to have his strength seem greater than it was sent one of his Captains named Pappus with some forces into Samaria whilest himsâ—lf went against Machaeras In the mean time Herod took in five Towns and therein put two thousand of the Garrison Souldiers to the sword and setting the â—owns on fire he went against Pappus and was strengthened by many that came to him â—ut of Jerico and Juâ—ea yet was the enemy so confident that he would jâ—yn batâ—le with him but in fight Herods beats his Enemies H rod overcame them and being inflamed with a desire to revenge his Brothers death he pursued thâ—â— that fled sl w many of them and folâ—owed them into a Village and there slâ—w many more oâ— them who retreated into houses the rest fled After which victory Heâ—â—d had presently gone to Jerusalem and put an end to the warre had not the sharâ—â—ess of the winter hindred him for now Antigonus bethought himself to leave the City and fly elswhere for safety Herod in the evening when he haâ— dismissed his Friends to refresh themselves A speciall providence a yet hot in his Armour went into a chamber attended with one only servant to wash himself wherein some of his enemie armed whom fear had forced thither were hidden and whilest hâ— was naked and washing himself first one and then a second and a third ran out armed with naked swords in their hands so astoâ—â—shed that they were glad to sâ—ve thems lvâ—s withouâ— prâ—ff ring the least â—urt to the King The nâ—xt day Heâ—â— amongst others cut off Pappus his head and sent it by way of reveâ—ge for his Brothers death to â—is Brother 〈◊〉 Pappus slain for it was Pappus that with his own hand had sl in J seph Hâ—â—od in the beginning of the th rd year after he had been declared King at Rome Her d â—esieges Jerusalem comin with an Army â—o Jâ—â—usalem encamped neâ—r the City and from thence removâ—ng to that p ace where the Wall were fittest to be assaulted he pâ—â—ched his Teâ—ts before the Temple intending to attempt them as Pâ—mpey had done in times past and h ving encompassed the place with three Bulworks by the help of many workmen he raised his batteries fetching materials from all places thereabouts and appointing fit men to oversee the work and then himself went to Samaria to solemnize his Marriage with Mariamne Marries Mariamne the Daughter of Alexander the Son of Aristobulus who was formerly betrothed to him The Marriage ceremony being over Sosâ—us came with an Army of Horse and Foot being sent by Anthony to the aid of Herod and Herod also took a great party with him from Samaria to Jerusalem Herods great Army so that the whole Army being come together consisted of eleven Legions of â—oot â—â—d six thousand Horse besides the Sâ—â—iâ—â— Auxiliaries which were very many and so they pitched on the Nâ—rth sidâ— of the City Over this great Army were two Generals 〈◊〉 and Herod who purposed to displace Antâ—gâ—nus as an enemy to the people of Roâ—â— and to establish Herod in the Kingdom according to the Decree of the Senate The Jews being gathered together out of the whole Country The Jews fight valiantly and shut up within the Walls made a valiant resistance boasting much of the Temple of the Lord and saying that the Lord would not forsake his people in the time of danger By secret sallies also they burnt up and spoiled all provision without the City both for Man and Horse whereby the besiegers began to be pinched But Herod provided against their excursions by placing ambushments in convenient places and sending parties to fetch in provision from afar off so that in a short time the Army was well furnished with all necessaries By reason of the multitude of workmen the three Bulworks were soon finished it being Summer time so that no untemperateness of weather hindered them and with his Engins Herod often battered the Walls and left nothing unassayed but the besieged fought valiantly and were every way as active and subtile to make void his endeavours often sallying forth and firing their works both those that were finished and others that were but begun and coming to handistrokes with the Romans they were nothing inferiour to them but only in Martiall skill The Sabbaticall year now coming A Famine in Jerusalem brought a famine upon the besieged Jews notwithstanding which they built a new Wall within that which was beaten down by the battering Rams and so countermined the Enemies mines that many times they came to handistrokes under grâ—und and making use of despair instead of courage they held it out unto the last though Pollio the Phari ee and Samias his Disciple advised them to receive Herod into the City saying that they câ—uld not avoiâ— his being their King by reason of their sins They held out the siege for five moneths space though there was so great an Army before the City But at length twenty of Herods choisest Souldiers