Egypt they abstained from his slaughter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. 7. Being therefore thus born and brought up when he increased in years he evidently by his virtue made it known unto the Egyptians that he was O born to abase their pride and to exalt the Hebrews by this occasion which ensueth The Ethiopians who confine upon Egypt having spoiled and destroyed the Countrey round A about them spoiled and made pillage of all the Goods of the Egyptians who incensed against them for the wrongs and injuries which they had done levied an Army intending to revenge them of that disgrace which their Enemies had offered them but in the Battel they were all put to flight so that many of them were slain and the rest shamefully flying Ver. 11. returned with ignominy worse than death into their own Countrey The Ethiopians proud with this good fortune The Egyptians war against the Ethiopians instantly pursued them and supposing it a cowardly part not to take the benefit of their present good fortune and conceiving an assured hope of conquering Egypt they enter'd the Countrey and generally wasted the same and having tasted of the sweetness of pillage without any temper or moderation in their Victory they were encouraged to attempt greater matters And whereas B they perceived that having wasted all the Neighbor-regions no man durst sally out to encounter them in Arms they marched forward toward Memphis even to the Sea arriving near no City that had the heart or durst make head against them By which calamities the Egyptians being much oppressed they send one to ask counsel of the Oracle by what means they might redress their miseries and when an answer was given them That they should choose an Hebrew to assist them in the Wars the King commanded his daughter to give them Moses who together with the Empire might govern the whole Army She taking an Oath of the King that no injury or violence should be offered him delivered him into his hands esteeming it to be a great good fortune for Moses that he was called to the succor of her Countrey and on the other side blaming the Priests C who were not ashamed to demand his aid and assistance The Egyptians require Moses to be their Captain whom they had adjudged to be slain as their common Enemy But Moses exhorted by Thermuthis and the King willingly took the charge upon him Whereat the Priests of both Nations were very joyful for the Egyptians hoped that when by his virtue and valor he had overcome their Enemies they afterwards might more easily dispatch and murther him by some treason and sinister means Moses marcheth against the Ethiopians and the Hebrews conceived an hope that they might get out of Egypt by reason that Moses was the General of the Army Moses therefore making haste before such time as the Enemies had any notice that he was dislodged he levied his Army and conducted them not along the banks of the River but through the main Land wherein he made manifest his most admirable prudence For the journey by Land being very D dangerous by reason of the multitude of Serpents which the Countrey thereabouts breeds of all sorts and some of that kind that the like thereof are not seen in any other place all different in malignity and horrible form and some winged ones who not only offend those that they encounter on the earth very privily but also towre very high in the Air and hover about to hurt those that are not aware of them he for the security of his Army and to the end he might march without any inconvenience invented this marvellous and admirable stratagem He caused two Paniers of Sedge to be made in form of Coffers and filled them with certain Birds called Ibis who are mortal Enemies to Serpents and before whom the Serpents flee and sometimes in flying from them like Harts they are laid hold of and swallowed by them Otherwise these Birds are managed E and made tame and are not harmful to any but to Serpents of whom I will now cease to write any further because the Greeks do already know what kind of Bird it is When therefore he arrived in the Countrey of Serpents The victory which Moses and the Egyptians had against the Ethiopians he let flie his Ibis against the venomous Beasts and made use of them to encounter the other And having marched in this sort he surprized the Ethiopians before they suspected him and suddenly charging them he overcame them in Battel spoiling them of the hope they had to conquer Egypt and entring the Towns of Ethiopia he razed them and made a great slaughter of the Inhabitants The Egyptian Army having tasted this happy success under the conduct of Moses omitted not the pursuit especially for that they saw that the Ethiopians were well nigh conquered Saba their chief City besieged or rather wholly destroyed and in the end having driven them F even to Saba the chief City of Ethiopia which Cambyses called Meroe for the love which he bore unto his sister who was so called they besieged them The City was strong and very hard to be assailed by reason of the River Nilus which environs it round about on the other side the Rivers of Astapus and Astaobora flow in so fiercely that they could neither break the course of the water nor wade over the stream for the City is built in an Island environed with a strong wall round about having great Ramparts betwixt the Rivers and the walls built to resist the inundations of the waters by reason whereof that the City could be very hardly taken although the opposite Army had found means to pass the water Now when Moses was much troubled that his Army profited nothing Tharbis the King of Ethiops daughter requireth love and marriage at Moses handsâ— by reason that the Enemy durst not encounter them in open field G behold what a chance hapned Tharbis the daughter of the King of Ethiopia beholding Moses as he approached with his Army near the walls of the City and seeing how valiantly he fought and behaved himself and wondring at the Exploits and Enterprises which he made The year of the World 2400. before Christ's Nativity 1564. which was the cause that the Egyptians almost despairing of their H estates and liberty were grown desperate and how the Ethiopians not long before esteemed the Conquerors and happy in their warlike exploits and fortunate executions were in the greatest extremity of danger she was surprized with love of him and for that this passion augmented more and more in her she sent to him seven of her most faithful houshold servants to offer him her love Which he accepted on condition that she should deliver the City into his hands promising her by a solemn Oath That when he was Master thereof he would take her to Wife without falsifying or breach of his promise
were drowned Nota. but that they themselves by their own wickedness had procured those punishments due upon themselves Hedi Ruffinus cap. 8. Man is the author of his death not God For had he desired that they should be extinguished he would not have brought them into the World For better it is not to grant life than to destroy those to whom it is given But said God through their contempt of my service and graces Gods covenant with Noah they have inforced me to destroy them with the rigor of this vengeance hereafter I will not so severely pursue and punish their iniquities K in my displeasure The year of the World 2007 before Christ's Nativiâ—y 1949. especially for thy sake And if hereafter at any time I shall send any tempest fear not how great and hideous soever the storms be for there shall be no more Deluge of water upon the earth In the mean time I command you to keep your hands innocent from murther and all man-slaughter and to punish those that commit wickedness The Rainbow the sign of atonement between God and Noah Gen. 9. 11 12 14. 15. I leave the use of all other living Creatures to your sustenance or service in as much as I have made you Lords over them all as well those that breathe upon the face of the earth as those that swim in the waters and such as inhabit and flie in the air but you shall not eat any blood in as much as therein consisteth the soul and life of living Creatures Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. And I declare unto you that I will forbare to draw the shafts of my displeasure against Men And I will give you the Rainbow for a sign of the L promise which I make to you Noahs age 950. years Noah lived after the Deluge 350 years and having spent all the rest of his life in happiness he died after he had lived in the world nine hundred and fifty years Neither is there cause why any Man comparing this our present age and the shortness thereof with the long life of the Antients should think that false which I have said neither followeth it that because our present life extendeth not to such a term and continuance of years therefore they of the former World attained not the age and long life which we publish of them For they being beloved of God and newly created by him using also a kind of nutriment agreeing with their natures and proper to prolong their lives it is no absurd thing to suppose that their lives were of that continuance M Why they in timâ—s past lived longer than we do considering that God gave them long life to the end that they should teach virtue and should conveniently practice those things which they had invented the Sciences of Astronomy and Geometry the demonstrations whereof they never had attained except they had lived at the least six hundred years For the great year is accomplished by that number of years The great year whereof all they bear me witness who either Greeks or Barbarians have written antient Histories For both Manethon who hath written the History of Egypt and Berosus who registred the acts and affairs of the Chaldeans together with Mochus Hestiaeus Hierom of Egypt who writ those of the Phoenicians and others accord with me in that which I have said Hesiodus also Hecataeus Hellanicus and Acusilas Ephorus and Nicolaus do declare that they of the first World lived one thousand years Notwithstanding N let every man judge of these things Gen. 9. 18 19. as best liketh him CHAP. IV. Of the Tower of Babylon and the change of Tongues NOah had three Sons Thâ— year of the World 1790 before Christ's Nativity 2174. Sem Japhet and Cham born one hundred years before the Deluge Gen. 10. per totum These first descended from the Mountains into the Plains and there made their habitation which when other Men perceived who for fear of the Deluge had fled the Plains Nâ—ah's three Sons and for that cause were loth to forsake the Mountains they gathered courage God commanded the posterity of Noah to inhabit the â—â—â—th and persuaded themselves to do the like and the Plain where they dwelt was called Sâ—â—â—ar And whereas they were commanded by God that by reason of the O increase and multitude of Men they should send Colonies to inhabit divers Countries of the World to the end no quarrels might grow betwixt them but A contrariwise in labouring and tilling a great quantity of ground they might gather great store of fruits they were so ignorant that they disobeyed God and falling into great calamities suffered the punishment of their offence Now God seeing their number continually increase he commanded them again to divide themselves into Colonies But they forgetting that the Goods which they possessed proceeded from him and his bounty and presuming that their force was the only cause of their abundance did not obey him Ver. 8 9. but rather suspected that God sought to betray them to the end that being thus divided he might the more easily destroy them Nimrod the Grandson of Cham one of Noah's Sons incited them in this sort to mock and contemn God He put them in the head that they should not believe that their prosperity proceeded from God but that they ought to attribute B it to their own valor which furnish'd them with so much riches so that in a little space he reduced their estate to a tyranny supposing by this onely means that he might make Men revolt against God if he might persuade them to submit themselves to his Government Chap. 11. 2 3 4. giving them to understand that if God should once more threaten a Deluge he would protect them against him and to that end build a Tower to whose top the water should not reach and also revenge the death of their Predecessors The stupid People gave ear to these persuasions of Nimrod supposing it to be pusillanimity in themselves if they should obey God For which cause they began to build the Tower with their uttermost industry neither was there any one idle in all that work yea so great was the number of Labourers that in a little time the work was raised to a height beyond all expectation C The thickness of it was so great that it obscured the height and it was built of burnt Brick 〈◊〉 and cimented and joined with a bituminous morter to the end that it might become the stronger God seeing their madness yet condemned them not to a general extermination by reason that they had made no profit by their example The confusion of Tongues who perished in the first Deluge but made them mutiny the one against another by changing of their tongue Ver. 6 7 8. so that by reason of their diversity of language they could not understand one another The place
answered E that they knew him well and that he was a Man of that reputation that his name could not be concealed that his Daughter was accustomed to feed her flock with them and that they wondered that she was not yet arrived of whom said they thou mayest perfectly understand all that thou desirest to know Whilest thus they pass'd the time in talk the Maiden drew near accompanied with her shepherds whom one of the company informed that Jacob was inquisitive after her Father who rejoycing after the manner of young Maidens asked him what he was and whence he came and what affair had brought him thither wishing she had the means to supply whatsoever his necessities required v. 9 ad 12. Jacob being mov'd not so much by the courtesie and Kindred as by her beauty Jacob's talk with Rachel Rachels excellent Beauty which was very extraordinary said unto her If thou art the Daughter of Laban F there is a greater and more ancient conjunction betwixt us than either thine or my birth for Abraham Aran and Nachor were Thares Sons Bathuel thy Grand father was Nachors Son Isaac my Father was the Son of Abraham and Sara the Daughter of Aran. There is yet a nearer and dearer relation between us for Rebecca my Mother is Sister unto Laban thy Father born of one Father and Mother so that we are Cousins and therefore am I come at this present to salute you and renew that ancient love which our alliance requireth at our hands But she remembring all those things which her Father was wont to report and discourse of Rebecca and knowing that her Parents were desirous to hear some news from her wept for joy and embracing the young Man said unto him Thou bringest a most desired and great pleasure to my Father and all his G family who never forgets thy Mother but oftentimes makes mention of her and would esteem it a great felicity to hear tidings from her Then she desired him to follow her to her Father lest any longer he might be deprived of so desired a pleasure This said she brought him to Laban where being acknowledged by his Uncle he both H by that means lived securely amongst his Friends v. 12. ad 23. Jacob 's talk with Laban and brought him great contentment by his unexpected access unto them Some dayes after Laban told him that he took so much contentment in his presence The year of the World 103. before Christs Nativity 1771 that he could not express it in words and desired him to manifest the cause that had induced him to leave his Father and Mother in their old age when they had most need of him and he promised him all assistance and favour in whatsoever case he had to make use of him Whereupon Jacob discoursed unto him the whole matter that Isaac had two Sons Esau and himself that his Brother because by his Mothers contrivance he had defrauded him of his Fathers Blessing sought to kill him as the ravisher of that principality from him that was destinated unto him by God and the intercepter of his Fathers other intentions that this with his mothers command I was the cause why he came thither as to his nearest relation by the Mothers side adding that next after God he hoped to find his greatest assistance and help in him his Uncle Whereupon Laban promising to him whatsoever humanity he could desire as well in respect of their common ancestors as for the love he bare unto his Mother towards whom although she were absent he would express his good affection in shewing himself well affected towards him that was there present he told him then that he would give him the charge of his flock and make him Master over all his shepherds and that when he thought good to return back again to his Friends he should depart with such rewards and honours as might well beseem a Friend so nearly allyed unto him v. 23 ad 26. Jacob for recomâ—ence requireth Rachel for his Wife Which when Jacob understood he answered That he would willingly K endure any sort of labour in Labans service and that his devoir towards him would be a delight to himself but that in lieu of his labours he required Rachel to Wife who deserved his esteem for her vertue and particularly for her goodness wherewith she had brought him thither declaring that the love which he bare unto her was the cause why he used those speeches The year of the World 2103. before the Nativity of Christ 1771. Laban being greatly delighted and contented with this his discourse granted him his consent to the Marriage telling him that he could not have wisht for a better Son-in-Law but with condition that he should sojourn a while with him for that he was no ways minded to send his Daughter among the Canaanites and that it repented him that by reason of Marriage his Sister had been carried into so far a Countrey Jacob accepted the condition and covenanted to abide L with him for seven years saying that he was glad to have found an occasion of making appear to him by his care and good service that he was not unworthy of his alliance When the time which was covenanted between them was expired 22. Jacob instead of Rachel lyeth with Leah and Jacob expected the contented possession of his love as was promised him Laban prepared a nuptial feast and when night drew on and Jacob least suspected he brought his Daughter Leah less fair in face 23. and elder in years and lay'd her in his Bed Jacob deceived by the darkness and for that he had drunk liberally lay with her but the day after discovering the deceit he complained hereof to Laban who asked him pardon alledging that he had not brought in Leah with intent to deceive him 27 ad 35 but that the custom of the Countrey which forbids to Marry the younger before the elder compelled him thereunto yet that the M same should no ways hinder but that he should Marry Rachel too on condition to serve him yet seven years more Herewith Jacob was pacified and suffered himself to be perswaded out of the love which he bear to Rachel and when the other seven years were expired he Married Rachel Now these Sisters had two Maid Servants which their Father had given them Lea's Maid was called Zelpha and Rachel's Bala they were no Slaves but only Subjects Leah liv'd in great grief to see that Jacob bare greater affection to her Sister than to her self bethinking her oftentimes that if she could have Children she should be better esteemed and loved by her husband for which cause she continually besought Almighty God that it would please him to give her issue whereupon it happened that God gave her a Son and Jacobs affection was turned towards N her for which cause she called him Ruben that is to say the Son of Vision because she had
not escape that sickness Elias did that which God had commanded and the Messengers of the King having understood that which was declared unto them returned O back again with all expedition Ochozias marvelling much at their sudden return asked them the cause whereupon they answered him that a certain man came unto them and forbad them to pass any further but to return The year of the World 3048. before Christ's Nativity 915. and let their Master know from God that his sickness should wax worse and worse A Hereupon the King commanded them to describe what manner of Man he was that spake these words unto them who answer'd That he was an hairy Man girded with a leathern girdle And understanding hereby that it was Elias he sent a Captain with 50 Soldiers unto him Ver. 8. commanding him to bring the Prophet prisoner unto him This Captain that was sent Elias 〈◊〉 anâ— habit perceiving Elias sitting on the top of a Mountain commanded him to come down and repair unto the King who had sent for him which if he performed not presently Ver. 9 10. he threatned him to make him do it by force 〈◊〉 Solâ—iers sent to fetch Elias are consumed with lightning Elias answered him To the end thou mayest know by thine own experience that I am a true Prophet I will pray that fire may fall from Heaven and consume both thee and thy Soldiers And incontinently after Elias had prayed lightning fell down from heaven and consumed both the Captain and his Soldiers B When the King had tydings of this loss he was sore displeased and sent another Captain to Elias with the like number of Soldiers who threatned the Prophet that if he would not willingly come down he would violently pull him thence but Elias prayed that fire might fall from Heaven and incontinently both he and his were consumed in like manner as the first When the King had understood likewise how his second messenger had sped he sent a third but he being a discreet man when he came to the place where Elias was he saluted him very courteously and said unto him That contrary to his own will and to no other purpose but to fulfill the Kings pleasure he was come unto him and that they that were sent with him came not thither voluntarily but by the same command He therefore required him to have compassion both of him and his Soldiers and to vouchsafe to C come down and to come after them to the King Elias being moved by his discreet and courteous demeanor came down and followed him As soon as he came into the Kings presence he prophesied Ver. 17. and told him that God said That since he had despised him and so lightly accounted of him 〈◊〉 dying without issue Jâ—ram his brother reigned in his stead as if he had been no God or else such an one as had no power to foretell him any truth touching his sickness but that he had sent to the gods of Accaron to enquire after the success of his sickness know said he that thou shalt dye And not long after according to the Prophecy he dyed as Elias had foretold him and his brother Joram succeeded him in the Kingdom because he departed without issue This Joram was a wicked man also 2 Kings 2. â— 1. and as impious as his father for abandoning the service of the true God Elias according as Enoâ—h was taken from the sight of men he set up strange gods In all things else he was a man fit for D government In his time Elias was no more seen amongst men and until this day no man knoweth what his end was But he left a Disciple behind him called Elizeus as we have heretofore declared It is written in Holy Writ touching Elias and Enoch who was before the Deluge Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. that they disappeared for no man hath known the manner of their dâ—â—ths 1 Kings 3. After that Joram had taken possession of the kingdom Elizeus he resolved to make war upon Misa the King of the Moabites Ver 11 13. who paid Achab his father before him the tribute of two hundred thousand sheep bearing wooll Jâ—ram asketh aid against the Moabites When he had assembled his Forces he sent unto Jehoshaphat requiring him That since he had been his fathers friend he would likewise second him and send him aid in his War intended against the Moabites who had then newly revolted from his government Jehoshaphat not only promised him to afford E him succors but moreover he assured him That he would draw the King of Idumaea who depended on him into their association When Joram understood these things by those whom he had sent unto Jehoshaphat he took his Army with him and repaired to Jerusalem where he was magnificently received and entertained by the King of that City where after they had concluded to march thorow the Desart of Idumaea and that way to charge the Enemy Ver. 17. in that they expected nothing less than to be endangered on that side these three Kings departed together from Jerusalem namely Wanâ— of water in the Hebrews Army the King of Jerusalem the King of Samaria and the King of Idumaea When they had marched seven dayes journey they found a great scarcity of water amongst them both to water their Horses and to refresh their whole Army by reason that their Guides had led them astray out of F the High-way so that they were in great want and especially Joram who by reason of the necessity wherewith he was pressed cryed unto God expostulating with him for what offence of his he would deliver up three such Kings into the hands of the King of Moab But Jehoshaphat who was a virtuous man encouraged him and sent into the Army to know whether there were any Prophet of God that had followed them to the battel Ver. 13. to the intent said he that we may understand from God what we ought to do The Kings 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 at Elizeus's hand and whereas one of the servants of Joram said that he had seen Elizeus the Son of Saphat the Disciple of Elias all the three Kings by the persuasion of Jehoshaphat resorted unto him When they drew near unto the Prophets Tent which he had pitched apart from the rest of the company they asked him what should become of the Army and Joram especially G To whom Elizeus answered That he had no reason to sollicite him in this sort but to repair unto his fathers and mothers Prophets who would certifie him the truth Notwithstanding H Joram intreated him The year of the World 3049. before Christ's Nativity 915. that he would prophesie and preserve the Army and his life but Elizeus sware by the living God That he would answer him nothing except for Jehoshaphats sake who was an upright man and one that feared God
rather that he ought to conceive that the Prophet Elizeus had discovered all that which was intended against him V. 13 14 15. Whereupon he sent out his Soldiers with an express charge to know in what City Elizeus made his ordinary abode Elizeus besieged in Dothaim by his enemy who returning back brought him news that he remained in Dothaim For which cause Adad sent a great number of Horsemen and Chariots to Dothaim to lay hold on Elizeus who begirt the City by Night and laid watch round about the walls that no Man might escape them Early in the morning C when the Prophets servant had notice hereof and was advertised that the enemies sought to surprize Elizeus he fearfully hasted and discovered their intent to his Master who encouraged him and commanded him not to be afraid because he was assured of Gods help whereupon he prayed to God that at that present he would shew his power and assistance both toward the relief of his necessity Ver. 16 17. and the confirmation and encouragement of his servant The Angels about Elizeus the Prophet At that time God hearing his prayer represented to the Prophets servant a great number of Chariots and Horsemen that invironed Elizeus so that he laid his fear aside and was assured when he perceived these succors That done Elizeus besought God again That he would blind his enemies eyes and cause a thick cloud to fall upon them to the end they might not discover him Which done he presently thrust himself D amongst the thickest of his enemies demanding of them Whom they came 〈◊〉 seek for They answer'd him That they sought for the Prophet Elizeus he promis'd them to deliver him into their hands Ver. 18 19. if so be they would come with him into the City where he was Elizeus leadeth the Syrians blinded into Samaria where by his persuasion they are courteously entertained and presented by Joram and sent home They being blinded in eyes and depraved in their understanding followed the Prophet willingly who marched before them When therefore Elizeus had brought them into Samaria he willed King Joram to lock the gates and to inviron the Syrians with his Soldiers This done he prayed God that he would open the eyes of the Syrians and they being delivered from their blindness perceived that they were in the midst of their enemies Whereat being sore astonished and uncertain whence this divine and unexpected act had befallen them King Joram asked the Prophet Whether he should kill them E with darts But Elizeus forbade him to do so For said he it is a just and convenient matter that they who are taken in War should lose their life but that they had done no evil unto his Countrey but by Gods providence came thither without their own knowledge for which cause he counselled him to give them Presents and refresh them and afterwards to suffer them to depart without any injury Joram giving ear to the Prophets words entertained the Syrians magnificently and with great humanity and sent them back unto Adad their King to whom upon their arrival they declared all that which had hapned unto them Adad astonished at this unexpected event Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. and wondering at the power of the God of the Israelites and admiring the Prophet whom God so wonderously assisted he concluded from that time forward F never more to attempt the King of Israel in secret because he feared Elizeus but concluded to make open War against him hoping to have the upper hand of his enemies by means of the great number and force of his Army so that he issued out with a mighty power against Joram who supposing himself to be overmatched by the Syrian Army locked himself up within Samaria putting his trust and confidence in the fortification and strength of the walls thereof Ver. 24. Adad hoping to take the City if not by force at leastwise by famine Samaria besieged by the Syrians and default of things necessary drew near unto Samaria to besiege it But Joram was so destitute of convenient supplies that by reason of the incredible want of victuals an Asses head was sold in Samaria for 80 pieces of silver and a measure of Pigeons dung at five pieces of silver which they used instead of Salt neither G was there any thing that more troubled the King than that he feared lest some one constrained by famine should deliver or betray the City unto the enemy For which cause H he every day walked the round about the walls The year of the World 3050. before Christ's Nativity 914. and visited the Centinels of the City for fear lest any one should lie hidden within and with all care and diligence he gave order That if any one had such a sinister intent the means to execute the same should be taken from him And whereas a certain Woman cryed out unto him Have mercy upon me O King he incensed with wrath and supposing that she asked him some meat began to rail on her telling her That he had neither Grange nor Wine-press whereby he might any ways supply her necessity The Woman answer'd him Ver. 28. That she had no need thereof The famine so great in Samaria that Women eat their own children and that she was not troubled for want of food but onely desired that he would determine a debate betwixt her and another Woman whereupon he commanded her to express and declare what she required Hereupon I she said That she had made an agreement with another Woman her Neighbor and Friend that since the famine and scarcity was such as they could find no redress for the same that they should kill their children for each of them had one and in this sort should nourish one another As for my self said she I have first of all strangled mine and we have both of us yesterday eaten thereof but now she will not do the like but breaketh the accord betwixt us and concealeth her child Joram was grievously tormented to hear these words and rent his garments and cryed out with a loud voyce and afterwards wholly enraged against the Prophet he devised in his heart to put him to death because he prayed not unto God to grant him means to escape those evils that invironed them round about so that he sent a Man presently to cut off his head Ver. 31 32. who prepared himself with all expedition to K the slaughter Joram threaneth Elizeus's death But Elizeus was not ignorant of this resolution of the Kings for sitting at home with his Disciples in his house he told them That Joram the murtherers son sent a Man to take away his head Ver. 33. but said he when he that hath the matter in charge shall come hither suffer him not to enter but make him attend and stay at the gate for the King will follow him and will
