Priests Garment signifieth the Sun and Moon The number of the Gems allude to L the number of the Months or the twelve Houses or the equal number of parts of that Circle which the Grecians call the Zodiack The Thiara or Mitre likewise hath an allusion to Heaven by reason of its Azure or Hyacinthine colour for otherwise the Name of God might not be placed therein and the Triple Crown of Gold by its brightness represents his glory and Soveraign Majesty Let this suffice for the present for that which we will discourse hereafter will furnish us with sufficient and ample matter to shew and set out the Wisdom of our Law-giver CHAP. IX Of Aaron's Priesthood Exod. 28 29. and the Laws which appertain to the Feasts and Sacrifices M AFter these things were thus order'd and it remained onely to consecrate the Tabernacle Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. God appeared to Moses commanding him to establish Aaron his Brother Exod. 28. v. 1 2 3 High Priest who in respect of his vertue deserved that Title of Honour above all the rest 29. 1. ad 28. For which cause Moses assembling the congregation discoursed unto them his vertues God elected Aaron Moses Brother for High Priest and discovered his good affection and reckoned up unto them how many dangers he had suffered in their behalf Every one approved this choice declaring the forward zeal and love they alwayes bare unto him Whereupon he spake unto them after this manner The work is now brought unto such an end as it hath pleased God and hath been possible for us and for that you know we are to receive him into N this Tabernacle we ought above all things to have a special care in the election of such an one who is to make sacrifice and supplication for us Touching my self if the matter depended on my private choice I should esteem no Man more worthy than my self to execute this Function both for that naturally Men love themselves and for that I am well assured how many travels I have supported for your sake But God himself hath judged Aaron worthy of this honour and hath chosen him for his High Priest in that he excelleth all other in equity and justice commanding that he should be invested with the Sacred Robes and take charge of the Altars and Sacrifices He shall make Prayers for you unto God who will hear them willingly by reason that he hath care of your Race and will receive them proceeding from a person whom he himself O hath elected These words of his were grateful unto the People and they all approved the election which God had made For Aaron was more capable of that honour than any A other both by reason of his race and in regard of the gift of prophecy which he had receiv'd and also for the eminent vertue of his Brother He had at that time four Sons Nadab Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar But whatsoever remained of those things which were gathered for the building of the Tabernacle was imployed to make Veyles to cover the Tabernacle Candelstick Altar and the other Instruments to the end that in their travel they might not be soyled either by rain or dust Aarons Sons And having once more assembled the People together Exod. 36. 8. he commanded them to offer every one of them half a Sicle the Sicle is a kind of Hebrew Coyne that is as much in value as four Athenian Drams whereunto they obeyed willingly Sicle The number of them that offered was six hundred five thousand five hundred and fifty And they that brought this Money B were such as were of a free condition The number of the Israelites betwixt twenty and fifty years of age and betwixt the years of twenty and fifty and that which was received was imployed in the necessaries of the Temple Then did he purifie the Tabernacle and the Priests in this manner He took the weight of five hundred Sycles of chosen Myrrh and the like quantity of Ireos of Cinamon and of Calamus which is a most Odoriferous Drug the half of the said weight and he caused all these to to be beaten and infused into a Hin of Oyl of Olive this Hin is one of our Measures containing two Choas of Athens all which he mixed and boyled together according to the Art of Perfumers and he made thereof a most Odoriferous Oyntment which he took and anointed the Priest therewith and all that which belonged to the Tabernacle The Holy Oyntment to the intent to purifie them offering many and sundry sorts C of Perfumes of great price upon the Altar of Gold whereof I forbear to speak any further for fear I should grow tedious to the Readers Twice a day before Sun-rise and Sun-set The Sacrifices they were to burn Incense and supply the Lamps of this purifi'd Oyl whereof three were to burn every day upon the sacred Candlestick in honour of God and the rest were lighted in the evening Amongst them that wrought and finished these things Beseleel and Eliah were the most excellent and expert workmen for whatsoever had been enterprized by others v. 2. they in their Art polished and perfected And they found out many new things Beseleel of their own invention yet was Beseleel judged the most excellent of the two All the time imployed in this work was seven months and at that time was the year D accomplished which began at their departure out of Egypt In the beginning of the second year in the moneth which the Macedonians call Xantichus and the Hebrews Nisan upon the new Moon they dedicated the Tabernacle with all things belonging thereunto Exo. 40. 1 2 3. according as I have made mention And God presently testified that both their Gifts and Works were acceptable in his sight The Tabernacle was dedicated on the first day of April the second year after their departure out of Egypt the year after the Creation of the World 2455. before Christs birth 1509. by his presence honouring the Tabernacle after this manner The Sky being elsewhere clear and fair over the Tabernacle alone there was a Cloud not wholly thick like a Winter strom nor yet so thin that a Man could see thorow the same from whenc there descended a Dew that gave testimony of Gods presence unto them that had Faith Moses having recompenced all the Work-masters with such rewards as appertained unto them by desert offer'd sacrifice E according as God had commanded him in the Door or Porch of the Tabernacle a Bull and a Ram and a Kid for their sins but with what ceremony these things are done I will declare when I treat of Sacrifices as also what Offerings are to be burnt by fire and according to the Law are allowed to be fed upon and with the blood of the slaughtered Beasts he sprinkled the Vestment of Aaron and purified both him and his Children
