the World 1235. d.] died when he had lived 9 • 0 years. [The Julian Period 1945] [ c. [Year before Christ 2769] 5. v. 17.]

Mahalaleel, [Year of the World 1029. d.] the fifth from Adam died, [The Julian Period 2000] when he had lived 892 years. [Year before Christ 2714] [ c. 5. v. 17.]

Iared, [Year of the World 1422. d.] the sixth from Adam, [The Julian Period 2132] died wen he had lived 962 years. [Year before Christ 2582] [ c. 5. v. 20.]

God, [Year of the World 1536. a.] before he brought the deluge of waters upon the world of the wicked, [The Julian Period 2245] sent Noah, [Year before Christ 2469] a Preacher of righteousness unto them, giving them 120 years space to repent them of their evil ways, [1 Pet. 3. v. 20. 2 Pet. 2. v. 5. Gen. 6. v. 3.]

To Noah, [Year of the World 1556. d.] who now first began to set his mind to the propagating of an offspring, [The Julian Period 2266] when he was 500 years old; [Year before Christ 2448] was borne first of all Japheth, [Gen. 5. v. 32. and c. 10. v. 21.]

Noah's second son was Sem; [Year of the World 1558. d.] being two years after the flood, [The Julian Period 2268] recorded to have been 100 years old, [Year before Christ 2446] [ Gen. 10. v. 11.]

Lamech, [Year of the World 1651. d.] the ninth from Adam, [The Julian Period 2361] died when he had lived 777 years, [year before Christ 2353] [ c. 5. v. 31.]

Mathusalah, [Year of the World 1656. a.] the eighth from Adam, [The Julian Period 2365] died in the 969 year of his age; [Year before Christ 2349] and out-went all men in length of life. [ c. 5. v. 27.]

Now in the second month of this year, upon the 10 day thereof, ( answering to the 30 of our November, being sunday ) God commanded Noah, that in that week, he should provide himself to enter into the Ark: whiles the world, (in the mean time) void of all fear, sat eating and drinking, and marrying, and giving in marriage, [ Gen. 7. v. 1, 4, 10. Mat. 24. v. 38.]

In the 600 year of the life of Noah, upon the 17 day of the second month, answering to the 7 of our Decemb. upon a sunday, when he with his children, and living creatures of all sorts, were entered into the Ark, God sent a rain upon the earth forty days, and forty nights; and the waters continued upon the earth 150 days, [ Gen. 7. v. 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17, 24.]

The waters abating upon the 17 day of the 7 month, May 6. upon a wedensday, the Ark rested upon one of the mountatines of Ararat, [ c. 8. v. 6, 7.]

And the waters still falling upon the first day of the tenth month ( with us July 19. being sunday ) the tops of the mountains appeared above the water, [ c. 8. v. 5,] And after 40 days, that is upon the 11 day of the 11 month ( Being 28 of August, falling upon a friday) Noah opening the window of the Ark, sent forth a Raven, [ c. 8. v. 6, 7.] And seven days after, as may probably be gathered, out of those other seven days, mentioned [ v. 10] Noah sent forth a Dove and she returning, after seven days more, he sent her forth again: and about the evening she returned, bringing the leaf of an Olive tree in her mouth, and then staying yet seven days more, sent the same Dove out again, which never returned more unto him. [ c. 8. v. 8. 12.]

The second Age of the World.

IN the 601 year of the life of Noah, [Year of the World 1657. a.] upon the first day of the first month ( Octob. 23. being our friday, ) the first day, as first of the new world, so now of this new year; when the surface of the earth was now all dry, Noah took off the covering of the Ark, [ Gen. 8. 13.]

Upon the 27 of the second month, ( Dec. 18 falling upon thursday, ) when the earth was wholly dry, by the commandment of God, Noah went forth with all that were with him in the Ark, [ c. 8. v. 14. 19.

Being gone forth, Noah offered unto God sacrifices, for such his preservation: and God restored the nature of things destroyed by the flood: he permitted unto men the eating of flesh for their food; and gave the rainbow for a sign of the covenant, which he then made with man, [ c. 8. & 9.]

The years of man's life, were now made as it were, half shorter than they were before.

Arphaxad, [Year of the World 1658. d.] was now born to Se • , [The Julian Period 2368] being 100 years old; [Year before Christ 2346] two years after the flood ceased, [ c. 11. v. 10.]

Salah was born when his father Arphaxad, [Year of the World 1693. d.] had lived 35 years, [The Julian Period 2403] [ c. [Year before Christ 2311] 11. v. 12.

Heber was born, [Year of the World 1723. d.] when Salah his father had lived 30 years, [The Julian Period 2433] [ c. [Year before Christ 2281] 11, v. 14.]

When Heber had lived 34 years, [Year of the World 1757. d.] he had a son born, [The Julian Period 2467] whom he named Phaleg, [Year before Christ 2247] [ c. 11. 16.] because in his days the earth was divided, [c. 10. v. 25. and 1 Chron. 1. v. 19.] which if understood for the day of his birth, then it seemeth that at what time Phaleg was born, Noah, who formerly knew the places which were now overspread with bushes and thorns, made a division of the land among his grandchildren; and that done, that they then went from those eastern parts (whither they first repaired from the mountains of Ararat) unto the valley of S • nnar. [ Gen. 11. v. 2.] where the people impiously laid their heads together, as we find in the book of wisdom, [ 10. v. 5.] to hinder this dispersion of them commanded by God, and began by Noah (as may be gathered out of [ Gen. 11. v. 4, 6, 8, 9.] compared together) and went in hand to build the city and tower of Babylon: which purpose of theirs being frustrated by the confusion of languages, sent among them, (from whence it took the name of Babel, c. 11. v. 9.) the dispersion of Nations followed; divers companies and colonies, sitting them down in several places, as they agreed best each with other in that diversity of language. Captains and conductors, of which several companies; among others, the 13 sons of Joctan, the brothers of Phaleg, are recorded to have been, [ Gen. 10. v. 26.] all which, certainly, at what time their Uncle Phaleg was born, were not come into the world. For seeing that Heber was but 34 years old, when Phaleg was born unto him, though we should suppose, that Joctan was born, when Heber was but 20 years of age, and that Joctans eldest son was born to him, when he was likewise but twenty years old, yet still it appears, that, that eldest son of Ioctan, must be six years younger than Phaleg, so that at least the younger crew of those 13 sons of Ioctan, to wit, Iohab, and three other brothers of his mentioned next before him, and which left their names, upon those golden countries, Sheba, [Psal. 72. v. 15. Ophir. 1 Reg. 9. v. 28. & Havilah. Gen. 2. v. 11.] could not till some years after Rehu were born to Phaleg, be capable of such an employment, as to conduct colonies by reason of their so tender age.

The years of man's age were again cut shorter by one half, than erst they were.

From hence to the taking of Babylon by Alexander the Great, [Year of the World 1771. a.] are reckoned 1903 years: [The Julian Period 2480] which calculation and number of years made according to Astronomical observations Porphyry, [Year before Christ 2234] as we find in Simplicius, in his second book de Coelo, affirmeth to have been transmitted into Greece from Babylon, by Chalisthenes, at Aristotle's suit, whence it appears that the Babylonians gave themselves to the knowledge of Astronomy, even from the very days of Nimrod, from whom all that region took the name of the Land of Nimrod, [Mich. 5. v. 6.] Forasmuch as both Babylon itself was by his persuasion begun to be built, as Joseph. l. 1. Antiq. c. 5. reporteth, and for that there the royal seat of that kingdom was placed, as Moses [Gen. 10. 10] affirmeth, & from him Babylon itself; [ Ier. 5. 15.] took her first celebrity & opinion of Antiquity.

But to return to where we left; [Year of the World 1787. a.] Rehu or Ragau, [The Julian Period 2497] was born when Phaleg his father was 30 years old, [Year before Christ 2217] [ Gen. 11. v. 18.]

That the Egyptian sovereignty & regal power over the subject, [Year of the World 1816. d.] lasted full out 1663 years, [The Julian Period 2526] is testified by Constantine Manasseh, [Year before Christ 2188] which being reckoned backward from the time that Cambyses K. of Persia conquered Egypt, lead us just to this accompt, about which time Misraim the son of Cham carried his colony into Egypt, which from thence was called sometime the land of Misraim, sometime of Cham, [Psal. 105. 23, 27. Ps. 106. 21. 22.] From whence it was that the Pharasees afterward boasted, that they were the sons of ancient kings, [Esa. 19. 11.]

Serug, [Year of the World 1819. d.] or Saruch, [The Julian Period 2529] was born when Ragau had lived 32 years, [Year before Christ 2185] [ Gen. 11. v. 20.]

Nachor was born when Saruch his father had lived 30 years, [Year of the World 1849. d.] [ Gen. [The Julian Period 2559] 11. [Year before Christ 2155] 22.]

Terach or Tharah was born when Nachor his father was 29 years of age. [Year of the World 1878. d.] [The Julian Period 2588] [Year before Christ 2126]

At this time Egialeus K. of the Sicyonians in Peloponesus began his reign 1313 years before the first Olympiad, [Year of the World 1915. c.] Euseb. [The Julian Period 2625] Chron. [Year before Christ 2079]

And a nation out of Arabia bordering upon Egypt, [Year of the World 1910. c.] called by the Egyptians Hicsi, [The Julian Period 2630] and signify kingly Shepherds, [Year before Christ 2084] brake into Egypt, and took Memphis, and possessed themselves wholly of the lower Egypt bordering upon the mediterranean sea; which Salatis their first K. held by the space of 19 years, as Iosep. in this 1 book cont. Appionem reports out of Manetho.

Beon their second King reigned 44 years, [Year of the World 1939. c.] [ Manetho. ]

Now when Tharah had lived 70 years, [Year of the World 1948. d.] there was born unto him the eldest of his three sons, [The Julian Period 2658] [ Gen. [Year before Christ 2021] 11. v. 26.] and he, not Abram (who as we shall see anon, came not into the world till 60 years after) but Haran, father-in-law afterward of the third brother Nachor, for this man, before ever his father Tharah left Vz of the Chaldeans, died, and left a daughter named Milcam, which was married to his uncle Nachor, [Gen 11. v. 28, 29.]

At this time reigned Apachnas in Egypt, [Year of the World 1983. c.] and continued 36 years, [The Julian Period 2693] 7 months, [Year before Christ 2021] [ Manetho. ]

Phaleg the sixth from Noah, [Year of the World 1996. d.] died 200 and 9 years after the birth of Ragau, [Gen. 11. v. 19.]

Nachor the 9 from Noah, [Year of the World 1997. d.] died 119 years after the birth of his son Tharah, [The Julian Period 2707] [ Gen. [Year before Christ 2007] 11. 25.]

Noah, [Year of the World 2006. d.] died when he had lived 950 years, [The Julian Period 2716] 350 years after the deluge, [Year before Christ 1998] [ Gen. 9. 28, 29]

In the year 2008 of the world, [Year of the World 2008. c.] was Abram born; [The Julian Period 2718] for he was 75 years old, [The Julian Period 2996] when Tharah his father died at the age of 205 years, [ Gen. 11. 32. and Gen. 12. 1, 4. with Acts 7. 4.]

Sarai, [Year of the World 2018. c.] who was also called Iscah the daughter of Haran, [The Julian Period 2728] Abraham's brother, [ Gen. [The Julian Period 2986] 11. 29. 30.] was born, being ten years younger than her husband Abraham, [Gen. 17. 17.]

Apophis reigned in Egypt 61 years, [Year of the World 2020. b.] [ Manetho. ] [The Julian Period 2730] [Year before Christ 1984]

Rehu or Ragau the 7 from Noah, [Year of the World 2026. d.] died 207 years after the birth of Saruch, [The Julian Period 2736] Gen. [Year before Christ 1978] 11. 21.

Serug or Saruch, [Year of the World 2049. d.] the 8 from Noah, [The Julian Period 2059] [Year before Christ 1955] died 200 years after the death of Nachor, [Gen. 11. 23.]

Near about this time it was, [Year of the World 2079. b.] that Chedorlaomer K. of Elam, [The Julian Period 2089] [The Julian Period 1925] or Elimais, situate between Persia and Babylon, subdued the Kings of Pentapolis, to wit, Sodom, Gomorrah, Adma, Seboim and Bela, or Zoar, all which served him twelve years, [ Gen. 14. 1, 2, 4.]

Ianias reigned in Egypt 50 years, [Year of the World 2081. b.] and one month, [The Julian Period 2791] ( Manetho. [Year before Christ 1923] )

God called Abraham out of Uz, [Year of the World 2083. a.] of the Chaldeans, to go into the land that he should show him, [ Gen. 15. 7. Ios. 24. 2, 3. Neh. 9. 7. Acts 7. 2, 3, 4.] Now this Vz, which besides Stephen the Proto-martyr, Abarbenel also, upon [ Gen. 11.] placeth in Mesopotamia, was the habitation of the Priests and Mathematicians, who from their art, were styled by the name of Chaldeans; by which name also; even in Chaldea itself, those Genethliaci, or casters of nativities were distinguished, and known from the rest of the Magi, or wise men of that country, as we find in [ Dan. 2. v. 2, 10. c. 4. v. 7. c. 5. v. 11.] and from these it was, that Terach and his sons learned their Idolatry, [ Ios. 24. 2.] This Terach therefore took Abram his son, and Lot his nephew, the son of H • ran and Sarai his daughter in law, Abram's wife, and taking their journey together from Vz of the Chaldeans, to go into the land of Canaan, came to Carran, in the same country of Mesopotamia: and there made their abode, by reason of the great infirmity and sickness of Terach, [Year of the World c.] and when Terach had fulfilled 205 years, [The Julian Period 2793] he died in Carran, [Year before Christ 1921] [ Gen. 11. v. 31, 32.]

The third Age of the World.

ABram, after his fathers decease, was called again by God, out of his own country, and from his kindred, and from his fathers house; with a further promise, and Evangelical covenant of blessing him, that is, in his blessed seed, our Lord Jesus Christ, all the nations of the earth, [ Gen. 12. 1, 2. and Acts 7. 4.] from which promise, and Abram's departure, which immediately followed, are to be deduced those 430 years which Abram and his posterity spent in foreign lands, [ Ex. 12. 40, 41. and Gal. 3. 17.] placing the first and last day of this their pilgrimage and sojourning, upon the 15 of the month Abib, which this year falls upon the 4 day of May, being wedensday, according to the Julian Calendar; by our accompt.

On this day therefore, Abram when he was 75 years old, following the call of God, took Sarai his wife, and Lot, his brother Harans son, with all the substance, which he had gotten, and souls which God had given him in Carran, and took his journey, and at length came into the land of Canaan: passing through it, till he came to a place called Shechem, to the oak of Moreah, [ Gen. 12. 4, 5, 6.] of which mention is afterward made, [ Gen. 35. 4. Ios. 24. v. 25, 26. and in Judges 9. 6.] where God promised Abram. that to his seed he would give that land, and he there built an Altar to the Lord, which had there appeared to him. Afterward removing from thence he went into the hill-country, called Luz, and in after times, known by the name of Bethel, toward the east, [ Gen. 28. 19.] where again he built an altar, and called upon the name of the Lord: and from thence holding on his journey, he came into the fourth part of that country, which looketh towards Egypt, [ Gen. 12. 7, 8, 9.]

Abram, compelled by a famine, from thence went down into Egypt, where Sarah his wife (who to eschew a danger, [Year of the World 2804. a.] went there by the name of his sister) was taken into Pharaoh, (Apophi ) his house: but was not long after, with great gifts and presents, sent back unto him again untouchit; and, with a safe pass, were both dismissed to depart out of Egypt, [ Gen. 12. 10, 20.]

Then Abram, with Lot returned into Canaan, where when the country which they pitched upon, was not sufficient to feed both their herds of cattle, they parted; and Lot went into the country of Sodom; after whose departures, the promise both of the possession of that land of Canaan, and also of his numberless posterity was again renewed unto him: and then removing from the place between Bethel and Hay, where he had formerly built an Altar, he dwelt in the plain of Mamre, near unto Hebron, & there built an Altar unto the Lord, [ Gen. 13]

Then did Bera K. of Sodom, [Year of the World 2091] with the rest of the petty kings of Pentapolis rebel, [The Julian Period 2801] & shook off the yoke of Chedorlaomer K. of Elam, [Year before Christ 1913] in the 13 year of their subjection unto him, [ Gen. 14. 4.]

