such time as Joab Ader fled into Egypt General of Davids Army had conquer'd Idumaea and in the space of six months defeated all the youth and those that were capable to bear Arms he fled unto L Pharaoh King of Egypt Ader beseecheth Pharaoh to dismiss him that he might return into his Countâ—â—y who entertain'd him very courteously and gave him an house and lands for his maintenance and loved him dearly when he came to mans estate so that he married him to Taphines his wives sister on whom he begat a Son who was brought up with the Kings children who having intelligence in Egypt of David and Joabs death address'd himself unto Pharaoh and besought him to give him leave to repair into his own Countrey The King ask'd him what he wanted or what the cause was that mov'd him to be so forward to forsake him Notwithstanding therefore that he importuned and requested him divers times yet prevailed he not with him But when Solomons fortunes began to decline Ader returneth into Idumaea and from thence departeth into Syria by reason of his iniquities above-mentioned and the wrath of God provoked M against him Ader by Gods permission came into Idumaea after he had obtained leave of Pharaoh to depart But being unable to move the people to revolt from Solomon by reason of the strong Garisons he held Raas and Ader enemies to Solomon and knowing that without hazard of his own person he could move no alterations or innovation in that place he departed from thence and went into Syria where confederating himself with a certain man called Raas who was fled from his Master Adarezer King of Sophone and lived like an Outlaw in that Region he contracted friendship with him and a great sort of Outlaws and Thieves that were his followers and went into Syria and seizing on that Countrey proclaimed himself King thereof From whence making excursions into the lands of the Israelites he spoiled and pillaged the same during Solomons life-time Thus were N the Hebrews enforced to sustain those Outrages at Aders hands Moreover a certain Man called Jeroboam the son of Nebat by Nation a Jew rebelled against Solomon Ver. 26 ad 35. and raised his hopes above his estate persuaded thereunto by a Prophesie that concerned him Jeroboam rebelleth against Solomon and incited him unto the action For being left very young by his Father and carefully instructed by his Mother as soon as Solomon perceived him to be of a noble and couragious spirit he made him Commissary over the building of the Walls at such time as he immured and fortified Jerusalem In this office he behaved himself so well Ver. 30. that the King thought very well thereof and by way of recompence made him General over the Tribe of Joseph Achâ—as the Prophet foretelleth that he should be King over the ten Tribes Towards which whil'st he travelled from Jerusalem a certain Prophet met him upon the way who was of the City of Silâ— called O Achias who approaching near unto him and saluting him drew him out of the way into a place where none but themselves were present and there renting the garment which he wore upon his back in twelve pieces he commanded Jeroboam to take ten telling him That God had so decreed The year of the World 2971. before Christ's Nativity 993. and how he would rent the Government from Solomon and reserve A only one Tribe unto his son with that other which was annexed unto it by reason of the promise made to David and to thee said he he giveth the other ten because Solomon hath offended God and addicted himself to the love of strange Women and the service of foreign gods Now since thou knowest the cause wherefore God hath alienated the Kingdom from Solomon be thou just and observe the Laws for if thou behavest thy self in such sort as thou knowest David did a great reward of thy piety and recompence of thy observance attendeth thee so that thou shalt become as mighty as David hath been before thee Jeroboam confirmed in great hopes by these words of the Prophet being by nature haughty in years young and besides that Ver. 40. desirous of authority Jeroboam flieth into Egypt and remaineth there until Solomons death he took no rest but being possessed of the place of B General and remembring himself of that which had been told him by Achias he presently began to persuade the people to revolt from Solomon and to choose him for their King Solomon hearing news of this his design sought means to lay hands on him and to put him to death but Jeroboam preventing him fled unto Susac King of Egypt with whom he remained until the death of Solomon And thus for that time escaped he punishment and thus was he reserved to the fortune of a Kingdom CHAP. III. After the death of Solomon the people revolt from Rehoboam his Son and proclaim Jeroboam King of the Ten Tribes C BUT when Solomon was very old The death of Solomon he dyed after he had Reigned fourscore years and lived ninety four and was buried in Jerusalem of all Kings the most happy rich and prudent Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. al. 4. except that sin whereunto he was drawn by Women in his old age of whom and those calamities that presently after befell the Hebrews we have sufficiently spoken 1 Reg. 12. 1 ad 11. After the death of Solomon as soon as his son Rehoboam whom he begat upon an Ammonitish woman called Noma succeeded him in the Kingdom the Governors of the people sent certain messengers into Egypt to recall Jeroboam who arriving in the City of Sichem Rehoboam came thither also resolving in that Assembly of the Israelites to take the Kingdom upon himself by the peoples consent The people require Rehoboam to mitigate their burthen To him therefore the Princes D of the people resorted with Jeroboam beseeching him That he would remit somewhat of their servitude and shew himself more merciful than his father had been for that under his government they had been sorely oppressed assuring him that by that means his Kingdom should be the more secured if so be he had rather be beloved than feared He three days after promised them to return an answer to their demands and by that means drew them into suspition that upon the motion he misliked of the offers they had proposed for they thought it became his years to be affable and ready to deserve well yet remained there some hope in them Ver. 6 7 8. that they had not presently suffered a repulse Mean while he calling about him his fathers friends The wholesom advice of the Elders consulted what answer he should give the people they that wished his welfare and knew the nature of the people very well persuaded E him to speak familiarly unto the people and remitting a little of his Kingly
the three Children with the fiery Furnace as this woman was afflicted at the death of all her Children before she came to her own Agony What would another woman and Mother have done in this Case but wept and with pitiful lamentations have cryed Ah wretch thas I am most unhappy and miserable of all that breath who therefore bare so many Children into this World that their several deaths might be so many several occasions of my grief and sorrow she would have commemorated her frequent labours the pains she endured in her ten Months bearing them she would have bewailed her ill fortune who brought forth her sons to so many deaths and dangers she would have recounted the milk wherewith she fed them and their meat she had prepared for them the F pains she had taken with them how she had carried them in her Arms and sung to them and taught them to speak her cares her watchings her fear lest any mis-hap should betide them and with weeping tears would have said Shall I never be a Grandmother and embrace your Children who a while ago was a fruitful mother my self but am now deprived of you all If this day I dy I have none to bury me But this handmaid of God forgot all these complaints that another mother would have made and with an Adamantine sence more impenetrable than the never-yielding Rocks did neither forsake her Children in their torments nor in their death but rather compelled them to perish and never sorrowed thereat For being apprehended together with her seven Sons she considering Eleazar's Martyrdom did thus exhort them in the Hebrew G tongue O my most dear and loving Children The mothers speech exhorting her seven Sons to suffer let us hasten to that Martyrdom which may make us a H credit to our Nation and gain of God an everlasting reward let us without fear present our selves unto those torments which Eleazar's aged body endured calling to mind our Father Abraham of worthy memory who having but one only Son did sacrifice him being willed by God so to do and seared not to bring him to the Altar though he was the fruit and only comfort of his age Isaac also was willing to be sacrificed by his father knowing that God was to be obeyed in all things the like may be said of Daniel and the three Children believe me we are rather tried than tormented For whatsoever this World affordeth is mortal and transient Thus did this mother arm her Childrens minds with fortitude A Golden saying of the mother of her seven Children and though a woman infused courage and constancy into men And when her Children were all dead she I a worthy mother of so many Champions kneeling down in the place of torment be sought God to put an end to her life protesting that she had not for love of life so long deferred to dye The mother followed her Sons in torments but only for her Childrens sake and that now she had seen them all seven triumphing Whereupon the rage of Antiochus grew hot and he commanded this noble person to be tormented and accordingly as the Tyrant willed she was striped naked and hanged up by the hands and most cruelly whipped her dugs and paps were pulled off and she put into the red-hot Frying-pan being most willing to follow her Childrens steps in torment and lifting up her Eyes and hands to Heaven she prayed for all women with Child and so yielded her chast Soul to God But Antiochus was striken with fire from Heaven O thou mistress of justice who followed'st K thy triumphing Children O Conquerer of Tyrants and a Looking-Glass for all Martyrs O example of patience not only to women but to all men that shall be after thee reverenced of them that now are and to be worshiped of them that are to come and to be admired not only of our Nation The light of the just but of all other people Thy light obscureth the bright shining Moon 1. Cor. 15. and though she fill the World with her brightness yet is she not comparable to thy shining light Seven lights inviron thee about dazling the brightness of the seven Planets Could any Painter express or any hand in writing declare the torments which you suffered none could with dry eyes read or behold them All people would flock about to see it All people would praise and esteem him to have offered a great gift who to God's glory had painted so incomparable a picture L And if any skilful workman should engrave this Tragedy upon a Sepulchre or in his house doubtless he should be freed from all plague and misfortune But where could a stone be found able to contain so many torments Therefore the old man Eleazar the Mother and her seven Sons are for their Nobility graced with a Sepulchre and a great reverence is done unto them of all men yea even by men that are not of our Religion and there is a constellation of eight stars ordained as an argument of their justice and Angels did execute their Funerals The Tyrant himself was astonished to see the constancy of such godly minds And thus have they found such favour in the sight of God that they have obtained remission of the sins of our Nation For presently after the Tyrant was destroyed and Israel was freed from his Tyranny M But Antiochus Antiochus leavied an Army of Footmen from amongst the Hebrews seeing the greatness of their Faith and their contempt of death gathered an Army of Foot out of the Hebrews by whose help he terrified his Enemies and got great Renown O blessed seed of Abraham behold what benefit the Sufferings of the Mother and her seven Sons brought to us their Country-men let us persist in this piety that so we may be like our Forefathers behold the death of a few did end all the miseries and sins of our whole Nation and you by your Country-mens hands vanquished their persecutors Enemies Antiochus died stinking exceedingly after that victory our sins were remited last of all Antiochus being mad and his entrails devoured with Worms he smelling like Carrion gave up the Ghost 2. Mac. 9. and was ever after death punished for his offence For when he could not make the Citizens of Jerusalem to forsake their Law he made War against N the Persians and there received that which he deserved It now remaineth An Epitome of the life of the seven Sons and their mother that we briefly repeat all that is before said For in her Agony this sacred mother said thus unto the standers by Whilest it was lawful for me I kept my self a Virgin and then I married and lived a Chast Wife and forsook not my own house I brought forth such Sons as I need not be ashamed of and though dounted with my Husbands death yet I did not forsake my Faith This and many things else she recounted And
sequestred them for the space of seven days after which it was lawful for them to converse with Men. The like decreed he of those that had assisted at the burial of a dead Man whom he permitted not to converse with the other till seven days were expired It was also decreed by Law that he that had a flux of seed beyond seven days should sacrifice two Wethers one of which should be sacrific'd and the other given to the Priests Also that he that hath unnatural pollution should wash himself with cold water Goâ—orrhaâ— The like must Husbands do after they have had use of their Wives Of Lepers He likewise order'd that the Leprous should be separated for ever not permitting them to frequent any Mans company but esteeming them as little differing from the dead And if any one by his prayers made unto God was delivered D from this disease and his skin reduced to its native colour such an one presented himself before God with divers oblations and sacrifices Against them that object against Moses and his Followers that they fled out of Egypt for Leprosie of which we will speak hereafter Whence it appears how ridiculous a fable it is that Moses fled out of Egypt because he was a Leper and that all the Hebrews whom he conducted with him and brought into the Land of Canaan was troubled with that disease For if that were true Moses would not have made these ordinances to his own shame and if any other had proposed them he would have opposed himself against them especially since among divers other Nations there are Lepers who are held in great honour and who are so far from disdainand contempt that they have been made Generals of Armies and elected for Governors of Common-wealths having liberty to enter the Temples and to be present at the sacrifices E What therefore hindred Moses if he had been infected with this malady to make such Laws and ordain such Statutes among those People who honoured and obeyed him whereby such as were therewith infected might be preferred By which it is manifest that those things that are objected against him are rather of malice than probability But Moses being clean from such sickness and conversing amongst his Countrey-men which were untainted made these ordinances for them that were sick having regard to the honour of God But of these things let each Man censure as best liketh him He forbad women to enter into the Temple soon after their deliverance Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. or to assist at the sacrifice until forty days were expired if they had been brought a-bed of a Son The Laws of Women that are brought a-bed but if it were a Daughter he appointed that the number of the dayes should be F doubled and that when they should enter they should present their offerings to God whereof one part was consecrated and the other belonged to the Priests And if any one suspected that his Wife had committed adultery Numb 5. v. 15. ad finem he brought an Assar of Barly Meal and cast an handful thereof upon the Altar The Laws of adultery and jealousie and the rest was reserved for the maintenance of the Priests and then the Priest placing the Woman in the porch which is right over against the Tabernacle and taking the cover from her head writeth the name of God upon a Parchment and maketh her swear that she hath not violated her faith to her Husband and wish if she had transgressed the bounds of chastity that her right thigh might be put out of joynt her belly burst and death follow thereupon but if her Husband had been inconsiderately drawn into that suspition through excess of love then it pleased G God at the end of ten months to give her a Son And after such an oath ministred unto her the Priest dippeth in water the Parchment on which the name of God was written and then taking some of the earth of the Temple according as he findeth it and having mingled the same giveth it to the Woman to drink and if she had been H unjustly accused she became with child and brought forth happily but if she had falsified her faith to her husband and forsworn her self before God then dyed she a shameful death in the manner above mentioned You see what Laws Moses provided for the sacrifices and purifications Of adultery and incest He furthermore made these Laws which ensue He generally forebad Adultery judging it to be a great felicity if Men demeaned themselves honestly in Marriage and that both in politick Estates and private Families Exod. 22. it was a thing most profitable Deut. 17. that children should be born in Lawful Matrimony Levit. 18. 20 21 29. He condemn'd also as a horrid crime for a Man to have the use of his Mother or his Fathers Wife his Aunt or his Sister or his Sons Wife and detesteth it as a most I heinous and hideous offence He prohibited also the use of a Woman when she hath her monthly sickness also the lying with Beasts or boys by reason that such affections are abominable and against the transgressors of these Laws he established Capital punishments He willed also that the Priests should be more chaste than the rest for he not onely forbad them that which he prohibited others but moreover he enjoyned them not to marry Women that had been cast off or Slaves or Prisoners or Victualers and Taverners forsaken by their Husbands for any occasion whatsoever And touching the High-Priest Lev. 21. 7 8 9 he permitted him not to match with a Widow although it were Lawful for the other Priests and granted him onely liberty to take a Virgin to his Wife What Wife the High-Priest might marry with and to keep her The said High-Priest is also forbidden to approach a dead Man K although the other Priests are not forbidden to approach their Brothers Fathers and Mothers and children deceased Requiring that they should be sincere and true in all their words and actions He likewise ordained that the Priest which had any bodily defect should be maintained by the other Priests but in the mean time that he should not approach the Altar nor enter into the Temple willing that not onely they should be pure in that which concerned the divine service but also that they should study and endeavour to be so in all the actions of their life to the end that no Man might reproach them For which cause when they wore the habit of Priests besides their general obligation to be always pure and sober they were forbidden to drink Wine and they were to offer up entire L sacrifices and no ways maimed These Statutes did Moses make in the Desart and caus'd to be observ'd during his life Levit. 25. v. 2. ad 8. Afterwards he made others also which both the People might practise in that place The
would not transgress the Laws of their Countrey for which cause being apprehended they were instantly cast into the Furnace of Fire and protected therein by Gods providence escaped death beyond all mens expectation For the fire touched them not neither could it burn during their abode in the Furnace For God so defended their Bodies that they could not be consumed by fire N which miracle made them in great estimation with the King for that he saw that they were virtuous and beloved of God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Not long after this the King saw another Vision in his sleep which signified unto him that being cast from his Empire he should converse with Savage Beasts and that having lived in that estate in the Desart for the space of seven years he should recover his Kingdom again Having had this Dream he assembled the Magicians once more demanding their answer and the signification thereof But it was impossible for any one of them either to find out or declarethe meaning of this Dream unto the King Onely Daniel discovered the same and the effect was answerable to his prediction For the King passed the fore-limited time in the Desart Dan. 4. 1. ad 29. so that no man durst intermeddle O with the affairs of Estate during seven years The Dream and exposition hereof But after he had called upon God that it would please him to restore him to his Kingdom he repossessed the same again Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities according as I have found them written in Holy Books The year of the World 3381. before Christ's Nativity 5â—3 for in the entrance of my History I have A answered those objections so that I have openly protested that I will onely faithfully translate the Hebrew Histories into the Greek tongue and according to my promise relate that which is contained therein without adding any thing of mine own or concealing ought of another mans Nabuchodonosors death After that Nabuchodonosor had reigned fourty three years he dyed he was a man of good Conduct and more happy than any of his Predecessors Berosus maketh mention of his acts in the third Book of the Chaldaique History where he speaketh thus His Father Nabuchodonosor having notice that the Governour whom he had appointed over Egypt and the neighboring parts of Coelosyria and Phoenicia was revolted from him being at that time in himself unable to endure the troubles of War committed apart of his Forces unto his Son Nabuchodonosor who was in the flower of his age B and sent him forth against them Berosus of Nabuchodonosor Hedio Ruffinus chap 13. who encountring the Rebels and fighting with them overcame them and brought the Countrey under his subjection Mean while Nabuchodonosor the Father died of a sickness in Babylon after he had Reigned One and twenty years Nabuchodonosor the Son having notice of his Fathers death gave order to the affairs of Egypt and the rest of the Countrey and committing the care and transportation of the Jews Syrians Egyptians and Phoenicians to his friends to bring them to Babylon with his Army and Carriage he with a few Men made hasty journeys thorow the Desart And when he had taken the administration of the Kingdom upon him which in his absence was in the hands of the Chaldees and by their Chieftain was reserved until his return unto his use he became Lord of all his Fathers Empire When his prisoners were arrived he assigned them convenient C dwelling places in the Countrey of Babylon and with the spoils of War he magnificently repaired and decked the Temple of Bell and other places He enlarged the old City and repaired and beautified it with other buildings by means whereof they that would besiege the same were hindred from cutting off the current of the River to the prejudice of the Inhabitants He invironed it within with a treble Wall and outwardly with as mighty and as many enclosures and made all of burnt Brick The Walls were magnificently builded and the Gates bravely adorned in manner of Temples He caused a Palace to be builded near unto his Fathers antient Palace the magnificence and ornaments whereof I am not able to express onely this thing most memorable I have thought good to note that these great and pompous Buildings were finished in fifteen days In this Palace he had Vaults D raised so high that in outward appearance they seemed to be Mountains on which all sorts of Trees were planted He devised and prepared also a goodly Garden and called it the hanging Garden because his Wife having been brought up in the Countrey of Media desired at Babylon Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor to see some resemblance of her own Countrey Megasthenes in the fourth Book of his Indian History maketh mention of this Garden in that place where he enforced himself to prove Diocles. that this King surpassed Hercules in valour and execution of worthy actions Philostratus For he said that Nabuchodonosor overcame the chief City of Lybia and a great part of Spain Diocles in the Second Book of the Persian History and Philostratus in his Phoenician and Indian History make mention of this King saying that he overcame the City of Tyre at the end of thirteen years at such time as Ithobal E Reigned over the Tyrians This is the sum of all that which the Historiographers write as touching this King CHAP. XI Nabuchodonosors Successors the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia AFter Nabuchodonosors death Evilmerodach releaseth Jechonias from his long imprisonment his Son Evilmerodach obtained the Kingdom who incontinently delivered Jechonias King of Jerusalem out of prison and held him in the number of his most esteemed friends and gave him Presents and committed F the Government of the Palace of Babylon into his hands For his Father had not kept his promise with Jechonias 2 King 25. 27. when he surrendred himself his Wife Children and Friends into his hands Jer. 52. 31. ad finem in the behalf of his Countrey and to the intent that the City of Jerusalem should not be razed by those that besieged it Niglisar as we have heretofore declared Labophordach Evilmerodach died in the eighteenth year of his Reign Balthasar or Naboandel King of Babylon and Niglisar his Son obtained the Kingdom which he possessed fourty years and afterwards died After him the succession of the Kingdom came unto his Son called Labophordach which continued in him but for the space of nine moneths and after his death it came unto Balthasar who by the Babylonian was called Naboandel Against whom Cyrus King of Persia and Darius King of Media made War at such time as he was besieged in Babylon there hapned G a marvellous and prodigious spectacle H Balthasar sate upon a certain Festival day in a Royal Chamber The year of
Enemy the Canaanites hoping that God would be their Guide Ver. 43. so as they needed not the assistance of their Lawgiver The Canaanites put the Hebrews to flight When this sentence was approv'd by a general consent they flock out in multitudes against their Enemies who neither affrighted by their boldness nor multitude valiantly resisted them who desperately charg'd them so that the better part of the Hebrews being slain they pursued the rest enforced shamefully to turn their backs even unto their Camp This overthrow hapning besides all mens opinion wondrously dejected the minds of the multitude so that they grew desperate of all future good fortune concluding that God had sent and inflicted that plague upon them because without his counsel and order O they had enterpriz'd the Battel But when Moses saw that his Countreymen were dismay'd with the overthrow which they had receiv'd and the Enemy grown proud with A their late Victory fearing likewise lest not content with their present success they should attempt further he determined to retire his Forces back again into the Desart And whereas the People promised thenceforward to be obedient to him being taught by their own misery that nothing would fall out prosperously unto them without the counsel and conduct of their Guide they disincamping themselves Moses retireth the people into the Desart retired into the Desart with this resolution that they would no more attempt a Battel against the Canaanites till they received a sign of their good success from Heaven But even as in a great Army it accustomably falleth out especially in time of trouble that the common multitude wax head-strong and disobedient to their Governors so did the like also happen amongst the Jews For whereas they were in number 600000 and even in their better B Fortunes sufficiently disobedient to their Governors so much the more were they exasperated by their wants and misfortunes Sedition against Moses both amongst themselves and against their Governor For which cause there arose so great a Sedition as neither among the Greeks or Barbarians the like was ever heard Which things without doubt had overthrown them being brought into so desperate an estate had not Moses forgetting the injury he had received which was no less than a purpose to stone him to death succoured and relieved their distressed Fortunes Neither did God utterly abandon the care of them but although they were contumelious against their Lawgiver and transgressed also against the Laws which he had delivered them by Moses yet delivered he them out of that danger of which without his special Providence there could be expected no C other but a lamentable issue This Sedition as also how Moses governed the estate when the troubles were ended we will now declare having first expressed the cause thereof CHAP. II. The Sedition raised by Chore against Moses and his Brother for the Priesthood CHore a Man noble by Birth Numb 16. 1. ad 4. and famous for his wealth amongst the Hebrews and endowed with a certain kind of popular Eloquence seeing Moses placed in the highest place of Authority Chore endeavoureth to persuade the multitude to mutiny against Moses was filled with jealousie and envy thereat For although he were of the same Tribe and Kindred yet he thought it a great indignity to himself to D be held his inferior being both more potent in Riches and his equal in Parentage For which cause he began to murmur and complain to the Levites which were of the same Tribe with him and his Kinsmen telling them That it was not to be suffered that Moses under a pretext of Communication with God should by ambitious policy to other mens prejudice onely study his own glory having of late against all sort of reason given the Priesthood to his Brother Aaron and distributed other dignities at his own pleasure like a King without the suffrage and approbation of the People That this injury done by him was not to be endured by reason that so covertly he had insinuated himself into the Government that before it could be observ'd the People would be brought into servitude For he that knoweth himself to be worthy of a Government endeavors to obtain the same by the consent of the People and not E by force and violence but they that despair by good means to attain thereunto do notwithstanding abstain from force lest they should lose the opinion of their goodness and honesty yet endeavor they by malicious subtilties to attain thereunto That it concerned the Commonweal to check the attempts of such Men lest of private they at last grow publick Enemies For what reason said he can Moses give why he hath bestowed the High Priesthood on Aaron and his Sons If God had decreed that this honour should be bestowed on one of the Tribe of Levi there were more reason that I should have it who am of the same Kindred with Moses and who surpass him both in riches and age On the contrary If this honour appertain to the most ancient of the Tribes that of Reuben ought by right to enjoy it namely Dathan and Abiram and Phalal Alias Baâ—â—â— who are the most ancient of that Tribe and the most powerful in riches These things F spake Chore under colour and pretence of the good of the Commonwealth but in effect only to raise a Tumult amongst the multitude and intrude into the office of the High Priest Ver. 35. Which discourse of his passing by little and little from one ear to another Two hundred and fifty men follow Chore's Faction amongst the multitude and multiplied by the envious and such as maligned Aaron at last brought all the Tribes into a mutiny so that 250 of the chiefest Nobles grew at length to be partakers of Chore's Conspiracy and all of these conspir'd together to take away the Priesthood from Moses's Brother and to transfer it to him The People likewise were in such sort incensed They cry out to stone Moses that they sought to stone Moses and ran all of them confusedly with noise and uproar crying out before the Tabernacle of God that the Tyrant was to be cut off and the People delivered from thraldom who under pretext G of Religion had insupportable thraldom imposed on them For if it were God that had chosen him to be High Priest he would have preferred such an one to the dignity who had been worthy and would not have confer'd it on those who were far inferior to others That if he had decreed to bestow it on Aaron he would have remitted the election H to the People and not left the disposition thereof to his Brother Although Moses was inform'd of Chore's treacherous Calumnies and saw the People highly incensed yet was be nothing at all abashed thereat but being satisfi'd in his Conscience that he had governed the estate uprightly and well assured that his Brother obtained the Priesthood not
be of the Race of the Priests she shall be burnt alive If any man have two Wives Deut. 21. 15 16 17. the one of which he holdeth in greater honour and amity The first begotten should hold his right either for Love or by reason of her Beauty than the other if the Son of her that is more loved demand to have the prerogative of the elder which is a double portion of his Fathers patrimony for so much import our Ordinances and challenge the same by reason that his Father more dearly loveth his Mother than the other let it not be granted him For it is against justice that the eldest should be deprived O of that which appertaineth unto him by birthright because his Mothers condition is inferior to that of the other on account of his Fathers affection A If a man shall have corrupted a Maiden betrothed to another man and she hath consented The year of the World 2493 before Christ's Nativity 1471. they shall both be punisht with death for they are both equally guilty of sin the man because he hath persuaded the Maiden to prefer her lust before an honest marriage and the maid for suffering herself to be overcome and abandoning her body to leudness either for lust or lucre sake But if meeting her he alone enforce her and she have none near to succour her let him die alone He that shall deflowre the Virgin that is unmarried The punishment of adultery or rather ravishing shall take her to Wife but if he condescend not to the Father to take her in wedlock he shall pay fifty Sicles for amends of the injury Deut. 22. 23 24. If any man pretend to separate himself from his Wife for certain causes v. 25. such as ordinarily B happen amongst married couples The deflowring of a virgin let him confirm it in writing That he will never more entertain her again and then she may marry again unto another and refuse the former Husband and if it happen that she be ill us'd by the second or that he being dead the first would take her again in marriage it is not lawful for the Wife to return to him Let the Brother of him that is deceased without issue Deut. 25. 5 ad 9. take to Wife her whom his deceased Brother had married The Wife of the dead Brother married and let the Son born by this second wedlock bear his name and he brought up as the successor of his inheritance For it is advantageous to the commonwealth that Families should not come to ruine and that the goods remain to those of the same kindred And it will be a comfort to the Widow to be joyned C in marriage with one so near akin to her first Husband But if the Brother will not take her to Wife she shall repair to the Senate and make this protestation that the Brother of her deceased Husband will not marry her although she had desired to remain in that line and bring forth children to it and that by him only the memory of her deceased husband is dishonoured And when the Senate shall have examined the cause why he declineth this marriage his excuse shall be allowed of how great or slight soever it be and then shall the Widow unloose his shooe and spit in his face and tell him that he hath deservedly suffered these things in that he hath injured the memory of his dead Brother And thus shall he depart out of the Court being defamed for his whole life-time and the Woman may marry whomsoever she D please If any man take a Virgin prisoner Marriage with a Bond-woman or such an one as hath been already married and be desirous to take her to his Wife it is not lawful for him to touch or approach her till she is shaven Deut. 21. 11 12 13. and having put on her mourning apparel hath bewailed her Parents or Friends slain in Battel but after she hath in this sort asswaged her sorrow she may afterwards addict herself to mirth and marriage For it is a matter both honest and just The lamentatation and mourning of thirty dayes that he that entertaineth her to have issue by her should condescend unto her will in all wherein he may gratifie her and that he should not only addict himself to the pursuit of his pleasure but when the thirty dayes of mourning shall be expired for that time is sufficient for the Wife to bewail her Friends then E may she hearken after marriage And if after he hath had his pleasure with her it happen that he mislike her and will not accept her for his Wife he can no more make her his slave but she may go whithersoever she pleaseth for that she beareth with her her liberty All those Children that shall make no reckoning of their Fathers and Mothers Deut. 21. 18 ad 21. nor shew them that honour which belongeth to them but contemn them and behave themselves insolently towards them Disobedience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Parents whom Nature hath made their judges shall begin by remonstrating to them that they were matched together in Matrimony not for their pleasures sake or that by uniting their possessions they might become the richer but to the end they might beget Children who might nourish them in their F age and minister unto them in their necessities that they had received them at God's hands with great thanksgiving and infinite joy and brought them up with care and diligence sparing nothing that conduc'd to their sustenance or instruction But since some pardon is to be allow'd to the follies of youth let it suffice my Son that hitherto you have forgotten your duty recollect your self and grow wise remembring that God is grievously offended against those who disobey or disdain their Parents because he is the Father of all mankind and takes himself to be concern'd in that dishonour which is done unto those that bear that name when they receive not such duty from their Childrens hands as he commandeth and that the Law likewise inflicteth an inevitable punishment against such which I should be very sorry if thou G shouldest be so unhappy as to incur If by these remonstrances the child amend it is fit to pardon him the faults committed by him rather out of ignorance than malice for in so doing the Lawgiver shall be accounted wise and the Parents shall be held happy when they see that their Son or Daughter is exempt from the punishment H which the Laws appoint But if such speeches and instructions of the Father are set light by the Son let the Laws be irreconcileable enemies against such continual outrages and let him be drag'd out of the City in the sight and presence of all the people and there let him be stoned to death and after the offender hath lain a whole day in the sight of the people let him be buried by
and after so many enterprizes of War we cannot hope any fortunate or successful proceedings But be thou assistant unto us H O Lord who art Almighty and canst by thy mercy change our present sorrow into joy our discouragement into confidence and give us victory Joshua having made this prayer God presently commanded him to arise and purge the Army of that sacriledge that had hapned therein Gods answer to Joshua's prayer v. 10. and of a Theft committed by one of the multitude who was so hardy as to violate and conceal those things which were consecrated to him assuring him that that was the cause of the present calamity but as soon as he had searched out and punished the sacriledge the Israelites should become fortunate and obtain the victory This Oracle Joshua declared to the people and calling for the High Priest and the Magistrates he cast lots upon the Tribes and when the lot had fallen on the Tribe of Juda it was again cast by Families and when again the Sacriledge was found to be committed I in Zacharias Family they cast the same once more man by man and it fell upon Achar Achar found out by lot and punished v. 16 17 18. who unable to hide what was discovered by God himself confessed the fact and brought forth those things which he had concealed whereupon being presently put to death he was by night buried after an ignominious manner according as he deserved But Joshua having purified the people led them forth against Ain and laying Ambuscado by night above the City early in the morning he drew the Enemy out to fight who boldly broke forth being encouraged by their former victory but Joshua making a shew of Retreat drew them farther off from their City imagining that the Israelites fled and that they should gain a second victory over them But when Joshua suddenly made a stand and charged them and gave a signal unto those that lay K in ambush they march all together towards the City and easily entred the gates where and on the Walls stood divers of the inhabitants as spectators as they thought of their atchieved victory Ainan sackt and burnt v. 24 25. In this manner was the City taken and all that were therein slain Joshua on the other side pressed those in such manner with whom he maintained skirmish that they turned their backs and fled towards the City as if it had been in the same state as they left it but when they perceived that it was taken and saw both it their Wives and Children consumed with fire they scattered themselves about the fields Joshua 8. 1 2. not being able to rally by reason of their disorder By this overthrow of the Ainites The prey distributed amongst the people there were a great number of Women and Children and Bond-slaves taken Captive and store of all sorts of moveables The Hebrews also became Lords L of much Cattel and gathered a great quantity of Silver for the Countrey was rich All which Joshua upon his return to Gilgal distributed amongst the Soldiers But the Gibeonites who dwelt not far from Jerusalem understanding what had hapned to them of Jericho and the Ainites and fearing lest the like misfortune might fall upon themselves thought it to no purpose to endevour to move him by their prayers because they knew that he warred with a resolution utterly to root out and extinguish the Nation of the Canaanites from off the earth Joshua 9. 3. They therefore persuaded the Cepherites and Cathierimites their neighbours to joyn with them in order to contract an alliance with the Hebrews as the only means to secure themselves from the danger which threatned them Which counsel of theirs being accepted they sent Ambassadors to Joshua M such men as they thought most capable and wisest amongst them in the affairs of the Common-wealth The Gibeonites send Ambassadors to Joshua to treat a peace betwixt them and the Israelites and knowing that it would be very dangerous for them if they should say that they were Canaanites and that on the contrary they should avoid the danger if they protested that they had no community or alliance with them but dwelt far from them they told Joshua that being incited by his fame they had undertaken a long journey the truth whereof he might conjecture by their habits which upon their setting forth were new but by their long journey were quite worn to which purpose they had put on old garments to the end to colour their subtle insinuation Standing up therefore in the midst of the multitude attired after this manner they told them that they were sent by the Gibeonites vers 6. and N the neighbouring Cities far distant from that Countrey to treat and ratifie a Peace between them The Gibeonites oration to the Hebrews For knowing well that the Countrey of Canaan was given unto them by the favour of God to the end they should be masters and possessors thereof they were much rejoyced thereat vers 15. and desired to be received as their confederates By these words and the oldness of their garments Joshua maketh a covenant with the Gibeontes and the pretence of their long journey they perswaded the Hebrews to enter and accord an amity with them And the High Priest Eleazar with the Council of the Elders sware unto them that they should be reputed for Friends and Allies and that no hostile action should be enterprized against them the people likewise approved the alliance After this Joshua encamping with his Army upon their confines and understanding that the Gibeonites dwelt not far from Jerusalem and that O they likewise were of the race of the Canaanites he sent for the principal among them and upbraided them with their deceit whereunto they answered that they had no A other means to procure their safety and security and for that cause they had us'd this fraud Whereupon he called to him Eleazar the High Priest and the Council of the Elders and it was resolv'd not to infringe the Oath made to them but that they should be obliged to serve for the publique works Whereupon they were adjudged to attend on these services and by this means delivered they themselves from their imminent peril But the King of Jerusalem was much incensed against the Gibeonites v. 21 23. for that they had revolted and submitted to Joshua The Gibeonites are appointed to publick ministeries and he assembled together the Kings of his neighbour Nations to make War against them The Gibeonites perceiving the danger they were in and how the Enemy prepared to assault them and to that end had pitched their Tents near a certain Fountain not far from the City they desired Joshua to assist and B defend them Josh 10. v. 1. For their affairs were in that state that they expected death from the hands of their Friends The King of Jerusalem moveth War
this bleeting of Sheep and bellowing of Beasts throughout the Army Saul replyed That the People had reserved that Cattel for Sacrifice but all the Nation of the Amalekites was exterminated as God had commanded and none remaining but onely the King whom he would cause to be presented before him to the end they might consult together what should be done with him Ver. 17 c. Hereunto the Prophet answer'd That God took no E pleasure in Sacrifices Samuel chideth Saul but in those men that are good and just and such said he are they that obey his Will and Commandment since no action may be reputed good but in respect of the reference it hath to Gods Will for God refuseth not him that sacrificeth not but him that disobeyeth him Ver. 22. For he accepteth not those Sacrifices that are offered to him by those that submit not themselves unto him The contempt of God wherein it consists and offer not unto him the true and acceptable offerings yea though they present divers and many great Sacrifices and bring him jewels of gold and silver but he rejecteth such things and respecteth them not as pledges of piety but effects of hypocrisie But he taketh pleasure in those onely that observe that which he hath commanded A pleasing and acceptable sacrifice unto God and had rather dye than infringe the same not seeking that Sacrifices should be offered unto him but if they be offered although of small and no value yet are they more acceptable unto him in poverty F and obedience Ver. 23. than all those which the richest hand or strongest fortune can afford Know thou therefore Samuel telleth Saul of Gods displeasure and the loss of his kingdom said he that thou hast incurr'd Gods displeasure in that thou hast contemned and neglected his Commandments for how canst thou think that he will regard those Sacrifices with a gracious eye which he himself hath adjudged to utter perdition and ruine Is it possible for thee to think that there is no difference between destroying and sacrificing Be assured therefore of the loss of thy kingdom and power Ver. 24. which hath in such sort transported thee that thou hast contemned God Saul confesseth his sin and craveth pardon which notwithstanding is denied him who bestowed the same upon thee Saul confessed that he had sinned and done amiss in that he had not obeyed the words of the Prophet yet alledg'd That he was compelled to do the same in that he durst not restrain the Soldier who was set upon the prey but said he be favourable and merciful unto me for hereafter I will take heed G lest I fall into the like sin and he entreated him that he would stay with him a little and offer a Peace-offering in his behalf But the Prophet knowing that God would be moved by no Sacrifice would not be persuaded by him CHAP. IX H Samuel proclaims David King BUT Saul Ver. 27 28. willing to retain Samuel took hold of his Garment and for that the Prophet hastily withdrew himself Saul striving to stay Samuel renteth his garment he tore away a part thereof whereupon the Prophet told him That in like manner his Kingdom should be rent from him and another who was more honest and upright should take possession thereof for God is not like men he is unchangeable in his determinations Saul answer'd That he had grievously sinned but being it was impossible for him to recall that which was past he desir'd him that at least he I would worship God with him in presence of all the People Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. which Samuel condescended to and went with him to adore God After this Agag the King of the Amalekites was brought before Samuel Ver. 32. who heard him lament The King of the Amalekites is slain by Samuels command and complain that death was very bitter to which he answer'd in this manner As thou hast caused divers Mothers amongst the Hebrews to weep and lament the loss of their Children so shall thy death cause thy Mother to weep and lament which said he presently commanded that he should be put to death in Gilgal 1 Sam. 16. 1 c. and returned back again to the City of Ramath But the King perceiving into how many mischiefs he had fallen by his offences committed against God God sendeth Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint David King departed to his chief City call'd Gaba which name signifieth a Hillock and from that day forwards he never more saw the Prophet Samuel who was heartily sorry for his K fall but God commanded him to give over his care and that taking with him the sacred Oyl he should repair to the City of Bethlehem to the house of Jesse the Son of Obed and there anoint that of his Sons for King whom he should shew him and when the Prophet said that he was afraid lest Saul getting notice thereof should seek to slay him God commanded him to fear nothing whereupon being encourag'd in his attempt he came to the forenamed Town where he was saluted with great concourse of People who enquired of him to what intent he came thither and he answer'd them that he came to offer Sacrifice to God Now when the Oblations were performed he invited Jesse and his Sons to banquet with him and beholding the eldest of them to be a goodly and well proportioned Man he conjectured by his stature and comeliness that it was L he that God elected King but in this matter he mistook the intention of God For demanding whether he should anoint that young man Ver. 7 8 ad 11. whom he thought so worthy of the Kingdom God respecteth not the beauties of the body but the perfections of the mind it was answer'd him That God judgeth not in such manner as men do For thou said he beholding the beauty of the young man supposest him worthy of the Kingdom but I dispose not of a Crown by the beauties of the Body but by the virtues of the Soul and him I consider that is perfectly furnished herewith and hath his mind beautified with piety justice obedienee and fortitude Upon these words Samuel desir'd Jesse to bring all hss other Sons into his presence and he presented to him five others the eldest being called Eliab Jesses sons being goodly in personage were not to be preferred to the sovereignty the second Aminadab the third Sala the fourth Nathaneel the fifth Rael the sixth Asam Now when the Prophet beheld these no less beautiful Men than the eldest he M asked of God which of them he should anoint King God answer'd him that he should anoint none of them Then Samuel enquired of Jesse whether he had any other Sons besides them who told him that he had one called David who had the care and custody of his Flocks The Prophet desir'd him to send for him saying
be enamor'd with him that she could not hide her passion even from the King her Father Sauls daughter in love with David Saul instead of being displeas'd rejoyc'd at it hoping by that means the sooner to entrap David He gave ear thereto with some shew of allowance Saul subtilly objecteth David to slaughter under a colourable condition of slaughtering the Philistines and told them who spoke of it to him that he would willingly give him his Daughter to Wife for he reason'd thus with himself I will propose that I will give him my B Daughter in marriage on condition that he bring me six hundred Philistines heads and I am certain that being valiant and generous as he is he will with joy accept this condition because the more dangerous it is the more glory it will acquire to him and so exposing himself to all manner of dangers he will be slain by the hands of the Philistines Ver. 27 c. and that intention which I have conceived against him shall succeed according to mine own hearts desire Saul under covenant of 60â— Philistines heads promiseth David his daughter for I shall be delivered of him in sending him out of the world not by my means but by other mens hands Having taken this resolution he charged his Courtiers to sound Davids sentiments and how he stood affected to the marriage and they told him That the King bare him great kindness and so rejoyc'd that the People admir'd him that he would give him in marriage the Princess his Daughter David C answer'd Think you it a small matter to be Son-in-law to the King for my self I esteem otherwise considering mine own base condition who have neither reputation nor any honourable quality When Sauls servants had reported to him what answer David made them Tell him said he that I value not Goods or Presents for that were to expose my Daughter to sale and not to match her with an Husband I seek a Son-in-law that hath Valor and that is adorned with all Virtue such as is manifest and apparent in thee and my desire is that for the dowry of my Daughter thou give me neither gold nor silver nor any other wealth out of thy Fathers house but that thou make War upon the Philistines and six hundred of their heads shall be the most acceptable dower thou canst present me with My Daughter also desires above all the dowers to be married to a Man that is so ennobled and famous for the overthrow of the D Enemies of her Father and her Countrey When these words were reported to David he was very joyful thinking that Saul acted sincerely concerning this alliance and without delay or taking counsel or deliberation whether the thing were easie or impossible for him to execute he incontinently departed with his company to find out the Enemy and execute the condition upon which the marriage was promised him God assisted David in this occasion as in all others And after he had slain a great number of them and cut off six hundred of their Heads he returned and presented them to the King and in consideration thereof desired the performance of his promise E F G CHAP. XII H Saul admiring David's fortitude giveth him his Daughter to Wife BUT Saul 1 Sam. 18. 27 c. that could not flie from his promise because it would be a great dishonour to him to fail of his word and to have promised his Daughter under colour Saul marrieth Michol to David either to murther him or to put him upon the execution of things that were impossible deliver'd his Daughter Michol unto him Nevertheless he chang'd not his purpose Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. For perceiving that David was gracious in Gods sight and in good reputation among the People Saul resolveth to kill David he was afraid of him and being unable to conceal his fear of being I deprived of two things of such consequence as his Kingdom and Life he resolved to kill David Jonathan loves David and sheweth him his fathers determination and counselleth him to have care of his safety and stand on his guard giving Commission to his Son Jonathan and divers other of his Servants to execute the same But Jonathan amazed to see this change in his Father who in stead of the good liking he had of David in times past sought to injure him not in any slight sort but by taking away his life and on the other side being singularly affected towards him and respecting his virtue he communicated the secret intention of his Father to him counselling him to have a care of himself and to flie the next morning in the mean while he would go and salute his Father and as soon as occasion presented it self he would confer with him to know the cause of his displeasure against him to the intent he might pacifie the same conceiving it a matter unreasonable that he should be K deprived of life who had so well deserv'd of all the people and who in particular was his intimate Friend and in respect of his former merits if guilty of some offence deserved pardon I will tell thee afterwards said he what my Fathers resolution is David gave credit to his wholesom counsel and retired from the presence of the King CHAP. XIII How the King practised to murther David L THE next morning Jonathan came to Saul and finding him well disposed began to speak to him to this effect â— Sam. 19. 3 ad 6. concerning David Of what fault O Father either great or small Jonathan reckoneth up unto his father the good deserts of David praying him to pacifie his displeasure conceived against him have you found David guilty that you have commanded him to be put to death A Man that hath done you such signal service that hath reveng'd you upon the Philistines abated their Pride and advanc'd the Honour of the People of the Hebrews and hath delivered them from that disgrace and contempt under which they have layen for the space of Forty years being the onely person that dared to oppose himself against the proud defiances of that Gyant whom he so gloriously overcame and who since that time hath brought as many of the Philistines heads as were demanded of him in recompence whereof he hath taken my sister to Wife Be pleas'd to consider that his death would be a great grief to us not only upon account M of his virtue but also of his alliance with us and that by his death your Daughter will have the affliction to see her self a Widow as soon as she is a Wife Weigh these things and pacifie your displeasure and do no wrong to such a Man who hath been the Author of so good and great service as is the conservation of your person at such time as you were possessed and tormented with evil spirits Ver. 7. and the revenging you of your Enemies
For it is a thing unworthy either your Majesty Jonathan certifieth David how he hath pacified his father or the name of a Man to forget good deserts With these words was Saul pacified so that he swore to his Son he would do no hurt to David for his just persuasions and arguments were stronger than the choler and fear of the King Jonathan sent to seek out David and told him these good tydings from his Father and brought him to him and David continu'd to serve him as formerly N O A CHAP. XIV How hardly David escaped the ambushes that were often laid for him by the King yet having him twice at advantage and in his power would not murther him ABout the same time v. 8 9. the Philistines again led forth their Army against the Hebrews David hath a great victory against the Philistines and Saul sent David against them accompanied with his forces who encountring them slew a great number of them and returned to the King with a great Victory But Saul entertained him not as he hoped and as the happy exploit atchieved by him merited but he envied his good actions and honourable deserts as if Davids happy B success had been Sauls disadvantage and prejudice But when the evil spirit returned to vex him he lodged him in his own chamber and having at that time a javelin in his hand he commanded him to play on his Harp and to Sing Hymns Now whilest David obeyed his command Saul stretching out his arm v. 9 10. threw his Dart at him but David foreseeing it Saul darteth his javelin at David avoided the stroke and fled to his own house where he stayed all the rest of the day When night was come the King sent certain of his Servants to watch his house lest he should escape to the end that the next day being brought forth to judgement he might be condemned and put to death But Michol Davids Wife and Sauls Daughter having intelligence of her Fathers intention went to her Husband told him in how great peril he was being desirous to save his life with the hazard of her C own Beware said she lest the Sun at his rising find thee in this place for if it do I shall never more see thee Flie therefore whilest night offereth thee opportunity which I pray to God to lengthen for thy sake for be assured that if thou be surprized in this place my Father will make thee die a miserable death This said she let him down by a window and so saved him and soon after she prepared his bed as if he lay sick therein and under the covering she laid the Liver of a new slaughtred Kid and when her Father sent the next morning to apprehend David she answered that he had been sick all the night long v. 14. and opening the Curtains Michol persuadeth the Kings Servants that David is sick she gave them to understand that David was laid therein the Coverlet being moved by the Liver which was hot and yet stirred made them believe that the Liver that lay there was David who panted and breathed very D hardly Which being signified unto Saul he commanded that he should be brought to him in that estate wherein he was because he resolved to put him to death But when Sauls messengers returned thither and opened the bed they perceived Michols subtilty v. 17. and went and certified the King thereof who reproved her very sharply for that she had saved his Enemy Michol excuseth her self for delivering David and deceived her Father But she excused her self with words full of good appearance saying that David had threatned to kill her and through fear of death she was induced to save him For which cause she ought to be pardoned since by constraint and not ofset purpose she had furthered his escape For said she I think that you seek not so greedily after the death of your Enemy as to prefer the same before the safety and security of your Daughter v. 18. Upon these reasons Saul pardoned his Daughter E David delivered from this peril David expresseth to Samuel how the King was affected towards him went to the Prophet Samuel at Ramath and told him what ambushes the King had laid for him and how hardly he had escaped death by the stroke of his javelin whereas in all things that concerned Saul he had alwayes shewed himself obedient having served him advantageously in war upon his Enemies and by Gods assistance been fortunate in all things which was the cause that Saul was so displeased with him The Prophet informed of Sauls injustice departed from Ramath and led David to a certain place called Galbaath where he remained with him But as soon as Saul was informed that David was retired v. 19 20 21. and accompanied with the Prophet he sent out certain Soldiers to lay hands on him Saul sent armed Souldiers to apprehend David who began to prophesie and he himself likewise coming thither prophesieth and bring him to him They reparing to Samuel and finding the congregation of the Prophets were seized with the F Spirit of God and began to prophesie Which when Saul understood he sent out others with the like order and they had the lâ—ke extasie For which cause he sent out others and seeing the third company prophesie likewise he was in the end so enraged that he went thither in his own person And when he drew neer the place Samuel before he saw him made him prophesie also so that he was transported out of himself and having dispoiled himself of his rayment 1 Sam. 20. v. 1. ad 4. he remained naked all day and night in the presence of Samuel and David David departed from thence and went to Jonathan to whom he complained of those ambushes which his Father had laid to intrap him David complaineth unto Jonathan of his Fathers injuries telling him that notwithstanding he had never committed any fault against his Father he earnestly pursued him to put him to death Jonathan persuaded him not to suspect these things rashly nor to be over-credulous G to those reports which parhaps might be brought to him but trust him only who was assured that his Father intended no evil against him Jonathan excuseth his Father For if he had he would have told him being never wont to act any thing without his counsel But David sware unto him that it was so and conjured him not to doubt of it but rather to consider how H to procure his security than by contemning his words expect till his death ascertained him of the truth thereof He added that his Father did not communicate his counsels with him because he was assured of the love and friendship that was between them Jonathan persuaded by Davids reasons asked him what he desired at his hands or wherein he might shew him friendship v. 5. ad 11.
