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
worthy of a great Prince and in this great authority wherein he was placed he stept not any ways awry but in the case of Vria's Wife He left as much or rather more riches behind him than any other King of the Hebrews or other Nations had F done His Son Solomon buried him most Royally in Jerusalem with all those ceremonies which were accustomed in Royal obsequies and amongst other things he buried a great quantity of riches with him the incredible estimate whereof may be conjectured by that which followeth The sumptuous Sepulchre of David For one thousand three hundred years after the High Priest Hircanus being besieged by Antiochus surnamed the Religious who was Demetrius's Son and willing to gratifie him with some summe of money to the intent he might raise the siege Hircanus â—aketh a huge sum of money out of Davids Tomb. and remove his Army and unable to levy money by any other means he opened the Sepulchre of David from whence he took three thousand talents which he delivered to Antiochus and by this means delivered the City from the siege as we have declared in another place Herod spoileth Davids Sepulchre And again a long time after this Herod also opened it and took from G thence a great summe Nevertheless no man violated that part of the monument where the body of the King was laid for it was so artificially hidden under ground that it would be very difficult to discover it A The Eighth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighth Book 1. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies 2. Of the riches prudence and wisdom of Solomon and how first of all he builded the Temple in Jerusalem B 3. How Solomon being dead the people revolted from Rehoboam his son and made Jeroboam King of the ten Tribes 4. How Susac King of Egypt sacking Jerusalem carried away the riches of that City into Egypt 5. The War of Jeroboam against Abias Rehobohams son and the slaughter of his Army and how Basanes extirpated Jeroboams posterity and possess'd the Kingdom 6. The Invasion of the Ethiopians under Asa and the overthrow of their Army 7. The Race of Basanes being rooted out Zamri ruled in Israel with his son Ahab 8. Adad King of Damascus and Syria is twice overthrown by Ahab 9. Of Jehoshaphat King of Jerusalem C 10. Ahab being provoked to War by the Syrians is overcome and slain in battel CHAP. I. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies WE have declared in the former Book what David was how great his virtue hath been 1 Kings 2. what profits and benefits those of his Nation received by him Solomon King of Israel after Davids death what Wars he undertook what Victories he obtained and how happily at last through extremity of age he departed D out of this life But after that Solomon his son being at that time very young had obtained the Kingdom and was placed in his fathers Throne according as David had determined and the divine power had decreed the whole people according to the common course in the election of new Princes with many acclamations wished him a long and prosperous Reign But Adonias who during his fathers life-time thought to possess and seize himself of the Royal estate came unto the Kings mother and with all humility and reverence saluted her To whom Bethsabe said That if there were any thing wherein she might serve him he should let her know it and that she would willingly apply her self unto it Whereupon he began to say That it was a thing very well known that the Kingdom appertained unto him both in regard of his age as also in respect of E the favor and good liking of the people Ver. 17 ad 24. but since that it had been transferred unto Solomon her son Adonias requireth Abisag to wife by the Will of God he was content therewith and would be his servant being very glad of the fortunate success of his Affairs He therefore besought her that she would sollicite Solomon in his behalf and persuade him to give him Abisag to Wife â—ho had slept with David for that he had not any carnal company with her by reason of his age and that as yet she was fully possessed of her virginity Bethsabe promised him to further his suit to the uttermost of her power and willingly to employ herself toward the accomplishment of the Marriage since she knew the King was willing to gratifie her in whatsoever she should desire as also for that she would instantly intreat him so that he departed from her with assured hope of good success in F his designed Marriage Hereupon Bethsabe presently addressed herself to the King intending to certifie him both what Adonias had requested and what she had granted When Solomon heard that his Mother came to visit him he went out to meet her and embraced her and afterwards conducting her into his Presence-chamber he sate him down and commanded his servants to place a seat on his right hand for his Mother who being seated by him spake unto him after this manner My son vouchsafe me one favor that I shall request at thy hands and send me not hence discontented and dissatisfied through thy refusal Solomon answered her That she should command him by reason that duty tyed him to the satisfaction and favor of his Mothers suits reproving her for that insinuation she had used by reason that thereby she evidently expressed that she was not G thorowly assured to obtain her demand but that she feared a refusal and repulse she therefore required him to give the Damsel Abisag for Wife to Adonias his Brother The King displeased at this her suit dismissed his Mother alledging that Adonias had ill designs and that he wondered that in requiring Abisag to Wife he had not requested Solomon H likewise to give him place in the Kingdom for Adonias was elder than he and had more mighty friends than he had namely the General Joab and the High Priest Abiathar For which cause he forthwith sent Benaia Captain of his Guard to kill Adonias his Brother Ver. 25. Then calling unto him the High Priest Abiathar The pains said he that thou hast endured by accompanying my father David Adonias is slain and attending and bearing the Ark with him make thee escape from death yet notwithstanding for that thou hast been assistant to Adonias Ver. 26. 27. and followed his faction Abiathar iâ— dispossessed of the Priesthood I banish thee from my presence charging thee not to see my face any more but to retire thy self to thine own house and there to live in thy Countrey until thou hast ended thy dayes since you have made your self unworthy of that charge wherewith you are entrusted For this cause was the House of Ithamar deprived of the Priestly I
in his Tetrarchy should be kept within the bounds of the same Countrey CHAP. VII K A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity MEan while Aretas King of Arabia Petraea and Herod fell at strife the one with the other Herod the Tetrarch putteth away Aretas Daughter and marrieth Herodias his Brother Herod's Wife for this cause that ensueth Herod the Tetrarch married Aretas's Daughter with whom he had lived married a very long time Afterwards taking his journey towards Rome he lodged with Herod his half Brother by the L Father's side for Herod was the Son of Simon 's Daughter which Simon was the High Priest and there being surprised with the love of Herodias his Brother's Wife which was the Daughter of Aristobulus their Brother and Sister to the Great Agrippa he was so bold as to propose Marriage to her which was to be performed as soon as he returned back from Rome and to repudiate Aretas's Daughter After he had ratified those Covenants he continued his Voyage to Rome from whence he no sooner returned and performed that for which he went but his Wife who had some privy notice of the Conventions which were made betwixt him and Herodias before he suspected that she knew thereof required him to send her to the Castle of Macheron Herod's Wife returned into her own Countrey which was the Frontier Town M betwixt Herod's and Aretas's Countreys without acquainting him any ways with her intent Herod condescended unto her request thinking she was ignorant of his drift But she long before that time had taken order with the Governour of Macheron which at that time was under her Father's Government to prepare all things for her journey where being arrived she speedily posted into Arabia under the Convoy of those Governours who received and conducted her the one after the other As soon as she arrived in her Father's Court she presently acquainted him with Herod's resolution whence arose the beginning of this discord between them Therefore they both of them assembled their Armies upon the Confines of the Countrey of Gamalite and fought under the Conduct of the two Generals to whom they had committed N their Armies Herod's Army discomfited by the Arabians In this Battel Herod's Army was wholly defeated through the Treason that was plotted against him by certain banished men of Philip's Tetrarchy which were in pay with Herod Tiberius got notice of all this by those Letters which Herod had written unto him Tiberius commandeth Vitellius to make War against Aretas and being very much displeased with Aretas for his proud attempt he commanded Vitellius to make War against him desiring him that if he could take him alive he should send him bound unto him but if dead he should send him his head Divers Jews were of the opinion that Herod's Army was overthrown by the just vengeance of God who punished him most justly because of the Execution which he caused to be done on John sirnamed Baptist Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. alias cap. 14. For he had put this man to death who O was endued with all Virtue and who exhorted the Jews to addict themselves thereto and to practice Justice towards men and Piety towards God exhorting them to be A baptized and telling them that Baptism should at that time be agreeable unto God if they should renounce not only their sins but if to the purity of their bodies they should add the cleanness of their Souls re-purified by Justice And whereas it came to pass that divers flocked and followed him to hear his Doctrine Herod feared lest his Subjects allured by his Doctrine and Perswasions should be drawn to revolt For it seemed that they would subscribe in all things to his advice he therefore thought it better to prevent a mischief by putting him to death than to expect some suddain Commotion John Baptist slain by Herod which he might afterwards repent Upon this suspicion Herod caused him to be bound and sent to the Castle of Macheron whereof we have spoken heretofore and there he was put to death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. The Jews were of opinion that in revenge of B this so grievous a sin Herod's Army against whom God was displeased had been subject to their utter ruine and overthrow Vitellius leadeth his Army against the King of Arabia But Vitellius being resolved to make War against Aretas gathered together two Legions and all those Horse or Foot that he could assemble amongst those Kings who were the Romans Allies and marching towards Petra he stayed at Ptolemais because he pretended to pass by Judaea Which when the principal Nobles amongst the Jews had notice of The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 39. they went out to meet him beseeching him that he would not pass thorough that Countrey because it was a custom amongst them not to see any Images born such as he had of divers colours in his Army Vitellius repaireth to Jerusalem and displaceth Jonathan and preferreth his Brother Whereunto he condescended and having changed his purpose he caused his Army to march thorough the great Plain As for himself he came to Jerusalem C accompanied with Herod the Tetrarch and his Friends to offer Sacrifice to God upon the next Festival day where he was most magnificently received by all the people of the Jews He stayed for the space of three days during which time deposed Jonathan from the High Priesthood and gave it to Theophilus his Brother The fourth day Letters came to him Caius Caligula succeedeth after Tiberius that advertised him of Tiberius's death for which cause he commanded the Oath of Fidelity should be ministred to the people in the new Emperour Caius's behalf He called back his Army also and sent them to their Winter Quarters because it was not lawful for him to prosecute the War by reason the Empire was fallen unto Caius It is said Aretas gathereth by Auguries that it was impossible for the Army to come to Petra that Aretas hearing news of Vitellius's Expedition or Voyage and after he D had taken counsel of the Augurs said that the Army should not advance as far as Petra because he that had the command of the Expedition or he that obeyed his Ordinance in conducting the same or he against whom the Army was conducted should die Vitellius therefore retired to Antioch A year before the death of Tiberius Agrippa Aristobulus's Son came to Rome to treat with the Emperour about certain Affairs But before I speak any thing hereof I will relate Herod's Progeny both for that it is pertinent to this present Narration and also that the greatness of God's Providence may
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
but God deliver'd me from them all Moreover I received in gift from Vespasian an ample possession in Judaea and about the â—â—me time I forsook my Wife because her manners pleased me not although she was the Mother of my three Children of whom two are deceased and the third called Hircanus is yet alive After this I married a Wife that was born in Candy Joseph's third Wife by Nation a Jew and by Birth Noble and one of the greatest Reputation amongst the Inhabitants endow'd with as laudable manners as any other Woman M whatsoever Bâ— her I had two Sons Justus who was the eldest and Simon who was also sirnamed Agrippa Thus far touching my domestical affairs To which I must add that I have always continu'd to be honour'd with the good-will of the Emperors For after Vespasian's death Titus who succeeded him in the Empire continued the same favor which his Father had shew'd me For although I was oftentimes accused yet were not my Adversaries believ'd Domitian who succeeded him augmented my Honors For he punish'd those Jews that accused me and gave order that the Eunuch and slave whom I kept to teach my Son The perpetual favor of the Caesars towards Joseph and by whom I was accus'd should be punished He granted me exemption also from all the Tributes of Judaea which is one of the greatest Honors that a Man can receive And as for Domitia the Emperor's Wife she always continued N her good affection towards me Behold here the short Recital of my whole Life whereby let each Man conjecture of my Manners As for you O thrice excellent Epaphroditus after I have dedicated to you the Continuation of my Antiquities I will forbear to say more thereof A MAP OF THE HOLY LAND delineated for the better understanding of the HISTORY OF IOSEPHUS By P. du Val the King's Geographer 1675. R White sculp THE HOLY LAND described according to the NEW TESTAMENT to shew the places remarkable for the residences and journeys of our SAVIOUR A Scale of Leagues each consisting of 3000 Geometrical Paces A THE HISTORY OF THE B JEWS C The Preface of Josephus THey who apply themselves to write History have not all one and the same intent and motive but oftentimes very different causes of their labours For some are led to this study by a desire to shew their Eloquence and to gain Reputation Others do it to oblige the persons whose actions they relate and they strive to the uttermost to please them Others engage upon it because having born a part in the Events which they describe they are willing that the Publick should have knowledge of the same Lastly D others employ themselves this way for that they cannot suffer that things worthy to be known by all the world should remain buried in silence Now of these forenamed causes the two last are these that incited me to write For on the one side in regard I was an Actor in the War against the Romans and a Witness of the Actions which pass'd therein and also know what were the several Events thereof I conceiv'd my self oblig'd and in a manner forc'd to write the History of the same to the end to manifest the unfaithfulness of those who having written concerning this Subject before me have disguis'd and perverted the Truth And on the other side I have reason to believe that the Greeks will be well pleas'd with this Work because it will afford them an Account of the Antiquity of our Nation and the Form of our Common-wealth Translated out of Hebrew into their own Tongue When I began the History of the E foresaid War I purposed to lay open to the World How and whence the Jews had their first original What alterations in Fortune they had fall'n into By what Lawmaker they had been instructed in Piety and incited to the exercise of Virtue What Wars they sustained through several Ages and finally How against their will they became engaged in this last against the Romans But for that this Subject was too ample and copious to be treated only in passing I thought fit to make a separate Work after it and accordingly set upon this Treatise Afterwards as it usually hapneth to those that attempt matters of great difficulty I fell into a certain slothfulness which made me very backward to resolve upon the Translation of so long a History into a Foreign Language Yet some there were who inflamed with a desire of knowledge animated me to this action and especially Epaphroditus a man enamor'd of all Learning F and particularly History which is not to be wonder'd at since himself hath had very considerable Employments and experienc'd several Accidents of Fortune in all which he hath shewed a marvellous magnanimity of courage with an unmoveable resolution to follow Virtue Being thus persuaded by him who is accustomed to encourage those whom he perceives dispos'd to perform things profitable and honest and which is more being ashamed in my self that I should rather take delight to follow idleness than addict my self to so laudable an exercise I resum'd my Work and with so much the greater cheerfulness when I consider'd with my self that our Ancestors never made any difficulty to communicate matters of this nature to strangers and that the most famous among the Greeks have been curious to understand what passes amongst us For Ptolomy King of Egypt the second of the Name highly affectioned G to good Letters and desirous to store and gather Books at incredible charge caus'd our Laws and Customs and manners of living to be Translated into the Greek Tongue And our High Priest Eleazar who was not second in virtue to any other whatsoever thought not fit to deny this satisfaction to that Prince as he would without doubt have done had it not been the H ordinary course of our Ancestors not to conceal from other men such things as are good and laudable For which cause I have held it a matter no ways undecent for me to follow the goodness and generosity of that worthy High Priest and the rather for that even at this day I suppose many are no less well affected to good Letters than that great King Yet the Copy of all the Holy Scripture was not given him but those Translators who were sent unto him to Alexandria did only communicate that unto him which belongs to our Law But the things that are found written in the Sacred Books of Holy Scripture are innumerable being the History of five thousand years in which divers extraordinary Events and Revolutions sundry great Wars and many glorious Actions done by excellent Captains are described In sum if any one have a desire to read this History he shall principally learn and observe That all things fall out I happily and beyond their expectation to those men who observe the Will of God and are afraid to transgress his Commandments and that God hath prepared for such