impiety in that sort to thrust a stranger into that manifest perdition whose life had been committed to their trust But since the storm more and more increased and grew so vehement that they wanted very little of being shipwrackt and being besides that incited by K Jonas himself and likewise by the fear they conceived to lose their lives they cast him into the Sea Jonah 2. per totum whereupon suddenly the storm ceased It was likewise said that being swallowed up by a great fish for the space of three days and three nights Jonâ—s cast into the Sea is devoured by a Wâ—ale and cast upon the coaâ—t of Ninivie foretelleth them of the loss of their Empire he was at the last vomited out and cast by the same fish on shore of the Euxine Sea alive and without any maim in any of his members There besought he God that he would pardon him the sin which he had committed and afterwards he went to the City of Ninivie where going up to a place from whence he might be heard he published with a loud voice unto them that they should lose the Empire of Asia which after he had pronounced he returned back again This recital have I made according as I have found it registred in writing L King Jeroboam having passed all his life time in prosperity and reigned for the space of forty years departed his life and was intombed in Samaria and Zachary his Son succeeded him in this Kingdom At the same time Ozias the Son of Amasias reigned in Jerusalem over the two Tribes 2 Reg. 14. 23. after that Jeroboam had already reigned fourteen years his Mother was called Achia Jeroboams death and was of the City of Jerusalem He was a man of good nature Ozias King of Juda. and such an one as loved justice of a noble courage and very laborious in providing for all occasions he made War against the Philistines and after that he had overcome them in battel he took Ita and Amnia two of their strong Forts and razed them This exploit being past he set upon the Arabians that bordered upon Egypt and after that having built a City upon the Red Sea he planted a Garison M therein He afterwards discomfited the Ammonites constraining them to pay him tribute and subdued all as far as the marshes of Egypt Ozias expedition and the repairing of the City After that he began to provide for the City of Jerusalem for he built it anew and repaired the walls thereof that had been beaten down or decayed either by continuance of time or by negligence of those Kings who were his predecessors 2 Chron. 26. 1 2 3 4 5. he repaired those also which the King of Israel had beaten down at such time as having taken Amasias prisoner he rode in triumph into the City Besides this he erected a number of Towers each of them one hundred and fifty Cubits high These inclosed he with walls to set Garisons therein and in divers barren places he caused divers fountain-heads to be made Ozias riches and Army for he had an infinite multitude of beasts of carriage and other cattel v. 8 9 10. in that the Countrey was fit for pasture N He took pleasure also in tillage for which cause he was often busied about his Land in sowing and planting the same He had about him a chosen Army to the number of three hundred and seventy thousand fighting men whose Generals Conductors and Captains were valiant and invincible men and were in number two thousand He taughâ— his soldiers to march in square battel in manner of the Macedonian Phalanx arming each of them with Swords Targets and Corselets of Brass with Arrows and Darts He made also great preparation of divers Engins to batter Cities and to shoot Stones and Darts besides divers hookes and other such like instruments But whil'st he was intent on these studies and preparations he grew insolent and proud and being puffed up with arrogance v. 6. he contemned that which endureth for ever that is O piety towards God and the observation of his commandments For which cause he was overthrown by his prosperity and fell into his fathers sins through the happiness and greatness of his estate wherein he could not moderately contain himself So that upon a certain solemn Feast-day The year of the World 3120. before Christ's Nativity 944. wherein all the People were assembled together he A attired himself in the High-Priests vestments and entered into the Temple to offer sacrifice unto God upon the golden Altar notwithstanding the High-Priest Azarias accompanied with fourscore Priests forbade him telling him That it was not lawful for him to sacrifice in that it was onely allowed in those that were of the posterity of the High-Priest Aaron Whil'st after this manner Azarias expostulated with him commanding him to go out of the Temple Ver. 17 18 19. and not to contradict the ordinances of God the King waxed wroth and threatned to take his life from him except he kept himself quiet Whereupon there fell a great trembling and earthquake and the Temple cleft in twain and a great light B of the Sun entered thereinto Ver. 20 21. and reflected on the Kings face in such manner that all his body was instantly covered with a leprosie Ozias transgresseth his vocation and is punished with a leprosie and compelled to depart out of the City and before the City in a place called Eroge the half of a Mountain that stood to the Eastward brake and fell and removed for the space of four stadia towards the Oriental Mountain where it rested so that the publick wayes were shut up and choaked and the Kings gardens of pleasure were wholly ruinated and disfigured When the Priests beheld the Kings face covered with a leprosie they told him what inconvenience had hapned unto him and enjoined him to depart out of the Town according to the custom of Men that were polluted Whereupon he wholly confused at so grievous an accident and having no more courage to speak obeyed the commandment that was given him enduring a lamentable punishment for his pride and for that he committed such impiety against God He therefore C remained without the City for a certain time and led a private life and his son Jotham succeeded him in the kingdom Finally he dyed through grief and discontent after he had accomplished 68 years whereof he reigned 52 and was buried in his Garden Zachary Jeroboams son having reigned six Months over the Israelites was slain by Treason complotted against him by a familiar friend of his called Sellum 2 Kings 25. 7 8 9. the son of Jabes who possessing the kingdom after him Zacharias slâ—ughter enjoyed not the same above 30 dayes For the General Manahem being at that time in the City of Tharsa and understanding of that which had hapned to Zachary departed thence with all
perswading them to stay there to the end they might be consumed by the Babylonians Contemning therefore the counsel which God gave them by the Prophet Jer. 42. per totum both John and the rest of the multitude went into Egypt and led with them both Baruch and Jeremy The Prophecy of the Babylonian Army and the Jews captivity Whither they were no sooner come but God told the Prophet that the Babylonian should lead his Army into Egypt for which cause he willed him to foretell the people that Egypt should be destroyed and that they should partly be slain in that place and partly led captive to Babylon Which came in like manner to pass for in the fifth year after the destruction of Jerusalem which was the three and twentieth year of the Reign of Nabuchodonosor Nabuchodonosor in his own person L led his Army into Coelosyria and having conquered the same he made War upon the Ammonites and Moabites And after he had brought these Nations under his obeysance he went and fought against the King of Egypt and overcame him and after he had slain their King that governed at that time and planted another in his place he afterwards took the Jews that he found in that Countrey and carried them prisoners into Babylon By this means we have learned that the estate of the Hebrews hath been translated twice to the other side of Euphrates For the people of the ten Tribes during the Reign of Oseas were carried away captive by Salmanazar King of the Assyrians after he had taken Samaria and the two Tribes by Nabuchodonosor King of the Babylonians and Chaldees upon the taking in of Jerusalem True it is that Salmanazar after he had displeased M the Israelites planted the Chutheans in their place who before-time inhabited the innermost of the Countreys of Persia and Media and were called Samaritanes according to the name of the place which they inhabited but the Babylonian having led the two Tribes prisoners hath not planted any other people in their places For this cause Judea Jerusalem and the Temple remained desart for the space of seventy years and all the time that passed between the captivity of the Israelites until the destruction of the two Tribes was an hundred and thirty years six moneths and ten days but Nabuchodonosor chose the noblest young men amongst the Jews and such as were allied to King Zedechias and esteemed likewise for the good disposition and fair proportion of their Bodies and Faces and committed them to Masters to be instructed N commanding that every one of them should be gelded according as they were accustomed to deal with young Children of other Nations whom he subdued by force He allowed them Victuals from his own Table and they were taught and instructed in the Discipline of the Countrey and in the Chaldee Tongue These were very apt to learn Wisdom and for that cause he commanded that they should be Trained up in the exercise thereof Hedio Ruffinus Chap. 12. Of these were four of Zedechias kindred fair in Body and virtuous in their Nature Dan. 1. v. 6. 17. who were called Daniel Ananias Misael and Azarias whose names the Babylonians changed and appointed that they should be called by other names distinct and different from their own Daniels forwardness and his fellows towardnesâ— in studying Wisdom and good Letters Daniel was called Balthasar Ananias Sidrach Misael Misach and Azarias Abednagâ— These did the King esteem very highly for their O excellent nature and for the great affection that they had to attain unto Learning and Wisdom wherein they profited greatly and were for that cause highly esteemed by him and whereas Daniel and his kinsman thought good to live austerely and to ababstain from those Meats that came from the Kings Table The year of the World 3â—61 before Christ's Nativity 603. and in general from all things A that had life they went to Askenas the Eunuch who had the care and charge over them beseeching him to convert those Meats to his own use which were sent from the Kings Table and allow them Herbs and Dates and such things as had no life because they intended to hold that course of life and to forsake all others Askenas told them that he was ready to condescend unto their demands but that he feared lest being called for by the King they should be found to be lean in Body and discoloured in Face for without doubt following that Diet they must needs lose their Beauty and Complexion which might bring him in damage of his Head They perceiving that Askenas intended nought else but his security perswaded him to allow them but ten days of approbation under condition that if by that regiment of Diet their habitude of body B should not be any ways altered they might continue that course of life which they had intended from that day forwards but if they should be found lean and weak and less proportionable then they that fed upon the Kings allowance that then they should return to their accustomed Diet. Now it fell so out that not only their Bodies were better in growth but they seemed rather better fed and of a taller stature than the rest so that they that lived upon the Kings allowance seem'd lean and ill-favoured whereas Daniel and his companions made show as if they had been nourished with Dainties and brought up in abundance From that time forward Askenas took all that which was allowed the four young Men from the King Table and kept it to himself giving them instead thereof the Diet that they chose and delighted in They C having their spirits more pure and subtil to comprehend their Masters instructions and their Bodies more strong to endure labour for their spirits were not charged with diversity of meats nor their Bodies effeminated for the same cause attained the more readily to all that Doctrine that was taught them by the Hebrews and Chaldees Daniel especially having profited in Wisdom studied the interpretation of Dreams and God appeared unto him Two years after the Egyptian War King Nabuchodonosor dreamed a wonderful dream the explication whereof God gave unto him in his sleep but he forgat the same when he arose out of his Bed Dan. 2. 1. ad 16 And for that cause sent he for his Chaldees and Divines Nabuchodonosor dreaming forgetteth his Vision sendeth for the Magicians not able to discover his doubt he threateneth them with death telling them that he had dreamed a dream but that he had forgot the same commanding them to declare unto him what the dream was and the signification D thereof also Whereunto they answered that it was impossible for men to sound out the secret thereof notwithstanding they promised him that if he would declare his vision unto them they would cause him to understand the signification thereof Hereupon Nabuchodonosor threatened them with death except they represented his dream unto him and
Joseph the Nephew of the High-Priest Onias obtains pardon for his Vncle of Ptolomy King of Egypt gets the favor of that Prince and raiseth a very considerable fortune for himself Hircanus the son of Joseph becomes a great Favourite of Ptolomy The death of Joseph BUt a certain man call'd Joseph The Taxation of the High-Priest for offending the King the son of Tobias and of Onias sister who was the High-Priest being young in years but honored in Jerusalem for his wisdom foresight and justice having certain notice by his mother of the arrival of this Ambassador came unto the City for he had been absent in the Village of Phicala where he was born and sharply reproved Onias his Uncle on the mothers side because he did not any wayes provide B for the security of his Countrey but sought to draw his Countreymen into a general hazard in that he retained in his hands that mony which was levied for the Tributeâ— whereby he told him that he had obtained the Government over the people and purchased the High Priesthood And that if he were so bewitched with mony that for the love of it he could have the patience to see his Countreymen in hazard and behold his Citizens suffer all that which cruelty could inflict upon them he advised him to repair to the King and to require him to bestow the whole or the half of the Tribute upon him Hereunto Onias answer'd That he would no more execute the Government and that if it was possible for him he was ready to give over the Priesthood rather than repair unto the King Whereupon Joseph asked him If he would permit him in the peoples behalf to go Ambassador to Ptolomy C Whereunto Onias answer'd That he gave him leave Upon this occasion Joseph went up into the Temple and summoned the people to a general Assembly exhorting them to be no ways troubled and to conceive no fear through the negligence of his Uncle Onias wishing them to be of good courage and promising them that he himself would go Ambassador unto the King and faithfully plead their Cause before him and persuade him that they had committed no insolent neglect or contempt against his Majesty which when the people understood they gave Joseph hearty thanks Whereupon he presently came down from the Temple and honorably entertained the Ambassadors that came from Ptolomy and having presented them with gifts of great value and feasted them magnificently for many dayes he sent them back to their Prince assuring them that he would in person follow D them And the rather was he incited to this journey because the Ambassador had persuaded him to come into Egypt under such assurance that he would obtain all his requests at Ptolomy's hands the rather for that he was won with the young mans free spirit and noble entertainment The Kings Ambassador honourably entertained who reporteth Joseph's liberality upon his return into his Countrey As soon as the Ambassador returned into Egypt he certified the King of Onias's ingratitude and Joseph's humanity certifying him that he would come in person to entreat pardon for the People for that offence they had committed against him and the rather for that he was in especial authority among the People and he so far enlarged himself in the praise of Joseph that both the King and Queen Cleopatra had a good opinion of him although he was as yet absent But Joseph sent unto Samaria to his Friends and E borrow'd money making preparation for his Voyage Having therefore furnished himself with Apparel Vessels and Horses and with almost twenty thousand drachms he arrived at Alexandria At that time it hapned that the Princes and Governors of Phoenicia and Syria repaired thither to farm their Tributes for the King was accustomed every year to sell them to the men of most respect in every City these meeting with Joseph on the way began to mock at his baseness and poverty But when he came to Alexandria and had intelligence that the King was at Memphis he set forward and went out to meet him When therefore the King accompanied with the Queen and Athenion his Friend who had discharged the place of Ambassador in Jerusalem came riding in his Chariot Athenion who had been F honorably entertained by Joseph perceiving him upon the way certified the King that it was he of whom he had spoken upon his return from Jerusalem protesting on his behalf that he was a virtuous and honorable young man Whereupon Ptolomy received him with more kindness than the rest and made him come up into his Chariot where he was no sooner seated but the King began to accuse Onias for what he had committed But Joseph said unto him Pardon him O King and have respect to his old age For you know that ordinarily old men and young children have one and the same understanding but from our selves who are young you shall have what you please to require without any pretext or cause of discontent G H This wise answer increased the affection which the King had allready conceived for him The year of the World 3770. before Christ's Nativity 194. whereupon he commanded that he should be lodged in his own Palace and that daily he should accompany him at his Table As soon as the King came back to Alexandria the Lords of Syria seeing Joseph sitting near unto the King were displeased and the day drawing near wherein they were to know what they should pay for their tribute they that were of the greatest quality in their countrey farmed it so that the Tributes of Coelosyria Phoenicia Judea and Samaria amounted together to eight thousand talents Whereupon Joseph arising blamed the farmers because they had designed amongst themselves to beat down the price of the tributes promising to give double and that he would likewise return the I forfeitures that were levied upon the goods of such as offended The tributes of Coelosyria committed to Joseph which were farmed together with the tributes The King gave ear to this discourse of his with great content and said that he approved the sale of these tributes unto Joseph who would hereby so considerably augment his revenue When therefore he was asked whether he could give suretie he made him answer with great confidence O King said he I will give thee such pledges as are both worthy and honorable and such as you cannot mistrust When therefore the King desired him to produce them I will said he O King present thee for sureties thy self and the Queen thy Wife that one of you may be surety for me to the other Ptolomey smiling hereat granted him the farm of the tribute without farther surety This favor of his displeased those Governours of the Cities that were come into Egypt in that K they saw themselves contemned and constrained to return with shame unto their houses But Joseph obtained 2000 footmen from the King that he might by their
brothers and besiegeth Ptolomais King Ptolomey Lathyrus whom Queen Cleopatra N his mother had banish'd out of Egypt came to relieve Ptolomais the Inhabitantâ— would not let him in Alexander raiseth the siege treateth openly with Ptolomey and privately with Queen Cleopatra WHen Aristobulus was dead Hedio Ruffinus cap. 19. Salome his Wife whom the Greeks called Alexandra set his brothers at liberty Salome sirnamed Alexandra Aristobulus 's Wife maketh Jannaeus Alexander King whom as we have heretofore declared he had made Prisoners and made Jannaeus who was called Alexander King who both in age and modesty surpassed all the other brethren but he was so unfortunate that from his birth-day upward his father had conceived so great a hatred against him that he never admitted him to his presence so long as he lived The cause whereof O as it is reported was this When as Hircanus loved Aristobulus and Antigonus who were his two eldest sons with most intire affection God appeared unto him in his sleep A of whom he demanded The year of the World 3864. before Christ's Nativity 100. Who should succeed him Whereupon God presented unto his sight the resemblance of Alexander whereat he was displeased that as soon as he was born he sent him out of his presence into Galilee to be nourished and brought up in that place But God hath apparently proved that he lied not to Hircanus For after Aristobulus's death Alexander executeth the one brother that affected the crown and honoured the other he taking possession of the Kingdom caused one of his two brethren to be put to death who endeavored to make himself King and as for the other who resolved to live in idleness and pleasure he honour'd him greatly After that he had setled his estate according as he thought it most expedient he led forth his Army against Ptolomais and having obtained the upper hand in the battel he blocked up the men within their City Alexander besiegeth Ptolomais and afterwards besieg'd it For amongst all the B Cities of the Sea-coast these two only namely Ptolomais and Gaza remained as yet unconquer'd Zoilus Tyraâ—â— of Straton and Dora and there was no adversary left but Zoilus who had seized of the Tower of Straton and Dora where he govern'd Whil'st Antiochus Philometor and Antiochus Cyzicenus were thus at Debate and VVar the one against the other and consum'd each others Forces the Ptolemaidans had not any succor from them But whil'st they were engag'd in this Siege Zoilus who held the Tower of Straton and Dora assisted them with that Army he had under his command and gave them some succors by reason that seeing these two Kings were so eagerly incens'd against each other he contriv'd how to advance himself to the crown and sovereignty For these two Kings seem'd to neglect their own dangers resembling those Wrastlers who though being wearied with fighting yet C are ashamed to submit unto their adversary but give themselves a breathing time that they may the better be heartned to re-encounter The only hopes they had were in the Kings of Egypt and in Ptolomey Lathyrus who held the Isle of Cyprus at that time whither he retir'd himself after he had been driven out of his kingdom by Cleopatra his mother To him the Ptolomaidans sent Ambassadors as unto their Ally requiring him to come and deliver them from Alexander's hands into which they were in danger to fall These Ambassadors persuaded him That if he would pass into Syria he should have both Zoilus to friend and those of Gaza to his followers in rescuing of the Ptolomaidans and moreover they assured him That the Sidonians and divers others would second him and by this means so encourag'd him with promises that he made haste to set sail D But in the mean space Demenetus who was both eloquent and in great authority with the Citizens made the Ptolomaidans change their resolution telling them That it was much better for them to hazard themselves in some uncertain danger wherewith the Jews threatned them than to deliver themselves into the hands of such a Master from whom they could expect nothing but manifest slavery And moreover not only to sustain a present War but that which is more an imminent War from Egypt that Cleopatra would not permit that Ptolomey should levy an Army of the Neighbouring Nations but would come against them with a great power and would endeavor also to thrust her son out of Cyprus And as for Ptolomey if he were frustrate of his hope Zoilus and the Gazeans require aid against the Jews at Ptolomey's hands yet he might notwithstanding once more return again to Cyprus in this case they were to expect no less than extreme danger Now although that Ptolomey E being at Sea understood how the Ptolomaidans had chang'd their opinion yet continued he his course onward and landing in the Port of Sicamine he caused his Army who were of Foot and Horse to the number of 30000 Men to take Land and with them he approach'd Ptolomais and perceiving that upon his encamping they of the City admitted not his Ambassadors neither in any sort gave ear unto them he was wondrously perplexed But after Zoilus and they of Gaza came unto him intreating him to grant them assistance for that their Countrey was destroy'd by the Jews and by Alexander For which cause Alexander raised his siege from before Ptolomais for fear of Ptolomey and retiring his Army into his own Countrey he began to use this stratagem For covertly he incited Cleopatra against Ptolomey and openly he made shew of amity and F confederacy with Ptolomey Alexander persuadeth Ptolomey to cut off Zoilus promising him to give him 400 Talents of silver provided that he would deliver him the Tyrant Zoilus and assign those possessions held by him unto the Jews Ptolomey having made a peace and league with Alexander did at that time willingly lay hold on Zoilus Zoilus taken but after that he understood that Alexander had sent and incensed his mother against him Ptolomais besieged by Ptolomey he brake all agreement and besieg'd Ptolomais that would not entertain him He left his Lieutenants at the siege with part of his Forces and marched away with the rest Ptolomey taketh Azâ—r a Town in Galilee to invade and pillage the Countrey of Judea Alexander perceiving Ptolomey's intent assembled about 50000 fighting Men of his own Coutrey or as some Historians have written 80000 with whom he went out to fight against Ptolomey who suddenly setting upon Azoch a City of Galilee on a Sabbath-day took it by G force and carried away from thence 10000 Prisoners and a great quantity of other booty CHAP. XXI A Ptolomey Lathyrus's great victory over Alexander King of the Jews his horrid barbarity Cleopatra Ptolomey's mother cometh to assist the Jews against him His attempt to subdue Egypt is frustrated Alexander taketh Gaza and
disposing of the Pharisees Hiâ—canus High-Priest commanding the people to obey and serve them She also renewed and confirmed that which Hircanus had disannulled and the Pharisees according to the customs of their forefathers had introduced so that she bare the name and the Pharisees the Authority Royal. The Pharisees admitted to the administration of the Commonweal are greedy of revenge For they restored such as were banished to their estates and delivered Prisoners and in all things they demeaned themselves like great Lords Alexandra I also for her part undertook the care of the Commonweal and kept a great number of Soldiers in pay and increased her power in such sort that the Tyrants round about feared her and deliver'd the hostages and pledges of peace All the Countrey was at quiet Aristobulus his followers accuse the Pharisees of Tyranny only the Pharisees troubled the Queen persuading her to put those to death who had counselled King Alexander to put those 800 to death of whom we have spoken before and they themselves afterwards slew one that was called Diogenes and after him divers others one after another until such time as those in authority came unto the Royal Palace accompanied with Aristobulus who seemed to be displeased with that which had been done and who if the occasion were offer'd made shew that he would not permit his Mother to govern after that manner and told her that which had K hapned and in what dangers they had been to express their duty and loyalty which they ow'd to their deceased Master and how for that cause they had been greatly honour'd by him requiring of her that she would not utterly frustrate them of their hopes which they expected for their service that now they that had escaped from the danger of their foreign Enemies were in their houses murthered like Beasts by their private Foes without any relief or succors from any one They furthermore urged That if their Adversaries would content themselves with those they had slain they would endure their misfortunes patiently by reason of the sincere affection they bare unto their Lords but if they must needs as yet suffer the like they required that they might have liberty to retire For that they would not procure their safety otherwise than by her consent and would rather suffer a voluntary death near unto her Royal Palace if they might L not be spared for that it would be a shame both for themselves and for the Queen if by her toleration those who had been her deceased husbands friends should be thus abused by them which were his Enemies That Aretas King of Arabias and other Princes would be glad of this news to hear that she should deprive her self of those whose names have been dreadful even amongst those neighbouring Kings who have but heard of them And if she had resolved to make more account of the Pharisees favor than of their service they intreated her that she would at least distribute them in several Castles that rather than any ill should fall upon their Sovereign Alexander 's house they were content to lead their lives in that contemptible and despicable condition Whilest thus they spake Alexandra committeth the custody of the Castles to the Jews directing their supplications to Alexander's soul praying him to have M compassion as well of those that were already dead as of those who were in danger of their lives the tears ran from the eyes of all the assistants and Aristobulus above the rest was heartily discontent and expressed the same by finding fault with his Mother But they themselves were the cause of their own calamity because that against all right and reason they had permitted a head-strong and ambitious Woman to reign over them as if the King had no Heirs reserv'd to succeed him in the kingdom The Queen uncertain how to determine the matter at that instant committed the charge of all her Castles into their hands reserving only Hircania Alexandrion and Machaeron wherein the Princes Moveables and Wealth was kept Not long after she sent her son Aristobulus with a strong Army commanding him to N draw his Forces towards Damascus Aristobulus is sent to Damascus against Ptolomey against Ptolomey called Mennaeus who was an ill Neighbor unto that City but he returned thence without doing any memorable action About the same time news was brought that Tigranes King of Armenia invaded Syria with 500000 Men of War Tigranes invading Syria heareth news of Lucullus's pursuit of Mithridates and returneth home intending shortly to set upon Jewry This rumor afrighted the Queen and all the Commonalty and not without cause Whereupon she sent Ambassadors with many Princely Presents unto Tigranes who besieged the City of Ptolomais For Queen Selena otherwise called Cleopatra reigned in Syria and persuaded the Syrians to deny Tigranes passage But Alexandra's Ambassadors met with the King of Armenia and pray'd him to conceive a good opinion of their Queen and of all the whole Nation of the Jews who received them willingly commending them for that O they had sought him out so far to do him honour and put them in good hope After the taking in of Ptolomais it was told Tigranes that Lucullus pursued Mithridates who was not as yet apprehended for that he was fled into Iberia which was the cause that Lucullus had entred Armenia The year of the World 3894. before Christ's Nativity 70. and plunder'd it Tigranes hearing this news returned back into H his own Countrey After this Queen Alexandra fell sick of a dangerous disease whereby Aristobulus took occasion to intermeddle with the affairs of State Walking therefore abroad one night attended by a trusty servant Alexandra's sickness and Aristobulus's attempt he repaired unto those Castles which were committed to the custody of his fathers friends for he had misliked his Mothers government long and feared more than ever that if she should die all her posterity should be made subject to the power of the Pharisees For he perceived how unapt his elder brother was to govern the kingdom unto whom notwithstanding the succession appertained only his Wife whom accompanied with his Children he had left with Alexandra had an inkling of this his intent He therefore went first of all to Agaba where Galestes one I of the chiefest Potentates commanded who entertained him with great joy The next day Aristobulus seizeth the Castles and great concourse of people resort to him the Queen heard that Aristobulus was departed from Court she little suspected at first that he was retired to work some alteration in the State But when Messengers came flocking one after another and told her that after the first Castle the second and after the second all the rest had consequently been surprized by Aristobulus at that time both the Queen and the whole Nation were alarmed fearing lest he should presently usurp the Sovereignty but above all they feared
the Senate had made as touching E this matter The first day of Herod's Reign Antonius feasted him and after this manner he was established King the hundred and eighty fourth Olympiade in the year wherein C. Domitius Calvinus twice Consul and Caius Asinius Pollio were Consuls Mean while Antigonus besieged those that were in the Castle of Massada who were plentifully furnished with all things necessary except it were water for which cause Joseph Herods family besieged by Antigonus in Massada Herod's Brother that was within and Two hundred of his friends had concluded to fly unto the Arabians for that they understood that Malchus had repented himself of the fault he had committed against Herod But whilst they stood upon these terms God poured down a huge rain on a certain night that in short time filled their Cisterns so that they had no more necessity to fly and from that time forward they took courage and made F a sally upon their Enemies in which they charged Antigonus's Soldiers after such a manner sometimes in open field sometimes by surprizal that they slew a great number of them Venâ—idius under 〈◊〉 to help â—â—seph fsheth to 〈◊〉 money of Antigonus At that time Ventidius a Roman Captain was sent into Syria to drive the Parthians from thence and after their departure he arrived in Jewry making show that he would assist Joseph but in effect all his pretence was to draw money from Antigonus Being therefore encamped near unto Jerusalem and having drawn sufficient money from Antigonus he retired himself with the greater part of his Forces and to the intent his deceitful dealing might not be discovered he left Silo with a company of his Soldiers who likewise was honoured by Antigonus lest he should be cause of some new trouble before the Parthians whose coming he expected should yield him aid G CHAP. XXVII The year of the World 3926. before Christ's Nativity 38. Herod being returned from Rome raiseth an Army taketh some places and besiegeth Jerusalem but cannot take it he defeateth the enemy in a great battel the art he used to draw several of his Jews who had hid themselves in dens from Antigonus party he marched with some troops to find out Antonius who was making war against the Parthians the five battels that he fought on the way Joseph Herods brother is killed in a fight and Antigonus caused his head to be cut off The manner how Herod revenged this death he besiegeth Jerusalem where Sosius joyneth him with a Roman I army during this siege Herod Marrieth Mariamna AFter that Herod was come from Italy by Sea to Ptolomais and that he had assembled no small number of Soldiers both strangers and his own Country-men Hedio Ruffinus chap. 24. al. 16. he marched forward against Antigonus and passed thorow Galilee Silo and Ventidius also gave him assistance in this action having received direction by Gellius from Antonius Herod returning back out of Italy leadeth forth his army against Antigonus that they should assist Herod to recover his Countrey But Ventidius was employed in appeasing the troubles that were raised in the Cities by the Parthians and as touching Silo he kept in Judaea having been corrupted by Antigonus But the further that Herod daily marched into the Countrey the more his forces did increase and all Galilee except a very few submitted themselves unto him Herod assaulteth Joppe and taketh it Whilest he marched forward K towards Massada being moved thereunto for to relieve his parents that were besieged therein the City of Joppe would not grant him passage for the Citizens thereof were his Enemies so that it behoved him first of all to ruinate the same to the end he might leave no retreat behind him for his Enemy if he made toward Jerusalem Upon which occasion Silo laying hold dislodged his army and made thitherward whom when the Jews did pursue Herod sallieth out with a small company and put them to flight and saved Silo who could not resist any longer Afterwards having seized on Joppe he hasted forwards to deliver his friends that were besieged in Massada but part of the inhabitants submitted themselves unto him for the friendship they had born unto his father Many submit themselves to Herod and others of them for the honor that they bear unto him the rest admitted L his government in acknowledgement of those favors they had received from them both But the greatest part was moved thereunto by the hope they had conceived of their new elected King and the confirmation of his Government Thus by these means was his Army mightily increased Whilest thus he marched forward Antigonus seized on those places that were fittest to lay ambushes in or to fight at advantages by the way notwithstanding that by those stratagems he did but small or no hurt at all to his enemy so that Herod raised the siege and relieved his friends out of the Castle of Massada and after he had taken the Fort of Ressa Ressa taken Massada delivered from the siege after which Herod marcheth towards Jerusalem he approached Jerusalem being attended by Silo's Army and by divers Citizens of the City who were afraid of his power And when he had M pitched his Camp to the westward of the City those that kept the watch and guard on that side shot their Arrows and threw stones against him divers likewise sallied forth and fought hand to hand against those that were planted there For which cause first of all Herod caused a Proclamation to be made round about the Walls Herod proclaimeth about the walls of Jerusalem that he repaireth thither for the good of the people and the common Weal signifying unto them that he resorted thither for the common good of the people and for the conservation of the City without intent of revenge or memory of any wrongs that his private Enemies had offered him promising his most free pardon to all those whosoever had hainously offended him Hereunto Antigonus made this answer directing his speech to Silo and the Roman Soldiers that contrary to all justice they gave the Kingdom to Herod who was a private man and an Idumaean that is to say a half N Jew whereas it hath been a custome to bestow the same on them that are of the line of the Priests Antigonus upbraideth Herod that he is but half a Jew and of no Kingly Race For albeit at that present they were displeased with him for that he had seized on the Kingdom by the means of the Parthians and had resolved with themselves to dispossess him yet that there were divers others of that Royal Race who might be made Kings according to the law The enemy repulseth Herods power from the wall who have no wayes misdemeanded themselves towards the Romanes and moreover there are Priests who should not be justly and uprightly dealt withall if they should be deprived of that honor which