v. 14 15 16 17. and although he were made drunk through the abundance of Wine he received David writeth unto Joab to punish Urias which the King had purposely caused to be given him L yet he slept at the Kings gate without any desire to go home unto his Wife Herewith the King being much troubled wrote unto Joab Joab setteth Urias in a dangerous place to encounter with the Enemy commanding him to punish Vrias because he had offended him enjoyning him to place him in the greatest danger and in face of the Enemy to the intent that he might be abandoned and left alone whilest they that fought next unto him retired when they saw him charged When he had thus written and sealed up the Letter with his own seal he delivered it to Vrias to carry to Joab who receiving the same and conceiving the Kings pleasure placed Vrias in that quarter where he knew the Enemies would fight most desperatly appointing him some of his best Soldiers to second him he assured him that if he could make any breach in the wall he would come up to him with all his power that he might through that place force M his way into the City Vrias who was a good Soldier Urias is set with some associates to attempt the siege the Ammonites sallying out his company forsake him and a man of much honour and reputation among those of his Tribe and refused no danger valiantly accepted the charge But Joab privately appointed those that were ranked next him that when they should see the Enemy sally out with the greatest fury they should abandon Vrias When therefore the Hebrews drew naer unto the City the Ammonites fearing lest the Enemy should speedily Scale and enter the City on that side where Vrias was placed they chose out a squadron of the most resolute men amongst them v. 18 19 20. and setting open their gates they furiously assaulted their Enemies Urias with some others is slain and the King is certified thereof They that were near Vrias seeing them draw near retired back again according as Joab had before-hand commanded them but Vrias being ashamed N to flie or forsake his rank expected the Enemy and valiantly encountring him he slew divers of them but at last being inclosed and shut in the midst of them he was slain with some others of his companions This done Joab sent messengers unto the King to let him know that not enduring the delay of the siege but attempting to carry the Town by Storm he was compelled to return back into his Camp with the loss of some of his men but he commanded the messengers that if they perceived the King to be displeased with the news they should let him know that Vrias was dead also The King hearing this seemed displeased saying that it was a fault in him that he had so nerly approached the wall v. 20 21. alledging that he might have done far better to have taken the town by Mine David is displeased with the news of his overthrow or by battering it with his Engines in the case of Abimelech instancing O Gideons son who intending to surprize by force a tower that was within the City of Tebez was strucken with a stone that was cast at him by a woman whereof he died In remembrance A of whose disaster The year of the World 2910 before Christ's Nativity 1054. they ought to have been more wary and not to have approached the Wall of the Enemy so nearly For it is the part of a Soldier to retain in his memory both fatal and fortunate successes to the end that when he shall be in the like danger he may follow the one and fly the other Whilst he thus rebuked them the messenger certified him of Vrias death which did somewhat appease him v. 25. So that he commanded them to tell Joab that it was but an humane accident David is appeased hearing of Urias death and that such was the nature of War that sometime the one had the better and sometime the other To conclude that he should provide for the siege and take care lest hereafter they should receive any further loss counselling him by Trenches and Engines to ruinate the wall and commanding that all those that were in the Town should be put to the Sword The messenger thus dismissed reported all these B things unto Joab v. 26 27. according to the kings commandement But Vrias Wife having notice of the death of her Husband David marrieth Bethsabe who beareth him a Son wept and mourned for him divers dayes and when her mourning for the dead was ended the King espoused her and she bare him a man-child Yet God beheld not this Marriage with a favourable eye but was wroth with David and appearing to the Prophet Nathan in a dream he commanded him to reprove David Now Nathan who was a wise and experienced man knew well that when Kings are displeased they suffer themselves rather to be guided by passion than by reason wherefore he thought fit to conceal the threatnings of God for that time 2 Sam. 12 v 1 2 ad 6. and to begin his discourse with something that should be less harsh to the King wherefore he addressed himself after this manner Two men said he dwelt in the same City the one of them C was rich having much great and small cattell the other was poor and had but one only sheep v. 7 ad 13. which he fed and loved like his children It hapned that this rich man had a stranger came to his house Nathan prophesieth of Davids punishment and sharply rebuketh him he is condemned by his own mouth and repenteth himself for whose entertainment he would not suffer any one of his own Beasts to be slain but sent a messenger who took away by force the poor mans sheep and caused it to be dressed to entertain his guest This report of Nathans much displeased the King inso much that he swore unto him that he that had committed such an act was a wicked man and that he should restore him fourfold and that afterward he should be put to death Whereunto Nathan replied saying That it was he that deserved this punishment who had given sentence against himself in that he had presumed to commit so grievous a sin Moreover he certified him of Gods displeasure who notwithstanding he had made him D King over all the Hebrews and Lord over all the Nations round about which were many and great and had protected him from the hands of Saul and had given him Wives whom he had espoused lawfully was so dishonoured by him that he had taken another mans Wife and caused her Husband to be slain For which sins he pronounced that he should be punished by God and his Wives should be violated by one of his own Sons who should likewise lay a snare for him so that he should
permit him to be present Ver. 3. and that upon good consideration for they said That if they should be defeated in his company Davids friends dissuade his presence in the battel they should utterly lose all hope but if one squadron C should be overcome the rest might have recourse unto him who might unite and reinforce the rather for that the enemies would alwayes think it likely that he had some other recruits with him This counsel pleased him for which cause he remained within the City But at such time as he sent out his friends unto the battel he besought them that in remembrance of all the benefits and favors he had bestowed on them they would both shew themselves couragious in the fight Ver. 4 5. and that having obtained the victory David commandeth them to spare his son they would spare his son for fear least his death should increase and redouble his discontents Thus praying God to give them victory he dismissed them to the battel But when Joab had placed his Army right over against the enemy and had extended them on the Plain having a Wood upon their backs Absalon also drew out his Army against him so that D encountring one another Ver. 6 7. they performed many notable actions on both parts the one hazarding themselves in all dangers The battel betwixt Joab and Absalon and employing all their affections to the intent that David might recover his Kingdom the others neither refusing to do or endure any thing so that Absalon might not be deprived or exposed to his fathers punishment and displeasure for his insolent attempt Besides that they held it an indignity for them that being so great in number as they were they should be overcome by such a handful of people as followed Joab thinking it an utter disgrace unto them that being so many thousands of them in Arms they should be discomfited by Davids followers But Joab and his men being more skilful and trained in feats of Arms than the rest Ver. 8 9. discomfited and brake Absolons Army The flight and overthrow of Absalons Army so that they fled through Woods and into strong E places Davids Soldiers pursuing after them took some and slew others so that both in flight and fight a great number of them were put to the Sword for there fell that day about 20000 Men. But all Davids Troops freshly set upon Absalon who was easily known by his beauty and stature he fearing to be surprized by his enemies mounted upon a swift Mule and fled in great haste But by the swift motion of his body his locks being scattered abroad his bush of Hair was intangled in a thick and branchy Tree where he hung after a strange manner and his Mule ran onward with great swiftness as if she had as yet born her master on her back but he hanging by the Hair amidst the branches suddenly fell into his enemies hands This when a certain Soldier perceived he brought news thereof unto Joab who promised him to give him 50 sicles if he would kill him F The Soldier answered That if he would give him 2000 he would not commit such a murther on the son of his Sovereign the rather for that in the presence of them all David had requested them to spare him Hereupon Joab commanded him to shew him the place where he had seen Absalon hang who had no sooner discovered him but thrusting a Javelin to his heart he slew him A ver 9 ad 15. That done Joabs Esquires surrounded the Tree took him down Joab killeth Absalon and cast him into a deep Pit they overwhelmed him with stones so that in appearance it seemed to be a Tomb or Monument After this when Joab had sounded a retreat he withdrew his Soldiers from pursuit as thinking it unnatural for one Countrey-man to imbrue his hands in the blood of another Absalon had erected in the Royal Valley Ver. 17 18. two furlongs distant from Jerusalem a Marble Pillar with an Inscription upon it to G the intent that if his Race should be extinct Absalons marble pillar his memory might be preserved by that Monument which he had erected Now he had 3 sons and a daughter called Thamar who was married to Roboam Davids Nephew and had by him a son called Abia who succeeded his father in the Kingdom of whom we shall speak more at large CHAP. X. H The happy state of David being restored unto his Kingdom The year of the World 2920. before Christ's Nativity 1044. AFter that Absalon was slain Ver. 21 ad 32. all the people returned privately to their own houses but Achimaas Chusai sent to certifie David of the victory the son of the High Priest Sadoc drew near unto Joab requiring his leave to repair unto David and to certifie him of the victory and how by Gods help and providence he had vanquished his enemies This did the General deny him telling him That it was not convenient that he who heretofore was wont to bring joyful news should now certifie the King of his sons death He therefore commanded him to stay and calling Chusai to his presence he gave him commission to certifie the King of that I which he had seen Achimaas requested him the second time that he would suffer him to go promising him that he would make no mention but of the victory and that as touching Absalons death he would not utter any thing whereupon he dismissed him also who choosing the shorter way outstripped Chusai Now as David sate in the gate of the City expecting some messenger that might certifie him of the success of the battel one of the Sentinels perceiving Achimaas that came running hastily and not being able to distinguish who it was told David that he saw a messenger coming towards him who answered that it was some one that brought joyful news Anon after he told him that a certain other messenger followed to whom David answered likewise that it was one that brought glad tydings And when the Watchman perceived that it was Achimaas K Sadoc the High Priests son and that he was near at hand he ran first of all and certified David Ver. 33. who was very glad thereof saying That he brought some good and desirable news touching the event of the battel David hearing of Absalons death by Chusai grievously bewaileth him and no sooner had the King spoken the word but Achimaas entred and fell down upon his face before David to whom he reported that his Army had the victory Being afterwards demanded what was become of Absalon He answered That he incontinently departed from the Camp as soon as the enemies were put to flight but that a great number of Soldiers pursued Absalon and further then that he knew nothing because by Joabs commandment he was speedily sent away to bring tydings of the victory When Chusai was come and had humbled
further hereafter Now when the feast of Tabernacles which hapned in the seventh month was at hand he himself intended to celebrate in Bethel after the same manner as the two other Tribes had feasted in Jerusalem and erected an Altar before the Calf and was himself the High Priest ascending up to the Altar being assisted by the Priest Now at such time as he was about to sacrifice and to offer up burnt-offerings in the sight of the people there came a Prophet and stood by him called Jadon sent from O Jerusalem by the commandment of God who standing up in the midst of the people and in the hearing of the King turned himself towards the Altar and spake after this manner Thou Altar thou Altar thus saith the Lord there shall a man rise of the Tribe of David called Josias he shall kill upon thee the false Prophets of his time and shall burn the bones A of the deceivers and seducers upon thee And to the intent that each man may believe that this Prophecy is true it shall be confirmed by a Prodigy This Altar shall suddenly break and the fat of the Sacrifices that are laid thereon shall be poured on the ground Jeroboam displeased with these words of the Prophet 1 Reg. 13. 1 2 3. stretched out his hand commanding them to lay hold on him But the hand that he stretched out became instantly wither'd so that he could no more draw it back again to himself The Prophecy against the Altar in Bethel but held it hanging down astonished and mortified On the other side the Altar cleft in twain and all that was thereon fell down according as the Prophet had foretold The Prophecy is confirmed by a miracle The King perceiving that the man had a true and divine spirit of Prophecy besought him to pray unto God that his hand B might be restored to him again in its full strength and vigor Ver. 4. and he prayed and his hand was restored Jeroboams withered â—and restored wherewith Jeroboam being well-pleased invited the Prophet to dine with him But Jadon answer'd him and said That he neither might enter into his house nor taste any bread or water within the City because God had prohibited him furthermore he told him That it was not lawful for him to return the same way that he came But the King admiring at the continency of the man Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. began the more seriously to suspect his estate and conjecturing by those things which he had both seen and heard he divined the assured disaster of his estate and fortunes There dwelt in that City a certain false Prophet whom Jeroboam held in great honour in that he soothed him up in whatsoever was best pleasing to his ears This man lay at that time sick upon his Bed being feeble through age and when he was informed by his son that there was a Prophet come from C Jerusalem and what wonders he had wrought and how Jeroboam by his prayers recovered again his withered hand he fearing lest the King should make more account of this stranger than of himself commanded his sons presently to saddle his Ass and to have him in a readiness against his departure Which when they had performed he mounted thereon and went after the Prophet whom he overtook where he rested himself under a thick shadowy Oak and upon the first encounter saluted him and afterwards expostulated why he had not visited him Ver. 7 ad 10. neither accepted of that hospitality which he willingly would have afforded him The Prophet is brought back by the subtilty and fâ—â—ud of the false Prophet Jadon answer'd him That God had forbidden him and charged him not to taste any kind of sustenance in any mans house that dwelt within the City Truly said the other with me thou mightest eat for I also am a Prophet and honour the same D God that thou doest and now also come I unto thee by his commandment to conduct thee back again unto my house and to entertain thee with a friendly dinner These words of the false Prophet made Jadon credulous so that he turned back again with him But as they sate at their Banquet and were making merry together God appeared unto Jadon and said unto him That since he had broken his commandment he should suffer punishment for the same and withall expressed unto him the manner which was That in his return homewards he should be torn in pieces by a Lyon Ver. 19 ad 23. and that he should not be buried in the monument of his fathers This thing hapned in my opinion by the Will of God The disobedience of the Prophet his punishment and burial to the intent that Jeroboam should not respect Jadons words who had been found a lyar As therefore Jadon returned back to Jerusalem a Lyon met him on the way and tore him in pieces from his Ass E and slew him yet offered he no violence to the Ass that bare him which he preserved with the body of the Prophet standing fast by the same until such time as certain passengers beholding the spectacle brought news thereof into the Town unto the false Prophet who sent his sons to bring back the body which by their assistance he honourably buried charging them that after his death they should bury his body by him assuring them that all that which he had prophesied against that City against the Altar the Priests and false Prophets was very true And as touching himself he commanded that after his decease they should bury him by him because that being buried with him there might no difference be made betwixt their bones Jadons Prophecy is detracted to Jeroboam by the false Prophet and his Tomb might be honoured When therefore he had interred the Prophet and given his son these things in charge being other F ways a most wicked and impious man he addressed himself to Jeroboam and said unto him Why art thou troubled at the words of this mad man The King told him all that which had hapned about the Altar and his hand and assured him that he accounted him a true and divine Prophet and one sent by God But the false Prophet began most maliciously to weaken his belief and disguise the truth of that which hapned by his persuasive words For he told him that what had hapned to his hand was only occasioned through weariness and the pains he had taken in bearing the Sacrifices and after that he had a little rested that it came into his own natural state again and that the Altar being newly built and divers great Sacrifices laid thereupon it cleft in twain and fell down through the weight of what was laid on it Consequently he declared unto him the death of him that had foretold these signs that were to come and how G he had been slain by a Lyon for which cause he persuaded him to think
offerings to be sacrificed upon the Altar of thy God and to make whatsoever vessels of gold or silver which either thou or thy Brethren shall think meet Those sacred vessels also which are given thee thou shalt dedicate unto D thy God and if there be ought else requisite in this behalf that thou shalt think fit to provide the charges shalt thou receive out of my treasury I have also commended thee to the Treasurers of Syria and Phoenicia and have written to them that whatsoever Esdras the Priest and Reader of the Law of God shall require they shall presently deliver it to him And to the end that God may be favourable to me and my posterity my will is that an hundred measures of wheat be offer'd unto God according to the Law I command you also that are Magistrates that you exact nothing neither impose any taxations on the Priests Levites Singing-men Porters or holy Officers But thou Esdras according to the wisdom given thee from above shalt appoint Judges who shall in Syria and Phoenicia execute justice unto the people according to your Law Teach thou likewise freely all such as are ignorant so that whosoever violateth either E Gods or the Kings Law he may be fined or else condemned to death as not sinning through ignorance but of contumacy Farewell When Esdras had received this Letter he was well-pleased and gave thanks unto God Ver. 16 17 18. confessing that it was he Esdras assembled the Jews that dwelt in Babylon who was the Author of that favour he had received at the Kings hand And after he had read this Letter unto the Jews that were at that time resident in Babylon he kept the original but sent a copy to all those of his Nation being in the Countrey of the Medes who being inform'd of the King's zeal to the service of God and his favour towards Esdras were very joyful and divers amongst them took their goods and came unto Babylon desiring to return to Jerusalem but the rest of the F Israelites would not abandon or leave their dwelling Whereupon it came to pass that two Tribes were under the obedience of the Romans in Asia and Europe but the ten Tribes were on the other side of Euphrates even until this day and it is incredible how exceedingly they are there multiplied With Esdras there departed a great number of Priests Levites Porters Singing-men and servants of the Temple Now after he had assembled those of the captivity that inhabited on this side Euphrates and sojourned there three days he commanded them to solemnize a Fast and to pray unto God for his preservation that no evil might happen unto him and that neither their enemies nor any other might do them any violence For Esdras had foretold the King that God would be their Protector and that therefore he requir'd no Convoy of Horsemen at G his hand for his security After that they had recommended themselves unto God they set forward on their way the twelfth day of the first month of the seventh year of the H Reign of Xerxes and arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the same year Whereupon he incontinently presented unto the Treasurers who were of the race of the Priests the sacred depositum wherewith he was intrusted which consisted of 650 Talents of silver and of silver vessels an 100 Talents of vessels of gold to the value of 20 Talents of brazen vessels more precious than gold the weight of 12 Talents These were the Presents of the King and his Friends Esdras repaireth to Jerusalem and committeth the vessels and other precious Presents to the Treasurers hands and of the Israelites that dwelt in Babylon When Esdras had deliver'd these Presents into the hands of the Priests he offer'd burnt-offerings unto God according to the Law namely 12 Bulls for the publick conservation of the people 72 Rams and Lambs and 12 Goats for a sin-offering And afterward I he deliver'd the Kings Letters to his Princes and Governors in Coelosyria and Phoenicia who being constrain'd to execute that which was enjoin'd them by the King honour'd the Nation of the Jews and supplied them every ways in their necessities We owe unto Esdras the honour of this Transmigration for he not only laid the design of it but his virtue and piety were undoubtedly the cause that God gave him so good success in the undertaking Not long after there came certain Men unto him complaining that some of the people Priests and Levites had transgressed against their Ordinances and broken the Laws of the Countrey in that they had espoused certain strange women and corrupted the purity of the Sacerdotal race requiring him that he would have a regard to Gods Ordinances K for fear lest he being displeased with them should cast them again into that misery from which he had so lately deliver'd them Esdras prayers for the Levites that had married strangers Esdras hereupon was so much afflicted that he rent his cloaths and tore his hair and pulled his beard and cast himself upon the ground because the chief among the people were concern'd in that offence And because he feared left if he should command them to forsake their wives Esdr 9. per totum and those children which they had begotten by them he should not be obey'd he continu'd in grief and lay continually upon the ground Whereupon all those resorted unto him who were not guilty and wept and lamented with him because of that which had hapned In this affliction of mind Esdras raising himself from the earth and lifting up his hands to Heaven said That he was ashamed to look thereupon because the offences of the people L were so heinous and that they had so soon lost the memory of those calamities wherewith their Forefathers had been visited for their sins Nevertheless O Lord said he since thy mercy is infinite have pity I beseech thee on the remnant that hath escaped that long captivity and which thou hast brought back into their native Countrey Spare them O Lord and though they have deserved death yet let thy mercy appear in the sparing of their lives Whil'st thus both he and those that came unto him lamented with him with their wives and children a certain man called Achonias one of the principal men of Jerusalem came to him and said That they had sinned because they had espoused strange women and persuaded Esdras to command them all to banish both them and the children begotten by them advising that they who obey'd not the Law might be punish'd Esdras persuaded by these words M made all the Princes of the Priests Levites and Tribes of Israel swear That they would dismiss their wives and children according to the counsel of Achonias And as soon as he had received their oaths he departed from the Temple unto Johns house the son of Eliasib and there spent he all the day without tasting any meat by
which he intended As soon as he came to Babylon he took divers of his Countreymen with him who willingly follow'd him and went with him unto Jerusalem in the 25 year of the Reign of Xerxes and after G he had deliver'd his Letters to Sadeas and the other Governors he assembled the people of Jerusalem and standing up in the midst of them he spake unto the whole Congregation H to this effect The year of the World 3519. before Christ's Nativity 445. You men of Jury there is none of you but know what care God Almighty hath been pleased to take of our Forefathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob in regard of their piety and love to justice and he doth still make it evident that he will not abandon us in that I have obeained favour of the King and permission by his assistance to rebuild the Walls of our City and finish the rest of the Temple I therefore pray you who are assuredly persuaded of the envy and hatred the neighbouring Nations bear unto you Nehemias having gotten licence and authority to build the walls of Jerusalem inciteth the people thereunto who hearing that we are intent upon our building will overpress us and labour by all means possible to hinder us first to relie upon Gods Providence who will oppose himself against the hatred which they bear us and afterwards to intermit neither day nor night in prosecution of the building but with all care continue the work in that the opportunity doth require our diligence After he had spoken I to this effect he gave order that the Governors should take the measure of the Wall and distribute the task among the people Nehem. 2. v. 1. ad 11. according to the Burroughs and Towns and to every mans ability and after he had promised to employ both himself and all his family therein he dismissed the Assembly Hereupon the Jews incited by his authority addressed themselves to the work and then it was that they first began to give the name of Jews to those of our Nation who returned from the Captivity and to the Countrey the name of Judea because it had been heretofore inhabited by those of the Tribe of Juda. The Ammonites Moabites Samaritans and all the Inhabitants of Coelosyria understanding that the walls were raised with such haste and diligence Nehem. 4. 1. ad 15. were much troubled and resolved K with themselves to lie in ambush and to hinder them in the prosecution of their work so that they slew divers Jews and sought the means likewise to murther Nehemias himself and having hired certain strangers with money to commit the fact they â—ay in wait for him V. 16. ad fin They endeavour'd also to terrifie the Jews with vain reports The ardent care in building the walls of Jerusalem and by spreading certain rumors that divers Nations intended to make War against them by which reports being much troubled they desisted for a time from the prosecution of their building Yet none of these things could weaken Nehemia's diligence or resolution but that keeping a guard round about him he diligently prosecuted his design setting light by all occurrents so great was his affection to accomplish the work And therefore he carefully stood upon his guard not that he fear'd death but because he was persuaded L that his Fellow-Citizens would abate of their courage and resolution if he continued not with them to animate them to the prosecution of so holy an enterprize He commanded likewise that the Workmen while they wrought should have their Arms near them so that both Masons and Labourers carried their Swords Moreover he gave order that they should have their Targets by them and he placed certain Trumpetters some 500 foot distant the one from the other charging them that as soon as they discover'd the Enemy from any part they should incontinently sound the alarum and give notice unto the people to arm themselves and prepare for the fight for fear they should be surprized and found unprovided He himself also walked the round about the City by night The walls of Jerusalem finished with an indefatigable courage and without either eating or M sleeping but only for necessity sake and this labour endured he for the space of two years and three months for the Wall of Jerusalem was built again in that time in the 28 year of the Reign of Xerxes and in the ninth month After the City was fortified Nehemias and the people offered Sacrifices unto God Provision for the Priests and spent eight dayes in feasting When the rumor was spread abroad that this building was finished the Inhabitants of Syria were sore displeased But Nehemias perceiving that the City was weakly manned besought the Priests and Levites to forsake their dwellings without the City and to come and dwell within and to that intent he built them houses upon his own charge He ordained likewise that they that intended their Husbandry should bring the Tenths of their fruits unto Jerusalem to the intent that the Priests and Levites by enjoying their continual N maintenance 1 Esdras 10. might omit no time in the service of God The death of Nehemias wherein he was readily obey'd By this means the City of Jerusalem was very well peopled After that Nehemias had honourably accomplish'd divers other worthy actions deserving praise he died in a good old age He was a man so good so just and highly affectionate towards his Countrey and one to whom they are so much obliged for the benefits which they have receiv'd that his memory will remain for ever among the Jews O CHAP. VI. The year of the World 3543. before Christ's Nativity 421. A Artaxerxes succeeds his father Xerxes in the Kingdom of Persia he repudiates Queen Vashti his Wife and espouseth Esther the Neece of Mardocheus A man persuades Artaxerxes to banish all the Jews and to apprehend Mardocheus but he is hanged and Mardocheus established in his place AFter the death of Xerxes Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. the Kingdom fell to Cyrus his son who by the Grecians was call'd Artaxerxes Under his government all the race of the Jews both Men Women and Children were in danger to be utterly exterminated the cause whereof I B will hereafter declare But first of all I must speak somewhat of the King and declare how it came to pass Esther 1 2. that he married an Hebrew Woman of the Blood Royal by whose means as it is said our Nation was preserv'd After that Artaxerxes had taken the Kingdom upon him and establish'd Governors over 127 Provinces from India as far as Aethiopia in the third year of his Reign he entertain'd and feasted all his Friends with great magnificence the Nations of Persia likewise with their Governors for 180 days He feasted after this for the space of seven days the Ambassadors of all Nations in the City of Susa after this manner
Temple of God 3. In what estimation the Jews were with the Kings of Asia and how the freedome of those Cities which they built was granted them 4. Joseph the Son of Tobias driveth away the Jews imminent calamity by reason of his friendship with King Ptolomey 5. The friendship and society between the Lacedaemonians and Onias the High Priest of the Jews 6. The Jews distracted by seditions call Antiochus to their assistance 7. How Antiochus leading his Army to Jerusalem and taking the City spoyled the Temple K 8. Antiochus forbiddeth the Jews to use the Laws of their forefathers the Son of Asmonaeus called Matthias contemned the King and put his Captains to flight 9. Mathias being dead Judas his Son succeeded him 10. Apollonius a Captain of Antiochus is overcome in Jewry and slain 11. The overthrow and death of Lysias and Gorgias sent out against the Jews 12. How dividing their Armys Simon overcame the Tyrants and Ptolomaidans and Judas the Ammonites 13. The death of Antiochus Epiphanes among the Persians 14. Antiochus Eupator overthrowing the Army of the Jews besieged Judas in the Temple 15. Antiochus giving over his siege plighteth a league of friendship with Judas L 16. Bacchides a Captain belonging to Demetrius being sent with his Army against the Jews returneth back to the King without success 17. Nicanor elected Captain after Bacchides and sent out against the Jews is slain with his whole Army 18 Bacchides sent out once more against the Jews overcometh them 19. How Judas being overcome in battle is slain CHAP. I. After the death of Alexander the Great his Army is divided amongst his Captains M Ptolomey one of the chife of them makes himself Master of Jerusalem by surprise sends several Colonies of Jews into Egypt and puts great confidence in them continual Wars betwixt the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Samaritans ALexander King of Macedon having overcome the Persians and establisht the state of the Jews according as hath been related departed this life The death of Alexander and the Wars of his succssors Whereupon his Dominions and Kingdoms fell into divers mens hands Antigonus made himself Governor of Asia Seleucus of Babylon and the bordering Nations Jerusalem surprized by policy and the Jews lead way captive Lysimachus had the Hellespont Cassander Macedon and N Ptolomey the Son of Lagus held Egypt Now when these men were at discord amongst themselves whilest each of them affected the soveraignty and fought the one against the other they raised divers great and bloody Wars which ruined many Cities and destroyed great numbers of their Inhabitants Syria had sufficient experience of all these miseries under the Government of Ptolomey the Son of Lagus surnamed Soter a Title which he little deserved He it was that seized on Jerusalem by a stratagem for he entred the City upon a Sabbath day under pretext to offer sacrifice and whilst the Jews suspected nothing but spent the day in ease and idleness he surprised the City without resistance and made the Citizens captives Agatharchides the Cnidian who wrote the Acts of Alexanders successors testifieth the same reproaching us of superstition as if by that means we lost our City O He writeth to this effect There is a certain Nation which are called Jews who inhabit a City which is call'd Jerusalem both strong and mighty They suffered it to fall into Ptolomeys hands because they would not stand upon their guard and through their unseasonable superstition they permitted themselves to be subdued by a Tyrant conquerour The year of the World 3634. before Christ's Nativity 321. See A here what Agatharchides saith in this place of our Nation But Ptolomey leading away with him divers prisoners from the better quarters of Judaea and the places near unto Jerusalem of Samaria and mount Garzim sent them into Egypt to inhabit there and being assured that those of Jerusalem were most firm in maintaining their oaths and promises according as it appeared by their answer made to Alexander when after the discomfiture of Darius he sent Ambassadors unto them he put divers of them into his Garrisons giving them the same priviledges in the City of Alexandria which the Macedonians had After he had received their oath that they should be faithful unto him and his successours in memory of the great trust and favours he had bestowed on them many of the other Jews likewise of their own accord went into Egypt partly B allured thereunto by the plenty of the countrey Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching the Temple partly by the liberality of Ptolomey towards their Nation Yet were there continual quarels betwixt their posterity and the Samaritans because they would keep and maintain the customes and ordinances of their forefathers whereupon divers wars arose amongst them For they of Jerusalem said that their Temple was the true Sanctuary of God and would have the offerings and sacrifices sent thither the Samaritans on the other side commanded them to be brought to the mount Garazim CHAP. II. Ptolomey Philadelphus caused the Laws of the Jews to be translated into C the Greek tongue and dismissing many Captive Jews dedicateth many presents to the Temple of God AFter the death of Ptolomeus Soter his Son Ptolomeus Philadelphus succeeded in the Kingdom of Egyptt Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. and held it for nine and thirty years space he it was that translated the law into the Greek tongue and delivered the Jews from that servitude wherein they were inthralled in Egypt to the number of sixscore thousand upon this occasion 〈◊〉 library of Ptolomey Phyladelphus Demetrius Phalereus Master of the Kings Library endeavoured to make a collection of all sorts of Books that were in the world and brought all which he thought would be agreeable to the King who was very curious in his collection of Books D The Kings demanding one day how many thousands of Volumes he had already gathered he answered him that he had already gott about two hundred thousand Volums but that shortly he hoped to have to the number of five hundred thousand Besides he told him that he had been lately informed that there ware divers Volumes among the Jews wherein many things touching their Laws and policies were written which were worthy to be known and deserved a place in so memorable and famous a Liberary but that it would be very difficult to translate them into the Greek tongue for their characters seem to have some relation to the Syriack and their pronunciation likewise is not much different from it notwithstanding they have their phrase proper and peculiar unto themselves But nevertheless he believed it might be done since his Majesty would E not think much of any charge the King approved of this proposal and wrote unto the High Priest of the Jews to help him to these books In the mean time a certaâ—n man called Aristaeus who was intirely beloved by
presently from thence to the other side of Jordan Josephs death where he past his life in receiving and gathering the tributes of the Barbarians Onias and after him Simon his Son High Priest In that time Seleucus sirnamed Soter the Son of Antiochus the great reigned in Asia At that time also died Joseph Hircanus Father who was a man of good repute and great courage who established the people of the Jews in a lasting Peace Hedio Ruffinus chaâ— â— and freed them from poverty and many disasters and collected the Tributs of Syria Phoenica and Samaria for the space of twenty two years His Uncle Onias died also about the same time leaving the Priest-hood to his Son Simon after G whose death his Son Onias was made High Priest to whom Arius King of Lacedemon sent an Embassage and letters the copy whereof heareafter ensueth CHAP. V The year of the World 3780. before Christ's Nativity 144. H Arius King of Lacedemon writes to Onias the High Priest to contract an Alliance with the Jews pretending that the Lacedemonians were descended from Abraham Hircanus builds a magnificent Paliace and kills himself for fear of falling into the hands of Antiocus Arius King of Lacedemon The Letter of the King of Lacedemon to the High Priest of the Jews to Onias Health WE have found out a certain writing wherein it is recorded that the Jews and Lacedemonians are of the same race 1 Mac. 12. and both of them desended from Abraham It is I therefore requisite that since we are brethren you let us know wherein we can serve you that we may have one common interest Demoteles our messenger bringeth you our letters written on a square leafe the seal whereof is an Eagle holding a Dragon in her talons Sedition among the people after Joseph's death These were the contents of the Lacedemonians letters After the death of Joseph it came to pass that the people began to mutinie in the quarrel of his Children For the elder brethren made War against Hircanus who was the younger by means whereof the People were divided The greater part of them followed the Elder faction Hircanus afflicteth the Arabians with continual war and the High Priest Simon also by reason of his affinity with them followed their party Whereupon Hircanus resolved to repair no more unto K Jerusalem but fixing his habitation on the other side of Jordan he made continual War against the Arabians Hircanus buildeth a strong Tower slaying a great number of them and taking many prisoners He built an huge Tower of white Marble from the bottome to the top and on it he placed the figures of many living Creatures in sculpture of greatheight About the same he cut a deep trench of water and having hewed the front of the Rock that stood over against the bulding he made divers caves therein many furlongs long He also made divers chambers therein Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria both to eat and sleep and dwell in He drew thither likewise currents of springing water in so great abundance that it gave much delight to those that dwelt there The Sons of Ptolomey Epiâ—hance philometor and Physcon and great ornament to the whole bulding The mouth of every Cave was so little that but one only man could enter at once which he therefore L made so narrow because they might the better serve for his security and refuge that if so be he were at any time assaulted by his bretheren Hircanus killeth himself he might avoyd the danger of surprisal Moreover he built within his Castle many large halls which he adorned with great and goodly Gardens Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. and this place thus built was called by him Tyre and is scituate between Arabia and Judaea 1 Mac. 1. on the other side of Jordan not far from the Countrey of Essedon He commanded in this Countrey seven years all that time that Seleucus reigned in Syria After whose death his brother Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes obtained the Kingdom Ptolomey also King of Egypt who was likewise called Epiphanes died and left two children very young behind him of whom the eldest was called Philometer and the younger Phiscon But when Hircanus perceived that Antiochus grew very powerful M he feared to be punished by him for his incursions made upon the Arabians whereupon he slew himself with his own hands and Antiochus enjoyed all his goods N O H CHAP. VI. The year of the World 3790. before Christ's Nativity 174. Onias sirnamed Menelaus seeing himself excluded from the High-Priesthood retires to Antiochus and renounceth the Religion of his forefathers Antiochus enters Egypt and being ready to make himself Master of it the Romans force him to retire ONias the High-Priest being dead about this time Antiochus gave the Priesthood to Jesus sirnamed Jason his brother For that son unto whom Onias had left the succession Onias sirnam'd Menelaus substituted in his place was as yet very young of whom we will speak in convenient time and I place This Jesus Onias brother was deprived of the Priesthood through the Kings displeasure conceived against him who gave it shortly after to his younger brother called Onias The Wars betwixt Jason and Menelaus For Simon had three sons who as we have declared successively possessed the Priesthood this Jesus caused himself to be called Jason as his other brother caused himself to be called Menelaus Apostates from the Jewish Religion whereas his name was Onias But Jesus who had first of all been established in the place of the High-Priest arose against Menelaus who was elected into the place after him So that the People were divided into Factions and Tobias sons were on Menelaus side but the greater number of the People followed Jason so that Menelaus and the sons of Tobias being much troubled by them retired to Antiochus telling him that they intended to forsake the Religion and Ordinances of their fathers K and to follow that of the King and to live after the manner of the Greeks exhorting him to give them licence to erect a place of Exercises in Jerusalem Which when Antiochus had granted them they so behaved themselves that there appeared no more sign of Circumcision in them so that at such time as they were naked there was no difference between them and the Greeks and neglecting all the ordinances and customs of their own Countrey they conformed themselves to the behaviour and manners of other Nations Antiochus having all things in his kingdom according to his hearts desire resolved to make War upon Egypt he contemned Ptolomy's son age who were not as yet capable to manage their affairs Arriving there near to Pelusium with a great power he circumvented by a stratagem the young Ptolomy Philometor and subdued Egypt for after L he had besieged Memphis Antiochus enforced to depart out of Egypt and taken it