got upon the Wall and aâ—ter them the Centurions or Sâ—sius So that the first Wall was taken on the forti'th day and the second on the fiftieth and some Galleries about the Temple were burnt down which Herod charged though falslyâ— upon Antigonus thereby to bring him into hatred with the people When the outward part of the Temple was taken and the lower City the Jâ—ws fled into the inward part of the Temple and the upper City and fearing lest they should be hindred from offering their daily Sacrifices unto God they sent Ambassadors unto Herod to desire leave that such Beasts only might be brought in which were to be sacrificed This request Herod easily granted hoping that by this means they would leave their obstinacy and submit to him But perceiving that this courtesie prevailed not and that they were still resolute to continue the Soveraignty in Antigonus Jerusalem taken by Herod he gave a generall assault and won the City on the Kalends of Januâ—ry on the second moneth Cislu being the day on which the Jews were wont to celebrate a Fast in commemoration of the holy Rowl that was burnt by Jehoiakim The City being taken by assault all places were filled with murthers the Romans being incensed against the Jews for holding out so long Cruelty and the Herodian Jews endeavouring to extirpate the contrary faction so that there were continuall slaughters in the Porches and Houses yea the reverence of the Temple not saving the suppliants They spared neither age nor sex nor so much as the little children and though the Conquerouâ— Herod bâ—sought and intreated them to forbear yet none would hear or obey him but as if thâ—y â—ad 〈…〉 h y proceeded in their cruâ—lty Antigonus comiâ—g down 〈◊〉 upper City felâ— at Sosius his feet whâ—â—â— thing pittying his miserable condition insulted 〈…〉 Antigonus imprisoned calliâ—g 〈◊〉 Madâ—m Antigonus and withall 〈…〉 prison and sâ—t keepâ—rs about him And 〈…〉 Strangâ—â—s that
mind presently to revenge the murther and to raise an Army for that purpose had not Phasaelus interposed who juâ—ged it more meet to circumvent Malichus by Policy least they should seem to be the beginners of a civil war and accordingly Phâ—â—aelus made as though he accepted of Mâ—lichus his justification and believed that he was not guilty of his Fathers Death and so busied himself in building a stately Monument for him In the mean while Herod coming to Samaria and finding it in a desperate estate by reason of their Civil dissentions he appeased the discords amongst the Inhabitants and restored it to peace and not long after the Feast of Penticost approaching Herod goes to Jerusalem he went to Jerusalem accompanied with some souldiers of whom Malichus being affraid perswaded Hyrcanus not to suffer him to enter which Hyrcanus accordingly did alleadging that amongst the holy People that came to the Feast it was not lawfull to bring in a mixt multitude of prophane men But Herod making small account of the prohibition entred the City by night and thereby mightily terrified Malichus who thereupon according to his wonted dissimulations openly bewailed with tears the Death of Antipater as of his dear Friend And it was judged meet by Herods Friends that he should take no notice of this dissimulation but courteously again intertain Malichus He is excited to revenge his Fathers death Herod by letters certified Cassius of his Fathers death who very well knowing the temper of Malichus wrote back unto Herod to revenge the same and secretly also gave order to the Tribunes that were at Tyre to be aiding to Herod in his so just undertaking Cassius afterward having taken the City of Laodicea Governours came from every place bringing Crowns and Presents to him and here Herod expecting that Malichus should doe the like intended to have him punished for the Murther of his Father But Malichus had another design on foot purposing that whilest Cassius was busie in prosecuting the warre against M. Anthony to stir up the Nation of the Jews to revolt from the Romans and to depose Hyrcanus and get the Kingdome to himself But Herod being Politick and understanding of the treachery invited him and Hyrcanus with some other of their companions to supper At which time he sent one of his servants under pretence of providing for the Banquet whereas indeed he sent him to the Tribunes to desire them to set upon Malichus with their weapons who being mindfull of the Commands of Cassius finding Malichus they raâ—â—â—m through and slew him at which Hyrcanus being astonished Malchus slain fell into a swoun and being scarcely come to himself he asked who had slain Malichus and when one of the Tribunes answered that it was done by the command of Cassius he said Truly Cassius hath preserved me and my Country in kiling him who was a Traitor to both but whether herein he spake as he thought or that through