their opinions and receive Herod yet this opinion of his was not answerable to equity For notwithstanding whatsoever violence he did devise yet could they not be induced to call him King in so high esteem and account held they their former King But Antony supposed that that infamy would obscure his renown and lessen the general hatred they bare to Herod See here what Strabo writeth As soon as the High-Priest Hircanus who was Prisoner among the Parthians heard that Herod had taken possession of the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus câ—ap 2. he returned back unto him Hircanus hearing tydings that Herod had obtained the Kingdom returneth unto him being deliver'd after this manner following Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians had taken Hircanus who was first High-Priest and afterwards King and with him Phasaelus Herods brother and led them away Prisoners with them into their own Countrey Phasaelus I not able to endure the dishonour of imprisonment and preferring an honourable death before a reproachful and ignominious life murther'd himself as I have heretofore declar'd CHAP. II. Phraates King of the Parthians letteth his Prisoner Hircanus return into Judea Herod to make sure of him contributeth hereunto and giveth the High-Priesthood to a man of no account Alexandra Herod's Mother-in-law and Aristobulus's Mother addresseth her self to Cleopatra to obtain this function for her son through Antonius's means Herod K discovereth it gives that employment to Aristobulus and feigneth to be reconciled to Alexandra PHraates Hircanus heighly honoure in Babylon by the Jews King of Parthia understanding how nobly Hircanus was descended who was brought Prisoner unto him entertain'd him graciously and for this cause drew him out of Prison permitting him to converse in Babylon in which place there were a great number of Jews who honour'd Hircanus very much and no less than their High-Priest and King The like also did all they of that Nation inhabiting as far as Euphrates which did not a little content Hircanus But after that he was advertised that Herod was possessed of the Kingdom Hircanus leaving his Countrey expecteth favor at Herods hands he transferred his hopes another way being of his own nature tenderly L affected towards his friends expecting that one day Herod would requite him for that he had deliver'd him from death whereunto he was condemned and in danger likewise of the penalty and punishment He began therefore to consult with the Jews about his journey who in way of duty and love came to visit him and who prayed him and importuned him to continue with them offering him all service and honour assuring him that he should in no less manner be respected among them than their High-Priest and King yea in far higher regard than he might any wayes be in his own Countrey by reason of the maim he had in his body through Antigonus's tyranny alledging that Kings do not ordinarily call to their remembrance those pleasures that they have received in their mean condition because that with their estates they change both their manners M and inclinations But notwithstanding all these or such like Allegations yet could not Hircanus be withdrawn from the desire he had to repair homeward Herod also wrote unto him That he should require Phraates and the Jews that inhabited his Kingdom in no sort to envy his felicity in that he should partake with him both in dignity and royalty alledging that the time was now come wherein he might acknowledge the kindness he had received by being heretofore nourished and preserved by him Samaralla Herods Ambassador to Phraates With these Letters he sent Samaralla likewise in quality of an Ambassador to Phraates furnish'd with great and rich Presents endeavouring by that means to win him that he in no wayes should hinder his good intent towards one that had so highly deserved it at his hands yet his protestations were not answerable to his pretence For insomuch as he governed not with that uprightness N which became a just King he feared lest some alteration might befall him according to his demerits for which cause he sought to get Hircanus under his power or at least wise to dispatch him out of his life which he afterwards performed When therefore Herod had persuaded the Parthian to dismiss Hircanus Herod highly honoureth Hircanus and the Jews to furnish him with money sufficient to bear his expence in his journey he received him with all honour In common Assemblies he gave him alwayes the highest place and in the time of Festivals he made him alwayes sit down before him and the more closely to deceive him he called him brother Herod giveth the High-Priesthood to Anâ—nel endeavouring by all means wholly to take away all colour and suspition of treachery neither omitted he any other stratagems whereby he might any ways further or promote his cause and yet by these means occasioned no small sedition in his O own family For fearing lest any one among the Nobility should be established High-Priest he sent to Babylon for a certain man of a base extraction called Ananel and gave him the Priesthood For which cause Alexandra grew suddenly displeased not being able to endure that afront The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 34. This woman was Hircanus daughter and Alexanders wife A who was King Aristobulus son who had two children by her husband the one very beautiful who was called Aristobulus the other was Mariamne who was likewise fair and married to Herod She was highly displeased to see her son so much undervalued that during his life another was called to the honor of High-priesthood for which cause she wrote unto Cleopatra by the means of a certain Musician beseeching her to beg the High-Priesthood at Antonius hands for her son Alexandra solliciteth Antonius by Cleopatras mediation for the High Priesthood for her son Which Cleopatra did most willingly but Antonius made little reckoning of those suits A certain friend of his called Gellius who was come into Jewry about certain of his affairs and who had seen Aristobulus fell in love with him by reason of his beauty and admiring likewise his tall stature and allured by Mariamnes admirable beauty he openly protested that he accounted Alexandra B a happy Mother in her children and discoursing to this effect with her he perswaded her to send the pictures of her two children to Antonius for that if he should but behold them he would refuse him nothing wherein he should request his friendship Alexandra perswaded by these words â—ent their pictures unto Antonius Gellius also made the matter more wonderful telling him that the children seemed rather to be ingendred of no mortal strain Antonius requireth Aristâ—bulus at Herods hands but by some divine power endeavoring as much as in him lay that Antonius might be allured to affection them Who supposing it to be a matter ill beseeming him to send for Mariamne who was married
to Herod and desirous likewise to avoid Cleopatras suspitions wrote unto Herod that under some honest pretext he should send Alexandras son unto him with this addition if it might not seem C troublesome unto him Which matter when Herod understood he thought it no waies safe for him to send Aristobulus who was a hansome young man and little more at that time then sixteen years old and so nobly born considering that Antonius was at that present in such authority that no one in Rome was in greater credit then he and who besides that The causes why Aristobulus was not sent was very much addicted to his pleasures which he openly hunted after without fear of punishment in regard of his greatness and power He therefore wrote him this answer that if the young man should but only depart out of the Countrey all the Land would presently be filled with War and Troubles for that the Jews pretended alteration in Government and sought to innovate by prefering a new King When he had in this manner excused himself unto Antonius he resolved to entertain both the D younger Aristobulus and his Mother Alexandra with more respect Moreover his Wife Mariamne did continually importune him to give the Priest-hood to her brother alleadging that by that honour he might prevent the occasion of his journey For which cause assembling his friends together in councel Herod inveigheth against Alexandra for pretending to usurp the Kingdom he grievously accused Alexandra before them protesting that she secretly conspired against the Kingdom and that by the mediation of Cleopatra she laboured to dispossess him of the soveraignty to the intent that her Son by Antonius meanes might Govern in his sted Which practice of hers was so much the more unjust because she deprived her own Daughter of that honour wherein she was and raised up troubles likewise in that Kingdom which he had conquered with great labor and extreme danger Yet notwithstanding that he willingly E forgat that which was past and forgave those wrongs she had done against him and was ready notwithstanding to shew all kindness and courtesie both to her and hers He gave the High-Priesthood to young Aristobulus alleadging that heretofore he had established Ananel in that place for no other respect than for that Aristobulus was under years After that he had thus seriously and considerately discoursed in the presence of the Ladies Alexandra excuseth her selfe and having promise of the Priest Hâ—od for her son is reconciled to Herod and consistory of his friends Alexandra almost beside her self not only through the joy she had conceived by this unexpected good fortune but also for the fear she had to be suspected began to defend her self with tears and protestations saying that all whatsoever she had either practiced or done was to prefer her Son unto the Priesthood F whom she saw dishonoured but as touching the Kingdom that she had never pretended neither would if so be she should be presented therewith receive the same thinking her self for the present sufficiently honoured both for that she saw Aristobulus in that estate for the assurance that all her progeny should receive in that he was raised up in dignity above the rest Being therefore overcome by those favors she accepted willingly the honor for her Son and shewed her self obedient in all things requesting him that if she had committed any thing rashly and through inconsideration or passion either in respect of her children or by the loosness of her tongue he would be pleased to pardon her After these debates and interchangeable discourses on both sides they shook hands the one with the other in token of a more fixed and unfained friendship than was before G burying as they pretended all evill suspition or cause of unkindness H CHAP. III. The year of the World 3929. before Christ's Nativity 35. Herod deposeth Ananel from the dignitie of the High-Pristhood and confereth it upon Aristobulus he causeth Alexandra to be seized on and Aristobulus when they were about to make their escape by going to Cleopatra he feineth a reconciliation with them and afterwards causeth Aristobulus to be drowned bestowing a costly funeral on him I HEreupon Herod took away the Priest-hood instantly from Ananel Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. who was not that Countrey-man born as we have heretofore declared but was born amongst those Jews that inhabit and were planted beyond Euphrates by the Assyrians Herod taketh the Priest-hood from Ananel For divers thousand Jews inhabited the Countrey of Babylon and from thence took he his Original also being otherwise of the race of the Priests and well affected toward Herod for a long time before with whom he had familiar acquaintance He had prefered him to this honor when he was made King and degraded him likewise to appease the troubles of his famiely demeaning himself herein contrary to the law of the Countrey for whereas any one hath once been installed in that degree he is never to be displaced The first that transgressed this Ordinance The Priest-hood taken from three was Antiochus Epiphanes who dispossessed Josuh and prefered his brother Onias to this place The second was Aristobulus away from his K brother Hircanus and usurped it himself Herod was the third who gave the Priest-hood to Aristobulus establishing him in Ananels place before he was dead and by this means supposing that he had found out a remedy to appease the discords of his family he notwithstanding all this lived not without suspition what event would follow after this reconciliation for he feared Alexandra lest demeaning her self as she had done she should seek occasion hereafter to raise new troubles Alexandra suspected by Herod is spied and watched and her actions observed He commanded her therefore to contain herself within the royal Palace and to do nothing of her own authority Besides that he had appointed certain intelligencers who should diligently observe that nothing should be done without his knowledge no not concerning her particular expences and table All which things exasperated her against Herod for being full of L feminine pride she disdained to see her self thus wrongfully suspected desiring rather to suffer any thing than to be deprived of the liberty of free speech and under colour to be honoured to live continually in servitude and fear Whereupon she sent some of her trusty friends to Cleopatra to complain and lament the insuportable miseries of her present estate entreating her according to her power to give speedy relief Whereupon Cleopatra sent her word that both she and her Son should resort unto her into Egypt with as great secrecie as might be possible Upon which advice she practised this policy Alexandra pretending to flie into Egypt is betrayed by her servant She caused two Coffins to be made such as men were wont to bury their dead in in which she hid her self and her son comanding those servants of
purgeth her self before the King and is reconciled and pacified his choller For he was so transported with the love that he bare unto his wife that he believed she had sufficiently purged her self of those slanders that had been forged against her yielding her most hearty thanks for her honest affection towards him and declaring unto her openly the great esteem D and love that he bare unto her At length as it often falleth out amongst Lovers they fell to tears and embraced each other with great affection for that she gave him no credit he endeavoured the more to draw her to belief Whereupon Mariamne said unto him It is not the act of a Lover to have commanded that if any thing should befall thee otherwise than well with Antony I should presently be put to death notwithstanding I have no wayes offended thee No sooner were these words out of her mouth but the King entred in a strange passion and giving over his embraces he cryed out with a loud voice and tore his hair saying That he had a most evident proof that Joseph had committed adultery with her for that he would not have discovered those things which he had spoken to him in secret except they had greatly trusted one another And in this emotion or rage E of jealousie he hardly contained himself from killing his wife Herod commandeth that Joseph should be slain and imprisoneth Alexandra But the force of love overcame him so much that he bridled his rage notwithstanding it was grievous and irksome unto him Yet he gave order that Joseph should be killed without either audience or justification of his innocency and as touching Alexandra who was the cause of all these troubles he kept her Prisoner About the same time there hapned troubles and revolutions in Syria for Cleopatra continually sollicited and importuned Antony Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. and whetted on his displeasure against all perswading him to remove them from their Governments and bestow the same on her self And for that Antony loved her extremely she was in great estimation and credit with him and being in her own nature inclined to covetousness she abstained from no F kind of corrupt dealing and wickedness Cleopatra very covetous For knowing that the Kingdom should descend unto her brother Cleopatra murthered her brother and sister she caused him to be poysoned when as he was but fifteen years old as for her sister Arsinoe she caused her to be slain by Antony's means being at her prayers in the Temple of Diana in Ephesus Moreover in what place soever she understood that there was any hope to get money whether it were in robbing of Temples or in breaking open of Sepulchres she would be possessed thereof neither was there any religious place so sacred from whence she took not away the Ornaments There was not any thing so prophane and prohibited which she laid not hands on to satisfie her unbribled avarice Neither was the whole World sufficient enough to content this stately Lady who was so much a slave to her own desires and her disordinate appetite that G all the riches in the World were not able to satisfie the same For this cause she constantly importuned Antonius to take from others to be liberal towards her and therefore H entring into Syria with him The year of the World 932. before Christ's Nativity 32. she presently contriv'd how she might get it into her possession For she caused Lysanias Ptolomeys son to be put to death objecting against him that he had private intelligence with the Parthians She begged Jewry also at Antonius's hands and required him besides that to dispossess the Kings of Arabia He was so possessed by this Woman Cleopatra contriveth Lysanias's death that he seemed not only to be bewitched with her words but also inchanted by her poysons to obey her in whatsoever she thought fit yet he was ashamed to commit so manifest injusties lest being so far over-ruled by her he should happen to offend in matters of more consequence Antonius giveth Cleopatra a portion deducted out of Jewry and Arabia Lest therefore either by denying her he should disoblige her or by condescending to her demands he should seem to be the wickedest man alive he deducted a several portion of both their dominions and presented her with the same He gave her likewise those Cities that are scituate between the floud Elutherius and Egypt except Tyre and Sidon which he knew to be free Cities of long continuance although by earnest sollicitation she thought to seize these also CHAP. V. Cleopatra goeth into Judea and used all her endeavors but in vain to make Herod fall in love with her Antonius having conquered Armenia giveth her great Presents K AFter that Cleopatra had obtained all these things Cleopatra cometh to Herod who instateth her in that part of Arabia and those revenues of Jericho that were given her and had accompanied Antonius as far as Euphrates who at that time went to make War in Armenia she returned back again and by the way visited Apamea and Damasco and at last took her progress into Jewry where King Herod met with her and assured that portion which had been given unto her in Arabia with all the revenues of Jericho unto her This Countrey bringeth forth that balm which of all other ointments is the most precious and onely groweth in that place An intemperate woman given to lust and also the finest Palm-trees in the World Being arrived in that place and grown inwardly familiar with Herod she sought to allure and draw him to her lust being of her self naturally addicted to such pleasures and intemperance or rather as it seemeth most likely she laid this foundation to intrap him under colour to L revenge her self of some injury by that means But in effect she generally manifested that she had a passionate love for Herod but he was not so kindly bent towards Cleopatra knowing how badly she was inclined towards all men and at that time he conceived the greater hatred against her Herod goeth about to put Cleopatra to death and is dissuaded by his friends because by that intemperance of hers she pretended to destroy him and although that from the beginning he had rejected her sollicitations yet he resolved to be reveng'd of her if so be by these her subtil undermindings she should continue her policies to betray him He asked counsel of all his friends whether having her in his possession he should put her to death For in so doing all those should be delivered from divers evils whom either in time past she had molested or hereafter she should bring in trouble Moreover that it should be profitable for M Antonius also whom without all doubt she would forsake if any occasion or necessity should enforce him to make tryal of her friendship But whilst he debated and discoursed upon this resolution his friends disswaded him
done before And in the mean while he sent certain Messengers with Letters to Caesar to accuse his Son and to declare wherein Acme had been his Confederate producing the Copy of the Letters These Ambassadours therefore repaired to Rome instructed in those things they were to answer to those Interrogatories that should be offered them and with them he sent these Letters C CHAP. VIII The Golden Eagle that Herod had consecrated and fixed on the Portal of the Temple is pulled off The severe Punishment that he inflicteth for it The King 's terrible Sickness and the cruel Orders that he giveth to his Sister Salome and to her Husband D WHilst Herod's Ambassadours were on their Journey to Rome with his Orders Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. he fell sick and made his Will appointed his youngest Son to succeed him in the Kingdom for through Antipater's instigations Herod falling sick maketh his Will and leaveth the Succession of his Kingdom with his other Goods to his Friends and Kinsfolks Herod impatient in his old age and wondrous wayward he had conceived a hatred against Archelaus and Philip. He sent also a thousand Talents unto Caesar and five hundred to his Wife and to his Children Friends and Free-men He bestowed also Money Rents and Lands upon his own Children He gave his Sister Salome an ample Possession because she had always persevered in loving him and had never offended him And having lost all hope of recovery for that he was about 70 years old he became very touchy and froward in whatsoever his affairs The cause hereof was that opinion he had conceived that he grew contemptible and that the whole Nation took pleasure in those mis-haps which befel him which some of those who were favoured by the people made him the rather believe upon this occasion which ensueth Amongst those that were most learned among the Jews Judas the Son of Sariphaeus and Matthias the Son of Margalothus the E most excellent Interpreters of the Laws and Ordinances of the Countrey and for this cause were in greatest esteem amongst the people by reason that they instructed and trained up the Youth for all those that desired to obtain Vertue spent all their time with them understanding that the King's sickness was dangerous The year of the World 3963. after Christ's Nativity 1. they incensed the younger sort counselling them to overthrow all those works that the King had caused to be made contrary to the Law and Custom of the Countrey to the end that they fighting for Piety might obtain the reward that attendeth the same For in that the King had undertaken and done many things contrary to the Law divers unaccustomed miseries had befallen him and namely that sickness wherewith he was detained For Herod had done divers things contrary to the ancient Law against which Judas and Matthias exclaimed openly A Golden Eagle upon the greatest Gate of the Temple For he had erected over the Portal of the great Temple an Eagle of Gold of great value Now the Law prohibiteth that they who pretend to live according to the same should in any sort erect any Image or represent any Figures of living Creatures F whatsoever For this cause these Doctors counselled them to pull down that Eagle telling them that although the matter seemed very dangerous Contempt of death yet ought they to prefer an honest death before a pleasant life if so be it be employed for the defence of their Countrey-laws and Religion For in so doing they should obtain immortal praise for the present and a memorable and eternal glory in time to come neither that they should protract the execution thereof for fear of danger since death was a thing that could not be avoided so that since by the general course of Nature they must needs die it should become them bravely to forsake their lives with praise and honour in embracing Vertue For to die in the execution of some noble exploit which cannot be atchieved without hazard of danger their Children should be richly rewarded with the fruits thereof and their other Parents that should outlive them of what Sex soever should reap the fruits of that glory which was honourably atchieved by them In these or such like words they encouraged the young men About that time there was a rumour spread that the King was dead which gave very great furtherance G to the Doctors resolution For at Noon they went up into the Temple they pulled and hewed down the Eagle with their Axes in the sight and assembly of a great number of people that were in the Temple Now when the tidings hereof came unto the ears of the King's Captain he fearing H lest some further and more fatal tumult might be raised drew out a strong Company of Souldiers with him to repulse those that were assembled to hew down the Eagle and charging the rude and disarmed multitude who were gathered together he easily killed and dispersed the most as for those forty young men that valiantly prepared themselves to resist he apprehended them and with them the Authors of Sedition The young men pulling down the golden Eagle hew it in pieces with their Axes Judas and Matthias who scorned to submit themselves and led them to the King who demanding of them how they durst deface the sacred Image They answered that long before that time they had resolved it and that now according as they had resolved they had like valiant men performed the same For we said they maintain the honour of God and the Doctrine of our Law whereof we are Disciples neither ought you to admire that with contempt of your Ordinances we have preferred the Laws of our Forefathers which Moses hath left us in writing according as he was suggested and taught them by God Judas and Matthias with forty other young men being brought to the King's presence justifie their actions with joy and the King sendeth them bound to Jericho Neither do we refuse any death or punishment which thou shalt inflict upon us being assured in our Consciences that we suffer not for Impiety but Piety's sake Thus spake they all I of them continuing the like constant boldness in their answers as they had shewed in their actions being also ready constantly to endure any punishment for that which they had attempted Hereupon the King commanded them to be bound and sent them to Jericho Then calling before him those principal Jews who had the Government under him and being brought into their Assembly upon his Pallat by reason of his weakness he recited unto them the numberless toils he had endured for their sakes in like manner how upon his great charges he had repaired and re-edified the Temple whereas the Asmoneans for the space of 125 years wherein they reigned could not perform such a Building to the honour of God Moreover he signified unto them how he had adorned the same with precious Gifts
Ordinances of the Jews for that Tiberias was builded in a place full of Sepulchres Phraates King of the Parthians slain by the Treason of Phraataces his Son and our Law saith he that converseth in those places is held unclean and defiled for the space of seven days At that very time Phraates King of Parthia died being treacherously killed by his Son O Phraataces for this cause After that Phraates had begotten many lawful Children he took an Italian woman to be his Concubine called Thermusa whom with other A Presents Julius Caesar had sent unto him The year of the World 3990. after Christ's Nativity 28. After he had begorten on her his Son Phraataces he was so much besotted with her beauty that he took her to his Wife and held her in high esteme She that might perswade him unto all that she pleased enforced her self to the uttermost to make her Son King of Parthia and seeing that she might not attain thereunto Thermusa Phraataces 's Mother except she had first found out the means to deliver her self of Phraates's lawful Children she perswaded him to send them Hostages to Rome In a word they were presently sent away because Phraates had not the power to contradict Thermusa's Will and only Phraataces was brought up in State Affairs who thinking the time too tedious and long if he should expect the Kingdom till his Father was dead conspired against him by the instigation and furtherance of his Mother with whom B as it was thought he committed Incest Phraataces slain In effect being equally attainted of those two enormous Crimes both for the murther of his Father and Incest committed with his Mother he was generally hated by his Subjects who rebelled against him before he was setled in his Kingdom By this means his Fortune was overthrown and he died The Noble men among the Parthians perceiving that it was impossible for them to maintain their State without a King and that their King ought lineally to be descended of the Race of the Arsacians because by custom they might not chuse any out of another stock and supposing that their Ordinances had too much already been broken and that it would redound to their great dishonour if the Kingdom should be continued in the hands of such a man who was descended from an Italian Concubine they sent C Ambassadours to require Herod to come and be their King Herod sent for by the Parthians and slain in hunting who otherwise was hated of all the people and accused of extreme cruelty In a word he was an unsociable man and extreamly cholerick notwithstanding he was of the Blood of the Arsacides they therefore flocked about him and killed him at a Banquet made at a certain Sacrifice for the custom of the Parthians was that every one bare his weapon or as the common report was that he was killed when he was a hunting For this cause they sent Ambassadours to Rome requiring that one of those that were Hostages there might be their King and one Vonones was sent unto them who was preferred above all his Brethren For he seemed to be capable of that high Degree of honour as to command two of the greatest Sovereignties that were under the Sun the one of his own Nation D the other of a Foreign Dominion But the Barbarians who are by nature inconstant and most insolent shortly after repented themselves for they disdained to execute the Command of a Slave for so called they a Pledg saying that the Parthians had not a King given them by right of War but that which was the greatest abuse that could befall them by an injury offered them in the time of a shameful Peace For which cause they speedily sent for Artabanus King of Media who was of the Race of the Arsacides To this request of theirs he willingly condescended and came unto them with his Army and Vonones marched forward against him At the first encounter although the common sort among the Parthians favoured Artabanus yet he was overcome Vonones King of the Parthians put to flight by Artabanus and fled to the Mountains of Media But not long after having assembled a E greater Army he once more set upon Vonones and defeated him at which time Vonones retired himself with some Horse-men of his into Seleucia But Artabanus having made a great slaughter of those that fled and wholly abashed the minds of the Barbarians he retired to the City of Ctesiphon with those people that accompanied him and was afterwards made King of Parthia Vonones arrived in Armenia and at the first sought to make himself King over that Nation sending to this effect certain Ambassadours to Rome but Tiberius repulsed his suit in respect of his Cowardice but the rather because Artabanus by an express Embassage had threatned him with War For those of the greatest power among the Armenians who are those that dwell about the Flood Niphates maintained Artabanus's Title Vonones submits to Syllanus Governour of Syria and Vonones destitute of all hope to obtain the F Kingdom yielded himself to Syllanus who was Governour of Syria and in regard that he had been brought up at Rome he was kept in Syria and Artabanus gave Armenia to Orodes Orodes King of Armenia one of his Sons Antiochus King of the Comagenes died also at that time Antiochus King of Comagena and there fell a debate betwixt the Commons and the Nobility so that both parties sent their Ambassadours to Rome The Nobles demanded that the Kingdom might be reduced into divers Provinces and the people requested that they might be honoured by a King Germanicus poysoned by Piso's means as they had been accustomed The Senate decreed that Germanicus should be sent to settle the affairs of the East Fortune thereby presenting him with the occasion of his ruine For when he arrived in the East and orderly disposed all things he was poysoned by Piso whereof he died as is declared in another place CHAP. IV. H The Jews are so highly offended that Pilat Governour of Judea had suffered the Imperial Standards to be brought into Jerusalem having the Emperour's Picture on them that he was forced to cause them to be carried out again The Commendations and Praises of JESUS CHRIST A horrid injury done to a Roman Lady by the Goddess Isis's Priests how Tyberius punished them PIlate Governour of Judaea led his Army from Caesarea to Jerusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. alias chap. 8. where he wintered them with an intent to bring in Caesar's Standards into the City in contempt I of our Law Pilate bringeth Caesar's Statues to Jerusalem and upon the peoples instant motion transferreth them to Caesarea which forbiddeth us to make images For which cause those Governours that were before him were wont to make their entries into the City without such Pictures or Paintings Pilate was the first who unawares and by night entred Jerusalem