for they who kept it defended it valiantly For against every Engine the King built and raised up against them they erected a contrary Engine They only wanted victuals because their old provision was consumed and the ground had not been manured that year because it was the seventh in which according to the Law the Countrey ought not to be tilled which was the cause that divers of those that were besieged fled away privately for want of victuals insomuch that very few remained for the defence of the Temple In this condition were they who were besieg'd in the Temple But when King Antiochus and Lysias the General had received notice Antiochus hearing news of Philips intent to invade Persia giveth over his siege to meet him that Philip coming out of Persia intended to make himself Lord of the Countrey they concluded to give F over the siege for that time and to march forwards against Philip without giving any notice thereof to his Soldiers He only commanded that Lysias should call a Council of his Captains and without discovering of his design against Philip to tell them That he raised the siege because the place was very strong and his Army began to want victuals and the publick affairs required his presence in other parts of his Dominions Furthermore he thought it expedient to capitulate with the besieged and contract friendship with all the Nation of the Jews promising them the free exercise of their Religion because they rebelled only that they were deprived of it and he was assured that having the grant thereof they would live peaceably and he might safely return into his own Countrey When Lysias had declared these Reasons all the Army and the Captains approved thereof G H CHAP. XV. King Antiochus Eupator makes peace with the Jews but contrary to his promise he demolisheth the Wall that encompassed the Temple He cuts off the head of the High-Priest Onias sirnamed Menelaus and confers that honour upon Alcim Onias the Nephew of Menelaus retires into Egypt where the King and Queen Cleopatra his Wife permit him to build a Temple at Heliopolis in imitation of that at Jerusalem IN pursuance of this resolution Antiochus maketh peace with Judas King Antiochus sent a Herald to Judas and those that I were besieged with him promising them peace with permission to live according to their Religion The wall of the Temple defaced Which conditions they willingly embrac'd and having taken an oath of assurance from the King they surrendred up the Temple Whereupon Antiochus entred into it Onias otherwayes called Menelaus led away Prisoner and seeing it to be a place so well fortifi'd he contrary to his oath commanded his Army to level the Wall that inviron'd it even with the ground which done he return'd to Antioch leading away with him the High-Priest Onias who was called Menelaus For Lysias had counselled the King to murther Menelaus if he intended that the Jews should live in peace and the rather because it was he only who was the Author of all those evils by reason of the counsel he had given to Antiochus his father to inforce the Jews to forsake their Religion The King for that cause sent Menelaus unto Beraea K a City of Syria where he commanded him to be put to death after he had enjoy'd the High-Priesthood ten years Alcim or Jacimus made High-Priest He was a wicked man and to raise himself to that great honour and authority had caused several of our Nation to violate our most holy Laws As soon therefore as Menelaus was dead Alcim was made High-Priest who was called Jacimus Now when Antiochus found that Philip had already conquer'd a great part of his Countrey he fought with him and taking him Prisoner he put him to death But Onias the son of the High-Priest Philip slain by Antiochus whom as we have heretofore declared was left an Orphan in his infancy seeing that the King had slain his Uncle Menelaus Onias the High-Priests son built a Temple in Egypt resembling that at Jerusalem and given the Priesthood to Alcim who was not of the race of the Priests and had transferred this honour into another family at the persuasion of Lysias he fled unto Ptolomy King of L Egypt where being honourably entertained by the King and his Queen Cleopatra he obtained a place at Heliopolis where he built a Temple like unto that which was at Jerusalem whereof we shall hereafter have a more fit opportunity to speak CHAP. XVI Demetrius the son of Seleucus escapes from Rome comes into Syria and causeth himself to be crowned King and puts to death King Antiochus and Lysias He sends Bacchides with an Army into Judea to exterminate Judas and his party and to establish Alcim in the High-Priesthood he proceeds with great cruelty but Judas compels M him to retire to Demetrius for fresh supplies AT that time Demetrius the son of Seleucus fled from Rome Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. and took possession of Tripolis in Syria and after he had set the Diadem upon his own head and had levied and hired certain Soldiers 1 Machab. 7. he invaded the kingdom Demetrius seizeth Tripolis and other Cities of â—yria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias where he was received to the general content of all men who submitting themselves unto him laid hold on the King Antiochus and Lysias and brought them alive unto him but he forthwith commanded that they should be put to death after that Antiochus had reigned two years To this new elected King divers Jews banish'd for their impiety and with them the High-Priest Alcim resorted Alcim the High-Priest with Apostates accuseth Judas before Demetrius who in general accused their own Nation and principally Judas N and his brethren objecting against them that they had slain his friends and all such as were on his side and that among all those that were in the kingdom and expected his coming some of them were slain and the rest being driven from their native Countrey were banish'd into other places Wherefore he desired him that he would send some one of his friends to take notice of the outrages committed by Judas and his brethren Demetrius was much moved by these reports and for that cause sent Bacchides who was in times past much esteemed by Antiochus Epiphanes for his valor and to whose government at that time all Mesopotamia was committed To whom he gave an Army joining with him the High-Priest Alcim with Commission to kill Judas and his Confederates Bacchides departing from Antioch with his Army came into Judea and sent an Herald unto Judas O and his brethren to treat with him upon certain Articles of Peace because his intent was to surprize them by some treachery But Judas suspecting his design gave little heed unto him for in that he came thither with so great an Army he easily conjectured that he intended no Peace
will all in this place assemble to celebrate the praises of God according as it hath been foretold by the Prophet Isaias There shall be saith he a Temple for our Lord God in Egypt many other things also hath he foretold touching this place This is the substance of that which Onias wrote unto King Ptolomey And by his answer which he made hereunto a man may easily conjecture what piety was both in him and Cleopatra his sister and wife For they have returned the sin and transgression of the Law which through this means fell upon Onias's head by this answer that ensueth F King Ptolomey and Queen Cleopatra to Onias the High-Priest Health We have perused your Letters by which you desire us to give you leave to cleanse the Temple that is defaced at Leontopolis in the seignory of Heliopolis in the place called Bubastis in the Plain We marvel very much that a Temple built in a place so unclean and full of execrable Beasts should be acceptable unto God but since that you inform us that the Prophet Isaiah did long since prophesie the same we give you liberty if it may be done according to the Law and with this condition that we commit not any sin against God G Upon this answer Onias taking possession of the place built therein a Temple and erected an Altar unto God according to the model of the Temple of Jerusalem but H far less and less rich I think it no wayes requisite to declare the dimensions thereof nor the vessels belonging to it because I describe them particularly in my seventh book of the Wars and Captivity of the Jews neither wanted there some Levites and Priests who being of the same opinion with Onias officiated at the celebration of Divine Service A Temple built in Egypt by Ptolomey's consent But let this suffice for the present touching the Temple But it came to pass that the Jews of Alexandria and the Samaritans that brought in the Service and Worship of the Temple upon the mount Garizim under Alexander the Great The Wars of the Jews lib. 7. cap. 37. dissented from one another and debated their differences before Ptolomey For the Jews said That the Temple in Jerusalem built according to Moses laws and ordinances Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching their Temple was the lawful Temple but the Samaritans maintained That that which was built I on mount Garazim was the true Temple They therefore besought the King That it would please him to sit in judgment with the assistance of his friends to hear their allegations in this behalf and to condemn the party unto death who should be found faulty in his process Now the advocates which pleaded for the Samaritans were Sabbeus and Theodosius and Andronicus the son of Messalem defended the cause of those of Jerusalem and the other Jews And both of them swore both by God and the King That they would bring their proofs according to the Law beseeching Ptolomey to adjudge him to death whom he should find to have falsifi'd his oath The King therefore sat down with his friends to hear the cause and determine their differences But the Jews of Alexandria were much displeased with them that had drawn the preheminence of the Temple K at Jerusalem into question and were highly discontent that a Temple so ancient and famous and so esteemed and honoured through the whole World should be so disparaged When therefore the day of Audience was come Sabbeus and Theodosius suffered Andronicus to speak first who began to prove the lawfulness holiness and religion of the Temple in Jerusalem out of the Law and by the successive government of the High Priests who from father to son and from hand to hand had received this honour therein alledging That all the Kings of Asia had honoured the Majesty of that place with presents and rich oblations whereas neither in the record of men nor course of antiquity the Temple of Garizim had been in any estimation Hereunto he added such other reasons as persuaded the King that the Temple of Jerusalem was built according to L the ordinance of Moses and caused him to adjudge Sabbeus and Theodosius to death This may suffice to have spoken concerning the differences of the Jews of Alexandria and such things as befell them during Ptolomey Philometors time CHAP. VII Alexander Ballez finding himself by the death of Demetrius in the peaceable possession of the Realm of Syria espouseth the daughter of Ptolomey Philometor King of Egypt Great honour is done by Alexander to Jonathan the High-Priest M AFter that Demetrius was slain in the field as we have already related Alexander made himself King of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. and wrote to Ptolomey Philometor 1 Mac. 11. 1. desiring his daughter Alexander King of Syria marrieth Cleopatra Ptolomeys daughter the Princess Cleopatra in marriage telling him That it was not below his dignity to contract affinity with him since he had obtained his fathers Empire by the favor of God and had overcome Demetrius Ptolomey yielding a willing ear to his request wrote back That he was very glad that he had recovered his fathers kingdom promising him to give him his daughter in marriage assuring him that he would meet him at Ptolomais and bring his daughter unto him to that place and there celebrate the Nuptials After he had written these Letters Ptolomey made haste to Ptolomais and led with him his daughter Cleopatra where meeting with Alexander according to their appointment he deliver'd him his daughter N and gave her a dowry worthy of so great a King Unto the solemnizing of his marriage Alexander by Letters invited the High-Priest Jonathan commanding him to come to him to Ptolomais He went thither and presented magnificent Presents to both the Kings he was highly honour'd by both insomuch as Alexander constrained him to put off his ordinary garments and to put on a purple robe and after that to sit upon a royal Throne commanding his Captains to march before him through the City and to command by publick Edict That no man should dare to speak anything against him nor offer him any cause of discontent All which the Captains performed so that they who purposely and maliciously came thither to accuse him seeing the honour that was done unto him by the King fled away lest the mischief which they designed for him should fall upon O their own heads This King Alexander loved Jonathan so intirely that he afforded him the chief place amongst his dearest friends CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3818. before Christ's Nativity 146. A Demetrius Nicanor the son of King Demetrius entreth into Cilicia with an Army King Alexander Ballez gives the command of his to Apollonius who with very ill success sets upon Jonathan the High-Priest who defeats him takes Azot and burns the Temple of Dagon Ptolemey Philometor King of Egypt
brothers and besiegeth Ptolomais King Ptolomey Lathyrus whom Queen Cleopatra N his mother had banish'd out of Egypt came to relieve Ptolomais the Inhabitantâ— would not let him in Alexander raiseth the siege treateth openly with Ptolomey and privately with Queen Cleopatra WHen Aristobulus was dead Hedio Ruffinus cap. 19. Salome his Wife whom the Greeks called Alexandra set his brothers at liberty Salome sirnamed Alexandra Aristobulus 's Wife maketh Jannaeus Alexander King whom as we have heretofore declared he had made Prisoners and made Jannaeus who was called Alexander King who both in age and modesty surpassed all the other brethren but he was so unfortunate that from his birth-day upward his father had conceived so great a hatred against him that he never admitted him to his presence so long as he lived The cause whereof O as it is reported was this When as Hircanus loved Aristobulus and Antigonus who were his two eldest sons with most intire affection God appeared unto him in his sleep A of whom he demanded The year of the World 3864. before Christ's Nativity 100. Who should succeed him Whereupon God presented unto his sight the resemblance of Alexander whereat he was displeased that as soon as he was born he sent him out of his presence into Galilee to be nourished and brought up in that place But God hath apparently proved that he lied not to Hircanus For after Aristobulus's death Alexander executeth the one brother that affected the crown and honoured the other he taking possession of the Kingdom caused one of his two brethren to be put to death who endeavored to make himself King and as for the other who resolved to live in idleness and pleasure he honour'd him greatly After that he had setled his estate according as he thought it most expedient he led forth his Army against Ptolomais and having obtained the upper hand in the battel he blocked up the men within their City Alexander besiegeth Ptolomais and afterwards besieg'd it For amongst all the B Cities of the Sea-coast these two only namely Ptolomais and Gaza remained as yet unconquer'd Zoilus Tyraâ—â— of Straton and Dora and there was no adversary left but Zoilus who had seized of the Tower of Straton and Dora where he govern'd Whil'st Antiochus Philometor and Antiochus Cyzicenus were thus at Debate and VVar the one against the other and consum'd each others Forces the Ptolemaidans had not any succor from them But whil'st they were engag'd in this Siege Zoilus who held the Tower of Straton and Dora assisted them with that Army he had under his command and gave them some succors by reason that seeing these two Kings were so eagerly incens'd against each other he contriv'd how to advance himself to the crown and sovereignty For these two Kings seem'd to neglect their own dangers resembling those Wrastlers who though being wearied with fighting yet C are ashamed to submit unto their adversary but give themselves a breathing time that they may the better be heartned to re-encounter The only hopes they had were in the Kings of Egypt and in Ptolomey Lathyrus who held the Isle of Cyprus at that time whither he retir'd himself after he had been driven out of his kingdom by Cleopatra his mother To him the Ptolomaidans sent Ambassadors as unto their Ally requiring him to come and deliver them from Alexander's hands into which they were in danger to fall These Ambassadors persuaded him That if he would pass into Syria he should have both Zoilus to friend and those of Gaza to his followers in rescuing of the Ptolomaidans and moreover they assured him That the Sidonians and divers others would second him and by this means so encourag'd him with promises that he made haste to set sail D But in the mean space Demenetus who was both eloquent and in great authority with the Citizens made the Ptolomaidans change their resolution telling them That it was much better for them to hazard themselves in some uncertain danger wherewith the Jews threatned them than to deliver themselves into the hands of such a Master from whom they could expect nothing but manifest slavery And moreover not only to sustain a present War but that which is more an imminent War from Egypt that Cleopatra would not permit that Ptolomey should levy an Army of the Neighbouring Nations but would come against them with a great power and would endeavor also to thrust her son out of Cyprus And as for Ptolomey if he were frustrate of his hope Zoilus and the Gazeans require aid against the Jews at Ptolomey's hands yet he might notwithstanding once more return again to Cyprus in this case they were to expect no less than extreme danger Now although that Ptolomey E being at Sea understood how the Ptolomaidans had chang'd their opinion yet continued he his course onward and landing in the Port of Sicamine he caused his Army who were of Foot and Horse to the number of 30000 Men to take Land and with them he approach'd Ptolomais and perceiving that upon his encamping they of the City admitted not his Ambassadors neither in any sort gave ear unto them he was wondrously perplexed But after Zoilus and they of Gaza came unto him intreating him to grant them assistance for that their Countrey was destroy'd by the Jews and by Alexander For which cause Alexander raised his siege from before Ptolomais for fear of Ptolomey and retiring his Army into his own Countrey he began to use this stratagem For covertly he incited Cleopatra against Ptolomey and openly he made shew of amity and F confederacy with Ptolomey Alexander persuadeth Ptolomey to cut off Zoilus promising him to give him 400 Talents of silver provided that he would deliver him the Tyrant Zoilus and assign those possessions held by him unto the Jews Ptolomey having made a peace and league with Alexander did at that time willingly lay hold on Zoilus Zoilus taken but after that he understood that Alexander had sent and incensed his mother against him Ptolomais besieged by Ptolomey he brake all agreement and besieg'd Ptolomais that would not entertain him He left his Lieutenants at the siege with part of his Forces and marched away with the rest Ptolomey taketh Azâ—r a Town in Galilee to invade and pillage the Countrey of Judea Alexander perceiving Ptolomey's intent assembled about 50000 fighting Men of his own Coutrey or as some Historians have written 80000 with whom he went out to fight against Ptolomey who suddenly setting upon Azoch a City of Galilee on a Sabbath-day took it by G force and carried away from thence 10000 Prisoners and a great quantity of other booty CHAP. XXI A Ptolomey Lathyrus's great victory over Alexander King of the Jews his horrid barbarity Cleopatra Ptolomey's mother cometh to assist the Jews against him His attempt to subdue Egypt is frustrated Alexander taketh Gaza and
Gazeans had the upper hand because that they made their Enemies believe that Ptolomey was come to their rescue but as soon K as the day appeared and this opinion was found false as soon as the Jews were assured of the truth they turned back upon them and charging the Gazeans they slew about 1000 of them Notwithstanding all this the besieged stood out still being neither daunted with loss of Men nor lack of Provision whatsoever resolving rather to endure any misery than yield to their Enemies Aretas King of Arabia flattereth the Gazeans with hope of rescue and that which made them more confident was the hope of help which they expected from Aretas King of Arabia who had promised no less But it came to pass that Apollodotus was slain before his arrival and the City taken For Lysimachus his brother conceived a jealousie against him by reason of the good opinion which the Inhabitants had of him Lysimachus killeth his brother Apollodotus and betrayed Gaza to Alexander and having slain him and gather'd those fighting Men that he L might he yielded up the City unto Alexander who at the first made a peaceable entry but afterwards dispersed his Soldiers and gave them licence to execute all hostility against the Citizens so that they acted their cruelty in every place and slew many of the Gazeans Neither died these Citizens unrevenged but so manfully behaved themselves that they butchered no less number of Jews than they murthered Citizens among them Some of them likewise perceiving themselves to be alone set their Houses on fire taking away first that which was therein that the Enemy might not be 〈◊〉 with their spoils Others killed their Wives and Children with their own hands to deliver them from the Enemies cruelty But the Senators to the number of 500 fled into the Temple of Apollo for to save themselves but that did not secure them for when the Enemy M entred the Town they were by chance assembled in counsel Alexander 〈◊〉 them all to the sword and instantly razed and levelled that City with the ground which done he returned to Jerusalem after he had spent one whole year at the siege before Gaza About this time Antiochus Antiochus Gryphus slain sirnamed Gryphus died by the Treason of Heracleon in the 45 year of his age and in the â—9 of his Reign His son Seleucus had the Kingdom after him Seleucus Gryphus son maketh War with Antiochus the Cyzicenian who made War against his Uncle Antiochus sirnamed 〈◊〉 and having overcome him he slew him Not long after Antiochus the son of Cyzicenus and Antoninus sirnamed the Deâ—out came to Arade and crowned them and made War against Seleucus whom they overcame in one conflict and drove him out of all 〈◊〉 who flying into Cilicia and arriving again in the City of the Mopseates he exacted a sum of money from the Citizens N But the people were so incensed that they set his Palace on fire whereby it came to pass Antiochus Eusebes putteth Seleucus to flight that both he and his friends were burnt to dust During the time that Antiochus the son of Cyzicenuâ— reigned in â—yria another Antiochus Seleucus's brother made War against him but he was not only overcome but both he and his Army were put to the sword Antiochus Seleucus's brother fighteth against Antiochus the son of the Cyzicenian After him â—hilip his son took the Crown and governed in certain places of Syria Mean while Ptolomey Lathyrus sent to 〈◊〉 for his fourth brother Demetrius Eucaerus and made him King of Damascus Against these two brothers Antiochus made a manly and valiant resistance but died very shortly after For repairing to Laodicea to succor the Queen of the Galadenians Demetrius Eucâ—rus made King of Damascus by Ptolomey Laâ—â—â—rus who made VVar against the â—arthians he was killed fighting valiantly and his two brothers Demetrius and Philip possessed Syria as hereafter O shall be declared As for Alexander his own Subjects rebelled against him for the people arose and mutined at such time as he assisted at the Altar to solemnize the feast of Tabernacles and during the time that he intended the Sacrifice they cast Citrons at him The year of the World 3884. before Christ's Nativity 80. for as we have declared elsewhere the Jews have this custom that on the feast A of the Tabernacles each one bringeth a branch of Palm and of Citrons They upbraided him also with many injurious speeches reproaching him that he had been Prisoner in War and that he was also unworthy of the honour of the Priesthood Whereupon Citrons cast at Alexander he being moved by these disgraces put to death about 6000 Men and having made an inclosure of Wood about the Temple and the Altar as far as the place whereinto it was lawful for none to enter but the Priest he kept there to the intent the people might not apprehend him he entertained also certain foreign Soldiers Pisidians and Cilicians For being at odds with the Syrians he made no use of them After this having overcome the Arabians he constrained the Moabites and Galaadites to pay him Tribute and destroyed the City of Amath whilest Theodore for fear gave B over to resist him Amath destroyed But encountering with Obeda the King of Arabia and being surprized and betrayed by an ambuscado in certain miry places Obeda King of Arabia he was thrust by the crowd of Camels into a deep Trench near unto Gadara a Village of Galaad from whence he almost despaired to escape notwithstanding having overcome that danger he came to Jerusalem And besides this the people hated him against whom he made VVar for the space of six years and slew at the least 50000 of them and the more he entreated them to be quiet they grew worse against him for what they had suffered so that when he demanded of them What they would have him do to please them They all of them with one voice cried out That he should kill himself And thereupon they presently sent messengers to Demetrius 〈◊〉 requesting him of his favor and assistance C CHAP. XXII Demetrius Eucerus King of Syria comes to assist the Jews against their King Alexander whom he defeats in a battel and retireth The Jews prosecute the War alone against him he overcomes them in several battels and proves extreme cruel to them Demetrius besiegeth his brother Philip in Bâ—roa Mithridates Synaces King of the Parthians sends an Army against him taketh him Prisoner he dyeth shortly after DEmetrius coming onward with his Army Hedio Ruffinus cap. 20. and taking with him those who had incited D him to the enterprize Demetrius Eucâ—rus marcheth out against Alexander came and encamped near unto the City of Sicheâ— But Alexander gathering together some 20000 Jews whom he knew to be well-affected towards him with 6200 mercenary soldiers and strangers marched forward against Demetrius
the Jews and their Princes Hircanus and Aristobulus who were at odds the one against the other Aristobulus and Hircanus accused by the Jews before Pompey concerning their particular interests the Jews complained against Hircanus and Aristobulus both and alledged that they would not be governed by Kings because their custom was to obey Gods Priests whom they honoured affirming that these G two brethren who were descended of the race of Priests endeavoured to draw their Nation under a different form of government and to reduce them under slavery Hircanus H complained The year of the World 3902. before Christ's Nativity 62. that being the elder born he had been deprived of his inheritance by Aristobulus and had only but a small portion of the Countrey alotted him because Aristobulus had seized the rest by force He complained likewise of those incursions that both by Land and Sea Aristobulus's followers had endamaged their Frontiers with For the people had not revolted if he had not been a violent and turbulent man To this accusation of his Aristobulus's Apology before Pompey a thousand of the principallest of the Jews drawn on by Antipater's persuasion subscribed But Aristobulus answered That Hircanus was dispossessed of the Kingdom by reason of his incapacity and natural defects alledging for himself That the government was forced on him of necessity lest it should be transported to others he protested that he challenged no other title than that which his father Alexander I had had He brought in also for his Witnesses certain arrogant young men who were hated for their pomp purple Robes their curiosity in painting and curling their Hair and other braveries which they presented not like men that intended to hear a Case decided but rather to shew their vanity After that Pompey had heard them he condemn'd Aristobulus's violence but for that time he dismiss'd them after some favorable and gracious conference promising them that he would come into their Countrey Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. and determine their differences after he had seen the Region of the Nabatheans commanding them in the meanwhile to live in peace He used Aristobulus likewise very kindly fearing lest he should incense the people and shut up his passage which notwithstanding came to pass For Aristobulus came into the City of Delion and from thence K went into Judea without regarding what Pompey had commanded him CHAP. VI. Pompey is offended at Aristobulus's retreat He marcheth against him Their several meetings without taking any effect POmpey hearing this was very much displeased and taking with him his Army which he had prepared against the Nabatheans with the supplies he had in Damascus and the rest of Syria Pompey marcheth out against Aristobulus besides the other Roman companies that he had he marched forth L against Aristobulus when he had passed Pella and Sâ—â—hopolis he came to Coreas which is the entrance into Judea drawing toward the heart of the Countrey There he found a strong Castle situate upon the top of a mountain called Alexandrion Aristobulus descendeth from his Fortress to confer with Pompey whither Aristobulus was retired He sent to invite him to come and parley with him who persuaded by the counsel of many of his best friends by no means to make War against the Romans Aristobulus delivereth the Fortresses to Pompey's hands came down to him and after he had debated his title with his brother concerning the Kingdom Pompey permitted him to return again into his Castle And this he did two or three times alwayes flattering Pompey through the hope he had of the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. Meanwhile he retired himself and fortified the place and made preparation for the War lest Pompey should alot the Kingdom to Hircanus Pompey commanded him to M deliver up the fortresses that he held Mithridates King of Pontus slain by his son Pharnaces and to write with his own hand to the Captains of the Garisons who otherwise would not have obeyed him Aristobulus submitted but was so displeased that he repaired to Jerusalem on purpose to make preparations for War Immediately after Pompey marched towards him with his Army and a messenger coming from Pontus brought him news of Mithridates's death who was slain by his son Pharnaces N O CHAP. VII The year of the World 3903. before Christ's Nativity 61. H Aristobulus repents cometh to Pompey and treateth with him But his Soldiers refusing to deliver the money that he had promised and to receive the Romans into Jerusalem Pompey keepeth him Prisoner and besiegeth the Temple where Aristobulus's men were retired POmpey having encamped near Jericho where there was a number of Date-trees and where also groweth that balm which is the most precious Gabinius coming to receive the money Aristobulus had promised hath the City Gates shut against him of all other ointments distilling from a little shrub which is opened and slit by a sharp cutting stone the next morning he marched towards Jerusalem Aristobulus being sorry for his misbehavior came unto him offering him money and promising him to receive I him into Jerusalem he intreated him to lay aside all quarrels and to order all as he thought fit without coming to War Whereupon Pompey pardon'd him and condescended to his request Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. and sent Gabinius with his Soldiers both to receive the money as also to enter the City Pompey besiegeth Jerusalem but could do neither for Aristobulus's Soldiers would not permit that any promise should be perform'd which Pompey took so ill that after he had committed Aristobulus to Prison he went in person against the City which was strongly fortified on every side except toward the quarter that extendeth Northward which was easie to be beaten down for this side is invironed with a large and deep Valley compassing the Temple which is inclosed with a very strong stone Wall K CHAP. VIII Pompey after a three months siege took the Temple of Jerusalem by assault and forbeareth plundering of it He lessens the Jews power He leaveth Scaurus to command his Army carrieth Aristobulus Prisoner to Rome with Alexander and Antigonus his two sons and his two daughters Alexander maketh his escape out of Prison IN the mean time the City of Jerusalem was divided for some thought good to yield up the City to Pompey Jerusalem partly betrayed partly besieged by Pompey others that were of Aristobulus's faction counselled that the gates should be kept shut and preparation for War should be made because the Romans L detained Aristobulus Prisoner The last prevailing seized the Temple and breaking down the bridge which was betwixt it and the City resolved to stand on their defence But the others not only deliver'd the City into Pompey's hands but the Royal Palace also who sent Piso his Lieutenant thither with his Forces to take possession thereof and to plant his Garisons therein
occasion to deliver Herod in despite of the Council the rather also for that he loved him as intirely as his son Therefore when Herod presented himself before the Council H with his retinue The year of the World 3922. before Christ's Nativity 42. all of them were astonished and none of those that accused him in his absence durst open their mouths to speak one word but all of them kept silence not knowing what do Now whilst they stood upon these terms a certain man called Sameas who was of upright dealing and for this cause was not daunted arose and spake to this purpose Sameas one of the Judges foretelleth Hircanus and his counsellers of their imminent death by Herods means Dread King and you honourable assistants I could never yet remember that ever any man which was called in question to defend his cause before us hath appeared in this equipage and I suppose that none of you can say that the like hath ever hapned but whosoever cometh into this place to receive judgment he presented himself with humility and fear with a countenance prepared to implore mercy having his hair long and his garment black but this gallant Herod accused of murther and this for occasion called before I us who could imagine that he should appear before us in a purple robe having his hairs trimmed and besides that a guard of armed men about him with an intent that if we condemn him according to Law he may put us to death without Law that after he hath violated all right Herod honoureth Sameas he may escape and save himself But I blame not Herod in this action for that he hath a more inward regard of his particular profit than of the Law but I accuse both you and the King Herod admonished by Hircanus saveth himself by flight and appeareth no more in judgment who have given him such assurance Know therefore that there is a soveraign God that will one day punish both you and the King and him whom you will deliver by the Kings means And so fell it out as he had said For as soon as Herod had obtained the Kingdom he put all those of the council to death and Hircanus himself likewise onely Sameas was exempted for he esteemed him mightily because of his wisdom and K justice and because when the City was besieged by Herod and Sosius Sameas perswaded the people to receive Herod telling them that by reason of their sins and offences they could not escape from him whereof we will speak in time and place Hircanus perceiving that the Judges were inclined to condemn Herod deferred the sentence till the next day and sent secretly unto Herod counselling him to flie out of the City assuring him that there was no other means to save his life Thus he posted to Damascus as if he had fled from the Kings presence and presenting himself before Sextus Caesar after he had assured his person he resolved with himself that if the council should call him once more to answer he would not obey them But after his departure the council was displeased with Hircanus and endeavoured to perswade him L that all these things tended to his destruction which he perceived yet knew not what to do Alias chap. 11. Sextus Caesar selleth his Presidents place to Herod for ready money he was so negligent and void of foresight When Sextus had made Herod Governor of Coelosyria which estate he sold unto him for ready money Hircanus was afraid lest Herod should make War against him neither passed there long time before the effect grew answerable to his fear For Herod marched forth against him with a great Army supposing himself to be much wronged by the assignation he had sent him and in that he was summoned to give a reason of his actions before the council Herod marcheth against Hircanus with a great Army and is disswaded from War by his father Antipater and his brother Phasaelus But his father Antipater and his brother Phasaelus came forth against him to hinder his approach towards Jerusalem striving to appease his fury and counselling him not to attempt any thing by way of action but that contenting himself that he had threatned and affrighted Hircanus he should not attempt M any thing further against him who had raised him to that high degree They told him also that it became him not onely to remember that he was cited to answer but that he was absolved also and permitted to depart without danger or any violence Moreover that he ought to think that God governeth the ballance of War and that the issues of battels are uncertain and for that cause he ought not to expect the victory if he made War against the King who was his familiar and from whom he had received far more kindness Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. and no displeasure who though he made some appearance and shadow of severity Hircanus Embassadors to Caesar touching the accusation intended against him yet notwithstanding it proceeded not so much from him as from his evil counsellers Herod in some sort pacified by these perswasions The Jews much honoured by the Kings of Europe and Asia Julius Caesar testifieth in a brazen Pillar that the Jews were free citizens of Alexandria obeyed his father supposing that it sufficed him in regard of his N future hopes that he had given the people so large a testimony of his power This was the state of the Jews at that time But Caesar arriving at Rome prepared himself to set sail towards Affrick with an intent to make War against Scipio and Cato Hircanus sent Embassadors to him beseeching him to confirm the amity and alliance that he had with him But now I think it very convenient to declare all the Prerogatives and alliances that the Romans and theâ—â— Emperors made with those of our Nation to the end that all other people might know that the Kings of Asia and Europe have been well affected towards us and have made great account of our valor and fidelity And although divers men ill affected to wards us Julius Caesars Decree as touching the honours immunities and priviledges granted to the Jews believe not that which the Macedonians and Persians have written of us because the same matters are not extant in all places neither set down in publick writings O but onely amongst our selves and some Barbarians yet it is manifest that they cannot contradict the declarations made by the Romans which are manifestly affixed in publick places in Cities as likewise at this present they are engraven in the Capitol in brazen pillars Julius Caesar in like manner in a brazen pillar erected by him hath declared unto the Jews that inhabited Alexandria The year of the World 3922. before Christ's Nativity 24. that they were free Citizens therein A and to the intent that these things may more manifestly appear I will propose the decrees
in the Countrey of Galilee and for this cause was greatly beloved by Cassius for he being prudent and discreet thought it no small policy at that time to win the Romans good will on other mens expences Under the other Governors the Cities were set to sale together with their Inhabitants and amongst them these four were the chiefest namely Gophna Emaus Lydda and Thamna for Cassius sold the people thereof to them that would give most Besides Cassius was so much transported with choler E that he had slain Malichus if Hircanus had not restrained his fury by sending him One hundred Talents of his own money by Antipater But as soon as Cassius was departed out of the Countrey of Judaea he practised Antipater's death supposing that his cutting off would assure Hircanus's state But Antipater was not ignorant of this his resolution for having an inkling thereof he got himself on the other side of Jordan and assembled an Army of Soldiers both Jews and Arabians Hereupon Malichus who was a politick and subtil fellow denied stoutly that he had intended any Treason Maâ—ichus layeth in wait to murther Antipater but forsweareth the same and is reconciled clearing himself with an Oath before Antipater and his Children that he had never any such intent especially seeing that Phasaelus held Jerusalem and Herod F had an Army at command And in the end perceiving the difficulty wherein he was he reconciled himself to Antipater and they agreed at that time that Marcus governed Syria who perceiving that Malichus began to raise troubles in Jewry resorted thither and there wanted little but that he had slain him had not Antipater by earnest request obtained his life CHAP. XIX Cassius and Marcus leaving Sâ—ria give Herod the command of the Army which they had raised promising to establish him King Malichus causeth Antipater to be poysoned Herod dissembleth with him BUT imprudent Antipater saved Malichus to his own mischief Cassius and Marâ—â—us make Herod Governor of Coelosyria For when Cassius G and Marcus had assembled their Army they committed all the charge into Herods hands and made him Governor of Coelosyria and delivered him great forces both of H Foot and Horse The year of the World 3923. before Christ's Nativity 41. and Ships by Sea They promised him likewise the Kingdom of Judaea after they had finished the War that was at that time betwixt them and Anthony and Caesar the younger Whereupon Malichus mightily fearing Antipaters power determined to destroy him and having corrupted Hircanus's Butler with Money with whom both of them celebrated a Feast he poysoned him Malichus causeth Antipater to be poisoned and afterwards assembling many Soldiers about him he made himself Master of the City When Herod and Phasaelus understood the traiterous conspiracy attempted against their Father they were grievously incensed against Malichus But he denied all and especial abjured the intent or practice of the murther Thus died Antipater a just and virtuous man and such an one as dearly loved his Countrey But Herod who was his younger son immediately resolved to I revenge his fathers death and came forth with an Army against Malichus But Phasaelus who was the elder resolved to circumvent him by policy lest he should raise a Civil War He therefore accepted of Malichus justifications and made a shew that he supposed that he had in no manner contrived Antipater's death and onely minded his Fathers Monument and Funerals Mean while Herod resorting to Samaria and finding it in a desperate condition restored the same and pacified the dissentions that were amongst the Inhabitants Not long after by reason of a Feast he came to Jerusalem with his Soldiers Malichus being afraid of his access perswaded Hircanus that he should not permit him to enter into the City whereunto Hircanus condescended alleadging that amongst the holy People it was not lawful to intermix a Troop of polluted K Men. But Herod slighted them that brought him this news and notwithstanding his command entred the City by night whereat Malichus was much amazed Whereupon according to his ordinary dissimulation he openly wept and bewailed the death of Antipater his especial friend but under-hand he prepared a guard for his own safety Notwithstanding it was thought fit by Herod's friends to take no notice of his dissimulation but to make shew that they were well-affected towards Malichus CHAP. XX. Cassius at Herod's entreaty sends orders to the Commanders of the Roman Troops to revenge L Antipater's death they stab Malichus Felix who commands the Roman Garison in Jerusalem attacketh Phasaelus who reduceth him to capitulate HErod having assured Cassius of Antipater his fathers death he knowing very well of what a wicked man Malichus was wrote back unto Herod that he should revenge the death of his father besides he sent secret Letters to the Captains that were in Tyre commanding them to aid and assist Herod in that just execution which he intended After that Cassius had taken Laodicea and the Inhabitants of the Countrey came together bringing with them Crowns and Silver to present him Herod expecting that Malichus should receive his punishment there but Malichus mistrusting their designs M when he was drawing near to Tyre in Phaenicia he contriv'd a greater enterprize For whereas his son was an hostage in Tyre he entred the City to draw him thence and afterwards return into Judaea taking that opportunity by reason of Cassius's troubles who marched to meet with Anthony he resolved to draw the people to an insurrection and to make himself Lord of the Countrey but God disappointed his unjust purposes For Herod being a man of a ripe judgment immediately discovered his intention and sent one of his servants before under the notion to prepare a banquet because he had told him formerly that he would entertein all his followers but in effect he sent him to the Captains to command them to go out with their Daggers and to meet Malichus who marching forth and meeting with him near the shore he N stabbed him Which act did so much astonish Hircanus that through amaze he grew speechless and being much moved he demanded of Herod's men how this accident had hapned and who it was that had killed Malichus which having heard and how nothing was done without Cassius's commannd he answered that all was well done Malichus being a wicked Man and a Traitor to his Countrey See here how Malichus was justly punished for the wickedness he committed against Antipater When Cassius was gone out of Syria there arose a new tumult in Judaea for Felix who was left in Jerusalem with an Army marched forth against Phasaelus and all the people were in arms For which cause Herod speedily repaired to Fabius Governor of Damasco and intending to succor his brother was prevented by a sickness so that O Phasaelus obtaining a victory by his own forces against Faelix enclosed him up in a Tower whence afterwards he dismissed him under
