granted him to create the hie priest Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. al. 5. Monobazuâ—… the king of Adiabena begetteth two sons on Helena his sister Monobazus and Izates The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs natiuitie 47. Izates sent to Abemerigus marieth his daughter Samacha Caeron very fruitful in Amomum in which the reliques of Noes aâ—…ke are to be seene Izates was made king by his mother Helena the nobility and Monabazus gouerneth the kingdome till his comming Izates and his mother Helena learne the true seruice of God according to the manner of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4009. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 47. Izates sendeth his brothers to Claudius Caesar and Artabanus Izates is disswaded by Helena his mother and Ananias from circumcision Eleazar perswadeth Izares to be circumcised They that â—…olie on God put their confideÌ„ce in him do alwaies reap the reward of their pietie Helena the Queene of Adiabena resorteth to Ierusalem Alias cap. 6. The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. Artabanus reâ—…reth himselfe to Izates and requireth his assistance Izates comforteth Artabanus promiseth him his assistance Izates writeth to the Parthians and perswadeth them to receiue their king Cinnamus restoreth the kingdome to Artabanus Izates receiueth great honours and gifts at Artabanus hands Antiochia and Mygdonia builded by the Macedons Vardanes after his fathers death laboreth to perswade Izates to make warre against the Romanes but he preuaileth not The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. After Vardanes was slaine the kingdome is comâ—…ted to Gotarza Vologelus king of Parthia Monobazus and his kinred thinke to receiue the Iewes religioÌ„ The Adiabenians conspire with the king of Arabia against Izates The Lords of Adiabena perswade Vologesus to kill Izates Izates calleth vpon God who sendeth the Dahans and Sacans into Parthiâ—… vpon whose arriuall Volgesus returneth The yeare of the world 4010. after Christs Natiuitie 48. Izates deliuereth vp the kingdome to his brother Monobazus and dâ—…eth Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. al. 8. Theudas perswadeth the â—…eople that with a word he will cause Iordan to deuide it 〈◊〉 yeeld them passage he with his followers are slaine Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. al. 8. Tiberius Alexander gouernour of Iudaea Iames and Simon the sons of Iudas of Galilee crucified The yeare of the world 4011. after Christs birth 49. The yeere of the world 4011. after Christs birth 49. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. al. 10. In the feast of Pascha a certaine souldier shewing his priuie members moueth a sedition amoÌ„g the people whereby twentie thousand Iewes lost their liues Stephen Caesars seruant robbed in his iourney for which cause Cumanus spoileth the villages neere to the place where the robbery was done A certaine soldier â—…eareth the bookes of Moses â—…aw and therefore is beheaded by Cumanus coÌ„maundement Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. cap. 12. Certaine Samaritanes kill diuers Galileans in their way to Ierusalem The yeare of the world 4014. after Christs birth 52. The yeare of the world 4014. after Christs natiuitie 52. The Galileans in reuenge of their iniuries burne certaine villages of the Samaritanes and spoyle the same Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. al. 12. The Samaritanes accuse the Iewes before Numidius Quadratus The Iewes lay the burthen of the warres on the Samaritanes and Cumanus Dortus with foure other are crucified Ananias Ananus Cumanus Celer and some other are sent to Rome Alias cap. 13. Agrippa moueth Agrippina to intreat Caesar to heare the cause of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4015. after Christs birth 53. Hedio Ruffinus cap 9. al. 14. Claudius â—…oelix gouernour of Iudaea Drusilla Mariamme â—…oelix getteth Drusilla from her former husband Polemon king of Cilâ—…cia marrieth Bernice The yeaÌ„re of the world 4018. after Christs birth 56. Mariamme scorning Archelaus marrieth Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. 15. Agrippina Meslaâ—…na and Paetinâ—… Clâ—…dius wiues Nero Emperour The yeare of the world 4019. after Christs birth 57. Nero a tyrant Neros tyranny The yeare of the world 4019. after Christs Natiuitie 57. Alias cap. 16. Foelix punisheth y t theeues and Magicians and other seducers of the people Eleazar the sonne of Dinaeus sent to Rome Foelix conspireth against Ionathas Butchery The deceitfull Magicians Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. al. cap. 17. A falle prophet draweth the Iewes to the mount Oliuet The yeare of the world 4019. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 57. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. al 18. A broile in Caesarea betweene the Syrians and Iewes The yeare of the world 4020. after Christs birth 58. Ismael the son of Phabeus the high priest The strife betweene the high priests the priests Alias cap. 19. Foelix acculed Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. The cutthroâ—… among the Iewes Festus discomfiteth a great deceiuer with all his â—…ollowers Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. al. 10. The yeare of the world 4020. after Châ—…sts birth 58. The chiefest men of Ierusalem stop vp the prospect of Agrippaâ—… house Ioseph Cabi y t son of Simon made high priest Albinus gouernour of Iudaea Ananus the son of Ananus the high priest Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. al. 21. Ananus had fiue sons that succeeded him in the priesthood The â—…eare of the world 4025. after Christs birth 43. Iames the brother of â—…ur Lord stoned Ananus accused before Albinus Iesus the sonne of Damneus possesseth Aâ—…anus place Some forcibly gather the tenths of the â—…riests The yeâ—…re of the world 4026. after Christs birth 64. The theeues apprehend Ananias kinred and seruants Caesarea Philippi new builded by Agrippa and called Neronias The Berytianâ—… receiue much kindnes at Agrippas hands Ananias Costobarus and Saul prepared to spoile the weaker Hedio Ruffinus cap. 17. al. 22. Albinus executeth the hainous malefactors Agrippa giueth them of the tribe of Leuâ—… leaue to wâ—…are linnen garments Agrippa permitteth the ministers of the temple to sing the sacred hymnes The people of the Iewes beseech the king that it may be lawfull for theÌ„ to repaire the porch Matthias the sonne of Theophilus high priest The yeare of the world 4026. after Christs natiuitie 64 Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. The succession and number of the hie priests among the Iewes Aaron and his progenie There were 83. high priests in all The yeare of the world 4026. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 64. Aristobulus slaine by Herode supra lib. 15. cap. 3. The yeare of the world 4028. after the birth of Christ. 66. Gessius Florus gouernour of Iudaea Gessius Floruâ—… worse then Albinus The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Florus the originall cause of the wars of the Iewes The beginning of the warres The Epilog of the Antiquitles of the Iewes The yeere of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Ioseph expert in the Greeke and Hebrew tongues This volume was written The yeare of the world 4057. after Christs birth 95. Iosephus Ilnage Ioseph the son
The yeare of the world 4014 after Christs birth 52. The souldier executed that burned the Bible A Galilean slaine in Samaria Eleazar and Alexander two princes of the Iewes exercise much crueltie Conspiracy in robbery Quadratus gouernour of Syria heareth the Samaritanes Iewes Quadratus giueth sentence betwixt the Iewes and Samaritanes The yeere of the world 4014. after Christs birth 52. Claudius sentence against some Samaritanes Cumanus and Celer Claudius dieth and Nero succeeded him The yeare of the world 4015. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 53. Nero killeth his brother his mother and wife The yeare of the world 4018. after Christs natiuitie 56. Ant. lib. 20. cap. 1â—… Felix surpriseth Eleazar the captaine of the theeues and many others and sendeth them bound to Rome Another sort of theeues who at 〈◊〉 daies went about the city to murther men Ionathas the high priest with many others slaine Ant. lib. 20. cap. 12. An Egyptian Prophet gathereth welny â—…0000 men Felix ouerthroweth the Egyptian The theeues and magitians work much mischiefe to many men The yeare of the world 4020. after the 〈◊〉 of Christ. 50. Ant lib. 20. cap. 13. A fight betweene the Iewes and Syrians about Caesarea Sedition and slaughter among the Iewes The yeare of the world 4024. after Chrisâ—… 〈◊〉 62. Ant lib. 20. cap 11. Albinus president of Iudaea full of all wickednes The seditious bribe Albinus to winke at their robberies The yeare of the world 4028. after Christs birth 66. Ant. lib. 20. cap. 16. Gessius Florus succeeded Albinus and proued worser then Albinus The couetousnes of Florus spoileth whole cities The yeare of the world 4018. after Christs birth 66. Cestius Gallus appeaseth the people and requireth a mitigation of Florus seueritie The beginning of the warre of the Iewes the 12. yeare of Neros raigne Ant. lib. 20. cap. 15. The causes of the warre of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Florus periury and decoit toward the Iewes The conflict of the Iewes with the Caesareans Florus imprisoneth twelue of the chiefest Iewes in Caesarea Another cause of warre raised by Florus The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs Natiuitie 68. Another occasion of the war Florus scorneth the gratulation of the Iewes Florus in his tribunal requireth them to be yeelded vnto him who had spoken ill of him The outrage of Florus soldiers Florus soldiers kill 630. Iewes in one day Berenice requi reth Florus to pacifie his displeasure against the Iewes The furie of the souldiers against Beroâ—… nice The people exclaime against Floruâ—… The yeare of the world 4030 after Christs birth 68. Florus renueth the discontents of the people Florus subtiltie and treason The exhortation of the priests and princes to the people The euent sheweth Florus intent counsel The slaughter of the Iewes The seditious for 〈◊〉 least Florus should seâ—…se their spoiles flie to the temple Florus taketh the spoiles and entreth the temple Florus seeing the Iewes inexpugnable in the temple surceaseth his violence and leauing a band behind him goeth to Caesarea The yeare of the world 403â—… after Christs birth 68. Cestus Gallus president of Syria coâ—…ulteth with the princes what were bestro be done Politianus is sent to Ierusalem and meeteth with Agrippa The multitude of the people go out to meet Agrippa and Politianus Politianus assembleth the people and inciteth them to peace and after returneth to Cestius The Iewes require the king y t there might be some embassadors sent to Rome to conplaine of Florus to Nero. Agrippas oration to the Iewes Agrippa striueth to make the common sort flexible attentiue The yeâ—…re of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. It be hooueth to honour the magistrate and not to prouoke him by iniury Agrippa excuseth Caesar and the Romanes Depulsion of the Iewes libertie which they so vehemently seeke forâ—… The exaÌ„ple of the Athenians others who obey the Romane empire The Lacedemonians The Macedonians The comparison of the Romans force with the Iewes weaknes The Romans haue brought the whole world vnder their gouernment haue â—…ought another world beyond the Ocean The 〈◊〉 of the world 4030. after Christs Natiuitie 68. Fiftie Cities of Asia obey the Romans The defence of France The Spaniards subiect to the Romans The Germains mulâ—…de vertue and huge stature The Britaines subiect to the Romans The Parthians The Carthaginians made subiect by Scipâ—…os hands The Romans gouerne the Moores The yeare of the world 4030 after Christs birth 68. Alexandria acknowledgeth the power of the Romans Gods fauour towaâ—…ds the Romans The last argument that proueth the Iewes destitute of Gods mans helpe and vnapt to make warre Whilest the ship is yet in the Port it is good to preuent the â—…uture tempest Agrippas prophecie of the Iewes future miserie Agrippâ—… protesteth that hee hath omit ted no counsel that he thoght expedient for the Iewes The yeare of the world 4030. after the birth of Christ. 68. Agrippa the king is by the people driuen out of the citie with stones The Iewes refuse Caesars sacrifices for the prosperitie of the Romanâ—… Against those who refuse forrain sacrifices None of the seditious gaue eare to those that were in authoritie Embassadours sent to Florus and Agrippa against the seditious The yeare of the world 4030. after Câ—…sts birth 68. Warre in Ierusalem between thâ—… seditious and those that â—…auored peace Xylophoria aâ—…east The kings souldiers are ouercome The Iews take Antonia and burne it Manahemus the chiefe of y t rebels giues the kings faction and friends licence to depart The Romans forsaking the Stratopedon flie into the Kings sortes The yeare of the world 4030. after Chrâ—…sts birth 68. The death of Ananias the high priest and Ezechias his brother Eleazars followers assault Manahem in the Temple Manahem with the princes slaine The Romans vnable any â—…on ger to resist yeeld themselues The Romanâ—… against all couenant law are all slaine saue Metiliâ—… Slaughter on the Sabaoth day The yeere of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. The Iewes spoyle the villages and burn the Cities of Syria Al Syria full of miserable calamities Iewes against Iewes The Scythopolitans kill thirteene thousand Iewes Simon daily killeth many of his countrimen in Scythopolis The yeare of thâ—… world 4030. after the birth of Christ. 68. Simon killeth his parents his wife and children and at last himselfe An other slaughter of the Iewes The cities in armes against the Iewes Varus killeth 70. Iewes in in their iourney The Romans yeeld vp theiâ—… castle in Marichunte to the Iewes Sedition in 〈◊〉 betweene thâ—… Greeks and Ieweâ—… The yeere of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Tiberius Alexander exhorteth the seditious Iewes to keepe peace A cruell victorie wherein 〈◊〉 thousand Iewes are slaine Huge companies of the Romans Zâ—…bulon 〈◊〉 strong Citie of Galilee spoiled and burnt The Iewes kill two thousand Syrians The Romans take Ioppe and burne it and kill eight thousand and foure hundreth 〈◊〉 â—…nd
pleased to accept of his sacrifice and in his mercy vouchsafe that he would hereafter conceiue no more any so hainous hate and displeasure against the earth to the ende that men might by their labours till it and building them Cities might possesse the same in pcace wanting none of those commodâ—…ties which they enioyed before the Deluge but that they might equall their forefathers in olde yeares and length of life Noe hauing in this sort finished his requestes God who loued him for the vprightnes of his heart granted him his request denying himselfe to be the author of their deaths who were drowned but that they themselues by their owne malice had procured those pnuishments due vnto them For had he desired that they should be extinguished he would not haue brought them into the world For better is â—…ot to grant life then to destroy those to whom thou hast giuen it But saith God thorow 〈◊〉 â—…ntempt of my seruice and graces they haue inforced me to humble â—…hem vnder the rigorâ—… vengeance hereafter I will not so exactly pursue and examine their iniquities to the ende to chastice them in my displeasure especially for thy sake And if hereafter at any time I shall send any tempest feare not how huge and hideous soeuer the stormes be for there shall be no more Deluge of water vpon the earth In the meane time I commaund you to keepe your hands innocent from murthers and all manslaughter and to punish those that commit wickednes I leaue the vse of all other liuing creatures to your sustenance or seruice in as much as I haue made you Lord ouer all as well those that breath vpon the face of the earth as those that swimme in the waters and such as inhabite and flye amidst the ayre but you shall not eate any bloud in as much as therein consisteth the soule and life of liuing creatures And I declare vnto you that I will desist to draw the shafts of my displeasure against men And I will giue you the rainebow for a signe for this bowe in their opinion is the bow of God And after that God had pronounced these words and made these promises he departed Noe liued after the Deluge three hundreth and fiftie yeares and hauing spent all this time of his life in happines he died after he had liued in the world nine hundreth and fiâ—…ie yeares Neither is there cause why any man comparing this our present age and the shortnesse of the yeares thereof with the long life of the auncients should thinke that false which I haue said neither followeth it consequently that because our present life extendeth not to such a terme and continuance of yeares that therefore they of the former world attained not the age and long life which we publish of them For they being beloued of God and newly created by him vsing also a kinde of nutriment agreeing with their natures and proper to multiply their years it is no absurd thing to suppose that their yeares were of that continuance Considering that God gaue them long life to the ende they should teach vertue and should conueniently practise those things which they had inuented in Astronomie and by Geometry the demonstrations whereof they neuer had attainde except they had liued at the least sixe hundreth yeares For the great yeare is accomplished by that number of yeares whereof all they beare me witnesse who either Greekes or Barbarians haue written auncient histories For both Manethon who hath written the historie of Aegypt and Berosus who hath registred the acts and affaires of the Chaldeans together with Mochus Hestiaeus Hierome of Aegypt who historified the state of the Phaenicians with others accord with me in that which I haue said Hesiâ—…dus also Hecataeus Hellanicus and Acusilaus Ephorus and Nicolaus doe declare that they of the first world liued one thousand yeares Notwithstanding let euery man iudge of these things as best liketh him CHAP. V. Of the tower of Babylon and the câ—…unge of tongues NOe had three sonnes Sem Iaphet and Cham borne one hundreth yeares before the Deluge These first descended from the mountaines into the plaines and there made they their habitation which when other men perceiued who for feare of the Deluge had fled the plaines and for that cause were loth to forsake the mountaines they gathered courage and perswaded themselues to doe the like and the plaine where they all dwelt was called Senaar And whereas they were commaunded by God that by reason of the increase and multitude of men they should send certaine distinct Colonies to inhabite diuers countries of the world to the ende that no seditions might grow betwixt the one and the other but contrariwise in labouring and tilling a great quantitie of ground they might gather great store of fruite they were so ignorant that they disobeyed God and falling into great calamities suffered the punishment of their offences For whereas they florished in increase by reason of the great number of their youth God counselled them againe that they should deuide themselues into colonies But they thinking that the goods which they possessed proceeded not from him or his bountie but presuming that their force was the onely cause of their aboundance did not obey him but rather suspected that God sought to betray them to the ende that being thus deuided he might the better subdue them Nemrod incited them in this sort to mocke and contemne God He was the nephew of Cham the sonne of Noe a man valianâ—… and apt for armes he put them in the head that they should not beleeue that their good hap proceeded from God but that they ought to attribute it to their own vertue which furnished them with so much riches so that in a little space he reduced the estate to a tyrannie supposing by this only meanes that he might make men reuolt against God if he might perswade them to submit theÌ„selues to his gouernment giuing them to vnderstand that if God should once more send a deluge he would take reuenge on him in mens behalfe and that he would build a tower to whose top the water should not attempt and reuenge the death of his predecessors The common sort was ready to follow these ordinances of Nemrod supposing it to be pusillanimitie in themselues if they should obey God For which cause they began to build the tower with their vttermost industrie neither was there any one idle in all that worke yea so great a number of labourers were there that the worke was raised to a height beyond all expectation The thicknesse thereof was so great that it obscured the height thereof and it was builded of burnt bricke cimented and ioined with a bituminous morter to the ende it should not receiue any cleft in the same But God seeing their madnesse condemned them not to a generall extermination by reason that they had made no profit by their example who perished in the
them also who before time had beene in his kingdome or that sithence likewise had beene brought thither and notwithstanding it was told him that the money that would be required for their ransome would amount to more then foure hundreth talents yet ceased he not to confirme that which he had promised But that it may more plainely appeare how great his royal magnificence was I haue thought good to insert in this place the copie of his edict which he sent abroad to this effect Whosoeuer of you that in my fathers seruice by bearing armes vnder him haue made any roades into Syria and Phaenicia and after the conquest of Iudaea haue taken any prisoners and brought them to our Cities and countries with an intent to sell them all they also who haue heretofore detained any or at this present haue any such captiues in their possession they are to set them at libertie that liue vnder their thraldome receiuing for the ransome of euery person six score drachmes namely the men of warre at such time as their wages shall be paid them as for the rest they shall receiue their money out of the kings treasury For I am of that opinion that contrarie to my fathers mind and against all right they haue beene taken prisoners and that their coūtry hath bin in this sort euilly intreated by the insolēcy of the soldiers who haue thought to make their profit and merchandize by them in transferring them into Aegypt Hauing therefore an especiall respect of iustice and intending to shew mercy to those who are wrongfully oppressed I commaund that all those Iewes who are detained in seruitude be discharged and that they who held them captiue receiue the ransome published by vs so as no deceit or fraud be vsed therein And to the end that our ordinance be exactly and fully fulfilled our will is that this edict of ours be publikely proclaimed three daies after it shall come vnto your hands and that those who hold such prisoners in their possession declare how many prisoners they hold For we suppose that in so doing it shall redound to our profit Moreouer it shall be lawfull for any man that will to accuse the contemners of this decree and our pleasure is that such as contradict the same shall haue their goods confiscate to the Kings vses When this edict of the Kings published to this effect was proclaimed abroad and that onely point was omitted that concerned those that before time had beene afterward the second time were led away prisoners in whose behalfe he had giuen no direction he shewed himselfe most bountifull in like manner toward these And gaue order that the number and tallie should be speedily gathered and the money distributed to the cōmittees tresurers appertaining to him Which being speedily performed in the space of seuen daies all the kings ordinance was accomplished and there was laid out for the ransomes of them all to the summe of more then foure hundreth and sixtie talents For the masters exacted sixescore drachmes for the children also grounding themselues vpon the kings edict by which it was ordained that for euerie person they should haue that summe extending the same euen vnto the children These things being thus magnificently exployted according to the kings commaund he gaue Demetrius in charge to make a decree as touching the translation of the bookes of the Iewes For the king did nothing rashly but administred all things with great wisedome and circumspection and for that cause the copie of Demetrius suggestion and the letters sent to this effect are orderly registred and recorded in writing The number likewise of the presents that were sent and by whom they were offered so that who soeuer shall behold the same he shall incontinently iudge by the curious workmanship the high perfection of the workman and by the excellencies of the pieces he shall incontinently know by whom each of them was fashioned The copie of the aduice and suggestion made by Demetrius is this Demetrius to the great king Health Most mightie Prince since you haue committed the trust vnto me to find out those bookes that are deficient in your librarie and to search for such volumes as hitherto haue beene hid from my sight to the end that I might gather them and perfect them and that those which are lost might be restored with all the diligence that thereunto belongeth after that I had vsed herein all the care that in me was possible I giue you to vnderstand that amongst others we want the books of the lawes of the Iewes For in that they are written in Characters and Hebrew words we haue had no notice thereof where through they haue beene more negligently handled then was behoouefull for that vntill this day it hath neuer hapned that any Princes thought hath extended so farre It therefore behooueth thee to haue them exactly interpreted for since that those lawes proceeded frō God himself it is most certaine that of all other lawes in the world they are the wisest and incorruptest For which cause Hecataeus the Abderite saith that neither Poets nor Historians haue made any mention of them neither of those who haue beene policied and gouerned vnder the same because in themselues they are pure and are not to be declared by impure lips May it therefore please your Maiestie to write vnto the high Priest of the Iewes commaunding him to send you sixe Auncients of euerie tribe such as he shall know to be most expert in their law by whom we may cleerely apprehend the sense contained in those bookes to the end that hauing the faithfull interpretation of those things that are contained therein we may collect and gather them together to the full satisfaction of your Maiesties desire When the king had in this sort beene both aduised and suggested he wrote vnto Eleazar the high Priest of the Iewes as touching this matter giuing him likewise to vnderstand of that libertie by him granted vnto the Iewes that were in his kingdome He sent him also fiftie talents of gold to make cups ewers and vessels with an infinite number of precious stones commaunding his coferers who had the charge of his Iewels to suffer the workmen to choose what stones they best liked Furthermore he willed that a hundreth talents should be giuen for the sacrifices and oblations and other vses of the temple But after that I haue declared what was the copie of the letter sent vnto Eleazar the high Priest and the manner howe hee obtained that sacerdotall dignitie I will set downe both the rich presents and their curious workemanshippe After the death of Onias the high Priest his sonne Simon surnamed the Iust succeeded him in his place who for that cause was so called by reason of the piety which he shewed toward God the good affection which he bare vnto his countrimen This Simon dying leauing behind him one onely son of yong tender yeres who was called Onias his
of righteousnes The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs Natiuitie 1023. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Salomons pallace finished in thirteene yeares The haule The tribunall The Queenes house and other pallaces of pleasure The ornameÌ„ts of Salomons pallace Chambers of pleasure with household stuffe of gold 3. Reg. 10. Salomons throne made of Iuory 3. Reg. 5. The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs birth 1023. Salomons gratuitie to Hiram for the benefits he receiued 3. Reg. 9. 3. Reg 5. Salomon interpreteth certaine hidden questions sent vnto him by Hiram Menander the Historiographer maketh meÌ„â—… of HiraÌ„ and Salomon Dius maketh mention of Hiram Dius of Salomon Salomon repaireth the wals of Ierusalem and erecteth towers Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. Salomon buildeth certaine cities Azor Magedon Gaza Betachor Baleth Thadamor or Palmyra Why the Egyptian kings were called Pharaohs The yeare of the world 2953. before Christs birth 1011. The Egyptian kings called Pharaohs Ptolemei Caesares Herodotus writeth not the names of the EgyptiaÌ„ kings Nicaule queen of Egypt and Ethiop commeth to Salomon 3. Reg 10. Salomon compelleth the remainder of the Chananites to pay tribute The thraldom of the Chananites 3. Reg. 10. The queene of Egypt and Ethiope reforteth to Salomon The queene of Ethiope wondreth at Salomons wisdome The yeare of the world 2953. before Christs Natiuitie 1011. The queene of Ethiope praileth Salomons wisedome The Queene giueth Salomon many sumptuous presents Salomon remunerateth the Queens bountie Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The precious timber that was brought to Salomon SalomoÌ„s ships spent three yeares in their iourney Many kings present Salomon with sundry presents The horses and other gifts presented to Salomon The yeare of the world 2953. before Christs Natiuitie 1011. Ittan The waies about Ierusalem paued with flint The cities of Chariots The aboundance of siluer in Solomons time Egyptian horses 3. Reg. 11. Solomon marrying straunge women is seduced by theÌ„ The reare of the world 2964. before Christs birth 1000. The punishment inflicted on Salomon far honouring strange gods The yeare of the world 2964. before Christs birth Aooo Ider enemie to Salomon Ader fled into Egypt Ader beseecheth Pharao to dismisle him that he might returne into his countrey Ader returneth into Idumaea and from thence departeth into Syria Raas and Adet enemies to Salomon IeroboaÌ„ rebelleth against Salomon Achias the Prophet sore-telleth that he should be king ouer the ten tribes Ieroboam flieth into Egypt and remaineth there vntil Salomons death The yeare of the world 2964. before Christs Natiuity 1000. The death of Salomon Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. al. 4. 3. Reg. 12. The people require RoboaÌ„ to mitigate their burthen The holsome aduise of the elders The yeare of the world 2971. before Christs birth 993. Roboam reiecteth the aduise of the elders and followeth the counsaile of the yonger The Israelites moued with their â—…pulse reuolt from Roboam The yeare of the world 2971. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 993. Roboam intéding to make waâ—…e on those tribes that â—…uolted is inhibited The court and pallace of Ieroboam Why IeroboaÌ„s calues were made Ieroboam perswadeth the people to Idolatrie The neglect of Gods seruice is the cause of all euill 3. Reg. 13. The prophecie against the Altar in Bethel The prophecie is confirmed by a miracle Ieroboams withered hand restored The yeare of the world 2971. before Christs Natiuitie 993. Hedio Ruffinus ch 9. The Prophet is brought backe by the subtilty and fraud of the false Prophet The disobedience of the Prophet his punishment and buriall Iadons prophecy is detracted to Ieroboam by the false Prophet Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Roboams defenced cities 〈◊〉 Paral. 11. The yeare of the world 29â—…1 before Christs birth 993. The godly Israelites returne to Roboam Roboams wiâ—…es and children Regiâ—… ad exempium totus compâ—…itur orbis Alias chap. 5. Susac inuadeth Iudea with great forces Ierusalem besieged Samaeas the Prophet reprehendeth the Iewes of their impietie 2. Paral. 2. Samaeas comforteth the people Ierusalem and the temple are spoyled 3. Reg 1â—… What Herodotus wrote of this expeditioÌ„ The yeare of the world 2975. before Christs Natiuity 989. Roboam for the golden shields and bucklers maketh new of beasse Roboam dieth and Abias raigneth after him The yeare of the world 29â—…8 before Christs birth 976. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. 3. Reg. 14. Ieroboams impietie Ieroboams son falleth sicke his mother is sent to Achias the Prophet The punishmeÌ„t of Ieroboam and the misery of the people foreprophecied The yeare of the world 2988. before Christs Natiuitie 976. Alias chap. 6. The expedition of Ieroboam against Abias king of Iuda Abias leuied an army against Ieroboam Abias oration to the Hebrewes wherein he vpbraideth them of their superstition and forsaking of their religion The yeare of the world 2988. before Christs birth 976. The death of Abias 3. Reg. 15. Asa king of Iuda The yeare of the world 2991. before Christs natiuitie 973. The yeare of the world 2992. before Christ birth 972. The yeare of the world 2993. before Christs birth 971 Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. al. 8. Asas pietie 3. Reg 15. The EthiopiaÌ„s warre against Asa. 2. Paral. 14. The yeare of the world 3000. before Christs birth 964. Asas victorie The exhortation of Azarias the Prophet 2. Paral 15. The yeare of the world 3000. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 964. Religion renewed in Israle Basaes impietie 3. Reg. 16. A prophecy against Basa Basa surprised Ramath and fortifieth it The yeare of the world 3006. before Christs birth 958. Asa inciteth those of Damasco to inuade Bala The yeare of the world 3016. before the birth of Christ. 948. Alias chap 9. The death of Basa The yeare of the world 3017. before Christs birth 947. Basaes stocke destroyed The yeare of the world 3017. before Christs Natiuitie 947. Diuers factioÌ„s of the people Amri king of Israel The yeare of the world 3021. before Christs birth 943. Amri dieth and Achab his sonne succeedeth him The yeare of the world 3028. before Christs birth 9â—…6 Alias chap. 10. Asa dieth Iosophat succeedeth him The yeare of the world 3031. before the birth of Christ. 933. Iezabel 3. Reg. 17. The dearth of victuals prophecied to the Israelites The yeare of the world 3037. before Christs birth 927 Crowes feed Elias The widow of Sareptha entertaining Elias neither flowre not oyle faile Menander of the famine during the time of Elias The yeare of the world 3037. before Christs Natiuitie 927. Elias restoreth the wâ—…wes sonne to lâ—…e 3. Reg. 18. Elias is sent by God to prophecy fault to Achab. The yeare of the world 3040. before Christs birth 924. Achab seeketh for Elias Obediah coÌ„cea leth and sustaineth a hundreth prophets Achab accuseth Elias of impietie Elias reproueth the superstition of the people The yeare of the world 3040 before Christs birth 924. Elias doctrine and office confirmed by miracle Fire from heauen deuoureth the sacrifice Bels priests slains
Ioas treble victory The yeare of the world 3◅03 before the Natiuitie of Christ. 86◅ Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Amasias king of Ierusalem 4. Reg. 14. De◅ 24. The yeare of the world 3106. before Christs birth 858. The dismission of the Israelits 2 Paral. 25. Amasias victory ouer the Amalechites Amasias i◅ reprehended◅y a proohet for his idolatry The yeare of the world 3106. before Christs Natiuitie 858. Amasias expedition against Ioas king of Israel Amasias taken prisoner by the king of Israel Ierusalem ruinated The temple spoyled Amasias slaine The yeare of the world 3120. before Christs birth 844. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. 4. Reg. 14. The enlargement of the kingdome of Israel Ionas 1 Ionas sēt vnto Niniue flieth the presence of God and ascending a ship is cast in a strome into the sea The yeare of the world 3120. before Christs Natiuitie 844. Ionas cast into the sea is deuou red by a whale and cast vpon the coast of Niniue foretelleth them of the losse of their empire Ionas 2. 3. 4. Reg. 14. 15 Ieroboams death Ozias king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3136. before Christs birth 828. Ozias expedition and the repaiting of the city 2. Paral. 26. The yeare of the world 3150. before Christs natiuitie 814. Ozias riches and army Ozias transgresseth his vocation and is punished with a leprosie and compelled to depart out of the city The yeare of the world 3170. before Christ birth 794. The yeare of the world 3170. before Christs birth 794. Zacharias slaughter 4. Reg. 35. Manahem king of Israel The yeare of the world 3174. before the birth of Christ. 790. The Tapsians slaughter Peace bought with money The yeare of the world 3185. before Christs birth 779. Phaceias The translatiō of the Israelits The yeare of the world 3187. before Christs birth 777. Iothams piety Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The prophecy of the destruction of Niniue Naum. 2. The yeare of the world 3204. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 760. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Achaz impiety The sacrifice of his sonne The punishment of impietie Esay 7. 4. Reg. 16. The slaughter of the army of Iuda 4. Reg. 16. The Israelites by the prophets aduice dismisse those prisoners they had takē of the tribes of Iuda and Beniamin The yeare of the world 3207. before Christs birth 757. The yeare of the world 3207. before Christs birth 757. 4. Reg. 16 17. The translatiō of the Israelites Achaz giueth the gold and siluer of the temple to the king of the Assyrians Achaz shutteth the doors of Gods temple and honoureth strāge gods Achaz death The yeare of the world 3215. before Christs birth 749. Oseas impietie and punishment Hedio Ruffinus chap 14. 4 Reg 17. The pietie of Ezechias king of Iuda Ezechias embassadours that were sent to the Israelites to exhort them to celebrate the feast of vnleuened bread are slaine by them 2. Paral. 29. 30 The word of God is neuer without fruit The yeare of the world 3218. before Christs Natiuitie 746. Ezechias sacrifice Reformation of Gods seruice The yeare of the world 3224. before Christs birth 740. The king ouercommeth the Philistines Ezechias forsaketh the seruice of the king of Assyria Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. 4. Reg. 17. The Israelites remoued from their possessions are translated into the region of the Chuthites The yeare of the world 3224 before Christs birth 740. The Tyrians Chronicles touching the wars of Salmanazar against the Tyrians written by Menander Gods displeasure against the idolatrous Chuthites The Chuteans embrace the seruice of God and in prosperitie claime kindred of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3231. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 733. 4. Reg. 18. The destruction of Iudaea The oth of Senacherib and his breach thereof Rapsaces perswasion to cause Ezechias submit 4. Reg. 19. Ezechias in aduersity hath recourse to God he is cōsorted by Esay The yeare of the world 3231. before Christs Natiuity 733. Herodotus of Senacharib Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. The punishment of Senacharib for displeasing God Patricides Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. 4. Reg. 20. Ezechias sicknesse and the prolongation of his life assured by miracle The yeare of the world 3231. before Christs Natiuitie 733. The Assyrian Monarchie destroied The embassage of the king of Babylon to Ezechias The captiuitie of Babylon foreprophecied by Esay The yeare of the world 3232. before Christs birth 732. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Ezechias death 4. Reg. 21. Manasses impiety and cruelty The yeare of the world 3247. before Christs birth 717. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Alias cap. 4. The yeare of the world 3247. before Christs Natiuitie 717. Manasses surprised and led prisoner into Babylon and after his repentance restored to his kingdome The yeare of the world 3288. before Christs birth 676. Manasses purifieth the citie and consecrateth the temple againe The yeare of the world 3302. before Christs birth 662. Manasses death Amos king of Iuda a wicked prince The yeare of the world 3304. before the birth of Christ. 660. Iosias king of Iudae 4 Reg. 22. Iosias restoreth the true seruice of God The feare of the world 3307. before Christs birth 657. Iosias rooteth outidolairie The yeare of the world 3321. be fore Christ birth 643. Iudges The zeale of the people in the reparation of the temple The yeare of the world 3321. before Christs birth 643. Moses sacred bookes found in the temple Olda the prophetesse sent vnto by Iosias The pophecie of the Iewes miserie 4 Reg. 23. A liuely image of a godly prince The truth of the diuine oracles 3. Reg. 13. The celebration of the passeouer The yeare of the world 3321. before Christs birth 643. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Alias cap. 5. The yeare of the world 3334. before Christs birth 630. The Egyptians worke their passage thorow Iudaea 4. Reg. 23. Iosias death An Epitaph written by Ieremy on Iosias 2. Paral. 25. Ieremy prophecieth the captiuitie of Babylon In what time Ieremie liued Ioaz king of Iuda 4. Reg. 23. 2. Paral 36. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Alias chap. 6. Eliacim called Ioachim made king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3335. before Christs birth 629. The yeare of the world 3336. before the birth of Christ. 628. Nabuchodo nosor king of Babylon warreth against the Egyptians The yeare of the world 3336. before Christs birth 628. Ioachim paseth Nabuchadnezzar tribute 4. Reg. 24. The yeare of the world 3343. before Christs natiuitie 621. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Ioachim reuolteth from the king of Babylon The yeare of the world 3345. before Christs Natiuity 619. Ieremy foretelleth the destruction of Ierusalem Ier. 22. Nabuchadnezzars entertainment into the citie and his crueltie 4. Reg. 24. 2. Paral. 36. Ioachin or Iechonias king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3346. before Christs Natiuitie 618. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. 4. Reg. 25. Nabuchodonosor a truce ◅eaker Sedechias king of Ierusalem seduced by his courteours false
houses The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs natiuitie 35. Herode being alone and naked in his house escaped vnhurt amoÌ„gst many armed enemies Herode sendeth Pappus head to his brother Phaeroras Herode besiegeth IerusaleÌ„ Herode repaireth to Samaria to marrie Alexanders daughter The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 26. al. 27. Sofiâ—…s and Herode lead a mightie army against Ierusalem Herode preuenteth the dearth The Iewes without feare resist those that besieged them The outward part of the temple and the lower citie taken The Iewes flye to the vpper citie and the temple IerusaleÌ„ taken The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Antigonus submitteth himselfe to Sosius Herode sore troubled in pacifying the straungers The spoile of the citie hindred When Ierusalâ—… was taken Herode bribeth Antonius with money to make away Antigonus The end of the Asmonean family and the extinction of their priest hood The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 3 4. Herode preferreth his fauorites and killeth his enemies The Pharisees honoured by him Pollio fore-prophecied Herodes tyrannie The slaughter of them that were of Antigonus â—…action The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Antigonus beheaded Strabo of Antigonus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 〈◊〉 Hircanâ—… heating â—…idings that Herode had obtained the kingdome returneth vnto him Hircanus highly honoured in Babylon by the Iewes Hircanus leauing his country expecteth fauour at Herodes hands Saramalla Herodes embasdour to Phraates Herode highly honoureth Hircanus The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 34. Herode giueth the high priesthood to Ananel Alexandra soliciteth Antonius by Cleopatras mediation for the high priesthood for hir sonne Antonius requireth Aristobulus at Herods hands The causes why Aristobulus was not sent Herode inueieth against Alexandra for pretending to vsurpe the kingdome Alexandra excuseth herselfe and hauing promise of the priesthood for hir sonne is reconciled to Herode The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. Herode taketh the Priesthood from Ananel The Priesthood taken from three Alexandra suspected by Herode is spied and watched and her actions obserued Alexandra pretending to flie into Egypt is betraied by her seruant Herode contriueth Aristobulus death The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 33. Aristobulus is drowned by Herodes direction Ananell restored to the priesthood The lamentation for Aristobulus death Herodes counterfait sorrow The yeare of the world 3931. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 33. Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herodes treasons and her sonnes traiterous murther Herode readie to repaire vnto Antony commaundeth Ioseph to whose charge he coÌ„mitted the kingdome to kill his wife A foolish rumour of Herodes death Herode appeaseth Anthony by presents and certifieth his friends by letters of his health The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs Natiuitie 32. Ioseph and Mariamme accused before Herode Mariamme excuseth purgeth hir selfe before the king and is reconciled Herode commandeth that Ioseph should be slaine and imprisoneth Alexandra Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Cleopatra verie couetous Cleopatra murthereth her brother and sister The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 32. Cleopatra contrieth Lysanias death Antonius giueth Cleopatra a portion deducted out of Iury and Arabia Cleopatra coÌ„meth to Herode who enstateth hir in that the part of Arabia these reuenewes of lericho that were giuen her An intemperate woman giuen to lust Herode goeth about to put Cleopatra to death and is disswaded by his â—…riends Antonius conquereth Armenia Herode bringeth Cleopatra onward off her way towards Egypt The yeâ—…e of the world 3933. before Christs birth 31. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Herode leuieth an army to assist Antonius against Octauian Herode is incited by letters to the Arabian warre Herodes battels and conquests The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Cleopatras chieftaine ouerthroweth Herode The Arabians returning to the barrell kill those that flie and cake the campe The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. An earthquake in Iudaea killeth ten thousand men The Arabians kill the Embassadours of the lewes Herode comforteth the Iewes that were out of heart for their former losses Herode comforteth and exhorteth his soldiers The cause of warre against the Arabians The yeere of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Legates inuiolable With whom soeuer Iustice is there is God also The yeare of the world 3935. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 19. The Arabians are ouercome by Herode The Arabians enforced by thirst require truce at Herodes hands Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Herode dismaied at Antonius ouerthrow The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Herode determineth to make away Hircanus Alexandra solliciteth Hircanus her father to require assistance at Malchus haÌ„ds Three hundreth furlongs containe nine Germaine miles Hircanus by Herodes commaund is put to death Hircanus dieth guiltlesse Hircanus life The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Herodes disposition of his affaires before he repaired to Caesar. Herode commeth to Caesar and declareth vnto him what pleasures he had done Antony promising him no lesse dutie and loue if so be he might be receiued into his fauour The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Caesar confirmeth Herodes authoritie Herode conducteth Caesar toward Egypt and presenteth him with many sumptuous gifts Herode inter taineth both Caesar and his at my verie heroically Herode giueth Caesar eight hundreth talents Mariamme and Alexandra displeased with Herode The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Sohcmus discoueteth the kings secrets Herode but coldly entertained by his wife MariaÌ„me Herodes sorrowes to see his wiues affections distracted and chaunged Hrodes siâ—…t 〈◊〉 and his mother incense the king by slaunderous reports against Mariamme Antony and Cleopatra slain Caesar Lord of Egypt Sohemus honoured by Horod with dignities Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Caesar enlargeth Herodes dominions The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Mariamme a froward womaÌ„ The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs birth 28 Sohemus suspected by Herode in Mariammes behalfe is put to death Mariamme is accused by Herode and condemned and imprisoned Mariamme by Salomes instigations is led to execution The yeare of the world 3936. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 28. Alexandra vndecently striueth to acquit her selfe of Mariammes treason Herods miserable estate moane after the death of his wife A plague inuadeth IerusaleÌ„ Herode falleth grieuously sicke Alexandra in Herodes absence seeketh to get the possession of the castles The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs Natiuitie 28. Herodes councellors certifie him of Alexandras intent Alexandra put to death Costabarus whom Herode had matched with his sister Salome vsurpeth in Idumaea Costabarus preserued by his wiues intercession Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater
