due justice on those whom he found guilty of that sedition Claudius favourably gave ear to this request and hearing the whole matter he found that the Samaritans were the first Authors of all those mischiefs and caused them to be put to death who came before him to plead and banished Cumanus he gave order also that Captain Celer should be sent back to Jerusalem and that there in sight of all the people he should be dragged about the City until he died He sent Claudius E Foelix Pallas Brother to govern Judaea In the twelfth year of his Reign Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. aliàs 13. he gave Agrippa Philip's Tetrarchy with Batanea and besides that added thereunto Trachonitis and Abila which in time past appertained to Lysanias Tetrarchy Claudius Felix Governour of Judea taking from this the Province of Chalcis which he had governed for the space of four years After that Agrippa had obtained this gift at Caesar's hands he married his sister Drusilla to Azizus King of the Emessenians who consented to be circumcised Drusilla because Epiphanes King Antiochus Son would not give ear unto the marriage for that he refused to entertain the Religion of the Jews although in times past he had promised his Father no less Mariamne He gave Mariamne to Archelaus Chelcias Son who by her Fathers consent was formerly promised him on whom he begat a F Daughter called Bernice A little after this the Marriage of Azizus and Drusilla was broken off on this occasion following Felix getteth Drusilla from her husband When Felix governed Jewry he saw Drusilla and fell in love with her she surpassing all other women in Beauty He therefore sent a certain Magician called Simon who was born in Cyprus and one of his greatest friends among the Jews who perswaded her to forsake her first Husband and to marry Felix giving her to understand that she should be happy if she refused not this match She unadvised and resolved to rid her self from the hatred which her Sister Bernice bare towards her who hated her in regard of her beauty and for this cause ceased not to injure her condescended to forsake the Religion of the Jews and to marry Felix by whom she had a Son called Agrippa whose death hereafter I will G declare and how in the Emperour Titus's his time he died and was burned in the fire of the Mountain Vesuvius with his Wife Bernice remained a Widow very long after Herod's death who was both her Uncle and her Husband and the report was that she had the company of her Brother At length she wrought so much that H Polemon King of Cilicia caused himself to be circumcised to the end he might marry her purposing by that means to make it known how falsly she had been accused Whereunto Polemon gave ear because she was rich But this Marriage continued not any long time Polemon King of Cilicia marrieth Bernice For Bernice through her impudency as it is reported abandoned Polemon who giving over that Marriage forsook also the Religion of the Jews At the same time Mariamne having forsaken Archelaus her Husband married Demetrius one of the chiefest Jews that were in Alexandria Mariamne scorning Archelaus marrieth Demetrius both in regard of his descent as also his riches who at that time also exercised the office of Alubarcha that is to say the Governour of Arabia She caused the Son she had by him to be called Agrippinus But of all this I will speak more exactly hereafter I The Emperor Claudius died after he had reigned thirteen years Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. aliàs 15. eight moneths and twenty days Some say that he was poysoned by Agrippina his wife the daughter of Germanicus Claudius's Brother She was first married to Domitius Aenobarbus one of the greatest men of Rome after whose death and long Widowhood she was at length married to Claudius Agrippina Messalina and Paetina Claudius 's Wives into whose house she brought her Son called Domitius by his own Fathers name Claudius had put Messalina his wife to death for the jealousie he had of her although he had had children by her namely Britannicus and Octavia And for his daughter Antonia who was eldest of all his children and begotten on Paetina one of his former Wives she was married to Nero whom Claudius so named and adopted for his Son Agrippina fearing lest Britanicus growing to mans K estate should succeed his Father in the Empire and desirous to make her own Son Emperour as is reported she left nothing unattempted that might bring her Husband to his death an presently sent Burrus who was General of the Army with some other Captains Nero Emperor and those of the greatest power among his free-men to bring Nero into the field and to proclaim him Emperour He being thus established in the Empire caused Britannicus to be secretly poysoned and not long after this he openly caused his Mother to be put to death yielding her this recompence not only for that she had born him in her womb but also because by her means he had obtained the Empire The year of the World 4019. after Christ's Nativity 57. He likewise murthered Octavia his wife the Emperor Claudius's daughter and divers other Noble men under colour of some Conspiracy intended against L him But I will not prosecute this matter for that there are divers who have writ Nero's History Nero a tyrant