answered E that they knew him well and that he was a Man of that reputation that his name could not be concealed that his Daughter was accustomed to feed her flock with them and that they wondered that she was not yet arrived of whom said they thou mayest perfectly understand all that thou desirest to know Whilest thus they pass'd the time in talk the Maiden drew near accompanied with her shepherds whom one of the company informed that Jacob was inquisitive after her Father who rejoycing after the manner of young Maidens asked him what he was and whence he came and what affair had brought him thither wishing she had the means to supply whatsoever his necessities required v. 9 ad 12. Jacob being mov'd not so much by the courtesie and Kindred as by her beauty Jacob's talk with Rachel Rachels excellent Beauty which was very extraordinary said unto her If thou art the Daughter of Laban F there is a greater and more ancient conjunction betwixt us than either thine or my birth for Abraham Aran and Nachor were Thares Sons Bathuel thy Grand father was Nachors Son Isaac my Father was the Son of Abraham and Sara the Daughter of Aran. There is yet a nearer and dearer relation between us for Rebecca my Mother is Sister unto Laban thy Father born of one Father and Mother so that we are Cousins and therefore am I come at this present to salute you and renew that ancient love which our alliance requireth at our hands But she remembring all those things which her Father was wont to report and discourse of Rebecca and knowing that her Parents were desirous to hear some news from her wept for joy and embracing the young Man said unto him Thou bringest a most desired and great pleasure to my Father and all his G family who never forgets thy Mother but oftentimes makes mention of her and would esteem it a great felicity to hear tidings from her Then she desired him to follow her to her Father lest any longer he might be deprived of so desired a pleasure This said she brought him to Laban where being acknowledged by his Uncle he both H by that means lived securely amongst his Friends v. 12. ad 23. Jacob 's talk with Laban and brought him great contentment by his unexpected access unto them Some dayes after Laban told him that he took so much contentment in his presence The year of the World 103. before Christs Nativity 1771 that he could not express it in words and desired him to manifest the cause that had induced him to leave his Father and Mother in their old age when they had most need of him and he promised him all assistance and favour in whatsoever case he had to make use of him Whereupon Jacob discoursed unto him the whole matter that Isaac had two Sons Esau and himself that his Brother because by his Mothers contrivance he had defrauded him of his Fathers Blessing sought to kill him as the ravisher of that principality from him that was destinated unto him by God and the intercepter of his Fathers other intentions that this with his mothers command I was the cause why he came thither as to his nearest relation by the Mothers side adding that next after God he hoped to find his greatest assistance and help in him his Uncle Whereupon Laban promising to him whatsoever humanity he could desire as well in respect of their common ancestors as for the love he bare unto his Mother towards whom although she were absent he would express his good affection in shewing himself well affected towards him that was there present he told him then that he would give him the charge of his flock and make him Master over all his shepherds and that when he thought good to return back again to his Friends he should depart with such rewards and honours as might well beseem a Friend so nearly allyed unto him v. 23 ad 26. Jacob for recomâ—ence requireth Rachel for his Wife Which when Jacob understood he answered That he would willingly K endure any sort of labour in Labans service and that his devoir towards him would be a delight to himself but that in lieu of his labours he required Rachel to Wife who deserved his esteem for her vertue and particularly for her goodness wherewith she had brought him thither declaring that the love which he bare unto her was the cause why he used those speeches The year of the World 2103. before the Nativity of Christ 1771. Laban being greatly delighted and contented with this his discourse granted him his consent to the Marriage telling him that he could not have wisht for a better Son-in-Law but with condition that he should sojourn a while with him for that he was no ways minded to send his Daughter among the Canaanites and that it repented him that by reason of Marriage his Sister had been carried into so far a Countrey Jacob accepted the condition and covenanted to abide L with him for seven years saying that he was glad to have found an occasion of making appear to him by his care and good service that he was not unworthy of his alliance When the time which was covenanted between them was expired 22. Jacob instead of Rachel lyeth with Leah and Jacob expected the contented possession of his love as was promised him Laban prepared a nuptial