God in the Tabernacle So that our Ancestors observ'd them so religiously during some ages that they thought that neither the pleasures of Peace nor the distresses of War could render them excusable O if they violated the same But I will now cease to speak of these Laws being resolved to compose another Treatise touching them A CHAP. V. The Ordinances of Sacrifices and Purifications Levit. 1. I will here mention onely some few Laws touching Purifications and Sacrifices in that we have begun to speak of Sacrifices Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13 ad 12. The sacrifices are of two sorts some particular Two kinds of sacrifices others publique and these are made after two different manners for in the one all is consumed which is upon the Altar which for that cause are called Holocausts Holocautoma Lev. 1 ad 10. that is to say Burned The other are of thanksgiving and they are made with banquets of those that sacrifice But first of all I will speak of the first kind B The particular person that offers a burnt-offering brings an Oxe a Lamb and a Goat of one year old yet it is lawful to kill Oxen that are older But all those Creatures which must be consumed by fire ought to be males and after their throats are cut the Priests besprinkle the Altar round about with the blood then dress the Beast and cut it in pieces and powder it with salt and lay it on the Altar already charged with cleft wood already kindled after they have well cleansed the feet and entrails they lay them with the rest and the Priests take the skins Such is the manner of a burnt-offering or Holocaust They that offer sacrifices of thanksgiving kill likewise such sort of beasts without spot A sacrifice of thanksgiving Lev. 4. 5. and more than a year old both male and female and after they have cut their throats they sprinkle the blood on the Altar C then take they the rains the caul and all the fat with the lobe of the liver and the tail of the Lamb and lay it on the Altar but the breast and the left leg is left to the Priests and as touching the rest of the flesh the Priests banquet therewith for the space of two days and if then there remain any thing thereof it is burned The same custome and ceremonie likewise is observed in the sacrifice for sins but those that are not of ability to offer the greater offerings offer two Pigeons or two Turtles the one of which the Priests have to feast withal and the other is consumed with fire We will treat more expresly of the sacrifice of such beasts at such time as we shall discourse of sacrifices For he that hath sinned through ignorance offereth a Lamb and a she-goat at the same time The sacrifice for sin The Priest besprinkleth the Altar with the blood D thereof not in such manner as is said before but the Horns of the Altar only and on the Altar they offer the kidneys and the rest of the fat with the lobe of the lives the Priests carry away the skins and â—at the flesh within the Temple the very same day because the Law permitteth them not to reserve any thing till the next morning The sacrifice of him that hath sinned wittingly He that hath sinned voluntarily but secretly offereth a Lamb according as the Law commandeth the flesh whereof is in like sort eaten by the Priests the same day But if the Governors offer for their sins Lev. 4 9. they sacrifice in like manner as private Men do and â—re different from them in that they bring a Bull or a male-kid The Law also ordaineth that in sacrifices both private and publique there should be fine flower brought for a Lamb The custom observed in sacrifices the measure of an Asser for a Ram the measure of two for a Bull E three which flower is first of all mingled and wrought with Oyl and set upon the Altar to be sanctified They that sacrifice likewise do bring Oyl the half part of a Hin for a Bull for a Ram the third part of the same measure and for a Lamb the fourth part This Hin is an Hebrew measure which containeth two Attique Choas They bring also the like measure of Wine as of Oyl and pour out the Wine about the Altar And if any one to accomplish a vow without sacrificing offer up fine flower he putteth the first-fruits upon the Altar that is to say one handful and the rest is taken by the Priests for their maintenance either fryed by kneading it in Oyl or making cakes thereof but whatsoever the Priest offereth all that must be burned The Law likewise forbiddeth to offer the young of any Beast whatsoever with its Dam F if it hath not fed eight days at least There are also other sacrifices made for deliverance from sickness or for other causes in which sacrifice they imploy Wine to make cakes which are eaten with the flesh of the Beasts of which it is not lawful to reserve any thing against the next morning when the Priests have taken that portion which belongeth to and sufficeth them Numb 28. v. 3 4. The Law commandeth that on the common purse there be every day killed a Lamb of a year old the one in the morning the other at the shutting up of the evening and on the seventh day which is called the Sabbath that two be offered in that manner as hath been declared And on the new Moon besides their daily offerings they sacrifice two Oxen seven yearling Lambs and a Wether and a Kid for the abolition of those sins which are committed through forgetfulness G On the seventh month which the Macedonians call Hyperberetâ—on besides the above-named v. 19 they sacrifice a Bull The sacrifice of the month of October one Mutton seven Lambs and a Kid for a sin offering The tenth day of the same month according to the Moon they fast till the evening and on the same day they sacrifice a Bull two Muttons seven Lambs and a Goat for H a sin-offering besides which they bring two Kids one of which is sent alive out of the limits of the Camp into the desart on whom all the evil may fall if so be any be threatned to the People the other is carried without the Camp into a clean place where it is burned with the Skin without reserving any thing thereof In like manner they burn a Bull which is not allowed out of the common charge but at the proper costs of the Priest This Bull being opened and slain and the blood thereof with that of the Goat being carried into the Tabernacle he sprinkleth the cover thereof with his finger seven times and the pavement as often and the Tabernacle and the Altar of Gold and all the rest about the great Altar which is abroad in the court After this they set on the
sequestred them for the space of seven days after which it was lawful for them to converse with Men. The like decreed he of those that had assisted at the burial of a dead Man whom he permitted not to converse with the other till seven days were expired It was also decreed by Law that he that had a flux of seed beyond seven days should sacrifice two Wethers one of which should be sacrific'd and the other given to the Priests Also that he that hath unnatural pollution should wash himself with cold water Goâ—orrhaâ— The like must Husbands do after they have had use of their Wives Of Lepers He likewise order'd that the Leprous should be separated for ever not permitting them to frequent any Mans company but esteeming them as little differing from the dead And if any one by his prayers made unto God was delivered D from this disease and his skin reduced to its native colour such an one presented himself before God with divers oblations and sacrifices Against them that object against Moses and his Followers that they fled out of Egypt for Leprosie of which we will speak hereafter Whence it appears how ridiculous a fable it is that Moses fled out of Egypt because he was a Leper and that all the Hebrews whom he conducted with him and brought into the Land of Canaan was troubled with that disease For if that were true Moses would not have made these ordinances to his own shame and if any other had proposed them he would have opposed himself against them especially since among divers other Nations there are Lepers who are held in great honour and who are so far from disdainand contempt that they have been made Generals of Armies and elected for Governors of Common-wealths having liberty to enter the Temples and to be present at the sacrifices E What therefore hindred Moses if he had been infected with this malady to make such Laws and ordain such Statutes among those People who honoured and obeyed him whereby such as were therewith infected might be preferred By which it is manifest that those things that are objected against him are rather of malice than probability But Moses being clean from such sickness and conversing amongst his Countrey-men which were untainted made these ordinances for them that were sick having regard to the honour of God But of these things let each Man censure as best liketh him He forbad women to enter into the Temple soon after their deliverance Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. or to assist at the sacrifice until forty days were expired if they had been brought a-bed of a Son The Laws of Women that are brought a-bed but if it were a Daughter he appointed that the number of the dayes should be F doubled and that when they should enter they should present their offerings to God whereof one part was consecrated and the other belonged to the Priests And if any one suspected that his Wife had committed adultery Numb 5. v. 15. ad finem he brought an Assar of Barly Meal and cast an handful thereof upon the Altar The Laws of adultery and jealousie and the rest was reserved for the maintenance of the Priests and then the Priest placing the Woman in the porch which is right over against the Tabernacle and taking the cover from her head writeth the name of God upon a Parchment and maketh her swear that she hath not violated her faith to her Husband and wish if she had transgressed the bounds of chastity that her right thigh might be put out of joynt her belly burst and death follow thereupon but if her Husband had been inconsiderately drawn into that suspition through excess of love then it pleased G God at the end of ten months to give her a Son And after such an oath ministred unto her the Priest dippeth in water the Parchment on which the name of God was written and then taking some of the earth of the Temple according as he findeth it and having mingled the same giveth it to the Woman to drink and if she had been H unjustly accused she became with child and brought forth happily but if she had falsified her faith to her husband and forsworn her self before God then dyed she a shameful death in the manner above mentioned You see what Laws Moses provided for the sacrifices and purifications Of adultery and incest He furthermore made these Laws which ensue He generally forebad Adultery judging it to be a great felicity if Men demeaned themselves honestly in Marriage and that both in politick Estates and private Families Exod. 22. it was a thing most profitable Deut. 17. that children should be born in Lawful Matrimony Levit. 18. 20 21 29. He condemn'd also as a horrid crime for a Man to have the use of his Mother or his Fathers Wife his Aunt or his Sister or his Sons Wife and detesteth it as a most I heinous and hideous offence He prohibited also the use of a Woman when she hath her monthly sickness also the lying with Beasts or boys by reason that such affections are abominable and against the transgressors of these Laws he established Capital punishments He willed also that the Priests should be more chaste than the rest for he not onely forbad them that which he prohibited others but moreover he enjoyned them not to marry Women that had been cast off or Slaves or Prisoners or Victualers and Taverners forsaken by their Husbands for any occasion whatsoever And touching the High-Priest Lev. 21. 7 8 9 he permitted him not to match with a Widow although it were Lawful for the other Priests and granted him onely liberty to take a Virgin to his Wife What Wife the High-Priest might marry with and to keep her The said High-Priest is also forbidden to approach a dead Man K although the other Priests are not forbidden to approach their Brothers Fathers and Mothers and children deceased Requiring that they should be sincere and true in all their words and actions He likewise ordained that the Priest which had any bodily defect should be maintained by the other Priests but in the mean time that he should not approach the Altar nor enter into the Temple willing that not onely they should be pure in that which concerned the divine service but also that they should study and endeavour to be so in all the actions of their life to the end that no Man might reproach them For which cause when they wore the habit of Priests besides their general obligation to be always pure and sober they were forbidden to drink Wine and they were to offer up entire L sacrifices and no ways maimed These Statutes did Moses make in the Desart and caus'd to be observ'd during his life Levit. 25. v. 2. ad 8. Afterwards he made others also which both the People might practise in that place The
the Magistrate Let those that are appointed Judges in the Cities be held in high reputation so that in their presence no man presume either to utter contumelies or injurious speeches for so shall it come to pass that men accustomed to reverence good men shall also exercise themselves in piety and reverence L towards God Whatsoever seemeth good to the Judges to decree let that be held inviolable except it be apparent that they are corrupted with money or that they be manifestly convicted of wrong judgement They ought likewise to judge without respect of interest or dignity The office of Judges and prefer justice before all other things for it is contumelious to God Justice is Gods power to suppose that he is weaker than they for whose sake they wrest the Law contrary to justice which is the power of God He therefore that giveth judgement in favour and partiality to great men maketh them greater than God himself And if the Judges cannot determine of the matter in question as it oftentimes falls out let them refer the cause to the Holy City and there shall the High Priest and the Prophet with the assistance of the Senate determine that M which shall be convenient The testimony of one witness shall not be received Deut. 19. 16 17 18. but of three or at least of two whose testimony shall be made good by the examination of their behaviour and life As for women it is not lawful for them to bear any witness by reason of the levity and temerity of that sex Neither is it lawful for a bond-man to bring in testimony by reason of his degenerate and ignoble mind for it is to be suspected that either for lucre sake or for fear he will depose an untrue testimony And if any false witness shall be convicted of perjury The punishment of a false Witness let him be subject to that penalty which he should have endured that should have been cast by his false accusation If manslaughter be committed in any place and the Offender cannot be found out and it N appear not likely Of Homicide committed that the man was slain out of malice let there be a diligent and careful inquisition made with rewards propos'd to the discoverer but if no probabilities or conjectures can be gathered then let the Magistrates of the Cities adjoining to the place where the slaughter is committed and the Elders of the same assemble together and measure from the place where the dead body lieth and let the township that is found to be nearest and the inhabitants thereof buy a Heifer which they shall bring into a place unlaboured and unplanted where the Priests and the Levites having cut the nerves of the Neck shall wash their hands and lay them upon the head of the said Heifer and protest with a loud voyce that they and the Magistrates with them are not defiled with that homicide that they did it not nor were they present when it O was perpetrated and they shall call and pray to God to avert his anger and not to permit that any such misfortune ever fall out in that Countrey A Aristocracy is without doubt a very good kind of Government because it puts the authority into the hands of more honest and good men take therefore heed that you desire no other form of policy but retain and continue the same having no other superiours but the Laws which God gives you For it sufficeth you that God is pleas'd to be your Governour Yet notwithstanding Aristocracy the best kind of Government if you shall chance to desire to have a King see that ye elect one of your own Nation who in all things may be studious to procure justice and all other virtues Deut. 17 15. attributing more to God and the Laws than to his own wisdom and conduct Let him not undertake any thing without the advice of the High Priest and the Elders Of the election of a King Let him not have divers Wives neither let him delight to get great B Treasures or multitude of Horses lest thereby he become so insolent as to raise his power and will above the Laws and if you see him affected to these things beware lest he grow more puissant than is expedient for you Deut. 19. 14. It is not lawful for any man to remove the Land-marks either of his own Land The bounds of Lands are not to be removed or any other mans whatsoever for by them is peace preserved But they ought to remain for ever firm and immovable as if God himself had placed them since such an alteration may give occasion to great contests and those whose avarice cannot suffer that bounds be set to their greediness are easily led to contemn and violate the Laws If a man plant a piece of Ground Levit. 25 3. and the Trees fructifie before the fourth year C the first fruits thereof shall not be offered to God The plants that are not of four years growth are prohibited neither shall any man eat thereof by reason that they are abortive fruits and that which is contrary to nature is neither fit to be offer'd to God nor convenient for the use of man But all that fruit that shall grow in the fourth year for then is the time that the Trees should bear shall be gathered and brought into the holy City together with the tenth of all other fruits and they shall be eaten during the Feast which the owner thereof maketh to his Friends and with Orphans and Widows but in the fifth year it shall be lawful for him to gather the fruit for himself Sow not a Field that is planted with Vines for it sufficeth that it nourisheth one sort of plants Vines to be planted so that it needeth not to be laboured and manured with the Plough D The Land is to be Ploughed with Oxen and no other sort of Beasts yoked with them The Law of the Plough but the tillage must always be performed by Beasts of the same kind The seeds also ought to be clean and without any mixture Deut. 22. 10. so that two or three sorts ought not to be sowed together for nature alloweth not a commixion of things that are different It is not lawful also to cover the female with the male of another kind lest this example should draw men to abominable mixtures and to a contempt of that sex which is appropriate to them for it often falls out that from small beginnings effects proceed of great and dangerous consequence Levit. 19. 10. For which reason nothing ought to be admitted Deut. 24. 21 22. by the imitation whereof there may chance to grow a corrupting of good E manners whence it is that the Laws regulate even the lightest things to the end to retain every one within his duty Some Gleanings are to be left for the Poor in the
and after so many enterprizes of War we cannot hope any fortunate or successful proceedings But be thou assistant unto us H O Lord who art Almighty and canst by thy mercy change our present sorrow into joy our discouragement into confidence and give us victory Joshua having made this prayer God presently commanded him to arise and purge the Army of that sacriledge that had hapned therein Gods answer to Joshua's prayer v. 10. and of a Theft committed by one of the multitude who was so hardy as to violate and conceal those things which were consecrated to him assuring him that that was the cause of the present calamity but as soon as he had searched out and punished the sacriledge the Israelites should become fortunate and obtain the victory This Oracle Joshua declared to the people and calling for the High Priest and the Magistrates he cast lots upon the Tribes and when the lot had fallen on the Tribe of Juda it was again cast by Families and when again the Sacriledge was found to be committed I in Zacharias Family they cast the same once more man by man and it fell upon Achar Achar found out by lot and punished v. 16 17 18. who unable to hide what was discovered by God himself confessed the fact and brought forth those things which he had concealed whereupon being presently put to death he was by night buried after an ignominious manner according as he deserved But Joshua having purified the people led them forth against Ain and laying Ambuscado by night above the City early in the morning he drew the Enemy out to fight who boldly broke forth being encouraged by their former victory but Joshua making a shew of Retreat drew them farther off from their City imagining that the Israelites fled and that they should gain a second victory over them But when Joshua suddenly made a stand and charged them and gave a signal unto those that lay K in ambush they march all together towards the City and easily entred the gates where and on the Walls stood divers of the inhabitants as spectators as they thought of their atchieved victory Ainan sackt and burnt v. 24 25. In this manner was the City taken and all that were therein slain Joshua on the other side pressed those in such manner with whom he maintained skirmish that they turned their backs and fled towards the City as if it had been in the same state as they left it but when they perceived that it was taken and saw both it their Wives and Children consumed with fire they scattered themselves about the fields Joshua 8. 1 2. not being able to rally by reason of their disorder By this overthrow of the Ainites The prey distributed amongst the people there were a great number of Women and Children and Bond-slaves taken Captive and store of all sorts of moveables The Hebrews also became Lords L of much Cattel and gathered a great quantity of Silver for the Countrey was rich All which Joshua upon his return to Gilgal distributed amongst the Soldiers But the Gibeonites who dwelt not far from Jerusalem understanding what had hapned to them of Jericho and the Ainites and fearing lest the like misfortune might fall upon themselves thought it to no purpose to endevour to move him by their prayers because they knew that he warred with a resolution utterly to root out and extinguish the Nation of the Canaanites from off the earth Joshua 9. 3. They therefore persuaded the Cepherites and Cathierimites their neighbours to joyn with them in order to contract an alliance with the Hebrews as the only means to secure themselves from the danger which threatned them Which counsel of theirs being accepted they sent Ambassadors to Joshua M such men as they thought most capable and wisest amongst them in the affairs of the Common-wealth The Gibeonites send Ambassadors to Joshua to treat a peace betwixt them and the Israelites and knowing that it would be very dangerous for them if they should say that they were Canaanites and that on the contrary they should avoid the danger if they protested that they had no community or alliance with them but dwelt far from them they told Joshua that being incited by his fame they had undertaken a long journey the truth whereof he might conjecture by their habits which upon their setting forth were new but by their long journey were quite worn to which purpose they had put on old garments to the end to colour their subtle insinuation Standing up therefore in the midst of the multitude attired after this manner they told them that they were sent by the Gibeonites vers 6. and N the neighbouring Cities far distant from that Countrey to treat and ratifie a Peace between them The Gibeonites oration to the Hebrews For knowing well that the Countrey of Canaan was given unto them by the favour of God to the end they should be masters and possessors thereof they were much rejoyced thereat vers 15. and desired to be received as their confederates By these words and the oldness of their garments Joshua maketh a covenant with the Gibeontes and the pretence of their long journey they perswaded the Hebrews to enter and accord an amity with them And the High Priest Eleazar with the Council of the Elders sware unto them that they should be reputed for Friends and Allies and that no hostile action should be enterprized against them the people likewise approved the alliance After this Joshua encamping with his Army upon their confines and understanding that the Gibeonites dwelt not far from Jerusalem and that O they likewise were of the race of the Canaanites he sent for the principal among them and upbraided them with their deceit whereunto they answered that they had no A other means to procure their safety and security and for that cause they had us'd this fraud Whereupon he called to him Eleazar the High Priest and the Council of the Elders and it was resolv'd not to infringe the Oath made to them but that they should be obliged to serve for the publique works Whereupon they were adjudged to attend on these services and by this means delivered they themselves from their imminent peril But the King of Jerusalem was much incensed against the Gibeonites v. 21 23. for that they had revolted and submitted to Joshua The Gibeonites are appointed to publick ministeries and he assembled together the Kings of his neighbour Nations to make War against them The Gibeonites perceiving the danger they were in and how the Enemy prepared to assault them and to that end had pitched their Tents near a certain Fountain not far from the City they desired Joshua to assist and B defend them Josh 10. v. 1. For their affairs were in that state that they expected death from the hands of their Friends The King of Jerusalem moveth War