of whom some have no regard of the truth but have spoken at their pleasure Nero's tyranny for that he had been their Benefactor others transported with hatred and despite against him having not been ashamed to punish such impudent lies against his renown that they deserve to be condemned Neither do I wonder that they have invented so many lyes against Nero considering that in those Histories which they wrote of the former Emperours they have not studied to speak truth although they had not any occasion to hate them considering that they lived a long time after their death For my own part I am resolved never to deviate from the truth contenting my self to touch only by the way those things that concern my M purpose neither will I treat in particular but of what relateth to my Country without dissembling our own faults any more than the afflictions that they brought upon us I will therefore return to the discovery of our affairs Azizus King of Emesene being dead the first year of the Emperour Nero's reign his Brother obtained the Kingdom Aristobulus the son of Herod King of Chalcis had the Government of the lesser Armenia from Nero who gave Agrippa a certain portion of Galilee commanding those of Tiberias and Tarichaea to live under him Besides this he gave him Julias situate beyond Jordan with fourteen Burroughs near adjoyning thereunto N CHAP. VI. Foelix Governour of Judaea causeth Eleazar the High Priest to be murthered and his
then it was lawful for them to assail them with open War Hereupon they sent certain Embassadors to the Gibeonites to complain of those youngmen that in perpetrating this indignity against the woman had violated the Law of God and to demand that they might suffer condign punishment by death for the same B But the Gibeonites would not yield up the young men esteeming it an indignity for them for fear of War to be obedient to other mens commandments They deny to yield them up hereupon the Israelites make an oath never to match their Daughters with any one of the Tribe of Benjamin and they levyed lead out against them an Army of four hundred thousand men for they thought themselves no wayes inferior unto others in feats of War both in respect of number and courage The rest of the Tribe also made great prâ—â—aration being all resolved mutually to defend themselves against whosoever should assail them When the Gibeonites answer was brought to the Israelites they sware an oath among themselves not to give their daughters in marriage to any Benjamite and to make War against them more bloody than that which their predecessors had made against the Canaanites They speedily therefore levied and led into the field an army of 400000. men against them The Benjamites Army consisted of 25600. armed men 500. of which were expert in shooting C and fighting with the left hand The battle was fought near Giba wherein the Benjamites put the Isralites to flight who were slain to the number of 22000. and more had been slaughtred that day had not the night suddenly overtaken them and ended the fight v. 25. The Benjamites joyfully returned to their Cities and the Isralites were discomfited by their defeat Twenty two thousand Israelites slain in battel The next day they once more renewed the battel and the Benjamites had the upper hand once again so that the Israelites lost eighteen thousand men more and thereupon forsook their camp thorow fear and retired to Bethel which was not far off Eighteen thousand Israelites more slain The day after they fasted and besought God by the mediation of Phinees the High Priest that it would please him to appease his wrath against them and that contenting himself with the two overthrows which he had sent them he would now D at last both give them his assistance and valour to encounter their enemies v. 29 ad 36. All which God promised them by the prophecy of Phinees The Israelites place one half of their battel in ambush and as if they â—â—ght with disadvantage they retired by little and little Whereupon they divided their Army into two parts and laid the one in ambush near the City In the mean time whilst the other half that made head against the Benjamites retired themselves to the intent their Enemies should assault them the Benjamites suddenly issued and set upon them that orderly retired and the more they retired on purpose to draw them the further from the Town the more eagerly the Enemy insisted so that all those who through age and weakness were left in the City sallied out to be companions and sharers in the future prey But when they were drawn far enough from the City the Hebrews stayed made head and fought against them Then gave they a sign to those that were E in ambush as was accorded amongst them who suddenly issuing out together rushed upon their Enemies with a great cry The Benjamites themselves so surprized knew not what to do but retiring into certain Barricadoes defended themselves with Arrows but all of them were slain except six hundred who making head and closely filletted and embattelled together thrust themselves desperately into the midst of their Enemies and by this means escaped to the neighboring mountains where they encamped All the rest to the number of 25. thousand or thereabouts were slain And the Israelites burned Giba utterly and