good seeing himself so much honour'd by us Let this suffice to express the honours bestow'd on Hircanus by the People of Rome and the Citizens of Athens After that Caesar had given order for the affairs of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. he returned back by Sea And as soon as Antipater had accompanied Caesar out of Syria Caesar departeth out of Syria he returned into Judea and suddenly built up the Walls of Jerusalem which Pompey had beaten down and in riding a Circuit about the Countrey he pacified the troubles not only by threatnings but by good advice also Antipater pacifieth all occasion of commotion in Judea which he gave every one to live in peace assuring them That if they submitted themselves to Hircanus their Prince they should live happily and enjoy their possessions without any trouble and that if they hoped to advance themselves by any new commotion M supposing by that means to benefit themselves they should feel that instead of a Governor they had a Master and instead of a King they should find Hircanus a Tyrant and instead of the Romans and Caesar to be their Governors they should find them to be their most hateful Enemies for they would not suffer that any thing should be altered that they had established By these and such like admonitions he kept and continued all the Country in peace N O CHAP. XVII The year of the World 3921. before Christ's Nativity 43. A Antipater gaineth great repute by his virtue His eldest son Phasaelus is made Governor of Jerusalem and Herod his second son is made Governor of Galilee Herod causeth to be executed several Robbers Some great mens jealousie against Antipater and his children They made Hircanus accuse Herod for those that he had put to death He compareth in judgment and then retireth He cometh to besiege Jerusalem which he had taken if Antipater and Phasaelus had not hindred him Hircanus reneweth his alliance with the Romans The testimony of the Romans esteem and affection for Hircanus and the Jews Caesar is B murther'd in the Capitol by Cassius and Brutus ANtipater perceiving that Hircanus was slow and idle he declared and appointed Phasaelus his eldest son Alias cap. 20. Governor over Jerusalem and the Countrey thereabout As for Herod who was very young Antipater maketh Phasaelus Governor in Jerusalem and Herod in Galilee for he was not at that time above 15 years old he committed Galilee unto his charge who although young in years yet he was ripe in courage and conduct which he witnessed in apprehending Ezechias who was the chief of those Thieves who ranged over all Syria he put him to death with divers of his Complices Which act of his got him esteem and credit among the Syrians for by that means he freed their Countrey of all those Robbers according as they desir'd He was therefore praised thorow the Villages and Cities for this action Herod executeth Ezekias and his followers for robberies as he that had given them peace C and assured possession of their Estates For this cause he was made known to Sextus Caesar who was Uncle to Caesar the Great Furthermore his brother Phasaelus was encouraged to follow his noble actions and inforced himself to obtain no less reputation than he had Sextus Caesar Governor of Syria for which cause he strove to get the good will of the common People in Jerusalem and govern'd the City with such discretion that he acted all things to every mans content The form of Phasaelus's government and abused not his power to any private mans injury which was the cause that Antipater was honour'd by the whole Nation with no less respect than if he had been their only Lord and Soveraign Antipater notwithstanding his high authority was alwayes faithful to Hircanus Yet did not this eminency of estate so far distract him that he forgot the love and duty he ought to Hircanus as in such like occasions it oftentimes falleth out notwithstanding divers of the greatest amongst the Jews seeing D Antipater and his sons so highly advanced both by the publick favor of the whole Nation as also by the Revenues that they drew both out of Jewry as also by the employment of Hircanus's money were grievously incensed against them Antipater winneth the Romans hearts by Hircanus's money and draweth the Jews into hatred For Antipater had made friendship with the Emperors of Rome and having persuaded Hircanus to send them money he had appropriated the same unto himself sending it not in Hircanus's name but in his own which though Hircanus knew yet he was not moved therewith but rather well contented But that which most of all terrifi'd the Princes of the Jews was to behold the violent and audacious nature of Herod who govern'd after a tyrannical manner The Jews accuse Antipater and Herod before Hircanus For this cause they address'd themselves to Hircanus and accus'd Antipater openly How long said they will you dissemble and wink at those things that are daily practised E See you not that Antipater and his sons possess in effect the Royal Power and Authority of the Kingdom and that you have only the name Assure your self that you are not out of danger in contemning thus both your self and your Kingdom For Antipater and his sons are not now your Substitutes neither intend they your profit or your Countries good whatsoever your opinion is of them they are publickly acknowledg'd Lords and Masters For Herod Antipater 's son hath already put Ezechias and his Confederates to death and thereby transgressed our Laws which forbid to take away any mans life how wicked soever he be except he be first of all condemned to death by the Council Herod called in question appeareth with a great train and notwithstanding this he hath been so bold as to do justice without your authority When Hircanus heard this he grew angry for their mothers whom Herod had slain had incensed him by their continual Exclamations in the Temple F exhorting the King and People to call Herod to account before the Council of that which he had done So that Hircanus moved by these Women called Herod to answer unto those accusations which were objected against him Who made his appearance forewarned by his father not to present himself after the manner of a private person but well attended and accompanied to withstand all inconveniencies Sextus Caesar writeth to Hircanus to discharge Herod After he had taken order for the affairs in Galilee according as he thought fit and that he himself was sufficiently accompanied to make his Voyage with such a Guard as neither might terrifie Hircanus with number nor leave himself unsecured in danger he resorted to Jerusalem Moreover Sextus Caesar Governor of Syria wrote unto Hircanus to absolve him adding G threats to his persuasions if so be he should perform the contrary which gave Hircanus
doth so far surpass all their Magick and Art as there is difference between divine and humane things I will therefore shew you Ver. 12. that that which I do is not by Inchantment nor with a false appearance of verity but by the providence and power of God Moses Rod devoureth the Rods of the Egyptians This said he cast his Rod on the ground commanding it to change it self into a Serpent whereupon it obeyed and wandring here and there it devoured all the Rods of the Egyptians which seemed to be so many Serpents L and that done Ex. 5. 5. ad 19. Moses took his staff into his hand again and it re-assumed its pristine form Pharaoh enjoineth the Hebrews to more grievous tasks but the King being never the more astonished but the rather incensed at that which was done said That this wisdom and subtilty of Moses which he used in disgrace of the Egyptians should profit him nothing He commanded therefore the Overseer of the Works who had the Government of the Hebrews that he should remit nothing of their labour but that he should oppress them with more tedious and grievous tasks than they were wont to be put unto whereupon where he was wont to allow them straw to make their Tyle with he forbare after that time to give them that allowance and taxing them in the day-time to follow their work he appointed them by night to seek their straw doubling thereby the weight of their former labour Notwithstanding all M this Moses would neither desist from his purpose in regard of the Kings threatning or the continual cry of his Countreymen neither was in any sort dismayed thereat but with a confident and undaunted mind Exod. 6. 6. he resolutely proceeded to restore his Countreymen to their desired liberty Moses once more persuadeth the King to dismiss the Hebrews He therefore once again address'd to the King persuading him to dismiss the Hebrews to the end they might repair to Mount Sinai and sacrifice to God in that place For no less saith he hath he commanded neither can any resist his Will That whil'st God was yet favourable to him his own interest oblig'd him to grant the people the liberty which he demanded That if he deny'd the same he could not accuse him as the cause of the Calamities which he should draw upon himself by his disobedience when he should see himself without Children the Air Earth and all the other Elements become Enemies to him N and Ministers of the Divine vengeance That nevertheless the people of the Hebrews should in despite of their resistance depart out of their Countrey but the Egyptians should not escape the punishment of their hardness of heart The King despised these words of Moses and would not be prevailed upon wherefore most grievous Plagues fell upon the Land of Egypt all which I will particularly set down by reason that at that time the Egyptians suffered those things which never before hapned to any other People and likewise that I may manifest that Moses erred not in any of his Predictions and besides for that it is expedient for Men to learn and do those things which are agreeable to Gods Will The first plague of the Egyptians water turned into blood for fear lest he being provoked and incensed against them should punish them for their injustice For first of all by the commandment of God the River Nilus was turn'd into O blood neither was it impossible for them to drink of it notwithstanding they had no other Fountain of water neither was the water only coloured like blood Exod. 7. 10. but when A any one drank thereof it caused in him divers pains and gripings Such was the water to the Egyptians but to the Hebrews it seemed good and sweet in taste without any wayes changing the nature thereof Hereupon the King not knowing what to do and seeing this strange accident and being afraid in behalf of his Subjects permitted the Hebrews to depart But no sooner was this Plague ceased but he presently changed his mind and would not permit them liberty to go away For which cause God seeing his ingratitude and that he would not be warned notwithstanding he had delivered him from the former calamity inflicted another Plague upon the Egyptians Exod. 9. 6. He sent an infinite number of Frogs among them Another plague of Frogs which cover'd the whole Countrey and the River was so stored with them that they that drew water to drink found it altogether B infected with the putrefaction of them dying and rotting in the waters so that the whole Countrey was full of filthy Mud by reason of the Frogs that dyed on the same They corrupted also their Meats entring into their Houses amidst their meat and drink and creeping in their Chambers from whence an odious stench exhaled by reason of the multitude of Frogs that lay dead Now when the Egyptians saw themselves so sore pressed with these evils the King commanded Moses to depart with the Hebrews whither he pleas'd And as soon as he had spoken this the multitude of Frogs vanished and appeared no more neither on the earth nor in the water but they retained their accustomed nature No sooner was the earth delivered from this curse but Pharaoh forgot the cause thereof and retained the Hebrews still and as if he desir'd to experiment C yet greater miseries he denied them that liberty which before he had granted them rather out of fear than good will For this cause God once again punished his falshood by sending him another Plague Chap. 8. 16. for a multitude of Lice swarmed on the bodies of the Egyptians The third plague of lice by which the poor men were miserably devoured neither could they exterminate that Race either by bathings or unctions The King troubled with this calamity and fearing the ruine of his People and bethinking him of the shameful end thereof was constrained to permit the People to depart but after the Plague was appeased he required that they should leave their wives and children behind them for pledges till their return and by this means he provoked Gods wrath more heavily against him Ver. â—4 in that he supposed to delude his providence as if it had not been God D who in the Hebrews behalf had punished them The fourth plague venomous beasts but Moses that had plagued the Egyptians For God filled their Countrey with divers sorts of Insects the like whereof before that time had not been seen there which cover'd the earth that it became desolate and untilled and many persons dy'd by them and those that remain'd alive they were infected with the poyson exhaling from the number of dead and sick bodies But notwithstanding all these the King still continued obstinate in his wickedness and disobedience unto God permitting only that the women and men should depart and that their children should be
Sons of Abiel He was very strong both in Horse and Chariots and against whatsoever Enemy he marched forth he always returned with victory Ver. 47. so that he reduced the affairs of the Hebrews to a happy state and so much increased their power Saul always Conqueror that they were feared by all those Nations that neighboured upon them But the chiefest of the youth that excelled either in strength or beauty he chose to be of his Guard CHAP. VIII L Sauls victory over the Amalekites BUT Samuel coming to Saul Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. told him that he was sent to him by God to admonish him how he had chosen him above the rest and preferred him to the Kingdom and for that cause that it behooved him to be obedient unto him in all things 1 Sam. 15. ◠◠3. because as he Ruled the People so God Rules both Kings Kingdoms and all things Thus therefore said he doth God command thee Since the Amalekites offer'd many injuries unto the Hebrews in the Desart whil'st in their departure out of Egypt they Travelled into that Region which they now inhabit Samuel by Gods commandment addresseth Saul to make War upon the Amalekites justice requireth that they be punish'd for that inhumanity Wherefore I give thee order to declare War against them and after M thou hast overcome them to extinguish them utterly without regard either of sex or years and this revenge shalt thou execute upon them in requital of those injuries they in times past offered to our Forefathers Neither shalt thou spare either Beast or Horse or Flock to apply them to thy profit or particular use but thou shalt offer all to God for a Burnt-offering and according as Moses commanded root out the name of the Amalekites from off the earth All these things did Saul promise to perform and conceiving that obedience consisted in the speedy execution of that which was enjoined him he presently assembled all his Forces together and mustering his Soldiers at Gilgal he found about 40000 Ver. 4. besides the Tribe of Juda which of it self afforded 30000 Men with these did Saul enter the Countrey of the Amalekites Saul mustering his people findeth in the Tribe of Juda only 30000 men and laid divers Ambushes near N a River not only to molest them with open War but also surprize them unawares and kill them amidst the High-ways he afterwards gave them Battel and put them to flight and discomfited their whole Army pursuing them that fled Which beginning having success answerable to what God had promised him he marched onwards and besieged the Cities of the Amalekites and besieged and took some of them by Engines others by Mines and Countermures raised on the outside Ver. 5 6. others by famine and want of water and divers other ways Saul razeth the Cities of the Amalekites And in those Cities which he overcame he neither spared Women nor Children not supposing their slaughter to be cruel or inhumane both for that they were his Enemies and for that he did nothing but according to Gods commandment towards whom disobedience would be a Crime He took 〈◊〉 Prisoner also who was O King of the Amalekites whose beauty and personage seemed unto him so goodly that he thought him worthy to be kept alive and so being led rather by his own inclination A than Gods commandment The year of the World 2883 before Christ's Nativity 1081. he us'd such clemency as was not lawful for him at that time For God so hated the Amalekites that he would not have their Infants spared though they ought in natural compassion to have been more pitied than the rest But Saul kept alive the King of his Enemies and the Author of all the Hebrews evils regarding more his beauty than Gods commandment This sin of his the People presently imitated for they spared Horses Ver. 7 8. and other kind of Cattel and made prey of them notwithstanding God had charged them to reserve nothing Saul taketh Agag the King of the Amalekites prisoner and keepeth him alive contrary to Gods Commandment They carried away with them all other Moveables and Riches and only consumed those things which were of smallest value by fire This victory had Saul over those People that dwell betwixt Polusium a City on the borders of Egypt and the Red Sea But he medled not with the Sichemites which B inhabit in the Province of Midian whom before the Battel he commanded to retire themselves lest they should partake the Calamities of the Amalekites for being they were allied to them by Raguel Moses Father-in-law the Hebrews had care of their safety Saul having obtained this victory Ver. 9. and rejoycing at his good success returned home as full of content The People contrary to that which God had ordained drive away the horse and cattel of the Amalekites as if he had pretermitted nothing of that which God had commanded him by the Prophet Samuel before his War with the Amalekites but had precisely observ'd all that was enjoin'd him But God was greatly displeased both that the King of the Amalekites was preserved and that the People had made prey of their Cattel for both these actions of theirs were expresly against Gods command For it was not to be tolerated even by a mortal King that they should neglect and contemn his Laws and C Decrees by whose only means they were further'd and favor'd in their victory For which cause God told the Prophet Samuel that he repented that he had made Saul their King considering that he infring'd his Commandments and govern'd himself according to his own will Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. When Samuel heard these words he was much troubled and pray'd to God all Night that he would appease his wrath and displeasure conceived against Saul Ver. 10. ad 24. but notwithstanding all the importunities and prayers which the Prophet made for him God displeased with Sauls disobedience Samuel striveth to reconcile Saul unto God God would in no sort be reconciled because he judg'd it not just that the sins which were committed by Saul should be remitted by Samuels intercession For sin never more augmenteth than when such as are offended are too remiss in their punishments for whil'st they would be reputed both for good and merciful they themselves D become the Authors of sin When therefore God had denied the Prophet his Request and it manifestly appear'd that no prayers or supplication could appease him as soon as it was day Too much indulgence and lenity confirmeth the wicked in their ungodliness Samuel repair'd to Saul who at that time remained in Gilgal As soon as the King saw him he run unto him and embraced him saying I give God thanks for the victory and all those things which he commanded me I have performed But Samuel answer'd How cometh it then to pass that I hear