fear only he seemed to approve the fact is uncertain After Cassius was gon out of Syria A sedition at Jerusalem there arose a sedition at Jerusalem For Paelix who was left there by Câ—ssius with souldiers in revenge of the death of Malichus set upon Phasaelus and the people betook themselves to their Armes At which time Herod was with Fabius the Governour of Damascus and had a mind to help his Brother but was hindered by a sudden sickness Yet did Phasaelus get the better of Faelix forcing him into the Town and afterwards agreeing upon quarter suffered him to go out But he was very angry with Hyrcanus that after the receipt of so many favours from him he yet favoured Fâ—elix and suffered the Brother of Malichus to seize upon some Castles and amongst the rest of the Castle of Massada which was a most strong piece Herods Valour As soone as Herod was recovered he went against the Brother of Malichus and took from him all the Castles that he had seized upon and Massada also where he took him Prisoner yet afterwards set him at liberty upon composition He also recovered three Castles that were seized upon by Masion the Tyrant of the Tyrians in Galilee but gave Quarter to all the Souldiers and sent them home well rewarded by which means he procured the love of the Citizens His Policy but he greater hatred of the Tyrant Shortly after Antigonus the son of Aristobulus Brother to Hyrcanus invaded Judaea being assisted by Ptolomei the son of Menaeus and Fabius the Governor of Damascus and Masion the Tyrant of the Tyrians who adhered to him for the hatred that he bore to Herod whom Herod meeting when they had scarce entred the borders of Judea overcame tâ—â—â— in Battell He overcomes Antigonus and drave them thence whereupon Hyrcanus honoured him with Crowns as soone as he returned to Jerusalem For he was already accounted as one of the Family of Hyrcanus being to marry Mariamnâ— or Mary the daughter of Alexander the son of Aristobulus the Brother of Hyrcanus and of Alexandra the daughter of Hyrcanus M. Anthony having overcome Brutus and Cassius there met him Ambassies from all Nations in Bythinia and amongst the rest some of the Rulers of the Jews to accuse Phasaelus and Herod alleadging that Hircanus ruled only in shew but in truth all the power was in the two Brothers Yet Anthony highly honoured Herod who was come thither to wipe off all those objections whereby it came to passe that his adversaries were not so much as admitted to speak with Anthony and this Herod had obtained by his Bribes Yet not long after there came an hundred of the most honourable amongst the Jews to Daphne near Antioch in Syria to Anthony Herod accused to Anthony to accuse Phaesaelus and Herod having chosen out of their whole number the most Eloquent to mannage their business But Messâ—la undertook the defence of the two Brothers Herod accused to Anthony with whom also Hyrcanus joined who had betrothed his Grand-daughter to Herod Both parties being heard Anthony asked Hyrcanus whether of the two parties were fittest to Govern a Commonwealth who speaking for the young men But acquitted Anthony that loved them for their Fathers sake his old Friend he made â—hem both Tetraerchs leaving to them the Government of all Judaea writing his letters to the same purpâ—se and clapped fifteen of their Adversaries into prison and would have put them to death had not Herod intreated for them But when the People did nothing but ran upon Herod Anthony in displeasure slew them all Antigâ—nus the Son of Aâ—â—stâ—bulus hired the Parthians to tranâ— ate the King â—ome from Hyrcâ—nus to himself and to kill 〈◊〉 who câ—ming along with him and some Jews also joining themselves to him he came to Jerusalem and they set upon the Kings House War between Antigonus and Herod But Phasaelus and Herod defended it against them and in the Market place overcomming them in a fight forced them to
fly into the Temple where they shut them in and placed sixty men in some adjoyning houses to prevent their flight but the people having the two Brethren set fire on those Houses and burnt the men in them which so enraged Herod that he slew many of the people and each laying wait for the other evâ—ry day some were murdered The day of Pentâ—câ—st being come many thousands of men as well armed as unarmed gathered together about the Temple from all parts of the Country Herod prevails and seized upon the Temple and City all but the Kings House which Herod kept wâ—th a few souldiers as Phâ—selus did the walls These brothers assisting each other assaulted their enemies in the suburbs forced many thousands of them to fly some into the City and some into the Temple and others into a rampire that was near the City Hereupon Antigonus desired that Pâ—c rus the Gâ—â—erall of the Pâ—â—thians might be admitted to make peace between them The Parthians falshood