into what Countrey he had made his inroad He sent likewise a part of the prey unto the King and when he demanded from whom he had taken it he answer'd That he had taken it from the Jews that dwelt Southward and in the Plain so that Achis conceived an opinion that since David warred against his own Nation all the time of his abode with him he would be a faithful Servant to him About the same time the Philistines having determined to lead forth their Army against the Israelites sent to their Allies requiring N them to assist them in that War and to make their Rendezvous at Renga to the intent that being there assembled they might dislodge and assail the Israelites Amongst the other their Auxiliary Companies Achis had requested David to assist him with his 600 Soldiers which he promised readily telling him That the time was now come wherein he might requite his kindness and the hospitality he had shewen him Achis promised him that after the Victory when all things should have succeeded according as he desired he would prefer David to be Captain of his Guard thinking by the promise of this honour and trust he might augment Davids forwardness and affection toward him O A CHAP. XV. The year of the World 2809. before Christ's Nativity 1074. The Philistines renew their War against the Hebrews and obtain the Victory Saul with his Sons are slain in the Battel SAul having advice 1 Sam. 28. 3 7 8 9. that the Philistines were advanced as far as Sunam drew out his Forces Saul banisheth all diviners and enchanters out of his Kingdom and encamped over against them but when he perceived their Army to be much more numerous than his his heart failed him and desiring the Prophets to enquire of God what should be the event of this War and receiving no answer his fear was B doubled since he had reason to believe that God had forsaken him Hereupon his courage abated Ver. 6. and in this perplexity he resolved to have recourse to Magick but having lately banished the Inchanters Saul hearing the Philistines make head against him asked counsel of God Magicians and such as pretended to tell Fortunes it could hardly be expected that one of them should be found but yet he commanded that they should enquire for one of those that could raise the spirits of the dead and by their information learn what should come to pass hereafter And being advertised that there was such an one at Endor without the knowledge of his Army laying aside his Royal Habits and attended onely by two of his most faithful servants he repaired to Endor to this Woman requiring her to divine and raise up the spirit of him whom he should name Saul repaireth to Endor to ask counsel of a Sorceress The Woman denied and said That she ought not to offend against the Kings C Edict who had driven out of his Realm all such sort of Soothsayers telling him that he did not well Ver. 8 9. who having received no wrong at her hands should endeavor to lay a snare to bring her into a Crime which might cost her her life But Saul swore unto her That no man should know thereof and that he would not discover her divination to others and that she should incur no danger thereby After that by his Oaths and Protestations he had persuaded her Saul commandeth the Witch to raise Samuels ghost v. 10 11. that she should have no cause to fear he commanded her to raise the spirit of Samuel She not knowing what Samuel was called him and he suddenly appeared But when she perceived somewhat divine or more than ordinary in his countenance she was troubled and turning to the King she asked him If he were Saul for Samuel had certified her no less Saul confessed D that it was he and asked her For what cause she seemed to be so much troubled She answered That she saw a Man ascend that resembled God Saul commanded her to declare unto him his shape habit and age she told him That he was a reverend old Man attired in the vestment of an High Priest By these marks Saul knew that it was Samuel whereupon prostrating himself on the earth he adored him The spirit of Samuel asked him For what cause he had troubled him To whom he complained That he was inforced thereunto by necessity Ver. 15. for that a mighty Host of his Enemies were at hand Saul complaineth of his miseries to Samuel and asketh his advice and that he was forsaken by God having from him no answer either by Prophesie or Dream wherefore said he I apply my self unto thee who hast alwayes expressed great kindness towards me But Samuel foreseeing that the Kings end drew nigh answer'd him It was in vain for thee to enquire E concerning those things that shall happen since thou knowest that thou art forsaken of God Know therefore A ver 16 ad 20. said he that David shall possess the Kingdom and that it is he that shall establish the State by Arms Samuels ghost certifieth Saul of the event of his battel against the Philistines but thou shalt lose both thy Kingdom and thy life because thou hast disobeyed God in thy War against the Amalekites and hast not observed his Commandments according as I foretold thee when I was alive Know therefore that thy People and Host shall be discomfited by the Enemy and that both thou and thy sons shall be to morrow slain in the Battel and be with me Ver. 20 21. When Saul understood these things he became speechless through sorrow Saul through sudden sorrow fell in a swoon and fell down on the ground either because his strength failed him through sudden grief or for want of food because he had eaten nothing that night nor the day before F At length Ver. 22 c. hardly recovering himself out of his Swoon the Woman importuned him to receive some sustenance The Enchantress intreateth him to refresh himself and take some reâ—ection telling him that she desired no other reward for the hazard which she had run of forfeiting her life before she knew that he was the King himself by whose Commands those Divinations had been lately prohibited wherefore she prayed him that he would sit down at the Table and refresh himself that he might be the more able to return unto his Army An example of courtesie and liberality in the Enchantress And although he refused to eat because he had no appetite and was utterly desperate yet she so effectually importuned him that at length she persuaded him to receive some little nourishment And whereas she had but one Calf for she was but a poor Woman and had no other riches yet spared she not to kill it and dress it for Saul and his Retinue After which Saul returned to his Camp G The courtesie of this
married two Wives which the High Priest gave him by whom he had Sons and Daughters This is all that I have thought good to declare as concerning Joas both how he escaped Athalias treasons and obtained the Kingdom CHAP. VIII Azael King of Damascus levyeth an Army and first of all assaulteth the Israelites and after marcheth forward against Jerusalem M BUt Azael King of Syria making War against the Israelites and against their King Jehu 2 King 12. 18. destroyed the Countrey on the other side of Jordan and all the Eastern tract inhabited by the Reubenites Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. Gadites and Manassites Furthermore he burnt and spoiled Galaad The War between Azael and Jehu and Bathanaea violating and outraging all those that he met withall For Jehu went not out against him to resist him but being become a contemner of God and his Laws he died after he had reigned seven and twenty years over the Israelites he was buried in Samaria and left behind him Joas his Son to succeed him in his Kingdom But Joas King of Jerusalem was desirous to repair the Temple for which cause calling unto him Ioiada the High Priest he commanded him to send thorow all the Countrey the Levites and Priests and to levy upon every one of their heads half a sicle of silver for N the building and reparation of the Temple which was fallen to decay in Joram Athalia and her successors times 2 Choâ— 24. 4. ad 14. But the High Priest would not obey him herein knowing well no man would willingly disburs money But in the three and twentieth year of his reign The restoring of the Temple the King sent both for Joiada and the Levites also and expostulated with them for disobeying his commandment enjoyning them from that time forth to provide for the bulding of the Temple Whereupon the High Priest used present dispatch in levying the money wherewith the people were well pleased He therefore made a chest of wood closed on every side except that on the upper lid thereof there was a little cranny left open which he placed neer unto the Altar commanding that every one should offer according to his devotion and put in his offering thorow the cranny into O the coffer to be imployed in the repairing of the Temple whereunto all the people shewed themselves affectionate so that they gathered together a great quantity of Gold and Silver with great zeale and when the coffer was filled it was emptied and the account thereof taken and summ'd up by the Secretary and High Priest in the Kings presence The year of the World 3089. before Christ's Nativity 97â— A and afterwards was brought together into one place assigned for it which order was observed every day And when it was supposed that there was sufficient money gathered the High Priest Joiada and King Joas hired Masons and Carpenters and prepared great beams of excellent Timber After that the Temple was repaired they employed the remainder of Gold and Silver which was of no small quantity to make cups pots and vessels and other utensils and every day offered they sacrifice of great value upon the Altar and this custome was continued so long as Joiada lived But after his decease which hapned in the hundred and thirtieth year of his age Joas impiety after Joiadas death and how he was reproved by the Prophet after he had lived a just and upright life and was interred in the sepulchre of David in Jerusalem because he had established the Kingdom in B Davids posterity King Joas had no more care to serve God and with him the rest of the Governours of the people were corrupted so that they broke the laws and ordinances of their forefathers For which cause God being provoked by this change and incensed against the King and the rest 2 Chroâ— 24 17. ad 20. sent his Prophets unto them to protest against them and expostulate with them for their offences and to withdraw them from their iniquity But they pursued sin the more vehemently so that neither the punishments by which they who had offended God before-times had been plagued with all their posterities neither all the advertisements given them by the Prophets could induce them to amend or to forsake those sins wherein they were engaged but that which is worst King Joas stoned Zachary v. 21. Joiadas Son Zâ—chary stoned to death and put him to death in the Temple forgetting himself most ungratefully C of the benefits he had received from his Father And the occasion was for that Zachary having received a charge from God to prophesie came into the midst of the people and counâ—elled both them and him to follow justice foretelling them that they should be grievously punished except they did believe This Zachary did at his death call God to witness to judge of those calamities he endured suffering a violent death for the good counsel which he had given them and the benefits which his Father had in times past done unto Joas But many dayes passed not before the King suffered due punishment for these misdeeds For Azael King of the Syrians invaded his Countrey and after he had first of all ruinated Girta he marched forward with an intent to besiege him at last in Jerusalem Joas desperate of all succors emptied all the treasures of the D Temple and those of the Kings and took away the presents that were hung up in the Temple and sent them to the Syrians raising the siege by this means lest he should be drawn into hazard to lose all The spoil of the Temple The Syrians pacified with so great riches and abundant treasure Joas death suffered not his Army to pass to Jerusalem After this Joas was seized with a grievous sickness and to the intent that the death of Zachary the Son of Joiada might not escape unrevenged his friends conspired against him and he died by their hands He was entombed in Jerusalem but not in the sepulchre of his Ancestors because he had faln from God He lived seven and forty years CHAP. IX E Amasias King of Jerusalem made War against the Idumaeans and Amalechites and obtained the victory AMasias his Son succeeded him in the Kingdom 2 King 14. 1 ad 15. But in the 21 year of Joas's reign Ioachas the Son of Jehu took possession of the Kingdom of Israel in Samaria and reigned for the space of seventeen years Amasias King of Jerusalem But he followed not his Fathers steps but rather behaving himself impiously according as his predecessors in the Kingdom and contemners of God had done The forces of Israel weakned and restored by God For which cause the King of Syria subdued him and cut off a great part of his dominions and took his greatest Cities from him and defeated his Armies so that at length he had but ten thousand footmen and five hundred horsmen F All
offerings to be sacrificed upon the Altar of thy God and to make whatsoever vessels of gold or silver which either thou or thy Brethren shall think meet Those sacred vessels also which are given thee thou shalt dedicate unto D thy God and if there be ought else requisite in this behalf that thou shalt think fit to provide the charges shalt thou receive out of my treasury I have also commended thee to the Treasurers of Syria and Phoenicia and have written to them that whatsoever Esdras the Priest and Reader of the Law of God shall require they shall presently deliver it to him And to the end that God may be favourable to me and my posterity my will is that an hundred measures of wheat be offer'd unto God according to the Law I command you also that are Magistrates that you exact nothing neither impose any taxations on the Priests Levites Singing-men Porters or holy Officers But thou Esdras according to the wisdom given thee from above shalt appoint Judges who shall in Syria and Phoenicia execute justice unto the people according to your Law Teach thou likewise freely all such as are ignorant so that whosoever violateth either E Gods or the Kings Law he may be fined or else condemned to death as not sinning through ignorance but of contumacy Farewell When Esdras had received this Letter he was well-pleased and gave thanks unto God Ver. 16 17 18. confessing that it was he Esdras assembled the Jews that dwelt in Babylon who was the Author of that favour he had received at the Kings hand And after he had read this Letter unto the Jews that were at that time resident in Babylon he kept the original but sent a copy to all those of his Nation being in the Countrey of the Medes who being inform'd of the King's zeal to the service of God and his favour towards Esdras were very joyful and divers amongst them took their goods and came unto Babylon desiring to return to Jerusalem but the rest of the F Israelites would not abandon or leave their dwelling Whereupon it came to pass that two Tribes were under the obedience of the Romans in Asia and Europe but the ten Tribes were on the other side of Euphrates even until this day and it is incredible how exceedingly they are there multiplied With Esdras there departed a great number of Priests Levites Porters Singing-men and servants of the Temple Now after he had assembled those of the captivity that inhabited on this side Euphrates and sojourned there three days he commanded them to solemnize a Fast and to pray unto God for his preservation that no evil might happen unto him and that neither their enemies nor any other might do them any violence For Esdras had foretold the King that God would be their Protector and that therefore he requir'd no Convoy of Horsemen at G his hand for his security After that they had recommended themselves unto God they set forward on their way the twelfth day of the first month of the seventh year of the H Reign of Xerxes and arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the same year Whereupon he incontinently presented unto the Treasurers who were of the race of the Priests the sacred depositum wherewith he was intrusted which consisted of 650 Talents of silver and of silver vessels an 100 Talents of vessels of gold to the value of 20 Talents of brazen vessels more precious than gold the weight of 12 Talents These were the Presents of the King and his Friends Esdras repaireth to Jerusalem and committeth the vessels and other precious Presents to the Treasurers hands and of the Israelites that dwelt in Babylon When Esdras had deliver'd these Presents into the hands of the Priests he offer'd burnt-offerings unto God according to the Law namely 12 Bulls for the publick conservation of the people 72 Rams and Lambs and 12 Goats for a sin-offering And afterward I he deliver'd the Kings Letters to his Princes and Governors in Coelosyria and Phoenicia who being constrain'd to execute that which was enjoin'd them by the King honour'd the Nation of the Jews and supplied them every ways in their necessities We owe unto Esdras the honour of this Transmigration for he not only laid the design of it but his virtue and piety were undoubtedly the cause that God gave him so good success in the undertaking Not long after there came certain Men unto him complaining that some of the people Priests and Levites had transgressed against their Ordinances and broken the Laws of the Countrey in that they had espoused certain strange women and corrupted the purity of the Sacerdotal race requiring him that he would have a regard to Gods Ordinances K for fear lest he being displeased with them should cast them again into that misery from which he had so lately deliver'd them Esdras prayers for the Levites that had married strangers Esdras hereupon was so much afflicted that he rent his cloaths and tore his hair and pulled his beard and cast himself upon the ground because the chief among the people were concern'd in that offence And because he feared left if he should command them to forsake their wives Esdr 9. per totum and those children which they had begotten by them he should not be obey'd he continu'd in grief and lay continually upon the ground Whereupon all those resorted unto him who were not guilty and wept and lamented with him because of that which had hapned In this affliction of mind Esdras raising himself from the earth and lifting up his hands to Heaven said That he was ashamed to look thereupon because the offences of the people L were so heinous and that they had so soon lost the memory of those calamities wherewith their Forefathers had been visited for their sins Nevertheless O Lord said he since thy mercy is infinite have pity I beseech thee on the remnant that hath escaped that long captivity and which thou hast brought back into their native Countrey Spare them O Lord and though they have deserved death yet let thy mercy appear in the sparing of their lives Whil'st thus both he and those that came unto him lamented with him with their wives and children a certain man called Achonias one of the principal men of Jerusalem came to him and said That they had sinned because they had espoused strange women and persuaded Esdras to command them all to banish both them and the children begotten by them advising that they who obey'd not the Law might be punish'd Esdras persuaded by these words M made all the Princes of the Priests Levites and Tribes of Israel swear That they would dismiss their wives and children according to the counsel of Achonias And as soon as he had received their oaths he departed from the Temple unto Johns house the son of Eliasib and there spent he all the day without tasting any meat by