And in the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer, [Year of the World 2092. c.] with other confederate Princes, Amraphel of Shinar, Arioc of Ellasur, and Tidal K. of the nations, joining their forces against those petty kings which had revolted from him, first destroyed the Raphaeans, the Zuzaeans, the Aemaeans and Choraeans, who inhabited all that region, which afterward was possessed by the Amalekites, and the Amorites, and after that putting to flight the Kings of Pentapolis in the valley of Siddimor, carried away Lot prisoner with all the plunder of Sodom and Gomorrah: whereof, when tidings came to Abram, he armed his own servants to the number of 318. and with his confederates Haner, Eshcol, and Mamre, overtaking Chedorlaomer and his army with the prey they had gotten at Dan, there they defeated and slew them, and pursued them to Hoba, lying on the left hand of Damascus: and thereby rescued Lot, and the rest of the prisoners out of the enemies hand, and brought them back again with all that they had lost. And when Abram returned from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the other Kings, Melchizedek the K. of Salem met him, and blessed him, being himself a Priest of the highest God; and Abram, on the other side offered him the tithe of the spoil, which he had taken, yet kept he nothing thereof to himself, but restored to every man his own again; leaving what was not owned to his companies in that service, [ Gen. 14.] And now God, finding Abram grieved for that he had no issue, promised him a posterity equal to the stars of heaven in number, which after 400 years sojourning and affliction in a land that was none of theirs, he promised to bring into the land foretold unto him, and bound that promise with a covenant to perform it, [ Gen. 15.]

Sarai longing for that blessed seed, [Year of the World 2093] and seeing now ten years spent since their coming into the land of Canaan, [The Julian Period 2803] gave him to wife Hagar her servant, [Year before Christ 1911] an Egyptian born, who being great with child of her Mr. Abram; and being evil entreated by her Mrs. for her insolent carriage toward her, fled from her; but being warned of God by his Angel, she returned, and submitted herself to her dame [ Gen. 16. 13, 14.]

Hagar, [Year of the World 2094. b.] bare unto Abram, Ishmael, when he was 86 years old, [The Julian Period 2804] [ Gen. [Year before Christ 1910] 16. 25. 16. and 17. 24, 25.]

Arphaxad the third from Noah, [Year of the World 2096. d.] died 403 years after the birth of Salem, [Gen. 11. 13.]

God making a covenant with Abram, [Year of the World 2107. c.] when he was now 99 years old touching the seed of Isaac, who was to be born of Sarah that time twelve month, gave him the seal of Circumcision (changing both their names, Abram into Abraham, and Sarai into Sarah ) for a sure pledge & testimony of his promise, promising also to favor Ishmael the eldest born, for the fathers sake, which promises; Abraham entertaining and embracing with a lively faith, & true obedience, caused himself, being now 99 years of age, and his son Ishmael then thirty years old, and all his household, to be circumcised, the self-same day wherein it was enjoin'd him. [ Gen▪ 17. 21. to 26.]

Abraham invites Angels coming like men travelling upon the way unto his house: and feasts them, who reiterating the promise of the birth of Isaac, in favor of Sarah declared, with all the judgment of God, intended upon the 5 cities, for their utter destruction; and Abraham fearing what would become of Lot, and his family in Sodom, made intercession to God for the sparing of that place, [ Gen. 18, and 19. v. 29.] Sodom therefor; and Gomorrah and Aadmah, and Seboim, for their horrible sins, perished by fire and brimstone, raining down upon them from heaven, [ Gen. 19.] that they might be an example to all wicked livers in time to come, of the pains of that everlasting fire to be inflicted on them in that lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death [2 Pet. 2, 6. • ud. 7. Ap. 19. 20. c. 20. 10. c. 21. 8.] The monument whereof remaineth unto this day; even the dead sea. The valley of Siddim, where these 5 cities stood in former times, which was full of brimstone and salt pits, being since grown into a vast lake; which from the brimstone therein still floating, is called Lacus Asphaltitis, a lake of brimstone; & from th • salt, mare salsum, the salt sea, [Gen. 14. 3, 10. Deut. 3. 17. c. 29. 23. Zeph. 2. 9. Wisd. 10. 6, 7.] of which, Solinus thus writeth, A great way off from Jerusalem, there lies a woeful spectacle, of a country to be seen, which that it was heretofore blasted from heaven, appears by the blackness of the earthfalling all to cinders. There were in that place heretofore seated two Cities, one called Sodom, the other Gomorrah, whereof an apple grow, though it seem to have a show of maturity and ripeness, yet it is not eateable at all; for the outmost skin thereof, containeth nothing within it save a stinking steeme, mingled with ashes, and being never so lightly touched, sendeth forth a smoke, and the rest falls presently into a light dust or powder.

Lot being hasted out of Sodom by the Angels, avoided the destruction, by flying to a little city, called Bela, which from thence was called Zoas; but his wife was turned into a pillar of salt; and Lot himself, fearing to continue at Zoar, left the plain country, and betook him to the Hill, as he was commanded, carrying his two daughters with him, [ Gen. 19.]

Abraham, going from the plain of Mamre, towards the south, that he might dwell at a place which was afterward called Beersheba, was entertained by Abimelech, K. of the Philistines, at Gerar, where Sarah, going once again under the name of his sister, was rest from him. But the K. being reproved therefore, and punished by God, restored her untouchit to her husband, with large gifts and presents added thereto, and by his prayers Abimelech and all his house were healed of their infirmities, [ Gen. 20.]

When Abraham was now 100, [Year of the World 2108. c.] and Sarah 90 years of age, [The Julian Period 2818] the fore-promised son Isaac was born unto them, [The Julian Period 2896] [ Gen. 17. 17, 21. c. 21. 1, 7. Rom. 4. 19.] nor long after was it, that Moab and Amon were born to Lot, who was both father, and grandfather to them, [ Gen. 19. 36, 37, 38.

When Isaac was weaned, Abraham made a great • east, and Sarah spying Ishmael the son of Hagar the Egyptian jesting with, or rather mocking (as in Gen. 39. 14. that word is taken) nay even persecuting (as the Apostle, [ Gal. 4. 29.] expoundeth it) her son Isaac; as challenging to himself, by way of eldership, the right of inheritance in his fathers estate, said unto Abraham, Cast forth this handmaid with her son, for the son of his handmaid shall not be heir with my son Isaac; which though he took very grievously at the first, yet he did it; God having said unto him, in Isaac shall thy seed be called, [Gen. 21. 8, 12. and Rom. 9. 7, 8. and Heb. 11. 17, 18.] where observe that Isaac is called his only begotten son. But among the Hebrews there is a difference of opinions; some holding that this was done in the 5 year after Isaac's weaning; others in the 12. but we choosing a shorter time of age, reckon that Ishmael was cast out with his mother, when he was 18 years old, saith St Jerome, writing of the traditions of the Jews, upon Genesis: so that from this declaration of the elect seed, and persecution (as the Apostle termeth it) of Isaac, by Hagar's son, many of them, reckon the 400 years; which the seed of Abraham was to be a stranger and sojourner, and afflicted in a foreign land, as God had foretold unto him [ Gen. 15. 13. Acts 7. 6.] For that those 400 years were to be completed at the instant of the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt, appears ( Gen. 15. 14. Ex. 12. 35, 36.) compared each with other; though the ordinary gloss out of Austin, refers the beginning of the account, to the very birth of Isaac, as if the Scripture called the number of 405 by the name of 400 years, as in a round sum, or number.

Salah the fourth from Noah, [Year of the World 2126 d.] died 403 years after the birth of Heber, [Year of the World 2106] [ Gen. [Year before Christ 1878] 11. v. 15.]

Assis reigned in Egypt by the space of 49 years two months: [Year of the World 2131 b.] Manetho. [The Julian Period 2841] [Year before Christ 1873]

By faith Abraham, [Year of the World 2133] when he was tried, [The Julian Period 2843] offered up his son Isaac; [Year before Christ 1871] considering with himself, that God was able by his power, to raise him again from the dead; whence also he did receive him, in a manner, [ Heb. 11. v. 17, 19.]

Now Josephus reports that at this time Isaac was 25 years old. lib. 1. Antiq. 14. (all. 22.) and that he was at that time of good years, may be gathered from this, that he was able to carry so much wood, as was to go to the burning and consuming of such a whole burnt offering, as himself was then intended by Abraham to have been made, Gen. 22. v. 6.

Sarah being 127 years of age, [Year of the World 2145 b.] died in Hebron, [The Julian Period 2855] for whose burial Abraham bought the cave in the field of Macpelah, [Year before Christ 1859] which was the first possession that he gat in the land of Canaan, of Ephron the Hittite, for a sum of money, Gen. 23. v. 12, 19. 20. But as Abraham is registered to us for the father of the faithful, Rom. 4. v. 11, 12. So is Sarah for the mother of the faithful, 1 Pet. v. 3, 6. and she is the only woman whose full and entire age is mentioned in the Scripture.

Abraham being careful to get a wife for his son Isaac, [Year of the World 2148 d.] sent his chief servant, [The Julian Period 2858] Eliesar of Damascus, [Year before Christ 1856] Gen. 15. v. 2. (taking first an oath of him) to look out one for him: who going by the guidance of God into Mesopotamia, there obtained for him Rebeka the daughter of Bethuel, sister to Laban the Syrian, whom Isaac receiving for his wife, brought into the tent of his mother Sarah; and by the solace and content which he took in her, put off the dolor and grief which he conceived upon the death of his mother, who was departed this life three years before, Gen. 24. v. 1. 67. and he was forty years old when he married his wife Rebeka, Gen. 25. v. 20.

About this time began the reign of the Argivi in Peloponesus, 1080 years before the first Olympiad, as Eusebius in his Chronicle reporteth, out of Castor.

The first that there reigned was Inachus, who reigned 50 years; of whom Erasmus, in the proverb, Inacho antiquior, speaketh; unto which also I refer that of the most learned Varro, in his 17 book of Human Affaires, (cited by A. Gellius in his first book, Noctium Attic. c. 16. and of Macrobius: lib. 1 Saturnal. ) where he saith, To the beginning of Romulus are reckoned more than 1100 years: For from the beginning of Inachus his reign, according to the accompt of Castor, there mentioned, unto the Palilia, or solemn Festivals of Pales (the country Goddess among the Romans ) mentioned by Varro, are reckoned 1102 years.

Sem the son of Noah died 500 years after the birth of Arphaxad, [Year of the World 2158 d.] Gen. [The Julian Period 2868] 11. v. [Year before Christ 1846] 11.

When Rebeka had continued barren nineteen years after her marriage, [Year of the World 2167. d.] Isaac in great devotion made prayer unto God in her behalf; [The Julian Period 2877] and she thereupon conceived twins, [Year before Christ 1837] Gen. 25. v. 21.

When the twins strove in the womb, [Year of the World 2168. c.] Rebeka asked counsel of God; by whom it was answered, that the hands of two differing and disagreeing Nations should proceed out of her in that birth, of which the one should be stronger than the other, and that the elder should serve the younger. But at the time of her travel, the first that came forth was ruddy all over, and like to a shag garment, and his name was called Esau; then came forth the other, holding the former by the heel, whereupon he was called by the name of Jacob; and Isaac their father, at the time of their birth, was sixty years old, Gen. 25. v. 22. Hosea, 12. v. 3.

Manetho writes, [Year of the World 2179] that Thethmosis King of Thebais, or the uper Egypt, besieged the Hicksos or Shepherds, shut up in a place called Auarim (containing 10000 acres of ground) with an army of four hundred and fourscore thousand men: but that finding no possibility of taking them, took this end with them, that they should leave Egypt, and go freely whither they would, and that they, with all their substance and goods, being in number no less than four hundred and forty thousand, passing through Egypt, went by the way of the wilderness into Syria, and that for dread they had of the Assyrians, who then possessed all Asia, they built themselves a City in the land of Judea, as it is now called, bigg enough to receive so vast a multitude of inhabitants, and called it Hierosolyma, i. e. Jerusalem: so says Manetho in Josephus lib. 1. contra Appionem Grammaticum, which ( Appion in his 4. book of Egyptian affairs ) calls this king, Amosis, and proves out of the Annals of Ptolomaeus Mendesius an Egyptian Priest, that he was contemporary to Inachus afore-mentioned, King of the Argivi, as Tatian the Assyrian (in his Oration against the Greeks. ) Justin Martyr, ( in his Paraenetion or Exhortatory to the Greeks. ) Clemens Alexandrinus in his first book of his Stromata, and others do report; all which following Josephus and Iustus Tiberiensis understand as meant of the Israelites, because they traded much in sheep, Gen. 46. v. 33, 34. and 47. v. 3. and because they went out of Egypt into Canaan: and therefore conceive that Moses contemporary with Inachus, was the man that conducted them in that journey; whereas those things seem rather to refer to the Phoenicians, whom Herodotus (in the beginning of his History, and in the 89 chapter of his seventh book) reporteth to have come from the red Sea; and seated themselves in Palestine, for that the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt fell out many and many years after Inachus, the course of all Chronology doth undoubtedly declare.

Thethmosis, [Year of the World 2180. c.] all. Amosis, [The Julian Period 2890] having driven out these shepherds, [Year before Christ 1824] reigned in the lower Egypt by the space of twenty five years and four months. [ Manetho. ]

Abraham, [Year of the World 2183. c.] when he was 175 years old, [The Julian Period 2893] and one hundred years after his coming into Canaan, [Year before Christ 1821] departed this life, and was buried by his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, in his cave at Macpelah, with Sarah his wife, [ Gen. 25. v. 7, 10.] He lived fifteen years after the birth of Jacob, with whom he is said also to have lived in tents, [ Heb. 11. v. 9.]

Heber, [Year of the World 2187. d.] the fifth from Noah, died 430 years after the birth of his son Peleg, [Gen. 11. v. 17.] This man lived the longest of any that was born after the flood; and out-lived Abraham himself; and from him Abraham came first to be surnamed the Hebrew, [Gen. 14. v. 13.] and in after times, all the posterity of his Grandchild Jacob, were known by the same name, [ Gen. 40. v. 15.] Where note that Canaan, was styled the land of the Hebrews, while the Canaanite was yet living in that land.

About this time, [Year of the World 2200] the promises formerly made unto Abraham, [The Julian Period 2910] were, [Year before Christ 1804] as it seemeth, fully performed to his son Isaac, such as were, I will multiply thy seed, as the stars of heaven; And, To thy seed will I give this Land: And, In thy seed, shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed, [Gen. 26. v. 4.]

Ch • bron reigned in Egypt 13 years, [Year of the World 2205. d.] [ Manetho. ] [The Julian Period 2915] [The Julian Period 2749]

Esau, [Year of the World 2208. c.] being 40 years old, took two wives, of the land of the Hittites, Judith the daughter of Beeri, and Basematham the daughter of Elon: which were very troublesome, and bitterly bent against Rebeka, [Gen. 26. v. 34, 35,] compared with [ c. 27. v. 46.] and with [ c. 28. v. 8.]

At this time the Ogygian, Deluge befell in the country of Attica 1020 years before the first Olympiad: as is reported out of Hellanicus, Castor, Thalus, Diodorus Siculus, and Alexander Polyhistor in his third book of his Chronographie, by Julius Africanus, as we find it in Eusebius his book, de Praep. Evang. which yet Varro his accounts, makes to have been three hundred years before.

Amenophis reigned in Egypt 20 years, [Year of the World 2218. d.] 7 months. [The Julian Period 2928] [ Manetho. [Year before Christ 1786] ]

Ishmael, [Year of the World 2231. b.] Abraham's son, [The Julian Period 2941] at the age of 137 years, [Year before Christ 1773] died. [ Gen. 25. v. 17.]

Am-essis, [Year of the World 2239. b.] the sister of Amenophis, [The Julian Period 2949] reigned in Egypt 21 years, [Year before Christ 1765] 9 months. [ Manetho. ]

Euechous began to reign in Chaldea, [Year of the World 2242] two hundred twenty four years before the Arabians, [The Julian Period 2952] [ Julius Affricanus: [Year before Christ 1762] ] which seemeth to be the same with Belus of Babylon, or Jupiter Belus, worshiped afterwards by the Chaldeans as a god. [ Isa. 46. verse. 1. Ier. 50. verse. 2. and 51. v. 41.]

Isaac now grown old and blind, [Year of the World 2245. a.] in the 44 ^th year before his death, [The Julian Period 2954] sent Esau his elder son, to take some venison for him, [Year before Christ 1760] purposing to bless him at his return; but Jacob his younger son, by the subtle counsel of his mother, coming disguised in his clothes, and with savory meat in his hand, stole away the blessing, unwitting to his father; and the blessing, though so got, God confirmed ever after. But Jacob seeing that for so doing, his brother followed him with a deadly hatred, and being desirous to avoid his traps, willing also to take a wife of his own kindred, asking first his fathers blessing, he took his journey into Mesopotamia to his uncle Laban. But in his journey, by the vision of a ladder, God confirmed to him, all the blessings formerly given to his father, and assured him of his grace and favor for the future, in remembrance whereof, Jacob set up a pillar, and changed the name of the place from Luz, to Bethel, and there made a vow to God. And coming at length to Carran, and continuing a months time with Laban, fell in love with Rachel his daughter, and covenanted to serve him seven years for her, [ Gen. 27. v. 1. and 29. v. 20.] with [ Hosea 12. v. 12.] now that this fell upon the 77 year of Jacob's age, will appear by that which will be said, upon the year of the World, 2259.