and Dositheus accused before Herode Babas sonnes preserued by Costabarus The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs birth 28. Babas sonnes and others are accused before Herode and slaine Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Herode introduceth diuers forraine customes The yeare of the world 3939. before Christs birth 25. The theater the wrastling places Herode obtained no small honour by these expēces The Iewes suppose that the Trophees coue red with armes were Images The yeare of the world 3939. before Christs birth 25. Ten men conspire against Herode Herode hath intelligence of the conspiracy The ten men are executed and the intelligencer is cut in peeces Herode fortifieth two castles within Ierusale Antonia Samaria or Sebaste Stratons tower or Casarea Gabala Herode planteth garrisons in the fortresses to withstād conspiracies The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs birth 22. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. al. 10. A daily drought and sterilitie in Iudaea The want of victuals breedeth the plague Herode maketh money of all his rich ornaments and household stuffe of gold and siluer and buieth corne Herode distributeth the corn he had bought among the people The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs Natiuitie 2◅ The Iewes fauour Herode for his bounty Herode sendeth Caesar fiue hundreth of his guard The pallace built in Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Herode remoueth Iesus from his Priest hood and placeth Simon in his roome and marieth his daughter The yeare of the world 3942. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 22. Herod bestowed great diligence and no lesse costs in his buildings The tower of Straton otherwise called Caesarea builded by Herode Piraeus the port of Athens Dora and Ioppa ill harbours The port of Caesarea The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs Natiuitie 2◅ The theater Amphitheater Herode sendeth his sons Alexander and Aristobulus to Rome vnto Caesar. Caesar giueth Herode the dominions of the Trachonites of Batanea and Auranita Zenodorus liueth by spoile Herode punisheth the robbets Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Agrippa is sent into Asia Agrippa sendeth the Gadareans bound vnto Hetode who came to accuse him Zenodorus signiory sold to the Auranites and bestowed on Herode by Caesar is the cause of the warres The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs birth 22. Caesar commeth into Syria before him the Gadareans accule Herode and afterwards murther themselues The yeare of the world 3946. before Christs natiuitie 18. Vlatha Paneaas and other regions are giuen to Herod Herode highly esteemed by Caesar and Agrippa Caesar maketh Pheroras a Tetrarth Herede buildeth a temple neere vnto Panion Herode remitteth the third part of his tribute The yeere of the world 3946. before Christs Natiuitis 18. Herode bindeth the people by an oth Herode excuseth the Pharisees frō swearing for Polias and Same as sakes The Esseans not much vnlike the Pithagorists Manahē foretelleth He todes gouernment Herode questioneth with Manahem about the continuance or his kingdome and loueth the Esseans for his sake Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. al. 11. Herode intendeth to reedifie Gods temple Herode certifieth the people that he wil reedifie the temple The yeare of the world 3947. before Christs birth 17. The Iewes fearing least Herode should pul downe the olde temple before he had prepared matter for the new he promiseth the contrarie Conuenient stuffe is gathered for the building of the temple How the temple was builded by Herod The yeare of the world 3947. before Christs Natiuitie 17. The place where the high priests stole was kept Vnder whose custodie the stole was The tower of Antonia The porch builded aloft aboue the valley The yeare of the world 3955. before Christs birth 9. The inward court into which and no further the Iewes might enter The dedicatiō of the temple A conduit vnder ground from the castle Antonia During the building of thē temple it neuer rained by day The yeare of the world 3955. before Christs Natiuiti◅ 9. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Herode made a new law that wall breakers should be sold into bondage out of the kingdome The punishmēt of theft according to the law of Moses Exod. 1. 22. Deut. 12. 15. Herode sailed into Italy and brought home his sons from Rome The years of the world 3955. before Christs birth 9. Salome and others falsely accused Herodes sonnes and made their father hate them Herode maried his sonne Arist◅ to Bernice Salomes daughter and Alexander to ◅phyta the daughter of the kinge of Cappadocia Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. Herode caried Ma◅ Agrippa all about his kingdome Agrippa offered a hundreth beasts at Ierusalem Herode sailed vnto Agrippa to Chius and gaue a great summe of money to reedifi◅ the porch Herode found Agrippa at Synope a citie of Pontus and was by him honourably entertained Herode still present with Agrippa in sports and serious affaires Agrippa went by land to Ephesus The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Herod helped many in the way with money Herod was a mediator for many to Agrippa The citizens of Ilia are reconciled to Agrippa and they of Chius obtaine a priuiledge The Iewes of Ionia complaine vnto Agrippa of the iniuries offered them by those countrimen Nicholaus did make a speech vnto Agrippa in the behalfe of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Agrippa confirmeth the Iewes priuiledges Agrippa departed from Lesbus The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Herode returned to Ierusalē and made a speech vnto the people and let them vnderstand the cause of his iniury and remitted the fourth part of his tribute Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. al. 7. Salome perlecuteth Mariammes children with naturall hatred Alexander and Aristobulus being by Salome and Pheroras drawen into bad words are by them accused to their father Herode Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. al. 8. Pheroras and Salome accuse Alexander and Aristobulus before Herode Herode was fortunate abroad and vnfortunate at home Herod aduanceth Antipater to bridie the arrogancy of his sonnes The yeare of the world 3956. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 8 Antipater enciteth his father aganist his brothers Herod brought Antipaters mother into his pallace Herode deliuereth Antipater to Agrippa to be caried to Rome Antipater was honoured at Rome Antipater whē he was present incited his father against his brethren by hes and being absent he did the same by letters Herude failed to Rome and followed Caesar to Aquileia Herode accused his sons before Caesar. The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Alias chap. 9. Alexander and Aristo bulus moue all that were present euen their father and accuser to teares and cōpassion Alexander speaketh in his owne and his brothers defence The yeare of the world 3956. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 8 All men do pittie the yong men Caesar pronounceth the yong mē herein to haue oftended that they gaue occasion of
suspition and he exhorreth the father to be reconciled to his children Herode is reconciled to his children Antipater friendly dotâ—… congratulate his brethreÌ„ returned into his fathers fauour Herode ditâ—… giue Caesar â—…00 taleâ—… The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Caesar gaue Herode halfe his reuennes out of the mines of Cyprus The rebels are conquered The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs natiuitie 7. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. al. 10. Caesrea is finished Oâ—…nale â—…men Caesar and Agrippa commend Herods magnanimity Aâ—…ipartis is built Cypron is built The tower and towne of Phasaelus is built The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birth 7. Herode built the temple of Pythius The sports of Olympus Why Herode was liberall to strangers and cruell to his owne nation Herod greedie of honour Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. The Iewes of Asia and Cyrenc being afflicted by the inhabitaÌ„ts there send an embassage to Caesar and do obtain of him immunitie The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs Natiuitie 7. Agrippa writ vnto the rulers of Ephesus in the Iewes behalfe and to Syllanus and the magistrats of Cyrena Caius Norbanus Flaccus writeth in the Iewes behalfe Iulius Antonius procoÌ„full The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birth 7. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. al. 7. 12. The desire of gold Herode lost two of his men in Dauids sepulchre Nicholaus the histotiographer reproued Ioseph came of the priestly line of the Asamoncens A discord in Herods house Antipaters crafty plotting against his brethren The women ax discord and variance Pheroras refused the kings daughter offered him tâ—… wife The yeere of the world 3957. before Christs Natiuitie 7. Salome entised 〈◊〉 daughter to bewray her husbands seâ—…ts Herode greatly moued against Pheroras for aâ—…firming that he was a in loue with Glaphyra The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birâ—… 7. Salome excuseth her selfe The effect of calumniation Syllaeus the Arabian desiring Salome to wife was denied Herod maried his daughter to Pheroras son The sons hatred towards their father is bewraied The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs Natiuitie 7. Herode crediteth all tales and so putteth many to death vniustly Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Herode denieth to be familiar with Andromachus and Gemellus Antipater the cause of all mischiefe Many were tortured and examined for Alexanders cause The yeare of the world 3957. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 7. Alexander being in prison his frieÌ„ds were tortured One accused Alexander to haue sent letters to Rome against his father Alexander confesseth the treason and who had a hand in it Herode was so troubled with the contention in his house that he was wearie of his life Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. al. 13. Archelaus the king of Cappadocia seineth displeasure against Alexander his son in law and so reconciled Herods vnto him The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birth 7. Archelaus lai cth the fault of Alexanders offence vpon others and especially vpon â—…roas Pheroras confessed himselfe to be author of all mischiefe and obtaineth pardon of his brother Herode accompanied Archelaus vnto Antioch The yeare of the world 3958. before Christs natiuitie 6. The cause of the Arabian warre Caesar gaue Trachonitis to Herode Alias chap. 14. Herodes captaines subdue the rebels in Arabia The theeues taken and punished Alias chap. 15 Herode demaunded the theeues to be deliuered vnto him and the money he had lent to be repared The yeare of the world 3958. before Christs birth 6. Saturninus Volumnius the rulers of Syria do reconcile Herod the ArabiaÌ„s Herode by the permission of Saturninus Volumnius entred into Arabia with an army destroied the castle callep Repra Nacebus with 25. Arabians slaine Herode caried 3000. Idumaeans into Trachon Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. al. 16. Syllaeus accused Herode vnto Caesar. The Arabians and Trachonites vnderstanding that Caesar was offended with Herode resolce thereat The yeare of the world 3960. before Christs Natiuitie 4. Caesar offended with Herode Obodas dying Aeneassucceeded him in the Arabian kingdome Caesar would not giue audience to the Arabian embassadors Herode sent Nicholaus Damascene to Caesar. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. al. 17. Eurycles a Lacedemonian â—…nuateth 〈◊〉 into Herodes familiaritie Eurycles insinuated himselfe into Alexanders friendship Eurycles obseruing all Alexanders words and actions related them to Antipater and Herode Eurycles by craft got mony of Archelaus The yeare of the world 3960. before the Natiuitie of Christ 4â—… Herode doth giue care vnto the accusers of Alexander Aristobulus Iucundus and Tyrannus confesse that Alexander did solicite them to kill Herode as he was a hunting How AlexaÌ„der writ vnto the captaine of AlexandriuÌ„ to receiue him Dyophantus the scribe doth counterfait other mens hands Alexander and Aristobulus arâ—… imprisoned and Aristobulus warneth his mother in law AlexaÌ„der confesseth to Herode that he purposed to fly to Archâ—…laus Mela embassador of Archelauâ—… king of Cappadocia Glaphyra Alexanders wiâ—… is demanded if she knew of any treason against Herode The â—…art of the world 3960. before Christs birth 4â—… Archelaus excuseth himselfe to Herode Caesar and Herode made friends Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. al. 18. Nicholaus accuseth Syllaeus and excuseth Herode A â—…arration of the Arabian wars the boâ—…owed money The theeues of Trachon The yeare of the world 3960. before Christs birth 4. Syllaeus condemned to dy Caesar was purposed to giue the kingdome of Arabia to Herode was altered by Herodes letters The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Aretas embassadors vnto Caesar. Caesar alloweth Herode to punish malefactors Herode affembleth all that Caesar willed except Archâ—…laus Herode â—…ccuseth his sons The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs Naâ—…tie 3. Saturninus doth pronouÌ„ce an indifferent sentence Volumnius other of Herods friends pronounce Herodes sons to be beheaded Herode asked of Nicholaus what his frieÌ„ds at Rome thought of his sonnes Tyro speaketh to Herode and not obseruing modesty he and the captaines were imprisoned The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Tyro is by his son and a barber accused to haue practised treason against the king Tyro with 300 captains are accused before the people and slaine Alexander Aristobulus strangled at Sebaste and buried in Alexandrium The cause of these calamities was destiny and Gods prouidence Wherein Alexander and Aristobulus offended Herod shamefull errour not to be excused The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs Natiuitie 3. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Antipater after hee had made away his brothers grew hatefull both to the soldiers and the people Antipater gouerned the kingdom with his father Antipater wish eth his fathers death The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Antipater spared no cost to winne his fathers friends Antipater could not deceiue his aunt Herode compelleth Salome
his pouerty requireth her assistance Agrippa dwelleth at Tiberias Herode taunteth Agrippa with his pouerty The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs birth 39. Agrippâ—…â—…ieth himselfe to Flaccus Aristobulus draweth Agrippa into Flaccus disfauour Agrippa by Marsias meanâ—… borroweth mony of Protus Agrippa whilst HereÌ„nius Capito 〈◊〉 money at his hands fâ—…ieth to Alexandria by night Agrippa borroweth money at Alexandria Agrippa arriueth at Puteol is admitted to Caesars presence Agrippa borroweth 300000 siluer drachmes of Antonia Germanicus and Claudius mother Caius commended to Agrippas chargâ—… Allius Caesars freeman lendeth Agrippa money The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs Natiuitie 39. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. Eutychus Agrippas freemaÌ„ bethâ—…keth him to accuse Agrippa to the Emperour For what cause Tiberius changed not his gouernours Why Caesar would not giue audience to his prisoners Agrippa soliciteth Antonia to bring Eu â—…ychus to his answere Antonia verie much honoured by Tiberius Antonia discouereth Seianus conspiracie to Caesar. The yeare of the world 4001. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 39. Agrippa vrgeth Eutychuâ—… triall and for certaine speeches of his is cast into bonds Thaumastus Caius seruant giueth Agrippa drink whom he promiseth to procure his freedome The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs birth â—…9 A certaine Germane foretelleth Agrippa of his happie fortunes to come and the manner of his death Agrippa liued six moneths in prison Tiberius salleth sicke and sendeth for his sonnes Tiberius Gemellus the son of Drusus Caius the gracious Germanicus sonne Tiberius by an Augury vnderderstandeth Caius successe and succession before his death The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs birth 39. Tiberius addicted to the Mathemaâ—…kes He foretelleth Galbas succession in the empire Tibetius recommendeth the Romane empire and Tiberius his grandchild to Caius Caius killeth Tiberius Caius Caligula the foâ—… Romane emperour Tiberius a tyrant The yeare of the world 4001 after Christs Natiuitie 39. Marsias Agrippas freeman certifieth him of Tiberius death The rumour was spred in Rome that Tiberius was aliue Caius certifyeth the Senate and Piso of Tiberius death and his succession and willeth that Agrippa should be lent to his owne lodging Tiberius funerall Caius createth Agrippa king and giueth him two tetratchies Agrippa departeth into his kingdome The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs naâ—…uitie 40. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. Alias cap. 16. Herodias Agrippas fister enuieth hir brothers happines and inciteth her husband to seeke 〈◊〉 kingdome The yeare of the world 4002. after the Natâ—…tie of Christs 40. He rode with Herodias repaire to Rome Agrippa sendeth Forunatus with letters and presents after him Baiae are certaine hathes in Campanis not farre from Puteol Herode is accused for fauouring Artabanus the Parthian Herode is perpetually banished and confined in Liâ—…ons in Fraheâ—… and Agrippa is made Lord of his lands and goods and Herodias despising Caesars bounty accompanieth him in exile Caius at the first gouerned the common-weale verie happily but after wards vsurped diuine honours The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs birth 40. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. al. cap. 17. Appion prince of the Alexandrians embassage accuseth the Iewes because they ascribed not diuinitie to Caefar Philo Iudaeus for the Iewes is shut out and can get no audience committeth the cause to God Alias cap. 19. Caesar sendeth Petronius into Syria and coÌ„maundeth him in spight of the Iewes to plant his statue in Gods temple The Iewes repaire to Prolemais beseeching him that he would not bring his statues into the holy citie The yeare of the world 4002. after Chriss birth 40. The Iewes meet Petronius at Tiberias Beseeching him not to violate the sacred citie with his images Aristobulus king Agrippas brother and Elcias the high Priest intreat Petronius in the Iewes behalfe Petronius promiseth the Iewes to write vnto Caius in their behalfe and exhorreth them to follow their husbandry The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs Natiuitie 40. After a long continuall draught there fell a sodaine shower Petronius writeth to Caius Agrippa honoureth Caius in Rome and in rewarde thereof Caius willeth him to demand somewhat who desireth nothing else then that Petronius coÌ„mission to erect the statue should be reuoked The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs birth 40. Caius writeth to Petronius charging him to murther him selfe for neglecting his commaund Petronius receiueth letters of Caius death before those whereby he was commanded to kill himselfe Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. al. cap. 20. A grieuous commotion among the Iewes in Mesopotamia and Babylon The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs Natiuitie 41. Nearda Nisibis two cities of Babylon Asinaeus and Anilaeus boris in Nearda retire into a certaine place and great companies flocke vnto them Asinaeus and his companions be set by the gouernors and princes of Babylon Asinaeus after he had incouraged his soldi ers putteth his enemies â—…o flight The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs birth 41. Asinaeus and Anilaeus are sought vnto by Artabanus for friendship Abdagasiâ—… would haue slaine Asinaeus but Artabanius will not permit him Artabanus committeth the territories of Babylon to Asinaeus charge and dismisseth him with gifts The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs Natiuitie 41. Anilaeus killeth a noble man of the Parthians and leadeth away his wife Anilaeus being reprooued for his wifes idolatrie killeth one of his friends Anilaeus is accused before his brother Asinaeus but he winketh at his Fault Asinâ—…us poisoned by the Parthian woman Anilaeus draweth his forces into Mithridates countrey and spoileth his villages and taketh him prisoner The yeare of the world 4003. after the Natâ—…tie of Christ. 41. Anilaeus dismisleth Mithridates A great number of dissolute persons flocke â—…o Anilaeus with whoÌ„ he spoyleth certaine boroughs of the Babylonians The Babylonians require Anilaeus that they may punish him they assaile â—…ay him The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs birth 41. The Iewes afflicted by the Babylonians repaire to Seleucia Fiftie thousand Iewes slaine in Seleucia The Iewes that were saued repaire to Câ—…phon The Iewes retire into Neâ—…da Nisibis The yeare of the world 4004. after Christs birth 42. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Caius tyranny towards the Iewes Caius tyranny towards the Senators and Patricians Caius calleth himselfe Iupiters brother Caius spoyled al the temples of Greece Caius commaundeth Memmius Regulus to transferre Iupiter Olympius to Rome Caius compareth himselfe with Iupiter Caius gaue slaues â—…ree liberty to accuse their masters counteaÌ„nced Pollux to accuse his master Claudius Many conspiracies against Caius The yeere of the world 4004. after Christs Natiuitie 42. Three conspiracies against Caius Emilius Regulus Cassius Chaereas Annius Minucianus The Cireensian games Câ—…ius câ—…useth diuers to be murthered who request mitigation of their exactioÌ„s Chaereas for many causes is incited against Caius The yeare of the world 4004. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 42. Popedius is accused of a crime by Timidius vnto Caesar.
Caius coÌ„mandeth Quintiliana to be tortured who confesseth nothing Popedius is absolued Cheraeas conferreth with Clement and Papinius The yeare of the world 4004. after Christs birth 42. Cornelius Sabinust Annius Minutianus Chaereas with certaine others intend to kill Caius Calisthus Caius freeman certifieth Claudius that Caius commaunded him to poison him The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birtâ—… 43. Chaereas expeâ—…h the occasion to assaile Caius The finall conclusion of the confederates as touching Caius death The yeare of the world 4005. after Chrisâ—…s Natiuitie 43. Caius sacrificeth to Augustus Caesar. Asprenas The Theater Batibius Cluuitus The yeare of the world 400â—… after Christs birth 43. Caius slaine Aquila gaue Caius his deaths wound but Chaereas was the author and chiefe actor of the tragedie The yeare of the 〈◊〉 4005. after Chrâ—…ts Natiâ—…tie 43. Chaereas with his confederates reâ—…reth into Germanicuâ—… house The Germans Caesars guard Sabinus with his Germaine souldiers seeketh for those that slue Caius Asprenas cut in peeces Norbanus Anteius What sort of people they were that lamented Caius death The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Diuers â—…umors of Caesars death The Germain souldiers resort to the Theater Aruntius entreth the Theater and signifieth the Emperours death The Germainâ—… fury awakned by the death of Caius is pacified The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs Natiuitie 43. Chaereas Minutianus and ClemeÌ„t consult about Caesars death Arcion a certaine Phisition dismisseth some The Senate people enquire after those that flue Caius Valerius Asiaticus wisheth he had beene the author Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. The souldiers elect Claudius Emperour The yeare of thâ—… world 4005. after the Naâ—…tie of Christ. 43. Cnaius Sentiuâ—… Saturninus declaimeth in the Senate Libertie a prâ—…cious thing Liberty purchased by vertue TyraÌ„nies breed many mischifes in commonweales Iulius Caesar. The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. An exhortation to maintaine liberty Chaereas to be honoured for his noble attempt Chaereas requireth a watchword at the Consuls â—…ands Chaereas sendeth Iulius Lupus to kill Caius wife and daughter The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Caesonia accuseth Caius for that he would not giue credit â—…o her counsailâ—… Caius a wicked man Caius giuen ouer to lust Caius builded a hauen Caius an excellent Orator The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs natiuitie 43. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. Claudius against his will drawen vnto the Empire The cause that induced the army to make Claudius Emperour The yeare of the world 4005. after the Naâ—…tie of Christ. 4â—… Claudius caried on mens shoulders into the army Defference betwixt the citizens and Senators The Senate perswade Claudius to resigne the dignitie oâ—…ered him Claudius denieth to giue ouer the dignitie that was offered him Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. al. 3. The yeere of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Claudius confirmed in his resolutions by Agrippa Agrippa telleth the Senat his opinion Agrippa with some other is sent to Claudius Claudius aunswere to the Embassadors The souldiers oaths taken The souldiers require a Monarch at the Senats bands The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Some affect the Empire The souldierâ—… with displaied ensignâ—…s repaire to Claudius Sabinus rather choseth death then to allow of Claudius Q. Pompeiuâ—… the Consul with otherâ—… resort to Claudiuâ—… Claudius is perswaded bâ—… Agrippa to vse the senators more mildly Those that murthered Caius are executed The yeâ—…e of the world 4005. after Christs Naâ—…itie 43. Sabinus killeth himselfe Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. â—…l 4. Claudius giueth Agrippa Iudaea Samaria and Lysanias countrey Antiochus king of Comagena Alexander Lysimachus Alabarcha Herode Agrippas brother created king of Chalcis Sedirion in Alexandria betwixt the Greekes and Iewes Claudius edict in fauour of the Iewes in Alexandria Theâ—… yere of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Claudius edict in the behalfe of the Iewes scattered thorow the whole empire Claudius sendeth Agrippa into his kingdome Agrippa hangeth vp his golden chaine ouer the treasury chamber in the temple Simon the son of Boethus placed in Theophilus roome 〈◊〉 â—…finus cap. 6. Agrippa â—…eleaseth the tributes to those of Ierusalem Silas The Doriteâ—… place Caesars statue in the synagogue of the Iewes and thereby vehemently offend both Agrippa and Petronius The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs natiuitâ—… 43. Alias cap. 5. P. Petronius writeth to the Dorites to send them vnto him who haue broken Caesarâ—… edict Ionathan the sonne of Ananus is restored to the priesthood refuseth it and praieth that his brother Matthias may minister therin Marsus prefect of Syria The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. Silas by too much reuiuing the kings miseries and misfortunes and ripping vp his owne deserts groweth into y e kings hatred and is sent prisoner into his countrey Agrippa sendeth for Silas out of prison who dissembling not his displeasure is left still in prison Agrippa fortifieth the wals of Ierusalem Claudius commandeth Agrippa to desist from building the wals Agrippa â—…ored the 〈◊〉 more then Herode The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs Natiuitie 43. Simon the lawyer backbiteth the king who crauing pardon is reconciled vnto him Alias cap. 6. Agrippa honoreth Beryth with good ornaments Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Agrippa is displeased with Marsus for sending away the kings Alias cap. 7. Aelioneus the sonne of Cithaeus made high priest Agrippa is salâ—…d in the Theater for a God and spieth the owle which the Germane foretold him of that fiue daies after he should die The yeare of the world 4005. after the Natâ—…itie of Christ 43. The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. 1â—…00 Myriades amount to 15 tunnes o gold Herode the prince of Chalcis and Chelcias kill Silas Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. al. cap. 8. Agrippaâ—… children aliue The Caelerias and SebasteaÌ„s râ—…uile Agrippâ—… being dead Agrippa Agrippas sonne Claudius inteÌ„deth to send yong Agrippa into his fathers kingdom but is disswaded sendeth Cuspius Fadus for president into Iudaea those parts The yeâ—…e of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. The Iewes themselues were the cause of those wars which began vnder Flotus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 1. Casâ—… Longiâ—… presect of Syria Fadus punisheth the Iewes for their insurrection against the Philadelphians Theâ—… yere of the world 4â—…09 after Christs birth 47. Annibas executed 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 banished Tholomaeus the arch thiese Fadus requiteth the high priests gaâ—…meÌ„t should be deliuered into the power of the Romanes and kept in y e 〈◊〉 of Aâ—…onia Alias cap. 2. The Iewes deliuer pledges to the intent they might be permitted to send letters to Caesar. Claudius vpon the yonger Agrippâ—…s motâ—…on granteth the Iewes liberty to haue the custodie of the hie priests vestment Aliâ—…s cap. 3. Claudius Epistle to the Iewes Alias cap. 9. Herode prince of Chalcis hath authoritie
Ant. lib. 14. cap. 11. Alexanders mother striueth to pacifie Gabinius with rewards The change of y e gouernment of the Iewes Ant. lib. 14. cap. 12. Aristobulus escaping from Rome raiseth new troubles Aristobulus fighteth with the Romans The Romans obtaine the victory and cary away Aristobulus and his son to Rome Alexander Aristobulus son once more prouoketh the Iewes to rebellion The Iewes ouercome by the Romans Gabinius ouercommeth the Nabathaeans in battell Ant. lib. 14. cap 13. Marcus crassus taketh away the rest of the gold of the temple Antipaters wife a noble woman of Arabia The yeare of the world 3917 before Christs birth 47. Ant lib. 14. cap. 14. Caesar deliuereth Aristobulus from his bonds Aristobulus his son slain by PoÌ„peies frieÌ„ds Ant. lib. 14. cap. 15. Ptolemaeus son marieth Antigonus yonger daughter and for that cause is slaine by his father Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Mithridates goeth to Pelusium therby obtaineth Antigonus helpe Mithridates victory against the Egyptians Antipater performeth many noble exploits and exposeth himselfe to all daunger for Caesars sake Caesar maketh Antipater a free citizen of Rome Antigonus Aristobulus son commeth to Caesar to accuse Pompeies friends for his fathers death The yeare of the world 3917. before the birth of Christs 47. Antigonus fallely accuseth Hyrcanus and Antipater Antipater casting off his garment sheweth his many woundes Caesar createth Hyrcanus hie priest and to Antipater he giueth the gouerâ—…ment of Iudaea Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Antipater repaireth y e wals of his country Antipater chargeth his subiects to obey Hyrcanus Phasaelus and Herode Antipaters sonnes Herodes fortitude Herod banisheth y e theeues out of Syria Phasaelus obtained the fauour of the people of Ierusalem Hyrcanus animated by enuious men against Antipater and his sonnes Herode called to his answere before the councell The yeare of the world 3922. before Christs birth 24. Hyrcanus absolueth Herod Hircanus once more incited by the wicked Herode gathering a great army commeth to Ierusalem to depose Hyrcanus Herode disswaded by Antipater from attempting against Hyrcanus Bassus murthereth Sextus Caesar by treason Marcus Sextus successor Ant. lib. 14. cap. 2. Iulius Caesar slaâ—…ne by Brutus Cassius Cassius leuieth money in the cities Herode Cassius friend Cassius seuere in his exactions The yeare of the world 3922. before Christs birth 42. Malichus forgetfull of Antipaters kindnes Antipater gathereth an armie against Malichus Octauius Augustus succeedeth after Caesar Cassius promiseth Herode after the warre to make him king of Iudaea Antipater poisoned by Malichus Herode intendeth to reuege his fathers death Malichus ioyneth with Hyrcanus Cassius chargeth Herode by letters to reuenge his fathers death The decree of fate laugheth at human hope Herods tribunes murther Malichus The yeare of the world 3923 before Christs birth 41. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 20. Foelix commeth with an army against Phasaelus Phasaelus ouercommeth Foelix toucheth Hyrcanus with ingratitude Antigonus Aristobulus son put to flight by Herode Doris Herods first wife of good birth by whom he had Antipater The chiefest Iewes repaire to Caesar to accuse Phasaelus and Herod Ant. lib. 14. cap 21. The Iewes once more coÌ„plaine against y e two brothers Antonius maketh the two brothers Tetrarches Antonius coÌ„mandeth in Tyre Sedition in IerusaleÌ„ against the brethren Antonius slue the captiues The yeare of the world 3923. before the birth of Christ. 41. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 21. Lysanias persuadeth Batzapharnes to depose Hyrcanus and enstate Antigonus A sore fight in the market place betwixt Antigonus and Hyrcanus Daily slaughters in Ierusalem Phasaelus entertaineth the Parthians and with him fiue hundreth horse Pacorus treason and subtiltie The yeare of the world 3924. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 40. * Or free Herode in Ierusalem and Phasaelus in the camp are in danger of their liues The yeare of the world 3924. before Christs birth 40. Herod is laid for to be betraied Herode in the night time flieth into Idumaea Herod more hotely pursued by the Iewes then the Parthians Herods victory Herodium Massada Petra a citie of Arabia The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Antigonus â—…weth off Hircanus eares Phasaelus words before he died The Parthians establish Antigonus king The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs Natiuitie 39. Animaters to impudence Herode perceiueth the Arabians to be his enemies Herod in great dangers repaireth to Rome Herod repairing to Rome hath conference with Antonius Ant. lib. 14. cap. 13. Herod â—…ndeth both Caesar and Antonius fauourable vnto him Herode praised before the Senate Herode made king by the 〈◊〉 Romane Senate The yeare of the world 3925 before Christs birth 39. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 23. Antigonus getteth Massada The wars between Antigonus soldiers Ioseph Herods brother Ventidius the Romane generall taketh money from Antigonus Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. Herod against Antigonus Herod intendeth that after he hath taken Massada and Ioppe to besiege Ierusalem Herod begirteth Ierusalem with a siege proclaimeth the cause of his comming Siloes subtiltie being corrupted by y e Iewes Herod gathereth great store of prouision The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Herod accompanied with ten troupes commeth to Iericho The Romane got a great pray Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. Herod taketh the citie of Sephoris Herode setteth forth against the theeues The yeare of the world 3926. before Christs birth 38. Ant. lib. ca. 25. The description of the caues where the theeues kept The yeere of the world 3926. before Christs birth 38. Ptolemey captaine of Herods souldiers slaine Machaeras iniquitie The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs birth 37. Antonius admireth Herods valour Antigonus cruelty against Iosephs care as The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs Natiuitie 37. Herode certified of his brothers death in a dreame Herods dining roume fell after he had forsaken it and gone to bed The number of the carcasses hinder the souldiers passage The yeare of the world 3928 before Christs birth 36. Herode beheadeth Pappus Antigonus captaine Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1â—… Ierusalem besieged The yeare of the world 3929 before Christs birth 35. The Iewes valiantly defend themselues Herods souldiers after fiue moneths siege enter the citie Slaughter in Ierusalem Sosius taketh Antigonus The yeare of the world 3929. before the birth of Christ. 35. Herode liberally bestoweth mony vpoÌ„ the souldiers Antigonus beheaded Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1. Cleopatras cruelty against her kinred Cleopatras couetousnes The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. Clapatras subtill treason against Herode The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. The Arabians defeat Herods army The Actian warre between Antonius and Augustus Another calamitie of Herodes Herodes oration to his dismaied souldiers Feare giueth confidence Thâ—… yâ—…re of 〈◊〉 world 3934. befoâ—… Christs birth 30. Herodes peroration Herode sacrificeth to God before the battell Herode assaileth the enemie The Arabiâ—…
Citizens exhort the people to reuenge The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The Zelous the most wretched occasiō of these violences Ananus sharpe inuectiue against the Zelous Ananus twitteth the Iews with their feare The crueltie of the theeues The Temple the strongest fortres of the Citie Warres are intended for libertie The comparison of the Romans and Iews and their properties The yeare of the world 4032. after the birth of Christ. 70. An answere to their contrarie opinion who obiect the number and boldnesse of the enemy The Epilogue of Ananus Oration to the people Ananus disposeth his souldiers against the Zelous The fight of the Citizens and Zelous in the temple The yeare of the world 4032 after Christs birth 70. Iohnful of deceit and a betraier of the citizens Iohn sweareth to be faithfull to the people Iohn contrarie to his oath reuealeth their secrets to the Zelous Iohn stirreth vp the Zelous against the Citizens Eleazar one of the Zelous causeth the Idumaeans to besent for The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The Zealous require helpe from the Idumaeans The nature and manners of the Idumaeans Twentie thousand Idumaeās come to Ierusalem Iesus oration and exhortation to the Idumaeans The disproofe of the Zealous fiction who intended the ouerthrow of the citie and obiected the betraying thereof The yeare of the world 403◅ after Christs birth 70. Peace is better then death Iesus exhorteth the Idumaeans that since they are come they should oppose themselues against the Zealous Iesus requireth the Idumaeans to iudge the differents betweene the Zealous and them The end of Iesus oration to the Idumaeans The yeare of the world 4032. aftter Christs Naiuitie 70. Simons answer to Iesus oration The Idumaeans are displeased because the Citie gates were lockt against them The reproches the Idumeans obiect against the high priests and Citizens The Idumaeans pitch their tabernacles neer the wals A huge storme The Zelous consult to breake open the gates to assaile the watch and let in the Idumaeans The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The watchmen are oppressed with sleepe The Idumaeans by the meanes of the Zelous enter by night The Idumaeans ioyne themselues with the Zelous in the Temple The immanitie of the Idumaeans and Zelous against the Citizens of Ierusalem Ananus and Iesus the high Priests executed Ananus death the first cause of the destruction of the Citie The praise of Ananus the hie priest The yeare of the world 4032. after the birth of Christ. 70. The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The crueltie of the Idumaeans the Zelous Twelue thousand of the nobilitie executed Zacharie condemned to death by the Zelous Seuentie iudges absolue and acquite Zacharie Zacharie slaine in the midst of the temple One of the Zelous discouereth their crueltie and barbarous dealing to the Idumaeans The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs Natiuitie 70. The Idumaeans depart out of Ierusalem Gorions death and Niger Peraita Nigers praiers tooke effect as the end testified The souldiers incite Vespasian to resort to Ierusalem The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70 Vespasian expecteth victory by the ciuill dissension of his enemies Many citizens to flie the Zealous resorted to Vespasian The Zealous tytannize both ouer the liuing and the dead The yeere of th◅ world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Iohns pride and ambition The greater part of the con trarie faction fall from Iohn The tempest of three miseries assailed Ierusalem at once Of those desperate rebels that kept the Castle of Massada Slaughter and desolation thorow Iurie A Similitude The sugitiue◅ beseech Vespasian to assist the Citie and reserue ◅he rest of the people The ye◅re of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The Gadarensian◅ entertain Vespasian with ioy and acclamations Placidus con◅ct with the fugitiues Placidus taketh and burneth Bethenabris Placidus victorie ouer the fugitiues The yeare of the world 4032. after the birth of Christ. 70. Placidus maketh vse o◅ his good fortune against the Iewes Troubles in France Vespasian visiteth all Iudaea Vespasian commeth to Iericho The grea◅ field Two lakes Asphaltite and y e Tiberian lake A large fountaine neere Iericho The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. A miracle wrought by Helizaeu◅ Fruitfull and pleasant gardens about Iericho The cause why the ground about Iericho is fruitfull The ayre temperate and warme An admirable propertie of the Asphaltite lake The land of Sodom is neer vnto the lake Asphaltite The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Ter◅ul in Apologet cap. 39. L. Annius taketh Gerasa Vespasian hath tidings of Neroes death Galba Otho Vitell◅ Vespasian de◅erreth his siege at Ierusalem Galba is slaine and Otho gouerneth The ye◅re of the ◅ld 4033. after Christs birth 71. Simon of Gerasa resorteth to the theeues Simon assemble◅ all robbers in the mountainous places The fight betweene Simon the Zealous Eleazar Simōs fellow casteth himselfe headlong into the trench and presently dieth Iames of Idumaea the betraier of his countrey The yeare of th◅ world 4033. after Christs birth 71. Simon beyond all expectation entreth Idumaea without bloudshed Hebron an ancient Citie where Abrahams house was A Turpentine tree that hath continued since the creation of the world Simon spoyled all Idumaea The Zelous take Simons wife Simons immanitie cruelty The Zelous ◅nd backe Simons wife Sedition thorow the whole Romane Empi◅e Vespasian onc◅ more inuadet◅ Iudaea The yeare of the world 4033. after Christs birth 71. Capharis submits to Cerealis Cerealis burneth the ancient Citie of Hebron The Zelous fill the whole Citie with iniquitie The way of flight was quite cut off The discord betweene the Zelous and the Idumaeans The fight of the Zealous with the Idumaeans in the Temple Simon entreth the Citie with a great army The yeare of the world 4033. after the birth of Christ. 71. Simon assaulteth the temple wherin the Zelous kept The office of the priests to sig◅e the beginning of the seuenth day by the sound of a ◅umpet Vitellius incampeth his army in Rome Vespasiā knew both how to gouerne and how to obey The captaines consult with the souldiers openly of a change Vespasians shame◅astnesse and modestie The yeare of the world 4033. after Christs birth 71. The causes that mooued the people to elect Vespasian Emperour The souldiers elect Vespasian Emperour The bounds of Aegypt The length and breadth of Aegypt A most high tower in the Island Pharos giuing light to those that faile three hundreth stounds off Tiberius Alexander gouerneth Alexandria Aegypt The yeare of the world 4033. after Christs birth 71. Vespasian by common voice is created Emperour and crowned Vespasian consulteth with his captains about Iosephs liberty Ioseph discharged out of bonds and rewarded Vespasian bethinketh himselfe to returne to Rome Caecinna perswadeth the souldiers to forsake Vitellius and honour Vespasian The yeere of the world 4033.