of some continuance This man therefore being surprized and brought into the Camp of the Jews they required him that as by his prayers he had obtained water so at that time likewise he would by his imprecations incense God against Aristobulus and his adherents But whereas he refused and excused himself he was at last constrained by the people to perform their request so that standing L up in the midst of them he spake after this manner O God King of the whole world since they who are at this present here with me are thy people and those that are besieged are thy Priests I humbly beseech thee that when they shall require thee to be incensed against their brethren thou wilt not hear them and when as likewise they shall provoke thee against the other Onias contradicting the Jews petition is stoned to death thou wilt not respect them Hereupon a certain sort of reprobate Soldiers amongst the Jews hearing these words of his stoneth him to death But God immediately punished this cruelty in them and the murther of Onias so cursedly perpetrated was revenged by this means which ensueth Aristobulus and the Priests being besieged the feast of Eastâ—r or the Passeover fell out during which time it was an usual custom among the Jews to honour God with many sacrifices M Now they who were with Aristobulite not having any beasts to offer up in sacrifice they requested the other Jews that were without That they might have some delivered unto them for their money Whereunto it was answered That if they would give one thousand drachnis for every head they should have some delivered into them To this demand of theirs Aristobulus and the Priests that were with him willingly condescended and let down the prefixed price and deliver'd the same from the wall but the others after they had received the money deliver'd them not those beasts which they desired them to sell them to sacrifice but they were so impious that they falsified their oaths not only toward men Breach of faith and the revenge thereof but defrauded God also in denying that which they had promised toward the furnishing of their sacrifice For which cause the Priests being defrauded in this N manner contrary to the oath and protestations of their adversaries besought God to shew vengeance on their Countreymen that had committed this heinous and perjurious impiety neither did God defer their punishment but immediately after he sent a great and violent Wind that spoiled all the fruits of the Countrey so that a measure of Wheat was sold for eleven drachms O CHAP. IV. A Scaurus being sent by Pompey into Syria Aristobulus gained his friendship He forced King Aretas to raise the siege of Jerusalem Aristobulus gaineth a Battel against Aretas and Hircanus MEanwhile Pompey sent Scaurus into Syria himself being in person detained in Armenia Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. in pursuit of the War betwixt him and Tigranes When Scaurus came unto Damascus Hircanus and Aristobulus send Ambassadors unto Scaurus he found that Metellus and Lollius had newly taken the City for which B cause he marched on towards Jewry where being arrived certain Ambassadors came unto him in the behalf of Aristobulus and others also in the name of Hircanus requiring alliance and confederacy in the behalf of them both and offering from each of them a Tribute of 400 Talents But Scaurus preferred Aristobulus's promises because he was the ablest Scaurus is presented and of the noblest spirit and withall more moderate in his demand whereas Hircanus was poor and covetous notwithstanding he demanded greater things than his brother did for it was a harder matter to subdue a City that was so strong than to beat a company of runnagate Nabatheans and scarcely well animated to prosecute that War Aristobulus maketh War against Aretas and Hircanus For these causes therefore he receiving his money raised the siege commanding Aretas to return which if he refused he declared him an Enemy to Rome This done Scaurus returned to Damascus and Aristobulus led forth his Army against Aretas and C Hircanus and fighting with them in a place called Papyron he obtained the victory and killed about some 7000 of his Enemies amongst the number of which was â—ephalius Antipater's brother CHAP. V. Pompey cometh into the lower Syria Aristobulus sends him a rich Present Antipater repaireth to him in Hircanus's behalf Both the brothers case was stated to Pompey who defers the decision of it till he reduce the Nabatheans Aristobulus without expecting till then retired into Judea D NOt long after this Pompey cometh into Syria and Aristobulus sendeth a Royal Present unto him Pompey came unto Damascus and as he travelled through Coelosyria divers Ambassadors resorted unto him from all parts of Syria Egypt and Judea For Aristobulus sent him a Present of great value namely a golden Vine of 500 Talents price Hereof Strabo the Cappadocian maketh mention in these words There came an Ambassador out of Egypt bearing a Crown of 4000 pieces of gold and another from Jewry with a Vine or Garden and the workmanship was called Terpole that is to say Recreation I have seen this Vine at Rome in the Temple of Jupiter Capitoline having the inscription of Alexander King of the Jews Antipater for Hircanus and Nicodemus for Aristobulus come as Ambassadors to Pompey and it was esteemed and valued at 500 Talents It is said that Aristobulus Prince of the Jews sent the same E Straight after this there came other fresh Ambassadors to Pompey Antipater from Hircanus and Nicodemus from Aristobulus who accused those that had taken money namely Gabimus for that he first of all had received 300 Talents besides other Presents and secondly Scaurus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. who had received 400 alledging that by that means they had incensed them against him A Castle destroyed in Apamea He therefore gave direction that they should repair unto him about the Spring each of them to justifie and maintain their several Rights as for himself he drew his Forces from their wintering places and marched towards Damascus destroying in his way a certain Fortress which Antiochus the Cyzicenian had fortified in Apamaea He visited also the Countrey of Ptolomey Mennaeus who was a wicked and perverse man Ptolomey Mennaeus fined at a great sum of money and no wayes differed from Dionysius Tripolitane who was punished F with the loss of his head and was united also with him in friendship and affinity yet acquitted of the death he deserved by the means of a 1000 Talents Ransom which Ptolomey distributed among his Soldiers for their pay He demolished likewise the Castle of Lysias wherein a Jew called Sylas tyrannized and passing by the Cities of Heliopolis and Chalcis and having likewise ascended the mountain which is between them he came to Coelosyria and from Pella repaired to Damascus In which place he gave audience to
he desired the safety of his subjects at such time as divers of them retired themselves unto him by reason of their necessity he permitted them to buy up corn and assisted them in all things both in their bargains and in their carriages so that the greater or the whole sum of their succours was attributed to him But after their return Herod L did so much that the care that was taken by him did not only change the affections of those which were his enemies but besides all this he purchased great praise and commendation for his liberality and singular providence Herod distributeth the 〈…〉 For first of all he distributed a certain quantity of corn to all those who were not able of themselves to supply their own wants using herein both great care and diligence After this for that there were a great number of such who in regard of their age or some other infirmity were unable to prepare their victuals he took order for their relief and appointed them certain Bakers who should furnish them with bread sufficient for their subsistance He gave order also that they should not pass the winter without cloathing but provided for such as were naked sufficient raiment considering that the sheep were partly dead and partly devoured and M that there was no wool to set them a work or other stuff to make garments of Now after he had furnished his subjects with these things he thought good also to shew kindness to the neighboring Cities and stored the Syrians with seed-corn to sow their lands which yielded him no little profit for the earth incontinently gave him a large and plentiful tribute for that she had received so that all of them had abundance of victuals and as soon as the harvest was ready he sent fifty thousand men into that Country which he had relieved and by this means he with all diligence restored his afflicted Kingdom and comforted his neighbors who were oppressed with the like calamity For there was not any man in necessity that according to his quality was not assisted and succoured The Villages likewise and the Cities and those of the common sort who entertained N great housholds and were in want having their recourse unto him received that which they had need of so that to reckon up all the Corn which he gave unto those who were not his subjects it appeareth that he employed ten thousand Cores of Wheat now the Core contâ—ineth ten Athenian bushels and within the compass of his Realm he employed eighty thousand which care of his and discreet favour wrought so much in the hearts of 〈◊〉 Jews The Jews favour Herod for his bounty and was so highly renowned amongst other Nations that the ancient hatred which they had conceived against him for that he had altered certain customs of their Kingdom was wholly forgotten and he was supposed by them to have made a sufficient recompence by the diligence he had shewed in assisting them in their necessities and no 〈◊〉 glory obtained he amongst strangers so that by these miseries the King's honour O was not a little magnified and whatsoever damage he received at home so much honour and reputation atchieved he abroad For whereas in strangers necessities he had shewed himself to generous none did regard what he had been before but such as they lately found him to be About the same time also he sent Caesar certain supplies The year of the World 3942. before Christs Nativity 22 namely five hundred chosen A men of his Guard whom Ellius Gallus led into the Wars in Arabia and had often use of them in his most dangerous attempts When therefore his Kingdom was restored to its former felicity he builded a Royal Palace in the higher part of the City furnished with many large buildings and adorned with gold and marble seats so that they might receive a great number of men Hâ—rod sendeth Caesar five hundred of his gâ—ard he named also each room of the house according to their several names and called one the lodging of Caesar and another of Agrippa After this being intangled with love The Palace built in Jâ—rusalem he married a wife lest he should be distracted by vain desires and the cause of this his new marriage was this There was amongst those that dwelt in Jerusalem a certain Citizen called Simon the son of Boethas the Alexandrine who was a Priest and B one of the chiefest in Nobility amongst them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. this man had a daughter the fairest and comliest creature of that age whose beauty being renowned by the common voice it came to pass that Herod was taken with her good character and afterwards obtaining the sight of her he fell in love with her yet would not use his authority lest he should seem to behave himself tyrannically Hâ—â—od 〈…〉 from hiâ— Priesthood and placeth Simon in his room and marrieth his daughter but chose rather to accept her for his wife Whereas therefore Simon seemed unworthy of his affinity and yet too worthy to be contemned he made election of a convenient means to obtain the fulness of his desire which was to raise both Simon and his to higher dignities For which cause he presently deposed the high Priest Jesus the son of Phabetes and established Simon in his place and that done he contracted affinity with him After the marriage was consummate he builded C a new Castle in that place wherein he had overcome the Jews when he made war against Antigonus This place is distant from Jerusalem some sixty furlongs or stades strong by nature and fit for defence and fortification For near it there is a certain steep hill made by Art after the manner of a round dug environed with round Towers with a steep ascent of two hundred steps cut out of hewed stone Within the same there are divers places builded with great and sumptuous workmanship made both for defence and delight At the foot of this hill there are two houses worthy to be seen for divers singularities and namely by reason of those Conduits of water which although they spring not in that place yet notwithstanding they are brought from far with great cost and expence The D Plain that adjoyneth upon it is all full of buildings after the manner of a City and the top of the Castle commandeth all the Plain As soon as he had disposed all his affairs according to his hearts desire he possessed the Kingdom in great quietness for that he made his subjects obedient unto him both by fear in shewing himself inexorable when it concerned him to punish and by liberality whereby he provided for their publick necessities he therefore took an especial care of himself as if the life and safety of his person had been the security of his people He behaved himself officiously and favourably towards all foreign Cities he entertained the Princes with presents which according
for which he hoped that after his death his memory and glory should survive After this he expostulated with them for what cause they abstained not from offering him that injury during his life time Herod assembleth the Governours of the Jews and expostulateth with them about this commotion And why at Noon day and in the sight of all the people they had laid hands K on these Presents which he had dedicated unto God and had taken those things away violently which though in words they appertained to him yet in the effect if they were well examined they had taken from God The Governours suspecting his cruelty and fearing lest his unbridled passion should urge him further by which means they might be assured of some severe punishment answered him that those things were not done by their consents and that in their opinion the injury ought not to be let slip without punishment At that time Herod shewed himself more favourable towards the rest Matthias deprived of the High Priesthood and Jozarus assigned his place but he caused Matthias to be deprived of the Priesthood as one who in part had been the cause of that which had happened and in his place substituted Jozar one of his Wives Brethren During the Priesthood of this Matthias it happened also that another High Priest was elected that very day wherein the Jews did usually celebrate their Fast For Matthias the night before the day of the Fast seemed in his Dream to have the company of his Wife and whereas for this cause he was L unfit to offer the Divine Sacrifice he had Joseph the Son of Ellemus appointed him to be his Assistant by reason of his alliance Joseph Ellemi for one day High Priest Herod therefore deposed Matthias And as for the other Matthias who had moved this trouble both he and his companions were by his order consumed with fire This very night the Moon was eclipsed and Herod's sickness grew more vehement For God punished those sins which he had committed Matthias and Judas burned For he was inflamed with a slow fire which to the outward sense seemed not so vehement but inwardly searched and afflicted all his Entrails He had also a ravenous and unnatural Appetite to his meat The Eclipse which could no way be satisfied Besides that he had an Ulcer in his Bowels Hedio Rufâ—â—â— chap. 9 with a strange and furious Collick His Feet were swelled and of venomous colour 〈◊〉 horrible sickness and his Stomach was no less affected also His Members rotted and were full of crawling Worms with a filthy and no less troublesome Priapism accompanied with an intolerable Stench Besides all this he had a strong Convulsion of his Nerves and shortness of Breath For which cause it was a general opinion amongst holy men and such as had the knowledge of Prophecy M that the King was thus punished for his infinite impieties and sins committed against the Majesty of God And although he was tormented with an unsupportable sickness yet he had hopes to escape and for that cause he sent for Physicians from all places The hot Baths of Calliroes that flow into the Lake of Asphaltite and refused none of those remedies which they thought requisite for him He therefore past over Jordan and went into the hot Baths of Calliroes the Waters whereof are potable besides other vertues they have against all other kind of sickness this Water dischargeth it self into the Lake called Asphaltites Being there it was thought good by his Physicians that he should refresh himself in those Waters There being set by them into a Bathing-tub filled with Oyl he grew so sick that they held him for dead Whereupon all his Domestick servants wept and lamented and all his familiar friends cried out bewailing him and with their great noise caused him to come to himself And seeing himself wholly out of hope to escape he gave order that there should a Distribution be made to every Soldier the summ of fifty Drachmes and he offered great Presents N to their Captains and his Friends Afterwards he returned to Jericho where a melancholly humour possessed him Herod bestoweth a distribution among his Soldiers which made him unsociable and displeased against all men so that seeing that he must needs die he bethought him of this wicked action that followeth For the Noblest men amongst the Nation of the Jews resorting unto him from all parts by his command under the express Penalty of loss of life to whosoever should neglect the same the King shewed himself to be displeased as well against those whom he thought guilty Herod commandeth that the Noblest of the Jews should be slain after his death as against them who had given him no occasion of discontent For he caused them to be shut up in a place called the Hippodrome which was the Tilt-yard to run Horses in and sent for his Sister Salome and Alexas her Husband telling them that his end was at hand for that his griefs did incessantly torment him which as he said he ought to bear patiently because it was an end that should happen to all men But that which most grieved him was that he saw himself deprived of those mournings and lamentations which a King deserved For he was not ignorant of the Jews affections neither how his death was desired and longed for by them since that in his life time they O presumed so far as to revolt and dishonour and deface those gifts which he had bestowed upon the A Commonweal It therefore behoved them to afford him some solace in that his bitter anguish for that if they refused not to perform that which he had contrived in his mind the lamentation of his death should be magnificent and as great as ever any King ever had and the pleasure and laughter that might accompany his death should be abated by their sorrow who should unfeignedly lament for the whole Nation He therefore commanded them that at such time as he should give up the Ghost they should cause the Hippodrome to be invironed by his Souldiers as yet unadvertised of his death which he would not have published before this execution was ended and to command them to shoot their Arrows at those that were shut up therein And that when they had killed them all after this manner they should B make him triumph and rejoyce in a double joy first for that in his death his Commands should be ratified by effect Secondly For that he should be honoured by a memorable lamentation Thus weeping he entreated his Kinsfolk for the love they bare unto him and for the faith they bare unto God that they should not suffer him to die frustrate of his last honour and they protested that they would not transgress any point of his Commands Hereby a man may conjecture what his nature was who took pleasure in these above-named impieties and who through the