not presume to come into his presence Absalom revoked by his father is commanded for a time to flie his presence because he was not disposed to see him so suddenly Whereupon he forbore to shew himself unto him and went and dwelt amongst his own Friends and Houshold Servants Neither was his beauty any way decreased by the sorrow he had conceived or for that his entertainment was far different from the quality of a Princes Son but he rather exceeded and grew more famous thereby so that for beauty and comeliness of person he excelled all others his Hair was so thick that it could scarcely be polled in eight days and weighed 200 shekels which amount to five pound He lived two years in Jerusalem and was the Father of G three Sons Ver. 27 28. and one Daughter which Roboam the Son of Salomon afterwards took to Wife Absaloms children born in Jerusalem of whom he begat a Son called Abia. In process of time he sent Messengers unto Joab to desire him that he would pacifie his Father and prevail with him to admit him to his presence The year of the World 2816. before Christ's Nativity 1040. that he might see him and submit himself unto him But receiving H no answer from Joab he sent his servants and commanded them to burn Joabs Corn-fields that joined unto his who hearing what had hapned unto him he came unto Absalom accusing him and asking him For what cause he had done him this injury To whom Absalom answered I have said he invented this stratagem to make thee come unto me seeing thou took'st no notice of the Address which I made V. 30 31 32 33. to desire thee to reconcile my Father unto me And now I beseech thee that thou wilt move my Father in my behalf otherwise I shall think my return more grievous than my banishment hath been Joab urged by the burning of his houses reconcileth Absaâ—om to his father if my Father shall yet continue his displeasure Joab was persuaded through the compassion he conceived of the necessity wherein he saw him and went and sollicited the King with whom he so effectually debated I as touching Absalom that altering his disposition he graciously sent and called for him As soon as he came unto his presence Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. Absalom cast himself prostrate on the ground asking pardon for his offences but David raised and lifted him up and promised that from thenceforth he would no more upbraid him with those misdeeds After these things had thus fallen out Absalom within a little space provided a great number of Horses and Chariots 2 Sam. 15. 1 ad 6. and entertained fifty Men for his Guard and every day early in the Morning presented himself before the Kings Palace Absalom subtilly affecteth his fathers Kingdom and talked with those that resorted thither about the tryal of their differences and whereas some of them lost their cause he talked with them according as he found them affected alledging That his Father had no good Counsellers and that perhaps he himself had in some things judged amiss and by these means K endeavored he to get the good will of all men telling them That if he had the like authority he would make them know by proof what his equity was Having by these plausible persuasions drawn the hearts of the common People unto him he was persuaded they would serve him in whatsoever he intended Four years after his reconciliation he came to his Father David desiring that he might go to Hebron and sacrifice unto God according as he had vowed at such time as he fled from his presence Which request when David had granted him he went thither being attended with a great concourse of People Ver. 10 ad 14. by reason he had appointed divers to meet him in that place Absalom proclaimed King amongst whom was Achitophel the Gelonite one of Davids Counsellers and 200 others of Jerusalem who altogether ignorant of his design assembled themselves in that place to be assistant to his Sacrifice by all whom he was declared King L according as he himself had commanded When the News hereof came unto Davids ears and he was assured how his Son had behaved himself he was much troubled for his impiety and arrogancy that he should so soon forget the pardon which he had obtained for his enormous Crimes and contrary to all Law plunge himself and hazard his Reputation in more grievous offences to pervert the state of the Kingdom which God had established to deprive his own Father of his Crown and Dignity wherefore he resolved to flie to the other side of Jordan Ver. 14. carrying with him his most trusty Friends to whom he represented the unbridled fury of Son David departed out of Jerusalem remitting all things unto God who judgeth all things and leaving the Government of his Royal House to the management M of his six Concubines Ver. 24. ad 30. he departed from Jerusalem David flying prohibiteth the High Priests to follow him to the intent to give him intelligence of that which did pass He was accompanied with a great number of People besides those 600 Soldiers who had followed him in his Banishment during Sauls life-time And although the High Priests Abiathar and Sadoc with all the Levites had resolved to depart with him yet persuaded he them to abide with the Ark assuring them that God would deliver them although the Ark should continue in its place He commanded Abiathar likewise to send him private intelligence of each occurrent that should happen reserving with him for most intimate and trusty Counsellers Achimaas the son of Sadoc and Jonathan the son of Abiathar But Ethéi the Gittite by no persuasions of the King could be induced to stay but contrary to his Command Ethei departed with David followed him whereby he more manifestly exprest his affection towards him Ver. 31. But as he went on his bare Feet up the Mountain of Olivet and all they N of his Train followed him Achitophel revolteth from David and followeth Absalom whose counsels David striveth by prayer to make frustrate intermixing their travel with bitter tears a certain Messenger came and certified him that Achitophhel was with Absalom Which report aggravated and increased his grief so that he besought God that it might please him to alienate the affection of Absalom from Achitophel that he might not give heed unto any of his counsels because Achitophel was a Man of a ripe judgment and ready execution in all that concerned him As soon as he came unto the top of the Mountain he beheld the City and as if he had utterly been banished from his Kingdom he began with abundance of tears Ver. 32 c. to call upon God Chusai is persuaded to submit to Absalom and to cross Achitophels counsels There met he with Chusai his sincere and
in the Countrey of Galilee and for this cause was greatly beloved by Cassius for he being prudent and discreet thought it no small policy at that time to win the Romans good will on other mens expences Under the other Governors the Cities were set to sale together with their Inhabitants and amongst them these four were the chiefest namely Gophna Emaus Lydda and Thamna for Cassius sold the people thereof to them that would give most Besides Cassius was so much transported with choler E that he had slain Malichus if Hircanus had not restrained his fury by sending him One hundred Talents of his own money by Antipater But as soon as Cassius was departed out of the Countrey of Judaea he practised Antipater's death supposing that his cutting off would assure Hircanus's state But Antipater was not ignorant of this his resolution for having an inkling thereof he got himself on the other side of Jordan and assembled an Army of Soldiers both Jews and Arabians Hereupon Malichus who was a politick and subtil fellow denied stoutly that he had intended any Treason Maâ—ichus layeth in wait to murther Antipater but forsweareth the same and is reconciled clearing himself with an Oath before Antipater and his Children that he had never any such intent especially seeing that Phasaelus held Jerusalem and Herod F had an Army at command And in the end perceiving the difficulty wherein he was he reconciled himself to Antipater and they agreed at that time that Marcus governed Syria who perceiving that Malichus began to raise troubles in Jewry resorted thither and there wanted little but that he had slain him had not Antipater by earnest request obtained his life CHAP. XIX Cassius and Marcus leaving Sâ—ria give Herod the command of the Army which they had raised promising to establish him King Malichus causeth Antipater to be poysoned Herod dissembleth with him BUT imprudent Antipater saved Malichus to his own mischief Cassius and Marâ—â—us make Herod Governor of Coelosyria For when Cassius G and Marcus had assembled their Army they committed all the charge into Herods hands and made him Governor of Coelosyria and delivered him great forces both of H Foot and Horse The year of the World 3923. before Christ's Nativity 41. and Ships by Sea They promised him likewise the Kingdom of Judaea after they had finished the War that was at that time betwixt them and Anthony and Caesar the younger Whereupon Malichus mightily fearing Antipaters power determined to destroy him and having corrupted Hircanus's Butler with Money with whom both of them celebrated a Feast he poysoned him Malichus causeth Antipater to be poisoned and afterwards assembling many Soldiers about him he made himself Master of the City When Herod and Phasaelus understood the traiterous conspiracy attempted against their Father they were grievously incensed against Malichus But he denied all and especial abjured the intent or practice of the murther Thus died Antipater a just and virtuous man and such an one as dearly loved his Countrey But Herod who was his younger son immediately resolved to I revenge his fathers death and came forth with an Army against Malichus But Phasaelus who was the elder resolved to circumvent him by policy lest he should raise a Civil War He therefore accepted of Malichus justifications and made a shew that he supposed that he had in no manner contrived Antipater's death and onely minded his Fathers Monument and Funerals Mean while Herod resorting to Samaria and finding it in a desperate condition restored the same and pacified the dissentions that were amongst the Inhabitants Not long after by reason of a Feast he came to Jerusalem with his Soldiers Malichus being afraid of his access perswaded Hircanus that he should not permit him to enter into the City whereunto Hircanus condescended alleadging that amongst the holy People it was not lawful to intermix a Troop of polluted K Men. But Herod slighted them that brought him this news and notwithstanding his command entred the City by night whereat Malichus was much amazed Whereupon according to his ordinary dissimulation he openly wept and bewailed the death of Antipater his especial friend but under-hand he prepared a guard for his own safety Notwithstanding it was thought fit by Herod's friends to take no notice of his dissimulation but to make shew that they were well-affected towards Malichus CHAP. XX. Cassius at Herod's entreaty sends orders to the Commanders of the Roman Troops to revenge L Antipater's death they stab Malichus Felix who commands the Roman Garison in Jerusalem attacketh Phasaelus who reduceth him to capitulate HErod having assured Cassius of Antipater his fathers death he knowing very well of what a wicked man Malichus was wrote back unto Herod that he should revenge the death of his father besides he sent secret Letters to the Captains that were in Tyre commanding them to aid and assist Herod in that just execution which he intended After that Cassius had taken Laodicea and the Inhabitants of the Countrey came together bringing with them Crowns and Silver to present him Herod expecting that Malichus should receive his punishment there but Malichus mistrusting their designs M when he was drawing near to Tyre in Phaenicia he contriv'd a greater enterprize For whereas his son was an hostage in Tyre he entred the City to draw him thence and afterwards return into Judaea taking that opportunity by reason of Cassius's troubles who marched to meet with Anthony he resolved to draw the people to an insurrection and to make himself Lord of the Countrey but God disappointed his unjust purposes For Herod being a man of a ripe judgment immediately discovered his intention and sent one of his servants before under the notion to prepare a banquet because he had told him formerly that he would entertein all his followers but in effect he sent him to the Captains to command them to go out with their Daggers and to meet Malichus who marching forth and meeting with him near the shore he N stabbed him Which act did so much astonish Hircanus that through amaze he grew speechless and being much moved he demanded of Herod's men how this accident had hapned and who it was that had killed Malichus which having heard and how nothing was done without Cassius's commannd he answered that all was well done Malichus being a wicked Man and a Traitor to his Countrey See here how Malichus was justly punished for the wickedness he committed against Antipater When Cassius was gone out of Syria there arose a new tumult in Judaea for Felix who was left in Jerusalem with an Army marched forth against Phasaelus and all the people were in arms For which cause Herod speedily repaired to Fabius Governor of Damasco and intending to succor his brother was prevented by a sickness so that O Phasaelus obtaining a victory by his own forces against Faelix enclosed him up in a Tower whence afterwards he dismissed him under
death Cleopatra long before that time desirous to assist her and having compassion of her misery undertook the matter and ceased not to incite Antony to revenge Aristobulus's death telling him that it was an unpardonable errour that Herod being created King in such a state whereunto he had no right should be suffered to practice such conspiracies again the true and lawful Kings Antony perswaded by these her words as soon as he came to Laodicea sent for Herod to the end that making his appearance he might answer that which might be objected against him concerning Aristobulus's death for he disliked the act notwithstanding that Herod himself had attempted it But although Herod was afraid of this accusation and did not a little suspect Cleopatra's displeasure K for that she ceased not continually to provoke Antony against him yet he obeyed his commands and transported himself thither the rather for that he durst not otherwise do notwithstanding he left his Uncle Joseph behind him committing the Government both of the Kingdom Herod ready to repair unto Antony commandeth Joseph to whose charge he committed the Kingdom to kill his wife and his private estate unto him giving him secret instructions to kill Mariamne if so be that Antony should happen to do him any mischief For he loved her so extremely by reason of her beauty that he supposed himself wronged if after his decease she should be beloved by another and he openly declared that all that misery which befel him proceeded from Antonies passion and intire affection and admiration of her beauty whereof he had formerly heard some report As soon therefore as he had disposed his affairs notwithstanding he had little hope of L good hap yet he repaired to Antony But Josepth governing that Kingdom that was committed to his hands conversed divers times upon this occasion with Mariamne and communicated oftentimes with her not only about publick affairs but also to do her that honour which so great a Princess deserved Therefore as he secretly convers'd with her witnessing the friendship and ardent affection which Herod bare unto her He found that neither she nor Alexandra did credit any such thing but rather laugh'd at it For which cause Joseph being too forward to express the Kings good will towards her proceeded so far that he discovered the commands that was given him thereby to make manifest that it was not possible for Herod to live without her and that if any inconvenience should happen unto M him he would not in death also be dis-joyned from her This discourse of Josephs was not interpreted by the Ladies as a demonstration of his good will but rather as a manifestation of Herods wickedness who dying desired also that they should perish and interpreted that which he had spoken as the testimony of his tyrannical and malicious heart At that time there was a rumour spread in the City of Jerusalem by Herods Enemies that Antony had so tormented him that he was dead Whereupon all those of the Kings house were troubled and especially the Ladies so that Alexandra incited Joseph to forsake the Palace A foolish rumour of Herods death and take the Ladies and retire under the protection of the Roman Legion who at that time was about the City for the security of the Kingdom under the Conduct of the Tribune Julius to the end first of all that if any trouble N should happen in the Kings house they might be by this means in safety having the Romans to be-friend them and afterwards for that they hoped that if Antony should see Mariamne she might obtain at his hands whatsoever she desired and that he would restore the Kingdom unto her and deprive her of nothing that concerned her or was answerable to her Royal estate But whilst they were in these deliberations there came Letters from Herod contrary to those reports Herod appeâ—seth Antony by Presents and certifieth his friends by Letters of his health and all mens expectation For as as soon he came unto Antony he compassed his favor by his many Presents which he had brought with him to that intent from Jerusalem and suddenly debated the matter with him he appeased him so that he was no more displeased against him and from that time forward Cleopatra's speeches O were but coldly received in regard of his so ample satisfaction For Antony said That there was no reason that a King should be answerable for that which he had done in his Kingdom for that in so doing he should no more be King but that when the honour is once given him The year of the World 3930. before Christ's Nativity 3â— he hath the authority likewise left him to use his regal Power Urging further A That it concerned Cleopatra likewise her self not to search too curiously into the affairs and Government of Kingdoms Herod shewed all this by his Letters and signified further what other honours he had received at Antoni's hands in Assemblies and Feasts to which he invited him always notwithstanding that Cleopatra seemed to be displeased therewith detracting him and being desirous to get the Kingdom of Jewry into her hands strove with all means possible to put him to death but that he had found Antony always an upright man and feared not henceforward that any evil should befal him and returning presently upon this he brought with him a more ample testimony of Antony's most assured affection both in respect of his own Kingdom and of his particular affairs B And as touching Cleopatra she pretended not to seek any further than that which she had because that Antony had given her Coelosyria instead of that which she had demanded forbearing thenceforward to mention Jewry any more because that Antony wholly rejected those suits After these Letters came unto their hands the trouble and disturbance wherein they were and the desire to retire unto the Romans as if Herod had been dead was wholly extinguished Yet their resolution was not hidden from the King for his sister Salome and his mother informed him of every particular at his arrival after he had parted from Antonius Joseph and Mariamne accused before Herod who was marching against the Parthians Salome likewise spake against Joseph her husband and slandered him objecting against him that he had Mariamnes company All which she spake through malice for that in a certain debate Mariamne C had in her rage despightfully hit her in the teeth with her obscure birth Herod who was always inflamed with the earnest affection which he bare unto his wife Mariamne was suddenly troubled hereat and although jealousie pressed him forward yet love restrained him and kept him from doing any thing rashly for which cause he called Mariamne aside and demanded of her in secret what familiar company she had kept with Joseph She by solemn oaths and by all possible allegations in her own defence appeased the King by little and little Mariamne excuseth and
was Emperor to exact that superiority on the Sea which was answerable to his soveraignty on the Land betwixt one Cape of the Sea unto another for the space of thirty furlongs or stades betwixt which the Gulf had his course he caused a Bridge to be built on which he commanded himself to be drawn in a Charriot as if that way were answerable to the dignity of his deity He left not one Temple in Greece whatsoever that he spoiled not of those excellent pictures that were in them Cajus spoiled all the Temples of Greece Giving a Comission that all Statues and whatsoever ornaments or gifts and presents that were dedicated in any Temple should be brought unto him saying that such things as were admirable should be reserved for a place of admiration such as was the City of Rome with these spoils of the Temples he adorned his Palace and Gardens and generally K all his houses and Palaces that he had in Italy Cajus commandeth Memmius Regulus to tranâ—fer Jupiter Olympus to Rome He was so impudent also as to give direction that Jupiter Olympius Statue which the Greeks had in great estimation and which Phidias the Athenian Satuarian had made should be transported to Rome But Memmius Regulus to whom he directed this commission executed it not because the Masons informed him that without spoiling it they could not remove it from the place It is reported also that he was hindred from this execution by such prodigies that are almost incredible which he assured Cajus of giving him to understand what the occasion was that had moved him to disobey him therein and whilst he was in danger of death for his delay the sudden and successful death of Cajus warranted him from the same Yea so far stretched his unbridled fury that having a daughter newly L born he caused her to be carried into the Capitol and laid at the feet of the Image of Jupiter Cajus compareth himself with Jupiter saying that the child was common betwixt him and Jupiter leaving the judgment to all men which of the two parents was the greatest And notwithstanding all these his misdemeanours yet did men tolerate him He gave liberty to slaves also to accuse their Masters of whatsoever crimes they would which was so much the more hateful because all things were done by Caesars authority and to his good liking so that Pollux who was Claudius bondman durst accuse him Cajus gave slaves free liberty to accuse their Masters and countenanced Pollux to accuse his Master Claudius and Cajus the Emperour was contented among the Judges to hear his Uncle brought in question for his life hoping although it fell out otherwise to pick out an occasion to put him to death For having filled all the Countries of his Empire M with false accusations and all sorts of mischiefs and giving slaves a prerogative above their Masters their Lords devised many conspiracies against him some for spite and with an intent to be revenged of those injuries they had received others pretending by his death to prevent those inconveniences that threatned them In a word his death concerned the security of the Laws Many conspiracieâ— against Cajus and the safety of all men and had he not been speedily cut off our nation had almost been utterly exterminated For which cause I thought good to make an exact and ample declaration of every occurrent namely for that the knowledge thereof maketh very much towards the manifestation of Gods power and will which brings consolation unto those who are in adversity and keep them within the bounds of modesty who suppose that their prosperity should N continue always firm and although they neglect virtue think that no evil may befal them Three several Conspiracies were intended against him to ease the world of this burthensome Tyrant All of them were attempted by men of great account For Aemilius Regulus Three conspiracies against Cajus who was born in Corduba in Spain was fully resolved to kill him himself or to make him away by the means of his Confederates Chaereas Cassius Colonel over a thousand men was the conductor of another Band Aemilius Regulus Cassius Chaereas Annius Minucius and Annius Minucianus was in no less readiness to do his uttermost herein The cause that moved them to combine thus altogether in hatred against Cajus was that in respect of Regulus he was by nature a detester of all iniquity for he was a very generous man and so free that he dissembled not any of his designs but communicated them with many who were either O his friends or valiant men fit for execution And as touching Minucianus he was induced to seek his revenge through the desire he had to do justice to Lepidus who had A been one of his especial friends and one of the rarest men that were ever found among the Roman Citizens whom Caius had put to death through the fear he had conceived of him knowing well that all they against whom Caius was incensed could not escape with less punishment than loss of life As for the third man Chaereas he could not endure the shame and reproach of cowardise that Caius had objected against him but feared besides that his friendship and inward familiarity with Caius would draw him into manifest dangers for which cause and his own security and honours sake he resolved to dispach him Generally all of them were resolved to rid the world of Caius and bring an end to his pride and tyrannical power for their hope was that their attempt having good success their Countrey and Common-weal should reap the B fruits thereof for whose security and safety it became them to hazard themselves though it were with loss of their lives But above all the rest Chaereas was egged on with a desire he had to grow famous and through the facility and convenient means he had to do it The Circensian Games because his Colonels room gave him most secure access unto him About that time the Circensian Games were solemnized which is a kind of Pastime which the Romans very willingly behold Caius causeth divers to be murthered who request mitigation of their exactions and to this intent they resort to the place of these exercises and the common people is wont to demand somewhat from the Emperour which they desire to obtain and after having examined their requests do never refuse them Now they required with instant and importunate supplications that Caius would discharge them of their taxations and moderate the excessive tributes C which they payed but he would give no ear unto them and caused those to be apprehended who called upon the matter most earnestly sending his Guard some of them one way some of them another to put them to the sword After he had given this order and they who received it had fully executed it a great number of men were killed The people seeing this ceased to exclaim any