which Phasaelus assented to and Pacorus perswaded him to go with him as an Ambassador to Barzapharnes an other Generall of the Parthians laying an ambush for him by the way Phasaelus assented though much against the mind of his Brother Herod and was willing to go with Pacâ—ruâ— and took Hyrcanus along with him Pacâ—rus leaving two hundred Horsemen with Herod and ten whom they called Elâ—utheri went along with the Ambassadors And as soone as they were come into Galile Barzapharnes entertained them with a cheerefull countenance and bestowed gifts upon them but watched an opportunity to intrap them and so Phasaelus was brought with his company to a place near the Sea side called Ecdippon where Ophellus a rich Sâ—riâ—â— understanding of the treachery intended against them offered Phâ—saeâ—us some ships to carry him away But he unwilling to leave Hyrcanus and his Brother Herâ—â— in danger expostulated with Barzapharnes about the injury offered to â—â—m who were Ambassadors who swore that these thingâ— were not true and presently went to Pacâ—â—us No sooner was he gon but Hyrcanus and Pâ—â—â—â—luâ— were clapped up in Prison much detesting the perf diousness of the Parthians and an Eunuch also was sent to Herod with a command to surprize him if he could get him out of Jerusalem Herod flies from Jerusalem Herod having intelligence what had happened to his Brother taking with him such forces as he had in readiness and his Mother Cybele his sister Salome his wife Mariamne and his wives Mother Alexandra the daughter of Hyrcanus and his youngest Brother Pheroras with their servants he privately by night took his flight into Idumaea In their journey his Mother by the overthrow of her Coach was in great danger of death and Herod fearing least the enemies should overtake them whilest they stayed there drew forth his sword thinking to kill himself He would have killed himself But being restrained by those which stood by he went towards Massada a very strong place which is seated in Arabia and Palestine by the nearest way that he could possible The Parthians first and also the Jews pursuing him by that he was sixty furlongs from the City but he repelled them both in fight The next day after Herod had fled from Jerusalem the Parthians plundered the City and the Kings house Jerusalem plundered only the Treasure of Hyrcanus which was three hundred Talents remained untouched A great part also of Herods substance which he had not carried away with him they siezed upon and not satisfied therewith they harrassed all the the Country also and rased the rich City of Marissa Antig nus being thus settled in Judaea by the Parthians Antigonus made King of the Jews he received into his Custody Hy canus and Phasaeâ—us who were prisoners yet he was much grieved that the women were got away whom he had intended to deliver to the Paâ—thâ—â—â—â— tog ther with the money which he had promised to gave them Being afraid also least Hyrcanus should agâ—in 〈◊〉 the favour of the people be restored to his Kingdome and Priesthood he cut off his eares Cuts off Hyrcanus ears thereby rendering him unfit for the Priesthood the Law forbiding that any one who wanted a member should approach to the Altar Lev. 21.17 c. Phasaelus knowing that his death was determined Phasaelus kills himself sought to lay violent hands upon himself but being hindred by reason of his chains he dashed out his brains against a stone Yet before he was quite dead hearing by a woman that his Brother Herâ—d was escaped he greatly rejoyced that there was one left to revenge his death The Parthians though they missed of the women which they most of all desired yet having settled all things at Jerusalem with Antigonus when they departed took Hyrcanus along with them Prisoner into Parthia Herod not hearing of his Brother Phasaelus his death Herod flees to Malchus King of Arabia went to Mâ—lchus the King of the Arabians Nabathaeans who were obliged to him by many favours he had done them purposing so soone as possiblely he could to redeem his Brother for three hundred Talents from the enemy For which cause he carried along with him young Phasaelus his Brothers Son about seven years old to leave him for a pledge with the Arabians But there met him some that were sent from Malchus Is rejected by him to command him to depart from the bounds of his Kingdome for so the Parthians had required Yet he pretended that he did it by the request of his Noble men purposing to cozen him of that great treasure which his Father Antipater had committed to his trust Herod taking this very heavily turned aside into a certain Temple where he had left many of his followers but the next day when he came to Rhinocorura he heard of his Brothers death Malchus upon second thoughts repenting of his ingratitude sent in all hast after Herod but the messengers could not overtake