by his favor but Gods election he came into the Congregation where he uttered not one word against the People but addressing himself to Chore he expostulated with him and accused him with great vehemency being besides his other qualities by nature eloquent and fit to speak in publick Assemblies I think saith he Chore Moses's Oration to seditious Chore. that both thou and every one of these pointing with his finger at the 250 Men of his faction are worthy of honour yea I contemn not the rest of this Assembly I Ver. 8 c. although they are not to be compared to you in Riches and other endowments But neither doth Aaron therefore possess the Priesthood because he is richer for thou hast more ample possessions than either of us neither because he is more noble for God hath equally imparted the same unto us all having given us one and the same Grandfather neither have I been moved thereunto by Brotherly affection to bestow that on him which was due unto others For had I consider'd any thing but God and the obedience Iowe to him I should rather have taken this honour to my self than have given it him since there is no man more near to me than my self For what wisdom had it been in me to expose my self to those dangers which they incur who commit an injustice and suffer another man to reap the advantage of it But God forbid that my Conscience should be stained with any such sin were I guilty of this fault God would not leave K me unpunished who had contemn'd him nor you ignorant of what ye ought to do in order to please him 'T is he not I that chose the High Priest and by this means he hath acquitted me of that accusation which in this respect might be brought against me But though Aaron hath obtained this degree not by my favor but by God's own appointment yet notwithstanding he referreth and remitteth the matter to the publick disposition and order of you all neither requireth be any prerogative for that he hath already exercised the charge but esteemeth it to be the greatest good fortune that may befall him to see your Mutiâies and Seditions cease although with the loss of that honour which he hath received from your own election For neither have we been guilty of desrespect towards God in accepting that which it pleas'd him to give us nor on the contrary could we refuse it without impiety But since it is a thing most reasonable that L he who gives should confirm the gift which he hath given God therefore shall once again determine who amongst you shall be chosen to offer Sacrifice unto him and to take charge of those things which appertain to Religion And surely Chore will not be so bold as to pretend by the desire he hath to this dignity to deprive God of the authority to dispose the same as best liketh him Cease therefore to mutiny amongst your selves and to be tumultuous upon this occasion let every one of you that desire the Priesthood to morrow bring each of you his Censer with perfumes and fire from his house And thou O Chore be not asham'd to yield unto God and to expect his judgment without going about to raise thy self above him but come thou also amongst the rest of the Competitors in this honour to hear the decision Neither see I cause why M Aaron should not be there also present to be judged with thee in that hitherto he hath virtuously and uprightly behaved himself in the execution of that office and is likewise of the same Tribe and Race that thou art of To shall all offer Incense in the presence of the People and let him whose offering shall be most acceptable in God's sight be declared and established High Priest so shall I be acquitted of that slander which is wrongfully urged against me of having by my particular grace and favour bestowed the office of the Priesthood on my Brother After Moses had spoken in this manner the People gave over murmuring and the suspitions which they had conceiv'd against Moses approving in themselves all that which had been spoken as being profitable for the Commonwealth So the Assembly separated N O A CHAP. III. How the Authors of the Sedition were slain by God's judgment and the Priesthood confirmed to Aaron and his Sons THe next day the People re-assembled Ruffin chap. 1 to assist at the sacrifice Numb 16. 31 32 33. and to see the controversie decided amongst the Competitors neither was this Assembly without B some tumult for the whole multitude were in suspence in expectation of the event and some of them were desirous that Moses might be convicted of deceit But the wiser sort desired to see an end of the Sedition for they feared lest the Common-wealth should be utterly ruin'd if the Tumult should proceed any further The multitude likewise being naturally desirous of novelty and prone to speak evil of their Magistrates were diversly disposed upon every occurrent Moses sent his servants to Abiram and Dathan to summon them to appear according to the accord to attend the issue of the sacrifice Dathan and Abiram rebellious But their answer was that they would not obey him nor any longer permit him to assume to himself a Soveraign authority over them Which when Moses understood he took divers of the Elders of the People with him C and though he was establish'd by God to command over all in general yet he disdained not to go in person to these Revolters Now when Dathan and those of his faction understood that Moses with the Nobles were coming unto them they their Wives and Children came out of their Tents to wait for him resolutely having with them also their Servants who were armed to oppose themselves against Moses if so be he should offer them any violence He no sooner drew near to them but lifting up his hands unto Heaven he cried out with a loud voice in the hearing of the whole Multitude Moses prayer unto God and prayed after this manner O God said he Thou Lord over all that which either Heaven or Earth or Sea containeth thou art a sufficient witness to me of all mine actions v. 15. for that I have managed all things by thy will and thou art he who hast given D me power to execute my purposes thou that alwayes in commiseration of the Hebrews hast been my perpetual help and asistance hear this my Prayer For nothing that is either done or thought is hidden from thee for which cause I hope thou wilt not disdain to testifie and justifie my truth and manifest the ingratitude of these Men. Thou knowest Lord every thing that hath passed in the first years of my life not for that thou hast heard it but for that thou hast seen and been present at it Thou knowest also all that hath hapned to me since nor is
and come to the Horse-race there to consult with others N how to effect their design At the appointed place they found many others assembled Sedition against Joseph Jesus the Son of Saphias conspireth against Joseph and all of them determin'd with one consent to treat me as a Traytor to the Commonwealth But he that most of all incited them to this was Jesus the Son of Saphias who at that time was a principal Judge in Tiberias a Man given over to all Wickedness and born to breed Troubles and Sedition This Man holding the Law of Moses in his hand in the midst of the Assembly spake thus with a loud voice If said he you be touched with no care of your selves yet at least contemn not these Sacred Laws which that perfidious Joseph your Governor hath not feared to violate and for so great a Crime cannot be too severely O punisht A After he had thus spoken and saw he was approved by the acclamations of the people he took some armed men with him and repaired to the house where I lodg'd with intent to put me to death Simon one of Josephs guard awaketh him I suspecting nothing of all this Tumult and tired with labor was at rest when suddenly Simon one of my Guard who at that time only remained with me seeing this furious Troop of people came and awakened me and certifying me of the imminent peril he counsel'd me rather generously to kill my self than shamefully die by mine Enemies hands I recommended my self to God and putting on a black Garment to disguise me and having onely my Sword by my side I went forth and pass'd through the midst of these people and so went strait to the Hippodrome by a by way There falling prostrate on my face Joseph moves the people to compassion in view of all the people I water'd the earth with my tears B to move all men that beheld me to compassion And when I perceived the people begin to melt I laboured all I could to divide them in opinion before the armed Soldiers returned from my house I confess'd that I had kept the booty for which I was accus'd but I desir'd them to hear to what use I had reserved it after which if they pleas'd they might kill me Hereupon the multitude commanded me to speak and the armed men being returned back at the same time and beholding me would have fallen upon me to murther me but they were restrained by the peoples exclamations and they suppos'd that after I had confess'd that I design'd to restore the booty to the King I should pass for a Traytor and they might kill me without opposition Now silence being made to hear me Joseph's oration and confession before his adversaries I spake thus If in your opinion I deserve death C I refuse not to die yet permit me before my death to certifie you of the whole truth When I observed that this City was most commodious and fit to entertain strangers and that many forsaking their own Countries came to dwell here and were willing to partake with you in all sorts of Fortune I resolved to employ this money to build you Walls to your City for which being thus destinated to do you good your indignation is provoked against me Upon these words the Taricheans and strangers cried out that I deserv'd thanks and wish'd me to be of good courage But the Galileans and Tiberians continued in their animosity so that they fell to dissent betwixt themselves the one threatning me with punishment the other contrariwise willing me to assure my self of security But after I had promised the Tiberians and those of other Cities that I would D build their Walls Joseph escapeth from danger where it was convenient they credited my words the multitude separated and I beyond all expectation having escap'd so great a peril with certain of my Friends and some twenty Soldiers returned to my house But once again the Authors of this Sedition Joseph in another danger fearing lest they should be punished for their offence begirt my Lodging with six hundred armed men intending to consume it with fire Of whose arrival as soon as I had intelligence imagining with my self that it would be much dishonor for me to flie I resolved to use valor and courage against them for which cause commanding the Gates to be shut I required them from the top of the house to send in some of them to me to receive that money for which they had been drawn into this mutiny whereby they might have no further cause to be incensed against E me Joseph's stratagem Which done laying hold of one of the most troublesom Fellows that with the rest came into me I caused him to be beaten with many grievous strokes and his hand to be cut off and hung about his neck and thus handled we thrust him out of doors to return to those that had sent him Another Sedition So bold an action made them wonderously afraid and suspecting I had a great number of armed Soldiers in my house they suddenly all of them fled away And thus by my resolution and address I escaped this second danger Yet wanted there not some who incited the people once more against me saying that the two Lords who fled to me for refuge ought not to live except they submitted themselves to their Laws and Customs from whom they required protection They likewise accused them that they were of the Roman Faction and prisoners and presently the people began F to mutiny being deceived by their words who laboured to flatter them Which when I heard I once more informed the people that they ought not to persecute those who resorted unto them for succor that the poysoning they spoke of was a Fancy and a Chimera and that the Romans would not vainly nourish so many thousands of Soldiers if they pretended to make away their Enemies with poyson Being by these words somewhat pacified they had scarcely withdrawn themselves awhile but that by certain outcasts and wicked men they were incited against the two Lords so that with Weapons they went to their Lodging intending to murther them Which when I heard I was afraid that if this wickedness should be committed no man hereafter would dare to trust his life in my hand For which cause being assisted by divers others I presently resorted G to their Lodging Joseph privately dismisseth the Tricheanâ and shut up the Gates and cutting a Trench betwixt it and the Lake I called for a Bark and entring into the same with them I conducted them to the Confines of the Hippenians and furnishing them with money to buy them Horses because they could not transport their own with them in their flight I dismissed them desiring H them to bear their present misfortune with a constant mind But indeed it troubled me that I was once more forced to expose those men in
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 Absaâom 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
will all in this place assemble to celebrate the praises of God according as it hath been foretold by the Prophet Isaias There shall be saith he a Temple for our Lord God in Egypt many other things also hath he foretold touching this place This is the substance of that which Onias wrote unto King Ptolomey And by his answer which he made hereunto a man may easily conjecture what piety was both in him and Cleopatra his sister and wife For they have returned the sin and transgression of the Law which through this means fell upon Onias's head by this answer that ensueth F King Ptolomey and Queen Cleopatra to Onias the High-Priest Health We have perused your Letters by which you desire us to give you leave to cleanse the Temple that is defaced at Leontopolis in the seignory of Heliopolis in the place called Bubastis in the Plain We marvel very much that a Temple built in a place so unclean and full of execrable Beasts should be acceptable unto God but since that you inform us that the Prophet Isaiah did long since prophesie the same we give you liberty if it may be done according to the Law and with this condition that we commit not any sin against God G Upon this answer Onias taking possession of the place built therein a Temple and erected an Altar unto God according to the model of the Temple of Jerusalem but H far less and less rich I think it no wayes requisite to declare the dimensions thereof nor the vessels belonging to it because I describe them particularly in my seventh book of the Wars and Captivity of the Jews neither wanted there some Levites and Priests who being of the same opinion with Onias officiated at the celebration of Divine Service A Temple built in Egypt by Ptolomey's consent But let this suffice for the present touching the Temple But it came to pass that the Jews of Alexandria and the Samaritans that brought in the Service and Worship of the Temple upon the mount Garizim under Alexander the Great The Wars of the Jews lib. 7. cap. 37. dissented from one another and debated their differences before Ptolomey For the Jews said That the Temple in Jerusalem built according to Moses laws and ordinances Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching their Temple was the lawful Temple but the Samaritans maintained That that which was built I on mount Garazim was the true Temple They therefore besought the King That it would please him to sit in judgment with the assistance of his friends to hear their allegations in this behalf and to condemn the party unto death who should be found faulty in his process Now the advocates which pleaded for the Samaritans were Sabbeus and Theodosius and Andronicus the son of Messalem defended the cause of those of Jerusalem and the other Jews And both of them swore both by God and the King That they would bring their proofs according to the Law beseeching Ptolomey to adjudge him to death whom he should find to have falsifi'd his oath The King therefore sat down with his friends to hear the cause and determine their differences But the Jews of Alexandria were much displeased with them that had drawn the preheminence of the Temple K at Jerusalem into question and were highly discontent that a Temple so ancient and famous and so esteemed and honoured through the whole World should be so disparaged When therefore the day of Audience was come Sabbeus and Theodosius suffered Andronicus to speak first who began to prove the lawfulness holiness and religion of the Temple in Jerusalem out of the Law and by the successive government of the High Priests who from father to son and from hand to hand had received this honour therein alledging That all the Kings of Asia had honoured the Majesty of that place with presents and rich oblations whereas neither in the record of men nor course of antiquity the Temple of Garizim had been in any estimation Hereunto he added such other reasons as persuaded the King that the Temple of Jerusalem was built according to L the ordinance of Moses and caused him to adjudge Sabbeus and Theodosius to death This may suffice to have spoken concerning the differences of the Jews of Alexandria and such things as befell them during Ptolomey Philometors time CHAP. VII Alexander Ballez finding himself by the death of Demetrius in the peaceable possession of the Realm of Syria espouseth the daughter of Ptolomey Philometor King of Egypt Great honour is done by Alexander to Jonathan the High-Priest M AFter that Demetrius was slain in the field as we have already related Alexander made himself King of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. and wrote to Ptolomey Philometor 1 Mac. 11. 1. desiring his daughter Alexander King of Syria marrieth Cleopatra Ptolomeys daughter the Princess Cleopatra in marriage telling him That it was not below his dignity to contract affinity with him since he had obtained his fathers Empire by the favor of God and had overcome Demetrius Ptolomey yielding a willing ear to his request wrote back That he was very glad that he had recovered his fathers kingdom promising him to give him his daughter in marriage assuring him that he would meet him at Ptolomais and bring his daughter unto him to that place and there celebrate the Nuptials After he had written these Letters Ptolomey made haste to Ptolomais and led with him his daughter Cleopatra where meeting with Alexander according to their appointment he deliver'd him his daughter N and gave her a dowry worthy of so great a King Unto the solemnizing of his marriage Alexander by Letters invited the High-Priest Jonathan commanding him to come to him to Ptolomais He went thither and presented magnificent Presents to both the Kings he was highly honour'd by both insomuch as Alexander constrained him to put off his ordinary garments and to put on a purple robe and after that to sit upon a royal Throne commanding his Captains to march before him through the City and to command by publick Edict That no man should dare to speak anything against him nor offer him any cause of discontent All which the Captains performed so that they who purposely and maliciously came thither to accuse him seeing the honour that was done unto him by the King fled away lest the mischief which they designed for him should fall upon O their own heads This King Alexander loved Jonathan so intirely that he afforded him the chief place amongst his dearest friends CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3818. before Christ's Nativity 146. A Demetrius Nicanor the son of King Demetrius entreth into Cilicia with an Army King Alexander Ballez gives the command of his to Apollonius who with very ill success sets upon Jonathan the High-Priest who defeats him takes Azot and burns the Temple of Dagon Ptolemey Philometor King of Egypt
by this means more grievously wound himself Herods sister and his mother incense the King by slandârous reports against Mariamne through the desire he bare unto his deceased delight Whilst thus he was tortured in his passions and conceived sinister opinions against Mariamne his Wife Salome his sister and his mother having an inkling of his discontents thought that they had gotten a fit opportunity to express and execute their hatred towards Mariamne for which cause they conferred with Herod and whetted his spleen and displeasure with variety of slanders sufficient at one assault to engender hatred and kindle his jealousie against her To these reproaches of theirs he lent no unwilling ears yet L he had not the heart to attempt any thing against his Wife or to give free credit to their report notwithstanding his displeasure increased and was inflamed more and more against her for that neither she could colour her cares and discontents nor he contain himself from exchanging his love into hatred and perhaps at that time he had published some fatal doom against her had not a happy messenger brought him word that Anthony and Cleopatra being dead Anthony and Cleopatra slain Caesar was become Lord of Egypt for which cause Caesar Lord of Egypt hasting forward to meet and entertain him he left his family in that present estate Upon his departure he recommended Mariamne to Sohemus giving him great thanks for the care he had had of her Sohemus honoured by Herod with dignities and granting him in way of gratuity a part of Jewry to govern M When Herod was arrived in Egypt Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. and had friendly and familiarly conferred with Caesar he was highly honoured by him for Caesar gave him those four hundred French men that were of Cleopatra's guard Caesar enlargeth Herods dominions and restored that part of his Countrey unto him again which was taken away and spoiled by her He annexed also unto his Kingdom Gadara Hippon and Samaria and on the Sea Coasts the Cities of Gaza Anthedon Joppe with the Tower of Straton which when he had obtained he grew more mighty than before and after he had accompanied Caesar as far as Antioch he returned into his own Countrey Upon his arrival he found that fortune which was favourable unto him abroad too froward at home especially in regard of his Wife in whose affection he seemed to be most happy For he was as inwardly touched with the lawful love of N Mariamne Mariamne a froward woman as any other of whom the Histories make report and as for her she was both chaste and faithfull unto him yet she had a certain womanly imperfection and natural frowardness which was the cause that she presumed too much upon the intire affection wherewith her husband was intangled so that without regard of his person who had power and authority over others she entertained him oftentimes very outragiously All which endured he patiently without any shew of discontent But Mariamne upbraided and publickly reproached both the Kings mother and sister telling them that they were but abjectly and basely born Whereupon there grew a great enmity and unincoverable hatred between the Ladies and from thence also there arose an occasion of greater accusations and calumniation O than before These suspitions were nourished amongst them for the space of one whole year after Herods return from Caesar and at length this long contriv'd hatred brake out violently upon this occasion that ensueth Whenas about mid-day the King had withdrawn himself into his Chamber to take his rest The year of the World 3936. before Christ's Nativity 28. he called Mariamne to him to A sport with her being incited thereunto by the great affection that he bare unto her Upon this his command she came unto him yet would she not lie with him nor entertain his courtings with friendly acceptance but upbraided him bitterly with her fathers and brothers death The King took these reproachful words in very evil part and was almost ready to strike her but his sister hearing a greater stir and noise than was usual sent the Butler who long before that time was suborned by her whom she commanded to tell the King that Mariamne had prepared a drink for him to incite and quicken him unto love Charging him moreover that if the King in hearing him speak of this potion should seem to be moved therewith that then he should proceed further in his discourse He therefore being in this manner before-hand instructed B what he ought to do at that very instant was sent to discover his treachery unto the King for which cause with a sober and stayed countenance he entred in unto him being seriously and well prepared to discourse and told him that Mariamne had bribed him to present his Majesty with an amorous cup of drink Now when he perceived that the King was troubled with these words he prosecuted his discourse alledging that the potion was a certain medicine which Mariamne had given him the vertue whereof he knew not which he had received according as he had told him knowing that it concerned both his own security and the Kings safety Herod who before this was highly displeased hearing these words was so much C the more incensed for which cause he presently commanded Mariamne's most faithful servant to be examined by torments as concerning the poison supposing that it was impossible for her to undertake any thing whatsoever without his privity He being tried and tormented after this cruel manner confessed nothing of that for which he was tortured but declared unto the King that the hatred which his wife had conceived against him proceeded from certain words that Sohemus had told her Scarcely had he finished these words but that the King cryed out with a loud voice saying That Sohemus who before time had been most faithfull both to him and his Kingdom would not have declared these his privy commands Sohemus suspected by Herod in Mariamnes behalf is put to death except there had been some more inward familiarity and secrecy betwixt him and Mariamne for which cause he presently D commanded his Ministers to lay hands on Sohemus and to put him to death As for his wife he drew her to her tryal and to this effect he assembled his most familiar friends Mariamne is accused by Herod and condemned and imprisoned before whom he began to accuse her with great spight and spleen as touching these potions and poisons aforesaid wherein he used intemperate and unseemly speches and such as for their bitterness did ill become him in cause of justice so that in the end the assistants seeing the scope of his desire pronounced sentence of death against her Mariamne by Salomes instigations is led to execution which being past both he and all other the assistants were of his opinion that she should not so speedily be executed but that she should be kept
beauty one of them was his Butler the other his Cook and the third his Chamberlain whom also he was wont to employ in serious affairs of his Kingdom Some one or other informed the King that these three Eunuchs were corrupted by his Son Alexander The Sons hatred towards their Father is bewrayed with great summs of money and being upon Tortures examined if they had accompanied with him they confessed all yet they affirmed that they knew no practice of his attempted against his Father But their torments being encreased by Antipater's Favourites they were forced to confess that Alexander secretly hated his Father and he exhorted them to forsake Herod who was now good for nothing who dissembled his age by painting G his face to make himself seem younger than he was and colouring his head and beard black which were already grown very white through age But rather set their minds upon him who would in despight of his Father enjoy his Kingdom due unto him and that then he would advance them to the highest honours of the Kingdom For he H had not only title unto it by his birth but also was now prepared likewise to invade it and that he had many of the Captains of the souldiers and many of the King's friends on his side who were prepared to do or endure any thing for his sake Herod hearing this fear and anger did seize on him by reason that his Son's words seemed both insolent and threatning and being for both these causes in a rage he feared some greater matter to be put in practice against him which he could not suddenly having so little warning avoid And not daring to make open enquiry he set secret spies a work to tell him how all matters stood himself now mistrusting all men and accounting it his security to mistrust all even them that deserved it not and not moderating his suspicious mind now whosoever was the nearest to him was the I more suspected Herod crediteth all tales and so putteth many to death unjustly as of most power to injure him As for others that were but only named by his spies he presently esteemed it his safety to put them to death Then they of his houshold every one being careful to save himself were one turned against another every one esteeming it his own safety to prevent others by accusing them unto Herod which done presently they incited other men's envy against him and every one of them to desire such measure as they had measured unto others and thus they also revenged their private Quarrels and presently after they themselves were taken and did by other mens means suffer the like being entrapped in the same trap they set for their enemies For the King did quickly repent for having put very many to death who were not convicted yet for all that he was K not hereby admonished to beware of the like hereafter but on his repentance for their death raged so far as to cause him to inflict the same punishment upon the accusers which he had done upon them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. The Court was in such a lamentable condition that he commanded many of his dearest friends and them especially whose fidelity he had formerly experienced Herod denieth to be familiar with Andromachus and Gemellus not to come in his sight nor within his Court-gates For he did now shake off the friendship between Andromachus and Gemellus and himself who were his ancient friends and oftentimes had gone Ambassadours for him and always been of his counsel and had been tutors unto his Children in whom he had always reposed more trust than in any others the one of them for that his Son Demetrius was familiar with Alexander and Gemellus for that he knew him to L be a friend to Alexander for he was one of them that had brought him up and had travelled with him to Rome And no doubt but he had censured them with some more heavy sentence had it not been that they were so eminent persons Wherefore at that time he was contented to have banished them and deprived them of all their authority to the end that having disgraced these good men he might the more freely play the Tyrant Antipater the cause of all mischief Antipater was the cause of all this mischief who from the first time that he perceived his Father to be fearful and suspicious still after that joyned with him as Counseller and as it were encreased his rage and cruelty and then he gallantly played his part Many were tortured and examined for Alexander's cause endeavouring that whosoever would resist him should be made away Wherefore Andromachus and the rest of his friends being now banished the M Court the King presently tortured all that he imagined any way to favour Alexander to see if they were guilty or if they knew of any treason to be practised against him but they knowing nothing to inform him of died amidst their torments Where he so much the more tortured others for that contrary to his opinion he found not so much as an evil thought against him Antipater craftily interpreting it that they had rather in torments conceal the truth than to shew themselves not trusty to their masters and friends wherefore many being taken he caused them to be tortured to get something out of some of them At last one amongst the rest not able to endure those torments imposed upon him said that he had often heard Alexander say when any one commended his tall stature or skilful shooting and the rest of his vertues that nature had N bestowed upon him these qualities to his prejudice for his Father through envy hereat was offended so that when he talked with him he did on purpose draw his body together lest his Father should perceive the tallness of his stature and that when he went a hunting with him he on purpose did miss the mark he could have hit because he knew his Father could not endure that he should be commended And whilst these words were considered and pondred and his torments intermitted he accused Alexander again to have conspired with his Brother Aristobulus to kill his Father when he was hunting and then to fly with speed unto Rome and beg the Kingdom of Caesar There were also found some of Aristobulus his Letters written unto his Brother complaining of the injurious dealing of his Father who had given O certain Possessions to Antipater the yearly revenues whereof amounted to two hundred Talents Then Herod thinking himself to have probability enough his former A suspicion was now confirmed and so he took Alexander and cast him in prison and again he began to doubt because he did scarcely believe the informations against him neither could he devise any cause wherefore they should seek to commit Treason against him And those complaints seemed childish neither was it probable that having openly killed his Father Alexander
sends him to Rome with Ananias the High Priest and several others to clear themselves before the Emperour who put some of them to death The Emperour condemns the Samaritans and banisheth Cumanus maketh Foelix Governour of Judaea giveth Agrippa the Tetrarchy that Philip had viz. Bathanaea Trachonit and Abila and K taketh Chalcis from him The Marriage of Agrippa's Sisters The death of the Emperour Claudius Nero succeeds after him He giveth the Lesser Armenia to Aristobulus Herod's Son King of Chalcis and to Agrippa some part of Galilee viz. Tiberiades Tarichee and Juliad THere happened also a quarrel betwixt the Samaritans and the Jews Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. upon this occasion Alias 12. They of Galilee who resorted to the City of Jerusalem at the times of our solemn Feasts Certain Samaritans kill divers Galileans in their way to Jerusalem were accustomed to pass thorough the Contrey of the Samaritans And at that time it happened that their way lay thorough a Burrough called Nais scituate in a great Champain Field where a Quarrel arising betwixt divers Inhabitants L of that place and some Passengers a great number of the Galileans were murthered Which when the Magistrates of Galilee understood they resorted to Cumanus requiring him to execute Justice on those that had murthered their Countrey-men but he being corrupted with money by the Samaritans The year of the World 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. made no account of their complaint The Galileans being provoked by this Contempt of his perswaded the common people of the Jews to betake them to their Weapons and maintain their Liberty telling them that slavery is of it self very harsh but that when it is accompanied with injuries it is intolerable But their Magistrates endeavoured to pacifie them promising them to deal so effectually with Cumanus that he should punish the Murtherers but they gave them no Audience but fell to Arms requiring Eleazar the Son of Dinaeus M to be their Leader This Eleazar was a Thief who for many years made his abode in the Mountains The Galileââââ in revenge ãâ¦ã of the Samaritans and spoil the same they therefore spoiled and burnt certain Villages of the Samaritans After that the report of all that which had passed came to Cumanus's ears he took some Troops out of Sebaste with four Companies of Foot and armed the Samaritans likewise to go and fight against the Jews whereof they killed many and led more of them away Prisoners When the chiefest Magistrates of Jerusalem saw into what a number of miseries they were fallen they clothed themselves in Sack-cloth and cast ashes on their heads exhorting those that were mutinous to consider that if they did not lay down Arms and return peaceably to their own homes they would be the cause of their Countrey 's utter ruine that they should see the Temple burnt N before their eyes and themselves their Wives and Children made Slaves By which words in the end they being perswaded returned home and betook them to their business The Thieves also retired again into their strong Holds and from that time Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. all Judaea was full of Robberies The Governours of Samaria resorted to Numidius Quadratus Alias 12. Governour of Syria who dwelt at that time in Tyre to accuse the Jews The Samaritans accuse the Jews before Numidius Quadratus for that they had fired their Villages and plundered them telling him that their loss did not so much trouble them as for that they saw the Romans were contemned by the Jews who notwithstanding ought to appear before them as their competent Judges yet nevertheless that they assembled themselves as if the Romans were not their Superiors For which cause they addressed themselves to him O to the end they might have redress of those wrongs which they had received by them This is that wherewith the Samaritans charged the Jews who answered to the contrary A alledging that the Samaritans themselves had been the Authors of that mutiny and uproar and that Cumanus being wholly corrupted by their money had smothered the matter and done no justice on the Murtherers When Quadratus heard this he reserved the judgment till another time telling them that he would give sentence in the matter when he came into Judea The Jews say the burthen of the Wars on the Samaritans and Cumanus and had examined the truth on both sides so that they returned without doing any thing Shortly after Quadratus came into Samaria where he heard that the Samaritans had been the Authors of the trouble and on the other side knowing that some Jews likewise intended some insurrection he caused them to be crucified whom Cumaenus had left in prison From thence he transported himself to Lydda which is a Burrough of B no less bigness than a City in which place he sitting on his Tribunal Seat heard the Samaritans the second time and discovered by the report of a certain Samaritan that one Dortus one of the chiefest among the Jews Dortus with four other are crucified and four other his Confederates induced the people to rebel against the Romans Quadratus caused them to be executed As for Ananias Ananias Ananus Cumanus Celer and some other are sent to Rome who was the High Priest and the Captain Ananus he sent them bound to Rome to render an account to the Emperor Claudius of that which they had done Moreover he commanded the chief Governours both of the Samaritans and Jews that they should speedily repair to Rome whither Cumanus and Captain Celer should conduct them to the end they might be judged by Caesar himself upon the information taken on both sides And fearing lest the common people of the Jews C should break out into some Rebellion he repaired to the City of Jerusalem to give order that the Jews should attempt to raise no new stirs but when he came thither he found all in peace and busied in the celebration of the Feast and offering Sacrifices to God according to their accustomed Ceremonies Being therefore assured that no man would rebel in that place he left them to their solemnites and repaired to Antioch But the Jews that were sent to Rome with Cumanus and the principal Samaritans had a day assigned them by the Emperor to decide the differences that were between them Alià s cap. 13. Cumanus and the Samaritans endeavoured all that they might by the mediation of Caesar's friends and freemen to have the upper hand of the Jews and indeed D the day had been theirs if young Agrippa had not been at Rome Agrippa moveth Agrippina to intreat Caesar to hear the cause of the Jews For he seeing that the matter was handled to the disadvantage of the Jews besought Agrippina the Emperors Wife that she would prevail so with her Husband that he would be pleased to take full knowledge of that which was done and that afterwards he should execute
Timaeus Z. Zophyrion Imprimatur Decem. 7. 1675. Geo. Hooper R mo D no. Arch. Cant. a Sacr. Domest A The Life of FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Son of Matthias Written by himself B FOrasmuch as I derive my Original Josephus Lineage by a long series of Ancestors from the Sacerdotal Race I may with some reason value my self upon the Nobleness of my Birth since as every Nation places the Grandeur of a Family in some certain marks of Honour that accompany it so amongst us 't is one of the most signal to have the administration of Holy things But I am not onely descended of the stock of the Priests I am also of the First of the Four and twenty Families of which it consists and whose Dignity is eminent above the rest To which I may add That by my Mothers side I reckon Kings amongst my Ancestors For the Branch of the Asmoneans from whom she descended for a C long time exercised both the High Priesthood and Princely Power among our Nation In this manner stands the order of the last of my Predecessors My great Grandfafathers Grandfather Simon sirnamed Psellus the stutterer lived at such time as Hircanus was High Priest the first of that Name and the Son of Simon the High Priest This Simon Psellus had Nine Sons the one of which was Matthias sirnamed Aphlias This Matthias took to Wife the Daughter of the High Priest Jonathan by whom he had one Son who was Matthias sirnamed Curtus who was born in the first year of Hircanus's Priesthood Matthias begat Joseph in the Ninth year of Alexander's Government and of Joseph came Matthias in the Tenth year of the Reign of Archelaus and Matthias begat me in the First year of the Empire of Caius Caesar Joseph the Son of Matthias was born in the first year of Caius Caesars Empire and the 4001 year of the world and the 39 after Christs birth I likewise have D Three Sons mine eldest is Hircanus who was born in the Fourth my next Justus who was born in the Seventh and Agrippa my last who was born in the Ninth year of Vespasians Empire This Genealogy of mine do I in this manner propose according as I have found it written in the Publick Registers to the end to confound the Calumnies of my Enemies My Father Matthias was considerable for his Extraction but more for his Justice and Authority in Jerusalem which is the Metropolis of our Countrey My bringing up during my tender years was with Matthias who was my Brother by the same Father and Mother with whom I happily profited in all kind of Science having a good Memory Joseph from his infancy very studious and addicted to learning and a quick Apprehension so that being yet a Child of Fourteen years of E Age I was praised by all Men in regard of the good Affection I had to Learning and the Priests and Noblest Citizens vouchsaf'd to ask my Opinion of things that concerned our Laws and Ordinances About the Age of Sixteen years my desire was to have a search and insight into the Sects of our Nation which are Three The first of the Pharisees which is the chiefest The second of the Sadduces And the third of the Esseans And this I did to the end I might choose the better of the Three when I understood them all For which cause with great Austerities and Labours I passed thorow them all and not content with this Experience after I had heard that a certain man called Banus lived in the Desart clothing himself with that which the Trees brought forth and feeding on no other kind of meat but what they freely yielded F and washing himself oftentimes by day and night in cold water to keep himself chaste I began to imitate his course of Life and after I had lived with him for the space of Three years and satisfied my desires I returned to the City at the Age of Nineteen years At this time I began to engage my self in the exercise of a civil Life Joseph a Pharisee following the Sect of the Pharisees which very neerly resembleth that Sect among the Grecians who are called Stoicks After I was Six and twenty years old it was my fortune to repair to Rome upon this occasion Whilst Foelix governed Judea certain Priests my familiars men of much honour and more virtue were upon some slight occasion bound and sent to Rome by his commandment to answer to what should be objected against G them in Caesar's presence Whereupon being desirous to do them service and having special intelligence that the Torments wherewith they were Martyred lessened not their Piety but that they lived contentedly on Figs and Nuts for this cause I departed for Rome and was encountred with many great and grievous hazards by Sea For the H ship Joseph's shipwrack wherein I sailed was wrackt in the midst of the Adriatick Sea and about Six hundred of us were forc't to swim all Night long and at Day-break by God's Providence a Cyrenian ship came in sight and both I and certain others to the number of Fourscore out-swimming the rest were taken up into it and saved After I had in this sort escaped I came to Dicaarchia which the Italians call at this day Puteoli and grew acquainted with Aliturus a Jew born who was a Comedian and in good reputation with Nero by whose means insinuating my self into the Emperess Poppea's knowledge Joseph obtaineth the Priests liberties I determined to beseech her to procure the liberty of those Priests with all expedition which she accordingly did and being gratified likewise by her with many great gifts I returned into my Countrey There I found the Commonwealth I much disquieted with Factions and Troubles The Jews seditious and divers too prone and ready to Rebel and withdraw their Allegiance from the Romans I inforced my self to repress the seditious and exhorted them to change their opinions representing before their eyes the quality of those against whom they enterprized War with whom they could neither compare in experience of War nor in good Fortune For this cause I advised them not to hazard the overthrow of themselves their Children and their Countrey by their rashness and rage Joseph dehorteth the Jews from sedition is suspected by them of treason To this effect I spake to them and instantly intreated them to desist from their unhappy resolution for that I foresaw that the end of this War would prove to our utter Ruine but I prevailed nothing with them The fury of desperate and dissolute men prevailed above reason for which cause fearing lest by K continual inforcing of one thing I should grow into hatred and suspition amongst them as if I favoured their enemies and they should put me to death seeing that the Fort of Antonia was already seized upon by the seditious I retired my self into the Sanctuary From whence after Manahem and the chiefest Revolters
Lodging where Jonathan and the Embassadors were Whereupon seeing that it was impossible to restrain their fury I incontinently betook me to my Horse and commanded the People to follow me to Sogan a Borough of the Arabians distant from thence some 20 stades By this means I brought to pass that the beginning of a Civil War might not be imputed to me When I arrived at Sogan I made a halt and admonisht my Followers not to give way to their froward displeasures Joseph sends one hundred Ambassadors to Jerusalem nor entertain any desire of revenge and I commanded I them to choose out an hundred of the chiefest and eldest amongst them who should repair to the City of Jerusalem and there complain unto the People against those that had kindled Sedition in their Province And I said unto them If the People be favourable and listen to your discourse you shall persuade them to write unto me that by their authority I remain in Galilee and that John and his Followers depart from hence After I had given them this charge and that they were furnished with all things necessary for their journey with all expedition on the third day I dispatched them and sent five hundred armed Men with them I writ also to my Friends in Samaria so to provide for their passage that they might finish their journey in all security For Samaria was already in subjection to the Romans and it behoved my Men of necessity in order to make a short K journey to pass that way For from Galilee by this means a man may in three days arrive at Jerusalem Furthermore I conducted the Ambassadors my self as far as the Frontiers of Galilee setting Guards upon the ways to the end that none might easily know of their departure Which done I sojourned for a certain time at Japha But Jonathan and his Companions having failed of their purpose intended against me dismissed John to Gischala as for themselves they went to Tiberias hoping to bring the same under their obedience The Ambassadors hope to get Tiberias into their hands and possession for that Jesus who was President at that time had writen to them and promised them to persuade the People to entertain them and to take their part if they came in which hope they retired thither Sylas who as I declared was left by me as Agent in Tiberias certified me of all this by his Letters advising me to return in all diligence L in doing which I was brought in danger of my life upon this occasion that ensueth Jonathan and his Followers being come to Tiberias persuaded divers who were mine Enemies to revolt from me Joseph falleth in danger but after they were certified that I was there in person they were afraid and came unto me and saluting me told me that they reputed me happy in that I had so wisely behaved myself in Galilee and they rejoyced also in appearance that I was returned with honor telling me that they participated in that honor as being their Fellow-Citizen And they protested to me that the friendship which I bore them was more considerable to them than that of John and desired me to return promising very shortly to deliver John into my hands and these speeches of theirs they seconded with dreadful Oaths Jonathan and his Confederates policy which made me think that I had no cause to disbelieve them Furthermore they M prayed me to take up my Lodging in another place because the Sabbath being near it were an inconvenience that the City of Tiberias should be drawn into trouble on that day I who suspected nothing repaired to Tarichea leaving notwithstanding certain of my Friends behind me in Tiberias who might curiously observe what the common talk was of me and all along the way betwixt Tarichea and Tiberias I laid certain Men in wait who from one to another might certifie me of that which was discovered by them who remained in the City The next day therefore they all assembled in the Proseucha or Oratory which was a large house wherein they prayed and capable of a great Multitude The People assemble in the Proseucha When Jonathan was entred into this place he durst not openly speak to them of a revolt but only told them that their City had need of a better Governor But the President N Jesus without dissembling spake plainly after this manner unto them It were better for you my Friends that you were subject to four Men of Nobility and great wisdom than to one and thereupon he pointed to Jonathan and his Collegues Justus stood up and praised this advice and drew some of the people to his opinion But the greater part assented not and there had presently followed a mutiny had not the Assembly been dismissed The Jews sixt hour is to ui eleven or twelve a Clock at noon by reason it was mid-day which is the ordinary hour amongst them to take their repast Thus did Jonathans consorts remit the determination of the matter until the next day retiring themselves without any good done Which being reported to me I resolved with my self the next morning to repair to the City of Tiberias and accordingly arriving there very early I found the People already assembled in the place of O prayer but they knew not the cause why they were assembled Jonathan and his Collegues seeing me there contrary to their expectation were very much troubled and A bethought themselves of this subtilty They told the Multitude that a certain Friend of theirs had inform'd them Jonathan and his Associates subtilty that he had discovered certain Roman Horsemen upon the Frontiers of that Territory some thirty stades from the City in a place called Homonoea Whereupon they cry'd out that they ought not to endure their Countrey to be pillag'd by the Enemy in their sight They used this Speech supposing that under pretext of rescuing the Countrey they might send me abroad and so remain Masters of the City by getting the affection of the Inhabitants to my prejudice Now although I knew very well their intent yet I gave ear to them lest I should bring the Tiberians into an opinion that I was negligent and careless of their security I therefore rode out and came to the place of which they had spoken where finding no footstep B or appearance of an Enemy False Accusations and Epistles produced by the Ambassadors against Joseph I returned speedily without delay to Tiberias When I came there I found the whole Council assembled with a Multitude of People and Jonathan making against me a very vehement Invective that I made no account to relieve them in their Wars and studied nothing but mine own pleasure And whil'st they spake these words they produced four Letters as written unto them by those who live upon the Marches of Galilee requiring succor of them for that the Roman Horsemen and Footmen would within three days forage
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 ââcellent 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
obtained him through the mercy of God After him she bare three other Children Simeon whose name signifieth that God had heard her Levi The explication and names of Jacob's Sons which is as much as to say the firmness of society and last of all Juda which signifieth thanksgiving At that time Rachel fearing lest she should lose part of her Husbands love by reason of the fruitfulness of her Sister caused her Maid Bala to lye with him Gen. 30. by whom he had a Son called Dan that is to say the judgement of God Rachel brings in Jacob to Baâa and after him Nepthalim which signifieth ingenious by reason that she used subtilty to requite her Sisters fruitfulness Leah hereupon us'd the same artifice and gave her Maid Zelpha to Jacob Leah bringeth in Zelpha of whom he begat Gad which signifieth come O by chance Gen. 30. 14 15 16. and after him Asar that is to say benificent because that Leah was more honoured for the multitude of her Progeny A Ruben The year of the World 2206. before Christs Nativity 1758. the eldest of all the Sons of Lea brought his Mother apples of Mandrake which when Rachel perceived she desired her to give her part thereof for that she longed to taste of the same whereunto Lea would yield no consent replying That she ought to content her self in that she had the advantage in Jacobs love Rachel to mollifie the heart of her sister told her That she would be content that Jacob should lye with her that night which Jacob accordingly did and Lea once more had children namely Isachar Gen. 30. 8. which signifieth Come by hire and Zabulon which importeth a pledge of good will besides whom 24. she had a daughter also called Dinah Not long after this Rachel lay with Jacob and brought forth a son who was called Joseph which signifieth an addition During all this time which was for the space of twenty years Jacob B had the government of his Father-in-laws flocks Gen. 31. 1 2 3. but afterwards he thought good accompanied with his Wives to return to his own Inheritance Jacob with his Wives children and flocks flee without his Fathers privacy which when his Father-in-law perceived he would in no sort give his consent thereunto for which cause he covertly determined to forsake him To this intent he made trial of his Wives to see how they were affected towards his flight 19. Rachel beareth away with her her Fathers houshold gods who heartned him by their consents insomuch that Rachel having stolen the images of those gods which were honored in that Countrey fled away with her Sister and the two Maids and all their Children with the rest of all their substance Jacob also drove away the moity of the Cattel without the knowledge of Laban 23. Rachel also bare with her the images of the gods although she had been taught by Jacob to contemn them and yield them no honour but C she supposed The year of the World 2200. before Christs Nativity 1758. that if Laban pursued and overtook them by restoring them she might obtain his pardon But Laban a day after the departure of Jacob and his Wives had notice therof and being therewith much troubled he pursued after them intending to assault them by force and on the seventh day he overtook them upon a certain hill where they sat down to take their rest 24. Laban pursueth Jacob but God delivereth him from his purpose in that it was evening but God appearing to him in a dream commanded him to use no violence neither towards his Son-in-law nor his Daughters but rather to listen to a peaceable accord betwixt himself and Jacob assuring him that if in contempt of Jacobs weakness he should lift up his arm to assail him that he himself would join with Jacob to protect him The next day 26. Labans accusation against Jacob. Laban having received this command from God called Jacob unto him D to the end to confer together and to tell him what the night before he had beheld in his dream As soon as Jacob was come to him he began to accuse him alledging that he had received him into his house at such time as he came unto him being poor and naked of all means and had given him great abundance of Goods I have saith he given thee my Daughters in marriage hoping by that means to increase thy love towards me more and more but thou hast had neither respect of thy Mother neither of the acquaintance or parentage betwixt thee and me neither of the Wives which thou hast married nor of thy Children whose Grand-Father I am but hast dealt with me after an injurious and hostile manner driving away that which appertained unto me seducing my Daughters to abandon him that begat them and carrying away my houshold E gods with them which both I and my Predecessours have served and honoured and what none but men of War would have done unto their Enemies that hast thou done unto me yea thou that art my kinsman my Sisters Son the Husband of my Daughters my pledge and my familiar Servant hast dealt thus with me On the other side Jacob alledged for himself 31. Jacobs answer to Labans objection that God had not only made impression in his heart but that all men also are possest with the love of their Countrey and that after so long space of time it seemed good unto him to visit his native soil And concerning that crime saith he which thou objectest against me touching the prey if any other but thy self be judge thou shalt be convicted to have dealt unjustly with me for whereas thou oughtest to have rewarded me for the maintenance and increase I have made of thy F goods hast thou not done us great wrong to envie us a little part and portion thereof And for thy Daughters know this that they have not followed me as persons conveighed away by subtilty but under that love and duty which married Wives bare unto their Husbands 36. Jacobs accusation against Laban they do not therefore only follow me but they come after their Children These things alledged he for himself Further he replied and accused Laban because that being his Mothers Brother and having given him his Daughters to Wife he had notwithstanding bitterly vext him by his severe commandments to which he had been obedient during the space of twenty years that the toyles he had endured in order to his Marriage with Rachel had been grievous unto him notwithstanding that it was but a trifle in respect of that which he suffered afterwards which had he born him an G envious affection or hostile hatred Labans subtil dealing with Jacob. he could very well have escaped In truth Laban had dealt most unjustly with Jacob. For seeing that God assisted him in all that he enterprized Laban promised to give him all