and doing them much mischief He incamped himself likewise upon the Mountains forbearing to draw his whole Forces into the field and G by his diligence and industry his labours were not fruitless for prevailing in some exploits he put his Men in a capacity to recover their former losses H CHAP. VII The year of the World 935. before Christ's Nativity 19. A terrible Earthquake happeneth in Judaea The Arabians attack the Jews and kill their Ambassadors who were sent to treat of a Peace AT such time as Caesar and Antony made trial of their titles in the Actian War Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. and in the seventh year of the Reign of King Herod An Earthquake in Judaea killeth ten thousand men there hapned such an earthquake in the Countrey of Judaea that never the like was seen in any other place so that divers beasts were slain thereby and many men were overwhelmed with ruines of their I houses and perished to the number of ten thousand Only the Soldiers received no damage because they encamped in the open field The Arabians hearing tidings thereof which were far greater by report than they were in effect by such who in favour of the Arabians and hatred of the Jews reported the same grew proud yea so much was their courage increased hereby as if all the Cities of Jewry had been already overthrown The Arabians kill the Ambassadors of the Jews and the men thereof extinguished and as if they had no adversaries remaining alive to oppose them For which cause laying hold of those Ambassadors of the Jews who came unto them to Treat of Peace in their desperate condition they killed them and afterwards in the heat of their spleen set upon their Enemies Camp But the Jews not daring to expect or prevent their assault for their present miseries had so dejected K their spirits seemed to neglect their Common-weale and in a manner to dispair of their safety Herod comforteth the Jews that were out of heart for their former losses These thus affected did the King encourage and called unto him the Captains and as much as in him lay reviving their drooping spirits and when he had restored some to better hopes at length he attempted to speak unto all the Army who in the former overthrows would yield to no perswasion These he did both comfort and exhort in such manner as followeth CHAP. VIII King Herods Oration to his Soldiers by which he doth so incourage them that they give L the Arabians a terrible overthrow and oblige them to take Herod for their Protector FRiends and fellow Soldiers Herod comforteth and exhoiteth his Soldiers there is not one of you but knoweth how many misfortunes have hindred our progress of late which are able to wearie and amaze men of the greatest resolution But since we must needs fight and that all those things that have befallen us unto this present are of that nature that by your own valour they may be recovered I have resolved to inform and confirme you in those means whereby you may retain and continue your accustomed valour and courage First of all therefore as to our War it consisteth on just grounds The cause of War against the Arabians for we are inforced M thereunto through the insolence of our Enemies the Knowledge whereof should chiefly make you recover your courage Secondly I will apparently prove unto you that our condition is not so desperate but that we have great and assured hopes to obtain the victory First of all therefore I will discourse of that which formerly I proposed and will make your selves judges of those things which I will discourse upon For you are privy to the Arabians unjustice and how perfidious they are to their friends and impious and barbarous towards all men but especialy they have always troubled us provoking us through their extreame avarice and maligant envie with perpetual injuries And yet to let slip all other our benefits to that Nation who is he that delivered them from their imminent peril and thraldom that was hazarded by Cleopatras means but our selves For the friendship I had with Antony N and his benevolence toward me was the cause that their burthen of miseries was so lightned Antony forbore to commit anything that might draw us to suspition Besides after she had wrought him by her solicitation to cut off certain portions of the two Kingdoms to be given unto her the matter was so handled by me that by divers presents particularly bestowed upon him by my hands I have obtained security for us both and by disbursing two hundred talents of mine own and giving my word for two hundred more for others for the Revenues of that very Land which in time past was ours and these now possess and enjoy Notwithstaanding reason it were in my opinion that we that are Jews should not be tributaries or give any portion of our Countrey to any man and if we must needs do it it ill becometh us to pay it for these who enjoy their lives by our means It should not be O reasonable for the Arabians who after they had confessed with many plausible protestations and thanksgivings that they enjoy their liberty by our benefit to have deprived and thrust us from our own and to have unjustly dealt with us yea even with us I say who were not their Enemies The year of the World 3935. before Christ's Nativity 29. but rather on the contrary side their chiefest friends in the time of Peace And if A fidelity should be respected even amongst those that are our most hated Enemies much more necessarily ought it to be observed by those that are friends But these men set light thereby who think nothing honest but that which is annexed with lucre and think no wrong unexcusable that hath but a shew of profit Is there any question then whether we should chastise these unjust men by a just War since both God commandeth no less and enjoyneth us alwayes to hate outrage and revenge injustice especially in that War which is not only just but necessary For that which both in the confession of the Grecians and opinion of the Barbarians is most hatefull and heinous this have they perpetrated in murthering our Ambassadors Legates inviolable For the Greeks say that Ambassadors are sacred and inviolable and we our selves have received our wholsome and holiest precepts of the Law of God by Angels that is from B his Heraulds and Messengers for this name can both bring God to mans knowledge and reconcile Enemy to Enemy What Impietie therefore is more unpardonable then to put those Ambassadors to death who bring tidings of right and justice or what prosperity can they expect either in their Wars or felicity in their whole lives after so hainous a crime Truely I cannot imagine any But perhaps some man will say With whomsoever justice is there is God also that right
they submitted themselves to Herod whom to their own sorrow they had approved to be a valiant Souldier CHAP. IX Antonius is overcome by Augustus in the Battle of Actium Herod put Hircanus to death his pretence for it he resolveth to repair to Augustus his orders before his way going M HErod puffed up with his successful fortune Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. returned back into his own Countrey having obtained great reputation by his valour and vertue But when he supposed his State to be most assured Herod dismaied at Antonies overthrow he grew in danger both to lose his dignity and life by reason of that victory that Caesar obtained against Antony in the Actian War For at that time he not only supposed himself to be utterly overthrown but both his friends and Enemies that were round about him lost their hopes for that it was unlikely that he should escape unpunished with Antony Whereby it came to pass that his friends could not conceal their despair and his Enemies under their colourable and dissembled griefs covered their joy promising themselves thereafter a better and N pleasing administration of the Common-Wealth Hereupon Herod perceiving that except Hircanus Herod determineth to make away Hircanus there was not any one of the blood Royal alive determined to cut him off resolving with himself that if he hapned to escape the danger a man who at that time was worthier the Kingdom then himself should not claime the Crown and if any misfortune should befall him in regard of Caesar he desired to dispossess Hircanus of the Kingdom in regard of the envy which he bare him for that he was the only man who deserved to be advanced to that dignity Alexandra solliciteth Hiranus her father to require assistance at Malchus hands Whilest thus he was tormented in his thoughts he had an occasion offered him by Hircanus own followers to execute his intention For Hircanus being of a milde and gentle nature during all his life-time O forbare to entermeddle with State affairs committing all things to fortune and contenting himself with whatsoever condition it pleased her to allot him But Alexandra being an ambitious woman and unable to conceal with modesty the hope she conceived of change sollicited her father that he should not any longer endure the subiection of Herod who was the very scourge of their family but rather A that he should stand upon his own guard and reserve himself to his better fortune She gave him counsel to write unto Malchus who had the Government of Arabia requesting him to grant him both protection and entertainment for that if Herod should chance to be cut off by Caesars displeasure doubtless the Kingdom would return unto him both in regard of his Nobility as also of the peoples favour These perswasions of hers Hircanus at the first repulsed but afterwards being overcome by the importunity of the woman Alexandra solliciteth Hircanus her father to require assistance at Malchus hands who ceased not day and night to sing the same Song of future hope and of Herods Treasons he gave certain Letters to a friend of his written to the Arabian wherein he required him to send him certain Horsemen who might conduct him to the Asphaltite Lake which lieth distant from the confines of Jerusalem some three hundred Furlongs And therefore he committed these Letters to Dositheus trust both B for that he favoured Hircanus and his Daughter Three hundred furlongs contain nine Germane Miles and seemed likely for divers causes to hate Herod for he was Josephs kinsman who was killed by Herod and not long before certain of his Brothers were put to death amongst others at Tyre by Antonies command yet for none of those considerations continued he faithful to Hircanus For he preferring the present favour of the King that then reigned to the rest discovered the Letter unto the King who first of all giving him thanks required one office of friendship more at his hands which was that folding up the Letter and sealing it he should conveigh and deliver the same to Malchus and return his answer for that it neerly concerned him if he knew his resolution also Which when Dositheus had diligently performed the Arabian returned this answer for that it neerly concerned him if he knew C his resolution also Hircanus by Herods commands is put to death Which when Dositheus had diligently performed the Arabian returned this answer that he was ready to entertain both himself and his whole family and all those Jews likewise which were of this faction promising to send him a band of Soldiers who should be able to conduct him safely thither and should be obedient to his command in all things Now as soon as Herod had seized on these Letters he called for Hircanus and demanded of him whether he had any confederacy with Malchus he denied it but Herod protesting and bringing forth his Letter in an open assembly commanded him afterwards to be put to death Thus are these matters Registred in Herods commentaries for by some they are delivered otherwise namely that he was executed not for this crime which he had committed but for some Treasons against the King For D they Write to this effect that Herod at a certain banquet dissembling his suspition demanded of Hircanus whether he had received any Letters from Malchus and that he answered that he had received Letters but such as contained nothing else but compliments Hircanus dieth guiltless He asked him also whether he had received any present and when he had answered that he had received nothing but four Coursers for his Saddle the King wrested this to a Capitall offence of corruption and treason Hircanus life and commanded him presently to be led to death Now that he died guiltless they alledge this for a most approved argument namely his gentle disposition who evenin his youthful years never gave sign or appearance of rashness or pride or signification of audaciousness no not even then when he had the royal government in his hands but in the freedome E of authority disposed of the most things by Antipaters advice But at that time he was more then fourescore years old and knew that Herods estate was secured and that there is no likelyhood that he would remove from beyond Eufrates where he lived in great repute to live under Herods Jurisdiction or to engage in any trouble contrary to his humor and so far different from his nature so that all these things seem to be fained by Herod Thus ended Hircanus life after his variable and adverse fortunes wherewith during all his life time he was afflicted For when his mother Alexandra lived he was created High Priest of the Jews and obtained that honor for the space of nine years and after his mothers death he had scarcely governed the Kingdom for the space of three F months but that he was expulsed by his brother Aristobulus
new benefits seeing such friendship and familiarity between thee and our King For we have understood by our Nation that dwell in Judaea how many offerings thou didst there sacrifice unto our God and with what vows thou honouredst him how thou feastedst the people and wast delighted in that mutual hospitality All which was an argument of the friendship confirmed between so great a Roman Prince and the Nation of the Jews even in Herod's house By all these we humbly request in the presence of the King nothing but this only that thou wouldest not permit us deceitfully to be defrauded of that which you your selves have already granted unto the Nation of the Jews Now no one of the Greeks offered to oppose himself against that which Nicholaus D did speak for this was no contention to a Judge concerning their right but only a deprecation and supplication to avoid injury Neither did they deny it only thus they excused themselves that the Jews dwelling amongst them were troublesome unto them But the Jews shewed themselves to be free Citizens and to live according to their Religion and Laws of their Countrey without any man's molestation or injury Wherefore Agrippa understanding that they were wronged Agrippa confirmeth the Jews privilege answered thus That he would not only gratifie them for his friend Herod's sake but also for that they seemed to him to demand a reasonable matter Wherefore though they had demanded a greater thing of him he would have granted them whatsoever he might without prejudicing the people of Rome And now seeing they only demand of him that which E already the Romans had granted unto them he would ratifie and confirm unto them the benefit which they had already received at the Romans hands and provide that henceforth no man should molest them for living according to the institution and ordinances of their Countrey Having thus spoken he dismissed the Assembly Then Herod arising Agrippa departed from Lesbus thanked him in all their names And then after mutual embracing one another they departed taking their leaves from Lesbus CHAP. V. F How Herod returned into Judea and freed his Subjects from the payment of the fourth part of the Taxes THe King having a prosperous wind Herod returned to Jerusalem and made a speech unto the people and let them understand the cause of his journey and remitted the fourth part of his Tribute within a few days after arrived at Caesarea from thence he went to Jerusalem and calling together all the people as well the Citizens as also the Countrey people there present there he told them the cause of his journey and how he had obtained immunities for the Jews living in Asia that they might converse there among the Gentiles without molestation Then he told them what felicity they had received and enjoyed by his reign seeing that his greatest care was so to provide for his Subjects that they might want nothing And to gratifie them G the more he told them that he would freely remit the fourth part of the Taxes and Tribute they were to pay for the year past The people greatly comforted as well with the King's speech unto them as with his liberality departed joyfully wishing the King all happiness CHAP. VI. H Salome Herod's Sister endeavoureth to ruine his two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus whom he begot of Mariamne He sends his Son Antipater whom he had by his first Wife to Rome IN the mean time Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. al. chap. 7. the discord of his house was daily encreased by reason of Salome's inveterate hatred against Alexander and Aristobulus she presumed so much on her success against their mother that she hoped to leave none of her children alive to revenge her death Salome persecuteth Mariamne's children with natural hatred And she wanted no occasion for it seems the two young Princes were not I very well affected towards their Father partly for the memory of their Mother's death and partly also for that they desired the Kingdom So that they upbraiding Salome and Pheroras did renew their old hatred against them who daily practised by all means they could Alexander and Aristobulus being by Salome and Pheroras drawn into bad words are by them accused to their Father Herod to overthrow them The young men also hated them but not with the like hatred that they were hated of them For they for their ingenuous manners and noble race dissembled not their anger but freely declared their minds But Salome and Pheroras contrariwise enviously and craftily prepared themselves a way by calumniations always provoking the magnanimous spirits of these young Princes whose fierceness might soon bring them into suspicion with their Father that he might gather hereby that they wanted not will to revenge their Mother's death yea even K with their own hands forasmuch as they were not ashamed to be the Children of such a Mother and would contend that she was unjustly put to death And now all the City talked of them every one pitying their rashness Salome not ceasing to gather by their own speeches probable arguments of suspicion that they did not only take their Mother's death impatiently but also raging like furies did both bewail her death and their own case who were compelled to converse with the murtherers of their unfortunate Mother and as it were contaminate themselves with living amongst them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. al. chap. 8. And the absence of the King greatly encreased their dissension who being returned having made a speech unto the people he presently was admonished both by Pheroras and Salome his Sister Pheroras and Salome accuse Alexander Aristobulus unto Herod that he was in great danger by reason of his L two Sons who did openly boast that they would be revenged of them that killed their Mother Feigning moreover that they were encouraged for that they hoped that Archelaus King of Cappadocia would help them to accuse their Father unto Caesar Herod hearing this was greatly troubled and so much the more that he heard the same also reported unto him by others And hereby he was put in memory of that which was past how that for the dissension of his house he could not long enjoy his friends and dearest wife Herod was fortunate abroad and unfortunate at home And as it were foreseeing by that that was past what would ensue and fearing some greater calamity would befall him he was altogether amazed And truly as abroad he was most fortunate above all hope so at home he was most unhappy and unfortunate beyond men's opinion So that one may well doubt whether M his fortunate success abroad did countervail his misfortunes at home or whether it had been more expedient for him to have had neither the one nor the other but to have had only a common and ordinary favour at fortunes hands Deliberating thus with himself Herod advanceth Antipater to bridle
Christ's Nativity 8. was absent from his Kingdom the Arabian Wars began on this occasion The inhabitants of Trachon whose Countrey Caesar taking from Zenodorus gave it unto Herod being forbidden and hindred from stealing were now forced to frame themselves to live like husband-men more civily L than before But this kind of life pleased them not neither did their Countrey yield fruits worth their labours The cause of the Arabian War yet at first Herod compelling them thereunto they abstained from injuring the inhabitants bordering upon them which did greatly redound unto Herod's credit Caesar gave Trachonitis to Herod Alias chap. 14. by whose diligence they were brought unto it But when Herod was gone into Italy to accuse Alexander and to commend Antipater unto Caesar the Trachonites hearing a bruit of his death revolted and turned to their accustomed robberies Herod's Captains subdue the Rebels in Arabia Yet they were at that time again subdued in the King's absence by the Captains that he left at home and forty of the chiefest of the Thieves amongst them being taken the rest terrified by their example left their own Countrey and fled into Arabia where Syllaeus received them in revenge that he could not obtain Salome M for his Wife and receiving of him a strong hold to dwell in they did not only make incursions and rob and spoil the borders of Judaea but also of Caelosyria and drove away the preys they got into the place allotted them Syllaeus protecting them and their villanies Herod returning from Rome found that his people were greatly endamaged by these Thieves and seeing he could not subdue them by reason the Arabians did protect them The Thieves taken and punished not enduring that injury and entring into Trachon he killed all their Families Whereby they were so much the more enraged against his Countrey for they had a Law amongst them whereby they were commanded to revenge the death of their Families and so contemning all dangers they came and wasted all Herod's Countrey with continual incursions Then the King complained N hereof unto Saturninus and Volumnius then Presidents Alias chap. 15. sent thither by Caesar requesting that he might have the Thieves to punish them They hearing this news with as much speed as they might gathered their Forces together and making themselves stronger than they were before with sudden incursions wasted all where they came destroying both the fields and villages and killing all they could find so that now this resembled a War rather than a Robbery for they were a thousand in number Herod demanded the Thieves to be delivered unto him and the money he had lent to be repayed Wherefore Herod required these Thieves and Robbers to be delivered unto him and required the debt that Obodas owed him for Herod had lent Obodas threescore Talents and sent them unto him by Syllaeus and now the time was expired wherein the money was to be repayed But Syllaeus who had taken all the rule from O Obodas and himself governed all denied that those Thieves were in Arabia and deferred the payment of the money So that this matter was debated before Saturninus A and Volumnius then Presidents of Syria The year of the World 3958. before Christ's Nativity 6. At last it was by them determined that within thirty days the money due to Herod should be paid and the runaways of both Countreys delivered each to other But there was no one Arabian that either had fled unto Herod for any offence committed nor for any other cause Saturninus and Volumnius the Rulers of Syria do reconcile Herod and the Arabians but the Arabians were convicted to receive the Thieves that fled from Herod CHAP. XVI B Syllaeus will perform nothing of what Augustus's Lieutenants had ordained but goeth to Rome to him Herod entreth into Arabia with an Army and taketh the Castle where the Trachonites were retired WHen the day was come that was appointed Herod by the permission of Saturninus Volumnius entred into Arabia with an Army and destroyed the Castle called Repta Syllaeus not minded to stand unto the agreement made went in the mean time to Rome But Herod exacted his money and the Thieves to be restored unto him Saturninus and Volumnius permitting him with force of Arms to persecute those obstinate people So he levying an Army went into Arabia in three days space going as far as ordinarily men use to march in seven and coming unto the Castle wherein the Thieves kept C at the first on-set he took it and destroyed it being called Repta and did no other harm unto the inhabitants Nacebus with 25 Arabians slain And a Captain of the Arabians named Nacebus came to succour the Thieves and so fought with Herod's Army in which Battel a few of Herod's men were slain but of the Arabians were killed five and twenty with their General Herod carried 3000 Idumaeans into Trachâ—n and the rest were put to flight Being thus revenged upon the Thieves he led three thousand Idumaeans into Trachon to keep the inhabitants from robbing and sent Letters unto the Roman Governours who were in Phaenicia that he had only used the authority which they gave him against the rebellious Arabians that resisted him and nothing else which afterward also they making enquiry they found true D CHAP. XV. Syllaeus doth so incense Augustus against Herod that he refuseth to give Audience to his Ambassadors neither will he admit those whom Aretas King of the Arabians sent This Aretas succeeded Obodas whom Syllaeus caused to be poysoned that he might get the Kingdom Herod sends the third Embassage to Augustus THe Arabians sent messengers with all speed to Syllaeus at Rome Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. al 16. and informed him E otherwise aggravating every thing according to their fashion Syllaeus being a little before insinuated into Caesar's acquaintance Syllaeus accused Herod unto Caesar by chance was then also about the Palace and hearing these news he presently changed his apparel and clothing himself in black he went in this manner unto Caesar informing him how Arabia was afflicted with Wars and that the whole Kingdom was wasted by Herod who had entred into the Countrey with an Army and with tears complained that 2500 of the Arabian Nobility were killed and amongst them his friend and kinsman Nacebus and great riches were taken away which were laid up at Repta and that all this was done in contempt of Obodas who had no Army ready nor a fit Captain for his Forces he being not there Syllaeus having thus spoken adding moreover that he F would not have come to Rome but that he was perswaded that Caesar would have had a care of the common peace and tranquility of his Subjects and that had he been at home Herod to his cost should have violated that Peace Caesar hereat was greatly moved and enquired of some of Herod's friends who were then
Trachonite intending that he should make head against those that would assail him and promising him that both his Lands and his Souldiers should be exempt from all Tributes and payments of Customs This Babylonian Jew was induced by these offers to come and take possession of the place where he builded a Borough called Bathyra This man opposing himself against the Trachonites defended the Countrey and those Jews that came from Babylon to Jerusalem to offer Sacrifice from all Incursions and Robberies of the Trachonites and divers that observed the Religion of the Jews resorted unto him from all places so that this Countrey was very well peopled by reason of the exemption of the Tribute which continued during Herod's life-time I But Philip who succeeded him exacted afterward some small Tribute of them and that but for a little while But Agrippa the Great and his Son of the same name charged them with great Taxations yet permitted them to enjoy their Liberty whose Successors the Romans imposed many grievous Tributes upon them yet continued their Freedom of whom hereafter we will more particularly and largely discourse in due place and in process of my History Now this Jew Zamaris to whom Herod had given the Possession of his Countrey died after he had lived virtuously and left a virtuous Off-spring behind him Jacim and Philip the Sons of Zamaris amongst whom was Jacim renowned for his dexterity on Horseback who with his Troop of Horse was of the King of Babylon's Guard This Jacim died when he was very old and left his Son Philip to succeed him a valiant K man and addicted to all sorts of Virtue as much as any one that hath been renowned in History for which cause King Agrippa loved him and put his trust in him and committed the trust and training of his Souldiers unto him who led them also forth if occasion of service was proffered CHAP. III. Antipater Pheroras and his Wife conspire against Herod Salome acquainteth him with it he causeth some Pharisees who were of this Conspiracy to be put to death L He endeavoureth to make Pheroras repudiate his Wife but he cannot be perswaded to it WHilst Herod's Affairs were thus disposed Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. all men's eyes were fixed upon Antipater after that Herod had given him full power which was granted him in hopes that his Father had that he would behave himself faithfully and affectionately towards him But he abused his Authority more audaciously than could be expected for he treacherously coloured his conceived malice and easily drew his Father to believe him in whatsoever he said He was feared by all men not only for his Authority but for his subtilties and policies But above all the rest Pheroras respected him most M and was in like manner Pheroras deceived by women as greatly esteemed by him For Antipater circumvented him by the means of certain women who favoured his Faction for Pheroras was commanded by his Wife his Mother and Sister-in-Law notwithstanding that he hated them by reason of the abuse they had offered to his Daughters who were unmarried nevertheless he was enforced to dissemble all things because he could do nothing but what they were always privy to and had such power of his Affairs that they obliged him to perform whatsoever they pleased Antipater was also very intimate with them both on his own account and his Mother's for these four women were of one mind in all things and spake as it were by one mouth Yet was Pheroras at odds with Antipater upon some slight distastes and she that wrought this debate betwixt them was N the King's Sister Salome who had a long time spied all their drifts knowing well that their mutual friendship tended to the overthrow of Herod which she was ready to acquaint him And they knowing well that the King disliked this their inward familiarity and that he was privy to that which they pretended which was his utter ruine resolved between themselves to refrain their publick familiarity and to make a shew that they were at odds one with another to which intent they reproached one another especially at such time as they were either in Herod's presence or there was any one with them Salome discovereth to Herod the Conspiracies of the Ladies and others who as they thought would acquaint him with it But in secret they intermitted not their accustomed friendship and continued their correspondence with more privy affability yet was not Salome ignorant hereof neither when they first devised O this drift neither afterwards when they put it in execution for she diligently noted all things and aggravated the same by report to her Brother whom she informed A of their secret meetings banquetting and secret consultations which as we said had no other scope but his ruine if he did not prevent them in time shewing that for the present they behaved themselves like enemies in outward shew and all their speeches tended to disgrace one another but that in secret they were friends and entertained their a mity and promised each other their mutual assistance to strengthen themselves against those to whom they were loath their friendship should be discovered But he durst not make shew thereof because he knew that his Sister was a woman too much addicted to reproachful Accusations The Pharisees subtil and arrogant There was among the Jews a Sect of people that were called Pharisees who were too much addicted to self-opinion and boasted themselves to be the exactest observers of the Law in all the Countrey to whom these women B were very much addicted as to those who were much beloved of God as in outward appearance they made shew for These were such as durst oppose themselves against Kings full of Fraud Arrogancy and Rebellion presuming to raise War upon their motions and to rebel and offend their Princes at their pleasures Whereas therefore all the Nation of the Jews had sworn to be faithful unto Caesar The Pharisees would not swear obedience but were fined Pheroras's Wife payeth their Fine for which benefit they promise her the Kingdom and to the estate of the King these only refused to take oath and of this Sect there were to the number of six thousand For which cause the King having imposed a penalty upon them Pheroras's Wife paid it for them for which cause they pretending to gratifie her and being esteemed for such as were skilful in foretelling such things as were to come by reason of their often communication with God foretold her that God had decreed to bring the C Kingdom of Herod and his Posterity to an end and would bring to pass that the Crown should descend to Pheroras and his Sons Salome had got an inkling hereof and had told Herod no less And how they likewise corrupted every one of his Courtiers Bagoas Carus and others are put to death by Herod for which cause he put those to
advertised of Antipater's Conspiracies AFter Pheroras's death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. two of his Freemen who were Taphnites by birth and such as Pheroras in his life time Pheroras's Free-men accuse his Wife for poysoning him both only trusted and dearly loved came unto Herod requiring him not to suffer his Brother's death to pass unpunished but to O make diligent enquiry of that unfortunate and unexpected disastre Herod gave ear to their suit perceiving that the matters they importuned him in were likely and very A credible Whereupon they told him that Pheroras the day before his unexpected sickness had supt with his Wife and that having received an unaccustomed Poyson with his meat he was dead That this Poyson had been brought thither by a woman of Arabia who in her speech protested that it was some Potion to encrease love but in effect it was to bring Pheroras to his end For the women of Arabia amongst all others are skilful in Poysons and are great Sorcerers and she that was charged with this fact was esteemed a great friend and favourer of Syllaeus's best beloved That Pheroras's Mother and his Wife's Sister went into those Quarters on purpose to buy that Poyson and returned back and brought this woman with them the day before the Supper Herod tortureth the Ladies Bond-women and soundeth out Antipater's and their secrets The King moved by these words of theirs tortured both those Maid-servants B of theirs who were their Bond-women as also certain other of their free servants Now when the fact could not be extorted by reason that none of them confessed it at length she that was last of all put to her tryal overcome by the pains she endured said nothing else but that she prayed God that Antipater's Mother might feel the like torments since she was the cause of all these mischiefs which they endured These words of hers made Herod the more eager and inquisitive so that by force of tortures he wrought out all the secrets of these women their Banquets their secret Assemblies and those very words that Herod had spoken apart betwixt his Son and himself which had been reported unto the women that Pheroras entertained namely C that he would give him one hundred Talents provided that he would use no conference with Pheroras Moreover they reckoned up the hatred that Antipater bare unto his Father the complaints that he made unto his Mother of the too long life and continuance of his Father for that in regard of himself he was already grown old so that although the Kingdom should fall into his hands presently yet he could receive but very little contentment thereby Moreover he alledged that divers Brothers and Brothers Children were brought up together with him so that he might not securely hope for any thing for that already if he should fortune to die the Kingdom was to descend not to his Son but to his Brother Besides this he was accustomed to accuse the King of divers cruelties committed by him and of that murther which he executed D upon the persons of his Children That for fear lest he should practice his Tyranny against those that remained Antipater had found out the device to be summoned to Rome and Pheroras withdrew himself into his Tetrarchy These words which as he knew had reference to that which his Sister had often informed him of were not by him held incredible so that being pressed with the malice of Antipater Herod thrusted Doris Antipater's Mother out of his Palace he sequestred Doris his Mother from his presence robbing her before her departure of all her Jewels which were valued at many Talents and from that time forward he shewed himself more favourable towards those women of Pheroras's houshold But nothing did more whet Herod's displeasure against Antipater than did a certain Samaritan Antipater the Samaritan declareth how Antipater the King's Son had provided Poyson for his Father who was also called Antipater who had the ordering of E the Affairs of Antipater the King's Son For he being brought in question and tortured declared among other things that Antipater had mixed a mortal Poyson and delivered the same to Pheroras his Uncle commanding him to practice the King's death in his absence and by that means least suspected That this Poyson was brought out of Egypt by one called Antiphilus Antipater's friend That it was sent to Pheroras by one called Theudion Antipater's Mother's Brother That this Poyson was kept by Pheroras's Wife Pheroras's Wife confesseth that she hath the Poyson and casts her self down headlong from the Roof and was committed by her Husband to her custody She being examined by the King hereupon confessed no less and hasting forth as if she intended to fetch the same she cast her self down headlong from the top of the house yet she did not kill her self because she fell upon her feet After she was recovered out of her swoun and the King F had promised all security both to her self and her Family if so be she would discover the truth and contrariwise threatned her with extreme torments if she obstinately continued in concealing these Treasons She sware she would discover all things according as they were acted and as many men thought at that time she told nothing but the truth That Poyson said she was brought by Antiphilus out of Egypt and bought there by the means of a Brother of his who was a Physician After this Theudion brought it to our house and I having received it from Pheroras 's hands kept the same but bought by your Son Antipater to poyson you that are his Father Now therefore after that my Husband fell sick and you in kindness came to visit and comfort him he being moved with compassion and conquered by your brotherly kindness G and by your good affection and loving care in giving order for his health called me unto him and said Oh Wife Antipater hath circumvented me whilst by his pestilent counsels and poysoning practices he desireth to cut off his Father and deprive me of a kind Brother Now therefore since I perceive there is no part of my Brother's love and H natural affection diminished towards me wherewith he was wont to entertain me and that my last hour of life approacheth God forbid that being ready to sleep with my Fore-fathers I should present them with a Ghost soil'd and sweltered in my Brother's blood Dispatch therefore and burn this poyson before mine eyes Hereupon said she I presently brought it forth according as my Husband commanded me and burnt the greatest part of the Poyson and the rest I have reserved that if after my Husband's death your Majesty should use me unkindly it might serve me to escape those extremities that would betide me After she had spoken thus she brought forth before them the Poyson and the box wherein it was kept The year of the World 3962. before Christ's Nativity 2. After her