Greeks or Barbarians that make account of virtue which they have practised from all Antiquity which is that they possess their goods in common neither doth the richest among them make more use of his possessions than he that hath least of all They are at least four thousand in number who have neither Wives nor Slaves supposing that Women are the occasion of injustice and Slaves do cause insurrections E and living apart by themselves they serve one another and chuse out certain upright men among the Priests to gather the Fruits and Revenues of the Lands to the end they may be maintained and nourished thereby Plisti among the Danes In a word they follow the same course of life that they do Judas â—alilaeus the Author of the fourth Sect. who are called Plisti among the Danes The fourth Sect was founded by Judas of Galilee which accordeth altogether and in all things with the Pharisees but they are extremely zealous of their liberty acknowledging but one only God Lord and Master of all things and had rather both themselves with their dearest Children and Kindred should endure the most grievous and bitter torments that may be imagined than call any mortal man their Lord. Of which constancy of theirs I forbear to discourse any further at this time for it is sufficiently known unto divers who have been F eye-witnesses thereof neither do I fear lest any one should suppose those things to be incredible which I have said of them but rather that I have spoken less than they themselves make evident in contemning their grievous tortures and punishments which courage and magnanimity of theirs encreased very mightily amongst our Nation being kindled by the most grievous injuries which were offered us by Gessius Florus our Governour Gessius Florus 's injuries by which means at length it came to pass that they revolted and rebelled against the people of Rome Thus much concerning the Sects among the Jews CHAP. III. H Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso AFter that Cyrenius had confiscated Archelaus's Goods Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. and finished the valuation of I every man's Estate which happened thirty seven years after Antonies overthrow by Caesar in the Actian Battel he deposed Joazar from the Priestly Dignity Ananus the Son of Seth made High Priest in Joazar's place by reason of that Sedition which the people stirred up against him and established Ananus the Son of Seth in his place But Herod and Philip took each of them the possession of their Tetrarchy Alias cap. 6. and disposed of the Affairs thereof Herod inclosed Sephoris with a strong Wall Sephoris chief City of Galilee and made it the chiefest City and Ornament of Galilee He fortified also another City called Bataramphtha and named it Julias in honour of Julia the Emperour Caesar's Wife Betaramphtha called Julias Paneas Bethsaida Philip repaired Paneada situated near unto the head of Jordan and called it Caesarâ—a he repaired also the Borough of Bethsaida near unto the Lake of Genezareth and gave it the dignity of a City both for the number of the Inhabitants as for K other pre-eminencies Men's bones scattered in the Temple and called it Julia by Caesars Wives name As for Coponius the Governour in Judaea who as we have said was sent with Cyrenius in his time there hapned that which followeth At the Feast of Unlevened Bread which we call Pascha the custom was that the Priests opened the Temple Gates about midnight The year of the World 3974. after Christ's Nativity 12. at which time certain Samaritans who secretly entred into Jerusalem as soon as the Gates were open spred men's bones amidst the Porches and over all the Temple whereby it came to pass that the Priests began to keep a more diligent watch than they had done before Some little while after Hedio Ruffinus chap 4. Coponius returned to Rome and Marcus Ambivius succeeded him in the Government In his time Salome King Herod's Sister departing out of this life bequeathed unto Julia the City of Jamnia and all the Lands and Countrey round L about The year of the World 3975. after Christ's Nativity 13. she gave her also Phasaelis situate on the Plain and Archelais where there are divers Date Trees bearing most excellent fruit After Ambivius Annius Rufus had the Command in whose time died Augustus Caesar the second Roman Emperour after he had reigned fifty seven years six months and two days and had Antonius his Co-partner in the Monarchy for the space of fourteen years The year of the World 3977. after Christ's Nativity 15. He lived in the whole seventy seven years After Caesar succeeded Tiberius Nero the Son of Julia his Wife who was the third Roman Emperour He it was that sent the fifth Governour into Judaea whose name was Valerius Gratus who succeeded Annius Rufus This Gratus deposed Ananus and appointed Ismael the Son of Fabius High Priest The year of the World 3978. after Christ's Nativity 16. and after his decease for he lived but a M little while after Eleazar the Son of Ananus was made High Priest A year after this Eleazar was also deposed and the Priesthood was given to Simon the Son of Camithus who continuing in this dignity for a year's space and no longer Joseph called Caiphas succeeded him The year of the World 3979. after Christ's Nativity 17. After Gratus had behaved himself thus he returned to Rome after he had remained in Judaea for the space of eleven years After him came Pontius Pilate and succâ—eded him in the Government But Herod the Tetrarch being entertained into Tiberius's Friendship builded a City in honour of his name and called it Tiberias He planted it in the fruitfullest part of Galilee hard by the Lake Genezareth and near unto the natural Baths in the Borough called Emmans The year of the World 3980. after Christ's Nativity 18. This City was peopled by strangers who resorted thither from all parts and by divers of the Countreys N of Galilee some of which were constrained to inhabit the same Some of those likewise who were in authority repaired thither and from all Countreys many flocked thither who were not all assuredly held to be Free-men all which he made free and gave them great gifts on that condition that they should not abandon the City To some of them he gave houses already builded to others Lands very apt to be tilled knowing that the inhabiting of such a place was contrary to the Laws and Customs of his Countrey Tyberias builded and the
within and the lights likewise were taken away Mundus who lay hid within failed not to accost her who thinking that it was God Anubis satisfied his desires all the night long and in the morning betimes before the Priests who were privy to this Treachery were stirring he retired himself Paulina also early in the morning repaired to her Husband and acquainted him how Anubis appeared unto her and boasting among her Familiars what conference he had used with her But some of them believed her not in regard of the manner of their entertainment the rest were altogether amazed supposing those things to be no ways incredible when they bethought themselves of the Ladies chastity Some three days after this act was committed Mundus meeting with Paulina said E unto her You have saved me two hundred thousand Drachmes wherewith you might have augmented your Treasure and this notwithstanding you have not failed to satisfie my request Neither am I grieved that you have contemned me under the name of Mundus since that undertaking Anubis 's name I have accomplished my desire and this said he departed But she presently amazed with the man's audacious impudence tore her Garments and having told her Husband of all this subtil circumvention she requested earnestly his assistance and that he would not forsake her in the prosecution of her revenge who presently acquainted the Emperour with every particular thereof Now when Tiberius had diligently understood how all things had happened Tiberius causeth Isâ—s's Priests and Ida to be hanged and banished Munduâ— by the inquisition and examination of the Priests he condemned them and Ida who had been the F inventer and complotter of this Treason against Paulina to be hanged He pulled down the Temple also and cast Anubis's Statue into Tyber and banished Mundus supposing that he ought not to be more grievously punished considering that the fault which was committed by him proceeded from extream love Behold here the insolence committed in the Temple of Isis by the Priests that appertained to that Temple Now I intend to declare that which happened to the Jews that were at that time in Rome according as I both purposed and promised CHAP. V. H Tiberius causeth all the Jews to be banished from Rome Pilate punisheth the Samaritans for having drawn themselves together in Arms They accuse him to Vitellius Governour of Syria who sends him to Rome to clear himself There was a certain Jew Fulvia Saturnine's Wife delivereth Gold and Purple to be sent to the Temple in Jerusalem they convert it to their own uses which when Tiberius knew he commanded all the Jews to be thrust out of Rome that having been accused for the breach of the Laws of his Countrey and fearing to be punished for the same fled from thence being a man of a most mischievous behaviour He dwelling at that time in Rome professed himself to be an expounder of Moses's Law and drawing to him three other no I less Reprobates than himself he followed his ordinary Profession Fulvia a Lady of much honour became their Scholar and had embraced the Religion of the Jews whom they had perswaded to send certain Purple and Gold to the Temple of Jerusalem which after they had received they converted it to their own use as before they had determined to do Tiberius who was informed hereof by Saturnine his familiar Friend and Fulvia's Husband who had discovered the same unto him commanded all Jews whatsoever to depart out of Rome Of these the Consuls chose out and enrolled to the number of four thousand men whom they sent into Sardinia and punished divers of them that refused to bear Arms for fear they should transgress the Ordinances of their Countrey So that by reason of the loose behaviour of four wicked K persons all those of our Nation were driven out of the City of Rome Neither was the Nation of the Samaritans exempt from this trouble for a certain subtil Companion who sought by all the means he might to encroach upon the peoples favour perswaded them to withdraw themselves with him to the Mount Gerazim which they supposed to be the holiest amongst all their Mountains in which place he promised he would shew them the Sacred Vessels buried in a certain place where Moses had laid them The Samaritans assemble at Tirathaba to ascend the Mountain Garazim Pilate chargeth and overcometh them and putteth them to flight And at that time they being gathered together in Arms by his perswasion encamped themselves in a Borough called Tirathaba where they entertained those that repaired thither to joyn themselves with them to the end they might ascend the Mountain with the greater Company But Pilate prevented them L and got up before them with Horse and Foot who charging those that were assembled in the Borough put them to flight and slaying some and putting the rest to flight led away a great number of them Prisoners with him Pilate executed the chiefest Ring-leaders amongst them The tumult of these Jews being published abroad and their misfortune made known the Senate of Samaria addressed themselves to Vitellius who had been Consul and who at that time governed Syria before whom they accused Pilate for the murther of those whom he had killed saying that they assembled not in Tirathaba to rebel against the Romans but to secure themselves against Pilate's Tyranny Whereupon Vitellius sent Marcus his Friend to take charge of Judaea Alias chap. 1 commanding Pilate to return to Rome and to satisfie the Emperour of M those things whereof the people had accused him Pilate accused before Vitellius is sent to Rome Hereupon Pilate after he had remained ten years in Jewry repaired to Rome having no means to contradict that Command that Vitellius had given him But before he arrived there Tiberius was dead CHAP. VI. Hadio Ruffinus chap. 8. alias chap. 12. N Vitellius restoreth the High Priest's Vestments to the Jews Vitellius cometh to Jerusalem forgiveth the Jews their Tribute and committeth the charge of the High Priest's Garments to them to keep as they did formerly He treateth in Tiberius's behalf with Artobanus King of the Parthians The cause of his hatred against Herod the Tetrarch Philip Tetrarch of Trachonitis of Gaulanitis and of Bathanaea dieth without Children his Dominions are reunited to Syria AS soon as Vitellius came into Judaea he went up to Jerusalem and celebrated there the Feast of the Passover The High Priest's Vestments reserved in the Castle of Antonia and after he had been magnificently entertained in that place he forgave the Citizens all the Tribute of those Fruits which were sold He delivered them also the Ornaments of the High Priests with all the O rest of the Priestly Furniture within the Temple committing the charge thereof unto the Priests according as in times past they had the same But at that time they A were laid up in the Castle of Antonia for this
cause which followeth Hircanus the High Priest the first of that name having builded a Tower near unto the Temple did for the most part make his Residence therein and there kept his Vestments that were committed to his charge the rather for that he only had the Authority to put them on and return them into their place at such time as he came down into the City and put on his accustomed Raiment His Successors did the same till Herod being exalted to the Kingdom and seeing this Tower to be strongly situated builded the same most magnificently and called it Antonia in honour of Antony his great friend And having found these Vestments in the place he retained them with him assuring himself the people would attempt nothing against him Archelaus his Son and Successor B in the Kingdom kept the same course that Herod had done But after that the Romans had obtained the Sovereignty thereof they kept the High Priest's Ornaments in their hands and reserved them in a place builded for that purpose under the Seal of the Priests and the Governour of those that kept the Sacred Treasure lighted the Lamp every day in that place Every seventh day before the Feast the Governour delivered them into the High Priest's hands and after they were purified he put them on to do Divine Service and the next day after the Feast he returned them again to the same place where they were kept before which custom was observed thrice every year in the time of a Fast Vitellius advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to the Priesthood and degradeth Joseph sirnamed Caiaphas But Vitellius returned those Ornaments into the hands of the Priests according to the ancient Orders leaving them to be used when need required commanding the C Governour to trouble himself no more about the place where they should be kept After he had done this favour to the Nation of the Jews he deposed the High Priest Joseph sirnamed Caiaphas and advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to that Dignity and afterwards returned to Antioch At that time he received Letters from Tiberius by which he commanded him to capitulate and conclude a Friendship with Artabanus the King of the Parthians whose hatred he suspected and feared lest seizing on Armenia he should work farther mischief against the State of Rome desiring him to assure the League by Hostages and namely with Artabanus's Son After Tiberius had written these Letters above mentioned unto Vitellius he perswaded the Kings of Iberia and Alania by great store of D money that with all expedition they should make War against Artabanus But the Iberians would not be drawn thereunto yet they suffered the Alanes to march thorough their Countrey and opened them their Gates of the Mount Caspius to give them passage to invade Artabanus The Parthians lose Armenia Thus once more was Armenia conquered and the Countrey of the Parthians was invaded whereby the chiefest among them were killed The King's Son also was killed in those Conflicts with divers Thousands of his Army Such things as hapned between Vitellius and Artabanus Moreover Vitellius having sent money to a Kinsman and Friend of Artabanus pretended to corrupt him to make Artabanus away But Artabanus perceiving the Plot that was intended against him and seeing that he could not escape because it was attempted by a great number of the best accounted Nobles within his E Court ceased to pass any further And seeing himself most apparently environed and thinking that under the colour of Friendship he was fraudulently betrayed he thought it better to retire himself into the Provinces of the higher Countrey and there to save himself Artabanus rostored to his Kingdom by the Danes and Swedes rather than to put himself in hazard and resort unto them who had already betrayed and forsaken him Arriving in that place he assembled a a great number of Soldiers of the Countreys of Danes and Swedes and having fought against them who had opposed themselves against him he recovered his Kingdom A League betwixt Vitellius and Artabanus When Tiberius had tidings hereof he endeavoured to draw Artabanus into Friendship with him which when Artabanus had notice of he willingly admitted so that Artabanus and Vitellius met together near Euphrates and by the means of a F Bridge that was builded upon the River Herod's Banquet in the midst of Euphrates they debated the matter together being each of them attended by their Guards After that they had concluded the Peace Herod the Tetrarch feasted them in a very magnificent Pavilion erected in the midst of the River Artabanus sendeth Tiberius his Son in Hostage and a Jew seven cubits high with great cost And not long after Vitellius sent Darius Artabanus's Son in Hostage to Rome with divers Presents amongst which there was a man seven Cubits high a Jew born who was named Eleazar who was called a Giant by reason of his stature That done Vitellius returned to Antioch and Artabanus to Babylon But Herod desirous to be the first that should advertise Caesar of the receipt of these Hostages Herod advertiseth the Emperour of all things before Vitellius's Letters came to his hands sent an express with Letters by which he fully satisfied him of all that which had hapned omitting nothing for the Consul to acquaint him so that after Vitellius's Letters G were brought unto him and that Caesar had already assured him of the true information that Herod had given him Vitellius was much troubled and suspecting lest he had received a greater injury than the matter made shew for he conceived in his heart a secret spight which continued until Tiberius was dead and Caius obtained the H Empire At that time also Philip Herod's Brother died in the twentieth year of Tiberius's Reign after he had reigned himself for the space of seven and thirty years in Trachonitis Gaulonitis and Bathanaea During all the time of his Government he behaved himself very peaceably for he made his abode within his own Dominion He walked being accompanied with a small number of his chosen servants and had that seat carried after him wherein he was accustomed to fit and do justice to the end that if any one presented himself and required his assistance he might without delay do him right Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. alias chap. 13. For upon the first motion the seat was placed in that part wherein the Plaintiff met him and being seated therein he examined the cause punishing those that I were guilty and absolving the innocent He died in Juliade and was buried in the Sepulchre which he himself had caused to be built The year of the World 4000. after Christ's Nativity 38. and his Obsequies were performed with great Solemnity and Majesty And for that he left no Heirs Males behind him Tiberius seized on his Estate which he united to the Government of Syria ordaining that the Tributes that were gained