him for he was gon farre on his journey towards Pelusium Herod goes into Egypt where the Marriners that were sailing to Alexandria refused to take him in There by the Magistrates of the City he was honourably intertained and brought to Cleâ—patra the Queen who could not prevail with him to stay at that time because he was hastening to Rome From thence into Italy though the sea was very tempestuous and as then the affairs in Italy were in no very good condition As he sailed from Aâ—exandria towards Phamphilia he met with a very great storm which made him cast overboard much of his substance and scarcely got he to Rhodes He comes to Rhodes At Rhodes two of his greatest friends met him Sappinas and Ptolomaeus and finding that the City had suffered much in the warre against Cassius he could not be restrained no not by his present poverty but that he would do something for it even beyond his ability After which he caused a Frigot to be built and
end who told Herod that he was sollicited by Mariamne to deliver him a love potion which he had by him but what it was he knew not Herod hereupon examined the most faithfull servant of Mariamne by torture being assured that she would attempt nothing without his privily who not enduring the torments confessed that she was offended for something that â—ohemus had declared unto her which when the King heard he cryed out that Sohemus who had ever been most faithfull both to him and the Kingdom would never have spoken of these things had there not been some more secret familiarity between them than was fitting and thereupon he commanded Sohemus to be apprehended and put to death and having called his Friends to Counsel he accused his Wife for practising to poison him which he so aggravated that all that were present perceived that he had a mind that she should be condemned Mariamne condemned to death which was accordingly done by the generall consent of them all aâ—d whereas they thought that the ex cution should not be over speedy but rather that shâ— should be secured iâ— some of the Kingâ— Castles Salome excee ingly urged the King that she should presently be put to death for â—ear lest there should be some commotion among the people she being alive and in Prison and thus was Mariâ—mne brought to h r death When her Mother Alâ—xandra saw her going to execution and considered that she must look for the same at Herods hanâ—s that she might not seem to be guilty of the some crime she began to upâ—raid her daughter as being wicked and ungratefull towards her Husband saying Her motherâ— Hypocr sie bâ—t she deserved death who â—urst â—ttâ—moâ— so hamous an act Whilst shâ— counterfeited these things and made as iâ— she wouâ—â— havâ— pulled her Daughter by the hair they that were present coâ—demned her hypocrisie Mariamnes Death but she that was led to death returned her no answâ—r but refelleâ— the falsâ— accusation with a resolute countenance and mind and underwent her death without fear She being dead Herod began to be more inflamed with love towards her Herods excessive grief for her often calling upon her Name and lamenting her death beyond decency and although he sought to divâ—rt his grief by pleasures feastings and drinking yet all availed nothing Whereupon he cast off the care of his Kingdom and so far gave up himself to sorrow that he would bid his servants call Mariamne as though she were yâ—â— living A great 〈…〉 As Herod was thus tormenting himself there came a great Plague which swept away a great part both of the Nobility and Commons every one judging that this Plague was sent by God for the unjust death of the Queen The Kings discontents being increased hereby he at last hid himself in a solitary Wilderness under a pretence of hunting where still afflicting himself he fell into a great sickness Herods Melancholy and sicknesse which was accompanied with an inflammation and great pain in his neck so that he began to rave neither could any applications ease him but rather made the disease more painfull so that those about him began to despair of his life and his Physicians partly because of the stubborness of the disease and partly because in so great danger there was not any free election of diet they gave him leave to eat whatsoever he would Alexandras treason and Death Herod lying thus sick in Samaria and Alexandra being at Jerusalem she endeavoured to get the two Castles of the City into her hands the one adjoyning to the Temple the other situate in the City For which end she sollicited the Governours of them to deliver them up unto her and to the Children of her and Mariamne lest that Herod being dead they should be seized upon by others But they who had ever been faithfull to Herod were now much more diligent in their Office both out of an hatred of Alexandra and because they thought it a great offence to despair of