cause which followeth Hircanus the High Priest the first of that name having builded a Tower near unto the Temple did for the most part make his Residence therein and there kept his Vestments that were committed to his charge the rather for that he only had the Authority to put them on and return them into their place at such time as he came down into the City and put on his accustomed Raiment His Successors did the same till Herod being exalted to the Kingdom and seeing this Tower to be strongly situated builded the same most magnificently and called it Antonia in honour of Antony his great friend And having found these Vestments in the place he retained them with him assuring himself the people would attempt nothing against him Archelaus his Son and Successor B in the Kingdom kept the same course that Herod had done But after that the Romans had obtained the Sovereignty thereof they kept the High Priest's Ornaments in their hands and reserved them in a place builded for that purpose under the Seal of the Priests and the Governour of those that kept the Sacred Treasure lighted the Lamp every day in that place Every seventh day before the Feast the Governour delivered them into the High Priest's hands and after they were purified he put them on to do Divine Service and the next day after the Feast he returned them again to the same place where they were kept before which custom was observed thrice every year in the time of a Fast Vitellius advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to the Priesthood and degradeth Joseph sirnamed Caiaphas But Vitellius returned those Ornaments into the hands of the Priests according to the ancient Orders leaving them to be used when need required commanding the C Governour to trouble himself no more about the place where they should be kept After he had done this favour to the Nation of the Jews he deposed the High Priest Joseph sirnamed Caiaphas and advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to that Dignity and afterwards returned to Antioch At that time he received Letters from Tiberius by which he commanded him to capitulate and conclude a Friendship with Artabanus the King of the Parthians whose hatred he suspected and feared lest seizing on Armenia he should work farther mischief against the State of Rome desiring him to assure the League by Hostages and namely with Artabanus's Son After Tiberius had written these Letters above mentioned unto Vitellius he perswaded the Kings of Iberia and Alania by great store of D money that with all expedition they should make War against Artabanus But the Iberians would not be drawn thereunto yet they suffered the Alanes to march thorough their Countrey and opened them their Gates of the Mount Caspius to give them passage to invade Artabanus The Parthians lose Armenia Thus once more was Armenia conquered and the Countrey of the Parthians was invaded whereby the chiefest among them were killed The King's Son also was killed in those Conflicts with divers Thousands of his Army Such things as hapned between Vitellius and Artabanus Moreover Vitellius having sent money to a Kinsman and Friend of Artabanus pretended to corrupt him to make Artabanus away But Artabanus perceiving the Plot that was intended against him and seeing that he could not escape because it was attempted by a great number of the best accounted Nobles within his E Court ceased to pass any further And seeing himself most apparently environed and thinking that under the colour of Friendship he was fraudulently betrayed he thought it better to retire himself into the Provinces of the higher Countrey and there to save himself Artabanus rostored to his Kingdom by the Danes and Swedes rather than to put himself in hazard and resort unto them who had already betrayed and forsaken him Arriving in that place he assembled a a great number of Soldiers of the Countreys of Danes and Swedes and having fought against them who had opposed themselves against him he recovered his Kingdom A League betwixt Vitellius and Artabanus When Tiberius had tidings hereof he endeavoured to draw Artabanus into Friendship with him which when Artabanus had notice of he willingly admitted so that Artabanus and Vitellius met together near Euphrates and by the means of a F Bridge that was builded upon the River Herod's Banquet in the midst of Euphrates they debated the matter together being each of them attended by their Guards After that they had concluded the Peace Herod the Tetrarch feasted them in a very magnificent Pavilion erected in the midst of the River Artabanus sendeth Tiberius his Son in Hostage and a Jew seven cubits high with great cost And not long after Vitellius sent Darius Artabanus's Son in Hostage to Rome with divers Presents amongst which there was a man seven Cubits high a Jew born who was named Eleazar who was called a Giant by reason of his stature That done Vitellius returned to Antioch and Artabanus to Babylon But Herod desirous to be the first that should advertise Caesar of the receipt of these Hostages Herod advertiseth the Emperour of all things before Vitellius's Letters came to his hands sent an express with Letters by which he fully satisfied him of all that which had hapned omitting nothing for the Consul to acquaint him so that after Vitellius's Letters G were brought unto him and that Caesar had already assured him of the true information that Herod had given him Vitellius was much troubled and suspecting lest he had received a greater injury than the matter made shew for he conceived in his heart a secret spight which continued until Tiberius was dead and Caius obtained the H Empire At that time also Philip Herod's Brother died in the twentieth year of Tiberius's Reign after he had reigned himself for the space of seven and thirty years in Trachonitis Gaulonitis and Bathanaea During all the time of his Government he behaved himself very peaceably for he made his abode within his own Dominion He walked being accompanied with a small number of his chosen servants and had that seat carried after him wherein he was accustomed to fit and do justice to the end that if any one presented himself and required his assistance he might without delay do him right Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. alias chap. 13. For upon the first motion the seat was placed in that part wherein the Plaintiff met him and being seated therein he examined the cause punishing those that I were guilty and absolving the innocent He died in Juliade and was buried in the Sepulchre which he himself had caused to be built The year of the World 4000. after Christ's Nativity 38. and his Obsequies were performed with great Solemnity and Majesty And for that he left no Heirs Males behind him Tiberius seized on his Estate which he united to the Government of Syria ordaining that the Tributes that were gained
Temple he purified it and compassed it with a Wall and made new Vessels for the M Service of God and placed them there because those that had been formerly consecrated there were prophaned He built likewise another Altar and began to renew the accustomed Sacrifice and observe the Rites of Religion Scarce was the City brought to its former Estate Antiochus dieth and leaveth the Kingdom to his Son Antiochus who gathereth a huge power and invadeth Jewry but Antiochus died leaving behind him Antiochus Eupator his Son and Heir not only of his Kingdom but also of his hatred against the Jews Who having gathered together fifty thousand Foot and almost five thousand Horse and fourscore Elephants entred by the Mountains into Judaea and took a Town called Bethsara near which Judas met him in a place called Bethzacary where the passage was something strait And before they joyned Battel Eleazar Judas's Brother seeing one Elephant higher than the rest bearing a N great Tower on his Back Ant. lib. 12. c. 14 15. and adorned with Golden Furniture thought Antiochus had been there â—leazar dieth being slain by an Elephant and ran from his Company breaking the Ranks of the Enemies till he came to the Elephant but he could not reach him whom he deemed to be the King he was so highly mounted all he could do was to wound the Elephant in the belly with his Sword till the Beast fell upon him and pressed him to death which act of his had no other success but this that by attempting so great a matter he gave testimony that he preferred Glory before his life Eleazar preferreth honour before life For he that rid on this Elephant was but a private person and although Antiochus had been there Eleazar had atchieved nothing more in this valiant attempt but yet he adventured his life in hope to perform some great exploit This act of his was a presage unto his Brother Judas of the event O of that days Battel for the Jews fought stoutly and a long time but yet Antiochus's Army being both more in number and more fortunate obtained the Victory and A Judas after the loss of many of his company fled to the Gophonites with those of his side who escaped Antiochus advanced afterwards to Jerusalem from whence after some stay he departed for want of Provisions leaving a sufficient Garrison there as for the rest of his Army he led them for their Winter-quarters into Syria But notwithstanding the King's departure Antiochus departing from Jerusalem leaveth a sufficient Garrison there Judas rested not but encouraged by many of his Nation who daily came to him and gathering also together those who escaped out of the former Battel he fought with the Forces of Antiochus at a village named Adasa where after many proofs of his valour in assaulting and slaughtering a great number of his enemies he himself at length was slain and within a few days after his Brother John also was betrayed Ant. l. 12. c 18 and slain by their treacheries who favoured B Antiochus Judas sighteth with Antiochus Captains and is slain Ant. l 13 c. 1. CHAP. II. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus AFter Judas succeeded his Brother Jonathan in the dignity of Prince of the Jews The year of the World 3805. before Christ's Nativity 157. He carefully studied the peace and security of his people and fortified himself by the friendship of the Romans and was reconciled to Antiochus his Son yet did C not all these things procure his safety For Tryphon who was tutor to the young Antiochus laying wait for him Jonathan taken by Tryphon's subtilty is slain and seeking to spoil him of his friends took Jonathan at such a time as he came with a small company to Antiochus who was at Ptolemais and binding him led an Army against Judaea from whence being repulsed by Simon Jonathan's Ant. l. 15. c. â— Brother in displeasure and revenge thereof he slew Jonathan But Simon valiantly bestirring himself in the Conduct of the affairs of the Common-wealth The year of the World 3813. before Christ's Nativity 149. took Zara Joppe and Jamnia which were bordering Towns and overcoming the Garrison of Accaron he destroyed the City and assisted Antiochus against Tryphon who besieged Dora before that expedition which he made against the Medes Simon encountreth with Cendebeus and overcometh him Yet would not the greedy mind of the King be satisfied notwithstanding D Simon had thus faithfully served and assisted him to the ruine and death of Tryphon but in a short time after he sent Cendebeus the General of the Army to harass and spoil Judea and to take Simon Prisoner But Simon though very aged acted both youthfully and valiantly Ant. l 13 c. 14. and sent his Sons before with the most resolute men he had against Antiochus Simon by the tâ—eachery of his Son-in-law Ptolâ—maeus is taken and slain and himself with the residue of his Army assaulted another quarter of the enemies Camp and having laid many ambushes in the mountains he obtained a great victory After which he was made High Priest and delivered the Jews from the subjection of the Macedonians under which they had been two hundred and seventy years John otherwise called Hircanus the Son of Simon Finally by the treachery of Ptolemy his Son-in-law he was murthered at a Banquet who imprisoning his Wife and two Sons sent certain men E to kill his third Son John otherwise called Hircanus But the young man understanding the design fled to Jerusalem accompanied with a great multitude for he greatly hoped that the people would remember his Father's prowess especially because Ptolemy's iniquity was hated of all men Ptolemy also hasted to enter the City at another gate but he was speedily repulsed by the people who had already received Hircanus For which cause he presently retired himself into a Castle named Dagon situate beyond Jericho After that Hircanus had obtained the office of High Priest The year of the World 3831. before Christ's Nativity 131. which was left him by his Father and had offered Sacrifices to God he led forth his forces with all speed to besiege Ptolemy hoping to deliver his mother and brethren that were detained F Prisoners there by him His tenderness of nature was the only obstacle that hinder'd him from forcing the Castle Hircanus obtaineth the honour of the High-Priestâ—ood which his father had 〈…〉 cruelty agâ—â—â—t Hircanus's Mother For when Ptolemy perceived himself to be in danger he brought Hircanus's Mother and Brethren upon the walls and beat them where he might behold them in their torments threatning to cast them down from the wall except Hircanus would presently depart How great soever the indignation of Hircanus was it was forc'd to give place to the affection he had for persons so dear to him and to his compassion of seeing them suffer
many wounds adding that he admired the impudent boldness of Antigonus who being Son to an enemy of the Romans and a fugitive from Rome and as inclinable as his Father to Rebellion dar'd to accuse before the Roman Emperour others that had been always faithful to him and that in stead of accounting himself happy in having his I life preserv'd hop'd to obtain such favours and assistance as he had no need of and which he desir'd not but to make use of the same to raise seditions against those to whom he should be beholding for them Which when Caesar heard Caesar createth Hircanus Highâ— Priest and to Antipater he giveth the Government of Judea he said that Hircanus was most worthy to be High Priest and bad Antipater name what Charge he would have who leaving that to the pleasure of the giver he was made Governour of all Judaea And moreover he obtained lieve to re-edifie the razed walls of his Country and Caesar commanded that this Decree should be engraven in Tables of Brass and in the Capitol that it might be a memorial in time to come of Antipaters's justice and vertue Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Antipater having attended Caesar out of Syria first of all repaired the ruined walls of his Country which Pompey K had razed Antipater repaireth the walls of his Country and going throughout all the Country he threatned the obstinate and perswaded the seditious to obedience admonishing them that if they obeyed Hircanus they might live in wealth and peace and enjoy happiness but if they suffered themselves to be led away with the vain hopes of those Antipater chargeth his Subjects to obey Hircanus who for their private commodity sought alteration then they should find him in stead of a Governour a severe Master and Hircanus instead of a King a Tyrant and the Romans and Caesar instead of friends deadly enemies for that they would not suffer his power to be overthrown whom they themselves had established King Antipater in speaking thus considered himself and the need of providing for the safety of the State Phasaelus and Herod Antipater 's Sons because he well knew the sloth an stupidity of Hircanus He made Phasaelus L his eldest Son Governour of the Army and of Jerusalem and of the whole Province Herod's fortitude and sent Herod his youngest Son to govern Galilee although he was very young who being by nature valiant and ambitious sought out occasion to shew his brave mind Herod banisheth the thieves out of Syria He took Ezechias Captain of a troop of Thieves who as he understood were wont to prey upon the confines of Syria with a great multitude and put him to death with many other Thieves which thing was so grateful to the Syrians that in all Towns and Villages they made songs of Herod as though he had restored them to peace and to their Possessions This action also made his merit known to Sextus Caesar who was Caesar the Emperour's Kinsman and Governour of Syria Phasaelus obtained the favour of the people of Jâ—rusalem Phasaelus also striving to exceed the vertue and gallantry of his Brother us'd M all his endeavours to win to himself the good will of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem so that during the time he governed the City he did nothing insolently or by force For which cause the people honoured Antipater no less than if he had been their King yet was his fidelity and affection never the less towards Hircanus But it is impossible that any man that liveth in prosperity should not be envied For Hircanus although before-time he were moved something at the glory of the Father and the young men Hircanus animated by envious men against Antipater and his Sons and especially with the prosperous success of Herod yet in particular he was stirred up by many envious person who use to haunt the Courts of Princes who were grieved that Antipater and his Sons ruled without offence These men told Hircanus that he only enjoyed the bare name of a King and that Antipater and his Sons ruled N all and that he would so long permit and wink at them till at the last they would make themselves Kings for they now did no more pretend themselves to be Ministers but leaving that Title they acted as Lords and Soveraigns without any regard or reverence towards him as appeared in Herod who had put to death a great multitude of Jews against the Law whereas neither by word of mouth nor by writing the King had given him any such authority and that Herod if he were not a King but a private person was to be brought into judgment there to answer the matter and shew the King a reason and satisfie the laws of his Countrey which permit no man to be put to death before by Law he be convicted By these perswasions Hircanus grew angry Herod called to his answer before the Councel so that not concealing his wrath he caused Herod O to be sent for to answer the matter who both for that his Father advertised him thereto and because he trusted to the equity of his cause first leaving a Garrison A in Galilee The year of the World 3922. before Christ's Nativity 4â— he repaired to the King accompanied with a sufficient Guard not so great as to give jealousie to Hircanus nor so small as to expose him to the attempts of his Adversaries Sextus Caesar who lov'd the young man much and feared lest any evil should betide him amongst his enemies sent to Hircanus warning him to absolve Herod from the crimes of which he was accus'd Hircanus absolveth Herod Hircanus once more incited by the wicked Which Hircanus who also loved Herod made no difficulty to do But Herod supposing he had done it unwillingly went to Damascus to Sextus purposing not to appear if hereafter he were sent for Hereupon Hircanus was once again incited against Herod by his enemies who certified him that he was gone away in a rage with design to enterprize something against him which Hircanus believing knew not what to do seeing his enemy B more potent than himself Shortly after Sextus Caesar proclaimed him General of the Army both in Syria and Samaria Herod gathering a great Army cometh to Jerusalem to depose Hircanus so that now he was greatly to be feared by Hircanus not only for that he was highly in favour with the Commonalty but also for the forces which he commanded Hereupon Hircanus fell into extreme fear verily perswading himself that Herod with his whole Army would presently come against him Neither was his suspicion vain Herod disswaded by Antipater from attempting against Hircanus for Herod angry at the pretended crime whereof he was accused came with a great Army to Jerusalem intending to depose Hircanus which he had effected had not his Father and Brother gone forth to meet him and pacified him intreating him that he would
fought with them and killed one Arius a Centurion and forty of the most valiant amongst them upon the place the rest being in like danger through the help of Gratus with the Soldiers of Sebaste escaped The End and 〈◊〉 of the War After they had done many things in this manner against their own Countrey-men O as well as strangers at last three of them were taken the eldest by Archelaus and the two other who were eldest after him fell into the hands of Gratus and A Ptolomey and the fourth yielded himself to Archelaus upon Composition Such was the success of the bold Enterprize of these five men But at that time a War of Thieves filled all Judaea with Troubles and Robberies CHAP. â— Varus Governour of Syria for the Romans represses the Insurrections in Judea WHen Varus had Ant. lib. 17. cap. 16. by the Letters of Sabinus understood the danger wherein the B whole Legion was Varus assisteth the Romans against the Jews being besieged in Jerusalem he hasted to succour them But first he went to Ptolemais with two other Legions and four Cornets of Horse where he had appointed the King's Forces and the other Auxiliary Troops to meet him As he passed by Beritus the Inhabitants gave him fifteen hundred men Also Aretas the King of Arabia for the hatred he bare to Herod sent him a great number both of Horse and Foot As soon as the Host was assembled Varus incontinently directed part of his Army into Galilee adjoyning to Ptolemais and appointed a friend of his the Son of Caius their Governour who presently put all to flight against whom he was sent and having taken the Castle of Sephoris he fired it and made all the Inhabitants thereof Slaves Varus taketh divers Cities and Castles of Judaea Varus with the rest of the Army went to Samaria and C took it yet he did the City no harm because he found that amidst all these Tumults they had been quiet When he had pitched his Tents at a Village called Arus which belonged to Ptolomey the Arabians sacked it for they hated those that loved Herod From thence they went to Sampho another strong Burrough which they in like manner sacked and destroyed without sparing any thing All was filled with the slaughter and fires which the Arabians made Emmaus burnt there was no end nor hindrance of their Avarice Also Varus commanded Emmaus to be burnt being angry for the death of Arius and the rest that were slain there and the Inhabitants thereof abandoned it every one by flight seeking to save himself Varus cometh to Jerusalem with his Army and with his only Presence dismayeth the Jews From thence he went to Jerusalem and at his approach the Jews that besieged the Roman Legion fled and scattered themselves D some here some there all about the Countrey They that remained in the City excused themselves that they were not consenting to the Tumult but that for the Celebration of the Feast they permitted those Seditious to come into the City affirming that they had rather have been besieged together with the Romans than have joyned with those of the Sedition and so they laid the cause of that Tumult upon others But first Josephus The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. Archelaus's Cousin with Gratus and Rufus went to meet him leading the King's Army and the Sibastians and the Roman Soldiers adorned in their accustomed Apparel Sabinus durst not be seen by Varus and therefore got him out of the Town before and went to the Sea-coast Varus divided his Army and sent some Parties into the Countrey Varus crucified two thousand of the Seditious to seek the Authors of the Tumult And those that E were brought to him who were in less fault he committed to Prison those who were the chiefest he crucified to the number of two thousand And understanding that in Idumaea there yet remained ten thousand men in Arms he presently sent the Arabians home because he perceived that they did not serve as they that came to help him but as they themselves pleased wasting the Countrey against his Orders and so accompanied with his own Army he hastned against the Enemies But they without any fight through Achiab's Counsel yielded themselves to Varus And he pardoned the Common Soldiers and sent the Captains to Caesar to answer the matter Varus's mercy and bounty to the Idumeans Who pardoning most of them yet punished some that were of Herod's Kindred because they had rebelled against their own King Varus having F thus quieted the Estate of Judea and Jerusalem left in the Fortress of Jerusalem the same Legion that was there before and departed to Antioch CHAP. IV. H How the Jews had an Ethnarch constituted over them The year of the world 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. NOw Archelaus met a new obsâ—acle at Rome Ant. lib. 17. cap. 17. for the Jews who before the Sedition with the lieve of Varus were gone to Rome to crave the liberty of their Countrey Ethnarcha Ruler or Governour Those who went as Ambassadours in their Countrey 's behalf were fifty in number and they were assisted by more than eight thousand Jews that lived at Rome The Jews call Archelaus in question Whereupon Caesar called a Council of the Nobility of Rome in the stately Temple of Apollo which he had built on Mount Palatine The whole Body of the I Jews appeared with the Legats against Archelaus and his friends Archelaus's Kindred neither came with him nor with the rest of the Jews with him they would not joyn for envy and with the Jews they durst not for shame Amongst them also was Philip the Brother of Archelaus whom Varus sent in courteous manner to assist his Brother or to the end that if it should please Caesar to divide Herod's Kingdom among his Children he might have a part The Ambassadours spoke first and began to declaim against Herod's Memory First of all they said that they found him not a King but the most cruel Tyrant that ever was and that he had murthered many and those whom he left alive endured such misery as they thought themselves far more unhappy than those that were so butchered A bitter Accusation of the Jews against Herod and his Sons For said they he was not only contented K to tear his Subject's bodies with torments but also defaced and ruined the Cities of his own Countrey to adorn and beautifie the Cities of Strangers And he permitted Forreigners to massacre the Jews without revenge And instead of their ancient and wonted happiness which Judea enjoyed by a Religious observation of the Laws the Countrey was by him made so poor and so wasted with Injustice that within these few years that Herod reigned they have suffered more Murthers and Massacres than all their Ancestors had from the time of their departure out of Babylon in the Reign of Xerxes
was requisite for necessity or pleasure 12. Adam asketh pardon might have hapned of it self unto you by my only providence without any travel or care on your parts which if you had well used your life would have been very lovely and very happy Adam's punishment but you have scorned this mine Ordinance and broken my Commandments 13. Eves punishment For in that thou art silent at this time it proceedeth N not of respect but of evil of which thou findest thy self culpable Adam excuseth his sin as well as he could 17 18. The Seed of the Woman that is Christ shall bruise the Serpent's head and prayed God not to be incensed against him laying the fault of that which had hapned upon his Wife alledging that he had offended by reason he was deceived by her and the Woman accused the Serpent But God for his punishment because he had suffer'd himself to be overcome by the counsel of a Woman declared that the earth thenceforward never more of its own accord should bring forth fruit but only when they till'd it with the sweat of their countenance Gen. 3. 14 15. nor should it always yield all that was expected from it The Serpent's punishment And as touching Eve he chastised her with Child-bearing and throes in Travel for that being her self deceived by the Serpent she had drawn her Husband by the same means into extreme misery He took also from the Serpent his speech and O was displeased with him * Joseph's ignorance in understanding this place of Scripture by reason of the malice he had conceived against Adam and he put venom on his tongue declaring him an enemy both to Man and Woman whom A he commanded to bruise the head of the Serpent as well for that all the evil which chanced unto Men 14. proceeded from his head as also in that being assaulted in that part he is most easily put to death The year of the World 1. before Christ's Nativity 3963. Moreover having deprived him of his feet he condemned him to slide and trail himself along the earth After God had ordained them to suffer these punishments he drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of delights into nanother place CHAP. II. Cain kills his Brother Abel God banishes him for it His Posterity is as wicked as himself The virtues of Seth the other Son of Adam B BUt Adam and Eve had two male-children Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. the first whereof was called Cain which signifies acquisition and the second was called Abel which signifies mourning they had also three Daughters Gen. 4. v 1 2. These Brothers were of very different inclinations Of Cain and Abel Brethren Abel the younger honoured justice and supposing that God was present in all his actions he always and wholy fixed his thoughts on virtue and his exercise was keeping of sheep But Cain being a wicked Man 2. The year of the World 70. before Christ's Nativity 894. and addicted to unsatiable desire of profit was he that first found out the use of the Plough He killed his Brother for the cause which ensueth Having concluded among themselves to sacrifice unto God Cain offered the fruits of his labour and planting Abel presented milk and the firstlings of his fold which sacrifice of his was more acceptable to God in that it rather consisted of things produced of themselves by the order of nature 3. The sacrifice of Cain and Abel than that which Cains covetousness C had forcibly in a manner extorted from nature Hereupon Cain being enrag'd because his Brother Abel was more honoured by God than himself slew his Brother and having hidden his body out of sight 4. Weak reason in Josephus he thought the murder would be concealed But God well knowing the fact appeared to Cain and questioned him concerning his Brother what was become of him 5 6 7. Cain slew his Brother Abel for that for some days he had not seen him whereas before they had been always together Cain being troubled and ignorant what answer to make unto God said at first that he wondred what was the cause his Brother was so long absent 8. The talk betwixt God and Cain but afterwards being troubled that God continued the question and more closely press'd him he said he was not his Brothers keeper nor bound to take care of his affairs 9. 10 11 12. Then God reproved and convicted Cain of murthering his Brother D and ask'd him how he dar'd deny the knowledge of his brothers death where as he himself had slain him Notwithstanding God forbare to inflict upon him the punishment deserved for this murther by reason that Cain offer'd sacrifice and made request unto God that it would please him to remit somewhat of the severity of his justice against him Yet did God curse him and threaten to punish his Posterity to the seventh Generation Cain's banishment Then did he drive him and his Wife out of that Countrey whereat Cain being affrighted for fear of being encountred and devour'd by some Savage Beasts God commanded him to suspect no dangerous event for that cause 14. assuring him that he might safely travel thorow all Regions 15. without being either assaulted or seized by Savage Beasts and having set his mark upon him by which he E might be known he commanded him to depart the Countrey After that Cain accompanied with his Wife had travelled thorow divers Regions he made his abode at Nais 16. Cain is not bettered by Gods chastisements and in that place had several Children But he made not use of this chastisement for his better amendment but rather became worse and worse for he abandoned himself to all sensual pleasures making it his sport to outrage those with whom he conversed filling his house with riches gotten by rapine and violence and gathering together other wicked and debauch'd Men he taught them to commit all sorts of crimes and impieties he destroy'd that simplicity which Men before that time had used in their mutual societies Measures and Waights found out by Cain by the inventions of Measures and Weights the ignorance whereof was the cause that the life of Man was estranged from deceit but instead F and place of free and plain sincerity Enos the first City he introduced fraud and deceit He it was that first bounded the fields and built the first City and made a Wall and a rampire enforcing his Followers to dwell therein This City he named Enos by the name of Enos his first begotten Son Jared was the Son of Enos of Jared issued Malaleel whose Son was Methusala 1â— 18 20. who begot Lamech who had 77 Children by his two Wives Sella and Ada amongst whom Jobel the Son of Ada was the first that made Tents and took delight to lead a pastoral life contenting himself with the same Jubal his