there were betweene the first building of the temple vnder king Salomon and the destruction vnder Titus The crie and howling of the murthered Iewes The temple filled with fire and bloud Two noble men cast themselues into the fire The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72 Sixe thousand in the porch consumed by fire False prophets suborned by the seditious The blindnes of the people The first prodigie A comet like vnto a sword The second prodigie was that a bright light shined about the altar and temple by night The third prodigie was of a co◅ y e brought forth a lambe in the midst of the temple The fourth the brasen gate of the temple opened it selfe The fift armed chariots and men seene in the aire The sixt a voice in the inward temple The Seuenth prodigie Iesus a countrey mans crie and death The yeare of the world 4034 af◅r Christs birth 72. Iesus for seuen yeeres space fiue months cried about the Citie A stone shot from an engine killeth Iesus The Iewes interpret the signes to their own good liking are their Countries ruine and the cause of their owne calamity Gold was sold for halfe the price The craft of a boy The Priests ◅raue pardon but Titus commandeth them to be led to execution The seditious summon Titus to a parly The yeare of the ◅ld 4034. after Christs birth 71. Titus Oration to the Iewes by an interpreter The Romans humanitie incited the Iewes against them The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. Titus granteth the Iewes li◅e on condition they should lay aside their weapons and submit themselues The souldiers set the citie on fire Caesar cōstant in his resolution The seditious resorting to the kings house take away the treasure The punishment of a Roman souldier taken by the Iewes The Iewes are arrogant in midst of their calamitie The Iewes refuse to submit themselues to the Romans yet are they vnable to wag◅ warre with them The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The tyrants vttermost hope was in their vaults Rapine and slaughter in the vaults The Idumaeans consult in their assembly about their submission Fortie thousand of the people saued Iesus a priest the sonne of Thebathus Phineas the treasurer of the temple taken The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Some of the seditious kept in Acra the rest in the vault of the clue The feare and amazement of the seditious The tyrants do inieble themselues and of their owne accords for sake the towers frō whence by nomeanes but famine they might be driuen The Romans enter the town and obtaine the victory The houses and ◅ilie of best reckoning are left full of dead bodies The yeere of the world ◅034 af◅er Christs birth 72. These munitions of the citie and defence of the tower which the tyrants abandoned for feare impregnable Fortunes monument The olde and weake Iewes are slaine and the strong and Iustie relerued Titus distributeth the Iewes The number of the captiues and such as died during the siege of the citie The Romans searching the graues and vaults finde much treasure Iohn and Simon apprehended in the vaults The yeere of the world 4034. after Chris◅ birth 7◅ Ierusalem being fiue times spoyled was at that time once more sackt The Roma◅ wholy ruinate both the Citie and the temple Titus thanketh his souldier◅ for that they had continued their loue towards him Titus promises recompence to his valiant souldiers The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth◅ 72. Titus larges to his souldiers Titus sacrifice for his victorie The twelfth legion vnder Cestius leading gaue place to the Iewes Vespasians sayling and iournie Shewes at Caesarea Simon getteth downe into the vault and hopeth to escape from thence in saftie Simon i◅ taken by the Roman◅ Sinne cannot shunne Gods iustice A great multitude of the seditious taken in vaults The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. In a shew in Caesarea 2500. Iewes die Titus celebrateth Vespasians birthday The nation of the Iewes intermixed among all the people of the world A number of Iewes in Antioch A Iew called Antiochus is the cause of their mightie miscrie in Antioch Antiochus perfidious to his Citizens Antiochus forbiddeth to sanctifie the seuenth day Another calamitie at Anuoch The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. A sort of wicked men by meanes they were indebted burne the market place and the publike records The yeare of the world 4035. after Christs natiuite 73. The Citie of Rome entertaineth Vespasian with all willingnesse and pompe The Romans issue out to meet with Vespasian Vespasian celebrateth gratulatory sacrifice for his safe arriuall The causes of the reuolt of the Germans and French from the Romans The yeare of the world 4035. after Christs birth 73. Ciuilis compelleth the Germans to subiection Domitianus Titus brother The Scithians and Sarmates rebellion against the Romans Titus celebrateth many sumptuous pastimes in all the cities of Syria The floud Sabbaticus Titus comming to Antioch The praiers of the citizens against the Iewes The yeere of the world 4036. after Christs bir◅ 74. Titus lamenteth the losse desolation of Ierusalem The Romans find no small part of the riches of Ierualem Iohn and Simon and seuentie other goodly Iewes are reserued by Titus to be sent into Italy The triumphāt attire of Vespasian and Titus Their vowes and dinner before their triumph The magnificence of the triumph The most precious garments The yeare of the world 4036. after Christs birth 74. The building of the Pageants The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75 A table of gold of the weight of a great talent The last of the spoyles was the law of the Iewes Simon the sonne of Giora is drawne with a halter about his neck through the market place Vespasian buildeth and dedicateth a Temple to peace The yeere of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Herode inuironeth Mache rus with a great wall and towers Wonderfull store of arrows and other engines in this tower Rue of admirable greatnes How Baaras is to be gathered Another fashion how to dig the roote Hot bathes The yeare of the world 4037. after the birth of Christ. 75. The Iewes that were for◅ners dwelt in ◅he lower Citie The conflict of the Iewes with the Romans Eleazar a Iew strong in hand and fierce in bold attempts Eleazar is taken and stripped naked and whipt Eleazars calamitie moueth the Iewes to submit themselues One thousand seuen hūdreth Iewes slaine by the Romans Iardes a wood inuironed by the Romans The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Three thousand Iewes slaine A tribute imposed by Caesar on all the Iewes Cesennius Petus president of Syria accuseth Antiochus before Caesar. Antiochus is sodainly inuaded by Cesennius Antiochus chuseth rather to depart out of his country with his wife and children then to fight with the Romans Antiochus
with the surprisall of his cosen Lot as also with the slaughter of his friends and neighbours presently addressed himselfe with all his followers to giue them succours and such diligence shewed he in pursuite of them that the fift night after he incountred the Assyrians neere to Dan which is one of the sources of Iordaine Where surprising them on the sodaine vnsuspitious and disarmed he killed those that were asleepe without suspition of his comming and they that were not yet asleepe and lay wallowing in their drunkennesse he easily defeated and put to flight pursuing them in such sort that the second day after he droue them all into Soba a Citie of Damasco declaring hereby that victorie consisteth not in the multitude of those that manage their armes but rather in the courage of those that fight and that a few generous hearts are more worth alwaies then a faint-hearted multitude For he had not with him aboue three hundreth and eighteene of his househould seruants and three of his friends to defeat this huge army so that whatsoeuer they were that escaped out of this slaughter by flight returned vnto their houses with ignominy As soone as Abraham had rescewed those prisoners of Sodome which were taken by the Syrians and his nephew Lot he returned into his countrey and met in his way with the King of Sodome in a place called the Kings field where also he was intertained by the King of Solyma called Melchisedech which is as much to say as the iust King for in trueth he was no lesse but was held worthy by reason of his iustice in all mens opinion to sacrifice as the high Priest of Almightie God This Solyma in processe of time was called Ierusalem This Melchisedech did friendly entertaine all the fellowers of Abraham not suffering them to want any thing that was fit for their sustenance but intertaining him also at his owne table he highly praised him and sung due hymnes of praise to the great God for that by his fauour he had vouchsafed to grant him victory Abraham on the other side presented him with the tenths of his spoyles but the King of Sodome remitted all the pray that was taken and onely required to be possessed of those Captiues which were of his countrey which condition he accepted not answering that he would receiue no profit of that pray but that which he must needly haue for the entertainment of his seruants Yet gaue he a portion vnto his friends who had succoured him the first whereof was called Eschol and the two other Ennerus and Mambres For this cause God praised Abraham saying thou shalt not want the reward which is due vnto thee for thy valiant actes To which he replied and what good shall I reape of this recompence if I haue no an heire to possesse it after my decease for as yet he had no issue Then did God promise him a sonne whose posteritie should be so multiplied that they might in number equall the starres of heauen which when he vnderstood he offered sacrifice vnto God following that commaundement which he had receiued he tooke therefore a Heifer of three yeares old a Goat of three yeares and a Ramme of three yeares and a Turtle and a Pigeon all which he deuided in twaine as he was commaunded the birds onely excepted But before the Altar was prepared at such time as the fowles houered about to haue part of the bloud of those beastes which were sacrificed he receiued an Oracle that told him that his progeny should haue euill neighbours in Aegypt for the space of foure hundreth yeares and that after they had suffered an insupportable seruitude they should at last obtaine the victorie ouer their enemies And after that they had by strong hand conquered the Chananites they should be Lords and possessors of their countries and Cities Abraham at that time dwelt neere to the Oake that was called Ogis in the countrey of Chanaan neere to the Citie of Hebron There being much grieued that his wife conceiued not he besought God to giue him an issue male God commaunded him to be of good cheere in all things and that being come from Mesopotamia vpon good occasions he also should haue children At that time Sara by the commaundement of God caused one of her handmaids which was an Aegyptian borne to enter in vnto her husband to the end he might haue issue by her now Agar as soone as she perceiued that she had conceiued began to contemne Sara aspiring to principality and supposing that her issue should succeed in the kingdome For which cause Abraham deliuered her vnto his wife to the ende she should punish her which she perceiuing she decreed to flie in that she was afraid of punishment beseeching God to haue mercy on her and as she trauailed on her way thorow the desart the Angell of God appeared vnto her cōmanding her that she should returne vnto her master and mistris assuring her that if hereafter she would be more modest she should be better intreated and how at that present she was fallen into those miseries by reason she had proudly and insolently behaued her selfe towards her Mistris Telling her moreouer that if she disobeyed God and wandred any further she should die the death but that if she returned from whence she came she should be the mother of a sonne who should one day be king of that countrey where she then was To this commandement of God Agar submitted her selfe with all obedience and returning backe againe to her master and mistris she obtained pardon at their hands and after a while brought forth Ismael which is as much to say as Heard of God because God had heard the mothers prayers Ismael was borne to Abraham when he was fourescore and six yeares old but in the fourescore and nineteenth yeare of his age God appeared vnto him and tolde him that he should haue a sonne by Sara charging him to call him Isaac giuing him to vnderstand that great nations and kings shoud issue from his loines who by force of armes should conquer all the countrey of Chanaan from Sidon euen vnto Egypt Commanding him that his posteritie should be circumcised in their priuities and that this circumcision should be done the viij day after their birth by reason that he would not that Abrahams posteritie should be intermedled with other nations But hereafter will I declare the cause of our circumcision Abraham also asked counsell of God as touching Ismael whether he should liue or no who tolde him that he should flourish many yeares and that he should become a father of many worthy nations Then gaue Abraham thanks vnto God and presently circumcised himselfe his sonne Ismael with all his family and Ismael at that time was thirteene yeares olde but Abraham about fourescore and nineteene yeares of age CHAP. XII The punishment of Sodom ABout that time the inhabitants of Sodom became immeasurably proud
beware thou neither conceale any thing for feare or speake ought for flatterie or to feed me with falsehoods but tell me all things truely although they shall in a sort breed my discontent to heare them Me seemed that I walked by a riuer side and that I saw seuen wel fed and verie fat kine which retired themselues from the floud into the pasture and againe me thought that seuen others came from the pasture to encounter them who were verie leane and vgly to behold who when they had deuoured the seuen others that were fat and great yet neuer the more increased but were all of them miserably vexed with hunger But after this vision being awaked out of my sleepe and troubled in my minde thinking with my selfe what that vision might signifie being seazed by little and little by a pleasant slumber I fell a sleepe once againe And againe I saw a vision more prodigious then the former which doth likewise trouble and terrifie me the more For I saw seuen eares sprong out of one roote that hung downe and bowed their heads because they were loaden with graine readie to be reapt after which there appeared seuen other weake and languishing for want of dewe who deuouring those other great and full eares left me highly astonished Hereunto Ioseph answered This dreame O king although it hath been seene in two figures yet so it is that it importeth one and the same accident which is to ensue For both those oxen which are creatures borne and bred vp for the plough and labour which you saw deuoured by the leaner and those eares of corne consumed by the weaker foresignifie a famine scarcitie in Egypt for so many yeares as there were Oxen and eares of corne in good plight so that the fertilitie of these good yeares shall be consumed by the sterilitie of so many other yeares according to their number and there shall be such scarcitie of necessarie prouision that it shall be hard to preuent and supply their defects all which is signified by those seuen leane kine who hauing deuoured the good could not be satisfied by the same All these things God foretelleth vnto men not to the end they should be terrified and affrighted but that being forewarned they might prouide for themselues to the end they might more easily preuent the imminent danger If therefore thou shalt lay vp and store the aboundance of the plentifull yeares Egypt shall not feele the penurie that shall follow And when as the king admiring at Iosephs prudence and wisedome demanded after what maner he might prouide in the time of plentie how to preuent and redresse the future sterilitie hee warned and counsailed him that the Egyptians should vse parcimony and that that which remained of those yeares superfluitie might be reserued for future necessities He counselled him also to bind the husbandmen that they should hoard vp their corne in their barnes and only to distribute to the people as much as was sufficient and no more Hereupon the king not onely praising Iosephs counsell but also his interpretation of his dreames made him Lord and commissarie of all the store and commanded him to prouide whatsoeuer he thought necessarie in that behalfe either of his owne or of the peoples assuring him that he thought no man more necessarie to execute this counsell then himselfe who was the author thereof Hauing therefore this authoritie giuen him by the king to vse his owne signet and to be cloathed in purple he was conducted thorow all the countrey vpon a chariot and he assembled the labourers of corne and distributed to euerie one by measure that which they wanted for seede corne and for their nourishment without letting any man vnderstand for what cause he did it About this time had he already attained to thirtie yeares olde being held in great honour by the king and was for his incredible prudence surnamed by him Psontom phanechus which signifieth the discouerer of hidden things he was also honoured with a wife of great dignitie for by the procuratiō of the king he tooke to wife a virgin daughter to Putifar the Heliopolitan priest whose name was Asaneth by whom he begat children also before the famine began in Egypt The elder of whom was called Manasses which signifieth Obliuion because attaining better fortune he grew in obliuion of his former miserie but the yonger was called Ephraim which signifieth returne for that he was restored to the libertie of his auncestors Now when as according to Iosephs interpretation the seuen yeares of plentie and affluence were ouerpassed in Egypt the eight yeare of famine began to infest the land and for that the euill was vnexspected the headlong multitude grieuously trauailed with hunger and miserie began to flocke about the kings gates and garners Hereon the king called for Ioseph who presently distributing graine to those that wanted it became without controuersie the father and conseruer of the cōminaltie Neither did he only make merchandize with those that inhabited that countrey but with strangers also deeming that the whole race of mankind was allied the one with the other and that it was conuenient that such as wanted should be succoured by their meanes who had better fortune And because the same calamitie both oppressed Chanaan and other kingdomes of the world Iacob also sent all his sonnes into Egypt to fetch come as soone as he vnderstood that strangers also had libertie to traffique in that place onely with himselfe he retained Beniamin whom he begat on Rachel and who was brother german vnto Ioseph who as soone as they arriued in Egypt repaired vnto Ioseph beseeching him that they might be permitted to buy come for nothing was done without his expresse command for euen then found each man fit occasion to honour the king when they bethought themselues howe to honour Ioseph He taking knowledge of his brothers who thought on nothing lesse then of him by reason that in his youth he was sold away by them and age had altered the lineaments of his face and besides no one of them might suspect that hee had attained to so great dignitie determined to trie and tempt them to the end he might the better gather how they were affected For he both denied them his licence to buy come cōmanded them also to be apprehended for spies telling them that they were gathered of diuers nations and they fained kinred for how can it be saith he that a priuat man should bring vp so many worthy sonnes which felicitie scarcely and very seldome is granted vnto kings This did he to the end he might gather some intelligence of his father and in what estate he liued during the time of his absence and what was become of Beniamin his brother for he was sore afraid least they had offered the same hard measure to the lad which they had inflicted on him But they were stroken with a mighty feare
These fifteene being added to the foresaid fiftie foure make vp the number abouenamed together with Iacob But Ioseph vnderstanding that his father was at hand for Iuda posted before to giue him notice thereof he went out to meete him and incountered him neere to a towne called Heros who was seased with such extreame and vnexpected ioy that he had almost expired but Ioseph recōforced him being himself almost endangered thorow extreame ioy yet not in such extasie extremitie as his father afterwards desiring him to march softly onward he taking with him his fiue brethren hasted vnto the King signifying vnto him that his father with all his family were arriued Who no sooner vnderstood therof but that he ioifully asked Ioseph in what studies he tooke delight who answered him that his exercise was keeping of cattell and that he had no other trade And this answere made he to the intent they might not be deuided one from another but that liuing altogether they might take care of their father another reason was least emulation should happen betwixt them and the Aegyptians if so be they should be conuersant in the same studies for it was not lawfull for that nation to exercise the shepheards trade Now when Iacob was brought into the Kings presence and after he had done him reuerence and praied God for the prosperity both of him and his Realme Pharao asked him how long he had liued and when he vnderstood that he was a hundred and thirtie yeares old he admired at the age of the man and after he had certified him that his ancestors had liued farre longer time he commaunded him and his sonnes to dwel in Heliopolis where also the kings shepheards had their pastures But the famine increased in Egypt and the euill augmented more and more by reason that Nilus did not ouerflow the earth neither extended his armes ouer the same on the other side God ra◅ned not vpon the earth moreouer in that the euill was vnsuspected it was more grieuous especially to the communaltie who had laid vp nothing neither did Ioseph giue them come without readie money which when they began to want they exchaunged their cattell and slaues for come but they that had lands sold a certaine portion thereof vnto the king for their prouision And when as by this meanes al these possessions ca◅e into the kings hands they went to inhabite the one heere the other there to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their land the sacrificers only were excepted to whom the lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessitie reduced both the bod◅ minds of the wholenation into seruitude after such a maner that they esteemed no labour or meanes vnseemely that might serue them towards the maintenance of their sustenance But when the famine ceased the earth watered by the ouerflow of the floud began to regather her former fertility Ioseph visiting euery citie of the kingdom and assembling the multitude in euery one of them restored them the profits of th◅se lands which they had sold vnto the king exhorted thē to manure the same in no worse maner thē they would do their owne commaunding them to pay the fift part vnto the King which was due vnto him by his prerogatiue kingly right Who reioycing at this vnexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their tillage and by this meanes not onely Iosephs authoritie but also the p◅oples hearts were not a little tied vnto the King and the inheritance of the fift part of the pro◅s remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their posteri◅e But Iacob after he had liued seuentene yeares in Aegypt ended his life betwixt the hands of his sonnes hauing first besought God to giue them prosperitie and aboundance and prophecied that euery one of their posteritie should attaine to the possession of a part of the land of Chanaan all which not long after came to passe Besides praising his sonne Ioseph for that forgetting the iniuries done vnto him he had bestowed diuers bene◅s on his brethren yea and such as well beseemed his benefactors he commaunded his sonnes that they should admit Ioseph sons Ephraim and Manasses into their number at such time as they should deuide the land of Chanaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he praied them to burie him in Hebron And he died at such time as he had liued one hundreth and fiftie yeares wa◅ing three being second to none of his auncestors in pietie and obtained the reward which he ought iustly to possesse in that he was a man adorned with so many vertues But Ioseph by the Kings permission went and transported his fathers bodie into Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his brothers fearing to returne with him and refusing to follow him in that they suspected their father being dead that he would be reuenged on them in that they had not any friend left aliue vnder whose fauour they might hope for pardon he commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should suspect no euill and hauing brought them backe againe with him he gaue them great possessions neither did he euer intermit to entertaine them with botherly kindnes But he likewise died when he had liued one hundreth and ten yeares a man endowed with admirable vertue and prudent in all affaires and moderate in his gouernment by which meanes it came to passe that neither his fortaine birth neither his calamities whereof we haue spoken did any waies hinder him but ◅hat he was exalted and continued in high dignitie The rest of his brothers also hauing spent their liues in happines died in Aegypt whose bodies their sonnes and nephewes transported and buried in Hebron but Iosephs bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrewes into Chanaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Chanaan for hereunto had he bound them by oath But in that I am 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 Hebrewes endured in Egypt for the space of foure hundreth yeares THe Aegyptians are a Nation addicted vnto delicacy and impatient of labour subiect onely to their pleasures and affecting gaine whence it came to passe that bearing hatred toward the Hebrewes and enuying their happines they were very euilly disposed towards them For seeing the race of the Israelites flourish and to abound in riches which they got by their labour and industrie they conceiued an opinion that their aduancement and increase would be the ouerthrow and decrease of the Aegyptians so that at length they forgot the benefits which Ioseph had done vnto them and after the royaltie was transported into an other family they committed diuers outrages against the Israelites and complotted against them in what manner they might more grieuously afflict
of the Amorites with this condition that together with the people ioyned vnto them in c◅nsanguinitie they should warfare against their common enemie till all things were accomplished according to their desires and by this meanes hauing receiued that which they demaunded and building them walled Cities they left their children wiues and substance in the same Moses also builded ten Cities in that Region which are to be reckoned in the number of those fortie and eight in three whereof he appointed sanctuaries and places of refuge which they onely might take benefit of who fled thither for chaunce-medlie and he appointed them their tearme of exile till such time as the high Priest died vnder whom the manslaughter was committed at such time they might safely returne into their countrey And during the time of their exile it was lawfull for any of the kinne to take reuenge against the offender by his death onely at such time as he found him without the Citie of refuge and that right he onely ratified to those that were akinne but not vnto others Now the Cities of refuge were these in the confines of Arabia Bosora in the Region of Galadena Arimanum in the countrey of Bataneades Gauladeaman And after the conquest of Chanaan so many Cities of the Leuites by the commaundement of Moses were appointed to that end that they might giue refuge and habitatior to such sort of offenders At that time when one of the Magistrates called Salpades of the tribe of Manasses was dead and had onely left behind him children of the worser sexe the gouernours of the tribe came vnto Moses and asked his counsell whether in the distribution of the lands they should leuie out any part of portion for them who aunswered them that if they married within their tribe they should haue their dowrie but if they made choyce to handfast themselues in an other tribe that then they should leese their patrimonie in their owne and for this cause made he this ordinaunce to the ende that euerie tribe should continually possesse his proper inheritaunce But whereas now there remayned but thirtie daies onely to fulfill the number of those fortie yeares since their departure out of Egypt he sommoning an assemblie in that place neere to Iordan where now the Citie of Abila is scituate inuironed with a fielde beset with Palme trees as soone as hee saw the people addressed to heare him spake vnto them after this manner CHAP. VIII Moses Lawes and how he was taken out of this world from the companie of men MY deare friends and fellow soldiers companions in my long trauell since it is so thought requisite by God and mine age attayning to the full number of one hundreth and twentie yeares requireth no lesse but that I must depart out of this life and since it seemeth not good in Gods sight that eyther I should be agent or assistant in your affaires beyond Iordan I haue thought it requisite that in as much as appertayneth to your felicitie I should not now also faile or default in my dutie towards you but that according to the grace that is giuē me I should prouide that by laying open the way vnto you that leadeth to the same I may seeme worthie amongst you to merit eternal glorie memorie Giue therfore eare vnto me that when as I haue first declared vnto you wherein both your felicitie and the happines of your posterity consisteth and haue left this perpetual testimonie monument of my intire loue towards you I may willingly depart out of this life for well I know that I deserue to be credited by you both for that before times I haue incessantly in studying for your profits neuer deceiued you as also for that the soule being readie to be separated from the bodie becommeth more accomplished in all vertue and veritie Ye sonnes of Israel there is but one onely cause whereby men attaine vnto felicitie to wit the fauour of God which he is onely able to giue to those that deserue it and to withdraw if from those that offend him towards whom if you continue dutiful according as he requireth and in such manner as I according to his direction do institute you you shall neuer faile to multiply in vertue and to draw all men into emulation of your happines and that which is more those goods which you haue now obtayned shall be perpetuall and that which you want shall shortly be plentifully bestowed on you Onely indeuour you your selues to be subiect to Gods will and obedient to his commandements and neither propose vnto your selues any other lawes then those I haue giuen you neither thorow contempt innouate any thing in your religion Which if you shall performe you shall excell all other nations in warre and grow inuincible against your enemies for by Gods assistance all threats are easily contemned Moreouer there are great rewards in all the course of life proposed vnto vertue and she her selfe to her selfe is a chiefe and especiall reward besides by her all other blessings are easily obtayned which if you intertaine amongst your selues you shal both lead a blessed life obtaine immortal glorie not onely amongst straungers but also in all posterities These things are you to hope vpon if neither you your selues violate those lawes which by Gods commaund and mine industrie are set downe vnto you neither suffer any other to violate the same but in your selues continually meditate vpon the vnderstanding vse therof As for my selfe I depart this life in fulnes of ioy reioycing at these your good fortunes commending you all to the lawes of pietie and prudence the vertue of your guides magistrates who hereafter are to take care of your safe◅ie and felicitie God likewise vnder whose conduct you haue liued and to whose fauour you owe whatsoeuer profit you haue receiued by me will not faile to take care of you but as long as you shall honour both him and pietie so long shall you remaine in securitie vnder his protection neither shall you want such men who shall giue you ghostly instructions whose counsels if you obey you shal be fortunate namely Eleazar the high priest Iesus with the Senate and Magistrates of the tribes towards whom beware that you grow stifnecked knowing and remembring this that he that is instructed to obey well when he shall attaine vnto dignitie will gouerne well Neither suppose you that libertie consisteth herein if you mutine against the commaundements of your Princes for hitherto haue you reposed your libertie in your contumacie towards your benefactors from which sinne if hereafter you shall blesse your selues you shall see your estate waxe still more flourishing and fortunate And God forbid that you should euer be so exasperated against these as you haue beene sometimes incensed against me For if you remember your selues I haue beene more oftentimes in hazard of my life by your meanes then by
of the assembly gaue this answere in defence of the common cause Men and brethren neither will we neglect our kinred neither innouate any thing in that religion of which we make a reuerend account we know that there is one God cōmon vnto all the nation of the Hebrewes and acknowledge also his brasen Altar which is before the Tabernacle and no other but that shal receiue our sacrifices As for that which we haue now erected and that breedeth in you at this present a cause of suspition we built it not to the intent to pacific God by sacrifices but that it might remaine as a perpetuall argument of our friendship and might admonish vs of our countrey religion not to the end you should suspect it were an induction toward the violating of religion And that this was the onely cause which allured and induced vs to build the same we onely challenge God for our faithfull witnesse for which cause hereafter conceiue a better opinion of vs and God forbid you should suppose vs to be so besotted in that sinne of which whosoeuer of Abrahams posteritie is guiltie and whosoeuer shall degenerate from the maners and customes of his forefathers may not expiate that crime without a capitall punishment As soone as Phinees had heard these things and praised their constancie he returned vnto Iesus and declared all those things vnto the people who reioycing in that they had no occasion to leuie men nor cause of ciuill warre or bloudshed offered vnto God their sacrifices of thankgiuing and presently dissoluing the assembly each man returned vnto his owne home but Iesus chose his habitation in Sichama Twentie yeares after Iosuah being extremely old calling vnto him the most honourable of euery Citie and both the Elders and Magistrates and as many of the people as might commodiously be assistant spake vnto them after this maner First he called vnto their remembrance the diuers benefites which God had bestowed vpon them by meanes whereof from their poore and afflicted estates they had attained to so great riches and glorie then exhorted he them that they should endeuour themselues hereafter in such sort as God might hold and continue his mercifull hand ouer them since they knew that his beneuolence could be allied vnto them by no other meanes but by their good indeuours he further alledged that it was his dutie before he departed out of this life to admonish them of their duty last of all he required them that they should accept of that his good admonition and should be perpetually mindfull of the same After this his oration he paid the due of nature and died in the hundreth and tenth yeere of his life whereof he spent fortie as minister vnder Moses their magistrate and after his death gouerned the common-weale twentie fiue yeares a man of incomparable both prudence and eloquence Moreouer strong and expedite in matter of gouernement and both good and profitable in affaires of peace finally most exact in all sorts of vertue he was buried in a Citie called Thamna belonging to the Tribe of the Ephraimites About the same time likewise died Eleazar the high Priest leauing the inheritance of the Priesthood to Phinees the monument laid on his sepulcher is extant in the Citie Gabatha After their deaths Phinees being demaunded by the people what Gods pleasure was and to whose charge the affaires and warres against the Chanaanites should be committed answered them that God commaunded them to giue the gouernment to the tribe of Iuda which by election chosing Simeon and his they for their associates vndertook the warre vnder this condition that when they had vtterly rooted out the remnant of the Chanaanites out of their owne dition they should likewise employ themselues to extinguish all the reliques of that race amongst the other tribes CHAP. II. How the Israelites after the death of their Emperour forgetting the religion of their forefathers fell into extreme calamities and how thorow a ciuill warre raised amongst them therewere onely 600. of the tribe of Beniamin left aliue BVt the Chanaanites whose estate at that time was in sufficient securitie expected them with a great host about the Citie of Bezeca hauing their army conducted by the king of that place called Adoni-Bezec which name signifieth Lord of the Bezecenites for Adoni in the Hebrewe tongue is as much to say as Lord now these men promised vnto themselues the vpper hand by reason that Iosuah was deceased Against these of whom I haue forespoken the two tribes sought verie valiantly and slaying ten thousand of them whilest they pursued the rest they tooke Adoni-Bezec captiue who hauing his hands and feete cut off acknowledged the diuine iustice for he confessed that he had vsed seuentie and two kings before times after the same maner In this plight they conducted him neere vnto Ierusalem where departing out of this life they buried him Then ouerranne they the countrey sacking and taking the Cities and after they had diuers of them in their possession they besieged Ierusalem and entring the lower Citie thereof they put all the inhabitants to the sword But the higher towne was verie hard to be assaulted by reason of the fortresses and strength of the walles and the naturall and strong scituation of the place which was the cause that they leuied their campe to goe and besiege Hebron which they tooke slew all those that were therin In that time there were some remainder of the race of Giants who in that they were greater in stature vnlike vnto other mē were horrible to behold and terrible to be heard Their bones are to be seene as yet at this day which for their highnes surpasse all credulitie or conceit This Citie was giuen in way of honour to the Leuites with two thousand cubits of land or there abouts and as touching the rest of the countrey it was freely giuen to Caleb according as Moses had commaunded it this was one of those spies which Moses sent to ouerlooke the land of Chanaan They gaue lands and possessions likewise to Iethro the Madianites posteritie who was father in law to Moses for that they had forsaken their owne territories and annexed themselues to the Israelites and had beene with them in the desart The tribe of Iuda and Simeon tooke those Cities of the mountainous countrey of Chanaan and those that were in the plaine neere vnto the sea coast namely Ascalon and Azoth But as touching Gaza and Accaron they escaped for these Cities being in the plaine and defenced with a great number of chariots repulsed those that assaulted the same to their disaduantage So these two tribes hauing had good successe in warres retired themselues into their Cities and laid aside their weapons As touching the Beniamites to whom Ierusalem appertained they receiued the inhabitants thereof as their tributaries so that all of them being in peace and the one ceasing from slaughter and the other
cause calling vnto him some fewe companions of his perils who were discontented with their present estate and desired a change he first of all discomfited the garrison which Schisart had placed ouer them and so much was he furthered with his first successe that the number of his followers increased more and more so that they seemed sufficient to equall the enemy in open field whereupon encountring him in one battaile they ouercame him and recouered their libertie and the rest of the scattered and confused army retyred themselues toward Euphrates Now after that Cenizus had by this effect giuen proofe of his valour he receiued the gouernment at the peoples hands and exercised the office of iudge fortie yeares at the end whereof he died CHAP. V. How the people were againe made subiect to the Moabites and how by Iodes they were exempt from seruitude AFter whose death the gouernment and seate being voide the affaires of the Israelites began againe to fall to ruine and the rather for that they neither yeelded due honour vnto God neither obedience to the lawes whence it came to passe that Eglon king of the Moabites seeing the disorder of their pollicie set them at nought so that he waged warre against them and ouercame them many times And for that he was a prince of greater forecast then any of his predecessors he fought against them and weakened their forces and constrained them to pay tribute This man translating his court to Iericho and proud in his victories omitted no meanes whereby he might vexe and molest the people so that they liued for the space of 18. yeares in great miserie But God being moued with their calamities and supplications deliuered them from their intolerable thraldome after this manner Iodes the sonne of Gera of the tribe of Beniamin a yong man both addressed by valour of minde and strength of hand to attempt any worthy action dwelt at Iericho This man insinuated himselfe into Eglons familiaritie and by presents and gifts entertained and courted him in such sort as he was well beloued and esteemed amongst all those courtiers that were neerest about the king It chanced one day that bearing certaine presents vnto the king attended by two of his houshold seruants he secretly girt a dagger to his right thigh at such time as he entred into the king now it was about midsommer and mid-day likewise whereby the watch was growne the more carelesse and slothfull partly by reason of the heate and partly for that the guard were occupied about their dinner The yong man therefore offering his presents vnto Eglon who at that time disported himselfe in a certaine sommer chamber began to discourse with him Now they were both alone by reason that the king resoluing to talke familiarlie with Iodes had sent away his guard and sate him downe in a seate but Iodes fearing least failing to stab home enough he should not giue him a fatall and deadly wound required him to rise telling him that he had a dreame to report vnto him by the commandement of God Whereat he reioicing very much leapt from his seate whereupon Iodes stabd him to the heart and leauing the poiniard sticking in his wound he escaped and locked the doore after him the guard making no noise at all supposing that the king had laide him downe to rest But Iodes giuing priuate notice hereof to them of Iericho offered himselfe to be their leader in the recouerie of their former libertie who willingly accepting thereof presently tooke armes and sent trumpets to publish the same thorow the whole countrey for after that manner were they woont to assemble the people They that were about Eglon were wholy ignorant of that which had hapned but about the eeuen-tide fearing least some mishap had befallen him they entred into the place where he was found him dead wherat they were greatly astonished so as they knew not what to doe For before they had assembled their forces togither the Israelites fiercely charged them and some they killed instantly the rest that were ten thousand in number betooke then selues to flie vnder hope to recouer their countrey of Moab but the Israelites hauing before that laide and fortified the passages of Iordan pursued them and slew them so that diuers of them perished in the Ferrie and not one of them remained that escaped their hands By this meanes the Israelites were deliuered from the seruitude of the Moabites and for this cause Iodes was aduanced to the gouernment of the people Finally after he had liued for the space of fourescore yeares he died A man besides the act of late rehearsed worthy of praise in all other things After him Sanagar the sonne of Anath was elected gouernour and in the first yeare of his raigne he left this life to partake the fruition of another CHAP. VI. How the Israelites were brought vnder the subiection of the Chanaanites and raunsomed from seruitude by Barac BVt the Israelites in no sort reclaimed or reconciled by their forepassed calamities fell againe into their former impietie and disobedlence and before they had sufficiently shaken off the seruitude of the Moabites were subiected vnto Iabin king of the Chanaanites This man kept his residence imperiall at Asor a Citie scituate on the lake of Sachonites he had in pay thirtie thousand foore and ten thousand horse and besides these hee had three thousand warlike Chariots Ouer all this huge army commanded Sisares an especiall man amongst the kings fauourites who encountring with the Israelites brought their affaires into so desperate an estate that they willingly for their owne securitie sake accepted seruitude and paied tribute whereunto they were inforced through the austeritie of their subiection almost for the space of twentie yeares not daring to lift vp their heads all which fell vpon them by the will of God to the end he might punish the too great contumacie and ingratitude of that nation Who at length repenting themselues and acknowledging the cause of their calamities namely that it proceeded from the contempt of their lawes they repaired to a certaine Prophetesse called Debora which name in the Hebrew toong signifieth a Bee beseeching her that by her prayers she would endeuour to prouoke God vnto mercie to the intent he should not suffer them so to be oppressed by the Chanaanites Hereupon God being inclined to take compassion on them granted them helpe and appointed Barac to be their gouernour a man of the tribe of Nephthali whose name signifieth lightning Debora therefore sending for Barac commandeth him to picke out and muster ten thousand chosen men and lead them foorth against the enemy alleadging that they were sufficient to obtaine the victorie which God had promised by his Oracle But Barac denying to vndertake the gouernment except she also would administer the same with him she moued therewith spake thes Wilt thou said she surrender the dignitie which God hath giuen thee
occasion offered for a man to speake ill Touching the rest said he the matter standeth thus Thou hast a kinsman said he that is more neere thee in bloud then I am thou must enquire of him if it be his pleasure to take thee to his wife if he saith that he liketh thee thou then must necessarily submit vnto him but if he refuse thee I will take thee for my wife according as the lawe intendeth Now when she had reported these newes vnto her mother in lawe she gathered courage and conceiued hope that Boos would take care of her Thereupon Boos came into the Citie about noone-daies and called a councell of the Elders and sent for Ruth and his kinsman to whom in person he spake thus Doest thou possesse the heritage of Abimelech and his successors Who when he had publikely declared that he was seased thereof in right of proximitie according to the ordinance of the lawe Boos replyed Thou must not saith he onely obserue the lawes in part but thou must precisely execute them according as they are For behold here a yoong woman whom it behooueth thee to marrie according to the law if thou wilt be inheritor of his possessions But he surrendred vnto Boos not onely the possessions but also the woman by reason that Boos was allied also to those that were dead and especially for that the said kinsman had already both wife and children Boos therefore hauing first of all taken witnesse of all the councell called for the woman and willed her to draw neere vnto her kinsman and to vnloose his shoe and strike him on the face according as the law had ordained which done Boos espoused Ruth by whom about a yeare after he had a sonne which Naomi brought vp and by the aduice of the women she called his name Obed because she had nourished him in her age for Obed in the Hebrew tongue signifieth a slaue Obed begat Iesse and Iesse Dauid who was king and who left the Realme vnto his successours for one and twentie generations of men I haue beene enforced to declare these things as touching Ruth because I haue an intent to declare the power of God to whom it is possible to raise men from obscuritie to the highest tip and tittle of dignitie as he hath chosen Dauid who descended from these of whom I haue spoken The affaires of the Hebrewes were at this time in verie poore estate and they armed themselues anew against the Philistines vpon this occasion The high Priest Eli had two sonnes Ophni and Phinees They against all right and law offering outrages to men and vrging impieties against God suffered no sinne to ouerslip them which they committed not for they tooke presents partly in way of honour partly rauished by force and rapine And as touching those women that came vnto the Tabernacle in way of deuotion they abused them and rauishing some against their wils and corrupting some other by presents they so lewdly liued that their life seemed to be a true and licentious tyrannie for this cause their father was sore displeased with them but the people were so much the more ouerburdened with griefe because as yet they perceiued not that Gods punishmēt should so sodainly fal vpon them But incontinently after that God had declared to Eli and the Prophet Samuel who about that time was verie young what mishappe should fall vpon Elies children he mourned ouer them as if they had beene alreadie dead But I will first of all declare somwhat vnto you as concerning the Prophet Samuel and afterwards wil I speak of the children of Eli what inconueniēt fell vpon all the Hebrew nation Elcana was a Leuite of base condition liuing in Ramatha a part of Ephraim he had maried two wiues the one called Anna the other Phenanna by Phenanna he had children yet notwithstanding loued he Anna verie intirely although she were barren Now as Elcana with his wiues repaired to Silo where the Tabernacle of God was resident as we haue before declared to the intent to offer sacrifice in that place whilest I say during the festiuall he distributed the portion of his meat to his wiues and children Anna beholding the children of his other wife sitting round about their mother began to weepe and lament with her selfe because she was without issue and alone And after that by her grief she had ouercome all that consolation which her husband could giue her she went vnto the Tabernacle to beseech God that it might please him to giue her a sonne and make her a mother promising that her first begotten sonne should be dedicated vnto the seruice of God and should lead a particular life farre differing from that of other liuing men And for that she employed long time in making her praiers the hie Priest Eli who sate before the Tabernacle commaunded hir to depart from thence supposing that she had tasted too much wine but after that she had told him that she drunke nothing but water and that being oppressed with griefe she was come into the Tabernacle to beseech God that it might please him to grant her children he exhorted her to be of good courage promising her that God had heard her praiers whereupon she returned to her husband replenished with good hope and tooke her repast with ioy and gladnes When as then they returned to their owne house she began to waxe big with child and at last she bare a little young sonne whom she called Samuel that is to say Requested at Gods hands Afterwards they returned to offer sacrifice and giue thanks vnto God for the birth of the child which God had giuen them and to bring their tenths whereupon the woman remembring her of the vow she had made in his behalfe deliuered him into the hands of Eli and consecrated him vnto God to be his Prophet For which cause they suffered his haire to grow and he dranke nothing but water and Samuel was nourished and brought vp in the Temple Elcana had by Anna other sonnes and three daughters But as touching Samuel incontinently after he attained to the age of twelue yeares he prophecied On a certaine night therefore whilest he slept God called him by his name and he supposing that the high Priest had wakened him came vnto him but he told him that he had not called him This notwithstanding God continued to call him three times whereat Eli being fore amased he said vnto him Samuel I neither now at this present nor before this time haue spoken vnto thee but it is God that calleth thee answere him therefore and say here I am Now it chanced that he heard the voice of God once more and he required him that it might please him to speake and he would answere not failing any waies to doe him seruice in that wherein he should command him Whereunto God answered saying since saith he thou art here know that so great a calamitie shall