feast and when night drew on and Jacob least suspected he brought his Daughter Leah less fair in face 23. and elder in years and lay'd her in his Bed Jacob deceived by the darkness and for that he had drunk liberally lay with her but the day after discovering the deceit he complained hereof to Laban who asked him pardon alledging that he had not brought in Leah with intent to deceive him 27 ad 35 but that the custom of the Countrey which forbids to Marry the younger before the elder compelled him thereunto yet that the M same should no ways hinder but that he should Marry Rachel too on condition to serve him yet seven years more Herewith Jacob was pacified and suffered himself to be perswaded out of the love which he bear to Rachel and when the other seven years were expired he Married Rachel Now these Sisters had two Maid Servants which their Father had given them Lea's Maid was called Zelpha and Rachel's Bala they were no Slaves but only Subjects Leah liv'd in great grief to see that Jacob bare greater affection to her Sister than to her self bethinking her oftentimes that if she could have Children she should be better esteemed and loved by her husband for which cause she continually besought Almighty God that it would please him to give her issue whereupon it happened that God gave her a Son and Jacobs affection was turned towards N her for which cause she called him Ruben that is to say the Son of Vision because she had
Ruffinus chap 15. that notwithstanding the many coverings and clothes they laid upon him C yet could he not be warmed it was the advice of his Physitians that one of the fairest Virgins that was in the Countrey should be chosen to lie with the King 1 King 1. 1 2 3 4. because by this means she might warm his chill limbs and comfort his decaying heat David groweth old and numb Whereupon after search made they found out a Damsel called Abisag which surpassed all other in beauty Abisag waâ—meth him who slept with him and warmed him for by reason of his age he was unable to have the use of a woman But of this Virgin hereafter we shall make furthermention The fourth Son of David was a goodly tall young man v. 5. called Adonias the Son of Aegistha Adonias affecteth the Kingdom who resembling Absalon in complection and ambition designed to make himself King and amongst his ordinary discourses which he used to his friends he said that the succession to the Crown belonged of right unto him To this intent he D prepared many Chariots and Horses and fifty men to attend him for his Guard His Father certified of these his proceedings reprooved him not nor crossed his designs nor demanded any account of his actions Joab the General and the High priest Abiathar were ingaged on his side and stood firm to his interest but they that opposed him were the High Priest Sadoc and the Prophet Nathan and Benaia the Captain of the Guard with Simei Davids friend besides all other the Valiant men at Arms. Whereas therefore Adonias made a banquet without the City and in the Suburbs near unto the Fountain of the Park-Royal he invited all his Brethren unto the same except Solomon and took with him Joab and Abiathar v. 11 ad 29. with the Governours of the Tribe of Juda but as touching Sadoc Bethsaba by Nathans persuasion certifieth David of Adonias usurpation the Prophet Nathan Benaia and the rest of the contrary party he called them not E unto the banquet This did the Prophet Nathan tell to Bethsabe Solomons mother certifying her that Adonias was made King without the knowledge of David advising her both to have care of her own security and the state and Majesty of her Son who by reason of Adonias usurpation was like to be supplanted wishing her in person to certifie the King thereof and further promising that while she debated these things with the King he would come in the mean while and confirm that which he had said Bethsabe being thus perswaded by Nathan came unto the King and humbling herself before him and afterwards desiring leave to speak unto him she informed him of all those things that had hapned according as she had been advised by the Prophet particularly giving him an account of the banquet which Adonias had made and what guests he had F invited namely Abiathar and Joab with the rest of his Sons except Solomon and his particular friends urging this furthermore that the people expected who it should be whom David would nominate to succeed him for which cause she earnestly besought David that he would provide that he who should succeed him in the Government should neither seek her blood nor the death of her Son Solomon Whilest Bethsabe discoursed after this manner the King had notice that Nathan attended to speak with him Whereupon David commanded that he should be called in and as soon as he was entered he asked the King if that day he had appointed Adonias to govern and succeed in the kingdom after him for that said he he hath made a sumptuous feast whereunto he hath invited all thy Sons but Solomon thither also hath he called Joab where after the great cheer and banqueting G they have proclaimed and cryed Long live the King Adonias Furthermore said he he hath neither invited me nor the High-Priest Sadoc nor the Captain of the Guard Banaiaâ— It therefore behooveth thee to let us know if this be done by thy approbation and allowance As soon as Nathan had made an end of his speech The year of the World 2931. before Christ's Nativity 1033. David comanded that Bethsabe should H be called in who had retired out of the Kings chamber at such time as the Prophet entered in As soon as Bethsabe re-entred the chamber David said unto her I swear unto thee by the great God that thy Son Solomon shall raign after me according as before this time I have already sworn unto thee and he it is that shall sit upon my throne yea even this present day v. 30. Upon these words