Esau, seeing that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away into Mesopotamia, thereto take him a wife, and that he liked not the daughers of Canaan, to pacify his fathers mind, who was offended with him for marrying his first wife out of Canaan, took a second wife Mahalatha, the daughter of Ishmael, the son of Abraham, [Gen. 28. v. 6, 9.]

Esau had been now a married man 37 years, and was 77 years old; whereas Jacob, who was as old as he, had all this while, lived a Bachelor; but being now mindful of his fathers command, he demanded Rachel his wife to be given to him; using this for a reason, that his days were now full, [Gen. 29. v. 21.] that is that he was now of an age ripe for marriage, as Tremellius expoundeth it: though Tho. Lidyate would rather have it understood of that instant month or period of time completed, wherein Laban, from the beginning, intended to make proof of Jacob's industry, and sufficiency in the managing of affairs committed to his charge, before he would bestow his daughter on him: which no doubt was mentioned at his first arrival there; seeing it was the only cause of his coming thither.

But by the fraud of Laban, instead of Rachel, Leah the elder daughter was put in bed unto him: nevertheless, at the end of the marriage week, [ Judges 14. v. 12, 17.] Rachel also was espoused to him; upon covenant of serving seven years more for her; and Laban gave unto Leah, his maid-servant Zilpah for a hand maid, and to Rachel he gave Billah, and when Leah was not so gracious in Jacob's eye, as Rachel was: the one by God's appointment remained barren, the other was made a mother of four children, successively in four years, [ Gen. 29. 21, 22, &c.

Of Leah was born unto Jacob, [Year of the World 2246] his eldest son Reuben, [The Julian Period 2956] [ Gen. [Year before Christ 1758] 29. 32.] who for his incest committed with Billah his fathers concubine; lost afterward, his right of the first born, [Gen. 35. 22. and 49. 3, 4. and 1 Chron. 5. 1.]

Simeon was borne. [Year of the World 2247] [The Julian Period 2957] [Year before Christ 1457]

Levi was born, [Year of the World 2248] v. 34. [The Julian Period 2958] [Year before Christ 1756]

Judah was born [ v. 35.] [Year of the World 2249. c.] from whom the Jews took their name. [The Julian Period 2959] [Year before Christ 1755]

Rachel, [Year of the World 2259. c.] afterward by the blessing of God, proving fruitful, bare Joseph unto him, at the end of his fourteen years service, and then asking leave of Laban to return into his own country; he was held there six years more upon another bargain made between him, and his father in law Laban: for a certain part of his flock, [ Gen. 30. 22, 25, 31. with 31. v. 41.] now that Jacob was 91 years old when Joseph was born, and consequently, 77 years old, when he first began to serve Laban, appears by this, for that Jacob being 130 years of age, when he first stood before Pharaoh, which was when the seven years of plenty were passed, and two of the famine spent, [ Gen. 45. 6. with 47. 9.] Joseph was then 39 years old, as being 30 years of age, what time he first came into Pharaohs presence, immediately before the seven years of plenty began, [ Gen. 41. 32, 46.]

Mephres reigned in Egypt, [Year of the World 2261. a.] 12 years, [The Julian Period 2971] 9 months, [Year before Christ 1743] [ Manetho. ]

Jacob, [Year of the World 2265. c.] perceiving the heart-burning of Laban, and his sons malice toward him, was warned of God to return into his own country: which having communicated to his wives; while Laban was shearing his sheep, at the latter end of the spring (as will appear anon upon the 2974 ^th year of the world) after his 20 years service, getting away unknown to Laban, with all his substance, wives, and family, passed over the river Euphrates, [ Gen. 31. 1, 3, 19, 21, 38, 41.] But whereas it is said that there were twelve sons born him in Mesopotamia, [ Gen. 35. 22, 26.] Benjamin is not to be reckoned among them, who was certainly born afterward in the land of Canaan, not far from Bethlehem, [ 16. v. 18, 19.] in like manner, as the twelve Apostles are counted, though to make up that number, Judas was wanting, John 20. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 1.] of which matter, Augustine more at large, in his 117 Question upon Genesis.

Laban three days after (for so many days journey was Laban off from the place where Jacob kept his sheep) hearing that his son in law was gone, took some of his friends and kindred along with him, and pursued after him, seven days journey, and at last overtook him in mount Gilead; which took its name, from this their meeting there, for after many and divers expostulations which passed there between them, making all fair at last, for a testimony and monument of their covenant and agreement there made, Jacob erected a pillar, with a heap of stones: which Laban the Syrian, called Iegar sahadutha: but Jacob the Hebrew called Galaad, (i.e. ) the heap of a testimony, or witness between them two. Gen. 31. 47, 48.]

Jacob being sent away in peace by Laban, but affrighted with the news of his brother Esaues approach with a band of men, divided his company, into two bands, calls upon God: sends before him presents to his brother Esau: and as well by a strong wrestling with the Angel, as by the name of Israel given him by God, grows into a sure trust of the help of God, [ Gen. 32. with Hosea 12 3, 4.]

Esau, entertaining his brother courteously; after much entreaty, accepts of his presents, offers himself with his company to conduct him on his way; and when Jacob would not, took his leave of him, and departed: Jacob then went on to Succoth; so then called by him, for there he built him a house, and cotts for his sheep, from whence it was called Succoth. Afterward passing over Jordan, he came into Canaan, and pitched his tent in Salem, a city of the Shechemites; in a parcel of ground, which he had bought of the sons of Hamor the Sichemite, for an hundred pieces of silver: and there he built an altar, which he called by the name of El-Elohe-Israel; or of the mighty God, the God of Israel, [Gen. 33.] to wit, in the self same place, where Abraham heretofore had built his first altar: [ Gen. 12. 6, 7.] and where Jacob's well was, near unto mount Gersim: of which the woman of Samar • a, speaking to our Savior said, our Fathers worshiped in this mountain, [John 4. 5, 6, 12, 20.] for that that mountain was placed in the country of the Shechemites, appeareth, [ Judges. 9. 7.]

Mephramu • hosis reigned in Egypt 25 years: [Year of the World 2273. d.] 10 months, [The Julian Period 2983] [ Manetho. [Year before Christ 1731] ]

Joseph being 17 years of age, [Year of the World 2276. c.] told his father of his brethren's unthriftiness, and was foreshowed by God that he should one day come to be the best man of all his fathers family; but fell thereby into so deadly a hatred and malice of his brethren, that first they conspired his death: and at length agreed to sell him away for a bond-slave into a far country: so drawing him out of the pit, whereinto they had cast him they sold him to the Ishmaelitish and the Midianitish Merchants (both which nations sprang from their grandfather Abraham ) for 20 pieces of silver: and was by them carried away into Egypt, and there sold for a slave to Potipher, captain of the Guard to Pharaoh, [Gen. 37. 2, 36.] Justin also, in his Epitome of Trogus Pompeius; lib. 36. cap. 2. makes mention of Joseph, and that his brethren, envying the excellency of his wit, getting him privily into their hands, sold him away to foreign Merchants, and that they carried him into Egypt.

Joseph, [Year of the World 2287. c.] upon occasion being cast there into prison, [The Julian Period 2997] [Year before Christ 1717] interpreted to two Officers of Pharaoh's Court, to each of them his dream, just two years before he was brought into Pharaoh's presence, [ Gen. 40. with 41. 1.]

Isaac died at the age of 180 years, [Year of the World 2288. c.] and was buried by his two sons, [The Julian Period 2998] Esau and Jacob, [Year before Christ 1716] [ Gen. 35. 28, 29]

Pharaoh, [Year of the World 2289. b.] when he could not get his dreams, [The Julian Period 2999] which he had dreamed, [Year before Christ 1715] to be expounded by his own wise men; hearing of Joseph's dexterity that way, sent for him; being then 30 years old, who having opened to the King his dreams; first that of the seven years plenty, then the seven years famine, added moreover, his advise, how to provide out of the store of the first seven years of plenty, against the famine of the other seven years of scarcity, which were to follow. Whereupon Pharaoh, by the general assent of all his Nobles, made him Governor of the whole Kingdom: giving him to wife Asenah the daughter of Potipher, Governor of the Onii or Heliopolitan in Egypt, [ Gen. 41. 1, 46.] Justin also out of Trogus Pompeius says, that he was very great with Pharaoh: For, saith he, he was most exquisite in expounding of prodigies or signs, and was the first that found out, and taught the art of the interpretation of dreams: neither was there any part of divine or human right, which seemed to be unknown to him; insomuch, that he foretold a famine, many years before; wherewith all Egypt had perished, unless the King by his advice, had caused corn to be laid up in store many years before it came.

From the harvest of this year, [Year of the World C] being to be counted 7 years of plenty, wherein Joseph laid up an infinite treasure of corn, and had born unto him of Asenah his wife, two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, [Gen. 41. 47, 53.]

The seven years of the famine began from the harvest of this year, [Year of the World 2296. c.] whrein the forecast, [The Julian Period 3006] and wisdom of Joseph, [Year before Christ 1708] did not only sustain Egypt, but was a help and relief to sundry other countries likewise, [ Gen. 41. 54, 57.]

Jacob dispatched away ten of his sons into Egypt to buy corn; [Year of the World 2297. d.] whom Joseph, seeming not [The Julian Period 3007] to know them, [Year before Christ 1707] caused to be taken for spies, and they being laid in hold, could not be discharged, till Simeon, the eldest and chief of them, who consented to sell him, was cast into prison, and left in pawn, that the rest should bring before him Benjamin, their youngest brother, born of Rachel, Josephs own mother: and now being dismissed, they carried away their corn, and with it the money, which they had paid for, being conveyed into their several sacks, by the secret appointment of Joseph; they tell their father Jacob, all that had happened to them: and withal, declare unto him, the necessity laid upon them, of carrying their youngest brother Benjamin into Egypt, persuading him by all means to let him go: but all in vain, [ Gen. 42.]

Jacob, [Year of the World 2298. b.] pressed with famine, [The Julian Period 3008] sent again his sons, [Year before Christ 1706] and with them Benjamin their brother furnished with double money, and other presents unto Joseph to buy more corn, and they at their return were courteously entertained, and feasted by him, and Simeon was set at liberty, and restored to them, [ Gen. 43.]

And when they were all to go away, Joseph arrested them, for stealing his cup; which he had caused privily to be conveyed into Benjamins sack: which crime they endeavored to put off by showing how truly they meant, by bringing again the money which they found in their sacks, when they came home, offering themselves to die, or to be his bondslaves, if any such thing could be proved against them: But in the end, the cup being found with Benjamin, and they brought back to Joseph, they all yielded themselves to him for his bondslaves: which when he refused, saying he would have none but him with whom the cup was found, Judah then humbly offered himself to serve him in Benjamins stead, [ Gen. 44.]

Joseph hearing Judah to make this offer, discovered himself to his brethren, and seeing them all amazed at the remembrance of the sin, which they had formerly committed against him, comforted them, by showing how that act of theirs was so wrought by the providence of God; and then, out of the Kings store, and by his command, furnished them all with carriages and provision for their journey, to go, and to return with all speed, bringing their father, and their own several families with them: which when they related to their father, he would not believe, until he saw the coaches, and other things answerable, all fitted for his transportation into Egypt, [ Gen. 45.]

Jacob, after sacrifices offered, being strengthened by God, with all his family, in the beginning of the third year of the famine, went down into Egypt, being then 130 years old, [ Gen. 45. 6. c. 46. 1, 27. c. 47. 9. Deut. 26. 5.]

Joseph, letting Pharaoh know of the arrival of his kindred in Egypt, brought his father and five of his brethren unto his presence: and having communed with them, assigned them a fitting place in the land of Goshen; where they were provided of all necessaries by Joseph, [ Gen. 47. 1, 12.]

Muthamuthrosis deceasing, [Year of the World 2299 d.] Thmosis reigned in Egypt 9 years 8 months [ Manetho. [The Julian Period 3009] ] [Year before Christ 1705]

Joseph heaped together, [Year of the World 2300] all the moneys which were to be found in Egypt and Canaan, [The Julian Period 3010] for the corn which he had sold unto them, [The Julian Period 3704] [ Gen. 47. v. 14.]

When the money of both these countries was spent; [Year of the World 2301] the Egyptians then sold all their flocks and herds of cattle unto Joseph, for food to live upon that year [ Gen. 47. 15, 16, 17.]

At the end of this year, [Year of the World 2302] when their money and stock of cattle was all gone, [The Julian Period 3012] the Egyptians then sold both their lands and liberties unto Joseph: [Year before Christ 1702] who thereupon supplied them with corn to feed them, and also with seed, to sow their ground withal, in this seventh and last year of the famine, to receive it again the year following, when the barrenness of the earth was over; and to the end, that Pharaoh might have a full title and possession of the lands so bought, Joseph removed and transplaced them, every man from one side of the country to the other, and there assigned unto every man land to till and to manure, reserving nevertheless out of the profits, a fifth part to Pharaohs own use, yearly, by a fundamental law of that kingdom: only the chief Governors, and the Priests lands, came not into Pharaohs hands, because these living of the kings allowance, had no need to sell their lands for food as others had.

Amenophis reigned in Egypt 30 years 10 months, [Year of the World 2309 b.] [ Manetho. ] [The Julian Period 3019] [Year before Christ 1695]

Jacob drawing toward his end, [Year of the World 2315] adopted Ephraim and Manasseh the sons of Joseph, and blessing them, by instinct from God, set the younger before the elder, [ Gen. 48. Hebr. 11. 21.] then calling his sons together, blessed them all; foretold what should betide them in their several generations, and uttered to them that memorable prophesy of the Messias: and taking order with them concerning his burial, died when he had lived 147 years: whereof he had spent 17 years in the land of Egypt, [ Gen. 49. compared with 47. 25.]

The body of Jacob being embalmed by the appointment of Joseph, was kept by the space of 40 days: lamentation was made over him by the Egyptians 70 days, and with Pharaohs leave, was conveyed into the land of Canaan by Joseph and his brethren, acompanied with a great train of the principal men of Pharaohs court; where lamentation was again made over him 7 days, and was buried with his kindred in the cave at Macpelah, as himself had given order for it, [ Gen. 50. 15.—21.]

Orus reigned in Egypt 36 years 5 months, [Year of the World 2340. b.] [ Manetho. ] [The Julian Period 3050] [Year before Christ 1664]

By faith Joseph on his death-bed spake of the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt; [Year of the World 2369. c.] and gave order that his bones might be carried with them, [The Julian Period 3079] and then departed this life, [Year before Christ 1675] in the 110 years of his age: having seen of his offspring to the third generation, [ Gen. 50. 22.—26. H • br. 11. 22.] to wit, Shutelach and Tachan, the sons of his son Ephraim, and Hadan or Haran, [ Num. 26. 36.] the son of Shutelach, and Macir the son of Manasseh, and Gilead Manasles his grand child, From whence it is, that the Greek Expositors, speaking of the families of Jacob and Joseph, which were said to consist of 70 souls, [ Gen. 46. 27. Deut. 10. 22.] adding thereunto these five which were borne unto Joseph in Egypt, upon [1 Chron. 7.] reckon them in all 75 persons: out of all which appears, that Joseph held on his rule and government of the state of Egypt, which lasted full 80 years, under several Pharaohs, as Eusebius in his Chronicle, hath rightly observed, and digested in this manner: • oseph, saith he, was made Governor of Egypt, in the 30 year of his age; when his father Jacob was 122 years old: which government he held 80 years, after whose decease the Hebrews were held in bondage by the Egyptians 144 years: so the whole time which the Hebrews spent in Egypt, was 215 years: reckoned from the time, that Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt.

The books of Genesis end with the death of Joseph containing the story of 2369 years space, which book, that it was written by Moses himself, is the opinion of the Talmudists in their Baba-bathra, lib. 1. and so is it generally believed by all the Hebrews. Thesum whereof is delivered by Servius sulpicius, in the first book of his Historia sacra: thus, In this tract of time lived Job: a man embracing the law of nature, and the knowledge of the true God, and all righteousness, rich in substance, and the more noted, for that neither the enjoyment of those riches corrupted, nor the loss of them depraved him in his way. For when as, first being spoiled of his goods by Satan, he was also bereft of his children; and at last tormented with grievous boches and sores in his body, he could yet never be drawn, thorough impatience, to sin in any sort: whereof having first received a testimony from God's own mouth; he was afterward restored to his former health, and had cast into his bosom double, of what ever he possessed before.