their messengers to euerie corporation aduertising them how many benefits they had receiued at Dauids hands and how after many and grieuous warres he had brought them to a secure libertie and how iniustly expelling him they had committed the kingdome vnto another For which cause it behooued them that since he was dead whom they had chosen to make their supplication and submission vnto Dauid that dismissing his wrath he would receiue the people into his fauour and according as before time so now also he would vouchsafe them his pardon and protection Of these things sundry intelligences came vnto the kings eares so that by expresse letters he commanded Sadoc and Abiathar the chiefe priests that they should certifie the princes of the tribe of Iuda that it should be a great indignitie for them that other tribes should preferre Dauid to the kingdome before them especially since he was both of their tribe and their kinsman also In like manner he commanded them to speake with Amasa the generall and expostulate with him why hee who was his Nephew by the sisters side did not perswade the army to recommend the kingdome to his hands willing them to assure him that he was not only to hope for pardon for that which had hapned but also for the gouernment of the whole army according as Absalon had granted him Hereupon the high priests not only conferred with the princes aforesaid but also informing Amasa what the king had promised in his behalfe wherby they drew him to their faction And first of all those of his owne tribe reuoked Dauid very instantly into the kingdome the rest of the Israelites by their example and Amasas authoritie did the like also and these embassadors flocked vnto him to receiue him into Ierusalem But wonderfull and praiseworthy was the diligence of the tribe of Iuda who went out as far as the banke of Iordan to meete with him with these came Simei the sonne of Gera with a thousand men which he had brought with him of the tribe of Beniamin Siba likewise Sauls freeman came thither with his fifteene sonnes and twentie seruants who made a bridge ouer Iordan that the king might the more easily passe ouer both himselfe and his armie As soone as he came vnto Iordan he was saluted by the tribe of Iuda and Simei marching onward on the bridge prostrating himselfe at the kings feete asked pardon of his offences and besought him to remit his displeasure and that in recouering his authoritie he would not first of all doe iustice on him but that he should remember this also that he being induced by the repentance of his errour did with the formost march out to meet him vpon his returne Whilest thus he besought and lamented Abisai Ioabs brother spake after this manner Why should he not die that hath thus villanously outraged the King whom God hath established But Dauid turned backe vnto him and said yee sons of Seruia will you neuer cease to hatch new troubles and to adde newe diuisions to your former commotions Know you not that this is the first day of my raigne for which cause I sweare an oth that I will pardon all them that haue committed any impietie against me and that no one man shall depart from me in my disfauour For which cause be of good cheere Simei feare thou not that I wil seeke thy bloud Whereupon he adored the King marched onward before him After this Mephiboseth Sauls nephew came out to meete him cloathed in a desolate sorie rayment hauing his haires hanging down in a neglected and sorrowful manner For since the time that Dauid fled fosooke the citie he had in such sort beene distressed that he neither had trimmed his haire nor changed or cleansed his garment supposing this calamity deposition to touch him as neerly as it did the king and further in that by Siba his steward he had beene vniustly detracted accused to the king After he had prostrated himselfe and adored the king Dauid asked him for what cause he forsooke him in his troubles and offered not himselfe to accompanie him in his flight Who answered that it was the wickednes of Siba who was the cause thereof for he said he being commaunded to prepare my necessaries for that iourney neglected the execution thereof contemning both me and it as if I had beene some abiect slaue Otherwise had I had the vse of my feete and the meanes to haue waited on thee in thy iourney I had neuer endured to haue forsaken thee Neither was he contented my liege to hinder my deuout seruice towards thee but furthermore he hath maliciously incensed your maiestie against me yet know I well that your wisedome will not admit or giue credence to his detractions both for that you are iust as also for that God and truth which you onely aspire to are onely beloued by you For whereas during my grandfathers daies you were alwaies conuersant amongst the most difficult dangers and followed and attempted by him and whereas all our posteritie by that meanes deserued to be vtterly extinguished yet haue you vsed both moderation and meeknes especially in forgetting those indignities at such time as the memorie thereof affoorded you meanes to punish them And notwithstanding all these things you haue entertained me like your friend feasted me at your dailie table and dignified me with no lesse honours then if I had beene one of your neerest and deerest kinsmen When Dauid had heard these things he neither thought good to punish Mephiboseth neither to examine whether Siba had wrongfully accused him but after he had certified him that he had giuen Siba all his goods yet did he pardon him and promise him the restitution of halfe his possessions Whereunto Mephiboseth replied Let Siba saith he possesse the whole it onely sufficeth me that I see your maiestie restored againe into your kingdome After this Dauid inuited Berzillai the Galaadite a vertuous man and of great authoritie and by whose bountie during the time of his warre he was assisted and who had attended him as farre as Iordan to accompanie him vnto Ierusalem promising him to make no lesse account of him then of his father and assuring him liberally to allow him in all things that concerned his honour and age But he being desirous to liue in priuate besought his maiestie to dismisse him from the court because as he said his age was so extreme as it made him vnapt for courtly pleasures considering that he had attained to the age of fourescore yeares alledging that it better became him to thinke of death and the departure out of this world For which cause he besought Dauid to fauour him so much as that he might gouerne himselfe according to his own desire because that by reason of his age he neither knew howe to sauour meate nor drinke besides for that his hearing was lost so that he could not distinguish nor discerne the
to keepe in their remembrance those meanes by which the benefits they possessed had bin gotten assuring them that by the same they should retaine continuance increase and multiplication thereof For they ought to thinke that they receiued them not but for their pietie and iustice and that it was all one for men to get that which they wanted and to keepe that which was gotten without defaulting in any thing When the king had spoken after this manner vnto the people he dismissed the assembly hauing first of al accomplished the sacrifices both for himselfe and the people by offring vp twelue thousand oxen and sixscore thousand sheepe For then first of all was the temple embrued with the bloud of the slaughtered sacrifices and all the Hebrewes with their wiues and children were banqueted therein The king also feasting with the whole people celebrated the solemnitie of the Tabernacles for the space of fourteene daies in great pompe and magnificence And when as all things were sufficiently performed and nothing was deficient that concerned the seruice of God euerie one dismissed by the King departed to his owne dwelling place giuing him heartie thankes for the care he had of them and for the workes he had done for them praying God that it might please him to grant their king Salomon a long life And thus they returned home with ioy praising and singing hymnes vnto God so that they rid their way and returned to their families with great pleasure and without any trauell After then that they had conducted the Arke into the temple and had beheld the greatnesse and beautie of the same and had celebrated most excellent sacrifices and made great solemnities they returned euerie one vnto his Citie But a vision that night appeared vnto the king during his sleepe which gaue him assurance that God had heard his prayer and that he would keepe his temple and dwell in the same for euer if so be his posteritie and all the people addicted themselues to liue vertuously promising himselfe in especiall that if he continued in the obseruation of those aduertisements which his father had prescribed him he would raise him to the full infinitie of felicitie and those of his posteritie should obtaine the royaltie ouer all the countrey ouer the tribe of Iuda but if he forgot the exercises of pietie and exchanged them for the seruice of strange Gods he would pluck him vp by the roots without leauing any remainder here to raigne after him Neither should the people of Israell remaine vnpunished but should be exterminate by infinit wars and aduersities and be cast out of the countrey which he had giuen vnto their auncestors and become banisht men and runnagates in a forraine land And as concerning the Temple which is builded at this present I will said he deliuer it to the enemies to ransacke and burne it and the Citie shall be destroied by the hands of the enemies and their miseries shal be so notorious thorow the world and to such extremitie shall they be driuen as it shall hardly be beleeued so as their neighbours round about them hearing tidings of their calamities shall be astonished and shall seeke out the cause why the Hebrewes are thus hated by God who before times haue beene so aduaunced by him in riches and honours and they shall vnderstand thereof by those that suruiue in hearing them confesse their sinnes and the transgressions they haue committed against the ordinance of their forefathers These things that were declared vnto him in a dreame are registred in the sacred letters Seuen yeares after the Temple had beene thus builded as it hath beene heretofore declared he began the building of his Pallace which he scarcely finished in thirteene yeares space for he was not so intent and earnest in building thereof as he was in the structure of the temple For although the temple were very great and of incredible and meruailous magnificence yet so it is that God for whom it was made assisting the workemen it was thorowly finished within the terme of the yeares aforesaid But the royall Pallaces being farre lesser then was the temple were builded more slowly because the stuffe had not beene prepared so long time before neither with so great affection and the rather because the pallaces that were builded were not for God but for kings Notwithstanding this house was builded verie magnificently according as the wealth of the countrey and the power of the Hebrew king required But it shall not be amisse if I declare all the order and disposition of the same house that by the description thereof the reader may both gather and consider the whole amplitude thereof It was a great goodly lodging sustained by diuers pillars prepared to receiue containe much people at the time of their assemblies wherein they intreated of affaires and held pleas It was a hundreth cubits in length and in bredth fiftie and in height thirtie comprised vnder sixteene square pillars couered with Corinthian work with staires of the like measure and carued gates both pleasant for sight and fit for fortification In the midst of this space and hard by the temple there was another square Pauilion thirtie cubits large sustained with strong pillars within which there was a magnificent tribunall on which the king sate to giue iudgement vnto which there was annexed an other pallace prepared for the Queene All the chambers as well those that were ordinarily in vse as those for recreation after he retired himselfe from publike affaires were adorned with planckes of carued Cedar and were builded partly of stone ten cubits square partly of curious marble and verie rarely and cunningly wrought such as are wont to adorne Temples and pallaces and are found out by the most curious and cunning Masons And that which made it more beautifull were three panes of tapistrie and the fourth admirable for the artificiall engrauings for the work-men had made therein trees and plants of diuers sorts shadowed with their branches and leaues hanging in such sort that to behold them a man would haue thought that they shooke the workmanship was so exquisite and curious that couered the stone The rest as farre as the roofe was enchaced and flourished with diuers antiques and pictures Furthermore he builded other places of pleasure with verie long porches to beautifie the pallace amongst which there was one most magnificent to make banquets and feastes in which altogether was adorned with gold and all the necessaries belonging thereto and to the entertainment of those that banquetted were of gold It is a great matter to number the hugenesse and varietie of these royall lodgings both greater and lesser of those that were hidden vnder the earth as of those which being lifted vp in the aire did most apparantly manifest their beautie The pleasant arbors likewise delightfull to behold and most contenting in sommer for that they were couered and warranted from the
my danger whereas thou maist know how carefull I am of such holy men as thou art who haue deliuered a hundreth Prophets from Iezabels furie and now at this time conceale and sustaine them in secret places Notwithstanding all these words Elias commaunded him to repaire vnto the king and to cast off all feare swearing vnto him by an oth how that day he would make himselfe seene and knowne vnto Achab. When Obediah had certified the king that Elias was at hand Achab went out to meete him and being fraught with indignation said vnto him Is it thou that heapest so much mischiefe on the Hebrewes heads Art thou the man that art the cause of this sterilitie To whom Elias replied without flattering him any waies that it was he and his race that were the occasions of these mischiefes because they had brought strange Gods into their countrey whom they adored and had forsaken the true God who was and is onely to be worshipped He therefore willed him presently to assemble all the people on the mount Carmel bring with him his wife and her prophets whose number he reckoned vp the Prophets likewise of the woods who were in number foure hundreth Whenas therefore all of them being summoned by the king were gathered togither in that place Elias stood vp in the midst of them and said How long will you liue thus hauing both your soules and opinions dismembred and deuided For if you thinke that the Hebrewes God is the true and onely God why follow you him not and why keepe you not his commaundements But if you thinke that the honour belongeth not to him but to forraine gods follow you them When Elias perceiued that the people replied nothing hereunto he praied them in confirmation of that infinite and distinct power of God from that of straunge Gods that whereas he was but one only Prophet of the true God at that time present and the other were foure hundreth that worshipped the false that he might take an Oxe and kill the same and lay it vpon wood without putting any fire thereto to consume the sacrifice and that they also might doe the like and call vpon their gods and beseech them to send downe fire to consume their sacrifice which if they should doe and confirme the same by miracle that then the true nature of their gods should be knowne This counsell of his was generally allowed Whereupon Elias commaunded the false Prophets first of all to choose themselues an Oxe and to kil the same and afterwards to call vpon the assistance of their gods and when it manifestly appeared that their prayer and inuocation was of no force Elias began to mocke them saying why call you not out vpon your gods with a loud voice for it may be they are on some voyage or else happily they sleep Whilest thus they had inuocated from the morning vntil mid-day cutting themselues with kniues and launces according to the custome of their countrey Elias that was to make his sacrifice commaunded the false Prophets to stand aside willing the people to draw neere vnto him and obserue for feare least secretly he should conuey fire vnder the wood When the people were approched he tooke 12. stones according to the number of the twelue tribes of Israel and made an Altar and digged a deepe trench round about the same and afterwards heaping wood vpon the Altar and laying his sacrifice thereupon he commaunded them to fill foure tuns with fountaine water and to power it vpon the Altar in such sort as the trench might receiue drinke vp the water Which done he began to pray and call vpon God beseeching him that it might please him to manifest his power vnto his people who had so long time runne astray no sooner had he finished his prayer but fire fell from heauen vpon the Altar in the sight of all the people and consumed al the sacrifice so that the water was consumed the place dried vp Which when the Israelites beheld they fel down on their faces vpon the earth adoring one only God cōfessing him to be the most mighty only true God and auowing that al other were but forged names and fruits of an euill and truthles opinion and laying hands themselues vpon their false Prophets they slew them by the commaundement of Elias He willed the king also to depart and take his refection and to take care for nothing because he should very shortly see that God would send him raine and thus departed Achab from him But Elias ascended the top of the mount Carmel and sate him downe on the earth leaning his head vpon his knees whilest thus he sate he commaunded his seruant also to get vp vpon a certaine rocke and to looke towards the sea and to tell him if he saw any clouds arise in any part for till that time the ayre had beene alwaies cleere His seruant hauing often ascended the rocke and returned him answere that he sawnothing at length mounting vp the seuenth time in descending he returned him this newes that he saw some black appareance in the ayre not much vnlike vnto a mans footstep When Elias vnderstood this he sent vnto Achab wishing him to retire himselfe within the Citie before the raine fel who had no sooner recouered the Citie of Iezrael but that the ayre was presently clouded and couered with a shower and a vehement wind intermixed with raine fell vpon the earth and the Prophet seased by the spirit of God ranne with the kings chariot as farre as Iezrael a Citie of Asser. When Iezabel Achabs wife had notice what wonders Elias had performed and how he had slaine her Prophets she was sore displeased and sent messengers vnto him threatning him in like sort to reuenge her selfe on him as he had slaine her Prophets Which for that Elias feared he fled into the Citie of Bersabe which is vpon the borders of the tribe of Iuda bounding vpon Idumaea in which place he left his seruant and retired himselfe into the desart where whilest he praied God that he would take him out of the world by reason he was not better then others for which cause he should desire to liue after them he fell asleepe vnder a certaine tree and after that some one had awakened him he arose and found bread and water readie prepared by him Whenas therefore he had eaten and was recomforted he went vnto the mount Sinai where it is said that Moses receiued the lawes from God where finding out a hollow caue he entered into it and remained therein And being demaunded by a certaine voice which spake vnto him he knewe not from whence wherefore he remained in that place and forsooke the Citie he answered for that he had slaine the Prophets of the false gods and for that he had perswaded the people that there was but one onely God who ought to be honoured by all men and that for
twenty and three yeers olde who raigned in Ierusalem his mothers name was Ametala he was a man full of impietie and of a malignant and peruerse nature The King of Aegypt returning from the warre sent vnto Ioaz commanding him to meet with him in Samath a Citie of Syria where he was no sooner arriued but he kept him prisoner committing the kingdome to Eliacim his brother on the fathers side who was his elder brother likewise He changed his name also and called him Ioachim he imposed atribute also on Iudaea of one hundreth talents of siluer and a talent of golde which Ioachim paid And as touching Ioaz hee led him into Aegypt where he finished his daies after he had been king three moneths and ten daies Now Ioachims mother was called Zabuda of the Citie of Abuma He was a wicked person and of a malignant nature hauing neither pietie towardes God nor respect of equitie towardes men CHAP. VI. Nabuchodonosors army commeth into Syria IN the fourth yeere of his raigne a certaine man called Nabuchodonosor possessed the kingdome of Babylon who at that time went out with a great army against Carchabesa a Citie scituate neere vnto Euphrates resoluing with himselfe to fight against Nechao king of Aegypt vnder whose power all Syria was subiect Nechao vnderstanding of the Babylonians intent and how great his army was made verie little account thereof but with a huge army addressed himselfe towards Euphrates with an intent to repulse Nabuchodonosor But he was ouercome in battell and lost diuers thousands of his men Whereupon the Babylonian passing Euphrates seazed all Syria as far as Pelusium Iudaea onely excepted The fourth yeere that Nabuchodonosor raigned ouer these conquered countries the eight yeere of the raigne of Ioachim ouer the Hebrewes the Babylonians led forth his army against the Iewes with a mightie power threatning them to vse al hostility except Ioachim would pay him tribute Ioachim fearing his threats bought his peace with siluer and paid him for three yeers space the tributes that were imposed on him But in the third yeere vnderstanding that the Aegyptian was vp in armes against the Babylonian he denied the paiment of the tribute notwithstanding he was frustrated of his hope for the Aegyptians were not so hardy as to make warre All which the Prophet Ieremy daily foretold him signifying vnto him that he builded his hope in vaine vpon the Aegyptians and that it would fall out that the Citie should be ouerthrowne by the king of Babylon and Ioachim himselfe should be deliuered prisoner into his hands But because there was no meanes for them to escape this iustice all that which he said was nothing auailable For notwithstanding the people and gouernours heard thereof yet made they no reckoning of the same but were displeased with those counsailes which he proposed vnto them accusing Ieremy as if he tooke pleasure to vtter and publish ominous and aduerse presages against the king they likewise called him in question before the kings counsaile and required that he might be condemned Whereupon some of them gaue sentence against him the rest reproouing the aduise of the elders that were thus addicted tooke a more discreete course and caused the Prophet to depart out of the kings house forbidding his aduersaries to doe him any mischiefe they protesting that he had not only foretolde the future calamities of the city but that many before him had done the like as Micheas and diuers others yet that no one of them had suffered any euill by the kings of their time but that contrariwise Micheas had been honoured as a Prophet sent from God By these words they appeased the people and deliuered Ieremy from the death intended against him This man wrote all his prophecies and red them to the people in their fasts and assembled them in the temple in the ninth moneth of the fifth yeere of the raigne of Ioachim which booke he had composed touching that which should happen vnto the Citie the temple and the people When the gouernours heard the same they tooke the booke from him and commanded that both he and his secretarie Baruch should withdraw themselues out of the sight of men and they tooke the booke and presented it vnto the king who in the presence of his friends commanded his secretarie to reade the same and after he had heard the contents thereof he waxed wondrous wroth and renting it in pieces cast it into the fire intending that it should neuer be seene He sent out likewise a strickt commission to seeke out Ieremy and his secretarie Baruch and to lead them out to be punished But they had preuented his indignation CHAP. VII Nabuchodonosor putteth Ioachim to death and establisheth Ioachin in the kingdome NOt long after this he went out to meete the king of Babylon who was marched out to make warre against him and being incredulous and carelesse of the Prophets predictions he opened the gates vnto him supposing that he intended him no euill But when the Babylonians were entred into the Citie the King obserued not his promises but put all such to death as were in the flower and beautie of their yeeres and spared none of the inhabitants of Ierusalem with them also he slew their king Ioachim and caused his body to be cast from the toppe of the wals and vouchsafed him no sepulture establishing Ioachin his sonne King of the countrey and of the citie Moreouer he tooke three thousand of the most honourable Citizens of Ierusalem prisoners and led them to Babylon with him amongst whom was the Prophet Ezechiel at that time very yoong in yeers This was the end of king Ioachim who liued thirty six yeeres and raigned eleuen Ioachin that succeeded him in the kingdome was the sonne of Nosta of Ierusalem and raigned three moneths and ten daies CHAP. VIII Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose and besiegeth Ioachin and receiueth him vnder composition AS soone as the Babylonian had bestowed the kingdome of Iudaea on Ioachin he was seazed with a sodaine feare which made him suspect least Ioachin remembring himselfe of the iniuries he had done vnto him by the murther of his father might draw the countrey into rebellion and reuolt against him For which cause he sent out certaine forces and besieged Ioachin in Ierusalem who being a man of a good nature and of an vpright heart was loth to forsake the Citie in that danger without a gouernour considering that it was for his cause that the common weale was in that hazard For which cause taking his wife and his neerest akin with him he deliuered them into the hands of the captaines that were sent against him receiuing an oth from them that neither they nor the Citie should receiue any harme But this promise continued not a yeere for the King of Babylon obserued it not but commanded his captaines to imprison all the youth and artificers that were in the Citie and to bring
in the fift yeere after the destruction of Ierusalem which was the three and twentith yeere of the raigne of Nabuchodonosor Nabuchodonosor in his owne person led his army into Coelosyria and hauing conquered the same he made warre vpon the Ammonites and Moabites And after he had brought these nations vnder his obeisance he went and sought against the king of Aegypt and ouercame him and after he had slaine their king that gouerned at that time and planted an other in his place he afterwards tooke the Iewes that he found in that countrey and carried them prisoners into Babylon By this means we haue learned that the state of the Hebrewes being brought to this point hath bin translated twise to the other side of Euphrates For the people of the two tribes were captiued by the Assyrians during the raigne of Oseas and consequently that of the two tribes vnder Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians and Chaldees vpon the taking in of Ierusalem True it is that Salmanazar after he had displaced the Israelites planted the Chutheans in their place who beforetime inhabited the innermost of the countries of Persia and Media and were called Samaritanes according to the name of the place which they inhabited but the Babylonian hauing led the two tribes prisoners hath not planted any other people in their places For this cause Iudaea Ierusalem and the temple remained desert for the space of seuentie yeeres and all the time that passed betweene the captiuitie of the Israelites vntill the destruction of the two tribes was a hundreth and thirtie yeeres six moneths and ten daies But Nabuchodonosor chose the most noblest yoong men amongst the Iewes and such as were allied to king Sedecias and esteemed likewise for the good disposition and faire proportion of their bodies and faces and committed them to masters to be instructed commaunding that euery one of them should be gelded according as they were accustomed to deale with yoong children of other nations whom he subdued by force He allowed them victuall from his owne table and they were taught and instructed in the disciplines of the countrey and in the Chaldeetoong These were verie apte to learne wisedome and for that cause he commanded that they should be trained vp in the exercise thereof Of these there were foure of Zedechias kindred faire in body and vertuous in nature who were called Daniel Ananias Misael and Azarias whose names the Babylonian changed and willed them to be called by other names distinct and different from their own Daniel was called Balthasar Ananias Sidrach Misael Misach and Azarias Abdenago These did the king esteeme very highly for their excellent nature and for the great affection that they had to attaine vnto learning and wisedome wherein they profited greatly and were for that cause highly reckoned of by him And whereas Daniel and his kinsemen thought good to liue austerely and to abstaine from those meates that came from the kings table and in generall from all things that had life they went vnto Askenas the Eunuch who had the care and charge ouer them beseeching him to conuert those meates to his owne vse which were sent them from the kings table and to allow them herbes and dates and such things as had no life because they intended to hold that course of life and to forsake all other Askenas told them that he was ready to condescend vnto their demaunds but that he feared least being called for by the king they should be found to be leane in body and discoloured in face for without doubt in following that diet they must needly lose their colours and be lesse dispost in comparison of others which might be the cause to bring him into hazard of his head They perceiuing that Askenas intended nought els but his securitie perswaded him to allow them but ten daies of approbation vnder condition that if by that regiment of diet their habitude of body should not be any waies altered they might continue in that fashion of life and diet which they had intended from that day forwards but if they should be found leane and weake and lesse proportionable then they that sed vpon the kings allowance that then they should returne to their accustomed diet Now it so fell out that not onely their bodies were better in growth but they seemed rather better fed and of a taller statute then the rest so that they that liued vpon the kings ordinarie seemed leane and wearish where as Daniel and his companions made shew as if they had beene nourished with dainties and brought vp in aboundance From that time forward Askenas tooke all that which was allowed the foure yoong men from the kings table and boldly kept it to himselfe giuing them in steed thereof the diet that they chose and delighted in They hauing their spirits more pure and subtill to comprehend their masters instructions and their bodies more strong to endure labour for their spirits were not charged with diuersitie of meates nor their bodies effeminated for the same cause attained the more readily to all that doctrine that was taught them by the Hebrewes and Chaldees Daniel especially hauing profited in wisedome studied the interpretation of dreames and God appeared vnto him Two yeeres after the surprisall of Aegypt king Nabuchodonosor dreamed a wonderfull dreame the issue whereof God made him see in a dreame but he forgat the same when he arose out of his bed And for that cause sent he for his Chaldees and diuines telling them that he had dreampt a dreame but that he had forgot the same commanding them to declare vnto him what the dreame was and the signification 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 vnto them they would cause him to vnderstand the signification thereof Hereupon Nabuchodonosor threatned them with death except they represented his dreame vnto him and they protesting that they could not fulfill his request he commanded them all to be slaine But Daniel hearing how the King had condemned all the sages to death and knowing that both he and his companions had part in that danger addressed himselfe to Ariochus the captaine of the Kings guard requiring him to informe him for what cause the king had adiudged the Chaldees and sages to be put to death And hauing intelligence what had hapned as touching the dream how the king by forgetting the same had charged them to informe him therin how they had answered that it was impossible for them to performe the same and how thereby they had prouoked the king to displeasure he besought Ariochus to go vnto the king and to procure one nights repriue in the behalfe of the Aegyptians and Chaldees in that he hoped during that night time to beseech God and intreat from him both the dreame and the signification thereof Hereupon Ariochus told the king what Daniel had requested
who respited the execution of the Magitians for that night vntill he might see what would become of Daniels promise who retiring himselfe with his companions into his chamber besought God all the night long to manifest vnto him the dreame and deliuer the Magitians and Chaldees from the kings wrath with whom both he and the rest of his companions were like to die except he might know what the king had dreampt the night past and what was the interpretation thereof Whereupon God hauing compassion of the daunger wherein they were and taking pleasure in Daniels wisedome signified vnto him both the dreame and the signification thereof to the intent the king might be resolued in the meaning thereof Daniel hauing receiued the truth from God arose verie ioyfully and certified his brethren who had alreadie lost all hope of life and thought on no other thing but death and gaue them courage and hope of life Hauing therefore rendred thanks vnto God for that he had had compassion of their young yeeres as soone as it was day he went vnto Arioch requesting him that he might be brought to the kings presence certifying him that he would open vnto him the dreame which he had seene the night past Now when Daniel was brought vnto the kings presence he besought him that he would not esteeme him to be more wise then the other Chaldeans and magicians in that whereas none of them could expound his dreame he did attempt to expresse the same for that came not to passe by reason of his experience or for that he was more industrious then they were but said he God hath had compassion on vs that were in daunger of death and at such time as I requested him to grant me and my countrie men life he hath certified me both of your dreame and the signification thereof I was not so much agrieued for that in our innocency we were adiudged to death by thee as afraid of thine estimation and glory which was hazarded by condemning so many and so innocent and iust men to death whereas that which you haue required of them sauoreth nothing of humane wit but is the onely worke of God Whilest therefore thou thoughtest in thy selfe who it was that should commaund the whole world after thy selfe at such time as thou wert asleepe God intending to let thee know all those that should gouerne after thee presented thee with this dreame It seemed vnto thee that thou sawest a great statue wherof the head was of gold the shoulders and armes of siluer the belly and thighes of brasse and the legs and feete of yron Thou beheldst after that a great stone that was drawen from a mountaine that fell vpon the statue and beat downe and burst the same and left no whole peece thereof so that the gold siluer yron and brasse were poudered as small as dust whereupon a violent wind seemed to blow which by the furie and force thereof was borne away and scattered into diuers countries on the other side the stone grewe so mightie that it seemed to fill the whole earth This was that vision that appeared vnto you the signification whereof is expressed after this manner The head of gold signifieth your selfe and those kings of Babylon that haue been before you The two hands and shoulders signifie that your Empyre shal be destroied by two kings the one part by the king of the east cloathed in brasse whose force shall be abated by an other power resembling that of yron and he shal haue the power ouer the whole earth by reason of the nature of yron which is more strong then gold siluer or brasse he told the king also what that stone signified But for mine owne part I thought it not expedient to expresse it in this place because the onely but and intent of my writings is onely to register such things as are past and not such matters as are to come But if any man haue a desire to know these things and cannot bridle his curiositie but will vnderstand such matters as are hidden let him â—…ead the book of Daniel which he shal find amidst the sacred scriptures When king Nabuchodonosor had heard these things and remembred himself of his dreame he was astonished at Daniels wisedome and casting himselfe prostrate on the earth after the manner of those that adore God he embrased Daniel giuing direction that sacrifice should be offered vnto him as if he were God Moreouer he called him by the name of God and committed the administration of his whole kingdome to him and his companions who by reason of the commotions and conspiracies of their maligners and detractors hapned to fall into most eminent and dreadfull daunger vpon this occasion that ensueth The king built a golden Image sixtie cubits high and sixe in bignesse and erected it in a great plaine neere vnto Babylon and being readie to dedicate the same he assembled all the gouernours and princes of his countries commanding then first of all that as soone as they should heare the trumpet sound they should prostrate themselues on the earth to adore the statue threatning that whosoeuer should do the contrarie he should be cast into a burning furnace whereas therefore all of them adored the statue vpon the sound of the trumpet Daniel and his companions vtterly refused to performe that dutie alledging for their iustification that they would not transgresse the lawes of their countrey for which cause being apprenended they were instantly cast into the furnace of fire and protected therein by Gods prouidence escaped death beyond all mens expectation For the fire touched them not neither could it burne during their aboad in the furnace For God so fortified their bodies that they could not be consumed by fire which accident made them in greater estimation with the king for that he saw they were vertuous and beloued by God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Not long after this the king saw an other vision in his sleepe which signified vnto him that being cast from his empire he should conuerse with sauage beasts and that hauing liued in that estate in the desart for the space of seuen yeares he should recouer his kingdom again Hauing had this dreame he assembled the Magitians once more demanding their answere and the signification thereof But it was impossible for any one of them eyther to find out or declare the intelligence of this dreame vnto the king onely Daniel discouered the same and the effect was answerable to his prediction For the king passed the forelimited time in the desart so that no man durst intermeddle with the affaires of estate during seuen yeares But after he had called vpon God that it would please him to restore him to his kingdome he repossessed the same again Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities according as I haue found them written in holy books for in the
that they that disobey and contradict these thinges shall be hanged on the gibbet and that their goods be confiscate These were the contents of his letters Now the number of those that returned togither from the captiuitie into Ierusalem was fortie two thousand foure hundreth sixtie two CHAP. II. The Gouernours for the King doe hinder the building of the Temple WHilest these men laid the foundations of the Temple and were verie affectionately busie about the building thereof the nations that bordered vpon them and in especiall the Chuteans whom Salmanazar king of Assyria sent from Persia and Media to inhabite in Samaria at such time as he translated the people of the ten tribes incited the princes and gouernours to interdict the Iewes from raising and building their citie and reedifying the temple Who corrupted with siluer sold their negligence and delay to the Chuteans which they vsed in those buildings For Cyrus intending his other wars was ignorant hereof and hauing conducted his army against the Massagetes it was his hap incontinently to finish his life When as therfore Cambyses his sonne had obtained the kingdome they of Syria and Phoenicia the Ammonites Moabites and Samaritanes wrote their letters to Cambyses in these termes O King thy seruants Rathimus the secretarie Semelius the Scribe and those men that are counsellers in Syria and Phoenicia giue thee to vnderstand that those Iewes that were led captiue into Babylon are returned backe into this countrey and doe build a wicked and rebellious Citie and repaire the places and walles of the same and reedifie their temple likewise Know therefore that if these things be permitted to be finished that they will no more endure to be thy subiects and tributaries but will oppose themselues against their kings holding it more fitter to commaund then to obey We haue therefore thought good that whilest they are thus on working and affectionat in rearing their temple to write vnto your maiestie to the intent you may not neglect to examine your fathers records wherein you shall alwaies finde that the Iewes haue been rebels and enemies to their kings and that their Citie hath been for this cause laid desolate vntill this present We haue thought good to signifie thus much to your maiestie which perhaps is vnknown vnto you because that if this Citie be once more reinhabited and inclosed with a wall your way is shut vp from passing into Coelesyria and Phoenice CHAP. III. Cambyses inhibiteth the Iewes to build the Temple WHen Cambyses had red this letter in that he was by nature both wicked and malicious he grew inwardly iealous and displeased at the contents thereof and wrote backe againe after this manner The King Cambyses to Rathymus the secretarie of his casuall euents and to Belsem and Semelius scribes and to al his other counsellers and inhabitants in Samaria Phoenicia health Hauing red your letters I haue commanded the records of mine auncestors to be examined and I finde that the Citie of Ierusalem hath bin alwaies enemy to their kings and that the inhabitants thereof haue alwaies raised sedition and wars I haue likewise found that their kings haue bin mightie and violent and that they haue vexed Syria Phoenicia with continuall tributes For this cause I haue ordained that the Iewes shall not be permitted to reedifie their Citie for feare least their malice should augment by such occasion which they haue continually vsed against their kings Incontinently after the receipt and reading of these letters Rathymus and the sâ—…ibe Semelius and those of their faction tooke their horse and rode hastily to Ierusalem leading with them a great number of people prohibiting the Iewes from the building either of their Citie or temple Thus was this worke interrupted vntill the second yeere of the raigne of Darius king of Persia for the space of nine yeeres For Cambyses raigned six yeeres during which time he subdued Aegypt and vpon his returne from thence he died in Damasco And after the death of Cambyses the Magi that held the Empire of the Persians for the space of one yeere being taken away the seuen families of Persia made Darius the sonne of Hystaspis king CHAP. IIII. Darius the sonne of Hystaspis causeth the Temple to bee builded THis Darius during the time that he liued a priuate life made a yow vnto God that if he obtained the kingdome he would send backe vnto the temple of Ierusalem all those vessels which were as yet remaining in Babylon It fortuned that about the same time Zorobabel who was appointed gouernour ouer the captiue Iewes came vnto him from Ierusalem For he was the kings auncient friend for which cause he with other two were chosen to be of his guard and obtained thereby that honor which he expected The first yeere of the raigne of Darius he entertained all his courtiers with great pompe and magnificence both those of his houshold as they also that were his gouernors and Princes of Media and Persia and the commanders in India confining vpon Aethiopia with all the chieftaines of his army in one hundreth twenty seuen prouinces Now after they had made great cheere and were full of wine they departed each of them vnto their lodgings to betake themselues to rest But king Darius laid in his bed reposed verie little all the night long but passed the time without sleepe for which cause seeing he could take no rest he began to deuise and discourse with three of his guard promising him that should most truely and aptly answere those questions that he should demaund to grant him licence in way of reward to weare a purple garment and to drinke in golden cups to lie on a gilded bed and to ride in a chariot harnessed with gold and to beare the Tiara or linnen wreath and weare a golden chaine about his necke and sit in the next place vnto the king and should likewise bee called his kinsman in regard of his wisedome After he had made these large promises he demanded of the first whether wine were the strongest of the second whether the king were stronger of the third whether women or truth were the most strongest of the three And as soone as he had deliuered them these questions to deliberate vpon he laid him downe to rest Vpon the next morrow he sent for the princes chiefetaines and gouernours of Persia and Media and afterwards sitting aloft in that throne from whence he was accustomed to determine the differents among his subiects he commanded those three yoong men of his guard in the presence of that princely assistance publikely to yeeld their resolution of those questions he had proposed vnto them Whereupon the first of them began after this manner to expresse the force of wine Noble princes when I consider the force of wine I find nothing that may surmount the same For wine entangleth and deceiueth the vnderstanding and maketh the princes vnderstanding like to the poore
with their circumcised children whom according to the Kings commaund they hung about the neckes of their parents who were crucified And if in any place they found any sacred scripture they defaced burnt it and they with whom it was found were put to a most cruell death The Samaritanes seeing this affliction of the Iewes claimed them no more for their kinsmen and called their temple of Garizim no more the temple of God but as we haue heretofore declared they shewed their own corrupt and vnconstant natures and chalenged their descent from the Medes and Persians as in effect they were for which cause they sent embassadours to Antiochus with letters to this effect To King Antiochus the mightie God the suggestion of the Sidonians that dwell in Sichem Our ancestors enforced by the continuall pestilence that raunged in their countrey and induced by a certaine auncient superstition haue beene accustomed to obserue that day as festiuall which the Iewes call their Sabbath and hauing builded on the mount of Garizim a temple and dedicated it vnto a god who hath no name haue offered vp in the same diuers and solemne sacrifices But since that you haue inflicted punishment on the Iewes according as their wickednes deserueth the commissaries of the King supposing that we were tied to their customes by reason of some alliance betweene vs couple vs with them and charge vs with the same accusations whereas we are borne Sidonians as it appeareth by the rowles of our commonweale We therefore beseech you who are our benefactor and Sauiour to commaund your gouernour Apollonius and your steward Nicanor not to molest vs any more by charging vs with those accusations which appertaine vnto the Iewes who neither are tied vnto vs by alliance neither accord with vs in maners but that our temple which hath not hitherto born the name or title of any God may now be called the temple of Iupiter of Greece by which meanes we shall be deliuered from all trouble and being at libertie to intend our affaires we may the easier and more willingly pay you greater tributes To this request of the Samaritanes the King answered sending them backe their owne letter King Antiochus to Nicanor Health The Sidonians of Sichem haue sent vs this suggestion which wee annexe vnto these our letters Since therefore they who were sent vnto vs to this intent haue sufficiently approoued both to vs and our counsel of friends that they are vtterly strangers vnto those crimes wherewith the Iewes are charged and are desirous to liue according to the lawes of the Graecians we absolue them in as much as concerneth this cause and their temple which hereafter shall be called by the name of Iupiter of Greece we haue written to the like effect also to Apollonius our Magistrate Giuen the fortie and sixe yeere and the eleuenth of the Moneth Hecatombaeon which signifieth August CHAP. VIII Antiochus forbiddeth the Iewes to vse their lawes onely Matthias the sonne of Asmonaeas contradicteth him and obtaineth the victory against Antiochus captaines AT that same time there dwelt a certaine man in Modin a village of Iury whose name was Matthias who was the sonne of Iohn and who was the sonne of Simon the sonne of Asmonaeus a Priest of the ranke of Ioarib borne in Ierusalem This Matthias had fiue sons Iohn called Gaddis Simon called Matthes Iudas called Machabaeus Eleazar named Auran and Ionathas called Apphus This Matthias oftentimes complained vnto his sonnes as touching the miserable estate of their commonweale the sacke of their Citie the sacriledge of the temple and the miseries of the people telling them that it were better for them to die for the law then to liue in ignominie When as therefore the commissaries deputed by the King came vnto the Borough of Modim to constraine the Iewes to performe that which was enioyned them and to commaund them to sacrifice according to the ordinance requiring Matthias who surpassed the rest in honour and other qualities but in especiall in excellency of descent and nobilitie to begin first of all to offer sacrifice to the end that the rest might follow him and be induced by his example promising him that in so doing the King would honour him greatly Matthias answered thereunto that he would in no sort commit that idolatrie assuring them that notwithstanding al other nations of the world either in respect of loue or for feare of iustice should obey the edicts of Antiochus yet that neither he nor any of his children could or would be induced to forsake their fathers religion Now as soone as he had returned this answere and held his peace a certaine Iew stepped forth to offer sacrifice according to Antiochus ordinance wherewith Matthias was in such sort displeased that both he and his sonnes fell vpon him and with their swords hewed him to peeces He slew Apelles the kings captaine likewise with certaine other soldiers who would haue withstood him And not content herewith he ouerthrew the Altar crying out with a loud voice If said he any one be affectioned to the lawes of his fathers and the seruice of God let him follow me and this said he sodainly retired himselfe into the desart with his sons leauing the borough vtterly dispossessed The rest doing the like retired themselues into the desart with their wiues and children and made their habitation in certaine caues The Kings captains hauing intelligence hereof gathered those forces that were at that time in the Cittadel of Ierusalem and pursued the Iewes into the desart And hauing ouertaken them they laboured first of all to make them submit themselues and to make choice of that which stood with their profit rather then to indaunger themselues and inforce them to chastice their disobedience with bloud in warre But the Iewes respected them not a whit but contradicted them in their demands who had alreadie concluded and resolued among themselues rather to die then commit such an impietie For which cause they who omitted no oportunitie assailed the Iewes on a Sabbath day and burned them within their caues who neither resisted their enemies nor so much as closed vp the mouths of their caues And therefore abstained they from all defence by reason of the day resoluing with themselues in no sort to violate the Sabbath day for we are commaunded to cease from all labour on that day There were therefore about some thousand stifled in their caues accounting both men women and children Yet notwithstanding diuers escaped who ioyned themselues with Matthias whom they appointed likewise for their captaine who declared vnto them that they ought to fight on the Sabbath daie assuring them that if they did it not but scrupulously obserued the law they themselues should be enemies vnto themselues if perhaps the enemy should assaile them that day and should not stand vpon their garde for by that meanes they should be destroyed without resist By these words he perswaded them to doe as he
without discouering of his deliberation or enterprise against Philip and to tel them that for these reasons he leuied the siege first for the length thereof next for the strength of the place lastly for want of victuals and for many affaires that required some circumspect and carefull foresight in his kingdome Furthermore for that he thought it most expedient to capitulate with the besieged and contract friendship with all the nation of the Iewes promising and permitting them the exercise of their religion because they onely rebelled for that they were depriued of the same and for that he was assured that hauing the grant thereof they would each of them returne into their owne countries When Lysias had expressed and published these reasons all the army and the captaines approoued the same CHAP. XV. Antiochus giueth ouer his siege from before the Citie and entreth a league and alliance with Iudas WHereupon Antiochus sent a herauld to Iudas and those that were besieged with him promising them peace with permission to liue according to their religion Which conditions they willingly entertained and hauing taken an oath and assurance from the king they surrendred vp the temple Wherupon Antiochus entred the same and seeing it to be a place so well fortified he contrarie to his oath commanded his army to leuell the wall that enuironed the same with the ground which done he returned 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 Iewes should line in peace without any commotion and the rather because it was he onely who was the author of all these euils by reason of the counsaile he had giuen to Antiochus his father to inforce the Iewes to forsake their religion The King for that cause sent Menelaus vnto Beroea a Citie of Syria where he commanded him to be put to death after he had enioyed the high priesthood for the terme of ten yeeres He was a wicked and impious man who for his onely ambitious desire of authoritie had inforced our nation to reuolt from their religion As soone therefore as Menelaus was dead Alcimus was made high priest who was called Iacimus Now when Antiochus found that Philip had already conquered a great part of his countrey he fought with him and taking him prisoner slew him But Onias the sonne of the high priest whom as we haue heretofore declared was left an Orphan in his infancie seeing that the king had slaine his vncle Menelaus and giuen the priesthood to Alcimus who was not of the race of the priests and had transferred this honour into another family at the perswasion of Lysias he fled vnto Ptolomey King of Aegypt where being honourably entertained by the King and his Queene Cleopatra he obtained a place in the Heliopolitane signiorie where he builded a temple like vnto that which was at Ierusalem whereof wee shall hereafter haue more fit opportunitie to speake CHAP. XVI Bacchides generall of Demetrius army commeth to make warre against the Iewes and returneth backe againe vnto the king without performance of any thing AT that time Demetrius Seleucus sonne fled to Rome and tooke possession of Tripolis in Syria and after he had set the diademe vpon his head and had leuied and hired certaine souldiers he inuaded the kingdome where he was receiued to the generall content of all men who submitting themselues vnto him laid hold on the king Antiochus and Lysias and brought them aliue vnto him but he incontinently commanded that they should be put to death after that Antiochus had raigned two yeeres as we haue already declared in an other place To this new elected king diuers Iewes banished for their impietie and with them the high priest Alcimus made their resort who in general accused their nation and as principals Iudas and his brethren obiecting against them that they had slaine his friends and all such as were on his side and that among all those that were in the kingdome and expected his comming some of them were slaine and that the rest being driuen from their natiue countrey were banished into other places requiring him that he would send some one of his friends to take knowledge of the outrages committed by Iudas and his brethren Demetrius was much moued by these reports of theirs and for that cause sent Bacchides who was in times past much esteemed by Antiochus Epiphanes for his valour and to whose gouernment at that time all Mesopotamia was committed To whom he gaue an army ioyning with him the high priest Alcimus with commission to kill Iudas and his confederates Bacchides departing from Antioch with his army came into Iudaea and sent a certaine herauld to Iudas and his brethren to intreat with him vpon certaine articles of peace because his intent was to surprise them by some subtiltie and treacherie But Iudas smelling his drift gaue little trust vnto him for in that he came thither with so great an army he easily coniectured that he intended no peace but to make warre notwithstanding some of the people gaue eare vnto the peaceable proclamation of Bacchides and supposing that there was no sinister intent in Alcimus who was their countriman they submitted themselues vnder his gouernment Hauing therefore receiued an oth from them both that neither they nor any of their followers should any waies be endomaged by them they committed themselues to their protection But Bacchides setting light by his oth slue three score of them and by this breach of his faith towards these he caused others who intended to submit themselues to forsake and fly his gouernment As soone as therefore he had remooued his army from Ierusalem he came vnto the village of Bethzeth and there apprehending many of those which had fled and some others among the people he slue them all commaunding all those that liued in the countrey to obey Alcimus to whom he left in that place for the gard of his person a part of his army and that done he returned vnto Antioch to King Demetrius In the meane while Alcimus intending to assure his estate and gouernment and supposing that it should be so much the better confirmed if so be he could obtaine the good wil of the people he vsed all kind of plausible familiar speech vnto thē and deuising with euery man pleasantly graciously he adioyned in short time great forces to those which he had before amongst whom there were many fugitiues and vngodly men by whose helpe and assistance he marched thorow the countrey killing all those whom he found to be of Iudas faction Iudas perceiuing that Alcimus hauing gathered great forces had alreadie slaine diuers of the most vprightest men and such as feared God in all his nation he addressed himselfe also to ouerrunne the countrey and slue as many of Alcimus partakers as he could meet with Who perceiuing in himself that he was