King of that Countrey where she then was K To this commandment of God Agar submitted her self with all obedience 9 10. and returning back again to her Mistriss she obtained pardon at her hands and after a while brought forth Ishmael which is as much as to say is Heard by God because God had heard the Mothers prayers 16 17. Ishmael was born to Abraham when he was fourscore and six years old but in the fourscore and nineteenth year of his age God appeared unto him and told him that he should have a Son by Sara charging him to call him Isaac and giving him to understand Isaac promised Gen. 17. 1 2 c. ad finem that great Nations and Kings should issue from his loynes who by force of Arms should conquer all the Countrey of Canaan from Sidon even unto Egypt Commanding him also that his Posterity should be circumcised in their privities and that this circumcision should be made the eighth day after the birth by reason that he L would not have Abraham's Posterity intermixed with other Nations But hereafter I will declare another cause of our circumcision Abraham also asked counsel of God touching Ishmael whether he should live or no and God told him that he should flourish many years and that he should become a Father of many worthy Nations Then gave Abraham thanks unto God and presently circumcised himself and his Son Ishmael with all his Family and Ishmael at that time was thirteen years old but Abraham about fourscore and nineteen years of age CHAP. XI The destruction of Sodom M ABout that time the inhabitants of Sodom became immeasurably proud Gen. 18. by reason of their affluence Hedio Ruffinus chap. 19. prosperity and great riches and committed outrages against men and impieties against God The sins of the Sodomites in such manner as they had forgotten the benefits which they had received at his hands hating strangers and giving up themselves to the Practice of unnatural and abominable Lusts Whereat God being displeased decreed to punish their intolerable Pride to ruine their City from the foundations and in such sort to make desolate their Countrey that from thence forward it should neither nourish plant nor bring forth Fruit. Abraham entertaineth Angels After God had pronounced this sentence against the Sodomites Abraham as he sate under the Oak at Mambres before the door of his Tent beheld N three Angels and supposing them to be Men and Strangers he arose and saluted them and approaching near unto them v. 1 2 3 4. 5. he desired them that they would accept of his entertainment and lodge with him Whereunto when they had condescended he commanded his Servants to bake them bread of the finest flower and having killed and roasted a Calf he set it before them as they sate under the oak which it seemed to him they did eat but they enquired of him where Sarah his Wife was to whom he answered that she was within on the Tent. They told him then that they would return again and that they should find her a Mother But when his Wife smiled thereat and said that it was impossible for her to bear Children The year of the World 2084. before Christs Nativity 1916. especially in that her self was at that time ninety years old and her Husband an hundred they discovered themselves O and declar'd that they were Angels of God and that they were sent one of them to assure him that he should have a Son the other two to destroy Sodom Which A when Abraham heard 9 10. he was sorry for the Sodomites and arising besought God that he would not destroy both the just and the unjust together 12 16. To whom God gave this answer that there was not one just Man among the Sodomites 17. ad 23. and that if he might but find ten The Angel promised Abraham that he shall have a Son and foretells the destruction of Sodem he would spare the City from punishment Whereupon Abraham held his peace and the Angels entered into Sodom where they were no sooner arrived but Lot invited them to take their lodging in his house for he was a Man much given to hospitality which he had learnt from the example of Abraham But the Sodomites perceiving that those young Men which were entered Lots house were of excellent beauty began to offer outrage and villany to their persons Gen. 19. 1. notwithstanding that Lot exhorted them to forbare The Angels enter Lot's house and not to offer villany to his guests but in some sort to have a respect to his B house telling them that rather then they should commit such a crime he would give them his Daughters to use at their pleasure v. 3 4. But he prevailed nothing with them whereupon God was in such wise provoked by their iniquity that he struck them with blindness so that they could not find the gate to enter into Lots house 5 6. and condemned the Sodomites to a general perdition 7 8. In order whereunto he commanded Lot to remove out of the City verse 11. with his Wife The year of the World 2948. before Christs Nativity 1916. and his two Daughters who were as yet unmarried and their betrothed Husbands but these last although forewarn'd by him contemned Lots advice and held him for a dotard Then did God shoot the arrows of his vengeance upon the City burning it and all the Inhabitants therein and desolating by the same fire all the Countries round about 12 13 14 24. in such sort as hath already been declared by me in the History C I writ of the Wars of the Jews The Sodomites are blinded But Lots Wife as they retired thence looking back towards the City Lot and his family are saved and more curiously beholding the destruction thereof contrary to the commandment of God was transformed into a Pillar of Salt which is to be seen even until this day 26. Lot himself and his Daughters fled and dwelt in a little Countrey which the fire had spared Lot fled to Zoar called Zoar which in Hebrew signifieth little In this place which was void of Men 30 ad 35. and scant of Victuals Lot dwelt a long time leading a solitary and poor life and his Daughters supposing that all Mankind was extingushed upon the earth subtilly circumventing their Father lay with him when he least suspected it 36 37 38. By this their approachment they bare him two Sons the elder a Son named Moab which is as much as to say The interpretation of the names of Moab and Ammon of my Father this is he that was the Father of the Moabites D which even at this day are a great Nation the younger Ammon which signifieth the Son of my Race or kind from whom the Ammonites descended and both these two Nations inhabit the
vision being awaked out of my sleep and troubled in my mind what it might signifie being seized by little and little by a pleasant slumber I fell a sleep again And again I saw a vision more prodigious than the former and which likewise troubles and terrifies me more For I saw seven ears of Corn sprung out of one root that hung down and bowed their heads because they were loaden with grain ready to be reapt The year of the World 2238 before Christ's Nativity 1726. after which there appeared E seven other weak and dry ears which devouring those other great and full ears left me highly astonished Hereunto Joseph answered This Dream O King although it hath been seen in two figures yet it importeth one and the same accident which is to ensue For both those seven lean Oxen and those seven dry ears of Corn The interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream a v. 18. ad 36. which you saw devour the seven fat Oxen and seven full ears of Corn fore-signifie a Famine and scarcity in Egypt for so many years as there were Oxen and ears of Corn in good plight so that the fertility of these good years shall be consumed by the sterility of so many other years according to their number and there shall be such scarcity of necessary provision that it shall be hard to prevent and supply the defect all which is signified by those seven lean kine which having devoured the good could not be satisfied by the same All F these things God foretels unto Men not to the end they should be terrified and affrighted but that being forewarn'd they may provide for themselves and the more easily prevent the imminent danger If therefore thou shalt lay up and store the abundance of the plentiful years v. 47 48 49. Egypt shall not feel the penury that shall follow And when the King admiring Joseph's prudence and wisdom demanded after what manner he might provide in the time of plenty By Joseph â—s counsel the succeeding scarcity is made more tolerable to prevent and redress the future sterility he warned and counselled him that the Egyptians should use parsimony and that that which remained of those years superfluity might be reserved for future necessities He counselled him also to command the husbandmen to hoard up their Corn in their Barns and only to distribute to the People so much as was sufficient and no more Hereupon the G King not only praising Joseph's counsel v. 42 43. but also his interpretation of his Dreams made him Lord and Commissary of all his store Joseph is intitled by Pharaoh to great honours and commanded him to provide whatsoever he thought necessary for his service and the good of his People assuring him that he thought no Man more proper to execute this counsel than himself who H was the author thereof Having therefore this authority given him by the King to use his own signet and to be cloathed in Purple and to ride in a Chariot throughout all Egypt he stor'd up all the Corn in the Kings Granaries and distributed to every one by measure Hedio Ruffinus chap 5. that which they wanted for Seed-Corn and for their nourishment without letting any Man understand for what cause he did it He was now about thirty years old and was held in great honour by the King being for his extraordinary prudence sirnamed by him Psontomphanech which in the Egyptian language signifieth V. 50 51 52. The discoverer of hidden things he was also honoured with a Wife of great dignity Joseph marrieth a Wife in Egypt on whom he begat Manasses and Ephraim By the Kings order likewise he took to Wife a Virgin Daughter to Putifar I the Heliopolitan Priest whose name was Asaneth by whom be begat Children before the Famine began in Egypt The elder of which was called Manasses which signifieth Oblivion because attaining better fortune he grew into oblivion of his former misery but the younger was called Ephraim which signifieth Return for that he was restored to the liberty of his ancestors Now when according to Joseph's interpretation the seven years of plenty and affluence were past in Egypt the years of Famine began to infest the Land V. 54 55. and for that the evil was unexpected The Famine in Egypt the headlong multitude grievously pressed with hunger and misery began to flock about the Kings gates and Garners Whereupon the King called for Joseph who presently distributing Grain to those that wanted it became without controversie the Father and conserver of the commonalty Neither K did he only sell it those that inhabited that Countrey but to strangers also accounting the whole race of Mankind so allied together that 't is reasonable such as want Gen. 42. 1 2 c. should be supplied by those that have plenty Jacob sendeth his Sons into Egypt to buy Wheat And because the same calamity both oppressed Canaan and other Kingdoms of the world Jacob also sent all his Sons into Egypt to fetch Corn as soon as he understood that strangers also had liberty to traffique in that place only with himself he retained Benjamin whom he begat on Rachel and who was brother by the whole blood to Joseph When these ten Brethren arrived in Egypt they repaired to Joseph beseeching him that they might be permitted to buy corn for nothing was done without his express command it seem'd an honour done to the King to do honour to Joseph He taking knowledge of his Brothers who thought of nothing less than of him by L reason that in his youth he was sold away by them and age had altered the lineaments of his face V. 7 c. and besides none of them could imagine that he had attained to so great dignity determined to make trial of them Joseph soundeth this Brothers to the end he might understand his Fathers and Benjamins estate V. 10. to the end he might the better gather how they were affected For he both denyed them his licence to buy Corn and commanded them also to be apprehended for Spies telling them that they were of divers Nations though they feigned kindred for how can it be saith he that a private Man should bring up so many worthy Sons which felicity scarcely and very seldom is granted to Kings This did he to the end he might gather some intelligence of his Father and in what estate he lived Rubens answer unto Joseph both for himself and his Brothers during his absence and what was become of Benjamin his Brother for he was much afraid they had offered the same hard measure to the youth M which they had us'd to himself These words struck them with a great fear in regard of their imminent peril supposing that they had travelled this long journey all in vain and for that they saw their accusation must be answered Ruben the eldest of them began after this manner
with Fountain water and the precious Oyntment to the end they might be sanctified to God And for seven days space he consecrated both them and their Vestments The dedication of the Tabernacle and the Priests and the Tabernacle with those things which appertained thereunto with the Oyle abovementioned with the Blood of Bulls and Rams slain every other day after their kind But on the eighth day he proclaimed a Holy day and festival to all F the People Lev. 18. per totum and decreed that every one of them should particularly sacrifice according to his ability and they with emulation striving to exceed one another obeyed him Lev. 9. 24. and offered up their Sacrifices according as it was commanded them Whilst thus the Sacrifices were upon the Altar The sacrifice is consumed of it self suddenly there issued a fire from them which kindled of it self the flame whereof resembled the Light or brightness of Lightning and consumed all that was upon the Altar At that time there hapned an affliction to Aaron the greatest that could befall a Father yet he supported it with a constant and generous mind for he was a Man of much constancy and such an one as knew that nothing could befall him without the prescience and providence of God Of his four Sons the two eldest Nadab and Abihu bringing other sacrifices to the Altar G than those that were appointed by Moses were burnt by the violent flame that issued from the Altar scorching both their Breasts and Faces in such sort that they dyed without possibility of being succoured Moses commanded their Father and Brothers to take their bodies and carry them out of the Camp and bury them decently All H the People wept and were very much amazed at this their death so strange and unexpected But Moses forbad both the Father and his Sons to lament to the end they might make it appear that being honoured with the dignity of Priesthood they were more sensible of Gods honour than of their own misfortune But as touching Moses he refused all honours which were offered him by the People neither applied he himself unto any other thing but to the service of God Naâ—ab and Abihu Arons Sons burned Levit. 10. 1 2 3. 4. He went up to the Mountain of Sinai and entred into the Tabernacle to take counsel of God concerning those things whereof he needed to be informed He demeaned himself like a private Man not onely in his apparel but in all other things continuing a familar and modest course of life and challenging no priviledge above any Man Numb 3. 3 4. but onely in those things which pertained I to the administration of the Common-wealth He reduc'd into writing the Laws and ordinances touching policy in due performance whereof if they liv'd they should be both agreeable to God and live in union and peace amongst themselves And all this he established following those directions which God instructed him in But now will I return and bend my stile to speak of that which I omitted in the ornaments of the High Priest for this apparel of theirs leaveth not any occasion to false Prophets to excecute their wicked impostures and if there be any such as dare intermeddle with that which appertaineth to Gods Majesty this habit maketh them know that God never honoured their sacrifices with his presence but he gave visible signs thereof not onely to the Hebrews A miracle of the Stones in the High Priests vestment but to all those strangers K who by any occurrence might be eye-witnesses of the same For of those Stones which the High Priest bare on his shoulders which were Sardonixes whose nature is so well known to all Men that it were unnecessary to speak of it that which was fastned on his right shoulder shined very clearly at such time as God was present at the sacrifice and cast its rayes afar off that it might be perceived by those that beheld the same contrary to its nature and custome which truly deserveth admiration amongst all Men except those who through contempt of Religion do hunt after an opinion of wisdom But that which I will now speak of is more to be admired at which is that by the twelve Stones which the High Priest bare Enchased in his Rational in the midst of his Breast God was wont to fore-signifie victory to those that were prepared L for Battel For such brightness lightned out of them even before such time as the Army did dislodge or enter skirmish that it was manefestly known to the People that God was present and ready to assist them for which cause the Greeks that have no aversion for our mysteries and are convinced by their own eyes of the truth of this miracle call it Logion i. e. oracle which we term Esseâ— This Rational and the Stone Sardonix gave over to shine two hundred years before I began to write these Antiquities by reason of Gods wrath which he had conceived against us for the breach of his Laws of which at another time I will more fitly treat and at this time continue and prosecute my intended discourse and purpose After the Tabernacle had been thus consecrated and that which appertained to the Priests was set in order the People M transported with joy that God dwelt with them in his Tabernacle began to sacrifice and to sing Hymns of praises The sacrifices and gifts of the Princes of the Tribes as to him that had driven far from them all fear of evil and from whom they expected in time to come far better and more prosperous things and both in general and in particular they offered gifts unto God according to their tribes and the Governors of the tribes assembling themselves together two by two prepared a Chariot and a yoak of Oxen so that there were six Chariots to bear the Tabernacle by the way Furthermore every one of them offered a vial of the weight of 70 Sicles and a Censor containing 10 dariques and a Coffer or Basin weighing 130 Sicles The Censor was filled with odoriferous perfumes and the coffer and vial served to hold the Meal and Oyl which they were wont to use at the Altar at such time as they offred N sacrifice They offered likewise a Calf and a Ram with a Lamb of one year old for a burnt-sacrifice and a Goat for a sin-offering All the other Governors likewise brought every one of them their sacrifice called Salutarie for every day two Oxen and five Rams with a Lamb and a Goat of a year old and sacrificed them during the term of twelve days every one his day But Moses ascended no more to the Mountain of Sinai but entred into the Tabernacle where he was instructed by God of that which he had to do and what Laws he ought to make which are so good and laudable as they ought not to be attributed to humane wisdom Moses asketh counsel of
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 Mutiâ—ies 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
passages of their Country by which they thought their Enemy might break in preparing themselves to repell them with force and valor Yet no sooner did Phinees with his Forces charge them Cap. 3. 8. ad 18. but upon the first encounter so great a multitude of the Madianites was slain Five Kings of the Madianites slain that the number of the Carcasses could hardly be reckoned Neither were their Kings saved from the Sword these were Och Sur Robeas Vbes and Rechem from whom the chiefest City of the Arabians deriveth its name Otherwise Aâ—â—â—eme or Arca. and at this day retaineth O the same and is call'd Receme and by the Grecians Petra The Hebrews having thus put their Enemies to flight ravaged the Region and carried away with them great A spoils The year of the World 2493. before Christ's Nativity 1471. and killing all the Inhabitants thereof both Men and Women they onely spared the Virgins according to the command Phinees had received from Moses who returning home with his Army in safety brought with him a memorable and glorious prey of Oxen 52067 of Asses 60000 of gold and silver Vessels an incredible number which the Madianites were wont to use for their domestick occasions A great prey gotten from the Madianites so great was their great Riches and Luxury There were also led Captives about 30000 Virgins But Moses dividing the prey gave the fiftieth part thereof to Eleazar and the Priests and to the Levites another fiftieth Num. 27. 18. the remainder he distributed amongst the People who after this Battel lived in great security Deut. 3. 22. having gotten Riches by their Valor Moses appointed Joshua for his Successor and Peace also to enjoy the same Now for that Moses was well stricken in years he appointed Joshua to B succeed him in the Offices both of a Prophet a Prince and a Governor for God had so commanded that he should make choice of him to be his Successor in the principality for he was most expert in all divine and humane knowledge Numb 32. 1 5 c. being therein instructed by his Master Moses The Tribes of Reuben Gad and the half of Manasses require the land of the Amorites About that time the two Tribes of Gad and Reuben with the half Tribe of Manasses being abundantly stored with Cattel and all other manner of Riches by common consent requested Moses to give and assign to them in particular the Country of the Amorites which not long since they had conquered by the Sword for that it was full of rich Pastures But he suspecting that through fear they sought to withdraw themselves from the War with the Canaanites under pretext of care of their Cattel sharply reproved them saying that they were fearful and that their desire was to possess C that Land which was conquered by the Valor of the whole People to the end they might lead their lives in idleness and pleasure and not to bear Arms with the rest of the Host to help them to posses the Land beyond Jordan which God had promised them by overcoming those Nations which he commanded them to account for their Enemies These Tribes lest he should seem to be deservedly incensed against them answered that neither through fear they fled danger neither through sloth shunned labour but onely design'd to leave their prey in commodious places to the end they might be more fit to follow the War saying that they were ready if so be they might receive Cities for the defence and receipt of their Wives Children and Substance to follow the rest of the Army whithersoever they were conducted and to adventure their lives with them D for the common interest Moses satisfi'd with their reason in the presence of Eleazar the High Priest and Joshua with the rest of the Magistrates granted them the Land of the Amorites with this condition that together with the rest of the People they should march against their common Enemies Numb 35. 34 c. till the War were accomplished according to their desire accordingly having received that which they demanded they built them walled Cities Deut. 4. 43. and left their Children Josh 20. 8 9. Wives and Substance in the same Moses also built ten Cities in that Region which are to be reckoned in the number of those 48 abovemention'd in three whereof he appointed Sanctuaries The Cities of refuge and places of refuge which they only might take benefit of who fled thither for Casual Homicide and he appointed them their term of Exile till the time of the death of the High Priest under whom the E Manslaughter was committed at which time they might safely return into their Countrey And during the time of their Exile it was lawful for any of the Kin to take revenge upon the Offender by killing him only at such time as he was found without the City of Refuge which right he gave onely to those that were akin but not to others Now the Cities of Refuge were these in the Confines of Arabia Bosora in the Region of Galadena Numb 36. 1 2. Arimanum in the Countrey of Bazan Gaul Moses also ordained that after the Conquest of Canaan The daughters of Salpades have their inheritance in their fathers place three more Cities of the Levites should be appointed to that end that they might give refuge and habitation to such sort of Offenders At that time when one of the Magistrates called Salphates of the Tribe of Manasses was dead and had onely left Daughters behind him the Governors of the Tribe came unto Moses F and asked his counsel The history of Deuteronomy Whether they should inherit the Lands of their Father Moses answered them Ruffin cap. 5. That if they married within their Tribe they should inherit but if they made choice to marry themselves into another Tribe Hedio cap. 8. then they should lose their Patrimony in their own Deut. 41 c. ad 43. and for this cause made he this Ordinance to the end that every Tribe should continually possess its proper inheritance But whereas now there remained but 30 days only to fulfill the number of 40 years since their departure out of Egypt Moses summoning an Assembly in that place near to Jordan where now the City of Abila is scituate environed with fields beset with Palm-trees as soon as he saw the People ready to hear him spake unto them after this manner G CHAP. VIII H Moses Laws and how he was taken out of this world from the company of Men Deut. 4. MY dear friends Moses oration unto the people before his death and companions in my long Travels with whom I have run through so many dangers since it is thought requisite by God and mine age amounting to the number of one hundred and twenty years requireth no less that I must depart out of this life and
their separation which was no less grievous unto them v. 41 42 43. than death it self Finally since there was no remedy exhorting one another to have in perpetual remembrance their faith and friendship they departed the one from the other C. 21. v. 1 2 ad 6. David flying from the persecution of Saul David cometh to Naban or Nob to Abimelech the High Priest retired to the City of Nob to Abimelech the Priest who wondred to see him come alone to him without either friend or Servant and desired to know the cause why he thus wandred without any attendance David told him that the King had sent him about some secret order which might not be communicated to him although he were desirous to know it and as touching my Servants C said he I have commanded them to attend me at a place appointed He further desired him v. 7 8 9 10. that he would give him such things as were necessary for his journey and some Arms David receiving Goliaths sword flieth to Geth to Achis King of the Philistines either Sword or Javelin Now in this place was present one of Sauls Servants called Doeg a Syrian by Nation and the Master of the Kings Mules The Priest answered him that he had no Arms by him except Goliaths Sword which he himself had hanged in the Tabernacle and dedicated to God at such time as he slew the Philistine David having gotten it fled out of the Countrey of the Hebrews and went to Gath a Countrey of the Philistines where Achis was King There being known by the Kings Servants he was discovered to be that David v. 11 12 13. that had slain so many thousand Philistines David counterfeits madness to escape the fury of Achis David fearing to be put to death by him and to fall into the same danger which he had escaped D by flying from Saul counterfeited himself mad so that he let the spittle issue out of his mouth and he counterfeited in all things so cunningly that he made the King of Gath believe that he was frantick 1. Sam. 22. v. 1 2. Whereupon the King was angry with his Servants that they had brought him a mad-man and commanded them forthwith to drive him out of his countrey Having in this sort escaped out of the Countrey of Gath he went to the Tribe of Juda where hiding himself in the Cave of Adullam he sent to his Brothers to let them understand that he was there They came to him with all their relations and divers others that either were in need or stood in fear of Saul resorted unto him offering to perform whatsoever he should command them they amounted in all to the number of four hundred David therefore being thus assured by the succours E and forces that came to him v. 3 4. dislodged from thence and went to the King of the Moabites David repairing to the Moabites committeth his Father and Mother to his protection beseeching him that he and those that accompanied him might remain in that Countrey till such time as he understood what would be the issue of his affairs The King vouchsafed him this favour and treated them very well all the time they were in his Countrey David went not out of it till he received instructions from the Prophet Samuel to abandon the Desart and return to the Tribe of Juda which he obeyed and coming to the City of Saron David commeth to Saron Saul feareth David made his abode there But when Saul understood that David had been seen with a number of men he fell into an extraordinary fear and trouble of mind for knowing both the conduct and courage of the man he thought that he would attempt no action that was not great and such as might endanger his Kingdom F For which cause assembling his Friends and Captains and those of his own Tribe in Gaba where he kept his Royal Court and which stands upon a little Hill called Arvon and accompanied with his Guards v. 7 8. and the Officers of his house he spake to them from his throne Sauls oration to his Captains friends and estates against David after this manner I cannot believe that you have forgotten the benefits wherewith I have enriched you and the honours to which I have advanced you But I would know of you whether you hope or expect greater from the Son of Jesse for I am not ignorant of the affection which you bear him and that my own Son hath inspired the same into you I know that Jonathan and he are united without my consent in a very strict alliance that they have confirmed the same by oath and that Jonathan assists David against me with all his power Yet are none of you concerned at these things but in great quiet you expect what will be the event of them G When the King had spoken thus and none of the assistants answered a word Doeg the Syrian Master of the Kings Mules rose up and said That he had seen David in the City of Nob whither he went to the High Priest Abimelech to ask counsel of him touching his affairs and that he had received from him such things as were needful to his journey H and Goliaths Sword and how he was safely conducted towards the place whither he pretended to go Hereupon Saul sent for the High Priest and all his kindred and spake thus unto them What wrong or displeasure have I done thee that thou hast entertained the Son of Jesse v. 9. and given him Victuals and Arms to him I say that seeketh but the means to possess himself of my Kingdom Doeg telleth Saul how he saw David in Nob with Abimelech what answer hast thou made him touching those demands he propounded to thee concerning his future fortunes canst thou be ignorant that he fled from me and what hatred he bears against both me and my family The High Priest denied none of these things but freely confessed that he had delivered him such things as were reported v. 10 11 12 13. but not with an intent to gratifie David but the King for I entertained him said he not as your Enemy Saul reproveth Abimelech for furnishing David with Victuals and Arms. but as your faithful Servant and one of the principal I Officers of your Army and which is more as your Son-in-law For who would have thought that one dignified with so much honour by you should be your Enemy nay rather who would not esteem him for your favourite and neerest friend And whereas he asked counsel of me touching Gods will v. 14. this is not the first time I have answered him but I have formerly done it often Abimelechs Apology to Sauls accusation of Treason And when he said he was sent by you about some speedy and secret business if I should have refused him those supplies which he required at my hands I might have
suffer an open shame for the sin he had committed in secret Moreover said he the son which thou shalt have by her shall shortly die After the had King received this message v. 13. 14. he was troubled David confesseth his sin and obtaineth pardon at Gods hands and wept confessing that he had done wickedly for before this time he had always feared God and had never in his life offended him but in the case of Vria whereupon after his submission God was E appeased and took compassion of him promising him to continue both his life and Kingdom v. 15 16 17 18. and that he would be no more displeased with him if he repented him of the sin he had committed David fasteth seven dayes lamenting and mourning for his Son After Nathan had declared these things unto David he departed unto his own house But God according to the word of the Prophet inflicted a grievous sickness on the infant that was born by Bethsabe for which cause the King was troubled and for seven days space would eat no meat although he was earnestly pressed thereunto by his Servants He put on likewise a mourning habit and cloathed himself with Sackcloth beseeching God that it would please him to grant him the childs life But when the infant was deceased about the seventh day of his sickness v. 20 21. his servants durst not let him know it supposing that if it should come unto his ear David being certified that the child was dead ariseth and washing taketh sustenance he would the more obstinately abstain from eating F and his health would be indangered by his inordinate grief considering he had so vehemently been afflicted for his sickness But the King perceiving that his Servants were troubled and that they concealed something from him and gathering thereby that his Son was dead he called unto him one of his offices who certifying him of the truth he arose and washed himself v. 21 22. and changed his rayment and presented himself before the Tabernacle of God David yieldeth a reason why during the childs life he fasted and why being dead he took refection and commanded that they should bring him meat that he might eat Whereat his friends and Servants wondred and besought him that they might know the cause he answered while the child was alive and I had hope of his recovery I omited no means whereby I might move God to mercy but now after he is dead it were in vain for me to spend my self with unnecessary grief Which when they heard they G approved the wisdom of the King v. 24. After this Bethsabe his Wife brought him a second Son who was called Solomon Solomon was born by Bethsabe Mean while Joab closely besieged the Ammonites and cut off their water and supplies of Provision so that they were nigh famished for want of Victuals The year of the World 2816. before Christ's Nativity 1040. for they had only one little spring so that they feared lest it would be suddenly H dry He therefore wrote unto the King and certified him of the state of the City and exhorted him to come in person and be present at the taking of it to the intent that he might have the honour of taking the Town The King Joab by letters solliciteth the King to come to the surprisal of Rabatha understanding what Joab had written commended his affection and fidelity and taking with him all the forces which he had he came to the taking in of Rabatha which being carried by force and the plunder given to his Soldiers he reserved for himself the Crown of the King of the Ammonites weighing a talent of Gold in the midst whereof was enchased a Sardonyx of great value v. 27. ad finem which David wore upon his head He found likewise in that City divers spoils of great price David surprizing Rabatha by force giveth it for a prey to his Souldiers but the inhabitants he put to the Sword and did the like in all the Cities of the Ammonites which he took by force But after I the King was returned unto Jerusalem a great misfortune befell his family upon this occasion He had a Daughter which was a Virgin fair and beautiful and surpassed all other women in perfections Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. whose name was Thamar born of the same Mother with Absolon Of her Amnon the eldest Son of David became enamoured and because he could not enjoy her at his pleasure 2 Sâ—â— 13. 1. ad 19. he grew so melancholy that his body dryed up and his colour changed through grief A certain cousin and friend of his called Jonathan perceiving his passion and observing every day how Amnons beauty and strength decayed came unto him and asked him the cause thereof alledging that that indisposition of his seemed to proceed from some amorous affection Jonathan counselled Amnon how he might injoy his love Which when Amnon confessed and how he was in love with his Sister by the Fathers side Jonathan suggested to him the K means how to compass his desires for he persuaded him to counterfeit himself sick and that if his Father came to visit him he should desire him to send his sister to attend him by which means he should easily be delivered of his sickness This counsel of his was plausible in Amnons ears who presently counterfeited a sickness and laid him down on his Bed as Jonathan had advised him and when David came to visit him he desired him to send his Sister unto him When she came he prayed her that with her own hands she would make some Cakes for him because they would the more content him if they were of her own making wherefore she in her Brothers presence tempered the flower and made certain Cakes and fried them in the Pan and presented them unto him but he tasted them not but commanded all his Servants to retire out of his lodging because L he intended to take his rest without noise or trouble v. 13. As soon as this commandment of his was performed Amnon persuadeth his Sister to submit to his lust he prayed his sister to bring the Meat into his inner Chamber He followed her and discovering his passion began to offer violence But the Virgin crying out endeavoured what she could to disswade him from an action so sinful and dishonourable to their family Amnon notwithstanding his Sisters resist Violateth her or if he had not the power to resist the same she advised him to require her at his Fathers hands and not to take her honour from her by force But he inraged with love neglected all these sayings and violated her notwithstanding all her resistance And as soon as he he had satisfied his lustfull desire he hated her and commanded her to arise and depart She answered that this second outrage was more hainous than the former for that