Acenchres the son of Orus reigned in Egypt 12 years 1 month: [Year of the World 2376. c.] [ Manetho. ] [The Julian Period 3086] [Year before Christ 1628]

Levi died in Egypt, [Year of the World 2385] aged 137 years, [ Exod. 6. 16.] [The Julian Period 3095] being grandfather by the mothers side to Moses and Aaron, [Year before Christ 1919] and great grand-father by the Fathers. For when Levi had begotten Kohath in Canaan, who died at the age of 133 years, and a daughter called Iochebad in Egypt, Amram the son of Kohath took to wife Iocebed the daughter of Levi, his own Aunt, and of that marriage (expressly afterward forbidden) [ Levite. 18. 12. and 20. 19.] had Moses and Aaron, and their sister Miriam, and having attained to the age of his grand-father, and withal his father in law, which was 137 years, died a little before the departure of the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, Exod. 2. 1, 6, 18, 20. Numb. 26. 59.

Rathotis, [Year of the World 2388] the son of Acenchres, [The Julian Period 3098] reigned in Egypt 9 years: [Year before Christ 1616] [ Manetho. ]

The Ethiopians, [Year of the World 2389] coming from as far as from the river Indus, [The Julian Period 3099] sat down upon the borders of Egypt. [Year before Christ 1615] [ Euseb. Chron. ] to which that place of the Panegyrist resers, where he saith, Let the victories of Egypt give place to this: under which the Ethiopian and Indus both did tremble, and that Ethiopia, which is to the southward of Egypt, is now called, the greater India, is delivered by J. Potken in his Ethiopian Psalter printed at Rome 1513.

Acenchres, [Year before Christ 1397] the son of Rathotis, [The Julian Period 3120] reigned in Egypt 12 years 5 months: [Year before Christ 1594] [ Manetho. ]

Armais reigned there 4 years 1 month: [Year of the World 2422. a.] [ Manetho. ] [The Julian Period 3132] [Year before Christ 1578]

Ramesses reigned in Egypt 1 year 4 months: [Year of the World 2426. c.] [ Manetho. ] [The Julian Period 3136] [Year before Christ 1582]

Ramesses Miamun reigned there 66 years a months; [Year of the World 2427. d.] the latter part of whose surname seems to have been deduced from the forepart of the name Amen-op his; by which name both his son after him, and sundry also of his predecessors were called; but the former part of it from the word Moy: which with the Egyptians signifieth water, as Josephus l. 1. contra, Apion. and Clemens Alexand. l. 1. stromat, and Soudas (in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) affirms, whence also those writers, who deliver all by way of Fables, called Mythologians give him the name of Neptune, the feigned God of the waters, as shall be shown upon the year 2533. This is that new king, which knew not Joseph, as being born after his death, and remembered no more the great benefits received from him. And by his policy it was that the Egyptians, taking a fright at the number and strength of the Israelites in the land, overlaid them with a heavy and cruel bondage, laying upon them, over and above their continual labor and tillage of the ground, the building also of the Kings magazines and store-houses: and the whole cities of Raamsis, or Ramesis: [Exod. 1. 8. 14. Acts 7. 18, 19.] the later whereof took its name, as Mercator thinketh, from Ramesses the founder of it, and the other perhaps from his Queen.

Aaron was borne 3 years before his brother Moses; [Year of the World 2430. b.] eighty three years, [The Julian Period 3140] before the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, [Year before Christ 1574] [ Exod. 7. 7.]

The ungodly king, [Year of the World 2431] when he could not prevail with Shiphra and Pua two principal midwives of the Hebrew women, [The Julian Period 3141] privily to make away the male children of them, [Year before Christ 1573] set forth a barbarous edict, to destroy them all, by drowning them in the river, [ Exod. 1. 15.—22. Acts 7. 19, 20. in the time which interceded between the birth of Aaron and Moses.

Jocebed, [Year of the World 2433] 41 years after the death of her Father Levi, [The Julian Period 3143] [Year before Christ 1571] bare Moses to Amram, her nephew and husband, for Moses was 80 year old, when he first spake unto Pharaoh, to let the children of Israel go, [ Exod. 7. 7.] and the 40 year, after that he died, in the 12 month, being then 120 years of age, [ Deut. 31. 2. and 34. 7.

Now for as much as Moses, (God so disposing) was a lovelie child to look on, as Justin also out of Trogus Pompeius, mentions him to have been, his parents, hid him 3 months in their house, and did not regard the kings edict, [ Exod. 2. 2. Acts 7. 20. Heb. 11. 23.]

But when as, by the over diligent inquiry made by the kings searchers, and their bad neighbors the Egyptians, he was at length found out, they put him in a basket of bullrushes, daubed over with slime and brimstone, and laid it in the flags, by the brim of the river, his sister, Miriam, or Mary, [Numb. 26. 59, 1 Chron. 6. 3.] standing a loof of from the place, to see what would become of him. But Pharaohs daughter (whom Josephus 2. Antiq. c. 5. all. 9. calleth Thermutin, and so doth Epiphanius, in Panario, and others) finding him there, put him forth to be nursed, as it fell out, to his own mother Jocebed; and afterward adopted him for her son, and • caused him to be brought up, and instructed him in all manner of science and learning of the Egyptians, [ Exod. 2. 5. 10. with Acts 7. 21, 22.]

Cecrops, [Year of the World 2448] an Egyptian, [The Julian Period 3158] transporting a colonie of the Saits into Attica, [Year before Christ 1556] as we learn out of Diodorus Siculus. lib. 1. set up there the kingdom of the Athenians, 780 years before the 1. Olympiad, as Eusebius in Chron. reporteth out of Castor, from this Cecrops his time, the Cronologie of the I will of Paros, published by that most learned J. Selden, among his Marmora Arundelliana, deduceth his History or Antiquities of Greece, for that after him & Moses, who was contemporarie with him, so many memorable things fell out in Greece; as Deucalions flood, Phaetous fire, the birth of Ericthonius, the rape of Proserpina, the mysteries of Ceres, the institution of the Elesinian sacrifices, Triptolemus his art of tilling the ground, the carrying away of Europa by Jupiter, the birth of Apollo, the building of Thebes, by Cadmus, and those of somewhat a later time, Bacchus, Minos, Perseus, Esculapius, Castor & Pollux, Hercules. Euseb. l. 10. de Praep. Ev. c. 9.

In the 18 year of this Cecrops, [Year of the World 2465] the Chaldeans made war, [The Julian Period 3175] and fought with the Phoenicians, [The Julian Period 3539] [ Euseb. Chron. ]

In this war, [Year of the World 2466] the Chaldeans being overthrown, [The Julian Period 3176] the Arabians reigned in the country of Babylon 216 years beforee Beius the Assyrian came there to reign. [Year before Christ 1538] The 1 K. of the Arabians was Mardocentes, who reigned there 45 years, Jul. Affric. and seemeth to be the man that is called Merodach: who was afterward reputed by the Babylonians for a god, [ Ier. 50. 2.] from whom the succeeding kings borrowed their names; as Merodoch, Baladan, and Evil-merodach.

Moses being now 40 years of age, [Year of the World 2413] and going to visit his brethren, the Israelites, and beholding their sad condition, when the saw an Egyptian, smiting a man of the Hebrews, slue him. and buried him in the sand; which when he saw was known, not only to his brethren but also to Pharaoh; who thereupon sought to have his life, he fled from thence into the land of Madian, where taking to wife Zipporah the daughter of Jethro, he there spent other 40 years of his life, [ Acts. 7. 23, 30. Ex. 2. 11, 22. c. 3. 1. c. 18. 1, 2. Num. 10. 29. Jude 4. 11.]

Caleb the son of Jephunna was borne forty years before he was sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan, [Year of the World 2474] [ Jos. 14. 7, 10.] [The Julian Period 3184] [Year before Christ 1530]

Ramesses Miamun died in the 67 year of his reign; [Year of the World 2494] the length of of his tyranical reign seemeth to be noted, [The Julian Period 3203] [ Exod. [Year before Christ 1491] 2. 23.] in these words: After many years died the K. of Egypt; and the children of Israel groaned and cried out for the burden which they under-went, to wit, the cruel bondage, which continued upon them, even after Ramesses was dead, by the space of 19 years and a half, under his son Amenophis, who succeeded him; for so long and no longer a time of his reign is assigned by Manetho: out of whose whole narration, though stuffed with a multitude of old wives tales, all which are abundantly refuted by Josephus, in his 1 book against Apion: yet there are 2 historical verities clearly appearing in him: 1. that under this Amenophis, the father of Sethosis, all. Ramesses (the 1 K. of the following Dynastie, or successive principality) which Manetho makes the 19, and not under the other Amenophis which was the 3 of that Dynastie (as Josephus vainly surmises) the Israelites, under the conduct of Moses, according to Manethoes relation, departed out of Egypt. 2. That he whom the Egyptians call Amenophis the father of Sethosis and Armais, him the Greeks call Belus, the father of Egyptus, and Danaus. For the time of this Belus, by Thallus the Chronographer (as he is alleged by Theophilus Antiochenus and Lactantius) falls in jump with the age of this Amenophis; though the fable writers confounding this Belus of Egypt, with Belus the Assyrian, the father of Ninus, tell us, that certain Colonies were transported by this Belus (who was drowned in the Red-sea,) into the country of Babylon.

God appeared to Moses, [Year of the World 2513] whiles he was keeping his father in law Jethroes sheep in the mountain of Horeb, [The Julian Period 3323] in a bramble-bush, [Year before Christ 1491] burning, but never consumed with fire, and called him to deliver his people Israel, out of their slavery and bondage in Egypt. And he though he sought by divers excuses to avoid this employment, yet at length, partly by miracles, partly by assurance given him of the assistance of God, and his brother Aaron given him for an assistant, he undertook the work, [ Acts 7. 30, 35. Exod. 3. & 4. 1, 18.]

Moses, taking leave of Jether or Jethro his Father in law, with his family; took his journey for Egypt: but in the way, for neglecting to circumcise his son Eliezer, he was stopped by God, and not suffered to pass, till he had circumcised his son, and from thence sending back his wife Zippo • ah, and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to her father Jethro, and freed from all encombrance, he returned to mount Horeb, where meeting with his brother Aaron, he went on and performed his embassie, confirmed by miracles, in the open sight of the children of Israel, [ Exod. 4. 18, 31. & 18. 1, 6.]

Moses and Aaron, having declared to Pharaoh, the message in which they were sent unto him from God, are charged by him as heads of a mutiny, and sent away with many bad words, and more grievous labors were forthwith laid upon the Israelites, than their daily task formerly came unto: and when their overscers were beaten, because all was not done that was commanded, and they complained thereof (though all in vain) to Pharaoh, they expostulated the matter with Moses and Aaron, and Moses with God: who graciously heard him, and confirmed him to go on in the work he had begun, [ Ex. 5.]

Moses returned to the Israelites, with further instructions from God; but their oppression still increasing, could do no good with them: and thereupon being commanded by God to go again to Pharaoh, he excused himself, [ Exod. 6.]

Moses being now 80, and Aaron 83 years of age, urged thereunto by God, returned again to Pharaoh, where the Magicians by their sorcery, imitating the miracles of Aaron's rod, turned into a serpent, made Pharaoh more obstinate than he was before. [ Ex. 7. 1, 13.] The chief of these magicians which opposed Moses, were Jannes and Jambres, all. Mambres, named by the Apostle, [2 Tim. 3. 8.] whose names are celebrated, not only by the Jews in their Talmudical Treaty of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ( i.e.) of oblations, c. 9. where they are called by the names of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ( i.e. ) Jochanne, and Mamre, and in the Chaldee Paraphrase, attributed to Jonathan upon, [ Ex. 1. 15. & 7. 11.] but also among some heathen writers, for so Numenius Apamaeus, a Pythagorean Philosopher, in his 3 book, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , cited by Euseb. l. 9. Praepar. Evang. c. 8. relates this history: Jannes and Jambres, saith he, interpreters of the mysteries of Egypt, were in great repute, what time the Jews were sent out of Egypt, being in the opinion of all men, inferior to none in the Art of Magic. For by the general voice of the Egyptians, they two were chosen to oppose Moses, ring-leader of the Jews, whose prayers were of all others, most prevalent with God, and they only were able to undo, and frustrate all those most grievous calamities, which Moses brought upon the Egyptians, in the open view and sight of all the Egyptians: whereto also that of Pliny, l. 30. c. 1. is to be referred, where he saith, There is also another sect of Magicians, depending Upon Moses, and Jannes and Iotape Jews. Wherein nevertheless he falls into a double error, 1. In reckoning Moses among the magicians. And 2. in making Jannes and Jotape to be Jews. But when Pharaoh's magicians, could do no more, God by the hand of Moses la • ed his ten plagues upon the Egyptians, all which are recounted [ Psal. 78. & 105.] The which plagues, took up, as the Jews saw, a whole years space, at several intervals of time; whereas indeed they were all sent within one month in this order.

About the 18 day of the 6 month, (which in the year following and after, was reckoned the 12 month) was sent the first plague, of the waters turned into blood: and after 7 days ended, [ Ex. 7. 25.] about the 25 day, came the 2 plague of the frogs; which was removed the day following: About the 27 was brought upon them the third plague, of flies and lice.

About the 28 day, Moses threatened them with a fourth plague, of flies, and other vermin which came upon the 29 day, and were all taken away upon the 30:

About the 1 of the 7 month (which shortly after was made the 1 month of the year) Moses having foretold them of a fifth plague to come, brought it upon them, the day following, to wit, the plague and murrain of cattle. About the 3 day, the 6 plague, of boils & boches, which brake out upon man & beast: of which plague the Magicians tasted, & had their share, no less than the rest of the Egyptians, [ Ex. 9. 11.] whence proceeded that of Justin, out of Trogus Pompeius, lib. 36. The Egyptians, saith he, being afflicted with the scab, and sourf, and being warned by an Oracle, they turned Moses, and all that were infected with that disease, out of Egypt-least the contagion thereof, should spread further among he people. Add hereunto, the sayings collected out of Diodorus Sicul. l. 40. reported in Ph • t • Bibliotheca. p. 620.

About the fourth day, Moses foretelling them of a 7 plague, brought it on them upon the 5 day of the same month, which was of thunders and rain, and grievous hail, mixed with fire; with which their flax and batly was smitten, because the barley was then in the ear, and the flax boled, but their wheat and the rie were not hurt therewith, because they were not yet out of the ground, whence Nicolaus Fullerus, lib. 3. of his Miscellanies rightly observeth, p. 389. that this plague happened in the month Abib.

About the seventh day Moses threatened them with an eighth plague, and accordingly sent in the day following, • at was, of Locusts, to devour all; which plague he removed about the 9 day, [ Exod. 10. 4, 1 • , 19.]

The month Abib, wh •• hitherto was the 7 month, was from this time forward, made the 1 month of the whole year, [ Ex. 12. 2. with 13. 4.] for a memorial of their departure out of the land of Egypt▪ from the beginning of which month the epocha of the Jewish Calendar, is from thence forward deduced, [ Num. 9. 1, 2. with Ex. 40. 17.] though the end of the former account, • ell on the middle of the month.

Upon the 10 day of this now first day of the month, ( which was the 30 of April, according to the Julian Calendar, upon Thursday ) was instituted the feast of the Passover, and sweet bread, to wit, the Pascal lamb, was c • osen, and killed the fourth day after, [ Ex. 32. • . ]

Moses now bringeth upon them the 9 plague, of 3 days darkness, which were such, that none of the Egyptians during that time, once removed out of the place where the darkness found him: though the Israelites had all that time, light abundantly in their dwellings [ Ex. 10. 22, 23.]

Upon the 14 days ( which was May 4. upon Monday with us. ) which was the last time that he spake with Pharaoh, Moses foretold him of the 10 plague, which should come upon him; namely, the destruction of all the first-born of Egypt, which came to pass the night following, at midnight, and then turning him about in a great anger departed from him, [ Ex. 10. 24, 29. c. 11. 1, 4, 8.] At the evening of this day was the Passover celebrated, [ Exod. 12. 11, 12.]

The fourth Age of the World.

UPon the 15 days of the 1 month ( our 5 of May, being tuesday ) at midnight, the first-born of Egypt being all slain, Pharaoh and his servants, made hast to send away the Israelites, with all their substance, & the spoils which they had gotten from the Egyptians: and they the self same day, wherein they were let go out of bondage, being the complete term of 430 years, from the first pilgrimage of their ancestors; reckoning from Abraham's departure out of Carran, the day after the Passover, took their journey, & marched away, being 600000 men, besides children, and came to Ramesses, [ Ex. 12. 29, 30, 31, 37, 41, 51. Num. 33. 3.] From hence their several encampings are set down by Moses: which out of the Hebrew signification of words, Jerome expoundeth mystically, in his Treatise of their 42 encampings, written to Fabiola, from whom I have thought good to make the first encamping at Ramesses. Thus then:

1. At Ramesses, where the Israelites were placed by Joseph, [ Gen. 47. 11.] they all met who either dwelt mixed among the Egyptians [ Exod. 3. 2.] or who at that time were scattered over all Egypt to gather stubble, [ Exod. 5. 12.]