Bethsabe humbled herself and besought God to grant the King long life The kingdom is confirmed to Solomon by an oaâ—h Whereupon he called for Sadoc the high Priest and Banaia the Captain of the Guard and appointed them to take the Prophet Nathan with them and all the men at Arms that attended him in Court charging them to mount his Son Solomon upon his Royal Mule upon which only the King was wont to ride and to conduct him out of the City near unto the Fountain of Gehon in which place after they had I anointed him with holy oyle he willed them to proclaim Solomon King commanding the High Priest Sadoc and the Prophet Nathan to see his will performed charging those that followed him throw the City with sound of Trumpet and a loud voyce to cry out that Solomon was seted for ever in his fathers throne to the intent that all the people might understand that by his Fathers consent he was declared King And calling Solomon unto him v. 33 ad 40. he gave him instructions by which he might with justice and integrity govern the Tribe of Juda and the rest of the Israelites Solomon is annointed King and placed in his Fathers Throne After this Banaia besought God that it would please him to be favourable unto Solomon and with all expedition Solomon was mounted upon the Kings Mule and conducted out of the City near unto the fountain where after he had been anointed with oyle they brought him back again into K the City with great joy and applause wishing him a long and prosperous government then reconducting him to the Kings Palace they placed him on his Throne and the people generally gave themselves over to feasting and mirth and to sport and rejoyce with dances and instruments of musick so that by reason of the multitude of instruments not only the air resounded but the earth also seemed in a manner to be moved therewith So that Adonias and they that banqueted with him hearing the noise were all of them troubled and Joab in particular said that those tunes and trumpettings did no wayes please him Whilest thus they sate at the banquet v. 40 41 ad 50. and every man thorow pensivenesse forbore to eat being distracted thorow variety of thoughts Jonathan
by divine providence and that they furnished him with resons to maintain his sentiments The Translation of the Bible into the Greek tongue But the King protested in their presence that their conversation had infinitely contented and instructed him in that by their means he had obtained the good hap to be informed by them how to govern his Kingdom Whereupon he commanded that each of them should have three talents given him and that they should O be conveyed to their lodgings Some four days after Demetrius took them with him and led them over that trench of the Sea that containeth seven furlongs and that Bridge which joyneth the Island to the continent and toward the Northern part thereof he assigned them a loding remote from all noise The year of the World 3684. before Christ's Nativity 380. and fit for contemplation to A which place after he had brought them he besought them that since they had all those things that were necessary for the interpretation of their laws they would apply themselves unto it without any discontinuance of the work until they had brought it to perfection whereupon they imployed all the diligence that was possible to the end the interpretation might be exact intending only this from the morning untill three houres after noon after which time they imployed the rest of the day in their refection and to that end they were furnished in all aboundance with all sorts of victuals Besides Dorotheus presented them with a part of divers dishes which were prepared for the King for so had his Majesty commanded it Thus every morning entred they the Kings Palace and after they had saluted him they retired themselves to their accustomed B place and after they had washed their hands in the Sea water and were purified they sate down in that manner to prosecute their translation Now when the law was fully interpreted and the work was finished in the space of seventy and two days Demetrius assembled all the Jews in that place where the law had been translated and caused it to be read over in the presence of the interpreters themselves Which done the Assembly approved the Exposition of the Interpreters and praised Demetrius by whose suggestions they enjoyed so great a good They requested likewise that this Exposition should be perused and over-read by the Nobles and Governours After this both the Priest the Elders the Interpreters and the Magistrates of the People required that since this translation was so happily atchieved it might remain unaltered so C that no jot thereof might be changed Which resolution being allowed by all men it was ordered that if any man perceived any thing in that translation which was either exuberant or deficient he should consider thereupon and give notice thereof to the end it might be corrected dealing herein very discreetly to the end that that which had once been adjudged good should continue inviolable for ever The King therefore was highly contented seeing his endeavours and purpose in that behalf so happily and profitably finished but above all things he took pleasure in reading the Law admiring at the profound wisdom of the Law-maker and began to question with Demetrius by what means it came to pass that neither any Poet not Historiographer had made mention of that Law notwithstanding that in it self D it was so admirable To whom Demetrius gave this answer that no man was so hardy to touch that work by reason that it was Divine and every way venerable assuring him also that certain men who had attempted to set their hands thereto had been punished by God giving him to understand how Theopompus intending to reduce some part of that Law into his History Gods justice upon those Ethnicks