slew both the women and children They excercised no less severity on the other Cities of Benjamin so much were they transported with fury v. 35. And for that Jabes a City of Gilead would not joyn with them in Battel against the F Benjamites Five and twenty thousand Benjamites slain and only six hundred escape alive they sent twelve thousand chosen men out of their â—â—â—panies to destroy the same who slew all those that bear Arms with their Wives and Children except four hundred Virgins So much rage and fury had they conceived upon the accident that chanced to this woman against the Benjamites for provoking them unto Arms which fury being somewhat appeased Jabes and other Cities of the Benjamites burned they were toucht with compassion seeing themselves deprived of one Tribe wherefore though they thought they had justly punished them for having offended against the Laws of God yet they appointed a fast and sent to recall those six hundred that were fled Judg. 21. and that held a certain Rock in the Desart which is called Rhos These messengers represented to them the concern that the other Tribes had for their misfortune à v. 41. ad finem but since there was no remedy The Israelites revoke the six hundred that were fled they ought to bear it with patience G and reunite themselves to those of their Nation to the end to hinder the utter ruin of their Tribe that they restor'd to them all their Lands and would give them back their Cattel The Benjamites acknowledging their justice and that they were condemned by the just judgment of God returned into the possessions of their Tribe And the Israelites H gave them in Marriage those 400 Virgins of Jabes and for the rest which were 200 they deliberated with themselves how they might provide them of Wives to the intent they might have issue And whereas in the beginning of the War it was decreed by an oath that none of them should match his Daughter with any of the Tribe of Benjamin Judg. 21 22 ad 25. there were some that thought good that the oath might be dispensed withall by reason it was made in wrath and with precipitation alledging further that it would not be displeasing to God The Israelites gave the Benjamites the 400 Virgins of Jabes in marriage if they might save a Tribe which was in danger to be utterly extinct That Perjury is a great sin not when inforced by necessity but when practised with an intent to do evil But when the Elders declar'd that they abhor'd the mention of Perjury there rose up a certain Man amongst them that said he knew a way I whereby without breach of oath the Benjamites might have Wives When and how an Oath ought to be kept And being commanded by the Senate to declare the same We have a custom thrice every year said he to assemble and keep a Feast at Siloe and for Companions we have both our Wives and Daughters as many
of these as they can 〈◊〉 let the Benjamites lay hold of without reproof neither being inhibited nor encouraged by us and if their Fathers shall be displeased therewith and shall require revenge we will say that they are in the fault who have negligently kept their Daughters and that we ought not too much to whet our wrath against the Benjamites for that we had too much already used the same toward them Ver. 20. ad fin This advice was approved by all and it was decreed The Benjamites are permitted to ravish them Wives That it was lawful for the Benjamites to seize and violently take to themselves Wives amongst them Now when the Feast was at hand the 200 Benjamites of K whom we have spoken came two by two and three by three and lay in ambush near the City amongst the Vines and other Thickets and close places in which they might hide themselves to surprize the Damsels who suspecting nothing securely and pleasantly wantoned on their way but the young men breaking from the ambush laid hold of them being scattered and divided here and there and after they had married them they departed home to labour their Land and began to study anew how to recover their former prosperity Thus the Tribe of Benjamin which was well nigh utterly exterminated was preserved by the wisdom of the Israelites and it flourished and increased in a little time as well in number of men as in all other things The like accident hapned to the Tribe of Dan Hedio Ruffin cap. 7. al. 4. which fell into the like mischief for this L cause which ensueth The Israelites about this time having forgotten the exercise of Arms Judg. 18. 2 c. and being onely occupied in Tilling their Land The Tribe of Dan oppressed by the Canaanites the Canaanites in contempt of them raised Forces not for that they were afraid for their own Estates but to the intent that defeating the Hebrews with some memorable overthrow they might more securely inhabit their Cities for the future They brought into the Field a great number of Footmen and Chariots and they drew Aschalon and Acharon two Cities within the lot of Judah into thier Confederacy and divers other Cities of the Champion Countrey so that the Tribe of Dan was driven into the Mountains having no place in the Champion where they might peaceably inhabit and for that they were neither able to recover their Lands from M the enemy nor had sufficient habitation for their number of Men they sent five Men of their Tribe into the