that by detesting their malice thou mightest insinnate N thy self into the favour of their Father and thine that afterwards thou mightest more cunningly and securely bring him to his end which at length thou hast attempted to perform For whilst thou adjudgest thy guilty Brothers to death and sparest their Confederates thou makest it manifest in all men's eyes that thou hast a kindness for them whose assistance thou mightest hereafter use in oppressing thy Father Thou hast therefore enjoyed a double pleasure the one openly as if rejoycing and glorying that by thy Brother's death thou hast atchieved a matter of honour the other secretly with endeavouring by greater wickedness but more secret fraud to make an end of thy Father the revenger of whose injuries thou pretendest to be For if thou hadst truly detested their malice thou hadst never esteemed the same to be worthy of thy imitation for thou hadst not cut them off for committing O such Capital offences as were answerable unto thine but for that they had a more just Title to succeed in the Kingdom than thou hast And thou hast thought good to mix the A murther of thy Father with the massacred bodies of thy Brothers lest thou shouldst be suddenly convinced in thy conspiracies against them and to the end that the punishment that thou well deservest to suffer should light upon thy infortunate Father projecting with your self such a parricide and so unusual and hainous a murther that to this day the like thereof hath not been heard of amongst men For thou being his Son hast practised these Treasons not only against thy Father but against him that loved thee above measure and did thee good beyond expectation with whom thou hast actual participation of the Government of the Kingdom and who had appointed thee his Heir in the same being no ways hindered either for the present or in times past to participate the pleasure of Soveraignty and being assured of the hope of Succession both by the will and writing of thy B Father But you have measured the course of your affairs not according to Herod's virtue but according to your own appetite and malice intending to deprive such a Father of his part who granted you the whole and seeking in effect to murther him whom in words you pretended heretofore to protect from injury And not content your self to practise these treacheries you have infected your Mother also with no less corruption and instead of love that should have been amongst Brethren you have filled your Family with mutinies and hatreds And besides all these things thou hast been so audacious as to call thy Father beast being of thy self more malignant than those beasts which are most venomous using thine own venom against thy dearest friends and such as have best deserved at thy hands strengthening thy self with his Guard and divers treacheries both of men and C women against one old man as if thy cursed mind alone were not sufficient to satisfie thy hatred And now after so many men and women Slaves and Freemen tortured for thy cause after the open and manifest testimonies of thy parties in the conspiracy thou art so impudent as yet to contradict the truth and thou that lately hopedst to deprive thy Father of his life doest now as much as in thee lieth endeavour to abolish that Law that was instituted against Malefactors in thy kind and herewithal O Varus equity and all whatsoever is Justice in the world Dost thou therefore accuse them of falshood who were examined in torments to the end thou mightest endanger their credit who were the preservers of thy Fathers life Shall we believe thee more than them in their torments Wilt thou not O Varus deliver the King from the injury of those who are his own flesh and D blood Wilt thou not put this wicked beast to death who hath murthered his Brothers to pretend a love towards his Father and who hath at last been discovered to be the most mortal enemy of them all to the intent that at one instant he might establish the Kingdom in himself Thou knowest that Parricide is no private crime Parricide that publick injury of life and nature but a publick injury to life and nature which is no less loathsome in the thought than it is in the act which whoso punisheth not is of himself guilty of an injury offered to our common mother nature After these Speeches he added certain points concerning Antipater's Mother which through feminine frailty had been blabbed out by her to wit that she had asked counsel of Soothsayers and Conjurers to whom the Kingdom should befall and E that she had offered Sacrifices and made Prayers for the death of the King And moreover he declared what lascivious pranks Antipater had played with Pheroras's women in banqueting and amorous and wanton dalliances The informations likewise that were presented by such as were tortured with sundry testimonies of divers men some suborned the other found out to be immediately produced and confirmed For each man seeing that Antipater was exposed to the accusations of those men who had the Government in their hands and that the good fortune that had long accompanied him had openly delivered him into the hands of his enemies they immediately discovered the insatiable hatred which they had conceived against him whereas before the fear that they had of him enforced them to be silent yet he F was not so much burdened with other mens hatreds as with his own wickedness namely his deadly hatred against his Father his breach of amity amongst his Brethren whereby he filled the Kings Houshold with seditions and murthers of some complotted and acted by others neither giving place to hatred according to Justice nor to amity according to good affection but according as it might stand with his profit Which because divers men perceived long before that time they judged of events according as they had reason and the rather because that being void of hatred they spake but their opinions And whereas heretofore they had cried with a loud voice against him at such time as they were shut up at this time when they were deprived of their fear they declared all things that they knew And whereas there G were produced divers of the mischiefs committed by him Antipater accused by all men yet there seemed nothing to be feigned for that the accusers neither spake in favour of the King neither concealed any thing for fear of danger but condemned all Antipater's wicked actions and judged him worthy of death and punishment The year of the World 3962. before Christ's Nativity 1. not so much for his Fathers security as H for his own demerit Neither did they only accuse him who were by justice tied thereunto but divers voluntary witnesses also brought in their evidence so that although he was a very cunning dissembler and colourer of his lies and most impudent in their assertions yet he
done before And in the mean while he sent certain Messengers with Letters to Caesar to accuse his Son and to declare wherein Acme had been his Confederate producing the Copy of the Letters These Ambassadours therefore repaired to Rome instructed in those things they were to answer to those Interrogatories that should be offered them and with them he sent these Letters C CHAP. VIII The Golden Eagle that Herod had consecrated and fixed on the Portal of the Temple is pulled off The severe Punishment that he inflicteth for it The King 's terrible Sickness and the cruel Orders that he giveth to his Sister Salome and to her Husband D WHilst Herod's Ambassadours were on their Journey to Rome with his Orders Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. he fell sick and made his Will appointed his youngest Son to succeed him in the Kingdom for through Antipater's instigations Herod falling sick maketh his Will and leaveth the Succession of his Kingdom with his other Goods to his Friends and Kinsfolks Herod impatient in his old age and wondrous wayward he had conceived a hatred against Archelaus and Philip. He sent also a thousand Talents unto Caesar and five hundred to his Wife and to his Children Friends and Free-men He bestowed also Money Rents and Lands upon his own Children He gave his Sister Salome an ample Possession because she had always persevered in loving him and had never offended him And having lost all hope of recovery for that he was about 70 years old he became very touchy and froward in whatsoever his affairs The cause hereof was that opinion he had conceived that he grew contemptible and that the whole Nation took pleasure in those mis-haps which befel him which some of those who were favoured by the people made him the rather believe upon this occasion which ensueth Amongst those that were most learned among the Jews Judas the Son of Sariphaeus and Matthias the Son of Margalothus the E most excellent Interpreters of the Laws and Ordinances of the Countrey and for this cause were in greatest esteem amongst the people by reason that they instructed and trained up the Youth for all those that desired to obtain Vertue spent all their time with them understanding that the King's sickness was dangerous The year of the World 3963. after Christ's Nativity 1. they incensed the younger sort counselling them to overthrow all those works that the King had caused to be made contrary to the Law and Custom of the Countrey to the end that they fighting for Piety might obtain the reward that attendeth the same For in that the King had undertaken and done many things contrary to the Law divers unaccustomed miseries had befallen him and namely that sickness wherewith he was detained For Herod had done divers things contrary to the ancient Law against which Judas and Matthias exclaimed openly A Golden Eagle upon the greatest Gate of the Temple For he had erected over the Portal of the great Temple an Eagle of Gold of great value Now the Law prohibiteth that they who pretend to live according to the same should in any sort erect any Image or represent any Figures of living Creatures F whatsoever For this cause these Doctors counselled them to pull down that Eagle telling them that although the matter seemed very dangerous Contempt of death yet ought they to prefer an honest death before a pleasant life if so be it be employed for the defence of their Countrey-laws and Religion For in so doing they should obtain immortal praise for the present and a memorable and eternal glory in time to come neither that they should protract the execution thereof for fear of danger since death was a thing that could not be avoided so that since by the general course of Nature they must needs die it should become them bravely to forsake their lives with praise and honour in embracing Vertue For to die in the execution of some noble exploit which cannot be atchieved without hazard of danger their Children should be richly rewarded with the fruits thereof and their other Parents that should outlive them of what Sex soever should reap the fruits of that glory which was honourably atchieved by them In these or such like words they encouraged the young men About that time there was a rumour spread that the King was dead which gave very great furtherance G to the Doctors resolution For at Noon they went up into the Temple they pulled and hewed down the Eagle with their Axes in the sight and assembly of a great number of people that were in the Temple Now when the tidings hereof came unto the ears of the King's Captain he fearing H lest some further and more fatal tumult might be raised drew out a strong Company of Souldiers with him to repulse those that were assembled to hew down the Eagle and charging the rude and disarmed multitude who were gathered together he easily killed and dispersed the most as for those forty young men that valiantly prepared themselves to resist he apprehended them and with them the Authors of Sedition The young men pulling down the golden Eagle hew it in pieces with their Axes Judas and Matthias who scorned to submit themselves and led them to the King who demanding of them how they durst deface the sacred Image They answered that long before that time they had resolved it and that now according as they had resolved they had like valiant men performed the same For we said they maintain the honour of God and the Doctrine of our Law whereof we are Disciples neither ought you to admire that with contempt of your Ordinances we have preferred the Laws of our Forefathers which Moses hath left us in writing according as he was suggested and taught them by God Judas and Matthias with forty other young men being brought to the King's presence justifie their actions with joy and the King sendeth them bound to Jericho Neither do we refuse any death or punishment which thou shalt inflict upon us being assured in our Consciences that we suffer not for Impiety but Piety's sake Thus spake they all I of them continuing the like constant boldness in their answers as they had shewed in their actions being also ready constantly to endure any punishment for that which they had attempted Hereupon the King commanded them to be bound and sent them to Jericho Then calling before him those principal Jews who had the Government under him and being brought into their Assembly upon his Pallat by reason of his weakness he recited unto them the numberless toils he had endured for their sakes in like manner how upon his great charges he had repaired and re-edified the Temple whereas the Asmoneans for the space of 125 years wherein they reigned could not perform such a Building to the honour of God Moreover he signified unto them how he had adorned the same with precious Gifts
in his Tetrarchy should be kept within the bounds of the same Countrey CHAP. VII K A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity MEan while Aretas King of Arabia Petraea and Herod fell at strife the one with the other Herod the Tetrarch putteth away Aretas Daughter and marrieth Herodias his Brother Herod's Wife for this cause that ensueth Herod the Tetrarch married Aretas's Daughter with whom he had lived married a very long time Afterwards taking his journey towards Rome he lodged with Herod his half Brother by the L Father's side for Herod was the Son of Simon 's Daughter which Simon was the High Priest and there being surprised with the love of Herodias his Brother's Wife which was the Daughter of Aristobulus their Brother and Sister to the Great Agrippa he was so bold as to propose Marriage to her which was to be performed as soon as he returned back from Rome and to repudiate Aretas's Daughter After he had ratified those Covenants he continued his Voyage to Rome from whence he no sooner returned and performed that for which he went but his Wife who had some privy notice of the Conventions which were made betwixt him and Herodias before he suspected that she knew thereof required him to send her to the Castle of Macheron Herod's Wife returned into her own Countrey which was the Frontier Town M betwixt Herod's and Aretas's Countreys without acquainting him any ways with her intent Herod condescended unto her request thinking she was ignorant of his drift But she long before that time had taken order with the Governour of Macheron which at that time was under her Father's Government to prepare all things for her journey where being arrived she speedily posted into Arabia under the Convoy of those Governours who received and conducted her the one after the other As soon as she arrived in her Father's Court she presently acquainted him with Herod's resolution whence arose the beginning of this discord between them Therefore they both of them assembled their Armies upon the Confines of the Countrey of Gamalite and fought under the Conduct of the two Generals to whom they had committed N their Armies Herod's Army discomfited by the Arabians In this Battel Herod's Army was wholly defeated through the Treason that was plotted against him by certain banished men of Philip's Tetrarchy which were in pay with Herod Tiberius got notice of all this by those Letters which Herod had written unto him Tiberius commandeth Vitellius to make War against Aretas and being very much displeased with Aretas for his proud attempt he commanded Vitellius to make War against him desiring him that if he could take him alive he should send him bound unto him but if dead he should send him his head Divers Jews were of the opinion that Herod's Army was overthrown by the just vengeance of God who punished him most justly because of the Execution which he caused to be done on John sirnamed Baptist Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. alias cap. 14. For he had put this man to death who O was endued with all Virtue and who exhorted the Jews to addict themselves thereto and to practice Justice towards men and Piety towards God exhorting them to be A baptized and telling them that Baptism should at that time be agreeable unto God if they should renounce not only their sins but if to the purity of their bodies they should add the cleanness of their Souls re-purified by Justice And whereas it came to pass that divers flocked and followed him to hear his Doctrine Herod feared lest his Subjects allured by his Doctrine and Perswasions should be drawn to revolt For it seemed that they would subscribe in all things to his advice he therefore thought it better to prevent a mischief by putting him to death than to expect some suddain Commotion John Baptist slain by Herod which he might afterwards repent Upon this suspicion Herod caused him to be bound and sent to the Castle of Macheron whereof we have spoken heretofore and there he was put to death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. The Jews were of opinion that in revenge of B this so grievous a sin Herod's Army against whom God was displeased had been subject to their utter ruine and overthrow Vitellius leadeth his Army against the King of Arabia But Vitellius being resolved to make War against Aretas gathered together two Legions and all those Horse or Foot that he could assemble amongst those Kings who were the Romans Allies and marching towards Petra he stayed at Ptolemais because he pretended to pass by Judaea Which when the principal Nobles amongst the Jews had notice of The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 39. they went out to meet him beseeching him that he would not pass thorough that Countrey because it was a custom amongst them not to see any Images born such as he had of divers colours in his Army Vitellius repaireth to Jerusalem and displaceth Jonathan and preferreth his Brother Whereunto he condescended and having changed his purpose he caused his Army to march thorough the great Plain As for himself he came to Jerusalem C accompanied with Herod the Tetrarch and his Friends to offer Sacrifice to God upon the next Festival day where he was most magnificently received by all the people of the Jews He stayed for the space of three days during which time deposed Jonathan from the High Priesthood and gave it to Theophilus his Brother The fourth day Letters came to him Caius Caligula succeedeth after Tiberius that advertised him of Tiberius's death for which cause he commanded the Oath of Fidelity should be ministred to the people in the new Emperour Caius's behalf He called back his Army also and sent them to their Winter Quarters because it was not lawful for him to prosecute the War by reason the Empire was fallen unto Caius It is said Aretas gathereth by Auguries that it was impossible for the Army to come to Petra that Aretas hearing news of Vitellius's Expedition or Voyage and after he D had taken counsel of the Augurs said that the Army should not advance as far as Petra because he that had the command of the Expedition or he that obeyed his Ordinance in conducting the same or he against whom the Army was conducted should die Vitellius therefore retired to Antioch A year before the death of Tiberius Agrippa Aristobulus's Son came to Rome to treat with the Emperour about certain Affairs But before I speak any thing hereof I will relate Herod's Progeny both for that it is pertinent to this present Narration and also that the greatness of God's Providence may
you that it will please you to give order that that Statue which you have charged Petronius to erect in the Temple of the Jews may never be put there This was Agrippa's request to the Emprour knowing very well how dangerous a matter it was and as much as concerned his life to demand any such thing at Caius's hands that was not answerable to his humour Caius on the one side moved O with the service Agrippa had done him and on the other side seeing how great an indignity it should be for him if before such an Assembly of Witnesses he should deny A that which he had so instantly pressed Agrippa to request as if suddenly he had repented himself and admiring Agrippa's virtue who having an opportunity in a moment to augment his particular Estate either by Revenues or other Commodities had preferred the Common Cause the Laws of his Countrey and Piety before all these he granted him his Supplication and wrote to Petronius praising him for that he had used such diligence in assembling his Army as also for all that whereof he had given him notice adding these words If said he you have already erected the Statue which I commanded you let it remain in the place but if it be not done be thou no more troublesome to the Jews but dismiss thine Army and repair thou in person to that place whither I have sent thee For I urge no more the erection of the Statue for the desire that I have to B gratifie Agrippa whom I entirely honour and in such sort as it is impossible for me to contradict any thing whatsoever that either he hath need of or shall require These were the Contents of those Letters which Caius wrote to Petronius before he understood that the Jews were like to revolt for they made it known that rather than they would endure the Statue they would hazard a War against the Romans Which when Caius understood he was extreamly troubled and being a man addicted to all villany and averse to all honesty and who gave place to no good counsel after he had conceived a displeasure against any man and who likewise thought it a great happiness for him to accomplish all that whatsoever he pleased he wrote again to Petronius Caius writeth to Petronius charging him to murther himself for neglecting his Command to this effect Since the Presents which the Jews have given thee have more prevailed C with thee than my Commands have done so that to please them thou hast despised that which I have enjoyned thee I make thy self the Judge how much thou hast deserved to incurr my displeasure to the end that thou mayest serve for an example to all those who shall come after thee that an Emperour's Commands ought not in any sort to be neglected Although this Epistle was both written and sent yet Petronius received it not during Caius's life time for they that carried it were stayed with cross Winds so that Petronius received those Letters that assured him of Caius's death before he received the other For God would not forget Petronius who exposed himself to great dangers for the love of the Jews and the honour of God And Caius being taken out of the world by God's wrath being kindled against him by reason that he affected Divine D honour received his reward and Petronius obtained favour both at Rome and through all the whole Government and especially among the principal Senators against whom Caius was accustomed to vomit up his cholerick Revenges He died a little after he had written the Letter to Petronius by which he threatned and denounced him death Hereafter I will declare the cause why he was taken out of this world and the manner how Treason was plotted against him Petronius receives Letters of Caius death before those whereby he was commanded to kill himself The Letter that brought the tidings of Caius's death was delivered to Petronius first and presently after he received that wherein he enjoyned him to kill himself He highly rejoyced at this his good luck and Caius's death and admired God's Providence who speedily and happily had rewarded him both for the honour that he bare unto his Temple and also for having E assisted the Jews Behold how Petronius escaped from death by an unexpected Providence CHAP. XII Two Jews called Asinaeus and Anilaeus both Brothers and of a mean extraction become so powerful near Babylon that they give enough to do to the Parthians Their Actions their Death The Grecians and Syrians who lived in Seleucia F unite against the Jews and kill fity thousand of them unawares IN those days there happened a grievous Commotion amongst those Jews that inhabited Mesopotamia and Babylon Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. alias cap. 20. and such Slaughters and Calamities as never the like hath been declared in our former Narrations A grievous Commotion among the Jews in Mesopotamia and Babylon which in regard I intend to report both particularly and seriously I will rip up the whole cause thereof from its first Original There was a City called Nearda belonging to Babylon stored with Inhabitants and enriched with many fruitful Possessions sufficient to sustain so great a multitude Moreover it was such as might be hardly invaded by the Enemy both for that the River Euphrates surrounded it and also for that it was fortified with G very strong Walls Upon the same River also there stood another City called Nisibis in which the Jews in respect of the strength of the place kept their Dragma which they were accustomed to offer unto God and the rest of their Votive money These two Cities therefore served them for two Store-houses The year of the world 4003. after Christs Nativity 41. and from thence according H as time required they sent the money they had gathered to Jerusalem and committed the Convoy thereof to divers thousands of men for fear it should be taken away by the Parthians who at that time had the Soveraignty in Babylon Among these Jews lived Asinaeus and Anilaeus two Brothers born in Nearda whose Father being dead Asinaeus and Anilaeus born in Nâ—arda retire into a certain place and great Companies flock unto them their Mother bound them to the Weavers trade for amongst those Nations it was accounted no indignity to follow that trade for both men and women exercise themselves therein It happened that their Master with whom they learn'd their occupation beat them one day for that they came somewhat late unto their work They taking this chastisement of his as if a great injury had been done unto them betook themselves to their weapons whereof there were great store in that I house and retired themselves into a place where the River divideth it self into two parts which naturally aboundeth with excellent pastures and such fruits as were reserved for the winter To these men there flocked a number of needy persons whom they armed
was Emperor to exact that superiority on the Sea which was answerable to his soveraignty on the Land betwixt one Cape of the Sea unto another for the space of thirty furlongs or stades betwixt which the Gulf had his course he caused a Bridge to be built on which he commanded himself to be drawn in a Charriot as if that way were answerable to the dignity of his deity He left not one Temple in Greece whatsoever that he spoiled not of those excellent pictures that were in them Cajus spoiled all the Temples of Greece Giving a Comission that all Statues and whatsoever ornaments or gifts and presents that were dedicated in any Temple should be brought unto him saying that such things as were admirable should be reserved for a place of admiration such as was the City of Rome with these spoils of the Temples he adorned his Palace and Gardens and generally K all his houses and Palaces that he had in Italy Cajus commandeth Memmius Regulus to tranâ—fer Jupiter Olympus to Rome He was so impudent also as to give direction that Jupiter Olympius Statue which the Greeks had in great estimation and which Phidias the Athenian Satuarian had made should be transported to Rome But Memmius Regulus to whom he directed this commission executed it not because the Masons informed him that without spoiling it they could not remove it from the place It is reported also that he was hindred from this execution by such prodigies that are almost incredible which he assured Cajus of giving him to understand what the occasion was that had moved him to disobey him therein and whilst he was in danger of death for his delay the sudden and successful death of Cajus warranted him from the same Yea so far stretched his unbridled fury that having a daughter newly L born he caused her to be carried into the Capitol and laid at the feet of the Image of Jupiter Cajus compareth himself with Jupiter saying that the child was common betwixt him and Jupiter leaving the judgment to all men which of the two parents was the greatest And notwithstanding all these his misdemeanours yet did men tolerate him He gave liberty to slaves also to accuse their Masters of whatsoever crimes they would which was so much the more hateful because all things were done by Caesars authority and to his good liking so that Pollux who was Claudius bondman durst accuse him Cajus gave slaves free liberty to accuse their Masters and countenanced Pollux to accuse his Master Claudius and Cajus the Emperour was contented among the Judges to hear his Uncle brought in question for his life hoping although it fell out otherwise to pick out an occasion to put him to death For having filled all the Countries of his Empire M with false accusations and all sorts of mischiefs and giving slaves a prerogative above their Masters their Lords devised many conspiracies against him some for spite and with an intent to be revenged of those injuries they had received others pretending by his death to prevent those inconveniences that threatned them In a word his death concerned the security of the Laws Many conspiracieâ— against Cajus and the safety of all men and had he not been speedily cut off our nation had almost been utterly exterminated For which cause I thought good to make an exact and ample declaration of every occurrent namely for that the knowledge thereof maketh very much towards the manifestation of Gods power and will which brings consolation unto those who are in adversity and keep them within the bounds of modesty who suppose that their prosperity should N continue always firm and although they neglect virtue think that no evil may befal them Three several Conspiracies were intended against him to ease the world of this burthensome Tyrant All of them were attempted by men of great account For Aemilius Regulus Three conspiracies against Cajus who was born in Corduba in Spain was fully resolved to kill him himself or to make him away by the means of his Confederates Chaereas Cassius Colonel over a thousand men was the conductor of another Band Aemilius Regulus Cassius Chaereas Annius Minucius and Annius Minucianus was in no less readiness to do his uttermost herein The cause that moved them to combine thus altogether in hatred against Cajus was that in respect of Regulus he was by nature a detester of all iniquity for he was a very generous man and so free that he dissembled not any of his designs but communicated them with many who were either O his friends or valiant men fit for execution And as touching Minucianus he was induced to seek his revenge through the desire he had to do justice to Lepidus who had A been one of his especial friends and one of the rarest men that were ever found among the Roman Citizens whom Caius had put to death through the fear he had conceived of him knowing well that all they against whom Caius was incensed could not escape with less punishment than loss of life As for the third man Chaereas he could not endure the shame and reproach of cowardise that Caius had objected against him but feared besides that his friendship and inward familiarity with Caius would draw him into manifest dangers for which cause and his own security and honours sake he resolved to dispach him Generally all of them were resolved to rid the world of Caius and bring an end to his pride and tyrannical power for their hope was that their attempt having good success their Countrey and Common-weal should reap the B fruits thereof for whose security and safety it became them to hazard themselves though it were with loss of their lives But above all the rest Chaereas was egged on with a desire he had to grow famous and through the facility and convenient means he had to do it The Circensian Games because his Colonels room gave him most secure access unto him About that time the Circensian Games were solemnized which is a kind of Pastime which the Romans very willingly behold Caius causeth divers to be murthered who request mitigation of their exactions and to this intent they resort to the place of these exercises and the common people is wont to demand somewhat from the Emperour which they desire to obtain and after having examined their requests do never refuse them Now they required with instant and importunate supplications that Caius would discharge them of their taxations and moderate the excessive tributes C which they payed but he would give no ear unto them and caused those to be apprehended who called upon the matter most earnestly sending his Guard some of them one way some of them another to put them to the sword After he had given this order and they who received it had fully executed it a great number of men were killed The people seeing this ceased to exclaim any
those who sate to behold the pastime There was within the same a certain room separated from the rest where the Players and Musicians kept When the people were seated and Chaereas with the Captains were near about Caesar Batibius who sate on the right side of the Theatre Batibius one of the Senators a man very expert in feats of Arms asked Cluvitus privily in his ear Cluvitus who sate by him and had in like sort been Consul whether he heard any news who answering C him that he had heard nothing On this day said Batibius shall the tragedy be plaid of a Tyrants death Cluvitus made him this reply in Homers words Whist lest some Greek should listen to our talk Now whilest some one darted certain apples and rare and precious Birds at the people Caius took great pleasure to behold how they strove one with another round about him buffeting one another to see who should get the same but at that present there chanced two presages for the sport that was represented was of a Judg who was apprehended and crucified and in the Dance they represented Cynera who D was killed with Myrrha her Daughter and there was a great quantity of blood gathered to counterfeit both the murther of the Judge that was crucified as also of Cynera It is affirmed likewise that the day was the very same whereon Philip the Son of Amyntas King of Macedon had been killed by Pausanias one of his familiars at such time as he entred the Theatre Whilst Caius was incertain with himself whether he should remain until the sports were finished for that it was the last day of them or rather should resort to the Bath and after he had refreshed himself return back again thither as he had done before Minucianus sitting next unto him fearing lest the occasion should be overslipt because he had seen Chaereas go out of doors with an intent to go and encourage him But Caius catcht him by the E Gown saying Whither go you my friend At which time for the reverence sake that he bare unto Caesar he sat him down again but the fear that he had grew so forcible that he arose again so that Caius could not detain him supposing that he had gone thence to dispatch some important business At that time did Asprenas counsel Caesar to repair to the Bath telling him that after his refreshment he might return thither again all which he did being desirous that the resolution might take effect They that were with Chaereas were ready disposed to take advantage of the time and were agreed each of them to stand prepared and in a readiness in a place appointed to the intent to act the Tragedy and the delay seemed very tedious to them for it was already three a clock afternoon So that Chaereas seeing that Caius F lingred so long intended to go in unto him and assail him in his seat but he conceived that he could not bring that to pass without great loss and murther of the Senators and Knights that were present Now although he had this apprehension yet addressed he himself to the execution thereof supposing that the loss that might happen by the death of some one would be well recompensed by the security and liberty that would redound unto all men When as therefore they were in a readiness to enter the Theatre news was brought them that Caius was risen to come forth by means whereof there arose some noise For which cause the Confedesates turned back into the Theatre and appeased the people telling them that they displeased and annoyed the Emperor but the effect was to draw him aside from all those G who might yield him any assistance and so to set upon him Before Caius marched Claudius his Uncle and M. Minucianus his Sisters Husband and Valerius who at that time was Proconsul who might not by any means be drawn from their place although they had the will by reason of the Place and Dignity which they held Caius H followed after them accompanied with Paulus Auruntius Now when he was entred into the Palace he left the ready way where his Officers were and Claudius and his Associates held and turned aside by an unfrequented way to the Baths on purpose to see certain young Boys who were come out of Asia and were sent him out of that Countrey partly to sing in those Ceremonies that were instituted by him and partly to dance in Arms about the Theater and in that place Chaereas came and encountred him asking him the Watch-word which Caius gave him very reproachfully according to his custom For which cause without any further delay Chaereas assailing him both in word and act drew his sword and gave him a great wound which notwithstanding was not mortal some say that Chaereas purposely wounded I him after that manner Caius slain because he would not kill him at once but to his greater torment increase the number of his wounds but I cannot believe it for that in such executions a man hath no leysure to determine how to strike And if Chaereas had such an intention I account him the veriest fool that might be for he rather took pleasure to content his despite than readily to deliver both himself and others who by his delay in being of his Confederacy might be drawn into hazard For if Caius had not been suddenly killed he could not have wanted rescue and it should seem that Chaereas had not pretended to do so much mischief to Caius as to himself and his Fellow-confederates And being in this uncertainty whether his enterprize should have fallen out happily or no he had without reason both undone himself and lost the occasion K whereas having happily hit home he might without a word speaking secure himself against those who would offend him But let every man think what best pleaseth him Caius feeling the grief of the wound for he was stricken between the shoulder and the neck and his sword could not pierce further by reason that it hit upon the first bone of the breast he cried not at all neither called for any of his friends whether it were that he distrusted them all or that he had some other thoughts and in lamenting himself he passed forward But he was met by Cornelius Sabinus who was already prepared to encounter him who thrust him down upon his knees whereupon all of them environed him round about Aquila gave Caius his deaths wound but Chaereas was the author and chief actor of the tragedy and with mutual exhortations encouraged one another to do their utmost in murthering him At length in all L mens opinion they agreed on this that it was Aquila that gave him the deadly wound that severed his soul from his body But this act ought to be attributed to Chaereas For though divers set to their hands in the action yet was he the first who had bethought him of the action having a
they desired that the enterprize should be effected yet kept they all things close and gave no sign of joy nor made any shew that they heard that which was reported For some of them feared lest if they should be frustrated of their hope they should bring themselves in danger of punishment for having discovered their intent sooner than they should have done Divers rumors of Caesars death They likewise who knew the enterprize and were Confederates with the Actors yet did they more closely conceal it the one from the other fearing lest if they should discover the matter to any one of G those who drew any commodity from Caius tyranny they might bewray them whereby if Caius should be yet alive they might incur the danger of punishment For the report was that he had been wounded in certain places yet that he was not killed but as yet alive and among his Physicians hands who dressed his wounds H No man therefore durst freely discover the secrets of his heart to his Neighbour for they that spread those reports were either friends and for that cause were suspected as favourers of his Tyranny or enemies and by that means in that they were but sinisterly affected towards Caius there was no certainty to be gathered of that which they said There arose also another report which daunted and beat down the hearts and hopes of the Nobility namely that Caius setting light by the danger wherein he was and as little also by the wounds he had received was come into the Market-place all bloody as he was and after this manner declaimed before the people See here how they that spread these rumours preferred their conjectures which were void of all reason which distracted those that heard it according as they were affected Notwithstanding I all this no man removed from his place for fear lest they should be suddenly accused knowing well that they should be accused not according to their thoughts and affections but according to the disposition of their Judges and Accusers But after that the Germans had environed the Theatre with their naked Swords The German Soldiers resort to the Theatre all that were present expected nothing but death and as soon as any man entred they were seized with such an amazement as if they had already felt the strokes so that they knew not what to do having no heart to depart from thence and otherwise perswading themselves that if they stayed there any longer it would breed them further danger At length when the Soldiers were entred into the Theatre by force all the Assembly cried out protesting that whatsoever was done it was besides their K knowledg whether it were either attempted by Conspiracy or any other means They therefore most humbly entreated them that they would spare them and not inflict the penalty of the guilty on those that were innocent For their own parts they prayed them to search out those who had committed the act if any such thing were committed And thus spake they with tears beating their breasts and calling the Gods to witness alledging that which the present danger suggested them with and as much as such as pleaded for their lives could say By these perswasions of theirs the Soldiers fury was abated so that they began to repent for what they had executed in the Theatre for this also was a cruelty as they themselves notwithstanding their barbarous incivility supposed it to be which was that the heads of Asprenas and others that were L killed were carried and set upon an Altar Whereat all the Assistants were most grievously discontented remembring themselves of the dignity of the men and having compassion of that which had befallen them considering also that they themselves were not far off from dangers being uncertain whether they should save themselves whereby it came to pass that some of those who had cause to hate Caius durst not freely rejoyce at his death because they were upon the point to lose their own lives having as yet no appearance of any safety At length Auruntius Auruntius entreth the Theatre and signifieth the Emperour's death a man who was gracious among the people and was one of the common Criers who had a strong voice and by crying such goods as were to be sold had gathered so great substance as that he was accounted one of the richest men in M Rome and in great esteem amongst all men in that behalf entred the Theatre in a mourning Habit and after a lamentable manner And although he inwardly hated Caius yet for the fear he conceived lest he should lose his goods and in consideration of the present danger he dissembled his joy wearing all those Garments of mourning and using no less lamentation than if he had bemoaned the death of his dearest friend After this manner he came into the Theatre publishing Caius's death to the intent that the people might not be ignorant of that which had hapned The Germans fury awakened by the death of Caius is pacified After this he began to repress the rage of the Germans and commanded their Captains and Tribunes to put up their Swords assuring them of the Emperour's death which act of his did manifestly save the lives of all those who were assembled in the Theatre and all them likewise N whom they could have met with For if they had had but the least surmise that Caius had as yet been alive there was not any sort of cruelty which they had not committed For they bare him so great love and affection that to secure him from that misfortune they would have redeemed him with the loss of their own lives But as soon as they understood he was dead they repressed their furious rage which egged them forward to revenge knowing that it availed them nothing to discover their affections towards him in that he could yield them no requital Besides the fear they had lest that in pursuit of their Tyrannous Murthers the Senate should be incensed against them if so be the Government of the Estate should be returned into their hands made them contain themselves Thus was the fury of those Germans appeased for the death O of Caius Mean-while Chaereas who feared very much lest Minucianus should fall into the A Germans hands and in their fury be murthered by them sought for him among the Soldiers enquiring of every one whether they knew if he were killed or no. Whereupon Minucianus and Clement were brought unto him who in his presence commended Chaereas's exploit and gave him thanks in the name of the whole Senate who witnessed that it was to the general benefit Chaereas Minucianus and Clement consult about Caesar's death and good of the Commonweal and that the greatest persons were beholding to him for that he had neither wanted good advice in his deliberation nor courage to execute his resolution alledging that the nature of Tyranny was such that being puffed up with a