that intermedled with the sacred Scriptures had ran mad for more then thirty dayes and that having some intermission of his fit he appeased God by prayer thereby easily conjecturing what was the cause of his malady Moreover he was certified by a Vision that appeared unto him in his sleep that this inconvenience befell him because he had too curiously searched into sacred and divine matters and had intended to communicate the same unto prophane and wicked men from which enterprise when he had desisted he recovered E his right wits again He likewise insinuated further that Theodestes the Tragick Poet intending to make mention in some of his Poems of a certain History written in the sacred Scriptures was strucken blind and acknowledging the cause hereof to proceed from his audacious presumption he was restored to his sight after he had appeased Gods displeasure When the King had considered on these words according as Demetrius had discoursed them unto him he prostrated himself on the earth and commanded that the books should be carefully kept to the end they might continue free from corruption Furthermore he exhorted the Translators to repair oftentimes unto him from Judea assuring them that in so doing the matter would redound both to their honor and profit telling them that for that time he thought good to dismiss them but when they should return unto F him again of their own motion they should obtain all that which their wisedom deserved or magnificence could impart unto them This said he gave them leave to depart The presents which the King bestowed upon the Interpreters and those he sent to Eleazer after he had given each of them three several suits of apparel two talents of gold and a cup that was in value worth a talent and a certain Bed or curious Couch to sit and banquet upon This gave he them for themselves But to Eleazer the High Priest he sent by them ten Couches whose feet were of silver and the furniture answerable and a vessel of thirty Talents Ten Purple Robes likewise and a magnificent Crown and one hundred pieces of fine linen and besides that he sent by way of present unto the Temple Ewers Basins and two Golden vessels beseeching Eleazer by his letters that if any one of his subjects had an inclination to come unto him he would permit G him assuring him that he would highly esteem the conversation of so learned men and that he had riches which he would imploy with great pleasure in such affairs Thus did Ptolomey Philadelphus esteem and honor the Jews A CHAP. III. The year of the World 3984. before Christ's Nativity 280. Favor received by the Jews from the Kings of Asia Antiochus the great contracts an alliance with the Ptolomey King of Egypt and gives him Cleopatra his Daughter in Marriage with severel Provinces for her Dowry and amongst the rest Judea Onias the Chief Priest insenseth the King of Egypt by refusing to pay the Tributes which was due THe Jews received honour likewise at the hands of the Kings of Asia because they had born Arms under them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. For Seleucus sirnamed Nicanor highly respected them The immunities and
our Ancestors yet was it his pleasure to ennoble this assembly to the end it might be continued from five to five years and this he proclaimed publickly in the Countries round about and to this fight he assembled all the nations The wrastlers also and all that which concerned their exercise were sought out from all corners of the world under the hope to obtain the proposed palm and victory and all the most expedient in those exercises that were to be found were invited to that assembly For he proposed most huge rewards not only to those that exercised wrastling but also to those who are called Musicians and to all sorts of players on instruments endeavouring to his utmost power that all the most famous in those professions should I be assistant in those pastimes He appointed also a reward of great value for such as ran upon the chariots of three four or of one horse and all that which was both sumptuous and magnificent to behold for every one thing was most carefully provided for he strove to have the honour of a most magnificent preparation for his games The Theater was hung all about with Caesars titles and the trophees of those nations which were overcome by him altogether set out and shining with gold and silver As for the instruments thereof there wanted neither furniture costly vestments or precious stones Thither also were drawn certain wild beasts as Lions and other beasts which were worthy to be placed in this famous shew being admirable both for their force and rareness of nature who fought the one with the other and against such men likewise who were condemned to die whereby the strangers conceived together K with the admiration of his expence an uncomparable and unaccustomed pleasure Herod obtaineth no small honour by these expences But his countreymen interpreted this thing for a manifest corruption of those disciplines and manners which they had entertained and honoured amongst them For it was an act most manifestly impious to hazard men against wild beasts to delight the eyes of other men It was also a matter as impious to change and prophane the ordinances of the countrey for forrain exercises But the most hated of all these were the Trophees for in that they were certain Images attired in armor the use and veneration whereof were forbidden by our laws this displeased and grieved them more than any thing whatsoever neither was Herod ignorant of those troubles which they procured But he thought it to be a matter of danger to attempt the same for the present by force and for that cause he familiarly debated the same with L some few of them and discoursed unto them his occasions to the end to rid them of their superstition The Jews suppose that the Trophees