shall bear with her the remembrance of those benefits I have employed on him These words spake he with a loud voice desiring them to relate the same unto King Agrippa who seeing that he was grounded in an incurable folly left him in Prison After this Agrippa fortifieth the Walls of Jerusalem the King began to fortifie the Walls of Jerusalem on the side of the new Town upon the common charge encreasing them both in length and breadth which if he might have thoroughly finished it had been an invincible Fort. But Marsus the Governour of Syria Claudius commandeth Agrippa to desist from building the Walls acquainted Caesar what the work was and Claudius suspecting some Commotion wrote expresly to Agrippa commanding him thence-forward to desist from O further building of the Walls according to that form wherein he began whereunto he would not disobey This King Agrippa was of nature so ready to exercise Liberality A and took so great pleasure to use his magnificence towards all sorts of Nations that the great expences he was at obtained him great reputation So that his whole pleasure and delight was to shew courtesie unto all men and to purchase good esteem being every way different in nature and disposition from King Herod his Predecessor For Herod was naturally malicious Agrippa favoured the Jews more than Herod extream in punishing and irreconcileable to those with whom he was displeased manifestly expressing that he loved the Grecians better than the Jews For he beautified those Cities that belonged to strangers and gave them money and erected them Baths and sumptuous Theatres and Temples and in some of them Galleries but as for the Cities of the Jews he bestowed not this bounty on any of them no not the least reparation or gift that was worthy the speaking B of Contrariwise King Agripga was very courteous and affable and equally imparted his bounty unto all men He was courteous unto strangers any testified no less by the bounty he bestowed on them To his Countrey-men he behaved himself affably and especially he was merciful to all those that were in misery For which cause his ordinary Court and the place he took most pleasure in was Jerusalem He was a diligent observer of the Laws of his Countrey and lived religiously and with as great piety as was possible Simon the Lawyer backbiteth the King who craving pardon is reconciled unto him Neither passed there one day wherein he offered not Sacrifice It happened at one time that a certain cunning Lawyer who was called Simon and dwelt in Jerusalem had assembled the people by reason of the King's absence who for the present was in Caesarea In which Assembly he alledged many things against C him that he was a prophane man and that upon just cause he was forbidden to enter the Temple in that it was not lawful nor decent for those that were unclean to enter thereinto These words of Simon 's thus wrongfully spoke against him were signified to the King by Letters sent by the Governour of the City When therefore he sate him down in the Theatre he commanded that very Simon to sit next him and in peaceable and kind manner he spake thus unto him Tell me I pray thee what seest thou worthy of reprehension or done contrary to Law in that which is done here Simon having not any thing to reply besought him to pardon him The King grew friends with him far sooner than it could be imagined resolving with himself that mercy doth far better become a King than wrath and that moderation is more requisite D than cruelty so that after he had bestowed certain Presents on Simon he dismissed him alias cap. 20. Now although he had many reparations in divers places yet he honoured those of Berith above all the rest Agrippa honoureth Berith with good Ornaments and builded them a Theatre surpassing all other in sumptuousness and beauty And besides that he made them a sumptuous Amphitheatre and Baths and Porches no ways inferiour The Dedication also of these things were celebrated with great pomp and magnificence he also made great Shews and Plays in the Theatre in which there were all sorts of Musick and Recreations expressing in all things the greatness of his Magnificence and being desirous to delight the people with a Combat he gathered all the Malefactors that he could get and made two several Companies of seven hundred a piece and brought them together to fight to the end E that in skirmishing they might receive their punishment and besides that by this Warlike Exercise he might present the people with a Past-time concluded with the punishment of wicked men for they fought so desperately that not one of them came off alive After that he had finished these above-named Buildings in Berith Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. he resorted to Tiberian a City of Galilee and was admired of all the other Kings so that Antiochus King of Comagena came to visit him The like did Samsigeran King of the Emesenians Cotys King of Armenia the less and Polemon Lord of Pontus And besides all these Herod Prince of Chalcis and his Brother All whom he received and entertained most magnificently and amiably to shew his greatness to the end that all men might perceive F that he was deservedly honoured with the presence of so many Kings And whilst these Princes were with him Marsus the Governour of Syria visited him likewise whom to the end he might express the reverence he bare to the Romans he met with seven furlongs off from the City Agrippa is displeased with Marsus for sending away the Kings This interview of so many Kings was the original of that discontent that grew betwixt him and Marsus who seeing all those Kings that came to see Agrippa sitting in the same Charriot with him suspected such Concord and so great Amity supposing that this agreement of so many Kings would be no ways profitable or beneficial to the Romans For which cause he presently sent unto them charging them with all expedition alias chap. 7. to return each of them into their own Countreys Which strict Commission Aelionaeus the Son of Cithaeus made High Priest Agrippa took so ill that he never had any kindness for Marsus afterwards G He took the Priesthood from Matthias and gave it to Aelionaeus the Son of Cithaeus After he had reigned three whole years over Judaea he came to Caesarea which in times past was called the Tower of Straton and there he made Sports in honour of Caesar where all the Nobility of the Countrey was present On the second day H of this Solemnity he being apparelled in a Robe of Silver made with admirable Workmanship came into the Theatre in the morning Where at the first reflex of the rising Sun beating upon his Robe he shined so bright that all those that beheld him were seized with reverence and fear Agrippa is
for they sent Ambassadours to Claudius to appease him and by this means they obtained the favour to remain in Judaea The Jews themselves were the cause of those Wars which began under Florus After this they gave beginning to those most grievous mischiefs and calamities that befell the Jews for they C spred the Seed of the War which was awakened under Florus's Government And for that cause after that Vespasian had obtained the Victory as it shall be hereafter declared he caused them to depart out of that Province and made them seek their Habitation elsewhere H THE TWENTIETH BOOK Of the ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS I Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Twentieth Book K 1. The Emperour Claudius taketh the Government of Syria from Marsus and giveth it to Longinus Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth some seditious People and Robbers who disturbed the Province He commands the Jews to carry back the High Priest's Vestment to the Fort Antonia but the Emperour giveth them leave to keep them at young Agrippa's request He was King Agrippa the Great 's Son and was then at Rome 2. Izates King of Andiabena and Queen Helena his Mother embrace the Religion of the Jews Their singular Piety and the great Actions of this Prince whom God L protects visibly Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth a man and his followers who deceived the Jews 3. Tiberius Alexander succeeds Fadus in the Government of Judaea and Cumanus succeeds Alexander Herod King of Chalcis's death his Children Claudius the Emperour giveth his Dominions to Agrippa 4. The horrid Insolence of a Roman Soldier causeth the death of twenty thousand Jews Another Soldier 's Insolence 5. A great Quarrel between the Jews of Galilee and the Samaritans who bribe Cumanus Governour of Judaea Quadratus Governour of Syria sends him to Rome M with Ananias the High Priest and several others to clear themselves before the Emperour who put some of them to death The Emperour condemns the Samaritans and banisheth Cumanus maketh Foelix Governour of Judaea giveth Agrippa the Tetrarchy that Philip had viz. Bathanaea Trachonit and Abila and taketh Chalcis from him The Marriage of Agrippa's Sisters The death of the Emperour Claudius Nero succeeds after him He giveth the Lesser Armenia to Aristobulus Herod's Son King of Chalcis and to Agrippa some part of Galilee viz. Tiberiades Tarichee and Juliad 6. Foelix Governour of Judaea causeth Eleazar the High Priest to be murthered and his Murtherers commit other Murthers even in the Temple Robbers and False N Prophets are punished A great debate betwixt the Jews and the other Inhabitants of Caesarea King Agrippa establisheth Ishmael High Priest Violences committed by the High Priests 7. Foestus succeeds Foelix in the Government of Judaea The Inhabitants of Caesarea obtain of Nero to have the Jews Freedom recalled King Agrippa causeth an Apartment to be built from whence all that was done about the Temple might be seen the people of Jerusalem cause a high Wall to be built to hinder it by the Emperour's Authority 8. Albinus succeeds Foestus in the Government of Judaea and King Agrippa giveth O and taketh away often the High Priesthood Ananus the High Priest causeth Saint James to be put to death Agrippa enlargeth the City of Caesarea and calleth it Neronias A 9. How Florus Albinus's Successor offered many injuries to the Jews which constrained them to take Arms against the Romans CHAP. I. The Emperour Claudius taketh the Government of Syria from Marsus and giveth it B to Longinus Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth some seditious People and Robbers who disturbed the Province He commands the Jews to carry back the High Priest's Vestment to the Fort Antonia but the Emperour giveth them leave to keep them at young Agrippa's request He was King Agrippa the Great 's Son and was then at Rome AFter King Agrippa's decease as we have heretofore declared in our former Book the Emperour Claudius sent Cassius Longinus to succeed Marsus in the Government of Syria whom he deprived of that Honour in memory of Agrippa who during his C life time Hedio Ruffinus cap 1. had oftentimes required by Letters that he should not suffer Marsus to govern the State of Syria As soon as Cuspius Fadus came into Jewry Cassius Longinus Prefect of Syria to take charge of that Countrey which he was to govern under Caesar he found the Jews that dwelt on the other side of Jordan in an uproar who had taken Arms against the Philadelphians about the limits of a certain Village called Mia which was stored with valiant men Those who inhabit beyond Jordan had armed themselves in this manner without the consent of their Governours and had killed a great numper of the Philadelphians Fadus punisheth the Jews for their Insurrection against the Philadelphians Which when Fadus understood he was much displeased for that they had not reserved the cause to his hearing and complained to him of the D Philadelphians but were so bold of their own Authority and without fear as to take up Arms. Having therefore apprehended some three of them who had been Authors of the Sedition he commanded them to Prison and executed one of them called Annibas Annibas executed Amaramus and Eleazar banished and banished the other two whose names were Amram and Eleazar Not long after this Tholomaeus the Captain of the Thieves was also taken and brought unto him who commanded him to be executed for having committed many Robberies in Idumaea and Arabia Tholomaeus the Arch-thief and by this means all the Countrey of Judaea was cleared of all Thieves by the care and providence of Fadus After this he sent for the High Priests Fadus requireth that the High Priest's Garment should be delivered into the power of the Romans and kept in the Castle of Antonia aliàs chap 2. and the Governours of Jerusalem commanding them according to the Emperour's direction to deliver up into the Castle of Antonia the Sacred Robe E which the High Priest only was accustomed to wear to the end that it might be at the Romans disposal as in times past it had been They durst not contradict his Command yet notwithstanding they required Fadus and Longinus who at that time was come to Jerusalem with a great power for fear the Jews by reason of this Injunction should raise a Rebellion first that it may be lawful for them to send their Ambassadours unto Caesar to beseech him that the Sacred Robe might remain in their custody Secondly that it might please them to expect the answer which Caesar would return to their request The Jews deliver Pledges to the intent they might be permitted to send Letters to Caesar Fadus gave them this answer that he permitted them to send their Ambassadours to Rome provided that before-hand they delivered him their Children for Hostages which when they had readily performed the Ambassadours were sent
Historiographers of untruth and declareth his intent and specifieth the principal points of this History THe War of the Jews against the Romans The duty of an Historiographer and how things that are past should be written was of all other the greatest that ever was attempted in our Age or heard of in D any other either between City and City or Nation against Nation Yet there have been some persons who rather building their discourse on the vain and false reports of others than their own knowledge have written the History of it by hear-say and filled their discourse not only with Vanity but also with Contradiction Others there are who though Witnesses or Actors in the same nevertheless have according to their own fancy related many falshoods either out of flattery to the Romans or hatred against the Jews Whose Writings are full of nothing but Accusations of the one and Praises of the other without observation of Historical E Verity Joseph himself had a hand in the Wars of the Jews For this cause I Joseph the Son of Matthias by Birth an Hebrew a Citizen and Priest of Jerusalem who in the beginning of those Wars bore Arms against the Romans and afterwards being thereunto forced by necessity was present at all those things which were attempted and prosecuted in those Wars have thought good to write in the Greek Tongue in favour of all those who acknowledge the Sovereignty of the Roman Empire all that which heretofore in my own Language I have written to inform other Nations When these great Wars began the Romans were at Civil Wars among themselves And the younger and more turbulent sort of Jews trusting to their Riches and Courage excited so great troubles in the East to make use of this opportunity that whole Nations were in apprehension to be brought into subjection to them because F they had confederated with those of their Nation that inhabited the parts beyond Euphrates to revolt all together Moreover at that time the Gauls who bordered upon the Romans suffered them not to live in peace And the Germans also began to take Arms. After Nero's time all things full of trouble In a word after the death of Nero Seditions reigned every where so that by reason of the opportunity of these times many went about to make themselves Kings And the Soldiers lead with the hope of gain desired nothing more than trouble and alteration Now because these matters were important the trouble I had to see the truth disguised made me take care to inform exactly the Parthians Babylonians Joseph had written this History in the Hebrew Tongue before and the farthest distant Arabians and those of our Nation inhabiting beyond Euphrates together with the Adiabenites of the true cause of this War of all that G passed in it and how it was ended lest those who were not present in it should be ignorant thereof and deceived by flattering and fabulous Historians Yet some of these there be who besides their false informations stick not to write Histories not only void of all H truth but also no ways answerable to the Subject which they undertake For whereas they labour to extol the Romans The Glory of the Romans is diminished if you derogate from their labours at the Siege of Jerusalem and debase the Jews I cannot understand how they can be held great who triumph in the Conquest of men so obscure and abject Nay whilst they thus extol the Romans valour in conquering the Jews they consider not the continuance of the War nor the multitude of the Roman Forces nor the honour of their Captains whose Glory is much impaired if they lessen that of the ressistance by which the valour of the Jews render'd the execution of the Enterprise so difficult For my own part I am not resolved to contradict those who shall enhance the Glory and Noble Actions of the Romans nor to extol and cry up the Deserts of my own Nation but my resolution is in all truth and sincerity to set down each Occurrent without I respect or partiality towards either part In performance whereof I will order my discourse according to the matter I treat of and as my grief and sorrow shall invite me to lament the miseries of my Countrey For the Civil Dissension that dismember'd the same was the cause that brought it to confusion And those Tyrants that reigned amongst us were such who forcibly drew the Romans with Sword and Fire to effect the Desolation of our Holy Temple Titus his Piety towards the Jews The truth whereof Titus Caesar himself can justifie who destroyed the same who during all those Wars still pitied the people for that they as he well perceived were kept in awe by the Seditious And oftentimes of his own accord he deferred the taking of the City and purposely protracted the Siege to the intent that in the mean time the Authors of the Seditions K might have leisure to repent and submit themselves Now if any man think that I write this as one that exclaimeth against the Tyrants and their Depredations or that in bewailing the miseries of my lost Countrey I accuse their Villanies too passionately and thereby transgress the limits of a History let it be imputed to my grief and so pardoned For amongst all the Cities that ever were conquered by the Romans our City only attained to the top of felicity but now alas 't is brought into extreme Misery All Calamities that hapned since the beginning of the World being compared with those the Jews suffered are of no moment Captivity and Desolation Nay if all the Misfortunes and Calamities which the World from the beginning hath seen be compared with the infelicity and fall of the Jews they are slight and inconsiderable And to encrease our sorrow 't is not to Foreigners but to our own Countrey-men L that we are to attribute the cause of our miseries Wherefore if any man too severe and Stoical reprehend this my Lamentation let him consider only the deeds I recount in the History which I write and pass over the Lamentations and sorrows of me The Grecian Historiographers overpass the Wars of the Jews with silence who am the Historiographer I confess I have often blamed and perhaps with reason the most eloquent Grecians that although these our most miserable and memorable Wars hapned in their days in respect whereof all other former troubles are obscure and of no reckoning they have restrained their Tongues and Pens to the end they might carp at those with greater liberty who undertake the publishing thereof whom though in Learning and Eloquence they exceed yet they have the advantage M of having managed Publick Affairs These Censurers of others write the Histories of the Assyrians and Medes as if the ancient Writers had ill reported the same though indeed they come as far behind those ancient Authors in their manner of writing as they
Temple he purified it and compassed it with a Wall and made new Vessels for the M Service of God and placed them there because those that had been formerly consecrated there were prophaned He built likewise another Altar and began to renew the accustomed Sacrifice and observe the Rites of Religion Scarce was the City brought to its former Estate Antiochus dieth and leaveth the Kingdom to his Son Antiochus who gathereth a huge power and invadeth Jewry but Antiochus died leaving behind him Antiochus Eupator his Son and Heir not only of his Kingdom but also of his hatred against the Jews Who having gathered together fifty thousand Foot and almost five thousand Horse and fourscore Elephants entred by the Mountains into Judaea and took a Town called Bethsara near which Judas met him in a place called Bethzacary where the passage was something strait And before they joyned Battel Eleazar Judas's Brother seeing one Elephant higher than the rest bearing a N great Tower on his Back Ant. lib. 12. c. 14 15. and adorned with Golden Furniture thought Antiochus had been there â—leazar dieth being slain by an Elephant and ran from his Company breaking the Ranks of the Enemies till he came to the Elephant but he could not reach him whom he deemed to be the King he was so highly mounted all he could do was to wound the Elephant in the belly with his Sword till the Beast fell upon him and pressed him to death which act of his had no other success but this that by attempting so great a matter he gave testimony that he preferred Glory before his life Eleazar preferreth honour before life For he that rid on this Elephant was but a private person and although Antiochus had been there Eleazar had atchieved nothing more in this valiant attempt but yet he adventured his life in hope to perform some great exploit This act of his was a presage unto his Brother Judas of the event O of that days Battel for the Jews fought stoutly and a long time but yet Antiochus's Army being both more in number and more fortunate obtained the Victory and A Judas after the loss of many of his company fled to the Gophonites with those of his side who escaped Antiochus advanced afterwards to Jerusalem from whence after some stay he departed for want of Provisions leaving a sufficient Garrison there as for the rest of his Army he led them for their Winter-quarters into Syria But notwithstanding the King's departure Antiochus departing from Jerusalem leaveth a sufficient Garrison there Judas rested not but encouraged by many of his Nation who daily came to him and gathering also together those who escaped out of the former Battel he fought with the Forces of Antiochus at a village named Adasa where after many proofs of his valour in assaulting and slaughtering a great number of his enemies he himself at length was slain and within a few days after his Brother John also was betrayed Ant. l. 12. c 18 and slain by their treacheries who favoured B Antiochus Judas sighteth with Antiochus Captains and is slain Ant. l 13 c. 1. CHAP. II. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus AFter Judas succeeded his Brother Jonathan in the dignity of Prince of the Jews The year of the World 3805. before Christ's Nativity 157. He carefully studied the peace and security of his people and fortified himself by the friendship of the Romans and was reconciled to Antiochus his Son yet did C not all these things procure his safety For Tryphon who was tutor to the young Antiochus laying wait for him Jonathan taken by Tryphon's subtilty is slain and seeking to spoil him of his friends took Jonathan at such a time as he came with a small company to Antiochus who was at Ptolemais and binding him led an Army against Judaea from whence being repulsed by Simon Jonathan's Ant. l. 15. c. â— Brother in displeasure and revenge thereof he slew Jonathan But Simon valiantly bestirring himself in the Conduct of the affairs of the Common-wealth The year of the World 3813. before Christ's Nativity 149. took Zara Joppe and Jamnia which were bordering Towns and overcoming the Garrison of Accaron he destroyed the City and assisted Antiochus against Tryphon who besieged Dora before that expedition which he made against the Medes Simon encountreth with Cendebeus and overcometh him Yet would not the greedy mind of the King be satisfied notwithstanding D Simon had thus faithfully served and assisted him to the ruine and death of Tryphon but in a short time after he sent Cendebeus the General of the Army to harass and spoil Judea and to take Simon Prisoner But Simon though very aged acted both youthfully and valiantly Ant. l 13 c. 14. and sent his Sons before with the most resolute men he had against Antiochus Simon by the tâ—eachery of his Son-in-law Ptolâ—maeus is taken and slain and himself with the residue of his Army assaulted another quarter of the enemies Camp and having laid many ambushes in the mountains he obtained a great victory After which he was made High Priest and delivered the Jews from the subjection of the Macedonians under which they had been two hundred and seventy years John otherwise called Hircanus the Son of Simon Finally by the treachery of Ptolemy his Son-in-law he was murthered at a Banquet who imprisoning his Wife and two Sons sent certain men E to kill his third Son John otherwise called Hircanus But the young man understanding the design fled to Jerusalem accompanied with a great multitude for he greatly hoped that the people would remember his Father's prowess especially because Ptolemy's iniquity was hated of all men Ptolemy also hasted to enter the City at another gate but he was speedily repulsed by the people who had already received Hircanus For which cause he presently retired himself into a Castle named Dagon situate beyond Jericho After that Hircanus had obtained the office of High Priest The year of the World 3831. before Christ's Nativity 131. which was left him by his Father and had offered Sacrifices to God he led forth his forces with all speed to besiege Ptolemy hoping to deliver his mother and brethren that were detained F Prisoners there by him His tenderness of nature was the only obstacle that hinder'd him from forcing the Castle Hircanus obtaineth the honour of the High-Priestâ—ood which his father had 〈…〉 cruelty agâ—â—â—t Hircanus's Mother For when Ptolemy perceived himself to be in danger he brought Hircanus's Mother and Brethren upon the walls and beat them where he might behold them in their torments threatning to cast them down from the wall except Hircanus would presently depart How great soever the indignation of Hircanus was it was forc'd to give place to the affection he had for persons so dear to him and to his compassion of seeing them suffer