2. Was succoth, where Moses first declared to them the Commandments of God, for the yearly keeping of Easter, and the hallowing of the first-born to him; Ex. 13.]

3. Was Etham, in the border of the wilderness; whither they came, the Lord conducting them in a pillar of a cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night, Exod 13. 20, 21.]

4. Was Pihairoth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon.

Here Pharaoh with his host overtook them, here Moses divided the waters with his rod, and they passed through the midst of the Erythraean, or red Sea, unto the desert of Etham, whom, when Pharaoh & his army would needs follow, they were all overwhelmed of the waters coming together again, at the dawning of the day, where by the Israelites were wholly quit and freed from the bondage of the Egyptians, whose carcasses when they saw floating all the sea over, and cast upon the shore, [ Exod. 14. 13.] they forthwith sang a song of praise and thanksgiving unto God, for their deliverance, [ Exod. 5. 20.] Which in the [ Apocalypse, 15. 3.] is called the Song of Moses: and is of all others, anywhere to be found or mentioned, the first of that kind.

Now that this fell out, upon the 21 day of the first month, to wit, upon the last day of the feast of sweet bread (whereon a solemn assembly by God's appointment was to be held) is the general opinion of the Jews, and most agreeable to truth.

From hence they marched three whole days through the wilderness of Etham, to wit, the 22, 23, 24. days of this month, being Tuesday, Wedensday and Thursday of our week, but found no water all the way, [ Ex. 15. 22. Numb. 33. 8.]

5. Was at March; so called from the bitterness of the waters there found; whereupon the people which had gone without water three whole days, beginning to murmur, Moses, by the throwing a piece of wood into them, made them sweet, and withal taught the people, in time to come, to put their trust in God, [Ex. 15. 23. 26.]

6. Was at Elim; where were 12 fountains of water, and 70 palm trees: and at Elim, they encamped by the side of those fountains, [ Ex. 15. 27. Numb. 33. 9.]

7. Was by the Red Sea, [ Numb. 33. 10.]

And now we come to the Second month.

8. Upon the 15 whereof, (our June 4. being thursday) the Israelites came to the place of their 8 encamping: in the wilderness of Sin, which lieth between Elyma and Sinai, where, when for want of food, they had murmured against God, and their leaders, about the evening-tide, God sent them Quails, and the next morning, rained upon them Manna from heaven; and of that kind of bread, they lived afterward, by the space of 40 years, and even until they came to the borders of the Land of Promise, [Ex. 16. 1, 35.]

9. Was at Dophka.

10. Was at Alush.

11. Was at Rephid • m; where when the people murmured again for want of water, (from whence the place was afterwrds called Meriba and Massa Moses gave them water, by striking the hard rock with his rod, [ Exod. 17. 1, 7.] which rock followed them also throughout the wilderness, [ Psalm 78. 16, 20. Psalm 105. 41. 1 Cor. 10. 4. Deut. 9. v. 21.]

The Amalekites, falling upon the rear of the Israelites, all spent and tired with their long journey in the wilderness as they were, slew some of the hindermost and feeblest of them, against whom Moses sent out Jehosua, all. Joshua the son of Nun his servant, to fight with them, [ Ex. 33. 11.] whose proper name, which was Hosea, Moses changed into Iehosuah, [Num. 13. 16.] or Jesus, [Nehem. 8. 17. Acts 7. 45. and Heb. 4. 8.]

He therefore fighting with the Amalekites in Rephidim, whiles Moses was in prayer on the top of the hill, overthrow them: and the people by God's Commandment were charged utterly to destroy and root out that whole nation: and for a memorial thereof, they there built an Altar, [ Deut. 25. 17, 18, 19. Exod. 17. 8, 16.]

The Third month.

12. Encamping was in the Desert of Sinai: where the Israelites encamped over against Horeb: from whence they removed not by the space of almost a whole year; for they removed from the wilderness of Sinai, upon the 2 day of 2 month, of 2 year, after their coming out of the land of Egypt, [ Numb. 10. 11, 12.] and they came thither upon the same day of the 3 month, of the 1 year, after their coming out of Egypt: to wit, the same day, or number with 3 month, ( i.e. ) upon the third day of the third month, as Fr. Ribera, lib. 5. de Templo, at large declareth; and that falls in, with 22 of our June, happening upon a Monday.

When Moses went up into the mount, God there declared to him, that he would renew his covenant with the Israelites; That he would bind them to himself by a law; and that he would favor and love all those, would observe and keep that law: which when they readily agreed unto, he gave them two days space to prepare themselves for the reverned receiving of that Law. He forbade all save Moses and Aaron, to approach the mount: and afterward, in great majesty (they all looking on and trembling at the sight) God came down upon the Mount, ( Ex. 19.)

God published his law, contained in the ten commandments, with a terrible voice, [ Ex. 20. Deut. 5.] which nevertheless disannulled not the promise of Grace, made unto Abraham 430 years before. [ Gal. 3. 17.]

The people being in this great fear, God gave them sundry other Laws, [ Ex. 20. 21, 22, 23. with Deut. 4. 13, 14.] all which being written in the book of the Covenant, Moses proposed to the people: which done, rising early in the morning, he built an Altar at the foot of the mountain, and set up 12 statues, according to the 12 tribes of Israel, and sent 12 young men of the first-born (as the Chaldee paraphrase hath it) whom the Lord had consecrated to himself, [ Exod. 13. 2. Numb. 3. 13. and 8. 16, 17.] as ministers of those holy things, [ Exod. 19. 22.] before the Levitical Priesthood was ordained; which offered sacrifices, first for sin, and then of thanksgiving to the Lord; and when Moses had read the book of the Covenant, containing the Commandments expressed in the [20 c. of Exod. ] with the three chapters following, in the years of the people, then taking the blood of the calves and goats so offered, with water, and scarlet wool, and hissop, he sprinkled the book therewith, and all the people, or those 12 statuaes representing the 12 Tribes of Israel: and so perfected that solemn covenant between God and his people, [ Exodus 24. 2. with Hebr. 9. 19, 20.]

Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and 70 men of the Elders of Israel, went up into the mount, and there beheld the glory of God: and the rest returning, Moses with his servant Joshua, abode there still, and waited six days, and upon the seventh day, God spake unto him, and there he continued 40 days, and 40 nights, [ Exod. 24. 9, 18.] (reckoning those six days which he waited for the appearance of the Lord) eating no meat all that while, nor drinking water, [ Deut. 9. 9.] where he also received God's command, touching the frame of the Tabernacle, the Priests garments, their consecration, sacrifices, and other things comprised in [ Exod. 25▪ ] and in the six chapters following.

The Fourth month.

When those 40 days and 40 nights were ended, God gave Moses the two Tables of the Law in stone, made by God's own hand, and written with his own finger, [ Exod. 31. 18. Deut. 9. 10, 11.] bidding him with all, quickly to get him down, for that the people, had already made to themselves a molten calf, to worship it: Moses by prayer pacified God, and went down from the mount, and seeing the people keeping a festival in honor of their Idol, in the Camp, he brake the Tables of the Law, at the foot of the mount: for which the Jews keep a solemn fast unto this day, the 14 day of the 4 month: which hath led some men into this error, to think that the 40 days of Moses his staying in the mount, are to be counted from the day imediate • y following the promulgation of the ten Commandments, omitting altogether the intermediate time, spent in writing, and reading the book of the Covenant, and composing the Covenant so made between God and his people, with solemn Rites and Ceremonies thereunto belonging. [ Exod. 24.]

Moses, having burnt and defaced the Idol, put 3000 of the people to death, by the hands of the Levites, [ Exod. 32. 20, 29. Deut. 9. 21. & 33. 9.]

The next day Moses returned again into the mount; and there again entreated the Lord for the people, [ Ex. 32. 30, 31, 32]

He commanded them to lay aside their gorgeous a parrel, and to set up the Tent of the Congregation (which for that present supplied the room of the Tabernacle afterwards built by Bezaleel) without the Camp; and having drawn the people out of a deep sense of God's wrath, to repent them of their sin, by his prayer obtained, that no longer the Angel, but God himself, should be their guide and leader in their way, [ Exod. 32.]

God commanded Moses to frame new tables of stone, and the next day, to bring them with him into the mount: coming with them the next morning, and standing in the cleft of a rock, God passing by, shown him a glimpse of his glory, [ Ex. 34.]

Moses staying again 40 days and 40 nights in the mount, without meat or drink, prayed there for the people, [ Deut. 9. 18. & 10. 10.] God being appeased, renews his Covenant with the people, upon certain conditions, gives his Laws anew, and bids Moses to commit them to writing: and he himself again, writes the ten Commandments in the tables which Moses brought unto him, [ Ex. 34. 10, 28.]

The Sixth month.

Moses after 40 days returns from the mount, with the tables in his hand; and covering his face with a veil, because it shone, he published the Laws of God to the people, enjoined the observation of the Sabbath; and commanded a free-will offering to be made toward the building of the Tabernacle according to God's order, [ Ex. 34. & 35.]

And to the end that this offering and contribution should the more orderly and effectually proceed, all were numbered from twenty years old and upward, and they were found to be six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty, every of which, according to the Law prescribed by God, [ Exod. 30. 12, 13.] contributing half a shekel, the total sum amounted to one hundred talents of silver, and 1775 shekels, [ c. 38. 25, 26.] whence it is gathered, that every talent among the Jews, amounted to 3000 shekels: or 50 pounds sterling: every pound containing 60 shekels, [ Ezek. 45. 12.] over and above which polemoney, out of the voluntary offerings, was made up the sum of 29 talents of gold, and 730 shekels; and of brass, 70 talents, and 2400 shekels, [ Exod. 38. 24, 29.] As for other materials requisite to this building of the Tabernacle, there came in more than enough: insomuch that the people were commanded to bring in no more, [ Ex. 36. 5, 6, 7.]

Bezaleel and Aholiab were appointed by God for the chief workmen herein, [ Exod. 31. 2, 6. and 35. 30, 35.

In the first six months of this year, [Year of the World 2514 a.] were the Tabernacle, [The Julian Period 3224] [Year before Christ 1490] the Ark of the Covenant, the Altar, the Table of show bread, the Priests garments, the holy Oyntments, the Candlestick, and other utensils, and vessels belonging to the sacrifices, finished in the desert at mount Sinai, and were brought unto Moses; [ Exodus 36. with the three chapters following. ]

Then was Moses commanded by God, first that upon the first day of the second month he should set up the Tabernacle and furnish it with all things belonging thereunto, [ Exod. 4. 2, 8.] Secondly, that he should anoint them with holy oil; and should consecrate Aaro • and his sons for the Priesthood, [ Exod. 9. 15.] which he also is said to have done; but not both of them at the same time: For upon the very day appointed, he erected the Tabernacle, with all things thereunto belonging, [ Exod. 40. 17, 33.] but the other part of the command he performed a while after, and at another time, prefixed by God; [ Levite. 8. 1, 13.] for performance whereof; one day sufficed not, namely, for the consecration of the Priests and Altar both; but fuil seven days were spent therein, [ Exod. 29. 35, 36, 37.]

On the first day of the first month ( answering to our 21▪ of April, [Year of the World c.] being wedensday ) of the second year after their departure out of Egypt, the Tabernacle of the Covenant wa • set up, and filled with the glory of God, [ Exod. 40. 2, 17, 34.] out of which God, at several times, uttered his will and commandments to Moses; which are comprised in the 7 first chapters of Leviticus. In the same 2 year, and first month, the Israelites, forewarned by God, celebrated the Passover at the evening of the fourteenth day, (which with us is 4. May, being tuesday: ) Upon which day, some of the people complaining to Moses and Aaron that they could not keep the Passover with the rest of their brethren, upon the day appointed, because they were become unclean by touching a dead body; a law was made by God that all such persons should keep their Passover upon the 14. day of the second month, because they could not keep it upon the day first appointed [ Numb. 9. 1, 14.]

On the first day of the second mont • ( 21. of May, Friday by the • ulian Calender ) God commanded Mos • s to take the number of all the males of the children of Israel; except the Levites, from 20 years old to 60 by their Tribes: and to appoint the Levites for the service of the Tabernacle, and to give their attendance, for the setting of it up, for the taking of it down, and removing and carrying it from place to place, as occasion should require, [ Numb. 1. 1. c. 26. 64.]

The number of them came to 603550▪ [ Numb. 10. 1, 46.] being just the same number which was taken 7 months before, when they were • ested for a contribution to the building of the Tabernacle, [ Exod. 38. 26.]

Moses, according to God's command, Exod. 29. 37. c. 30. 22, 30. & 40. 9, 15.] anointed the Tabernacle and the Altar, with all things thereunto belonging, with the holy oil, and consecrated them to the Lord. He consecrated also Aaron, and his four sons, with the same oil, and with • ites and ceremonies prescribed for the execution of the Priestly Office; commanding them not to depart from the door of the Tabernacle in seven days space, [ Levite. 8.] for so many days the work of the consecration of them, and of the Altar was in doing, [ Exod. 29. 35, 36, 37. Levite. 8. 33.]

Then was set down and commanded the order of the Tribes in their march and encamp • ngs, [ Numb. 2.]

The number of Levite • from one month old and upward, was found to be 22300. [ Numb. 3. 15, 35.] or, taking out thence their first born, to 2200. only: all which were assumed to the service of God, in lieu of the first born, of all the rest of the children of Israel. And because the number of the first-born of the children of Israel, exceeded the whole number of the Levites, (their first-born deducted) to the number of 273. therefore was there lai • upon them for every of those supernumerary heads five shekels, by way of redemption, [ Numb. 3. 39, 50.]

The Levite • thus set apart, were, with all due solemnity, consecrated to God, and for his service; every man having his certain time appointed, when he should begin, and when he should end his attendance upon his ministration, [ Numb. 8. 5, 26.]

The Levites from 30 years old to 50. were found to be 8580. and their offices and services were parted among them, according to their families, [ Numb. 4.]

All • eprous and unclean persons were put out of the Camp. The laws for restoring of damages, and of jealousy were ordained, [ Numb. 5.]

The vow, the consecration, and manner of the Nazarites was instituted, [ Numb. 6.]

Upon the 8 day next following the finishing of the consecration, Aaron offered sacrifices and oblations; first for himself, and then for all the people: all which being kindled and consumed by fire, falling from heaven upon them, bred a full belief in the people, that the Priestly office among them was ordained by God himself, [ Levite. 9.]

When all the Tabernacle was now fully set up, and anointed all over, together with the utensils, and things thereunto belonging; and the Altar which had been 7 days in consecrating, was now dedicated by Aaron his first oblation of sacrifices made upon it; (for the seven former days were for expiation, or cleansing, and ordained for the hallowing of it, Exod. 29. 36, 37.)

Then came the Heads of the Tribes which were numbered, and they brought six waggons covered over, and twelve oxen, and jointly offered them before the Tabernacle: all which were consigned into the hands of the Levites, the sons of Geshon and Merari; as belonging to their office, and afterward others every day brought their several sacrifices, and things belonging to the ministry of the Tabernacle, and offered them towards the dedication of it, wherein twelve days were wholly spent, [ Numb. 7. 1, 10, 11. and 84. 88.]

Wherefore upon this first day, Naasson, from whom David, and according to the flesh, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ himself came; made his offering for the Tribe of Judah: and then the rest, everyone for his Tribe, and in that order as they were ranked in their encampings. [ Numb. 7. 11, 12, 83.]

Nadab and Abihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron (which going with their father up into the Mount Sinai, had there seen the glory of God, Exod. 24. 1, 9, 10.) going into the Sanctuary, with strange or common fire (not with that fire which fell from heaven, Lev. 9. 24. and which was perpetually to be kept alive, and continued for the burning of the sacrifices and incense in times to come) were struck dead in the place by fire sent from heaven, [ Levite, 10. 1, 9. Numb. 3. 2, 3, 4, 26, 60, 61.] And for them the Priests were forbid to make lamentation: Moreover for some particular men's neglect of duty, all the Priests were charged to forbear wine and strong drink, before they were to go into the Tabernacle. A law also was made, that what was left of the sacrifices should be eaten by the Priests: and Aaron's excuse therein was admitted by Moses, [ Levite. 10. verse 6, 20.]

