A Letter to a Friend Touching Mordecais Age

The Printer to the Reader.

T Hat the Letter following might better be understood, I requested the Autour, that one special Text might be set before it, as he had translated it. Dan. 9, 24. I heard him affirm, that none, for skill in Hebrew would blame that Translation: and though many differ, it was not for ignorance of the tongue: but by their conceit touching the matter, drawing the words as they judged of the whole cause. Thus he translated that point, which was Gabriel's speech: who came to Daniel, praying at the time of the evening offering, or three of the clock, or ninth hour by Scripture phrase: ( at which hour 490. years after most exactly, our Lord gave up the ghost:) and told, that at the beginning of his prayer came forth the word (or answer from God) which he came to show: and saith thus. Seauentie sevens (of years) are cut out, for thy people, and for thy holy City: to consume wickedness, and to abolysh sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring righteousness everlasting, and to seal Vision and Prophet, and to show Christ the Holy of Holy. Know & mark: from the outgoing of the Word, to return & to build Jerusalem, unto Christ the governor, shall be seven sevens (of years) and sixty and two sevens: (in the other) it shall be restored and builded, Streete and Wall, and troublous shall these times be. In that after the sixty and two sevens Christ shall be killed: and not for him self: thereupon the City and holy place shall he destroy, the Governors own people to come: and their ende shall be with a Flood: and at the ende of war, it shall have a final judgment to desolation. But he shall confirm the Testament for many the last Seven: when in Halfe that seven he shall ende the Sacrifice and Oblation. Afterterwardes by an Army abominable he shall make a desolation: even till utter destruction and final judgment flow upon the desolate. And this much for the Readers preparation, to understand the Epistle following.

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

Y Ou desire to know of me, in what age Mordecai lived: because you hold his times to help much the truth of Chronicle: whereby sundry Books of the holy Prophets may better be understood. Your request is reasonable: because you rightly judge of the profit arising by that knowledge. For whereas the chief prophecy in all the old Testament, touching the time of salvation is obscured: that of Dan. 9, 24 & also Dan. 11. Ester, Ezra, Nehemiah, Aggi, Zacharias, by reason that men attribute near 100. years more then common lykelyhood can suffer, or some writers old and late will grant, to these men after Babel was taken: I mean to Cyrus Cambyses, Darius Hystaspes, & Xerxes : They who hold Ahasuerus to be Xerxes (who be y ^e chiefest Patrons of that excessive time) if it can be shown that Mordecai was in captivity 63. y. must needs grant that from Cyrus surprising of Babel to Ahasuerus ende, when yet Mordecai was somewhat active: 30. years agreeth more with the common course of life, then 121. And that being settled, touching years thence to Tiberius 18. year: Some old Greek accompt will very well agree with us for Daniel's sevens, to make up. 490. years. Wherefore your judgment, careful to know his times must be allowed: and endeavor to satisfy your request must be used.

The Scripture whereupon disputation of late groweth, is this. Ester. 2.5. In the city of Sbushan, there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a man of Iemini, which had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity that was carried away with Iekoniah king of Judah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel had carried away: and nourished Hadassah, that is Ester, his uncles daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair, and beautiful to look on: and after the death of her father and her mother, Mordecai took her for his own daughter. To this text I think good to join immediately another touching them, who were captived with Iekoniah, to show that not only valient men, but also women and babes were then carried captive: of which babes Mordecai might be one. Thus it is written 2. King. 24 14. And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the strong men of war, even ten thousand into captivity, and all the workmen and cunning men: so none remained saving the poor people of the land. Now if none were left but the poor of the earth, noble women and children must needs be in the reckoning of the captivity. But let us return to the first text Est. 2.5 Upon which Scripture, we must weigh what hath been thought, and may be. I hold it doubtless that Mordecai by this text was in the captivity. The same held also the most ancient: that it may appear, this opinion not to be new, but holden constantly of long time, the father of TRUTH. The Greek additions to Esther plainly show, that in ancient time Mordecai was holden to be of Jeconiah captivity: for thus it is written. Esther. 11.2. Mardocheus the son of Jairus, the son of Semei, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin had a dream, a Jew dwelling in the city of Susis, a noble man, that bare office in the kings court. He was also one of the captivity which Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon brought from Jerusalem with Jeconiah. That those Greek additions be very old it appeareth by Ios. Ben-gorion, whom Drusius thinketh to be Flauius Josephus. For Ben-gorion in his Hebrew story followeth them: and the Greek church styfly enough held them. Wherefore if that age were now alive, and called to an after reckoning for the Persian continuance, I judge by Mardochais age, they would willingly cut off about a hundred years for their ouerreaching Chronicle: and rejoice not a little to have Daniel's times brought to plainness. They did not only of ancient days allow of y ^e greek additions for Mardochais times: but in their own writings do the like. Josephus saith, that Mordecai had been at Babylon. Clemens saith that he was in the Captivity. So doth Athanasius in Synopsi, in Hester. Cedrenus placeth Ahasuerus in the beginning of Darius, and Cy. Monarchy. Zonaras much followeth Josephus. These men's testimonies against their own negligent accompt, should seem to be void of partiality.

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

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

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

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

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

Cyrus 3. y. Schubert. Well may he have reigned 27. y. before.

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

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

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

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

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

Darius 8. years.

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

Ochus 3. years.

Darius 6. years.

Their years in all are 130.

The Greeks.

Alexander 6. Herein I somewhat mende Clement from all other Gretians.

Ptolemy Lagi 40. years.

Pto. Philadelphus. 27. y. rather 37.

Pt. Euergetus. 25. y.

Pt. Philopator. 17. y.

Pt Epiphanes 24. y.

Pt. Philometor 35. y.

Pt. Physcon 29. y.

Pt. Lathurus 36. y. Strabo would place Lathurus before Physcon.

Pt. Dionysius 29. y.

Cleopatra 22. y.

Clemens copy omitteth ten y. in someone, by like in Philad. to finish the sum of 294. y. which sum in two places he hath.

The whole sum is 300. years.

From Alexanders death in Ptol. 294. that same Melanthon, Bullinger, and many others follow.

From Cleopatra's overthrow by Augustus to 18. of Tiberius 60. y. by accounts of the old & the later. And this I have laid down, that you might better know, where the Jews help the Gentiles to hold the truth, for what times the scriptures fully help us, and where the Jews may easily be confuted, and the Gentiles agree commonly. This being well weighed, you may see that in Mordecai antiquity and novelty must both agree to cast Daniel's sevens, as I shown in the Consent of Scripture which I wrote.

This one Treatise of Mordecai well considered will make men more capable of truth in sundry arguments: which shall be (God willing) handled for manifesting of Daniel.