proofe both of their faith and valour There died also many of Demetrius soldiers But after that Alexander had fled vnto the mountaines diuers Iewes to the number of sixe thousand in commiseration of his desperate estate and thorow the feare they had of Demetrius resorted vnto him which when the conquerer heard he retired himselfe After this the Iewes made warre against Alexander and in diuers losses which they receiued there died a great number of them in diuers combates Finally after he had closed vp the most strongest amongst them in the Citie of Bethom he besieged them and after he had taken the Citie and brought them vnder his subiection he caried them to Ierusalem where he perpetrated an vnspeakable and cruell murther For whilest he banquetted with his concubines in the sight of them all he commaunded eight hundreth of them or thereabout to be crucified and before their eies whilest they yet liued he caused their wiues and childrens throats to be cur All which he did to reuenge himselfe of those wrongs which he had receiued but he exceeded the bounds of humanitie herein notwithstanding they had rebelled against him and reduced him into a most piteous estate and put him in daunger both of his life and kingdom For being not content to assaile and make warre vpon him with their owne forces they drewe straungers also into his countrey against him and finally they ouerpressed him in such sort that he was constrained to yeeld vp into the king of Arabias hands the countries and cities that he had conquered from the Moabites and Galaadites for feare least they should ioyne with the Iewes and make warre against him besides other innumerable iniuries and outrages committed by them against him This notstanding it cannot be excused but that he ouershot himselfe herein so that by reason of this his so enormous cruelty he was called Thracidas that is to say as cruell as a Thracian and this title continued among the Iewes The soldiers of the contrary party who amounted to the number of eight thousand fled by night into strong and sure holds and as long as Alexander liued they were in exile But at the last after he was deliuered of all these troubles he liued in quiet and gouerned his kingdome peaceably all the remnant of his life But Demetrius departing from Iudaea to Beroea besieged his brother Philip with ten thousand footmen and one thousand horse But Straton Lord of Beroea allied to Philip called Zizus Duke of the Arabians and Mithridates Sinaces gouernour of the Parthians vnto his helpe who repairing vnto him with great forces besieged Demetrius in his owne trenches in which they so inclosed him by continuall shooting of dartes and want of water that they constrained him and those that were with him to submit themselues to their mercy When as therefore they had praied the whole countrey and were seazed of Demetrius they sent him prisoner to Mithridates who at that time was King of Parthia And as touching the Antiochians as many of them as were found in the campe were suffered to depart with the safety of their liues and baggage and to returne to Antioch But Mithridates King of Parthia honoured Demetrius by all meanes possible vntill such time as he was surprised with a sicknes whereof he died Incontinently after the battell Philip came into Antioch and hauing obtained the kingdome ruled ouer Syria CHAP. XXIII The explaites of Antiochus Dionysius against Iudaea AFter this Antiochus called Dionysius who was Philips brother came into Damasco to obtaine the soueraigutie therein and there in short space accomplishing his affaires got possession of the crowne When his brother Philip who had an army in a readines to inuade the Arabians had tidings hereof he came to Damasco with great speed and made him sirrender vp the Citie both by the meanes of Milesius whom Antiochus had left gouernour in the Castle as also by the consent of the Citizens themselues But Philip shewed himselfe vngratefull toward Milesius performing nothing of that which he had promised him at such time as he deliuered him the Citie because his intent was that the world should thinke that the feare of his power and not Milesius sauour was the cause of the surprisall of Damasco Which act of his drew him into suspicion with Milesius and was the cause that he lost the Citie againe For departing from thence to exercise himselfe at tile Milesius locke the gates against him and kept the Citie for Antiochus Who hauing intelligence of that which had befallen Philip returned out of Arabia at that verse instant-led his army into Iudaea in which there were eight thousand footmen and eight hundreth horsemen Alexander fearing his approch made a deepe trench from Caparsabe which is called at this day Antipatris as farre as the sea of Ioppe which was the onely streight whereby he might be assailed and made a wal furnished with wooden towers with their courts of guard distant the one from the other an hundreth and fiftie furlongs to keepe backe Antiochus But he fired all these his fortifications and made his army passe into Arabia thorow this streight The king of Arabia retired vpon the first assault but afterwards he presently came into the field with ten thousand horsemen whom Antiochus charged very valiantly and in the onset lost his life yet with victorie whilest he sought to succour a company of his men that were hardly laid to After Antiochus death his army retired to the burrough of Cana where diuers of them died for hunger After him Aretas raigned in Coelesyria who was called vnto that kingdome by those that held Damasco and hated Ptolomey the sonne of Mennaeus Aretas led his army into Iewry and got a victorie against Alexander neere to Adida which done he retired out of Iudaea vpon a coposition made between them Moreouer once more Alexander marched towards the city of Dion and tooke the same And afterwards he led his army against Essa where Zeno had hoorded vp his chiefest riches and before he assailed the fortresse he inuironed the place with three huge walles which he builded round about it and hauing taken it by force he marched to Gaulana and Seleucia which wen he had ouercome he made himselfe master of a valley called the valley of Antiochus with the fortresse of Gamala And obiecting many crimes against Demetrius the lord of those places he dispossessed him of his gouernment Finally after he had made warre for the space of three whole yeeres he returned into his countrey where the Iewes intertained him willingly by reason of the happy exploits which he had atchieued About the same time the Iewes were already possessed of the Cities of Syria Idumaea and Phoenicia of the tower of Straton Apollonia Ioppe Iamnia Azoth Gaza Anthedon Raphia Rhinocura all which were neere vnto the sea and in the firme land on the side of Idumaea as Adora Marissa and all Samaria the
burrough of Idumaea Ioseph his brother came forth to meete him and to consult with him as touching their whole estate and to know of him what should become of that great multitude that followed them considering that they had no souldiers in pay and the Castle of Massada whither he pretended to flie was too little to hold all the people for which cause he sent away many to the number of nine thousand willing them to disperse themselues here and there in the countrey of Idumaea and for the better dispatch of their iourney he furnished them with victuals As for himselfe he tooke with him his most able souldiers and inward friends and repaired to the Castle of Massada in which place he left the women and their traine to the number of eight hundreth or thereabouts and furnishing the place with corne water and other prouisions necessarie he went vnto Petra the chiefest Citie of Arabia As soone as it was day the Parthians sacked all that which appertained to the Citizens of Ierusalem and amongst other things they spoiled the palace notwithstanding they medled not with Hircanus money which amounted to some three hundreth talents They left diuers other things behind them also that appertained to Herode and especially that which had been transported into Idumaea by his mature prouidence Neither were the Parthians content with the spoile of the Citie but they forraged all the countrey round about and raced Marissa a verie rich Citie Thus Antigonus brought backe into his countrey by the king of the Parthians receiued Hirtanus and Phasaelus that were prisoners yet was he vehemently displeased because the women had escaped whom according to his promise he intended to haue deliuered with the money and fearing least Hircanus thorow the fauour of the people should be reestablished in his kingdome who was then prisoner in the custody of the Parthians he cut off both his eares depriuing him by that meanes from enioying the priesthood any more by reason of that maime because the law commaundeth that they who are in that dignitie should be sound in all their members But Phasaelus is to be admired for his great courage at this time for vnderstanding that hee must needly die he was no waies dismaied with death but that which he held most miserable and dishonourable was that he must needs die by the hands of his enemy Seeing therefore that he could not dispatch himselfe by other meanes because he was bound and chaiâ—…ed he knockt out his owne braines against a stone and so ended his life with as great honour as may be imagined in such a desperate estate depriuing his enemy of that power which he intended to practise in tyrannizing ouer him at his pleasure It is said that the wound being very deepe Antigonus sent priuily surgeons to cure him and that vnder colour of healing him they should put poison into the same wherethrough he might die But before Phasaelus gaue vp the ghost he vnderstood by a certaine woman that his brother Herode had escaped from his enemies for which cause he endured his death with far greater cheerfulnesse and constancie seeing that he left behind him such a man as would reuenge his death and punish his enemies But Herode was no waies discomforted with the greatnesse of those aduersities which enuironed him round about but was the more whetted on to find out new inuentions and to aduenture dangerous attempts For he went vnto Malchus king of the Arabians to whom before time he had shewed much curtesie hoping to receiue the like of him in this time of his great necessitie and to draw some money from him either by loane or gift according as he had often and verie bountifully pleasured him For being ignorant of his brothers death he endeuoured himselfe to raunsome him speedily from his enemies by paying his raunsome which amounted to three hundreth talents and for that cause he led with him the sonne of Phasaelus who was onely seuen yeeres olde to leaue him in pledge amongst the Arabians for the summe that was demaunded But certaine messengers came vnto him from Malchus who charged him in the kings behalfe to retire backe againe for that the Parthians had enioyned him that he should neither receiue nor retaine Herode And this colourable pretence vsed he because he would not pay his debts and hereunto was he perswaded by the aduice of the greatest in authoritie among the Arabians who pretended thereby to make themselues masters of that treasure that Antipater had committed to their custody Herode answered them that he repaired not into their countrey to giue them cause of any trouble but onely to consult with him about certaine matters of great importance touching his owne estate and that afterwards he was resolued to depart and withdraw himselfe into Aegypt as secretly as might be possible He returned therefore to a certaine temple where he had left diuers of his followers and the next day hee came to Rhinocura in which place he heard tidings of his brothers death But afterwards Malchus repented himselfe of his in gratitude and speedily sent after Herode but he could not ouertake him for he had gotten farre onward of his way and was already arriued in post neere to Pelusium where being denied his passage to Alexandria in those ships that were there he addressed himselfe to the magistrates of the place who highly respected and honoured him and sent him to the Citie where Cleopatra was who entertained him kindly yet notwithstanding could she not perswade him to remaine with her Whereupon he repaired towards Rome notwithstanding the winter and those grieuous troubles that at the verie same time afflicted Italie as it was reported Embarking himselfe therefore to saile into Pamphilia he was tossed with a most cruell storme so that with great danger at last he arriued in Rhodes hauing been inforced in the tempest to cast into the sea a good part of his substance There met he with Sappinas and Ptolomey two of his indeered friends He found also that the Citie of Rhodes had suffered much miserie by Cassius warres and although his meanes were very scant yet profited he them in what he might and caused their walles to be repaired notwithstanding that by so doing he greatly hindred himselfe After that he caused a little frigote to be built and embarked himselfe with his friends to repaire into Italy and arriued at Brundusium and from thence went to Rome The first to whom he discouered his misfortunes was Marcus Antonius to whom he reported all the occurrences in Iudaea and how his brother Phasaelus was taken by the Parthians and slaine and how Hircanus was imprisoned with him The manner also how they had established Antigonus king vnder promise to giue them one thousand talentes and fiue hundreth of the fairest women whom hee intended to choose out of his owne race Lastly how he stole away by night and rescued them and escaping his enemies hands
was vpon the point of execution surprised her at such time as she thought to flye and yet notwithstanding he pardoned her that fault in that he durst not decree any punishmēt against hir though he could haue found in his heart to haue vsed seueritie for that Cleopatra vvould not haue contained her selfe had she but had such an occasiō offered her to expresse her hatred against Herod For which cause vnder the colour of a high and magnanimous spirit he made shewe to pardon her of his meere clemencie yet inwardly resolued hee to make young Aristobulus away yet not rashly and vpon the instant least the act should growe apparant and palpable Now the feast of Tabernacles was at hand which was one of those that was ceremoniously and solemnly celebrated among vs for which cause he concealed his intents during the festiuall daies intending both in himselfe and in the presence and companie of the people to follow all kinde of pleasure and delight yet did his enny incite him to hasten the execution of his will Aristobulus was at that time some seuenteene yeere olde who at such time as he approched the altar to offer sacrifices according to the lawe apparelled in the high priests ornaments to performe the ceremonies he who for amiable countenance and goodly stature surpassed the young and tendernesse of his yeeres expressing in his countenance the dignitie and nobilitie of his race drew the eies and good affection of all the people vnto him so that they openly called to remembrance the noble actions of Aristobulus his grandfather All the people therfore being surmounted by those their affections and at that present time being all of them troubled with the ioy they conceiued they brake out by little and little into happy acclamations mixed with wishes and praiers so that the good will the people bare to Aristobulus discouered it selfe openly and they manifestly although too hastily in such a kingdome declared what euils they generally endured For all which causes Herode concluded to execute that which he had heretofore complotted and conceited against Aristobulus As soone therefore as the feast was ouerpassed he soiourned in Iericho where Alexandra entertained him In that place he vsed Aristobulus with all kindnesse to the end to draw him into some place where he feared nothing playing also with him and counterfaiting to sport after the fashion of the young men to gratifie him Now for that the place where they disported themselues was by nature too hoat they quickly wearied left their sport and went out togither to take the fresh aire and recouering a pleasant shade vnder certaine arbors and neere certaine fishpooles which were largely spread round about they beheld certain of their seruants and friends that swomme therein with whom not long after Aristobulus began to swim being perswaded thereunto by Herode Whereupon Herodes confederates who were deputed to execute the murther laid hands of him and thrust him vnder the water pretending to duck him in sport and neuer gaue him ouer vntill such time as they had stifled him in the water This hapned about the euening and after this manner died Aristobulus after he had liued in all for the space of eighteene yeeres and administred the priesthood one whole yeere and after this Ananel presently recouered his former dignitie Now when this accident was reported to the women all of them were sodainly deuoured in teares and transported with strange lamentations which they spent ouer the dead body All the Citie also was marueilously amated neither was there any priuate family that thought not it selfe touched by this inconuenient but imagined the losse in particular to concerne himselfe and no other But aboue all when Alexandra had notice of this wicked deede she was more passionate and perplexed then any other being so much the more discomforted for that she knew how all things had hapned But the feare of a farre greater mischiefe constrained her to represse her passion in such sort that diuers times she was ready to bereaue her of her owne life and dispatch her selfe out of miserie with her owne hands But she contained her selfe to the end that suruiuing and liuing after her sonne who was so traiterously and fraudulently slaine and prolonging her owne life without giuing any suspition or shadow that she supposed her sonne to be thus cursedly murthered she might with more opportunitie expect the occasion to reuenge her selfe For which cause she dissembled all things gouerned her griefe and made shew that she knew nothing of that which was either intended or had hapned As for Herode he laboured by all means to perswade the strangers that this death had befallen Aristobulus without his knowledge and did not onely prepare that which was requisite for the funerall but vext himselfe likewise made shew of a man truely deuoured in his sorrow and it may be that in remembrance of Aristobulus beauty and flourishing young yeeres he was truely touched with compassion notwithstanding that he imagined that this death of his should be a means of his intire securitie demeasning himselfe in all things very circumspectly with intent to purge himselfe 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 griefe which the Ladies had conceiued was pacified after this manner of consolation CHAP. IIII. Cleopatra thirsting after the kingdomes of Arabia and Iewry laboureth to beg a part of them at Anthonies hands BVt none of all these things could either mooue or mollifie Alexandra but that daily more and more she increased her sorrow and in the heart of her teares kindled her wrath and heate with a desire of reuenge She therefore certified Cleopatra by her priuate letters of Herodes treasons and her sonnes most miserable and vntimely death Cleopatra long before that time desirous to assist her and hauing compassion of her miserie vndertooke the matter and ceased not to incite Anthony to reuenge Aristobulus death telling him that it was an vnpardonable errour that Herode being created king in such a state whereunto he had no right should be suffered to practise such conspiracies against the true and lawfull kings Anthony perswaded by these her words as soone as he came vnto Laodicea sent for Herode to the end that making his appearance he might answere that which might be obiected against him as touching Aristobulus death for he disliked the act notvvithstanding that Herode himselfe had attempted it But although Herode vvas affraid of this accusation and did not a little suspect Cleopatraes displeasure for that she ceased not continually to prouoke Anthony against him yet obeyed he this commandement and transported himselfe thither the rather for that he durst not otherwise do notwithstanding he left his vncle Ioseph behind him committing the gouernment both of the kingdome his priuate
for that he would not haue discouered those things which had been spoken to him in secret except they had greatly trusted the one the other and in this emotion or rage of iealousie hardly contained he himselfe from killing his wife But the force of loue ouercame him so much that he bridled his rage notwithstanding it were irkesome and grieuous vnto him Yet gaue he order that Ioseph should be slaine without either audience or iustification of his innocencie and as touching Alexandra who was the cause of al these troubles he kept her prisoner About the same time there grew certaine troubles and alterations in Syria for that Cleopatra continually sollicited and importuned Anthony and whetted on his displeasure against all perswading him to remooue all from their gouernments and to bestow the same on her selfe And for that Anthony loued her extremely she was in great estimation and credit with him and being in her owne nature inclined to couetousnesse shee abstained from no kinde of corrupt dealing and wickednesse For knowing that the kingdome should descend vnto her brother she caused him to be poisoned when he was but fifteene yeeres olde as for her sister Arsinoe she caused her to be slaine by Anthonies meanes at such time as she made her prayers in the temple of Diana in Ephesus Moreouer in what place soeuer she vnderstood that there was any hope to get money whether it were in robbing of temples or in breaking open sepulchers she would be possessed thereof neither was there any religious place so sacred from whence she tooke not away the ornaments Furthermore there was not any thing so prophane and interdicted which she laid not hands on to satisfie her vnbridled auarice Neither was the whole world sufficient enough to content this magnificent Ladie who was made slaue to her owne desires and her disordinate appetite was such that all the riches in the world were not able to to saciate and fill the same For this cause she incessantly importuned Antonius to take from others to be liberall towards her and therefore intring into Syria with him she presently bethought her selfe how she might get it into her possession For she caused Lysanias Ptolomeies sonne to be put to death obiecting against him that he had priuate intelligence with the Parthians She begged Iury also at Antonius hands and required him besides that to dispossesse the kings of Arabia He was in such sort possessed by this woman that he seemed not only to be bewitched with her words but also inchāted by her poisons to obey her in whatsoeuer she thought meet yet was he ashamed to cōmit so manifest an iniquity for feare least being so farre ouerruled by her he should happen to offend in matters of more consequence Least therefore either by denying her he should draw her to discontent or by condiscending to her demands he should seeme to be the wickeddest man aliue he deducted a seuerall portion of both their dominions presented her with the same He gaue her likewise those cities that are scituate between the floud Eleutherius Aegypt except Tyre and Sydon which he knew to be free cities of long continuance although by earnest sollicitation she sought to be seazed of these also CHAP. V. Cleopatras progresse into Iudaea AFter that Cleopatra had obtained all these things and had accompanied Antonius as farre as Euphrates who at that time went to make warre in Armenia she returned backe againe and by the way visited Apamea and Damasco and at last tooke her progresse into Iury Where King Herode met with her and assured that portion which had beene giuen vnto her in Arabia with all the reuenewes of Iericho vnto her This countrey bringeth forth that balme which of all other oyntments is the most precious and onely groweth in that place and no other to the bignes of great Dates Being arriued in that place and growen inwardly familiar with Herode she fought to allure and draw him to her lust being of her selfe naturally addicted to such pleasures and intemperance and happily also being somewhat touched with loue or rather as it seemeth most likely she in this sort laid the foundation to intrap him vnder colour to reuenge her selfe of some outrage by that meanes But in effect she generally manifested that she was ouercome by her desire and sensuall lust But Herode was not ouer kindly bent towards Cleopatra knowing of long time how badly she was enclined towards al men and at that time he conceiued the greater hatred against her because by that intemperance of hers she pretended to destroy him and although that from the beginning he had reiected her sollicitations yet determined he to reuenge himselfe on her if so be by these her subtill vnderminings she should prosecute and continue her subtil pollicies to betray him He asked counsaile also of his friends whether hauing her in his possession he should put her to death For in so doing all those should be deliuered from diuers euils whom either in time past she had molested or hereafter s◅d bring in trouble Moreouer that it would be profitable for Antonius also whom without all doubt she would forsake if any occasion or necessitie should enforce him to make triall of her friendship But whilest he debated and discoursed vpon this resolution his friends restrained and disswaded him assuring him that it was a great indignitie for him who was a Prince of high thoughts and hautie resolutions to cast himselfe into manifest perill beseeching him to attempt nothing rashly For that Antonius would not endure the same notwithstanding it might be approued that it stood with his profit nay rather that by this meanes he should increase his desire for that by force subtilty he might seeme to haue lost her Further that no on colour of excuse should be left him in that she was the woman of greatest note nobility of that time that what soeuer profit might redound vnto him by her death should be annexed with Antonius iniurie Wherby it most euidētly appeared how great remediles domages would befall both to the kingdome the kings family also whereas nothing letted him by repulsing her vnlvwfull demand to dispose allthings for the present state with great discretion By these such like reasons and probable coniectures they deterred and disswaded him from aduenturing vpon his apparant daunger and attempting so hainous an act so that contrariwise they induced him to offer Cleopatra many rich presents and to conduct her onward on her way towards Aegypt As soone therefore as Antonius was seazed of Armenia he sent Artabazes Tigranes sonne with all his children who were great princes prisoners into Aegypt and presented them to Cleopatra with all those precious Iewels likewise which were taken by him or found in the kingdome But Artaxias his elder sonne who at that time had saued himselfe by flight raigned in Armenia whom Archelaus and Nero the
at leastwise if they failed of him their hope was to fall foule on someof his fauourites and followers accounting this to be some solace in their expected death if in regard of their violated religion they might bring the king in hatred with the common people And these intending to offer themselues as chiefetaines and leaders vnto the rest resolued to execute these things But one of those intelligencers that Herode had sent abroad to prie and search into such like actions hauing discouered all this their conspiracie signified the same vnto the king at such time as he was ready to enter into the Theater He knowing full well what hatred was continually hatched against him betooke himselfe to his pallace and sent for the conspirators by their names who being apprehended in the fact and knowing that there was no way for them to escape resolued to endure their present misfortunes with a valiant courage for being no waies dismaid with a constant countenance they drew out their weapons protesting that their conspiracie was honest and holy not attempted by them for priuate affection or their owne profit sake but in the behalfe of their publike discipline which no good man would either see or suffer to be violated no though it cost him his life Now when with great confidence they had alleadged these things for their iustification they were led away by the kings ministers to be slaughtered by diuers sorts of torments Not long after this that intelligencer who had betraied them growing hatefull in all mens eies was slaine by certaine men and chopt in pieces with their swords and afterwards cast vnto the dogs in sight and presence of many men Yet did no man discouer this act vntill after long and wearisome inquisitions made by Herode it was wrought out of certaine poore women who were priuy to the fact with diuers torments Then were all the actors of that murther punished with their whole families and notwithstanding all this the common people was in no sort dismaid but were ready to defend their lawes except they were restrained by some greater power Which when the king perceiued he resisted their indeuours with all diligence least happily thorow these alterations in affaires the people should be drawne to an open rebellion Whereas therefore he had two strong castles within the Citie one wherein his pallace was an other called Antonia that adioyned neere vnto 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 Ierusalem some daies iourney to containe those of the common sort that were abroad vnder his obedience and verie fit to bridle any vprores that might be raised in the Citie and fields And for the whole nation he builded a fort which in times past was called Straton and afterwards he named it Caesarea He builded also a fort in Galilee which was called Gabala in a large plaine where by course he kept his horsemen Besides these he builded the fort of Esthmonites in the countrey of Peraea on the other side Iordan Now when he had fitly disposed all these Castles thorow his whole countrey for the securitie and safetie of his kingdome the matter of rebellion was taken from the common people who vpon euerie light cause are subiect to commotions in that he had prepared a remedie against all priuie conspiracies by planting such forces alwaies neere at hand who might preuent and pacifie all alterations vpon their originall After this betaking himselfe to encompasse Samaria with a wall hee brought to passe that diuers of those who had borne armes with him against his enemies and diuers of the people likewise that dwelt round about came to inhabite 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 owne securitie although that before time 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 citie among the inhabitants of the same which was by nature a fruitful and goodly countrey to the intent that within a little space they might enrich themselues He enuironed the citie also with a strong wall being assisted by the naturall strength and steepinesse of the place and besides the whole circuit he included so much ground that it is no waies inferiour to any of the famous Cities for it contained the circuit of twentie furlongs or stadia And in the midst thereof there was a sacred place containing a furlong and a halfe wonderfully adorned in which there was a temple builded famous both for beauty and bignesse And as for the other parts of the Citie he decked them with all sorts of ornaments And seeing how neerly it concerned him to prouide for the securitie of his person in this walled Citie he erected a fortresse for himselfe And as touching the beautie thereof his intent was that it should remaine for a monument to posteritie of his magnificence and liberalitie CHAP. XII A famine inuaded the land of Iudaea THat verie yeere which was the thirteenth yeere of Herodes raigne very great calamities hapned in that countrey either thorow Gods displeasure or for that the reuolution of time would haue it so For first of all there were such continuall droughts that by reason thereof the earth grew barren and produced not those fruits which of it selfe it was accustomed to beare And after this the ordinarie course of mens diets being altered by reason of the want of corn the want of sustenance was accompanied with a bodily sicknes for that by custome these two plagues doe ordinarily entertaine one an other For this made the plague and sicknes more vehemēt for that the sick in this great penury could neither haue care of themselues as was expedient nor get conuenient nourishment for preseruation of life And many died daily those also that remained aliue were in despaire because they could not relieue their want necessities what diligence soeuer they vsed For which cause after the olde fruits of that yeere were wholy consumed and all the rest of their store was vtterly spent there appeared not any meanes whereupon they might hope namely for that the miserie increased more then was expected yea and extended it selfe beyond that yeere so that they had nothing remaining by them and the seedes they sowed at that time mouldred away and the earth for all their labours affoorded them no interest The necessitie therefore being thus great constrained men to search out many new inuentions to maintaine their life and the king likewise was in no lesse perplexitie in that he was depriued of those ordinarie reuenues which he receiued by the fruits of the earth and the rather for that hee had spent his money in repairing his Cities according as before this we haue declared and in such sort were all
not imitate them in that wrong they did vnto Herode who being during his life time bountifully graced by him by many benefits do now after his death go about to violate his last and truest testament 〈◊〉 that rather like a friend and confederate he would confirme his will who like his faithfull and sworne welwiller had committed all things to his trust For that there must needs be a great difference betweene their malice and Caesars vertue and faith which was renowmed thorow the whole world For which cause he would not iudge his decree to be inconsiderately past who left his succession to his well deseruing sonne and referred all things to his trust For that it was vnlikely that he should erre in the choise of his successor who had so discreetly submitted all things to Caesars iudgement After this manner Nicholas also finished his discourse Hereupon Caesar courteously raised Archelaus who lay prostrate and humbled before his feet telling him that he was most worthie to be king by giuing an apparant testimony that he was constant in his resolutions pretending that he would do nothing but that which should be answerable to Herodes testament and Archelaus profit and seeing the young man was confirmed in some good hope with this his promise he determined nothing more for that time but dismissing the councell he debated with himselfe whether he should ratifie the kingdome to Archelaus onely or deuide it amongst Herodes kinred especially since all men had need of his assistance CHAP. XII The Iewes mutinie against Sabinus and how Varus punisheth the authors of the sedition BVt before Caesar had determined any thing certainly in this behalfe Marthalce Archelaus mother died of a sicknes Varus the presideÌ„t of the Iews in Syria had sent letters which certified the emperor of the rebellioÌ„ of the Iewes For after Archelaus departure al the natioÌ„ was in an vprore To pacifie which Varus resorted thither punished the authors of the same after he had in this sort appeased all things he returned to Antioch leauing a regimeÌ„t of soldiers in Ierusalem to restraine the factious invocations amongst the Iewes yet preuailed he nothing by this his pollicy For as soone as Varus was departed Sabinus who inteÌ„ded Caesars affaires remaining in that place grieuously burthened the Iews trusting to that power that was left him supposing that he was alreadie enabled to withstand the multitude For he armed diuers souldiers and made vse of them to oppresse the Iewes and to prouoke them to sedition For he enforced himselfe to surprise their fortresses and forcibly to make search after the kings treasures for his priuate lucre and couetousnes sake When as therefore the feast of Whitsontide was come which is one of our festiuals diuers thousands from all parts repaired to Ierusalem not onely for religion sake but also for the despite and hatred they had conceiued against those violences and iniuries which Sabinus had offered them And not onely were those of Iudaea grieuously offended but diuers also resorted out of Galilee and Idumaea from Iericho and the Cities scituate on the other side of Iordan desiring all of them to be reuenged on Sabinus And deuiding their campe into three bands after this manner the one part of them tooke vp the Hippodrome and of the other two the one seazed the southerne quarter of the temple and the other the easterne and the third which was in the Hippodrome were planted to the westward where the kings pallace stood and thus prepared they al things that were necessarie to set vpon the Romans whom they had besieged on all sides At that time Sabinus fearing their number and resolution who were resolued either to die or to ouercome sent present letters vnto Varus requiring him with all expedition to send him a supply because the regiment that was left by him was in great daunger and must needs vtterly perish without his speedie rescous as for himselfe he withdrew into the tower and dungeon of the castle Phasaelus which was a fortresse which was builded and so called in honour of Herodes brother who was slaine by the Parthians and from the top thereof made a signe to the Romanes that they should sally out vpon the Iewes being afraid to trust himselfe to his owne friends and supposing that the rest ought to expose their liues to daunger in maintenance of his seruice The Romans hauing made this sally there arose a desperate skirmish wherein the Romanes diuers waies had the vpper hand yet were not the Iewes any waies discomforted notwithstanding they had lost many men but wheeling about so long till at last they seazed the outward galleries and those that encompassed the temple and in that place there was a hot assault for they flung downe stones with their hands and slings and there were certaine archers mixed amongst them who in that they had recouered a place of aduantage grieuously gauled the Romans which were below in that they had no meanes to auoid their shot but were in such sort exposed therunto as their enemies had the better And with this disaduantage fought the Romans a long time till at length sore aggrieued at this their present indignitie they secretly fired the galleries and porches without any discâ—…uery of those that were therein which fire brought thither by many and fedde with such matter as would speedily flame incontinently tooke holde of the roofe because the roofe was couered with pitch and waxe and guilded vpon the waxe so that these great and excellent buildings were burnt downe to nothing in a moment and they that were resorted thither were all of them consumed before they were aware For some of them fell with the roofe of the Galleries othersome shot at and slaine by those that stood round abouts othersome despairing of their liues and amazed at the mischiefe either cast themselues into the fire or slew themselues with their one swords and all those that retired vnder hope to saue themselues by that way they ascended were encountred by the Romans who slew them all in that they were discouraged and disarmed though furiously desperate so that no one of them that ascended the porches escaped with life Afterwards the Romans thrusting forward one another by those waies where the fire was aslaked entred the treasure house where the sacred money was kept by which meanes a great part thereof was stolne away by the souldiers and Sabinus to all mens knowledge carried away foure hundreth talents But the Iewes being afflicted with a double calamitie first of all with the losse of their friends in that fight and lastly with the spoile of the treasurie yet assembled they a troupe of the most valiantest souldiers and besieged the pallace threatning to burne the same with Sabinus and all other the Romans that were therein except they speedily departed and in so doing they promised both them and Sabinus all assurance and securitie whereby it came to passe that
for that he feared least if the matter should be publikely knowne he should suffer some punishment as being the onely author and instructer of the king in vndecent matters that otherwise he might serue God although he were not circumcised since he had resolued to liue according to the institutions and lawes of the Iewes and that God would pardon him for in this true religion consisteth more then in the circumcision of the body though hee were not actually circumcised since the necessitie and feare of his subiects ouerruled him By which words the king for that time was won to affect the same no further But some little whiles after for he was not wholy altered in that affection which he had another Iew called Eleazar comming from Galilee and accounted a man of great experience in the doctrine of our religion perswaded him to be circumcised For comming one day vnto him to salute him he found him reading of the bookes of Moses and said vnto him O King contrarie to your knowledge you offend the law and God likewise for it sufficeth you not that you vnderstand the same but the chiefest matter you are tied vnto is to doe that which the law commaundeth how long therefore vvill you remaine vncircumcised And if as yet you haue not perused the law as touching this point read it now to the intent you may know what impietie it is to omit it After the King had heard this he would no longer deferre his circumcision for which cause withdrawing himselfe into another chamber he called a surgeon vnto him vvho acted that which he required and afterwards calling his mother and master Ananias vnto him he certified them vvhat had past vvherupon they grew straungely amased fearing least the king should grow in daunger of the losse of his kingdome if this action of his should come to light for that his subiects would not endure that such a man that followed a contrarie religion should be their king they feared also least they themselues should be in daunger for as much as the cause of all this matter would be imputed to them But God by his prouidence preuented least any of those things vvich they feared should come to effect for he deliuered Izates himselfe and his children likewise out of many daungers yeelding them his assistance in their doubtful desperate estates declaring in effect that those that onely put their trust in him and depend vpon his proiudence are neuer depriued of the fruit of their pietie But of these things vvill vve speake hereafter When Helena the kings mother perceiued that the estate of the kingdome vvas in peace and that by all mens opinion both homebred and straungers her sonne vvas reputed happie by the good vvill of God she vvas seazed vvith a desire to go and visit the citie of Ierusalem and adore God in that temple vvhich was so much renowmed thorow the vvhole vvorld offer sacrifice of thanksgiuing therin for vvhich cause she besought her son that he vvould suffer her to performe her vowes who willingly cōdescended to her desire and furnished her royally vvith althings that were necessary for such a voiage giuing her a great masse of mony with her and bringing her onward on her way many daies iourney so that at length she arriued in Ierusalē to the great aduantage of the inhabitāts of that citie For at that time the citie was oppressed with a gricuous famine so as many died for want of food for which cause Queene Helena sent her seruants some into Alexandria to buy a great quantitie of come the rest into Cypris to buy dried figs who returned with all expeditiō they might wherupon Helena distributed the victuals among the poore leauing a singular memory of her beneficence among the whole nation Her sonne Izates also vnderstanding of this famine sent a great summe of money to the gouernour of Ierusalem But hereafter will I declare what other benefits the king and Queene haue bestowed vpon our nation Now Artabanus king of Parthia perceiuing that the princes of his kingdome had conspired against him resolued with himselfe to go vnto Izates for the securitie of his life and person hoping by his meanes if it were possible to recouer his kingdome He therfore retired thither and brought with him about one thousand men of his kinsfolke and houshold seruants And by the way he met with Izates whom he knew verie well by his royall traine notwithstanding he were vnknowne vnto him by countenance Drawing therfore neere vnto him he first of all humbled himselfe on his knees according to the custome of the countrey and afterwards spake vnto him after this manner Dread king forsake me not who am thy seruant neither reiect thou my praiers For being deiected by the meanes of my misfortunes and of a king become a priuate man I haue neede of thy succour Consider therefore the inconstancie of fortune and thinke with thy selfe that by prouiding for me thou shalt prouide for thy selfe For if thou makest no reckoning of the wrong that is done vnto me diuers men will grow audacious to enterprise vpon other kings These words pronounced he with weeping teares and with lookes lowly fixed vpon the ground When Izates had heard Artabanus name and saw his humble and submissiue estate he leapt incontinently from his horse and said vnto him King be of good courage and let not thy present and perplexed condition dismay thee as if thy misfortunes were irrecouerable For this sorrow of thine shall sodainly bee changed and thou shalt finde a better friend and allie then thou hopedst for at this time For either will I repossesse thee of thy kingdome of Parthia or I will lose mine owne gouernment This said he caused Artabanus to get vp on horsebacke and walked by him on foote yeelding him this honour as to a greater king then himselfe Which when Artabanus sawe he was discontented and sware by his fortune and honour to come that he would set foote on ground if he would not get vp on horsebacke and ride before him wherunto he obeied and mounting vpon his horse againe he conducted him to his pallace yeelding him all the honour that was possible both in his sittings and banquets as in his assemblies not respecting his present estate or condition but his former dignitie considering with himselfe that such casuall misfortunes and changes are incident to all men Furthermore he wrote vnto the Parthians perswading them to receiue their king Artabanus assuring them on his faith and oath that he would obtaine a free pardon for all that which was past and to that intent he offered himselfe to be an arbitrator betweene them The Parthians gaue him this answere that they would not refuse to entertaine him but that they could not for that one who was called Cinnamus was aduanced in his place and dignitie and that they feared least a sedition should happen amongst them Cinnamus who was a noble and
beyond all mens contradiction And hauing returned him this answere he betooke himselfe to his prayers and prostrating himselfe vpon the earth and casting ashes on his head and fasting himselfe his wiues and all his children he called vpon God and praied after this manner O Lord Almightie if I haue not vainly submitted my selfe to thy protection but haue intirely chosen thee for mine onely and true God be thou my helpe and assistance and not onely deliuer me from mine enemies but also abate and controule their pride who haue not been affraid in their vnbridled language to prophane thy holy and sacred name and vtter blasphemous speeches against thy power Thus praied he with sighes and teares and God heard him For incontinently and the verie same night Vologesus receiued letters by which he was certified that a great number of Dahans and Sacans taking opportunitie by his absence were entred into the kingdome of Parthia and spoiled the whole countrey for which cause he returned backe into his countrey without any further trouble And thus Izates by Gods prouidence was warranted from the Parthians threats Not long after this at such time as he had liued fiftie fiue yeeres and raigned foure and twentie and left behinde him foure and twentie sonnes he died and appointed his brother Monobazus to succeed him in the kingdome requiting hereby his faith and loyaltie in that during the time of his absence and after the death of his father he had faithfully ruled and gouerned the kingdome to his vse His mother Helena hearing newes of his death lamented verie grieuously as reason would in that she being his mother was depriued of a sonne that so zealously honored and feared God Yet notwithstanding she was comforted when she vnderstood that her eldest sonne was to succeed him in the kingdome and hasted her selfe with all diligence to go and meet him As soone as she arriued in Adiabena she liued not long time after her son Izates Whereupon Monobazus tooke both her body and his brothers bones and sent them to Ierusalem commanding that they should be buried in three Pyramides which Helena had builded some three stades or furlongs off of Ierusalem But hereafter will we recite the acts and gests of Monobazus during his raigne But during Fadus gouernment in Iudaea a certaine Magician called Theudas who perswaded a great number of the people to take all their goods and substance and to follow him to the floud lordan for he said he was a prophet and told them that the riuer should deuide it selfe into two parts vpon his commandement and yeeld them free passage By these words of his he deceiued diuers of them But Fadus would not permit that such a furie of theirs should breede them any commoditie but he sent a troupe of horsemen who charged them on the sodaine and slew a great number of them and tooke diuers of them prisoners aliue amongst whom was Theudas whose head was stroken off and was afterwards carried to Ierusalem This is that which befell the Iewes vnder Fadus gouernment CHAP. III. The Gouernour Tiberius Alexander punisheth the sonnes of Iudas the Galilean AFter Fadus succeeded Tiberius Alexander the sonne of that Alexander who had been gouernour of Alexandria a man of as great riches as any one of his time and place who surpassed likewise his sonne Alexander in pietie and seruice of God who forsooke the religion of his forefathers In that time there hapned a great famine in Iewrie during which Q. Helena senthuge sums of money into Aegypt and bought come and distributed the same to those that were in want according as I haue forespoken At the same time Iames and Simon the sons of Iudas of Galilee who had busied themselues to incite the people to resist the gouernment of the Romanes were put to death at such time as Cyrenius valued each mans goods as we haue heretofore declared These did Alexander commaund to be crucified Herode king of Chalcis tooke away the soueraigne priesthood from Ioseph the sonne of Camydas and transferred it to Ananias the sonne of Nebedaeus After Tiberius Alexander succeeded Cumanus Then died Herod who was brother to king Agrippa the Great in the eighth yeere of Claudius Caesar. He left behinde him three sonnes Aristobulus whom he had by his first wife Bernicianus and Hircanus by Bernice his brothers daughter Claudius Caesar gaue the kingdome belonging to him to Agrippa the younger During the time that Cumanus gouerned there hapned a sedition in Iudaea whereby diuers Iewes miscarried The cause of all which accidents I will rippevp from the originall CHAP. IIII. How a great number of Iewes were slaine about the Temple AT the time of the feast of Pascha during which time we are accustomed to feede on vnleuened bread a great number of people assembled themselues from all parts to the citie of Ierusalem Whereupon Cumanus fearing least by this occasion there should arise some commotion he gaue order that a company of his souldiers should be armed and should keepe their guard in the porches of the temple to the end that if any trouble should happen they might represse it Those gouernours who had beene his predecessors had done the like in such manner of assemblies It came to passe on the fourth day of the feast that a certaine souldier discouering those priuities which were vndecent to be seene shewed them before the people wherewhith they that beheld the same were sore displeased and prouoked saying that the dishonour was not done vnto them but to God to whom it rightly appertained And some of them of best resolution cast out certaine speeches against Cumanus saying that the souldier was set on by him Which when Cumanus vnderstood he was in like manner grieuously offended in regard of those iniuries yet exhorted he those whom he saw too forward in raising factions to keepe the peace for feare least a sedition should grow during the time of the feast and seeing they would in no sort obey him but contrariwise that they ceased not to iniurie and reuile him he commaunded that all the forces he had should be in armes and retire themselues into the fortresse of Antonia that was neere vnto the temple as we haue heretofore declared The people seeing the armed souldiers were affraid and began to flie but because the places thorow which they issued were but narrow they imagined that they were pursued by their einmies so that they thrust on one another in their flight diuers of them were thronged to death In this mutiny there died twentie thousand men and after this in steed of a feast there was nothing but mourning and without bethinking themselues of their praiers and sacrifices all of them began to weepe and lament So great a mischiefe sprang from the insolence of one souldiour This first lamentation was scarcely finished before a second succeeded the same For some of those who had a part in this mutinie