Upon that occasion was the Law made (about the tenth day, as it seemeth, of this month) that the high Priest alone; and he but once in every year, should enter into the Sanctuary; and that to be upon the day of expiation and general fast, which was to be kept upon the 10 day of the seventh month, [ Levite. 16. 1, 34.]

On the 14 of this month, ( June 3, Thursday ) at Even, the Passover was to be celebrated by those, who that day month before were in their uncleanness, [ Numb. 9.]

The blasphemous person, by God's command was carried out of the Camp, and stoned, [ Levite, 24. 10, 11, 12, 13.]

All the laws contained in the seventeen last chapters of Levite. seem to have been made in this month.

God commanded two silver trumpets to be made, by which the Congregation was to be called together; and the time of their removing, and marching, and sacrificing, signified to the people, [ Numb. 10. 1, 28.]

Jethro, who was also called Hobab, brought his daughter Zipporah, with her two sons, Gershon and Eliezer, which were left with him, to his son in law Moses, and he dedelivered them to him: and having congratulated his, and the whole people of Israel's deliverance out of that Egyptian bondage; he openly declared, both by word and deed, his faith and devotion toward the true God. And by his advise, Moses imparted the government of the people to some others, and ordained Magistrates for the deciding of lesser causes, [ Exod. 18. with Deut. 50. 9, 18. and Numb. 10. 29.]

The 19 day of this month, seemeth to have been the last that the 1 • Heads of the Tribes made their oblations in, for the dedication of the Altar; on which Ah • ra made his offering for the Tribe of Nephthalie, [ Numb. 7. 78, 88.]

On the 20 day of the second month ( being the ninth of our June, falling on a Wensday ) God commanded the Israelites to remove their camp, and to go forward in their journey, to take possession of the land which he had promised to give them, [ Numb. 10. 11. 12. Deut. 1. 6, 7.] whither Moses would have had Jethro to have gone along with him: But he refused, and thence returned to his own home, [ Numb. 9. 29, 30. with Exod. 18. 27.]

The cloud, which covered the Tabernacle being lifted up, they cast themselves into four squadrons, or battalions, and marched from Sinai; where they had stuck, by the space almost of one whole year; and after 3 days continual journey, came to the wilderness of Paran, [ Numb. 10. 12, 33.] where they rested them 23 days, without removing.

13. Their 13 remove, was to Kibroth Hattaavah, [ Numb. 33. 16.] where they that murmured were struck with fire from heaven, (whence that place, was called Taber) but were delivered at the intercession of Moses; yet fell again to murmuring, and provoked God, by their loathing of Manna, and desiring of flesh, [ Numb. 11. 1, 10. Psalm 78. 19, 20, 21.]

Moses complained to God of the over-great burden of this government which lay upon him; and desired to be discharged of it: but God to ease him of the charge, gave him for assistants, the Court of the 70 Elders; of which number, Eldad and Medad, remaining in the Camp, prophesied, [ Numb. 11. 10, 17, 24, 30.]

God gave the people Quails: not as in the year before, for one day, [ Exod. 16. 12. 13.] but for the whole month together: but sent withal a most grievous plague among them. Whereupon, and from the burying place, or graves of them that lusted, that place was called, Kibroth-Hattaavah, [Numb. 11. 31, 34. Psal. 78. 26, 31. and Psal. 106. 15.]

14 The fourteenth remove, was to Hazaroth, [ Numb. 11. 35. & 33. 17.]

M •• iam and Aaron spake evil of Moses their brother; because he had married a woman of Ethiopia; to wit, Zipporah of Madian, which was a part of the Eastern Ethiopia, otherwise called Arabia: and made themselves equal in all points with him: But God maintained Moses above them, and struck Miriam with a leprosy: whereupon she was removed out of the Camp: But at the prayer of Moses, after seven days, she was healed, [ Numb. 12. 15. Deut. 24. 9.]

Miriam, [Year of the World d.] being cleansed, upon some day of the 4 month; as may be gathered out of what is said before, returned into the Camp: and upon her return, the Israelites removed: and,

15. Upon their 15 remove, they pitched in Rithma, in the desert of Paran, [ Numb. 12. 6, 33, 18.] near unto Kadesh-Barnea, [ Numb. 13. 26.]

On the fifth month.

From the Wilderness of Paran, [ Numb. 13. 3.] or Kadesh Barnea, [ Numb, 32. 8. Deuter. 1. 19, 22. & 9. 23. Josh. 14. 7.] the people desiring it, and Moses liking well thereof, [ Deut. • . 2 • , 23. But above all, God commanding it, [ Numb. 13. 1, 2.] at the time when grapes first grew ripe; twelve spies, one for every Tribe, (of which Caleb the son of Jephunna, was for the Tribe of Judah) being then 40 years old, [ Josh, 14. 7.] and Hoshea the son of Nun, whom Moses had called by the name of Joshua, for the Tribe of Ephra • m, were sent to discover, and spy out the land of Canaan: which entering into it by the desert of Sin, lying toward the south, went quite thorough it, to the very North parts thereof, even to Rechob, [ Numb. 13. 21, 22. Deut. 1. 23.]

The sixth month.

The spies having spent 40 days in searching out the land, returned to Kadesh in the Wilderness of Paran: bringing with them one branch of a vine, with a cluster of grapes upon it, gathered in the valley of Eshcol, which took its name from thence, with Pomgranats, and Figs of the land, [ Numb. 13. 23, 27. Deut 1. 24, 25.] from which ripeness of the fruit at that season it appeareth, that this happened near before the 7 month, because a little before the feast of Tabernacles, (which was kept upon the 15 day of that month) the fruits of the barn and wine-press, were always gathered, [ Exod 23. 16. Levite. 23. 39. Deut. 16. 13.] Ten of the twelve so sent to spy out the land, by speaking ill of the country, and the barrenness thereof, and withal, magnifying the Cities for their strength, and the giantly stature of the men therein; disheartened the people from marching any further toward it; whiles Caleb, did all he could, to persuade the people to go on, [ Numb. 13. 28, 33, & 32. 9.]

The people being terrified with the relation made by the rest, would needs back again into Egypt; and were ready to stone Caleb and Joshua, for telling a contrary tale. And God threatening the people, with a sudden destruction, was bowed to spare them, by the prayers of Moses: Yet so, as withal he denounced to them, that all of them which were then twenty years old and upwards should die in the Wilderness, and never see the land which was promised unto them: ad that they should wander in that Wilderness forty years, [ Numb. 14. 1, 35. & 26. 64, 65. & 32. 10, 13. Deut. 1. 26, 36. & 9▪ 23. Josh. 5. 6. Psalm • 5. 8, 11. & 106. 24, 25, 26.] reckouing all in a round sum; for it is manifest, that their children entered that land, in the 39. year, by comparing [ Numb. 32. 13. with Deut. 2. 14.]

The te •• lp • es, which had caused this mutiny among the people, God destroyed all by sudden death, [ Numb. 14. 36, 37.] in remembrance whereof, the Jews to this day, keep a fast, upon the seventh day of the sixth month, called Elul.

God therefore bad them remove their camp, and return back into the desert toward the Red Sea. But they, contrary to this command, would needs go forward into the mountain, and were there vanquished by the Amalekites and Canaanites, and pursued, as far as Hormah. Therefore they sat down and wept before the Lord; but he would not hear them, [ Numb. 14. 40, 45. Deut. 1. 40, 45.]

Upon this calamity, and the continual dropping away of the Israelites, in the Wilderness, Moses composed the 90 Psalm, [ Lord thou hast been our refuge, &c. ] in which he also showeth that the ordinary age of men, was reduced to 70 or 80 years at the utmost: therefore,

The age of man, was now a third time, contracted and cut short a third part of what it was before.

The Israelites continued in Kadesh many days, [Year of the World 2515. a.] [ Deut. 1. 46.] for whether it were for a day or two, or a month, or a year, so long as the cloud continued over the Tabernacle, the Camp all that while continued in the same place, and removed not, [ Numb. 9. 22.] But that in some places the Camp continued many years, appeareth, for that in the space of 37 years, there are but 17 encampings mentioned; for leaving Kadesh, they returned into the Wilderness, as I said be fore, toward the Red Sea, and encamped about the Hill-Country of Seir many days, [ Deut. 2. 1. Judge. 11. 16.] Now the 17 encampings, belonging to this compassing of the Wilderness of Seir, mentioned in the 33 of Numb. were in this order:

The 16 encamping was at Rimmon Parez. The 17 at Libna. The 18 at Rissa. The 19 at Kehelatha. The 20 at Mount Shepher. The 21 at Harada. The 22 at Makhe • oth. The 23 at Thahath. The 24 at Thara. The 25 at Mithka. The 26 at Hishmona. The 27 at Moseroth. The 28 at Bene-Iaakan, or Beeroth Bene-Iaakan: ( i. ) Of the well of the sons of Iaakan, [ Deut. 10. 6.] The 29 at Horagidgad, or Gudgoda, [ Deut. 10. 7.] The 30 at Iothatha, ( i. ) a place full of springs of water, [ Deut. 10. 7.] The 31 was Hebrona. The 32 was Ezion-Gaber, which is near to Elotha, and joining upon the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom, [1 Reg. 9. 26.]

Now to that long demourage of theirs in Kadesh, [The Julian Period 3225] [Year before Christ 1489] or the encampings next ensuing upon their removes from thence, all that seems to refer; which we find delivered in the fifteenth, and four next ensuing chapters, of Numbers; as well that of the laws there mentioned to have been made, as the Historical part thereof. As how he that gathered sticks on the Sabbath; (for though the sacrifices were omitted in the Wilderness, yet was still the use of the Sabbath entirely observed) was, by the Oracle from God, stoned to death, by all the people, c. 15. and how Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, raising a mutiny against Moses and Aaron, were swallowed alive into the earth, and 250. of their associates, whiles they offered incense perished by fire, sent upon them from God. And how God commanded their censors to be taken and used, for the over-laying of the Altars, for a memorial of them to the children of Israel. And how the people murmuring against Moses and Aaron for the calamity which had befallen their brethren, were stricken by God and perished, to the number of 14700. men, c. 16. And how twelve rods being brought by the twelve Princes, and laid in the Sanctuary: Aaron's rod, only budded, and brought forth almons; and was laid up before the Ark, for a sign to those who should afterward be given to rebellion, [ cap. 17.] All which things are thought to have been done in the later half of the second year, after their departure out of the land of Egypt. Moses committing to writing nothing, but what fell out in the two first years, and the last of their travel in the Wilderness; and passing by what else happened in those 37 years intervening, saving only the matter of the 17 stages or encampings formerly mentioned. See Abulensis, upon Numb. cap. 1. Quaest. 3.

The Scripture also showeth that the time, which the Israelites spent in travelling from Kadesh Barnea, till they passed the vale, or brook Zerad, which was half a year after they removed from their 32 encamping; and another half year before they passed the River Jordan, took up the full time of 38 years. In which space of time, all that generation of rebels against God was wholly spent, dead and buried, [ Deut. 2. 14, 15, 16.]

Now for the 9 first years, which the Israelites spent in the Wilderness, Armais governed in Egypt, and Sethosis invaded the East: both which were brothers and sons to Amenophis, (which was he that was drowned in the red Sea) as we have formerly noted, to the year of the world, 1494. Of whom Manetho in his Egyptiaca, mentioned by Josephus in his first book against Apion, writeth thus. Sethosis being furnished with cavalry and shipping, made his brother Armais ruler, indeed, over all Egypt, and let him use all other Regal power and authority there: only he forbad him to wear a Crown; and charged him in no wise to abridge the Queen which was the mother of his children: and that he should also refrain from all other concubines of the King: But he himself made war in Cyprus and Phoenicia, and against the Assyrians and the Medes. Some of which he subdued by power and force of arms, others he took in, thorough the sole dread and terror of his name: and now puffed up with this great success near home, he went on with the greater confidence to ravage and spoil all the Kingdoms and Countries of the East. But some few years after he was gone, Armais whom he left in Egypt, casting off all fear of sin, did all things contrary to what he was commanded by the King: For first, he misused the Queen, and lay continually with the Kings corcubines; and at length, following the advice of his friends, used a Crown also, and plainly rebelled against his brother. Thus Manetho the Egyptian, adding withal, that Armais, was Danaus; and Sethosis was called both Egyptus, and that from him, the whole land was called Egypt: and also Ramesses, after his Grandfathers name. From which similitude of names and things, it is manifest, that both Tacitus comes to call him Ramses, and Herodotus, Sesostris; for so Tacitus says, That a King called Rhamses, having conquered all Libya, and Ethiopia, and the Medes and Persians, and Bactria, and Scythia, and all the lands which the Syrians and Armenians, and their borderers the Cappadocians held, together with Bythinia, and Lycia, lying upon the Mediterranian Sea: and so far Tacitus of him, under the name of Rhamses. And for Sesostris, Herodotus in his second book, writes in this manner. Their Priests, saith he, speaking of the Egyptians, report; That he was the first, who with a Fleet of long Ships, going out of the Arabian gulf, brought all the nations, bordering upon the Red-Sea, into his subjection. Which done, he came back the same way: and having gathered a mighty Army, marched into the Continent (of Asia) and there subdued all the nations which stood in his way. Then passing out of Asia, crossed into Europe; there conquered the Scythians, and Thracians: whither, and no further, saith he, it seemeth to me, that Egyptian Army came, because here, and no further off, are to be seen yet extant, the Markes and Monuments of his name and Victories. Of which Monuments so erected by Sesostris, he averreth, that himself had seen some remaining in Palestine of Syria: as also two others in Ionia, one at Ephesus, as ye go into Phocea, the other, on the way leading from Sardis to Smyrna. The like report makes Diodorus Siculus, of Sesoosis lib. 2. but makes him far ancienter, than these times: and indeed the age attributed to his brother Danaus proves, that he was contemporarie with Moses, as also Manetho makes him, and Diodorus himself in his 40 book, misseth not much of the same mark; where he saith, That at what time all foreigners were turned going out of Egypt. Danaus and Cadmus, with their companies came into Greece, and moses with his, went into Judea, as we may find in the Selections of Photios, for the better understanding whereof, and in some sort, to fill up this void space of 37 years, omitted by Moses, it shall not be amiss here to insert, the times of these foreign affairs, taken out of Eusebius his Tables, and are as follows.

Egypt (which was formerly called Aeria) was so called from Egyptus who was there made King, [Year of the World 2520] upon the expulsion of his brother, [The Julian Period 3230] [Year before Christ 1484] Danaus: wherein out account varies two years only from that of Eusebius. for

Egyptus, [Year of the World 2522] who was also called, [The Julian Period 3232] Ramesses, [Year before Christ 1482] and Sesostris, and Sesoosis, after the term of 9 years spent in several voiages and wars in foreign parts, ( as Diodorus. Sic. in his first book testifieth, ) returned to Pelusium. Whereby Armais, who is also called Danaus, when he had ruled over Egypt 9 years, fled for fear of his brother Ramesses, or Egyptus; and falling from the kingdom which he had so gotten in Egypt, came into Greece, as Georgius Syncellus hath it, in the Greek Eusebius, published by Scaliger, page 26. 27. having first attempted to poison his brother Egyptus, at a banquet provided for him: but missed of his purpose, as both Herodotus lib. 2. cap. 107. and also Diodorus Siculus lib. 1. pag. 53. (in the Greek and Latin edition of him) testifies.

Danaus coming into Greece, [Year of the World 2530] there made himself Master of Argos; [The Julian Period 3240] and made it abound with waters: [Year before Christ 1474] Danaus by his 50 daughters, Destroyed the 50 sons of his brother Egyptus: save only his son Lynceus, which reigned after him, to wit at Argos.

Busiris the son of Neptunus, [Year of the World 2533] and Libra the daughter of Epaphus, [The Julian Period 3241] exercised a tyranny, [Year before Christ 1471] in the parts joining upon the river Nile, barbarously murdering all strangers, which passing that way fell into his hands; whence is that of Ovid. lib. 3. de Tristi, more cruel thou, than was Busiris art, and that of Virgil, 3. Georg. who of Eurysth • us hard heart, hath not heard? And altars, by the unworthy B • sir reard? unworthy indeed to be defended; but much more unworthy was he to have been commended by any man, which yet was his hap to be, by Socrates the Orator, in his, Busiridis Encomium, and therein, (as after him, also Eusebius did) he says, that he was the son of Libya, the daughter of Epaphus and Neptunus. Where observe, that this Ramesses, surnamed Myamun, (of whom I spake, in the year of the world 2427) is by Muthological writers, surnamed Neptunus, and was the man who commanded the new born infants of the Hebr • ws to be drowned; and that left behind him two sons, Amenophis, ( i.e. ) Belus of Egypt (the father of Egyptus and Danaus) that oppugner of the Almighty God, and which with his host, was overwhelmed in the Red-sea; and left Busiris his son, so infamous, for butchering of strangers, (a fitting offspring of such a father) to succeed him, whereunto you may add, if you please, out of A. Gellius, lib. 15. cap. 21. that the Poets were wont to call men, barbarous, cruel, and devoide of humanity, the sons of Neptune: as born of that merciless element, the sea.