it alwayes to be thought that God likewise is Further that when they should have perpetrated this fact they should alwayes have their consciences as an armed Adversary against them which never would forsake them That it was an H impious fact to kill a Man 's own Brother although he had done him injury and much more meritorious to forgive a Mans Friend that had offended against him Moreover he said that Joseph had done them no wrong whose tender years rather required care and compassion at their hands than hate and tyranny Besides that the cause of his slaughter would aggravate their offence if it should be known that for envy of his future felicity they should take away his life all which good hap they likewise might participate by reason of consanguinity and that it was their duty to think that whatsoever blessing God imparted to Joseph was theirs and that for that cause they were to consider that God would be more displeased against them if they should endeavour to deprive him of his life whom he had esteemed and adjudged worthy of prosperity to I come Reuben alledging these and many other things dissuaded and laboured to divert them from shedding their Brothers blood But seeing that all these his motives could in no sort mollifie them and that they hastened the rather to perpetrate the Murther he counselled them that at leastwise they should allot him some milder kind of death telling them that he endeavoured all what in him lay at the first to dissuade them But since it was throughly resolved among them that he should not live that less mischief should follow of it if they would be ruled by his counsel for by that means their will should have effect yet a more mild and less hurtful v. 29. Reuben persuadeth them to cast Joseph into a Pit in comparison of Murther that it were better for them to withhold their hands and keep them immaculate by casting him into the next Pit and there leaving him in the hands of death To this counsel all of them agreed So Reuben K took Joseph Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. and bound him with cords and let him down easily into a Pit which was dry which done he departed to seek out a more convenient place for pasture But when Reuben was gon Juda one of Jacob's Sons espying certain Merchants of Arabia of the Countrey of the Ishmalites v. 27. who from the Countrey of Galaad carried spicery and Syrian Merchandise into Egypt counselled his Brothers to draw up Joseph out of the Well Joseph by the counsel of Juda is sold to the Arabian Merchants and to sell him to those Arabians assuring them by that means it would come to pass that Joseph should die the farther off from them amongst Strangers and as touching themselves they should he exempt from that pollution Which counsel of his being commended by them all 29. Reuben by night cometh to the Pit they drew Joseph out of the Pit and sold him to the Arabians for the summe of twenty pieces of Silver at such time as he was seventeen years L of age Now had Reuben resolved in himself to save Joseph without his Brothers privity for which cause coming by night unto the Pit he called him with a loud voice and seeing that he gave him no answer he began to conjecture with himself that his Brethren had put him to death he reproved them therefore very bitterly but after they had told him what was become of him he gave over his mourning After these things were thus passed the Brethren consulted among themselves in what sort they might clear themselves from their Fathers suspicion 31. and concluded among themselves to tear the Coat wherewith Joseph was attired when he came to them and which they had taken from him when they cast him into the Well to the end that having stained it in the Blood of a Goat 32. Josephs Brothers persuaded his Father that he is devoured by Wild-Beasts they might afterwards carry it to their Father and shew it him to the end he M might suppose that Joseph was slain by wild Beasts Which done they came unto the old Man who had already heard something of Joseph's misfortunes and told him that they had not seen their Brother Joseph neither could they assure him what mishap had befaln him but that notwithstanding they had found his Coat all bloodied and torn which made them suspect 34. Jacob bewaileth Joseph for dead that he was slain by some wild Beasts if so be he were sent unto them attired in that Coat But Jacob that hitherto expected more gentle tidings supposing and hoping that Joseph had only been captive gave over this opinion and took the Coat for a most assured testimony of his Sons death for he knew that he was apparelled therewith at such time as he sent him to his Brothers for which cause he lamented Joseph from that N time forward as certainly dead And such was the grief of his heart that he received no consolation but suffered himself to be persuaded by the Brothers that Joseph was slain by Savage Beasts He therefore sate him down being clothed in Sackcloth and charged with sorrow 27 28. Joseph is sold in Egypt to Putiphar and neither could his Sons by their counsels mitigate his moans nor he himself remit the rigour of his lamentation Now Joseph was sold by the Merchants and bought by Putiphar an Egyptian Lord and steward of King Pharaohs houshold who held him in high estimation and trained him up in all liberal Sciences Gen 39. 7 9 10. suffering him to live not after a servile but liberal manner and committing unto his charge the care of his houshold all which favours he made use of Yet was he no wayes diverted by these his priviledges and promotions from his habitual O virtue testifying hereby that prudence doth not submit to adverse fortune if a Man use the same orderly and not at that time only when fortune fawneth and flattereth A It fortuned not long after Gen. 39. 7 9 10 that his Masters Wife fell in love with him both for his beauty Putiphars Wife soliciteth Joseph to lie with her and for his wit and diligence and she imagin'd that if she open'd her mind to him she might easily enjoy him and that he would esteem it a part of his felicity to be loved by his Mistriss All which she fancied having onely regard to that servile condition wherein at that present he was and not to his manners which continued always virtuous notwithstanding any change that could happen unto him So she discover'd to him her passion and desir'd him to grant her an amorous encounter but he refused her demand alledging that it was a most wicked requital towards his Master if it should come to pass that he who had bought him and so greatly honoured him should receive so great an iniury and
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. â4 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
their hands to stone him they should oppose themselves against God and his Commands Thus pacifi'd he them and assuag'd the fury they had conceiv'd to endanger his life and so much prevail'd he that they repented of that Enterprize whereby they sought to destroy him Moses imploâeth God's help And for that he knew that they had some reason to be thus mov'd he address'd O himself to prayer and supplication and ascending a certain Rock he desir'd God's help to relieve their infirmities wants and affliction in whose hands only the salvation A of the people consisted beseeching him in mercy to forgive the people being exasperated with extreme miseries and by reason thereof distracted and withdrawn from their duty Whereupon God promis'd him to have care of the people promising him to send them a speedy and present deliverance Which when Moses understood he came down to the multitude who perceiving joy in his countenance by reason of those promises which he had receiv'd from God exchang'd their dolesom lamentations into gladness He therefore standing up in the midst of them told them that he brought unto them a most speedy remedy for their necessity Cap. 16. 13. And not long after a number of Quails which about the gulf of Arabia multiply and encrease more than any sort of Birds flew cross the Sea God sendeth Quails into the Hebrews Army and being wearied in their flight came and fell amidst the Camp of the Hebrews B who caught them as a provision prepar'd for them by God and sent to relieve their Famine Whereupon Moses once more addressed himself to call upon God yielding him thanks for the present and future good he had promis'd him The people being after this manner fed and refreshed God feedeth the Israelites with Manna were soon after supplied with a new kind of food For as Moses stretched out his hands and pray'd to God a dew descended from Heaven which thickned betwixt his hands and for that he suppos'd it to be another kind of sustenance sent them by God Ver. 14. he tasted the same and found it very pleasant Then addressing to the people who knew not what it was but thought it to be Snow which fell in that place according to the season of the year he told them that it was no ordinary dew falling from Heaven as they suppos'd but that God had sent it them for C the preservation and nouriture of their bodies and having eaten thereof before them he gave them of it to the end he might strengthen their belief who tasting the same in like manner as he had done were greatly refresh'd with the sustenance for in sweetness and pleasure it equal'd Honey in odor Bdellium and in form and greatness the grain of Coriander Ver. 16. whereupon every one gather'd of it And Moses commanded that every one of them should particularly gather every day but the measure of an Assaron A Commandment how much Manna should be gathered which is the tenth part of an Epha which was done lest the weaker should want whil'st the stronger through avarice gather'd more than suffic'd them And if any one contrary to the command gather'd more than was permitted although he toiled and travelled more than any of them yet was his portion no ways encreas'd by that means D For whatsoever beside the appointed measure of the Assaron remained till the next morning was of no value but became bitter and full of Worms So divine and admirable was this kind of food and of that nature that who so had sufficient thereof needed no sort of sustenance Moreover even in these our days there falls in that Countrey a dew like that Manna what it signifieth which God in favor of Moses sent for the peoples sustenance The Hebrews call it Manna for in our Tongue Man is an Interrogation signifying What is that Exod. 17. 1. Thus liv'd they joyfully being sustain'd by this kind of meat sent them from Heaven The Israelites fed 40 years space on Manna and us'd the same for the space of 40 years during the time they were in the Desart But afterwards when they were dislodg'd from that place and encamped near to Raphidim they were extremely troubled with thirst The Israelites arrive at Raphidim and are troubled with thirst for upon their first arrival they found E some few Springs but afterward they found the land wholly distitute of water They therefore once more were incens'd against Moses But he withdrawing himself apart from the fury of the people betook himself to God in prayer beseeching him that as he had given them food in their necessity 3. he would now also give them drink since they were ready to perish with thirst and praying him to provide them drink also otherwise their meat was unprofitable to them God presently granted his prayer promising Moses that he would give him a Fountain and abundance of Water from that place from whence he least expected it To which end he commanded him to strike with his Rod the Rock which was there hand by and promis'd to make the water come forth immediately so that the people should have sufficient without taking pains to F seek for it Which command when Moses had receiv'd he return'd to the people who expected him and had their eyes fix'd upon him with great impatience as he descended from the Rock where he had made his prayer No sooner was he arriv'd but he told them that God would deliver them from the necessity wherein they were and would graciously grant them an unexpected relief Moses striketh the Rock with his Rod and there issueth water by causing a stream suddenly to break from that Rock But they being amaz'd at that which they heard and doubting lest tyred with thirst and spent with journeys they should be enforc'd to hew and cleave the Rock Moses struck the same in such sort with his Rod that it divided asunder and there issu'd out most clear and pure water in great abundance The people were greatly astonish'd at this so strange accident and no less rejoyced They fell to drink of the Water and G and found it very sweet and pleasant as being a miraculous Water and a Present of the goodness divine bounty and power of God For this cause they highly esteem'd Moses seeing that God had honour'd him in this sort and they acknowledged God's providence offering Sacrifices and humbly thanking him for the care he had over them The H Holy Scripture which is kept in the Temple testifies that God foretold Moses that Water should in this sort issue from the Rock CHAP. II. How the Amalekites and their Associates were overcome and how great a Prey the Israelites obtained thereby BUt when the Renown of the Hebrews was become great and spread abroad in all parts it came to pass that the Neighbouring Nations were in very great fear of them whereupon sending
Enemy the Canaanites hoping that God would be their Guide Ver. 43. so as they needed not the assistance of their Lawgiver The Canaanites put the Hebrews to flight When this sentence was approv'd by a general consent they flock out in multitudes against their Enemies who neither affrighted by their boldness nor multitude valiantly resisted them who desperately charg'd them so that the better part of the Hebrews being slain they pursued the rest enforced shamefully to turn their backs even unto their Camp This overthrow hapning besides all mens opinion wondrously dejected the minds of the multitude so that they grew desperate of all future good fortune concluding that God had sent and inflicted that plague upon them because without his counsel and order O they had enterpriz'd the Battel But when Moses saw that his Countreymen were dismay'd with the overthrow which they had receiv'd and the Enemy grown proud with A their late Victory fearing likewise lest not content with their present success they should attempt further he determined to retire his Forces back again into the Desart And whereas the People promised thenceforward to be obedient to him being taught by their own misery that nothing would fall out prosperously unto them without the counsel and conduct of their Guide they disincamping themselves Moses retireth the people into the Desart retired into the Desart with this resolution that they would no more attempt a Battel against the Canaanites till they received a sign of their good success from Heaven But even as in a great Army it accustomably falleth out especially in time of trouble that the common multitude wax head-strong and disobedient to their Governors so did the like also happen amongst the Jews For whereas they were in number 600000 and even in their better B Fortunes sufficiently disobedient to their Governors so much the more were they exasperated by their wants and misfortunes Sedition against Moses both amongst themselves and against their Governor For which cause there arose so great a Sedition as neither among the Greeks or Barbarians the like was ever heard Which things without doubt had overthrown them being brought into so desperate an estate had not Moses forgetting the injury he had received which was no less than a purpose to stone him to death succoured and relieved their distressed Fortunes Neither did God utterly abandon the care of them but although they were contumelious against their Lawgiver and transgressed also against the Laws which he had delivered them by Moses yet delivered he them out of that danger of which without his special Providence there could be expected no C other but a lamentable issue This Sedition as also how Moses governed the estate when the troubles were ended we will now declare having first expressed the cause thereof CHAP. II. The Sedition raised by Chore against Moses and his Brother for the Priesthood CHore a Man noble by Birth Numb 16. 1. ad 4. and famous for his wealth amongst the Hebrews and endowed with a certain kind of popular Eloquence seeing Moses placed in the highest place of Authority Chore endeavoureth to persuade the multitude to mutiny against Moses was filled with jealousie and envy thereat For although he were of the same Tribe and Kindred yet he thought it a great indignity to himself to D be held his inferior being both more potent in Riches and his equal in Parentage For which cause he began to murmur and complain to the Levites which were of the same Tribe with him and his Kinsmen telling them That it was not to be suffered that Moses under a pretext of Communication with God should by ambitious policy to other mens prejudice onely study his own glory having of late against all sort of reason given the Priesthood to his Brother Aaron and distributed other dignities at his own pleasure like a King without the suffrage and approbation of the People That this injury done by him was not to be endured by reason that so covertly he had insinuated himself into the Government that before it could be observ'd the People would be brought into servitude For he that knoweth himself to be worthy of a Government endeavors to obtain the same by the consent of the People and not E by force and violence but they that despair by good means to attain thereunto do notwithstanding abstain from force lest they should lose the opinion of their goodness and honesty yet endeavor they by malicious subtilties to attain thereunto That it concerned the Commonweal to check the attempts of such Men lest of private they at last grow publick Enemies For what reason said he can Moses give why he hath bestowed the High Priesthood on Aaron and his Sons If God had decreed that this honour should be bestowed on one of the Tribe of Levi there were more reason that I should have it who am of the same Kindred with Moses and who surpass him both in riches and age On the contrary If this honour appertain to the most ancient of the Tribes that of Reuben ought by right to enjoy it namely Dathan and Abiram and Phalal Alias Baâââ who are the most ancient of that Tribe and the most powerful in riches These things F spake Chore under colour and pretence of the good of the Commonwealth but in effect only to raise a Tumult amongst the multitude and intrude into the office of the High Priest Ver. 35. Which discourse of his passing by little and little from one ear to another Two hundred and fifty men follow Chore's Faction amongst the multitude and multiplied by the envious and such as maligned Aaron at last brought all the Tribes into a mutiny so that 250 of the chiefest Nobles grew at length to be partakers of Chore's Conspiracy and all of these conspir'd together to take away the Priesthood from Moses's Brother and to transfer it to him The People likewise were in such sort incensed They cry out to stone Moses that they sought to stone Moses and ran all of them confusedly with noise and uproar crying out before the Tabernacle of God that the Tyrant was to be cut off and the People delivered from thraldom who under pretext G of Religion had insupportable thraldom imposed on them For if it were God that had chosen him to be High Priest he would have preferred such an one to the dignity who had been worthy and would not have confer'd it on those who were far inferior to others That if he had decreed to bestow it on Aaron he would have remitted the election H to the People and not left the disposition thereof to his Brother Although Moses was inform'd of Chore's treacherous Calumnies and saw the People highly incensed yet was be nothing at all abashed thereat but being satisfi'd in his Conscience that he had governed the estate uprightly and well assured that his Brother obtained the Priesthood not
people that might endamage the whole Nation of the Hebrews concluding that they came to take and deliver him into the Philistines hands and praying him to submit himself voluntarily to that their resolution Samson made them swear that they would do him no other injury but deliver him only to their enemies which done he descended C from the Rock C. 15. 11. 12 13. surrendring himself to the hands of those of Juda who bound him with two cords and led him away to deliver him to the Philistines Now being arrived in a certain place Samson is delivered to the Philistines which at this present is called the Jaw by reason of what hapned there at that time and approaching near the Philistines Camp which shouted for joy that they had faithfully executed that which they desired of them Samson brake his bonds and catching up the jaw of an Asse which he found at his feet and falling upon the Philistines v. 14 15. he slew and beat down to the number of almost two thousand and put all the rest to flight Samson with the jaw bone of an Ass killeth a thousand men This extroardinary and unparalleld exploit so puffed up Samsons heart that he forgat to attribute it to the assistance of God but ascribed the same to his own strength But it was not long before he was punisht for his ingratitude For being seized D with exceeding thirst and finding himself faint he acknowledged and confessed that mans force was nothing but weakness and that all ought to be ascribed to God whom he prayed that he would not be displeased with what he had spoken v. 18. nor deliver him to his Enemies Samson by his prayers causeth a Fountain to break out of a Rock though he had deserved it but assist him in the present danger God heard his prayers and caused a pleasent Fountain to spring from the foot of a Rock for which cause Samson called the place Maxilla or Jaw which name continueth even unto this day After this battel Samson set light by the Philistines and went to Gaza where he sojourned in an Inne The Governors of the City understanding his arrival set men to keep the Gates to the end he might not depart without their knowledge But Samson not ignorant of what they intended against him arose about midnight and took up the E Gates C. 16. 3. with the hinges and locks and all the furniture of the same and laying them on his shoulders Samson beareth away the gates of Gaza carried them to the Mountain above Hebron Not long after he transgressed the Laws of his Fathers and corrupted his wayes and manner of living conforming himself to the fashions of the Gentiles which was the source and cause of all his ruine For he was taken with the love of a Philistine Cortisan called Dalila As soon as the Governours of the Philistines knew it they by promises wrought so with her that they persuaded her to get out of him wherein his force consisted and what the cause was that he could not be conquered by his Enemies Dalila to accomplish their desire made use of fasting and flattery praising his great actions and thence taking occasion to ask him whence his so prodigious strength proceeded But F Samson well judging on what design she askt him this question answered her that if he were tied with seven Vine-branches young and pliant C. 15 â v. 6 ad 16. he should become the weakest of all men She believed him and having given notice thereof to the Governours of the Philistines Dalila the strumpet soundeth Samson to find out wherein his strength consisted and is deluded who sent to her house certain Soldiers these when he was drunk and asleep bound him as strongly as they could Dalila suddenly waking him told him that certain Soldiers were at hand to take him but Samson brake the bonds of Vine-branches and prepared himself to resist the assaults of those that lay in wait for him The woman frustrate of her hope not long after took an opportunity to complain of him that distrusting her love and constancy he had concealed that from her which she most desired to know as if she were unable to conceal that which might any wayes concern the G fortune and safety of her beloved But he deceived her the second time and told her that if he were tyed with seven cords he should lose all his strength Which when she had done and found a contrary issue to her expectation the third time Samson told her that if he were tyed with seven cords he should lose all his strength Which when H she had done and found a contrary issue to her expectation the third time Samson told her that if she pleeted his hair with a fillet he should be weakned and having experimented that also she found that it was false Finally she press'd and conjured him in such earnestness v. 16 17 18. that being no longer able to avoid the ill that attended him at last he condescended to gratifie her Samson discovereth to Dalila wherein his strength consisted his eyes are pulled out and he is led away prisoner and said to her after this manner It hath pleased God to have care over me and as I was by his special providence brought into the World so by his command I nourish this hair for God hath forbiden me to cut the same and my force shall endure as long as these locks shall endure and grow Which when she understood she shaved off his hair whilst he slept and betrayed him to his Enemies whose forces at that time he was too feeble to resist and they plucked out his eyes and led I him away bound Some time after the Philistines celebrated a publick feast wherein the Princes and Peers banquetted and entertained one another in a spacious place the cover whereof was upheld by two pillars and Samson was sent for and brought to the feast to the end they might mock him in the midst of their mirth his hair was then grown again â v. 25. ad finem and this generous spirit taking it more grievously than all other evils which he endured Samson with three thousand Philistines is slain to be treated with such indignity and not to be able to revenge himself on those that thus injuriously used him feign'd himself very weak and desired the Boy that led him to let him approach and lean upon the said Pillars As soon therefore as he got hold on them Samson ruled 20 years he shook them in such sort that they were over-turned and the house fell upon those that were therein who all perished to he number of three thousand K men with these also died Samson who finished his dayes in this sort after he had commanded over Israel for the space of twenty years He was a man of great vertue strength and magnanimity even to his latter hour
For it is a thing unworthy either your Majesty Jonathan certifieth David how he hath pacified his father or the name of a Man to forget good deserts With these words was Saul pacified so that he swore to his Son he would do no hurt to David for his just persuasions and arguments were stronger than the choler and fear of the King Jonathan sent to seek out David and told him these good tydings from his Father and brought him to him and David continu'd to serve him as formerly N O A CHAP. XIV How hardly David escaped the ambushes that were often laid for him by the King yet having him twice at advantage and in his power would not murther him ABout the same time v. 8 9. the Philistines again led forth their Army against the Hebrews David hath a great victory against the Philistines and Saul sent David against them accompanied with his forces who encountring them slew a great number of them and returned to the King with a great Victory But Saul entertained him not as he hoped and as the happy exploit atchieved by him merited but he envied his good actions and honourable deserts as if Davids happy B success had been Sauls disadvantage and prejudice But when the evil spirit returned to vex him he lodged him in his own chamber and having at that time a javelin in his hand he commanded him to play on his Harp and to Sing Hymns Now whilest David obeyed his command Saul stretching out his arm v. 9 10. threw his Dart at him but David foreseeing it Saul darteth his javelin at David avoided the stroke and fled to his own house where he stayed all the rest of the day When night was come the King sent certain of his Servants to watch his house lest he should escape to the end that the next day being brought forth to judgement he might be condemned and put to death But Michol Davids Wife and Sauls Daughter having intelligence of her Fathers intention went to her Husband told him in how great peril he was being desirous to save his life with the hazard of her C own Beware said she lest the Sun at his rising find thee in this place for if it do I shall never more see thee Flie therefore whilest night offereth thee opportunity which I pray to God to lengthen for thy sake for be assured that if thou be surprized in this place my Father will make thee die a miserable death This said she let him down by a window and so saved him and soon after she prepared his bed as if he lay sick therein and under the covering she laid the Liver of a new slaughtred Kid and when her Father sent the next morning to apprehend David she answered that he had been sick all the night long v. 14. and opening the Curtains Michol persuadeth the Kings Servants that David is sick she gave them to understand that David was laid therein the Coverlet being moved by the Liver which was hot and yet stirred made them believe that the Liver that lay there was David who panted and breathed very D hardly Which being signified unto Saul he commanded that he should be brought to him in that estate wherein he was because he resolved to put him to death But when Sauls messengers returned thither and opened the bed they perceived Michols subtilty v. 17. and went and certified the King thereof who reproved her very sharply for that she had saved his Enemy Michol excuseth her self for delivering David and deceived her Father But she excused her self with words full of good appearance saying that David had threatned to kill her and through fear of death she was induced to save him For which cause she ought to be pardoned since by constraint and not ofset purpose she had furthered his escape For said she I think that you seek not so greedily after the death of your Enemy as to prefer the same before the safety and security of your Daughter v. 18. Upon these reasons Saul pardoned his Daughter E David delivered from this peril David expresseth to Samuel how the King was affected towards him went to the Prophet Samuel at Ramath and told him what ambushes the King had laid for him and how hardly he had escaped death by the stroke of his javelin whereas in all things that concerned Saul he had alwayes shewed himself obedient having served him advantageously in war upon his Enemies and by Gods assistance been fortunate in all things which was the cause that Saul was so displeased with him The Prophet informed of Sauls injustice departed from Ramath and led David to a certain place called Galbaath where he remained with him But as soon as Saul was informed that David was retired v. 19 20 21. and accompanied with the Prophet he sent out certain Soldiers to lay hands on him Saul sent armed Souldiers to apprehend David who began to prophesie and he himself likewise coming thither prophesieth and bring him to him They reparing to Samuel and finding the congregation of the Prophets were seized with the F Spirit of God and began to prophesie Which when Saul understood he sent out others with the like order and they had the lâke extasie For which cause he sent out others and seeing the third company prophesie likewise he was in the end so enraged that he went thither in his own person And when he drew neer the place Samuel before he saw him made him prophesie also so that he was transported out of himself and having dispoiled himself of his rayment 1 Sam. 20. v. 1. ad 4. he remained naked all day and night in the presence of Samuel and David David departed from thence and went to Jonathan to whom he complained of those ambushes which his Father had laid to intrap him David complaineth unto Jonathan of his Fathers injuries telling him that notwithstanding he had never committed any fault against his Father he earnestly pursued him to put him to death Jonathan persuaded him not to suspect these things rashly nor to be over-credulous G to those reports which parhaps might be brought to him but trust him only who was assured that his Father intended no evil against him Jonathan excuseth his Father For if he had he would have told him being never wont to act any thing without his counsel But David sware unto him that it was so and conjured him not to doubt of it but rather to consider how H to procure his security than by contemning his words expect till his death ascertained him of the truth thereof He added that his Father did not communicate his counsels with him because he was assured of the love and friendship that was between them Jonathan persuaded by Davids reasons asked him what he desired at his hands or wherein he might shew him friendship v. 5. ad 11.
into what Countrey he had made his inroad He sent likewise a part of the prey unto the King and when he demanded from whom he had taken it he answer'd That he had taken it from the Jews that dwelt Southward and in the Plain so that Achis conceived an opinion that since David warred against his own Nation all the time of his abode with him he would be a faithful Servant to him About the same time the Philistines having determined to lead forth their Army against the Israelites sent to their Allies requiring N them to assist them in that War and to make their Rendezvous at Renga to the intent that being there assembled they might dislodge and assail the Israelites Amongst the other their Auxiliary Companies Achis had requested David to assist him with his 600 Soldiers which he promised readily telling him That the time was now come wherein he might requite his kindness and the hospitality he had shewen him Achis promised him that after the Victory when all things should have succeeded according as he desired he would prefer David to be Captain of his Guard thinking by the promise of this honour and trust he might augment Davids forwardness and affection toward him O A CHAP. XV. The year of the World 2809. before Christ's Nativity 1074. The Philistines renew their War against the Hebrews and obtain the Victory Saul with his Sons are slain in the Battel SAul having advice 1 Sam. 28. 3 7 8 9. that the Philistines were advanced as far as Sunam drew out his Forces Saul banisheth all diviners and enchanters out of his Kingdom and encamped over against them but when he perceived their Army to be much more numerous than his his heart failed him and desiring the Prophets to enquire of God what should be the event of this War and receiving no answer his fear was B doubled since he had reason to believe that God had forsaken him Hereupon his courage abated Ver. 6. and in this perplexity he resolved to have recourse to Magick but having lately banished the Inchanters Saul hearing the Philistines make head against him asked counsel of God Magicians and such as pretended to tell Fortunes it could hardly be expected that one of them should be found but yet he commanded that they should enquire for one of those that could raise the spirits of the dead and by their information learn what should come to pass hereafter And being advertised that there was such an one at Endor without the knowledge of his Army laying aside his Royal Habits and attended onely by two of his most faithful servants he repaired to Endor to this Woman requiring her to divine and raise up the spirit of him whom he should name Saul repaireth to Endor to ask counsel of a Sorceress The Woman denied and said That she ought not to offend against the Kings C Edict who had driven out of his Realm all such sort of Soothsayers telling him that he did not well Ver. 8 9. who having received no wrong at her hands should endeavor to lay a snare to bring her into a Crime which might cost her her life But Saul swore unto her That no man should know thereof and that he would not discover her divination to others and that she should incur no danger thereby After that by his Oaths and Protestations he had persuaded her Saul commandeth the Witch to raise Samuels ghost v. 10 11. that she should have no cause to fear he commanded her to raise the spirit of Samuel She not knowing what Samuel was called him and he suddenly appeared But when she perceived somewhat divine or more than ordinary in his countenance she was troubled and turning to the King she asked him If he were Saul for Samuel had certified her no less Saul confessed D that it was he and asked her For what cause she seemed to be so much troubled She answered That she saw a Man ascend that resembled God Saul commanded her to declare unto him his shape habit and age she told him That he was a reverend old Man attired in the vestment of an High Priest By these marks Saul knew that it was Samuel whereupon prostrating himself on the earth he adored him The spirit of Samuel asked him For what cause he had troubled him To whom he complained That he was inforced thereunto by necessity Ver. 15. for that a mighty Host of his Enemies were at hand Saul complaineth of his miseries to Samuel and asketh his advice and that he was forsaken by God having from him no answer either by Prophesie or Dream wherefore said he I apply my self unto thee who hast alwayes expressed great kindness towards me But Samuel foreseeing that the Kings end drew nigh answer'd him It was in vain for thee to enquire E concerning those things that shall happen since thou knowest that thou art forsaken of God Know therefore A ver 16 ad 20. said he that David shall possess the Kingdom and that it is he that shall establish the State by Arms Samuels ghost certifieth Saul of the event of his battel against the Philistines but thou shalt lose both thy Kingdom and thy life because thou hast disobeyed God in thy War against the Amalekites and hast not observed his Commandments according as I foretold thee when I was alive Know therefore that thy People and Host shall be discomfited by the Enemy and that both thou and thy sons shall be to morrow slain in the Battel and be with me Ver. 20 21. When Saul understood these things he became speechless through sorrow Saul through sudden sorrow fell in a swoon and fell down on the ground either because his strength failed him through sudden grief or for want of food because he had eaten nothing that night nor the day before F At length Ver. 22 c. hardly recovering himself out of his Swoon the Woman importuned him to receive some sustenance The Enchantress intreateth him to refresh himself and take some reâection telling him that she desired no other reward for the hazard which she had run of forfeiting her life before she knew that he was the King himself by whose Commands those Divinations had been lately prohibited wherefore she prayed him that he would sit down at the Table and refresh himself that he might be the more able to return unto his Army An example of courtesie and liberality in the Enchantress And although he refused to eat because he had no appetite and was utterly desperate yet she so effectually importuned him that at length she persuaded him to receive some little nourishment And whereas she had but one Calf for she was but a poor Woman and had no other riches yet spared she not to kill it and dress it for Saul and his Retinue After which Saul returned to his Camp G The courtesie of this
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 Naâivity 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
deliver it to the Enemies to ransack and burn it and the F City shall be destroyed by the hands of the Enemies and their miseries shall be so notorious through the world and to such extremity shall they be driven as it shall hardly be believed so as their neighbours round about them hearing of their calamities shall be astonished and shall seek out the cause why the Hebrews are thus hated by God who beforetime have been so advanced by him in riches and honors and they shall be informed by those that survive that those calamities are brought upon them by their sins and the transgressions which they have committed against the ordinances of their forefathers These things that were declared unto him in a dream 1 King 7. 1. are registred in the sacred Letters Seven years after the Temple had been thus built as it hath been heretofore declared he began the building of his Palace Hedio Ruffââus cap. 5. which he scarcely finished in thirteen years G space Solomons ãâã finished ãâã thirteen years for he was not so intent and earnest in building thereof as he was in the structure of the Temple For although the temple was very great and of incredible and marvellous magnificence yet so it is that God for whom it was made assisting the workmen it was A thorowly finished within the term of the years aforesaid But the Royal Palaces being far less than the Temple were built more slowly because the stuff had not been prepared so long time before nor with so great diligence and the rather because the Palaces that were were not for God but for Kings notwithstanding this House was built very magnificently according as the wealth of the Countrey and the power of the Hebrew King required But it will not be amiss if I declare all the order and disposition of the same House that by the description thereof the Reader may be informed of its capaciousness It was a great and goodly Fabrick sustained by divers Pillars prepared to receive and contain much People at the time of their assemblies wherein they treated of affairs Ver. 8. and held pleas It was an hundred cubits in length and in breadth B fifty The Hall and in height thirty supported by sixteen square pillars covered with Corinthian work The Tribunal with stairs and carved gates which contributed no less to its beauty than its security In the midst of this space and hard by the Temple there was another Pavilion thirty cubits square Ver. 8. sustained with strong pillars within which there was another magnificent Tribunal The Queens house and other Palaces of pleasure on which the King sate to give judgment unto which there was adjoined another Palace prepared for the Queen All the Chambers as well those that were ordinarily in use Ver. 9. c. as those for recreation after he had retired himself from publick affairs were adorned with planks of carved Cedar The ornaments of Solomons Palace and were built partly of stone ten cubits square partly of curious marble and very rarely and cunningly wrought by the most C curious and exact Masons Chambers of pleasure with houshold-stuff of gold And that which made it more beautiful were three panes of Tapistry and the fourth admirable for the artificial engravings for the Workmen had made therein Trees and Plants of divers sorts shadowed with their branches and leafs hanging in such sort that to behold them a Man would have thought that they shook the workmanship was so exquisite and curious that covered the stone The rest as far as the roof was enchased and flourished with divers Antiques and Pictures Furthermore he built other places of pleasure with very long porches to beautifie the Palace amongst which there was one most magnificent to make Banquets and Feasts in which was throughout adorned with gold 1 Kings 10. and all the necessaries for entertainment were of gold It would be difficult to give an exact account of the variety the capaciousness D and magnificence of these structures whereof some were of a greater and some of a lesser bulk some under ground and others raised to a great height the pleasant Arbors likewise and the Gardens which were so fashioned that they afforded a pleasant prospect to the eye as well as refreshment from the heat All the building was made of white Marble Solomons Throne made of Ivory of Cedar of Gold and of Silver the floors and walls were figured with diversity of flowers and of precious stones inchased in gold after the manner of the Temple of God 3 Reg. 5. which shined with such like ornaments There was likewise erected a very large Throne made in form of a Tribunal with six steps of pure Ivory on each side of which there stood two Lyons and the like number were placed above About the place where the King sate there were several Arms stretched out which seemed to E succor or protect him and he sate upon an Oxe looking backwards this Throne was all covered with gold Solomon built all this that hath been spoken of in the space of twenty years being furnished by Hiram King of the Tyrians for these his buildings with great sums of gold and far greater of silver besides a quantity of Cedar and Pine-trees Solomon also remunerated him and gave him great Presents and sent him every year abundance of Corn Wine and Oyl as we have heretofore declared whereof he stood in great need by reason that his Countrey was an Island And besides that he gave him twenty Cities in Galilee Ver. 11 12. not far distant from Tyre Hiram having visited them and not well-pleased with them Solomons gratuity to Hiram for the benefits he received sent unto Solomon to certifie him thereof that he had no use for his Cities and F from that time forward they were called the Countrey of Chabel which is as much as to say in the Phoenician tongue unpleasant Hiram likewise sent unto Solomon certain mysteries 1 Kings 9. and difficult questions requiring him to explicate them and solve those doubts and difficulties that occurred in his demands 1 Kings 5. Solomon being a Man of ripe judgment and understanding explained them all with a great deal of perspicuity Solomon interpreteth certain hidden questions sent unto him by Hiram Menander the Historiographer maketh mention of Hiram and Solomon Of these two Kings Menander who Translated the Antiquities of the Tyrians out of the Phoenician Tongue into Greek maketh mention after this manner After the decease of Abibale Hiram his son succeeded him in the Kingdom who lived Fifty and three years and reigned Thirty and four He annexed the Field which is called the great Field unto the Island and consecrated a golden pillar in Jupiters temple He also caused a great quantity of wood to be hewed G down in the mountain Libanus to make covers and
roofs for Temples For having pulled down some ancient Temples he builded that of Hercules and that of Astarte and made his first building of Hercules in the month of Peritien which is February and made War against the Eyceens who refused to pay their tributes and after he had brought them under his subjection H he returned to his own Palace In his time lived a young man called Abdemon who alwayes resolved those questions which Solomon King of Jerusalem proposed Dion also maketh mention of him in these terms After the decease of Abibale his son Hiram reigned he it was that fortified the quarter of the City to the Eastward and enlarged the same Dion maketh mention of Hiram and joined the Temple of Olympian Jupiter to the City which before that time was in another place and filled all the place between them with earth and adorned it with pendants of gold and afterwards going up to Libanus he hewed down timber to build Temples withall He said also that Solomon reigning at that time in Jerusalem sent unto Hiram certain subtile questions demanding the exposition thereof under this condition that if he explained them not Dion of Solomon by way of penalty he should pay a great Sum of money and afterwards that a certain I Tyrian called Abdemon expounded that which had been proposed and in lieu thereof proposed certain others which Solomon could not expound and for that occasion he paid a great Sum of money unto Hiram This is that which Dion writeth The King seeing that the City of Jerusalem wanted both Bulwarks and Towers to secure the same Solomon repaireth the walls of Jerusalem and erecteth towers and that the strength of it was no way answerable to the dignity thereof he repaired the walls and erected great Towers on the same Moreover he built certain Cities Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. which deserve to be commemorated amongst the most Renowned namely Ascor and Magedon and the City of Gaza in the Countrey of the Philistines against which Pharaoh King of Egypt led out his Army Solomon buildeth certain Cities Azor Mageâon Gaga Betachor Baleth and took it by force and after he had put all the Inhabitants thereof to the Sword he destroyed the same and he gave it in K dower unto his daughter which was married to Solomon For which cause the King fortified it seeing it to be already sufficiently fenced by nature and that it stood very commodiously for the War and to hinder the incursions of the enemy Not far from thence he fortified two other Cities whereof one was called Betachor and the other Baleth Besides these he built others which were Cities of recreation and pleasure by reason of the good temperature of the Air and the pleasantness of the fruits and in especially the sweet Rivers wherewith they were watered Afterwards entering into the Desart that is above Syria and conquering the same he built another great City two dayes journey distant from the higher Syria a dayes journey from Euphrates and six from the great Babylon The cause why this City was inhabited far from peopled quarters of Syria was L because in no place of the lower Countrey there was water to be found and in this City onely there were fountains and springs Thadamor or Palmira He therefore built this City and begirt it with strong walls and called it Thadamor which is the name which the Syrians term it by even at this day and amongst the Greeks it is called Palmyra And these were Solomons works in that time But since divers are inquisitive to know the reason why the Kings of Egypt that have been since Mineus the founder of Memphis Why the Egyptian Kings were called Pharaohs who reigned divers years before our great Ancestor Abraham till Solomons time for the space of more than Thirteen hundred years have been called Pharaohs deriving that name from one that reigned in the midtime between both I have thought fit to give some account of it The name of Pharaoh amongst the Egyptians signifieth as much as King But I suppose M that from their childhood they had other distinct names and that afterward when they are created Kings they take upon them that name which in their Mother-tongue signifieth no less than Authority For the Kings of Alexandria having been heretofore called by other names The Egyptian Kings called Pharaohs at such time as they take upon them the Kingdom they are called Ptolomies by the name of their first King The Roman Emperors likewise notwithstanding they have other names at the time of their birth Ptolomei yet are they called Caesars Caesars because the sovereignty and honour whereunto they are raised Herodotus writeth not the names of the Egyptian Kings imposeth that title on them and the name that was given them by their Fathers is no more retained For this cause it is that although Herodotus of Halicarnasseus saith that since Mineus the Founder of Memphis there have been Three hundred and thirty Kings of Egypt yet declareth he N not their names Nicaule Queen of Egypt and Ethiope cometh to Solomon because they were called Pharaohs For when after these a Woman had obtained the Kingdom he called her by her own proper name Nicaule whence it appeareth that the men who have been Kings were usually called by this name and that it had not been communicated unto this Woman for which cause it was necessary to declare her own first name For mine own part I have found in the Books of our Nation that since Pharaoh who was Father-in-law to Solomon none of the Kings of Egypt have been called by that name and that some little while after the forementioned Woman came unto Solomon who reigned in Egypt and Ethiopia of whom we shall speak hereafter But at this present I have made mention of it that it might appear that our Records and the Chronicles of the Egyptians agree in many things O But King Solomon conquered the Canaanites which till that time were not under his subjection and those that inhabited the mountain Libanus as far as the City of Amath A and made them Tributaries The year of the World 2953. before Christ's Nativity 1011. and chose out from amongst them every year such as he might employ in servile works and domestick affairs and tillage of the land For no Hebrew was a slave neither was it convenient that since God had subjected divers Nations under them whom they might make slaves of that they should tye those of their own Nation to that bondage 1 Kings 9. 16. ad 21. who were all of them employed in Arms and rather took delight to ride in Chariots and on Horses than to submit to any mean or servile employment Solomon compelleth the remainer of the Canaanites to pay Tribute Over the Canaanites whom he employed in his service he appointed Five hundred and fifty Commissaries who had their
austerity to apply himself to the favor and good liking of the multitude for that by this his affability he might the more easily draw their hearts unto him because that by a natural inclination Subjects take delight in those Kings that are courteous who with a certain decent familiarity Ver. 8 ad 11. entertain themselves amongst them But Rehoboam rejected this counsel of theirs which was both good and profitable in all occasions Rehoboam rejecteth the advice of the Elders and followeth the counsel of the younger but especially upon the first entrance into a Kingdom and that not without Gods providence since contrary to all reason he neglected the right course and followed the perverse so that calling unto him certain young men of his own humor and disposition he told them what the Elders had counselled him and willed them to discover their opinion in that matter F but neither their age nor Gods permission suffered them to know that which was expedient For which cause they counselled him to answer the people That his little finger was more great than the loins of his father and that if they had experimented and endured grievances under him that he would be far more rigorous and that if his father had chastised them with the stroke of the Rod that they should expect to be punished by him with a severer chastisement The King delighted herewith supposed the answer to be agreeable to the dignity of his Empire When therefore the people were assembled on the third day to hear his resolution and all of them were in suspence expecting and desirous to hear him speak from whom they hoped nought else but sweetness Rehoboam contemning the counsel of his friends proposed unto himself that of the young Men. All which G hapned by the Will of God to the end that that which Achias had prophesied might be fulfilled H They touched by these his answers no less than if they had been wounded with a sword were much displeased and no less moved than if they had already felt the mischief that was threatned so that they began all of them to cry with a loud voice that from that time forward they had nothing to do with Davids alliance neither with his succession Ver. 18 c. telling him that they would only leave the Temple his father had built unto his charge and threatning him to abandon him The Israelites moved with their repulse revolt from Reâoboam Furthermore they were so heinously incensed that Rehoboam having sent unto them Adoram the Superintendent of the Tribes to pacifie their wrath and to persuade them to pardon his youth if he had spoken any thing lightly and unrespectively unto them they could not endure to hear him speak but slew and well-nigh overwhelmed him with stones Which when Rehoboam I perceived supposing that it was himself who in the person of his Officer was put to death and stoned by the people he feared lest in effect his life and the fortune of his Kingdom should fall into the like disaster Whereupon he took his Chariot and fled to Jerusalem where the Tribe of Juda and that of Benjamin by their common suffrages made him King Ver. 21 22. But as touching the rest of the people Rehoboam intending to make War on those Tribes that revolted is inhibited from that day forward they revolted from the Successors of David and proclaimed Jeroboam King of their estates Rehoboam the son of Solomon being sore displeased herewith assembled the two Tribes with an intent to muster One hundred and fourscore thousand chosen Men to make War on Jeroboam and his people and to inforce them by War to acknowledge him for their Sovereign But God restrained him by the means of a Prophet who forbade him to make K War saying That it became not those of the same Nation to contend one against another and the rather for that this their revolt had hapned by the Will of God by which means and persuasion he dismissed his Army But first of all I will rehearse that which Jeroboam King of Israel did and afterwards declare the acts of Rehoboam King of the two Tribes and thus shall the course of the History continue in order After that Jeroboam had setled his Court in the City of Sichem The Court and Palace of Jeroboam he made his ordinary abode in that place except that sometimes he sojourned in the City of Phanuel Not long after this the feast of Tabernacles being at hand Jeroboam supposing that if he permitted the people to go up and worship God in Jerusalem and solemnize the feast in that place they might either repent themselves of the revolt or that by the magnificence of L the Ceremonies used in the worship of God in the Temple and service that was celebrated therein Ver. 26 27 28. they might be persuaded to forsake him Why Jeroboams Calves were made and submit themselves to their first King and by that means he might be drawn into danger of his life to prevent the danger of such a mischief took this course He caused two golden Calves to be cast and built two several Temples the one in Bethel and the other in Dan which is scituate near to the source of little Jordan in which he placed these Calves and afterwards assembling the ten Tribes that were under his subjection he spake unto them in manner following My Friends and Countreymen I know that you are not ignorant how God is in all places and that there cannot be any place wherein he assisteth not nor time wherein he heareth and beholdeth M them not that serve him with true affection For which cause I think it not convenient that you go up unto Jerusalem which is a City at enmity with us neither that you make so long a journey to perform your devotion Jeroboam persuadeth the pâople to Idolatry for it was a man that built that Temple even as I have consecrated two golden Calves the one in Bethel and the other in Dan to the end that every one of you that inhabit near unto those Cities may go thither and worship God Neither shall you want Priests and Levites for I will elect some such among you to the intent that you may have no more need of the Tribe of Levi or the Sons of Aaron Whosoever therefore amongst you would be a Priest let him offer Calves and Muttons unto God after the same manner that Aaron did when he was first appointed to be a Priest By such like Speeches seduced he the people and caused them to fall from their Forefathers N Religion and transgress the Ordinances of their Countrey and this was the beginning of all those mischiefs that afterwards fell upon the Hebrews by which means being overcome in War The neglect of Gods service is the cause of all evil they fell into captivity and were made subject to strangers whereof we will treat