worthy of a great Prince and in this great authority wherein he was placed he stept not any ways awry but in the case of Vria's Wife He left as much or rather more riches behind him than any other King of the Hebrews or other Nations had F done His Son Solomon buried him most Royally in Jerusalem with all those ceremonies which were accustomed in Royal obsequies and amongst other things he buried a great quantity of riches with him the incredible estimate whereof may be conjectured by that which followeth The sumptuous Sepulchre of David For one thousand three hundred years after the High Priest Hircanus being besieged by Antiochus surnamed the Religious who was Demetrius's Son and willing to gratifie him with some summe of money to the intent he might raise the siege Hircanus â—aketh a huge sum of money out of Davids Tomb. and remove his Army and unable to levy money by any other means he opened the Sepulchre of David from whence he took three thousand talents which he delivered to Antiochus and by this means delivered the City from the siege as we have declared in another place Herod spoileth Davids Sepulchre And again a long time after this Herod also opened it and took from G thence a great summe Nevertheless no man violated that part of the monument where the body of the King was laid for it was so artificially hidden under ground that it would be very difficult to discover it A The Eighth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighth Book 1. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies 2. Of the riches prudence and wisdom of Solomon and how first of all he builded the Temple in Jerusalem B 3. How Solomon being dead the people revolted from Rehoboam his son and made Jeroboam King of the ten Tribes 4. How Susac King of Egypt sacking Jerusalem carried away the riches of that City into Egypt 5. The War of Jeroboam against Abias Rehobohams son and the slaughter of his Army and how Basanes extirpated Jeroboams posterity and possess'd the Kingdom 6. The Invasion of the Ethiopians under Asa and the overthrow of their Army 7. The Race of Basanes being rooted out Zamri ruled in Israel with his son Ahab 8. Adad King of Damascus and Syria is twice overthrown by Ahab 9. Of Jehoshaphat King of Jerusalem C 10. Ahab being provoked to War by the Syrians is overcome and slain in battel CHAP. I. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies WE have declared in the former Book what David was how great his virtue hath been 1 Kings 2. what profits and benefits those of his Nation received by him Solomon King of Israel after Davids death what Wars he undertook what Victories he obtained and how happily at last through extremity of age he departed D out of this life But after that Solomon his son being at that time very young had obtained the Kingdom and was placed in his fathers Throne according as David had determined and the divine power had decreed the whole people according to the common course in the election of new Princes with many acclamations wished him a long and prosperous Reign But Adonias who during his fathers life-time thought to possess and seize himself of the Royal estate came unto the Kings mother and with all humility and reverence saluted her To whom Bethsabe said That if there were any thing wherein she might serve him he should let her know it and that she would willingly apply her self unto it Whereupon he began to say That it was a thing very well known that the Kingdom appertained unto him both in regard of his age as also in respect of E the favor and good liking of the people Ver. 17 ad 24. but since that it had been transferred unto Solomon her son Adonias requireth Abisag to wife by the Will of God he was content therewith and would be his servant being very glad of the fortunate success of his Affairs He therefore besought her that she would sollicite Solomon in his behalf and persuade him to give him Abisag to Wife â—ho had slept with David for that he had not any carnal company with her by reason of his age and that as yet she was fully possessed of her virginity Bethsabe promised him to further his suit to the uttermost of her power and willingly to employ herself toward the accomplishment of the Marriage since she knew the King was willing to gratifie her in whatsoever she should desire as also for that she would instantly intreat him so that he departed from her with assured hope of good success in F his designed Marriage Hereupon Bethsabe presently addressed herself to the King intending to certifie him both what Adonias had requested and what she had granted When Solomon heard that his Mother came to visit him he went out to meet her and embraced her and afterwards conducting her into his Presence-chamber he sate him down and commanded his servants to place a seat on his right hand for his Mother who being seated by him spake unto him after this manner My son vouchsafe me one favor that I shall request at thy hands and send me not hence discontented and dissatisfied through thy refusal Solomon answered her That she should command him by reason that duty tyed him to the satisfaction and favor of his Mothers suits reproving her for that insinuation she had used by reason that thereby she evidently expressed that she was not G thorowly assured to obtain her demand but that she feared a refusal and repulse she therefore required him to give the Damsel Abisag for Wife to Adonias his Brother The King displeased at this her suit dismissed his Mother alledging that Adonias had ill designs and that he wondered that in requiring Abisag to Wife he had not requested Solomon H likewise to give him place in the Kingdom for Adonias was elder than he and had more mighty friends than he had namely the General Joab and the High Priest Abiathar For which cause he forthwith sent Benaia Captain of his Guard to kill Adonias his Brother Ver. 25. Then calling unto him the High Priest Abiathar The pains said he that thou hast endured by accompanying my father David Adonias is slain and attending and bearing the Ark with him make thee escape from death yet notwithstanding for that thou hast been assistant to Adonias Ver. 26. 27. and followed his faction Abiathar iâ— dispossessed of the Priesthood I banish thee from my presence charging thee not to see my face any more but to retire thy self to thine own house and there to live in thy Countrey until thou hast ended thy dayes since you have made your self unworthy of that charge wherewith you are entrusted For this cause was the House of Ithamar deprived of the Priestly I
forth once more against them and he was furnished by the Phoenicians with 60 ships and 800 rowers The Tyrians charging their ships with 12 of their vessels overthrew the Navy of the Assyrians and took about 500 men Prisoners which act of theirs wonderfully increased their honour But the King of Assyria returning back again planted a Garison upon the River set a guard upon the fountain heads to the intent the Tyrians might draw no water which act of B his continuing for the space of five years they were enforced to find and dig for new springs to sustain themselves These things are written in the Registers of the Tyrians themselves as also the exploits of the King of Assyria against them But these Chutheans from the Region of Chut which is in Persia Gods displeasure against the idolatrous Chuthites where there is a River of that name for that they were of five several Nations they brought with them each of them the god whom they honour'd in their Nation to the number of five gods whom they served after the manner of their Countrey Whereupon the true God was displeas'd and provok'd against them for a Plague fell amongst them that consumed them in such sort that they could find no remedy until they were told that they ought to adore the God of the Hebrews The Chutheans embrace the service of God and in prosperity claim kinred of the Jews and that therein consisted C their safety They therefore sent unto the King of Assyria requiring him to send them Priests from amongst the Israelites whom he had led away Prisoners in War By whose assistance they learnt the Law and the manner of Gods service and began very diligently to observe both by which means the Plague ceased And now even unto this day continue they in the same Religion and are called by the Hebrews Chutheans and Samaritans by the Greeks These as often as they find the Jews in prosperity call them their Cousins according to the variety and changes of time but if they perceive their fortunes to be on the declining hand then adjure they consanguinity and renounce their relation to them and say That they were planted in the Countrey and drawn thither from a foreign Nation But in time and place convenient we will speak of them more largely D E F G H The Tenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3231. before Christ's Nativity 733. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Tenth Book 1. Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Jerusalem 2. Ezechias having lived for a certain time in peace dyeth and leaveth his Son Manasses I to succeed him 3. The Kings of the Chaldees and the King of Babylon make War against Manasses and lead him away Captive 4. The History of King Josias 5. Josias death in battel he hindereth the King of Egypt from leading his Army against the Babylonians and the event thereof 6. The Army of Nabuchodonosor cometh into Syria 7. Nabuchodonosor putteth Joachim to death and maketh Joachin King 8. Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose besiegeth Joachim and is reconciled upon composition K 9. Sedechias is appointed King over Jerusalem 10. Jerusalem is taken and the people translated into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor 11. The Successors of Nabuchodonosor the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia CHAP. I. Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Jerusalem IN the Fourteenth year of the Reign of Ezechias King of the two Tribes 2 King 18 19. Senacherib L The destruction of Judea King of Assyria drew forth a huge Army against him and surprized all the Cities of Juda and Benjamin by strong hand To him Ezechias sent Ambassadors promising him obedience and such a Tribute as it should please him to impose When Senacherib had heard the Ambassadors he resolved on Peace and accepted Ezechias offer promising that he would depart as soon as he should have received Three hundred Talents of silver and Thirty Talents of gold swearing unto the Ambassadors The oath of Senacherib and his breach thereof That upon these conditions he would depart away without committing any outrage Ezechias giving credit to these words of his emptied the Treasuries and sent the prefixed sum to Senacherib hoping to be delivered from his enemy and the hazard wherein his Countrey stood But the Assyrians having received the money set light by their promises M so that Senacherib went in person to make War against the Egyptians and Ethiopians and left Rapsaces his General in Judaea with a great power accompanied with two of his chief Minions and Courtiers with commission to spoil Jerusalem The names of these two were Tharata and Anacheris As soon as they were encamped near unto the Walls they sent unto Ezechias and commanded him to come and speak with them but he through fear which he had conceived went not unto them but sent three of his most familiar friends Eliacim the Superintendent of his Realm Sobna and Joachas that had the commission of his Registers These three presented themselves before the Chieftains of the Assyrian Army whom when Rapsaces beheld he commanded them to return unto their Master and to tell him N That the great King Senacherib was desirous to know upon what hope he slighteth his Summons and refuseth to admit his Army into the City Is it perhaps because he hopeth the Egyptians will have the upper hand of the Kings Army If that be his hope doubtless he is deceived shewing himself to be like unto a man that stayeth himself upon a broken reed by which he is not only not supported but in his fall hath his hand pierced therewith He likewise wished him to conceive that this his expedition was not without the Will of God who as in times past hath given them the victory over the Israelites so now also is pleased to humble Ezechias and to make both him and his Subjects stoop under the Assyrian government Whil'st Rapsaces spake thus in the Hebrew language Ver. 17. wherein he was very skilful Eliacim fearing lest the multitude should be strucken with fear upon the hearing of these words besought him O to speak in the Syriack Tongue Rapsaces persuasion to cause Ezechias to submit But he sufficiently instructed what it was that he feared answer'd him with a louder voice in the Hebrew Tongue and told them They ought to give ear unto the Kings commandment and to yield themselves to his mercy because it concerned their security The year of the World 3231. before Christ's Nativity 737. I am not ignorant said he that both you and your King do flatter the people A with vain hopes and fraudulently allure them to bear Arms against us But if your Valor be ought at all and you suppose that you can raise the siege from your walls let us have same specimen of your courage and send out 2000
advanced towards Euphrates with an intent to repulse Nabuchodonosor H But he was overcome in battel The year of the World 33â—6 before Christ's Nativity 928. and lost divers thousands of his men Whereupon the Babylonian passing Euphrates seized all Syria as far as Pelusâ—um Judea only excepted The fourth year that Nabuchodonosor reigned over these conquered Countries and in the eighth year of the Reign of Joachim over the Hebrews the Babylolonian led forth his Army against the Jews with a mighty power threatning them to use all hostility 2 Kings 24. 11. ad 20. except Joachim would pay him Tribute Joachim fearing his threats bought his peace with silver and payed for three years space the Tributes that were imposed on him Joachim payeth Nabuchadnezzar tribute But in the third year understanding that the Egyptian was up in Arms against the Babylonian he denied the payment of the Tribute notwithstanding he was frustrated of his hope for the Egyptians were not so hardy as to make War All which the I Prophet Jeremy daily foretold him signifying unto him That he built his hope in vain upon the Egyptians and that it would fall out that the City should be overthrown by the King of Babylon Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. and Joachim himself should be delivered Prisoner into his hands But because there was no means for them to escape this justice all that which he said Joachim revolteth from the King of Babylon was nothing available For notwithstanding the People and Governors heard thereof yet made they no reckoning of the same but were displeased with those counsels which he proposed unto them accusing Jeremy as if he took pleasure to utter and publish ominous and adverse Presages against the King they likewise called him in question before the Kings Council and requir'd that he might be condemn'd Whereupon some of them gave sentence against him But others took a more discreet course and persuaded them to cause K the Prophet to depart out of the Kings house forbidding his Adversaries to do him any mischief since that he had not only foretold the future calamities of the City but that many before him had done the like as Micheas and divers others and yet that no one of them had suffer'd any evil by the Kings of their time but that contrariwise Micheas had been honour'd as a Prophet sent from God By these words they appeased the People and deliver'd Jeremy from the death intended against him This man wrote all his Prophesies Jeremy foretelleth the destruction of Jerusalem and read them to the People in their Fasts when they were assembled in the Temple in the ninth month of the fifth year of the Reign of Joachim which book he had composed touching that which should happen unto the City the Temple and the People When the Governors heard the same Jer. 22. 24. they took the book from him and commanded L that both he and his Secretary Baruch should withdraw themselves out of the sight of men and they took the book and presented it unto the King who in the presence of his Friends commanded his Secretary to read the same and after he had heard the contents thereof he waxed wroth and renting it in pieces cast it into the fire intending that it should never be seen He sent out likewise a strict Commission to seek out Jeremy and his Secretary Baruch and to lead them out to be punished But they were already fled that they might prevent his indignation CHAP. VII M Nabuchodonosor putteth Joachim to death and establisheth Joachin in the Kingdom NOT long after this Nabuchadnezzars entertainment into the city and cruelty he went out to meet the King of Babylon who was marched out to make War against him and being incredulous and careless of the Prophets Predictions he opened the gates unto him supposing that he intended him no evil But when the Babylonians were entered into the City the King observed not his promises but put all such to death as were in the flower and strength of their years 2 Kings 24. 1 ad 11. and spared none of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem Joachin of Jochonias King of Juda. with them also he slew their King Joachim and caused his body to be cast from the top of the walls and vouchsafed him no Sepulchre establishing Joachin his son King of the Countrey and of the City Moreover he took 3000 of N the most honourable Citizens of Jerusalem Prisoners and led them to Babylon with him amongst whom was the Prophet Ezekiel at that time very young in years This was the end of King Joachim who lived 36 years and reigned 11. Joachin that succeeded him in the Kingdom was the son of Nosta of Jerusalem and reigned three months and ten days O CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3346. before Christ's Nativity 618. A Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose and besiegeth Joachin and receiveth him upon composition AS soon as the Babylonian had bestowed the Kingdom of Judea on Joachin he was seized with a sudden fear Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. which made him suspect lest Joachin remembring himself of the injuries he had done unto him by the murther of his father might draw the Countrey into rebellion 2 King 25. 27. and revolt against him For which cause he sent out certain Forces and besieged Joachin in Jerusalem who being a man of a good nature and of an upright B heart was loth to forsake the City in that danger without a Governor considering that it was for his cause that the Common-weal was in that hazard For which cause taking his wife and his nearest akin with him he delivered them into the hands of the Captains that were sent against him Nabuchodonosor a Truce-breaker receiving an oath from them that neither they nor the City should receive any harm But this promise continued not a year for the King of Babylon observed it not but commanded his Captains to imprison all the youth and artificers that were in the City and to bring them bound unto him The number of them was 10832 persons besides Joachin his Mother and his near Allies whom they took Prisoners CHAP. IX C Sedechias is made King over Jerusalem by the Babylonians INstead of Joachin he appointed Sedechias his Uncle King of Jerusalem whom he bound by an oath that he should govern the Countrey without any innovation 2 King 24. 17. and that he should hold no intelligence with the Egyptians Sedechias King of Jerusalem seduced by his Courtiers and false Prophets giveth no ear to Jeremy This Sedechias was 21 years old at such time as he came unto the Kingdom and was Joachims brother by the mothers side he was a contemner of all laws and a preverter of ordinances For the young men that were about him were without the fear of God and all the people under his dominions D committed whatsoever
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 5â—3 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
advice given by Demetrius is this O Demetrius to the great King Health A Most mighty Prince since you have committed the trust unto me to find out such Books as are wanting to your Library Demetrius exhortatory Letter to Ptolomy touching his Library and to search for such Volumes as hitherto have been hid from my sight to the end that I might gather them together after that I had used herein all the care that was possible I have found that amongst others we want the Books of the Laws of the Jews For they being written in Hebrew Characters we have no notice thereof nor have we taken the pains to inquire after them because your Majesty hath not as yet thought fit to desire them But I think it necessary that your Majesty should have them procured and that they be faithfully B Translated because those Laws proceeded from God himself and it is most certain that of all other Laws in the World they are the wisest and incorruptest For which cause Hecateus the Abderite saith That neither Poets nor Historians have made any mention of them nor of those that have been governed under the same because in themselves they are pure and are not to be published by the mouth of the profane May it therefore please your Majesty to write unto the High-Priest of the Jews commanding him to send you six of every Tribe such as he shall know to be most expert in their Law by whom we may clearly apprehend the sence contained in those Books to the end that having the faithful interpretation of those things that are contained therein we may collect and gather them together to the satisfaction of your Majesty When the King had in this manner been advised he wrote unto Eleazar the High-Priest C of the Jews The Kings liberality towards the Jews touching this matter letting him know what liberty was by him granted unto the Jews that were in his kingdom He sent him also 50 Talents of gold to make cups ewers and vessels with an infinite number of precious stones commanding his Cofferers who had the charge of his Jewels to suffer the Workmen to choose what stones they liked best Furthermore he appointed that a hundred Talents should be given for the sacrifices and oblations and other uses of the Temple But after that I have declared what was the Copy of the Letter sent unto Eleazar the High-Priest and the manner how he obtained that Sacerdotal dignity I will give an account of the rich Presents and their curious Workmanship After the death of Onias the High-Priest his son Simon sirnamed the Just succeeded D in his place who for that cause was so called by reason of the piety which he shewed toward God and good affection which he bare unto his Countreymen This Simon dying and leaving behind him one onely son of young and tender years who was called Onias his brother which was this Eleazar of whom we speak at this present took upon him the Priesthood and to him wrote Ptolomy in such manner as is hereafter expressed King Ptolomy to the High-Priest Eleazar Health Whereas divers Jews dwelt in my kingdom whom my father had honoured though during the Reign of the Persians they were sent thither as Prisoners and made some of them E Captains in his Wars Ptolomy's Epistle to Eleazar for Interpreteâ—s to translate the Bible allowing them honourable wages and conditions To others born in his time in Egypt he hath committed his Forts and Garisons which made them much honoured and feared among the Egyptians Since my coming to the Government I have behaved my self graciously towards all men and especially toward those of your Nation of whom I have delivered more than 100000 out of Captivity paying their ransom out of mine own Coffers I have likewise listed some of those that were of age in the companies and bands of my men of War I have received some into my Court whom I took to be faithful and loyal and in my opinion well worthy of such preferment supposing this to be the most acceptable Present that I could offer up unto God for his Providence in advancing me to the Kingdom And being desirous not only to gratifie them but also all those Jews that are in the whole world I have determined to cause F your Law to be Translated out of Hebrew into Greek that I might put it in my Library You shall therefore do well if you choose out six discreet and learned men of every Tribe amongst you and send them unto me such as by reason of their age shall be well instructed in your Laws and sufficiently enabled to expound the same And I doubt not but that the work succeeding as I hope it will I shall thereby gain great glory Wherefore I send unto you Andrew the chiefest Captain of my Guard and Aristeus also whom we especially honour to confer with you by whom I have sent you 100 Talents of silver as the first-fruits of those gifts and sacrifices which we intend to offer in the Temple You will do us an especial favor if you signifie your mind unto us by your Letters G As soon as Eleazar had received the Kings Letters he returned him an answer full of respect as followeth A The High Priest Eleazar to King Ptolomey health If your self your Queen Arsinoe and your children be in health we do very much rejoyce thereat We have received your Princely Letters with no small joy and have read and considered the contents thereof we have also published them in the presence of all the People and have declared unto them your piety towards God and have shewed them those vesselles which you sent us twenty of Gold and thirty of silver with five vessells and a Table which you have sent us as Presents We have likewise shewed them those hundred talents which Andrew and Aristeus vertuous and excellently learned men Eleazars Letters in answer to Ptolomey and honoured by you amongst your B dearest friends have brought unto us to be employed in sacrifices and other uses in the Temple Know therefore that whatsoever you are pleased to command we will readily observe that we may acknowledge the benefits which you have divers wayes bestowed upon our Nation We have therefore daily offered sacrifice for you your Queen Arsinoe your children and friends the people likewise have prayed that God would send you happy success in whatsoever you desire that your Kingdom may be continued in peace and that the translation of our Law may be accomplished at your desire for our own satisfaction To that intent we have chosen six Elders out of every Tribe whom we send unto you together with the original of our Law Our request is that according to your accustomed piety and justice you return us both our Laws and these interpreters in safety as soon as they have answered your expectation Fare C you well This is the answer
may now be called the Temple of Jupiter of Grece by which means we shall be deliver'd from all trouble and being at liberty to F attend our Affairs we may the easier and more willingly pay you the greater Tributes To this request of the Samaritans the King answer'd sending them back their own Letter King Antiochus to Nicanor Health The Sidonians of Sichem have sent us this request to which we annex unto these our Letters Since they who were sent unto us to this intent have sufficiently made appear both to us and our Council that they are utterly strangers unto those Crimes wherewith the Jews are charged and are desirous to live according to the Laws of the Grecians we absolve them in as much as concerneth this Cause and their Temple which hereafter shall be called by the name of Jupiter of G Grece We have writen to the like effect also to Apollonius their Governor Given the 46th year and the eleventh of the month Hecatomhaeon which signifieth August H CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3799. before Christ's Nativity 165. Matthias and his sons sâ—ay those that were sent by King Antiochus to compel them to offer abominable Sacrifices and after betake themselves to the Desart They are followed by many others of whom a great number are stifled in their Caves because they would not defend themselves on the Sabbath-day Matthias abolisheth that Superstition and exhorts his sons to assert their priviledges and deliver their Countrey from bondage AT this time there dwelt a certain man in Modin a village of Jury whose name was Matthias who was the son of John who was the son of Simon the son of Asmonaeus I a Priest of the rank of Joarib born in Jerusalem This Matthias had 5 sons John call'd Gaddis Simon call'd Matthes Judas call'd Machabeus Eleazar named Auran Jonathan called Aphus This Matthias oftentimes complain'd unto his sons of the deplorable condition to which their Nation was reduc'd of the ruine of their City the desolation of their Temple The zeal and piety of Matthias and his sons and the miseries of the People telling them That it were better for them to die in the defence of the Laws and Religion of their Forefathers than to live dishonourably amidst so many calamities When therefore the Commissaries deputed by the King came unto Modin to constrain the Jews to perform that which was enjoin'd them and to command them to sacrifice according to the ordinance requiring Matthias who surpassed the rest in honour and other qualities but especially in excellency of descent and nobility K to begin first of all to offer sacrifice to the end that the rest might follow him and be induc'd by his example assuring him That the King would testifie his being well-pleased with his compliance by the rewards which he would suddenly send him Matthias answer'd That he would by no means commit that Idolatry assuring them That although all other Nations of the World either for love or fear of punishment should obey the Edicts of Antiochus yet that neither he nor any of his children would be induc'd to forsake their fathers Religion As soon as he had return'd this answer he held his peace and a certain Jew stepped forth to offer sacrifice according to Antiochus ordinance An Apostate slain by Matthias wherewith Matthias was so much displeas'd that both he and his sons fell upon him and with their swords hew'd him in pieces He slew Apelles the Kings Captain likewise and the Soldiers which he brought with him to compel L the people to commit impiety And not content herewith he overthrew the â—ltar crying out with a loud voice If said he any one be affected to the Laws of his Fathers and the service of God Matthias with his sons flieth into the desart let him follow me And this said he presently retir'd into the Desart with his sons leaving the Borough utterly unpeopled The rest after his example retir'd also into the Desart with their Wives and Children and made their habitation in Caves The Kings Captains having intelligence hereof gather'd those Forces that were at that time in the Cittadel of Jerusalem and pursued the Jews into the Desart And having overtaken them they labour'd first of all to make them submit themselves and to make choice of that which was most for their advantage rather than to endanger themselves and enforce them to chastise their disobedience with blood But the Jews nothing M mov'd herewith resolv'd rather to die than commit such an impiety Whereupon they who omitted no opportunity assailed the Jews on a Sabbath-day and burnt them within their Caves who neither resisted their Enemies nor so much as closed up the mouths of their Caves forbearing to make any resistance by reason of the day resolving with themselves not to violate the Sabbath-day for we are commanded to cease from all labour on that day The Jews are slain on the Sabbath-day which slaughter maketh Matthias more wary There were therefore about a thousand stifled in their Caves with their Wives and Children Yet notwithstanding divers escaped and joined themselves with Matthias whom they chose for their Captain who declared unto them That they ought to fight on the Sabbath-day assuring them That if they did not but scrupulously observed the Law they themselves should be enemies unto themselves if perhaps the Enemy should assail them N on that day and they should not stand upon their guard for by that means they should be destroyed without resistance Hereby he persuaded them to do as he had said and until this day it is a custom among us that if need require we make no difficulty to fight on the Sabbath-day Matthias rooteth out all Idolatry Matthias therefore having assembled a sufficient number of men about him destroyed the Altars and slew those that had forsaken their Religion as many of them as he could lay hands on For divers were scatter'd here and there among the Nations for fear he commanded these to circumcise their children that were not circumcised Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. driving those from every place whom Antiochus had ordain'd to see his Law executed After that Matthias had govern'd for the space of one year he fell sick of a dangerous disease whereupon he called for his sons and spake unto them after this manner My O sons I must now go that way which is destined unto all men I therefore exhort you to follow my advice and diligently to observe it remembring the intent of your father who hath begot and nourish'd you which is to maintain the Laws of our Countrey and to establish our State which is in danger to be overthrown and hold no correspondence with those that would betray it to the A Enemy Let it appear to all the World that ye are my children indeed strengthen your hearts with courage to overcome all force and necessity And assure your selves