thousand Talents which Pompey had forborn to touch But passing over Euphrates he was both himself and his whole Army M utterly overthrown of which matter it behoveth us not to speak in this place After the death of Crassus the Parthians endeavoured to enter Syria but Cassius who succeeded him in the Government repulsed them and having gotten the upper hand he speedily passed into Judaea and taking Tarichea carried away about three thousand men Captive and put Pitholaus to death for gathering a company of seditious people to Aristobulus his part Antipater's Wife a Noble woman of Arabia He that counselled his death was Antipater who was married to a Noble Woman of Arbia called Cypris by whom he had four Sons Phasaelus Herod afterwards King Joseph and Pheroras and one daughter called Salome His wise Conduct and Liberality got him the Friendship of many Princes and especially that of the King of Arabia to whose fidelity he committed his Sons when he undertook N the War against Aristobulus But Cassius made a Truce with Alexander and in the mean time went to Euphrates to hinder the passage of the Parthians as we shall shew in another place A CHAP. VII The year of the World 3917. before Christ's Nativity 45. Of the death of Aristobulus and the War undertaken by Antipater and Mithridates AFter that Caesar had forced the Senate and Pompey to flee beyond the Ionian Sea Ant lib. 14. cap. 14. and by that means made himself sole master of Rome Caesar delivereth Aristobulus from his bonds he set Aristobulus at liberty and with two Legions of men sent him in hast into Syria hoping through his means speedily to reduce both it and also all places adjoyning to Judaea But both the hope of Caesar Aristobulus and his Son slain by Pompey's friends and the forwardness of Aristobulus were frustrated by ill B Fortune for Aristobulus was poysoned by Pompey's favourers and even in his own Countrey his body lay unburied which notwithstanding was preserved from putrefaction with honey till such time as Antonius sent it to the Jews commanding them to bury it in the Sepulchre of the Kings His Son Alexander also was beheaded at Antioch by Scipio being first according to the tenour of Pompey's Letters accused before the Tribunal-seat Ant. l. 14. c. 5. of such things as he had committed against the Romans Ptolemy Prince of Chalcis which is upon Mount Libanus Ptolomaeus Son marrieth Antigonus younger Daughter and for that cause is slain by his Father sent his Son Philippio to Ascalon to the widow of Aristobulus to counsel her to send her Son Antigonus and her daughters to him Philippio falling in love with the youngest named Alexandra took her to wife But sometime after he was put to death by his Father who himself married C this Alexandra and for that affinity sake was more careful of her Brethren After the death of Pompey Antipater sought all means to get into Caesar's favour and when Mithridates of Pergamena was hindred by the Garrison at Pelusium to pass further with an Army into Egypt Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. and was by that means stayed at Ascalon Antipater not only perswaded the Arabians to assist him but he himself seconded him with almost three thousand armed Jews Moreover he incited the Potentates of Syria and Ptolemy who inhabited Libanus Mithridates goeth to Pelusium and thereby obtaineth Antigonus's help and Jamblicus and his Son Ptolemy to assist him for whose sakes the Cities of that Country did willingly undertake the War And now Mithridates strengthned by Antipater's means came to Pelusium and because they would not suffer him to pass he besieged the City In which siege Antipater shewed D his valour for making a breach on that side of the wall where his Quarter was he first of all with his company brake into the City and so Pelusium was taken After which the Inhabitants of the Province bearing the name of Onias resolved not to suffer him to pass any further But Antipater handled the matter so discreetly with them Mithridates victory against the Egyptians that they did not only suffer him to pass but also supplied victuals for his Army Whereupon the City of Memphis would not fight but yielded of their own accord to Mithridates so that passing thorough Delta he fought with the other Egyptians in a place called The Camp of the Jews and being with all his company in danger he was rescued by Antipater who marching along the River side set upon and discomfited the left wing of the Enemies battel and rushing upon them that E pressed upon Mithridates Antipater performeth many noble exploits and exposeth himself to all dangers for Caesar's sake he slew many and pursued the rest that fled till he got their Camp and all this with the loss of fourscore men But Mithridates lost eight hundred men and being thus against all hope preserved from being cut in pieces he was without all envy a true witness before Caesar of all that Antipater had done and deserved Whereupon Caesar rewarded his courage with praise and promises and so made him forward to hazard himself for him In a word he proved and shewed himself a stout Warriour Caesar maketh Antipater a free Citizen of Rome and the many wounds he had in every part of his body were badges and testimonies of his valour and vertue Afterward when the estate of Egypt was quiet Caesar returned into Syria where he made him a Citizen of Rome and granted him the immunities thereof adding so many other F proofs of his esteem and affection that he render'd him worthy of envy and for his sake confirmed Hircanus in the High-Priesthood CHAP. VIII How Antipater was accused before Caesar Of the Priesthood of Hircanus and how Herod made war Antigonus Aristobulus's Son cometh to Caesar to accuse Pompey's friends for his fathers death AT the same time Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus repairing to Caesar was against G his will a cause of Antipater's greater felicity for coming to complain of his Fathers death who was as it was thought poyson'd by Pompey's partisans with as great hatred as sorrow he accused Hircanus and Antipater of having been the cause that he and his brethren had been so unjustly driven out of their native soil and H that their Country had suffer'd so great calamities only to satisfie their Passion alledging that they had sent aid into Egypt to Caesar's forces not for good will but for fear and that hereby they might blot out the memory of the good will they had born to Pompey Antigonus falsly accuseth Hircanus and Antipater At these words Antipater drawing aside his vesture shewed the number of his wounds saying it was not needful to use words to prove what affection he had born to Caesar for his very body shew'd it although he himself held his peace Antipater casting of his garment sheweth his
account that terrour wherein he had put his enemies C and his own indignation a sufficient revenge and that he would spare the King by whose favour he came to be so potent adding moreover that he ought not to take it ill that he was called to answer his accusations since he was acquitted of them and consequently ought to shew himself grateful to the King who had saved his life Moreover that Prudence obliged him to consider the fortune of war together with the cause thereof that the justice of Hircanus side might do more for him than a whole Army and that he ought not to hope for victory being to fight against his own King who had always been gracious unto him and never had thought of doing him hurt but only being as it were urged thereunto by some of his Council who through meer envy and to satisfie their own passions had framed a shadow of an D accusation against him Herod was satisfied herewith and suppos'd it to be sufficient in order to his great designs to have shewed his forces and his power unto his Nation At this time began Civil war among the Romans near Apamia Bassus murthereth Sextus Caesar by treason in which Caecilius Bassus for the love he bare to Sextus Pompey slew Sextus Caesar at unawares and made himself Governour of his Army and other Captains of Caesar's to revenge his death made after Bassus with all their forces unto whom Antipater by his two Sons sent aid both for the sake of Caesar that was slain and of him that was yet alive for he was an entire friend and well-willer unto them both and these wars continuing long Marcus came out of Italy to succeed Sextus E CHAP. IX Caesar's death Cassius comes into Syria Herod ingratiates with him Malichus poysons Antipater who had sav'd his life For which Herod causes him to be slain AT this time arose great and bloody Civil Wars amongst the Romans after Caesar was slain by the treason of Cassius and Brutus Marcus Sextus Successor having ruled the Empire F three years and seven months Ant. l. 14. c. 2. By reason of which murther their troubles daily increased Julius Caesar slain by Brutus and Cassius and the Nobility being at variance amongst themselves every one followed that couse that they thought most expedient for themselves Whereupon Cassius presently marched into Syria Cassius levieth money in the cities to take possession of the Government of the Army which was about Apamia where he made Marcus and Bassus friends took the conduct of the Legions which they commanded and rais'd the siege from Apamia and leading the Army in his own person Herod Cassius friend he forced every City to be tributary and exacted without measure He commanded the Jews to contribute seven hundred Talents Cassius severe in his exactions Antipater fearing his displeasure appointed his Sons and others of his friends presently to gather the money and especially amongst the G rest he gave this charge to one Malichus a friend of his But Herod first of all got Cassius his favour having brought him an hunndred Talents which he had collected out of Galilee which was his part or Province As for the rest he accused them of negligence and was angry at the other Cities So that having pillaged Gophna and H Ammauntes The year of the world 3922. before Christ's Nativity 40. and other two small Cities he march'd onwards with intent to kill Malichus for that he had been so careless and negligent in gathering the tribute-money But Antipater presently disbursing unto Cassius an hundred Talents saved both him and all the rest of the Cities Malichus forgetful of Antipater's kindness Yet Malichus after Cassius was departed did no more remember how beneficial Antipater had been unto him but oftentimes treacherously laid wait to murther him because he hindered and withstood his villanous pretensions notwithstanding that himself had often confessed that Antipater had saved his life Antipater Antipater gathereth an Army against Malichus fearing both his power and subtilty passed over the River Jordan to gather an Army that he might prevent those treacheries But Malichus being discovered saw nothing left for him to do but to dissemble and accordingly by many I oaths and excuses he won Phasaelus chief of the Garrison in Jerusalem and Herod who was master of the Army that they should be a means to reconcile him unto Antipater Whereupon Antipater intreating Marcus who was General of the Army in Syria and had determined to kill him he was saved The reason that Marus would have put him to death was because Malichus was of a turbulent and factious spirit The young Caesar Octavius Augustus succeedeth after Caesar surnamed afterwards Augustus and Antonius warring against Cassius and Brutus Brutus and Cassius gathered an Army in Syria and in consideration of the great capacity of Herod they made him Procurator of all Syria giving him a band of horse and foot Cassius promiseth Herod after the War to make him King of Judaea Moreover Cassius promised him that if the war had an K happy end he would make him King of Judea But it so came to pass that the merit of Herod which raisd this hope so high was the cause of Antipater his Fathers death For Malichus being hereby put in fear hired one of the Kings officers for a certain sum of money to poyson Antipater by which means he died being thus unjustly rewarded for his good will toward wretched Malichus Antipater poysoned by Malichus He was a worthy man and fit to govern and recovered the Kingdom being lost for Hircanus Malichus perceiving the people incensed against him because they suspected that he had poysoned Antipater pacified and moderated their displeasure by denying the fact yet for his better security he gathered about him a Guard of armed men for he thought that Herod would not let the matter slip so Herod intendeth to revenge his Father's death but would presently come with an Army to L revenge his fathers death But by the counsel of his brother Phasaelus who sent him word not openly to encounter Malichus lest a sedition might arise among the people he patiently permitted it so to be and suffered Malichus to justifie himself and celebrated a solemn funeral for his Father which done he went to Samaria and appeased the sedition wherewith that City was disquieted After this he returned to Jerusalem intending to celebrate the Festival and having sent certain of his armed men before him he appointed the rest to accompany him But Malichus who feared this approach of his sollicited Hircanus to give order that no strangers should intermingle themselves among the people Malichus joyneth with Hircanus to disturb their devotion But Herod contemning this Prohibition entered the City by night whereupon Malichus once more came to him M and wept for Antipater Herod although he could very hardly
promising me to recompence by their future fidelity their former defection Those Goods that were taken from the Citizens are restored and desiring me to restore those Goods to the Citizens which in way of pillage were taken from them Whereupon I gave command that all the prey should be brought and laid before me and whereas the Soldiers delayed to perform the same I espying one of those Soldiers that stood by me better apparelled than he was wont to be asked him where he had gotten that Garment who confessing that he had taken it in the spoil of the City I caus'd him to be well-cudgel'd and threatned a worse punishment to all those that F would not restore what they had taken away By which means recovering a great part of the prey together I gave every Citizen that which belong'd to him In this place I cannot forbear to reprehend Justus A Reproof of Justus the Historiographer that falsely accused Joseph and others for foul dealing For having spoken of this business in their Histories they are not asham'd to gratifie their passion and hatred by delivering it to Posterity otherwise than indeed it was In which they differ nothing from Counterfeiters of Evidences and Razers of Records but that these Men are more encourag'd by impunity For Justus to the end he might seem to employ his time well undertaking to set down the events of this War hath belyed me in many things and hath been no less guilty of falsities in matters relating to his own Countrey For which cause I am necessarily enforced in this place to discover that G which hitherto I have concealed and to reprove that which he hath falsely testified of me neither is it to be wondered at that I have so long deferred it For whosoever writes a History though oblig'd to speak the Truth yet is not bound H to inveigh against the wickeder sort too vehemently not for that they are worthy of this favour but that he may keep himself within the bounds of prudence and moderation Tell me therefore Justus for thou desirest to be held for the man of greatest credit amongst all other Historians tell me I pray thee in familiarity for I must so talk with thee as if thou wert present before me how I and the Galileans were the Authors of that Rebellion which thy Countrey began both against the Romans and their King For before I was chosen Governor of Galilee by the People of Jerusalem both thou and all the Tiberians were not only up in Arms but had already made War against those of Decapolis in Syria Thy self hadst burnt their Villages and one of thy Servants dyed in that encounter Yet I not I alone witness this but it is extant also in writing in the Records of the Emperor Vespasian how the Inhabitants of Decapolis supplicated Vespasian then in the City of Ptolemais that thou mightest be punished as the Author of their mischiefs and assuredly thou hadst been punished by the Emperor had not Agrippa who received Commission to execute thee upon the instant request of his Sister Bernice spared thy life and kept thee bound in Prison for a long time But the sequel of thy actions sufficiently shews what the rest of thy life hath been and how thou didst cause thy Countrey to rebel against the Romans whereof I will produce hereafter most evident Arguments and for thy cause will I urge somewhat against those other Tiberians and will make it plain to such as shall read these Histories that thou hast been no friend to Rome Tiberias Justus Countrey nor faithful to thy King And I first instance in the greatest K Cities of Galilee Sephoris and Tiberias two chief Cities of Galilee Sephoris and Tiberias in which thou Justus wert born The former is scituate in the heart of Galilee having round about it a number of Villages and being easily able to make a revolt at pleasure yet notwithstanding the Citizens thereof resolved to observe their faith to the Romans and would not receive me nor take Arms for the Jews And through the fear they had of me the Inhabitants surpriz'd me by their artifices and oblig'd me to encompass their City with a wall and that done they willingly entertained a Garison which was sent them from Cestius Gallus who was General of the Roman Legions in Syria and deny'd me entrance because at that time he had a great power and terrifi'd the Countrey round about Yea when our great City of Jerusalem was besieged and the Temple common to all our Nation was in danger to fall into the Enemies hands the Sephorites L sent no succors to the end it might not be said that they took Arms against the Romans But thy Countrey Justus being scituate upon the Lake of Genazareth distant from Hippos thirty stades from Gadara sixty from Scythopolis sixscore in a Countrey obedient to the King having not any City of the Jews round about it might have very easily kept their faith to the Romans if they had pleas'd For both the City and People were furnished with Munition in all abundance But as thou sayest I was the cause at that time And who afterwards For thou knowest that before the siege of Jerusalem I was in the Romans hands and that Jotapata was taken by force and divers other Castles and that a great number of Galileans had been lost in divers Battels At that time shouldest thou have delivered thy self of that fear thou hadst of me laying thine arms aside and presenting thy self to the M King and the Romans if thou tookest Arms not of thine own accord but enforced But the truth is you expected Vespasian's coming even until such time as he begirt your City with a siege and then laid you your Arms aside for fear of danger yea even then had your City been overthrown except the King in excuse of your folly had obtained your pardon at Vespasian's hands It was not therefore my fault but your own that you behaved your selves like Enemies to the Roman Empire Do not you remember how often I obtained the victory against you and how seldom you could complain of Bloodshed But you falling at dissention one with another became the instruments of your own ruine and not for the love you bare either to the King or the Romans but of your own malice you slew an hundred eighty five Citizens at such time as I was besieged by the Romans in Jotapata Nay more is it not true N that during the said siege of Jerusalem there were more than two thousand Tiberians slain or taken Prisoners But perhaps thou wilt alledge that at that time thou wert no Enemy because thou wert fled to the King but I tell thee that thou fleddest thither for the fear thou hadst of me I am a wicked man as thou sayest but what art thou whom King Agrippa delivered from punishment Justus condemned to death at such time as thou wert condemned by