covered with arms were Images but could not prevail For all of them with one consent cried out against the indignity which they saw him commit telling him that although all other things were to be tolerated yet the Trophees which were Images of Men were unsupportable because they were unusual in their Countrey Herod perceiving that they were discontented and that they would not be easily wrought upon except they had some contentment he called the worthiest men amongst them and led them into the Theater demanding of them what they thought these Trophees were and when they cried out that they were images of men he incontinently caused all the ornaments to be taken off from them letting them see that they were nought else but naked stocks of wood so that suddenly their displeasure was turned into a M laughter and their doubts were presently discussed Thus appeased he the people and moderated the fury of their discontent so that divers of them changed their opinions and were no more displeased Notwithstanding there were some of these that persisted in the conceit they had of those exercises supposing that the corruption of their ancient discipline was an inducement to their grievous calamities and they imagined that it rather concerned them to undergo all dangers than to endure any alteration in their customs by permitting that Herod should introduce new and extraordinary fashions who onely in word was their King but in effect an enemy of their whole nation Ten men conspire against Herod For this cause there were ten men amongst them who bound themselves by oath to hazard all extremities and to this intent they had hid certain short swords under their garments amongst these there was one that was blind who urged N and egged on by the strangeness of those things which he had heard not for that he was of ability to execute any thing with his hand but to testifie that he was ready to suffer with the rest if any misfortune should befall them by his example the rest of them were not a little confirmed These having mutually undertaken this resolution repaired to the Theater under hope that Herod should not escape them for that they intended to assail him unawares at least if they failed of him their hope was to fall foul on some of his favourites and followers accounting this to be some comfort in their expected death if in regard of their violated religion they might bring the King in hatred with the common people Herod hath intelligence of the conspiracy And these intending to offer themselves as Leaders unto the rest resolved to execute these things But one of those intelligences that Herod had sent abroad to pry and search into O such like actions having discovered all their conspiracy signified the same unto the King when he was ready to enter into the Theater He knowing very well what hatred was continually hatched against him betook himself to his Palace and sent for the conspirators by their names who being apprehended in the fact and knowing that there was no way for them to escape resolved to endure their present misfortunes with courage A for being no wayes daunted with a resolute countenance they drew out their weapons protesting that their conspiracy was honest and holy not attempted by them for private affection or their own profit sake but in the behalf of their publick discipline which no good man would either see or suffer to be violated though it cost him his life Now when with great confidence they had alleadged these things for their justification they were led away by the Kings Ministers to be put to death by divers sorts of torments The ten men are executed and the intelligencer is cut in pieces Not long after this that Intelligencer who had betrayed them growing hateful in all mens eyes was stabd by certain men and chopt in pieces with their swords and afterwards cast unto the dogs in sight and presence of many Yet did no man discover this act until after B long and wearisome inquisitions made by Herod it was got out of certain poor women who were privy to the fact with divers torments Then
enough to do to the Parthians H Their Actions their Death The Grecians and Syrians who lived in Sylesia unite against the Jews and kill fity thousand of them unawares CHAP. I. Judas and Sadoc taking an opportunity by vertue of the Tax which was imposed upon all Judea endeavour to establish a fourth Sectary and kindled a great Civil War I CYrenius the Roman Senator having passed through all Degrees The year of the World 3973. after Christ's Nativity 11. Offices and Dignities until such time as he obtained the Consulship a man of great account was sent into Syria by Caesar's order to do justice among the people and to sess and tax every man's goods Coponius a Captain of Horse was sent with him who was appointed to be Governour of all Jewry Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Cyrenius therefore came into Judea which was already united to Syria to tax the Goods of the Inhabitants thereof Cyrenius is sent by Caesar into Syria to execute Justice in that place and to confiscate Archelaus's Substance And although at the first the Jews thought this Tax very unreasonable yet notwithstanding K without contradiction they submitted themselves being perswaded thereunto by the counsel of the High Priest Joazar the Son of Boethus But after this there arose a certain Jew called Judas the Gaulanite Coponius Prefect of Judaea born in the Town of Gamala who having a certain man called Sadoc the Pharisee Confederate with him laboured to stir up the people to Rebellion The Taxation of the people of the Jews alledging that the Sess was no other thing but a confession of their servitude exhorting all the Nation to maintain their liberty and putting them in hope that they thereby should happily establish their estates Alias chap. 3. and enjoy their goods with security