in the Countrey of Persia For since he had only intended to commit Sacriledge but had not effected it he merited not to suffer punishment for it And if it seemeth good unto Polybius that Antiochus was punish'd by death L upon this occasion it is far more likely to be true that his death befell him for the Sacriledge he had committed in the Temple of Jerusalem But our purpose is not to argue against those that maintain that Polybius's reasons are of greater truth and consequence than ours are CHAP. XIV Antiochus Eupator succeeds his father Epiphanes Judas Machabeus lays siege to the Cittadel at Jerusalem Antiochus comes against him with a great Army and besiegeth Bethsura they both raise their sieges and come to a pitch'd Battel The wonderful M courage and the death of Eleazar one of the brothers of Judas Antiochus takes Bethsura and besiegeth the Temple of Jerusalem but when the Jews were reduced to the greatest extremity he raiseth the siege upon the news that was brought him of Philip's having caused himself to be proclaimed King of Persia BEfore Antiochus gave up the ghost Antiochus appointeth Philip Governor of his kingdom and committeth his son Antiochus to his charge he called for Philip one of his chief friends and made him Governor of his kingdom And having deliver'd his Diadem into his hands his Royal Robe and his Ring and Jewels he charg'd him to deliver them to his son Antiochus entreating him to take care of his education and to secure the kingdom N for him until he came to years of discretion This done Antiochus died the 149 year of the kingdom of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. After that Lysias had certifi'd the people of the Kings death he proclaim'd his son Antiochus whom at that time he had in his protection King sirnaming him Eupator Lysias createth Antiochus the younger King and sirnameth him Eupator according to the instructions that were given him About that time the Garison and Apostates that were in the Fortress of Jerusalem did much mischief unto the Jews For setting upon them that went up to the Temple to worship and offer Sacrifice The Macedonians in the Castle of Jerusalem do much harm to the Jews they slew them for the Fortress commanded the Temple For this cause Judas resolved to cut off these Garisons and to that intent he assembled all the people and besieged it This enterprize was undertook in the year 150 after that Seleucus had usurped the government of those Countries Having therefore made him certain Engines O and raised divers Platforms he industriously continued the siege But divers of those Apostates that were revolted Judas Machabeus besiegeth the Castle and of that Garison came out by night and assembling together such men as were as malicious as themselves they came unto King Antiochus beseeching him The year of the World 3803. before Christ's Nativity 161. That he would not suffer them to be abused by those of our Nation nor to be neglected A by him since their sufferings proceeded only from their having devoted themselves to his fathers service for whose sake they had forsaken their own Religion and follow'd his Laws and Ordinances Furthermore they told him That the Fortress was in danger to be surprized by Judas and his Associates The fugitive Jews flie out of the Castle and require Antiochus's assistance except some present succors were sent unto them When Antiochus the younger had notice hereof he was displeased and sent for his Captains and Friends commanding them to hire strangers and to list all those in his kingdom who were of years to bear Arms so that he gather'd in short time an Army of 100000 Foot and 20000 Horse and 32 Elephants and with this equipage marched out of Antioch committing his Army to Lysias Antiochus marcheth into Judea with his Army As soon as he came into Idumaea he went up unto Bethsura a walled City B and very difficult to be taken which he besieged but with such a disadvantage that the Bethsurians resisting him valiantly Bethsura besieged and sallying out upon him burnt those Engines which he had prepar'd for the battery of the Town When therefore a long time was consumed about the siege Judas with his forces encountreth the King at Beth-zacharia Judas having intelligence of the Kings approach raised his Camp from before the Castle of Jerusalem and marching forward to meet the Enemy he encamped in a certain streight in a place call'd Beth-zacharia about 70 furlongs from the Enemy The King having notice thereof raised his siege from Bethsura and marched toward the streight where Judas's Army was encamped and about the morning he set his Soldiers in battel aray He first of all caused his Elephants to march one after another through the streight for that it was impossible for them to march in a square body About every Elephant were 1000 Footmen and 500 Horsemen These Elephants bare high Towers on C their backs fill'd with Archers The rest of his Forces he caused to march two several wayes by the mountains under the conduct of his most trusty friends commanding them to charge their Enemies with a great shout and to discover their golden and brazen bucklers to the end the reflection thereof might dazle the eyes of the Jews whereupon the mountains resounded with the fearful cryes of Antiochus Army yet was not Judas any wayes discourag'd at it Eleazar Judas's brother killeth an Elephant For receiving the charge with a great courage he slew almost 600 of the forlorn hope But Eleazar sirnamed Auran Judas's brother seeing a huge Elephant among the rest with trappings somewhat extraordinary and supposing that the King was mounted thereon Judas returneth to Jerusalem and Antiochus followeth him he made towards him with a mighty courage and after he had slain divers of those that invironed the Elephant and scatter'd the rest he thrust D his sword into the belly of the beast and wounded him to death but the Elephant falling upon Eleazar slew him with his weight and thus honourably diedthis worthy man after that he had slain a great number of his Enemies and sold his life at a dear rate Judas seeing his Enemies Forces so great in number retir'd back to Jerusalem to continue his siege and Antiâ—chus sent part of his Army to Bethsura to take it and with the rest he himself marched toward Jerusalem The Bethsurites being afraid of this mighty Army of the King and seeing their necessary provisions failed The Bethsurites yield up their City yielded up their City after they had taken the Kings oath that he would offer no violence so that when Antiochus was Master of the City he offer'd them no injury The Temple of Jerusalem besieged only he thrust them out disarmed from the City and placed a Garison E therein He spent a long time also in besieging the Temple of Jerusalem
for they who kept it defended it valiantly For against every Engine the King built and raised up against them they erected a contrary Engine They only wanted victuals because their old provision was consumed and the ground had not been manured that year because it was the seventh in which according to the Law the Countrey ought not to be tilled which was the cause that divers of those that were besieged fled away privately for want of victuals insomuch that very few remained for the defence of the Temple In this condition were they who were besieg'd in the Temple But when King Antiochus and Lysias the General had received notice Antiochus hearing news of Philips intent to invade Persia giveth over his siege to meet him that Philip coming out of Persia intended to make himself Lord of the Countrey they concluded to give F over the siege for that time and to march forwards against Philip without giving any notice thereof to his Soldiers He only commanded that Lysias should call a Council of his Captains and without discovering of his design against Philip to tell them That he raised the siege because the place was very strong and his Army began to want victuals and the publick affairs required his presence in other parts of his Dominions Furthermore he thought it expedient to capitulate with the besieged and contract friendship with all the Nation of the Jews promising them the free exercise of their Religion because they rebelled only that they were deprived of it and he was assured that having the grant thereof they would live peaceably and he might safely return into his own Countrey When Lysias had declared these Reasons all the Army and the Captains approved thereof G H CHAP. XV. King Antiochus Eupator makes peace with the Jews but contrary to his promise he demolisheth the Wall that encompassed the Temple He cuts off the head of the High-Priest Onias sirnamed Menelaus and confers that honour upon Alcim Onias the Nephew of Menelaus retires into Egypt where the King and Queen Cleopatra his Wife permit him to build a Temple at Heliopolis in imitation of that at Jerusalem IN pursuance of this resolution Antiochus maketh peace with Judas King Antiochus sent a Herald to Judas and those that I were besieged with him promising them peace with permission to live according to their Religion The wall of the Temple defaced Which conditions they willingly embrac'd and having taken an oath of assurance from the King they surrendred up the Temple Whereupon Antiochus entred into it Onias otherwayes called Menelaus led away Prisoner and seeing it to be a place so well fortifi'd he contrary to his oath commanded his Army to level the Wall that inviron'd it even with the ground which done he return'd to Antioch leading away with him the High-Priest Onias who was called Menelaus For Lysias had counselled the King to murther Menelaus if he intended that the Jews should live in peace and the rather because it was he only who was the Author of all those evils by reason of the counsel he had given to Antiochus his father to inforce the Jews to forsake their Religion The King for that cause sent Menelaus unto Beraea K a City of Syria where he commanded him to be put to death after he had enjoy'd the High-Priesthood ten years Alcim or Jacimus made High-Priest He was a wicked man and to raise himself to that great honour and authority had caused several of our Nation to violate our most holy Laws As soon therefore as Menelaus was dead Alcim was made High-Priest who was called Jacimus Now when Antiochus found that Philip had already conquer'd a great part of his Countrey he fought with him and taking him Prisoner he put him to death But Onias the son of the High-Priest Philip slain by Antiochus whom as we have heretofore declared was left an Orphan in his infancy seeing that the King had slain his Uncle Menelaus Onias the High-Priests son built a Temple in Egypt resembling that at Jerusalem and given the Priesthood to Alcim who was not of the race of the Priests and had transferred this honour into another family at the persuasion of Lysias he fled unto Ptolomy King of L Egypt where being honourably entertained by the King and his Queen Cleopatra he obtained a place at Heliopolis where he built a Temple like unto that which was at Jerusalem whereof we shall hereafter have a more fit opportunity to speak CHAP. XVI Demetrius the son of Seleucus escapes from Rome comes into Syria and causeth himself to be crowned King and puts to death King Antiochus and Lysias He sends Bacchides with an Army into Judea to exterminate Judas and his party and to establish Alcim in the High-Priesthood he proceeds with great cruelty but Judas compels M him to retire to Demetrius for fresh supplies AT that time Demetrius the son of Seleucus fled from Rome Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. and took possession of Tripolis in Syria and after he had set the Diadem upon his own head and had levied and hired certain Soldiers 1 Machab. 7. he invaded the kingdom Demetrius seizeth Tripolis and other Cities of â—yria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias where he was received to the general content of all men who submitting themselves unto him laid hold on the King Antiochus and Lysias and brought them alive unto him but he forthwith commanded that they should be put to death after that Antiochus had reigned two years To this new elected King divers Jews banish'd for their impiety and with them the High-Priest Alcim resorted Alcim the High-Priest with Apostates accuseth Judas before Demetrius who in general accused their own Nation and principally Judas N and his brethren objecting against them that they had slain his friends and all such as were on his side and that among all those that were in the kingdom and expected his coming some of them were slain and the rest being driven from their native Countrey were banish'd into other places Wherefore he desired him that he would send some one of his friends to take notice of the outrages committed by Judas and his brethren Demetrius was much moved by these reports and for that cause sent Bacchides who was in times past much esteemed by Antiochus Epiphanes for his valor and to whose government at that time all Mesopotamia was committed To whom he gave an Army joining with him the High-Priest Alcim with Commission to kill Judas and his Confederates Bacchides departing from Antioch with his Army came into Judea and sent an Herald unto Judas O and his brethren to treat with him upon certain Articles of Peace because his intent was to surprize them by some treachery But Judas suspecting his design gave little heed unto him for in that he came thither with so great an Army he easily conjectured that he intended no Peace
adventure considerable attempts Herod flyeth to Malchus King of Arabia to borrow money For he went unto Malchus King of the Arabians to whom formerly he had shewed much courtesie hoping to receive the like of him in this time of his great necessity and to draw some money from him either by interest or gift For being ignorant of his brothers death he endeavoured to redeem him speedily from his Enemies by paying his Ransom which amounted to Three hundred Talents and for that cause he led with him the son of Phasaelus who was only seven years old to leave him in pledge amongst the Arabians for the sum that was demanded L But certain messengers came to him from Malchus Herod is commanded out of Arabia and flyeth into Egypt from thence after some storms he repaired to Rome where he certifieth Antonius of that which had befallen him who charged him in the Kings behalf to retire back again for that the Parthians had enjoyned him that he should neither receive nor retain Herod And used this colourable pretence because he would not pay his debts and hereunto was perswaded by the advice of the greatest in authority among the Arabians who pretended thereby to make themselves masters of that treasure that Antipater had committed to their custody Herod answered them That he repaired not into their Countrey to give them cause of any trouble but onely to consult with them about certain matters of great importance touching his own estate and that afterwards he was resolved to depart and withdraw himself into Egypt as secretly as might be possible He returned therefore to a certain Temple where he had left divers of M his followers and the next day he came to Rhinocâ—ra in which place he heard tidings of his brothers death But afterwards Malchus repented himself of his ingratitude and speedily sent after Herod but he could not overtake him for he had gotten far on his way and was already arrived near to Pelusium where being denyed his passage to Alexandria in those ships that were there he addressed himself to the Magistrates of the place who highly respected and honoured him and sent him to the City where Cleopatra was who entertained him kindly yet notwithstanding she could not perswade him to remain with her Whereupon he repaired towards Rome notwithstanding the Winter and those grievous troubles that at the very same time afflicted Italy as it was reported Embarking himself therefore to sail into Pamphilia he was tost with a most N cruel storm so that with great danger at last he arrived in Rhodes having been inforced in the tempest to cast into the Sea great part of his goods There he met with Sappinas and Ptolomey two of his endeared friends He found also the City of Rhodes had suffered much misery by Cassius's Wars and although his means were very short yet he helped them in what he might and caused their Walls to be repaired notwithstanding that by so doing he greatly hindred himself After that he caused a little Frigot to be built and embarked himself with his friends to repair into Italy and arrived at Arundusium and from thence went to Rome The first to whom he discovered his misfortunes was Marcus Antonius to whom he reported all the occurrances in Judaea and how his brother Phasaelus was taken by the Parthians and slain and how O Hircanus was imprisoned with him The manner also how they had established Antigonus King under promise to give them One thousand Talents and Five hundred of the fairest Women whom he intended to chuse out of his own race Lastly how he stole away by night and rescued them and escaping his Enemies hands had afterwards endured A many miseries Besides that his friends were in great danger and left besieged for which cause he had sailed by Winter and despised all dangers only to seek for assistance at his hands on whom depended his hope and last refuge CHAP. XXVâ—â—I Herod through Antonius's and Augustus's assistance is declared King of the Jews at Rome Antigonus besiegeth Massada defended by Joseph Herod's Brother ANtonius hearing of all those alterations that had befallen Herod Hedio Ruffinus cap. 23. al. 25. had compassion of B his misery bethinking himself of the estate and condition of great men who are likewise subject to no less casualties and the rather was he induced to do him good Antonius loved Herod and hated Antigonus both in remembrance of the friendship he had with Antipater his father and also by reason of Herods promises of certain sums of money if he were made King by his means Caesar Augustus Herods friend as he had been formerly declared Tetrarch But that which most moved him hereunto was the hatred which he bare unto Antigonus whom he accounted to be a mutinous man and an Enemy to the Romans On the other side Caesar was well inclined to succor him both in regard of those Armies which Antipater had brought into Egypt in his fathers service as also because of the good hospitality and kindness that he had shewed him in all things and especially to gratifie Antonius who was well affected C towards Herod Whereupon the Senate being assembled Messala and Atratinus brought forth Herod Herod admitted into the Senate and declared King and after they had praised him and recited the favors which the Romans had received by his father and the great affection and good will which he bare to the people of Rome they accused and declared Antigonus the Romans Enemy not only for his ancient crimes but also that in contempt of the Romans he had received the Kingdom from the Parthians Whilst the Senate was sore displeased at the report of these things Antonius arose and declared openly before them all that in furtherance of the Parthian War it were not amiss that Herod should be made King which opinion of his was generally allowed and finally ratified The principal demonstration of the love and affection which Antonius bare unto Herod Herod intending the Kingdom for his Wifes brother enjoyeth the same himself was that he D not only obtained him the Kingdom beyond all hope for he never thought that the Romans would grant that dignity unto him who were wont to reserve that honour to those of the Kings blood and therefore he intended to have demanded it for his Wifes Brother Alexander Herod ascendeth the Capitol with Antonius and Caesaâ— and Nephew to Aristobulus by the Fathers side and to Hircanus by the Mother which Alexander Herod afterwards put to death as shall be declared in time and place but also for that within the term of seven dayes he sent him out of Italy with the unexpected titles of his felicity As soon as the Senate was risen Antonius and Caesar went forth leading Herod between them and being accompanied by the Consuls and other Magistrates went up into the Capitol to do sacrifice and to place there this Decree
hers that were privy to her design to carry them out in the night time and to go directly towards M the Sea where there was a Bark in readiness prepared to convoy them into Egypt But Esop one of her houshold servants declared this enterprize of hers to Sabbion on of Alexandras friends supposing that he had been made privy thereunto who had no sooner inkling thereof but for that beforetimes he was Herods enemy by reason he was suspected to have been one of those that sought to poyson Antipatar he resolved by discovery of this secret flight to convert Herods hatred into friendship and presently discovered Alexandras secret enterprize to the King Who dissembling the matter until it was upon the point of execution surprized her at such time as she thought to fly and yet notwithstanding he pardoned her that fault in that he durst not decree any punishment against her though he could have found in his heart to have used severity N for that Cleopatra would not have contained her self had she but had such an occasion offered her to express her hatred against Herod Herod contriveth Aristobulus death For which cause under the colour of a high and magnanimous spirit he made shew to pardon her of his meere clemency yet inwardly resolved to destroy young Aristobulus yet not rashly upon the instant lest the act should grow apparent and palpable Now the feast of Tabernacles was at hand which was one of those that was ceremoniously and solemnly celebrated among us for which cause he concealed his intents during the festival dayes intending both in himself and in the presence and company of the people to follow all kind of pleasure and delight yet his envy incited him to hasten the execution of his will Aristobulus was at that time some seventeen O years old who when he approached the Altar to offer sacrifices according to the law apparelled in the High Priests Ornaments to perform the ceremonies he who for amiable countenance and good stature surpassed the tenderness of his years expressing in his countenance the dignity and Nobility of his Race The year of the World 39â—1 Before Christ's Nativity 33. drew the eyes and good affections A of all the people unto him so that they openly called to remembrance the noble actions of Aristobulus his Grand-Father All the people being therefore surmounted by their affections and at that present time being all of them overjoyed they brake out by little and little into acclamations mixt with wishes and prayers so that the good will the people bare to Aristobulus discovered it self openly and they manifestly although too hastily in such a Kingdom declared what evils they generaly endured For all which causes Herod concluded to execute that which he had plotted against Aristobulus As soon therefore as the feast was over-passed he went into Jericho where Alexandra entertained him In that place he used Aristobulus with all kindness to draw him to secure some place playing with him and counterfeting to sport after the fashion B of the young men to gratifie him Now the place where they sported being too hot they quickly wearied left their sport and went out together to take fresh air and finding a pleasant shade under certain Arbours and near certain fish-pools which were largely spred round about they beheld certain of their Servants and Friends that swom therein with whom not long after Aristobulus began to swim being perswaded thereunto by Herod Whereupon Herods confederates who were deputed to execute the murther laid hands on him and thrust him under the water pretending to duck him in sport and never gave him over untill such time as they had stifled him in the water This hapned about the evening and after this manner died Aristobulus after he had lived in all for the space of eighteen years and administred the Priest-hood one whole C year Aristobulus is drowned by Herods direction Ananel restored to the Priest-hood and after this Ananel presently recovered his former dignity When this accident was reported to the women all of them burst out in tears and were transported with strange lamentations which they uttered over the dead body All the City also was mightily troubled neither was there any private family that thought not it self touched by this inconvenience but imagined the loss in particular to concern himself and no other But above all when Alexandra had notice of this wicked deed she was more passionate and perplexed than any other being so much the more discomforted for that she knew how all things had hapned But the fear of a far greater mischief constrained her to repress her passion so that divers times she was ready to bereave her of her own life The lamentation for Aristobulus death and dispatch her self out of misery with her own hands D But she contained her self to the end that surviving and living after her son who was so fraudulently destroyed and prolonging her own life without giving any suspition or shadow that she might with more opportunity expect the occasion to revenge her self For which cause she dissembled all things concealed her grief and made shew that she knew nothing of that which was either intended or had hapned As for Herod he laboured by all means to perswade the strangers that this death had befallen Aristobulus without his knowledg and did not only prepare that which was requisite for the funeral but made shew to be truly sorrowful and it may be that in remembrance of Aristobulus beauty and flourishing young years he was realy touched with compassion notwithstanding Herods counterfeit sorrow that he imagined that his death should be a means of his own security E demeaning himself in all things circumspectly with intent to purge himself of that crime But especially he shewed his great magnificence in the interring of his body both in the furnishing and preparation of the Herse as in the perfumes and other things thereunto belonging in such sort as the grief which the Ladies had conceived was pacified after this manner of consolation F G H CHAP. IV. The year of the World 393â— before Christ's Nativity 165. Herod is obliged to repair to Antonius to clear himself from Aristobulus's death he winneth him with Presents He gave order before his way-going to his Brother-in-Law Joseph to put Mariamne to death if Antonius should condemn him to die Joseph revealed it imprudently to this Princess and Herod put him to death for being jealous of him and Mariamne Cleopatra's unsatiable ambition and avarice BUT none of all these things could either move or mollifie Alexandra but daily more and more she increased her sorrow and in the height of her tears kindled her wrath with a desire of revenge Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herods Treasons and her sons traiterous murther She therefore acquainted Cleopatra by her private I Letters of Herods Treasons and her sons most miserable and untimely
were all the actors of that murther punished with their whole families and notwithstanding all this the common people was no wayes daunted but were ready to defend their laws except they were restrained by some greater power Herod fortisieth two castles within Jerusalem Antonia Samaria or Sebaste Which when the King perceived he resisted their endeavors with all diligence lest through these alterations in affairs the people should be drawn to an open rebellion Whereas therefore he had two strong Castles within the City one wherein his palace was another called Antonia that adjoyned near unto the Temple fortified by him he thought good to strengthen a third called Samaria the name whereof he changed and called it Sebaste which was distant from Jerusalem some dayes journey to C contain those of the common sort that were abroad under his obedience and very fit to bridle any uproars that might be raised in the City and Countrey Stratons Tower or Caesarea And for the whole Nation he builded a Fort Gabala which in times past was called Straton and afterwards he named it Caesarea Hâ—rod planteth garrisons in the fortresses to withstand conspiracies He builded also a Fort in Galilee which was called Gabala in a large Plain where by turns he kept his horsemen Besides these he builded the Fort of Esthmonites in the Countrey of Peraea on the other side Jordan Now when he had fitly disposed all these Castles through his whole Countrey for the security and safety of his Kingdom the matter of rebellion was taken from the common people who upon every light cause are subject to commotions in that he had prepared a remedy against all privy conspiracies by planting such forces always near at hand who D might prevent and pacifie all alterations at their beginning After this betaking himself to encompass Samaria with a wall he brought to pass that divers of those who had born arms with him against his enemies and divers of the people likewise that dwelt round about came to inhabit it both in regard of the Temple which he intended to build in that place as also for that he fortified the same for his own security although that formerly it was not in the number of famous Cities He therefore changed the name thereof and called it Sebaste and distributed the lands that confined the City among the inhabitants of the same which was by natâ—re a fruitful countrey to the intent that within a little space they might inrich themselves He invironed the City also with a strong wall being assisted by the natural strength and steepness of the place and besides the whole circuit E he included so much ground that it was no wayes inferiour to any of the famous Cities for it contained the circuit of twenty furlongs or stadia's And in the midst thereof there was a sacred place containing a furlong a half wonderfully adorned in which there was a Temple builded famous both for be uty and bigness And as for the other parts of the City he adorned them with all sorts of ornaments And seeing how nearly it concerned him to provide for the security of his person in this walled City he erected a Fortress for himself And as for the beauty thereof his intent was that it should remain for a monument to posterity of his magnificence and liberality CHAP. XII F Judaea is afflicted with many miseries but especially with a violent Plague and a terrible Famine Herods wonderful care and liberality to remedy it He recovereth by this means the love of the people whom he supplieth with abundance of all things He buildeth a stately Palace in Jerusalem He marrieth with the Daughter of Simon whom he createth High-Priest Another brave Castle is built by him in the same place where he had formerly routed the Jews THat very year Hedio Râ—â—â—inus chap. 11. al. 10. which was the thirteenth year of Herods reign very great calamities hapned in that countrey either through Gods displeasure or for that the revolution of time would have it so 〈…〉 For first of all there were such continual droughts that by reason thereof the earth grew barren and produced not those fruits which of it self it was accustomed to bear And after G this the ordinary course of mens diets being altered by reason of the want of corn the want of food was accompanied with a bâ—dâ—ly sickness for that by custom these two plagues do ordinarily entertain one another for this made the plague and sickness more vehement H for that the sick in this great penury could neither have care of themselves The year of the World 3942. before the Nativity of Christ 22. as was expedient nor get convenient nourishment for preservation of life so that many died daily and those also that remained alive were in despair because they could not relieve their want and necessities what diligence soever they used For which cause after the old fruits of that year were wholly consumed and all the rest of their store was utterly spent there appeared not any means whereupon they might hope namely for that the misery increased more than was expected yea and extended it self beyond that year so that they had nothing remaining by them and the seed that was sowed at that time mouldred away and the earth for all their labours afforded them no encrease The necessity therefore being I thus great constrained men to search out many new inventions to maintain their life and the King likewise was in no less perplexity in that he was deprived of those ordinary revenues which he received by the fruits of the earth and the rather for that he had spent his money in repairing his Cities according as before this we have declared all things were wasted by divers calamities so that a man could conceive no hope of remedy Besides this the people hated their King for that it is their custom ordinarily to accuse their Governors as if they were the authors of all their evils Yet did the King bethink himself how he might remedy these inconveniences but he hardly could find the means for their neighbors could not sell them victuals because they were no less afflicted than themselves and although he might have recovered some little for a great sum of money K yet he wanted it also to defray the charges Herod maketh 〈◊〉 of all his rich ornaments and houshold stuffe of gold and silver and buyeth corn notwithstanding in that he knew that it behoved him to employ his uttermost endeavors for a general remedy to such a violent oppression he melted down all those movables he had either of Gold or Silver within his Palace and spared nothing either for the matter the excellency or the fashion no not so much as the vessels wherein he was ordinarily served This money was sent into Egypt where at that time under Caesar Petronius held the government This man being Herod's friend in that
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
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
side he caused him to be killed by finding out a means to cause him to be stifled at such time as he bathed himself in a Fish-pond near to Jericho Aristobulus slain by Herod as we have declared before this After him he bestowed the Priesthood no more on any of the Line of the Asmoneans Archelaus his Son supra l 15. c. 3. followed his Father's steps in respect of the Priesthood and from that time forward the Romans have enjoyed the Sovereignty over Jewry All they then that have exercised the Priesthood from Herod's time until the day that Titus took the City and the Temple have been in all twenty and eight All the continuance of their Government was one hundred and seven years Some of these governed during Herod's I life and in the days of Archelaus his Son But after these two were dead the Government was Aristocratical or of the Nobility wherein the Priests had the Government over the whole Nation Thus much have we thought fit to speak at this time concerning the High Priests CHAP. IX How Florus Albinus's Successor offered many injuries to the Jews which constrained them to take Arms against the Romans K GEssius Florus being sent by Nero to succeed Albinus filled all Judaea with many mischiefs and miseries The year of the World 4028. after Christ's Nativity 66. He was a Clazomenian born and was married to a certain Woman called Cleopatra no less mischievous than himself who being beloved by Poppea Nero's Wife obtained this Dignity for him He behaved himself so insolently and violently in all his Government Gessius Florus Governour of Judaea that through the great injustice he committed the Jews praised Albinus as if he had been their Benefactor For he concealed his mischief taking care lest it should be discovered But Gessius Florus behaved himself so Gessius Florus worse than Albinus as if he had been sent to make open shew and sale of his Villanies published his injustice in the ears of our Nation without omitting any injustice in executing L and inflicting punishment on the innocent For he was pitiless and covetous and made no difference between Noble and Ignoble and was not ashamed to be partaker with Thieves of whom there were divers who made it their profession to steal without any fear in that they were assured of their safety because he was partaker with them The year of the World 4030. after Christs Nativity 68. And in a word there was no moderation in him so that the poor Jews being unable to endure such insolence were constrained to abandon their own houses and to fly their Countrey and remain in some more commodious place of security yea though it were among strangers What need I speak any more he that constrained us to draw our Swords against the Romans Florus the original cause of the Wars of the Jews was Florus we made this account that it was better for us to die all at once than to perish by little and little M In short the War began the second year of Florus's Government in that Province which was the twelfth year of Nero's Empire The beginning of the Wars but they that desire to know exactly all that which we have been constrained both to do and suffer may persue may Books of the Wars of the Jews For which cause in this place I will end this ancient History This ancient History containeth all that which hath been reported to be done since the first Creation of man The Epilogue of the Antiquities of the Jews until the twelfth year of Nero's Empire omitting nothing that hath befallen the Jews as well in Egypt as in Syria and Palestine All that likewise which we have been enforced to suffer under the Assyrians and Babylonians as also our Estate under the Persians and Macedonians and finally under the Romans N All this as I suppose I have compiled and gathered together with careful diligence and I have enforced my self to recite the number of those who have been High Priests for the space of two thousand years I have also collected the Succession of Kings their Actions and Government with the power of their Monarchies according as it is amply described in Holy Scriptures as also I have promised in the beginning of my History Moreover I dare boldly say that whatsoever I set down is so true that there is no man either Jew or of what Nation soever yea although he should have employed the uttermost of his power could more exactly communicate the same unto the Greeks than I have done For in their Confessions and Opinions who are of our Nation Joseph expert in the Greek and Hebrew Tongue I have such knowledge in that which concerneth our O Doctrine as I surpass them all And as for the Grecian Disciplines I have studied and learned the Tongue although I cannot boast of the familiar and fit Pronunciation A of the same for that I have lived in the Countrey For amongst us we make but slender reckoning of those who are exercised in divers Tongues for that this Study is accounted Prophane by us and common not only to free persons but also unto slaves and they only are esteemed to have profited in Wisdom who fully know the Contents of the Law and who can expound the Holy Scriptures For this cause although divers have busied themselves in this exercise of writing Histories yet there are scarcely two or three of them that have written successfully and have received the Fruits of their Labours And it may be that it will not be thought amiss if I freely speak somewhat of my Progeny and Life considering that there are men at this day living who can approve or reprove me in that I set down This Volume was written And in this place I will make an end of B my Antient History which I have reduced into twenty Books containing sixty thousand Verses The year of the World 4057. after Christ's Nativity 95. And if God grant me life I will shortly treat of our Wars and the events of the same that have happened hitherto which is the thirteenth year of Domitianus Caesar's Empire and the fifty sixth year of my Age. Moreover I am resolved to discover in four Books the divers Opinions of the Sects of the Jews as touching God and his Essence and our Laws according to which certain things are permitted us and others are forbidden The End of the Antiquities of the Jews THE Lamentable Tragical HISTORY OF THE WARS AND UTTER RUINE OF THE JEWS Comprised in Seven BOOKS BY FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Son of MATTHIAS Formerly Translated into English By Tho. Lodge D. M. P. And now Revised the Translation refined according to the late French Copy of it Published by Monsieur Arnauld D' Andilly LONDON Printed for Abel Roper Nathanael Ranew Jonathan Robinson and Obadiah Tomlins 1675. A THE B PREFACE C In which the Author taxeth divers