the ground and cause of the War that ensued For they rejected those Sacrifices that were wont to be offered in the name of the Emperour And although the High Priests and People of Account requested them not to omit that Custom of sacrificing for their Kings and Governours yet they refused so to do trusting greatly to their Faction All those of the City that desired alteration were of this mind and especially Eleazar who at that time was General as is before said Wherefore all the chief men High Priests and Principal of the Pharisees assembled themselves and perceiving into how great danger those Rebels brought the City they determined to make tryal of the courage of the seditious people Wherefore they assembled them together before the Brazen Gate which was in the inner part of E the Temple towards the East And first of all they greatly complained of their rash and unadvised Rebellion and that they sought to stir up so great a War against their Countrey inveighing against the cause that moved them thereto as being without reason Telling them that their Ancestors for the most part adorned the Temple with the Gifts of Gentiles never refusing the Offerings of Strangers and not only not refused their Offerings for that were an impious fact but also placed in the Temple the Gifts that they sent which were yet to be seen And that it was strange that now only they thought to provoke the Romans to War by making new Laws And besides other danger also to make the City guilty of a great Crime in matter of Religion as though it were such wherein none might offer Sacrifice but F Jews Against those who refuse Forreign Sacrifices nor any but they adore God If we should make such a Law against any private person he had just cause to accuse us of Inhumanity But now the Romans are despised and Caesar himself accounted prophane and it was to be feared that if the Jews disdained to accept of Caesar's Offerings Caesar would hinder them from offering any And the City of Jerusalem would presently be accounted as an enemy to the Empire None of the Seditious gave ear to those that were in Authority unless they presently accepted Caesar's Sacrifice and before such time as they heard these news against whom this outrage was attempted Having thus spoken they brought forth the most learned amongst the Priests to recount from time to time how their Ancestors had always accepted of the Sacrifices of Strangers But none of the Mutineers gave ear to any thing that was said Ambassadors sent to Florus and Agrippa against the Seditious and the Levites came G not to serve at the Altar as now preparing for War When the Nobility saw that they could not appease this Sedition and that they themselves should first feel the Romans power they devised all means to pacifie the Tumult and sent some Deputies to Florus the chief whereof was Simon the Son of Ananias others also were sent to H Agrippa of which the chief were Saul Antipas and Costobarus who were all a kinn to the King requesting them both to come with an Army to the City and suppress the Sedition which was raised before it went further Florus was glad of these tidings and desiring nothing more than War War in Jerusalem between the Seditious and those that favoured Peace gave no answer to the Deputies But Agrippa willing to spare both parts as well the Good as the Rebels and to preserve Judaea to the Romans and the Temple to the Jews thought it not meet for him to busie himself in such affairs but sent three thousand Horse to aid the people against the Rebels Which Horse were of Auranitis Batanaea and Trachonitis and he made Darius their Captain and Philip Son of Joakim General of all the Army These coming into the City the Nobility with the High Priests and the rest of the people that desired Peace I received this succour in good part and quartered them in the higher part of the City for the Rebels kept the lower part and the Temple The War began instantly with Darts and Slings and shooting of Arrows and sometimes they encounter'd one another hand to hand The Seditious were more valiant but the King's Soldiers were more skilful in War and chiefly endeavoured to get the Temple and expel out of it those who thus prophaned it The Rebels with Eleazar endeavoured besides that which they had already to get also into their hands the higher part of the City Wherefore during the space of seven days there continued a great Conflict betwixt them and either part kept what they had When the Celebration of the Feast called Xylophoria was come Xylophoria a Feast wherein every one carrieth Wood to the Temple to keep a K fire continually upon the Altar the Rebels would not suffer their enemies to do their Devotion Now many of the Sicarii or Thieves who carried short Poyniards under their Coats went amongst the weaker multitude and boldly followed their old practice By which The King's Soldiers are overcome those of the King's side were forced to leave the higher part of the City which the Rebels presently entring set the Palaces of Ananias Agrippa and Bernice on fire and forthwith went to the place where all Charters were kept purposing there to burn all Bounds and Obligations of Debtors thereby to defraud the Creditors and so to joyn all the Debtors to their Faction and stir up all the poor people against the rich The Keepers of these publick Writings fleeing the seditious persons set all on L fire And so having destroyed those Records which were in a manner the publick Estate of the City they addressed themselves against such as refused their Proceedings Some of the High Priests and Nobles hid themselves in Vaults others fleeing with the King's Soldiers into the higher Palace locked up the doors after them amongst whom was Ananias the High Priest and Ezechias his Brother and they who as is before spoken were sent Deputies to Agrippa And so the Seditious were satisfied that day with the Victory and firing of the houses aforesaid The next day The Jews take Antonia and burn it which was the fifteenth of August they assaulted the Castle Antonia having besieged it two days they took all that guarded it and killed them and placed in it a Garrison of their own company This done they went to the King's Palace whither M Agrippa's Soldiers were fled and dividing their Company into four parts they began to pull down the Walls none of them that were within durst come out for fear of the multitude but went up to the Turrets of the Palace and killed all those that offered to come up and many of the Thieves under the Walls with things that they cast down This Conflict continued day and night for the Rebels thought that those within could not hold out long for want of Victuals and they within
men to Sedition but all the wiser sort foresaw what was like to ensue and already mourned for the loss of the City In this case were they of Jerusalem Intestine discord in Jewry yet before this Sedition in the City the Country People began to be at discord among themselves For Titus departed from Giscala to Casarea and Vespasian went from Caesarea to Jamnia and Azotus and took them both and leaving there Garrisons he returned to Caesarea bringing with him a great multitude I of those that had yielded to him The Jews tâ—rn their weapons against themselves All the Cities had Civil discords among themselves so that when the Romans did not set upon them one part of the Jews in every City fought against another and there was a great dissention between those that desired peace and the Seditious People At fiirst this Discord began only in private houses but in the end those of one mind united and began in Companies to Rebel openly Thus every place was troubled with civil discord and every where rash young men who desired War prevailed against grave and wise old men who foreseeing the calamity like to ensue desired Peace At first the Inhabitants one by one robb'd and spoil'd what they could The Thieves trooping together in Jerusalem spoil the Country but at last in whole Troops they joyned together and robb'd openly and wasted all the Country about and in their Robberies they K shewed such cruelty that the harm and injury they did to their own Country-men was equal to the miseries which befel them by the Romans and they who by these miscreants were spoiled wish'd rather to have fallen into the Romans hands But the Garisons in these Cities either because they were loth to trouble themselves or else for that they cared not for their Country-men did nothing or very little succour them that fell into these Thieves hands At last the Thieves assembled themselves together from all places and joyning Companies brake into Jerusalem This City had no Governour and according to the ancient Custom of their Ancestors was open to all that came thither that were their Country-men and so much more willingly at that time because they thought they that came thither came of good will to help them which L was afterward the only cause that the City was destroyed and of the more civil dissention For a great multitude of people unapt to fight being there consumed the Victuals that would have sufficed for the fighting men and besides the War they brought upon it Famine and Civil dissention Then other Thieves came out of the fields thereabout and joyning themselves with those that were within the City omitted no kind of Villany Rapins and spoils committed by day for not content to rob and spoil they also attempted to commit Murders not only privily or in the night upon mean men but even in the day time they publickly set upon those of the chiefest quality For first of all they took Antipas who was of the blood Royal The Nobility of the City are taken and slain by the Thieves a man so eminent amongst them that the publick Treasure was committed to his charge and put him in Prison and after him they took Sepha a M worthy man Son to Raguel and Levias both of them of the Kings Houshold and after them all that seemed to bear any sway or Authority amongst the People Great fear fell upon the Inhabitants and every one provided to save himself as though the City were already surprized by the Enemies But these people were not content thus to have imprisoned these great men they thought it not safe for themselves any longer to keep them alive for many went daily to visit them who were able to revenge their injuries and moreover they feared that the People would make head against them being moved with their Insolencies Wherefore they determined to kill them and to effect their purpose they sent one John a cruel Murderer who was the Son of Dorâ—as he accompanied with ten more all having swords went to the Prison and slew as many N as they found there To excuse this cruel fact of theirs they alledged That all they who were slain in Prison had conference with the Romans concerning the betraying of the City into their hands and that for this Cause they had slain them as Traytors to their Country They also boasted that this Fact of theirs had preserved the City The Thieves at their pleasure make a high Priest and that therefore they had deserved well by it The People were brought to such slavery and terrour that the choosing the High Priest was in their hands to elect whom they pleased so much was their Insolence increased Thus they not respecting the Families A high Priest chosen by them contrary to the ancient Custom out of which it was only lawful to choose the high Priest they elected Strangers and base persons to that sacred Dignity and such as would be partakers of their Villanies and Impieties for they who not deserving it attained to such dignity O were bâ—und in all things to the Will of those by whom they were so exalted They A also devised many lies to set those that were in Authority at variance one with another thereby as it were to hold them occupied who were able to resist their Enterprizes till from shedding the blood of the Citizens they proceeded to commit impiety against God himself and with profane and impure feet to enter into the Sanctuary Then the People were incited against them by the perswasion of Ananus who was one of the Priests and the most ancient and wisest of them all who perhaps had saved the City had he escaped the hands of these Miscreants But they used the Temple as a Castle and defence for themselves against the People and made the Sanctuary a place for them to exercise Tyranny in And that which increased the sorrow of the Citizens was that amidst these Calamities their Religion was also contumeliously abused for these B Thieves to try of what strength and courage the People were and their own Forces elected by Lot a high Priest contrary to their Law which as we have already said requireth that the Office of high Priest be by Succession This deed of theirs they coloured with an ancient Custom alledging that in time past the high Priest was chosen by Lot but indeed this their fact was a violation of the most firm Custom that was amongst the People and was only a device to get all Government into their hands by establishing Magistrates at their pleasure Then calling one of the holy Tribes Phanes a Country Clown made a high Priest named Eniachin they cast Lots and the Lot fell upon one whereby their iniquity was discovered This man whose Lot it was to C be high Priest was named Phanias who was the Son of Samuel a man not only unworthy of
who came at their request to help them But the wiser sort disswaded the rest from this seeing both a stronger Watch placed to keep them in and the City Walls diligently guarded because of the Idumeans and moreover they could not think that Ananus was careless but went up and down first from one Watch and then to another yet this night he did not so The watchmen are oppressed with sleep not for slothfulness but because that the Destinies had so decreed that thereby both he and the Watchmen should perish For about midnight the storm E increasing the Watchmen fell into a deep sleep Then the Zealots determined to file the Bars and Bolts of the Gates asunder to effect which they took the Instruments which were consecrated to the Temple and this attempt was much furthered by the great Wind and Thunder which made such a noise that they could not be heard So issuing out of the Temple they went privily to the Walls The Idumeans by the means of the Zealots enter by night and opened that Gate near which the Idumeans lay and suspecting that Ananus would make some resistance they first of all drew their Swords and then together with the Idumeans came in and if at that time they had assaulted the City they had without any let or hindrance destroyed all the People therein so great was their rage at that time But first of all they hastened to assist their fellows whom they left besieged F and requested the Idumeans not to leave them in danger for whose succour they were come nor permit them to incur greater damage for having first surprised the Watchmen it would be more easie for them to assault the City which if they did not but first set upon the Citizens The Idumeans joyâ— themsâ—lâ—es with the Zealots in the Temple they would presently assemble together and oppose themselves against them and not permit them to ascend up into the Temple The Idumeans consented to this and so they passed thorow the City into the Temple and the Zealots remaining in the Temple impatiently expected their coming at whose arrival they took Courage and joyning with the Idumeans came out of the inner Temple and set upon the Watch and some being slain who were fast asleep the rest were awak'd by the cries of others and so betook themselves to their Arms to defend G themselves being yet amazed And at first thinking that they were only the Zealots that gave the Alarm they hoped only by their multitude to suppress them but seeing others without the Temple also assailing them they judg'd that the Idumeans were broken H in so the greater part of them being dismayd laid down their Weapons and cryed out and only a few of them young men well armed and of good courage encountred with the Idumeans and for a good space defended their idle fellows others went and advertised the Inhabitants what was done yet none durst come to help them because they now knew that the Idumeans were got in but every one lamented their hard fortune and the Women made great lamentation when the Watchmen were slain The Zealots also answered their cries with the like The immanity of the Idumeans and Zealots against the Citizens of Jerusalem and the Tempest and Thunder made all more dreadful The Idumeans spared none because they were naturally cruel and fierce to shed blood and angry that they were so beaten with the Tempest they used them most cruelly by whose means they were shut out of the City sparing neither I those who requested favour nor those who made resistance for they slew many as they were intreating them to remember that they were of their own blood and requesting them to spare them for reverence of the Temple There was no way to flie nor any hope of escape and being driven up in a narrow room they hurt themselves more than the Enemies did by crouding and treading one upon another for there was no place to flie and their Enemies ceased not to kill them Being in this desperate estate not knowing what to do they cast themselves headlong into the City and so died a more miserable death than those that died by the Enemies sword The next day there was found slain eight thousand and five hundred and all the outer Temple flowed with blood Yet this Massacre sufficed not the Idumeans rage but turning themselves K against the City they robbed and spoiled all Houses and kill'd all they met making no account of the lives of the multitude Ananus and Jesus the high Priest executed They made diligent search for the Priests and many laid violent hands upon them and killed them and standing upon their dead bodies sometime they upbraided Ananus with the Peoples favour towards him sometime Jesus with the words he spake upon the Wall to them and they were so impious that they cast away their dead Bodies unburied notwithstanding the Jews in this point are so religious that after Sun-set they take down the dead bodies of Malefactors who by sentence have been adjudged to the Cross and bury them I think I shall not greatly miss the mark if I affirm Ananus his death to have been the beginning of the destruction of the City Ananus death the first cause of the destruction of the City that the Walls of Jerusalem were overthrown L and the Common-wealth of the Jews perished in that day when this their High Priest and Governour was so cruelly massacred in the midst of the City The praise of Ananus the high Priest He was of a laudable and just Life and though Great in Dignity Birth and Reputation yet would he not exalt himself above any one were he never so base He was a man who thirsted to preserve Liberty to his Country and Authority to the Common-wealth He continually preferred the Publick Interest before his own Private Gain and was alwayes desirous of Peace because he foresaw that the Romans could not be withstood and that if the Jews did not quickly accord with them their Ruine was inevitable and I doubt not but if Ananus had lived he had succeeded in his design For he was an eloquent Orator and could perswade admirably and he had already reduced to extremity M those false Zelots who caused the War and if the Jews had had him for their Captain against the Romans it had not been so easie for the Romans to have Conquered them He was seconded by Jesus who next him excelled all the rest But I think Almighty God having decreed the total ruine of the City which was now polluâ—ed and filled with Iniquity and meaning by fire as it were to purifie the holy Temple which was prophaned he first took up the Defenders thereof and those that loved it most dearly So they who a little before were cloathed with the sacred apparel and reverenced of all that from the furthest parts of the World came to Jerusalem