due justice on those whom he found guilty of that sedition Claudius favourably gave ear to this request and hearing the whole matter he found that the Samaritans were the first Authors of all those mischiefs and caused them to be put to death who came before him to plead and banished Cumanus he gave order also that Captain Celer should be sent back to Jerusalem and that there in sight of all the people he should be dragged about the City until he died He sent Claudius E Foelix Pallas Brother to govern Judaea In the twelfth year of his Reign Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. aliàs 13. he gave Agrippa Philip's Tetrarchy with Batanea and besides that added thereunto Trachonitis and Abila which in time past appertained to Lysanias Tetrarchy Claudius Felix Governour of Judea taking from this the Province of Chalcis which he had governed for the space of four years After that Agrippa had obtained this gift at Caesar's hands he married his sister Drusilla to Azizus King of the Emessenians who consented to be circumcised Drusilla because Epiphanes King Antiochus Son would not give ear unto the marriage for that he refused to entertain the Religion of the Jews although in times past he had promised his Father no less Mariamne He gave Mariamne to Archelaus Chelcias Son who by her Fathers consent was formerly promised him on whom he begat a F Daughter called Bernice A little after this the Marriage of Azizus and Drusilla was broken off on this occasion following Felix getteth Drusilla from her husband When Felix governed Jewry he saw Drusilla and fell in love with her she surpassing all other women in Beauty He therefore sent a certain Magician called Simon who was born in Cyprus and one of his greatest friends among the Jews who perswaded her to forsake her first Husband and to marry Felix giving her to understand that she should be happy if she refused not this match She unadvised and resolved to rid her self from the hatred which her Sister Bernice bare towards her who hated her in regard of her beauty and for this cause ceased not to injure her condescended to forsake the Religion of the Jews and to marry Felix by whom she had a Son called Agrippa whose death hereafter I will G declare and how in the Emperour Titus's his time he died and was burned in the fire of the Mountain Vesuvius with his Wife Bernice remained a Widow very long after Herod's death who was both her Uncle and her Husband and the report was that she had the company of her Brother At length she wrought so much that H Polemon King of Cilicia caused himself to be circumcised to the end he might marry her purposing by that means to make it known how falsly she had been accused Whereunto Polemon gave ear because she was rich But this Marriage continued not any long time Polemon King of Cilicia marrieth Bernice For Bernice through her impudency as it is reported abandoned Polemon who giving over that Marriage forsook also the Religion of the Jews At the same time Mariamne having forsaken Archelaus her Husband married Demetrius one of the chiefest Jews that were in Alexandria Mariamne scorning Archelaus marrieth Demetrius both in regard of his descent as also his riches who at that time also exercised the office of Alubarcha that is to say the Governour of Arabia She caused the Son she had by him to be called Agrippinus But of all this I will speak more exactly hereafter I The Emperor Claudius died after he had reigned thirteen years Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. aliàs 15. eight moneths and twenty days Some say that he was poysoned by Agrippina his wife the daughter of Germanicus Claudius's Brother She was first married to Domitius Aenobarbus one of the greatest men of Rome after whose death and long Widowhood she was at length married to Claudius Agrippina Messalina and Paetina Claudius 's Wives into whose house she brought her Son called Domitius by his own Fathers name Claudius had put Messalina his wife to death for the jealousie he had of her although he had had children by her namely Britannicus and Octavia And for his daughter Antonia who was eldest of all his children and begotten on Paetina one of his former Wives she was married to Nero whom Claudius so named and adopted for his Son Agrippina fearing lest Britanicus growing to mans K estate should succeed his Father in the Empire and desirous to make her own Son Emperour as is reported she left nothing unattempted that might bring her Husband to his death an presently sent Burrus who was General of the Army with some other Captains Nero Emperor and those of the greatest power among his free-men to bring Nero into the field and to proclaim him Emperour He being thus established in the Empire caused Britannicus to be secretly poysoned and not long after this he openly caused his Mother to be put to death yielding her this recompence not only for that she had born him in her womb but also because by her means he had obtained the Empire The year of the World 4019. after Christ's Nativity 57. He likewise murthered Octavia his wife the Emperor Claudius's daughter and divers other Noble men under colour of some Conspiracy intended against L him But I will not prosecute this matter for that there are divers who have writ Nero's History Nero a tyrant of whom some have no regard of the truth but have spoken at their pleasure Nero's tyranny for that he had been their Benefactor others transported with hatred and despite against him having not been ashamed to punish such impudent lies against his renown that they deserve to be condemned Neither do I wonder that they have invented so many lyes against Nero considering that in those Histories which they wrote of the former Emperours they have not studied to speak truth although they had not any occasion to hate them considering that they lived a long time after their death For my own part I am resolved never to deviate from the truth contenting my self to touch only by the way those things that concern my M purpose neither will I treat in particular but of what relateth to my Country without dissembling our own faults any more than the afflictions that they brought upon us I will therefore return to the discovery of our affairs Azizus King of Emesene being dead the first year of the Emperour Nero's reign his Brother obtained the Kingdom Aristobulus the son of Herod King of Chalcis had the Government of the lesser Armenia from Nero who gave Agrippa a certain portion of Galilee commanding those of Tiberias and Tarichaea to live under him Besides this he gave him Julias situate beyond Jordan with fourteen Burroughs near adjoyning thereunto N CHAP. VI. Foelix Governour of Judaea causeth Eleazar the High Priest to be murthered and his
that if Antigonus came armed they should kill him himself then lodging in a certain Castle which in times past was called Bari and afterwards Antonia by Herod in honour of Antonius with this Commission that if Antigonus came unarmed they should let him pass if otherwise they should kill him He sent certain Messengers also to Antigonus requiring him to repair unto him dis-armed But the wicked Queen prevented this good intent of his by a subtil stratagem complotted by those that with her conspired against him The Queen 's cunning Stratagem against Antigonus for she perswaded those that were to carry this message to discover nothing of what the King had commanded them but to tell Antigonus that his Brother having intelligence that he had brought very goodly Armour with other C fair Furniture for War from Galilee desired him to come to him arm'd as he was that he might have the pleasure to see him in his Warlike Ornaments Antigonus suspecteth not his Brother Which when Antigonus understood who by reason of his Brother's affection suspected no mischief he armed himself and resorted to him intending to content him with his appearance But no sooner arrived he in the strait which is called the Tower of Straton but the Guard of Aristobulus set upon him and slaughtered him yielding by this means a demonstrative testimony that Detraction is able to destroy all good nature and friendship and that there is no union of affection so great as it can always resist the attempts of envy to ruine it In this Occurrence there happened a thing which cannot be too much admired Judas the Prophet foretelleth Antigonus's death D One Judas who was of the Sect of the Esseans had so certain a knowledge of the Future that his Predictions were never found false This man beholding Antigonus pass thorough the Temple cried out to his familiars who attended him in no small number as ordinarily divers of his Disciples did Ah how happy were it for me at this present if I were dead since truth is dead before me and one of my Predictions is found faulty For behold Antigonus yet liveth who should this day have died in the Tower of Straton which is distant from this place six hundred furlongs and 't is now the fourth hour of the day now therefore is the time wherein my Divination shall be falsified Having spoken to this effect the old man sat down being altogether disconsolate and pensive within a while after it was told him that Antigonus was slain in a place under E ground called the Tower of Straton being of the same name with that at Caesarea which is scituate upon the Sea-coast which conformity of names was the cause that Judas staggered in his Divination The sorrow which incontinently seized Aristobulus Aristobulus through the grief he conceived at his Brother's death falleth sick for committing this hainous Murther augmented his sickness in such sort that his Soul was continually troubled with the thought of his sin and his body through extream heat of passion became dried up and the grief that he felt was so vehement that his Entrails became exulcerated so that he voided blood in great abundance And it so fell out by God's Providence that one of his Servants who was deputed to that Office bearing out that blood which came from him A Servant spilleth blood in the same place where Antigonus was slain missed his way and came to that place where Antigonus had F been slain where still there appeared some signs and stains of the blood of Antigonus on which he poured out the blood of the Murtherer Aristobulus Which when they perceived who stood hard by imagining that the Servant had purposely spilled the blood in that place as it were in Sacrifice to the Ghost of that Prince they cryed out so loud that Aristobulus hearing their cry demanded the cause thereof and the more that each man feared to discover the same to him the more instantly he desired to understand the truth so that at length after he had used threats he was certified of what had passed Whereupon his eyes were suddenly filled with tears and in vehement agony of mind The eye of God discovereth every sin he cryed out and said How could I hope but that the great eye of the Divine Majesty should see my wicked acts and the sudden vengeance of my Brother's blood G pursue and overtake me Aristobulus dieth miserably How long O thou miserable Body wilt thou detain my Soul from being sacrificed to the vengeance of my Mother and Brother's death Why do I thus lingeringly languish in offering a part of my blood unto them Let them take it all at once and let not the Divine Vengeance laugh any longer to see the effusion of mine Entrails The year of the World 3862. before Christ's Nativity 100 H This said he died after he had only reigned one year His Wife after his death delivered his Brother Alexander from Prison and established him King who was both the eldest and seemed to be the most moderate among the rest of his Brethren Ant. l. 13. c. 9 But growing by this means both proud and potent he put one of his Brethren to death Alexander advanced to the Kingdom useth much cruelty for aspiring after the Kingdom but spared the other alive for that he contented himself with a private and contemplative life He made War also against Ptolomey that was called Lathyrus who had surprized the City of Asoth and put a great number of his enemies to the Sword nevertheless Ptolomey's side obtained the Victory But retiring himself into the Countrey of Egypt by reason that his Mother Cleopatra pursued him with open War Alexander forcibly entred the City I of Gadara Alexander is overthrown by Theodore and the Fort of Amath one of the greatest of all those that were beyond Jordan in which place Theodore Zeno's Son had hoarded up his chiefest and most precious moveables which he took but enjoyed not long for Theodore suddenly setting upon him recovered all that which was his and furthermore laid hands on the King's Carriage in seizing which he slaughtered many Jews to the number of ten thousand But Alexander after he had recovered this loss invaded the Frontire Towns upon the Sea-coast and won Rapha Gaza and Anthedon which afterwards by King Herod was called Agrippias The Sedition of the Jews against Alexander upon a Festival day But after he had conquered these places the common sort of the Jews raised a mutiny against him during a certain solemn and holy Feast as Mutinies and Seditions are commonly raised at Banquets and it is K thought that he could not have prevailed against those Rebels had he not been assisted by the Pisidians and Cilicians whom he hired to help him for the Syrians he refused to hire by reason of their natural hatred they bare against the Jews Having therefore slain
many wounds adding that he admired the impudent boldness of Antigonus who being Son to an enemy of the Romans and a fugitive from Rome and as inclinable as his Father to Rebellion dar'd to accuse before the Roman Emperour others that had been always faithful to him and that in stead of accounting himself happy in having his I life preserv'd hop'd to obtain such favours and assistance as he had no need of and which he desir'd not but to make use of the same to raise seditions against those to whom he should be beholding for them Which when Caesar heard Caesar createth Hircanus Highâ— Priest and to Antipater he giveth the Government of Judea he said that Hircanus was most worthy to be High Priest and bad Antipater name what Charge he would have who leaving that to the pleasure of the giver he was made Governour of all Judaea And moreover he obtained lieve to re-edifie the razed walls of his Country and Caesar commanded that this Decree should be engraven in Tables of Brass and in the Capitol that it might be a memorial in time to come of Antipaters's justice and vertue Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Antipater having attended Caesar out of Syria first of all repaired the ruined walls of his Country which Pompey K had razed Antipater repaireth the walls of his Country and going throughout all the Country he threatned the obstinate and perswaded the seditious to obedience admonishing them that if they obeyed Hircanus they might live in wealth and peace and enjoy happiness but if they suffered themselves to be led away with the vain hopes of those Antipater chargeth his Subjects to obey Hircanus who for their private commodity sought alteration then they should find him in stead of a Governour a severe Master and Hircanus instead of a King a Tyrant and the Romans and Caesar instead of friends deadly enemies for that they would not suffer his power to be overthrown whom they themselves had established King Antipater in speaking thus considered himself and the need of providing for the safety of the State Phasaelus and Herod Antipater 's Sons because he well knew the sloth an stupidity of Hircanus He made Phasaelus L his eldest Son Governour of the Army and of Jerusalem and of the whole Province Herod's fortitude and sent Herod his youngest Son to govern Galilee although he was very young who being by nature valiant and ambitious sought out occasion to shew his brave mind Herod banisheth the thieves out of Syria He took Ezechias Captain of a troop of Thieves who as he understood were wont to prey upon the confines of Syria with a great multitude and put him to death with many other Thieves which thing was so grateful to the Syrians that in all Towns and Villages they made songs of Herod as though he had restored them to peace and to their Possessions This action also made his merit known to Sextus Caesar who was Caesar the Emperour's Kinsman and Governour of Syria Phasaelus obtained the favour of the people of Jâ—rusalem Phasaelus also striving to exceed the vertue and gallantry of his Brother us'd M all his endeavours to win to himself the good will of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem so that during the time he governed the City he did nothing insolently or by force For which cause the people honoured Antipater no less than if he had been their King yet was his fidelity and affection never the less towards Hircanus But it is impossible that any man that liveth in prosperity should not be envied For Hircanus although before-time he were moved something at the glory of the Father and the young men Hircanus animated by envious men against Antipater and his Sons and especially with the prosperous success of Herod yet in particular he was stirred up by many envious person who use to haunt the Courts of Princes who were grieved that Antipater and his Sons ruled without offence These men told Hircanus that he only enjoyed the bare name of a King and that Antipater and his Sons ruled N all and that he would so long permit and wink at them till at the last they would make themselves Kings for they now did no more pretend themselves to be Ministers but leaving that Title they acted as Lords and Soveraigns without any regard or reverence towards him as appeared in Herod who had put to death a great multitude of Jews against the Law whereas neither by word of mouth nor by writing the King had given him any such authority and that Herod if he were not a King but a private person was to be brought into judgment there to answer the matter and shew the King a reason and satisfie the laws of his Countrey which permit no man to be put to death before by Law he be convicted By these perswasions Hircanus grew angry Herod called to his answer before the Councel so that not concealing his wrath he caused Herod O to be sent for to answer the matter who both for that his Father advertised him thereto and because he trusted to the equity of his cause first leaving a Garrison A in Galilee The year of the World 3922. before Christ's Nativity 4â— he repaired to the King accompanied with a sufficient Guard not so great as to give jealousie to Hircanus nor so small as to expose him to the attempts of his Adversaries Sextus Caesar who lov'd the young man much and feared lest any evil should betide him amongst his enemies sent to Hircanus warning him to absolve Herod from the crimes of which he was accus'd Hircanus absolveth Herod Hircanus once more incited by the wicked Which Hircanus who also loved Herod made no difficulty to do But Herod supposing he had done it unwillingly went to Damascus to Sextus purposing not to appear if hereafter he were sent for Hereupon Hircanus was once again incited against Herod by his enemies who certified him that he was gone away in a rage with design to enterprize something against him which Hircanus believing knew not what to do seeing his enemy B more potent than himself Shortly after Sextus Caesar proclaimed him General of the Army both in Syria and Samaria Herod gathering a great Army cometh to Jerusalem to depose Hircanus so that now he was greatly to be feared by Hircanus not only for that he was highly in favour with the Commonalty but also for the forces which he commanded Hereupon Hircanus fell into extreme fear verily perswading himself that Herod with his whole Army would presently come against him Neither was his suspicion vain Herod disswaded by Antipater from attempting against Hircanus for Herod angry at the pretended crime whereof he was accused came with a great Army to Jerusalem intending to depose Hircanus which he had effected had not his Father and Brother gone forth to meet him and pacified him intreating him that he would
slain those that were in them left such a part of his Army as he thought might suffice to repress any that should attempt a Rebellion under the Command of Ptolomey and returned to Samaria carrying with him three thousand Foot Ptolomey Captain of Herod's Soldiers slain and six hundred Horse against Antigonus After his departure those that were accustomed to trouble Galilee having now as they thought opportunity assaulted Ptolomey at unawares and killed him and having wasted the Countrey retired into Marish Grounds and Strong Holds Which when Herod understood he presently came to succour the Countrey and killed most part of the enemies and having taken all the Castles by force he exacted an hundred Talents for a punishment of that revolt to be paid by the Cities In the mean time the Parthians being put to C flight and Pacorus slain Ventidius in obedience to Letters from Antonius sent Machaera to Herod with a thousand Horse and two Legions of Foot to assist him against Antigonus Antigonus writ Letters to Machaera desiring him to help him and complaining that Herod had injured him promised him a great summ of money But he thinking it not best to forsake him he was sent to succour especially seeing that Herod would give more would not be subborned by him yet counterfeiting himself to be Antigonus his friend under that pretence to discover what Forces he had contrary to Herod's counsel he went to him But Antigonus distrusting his intent kept him out of the City Machaera's iniquity and like an enemy drave him away from the Walls Machaera ashamed of what he had done returned to Emmaus unto Herod and being in a rage that things fell out against D his expectation he killed all the Jews he found not respecting whether they favoured Herod or Antigonus The year of the World 3927. before Christ's Nativity 35. Herod hereat was moved and purposed to be revenged upon Machaera as an enemy yet he bridled himself and hasted to Antonius to let him understand Machaera's cruelty Machaera remembring how he had offended followed the King and with many entreaties besought him to be reconciled and obtained it Yet Herod kept on his journey to Antonius and hearing that he was now with a great Army besieging Samosata a very strong City near Euphrates he made the more haste thinking it now a fit time to shew his affection and his courage and that thereby he might win Antonius's favour the more His arrival hastned the taking of the place which Antiochus was constrained to deliver for he killed a great number of the E enemies Antonius admireth Herod's valour and had for his reward a great part of the Spoil and Antonius though before he admired his vertue yet now his opinion of him encreased so that he had a greater addition of his honour and reason to hope his establishment in the Kingdom CHAP. XIII Of the death of Joseph Ant. lib. 14. cap. 25. How Herod besieged Jerusalem and how Antigonus was slain F IN the mean time Herod's Affairs in Judaea went backward He had left his Brother Joseph Governour of all and commanded him to attempt nothing against Antigonus till his return for he little trusted to Machaera's help because of the part he had played before But Joseph seeing his Brother to be far off regarded not what charge was left him but went to Jericho with his own Troops and five Companies of Horse which Machaera sent with him thinking now in Harvest time to have taken away their Corn but being assaulted by the enemies upon the Mountains and in difficult places himself was there slain after he had shewed himself in the fight a worthy and valiant man and there was not one left alive of all the Roman Horse for they had been newly levied in Syria and they had no old Soldiers amongst them to assist their want of experience G Antigonus not contented with the Victory Antigonus's cruelty against Joseph's Carkass became such a Tyrant that having the dead 〈◊〉 in his power he cut off Joseph's head and caused his body to be scourged although Pheroras his Brother offered fifty Talents to redeem the same entire After Antigonus had obtained this Victory there was such a change in Galilee that H those who favoured him too the chiefest of Herod's Favourites and drowned them in a Lake Also there arose great Commotions in Idumaea where Machaera was repairing the Walls of a certain Castle called Githa All this while Herod heard nothing of the news Herod certified of his Brother's death in a Dream for after Samosata was taken Antonius made Sosius Governour of Syria leaving order with him to help Herod against Antigonus and so he departed into Egypt Sosius sent two Legions with Herod into Judaea to help him and he himself with the rest of the Army followed When Herod was at Antiochia near Daphne his Brother's death was shewed him in a Dream and being troubled at it he leaped out of his bed even at the same instant that the Messengers who brought tidings of his death entred into the house He could not forbear some expressions of grief but he check'd his I sorrow to hasten to revenge it upon his enemies with incredible speed When he came to Libanus he took eight hundred Inhabitants of that Mountain to help him and joyned unto them one of the Roman Legions and not expecting the day with them he entred into Galilee where meeting with some enemies he forced them to flee to the place from whence they came and besieged their Castle but before he could take it he was constrained by hard weather to lead his Army into the next Village Within a few days his number being encreased with another Legion which Antonius sent he put his enemies in such fear that in the night time they forsook the Castle Then he hasted to Jericho to be revenged on those that had killed his Brother Herod's Dining-room fell after he had forsaken it and gone to bed where there befel him a most strange accident from which being against all hope delivered he perswaded K himself that God bare a particular love to him For when many Nobles that night had supped with him and Supper being ended every one was gone forth incontinently the house wherein he supped fell down Herod took this as a Presage both of the dangers and prosperous success he was to have in his Wars And the next morning early he removed from thence and about six thousand of the enemies descending from the Mountains charged his Vanguard yet they durst not joyn Battel with the Romans but molested them with stones and darts with which they wounded many so that Herod himself passing along was wounded in the side with a Dart. Antigonus desirous to shew himself the stronger as well in multitude of men as in courage sent Pappus a friend of his with some Forces to Samaria with a design to fight L and
could not be so severe as to judge other men's Sons to death The two other Delegates also affirmed the same and some others followed their advice But Volumnius was the first that pronounced the sorrowful Sentence after whom all the rest followed some to flatter Herod some for hatred they bare him but none for any indignation against the young men Then all Judaea and Syria expected an end of this Tragedy yet no man thought Herod such a Tyrant as to put his two Sons to death Herod caused his Sons to be brought to Tyre and from F thence by Ship he conveighed them to Caesarea bethinking himself what death he should put them to Tyro an old Soldier exclaimeth against Herod's cruelty In the mean time there was an old Soldier of the King 's named Tyro who had a Son belonging to Alexander and highly in his favour and he himself greatly loved the two young men who being very much grieved in mind at that which had past went about crying that Justice was trodden under foot Truth opprest the Sentiments of Nature extinguished and the Actions of Men full of iniquity and whatsoever else grief could put into the mind of a man who nothing esteemed his own life At last this Tyro came boldly to the King and said unto him O King thou seemest to me most unhappy who givest credit to wicked and vile persons against thy dearest Sons for Pheroras and Salome thou believest before thine own Children whom G notwithstanding thou hast often sound to have deserved death and thou perceivest not that they do this to the intent to make thee want lawful Successors and leave thee none but Antipater whom in their hearts they would have King because they can rule him as they list But bethink thy self O King how all thy Soldiers will hate him for the death of H his two Brethren for there is no man that doth not pity the two young men and many of the Nobility are displeased hereat After he had spoken this he named them who were displeased Whereupon the King commanded them and him and his Son to be laid hold on Tyro with his Son are by the King's Command laid hands on And presently one of the King's Barbers named Tryphon shewing himself to be in I know not what fury came forth and said to Herod Tyro perswaded me to kill thee with my Razor promising me that if I would so do Alexander would give me a great reward Herod hearing this caused Tyro and his Son and the Barber to be tortured Ant. lib. 16. cap. 13. the two former denied all and the Barber affirmed nothing more than he had already said Then he commanded Tyro to be more tormented whereupon Another false Accusation against Tyro his Son moved with compassion towards his Father promised to disclose all I the matter to the King if he would pardon his Father and being released of his torments presently declared that his Father through Alexander's means and procurement was purposed to have killed him Many that were present thought it was a device of the young man to free his Father from torments but others were perswaded that it was true Upon this Herod made a speech unto the people wherein he inveighed against the Officers of his Army and Tyro and made the people arm themselves Herod commandeth his Sons to be strangled and to be buried with Alexander their Mother's Uncle and kill them with staves and stones After which he sent his Sons to Sebaste which was not far from Caesarea and there he caused them to be strangled and having quickly dispatched the matter he ordered them to be brought to the Castle Alexandrium there to be buried with their Mother's Uncle And this was the K end of Alexander and Aristobulus CHAP. XVIII Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod ANtipater now hoped without all controversie to succeed in the Kingdom Ant. lib. 17. cap. 21. but he became generally hated of the whole Nation for it was openly known that he by false calumniations had caused his Brethren's death And on the other side L he stood in no little fear of their Children whom he perceived to begin to grow to years For Alexander had by Glaphyra two Sons Tygranes and Alexander and Aristobulus had by Bernice Daughter to Salome five Children to wit three Sons Herod Agrippa and Aristobulus and two Daughters Herodias and Mariamne Herod after he had put Alexander to death sent away Glaphyra with her Dowry into Cappadocia and married Bernice Aristobulus's Wife to Antipater's Uncle for Antipater had devised this Match to become friends with Salome whom before he hated and envied Antipater striveth by Gifts and Bribes to creep into men's favours He also by his great Gifts sought to get Pheroras's favour and the Friendship of such as were Friends to Caesar sending to that end great summs of money to Rome He gave Saturninus and all the rest great Riches in Syria But the more he M gave the more he was hated of all men for every one considered his Presents not as proofs of his Liberality but as effects of his Fear so that he got not the love of them upon whom he bestowed them and they to whom he gave nothing were so much the more his enemies Yet he continued his bounty rather than diminished it when he saw against his expectation Herod made much of these Orphans whose Parents he had slain Intending to shew how much he repented their deaths by the pity and compassion he took of their Children For assembling together his friends he caused the Children to be placed by him and the tears standing in his eyes he said Since my ill Fortune hath taken away from me the Fathers of these Children Herod grievously bemoneth his Sons expressing the same by his commisseration towards their Children there is no care so great which Nature and my compassion of their present condition obligeth me not to N take of them Wherefore I will endeavour that seeing I have been a most unfortunate Father I may be a most affectionate Grand-father and leave them who are most dear unto me to reign after me In order whereunto Brother Pheroras said he I betroth your Daughter to Alexander 's eldest Son to the end that this Alliance may oblige you to serve in stead of a Father to him and to your Son Antipater said he I assure the Daughter of Aristobulus Herod betrotheth his Nephews that so you may be the same to her and my Son Herod Grand-son by his Mother to Simon the High Priest shall marry her Sisster This is my will and pleasure touching this matter and let no man who loveth me seek to alter it And I beseech Almighty God to prosper these Marriages to the good of my Countrey and of these my Nephews and to look upon these Children with a more favourable eye than he did upon their Fathers O Having thus spoken
Letters before mentioned he then made great haste homeward When he came to Celenderis he began to reflect more upon his Mothers A disgrace his mind as it were presaging some sinister fortune And the wiser sort of his friends about him counselled him not to go to his Father till such time as he were certain for what cause his Mother was banished and divorced For it was to be feared that he would be accused also of the same Crime that was laid to his Mothers charge But the more imprudent being rather desirous to see their Country than to contrive what was expedient for Antipater pressed him to make haste lest his long delay should breed any suspicion in his Father and lest thereby he should give occasion to malignant people to raise slanders For said they if any thing had passed against you it was in your absence and were you in presence no man durst do or speak against you and it were a very unwise part for uncertain suspicions B to deprive himself of certain felicity and not to return speedily to his Father and receive a Crown from his hands which he could place upon no other head but his This counsel as his ill fortune would have it Antipater followed and so arrived in the in the Haven of Caesarea Antipater hated in Caesarea having passed Sebaste where contrary to his expectation he was much surpriz'd that all men eschewed his company and no man came near him For although he was always hated yet before they durst not shew their hatred But now they abstained from coming to him for fear of the King because the rumour of those things which Antipater had done was known in every City and to every man only Antipater himself was ignorant thereof For there was never any man brought thither with greater pomp than he when he was to sail to Rome C and never man more basely entertained at his return And now apprehending the danger at home he craftily made himself ignorant thereof and notwithstanding that he was almost dead for fear yet in his countenance he counterfeited confidence For he could not now possibly make any escape nor rid himself out of the present danger and yet he heard no certain news of matters at Court because the King by an Edict had forbidden all men to give him notice thereof So that many times he comforted himself thus that either all matters concerning him were yet secret or if any thing was come to light that he by policy and impudence could acquit himself thereof for those two were his only weapons Being thus determined he went to the Kings Palace alone without any of his friends and followers who at the very D first gate were most contumeliously repulsed By chance Varus the Ruler of Syria was there and then boldly going into his Father's presence he advanced boldly near him Antipater's entertainment at his Fathers hands to salute him But Herod putting him back with his hands and shaking his head cried out What thou that hast attempted to murther thy Father darest thou yet presume to offer to embrace me being guilty of so many treasons Mayest thou perish wretch as thy crimes deserve Come not near me till thou hast cleared thy self of all that is laid to thy charge for thou shalt have justice and Varus shall be thy Judge who is by good fortune now here Go and premeditate how to acquit thee against to morrow which is all the time I will give thee to do it Hereat Antipater was so astonished with fear that he was not able to reply any E thing but silently went away Presently his Mother and his Wife came to him and told him all the proofs of treasons against him then he considered with himself how to answer every point The next day the King called an assembly of his friends and kindred Antipater is judged before Varus and to them admitted Antipater 's friends and he and Varus sitting in judgment commanded all proofs to brought and the witnesses to appear amongst whom were certain of Antipater 's Mothers servants lately apprehended who had Letters from her to carry to him to this effect Forasmuch as all things are known to thy Father beware that thou return not unto him before thou hast obtained some warrant of thy safety from Caesar These and others being brought in Antipater also came in after them and prostrating himself before his Fathers feet he said I beseech you F Sir bear no prejudicate opinion against me and lend me an open ear whilest I purge my self for if you please to give me lieve I will prove my self guiltless Herod commanding him to hold his tongue spake thus unto Varus I know well Varus that you or any other just and indifferent Judge Herod's accusation against Antipater will find Antipater to have deserved death But I fear lest you conceive an aversion against me and think me worthy so great afflictions for having been so unfortunate as to have brought such children into the world And yet this should move you to pity me Herod's kindness towards his children who have been so merciful to and careful for such wicked caitifs For I had already appointed those young men that are dead to be Kings and brought them up at Rome and gotten them Caesar's favour but they whom I had so much honoured and exalted to the Crown became traytors against my life Their death G was very advantageous to Antipater whose security I sought thereby because he was a young man and the next that should succeed me but this cruel beast hath discharged his rage upon my self and thinks my life too long and is grieved that I live to be old and hath attempted to make himself King The year of the World 3961. before Christ's Nativity 1. no other way but by murthering his Father For H which I know no other reason but that I called him out of the Country where he lived abscurely and casting off those Sons whom I had begotten of a great Queen appointed this to be heir of my Kingdom I confess my error that I incited them against me by having for Antipater's sake deprived them of their right Herod loved Antipater above the rest and bestowed many benefits on him For wherein had I so well deserved of them as of Antipater unto whom during my life-time I committed the sway and rule of my Kingdom and openly in my Will and Testament declared him my successor Besides other gratifications I bestowed upon him the yearly revenue of fifty Talents And lately when he was to sail to Rome I gave him three hundred Talents and commended him to Caesar as the only Son of all my house who had regard to his Fathers life And what was the offence of the others compared with Antipaters what proofs were produced I against them equal to those that have shewed me more clearly than the day the conspiracy framed against me by
resolution For he caused the chief men of every Town and Village in all Judaea to be assembled together and then he shut them up in a place called the Hippodrome And calling unto him his Sister Salome and Alexas her Husband I know said he that the Jews will make Feasts for joy of my death yet if you will do what I desire it shall be mourned for and I shall have a remarkable Funeral As soon as I have given up the Ghost cause my Soldiers to encompass these men whom I have here in hold and kill them all By this means all Judaea and every N Hous-hold thereof shall have cause to lament The Ambassadors signifie 〈◊〉 death and bring Letters that authorize Herod to punish Antipater After he had commanded this to be done those whom he had sent to Rome brought him Letters wherein was shewed how Acme Julia's Servant was by Caesar's Command put to death and Antipater adjudged worthy to die yet Caesar writ that if his Father had rather banish him he permitted it Herod with this news was something pleased yet presently his pains and a vehement Cough seized him with that violence so that he thought to hasten his own death Herod overcome with pain would have 〈◊〉 himself and taking an Apple in his hand he called for a Knife for he was accustomed to cut the meat which he did eat and then looking about him lest any standing by should hinder him he lift up his arm to strike himself But Achab his Nephew run hastily to him and stayed his hand and presently there was made great lamentation O throughout all the King's Palace Ant. lib. 1◠cap. 16. as though the King had been dead Antipater having speedy news hereof took courage and promised the Keepers a piece of money to A let him go But the chiefest of them did not only deny to do it but also went presently to the King and told him what Antipater requested Herod hearing this lifted up his voice with more strength than was meet for a sick man and commanded his Guard to go and kill Antipater and bury him in the Castle called Hircanion And now again he altered his Testament Antipater's death and appointed Archelaus his eldest Son King and Antipas his younger Brother Tetrarch Five days after the death of his Son Antipater Herod died Ant. lib. 17. cap. 12. having reigned thirty and four years after he slew Antigonus and thirty seven years after the Romans had declared him King In many things he was as fortunate as any man for being born but a private person he got the Crown and kept it and left it to his Posterity But in his Domestick Affairs he was most unfortunate B Salome before it was known to the Soldiers that the King was dead went forth with her Husband and released all those that were in Hold whom the King had commanded to be slain saying that the King's mind was altered and therefore he gave them all Licence to depart Herod's death signified to the Soldiers And after their departure the King's death was published to the King's Soldiers who together with the other multitude were assembled in the Amphitheatre at Jericho by Ptolomey Keeper of the King's Seal who made a Speech to them and told them that Herod was now happy and he comforted the multitude and read unto them a Letter which the King left wherein he earnestly requested the Soldiers to favour and love his Successor After the Epistle read he recited the King's Testament wherein Philip was appointed Heir of Trachonitis and the places thereunto C adjoyning Antipas Tetrarch and Archelaus King He commanded his Ring to be carried to Caesar to whom he referred the cognizance and disposal of all with full Authority requiring that as to any thing else his said Testament should be performed This was no sooner read Archelaus proclaimed King after his Father's decease but presently the Skies were filled with the voices and cries of the people who congratulated Archelaus and the Soldiers and the People promised to serve him faithfully and wished him a happy Reign This done the next care was about the King's Funeral on which Archelaus spared no cost but buried the King with all Royal Pomp possible Herod's pompous Funeral The Herse whereon he was carried was adorned with Gold and Precious Stones upon it lay a Bed wrought with Purple whereupon was D laid the dead Corps of the King covered also with Purple a Crown and Diadem of pure Gold on his head and a Scepter in his Right hand About the Herse were his Sons and Kinsfolk and the Guard and Bands of Thracians Germans and Gauls all went before in order as though they had gone to Wars The rest of the Soldiers in Warlike order followed their Captains and Leaders and five hundred of his Servants and Freed-men carried Perfumes And thus the Corps was carried the space of two hundred furlongs from Jericho to the Castle of Herodion where as himself had appointed it was interred H THE SECOND BOOK OF THE WARS of the JEWS I Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Second Book 1. Of Herod's Successor Archelaus how he entred into the Temple and the Mutiny that arose for the revenge of those that were executed for taking away the Golden Eagle 2. Of the Fight and Massacre in Jerusalem between the Jews and the Sabinians K 3. Varus Governour of Syria for the Romans represseth the Insurrections in Judea 4. How the Jews had an Ethnarch constituted over them 5. Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken 6. Of the Banishment and Death of Archelaus 7. Of Judas the Galilean who established a fourth Sect and of the three Sects amongst the Jews 8. Of the Cities which Philip and Herod built and of Pilat's Government L 9. The Emperour Caius orders Petronius Governour of Syria to constrain the Jews by Arms to receive his Statue into the Temple Petronius forbears to do it The death of Caius saves him from Punishment 10. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa 11. Of divers Tumults in Judea and Samaria 12. Of the Tumults in Judea under Foelix 13. Of Albinus and Florus Presidents of Judea M 14. Of Florus his cruelty against the Jews of Caesarea and Jerusalem 15. Of another Oppression of the Citizens of Jerusalem by Florus 16. Of Politianus the Tribune King Agrippa's Speech to the Jews exhorting them to obey the Romans 17. Of the Rebellion which the Jews begun against the Romans 18. Of the death of Ananias the High Priest Manahem and the Roman Soldiers 19. Of the great Massacre of the Jews at Caesarea and in all Syria N 20. Cruelties exercised against the Jews in divers other Cities and particularly by Varus 21. Fifty thousand Jews slain at Alexandria 22. Of the Massacre of the Jews by Cestius Gallus 23.