speake any more He that constrained vs to raise our swords against the Romans was Florus who made his account that it was better for them to die all at once in great troupes then to perish by little and little In briefe the warre began the second yeere of the gouernment of Florus in that prouince which was the twelfth yeere of Neros Empire But they that desire to know exactly all that which we haue beene constrained both to doe and suffer may peruse my bookes as touching the Warres of the Iewes For which cause in this place I will end this ancient historie after which I haue begun to describe the historie of the Warre This auncient historie containeth all that which hath been reported to be done since the first creation of man vntill the twelfth yeere of Neros Empire omitting nothing that hath befallen the Iewes as well in Aegypt as in Syria and Palestine All that likewise which we haue beene enforced to suffer vnder the Assyrians and Babylonians as also our estate vnder the Persians and Macedons and finally vnder the Romans All this as I suppose I haue compiled and gathered togither with carefull diligence and I haue enforced my selfe to recite the number of those who haue been high priest for the space of two thousand yeeres I haue also collected the succession of kings their actions and gouernments with the power of their monarchies according as it is amply described in holy scriptures as also I haue promised in the beginning of my historie Furthermore I dare boldly say that whatsoeuer I haue set downe is so assured that there is no man either Iew or of what nation soeuer yea although he should haue employed the vttermost of his power could more exactly communicate the same vnto the Greekes then I haue done For in their confessions and opinions who are of our nation I haue such knowledge in that which concerneth our doctrine as I surpasse them all And as touching the Grecian disciplines I haue studied and learnt the toung although I cannot boast of the familiar and fit pronunciation of the same for that I haue liued in the countrey For amongst vs we make but slender reckoning of those who are exercised in diuers tongues for that this study is accounted prophane by vs and common not only vnto free persons but also vnto slaues and they onely are esteemed to haue profited in wisedome who fully know the contents of the lawe and who can expound the holy scriptures For this cause although diuers haue trauailed in this exercise of writing histories yet are there scarcely two or three of them that haue written successefully and haue receiued the fruits of their labours And it may be that it shall not be misthought of if I freely speake somewhat of my progenie and life considering that there are men at this day liuing who can approue or reproue me in that I set downe And in this place will I make an end of mine ancient historie which I haue reduced into twentie bookes containing sixtie thousand verses And if God grant me life I will shortly entreat of our warres and the euents of the same that haue hapned hitherto which is the thirteenth yeere of Domitianus Caesars Empire and the fiftie sixe yeere of mine age Moreouer I am resolued to discouer in foure bookes the diuers opinions of the sects of the Iewes as touching God and his essence and our lawes according to which certaine things are permitted vs and othersome are forbidden The end of the Antiquities of the Iewes THE LIFE OF FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS THE SONNE OF MATTHIAS WRITTEN BY HIMSELFE KNOW therfore that I am not basely but nobly descended being both on the father and mothers side deriued from the line of the priests for as much as some are accustomed to draw the ground of their nobility the one from this man the other from that so among our nation the marke of true nobilitie is to deriue a mans petegree from the priesthood Touching my selfe I am not only lineally issued from the priests but I draw my original from them who amongst the foure twenty ranks or families of priests iustly chalenge the superioritie Moreouer by my mothers side I am of the bloud royall For the heires of the Asmoneans from whom she is descended haue for a long time exercised the priesthood and princely power among our nation I wil likewise make it knowne how my predecessors haue succeeded the one after the other My great grandfathers father was Simon surnamed Psellus that is the stutterer who liued at such time as Hircanus the high priest the first of that name and the sonne of Simon the high priest was in office This Simon Psellus had nine sonnes the one of these was Matthias surnamed Aphlias This Matthias tooke to wife the daughter of the high priest Ionathan by whom he had one sonne who was Matthias surnamed Curtus who was borne in the first yeere of Hircanus priesthood Matthias begat Ioseph the ninth yeere of Alexandras gouernment and of Ioseph came Matthias the tenth yeere of the raigne of Archelaus and Matthias begat me the first yeere of the Empire of Caius Caesar. I likewise haue three sonnes mine eldest is Hircanus who was borne in the fourth my next Iustus who was borne in the seuenth and Agrippa my last was borne in the ninth yeere of Vespasians Empire This genealogie of mine do I in this manner propose according as I haue found it written in the publike registers to put them to silence who shal pretend to reproue or detract the same My father Matthias was not onely famous for his expresse nobilitie but hath also beene praised by reason of his iustice and authoritie in Ierusalem which is the mother citie of all the rest in our countrey My bringing vp during my tender yeeres was with Matthias who was my brother by the same father and mother with whom I happily profited in all kind of sciences hauing a good memorie and a quick apprehending spirit so that being as yet a child of fourteene yeers of age I was praised by al men in regard of the good affection I bare to learning and the priests noblest citizens alwaies assembled about me to receiue certaine exact instructions from me in any thing that concerned our ordinances About the age of sixteene yeeres my desire was to haue a search and insight into the sects of our nation which as I haue said are three the first of the Pharisees which is the chiefest The second of the Sadduces And the third of the Esseans For I truly thought with my selfe that I might easily choose the better of the three at such time as I had beene exercised and acquainted with them all for which cause with great abstinence and no lesse labour I passed thorow them all and not content with this experience after I had heard that a certaine man called Banus liued in the desart clothing himselfe with that which
ground After this he presently assaulted Oboda king of the Arabians who hauing laid ambushments in the countrey of Galaad in a place fit for such a purpose discomfited him and his whole army being driuen thence into a deepe valley where they were pestered with a multitude of Camels But Alexander escaped vnto Ierusalem where the people who had conceiued a hatred against him being encouraged by his great losse and slaughter of men began againe to rebell but then also he ouercame them and in six yeeres space at sundry battels he slewe aboue fiftie thousand Iewes notwithstanding he neuer reioiced in his victorie because the strength of his country was consumed thereby For which cause giuing ouer his warres he began to seeke the peoples fauour by sweete and milde speeches but they so much hated his inconstant and variable manners that when he demaunded of them what he might doe to win their fauours they answered if he would die for that scarcely they would pardon him if so be he were dead who had committed so many hainous crimes And thereupon the Iewes sent vnto Demetrius surnamed Aâ—…aerus for helpe who in hope of great rewards came and ioyned his forces with the Iewes about Sichem where Alexander met them both with a thousand horsmen and six thousand footmen that were hired hauing at that time ten thousand Iewes his fauourites and of the contrarie part there were three thousand horsemen and forâ—…ie thousand footmen Before the fight began the two kings sent messengers one vnto anothers army perswading one anothers men to forsake their colours and captaines for Demetrius hoped that Alexanders hired men would haue forsaken Alexander and come vnto him Alexander hoped that the Iewes that followed Demetrius would haue left Demetrius and come to him But when both parties perceiued that the Iewes continued obstinate in their purpose and the Greekes kept their fidelitie the two armies encountred in which encounter Demetrius had the vpper hand although Alexanders hirelings euidently shewed strength and courage But the end of this victorie was such as neither partie expected for they who sent for Demetrius after his victorie did forsake him and fortune chaunging her colours six thousand Iewes fled vnto Alexander into the mountaines whither for saferie he had betaken himselfe This reuolting much displeased discouraged Demetrius for he now thought that Alexander vniting his forces was able to bid him battel he feared that al the Iewes would at that present follow Alexander for which cause he returned home Yet the rest of the Iewes hauing thus lost the helpe of Demetrius would not for all this desist from their rebellion nay they so long warred with Alexander till at last the most of them being slaine he droue the rest into the citie of Bemeselin and when he had surprised and sackt the citie he led them captiues into Ierusalem But immoderate anger turned his crueltie into impietie for hauing crucified eight hundreth captiues in the middest of the citie he killed their wiues and the children he massacred before their mothers faces and this pitifull spectacle he beheld with pleasure drinking and making merry with his concubines Whereat the people were so terrified that the night after eight thousand of the contrarie part fled out of the countrey of Iudaea who staied in banishment during the life of Alexander Thus after he had by those actions sought for the tranquillitie of his kingdome which he obtained not but with long time and great difficultie he ceased to make warre against his countrey CHAP. IIII. Of the warre of Alexander with Antiochus and Aretas and of Alexandra and Hircanus AFter this Antiochus who likewise was called Dionysius the brother to Demetrius who was the last of all the race of Seleucus raised vp new broiles against Alexander who fearing him because he had prepared warre against the Arabians drew a deepe trench along that ground which lieth betweene Antipatris and the sea coast of Ioppe and before the trench he builded a verie high wall and raised towers of wood to hinder his enemies passage But all this could not keepe out Antiochus but that burning the towers and filling vp the trenches he entred and passed ouer them with his forces And not tarrying at that time to reuenge himselfe of him who had thus forbidden him passage â—…he presently marched forward against the Arabians But the king of Arabia retiring himselfe into certaine places of his countrey which were fittest for defence returning sodainly to battel with his horsmen who were in num ber ten thousand rushed hastily vpon Antiochus souldiers and found them vnprouided so that a hotte skirmish began betwixt them in which the souldiers of Antiochus whilst he liued shewed themselues valiant though they were on euerie side massacred by the Arabians but so soon as he was slaine who was alwaies readie to assist those that were in danger all of them fled and the greatest part of them were slaine in the battaile and in flight as for those that escaped they fled into the towne of Cana where they all except a very few died for hunger After this the people of Damascus being incited by the hatred they bare to Ptolomey the sonne of Mineus sent for Aretas and established him King ouer Coelesyria who warring against Iudaea and ouercomming Alexander in battell retired himâ—…lfe vpon composition Alexander hauing taken Pella resorted once more to the towne of Gerasa in that he was desirous of Theodorus riches and tooke the place notwithstanding that it was foâ—…ified with three walles and that vpon euerie wall there was planted a garrison He tooke Gaulan and Seleucia and that towne which is called the valley of Antiochus Moreouer hauing taken Gamala which was a most strong castle and imprisoned the gouernour thereof who was called Demetrius because he was a wicked person he returned into Iudaea after he had spent three yeeres in warrâ—…s where for his prosperous successe he was ioyfully receiued of his nation But no sooner ceased he from warre but he fell sicke and falling into a quartaine ague he thought that he should driue away his sicknes if he employed himselfe in some busines for which cause being not rid of his disease he applied himselfe to warre and labouring aboue his strength amids those tumults yeelded vp the ghost in the seuen and thirtith yeere of his raigne leauing the kingdome to Alexandra his wife fully acouâ—…ting that the Iewes would in all things obey her because that she alwaies by misliking and seeking to hinder his crueltie and iniquitie had woone the hearts of the people Neither was he doceiued for she being admired for her pietie amongst them obtained the principalitie the rather for that she was well acquainted with the customes of her countrey and euen from her childhood detested them who violated the holy law She had by Alexander two sonnes the eldest was called Hircanus whom by reason of his yeeres she proclaimed
friends according to their deserts And all the kings kinred by the kings appointment and consent bestowed rich gifts vpon Archelaus and both he and all his nobilitie accompanied him to Antiochia Not long after there came one into Iudaea far more subtil then Archelaus who both disanulled the reconciliation made for Alexander and caused his death also This man was a Lacedemonian borne named Eurycles who by money sought to haue obtained the kingdome This man brought vnto Herode rich gifts as it were for a bait of that he intended he had so behaued himselfe in Greece that it could no longer tolerate his excesse and Herode againe rewarded him with farre greater gifts then those were that he gaue him but he esteemed his liberality as nothing except he bought it with the bloud of Princes For which cause he circumuented the king partly by flattering him partly by praising him fainedly and especially by his owne craft and subtiltie and quickly perceiuing his inclination he both in word and deed sought to please him 〈◊〉 so that the king accounted him amongst his chiefest friends For both the king and all the nobilitie honoured him the more for his country sake in that he was a Lacedemonian But he very easily perceiuing the feeble stay of Herodes house and the hatred betweene the brethren and how the king was affected towards euery one of them he first of all entertained himselfe at Antipaters house making a shew in the meane while of good will towards Alexander pretending protesting that in times past he had beene Archelaus companion by this means he quickly crept into fauor with him as an approued friend which was the cause that he was sodainly entertained for a faithful man He presently likewise brought him into friendship with Aristobulus hauing sounded euery mans disposition he accommodated himselfe vnto all humours and to begin withal he became Antipaters pensioner and a traitor to Alexander And he often vsed hot words to Antipater as it were childing him that he being eldest of the brethren so slenderly looked after them who pretended to put him besides the crown which was his right He many times likewise vsed the like words to Alexander admiring him who was borne of a Queen husband to a Queene yet would permit such a one who was descēded of a priuat woman to succeed in the kingdom especially seeing he had such occasion opportunitie to effect the contrary for he might assure himself of Archelaus his helpe in any thing Alexander supposed he had spoken as he thought because he counterfaited friendship with Archelaus so that he misdoubting nothing disclosed vnto him all his mind concerning Antipater saying that it was no wonder though Herode disinherited them of the kingdome since before time he had slaine their mother Eurycles counterfaiting himselfe both to pitie them and to be sorrowfull for their mischance entised Aristobulus to speake the like and hauing animated them both to complaine in this sort against their father he presently went to Antipater and disclosed to him all their secrets forging also the trechery which those two brethren intended against him which was to dispatch him with their swords For this cause Antipater gaue him a great summe of money and commended him to his father and being hired to effect the death of Alexander and Aristobulus he himselfe became their accuser Whereupon he came vnto Herode and told him how in regard of those benefits which he had receiued at his hand he would now bestow his life vpon him and the light of this world for recompence of his hospitalitie affirming that Alexander had lately stretched forth his hand with his sword drawne to kill him and he onely was the cause that he performed it not by staying his hand and promising him to assist him in the matter adding that Alexander vsed these speeches That Herod was not contented to enioy a kingdome which was another mans right nor yet as it were to dismember his kingdome after Mariammes death but he would also leaue the kingdome belonging vnto their ancestors vnto a pernicious bastard Antipater and for that cause hee would reuenge Hyrcanus and Mariammes death And that it was not conuenient to receiue the kingdome from such a father without bloud and euery day he had occasion giuen him so to doe for he could speake nothing without calumniation For if any mention were made at any time of any ones nobilitie presently he was vpbraided without cause for his father would presently say there is none noble but Alexander whose fathers base birth is a shame and discredit vnto him And that going a hunting if he held his peace his father was offended if he praised then it was said he mocked so that in euerie thing he found his fathers affection turned from him that he was only fauourable to Antipater so that he would die with all his heart if he failed of his purpose if he killed him his father in law Archelaus would worke his safetie to whom he might easily flie And after he would go to Caesar who as yet knew not Herods manners for he would not stand before him then as he did before being terrified because his father was present neither would he only speake of his own wrongs but of the wrongs of the whole nation who were oppressed by exactions euen vnto death And then he would lay open in what pleasure and after what sort the money gotten with bloud was consumed and who and what kind of men they were that were thereby enriched and what was the cause of the affliction of the citie and that there he would bewaile the death of his vncle and his mother and vnfold all Herodes wickednes which being once made manifest vnto the world no man would account him a murtherer of his father Eurycles hauing falsely reported this of Alexander fell presently to praise and extoll Antipater affirming that he onely loued his father and hindered such practises The king yet not throughly appeased for that which had past grew into an exceeding agony and Antipater once againe suborned other false witnesses against them who affirmed that they were wont to haue secret talke with Iucundus and Tyrannius who sometime were generals of the kings horsemen who were then displaced for some offence they had committed Whereupon Herod being verie angrie presently tortured them and they affirmed that they were ignorant of all that which was laid to their charge But there was found and brought vnto the king a letter as though it had beene written by Alexander vnto the Gouernour of the Castle of Alexandriam requesting him that he would receiue him and his brother Aristobulus into the Castle when he had killed his father and to assist them both with weapons and other necessaries Alexander affirmed that this letter was counterfeited by Diophantus the Kings Secretarie who was both bold and could counterfeit anie ones hand and hauing counterfeited manie was at
Varus sitting in iudgement commanded all proofes to be brought and witnesses to appeare amongst whom were certaine of Antipaters mothers seruants lately apprehended who had letters from her to carie vnto him to this effect For asmuch as all those things are now knowne vnto thy father beware that thou returne not vnto him before thou hast obtained some warrant of thy safetie from Caesar. These and others being brought in Antipater also came in with them and prostrating himselfe before his fathers feete he said I beseech thee O father beare no preiudicate opinion against me lend me an open eare whilst I purge my selfe for if you please to giue me leaue I will proue my selfe guiltlesse But Herod with a vehement voice commanding him to hold his tongue spake thus vnto Varus I know Varus that both thou or anie other iust and indifferent Iudge will adiudge Antipater to haue deserued death and I feare me least you also should disdaine me for my bad fortune and thinke me worthy of all calamitie who haue begotten such sonnes as you see And yet this should moue thee so much the more to pitie me who haue beene so mercifull and carefull for such wicked caitifes For I had alreadie appointed those young men that are dead to be kings and brought them vp at Rome gotten them Caesars fauor but they whom I had so much honored and exalted vnto the crowne became traitors against mine owne life whose death was much auaileable to Antipater For his securitie I sought therein because he was a young man and the next that should succeed me but this cruell beast being more then full gorged with my sufferance patience hath emptied his stomacke euen vpon my selfe and thinketh my life too long is grieued that I liue to be old hath attēpted to make himself king not any other way but by murthering his father And for what cause did this come so to passe for that I recalled him out of the field where he was contemptible and casting them off whom I had begotten of a Queene appointed this to be heire of my kingdome I confesse vnto thee Varus my errour for I incited them against mee because that for Antipaters sake I depriued them of their right For wherein had I so well deserued of them as at this mans hands vnto whom being yet aliue I committed the sway and rule of my kingdome and openly in my will and testament declared him to be my heir and successor whole charges I with mine owne money haue still supported notwithstanding that I had bestowed vpon him the yeerely reuenues of fiftie talents And lately when he was to saile to Rome I gaue him three hundred talents and commended him vnto Caesar as the onely man of all my house who had preserued his fathers life And what was their offence if it be compared with Antipaters and what proofe vvas there of that for vvhich they suffred none but that vvhich this fellovv trecherously inuented Nay I may boldly say so of him vvho hath attempted to murder his father and novv doth hope to colour all againe vvith craft and deceit Beware Varus that he deceiue not thee for I knovv this beast and I euen novv see by his fained teares hovv probable a tale he vvill tell This fellovv once vvarned me that vvhilest Alexander liued I should bevvare of him and not put euerie one in trust vvith my person This is he vvho vvas vvont to go before me into my bed-chamber and looke about in euerie corner least some should haue lyen in vvait to haue effected any treason against me This is he vvho vvatched me in my sleepe and through vvhom I thought my selfe secure vvho comforted me vvhen I mourned for them that vvere put to death This is he vvho censured the good vvil of his brethren vvhen they vvere aliue This vvas my defender chāpion O Varus vvhen I remember his crafts and subtilties and all his counterfeitings I scarcely thinke my selfe aliue admiring how I escaped the hands of such a traitor and seeing that Fortune stirreth vp those of mine owne house against me and that those whom I most esteeme of are my greatest enemies I will bewaile mine owne fortune and alone lament mine owne desolation and not one that hath thirsted after my bloud shall escape although proofe be brought against euerie one of my children And thus his heart being surcharged with sorrow hee was forced to breake off his speech and presently he commanded Nicholaus one of his friends to shew all the proofes and euidences All this while Antipater lay prostrate at his fathers feete and lifting vp his head he cryed aloud Thou thy selfe O father sufficiently purgest me For how should I be one who sought to murther thee when thy selfe dost confesse that I alwayes haue preserued thee from all dangers Or if as thou saist I did it fainedly was it probable that I wold be so circumspect in other affaires and at other times and now in so waightie a matter play the part of a foolish sencelesse man nay I might well thinke that although such a thought might haue beene kept secret from men yet it could not be hidden from God who seeth all things Was I ignorant what befell my brethren whom God so punished for their wicked intents towards thee Or what should cause me to enuie at thy life The hope of the kingdom Why I had the kingdome Or a suspition of thy hatred towards mee I knew thou louedst mee Or anie feare which I had of thee Nay in obeying thee I was feared of others Perhaps want might cause mee thereto Much lesse For who might spend more then I Truly if I had beene the wickedst person in the world or the cruellest beast vpon the earth yet should I haue relented being ouercome by the benefits of so louing a father seeing as thy selfe hast said thou didst recall and preferre me before so many sonnes And thou yet aliue didst proclaime me king and made me a spectacle to all men for to emulate through the benefits thou bestowedst vpon me O wretch that I am O vnhappie time of my absence out of my country what an head did I giue to enuie what oportunitie to malicious deceitfull people Yet O father it was for thy sake and about thy affaires that I went to Rome that Syllaeus might not triumph ouer thy old age Rome can witnesse my pietie and Caesar the Prince of the whole world who did often call me a louer of my father Receiue here O father his letter farrer 〈◊〉 then these fained calumniations against me let these plead my cause let these shew my affection towards thee remember how vnwilling Iovas to saile to Rome knowing I had here in thy countrey many secret enemies Thou like an vnwise father hast cast me away thou force 〈◊〉 to giue enuie time to frame accusations against mee but now I vvill come to the proofes of
speake nothing at all except you wil all keep silence I knowe that many do seeke to aggrauate the iniuries that are done by the rulers of the countrie and doe highly commend and extoll libertie yet before I beginne to declare vnto you who you are and against whom ye purpose to beare armes I will first deuide and separate such causes as you thinke inseparable For if you seeke onely to reuenge your selues vpon those that haue iniured you why doe ye then so extoll liberty or if you thinke it not tolerable to obey any other why then these complaints against your rulers are superfluous For although they were neuer so milde still would subiection bee intolerable Call all things to minde and consider what a small cause of warre is giuen you And first of all weigh with your selues the crimes and offences of your rulers for you ought to shewe your selues humble and dutifull to them that are in authoritie and not exasperate and prouoke them to wrath by reprochfull speeches For in reuiling them for small offences you doe incite them against you whom you so reuile and that where as before they did onely doe you a little iniurie and that secretly now being moued through bad speeches they openly set vpon you and destroy you And there is nothing that so restraineth cruelty as patience so that oft times the patience of them who haue suffered iniurie makes them that did the ini◅rie ashamed thereof Be it so that they which are sent into the prouinces appointed by the Romans for your gouernours are irksome to you yet all the Romans doe not oppresse you nor Caesar against whom you would take armes For they commaund no cruell gouernours to come to you nor can they who are in the furthest part of the West easily know what is done in the East nor heare thereof And truly it is a thing most against reason to take armes for so smal cause especially when they against whom you take armes knowe nothing of the matter It is an easie way quickly to haue redresse for these matters you now complaine of For there will not be alwaies the same gouernour and it is credible that they who succeed this will be more gentle and courteous But if you once begin to make warre it is not easie to end it or to sustaine it without great calamities And let them who so thirst after libertie diligently aduise themselues that they do not bring vpon their backs a greater bondage For slauerie is a cruell thing and it seemeth a lawfull cause to make warre least you be brought into it yet he that is alreadie in bondage and reuolteth is rather a peruerse slaue then one who desireth libertie You should therfore haue endeuored to haue resisted the Romans when first Pompeius entred into this land but then our ancestors and their kings farre exceeding you in riches strength of bodie and courage were not able to withstand a small part of the Romane forces and doe you thinke who are their successours and farre weaker then they hauing succeeded them in subiection that you are able to resist all the whole power of the Romans The Athenians who sometime to conserue the libertie of Greece set their owne citie on fire and pursued that proud Xerxes whom they forced to flie with one ship which Xerxes made the earth nauigable and the sea firmeland who had such a nauie that the seas had not roo◅ for one ship to saile by another nor al Europe able to receiue his armie who also had such a victorie ouer Asia neere the little Isle of Salamina yet now are subiect vnto the Romans and that kingly citie is now ruled at the Romans becke The Lacedemonians also hauing gotten such a victorie vpon the Thermopyles and vnder their generall Agesila◅ ◅acked Asia acknowledge now the Romans for their Lords The Macedonians also who still imagine they see Philip and Alexander promising them the Empire of the whole world now patiently beare this change and obey them whom fortune hath made their masters Many other nations who for their power and strength haue farre more cause then you to seeke their libertie yet patiently endure to serue the Romans But you onely thinke it a disgrace to obey them who are Lords of the whol world And where are the armies armes that you trust in or your nauy to scoure the Romā seas Where are your treasures to effect that you entend thinke you that you are to warre against the Aegyptians or Arabians And do you not consider the bounds of the Romane Empire Do you not consider your owne inhabilitie Know ye not that your neighbour nations haue often by force taken your citie and that the forces of the Romanes haue passed through the whole world vnconquered and as it were searching for something greater then the world Whose dominions towards the East is extended beyond Euphrates and towards the North beyond Ister towards the South beyond the wildernesse of Lybia and towards the West beyond Gades hauing found an other world beyond the Ocean and with an armie entred Britaine which is England and Scotland where neuer anie came before Are you richer then the Frenchmen stronger then the Germanes wiser then the Greeks and are you more in number then the whole world beside What hop◅ can you haue that may incite you against the Romanes But some of you will say that bondage is a grieuous thing But how much more then you should the Greeks thinke so that were thought to be the noblest nation vnder heauen and had such large dominions and now obey the Romane gouernours as also the Macedonians doe who haue greater cause then you to seeke their libertie What shall I say of the fiftie Cities of Asia do they not all obey one ruler and the authoritie of the Consul without any garrison What shall I speake of the Eniochians Col◅hians the people of Taurus the inhabitants of Helispontus and Pontus and about Maeotis who in time past had no ruler of their owne nation whome now three thousand Souldiours keepe in awe and fortie long Gallies keepe now peaceably those seas neuer sayled on before What thinke you the Bythinians Cappadocians those of Pamphilia Lydia and Cilicia could say for their libertie who notwithstanding now peaceably pay tribute vnto the Romans What of the Thracians whose Countrie is fiue daies iournie in breadth and seuen in length farre more hard and stronger then your Countrey where frost would hinder them that should assault them yet do they obey two thousand Romans who are in garrison After them the Illyrians whose countrey reacheth vnto Dalmatia and Ister are kept in obedience onely by two legions with helpe of whom they also resist the Dacians The Dalmatians thēselues who hauing so often attempted their own libertie being oftentimes conquered and still as their wealth increased rebelling are now in peace vnder one legion of the Romans Nay if
any one haue cause to rebell it is the Frenchmen whose countrie is by the nature of the place strong being on the East side compassed with the Alpes on the North with the ryuer of Rhene on the South with the Pirenaean mountaines on the West with the Ocean Who notwithstand hauing amongst them three hundreth and fiue nations who haue amongst them as it were the verie fountaine offelicitie and with their goods and commodities enrich the whole world yet doe they pay tribute vnto the Romans and account their happinesse to be builded vpon the felicitie of the Romans that neither for want of courage nor Nobilitie of bloud who fourescore yeeres long fought for their libertie admiring the Romans and fearing them who still gained more by fortune then they did by warres and now obey a thousand and two hundreth Souldiers hauing almost against euerie Souldiour a Citie Neither could the Spaniards though gold grew in their Countrie keepe themselues from being subiect to the Romans Nor the Portugal◅s and the warlike Cantab◅ians for all the distance of sea and land betweene them and Rome The Ocean whose waues beating against the shoare terrifieth the inhabitants adioyning could not stay them but they past it and carried an armie beyond the pillers of Hercules and passed the tops of the Pyrenaean mountaines which reach vnto the cloudes and so made also those people subiect vnto them and for all that they were so warlike a nation and so farre from Rome they left onely one legion for garrison Which of you haue not heard of the multitude of the Germaines whose vertue and mightie bodies I thinke you haue often seene For in euerie Countrie the Romanes haue them for captiues yet they whose countrie is so large hauing hearts farre bigger then their bodies and soules that contemne death who are more cruel then bruite beasts yet are they now limited by the riuer Rhene and kept in subiection by eight legions of Romanes and those that were taken were made slaues and the rest chose rather to saue themselues by flight then fight And you who haue such confidence in the wals of Ierusalem consider the wals of Britanie whose countrie though compassed with the Ocean and almost as great as our whole world the Romanes sayling into it haue conquered and foure legions keepe that Iland so populous What should I say more when the Parthians a most warlike people who lately reigned ouer so many nations and abound in so much wealth are now compelled to send pledges to Rome Nay you may see al the nobilitie of the East at Rome who with peace shadow their captiuitie and almost all the nations vnder the Sun trembling and dreading the Romane puissance will you onely war against them Doe you not consider what befell the Carthaginians who boasting themselues of that great Hanniball sprung from the noble race of the Phaenicians at last were destroyed by Scipio Neither could the Cyrenaeans who tooke their beginning from the Lacedemonians nor all the race of the Marmaridans which is extended as farre as the Deserts which are verie scarce of waters nor the Syrtes nor the Nasamonians nor the Moores nor the innumerable multitude of the Numidians haue beene able to resist the power of the Romanes who by force of armes haue conquered the third part of the world the nations whereof can hardly be numbred which from the Sea Atlanticke and Hercules pillers vnto the red Sea containeth an infinite companie of Aethiopians and innumerable habitations of them who besides that they pay so much fruites and Corne vnto the Romanes as for eight monthes in euerie yeere wil keepe and sustaine all the people of Rome doe also pay tribute and moreouer assist them any way they can and neuer murmur at it as you doe and there is only one legion left to keepe them in obedience But what should I need to tell you of forraine examples to signifie vnto you the power of the Romanes seeing you may well perceiue it by that which they did in Aegypt hard by which reaching vnto Aethiopia and rich A◅abia and bordering vpon India hauing vnder it seuen hundreth and fiftie millions of people besides the inhabitants of Alexandria which is easie to be counted by the tribute which is paide of euerie person by the Poule liuing in their country yet disdaine not to liue vnder the dominion of the Romans notwithstanding that they haue a great entisement to rebel to wit Alexandria which is both populous very rich in length 30. furlongs in breadth ten payeth more tribute in a month then you doe in a whole yeere and besides their mony find all Rome with Come foure monthes in the yeere and it is on euerie side compassed about either with a wast wildernesse by which no◅an passe or the fierce sea which is boundlesse or with great and strong ryuers or muddie and durtie quagmires and marish grounds all which little auailed them to withstand the force of the Romans For two legions onely placed in the Citie keepe all the great countrie Aegypt and the Nobilitie of Macedon in awe What sociates will you haue from some Countrie not inhabited to aide you against the Romans For all those that at this day dwel in any place of the world that is inhabited obey the Romans Except peraduenture some of you hope for helpe from beyond Euphrates thinking that your Countrimen of Adiabena wil helpe you but they will not intangle thēselues in these dangerous warres for an vnreasonable cause nor if they would consent to so dishonest a deede the Parthians will not suffer them For they are carefull to maintaine their league with the Romans and would thinke it violated if any vnder their dominions should warre against them It remaineth then that you must onely trust that God will helpe you but God doth a◅sist the Romans for it is vnpossible that such an Empire should continue without the helpe of God Consider that this contempt of Religion although you were to warre against farre weaker then your selues yet were it hard to be dispensed withall and it may so come to passe that that whereby you hope to make God your partaker thereby you may make him your enemie for if you obserue the custome of Sabaoths and in them doe nothing it will not be hard to conquer you For so your auncestors haue made experience by ◅peius who euer deferred all his enterprises vntill that day wherein his enemies were idle ◅de no resistance Now if in warre yee transgresse your countrie lawes I know not then for what you should rebel For truely all of you at this time are of that mind that your Countrie lawes shal not be changed And I pray you how will you request helpe at Gods hands if wilfully yee breake his lawes All that begin warre either trust in humane riches or diuine succour and they that warre hauing no probabilitie to hope for
in the way to their Metropolitane Citie he there intrenched his army and then leauing the fift legion there he with the rest went into the Toparchy of Bethlepâ—…on firing it and all places thereabout as also the borders of Idumaea but he reserued there certaine Castles in fit places and fortified them And hauing taken two townes in the middest of Idumaea to wit Begabri and Caphartopha he slew there aboue ten thousand men and took almost a thousand and driuing out the rest of the inhabitants he left a great part of his army there who made incursions and wasted all the high places thereabout and he with the rest returned to Iamnia and from thence by Samaria and Neapolis called by the inhabitants Mabortha the second day of Iune he came into Corea and pitching his tents there the next day he came to Iericho where one of his captaines named Traian met him with the souldiers he brought from beyond Iordan which place he had conquered But the multitude before the Romans came fled from Iericho into the high countrey ouer against Ierusalem and many that staied behinde were there slaine So he found the Citie desolate being scituate in a plaine vnder a great mountaine that is barren which is of a huge length for it reacheth on the Northside vnto the borders of Scythopolis and on the South vnto the borders of Sodome and the lake Asphaltites It is all rockie and not inhabited because it beareth no fruit Ouer against this neere Iordan is scituate a huge mountaine beginning on the North side at Iulias and reaching vnto Bacra on the South which is the limits of Petra a citie of Arabia In this place is that that is called the mountaine of Iron reaching vnto the countrey of the Moabites The countrey betweene these two mountaines is called the great field reaching from the village Gennabara vnto the lake Asphaltites being in length two hundreth and thirty furlongs and in breadth a hundreth and twentie and in the middest it is deuided by the riuer Iordan There are also two lakes of contrarie natures Asphaltites and Tiberins for one of them is salt and barren but that of Tiberias sweete and fertile This plaine in sommer time is burned with the heat of the sun and the aire is infected in all places thereabouts saue only about those which adioine to Iordan and this is the cause that the palme trees that grow about the riuer side doe flourish most and are more fertile then the rest Neere vnto Iericho there is a large great fountaine which plentifully watereth the fields therabout runneth with a great stream out of the ground neere vnto the olde Citie which Iosue the son of Nun generall of the Hebrewes tooke by war the first of all that he tooke in the land of Canaan It is reported that in the beginning the waters of this fountaine did destroy all fruits of the earth and also made women be deliuered before their time and to infect all places with diseases the plague and afterward by Helizaeus the successor of Heliâ—… â—…as made sweet and fertile Who being once curteously entertained by the inhabitants of Iericho did so reward them and all the countrey for that their kindnesse and going vnto the fountaine he cast a pitcher full of salt into the water and hard by lifting vp his hands to heauen tempering with the fountaine water certaine sweet waters he praied God to qualifie the rage thereof to make it flow with more sweet streams and befought God to giue a better aire vnto the fountaine which both might cause plentie of fruits and also of children vnto the inhabitants that the water might haue y e vertue to make women fertile so long as they persisted in piety After these praiers with his hands he altered the fountaine according to the knowledge he had and from that time this fountaine which before was the cause of famine and sterilitie was now the cause of plentie and fertilitie And it so watereth the ground that where a little of it commeth it doth more good then all the other waters which lie long vpon it and so they that water their grounds but a little with it receiue much fruits and they that water their grounds with it much doe not receiue them in that measure yet it watereth a greater compasse of ground then other fountaines and in length it runneth thorow a plaine seuentie furlongs long and twentie broad There are most pleasant goodly Orchards and many sorts of palme trees growing by brooks sides which are diuers in the taste of their fruits the fattest whereof being pressed doe yeeld a iuice like hony nothing inferiour to other hony yet there is great store of hony in that countrey and the iuice of balme which is more prâ—…ous then all fruits growing There grow also Cypres trees myrobalans so that one may iustly call that part of the earth diuine where what fruit soeuer is most deere and pretious is in most abundance Also in all other fruits it surpasseth all countries in the world for it multiplieth and increaseth all things sooner there The cause hereof I iudge to be the pleasant waters and warme nourishing aire which as it were inuiteth all things to spring vp and then encreaseth them and the moisture causeth all things to take firme roote and also defendeth them from drought in sommer time when that countrey is vexed with such intolerable heates that all things are as it were scorched so that nothing then will grow yet if they be watered with water drawne before sun rise by the blowing of a milde temperat winde they are refreshed and it receiues a contrarie nature in winter time it is as it were luke warme temperate to them that go into it The aire of that place is so temperate that when it snoweth in other parts of Iudaea and is extreme colde the inhabitants in this place doe only weare a linnen garment This countrey is distant from Ierusalem a hundreth and fiftie furlongs and threescore from Iordan and all the ground betweene it and Ierusalem 〈◊〉 desart and stonie and so likewise betweene it and Iordan and Asphaltites though it be lower ground then the other Thus we haue sufficiently declared the fertilitie of Iericho CHAP. V. The description of the lake Asphaltites IT is worth the labour to describe the lake Asphaltites which is salt and sterile yet whatsoeuer is cast into it how weightie soeuer it be it swimmeth aboue the water so that one though he would vpon purpose cannot scarcely sinke vnto the bottome Vespasian comming thither to see it caused some to be taken who could not swimme and their handes to be bound behind them and cast into the midst thereof and all of them did swimme aloft being as it were borne vp by the power of some spirit Moreouer it is admirable how this lake thrice in euerie day changeth colour and shineth diuersly
which my history recounteth Thus haue I as I thought it necessarie made a digression to shew how they are able to performe their word who discrediting my historie promise to set downe truth in writing I haue also sufficiently as I thinke demonstrated that the registring of things is more ancient amongst other nations then amongst the Greekes I will now first of all dispute against those who with all might and maine labour to proue our nation of no antiquitie for that as they say no Greeke writer maketh any mention of it This done I will bring forth proofe and testimone of the antiquitie hereof out of other writers and so I will shew that their tongues are no slaunder who seeke to discredit our nation First therefore our nation neither inhabiteth a countrey bordering vpon the sea neither are wee delighted in marchandise nor for this cause wearied with pilgrimages from place to place But our cities are scituate farre from the sea in a most fertile soile which we till with all industrie and our whole indeuours are how to get foode for our children and to keepe our countrey â—…awes and how to leaue vnto our posteritie the knowledge of pietie which worke we thinke all our age ought to be imployed in Beside all this before mentioned we haâ—…e a forme of liuing different from all other nations all which concurring together we had no need to trafficke with the Greekes as the Aegyptians and the Phaenitians do who giue themselues to bargaining and marchandize onely for coueteousnes of money Neither were our auncestors delighted in thefts and robberies nor did our fathers make warre vpon any nation for desire of larger possessions notwithstanding our countrey was furnished with many thousands of strong warlike men Wherefore the Phaenicians sayling vnto the Greekes to trafficke with them they were thus made knowne vnto them and by them the Aegyptians and all other nations who sailing vpon the seas brought marchandize into Greece The Medes also and Persians were knowne vnto them after such time as they openly raigned ouer Asia and the Persians warred euen vnto the other opposite continent Moreouer the Greeks knew the Thracians because they were their neighbours and the Scythians by sayling to Pontus and finally all that were disposed to write knew al the nations bordering either vpon the Easterne Westerne seas but such as dwelt farre from the sea sea coast were long time vnknowne as also appeareth in Europe for neither Thucidides nor Herodotus nor any other of that time maketh any mention of Rome notwithstanding that so long since it was so mightie and made so great wars yet at last with much adoe the Greeks heard of it Yea their most curious writers and namely Ephorus were so ignorant of the Frenchmen Spaniards that they thought the Spaniards to be a people only denominated of one citie wherein they inhabited whereas the whole world now knoweth them to inhabite a vaste countrey and a great part of the westerne world Likewise the said Greeke writers relate the manner of the foresaid people to be such as neither are nor were euer vsed amongst them And the onely cause why they were ignorant of the truth was the distance of the place and these writers would seeme to tel something which others of former times had not spoken of No maruaile therefore though our nation was vnknowen and none of them in their writings made any mention of vs being both so farre from the sea and liuing after a different manner Put case therefore that I denied the Greeks to be of any antiquitie and to proue my assertion should conclude their nation to be moderne for that our histories made no mention of them would they not laugh at this reason and vse the testimonie of their neighbour nations to proue their antiquitie I therefore wil do the like and vse the testimony of the Aegyptians Phaenicians whose records the Greeks cannot denie For all Aegyptians in generall are our enemies and amongst the Phaenicians they especially of Tyre Which I cannot iustly say of the Chaldeis who haue been princes ouer our nation and because of their affinitie and alliance with our countrimen haue in their Chronicles made mention of the Iewes Yet when I haue prooued what I now auerre and refelled the slanderous reports against vs I will then also shew who amongst the Greeks speake of vs that so the Greeks may also be depriued of this shift and refuge to excuse their malicious lies falsely forged against our nation And first of all I will begin with the writings of the Aegyptians who as they well know doe nothing at all fauour vs. Wherefore Manethon an Aegyptian borne skilfull in the Greeke tongue as by his works appeare for he writ in Greeke compiling a historie of the customes and religion of his forefathers collected as himselfe reporteth out of the Aegyptians holy writings often reprehendeth Herodotus who being indeed ignorant did much helpe the Aegyptians This Manethon in his second booke of the Aegyptian customes saith thus I will set downe his owne words because I vse them for a witnesse We had a King quoth hee named Timaus in whose reigne God being angrie with vs contrarie to all expectation an obscure people taking courage came from the East and pitching their Tents in our countrie conquered it by force no man resisting them committing our princes to bonds did finally burne our cities and destroy the temples of our Gods behaued themselues most cruelly against all the Inhabitants killing many of them and making slaues of the rest with their wiues and children finally they chose a King amongst themselues who should bee then of our Countrie his name was Saltis who comming to Memphis made both the higher and lower Prouince tributaries leauing garrisons in strong holds and fortifying those places in the East Likewise foreseeing that the Assyrians were more mightie then he and would inuade his Countrie he found out in this Prouince a Citie called Saite fit for his purpose being situate on the East side of the riuer Bubastis which by an auncient diuine was called Auaris he builded vp this Citie and compassed it with most huge wals and placed in it two hundred thousand armed men to keepe it This Saltis came in Haruest time to the intent that hee might both pay his souldiers and bee a terror vnto other people and after hee had raigned nineteene yeeres hee died After him succeeded another King called Baeon who reigned foure and fortie yeeres next to him Aphinas who reigned thirtie sixe yeere and seuen monethes then Aphocis who reigned threescore and one yeeres and then Iandas who reigned fiftie yeeres and one moneth after them all reigned Assis nine and fortie yeeres and two moneths and these sixe were the first Kings amongst them euer destroying and warring vpon the Aegyptians and labouring to extinguish their race This nation was called Hiscos which signifieth Kings shepheards for Hic in