as the Prophet had foretold him and God N visited him with a disease in his bowels Ver. 19 20. whereof he dyed miserably the People likewise handled his body ignominiously supposing that being cut off in that sort by Gods displeasure he was unworthy of a Royal Funeral for he was not buried in the Sepulchre of the Kings neither was any honor done unto him He lived 40 years and reigned eight they made Ochozias King CHAP. IV. The King of Damascus maketh War against the King of Israel JOram King of Israel 2 Kings 8. 25 ad finem hoping to recover Ramath in Galaad from the Assyrians after he had made great preparations for War Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. led his Army against it In this siege he was hurt O by an Arrow shot by a certain Syrian and retir'd himself into the City of Jezrael untill he should recover of his wound Joram's expedition against âamath leaving Jehu with his Army at Ramath who took the City intending to make War against the Syrians But Elizeus sent one of his disciples to Ramath gave him holy oyl The year of the World 3060. before Christ's Nativity 904. willed him to anoint Jehu and to say That God had chosen and anointed A him for King and after he had given him some other instructions he commanded him to depart as one that flieth making no man privy to it When this disciple of his came to the City he found Jehu in the midst of the Captains of War as Elizeus had told him and drawing near 2 Kings 9. 1. ad 6. he told him That he would communicate certain secrets unto him for which cause he arose and follow'd him Whereupon the young man taking out the oyl poured it on his head Jehu by Gods commandment anointed King saying That God had chosen him to exterminate the race of Achab and revenge the blood of the Prophets unjustly murthered by Jezabel and that both he and his house might be brought to nought in like sort as the sons of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and the children of Basa were extinguished for their impiety so that no one of the race of Achab might survive in the world As soon as he had spoken thus he issued out of the chamber that he might not B be discovered by any of the Army Ver. 11. Now when Jehu came out he returned to his place to his Captains who besought him to declare unto them wherefore the young man came unto him alledging that they supposed him to be out of his wits Truly said he you have divined well for he hath talked unto me after the manner of a mad man wherein he told them what he had said unto him namely how God had chosen him to be King over the people As soon as he had spoke Ver. 13. every one of them cast off their garments and spread them before him and sounding a Trumpet they proclaimed Jehu King who assembling his Army determined to conduct them toward the City of Jezrael against Joram who lay there to recover his wound which he had received at the siege of Ramath in Galaad as we have heretofore declared Thither also resorted in the way of friendship and consanguinity C Ochozias King of Jerusalem to visit Joram and to see how he was recovered of his wound for he was his nephew and son unto his sister as we have said before Jehu desirous to surprize Joram and his followers on the sudden gave command that none of the Soldiers should run before to give any intelligence of his repair unto Joram alledging that it should be a demonstration of their good will towards him whereas contrariwise they that did otherwise declared that they held him not for their King CHAP. V. Joram with all his Race is slain by Jehu Ochozias King of Jerusalem is likewise slain D THE Men of War were very joyful to execute this his command Ver. 17. ad 23. and guarded the ways that no Man might secretly steal into Jezrael and bare tydings of that which had hapned Mean-while Jehu attended by his choicest Horsemen and mounted in his Chariot marched towards Jezrael And when he drew near unto the City the Centinel that was appointed by Joram to discover those that repaired to the City perceived Jehu resorting thither with a multitude of attendants and told Joram that a Troop of Horsemen were at hand Whereupon a Scout was sent out to discover who they were who drawing near unto Jehu asked him what News there was in the Army telling him that the King was desirous to know the same Jehu willed him to take no care thereof but to folâow after him The Centinel perceiving this certified Joram that the Messenger E whom he had sent went along with them that came and followed their General Whereupon the King sent out a Messenger the second time and Jehu commanded him to attend him as he did the first which the Cântinel signified to Joram likewise who thereupon took his Chariot to meet them accompanied with Ochozias King of Jerusalem who as we have said was come to the City to see how the King was recovered of his hurt because he was allied unto him But Jehu marched on in good aray till Joram meeting him in the field of Naboth asked him how the Army did who instead of returning an answer reviled him bitterly and called him the son of a Poysoner and of an Harlot For which cause Joram fearing his turbulent spirit and suspecting he designed some Treason against him fled away as swiftly as his Chariot could be driven telling Ochozias F that they were both of them betrayed but Jehu flung a Dart at him and pierced him thorow the heart Ver. 24. Whereupon Joram instantly fell on his knees Jorams slaughter and dyed Hereupon Jehu commanded Badac to cast Jorams body into Naboths field remembring him of the Prophecy of Elias foretold to Achab Ver. 25 26. who murthered Naboth The truth of Elias Prophesie namely That he and his Race should dye in that field For sitting behind Achabs Chariot he heard these words pronounced by the Prophet in effect it so fell out as he had prophesied When Joram was fallen down Ochozias was afraid to be slain for which cause he turned his Chariot to take another way Ver. 27. hoping that Jehu would not discover him The death of Ochozias King of Jerusalem and his burial But he was overtaken in a steep way and was hurt with an Arrow whereupon he forsook his Chariot and being mounted on a swift Horse posted to Maggedo where after his wounds had been dressed G some few dayes he deceased and was carried to Jerusalem and buried there after he had reigned one year and surpassed his father in wickedness H CHAP. VI. Jehu reigneth over Israel and keepeth his Court in Samaria and after him his Progeny to the fourth generation
threatning them that if they omitted it they might be assured that God would punish them After this admonition 2 Chron. 28. 9 ad 16. the Israelites assembled themselves together to consult upon this matter at which time Barachias one of the principal Governors of the State and three others with him The Israelites by the Prophets advice dismiss those prisoners they had taken of the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin alledged That it was not lawful for the Citizens to lead their Prisoners into the City for fear as they said that God should utterly extinguish them all For those sins said they which we have already committed and against which the Prophets have exclaimed are cause enough to incense God so that we have no cause to add new Impieties to the precedent When the Soldiers heard these words they permitted them to execute N all that which they held convenient to be done For which cause they took the Prisoners and discharged them and entertained them courteously and gave them money to furnish them in their journey and sent them home without offence and besides that these four persons conducted them onward of their journey as far as Jericho and when they drew near unto Jerusalem they returned back to Samaria CHAP. XIII The King of Assyria taketh Damascus by force killeth their King translateth the People into Media and planteth new Colonies in Damascus O WHen King Achaz had received this overthrow by the Israelites he sent unto Theglaphalazar King of Assyria requiring him to assist him in the War which he intended against the Israelites Syrians and them of Damascus promising to give him great Sums of money The year of the World 3055. before Christ's Nativity 909. and at that present also he sent him very large Presents Who A after he had considered on the Embassage came forth with his Army to assist Achaz and spoiling Syria and sacking Damascus he slew Rases their King also and transported them of Damascus into the higher Media and sent certain people of Assyria into Damascus He wrought much mischief likewise in the Countrey of Israel 2 Kings 16. 7 8 ad 16. and led away a great number of Prisoners from thence After that the Syrians had been subdued and weakned after this manner The translation of the Israelite Achaz took all the gold and silver that was in the Kings treasury and in the Temple of God and carried it unto Damascus and gave it to the King of Assyria according to the promise which he had made him Achaz giveth the gold and silver of the Temple to the King of the Assyrians and after much rejoycing he returned back again to Jerusalem B This King was so sensless and ignorant of his own profit that although he was vanquished in War by the Syrians yet ceased he not to adore their gods but persisted to honour them Achaz shutteth the doors of Gods Temple and honoureth strange gods as if he expected the victory by their means And although he were overcome the second time yet he continued to worship the Assyrian gods choosing rather to reverence any than the true God whom his Forefathers worshipped yea so far grew he in contempt and neglect of all true piety and at length he shut up the Temple-gates and prohibited the ordinary Sacrifices Ver. 20. having before that taken all the precious Presents out of the same Achaz death After he had in this sort committed these outrages against God he died when he was 36 years old and after he had reigned 16 years and left his son Ezechias to succeed him in the kingdom At that very time died Phaceias King of the Israelites by means of a certain conspiracy 2 Kings 17. 1 ad 6. which Oseas his intended friend wrought against him C who held the kingdom for the space of nine years shewing himself to be wicked and a contemner of God Oseas's impiety and punishment Against him Salmanasar King of Assyria raised a War and overcame him because God was not favourable unto him neither assistant to his enterprizes he was therefore subdued Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. and constrained to pay a certain tribute imposed upon him The fourth year of the Reign of Oseas 2 Kings 18. 1 c. Ezechias the son of Achaz and Abia a Citizen of Jerusalem reigned over the two Tribes He was a man of a virtuous disposition and one that loved justice and piety 2 Chron. 29. 1 c. for as soon as he came unto the kingdom he resolved with himself first of all that there was nothing more necessary and advantagious than the establishment of the service of God When therefore he had assembled the People the Priests and the Levites he began to discourse with them in these or such like words D There is no one of you but knoweth that for my fathers offences and for your irreverence and disregard to the service of God ye are fallen into many calamities because through your extreme madness you have suffered your selves to be persuaded to adore those whom he esteemed to be no gods Since therefore you have learnt to your own misery how pernicious a thing impiety is I exhort you that you purifie both your selves your Priests and your Levites from your former pollutions that yet at length you may assemble together and open the Temple and cleanse the same with ordinary Sacrifices to the end it may be restored to the ancient honour which heretofore it enjoyed for by this means God will be favourable unto us when his wrath shall be appeased that was kindled against us As soon as the King had spoken after this manner the Priests opened the Temple and after they had gathered the sacred vessels and cast all E uncleanness out of it they offered Sacrifices upon the Altar according to the custom Afterwards the King sent to all the Provinces under his dominion and gathered together the People of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread which had been intermitted a long time through the impiety of the Kings Predecessors He sent also unto the Israelites exhorting them to forsake the customs which of a long time they had wickedly observed and to return to the true and ancient manner of serving God certifying them that he would permit them to repair to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread promising them that he himself would solemnize the same with them also protesting that he did this not in respect of his own profit but through the desire he had to promote their felicity who should be happy if they obeyed this his counsel F When Ezechias Ambassadors came unto the Israelites Ezechias Ambassadors that were sent to the Israelites to exhort them to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread are slain by them and had delivered unto them the message that they had in charge so far were they from complying with
Horse to encounter the like number which shall be drawn out of our Army But alas it is not to be expected since you are not able to raise so great a Force Why therefore delay you Why yield you not to those that are too strong for you and are able even in spight of your resistance to ransack your City whereas you know that a willing submission is alwayes secure contrariwise whereas duty is enforced there wanteth no peril of calamity When both the Ambassadors and the People had heard what the Assyrian had spoken B 2 Kings 19. 1 2. they reported the same to Ezechias who incontinently cast his royal garments off and cloathed himself in sackcloth Ezechias in adversity hath recourse to God he is comforted by Esay discovering his trouble and sorrow in his countenance and casting himself prostrate upon the earth after the manner of their Countrey he besought God to be assistant unto him since all other hope was vain He sent also certain of his friends and some Priests unto the Prophet Esay requiring him to pray unto God That since Sacrifice was offered unto him for publick security it might please him to frustrate the enemies hopes and to have pity and compassion on his people When the Prophet had performed what was required he received an answer from God by which he assured the King and all that were about him foretelling them that the enemies should be overcome without stroke strucken and should retire with shame and not with that advantage which they promis'd to themselves at present because God had already determined C how they should be overthrown He foretold also that Senacherib himself the King of Assyria should fail of his enterprize in Egypt and that upon his return to his own Court he should be slain At that very time the Assyrian wrote Letters to Ezechias in which he called him fool and mad-man to think that he could secure himself from being his slave yea his in especial who had conquered divers and far greater Nations threatning him with utter ruine at such time as he should surprize the City if he opened not the gates of Jerusalem willingly to entertain his Army When Ezechias had read these Letters he set light by them by reason of the confidence he had in God and having opened them he spread them in the Temple And whil'st he renewed his prayers unto God for the salvation of the City and his Subjects Esay the Prophet told him That his D prayer was heard that hereafter likewise they should manure their lands in peace and security and should enjoy their possessions without fear Not long after the King of Assyria having but cold success in his expedition against Egypt turned back again without doing any thing for this cause that ensueth He had lost much time in the siege of Pelusium and at such time as he had already raised certain Bulwarks as high as the Wall so that he wanted nothing but to give the assault News was brought him that Thargises King of Ethiopia A v. 20. ad fin brought an Army to rescue the Egyptians with an intent to take his way thorow the Desart Herodotus of Senacherib and suddenly to charge the Assyrian Army Senacherib troubled with these tydings speedily departed thence with his Army But Herodotus saith That he made War with Vulcans Priests for so he stileth this King of Egypt because he was a Priest of that E false god and moreover addeth Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. That besieging Pelusium for this cause he gave over the siege The King of Egypt called to his God for assistance by whose power the Arabians suffered much misery But in this also he erreth in that he setteth down the Arabian for the Assyrian There came one night so great a number of Rats into the Army that they gnawed to pieces all their Bowe-strings and made the rest of their Arms unserviceable whence it came to pass that the King being disarmed Ver. 35 36 37. withdrew his siege from Pelusium But Berosus a Writer among the Chaldees The punishment of Senacherib for displeasing God maketh mention of Senacherib and how he reigned among the Assyrians and troubled both Asia and Egypt with War and declareth the manner in these words But Senacherib returning from the Egyptian War came before Jerusalem and received the Army that F was there at the hands of the Governor Rabsake and God caused a pestilent sickness to fall upon his Army which was so violent that the first night of the siege there dyed an hundred fourscore and five thousand men with the Governors and Chieftains With which loss he was so affrighted Paââicides and troubled that fearing to lose his Army he fled with those that remained and retired himself into his Kingdom to the City called Nineve where after he had lived for a time he was trayterously slain by Adramelech and Selenar his two elder sons and being dead was carried into his own Temple called Arusche and his children were driven out of the Kingdom for committing the murther and retired themselves into Armenia and Asseradochus his youngest son succeeded Senacherib Such was the end of the Assyrian Army that came before Jerusalem G CHAP. II. The year of the World 3241. before Christ's Nativity 733. H Ezechias having for a time remained in peace dieth and leaveth his son Manasses to succeed him KIng Ezechias being in this sort beyond all hope delivered from his fears offered thanksgiving and sacrifices unto God Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. with all the people acknowledging that there was no other cause that had slain part of his enemies 2 Kings 20. 1 ad 11. and put the rest to mortal fear nor delivered Jerusalem from thraldom but only Gods succour and assistance And whilest he altogether intended and was occupied about the service of God he fell sick I of a grievous disease so as the Physicians despaired of his health and his friends expected nothing but his death But that which occasioned the greatest trouble was that he had no children and saw that he was now to depart the world and to leave his house without a successor Ezechias sickness and the prolongation of his life assured by miracle and his kingdom desolate In this affliction he besought God That it would please him to lengthen his life a little time until he had children to succeed him and that he would vouchsafe that his soul might not be taken from him before he were the father of a son Hereupon God taking compassion of him and the rather because he was not grieved for that the pleasures of his kingdom were taken from him but for that he sought for a lawful heir to succeed him he sent the Prophet Esay unto him to assure him that after three days he should be recovered of his sickness and that after he had lived K some fifteen years more he should
outrages were best liking unto them For this cause the Prophet Jeremy came unto him protesting oftentimes against him and denouncing That if he would not forsake his impieties and addict himself to that which was just but gave ear unto his Governors amongst which there were many wicked men nnd to those false Prophets that mis-led him trusting that the Babylonians should not make War against his City but that the Egyptians should levy an Army and overcome them that then he should suffer much misery For said he they have no truth in their sayings and they will always mislead you by false reports Whil'st Sedechias gave ear to these discourses of the Prophet he was persuaded and acknowledg'd all that to be true which he had spoken and very profitable both for him Ezekiel prophesieth the destruction of the Temple and his people but anon after his friends corrupted him and diverted him according E to their own opinions Ezekiel also at the same time had prophesied in Babylon concerning all those calamities which were to fall upon the Temple and sent notice to Jerusalem of that which he had received from God Notwithstanding Sedechias gave no credit to his Prophesies by reason that all the Prophets were accustomed to accord in all things the one with the other as touching the surprisal of the City and the imprisonment of Sedechias but Ezekiel differed in this that he said that Sedechias should not see Babylon notwithstanding that Jeremy had prophesied that the King of Babylon should lead him away Prisoner in bonds Ver. 20. because therefore these two accorded not in all their sayings Sedechiâs revolts from the Babylonian he concluded that the matter wherein they agreed was of no consequence Notwithstanding all things hapned unto him according as the Prophets had pronounced as F we will declare hereafter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. After that he had continued his alliance and friendship with the King of Babylon for the space of eight years 2 Kings 25. 4. ad 12. he brake the league that was between them and confederated with the Egyptians under hope that they should overcome the Babylonians The King of Egypt coming to rescue the King of Jerusaâem is overthrown by Nabuchodonosor with all his Army and driven out of Syria Which when the King of Babylon understood he led forth his Army against him and destroy'd his Countrey to the uttermost so that after he had taken his Cities of defence he brought his Army before Jerusalem and besieged it The Egyptian perceiving the state wherein his Ally Sedechias was levied an huge Army and came into Judea with an intent to raise the siege Whereupon the Babylonian withdrew his Army from Jerusalem to encounter with the Egyptian and fought with him and overcame him in battel and pressed on him with such courage that he put him to flight and drave him G out of Syria As soon as the Babylonian was dislodged from Jerusalem the false Prophets deceived Zedechias telling him That the Babilonian should never more return to make War either H against him or his Nation and that he should never any more depart from his house in Babylon and that they who had been led away captives should return home again loaden with those vessels of the Temple which the King of Babylon had taken from them But the Prophet Jeremy presenting himself before the King prophesied the contrary to these Impostors Zedechias seduced by false Prophets assuring both him and the People That no profit could befall them by means of the Egyptians for that the Babilonians should overcome them and should return and encamp before Jerusalem The Prophecy of the captivity of Babylon and the delivery and besiege the same and destroy the People by Famine and lead them away Prisoners that were remaining and carry away all their substance and that after they were seized of the riches of their Temple they should finally burn the same As for the City they should raze it Jer. 25. v. 1. ad 12. and said he they shall keep us captive for the space of 70 years And I from this servitude the Persians and Medes shall deliver us at such time as they have gotten the Empire out of the hands of the Babilonians Jer. 29. 1 ad 10. then shall they send us back again into our Countrey C. 37. per tot and we shall build our Temple anew and establish the City of Jerusalem Divers men gave credit to these words of Jeremy but the Governors and such as contemned God intreated him very cruelly as if he had been a man beside himself And whereas he had an intent to visit his Native Countrey Anathoth some 20 furlongs from Jerusalem one of the Magistrates encountring him in his journey and laying hold on him retained him loading him with this slander That he stole away to submit himself to the Babilonians But Jeremy answer'd That he was falsely accused and that he repaired only to the place where he was born This Prince giving him no credit arrested him and brought him K before the judgment-seat Jerusalem besieged where he sustained all sorts of outrages and torments and was shut up in Prison to be punish'd and remain'd there for a time suffering the extremity of wrong and injury 2 Kings 25. 1 ad 10. The ninth year of the Reign of Zedechias and on the tenth day of the ninth month Jer. 39. 1 ad 19. the King of Babilon came and encamped the second time before Jerusalem Two mighty enemies Famine and Pestilence and intrenched himself round about the same for the space of 18 months and laid siege thereto using his utmost endeavor to make himself Master of the place And they that were besieged therein were afflicted with two of the greatest calamities Famine and a most grievous Pestilence Jeremy persuadeth them to yield At this time the Prophet Jeremy being in Prison held not his peace but cryed with a loud voice and preached and exhorted the People willing them to entertain the Babilonians and to open their gates unto them because that in so L doing they might secure themselves with their families whereas otherwayes they were assured of destruction He foretold them also That if any one remained in the City he should most assuredly either perish by famine or the enemies fury but if so be they submitted themselves to the enemies mercy they should escape from death But those Governors that heard him speak after this sort gave him no credit in that they were not as yet pressed with the danger for which cause they came unto the King and after a despiteful manner told him all that which had been spoken accusing Jeremy and reproving him for a mad man urging this That he had abated their courage and by his woful predictions had weakned the hearts of the people which were otherwayes ready to fight for him and their Countrey
with Presents he departed In mean while Jeremy dwelt in the City of Masphath he desired Nabuzaradan that he would send him his Disciple Baruch the Son of Neria a man of a Noble Family and excellently Learned in that Countrey Language Now when those that during the Siege of Jerusalem Baâuch dismissed out of prison v. 6. ad finem the Jews resort to Masphaâth to Godolias were retired out of the City understood the retreat of the Babylonians B they assembled together from all parts and came to Masphath to Godolias under the conduct of John the Son of Careas and Jezanais and Sareas and others And besides these a certain man called Ismael of the Bloud Royal a wicked and fraudulent man who during the Siege of the City had retired himself to Bathal King of the Ammonites and had sojourned with him during all the troubles When they were come together Godolias advised them to remain in that Countrey without any fear of the Babylonians promising that in manuring their Land they should incurr no inconvenience All which he confirmed unto them by an Oath adding further that if any disturbance were offered to any man he would readily assist him He gave each one this advice likewise to inhabit any City that they liked best promising them to send them thither C with such things as appertained to them to build them Houses and furnish their Habitation promising that when time served he would make provision of Corn Wine and Oil for their maintenance during the Winter and when he had thus advised them he gave them leave to depart and inhabit the Countrey Now when the rumor was spread amongst the people of Judea that Godolias had thus courteously entertained those that were Fugitives and now he had permitted them to Inhabit and Till the Countrey provided that they payed their Tribute to the Babylonian divers of them repaired to him and inhabited the Countrey And John and the other Governors being with him and assured of his clemency began entirely to love him Wherefore they told him that Bathal King of the Ammonites had sent Ismael to murther him by D some Treachery that by that means he might have the Dominion over the Israelites that remained in that he was of the Bloud-Royal perswading him that the only means to escape this Treason was to permit them to kill Ismael in secret assuring him on the contrary that they feared that if Ismael should happen to kill him their whole Nation that remained was like to fall to utter ruine But Godolias replyed that it was not probable that Ismael who had received nothing but kindness from his hands should make any attempt upon his life and that having never been guilty of any unworthy action in the time of his necessity he should now make himself guilty of so great a Villany against his Benefactor whom he ought even with the hazard of his own life to secure from the attempts of others Yea said he although those things were true which you inform me of yet had I rather E dye than murther a man that had committed his life to my trust For which cause John and the rest seeing their perswasions were in vain departed from him Some thirty days after Ismael accompanied with ten Men came to Masphath to Godolias who received them with Presents and magnificent Entertainment so that to express to Ismael and his companions how heartily they were welcome Godolias drunk so hard that he was somewhat overcame with Wine Now when Ismael perceived him overloaden with Drink and Sleep he stept unto him with his ten associates and cut both his throat and theirs who kept him company at the Banquet after which murther he issued out by night and slew all the Jews that were left in the City and those Babylonian Soldiers also that were left in Garrison in that place The next day there came F fourscore Men of the Countrey to Godolias with Presents being utterly ignorant of that which had happened Ismael knowing them called them unto him as if he intended to bring them to Godolias and as soon as they were entred he locked the Court-Gates and slew them and afterwards cast their bodies into a deep Ditch to the intent they might not be discovered Of this number there were some that escaped who besought him that they might not be put to death before they had delivered certain Moveables Garments and Corn that they had hidden in the field which when Ismael understood he spared them but he kept them prisoners that were in Masphath with their Wives and Children in the number of whom were the Daughters of Zedechias whom Nabuzaradan had left with Godolias This done he retired back again to the G King of the Ammonites John and the Governors of his company hearing what was done by Ismael in Masphath and above all of the murther of Godolias they were wonderfully inraged so that each of them assembling his forces issued forth to pursue H Ismael whom they overtook near unto a Fountain in Hebron The prisoners that were with Ismael seeing John and his Confederates took courage supposing that it was some succors that came to help them and forsook him that led them and began to joyn with Johns followers and thus fled Ismael with his eight Men to the King of the Ammonites John gathering together all those whom he had rescued from Ismaels hands Ver. 12. ad âinem both Eunuchs Women and Children retired into a certain place called Mendra where he sojourned all that day John releaseth Ismaels Captives resolving from thence to depart into Egypt fearing lest the Babylonians should put him to death if they should remain in Judea for that they would be displeased with the death of Godolias whom they had placed in the Government In this perplexity and distress John asketh counsel of God and being informed refuseth the same they addressed themselves to the Prophet Jeremy beseeching I him to enquire of God and to certify them what it behoved them to do in this their doubtful Estate binding themselves by an Oath to do that which Jeremy should command them Hereupon the Prophet promised that he would ask Counsel of God for them and some ten days after God appeared unto him and willed him to certify John the Governors and the rest of the people that if they inhabited Judea he would assist them and take care of them and secure them so as the Babylonians whom they feared should do them no harm but if they departed into Egypt he would abandon them and deliver them over to the like misery as their brethren had endured in times past Whilest the Prophet thus warned them from God they would not believe him in that he commanded them to remain in that place but they imagined that under a false pretext of K Gods command he had counselled them thereto but that in effect he spake in favor of his Disciple Baruch
they protesting that they could not fulfil his request he commanded them all to be slain But Daniel hearing how the King had condemned all the Sages to death and knowing that both he and his companions were concerned in that danger addressed himself to Ariochus the Captain of the Kings Guard requiring him to inform him for what cause the King had adjudged the Chaldees and Sages to be put to death and having told what had happened as touching the dream and how the King forgetting the E same had charged them to inform him therein and how they had answered that it was impossible for them to perform the same and how thereby they had provoked the King to displeasure he besought Ariochus to go unto the King and to procure one nights reprieve on the behalf of the Egyptians and Chaldees in that he hoped during that night to beseech God and intreat from him both the Dream and the signification thereof Hereupon Ariochus told the King what Daniel had requested and he thereupon respited the execution of the Magicians for that night until he might see what would become of Daniels promise who retiring himself with his companions into his chamber besought God all the night long to manifest unto him the dream and deliver the Magicians and Chaldees from the Kings wrath with whom both he and the rest of his companions were F like to dye except he might know what the King had dreamt the night past and what was the interpretation thereof Whereupon God having compassion of the danger wherein they were and taking pleasure in Daniels wisdom signified unto him both the dream and the signification thereof to the intent the King might be resolved of the meaning thereof Daniel having received the truth from God à v. 20. ad 24. arose very joyfully and certified his Brethren who had already lost all hope of life The Vision and the Revelation thereof opened to Daniel and thought on nothing but death and gave them courage and hope Having therefore rendred thanks unto God for that he had had compassion of their younger years as soon as it was day he went unto Ariochus requesting him that he might be brought to the Kings presence assuring him G that he would open unto him the dream which he had seen the night past Now when Daniel was brought unto the Kings Presence he besought him that he would not esteem him to H be more wise than the other Chaldeans and Magicians The year of the World 3363 before Christ's Nativity 601. in that whereas none of them could expound his Dream he did attempt to express the same for that came not to pass by reason of his experience or for that he was more industrious than they were but said he God hath had compassion on us that were in danger of death and at such time as I requested him to grant me and my Countrey-men life he hath certified me both of your Dream and the signification thereof I was not so much aggrieved for that in our innocency we were adjudged to death by thee as concerned for thy reputation and renown which was hazarded by condemning so many and so innocent and just men to death whereas that which you have required of them á v. 26 ad finem savoureth nothing of humane wit but is the only work of God Whilest therefore thou thoughtst in thy self Daniel telleth the King his Dream and the interpretation thereof who it was that should command the whole world after thy I self at such time as thou wert asleep God intending to let thee know all those that should govern after thee presented the with this Dream It seemed unto thee that thou sawest a great Statue whereof the Head was of Gold the Shoulders and Arms of Silver the Belly and Thighs of Brass Nebuchodonosors Dream of the four Monarchs of the world and the Legs and Feet of Iron Thou beheldest after that a great Stone that was drawn from a Mountain that fell upon the Statue and beat down and burst the same and left no whole piece thereof so that the Gold Silver Iron and Brass were powdered as small as dust whereupon a violent wind seemed to blow which by the fury and force thereof was born away and scattered into divers Countreys on the other side the stone grew so mighty that it seemed to fill the whole Earth This was that Vision that appeared unto you the signification whereof is expressed after this manner The Head K of Gold signifieth your self and those Kings of Babylon that have been before you The two Hands and Shoulders signify that your Empire shall be restored by two Kings the one part by the King of the East cloathed in Brass whose force shall be abated by another power resembling that of iron and he shall have the power over the whole Earth by reason of the nature of Into á v. 46 ad finem which is more strong than Gold Silver or Brass he told the King also what the Stone signified But for mine own part I thought it not expedient to express in this place Daniel and his fellows advanced to honour because the only design and intent of my Writings is to register such things as are past and not such matters as are to come But if any man be so curious as to enquire into these things and to understand such matters as are hidden let him read the Book of Daniel which he shall find amidst the Sacred Scriptures L When King Nabuchodonosor had heard those things and remembred himself of his Dream he was astonished at Daniels wisdom and casting himself prostrate on the Earth after the manner of those that adore God he embraced Daniel giving direction that sacrifice should be offered unto him as if he were God Moreover he called him by the name of God and committed the administration of his whole Kingdom to him and his companions who by reason of the conspiracies of their malignours and detractours The Kings Edict for honouring the Golden Statue happened to fall into most imminent and dreadful danger upon the occasion that ensueth The King built a Golden Image sixty Cubits high and six in bigness and erected it in a great Plain near unto Babylon and being ready to dedicate the same he assembled all the Governours and Princes of his Countreys M commanding them first of all Dan. 3. 1. ad 9. that as soon as they should hear the Trumpet sound they should prostrate themselves on the Earth to adore the Statue threatening that whosoever should do the contrary á v. 19 ad finem he should be cast into a burning Furnace whereas therefore all of them adored the Statue upon the sound of the Trumpet Daniel and his companions utterly refused to perform that duty Daniel and his kinsmen refusing to adore the Statue are cast into the Furnace alledging for their justification that they
would not transgress the Laws of their Countrey for which cause being apprehended they were instantly cast into the Furnace of Fire and protected therein by Gods providence escaped death beyond all mens expectation For the fire touched them not neither could it burn during their abode in the Furnace For God so defended their Bodies that they could not be consumed by fire N which miracle made them in great estimation with the King for that he saw that they were virtuous and beloved of God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Not long after this the King saw another Vision in his sleep which signified unto him that being cast from his Empire he should converse with Savage Beasts and that having lived in that estate in the Desart for the space of seven years he should recover his Kingdom again Having had this Dream he assembled the Magicians once more demanding their answer and the signification thereof But it was impossible for any one of them either to find out or declarethe meaning of this Dream unto the King Onely Daniel discovered the same and the effect was answerable to his prediction For the King passed the fore-limited time in the Desart Dan. 4. 1. ad 29. so that no man durst intermeddle O with the affairs of Estate during seven years The Dream and exposition hereof But after he had called upon God that it would please him to restore him to his Kingdom he repossessed the same again Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities according as I have found them written in Holy Books The year of the World 3381. before Christ's Nativity 5â3 for in the entrance of my History I have A answered those objections so that I have openly protested that I will onely faithfully translate the Hebrew Histories into the Greek tongue and according to my promise relate that which is contained therein without adding any thing of mine own or concealing ought of another mans Nabuchodonosors death After that Nabuchodonosor had reigned fourty three years he dyed he was a man of good Conduct and more happy than any of his Predecessors Berosus maketh mention of his acts in the third Book of the Chaldaique History where he speaketh thus His Father Nabuchodonosor having notice that the Governour whom he had appointed over Egypt and the neighboring parts of Coelosyria and Phoenicia was revolted from him being at that time in himself unable to endure the troubles of War committed apart of his Forces unto his Son Nabuchodonosor who was in the flower of his age B and sent him forth against them Berosus of Nabuchodonosor Hedio Ruffinus chap 13. who encountring the Rebels and fighting with them overcame them and brought the Countrey under his subjection Mean while Nabuchodonosor the Father died of a sickness in Babylon after he had Reigned One and twenty years Nabuchodonosor the Son having notice of his Fathers death gave order to the affairs of Egypt and the rest of the Countrey and committing the care and transportation of the Jews Syrians Egyptians and Phoenicians to his friends to bring them to Babylon with his Army and Carriage he with a few Men made hasty journeys thorow the Desart And when he had taken the administration of the Kingdom upon him which in his absence was in the hands of the Chaldees and by their Chieftain was reserved until his return unto his use he became Lord of all his Fathers Empire When his prisoners were arrived he assigned them convenient C dwelling places in the Countrey of Babylon and with the spoils of War he magnificently repaired and decked the Temple of Bell and other places He enlarged the old City and repaired and beautified it with other buildings by means whereof they that would besiege the same were hindred from cutting off the current of the River to the prejudice of the Inhabitants He invironed it within with a treble Wall and outwardly with as mighty and as many enclosures and made all of burnt Brick The Walls were magnificently builded and the Gates bravely adorned in manner of Temples He caused a Palace to be builded near unto his Fathers antient Palace the magnificence and ornaments whereof I am not able to express onely this thing most memorable I have thought good to note that these great and pompous Buildings were finished in fifteen days In this Palace he had Vaults D raised so high that in outward appearance they seemed to be Mountains on which all sorts of Trees were planted He devised and prepared also a goodly Garden and called it the hanging Garden because his Wife having been brought up in the Countrey of Media desired at Babylon Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor to see some resemblance of her own Countrey Megasthenes in the fourth Book of his Indian History maketh mention of this Garden in that place where he enforced himself to prove Diocles. that this King surpassed Hercules in valour and execution of worthy actions Philostratus For he said that Nabuchodonosor overcame the chief City of Lybia and a great part of Spain Diocles in the Second Book of the Persian History and Philostratus in his Phoenician and Indian History make mention of this King saying that he overcame the City of Tyre at the end of thirteen years at such time as Ithobal E Reigned over the Tyrians This is the sum of all that which the Historiographers write as touching this King CHAP. XI Nabuchodonosors Successors the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia AFter Nabuchodonosors death Evilmerodach releaseth Jechonias from his long imprisonment his Son Evilmerodach obtained the Kingdom who incontinently delivered Jechonias King of Jerusalem out of prison and held him in the number of his most esteemed friends and gave him Presents and committed F the Government of the Palace of Babylon into his hands For his Father had not kept his promise with Jechonias 2 King 25. 27. when he surrendred himself his Wife Children and Friends into his hands Jer. 52. 31. ad finem in the behalf of his Countrey and to the intent that the City of Jerusalem should not be razed by those that besieged it Niglisar as we have heretofore declared Labophordach Evilmerodach died in the eighteenth year of his Reign Balthasar or Naboandel King of Babylon and Niglisar his Son obtained the Kingdom which he possessed fourty years and afterwards died After him the succession of the Kingdom came unto his Son called Labophordach which continued in him but for the space of nine moneths and after his death it came unto Balthasar who by the Babylonian was called Naboandel Against whom Cyrus King of Persia and Darius King of Media made War at such time as he was besieged in Babylon there hapned G a marvellous and prodigious spectacle H Balthasar sate upon a certain Festival day in a Royal Chamber The year of
tydings brought to the Jews and for the good success which he had given him in Darius 's presence For said he O Lord if thou hadst E not been favourable unto me I had not obtained it After he had in this manner given thanks for the present and pray'd God to shew himself always favourable hereafter he repaired to Babylon and told his Countreymen what encouragement he had receiv'd from the King who hearing thereof gave God thanks also who had restor'd them once more to the possession of their native Countrey and they fell to feasting and banquetting for seven days space The Jews depart from Babylon to Jerusalem for the restoring unto their Countrey as if they had solemniz'd the feasts of their birth-days Hereupon the heads of the several families made choice of those that with their wives and children should return unto Jerusalem who by the assistance of Darius's Convoy perform'd that journey with great joy playing on their Psalteries Flutes and Cymbals and were after this manner conducted on their way by F those Jews that remained in Babylon Thus went they forward being a certain and determinate number of every family I have not thought it necessary to repeat these families by name 3 Esd 5. lest I should perplex the Relation and the Readers should be interrupted thereby The number of the Jews that went out of Babylon Notwithstanding the whole number of those that went and were about 12 years old of the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin were four millions six hundred and eight thousand There were likewise four thousand and seventy Levites And of their wives and children together forty thousand seven hundred forty and two Besides these there were of Singers of the Tribe of Levi one hundred twenty and eight of Porters one hundred and ten and of those that attended on the Sanctuary three hundred twenty and two There were certain others likewise that pretended that they were G of the race of the Israelites but could give no testimony of their descent the number of whom was six hundred fifty and two Of the number of the Priests they that had espoused H wives whose genealogy could not be derived and who were not found also in the genealogies of the Priests and Levites they were about five hundred twenty and five The multitude of servants that followed or attended on them were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven There were also two hundred forty and five Singers of men and women four hundred thirty and five Camels and five hundred twenty and five other beasts for their carriage The conducter of this above-named multitude Zorobabel Chieftain and Jesus High-Priest of this company was Zorobabel the son of Salathiel descended of Davids Line and of the Tribe of Juda and Jesus the son of Josedech the High-Priest besides which were Mordochaeus and Serabaeas who were chosen by the people to be their Governors who contributed 100 pounds of gold and five hundred of silver Thus the Priests and Levites and part I of all the people of the Jews which were then in Babylon were conducted to dwell in Jerusalem the other part of them following a little after returned every one into his own Countrey The seventh month after their departure out of Babylon the High-Priest Jesus and the Governor Zorobabel 1 Esdr 3. 6. ad finem sent Messengers thorow all the Countrey and assembled the people from all quarters of the Region who with all alacrity and expedition repair'd to Jerusalem There erected they an Altar in the same place where heretofore it was built to the end they might offer Sacrifices thereon according to Moses Law but hereby they gave offence to their neighbouring Nations who in general were incensed against them They celebrated also at that time the feast of Tabernacles according as the Law-maker K had ordain'd C. 3. v. 4 5. afterwards they offer'd oblations and continual sacrifices observing their Sabbaths The feast of Tabernacles and all holy solemnities And they that had made any vows perform'd them and sacrificed from the New Moon until the seventh month After this they began to build the Temple and deliver'd great sums of money to the hewers of stone and Masons and gave strangers their ordinary diet who brought them stone and timber For it was an easie matter for the Sidonians The Temple began to be built ver 8. to bring wood and timber from Libanus and binding it up and gathering it together in rafters to ship it and land it at the Port of Joppa For Cyrus had heretofore given them that commandment and now the second time they were enjoined thereunto by Darius The second year after their arrival in Jerusalem the Jews assembled together in the second L month and began to build the Temple having laid the foundation thereof on the first day of December Over this work those Levites that were above 20 years of age were overseers with them also was Jesus and his sons and brothers joined and Zolimiel the brother of Juda the son of Aminadab and his sons And through the diligence that these overseers of the Temple used it was sooner finish'd than it was expected As soon as the Sanctuary was built the Priests apparelled in their accustomed habits and the Levites and the sons of Asaph arose and with Trumpets praised God and sung several Hymns and Psalms compos'd by King David The Priests and Levites with the Elders of the Tribes calling to mind how great and magnificent the first Temple was and beholding that which was built at present far inferior to the former and perceiving M how much the ancient wealth and dignity of the Temple was abased they were so sensibly touched with the consideration thereof that they could not but burst forth into lamentations and tears But the people were contented with that which they beheld and without any mention of the former Temple they troubled not themselves in comparing the one with the other neither thought they upon the difference betwixt the present and that which stood in times past but the Elders lamented and the Priests complain'd that the new erected Temple was far less than the former yet the noise of the Trumpets drowned their lamentations The Samaritans desirous to further the building of the Temple are rejected and the joyful applauses of the people their mournings The Samaritans hearing the noise of the Trumpets ran out to know the cause thereof because they were ill-affected toward the Tribe of Juda and Benjamin and understanding N that the Jews which were return'd from Babylon had re-edifi'd the Temple they addressed themselves to Zorobabel and Jesus and to the chief Governors of the families requiring them that it might be lawful for them to repair the Temple with them and to have part in the building thereof For said they we honour God no less than you we pray unto him and adore him we conform our selves to
made great complaints unto him and demanded justice at his hand because the Temple of Dagon was burnt and destroyed accusing Jonathan for the firing thereof and the slaughter of many People therein K But Ptolomey hearing these accusations answered not a word But when Jonathan came to meet him at Joppa Jonathan meeteth with Ptolomey and is honourably entertained by him he courted him with Royal Presents and all the Honour that was possible and after he had conducted him as far as the River called Eleutherus he dismissed him and sent him back to Jerusalem When Ptolomey was come to Ptolomais he hardly escaped death and that contrary to all expectation by the contrivance of Alexander Treason intended against Ptolomey and discovered for which cause he taketh away his daughter from Alexander and giveth her to Demetrius for his wife and his friend Ammonius which Treachery being discover'd Ptolomey wrote unto Alexander requiring him That Ammonius might be punished for his Treason and Conspiracies practised against him according to the heinousness of the offence But seeing that Alexander deliver'd him not up into his hands he conjectured and concluded that he himself was the Author thereof and conceived a great displeasure against this perfidious L Prince who had heretofore very much disobliged the Inhabitants of Antioch by protecting this same Ammonius from whom they had received a great deal of mischief but in the end Ammonius was punisht for these his outrages and disgracefully slain like a woman whil'st in a womans attire he sought to hide himself as we have related in another place At that time Ptolomey began to repent of bestowing his daughter in marriage on Alexander and for refusing Demetrius to be his friend and confederate so that he broke off the affinity that he had with him and after he had withdrawn his daughter from him he presently sent Ambassadors unto Demetrius to confirm a league of peace and amity with him promising him to bestow his daughter upon him in marriage and to establish M him in his fathers kingdom Demetrius very joyful to hear of this Embassage accepted both of the league and the marriage There only remained one difficulty for Ptolomey to surmount which was how he might persuade the Antiochians to admit Demetrius against whom they were so much incensed for the indignities which his father Demetrius had offered them but this difficulty he overcame by this means The Antiochians hated Alexander because of Ammonius as we have related before and by that means were the more easily drawn to drive him out of the City He perceiving himself to be thrust out of Antioch came into Cilicia Whereupon Ptolomey came unto Antioch and was both by the Citizens and Soldiers therein proclaimed King and was constrained to take two Diadems the one as King of Asia the other as King of Egypt But he being a man naturally N very just prudent moderate and not at all ambitious and unwilling to displease the Romans Ptolomey persuaded the Antiochians to accept Demetrius for their King and refused the Diadem of Asia he call'd together the Inhabitants of Antioch and prevailed so far with them that at last he persuaded them to accept of Demetrius for their King assuring them That if he should receive that kindness at their hands he would no more keep in memory those things that had fallen out betwixt them and his fathe protesting for his own part that he would instruct him both how to order the course of his life honestly and to manage his publick affairs with justice and promising them that if he attempted to do any thing that should be unworthy of a good Prince he himself would be the most ready to chastise him for his own part he would content himself to be King of Egypt And by this means the Antiochians were induced to receive Demetrius O But when Alexander was departed out of Cilicia with a great Army and was come into Syria and had burnt and spoiled the Countrey of Antioch Ptolomey accompanied with his son Demetrius The year of the World 3814. before Christ's Nativity 146. for he had already married his daughter unto him came forth A with their Armies and obtained a complete victory by overcoming Alexander who was constrained to flie into Arabia It came to pass in that battel that Ptolomies Horse hearing the noise of an Elephant was troubled and stumbled in such a manner that he threw his Master on the ground Alexander being overcome flâeth into Arabia and is slain in that place which when his Enemies perceiv'd they ran all together upon him and gave him divers wounds in the head whereby he was in danger to have been slain unless his Guard had rescu'd him notwithstanding he was so dangerously wounded that for four days he remained without any sense on the fifth day when he began to come to himself Zabel the Prince of Arabia who had beheaded Alexander sent his head unto Ptolomey Ptolomey's death wherewith he was well-pleased but this joy lasted not long for some few days after he died himself This Alexander sirnamed Balles reigned for the space B of five years as we have elsewhere related Demetrius sirnamed Nicanor having obtained the kingdom quickly discover'd his ill nature and treated Ptolomies Army very unworthily forgetting both the confederacy and affinity that he had contracted with him by Cleopatra his wife who was Ptolomey's daughter But the Men of War hating his ingratitude fled into Alexandria for their own security notwithstanding they left the Elephants in his power and possession But the High-Priest Jonathan having assembled an Army of all the Countrey of Judea Jonathan appeaseth Demetrius by Presents began to besiege the Castle of Jerusalem where there was a Garison of the Macedonians and a great number of wicked Apostates that were fallen from the Jewish Religion who in the beginning slighted the Engines that Jonathan had raised to take that C place in the strength whereof they reposed too much confidence But in the end some of them breaking out by night came unto Demetrius and told him of the siege at which he was displeased and taking a strong Army with him he departed from Antioch to make War upon Jonathan When he came to Ptolomais he wrote to Jonathan and commanded him to come unto him notwithstanding Jonathan gave not over the siege but took the Elders and Priests with him with gold and silver robes and a great quantity of Presents intended for Demetrius and when he had deliver'd them to him he appeased his wrath and after he had received many honours at his hands he obtained the confirmation of his Priesthood in as ample manner as he enjoyed it during the time of his Predecessors and although the wicked Jews accused him yet did not D Demetrius give any credit to them Moreover Jonathan requiring that for the whole Countrey of Jewry and for the three governments of Samaria Joppa and
