unto the Sages whom his father and grandfather slew and the injury commiâ—…ted to Honyauriga might return upon his head and be reyenged so that no remnant of the house of 〈◊〉 no name no residue no kinsman oâ—… posterity should be left alive Hircanus therefore took his journey toward Jerusalem and Herod came forth to meet him eâ—…mbraced him aâ—…d kissed him after brought him to his house and feasted him daâ—…y calling him his father before all men albeit in his heart he conspired to kill him which Alexandra his daughter and Mother in law to Herod knew well enough who opened it unto Hircanus but he would not credit her at the first till on a time he perceived the matter clear to be so then devised he how to flye to Maloc King of Arabia he sent therefore to Maloc to send him horses and a Chariot to flye withall but the Messenger dealt unfaithfully and lewdly with him for he brought Hircanus letters privily unto Herod who rewarded him well for his labour and bad him go to Maloc and to let him know what answer Maloc gave The Messenger upon this went and delivered the letters to Maloc who fulfilled Hircanus request sent him horses and a Charlot writing in this sort I have sent thee horses and horsemen come therefore unto me and whatsoever thy heart desireth I will do it for thy sake So the Messenger brought the answer secretly to Herod whereupon he sent straight to the place in which he understood Malocs men to lurk waiting for Hircanus and caused to apprehend them alive Then Herod commanded to call together the Elders before whom he willed also Hircanus to be brought and of him the King demanded tell me whither thou hast written any letter to Maloc King of Arabia he answered I writ none Then was Ristius the Messenger brought in as his acuser and the men of war also of Arabia that were apprehended who declared the whole matter before the Council so that Hircanus was quite dashed Then the King commanded him to be put to death and so was the kingdom established unto Herod The time that Hircanus raigned was 40. years and 6. moneths After the death of his mother he raigned 3. years and Aristobulus his brother removed him making him Priest Again 3. years after he returned to his kingdom and raigned 40. years Then Antigonus son of Aristobulus deposed him cutting off his ear and banished him out of the holy City So after when Herod his servant came to the kingdom he returned to Jerusalem and Herod shed his blood guiltless yet notwithstanding he had delivereâ—… Herod from the hands of the Elders who would have put him to death for the death of Hizkias From that time Hircanus wrought no evil in the sight of the Lord nor offended him in any great matter save only in this that he bare too much with Herod in shedding the innocent blood wherefore his own life went for the other Therefore happy is he that never forgetteth any part of his duty Marimi the daughter of Alexander the son of Aristobulus the Wife of Herod had a brother whose name was Aristobulus him Herod would in no wise promote to the high Priesthood because he feared the children of Chasmonany although his wife made earnest suite and lay sore upon him for the matter But the King made high Priest one that was nothing of the kindred of Chasmonany whose name was Haniel Notwithstanding when he had once dispatched Hircanus his wives Progenitors father of Alexandra his mother in law then he deposed Haniel the high Priest and preferred his wifes brother Aristobulus to the dignity who although he were but a child yet he was wise and of good understanding and beautifull withall so that in all Israel was not a goodlier nor hansomer young man than he was And this Haniel was the first that ever was deposed from that office of the high priest-hood for never did King of Israel attempt the like afore Herod who did this to quiet his wife and to fulfill his mother in laws mind notwithstanding this Alexandra his wives mother was not content nor satisfied for the death of her Father was such a grief but alwaies spake snappishly to the King that he committed her to ward Then she writ to Cleopatra Queen of Egypt wife unto M. Antonius a Noble man of Rome declaring unto her all the mischief that Herod had done to the posterity of Chasmonany and desiring of her aid to whom Cleopatra made this answer if thou canst find the means to come to me secretly thou shalt perceive what I shall do for thee When Alexandra had read the Letter she sent to Aristobulus her son the high Priest shewing him that she would flye to the Sea Japho and from thence would take shipping into Egypt perswading him also to flye with her We will saith she make two Coffers one for me and another for thee and we will with rewards allure our Servants to carry out us privily whereby we may flye to save our lives This their device was perceived of one of Herods Servants who forthwith made the King privy unto it The King commanded his Servant that bewrayed them that when they did convey the Coffers they should bring them to him which the servant did So when the Coffers were brought to the Kings presence he caused them to be opened and took out Alexandra and her son Aristobulus to whom the King spake sharply and rebuked them sore But Alexandera answered him again as short insomuch that the King moved with anger flung away from her into his chamber saying It is better to fit solitary in a corner of the house than with a brawling and scolding woman in an open place The King dissembled the matter and shewed no great displeasure a year after As Aristobulus the high Priest apparralled in his Pontificial vestures stood in the temple nigh unto the Altar to offer sacrifices the Israelits beheld his beauty his wisdom and behaviour in the ministery whereat every man rejoyced praising God that had not taken all away but left one to revenge the injuries done to the house of Chasmonany The King hearing this was sore afraid and not a little displeased thinking to himself the Israelits would restore the Kingdom of their fathers unto him He perceived every mans heart to be enclined towards him Wherefore he deliberated a while and in the feast of the Tabernacles he removed to Jericho with all his houshold whereas he made a great feast to all his nobles and servants placing them every one after hiâ—… degree before him Aristobulus the high Priest he seâ—… upon the right hand And as they eat drank and made merry certain of the Kings servants were disposed to go swim in Jordan To these the King had given secret commandment that they should desire Aristobulus to go and bath with them in Jordan and then to drown him So when they were going they came to Aristobulus and moved him to keep them
him and desired him to frustrat the bond that was between himself and Herod and also between him and Thigarus the Son of Alexander that was hanged So Pheroras came to the king turned his mind and dissolved the covenant of Marriage This done Pheroras and Antipater that sate upon the kings Throne were become great friends banquetting one another day and night and discoursing of their affairs When this came to the kings eare he was sore afraid of their combinings and commanded that his Brother Pheroras should for evermore be banished the Court Antipater his Sonne was sent to Octavian Augustus to establish the kingdom unto him and to enter in League with him For Herod was so old that he could not go Antipater journeying toward Rome passed thorough Egypt desirous to see it before the death of his Uncle Pheroras And as he travelled by the high-wayes of Egypt there came a certain Merchant with a viall in his hand close covered which cryed saying Who will buy a thing of great price before he see it Antipater marvelled at his words and ask't him what was in the viall But the Seller told him not what it was before he had bought it and paid dear for it Then whispered he in his ear telling him that it was a strong poison that would kill one out of hand This vial Antipater sent to Pheroras to be kept until he returned from Rome In the mean season Pheroras died and his Wife hid the viall After when Antipater came home again from Rome Pheroras Wife and he fell at striffe insomuch that she objected unto him that he was the cause Pheroras was banished the Kings presence the sorrow whereof was his death On the other side Antipater went about to accuse her sowing discord between her and the King to stir him against her He suborned also a certain Eunuch or gelded person to go to the King and enform him how that at what time as he took displeasure with Pheroras his brother and banished him his presence Pheroras procured a strong poison and gave it to his Wife commanding her to destroy the King therewith The king hearing this was wroth with the Eunuch and said I searched for that venome long ago when it was noised that thy houshold servants would give it me to drink but I could not find the thing to be true yea I have been too rash in such matters for I put my Wife Marimi to death without cause and Alexandra my Mother in law with my two children When Antipater heard that the king credited not the Eunuch he made suite to the king to send him to Octavian the second time for he was afraid of the Viall that was in Pheroras Wifes house He had writ also with his hand how that he sent it intending therewith to poison the kings Sons Children But he that prepareth a pit for another oftimes falleth into it himself So desiring the king to send him he let him go After this the king commanded to make search if the Eunuchs words were true or no he sent first for Pheroras houshold servants and examined them whether ever they could perceive that Pheroras was in mind to hurt him They all sware No. Then the king commanded to scourge them very sore but they confessed nothing although some died under their hands in the examination Some he ordered with many kind of torments of some he caused to pluck out their teeth and as he had scourged a cerâ—…ain woman servant which had been very trusty to Pheroras at the length when she could no longer stand for strokes she cryed out and said The holy and blessed God revenge us of Rostios the kings Wife Antipaters Mother which is the cause of this The king hearing these words bad let her alone she will disclose all Then spake she Antipater made Feasts every foot for thâ—… brother Pheroras and himself and as they eat and drank they devised how to poison thee especially when as Antipater was going to Octavian for they said except we destroy him he will destroy us as he hath done all the children of his house Moreover he loâ—…eth the children of his sons that were put to death wâ—…ich grow a pace and it is possible he may change his mind and make one of them king Antipater also said to thy Brother The king makes as though he were much my friend but I trust him not he gave me saith he a hundred pound weight in Gold but all that satisfieth not me Wâ—…en the king heard this he told how he had given Antipater this Gold secretly And the woman said moreover There is a viall of strong poyson in Pheroras house that thy Son sent out of Egypt straightway the king sent to Pheroras Wife that she should bring him the viall of poison her own self when she saw the kings Eunuches comâ—… to fetch her whether she would or no she go 〈◊〉 up to the top of her house and cast her self down headlong to kill her self because she would not see the king nor abide his torments but the died not thereof whereupon the kings Messengers brought her in a Horse litter and set her before the King Then she confessed to him how Antipater his Son had conspired with Pheroras to kill him with a poyson that he had bought in Egypt and sent it to Pheroras when he went to Octavian and how Pheroras being at the point of death repented him thereof charging that we should never give that venome to Antipater but poure it upon the ground that the king might not be poysoned therewith And I did as he bad me cast it out all save a liâ—…tle that I kept in the glasse-bottom for I ever feared that which is now come to paâ—…se Then at the Kings commandment the Vial was brought forth before him and there was a little of the venome left wheresore they gave better credit to her words so that the King was content with her and bad his Physitian heal her and she recovered This done the King writ to Antipater to come home with speed because I am old saith he and weak uncertain how shortly I shall die CHAP. IIII. THe King had also two other sons at Rome Archelaus and Pâ—…lemus So when Antipater writ to answer his father's letters he signified unto him that his two sons had defamed the King and slandered him unto Octavian But the King answered him Come and bring them with thee and I will order them as thou thinkest good Notwithstanding Antipater lingred for the space of six moneths to see if he might learn somewhat of his father's doings but he could hear nothing The messengers his father had sent lay upon him every day and urged him to make haste Therefore at the seven moneths end he took his journey towards Judea and came to Caesarea There heard he â—…is father had taken displeasure with his Mother and banished her the Court but he could not learn what should be the cause therefore he was strucken with
such fear that he would have gone back again But they that waited upon him being desirous to go home to their houses and families dealt crastily with him and perswaded him that if he should now turn back out of his way he should justifie his enemies words to be true but if thou come once to thy fathers presence say they who loveth thee so entirely thou shalt prevail against thy foes and get the upper hand of them that trouble thee So he followed their counsel and came to Jerusalem When he entred into the City no man came forth to meet him nor once to bid him welcome home For all the people hated him for his lyes slanders perverse and wicked counsel but chiefly for fear of the King Yet went he forward to the Court although with a fearful heart When he came to the King's presence he fell down and did his duty but the king turned away his face and could not abide to look upon him He went home therefore unto his house with a heavy heart hanging down his head and hiding his face There his mother told him how their counsel concerning the vial of poyson was bewrayed and how the king was wonderfully incensed toward him that increased his fear more and more The next day by the kings command he was brought forth and before all the chief of Israel assembled together the king sat to judge Antipater's cause There the king rehearsed unto them his sons lewdnesse and lyes how he had seduced him and incited him to kill his children that were of the kings blood far better and more virtuous than he insomuch that with a loud voice the king burst out and bewailed his Wife Marimi whom he put to death without a cause and his two sons that they that were far off might hear him Then Antipater lift up his head and began to speak craftily and subtilly First he forgot not to give genâ—…le words to pacifie his father's wrath but that he could not do after he fell to entreaty in such sort that all the Nobles were moved to pity and bewailed his evil Fortune not without tears save only Niraleus the kings Secretary who loved the kings children that were put to death He rebuked them all that were sorry for the calamity of Antipater crying with all his might Where are ye Alexander and Aristobulus that were slain guiltless Lift up your heads and behold this wicked man fall into the pit that he himself made see how his foot is catched in the net that he laid himself for others Mark you noâ—… how your Maker revengeth your deatâ—… and requireth your blood at his hand in the time of his destruction For the wicked man is spared until the tâ—…me â—…f his dâ—…ath So the King himself very much incensed sent to fetch a condemned person ouâ—… of prison who being brought before them and 〈◊〉 a liâ—… of the poyson in the Vâ—…al fell down 〈◊〉 therewiâ—…h Then the King commanded Antipater to be carried to prison and to be laid in strong irons The fortieth year of hiâ—… reâ—…n which was the seventy year of his age King Herod fell sick and no remedy no Physick could be found to help him neither his servants nor Physitians could procure him any rest so grievously came his disease upon him with shortnesse of his breath and through the anguish of the manifold evils that had hapned upon him by his own folk Whereupon he cryed out saying Wo may he be that hath none left to succeed him in his Kingdom nor none to go before his Coffin and mourn for him at his death Then called he to his remembrance his wife Marimi and his two sons rehearsing them by name howling and weeping still continually Upon a certain day when his sickness came sore upon him he called to his servants to fetch him some pleasant Apple to see if it might comfort his heart when they had brought it he asked for a knife to cut it and one was brought him Then he gathered his strength unto him and reared himself up upon his left arm and perceiving his life to be full of sorrow and lamentation he took the knif with his right hand and fetched his sway to thrust it into his belly but his servants stept to him and caught his arm holding his hands and would not suffer him to do it then wept he sore and all his servants that their voice was heard out of the Court and shortly all the City was in an uprore saying The King is dead the King is dead Antipater being in the prison heard the noise and asked What business is this they answered him The King is dead Then he rejoyced wonderfully saying unto the Jaylors Strike off my irons and let me out that I may go to the Palace and I will remember thee with a good turn the Keeper answered I fear lest the King be yet alive I will go therefore and know the truth and come again by and by Antipater seeing he could not get loose wept for anger at the keeper So the keeper came to the Court which being told to the King he commanded him to be brought before him then the King asked him What did Antipater I pray thee when he heard this mourning and that I was dead The keeper answered He was very glad thereof and when I would not smite off his irons and let him out he wept for anger The King cryed unto his Lords See how he hateth me being yet in prison if he were here he would do what he could to kil me he would not do as my servants did make haste to wrest the knife out of my hand As true as God liveth he shall never have that which he gapeth for so the King commanded he should be put to death and there was not one that would intreat for him or desire the King to the contrary but every man was glad of his destruction The King commanded the keeper to bring him forth to the Market-place which done his head was cut off and so he missed of his purpose Moreover the King commanded his body to be taken and carried to the City of Ankalia there to be buried but not in the City That done and the people being returned from the burial the King sent to call all the Nobles of Israel together and enforcing his strength he sat up in his bed commanded to call his son Archelaus on whom he laid his hands and made him King over Israel then shouted every man God save the King The King lived five dayes after the execution of Antipater then he fainted and died He raigned over Israel 40. years he was a worthy Warriour a wise and prudent man a goodly man of person having God on his side He ever loved the Sages Hillel and Samai with their companions he enriched the second House more than all other Kings and was more liberal than all the Kings that were before him His gifts and rewards were rich for he counted
people of the Lord God of Israel and his Sanctuary with the people of his Inheritance howbeit there be amongst us certain proud men ungodly persons that have made a league with Vespasian and have brought into the Town one of his chief Captains wherefore and it please thee my Lord to enter the City with thy souldiers come unto us that we may live with thee rather than to perish in the hands of them that hate us So they opened the gates so that Ioseph went in and took the Town Then he caused to apprehend those ungodly persons that were there about six hundred men and laid them in irons sending them to Tiarva which he had afore taken the other wicked men that had aided Vespasian he put to the sword But the chief Governour of the Town he apprehended alive carried him out of the City and commanded one of his Souldiers to cut off his hands Then the Captain besought Joseph saying I beseech thee my Lord let one of my hands be cut off and leave me the other Then Joseph and his souldiers laught him to scorn judging him to be no valiant man nor of haughty courage Joseph bad his souldier give him the sword in his own hand and let him cut off which hand he list and leave him which he will So the Roman Captain took the sword and cut off his left hand himself leaving him the right and so he was let go He came therefore unto Vespasians Camp to shew them what shame was done him After this the Citizens of Zippory rebelled also making a league with Vespasian and the Romans host Ioseph being certified of this made thither with his host to besiege it but the Town abid the brunt of the assault that Ioseph could prevail nothing against it wherefore he besieged it a long season About that time it was signified also to them of Jerusalem that the Askalonites had entred in friendship with the Romans They sent therefore Neger the Edomite and Shiloch the Babylonian and Iehochanan with a power of the common people who came to Askalon and besieged it a great space Within the Town was a Roman Captain called Antonius a valiant man and a good Warriour who upon a certain night in the morning watch issued out of the Town with his company to give a Camisado to the Iews that besieged the Town entred their camp and made a great slaughter continuing the same till it was day-light so that about 10000. of the Iews were slain the rest never moved out of the place saying It is better for us to die in this battel than to flee from our enemies therefore they took a good heart unto them and stood manfully in their stations and places trusting in the Lord God of Israel and when it was day they also set themselves in array against Antony slew many of his men not without losse also of their own part for Shiloch the Babylonian and Iehochanan of Jerusalem were destroyed by the Romans with others of the Jews to the number â—…f 8000. fighting men that were under Shiloch and Iehochanan and never a one of the Jewish Captains escaped that conflict save only Neger the Edomite who hid himself in a Sepulcher that was there in the plain whom the Romans in their pursuite sought but found him not wherefore they set on fire the wood that it burnt round about the Sepulcher wherein he lay hid and consumed all the trees shrubs and bushes but came no nigh the Sepulcher For Neger had called to the Lord with his whole heart to deliver him this once from his enemies lest he should be shamefully handled of them promising at another time to be ready to die valiantly in his quarrel So Neger escaped the Romans by the help of the God of Israel in whom he put his trust Shortly after sent the Jerusolimites much people to Askalâ—…n to the number of eighteen thousand good men of war to bury the bodies of the Jews that were slain in the conflicts by Antony They sought also the body of Neger the Edomite but they found it not till at length he cryed unto them out of the Sepulcher saying I am here For God hath delivered me out of the hands of mine enemies to the intent I may be avenged of them in the wars of the Lord. So Neger declared unto them at large all things how they chanced unto him wherefore the Jews rejoyced greatly that they had found him alive and that he was saved by such a miracle and the Lord delivered him Therefore they put their trust in the Lord believing that God would be present with them to aid them whereof this deliverance of Neger they took for a sure token The Romans kept themselves within the Town for fear of the Jews that were come to bury the bodies So the Jews buried all the bodies of their own part that were slain in both battels for the Romans were not able to prohibite and let them but held them in the Town And when the burial was finished they took Neger with them to Jernsalem to give God thanks there for his deliverance at that present Then Joseph the Priest gathered his strength aad came upon Askalon with his whole Army assaulted them got the upper hand and won the Town after slew Antony and all his people with the Sword that of all the valiant men of War that were with him not one escaped Besides this also the Villages and Hamlets that were thereabout without the Town he burnt them all And so served he all the Towns thereabout that had entred into league with the Romans slaying both Iews and Romans that dwelt in them with the sword as many as he found and their houses he burnt This done Ioesph returned again to Zippory sought with them and got the upper hand there shed he much blood of the people that had conspired with the Romans utterly destroyed them burnt their Cities and Villages led their wives and children prisoners unto Ierusalem and all the Romans he found there he put them to death When Vespasian Titus had heard of all that Iosephus had done against the Romans both how he slue their Garrisons as many as he could find in Galilee and all the Iews that had made any league with him and his sons they were wonderful incensed and in agreatrage They took therefore their journey and came to Apitelma otherwise called Acho where at that time Agrippa King of Iudea was abiding and forty thousand men with him all good men of war and archers every one these joyned themselves with Vespasians Army by which means the Romans Camp became very great Moreover out of other Nations round about Iudea good men of war without number joyned with Vespasian He had aid of the best men of war out of Mesopotamia Aremzofa Assur Sinear Persia Chaldea Macedonia and out of the Provinces of the people of the East yea the people of Mizraim Lod Denan and Seba with all Provinces far and near