the crown and reward of Felicity as on the contrary that they who depart from the diligent observance thereof instead of succeeding in their designs how just soever the same may seem to themselves fall into all sort of misfortunes and into miseries without recovery For which cause I exhort all those that shall read these Books to conform themselves to the Will of God and to observe in Moses our excellent Law-giver how worthily he hath spoken of his Divine Nature how he hath manifested that all his Works are proportionable to his infinite Greatness and how his whole Narration thereof is pure and free from the vanity of Fables wherewith all other Histories are poysoned For the Antiquity alone of his History secures him from the suspition K that one might entertain of his having mingled any thing of fabulous in his writings inasmuch as he was born more than two thousand years ago which is a continuance of Ages to which the Poets neither durst refer the original of their gods neither the deeds or laws of men whereof they make mention But in pursuit of our History the sequel of our Discourse shall declare all things exactly and in the order which is observ'd in the Sacred Books For in compiling this Work I have promised neither to add nor to pretermit any thing And for that all whatsoever we shall declare doth almost wholly depend on the knowledge which the wisdom of our Lawmaker Moses hath given us thereof it is necessary before all other things that I speak somewhat of himself lest perhaps any man should wonder that in a History wherein it may seem that I ought to relate nothing but Actions pass'd and Precepts concerning manners nevertheless L I intermix so many things which concern the knowledge of Nature We ought therefore to know that Moses thought it most especially necessary for him that will either virtuously dispose his own life or impose Laws to other men to begin with the knowledge of God and after having attentively consider'd all his Works to strive as much as in him lieth to imitate his most perfect example and follow him with all diligence For it is impossible that a Law-giver being void of this contemplation should have good sense or that his writings should be of any moment to induce them unto virtue who should receive those Laws except before all things they learn that God who is the Father and Lord of all and that seeth all giveth happy life unto those that follow him and contrariwise invironeth them with great calamities who forsake the way of virtue and righteousness Moses therefore intending to instruct his Citizens in M this doctrine began not his Ordinances with the Treatise of Contracts and Covenants which we practise one with another as other Lawgivers are accustomed to do but he hath raised their minds to the knowledge of God taught them in what manner this World was made by him and shew'd them that the principal work among all those things which God made in the World is Man And after that he had made them capable of things concerning Piety then might he more easily persuade them in the rest Whereas other Lawgivers addicting themselves unto Fables have in their discourse imposed on their gods the infamy of sins committed by men and by that means have brought to pass that the wicked sort are yet more wicked and addicted to evil doing But our admirable Lawgiver after having declared that God is in himself all virtue pure and unspotted he shews that men also ought to endeavor to imitate the same and on those N that neither conceive nor believe those things he inflicteth a grievous and inevitable punishment I exhort the Reader therefore to examine our Writings according to these Rules for to those that consider after this manner nothing shall seem either absurd or unworthy the Majesty of God or of his love to men by reason that all things have their disposition conformable to the universal nature which our Lawgiver hath declared sometimes obscurely sometimes in convenient Allegories gravely and elsewhere expressing that manifestly and publishing that in plain words which ought openly to be made known The causes whereof if any man would search he might find need of a most deep and philosophical contemplation which I overslip at this present without staying longer thereon but if God shall give me time I will inforce my self to compose it in a Volume as soon as I shall have finished this Work For this present then I O will apply my self to relate those things which have been done beginning at the Creation of the World according as Moses hath taught us and I have found written in the Holy Scriptures A The First Book of the History of the JEWS drawn out of the Old Testament and continu'd to the Empire of NERO by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS under the Title of JEWISH ANTIQUITIES The Contents of the Chapters of the First Book 1. The Creation of the World Adam and Eve disobey the Command of God and are driven B out of the earthy Paradise 2. Cain kills his Brother Abel God banishes him for it His Posterity is as wicked as himself The Virtues of Seth the other Son of Adam 3. Of the Posterity of Adam till the Deluge from which God preserved Noah and his Family in the Ark. 4. Of the Tower of Babylon and the change of Tongues 5. How Noah's Posterity disperst themselves thorough the whole World 6. The Descendants of Noah down to Jacob. The several Countries which they possess'd 7. How Abraham the Author of our Nation departed from the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in the Countrey of the Canaanites which is now called Judea C 8. Abraham pressed by Famine departed into Egypt where having stayed awhile at last he returned back again 9. The overthrow of the Sodomites by the Assyrians Lot is taken Prisoner 10. Abraham parsueth the Assyrians and returneth victorious 11. The destruction of Sodom 12. Of Ishmael Abraham's Son and of the Arabians Posterity 13. Of Isaac Abraham's Legitimate Son 14. The death of Sarah Abraham's Wife Gen. 23. per totum 15. How the Nation of the Troglodytes descended from Chetura the Wife of Abraham 16. Of Abraham's death Gen. 25. 7 8. D 17. Of Isaac's Sons Esau and Jacob and of their Nativity and Education Gen. 25. 18. How Jacob fled into Mesopotamia for fear of his Brother Gen. 28. 19. Isaac dieth and is buried in Hebron Gen. 35. 29. CHAP. I. The Creation of the World Adam and Eve disobey the Command of God and are driven out of the earthly Paradise IN the Beginning God created Heaven and Earth The year of the World 1 before Christ's Nativity 3963. Now the Earth not being subject to sight but covered with thick darkness and traversed with an Air coming from E high God commanded that there should be Light and after the Light was made having considered the universal matter he separated
he was supposed to surpass all men in virtue The wisdom of Abraham and was he that first undertook to rectifie the received erronious opinions of men touching the Deity He first of all did most manifestly preach and prove Abraham the first Preacher of the Word That there was but one God Governor and Maker of all things and that otherwise if any thing conferred or furthered our Felicity it hapned unto us not by our own workings but by his holy Will And this he observ'd and prov'd by what comes to pass both in the Earth and the Sea as also by those things which he saw daily occur by the influences of the Sun the Moon and other Stars namely that there is a certain G power that disposeth them and decently administreth all things without whose assistance nothing would be profitable unto us whereas nothing hath of it self any virtue but all things are obedient to his Omnipotent Will and for that cause honour and thanksgiving should wholly be ascribed to him For which advices and counsels of his H seeing the Chaldeans and Mesopotamians began to mutiny against him he thought it expedient to forsake that Countrey and follow the Will and Command of God and so went and dwelt at Canaan where being seated he built an Altar and sacrific'd unto God Berosus Berosus amongst other things maketh mention of our Father Abraham although he names him not when he speaketh after this manner After the Deluge and during the tenth Generation there dwelt amongst the Chaldeans a most just excellent and upright man and exercised in the knowledge of the Celestial bodies Hecataeus But Hecataeus makes not a bare mention of him but hath left a Volume which he hath written concerning him And as touching Nicolaus Damascenus Nicolaus Damascenus hear what he saith in the Fourth Book of his Histories Abraham reigned in Damascus where he was a stranger whither he arrived with his Army I from a Countrey scituate above Babylon called Chaldaea and a little while after departing out of that Region he went and dwelt with his People in a Countrey at that time called Canaan and at this day Judaea and his Posterity multiplied therein In another Treatise I will recite that which is reported of him The name of Abraham even at this day is honourable in the Countrey of Damascus Abraham's house and there is a Village to be seen which beareth his name and is called Abraham's house CHAP. VIII Abraham pressed by Famine departed into Egypt where having stay'd awhile at last he returned back again K AFter this when Famine had invaded the land of Canaan Abraham had intelligence that the Egyptians abounded in all plenty The year of the World 2026 before Christ's Nativity 1938. and decreed with himself to retire thither purposing also to confer with their Priests concerning their Notions of God and either to follow their belief if they were better grounded in the same than himself or to rectifie them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. if his judgment were better grounded than theirs He led with him his wife Sara and understanding that the Egyptians were much addicted to women to the end the King might not put him to death Gen. 12. 10. in order to enjoy his wife Sara Gen. 12. 13. 15. who was very beautiful he devised this excuse to say That she was his sister charging her that if the matter came in question she should not fail but confirm the same But no sooner L came they into Egypt but the like fortune encountred them as Abraham had before suspected The lust of the Egyptians 16 17. for the beauty of his wife was suddenly published in every place For which cause Pharaoh the King of that Nation desirous to see that with his eyes which he had heard with his ears he sought for sent and lusted after her but God withstood this his unbridled lust by afflicting the King's Subjects with a Plague and his State by Sedition Whereupon taking counsel of the Priests what remedy might be used and means sought to appease the Divine Majesty 18 19. they answer'd him That the cause of their afflictions proceeded from his intending violence to the stranger's wife Whereat being much affrighted the King first questioneth with the woman what she was and who her companion should be and at last resolv'd of the truth he excus'd himself to Abraham saying he suppos'd M her to be his sister not his wife and that his purpose was not to offer injury but seek alliance and giving him a great sum of money he gave him leave to confer with the most excellent and learned Priests among the Egyptians Abraham taught the Egyptians Religion and Arts. By this conference he grew into great estimation in regard of his virtues for whereas that Nation was divided into different Sects and Opinions and through mutual contempt and division were incens'd one against another he declar'd That all their different Opinions in Religion were most vain and void of all truth For these his disputations he was held in great regard among them and esteemed for a most wise and excellent personage not only in well understanding Abraham an â—â—cellent Astronomer but also in expressing and persuading that which he undertook to teach He imparted to them the Sciences of Arithmetick and Astronomy for before Abraham came N into Egypt the Egyptians were altogether ignorant of those Sciences but he first brought them from Chaldaea into Egypt and from thence are they deriv'd to the Greeks As soon as he return'd into Canaan Gen. 13. 1. he divided the Countrey with Lot and for that there grew a contention betwixt their shepherds The division of the fields between Abraham and Lot touching the bounds of the pastures where they fed their Cattel he gave Lot the choice and election of that Countrey which best pleased him retaining unto himself that which was left Thus pitching his Tents towards a mountain near the City Hebron which was by seven years more ancient than Tanis in Egypt he dwelt there But Lot chose the Plain near the River of Jordan not far from Sodom which in those days was a goodly City but at this present by the just judgment of God is utterly destroyed so that no memory remaineth thereof The causes of O which judgment shall be related hereafter A CHAP. IX The overthrow of the Sodomites by the Assyrians Lot is taken Prisoner AT this time the Assyrians were Lords over all Asia and the estate of Sodom flourished in all affluence Hedio Ruffinus chap. 17. riches and multitude of People and the Countrey was governed by five Kings Gen. 14. Ballas Bareas Senabarus Symoborus and Baleâ— each particularly seized of his Province and Kingdom Five Kings of Sodom Against these the Assyrians encamped themselves and having divided their Army into four parts under the conduct of four
had four sons Elein Gunnes Sares and Hellim Dan had onely one son called Vsis Now if these be added to the abovenamed they make up the number of Fifty four But Gad and Asser were born by Zelpha Leah's handmaid Gad was attended by seven sons Zophonias Vgis Sunis Zabros Erines Erodes and Ariel Asser had one daughter Ver. 30. and six sons Jacob almost deceased for joy whose names were Jomnes Essus Juba Baris Abars Melmiel These D fifteen being added to the foresaid Fifty four make up the number Seventy together with Jacob. Gen. 47. 2. But Joseph understanding that his father was at hand for Juda posted before to give him notice thereof went out to meet him Joseph with his five Brethren and did so near a Town called Heros Jacob was fill'd with such extreme and unexpected joy that he had almost expired and that of Joseph was little less He desir'd his father to march onwards by easie journies and taking with him his five brethren hasted unto the King signifying unto him that his father with all his family were arrived The King no sooner understood it but he joyfully asked Joseph in what employments he took delight who answer'd him that his exercise was in keeping of Cattel and that he had no other Trade This answer he made to the intent they might not be divided one from another but that living E all together they might take care of their father another reason was lest emulation should happen betwixt them and the Egyptians if so be they should be conversant in the same profession Ver. 3 ad 10. whereas this people had little experience in the keeping of Cattel Jacob talketh with Pharaoh and is appointed to inhabit Heliopolis Now when Jacob was brought into the King's presence and had done him reverence and pray'd God for the prosperity both of him and his Realm Pharaoh ask'd him how old he was and he answer'd that he was an hundred and thirty years old at which when the King admir'd he added that his Ancestors had lived far longer Then Pharaoh appointed him and his sons to dwell in Heliopolis where also the King's shepherds had their pastures But the Famine increased in Egypt and the calamity was without remedy The famine in Egypt by reason that Nilus did not overflow the earth after its usual manner and on F the other side God rained not upon the earth Moreover in that the sterility was foreseen it was more grievous especially to the Commonalty who had laid up nothing neither did Joseph give them Corn without ready money Ver. 16 17 20. which when they began to want A great profit redounded to the King by this famine they exchang'd their Cattel and Slaves for Corn and they that had Lands sold a portion thereof unto the King for their provision And when by this means all these possessions came into the King's hands they went to inhabit here and there as they could to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their Land the Priests onely were excepted to whom the Lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessity reduced both the minds and bodies of the whole Nation into servitude after such a manner that they esteemed no labour or means unseemly that G might serve them towards their sustenance But when the Famine ceas'd and the earth water'd by the overflow of the River began to recover her former fertility Joseph visiting every City of the Kingdom and assembling the multitude in every one of them restored them the possession of those Lands which they had sold to the King The year of the World 2311. before Christ's Nativity 1653. and exhorted H them to manure the same in no worse manner than they would do their own on condition to pay the fifth part unto the King which was due unto him by his Prerogative and Kingly right The People rejoycing at this unexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their Tillage Joseph commanded them to pay the fifth part of their profits to the King and by this means not only Joseph's authority but also the Peoples hearts were not a little tyed unto the King and the inheritance of the fifth part of the profits remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their Posterity But Jacob after he had lived 17 years in Egypt ended his life in the arms of his Sons having first prayed God to give them prosperity and abundance and prophesied that every one of their posterities should attain to the possession of a part of the Land of Canaan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. as in process of time it came to pass Besides praising his Son Joseph for that forgetting I the injuries done unto him he had bestowed divers benefits on his Brethren yea and such as well beseemed his Benefactors he commanded his Sons that they should admit Joseph's Sons Gen. 49. 33. Ephraim and Manasses Jacob dyed when he was 147 years old into their number at such time as they should divide the Land of Canaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he prayed them to bury him in Hebron He liv'd 150 years wanting three being second to none of his Ancestors in piety Gen. 50. 13. and obtain'd the same blessing Jacob is buried in Hebron in that he was a man adorned with equal virtues Joseph by the King's permission transported his Fathers body to Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his Brothers fearing to return with him into Egypt in that they suspected lest their Father being dead he should be revenged on them in that they had not any Friend left alive under whose favor they might hope for pardon he K commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should fear no evil and having brought them back again with him he gave them great possessions neither did he ever cease to entertain them with brotherly kindness Joseph dyeth when he was 110 years old But he likewise dyed when he had lived 110 years a man endowed with admirable virtue prudent in all Affairs and moderate in his Government by which means it came to pass that neither his Foreign Birth nor his Calamities whereof we have spoken did any ways hinder him but that he was exalted and continued in high dignity Gen. 50. 22 ad 26. The rest of his Brothers also having spent their lives in happiness dyed in Egypt whose bodies their Sons and Nephews transported and buried in Hebron Joseph's Bones translated into Canaan but Joseph's bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrews into Canaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Canaan for hereunto had he L bound them by an Oath But being oblig'd to declare this and other actions of this Nation I will first of all shew the cause why they departed out of Egypt CHAP. V. Of the affliction which 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
their separation which was no less grievous unto them v. 41 42 43. than death it self Finally since there was no remedy exhorting one another to have in perpetual remembrance their faith and friendship they departed the one from the other C. 21. v. 1 2 ad 6. David flying from the persecution of Saul David cometh to Naban or Nob to Abimelech the High Priest retired to the City of Nob to Abimelech the Priest who wondred to see him come alone to him without either friend or Servant and desired to know the cause why he thus wandred without any attendance David told him that the King had sent him about some secret order which might not be communicated to him although he were desirous to know it and as touching my Servants C said he I have commanded them to attend me at a place appointed He further desired him v. 7 8 9 10. that he would give him such things as were necessary for his journey and some Arms David receiving Goliaths sword flieth to Geth to Achis King of the Philistines either Sword or Javelin Now in this place was present one of Sauls Servants called Doeg a Syrian by Nation and the Master of the Kings Mules The Priest answered him that he had no Arms by him except Goliaths Sword which he himself had hanged in the Tabernacle and dedicated to God at such time as he slew the Philistine David having gotten it fled out of the Countrey of the Hebrews and went to Gath a Countrey of the Philistines where Achis was King There being known by the Kings Servants he was discovered to be that David v. 11 12 13. that had slain so many thousand Philistines David counterfeits madness to escape the fury of Achis David fearing to be put to death by him and to fall into the same danger which he had escaped D by flying from Saul counterfeited himself mad so that he let the spittle issue out of his mouth and he counterfeited in all things so cunningly that he made the King of Gath believe that he was frantick 1. Sam. 22. v. 1 2. Whereupon the King was angry with his Servants that they had brought him a mad-man and commanded them forthwith to drive him out of his countrey Having in this sort escaped out of the Countrey of Gath he went to the Tribe of Juda where hiding himself in the Cave of Adullam he sent to his Brothers to let them understand that he was there They came to him with all their relations and divers others that either were in need or stood in fear of Saul resorted unto him offering to perform whatsoever he should command them they amounted in all to the number of four hundred David therefore being thus assured by the succours E and forces that came to him v. 3 4. dislodged from thence and went to the King of the Moabites David repairing to the Moabites committeth his Father and Mother to his protection beseeching him that he and those that accompanied him might remain in that Countrey till such time as he understood what would be the issue of his affairs The King vouchsafed him this favour and treated them very well all the time they were in his Countrey David went not out of it till he received instructions from the Prophet Samuel to abandon the Desart and return to the Tribe of Juda which he obeyed and coming to the City of Saron David commeth to Saron Saul feareth David made his abode there But when Saul understood that David had been seen with a number of men he fell into an extraordinary fear and trouble of mind for knowing both the conduct and courage of the man he thought that he would attempt no action that was not great and such as might endanger his Kingdom F For which cause assembling his Friends and Captains and those of his own Tribe in Gaba where he kept his Royal Court and which stands upon a little Hill called Arvon and accompanied with his Guards v. 7 8. and the Officers of his house he spake to them from his throne Sauls oration to his Captains friends and estates against David after this manner I cannot believe that you have forgotten the benefits wherewith I have enriched you and the honours to which I have advanced you But I would know of you whether you hope or expect greater from the Son of Jesse for I am not ignorant of the affection which you bear him and that my own Son hath inspired the same into you I know that Jonathan and he are united without my consent in a very strict alliance that they have confirmed the same by oath and that Jonathan assists David against me with all his power Yet are none of you concerned at these things but in great quiet you expect what will be the event of them G When the King had spoken thus and none of the assistants answered a word Doeg the Syrian Master of the Kings Mules rose up and said That he had seen David in the City of Nob whither he went to the High Priest Abimelech to ask counsel of him touching his affairs and that he had received from him such things as were needful to his journey H and Goliaths Sword and how he was safely conducted towards the place whither he pretended to go Hereupon Saul sent for the High Priest and all his kindred and spake thus unto them What wrong or displeasure have I done thee that thou hast entertained the Son of Jesse v. 9. and given him Victuals and Arms to him I say that seeketh but the means to possess himself of my Kingdom Doeg telleth Saul how he saw David in Nob with Abimelech what answer hast thou made him touching those demands he propounded to thee concerning his future fortunes canst thou be ignorant that he fled from me and what hatred he bears against both me and my family The High Priest denied none of these things but freely confessed that he had delivered him such things as were reported v. 10 11 12 13. but not with an intent to gratifie David but the King for I entertained him said he not as your Enemy Saul reproveth Abimelech for furnishing David with Victuals and Arms. but as your faithful Servant and one of the principal I Officers of your Army and which is more as your Son-in-law For who would have thought that one dignified with so much honour by you should be your Enemy nay rather who would not esteem him for your favourite and neerest friend And whereas he asked counsel of me touching Gods will v. 14. this is not the first time I have answered him but I have formerly done it often Abimelechs Apology to Sauls accusation of Treason And when he said he was sent by you about some speedy and secret business if I should have refused him those supplies which he required at my hands I might have