make War upon him unless he paid him those Tributes which the people of the Jews ought and were wont to pay unto the Kings Ancestors heretofore And that he had certainly done had not Tryphon hindred him for he was forced to turn those Forces that he had prepar'd against Jonathan Demetrius thrust out of Antiâch to make War upon Tryphon O who returning from Arabia into Syria with the younger Antiochus who at that time was under age he set the diadem upon his head All the Army likewise that had abandon'd Demetrius for contracting their Pay came and follow'd him and made open War against their Master The year of the World 3820. before Christ's Nativity 144. and under Antiochus and Tryphon fought with him and overcame A him seized his Elephants and made themselves Masters of the City of Antioch Whereupon Demetrius being wholly discomfited fled into Cilicia But the younger Antiochus sent Ambassadors and Letters to Jonathan calling him his Allie and Friend confirming the Priesthood unto him Jonathan for the favors and benefits he received at Tryphons and Antiochus's hands offereth and performeth his best endeavors against Demetrius and assigned him the four governments annexed to Judea and besides these he gave him vessels of gold a robe of purple with permission to wear the same he gave him also a pendent of gold and assured him that he esteemed of him as one of his friends and created his brother Simon General of his Army from the marches of Tyre as far as Egypt Jonathan finding such honours as these heaped upon him sent Ambassadors both unto him and Tryphon protesting That he was their Friend and Allie and that he would fight on his side against Demetrius of whom he had so great reason to complain B in that he had made no other return but ingratitude for all the services which he had done him But after that Antiochus had granted him leave to levy a great Army out of Syria and Phoenicia to fight against Demetrius he went into the neighbouring Cities and was by them very kindly received yet did they not afford him any Men of War Coming from thence unto Ascalon the Citizens in honourable aray came out to meet him with Presents whom together with the Cities of Coelofyria he exhorted to forsake Demetrius's part and to follow Antiochus to the end that joining themselves with him they might all of them combine their Forces against Demetrius and take vengeance of those mischiefs which they had oftentimes endur'd by his means and which if they prudently examin'd they had many reasons to prosecute their revenge After he had persuaded C these Cities to enter into confederation against Demetrius he came to Gaza to induce them likewise and reconcile them to Antiochus But he found the Gazeans to be of a far contrary disposition than that which he expected for they flatly resisted him and although they were intended to forsake Demetrius yet would they not join their Forces or submit the City to his government For which cause Jonathan besieged their City and spoiled their Countrey for with the one half of his Army he begirt Gaza and with the other half he over-ran the Countrey spoiling and burning the same The Gazeans seeing these miseries which they were constrain'd to endure and perceiving that no succors came unto them from Demetrius but that their own overthrow was at hand and their assistance far off and that which was worse most uncertain they thought it to be the D wisest part for them to forsake the one and follow the other Whereupon they sent messengers unto Jonathan protesting that they would be both his friends and confederates For men do unwillingly take knowledge of their profit before they have bought it to their sorrow and that which they neglected at first and was most expedient for them to perform before they were afflicted that do they earnestly hunt after at such time as they have been chastised Upon this submission of theirs Jonathan receiv'd them into favor and took pledges of them and sent them to Jerusalem and from thence marched he along the Countrey as far as Damasco And whereas an huge Host sent by Demetrius came out against him as far as the City Cedasa near unto Tyre and Galilee making their reckoning to divert Jonathan from Syria by succouring and relieving those of Galilee who were their confederates Jonathan E went out speedily to meet with them recommending the state of Judea to the charge of his brother Simon Simon Jonathan's brother taketh in Bethsura Who assembling all the power that was possible to be gather'd throughout all the Countrey encamped before Bethsura a strong Fort in Judea and besieg'd it for Demetrius being before-time seized thereof kept Garison therein as before this we have declar'd When as therefore Simon raised his Bulwarks and fitted his Engines to assault the City and employ'd all his study to surprize the same they that were besieged waxed afraid lest if he should take the Town by force they should lose their lives For which cause they sent an Herald unto Simon requesting him that he would permit them to depart out of Bethsura with the safety of their lives and goods and go unto Demetrius who satisfying their demands they presently departed out of the City F and he planted a Garison therein of their own men in place of the Macedonians In the mean while Jonathan who was in Galilee caused his Army to dislodge from a place called the waters of Genezareth where he was encamped and marched towards the Plain of Azot without any suspition that his Enemies had been planted thereabouts When as therefore Demetrius's Soldiers had intelligence the day before that Jonathan should march forward against them they laid an ambush for him which they placed near the mountain preparing the rest of their Forces to bid him battel in the Plain As soon as Jonathan perceiv'd their preparation to the battel he arranged his Army as conveniently as was possible but when they that lay in ambush arose and charged the Jews upon their backs they fearing to be enclosed and consequently easily slain began to flie so that all of them G abandoned Jonathan except some few to the number of 50 with Matthias the son of Absalom and Judas the son of Chapsaeus Lieutenant-Generals of Jonathan who boldly H entred and like desperate men charged the Enemy in the Vanguard with such fury that they made them amazed at their and compelled them to trust to their heels Which when they that had abandoned Jonathan perceiv'd they rallied and pursu'd them as far as Cedasa where the Enemies were encamped When Jonathan had obtain'd this glorious victory Jonathan putteth Demetrius's Soldiers to flight wherein there fell about 2000 of the Enemy he returned to Jerusalem and seeing that all things fell out according as he desir'd he sent Ambassadors unto Rome to renew the ancient league that was made betwixt
approved of whereupon he took care of the City himself and committed the Countrey to his brother Simon But Demetrius passing the River came into Mesopotamia with a design to make himself Master of Babylon intending to make that the seat of the Empire when he should have subdu'd the other Provinces For the Greeks and Macedonians who inhabited that Countrey had sollicited him often by Ambassadors to come unto them promising him to submit to his authority and to serve him in the War against Arsaces King of the Parthians Demetrius maketh War upon Arsaces King of the Parthians and is taken Prisoner Demetrius flattering himself with those hopes marched towards them with great speed presuming that if he could overcome the Parthians he might easily vanquish Tryphon and drive him out of the kingdom of D Syria Being therefore entertain'd by those of the Countrey with great joy he levied a great Army and made War against Arsaces but he lost the day and was himself taken Prisoner as we have elsewhere declar'd CHAP. X. Tryphon seeing Demetrius ruined contrives how he may quit himself of Antiochus that he might reign in his stead and likewise how he may destroy Jonathan He deceives him causeth a thousand of his men to be put to death at Ptolemais and keepeth him Prisoner E WHen Tryphon understood that Demetrius was utterly ruined Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. he forsook Antiochus and contrived how he might kill him 2 Mac. 11. 13. and make himself King But the fear that he had of Jonathan Antiochus's friend Tryphon labouring to transfer Antiochus's kingdom unto his own hands and fearing Jonathans opposition traitetously complotteth his death hindred his design whereupon he resolv'd first of all to deliver himself of Jonathan and afterwards to kill the young King Antiochus Having therefore resolv'd to kill Jonathan by some Treason he came from Antioch to Bethsan which the Greeks call Scythopolis whither Jonathan came to meet him with 40000 chosen men supposing that Tryphon came thither to make War upon him But he knowing that Jonathan came thither with so great a strength and imagining that he could not prevail upon him by open force he had recourse to fraud he made him rich Presents and accompanied them with a great deal of civility and that he might free him from all F distrust and ruine him when he should least suspect it he commanded the Officers of his Army to obey him in all things After this he invited Jonathan to come to Ptolomais and to bring with him some few of his Soldiers promising to deliver the City into his hands and resign all the Fortresses that were in the Countrey into his possession assuring him That he came into that Countrey to no other purpose Jonathan suspecting no sinister dealing and believing that Tryphon spake what he intended disbanded his Forces and took only 3000 men with him whereof two he left in Galilee and with 1000 he came to Tryphon at Ptolomais But the Inhabitants of the City shutting the gates as soon as he was entred according as Tryphon had commanded them took Jonathan Prisoner and slew all those that attended upon him Hereupon Tryphon presently sent part G of his Army unto the 2000 that were left in Galilee to the intent to put them all to the Sword but they having notice of that which had befaln their Chieftain took up their H Arms The year of the World 382â before Christ's Nativity 124. and departed out of Galilee without any loss And although the Soldiers of Tryphon exceeded them far in the number yet were they not so hardy to attack them because they knew that the Jews were ready to expose themselves to all dangers to defend their lives and so they returned back to him that sent them without doing any thing CHAP. XI The Jews make choice of Simon Machabeus for their General in the place of Jonathan his brother who was kept Prisoner by Tryphon who after he had received an hundred and I two Talents of his Children for his ransom breaks his promise and puts him to death Simon erects a stately Monument for his father and his other brethren He is created Prince and High-Priest of the Jews His admirable conduct he delivers his Nation from the Macedonian yoke takes by storm the Fortress of Jerusalem and defaceth it levelling both the Cittadel and the Hill whereon it stood even with the ground WHen the Inhabitants of Jerusalem heard of the surprizal of Jonathan 2 Macch. 14. and the loss of his Soldiers Jonathans want lamented by all men they were much troubled that so great a man was taken from them for they feared and that not without cause that being depriv'd of his valor and conduct the neighbouring Nations would invade them with K all manner of hostility which till then they durst not attempt standing so much in awe of Jonathan The neighbouring Nation and Tryphoâ invade Judea Neither did their expectation deceive them For they understanding Jonathan's death began presently to invade the Jews on all sides as those who had no longer any Captain under whose conduct they might make War and shew their valor And Tryphon having likewise gather'd Forces was resolved to march into Judea to make War against the Inhabitants thereof Simon perceiving that the Citizens of Jerusalem were alarum'd with the fear which they apprehended of those Rumors and new Tumults of War and being desirous to animate them against all incursions and attempts intended by Tryphon assembled the People in the Temple and began to exhort them after this manner L You are not ignorant men and brethren how both I Simon Jonathans brother assembleth the people and animateth them my father and brethren have voluntarily exposed our selves to all dangers for your liberty Since therefore I have abundance of such like examples and that it is the ordinary course of our family to die for our Law and Religion there is no fear so great as to hinder me to prefer my honour and duty to my life Wherefore since you have a Commander who despiseth all danger to procure and maintain your safety you ought to follow me couragiously to what place soever â shall conduct you For I am of no better account than my brethren to value my life more than others neither am I less than they to be backward and cowardly to follow their footsteps but I shall rather glory to imitate them in dying for the defence of our Countrey Laws and Religion I will make manifest therefore by M all the testimonies that I can that I am their true and lawful brother for I trust in God that he will give me power to take vengeance of our enemies and deliver not only all of you but your wives and children from the injury which they intended against you and by the grace of God I will preserve the holy Temple that it may not be ruinated by their
far Strabo This great felicity and prosperity of Hircanus Hircanus groweth in discontent with the Pharisees moved the Jews to conceive a hatred against him and especially the Pharisees opposed themselves against him These Pharisees were one of the Sects of the Jews whereof we have heretofore treated which Sect was so great in credit with the common people that when they disposed any thing were it against the King or the Priest they were presently believed Hircanus had been one of their disciples and therefore was easily believed He invited them to a feast and entertain'd them with all humanity and seeing them in a merry vein he began to tell them D That they knew his mind how that he desired nothing more than to be just and to square all his actions according to Gods will and direction according as they themselves taught He therefore requir'd them that if they perceiv'd that he mistook himself in any thing or that he wandred from the right way they would by admonition redress the same Whereupon all of them gave testimony of his perfect virtue wherewith he was highly contented But one of the company called Eleazar a man of a malicious nature and such an one as delighted in mutiny Eleaââr the Pharââee upbraideth Hircanus that his mother was a slave said unto him Since you desire to hear the truth if so be you affect the estimation of a good man give over the place of Priesthood and content your self with the government of the people Hircanus demanded of him the cause wherefore he should forsake the Priesthood Because saith he that we have heard say by our Ancestors that your mother was a E Captive during the Reign of Antiochus the famous which notwithstanding was a false report Hircanus hearing this was sore moved against him and also all other of the Pharisees who were present Amongst the rest there was a certain man called Jonathan of the order of the Sadduces who maintain a contrary opinion against the Pharisees who was an intimate and dear friend to Hircanus with whom he communicated the injurious speeches that Eleazar had spoken by him The Sadduce Jonathan incenseth Hircanus against the Pharisees who told him That as he thought Eleazar had spoken these words by the publick consent of the Pharisees and that he might discover the same most manifestly if he enquired of them what punishment Eleazar had deserved for speaking after this sort Hircanus therefore talked with the Pharisees concerning his punishment telling them That he should very well perceive that this injury had not been pronounced F by the common consent of them all if they condemned the Offender to suffer a punishment proportionable to his offence Whereupon they decreed That he ought to be punished by imprisonment and scourging for said they an injury done in word required no capital punishment And to speak uprightly they in their thinking censured severely enough of this fault for that the Pharisees are naturally inclin'd to mercy in matter of punishment But Hircanus was sore offended with this their answer and imagined that this Eleazar had spoken after this manner by the common instigation of the rest This displeasure and conceived dislike of his Hircanus forsaketh the Pharisees and followeth the Sadduces Jonathan aggravated to the uttermost and handled the matter in such sort that he drew Hircanus to forsake the Pharisees and to subscribe to the opinions of the Sadduces abolishing their ordinances and causing them to be sharply punisht that G observe the same These practices of Hircanus incensed the people against him and his sons but we will treat of this in another place At present I will declare how the A Pharisees have made many ordinances among the People according to the Tradition of their fathers whereof there is nothing written in the Laws of Moses for which cause the Sect of the Sadduces rejecteth them affirming That they ought to keep the written ordinances and not to observe those that are grounded upon the Tradition of the fathers And great dispute and dissentions have been raised among them upon this occasion The constitutions of the Pharisees because the richer sort only and not the baser sort of People adhered to the Sadduces but the Pharisees had the Commonalty on their sides But of these two sorts and of the Esseans I have more exactly Treated in my second Book of the Wars of the Jews But Hircanus finally appeased this mutiny and lived afterwards in much peace and happiness and after he had most discreetly govern'd his Princedom for the space of 31 years Hircanus's death he died leaving B five sons behind him This man was honored by God with three great gifts the gift of Government the gift of Priesthood and the gift of Prophecy For God spake unto him divers times by Oracles and Revelations and gave him the knowledge of things to come Hircanus's Prophecy of his sons which he in such sort foretold That he declared that his two eldest sons should not possess the principality any long time whose end it shall not be amiss to set down in what manner it was to the intent that the Prophecy of their father may be the better known CHAP. XIX Aristobulus eldest son of Hircanus Prince of the Jews makes himself be crown'd King C maketh his brother Antigonus his associate of the Crown he imprisoneth the rest and his mother also whom he caused to die for hunger He becometh jealous of Antigonus he maketh him be killed and he himself afterwards dieth for grief ARistobulus Hircanus's eldest son resolved after his fathers death to exchange the Principality into an absolute Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. and the better to attain thereunto he first of all set the Crown upon his head Aristobulus Hircanus son was the first after the captivity of Babylon that set the Diadâm on his head 481 years and three months after the People of the Jews were deliver'd from the bondage of Babylon and led again unto their Countrey And for that Aristobulus amongst all his other brethren loved Antigonus best of all who was the nearest unto him in age he accepted him as a companion in the government of the D kingdom but as for the rest he shut them up in Prison He locked up his mother likewise who had contended with him concerning the Government for that Hircanus had committed all things to her disposition and so far extended his cruelty Aristobulus admitteth his brother Antgonus to be his Copartner in the kingdom and imprisoneth the rest of his brethren and famisheth his mother that he famish'd her to death in Prison After he had thus used his mother he slew his brother Antigonus also whom he pretended to love above all the rest and whom as he made shew he had made partner of his Kingdom From whom he estranged himself by reason of some slanders and false accusations raised up against him
which at the first he gave no credit to both for that the friendship which he bare unto him made him not regard the same as also for that he imagined he was enviously slandered It came to pass that Antigonus returning upon a certain time from the Army with great magnificence about the time of E the feast of Tabernacles chanced to repair thither at that very time wherein Aristobulus hapned to fall sick Antigonus intending to celebrate the Solemnity ascended the Temple in great state attended by some of his Army to pray for his brothers health Whereupon certain malicious Wretches desirous to break the concord that was between them made use of this occasion and of Antigonus magnificent pomp and good fortune and came unto the King Antigonus's death complotted amplifying unto him in malicious words what pomp and majesty he had shewed in that solemnity telling him That in his actions he demeaned himself no wayes like a private man Aristobulus is incensed against his brother Antigonus but that all his actions were levelled at royalty finally that his intent was to enter the Kingdom by force and to kill him for he made account that since he might be King alone it was a great simplicity for him to have a companion But Aristobulus although F he would very hardly be induced to believe these reports yet notwithstanding being desirous both to extinguish the suspition and to provide for his own security he disposed certain of his Guard in a dark and privy place under ground and lodged himself in a certain Tower called Antonia commanding that no man should offer violence except to those who entred armed giving a further charge to his Guard that if Antigonus entred armed he should be slain Which done he sent for his brother desiring him to repair unto him without Weapons Aristobulus's Queen contriveth Antigonus's death Which when the Queen and they that complotted the murther of Antigonus understood they persuaded the Messenger to tell him the contrary namely That his brother expected in regard he prepared for War that in that state and pomp he should come and visit him to the end he might be an eye-witness of his brave furniture G and preparation But Antigonus suspecting no harm and relying on the good will of his brother marched all armed on foot toward Aristobulus to shew himself in that bravery and when he came right over against the Tower that is called Straton where the passage was very dark The year of the World 3862. before Christ's Nativity 102. the Kings Guard killed him By this accident a man may easily H conjecture That there is scarcely any power greater than that of Envy and Slander and that there is not any thing that may sooner break off the good will and amity amongst brethren than these two passions And above all there is an occasion offer'd us of great wonder The force of slander in respect of one that was called Judas of the Sect of Esseans who in all those things that he prophesied varied in no sort from the Truth He seeing Antigonus come up into the Temple Judas the Essean a Prophet cryed out among his Disciples who frequented him to be instructed by him in the method of Prophecy That he was weary of his life because Antigonus 's security argued the vanity of his Prophecy by which he had foretold that that very day he should be slain at Stratons Tower whereas the place where he should be murthered was 600 furlongs off and the better part of the day was already spent so that it could not be I imagined but that he should be in danger to have made a false Prediction Whil'st he declared his doubts after this manner and was wholly overcome with choler news was brought That Antigonus was slain in a certain place under ground which was called the Tower of Straton of the same name with that other that standeth near the Sea which was afterwards called Caesarea The punishment of Aristobulus for the murther of his brother which ambiguity troubled the Diviner Incontinently after this accident Aristobulus repented himself in that he had put his brother to death and this repentance of his was seconded by a most grievous sickness proceeding from the affliction of his spirit and detestation of that cruel murther so that with grievous agony and torment he vomited blood as if all his entrals had been torn in sunder This blood so vomited by him it fortuned in my opinion by the Divine Providence of God K that a certain servant of his bearing it from his presence by some trip of his foot hapned to stumble and shed the same in that very place which had been soiled with the blood of the slaughtered Antigonus The touch of Conscience By which means they that beheld the same raised a great cry exclaiming that the Page had shed the blood in a convenient place Aristobulus hearing this outcry demanded the cause thereof and for that no man addressed himself to satisfie him he was the more earnest to know it according to the nature of men who are alwayes more suspicious and desirous to know those things which are most concealed At last from words he fell to Threatnings and no body durst tell him the Truth Whereupon he altogether afrighted in his Conscience shedding abundance of Tears and breathing out grievous sighs began to cry out in this manner How then My L impious and detestable act is not hidden from God but the sudden punishment of my brothers murther pursueth me wherefore O thou shameless body of mine how long wilt thou detain my soul which is due and appertaineth to the ghosts of my mother and brother Why dost thou not take it all at once such as it is without expecting that I should sacrifice my blood poured out so many times to those whom I have so treacherously kill'd While he pronounced these words he dyed after he had reigned one year He was called Philelles that is to say a Lover of the Greeks Thus after he had profited his Countrey many wayes and subdued the Itureans and joined the greater part of the Countrey to Judea and had constrained them likewise who should remain in that Countrey to be circumcised and to live according to the Laws of the Jews Aristobulus compelleth the Itureans to be circumcised and to observe the laws of the Jews he died thus miserably He was by nature courteous and shame M fac't as Strabo testifieth speaking after this manner by the authority of Timagines This was the courteous man and profitable to his Countreymen the Jews in many things for he enlarged their Countrey and conquered the part of the Nations of the Itureans whom he tied unto him by the bond of Circumcision CHAP. XX. Salomey otherwise called Alexandra King Aristobulus Relict taketh Jannaeus called Alexander Aristobulus's brother out of Prison and made him King who caused him to kill one of his
disposing of the Pharisees Hiâcanus 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
the third year of the Hundred seventy and seven Olympiade and in the year that Q. Hortensius and Q. Metellus called the Cretensian were Consuls at Rome Aristobulus suddenly undertook the War against Hircanus Aristobulus and Hircanus strive for the kingdom and fought with him near unto Jericho where a great number of Hircanus's followers submitted themselves of their own accord to Aristobulus Through which accident Hircanus was forced to flie to the fortress of the higher City where Alexandra Aristobulus mother had imprisoned both his Wife and Children as before is I specified The rest of the faction for fear of his brother who had gotten the victory retired themselves within the precincts of the Temple The peace betwixt Hircanus and Aristobulus where they were besieged and taken After this a Peace was Treated of betwixt both the brethren and their difference was decided in this manner That Hircanus should pass the rest of his life without medling with State Affairs and Aristobulus should reign This League was ratified between them in the Temple and confirmed with oaths conjunction of hands and embraces in the sight of all the people which being finished Aristobulus retired himself into the Palace and Hircanus to Aristobulus lodging to lead a private and quiet life CHAP. II. K Antipater an Idumaean persuades Hircanus to flie and to retire himself to Aretas King of the Arabians who promiseth to re-establish him in the Kingdom of Judea BUT a certain friend of Hircanus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. by Nation an Idumaean and by name Antipater being very rich Antipater the Idumaean Hircanus 's friend and by nature both factious and industrious was as much Aristobulus's Enemy as Hircanus's Friend True it is that Nicholas Damascene writeth of this man That he was descended of the noblest amongst those Jews who returned from Babylon into Jewry Antipater of Judaea as Nicholas Damascenus implies first called Antipas but this he did on purpose to gratifie Herod Antipater's son who by a casualty became afterwards King of the Jews as we will express hereafter in time and place L convenient This Antipater was at the first called Antipas according to his fathers name who as it is reported was made Governor of all Idumaea by King Alexander and his Wife and afterwards made a League with the Arabians Gazeans and Ascalonites corrupting them and insinuating himself into their favors by divers great Presents bestowed upon them This young Antipater considering with himself what Aristobulus power was and fearing lest some mischief might befall him through the hatred the young King had conceived against him he communicated with certain of the greatest amongst the Jews and secretly and cunningly incensed them against Aristobulus Antipater incenseth the Princes of the Jews against Aristobulus telling them That they had done amiss both to see and suffer Aristobulus to detain the Kingdom unjustly in his hands and to dispossess his elder brother Hircanus to whom by right of inheritance it did belong He likewise M accosted and sounded Hircanus ordinarily with these words telling him That he lived in danger of his life and would doubtless be snared except he sought his own security and fled his evident danger alledging That Aristobulus 's friends would never cease to consult how they might shorten his life to the end that he might live in more security To these instigations of his Hircanus gave small credit for that of his own nature he was courteous and could not easily be induced or seduced by detractions but this negligence and carelesness in him was the cause that he was accounted a silly man On the contrary side Aristobulus was of a different and more heroick nature being more active in performance and careful to prevent Now although Antipater saw that Hircanus made small account of his instigations yet N ceased not daily to invent and propose new surmises and accusations urging Aristobulus's hatred and practice to murther him and prevailed so by his importunity that at last he persuaded him to flie to Aretas King of Arabia promising him That in so doing he would give him both aid and assistance Hircanus was the more easie to be induced to follow Antipater's advice for that Arabia was adjacent to Jewry Whereupon he first of all sent Antipater to Aretas to take assurance of him that he should not betray him into his Enemies hands if he should submit himself unto him and require his assistance When Antipater had received his assurance from the King he returned to Jerusalem unto Hircanus and not long after that took him away with him and departed the City by night and afterwards with great journies arrived at Petra where Aretas kept his Royal Court. And being O very familiar with the King he entreated him to re-establish him in the Kingdom of Jewry and did so much by his importunity and the Presents which he gave him that he H persuaded Aretas to attempt the matter The year of the World 3900. before Christ's Nativity 64. Whereupon Hircanus promised That if he confirmed him again in his Royal dignity he would upon the recovery of his Realm restore unto him those twelve Cities which his father Alexander had taken from the Arabians the names whereof are these that follow Medaba Nabello Livias Tharabasa Agalla Athona Zoara Orona Narissa Rydda Lusa Oryba Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. CHAP. III. Aristobulus is enforced to retire into the Castle of Jerusalem the King Aretas besiegeth him The cruelty of some Jews who stoned Onias a just man to death The punishment which I God inflicted upon them for it ARetas Aretas maketh War against Aristobulus and inforceth him to flie to Jerusalem induced by these promises was content to send forth an Army against Aristobulus and himself in person conducted in that expedition 50000 Men Foot and Horse and had so much the upper hand of his Enemy that divers after this victory of their own accord submitted themselves to Hircanus and Aristobulus perceiving himself to be destitute of all his friends and followers The Arabian besiegeth Aristobulus in the Temple fled unto Jerusalem The King of Arabia followed him with all expedition and besieged him in the Temple in this siege the common people assisted Hircanus neither were there any but the Priests only that stuck to Aristobulus's side The Jews ãâã into Egypt Whereupon Aretas drew up the Forces he had and busily set the Army K both of Jews and Arabians about the siege Whil'st these things were thus the feast of unleavened bread which we call the Passeover was at hand and the Princes of the Jews forsaking their Countrey were fled into Egypt About that time a certain man called Onias such an one who for his virtue was beloved of God and in times past had by his devout prayers and supplications in a time of drought obtained rain from God hid himself perceiving that this sedition would be
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
Parthians than to his adversaries as soon as it was night concluded to make use of the time and to make away without staying any longer amongst those uncertain dangers which his enemies intended against him For which cause he fled B with those Forces he had with him and mounting his mother his sister and his betrothed whom he was to marry who was Alexander's daughter the niece of Aristobulus and her mother who was Hircanus's daughter and her younger brother with all their family and train he departed into Idumaea without suspition of the enemy Amongst whom there was not one so hard-hearted who seeing such a pitiful spectacle could not be moved to compassion beholding the mothers drag away their little children and abandon their Countrey with tears and complaints and that which was worse to leave their friends in bondage without any hope of comfort or redress But Herod mastered these misfortunes by his invincible courage Herod comforteth his friends in their flight and for that he was C a constant man in all fortunes he exhorted every one of them whom he met in the way to be of good courage and not abandon themselves to immeasurable sorrow for that by such means they might hinder his retreat on which their sole and securest conservation depended Herod seeing his mothers chariot overturned is ready to murther himself whereupon they for their part endeavoured themselves to digest their griefs according to Herod's exhortation Mean-while he hardly refrained from laying violent hands on himself by reason of the Chariot wherein his mother rode which overturned and had almost slain her yea so much did this casualty terrifie him for fear lest the enemy in pursuit should surprise him during these delays so that he drew and prepared his sword to kill himself had not some assistants and followers stept in to him and stayed the stroke beseeching him instantly not to forsake D them and leave them subject to the enemies violence assuring him that it was not the part of a valiant man to respect his own private interest and neglect his friends danger By these perswasions he was induced to hold his hands both by reason of the apprehension of these words which were spoken unto him as also for that he was over-ruled by the multitude of those who would not permit his hand to execute his will so that taking up his mother and doing her all the service that the time permitted he followed on his way and with the speediest and nearest means he could he retired toward the Castle of Massada where in the way he oftentimes fought against the Parthians that charged and pursued him Herod retiring towards Massada is assailed by the Parthians but he always got the victory The Jews also pursued him during his flight for scarcely had he travelled sixty furlogs out of the City but that they E assailed him in the high-way but he put them to flight and obtained the victory not like a desperate man enforced thereunto through necessity but like a discreet clear couraged and valiant Soldier So that in the very place where he obtained the victory against the Jews after he was made King he builded a most sumptuous Palace and a City which he called Herodium Whilst he remained at Ressa a borough of Idumaea Joseph his brother came forth to meet him and to consult with him concerning their present condition and to know of him what should become of that great multitude that followed him considering that they had no Soldiers in pay and the Castle of Massada whither they intended too fly was too little to hold all the people for which cause he sent away many to the number of Nine thousand willing them to F disperse themselves here and there in the Countrey of Idumaea and for the better dispatch of their journey he furnished them with victuals As for himself he took with him his most able Soldiers and Friends and repaired to the Castle of Massada in which place he left the women and their train to the number of Eight hundred or thereabouts The Paathians sâoil the Cititizens of Jerusalem and destroy Marissa and furnishing the place with Corn Water and other Provisions necessary he went unto Petra the chiefest City of Arabia As soon as it was day the Parthians plundered all that Herod left in Jerusalem and amongst other things they spoiled the Palace but they medled not with Hircanus's money which amounted to some 300 Talents They left divers other things them behind also that appertained to Herod and especially that which had been transported into Idumaea by his providence Neither G were the Parthians content with the spoil of the City but they forraged all the Countrey round about and ruined Marissa a very rich City H Thus Antigonus brought back into his Countrey by the King of the Parthians received Hircanus and Phasaelus that were Prisoners yet he was vehemently dipleased because the women was escaped whom according to his promise he intended to have delivered with the money and fearing lest Hircanus through the favor of the people should be re-established in his Kingdom who then was Prisoner in the custody of the Parthians he cut off both his ears Antigonus restored to the Kingdom by the Parthians cutteth off Hirâarus's âars to prevent his re-instalment in the Priesthood depriving him by that means from enjoying the Priesthood any more by reason of that maim because the Law commanded that they who are in that dignity should be sound in all their members But Phasaelus is to be admired for his great courage at that time for understanding that he must needs die he was no wayes disheartned with death but that which he esteemed most miserable I and dishonourable was that he must needs die by the hands of his Enemy Seeing therefore that he could not dispatch himself by other means because he was bound and chained he knockt out his own brains against a stone Phasaelus dasheth out his own brains and so ended his life with as great honour as may be imagined in such a desperate estate depriving his Enemy of that power which he intended to practise in tyrannizing over him at his pleasure Antigonus putteth poyson into Phasaelus's wounds instead of curing him It is said that the wound being very deep Antigonus sent privily Chirurgions to cure him and that under colour of healing him they should put poyson into the same wherethrough he might die But before Phasaelus gave up the ghost he understood by a certain womans that his brother Herod had escaped from his Enemies for which cause K he endured his death with far greater cheerfulness and constancy seeing that he left behind him such a man as would revenge his death and punish his Enemies But Herod was no ways discomfited with the greatness of those adversities which invironed him round about but was the more whetted on to find out new inventions and to
Caves Hedio Ruffinus chap 25. but fear constrained them to hold themselves quiet But a certain Souldier having girt his Sword by his side Herod leadeth his Soldiers against those theeves that held the caves and taken hold of the chain with both his hands whereto the Coffer was fastned slid down as far as the entry of the Cave and being displeased that none came out he shot divers Arrows at those that were within I Herod letteth down his Souldiers from the top of the mountain in Coffers and wounded them and after that with his hook he drew those unto him who resisted and tumbled them down headlong from the steep Rock which done he rushed in upon those that were within the Cave and slew many of them and afterwards returned and rested himself in his Coffer Divers hearing the groans of those that were wounded were surprised with fear and dispair of their life but the nights approach was the cause that the matter was not fully accomplished and many of them getting notice of the Kings free pardon by a Herauld submitted themselves The next day they renewed and continued the same manner of fight and divers went out of their Coffers to fight at the enterances of the Caves throwing in fire which there being much fewel in the Caves did great execution Within these Caves there was a certain old man apprehended K A certain old man killeth his wife and seven of his sons and at last casteth himself headlong from the Rock with his wife and seven Sons who being desired by them that he would suffer them to go and submit themselves to their enemies took up the entrey of the cave and as his Sons advanced to get out he slew them all and after them his Wife and at last when he had cast their dead bodies down the Rocks he threw himself down headlong after them prefering death to slavery Yet before his death he reviled Herod bitterly and upbraided him with his ignoble extraction and although Herod who saw all that which had happned stretched out his hand unto him for pardon yet he would not give ear to him and by this means were all these Caves entred and the theeves taken Now when the King had established Ptolomey General over the Army in that Countrey Herod retireth toward Samaria to fight with Antigomus he retired into Samaria with six hundred horse and three thousand foot with a resolution L to fight Antigonus and to end their quarrel But Ptolomey had but very slender success in his Government for they that before-time had troubled the Countrey of Galilee sallied out upon him and defeated him After which execution they fled into the Marishes and unaccessible places where they robbed and spoiled all the Countrey But Herod returning and setting upon them punished them for he slew some of them and the rest were constrained to flie into strong places where he besieged them and entring their fortresses perforce put them to the sword and destroyed their fortifications and having brought this rebellion to an end he condemned the Cities to pay him the sum of one hundred talents Mean while Pacorus was killed in the War and the Parthians were defeated with him Herod punisheth the Rebels in Galilee which was the cause that Ventidius sent Machaeras to succor M Herod with two legions and 1000 horse by Antonius order corupted by Antigonus mony Ventidius overcometh Pacorus and the âarthians in baââel But Machaeras was notwithstanding Herods disswasion yet he went to him alleadging that he did it to look into his actions But Antigonus suspecting his sudden approach entertained him not but caused him to be darted at and driven thence giving him to understand by his entertainment what opinion he had of him who at that time perceived plainly that Herod had given him good counsel Machaeras killeth many Jews and that himself had failed in misbelieving his advice for which cause he returned to the City Emaus and killed all those Jews whom he met withall in the way Herod resolving to depart to Antonius and to accuse Macharas is reconciled by him and leaveth his brother Joseph with an army behind him being much troubled at it whether friends or enemies he was so highly displeased at that which had happned Herod came to Samaria resolving with himself to go to Antonius to complain of these grievances and to tell N him that he had no need of such associates who did him more harm than his enemies whereas of himself he was able to make good his War against Antigonus But Machaeras hasted after him entreating him to stay and to go no further on that journey and prayed him to leave his brother Joseph behind him to go with him against Antigonus By these perswasions and instant intreaties of Machaeras he was somewhat appeased so that he left his brother Joseph behind him with an Army charging him no way to hazard his fortune Herod repaireth to Antonius at the siege of Samaria and in the way killeth many Barbarians or to fall at odds with Machaeras As for himself he hasted toward Antony who at that time besieged Samotsata a City situate near unto Euphrates having with him an Army of his associates both horse and foot When Herod was arrived in Antioch he found divers men assembled there who were desirous to go and seek out Antony O but they durst not advance for fear the Barbarians should set upon them in their journey Herod encouraged them and offered himself to be their guide When they were come two dayes journy off Samosala the Barbarians laid an ambush for them and had barred up the way with Hurdles and had likewise hidden some Horsemen thereabouts until the A Passengers had recover'd the Plain Now when the foremost were past the ambush consisting of about some 500 Horsemen they suddenly charged Herod who was in the Rear when they had broken the first Ranks whom they had met Herod with his Troop that was about him immediately repulsed them and after he had encouraged his followers and whetted them on to the fight he did so much that he made those that fled to face about and fight so that the Barbarians were put to the sword on all sides The King also pursu'd them so long until at last he recover'd that which had been taken by them which was a certain number of Sumpter-horses and Slaves But being charged afresh by others and they in greater number than those who encountred him at first he likewise B rallying his Forces together charged and overcame them and killing divers of them he secured the way to those that follow'd after who all of them acknowledg'd him for their preserver When he drew near unto Samosata Herod was honourably entertained by Antonius and his Host Antonius sent out the best of his Army to meet and honour him As soon as he came to Antonius's presence he entertain'd him kindly
close prisoner in some sure place in the Palace But by Salomes sollicitations Herod was incited to hasten her death for that she alledged that the King ought to fear lest some sedition E should be raised amongst the people if he should keep her alive in prison And by this means Mariamne was led unto her death Alexandra her mother considering the estate of the time and fearing no less mischief from Herods hands than her daughter was assured of she undecently changed her mind and abjectly laid aside her former courage and magnanimity For intending to make it known that she was neither party nor privy to those crimes wherewith Mariamne was charged she went out to meet her daughter and entertained her injuriously protesting publickly that she was a wicked woman Alexandra undecently striveth to acquit her self of Mariamnes Treason and ungrateful towards he husband and that she well deserved the punishment that was adjudged her for that she durst be F so bold to attempt so heinous a fact respecting to requite her husbands entire love with her unfeigned loyalty Whilst thus dishonestly she counterfeited her displeasure and was ready to pull Mariamne by the hair the assistants according to her desert condemned her generally for her hypocrisie but she that was led to be punished convicted her self by her mild behaviour for first of all she gave her no answer neither was any ways altered by her reproaches neither would so much as cast her eye upon her making it appear that she discreetly concealed and covered her mothers imperfections and was aggrieved that she had so openly shewed so great indignity expressing for her own part a constant behaviour and going to her death without change of colour so that those that beheld her perceived in her a kind of manifest courage and G nobility even in her utmost extremity H Thus died Mariamne having been a woman that excelled both in continence and courage notwithstanding that she failed somewhat in affability and impatience of nature for the rest of her parts she was an admirable and pleasing beauty and of such a carriage in those companies wherein she was entertained that it was impossible to express the same in that she surpassed all those of her time which was the principal cause that she lived not graciously and contentedly with the King For being entertained by him who intirely loved her and from whom she received nothing that might discontent her she presumed upon a great and intemperate liberty in her discourse She digested also the loss of her friends very hardly according as in open terms she made known unto the King whereby also it came to pass I that both Herods mother and sister and himself likewise grew at odds with her After her death the King began more powerfully to be inflamed in his affections Herods miserable estate and moan after the death of his wife who before as we have declared was already miserably distracted For neither did he love after the common manner of married folk but whereas almost even unto madness he nourished this his desire he could not be induced by the too unbridled manners of his wife to allay the heat of his affection but that daily more and more by doating on her he increased the same And all that time especially he supposed that God was displeased with him for the death of Mariamne Oftentimes he did invocate her name using such lamentable expressions that did not become the Majesty of a King And notwithstanding he devised all kinds of delights and sports that might be imagined by preparing banquets and inviting K guests with Princely hospitality to pass away the time yet all those profited him nothing for which cause he gave over the charge and administration of his Kingdom At length he was so besotted with grief A plague invadeth Jerusalem that oftentimes he commanded his servants to call his wife Mariamne as if she had been alive Whilest thus he was afflicted there came a pestilence within the City that consumed a great part of the people and most of the nobility and all interpreted that this punishment was inflicted by God upon them for the unjust death of the Queen Herod falleth grievâusly sick Thus the Kings discontents being by this means increased he at last hid himself in a solitary wilderness under pretext of hunting where afflicting himself incessantly at last he fell into a most grievous sickness This disease of his was an inflammation or pain in the neck he seemed also in some sort to rave and grow mad neither L could any remedies relieve him of his agony but when the sickness seemed rather to increase all men at last grew almost desperate of his recovery For which cause his Physician partly in respect of the contumacy of his disease partly because in so great a danger there was not any free election of dyet they gave him leave to taste whatsoever best pleased his appetite committing the uncertain event of his health to the hands of fortune Whilest thus he continued in Samaria Alxandra in Herods absence seeketh to get the possession of the Castles which now is called Sebaste Alexandra being at that time in Jerusalem having notice of this his condition endeavored to reduce all the strong fortresses that were within the City under her subjection the one of which was hard by the Temple the other was situate within the City for they that are Masters of these keep all the rest of the nation under their awe because that without these neither the usual and M daily sacrifices may be performed neither may the Jews live without such sacrifices and oblations who had rather lose their lives than contemn their religion She therefore solicited those that had the government thereof to surrender them up to her and Herods children begotten of her daughter Mariamne lest he being dead they should be seised on by others and if it should fortune him to recover his health in the mean while they mâght be kept and held by no man more securely than such as were his nearest friends This suit and solicitation of hers was but coldly received and the Captains who at all times shewed themselves always faithful at that time were the rather far more constant in their duty both for that they hated Alexandra and also that they thought it a great offence to despair of the health of their Prince Herods counsellors certifie him of Alexandras intent For these were the Kings old friends and one of them was Herods own Nephew N whose name was Achiabus For which cause they sent presently messengers unto him to shew him Alexandra's intent who having heard these news presently commanded her to be put to death Alâxandra put to death and at length overcoming his sickness he grew so badly affected both in body and mind that he grew hateful unto all men so that all those who offended him and for how little cause