the recovery of their Prince Hereupon they presently sent messengers to Herod to acquaint him with Alexandra's attempt who thereupon commanded her to be slain At length overcoming his disease he recovered his strength both of body and mind but grew so cruell Herod grows cruel Salome leaves her husband and comes to Herod that upon the least occasion he was ready to put any one to Death Salome Herods Sister having been married to Cossaborus an Idumean a difference now arising betwixt them she contrary to the custom of the Jews sent him a Bill of Divorce and came away to her Brother Herod telling him that she preferred his love before her tye to her Husband the reason which she pretended was that Cossaborus had practised some innovations with Lysimachus Antipater and Dositheus confirming it from this because he had privily kept in his Country the Children of Bebas now for the space of twelve years from Herods taking of Jerusalem Herods cruelty As soon as Herod heard this he sent some to their hiding places and killed them with many others to the intent that none should remain of the kindred of Hyrcanus He also took out of the way all such as excelled in any dignity that he might do whatsoever seemed him good there being none to resist him Herod by these practises growing more secure He instituted Games to the discontent of the Jews he began to degenerate more and more from his Country fashions violating them by forreign inventions For first he instituted wrestlings every fifth year in the honour of Caesar for the exhibiting of which he began to build a Theatre in Jerusalem and an Amphitheatre in the plaine both of them very sumptuous for the workmanship but clean contrary to the Jewish customes Yea he would have thiâ— solemnity to be inrolled and to be proclaimed in the neighbouring Countries and to remoter Nations and by propounding great rewards he invited not only those that were skilfull wrestlers but also excellent Musitians and such as played on severall instrumâ—nts Yet that which above all troubled the Jews were the Trophees which being covered with Armour they thought to be Images forbidden by their Law but Herod to satisfie them commanded the Armour to be taken off and shewed them that they were meer stocks of wood whereupon all their anger was turned into laughter Herod having many wayes provoked the Jews ten Citizens of Jerusalem made a Conspiracy against him A conspiracy against Herod amongst whom one was blind who made one not because he could do any thing but to shew how ready he was to suffer with those that defended their Countrie rights Herod had appointed secret spies to discover such plots one of which had fished this matter out and acquainted Herod with it who caused them to be apprehended The conspirators are put to Death and when they were brought before him with undaunted countenances they drew out their weapons from under
sâ—ould a 〈◊〉 concerning it and withall he took 〈◊〉 care â—f â—â—e young children of Alexander and Ariâ—toâ—â—â— whâ—â—h Aâ—tipaâ—er took very heavily fearing lest wheâ—â—â—ey shoâ—ld come to age they would hinder his designâ—â—â—oughâ— in â—efâ—re their destruction and he so overcam â—erod bâ— his flatteries that he sâ—ffered him to marry the dâ—ughte◠〈◊〉 Aristobulus and his son to marry the daugâ—ter of 〈◊〉 Uâ—cle Pheroras About thâ—â—â—he Herod invited Zamaris a Babilonian Jew and gave him a Country in Traâ—honis to inhabit and this he did that he might be a guard to that Country against Thieves and Zamaris coming with five hundred Horse and an hundred of his kinsmen erected Castles in divers places of that Country by which means he secured the Jews that came from Babilon to the Feasts at Jerusalem from the Thieves Antipater working treason against his Father drew in his Uncle Pheroras and some of the Kings women that were most addicted to the Sect of the Pharisees Of the Pharisees except Salome who constantly adhered to her Brother Herod These Pharisees were a crafty people arrogant and enemies to Kings and they only of the whole nation of the Jews refused to swear allegiance to Herod and Caesar and were about six thousand For which cause Herod fined them and the wife of Pheroras paid their fine for them to whom by way of requitall they foretold that the Kingdom should be taken from Herod and his children and be transferred upon her Husband and her and their children these things Salome made known to Herod Herod slew some of them who examining the business put some of the Pharisees to death and with them the Eunuch Dagoas and his darling Carus who was commended to him for his handsomeness and besides these all the rest of his Family whom he found to have conspired with the Phaâ—â—sâ—â—â— Herod having punished the Pharisees called a Councill of his Friends and before them began an accusation against the wife of his