presently assembling togither the people of Aegypt and consulting with the princes of his countrey he sent all holy beasts and all that the priests esteemed before him giuing the priests especiall charge to hide their Idols and he commended his sonne Sethones who also by his father Rampses was called Ramesses being but fiue yeeres olde vnto the custodie of a friend of his and then accompanied with three hundred fighting men he met his enemies but would not fight with them fearing least he should fight against the pleasure of the gods and so he retired himselfe vnto Memphis and taking Apis and the rest of the Aegyptian gods hee with all his troupes of Aegyptians tooke shippe and fled into Aethiopia For the king of Aethiopia vpon curtesie obeied him and for this cause he entertained him his followers prouided all necessaries for them for that fatall thirteen yeers banishment and this was done in Aethiopia In the meane time the inhabitants of Ierusalem came downe into the country with the vncleane Aegyptians and did so tyrannize ouer the inhabitants that all their beholders iudged their victorie to be full of crueltie for not contented to fire the cities and townes and to commit all manner of sacriledge and to destroy the Idols of the gods they did also most cruelly teare in pieces the sacred beasts and forced the priests and prophets to lay violent hands vpon them and kill them after which deed they draue them out of the countrey naked It is therefore reported that a Heliopolitan priest Osarsiphus by name made lawes for them and statutes to gouerne them This priest was called Osarsiphus taking his name from the God of Heliopolis called Osiris who being now thus conuersant with this people changed his name and called himselfe Moses Thus the Aegyptians report of the Iewes and many things els which for breuitie sake I omit Manethon furthermore writeth that afterward Amenophis the king came with a great power out of Aethiopia and his son Rampses with him accōpanied with a great army and that ioining battell with the shepheards and polluted persons he gaue them an ouerthrow and pursued them vnto the borders of Syria And this is Manethons report but for as much as he writeth olde wiues tales dotages and lies I will by manifest reason conuince him first distinguishing that whereof I am to speake hereafter He of his owne accord granteth and confesseth that our auncestors at first were not Aegyptians but strangers that came thither from another place and conquered the countrey and againe departed from thence I will now out of his owne writings endeuour to shew that the weake people of Aegypt were not mixed with vs and that Moses who indeed was our conducter out of Aegypt and liued many ages before was no Lepar He therfore first of all setteth downe a ridiculous cause of this forementioned faction which was that king Amenophis was desirous to see the gods Which gods trow yee he could already see the Oxe the Goate the Crocodile and the Munkey but the God of heauen how could he see And why had Amenophis this desire forsooth because a certaine king one of his predecessors had seene them he therefore knowing by him what things they were and how he came to the sight of them needed no new deuice to accomplish his desire but perhaps the foresaid prophet was a man of great wisedome by whom the king had confidence to attaine his desire but if so he had been how chanceth it that he was so vnwise he could not perceiue that it was an impossible thing to satisfie the kings desire for that which he promised was not brought to passe Or what reason mooued him to thinke that the gates were inuisible because of Lepars and weake people The gods are offended with mens impieties not with the defects of their bodies And how was it possible that at one instant so many thousand Lepars and infirme persons should be gathered togither or wherein did not the king obay the Prophet he commaunded that the Lepars and infirme persons should be exiled the countrey and the king did not banish them the countrey but sent them to hew stones as though he had needed workemen and not purposed to cleanse the countrey from Lepars Lastly he saith that the Prophet foreseeing that Aegypt was to suffer and fearing the wrath of the gods he killed himselfe and left his minde in a booke written vnto the king How chanced it then that the prophet did not at first foresee his own death and so opposed himselfe vnto the kings desire to see the gods or wherefore did he feare such calamities as were not to fall in his life or what great miserie hanged ouer his head which might worthily cause him to kill himselfe to preuent it But let vs heare that which followeth more sottish then all the rest The king quoth he hearing this and stroken with feare did not for all this expell those Lepars he ought to haue exiled but at their request gaue them as he saith a Citie wherein before time the shepheards did inhabite called Auaris whereinto they being come they made a priest of Heliopolis their prince who deuised lawes for them commaunding them neither to adore the gods nor to abstaine from offering violence to such beasts as amongst the Aegyptians are sacred but that they should kill and spoile all things that they should marrie with none but such as were their confederates that he bound the people with an oath to keepe those lawes and that they fortified Auaris to fight against the king Adding moreouer that he sent to Ierusalem for helpe promising to yeeld Auaris vnto them being a place sometime possessed by their ancestors and that they from that place leading their forces might easily subdue all Aegypt he then saith that the Aegyptian king Amenophis came against them with three hundreth thousand and yet for that he would not striue againct the decree of the gods he fled into Aethiopia and carried with him Apis and other holy beasts and that the inhabitants of Ierusalem comming downe inuaded the land fired the townes and Cities slew their nobles vsed all sort of crueltie possible and that the priests name who made lawes and statutes for them to liue vnder was one of Heliopolis Osarsiphus by name deriuing the same from Osiris the god of Heliopolis and that this man changing his name was afterward called Moses Moreouer that Amenophis hauing liued in banishment thirtie yeeres came with a strong power out of Aethiopia and fighting with the shepheards and polluted he slew many of them and put the rest to flight pursuing them vnto the borders of Syria Manethon remembreth not that heere againe he telleth a verie vnskilfull tale for although the Lepars and impotent persons were offended with the king for appointing them to hew stones yet is it to be thought that they receiuing their owne desire at the kings hands to wit a Citie to dwell in
no good-will vnto them by whom they were driuen out of their Countrie they had had some iust occasion so to doe But to vndertake warre against all the world and depriue themselues from all friendship and helpe of morâ—…all men doth not shew their â—…ottishnesse but the foolishnes of him who doth thus belie them Who most impudently affirmeth that their Citie tooke the name of Church spoyling and afterward changed it For what cause forsooth did they change the name thereof marry for that the former name was ignominious to their posteritie But the Gentleman vnderstood not that Ierusalem signifieth otherwise in our language then it doth in the Greeke And therfore what should I stand to inueigh against a lie so impudently told But my booke hath now beene long enough making a new beginning and therefore I will endeuour to finish the residue of this worke THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIE OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS AGAINST APION OF ALEXANDRIA AND DEDICATED TO EPAPHRODITVS THrice Honoured and beloued Epaphroditus I haue in my former bookes so farre forth as I was warranted by truth both protested and approued the Antiquitie of our nation out of the writings of the Phaenicians Chaldies and Egiptians and for the further confirmation thereof I haue produced the testimonie of diuers Greeke Authors Furthermore I haue opposed my selfe against Manethon and Cheremon and diuers others At this time likewise I will vndertake to contradict all the rest of those writers that haue published any thing against vs for in respect of Apion who pretendeth himselfe to bee learned I grow halfe suspicious whether it be a matter answerable to my discretion and iudgement to vouchsafe him any replie at all For as touching the one part of that which he hath written it seemeth to be one and the same with that which the rest haue written and as touching the other it is verie cold and barren The greater part thereof is farced with follies and detractions and betrayeth his ignorance approuing him to bee a man both loose in conditions and turbulent in his life And for as much as diuers men are so disfurnished of iudgement that they rather suffer themselues to bee wonne by these follies then to bee wearied and wrought by that which is written with better consideration vainely doating on detractions and growing discontent to giue eare to other mens well deserued praises I haue thought it necessarie to examine such a mans labours the rather for that he hath written against vs as if he intended to accuse vs before a Tribunal and conuict vs by a publike triall For I see that it is an ordinarie course for the most part of men to hug and take heartie pleasure when as hee that beginneth to blame an other man is himselfe conuicted and found guiltie of those defaults which he imputeth and obiecteth against another Truely it is no easie matter to lay open the ambiguous and doubtfull speeches which Apion vseth neither to vnderstand perfectly what he intendeth to expresse But like a man that is grieuously distracted and confused in his foolish lying he groweth almost to that point to recapitulate that which hath bene heretofore set out serched for as touching the departure of our forefathers out of Aegypt and afterwards he falleth to accuse the Iewes that inhabited Alexandria and thirdly he intermixeth his blameful blasphemies against the ceremonies accustomed in our temple and depraueth our lawes and ordinances likewise Now that our predecessors haue not taken their originall out of Aegypt neither haue beene driuen from thence for any infirmitie or deformitie of their bodies or for any wound vlcer or pollution I suppose that I haue not onely sufficiently approued the same but also produced far more then was requisite I wil therfore briefly report and repeat that which Apion alleageth For in the third booke of his Egyptian historie he writ thus Moses as I haue heard it spoken by the most auncient Egyptians was borne at Heliopolis who being instructed in the fashions of his Countrie conuerted such prayers which were wont to be said in open places and abroad and caused them to bee practised and accustomed in priuate Cloysters such as were within the Citie and ordained that in praying they should turne themselues towards the rising Sunne For such is the situation of the Citie Heliopolis and instead of Obelisques or Pyramides he erected certaine pillers vnder which there were certaine ingrauen Basens one which the shadow hapning to fall the place wherein they stood being discouered and in open ayre they obserued the same course that the Sunne doth in the firmament See here what eloquence this learned man vsed Now as touching this lie of his their need no words to refute the same since it is clearly refelled by the effects For when Moses built that first tabernacle in honour of God he had no such intent nor fashioned any such forme neither ordained his successours to do the like and after this when as Salomon builded the temple in Ierusalem he neuer thought of any such curiositie as Apion forgeth He saith that he hath been informed by those of antiquitie that Moses was a Heliopolitan for you must vnderstand that Apion himselfe was young and beleeued the relation of the aged sort of his acquaintance which conuersed familiarly with him yet cannot this learned Gramarian iustifie where Homer was borne neither from what countrey Pythagoras came although in respect they liued but yesterday and as touching Moses who liued so many ages and so great a number of yeeres before them he decideth the matter so easily and giueth credit to the reports of antiquitie so slightly that it appeareth most manifestly that he is but a liar As touching the time wherin he saith that Moses led awaie the blinde Leprous and lame this diligent author accordeth verie vvillingly with that which he himselfe hath said For Minethon saith that the Iewes departed out of Aegypt about the raigne of Tethmosis three hundreth ninetie six yeeres before Danaus fled out of Greece Lisimachus he saith that this thing hapned during king Bocchoris time that is to say one thousand and seuen hundreth yeers before that time Molon also and some others haue alleadged their opinions But Apion who pretendeth to be a man of more credit then the rest hath precisely and exactly set downe the time auerring that our departure was about the seuentâ—… Olimpiade nay more in the first yeere thereof wherein as he saith Carthage was builded by the Phoenicians Now hath he only and purposely made mention of Carthage in this place supposing it to be an infallible argument of the truth of his allegation yet conceiteth he not that he maketh a rodde for his owne taile and draweth an argument against himselfe by which himselfe may be conuinced For if we may giue credit to the Phoenician Croniclers as touching this Colonie it appeareth by them that king Hiram liued more then one hundreth and
respecting laboured rather to excuse the sacrilegious Kings then to write the truth of vs and our Temple endeuouring to currie fauour with Antiochus and to couer and hide his sacriledge vsed against our nation for that hee wanted money beleeuing vs euen in things that are to come And Apion as prophecying of 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 foules that vse either sea or land and that the man was hereat astonished And that so soone as Antiochus came into the Temple hee adored him as though hee hoped for great helpe from the King falling downe at his feete and with a stretched out arme crauing licence to speake which the King graunting and willing him to declare what hee was and why hee dwelt in the Temple and the cause of his meates before him the man with sighes and teares bewayled vnto Antiochus his calamitie saying He was a Grecian and that trauailing in the Countrie to get his liuing he was suddenly seazed vpon by certaine Out-landishmen and brought vnto the Temple and shut vp therein and that no man might see him and that he was there fed or fatted with all dainties that could be prouided and that at first this daintie fare made him ioyfull but afterward he began to suspect it and lastly he was hereat amazed and then demaunding of a Iewe that administred vnto him for what cause he was therekept he vnderstoode the Iewes purpose and law not to bee reuealed for the fulfilling whereof hee was there nourished and that the lewes were wont to doe the like euerie yeere vpon a day appointed and to take a Grecian stranger and feede him a yeere and then to carrie him to a wood and there to kill him and sacrifice him according to their rites and ceremonies and to taste and eate of his entrailes and in the sacrificing of the Grecian to sweare to bee enemies vnto the Greekes and the residue of the murdered man they cast into a certaine pit And that then this Greeke reported vnto Antiochus that the time allotted vnto him by the Iewes to liue was now almost expired and therefore requested for the reuerence hee bare to the Grecian gods to saue his bloud from being spilt by the Iewes and to free him out of that iminent calamitie This fable is not only stuffed ful of al tragical crueltie but also mingled with cruel impudencie yet for all this the first deuisers hereof doe not free Antiochus from sacriledge as they hoped hereby to doe who writ it purposely to flatter him For that which they report of the Greeke found in a bed did not moue him to come and sacke our Temple he not knowing of it before he came and found it so as they say Antiochus therefore was most impious and not assisted by Gods fauour in that enterprise whatsoeuer these lyers mutter as it is easie to learne of the fact of him committed For wee doe not onely differ from the Greekes in religion but a great deale more from the Egyptians and other nations and what nation in the world is there that somtime doth not trauaile through our Countrie Is it then probable that wee onely renue that conspiracie against the Greekes Or how is it possible that so many thousand people as are of our owne nation should all eate of the entrailes of one man as Apion reporteth Or why did hee not name this man whosoeuer he was Or why did not the king carrie him with trumpets into his Countrie Seeing that in so doing he might haue bene esteemed full of pietie a great fauorer of the Greeks greatly strengthen himselfe against the hatred of the Iewes by their aide But I omit to speake more of this for vnsensible people voide of all reason must not be reprehended in word but by deedes for all men that haue seene the building of our Temple can testifie what it was and the vndefiled puritie thereof For it had foure porches about and euerie one of them by our lawes had seuerall keepers and into the outward porch all people yea straungers might enter without breach of our lawes women onely excepted that haue their monethly course Into the second porch it was lawfull for onely Iewes to come and all Iewes might goe into it and their wiues also when they were free from pollution of their flowers Into the third porch they onely of our nation that were purified and sanctified might come Into the fourth might onely Priests enter who were cloathed with priestly Stoles and into the secret part of the Temple might onely ehe high Priest come attired with a Stole proper to him onely yea wee are in all things so carefull of pietie that our Priests are appointed howers when to enter into the Temple For in the morning when the Temple was opened the Priests that were to sacrifice the hostes which were giuen them entered into the Temple and at no one againe when it was shut yea it was not lawfull to carrie any vessell into the Temple but therewas onely there an Altar a Table a Censer and a Candlesticke as is in our law mentioned and there is no other secret or hidden mysteries done neither is there in that place any eating and all the people can testifie this which I haue here set downe and our writings doe the like For notwithstanding that there are fowre rites of Priests and euerie Priests tribe containeth aboue fiue thousand men yet euerie one waiteth on certaine appointed dayes in their turne and their time of waiting being expired others succeede them in sacrificing and the day before they are to finish their waiting they deliuer vp vnto their successours the keyes of the Temple and all vessels belonging thereto in the full number that they receiued them and nothing is brought into our Temple pertaining either to meate or drinke yea and are forbidden to bee offered at our Altar those things onely excepted whereof we make our sacrifice What then shall we say of Apion who examining nothing of all these hath raised such incredible reports of vs How ignominious a thing it is for a Grammarian not to bee able to deliuer the truth of a Historie Well hee knew the pietie vsed in our Temple but hee purposely omitted it yet could hee remember to tell a feigned tale of the sacrificing of the Greeke his daintie faire and that hidden foode that all men also that would passed through our Temple whereas the most noble amongst our whole nation are not permitted to come there except they be priests This therefore is great impietie and a voluntarie forged lie to seduce them that will not examine the truth For they haue attempted to slaunder vs by those impieties before mentioned not to bee spoken of And againe like one full of all pietie he derideth the vanitie of these fables and reporteth that at such time as the Iewes for a
of the Israelites that were numbred Dauid hauing election of three sorts of punishment chose the plague A huge slaughter of those that died of the pastâ—…lence that was iâ—…flicted by God Dauid prayed for the innocent people A commaundement to â—…ld an Altar The yeare of the world 2930. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1034. Oronna the Iebusite supra lib. 7. ch 3 called Orphona Oronna giueth Dauid his floore The summe that was paied for the threshing floore The place of the Altar that was built Gen 22. Supra li. 1. ch 13 Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. The workmen allotted for the building of the Temple 1 Paral. 22. Dauid gathereth great store of iron brasse wood The building of Salomons Temple is commaunded Dauid counâ—…elleth Salomon â—…o honour God The yeare of the world 2930. before Christs Natiuity 1034. The treasure that was gathered towards the building of the Temple The assistants that Salomon had in building the teÌ„ple The commandement as touching the Arke and laying vp al other sacred vtensils within the Temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. Dauid groweth old and numbe Abisace warmeth him 3. Reg. 1. Adonias affecteth the kingdome The yeare of the world 2931. before Christ birth 1033. Bethsabe by NathaÌ„s perswa sion certifieth Daiud of Adonias vsurpatioÌ„ The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs Natiuitie 1033. The kingdome is confirmed to Salomon by an oth Salomon is annointed king and placed in his fathers throne Adonias for feare of the kings displeasure flieth from his banquet and taketh hold of the hornes of the Altar Dauid numbreth the Leuites and distribuith their offices 1. Paral 13. The diuision of the Priests into 24. kinreds 2. Paral. 24. The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs Natiuitie 1033. He deuided the Leuites into 24. parts Moses posteritie appointed to keepe the diuine treasure 1 Paral. 26. The army deuided into 12 parts 1. Paral. 27. Dauid assembling the gouernors of the tribes commendeth his son Salomon to theÌ„ 1. Paral. 28. Dauid giueth his sonne the modle of the Temple The princes of the people gaue a huge summe of gold siluer brasse precious stones towards the building of the Temple The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs birth 1033. 1 Par. 29. The â—…fices and â—…stiuall solemâ—…ed vpon Salomons coronation Hedio Ruffinus ch 16. 3. Reg. 2. Dauids last counsaile to Salomon Dauid willeth Salomon to punish Ioab Dauid coÌ„mendeth Berzillai sonnes to Salomon How Simei should be punished The yeares of the age and raigne togither with the vertues of Dauid The yeare of the world 2923 before Christs birth 10â—… The sumptuous sepulchre of Dauid Hircanus taâ—…th a huge summe of money out of Dauids tombe Herode spoyleth Dauids sepulcher The reare of the world 2931. before Christ birth 1033. 3. Reg. 2. Salomon king of Israel after Dauids death The yeare of the world 2931. before Christi Natiuitie 1033. Adonias requireth Abisace to wife Adonias is slaine Abiathar is dispossessed of the priesthood The genealogy of the high Priest Sadoc Ioab is slaine Banaia is substituted in his place The yeare of the world 29â—…1 before Christs Natiuitie 1033. Sadoc obtaineth Abiathars place in the Priesthood Simeies punishment and death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. 3. Reg 3. Salomon marieth the king of Egypts daughter and establisheth the kingdome God appeareth to Salomon by night in a dreame and willeth him to â—…ke that which most of all he desired Salomon requireth wisedome at Gods hands who with it giueth him riches and honours also The yeare of the world 2931. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1033. Two women accuse one an other for â—…chaunge of their children Salomon coÌ„mandeth both the children to be deuided into two parts Salomon by the speech and gesture of the women discouereth the true mother Salomons gouernours and captaines 3. Reg 4. The happy peace of the Israelites in Salomons time Salomons daily expences Salomons chariots and horsemen The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs Natiuity 1033. Salomons prudence and wisedome Salomons methode in coniuration whereby he cast out diuels The author in this place abuseth the giftes of God bestowed on Salomon in extending them to those artes which are sorbidden by the expresse word of God A Iew casteth out diuels Hirams embassadours to Salomon 3. Reg 5. Salomon requireth carpenters and workemen from Hiram Hiram promiseth Salomon wood and in steed thereof requireth corne The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs birth 1033. The truth of Iosephs history The king sendeth Hâ—… great quantity of wheat oyle and wine The order of the carpenters in Libanus The order of the malons and other workmen Hedio Ruffinus ch 9. 3. Reg. 6. When the building of the temple began The depth of the foundatioÌ„s of the temple The height length and breadth of the temple The porch before the teÌ„ple The cels which were builded in the circuit of the temple The beames and wals beautified with gold The yeare of the 〈◊〉 2933 before Christs birth 1031. Winding staires The temple deuided into two parts Two cherubims The pauement gates and all other things in the temple beautified with gold Salomon sendeth to Hiram for Vram a cunning workman 3. Reg. 7. A vessel called the brasen sea Ten brasen bases of the lauer Ten round lauers The yeare of the world 2933. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1031. The vse of the sea and the other ten lauers The Altar and vessels appertaining to the same The Table of sacâ—…ed bread The candlesticke The cuppes and vials The bowles The censors Priestâ—… garmeÌ„â—… Instruments of musicke The inclosure before the temple The Fanâ—… The huge treÌ„ches where in the foundation of the temple was laid filled Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4 3. Reg 8. Salomons temple was consecrated in the moneth of October The Arke is caried into the temple The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs Natiuity 1023. The Priests place the arke of God in the sanctuarie and in it the tables of stone wherin the tenne commaundements were written The candlesticke table and altar of gold The bâ—…asen altar A cloud in the tabeinacle Salomons praier vnto God Godimmeasurable The cause why the temple was builded God is true in his promises Salomons praier wherein he thanketh God for his benefits and beseecheth his future protection The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs Natiuitie 1023. Salomon humbly beleecheth God that he will protect this temple as his own house He prâ—…ieth that â—…angers may be heard aâ—… 〈◊〉 this place A 〈◊〉 from heauen consumeth Salomons sacrifies 3. Reg. 8. Salomon exhorteth the people to praise God and to giue him thanke and to pray vnto him 3. Reg. 8. Salomons sacrifices in the dedication of the Temple The feast of Tabernacles The king dismisseth the people 3. Reg. 9. God appeareth againe to Salomon and promiseth him all blessings if he swarued not from his fathers precepts A grieuous commination against the Israelites if they fall from the way
prophets giueth no eare to Ieremy Ezechiel prophecieth the destruction of the temple The yeare of the world 3354. before Christ birth 610. Sedechias reuolt from the Babylonian Hedio and Ruffinus chap. 10. The king of Egypt comming to rescue the king of Ierusalē is ouerthrowne by Nabuchodonosor with all his army and driuen out of Syria The yeare of the world 3346. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 618. Sedechias seduced by false prophets The prophecy of the captiuitie of Babylon and the deliuerie Ier. 25. 29. 37. The yeare of the world 3354. before Christs birth 610. Ierusalem besieged 4 Reg. 25. Ier. 39. Two mightie enemies Famine and pestilence Ieremy perswadeth them to yeeld The reward of godly preachers in this life Sedechias neglecteth the prophets good counsaile for feare of the gouernours The yeare of the world 3354 before Christs birth 610. Ierusalem besieged eighteene moneths and at length taken The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs birth 608. Sedecias flyeth by night and is suprised by the enemie The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs Natiuitie 608. Sedechias hath his eies pulled out and his children slaine before his face How many and how long the kings raigned that were of Dauids luie The temple the pallace and the citie spoiled and burnt The captiuitle of Babylon The high Priests in Ierusalem Sedecias death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs birth 608. Godolias captaine of the fugitiues Ieremy set at libertie by the Baby lonian and richly offered and presented Baruch dismissed out of prison The Iewes resort to Masphath to Godolias The yeare of the world 3356. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 608. Iohn releaseth limaels captiues Iohn asketh counsaile of God and being informed refuseth the same Ier. 42. 43. The prophecy of the Babylonian armie and the Iewes captiuitie The yeare of the world 3361. before Christ birth 603. The yeare of the world 3361 before Christs birth 603. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Dan 1. Daniels forwardnes and his fellowes towardnes in studying wisedome and good letters The yeare of the world 3363. before Christs natiuite 601. Dan. 2. Nauchodonosor dreaming forgetteth his vision sendeth for the magitions not able to discouer his doubts he threatneth them with death The yeare of the world 3◅63 before Christs birth 601. The vision and the Rouelation thereof opened to Daniel Daniel telleth the king his dreame and the enterpretation thereof Nabuchodonosors dreame of the foure monarches of the world Daniel and his fellowes aduanced to honour The yeare of the world 3364 before Christs birth 600 The kings edict for honouring the goldē statue Dan. 3. Daniel and his kinsmen refusing to adore the statue are cast into the furnace The yeare of the world 3364. before Christs Natiuitie 600. The yeare of the ◅ld 3369. before Christs na◅uitie 595. Dan. 4. The dreame and exposition thereof Nabuc◅odosors death The yeare of the world 3381. before Christs birth 583. Berosus of Nabuchodosor Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor D◅ocles Philostratus The yeare of the world 3382. before Christs Natiuitie 582. Euilmerodach releaseth lechonias from his long imprisonment 4. Reg 25. Ierem. 52. Niglisar Labosardach Balthasar or Naboandel king of Babyl◅ The yeare of th◅ world 3421. before Christs birth 543. Dan. 5 Balthasar see◅h a hand thrust out of a wall and writing certaine sillables The yeare of the world 3425. before the birth of Christ. 539. ◅he yeare of the ◅rld ◅25 before Christs birth 9◅9 Daniel interpreteth the writing to the king The king performeth his promises to Daniel Babylon surprised by Cyrus king of Persia. The force of enuie Daniels honour and vprightnes Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. Dan. 6. Daniel cast into the Lions denne The yeare of the world 3425. before Christs birth 539. Daniels enemies rent in pieces by the Lions Daniels prophecies Daniels vision of the Ramme and Goat by whom the king of Media and Persia were prefiguted Dan. 2. The yeare of the world 3425. before Christs Natiuitie 539. Daniels predictions of the Romane Empyre Dan. 9. The Epicures errour conuicted The yeare of the world 3426. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 538. The end of the Babylonian captiuitie after seuentie yeares 1. Esd. 1. 3. Esd. 2. The edict of Cyrus king of Persia. Esay chap. 44. 45. his prophecy of Cyrus Cyrus permitteth the Iewes to returne into their countrey to build their temple citie The vessels belonging to the temple sent backe from Babylon to Ierusalem Cyrus mandate to the princes of Syria The yeare of the ◅orld 3426. before Chriss birth 538. The number of the Iewes that returned from the captiuity of Babylon to Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. 1. Esd. 4. The Samaritanes inhibite the Iewes from building the temple Alias cap. 3. The letters of the Samaritās and others written to Cambysis as touching the reedifying of the citie and tēple of Ierusalem The yeare of the world 3435. before Christs birth 529. Cambyses answere wherein he inhibiteth the Iewes from building the citie or temple The yeare of th◅ world 3443. before Christ birth 521. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. al. chap 4. Darius the son of Hystaspis made emperour of the Persians 1. Esd. 5. 6. Darius voweth to send the sacred vessels to Ierusalem Zorooabel Dar◅us propoundeth three questions to three of his gard 3. Esd. 4. The first expresseth the power of wine The second extelleth the kings power 3. Esd 4. The yeare of the world 3443. before Christs birth 521. Zorobabel the third expresseth the power of women and at length attributeth the palme vnto truth Zorobabel obtained both praise great rewards by his good discourse Darius being put in memory of his vow commandeth that the temple should be restored Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. The yeare of t◅e world 3443. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 521. Darius letters for the liberty possession and erection of the temple granted to the Iewes 1. Esd. 6. Glad tidings brought to the Iewes The Iewes depart from Babylon to Ierusalem 3. Esd. 5. The number of the Iewes that went ou◅ of Babylon 3. Esd. 2. Zorobabel chieftaine and Iesus high priest of this company 1. Esd. 3. The yeare of the ◅orld 3443 before Christs birth 521. The feast of Tabernacles The temple began to be built The Samaritans desirous to further the building of the temple are reiected The Samaritanes suppose to hinder the building of the temple The Syrian princes examine the cause why the Iewes repaire their citie and tēple The yeare of the world 3444. before Christs birth 520. 1. Esdras 5. Aggeus and Zachary the Prophets The Satharitans indeuouring to hinder the reparatiō of the temple and citie doe further it the more Cyrus decree as touching the temple and the Iewes The yeare of the world 3450. before Christs birth 514. 3. Esdras 6. Darius epistle to the prefects of Syria The finishing of the temple The yeare of the ◅orld 3450. before Christs
temple Antiochus Epistle to Zeuxis in which he maketh honourable mention of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3764. before Christs birth 200. Antiochus friendship and confederacy with Ptolomey The Samaritanes molest the Iewes The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs Natiuitie 194. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Onias the hâ—…gh priest prouoketh the king of Egypt for non paiment of his tribute The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs birth 194. The taxatioÌ„ of the hie priest for offending the king The kings embassadour honourably entertained who reporteth Iosephs liberality vpon his returne into his countrey The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs birth 194. The tributes of Coelesyria coÌ„mitted to Ioseph The Ascalonites and Scythopolitans punished for their conteÌ„pt Iosephs welth and children The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs Natiuitie 194. Hyrcanus ofspring and towardnes Ioseph sendeth his sonne Hircanus to Ptolomey The yeare of the world 3780. before Christs birth 184. Treason intended against Hircanus The yeare of the world 3780. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 184. Hircanus apology of his actions Hircanus iests Hircanus sounding what other meÌ„ would giue gauemore then the rest for which he receiueth another kingly reward Hircanus brothers assailing him on the way are slaine and discomfited The yeare of the world 3780. before Christs birth 184. Iosephs death Onias and after him Simon his sonne high priest Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. The letter of the king of Lacedemon to the high priest of the Iewes 1. Machab. 12. Sedition amongst the people after Iosephs death Hircanus afflicteth the Arabians with continual war Hircanus buildeth a strong tower The yeare of the world 3790. before Christs Natiuitie 174. Antiochus Epiphanes king of Syria The sonnes of Prolomey Epiphanes Philometor and Physcon Hircanus killeth himselfe Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. 1. Macchab. 1. Iesus created high Priest by Antiochus Epiphanes Iesus depriued of the priesthoode The yeare the of world 3790. before Christs birth 174. Onias surnamed Menelaus substituted in his place The wars betwixt Iason and Menelaus Apostates froÌ„ the Iewish religion Antiochus enforced to depart out of Egypt The history of Antiochus Epiphanes Antiochus entring IerusaleÌ„ spoileth the temple The yeare of the world 3796. before Christs birth 168. The yeare of the world 3798. before Christs birth 166. The yeare of the world 379â—… before Christs birth 166. Antiochus abrogating Gods law thorow extreme tyranny enforceth the Iewes to Idolatry and fortifieth the temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The deuil seekehth to abolish the Bible The variable wits of the Samaritanes which made them so odious in the sight of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3799. before Christs birth 165. The yeare of the world 3799. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 165. The zeale and piety of Matthias and his sonnes An Apostata slaine by Matthias Matthias with his sons Hieth into the desart The Iewes are slaine on the Sabbath day which slaughter maketh Matthias more werie Matthias rooteth out all Idolatry Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Matthias exhorteth his sons to pietie fortitude and concord The yeare of the world 3799 before Christs birth 165. 〈◊〉 Macchab. 3. Matthias death Iudas Machabaeus appointed gouernor Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Iudas Machabaeus ouercoÌ„meth Apollonius in battell Seron gouernour of Coelesyria is put to flight in Iudaea The yeare of the world 3799. before Christs birth 165. Antiochus preparation to inuade Iudaea Antiochus committing his kingdome prouinces and sonne to Lysias charge departeth into Persia The yeare of the world 3800. before Christs birth 164. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Ptolomey Gorgias aand Nicanors war in Iudaea Iudas oration to his soldiers 1. Machab. 4. The yeare of the world 38â—…0 before Christs Natiuitie 164. Iudas ouercommeth Lysias army Iudas gathereâ—… a huge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and loâ—… fiue thousand of his soldiers The temple of Ierusalem The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. The temple left desolate for three whole yeeres space Dan. 12. The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. The festiuall solemnized for the reestablishment of the temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 21. Mach. 5. Iudas maketh continuall warre with the neighbouring nations Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. Simo ouercoÌ„ming his enemies in Galilee deliuereth the Iewes that were captiue Iudas and Ionathas succour the Iews besieged in Galaad Bosra taken and burnt The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. Iudas succoureth the besieged Iewes Timothies soldiers slaine Malla taken and buâ—…nt Chaspoma and Bosor takeÌ„ Timothy gathereth new forces and is ouercome by Iudas The Iewes are brought out of the country of Galaad into Iuâ—…aea Ephron besieged burnt An admirable victory of Iudas Machabaeus who in all these conflictes lost not one man Ioseph and Zachary ouercome by Gorgias lose two thousand â—…olgiers Chebron and Marissa besieged The yeare of the world 38â—…1 before Christs birth 163. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. 1. Mac. 〈◊〉 Antiochus desirous to spoile Dianaes teÌ„ple besiegeth Elymias and is shamefully repulsed to Babylon The yeare of the world 3802. before Christs birth 162. Antiochus Epiphanes burdned with cares falleth sicke Polybius Megalopolitan of the cause of Antiochus sicknes Antiochus appointeth Philip gouernour of his kingdome and committeth his sonne Antiochus to his charge Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. Lysias createth Antiochus the yonger king and surnameth him Eupator The Macedons in the castle of Ierusalem doe much harme â—…o the Iewes Iudas Machabaeus besiegeth the castle The fugitiue Iewes fly out of the castle and require Antiochus assistance The yeare of the world 3803. before Christs Natiuitie 161. Antiochus marcheth into Iudae a with his army Bethsura besieged Iudas with his forces encountreth the king at Bethzacharia Eleazar Iudas brother killeth an Elephant Iudas returneth to Ierusalem and Antiochus followeth him The Bethsurites yeeld vp their citie The temple of Ierusalem besieged Antiochus hearing newes of Philips intent to inuade Persia giueth ouer his siege to meet him The yeare of the world 3803. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 161. Antiochus maketh peace with Iudas The wal of the teÌ„ple defaced Onias otherwaies called Menelaus led away prisoner Alcimus or lacimus made high priest The yeare of the world 3804. before Christs birth 160. Philip slaine by Antiochus Onias the high priests sonne builded a teÌ„ple in Egypt resembling that at Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. 1. Machab. 7. Demetrius seazeth Tripolis and other cities of Syria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias Alcimus the high priest with Apostates accuseth Iudas before Demetrius Bacchides killeth diuers that trust his oth The yeare of the world 3804 before Christs birth 160. Bacchides vseth great tyranny in Bethzeth Alcimus vseth popularity and familiarity to win the peoples hearts and killeth all such as were of Iudas factioÌ„ Iudas resisteth Alcimus power Alcimus accuseth Iudas to Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. Demetrius sendeth Nicanor against Iudas Nicanor dissembling with Iudas
laboured to surprise him Nicanor threatneth the people that except they yeeld vp Iudas he will destroy the temple The yeare of the world 3804. before Christs birth 160. Iudas and his followers put Nicanor and his soldiers to flight Adar March Alcimus the high priest dieth Hedio Ruffinus chap. 17. 1. Macchab. 8. Iudas couenaÌ„teth a peace with the Romanes The decree of the Romanes touching society and friendshippe of the Iewes Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1â—… 1. Mach. 9. Demetrius sendeth Bacchides with forces into Iury. Bacchides meeteth Iudas with 20000. soldiers The yeare of the world 3804. before Christs birth 160. Iudas with a small army intendeth to assaile a mightie host Bacchides disposeth his army and fighteth with Iudas Iudas disperseth the enemies army killeth some and at last is slaine himselfe Iudas is buried in Modim The yeare of the world 3805 before the Natiuitie of Christ. 159. The yeare of the world 3805 before Christs birth 159. The Iewes coÌ„pelled by the Apostates by famine submit themselues to the Macedonians Bacchides murthereth those of Iudas faction Ionathan by the publike instigation of the Iewes vndertaketh the gouernment Bacchides coÌ„plotteth to betray Ionathan and his brother Bacchides draweth out his forces against IonathaÌ„ Iohn the brother of Iudas is slaine by Amars sonnes Bacchides assaileth Ionathan on the Sabbath day loseth two thousand of his men The castle of Ierusalem fortified Simon reuengeth his brother Iohns bloud on the sons of Amaraeus The yeare of the world 3808. before Christâ—… birth 156. Demetrius by the solicitation of the fugitiues sendeth Bacchides against Ionathan with an army Bachides displeased with the Apostates for that they could not surprise Ionathan killeth fiâ—…ie of them Ionathan and his brother besieged in Bethalaga Ionathas stealing out of the citie assaileth Bacchides by night Bacchides reuengeth himselfe on the fugitiues and iâ—… inforced to retreat Mac 〈◊〉 Bacchides maketh peace with Ionathan Ionathan liueth at Machmas punishing the wicked The yeare of the world 3813. before Christs Natiuitie 151. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. Alexander the sonne of Antiochus Epiphanes commeth into Syria and seazeth Ptolemais Demetrius war against Alexander 〈◊〉 Machab. 10. The Macedonians forfaking their garrisons resort to Antioch Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Alexander endeuoureth to draw Ionathan to his faction by presenting him with the high Priesthood The yeare the of world 38â—…3 before Christs birth 151. Demetrius studieth by promises to assure himselfe of Ionathans frieÌ„dship The battel betweene Alexander and Demetrius and of Demetrius death The yeare of the world 3813. before Christs birth 151. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Onias the son of Onias the high priest seeketh to build a temple in Egypt The yeare of the world 3814. before Christs birth 150. A temple builded in Egypt by Ptolomies consent The warres of the Iewes li. 7. chap. 37. Sedition betwixt the Iews and Samaritanes as touch ing their teÌ„ple The yeare of the world 3814. before Christs birth 150. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. 1. Mac 11. Alexander king of Syriâ—… marrieth Cleo patra Ptolomeis daughter The yeare of the world 3818. before Christs Natinitie 146. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. Demetrius the sonne of Demetrius passeth out of Greece into Cilicia and seeketh to make himselfe Lord of Syria A man confident in battel Apollonius fighteth with Ionathan and is put to flight Ionathan pursued the enemy as farre as Azot and burneth Dagonâ—… temple and killeth 8000. men The yeare of the world 3818. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 146. AlexaÌ„der sendeth presents to Ionathan Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Ptolomey Philometor 〈◊〉 â—…to Syria with an army to assist his sonne in law AlexaÌ„der Ionathan meeteth with Ptolomey and is honourably entertained by him Treason intended against Ptolomey and discouered for which cause he taketh away his daughter from Alexander and giueth her to Demetrius for his wiâ—…e Ptolomey perswaded the Antiochians to accept Demetrius for their king and reiused the Diademe of Asia The yeare of the world 3818 before Christs birth 146. Alexander being ouercome flieth into Arabia and is staine in that place Ptolomeis death Ionathan appeaseth Demetrius by presents Demetrius letters to Lasthenes in which he bestoweth many priuiledges on the Iewes Demetrius incurreth the hatred of his soldiers by abridging their pay in time of peace The yeare of the world 3820. before Christs birth 144. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. 1. Machab. 11. Diodotus called Tryphon Apamenus requireth Malchus to commit Antiochus Alexanders â—…n to his charge Ionathan sendeth Emballadors with presents to Demettius to request him to cassiere the forces in the castle of Ierusalem and the fortresses there about The rebellion of the citizens of Antioch and the reuenge taken on them by Demetrius Demetrius thrust out of Antioch The yeare of the world 3820. before Christs birth 144. Ionathan for the fauours benefits he receiued at Tryphons and Annochus hands offereth and performeth his best indeuours against Demetrius Simon Ionathans brother taketh in Bethsura The yeare of the world 3810. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 144. Ionathan putteth Demetrius soldiers to flight Ionathan reneweth his frienship coÌ„federacy with the Romanes and Lacedemonians The yeare of the world 3821. before Christs birth 143. Three sects of the Iewes The Pharisees The Essenians The Sdaduces The warres of the Iewes lib. 2. chap. 1â—… The yeare of the world 3821 before Christs birth 143. Demetrius captaines once more make warre vpon sonathan and seeing their purposes discouered flie by night Ionathan marcheth into Arabia and spoileth the Nahatheans Simon his brother taketh Ioppe Ionathan and Simon repaire the citie of Ierusalem and the fortresses of Iury. Demetrius maketh warre vpon Arsaces king of the Parthians and is taken prisoner Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. 2. Mac 11. 13. TryphoÌ„ labouring to transferre Antiochus kingdom into his owne hands and fearing Ionathans opposition traiterously complotteth his death The yeare of the world 3821. before Christs birth 143. The yere of the world 3822. before Christs Natiuitie 142. 2. Mac. 14. Ionathans want lamented by all men The neighboâ—…ring nations and Tryphon inuade Iudaea Simon Ionathans brother assembleth the people and animateth theÌ„ The yeare of the world 3823. before Christs birth 141. The yeare of the world 3823. before Christs Natiuitie 141. Simon succeedeth his brothers Iudas Ionathan Simon sendeth Ionathan Absaloms sonne to â—…oppe to expulse the inhabitants thereof Tryphon by fraudulent promises vnder certaine conditions perswadeth SimoÌ„ that his brother should be set at liberty Ionathan is slaine by Tryphon Ionathans monument The yeare of the world 382â—… before Christs birth 140. The Iewes discharged of tributes Simons authority The yeare of the world 3823. before Christs birth 141. Simon raceth the castle of Ierusalem The yeare of the world 3824. before Christs birth 140. Hedio Ruf. finus chap. 10. 1. Maccâ—…b 15. Tryphon murthering Alexander obtaineth the kingdome Tryphon hauing obtained dominion discouereth his corrupt nature Tryphons army
sithence the beginning of the world being compared with those the Iewes suffered are of no moment The Grecian Historiographers ouerpasse the wars of the Iewes with silence Who may rightly be called a Historiographer Antiochus Epiphanes the first author fountaine of the warres of the Iewes The Epiromâ—… of the warreâ—… of the Iewes The signes and changes after Neroes death Titus besiegeth Ierusalem The manners and sacrifices of the Iewes The humanity of thâ—… Romans towards the Iewes The burning of the temple and the ouerthrow of the citie The Romans triumph ouer the Iewes The cause why he wrote this historie The yeare of the world 3802 before Christs birth 162. Ant. li. 12. ca. 6. Antiochus being stirred vp by 〈◊〉 soâ—… inuadeth Iudaea and surpriseth Ierusalem Ant lib. 15. cap. 4. The yeare of thâ—… world 3802. before the birth of Christ. 162. The high priest Onâ—… flieth to Ptolomey Ant. lib. 1â—… cap. 7. Antiochus altereth the customes of the Iewes Bacchides crâ—…eltie towards the Iewes Ant. lib. 1. cap. 7. 8. Matthias confederated with others maketh warre againâ—… Antiochus Antiochus dieth and leaueth the kingdome to his sonne Antiochus who gathereth a huge power and inuadeth Iurie Ant. lib. 12. cap. 14. 15. Eleazar dieth being slaine bâ—… an Elephant Eleazar preferred honour before life The yeare of the world 3802. before Christs birth 162. Antiochus departing from Ierusalem leaueth sufficient garrison there Ant. lib. 12. cap. 18. ludas fighteth with Atiochuâ—… captains and is slaine Ant. li. 13. c2 1. The yeare of the world 3805. befoer Christs Natiuitie 159. Ionath as taken by Tryphons subtilue is slain Ant. lib. 15. cap. 9. The yeare of the world 3823. before Christs birth 141. Simon encouÌ„treth with Cendebeus ouercommeth him Ant. lib. 13. cap. 14. Simon by the treachery of his son in law Ptolemaeus is taken slaine Iohn otherwise called Hircanus the son of Simon The yeare of the world 3831. before the Natiâ—…itie of Christ. 133. Hircanus obtaineth the honour of the hie priesthood which his father had Ptolemaeus cruelty against Hircanus mother brethreÌ„ The yeare of thâ—… world 3831. before Christs birth 133. Ptolemaeus murthereth Hircanus mother and brethren The yeâ—… of the world 3839. before Christs birth 125. Antiochus vpon â—…e paimeÌ„t of three hundreth talents raiseth his siege Ant. lib. 13. cap 15. Aristobulus Antigonus besiege Sebaste Sebaste ouerthrowen and spoiled The seditios ouercome in warre Iohn after he had happily gouerned the countrey for 30. yeeres space dieth The yeare of the world 3861. before Christs birth 103. Ant. lib. 13. cap. 19. Aristobulus saÌ„misheth his mother Aristobulus loued Antigonus very deerly The yeare of the world 3861. afâ—… Christs birth 103. Antigonus in honour of his brother ascended vp into the temple Antigonus falsely accused to his brother Aristobulus commandeth his guard that if Antigonus came armed they should kil him The Queenes cunning Stratageme against Antigonus Antigonus suspecteth not his brother Iudas the prophet foretelleth Antigoâ—… death Aristobulus thorow the griefe he conceiued at his brothers death falleth sicke A seruant spilleth bloud in the same place where Antigoâ—…us was slaine The yeare of thâ—… world 3862. before the birth of Christ. 102. The eie of God discouereth euery sinne Aristobulus dieth milerably Ant lib. 13. cap 9. Alexander aduanced to the kingdome vâ—…eth much cruelty Alexander is ouerthrowne by Theodore The sedition of the Iewes against Alexander vpon a festiuall day Alexander assaileth the castle of Amathunt and raseth iâ—… Demetrius commeth to helpe y e Iewes Ant. lib. 13. cap. 20. The warre betwixt Demetrius and Alexander wherein Demetrius is conquerer The yeâ—…e of the world 3â—…62 before Christs birth 10â—… The Iewes reuolt from Deâ—…trius Aleâ—…aÌ„ders immoderate wrath who crucified eight hundreth captiues Alexander ceaseth from warre Alexander feareth Antiochus Demetriâ—…s brother The king of the Arabianâ—… inuadeâ—… Antiochus souldieâ—… vnawares The king of Arabia putteth Antiochus forces to flight and killeth a great number of them They of Damasco and Aâ—…ctas against Alexander Alexander sick of a quartane feuâ—…r Ant. lib. 13. cap. 2â—… Alexandra Alexanders wife thorow the opinion of vertue obtaineth the kingdome The yeare of thâ—… world 3862. before Christs Natiuitie 102. Hyrcanus first made high priest and afterwards king The Pharisees getting in fauour with the Queene are made her chief gouernours and enjoy all honours Alexandra willingly obeieth the Pharisees The Pharisees by their enuies and acculatioÌ„s are the death of many good men Aristobulus expostulâ—…teth with his mother Aristobulus proclaimeth himselfe king Alexandra imprisoneth Aâ—…stobulus wife and children The yeare of the world 3873 before the Natiâ—…itie of Christ. 95. Alexandra dieth and Hyrcanus succeedeth her in the kingdome Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1. The brethren contending for the kingdome are accorded vpon certaine conditions Ant. lib. 14. ca. 2. 3. 4 Antipater perswadeth Hyrcanus to flie to Aretas king of Arabia and to craue his assistance to recouer his kingdome The yeare of the world 3873 before Christs birth 95. Antipater with Hyrcanus flie from Ierusalem by night to Aretas king of Arabia Aretas furnisheth Hyrcanus with 50000 souldiers Scaurus captaine of the Romans The yeare of the world 3899. before Christs birth 65. Scaurus receibeth 300. talents from Atistobulus and commandeth the Arabians and Hyrcanus to depart out of the countrey Antipater and Hyreanus seek for Pompeies helpe Ant. lib. 14. cap. 6. 7. Pompey furnished both with the Syrians and Romane army setteth forth against Aristobulus Pompey commaundeth Aristobulus to descend Aristobulus resorteth to Pompey Aristobulus intendeth to fight with Pompey Hedio * Idumaea The yeare of the world 3903. before Christs birth 61. Pompey besiegeth Ierusalem Aristobulus humbly presenteth himselfe to Pompey Ant. lib. 14. cap. 7. 8. Pompey vieweth the citie which way it might most easily be battered Sedition within the citie betwixt Hircanus and Aristobulus friends Pompey his enter the citie and search the kings house Aristobulus with his frieÌ„ds flie to the temple Pompey filleth vp the trench and obserueth the seuenth day Pompey buildeth towers vpon his platformes The Iewes intermit not sacrifice in the midst and heat of the siege Twelue thousand Iewes slaine in the temple Pompey his followers enter the sanctuary Pompeies continencie Hyrcanus made hic priest The yeare of the world 3903 before Christs birth 61. Pompey causeth the chiefest conspirators to be beheaded Pompey deliuereth many goodly cities from the subiection of the Iewes Aristobulus his family caried to Rome Ant. lib. 14. cap 9. The Arabian is reconciled to Scaurus Ant. lib. 14. cap. 10. Alexander Aristobulus son gathereth a great power gainst Hyrcacanus The yeare of the world 3904 before the Natiuitie of Christs 60. Alexander gathereth 10000 footmen and 1500. horsmen Antipater with his forces goeth out to meet Alexanâ—…nder Alexander fighteth with his enemies and loseth sixe thousand men Marcus Antonius a captain What cities the Iewes receiued to inhabite The yeare of the world 3804. before Christs Natiuitie 60.