Woman deserveth to be praised for although she knew that the King had prohibited the exercise of her Art whereby both she and her Family were well maintained and although before that time she had never seen Saul yet without remembring that it was he by whom her Art had been condemned The year of the World 2890. before Christ's Nativity 1074. she entertained him H not as a stranger or like the man she had never seen before but had compassion on him and comforted him exhorting him to eat although he refused it and presented him willingly with that little which she had in her poverty Which she did not upon any hope of recompence or preferment knowing well that Saul should shortly lose his life nor according to the ordinary course of men that naturally honour those that have bestowed some dignity upon them and become serviceable to those from whom they expect to receive some profit hereafter She therefore ought to be imitated and in her appeareth an excellent example of bounty approving that there is nothing more worthy of praise than to relieve those that are in necessity without expecting any recompence I since it is a piece of Generosity so agreeable to the nature of the Deity that in all probability nothing will more induce him than this to treat us also with the like favour I may add hereunto another Reflection which may be useful unto all Men but more especially to Kings Princes and Magistrates which may kindle in them a desire and affection to addict themselves to Noble actions and to encourage them to embrace dangers yea death it self and teach them to endure all difficulties whatsoever for their Countries cause 1 Sam. 31. 3 4. which we may see in this History of Saul For although he knew that which should befall him Josephus praiseth Saul for a worthy and valiant King in that foreknowing his danger and death he exposed himself to assured peril and that his death was at hand according as it had been foretold him yet resolved he not to avoid the same neither so loved he his life that for the conservation thereof he would deliver up his People into the hands of their Enemies K nor dishonour his Royal dignity but himself with his children and all his houshold exposed themselves to danger thinking it more honourable to die in fighting for his Subjects and far more expedient that his children should die like valiant Men than live in dishonor supposing that he should have sufficient Successors of his Race if he left behind him a perpetual memory and praise both of him and his For which cause in my opinion he was both just valiant and prudent and if any one either is or hath been like unto him I suppose that it becometh all Men to give testimony of such a Mans virtue For I think that the Historians and ancient Writers have not worthily intituled them with the stile of valiant Men who attaining some worthy actions attempted War under assured hope of victory and safety but they only that imitate Saul may deservedly be called just praise-worthy couragious hardy and contemners of all dangers L For what great thing is there in undertaking of the common hazard of War and tossed 'twixt hope and fear to use Fortunes favor if she fawn upon us But on the other side it is an assured sign of a valiant Man when without hope of any success and knowing his death at hand he is not afraid nor dismayed with such apprehensions but seeketh out with an invincible courage his most assured hazard This is the praise of Saul who is an example to all that desire to eternize their memory that should upon the like opportunity propose the same resolution to themselves but especially to Kings who by reason of the excellency of their Function ought not only to forbear to be evil but also strive to be eminently virtuous I could say more of M this generous argument of Sauls Valor but lest I should seem too affectionate I will return to our former purpose After that the Philistines were thus encamped 1 Sam. 28. 1 ad 5. and had numbred their Forces according to their Nations Kingdoms and Governors King Achis came at last with his company whom David followed 1 Sam. 29. 3 ad finem accompanied with 600 Soldiers whom when the Chieftains of the Philistines beheld Achis leadeth out David with him against the Hebrews and is reproved by the Chieftains of the Philistines for so doing they asked the King Whence those Hebrews came and what their Leaders name was Who answered That it was David who fled from Saul his Master and how he had entertained him again how David in recompence of the kindness he had received and to avenge himself on Saul was ready to fight for them against him But the Chieftains blamed him because he had chosen an Enemy for his Associate advising him to dismiss him lest he should as he might find occasion turn his Arms against them because N said they he hath now a fit opportunity to reconcile himself to his Master They therefore advis'd him to send David back with his 600 Soldiers unto the place which he had given to inhabit because it was the same David of whom the Damsels made Songs singing in praise of him that he had slain many thousand Philistines When the King of Geth understood these things he approved their counsel for which cause calling David unto him he said unto him The knowledge which I have had of your Valor and Fidelity Ver. 10. 11. hath made me desirous to employ you in this War but our Captains will not allow of it Achis dismisseth David wherefore retire thy self to the place which I have given thee without conceiving any evil suspition of me There shalt thou be in Garison to prevent the Enemy from foraging our Countrey and in so doing thou shalt partly assist me in the War Hereupon David departed O unto Siceleg according as the King had commanded him A But during the time that David was in the Camp and attended on the Philistines War The year of the World 2809. before christ's Naâ—ivity 1074. the Amalekites made an Incursion and took Siceleg by force and burnt the City and after they had gathered a great booty both in that place and in other villages of the Philistines Countrey they retired back again Now when David arrived at Siceleg and found it wholly spoiled and seeing likewise that his two Wives and the Wives of his Companions were Prisoners Ver. 1. 2 ad 6. together with their Children he presently rent his Garments The Amalekites in Davids absence spoil and burn Siceleg and â— carry away the prey and and abandoned himself to grief beside this his Companions were so much enraged with the Captivity of their Wives and Children that they were ready to stone him to death accusing him that he was the cause of
house in Jerusalem Now when F the King had taken the City he joyned the Cittadel unto it and having walled them abouâ— How Jerusalem was called Solyma and what mention Homer made thereof the gave the government thereof to Joab This King was the first that drove the Jebusites out of Jerusalem and called the same by his name For from the time of Abraham our forefather it was called Solyma neither want there some that infer that Homer under that name intendeth Jerusalem For in the Hebrew tongue Solyma is as much as to say The years since Joshuas conquest to this time 515. Orphant a Jebusite friend to David Security All the time since the war made by Joshuah against the Canaanites and since the division of the Countrey during all which time the Israelites could not drive the Canaanites out of Jerusalem until David took the same by force were five hundred and fifteen years But I must not forget one Orphan a rich man amongst the Jebusites who because he was well affected towards the Hebrews was not put to death G at the taking of Jerusalem 2 Kings 24. but was much honoured by the King David espoused other Wives besides those which he had Davids Sons born in Jerusalem and took many Concubines by them he had eleven Sons whose names are these which follow Amnael Seba Nathan Soloman Jaber Eliel Phalna Ennapha Jenaah Eliphal and a Daughter called Thamar Nine of these were H begotten of his Wives and the two last were the Sons of Concubines But Thamar was Absalons Sister by the same Father and Mother CHAP. IV. David assailed by the Philistines obtaineth a great victory aaginst them near Jerusalem NOw when the Philistines knew that the Hebrews had created David King they led forth their Army against him towards Jerusalem 2 Sam. 5. 18. ad finem where encamping themselves in I the valley of the Giants which is a place not far from the City they in that place expected the encounter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. But the King of the Hebrews who was wont to do nothing inconsiderately commanded the High Priest to ask counsel of God what success the War should have who after he had informed him that God favored their designes he presently drew out his Army against the Enemy and giving the battel he suddenly assailed the Enemies The Philistines moving War against David are partly slain or put to flight slaying many of them he put the rest to flight But let no man suspect that the Army of the Philistines was either small in number or weak in courage which at that time assailed the Hebrews because they were easily overcome without their performing any memorable action For all Syria Phenicia and the other Warlike Nations beyond them were confederates with them The Philistines invaded the Hebrews with a mighty army gathered out of sundry nations in this War which was the cause that notwithstanding they were so many times overcome and lost many thousands of men that they desisted K not to assail the Hebrews with greater force having been defeated in the battel beforementioned yet they reinforced their Army and encamped in the same place Whereupon David again required of God what the issue of this battel should be and the High Priest told him that he should encamp in the Forrest called Tears because it was not far off from the Enemies Camp and that he should not depart from thence neither make any attempt upon them before the trees should shake without any agitation of the wind Whereupon as soon as the trees shook and the time which God had appointed was come without any delay he marched out with an assurance of returning victorious For the squadrons of the Enemy were disordered The Philistines flight and incontinently betook themselves L to flight being pursued unto the City of Gerar which is a frontire-town of their Countrey their Camp was plundred and in it were found great riches and amongst other things their gods which broken to pieces by the Israelites The battel being ended it seemed good unto David by the counsel of the Elders and Colonels over thousands that all the flower of their youth should be assembled from all the parts of the Countrey 2 Sam. 6. 1 ad 5. every one according to his Tribe Davids commands as touching the transportation of the Ark. And that the Priests and Levites should rapair to Cariathiarim and bring from the Ark of God and convey it to Jerusalem to the end that when it should be there the service of God might for the future be celebrated in that place and other sacrifices and honours agreeable to the divine Majesty be performed Which if Saul had religiously observed M he had not fallen into those misfortunes which at the same time deprived him of his Crown and his life Now when all the people were assembled according as it was appointed the King himself also assisted at the removal of the Ark which being carried by the Priests out of Aminidabs house they laid it upon a new Wain drawn by Oxen and commited the conduct of it to their Brethren and their Children The King marched foremost and after him all his people praising God and singing Psalms and Hymns to the sound of the Trumpets and Cymbals v. 6 7 8 9. and several sorts of Instruments Oza stretching out his hand to stay the Ark is suddenly strucken dead and in this manner conducted they the Ark into Jerusalem But when they were come to the threshing floor of Childon Oza died thorow the wrath of God for the Oxen stumbling that drew the Chariot and the Ark tottering he stretched out his hand to hold it up but being no Priest God struck him dead because he presumed to touch N the Ark. The King and the people were much troubled at the death of Oza and the place where he died is called to this day v. 10 11. Oza's Striking David fearing lest if he should carry the Ark with him into the City David placeth the ark in Obed-Edoms house who prospereth there-through in all felicity the like misfortune might attend him that had befallen Oza who died because he only stretched out his hand he carried it not with him into the City but commanded that it should be left in the possession of one called Obed by descent a Levite a good and vertuous man where it remained for three months space during which time his house was blessed with all worldly happiness The King being informed of the success of Obed v. 12. who of a poor man was suddenly become very rich so that all men had their eyes upon him The Ark transported into Davids house and placed in a Tabernacle and some envied him he assured himself that no inconvenience would befall him if he should take the Ark to Jerusalem It was carried O by the Priests and seven quires of
Governors and Priests of his Countrey enjoining them to ride their Circuit about the Provinces and to teach the Inhabitants of every City the Law of Moses training them up in the observance thereof and in the study of piety The peace in Jehoshaphats time Which all the Citizens embraced and entertained so willingly that they seemed to emulate and strive one with the other which of them should exceed the rest in the service of God Jehoshaphats Army The Nations likewise that dwelt round about him loved Jehoshaphat and were at peace with him Ver. 13. The Philistines also payed those Tributes which were imposed on them And the Arabians furnish'd him every year with six hundred and threescore Lambs and the like number of Horses He fortified also other great Cities of importance and made preparation of Munition of War and Arms against the O Enemy He mustered in the Tribe of Juda Three hundred thousand Men over whom he placed Edraus General and Two hundred thousand under the conduct of Johanan who besides these had Two hundred thousand Archers on foot of the Tribe of Benjamin Another Chieftain called Ochobat The year of the World 3047. before Christ's Nativity 917. levied and led for the King One hundred and fourscore A thousand Men armed at all points besides those which he sent into fenced Cities He married his Son Joram to Athalia the Daughter of Achab King of the ten Tribes And not long after resorting to Samaria Achab received him very courteously and magnificently entertained his Army with bread wine and flesh in abundance desiring him to yield him his assistance against the King of Syria Jehoshaphats expedition with Achab against the Syrians to the intent he might recover the City of Ramath in the Countrey of Galaad which Adabs father had won and conquered from his father Jehoshaphat promised to assist him and being no wayes inferior unto him in force he sent his Army from Jerusalem to Samaria When these two Kings were departed out of the City 1 Kings 22. 2 ad 8. and each of them were seated upon their Thrones they B distributed their Pay to every one of their Soldiers At that time Jehoshaphat commanded 2 Chron. 18. 1 ad 8. That if at that present there were as yet any Prophets amongst them they might be sent for to give notice what the issue should be of this their War against the Syrians and whether they thought it good to make War against them by reason that at that time there was amity and peace betwixt Achab and the Syrians confirmed for the space of three years since the time that he took Adad Prisoner and delivered him CHAP. X. Achab fighteth against the Syrians and is overcome and slain in the battel C HEreupon Achab called for the Prophets who were in number four hundred and commanded them to enquire of God 1 Kings 22. 6. Whether he would give him the victory in that War which he undertook against Adad 2 Chron. 18. 5. And whether he should recover the City which he intended to besiege The false Prophets prophesie plausibly Who answered and counselled him to hazard the Battel For he should over come the Syrian and should take him Prisoner as he had done before Jehoshaphat understanding by their words that they were false Prophets asked Achab If he had not any other Prophet of God who might more exactly certifie him of that which should follow Achab answered That he had one as yet remaining but that he hated him because he prophesied nought else but mishap and misery unto him and had foretold him That if he should fight against the Syrians 1 Kings 22. 14. ad 28. he should be overcome and slain and for that cause he held him at that time in D Prison signifying unto him that his name was Micheas the son of Imlah Jehoshophat desired that he might be brought into his presence 2 Chron. 18. 13 ad fin which was accordingly performed by one of his Eunuchs Micheas the true Prophet who by the way certified Micheas That all the other Prophets had prophesied to the King victory But Micheas told him That it was not lawful for him to lye against God but that it concerned him to speak that which God should inform him of concerning the King As soon as he came before Achab and was adjured to speak the truth he said That God had shewed him the Israelites put to flight and dispersed by the Syrians that pursued them no otherwise than sheep without their shepherd All which signifieth no less said he but that the rest of the people returning home in safety Achab only should be slain in the battel When Micheas had spoken after this manner Achab turning himself towards Jehoshaphat E said unto him I told you before how this fellow was affected towards me But Micheas constantly avowed That he prophesied nothing but that which God had commanded him to speak assuring Achab that he was sollicited by the false Prophets unto War under hope of victory whereas he should assuredly perish in the Battel These words of his made Achab much discomforted But Sedechias one of the false Prophets stepped forth and exhorted him to set light by Micheas's words because he spake untruly And for confirmation of this he appealed to Elias who was a far more skilful Prophet in foretelling things to come than Micheas was yet that the same Elias had foretold that the Dogs should lick Achabs blood in the City of Jezrael in the field of Naboth because Naboth had been stoned to death at the instance of Achab. Whereby it appeared manifestly that since he contradicted a Prophet so F excellent as he was he lyed in saying that the King should dye within three dayes Moreover said he it shall appear whether he be truly sent from God or no if as soon as he shall receive a buffet from me he cause my hand to wither according as Jadon made Jeroboams hand shrink at such time as he thought to apprehend him For I think said he O King that thou art assuredly informed hereof which said he struck him and because no inconveniency fell upon him by reason of that his audacious attempt Achab assured himself and recovered his courage and set forth against the Assyrian Army For as it is to be supposed the Will of God was such that it caused the false Prophets to triumph over the true which was the cause that the false Prophets were trusted more than the true to the intent that Gods preordained Will might be fulfilled G But Sedechias made him iron horns and said unto Achab that God by them signified unto him that he should lay waste all Syria but Micheas prophesied to the contrary that H within very few days Sedechias should walk from Cave to Cave to hide himself and avoid the punishment of his falshood Achab displeased hereat commanded that he should be
of the thirds of the fruit of your lands and the half of the fruit of your trees which heretofore you have been accustomed to pay that you may enjoy them peaceably from this time forward I acquit you also at this present for ever of all that which the Inhabitants of Judea and the three Provinces annexed thereunto Samaria Galilee and Peraea are bound to pay me willing L and commanding that the City of Jerusalem be held sacred and enjoy the priviledge of a Sanctuary and that it shall be exempt from the payment of tythes and all manner of impositions And I commit the fortress in the same to the hands of Jonathan the High-Priest permitting him to place such a Garison therein as he shall think fit and such as will faithfully keep it for his use I will also that all the Jews who are imprisoned in my Countrey be set at liberty Moreover it is my pleasure that no Horses of the Jews be taken up to run Post for us I grant also that the Sabbaths and festival dayes and three dayes also before every one of those feasts be dayes of liberty and freedom And my will is that the Jews who inhabit within my dominions be likewise freed from all molestations The like priviledge grant I them that will bear Arms with me to the number of 30000 who in what place soever they shall be shall have M no worser entertainment than mine own Army and part of them will I place in my Garisons the rest shall be of my guard and I will make them Captains in my Court and will permit them to live according to the ordinances of their Country which they shall observe and I will also that the three governments annexed to Judea be made subject unto the same laws My pleasure is in like manner that the High-Priest shall take order that no Jew shall worship in any other Temple than that of Jerusalem and of my own charge I give every year an 150000 sicles of silver to be employed in Sacrifices and that which shall be over and above those Sacrifices my pleasure is that it shall be your profit Moreover I acquit the Priests and Ministers of the Temple of the 10000 drachms of silver which the Kings levied on the Temple because they appertain unto the Priests who serve in the Temple as I have been rightly informed I grant N also to all those who shall repair unto the Temple of Jerusalem for refuge and within the precincts thereof whether it be for money due unto the King or for any other cause that they be acquit thereof and receive not any damage in their goods I permit also that the Temple be repaired and built at my charge My will is also that the walls of the City be re-edified and that certain Towers be built about the same at my expence Furthermore if there be any places fit to build fortresses and strong holds in thorow all the Countrey of Judea and to place Garisons in them my will is that all this be done and fortified at the charges levied out of mine own coffers These are the promises and offers that Demetrius made unto the Jews But King Alexander having gathered great Forces as well of strange and hired Soldiers O as of those who in Syria had revolted from Demetrius led forth his whole Army against the Enemy and after the Ensigns were displayed and the onset given the left wing of Demetrius compelled Alexanders Soldiers that fought against it to flie and his men pursuing them spoiled their Camp But the Right Wing in which the King himself A was being forced to retire was discomfited and as for the rest they betook themselves to flight but Demetrius fighting valiantly slew some of his enemies and in pursuing others who could not endure his fierce assault was in the end by setting spurs to his Horse The battel between Alexander and Demetrius and of Demetrius's death carried into a deep and muddy Bog whereinto by chance his Horse fell and being unable to get out he was slain in that place For being discover'd by his enemies they turned back upon him and having inclosed him they altogether shot their arrows against him so that he being on foot and fighting valiantly was at length slain after he had received divers wounds and was no longer able to resist Thus died Demetrius who departed this life the eleventh year of his Reign as we have related in another place B CHAP. VI. Onias the son of Onias the High-Priest builds a Temple in Egypt of the same form with that at Jerusalem A contention between the Jews and the Samaritans before Ptolemy Philometor King of Egypt concerning the Temple of Jerusalem and that of Garizim The Samaritans lose the cause BUT Onias the son of the High-Priest Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. called also Onias who flying out of his Countrey Onias the son of Onias the High-Priest seeketh to build a Temple in Egypt lived in Alexandria with Ptolomey Philometor as we have heretofore declared C seeing all Judea destroyed by the Macedonians and their Kings and intending to acquire immortal praise determined to beseech the King Ptolomey and the Queen Cleopatra by Letters That it might be lawful for him to build a Temple in Egypt resembling in all things that at Jerusalem and that he might have liberty to place Levites and Priests in it of his own kindred And hereunto was he especially moved by a certain Prophecy of Isaiah who more than 600 years before had foretold that a Temple should be assuredly built in Egypt in honour of Almighty God by a Jew Being therefore encouraged by this Prediction he wrote a Letter to Ptolomey and Cleopatra to this effect During the time that I was employed in your Wars and by Gods favourable assistance have D done you many services I have visited Coelosyria and Phoenicia and have been in the City of Leontopolis which is in the Territories of Heliopolis I have also visited divers other places wherein the Jews have built Temples without observing those Rules that are necessary upon such an occasion which is the cause that they agree not among themselves as also the like hath hapned among the Egyptians through the multitude of Temples and the great diversity of Religions And having found out a very convenient place near a Castle called Bubastis in the Plain where there is store of all sorts of materials for building and Cattel fit for sacrifice I beseech you that it may be lawful for me to purifie the Temple that is ruinated in that place and dedicated to no sacred power and that in stead thereof to erect a Temple in honour of Almighty God according to the form and dimensions of that Temple which is at Jerusalem where E we shall pray for the preservation and prosperity both of your Self your Queen and Children And this will certainly unite all the Jews within the Kingdom of Egypt for they