and to enter their Camp whiles it was dark which they did and slew very many of the best of the Grecians about 4000. preparing neverthelesse for the Field against the morrow where also the Israelites did beat down many of the Greeks In that Battel was slain Eleazar son of Mattathias the Kings brother For when he espied one with a golden sword upon the Elephant he thought him to be King Opiter who had 20. Elephants in his Army therefore he took heart to him and beat down the souldiers of the Greeks on both sides were they never so strong till he came to the Elephant And because the Elephant was so high that he could not reach them that sate upon him he thrust his sword into the belly of the beast to overthrow the King whereat the Elephant shrunk together and fell upon Eleazar that he died there for whose sake all Israel mourned and made great lamentation But Opiter hearing this straightway made suite to King Iudas for peace and a League to be made between them which after Iudas had consented unto he returned home into Greece again and by the way fell into the hands of his enemies that slew him After him succeeded Demetrius his enemy who was the cause of his death There were at that time certain evil disposed persons of the Jews that served the King of the Grecians in his Wars namely one Alkimus who went to the King of the Greeks at that time lying at Antiochia and stirred him to move War upon Israel and King Iudas By whose suggestion Demetrius sent against Iudas a Captain called Nicanor with a strong Army Hâ—… now coming to Jerusalem let Iudas understand thaâ—… he bare him good will and was desirous to make peace and to enter into a League with him Therefore as Iudas came forth accompanied with his brethren the sons of Chasmoname Nicanor met him in the way imbraced him and kissed him after that led him to his pavillion and set him upon his pavillion and set him upon his seat of Honour King Iudas aâ—…so after he returned from the Camp made unto Nâ—…canor a great feast calling him and his Noble men with him into Jerusalem where they eat and drank at the Kings Table King Iudas was yet unmarried wherefore Nâ—…canor moved him to take a Wife that he might have issue and not loose his succession whose counsel Iudas allowed This done the â—…ewd pick thank Alkimus declared to King Demetrius the League that Nicanor had made with King Iudas whereat Dâ—…metrius being wroth writ unto Nicanor that he had intel igence of his traiterous practises Nicanor was in Jerusalem when this Letter was delivered him When Iudas heard of the contents of the Letter he fled out of Jerusalem into Samaria where he sounded a Trumpet and gathered Israel together Nicanor upon these letters entred the House of the Lord to seek Judas but he found him not Then he examined the Priests who sware they knew not what was become of him After he had now sought him in every corner throughout Jerusalem aud could not find him in a fume he sware he would beat down the Temple and gathering together all his Host He made speed against Judas When he heard of Nicanors coming he issued out of Samaria to met him and after they had joyned battel Judas slew of the Greeks to the number of eighteen thousand Horsemen took Nicanor alive and was intended to kill him But Nicanor besought pardon of him alledging that the King knew well enough that he began not this battel with his good will but left he should transgresse the Commandment of the King his Master Wherefore saith he I humbly beseech your Majesty not to kill me and I will sweare unto you that I will never bear Arms against you nor annoy you any more Upon this the King made a League with him and dismissed him So he returned to the King his Master with shame enough After this Demetrius died and Lysia his son raigned in his stead yet the wicked men ceased not but moved against King Lysia to make a voyage in his own person with a puissant Army against Judas but having the overthrow of King Judas he fled unto Asdotum till he had strongly repaired again his Army Then came he the second time upon Judas in which conflict the Israelites were put to flight King Judas notwithstanding fled neither one way nor other but called to his men and exhorted them to return and stick to him yet they would not obey him So he abod alone with his drawn sword in his hand unto whom none of his enemies durst approach nigh but with chariots and horsemen they environed him and Archers shot at him wounding him sore till he fell down dead upon the ground and they that were about him were taken alive The time that he reigned over Israel was six years Many of the Greeks Captains were slain also in that battel and the King himself so wounded that he was fain to get him into his Country to be cured of his wounds After he had recovered his health he returned again came to Jerusalem and to all the Cities of Israel with the power of the Greeks wherewith he so afflicted them at that time for the space of four moneths after the death of Judas that the like tribulation was never seen in Israel In the mean season the Israelits resorted to Ionathas the son of Mattathias and made him King in Iuda's stead and were sworn unto him This Ionathas fought dâ—…vers great battels against the Greeks having the aid of one Samnus of the kindred of Alexander the first who had made a League with Ionathas and took his part against Grecia wasted and spoiled it sore till at length the King of the Grecians slew Ionathas by a train His reign over Israel was six years Then was Simeon his brother King in his stead against him came Antiochus the second King of the Grecians came to war but Simeon met him and laid first and an ambush to entrap the Greeks and then ordered his battel in array against Antiochus After that he with his whole Host made a face faining as they fled and retired till they perceived Antiochus who pursued them to be within their danger then the ambush brake forth upon the Greeks made a very great slaughter After this Simeon returned to Jerusalem with great joy Then sent Ptolomee King of Egypt an Embassage to Simeon King of Israel offering him his daughter in marriage To this request when King Simeon had consented Ptolomee came to Jerusalem where was made him a great Feast and they were allyed together Whereupon Antiochus King of the Grecians writ to Ptolomee King of Egypt privily to murther Simeon King of Israel Whom Ptolomee durst not but obey for at that time the King of Egypt was in subjection to the Greeks Therefore when Simeon came into Egypt to see his father in law Ptolomee he was received with great feasting but in the same
this unto our Lord the anointed of God He was the King and high Priest what though he were a sinner yet his death shall be an expiation for all his iniquities Therefore we will bewail him and mourn for him yea we will carry his coffin our selves on our necks and bury him as it becometh a Kings Majesty and so they did The time that he had raigned was xxvii years after him raigned his wife Alexandra in his stead for the Pharisees after they had finished the seventh day of the morning they committed the Kingdom unto her She had two sons by the King the Elder was called Hircanus the other Aristobulus Hircanus was a just man and a righteous but Aristobulus was a Warriour and a man of courage besides that of a familiar and loving countenance He favoured also the learned men and followed their instruction But Hircanus his elder brother loved the Pharisees On a time therefore when the Queen sate in the throne of her Kingdom she cal'd the antients of the Pharisees before her honored them and commanded to release and set at liberty all such Pharisees as the King her husband and her father in Law had cast in prison and taking the Pharisees by the hands she commanded all Israel to obey their ordinances Then made she Hircanus her son high Priest and Aristobulus Lieutenant of the Wars She sent also to all the Lands that her husband and father in Law had subdued and demanded the noble mens sons for pledges which she kept in Jerusalem So the Lord gave to the Queen quietness from all that were under her subjection She gave also the Pharisees authority over the learned sort putting them in their hands to order at their will Whereupon straight way they found one Dogrus a great man amongst the learned sort whom they slew and much people besides of the Ancients of that Sect so that the Sectaries were in great distress They gathered themselves together therefore and came to Aristobulus the Lieutenant of the wars and with him they came to the Queen saying unto her Thou knowest the enmity that is between us and the Pharisees which hate thy husband and father in law yea and thy children also We were his men of war that went with him in all his affairs aided him now thou hast given us into their hands to be murthered and banished out of the Land What will Hartam King of Arabia do when he heareth this that we shall forsake thee He will come and revenge him of all the battel that thy husband fought against him Yea the Pharisees will take his part and deliver thee and thy children into his hands that there shall not be left unto Hircanus the King and his Son Alexander thy husband any name or remnant at all The Queen gave them no word of answer whereat Aristobulus was angry and letted not to utter it to his mothers face but she would not hear him Wherefore Aristobulus counselled the Sectaries to go their waies and depart out of Jerusalem to choose them Cities in the land of Juda where they might dwell with their honor and not to suffer themselves to be slain under the Pharisees hands Wherefore departing from Jerusalem they dwelt in the Cities of Juda Not long after this it fortuned the Queen fell fore sick that she was like to dye whereof when Aristobulus heard he feared least the Pharisees would make his brother Hircanus King and at length apprehends him wherefore he fled away by night to the Ciâ—…y of the Saducees to be their head and make war upon his brother if he should presume to Raign He came therefore to the Prince of the Saducees called Galustius who was a good man of war And after he had gathered a strong army of the Saducees his mother the Queeen sent unto him that he should return unto her which he would not do but rather went to war with the nations that dwelt about him where he won twenty Cities and got him great renown thereby Now as the Queen his mother waxed sicker and sicker the chief Pharisees came unto her with her Son Hircanus weeping before her and saying how they were afraid of her son Aristobulus who if he should come into Jerusalem and take it he would deliver them up into the hands of the Saducees Unto whom she answered I am as you see at the point of death not able to talk much with you there is here in my house great treasure that my husband and my father gathered and their parents Kings of the posterity of Chasmonany take that to you and make my son Hircanus King over you If Aristobulus will disturb him and make war against him ye may leavy men of war therewith and succour him as you think good And even with this she fainted and dyed and was buried amongst her people after she had raigned nine years over Israel The Pharisees therefore and Priests with all the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Hircanus her son King in her stead Aristobulus hearing tidings of these things assembled his Army and came toward Jerusalem to fight against his brother But Hircanus met him and encountred with him nigh unto Jordan Jericho The Saducees of Aristobulus host were good men of war and too strong for the Pharisees wherefore Hircanus and the Pharisees had the overthrow at Aristobulus and the Saducees hands who with this victory proceeded forth to Jerusalem besiegeâ—… it and brought it to great distress Wherefore the Priests and the Ancient of the people consulted together and came forth to Aristobulus fell prostrate on the earth before him and besought him that he would not scatter abroad the inhabitants of the Lord. He condescended unto their desires upon these conditions that he should enter into Jerusalem with them and be King and his Brother Hircanus should be High Priest whereupon they agreed Then as Aristobulus entred into Jerusalem his brother came out of the Sanctuary to meet him and with embracing he kissed him So Aristobulus was King and Hircanus executed the office of the High Priest The Lord also gave Israel rest and peace for a while But afterward the Lord sent an evill spirit among them which was the cause of translating the Kingdom from the stock of Chasmonany and of the destruction of his posterity for the sin of Hircanus the great and the sin of Alexander his Son in that they shed so much innocent blood and drew Israel from the obedience of the Prophets unto the lies and trifles of the Saducees For thus it chanced The Saducees beat into Aristobulus head that as long as his Brother Hircanus lived he nor his Kingdom could never be established Whereupon Aristobulus devised how to make away Hircanus which thing a certain man called Autipater was aware of a man of most power in all Israel and thereto also a wise expert and learned in all wisdom both in the laws and in the knowledge of the Greek just of his word and prudent in any strange
thy Sisters husband to poyson me When Herod heard this he was exceedingly abashed that Joseph had disclosed his secret and began to mistrust with himself that which Salumith had told him that he had slept with his wife indeed and upon that detected that secret Therefore he departed out of his palace in a great anger and rage whereby Salumith perceived that he detested Marimi and therefore she accused her further suborning false accusers and forgers of lyes to witnesse that Marimi would have poisoned the King whereof she had divers presumptions also by her countenance She added moreover if thou saith she to the King let her escape thus she will speedily destroy thee and bereave thee of thy Kingdom the law giveth a man this counsâ—…l If any man go about to murther thee prevent him and slay him fiâ—…st With this and such like words she so moved the King that he commanded to bring Marimi forth and to be beheaded in the high street of the City And as she was brought forth into the Market place of the City all the women of the City followed her Alexandra her Mother also cursed and railed at her saying Come out thou that hast abhorred thy Husband and conspired against thy Lord Alexandra wept also as though it had been for the wickednesse that her daughter had committed thinking surely to please the King by that means and to blear his eyeâ—… if peradventure he might suffer her to live till she might have opportunity to poison him Marimi thus going to execution held her peace and looked neither to the right hand nor to the left nor yet feared death any thing knowing that she was innocent in deed and thought and therefore God would render her a good reward in the World to come wherefore she bared her Neck without fear and they cut off her head shedding the innocent blood But God made no delay in punishing the same for there fell a sore plague and pestilence in the house of Herod so that his chief servants his Noble women and Concubines died sore thereof yea throughout all Judea raigned vehemently which afflâ—…ctions all Israel knew well enough chanced unto them for the blood of Marimi They câ—…yed therefore unto the Lord saying wilt thou for the offence of one man deal so cruelly with the whole congregation the Lord took pity therefore upon the land and withdrew the plague from the people The King repented him also that he had shed blood without a cause and love so grew in his heart that he was sick and at deaths door Then Alexandra Marimis mother sought means how to poyson him which being uttered unto the King he commanded to apprehend her and to kill her In this manner dealt Herod with all the posterity of the Machabees leaving none alive that were called by the name Herod put to death also Josephat the husband of Salumith The King had two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus by Marimi his wife They were both at Rome when their Mother suffered for their Father the King had sent them thither to learn the Roman tongue When they heard tidings of their Mothers death they wept and mourned for her hating their Father for his cruelty Soon after the King their father recovered of his sickness was established in his Kingdom builded strong Cities and rose to great prosperity In the thirteenth year of his Raign therefell a great dearth in the land wherefore the King took out of his treasure much gold and silver and precious stones wherewith he sent into Egypt and procured plenty of corn and refreshed with bread all that lackt and were in distress of hunger yea he spared not his own proper goods And not only to the Israelits shewed he this liberality but also to all that came unto him out of other strange Nations hearing of his renown Moreover in all his wars he had good fortune Besides this he thought it good to renew the house of the Sanctuary whereupon he deliberated with the Israelits to have their advice for the building of it after the same quantity and measure that Solomon King of Israel had builded it For the Jews returning from captivity in the time of Coresch began to build it after the measure that Coresch prescribed them and not as it was before The King of Israel hearing that the King was purposed to pull down the Temple to the ground and build it afresh they made hâ—…m no answer fearing lest when he had pulled it down he would not be so hasty to build it up again But the King perceiving what they feared in their minds said he would not slack the matter nor rest till he had brought it to pass He said moreover that he would take out of his treasury plenty of gold and silver and give it to graving also precious stones stones of Thasies and Marble To the Carpenters also and Masons he would deliver Timber and Stones Gold and Silver Brass and Iron to make all things necessary to the work Wherefore if he pulled down the House he was able to build it straight waies again So he pulled down the House and repaired it again and finished it in length a hundred cubits al of white Marble so that the whole height of the stone was in all a hundred and twenty cubits For the Foundation was twenty cubits within the ground and a hundred above The breadth of every stone was twelve cubits and the thickness thereof eight cubits every stone was of like bigness The gates of the House he covered with fine gold and precious Stones finely set therein the thresholds were of Silver and the tops also He made also a Vine of gold a marvellous cunning piece of work the arms thereof or bigger branches were glittering gold the lesser branches slips or latest shoots of gold somewhat red and all above was yellow gold whereupon hung clusters of Crystall The Vine was so great that it weighed a thousand pound weight of pure gold In all the world was not the like to be seen He made also a porch and before the porch two walls of Silver marvellously and cunningly wrought Behind the house toward the West he made a court of a hundred fifty cubits long and a hundred in breadth which was paved with pure Marble Toward the south and north the length of the court was also a hundred and fifty cubits and a hundred in bredth He erected in it also a hundred and fifty Pillars of white Marble in 4 rancks The length of one ranck was fourty cubics and every Pillar was fourty cubits high and three cubits thick The pillars were all of like measure as the Court of the North side and of the South was also of like measure with all the pillars thereof Towards the east the court contained seven hundred and twenty cubits even to the brook Cedron no man ever saw the like building in all the world The Vine that he made placed he before the porch In â—…he extream parts of
Gold and Silver as chaffe and stones he kept Israel in peace from all his enemies he buiâ—…ded also a fairer Temple than King Solomon but he made the yoke of tribute and exaction in Israel more heavy and gave open ear to evâ—…l tongues He was a cruel blood-shedder of poor and innocent persons and Archelaus his son reigned in his room He willed before his death that they should bury him in the City of Erodion two dayes journey and a half from Jerusalem So they put him in a Coffin covered with Gold set here and there with precious stones The Bed under him was wrought with Gold and full of precious stones likewise upon his head was a cloth of Rayes powdred with precious stones and upon that a Royal Crown made fast to the left side of the Coffin and on the right side was a Regal Scepter upon the Bier was also a cloth of Rayes very thick powdred with precious stones Crystal Amethysts and very many â—…aphirs Then all the chief men of War went about him in their coats of fence and drawn swords in their hands with helmets on their heads as in the time of war After them came Archelaus his son that was made King then followed him all the people There were fifty of his servants that went about the Bier every one having a chaffindish of Gold in his hand wherein they burnt sweet woods and perfumes continually as many as went about him casting upon the Hearse pure Myrrhe He was born by certain great Lords and Noblemen of Israel upon their shouldders going leisurely and with a majesty till they came to Erodion where they buried him with great honour the like was never done to any King These things done there resorted together such as hated Herod and were weary of their own lives whiles he lived rejoycing that they had escaped his hands saying We have looked till our eyes bleared waiting for the death of Herod that Tyrant and bloodshedder that oppressed us with such heavy yokes that left us nothing to live on for the tributes and taxes that he laid upon us yet now Archelaus his son is worse than he Wherefore they consulted together and cast their minds and good will toward Antipater the son of Salumith the Kings Sister one of the blood of Chasmonany and went with him to Octavian Augustus requesting him to translate the kingdom from Archelaus to Antipater but he would not grant them their suite yea he rather confirmed and assured the kingdom to Archelaus who wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord for he married his brother Alexanders Wife that had children by Alexander and committed many great offences The ninth year of Archelaus's raign it chanced upon a night he dreamed a dream He thought he saw nine eares of corn very good and full grown upon one stalk then came a great Oxe and did eate them up all at one bit by and by he awaked and perceived it was a dream therefore calling one of the Sages of Israel unto him he shewed him his dream The wise man said this is the interpretation of it The 9. eares fresh and full be the 9 years which thou hast raigned The great Oxe is the great King Octavian Augustus This year thou shaâ—…t be removed from thy kingdom because thou hast neglected the word of God and hast married thy brothers wife to this Archelaus answered him neither good nor bad Within five dayes after Octavian came towards Jerusalem and when Archelaus wenâ—… to meet him he put him in prison deposed him from the kingdom of Israel and made Antipas his brother King in his stead he turned his name also and called him Herod that done he returned to Rome Whiles Antipater was King died the Emperour Octavian Augustus the 56. year of his raign and Tiberius Caesar succeeded him This Antipas also wrought wickedness and sundry abominations more than any that was before him for he took his brother Philips Wife from him which had already children by Philip for this shameful deed Rabbi John Baptist the high Priest rebuked him wherefore Antipas put him to death There was at that time one Jesus a wise man if it be lawful to call him a Man for he was a worker of wonderfull works and a teacher of such men as gladly did hear the truth and had many Disciples both of the Jews and also of the Gentiles This man was Christ. who after he was accused of the chief Rulers of our Nation and condemned by Pilate to be crucified was nevertheless much beloved by them who loved him even from the beginning To these he appeared the third day alive according as the Prophets by Divine inspiration had told before aswell of this as also of many other things which should be done by him And even to this day the Christian sect which took their name of him continueth Against this man Antipas before named came Tiberius Emperour of Rome to whom when Antipas repaired he apprehended him laâ—…d him in irons and sent him into Spain where he died Archelaus also that was deposed before died in the time of this Tiberius raign Then Tiberius made Agrippa the son of Aristobulus whom Herod put to death Antipas brother King in his stead The time that Antipas raigned over Israel was 11. years In Agrippas time died Tiberius Caesar and Caius succeeded him This Caius called himself a God and would suffer no man to worship any thing in his Empire but himselfe he continued not long in this dignity but decayed and died After him succeeded Claudius Claudius being dead Nero Caesar was Emperor Agrippa raigned over Israel 23 years In his time Nero sore oppressed Israel by setting cruel presidents over them which left them nothing to live upon and besides that he punished them with divers torments until at length they were constrained to rebel against the Roman Empire and Nero Cesar to rid themselves from under his subjection And above all other one Florus president and Captain of the Roman Army most grievously oppressed the Jews and had done many things very wickedly For not onely he shed innocent blood ravishing at his pleasure wives and deflouring maids in the Cities of Juda but also robbed with great cruelty every man of his goods he polluted the Temple and upon the beams thereof he hung those that he took displeasure at It chanced that Beronice King Agrippa's sister came at that time to Jerusalem out of devotion to vifit the holy place She seeing Florus violently oppress the people and for payment of exactions and tallage to slay many of them even at the entrance of the Temple she came forth weeping unto Florus beseeching him to spare the people for she pitied them very greatly Yet Florus relented nothing but when she was departed from him he flouted and mockt her though she were the Kings sister and that in the Temple of the Lord. There was present at that time a valiant young man Eleasar the son of Anani the high Priest