assured and left no wayes subject unto his children H As soon as he had conducted Caesar as far as the Sea The year of the World 3942. before Christ's Nativity 22 upon his return he builded a stately Temple of White Marble in honour of his Name in the countrey which belonged to Zenodorus near to a place which is called Panion which is a huge cave in the heart of a Mountain and a place of great pleasure under which there is a wide pool of immeasurable depth Herod buildeth a Temple near unto Panion which is full of standing Water and the upper part of the Mountain is very high From under this cave springs the fountain heads of the flood Jordan This place of it self so famous and delightful Herod remitteth the third part of his tribute was chosen out by Herod and adorned also with a Temple which he built in honour of Caesar At that time also he released the third part of those tributes which his subjects paid unto him to the end as he said that he might I relieve his subjects after the penury they had endured But the truth of his intention was that he did it to that end to win their favours who were âinisterly affected towards him For they had conceived an hatred against him because all piety was in a manner abolished and the ordinances of the countrey in a sort disannulled by the means of those temples which he had built and each man privily murmured bitterly against him so that they were inclining to a mutiny But Herod with great discretion prevented it and cut off all occasions of insurrection commanding every one to mind his business forbidding them to make any assemblies in the City or to talk one with another under colour of walking abroad for pleasure or feasts sake Moreover he had sent out certain Intelligencers to discover all that which was done appointing grievous punishments for those that misliked his K Government For divers of them were led unto the Castle of Hircania some openly some privately where they were no sooner imprisoned but they were put to death and both in the City and in the countrey there were certain men appointed to take note of all such that used any assemblies upon any occasion whatsoever He was so concerned at his subjects distastes that as it is reported of him he took the habit of a private man and thrust himself in the night time into the company of the people to understand and gather what they thought of his government and those whom he found to be untractable and obstinate and would not be conformed to his will he dispatched them by one means or other Herod bindeth the people by an oath binding the rest of the people by an oath to serve him faithfully and constrained them to keep the oath they had sworn and to acknowledge his Soveraignty whereunto L divers through the fear they conceived easily condescended But they who had more courage Herod excuseth the Pharisees from swearing for Pollio's and Samea's sakes were discontented to see themselves constrained he cut them off by all means possible He required also an oath of divers of those Sectaries who followed the Pharisees Pollio and Sameas and notwithstanding they denied to take the oath yet he did not punish them as he did the other for their refusal The Esseans not much unlike the Pythagonists in respect and reverence of Pollio their Master From this rigor also were they exempt who amongst us are called Esseans which is a sort of men that live after that manner that Pythagoras did among the Grecians of whom I have more expresly discoursed in another place I think it not a matter to be overslipt neither varying from my History to report for what cause the King had so religious an opinion of those men There was a certain Essean M called Manahem who in his sect was accounted an upright and just man and one that had obtained from God the knowledge of things to come He seeing Herod one day at such time as he was very young and went to School saluted him and called him King of the Jews Herod supposing that Manahem knew him not or that he mocked him reproved him sharply for his speech saying that he acknowledged himself to be one of the common sort Manahem smiling hit him gently with his hand upon the back and said unto him Thou shalt be King and shalt have a happy reign for such is Gods pleasure and at that time remember thy self of the words that Manahem spake unto thee which shall serve for a testâmony to put thee in mind of thy mutable estate For it becommeth thee nothing more than by justice piety and equity to win the hearts of thy subjects yet know I by revelation from God N that thou wilt not follow these instructions for thou shalt forget and neglect both divine and humane laws though in other respects thou shalt be most fortunate and purchase eternal glory Yet shalt thou not escape Gods hands for he shall chastise thee in the latter time of thy life with a grievous punishment At that time Herod gave small regard to those his words Herod questioneth with Manahem about the continuance of his Kingdom and loveth the Esseans for his sake in that he had no hope that any such thing should happen but not long after as soon as he had obtained the Kingdom to the fulness of his felicity he in the greatness of his power sent for Manahem and asked him how long he should reign But he returned him a doubtful answer Which when Herod percâived he asked him anew if he should reign ten years Whereunto Manahem answered And twenty and thirty without setting him down any prefixed term Herod O contenting himself herewith embraced Manahem and gave him licence to depart and continued his affections towards the Esseans for his sake I have thought good to register these things notwithstanding they may sâem uncredible to declare that divers of our nation have had communication with GOD by reason of their holiness CHAP. XIV A Herod buildeth a New Temple in Jerusalem The year of the World 3947. before Christs Nativity 17. after he had pulled down the Old IN the eighteenth year of his reign Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. al. 11. Herod after he had finished these many and admirable actions conceived in his mind a mighty project which was to re-edifie Gods Temple of greater bigness and answerable height Herod intendeth to re-edifie Gods Temple hoping that this work which was the most admirable of all those he had undertaken as indeed it was being finished would B eternize his memory Herod certifieth the people that he will re-edifie the Temple But fearing lest the people in regard of the greatness of the enterprize would be hardly drawn thereunto he determined to sound their intentions by his discourse and for that cause assembling
finishing thereof and they celebrated a great Feast in honour of the restauration of the E Temple Then did the King offer up three hundred Oxen unto God and the rest of them each one according to his ability offered so many sacrifices that they can hardly be numbered About the very time of the Celebration of this Feast in the honour of the Re-edification of the Temple the Kings day of Coronation fell out which he was wont to solemnize every year with great joy A Conduit under ground from the Castle Antonia and for this two-fold occasion the solemnity and joy was far more sumptuous and compleat The King also caused a Conduit of Water to be made and conveyed by pipes under ground drawing it from the Castle Antonia unto the East gate of the Temple near to which he builded another Tower also to the end that by the Conduits he might ascend privily unto the Temple if haply F the people should practise any insurrections against his Royalty During the building of the Temple it never rained by day It is reported that during the building of this Temple it never rained by day time but only by night to the intent the work might not be interrupted and our Predecessors have testified no less unto us Neither is this thing incredible if we attentively consider those other effects of Gods Providence G A THE SIXTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Sixteenth Book 1. Herod maketh a Law which maketh him be reputed a Tyrant He goeth to Rome and brings back his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus his Sister Salome and those C of her Faction endeavour to render them odious to him 2. How Herod gave Wives unto Alexander and Aristobulus And how nobly he received Agrippa in his Dominions 3. Herod goeth to meet Agrippa at Pontus with a Fleet by which he re-enforceth his Army and returning back with him a great part of his way doth much good to several Towns 4. The Jews who lived in Jonia complain to Agrippa that the Grecians will not let them enjoy their Privileges D 5. How Herod returned into Judea and freed his Subjects from the payment of the fourth part of the Taxes 6. Salome Herod's Sister endeavoureth to ruine his two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus whom he begot of Mariamne He sends his Son Antipater whom he had by his first Wife to Rome 7. Antipater doth so incense his Father against his Brothers Alexander and Aristobulus that Herod bringeth them to Rome and accuseth them before Augustus for having attempted to poyson him 8. Of Alexander's defence and how the two Brethren were reconciled to their Father E Herod 9. Herod having compleated the building of Cesarea dedicateth it to Augustus and entertaineth the people with stately Plays and Past-times He causeth other Towns to be built with several Monuments His extream Liberality to Strangers and his excessive rigour to his own Subjects 10. Testimonies of the Roman Emperour's Affection towards the Jews 11. King Herod causeth David's Sepulchre to be opened to get money out of it for which God punisheth him strange Divisions and Troubles in his Family The Cruelties which this Prince's mistrustfulness and Antipater's malice causeth together with his Son Alexander's Imprisonment F 12. How Archelaus King of Cappadocia reconciled Alexander to his Father 13. Herod declareth War against the Arabians for protecting Trachonites Robbers 14. Syllaeus will perform nothing of what Augustus's Lieutenants had ordained but goeth to Rome to him Herod entreth into Arabia with an Army and taketh the Castle where the Trachonites were retired 15. Syllaeus doth so incense Augustus against Herod that he refuseth to give Audience to his Ambassadors neither will he admit those whom Aretas King of the Arabians sent This Aretas succeeded Obodas whom Syllaeus caused to be poysoned that he might G get the Kingdom Herod sends the third Embassage to Augustus 16. Herod more incensed than ever against his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus by several Aspersions causeth them to be imprisoned Augustus is made sensible of Syllaeus's wickedness condemns him to die confirms Aretas in the Kingdom of Arabia he H is sorry for having so ill an opinion of Herod adviseth him to call a great Assembly at Berite where his Sons after new complaints given in against them are to be judged 17. How Herod's Sons were condemned in the Council of Berytum CHAP. I. Herod maketh a Law which maketh him be reputed a Tyrant He goeth to Rome and I brings back his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus his Sister Salome and those of her Faction endeavour to render them odious to him AMongst the rest of the affairs of the Commonwealth The year of the World 3955. before Christ's Nativity 9. the King thought it behoved him to redress and hinder private injuries both in the City and Countrey For the which purpose he made a new law unlike to the former that it should be lawful for such as were Wall-breakers Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. to be sold for slaves without the limits of his Kingdom Which Law did not seem so much to intend the punishment of Malefactors Herod made a new Law that wall-breakers should be sold into Bondage out of the Kingdom as the dissolution of his K own Countrey customs For to serve Forreign Nations who lived not after the manner of the Jews and to do whatsoever they commanded them was more prejudicial unto Religion than unto the parties convicted of that fact Wherefore it was sufficiently already in the old ancient Laws provided for the punishment of such people The punishment of theft according to the law of Moses Exod. 1. 22. to wit that a thief should restore four times as much as he stole Which if he was not able to do that then he was to be sold not unto strangers nor into perpetual bondage but only for seven years at which time he should again be set free So that the common people did interpret this new Law to set down an unjust punishment Deut. 12. 15. and rather to savour of tyranny than of Princely dignity and to be enacted not without contempt of their ancient Laws So that L for this cause all men spake very ill of the King At the same time Herod sailed into Italy to salute Caesar Herod sailed into Italy and brought home his Sons from Rome and to see his Children living at Rome Where Caesar receiving him very courteously permitted him to take his Sons home with him as being now sufficiently instructed in the Liberal Arts. Who returning into their Countrey were joyfully received of all their Countrey-men both for that they were of comely stature and of courteous behaviour and in their very carriage did shew that they came of Kingly lineage Salome and others falsely accused Herod his Sons and made their father hate them Which things moved Salome
them to send sacred money unto Jerusalem and that they compelled them to do publick business and to spend the Holy money in those affairs contrary to the Privileges granted unto them by the Romans Herod endeavoured to have the Jews complaints heard by Agrippa and desired one of his friends and followers called Nicholaus Nicholaus did make a speech unto Agrippa in the behalf of the Jews to plead the Jews cause Who made a speech unto Agrippa sitting with the rest of the Roman Nobility and other Kings and Princes in their behalf after this manner Most worthy Agrippa true it is that all men that suffer injury are constrained to fly for redress to the Higher Powers and we over and above hope to obtain our suit For we ask nothing but that which your goodness hath already I granted and that which they endeavour to take from us that are as we also are your Subjects And although that your benefit bestowed upon us was great yet we are worthy still to enjoy it only for that you your self judged us worthy thereof And suppose it was a small matter it is a discredit for you not to grant so small a trifle Wherefore it is evident that the injury done unto us doth also redound unto you whose decrees those that have injured us fear not to coutemn and do disanul your benevolence towards us For if any one should ask any of them whether they had rather lose their lives than be deprived of their Countrey Laws rites sacrifices and festivities wherewith they honour their gods I know they would rather endure any calamity than to be forced to forsake their Countrey-customs For many K Wars arise only for defence of Religion and the greatest reward and content that we reap by this happy peace which through your means we enjoy is this that we are every one permitted to live according to the custom of his Countrey and to continue in piety Wherefore they endeavour to take from others that which by no means they would permit to be taken from themselves as who would say it was not as great offence to hinder other men's piety and devotion as neglect their own Let us consider whether there be any City or Nation that doth not count their felicity to be situate in your dominion and the power of the Romans or is there any that desireth your honour and power to decay and be of no force Truly none that is wise For there is none whom either publickly or privately it concerneth not L But these people endeavouring to take from us our liberty do also as it were deprive themselves of all benefits which they have received at your hands which are infinite For what a benefit is it that whereas other Nations living under the dominion of rigorous Kings constituted over them these do only obey the Romans and live in happy peace and tranquility But as for our affairs were no man troublesome unto us yet are they not such as deserve to be envied For enjoying the common felicity which others your Subjects do we desire nothing of high esteem or worth but only request that we may live according to the Religion of our Countrey which of it self is not to be envied but may be profitable for them that permit it For God doth always love them who honour him and them who do not hinder his honour M What is there in our Religion offensive to any man nay what is there that is not according to all piety and justice whereby all things continue and are preserved For neither do we conceal what life we follow nor the labours and exercise we use but resting the seventh day from all labours we spend that day in learning our Religion and the Laws and customs thereof esteeming this custom not to be of small force to correct and amend our manners These our customs having in them nothing that any that searcheth them can justly reprehend they are now also though many are perswaded the contrary consecrated and confirmed by their antiquity So that we must needs make a conscience of it to forsake our Laws that have endured so many ages These are the injuries that these people by violence offer us they sacrilegiously N take from us the money dedicated to God They impose tributes upon us who are free They upon festival days force us to their Tribunals to Law and other prophane business without any necessity but only in contempt and disgrace of our Religion which they know well in the mean time while they persecute with unjust and unlawful hatred For your Empire equally providing for the good of all your Subjects doth not only nourish the mutual concord of them all but also resisteth hatred and malice These are the injuries most worthy Agrippa whereof we seek redress at thy hands requesting thee that hereafter we may live according to our Religion as formerly and that our adversaries may have no more authority over us than we over them which is not only justice and equity but already also O granted by your clemency And there are yet extant to be seen in the Capitol many decrees and ordinances of the Senate concerning this matter engraven in brass A which are read unto this day doubtless for our truth and fidelity so oftentimes tried or at least though we not deserving it yet holy and inviolate For you do not only not withdraw from us and all other Nations your former benefits granted unto us but you do rather every day beside all hope and expectation increase them all which time will not suffer me to rehearse And that we may not seem vainly to boast of our duties and officiousness towards you and also omitting other things that are past our King now sitting with you can sufficiently testifie it so to be For what kind of love and good will hath he omitted to shew unto your Nation where was he not proved trusty what hath he not devised to honour you where stood you in need when he was not the first man to help you Why therefore should B not we receive some favour for his deserts I will not omit to put you in mind of the Valour of his Father Antipater who came in with 2000 Souldiers to assist Caesar in the Egyptian Wars wherein he so valiantly behaved himself that neither by Sea nor Land any one in those Wars deserved more commendations than himself I will not repeat at this time how much good he did Caesar in those Wars and what and how great rewards he received but rather I should first of all put you in remembrance of the Letters that the Emperour writ unto the Senate concerning this matter wherewith he obtained for Antipater the honours and privileges of the City For this only argument had been sufficient to have declared that we did not obtain such favour without desert and request thee now to confirm the same of whom we might justly hope for C
new benefits seeing such friendship and familiarity between thee and our King For we have understood by our Nation that dwell in Judaea how many offerings thou didst there sacrifice unto our God and with what vows thou honouredst him how thou feastedst the people and wast delighted in that mutual hospitality All which was an argument of the friendship confirmed between so great a Roman Prince and the Nation of the Jews even in Herod's house By all these we humbly request in the presence of the King nothing but this only that thou wouldest not permit us deceitfully to be defrauded of that which you your selves have already granted unto the Nation of the Jews Now no one of the Greeks offered to oppose himself against that which Nicholaus D did speak for this was no contention to a Judge concerning their right but only a deprecation and supplication to avoid injury Neither did they deny it only thus they excused themselves that the Jews dwelling amongst them were troublesome unto them But the Jews shewed themselves to be free Citizens and to live according to their Religion and Laws of their Countrey without any man's molestation or injury Wherefore Agrippa understanding that they were wronged Agrippa confirmeth the Jews privilege answered thus That he would not only gratifie them for his friend Herod's sake but also for that they seemed to him to demand a reasonable matter Wherefore though they had demanded a greater thing of him he would have granted them whatsoever he might without prejudicing the people of Rome And now seeing they only demand of him that which E already the Romans had granted unto them he would ratifie and confirm unto them the benefit which they had already received at the Romans hands and provide that henceforth no man should molest them for living according to the institution and ordinances of their Countrey Having thus spoken he dismissed the Assembly Then Herod arising Agrippa departed from Lesbus thanked him in all their names And then after mutual embracing one another they departed taking their leaves from Lesbus CHAP. V. F How Herod returned into Judea and freed his Subjects from the payment of the fourth part of the Taxes THe King having a prosperous wind Herod returned to Jerusalem and made a speech unto the people and let them understand the cause of his journey and remitted the fourth part of his Tribute within a few days after arrived at Caesarea from thence he went to Jerusalem and calling together all the people as well the Citizens as also the Countrey people there present there he told them the cause of his journey and how he had obtained immunities for the Jews living in Asia that they might converse there among the Gentiles without molestation Then he told them what felicity they had received and enjoyed by his reign seeing that his greatest care was so to provide for his Subjects that they might want nothing And to gratifie them G the more he told them that he would freely remit the fourth part of the Taxes and Tribute they were to pay for the year past The people greatly comforted as well with the King's speech unto them as with his liberality departed joyfully wishing the King all happiness CHAP. VI. H Salome Herod's Sister endeavoureth to ruine his two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus whom he begot of Mariamne He sends his Son Antipater whom he had by his first Wife to Rome IN the mean time Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. al. chap. 7. the discord of his house was daily encreased by reason of Salome's inveterate hatred against Alexander and Aristobulus she presumed so much on her success against their mother that she hoped to leave none of her children alive to revenge her death Salome persecuteth Mariamne's children with natural hatred And she wanted no occasion for it seems the two young Princes were not I very well affected towards their Father partly for the memory of their Mother's death and partly also for that they desired the Kingdom So that they upbraiding Salome and Pheroras did renew their old hatred against them who daily practised by all means they could Alexander and Aristobulus being by Salome and Pheroras drawn into bad words are by them accused to their Father Herod to overthrow them The young men also hated them but not with the like hatred that they were hated of them For they for their ingenuous manners and noble race dissembled not their anger but freely declared their minds But Salome and Pheroras contrariwise enviously and craftily prepared themselves a way by calumniations always provoking the magnanimous spirits of these young Princes whose fierceness might soon bring them into suspicion with their Father that he might gather hereby that they wanted not will to revenge their Mother's death yea even K with their own hands forasmuch as they were not ashamed to be the Children of such a Mother and would contend that she was unjustly put to death And now all the City talked of them every one pitying their rashness Salome not ceasing to gather by their own speeches probable arguments of suspicion that they did not only take their Mother's death impatiently but also raging like furies did both bewail her death and their own case who were compelled to converse with the murtherers of their unfortunate Mother and as it were contaminate themselves with living amongst them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. al. chap. 8. And the absence of the King greatly encreased their dissension who being returned having made a speech unto the people he presently was admonished both by Pheroras and Salome his Sister Pheroras and Salome accuse Alexander Aristobulus unto Herod that he was in great danger by reason of his L two Sons who did openly boast that they would be revenged of them that killed their Mother Feigning moreover that they were encouraged for that they hoped that Archelaus King of Cappadocia would help them to accuse their Father unto Caesar Herod hearing this was greatly troubled and so much the more that he heard the same also reported unto him by others And hereby he was put in memory of that which was past how that for the dissension of his house he could not long enjoy his friends and dearest wife Herod was fortunate abroad and unfortunate at home And as it were foreseeing by that that was past what would ensue and fearing some greater calamity would befall him he was altogether amazed And truly as abroad he was most fortunate above all hope so at home he was most unhappy and unfortunate beyond men's opinion So that one may well doubt whether M his fortunate success abroad did countervail his misfortunes at home or whether it had been more expedient for him to have had neither the one nor the other but to have had only a common and ordinary favour at fortunes hands Deliberating thus with himself Herod advanceth Antipater to bridle
of which building Nicholaus also a writer of that time maketh mention but he speaketh not how they went into the Sepulchre of David thinking that therein he should not keep Decorum if he should make mention thereof Wherein he followed this accustomed order for his Writings were to come to the ears of the King yet living wherein he did only curry favour mentioning only that that might redound unto the King's credit So that many of his open and wicked pranks he did either colour under some other pretence or else all ways possible he endeavoured to hide them For he doth as it were tell a tale of Herod's cruelty against Mariamne and his Sons as though he did thereby deserve credit and praise accusing her of Adultery D and them as Traitors unto their Father and this he doth all along too much extolling the King 's good deeds Joseph came of the Priestly Line of the Asmonians and too diligently excusing his iniquities But as I have said we must pardon him who did not so much write to leave a memory of things done unto after Ages as to gratifie and please his King But I who come of the lineage of the Asmonian Kings and execute the office of a Priest account it a shame to lie and do intend to relate the History of all things that were acted and done yet with a reverence for Herod's Posterity who do also now bear sway and rule yet with their pardon and leave I must prefer the truth to their inclinations After the Sepulchre was thus violated A discord in Herod's house Herod's house began to decay whether revenge lighting upon that part which was already scarce sound or whether by mere E chance such calamity at that time befel him as might justly be thought the reward of impiety For there was a discord in the Court not unlike to Civil Wars every one striving against other with hatred and forged accusations Antipater's crafty plotting against his Brethren But especially Antipater's politick practice against his Brethren was to be noted who entangled them by other men's forged accusations himself oftentimes seemed to take upon him their defence that making a shew of good will unto them he might secretly oppress them the sooner and he did so craftily circumvent his Father that his Father esteemed him to be his only Conserver Wherefore the King commanded Ptolomens his chief Secretary of State to conceal nothing of the affairs of the Kingdom from Antipater who imparted all to his Mother so that all things were done according as they pleased and F they made him displeased with those against whom they knew the King's displeasure might redound unto their profit But Mariamne's Children were every day more and more provoked disdaining to give place unto their inferiours The women at discord and variance their Wives did the like and Alexander's Wife Glaphyra who was the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia did greatly envy and disdain Salome and she also her again both for the love that she bare unto her Husband and for that she disdained as women are wont that her Daughter married unto Aristobulus should be in equal honour with her Pheroras also the King's Brother had a hand in this contention Pheroras refused the King's Daughter offered him to Wife about a private cause of suspicion and hatred For he fell so far in love with one of his maids that he refused the Kings Daughter offered unto him rather G making choice of his maid Herod took this in very ill part seeing his Brother who had received so many benefits at his hands and was almost his fellow in his Kingdom by his means not to shew the like brotherly affection to him again as he ought And seeing he could not disswade him from that madness he married his Daughter unto H Phasaelus his Son And afterwards thinking that his Brother's mind towards his maid was satisfied he complained of his injurious dealing in repulsing his Daughter offered unto him to Wife he offered him another of his Daughters named Cypros Then Ptolomeus advised Pheroras not to contemn his Brother's offer and persist in such folly still telling him it was mere madness to incur the King's displeasure on such an account Pheroras understanding this counsel profitable for him having obtained pardon at the King's hands sent away his maid by whom he had a Son and promised the King to marry this his other Daughter and appointed the thirteenth day after to celebrate his Marriage making a solemn Oath unto the King never after that time to use the company of that woman whom he had put away The time appointed being expired I he fell so far in love with the former woman that he would not stand to his promise but again accompanied with his maid Then Herod not able any longer to contain himself used many speeches whereby he evidently shewed his mind to be alienated from his Brother And there were many who taking this opportunity did by forged calumnies encrease his aversion so that now there was no day nor hour past wherein he did not still hear some new combustions and stirs amongst his dearest friends Salome enticed her Daughter to betray her husband's secrets For Salome being so offended at Mariamne's Children did not permit her Daughter married to Aristobulus to enjoy mutual love and comfort of her Husband enticing her to bewray her Husband's secrets and if there happened any small occasions of offence as often it falleth out she should the K more aggravate them with suspicions whereby she also learned all their secrets and made the young Princess hate her Husband And she to please her Mother related how that often when her Husband and Alexander were alone that they were wont to talk of Mariamne their Mother and use reproachful words against their Father and threatning that if they ever did obtain the Kingdom they would make the Sons of the King whom he had by other Wives Notaries and Town-Clerks and so they might reap profit of their Learning which they had attained to and whensoever they saw any of the Kings Wives wear any of Mariamne's apparel that then they vowed instead of that attire to cloath them with Sack-cloth and shut them up where they should never see the Sun Salome presently told all this to the King who though he were L much grieved hereat yet he chose rather to seek to amend it than to punish them and thus notwithstanding he was daily more and more put out of humour believing all reports whatsoever yet he contented himself with chiding of them and seemed satisfied with their excuses But presently the mischief was again set on foot for Pheroras the King's Brother meeting Alexander who as we have said was Glaphyra her Husband who was Daughter to Archelaus he told him that he heard by Salome that Herod was so far in love with Glaphyra that he could not shake off this affection Herod
being in prison his friends were tortured he would afterwards have gone to Rome Wherefore endeavouring to find some stronger argument of his Son's impiety and because he would not be thought rashly to have committed his Son to prison he caused the most noble and eminent of all Alexander's friends to be tortured and they confessing no such matter as he expected he put them to death Whilst thus all the Court did resound with fear One accused Alexander to have sent letters to Rome against his Father torments and contentions a certain B man accused Alexander to have sent letters to his friends at Rome to entreat them to cause him to be sent for by Caesar thither that he might accuse his Father of certain conspiracies against Caesar and how he more esteemed the friendship of Mithridates King of the Parthians than the friendship of the Romans affirming also that he had poyson ready prepared at Ascalon Herod hearing this was comforted by flatterers about him as having not done any thing rashly and so he gave now full credit unto all Alexander confesseth the treason and who had a hand in it Yet the poyson was diligently sought for but could not be found Alexander being now oppressed with this calamity he yet took courage and because he would more incite his Father's displeasure against him he did not deny it Perhaps meaning to make his Father ashamed of himself for giving credit so easily unto forged C tales or at least if he could not effect that entangle all the Court and him too in calamity and misery Which that he might the better do he writ four little Pamphlets and sent them unto his Father telling him that it was needless to use any more torments for indeed treason was intended against him and that Pheroras and his most trusty friends were herein conspirators And that in the night time Salome came secretly unto him and as it were forced him to lie with her And that all of them aimed at this mark to have him made away that so they might enjoy their wished liberty He also accused Ptolomeus and Sapinnius of this conspiracy who were more faithful unto their King than all others So that now these men who before were most friendly one to another began like mad men to rage one against another and punishment so D hastily pursued every one that they had not time to speak in their own defence Neither was their punishment deferred till their cause was tried and the truth known so that some were bound and imprisoned others presently put to death others laughed in their sleeves to see that day yet discontented for that any delay was used for their punishment Herod was so troubled with the contention in his house that he was weary of his life So that the King's Court was now greatly defaced with sorrow and heaviness wherewith the usual felicity thereof was destroyed Herod himself amidst these calamities could not but be weary of his life who not daring to trust himself in any bodies hand he was tormented with a dayly and hourly fear of some untimely death that would befall And many times perswaded himself that he did see his Sons before him with a drawn sword ready to kill him and this was his cogitation night and day E so that herewith he almost ran mad CHAP. XII How Archelaus King of Cappadocia reconciled Alexander to his Father WHilst Herod was thus troubled in his mind Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9 al. 13. Archelaus King of Cappadocia careful of his Daughter and the young Prince his Son in Law and pitying his friend Herod in such calamities Archelaus the King of Cappadocia feigneth displeasure against Alexander his Son in Law and so reconciled Herod unto him he thought it his duty to make a journey unto him And F finding him so affected as it was reported unto him before his coming he thought it an unfit way to argue him of too much credulity and rashness perceiving that thereby he would be rather exasperated so much the more labouring to excuse himself Wherefore Archelaus devised another way to appease these troubles he counterfeited indignation against the young Prince approving all the King's actions affirming that he would break the band of Wedlock between his Daughter and Alexander and that if she knew of the Conspiracy and did not inform the King thereof himself would punish her Then Herod contrary to his expectation seeing Archelaus so angry for the offence committed against him began to remit his anger And now with just consideration weighing what he had done by little and little G he began to have a Fatherly affection and to be hereby moved to compassion yet so oft as any one sought to excuse the young Prince he grew very angry thereat but when Archelaus also began to accuse him then Herod's heart relented and he with tears besought Archelaus not to yield too much to anger nor for the young Princes offence H break off the marriage Then Archelaus perceiving him to relent began to turn the matter against Herod's friends as the causes of all this mischief who had corrupted Alexander who of himself was void of malice and especially he aggravated the matter against Pheroras the King's Brother Archelaus layeth the fault of Alexander's offence upon others and especially upon Pheroras Pheroras having now incurred the King's displeasure perceived that none could so soon reconcile him unto the King as Archelaus wherefore clothed in black and making other signs as though he despaired of his life he went unto him who did not deny to help him what he could yet he told him that it was no easie matter for him to pacifie the King so highly offended perswading him rather himself to go unto the King his Brother and crave pardon of him confessing himself to have been cause of all this mischief by which confession of his I the King's wrath would be greatly appeased and so he also should have better occasion to entreat for him Pheroras confessed himself to be the author of all mischief and obtaineth pardon of his brother Pheroras followed his counsel which fell out happily for them both for the Prince contrary to any ones expectation was freed from all his troubles And Archelaus made Pheroras and Herod friends and he himself having obtained great friendship of the King in his adversities he returned joyfully into Cappadocia being rewarded with rich gifts and being accounted of as Herod's chiefest friend They also agreed amongst themselves that Herod should go to Rome because he had already written unto Caesar Herod accompanied Archelaus unto Antioch concerning this matter And they both went together to Antiochia and there Herod reconciled Titus the President of Syria unto Archelaus and so he returned into Judea K CHAP. XIII Herod declareth War against the Arabians for protecting Trachonites Robbers WHilest Herod being gone to Rome The year of the World 3956. before
present and of certain men that were lately come out of Syria also whether Herod had led an Army out of the limits of his own Kingdom Which they not denying and Caesar not vouchsafing to hear the cause why his displeasure against Herod was greatly encreased so that he writ threatning Letters unto him telling him that hitherto he had used him as a Friend The Arabians and Trachonites understanding that Caesar was offended with Herod rejoyce thereat but hereafter he would use him as a Subject which also Syllaeus signified unto the Arabians By which Letters they were made proud and would G neither render unto him the Thieves that were escaped nor restore the money he lent their King nor pay him rent for the pasture-ground that they hired of him Moreover the Trachonites hearing this rebelled against the Garrison of the Idumaeans and joyning with the Arabian Thieves The year of the World 3960. before Christ's Nativity 4. who wasted their Countrey not so much respecting H their own gain as their revenge and particular profit they did many mischiefs and exercised great cruelty against them Herod did put up all injuries and durst not once mutter Caesar being offended with him for the which cause he was not so couragious nor valiant as he was before Caesar offended with Herod For first of all Caesar would not admit his Ambassadours whom he sent to plead his cause before Caesar and Herod again sending other Ambassadours Caesar sent them back again their business undone Wherefore Herod being in this perplexity greatly feared Syllaeus who being now at Rome did easily perswade Caesar any thing for Caesar was very credulous and Syllaeus aimed at some greater matter Obodas dying Eneas succeeded him in the Arabian Kingdom For Obodas dying Eneas succeeded him in the Kingdom of Arabia changing his name called himself Aretas whom Syllaeus by I forged calumniations did seek to depose from the Crown and usurp the Kingdom unto himself giving great summs of money unto the Courtiers and promising great summs unto Caesar whom he now perceived to be angry against Aretas for that without his consent he presumed to take upon him the government of the Kingdom But at last he also sent letters and gifts unto Caesar and amongst the rest a Crown of Gold worth many Talents and in those letters he accused Syllaeus who as an impious and disloyal servant had poysoned his King Obodas in whose life-time he had also invaded the Government of the Kingdom committing Adultery with the Arabians Wives getting together other men's money Caesar would not give Audience to the Arabian Ambassadours thereby to obtain the Kingdom Caesar would not permit these Ambassadours to have Audience but refusing their gifts suffered K them to depart without obtaining that they came for In the mean time the affairs of Judea and Arabia every day became worse and worse every one seeking to trouble the estate of both Kingdoms and no man endeavouring to quiet them For the King of Arabia was not yet established in his Kingdom and therefore could not control his Subjects And Herod feared that if he did defend himself he should so much the more incite Caesar against him and so was forced to put up all injuries that were done unto him Herod sent Nicholaus Damasââne to Caesar And finding no end of his miseries he at length determined to send again to Rome Ambassadours to see if by the help of friends Caesar might be perswaded to think better of him and so committed that Embassage unto Nicholaus of Damasco and sent him to Rome L CHAP. XVI Herod more incensed than ever against his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus by several Aspersions causeth them to be imprisoned Augustus is made sensible of Syllaeus's wickedness condemns him to die confirms Aretas in the Kingdom of Arabia he is sorry for having had so ill an opinion of Herod adviseth him to call a great Assembly at Berite where his Sons after new complaints given in against them are to be judged M IN the mean time the dissention of Herod's house was much encreased Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. al. 17. by the augmentation of hatred against his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus and although at all other times his Court was never void of suspicion Eurycles a Lacedemonian insinuateth himself into Herod's familiarity which is a pernicious evil to Kings and Princes yet at that time especially this mischief was in his principal vigour and force For one Eurcyles a Lacedemonian and a Noble man of his Countrey but having a turbulent wit given over to flattery and pleasure yet cunningly dissembling both vices coming unto Herod and giving him gifts and receiving greater gifts at his hands was by him courteously entertained and familiarly conversing with him brought it so to pass that he was esteemed amongst his especial friends This Eurycles N lodged at Antipater's house Eurycles insinuated himself into Alexander's friendship being also familiar with Alexander for their often meeting one another For he said that Archelaus King of Cappadocia and himself was great friends and therefore he counterfeited himself to reverence Glaphyra very much and all men judging him indifferent in all parties he diligently noted whatsoever past and every word that was spoken seeking by all means he could matter to gratifie others carrying of tales and with such flattering fair speeches he insinuated himself into every man's friendship that he seemed Alexander's only trusty friend and that all his endeavours with others were only for to be more serviceable to Alexander in his concerns And by this his deceit he so insinuated himself into Alexander's favour that the young Prince thought him to be his only friend unto whom he O might impart his secrets so that Alexander shewed him how much he was grieved for not being in his Father's favour and related his Mother's misfortune and that A Antipater had now gotten all authority and dignity from him and his Brother and was the only man that could do all and that these injuries were no longer tolerable their Father being now incited against them that now he would neither admit them unto his Councils nor Banquets And he committed his griefs as he then thought into his friends bosom Eurycles observing all Alexander's words and actions related them to Antipater and Herod But Eurycles told Antipater all affirming that thought it nothing concerned him yet he could not but speak of it for the greatness of the present danger desiring him to beware of Alexander who did not stick openly to shew what mind he bare but did as it were manifestly shew that he desired to make away his Father Which done he received of Antipater most rich gifts and pledges of his good will towards him at length he perswaded him to B relate his news himself unto Herod The King gave an attentive ear whilst he related Alexander's malice and was so moved with the
another of Antipholas's Brothers and the Mother I to them both confessed no less being constrained thereunto by force of violence and torture and acknowledged the Box. The King's Wife also who was the Daughter of the High Priest The King putteth away his Wife and blots his Son out of his Testament He degradeth Simon and instateth Matthias in the Priestood was accused of confederacy and concealment of all these Treasons For which cause Herod put her away from him and cancelled his Sons name out of his Testament wherein he had bequeathed him the Kingdom after his decease He displaced also his Father-in-law Simon the Son of Boethus from the Priesthood and placed Matthias the Son of Theophilus who was born in Jerusalem In the mean time Bathillus Antipater's Freeman returned from Rome who being tortured confessed that he brought a Poyson with him to deliver it to Antipater's Mother and Pheroras to the end that if the first Poyson were not effectual enough to dispatch the King they might K make use of this other to cut him off speedily There came Letters also to Herod's hands from his friends at Rome Archelaus Philip are accused by Antipaters means written and devised by Antipater's means to accuse Archelaus and Philip for very often they had refreshed the memory of Alexander and Aristobulus's death contrived by their Father and for that they lamented the miserable fate of them who were innocently betrayed and that now also they themselves were called back into their Countrey for no other cause but upon their arrival to be made partakers of their Brother 's miserable destiny These things did Antipater's friends certifie Herod of in that by many and mighty Presents he wrought them thereunto He himself also wrote unto his Father colourably after a manner excusing the young men and imputing their words unto their indiscretion and young years L Mean while he busied himself in accusing Syllaeus and courted the chiefest Romans buying divers Ornaments and Jewels to present them with to the value of two hundred Talents And it is to be wondred at that so great matters being in agitation against him seven months at least before his return into the Countrey of Judaea that no inkling thereof came unto his ears But the cause partly was the diligent search and watch that was kept upon the High-ways and partly the hatred that all men had conceived against Antipater For there was not any that would put themselves in hazard to procure his security M CHAP. VII Antipater being returned back into Judaea from Rome is convicted in the presence of Varus Governour of Syria for having endeavoured to poyson the King his Father Herod causeth him to be imprisoned and writeth to Augustus on that Subject HErod concealing his displeasure Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. answered Antipater his Son's Letters giving him a strict charge as soon as he had dispatched his affairs to hasten homeward lest his long absence should prove hurtful to him Herod writeth friendly Letters to Antipater and calleth him home from Rome He likewise after a temperate manner N complained unto him of his Mother promising notwithstanding to remit the fault upon his return and by all means he made shew to him of much kindness fearing lest he apprehending any suspicion should defer to hasten his return and lingring too long at Rome should contrive some treacherous stratagem to the prejudice of himself and the overthrow of his Kingdom Antipater received these Letters in Cilicia and had already received others at Tarentum by which he understood of Pheroras his Unkle's death whereat he was sore grieved not for the love he bare to Pheroras but for that he died before he had murthered his Father according as he had promised him As soon as he came to Celenderis a City of Cilicia he grew doubtful whether he should return or no and was grievously troubled at his Mother's disgraces O who was banished from the Court The opinions of his friends in his behalf were various for some of them counselled him to stay and expect the event of these troubles A in some place others on the other side advised him to delay no longer his return into his Countrey for that upon his arrival he might easily satisfie all those objections and accusations that were forged against him because his accusers had nothing else to strengthen their cause with but his absence This later advice pleased him best so that he betook himself to Sea Celenderis in Cilicia and at last arrived in the Port of Sebaste so called and builded by Herod to his great charge in honour of Caesar And now already it manifestly appeared that Antipater was upon his downfal Sebaste a Haven builded by Herod in honour of Caesar For no man came out to salute him no man entertained him as they did upon his departure when as all of them accompanied him with prayers and happy acclamations but contrariwise they boldly and openly spake against him and bitterly cursed him telling B him that he was justly punished for the wickedness that he had committed against his brothers Antipater upon his return is saluted by no man About the same time Quintilius Varus who was sent to succeed Saturnine in the Government of Syria was at Jerusalem Quintilius Varus Governour of Syria and drew thither at that instant upon Herods request to assist him with his Counsels in his present and weighty occasions Now whilest these two sate and cousulted together Antipater came in before any man expected him and in that purple garment and Royalty that he was accustomed to use entered the Palace The Guard of the Gates suffered him to enter in but they excluded all those that were with him This first of all affrighted and appaled his Spirits in that he already perceived into what calamity he was fallen and now also C when he drew near his Father he thrust him from him accusing him of the murder of his Brethren and reproaching him with that intent he had to poyson him telling him that the next day Varus should both hear and judge all his misdemeanours He altogether daunted at the greatness of that unexpected mischief which he both heard and saw departed presently from them wholly amazed and in the way met with his Mother and his Wife which was Antigonus's daughter who had been King of the Jews before Herod by whom he was advertised of all that which had happened and for that cause more diligently prepared himself for his tryal Herod calleth his Son in question before Quintilius Varus The next day Varus and Herod sate in judgement accompanied by their friends on both sides thither also D were cited the Kings kindred and his sister Salome and certain others who could discover his secret practices some of which had been tortured and namely Antipaters mothers servants who a little before his arrival had been apprehended with a letter to this
profit and safety for which cause he was sent by him in Bonds to Capreas Tiberius according to his dilatory manner wherein no King or Tyrant ever equalled him held him Prisoner For neither did he presently admit any Ambassadours neither sent he Successors to those who were Governours of his Provinces when the former were dead and was no less negligent in yielding audience to his Prisoners But when his friends at any time questioned him why he used these accustomed delays he answered them that he deferred the Ambassadours after that manner lest if he should suddenly dispatch them they should instantly return K with new whereby it should come to pass that he should be continually troubled in entertaining and dismissing them And as for his Offices For what cause Tiberius changed not his Governors he left them in their hands to whom he had committed them in regard of his Subjects welfare For naturally all Magistracy is subject to Avarice but especially strangers induce those who exercise the same to gather and ingross the more eagerly when as the time of their Authority is short and of small assurance whereas if they should continue in the same for a long time in regard of the gain they had made and the much profit they had raised they would be afterwards less greedy to extort further Now if he should send others to succeed them on a sudden it were impossible for him to content them notwithstanding their many Bribes whereas in L giving them time to fill their purses when they had gotten well they would abate the furious desire of Lucre which they affected before And to this purpose he told them an example of a poor man that was a Lazar to whose wounds a great number of Flies assembled themselves and covered the same at sight whereof some by fortune arriving there and having compassion of his misery and supposing that the cause why he repulsed them not proceeded from his disability approached near to help him but he prayed them to let him alone Whereupon they demanding the cause wherefore he that was hurt refused to be delivered from so irksome an evil he answered them for that they should do him more wrong if those flies were driven away for that being already full of blood they prick me not said he neither suck me so earnestly M but give me some ease whereas if new should light on my wound which were hungry and should seize my flesh in that desperate estate that I am they would procure my death For these causes he said that seeing his Subjects already consumed by so many exactions he thought it a good policy in him and a better provision for them not to send them new Governours continually who might after the manner of flies suck them to the quick especially if to their innate covetousness he should add the fear of their sudden displacing Now to prove that to be true which I have declared of Tiberius's disposition this action of his may suffice to justifie me For having been Emperour for the space of twenty two years all those Governours which he sent into Jewry were two namely Gratus Why Caesar would not give Audience to his Prisoners and Pilat his Successor neither carried he himself otherwise towards N the rest of his Subjects of the Empire And as for his Prisoners the reason why he delayed so much to give them Audience was to the end that they who had been condemned to death ãâã not speedily be delivered from those torments Agrippa solliciteth Antonia to bring Eutichus to his Answer wherewith he threatned them and which they had deserved by their wickedness For whilst he kept them in that pain their misery encreased the more For this cause Eutychus could not obtain Audience at his hands but was a long time detained Prisoner Antonia very much honoured by Tiberius Afterwards in process of time Tiberius transported himself from Capreas to Tusculanum which was distant from Rome some hundred Furlongs There did Agrippa sollicite Antonia to cause Eutychus to be called to his answer Antonia discovereth Sejanus's Conspiracy to Caesar concerning the accusation which he pretended against him Now O Antonia was in great favour with Tiberius both in regard of the affinity that was between them in that she was Drusus's Wife who was Tiberius's as in respect of A her Modesty For she being young continued in her Widowhood and would not Marry with any other notwithstanding Augustus importuned her to wed but lived always in honour without blame Besides that she had done Tiberius a great pleasure for at such time as Sejanus his Friend and a man of great account in those days by reason he had the Government of the Army practised a Conspiracy against him whereunto divers of the Senate and of his Free-men and of his Souldiers likewise were accessary yet she brought all their intents to nothing This Attempt had taken a great head and Sejanus had finished his purpose had not Antonia used more advised courage than Sejanus did in executing his Treason For having discovered the danger that threatned Tiberius she wrote and sent her express Letters by Pallas one of B her trusty Servants unto him to Capreas to assure him in particular of the whole Contrivance of the Conspiracy Caesar having true understanding thereof caused Sejanus and his Confederates to be executed Therefore though before that time he honoured Antonia greatly yet he did afterwards honour her far more so that he trusted her in all things When therefore she entreated him to give Eutychus Audience Tiberius answered If said he Eutychus hath falsly objected any thing against Agrippa it sufficeth that he endure that Punishment that I have enjoyned him But if in the Torture he maintain that which he hath spoken to be true it is to be feared lest Agrippa intending to punish his Free-man do rather heap the Punishment upon his own head When Antonia had reported this answer of his to Agrippa Agrippa urgeth Eutychus trial and for certain speeches ãâã his is cast into Bonds he did the more instantly sollicite her requiring her C that the matter might be brought to tryal And for that Agrippa ceased not to importune her Antonia took the occasion which was this Tiberius being after Dinner time carried in his Litter and having Caius and Agrippa before him she walking by the Litter besought him to call Eutychus to his Tryal Whereunto he replyed The Gods said he know that that which I do I do it not of mine own will but for the necessity I am pressed with upon your request And having spoken thus he commanded Macron Sejanus's Successor to bring Eutychus before him which was performed with all expedition Whereupon Tiberius asked him what he had to say against him who had made a Free-man of him My Sovereign said he Caius that is here present and Agrippa rode one day together in the same Coach and I