time to invade Strangers CHAP. VII Of Simon of Gerasa Author of a new Conspiracy E IN the mean time a new War broke out at Jerusalem among the Jews For there was one Simon the Son of Giora born in Gerasa young in years and inferiour to John in subtilty Simon of Gerasa resorteth to the Thieves who now already had gotten the dominion over the City yet in Vigor and Boldness exceeded John This Simon having been for this cause also driven out of the Country of Acrabatena where he was Governour by the means of Ananus the high Priest Simon assembleth all robbers in the mountanous places came to the Thieves that seized upon Massada At his first coming he was so suspected by the Thieves that they only permitted him and the Women that came with him to dwell in the lower part of the Castle and they themselves kept the higher part yet afterwards his manners and behaviour was such that they put confidence in him and he became their Captain always when they went to spoil and rob any part of F of the Country about Massada After which he did all that he could to persweade them to attempt greater matters for being desirous of rule after he heard that Ananus was dead he departed into the high Places of the Country and with the voice as of a Crier proclaimed that all Bond-slaves that would follow him should have their Liberty and all others should be richly rewarded by which means he gathered together all the wicked and desperate People in the Country And having now a considerable Army he robbed and spoiled all the Towns and Villages thereabout and his number daily encreasing he also presumed to come into the plain Countries so that now Cities stood in awe of him and many considerable persons fearing him for his strength and prosperous success joyned with him So that his Army did not only consist of Thieves and G Slaves but many People of the Country came to him reverencing him as their Prince and King and they made Excursions into the Toparchy of Acrabatena and into the greater Idumea For he had fortified a Town called Nain wall'd about which he used H for his Retreat And in the Valley called Pharan he made many Caves and found many already made and in these Caves he kept his Treasure and the Booties he got also all Fruits of the Earth that he robbed and stole there he laid up in store as also Ammunition for many Companies The Fight between Simon and the Zealots And now no man doubted but that being thus furnished with Men and Ammunition he would go to Jerusalem The Zealots fearing this and desirous to prevent him who they saw every day encreased his number and grew more potent against them they armed many of their Company and went out to meet him Simon was not daunted at this but boldly encountred them and gave them so sharp a Battle that he slew many of them in fight and forced the rest to retire themselves into the Town yet not having men sufficient he would not besiege the I Town but first of all he purposed to subdue Idumea and so accompanied with 20000 armed men he hasted towards the borders thereof The Princes of Idumea understanding this presently assembled five and twenty thousand armed men and leaving at home sufficient Garisons to defend their Country against the Sicarii who held the Fortress of Massada they accompanied with these Forces went out and expected Simons coming into the borders of their Country where having met him they joyned battle and fought a whole day yet it appeared not which part got the Victory Then Simon returned to Nain and the Idumeans home Not long after Simon with a greater Army than before assaulted the borders of their Country and pitching his Tents in a Village called Thecue he sent one of his Companions L named Eleazar to them that kept the Castle Herodium not far from that place to sollicite them to yield it to him The Garison there presently received him into the Castle not knowing the cause of his coming But so soon as he began to perswade them to Treason they drew their Swords to kill him and he not having any place to flie to cast himself from off the Castle Wall into the Valley underneath and so died The Idumeans something fearing Simons Forces Eleazar Simon 's fellow casteth himself headlong into the trench and presently dieth James of Idumea the Betrayer of his Country before they would offer him Battle thought best to espie what number of men he had to effect which business one Jacob a Captain among them offered himself meaning indeed to betray his Country to Simon So departing from Olurus where the Idumean Forces were assembled he went to Simon and promised him to betray his Country to him receiving of him an Oath that for reward K of this deed he should be alwayes next in dignity to Simon himself and so he presently promised to help subdue all Idumea For this cause he was welcome to Simon and feasted liberally and had great Promises if he performed that which he offered and then returned to the Idumeans and fained that Simons Army was far greater than indeed it was And so terrifying the Governours of his Country and the People he by little and little perswaded them to receive Simon and without any more fight to yield to him the Sovereign Authority over them Jacob studying to bring this his purpose to pass privily sent Messengers to Simon willing him to come with his Forces and promising him to dissipate the Idumeans for M him which he also did For when Simons Army drew near he first of all got upon his Horse and together with his Associates that were partakers of his Treason fled to the Enemy Then fear fell on the Idumeans and every one without any more ado fled home Thus Simon against his own expectation entred Idumea without blood-shed Simon beyond all expectation enters Idumea without blood-shed and first of all assaulting a little Village called Chebron he took it and in it an exceeding great Booty a great quantity of Corn and many Fruits all which he carried away The Inhabitants report that this Chebron is not only more ancient than all Cities of that Land Hebron an ancient City where Abrahams house was but also than Memphis in Aegypt for they affirm it to have been built two thousand three hundred years since They also say that this was the place where Abraham N the Father of the Jews dwelt after he forsook Mesopotamia and that his Posterity departed from hence to Aegypt Indeed there are yet seen Monuments in the City richly wrought in fine Marble Six Furlongs from the Town there is an exceeding great Turpentine Tree A Turpentine Tree that hath continued ever since the Creation of the World which they affirm to have endured ever since the Creation of the World until this day
close prisoner in some sure place in the Palace But by Salomes sollicitations Herod was incited to hasten her death for that she alledged that the King ought to fear lest some sedition E should be raised amongst the people if he should keep her alive in prison And by this means Mariamne was led unto her death Alexandra her mother considering the estate of the time and fearing no less mischief from Herods hands than her daughter was assured of she undecently changed her mind and abjectly laid aside her former courage and magnanimity For intending to make it known that she was neither party nor privy to those crimes wherewith Mariamne was charged she went out to meet her daughter and entertained her injuriously protesting publickly that she was a wicked woman Alexandra undecently striveth to acquit her self of Mariamnes Treason and ungrateful towards he husband and that she well deserved the punishment that was adjudged her for that she durst be F so bold to attempt so heinous a fact respecting to requite her husbands entire love with her unfeigned loyalty Whilst thus dishonestly she counterfeited her displeasure and was ready to pull Mariamne by the hair the assistants according to her desert condemned her generally for her hypocrisie but she that was led to be punished convicted her self by her mild behaviour for first of all she gave her no answer neither was any ways altered by her reproaches neither would so much as cast her eye upon her making it appear that she discreetly concealed and covered her mothers imperfections and was aggrieved that she had so openly shewed so great indignity expressing for her own part a constant behaviour and going to her death without change of colour so that those that beheld her perceived in her a kind of manifest courage and G nobility even in her utmost extremity H Thus died Mariamne having been a woman that excelled both in continence and courage notwithstanding that she failed somewhat in affability and impatience of nature for the rest of her parts she was an admirable and pleasing beauty and of such a carriage in those companies wherein she was entertained that it was impossible to express the same in that she surpassed all those of her time which was the principal cause that she lived not graciously and contentedly with the King For being entertained by him who intirely loved her and from whom she received nothing that might discontent her she presumed upon a great and intemperate liberty in her discourse She digested also the loss of her friends very hardly according as in open terms she made known unto the King whereby also it came to pass I that both Herods mother and sister and himself likewise grew at odds with her After her death the King began more powerfully to be inflamed in his affections Herods miserable estate and moan after the death of his wife who before as we have declared was already miserably distracted For neither did he love after the common manner of married folk but whereas almost even unto madness he nourished this his desire he could not be induced by the too unbridled manners of his wife to allay the heat of his affection but that daily more and more by doating on her he increased the same And all that time especially he supposed that God was displeased with him for the death of Mariamne Oftentimes he did invocate her name using such lamentable expressions that did not become the Majesty of a King And notwithstanding he devised all kinds of delights and sports that might be imagined by preparing banquets and inviting K guests with Princely hospitality to pass away the time yet all those profited him nothing for which cause he gave over the charge and administration of his Kingdom At length he was so besotted with grief A plague invadeth Jerusalem that oftentimes he commanded his servants to call his wife Mariamne as if she had been alive Whilest thus he was afflicted there came a pestilence within the City that consumed a great part of the people and most of the nobility and all interpreted that this punishment was inflicted by God upon them for the unjust death of the Queen Herod falleth grievâ—usly sick Thus the Kings discontents being by this means increased he at last hid himself in a solitary wilderness under pretext of hunting where afflicting himself incessantly at last he fell into a most grievous sickness This disease of his was an inflammation or pain in the neck he seemed also in some sort to rave and grow mad neither L could any remedies relieve him of his agony but when the sickness seemed rather to increase all men at last grew almost desperate of his recovery For which cause his Physician partly in respect of the contumacy of his disease partly because in so great a danger there was not any free election of dyet they gave him leave to taste whatsoever best pleased his appetite committing the uncertain event of his health to the hands of fortune Whilest thus he continued in Samaria Alxandra in Herods absence seeketh to get the possession of the Castles which now is called Sebaste Alexandra being at that time in Jerusalem having notice of this his condition endeavored to reduce all the strong fortresses that were within the City under her subjection the one of which was hard by the Temple the other was situate within the City for they that are Masters of these keep all the rest of the nation under their awe because that without these neither the usual and M daily sacrifices may be performed neither may the Jews live without such sacrifices and oblations who had rather lose their lives than contemn their religion She therefore solicited those that had the government thereof to surrender them up to her and Herods children begotten of her daughter Mariamne lest he being dead they should be seised on by others and if it should fortune him to recover his health in the mean while they mâ—ght be kept and held by no man more securely than such as were his nearest friends This suit and solicitation of hers was but coldly received and the Captains who at all times shewed themselves always faithful at that time were the rather far more constant in their duty both for that they hated Alexandra and also that they thought it a great offence to despair of the health of their Prince Herods counsellors certifie him of Alexandras intent For these were the Kings old friends and one of them was Herods own Nephew N whose name was Achiabus For which cause they sent presently messengers unto him to shew him Alexandra's intent who having heard these news presently commanded her to be put to death Alâ—xandra put to death and at length overcoming his sickness he grew so badly affected both in body and mind that he grew hateful unto all men so that all those who offended him and for how little cause
soever were presently punished In this his intemperance he imbrued his hands in the blood of divers of his friends as Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater sirnamed Gadias and Dositheus for this occasion that ensueth Costabarus was an Idumaean and one of the greatest account amongst his countreymen who was descended from the Priests of Cozas whom the Idumaeans esteem for a god before that Hircanus had obliged them to embrace the Jews Religion Herod being made King of the Jews appointed Costabarus to be Governor in Idumaea O and Gaza Costabarus whom Herod had matched with his sister Salome usurpeth in Idumaea giving him Salome his sister to wife after he had put Joseph to death to whom she had been married before as we have declared Costabarus seeing himself in this estate beyond his expectation grew more proud then this good fortune required and in a little time forgot himself so far that he thought himself dishonoured if he should perform that which Herod commanded him and scorned that the Idumaeans should be under the A Jews subjection notwithstanding they had received their manner of government from them He therefore sent messengers unto Cleopatra giving her to understand that Idumaea had alwayes been under her ancestors subjection and for that cause she ought upon just cause to demand and beg that countrey at Antonius hands and that for himself he was ready to become her servant All which he practised not to gratifie Cleopatra in any sort whatsoever but to the intent that if Herods fortunes should be any wayes weakned he might more easily by this means both enlarge and obtain the Kingdom of Idumaea And with these foolish hopes was he transported in regard of his birth and riches which he had heaped together by such dishonest means as he continually practised as he that intended B no small matters But notwithstanding Cleopatra's often and earnest petition to obtain his soveraignty Costabarus preserved by his wives intercession yet could she not obtain it at Antonius hands When Herod had notice of these covert and cunning practices he was ready to kill Costabarus But upon the earnest supplications of his sister and her mother he dismissed and pardoned him yet held him alwayes insuspicion by reason of this practice Not long after it hapned that Salome fell at debate with Costabarus for which cause she sent a Bill of divorce to her husband notwithstanding it were against the laws and ordinary customs of the Jews For according to our ordinances it is only lawful for the husband to do the same and as touching the wife notwithstanding she were separated yet it is not lawful for her to marry again except her husband first give her licence But Salome without respect of the laws of the countrey grounding C her self too much upon her own authority forsook her husband saying that she separated her self from her husband by reason of the great friendship which she bare unto her brother for that she had received some notice that Costabarus conspired against her with Antipater Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater and Dositheus accused before Herod Lysimachus and Dositheus And this accusation she confirmed by Babas children whom he had already kept with him in all security for the space of twelve years All which was true and at that time beyond all mens expectation wonderfully troubled Herod as soon as he heard it Babas sons preserved by Costabarus For as for Babas sons he had heretofore resolved to cut them off for that they had been alwayes disaffected towards him and all his enterprises but all that time he had let them pass because by continuance they were grown out of his remembrance Now the cause of this enmity and hatred which he bare towards them was gathered from this D ground when Antigonus enjoyed the soveraignty and Herod besieged the City of Jerusalem with an army those incommodities and necessities that ordinarily happen unto those that are besieged were the cause that divers acknowledged Herod and fixed their hopes upon him But Babas sons being in authority and besides that attended by a great number of men persevered in their faithful observation of Antigonus and blamed Herod continually encouraging the inhabitants to continue the Kingdom in those to whom it appâ—râ—â—ined by descent and they themselves followed that course which in their opinion was most profitable for the Commonweal But after that the City was surprized by Herod and he grew master of the estate Costabarus who was appointed to keep the City gates and to lie in wait that none of those who were accused to have forsaken the Kings side should escape knowing E that the sons of Babas were greatly esteemed and honoured among the people and foreseeing that their safety might be no small furtherance to himself if at any time there might ensue any alteration he discharged and hid them within his own possessions and notwithstanding that at that time he had protested to Herod by an oath that he knew not what was become of them yet though suspected of perjury he concealed them And afterwards when the King had by Proclamation promised a reward to him that should discover them and sought for them by all means neither then also would he confess the fact For being afraid lest he should be punished for his first denial he concealed them still not so much for their sake as for his own interest Now when the King had notice hereof by his sisters report Babas sons and others are accused before Herod and slain he sent to the place where F they were hidden and made kill them and all those that were guilty of the same crime so that no one of Hircanus kindred was now left alive but all of them being killed Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. who excelled in nobility and dignity he did what he pleased without any contradiction for which cause he by little and little forsook the ceremonies and ordinances of his Countrey Herod introduceth divers forrain customs and corrupted the decrees and institutions of their ancestors which he ought to have kept inviolable by his new and strange inventions In whose time there was a very great change and alteration of the ancient and good manner of living The year of the world 3939. before Christs Nativity 25. for all fell from bad to worse and the politick order whereby the people ought to be governed and kept within compass of their duty went to decay For first of all he ordained certain wrastlings from five years to five years in honour of Caesar and builded a G Theater for that purpose within Jerusalem The Theater and the Wrastling places He erected also a most huge Amphitheater within the Plain which were two Monuments worthy to be seen by reason of the sumptuousness thereof but wholly contrary to the fashions of the Jews For neither the H use nor the presentation of these spectacles hath ever been practised or taught by