In these times, [Year of the World 2543] Tatthe son of Hermes Trismegistes, [The Julian Period 3253] lived, [Year before Christ 1461] saith Eusebius, with which agreeth that which the Egyptians deliver, that Sesostris, learned his wisdom, from this Hermes, as we find in Elian, lib. 12. Var. Histor. cap. 4.

Cadmus and Phenix, [Year of the World 2549] going from Thebais in Egypt into Syria, [The Julian Period 3259] erected a kingdom in Tyre and Sidon. [Year before Christ 1455] Euseb. Chron.

Now after the Israelites had compassed the hill-country of Seir and Edom, [Year of the World 2552. b.] by the space of 37 years, [The Julian Period 3262] from Kadesh-barnea, [Year before Christ 1452] to Ezion-gaber, in Edom; going from the North to the South, even to the shore of the Red-sea, God then commanded them to turn Northward, and march strait forward to the land of promise: and because the land of Edom lay in their way thitherward, he charged them, that they should not, in any wise, draw a sword upon them, as being their brethren: telling them how great a providence and care he had used, in preserving themselves by the space of 40 years in the wilderness, [ Deut. 2. 1, 7.] putting such an imperfect number of 40. for an imperfect, of 39.

In the first month of the 40 year, after their departure out of Egypt; the Israelites coming into the wilderness of Tzin, they there encamped.

33 Encamping was at Kadesh, [ Numb. 20. 1. with the 33. c. of the same, v. 36, 37, 38. and Judge. 11. 17.] To wit in Kadesh of Tzin, in the very borders of Edom, [ c. 20. 14, 15.] towards Ezion-Gaber, and the Red-sea, and not at Kadesh Barnea, where they made their fifteenth encamping, and which lay near the border of Canaan, toward the south, Numb. 34. 4. Josh. 15. 3.]

Here Miriam, all. Maria, died. [ Numb. 20. 1.] 4 months before her brother Aaron, and 11 months before her brother Moses. 〈◊〉 that she was the eldest of the three; and attained to the age of 130 years, appeareth, [ Exod. 2. 4, 7.] so that she was a pretty big Maid, when Moses was born: as was noted before upon the year of the world, 2433. and the Jews to this very day, keep the memory of her decease, upon the tenth o • the first month.

The people again, for lack of water, murmur against Moses and Aaron: whom when God commanded to call water out of the hard rock, only by speaking to it; Mose being moved in his mind, through impatience, and diffidence of the thing; spake something, what ever it was, unadvisedly with his lips, but struck the Rock twice with Aaron's rod, that was budded and blossomed, and thereby drew water from it, which, as those other drawn out of another Rock, 37 years before, [ Exod. 17. 7.] upon this occasion, were called Meribah, or Waters of strife, [Numb. 20. 2, 13.] for it is most likely, that the former water, which Tertullian calleth, Aquam Comtiem, The water that followed them, (of which I spake in the eleventh encamping) was swallowed up in the Rad-sea, so that in this second distress for water, the children break out into the like mutinous disposition, as their Father, so long before, had done.

Moses and Aaron for their dissidence and unbelief here shown, in executing the commandment of God, were debarred from entering into the land of Canaan, [ Numb. 20. 23. 24. c. 27, 14. Psal. 106. 32, 33.

The Israelites, sent messengers to the Edomites and Moabites, to desire passage thorough their land; But they refused to let them pass thorough the body of their country, [ Num. 20. 14, 20. Judge. 11. 17.] yet were content they should pass by the skirts thereof, [ Deu. 2. 4, 6, 29.] whereupon they, staying a while at Kadesh, [ Iud. 11. 17.] went forward.

34 The 34 encamping, which was in mount Hor, Upon the borders of Edom, [ Num. 20. 22, 23. and 33. 37.] or Mosera, [Deut. 10. 6.] whither the Isrelites are said, when they removed from Beereth-been Iaakan, or the wells of the sons of Iaakan, which was their 28 encamping, to have come; to wit, having by the way encamped, in Gudgoda, all. Hor-agidgad; lethatha, and other places; for whereas it is said, [ v. 7.] that from thence, they came to Gudgoda, and from Gudgoda to Iotbatham, the words from thence are not to be understood of Mosera, but of Beeroth, as many learned men have long since observed upon this place.

Upon the first day of the fifth month, our August 18. being tuesday, in the 40 year, after their coming out of Egypt, Aaron died at Mosera, in the top of the Mountain, of Hor, at the age of 123 years, leaving his son Eleazar, his successor, in the high Priest-hood, [ Numb. 20. 23, 28. and 33, 38, 39, Deut. 10. 6.]

The Israelites bewailed Aaron 30 days long, [ Numb. 20. 29.] to wit, all that whole month, wherein he died.

Upon the sixth month, the king of Arad, who dwelt on the Southern part of Canaan, hearing of the Israelites approach, went forth, and fought against them, and took many of them prisoners, whereupon they vowed, a vow to God; and having gotten the victory over them, accordingly they destroyed them and their cities: from whence that place was ever called Horma. (i.e. ) the place where that vow, of utterly destroying the Canaanites, was made, [ Num. 31. 1, 2, 3. and 33. 40.]

Then leaving mount Hor, and shunning the plain country, which leadeth from Elatha, and Ezion-Gaber, and the Red-sea straight into Idumea, they fetched a compass and came about to the East-side of it, [ Numb. 21. 4. Deut. 2. 40. and there ethy made

35 The 35 encamping at Zalmona, [ Num. 33. 41.] so called from an image there set up: for when the people murmured because of the fiery serpents, (not little worm, breeding in their flesh, ( as Fortunius Licetus, in his third book, de spontaneo V • ventium ortu. c. 51. dreameth ) but plain fiery serpents) sent among them by God, which annoyed them, they were there healed, by looking up to the figure or image, of a brazen serpent, set up upon a pole, or post, by God's appointment. [ Num. 21. 5. 9. Joh. 3. 14. 1 Cor. 10. 9.]

36 The 36 encamping, was at Punon, [ Numb. 33. 42.]

37 The 37 at Oboth, [ Numb. 21. 10, 33, 43.]

38 The 38 at Ije-Abarim, upon the borders of Moab, [ Num. 33. 40.] to wit in that desert, which lieth over against the land of Moab, toward the East, [ Numb. 21. 11.] and is called the desert of Moab, [ Deut. 2. 8.] for continuing their march thorough that wilderness, they came at length to the East of Moab, [ Judge. 11. 18.]

And when they removed thence, to pass by the valley or brook of Zared, God forbad them to make war upon Moab, [ Num. 21. 12. Deut. 2. 8, 13.]

Now they passed over Zared, 38 years, after the sending of their spies, from Kadesh Barnea, the whole race of them which mutined, and rebelled against God from 20 years old and upwards, being wholly extinct and dead, [ Deut. 2. 6.]

39 The 39 encamping was at Dibon-God. [Numb. 33. 5.]

The 40 was at Almon-D • blathaim, [Numb. 33. 46.] all. Beth-Diblathaim, in the wilderness of Moab. [Year of the World 2553. a.] [Ier. 48. 12. Ezek. 6. 14.]

The Israelites coming now to pass the borders of Moab, at Ar, and approaching the country of the Ammonites, God forbad them to make any war upon the Ammonites, [ Deut. 2. 18, 19, 37.] and then commanded them to pass over the river Arnon: which at that time was the boundary between Moab and Ammon, [ Deut. 2. 24. Num. 21. 13.] so that they encamped over Arnon, and never touched upon the territory of Moab, [ Deut. 2. 24. Num. 21. 13. Judge. 11. 18.]

For departing from thence to Beer, where was the well, which the Princes, and better sort of the people, with Moses their Law-giver, digged with their staves, they came to Matthana, Nahaliel, Bamoth, and the valley, which is in the country of the Moabites, at the entrance of the hill which looketh toward the wilderness, [ Num. 21. 16.] to wit of Kedemoth, [Deut. 2. 26.] and there pitched.

41. Being their 41 Encamping: to wi • , at Abarim, over against Nebo, Numb. 33. 47. For as for Maanah and the others names, they were not encampings, as Tremellius observeth upon [ Num. 2. 12.] but only places thorough which they passed in their march, before Moses sent messengers to the Amorites. Though the Chaldee Paraphrases take them not at all for proper names of places, but only as appellative, and interpret them of the waters of the well (as of the Rock, 1 Cor. 10. 4.) which followed the Israelites to the brooks, and from the brooks, to the mountains, and from the mountains, to the Valley of the Moabites.

From the wilderness of Kedemoth, Moses sent messengers to Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, praying him to suffer him to pass quietly through his borders (as the Edomites and Moabites had done) because that was a shorter cut to the foords of Jordan; but when he denied them passage, and made war upon them, they slew Sihon, and possessed themselves of all his Cities, and dwelt in them [ Deut. • . 24, 36. Numb. 21. 21, 31. Judge. 1. 19, 22.]

Then sent Moses his spies to Jaser; which they took, with the towns thereunto belonging, and cast out thence the Amorites, from the river of Ru •• , which is the bound of Moab, [ Numb 21. 13. & 22. 36.] to the brook of Jabboc, which parteth it from Ammon, [ Deut. 3. 16. Jos. 12. 2. and 13. 10.] yet never meddled they with the Country lying upon the river Jabboc, neither with any of the lands belonging at that time to the children of Ammon of Moab, as God had commanded them, [ Deut. 2. 9. and 9. 37. And therefore, when the Ammonites, 264 years after, complained that the Israelites had taken their land, from Jabboc to Arnon, and even to the brooks of the river Jordan; Jephtha rightly answered them, that they had not meddled with the lands, either of the Moabites of the Ammonites; but that when they had slain Sihon, they took all the lands belonging to the Amorites, from the river Arnon, to Jabboc, and possessed it, as their own inheritance, [ Judge. 11. 13, 15, 22, 23.] Though it be true also, that Sihon King of the Amorites had formerly taken from Vaheb King of the Moabites, Heshbon, and all that Country of his, unto Arnon: [ Numb. 21. 14.] so also had he taken from the Ammonites, 〈◊〉 their Country, in like manner, even to Arroer, which lieth over against Rabba, [ Deut. 3. 11.] for that all that land belonged formerly to the Ammonites; and afterward was taken from the Amorites, and assigned to the tribe of Gad, to dwell in, appeareth, [ Jos. 13. 25.]

When the Children of Israel marched on their way to Basan, Og King of Basan, being a remnant of the G • ants, met and fought with them at Edrem, an • was there with all his people, utterly destroyed; and the Israelites possessed themselves of all his Country, to wit, threescore Cities, and all that coast, as far as Argob, [ Deut. 3. 1, 11. Numb. 21. 33, 34, 35. Amos 2. 9.] All which Country of Argob, stretching to the borders of the Geshur • tes, and Mahacathites, Jair the son of Manasseh, is said to have taken and called after his own name, Havoth-Jair, [ Numb. 32. 41. Deut. 3. 14.] Which Manasseh was indeed the son of Segub, of the tribe of Judah; but reckoned among the Manassites, both in regard of the inheritance he had among them, and also in reference to hi-Gran • mother; for she being the daughter of Machir, of the tribe of Manasseh, the father of G • ead, bar • Segub, father of this Ja • r, unto Hezron, when he was sixty years of age, a • appeareth [1 Chron. 2. 21, 22.] where it is further added, that this Jair possessed 23 Cities, in the land of Gilead, and that he took Gessurim and Aram (according to the best Expositors) with the villages of Jair, and Kenath with her villages, sixty Cities in all; though indeed Nobach, under him, took Kenath, with her villages, and called it Nobach after his own nam • , [ Numb. 32. 42.]

After these victories the Israelites leaving the mountains of Abarim, encamped in the plain of Moab, on this side of the foord of Jordan, which • adeth to J • rico, from Beth-Jeshimoth, unto Abel-Shittim, [ Numb. 22. 1. and 33. 48, 49.] So that their

42. Two and fortieth encamping, was at Shittim, [ Numb. 25. 1 all. Abel-Shittim, c. 33. 49.] where they continued, till at length under the leading of Joshua, they came to the bank of Jordan, [ Jos. 3. 1.]

Baalak the son of Zippor, King of Moab, considering all, what the Israelites had done to the Amorites, feared, least that under color of passing through his Country, they would possess themselves of his whole kingdom: and therefore, taking counsel with the Princes of the Midianites, his neighbors, sent for Balaam the son of Beor, a soothsaier, out of Mesopotamia, to come and curse the Israelites; promising him great rewards for his labor: purposing afterward to make war upon them, [ Numbers 21. 1, 6. Deut. 33. 4. Joshua, 24. 9.]

Balaam, forewarned of God, refused at first to come: but being sent for a second time, he importuned God to let him go, and went with a purpose indeed to curse Israel; but God offended herewith, made the dumb Ass of this wisard, on which he rode, speaking in a man's voice, to reprove his folly, [ Numbers 22. verse. 7, 35. 2 Peter, 2. verse. 15, 16.]

Balaam, twice offered sacrifices, and would fain have cursed Israel, to gratify Balak therein: but being forced thereto by the Spirit of God, instead of curing, he blessed them altogether; fore-telling, what felicity attended them, and what calamit • es should befall their enemies, [ Numb. 23, and 24. Deut. 23. 5. Joshua 24. 10.]

And by his advise it was, that the women of Moab, and Midian were set on work, to turn the Israelites away to Idolatry: and to make them fall a whoring with them, [ Num. 25. 1, 2, 3. c. 31. 16. Deut. 4. 3. Psal. 106. 28. Apocal. 2. 14.] Wherefore God commanded Moses, first to take all the ring-leaders of this disorder, and to hang them up before the sun: and then he gave order to the Judges, to put to death all such of them as had joined themselves to Baal-Peor; and last of all, God sent a plague upon the people, whereof there died 23000 men in one day, [1 Cor. 10. 8.] which added to them which were hanged, and killed with the sword, amount in all to twenty four thousand, [ Numb. 25. 4, 5, 9.]

Phineas the son of Eleazar, by killing Zimri, the son of Salu, chief of his fathers family, of the Tribe of Simeon; and Cozbi the daughter of Sur, a Prince of the Midianites, appeased the wrath of God, and so that plague ceased, [ Numb. 25. Psal. 106. 30.] And God therefore settling the High-Priesthood forever upon the house of Phineas, commanded them also to make war forthwith upon the Midianites, [ Numbers, 25. verse. 12, 13, 17, 18.]

Moses and Eleazar, by God's command, in the plain of Moab, near unto Jordan, over against Jericho, numbered the people from 20 years old, and upwards, and found them to be 601730 men: besides the Levites; whose number, reckoning them, from one month old and upwards, came to 23000. and then Moses received God's command for the parting of the land of Promise, among the Israelites, [ Numb. 26. 1, 63.]

The daughters of Zelophead, had their fathers land parted among them for want of issue male: and by this occasion was the law for succession in heritages drawn up, and made, [ Numb. 27. 1, • 1.]

God signified to Moses, that he should die: and Joshua was thereupon declared to be his successor, and Moses laid his hands upon him, and gave him instructions, [ Numb. 27. 12, 23. Deutronom • e 3▪ v. 26, 27, 28.] And several laws were then made, [ Deuteronomy 28. v. 29, 30.]

Twelve thousand of the Israelites, under the leading of Ph • neas, vanquished the Midiani • e, and slew all the males among them, with their five Princes, and among them Sur the fat • er of Cosb • , all which were under the subject on of Sihon the Amorite, whiles he l • ved; and Balaam the wisard, who when he should have returned into his own Country of Mesop • tam • a, [ Numbers 24. 25.] stayed among the Midianites, [ Numbers 31. 1, 8. Joshua 13. 21, 22.] And of the females only the virgins were saved alive, [ Numb. 31. 9, 54.]

The lands which belonged to Sihon, and Og were divided and given to the tribes of Reuben, and Gad, and the half tribe or Manasseh, by Moses, [ Numb. 32. Deut. 3. 13, 20. and c. 29. 8. Ios. 13. 8, 12. and 22. 4.] all from the river Arnon, to mount Hermon (which is also called Shemir, and Syrion, and Zion) and joineth upon Anti-Lebanon, [ Deut. 3. 8, 9. Deut. 4. 48. Jos. 12. 1. Jos. 13. 9, 11.]

When the Israelites were now going into the land of Canaan, God commanded them to root out the Canan • tes and their Idols, [ Numb. 33▪ 50, 56.] and that they should divide the land, westward of Jordan, among the nine remaining tribes, and the other half tribe of Manasseh, [ Numb. 34.] and concerning the 48 Cities of the Levites, and six Cities of Refuge, [ Numb. 35.] of which there were three appointed then by Moses himself, on the east of Jordan, [ Deut. 4. 41, 42, 43.]