Champion Countrey to see if they could find any place that were fit and convenient for them to establish and fix their Colonies These Men Travelled a days journey not far from the Mountain of Libranus and lower than the sources of Jordan bordering upon the great Plain of the City of Sidon In which place having observed that the Land was good and fertile in all sorts of fruits they made their report to their People who Travelling thither with their Army built a City in that place called Dan by the name of the son of Jacob so called and of their own Tribe Many adversities befell the Israelites from that time forwards They of Dan seek out a place to inhabit both by reason they were unexercised in Travel and for that they contemned Piety For having once forsaken the N observation of the Ordinances they abandon'd themselves to Pleasures living according to their own appetites so that they polluted themselves with those Vices which were most usual amongst the Canaanites O A CHAP. III The year of the World 2586. before Christ's Nativity 1438. How the people of Israel by reason of their wickedness were by God delivered to the servitude of the Assyrians FOr this cause the wrath of God was kindled against them Judg. 31. 2 3 4. in such sort that he abandon'd them and through their luxury they soon lost the felicity which they had gotten by infinite pains The Israelites oppressed by Schisart For Schisart King of the Assyrians levied and an Army against them killed a great number of their men in fight and either by force or composition took divers of their Cities and brought them under his subjection Many also willingly submitted B themselves to him through fear and payed great tribute enduring all kind of outrage for the space of eight years after which they were delivered by these means following CHAP. IV. Their liberty restored by Cenez A Certain man of the Tribe of Juda called Cenez a man of understanding and courage was advertised by a voice from Heaven Ibidem c. 3. v. 9 10 11. that he should not permit the Israelites to be reduced into so extreme necessity without taking care for them but adventure himself to set them at liberty Cenizus or as the holo Scripture speaks his Son Athaniel rigned eight years Upon which calling to him some few whom he knew C generous enough to fear no danger when a yoke so insupportable was to be shaken of They began with outting the throats of the Assyrian Garison which Schisart had placed over them This first success caus'd the number of his followers to increase a little more and more so that in a little time they seemed sufficient to equal the enemy in open field whereupon encountring him in one battel they overcame him and recovered their liberty and the rest of the scattered and confused Army retired toward Euphrates After Cenez had by this action given proof of his valour he received the government at the peoples hands and exercised the office of Judge forty years and died CHAP. V. D How the people were made subject to the Moabites and how by Jodes they were exempt from servitude AFter his death the government being void the affairs of the Israelites began again to fall to ruine Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. and the rather for that they neither yielded due honour to God Judg. 3. 12 ad 15. or obedience to the Laws whence it came to pass that Eglon King of the Moabites seeing the disorder of their policy made war against them Eglon King of the Moabites conquereth the Israelites and defeated them many times And for that he was a Prince of greater puissance than any of his Predecessors he weakened their Forces so that he constrained them to pay tribute This man removing his Court to Jericho and proud of his Victories omitted no E means whereby he might vex and molest the people so that they lived for the space of 18. years in great misery But God being moved with compassion of their calamities delivered them from their intolerable thraldom after this manner Jodes the Son of Gera of the Tribe of Benjamin a young man endow'd with Valour of mind and strength of body to attempt any worthy action dwelt at Jericho Jodes or Ehud insinuated himself into Eglons
by reason that he flying unto the enemy M menac'd them with the surprizal and utter ruine of their City The King in regard of the natural humanity and justice that was in him was not any wayes hereby provoked against Jeremy Jer. 39. 11 12. yet to the intent that he might not seem utterly to oppose the Governors The reward of godly Preachers in this life he deliver'd the Prophet into their hands to deal with him howsoever they pleased Who having obtained this liberty from the King entred the Prison on the sudden and laying hold on Jeremy they let him down into a Pit full of mud to the intent he might die in that place and be strangled by the filth in effect he was set therein up to the neck But one of the Kings servants an Ethiopian by Nation certifi'd the King of the Prophets affliction assuring him That his Friends and Governors did not justly so to thrust and bury the Prophet in the mud and cursedly to conspire against him N tiring him with bonds and tortures worse than death Whereupon the King hearing this was sorry that he had deliver'd the Prophet to the Governors and commanded the Ethiopian to