stones And another like chance hapned A stone came and hit one of Josephs men of war a valiant man in such sort that it divided his head from his body and made it fly a large mile off At the same time one of the Roman souldiers devised with himself how to hit Joseph with a venomed arrow and gat him under a wall where Joseph was to accomplish his purpose but Joseph espied him and cryed to him Hold thy hand thou wicked fellow and do not kill me With that the fellow started somewhat aside being afraid at Josephs voice and suddenly the Jews out of the Town poured hot Oyl upon him from the wall and his skin was scalded off and he ran away naked howling and yelling to the Romans Camp where he died Vespasian and his son Titus were fully determined to continue the assault until the 47. day notwithstanding the walls were so high that they could not win the Town Yet at length the men were so spent within the Town that they that remained alive were so wearied with toyling that they were not able any longer to furnish theirwatch upon the wall This upon a certain night Vespasian and Titus understanding scaled the walls at a quarter where watchmen were lacking and after them many more of the Roman souldiers followed which went down on the inside and brake open the great gate of the Town whereat entred the whole Army of the Romans And being within the Town sounded their Trumpets and shouted to battel The Jews with the alarum tumult and hurly burly of the Romans awaked out of their sleep and were sore afraid Notwithstanding every man took him to his weapon and drew to the Market-place as fast as they might They had made the Market-place of the Town so large of purpose that if any businesse should happen there might come together the whole City if they would and as they looked about them they saw the Roman Army entring in at the Town by the way that came from the great gate Then fought they with the Romans and divided even in the Market-place where they stood exhorting one another and saying Let us die here fighting and never suffer our selves to be taken alive But Joseph and forty men with him worthy men all fled away into a wood where they found a â—…ain Cave and hid themselves therein All the 〈◊〉 of the Citizens were slain in that conflict for they would not yield nor commit themselves to the Romans they trusted them so little For on a time a certain Jew besought a Roman souldier to save his life and the Roman sware unto him saying God deal thus and thus with me if I slay thee therefore yield and come hither to me The Jew required him to give his right hand that he might trust him and the Roman reached him his left hand The Jew being dismayed in that great fear mark't not that it was his left hand But when the Roman had once hold of him he kept him fast with that hand and with his right took his sword slew the Jew that then was naked having cast away his weapon upon trust of the Roman When the Jews saw how the Roman regarded not his oath but slew the Jew that upon the trust of his promise and oath had yielded himself unto him they determined to die altogether and never to trust the Romans Whereupon they resolved with themselves utterly to die for the holinesse of the Lord God of Israel but in so doing they slew much people of the Romans and far more than they had done in any other battel yet at length the City was taken When Vespasian had knowledge where Joseph and his company was he sent Nicanor Pilerinus and Callicanus with him to Joseph to will him to come forth and he should have his life and not be slain upon that Joseph debated the matter with them that were with him in the Den requiring their advice For my part saith he if ye will follow my counsel I think it best we go unto them but upon this condition That they will make us a formal assurance of our lives effectually as we shall require them which done I doubt not but Vespasian when we come unto him will extend his favour towards us When these men perceived Joseph to be inclined to yield unto the Romans they said We marvel at thee O Prince Joseph at thee we say that wast chosen out of thousands of people and promoted to the Priesthood and Kingdom to sanctifie and hallow the Lord God of Israel who wast also appointed Captain General of so great an host and hast seen with thine eyes the shameful reproach of thy people with the displeasures and damages of thy Sheep that thou hast yet any desire to live in this dishonour What seest thou that thou wouldest desire to live Should'st thou not rather desire death than life Peradventure thou perswadest thy self that they call unto thee to save thy life or for thy commodity but without doubt this were a vain perswasion For they call thee for none other intent than to take thee alive and to brag how they took Joseph that was consecrated and addicted to the Wars and make it an argument that their power prospereth Now therefore our dear Brother and our Prince consider that this they will do yea if they save thy life But put the case they put thee to death Were it not better for thee to die on thine own sword than on theirs yea if it were for nothing but this it is better for thee to die than live lest thou should'st hear their reproaches their upbraidings and their quarrellings and if they preserve thee alive never think they do it for thy good but rather for thy ignominy and shame which is far more grievous than death it self Wherefore our dear Brother and our Prince What comes in thy mind that thou purposest to live after that thou hast lost thy people and thy brethren And to what purpose serveth thy life after they be 〈◊〉 one Mark diligently what Moses of worthy memory our Master did how he spake before God touching the people of Israel O pardon their sins saith he or else blot me quite out of thy book whiâ—…h thou hast written He would not live after the destruction of his people although the Almighty said unto him Let me alone that I may wreak mine anger upon them and consume them Why dost thou not call unto thy remembrance Aaron his brother that went betwixt life and death in withstanding the Angel that plagued the people and offered himself to die for his people that the plague might cease from Israel Where is King Saul and his son Jonathan that foughtfor the people of God and died in the field Could not Saul have saved his life and his sons both if he had been so disposed But he when he saw Israel had the overthrow in the battel he had no desire to live longer but chose to die rather than to
own hand Such ye know the law thus punisheth Their right hand is cut off wherewith they forced themselves to die then they are left unburied as men that have destroyed their own souls By what reason then shall we kill our selves I would wish that we might be slain of our enemies rather than we should so shamefully murder ourselves whereby ever after we should be taken for man-slayers If any man kill himself as Saul whom he commended without doubt he committeth a haynous crime and such a one as no satisfaction can be made for Besides that he shall be reckoned faint-hearted and as one that despaireth of his recovery wherefore our fore-fathers have taught us A man ought not to despair of his safegard and deliverance which cometh of God no not when the knife is put to his throat to cut it For King Hezekiah of famous memory when he heard these words of Esaias that worthy Prophet Make thy Will and set thy things in order for thou shalt die and not escape Neverthelesse he fainted not nor ceased not to pray to God for the prolonging of his life in theworld that he might amend his life and send a better soul unto God Then the Lord God of Israel seeing his unwearied and strong hope with his repentance suffered him to live fifteen years longer But as for Saul he was not appointed King over Israel after the Lords mind but only by the people that craved of Samuel Give us a King to rule over us whereupon afterward God departed from Saul for he was not obedient to Gods will but went about by force to establish his kingdom The Lord then seeing the wickednesse of his heart gave him over and chose him another to be King over his people anointing David his servant whiles Saul was yet living which Saul perceiving persecuted David and laboured with all his endeavour to destroy him because he knew God was with him and prospered all that he did whereas contrarily all went backward with himself For these causes I say he chose rather to die than live he also would not live after the people of Israel were overthrown in the Mountains of Gilboa And in mine opinion he slew himself for nothing but because he was a faint-hearted coward and utterly despaired of his safegard For although he said Lest these uncircumcised come and run me through Yet if he had been of aâ—…valiant courage he would have stood to his defence to the death Peradventure God would have delivered him But he contrarily all in despair procured both himself and his son a shameful death But ye shall consider this he was an unmerciful King and therefore did God rid him out of the World For as he did not spare his own life nor his son's so did he not spare others And whereas ye alledge Aaron unto me I would know of you why he put himself between the living and the dead Was it not because he would turn away the plague from Israel If he had known that he himself should have been stricken therewith doubtlesse he would not have striven against the striker but trusting in the holinesse of his righteousnesse he stood before the Angel to deliver Israel from that misery Therefore I am not to be compared with Aaron albeit I am one of his children and never yet in all my life did I shrink to venture my life in the Wars of the Lord And now I am not determined to kill my self lest I should sin against God and spoil my soul of hope of salvation I know it well and it were more expedient for me to be slain of mine enemies then that I should kill my self And if ye say the word Let us go forth and suddenly set upon our enemies to kill or to be killed in this battel of the Lord and so shall we do well peradventure God will give them into our hands For God is able to save as well by a small Army as by a great Then if ye see me to be afraid of mine enemies sword ye shall thereby know me to be a coward and one that fawneth upon his enemies and hunteth for their favour But ye shall see me go before you as a valiant man nor once to turn my face from death What did ye ever see in me that you should judge me fearful Did ye ever know me refuse to fight within the Town of Jorpata I have ever kept my quarter and ward and every day have I fought with mine enemies whom I have not spared but impaired and that not a little whiles I defended that little City forty eight daves against them For I thought with my self peradventure I may drive away the enemies of the Lord out of our Land and divert them from Jerusalem that they go not thither And so have I fought with them till all my valiant souldiers be spent and none left but you I could no longer withstand their force yet I would not yeild my self as a prisoner unto them therefore I fled hither with you into this Cave Now therefore Brethren ye shall understand that death is commodious and good indeed which comes in time But it is neither good nor godly for a man to kill himself and his brother to go afterward for that deed into hell and perdition And what other thing can more clearly set forth a mans proud and haughty mind with his hope in God than for a man to suffer patiently whatsoever chanceth unto him until his end come Behold the Lions and other Beasts how they are wont to withstand their enemies that lie in wait for them to the intent they may save their lives whose armour is in their teeth and claws wherewith neverthelesse they hurt not themselves but use them against other that assault them till they either overcâ—…me or be overcome We although we have no warlike Weapons yet have Nature armed us as well as them For albeit we be not of such strength as they yet hath we such armour that we may defend our selves therewith both from man and beast But how can we break the band of love one to another that proceedeth from God who hath chosen us his people and inheritance to sanctifie him How then may we be enemies one against another and kill one another If that be true as ye cannot deny it that although we be many thousands yet we are counted as one soul and members of one body Then how can any man ever find in his heart to strike his own eyes or feet or any other of his members to destroy it except he be mad and besides himself Moreover dear Brethren and Friends consider to what end the Master of a ship doth abide the tempest of the Seas and striveth day and night with the floods thereof Doth he not do it to save the Ship and his life from death If so it be he shâ—…uld willingly for the same purpose put himself in jeopardy of Tempest or run on Rocks Would not the Merchant-men
Romans and are under their subjection at this day What should I speak of the people of the Philistines which heretofore alwayes have vexed and annoyed you Doth not the meanest amongst all the Princes of the Romans bear rule over them What hope then have you to escape when ye know the Philistines were ever stronger than you and you were oftentimes overcome of them As for example Saul your King was slain by them But you will say David the annointed of the Lord of Israel pulled them down and brought them into subjection Wote ye what then God looked upon you with a favourable countenance and fought your battels Himself but at this day He is in no wise present with you for he hath turned away his countenance of salvation from you Because ye have sinned against him And which of you can say he hath intelligence of the secret of the Lord or hath received any such watch-word as God gave at that time unto David When thou shalt hear a sound of mourning in the tops of Mulbery-trees then shalt thou set forward for then shall the Lord go before thy face smite the Tents and Camps of the Philistines 2 Sam. 5. Whosoever I say hath knowledge of any such token let him reveal it to his neighbour and I could well consent to follow it But seeing there is no such thing hearken unto me my dear brethren Come and serve the Romans in peace and tranquillity It shall be no dishonesty for you with the Kings of Persia to be subject to the Romans they that sometime were your Masters shall be now your fellows and companions But if you will persevere and stand in your opinion still I will enter into this discourse with you Tell me I pray you when were ever your ancestours free and when were they not entangled with the wars of the Gentiles and the Dominion of other Nations Had you not ever the victory from the time you came out of Egypt until the reign of Saul the son of Cis So long as the Lord was your King you were in bondage to no man you served God as your only King But after that your evil and corrupt desire stirred you to be irksome to the Lord and lest he should reign alone to chuse a man to have the Dominion over you according as the custom was in other Nations I mean Saul the son of Cis and the other Kings every one then served you him you and your sons and the chiefest of you became his servants your goodliest daughters were made his Confectionaries his Cooks and his Bakers After Saul reigned David of worthy memory who ruled over many Nations But he also brought you into bondage and put divers of you to death to satisfie his pleasure withal He being dead you served Solomon his son who no lesse than the other even as he listed exercised Dominion over you he also took up your sons and daughters and made them his slaves After this succeeded other most wicked Kings so that from that time your Country began to go to wrack and he that was the best amongst them was Rehoboam which said unto you My father corrected you with whips but I will scourge you with Scorpions And so did the rest of the Kings which reigned after him very few of them pleased God All the other wrought abomination not one of them did any good or reigned in the fear of the Lord. And in this manner remained the Empire long time with you until the Kings of Chaldea came and led you Captive into Babylon where you were kept until Cyrus time King of Persia who sent you again into your own Country with a wonderful deal of gold and silver with great honour which was counted unto him for righteousnesse After Cyrus death there rose against you the most wicked Kings of Greece who warring upon you gave you great overthrows until God stirred up the spirits of certain Sage Priests of the stock of Chasmonani that revenged your injuries At that time you were Brethren and Friends with the Romans and friendship grew betwixt you many years After that you fell from the stock of Chasmonani which had delivered you and chose one whose name was Herod who oppressed you grievously After him succeeded Archelaus his son he yet laid a sorer yoke upon you wherefore falling upon him ye protested never hereafter to serve the Kings of Juda. So going to the Romans willingly ye submitted your selves under their subjection to serve Augustus the Emperour who ordered you gently Him you served as other Nations did and it was to your praise because ye were under a good Governour Therefore now my Brethren and Children of my people What mean you at this present that you have determined to die and do not rather spare your selves and your children Consider I beseech you the things that grow upon the earth and all living creatures beasts worms that creep upon the ground fowls of the air and fishes of the sea Do you not see that ever the stronger hath the Dominion over the weaker neither is it any rebuke or shame for the weaker to give place and obey that which is stronger For the Oxe and the Goat are in awe of the Lyon the Ram and the Ewe of the Woolfe the Cow and the Lamb fear the Bear the Goat the Liberd the Hawk is afraid of the Eagle the Dove of the Hawk Weigh the manner of beasts and birds amongst their own kind you shall see ever the bigger and stronger to be master over the lesse and weaker And so in all other things the stronger set themselves before the weaker alwayes Wherefore ye mortal men learn by me Did not one God make all things and He himself hath Dominion over them all Notwithstanding all things are so knit together amongst themselves that no one thing can stand without another But he that holds up all things is the Blessed God who if he list can bring them all into dust again His Name be extolled for ever Take example I pray you from the parts of the whole World you shall see one part to be in subjection another to bear rule Be not then too stiffe-necked to pervert the natural courses of the World but rather let your election follow the causes and events of the same which if you do you shall be esteemed wise men Now my dear Countrymen never think it shame for you to serve the Romans it is time for you now to turn to the Lord with your whole heart and then you shall have the dominion over other Nations according to your desire this shall then come to passe when you follow your Lord God with all your strength Therefore never think that the Romans which have rule over you at this day are of lesse power than other people that heretofore have had dominion over you For they are a mighty Nation their Empire and rule over other people they have from above as I have proved to you by the similitudes
avail tears Why do ye not rather go before me and I will follow as I may For what should I do now seeing God hath given me into the hands of a most cruel Tyrant who spareth neither mine age nor your youth But I trust we shall live together in the Light of the Lord And although I cannot be suffered now to see you enough yet when we shall come thither we shall be satisfied with beholding one another Go ye therefore my dear sons and prepare us a place O that I might go before you the Lord knoweth I would do it gladly But ye my sons marvel not at this that is chanced unto us for it is no new thing The like hapned before this in the time of the Chasmonanites when as Antiochus by his wickednesse put to death the seven brethren young men in the sight of their mother which was a righteous and godly woman who chanced to find this mercy at the Lords hands that she might â—…sse her sons and embrace them as they also kist one another before they died Although they were put to death by the cruelty of the uncircumcised King of the Macedonians yet obtained they that which is denied at this day to us that are put to death by Schimeon who haâ—…h â—…he name of an â—…sraelite who beareth also the Covenant of our father Abraham in his flesh And would to God that we might live in their â—…nne or place of rest which albeit it will not be granted yet we shall be their neighbours seeing that we also die for the Law of the Lord. Therefore be of good comfort my sons and lament not for my sake For I judge this my misery easier and not so great as the calamity of Zedekiah whose sons were first killed then his eyes put out by the King of Chaldea and he lived many years after we are so much the more happie in my mind because we shall die together Then said Amittai to Schimeons servant which should kill him Make speed I pray thee and kill me first before my children die then after kill them also that we may die together for it is more expedient for us than to see the Temple of the Lord turned into a butchery or slaughter-house to slay men in After cryed he to God saying I beseech thee O Lord God most High which dwellest in the Highest judge this Schimeon according to his works reward him according to his deservings For thou art the God Almighty and dreadfull Let not this Destroyer die therefore among the people of thy pasture but that his death may be severed from the death of other men Let him die a horrible and sudden death Let him have no time to confesse his sins and to return himself to thee that thou mayest receive him for thou wert wont to receive them which turn to thee by repentance for he is not worthy of repentance which hath spoiled and wasted many goodly things in thy Temple besides that hath murdered most holy men in the same To the intent therefore that thy judgements may be declared in him I beseech thee make him to be taken Captive of his enemies together with his wife children and family and all that ever love him Neither give unto his soul any part with the people of God nor let his portion be with the just men in thy Sanctuary for he is unworthy of them because he hath not only sinned himself but hath caused Israel to sin Wherefore let his judgement and sentence go forth from thy sight that he may see his Wife Children and his whole House led into captivity and bondage before his face Afterward let him die a strange death such as never man heard of Let him be killed by most cruel men which when they have smitten him may after quarter him also whiles he is yet alive and that he may see his children go into bondage Let him also be a curse before all that shall see him Moreover Let him perceive that my words and destiny is better than his when as I go unto Thee in that great Light which he shall be deprived of After these words Amittai said to the servant who was appointed to kill him I beseech thee Let me find so much favour at thy hands that when thou hast slain my sons thou wouldst kill me with the same sword while it is yet wet with the blood of my sons that our blood may be mingled and this may be a recreation to my soul. Kill me also in the fight of the Romans that they may avenge me and my sons upon this most cruel Schimeon they shall be witnesses against him that I was not their friend But would God my affaires were all in that state as they were before for then should they perceive me to be an enemy of Schimeons and a friend of theirs Would God I had withstood Schimeon at the first earnestly as I made War upon the Romans that I might have avoided his cruelty from the people of God When he had said all these things he prayed before God Almighty saying O God which dwellest in the Highest thou only art most mighty and fearful open now the eyes of thy judgements consider and judge betwixt me and seditious Schimeon whose malice is become unmeasurable upon the people of GOD that he which sheddeth the blood of them that fear thee in the midst of the Temple may be rebuked of thee with rebukings according to his works make speedy vengeance and prolong not and that for the deaths sake of thy Saints for thy judgements are the judgements of truth Then Schimeon gave commandment to four Cut-throats of his that three of them should kill Amittai's three sons before their Fathers face and the fourth should kill Amittai himself and so the blood of the sons was mixt with the blood of their father Afterward Schimeons servant took the body of Amittai and laid it upon the bodies of his sons as his desire was then tumbled them over the Walls After that Schimeon commanded that Chanacus the high Priest should be put to death whose body was cast unto the bodies of Amittai and his Sons Aristus also the Scribe one of the Noble men of Jerusalem was killed at the same time and â—…en just men more of his kindred and house because theâ—… mourned for the death of Aristus It hapned while Schimeon was killing of those ten certain substantial rich men passed by and were wonderfully amazed when they saw the thing saying one to another How long will God suffer the malice of Schimeon and will not search out the blood of just men nor revenge them Certain seditious persons hearing this told it unto Schimeon who commanded them to be apprehended and murthered the same day After this there passed by eleven of the Noble men of Jerusalem which seeing fourty two innocents to be put to death by Schimeon they lift up their eyes to the heavens and said O Lord God of Israel How long wilt