and besides this obtain both honour and glory in prosecution of such an enterprise Moreover that God would not afford them a more assured way to settle their Fortunes than by this means namely if they would employ themselves L in the execution of their designs and if having conceived in their minds high and noble attempts they forbore not to accomplish the same notwithstanding the execution cost them their lives These speeches of theirs were entertained by the people with great pleasure and by the same they were the more confirmed and heartened to Rebellion So that there was no kind of evil which these men set not abroach yea the whole Nation was so full of miseries that it was impossible to relate them For the Wars went on with such fury that it was impossible to restrain the violence thereof so that they neither spared friends nor enemies but were wholly given over to the spoil Slaughters Thefts Seditions and Famine in Judaea There was nothing but Robberies and Murthers of the Nobility under pretence to establish the state of the Commonweal but in effect for their private profit M sake whereby the Cities were ruined with Seditions and Murthers in which the Inhabitants killed one another after a strange manner of fury and desire they had not to spare any that was not of their Faction They were afflicted with Forreign Enemies and Famine yet none of these could pacifie their fury nor make them forbear to destroy Cities and shed innocent Blood till at length the horrible mischief took such a head The Temple of Jerusalem burnt that they consumed the Temple of God and burned all the stately buildings So dangerous a thing it is to change the Customs and Manners of a Countrey For Judas and Sadoc having introduced and raised a fourth Sect Judas and Sadoâ— the Authors of the fourth Sect. and tying the Sectaries to their command filled the whole Commonweal with many troubles and planted the roots of those mischiefs which afterwards spred abroad from this unaccustomed N Sect. For which cause I think it not amiss to discourse briefly of these Sectaries opinions whereby so many evils have fallen upon our Nation A CHAP. II. Of the four sorts of Sectaries that were among the Jews THere were three Sects among the Jews of long continuance and Antiquity Hedio Ruffinus c. 11. al 5 that of the Esseans that of the Saducees and that of those who were called Pharisees Of these we have spoken in our second Book Three Sects of whom mention is made in the second Book of the Wars of the Jews of the Wars of the Jews and yet now I think it not amiss to speak somewhat of them in this place also The Pharisees use a very austere and strict kind of life and addict not themselves to any delicacy but diligently B follow that which their reason induceth them unto They honour their Elders neither dare they reply or reproach them for their admonitions They attribute all things unto fate The Pharisees Doctrine and yet they take not an assent of will from man supposing that God tempereth all things in such sort that by his Ordinance and man's will all things are performed good or evil They believe also that the Souls of men are immortal and that after death they receive their reward according as they have addicted themselves to virtue or vice in their life times the one to lie in perpetual Prison the other to rise again very shortly For which cause they are in great esteem among the people and all that which appertaineth to the service of God whether they be Prayers or Sacrifices all things are done according as they give direction So ample a Testimony C do the Cities yield of their wisdom The Saducees opinion temperance and honest life But the Saducees are of that opinion that the Souls of men perish with their Bodies They observe no other thing but that which is in the Law and hold it a Virtue to dispute with their Masters concerning the Decrees of their Sect. Their opinion is entertained by very few yet such who for the most part are men of the best account there is hardly any thing done without their advice And when they are advanced to any honours they are enforced to allow of that which the Pharisees shall propose otherwise the common people will not endure them The Esseans Opinion The Esseans attribute unto God the Government and disposition of all things They say that the Souls of men are immortal and all the uttermost of their endeavour and delight is to maintain Justice and Equity They send their Offerings D unto the Temple yet sacrifice they not with other men by reason they use more sacred and different Ceremonies for which cause they are secluded out of the common Temple The Esseans life and manners and sacrifice a-part Otherwise they are men of most reconciled behaviour and such as are wholly addicted to cultivate their Land They have one custom which is worthy admiration and such a one as is not to be found amongst any other either
it would cost much time and expence he denied their request permitting them nevertheless to pave their City with broad Stone Matthias the Son of Theophilus High Priest He took the Priesthood from Jesus the Son of Gamaliel and gave it to Matthias the Son of Theophilus in whose time the Wars betwixt the Romans and the Jews began But I think it not amiss Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. but very answerable to the course of this present History N to speak of the High Priests The Succession and number of the High Priests among the Jews and to shew how they had their beginning and to whom this honour may be lawfully communicated and how many they were in number until the end of the War The first of them was Aaron Moses's Brother after whose death his Children succeeded him and from that time forward the honour hath continued with their Successors For it is a Law observed by our Ancestors that no man should be admitted to the Priesthood