to the days of Herod That being by enduring such misery now accustomed to the Yoke they had willingly subjected themselves to his Son Archelaus after that Herod his Father was dead Herod's Tyranny and cruelty notwithstanding he was the Son of such a Tyrant and had publickly mourned for the death of Herod L and offered Sacrifice for the prosperity of his Successor But he to shew himself Herod 's true Son began his Reign with the slaughter of three thousand Citizens and because he had so well deserved the Kingdom he offered so many men to God for Sacrifice and on a Festival Day The Jews beseech the Romans to have compassion on the remainder of the Jews filled the Temple with so many dead bodies Wherefore 't is not strange that they who escaped that Massacre consider their own calamity and as in Battel turn their faces against those who wounded them and beseech the Romans that they would think the remnant of the Jews worthy of compassion and not abandon and expose the residue of their Nation as a Prey to them by whom they are like to be most cruelly butchered but that it may please them to adjoyn their Countrey to Syria and to let them be ruled by the Romans that so they may find that the Jews though now counted seditious and rebellious M are under peaceable and quiet Governours a peaceable Nation With this Petition the Jews ended their Accusation Nicolaus defends Archelaus before Caesar and the rest After this Nicolaus stood up against them and first of all acquitted the King 's of the Crimes laid to their charge and then reproved his Countrey-men as people not to be easily Governed and of their own nature averse except forced to obey their King And by the way he also blamed the Kindred of Archelaus who joyned with his Accusers Caesar having heard what both parts could say dismissed the Assembly Caesar maketh Archelaus Ethnarch of Jewry And within few days after he gave Archelaus half the Kingdom with the Title of Ethnarch promising moreover to make him King if he behaved himself well the other half he divided into two Tetrarchies and gave the same to the rest of Herod's Sons The distribution of the Kingdom to Herod's Children one to Philip the other to Antipas who contended with Archelaus N for the Crown Antipas his Part lay from Galilee beyond the River Jordan the Revenues whereof amounted to two hundred Talents a year Philip had Batanaea and Trachonitis and Auranitis and part of what belonged to Zenodorus near Jamnia the Revenues whereof amounted to one hundred Talents a year Archelaus had in his Ethnarchy Idumaea and all Judaea and Samaria which was freed from the fourth part of the Tribute Those Cities that were under Archelaus's subjection because they had not rebelled with the rest These Cities also were given him Straton's Tower Sebaste Joppa and Jerusalem But Gaza and Gadara and Hippon Caesar took from the Kingdom and joyned them to Syria Archelaus's yearly Revenues amounted to four hundred Talents a year Caesar also besides that which Herod had left Salome Salome Princess of Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis as Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis gave her the Palace O at Ascalon all which amounted to threescore Talents a year But Caesar obliged her to live in the Countrey subject to Archelaus And having confirmed the rest A of Herod's Kindred the Legacies which in his Testament he had left them he gave his two Daughters that were Virgins over and above a hundred and fifty thousand Drachmes of Silver and married them to Pheroras's two Sons Lastly he divided that which Herod had bequeathed unto himself amounting unto a thousand Talents amongst his Sons leaving himself only some Jewels of small value which he reserved in honour and remembrance of the dead CHAP. V. B Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken AT the same time Ant. lib. 17. cap. 18. a certain young man a Jew born brought up by a Freed-man of Rome in the Town of Sidon A certain young man feigning himself to be that Alexander whom Herod slew deceiveth many being very like Alexander whom Herod had put to death went to Rome having one of his Countrey-men for his companion who knew very well the Estate of the Kingdom and by whose instructions he affirmed that they who should have put him and Aristobulus to death being moved to compassion let them go and put two others in their room like them With this tale he deceived many Jews living in Creet where he was honourably received From thence he sailed to Melos where he was entertained with greater pomp and enriching C himself he used such means that he got his Hosts which gave him entertainment to accompany him to Rome At his landing at Puteoli he received great Presents from the Jews who dwelt there especially those that were well affected to his Father honoured him as a King For he was so like Alexander that they that had seen Alexander and knew him well would have sworn he had been the same Wherefore when he arrived at Rome all the Jews desired to see him and an infinite multitude followed him whithersoever he went in the streets and they so doted upon him that they carried him in a Horse-litter and at their own proper cost and charges prepared for him a Royal Train But Augustus well remembred Alexander's visage for Herod had accused him before D him and although Caesar desireth to see the young man before he saw him he judged that he was some Impostor yet he made as though he believed all and sent one Celadus who knew Alexander well to bring this young man to him Celadus no sooner beheld him but forthwith he perceived the difference betwixt them and especially when he took notice of his hard flesh and servile shape he presently understood the whole matter But he could not but be greatly surprized at his bold speeches for when they demanded of him what was become of Aristobulus he answered that he was alive but on purpose tarried behind and lived in Cyprus because being asunder they could not both so easily be entrapped Celadus taking him apart from the rest of the Company told him that Caesar would save his life if he would truly confess by whose counsel he E feigned himself to be Alexander He accepting this proffer followed him to Caesar and declared to him the Jew who for lucre sake had made use of his likeness to Alexander confessing that he had received as great Gifts of the Cities by which he passed Caesar maketh the counterfeit Alexander a Galley-slave and executeth his Counsellor as they would have given Alexander if he had been alive Caesar laught at the Cheat and condemned this false Alexander to the Galleys but put the other Jew to death who had induced him to this Imposture And as for the Jews at Milo he thought
all of one sort Before they eat a Priest giveth thanks and no man may eat B any meat till this Prayer be made to God Likewise when dinner is ended they pray again for both before and after they give thanks to God the Giver of all And then putting off that Apparel as Sacred they apply themselves to their work till evening At supper they do as before causing their Guests to sup with them if by fortune any come Their house is never troubled with cries or tumults for every one is appointed to speak in his turn so that their silence produces respect in strangers The cause of this moderation is their continual sobriety and that every one is limited how much to eat or drink The Esseans in compassion and helping others have free choice in other things they are ruled by their Governour And although that in all other matters they are ruled by their Superior yet in these two to wit compassionating and helping they may do as they think good for every one may when he pleaseth help those whom he thinketh deserve C help and when he pleaseth give meat to them that are in need Yet may not they give any thing to their Kindred without the lieve of their Superior They take great care to suppress their anger they keep their promise and maintain peace and people account every word they speak of as much force The Esseans swear not as if they had bound it with an oath and they shun oaths worse than perjury for they esteem him a liar who is not to be believed without he call God to witness They study diligently ancient Writers chiefly gathering out of their Writings what is most convenient for the soul and the body Out of them they learn Remedies for Diseases and the Vertues of Herbs Stones and Mettals Those who are desirous to be of their Order do not straight way converse with them but for a year before live out of the Colledge and D have the same diet a little hatchet and such a girdle as is before spoken of and a white garment But at the years end if they perceive such a person to be continent they give him a diet more agreeing with their own and he is permitted to wash himself in cold water to the end to purifie himself yet is he not admitted in common amongst them The Esseans Vows and Covenants till for two years more they have observed his life and manners And at last when he is thought worthy he is admitted to their common company But before he is received to the common Table first he is to protest solemnly to honour and serve God with all his heart to observe Justice and Fidelity towards all men never willingly to hurt any man nor injure any for another man's command but always to hate the wicked and assist the good to keep his faith to all but especially to his Superiors E The Esseans circumspect in Justice because they hold their power from God To which they add that if he be put in Authority over others he never will abuse it to the prejudice of those that are under him and neither exceed the rest in apparel nor any other ambitious pomp that he will always love the truth and severely reprove liars and that he will keep his hands and soul pure from all theft and unjust gain and that he will not conceal any mysteries or secrets of their Religion from his companions nor reveal them to any strangers although he should be thereto threatned by death Adding moreover that he will never deliver any Doctrine save that which he hath received and diligently preserve the Books as well as the Names of those from whom they received it These Protestations they oblige those to take solemnly who enter into their Order to F the end to fortifie them against Vices Those of the Society who transgress notoriously they thrust out of their company and whosoever is so punished for the most part dieth a miserable death for it being not lawful for him to eat with any stranger he is reduced to feed on grass like beasts and so he perisheth through Famine For which cause oftentimes they are moved with compassion to receive many into their Order again when ready by Famine to yield up the ghost judging them to have endured pennance enough for their offences who with famine were almost brought to death's door They are very severe and just in their Judgments and to decide any matter there is never fewer of them than an hundred and that which is by them agreed upon is irrevocable Next after God they reverence their Law-giver insomuch that if any G one revile him they forthwith condemn him to death They take it for a great duty to obey their Elders and what is appointed by many so that if ten of them sit together no man of them must speak without he be licenced thereto by nine of the company They account it a great incivility to be in the midst of the Assembly or on H their right hand And they are more severe than any other Jews in observing the Sabbath for they do not only abstain from dressing meat which they dress the Evening before that day but also they may not remove any vessel out of its place nor satisfie the necessities of Nature The Esseans reverence the Sabbaths Upon other days they dig a pit a foot deep in the ground with the hatchet which as we before said every one at his entrance into their Order hath given him and then covering themselves diligently with their garment as if they feared to be irreverent to the light of Heaven in that pit they ease themselves and then cover their ordure with the earth they took out of the pit And this they do in most secret places And although this purging of their bodies be natural yet do they by washing purifie themselves after it as after great uncleanness Furthermore I amongst themselves they are divided into four Orders according to the time which they have continued this exercise of life and they that are Juniors bear such respect to the Seniors that if they do but touch one of them they are obliged to purifie themselves The Esseans live a long time as though they had touched a stranger They are long-liv'd so that most of them live an hundred years which I judge is by reason of their well ordered diet and their temperance They contemn adversity and by constancy and fortitude triumph over torments The Esseans constancy in the War with the Romans They prefer an honourable death before life The Wars which the Jews made against the Romans shewed what invincible courage and hardiness they have in all things for they suffered the breaking of the members of their bodies fire and Sword and all kind of Tortures rather than be brought to speak the least word against K their Lawgiver The year
already placed Caesar's Statues in their Temples among those of their gods and herein they did as it were revolt from the Emperour and affront him their Governour who represented his person They answered it was against the Laws and Customs of their Country for it was not lawful for them to have the Image of God much less of a man and that they were not only forbidden by the Law to have an Image in the Temple but also to have it in any prophane place Petronius replied if you observe your Laws so religiously I must also observe my Lord's command for if I do not but spare you O I shall be justly punished and 't is not to me but to him you must make your addresses for I my self as well as you am subject to him At these words the whole A multitude cried out together that before they would see their Religion violated they would willingly expose themselves to any danger When the noise of the people was ceased Petronius said Are ye then prepared and minded to fight against Caesar The Jews answered No we every day offer sacrifices for Caesar and the Romans But if Caesar must needs place his Image in the Temple he must first kill us all with our wives and children The constancy of the Jews Hereat Petronius greatly marvelled and was moved to compassion when he beheld the constancy of the Jews in their Religion and so great a multitude prepared to die for it And for that time they departed nothing being done The next day following he assembled only the Nobility of the Jews Petronius once more assembleth the Jews and threatens them and spoke to them both generally and one by one exhorting them to obey B Caesar's command and sometime admonishing them otherwhile threatning them and putting them in mind of the power of the Romans and Caesar's indignation and that he must of necessity do as he was commanded But they were moved by none of these Whereupon Petronius fearing the ground would be left untilled for it was now seed-time and all the people had remained idle in the City for fifty days space calling them together he said that he would go about a thing which might greatly endanger him self Petronius sendeth to Caesar and signifieth the Jews supplication For said he I will either God assisting me appease Caesar's wrath or else I will lose mine own life to save such a multitude as you are And dismissing the people who made daily prayers to God for him he led his Army from Ptolemais to Antioch from whence he presently sent to Caesar in all haste recounting C to him with how great an Army he went into Judea and that all the whole Nation made supplication to him whose request and humble suit if he denied he must utterly destroy the men and their Country for they remained resolute in their Countrey-religion and vehemently resisted any new Law Caius writ an answer of these Letters to Petronius threatning him that it should cost him his life because he made no more haste to execute his command The messengers that brought these Letters were tossed in a tempest upon the Sea three whole months together Petronius receives letters of Caesar's death but others coming after them to bring news of Caius's death had a prosperous wind so Petronius received the Letters of Caius Caesar's death twenty seven days before the other threatning Letters came D CHAP. V. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa CAius Caesar being assassinated The year of the World 4005. after Christ's Nativity 43. after he had reigned three years and six months Claudius was made Emperour by the Army which was at Rome The Senate by the instigation of the Consuls Sentius Saturninus and Pomponius Secundus commanded three Legions of Soldiers to keep the City during the Council holden in the E Capitol Ant. lib. 19. cap. 3. and abhorring Caius Caesar's cruelty they determined to fight against Claudius and to reduce the Empire to the ancient Government that as before-time so for ever after Caius reigned three years and six months those should rule that the Senate judged worthy It chanced that at this time Agrippa came to Rome and the Senate sent to him requesting him to come and take place in their Council Claudius also desired him to take part with the Army intending to use his help where need required Agrippa is chosen both betwixt the Senate and Claudius for an arbiter Agrippa perceiving that Claudius was in a manner already Emperour for his power he took part with him who presently sent him as Ambassadour to the Senate to tell them his purpose how that first of all the Soldiers whether he would or no set him in that dignity and it had been in him an undiscreet part to have forsaken such an offer from the Soldiers who F did it for good will that if he had refused it his life had been in danger and it was sufficient danger that he had been elected Emperour Moreover he purposed to rule not as a Tyrant but as a good Prince for he would be contented only with the Title of Emperour and do nothing without the common consent of them all And although he was not naturally inclined to modest and courteous behaviour yet he had a sufficient example to beware that he abused not his authority by Caius Caesar's death The Senates answer to Agrippa Agrippa carried this message to the Senate who answered as though they trusted to their Soldiers and the Justice of their Cause that they would not thrust themselves into voluntary bondage Claudius receiving this answer sent Agrippa again to tell them that nothing could cause him to abandon them by whom he was made Emperour G and that he was forced to make war against them with whom he was very loath to contest and therefore willed them to chuse a place out of the City for the battel to be fought in for it stood with no reason to deface the City with civil wars and Massacres for the obstinacy of some few Agrippa did this message also to the Senate H and one of the Soldiers that were for the Senate drew his Sword and said Fellow Soldiers what should move us to massacre our Friends and Kindred and Parents who follow Claudius especially seeing we have an Emperour with whom we can find no fault unto whom we should rather go forth with Congratulations than with Arms. When he had said this he passed thorough the midst of the Court and all the Soldiers followed him The Senate The Senate follow the Soldiers to Claudius being thus left desolate and abandoned by their Forces began to be in great fear and seeing it was no standing out for them they followed the Soldiers and went to Claudius Before the City Walls there met them some that endeavour-to shew themselves dutiful to Claudius for his Fortunes sake who
Justice and the fire came to Queen Helens Palace which was scituate in the midst of Acra also the houses and streets of the City full of dead Bodies were set on fire The same day the Sons and Brethren of King Izates and with them many Persons of quality assembled together Caesar constan in his resolution and supplicated Caesar to pardon them G and he though incensed against them all yet not changing his manner received them to mercy and put them all in Prison and afterward carried that Kings Sons and Kinsmen to Rome there to remain as Hostages CHAP. XIV The year of the World 4034. after the Nativity of Christ 72. H The Seditious get into the Palace pillage it and kill there 8400 of the People who had fled thither for refuge THE Seditious went to the Kings Palace where many had left their wealth because it was a strong place The Seditious resorting to the Kings house take away the treasure and driving the Romans from thence they slew all the people there assembled amounting to the number of 8400 and carried away all the Money and they took there two Roman Souldiers alive one a Horseman and the other a Footman I and they slew the footman and drew him all along the City as it were in the Body of that one revenging themselves upon all the Romans But the Horseman affirming that he had something to say to them which would greatly profit them and save their lives The punishment of a Roman Souldier taken by the Jews he was carried to Simon and not having there any thing to say Simon delivered him to one of his Captains called Ardala to be slain and he brought him where the Romans might behold him with his hands bound behind him and a veil before his eyes meaning there to behead him but he whilst the Jew drew out his Sword escaped to the Romans Titus would not put him to death because he had escaped from the Enemies yet deeming him unworthy to be a Roman Souldier who suffered himself to be taken alive he took from him his arms and discharged him from bearing them any more K which to a man of Courage was worse than Death The next day the Romans putting the Seditious to flight that were in the lower City fired all as far as Siloa rejoycing that the Town was destroyed yet they got no booties because the Seditious had already robbed and spoiled all The Jews are arrogant in the midst of their calamity and carried it into the higher City For they nothing repented them of their wickedness but were as arrogant as though they had been in prosperity so that with joy they beheld the City on fire and said That they desired death for that the People being slain the Temple destroyed the City on fire they should leave nothing to their Enemies Yet Joseph in this extremity laboured to save the Reliques of the City The Jews refuse to submit themselves to the Romans yet are they unable to wage war with them much inveighing against their cruelty and earnestly exhorting them to save themselves but he nothing profited by all this being only derided for his labour for neither L would they yield to the Romans for their Oaths sake nor were they able to fight with the Romans being now as it were besieged round by them yet their accustomed murthers encouraged them to more Thus dispersed all over the City they lurked in the ruines lying in wait for those that sought to flee to the Romans many of them were taken and slain for Famine had so weakned them that they could not flie and any death was more elegible than Famine So that many fled to the Romans having no promise nor hope to be spared by them and feared not to expose themselves to the fury of the Seditious who never ceased from murther The Tyrants uttermosâ— hope was in their Vaults And now there was no place in the whole Câ—â—y void but was fill'd with dead bodies who either perished by Famine or Cruelty But the Tyrants and M factious Thieves placed their last refuge in the Vaults where they hoped whatsoever hapned to hide themselves that they could not be found and so after the City was destroyed to escape which was only their vain fancy For they could neither be hid from God nor the Romans yet at that time they trusted in those Caves from whence they fired the City more than the Romans Rapine and slaughter in the Vaults and cruelly murdered those that having escaped the flames fled into secret places and spoiled them also if in any place they found any meat though all bloody yet they took it and eat it and now they fell to fight one with another about the spoil they got And I doubt not but if they had not been prevented by the destruction of the City their cruelty would have been such that they would have eaten the bodies of dead men N O A CHAP. XV. How the higher part of the City was assaulted and how some of the Jews fled unto Titus TItus perceiving that the higher part of the City could not be won without Mounts being situate in a soil round about which were high and deep Precipices on the twentieth day of August he set all his Souldiers on work and the carrying of Wood for B that purpose was very painful all Trees within 100 furlongs off the City being already cut down and used in the former Work as is before-said So the four Legions raised a Mount on the West side of the City and the Auxiliaries made a Mount against the Porch The Idumeans consult in their assembly about their submission Bridge and Tower which Simon during his War with John had built About this time the Captains of the Idumeans assembling together deliberated to yield themselves and sent five of their Company to Titus beseeching him to receive them to mercy and he hoping that the Tyrant would yield after them who were the greatest part of his Army with much difficulty granted them Life and so sent them back to their fellows But Simon having notice of their design presently slew those five that were sent to Titus and taking the Captains the chief of whom was James the Son of C Sosa he put them in Prison and carefully watcht the Idumaeans who now having no chief Commanders knew not what to do But the Guard could not hinder them from fleeing for although many of them were killed yet divers fled and escaped and were all received by the Romans Titus's courtesie being such that he remembred not his former Orders to the contrary And now the Souldiers abstained from murthers and minded only the getting of Wealth the common People they sold with their Wives and Children for a small price many being exposed to sale and few coming to buy them Titus having published that none should flie unto him without their families
Crowns of Gold some in other works that it appear'd that without reason we judged them to be rare and scarce Moreover the Pictures of their Gods were carried with them which were admirable both for greatness workmanship and all of precious matter Moreover divers sorts of living creatures were there to be seen all adorned with some attire agreeing and alluding unto their nature There was also an infinite multitude of men in Purple Garments wrought L with Gold who carried all these things and all those that were designed to serve for this pomp were attired in such Garments than which nothing could be more Glorious Even the Captives were not without gorgeous attire The building of the Pageants but the variety and beauty of the Garments made the Sadness of their countenances less remarkable The Pageants that were born in the Triumph were of admirable bigness so that the people that beheld them wondred how it was possible that men should carry them for many were built with three or four lofts one above another surpassing all that can be imagined for work and cost some of them being hang'd about with Tapestry of Gold and all things annexed unto them whereon they were carried were made of wrought Gold or Ivory Wherein was curiously represented the manner of War and all Stratagems and Arts of M fighting that could be devised some in one part of the Pageant some in another There might one have beheld most most fertil and fortunate Countries destroyed whole Troops of Enemies slain some flying others taken Prisoners strong and huge Walls battered down with Rams Castles and Fortreses destroyed great and populous Cities assaulted and a whole Army entring the Breach all places filled with massacred men and how those that were not able to fight yielding themselves asked mercy the Temples set one fire and after all else was wasted the houses thrown down upon their owners heads and a River not flowing as it was wont into tilled places and to serve for the use of Man and Cattel to drink but carrying Streames of blood to quench part of the flames A Table of Gold of the weight of a great talent which consum'd the City to ashes all which the Jews in their War N endured These things were so artificially represented to the view of those that had not seen them as though they were now a doing Upon every Pageant stood the Governour of the City representing the manner how it was taken After all these followed many Ships and in every place were carried the spoils taken in War amongst which those that were taken in the Temple of Jerusalem were most remarkable The last of the spoils was the Law of the Jews for there was a Golden Table weighing many Talents and likewise a Golden Candelstick the use whereof was now not such as we were wont to put it to for in the midst of the stem thereof was fixed a Base and out of it proceeded many small branches framed like a three-forked spear every one being at the top made like a Lamp which were 7 in number shewing the honour of the seventh day which is called the Sabbath amongst O the Jews After all this was carried the Jews Law which was the last of all the spoils Then followed some that carried several Images of Victory all made of Gold A and Ivory Afterwards came Vespasian followed by Titus and Domitian accompanied them gallantly adorned and Mounted on an excellent Horse and so they went all to the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus and there was the end of all this pomp Here they made some stay For it was an ancient Custom of their Country to repose themselves there till some came and brought news to them of the death of him who was General of their Enemies This at this time was Simon Giora Simon the Son of Giora is drawn with a Halter about his neck thorow the market place who was also carried in the Triumph and having a Rope fastned about his neck was drawn all along the Market-place where they that drew him kil'd him For it is the custom of the Romans there to put malefactors to death that are condemned After word was brought that he he was dead all the B people made joyful exclamations and so they fell to Sacrifice which done according to the custom they returned to the Palace where they made a great Feast as others also did for themselves at their own Houses For this day was sacred amongst the Romans in joy of the Victory over their Enemies and an end of civil Calamity and the beginning of good Fortune and hope which they had in their new Princes When the Triumphs were ended Vespasian buildeth and dedicateth a Temple to Peace and all the Roman Empire quieted Vespasian built a Temple and dedicated it to Peace which he did in so short a space that it was admirable and having bestowed great cost upon it he also beautified it with divers Pictures and carved works And he placed in that Temple all things C that men of former Ages had gathered together from the uttermost parts of the Earth And he placed there all the Golden Vessels and other things that the Jews used in their Temple doing them great reverence But their Law and the Tapestry or Purple Veils of the Sanctuary he commanded to be kept in the Palace CHAP. XXV D How Herodium and Machaeron were taken by Bassus CAesar sent Lucius Bassus into Judea to be Lieutenant General there who receiving the Army of Cerealis Vetilianus took the Castle and Garrison of Herodium by composition After this gathering together all his Troops which were dispersed in divers places of the Country with the tenth Legion he purposed to War against Machaeron for he thought it necessary to destroy that Castle left its strength might move many to rebel for by reason of the situation of the place they that werein it had great assurance of safety and those that sought to assault it were in great danger For it was built upon a Rock that was exceeding high and which made E it almost inexpugnable and nature had so devised that it was hard to come to it being environed round about with Valleys of incredible depth and very difficult to pass over for that which is on the West part is threescore Furlongs large and endeth at the Lake Asphaltites on which side Machaeron hath a very high Prospect and it is environed on the North and South with Valleys of the like depth whereby it is impossible to win the Castle but that Valley which is on the East side is at least a hundred Cubits deep and endeth upon a Mountain near Macheron Alexander King of the Jews seeing the Nature of the place there built a Castle which afterward Gabinius in the War against Aristobulas destroyed But Herod when he was King Herod environeth Machaâ—ron with a great Wall and Tower judged this place worthy to
peril to be destroyed these two men delivered Alexandria from Civil War But Appion saith that C after this Onias came and brought a little Army into the City at such time as Termus the Roman Embassadour was there present True it is and that Fact of his was most just For Ptolomeus Physcon after the death of his Father Ptolomeus Philometor 5 Ptolomeus Physcon ceased to persecute the Jews coming out of Cyrene endeavoured to expel Queen Cleopatra and the Kings Sons to the end that he contrary to all justice might possess the Kingdom and this was the cause why Onias took Armes against him in Cleopatra's behalf not forsaking his fidelity unto Kings in the time of necessity yet God himself did manifestly witness his justice in this action For when Ptolomeus Physcon presumed to fight against Onias his Army and took all the Jews their Wives and Children that were in the City and bound them D and stripping them naked cast them before Elephants to be destroyed and to the intent that the Elephants might the rather tread upon them made the said Beasts drunken all which fell out contrary to his expectation for the Elephants forsaking the Jews which were cast before them fell upon Ptolomeus his friends that stood by and slew many of them which done there appeared unto Ptolomeus a most horrible Vision forbidding him to harm the Jews and his chiefest and best beloved Concubine also whom some call Ithaca others Herene came unto him and besought him to abstain from such impiety whereupon he being sorry did penance for that he had already committed and that which he thought to commit So that the Jews of Alexandria celebrate this day in remembrance that upon it God did manifestly deliver them E yet Appion who speaketh well of no man accuseth the Jews of impiety for bearing Arms against Physcon whereas indeed he ought rather to have commended them for it But Appion extolleth Cleopatra the last Queen of Alexandria Of Cleopatra the last Queen of Alexandria only for that she was unjust and ingrateful unto us when he rather ought to have reproved her in whom all Impiety and wickedness reigned both concerning her own kindred and her husbands who loved her and also generally against all the Romans and the Emperours his Benefactors She kill'd her own sister Arsenoe in the Temple who had not any ways offended her she also treacherously slew her own Brother and destroyed her Ancestors gods and sepulchres and receiving the Kingdom from the first Cesars gift she ingratefully F rebelled against his Son and Successor and infecting Antony with her poysoned drinks and amarous inchantments she made him rebel against his Country and to be unconstant unto his own friends depriving some of Kingly dignity and compelling others to be Instruments of her impiety What else shall we say of her Antony the husband of Cleopatra who in the Battel by Sea forced Antonius her own husband who also had many children by her to yeild himself the Empire and Army unto her and become one of her followers Lastly when Alexandria was taken by Cesar she was so cruelly minded that not remembring her own estate she accounted it her safety with her own hand to kill the Jews that she might be cruel and perfidious to every body G Is it not a glory think you to us that as Appion reporteth in time of dearth and famine wheat was so plentiful in Jury that it was not sold by measure But Cleopatra was punished as she deserved And we call great Caesar himself to witness of our H fidelity and the service we did him against the Egyptians the Senate also and their Decrees and the Writings of Augustus Caesar wherein our deserts are testifi'd These Letters Appion ought to have read and to have examined all Testimonies of us which were left first by Alexander and then by all the Ptolomies and what the Senate of Rome decreed and the mighty Emperours And if so be Germanicus could not get corn to suffice all the Inhabitants of Alexandria that was a token of scarcity and death and not the Jews fault For what all Emperours thought of the Alexandrian Jews it is manifest enough for the Jews want of Corn was not only left unsupplied but also the want of other Alexandrians The Jews have been always trusty to their Prince But they have alwayes kept that wherewith the ancient Princes did put them in trust to wit the keeping of the River and whole Country as I not being thought unfit for their purposes But Appion thus urgeth us If saith he the Jews be Citizens how hap they worship not the same God nor have the same Religion with the rest of the Alexandrians To whom I thus answer The Egyptians do worship Beasts not agreeable to mans nature How hapneth that you Egyptians do so contend and war one against another only for diversity of Religion Shall we hereupon conclude that you are all Egyptians or not all men because you worship and with great diligence nourish Beasts against nature Yet our Nation seemeth one and the same It therefore amongst you Egyptians such difference of Opinions be why dost thou so marvel at this that we in a strange place to wit at Alexandria do constantly persevere in our first Religion But he saith that we are the cause of all Sedition The discord of the Jews and the Alexandrians in Religion which suppose he speak true of the Jews of Alexandria K yet are not all Jews in all places the cause of Sedition for we are known to be peaceable amongst our selves But indeed as every one may perceive the People like Appion himself are Authors of Sedition in Alexandria For whilst the Greeks and Macedonians held Alexandria they and we lived peaceably together and they permitted us quietly to use our own Solemnities The cause of their discord but when the number of Egyptians encreased by confusion of time Sedition also by their means encreased But our Nation remained unmixed Appion's fiction touching the Jews being Authors of sedition at Alexandria is confuted They therefore were Authors of those troubles not having the Government of the Macedonians not the wisdom of the Greeks but using their Egyptian manners and renewing their old hatred against us and that wherewithal they hit us in the teeth befallen them for most of them not having the priviledges of the City themselves call L us strangers that have them For none of the ancient Kings bestowed the liberty of the City upon the Egyptians neither have any of the Emperors of Rome bestowed the priviledge But Alexander himself brought us into the City the Kings after him encreased more priviledges and it hath pleased the Roman Emperour to ratifie and confirm them But Appion upbraids us for not erecting Statues to the Emperours as though the Emperours knew not hereof The Romans magnanimity towards the Jews or that they needed Appion
his parents next after God and commandeth that those Children that do not shew themselves grateful unto them The honour due to Parents or in any thing do grieve them that they should be stoned to death It also commandeth all young men to reverence old Men because God is Elder to us all It permitteth not friends to conceal any impiety for God is not their friend who doth not disclose them And if friends fall out that do know one anothers secrets yet they are commanded not to bewray them If any Judge take a bribe he is to be punished with death for omitting Justice and assisting the guilty Against theft and usury No man must take any thing away that he himself placed not and no man must take that which is not his own No man for lending must take usury M and many such like things our Law commandeth concerning cause of Communion between us and others It is also not amiss to recount how our Law-maker provided for the entertaining of strangers amongst us For he seemeth so to have provided that to our knowledge we neither corrupt our own Laws nor deny to impart them to others but he entertaineth all liberally that will come and live under our Laws judging the community of mans life not so much to consist in the Nation whereof we come as in the unity of our minds and conversation He forbiddeth others that are strangers and come not with that intent to be admitted to our solemnities yet he commanded us to exhibit unto them all other things necessary and that we should give unto all men fire water meat and bury N them being dead He hath also most mildly determined how we ought to deal with our Enemies that we neither destroy their Country with fire nor cut down their Fruit-trees We are also forbidden to rob and spoil those that are slain in fight and deal injuriously with our Captives How we ought to 〈…〉 Enemies and especially if they be Women yea he so endeavoured to teach us humanity and mildness that he provided that we use even unreasonable beasts courteously and only employ them to serve our lawful need and no further for he forbiddeth us to kill any tame thing bred in houses and that we should not kill the old birds and their young together and because many wild Beasts enemies to mankind do assist us in our labours he commanded to spare them also And in every point he O established humanity and mildness amongst us using as is beforesaid Laws to direct A us therein enacting also other how they who infringe the foresaid Laws may be with all severity punished For the punishment allotted to the violaters hereof is for the most part death As if any man commit Alultery ravish a Virgin use the sin against nature with another or suffer himself to be so abused We also have Laws concerning our Servants A repetition of the precepts of the Law and our Measures and Weights and unlawful bargains and sales or deceit if either one take any thing that is another mans or which is not his own all these are to be punished not as other Nations punish them but much more grievously But whosoever either injureth his Parents or committeth impiety against God he shall presently be destroyed But they that observe this Law are rewarded not with gold or silver nor with a Crown beset with precious stone but B every one having his Conscience to witness doth greatly profit and gain Eternity as both our Law-maker prophesieth and God himself doth most assuredly promise to them that observe them The reward of such as keep the Law And if it chance that we be forced to suffer death for them yet do we joyfully go to execution nothing doubting but that we shall so exchange this Life for a better I should be loth to report this if our deeds did not make it manifest for many of our forefathers only for that they refused to speak against our Laws or otherwise than our Laws permitted have most manfully and constantly endured all torments and death it self If our Nation were unknown to all the world and that this our voluntary observaâ—ion C of our Laws were not manifest to all the people if any man should report unto the Greeks that either he had read this which I have declared or else that he had found People in a strange Land such as we be having so pious and honest opinions concerning God and who had for many ages persevered therein I doubt not but they would all admire and wonder hereat considering the great mutability amongst themselves To be short The continuance of the Laws amongst the Jews there are some who stick not to deride them who have lately written of the Government of Common wealths and Laws as though they had written things fabulous and altogether impossible And to speak nothing of other Philosophers who have written of this Argument that divine Plato amongst the Greeks a man who in honest life Plato admired amongst the Greeks virtuous speech and sound Philosophy excelled all others this man is D almost continually scoffed at by them who in their own conceit are skilful in civil affairs and brought in to their Comedies Whereas whosoever considereth his Writings with diligence shall often and easily find matter agreeable with most mens manners yea this Plato himself confesseth that he dare not by reason of the common peoples ignorance set down the true opinion of God But many think Plato's words full of vanity Lycurgus the Law-mâ—ker amongst the Lacedemonians and licentiousness and admire Lycurgus and the City of Sparta for that it so long time persevered in his Laws It is therefore an evident demonstration of Virtue to remain in their Laws But if those who so admire the Lacedemonians do compare them with us and the time during the which their Laws were in force with the time of our Common-wealth they shall find that ours hath E continued more than two thousand years They shall also find that the Lacedemonians did only perfectly observe their Laws during such time as they were in prosperity and liberty and that when their Fortune changed they then became unmindful of their Laws But we who have felt many thousand mis-haps by reason of the often change of Princes in Asia have not in these our last miseries and evils forsaken our Law Neither can any man say that liberty and licentious Life is the cause why we so diligently observe them The Jews compared with the Lacedemonians seeing that whoso please may see sufficient proof that they tye us to more strict Life and laborious than those of the Lacedemonians did them For they neither tilled the Earth nor used any handy-craft but ceasing from all labours and pains-taking F lived in their City fat and in fair liking having both their meat and all other necessaries provided and prepared for them by others
also some are desolate others newly erected as men please Whereas contrariwise they ought most constantly to keep their opinion of God and his Religion Apollonius Molon was one of these proud Fools but those Grecians that followed the B true Philosophy were not ignorant of what I have said of the Nature and Essence of God but agreed with us in our Opinions and laughed at these ridiculous Fictions Which Plato well seeing Plato decreed that no Poet should be permitted in a Common-wealth affirmeth that Poets are not to be permitted in a Common-wealth and sendeth Homer away very honourably crowned and anointed lest that he with his Fables should destroy or deprave the true opinion of God For Plato of all others especially imitated our Law-maker as he did herein also commanding his Citizens that all of them should perfectly learn his Laws and that for no casualty any strange forreign Custom should be admitted into their City but that their Common-wealth should be pure and they persist in the observation of their Laws But Apollonius Molon not respecting this inveigheth against us for not receiving into our society C men of strange opinions in Religion whereas not only we do so but commonly all Greeks yea and the most prudent amongst them The Lacedemonians expelled all strangers The Lacedemonians did expel all strangers and did not permit their Citizens to travel into other Countries fearing that both wayes their Laws might be corrupted They therefore are to be spoken against rather than we seeing they neither admit strangers to converse with them nor to inhabit amongst them nor impart their Religion unto them but we though not desirous to learn the Religion of other Nations yet do we not deny to impart ours to strangers who desire to embrace it which if I be not deceived is a token of magnanimity and clemency in us but this shall suffice concerning the Lacedemonians D Apollonius was ignorant how matters stood with the Athenians The Athenians manners who boast that their City was free to all Nations But they did most severely and without all mercy punish those that did but speak any word against their God For what was the cause of Socrates his death he neither betrayed the City to Enemies nor destroyed their Temples but only swore by a strange Oath which as he said whether in jest or in earnest a Devil taught him and for this offence he was put to death by drinking Hemlock his Accusers alledging that he corrupted young men and contemned the Laws and Religion of his Country Socrates a Citizen of Athens Anaxagoras And this Socrates sustained being a Citizen of Athens Anaxagoras was of Clazomenia and for that he affirmed the Sun which the Athenians worshipped for God to be a fiery stone he was by the sentence of some few condemned E to dye They also proclaimed that whosoever would kill Diagoras of Melus should be rewarded with a talent for his labour A talent is 600 Crowns only for that this Diagoras was said to deride their mysteries Protagoras also had been by them taken and put to death had he not escaped only for that they supposed him to have written certain doubts of the Athenian gods And what wonder is it that they used their men at this rate when they practised the same cruelty upon their Women one of their she Priests being put to death for worshiping a strange God their Laws appointing that who ever brought a strange God into their City should be punished with death It is therefore evident that they who enacted such strait Laws believed not the gods of other Nations for had they believed in them they would not have deprived themselves of the benefit of many F gods The very Scythians who delighted in man slaughter so much The Scythians that they very little differed from bruit Beasts yet did they think themselves bound to maintain their own Laws as best so that they slew Anacharsis a famous Greek that came unto them only for that he seemed to attribute too much unto the Grecian gods yea thou mayest find many among the Persians who for this cause have been tortured And it is evident that Apollonius approved the Persian Laws The Persians manners for when the Greeks admired their fortitude and concord of opinions concerning God I mean the fortitude they shewed at the burning of their Temples this Apollonius in all things imitated the Persians violating other mens Wives and putting out their Childrens Eyes whereas our Laws adjudg him G to death that so useth unreasonable beasts And neither the fear and terrour of Potentates nor the favour of them whom all men reverence could ever cause us to forsake or abandon these Laws The Jews constancy in their Laws neither do we exercise fortitude to deprive other men of their H goods and fortunes by War but to keep our own Laws and we who patiently put up all other injury yet if any man do in our Religion provoke us we presently seek revenge not respecting our own ability yea though thereby we work our own utter ruine and calamity What therefore should move us to imitate the Laws of other Nations when they that made those Laws yea even the Law-makers themselves did transgress them or how can the Lacedemonians avoid reproach for their inhospitality and neglecting marriage Against the Law-makers of the Gentiles Or the Elians and Thebans for accompanying with men contrary to the Law of Nature which fact most shameful they deemed good and necessary Yea not content to do so themselves they also ascribed the like unto their gods to be done by them which the Greeks also now of late have done and for this cause they I refused to marry with their own Women judging their satisfaction to be contrary to the prescript of Nature The injustice of Law-makers But I will speak no more of punishment neither how great malefactors those first Law-makers freed from punishment being bribed with money and how unjust they were in the Laws appertaining to Wedlock It is long to examine what great occasions of Impiety they gave For many have already long ago forsaken their Laws The Jews strict observation of the Law which cannot be said of us who for our Laws have suffered loss of our Cities Fortunes and Lives we keeping and persisting in our Laws even unto death and if any Jew be in a strange Country where there is a Tyrant King yet doth not he so fear him that he would for his command in any jot transgress our Laws If therefore we do valorously endure thus much for our Laws all men must needs K grant our Laws to be very good But if they say we suffer all these Calamities to maintain wicked or naughty Laws what punishment are they not worthy of who having as they say better Laws than we do so easily forsake them whereas we do maintain ours even with our Lives