Upon the 5 day of 11 month ( Feb. 20. falling upon our Saturday ) in the 40 year after their departure out of Egypt, in the plain of Moab; Moses made a speech to the children of Israel; set down in the 1, 2, 3. c. of Deut. and to the 40 v. of the 4 c. and afterward continued his speaking to them; to the 27 c. of the same.

Moses, with the Elders of Israel, commanded the people, that in their passage over Jordan, they should set up great stones, whited over with chalk or plaster, and the ten Commandments to be written on them, and the form of blessing upon the mount Gerizim, and of cursing in mount Ebal, [ Deut. 27.] exhorting them to observe the Law of God, by setting before their eyes, what benefits would ensue thereof; and dehorting them from the breach of that law, by assuring them of what miseries would overtake them: if they forsook the Law, [ Deut. 28.]

Moses, by God's command, renews the Covenant, made by God with them, and their children in mount Horeb: and again persuades them, to keep that Covenant, by all the blessings and curses, which would undoubtedly follow the keepers or breakers of it, [ Deut. 29.] yet with a promise of pardon and deliverance, if at any time, having broken it, they should repent them of their sin: and tells them further, that God had therefore thus declared his will unto them, to the end, that none hereafter offending, should pretend ignorance, if he offended, [ Deut. 30.]

Moses having written this law, delivered it to the Priests, the sons of Levi, and the Elders of the people to be kept: The same day also he wrote his song, and taught the same to the children of Israel to be sung, and having finished the book of this law, he took order to have it laid up, in the side of the Ark, [ Deut. 31.] But that most excellent song of his, is contained in [ Deut. 32.]

Moses, drawing now near to his end, blessed every tribe in particular, by way of prophecy, saving only the Tribe of Simeon: which his last Will and Testament is contained in [ Deut. 32.]

In the twelfth month of this year, Moses, going up out of the plain of Moab, into mount Nebo, which was a part of the country of the Abarims, from the top thereof, lying over against Jericho, he beheld the land of Promise, allover▪ and then died, [ Numb. 27. 12, 13. Deut. 3. 23, 29. Deut. 32. 49, 50. Deut. 34. 1, 5.] being then, 120 years old, [ Deut. 31. 2, 3, 4, 7.] Of all which time, he spent a full third part, wanting only one month; in his government of the people of Israel: as is not amiss observed by Josephus, in the later end of his 4 book of antiquities: as departing this life in the last month of the year, and first day of that month, which by the Macedonians is called Dystrus, and by the Hebrews Adar: which better suiteth, with the accompt of Historians shortly after following, than with the tradition of the Jews of later time: who saith that he died upon the seventh day of the mouth Adar, as in Sedar Olam rabba, c. 10. in his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 book of the death of Moses, in the proeme of Maymonidas to the book, called Misnaioth, and in the Calendars of the Jews of this time appeareth: who still celebrate the memorial of his death, by a solemn fast upon this day.

The body of Moses, God translated out of the place where he died, into a valley of the land of Moab, over against Beth Peor, and there buried it: nor doth any man know the place where he laid it, unto this day, [ Deut. 34. 6.] But that this valley was in the land of Sihon King of the Amorites, which the Israelites won from him, appeareth out of [ Deut. 4. 46.] and that Beth Peor, was assigned to the Rubenites, out of [ Jos. 13. 20.] and therefore, whereas here Moses is said to have been buried in the land of Moab; as likewise [ Deut. 29. 1.] the Covenant is said to have been renewed in the land of Moab, it is to be understood of the land which formerly did belong to them: but was lately taken from them by Sihon King of the Amorites, as I shown before out of [ Num. 21. 26.] and was now possessed by the Israelites.

Michael the Arch-Angel, as we read in the Epistle of Jude; disputed with the Devil about the body of Moses: which the Devil would fain have brought to light; that he might thereby have ministered an occasion of Idolatry to the people of Israel, as Chrysostom in his 1. Homilie upon Matthew: and Thodoret, upon Duteronomie, Quest. 43. and Procopius Gazaeus, upon Deuteronomy, and others say: though we nowhere find that the Jews ever gave themselves to this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : i.e. This worshiping of Relics: But this contention of Michael with the Devil about the body of Moses, went about heretofore in a certain Apocryphal, entitled, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : i.e. of the Assumption of Moses, as we read in Origen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , lib. 3. cap. 2. and in Gelasius Cyricenu • in the Acts of the Council of Nice, part. 1. c. 20. Like unto which, somewhat is also found in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of Rabbi Nathan.

The Israelites mourned for Moses in the land of Moab, 30 days, [ Deut. 34. 8.] to wit, all the whole 12 month.

And here ends the Pentatuch, or the five books of Moses, containing the history of 2552 years and a half, from the beginning of the world; and the book of Joshua begins with the 41 year after the departure of the Children of Israel out of Egypt.

The First Month.

Joshua being confirmed in his Government by God, sent forth with spies from Shittim to the City of Jericho: which being harboured by Rahab in an Inn, and privily sent away when search was made for them, lay three days close in the mountain, and then returned to him, [ Jos. 2.]

Joshua commanded the people, besides their manna, which as yet ceased not, to take other provant and victuals along with them, as being three days after to pass over Jordan, [ Jos. 1. 10, 11.]

The next morning, they removed from Shittim and came to the river Jordan, and there encamped that night, [ Jos. 3. 1.]

The third day after, warning was given them, as it should seem, to provide victuals; the people also were commanded to sanctify and prepare themselves to pass over Jordan the morrow after, [ Jos. 3. 2, 5.]

Upon the 10 day of the first month, April 30. being on a Friday, to wit, the same day that the Paschal lamb was to be chosen out of the flock, the Israelites, by the leading of Joshua, a type of Jesus Christ, went up out of the river Jordan, into the promised land of Canaan, a type of that heavenly country: they passed through the river on dry foot, the waters being for that present divided, and that at a season, when they usually over-flowed the banks, for a memorial of which miraculous passage, Joshua set up twelve stones in the very channel of Jordan; and taking twelve other stones from out of the midst thereof set them up in the place where they next encamped, at Gilgal, [ Jos. 3. and 4.]

The day following (as it seems) Joshua renewed the use of Circumcision in Gilgal, which had been omitted 40 years, and there the people rested them and abode, until they were whole again, [ Jos. 5. 2, 9.]

Upon the fourteenth day of the first month (the fourth of May, being our Tuesday ) in the evening, the Israelites celebrated their first Passover in the land of Canaan, [ Joshua 5. verse. 10.

Next day after the Passover ( May 5. being Wednesday ) they are of the fruit of the Land of Cannan, unleavened bread, and parched corn; and manua ceased, the very day after they began to live of the fruits of the land; and the children of Israel after that, saw manna no more, but lived that year, of the fruits of the land of Canaan, [ Ios. 5. 11, 12.].

Our Lord Jesus, Captain of his Fathers Host, appearing to Joshua, the typical Jesus, before Jericho, with a drawn sword in his hand, promised thereto defend his people, [ Ios. 5. 13, 14, 15.]

Jericho, the Ark of God having been carried round about it, was taken the seventh day, the walls thereof falling flat down, at the sound of the Priests trumpets: and was utterly destroyed, and all put to the sword, saving only Rahab, and her family, [ Ios. 6.] who marrying afterward to Salmon, of the Tribe of Judah, bare of him Boaz, [ Mat. 1. 5.]

The Israelites at their siege of Ay, being abandoned by God, for the sacrilege, committed by Achan, are smitten by their enemies: Achan's sin being discovered by the casting of lotts, and he found guilty, was stoned to death, and together with his children and cattle, burnt with fire, [ Ios. 7.] and God being hereby pacified, Ay was taken by an ambushment; and utterly destroyed, and twelve thousand men slain in the taking of it, [ Ios. 8. 1, 29.]

In mount Ebal, according to the law made, there was an Altar erected, for sacrifices to be made thereon, and the ten Commandments, engraved on it, the blessings and cursings were repeated in mount Ebal, and mount Gerizim, and the book of the Law read in the ears of all the people, [ Ios. 8. 30, 35.]

The kings of Canaan, moved with this great success of the Israelites, bandy themselves together against them, save only the Gibeonites, who craftily found a way to save their own live, by making a league with them: but were, nevertheless, afterward deputed to the servile offices of the house of God: [ Ios. 9.]

Adonl-zedec, King of Jerusalem, with the Kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Debit, hearing that Gibeon was fallen off from them, joined their forces together, and besieged it; But Joshua having raised the siege, pursued those five Kings, and had the killing of them, as far as Azecah, and Mackeda, at which time, the sun stood still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Ajalon, by the space almost of one whole day, and until the Israelites were fully avenged of their enemies, [ Ios. 10. 1, 14.] Whereupon Laurentius Codomannu observes two things: 1. That whereas Aialon, was distant from Gibeon, scantly, one German mile toward the west, it is very likely that the moon was then past the full and well on in the wain. 2. That seeing both those great lights began and ended their standing still both together, the Asronomical account is no ways confounded by this stay, even as (saith he) in music, the harmony is not in any sort broken, nor the voices jar, if they all rest at the same time, and then begin again, every man in his part, unto the end of the lesson.

Joshua, following the chase, those five Kings hid themselves in a cave at Mackeda, which cave, Joshua commanded to be rammed up with stones, and a guard to be set upon it, till the enemy being wholly routed, had betaken themselves to their fenced Cities: and when all the army was safely returned to Joshua in Mackeda, then were the stones removed, and those five Kings taken out of the cave, and the captains of the Host, bid to put every man his foot upon their necks; and them to be hung up upon five gibbets, until the sun went down, and then to be thrown into the same cave again, and the mouth thereof stopped up with stones as before: [ Ios. 10. 16, 17.]

And thus ended that most busy year of the would, 2553. in the first six months, whereof Mose • h mses • f took in and possessed all that land over Jordan, toward the east, and in the later, Joshua conquered the most part of all, that lay to the west of it: and in the midst of the year, manna ceasing, the people of Israel began to suesist and live upon the profits of the land of Canaan. [Year of the World 2554. a.]

From the Autumn of this year, [The Julian Period 3264] wherein, [Year before Christ 1450] after the failing of manna, they began to till the ground and sow it, is to be reckoned the first year, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , ( i.e. ) of their tillage, and the rise of the sabbatical years hence to be taken, Ex. 23. 10, 11. Lev. 25. 2, 7. Deut. 15. 1, 9. and Deut. 31. 10.]

The five kings thus destroyed, all the rest of the kings, combined together against the Israelites; and with them Joshua had a long war, [ Ios. 11. 1, 18.] which lasted full six years: [Year of the World 2559. a.] as we shall see anon.

Joshua, [The Julian Period 3269] now grown old, [Year before Christ 1455] was commanded by God, to divide all the land on the west of Jordan, among the nine tribes remaining, and the other half tribe of Manasseh, [ Ios. 13. 1, 7.] whereupon he first divided the land of Gilgal, (where the Tabernacle of God then was, and the Army then lay) among the Tribes of Judah, and Ephra • m, and the half tribe of Manasseh, [ Ios. 14. 6. Ios. 15. 16, 17.] at which time Caleb the son of Jephunna, 45 years after the time that he was sent to spy out the land by Moses, desired to have Hebron with the mountain countries of Judea, to be assigned to him for his part: undertaking to expuise the Anakims from thence, [ Ios. 14. 6, 10, 13.]

Yet would not Joshua permit (as Tremellius hath here very well observed) that Caleb with his own company should assault Hebron: but himself went with the whole Army to take it in; and having taken it, then gave it unto Caleb; to wit, the lands and villages thereunto adjoining: reserving the city itself, and suburbs thereof for a city of refuge, and for the Priests use, [ Josh. 21. 11, 12, 13. 1 Chron. 55. 56, 57.] For, that, neither Hebron, nor Debir, though both lying within the land, and inheritance assigned to Caleb, were yet taken by the Israelites, not the Anakims rooted out from thence, appeareth out of the [14 and 15 chap. of Joshua ] so that all which is contained in the book of Joshua, from [ verse 28. cap. 10.] to the end of chap. 11. and in the first chapter of the book of Judges, from the ninth, to the fifteenth verse, seems wholly to be referred to this place, because of the contiguity and coherence of the matter handled in each of them.

For when as the children of Judah and Joseph, being established in their possessions, according to their Tribes; a great part of the land of Canaan remained still in the hands of the Gentiles; Joshua before the proceeded to any further apportioning of lands, going with the Host of Israel from Gilgal, took Makkeda at the first assault: and so did he Libna in like manner; utterly destroying the Kings and people of either Kingdom, [ Josh. 10. 28, 29, 30.]

From thence he marched with his Army to Lachish: took it the second day after he came before it, and put all there likewise to the sword. And when Horam King of Gezer came to relieve it, Joshua met him, and destroyed him and his people, so that he left not a man of them alive: and then marching to Eglon, took it the very day he came before it, and put all to the sword, [ Josh. 10. 31, 35.]

Afterward Joshua with all Israel, going up from Eglon to Hebron; took it, and put to the sword the new king thereof; (for the old one was hanged six years before) with all the cities belonging, [ Josh. 10. 36, 37.] whence Caleb also cast those three Giants, the sons of Anak, so much renowned and talked of 45 years before, [ Numb. 13. 22, 23.] to wit, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, [Josh. 15. 14.]

Then Joshua with the Army, marching out of the south of Canaan, came before Debir, [ Josh. 10. 38.] which formerly was called, Kariath-Sepper; where, when Caleb had proclaimed, that whoever took it, should have his daughter to wife: it fell out that Othoniel, cousin germain to Caleb, and the son of Kenaz took it: and thereupon married his daughter Acsah, and had with her in dowry, a piece of land with springs of water in it, [ Josh. 15. 15, 19 Judge. 1. 11, 15.] and having taken the city, he put their new King also (for the other he had caused to be hanged with the rest, six years before) with all his cities to the edge of the sword, [ Josh. 10. 39.]

To conclude, Joshua destroyed all the Hill-Country, and all the South parts, plain and valley, and all their Kings, even from Kadesh-Barnea, as far as unto Gaza; and all the country of Goshen, (which was in the lot of the Tribe of Judah) as far as Gibeon. And all these Kings, and all their lands took Joshua at one time ( i. ) in one expedition or journey; for God himself all that while fought for Israel: and having thus done, then he with all the Host of Israel, came back to Gilgal, [ Josh. 10. 40, 43.]

The rest of the Kings, with whom Joshua had warred a long time, hearing what Joshua had done, resolved to set upon him with all their forces united in one: but Joshua coming suddenly upon them, and unawares, slew them and possessed all their land, [ Josh. 11. 1, 16.] from the mountain, which goeth up to Seir, which is the frontier of Edom, unto Baal-Gaddem, in the valley of Lebanon, which lieth under the Hill of Hermon, [ Josh. 11, 47. Josh. 12. 7.]

Then went Joshua and rooted out those Giants, the Anakims with their cities; out of the Hill-Countries, out of Hebron: (this was done by the hands of the Tribes of Judah, [ Judge. 1. 10.] out of Debir, out of Anab, and g • nerally out of all the mountains of Judah, and all Israel. And so having gotten the whole land into his hands, he divided it among the children of Israel for a possession, by shares or portions (as we shall see in the year following) according to their Tribes: and so the land rested from war, [ Josh. 11. 23. Josh. 14. 15.]

The seventh year, [Year of the World 2560. a.] reckoned from the first year wherein they began to till the ground in Canaan, was withal the first Sabbatical year which was kept among them. When by this typical Jesus they were brought into this place of rest, which was a true type and figure of that Sabbath and Rest, which the true Jesus was to acquire, and bring the people of God into, [ Heb. 4. 9.] And from hence also, the years of Jubile, or of every fifty years space, is to be reckoned, [ Levite. 25. 8, 13.]

Upon the 15 day of the seventh month, (our November the fifth, falling upon a Saturday) the Israelites kept the Feast of Tabernacles in booths made of boughs of trees, according to the law, [ Levite. 23. 29, 40.] and much more solemnly than was afterward used in the times of the Judges or Kings, [ Neb. 8. 17.]

When God was now about to give the Israelites rest from all their enemies round about them, so that they might dwell there securely; it was requisite that a place also should be appointed, which himself should choose, to place his name there, [Deut. 12 10, 11.] Wherefore coming together at Shilo, they there fixed the Tabernacle of the Congregation; after the whole land was subdued unto them.

[ Josh. 18. 1.] Now Shilo (where the Tabernacle with the Ark of the Covenant continued by the space of 328. years) both by the signification of the name, and also by the situation of the place, seemeth to be the same with