thorow extreame thirst are inforced to yeeld to thâ—… Iewes Ant. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 7. Herods oration to Augustus Caesar. Herode speaketh freely before Câ—… The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30 Caesars anâ—… to Herod Herods gratulation toward Caesar. Caesar increaseth Herodes Dominion Herode made gouernour of Syria The yeâ—…re of the world 3947. before Christs birth 17. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 10. 12. 13. 14. Herodes buildings The yeare of the world 3947. before the birth of Christ. 17. The fountaine head of Iordan Herod maketh a greater port then that of Piraeum An apt description of a haueÌ„ The yeere of the world 3947. before Christs birth 17. Caesarea in time past called the tower of Straton Ant. lib. 15. ca. 10. 12. lib. 17. cap. 5. Agrippium Antipatris Cyprus Phasaelus tower Herodium Herodium a castle resembling a citie Herods bountie to all men Herod famous thorow the world The yeare of the world 3954 before Christs birth 10. Herode a great hunter The yeare of the world 3954. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Herod besides the vertue of mind and body had the blessings of fortune Ant. lib. 15. cap. 3. 8. lib. 16. cap. 13. Herod expelseth Antipater out of the citie and killeth Hyrcanus his wiues grandmother Herods children by Maririamme Mariamme hatefully vpbraideth Herode with Hyrcanus death Herods mother and sister do falsely accuse Mariamme to him Herod secretly chargeth Ioseph to kill his wife Herodes suspition betwixt Ioseph and his wife The yeare of the world 3954. before Christs birth 10. Herode commandeth both Ioseph and Mariamme to be slaine Mariammes sons inheritor of her displeasure The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Herods debate with those sons he had by Mariamme Ant lib. 16. cap. 4. Antipater by disgracing his brothers is declared his fathers heire Herod accuseth Alexander before Caesar. A reconciliation betweene Herode and his sonnes Archelaus kindly entertaineth Herod and his sonnes Herods worthy oration to the people wherein he distributeth honours to his three sonnes The yeare of the world 3956. before the birth of Christ. 8. Herod giueth not the kingdome to his sons but the honours of the kingdome Herode conuerteth his speech to his sonnes Herod by his words did not vtterly extinguish the hatred betweenâ—… his sonnes Antipaters treason against his brother Alexander By whatmeans Antipater corrupted his brother Alexanders friends Anupater whetâ—…eth Herode and his courtiers against Alexander The yeare of the world 3956 before Christs birth 8. Glaphyra Alexanders wiâ—…e increased his conceiued suspition by her words Aristobulus obiecteth to his wife her base birth Ant. lib. 16. cap. 7. Alexander and Aristobulus often times bewaile their mother and by that meanes prouoke their father The two brothers excuse themselues before their father Herod The yeare of thâ—… world 3956. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Alexander corrupteth his fathers Eunuches and telleth them â—…e 〈◊〉 to succeed in the kingdome Herod seareth his sonne Alexander Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. Hrods cruelty Herode casteth Alexander into prisoâ—… and tortured his friends Alexander during his imprisonment wrote â—…oure bookes against his enemies Archelaus king of Cappadocia The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Archelaus and Herode consulte vpon Alexanders bookes Herode is incensed against his brother Pheroras Pheroras attired in a mourning garment with teares falleth before Herodes 〈◊〉 and craueth pardon Pheroras by Archelaus meanes pacifieth Herode Archelaus compelleth Herode of his owne accord to be intreated for Alexander Herod dismisseth Archelaus and his friends with great presents Ant. lib. 16. cap. 11. Eurycles the Lacedemonian secretly accuseth AlexaÌ„der to his father and is the cause of his death The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Eurycles by fained friendship deceiueth Alexander Another false accusation of Alexander his brother moueth Herod to indignation The yeere of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Diophanrus the kings notary writeth fained letters in Alexanders name Cous Euaratus Ant. lib. 16. cap. 12. Herode by Salomes counsaile imprisoneth his sons The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Ant. lib 16. cap. 13. Herode gathereth a councell against Alexander Aristobulus Herode accuseth his sonnes in open iudgement Herodes sentence against his sonnes The yeare of the world 3961. before the birth of Christ. 3. Tiro an olde souldier exclameth against Herodes crueltie Tyro with his sonne are by the kings command laid hands on Ant. lib. 16. cap. 13. Another false accusation against Tyro Herode commaundeth his sonnes to be strangled and to be buried with Alexander their mothers vncle Ant. lib. 17. cap. 21. Anupater striueth by gifts and bribes to creepe into mens fauours The yeare of the world 3961 before Christs birth 3. Herode grieuously bemoned his sons expressing the same by his â—…ation toward their children Herode betrotheth his nephewes Herodes children by his seuen wiues Herode is perswaded by Antipaters flatteries to breake off the mariages Ant. lib. 17. cap. 3. Antipater buildeth vpon the kingdome Adebaâ—… betwixt the Ladies in y t court The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Ant. li. 17. ca. 4. Herode forbiddeth Antipater of his brothers company or to haue conference with his wife Fabatus Caesars gouernor discouereth Syllaeus secrets Herod banisheth his brother Pheroras and and his wife Pheroras died and was buried in Ierusalem Ant. lib. 17. cap. 5. The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. A witch of Arabia The confession oâ—… the women in their tortures Doris Antipaters mother is spoyled of her Iewels and thrust out of the pallace Pheroras wife freely confesseth what was become of the poyson The yeare of the world 396â—… before Christs Natiuitie 3. Gods iustice leaueth nothing vnpunished Antipaters treasons against Archelaus and Philip his brothers Antipater giueth a great summe of money to those that counterfait letters against his brothers Ant. lib. 18. cap. 8. Antipater is solicited By Herode with many kind words to hasten his returne The yeare of the world 3961 before Christs birth 3. Antipater hated in Caesarea Antipaters entertainment at his fathers hands Antipater is iudged before Varus Herods accusation against Antipater The years of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Herodes kindnes towards his children Herode loued Antipater aboue the rest and bestowed many benefits on him Antipaters answer and excuse Antipater calleth Rome and Caesar to witnesse The yeere of the world 3â—…61 before Christs birth 3. Nicholaus by the kings commaund beginneth a most hainous and bitter accusation against Antipater Nicholaus peroration The venome tried vpon a condemned man An other proofe against Antipater Herod intendeth Antipaters punishment therefore blotteth his name out of his Testament Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. The yeare of the world 3963. before Christs Natiuitie 3. Iudas and Matthias perswade the people to pul downe the golden Eagle The yong men that puld downe the Eagle are brought before Herod
other Cities of Galilee doe friendly entertaine the Romanes The yeare of the world 4030. after the birth of Christ. 68. Two thousand seditious slaiâ—… in Galilee by the Romans Antipatris spoyled and burned Lydda burnt Cestius planteth his armie fiftie furlongs from Ierusalem The assault victorie of the Iewes against the Romans The courage of the Iewes against the Romans The rebels kill one of the kings Ambassadors an o ther of them escapeth being wounded Cestius draweth forth his whole armie against the Iewes The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Diuers Iewes cal for for Cestius as 〈◊〉 they intended to open their gates vnto him The Romans couer themselues with their shields and vndermin the wals and burne the Temple gates Cestius sodain departure maketh the theeues more confident The Iewes pur sue their enemies and bring them into a desperate estate The mourning and lamentation the Romans and the Iewes exhortation Cestius stratageme The yeare of the world 4030. after Châ—… birth 68. The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Diuers of the noblest Iewes forsake the Citie as if they had beene a ship ready to sinke The Damascenâ—…s kill ten thousand Iews in one houre Ioseph the son of Gorion and Ananus the high priest appointed to gouerneâ—…e the Citie Ioseph the Historiographer gouernour of both Galilees Ioseph maketh 70. Elders rulers in Galilee and appointeth seuen in euerie Citie to determine the causes of lesse waight The yeare of the world 403â—… after Christs birth 69. Ioseph fortifieth the conuenient cities with walles Ioseph instructeth the Galileans in warre Ioseph teacheth the Galileans how they should obey in the warres Euerle one of the cities of Galilee send the halfe of their multitude into warfare the rest they keepe to prouâ—…de them victuals Iohn a notable 〈◊〉 and a thirstie murtherer vnder hope of gaine The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Iohn imploieth the money he got against him by whose meanes he gained it Agrippâ—… president robbed An hundreth thousaÌ„d armed men come out against Ioseph All Iosephs friends and guard saue foure flie from him Iosephs oration to the seditious The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Another stratageme of Iosephs against the Iewes Iohns enuie treason against Ioseph Iohn perswadeth the Tiberians to reuolt from Ioseph Iohn sendeth certaine armed men to kill Ioseph Ioseph flies in a little boat by the lake Iohn flieth into his countrey Giscala The Galileans flocke to Ioseph against Iohn Iohns treason against Ioseph The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. Foure Cities of Galilee submit theÌ„selues to Iosephs enemies Tiberias is recouered by Ioseph and saued by a stratagem Ioseph with seuen souldiers commeth to Tiberias and terrifieth his enemies Ioseph by a sub till pollicie tolleth out the chiefest of Tybetias and carrieth them away in boates to Tarichea Clitus the author of the sedition drawing his sword with his right hand cut off his left The troubled estate of Ierusalem The yâ—…re of the world 4031. afâ—… Christs birth 69. Simon the Son of Giora committeth great rapines and murthers in Acrabatena and Idumaea The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. Nero is amazed and afraid at â—…ie valiant acts of y e Iewes Nero sendeth Vespasian to gouerne in Syria and direct his warres Vespasian and Titus gather great forces against y e Iewes The Iewes besiege Ascalon Antonie fighteth with the Iewes The Romans ouercome the Iewes make a great slaughter of them Ten thousand Iewes slaine The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Eight thousand Iewes slaine at Ascalon Vespasian with his whole army commeth to Ptolemais The Sephorits doe courteously entertaine the Romans The description and scituation of the higher Galilee The length and breadth of the lower Galilee The fertilitie of Galilee The description of the couÌ„trey beyond the floud The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs Natiuitie 68. The descriptioÌ„ of the Region of Samaria The description of Iury whose midle part is Ierusalem The diuision of Iudaea Vespasian sendeth helpe to the Sephorites but filleth Galilee with sword and fire Titus bringeth a mightie army into Iudaea The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The diligence and labour of the Romans in prouiding things necessary for the wars The industry of the Romans The order of the Romans in their campe The reuerence and obedience of the Roman souldiers to their captains How the Romans forsake their campe The armour of the Roman footmen The furniture of the Roman horsemen The Romans attempt nothing vnaduisedly or rashly The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The Romans grow more diligentby feare The obedience of the Romane souldier is no small occasion of his victorie How farre the Romane gouernment extendeth Placidus draweth his forces against Iotapata and being repulsed flies Vespasian directeth the Ro mans march The yeere of the world 4031 after Christs birth 69. The Eagle by the Romans is held the ensigne of the Empire and a signe of victorie Ioseph forsaken by his friends flies to Tiberias Ioseph is afraid of the Romans and writeth to Ierusalem Ioseph commeth to Iotapata from Tiberias Iotapata besieged The yeere of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. Nothing is more effectuall in warre or more desperate then necessitie A fight between the Romans and the Iewes continued a whole day and broken off by night The scituation of Iotapata Vespasian intendeth to begin a sharpe siege The Iewes break out and beat down the bulwarke Ioseph fixeth stakes in the ground and fastneth vnto them raw Oâ—… hides to raise the wall and beat off the shot The yeere of the world 〈◊〉 after Christs births 69. 〈◊〉 Vespasian restraineth his souldiers from fight and besiegeth the citie Ioseph deliuereth his souldiers water by measure Iosephs stratagem Another policie of Iosephs The people beleeched Ioseph that he would not forsake them Iosephs prudence The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph stayeth in Iotapata Where as there is no hope of helpe there was iâ—… the last remedie The audacious courage of the Iewes in their extreame desperation The Iewes with their slings are repulsed by the ArabiaÌ„ archers A Ramme Iosephs deuise how to breake the force of the Ramme The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph burneth the engines turneth off the Romans Eleazars strength and courage Netiras and Philips valour against the Romans Vespasian wounded in the sole of the foot by an arrow The warre renued against the Iewes The force of the Roman darts The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs Natiuitie 69. Vespasian leadeth on his armie to enter the Citie Iosephs subtill policie The cries of women and children in the battell The warre of the Romans with the Iewes vpoÌ„ the bridge The Iewes powre scalding oyle vpon the Romans The yeâ—…re of the world 4031. after
Christs birth 69. The Romanes retire without obtaining their purpose Vespasian erecteth higher platformes and towers The Citizens of Iotapata valiantly sustaine the siege The taking in of Iapha by Traiane The Iewes shut vp by the Romans between two wals are slaine Twelue thousand Iewes slaine Titus with his forces commeth to Iapha A sharpe skirmish within the towne betweene the Galileans and the Romans The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. The assembly of the Samaritans on the mountaine Garizin Want of water in the mountaine Garizin Eleuen Thousand and sixe hundreth Samaritās slain◅ A fugitiue certifieth the weake estate of the citizen◅ of Iotapata how few they were The Romans enter the citie whilst the Iew◅ are a sleepe The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The Romans are touched with no mercy nor compassiō The fight of the Iewes with the Romans in the tower Antonius slain by a Iewe thorow treason Fortie thousād Iewes perish during the siege and in the former battels Ioseph lept into a deepe trench and lyeth hidden in a caue Vespasian by Tribunes sendeth Ioseph assurance Nicanor the tribune known to Ioseph Iosephs dream of the slaughter of the Iewes Ioseph filled with the spirit of God secretly praieth Ioseph consenteth to Nicanor The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs Natiuitie 69. The Iewes violence and expostulation against Ioseph Iosephs oration to his countrey men It is a goodly matter to die for libertie but yet to die fighting The similitude of a sayler It is against the commō course of nature for a man to kill himselfe yea and a hanoue sinne against God The soule is immortall and aportiō of God placed in our bodies God reuenge◅ him on the autors of iniuries The custome of ancient Iewes and how they delt with those that slue themselues Iosephs peroration The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph is in great daunger to be slaine Another pollicy of Ioseph Iosephs fellowes die by lots and Ioseph and another are reserued Ioseph resorteth to Vespasian with Nicanor An example of Titus grace and mercy towards Ioseph Ioseph hath priuate consetēce with Vespasian Ioseph foretelleth Vespasian of his future honours Iosephs truth in all things The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph is kept bound yet rewarded by Vespasian Cesarca a great Citie by the Sea side inhabited for the most part by Greekes Scythopolis Ioppe the retreate of the seditious and theeues Of Andromeda read 4. Ouid Metamorph A huge tempest drowneth those of Ioppe in the Sea Foure thousand and two hundreth bodies cast out Vespasian taketh Ioppe and encampeth in the Castle Fame it selfe declareth the destruction of Iotapata The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph is said to be slaine in Ierusalem The hatred malice wrath in Ierusalem against Ioseph Vespasian com meth vnto Agrippas kingdome and recreateth himselfe there and feasteth twentie dayes Valerianus peaceably speaketh to the townes-men The seditious sally out and put the Romans to flight The Citizens of Tyberias prostrate them selues before Vespasian and obtaine pardon The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. The Tiberians entertain Vespasian with acclamations Vespasian besiegeth Tarichea The Romans driue the Iews to their ships Titus Oration to his terrified souldiers Iewes are not to be feared Victorie consisteth not in the multitude but in the courage of a few that fight valiantly The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The Romans haue greater cause of warre then the Iewes It becommeth souldiers to obey their captaine Vespasian sendeth new supplies to Titus The Iewes flie into the Citie A bitter dissension and sedition in the citie Titus Oration to the Roman souldiers Iesus with his followers flieth into the fields Titus certifieth his father of his exploits and victorie The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth c 9. The fountaine of Iordan The description of Genezar The fertilitie of Genezar The length and breadth of Genezar A fight by sea against the Taricheans The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Vespasians victorie in the lake of Genezar against the Taricheās The end of the battell by sea in which there died sixe thousand and fiue hundreth men Vespasian con◅ulteth with his chieftains about the Iewes The destruction and sale of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4031. af◅er Christs Na◅iuitie 69. The victorie of the Romans against the Iewes Semechonitis a lake The fountaine of Iordan The situation of Gamala The Citie of Gamala inexpugnable and strong Vespasian besieged Gamala One with a sling woundeth Agrippa The Romans besiege Gamala and assault the same The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The Romans fal downe with the ruines of the Iewes houses Many Romans slaine spoyled Vespasians fortitude and war like valour Vespasians fight with the Iewes Gallus with ten souldiers lieth hid in a certaine house Vespasian comforteth his souldiers The inconstancie and mutabilitie of fortune The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. The Roman souldiers do all things with discretion The Romans once more attempt the assault of Gamala The height of the mountaine Itaburium Fraud paide with fraud Placidus victorie The Romans vndermine a certain tower and it falleth with a great noise The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Titus with two hūdreth horse besides chosen footmen entreth Gamala The top of the Castle of Gamala stonie hard to be climed The Romans victorie by Gods prouidence Nine thousand Iewes slaine in Gamala and only two women escape The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Iohn a poisoner and a deceitfull man inforceth the Citizens of Giscala to rebell Vespasian foreseeth his no small trouble in the siege of Ierusalem Titus his compassiō towards those of Giscala The yeare of the world 4032. af◅ter Christs Na◅iuitie 70. Titus his merciful oration to those of Giscala Iohns answere to Titus exhortation Iohn reserued by Gods prouidence to be at the siege of Ierusalem The feare of those Iewes that fled with Iohn The citizens of Giscala entertaine Titus with all obedience The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Titus mercy to his enemies It is better to leaue an enemie in susp◅nce thorow feare then with the guiltie to confound the innocent The courage of Iohn and those that fled with him stirreth vp the Iewes to make warre against the Romans Intestine discord in Iurie The Iewes turn their weapons against themselues The theeues trouping togither in Ierusalem spoile the countrey The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Rapines and spoyles committed by day time The nobilitie of the Citie are taken and slaine by the theeues The theeues at their pleasure make a high Priest A high Priest chosen by thē contrarie to the ancient custome Phanes a countrie clowne made a high Priest The best
flieth with his wife into Cilicia Epiphanes flieth to Vologesus the king of Parthia Antiochus taken The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Antiochus reconciled to Caesar. The Alans enter Media to spoile the same Armenia wasted The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 The time among the Iewes which was most fruitful in all manner of impiety Iohn Giscala The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Simon sonne of Giora The Idumaeans The Zealous The end of the Iewes answerable to their liues Silua the captaine of the Romans besiegeth Massada The scituation of Massada The iourney by the rock called the Snake The top more fruitfull and fatter soile the the plaine Herods pallace The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A â—…ower to the Westside Great store of prouision in the Castle Fruit for a hundreth yeeres kept vncorrupt Herode suspecting a double perill builded this place for a refuge There was but one place about Massada to raise a mount to batter one The Citie battered with a large Ramme and by Siluas appointment Firebrands daâ—…â—…ed against the walâ—… The North wind diuerting the flame turneth it vpon the Romanâ—… The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eleazars Oration to his companions Eleazar conteâ—… Gods wrâ—…t â—…o bee kâ—…led against tâ—…e people The punish 〈◊〉 â—…ese 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 â—…es â—…n 〈◊〉 attempâ—… agâ—…inst the â—…es 〈◊〉 graue 〈◊〉 â—…en lâ—… 〈◊〉 maintained Eleazars Oraâ—…n as touchâ—…g the immor talitie of the soule The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A soule tied in a mortal body The power of the soule Sleepe the argument of the immortalniâ—… of the soule The professors of wisedome among the indians burne themselues An exhortation to contemn death drawne from the time and place Example taken from the Iews that were staine in Caesâ—…a The Calamitie of the Iewes in Scithopoliâ—… The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eighteen thousand Iews slain in Syria and threescore thousand in Aegypt The calamitie of those Iewes who were taken by the Romans Ierusalem the Metropolitane citie razed froÌ„ the foundations We are borne to die and the most strongest cannot auoid the same Eleazar telleth the Iewes of the Romans tyrannie It is a happines among the Iewes to die free The yeare of the world 4â—…38 after Christs birth 76. The Iewes gathering all their goods togither cast theÌ„ into the fire Ten chosen by lot to kill the rest of the Iewes The Romans expect the fight The Romans admire at the Iewes fortitude and obstinate contempt of death The murtherers authors of new calamitie The Iewes assemble and consult about the murtherers The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Diuers sorts of torments and tortures inflicted on them who reâ—…use Caesars soueraintie Onias by Ptoâ—…es consent buildeth a citie and temple in Egypt Onias temple built in Egypt Lupus shutteth the Iewes out of the temple The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 A part of Ionathans companions were taken and slaine the rest kept captiue aliue and brought to Catullus Three thousand Iewes slaine by Catullus Ioseph by Catullus perswasion is accused by Ionathas Ionathas being first beaten is burnt aliue The conclusion of the seuen bookes of the warres of the Iewes The historie of the antiquitie containeth the euents of fiue thousand yeers The causes that moued him to write this book All things among the Greekes are moderne but such things as were done among the Egyp tians Chaldies and Phaenicians are of happie memorie and venerable antiquitie Innumerable corruptions inuaded Greece The Phoenicians and Cadmus the first inuentors of letters Among the Greekes there is not any writing more ancient then Homers poem Thucidides writ a most exact historie of his time The causes of discord among the Iewes Another cause of their discord recorded by the Graecian Historiographers The signe of a true historie A custome which the priests obserued The priests amongst the Iewes are euerie one registred with the name of their fathers and this custome hath continued 2000 yeers Two and twentie bookes of holy writ The Iewes and Greeks are compared together Some others haue written of the wars of the Iewes Ioseph was present in all the wars of the Iewes Ioseph did write the historie of the Iewes wars being at Rome Ioseph sold his bookes to many Some do derogate from Iosephs historie Two things which Ioseph entendeth The Iewes careto bring vp their â—…heildreÌ„ The ancient Iewes had no need to trafficke with the Graecians The Romans were lately knowne to the Greekes Certaine Historiographers report Spaine to be onely one citie Arguments to proue the Iewes of more antiquitie then the Greeks Manethon an Egyptian writer Saltis subdued the Egyptians Kings shepheards Sethosis king of Egypt made his brother Ar mais Gouernour of his Countrie Where upon Egypt tooke his name Manethon sheweth the Iewes comming into Egypt and their departure Salomon built a â—…emple in 〈◊〉 143. yeeres and eight months before the Tyrians builded Carthage The friendship of the Tyrian king and oâ—… king Salomon Problemes of Hiramus and Salomon The testimony of Menander the Ephesian The Genealogie of king Hiramus Carthage built in Affricke by Dido Pigmalions sister Berosus the Historiographer a Chaldean Nabulassarus father to Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon and Chaldea Nabuchodonosor conquered the rebels Nabuchodonosor succeedeth in his fathers kingdome Nabuchodonosor builded a pallace Semiramis did not build Babylon The king of Babylon excelled Hercules in strength and noble valorous deeds The wals of Babylon built of bricke and bytumen Cyrus expelled Nabodâ—…us from Babylon The testimony of the Phoenicians touching the Iewes Antiquitie Nabuchodonozor besieged Tyre The Chaldaeis and Tyrians agree with the Iewes historie Hermippus writings and testimony of Pythagoras Theophrastus Corban the gift of God Herodotus the Halicarnassian touching the Iewes circumcision Chaerilus an ancient Poet his testimonie of the Iewes Asphaltites the lake The testimony of Clearchus disciple of Aristotle touching the Iewes Hecataeus Abderita brought vp with king Alexander A thousand fiue hundreth priests receiue the Iewes tenths The Iewes constancy against Alexander The largnes of Iurie Fiftie stounds are almost sixe Germaine miles The Priests do dwell in the Temple and drink no wine Agatarchides his testimonie of the Iewes The Iewes Sabaoth Why certaine writers omit to speake of the Iewes The last part against certain detractions â—…aunders The cause of malice betweene the Egyptians and Iewes The Egyptians Idolatrie Manethon an Egyption Historiographer Manethons fabulous reports of the Egyptian Lepers Osarsiphus captâ—…ine of Auaâ—…is The warre of the banished against the Aegyptians The Aegyptian king fled into Aethiopia and was by the Aethiopian king courteously entertained Osarsiphus was afterwards called Moses Manethons lies are confuted Manethons words repeated A conâ—…utation of Manethons words alleadged The Epiloge that the Iewet came not of the Egyptians An answere vnto Manethous slanders touching
and fraudulent man who during the siege of the Citie had retired himselfe to Bathal king of the Ammonites and had soiourned with him during all the troubles Who being in this sort assembled before him Godolias counselled to remaine in that countrey without any feare of the Babylonians promising that in manuring their land they should incurre no inconuenience All which he confirmed vnto them by an oth adding further that if any disturbance were offered to any man he would readily assist him He gaue each one this aduise likewise to inhabite any Citie that best liked them promising them to send them thither with such things as appertained to them to build them houses and furnish their habitations promising them that when time serued hee would make their prouision of corne wine and oyle for their maintenance during the winter time which when he had proposed these conditions vnto them he gaue them leaue to depart and inhabite the countrey wheresoeuer they best liked Now when the rumour ran amongst the people of Iudaea that Godolias had thus curreously entertained those that were fugitiues and how he had permitted them to inhabite and till the countrey prouided that they paid their tribute to the Babylonian diuers of them repaired incontinently to him and inhabited the countrey And Iohn and the other gouernours being with him and assured both of his clemencie and courtesie begā intirely to loue him For which cause they told him that Bathal king of the Ammonites had sent Ismael to murther him by some treacherie that by that meanes he might haue the dominion ouer the Israelites that remained in that he was of the bloud royal Assuring him that the means of his deliuerance from that treason was if so be he would commaund them to kill Ismael in secret assuring him on the contrarie side that they feared that if Ismael should happen to kill him their whole nation that remained was like to fall to vtter ruine But Godolias tolde them plainly that these stratagems they intended were practized against a man that had receiued pleasure at his hands and that it was not likely that he whom he had succoured during the time of his necessitie would be so wicked or impious against his benefactor as to attempt to murther him whom in any occasion or necessitie he could not but to his great shame and indignitie either flie or forsake Yea said he although those things are true which you informe me of yet had I rather die then oppresse a man that hath committed his life to my trust For which cause Ihon and the rest seeing their perswasions were in vaine departed from him Some thirtie daies after Ismael accompanied with ten men came to Masphath to Godolias who receiued them with presents and magnificent entertainment so that to expresse to Ismael and his companions how hartily they were welcome Godolias drunke so hard that he was somwhat ouerseene with wine Now when Ismael perceiued him to be in that key and ouerloaden with drinke and sleepe he stept vnto him with his ten associates cut both his throat and theirs who kept him company at the banquet after which murther he issued out by night and slew all the Iewes that were left in the citie those Babylonian soldiers also that were left in garrison in that place The next day there came fourescore men of the countrey to Godolias with presents being vtterly ignorant of that which had hapned Ismael knowing them called them vnto him as if he intended to bring them to Godolias and as soone as they were entred he locked the court and slew them and afterwards cast their bodies into a deepe ditch to the intent they might not be discouered Of this number there were some that escaped who besought him that they might not be put to death before they had deliuered certaine moueables garments and corne that they had hidden in the field which when Ismael vnderstood he spared them But he kept them prisoners that were in Masphath with their wiues and children in the number of whom were the daughters of Sedecias whom Nabuzardan had left with Godolias This done he retired backe againe to the king of the Ammonites Iohn and the gouernours of his company vnderstanding of the actes committed by Ismael in Masphath and aboue all of the murther of Godolias they were wonderfully displeased so that each of them assembling his priuate force issued forth to pursue and persecute Ismael whom they ouertooke neere vnto a fountaine in Hebron The prisoners that were with Ismael seeing Iohn his confederates tooke courage supposing that it was some succours that came to helpe them and forsooke him that led them and began to ioyne with Iohns followers and thus fledde Ismael with his eight men to the king of the Ammonites Iohn gathering togither all those whom he had rescued from Ismaels hands both Eunuches women and children retired into a certaine place called Mandra where he soiourned all that day resoluing from thence to depart into Aegypt fearing least the Babylonians should put him to death if they should remaine in Iudaea for that they would be displeased with the death of Godolias whom they had planted in the gouernment Being thus plunged and perplexed with these deliberations they addressed themselues to the Prophet Ieremy beseeching him to enquire of God and to certifie them what it behooued them to do in this their doubtfull estate binding themselues by an oth to doe that which Ieremy should commaund them Hereupon the Prophet promised that he would aske counsell of God for them and some ten daies after God appeared vnto him and willed him to certifie Iohn the gouernours and the rest of the people that if they inhabited Iudaea he would assist them and haue care of them and keepe them so as the Babylonians whom they feared should doe them no harme but if they departed into Aegypt he would abandon them and would be so incensed against them that he would thrall them in the like miserie as their brethren had indured in times past Whilest the Prophet thus warned them from God they would not beleeue him in that he commanded them to remaine in that place by Gods prescript ordinance but they imagined that vnder a false pretext of Gods commaund he had counselled them thereto but that in effect he spake in fauour of his disciple Baruch perswading them to stay there to the end they might be consumed by the Babylonians contemning therefore the counsell which God gaue them by the Prophet both Iohn and the rest of the multitude went into Aegypt and led with them both Baruch and Ieremy Whither they were no sooner come but God told the prophet that the Babylonian should lead his army into Aegypt for which cause he willed him to foretel the people that Aegypt should be destroyed and that they should partly be slaine in that place and partly led captiue to Babylon Which came in like manner to passe for