practiseth great cruelties there several Wars concerning the kingdom of Syria The greatest part of the Jews extreme hatred against their King Alexander They call Demetrius Eucerus to their aid HE afterwards set upon Sephor a City near unto Azoch Ptolomey assaulteth Sephor from whence he departed with the loss of many men with an intent to fight with Alexander who came B forth to encounter him Hecatontamachi or the Warriors by hundreds and met with him near unto Jordan in a place called Asophon and encamped right over against the Enemy He had in his Vanguard 8000 men but the rest of his Forces not finding themselves so well armed were fearful to engage who carried brazen Bucklers Ptolomey's Vanguard also had Bucklers after the same fashion Philostephanus the Camp-master did not a little encourage them For he caused them to pass the River which separated the two Camps which Alexander would not oppose promising himself the victory if his Enemies could not retreat In the beginning of the skirmish each one of them fought with answerable valor so that a great number of them fell on both sides Alexander's overthrow But Philostephanus perceiving that Alexander's Army had the better he took a part of his followers and speedily seconded those who were ready to flie The C Wing of the Jews Vanguard seeing themselves freshly charged and not succoured by any means began to flie and so far were those that marched next them from yielding them assistance that all of them became partners in one shameful flight But they of Ptolomeys side behaved themselves far otherwise for they pursued and slew them and after they had put them in disorder they charged them so hotly that they blunted their Weapons and wearied their Arms with killing them It is reported that 30000 were slain in the battel Timagenes saith 50000 as for the rest some of them were taken Prisoners Ptolomey to the end he might afflict the Jews with more terror causeth his Soldiers to eat mans flesh and othersome fled unto their Houses After that Ptolomey had obtained this victory he over-ran and spoiled the whole Countrey and in the evening he quartered himself in certain Villages of Judea which he found full of Women and Children and D commanded his Soldiers without respect of person to cut their Throats and to chop them into pieces and afterwards to cast the morsels into a boyling Cauldron and when they were well boiled to eat the same All which he acted to the intent that they that were fled from the battel and retired to their own Habitations should know that their Enemies would eat mens flesh that by this means they might be more afraid of them Strabo and Nicholas report Ptolomais taken by force that they demeaned themselves after this manner as I have declared And Ptolomey took Ptolomais also by force as I have made known elsewhere But Cleopatra perceiving how her son prospered and how he had spoilt Jewry without any prejudice Cleopatra prepareth an Army against her son and subdued the City of Gaza she concluded with her self that she ought E not to suffer him to go on after that manner considering it was upon the borders of Egypt whose soveraignty he affected For which cause she suddenly marched out against him with an Army both by Sea and Land committing the command of her whole Forces to Chelcias and Ananias both Jews and sent the greater part of her riches into the Isle of Coos with her Nephews and her Will to be reserved and kept there in safety And after she had commanded her son Alexander to set sail toward Phoenicia with a great Navy because the Inhabitants of that Countrey were revolted she her self came to Ptolomais and besieged it when she perceived that they refused to grant her entry Ptolomey made haste to depart out of Syria and to enter Egypt hoping to be Master thereof when he should find the Countrey unarmed but he was deceived At that time it fortuned F Ptolomey driven out of Egypt that Chelcias one of the two Generals of Cleopatra's Army dyed in Coelosyria being in pursuit of Ptolomey Cleopatra having tydings of her sons enterprise and that the success and fortune he expected in Egypt had failed him she sent part of her Army to drive him out of the Countrey so that he was enforced to return back again out of Egypt Ptolomais besieged and taken by Cleopatra and to go and spend his Winter at Gaza Meanwhile Cleopatra besieged and took the City of Ptolomais whither Alexander resorted unto her with great Presents she received him very kindly in regard Ptolomey had used him so ill he having now no other recourse left him but to her favour and assistance Upon his arrival certain of her familiars counselled her to lay hands on him and to seize the Countrey and not to permit that so great number of Jews and so valiant men should become Subjects unto one man But Ananias gave G her counsel to the contrary alledging That she should commit an act of great injustice if she should depose him who was her Allie from the Government who was beside that very nearly H allied unto her The year of the World 3873. before Christ's Nativity 91. For said he I would you should know that by committing this wrong you shall raise in all the rest of the Jews a heinous hatred against you Cleopatra conforming her self to Ananias counsel resolved with her self to offer Alexander no injury but in stead thereof she entertain'd him as her allie and friend at Scythopolis a City of Coelosyria Now when Alexander perceived Alexander's peace with Cleopatra renewed that he was freed from the fear which he had conceived of Ptolomey he incontinently drew his Army into Coelosyria and after six months siege took Gadaâ—a he took shortly after Amath also which is a great Fortress belonging to the Inhabitants about Jordan where Theodore Alexander taketh Gadara the son of Zenon had hoarded up the richest and best part of his substance who surprising the Jews unawares slew about 10000 of them and pill aged Alexanders baggage I This did not any wayes astonish Alexander but notwithstanding the disaster he marched forward toward the Cities Raphia and Anthedon which Herod afterwards called Agrippias situate on the Sea-coasts and took them perforce and seeing that Ptolomey was retired from Gaza into Cyprus and that Cleopatra his mother was in Egypt he besieged the City of Gaza Alexander besiegeth Gaza and spoilt all the Countrey round about it by reason of the displeasure which he had conceived against the Citizens Apollodotus by night invadeth the Camp of the Jews for that they had sought Ptolomey's assistance against him Apollodotus Captain of the Gazeans made a sally by night and entred the Camp of the Jews having only with him 2000 foreign Soldiers and 1000 of his own followers And as long as the night lasted the
disposing of the Pharisees Hiâ—canus High-Priest commanding the people to obey and serve them She also renewed and confirmed that which Hircanus had disannulled and the Pharisees according to the customs of their forefathers had introduced so that she bare the name and the Pharisees the Authority Royal. The Pharisees admitted to the administration of the Commonweal are greedy of revenge For they restored such as were banished to their estates and delivered Prisoners and in all things they demeaned themselves like great Lords Alexandra I also for her part undertook the care of the Commonweal and kept a great number of Soldiers in pay and increased her power in such sort that the Tyrants round about feared her and deliver'd the hostages and pledges of peace All the Countrey was at quiet Aristobulus his followers accuse the Pharisees of Tyranny only the Pharisees troubled the Queen persuading her to put those to death who had counselled King Alexander to put those 800 to death of whom we have spoken before and they themselves afterwards slew one that was called Diogenes and after him divers others one after another until such time as those in authority came unto the Royal Palace accompanied with Aristobulus who seemed to be displeased with that which had been done and who if the occasion were offer'd made shew that he would not permit his Mother to govern after that manner and told her that which had K hapned and in what dangers they had been to express their duty and loyalty which they ow'd to their deceased Master and how for that cause they had been greatly honour'd by him requiring of her that she would not utterly frustrate them of their hopes which they expected for their service that now they that had escaped from the danger of their foreign Enemies were in their houses murthered like Beasts by their private Foes without any relief or succors from any one They furthermore urged That if their Adversaries would content themselves with those they had slain they would endure their misfortunes patiently by reason of the sincere affection they bare unto their Lords but if they must needs as yet suffer the like they required that they might have liberty to retire For that they would not procure their safety otherwise than by her consent and would rather suffer a voluntary death near unto her Royal Palace if they might L not be spared for that it would be a shame both for themselves and for the Queen if by her toleration those who had been her deceased husbands friends should be thus abused by them which were his Enemies That Aretas King of Arabias and other Princes would be glad of this news to hear that she should deprive her self of those whose names have been dreadful even amongst those neighbouring Kings who have but heard of them And if she had resolved to make more account of the Pharisees favor than of their service they intreated her that she would at least distribute them in several Castles that rather than any ill should fall upon their Sovereign Alexander 's house they were content to lead their lives in that contemptible and despicable condition Whilest thus they spake Alexandra committeth the custody of the Castles to the Jews directing their supplications to Alexander's soul praying him to have M compassion as well of those that were already dead as of those who were in danger of their lives the tears ran from the eyes of all the assistants and Aristobulus above the rest was heartily discontent and expressed the same by finding fault with his Mother But they themselves were the cause of their own calamity because that against all right and reason they had permitted a head-strong and ambitious Woman to reign over them as if the King had no Heirs reserv'd to succeed him in the kingdom The Queen uncertain how to determine the matter at that instant committed the charge of all her Castles into their hands reserving only Hircania Alexandrion and Machaeron wherein the Princes Moveables and Wealth was kept Not long after she sent her son Aristobulus with a strong Army commanding him to N draw his Forces towards Damascus Aristobulus is sent to Damascus against Ptolomey against Ptolomey called Mennaeus who was an ill Neighbor unto that City but he returned thence without doing any memorable action About the same time news was brought that Tigranes King of Armenia invaded Syria with 500000 Men of War Tigranes invading Syria heareth news of Lucullus's pursuit of Mithridates and returneth home intending shortly to set upon Jewry This rumor afrighted the Queen and all the Commonalty and not without cause Whereupon she sent Ambassadors with many Princely Presents unto Tigranes who besieged the City of Ptolomais For Queen Selena otherwise called Cleopatra reigned in Syria and persuaded the Syrians to deny Tigranes passage But Alexandra's Ambassadors met with the King of Armenia and pray'd him to conceive a good opinion of their Queen and of all the whole Nation of the Jews who received them willingly commending them for that O they had sought him out so far to do him honour and put them in good hope After the taking in of Ptolomais it was told Tigranes that Lucullus pursued Mithridates who was not as yet apprehended for that he was fled into Iberia which was the cause that Lucullus had entred Armenia The year of the World 3894. before Christ's Nativity 70. and plunder'd it Tigranes hearing this news returned back into H his own Countrey After this Queen Alexandra fell sick of a dangerous disease whereby Aristobulus took occasion to intermeddle with the affairs of State Walking therefore abroad one night attended by a trusty servant Alexandra's sickness and Aristobulus's attempt he repaired unto those Castles which were committed to the custody of his fathers friends for he had misliked his Mothers government long and feared more than ever that if she should die all her posterity should be made subject to the power of the Pharisees For he perceived how unapt his elder brother was to govern the kingdom unto whom notwithstanding the succession appertained only his Wife whom accompanied with his Children he had left with Alexandra had an inkling of this his intent He therefore went first of all to Agaba where Galestes one I of the chiefest Potentates commanded who entertained him with great joy The next day Aristobulus seizeth the Castles and great concourse of people resort to him the Queen heard that Aristobulus was departed from Court she little suspected at first that he was retired to work some alteration in the State But when Messengers came flocking one after another and told her that after the first Castle the second and after the second all the rest had consequently been surprized by Aristobulus at that time both the Queen and the whole Nation were alarmed fearing lest he should presently usurp the Sovereignty but above all they feared
hers that were privy to her design to carry them out in the night time and to go directly towards M the Sea where there was a Bark in readiness prepared to convoy them into Egypt But Esop one of her houshold servants declared this enterprize of hers to Sabbion on of Alexandras friends supposing that he had been made privy thereunto who had no sooner inkling thereof but for that beforetimes he was Herods enemy by reason he was suspected to have been one of those that sought to poyson Antipatar he resolved by discovery of this secret flight to convert Herods hatred into friendship and presently discovered Alexandras secret enterprize to the King Who dissembling the matter until it was upon the point of execution surprized her at such time as she thought to fly and yet notwithstanding he pardoned her that fault in that he durst not decree any punishment against her though he could have found in his heart to have used severity N for that Cleopatra would not have contained her self had she but had such an occasion offered her to express her hatred against Herod Herod contriveth Aristobulus death For which cause under the colour of a high and magnanimous spirit he made shew to pardon her of his meere clemency yet inwardly resolved to destroy young Aristobulus yet not rashly upon the instant lest the act should grow apparent and palpable Now the feast of Tabernacles was at hand which was one of those that was ceremoniously and solemnly celebrated among us for which cause he concealed his intents during the festival dayes intending both in himself and in the presence and company of the people to follow all kind of pleasure and delight yet his envy incited him to hasten the execution of his will Aristobulus was at that time some seventeen O years old who when he approached the Altar to offer sacrifices according to the law apparelled in the High Priests Ornaments to perform the ceremonies he who for amiable countenance and good stature surpassed the tenderness of his years expressing in his countenance the dignity and Nobility of his Race The year of the World 39â—1 Before Christ's Nativity 33. drew the eyes and good affections A of all the people unto him so that they openly called to remembrance the noble actions of Aristobulus his Grand-Father All the people being therefore surmounted by their affections and at that present time being all of them overjoyed they brake out by little and little into acclamations mixt with wishes and prayers so that the good will the people bare to Aristobulus discovered it self openly and they manifestly although too hastily in such a Kingdom declared what evils they generaly endured For all which causes Herod concluded to execute that which he had plotted against Aristobulus As soon therefore as the feast was over-passed he went into Jericho where Alexandra entertained him In that place he used Aristobulus with all kindness to draw him to secure some place playing with him and counterfeting to sport after the fashion B of the young men to gratifie him Now the place where they sported being too hot they quickly wearied left their sport and went out together to take fresh air and finding a pleasant shade under certain Arbours and near certain fish-pools which were largely spred round about they beheld certain of their Servants and Friends that swom therein with whom not long after Aristobulus began to swim being perswaded thereunto by Herod Whereupon Herods confederates who were deputed to execute the murther laid hands on him and thrust him under the water pretending to duck him in sport and never gave him over untill such time as they had stifled him in the water This hapned about the evening and after this manner died Aristobulus after he had lived in all for the space of eighteen years and administred the Priest-hood one whole C year Aristobulus is drowned by Herods direction Ananel restored to the Priest-hood and after this Ananel presently recovered his former dignity When this accident was reported to the women all of them burst out in tears and were transported with strange lamentations which they uttered over the dead body All the City also was mightily troubled neither was there any private family that thought not it self touched by this inconvenience but imagined the loss in particular to concern himself and no other But above all when Alexandra had notice of this wicked deed she was more passionate and perplexed than any other being so much the more discomforted for that she knew how all things had hapned But the fear of a far greater mischief constrained her to repress her passion so that divers times she was ready to bereave her of her own life The lamentation for Aristobulus death and dispatch her self out of misery with her own hands D But she contained her self to the end that surviving and living after her son who was so fraudulently destroyed and prolonging her own life without giving any suspition or shadow that she might with more opportunity expect the occasion to revenge her self For which cause she dissembled all things concealed her grief and made shew that she knew nothing of that which was either intended or had hapned As for Herod he laboured by all means to perswade the strangers that this death had befallen Aristobulus without his knowledg and did not only prepare that which was requisite for the funeral but made shew to be truly sorrowful and it may be that in remembrance of Aristobulus beauty and flourishing young years he was realy touched with compassion notwithstanding Herods counterfeit sorrow that he imagined that his death should be a means of his own security E demeaning himself in all things circumspectly with intent to purge himself of that crime But especially he shewed his great magnificence in the interring of his body both in the furnishing and preparation of the Herse as in the perfumes and other things thereunto belonging in such sort as the grief which the Ladies had conceived was pacified after this manner of consolation F G H CHAP. IV. The year of the World 393â— before Christ's Nativity 165. Herod is obliged to repair to Antonius to clear himself from Aristobulus's death he winneth him with Presents He gave order before his way-going to his Brother-in-Law Joseph to put Mariamne to death if Antonius should condemn him to die Joseph revealed it imprudently to this Princess and Herod put him to death for being jealous of him and Mariamne Cleopatra's unsatiable ambition and avarice BUT none of all these things could either move or mollifie Alexandra but daily more and more she increased her sorrow and in the height of her tears kindled her wrath with a desire of revenge Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herods Treasons and her sons traiterous murther She therefore acquainted Cleopatra by her private I Letters of Herods Treasons and her sons most miserable and untimely