There were eighty three High Priests in all except he be of Aaron's Posterity for albeit he were a King if so be that he were of another Line it was impossible for him to obtain the Priesthood All the Priests after Aaron who as we have said was the first until Phanasus whom the Seditious created Priest in the time of the War have been in number eighty three whereof thirteen have executed the Office from the time that O Moses erected God's Tabernacle in the Desart until such time as arriving in Judaea King Solomon builded a Temple to God For in the beginning the High Priesthood continued A with the Possessors for term of life but afterwards although the Priests were yet alive yet were there other Successors put in their rooms These thirteen were of Aaron's Posterity and obtained this degree in succession the one after the other Their first Government was Aristocracy which is the Government of the Nobility afterwards a Monarchy and at last a Royal Government The number of years wherein these thirteen flourished were six hundred and twelve years from the day that our Fathers departed out of Egypt under the conduct of Moses until the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon After these thirteen High Priests there were eighteen others who after Solomon's time succeeded one after another until the time that Nabuchodonozor King of Babylon B having encamped before the City took it and burned the Temple and transported our Nation into Babylon and led away the High Priest Josedech Prisoner The time of the Priesthood and continuance of these eighteen was four hundred sixty years six months and ten days so long as the Jews have had the Royal Government After the surprizal of Jerusalem by the Babylonians until such time as Cyrus King of Persia dismissed the Jews and gave them leave to return from Babylon into their own Countrey with permission to re-edifie their Temple there are seventy two years and at that time the Captives being returned Jesus the Son of Josedech took upon him the High Priesthood who with those of his Posterity to the number of fifteen have governed in a Democracy or Popular Government until the time of Antiochus surnamed C Eupator for the space of four hundred and fourteen years This Antiochus was the first who with his General Lysias displaced Onias surnamed Menelaus of his Priesthood commanding him to be killed at Berith and after he had driven his Son out of the Succession he established Jacim High Priest who notwithstanding was of Aaron's Race but not of his Family For this cause Onias the Son of Onias and Nephew to the deceased Onias retired himself into Egypt Where growing familiar with Ptolomey Philometor and Cleopatra his Wife he perswaded them to build a Temple in the Confines of Heliopolis not unlike to that of Jerusalem and to create a High Priest in the same of which Temple in Egypt we have made very oftentimes mention After that Jacim had held the Priestood for the space of three years he died without D Successor so the City remained seven years without a High Priest Again the Asmoneans recovered the Government of their Nation and after they had made War against the Macedonians they established Jonathan High Priest who exercised the Office seven years but afterwards he was killed in an Ambush and Treason conspired against him by Tryphon as we have declared elsewhere After him Simon his Brother undertook the Priesthood who was not long after killed treacherously by his Son-in-Law at a Banquet After him succeeded his Son Hircanus who enjoying this Dignity for the space of thirty one years died when he was very old leaving behind him Judas surnamed Aristobulus who dying left his Brother Alexander his Heir both of the Kingdom and High Priesthood After that Aristobulus had obtained the E Royal Government he enjoyed both Dignities one whole year For this Judas surnamed Aristobulus was the first that set the Diadem on his head causing himself to be called a King the which Alexander did continue for he also joyned the Kingdom with the High Priesthood and reigned twenty seven years And feeling himself draw near to his death he left in Alexandras his Wife's hands to dispose of the Priesthood as she pleased She therefore bestowed it on Hircanus and as for the Kingdom she kept it in her own hands nine years and afterwards died Her Son Hircanus was High Priest for so long time For after Alexandra's death his Brother Aristobulus made War against him and having overcome him he took the Kingdom from him and not only seized on the Crown but the Priesthood After he had reigned three F years and as many months Pompey repaired to Jerusalem and took it perforce and laying hold of Aristobulus sent him bound unto Rome with his Children After which he restored the Priesthood once more to Hircanus committing the Government of the Nation unto his hands forbidding him in the mean space to wear the Diadem Besides the first nine years Hircanus governed twenty and four But Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians passed Euphrates and made war against Hircanus and took him alive Prisoner and made Antigonus Aristobulus's Son King But after he had governed three years and three months Sosius and Herod took him alive perforce and Antonius sent him to Antioch where he was beheaded After that Herod was created King by the Romans there was never any High Priest created of G the Posterity of the Asmoneans for he gave the High Priesthood to certain men of obscure and base extraction who were of the Order of Priests Aristobulus only excepted This Aristobulus was Hircanus's Nephew who was a Prisoner among the Parthians and having given him the Priesthood he married Mariamne his Sister to the intent H to continue himself in the good liking of the people in remembrance of Hircanus But afterwards fearing lest all of them should turn to Aristobulus's