thou hold thy hand and not execute thine anger against these transgressours of thy will which when Schimeon heard of he commanded them to be apprehended and killed them with his own hands Eleazar the son of Anani the Priest seeing the malice and wickednesse of Schimeon to be great and that he destroyed the just and godly men of the City and that there was no hope left he betook himself to the Tower of Jerusalem remained in it and kept it with his Jehudas also a Captain over a thousand men which kept a Turret that Schimeon had made to put just and good men in got him upon the top of the walls and cryed to the Romans if peradventure they would deliver him and the rest that were at Jerusalem Wherefore he went about to escape with his one thousand men that he had with him and came towards the Romans But the Romans trusted them not thinking he had spoken this for deceit wherefore they came not to help him Schimeon upon this killed Jehudas and the thousand men which he had with him and commanded their bodies to be tumbled over the walls in the sight of the Romans Then Schimeon cryed to the Princes and Captains of the Romans saying Lo these are Jehudas company these would have come forth unto you take their carcases to you and revive them again if you can or else deliver the rest which yet live out of our hands Gorion the Priest father of Joseph the Priest who wrot this Book to the Israelites was at that time in bonds and prison in a certain Turret a man of great age being a hundred and thirty and no man could come unto him nor from him Joseph therefore went to the Turret where his father was kept to understand how he did He beheld also the Turret afar off if he might espv his father and comfort him And as he passed by looking up to the Turret the Seditious hurled a stone at him which hit him on the head that it overthrew him The Seditious seeing Joseph cast out of his Chariot determined to go down unto him but when Titus had knowledge thereof he sent a great strength to help him up again and to defend him that his enemies did him no wrong The Seditious going about to take Joseph sounded a Trumpet very loud which when Josephs mother that was kept in Schimeons house heard being now 87 years of age asked what was the cause of the hurly burly they told her that the Seditious issued out at that shout against Joseph to take him When she heard that by and by she run out of the house that she was kept in and climbed up the walls as lustily as thâ—…ugh she had been a young girle of 14 years old â—…ore her hair and cryed out weeping and saying before all them that were present Is my hope then come to this Could I ever have looked that I should have overlived my son and that I should not be suffered to see him and to bury him I had trusted he should have buried me and that he should have been a help to me in mine age and when my whole Family by the Seditious was almost made away and extinguished yet I said This shall comfort me Now therefore what shall I do when I have none left to comfort me of all my children that I bare for between the Seditious and the Gentiles our enemies they have slain 18. sons that I had and what shall I do now from henceforth but covet death for I desire not to live now any longer And how should I receive any consolation when I see my son dead and I cannot bury him Lord that I might dye by and by for I cannot live any longer since my son Joseph is now dead She went up yet further upon the walls till she came to the Turret where her husband was in prison and stretch't out her hands towards heaven crying with a loud voyce O my son Joseph my son Where art thou come and speak unto me and comfort me The Seditious hearing her laught her to scorn but the Romans when they heard her and understood by Joseph that it was his mother they wept and lamented her case and many of the Jews also that were in Jerusalem but they were fain to refrain it lest they should be perceived of Schimeons cruell cut-throats Then Josephs mother said to the Seditious that were with her upon the walls Why do ye not kill me also which bare Joseph my son and nurst him with these breasts Ye enemies of the Lord have murdered him with other just men Why kill ye not me also God be Judge betwixt me and you who have killed my son guiâ—…tlesse The Seditious answered her Canst thou not if thou list tumble down over the wall and die we will give thee leave When thou hast done so the Romans shall take thee up and bury thee honourably because that thou art Josephs Mother who is their friend She answered How shaâ—…l I do this evil unto my self to kill my self and constrain my soul to go forth of my body before that â—…od doth call it if I should do so I should have no hope left in the World to come for no body will bury them whom they perceive to have killed themselves These and such like while she reasoned wisely the Seditious heard and mocked her wherefore she wept the more abundantly so that the Romans and some godly men hearing her wisdom could not abstain from weeping Joseph when he heard the voice of his Mother got on armour and approached to the wall accompanied with most valiant Romans to defend him from the arrows of the Jews and spake to his Mother Fear not my dear Mother nor take any thought for me for I have escaped the hands of the Seditious God hath not suffered me to come into their hands wherefore I have heard the words of these wicked counsellours that advised thee to kill thy self and thine answer to them which before thou gavest them I knew thou wouldest answer God forbid say I God forbid that Josephs Mother and the Wife of Gorion should consent to the counsel of the wicked Wherefore my dear Mother be content and bear the yoke of the Seditious patiently and humble thy self before them Neither strive against the miseries and calamities of this time which thou caust not alter nor remedy For they shall perish but we shall stand and continue There were certain men of Jerusalem at that time that came to the Gates overcame the Ward and got out with their Wives and Children and so escaped to the Romans because they could no longer abide the famine and the iniquity of the Seditious They were faithful Citizens and of great authority whom when Joseph heard of he so prevailed that Titus spared them and received them to mercy For Joseph bare witnesse and reported of them that they were Noble men of Jerusalem wherefore the Romans received them and gave them food and sustenance but
and in their will they brake the Crib Gen. 29. Crib for an Oxe Least the King should deride them and ask what hath a man to do with an Oxe The seventh And Moses took his wife and his sons and set them upon that that could bear a man Exod. 4. That that could bear a man for an Ass least the King should delude our Master Moses because he rod on an Ass and that he should not say how should an Ass bear a woman and two children He would never have done it if he had not been a begger The eighth And the dwelling of the Children of Israel in Egypt and other lands was 430. years Exod. 12. Notwithstanding they abode not in Egypt but 210. years and that is that their father Jacob told them Descend ye the letters of the which word in Hebrew signify 210 thither Furthermore the computation of 430. years is from the year that Isaac was born which was the holy seed unto Abraham The ninth And unto the little ones of the children of Israel stretched he not his hand Exod. 4. Little ones for Princes As who would say yea also unto their little ones he stretched not his hand Because he should not say the great men escaped but the children of the sons of Israel escaped not The tenth I took of them nothing of value Numb 16. Of value for an ass Least he should say he took not an Ass but he took one reward The eleventh Which things thy Lord God hath divided that they may shine on all People Deut. 4. That they may shine is added Least he should take an argument thereof and say Loe the Holy and blessed Lord hath divided them to all People and hath given them Licence to worship them The twelfth He went and worshiped strange gods which I commanded not to worship Deut. 17. To worship is added Least he should say now hast thou called them to strange worshiping of gods The thirteenth They Translated an Hare Little feet because the Kings wife was called Hare least he should say the Jews mock't me When these Seventy elders had Translated the Law into the Greek Tougue Ptolomy rejoycing much in their wisdom honored them with Princely apparel and great rewards brought them home again merry and glad Moreover he sent by them oblations to our God At that time there were many that condescend to follow the Laws of the Grecians but these Seventy refused Not long after Captain Seleâ—…cus Ptolomyes companion in Office died in whose stead Antiochus reigned in Macedonia This Antiochus making war upon Ptolomy bereft him of all his Dominions and slew him After that he subdued the Land of Israel then under the Regiment of Ptolomy and waxed very proud He hated Israel also because they loved Ptolomy and aided him in thâ—… wars against him This is that Antiochus that builded a great City upon the sea coast and called it Antiochia wherein he made a golden Idol commanding that the children of Israel should be brought unto it and worship it But some of them chose rather to suffer death for the religion of their God and some other fell from the Synagogue their mother Church Before this he took away also their Sabbath their New Moon and league of Circumcision forbidding that in any wise they should observe these Commandments in any place throughout all his Dominions For the which he put many of the Israelites to death and oppressed them more then did ever any of their enemies or adversaries The second man in honor next himself in Jerusalem was one Polipus he erected an Image in the Temple commanding the people of Israel to worship it and whosoever was disobedient to be slain Therefore he put to death Hanna and her seven children as it is mentioned in other places When Antiochus perceived this it increased his hatred towards Israel insomuch that he did his endeavour that none of them should escape or be left alive except such as would worship the Image Then fled many of the Israelites to the mount Modiit and to Jericho because of the law of Polipus and Antiochus his lord having to their Governour the high Priest Mattathias son of John otherwise called Casmoname The Priest enjoyned them to fast and punish themselves before the Lord with weeping sackcloth and ashes And after this he saith unto them if ye will jeopard your lives for the holy Lord why dye we like women Let us go and fight with Polipus and if we dye we shall dye with honor parad venture the Holy and blessed God will help us and will not root out the remnant of Israel To this counsel every man assembled and made a covenant with him upon this thing Polipus hearing this gathered his forces together and made towards them to destroy them and what Israelite soever he found in his way he slew him Mattathias the Priest and all the remnant of Israel understanding that Polipus came against them they went up the mount Modiit with their wives and children Then put he himself and his sons in aâ—…or He had five sons Judas the eldest the next Johonathan the third Joachan the fourth Schimeen the fift Eleazar All these were va iant men of war When Polipus came to them he craftily spake to Mattathias saying Thou art one of the chiefmen in Israel and a man of honor and estimation Come down therefore and all that be with thee worship the Image and strive not against the King that ye may live and not be destroyed Thou shalt be their Prince also if thou shalt be conformable But the Priest in no wise would be seduced by him but rather cursed and reviled him Mattathias had an Altar at the foot of the hill whereupon when he had offered sacrifice to the most blessed God there came one of the wicked Israelites out of Polipus Camp and killed upon it a swine This villain was young and lusty but the Priest was old yet when he saw what this lewd fellow had done crying to his God to strengthen him he challenged a combat between himself and the fellow Which thing being liked both of the fellow and of Polipus with his whole army Mattathias came down with his drawn sword in his hand and the fellow stood against him ready to receive him But the Priest rushing upon him by the assistance of his God overcame him cut off his head and cast his carcass upon the Altar whereat Polipus and his whole Hoast were much astonied beholding one another The Priest stood still by the Altar crying which of you will come to me man for man Then Polipus picked out a strong champion the best of all his army and brought him out of the arreis of his hoast to teach him his lesson how he should behave himself with the Priest The Priest therefore drew toward the camp with his naked sword in his hand as though he came to joyn with their champion but leaving him he turned his sword upon Polipus struck of his
burnt up the City He had wars also with the Romans and the Arabians and God prospered all that ever he took in hand Shortly after God gave him rest and quietnesse from all that dwelt about him and from all his enemies so that Israel rested boldly in peace and tranquility all his time On a time the King made a Feast to all the Sages of Israel that they might make cheer with him And being pleasantly disposed he said I am your Scholler and whatsoever I do that do I by your Authority Wherefore I pray you if you see any fault in me or if I do not as becometh me tell me of it that I might reform my evil way Then every man greatly extolled and commended him saying who is like unto thee our Lord King so worthy of the Kingdom 〈◊〉 Priesthood so notable in good works whose works be done for the God of heaven which hast also done us so much good in Israel The King was well pleased with their answer and rejoyced greatly Yet was there one among them an undiscreet man called Elezaar who spake unadvisedly to the king And it please your Majesty it were sufficient for you to have the Crown of the Kingdom ye might leave the Crown of the Priesthood to the seed of Aaron for as much as your mother was Captain in mount Modiit Incontinent the King was moved and sore displeased against the Sages which certain of his servants that hated the Sages and smelled somewhat of Sects perceiving one of them informed the King that whatsoever that undiscreet person had spoken it was not without the advise of the Sages Whereupon the King demanded of the Sages what law shall that man have that in despight of the King speaketh things to his reproach They made answer he is worthy to be whipt Then said one of the Saducees the matter is plain that according to the minds of the Sages and at their bidding he upbraided thee and therefore they would not award him to die Whereat the King held his peace and gave never a word to answer so all the joy was turned into sadnesse The next day at the commandment of the King proclamation went to all the Cities in the Kings Dominions that they should stand to the ordinance of Saboch and Bithus and whosoever should refuse to follow their Decrees or would observe the Traditions of the Sages and obey their will should suffer death This was John the high Priest which had the Priesthood forty years and in the end became a Saducee Notwithstanding the Israelites obeyed not the kings commandment but rather privily followed the ordinances of the Sages The king himself and all his servants followed the Traditions of the Saducees making Inquisition for them that stuck to the constitutions of the Sages and putting to death as many as he could get knowledge of By this means he drew much people of Israel into this opinion The time that Hircanus ruled over Israel was 31. years and then he died After him reigned his son Aristobulus for he had three sons Aristobulus Antigonus and Alexander This Alexander was hated of his Father and banished out of his presence He went therefore and made War upon Tyre and Sidon subdued them and compelled them to be circumcised Aristobulus regarded not the high Priest-hood but set light by it wherefore he would not execute the office thereof but took the Kingdom upon him and set the Crown upon his head and was called the great King Besides this he banished his mother and Alexander her son his younger brother and would not suffer them to dwell in Jerusalem But he loved his brother Antigonus and made him Lieutenant General of all his Wars setting him forward into the Wars against his enemies Wherein the young man Antigonus had good fortune and prospered in all things that he took in hand and returned safe to Jerusalem where he entred into the house of the Sanctuary to pray for his brother the King which at that time was grievously sick and also to acknowledge before the Lord God his goodnesse and mercy towards him in that he aided him against his enemies Then came a certain wicked person unto the King and informed him with this tale Thy brother saith he returning from the wars inquired of thy health and when it was told him thou wast sick he said I will go to him to day and rid him out of the world When the King heard this he was wroth toward the Sages and commanded his brother to be apprehended and carried to the place of Starton there to be kept in prison till he had made further inquisition of this matter In the mean space the Queen the Kings wife commanded him to be put to death there without knowledge of the Kings mind But when the King heard that his brother was killed he cryed out and wept bitterly smiting his breast in such sort with his hand that he swouned and much blood issued out of his mouth He reigned over Israel two years After him his brother Alexander reigned who was also called King Janai being brought out of Prison where his brother had put him and made King of Israel He was a mighty man and valiant in all his wars against his enemies prevailing against them He had wars with the Philistims namely Asam and Ascalon whom he put to the worse and overcame them This man refused not the Priesthood but was high Priest It chanced on a time when he stood at the Altar to offer sacrifice one of the sages cast a Cedar tree on him whereat he lifted up his right hand upon the Altar crying give me my sword Then the Sages kneeled down before him and sware they did t not of any contempt but rather say they that we thus sporting before the Lord would be merry upon the High solemn day But the Kings servants answered roughly again saying although ye play and rejoyce yet it is not the manner of the country to use any such despightfull custome with the King The contention waxed hot against them till at length the Sages spake evil of the King casting in his teeth that he was an unhallowed and suspended person and that his Grand-mother on the fathers side was a Captain in mount Modiit whereby her seed was stained The King was sore moved at that insomuch that he commanded all the Sages to be slain Therefore wheresoever they found them in the Sanctuary or in the streets of Jerusalem they killed them forthwith Then the King commanded that every man should obey the governance and traditions of the Saducees So in those daies had the Sages great tribulation some fell on the sword some fled away and some tarried at home with great dishonor After these matters the King made an expedition into Arabia entred the country as far as the rock of the Wilderness against Hattam King of Arabia and subdued his land After that he warred on Medaba and the whole Land of Moab vanquished them and bringing
deceive him and poison him The Inhabi ants of Jerusalem at his request sent unto Aristobulus a present by certain Noble men whereat Aristobulus was right joyful and did eate and banquet with them till he was overcome with drink then they impoisoned him and he died The time that he raigned over Israel was four years and six moneths He was a good man of War hardy in fight and a man of amiable countenance Pompeius receiving tidings of his death the more gladder proceeded toward Rome to besiege it But Julius met him in the way and destroyed him and his Host whereby the Emâ—…ire was established unto Julius He after this sent Presents to the King of Syria and into Egypt by his Captains to allure them to his friendship Antipater advised Hircanus to aid Julâ—…us if perchance he might win his favour which Hircanus did and Antipater was Captain of the Host who played the man and found such favour with Julius that he made him Lieutenant of his wars and afâ—…er he had fought sundry and great Battels he returned to Jerusalem with great honour and by the way prospered much more Hircanus after this made Phaselus Antipaters son Governour of Jerusalem and Herod his third son President of Galilee There was a certain young man at that time in Jerusalem called Hizkias a valiant man of war to whom adhered all such as were in any distresse and he became their Captain These went and ranged about in Syria roving and murdering in such sort that the Syrians were weary of their lives for fear of them Wherefore the King of Syria sent unto Herod Ruler of Galilee desiring him to kill that Hizkias and his complices whereupon Herod prepared himself and went to meet with Hizkias as he returned from the spoil of Syria came upon him unawares and slew him and his men Whereupon when the King of Syria was certified he sent a noble reward unto Herod of Silver Gold and precious Stones by which and by like means he became very famous The Noble men of Juda made their complaint unto Hircanus upon Antipater and his sons for their sore oppressing the Land of Juda desiring that Herod might be summoned from Galilee to appear in judgement and answer with other for the killing of Hizkias The King therefore sent for him and he upon that came to Ierusalem appeared before the Judges princely apparelled with a guilt sword girt about him whose pride an antient man called Samai blamed and reprehended also his stout heart but he would not give ear unto him nor yet regard the Judges When Hircanus perceived that the Judges had almost determined to give judge-ment against the young man and to make him away he took pity on him and said We will not give sentence to day to morrow is a new day and by that means delivered him out of their hands Herod knew not afore that it was a matter of life and death that night therefore he fled to the King of Syria declaring all what had hapned unto him The King of Syria let him have a strong Army and came with him himself purposing to besiege Ierusalem But his Father Antipater and his eldest brother Phaselus came forth unto him and rebuked him saying Is this the reward that thou renderest unto King Hircanus that took pity on thee and would not have thy blood shed Therefore they willed him to depart from Ierusalem unto whom he condescended after he had once let the Inhabitants of Ierusalem know what he could and had shewed them his power Julius Emperour of Rome about that time as he was worshipping in the house of his God was murthered by the conspiration of certain of them which had served Pompeius that was slain as is afore mentioned The name of one of them that killed him was Cassius of the Country of Macedonia who fled thither being afraid to tarry at Rome this Cassius had great dominions in Macedonia Antipater also of whom we spake was a great scourge to the Noblemen of Juda and a great dâ—…al 〈◊〉 man than was Hircanus himself yea Hircanus could do nothing in comparison of him for he had no rule himself but Antipater and his Sons bare all the sway throughout all the Realm Moreover Antipater was in great estimation with all the Kings of that time And forasmuch as he so sore oppressed the Jews they therefore hated him and conspired to kill him There was a man in great authority about Hircanus named Malchias by whose means they wrought this matter He corrupted the Kings Butler with rewards to put poison in Antipaters cup which as soon as he had drunk he died These things his sons Phaselus and Herod dissembled and winked at as though they knew nothing Notwithstanding they privily writ unto Cassius that reigned in Macedonia certifying him of this deed Soon after came Cassius to Tyre from whence he sent Messenges to Hircanus to come unto him who came and with him Malchias Phaselus and Herod Cassius entertaining them all in his â—…odging willed his men that whatsoever Herod bad them they should do it Herod willed them to kill Malchias they slew him therefore sitting hard by Hircanus side Hircanus demanded of the sons of Antipater the cause hereof who answered Is it not manifest that King Cassius servants slew him and we know not why Therefore Hircanus stood in fear of Phaselus and Herod being certain that this was their deed Wherefore he said unto them this Malchias was worthy of such a death for he was a crafty man and an Usurer These things done Octavius Augustus brothers son unto Julius that was murthered came to Rome and the people of Rome made him their Emperour He had a fellow in office named Marcus Antonius his Uncle Octavianus therefore seeing to the Government of Rome sent Marcus Antonius to war upon Cassius and to revenge Julius death Unto him Hircanus sent a Present a Crown of Gold in which were set sundry precious Stones praying him to strengthen his Kingdom in his hands and to be a means of a League to be made between Octavins Augustus King of Kings and him as there was between him and Julius which Antonius granted About that time Antigonus son of Aristobulus writ to Pagurus King of the Persians to aid him against Hircanus to remove him and to restore the Kingdom to himself promising to give him for his travel five hundred pound weight of Gold and an hundred 〈◊〉 Virgins So Pagurus gathered an Host against Israel and Antigonus departed out of Jerusalem with much people of Israel that took â—…is part and joyned themselves to Pagurus These came to Jerusalem besieged it fought many skirmishes and gave many great assaults unto it till at length they undermined the Ciâ—…y then took they Hircanus and slew Phaselus And to the intent Hircanus might be clean removed from the Priesthood Antigonus that had deprived him of the Kingdom cut off besides that one of his ears But Herod escaped and fled to Augustus Emperour of