age and beloved of him whom Alexander much accounted of This fellow many times amidst the multitudes exclaimed that truth and equity were banished out of the world and that in their stead malice and untruth reigned Whereby there was such a mist and a fog caused over the whole world that no man could see his own errors This his free Speech though it was not without danger yet all men hereat were moved for that he had some reason to shew his fortitude in so dangerous a time and every one was willing to hear his Speech and though themselves for fear were silent yet did they not reprehend him for speaking freely For the expectation of the event of so great mischief was able to have wrested from every one of them words of commiseration B Tyro with great audacity also came unto the King and begged of him that he might talk with him alone Tyro speaketh to Herod and not observing modesty he and the Captains were imprisoned which the King granting he used these words with great lamentation I can no longer O my King suppress this my grief which causeth me so boldly to speak though with my own peril yet if it please thee my King that which I intend to speak shall be for thine advantage Where now my Lord are thy wits Where is thy couragious mind ever hitherto able to match all difficult businesses whatever How happeneth it that thou hast so few Friends and Kindred For I account not them Kinsmen or Friends that permit such wickedness and hatred in thy Court which was most happy and fortunate And what art thou unto thy self Wilt thou not look and see what is done Wilt thou put to death C the two young Princes born unto thee by the Queen thy Wife who abound in all vertue and commit thy self now in thy old age unto one only Son who nourisheth impious Hopes and Designs and to thy Kindred who by thy own censure have often deserved death Dost thou not perceive that the people keeping themselves quiet and still do both condemn the errour of thy Friends and also pity and compassionate the two Princes Moreover all thy Soldiers and the Captains themselves have compassion on them and curse the Authors of this unfortunate calamity The King at first took these words of Tyro in good part as being admonished of the perfidious dealing of them about him and his own calamity But Tyro immodestly and Soldier like urging the King and for his own simplicity not able to D discern what fitted that time the King at last thought this rather a turbulent upbraiding him than a friendly adomonition and asking who those Captains and Soldiers were he commanded them all and Tyro also to be bound and kept in prison Then one Tripho the Kings Barber taking hereat occasion told the King that Tyro had often sollicited him Tyro is by his Son and a Barber accused to have practised Treason against the King as he shav'd the King to cut his throat with his razor promising him for recompence great rewards and that he should be one of Alexander's chief Friends Having spoken these words the King commanded him to be apprehended and the Barber and Tyro and his Son to be tortured Tyro his Son seeing his Father in most miserable torments and that he still persisted in them and by the Kings displeasure conjecturing that there was no hope of life told them that tortured E his Father that he would confess all the truth conditionally that his Father and himself might be no more tormented and having his request granted he told them that it was agreed that Tyro with his own hand should have killed the King for he could get opportunity to come unto the King when no man else was with him and so he would kill him and for Alexander's sake endure any torments whatsoever This spoken he delivered himself and his Father from further tortures but it is uncertain whether the tale he told was true or whether he devised it to free them both from torments Then Herod now laying all doubt aside if before he were in any thought what death his Sons should die Tyro with 300 Captains are accused before the people and slain Alexander and Aristobulus strangled at Sebaste and buried in Alexandrium and leaving no place to repentance and mercy he hastened to execute his purpose and producing 300 Captains and Tyro and F his Son and the Barber his accuser he accused them all before the people and the people throwing any thing that came to their hands at them they killed them every one And Alexander and Aristobulus was carried unto Sebaste and there by their Fathers command were strangled and their bodies carried by night into the Castle Alexandrium where there Grand-father by their Mothers side and many of their Progenitors lay buried But perhaps some will not marvel that a hatred so long a breeding should in the end so prevail that it overcame natural affections But one may justly doubt whether the fault were in the young Princes who exasperated by a hard Father so long time The cause of these calamities was Destiny and Gods Providence fell into such a hatred of him or whether it is to be imputed unto his unkindness and immoderate desire of Honour and Rule who could G not abide any to be his equal but rather chusing to do all at his own pleasure Or rather unto Fortune whose power the wisest living is not able to resist Wherefore I am perswaded Fortune hath predestinated all humane actions so that they must have a necessary event And this inevitable force we call Fate or fatal Destiny H for that there is nothing which it effecteth not But it sufficeth briefly to have touched this high matter which of it self is very difficult which attributeth something unto our actions and examineth the causes of the variety of our actions which speculation is already comprised in the two Volumes of our Law Wherein Alexander and Aristobulus offended Furthermore touching the Princes fault we may accuse their youthful arrogancy and their pride who did give too great ear to their Father's accusers and for that they were unjust searchers into his life and actions and that they maliciously suspected him and could not rule their tongues Herod's shameful errour not to be excused but hereby gave double occasion to their Adversaries and matters unto those tale-bearers that sought to get the King's favour But their Father 's shameful fault cannot be excused who suffered himself so to be over-ruled with passion that he I put them to death that were begotten of his own body without any proof or argument of the crimes laid unto their charge yea two young Princes of excellent feature of body not only beloved of their own Nation but also of strangers they were dextrous in all Exercises and commendable in Military Affairs and eloquent in Civil Discourses For in all these things
Villages he was very much displeased and the rather for that without any occasion or proffer of injury Anilaeus had assailed him in contempt of his Estate who was a chief Peer of the Countrey For which cause N he immediately assembled the greatest power of Horse and Foot he could gather to set upon Anilaeus and his Associates Anilaeus draweth his Forces into Mithridates's Countrey and spoileth his Villages and taketh him Prisoner Leading his Forces therefore against one of the Villages he kept himself in covert to the end he might fight the next day which was the Sabbath day on which the Jews attempted not any thing Whereof when Anilaeus was advertised by a certain Syrian who dwelt in another Village who had exactly told him all Mithridates's intent and the place where he intended to banquet with his Souldiers after he had made his Soldiers take their refreshment marched out by night to the end he might charge the Parthians before they might be advertised of his coming He therefore rushed in upon them about the fourth Watch of the night and slew those whom he found asleep and the rest being astonished thereat O were forced to save themselves by flight He also took Mithridates Prisoner and caused him to be carried away naked on an Ass which is one of the greatest disgraces A which the Parthians imagine may be offered them Having after this disgraceful manner carried him into a Forrest some of his familiars perswaded him to kill him but Anilaeus told them that they ought to deal with him far otherwise for that it behoved them not to kill a man who was one of the chief among the Nobility of the Parthians and one that was most honoured in regard of that affinity and alliance he had with the King that although all that which heretofore had been offered to Mithridates were insupportable yet if they should be instrumental to save his life he would pardon the injuries and reward them for their Mercy in saving his life whereas if they should deal severely with him the King would seek his revenge and make a horrible slaughter of those Jews that inhabited Babylon whom they ought to have compassion B of both for that they were of their blood and for that if any mischief should befal them they knew not whither to retire themselves Anilaeus dismisseth Mithridates whereas they might be assisted with the flower and select men of their nation Having thus discussed and debated the matter to his Soldiers his opinion was approved and they were perswaded and so Mithridates was sent back again But he no sooner returned home unto his house but his wife hit him in the teeth that he lived but by the mercy of his enemies notwithstanding he were the Kings Son-in-law that he had made no reckoning to punish those who had so much injured him that he likewise contented himself to have his life saved after he had been prisoner to the Jews For which cause said she recover thou thy former virtue and honour C which thou hast heretofore lost or I swear by the Gods of the King my Father that the bond of Marriage which is betwixt me and thee shall be dissolved Mithridates unable to endure these usual reproaches and on the other side apprehending his wives haughty courage from whom he feared to be separated he assembled the greatest power of men that he could possible notwithstanding it were against his will and led them forth supposing himself to be unworthy of life if he who by Nation was a Parthian should be put to the worst by the Jews When Anilaeus understood that Mithridates came forth against him with a great force he thought that it would redound greatly to his indignity if he should lie lurking amidst his Marshes and hoping that he should have no worse fortune against his enemies than he had at first and D building much upon his Soldiers who were ever wont to get the upper hand in their encounters he likewise drew forth his Army to them also others adjoyned themselves who sought nothing else but pillage and hoped that with their only presence they might discourage their enemy But after they had marched about ninety stades and passed thorow a County that was scant of water and were about the heat of the mid day burned up with thirst Mithridates Army came in sight and charged them even at that time when they fainted for want of drink and through the extremity of heat so as they could scarcely handle their weapons At that time Anilaeus's Soldiers encountring with Mithridates's fresh men were shamefully put to flight whereby it came to pass that a great number E of them were killed But Anilaeus himself and all those of his Company retired themselves in great haste into a Forrest leaving Mithridates Lord and Master of the Field whereof he was very joyful A great number of dissolute persons flock to Anilaeus with whom he spoileth certain Burroughs of the Babylonians Notwithstanding this disaster an infinite number of lawless men resorted to Anilaeus who set little by their lives provided there might no limit be proposed to their unbridled licentiousness so that he gathered a greater number of men than those he had lost yet they were far different in valour from the former for they were wholly ignorant of warlike discipline Notwithstanding he being accompanied with these men went and set upon divers Burroughs of the Babylonians which were totally destroyed by his rapine and violence For which cause the Babylonians and his other enemies sent unto Nearda to the Jews that were there F requiring that Anilaeus might be delivered into their hands The Babylonians require Anilaeus that they may punish him they assail and slay him whereunto condescending not for although they had a will to perform their request yet it lay not in their power to deliver him they required that they might live in peace And to treat of the conditions of peace the Babylonians sent certain men to confer with Anilaeus They having surveyed the place wherein Anilaeus kept assailed both himself and his followers by night and slew all those they encountred with without resistance and amongst the rest Anilaeus When the Babylonians saw that they were delivered from the oppression of Anilaeus who till that time had been as it were a bridle unto them to restrain and curb the hatred they conceived against the Jews with whom they had oftentimes been at odds by reason of the contrariety of their Religions G whereby it happened that they oftentimes fell at debate upon every opportunity when they met Now when Anilaeus's men were defeated the Babylonians set upon the Jews on all sides who seeing themselves in danger by reason of the insolence of the Babylonians against H whom they were too weak to make resistance and on the other side unable to live amongst them they went and dwelt at Seleucia a City famous in regard of
against Claudius and Calisthus was thereby thanked for a benefit which he no ways deserved Those that were about Chaereas day by day followed the action very slowly notwithstanding that he willingly delayed not The year of the World 4005. after Christ's Nativity 43. but thought on all occasions fit to finish his H purpose in for that he might assail him at such time at he ascended up into the Capitol or even then when he solemnized those Ceremonies which he had instituted in honour of his Daughter or at such time as he stood in the Palace to scatter Gold and Silver among the people by casting him from the top of the Palace into the Market place or at such time as he celebrated those Mysteries Chaereas expecteth the occasion to assail Caius that were introduced by him For no man suspected Chaereas so discreetly had he behaved himself in all things and he perswaded himself that no man would have thought that he should lay violent hands on Caius And although he had done nothing to any effect yet so it is that the power of the Gods was sufficient to give him force and to kill him without drawing weapon Chaereas was sore displeased against his companions in respect that he I feared that they would let slip their occasion and although they perfectly knew that he intended it for the maintenance of the Laws and for the good of them all yet did they request him to delay a little for fear lest in the execution he should in some sort miscarry and for that cause the City might be brought in trouble by the informations that would be made of that act and that at length when Caius should be so much the better provided against them they should not know how to shew their virtue when the time required that they should assault and set upon him They therefore thought it good that the opportunity to set forward this business should be the time in which the Games of the Palace were celebrated which were solemnized in honour of Caesar who first of all disanulled the Peoples Authority and K appropriated it to himself This Solemnity is celebrated in a Tent before the Palace where the noble Citizens with their wives and children remained to behold the sport and Caesar himself likewise At that time they concluded that it would be an easie matter for them The final conclusion of the Confederates as touching Caius death when so many thousands of people should be shut up in so narrow a place so that he who would step formost to give the stroke might very easily be succoured for that he could have no assistance although his Guard should have the courage and desire to defend him Chaereas resolved upon this and it was concluded that the first day of those sports that were next at hand the deed should be done but their adventure was greater than their conclusion For the delay was such as the third day was almost past and hardly could they be drawn to attempt L the matter on the third day At which time Chaereas assembled all the Confederates and told them that the opportunity of time had overslipt them accused and reproached them of slackness in that execution which had been so virtuously resolved among them and that it was to be feared lest if any should be discovered the whole matter should be frustrate by which means Caius might grow more cruel than he was before See we not said he that by how much liberty we take from our selves by so much we augment Caius tyranny whereas we ought first of all to obtain security for our selves and afterwards purchase perpetual felicity to others the greatest glory whereof shall redound unto our selves Now they having nothing to reply against so honourable a resolution and yet notwithstanding no ways enforcing themselves towards the action M but remaining altogether amazed without one word speaking Chaereas spake thus Most noble and generous Gentlemen what is the cause that we linger and delay in this manner See you not that this day is the last day of the Games and that Caius is ready to go to Sea for he hath determined to sail into Alexandria and to see Egypt truly it will be a small honour for us if we suffer him to escape out of our hands to the end that both by land and Sea he may triumph over the Romans negligence How can we chuse but condemn our selves justly and challenge nothing but dishonour if some Egyptian supposing that men of free condition could not any longer endure his insolence should put the matter in execution For mine own part I will dream no longer N upon your consultations but this very day will I hazard my self and betide me what can I will sustain all fortunes with pleasure and courage For I am a man of that mind that no danger can be so great or grievous to daunt me or draw me from so worthy an enterprize which some other will put in execution if I delay depriving me of the greatest honour and glory that the world can afford for its deliverance This said he departed with an intent to attempt and end the matter and encouraged the rest to do the like so that all of them were desirous to set hand to the enterprize without any further delay The custom was that the Captains of the Guard entred the Palace with their swords by their sides and in such equipage they asked the Emperor the Watch-word At that time it fortuned that it was Chaereas turn to fetch the O Watch-word a great number of people had flocked to the Palace to take up their places to behold the Games with great press and noise wherein Caius was A greatly delighted for there was no distinction of place either for Senators or Knights but each one sate together confusedly men and women slaves and freemen Caius arriving there first had offered sacrifice in honour of Caesar Augustus in whose honour likewise those sports were solemnized It came to pass that whilest those Beasts were embowelled that were appointed for sacrifice Asprenas Gown who at that time was Senator Caius sacrificeth to Augustus Caesar Asprenas was besprinkled with blood whereat Caius began to laugh yet notwithstanding this was a presage for Asprenas For he was slain that very day that Caius was It is reported that Caius at that time contrary to his own nature behaved himself most affably towards all men so that all the assistance were astonished to behold the courtesie that he used After the sacrifice was done he sate him B down to behold the Pastimes and had about him the most noble of his friends and familiars The Theatre Now was there every year a Theatre builded according to this form and fashion that ensueth It had two gates the one towards the open yard the other opening upon the porch by which the actors had their egress and regress without disturbance of