a Tyrant being of himself a cholerick man implacable towards all men without any occasion having a natural inclination so cruel that the easiest pain whereunto he adjudged G those whom he condemned was death Notwithstanding therefore that every man took pleasure to hear the news yet did all conceal it until such time as they might be more fully assured through the fear of those miseries they foresaw if the matter should fall out otherways But Marsyas Agrippa's Free-man having certain H notice of Tiberius's death ran speedily to comfort his Master Agrippa with these good news and meeting with him as he came out of the Bath he made a sign unto him and told him in the Hebrew Tongue the Lyon was dead Agrippa conceiving that which he meant Marsyas Agrippa's Free-man certifieth him of Tiberius's death was ravished with joy and said unto him I will requite thee for all those benefits I have received at thy hands and especially for this good news provided that it prove true The Centurion who had the keeping of Agrippa considering what expedition Marsyas had used in running and the pleasure that Agrippa had conceived in his report he began to suspect some alteration and asked him what had happened and whereas he delayed to give him an answer he importuned him the more Whereupon Agrippa told him plainly what he had heard in that he had grown already intimately I familiar with him The Centurion rejoyced at this news as well as Agrippa hoping to speed the better thereby and made Agrippa good cheer But whilst they were in the midst of their Banquetting The rumour was spread in Rome that Tiberius was alive and drunk freely there came one unto them who told them that Tiberius was alive and that within few days he would come to Rome The Centurion troubled with this news for that he had committed a Capital crime in eating in the company of a Prisoner upon the news of Caesar's death and by rejoycing with him he drave Agrippa out of the place where he sate and reproachfully said unto him Thinkest thou said he that I know not how falsely thou spreadest the rumour of Caesar 's death yes be assured thou shalt answer thy lie with the loss of thy head This said he caused Agrippa to be bound whom before-time he had suffered to go at K liberty and shut him up in more close Prison than he had been before so that Agrippa was all that night long in this extream misery The next day the rumour was spread thorough the whole City that confirmed Tiberius's death and at that time every one boldly protested it There were some also who offered Sacrifices for this cause Caius certifieth the Senate and Piso of Tiberius's death and his Succession and willeth that Agrippa should be sent to his own Lodging And there came Letters also from Caius which were addressed to the Senate by which he assured them that Tiberius was dead and how the Empire was committed to his hands He writ another also to Piso who had the Guard of the City containing the like report and besides that commanding him to transfer Agrippa from the company of those Souldiers by whom he was kept to the same place where he was lodged before so that from that time forwards he grew confident For although he was L as yet a Prisoner yet lived he at his own discretion Caius arriving in Rome brought with him Tiberius's body which he burned most magnificently according to the custom of the Countrey Tiberius's Funeral And although he were very willing to set Agrippa at liberty the same day yet he was disswaded from it by Antonia not for any ill will she bare the Prisoner but in regard of Caius's honour lest thereby he should shew himself to be glad of Tiberius's death in setting him at liberty so speedily whom he had committed to Prison When therefore some few days were over he sent for him to his house and caused his hair to be cut and his garments changed and that done he set a Diadem upon his head Caius createth Agrippa King and giveth him two Tetrarchies and made him King of Philip's Tetrarchy to which he added Lysanias's Tetrarchy and changed his Chain of Iron into a Chain of Gold of the same M weight and sent Marullus into Judaea to govern there The second year of Caius's Reign Agrippa asked leave to repair into Judaea to dispose of his Kingdom purposing to return again when he had dispatched those Affairs Agrippa departeth into his Kingdom Which when the Emperour had granted him he came into Judaea and was seen and saluted for a King beyond all men's expectation serving thereby for a most notable example unto men to express unto them how great the power of Destiny is in humane Affairs The year of the World 4002. after Christ's Nativity 40. considering the poor estate wherein he had been before and the happiness which he enjoyed at that time Some termed him happy in that he resolutely followed his hopes others could scarcely believe that he was thus advanced N CHAP. IX Herodias Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. alias chap. 16. Herod the Tetrarch's Wife and King Agrippa's Sister being impatient to see her Brother reign in so much Prosperity compels her Husband to go to Rome to obtain a Crown also Herodias Agrippa's Sister envieth her Brothers happiness and inciteth her Husband to seek a Kingdom but Agrippa having written to Caius against him he banished him and his Wife to Lions in France HErodias Agrippa's Sister was married to Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea Shee envied her Brother to see him raised to so great Authority and to far greater O Dignity than her Husband enjoyed For which cause she was displeased that her Brother who fled out of his Countrey in that he wanted means to pay his debts was returned A in great Honour and State This alteration seemed unsufferable to her especially to see him apparelled like a King and environed with a great multitude of people so that it was impossible for her to hide her grief for which cause she incited her Husband and perswaded him to make a Voyage to Rome and to purchase as much as he possessed For said she I cannot endure to live if Agrippa Aristobulus 's Son condemned to die by the sentence of his own Father so poor and indigent that to redress his necessities wherewith he was daily pressed by his Creditors he was constrained at last to flee to Rome should return with such Titles of Honour and that her Husband who was a King's Son and was called to the Kingdom by his Father should live obscure and pass his life like a private man Husband said she if herefore it hath been no prejudice to thee to live in less Dignity B than thy Father hath done now at least desire that due honour which belongeth to thy Family neither think it sufferable
his own but the Emperour's intent who would shortly have them taste his displeasure and enforce them to bear the burthen of his indignation who were so bold as to contradict him For himself it necessarily concerned him that since by the Emperour's favour he had received so great honour he should not commit any thing contrary to his Command I hold it said he a matter most just to employ my life and honour for you to the end that so huge a number of men should not be drawn into the danger of death and I will respect the excellency of the Laws of your Fathers for which you think you ought to undergo a War and danger neither is it lawful to suffer the Temple of God to be defiled F by the Authority of Princes I will therefore write to Caesar and acquaint him with your minds and in all that I may I will assist you to obtain your Request God whose power surpasseth all industry and humane force vouchsafe to conduct you and make you constant in the observation of your Laws and grant that he through excessive desire of humane glory commit not any thing that may offend God And if Caius be displeased and enforce his inevitable displeasure against me I will undertake all danger and endure all torments both in body and spirit to the end that I may not behold so many vertuous men as you are perish in your good and juct actions Go therefore each of you and ply your work and till your Lands I will send to Rome and will employ both my Friends and my self for you After he had spoken this he dismissed the Assembly praying the chiefest amongst G them to encourage the Husbandmen to ply their business and to confirm the rest of the people in their good hope he himself also ceased not to encourage them And truly God shewed his assistance to Petronius and assisted him in all his affairs For as soon as he had finished his discourse to the Jews there suddenly fell a great rain beyond all H humane expectation for the day was very fair neither was there any appearance of rain in the Air and all that year long there was an extream Drought so that men were past hope to have any moisture notwithstanding that sometime there appeared certain Clouds in the Heavens After a long and continual Drought there fell a sudden shower At that time therefore the water fell in great abundance and besides the expectation and opinion of men the Jews conceived hope that Petronius soliciting their cause should not be repulsed But Petronius was more amazed than all the rest seeing evidently that God undertook the affairs of the Jews and gave them testimony of his manifest assurance so that they that were their professed Adversaries Petronius writeth to Caius had no power to contradict them as he himself wrote to Caius at large with inductions and exhortations to the end he should not draw so many thousand I men into a desperate resolution and unhappy death for without War it was impossible for him ever to make them forsake their Religion Moreover that he would not cut off and lose the Revenue which he received of that Nation and would not erect a Trophy of an everlasting Curse and Malediction against himself Adding moreover what the power of their God was which he had so clearly declared that no man ought to doubt but that his merciful hand was over them This is the Contents of Petronius's Letters On the other side Agrippa honoureth Caius in Rome in reward thereof Caius willeth him to demand somewhat who desireth nothing else than that Petronius's Commission to erect the Statue be revoked King Agrippa who at that time was at Rome grew more and more in favour with Caius having entertained him at a Banquet wherein he was very desirous to exceed all others as well in sumptuousness as in all other sorts of delights K and pleasures yea he entertained him so nobly that not only others but also the Emperour himself could not attain to such magnificence so much he endeavoured to surpass all others through the great desire he had to content and satisfie Caesar in all things Caius was amazed at his courage and magnificence seeing Agrippa so willing to constrain himself above his power and means to abound in Silver and all this to the intent to please him For which cause Caesar in requital of his kindness intending to honour Agrippa to his uttermost power in granting him that which he most desired being one day warm with Wine invited him to drink a Carouse adding these words Agrippa I have heretofore known the honour thou hast shewed towards me and thou L hast expressed the earnest affection that thou bearest me in hazarding thy self in divers dangers into which thou hast been drawn during Tiberius's life time and hast omitted nothing no not in that which exceedeth thy power to shew thy affection towards me For which cause I think it should be a great shame for me if I should suffer my self to be overcome by thee in kindness without some answerable correspondence I will therefore put that in practice which I have heretofore omitted for all those things that hitherto I have bestowed on thee are of no reckoning My will is that thy merits should at this time be requited by such means as might for ever make thee happy Now he spake after this manner hoping that Agrippa would beg some great Province at his hands or the Revenues of some Cities M But although he had already prepared his demand yet he did not discover his intent but gave Caius this answer that whereas he had served him to the dislike of Tiberius it was not for the gain he expected heretofore and for the present also he did nothing under hope to be rich contenting himself that he was in the Emperour 's good favour That the benefits he had received of him were great yea exceeding all that which he durst ever have hoped For said he although they be but small in comparison of your Greatness yet in respect of my self who have received them and in my conceit they are very great Caius admiring his generosity insisted to press him to ask whatsoever he had a mind to being ready to grant it Whereupon Agrippa said Dread Prince since it is your good pleasure to think me worthy to be honoured by your Presents I N will not request any thing at your hands that may tend to enrich me for that by those goods you have already given me I am greatly honoured But I beseech and request one thing at your hands which will purchase you the reputation of Piety and will procure God to be propitious unto you in all your actions and which also will breed me much glory among those who shall hear that I have not been refused in my demand which concerneth me more than the necessities of this life I therefore beseech
the wrongs he had done to the Estate of the Parthians Never said the King will I give my consent to betray a man who hath committed himself to my protection and hath given me his hand and who buildeth upon the Oath I have past unto him in the name of the Gods But if thou be a valiant man in feats of Arms thou hast no need to make me forswear my self but when his Brother and he shall depart from hence assail him and overcome him by thy valour provided that I be not privy to thy attempt And afterwards calling Asinaeus to him in the morning It is time said he that thou return homeward for fear thou provoke divers of the Captains of my Court which Artabanus committeth the Territories of Babylon to Asinaeus's charge and dismisseth him with Gifts contrary to my will will endeavour to kill thee I commit the Countrey of Babylon E to thy protection and guard which by thy care and vigilancy shall remain exempt from all Robberies and other such Calaemities Reason it is that I procure thy good because I have engaged mine Honour and Faith irrevocably unto thee not upon any light matter but for things that importane thee as nearly as thy life This said he gave him certain Presents and presently dismissed him Now as soon as he returned home to his own Fortress he fortified the places both those which were already secured and the other which as yet no man had attempted to fortifie And in short time he grew to that greatness that no man of so obscure Fortune and beginning attained before him Neither contented with the Honours of the Babylonians he was also held in great account by the Captains of the Parthians who were sent to govern in the neighbouring Provinces F yea so much encreased his Authority with his Power that all Mesopotamia was at his Command In this Felicity and encreasing Glory of his he continued for the space of fifteen years which never began to decay until such time as neglecting the ancient Study of Virtue and contemning the Laws of his Fore-fathers both he and his factious followers being drowned in pleasure yielded themselves Captive to Foreign Lust It fortuned that a certain Governour of those Parthians came into that Countrey accompanied with his Wife not only endowed with other Perfections but also admired for her incomparable Comliness and Beauty whom Anilaeus killeth a Noble man of the Parthians and leadeth away his Wife without ever seeing her only by report of her Beauty Anilaeus Asinaeus's Brother loved entirely and when as by no one of his allurements he could obtain G her favour neither had any other hope to enjoy the Lady he could not bridle his unruly Lust but he made War against her Husband and killing the Parthian in their first Conflict his Wife became his both in subjection and Bed-service which thing was the Original of many mighty Calamities both to himself and to H his Brother For when having lost her former Husband she was led away Captive she carried with her the Images of the Gods of her Countrey which she highly esteemed according as it was the custom of those that inhabited that place to have their Gods whom they adore in their houses whom when they travel into a Foreign Countrey they carry about with them She therefore brought them with her and used them according to the fashion of her Countrey at the first secretly but after she was known for Anilaeus's Wife then she adored them according to the custom and with the same service which she used during her first Husband's days sacrificing to her Gods Their chiefest friends seeing this Anilaeus being reproved for his Wife's Idolatry killeth one of his Friends first of all reproved them for that Anilaeus committed I such things that were no ways used among the Hebrews and altogether repugnant to their Laws for that he had married a woman of a Foreign Nation that contradicted and violated their accustomed Religion for which cause they advised him to beware lest in submitting themselves too much to their unbridled pleasures they should lose the honour and power they had received from God even until that present But seeing their perswasions profited nothing and that Anilaeus likewise had villanously killed one of his dearest Friends who had somewhat too freely reproved him who at such time as he lay a dying being touched with the zeal of the Laws of his Ancestors and with grief against his Murtherer wished that Asinaeus and Anilaeus and all their Associates might die the like death they for that they were transgressors of the Law the other K for that they succoured not themselves in that oppression which they suffered for the maintenance of their Laws They were sore displeased yet notwithstanding they contained themselves calling to their remembrance that their felicity proceeded from no other cause but from the valour of those Brethren But when they understood that the Parthian Gods were adored by this woman they bethought them that it behoved them not any more to bear with Anilaeus in contempt of their Laws for which cause addressing themselves to Asinaeus in great Assemblies they exclaimed against Anilaeus saying that he ought although at first he had no power to dispose of himself yet now at last to correct this errour before it should redound to their publick Plague For that both the Marriage was dis-allowed L in all men's eyes as altogether contrary to their Laws and that the superstitious observance of the Gods which the woman presumed to use was an apparent injury offered to the true God Anilaeus is accused before his Brother Asinaeus but he winketh at his fault But he although he knew that his Brother's fault would breed some great inconvenience both to himself and his followers yet being overcome with Brotherly affection he easily pardoned his Brother ascribing his errour to the violence of his unbridled passion But whereas daily more and more he was tired with exclamations and greater reproofs at length he admonished his Brother of the matter chiding him for that which was past and desiring him to amend the errour hereafter by sending home the woman unto her Kindred Yet this admonition of his took no effect with him Asinaeus poysoned by the Parthian woman for the woman perceiving that the rumour that was M raised among the people was for her sake and being afraid lest for her love sake Anilaeus should incurr some danger she poysoned Asinaeus to the end that her love being in Authority she might more freely practise her impiety Now when Anilaeus had gotten the Government into his own hands he drew out his Forces against certain Villages belonging to Mithridates one of the chiefest among the Parthians and Artabanus's Son in Law which Villages he spoiled and carried away men sheep and other riches When Mithridates who at that time was resident in those Quarters understood of the spoil of his
It may be said he that I may furnish you with some advice more secure than yours is Chaereas for a more honester than it is who is he that can propose This said Clement returned to his house ruminating with himself upon those words which he had both heard and spoken Cornelius Sabinus But Chaeras grew fearful and conferred with the Colonel Cornelius Sabinus whom he knew to be a man of reputation a lover of liberty and greatly discontented with the estate for the miseries of the Common-weal and seeing it was necessary to attempt that with all expedition which he had intended he thought good to impart the matter to him fearing lest Clement should discover all the Conspiracy N considering that delay and procrastination would be but an occasion to hinder the action When therefore he perceiv'd him to give ear to all that which he intended and that already he was confirmed with no less resolution than himself was but in that he knew not with whom he might familarily communicate the same he said nothing whereas otherwise he was ready not only to conceal that which he had heard but also declared that which he had in his heart he was so much the more encouraged For which cause without further delay they went to Minucianus who was conformable unto them in virtue good affection and great courage and who besides that was suspected by Caius by reason of Lepidus death For Minucianus and Lepidus were very great friends and had been associates in the same dangers For Caius was feared O by all those who had any publick Office Annius Minucianus sparing none of them in particular or general but made them all groan under the burthen of his fury A Now they knew well one another that all of them were displeased to see the Common-weal in that estate but the apprehension of the danger suffered them not to manifest the hatred that each of them bare to Caius although their secret conceit ingendred among them a certain Amity For before that time as often as they met together they were accustomed to esteem Minucianus for the most honourable man of the Company as in truth among all the Citizens of Rome he was the most famous valiant and best esteemed among them being therefore assembled at that time he was first of all requested to speak his opinion For which cause he asked Chaereas what the watch-word was he had received that day for all the City knew very well what mockery Caius usually used in giving Chaereas the Watch-word Chaereas notwithstanding B this disgrace failed not to answer him relying on the wisdom of Minucianus and said unto him But give you me for the Watch-word Liberty mean while I give you thanks for that you have awakened me more speedily than of my self I have accustomed to be You need not now any further enforce your self to incite me by your words sith both you and I have undertaken the same resolution Before we were assembled in this place our thoughts were united Behold here my sword that is girt unto my side this shall suffice for us both And if you please you shall be my Captain and I will march under your Command and will follow you under assurance of your assistance and wisdom They who have valiant hearts never want Arms for it is a confident courage that makes the weapon do execution That C which kindleth me thus to this action is not the consideration of my particular interest for I have not the leysure to think on those dangers that threaten me through the grief that I conceive to see the Liberty of my Countrey changed into slavery and the force of the Laws wholly abolished and all sorts of men condemned to death by Caius cruelty It is I that deserve to be trusted in this execution and I make you my Judge since you have the like intention that I have Minucianus Chaereas with certain others intend to kill Caius perceiving with what affection Chaereas spake embraced him with all love and after he had praised him he exhorted him to continue his constancy then departed they one from the other with prayers and wishes and at that time there hapned a presage that confirmed them the more For as Chaereas entred into D the Senate some one among the people cast out a word that redoubled his courage Dispatch said he that which thou hast to do for God will assist thee Chaereas was somewhat afraid lest some one of his Associates had betrai'd him But at last he thought it was some one of those who being privy to his resolution gave him a Watch-word to animate him the more or that it was God who governing and observing humane affairs pushed him forward After he had imparted this his deliberation to divers sundry Senators Knights and Souldiers being advertised hereof were in Arms. For there was not any one that supposed not that Caius death was the greatest good hap the Common-wealth could expect For which cause all of them enforced themselves as much as they could to assist the execution with couragious and virtuous E resolution and as forward were they in affection as in power in words as in effect Calisthus Caius Freeman certifies Claudius that Caius commanded him to poyson him desiring each of them to be partakers in the dispatch of a Tyrant For Calisthus also who was Caius freeman and raised by him to great Authority yea such as almost equal'd him adjoyned himself to them for the fear he apprehended of all men and for those great riches which he had gathered together for that he was a man of a corrupt conscience and easily won by bribes and presents doing wrong to all men and abusing the power he had against whomsoever he pleas'd contrary to all right and reason Besides for that he knew the unbridled nature of Caius who having once conceived an ill opinion of any man could never afterwards be disswaded or reconciled Amongst divers other dangers that he had to apprehend the greatness of the danger F of his riches was not the least which was the cause that made him serve Claudius and secretly to follow him under hope that after Caius death he should be his Successour in the Empire and that at that time he should by him be maintained in the same estate which he enjoyed and by this means he thought to obtain his amity and good liking by giving him to understand how Caius had commanded him to poyson him and how he had invented infinite delays to defer this execution As for mine own part I think that Calisthus forged this matter For if Caius had pretended to kill Claudius he had not been disswaded by Calisthus allegations who had presently received his reward if he had deferred to execute his Masters command with all expedition in a matter so acceptable to him So it is that the Providence of God G would not permit Caius to execute that rage
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
was changed and instead thereof he grew more averse from them daily whereby they were enforced to conspire against him and seek his ruine Now Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. as I have heretofore declared Claudius understanding of that which had befallen Caius his Nephew and seeing all his house wholly troubled for this occasion O was in such distress that he knew not what to do to save himself but went and hid himself in a certain corner where he was surprized having no other cause to apprehend A his danger except his Nobility For during the time that he lived a private man he behaved himself modestly kindly and favourably unto all men being well seen in the Sciences and principally in the Greek tongue shunning as much as in him lay all tumult and train that might breed trouble When as therefore the people at that time were wholly amazed at the trouble and the Palace was full of fury and fear and nothing reigned more in general than confusion and disorder the Souldiers of the Guard who were the most experienced and bold consulted amongst themselves what course they were to take Neither were they much discontented with Caius death in that they supposed that upon just occasion he was put to death for which cause they rather bethought themselves on that which concerned their fortunes and how they B might assure themselves in those dangers seeing the Germans were wholly bent against those who had killed Caius rather incited thereunto of their own cruel natures than of any good affection they had towards the welfare of the Common weal. All which things troubled Claudius and put him in fear of his life the rather for that he saw Asprenas head and the rest of the Nobility that were massacred carried about to be seen for this cause he kept himself in a certain place which was only accessible by certain steps or stairs and hid himself therein because it was obscure In that place one of the Souldiers of the Palace called Gratus being unable to discern who he was in regard of the obscurity of the place and supposing him to be some one that desired to be concealed he drew near unto him to the intent he might the C better know him and when Claudius besought him that he would depart and leave him he passed the more onwards and laying hold of him and drawing him into the light knew him crying out to those that followed him This is Germanicus let us take hold of him and create him Emperour Claudius perceiving that he was ready to be attached and fearing lest they should put him to death as they had done Caius besought them that they would pardon him protesting unto them his innocency and how he had no ways been either accessary or agent in that which had been done Whereupon Gratus beginning to smile took him by the hand saying that he had no cause to suspect his life For said he it behoveth thee to rouse up thy spirits and to bethink thee how to govern an Empire of which the gods who D have the care of the whole world have deprived Caius to reward thy virtue with Arise therefore and take possession of the Throne of thine Ancestors This said he lifted him on his shoulders for that Claudius could not walk on foot through the fear and joy that he had conceived of that which had been told him Upon these speeches divers of the Souldiers of the Guard assembled about Gratus and perceiving that it was Claudius whom they supposed to be dragged to his death they had compassion of him as on an innocent for that they knew him to be a man of a milde nature who all the time of his life intermedled with nothing and who in like sort had been often in great danger during Caius life There were others of them that said Claudius against his will drawn unto the Empire that the judgment of this matter belonged to the Consuls whereupon E although a great number of Souldiers flocked about him and the simple people that were unarmed fled from them yet could not Claudius go on his way so weak and feeble felt he himself in his whole body It fortuned likewise that they who carried his litter perceiving his plight fled away for fear and left him so little hope had they that their Master should escape with his life whom they saw to be thus drawn by the Souldiers Now when Gratus and his Associates were arrived in the Court of the Palace which as it is reported is the place which was first of all inhabited in Rome they began to think upon that which was to be done thither also there flocked a great number of other Souldiers unto them The cause that induceth the Army to make Claudius Emperour who took pleasure to behold Claudius enforcing themselves to place him in the Imperial Dignity in regard of F that good affection which they bare to Germanicus his Brother whose memory was much honoured among all those who had conversed with him Moreover they ripped up how many avaritious acts the Senate had committed and how great errors the chiefest Senators had been guilty of before the Publick Government was changed Moreover they considered the danger and difficulty of their actions then in hand for that the Government being administred by one only man would be dangerous for them if he should obtain the same by any other means whereas if Claudius should enjoy the same by their permission and good will he would have them in remembrance who had favoured him and would recompence them according to their merits This was the effect of their discourse Claudius carried on mens shoulder unto the Army which they held among themselves or when they met G with one another All of them at length concluded upon this advice and environed Claudius and lifting him up upon their shoulders they carried him into the Army to the intent that no man might hinder them to finish that which they intended There fell a debate also betwixt the Senators and Citizens For the Senate desirous H to recover their former Dignity and enforcing themselves to avoid the slavery that had befallen them by the wickedness of Tyrants intending the maintenance of their present good fortune Contrariwise the people envied them that Dignity And knowing that their Emperours should be as it were bridles Difference betwixt the Citizens and Senators to restrain the avarice of the Senate and the refuge of the people they were very glad to see that Claudius was advanced making their account that if he were created Emperour they should avoid a Civil war like unto that which hapned in Pompeius time The Senate knowing that Claudius was carried into the Army by the Souldiers The Senate perswade Claudius to resign the Dignity offerâed him chose out some of their order and sent them as Embassadours in their behalfs to signifie unto him that he ought to use
Authority yet that in effect he would govern all things by their disposition For which cause he wished them in no sort to distrust him whom as they themselves could witness they had seen and known to have dealt virtuously and justly in many Affairs although the state of times had been far different Those that were sent from the Senate hearing these words returned back again The Soldier 's Oath taken But Claudius instantly assembled his Army and exacted an Oath of Fidelity E from them bestowing on every one of them who were of his Guard in way of Largess five thousand Drachma's amounting to some twenty five Pound a man of our sterling money He presented their Captains also with Presents answerable to their Qualities promising to perform no less bounty to all the rest in what place soever they were Hereupon the Consuls assembled the Senate in the Temple of Jupiter the Victorious before day and some of them hid themselves through the fear they had of that which should be spoken Others departed out of the City and resorted to their Countrey Farms foreseeing with themselves the issue of all these things and perceiving that their hope of Liberty was lost they thought it far better for them to be exempt from danger and to pass their life in quietness though it were with Subjection than to be F altogether uncertain of their security and safety by maintaining the Dignity of the Senators Yet about a hundred of them drew themselves together and no more Now whilst they were consulting upon that which they were to do The Soldiers require a Monarch at the Senates hands they suddenly heard a shout of Soldiers that were assembled round about them requiring the Senate to chuse them an Emperour and not to suffer their State to be lost through a multitude of Governours and to this effect spake they lest the Government should be given to divers and not to one This course of theirs gave little content to the Senators both in regard of the loss of that Liberty which they expected as through the good liking they had of Claudius Some affect the Empire notwithstanding there were some that pretended some hope to be advanced both in respect of the Nobility of their Race as in regard of their Alliance G that they had by Marriage with the Caesars For Marcus Minucianus a man of himself of Noble descent and who had married Julia Caius's Sister stood up to demand the Sovereign Government but the Consuls restrained him alledging excuse upon excuse Another Minutiananus also one of Caius's Tutors withdrew Valerius Asiaticus from H thinking on those things And there had happened as great a slaughter as had ever been heard of had any of these had the liberty to desire the Empire or oppose themselves against Claudius For amongst others the Fencers who were of no small number they of the Watch and the Saylers joyned themselves together with the Army They therefore that pretended to demand the Empire gave over their Suit partly in the Cities behalf partly for their own private security About break of day Chaereas and his Companions went forth to debate the matter with the Soldiers and made signs to them that he would speak with them but they made a great noise to cut them off from proceeding any farther for all of them were earnestly bent to have an Emperour and Sovereign Lord and required with all I expedition that they might have one proclaimed and known So the Senate understood by the Soldiers disdaining its Authority that it was impossible to re-establish the Republick and on the other side the Soldiers mis-regarding so worthy an Assembly was unsufferable to Chaereas and his Confederates against Caius At length Chaereas being unable to conceal his Passion and hearing that they asked for a Monarch promised that he would give them one if they would bring him a Token from Eutychus who was the Wagoner to the Green Band whom Caius had loved extreamly in so much as he employed his Soldiers in servile Labours as to build him Stables for his Horses besides several other reproaches threatning them that he would bring them Claudius's head and told them that it was a shame after having K taken the Empire from a Fool and a Mad man to give it to a Block-head Yet none of these words could divert them from their purpose The Soldiers with displayed Ensigns repair to Claudius but all of them drew their Swords and with displayed Colours marched towards Claudius to unite themselves with those who had already bound themselves by an Oath to serve him faithfully So that the Senate was abandoned and destitute of all defence and there was no difference betwixt private men and Consuls All of them were astonished and confused not knowing what to do because they had thus provoked Claudius's displeasure against them And now fell they to reviling one another in testimony of the repentance they conceived for their proceedings Whereupon Sabinus one of those who had murthered Caius Sabinus rather chuseth death than to allow of Claudius arose and protested that he would sooner cut his L own throat than consent to the establishment of Claudius or behold with his eyes the misery and thraldom of his Countrey He likewise encouraged Chaereas telling him that he deserved very little by cutting off Caius if he thought to live without the Liberty of his Countrey To which he answered that he made no account of his life yet that he intended to sound Claudius's mind and with this resolution they concluded Q Pompeius the Consul with others resort to Claudius Mean while some of the Senators thought on every side to break through the midst and thickest of the Soldiers to go and do reverence and homage to Claudius amongst whom was Q. Pompeius one of the Consuls whom the Soldiers accused to be one of the principal Actors to incite the Senate to recover their Liberty and they drew their Swords against him and if Claudius had not restrained them M they had surely dispatched him But he made him sit down by him and by that means delivered him from the danger The other Senators who accompanied him were not entertained thus honourably but some of them were wounded even then when they pressed forth to salute Claudius Apomus retired himself sore wounded and the rest were in great danger to lose their lives Claudius is perswaded by Agrippa to use the Senators more mildly But King Agrippa drawing near unto Claudius desired him to use as much lenity as was possible in him towards the Senators for that if any mischief should betide them he should have no other persons to command To the which Counsel of his Claudius gave place and assembled the Senate in the Palace causing himself to be carried thorough the City in the company of his Soldiers who marched before him keeping back the common people N But amongst those that killed Caius Chaereas
and took pleasure to obey Izates whom his Father deservedly and to all their contents and the desire of the common people had preferred above the rest of his Brethren alledging moreover that they would put his Brethren and Kinsmen to death before his coming to the end that he might enjoy the Kingdom B with all security for by their deaths all the fear that might grow by their hatred and envie might be extinguished Hereunto the Queen answered that she gave them thanks for the favour they bare unto her and her Son Izates notwithstanding she required them to suspend their judgments touching the death of his Brethren until such time as Izates himself should give his consent thereunto They seeing they might not obtain the liberty to put them to death were of opinion that they should be kept prisoners until his coming to the end that they might do him no harm in his absence and that moreover until his coming there might one be appointed to govern the State whom she should esteem most trusty and faithful unto him Whereunto Helena condescended and made his elder Brother Monobazus C King and set the Diadem on his head and gave him his Fathers Seal-ring with that Robe which they call Sampsera exhorting him to govern the Kingdom until his Brothers arrival Izates having certain notice of his Fathers death resorted thither speedily and receiving his Brother Monobazus willing surrender took upon him the Government of the Kingdom Whilest Izates was in the Fortress of Spasinus Izates and his mother Helena learn the true service of God according to the manner of the Jews a certain Merchant who was a Jew called Ananias having access to the Kings wives taught them the manner how to serve God according to the Religion of the Jews and Ananias by their means growing acquainted with Izates taught him the like and accompanied him into Adiabena being drawn thereunto by his earnest intreaties when Izates resorted thither upon his D Fathers sending for It chanced also that Helena was in like manner instructed by another Jew and retained the Rites and Religion of the Jews After that Izates came into his Kingdom and knew that his Brethren and Kinsfolk were imprisoned he was much grieved Conceiving therefore with himself that it would be a great impiety in him to suffer them to be put to death or kept in prison and that on the other side it were a dangerous matter for him if being at liberty they should remember the evil they had endured Izates sendeth his Brothers to Claudius Caesar and Artabanus for this cause he sent some of them to Rome for Hostages with their Children unto the Emperour Claudius and the rest unto Artabanus King of Parthia Afterwards when he was thoroughly assured that his Mother was wholly addicted to the Religion of the Jews Izates is disswaded by Helena his Mother and Ananias from circumcision he endeavoured the more to E shew himself zealous therein and supposing that he could not be a perfect Jew except he were circumcised he prepared himself to be circumcised Which when his Mother understood she endeavoured to her uttermost to hinder his resolution assuring him that in so doing he should bring himself in great danger for that in being King he would draw himself into the dislike of his Subjects if they should have notice that he was addicted to a new Religion and to strange Ceremonies and that they would not endure that being a Jew he should be their King so she for a while by her disswasion restrained him from his desire But the King required of Ananias who according with Helena in the course of her dislike threatned Izates that if he would not obey his Mother he would forsake him and depart from him for that he feared F lest if the matter should be publickly known he should suffer some punishment as being the only Author and Instructer of the King in undecent matters that otherwise he might serve God although he were not circumcised since he had resolved to live according to the institution and Laws of the Jews and that God would pardon him for in this true Religion consisteth more than in circumcision of the body though he were not actually circumcised since the necessity and fear of his Subjects over-ruled him By which words the King for that time was perswaded to proceed no further But a little after for he was not wholly altered in that affection which he had another Jew called Eleazar Eleazar perswadeth ãâã to be circumcised coming from Galilee and accounted a Learned man in the Doctrine of our Religion perswaded him to be circumcised For coming G one day unto him to salute him he found him reading of the Books of Moses and said unto him O King contrary to your knowledge you offend the Law and God likewise for it sufficeth you not that you understand the same but the chiefest matter you are tied unto is to do that which the Law commandeth how long therefore H will you remain uncircumcised And if as yet you have not perused the Law as touching this point read it now to the end you may know what great impiety it is to omit it After the King had heard this he would no longer defer his Circumcision for which cause withdrawing himself into another chamber he called a Surgeon unto him who acted that which he required and afterwards calling his Mother and Master Ananias unto him he told them what had past whereupon they grew strangely amazed fearing the King should be in danger to lose his Kingdom if this action of his should come to light for that his Subjects would not endure that such a man that followed a contrary Religion should be their King They feared also lest they themselves should be in danger They that rely on God and put their confidence in him do always reap the reward of their Piety forasmuch as the cause of all this matter would be imputed I to them But God by his Providence prevented lest any of those things which they feared should come to pass for he delivered Izates himself and his Children likewise out of many dangers yielding them his assistance in their doubtful and desperate conditions declaring in effect that those that only put their trust in him and depend upon his Providence are never deprived of the fruit of their Piety But of these things we will speak hereafter When Helena the Kings Mother perceived that the state of the Kingdom was in peace Helena the Queen of Adiabena resorteth to Jerusalem and that by all mens opinion both home-bred and strangers her Son was reputed happy by the good will of God she was seized with a desire to go and visit the City of Jerusalem and adore God in the Temple which was so much renowned K through the whole world Alià s cap. 6. and offer Sacrifice of Thanksgiving therein for which cause she besought her
Parthia and Armenia to Tiridates who was the younger When Monobazus King Izates's Brother and the rest of his Kinsfolk saw how happily all things succeeded to Izates Monobazus and his Kindred think to receive the Jews Religion and how in respect of his Piety towards God he was E honoured and reverenced by all men they also resolved themselves to forsake their Religion and to serve God after the manner of the Jews But this intent of theirs was discovered Whereupon the chiefest among them grew displeased yet they did not manifest their despight but kept it hidden in their hearts expecting some fit occasion to revenge themselves as soon as they might They wrote also to Abias King of Arabia and promised him great sums of money if he would take Arms against their King The Adiabenians conspire with the King of Arabia against Izates promising him upon the first charge they would forsake him for that they desired to be revenged on him for having forsaken their Religion Having therefore confirmed their promise with an Oath they incited him to make haste The King of Arabia performed that which they required and marched forth against Izates with a F great power And when the first charge was ready to be given and before they came to blows all Izates Soldiers forsook him and turning their backs to their enemies fled in great disorder as if they had been surprized with a Panick fear yet was Izates no ways daunted but having discovered that it was treason and conspiracy of his greatest Peers he retired also into his Camp where he enquired of the Cause that they pretended After he knew that they had plotted with the Arabian he caused the Conspirators to be put to death and the next day after went out to fight and killed a great number of his enemies and constrained the rest to betake them to flight He pursued their King also into a Fort called Arsam which he battered and assaulted with such vigour and diligence that he took the same with G a great quantity of booty that was therein and returned to Adiabena with great triumph but he took not Abias alive for he himself had prevented his captivity with his death The Lords of Adiabena seeing themselves frustrated of their former hopes in that by God's hand they were delivered into the hands of their King could not contain H their displeasure but practised further mischief for they wrote their Letters to Vologesus King of Parthia desiring him to kill Izates and to bestow another King upon them who was a Parthian for that they hated their King who had abolished their Religion The Lords of Adiabena perswade Vologesus to kill Izates and had embraced a strange Law The Parthian understanding hereof prepared himself for War and having no just colour or pretext to authorize it he sent a messenger unto him to redemand those honours which his father had given him which if he refused he denounced War against him Izates was not a little troubled in his mind when he understood this message For he thought that if he should restore the gifts he should do himself great prejudice for that it would be imagined that he did it for fear knowing on the other side that if the Parthian should recover I that which he redemanded yet he would not be quiet he therefore commended his cause to God trusting that he would take care of him And building upon this that the greatest good he might have was to have God to help he shut his wives and children in a strong Castle and his corn in his strongest Tower and afterwards burned all the hay and forrage and having after this manner provided for all things he expected the approach of his enemy The Parthian came forward sooner than he was expected with a great power of Horse and Foot For he marched forward in all haste and encamped near unto the river that separateth Adiabena from Media Izates likewise encamped not far from thence having with him about six thousand Horse To whom the Parthian sent a messenger to give him to understand how great his power K was which extended from the River Euphrates as far as Bactria shewing him what Kings he had under his subjection threatning him to punish him very severely in that he behaved himself so ungratefully towards his Benefactors yea that the God whom he adored could not deliver him out of the Kings hands Hereunto Izates answered that he knew well that the Parthian far exceeded him in power but that he was far better assured that God's power extended beyond all mens contradiction Izates calleth upon God who sendeth the Dahans and Sacans into Parthia upon whose arrival Vologesus returneth And having returned them this answer he betook himself to his prayers and prostrating himself upon the earth and casting ashes on his head and fasting himself his wives and children he called upon God and prayed after this manner O Lord Almighty if I have not vainly submitted my self to thy protection but have intirely chosen thee L for my only and true God be thou my help and assistance and not only deliver me from mine enemies but also abate and controul their pride who have not been afraid in their blasphemous language to prophane thy holy and sacred Name and utter blasphemous speeches against thy power Thus prayed he with sighs and tears and God heard him For the very same night Vologesus received Letters by which he was certified that a great number of Dahans and Sacans taking opportunity by his absence were entred into the Kingdom of Parthia and spoiled the whole Country For which cause he returned back into his Country without any further trouble And thus Izates by Gods Providence was delivered from the Parthian threats Not long after this Izates delivereth up the Kingdom to his Brother Monobazus and dieth after he had lived fifty five years and reigned four and twenty M and left behind him four and twenty sons he died and appointed his Brother Monobazus to succeed him in the Kingdom requiting hereby his faith and Loyalty in that during the time of his absence and after the death of his Father he had faithfully ruled and governed the Kingdom to his use His Mother Helena hearing news of his death lamented very grievously that she being his Mother was deprived of a Son that so zealously honoured and feared God yet notwithstanding she was comforted when she understood that her eldest Son was to succeed him in the Kingdom and hasted with all diligence to go and meet him As soon as she arrived in Adiabena she lived not long time after her Son Izates Whereupon Monobazus took both her body and his Brothers bones and sent them to Jerusalem commanding that they should be buried N in three Pyramids which Helena had builded Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. aliàs 8. some three stades or furlongs from Jerusalem But hereafter we will recite 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 audâcious 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
that if Antigonus came armed they should kill him himself then lodging in a certain Castle which in times past was called Bari and afterwards Antonia by Herod in honour of Antonius with this Commission that if Antigonus came unarmed they should let him pass if otherwise they should kill him He sent certain Messengers also to Antigonus requiring him to repair unto him dis-armed But the wicked Queen prevented this good intent of his by a subtil stratagem complotted by those that with her conspired against him The Queen 's cunning Stratagem against Antigonus for she perswaded those that were to carry this message to discover nothing of what the King had commanded them but to tell Antigonus that his Brother having intelligence that he had brought very goodly Armour with other C fair Furniture for War from Galilee desired him to come to him arm'd as he was that he might have the pleasure to see him in his Warlike Ornaments Antigonus suspecteth not his Brother Which when Antigonus understood who by reason of his Brother's affection suspected no mischief he armed himself and resorted to him intending to content him with his appearance But no sooner arrived he in the strait which is called the Tower of Straton but the Guard of Aristobulus set upon him and slaughtered him yielding by this means a demonstrative testimony that Detraction is able to destroy all good nature and friendship and that there is no union of affection so great as it can always resist the attempts of envy to ruine it In this Occurrence there happened a thing which cannot be too much admired Judas the Prophet foretelleth Antigonus's death D One Judas who was of the Sect of the Esseans had so certain a knowledge of the Future that his Predictions were never found false This man beholding Antigonus pass thorough the Temple cried out to his familiars who attended him in no small number as ordinarily divers of his Disciples did Ah how happy were it for me at this present if I were dead since truth is dead before me and one of my Predictions is found faulty For behold Antigonus yet liveth who should this day have died in the Tower of Straton which is distant from this place six hundred furlongs and 't is now the fourth hour of the day now therefore is the time wherein my Divination shall be falsified Having spoken to this effect the old man sat down being altogether disconsolate and pensive within a while after it was told him that Antigonus was slain in a place under E ground called the Tower of Straton being of the same name with that at Caesarea which is scituate upon the Sea-coast which conformity of names was the cause that Judas staggered in his Divination The sorrow which incontinently seized Aristobulus Aristobulus through the grief he conceived at his Brother's death falleth sick for committing this hainous Murther augmented his sickness in such sort that his Soul was continually troubled with the thought of his sin and his body through extream heat of passion became dried up and the grief that he felt was so vehement that his Entrails became exulcerated so that he voided blood in great abundance And it so fell out by God's Providence that one of his Servants who was deputed to that Office bearing out that blood which came from him A Servant spilleth blood in the same place where Antigonus was slain missed his way and came to that place where Antigonus had F been slain where still there appeared some signs and stains of the blood of Antigonus on which he poured out the blood of the Murtherer Aristobulus Which when they perceived who stood hard by imagining that the Servant had purposely spilled the blood in that place as it were in Sacrifice to the Ghost of that Prince they cryed out so loud that Aristobulus hearing their cry demanded the cause thereof and the more that each man feared to discover the same to him the more instantly he desired to understand the truth so that at length after he had used threats he was certified of what had passed Whereupon his eyes were suddenly filled with tears and in vehement agony of mind The eye of God discovereth every sin he cryed out and said How could I hope but that the great eye of the Divine Majesty should see my wicked acts and the sudden vengeance of my Brother's blood G pursue and overtake me Aristobulus dieth miserably How long O thou miserable Body wilt thou detain my Soul from being sacrificed to the vengeance of my Mother and Brother's death Why do I thus lingeringly languish in offering a part of my blood unto them Let them take it all at once and let not the Divine Vengeance laugh any longer to see the effusion of mine Entrails The year of the World 3862. before Christ's Nativity 100 H This said he died after he had only reigned one year His Wife after his death delivered his Brother Alexander from Prison and established him King who was both the eldest and seemed to be the most moderate among the rest of his Brethren Ant. l. 13. c. 9 But growing by this means both proud and potent he put one of his Brethren to death Alexander advanced to the Kingdom useth much cruelty for aspiring after the Kingdom but spared the other alive for that he contented himself with a private and contemplative life He made War also against Ptolomey that was called Lathyrus who had surprized the City of Asoth and put a great number of his enemies to the Sword nevertheless Ptolomey's side obtained the Victory But retiring himself into the Countrey of Egypt by reason that his Mother Cleopatra pursued him with open War Alexander forcibly entred the City I of Gadara Alexander is overthrown by Theodore and the Fort of Amath one of the greatest of all those that were beyond Jordan in which place Theodore Zeno's Son had hoarded up his chiefest and most precious moveables which he took but enjoyed not long for Theodore suddenly setting upon him recovered all that which was his and furthermore laid hands on the King's Carriage in seizing which he slaughtered many Jews to the number of ten thousand But Alexander after he had recovered this loss invaded the Frontire Towns upon the Sea-coast and won Rapha Gaza and Anthedon which afterwards by King Herod was called Agrippias The Sedition of the Jews against Alexander upon a Festival day But after he had conquered these places the common sort of the Jews raised a mutiny against him during a certain solemn and holy Feast as Mutinies and Seditions are commonly raised at Banquets and it is K thought that he could not have prevailed against those Rebels had he not been assisted by the Pisidians and Cilicians whom he hired to help him for the Syrians he refused to hire by reason of their natural hatred they bare against the Jews Having therefore slain