the Court he made also walks and galleries of such height that they that walked therein might easily see the waters running in the brook Cedron by the space of a Cubit Between the porch and the house also as though it were a vail or partition the King made a wall of Silver of half an handfull thick In the which was a door of beaten gold and upon the gate a sword of gold of twelve pound weight There were certain Posies graven in the sword as this What stranger soever approached nigh here let him dye for it So the things that Herod made in the Temple were wonderfull neither was there ever heard of in all the world any King that was able to erect such a building When the work was finished the King sent to Saroas his pastures for his Cattel from whence were brought him three hundred young Bullocks and very many sheep according to his Princely estate So then they dedicated and hallowed the house with great joy and gladness There was one certain day in the year when as the King was accustomed to make a great feast to all his Court to all his Nobles and Sages in Israel Against that self same day the King was minded to finish his works which made both him more glad and all his people The same also was commanded to be done in all the Provinces of his Kingdom sending his Letters by his Pursuivants to the Noble men Captains and Presidents of the Provinces that they would observe that day after the same manner every year The people also that were squandred in their enemies countries their head Rulers and Captains came out of every Country far and neer to see the House and the King for they could never believe it till they had seen it and when they had seen it it exceeded far that they had heard of it These things done the Kings two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus which he had by Marimi came home from Rome to Jerusalem in a great heat and fury with a strong company yea their hearts were very heavy also for Alexander the elder had married the King of Capadoci as Daughter and Aristobulus the Daughter of Salumith the King his Fathers Sister These coming to Jerusalem went not to the Court to do their duty to the King their Father neither would they see him whereby the King gathered they went devising some mischief against him Moreover all his men gave him warning to take heed of them and to keep his power or Guard about him He had a Wife of base stock out of the Country before he came to the Kingdom by whom he had a son named Antipater And when he had put Marimi his beloved wife to death he called home his wife which he had disdained before to his Court. Wherefore now seeing the two Sons of Marimi hated him he appointed Antipater his son to be heir apparant and to raise his estimation he gave him all his treasure made him Lord and ruler of all that he had affirming that he should raign after him This Antipater had a subtile wit and his talk was daily to his Father If it like your Majesty wherefore should you give me all these things when as these two Lions shall be ever in my top and ready to destroy me By such surmised means he raised discord and hatred between them and their father albeit the King was loath to hurt his two sons Not long after he took his journey to Rome to Octavian and his son Alexander waited on him hoping that Octavian would be a means for him to turn his fathers hatred from him and put all malice out of his mind When the King was come thither Octavian rejoyced much at his coming saying I have thought long to see thee To whom hast thou left the Land of Juda Herod answered for the homage that I owe unto my Lord the Emperour I am come to appear before him and to declare my chances with this my son his Servant So he told him the whole matter from the beginning to the end Then Octavian Augustus blamed the young man because he hated his Father The young man answered How can I otherwise do How can I forget the most chast womb that bare me which was the holy stock If I forget my mother that was slain guilâ—…less and without crime then let me forget my right hand These and such like words spake the young man not without tears in the presence of Octavian so that his bowels were much moved and the Noble men that were about Octavian could not abstain from weeping but lamented greatly Octavian first reproved Herod for his great transgression and cruelty then laboured he to pacify the young man with comfortable words bidding him to honor his Father and to submit himself unto him When he had done as he was willed for he would not strive against the Emperour's commandment Octavian took the young man by the hand and put it into Herods bosome Then his Father kissed and embraced him so that they both wept after that they took their leave and departed from Octavian who comforted them gave them a gift committing it into Herods hands Herod yet perceived that the hatred of the children of Marimi would not be appeased whereupon when he came home to Jerusalem he called together all the Elders of Israel and said unto them I had determined once to place one of my Sons Captain over the people of the Lord but I might not do it without the consent of Octavian Augustus Now therefore I have appointed my three Sons and have divided my Kingdom equally amongst them Help ye them against their enemies but in no wise shall ye help one of them against another And if ye perceive any breach of friendship between them do what lyeth in you to make it up Whereunto he made them swear presently in Jerusalem and the bond being made each man departed home to his house But for all this the hatred between Antipater and his two brethren was nothing diminished for he feared them because they were of the house of Chasmonany and allied with Kings of great power he suborned therefore false accusers to say unto the King that the young men sons of Marimi were determined to destroy him Likewise he set variance between Salumith and them for she was in greater estimation than he insomuch that the King did nothing without her counsell the same wrought he also between Pheroras the Kings brother and them But to Salumith he said doest thou not consider how the sons of Marimi know that their mother was put to death by thy counsell therefore if they may bring to pass to make the King away they will hew thee to pieces But when the young men heard this they came before the King and swore they never intended to hurt their Father and with weepâ—…ng they so perswaded the King that he believed them and they got his favour again whereat Antipater was not a little displeased
therefore he hired false witnesses to say they saw Alexander the Kings Son upon a cerâ—…ain night with his sword drawn before the Kings Palace minding to murther Antipater He suboâ—…ned also certain of the Kings servants to witness against Alexander that he should give them great rewards to allure them to his pleasure and to abuse them in unnaturaâ—…l venery which they refused Moreover that he desired them to poyson the King which they would not agree also to do Whereupon the King was sore displeased towards him commanding not only him but all that took his part or defended his integrity to be apprehended and put in prison that execution might be done upon them Then Alexander writ â—…nto Archelaus his Father in Law desiring him to come to Jerusalem to his Father Herod This Archelaus was a very wise man and a Noble Counsellor when he was come to Jerusalem Herod was very glad of his coming and demanded what matters brought him thither at that pâ—…esent he answered I have heard that Alexander thy Son and my Son in law hath attempted to rebell against thee It is not possible but my daughter his Wife should be accessary of this thing and yet she hath not shewed it unto thee wherefore â—…utterly detest her as one that hath conspired against thee yet neverthelesse I know well that for the love thou bearest unto me thou wouldest spare her for this cause I am come unto thee that when thou hast put him to death I also may slay my Daughter for it is better that we should make them away than they us Herod hearing this was very glad and gave credit to his friendship when Archelaus perceived that Herod had a good opinion of him he altered his communication saying to the King First let us diligently examine and well try the cause forasmuch as there are many false witnesses and lying persons in the world and let us not shed innocent blood upon any uncertainty For Archelaus had a great suspiâ—…ion that Herod had given too leight credit knowing how ready he was to hear an evil tale which was the cause of the mischief that befell upon the people of his house Wel Herod thought his counsel good One of them that accused the kings children was Pheroras the kings brother and to say the truth he was the chief of all Herod loved Archelaus the king of Cappadocia as himself Archelaus perceiving turned his tale to rebuke the king saying Thou art now waxen old well stricken in years thou sufferest these backbiters to rule thee who stir thee to work all these mischiefs in thy house yea Pheroras thy brother hath falsely provoked thee against thy sons When Pheroras heard these words he was sore afraid for indeed he had seduced the king Therfore came Pheroras to Archelaus and besought him to save his life Archelaus answered him If thou wilt obtain pardon for thy wickedness come and fall before his feet and confess that thou hast spoken falsely against his sons then will I promise thee that he shall be merciful unâ—…o thee and to his sons Pheroras did so confessed that he had falsely accused the kings Sons Then Archelaus besought the king for pardon and he granted it after that he entreated him that the young men might be delivered out of prison which the king aâ—…so commanded to be done The young men therefore came before the king and fell down at his feet and the king was loving to them and embraced them kindly He made great joy also that Archelaus came in so good an hour unto him to whom he gave for a gift seven hundred pound weight of Gold with many precious Stones and Concubines and dismissed him But Antipater again suborned false accusers and writ counterfeit letters in the name of the kings sons to one of the Captains declaring how they would conspire and kill the king and by such means he encreased the enmities between them and their father many wayes that the king commanded them to be put in prison and most strong irons to be laid upon them Besides this Antipater had surprized and won the hearts of the kings chief Rulers and servaâ—…ts that they procured his Barber to bear false witnesse against Alexander how he hired him to kill the king at such time as he should shave his beard When the king heard his Barber speak he was much troubled in his mind insomuch that he said I am weary of my life to hear these pick-thanks that open my eares to fill my head with tales I can do no way better than to give charge that whosoever brings me any such accusations hereafter of any body he shall suffer death for it wherefore he commanded the Barber to be slain and his two sons to be brought forth and hanged upon Gallowses shedding their innocent blood Then rejoyced Antipater supposing himself to be as sure of the kingdom as though it were in his hands when he was not aware that although he were never so high aloft yet was there one higher than he who considered his doings Alexander had two sons Thigarus and Aristobulus And Aristobulus had three sons Herod Agrippa and Alexander When the King returned to Jerusalem for he was in Samaria by the Lake side when his sons were put to death he commanded that his nephews should be brought to the Court and taking pity on them imbraced and kissed them weeping very sore both he and all his servants for it greatly repented him for the hainous deed that he had done But when the time of mourning was past he called the chief of Israel together and said unto them I am now grown in age and waxen gray-headed uncertain how shortly I shall die I see here before me these little fatherlesse children which I never can behold without great anguish of mind for when I look upon them I call to remembrance what great dammage I have done unto their father in my furious outragiousnesse Now therefore I would commit them to the tuition and custody of some man that might be a Patron and as a Father unto them to succour them continually to his power All the people answered that he had well spoken He spake therefore unto his brother Pheroras Thou shalt be their Patron and Defender and shalt give thy Daughter to Thigarus Alexanders Son He also commanded his Son Antipater to give his Daughter to Herod Son of Aristobulus And the Marriages were knit and composition made in the Kings presence When Antipater marked the love that the King bare towards the Nephews he began to be in great care for Thigarus Alexanders Son had a Grand-father by the Mothers side a King of great power namely Archelaus King of Capadocia He falls down therefore at the Kings feet to dissolve and break the friendship that he bare towards his Nephews and to leave speaking in their cause as he had done but he prevailed not Therefore he left his father and went to Pheroras the kings brother made a confederacy with
without mistrusting any harm the Romans joyned with the Syrians in great number entred the Wood and slew the Jews all that ever they could find to the number of thirteen thousand Schimeon himself with his father and their families had pitched their tents nigh unto a fair fountain that was in the Wood to whom when their enemies came to slay them and destroy their whole families Schimeon ran upon them with his drawn sword made a great slaughter of them and constrained them to retire But when a great multude environed him and he perceived all the rest of the Jews were slain he with the houshold only remaining neither saw he any way to escape he stept upon a little hill with his naked sword saying Hearken unto me ye Syrians and Romans and ye that dwell in Scithopolis I will speak unto you a few words full of lamentation Now I perceive that justly and not without a cause ye make war against me without any favour or consideration that I delivered you from the hosts of the Jews and never suffered them to do any displeasure to you your wives and children nor to your City as they had done to other Cities of Syria For I am he that for your sakes have warred against my Countrymen tâ—… please you withal yea both their blood and mine have I pledged unto you and have kept inviolated the love of strangers hating my own people of whom for your pleasures I have slain oft both the fathers and the children and now ye render evil for the good I have done unto you But indeed God of his just judgment hath stirred you up to reward me in this sort to murther me that hath so often preserved you Now therefore ye shall bear me witness that I shall sufficiently and sharply enough take vengeance of my own life not without rage and fury most severely because I have slain my fellows and friends I will therefore slay my self to be avenged of my self for my brothers blood that I have shed and so shall I be revenged of their blood and ye shall well perceive me to be of that courage that rather than ye shall slay me and after boast and brag how ye have killed Schimeon I will bereave my self of my life and punish the shedding of my brothers blood no otherwise than the Law punisheth a murtherer and man killer When he had spoken this his eyes were filled with blood and his face with rage and so inflamed with fury laying apart all pity ran and caught hold of his father haled him out of the Wood and slew him Then slew he his mother lest she should intreat him for the children and be sorry for their sakes That done his wife came running of her own accord and held her neck down to the sword lest she should be constrained to see her children dye Yea Schimeons children came and offered themselves to be slain lest they should see the death of their father or remain after him to be delivered to the enemies After this he slew all his whole family that not one of his should come into the hands of their enemies Finally he gathered their bodies together into one place like a valiant stout warrior and then boldly goared himself on his own sword lest any man else should impair his strength or boast that he had killed him All this Schimeon did with a great courage to take punishment of himself because he had bestowed his love rather upon strangers than upon his own people and to declare his force and manhood So he died an abominable and detestable death save only it was an argument of his haughty mind and great courage as it is said before Now when the Jews had thus rebelled against the Romans and slain their souldiers and Captains King Agrippa went to Rome and recounted unto Nero Caesar the Emperor of Rome all that was hapned whereupon Nero sent Captain Cassius that was at that time in Syria and had made war upon the King of Persia and vanquished him and all his power and subdued his dominions to the Romans and with him a puissant Army of the Romans commanding him to go into Judea to offer peace unto the people to comfort them and to bring them again into league with the Romans if it might be Cassius therefore took his journey towards Judea Agrippa met him in the way and informed him what had hapned unto him concerning the Jews how he had offered them peace and they would have none of it how also they had burnt his Palace and sacked it Cassius hearing that was very glad that he had gotten such an occasion to revenge the blood of the Romans and Syrians which the Jews had shed Wherefore he levied a mighty Army and came to Caesarea and wheresoever he did espy the goodliest buildings those caused he to be burnt From thence went he to the City Japho which he besieged both by land and Sea and at length wan it where he slew in the streets 84000 men After that he came to Jades where he first burnt all the Country about it and whomsoever he caught without the Town he slew them But the Citizens of Zippory went out to meet Cassius and besought him for peace whom he spared he came not nigh their Town nor slew any that dwelt in their Countrey The seditious Jews that were in the City of Zippory hearing of Cassius coming fled unto the mountains but in the way they lighted upon part of Cassius Army whereof they slew 200 men and woun ded their Captain Glaphira yet at length the seditious were put to flight and many of them-Glaphira with his horsmen pursued overthrew and destroyed the rest fled to the mountains Then Glaphira Captain of Cassius Army went to Cesarea that was subdued to the Romans there to cure his wounds that the Jews had given him Thence went he to Antipire which as he would have assaulted he perceived it to be furnished with a great power of the Iews and seditious These hearing Cassius also was coming they went purposely to fight with him but perceiving that Cassius power was very great they determined to encounter with him in the plain of Gibeon fifty miles from Ierusalem whereupon the Jews with their companies fained themselves to flye to the intent they might draw the Romans after them And within six daies they came to Gibeon and there rested Cassius pursued after them with all his hoast till he came to Gibeon which he besieged and assaulted also It chansed then upon one of the Sabbaths in the morning watch the Jews armed at all points issued out of the Town to give their enemies a Camisado so after they had given a token of war they marched toward the hoast of Cassius whereof they slew 515 horsmen and footmen twenty seven thousand with the loss of only 22. of their own company In that battell did well appear the valiantness of Mugbas a Captain of the Jews Army One Baudius also played the