tormenting art tormented and F almost consumed thy wrath and fury being almost spent upon me in vain thou shalt not escape the day of judgment eternal torments are there prepared for thee which neither thy profane mind is able to endure nor thy great power to decline thy sinful Soul being condemned to eternal punishments Thus remaining constant in his faith and animated by his brothers example be departed to Heaven Then Machir Machir the third brother is brought the third son was brought whom all men now pitied for the death of his two brethren and many exhorted him by his Brothers examples to desist from his Opinion and so avoid punishment but he being angry hereat replyed One Father begot us one Mother bare us one Master instructed us we are all of one mind and all like affected do therefore no longer prolong the time in vain I came hither to suffer and not to G speak use all your tyranny possible against this body for you have no power at all over my Soul The Tyrant hereat moved to see this third nothing relent by his brothers death devised H more cruelty than humane wit alone could invent Wherefore he commanded a Globe to be brought and tyed the holy Martyr about it in such sort that all his bones were set out of joynt and displaced whereat the holy Martyr was nothing dismai'd The skin also of his head and face was pull'd off and then he was put on the Wheel but he could not be rackt any worse for that his bones were all displaced and did hang one separated from another in most pitiful manner and when the blood issued from him abundantly he was deprived of the use of his hands and feet but perceiving his life to be spent he spake thus and dyed We O Tyrant endure this Torment for the love of God and thou the Author of such unjust cruelty shalt suffer everlasting pain Then his tongue being cut out of his mouth he was put into a frying pan and so I amidst those torments yielded up the Ghost Next after followed Judas the fourth brother whom all the people perswaded and entreated to obey the King Judas the 4. brother is brought but he contemning their prayers and exhortations said thus with all constancy Your fire shall neither separate nor sever me from the Law of God nor from my brethern who instead of this mortal life enjoy life everlasting I denounce unto thee O Tyrant destruction and overthrow but to such as believe salvation make tryal of me therefore thou cruel wretch and see if God will forsake me who hath with open and stretched out Armes received my three brethren which are gone before me and whom the womb of so holy a Mother at several times brought forth unto glory The cruel Tyrant hearing this was much moved and from his Chair leapt down to K torment this Martyr himself and in his fury commanded his tongue to be cut forth but he hereat not terrified said to Antiochus This cruelty will nothing avail thee neither shalt thou hereby Tyrant as thou supposest conquer me Our Gods needs not by voice to be awakned but rather by secret cogitation to be prayed unto to help his servants be provideth for them that hold their peace and heareth the prayers of such as do call upon him if they deserve to be heard and only requireth purity of Soul For our God knoweth all things before we ask and before we our selves enter into cogitation thereof he understandeth our necessity cut out my tongue thou canst not cut out my mind while my life remaineth Those prayers which by it I have uttered to Almighty God have taught it to suffer would God thou wouldst so sanctifie all parts of my body by punishing them L for thou therein inflictest punishment on thy self and reward upon me and think not that thou shalt thus escape long unpunished When he had thus spoken his tongue was cut out of his mouth and he bound to a stake and there he was beaten with ropes ends and he did patiently endure this notwithstanding the colour of his face became dead and wan Being loosed from thence he was put upon the wheel The death of the 4. brother Achas the 5. brother presenteth himself to torments before he was called and then praying for his Country-men he by death went unto the rest of his brethren Then Achas the fifth brother before he was haled to torments spake in this manner Behold thou Tyrant I come to be punished before thou command me hope not therefore any jot to alter his mind who as thou seest desireth to be tormented The blood of my M four innocent brethren which thou hast shed hath condemned thee to Hell-fire I am to make them up the number of five that by it thy pains may be encreased Tell me bloody wretch for what offence by us committed doest thou thus punish us for what impiety doest thou so persecute us what villany have we commited what wickedness what naughtiness have we attempted This is all that thou canst alledge against us that we honour God our Creator and live justly in obedience of his Laws and therefore do not esteem thy punishments but they are to us honour and Salvation and not punishment we shall be greatly rewarded by God if no part of us be left free from torment Whilest thus he spake his executioners by the Kings command took him and cast him into a brazen pot and he was prest down in it his head to his feet and afterward he suffered N all other torments which his brethren had endured yet not amazed hereat he suddenly started up and thus bitterly inveighed against the Tyrant Cruel Tyrant how great benefits dost thou against thy will bestow upon us yea the more thou art incensed against us the more acceptable to God shalt thou make us yea I should be sorry if thou shewdest mercy upon me This short affliction gaineth us life everlasting if this temporal death should not betide me everlasting life could not befall me And thus he finisht his Agony and dyed Then the tormenters laid hands upon the sixth brother who was called Areth to whom the Tyrant made offer either of honour or punishment but he disdaining his offer said Although Tyrant I be younger in years than my martyred brethren yet my constancy O of mind to theirs is not inferiour for we were all nourisht up together all together instructed A and we will all dy together in the fear of God Hasten therefore your torments and that time which thou wouldest spend in exhorting me spend it in devising tortures for me Antiochus hereat confounded commanded him to be bound to a Pillar with his head hanging down The valour of the sixth brother in such wise as the defluxion of humours might cause ach and this done he caused a fire to be made so far off him that it could not burn him but rost him
He also commanded him as he hung to be pricked with awls that so the heat might pierce into the holes they made in his flesh Whilst thus he was tormented much blood like froth gathered about his head and face and he then spake in this manner O noble fight O valiant War O strife between piety and impiety These men have past their Agonies whose Crown of Martyrdom is the punishment of their persecutors I do most willingly B follow my brethren that as by blood I am conjoyned unto them so by death I may not be separated from them Devise O Tyrant some new Torment for these I have already overcome O master of cruelty Enemy of piety persecuter of justice we six Brethren have conquered the Kings power and what his Kingdom or the whole world could afford Thy fire is cold and heateth not The sixth brother sharply reproves Antiochus and the Kings weapons are bended and blunted in our bodies our God giveth us more courage to suffer than thou hast to punish and so the precept of God remaineth firm in us And as he thus spake one took hold of his tongue with a hot pair of tongs and so with the same torments that his brethren had suffered being fryed in a pan he gave up the Ghost C Six of the Brethren being now dead by diversity of torments only one of the seven remained alive with his mother named Jacob younger in year but not in constancy of mind than the rest of his brethren He presenting himself before the Tyrant moved him to compassion both for that he was left alone and the last of his brethren and also that he was to perish wherefore he called the child unto him and into a place where no instruments of torments were Jacob the seventh brother brought to torments and taking him by the hand he said thus unto him hoping to win him by fair speeches By thy brethrens calamity thou now well hast learned what is prepared for thee if thou disobey me deliver thy self therefore from these torments and I will give thee what honour my kingdom can afford thou shalt be a Magistrate and General of my Army and one of my Counsellors D But perceiving himself not to prevail he caused the young man's Mother to be called unto him who coming and standing near her Son the Tyrant said thus unto her Where are now O worthy woman all thy Children Behold of such a number if thou please the destiny affords thee one advise therefore thy Child and mollifie his obstinate mind by wholsom counsel The Mother having heard what the King said made her reverence to the King which done that the King might not understand her she spake in Hebrew to her Child as followeth Pitty thy Mother O son and comfort thy sorrowfull Mother who bare thee nine months in my E womb and gave thee suck three years and with great industry have brought thee up to this age I pray thee dear son consider the Heaven and Earth and all that in them is and know that God created them all of nothing who also of nothing created Mankind Fear not this Ethnick's pains and torments but imitate thy brethren and contemn death that in the day of mercy I may receive thee and thy brethen again in Heaven As his mother thus admonished him he in the Hebrew tongue requested to be unbound for that he had a secret to disclose to the King who being unfettered he presently ran to the torments prepared for there was a Frying-pan red hot that was prepared for such as were to suffer unto the which the Child coming remembring his brethren and beholding also the King he said unto him Cruel tyrant I now know thee not only to have been cruel against my brethren but even cruelty it self Wretch that thou F art who gave thee this purple and who exalted thee to this Kingdom and dignity even he whom thou in us dost persecute whose servants and worshippers thou killest and tormentest for which thy wickedness thy self shall suffer eternal fire and torments which shall have no end Thou art of higher dignity and authority in this world than other men yet he that made other men made thee also of the same nature that they are for all men are born and must die alike He that kills another sheweth that he himself may be killed thou tearest and tormentest thy own picture and image in vain thou in thy fury killest him whom not long since God created like thy self and according to the same law thou thinkest all lawful which thy Kingly power can command thou pullest out our tongues and tearest our bodies with flesh-books and consumest with fire but they who have already suffered this have received everlasting G joy for their reward and thou shalt answer for all the punishments inflicted upon them Think not that I expect any favour at thy hands I will follow my brethren and remain constant H in our Law The Tyrant hearing this was wroth and caused him to be tormented but his Mother in his torment comforted him and with her kind hands held his head when with violence of the tortures blood issued out of his mouth nose and privy parts the tormentors not ceasing till life in him was almost spent but they by Gods appointment gave over and so he took strength again to endure more than any of his brethren had done at last his Hands and Arms being cut off he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and cryed O Adonai O Sabaor be mercifull unto me and receive me into the company of my brethren The death of the youngest brother let thy wrath now cease and grant them mercy who by us do make intercession to thee Having said thus his tongue being pulled out he of his own accord went into the fiery I Frying pan and so to the great admiration of Antiochus died Behold how evident it is that reason can rule our affections seeing that Children hereby shewed more constancy Reason Mistress of our affection than the Tyrant could shew cruelty For it was reason's force that wrought in them that determination to suffer all torments rather than to forsake the way of Salvation These constant young men do fitly resemble inexpugnable Towers and them who after a great tempest and shipwrak do safely enter the harbour of Salvation A similitude of the waves who guiding their course amidst the boysâ—etous waves at last obtain the wished shore For every one of them strengthened the other by advice and good counsel The seven brethren exhort one another to suffer death manfully and none of them was so effeminate as to decline his Martyrdom None used delay herein but K one followed anothers example Let us therefore dy for our Law and imitate the three Children whom the Asyrians fury condemned to the fiery Furnace whose patience spread their fame even unto Heaven Whilst thus one of them exhorted the other
to manage the Helm It is your office to look to the good conduct of this incomparable vessel fraughted with the welfare of all mankind and as so noble an office is aboue all estimation you ought not to take pleasure in any thing so much as in rendring so many Nations as are under your dominion happy by your benefits 'T is true they may be oblig'd by particular persons but it is from their Prince only they are to expect L this excellent conduct by which he showrs down his bounty upon them with full hands reserving only such things as in prudence are necessary for the remedying of such accidents as cannot be foreseen Thus it was that this unfortunate Counsellor advis'd Caius with designe to have made him better But his wicked nature turned his remedies into poison made a mock of his counsel and became much worse in so much as when Macro came towards him one time he said to those who were then about him Do you see that impertinent Schoolmaster that ridiculous Pedagogue he would take upon him to give instructions not only to a Child but to a person wiser than himself He prates as if a subject was to command an Emperour and an Emperour that is not ignorant in the art of Governing and he M believes himself excellent in that science But I would fain know where he learned it For my part I was brought up to it from my Cradle receiving continual instructions from my Father Brothers Uncles Cousins Grand-Father Great-Grand-Father and many other great Princes from whom I am descended both by the Father and Mother without so much as mentioning the seeds of vertue which Nature mingles with the blood of those she designs shall command For by the same reason as Children are observed to resemble their Parents not only in the lineaments of their face and the qualities of their mind but in their very gestures inclinations and actions by the same reason those who proceed from a Race accustomed to dominion do receive with their existence a disposition that makes them capable of all the impressions necessary for the formation of a great Prince I therefore may say that when my Mother N carried me in her womb and even before I was brought into the World I was instructed in the art of Governing and yet a private person whose thoughts have nothing in them that is noble and sublime has the confidence to give me Counsel in the Conduct and Regiment of my Empire which to him is an impenetrable mystery In this manner Caius conceiv'd every day more and more aversion to Macro endeavouring to charge him with false crimes but such as might at least carry in them some appearance of truth and of this sort he believed he had found one by these words which fell from Macro upon a time The Emperour is of my making and has no less obligation to me than to those who brought him into the World Three times by my prayers and contrivances have I rescued him from the O fury of Tiberius who would have put him to death and when Tiberius who would have A put him to death and when Tiberius dyed I caus'd him to be declared Emperour by the Guards which were under my Command remonstrating and inculcating to them that the only way to keep the Empire entire was to pay obedience but to one person Many people approved this discourse in Macro as knowing it was true and not yet understanding the inconstancy and dissimulation of Caius But not many days after the unfortunate Macro and his wife were put to death which was all the recompence that the ingratitude of Caius afforded to the fidelity of his servant for having secur'd him against death and advanc'd him to the Empire Some say Macro was compelled to kill himself and that his wife did the same though it was more than suspected Caius B had been kinder to her formerly But what is more unconstant than love by reason of the frequent exceptions and disgusts that happen where the affection is irregular Nay so insatiable was the cruelty of Caius that he put to death the whole family of Macro leaving not so much as one of his Servants alive CHAP. V. Caius caused his Father in Law Marcus Syllanus to be slain for giving him wise Counsel and the Murder of him was followed by the Execution C of several others WHEN this perfideous Prince had in this manner quitted himself of his Competitor in the Empire and of a person to whom he ought both his authority and life there was a third design that remained to be executed to the perpetration of which he imploy'd his utmost address His Father in Law Marcus Syllanus who was a person of great Generosity and of illustrious extraction after the death of his Daughter who died very young continued to Caius the affection of an own Father rather than of a Father in Law believing that though the D Princess was dead he could not but have the same sentiments for him Upon this score he spake to him with great liberty about the measures which he was to take by his actions to answer the hopes which were conceived of him But Caius being so vain an Opiniaster that instead of owning or mending his faults he flattered himself with a Fancy that he was excellent in all kinds of virtues look'd upon those as his Enemies who gave him good counsel he perverted the good Counsel of Syllanus reputed it an insolence grew insupportable towards him and could not endure any longer to have him an impediment to the irregularity of his passions After this he banish'd as well out of his thoughts as his heart the remembrance of his wife and by more than barbarous Cruelty caused him to be put to death for Treason from whom she had received life and who ought to have been respected by him as an own Father The noise of E this murder which was followed by the execution of several others the most considerable in the Empire was spred all over the World every body spake of it with horrour but in private their fear obstructing the publication of their resentment Nevertheless the people being easily deluded and not without difficulty to be perswaded that a Prince who had appeared so good and so gentle should be so suddenly changed it was said in his excuse That as to the death of the young Tiberius the Soveraign power could not admit of a Partner That he was only prevented by Caius for if his age would have permitted he would have treated him in the same manner That it was perhaps by the Providence of God and for the benefit of the whole World that Tiberius lost his life to secure the Empire from Civil and Forreign Wars which would have devided into factions F by the several great persons who would have espoused the interest both of the one and the other That nothing is more disirable than peace That
gave to him There was a person named Isidorus a great and dangerous Calumniator who perceiving Caius to be infinitely well pleased with his Flatteries and Cajolments said to him Sir You would abhor these people much more and those who sent them did you know their malice against you They are the only People who refuse to offer Sacrifice for your safety and generally the whole Nation is guilty of the same stubbornness At which words we were not able to contein but cryed out that it was false for we sacrificed Hecatombs to that purpose and having washt our Altars with the blood of our Victims we did not devour the flesh B our selves like several other Nations but burned all together in that sacred fire and this we have done more than once or twice for we did it three times First upon your advancement to the Throne Next when you recovered of your great fit of sickness which was an affliction to the whole World And the third time when we made it our solemn prayer to God Almighty to give you success in your Enterprizes in Germany 'T is true the furious Emperour reply'd you offered Sacrifices but it was to another not to me and therefore What honour did I receive by it We could perceive at those horrid words our blood to freeze in our veins In the mean time Caius passed from one appartment to another finding fault where any thing was amiss and giving order how it should be mended We followed him jostled C and derided by our Adversaries who abus'd and mock'd us like Mimicks on a Stage and indeed our whole negotiation might have passed for a Comedy having nothing in it but appearance of Truth For he who ought to have been our Judge was our Accuser and our own party animated him against us Having him therefore for an Enemy and such an Enemy what could we do but be silent And being silent is a kind of defence especially where nothing can be said that would have been pleasing to him and the fear of his violence upon our Laws had shut up our mouths When he had given direction about his buildings he demanded seriously and with great gravity of us Why we were so scrupulous in eating of Hogs-flesh Upon which our Adversaries to Cajole him with their flatteries fell out into so immoderate and undecent D a laughter that some of the Prince's Officers which were about him could scarce brook so great disrespect and it was so much the greater by how much his humor was such there was not any but his Privado's and Intimates that could without danger take the liberty upon them of but smiling in his presence We replyed most humbly to the Emperour That the Customs of People were different and that as among us there were some things forbidden so there were others prohibited to other Nations And one of our Company instancing in those who eat no Lamb the Emperour laught reply'd They have no reason for the flesh is not good These raileries augmented our trouble very much but at length in some kind of heat he asked us upon what grounds we founded our freedom We began to lay before him our grounds and he foreseeing E well that they would be reasonable and that we had many more to corroborate them he rose up on a suddain and ran into a great Chamber causing his servants to shut the Windows whose glass was contrived so as to let in the Light but keep out the Wind and was as clear as Chrystal We followed and he came to us again and demanded of us very moderately what we had more to say We would have gone on with our Reasons but in stead of hearing them he ran again in great speed into another Hall where he had commanded several ancient Pictures to be brought for him to see so that finding our selves so often interrupted in our affairs and in such different manner supposing we were to expect nothing but death we addressed our selves in our extremity to the true for protection against the counterfeit God and it pleas'd him to F have compassion on us and by his infinite goodness to moderate the fury of Caius who commanded us to withdraw and went away himself only saying to those who were next him These People are not so bad as unfortunate and besotted not to believe me to be of Divine nature In this manner we departed not only from his Judgment but from his Theater and Prison for what was it but a Theater where we were laughed at and derided And the rigors of a Prison are they comparable to the torments we endured from so many Blasphemies against God and so many Menaces from an enraged Tyrant against us Because ours forsooth was the only Nation that obstructed his being owned for a God G Upon this we desisted and respited for a while not out of love to our Lives for could our death have been servicable to the conservation of our Laws we would have embrac'd it with joy as conducting us to a happy Eternity But because besides this it would H have been destructive to our Laws and offensive to those who sent us for as much as the management of such things are usually judged by their success we comforted our selves in some measure that we had escaped such a danger yet not without continuing in great apprehensions what judgment the Emperour would give For how could he be informed of the Equity of our Cause when he vouchsafed not so much as to hear us And what could be more cruel than to see the safety of our whole Nation depend upon the manner after which we five who were Embassadors should be treated For if Caius should declare in favour of the Alexandrians what other Town would let the Jews live in quiet What other Town would forbear them What other would not destroy their Oratories What other would not refuse them the Exercise of their Religion I So that the abolition of all their Priviledges and the entire Ruine of the whole Nation were before us and the thoughts of them overwhelmed us with sorrow and the more because we could see no resort nor refuge from our miseries For those who before seemed to favour our Affairs began now to despair of our safety and retired not daring to assist us any farther though we sent to importune them so little expectation had they of Bounty or Justice from a Man who would make himself a God FINIS THE TABLE The TABLE of the CHAPTERS IN THE Embassie of PHILO TO THE Emperour CAIUS CALIGULA THE Preface of Philo upon the blindness of Man and the incomprehensible grandeur of God Pag. 828 CHAP. I. In what Incredible felicity the People lived the first seven months in the Reign of Caius Caligula pag. 829 CHAP. II. The Emperour Caius having Reigned but seven Months falls into a desperate fit of sickness The marvelous affliction that all the Provinces exprest for it and their inexpressible
Father 104. I. dies 128. O. Eleazar kills an Elephant 322. D. slain 558. N. Eleazar upbraideth Hircanus 348. E. Eleazar an arch thief surprized 620. K. Eleazar exerciseth cruelty 619. C. Eleazar one of the Zealous 690. L. causeth the Idumaeans to be sent for ibid. L. Eleazar kills himself 704. K. Eleazar taken 768. M. whipt ibid. exhorts the Jews to submit 768. O. Eleazar Captain of the Sicarians 771. C. besieged in Massada 772. A. shews the Romans tyranny 776. H. Eleazar brought to Antiochus 817. F. whipt 818. M. his answer to Antiochus 818. I. his death 819. A. B. Election of a King 113. B. C. Eli High Priest 142. L. had wicked sons 143. E. his and their end foretold 144. L. hearing of the Ark lost died 145. B. Genealogy 145. C. Eliab a Workman of the Tabernacle 80. L. 89. C. Elias fed by Crows 226. C. entertained by the widow of Sareptha ibid. D. restores the widows son ibid. G. prophesieth rain to Achab 228. B. reproveth the superstition of the people 227. L. confirms his doctrine and slays Baals Priests 228. A. B. flees from Jezabel ibid. B. prophesieth revenge to Achab and Jezabel 229. B. reproves Ochozias messengers 335. O. prayeth that fire consume his Captains 236. B. and foreshows his death ibid. B. is taken from men ibid. D. Elimelech goes to Moab and why 142. M. his and his sons death ibid. M. his heritage seized 143. D. E. Elizaeus calling 228. E. foretelleth of water and of victory 235. I. relieveth a poor widow and how 237. O. adviseth Joram to beware of Adad 238. A. B. discovereth his ambush ibid. B. leadeth the Syrians into Samaria 238. E. foretells plenty of victuals 239. L. also Adads death and Azaels cruelty 240. G. visited by Joas 247. H. foresheweth his treble victory ibid. I. his death and event thereof 247. I. K. Eloquence of Moses 67. B. 74. K. Embassadours of David abused 183. C. of Ezechiâ—s ill intreated 252. F. G. of Jonathan to Demetrius 337. K. of Herod 602. N. Embassadours to Pompey 363. E. Embassadours send to Joseph 12. K. 14. I. hope to get Tiberias 16. L. their false accusations 17. B. Embassage of Moses to the Idumaeans 103. E. to Sebon 104. L. Balacks to the Midianites 105. E. his and their first and second to Balaam ibid. E. Embassage of the nine Tribes to the other two 127. I. of the Galaadites to Saul 152. K. of the Syrians to Achab 229. L. Embassage of Balad 257. L. of the Jews 281. M. of the Jews to Rome 470. K. Emmor King of the Sichemites slain 49. C. Emperours of Rome why called Caesars 214. M. Emperours strife to be at peace with the Jews 729. C. 729. C. D. Empire of Rome in an uproar 705. D. Empire of the Persians 788. O. End of captivity 274. E. End of Antiochus Epiphan miserable 321. K. End of the Jews answerable to their lives 771. F. Engines 666. N. fired 666. N. 734. H. 740. M. Enemies of the Israelites to be destroyed 111. A. and why ibid. Enemies how to be used 810. O. Enemies to be buried 116. I. Endeavour of Agrippa c. 626. H. Enlargement of the Kingdom of Israel 248. G. Enneus Abrahams friend 37. F. Enoch son of Jared 31. C. taken up to God ibid. D. 236. D. Enos Cains first son 29. F. Enosa the first City builded 29. F. Enquiry for Jonathans kindred 182. N. Ensign of the Romans 662. M. N. Entertainment given to Antipater 599. D. to Vespasian at Rome 763. C. Enumeration of the Countries subjected to the Romans 626 N. 627. B. 628. I. Envy of the Serpent 28. L. of Abimelech 43. F. of Leas to Rachel 46. M. of her to Leas ibid N. of Josephs brethren 50. O. of the Egyptians towards the Israelites 62. M. of Saul against David 160. N. of Herodias 492. O. of John 640. M. Ephod 87. B. Ephraim son of Joseph 56. 1. Ephramites get Bethel 129. E. displeased with Jeptha are appeased 139. B. slain by Jeptha ibid. D. Epicrates sells Scythopolis c. 348. A. Epilogue of the Antiquities 542. N. Epitaphs 135. F. and 178. H. 260. D. Erection of the Tabernacle 81. B. Errour of Epicures confuted 273. O. Esay the Prophet 256. B. comforts Ezechias 256. B. foretold Senacheribs overthrow and death ibid. B. assureth Ezechias of life 257. I. K. foreshews the captivity ibid. M. Esau son of Isaac 43. E. called Seir and why ibid. E. foretold to be author of a Nation 43. E. his wives 44. I. went a hunting ibid. K. denied the blessing and why 44. N. foretold to be mighty yet his brothers vassal ibid. N. wept for loss of the blessing ibid. D. selleth his birth-right 50. L. Eschol Abrahams friend 37. F. Esdras the Lawyer 282. B. assembled the Jews in Babylon 283. E. repairs to Jerusalem c. 283. H. his prayers for the Levites 283. K. reads the Law 284. B. Esseans a sect 239. M. 477. E. 612. L. swear not 613. C. have their goods common 612. M. their religion and labour 613. A. in compassion and helping their choice 613. C. observe the Sabbath 616. H. live long ibid. I. they prophesie 610. M. their opinion of the soul 614. K. believe not the resurrection ibid. marriage 612. L. apparel 612. N. obey Governours 613. C. just 613. E. Essen what it is 87. C. D. Esther made Queen 287. H. resorteth to the King and why 289. I. accuseth Aman and why 290. F. Estate of Solomon declined and why 217. I. K. Ethnarch a Governour 610. I. Ethnicks punished and why 304. D. E. Eve created 28. I. tempted transgresseth ibid. L. her punishment 28. N. cast out of Paradise 29. A. her children ibid. B. Evening what 27. E. Event of the battel foretold 171. E. Event of battel changeth 746. I. Evilmerodach releaseth Jechonias 270. F. dies ibid. F. Evidence against Antipater 598. L. M. Eunuchs of what gift deprived 117. E. Euphrates a River of Paradise 28. K. called also Phora ibid. Euricles wins Herods favour 440. M. relates Alexanders words to Herod 441. B. 592. I. K. gets money by craft 441. B. 592. H. plays the Ambodexter 591. F. G. 592. H. I. Of Exactions a mitigation craved 405. B. C. denied ibid. Example to do evil 157. A. 221. C. Example of the Athenians c. 626. M. Excursions See Incursions Excuse of Davids absence 164. O. of Malchâ—s 574. H. of the two brethren 589. D. of Antipater 600. L. M. Execration of Saul 155. D. E. Exercise of the Romans 660. M. N. Exhortation of Moses to the people 71. F. 74. M. Exhortation to maintain liberty 511. N. to contemn death 775. B. Exhortation to be obedient to Gods will 110. K. Exhortation of Saul to War 152. M. Exhortation of Solomon to the people 212. C. of Azarias 214. M. of Josaphat to his Subjects 234. E. of Ezechias to the Priests 252. F. G. of Matthias to his Sons 316. A. of the Princes to the people 624. K. of Samuel to the
36. H. writ a Volume of Abraham ibid. K. Height of the Mountain Itaburium 682. M. Temple 208. M. Heirs of David 181. D. Helen Queen of Adiabena 928. L. repaireth to Jerusalem 530. K. Heliopolis appointed for Jacob 61. D. Help of God when most ready 71. O. Help of God to be sought for 74. O. Heraulds 118. H. Hercules his War 42. I. Herod made Governor of Galilee 372. B. executeth Ezechias 372. C. called in question ibid. F. 578. O. saveth himself by flight 373. K. killeth Malichus 370. O. 570. O. expelleth Antigonus out of Jewry 378. B. 571. C. marrieth Mariamme ibid. accused made Tetrarch 380. B. C. 571. F. assailed by the Parthians 382. A. fleeth to Malchâ—â— 383. K. made King 384. C. leadeth his Army against Antigonus 385. M. 571. C. his Proclamation 385. M. 575. E. overcometh the Galileans 386. D. 388. D. subdueth the Thieves 387. I. K. 576. M. repaireth to Antonius 391. K. wounded 388. G. besiegeth Jerusalem 389. K. hindreth the spoil of the City 391. I. bribeth Antonius ibid. L. preferreth his favourites 392. honoureth Hircaâ—â—â— 393. N. maketh Annuel High Priest 393. O. taketh the Priesthood from Ananel 395. I. contriveth Aristobulus's death 393. N. his counterfeit sorrow 396. E. goeth to Antony 39. C. committeth his Wife to Joseph c. ibid. C. D. E. instateth Cleopatra c. 399. C. levieth an Army 400. B. overcometh the Arabians 402. G. 582. K. dismayed at Antonies overthrow 403. M. practiseth Hircanus death 404. D. banisheth Antipater 585. F. repaireth to Caesar 405. K. his speech to Caesar ibid. entertaineth Caesar and his Army 406. B. incensed against Mariamme 407. I. against Pheroras 590. N. cometh to Jericho 576. I. takes Sephoris 576. L. his Buildings and works as Theaters 410. G. Castles 412. B. 414. G. 415. I. 415. L. 416. F. 417. H. H. 584. M. 585. A. distributeth Corn among the People 413. L. remits the third part of Tribute 417. H. sweareth the people 417. K. re-edifieth the Temple 418. A. B. c. saileth into Italy 422. L. giveth Wives to his Sons 422. O. his liberality 423. B. 424. G openeth Davids Sepulchre 433. B. crediteth all tales 436. I. weary of his life why 437. D. fortunate abroad and unfortunate at home 426. M. beheadeth Pappus 578. O. accuseth his Sons before Caesar 427. E. 428. I. K. 578. B. giveth ear to Accusers 441. A. B. accuseth his Sons 444. K. 593. D. strangleth them 594. K. accuseth Pheroras Wife 451. D. sendeth Antipater to Caesar 452. I. tortureth the Bond-Women 453. B. putteth away his Wife 454. K. calleth Antipater from Rome 454. M. 998. N. bringeth him in question 455. D. imprisoneth Antipater 458. â— maketh his Will 459. D. E. 467. I. certified of his Brothers death 578. H. commandeth the Nobles to be slain 460. N. his liberality 460. O. 579. G. bemoaneth his Sons 594. N. betrotheth his Nephews ibid. G. 595. I. loved Antipater above the rest 600. I. blotteth him out of his Testament 601. E. putteth him to death 603. A. his own death and burial 462. K. c. 603. D. Herod fortifieth Cities 478. I. buildeth Tiberias 478. N. Herod dismisseth Aretas Daughter 484. M. marrieth Herodias ibid. N. repaireth to Rome 493. C. accused and banished ibid. D. E. Herod created King of Chalcis 519. E. killeth Silas 524. F. his authority to create the High Priest 528. K. Herodias envieth Agrippa 492. O. banished 493. E. Herodian a Castle 573. D. 585. A. High Priests Ornaments 871. B. c. garment 721. High Priest since Sadoc 265. M. Hill of witness 48. I. Hiraâ— his League 179. D. his Ambassadors to Solomon 206. N. promiseth him Wood 207. B. receiveth great quantity of Wheat 117. D. ibid. proposeth hard questions 213. F. Hircanus High Priest 334. G. besiegeth Ptolomy ibid. maketh peace with Antiochus 345. M. taketh Money out of Davids Mounument ibid. N. surprizeth Cities of Syria 346. C. conquereth the Idumeans ibid O. besiegeth Samaria 347. M. takes it 348. B. discontented with the Pharisees 348. B. followeth the Sadduces 110. G. his death ibid. Hircanus Josephs Son 309. M. Treason intended against him 310. K. accused and why 310. F. his Apology ib. his jests 311. B. C. assailed by his brethren 311. E. afflicteth the Arabians 31â— K. his buildings ibid. K. kills himself ibid. C. Hircanus High Priest 566. N. 357. H. content to live a private life 360. I. his Embassage to Scaurus 362. B. repaireth the walls of Jerusalem 376. F. honoured by the Atheniaâ—s 371. I. foretold of his death 373 H. his Ambassadours brought into the Senate 375. M. taken prisoner 381. N. highly hououred 393. N. his death 404. C. Hire of a Harlot 111. G. Hire not to be detained 117. D. History of Dina 49. B. Histories recited 729. C. Histories of Antiquities 780. K. Historiographers refuted 792. K. L. 793. F. 794. K. N. 795. F. 796. F. 797. A. B. hide Antiochus perjury 803. D. Holy oyntment 89. C. Holocaust or burnt Sacrifice 91. B. Homer antientest Greek Writer 781. B. Homicide committed 112. O. Honourable drawn before Tyrants 732. I. Honouring of strange gods look Idolatry Honours of Joseph 55. G. and 60. M. Honour of the Magistrate 112. L. 626. K. Honour change manners 166. M. Honour of Mordocheus 289. C. D. Honour due to Parents 810. L. Horses taken 127. A. Horsemen of Solomon 206. K. Horsemen brought Letters to Joseph 13. D. Horsemen of the Romans 661. D. Hospitality of the Esseans 612. N. Host look Army Houshold-stuff 127. A. Houses full of dead Men 735. F. 758. K. Humanity becometh a King 169. C. Humanity of Balaam 105. D. E. of the three Kings 237. L. of Caesar 607. D. of Titus 744. N. Humanity of Titus counted cowardize 727. B. Humanity of the Romans inciteth the Jews against them 754. O. Hunger killeth many 727. D. Hurt of the General dismaieth the Soldiers 233. K. Hymns sung to God 253. H. J. JAbisites besieged 152. H. promised assistance ibid. L. bury the bodies of Saul and his Sons 174. K. praised 175. Jabin a King of Canaan 134. K. subdueth the Israelites ibid. L. his Army put to flight 135. A. Jacob the Son of Isaac 43. E. his greatness foretold ibid. held his brothers heel 43. E. steals the Blessing 44 M. fleeing to Laban seeth a Vision 45. B. voweth a Sacrifice to God ibid. D. arriveth at Charran ibid. A. talks with Rachel and Laban ibid F. c. requireth Rachel c. 46. â— deceived 46. L. departeth privily from Laban 47. â— accuseth Laban of ill dealing 47. F. maketh a Covenant with him 48. H. sendeth messengers to his brother Esaâ— 48. K. is reconciled to him and how ibid. M. wrestleth with an Angel ibid. N. sacrificeth 42. D. bewaileth Joseph 52. M. sendeth his Sons into Egypt c. 56. K. would not part without Benjamin 57. D. rejoyceth at Josephs prosperity 60. M. his journey into Egypt 61. B. meeteth Joseph and talks with Pharaoh 61. D. blesseth his Sons
and dieth 62. I. Jaddus High Priest 293. K. meets Alexander 295. H. and in what manner ibid. shews him Daniels prophecy 295. L. Jadon prophesies against the Altar at Bethel 220. B. restores Jeroboams hand ibid. B. breaks Gods Commandment 220. E. slain of a Lion ibid. E. his prophecy detracted 220. F. Jael kills Sisera 134. O. Jair governeth Israel 138. L. was rich and had thirty Sons ibid. B. James accused and stoned 539. D. Jamse c. betrays his Countrey 704. K. Japha taken 669. C. Japhet Noahs eldest Son 23. B. his issue 22. G. covered his Fathers shame 34. O. Jason warreth against Onias 313. I. K. Javan and his Progeny 10. I. Javelin of Saul 163. B. Jaziel a Prophet 235. I assureth Josaphat of the victory ib. I. Ibes enemies unto Serpents 65. D. Ichabod when born 145. G. and why so called ibid. Idolaters plagâ—ed 108. L. M. Idolatry of the Israelites 107. D. 219. M. of Solomon 216. O. Of Joram 211. I. of Jezabel and Achab 216. B. of Amasias 248. A. and 248. B. of Achaz 251. I. of Jeroboam 219. L. M. of the Egyptians 792. I. Idols to be destroyed 111. A. Idumaea the Country of Esau 50. L. Idumaeans revolt 241. K. admit circumcision 346. D. pardoned by Varus 609. F. 20000 come to Jerusalem 690. O. shut out of the City 692. M. object reproaches against the Citizens ibid. pitch their tents near the walls ibid. N. enter the City by night 693. F. depart out of Jerusalem 696. N. consult of their submission 757. B. Jealousie 93. F. Jealousie of Herod 586. N. Jebusites expelled 179. E. Jechonias made king of Juda 261. N. revolteth 262. B. taken prisoner ibid. released 270. F. Jehu King of Israel 228. D. 242. B. slayeth Joram and Ochozias 242. F. G. despiseth Gods Laws 245. M. dieth ibid. Jehu the Prophet 234. E. reproveth Josaphat and why ibid. E. Jeptha Judge of Israel made a vow 138. O. overcometh the Ammonites 139. A. sacrificeth his daughter 139. B. killeth 40000 of the Ephramites ibid. C. D. dieth ibid. Jeremy foretelleth the Captivity 260. D. keepeth at Jerusalem ibid. B. prophecieth the destruction thereof 261. L. admonisheth Joachim ibid. I. perswadeth the Jews to yield 263. K. imprisoned in a pit ibid. his counsel to the King 264. B. set at liberty 266. B. Jericho the City surveyed 121. E. the walls thereof fell down 123. B. destroyed ibid. C. never to be re-edified ibid. D. Jeroboam rebelleth 217. N. fore-shewed to reign over ten Tribes ibid. O. fled into Egypt 218. B. recalled ibid. C. proclaimed King 219. I. perswaded the people to Idolatry ibid. L. his hand withered and was restored 220. B. his impiety 222. C. his punishment fore-prophecied ibid. E. his expedition against Abias 223. I. dieth 224. H. Jeroboam the son of Joas 248. F. warred against the Syrians and inlarged his Kingdom 248. G. dieth 249. L. Jerusalem taken 179. D. Davids royal City ibid. E. surprized 221. E. besieged 235. M. 263. K. 264. D. 579. A. taken and burned 265. K. surprized 297. N. tributary to Rome 365. L. taken by Sosius 390. F. described 713. E. F. 758. G. c. second time burned 755. F. six times spoiled 760. H. Jesse begat David 143. E. Jesus High Priest 279. H. Jesus High Priest 213. H. deposed 213. I. Jesus Christ Crucified 480. M. Jesus Captain of Thieves 7. B. Jesus conspireth against Joseph 8. N. his talk with him 17. F. Jesus exhortation to the Idumaeans 691. A. 691. F. Jesus his exclamation against Jerusalem c. 753. E. his death ibid. G. Jewels of great price 42. N. Jews more ancient than the Greeks 784. M. arguments thereof ibid. came not of the Egyptians 795. B. C. when got Judaea and built Jerusalem 796. O. trusty to their Princes 802. I. why eat not swines flesh 806. I. Jews impiety reproved 221. F. their captivity 265. L. 267. K. depart from Babylon 278. F. in danger to be exterminated 286. B. lament 288. C. fast and pray ibid. E. F. revenge them on their enemies 292. C. led away captive 297. N. set at liberty 289. K. tormented 314. C. slain on the Sabbath 315. N. brought out of Galaad 320. C. discharged of tribute 343. L. terrified 251. M. Lords of Syria c. 343. E. shut their gates against the Romans 364. L. honoured by Kings of Europe and Asia 373. N. slain 381. I. favour Herod for his bounty 413. N. complain to Agrippa 423. G. Jews Embassage to Caesar 431. F. 50000 slain 582 K. cause of the wars 527. D. Jews slain about the Temple 533. E. plagued 2. N. constrained to make war ibid. M. revolt from the Romans 11. E. valiantly defend themselves 279. B. 3000 slain 606. H. call Archelaus in question 610. I. will not consent to Pilate to alter their Laws 615. D. their fight with the Samaritanes 623. A. sedition and slaughter among them 621. B. their request to Agrippa 625. E. refuse Caesars sacrifices 629. F. take Antonia 630. M. spoil the Villages and Cities of Syria 632. K. Jews against Jews ibid. M. slain 632. 633. 634. H. c. overcome the Romans 635. D. besiege Askalon 658. I. 10000 slain 658. L. 8000 slain 658. M. repulsed 666. I. pour scalding oyl upon the Romans 668. M. 12000 slain 669. D. 40000 perisht at Jotapata 671. E. flie into the City 677. C. 9000 slain 683 F. turn their weapons against themselves 686. I. drive the Romans from their camp 713. B. shewed the tortures of the fugitives 732. O. curse Caesar 733. B. embowelled for Gold 737. F. upbraid God 736. H. afraid ibid. K. surprise the Romans Horses 746. L. burn the porch of the Temple ibid. O. eat their girdles shoes c. 748. L. overcome the Romans 747. F. arrogant in calamity 756. K. refuse to submit themselves ibid. L. 40000 saved an infinite number sold 757. D. slain in Syria and Aegypt 775. D. burn their goods 775. L. the number of captives and slain 759. B. Jezabel builded a Temple to Bel 226. B. ordained Priests and Prophets ibid. B. killed the true Prophets 227. K. complotted Naboths death 218. F. G. persecuted Elias 228. B. her death fore-shewed 228. I. devoured by dogs 243. I. Image of a godly Prince 259. M. N. Image of Gold 269. M. Imitation in sin 159. B. 219. M. 221. d. 250. E. 258 D. Immanity of the Idumaeans and Zealous 694. I. of Simon 704. M. Immunity granted to the Jews 335. B. Impiety of Elies sons 143. F. of Basa 224. O. of Achab and Jezabel 226. B. 228. B. of Amri and his Predecessors 225. M. of Achaz 251. I. 252. B. of Ochozias 246. B. of Oziâ—s 259. A. of Phacâ—ias 250. E. of Ozeas 255. C. of Manasses 258. B. of Joas 260. L. of Joachim ibid. F. Impiety cause of calamity 129. B. 130. L. M. 131. C. D. 132. M. 221. D. 222. E. 224. I. 225. M. N. 229. I. 242. A. 248. A. 251. K. 252. B. 258. B. 260. E. 261. M. N. 262. D.
l. marrieth a wife ib. m. propoundeth a riddle ib. m. his acts against the Philistines 141 d e f. prayeth and why 141 d. betrayed by Dalila 142 h. the slaughter of the Philistines and of himself ibid. k. Samuel his parents 144 i. consecrated to God ibid. i God called him thrice ibid. k. fore-shewed the death of Eli and his sons 144 l. offereth sacrifice 148 l. comforteth the people ibid. his victory and recovery of lands 148 n. committeth the Common weal to his sons 149 b. troubled and why 149 e. bidden to create a King ib. f. sheweth the people's estate under a King ibid. anointeth Saul King 150 o. justifieth himself and why 153 b. striveth to reconcile Saul to God 157 c. killeth Agag 158 i. telleth Saul of God's displeasure 157 f. anointeth David King 158 n. his death burial and praise 168 l. Sanballat Governour of the Samaritans 293 k. followeth Alexander 294 b. buildeth a Temple ibid. f. Sanctuary 93 b. 209 h. 211 i. Sanctuaries or places of refuge for whom 109 â— Sand like glass 616 m. Sara daughter of Aram 35 o. Abraham's wife ibid. d. her beauty 36 l. King of Egypt enamoured on her ibid b. bringeth Agar to Abraham 38 i her age when she conceived Isaac 38 o preserved from Abimelech and how 39 e. brought forth Isaac ib. caused Ismael to be expelled c. 40 k l. affecteth Isaac ib. m. her death 41 f. Saraeus high Priest took Prisoner 265 l. Saturninus President of Syria 438 o. 4â—9 a. permitteth Herod to enter Arabia ib. b. his indifferent sentence 444 m Saul seeketh the lost Asses 150 k anointed King by God's commandment ib. o. confirmed therein 15 b. hideth himself ibid. f. saluted by the people for their King ib. f. promiseth the Jabesites assistance 152 l. killeth King Naas ib. n. sacrificeth and is reproved 154 l. overcometh the Philistines 155 e. would have slain Jonathan 156 h. always a conqueror ib. k. taketh and spareth Agag 157 b. slayeth the Amalekites and razeth their Cities 156 o. offendeth God 157 b. loseth his Kingdom and why ib. f. denied pardon renteth Samuel's garment ib. g. slew the Philistines 160 m. resolveth to kill David 162 i. darteth his Javelin at David 163 b. prophesieth 163 f. questioneth about David's absence c. 164 n. maketh an Oration to his Captains 165 f. pursueth David 167 e. condemneth himself and justifieth David 168 k. pursueth David again and his life saved 169 f. banisheth diviners 171 a. by a sorceress is foretold the event of the battel ib. c d. praised 172 k. is slain 173 f g. Scarcity fore-signified 55 e. how to be prevented 55 f. among the Israelites 95 e. very great in Claudius his time 97 d e. in Samaria 238 g h. Scarcity of corn 413 i k. Scaurus maketh peace with Aristobulus 362 b. Presidenâ— of Coelosyria 363 n. his war against Aretas 364 h. 5â—5 a. bribed ibid. Science of the celestial bodies 30 k. Schisar King of the Assyrians 133 b. oppressed the Israelites ibid. b. Scopas General of Ptolomy's Army 306 a. discomfited ib. overcometh the Jews 306 a b. Scythopolitans kill 3000 Jews 634 l. Sea of Pamphilia divided it self 72 n. Red Sea divided at the stroke of Moses's rod 72 k. returning to his course drowneth the Egyptians ibid. l. Brazen Sea 209 l. Sebas 196 e. Sebaste a haven 455 a. Secretary or Priest fore-telleth Moses's greatness 62 n. willeth him to be killed 64 n. Security promised to Rahab and hers 122 i. Sects of the Jews 339 m. 477 a. 612 l. Secrets of Syllaeus disclosed 599 d. Sedechias a false Prophet 231 e. contradicteth Micheas ib. e f. Sedechias King of Juda 262 d. revolteth ib. seduced ib. 263 h c. neglecteth the Prophet's counsel ib. o. surprised 264 f his eyes put out 265 h. his death ib. n. Sedition against Moses 95 e. 99 b. and 100 i. of Chore for the Priesthood 99 d. Sedition against Roboam 219 h. of the Samaritans against the Jews 298 b. among the people 312 k. of the Jews 494 h. betwixt Senate and people 516 h. Sedition at the Passover 464 l. between the Jews and Samaritans 534 l. for the golden Eagle 605 d. in Jerusalem 607 e. 621 d. between Greeks and Jews 634 h. threefold sedition 711 f. took the City 723 b. Seditious more impious than the Sodomites 724 h. Seditious 620 k l. beaten 615 f. bribe Albinus 621 d. fly to the Temple and why 624 n. gave not ear to those in authority 629 f put the Romans to flight 675 e. agree among themselves 712 o. 724 i. challenge the sodden child 749 a. summon Titus to parley 754 m. take away the King's Treasure 756 i. their utmost hope 756 m. kept in Acra and in Vaults 757 f. Seed of the Woman 28 n. shall bruise the Serpent's head ib Seeds at first grew out of the earth 27 f. Seeds not to be mixed together 113 d. Sehon King of the Amorites denieth passage to the Hebrews 104 m. overthrown by them ib. o. is slain ib. Seir what it signifies 43 e. Seir Esau's dwelling place 49 a. Seleucus Nicanor privilegeth the Jews 305 b. Seleucus Soâ—er reigneth in Asia 31â— f. Sem Noah's third son 32 o. covereth his father's shame 35 a. his progeny ib. b Semochonitis a lake 680 m. Semiramis built not Babylon 788 k. Senaar a plain 32 o. Senabarus one of the five Kings of Assyria 37 a. Senacherib surpriseth the Cities of Judah 255 l besiegeth Jerusalem ib. m. his Army stricken with the Pestilence 256 f. himself slain ib Senate perswadeth Claudius to resign 516 i. Senate's decree c. 378 f. Senate's answer to Agrippa 617 f. their repair to Claudius ddd 618 i. Senselesness of Achaz 252 b. Sentence against Herod's sons 593 e. Sephora Moses's wife 66 n. Sephoris walled 478 i. spoiled 22 h. entertaineth the Romans 635 b. Sepâ—lchre of David 202 o. of Memnon 618 l. Serpents tempting of Eve 28 l. his subtilty ib. l. his punishment ib. o. enemy to man ib. o. wherein his strength lyeth and how easily killed 29 a. Serpents very hurtful destroyed 65 d e. Servant of Elizeus 238 c. Servants of Solomon happy and why 215 e. Servant of Abraham taketh his oath 42 k. his prayer and care in discharge of his message ib. k. and 43 a b. Service of God neglected 252 b. Service of forreign gods 216 o. 248 b. 252 b. Service of Antipater 574 m. Services of the Gabeonites 125 a. Servitude of the Egyptians great 61 o. of the Hebrews insupportable 62 n. 67 a. and 68 i. Servitude of the Israelites 133 b. and why ibid. 134 k. 729 e. c. Seth son of Adam 30 i. a virtuous man ib. i. left a godly issue ib. k. his age and death 31 b. Sethosis King of Egypt 786 h. Seven men of Saul's kindred punished 195 n. Seventy Jews with John and Simon sent into Italy 765 f Seventy Interpreters 302 o. 801 a. Severity of Herod 416 e Sextus