brother Pheroraâ— and when Pheroras tho to grafie his Brother would not forsâ—ke her he forbad Antipater Pheroras his company and Antipater that he might remove all suspition from himself procured by his friends that his Father should send him immediately to Augustus and accordingly Herod Herod sends his Son to Caesar sent him with great presents and his Will in which he declared that Antipater should succeed him in the Kingdom but if he died before him then his Son that he had by Mariamus the daughter of Simon the High Priest In the sixth moneth after John was conceived The Angel appears to Mary the Angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth in Galilee to the blessed Virgin Mary betrothed to Jâ—seph of the same Tribe with her viz. of the stock of David and declared to her that she should bring forth the Son of God and call his name Jesus and she being more fully taught of his admirable conception by the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing her with great Faith said Be it to the handmaid of the Lord according to thy word Luk. 1.26 38. and presently after she went into the Hill-Country into a City of Judah viz. Hebron a City of the Priests scituated in the mountains of Judea Josh 21.10 11. where when she entred into the House of Zachary and saluted her Cousin Elizabeth the babe sprang in her womb and she being filled with the Holy Ghost declared that Mary was blessed c. Luk. 1.39 56. Herod banished his Brother Herod banishes his Brother Pheroras into his Tetrarchy because he would not part with his wife who swore that he would never return till he heard of Herods death so that a little after Herod falling sick and often sending for him to receive some private instructions he refused to come for his oaths-sake When Elizabethâ— time was come she brought forth a Son who wa called Joâ—n John Baptist is born and Zacharies speech being restored to hâ—m he prophesied saying Blâ—ssed be the Lord God of Israel c. Luk. 1.57 â—8 and Joseph finding his betrothed wife to be with child thought of putting her away privily but being warned by God in a dream he took her to wife Mâ—t. 1.24 Pheroras Pheroras dieth falling sick and Herod beyond expectation being recovâ—red went to visit him and very kindly sought help for him but he died within a few dayes after whose boâ—y was brought to Jerusalem and interred by Herod who honoured him with publick mourning At this time two of Pheroras's freed men declared to Herod how he was killed by poyson g ven him by Doris the Mother of Aâ—tipater which whilest Herod enquired into by little and little â—e found out greater Villanies and the manifest treasonâ—â—f his Son Antipâ—â—eâ— Antipaters Treason who when he went to Rome had delivered a deadly poison tâ— Pheroras that was sent him out of Egypt from his Uncle â—heodore the brother of Doris wherewithall to mâ—ke awâ—y 〈◊〉 Father that so the suspition of the Parracide should not lye upon him being so far absent Hereupon Herod put Doris out of the Pallace and took from her Jewels that were worth many Talents He also put from him his wife Mariamne the daughter 〈◊〉 the Hâ—gh Priest as a partner of all these secrets and blotted hâ— son out of his Will and deprived her â—ather of the High Priesthood and substituted in his room Maâ—thias the Son of Theophilus that was born at Jerusalem Presently after came Bathyllus Antipaters freed-man from Rome who being tortured confessed that formerly he had brought poison and given it to Dâ—ris and Pherâ—ras that if the first proved too weak they should be sure to dispatch Herod with the second There came also letters from his Friends at Rome to the King written by the entreaty of Antipater Antipaters Craft in which Archelaus and Philip Hâ—rods sons were accused for often complaining of the death of Alexâ—nâ—â—â— and Aristobulus pittying the misfortune of their murthered brethren For these young men were studying at Rome and their Father had now commanded their return whereupon Antipater by great gifts corrupted those friends thâ—t by their letters they might make the young men suspected to their Father who if they lived might be an hindrance to his hopes About this time Augustus taxing all the Roman world our Lord Christ was born Christ is born Luk. 2.4 5. Shortly after there came wise men from the East the Star being their guide to Herod at Jerusalem and there being taught that the birth place of Christ was Bethlehem of Judea thither they went and entring into the house which was shewed them by the Star that stood over it they found the Child and fell down and worshipped him c. Mat. 2.1 12. After the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Jâ—seph in a dream warning him to fly into Egypt Joseph flies into Egypt where he remained till the death of Herod Mat. 2.13 14 15. Herod thinking that the Child was still at