man at that same time for at the commandment of Eleazar the Priest chief of the seditious he set first foot within the Romans camp Then began the Jewish warriours to be famous after they had once so manfully incountered with the Romans This done Castius and Agrippa sent their Embassadours once again to Jerusalem to Eleazar the son of Anani the Priest chief of the rebells that were in Judea and Jerusalem requiring peace and to come in league with Eleazar lest the people of the Jews should be utterly destroyed by the Romans incursions and invasions on every side But Eleazar refused to hear the Legates and slew one of them because he made too many words in perswading the peace and league Upon this Eleazar assembled the Priests and people together to go out and fight with Castius Castius perceiving how Eleazar and the people were affected and what minds they were of how they had utterly conspired to destroy the Romans that were there and to consume them clean having a sufficient trial also of the force and valiantness of the rebels he determined fully to go to Rome for he perceived he was not able to match with the seditious neither his own power to be compared with theirs Wherefore he would go see what end should come of the wars and what counsel Caesars Majesty would give Taking his journey therefore to the City Japho he found there letters of the Romans for thither was their army come From thence went he with them and his own army to Rome and made report to Caesar of such things as have chanced whereat Nero was much abashed and not only he but all the people of Rome were sore astonied to hear of the great puissance and valiantness of the Jews For which cause the Wars ceased for that year so that the Land of Judea was at great rest and quietnesse that year through Eleazers means the head Râ—…bel especially from the hands of wicked Castius that had sworn to revenge the Romans to extinguish the Jews and that he would destroy all the race of them as none should be left alive Therefore these are they that delivered Israel in the time of the second Temple out of the hands of their enemies what time as wars were moved against the Jews and their Country what time also commotions and tumults began in Israel The first War was made by Antiochus the wicked King of Macedonia who had determined not to leave one man in Israel His mischievousnesse proceeded so far that he slew the people of God the Sages and Wisemen Princes Elders and young men children great and small Israelits Levites also and Priests until all the chief men of Judea cast their heads together and went to Matthathias son of Jochanan the High Priest in the Mount of Modiit where he hid himself for the iniquity of Antiochus and his Rulers crying upon him and saying Deliver at this season the people of the Lord and never think to escape thy self whiles the most wicked enemy rangeth thus and runneth upon thy people and sheddeth thy blood For the blood of all Israel What is it but thy blood and the eyes of every man are fixed on thee hoping that thou should'st assist and aid them in this calamity that they may finde deliverance by thy means Matthathias hearing this wept bitterly and said Fear ye not nor let these Macedonians dismay you the Lord shall fight for you Be ye only quiet So then was Matthathias stirred and delivered Israel out of the hands of Antiochus and after he had overcome him he was high Priest for one year and then died In whose room succeeded Judas his son who executed the office in the Temple six years and was slain in battel Then his brother Jochanan was chief in the Temple eight years and died likewise in battel Afterward his brother Simeon was Ruler eighteen years whom Pâ—…olomy his Wifes father poisoned at a Banquet Then Jochanan his son succeeded his father in the office this is he that was named Hircanus first of that name so called because he vanquished a King of that name He reigned 31. years and died After him reigned Aristobulus one year he was called the great King because he first put the Royall Crown upon his head and turned the dignity of the high Priesthood into a Kingdom unhollowing and staining the holinesse thereof 480. years and 3. moneths after the returning of Israel from Babylon He being dead his brother Alexander reigned 27. years After whose death Alexandra his wife held the kingdom nine years and then died In whose stead succeeded her son Aristobulus and reigned 3. years In his time Pompey a Roman Captain came against Jerusalem wan it and apprehended Aristobulus bound him in irons and carried him captive to Rome in whose place he ordained Hircanus his brother to succeed who reigned forty years During his reign rebelled Antigonus son of Aristobulus Hircanus brother and with the aid of an Army of the Persians incountred with Hircanus took him prisoner and sent him to Babylon cutting off his eares that he should never after be meet either for the Priesthood or for the Kingdom Antigonus reigned three years In his dayes Herod fled and joyned himself with the Romans by whose help he slew Antigonus the third year of his reign and reigned after him 32. years and then died After Herod succeeded Archelaus his son who was taken by the Romans the ninth year of his reign laid in bonds and ended his life at Rome Next to him reigned Antipater his brother who changed his name and called himself Herod he reigned full ten years overcame and wasted Spain because the King of Spain had ravished and taken away his brothers Wife and there died After him followed Agrippa son of Aristobulus that was his brothers son he reigned three and twenty years after whose death his son Agrippa reigned twenty years This is that Agrippa of whom we now speak of and of the calamity that befell in his time upon Israel For all the while he reigned the Wars between the Romans and Israel never ceased until the people of Judea were led captive into the Province of the Romans at that time also the Temple was desolate I mean the desolation of the second Temple which we saw with our eyes builded and destroyed The 20. year of the reign of King Agrippa the 9. day of the 5. moneth that is called Ab viz. July Nero Caesar sent a Present for a burnt-offering to be offered in the Temple at Jerusalem requiring peace of the Elders and Sages of Judea and Jerusalem and that they would receive him into league with them saying My request is that you would offer my present to the Lord your God for his service and religion liketh me very well so that I desire you to joyn in league with me according as you have done with the Emperours of Rome my Predecessors in time past I have heard what Castius the Captain of mine Army hath
live and would not be separated from his brethren neither in life nor death as well he as Jonathan his son these were dearly beloved and most amiable men as the Scripture termeth them Why doest thou not remember our dear Prince the righteousnesse of David the anointed of the Lord who seeing a most grievous pestilence to rage upon the people of Israel said Let thy hand O Lord I beseech thee be turn'd upon me and my fathers house For I am he that have sinned I have transgressed as for these thy sheep What have they done What have they offended Where is the holy Law smothered and stifled in thy heart Art not thou an anointed Priest that hast declared and taught us the Holy Law whereby we might learn how to love our Lord GOD with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength If it be so that the service of God consists not in this that we should love him whom he loveth and die for his Covenant and Sanctuary together with his servants that be slain for the unity of the name of the Lord wherein standeth it then Hast not thou oft-times taught and proved unto us how that every man that dieth in the wars for the Lord his Sanctuary his people and his Law he is to be counted in the Lords lot and made worthy to go unto the great Light and shall not see everlasting darknesse Art not thou that Joseph the Priest that hast cryed so often in battel I am Joseph the Priest consecrated to battel that have vowed my life for the people of the Lord his Sanctuary and his Land But now when thou hast yielded thy self unto them and they order thee despitefully What wilt thou say unto them or what amends canst thou have at their hands I put the case they cast in thy teeth and say thy words be lyes How shalt thou avoid the reproach Art thou not he that said'st that we should fight for the people of God until we die in the conflict and in so doing death should be ransome for our sins and that we were sure to go to that great Light that is the light of life Which if it be true according as thou hast said Why then wilt thou shun death and not follow thy people that are gone before thee to that same light Ever hitherto thou hast had the upper hand wheresoever thou cam'st insomuch that they that heard of thee trembled for fear and now wilt thou yield thy life to captivity to the Romans as a vile slave Shall not this thy dishonour redound also to the people of God Thou art a Prince a King and a Priest Wilt thou be bound in chains Every man shall say This is he that gave his souldiers and the rest of the people to die but saved himself and his own life So when they had made an end of talk each man drew out his sword and came to him in the midst of the Cave saying Hearest thou Joseph our Prince if thou wilt be ruled by us first we shall slay thee as a Lord and a great Prince and thou shalt chuse what death thou wilt die that thou mayest die honourably But if thou refuse to die honestly assure thy self of this we will every man set upon thee and kill thee Joseph answered Indeed I know my brethren that your words are just and true For who is so mad to desire to live in this hurly burly and would God that he would call my soul unto him and receive it unto him also For I am not ignorant that it were more expedient for me to die then to live for the great troubles that have passed through my heart but he knoweth the secrets of mens hearts and it is he that giveth life unto men It is our GOD that closeth souls within the bodies and letteth them out again because he is the living God in whose hands remain the souls and spirits of all living creatures He hath left with us the spirit of life and closed it up within our bodies What is he that will open that he hath shut How shall we loose that he would have knit fast within us Do ye not all know how the life is a thing that he hath left us to keep and that we are his servants If then we cast away life before that God take it Shall he not worthily be displeased with us so that we shall not find life in the place of the living with Abraham our father of famous memory and with those just and godly men our forefathers Do ye not know that they went not unto God before they were called and when they were called they came and so dealt God with all the holy and godly men To Moses our Master of worthy memory the elect of God ye know that the Lord God of Israel said Get thee upon this mountain Abiram and so he did but he would not have done it of himself had not God called him whereby ye may see it is not lawful for a man to surrender his life unto the Living GOD except he require it again Take example I pray you of Job what time he curst the day that he was born in Might he not either have hanged himself or have run upon a knife or at the least have followed his wife's counsel to curse God and die Notwithstanding he abode patiently in most extream pain waiting till God demanded again his life and then restored it unto his Lord God and would not restore it undemanded but tarried till his appointed time came King David also of famous memory said Lead thou my life out of this pinfold and prison For he knew that the life was inclosed in the body and that none might let it forth but God I wot well that death is a great commodity so that the soul may return in his due time unto God that gave it us I know it also That he that dieth in the Wars of the Lord he shall come to the great Light But I know not what can appease Gods wrath towards the soul of that man that killeth himself and maketh haste to restore his soul before his time and without the Lords calling Wherefore my friends and my brethren I would ye should know it I am no more coward than you and I do not disagree with you because I am of a faint heart for fear of these present calamities but this I know I should commit a hainous offence against the Lord if I should kill my self And how say ye you Princes that stick unto your God to you I speak Tell me who shall make intercession unto God for us if we should commit this sin and each kill one another Would not a man judge him a slave a fool a froward person a rebel and a desperate man that should be forced with any misery to be so mad that because all things fall not out as he would wish would therefore hang or desperately murder himself with his
in a strange Land Certain evil disposed persons of the Roman souldiers went to Vespasian and said Sir you shall do well to command this man to be slain without mercy that hath been the destruction of so many of the people of the Romans This is the very same that shot the arrow and stuck you in the leg Put him to death and then shall ye be sure he shall never move war more amongst you If ye do not ye shall see him one day again raise an Army against us and destroy us But Joseph did find friendship at Titus Vespasian son's hands which came of the Lord. Therefore when he heard those wicked mens words that desired Vespasian to put Joseph to death he disapproved their advice and partly in mockage he taunted them saying Will you tell my Father what he hath to do will you give him so wicked counsel to kill that man that yieldeth himself to us upon the trust of our league and band of friendship which you now go about to break and frustrate Did not Captain Nicanor in my fathers name and Caesars with all the Roman host make a Covenant with him Take heed what you say Is it reason to break the Caesarean fidelity Moreover who can tell whether it may so happen that some of us be taken by the Jews like as Joseph is prisoner herc with us VVhen Vespasian heard his sons words it pleased him and he spared Joseph not suffering him to be slain but committed him to a certain Captain of his and carried him about with him through the Cities together with King Agrippa After this Vespasian removed his Camp to Thalmida which also is called Acho and from thence he went to Caesarea a great City When they of the City saw Joseph they cryed unto Vespasian Kill him kill him or else he will one day be an occasion to stir great wars against thee But Vespasian gave no ear to them Whiles he was at Caesarea tidings came to him that the Citizens of Papho invaded and spoiled the Isles that were subject under his Dominions with a Navy Vespasian hearing thereof commanded to lay wait for them that they might be met withal So there was an ambush laid witâ—…out the Town and it came to passe that when the Pyrates were gone out a roving Vespasian entred the Town and took it without great resistance because their souldiers were absent When the Rovers therefore returned with their Navy and saw the Romans in the City they laboured to set a land but suddenly a huge tempest and a mighty storm drove all their ships against the rocks that were in the sea shore for there was no haven for ships and there they were lost many of them and those that swam to land the Romans slew they that were drowned in the Sea and slain by the Romans were in number four thousand good men of War besides them that were slain in the Town 40000. all Jews This done Vespasian set forth Valericus and Taribus two Roman Colonels with his son Titus who went besieged and wan the Towns of defence that were in Galilee And thus did Titus use them They that yielded unto him he saved their lives and whosoever withstood him he slew Moreover all the Cities that belonged to Agrippa in Galilee he restored them unto him again only Tiarva excepted which he utterly rased and slew all the Males especially such as were apt to the Wars sold also their wives and children And this was the only City in all Galilee that Titus shewed such a rigour and extremity unto CHAP. VII VEspasian departing thence took his journey to Gamala which is a Citie upon the top of a Mountain the name thereof is called Gamala of an Hebrew word Gamal that signifieth to Requite or to do a good turn because it is the best City that belongeth to Agrippa and the inhabitants thereof were all very rich The City also called Seleucia was not far distant from it a Countrey replenished with good Towns Gardens Brookes and all kinde of fruitfull Trees Agrippa besought Vespasian that he would not destroy this City Let me go first saith he and offer them peace peradventure they will take it that they may save their lives from destruction Vespasian was entreated saying unto him Go and do as thou wilt for thine honour's sake I will do so much for thee So Agrippa went to them and spake friendlily and peaceably unto them and they received him in like manner but they meant deceit saying Thou art our Lord and King to whom therefore doth all that is of any price or to be desired in all Israel belong but unto thee Therefore come near unto us and debate the matter with thy Servants Agrippa crediting these Words came close up to the City and as he listned to them that talked with him one cast a great stone from the Wall which lighted just between his shoulders with such a violence that it struck him prostrate to the ground and brake his back with one of his arms also But his Servants stept to him took him up and carried him to Vespasian who seeing him so sore hurt sware he would never go from thence till he had taken the City and ordered them in like manner as he did at Tiarva to leave not a man therein The Roman Physicians did bestow such diligence about Agrippa that they cured him Vespasian in his rage against the Seleucians because they had wounded their King besieged and assaulted them The Jews within the Town encouraged one another saying Let us stick to it now and play the men for we have no other hope to save our lives seeing we have thus used the King Certain stout men of them therefore issued out and encountring with the Romans made a great slaughter amongst them After that the Romans made ready their Engins planted their battering Rams playing with them against the Walls and by that time night came beat so great a part thereof down to the earth that Vespasian and much people with him might enter at their pleasure But Vespasian gave commandment to his Army that they should not enter that night into the Town but stand and compasse the walls until the morrow that they might the better see how to win it Notwithstanding they would not be ruled by him but entred Then the Jews came upon them drew the chains crosse their streets and closing the wayes of the City intrapped them in such sort that they could go neither one way nor other After that settâ—…ng upon them beat them down even there so that they were all slain save ten men that fled with Vespasian and a Captain named Butius one of the best men of War in all the Roman Army yet him the Jews pursued and slew But Vespasian and his fled to the Mountains that he might be there in safegard and from thence he sent to Titus his son that was in Syria for the Roman Army that he had sent with him to Persia which
Jehochanan took Eleazars part and defended him For Eleazar was alwayes Jehochanan's friend and aided him His father was high Priest and bare a great rule in Jerusalem wherefore Eleazar was of a great estimation and authority with the Elders so that they durst not apprehend him and his father also looked negligently unto him and let him do what he list because he had no more sons but him So he was the first that assembled naughty persons together and held ever on Jehochanans side from his first coming to Jerusalem And for his sake fell division and dissention between Jehochanan and Schimeon so that they became enemies and warred the one upon the other ever after as we shall declare hereafter CHAP. I. IN this while Vespasian had sent Antony and Mankiminus two Noble men and of his Council to Rome against Vitellius that they might make him out of the way and then would he come to Rome to receive the Imperial Crown there These two Captains went therefore and raised an Army by whose aid they set upon Vitellius and â—…w him not without much ado for there were slain that day at Rome 80. thousand good men of war When Vespasian had word that he was dispatched he made speed to Rome to his Coronation dividing first his Army into two parts whereof he took the one with him to Rome as a safegard for himself whatsoever should happen and the other he left with Titus his son to besiege Jerusalem withall So departing he left his son Titus at Alexandria commanding him to remain there till such time as he should signifie unto him otherwise by his Letters and shew him what he should do and that in no wise he should attempt the siege of Jerusalem in the mean space Titus answered I shall do dear Father according unto your commandment for to you it belongeth to command and unto me to obey Vespasian took with him King Agrippa and Munabas his son he fearing lest they would rebell and me Joseph Priest and prisoner also fast bound in chains for so had his Council moved him saying We cannot say the contrary but that we have found no sign of rebellion in Joseph hitherto neither think we that he hath gone about any but Who can tell when we are gone hence whether he will not flee to Jerusalem and help â—…o set them at unity and concord then they make him their King and after he be the sorer enemy unto us Besides this you shall have need of him in this journey he being a man of such great prudence and wisdom that whosoever followeth his coâ—…sel shall bring his matters to good and fortunate successe Vespasian liked well their advice and took him prisoner with him together with King Agrippa and his son albeit they had no irons upon them neither on hand or foot but only had their Keepers appointed them that they should not step aside And as Vespasian drew nigh Rome all the Citizens came forth to meet him and received him with great joy and mighty Shews Then he commanded that I should be put in prison but Agrippa and his son he let go at liberty The next day assembled all the Senate of Rome to create Vespasian Emperour after the manner of the Romans with whom was Agrippa and his son I also intreated the Jaylor to let me have Keepers with me and so to bring me to the place where he should be Crowned Caesar which the Jaylor granted me and went with me himself to the place and brought me where I might see all that was done Within few dayes after Vespasian took displeasure with Agrippa upon the information of certain evil disposed persons that had slandered him and perswaded Vespasian that he went about to rebell and how he had sent letters unto Jerusalem concerning the same matter wherefore Vespasian put both him and his son Munabas to death This befel three years and a half before the destruction of Jerusalem Moreover before this deed the continual Sacrifice ceased for a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes as it is written in Dan. Chap. 22. And from the time that the continual Sacrifice shall be taken away and abomination shall be put into desolation a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes The same year and moneth that Agrippa was put to death God moved the minde of Vespasian to remember me with his mercy wherefore he commanded that I should be fetched out of prison and brought to his presence And as I stood in irons before him Caesar bad me welcome and spake comfortably unto me saying Thou knowest very well that I have loved thee from the day I first saw thee and though I have kept thee continually in durance do not think I did it of any ill will or malice toward thee but rather thou mayest perswade thy self I did it lest the Roman Princes should disdain at thee and say See here is a fellow that in our wars hath endamaged us so greatly yet now goeth he check-mate with us in as great favour as we Let us kill him and put him out of the way But my friend Joseph be of good chear I will deliver thee from these iron-bands and thou shalt be with me in no worse case than one of my chief Princes I will send thee into Jewry to my son Titus to whom thou shalt be as a father and a counsellour Thou knowest Titus was he that took pity on thee and would not suffer thee to be put to death Yea he hath sundry times moved me to release thee of thy bonds and to honour thee which I have deferred to do only for this cause that I shewed thee I made him answer But how can I be quiet or in surety of my life as long as I am in thy company and thy sons seeing Agrippa and his son were suddenly put to death by you Caesar answered Hold thy peace Joseph I never looked for any goodnesse of Agrippa and his son Thou knowest not what they had wrought against my Majesty and how they went about to rebel thou hast born their bones with thy hands Doest thou not know I honoured him and his son in Jewry how I would not suffer any of my Army to annoy any of his Cities I answered Yes I know it was so as your Majesty saith Then said he But for all this hath Agrippa requited me again with evil For what time as the Nobles of Rome in Jewry went about to make me Empeperour thinking me somewhat more meet to rule the Empire than Vitellius Agrippa perswaded them that they should not make me Emperour affirming that there was nothing in me worthy wherefore they should promote me to that dignity And after when he came to Rome he went from one Bishop to another and caused them to go to the Bishops to accuse me of such crimes as in my conscience I knew nothing at all of By this I perceived that Agrippa's heart was full of rancour and rebellion and therefore I judged him