business for which cause labouring under his disease Ant. lib. 13. cap. 22. he applied himself to War and toiling above his strength amidst those tumults he yielded up the Ghost in the thirty seventh year of his Reign leaving the Kingdom to Alexandra his Wife Alexandra Alexander's Wife through the opinion of Vertue obtaineth the Kingdom fully accounting that the Jews would in all things obey her because that she always misliking and seeking to hinder his cruelty and iniquity had won the hearts of the people Neither was he deceived for she being admired for her piety amongst them they easily submitted to her the rather F for that she was well acquainted with the Customs of her Countrey and even from her Childhood detested them who violated our holy Laws Hircanus first made High Priest and afterwards King She had by Alexander two Sons the eldest was called Hircanus whom by reason of his years she made High Priest and because of his dull nature she thought that though he were in Princely Authority yet he would molest no man As for the youngest Son Aristobulus because he was of a hot spirit she was willing that he should lead a private life Now there was a certain Sect among the Jews The Pharisees getting in favour with the Queen are made her chief Governours and enjoy all honours which were called Pharisees who joyned themselves with the Queen These people were thought to be of the godliest sort and to be more skilful than others in interpreting the Scriptures and Alexandra favoured them the more because she was much given to Religion These having by G little and little insinuated themselves into her favour domineer'd at their pleasure displacing disposing imprisoning and restoring to liberty whom they pleased for no other purpose but that they might enjoy the Profits and Commodities of the Kingdom leaving to Alexandra nothing but the Expences and care of the Government H This Queen was always desirous of high attempts and daily studied to encrease her wealth She levied two Armies and hired many strangers whereby she not only strengthened her own Countrey but also made her self feared by other Nations Alexandra willingly obeyeth the Pharisees She ruled others but her self was ruled by the Pharisees who at last killed Diogenes a gallant man and highly in favour with King Alexander affirming that through his counsel the King commanded those eight hundred before-mentioned to be crucified The Pharisees by their envy and Accusations are the death of many good men And further they perswaded the Queen Alexandra that she should put to death all others through whose counsel Alexander her Husband had been incited against those eight hundred The Queen being blinded with Superstition thought it unlawful to deny any thing which they requested so that they put to death whom they I pleased till such time as the chiefest of those who were in this danger in humble wise came to Aristobulus Aristobulus expostulateth with his Mother who perswaded his Mother to spare some and to banish others who she thought had deserved punishment which Exiles dispersed themselves through the whole Countrey Now Alexandra sent an Army to Damascus and because Ptolomey daily vexed the City she took it without doing any thing worthy of memory She also solicited Tigranes King of Armenia with Gifts and Promises who with an Army had besieged Ptolemais wherein Cleopatra was but he for fear of troubles in his own Countrey in that Lucullus had entred into Armenia withdrew himself from thence Shortly after Alexandra falling sick Aristobulus proclaimeth himself King her youngest Son Aristobulus with his Servants K which were many in number all trusty and in the heat of their youth got all the Castles Alexandra imprisoneth Aristobulus's Wife and Children and hiring Soldiers with the money he found in those Castles he proclaimed himself King But Alexandra pitying the complaints of Hircanus imprisoned the Wife and Children of Aristobulus in a Castle near the North part of the Temple which in old time was called Baris as we said before afterwards Antonia from Antonius The year of the World 3863. before Christ's Nativity â—â— as in like manner Sebaste and Agrippias other Cities were named of Augustus and Agrippa But Alexandra died before she could revenge Hircanus of the wrongs which Aristobulus had done him This Queen reigned nine years and left Hircanus in possession of all whom during her life time she had advanced to the Kingdom But Aristobulus being both stronger in power Alexandra dieth and Hircanus succeedeth her in the Kingdom and greater in authority encountred with his L Brother about Jericho where many of Hircanus's Soldiers forsaking their King fled to Aristobulus so that he and the remnant that followed him were forced to fly into the Castle called Antonia where he found Hostages to redeem them for as we have already said Aristobulus his Wife and Children were imprisoned in that place Ant. l. 14 c. 1. And lest any worse mis-hap should betide him The Brethren contending for the Kingdom are accorded upon certain conditions he concluded a Peace upon condition that Aristobulus should be King and that he as Brother to the King should enjoy some other Dignities Upon these conditions they were made friends in the Temple where in the presence of all the people they friendly embraced each other which when they had done Ant. lib. 14. cap. 2 3 4. they changed houses and Aristobulus went to the King's Palace and Hircanus to Aristobulus's house M CHAP. V. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians Antipater perswadeth Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and to crave his assistance to recover his Kingdom and of the taking of Jerusalem NOw a sudden fear invaded all the enemies of Aristobulus when they saw him contrary to all expectation made King and especially Antipater above all others whom Aristobulus had long hated This Antipater was an Idumaean born and for Nobility and Riches the chief and best reputed of his Nation This man perswaded N Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and crave his help to set him in his Kingdom He exhorted Aretas likewise to receive Hircanus and to help him to recover his Kingdom Antipater with Hircanus fly from Jerusalem by night to Aretas King of Arabia speaking much against the manners of Aristobulus and praising Hircanus adding that he being King of so famous a Nation ought to assist those who were unjustly oppressed and that Hircanus had manifest injury offered him being forced to forsake his Kingdom which by the right of Succession was due unto him After he had thus made his way he took in the night time Hircanus and fled with him out of the City and making all haste possible they arrived safe at a Town called Petra a Town where the King 's of Arabia are accustomed to keep their Court there he delivered Hircanus into the King's
himself to him with lyes devising with himself how to make the Jews rebel which he thought was the safest means to cloak his villanies for if they continued in peace and obedience Cestius Gallus appeaseth the people promiseth a mitigation of Florus's severity he feared that some of them would accuse him before Caesar but if he could make them revolt then he hoped that their great fault would shadow his injustices Wherefore to bring about his purpose he every day oppressed them with new calamities in order to force them to rebel against the Romans At this time the Gentiles of Caesarea got their Cause against the Jews before Nero and brought Letters to testifie the Decree in their favour The beginning of the war of the Jews the 12. year of Nero's Reign Which was the beginning of the War of the Jews in the twelfth year of Nero his Empire and the seventeenth of Agrippa's reign I in the month of May. CHAP. XIV Of Florus his cruelty against the Jews of Caesarea and Jerusalem HOw great soever the Evils were which Florus perpetrated tyrannically Ant. lib. 20. cap. 15. our Nation suffer'd them without revolting The causes of the War of the Jews But that which hapned at Caesarea was as a spark that kindled the fire of War The Jews dwelling at Caesarea had a Synagogue near unto a piece of ground that belonged unto a Gentile dwelling there The Jews often K sought to purchase it of him The year of the World 4030. after Christ's Nativity 68. offering him far more than it was worth but the man not only contemn'd their request but also to their great grief he resolv'd in that place to build Taverns and so to leave them a very strait and narrow passage to go to their Synagogue Some young men among the Jews led with zeal resisted the workmen Florus's perjury and deceit toward the Jews and would not suffer them to build Florus hearing this commanded the Jews to let the workmen go forward in their work The Jews not knowing what to do one John a Publican offered Florus eight talents to hinder the building whom he promised for that money to fulfil their request and now having it he presently departed from Caesarea and went to Sebaste without performing any thing giving as it were occasion of sedition as though he had received money L of the Nobility of the Jews to permit them to fight a certain time The next day which was the Jews Sabbath when they were all assembled to go to the Synagogue one of Caesarea a seditious person took a great earthen vessel and set it at the entrance into the Synagogue and upon it offer'd Birds This fact so moved the Jews that they would not be pacified because it was done in contempt of their Religion and thereby the place was profaned One part of the Jews that was more modest and wise counselled the Jews to complain to them that were in Authority but those who by heat of youth were prone to sedition began contumeliously to revile their adversaries On the other side the authors of this action and the more seditious of the people of Caesarea were also prepared to fight with them having M caused it to be done before the Synagogue The conflict of the Jews with the Caesareans only to pick a quarrel and so they fought together Jucundus General of the Horse that was left to keep all in quiet presently came with Soldiers and commanded the Vessel to be taken away and so endeavoured to appease the tumult but not being able to do it through the violence of them of Caesarea the Jews took the Books of their Law and retired themselves to a place called Narbata belonging to them which was distant from Caesarea threescore furlongs from whence twelve of the chief of them together with John the Publican went to Florus being at Sebaste to complain of the injury done to them and to request him to assist them and modestly put him in mind of the eight Talents they gave him But he presently commanded them to be bound and imprisoned N Florus imprisoneth twelve of the chiefest Jews in Caesarea because they had presumed to take and carry their Law from Caesarea Hereat those of Jerusalem were greatly moved but they shewed it not Whereupon Florus as upon set purpose to give occasion of rebellion sent for seventeen Talents out of the Sacred Treasury pretending that it was to be employed in Caesar's affairs At this time the people were much troubled and ran to the Temple calling upon the name of Caesar that he would deliver them from Florus his tyranny Some of them being seditious began to curse Florus bitterly and took a Box and carried it about and begged an alms for Florus Another cause of war raised by Florus which they did in derision as who should say he was as miserable as beggars that have nothing Florus for all this abated not his avarice but was more eager to rob the inhabitants of their goods O So that when he should have gone to Caesarea to have quieted the sedition and removed the cause of tumults as also he had received money to that end taking an A army of horse and foot he march'd to Jerusalem that with the help of the Roman Soldiers he might effect his pleasure and terrifie the whole City The people to pacifie him went out in courteous sort to meet the Army shewing themselves ready to give them the best entertainment they could and to receive Florus with all honour and reverence Another occasion of the War But he sent before him one Capito a Centurion with fifty horsemen commanding them to depart and not to mock him with a pretence of honour whom they had so heynously affronted That if they had any courage Florus scorneth the gratulation of the Jews they should flout and reproach him to his face and not only in words but in deeds shew that they desired liberty Herewithal the multitude was terrified and the horsemen that came with Capito assaulting them with violence every B one fled before they saluted Florus or did any honour to his troops and going every one unto his house they past the watchful night in fear and sorrow Florus for that night lodged in the King's Palace The next day he caused a Tribunal openly to be placed and the high Priest and all the chief of the Jews resorted thither and stood before the Tribunal Florus in his tribunal requireth them to be yielded unto him who had spoken ill of him Then Florus sitting in the Tribunal-seat commanded them to bring forth presently all those that had used any opprobrious words against him and threatned to be revenged on them except they did it The Jews made answer that the people intended nothing but peace and quietness and requested that they that had offended in words might obtain pardon For it was no marvel in
to speak for them whereas he should rather admire the Roman magnanimity and modesty who compel not their Subjects to violate their ancient Laws and Religion but content themselves with such honours as the giver may with piety and equity give them For they account not of forced M honours which come of compulsion The Greeks and divers others think it not amiss to erect Statues for they delight to have the Pictures of their Ancestors Wives and Children and some of their beloved Servants also what marvel then if they accord to yield the like honour to Princes and Emperors The Jews may have no Imagâ—s But our excellent Law-maker forbad all kind of Images as well of inanimate as animate Creatures not having at that time the least thought or prospect of the Roman Empire because our God being incorporeal and spiritual could not be reduced to humane representation How Emperors and Magistrates ought to be honoured without great inconvenience nevertheless he did not forbid us from paying honour and respect to such great persons as being next in their places may deserve N the next honour to what is due to the Gods and such is the reverence that we pay to the Emperours and People of Rome and as a testimony of it a day doth not pass in which we do not offer up Sacrifice at our own expence for their safety and prosperity which is more than we do for any other Prince or Nation in the World And let this suffice to answer that which Appion alledgeth against the Jews of Alexandria yet can I not but admire at them who gave him this occasion namely Posidonius and Apollonius Molon The lye of Posidonius and Apâ—llâ—niuâ— concerning the Jews confuted who accuse us for not worshipping the same gods that others do although they lye all alike slandring our Temple most absurdly and yet for all this they do not believe that they herein commit any impiety whereas it is a most ignominious thing for any free-man to lye upon any occasion much more of a Temple famous over O A all the world for sanctity For Appion affirmeth that the Jews in that sacred Temple place the head of an Ass and worshipped it most religiously And this quoth he was manifestly known at such time as Antiochus Epiphanes spoiled that Temple who found that Asses head being of massie gold and of great value To this first slander I answer An answer to the objection of the Asses head That were that true which he reporteth yet an Egyptian ought not to have spoken against us for it seeing that an Ass is of no less worth than a Goat and other bruit beasts that they honour for Gods Is it possible he should be so blind as not to perceive that never any fable was more evidently absurd every body could tell him that we have constantly used the same Laws without the least change or alteration Nevertheless though Jerusalem has had her B misfortunes as well as other Cities and has been taken by Antiochus Pompey Crassus and at length by Titus and our Temple been in the possession of all of them yet what is it they ever found there but great piety and devotion Upon which subject I do not think it necessary to enlarge in this place And as touching Antiochus many Writers of good credit report that he never had any just cause to spoil our Temple but that he was drawn unto this fact for want of money Not that he was our Enemy but for that as from his friends and fellows he sought supply and found nothing in that place that was worthy of derision and thus do Polybius Megapolitanus Strabo the Cappadocian Nicholas Damascene Timagenes Castor the Chronicler and Apollodorus avow who all do witness that Antiochus wanting money brake C the League he had with the Jews and rob'd and spoil'd their Temple being full of gold and silver Appion ought to have considered this Who are accounted Asses among the Jews and other wise men had he not had an Asses heart and a Dogs impudency which he and his Country-men worship for gods As for us we do neither honour nor reverence Asses though the Egyptians do their Crocodiles and Aspes esteeming them that are bitten by Aspes and devoured by Crocodiles to be happy and fit for God For Asses are imployed among us as they are in all places where a rational use is made of them only in carrying burthens and doing such things as are necessary about Agriculture and when they are lazy or trespass upon their neighbours Corn we do not scruple to give them correction D But Appion was either the greatest Ass that ever was in telling a lye or else having begun to do it he could not compass his enterprizes in that he found not any just cause of detraction against us He addeth another Fable of the Greeks to our detraction Certain Historiographers endeavour to cover and hide Antiochus his perjury and sacriledge to the which I will make only this reply That it is more commendable and agreeing to piety and less uncleanness to pass through the Temple than for Priests to come and feign impious words and speeches which they not respecting laboured rather to excuse the sacrilegious Kings than to write the truth of us and our Temple endeavouring to curry favour with Antiochus and to cover and hide his Sacriledge used against our Nation for that he wanted money E Appion with reflection upon the rest saith That Antiochus found a Bed in our Temple and in it a Man lying and a Table set before him furnished with all fowles belonging either to the Sea or Land that the Man was astonished to see him And that so soon as Antiochus came into the Temple the man adored him as though he hoped for great help from the King falling down at his feet and with a stretched out arm craving licence to speak which the King granting willed him to declare what he was why he dwelt in the Temple and the cause of his meats before him the man with sighs and tears unto Antiochus bewailed his Calamity saying He was a Grecian and that traveling in the Country to get his living he was suddenly seized upon by certain Out-landish men and brought unto the Temple and shut up therein and that no man might see him and that F he was there fed or fatted with all dainties that could be provide an that at first this dainty fare made him joyful but afterward he began to suspect it and lastly he was hereat amazed and then demanding of a Jew that administred unto him for what cause he was there kept he understood the Jews purpose and Law not to be revealed for the fulfilling whereof he was there nourished and that the Jews were wont to do the like every year upon a day appointed That the Jews ought onâ—â—â—â— year to sacrifice a Grecian and to take a Grecian stranger and feed
had four sons Elein Gunnes Sares and Hellim Dan had onely one son called Vsis Now if these be added to the abovenamed they make up the number of Fifty four But Gad and Asser were born by Zelpha Leah's handmaid Gad was attended by seven sons Zophonias Vgis Sunis Zabros Erines Erodes and Ariel Asser had one daughter Ver. 30. and six sons Jacob almost deceased for joy whose names were Jomnes Essus Juba Baris Abars Melmiel These D fifteen being added to the foresaid Fifty four make up the number Seventy together with Jacob. Gen. 47. 2. But Joseph understanding that his father was at hand for Juda posted before to give him notice thereof went out to meet him Joseph with his five Brethren and did so near a Town called Heros Jacob was fill'd with such extreme and unexpected joy that he had almost expired and that of Joseph was little less He desir'd his father to march onwards by easie journies and taking with him his five brethren hasted unto the King signifying unto him that his father with all his family were arrived The King no sooner understood it but he joyfully asked Joseph in what employments he took delight who answer'd him that his exercise was in keeping of Cattel and that he had no other Trade This answer he made to the intent they might not be divided one from another but that living E all together they might take care of their father another reason was lest emulation should happen betwixt them and the Egyptians if so be they should be conversant in the same profession Ver. 3 ad 10. whereas this people had little experience in the keeping of Cattel Jacob talketh with Pharaoh and is appointed to inhabit Heliopolis Now when Jacob was brought into the King's presence and had done him reverence and pray'd God for the prosperity both of him and his Realm Pharaoh ask'd him how old he was and he answer'd that he was an hundred and thirty years old at which when the King admir'd he added that his Ancestors had lived far longer Then Pharaoh appointed him and his sons to dwell in Heliopolis where also the King's shepherds had their pastures But the Famine increased in Egypt and the calamity was without remedy The famine in Egypt by reason that Nilus did not overflow the earth after its usual manner and on F the other side God rained not upon the earth Moreover in that the sterility was foreseen it was more grievous especially to the Commonalty who had laid up nothing neither did Joseph give them Corn without ready money Ver. 16 17 20. which when they began to want A great profit redounded to the King by this famine they exchang'd their Cattel and Slaves for Corn and they that had Lands sold a portion thereof unto the King for their provision And when by this means all these possessions came into the King's hands they went to inhabit here and there as they could to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their Land the Priests onely were excepted to whom the Lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessity reduced both the minds and bodies of the whole Nation into servitude after such a manner that they esteemed no labour or means unseemly that G might serve them towards their sustenance But when the Famine ceas'd and the earth water'd by the overflow of the River began to recover her former fertility Joseph visiting every City of the Kingdom and assembling the multitude in every one of them restored them the possession of those Lands which they had sold to the King The year of the World 2311. before Christ's Nativity 1653. and exhorted H them to manure the same in no worse manner than they would do their own on condition to pay the fifth part unto the King which was due unto him by his Prerogative and Kingly right The People rejoycing at this unexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their Tillage Joseph commanded them to pay the fifth part of their profits to the King and by this means not only Joseph's authority but also the Peoples hearts were not a little tyed unto the King and the inheritance of the fifth part of the profits remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their Posterity But Jacob after he had lived 17 years in Egypt ended his life in the arms of his Sons having first prayed God to give them prosperity and abundance and prophesied that every one of their posterities should attain to the possession of a part of the Land of Canaan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. as in process of time it came to pass Besides praising his Son Joseph for that forgetting I the injuries done unto him he had bestowed divers benefits on his Brethren yea and such as well beseemed his Benefactors he commanded his Sons that they should admit Joseph's Sons Gen. 49. 33. Ephraim and Manasses Jacob dyed when he was 147 years old into their number at such time as they should divide the Land of Canaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he prayed them to bury him in Hebron He liv'd 150 years wanting three being second to none of his Ancestors in piety Gen. 50. 13. and obtain'd the same blessing Jacob is buried in Hebron in that he was a man adorned with equal virtues Joseph by the King's permission transported his Fathers body to Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his Brothers fearing to return with him into Egypt in that they suspected lest their Father being dead he should be revenged on them in that they had not any Friend left alive under whose favor they might hope for pardon he K commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should fear no evil and having brought them back again with him he gave them great possessions neither did he ever cease to entertain them with brotherly kindness Joseph dyeth when he was 110 years old But he likewise dyed when he had lived 110 years a man endowed with admirable virtue prudent in all Affairs and moderate in his Government by which means it came to pass that neither his Foreign Birth nor his Calamities whereof we have spoken did any ways hinder him but that he was exalted and continued in high dignity Gen. 50. 22 ad 26. The rest of his Brothers also having spent their lives in happiness dyed in Egypt whose bodies their Sons and Nephews transported and buried in Hebron Joseph's Bones translated into Canaan but Joseph's bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrews into Canaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Canaan for hereunto had he L bound them by an Oath But being oblig'd to declare this and other actions of this Nation I will first of all shew the cause why they departed out of Egypt CHAP. V. Of the affliction which the
Hebrews endured in Egypt for the space of 400 years THE Egyptians are a Nation addicted to pleasures and delicacy Exod. 1. impatient of labour The History of the Book of Exodus and affecting gain whence it came to pass that bearing hatred to the Hebrews and envying their happiness Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. they were very evilly disposed toward them For seeing the Race of the Israelites flourish and abound in Riches which they got by their labour M and industry Exod. 1. 1 2 c. they conceived an opinion that their advancement and increase would be the overthrow and decrease of the Egyptians so that at length they forgot the benefits which Joseph had done to them The envy of the Egyptians towards the Hebrews and after the Royalty was transported into another Family they committed divers outrages against the Israelites and complotted against them in what manner they might more grievously afflict them They enjoined them therefore to cut Nilus into divers Trenches Ver. 11. and to inviron their City with Walls and to build Fortifications and Banks The Hebrews insupportable servitude whereby the inundations of the River might be diverted They also employed our Nation in building their high and vain Pyramides compelling them to learn divers Arts and to accustom themselves to endure Labour and in such afflictions liv'd the Israelites for the space of 400 years the Egyptians studying nothing else but to N vex them with continual labor The Prophecy as touching Moses and our Countreymen endeavoring always to surmount all these difficulties Living in this estate there grew afterwards another occasion which instigated them the more to seek the ruine and desolation of our Nation For one of the Sacred Secretaries to whose predictions those kind of People do very much attribute foretold the King Ver. 16. 22. that about that time there should be One born among the Israelites that should grievously afflict the estate of the Egyptians Pharaoh commanded that all the Male-children of the Israelites should be put to death and wonderously enhance the glory of the Israelites and surpass all other in virtue and purchase to himself immortal glory if so be he should attain to mans estate Wherewith the King being greatly terrified published an Edict by the advice of this Secretary that whatsoever Male-child should be born among the Israelites it should be cast into the River to be drowned he O commanded likewise the Egyptian Midwives diligently to observe the time when the Hebrew Women Travailed with Child because he trusted not to the Midwives of their own A Nation The year of the World 2373. before Christ's Nativity 1591. He Enacted also a Law with a penalty that if any should be so bold to conceal their Children both they and all their Family should be put to death Great was their calamity not only because they were deprived of their Children and the Parents themselves made the Ministers to murther their own Children but also because they foresaw hereby the certain and infallible extirpation of their whole Nation by reason that when the Children were slain Exod. 2. 1 2 3. the Parents themselves not long after were assured to die thus lamented they in themselves the extreme misfortune whereinto they were fallen But no man whatsoever though he complot never so many stratagems can resist the Will of God Amarames Moses Father prayeth God to be merciful to the Hebrews For both the Child of whom the Sacred Secretary had fore-prophesied was secretly brought up undiscovered by the Kings Spies and proved by the B events of his life that he was no false Prophet Amram an Hebrew born and a Noble man amongst his Nation fearing both the publick peril lest the whole Nation should be brought to nothing by the want of issue and his own private misfortune whose Wife at home was big with Child and ready to lie down was troubled in his mind and uncertain what to do For which cause he made his recourse unto God beseeching him that at the length he would have mercy on that People by whom onely he had been perpetually honoured and that it would please him to bring to an end the present affliction which threatned the whole Nation with utter ruine and destruction God being moved to mercy by his most humble Prayer appeared to him in a Dream and comforted him commanding him to be of good courage telling him That he had in memory the C piety of his Ancestors and that he would reward them for it even as in times past he had been gracious to their Forefathers For it was he that had increased their posterity and multiplied them to so mighty a Nation that by his favor Abraham departing alone out of Mesopotamia into Canaan besides other felicities had issue by his Wife that was formerly barren and left ample possessions to his Successors to Ismael Arabia to Chetura's Children Troglottite and to Isaac Canaan Nor could they ever forget without impiety and ingratitude the attempts also which were happily atchieved in War by his assistance that Jacobs Name is renowned amongst Foreign Nations both in respect of the felicity wherein he lived and that which by hereditary Right he left to his posterity who taking their original from 70 Men that accompanied their Father into Egypt D were now increased to the number of 600000 and assuring him that now also he would take care of them all in general and of him in particular That this Child for fear of whose Nativity the Egyptians have condemned all the Hebrews Children to death should be born to him that he should not be discovered by the constituted Spies and having escaped beyond all expectation should he be brought up and in due time deliver the Hebrews from the thraldom of the Egyptians and obtain an eternal memory for this his famous action not only amongst his own Nation but also amongst strangers that he should also have a brother that should deserve both in himself and in his posterity to inherit the Priesthood for ever Exod. 2. 1 2 3 ad 10. After these things were declared in a Vision unto Amram he awak'd and told it to his wife Jochabel and notwithstanding the prediction E of this Dream Moses birth their suspition and fear the rather increased more and more for they were not only pensive in respect of their Child but also by reason that the future great good fortune that was promised them seemed incredible But soon after the woman being brought to Bed gave credit to the Oracle having had so easie and gentle a Labor that she beguiled the Overseers and Spies in that she felt none of those Throes which commonly afflict such as are in Labour so that she nourished the Infant three months secretly in her house without being in any sort discovered But afterwards Amram fearing to be surprized and doubting lest he should incur the Kings