Jews that live under the Roman Empire to use the same Laws and Privileges which they have used heretofore as we have granted to the Jews that dwell in Alexandria I Which Suit of theirs we have willingly granted not only in favour of those that require the same but also for that I think them worthy of such a favour for whom I have been entreated in regard of the fidelity and friendship they have always expressed towards the Romans My pleasure therefore is that no City either Grecian or otherwise shall deny any privilege from whence they shall be excluded for that since the Emperour Augustus they have never been exempted from them It standeth with reason therefore that henceforth the Jews that live under our Empire of what place soever they be may observe their ancient Customs without any contradiction Giving them to understand that hereafter they use our Clemency so much the more moderately without neglecting the Religion of other Nations in retaining their own And our will is that this present Ordinance K be published by the Magistrates of Cities Colonies and Countreys of Italy and be sent unto Kings and Foreign Princes by sit Ambassadours within thirty days at the least to the end that they should be in such sort set up that they may be seen and read by all those that pass by CHAP. V. King Agrippa goeth to his Kingdom and putteth his Chain being a token of his Imprisonment into the Sacred Treasury of the Temple of Jerusalem He provideth for L the Dignity of the High Priesthood He is highly displeased at the Dorites insolence who had caused Caesar's Statue to be erected in the Jews Synagogue BY these Edicts of Claudius Caesar Claudius sendeth Agrippa into his Kingdom which he sent both to Alexandria and other parts of the World it plainly appeareth how well affected he was towards the Nation of the Jews And presently after this after he had dignified Agrippa with all kinds of Honour he sent him back into his Kingdom to govern the same commanding all his Presidents and Lieutenants in his Provinces thorough which he was to pass to give him a friendly and honourable Convoy But he having wisely and happily dispatched his Affairs returned in all haste As soon as he came to Jerusalem he offered M his Sacrifices of Thanksgiving which he had vowed without omitting any thing that was commanded by the Law He caused also divers Nazarites to cut off their hair Agrippa hangeth up his Golden Chain over the Treasury Chamber in the Temple and offered in Gift that Chain of Gold that Caius had given him which was of the same weight the Iron Chain was of wherewith his Royal hands were manacled in memory of the Adversity he had past and the Testimony of the exchange thereof into better Fortune commanding that it should be hanged up in the Temple and over the Chamber of the Treasury to testifie unto those that should behold it that the highest Estates are subject to alterations and that God can raise men again from Obscurity to happy Fortune For this Chain that hanged in the Temple being consecrated to God manifestly expressed unto all men that King Agrippa was upon a very N small occasion deprived of his former Dignity and made Prisoner and then a little while after that he being delivered from his Bonds was raised and exalted to a famous Kingdom to signifie thereby that Humane Affairs are of that nature that that which is the greatest may be easily overthrown and that which is declining may recover again its ancient Honour and Dignity When therefore Agrippa had duely and devoutly acknowledged God's mercies Simon the Son of Boethus placed in Theophilus's room he deposed the High Priest Theophilus the Son of Ananus and bestowed that Honour on Simon surnamed Canthara the Son of Boethus This Simon had two Brothers and Boethus was their Father whose Daughter had been married to King Herod Hedio Ruffinus chap 6. as heretofore it hath been mentioned Simon held the Priesthood with his Brethren and his Father as the three Sons of Simon O High Priest Son of Onias had done during the Empire of the Macedonians as we have declared in our former Books After the King had given order for the Priesthood A he thought good to recompence the good affection that they of Jerusalem had born unto him for which cause he acquitted them of those Tributes that every Family paid knowing that it became him to shew kindness unto them who had been faithful and well affected towards him He created Silas who had been his Companion in many dangers Agrippa releaseth the Tributes to those of Jerusalem General of all his Army Not long after certain young men that were Dorites under the colour of constancy in case of Religion who also had daily expressed the same in their actions and unbridled rashness brought the Image of Caesar into the Temple of the Jews and erected it in that place which insolence of theirs highly offended Agrippa Silas who construed it as an Act that tended to the abolition of the Religion of their Countrey The Dorites place Caesar's Statue in the Synagogue of the Jews and thereby vehemently offend both Agrippa and Petronius For which cause with all expedition he repaired to Petronius who was Governour B of Syria and complained against those Dorites who was no less displeased with the action than he himself For he supposed that such breach of Religion was the means to further Impiety and for that cause he wrote to those which had attempted this Innovation somewhat sharply to this effect following CHAP. VI. Petronius Governour of Syria's Letter to the Dorites concerning the Emperour's C Statue which they caused to be erected in the Jews Synagogue King Agrippa bestoweth the High Priesthood on Matthias Marsius is made Governour of Syria PUblius Petronius Alias cap. 5. Lieutenant to Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus P. Petronius writeth to the Dorites to send them to him who have broken Caesar's Edict to the Magistrates of the Countrey of Doria health Whereas Caesar hath published an Edict by which he permitteth the Jews to live according to their Laws and Customs some one amongst you have been so presumptuous as to contradict the same in effect although in words you protest that you obey him and do all that which you can to hinder the Jews from enjoying their Synagogue in so much as in the same you have set up Caesar's Image not only thereby opposing your selves against the Jews but also against the Emperour himself whose D Image might have been better placed in his own Temple than in a Foreign Temple And you have placed it in their Synagogue whereas by right every one ought to be master of his place according to Caesar's Judgment For it should be very ridiculous in me to alledge mine own judgment after that of Caesar's who hath granted the
should commit no such like offence For that his first action was not allowable Some of them also went to meet Albinus being on his way to Alexandria Ananus accused before Albinus to inform him that it was unlawful for Ananus to assemble the Council without his Licence Albinus perswaded by these words wrote a cholerick Letter to Ananus Jesus the Son of Damnaeus possesseth Ananus's place wherein he threatned to punish him And for the same cause King Agrippa dispossessed him of the Priesthood after he had held the same for the space of three months and in his stead he established Jesus the Son of Damnaeus After that Albinus was arrived in Jerusalem he employed all his care and study to pacifie the E Countrey by executing divers of the Thieves But the High Priest Ananias daily encreased in honour and credit and purchased the good will of the Citizens Some forcibly gather the Tenths of the Priests by his liberality and great gifts But he had some mischievous Servants about him who conversed with those that were most intemperate and audâ—cious who repaired from Barn to Barn and took up many Tithes that belonged to the Priests and beat those that refused to render them The Priests used no less violence than their servants having no man that might restrain them whereby it came to pass that the Priests who were formerly maintained by the tenth died at that time for want of Victuals And the Thieves renewing their entrance into the City by night during the Feast that was celebrated at that time The Thieves apprehend Ananias's Kindred and Servants took the Secretary of Captain Eleazar F alive who was Ananias's Son who was the High Priest And having bound him led him out of the City sending Ananias word that they would deliver his Secretary if he would prevail so much with Albinus as to deliver them their ten Companions then Prisoners who were taken by him To the performance whereof Ananias perswaded Albinus by manifest reasons Caesarea Philippi new builded by Agrippa and called Neronias And by obtaining his demand encreased and begat a number of miseries For the Thieves used all the cunning means they could devise in apprehending some one of Ananias's house and when they had taken any one of them alive they would not deliver him except before they might have one of their own delivered So that encreasing both in courage and number they became more and more insolent to afflict the Countrey G At that time King Agrippa enlarged the City of Caesarea The Berithians receive much kindness at Agrippa's hands surnamed Philippi and in honour of Nero called it Neronias He builded also to his great charge a Theatre in favour of the Berytians He distributed Oyl and Corn for every one of the people and adorned all the City with most antick and fine Portraitures upon the Porches The year of the world 4026. after Christs Nativity 64. In H short he transported into that City almost all the Ornaments of the rest of the Kingdom For which cause his Subjects began to hate him seeing he deprived them of their rare Ornaments to adorn one strange City Jesus the Son of Gamaliel succeeded in the Priesthood which the King had given him and taken away from Jesus the Son of Damnaeus who resigned him his place against his will Whereupon there arose a discord between them Ananias Costobarus and Saul prepared to spoil the weaker for having assembled their resolutest followers they came from bitter words to blows and stones But amongst all the rest Ananias was the richest in wealth and by his bounty reconciled the more unto him Costobarus also and Saul gathered each of them a Band of Rascals and desperate men These two were of the Blood-Royal and by reason of their affinity and alliance with Agrippa they were well beloved I For which cause they were insolent and violent oppressing always the weaker sort From this time forward the estate of our City grew desperate encreasing daily more and more in wickedness When Albinus understood that Gessius Florus came to succeed him Hedio Ruffinus chap. 17. alias cap. 22. desiring that they of Jerusalem should acknowledge some of his good deeds he called before him all those Prisoners that were notoriously guilty of Murther Albinus executeth the hainous Malefactors and caused them to be executed As for those that were imprisoned upon any small or slight cause upon payment of their Fines he delivered them and in so doing the Prison was cleansed of Malefactors and from that time the Countrey remained full of Thieves and Robbers The Levites Agrippa giveth them of the Tribe of Levi leave to wear the Linnen Garments who were ordained to sing Hymns to God solicited the King to assemble K the Council and thereby to permit them to wear the Linnen Robe which the Priests were accustomed to use telling him that such an Ordinance would dignifie his Estate very much in that he would be always famous in memory of this new Establishment Agrippa permitteth the Ministers of the Temple to sing the Sacred Hymns This Suit of theirs was easily granted for the King after he had consulted with those who were his Assistants suffered the Levites that sung the Hymns to lay aside their ordinary Robe and to apparel themselves in Linnen as best liked them He permitted also that another part of the Levites who intended the service of the Temple should learn to sing the Hymns and Psalms as they had required All which he did contrary to the Ordinances of the Countrey which being broken there was nothing else to be expected but Punishment L At that time the building of the Temple was finished The people of the Jews beseech the King that it may be lawful for them to repair the Porch And the people perceiving that more than eighteen thousand Work-men should be idle and deprived of Wages whereupon they were accustomed to live by the building of the Temple on the other side being loath to reserve their money through the fear they had of the Romans to provide for those Workmen in the entertainment of whom they resolved to employ their Treasure for if any one of them wrought but one hour of the day he was suddenly paid his wages they requested the King that it would please him to repair the Eastern Gate on the outward part of the Temple scituate in a Descent the Walls whereof were in height four hundred Cubits made of square Stones of white Marble from the top to the bottom and every stone twenty foot long and six M foot thick This Work was first builded by King Solomon who was the first that builded our Temple But Agrippa to whom Claudius Caesar had given the Commission of building of the Temple thinking with himself that it was very easie to break it down but very hard to build it up and that to re-edifie the Porch
us he speaketh ill of them to gratifie whom he took all this pains For the Egyptians do not only use those customs which Appion in us disalloweth Appions death but also do teach others to circumcise themselves as Herodotus reporteth So that I verily think that Appion was justly punished for blaspheming his Country-Laws and Religion For being forced to circumcise himself to avoid a great disease The defence of Moses against Appollonius and Lysimachus he was hereby nothing helped but for all this his privy member rotting he in extream grief and misery L gave up the Ghost For wise men ought to persevere in their Country-Laws in all piety and not to deride and detract others but Appion forsook his own Religion and slandered and belied ours And this was Appions end and here also should end this Book but that Appollonius Molon and Lysimachus and certain others partly for ignorance partly for madness have most injuriously belied our Law-maker Moses and the Laws he made detracting him as a deceitful Magician and Author of all the malice and impiety amongst us and for such as teacheth no vertue nor goodness at all I will therefore as far as in me lieth declare both our Conversation in general M and in particular For if my Judgment be any thing our Laws are most forcible both to piety and to all humanity in general as also to Justice pains-taking and contempt of death I only request this favour of the Reader that he will not with a prejudicate or malicious opinion peruse these Writings for I do not write this as a praise and vain ostentation of our Nation but as a just Apology refuting the slanderous reports that some have used against us Appollonius doth not continually inveigh against us as Appion doth Wherein Apollonius accuseth the Jews but only here and there sometimes affirming us to be hated both of God and man sometimes to be Cowards sometimes contrariwise complaining of our Nations Boldness Saying moreover that we are more sottish than any barbarous Nation and that therefore we only have had none of our Nation founders of Arts or Sciences which N are profitable for mans life all which objections are easily refuted if we shew the contrary to all these by him reported both that we have obeyed our Laws and lived in all integrity If therefore I be forced to shew that other Nations have made contrary Laws The lovers of order and common laws are excellent in meekness and vertue not I but they are to be blamed who comparing ours with them of other Nations affirm ours to be the worse neither of which can charge us eitheir that these Laws which I will briefly set down are not ours or else that we have not persisted in them as we ought Making therefore this beginning I affirm that they who have framed themselves to live together under certain Rules and Ordinances and kept them inviolate and were the first founders of them were more to be commended O for humanity and vertue than they who live under no Rule nor Ordinance A at all and every Law-maker endeavoureth so to attribute Antiquity to their own Ordinances as that they may not be thought to imitate others but to be themselves the first Authors thereof and guides to direct other mens lives Which being so it is the duty of a good Law-maker to make choice of that which is best and most convenient for them who are to obey their Laws and to satisfie them as much as may be Moses more ancient than all other Law-makers in proving their Laws to be good and right and both in wealth and wo calamity and felicity to remain in them neuer changing nor altering them I therefore aver 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This word Law is not in Homer that our Law-maker is more ancient than any Law maker mentioned For Lycurgus and Solon and Seleuchus of Locris and those the Greeks admire are modern and of late times in in respect of him as is well known For the Greeks B themselves confess that in times past they wanted the name of Law This Homer can witness who in his whole Works never mentioneth this word Law for the people of those times were not governed by Laws but by indefinite sentences and the Princes pleasure The life of Moses using customs but not written and altering and changing them also as occasion served But our Law-maker being very ancient for this is every way manifest even by our adversaries own confessions shewed himself both a good Prince and Counsellor unto his people for making Laws to direct and govern mens lives he perswaded them voluntarily to imbrace them and firmly to persist in them with all wisdom C And first of all let us consider the works of his greatness For he undertaking the conduct of many thousand of our fore-Fathers out of Egypt into our own Country delivered them from many calamities almost impossible to be avoided for they being to pass through a place wherein was no Water and a very sandy ground being also to War and preserve their Wives and Children and goods from the variable event of Wars he in all these shewed himself a most wise and prudent Counsellor and a true Patron and Guide unto them all For he made all the multitude so to depend upon him Moses maketh God his guide and Counsellor that he might perswade them to what he pleased and yet in none of all these did he usurp any Authority over them and in that time and place wherein all men of Authority assume D power unto themselves and exercise tyranny at such time as the people do oftentimes offend and live in all manner of impiety at the same time he being in Authority did contrariwise use all lenity and mildness to the intent that he might be a pattern of vertue and justice to all the rest giving all those that willingly followed him most assured safety using in all accidents most strange works For which cause he rightly deemed God to be his Captain and Counsellor and first examining himself and finding all the Laws he had set down were agreeable to the will and pleasure of God the chiefest care he had was how to perswade his people to the same which he himself now knew for they who direct their Lives according to the will of God avoid all sins as our Law-maker did being neither Magician E nor deceiver The origin of Laws amongst the Greeks as his Enemies injuriously report but such a one as the Greeks do boast Minos and others after him to have been for some of them affirmed their Laws to be made by Jupiter others by Apollo and Delphos Oracle either so believing themselves or else thinking that the people would be easily so perswaded Now who of all the Law-makers made the best Law and who did most rightly think of God he that compareth all their Laws together may easily
know for now occasion is offered to speak of them there are therefore an infinite company of Nations aâ—d Laws amongst men and some Nations are ruled by Monarchs others by the common consent of the people But our Law-maker doing neither of these did as one should say therein declare his Common-wealth to be Divine F chiefly assigning all power and principality over us to God causing all men to fix their minds and cogitations on him as the only Giver and Author of all goodness giving them to understand that whatsoever in their necessity they intreat him for He heareth their prayers and understandeth what every man doth in private yea his very cogitations and that he is One Unbegotten and in all times Immutable and Eternal The opinion of the wisest Greeks concerning God differing in a most excellent shape from all mortal creatures and this we knew but we are altogether ignorant what God is as touching his Substance and Essence And thus the wisest Greeks that ever were judged of God who how learned they were he giving the ground of all their knowledg I now omit to rehearse and that these things afore rehearsed are best and most agreeable to the nature and magnificence G of God many do witness as Pythagoras Anaxagoras and Plato and after them the Stoicks and almost all other Philosophers have so thought H of the Divine nature But they delivering this their Philosophy in short speech durst not publish the truth of their doctrine among the people already seized upon by superstitious opinions But our Law-maker's works and words so agreed that he satisfied at large all his people Moses compared with other law-makers and they that were to be born of them and their successors inspiring as it were a certain constancy into them to persevere in the same still referring the cause of his Laws to their own profit and commodity For he did not affirm the worship of God only to be part of vertue but he assigned other part thereof to wit fortitude justice and mutual concord of all his Citizens For all our actions speeches and what else soever The methods of morality and discipline are all referd to divine piety Which he left not touched without any I more discourse of it For these two are the methods of all discipline and morality whereof one frameth and directeth the speech the other the manners and actions which being so other Law-makers were indeed wise in advice and counsel and yet they made choice of one of these Methods and left the other for the Lacedemonians were instructed in manners and not in words as also they of Crete were but the Athenians and almost all the Greeks were directed and trained up by Laws in every thing they were to do yet never could they put their written Laws in practice But our Law-maker very industriously did conjoyn both these together for he neither omitted the training them up in manners and good exercises neither did he surcease to leave them written K Laws And first of all makeing his entrance from the very meats and prescribing to every one a convenient diet he left no man liberty amongst us to direct himself in the least matter concerning his meat but he by Laws defined both from what meats we were to abstain Moses commandeth all the Jews to come and hear the Law and what to eat and what ought to be our ordinary diet as also when we ought to labour and when to cease from work so that we as it were under the government of a Father or Master might neither sin willingly nor for ignorance for he did not apoint punishment for them that were ignorant of it but by Law enacted a most necessary and mild chastisement for the voluntary offenders and for this cause he did not only will that L we should once or twice or oftener hear the Laws but that once every week we all omitting other business should come to hear the Laws and so learn them perfectly which things all other Law-makers as it is well known omitted All which laudable customs all other Law-makers have neglected and the most part of men are so far from living according to their own laws that they are altogether ignorant of them and having offended their laws through ignorance they then learn by other mens means that they have made breach of their laws yea the chiefest and most eminent men amongst them do profess herein that they are ignorant causing those that are learned and skilful in their Laws to sit as it were in commission M with them to direct them Whereas every one of our Nation being demanded of our Laws can answer as readily as he can tell his own name for every one of us learning them as it were so soon as we come to the use of reason we have them as it were written and printed in our minds and by this means both we offend more seldom and when we offend we are sure to be punished And this especially is that which hath caused such an unity and concord amongst us For to worship one God after the same manner without any difference in manners and conversation is the only way to establish amity and concord in a Common-wealth The concord of the Jews in Religion N Amongst us no man shall hear any different speechs and opinions concerning God whereas amongst all other Nations it is most frequent and ordinary for amongst them not only every one of the common people doth speak his pleasure in this point but divers Philosophers also presume to do it some of them with their blasphemous speeches altogether destroying the nature of God and others with the like impudency denying him to have any care of men neither is there any difference amongst us of affairs pertaining to mans life but all men with us follow one common express labour and we all joyntly affirm the Son of God and that he hath care of humane affairs and all our actions and exercises yea any one may learn of our Women and Children that all things whatsoever are to be reduced to piety O A Hence it groweth that some detract our Nation for that amongst us were no men Inventers of new matters and Arts. To whom we will thus answer That other Nations account it a glory not to persist in any thing that their forefathers used and hold them of most account who can best transgress their forefathers wisdom But we contrariwise do account it the chiefest point of wisdom and virtue neither to do nor think any thing contrary to that which our Ancestors have decreed which is a token that our Law was established by as good advice as was possible For those Laws that in all points are not as they ought to be are often by experience found faulty But amongst us who believe that our Law was first established by the will and pleasure of Almighty God nothing is pious and virtuous