to death For where as wickednesse is there it is meet that condign punishment should not be lacking And I put his son to death likewise For the son of a Traitour ought not to live upon the earth because that in his heart remaineth the work of his father being conceived and born of a rebellious seed But I have found thee alwayes faithful and true and therefore I commend my son to thy wisdom With this he commanded my irons to be taken away from me and being released and at liberty he set me honourably among the Princes and Senatours Then said I unto him Is not this a great dishonour unto me that I should be delivered from my bonds and neverthelesse my Countrymen that be with me to be kept in prison still Now therefore if I have found favour in thy sight and if thou wilt do any thing at my request loose the bonds likewise of all the rest of the Israelites that be with me set them at liberty also and thou shalt be assured that I will be thy faithful Counsellor while my life lasteth and an enemy to thy foes to make War upon them that assail thee Vespasian granted Joseph his request and willed them to be set at liberty as many as were prisoners with Joseph Shortly after sent he Joseph to his son Titus that abode at that present at Alexandria in Egypt to whom he writ concerning Joseph in this manner I send unto thee here my beloved son Joseph a Prince of the Jews a man of experience trained in war in whom is great wisdom he shall be thy father and faithful counsellour thou shalt not do against his counsel neither one way nor other for he is a wise man Wherefore thou shalt reverence and honour him according as he is worthy for the Lord God is with him and believe not rashly any man that defames Joseph unto thee Yea rather put him to death straightway that will accuse him for Joseph is a faithful man and a good Counsellour and who is so ruled by his counsel shall have a prosperous successe in that he goeth about Therefore when Joseph shall come unto thee after he hath refreshed himself a few dayes of his labours and travels at the Sea then shalt thou prepare thine Expedition against Jerusalem to besiege it And if the Jews receive thee peaceably and will submit themselves under the Roman Empire then beware thou endamage them in nothing but rather repair their Cities and let them be free from all Tribute for the space of two years yet on this condition that thrice every year they set a Flag with the Arms of the Romans upon their walls that is to say at their three solemn Feasts whenas all the Israelites were wont to resort unto Jerusalem and to appear before the Lord their GOD. Moreover they shall offer for us every Feast a Sacrifice upon the most holy Altar that is in Jerusalem And if they refuse to make peace with thee thou shalt utterly rase their Towns and whosoever are left alive and escape the sword those shalt thou lead away captive If they desire to have Joseph to be their King we are coutent therewith In any wise remember to be ruled by Josephs counsel he shall be thy father and thou his son After this Joseph departed from Rome and came to Alexandria to Titus who hearing of Josephs arrival was wondrous glad and all the Antient wise men with him For Joseph was full of the spirit of wisdom understanding counsel valiantnesse knowledge and fear of God Wherefore we went forth to meet him accompanied with the Captains of the Romans Army and received him with great honour Then Joseph delivered to Titus his fathers Letters which Titus having read said unto Joseph Whatsoever my father hath written in these Letters I would have done no lesse by mine own accord but sith my father hath admonished me of the same I ought to do it the more Wherefore remain here with me and I will be thy son and thou shalt be my father to rule and govern me with thy counsel So Joseph abode with Titus at Alexandria a whole moneth after he came from Rome Then consulted they together to go to Jerusalem and besiege it for Joseph understood well enough That this came of the Lord and that his word could not be letted or hindered Titus therefore and Joseph with him departed from Aâ—…exandria with all their Army and pitched their tents at Nicopolis from thence they came by water to Thanisa so forth to Iraclea and leaving that came to Pelisis from thence they travelled through the Desart to Baale Javin after that to Dicron so to Gaza next to Askalon then to Jabuam after to Japho and so to Cesarea In these journies he won Asam Askalon and Japho with all their Towns and Castles lying about them The first year of the reign of Vespasian the 10. month and the 7. day of the same came Titus with Ioseph and his Army to Cesarea a famous City built by King Herod In this City he sojourned untill his whole Host were come together as well of Romans as of other Nations that were under the dominion of the Romans and came to ayd them in the siege of Ierusalem Therefore Titus Army was wonderfully huge and puissant wherewith he abode at Cesarea till the cold of winter was past and the month of Iuly drew nigh The same years the civill wars grew and increased in Ierusalem for the Citizens slew one another without any truce rest or quietâ—…ess no not in winter when as wars were wont to cease but summer and winter both the wars never stinted between Schimeon Iehochanan and Eleazar For the Lord that year had sent amongst them of Ierusalem a vertiginâ—…us spirit of giddiness that the people were divided into three parts whereof the first and best followed Anani the Priest who at that time had stained unhallowed and suspended his office of Priest-hood Another part followed seditious Iehochanan the third was for Schimeon So that in the midst of Ierusalem was civill wars and without the same the Roman Army made roads from Cesarea even to Ierusalem by the means whereof no man durst go forth lest he should fall into the enemies hands nor enter into the Town to bring any necessaries thither Anani being a perfect godly man and seeing the common-wealth of Jerusalem governed by the pleasure of the Seditious gave over his third part that stuck to him to Eleazar his son which was the first author of sedition and he that gave the first occasion and the cause of all the mischief that befell in Jerusalem and in the whole Land of Judea For he began a conspiracy against the Roman Garrisons and provoked Israel to Rebel against the Romans and to lay hands upon them Wherefore there assembled unto the seditious Eleazar Jehudah Chezron Schimeon and Chiskihu young men of the Nobles of Jerusalem Eleazar with his company took the Temple and the Courts about it
into the City Therefore Schimeon sent certain to fetch Amittai and his four sons unto him They that were sent brought Amittai and but three of his sons for one was fled to the Romans and came to Joseph When Amittai with the other were brought to Schimeons presence he besought him he might not live but to be put to death by and by lest saith he I should live to see the death of my children But Schimeon was hard-hearted and would not be intreated for it was Gods will that Amittai should be punished because he was the bringer of Schimeon into Jerusalem and therefore fell he into his hands which for good rewarded him with evil Schimeon commanded a sort of murderers to place Amittai upon the walls in the sight of the Romans and said unto him Seest thou Amittai Why do not the Romans deliver and rescue thee out of my hands thee I say which wouldest have fled away unto them Amittai answered nothing to this but still besought him before his death he might kisse his sons and bid them farewell but Schimeon utterly denied him Wherefore Amittai wept aloud saying to his sons I brought dear children I brought this thief into this Townâ—… wherefore I am counted now for a thief my self All the mischief which is come upon me and you it is mine own doing because I have brought this seditious villain into this holy City I thought then Peradventure he will be a help to the Town but it is proved contrary for he hath been a most cruel enemy to the same It was not enough for us to keep one seditious person Jehochanan I mean which took unto him Eleazar the first beginner of sedition but I must bring in also this wicked Schimeon which is joyned to our foes to destroy us Indeed I never brought him in for any love that I bare unto him but all the Priests and the whole multitude of the people sent me to fetch him notwithstanding I am worthy of this just judgement of God because I took upon me such an embassage What should I speak of thee thou most wicked Schimeon for whithersoever thou turnest thee thou bringest all things out of frame Indeed thou deaâ—…est justly with me because I have sinned unto God to his people and his City in that I have brought thee in to be a plague to it wherefore I am worthy to be stoned Notwithstanding it had been thy part thou wicked murderer to deliver me and my sons from the hands of the other Seditious for I have wrought them displeasure but to thee have I done good Howbeit our God will not alter nor change his judgements which is that I should fall into the sword of thy hand for that I made thee to enter into this City wherein I offended God grievously If I had purposed to flee unto the Romans could I not have done it before I brought in thee for at that time bearedst thou no rule over us and before we called in thee Jehochanan with his sedition was an offence unto this City Wherefore we perswaded all the Ancients of the Town that thou shouldest be an aid unto us to drive out our foes but thou in whom we put our trust art become our enemy yea thou hast been worse than they for the other put men to death privily thou dost it openly Who is he that hath strengthened the power of the Romans Art not thou he which hast killed the Souldiers of God in the midst of the City of Jerusalem for few have been slain without Titus would have made peace with us taking pity upon us but thou didst lett and hinder it every day moving new Wars and stirring new battels Titus gave charge to his souldiers to lay no hand upon the Temple but thou hast polluted and defiled the Temple of the Lord shedding blood without measure in the midst thereof Titus went back from us upon the holy day of the Lord and ceased from fighting saying Go and observe your holy Feasts in peace but thou unhallowedst the Feasts of the Lord and puttedst out the continual fire with innocent blood All these evils which thou hast committed thou murderer are imputed unto me because I brought thee into the Town Now therefore this vengeance is appointed to mine age by the Lord God and by thy hands shall I go to my grave with sorrow because I by my foolishnesse was an actor in this mischief that is wrought by thee Albeit now thou wicked Schimeon in this that thou killest me ere that mine eyes may see the burning of the Temple it pleaseth me very well But what needest thou murderer to put my sons to death before my face Why doest thou not spare mine age would God that as I shall not see the burning of the Temple so also I might not see the blood of my children shed before my face But what shall I do when God hath delivered me into the hands of a most wicked man We that were the ancients of Jerusalem abhorred Jehochanan because he murdered old men without all reverence but he slew no young men thou destroyest old and young great and small without any pity or mercy Jehochanan mourned for the dead and buried them also but thou playest upon instruments at their burials singest to the Lute and soundest the Trumpet Then spake he to Schimeons servant who was ready with a sword in his hand and an axe to kill him and to cut off his head sâ—…ying Go to now and execute Schimeon thy Master's commandment Behead the sons in the sight of their father and let me hear the voice of thy cruelty in my sons which notwithstanding I forgive thee for as I shall hear and see that against my will so I dare say thou killest them not willingly Would God that Schimeon would suffer me to kisse my sons and whiles I am yet living to embrace them ere they die But thou gentle minister in one thing shew thy pity towards me that when thou hast put my sons and me to Execution separate not our bodies neither lay their corps asunder from mine but so that my body may lie uppermost and cover theirs to defend them from the fowls of the air lest they devour my sons bodies for it so may come to passe that they may be buried I beseech thee also that my mouth and lips when I am dead may touch my sons faces that so I may both embrace and kisse them But what do I delay or linger any longer seeing the enemies deny me this to kisse them vvhiles vve are yet alive See thou therefore that our bodies be not severed and if Schimeon will not permit this that our bodies may be joyned in this world yet can he not lett our Souls to be joyned for after I shall be once dead I doubt not but I shall see the Light of the Lord. His sons hearing their fathers words began to weep very sore with their father who said unto them Alas my sons Why weepye What
the fire made speed with all his men to come and rescue them but he could not deliver them out of the fiâ—…e it burnt so vehemently wherefore Titus and his men wept biâ—…terly The Romans that were above upon the House when they saw their Master Titus weep and the fire to be between them that neither could come to oâ—…e another they cast themselves down headâ—…ong from the battlements of the house which was very high and died saying We will die in Titus's presence to get us a name thereby The Jews kept the gates of the Palace and if they perceived any man go about to escape out of the fire or to come down off the battlements them they killed with their swords In that fire was a certain great Commander of the stock of Kings whose name was Longinus to whom the Jews cried and flouted him saying â—…ome hither unto us that thou mayesâ—… save thy life and not be destroyed but he durst not go out at the gate fearing lest the Jews would kill him Wherefore he drew out his sword and thrust himself thorow before their faces Another great Commander also was in that fire whose name was Artorius who looking forth from the top of the house saw one of his dear friends by Titus which was called Lucius to whom Artorius called saying My dear friend Lucius get on thy Armour and come hither that I may leap down upon thee and thou mayest receive me If I dye I make thee my heir if thou dye thy children shall inherit my goods Wherefore Lucius ran and held his lap open at the house side and Artorius leapt down and light upon him with such weight that they both died therewith Titus commanded the covenant that they two made before their death to be written on a sword with blood and their friendship to be noted in the Chronicles of the Romans that it might be an example to all men to learn true friendship by At that time therefore the Jews revenged themselves meetly well upon the Romans The fire burnt till it came to the Chiskijahu King of Jâ—…hudah and had almost taken the Temple of the Lord which the Romans seeing fled out of the Town and got them to their tents a great part of them being destroyed by the cruelty of the Jews so that few of them remained The rest therefore lay still in their siege round about the Town saying We shall not be able to win the Town by the sword but rather we must be fain to drive them to yield by famine wherefore they compassed it on every side In the Town was now no victuals left There was a certain rich woman at Jerusalem of a Noble House also whose Name was Miriam Her dwelling was beyond Jordan but when she perceived the wars to grow more and more in the time of Vespasian she came up with her neighbours to Jerusalem bringing with her not only her men servants and women servants and all her whole family but also her goods and riches which were very great When the hunger was grievous at Jerusalem and the Seditious went from house to house to seek meat they came also to this womans house and took away from her by force all that ever she had and left her nothing remaining By this means she was oppressed with very great hunger so that she wished her self out of the world but her time was not yet come to die wherefore that she might slack her hunger and sustain her self she began to scrape in the chaffe and dust for beasts dung but could find none She had one son and when she saw the famine wax greater and greater upon her she laid aside all woman-hood and mercy and took upon her an horrible cruelty For when she heard her boy weep and ask for meat which she had not to give him she said unto him What shall I do my son For the wrath of God hath environed the whole City in every corner thereof famine raigneth without the City the sword killeth up all within we stand in fear of the Seditious our enemies prevail without in the Town are fires burnings and ruines of houses famine pestilence spoyling and destroying so that I cannot feed thee my son Now therefore my son if I should die for hunger to whom should I leave thee being yet a child I hoped once that when thou shouldest come to mans estate thou shouldest have sustained mine age with meat drink and cloth and after when I should die to bury me honorably like as I was minded to bury thee if thou shouldest have died before me But now my son thou art as good as dead already for I have no meat to bring thee up withall because of this great famine and cruelty of the enemies both within and without If thou shouldest die now amongst others thou shouldest have no good nor honorable Tomb as I would wish thee wherefore I have thought good to choose thee a sepulcher even mine own body lest thou shouldest die and dogs eat thee in the streets I will therefore be thy grave and thou shalt be my food And for that that if thou hadst lived and grown to mans estate thou oughtest by right to have nourished me and fed me with thy flesh and with it sustain mine age before that famine devour thee and thy body be consumed render unto thy mother that which she gave unto thee for thou camest of her and thou shalt return into her For I will bring thee into the self same shop in the which the breath of life was breathed into thy nostrils forasmuch as thou art my well beloved son whom I have loved alwaies with all my strength Be therefore meat for thy mother ignominy and reproach to the Seditious that by violence have taken away our food Wherefore my son hear my voice and sustain my soul and my life and go to the end that is determined for thee by my hands thy lot be in the garden of Eden and Paradise be thou meat for me and a rebuke and shame to the Seditious that they may be compelled to say Lo a woman hath killed her son and hath eaten him So when she had thus spoken to her son she took the child and turning her face away lest she should see him dyeâ—… she killed him with a sword aud after cut his body into certain pieces whereof some she rosted some she sod and when she had eaten of them she laid up the rest to keep The savour of the flesh roasted when it came out inâ—…o the streets to the people they said one to another See here is the smell of roast meat Which thing came to the know edg of the Seditious at length who went into the house of the woman and 〈◊〉 roughly uâ—…o her Why shouldest thou have meat to live with and we dye for hunger The woman made them answer and said unto them Be not displeased I beseech you with your handmaid for this for you shall see I have
his place where he lurked and came to Titus fell down before him and kissed his feet saying Save me O Lord King Titus commanded him to be fetâ—…ered with iron chains and when he had caused him to be carryed about the Camp so bound and to be mâ—…cked of all men by the space of seven dayes he commanded to hang him and so got he a just end and fit reward for his cruelty Afterward came Schimeon also forth of his den being driven to it with famine He had put on Kingly apparel and shewed himself afar off to the Roman host who seeing him were afraid to go to him but he called unto them and askt for some Captain Then one came forth and said unto Schimeon Tell me who thou art and I will not kill thee Schimeon answered therefore and told him I am Schimeon that Seditious Cap-tain of the. Jews which have made you so much ado now I beseech thee shew me so much favour as to bâ—…ing me to Titus thy Master which he did Titus therefore when he saw Schimeon he commanded him to be fast bound and to be led about the whole host that he might be derided and mockt Afterward he was put to a sore death first his head was striken off then he was cut in many pieces and cast unto dogs So he died an abominable death being punished for his iniquity The number of the Jews as well Citizens as others that came unto the Feast to Jerusalem which were slain partly by the Romans partly by the Seditious during the whole time of these Wars was known to be eleven hundred thousand besides them whose number was not known only they were counted which were slain and buried Besides them they also were not reckoned that after the death of Jehochanan and Schimeon died with Eleazar the son of Anani the Priest They that were led prisoners by Titus to Rome were sixteen thousand men So Titus with Joseph went to Rome leaving Bonian Josephs brother at Jerusalem who was appointed to be the chief Priest of them that abode there for Joseph did request it of Titus which he performed The Seditious were all slain in the battel which they took in hand for the peoples sake and the Temple of the Lord those also that Titus took prisoners were put to vile deaths for he reserved many to be mocking stocks in every City where he passed by in the way to Rome and in every Town he commanded some of them to be brought forth and cast unto the Lions till they were all consumed CHAP. V. THere were certain people at that time dwelling amongst the Mountains of Ararat that were called Alanites whose power Alexander King of Macedonia fearing closed them on every side This people although they had no knowledge of the use of Iron nor Armour yet this was their manner That one of them with a great pole burnt a little at the end would put to flight a hundred good souldiers were they never so well appointed and armed Until this year they were alwayes shut in but now being oppressed with a great dearth and famine throughout all the land they sent Embassadors to the people of Hurkan their neighbours requiring them that they would open thestraights of the Mountains that they might come forth with their wives children to seek them food The Hurkans granted their requests and opened them the entrances of the Mountains So they came forth wandering here and there spoiling divers Countries till at length they took their journey toward the Mountains of the Land of Madai where they found horses namely in the Desart of Madai amongst the people of Ararat They got those horses leapt upon them and â—…ntred the land of Madai The President oâ—… Ruler of the Country hearing thereof fled into the highest hills leaving his wife and children behind him for haste he was so afraid of the Alanites knowing their valiantnesse Straightway he sent unto them Embassadours to make peace with them and he would let them have victuals upon this condition that they would not spoil his Country They made answer If so be he would maintain them and let them have food for the space of one moneth till the corn in their own Country were ripe they would return home again at the moneths end for we desiâ—…e not say they thy gold or silver being men separaâ—… from all entercourse in traffick wiâ—…h other people nor any thing else than food do we seek This their request the Ruler granted them and let them have a certain Grain called Mill sodden with one kind of flesh or other The number of them was seven thousand one hundred and fifty and five thousand one hundred and forty persons When the moneth was ended and the Aâ—…anites understood the corn in their own Country was ripe they departed out of the land of Madai according as they had sworn and returned toward their own Country And as they were in their way homeward Mithridates King of Aâ—…arat came against them to annoy them minding to drive them from his coasts lest they should waste his Country Therefore while they marched through this Country going toward their own Mithridates made War upon them but his men were beaten down by the Alanites like as grasse falls upon the ground when a strong man treads upon it Then one of the young men of the Alanites in despight put a rope about Mithridates's neck and drew him after him unto his great shame Mithridates gat out his sword and cut asunder the rope and fled To whom the Alanites looking back said Go thy way get thee home and make no more war upon us hereafter for we were not minded to waste thy Land â—…or yet to kill thy people For if we had ever intended it Could we not have done it long ago when as nothing is betwixt us and you but the Mountains of Ararat But we were of this mind that we should greatly offend to kill men of our own shape and likenesse See now how Alexander which went about to subdue the whole earth and to declare his power closed us up within our land Why because he was afraid we should come out upon him But we laught him to scorn when he did it If we had listed we could have letted him from shuâ—…ting us in and to make no peace with him but we made no reckoninâ—… of his doings For it is our custom to keep us within our own Country we seek no other Land when as our own Land is better than any other It pleased us well that he inclosed us that the cruel wild beasts which are in the Mountains of Ararat could have no passage to us The cause we came out now was nothing else then that we were oppressed with a great dearth and we determined to be no longer from home then till our own fruits were ripe then to return as you see we do If we had been minded to win your Land had we not been able utterly to have