by their Offices for one of them was his Butler the other was his Cook and the third waited upon him in his Bed-chamber These three Alexander with great gifts corrupted G Which the King understanding by torments forced them to confess and declare with what promises they were thereto by Alexander induced and how he had deceived them by affirming that there was no trusting to Herod who was a morose old man The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. and that he died his hair to make himself seem young and that in despight of H him he would be his Successor and then he would be revenged upon his enemies and make his friends happy and especially them And that the whole Nobility secretly joyned with him and the Captains of the Army and Governours privily came to him Herod feareth his Son Alexander Hereat Herod was so terrified that he durst not presently divulge their confessions but night and day he sent out spies to learn what was said or done and whom he suspected them he presently killed so that his whole Kingdom was full of Blood-shed For every one as his malice moved him feigned Calumniations and many desirous of Blood-shed abused the King's passion as they pleased against their enemies Credit was given to every lie and no man was so soon accused but presently he was punished and he who presently before accused others was now accused himself and I carried to be punished with him whom he had accused Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. For the King's jealousy shortned the time of Trial for their lives and he became so tyrannous that he afforded not a good look Herod's cruelty even to them that were not accused but shewed himself most fierce and violent to his dearest friends So that he banished many out of his Kingdom and railed against such as he had no power over Antipater encreased this mischief more and more by employing all his friends to accomplish the ruine of Alexander By whose rumours and tales the King was so possessed that he fancied always that he saw Alexander before him with a drawn Sword Herod casteth Alexander into Prison and tortured his friends For which cause he suddenly cast him in Prison and tortured his friends many of which died in torments because they would not confess more than in conscience was true Others not able to endure the torments K were forced to confess that Alexander and his Brother Aristobulus designed Treason against their Father and that they expected their time till he went a hunting resolving with themselves that having killed him they would presently flee to Rome Although these and such like Calumniations were no ways probable yet extremity of pain forced men to invent them and the King willingly believed them as it were comforting himself thereby that he might not be thought to have imprisoned his Son unjustly Alexander perceiving that it was impossible for him to remove his Father's suspicion Alexander during his imprisonment wrote four Books against his enemies thought it best to yield himself guilty and so he made four Writings wherein he confessed the Treason and nominated his partakers therein namely Pheroras and Salome who were the chief which later he said had been so impudently L unchaste as to come in the night to him without his consent and lie in his bed These Writings which charged the greatest amongst the Nobility with most heinous matters were in Herod's hands when Archelaus fearing his Son-in-law and Daughter to be in great danger speedily came into Judaea and by his prudence appeased the King's wrath For so soon as he came to Herod he cryed Where is that wicked Son-in-law of mine or where may I see the face of that wretch that goeth about to murther his Father that I may tear him in pieces with mine own hands and marry my Daughter to a better Husband For although she be not privy to his counsel yet 't is enough to make her infamous that she is Wife to such a man Nay I admire your patience who are in such danger Archelaus King of Cappadocia and suffer Alexander yet to live For I came thus hastily out of Cappadocia thinking M he had been put to death to talk with you concerning my Daughter whom I married to him for your sake Wherefore now let us take counsel what to do with them both and seeing you are too Father-like and not able to punish your Son your treacherous Son let ãâã change rooms and let me be in your place to revenge you How great soever Herod's choler was this discourse of Archelaus disarmed it And Herod shewed him the Books that Alexander had writ Archelaus and Herod consult upon Alexander's Book and upon reading every Chapter with deliberation Archelaus took occasion fit for his purpose and by little and little laid all the fault on Pheroras and those that were accused in the Book And perceiving the King to give ear unto him Let us said he consider whether the young man hath not been circumvented by the treachery of so many malicious persons and not of himself formed a design against N you For there appears no cause why he should fall into such wickedness who already enjoyed the honours of the Kingdom and hoped to succeed you therein had he not been perswaded thereto by other men who seeing him a young man enticed him to such an attempt For we see that by such persons not only young men but also old men and most Noble Families Herod is incensed against his Brother Pheroras yea and whole Kingdomes are ruinated Herod upon these speeches began somewhat to relent and abate his animosity against Alexander but encreased it towards Pheroras for he was the Subject of the whole Book Pheroras perceiving the King so to trust to Archelaus's friendship that he was led by him to do what he pleased he in humble manner came to Archelans seeking humbly for succour at his hands of whom he had not deserved any favour Archelaus answered him that he knew O no ways to obtain his Pardon who was guilty of so heinous Crimes and convicted manifestly to have practised High Treason against the King 's own Person and to be A the cause of all these miseries that had now befallen the young man except that he would lay aside all subtil dealing and denying of his Fact and confess the Crimes whereof he was accused and so humbly go to his Brother who loved him dearly and crave pardon promising that if he would so do he would do him what good he could Pheroras attired in a mourning garment with tears falleth before Herod's feet and craveth pardon Hereupon Pheroras obeyed Archelaus's counsel and putting on a black Attire in a pitiful manner and with tears he prostrated himself at Herod's feet and craving pardon obtained it confessing himself to be a most wicked and vile person and to be guilty of all that
Letters before mentioned he then made great haste homeward When he came to Celenderis he began to reflect more upon his Mothers A disgrace his mind as it were presaging some sinister fortune And the wiser sort of his friends about him counselled him not to go to his Father till such time as he were certain for what cause his Mother was banished and divorced For it was to be feared that he would be accused also of the same Crime that was laid to his Mothers charge But the more imprudent being rather desirous to see their Country than to contrive what was expedient for Antipater pressed him to make haste lest his long delay should breed any suspicion in his Father and lest thereby he should give occasion to malignant people to raise slanders For said they if any thing had passed against you it was in your absence and were you in presence no man durst do or speak against you and it were a very unwise part for uncertain suspicions B to deprive himself of certain felicity and not to return speedily to his Father and receive a Crown from his hands which he could place upon no other head but his This counsel as his ill fortune would have it Antipater followed and so arrived in the in the Haven of Caesarea Antipater hated in Caesarea having passed Sebaste where contrary to his expectation he was much surpriz'd that all men eschewed his company and no man came near him For although he was always hated yet before they durst not shew their hatred But now they abstained from coming to him for fear of the King because the rumour of those things which Antipater had done was known in every City and to every man only Antipater himself was ignorant thereof For there was never any man brought thither with greater pomp than he when he was to sail to Rome C and never man more basely entertained at his return And now apprehending the danger at home he craftily made himself ignorant thereof and notwithstanding that he was almost dead for fear yet in his countenance he counterfeited confidence For he could not now possibly make any escape nor rid himself out of the present danger and yet he heard no certain news of matters at Court because the King by an Edict had forbidden all men to give him notice thereof So that many times he comforted himself thus that either all matters concerning him were yet secret or if any thing was come to light that he by policy and impudence could acquit himself thereof for those two were his only weapons Being thus determined he went to the Kings Palace alone without any of his friends and followers who at the very D first gate were most contumeliously repulsed By chance Varus the Ruler of Syria was there and then boldly going into his Father's presence he advanced boldly near him Antipater's entertainment at his Fathers hands to salute him But Herod putting him back with his hands and shaking his head cried out What thou that hast attempted to murther thy Father darest thou yet presume to offer to embrace me being guilty of so many treasons Mayest thou perish wretch as thy crimes deserve Come not near me till thou hast cleared thy self of all that is laid to thy charge for thou shalt have justice and Varus shall be thy Judge who is by good fortune now here Go and premeditate how to acquit thee against to morrow which is all the time I will give thee to do it Hereat Antipater was so astonished with fear that he was not able to reply any E thing but silently went away Presently his Mother and his Wife came to him and told him all the proofs of treasons against him then he considered with himself how to answer every point The next day the King called an assembly of his friends and kindred Antipater is judged before Varus and to them admitted Antipater 's friends and he and Varus sitting in judgment commanded all proofs to brought and the witnesses to appear amongst whom were certain of Antipater 's Mothers servants lately apprehended who had Letters from her to carry to him to this effect Forasmuch as all things are known to thy Father beware that thou return not unto him before thou hast obtained some warrant of thy safety from Caesar These and others being brought in Antipater also came in after them and prostrating himself before his Fathers feet he said I beseech you F Sir bear no prejudicate opinion against me and lend me an open ear whilest I purge my self for if you please to give me lieve I will prove my self guiltless Herod commanding him to hold his tongue spake thus unto Varus I know well Varus that you or any other just and indifferent Judge Herod's accusation against Antipater will find Antipater to have deserved death But I fear lest you conceive an aversion against me and think me worthy so great afflictions for having been so unfortunate as to have brought such children into the world And yet this should move you to pity me Herod's kindness towards his children who have been so merciful to and careful for such wicked caitifs For I had already appointed those young men that are dead to be Kings and brought them up at Rome and gotten them Caesar's favour but they whom I had so much honoured and exalted to the Crown became traytors against my life Their death G was very advantageous to Antipater whose security I sought thereby because he was a young man and the next that should succeed me but this cruel beast hath discharged his rage upon my self and thinks my life too long and is grieved that I live to be old and hath attempted to make himself King The year of the World 3961. before Christ's Nativity 1. no other way but by murthering his Father For H which I know no other reason but that I called him out of the Country where he lived abscurely and casting off those Sons whom I had begotten of a great Queen appointed this to be heir of my Kingdom I confess my error that I incited them against me by having for Antipater's sake deprived them of their right Herod loved Antipater above the rest and bestowed many benefits on him For wherein had I so well deserved of them as of Antipater unto whom during my life-time I committed the sway and rule of my Kingdom and openly in my Will and Testament declared him my successor Besides other gratifications I bestowed upon him the yearly revenue of fifty Talents And lately when he was to sail to Rome I gave him three hundred Talents and commended him to Caesar as the only Son of all my house who had regard to his Fathers life And what was the offence of the others compared with Antipaters what proofs were produced I against them equal to those that have shewed me more clearly than the day the conspiracy framed against me by
upon the Samaritans lest thereby they moved the Romans to destroy Jerusalem but to be merciful to their Countrey the Temple their Wives and Children and not at once hazard D all Conspiracy in Robbery and overthrow their whole Countrey and Nation in revenging the death of one Galilean The Jews hereby were pacified and departed At the same time there were many that made it their Trade to rob and steal as most commonly people by long peace grow insolent so that they robbed in every part of the Countrey and the strongest and most audacious oppressed those that were weaker Hereupon the Samaritans went to Tyre to pray Numidius Quadratus Governour of Syria to revenge them of those that so robbed and spoiled their Countrey The chief men of the Jews went thither also and Jonathas the Son of Ananus who was High Priest defended the Jews against the Samaritans Accusation affirming the Samaritans to have been cause of that tumult by killing the Galilean and that Cumanus was cause of the rest of their E calamities who refused to punish the murtherers Quadratus for that time sent away both Parties promising them that when he came into their Countrey he would diligently enquire of the matter And coming from thence to Caesarea he crucified all those whom Cumanus had made Prisoners Quadratus Governour of Syria heareth the Samaritans and Jews And departing from thence to Lydda he heard the Samaritans complaints and sent for eighteen men whom he understood for certain to have been in that broil and beheaded them and sent the two High-Priests Jonathas and Ananias Quadratus giveth Sentence betwixt the Jews and Samaritans and his Son Ananus with some of the most considerable Jews to Caesar and also the chief of the Samaritans He likewise commanded Cumanus and Celer the Tribune to go to Rome and justifie themselves to Claudius for that which they had done in that Countrey F This done he went from Lydda to Jerusalem and finding there the multitude celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread without any tumult or disorder he returned to Antioch Claudius's Sentence against some Samaritans Cumanus and Celer Caesar at Rome hearing the Allegations of Cumanus and the Samaritans Agrippa was also there earnestly defending the Cause of the Jews as also Cumanus was assisted by many Potentates he pronounced sentence against the Samaritans and commanded three of their chief Nobility to be put to death and banished Cumanus and sent Celer the Tribune bound to Jerusalem that the Jews might draw him about the City and then cut off his head This done he sent Faelix Brother to Pallas to govern Judaea Samaria and Galilee And he preferred Agrippa from Chalcis to a greater Kingdom making him King of that Province whereof Philip had been Tetrarch to G wit Claudius dies and Nero succeeds him Trachonitis Batanaea and Gaulanitis adding thereunto the Kingdom of Lysania and the Tetrarchy whereof Varus had been Governour Claudius having reigned thirteen years eight months and thirty days departed this life leaving Nero to succeed him The year of the world 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. whom by the perswasions of his Wife Agrippina he adopted to the Empire though H he had a lawful Son of his own named Britannicus by his former Wife Messalina and a Daughter called Octavia whom he married to Nero He had also another Daughter by Agrippina named Antonia How Nero abused his Wealth and Felicity and how he slew his Brother Nero killeth his Brother his Mother and Wife Mother and his Wife and afterwards raged against all his Kinddred and how in a mad vein he became a Player on a Stage because it requireth a long Narration I will speak nothing thereof CHAP. XII I Of the Tumult in Judaea under Felix BUt I think my self to relate particularly the Actions of this Emperour towards the Jews The year of the World 4018. after Christ's Nativity 56. He made Aristobulus Herod's Son King of the lesser Armenia and added to Agrippa's Kingdom four Cities and the Territories belonging unto them Two of them Abila and Julias were in the Countrey of Peraea the other Tarichaea and Tiberias Ant lib. 20. cap. 11. were in Galilee And he made Felix Governour over the rest of Judaea This Felix took Eleazar Captain of the Thieves after he had robbed and spoiled the Countrey twenty years Foelix surpriseth Eleazar the Captain of the Thieves and many others and sends them bound to Rome and many more with him and sent them bound to Caesar and he crucified a great number of them who either were Thieves and his Confederates or K else had assisted him The Countrey was no sooner cleansed from these but presently another sort of Thieves arose in Jerusalem called Sicarii from their short Swords who at high Noon in the midst of the City killed many in every place and especially at the celebrating of Holy Feasts they mixed themselves with the multitude having short Swords under their coats and therewith killed those to whom they bare any grudge Another sort of Thieves who at noon days went about the City to murther men and when men fell down dead they amongst the rest cried out of the murther By this deceitful means they were a long time unsuspected and unknown And first of all they killed Jonathan the High Priest and after him every day some were slain and the City was put in no less fear than if it had been in a time of War for each man every moment expected death and cast a diligent eye upon those that came L near him Jonathan the High Priest with many others slain and no man trusted his familiar friends and yet were they murthered whilst they were looking about them to escape danger So cunningly did these Thieves cover and conceal their actions Moreover there arose another sort of mischievous people Ant. lib. 20. cap. 12. who did not so much harm with their hands as the first but with their impious counsel more and did no less trouble the quiet Estate of the City than did the Thieves These people being Vagabonds and Juglers desiring alteration under pretence of Religion made the people frantick for they led them into the Wilderness affirming that there God would shew them tokens of his purpose to set them at liberty Foelix perceiving that these Assemblies tended to Rebellion sent an Army of Horse and Foot against these people and killed many of them M But a certain Egyptian An Egyptian Prophet gathereth well nigh thirty thousand men a false Prophet occasioned a far greater Massacre among the Jews than this for being a Magician he came into the Countrey and calling himself a Prophet he gathered unto him almost thirty thousand Jews who were by his Magick Arts seduced and leading them from the Wilderness to Mount Olivet he determined from thence to go to Jerusalem and to drive thence the Forces of the Romans and there
build the Walls and for that I feared the people of Tiberias and others adjoyning who still gaped after this Prey and Wealth that was taken from Agrippa I determined to get those Spoils for you to re-edifie your Walls If ye mislike this I will bring out the Treasure and give it to be divided amongst you But if you like thereof then you are obliged to defend me This Speech of his well pleased the people of Tarichea who gave him great Praises and displeased them of Tiberias so that they breathed out threatnings against him Thus they both left Joseph and contested one against another Joseph now having many K partakers for the people of Tarichea were almost forty thousand spake more boldly to the multitude and rebuked their temerity telling them that it was necessary to strengthen Tarichea with that present money and that he would also provide to strengthen other Cities and that they should not want money if they would agree and conspire together against those from whom they might get it and not offer violence to him who could procure it for them The multitude being thus deceived though they were angry yet departed Yet two thousand of those that were animated against him offered to set upon him but he being already retired into his house they there besieged him Another stratagem of Joseph against the Jews Wherefore Joseph used another device likewise to repress these and getting to the top of the house he beckned unto them with his hand to L keep silence and then said that he was ignorant what they requested at his hands for he could not hear one for another because their voices were confounded with their number but if they would send some into the house to talk friendly with him he would do whatsoever they requested The Nobles and Magistrates hearing this presently entred into the house whom when he had led into the innermost part of the house and shut the doors he caused to be beaten so long till that their ribs appeared The doors in the mean time being fast the people stayed before the house thinking that the cause of their long tarrying was to debate reasons to and fro But presently Joseph opening the doors put them forth amongst the people all bloody as they were whereat they were so daunted that leaving their Weapons behind them M they ran away John's Envy and Treason against Joseph Hereat John took occasion to encrease his hatred and jealousie against Joseph and having ill success in this policy he still attempted other plots to bring Joseph in danger First he counterfeited himself sick and requested Joseph to permit him to go to Tiberias and use the hot Baths in order to recover his health Joseph not having yet perceived his Treason writ Letters in his behalf to the Governour of the Town to provide John with good accommodation and to let him want nothing that he needed John perswadeth the Tiberians to revolt from Joseph Two days after his arrival there he went about the business which he designed and enticed some with money others with flatteries to revolt from Joseph Silas whom Joseph had made Governour of the City understanding this presently by Letters gave notice thereof to Joseph who receiving the same in the night went to N Tiberias very early in the morning All the people except those that John had corrupted went out to meet him but John notwithstanding he judged that he came against him still counterfeited himself sick in bed and sent a man of his acquaintance to excuse his absence for not coming to meet Joseph John sendeth certain Armed men to kill Joseph Then Joseph assembled the Tiberians together in a place to speak to them concerning that which was written to him And John sent armed men thither with Commandment to kill Joseph The people perceiving them to draw their Swords cryed out and Joseph at their cry looking about him and perceiving their Swords even almost at his throat he leaped down a little Hill upon the Shore which was six cubits high upon which he stood to speak to the people Joseph flees in a little Boat by the Lake And going into a boat with two of his Guard which he found there he went O into the midst of the Lake and presently his Guard taking their Weapons assaulted the Traytors Joseph fearing that a great conflict would ensue and so the whole City A for a few men's fault be destroyed sent to his Soldiers charging them only to take care for their own safety and no more and to kill none nor reprove any for that wicked fact and they forthwith obeying his Command ceased from fight But those that inhabited about the City and heard of the Treason and by whom it was attempted John fleeth in to his Countrey Giscala armed themselves and came against John but he before their coming fled to Giscala where he was born In the mean while all Galilee came and joyned with Joseph The Galileans flock to Joseph against John and there were many thousands of Armed men gathered together affirming that they came against John and to fire that City which had received him Joseph thanked them for their good will saying that he had rather conquer his enemies by moderation than by fire and Sword and therefore requested them to B be content He also published an Edict wherein he declared that all those that had rebelled with John and did not forsake him within five days next following should lose all their Estates and their houses should be sacked and set on fire Hereupon three thousand presently forsook John and came and laid down their weapons at Joseph's feet John's Treason against Joseph prostrating themselves before him so that there remained with John but two thousand fugitive Syrians By whom being assisted he again went secretly to work having had so ill success by open dealing and so he privily sent messengers to Jerusalem to accuse Joseph that he had gathered a great Army and that except he were quickly prevented he would come and usurp Dominion over the Mother-city But the people understanding before of John's hatred did not regard it yet divers C rich men and Magistrates who envied Joseph secretly sent money to John to hire Forreign Soldiers that he might make War against Joseph whom they determined amongst themselves to displace And thinking that their order was not sufficient to effect it they sent moreover two thousand five hundred men and four of their Principal Nobility with them to wit Joazar the Lawyer and Ananias the Saducee and Simon and Judas the Sons of Jonathas all very eloquent men and learned in our Laws to withdraw the people's minds from Joseph giving them charge that if he of his own accord came to them then they should permit him to speak for himself but if he refused so to do then they should hold him as an enemy Joseph's Friends at Jerusalem gave him intelligence
were slain as they offered sacrifice and imbrued the Altar with their blood which all the Greeks and barbarous People did reverence The strangers and Priests were forced to remain promiscuously among the dead Bodies and the place about the Altar was full of Blood O miserable City What didst thou suffer at the Romans hands to be compared to this although they set thee on fire to purge thee from Iniquity Now thou wert separate from the service of God and couldst not subsist long being made a Sepulchre of thine own Inhabitants and thy Temple by thy Civil Wars become a Grave of dead Bodies Nevertheless It is not impossible but thou mayst be restored to thy former Estate if first thou appease Gods wrath that hath made thee desolate But I must not give place unto sorrow L and write a Lamentation of my miserable Country seeing I have undertaken to write a History of all things that past there Wherefore I will recount the rest of the Impieties of these Seditious The seditious People being divided into three Companies John assaulted on both sides Eleazar and his followers who had the keeping of the holy first-fruits and all the sacred Oblations came against John when they were drunk And they who followed John spoiling the People assaulted Simon who was succoured by the City Wherefore when John was assaulted on both sides he turned some of his Souldiers against Simon and the rest against Eleazar against Simon he used Darts to cast from the Porches of the Temple and against Eleazar he used Engines for shot And alwayes so often as they above his head ceased as M often they did They of Jerusalem had wel-nigh burnt all their Corn. being either weary or drunken he fiercely assaulted Simon and his men Also as far as he drave them into the City so far did he fire all and burnt Houses full of Corn and other Necessaries and that which he left unburned Simon at his return when John was gone into the Temple set on fire as if on purpose to give the Romans an advantage they had consumed all their Provisions for the Siege To be short all was consumed with fire about the Temple and the City was levelled and made plain ground to fight in and the Corn burnt that might have sufficed for many years A wretched calamity in Jerusalem by which means they were reduced by a Famine of their own making which could not have been brought upon them had they not caused it themselves The Citizens were in every place a prey to those that were Seditious on one side and to them N that besieged them on the other and like a great Body torn in pieces betwen these two The old Men and Women astonished with these Calamities prayed for the good success of the Romans and desired their forreign Enemy might deliver them from their Civil Dissentions This was the occasion of great fear and terrour among them all and the more because it was no time now to consult and no hope left of accommodation or flight to them that desired it For all places were kept and the Rebels within kill'd whoever they perceived well-wishers to the Romans or did endeavour to fly to them as common Enemies However these wicked persons agreed in this to put the just Men to death who best deserved to live Day and night nothing could be heard but the noise of them O that fought one against another yet the condition of them that lived in perpetual A fear was far more âââable who every day had new causes and occasions of sorrow given them yet durst they not publickly lament for fear and so not daring to shew their grief they secretly sorrowed no man observed any reverence to them that were alive amongst them nor took any care to bury the dead The cause of both which was Lamentation and mourning in Jerusalem that every man despaired of himself For whosoever were not joyned with the Seditious grew to be careless of all things as making account presently to die a thousand deaths But the Seditious gathering the dead bodies upon heaps continued their fighting and trod upon them and as it were encouraging themselves by the dead under their feet The cruelty of the Seditious in Jerusalem they became more cruel still devising new stratagems one against another and immediately executing whatsoever they devised without any B commiseration omitting no kind of Murther and leaving no cruelty unpractised so that John prophan'd the holy things of the Temple and made them Engins of War For formerly the Priests and People had determined to underprop the Temple and build it twenty Cubits higher and King Agrippa with great labour and expence had sent them in Timber for that purpose from Mount Libanus Which being put off by the Wars John made use of the Wood that was kept for holy uses to make Engines of John took the Timber and made use of it for that design he erected a Tower to fight against those that assaulted him from off the Temple and this Tower he built along the Wall over against the Chapter-house that standeth on the West side of the Temple for he could build it in no other place so conveniently And having thus impiously furnished himself with Engines he hoped hereby to have destroyd C his Enemies But God made his labour in vain and before he could prevail against them brought the Romans against the City For after that Titus had gathered together part of his Army The order of Titus Army and ordered the rest to meet him at Jerusalem he departed from Caesarea having three Legions that lately under the conduct of his Father Vespasian had wasted all Judea and the twelfth Legion that sometime under Cestius were overcome and put to flight by the Jews who being valiant enough of themselves were impatient to be imploy'd again against the Jews to revenge themselves of their former disgrace Titus commanded the fifth Legion to meet him at Jerusalem and to march by Emmaus and the tenth Legion by Jericho the rest he took with himself accompanied with the Kings forces that came D to help him having been reinforced with considerable Supplys out of Syria Titus also brought forces with him to supply the number that was wanting which forces were sent by Vespasian under Mutianus into Italy for he brought two thousand select men from the Legions at Alexandria and three thousand followed him from Euphrates together with Tiberius Alexander his cheifest friend and one next him in Authority who before was Governour of Egypt and thought a fit man to be Governour of the Army for that he was the first that entertain'd the Emperour being new elected and joyn'd faithfully with him before he knew what success he should have he was present with him in all his affairs as his chiefest Counsellor and was renowned both for his Wisdom and Experience E CHAP. II. How Titus went to
A Beasts as well as men we are taught to give place unto them that are stronger than our selves and be contented to submit to their Victory that are valiantest in Arms. This said he was the cause that your Ancestors who were far more strong aad politick than you and had better means to resist did submit themselves unto the Romans which if God had not been pleased withal he would never have permitted And how could they hope to resist seeing the City was as it were already taken and the Citizens whilst their Walls were whole most of them destroyed For the Romans well knew the Famine that was among them how it every day wasted the people Famine in the City and would in short time devour their Souldiers For suppose said he the Romans would desist withdraw their Siege and offer no violence there is a Civil War within the City which you cannot overcome or avert unless you B could fight against Hunger and the adversity of Fortune He added That it was best before intolerable Calamities befell them to change their opinion and whilst they had time to be counselled by good advice That the Romans would not punish them for what was already past except they persisted in their obstinacy For they are said he Kind Courteous Gentle to their Subjects and prefer their Commodity before Revenge They thought it their interest to have the City in their Power and the Country about it and therefore the Emperour proposed to make a league of Peace with them but if he took the City by force he would spare none seeing they were admonish'd so kindly before and in their greatest necessity refused to obey him He told them also that the third Wall would in a short time be taken as they might perceive by the other two and though the City were inexpugnable yet the Famine would force C it to yeild in despite of its Strength As Joseph did thus advise them those upon the Walls rail'd at him upbraided him and shot at him Joseph seeing he could not avert them from their imminent calamities recounted unto them out of their own Histories whatever made for his purpose O wretches saith he and ungrateful to your Friends The Emperor striveth to be at Peace with the Romans You resist the Romans and continue perverse as though you had conquered others that came as they now do against you When doth God the maker of all things deny help unto us if we be oppressed Will you not remember your selves Joseph rippeth up the ancient Histories and some foreign For what cause did you enterprise these Wars And how great a Friend and Protector do you daily offend Do ye not remember the miraculous Works of your Ancestors in this Holy place and how in times past it was by the Enemies destroyed But I D tremble to recount the works of God to such unworthy hearers Nechias a King of Egypt But consider and you will find that you do not only resist the Romans but God himself Nechias at that time King of Egypt who also was called Pharao came and with an infinite Army took away Queen Sara the Mother of our Nation And what did our first Father Abraham in this case Did he betake himself to Arms to revenge that injury though he had under his command three hundred and eighteen Captains and under them an infinite multitude Did he not rather desist from War perceiving God not to accompany him and lifting up his pure hands towards this Holy-place which now you have defiled and prophaned implore the assistance of his invincible God And was not the Queen the second night after sent home again unto him untouched whilst the Egyptian adoring this Holy-place which ye have polluted with E Murders of your own Nation and trembling at the Visions he saw in the night time fled rewarding the Hebrews with Gold and Silver whom he perceived to be so beloved of God Shall I recount unto you the going of our Ancestors into Egypt The Hebrews under the Tyranny of Egypt four hundred years who having for four hundred years been slaves to the Egyptian Tyrants and Kings and able to have revenged themselves by force of Arms yet did they rather expect and stay Gods leisure Who knoweth not that then Egypt in revenge of their tyranny to the Hebrews was overrun withall kinds of Serpents and infected with all kind of Diseases the Earth became barren Nilus dry and the ten plagues followed one another our Ancestors were safely delivered without bloodshed God Almighty conducting them as willing to reserve them for his Priests When the Assyrians had taken away from us the Holy Ark The Sacred Ark taken away by the Assyrians and restored to the Jews did not Palestina and Dagon F repent that fact Did not the whole Nation that took it weep and lament therefore For their privy parts being putrified their Bowels and meat came from them and with unclean hands they were forced to bring it back again with Cymbals and Trumpets to make Satisfaction for their offence Senacherib King of Assur It was God that did this for our Ancestors because that depositing their Arms they resigned themselves wholly to his pleasure Was Senacherib King of Assyria with all his Power out of Asia incamping before this City overcome by humane force Did not our Ancestours wave their own force and betake themselves to prayer The Captivity of Babylon and God by his Angel in one night destroyed an infinite Army so as that the next day the Assyrian found a hundred fourscore and five thousand of his men dead and fled with the rest from the unarm'd Hebrews though they never pursued You know also G that in the Captivity of Babylon where the people lived the space of seventy years they got not their liberty till such time as God disposed Cyrus to suffer them to depart into their own Country And continuing his assistance they again as the Priests in old time were H wont did serve and reverence their helper In brief our Ancestors did never atchieve any great matter by force of Arms neither did they leave any thing undone wherein they expected Gods help but still remaining quiet at home they overcome their Enemies wholly by his Providence and when they trusted to their own strength they always miscarryed For when Zedechias our King contrary to the admonition of the Prophet Jeremy went forth to fight with the King of Babylon at that time besieging the City both he and his whole Party were taken The destruction of Jerusalem by the King of Babylon and this City destroyed Yet consider how far your Generals are inferiour to that King and your selves to the people of those times For Jeremy declaring to the City that God was offended at their iniquity and that except they did yield it should be taken by force yet did not the King nor any of the people lay hands upon
on fire and a profound silence in every place they could not conjecture what was the cause of it and at last they made a cry at once as though they had been beating the Walls with a Ram thereby to see if they could make any Enemies come out The Women in the Vaults heard this cry and coming forth declared N to the Romans all that had hapned The Romans admire the Jews fortitude and obstinate contempt of death The Romans did not easily believe their words by reason the greatness of the fact seemed incredible but they endeavoured to quench the fire and passing forward they came to the Palace where they beheld all the dead bodies yet they did not insult over them as Enemies but admired that so many should be so obstinately minded to despise death O A CHAP. XXIX Of the Death of the Sicarians that had fled to Alexandria and Thebes AFter that the Castle of Massada was thus taken The murtherers authors of new calamity the General of the Romans leaving a Garrison there went to Caesarea because there was no Enemy left in all the Country But not only Judea was destroyed through the continuance of the War but many of that Nation though far distant from it tasted of its troubles for it so fell B out that afterwards many Jews perished in Egypt at Alexandria Those Sicarians who had escaped thither were not content to be safe and free from danger but there also they attempted alteration and to recover their Liberty against the Romans esteeming themselves nothing inferiour to them and that only God was their Lord. And some of the nobler race of the Jews seeking to withstand this Enterprize were by these Sicarians slain which was no sooner done but they incited the People to revolt The better sort of the Jews seeing this The Jews assemble and consult abâut the murtherers and that they could not repress them without danger they assembled all the Jews together and declared to them the temerity of these Sicarians accusing them as the Authors of all the misery that had befallen the Jews C and that if they thought it sufficient to force them to fly yet they were not certain of their lives because the design being known to the Romans they would punish them for it though no partakers of their wickedness Wherefore they admonished the multitude to beware lest they drew themselves into the same danger wherein the Sicarians were and to provide for their own safety by delivering such people to the Romans The Jews were perswaded by these speeches and foreseeing the danger that might ensue they furiously assaulted the Sicarians and took of them six hundred and shortly after those who fled into Egypt and Thebes were taken and brought back again whose hard-hearted obstinacy was so great that none can without admiration hear of it For notwithstanding that all torments and tortures Divers sorts of torments and tortures inflicted on them who refuse Caesars Sovereignty that could be devised were inflicted up-them D only to force them to confess that Caesar was their Lord yet not one of them would say so or make any shew thereof but all persevered in their former opinion as though the Body tormented had been dead and not alive Moreover the incredible obstinacy of their Children was most to be admired for not one of them could be constrained to call Caesar Lord. So much did their Resolution overcome the Torments inflicted upon their Bodies E CHAP. XXX How the Temple of Onias at Alexandria was shut up AT That time Lupus was Governour of Alexandria and with all speed by Letters gave Caesar notice of these troubles The Emperour seeing that it was necessary to beware of the Jews who were naturally inclined to sedition and unquietness fearing also that they would once again gather themselves together and cause some to joyn with them he commanded Lupus to destroy the Temple which they had in the City F Onion Onias by Ptolomââs consent buildeth a City and Temple in Egypt which was built and so named upon this occasion Onias the Son of Simon one of the high Priests being driven out of Jerusalem when Antiochus King of Syria wared against the Jews he came to Alexandria and was courteously entertained by Ptolomaeus who was then also Enemy to Antiochus affirming that he would draw into his Country the People of the Jews if he would agree to that which he required The King according to all that could be granted he requested him to permit him to build a Temple in some place of his Country wherein he might worship God according to the custom of their Country for so the Jews would hate Antiochus the more who had destroyed their Temple at Jerusalem and be friendly to him and many of them would flie to him for Religion's sake Ptolomaeus agreed so to do and gave him a piece of ground for that purpose a hundred G and fourscore furlongs from Memphis Onias Temple built in Egypt in that place which was called the Country of Heliopolis where Onias building a Castle erected also a Temple not equal to that of Jerusalem The year of the World 4036. after the Nativity of Christ 74. but yet with a Tower like that of Jerusalem with very great stones H and threescore Cubits long and he built an Altar after the fashion of that of his Country and adorned it with all manner of gifts save only a Canclestick which had in stead thereof a Lamp to give light which he caused to be hung before the Altar in a golden Chain and he invironed all the Temple with a wall made of Brick and the Gates he made of Stone and the King granted to it great revenues of money and ground to the intent that the Priests might have plenty of all things which they required But Onias did not this with a good Conscience but for that he was at variance with the Jews of Jerusalem who had forced him to flie and he perswaded himself that by the building of this Temple he might withdraw all men from Jerusalem thither and I of this there was a Prophecy nine hundred and seventy years before and Isaias had foretold that a certain Jew should build a Temple in Egypt Thus that Temple was built and Lupus having received the Emperors Letters went to the Temple Lupus ãâã the Jews out of the Temple and taking away certain gifts from it he shut it up and after him Paulinus who succeeded in his stead left not one gift there for he threatned the Priests if they did not bring forth all and permitted not any that came thither to sacrifice to come near it but shutting up the Gate thereof he left no sign of divine Service there and from the time it was built till the time it was shut up were three hundred thirty and three yeares K CHAP. XXXI Of the Massacre of the Jews at Cyrene THE
them We ought indeed to grant the Superiority to the Grecians in all that concerneth Eloquence and the Ornament of Language but not in that which appertaineth to Antiquity or Truth of History and especially in what concerneth the truth of ancient History and what hath passed in every Country Wherefore as the Egyptians and Babylonians long since used all diligence in writing because their Priests were hereunto enjoyned who did most curiously treat of all such matters the same also did the Chaldees amongst the Babylonians and the Phoenicians also inhabiting amongst the Greeks taught them to use Registers both concerning publick K and private affairs which because all men confess I will omit to speak off I let pass also to recount what care our Nation hath had of this point no doubt greater than those Nations above mentioned had charging our High Priests and Prophets to execute this Office which Custom hath been observed even until this Age and if I may presume so far will be observed in all succeeding Ages as by my ensuing discourse I will endeavour to make manifest For our Nation did not only depute this Office to the most virtuous and religious men amongst them in the beginning and to such as were consecrated to the Service of God but they also provided to preserve the Line and Descent of Priests from all impurity and from being intermingled with others For no man amongst us can be a Priest who is not born of a Woman descended from the same L Line Neither in this case is any respect made either of Riches or Honours but the party who claimeth the dignity of Priesthood must by many Witnesses prove his Genealogy and that he is descended from Priests This Custom is not only of force in Judea but wheresoever else any of our Nation inhabit A custom which the Priests observed as in Egypt and Babylon and in any other place where continually the Priests in their Marriages have this respect not to marry with any Woman that is not of their own Line they send to Jerusalem the Name and Pedigree of the Woman whom they have married and all the Testimony hereof which they can deduce from her Ancestors Now if War molest our Nation as often it hath in the time of Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes of Pompey the Great Quintilius Varus and especially in this our Age then M those Priests who survive make new Genealogies and Pedigrees out of the ancient Registers for those that remain of the Sacerdotal Race And they marry none that have been Captives for fear they may have had commerce with strangers What more evident token can there be of the Priests integrity than that every Priest during the revolution of two thousand years is Registred together with the Names of their Fathers The Priests amongst the Jews are every one registred with the name of their Fathers and this custom contiuued two thousand years and if any one do erre or falsify any of the things before-said he is then interdicted from the Altar and from exercising any Priestly function So that in the Writings of such men all things must of necessity be true and as they ought to be for that neither all men are permitted to write nor yet any dissonance and disagreement is found in their Writings For such things as past in ancient times beyond the memory of men were only written by N our Prophets who had the knowledge thereof by inspiration from God himself but other things of latter time are only recorded by those who lived in the Age wherein the things they writ of were done The Books amongst us containing the Histories of all Ages are neither infinite nor one repugnant to another Two and twenty Books of holy Writ for all our Chronicle is contained in 22 Books to which Books it is impiety to deny credit Five of these Books were written by Moses comprehending Genealogies and the beginning of mankind with such notable events as hapned even from the beginning of the World til his death which is little less than three thousand years After the death of Moses till the time wherein Artaxerxes lived who was King of the O Persians and Son to Xerxes every one of the Prophets of our Nation wrote the History A of his time wherein be lived so that of these mens Writings we have thirteen Books the four other Books which make up the Number already mentioned are known to contain holy Hymns made to the praise of God and wholsome Precepts for mans life and conversation All things which from Artaxerxes until our time have hapned are also set down in writing yet the Books wherein they are registred do not deserve so much credit as the former of ancient times for that there was no certain succession of Prophets in that Age. Moreover it is evident that to the former works we give as great credit as to things which we our selves write and notwithstanding they have been so long written yet in all that time no man durst presume either to alter or to blot out any thing therein contained For all Jews even from their Cradle do believe these B Books to be sacred and divine and therefore give all credit possible unto them yea and would willingly suffer death rather than do the contrary Many Captives of our Nation have been cruelly tormented and divers ways put to death in open Theaters The Jews and Grecians are compared together only for that they would not commit any thing either in word or deed against their Laws nor violate the writings of their fore-fathers Now who amongst the Greeks did ever sustain the like Nay they are so far from doing it that none can be found among them who would suffer any loss in his goods or fortunes to preserve all the writings of their Nation from destruction and the reason hereof is because every one esteemeth the verity of their Histories to depend upon the will of the Writer And this they do also concerning their most ancient Historians and not C without cause for they every day see men of their own times writing Histories of matters long before past in former ages Some others have written of âhe Wars of the Jews wherein neither themselves were present neither yet do they vouchsafe to credit the writings of such as were then eye-witnesses thereof yea some among them have divulged Histories of such things as of late befel our Nation when themselves never have been in the place where such matters past as they writ of nor have lived in any neighbour place where they might have probable report how matters past but only compiling a few broken stories they most impudently arrogate to their patcht stuff the name of a History I my self have composed a most true History of the last War Joseph was present in all the Wars of the Jews and of every particular thing there done as well I might having been present
he adds certain Fables forgetting himself that he reported the Shepherds departure out of Egypt to Jerusalem to have been almost five hundred and eighteen years before his time For it was in the fourth year of the reign of Thermosis when they departed out of Egypt and his Successors continued in the Government three hundred and ninety three years till the time of the two Brethren Sethon M and Hermeus the first of which was called Egyptian the other Danaus who supplanted Sethon and reign'd alone fifty nine years after whom his eldest Son Ramses reign'd threescore and six years Having therefore confessed our Ancestors to have departed out of Egypt so many years before at length he addeth Amenophis to the number of their Kings He tells us that the said Prince as Orus one of his Predecessours had done before had an ardent desire to have a sight of the Gods and that a Priest of their Law named Amenophis as he was and Son of Papius whose wisdom in prediction was so admirable that he seem'd to be inspir'd told him his desire should be accomplished if he would drive out of his Kingdom all such as were Leprous and any other way infected The King according to his directions assembled N of them to the number of Eighty thousand and sent them with other Egyptians to work in the Quarries on the East-side of the Nile among whom there were certain Priests who were likewise infected Manethon adds That the Priest Amenophis apprehending lest the Gods should punish him for having given the King that counsel the King for having followed it so strictly and finding by divination that to recompence the sufferings of those poor People they would conquer and govern in Egypt for the space of thirteen years he was afraid to tell it to the King himself but having committed his Revelation to writing he kill'd himself to the great terrour of the King This done he speaks as followeth So the King being requested for their quietness and defence to assign them a City to inhabit appointed unto them a desolate place O called Avaris which had been the Shepherds City this City the ancient Divines call A Triphon but they having got the possession of this place fit for Rebellion made choice of one of the Priests of Heliopolis to be their Captain Osarsiâhus Captain of Avaris whose name was Osarsiphus and bound themselves with an Oath to obey him in all things and he presently made a Law That they should neither worship the Gods of the Egyptians nor abstain from those Beasts which the Egyptians count holy and that they should marry with none but such as they judged to be their Friends and of their own perswasion Having ordained this and many things else contrary to the Religion of the Egyptians he commanded them to build a Wall about the City to fortify it well and prepare to make War upon King Amenophis Having taken some others of the Priesthood into his Cabal they sent Ambassadors to Jerusalem to the Shepherds which were driven out of Egypt by King Themusis to inform them of what had passed and request B them to a Confederacy The war of the banished against the Egyptians and that uniting their forces they might jointly make War upon Egypt He promised to receive them into Avaris which had been of old the possession of their Ancessors and supply them with what ever was necessary and assured them their opportunity was such that without great difficulty they might conquer that Kingdome That the Inhabitants of Jerusalem embracing the motion rais'd an Army and advanced to Avaris with 200000 men That Amenophis King of Egypt hearing of their invasion and remembring what Amenophis the Son of the Priest Papius had left in writing was in great fear and presently assembling together the people of Egypt and consulting with the Princes of his Country he sent away all the holy Beasts and all that the Priests esteemed giving C them especial charge to hide their Idols He put his Son Sethon who also by his Father Rampses was called Rhamesses and but five years old into the custody of a Friend of his The Egyptian King fled into Ethiopia and was by the Ethiopian King courteously entertained and then with three hundred thousand fighting men he marched against his Enemies but would not fight with them lest he should fight against the pleasure of the Gods and so he retired himself to Memphis and taking Apis and the rest of the Egyptian Gods along with him he and his Troops of Egyptians took Ship and fled into Aethiopia That the King of Aethiopia having a great honour for him received him very nobly assigning his People Towns and Villages for their residence and subsistence during their thirteen years exile keeping constant Guards upon his Frontiers for the D security of Amenophis That in the mean time the Auxiliaries from Jerusalem did much more mischief than those who had invited them That there was nothing of cruelty or impiety that they scrupled or omitted That not contenting themselves with the demolishment and burning of Towns they added sacriledg to their sins brake their Idols in pieces slew their consecrated Cattel forced the Priests and Prophets to kill their own Beasts Osarsiphus was afterwards call'd Moses and drave them naked out of their Country when they had done To which he adds That they had for their Law-giver a Priest of Heliopolis call'd Osarsiph from Osiris which was the God that was worshipped in that City and that that Priest having chang'd his Religion chang'd likewise his Name and called himself Moses E Thus the Egyptians report of the Jews and many things else which for brevity sake I omit Manethon further writeth that afterward Amenophis the King came with a great power out oâ Aethiopia and his Son Rampses with him accompanied with a great Army and that joyning Battel with the Shepherds and polluted persons he gave them an overthrow and pursued them unto the Borders of Syria And this is Manethon's report but forasmuch as he writeth old wives tales dotages and lies I will by manifest reason convince him First distinguishing that whereof I am to speak hereafter He of his own accord granteth and confesseth that our Ancestors at first were not Egyptians Manethon's lies are confuted but Strangers that came thither from another place and conquered the Country and again departed from thence I will now out of his own F writings endeavour to shew that the weak people of Egypt were not mixed with us and that Moses who indeed was our Conductor out of Egypt and lived many ages before was no âeper He therefore first of all setteth down a ridiculous cause of this forementioned fiction which was that King Amenophis was desirous to see the Gods What Gods do you think He could already see the Ox the Goat the Crocodile and the Munky but the God of Heaven how could he see And
drawn together what forces they had pleased to defend them And is it not as improbable when he says that that Prince made not only a great slaughter among them but pursued them with his whole army cross the Desart to the very frontiers of Syria whereas it is notoriously known that Desart is so dry that there being no Water to be found in the whole tract it is almost impossible for an entire Army to march through it though there was no Enemy to give them C impediment To conclude therefore our Nation neither came of the Egyptians as Manethon confesseth The Epilogue that the Jews came not of the Egyptians neither was mingled with the diseased of that Country for it is probable that many of those sick people perished in the Stone-works many in the great fight and battel and the rest of them in the flight It now remaineth that I refute that which he speaks of Moses The Egyptians do all agree that this man was a divine person An answer to Manethons slanders touching Moses and one to be admired and they commit great impiety in labouring to challenge him for their Country-man saying that he was a Priest of Heliopolis banished with the rest for leprosie For he is recorded to have lived five hundred and eighteen years before this time and to have guided our Ancestors out of Egypt Moses was not a Leper into that Country wherein we now inhabit D and his own words testifiy his body to have been clean from that Disease of Leprosie for he commandeth all Lepers to be expelled out of the Towns and Villages and to live apart by themselves To be cloathed in different Garments and declared that whosoever touched them or came under the same roof with them should be accounted unclean And if a Leper happened to be cured of that disease he appointed certain purifications cleansings and baths of fortunate waters and all his hair should be shaved off and that then after many and sundry Sacrifices he should be admitted into the holy City Certainly had he been visited with that infection and calamity himself he would surely have been more gentle and merciful to such as should have been E afflicted with that Disease He did not only make these severe Laws against Lepers but he also interdicted all that wanted any joynt or parcel of the body from being Priests or exercising any office at the Alter Moses took his name of Moy which in the Egyptian tongue signifieth Water yea he also appointed that if any Priest should have any of these defects betide him after he was a Priest that then he should be deprived of the dignity How can it then be probable that to his own prejudice and discredit he would have enacted such Laws And as to what he says about changing his name Osarsiph into Moses it is as incredible as the rest there being no analogy between them the name of Moses importing preservation from the Water for Moy among the Egyptians signifies Water Against Cheremon the Historiographer and now I suppose I have made it apparent that Manethon whilst he kept himself F to the writings of the ancients did not err much but when he left them he forsook the truth and fell upon ridiculous stories which he either invented himself or beleived out of prejudice to our nation I now think it not amiss to examine a little the words of Chaeremon who professing himself to write the Egyptian History maketh mention of the same King Amenophis his Son Rhamses as Manethon doth and reporteth that the Goddess Isis appeared to Amenophis in his sleep checking him for that her Temple was destroyed and that Phiritiphantes a holy Scribe told the King that if he would expel all polluted and unclean persons out of Egypt that then he should not be any more terrified with these night-visions Moreover that hereupon making search for all sick and diseased persons he banished them out of his Land to the number of 250000. And that their Captains were called Moses and Joseph holy Scribes G also that these Egyptians names were so that Moses was named âisithes and Joseph Petesephus and that they came to Pelusium where they found 380000 left there by Amenohpis whom he would not permit to come into Egypt also they all entring into H a league together suddenly invaded Egypt and Amenophis not abiding the brunt fled into Aethiopia leaving his wife great with child who hiding her self in caves and dens did bring forth a child whom they called Messenes Messenes Son of Amenophis who afterward drove the Jews into Syria being in number 200000 and this done he recalled his Father Amenophis out of Aethiopia And thus Chaeremon saith But I imagine that which I have already said to be sufficient to declare the vanity of both these Writers For if that which they report were true it were impossible that they should so much differ but they labour to devise lyes and write nothing agreeable to other mens writings Manethon's Chaeremon's history compared together For Manethon feigneth that the cause of the banishment of the Lepers was the âings desire to see the Gods and Chaeremon saith that it was for I that Isis after appeared unto him in his sleep Manetâon also saith that Amenophis gave the King that counsel so to cleanse the Country and Chaeremon saith that he that counselled the King was called Phiritipâantes Nor do they agree better in their numbers Manethon reports them 80000 the other 250000. Manethon says these Lepers were sent directly to the Quarries to work there in the squaring of Stone and that afterwards Avaris was given them for a Quarter where having begun their War they sent Embassadors to Jerusalem to get that City into Confederacy Chaeremon tells us on the other side that when they were forced out of Egypt they found at Pelusium 380000 men whom Amenophis had repulsed that joyning with them they returned againe into Egypt and compelled Amenophis to fly into Aethiopia But that which is most observable K is that an Author that was so exact in the Story of the apparition of Isis should forget to let us know from whence this great Army of 380000 did come whether they were Egyptians or Strangers and for what reason Amenophis refused to admit them Moreover The difference between Manethon's and Chaeremân's History Chaeremon feigneth a dream of the Lepers and Isis and reporteth that Joseph together with Moses was expelled whereas Joseph lived four ages before Moses every age containing at least a hundred and seventy years Ramesses also Amenophis Son according to Manethons History being a young man fled into Aethiopia and was banished with his Father and afterwards assisted him in the Wars whereas Chaeremon reporteth that he was born in a Cave after his Fathers departure and that he getting the victory did drive the Jews into Syria who were in number two hundred thousand L
his parents next after God and commandeth that those Children that do not shew themselves grateful unto them The honour due to Parents or in any thing do grieve them that they should be stoned to death It also commandeth all young men to reverence old Men because God is Elder to us all It permitteth not friends to conceal any impiety for God is not their friend who doth not disclose them And if friends fall out that do know one anothers secrets yet they are commanded not to bewray them If any Judge take a bribe he is to be punished with death for omitting Justice and assisting the guilty Against theft and usury No man must take any thing away that he himself placed not and no man must take that which is not his own No man for lending must take usury M and many such like things our Law commandeth concerning cause of Communion between us and others It is also not amiss to recount how our Law-maker provided for the entertaining of strangers amongst us For he seemeth so to have provided that to our knowledge we neither corrupt our own Laws nor deny to impart them to others but he entertaineth all liberally that will come and live under our Laws judging the community of mans life not so much to consist in the Nation whereof we come as in the unity of our minds and conversation He forbiddeth others that are strangers and come not with that intent to be admitted to our solemnities yet he commanded us to exhibit unto them all other things necessary and that we should give unto all men fire water meat and bury N them being dead He hath also most mildly determined how we ought to deal with our Enemies that we neither destroy their Country with fire nor cut down their Fruit-trees We are also forbidden to rob and spoil those that are slain in fight and deal injuriously with our Captives How we ought to ãâ¦ã Enemies and especially if they be Women yea he so endeavoured to teach us humanity and mildness that he provided that we use even unreasonable beasts courteously and only employ them to serve our lawful need and no further for he forbiddeth us to kill any tame thing bred in houses and that we should not kill the old birds and their young together and because many wild Beasts enemies to mankind do assist us in our labours he commanded to spare them also And in every point he O established humanity and mildness amongst us using as is beforesaid Laws to direct A us therein enacting also other how they who infringe the foresaid Laws may be with all severity punished For the punishment allotted to the violaters hereof is for the most part death As if any man commit Alultery ravish a Virgin use the sin against nature with another or suffer himself to be so abused We also have Laws concerning our Servants A repetition of the precepts of the Law and our Measures and Weights and unlawful bargains and sales or deceit if either one take any thing that is another mans or which is not his own all these are to be punished not as other Nations punish them but much more grievously But whosoever either injureth his Parents or committeth impiety against God he shall presently be destroyed But they that observe this Law are rewarded not with gold or silver nor with a Crown beset with precious stone but B every one having his Conscience to witness doth greatly profit and gain Eternity as both our Law-maker prophesieth and God himself doth most assuredly promise to them that observe them The reward of such as keep the Law And if it chance that we be forced to suffer death for them yet do we joyfully go to execution nothing doubting but that we shall so exchange this Life for a better I should be loth to report this if our deeds did not make it manifest for many of our forefathers only for that they refused to speak against our Laws or otherwise than our Laws permitted have most manfully and constantly endured all torments and death it self If our Nation were unknown to all the world and that this our voluntary observaâion C of our Laws were not manifest to all the people if any man should report unto the Greeks that either he had read this which I have declared or else that he had found People in a strange Land such as we be having so pious and honest opinions concerning God and who had for many ages persevered therein I doubt not but they would all admire and wonder hereat considering the great mutability amongst themselves To be short The continuance of the Laws amongst the Jews there are some who stick not to deride them who have lately written of the Government of Common wealths and Laws as though they had written things fabulous and altogether impossible And to speak nothing of other Philosophers who have written of this Argument that divine Plato amongst the Greeks a man who in honest life Plato admired amongst the Greeks virtuous speech and sound Philosophy excelled all others this man is D almost continually scoffed at by them who in their own conceit are skilful in civil affairs and brought in to their Comedies Whereas whosoever considereth his Writings with diligence shall often and easily find matter agreeable with most mens manners yea this Plato himself confesseth that he dare not by reason of the common peoples ignorance set down the true opinion of God But many think Plato's words full of vanity Lycurgus the Law-mâker amongst the Lacedemonians and licentiousness and admire Lycurgus and the City of Sparta for that it so long time persevered in his Laws It is therefore an evident demonstration of Virtue to remain in their Laws But if those who so admire the Lacedemonians do compare them with us and the time during the which their Laws were in force with the time of our Common-wealth they shall find that ours hath E continued more than two thousand years They shall also find that the Lacedemonians did only perfectly observe their Laws during such time as they were in prosperity and liberty and that when their Fortune changed they then became unmindful of their Laws But we who have felt many thousand mis-haps by reason of the often change of Princes in Asia have not in these our last miseries and evils forsaken our Law Neither can any man say that liberty and licentious Life is the cause why we so diligently observe them The Jews compared with the Lacedemonians seeing that whoso please may see sufficient proof that they tye us to more strict Life and laborious than those of the Lacedemonians did them For they neither tilled the Earth nor used any handy-craft but ceasing from all labours and pains-taking F lived in their City fat and in fair liking having both their meat and all other necessaries provided and prepared for them by others
his dazled Eyes to Heaven Thou art He O God from whom life and Salvation proceedeth behold Eleazar's last words in the fire I dye for observing thy Laws be merciful to this thy Nation and do not forsake them whom thou hast hitherto B protected as in thy bosom and under the shadow of thy Wings let my death put an end to all our misery and pacifie thy wrath against our whole Nation for their offences recieve me for them all and bestow them all upon me And amidst these Speeches he joyfully expired It is most true therefore which we at first affirmed that Reason regulates our passions and disposeth us to suffer chearfully which once we having determined and resolved the anguish of our suffering is abated and our resolution and constancy confirmed If therefore reason and the inferiour powers be at variance Reasons victory we must subject them to Reason if we will make a perfect Victory With this guide our Father Eleazar was most safely directed neither to yeild or sink under his pains nor give place to unlawful C inticements and allurements he saved the Ship of his body from the shipwrack that might arise by the tempestuous storms of vanity and suffered not himself by contrary Winds to be driven from the right course yea though it was tossed upon the Waves of Tyranny yet did it remain sound and unbroken and keeping a direct course arrived in the haven of Salvation Never any man did seek so valiantly to defend his City from an Enemy as this holy old man did his Soul who amongst stripes crosses A similitude taken from the Rock and flames was still the same man For as the top of a high Rock standeth safe and resisteth the Wave without any dammage unto it self even so did the Rock of Reason in this man beat back the rage of those tempestuous Waves that dashed against his body nor permitting them to break in and pierce the Celestial and Divine D power of the Soul O happy old man Eleazar's praise more blessed than all of thy Age O Priest more sacred than all other Priests who didst not pollute thy sacred lips with profane meats impiety found no entrance that way from whence so many prayers to God had proceeded The Tyrants cruelty could not prevail against thee Thou therefore art made an example for all Priests of God to imitate Such a one behoved it a Priest to be more strong than torments more able to suffer than the torturers to inflict punishment more forcible than Princes commands yea and more potent than the fire wherein thou didst perish and finally thou wast ordained to be crowned with the Laurel of Martyrdom for thy sufferance Thou hast surpassed all Antiquity thou shalt be an example to all posterity E If then feeble old Age wherein all strength and heat of body was extinguished grown unfit for torments as being already broken with Age could by the strength of Reason endure so many miseries who dare deny Reason to be the chief cause of our sufferance We have seen the highest cruelty hath been overcome by a firme determination to persist in the Service and fear of God yet many affirme that every man who hath the use of Reason is not able to undergo such Agonies but their assertion is vain and of no force for most evident it is that he only is overcome by pain whom wisdom hath not armed with patience And no marvel if he who rashly enterpriseth so weighty a matter and without due consideration do at last forsake and repent himself of that which he so unadvisedly undertook But if we with due advice and deliberation F arm our selves it is not an easie matter to remove us by any misfortune from our determition when we foresee and preconsider the distresses that may befall us when they do happen we are not so much surprized or dismayed because we expected them before He therefore that is wise is resolute and able to conquer his passions Antiochus causeth seven noble young men of the Hebrews and their Mother to be brought to Antioch for that he doth well deliberate and when he cometh to tryall can put his determination in execution Neither is the wisdom of this old man so much to be admired seeing Children and as it were Infants have deserved the same commendations and wrought astonishment in their tormentors for the indignation and cruelty of Antiochus though overcome by the wisdom of this old man was but the more increased 2 Mac. 7 and therefore G by wicked counsel he caused seven young Gentlemen of the Hebrews to be brought unto Antioch out of their Castle Sosandrum who being tender in years and as he though weak and unable to suffer torments his hope was that either by perswasions H or terrours or tortures he might force them to renounce their Religion He therefore commanded these seven together with their Mother Salomana who now grew antient to be brought before him so they according to his command were brought being very graceful in their persons and every way worthy of so vertuous a Mother yea they resembled Angels their Faces shining like the clear light of the Sun their Eyes sparkled in most comely and decent manner as testifying that they surpassed in vertue all other of humane race and condition The Mother was descended of most vertuous and noble parentage and so she her self had continued and lived but that excellent feature of body and nobility of blood was much dignified by her vertue and fortitude in which shee passed all that could be said in her commendation I The Tyrant beholding them and their mother together with a counterfeit smile he accosted the Children in this manner I wish your good O admirable young men The Kings exhortation to the seven brethren for so both your beauty of body and noble Parentage perswade me do not therefore like mad men resist my command avoid not only torments but death also For I desire not only to exalt you unto honour but also to encrease your riches and possessions contemn the superstitious and superfluous belief of your own Country-men and embrace our Religion Which if you refuse to do as I hope you will not I will devise such torments as that I may by a lingring and painful death be able to consume you And to terrifie them the more he commanded the instruments of their torments to K be presented unto their view And accordingly Wheels Rods Hooks Rakes Racks Cauldrons Cages Gridirons were brought forth and Engines to torment the fingers and hands Gauntlets Aules Bellows brazen Pots and Frying-pans for these are the names which we find That which I term Bellows was a thin plate of Iron to kindle or blow the fire with like a Fan and far more horrible devices of torments were shewed unto them too long to rehearse whereof they having had a sight Antiochus said Consent unto me O prudent young
only money but hopes of procuring him great honours as soon as the Emperor C should come to Alexandria where they did not question but he would suddenly be and on the other side there was nothing but he promised them so much did he hugg himself in the hopes of receiving those great honours in the presence of the Embassadors who would not fail to repair to so famous a City from all parts of the World to pay their Complements to so great a Prince Having no knowledge that we had an Enemy so dangerous and considerable as Helico we aimed only to defend our selves against such as were professed But when we found it we applyed all our Interest and industry to sweeten and take him off No man did or could do us more mischief than he for he was one at all Games at all Recreations Feasts and Debaucheries with Caius His Office of first Gentleman of the D Bed-Chamber which was one of the best places about the Court gave him the advantage of his Ear when ever he desired and his Master took great pleasure in hearing him He laid aside all other designs and intended nothing so earnestly as to ruine us by his Calumnies and Scandals which he did with so much artifice and mingled them with his Jokes in so pleasant a manner under pretence of entertaining of Caius rather than malice to us that he made such an impression against us in the Emperours mind as we could never extinguish E CHAP. XI The Jews of Alexandria appoint an Embassie to Caius to represent their Sufferings in which Embassie Philo is chief Caius receives them kindly in appearance but Philo found he was not to be trusted AFter we had tried all our skill to make Helico our Friend finding it was but labour in vain because he was so insolent and proud no body durst come near him and not knowing besides whether it was from any personal or particular spleen against us that he provoked and exasperated the Emperour to our Destruction we concluded to F steer another Course and resolved to present a Petition to the Emperour which should contein in short what we had Remonstrated not long before to King Agrippa when he was at Alexandria in his passage to Syria to take possession of that Kingdom which had been conferred upon him by Caius Hereupon we departed for Rome secure as we thought of finding the Emperour an equitable Judge whereas we could not have had a mortaller Enemy He received us in the field of Mars as he was coming out of his Mothers Gardens his Countenance was pleasant and chearful his Words obliging he made a sign with his hand that he would be our Friend and sent us word afterward by the Master of the Ceremonies called Homus that he would hear our business at leisure In so much as there was not one of those who were present nor indeed one of G our whole Nation unless of more than ordinary sagacity that believed not our Embassie would succeed to our desires and every body came and Complemented us thereupon But my age and experience in Mundane affairs giving me a further prospect H and penetration that which transported other people became suspected by me for I reasoned thus with my self How comes it to pass that Embassadors being here from all quarters of the World we should be the only persons to whom the Emperour should vouchsafe to send word that he would give us Audience For do's not he know that being Jews we should think our selves happy to be treated like other People Can we without folly expect favour extraordinary from a young Prince of another Nation or believe that he has not greater inclination for the Alexandrians than for us and makes such haste to determine our business in obligation to them I wish to God that in stead of being an equal Arbitrator his sentence be not Arbitrary and that he does not prove himself our Enemy and their Protector I CHAP. XII Philo and his Collegues discover that Caius had commanded Petronius the Governour of Syria to set up his Statue in the Temple of Hierusalem WHilst these thoughts were in my head and gave me no quiet either night or day another misfortune that could not be foreseen and portended not only K the destruction of a part but of the whole Nation of the Jews fell out to accomplish my trouble We waited upon the Emperour to Puteoli to which place being retired along the River for diversion he entertain'd himself in the Houses of Pleasure which are numerous and very Magnificent not thinking in the least of our Affaire though he had ordered us to follow the Court and we were ready expecting every hour when he should have decided our Controversie when on a suddain a certain Person came to us with his Eyes staring his Breath spent and an universal discomposure in his Looks he took some of us aside and said Have ye not heard the terrible News He would have proceeded but his Tears came so fast upon him that they stifled his Words so strangely that do what he could it was not possible for him to go L on One may easily conceive our astonishment and surprize We conjur'd him to tell us the cause of his affliction seeing it was nothing in appearance but for weeping before us and if the occasion was worthy of so many tears it was but just being accustomed to sorrows as we had been that we should consent and add our Compassion to his He made a new effort and told us with more sighs than words The Ruine of our Temple is decreed for the Emperour has ordered his Statue to be set up in the Sanctuary and to give the Name of Jupiter to it as an Inscription The unexpectedness of the news made us almost immovable and it was quickly confirmed to us by other People We immediately retired and shut our selves up in our Lodgings to lament the general destruction of our Nation and sorrow being Eloquent what was it that it did not prompt us to say M Having in this manner expos'd our selves in the midst of Winter to the perils of a dangerous Voyage in hopes to have founâd some redress for our Sufferings we met upon the Land with a Tempest much more cruel than those which happen at Sea because they are natural and by consequence supportable whereas this was caused by a man who had nothing humane but his shape by a young Prince who lov'd nothing but change and trouble and who seeing his Will and Pleasure sustained by the whole Power of the Empire he suffered himself to be carried away without any restraint to all Licentiousness and Tyranny which was an Evil the more great and deplorable because not capable of any visible remedy For who durst be so bold as to represent to him that it was not consistent with his duty to violate the sanctity of the most August N Temple in the World Or could
Jews would fill their Provinces with sacriledge and such marks of honour as are due only to God and that rather to destroy our Nation than to oblige Caius and then the Jews not being able to suffer such an outrage upon their Laws Caius to punish their resistance would de novo command the Statue to be set up and consecrated in the Temple Nevertheless by the manifest protection of God none of the People adjacent to Judea gave them this occasion of trouble though there was so much cause to apprehend it But some will say What advantage had they by it for though others sate still Caius himself did not For he immediately repented of the favour which he had granted reassum'd his old resolution and taking E no notice of the Statue that was making at Sidon leât it should beget a revolt he gave order for a new one to be made of gilt Brass in Rome with directions that it should be sent privately by Sea and without notice set up in the Temple of Jerusalem when he went himself into Egypt He omitted no Order in the preparation for his Voyage to Alexandria so great was his desire to see it and so firm his resolution to continue therein some time because no other place seem'd to him so convenient for the execution of his ridiculous design of being owned for a God out of an opinion he had that the example of that great City by reason of its scituation and the resort thither from all parts of the world might induce other Towns less considerable to give him the same divine honour as he was assur'd F of in Alexandria Besides he was of so light and inconstant a nature he never did any good thing but he repented of it immedately and found out some way to revoke it and make things very much worse than before and of this I shall give you some proof Having set certain Prisoners at liberty one day he caused them about an hour after to be clapt up again without any hopes of ever being discharged any more though they had committed nothing in the interim that might move his displeasure Another time he sent others into Exile who had committed nothing at all and he looked upon that sentence as a favour because they knowing his horrible inhumanity expected and had prepared themselves for death Accordingly they were sent into the Islands where they were put to plough and cultivate the Earth and they took their misfortune G patiently But on a suddain though they had given no new provocation he sent Souldiers and put them all to the sword which was a great affliction to several great Families in Rome If he gave money at any time to any body he would be sure to have it again not H by way of loan or upon condition to pay them Interest but by way of Authority and Violence and the poor people were not only glad to restore it but they scap'd well if it did not cost them all their own whether it was their Parrimony or acquired by their own Industry and Labour Those who thought themselves highest in his favour he ruin'd under pretence of affection obliging them to such excessive expences in vain Feasting and Entertainments that sometimes one single Treat was so magnificent and sumptuous that it was sufficient to undo a man utterly and forced him to borrow what he was never able to pay upon which score some persons were affraid of his friendship because it was not only useless but dangerous and to be esteemed rather a snare than an advantage I This was the humour of Caius who hating no nation like the Jews no Nation felt so much the effects of his hatred He began in Alexandria to sequester their Oratories and fill them with Statues and no man durst oppose so great a Violence There was now only the Temple at Jerusalem unviolated and to compleat his Impiety he would needs ravish that from God and impropriate it to himself with this Title THE TEMPLE OF THE NEW JUPITER THE ILLUSTRIOUS CAIUS What do you intend most presumptuous and infatuated Prince You are but a Man K and would usurp upon God 'T is not enough for you to have dominion over so many People that there is scarce a Nation or Climate to which your Empire does not extend But you will not suffer in the whole World one single Place to be appropriated to God Almighty in which it may be lawful with sincere Piety to pay him that Devotion which is due to his Divine Majesty Are these the great hopes which the World conceived of your Reign Or do you not know that this course is no less than to draw upon your self and your whole Empire a deluge of all imaginable mischiefs L CHAP. XVIII With what austerity Caius treated Philo and the other Ambassadors from Alexandria and how he would not be perswaded to hear what they could say BUT we must come now to the Passages in our Embassie The day appointed M for our Audience being come we were no sooner introduced but we could easily perceive by his Mine and his Gesture that Caius was rather become a Party than a Judge For if he would have acted like a Judge he should have advised with his Counsel in an affair of that importance wherein all the Priviledges were in question that for four hundred years together had been enjoyed by so great a multitude of Jews as lived in Alexandria without the least intrenchment or molestation He ought to have heard both sides debated the whole matter with his Counsel and afterwards pronounced a just and equitable arrest But instead of proceeding by those methods of Justice the pitiless Tyrant bending his brows upon us with a furious Brutality caused the two Intendants of N the gardens of Mecenas and Lamia which are near both the town and his Palace to be called to him for he had been retired thither for his recreation three or four days He commanded them to open the doors of the several Appartments which opened into those Gardens for he was disposed to walk and gave Order that we should follow We threw our selves down at his feet and saluted him with the Titles of Emperour and August The manner in which he received our Salutation was such that we quickly found that we were to despair not only of success in our Embassie but the safety of our Lives For he told us frowning and with an angry kind of smile Are not you the declared Enemies of the gods Are not you they who when others acknowledge my Divinity do refuse and despise me And saying so he lifted up his hands towards Heaven uttering such expressions that O I heard with too much horror to repeat them again A Our Adversaries observing it and concluding that they had gain'd their Cause could not conceal their excess of Joy and there was not one of all the Attributes wherewith God himself is honoured but they
gave to him There was a person named Isidorus a great and dangerous Calumniator who perceiving Caius to be infinitely well pleased with his Flatteries and Cajolments said to him Sir You would abhor these people much more and those who sent them did you know their malice against you They are the only People who refuse to offer Sacrifice for your safety and generally the whole Nation is guilty of the same stubbornness At which words we were not able to contein but cryed out that it was false for we sacrificed Hecatombs to that purpose and having washt our Altars with the blood of our Victims we did not devour the flesh B our selves like several other Nations but burned all together in that sacred fire and this we have done more than once or twice for we did it three times First upon your advancement to the Throne Next when you recovered of your great fit of sickness which was an affliction to the whole World And the third time when we made it our solemn prayer to God Almighty to give you success in your Enterprizes in Germany 'T is true the furious Emperour reply'd you offered Sacrifices but it was to another not to me and therefore What honour did I receive by it We could perceive at those horrid words our blood to freeze in our veins In the mean time Caius passed from one appartment to another finding fault where any thing was amiss and giving order how it should be mended We followed him jostled C and derided by our Adversaries who abus'd and mock'd us like Mimicks on a Stage and indeed our whole negotiation might have passed for a Comedy having nothing in it but appearance of Truth For he who ought to have been our Judge was our Accuser and our own party animated him against us Having him therefore for an Enemy and such an Enemy what could we do but be silent And being silent is a kind of defence especially where nothing can be said that would have been pleasing to him and the fear of his violence upon our Laws had shut up our mouths When he had given direction about his buildings he demanded seriously and with great gravity of us Why we were so scrupulous in eating of Hogs-flesh Upon which our Adversaries to Cajole him with their flatteries fell out into so immoderate and undecent D a laughter that some of the Prince's Officers which were about him could scarce brook so great disrespect and it was so much the greater by how much his humor was such there was not any but his Privado's and Intimates that could without danger take the liberty upon them of but smiling in his presence We replyed most humbly to the Emperour That the Customs of People were different and that as among us there were some things forbidden so there were others prohibited to other Nations And one of our Company instancing in those who eat no Lamb the Emperour laught reply'd They have no reason for the flesh is not good These raileries augmented our trouble very much but at length in some kind of heat he asked us upon what grounds we founded our freedom We began to lay before him our grounds and he foreseeing E well that they would be reasonable and that we had many more to corroborate them he rose up on a suddain and ran into a great Chamber causing his servants to shut the Windows whose glass was contrived so as to let in the Light but keep out the Wind and was as clear as Chrystal We followed and he came to us again and demanded of us very moderately what we had more to say We would have gone on with our Reasons but in stead of hearing them he ran again in great speed into another Hall where he had commanded several ancient Pictures to be brought for him to see so that finding our selves so often interrupted in our affairs and in such different manner supposing we were to expect nothing but death we addressed our selves in our extremity to the true for protection against the counterfeit God and it pleas'd him to F have compassion on us and by his infinite goodness to moderate the fury of Caius who commanded us to withdraw and went away himself only saying to those who were next him These People are not so bad as unfortunate and besotted not to believe me to be of Divine nature In this manner we departed not only from his Judgment but from his Theater and Prison for what was it but a Theater where we were laughed at and derided And the rigors of a Prison are they comparable to the torments we endured from so many Blasphemies against God and so many Menaces from an enraged Tyrant against us Because ours forsooth was the only Nation that obstructed his being owned for a God G Upon this we desisted and respited for a while not out of love to our Lives for could our death have been servicable to the conservation of our Laws we would have embrac'd it with joy as conducting us to a happy Eternity But because besides this it would H have been destructive to our Laws and offensive to those who sent us for as much as the management of such things are usually judged by their success we comforted our selves in some measure that we had escaped such a danger yet not without continuing in great apprehensions what judgment the Emperour would give For how could he be informed of the Equity of our Cause when he vouchsafed not so much as to hear us And what could be more cruel than to see the safety of our whole Nation depend upon the manner after which we five who were Embassadors should be treated For if Caius should declare in favour of the Alexandrians what other Town would let the Jews live in quiet What other Town would forbear them What other would not destroy their Oratories What other would not refuse them the Exercise of their Religion I So that the abolition of all their Priviledges and the entire Ruine of the whole Nation were before us and the thoughts of them overwhelmed us with sorrow and the more because we could see no resort nor refuge from our miseries For those who before seemed to favour our Affairs began now to despair of our safety and retired not daring to assist us any farther though we sent to importune them so little expectation had they of Bounty or Justice from a Man who would make himself a God FINIS THE TABLE The TABLE of the CHAPTERS IN THE Embassie of PHILO TO THE Emperour CAIUS CALIGULA THE Preface of Philo upon the blindness of Man and the incomprehensible grandeur of God Pag. 828 CHAP. I. In what Incredible felicity the People lived the first seven months in the Reign of Caius Caligula pag. 829 CHAP. II. The Emperour Caius having Reigned but seven Months falls into a desperate fit of sickness The marvelous affliction that all the Provinces exprest for it and their inexpressible
the Kings chief Cup-bearer who was also called Pacorus The Jews inhabiting about Mount Caâel joyn themselves with Antigonus Certain Jews inhabiting about the Carmel joined themselves with Antigonus and were prepared with him to invade his Enemies he conceived some hope that he might by their means reduce a certain part of the Countrey under his Government which is called Drymae and other Jews joining with him in the way perswaded G him to press forward as far as Jerusalem where being seconded by others and his followers already much increased in number they put themselves in a posture to assault the Kings Palace The two Brothers viz. Phasaelus and Herod with their followfollowers H attacked them in the Market-place The year of the World 3952. before Christ's Nativity 39. repulsed the Enemy and drove him into the Temple Which done they sent armed men into the houses near adjoining to guard them but the people rushing in upon them and seeing they were destitute of aid burned both them and the houses wherein they were But this cruelty of theirs was presently revenged by Herod Pentecost who in a skirmish that he had with them killed a great number of them Herod fighteth with his enemies in the suburbs And whereas there were daily skirmishes between both parties the enemies expected until the people assembled from all parts of the Countrey should repair to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost Which being come many thousands of men assembled about the Temple both armed and unarmed who seized both the Temple and the City except the Kings house onely which Herod I made good with a few Men of War The Wall thereof Phasaelus his Brother defended Herod with a company of his followers sallied out upon the Enmy who were planted in the suburbs and fighting valiantly against them he put divers thousands of them to flight whereof some retired into the City others into the Temple the rest into a certain Bulwark near at hand In this battel Phasaelus shewed no little valor Pacorus Conductor of the Parthians Pacorus Chieftain of the Parthians entring the City perswadeth Phasaelus to go Embassador to Barzapharnes came into the City with some few Horsemen at Antigonus's request making shew that he came to appease the sedition but the scope of his coming was to obtain the soveraignty for Antigonus After that Phasaelus was come out to meet him and courteously entertain'd him in his house Pacorus perswaded him to go Embassador with him to Barzapharnes intending under this pretence to surprise K him He suspecting no treacheries was easily perswaded notwithstanding that Herod misliked the course who knowing the perfidious manner of the Barbarians exhorted him rather to assail Pacorus and to assault and oppress his Forces when they were come unto him Nevertheless Hircanus and Phasaelus undertook this Embassage and Pacorus leaving with Herod Two hundred Horsemen and Ten of those whom they call Free-men conducted the Embassadors Now as soon as they came into Galilee the Governors of the Cities in that Countrey came forth armed to meet them Barzapharnes also at the first gave them friendly entertainment and honoured them with Presents but shortly after he began to practise treachery The Parthians complot treacheries against Phasaelus For Phasaelus and his attendants were conducted to a lodging that adjoined the Sea where hearing tidings that Antigonus L had promised One thousand Talents and Five hundred Virgins to the Parthians he began already to suspect the Barbarians For a certain friend of his had given him an inkling that there were treasons intended against him that very night and that his lodging was privily beset with a Guard And surely they had been surprised had they not expected that the Parthians who were round about Jerusalem should have seized on Herod fearing lest he having an inkling of their disaster should betake himself to flight This was shortly confirmed to be true by the guards that arrived For which cause there were some of Phasaelus's friends who counselled him that without any more delay he should betake him to his Horse and fly from thence and amongst the rest Ofilius was most earnest who had discovered this plot by Saramalla a rich Syrian who M offered them his ships that road hard by to further their flight Phasaelus would neither forsake Hircanus nor leave his Brother Herod in danger but repairing to Barzapharnes he told him that he did him wrong to use these sinister practises against him For that if he had need of money he was more likely to receive it at his hands than from Antigonus and that it was an intollerable injustice to put Embassadors to death who came unto him upon his honour and had no ways offended him But the Barbarian hearing these things protested by an Oath that not one point of that which he had suspected was true whereupon he presently went to Pacorus CHAP. XXV Barzapharnes detaineth Phasaelus and Hircanus Prisoners sendeth to Jerusalem to secure Herod N whoretireth by night with his Men and his Relations he is set upon by the way but getteth always the upper-hand Phasaelus killeth himself The King of the Arabian's ingratitude torwards Herod he goeth to Rome AS soon as Barzapharnes was gone Hircanus and Phasaelus surprised by the Parthians some of the Parthians took Hircanus and Phasaelus prisoners who mightily detested his perjuries But the Eunuch that was sent unto Herod had instructions given him to intice him without the City Walls and afterwards to apprehend him But Herod was forewarned of this treachery by certain Messengers who were sent by Phasaelus to give him notice thereof who being intercepted by the enemy in the way and Herod getteth notice thereof he addressed himself to Pacorus and those in greatest authority among the Parthians who subtilly dissembled O notwithstanding they knew how all things went telling him that he should do well to repair with them without the Wall to go and meet those Messengers who brought him Letters who had not as yet been seized by their adversaries but came to acquaint him that Phasaelus was well But Herod gave them no credit because he was already otherways advertised of his brothers surprisal and had also far greater suspition of the Parthians A by the sollicitation of Hircanus's daughter whom he had married And although the rest made no account of her advertisements yet Herod gave credit unto her for that she was a most wise woman The Parthians lây a plot to surprise Herod he discovereth iâ and preventeth them by flight Now whilst the Parthians were in deliberation what were best to be done in that it was held no policy to make open assault upon such a man they deferred the whole matter until the next morning Whilst thus they were debating of their differences Herod who rather gaving credit to that which he had heard as concerning his brother and touching the treasons intended against him by the
vestures 86 m. Priests registred 782 m. Priests abstain from wine 721 f. 790 o. Priests executed and why 754 m High Priests number and succession 540 n. Priesthood confirmed to Aaron and his sons 102 k. Priesthood to be transported fore-shewed 144 k. Princes of Syria 280 a. Principality affected by Adonias 199 d. by Costabarus 409 o. 698 m. 705 d. 711 f. Priscus slayeth Jonathan 747 c. Prisoners dismissed 251 n. Privileges granted to the Jews 305 b. 373 o c. 374 b c d. 375 h i k. Problems of Hiram c. 786 m. Prodigies preceding Jerusalem's destruction 753 a b c. Professors of wisdom burn themselves 774 n. Progâny of Japheth 33 g. of Canaan 34 n. of the Sons of Sem 35 a. of Cham's sons 34 k. of Jacob 61 b. of Aaron ãâã n. of Herod 485 d. 480 h i. Prohibition of arms and iron-work 154 i. Profit how great redounded to King Pharaoh 61 f. Promise of God's assistance 110 k l. Promotion of Joseph 55 g. Prophecy of Jacob touching his posterity 62 i k. of the sacred Secretary 62 n. of Balaam 106 k. of Samuel 144 l 157 f. of Achias 217 k. 218 o. of Jadon 220 a. of Olda 259 k. Prophecy of the Captivity and delivery 263 h i. Prophet Moses a good Governour 1â0 k. Prophet Nathan 181 c. 185 c. Achias 217 k. Jadon 217 o. Samaeus 221 f. Azarias 224 m. Elias 227 h. Gimon 224 m. Elizaeus 236 g. Esay 256 b. Jeremy 260 e. Ezechiel 261 n. Jonas 248 g. Naum 250 g. Aggaeus and Zacharias 280 d. Micheas 232 d. False Prophet discrediteth the true 220 f. 232 â False Prophet deceiveth the people 537 d. Prosperity of Joseph 55 d. of Solomon 215 d e f g c. of Jeroboam 249 l. Prosperity maketh proud 247 a. 249 o. Prospect stopt up 538 n. Providence of God in saving Moses 63 f g. 64 n. of the Israelites 119 e. Provision of victuals 179 c. 576 h i. Provision for the Priests 285 m. Provision of things necessary for war 660 m n. Proves against Antipater 457 b c. 601 b c. Prudence of Joseph 55 c. 56 i. of Solomon 206 k. of Josephus 665 a b. Ptolemais described 616 l. besieged 351 b taken 352 d. Ptolomy Lagus obtaineth Egypt 297 m. seizeth Jerusalem by a stratagem ibid. 298 n. led the Jews away captive ib. n o. Ptolomy Philadelphus caused the Jews to be translated c. 297 n. his library 298 d. his Proclamation 299 k. his liberality 300 c. his Epistle to Eleazar c. 300 e. his gifts given to the Temple 301 d e. 302 i c. 303 h. c. his banqueâ 303 n. Ptolomy Euergetes King of Egypt 307 l. incensed against Onias ibid. Ptolomy Philopater warreth against Antiochus 305 e. his death ibid. f. Ptolomy Epiphanes King of Egypt 312 g. his children ib. Ptolomy Philometor circumvented 313 h. succoureth Alexander 335 i. his death complotted ib. k. refuseth the Diadem of Asia ib. n. his fight and death 336 b. Ptolomy slayeth Simon 344 b. imprisoneth Hircanus's mother and brethren ib. his cruelty against them 344 d. murthereth them 344 e. Ptolomy Physcon 347 h. the Syrians request to him ib. Ptolomy Lathyrus 347 n. aideth Antiochus ib. cometh to aid âhe Ptolemaidans 351 c. besiegeth Ptolemais and why 351 f. overthroweth Alexander 352 c. driven out of Egypt 352 f. Ptolomy Mennaeus fined 362 f. adopteth Antigonus 378 b. Ptolomy's wife robbed 538 k. is slain 577 b. Punishment of Adam and Eve 28 n. of the Serpent ib. m. of Sodom 39 b c. a false witness 112 n. of Homicide committed ibid. n. of Saul 157 e. of Jadon 220 e. of Senacherib 256 f. of Nebuchadnezzar 260 g Punishment for honouring false Gods 217 i. 251 k l. Punishment of Aristobulus 350 i. Punishment of ravishers of Virgins 810 i. Purgations of women 48 i. Of Purifications the manner 123 g. 124 h. Purification used in the sacrifices 809 f. Purification of the body 810 i. Pursuit of Laban after Jacob 47 c. of the Egyptians after the Hebrews 71 b. Potephar an Egyptian Lord bought Joseph 52 n o. Publick Records burnt 763 b. Q Quadratus Governour of Syria 619 e. decideth the Jews and Samaritans debate ib. f. Quails fell amidst the Hebrews camp 75 b. 95 g. Qualities of the Egyptians described 62 m. Quantity of gold 216 i. Queen's house or palace 213 c. Queen of Aethiopia look Nicaule Queen Vasti refuseth to come to the banquet 286 d. deposed ibid. d e. Hard Questions dissolved 213 f g. Questions of Artaxerxes 277 i k l. Quintilius Varus Governour of Syria 445 b. pacifieth the seditious 467 b. delivereth the legion 469 f. assisteth the Romans 609 b. taketh Cities and Castles ibid. c. crucifieth the seditious 609 â R. Rachel daughter of Laban 45 f. bringeth Jacob to her Father 46 h. stealeth away her Father's gods 47 b. how she hid them 47 b. taught by Jacob to contemn them ib. dieth in childbed 49 d. Race of the Chanaanites to be rooted out 126 n. Race of Gyants remained 129 d. Race of Achimelech murthered 166 k. Rage of Antiochus 817 d. Raguel a Priest of Madian 66 l. Father in law to Moses ib. m. cometh to Moses in Sinai 77 f. Rahab hid the spies 122 h. requireth of them an oath and why ibid. i. her and all hers saved 123 c. Reign of David 202 â f. of Solomon 216 c. of Josaphat 237 m. of Herod 462 k. of Tiberius 615 g of Caius 617 â of Agrippa 618 l. of Claudius 619 g. Railing of Goliah 159 d e. Rainbow a sign of atonement 32 l. Rain fore prophesied 227 h. Raising of a dead man 247 i. A Ram offered in Isaac's stead 41 e f. Ram an Engine 660 k. described ib. shaketh the tower 714 l. Rampires builded by the Romans 733 e. Rapines committed by day 686 l. Rapsaces Chieftain of the Assyrian Army 255 n. perswadeth Ezechias to submit ib. o. Rasis warreth against Achas 251 k. seizeth Elath ib. k. slain 252 a. Rational 87 d. Ravishment of Dinah revenged 49 b. punished ib. c. Rayment of Joseph 53 f. a proof against him 54 i. Rayment taken in war 127 a. Reading of the law 284. Reason described 815 d. hath dominion over passions ibid. d. Rebecca daughter of Bathuel 35 e. sister to Laban ib. â sheweth courtesie to Abraham's servant 42 n. 43 â procures his entertainment ib. b. married to Isaac 43 c. brought forth two twins ib. e. her devise for her son 44 l. Rebellion of Chore 101 c. of Siba 194 l m of the Antiochians 337 l m. of the Jews against the Romans 629 b Rebellion of Scythians and Sarmates 764 m. Rebellioâs punished 102 l. Rebels kill an Ambassadour 635 g. Rebels conquered 429 g. Reconciliation of Absalom 188 i. of Herod and his sons 587 d. of Pheroras with Herod 438 i. Records of the Greeks for the Jews antiquity 784 m. 785 a c. Reformation of God's Service 253 i k. Religion contemned cause
of calamity 132 n. 133 d. 144 k. see piety contemned Religion renewed 224 n. Religion of the Esseans 613 a. Relicks of Jupiter taken away 33 d. Remisness in punishing cause of sin 157 d. Renown of Solomon's vertues 213 e f g. Repairing of the Temple 245 n. 259 h. Repairing of the City Jerusalem 249 m. Repentance of the people 97 b. of Achab 229 k. of David 185 c. of Joachas 246 â of Manasses 258 c. Report of Joseph's death 675 a. Report of the behaviour of Samuel's sons 149 d. Repose 27 g. Request of Jonathan 337 k. of the Jews 610 l m. of the Romans to Caesar 717 c. Requital of courtesie 42 m. 66 m. required 122 i. performed 123 c. Resolution of Joseph's brethren 51 e. Restitution of things borrowed 116 i. Restoring â God 's service 245 i k. 258 d. Returns of Jacob's sons 57 c. of the Spies 96 k. 122 k. of Vespasian 761 c. Revenues of Priests 103 c. of Mephibosheth's lands 183 b Revenues of Agrippa 524 l. of Aâchelaus 610 n. of Pheroras 589 d. Reverence of the Sabbath 614 h. Reverence of the Roman souldier 661 b c. Revolt from the laws of the Fathers 107 e. Revolt of the ten Tribes 219 i. Revolt of the Germans 764 i. Reward of learned Preachers 231 l. 263 m. Reward of valiant men 741 g. Reward of such as keep the Law 811 b. Rewards oppress Justice 149 b. Riches of the Madianites 109 a b. of the Ainites 124 l. of David 202 f. of Solomon 215 c d e. of Ozias 249 n. Riddle of Samson propounded to the Thamnites 140 m. dissolved ibid. n. Ripping of women's wombs foretold 240 g. River of Arnon 104 k. River Sabbaticus 765 b. Robbers punished 372 c. 416 b. Robberies in Trachona 416 a. winked at 621 d. Roboam entreated to ease the people's burden 218 d. denied their petition ib. f. abandoned of ten Tribes 219 i. forbidden to make war ib. i. builded strong Cities 221 b. his wives and children ibid. b. impiety ibid. maketh brazen shields 222 c. dieth ibid. Rock yieldeth forth water 75 f. Road of the Philistines 167 a. Rod of Moses turned into a serpent 68 k. devoureth the Egyptians rods 68 l. Rod of Aaron fructifieth 103 a. The Romans government how far it extended 661 b. Romans overcome the Jews 568 i k. sack Jericho 576 i. get a great prey ib. k. skirmish with the Jews 618 i. fire the porches ib. i. have subdued the Athenians c. 626 n. yea the whole world ib. m. and 627 a c. flee into the King's forts 631 b. are slain ibid. e. burn Joppa c. 634 n. burn the Temple gates 636 k. overcome the Jews 658 e. retire without their purpose 668 o. enter Jotapata 670 e f. moved with no compassion 670 g. their warlike discipline 661 b. attempt nothing rashly 661 d. drive the Jews to their ships 676 k. assault Gamala 680 l. 683 b c. many slain ib. f. win Gamala ib. f. fight with the Jews 713 c. their fear and trouble ib. f. overcome the seditious 725 b. get the first wall 725 o. driven out by the Jews â23 b. hindred by the Jews 728 l. plant their courts of guard 735 d. fear the desperateness of the Jews 740 k. undermine the wall 741 a. invade Antonia 742 m. set Jerusalem on fire 755 f. enter Jerusalem 758 k. finds treasure in the vaults 759 e. ruinate City and Temple 760 k. Dining Room fell down 578 k. Ruben the son of Jacob 46 n. why so called ib. his sons 61 b. his disswasion 51 e. and his perswasion 52 k. intended to save Joseph 52 l. pleads before Joseph 56 m. Rue of admirable greatness 767 g. Ruine of the Israelites sought 62 n o. Ruine of the Amalechites foretold 77 d. Rulers of Jerusalem 637 f. Rumour of Herod's death 397 f. Rumour of the Emperour 492 â 511 g. Ruth her love to Naomi 142 m. married to Booz 143 d. S. Saba chief City of Aethiopia 65 f. called Meroâ and why ibid. f. Sabach and Naphanus David's Captains 196 b c. Sabbath 27 g. called a day of rest and why ibid. o. Sabinus repaireth to Jerusalem 465 b. and why ib. 606 i. 607 e f. Sabinus pursueth those that slew Caius 511 h. alloweth not of Claudius 518 l. killeth himself 519 b. Sabinus took the Capitol 710 e. slain ibid. k. Sabinus valiant 742 h. slain ibid. l. Sacks of chaff 666 m. Sacred sanctuary 720 n. Sacrifice acceptable to God 157 e. Sacrifice of Cain and Abel 29 c. Sacrifice of Noah 31 e. of Jacob 49 d. Sacrifices of the Princes of the Tribes 90 m. Sacrifice of thanksgiving 91 c. Sacrifice for sin 91 d. Sacrifice of Pentecost 92 m. Sacrifice of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple 212 d Sacrifice of Samuel 148 l. Sacrifice of Ezechias 253 h i. Sacrifice of Herod 581 g. Sacrifice of the old Testament 89 g. 809 e. Sacrifice consumed of it self 89 f. Sacrilege of Achar 123 e. punished with death 124 i. of Crassus 368 c. 568 m. of John 738 k. Sadoc sent to David 190 l. being pursued is hidden 190 m Sadoc established high Priest 204 l. ibid. m. Sadduces a sect 339 m. 476 m. their opinion 477 c d. Safety of David respected 162 k. Sale of the Jews 679 m. Salmanasar King of Assyria 2520. overcometh Oseas and why ibid d. taketh Oseas prisoner and transporteth the Israelites 253 m. spoiled Syria and Phoenicia 253 o. Salome accuseth Mariamne 497 k. accuseth Alexander c 426 l. enticeth her daughter c 434 k. denyed to Syllaeus in marriage 435 c d. excuseth her self 434 o. marrieth Alexis 449 b. discovereth conspiracies 450 o. releaseth the Nobles 450 m. 603 b. Princes of Jamnia 618 o. dyeth 454 l. Solomon's Coronation 202 a. King of Israel 203 d. requireth wisdom of God 205 b. marrieth a wife 204 n. decideth the two womens debate 205 a b. buildeth the Temple 207 f. prayeth to God 211 k m. exhorteth the people to praise God 212 c. buildeth a Palace ib. g. dissolveth hard questions 213 f. repaireth the walls of Jerusalem 214 k buildeth Cities ibid. k. maketh the Chanaanites tributary 215 b. buildeth a Navy ib. b. remunerateth Nicaule the Queen ibid. f. marrieth strange wives 216 o. committeth idolatry ibid o. his punishment denounced 217 i. had enemies raised against him ibid. k. dyeth 218 b. Saltis subdued the Egyptians 785 a. Samaria besieged 238 g. of whom so called 225 n. taken 347 m. described 659 d. Samaritans hinder the building of the Temple 275 n o. 279 o. their offer rejected ib. n. Jews enemies 281 l. kinsmen to the Jews when 295 n. disdain the Jews 3â4 d. send letters to Antiochus ib. e. contend with the Jews 333 i k. accuse the Jews 534 n. their strife with the Jews 619 e. 11000 slain 670 c. Samaeus reproveth the Jews impiety 221 f. comforteth the people ibid. Samaeus his admonition 373 h. honoured ibid. i. Samson killeth a Lyon 140