overcome you and to have gotten the dominion over you But neither ye nor your Country did ever delight us greatly for our manners differ far from yours Behold the King of Madai when he had kept us for a moneth we harmed him not we are not wont to hurâ—… men as ye are that cannot be content with your own state but must desire other mens inheriâ—…ance Now therefore go and return to your own Country and so will we to ours without doing you any more hurt wherefore ye need not be afraid of us So the Alanites went home to their own Countries having slain of Mithridates people three hundred thousand men and never a one of their own was killed Titus hearing of this was desirous to go unto them to let them understand his valiantnesse but he could not compasse it bâ—…cause all his best men were spent in the Waâ—… at Jerusalem Wherefore he determined to retuâ—…n to Rome after he had taken Jerusalem where he abode as yet besides the Antochia There he had intelligence that divers of the Jews were gathered together with whom was Eleazar the son of Anani the Priest who during the siege fled unto a certain Hold called Mezira whereupon many of the Jews resorted to him Titus hearing this that many had joyned themselves to Eleazar feared lest after his departure Eleazarâ—… might from thence make an inrode and take Jerusalem and destroy the Romans which should be no smal damage to the Roman Empire Wherefore he made out against him and sent thither one Silcham a Noble man of Rome with a great host to besiege Mezira but he could not get it Wherefore he sent unto Titus for an Iron Ram to batter the Walls withal which after he had received it he beat down the walls of Mezira therewith The Jews seeing that raised a great Countermure within of Wood and Timber which the Romans set on fire and burnt After that they assaulted the Town from morning till night at what time the Romans leâ—… off supposing they were not able to prevail against Eleazars defence in the dark Eleazar in the mean season called an assembly of all the chief men of the Jews that were with him and said unto them in this wise Come hither ye seed of Abraham and Kingly Priesthood which have until this day ever prevailed against the enemies of God Let us hear your advice what is best to be done against this multitude that is come upon us at unawares Ye see that at this time chiefly it becometh us to follow the courage and valiantnesse of our forefathers wherewith they were in time past endued Consider moreover that every thing hath his end and there are some times in War when as men are wont to follow the pursuit sometimes to flee from the same whom they pursued and to humble themselve before them And it is no shame to be humbled and disgraced when as all things have their determinâ—…te end Albeit whoso is of an haughty courage he must so establish his heart that he quail not with fear then shall he be deemed a valiant man If ye therefore be of that courage that ye fear not death then will I call â—…ou valiant men and worthy Consider the fortitude of Abraham our father and the fact that he did for having but one only son whom Sarah bare unto him in her age he never staggered nor stayed at it to offer him up to the Lord God for a burnt-offering for he thought not that he should kill him but perswaded himself most certainly that he should promote him to the life and light of the Lord forasmuch as for â—…he love of God and at his commandment he should have killed him Weigh the thing that Josiah the just King did who setting at nought this wretched life and aspiring to everlasting felicity would not avoid the jeopardy of his life when as he might have done it For although Pharaoh Necho said He came not against him but against the King of the Chaldees yet would not Josiah hear him but rather proceeding against Pharaoh in arms was slain in the battel and went unto that great Light in the Garden of Paradise which is the lot and inheritance of the just We know that in this world no man receives the reward of his righteousnesse but it is laid up for him in the other world where he shall reap the fruit of his righteousnesse that he hath sown in this world Neither doth long life in this world profit a man to the attaining of everlasting blisse except he work righteousnesse and lead his soul forth of darknesse into light like as contrariwise shortnesse of life hindreth no man from everlasting happinesse if so be it his soul have no defect in those things that pertain to the world to come For Abel which was slain of his brother lived no long life yet when he had ended it he obtained everlasting rest but Cain that lived long in the world was a wanderer and a runagate in this earth and after this life went to perpetual misery Now therefore my Brethren if we also shall live any longer our life shall be a miserable life and our dayes dayes of vanity and travel yea our soul as long as it shall remain in this body it shall be tossed with great tribulation but if it once go forth then shall it rejoyce and never be afraid And all the dayes that it is in the body it never leaveth weeping and mourning for it is the Spirit of life which is hedged within the body by â—…inewes bones none otherwise then if it were bound with chains The spirit is also that which quickneth the flesh that is taken of the dust of the earth for flesh cannot quicken the spirit Besides this the spirit is that which observeth and marketh the flesh and searcheth the works thereof so long as it is in the body yea the flesh cannot see the spirit but the spirâ—…t seeth the flesh alwayes neither is there any member of the body hid from it The eyes also of the body cannot perceive what time the spirit resorteth to the flesh and departeth from the same for the spirit of man which is his soul is from heaven but the flesh is taken from the earth Wherefore the soul may â—…main without the body but not likewise 〈◊〉 body without the soul and when the spiriâ—… comes to the flesh it visiteth it as a neighbour is wont to go and see his neighbour and quickeneth it and when again it departeth from it the flesh dyeth and if the soul will follow the desires of the flesh then this is the death of the soul but if it give no ear unto the flesh then shall the soul come to the light of life and the flesh shall die Wherefore the soul is glad when it departeth out of the body like as one that hath been bound is well contented when he 〈◊〉 dismissed out of prison For all the while that the soul is kept closed
in the flesh it is as it were a slave in most hard and grievous bondage under a hard Master Therefore when it departeth from the body it is glad because it must go to the Garden of Paradise Thus ye see that in this life the soul is compared to a bond servant and slave Much more than this did he discourse of the immortality and blessedness of the Soul before them which we have omitted here And making then a Digression from that he lamented and wept most bitterly for the case of the City of Jerusalem saying Where is now â—…e City of Jerusalem that great and populous City Where is that most beautiful City of Sion and that holy City which rejoyceth the whole Earth O thou worship of Israel the miâ—…h of our hearts whither is thy glory come Where is thy magnificence O Jerusalem Where be the hillâ—… of the daughter of Sion Where be her Kings and Princes Where be the Kingâ—… that were accustomed to come to enquire of her welfare in her gates Where are her Sages and Elders her young and most valiant men which were jocund and merry in her streets upon her Sabbaths and Festival dayes Where is her famous Sanctuary the Dwelling of the Almighty God Where is the House of Sanctum Sanctorum the habitation of holiness wherein no man might set his foot but the high Priest which he never but once a year entred into but in thee O Jerusalem thou wa'st once replenished with people and renowâ—…ed amongst Kings beloved of God in thee was established the seat of the Kingdom of Justice and Judgement whose Streets were paved with most precious Marble whose walls glistred and shineâ—… with the same Stone whose Gates were every one plated with Gold and Silver whose Walls were builded with great Sâ—…ones most honourablâ—… whose Priests in the midst of the Sanctuary like to Angels of God and Princes of Holinesse with Sacrifices and burnt-offerings made the Lord loving to thee and thy people How art thou now full of slain men and carcâ—…ses which have perished some by the sword some by famine and how are thy sons that dwelt in thee and the strangers also that resorted to thee to honour thy Feasts brought to ruine now in thee How art thou fallen from the height of thy pride and how art thou set afire and burnt even unto thy foundations and art left desolate and solitary What eye is so hard that can behold thee What heart so stony that can endure to see thee How art thou become a burying place of carcases and how are thy streets made void and destitute of living creatures and they which heretofore were replenished with living are now stuffed with dead How hath the ashes of the fire covered thee that the Sun cannot come at thee How do the ancient men which in times past did fit in midst of thee in the seat of wisdom judgement and justice now fit by the carcases of their children to drive away Crows and beasts from them having their hoary heads besprinkled with dust and ashes instead of their glory and those women thy daughters that are left they remain in the houses of them that made thee desolate not that they may live but be unhallowed and polluted Who shall see all these things in thee and shall desire to live rather than to die Who knowing the magnificence thou hadst of laâ—…e and now shall see thine ignominy and dishonour of the same will not chuse to die And would God we had been dead before that we might not have seen in thee this thy reproach O that we were without eyes that we mâ—…ght not be compelled to see these mischiefs that are in the midst of thee And behold we live a most sorrowful life for our enemies even now afore we be dead cast lots for ouâ—… sons and daughters to divide them amongst them to be their servants and handmaids When Eleazar had ended this lamentation he spake to the people that was with himâ—… thus Now therefore Brethren and friends take compâ—…ssion of your selves your wives and children with the old men which be with you Let them not be led into bondage without all mercy that they be not constrained to mourn under the hands of their enemies For if you do this ye lose without doubt all places that are prepared for you in the world of righteousnessâ—… neither shall ye have any part in the light of liâ—…e Yâ—…a rather with your own hands kill tâ—…m For if â—…e will do so they shall be counted as sacrifiâ—…s most acceptable unto God And that done we will after issue out upon our enemies and fight against them till we die valiantly for the glory of the Lord. For we will never suffer them to bind us with bonds and chains as bondslaves in the hands of the uncircumcised Neither will we see our ancient men to be haled by the beards before our eyes most miserably nor yet our maids wives and daughters to be prophaned unhallowed and defloured nor our sons crying to us and we cannot help them Forwhat shall our life avail us after that our land is desolate our Sanctuary razed the Romans will ravish our wives and daughters before our eyes and oppress our sons with a most grievous and hard yoke Now therefore it is better for us all to kill our wives and children whose blood God shall accept thankfully as the blood of burnt offerings and after we will issue out upon the Romans fight till we be all destroyed and die for the glory of the Lord our God These men therefore went and gathered together their wives and daughters embraced them and kissed them saying Is it not better for you to die in your holy Country honourably than to be led away into bondage with great ignominy and shame into the Land of your enemies and be compelled to die before the Idols of the Gentiles These sayings when the people had heard they broke forth that night in to great sorrow and pensivenesse weeping and making great lamentation but they all confest with one accord that they had rather die than live Therefore as soon as it was day Eleazars companions killed their wives and children and cast their bodies into cesterns and wells that were in Mezirah covering and stopping them with earth Afterward issued Eâ—…eazar the Priest forth of the Town with all his men and forced a battel upon the Romans of whom the Jews killed a great nâ—…mber and fought so long till they all died mâ—…nfully for the Lord God But Titus left a remnant of Israel in the City Jafnah and the villages thereabout and in the City Bitter and Aâ—…ssa and their villages in which place Rabby Jochanan son of Sakkai was appointed chief Bonian the Priest younger bâ—…other to Jâ—…seph the Priest was put in authority by Titus for Josephs sake over all the Jews which were at Jerusalem At the same time was 〈◊〉 a Prince of Israel put to death and Ischmael son of Elischa â—…he high
Priest Mâ—…reover Titus was minded to have put Rabby Gamaliel father of Râ—…hbag to death but Rabby Jochâ—… son of 〈◊〉 made suice for him and obtained pardon for his life This Râ—…bby Jochanan was he that came forth of Jerusalem in the beginning when Vâ—…spasian father of Titus came first against Jerusalem whom Vespasian honoured greatly insomuch that when he returned to Rome he commended this Râ—…bby Jochanan to his son Titus commanding him to honour him for he perceived he was a wise man Titus râ—…igned two years after he had taken Jerusalem anâ—… died He was a very eloquent 〈◊〉 expert in the Laâ—…ne and Greek Tongue and writ divers Works in both Tongues He loved most intirely justice and equity for he wasted the City of Jerusalem against his will and being compelled thereunto â—…ea all the mischief that came upon it hapned through the malice and naugâ—…ness of the Seditious as we have touched before THE Ten Captivities OF THE JEWES THe Israelites were Ten times led into Captivity Four times by the hands of Sanherib and Four times by Nabuchadnezzar Once by Vespasian and Once by superstitious Adrian First invaded them Sanherib and transporthe Rubenites the Gadites and the half tribe of Manosseh He took away also the golden Calf which Jeroboam the son of Nebat had made He led them into Helah Habor to the River of Gozan and to the â—…ities of the Medes This Captivity was in the time of Pekah the son of Remaliah The second Captivity Hosea the son of Ela remained and slue Pekah the son of Remalâ—…h After he became the servant and subject of Sanherib seven years Then came Sanherib the second time and carried away the tribes of Asar Isachar Zebulon and Nephtali of whom he let go free only one of every eight He took away also another â—…alf that was in Bethel After the death of Ahaz raigned Zedekia his son in his stead four years The fourth year of whose raign Sanherib came and intrenched about Samarâ—…a besieging it three years and at length took it in the sixt year of the raign of Hizkiahu So led he away the Israelites that were in Samaria the tribe of Ephraim and Mannasse This is the third Captivity When Nebuchadnezzar had raigned eight years he made wars against Jerusalem bringing with him the Chutean Hereticks out of Babylon Ethiopia Hemates Avim and Sepharvavim and as he warred upon Judea he took in that Country a hundred and fifty Cities in the which there were two tribes Juda and Simeon whom he took with him and caused them forthwith to be led into Halah and Habar untill the King of the Ethiopians rebelled against him whose kingdom was on the hinder parts of Egypt Then taking Juda and Simeon with him he made war with the King of Ethiopia So the holy and blessed God placed them in the dark mountains Here was four Captivities whereby ten tribes went into exile by Sanherib There remained yet of Juda one hundred and ten thousand and of Benjamin one hundred and thirty thousand in the City of Jerusalem over whom raigned Hizkiahu Moreover Sanherib came out of Ethiopia against Jerusalem again leading with him one hundred and ten thousand but the holy Lord overthrew him there as it is written And the Angel of the Lord issuing forth smote in the house of Asar 175 thousand men His people therefore was slain and no man left but Sanherib and his two sons and Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuzaraden this slaughter was in the fourteenth year of Hizkâ—… From which overthrow untill the time that Nebuchadnezzar invaded the Jews in the raign of Jehojakim were a hundred and seven years The fourth year of Jehojakim came Nebuchadnezzar the first time and carried away three thousand and twenty and three of the tribes of Juda and Benjamin and of other tribes seven thousand all the able men and all their power binding them with chains This is the fift captivity Seven years after this Captivity came Nebuchadnezzar another time unto Dophna a City of Antioch from whence he led four thousand and six hundred of the tribe of Juda and of Benjamin fifty thousand of the other tribes seven thousand This transmigration made he in Babylon which is the sixt Captivity Furthermore betwixt the sixt bondage and the seventh were nine years of the raign of Zidkiahu When Nebuchadnezzar had raigned nineteen years he came the third time unto Jerusalem and overcoming Zidkiahu he burnt the Temple and took away the Pillars the brazen Sea and the furnitures that Solomon made and all the vessels of the house of the Lord and the â—…reasures of the house of the King which was in Jerusalem all the vessels he sent to Babylon He slew also of the Israelites nine hundred and one thousand besides them that were slain to revenge the blood of Zacharias The Levites stood singing a song whiles â—…laughter was made of them but they were not able to finish it before the enemies entred the Temple and found them standing in their place with harps in their hands Therefore he carried away in this Captivity the Levites which were of the seed of Moses six hundred thousand whom when the Gentiles had brought unto the Rivers of Babylon they demanded of the Jews Sing us a song of Sion And by and by they gnawed off the tops of their fingers with their teeth saying How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange Land And the blessed Lord seeing that they would not sing a song he enlarged them and placed them on the further side of Sambatia Moreover he translated and carried away eight hundred and thirty two thousand which were all of the tribe of Juda and Benjamin whereof he left in Jerusalem six thousand setting over them for their Ruler Gedalia the son of Ahikam who was slain after by Ishmael the son of Natania whereupon the Isrâ—…elites being afraid fled from their Country into Egypt This is the seventh transmigration and 〈◊〉 The 27. year of the raign of Nebuchadnezzar he â—…ook Egypt and Tyre drowned the Jews that were therein and the Nations which descended of Amon and Moab and of the Land bordering upon Israel and led Jeremy and Baruch with them into Egypt This is the eighth Captivity Then the Israelites that remained alive in Egypt departed unto Alexandria and remained in it untill they grew and increased unto many thousands and who so saw not their glory saw no glory in his time For there was in it the Sanctuary the Altar the offerings incenses the ordinance of bread of faces the houses of studies and schools without number men of great substance riches and power But wicked Troganus made war upon them and slew very many of them After came Alexander against them who slew also many of them These are the eight Captivities or bondages which befell in the first House and time of the first Temple After the desolation of the first House seventy years Cyrus the son of Esther sent unto Nehemiah Zerubbabel
years after the death of Christ Titus son to Vespasian sack't the City and destroyed it leaving it only a garrison for the Roman souldiers Sixty five yearâ—… after that the Jews falling into rebellion Hadrian the Emperour of Rome utterly destroyed what Titus left standing and commanded salt to be sown where the City stood And thus was fulfilled what was spoken by our Saviour touching the Temple that there should not be left one stone upon another Hurcan or Hurcania a region in the greater Asia having on the East the Caspian sea on the South Armenia upon the North Albania on the West Iberia I â—…buam or Jamnua a â—…illage of the upper Gaâ—…ee standing upon a very â—…eep ground which Joseâ—…hus being Governour of Galilee fortified against the Romans â—…ericho A city in the south part of the Land of Canaan situated in a fruitful soil where grew balm roses sugar-canes and abundance of dates whence it was called the City of Palms Joppe or Japho a sea town and port of Judaea built on a high Promontory from whence materials of Timber and Stones were brought to the building of Solomons Temple from Mount Libanus or Lebanon Jordan in Hebrew Jorden the fairest and biggest river in all Palestina springing up at the foot of Mount Libanus running on the South of Canaan passing by many famous places at length falls into the Lake of Sodom Jorpata or Jatopatae an exceeding strong city of Jerusalem standing all well-nigh upon a Rock accessible only upon the North side K KAtiim or Cittim the Nations of the Greeks so called in Gen. 10. and in Balams prophesie Kittim saith he shall afflict Ashur and Eber. L LAgarith a City of Edom won by Vespasian M MAcedonia a Country lying in Greece in the western part of it it was the country of King Philip Alexander his son which wan to the Greeks the Persian Empire Maidai or Media a country having upon the South Pâ—…rsia upon the North the Hyrcanian-sea on the West Armenia Syria on the East Hyrcania and Parâ—…hia which country took its name from Madai one of the sons of Japhet Mesopotamia a Country which lyeth betwixt the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates from which situation it was so called as lying in the midst of Rivers Moriah a Mountain joyning very near to Jerusalem upon the East side of that City a very steep rockie place in this place Abraham offered to sacrifice his son Isaac and afterward upon this Mountain was Solomons Temple built Moâ—…nt Olivet So called from the plenty of Olives whiâ—…h grew here lying on the East side of Jerusalem and separated from the higher city by the valley of Cedron Into this Mountain our Savâ—…our Christ often repaired and offered up his prayers here unto his Father N NIcopolis a City of the Holy Land otherwise called Emaus S SAmaria a City standing in the tribe of Ephrâ—…im which after that the ten Tribes fell off from the tribe of Judah was made the Metropolis of the ten revolting Tribes called Sebaste in honour of Augustus the Emperour Scythopolis a city in Syria Sennaar The land of Chaldea where the Tower of Babel began to be builded Seleucia a city on the farther side of Jordan in the country called Gualonitis so named from Seleucus King of Syria Sichem a country near He bron belonging to Hamoâ—… the Father of Sichem from whence it is though he gave the name of hâ—… son to that country of which he was Prince and by some it is thought to be the name of that city called in the Gospel Sichar a city of refuge peculiar to the Levites a principal City of Samaria Sodom a city which stood in the Land of â—…anaan where now is the Dead-sea destroyed by fire from heaven for their sins Sidon a Haven and Mart Town of Phoenicia being the border of the Land of promise toward thenorth and in the Lot of the tribe of Zabulon although it was never conquered nor possest by them Sinai The Mountain otherwise named Horeb upon which the Almighty gave the Law to Moses by the ministery of Angels It was called Sinai from the word in the Holy Tongue signifying a Bush because God appeared there to Moses in a Bush in a flame of fire the Bush not consumed Sion The Hill and City built on that Hill called the City of David taken by him from the Jebusites lying on the North side of the City of Jâ—…rusalem upon which the Temple was built Siloe a Fountain rising out at the foot of Mâ—…unt Sion in the West part of the valley of Jehosaphat a very clear sweet and large Spring it runs into the brook Cedron Schiloh or Silo The highest Mountain of all that are about Jerusalem Or higher than any other Mountain in the Holy Land likewise the name of the City that stands upon that Hill where the Ark continued a long time with the Tabernacle of the Covenant till it was taken by the Philistines for which cause the people of Israel used to meet at this place and offer sacrifices until the time of Samuel the Prophet Afterward for the sins of the Israelites the City was destroyed and the Altar demolished T TIarva a city in Galilee which Vespasian took razed and put all the men to the sword and sold their wives and children Tiberias A city so named in honour of Tiberius Caesar by Herod the Tetrarch standing near the Lake of Gennezaret called also the Sea of Tiberias it is the utmost bound of the lower Galilee Eastward Tyre a city renowned in holy Scripture built upon a rock and upon all sides incompassed by the sea wherefore the Prophet cals her the city in the heart of the sea a city of incredible riches by the abundance of her merchandise by the speâ—…ial appointment of God and foretellings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prophets Isaiah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made a prey to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King of Babylon and afterward to Alexander son of Philip King of Maceâ—… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 in the that part of the sea whicâ—… ran betwixt the maiâ—… land and the city witâ—… stones earth and timber and made it continent tâ—… the land first Nebuchadâ—…nezzar but in short timâ—… after that city was rebuilt and the bar of thâ—… sea quite demolished sâ—… the city restord to its former strength but Alexander stopt up the sea again sackt the city and crucified many of thâ—… chief men of the city tâ—… this day that little whicâ—… remains of it is annexed firmely to the Continent It stood in the territory 〈◊〉 the tribe of Ashur bâ—… had Kings of her own haâ—… ving never been in thâ—… hands of the Israelits A short view of the whole Matter By Th. F. A true Character of the Jews as they are at this day With the Hopes and Desires of all good men for their Conversion A Prayer unto God for their Conversion FINIS Tho Fuller D D. late Preacher at S. Mary Savoy Westm.