take 30 men of his Court with him with cords and such other things necessary as might concern the safety of the Prophet charging him with all expedition to deliver him from that captivity Hereupon the Ethiopian furnish'd with men and necessary means drew the Prophet out of the mud and dismiss'd him without any guard That done the King sent for him in private demanding of him If he had any message to deliver him from God Zedechias neglecteth the Prophets good counsel for fear of the Governors praying him to let him understand whatsoever he knew as touching the success of the siege The Prophets answer was That although he should tell him yet it would not be believed and that if he should exhort him he would not give ear or listen unto him O But said he O King thy friends have condemned me to death as if I had been a most wicked Malefactor But where are they now at this present that have deceived thee and born thee in hand The year of the World 3354. before Christ's Nativity 610. saying That the Babylonian would not come and besiege thee Now will I take heed how A I tell thee the truth for fear lest thou condemn me to death Hereupon the King swore unto him That he should not die neither that he would deliver him into the hands of the Governors For which cause Jeremy grounding himself upon the faith which he had plighted unto him counselled the King to yield up the City to the Babilonians because that God had willed him to signifie unto the King that if he would save his life and avoid the imminent danger and save his City from utter ruine and preserve the Temple from burning he should submit or otherwise that none but he should be reputed to be the cause of all those evils that should happen unto the City and Citizens and of that calamity that should confound both him and all his family When the King heard this he told him B That he would do according as he had counselled him and perform whatsoever he thought necessary to be done but that he feared that his Subjects who were already gone over to the King of Babylon would do him ill offices with that King and that by their means he might be accused and deliver'd unto death But the Prophet encourag'd him telling him That his fear was in vain assuring him that he should suffer no evil if so be he yielded up the City and that neither his wife nor children nor the sacred Temple should suffer any mischief Upon these words the King dismissed Jeremy charging him to communicate the counsel that was held between them to no one of the Citizens no not to the Princes if they should ask of him wherefore the King had sent for him advising him to answer if so be they were inquisitive That he resorted to the King to request him that he might be no more imprisoned all which the Prophet performed but they pressed him very much to know C for what cause the King had sent for him CHAP. X. Jerusalem is taken and the People carried into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor MEan-while the Babylonian continued his violent siege against the City of Jerusalem 2 Kings 25. 1. c. and having raised Towers upon certain Bulwarks Jerusalem besieged eighteen months and at length taken he drave away by this means D all those that approached near unto the walls he raised also round about the City divers platforms that equalled the walls in height Mean-while the City was as valiantly and couragiously defended by the Inhabitants for neither Pestilence nor Famine plucked down their spirits And although that within the City they were tormented with these scourges yet were not their resolutions broken nor did the enemies inventions astonish them nor their engines afright them so that all the battel betwixt the Babylonians and Jews seem'd to be a tryal both of valor and art whil'st these do assuredly hope to surprize the City Ver. 5 6 7. and the other thought their safety consisteth herein Zedechias flieth by night and is surprized by the enemy if they ceased not by new inventions to frustrate their enemies endeavors And in this state continu'd they both for the space of 18 months until they were consumed by Famine E and by the darts that were shot against them by those that shot from the Towers At length the City was taken by the Princes of Babylon in the eleventh year of the Reign of Zedechias the ninth day of the fourth month who were put in trust by Nabuchodonosor to manage the siege for he himself made his abode in the City of Reblata Now if any man be desirous to know the names of them that had command at such time as Jerusalem was surpriz'd these they be Nergelear Aremantus Emegar Nabosar and Echarampsor The City being taken about midnight the Princes of the Enemies Army entred into the Temple which when Zedechias understood he took his wives and his children with the Princes and his friends and fled thorow a great valley by the desart which when the Babylonians understood by certain Jews that were revolted and had submitted themselves F unto them they arose early in the morning to pursue them and overtook and surprized them near unto Jericho Whereupon those Princes and friends of Zedechias that had taken their flight with him seeing the Enemies near unto them forsook him and scattering themselves here and there endeavour'd each of them to save himself When therefore the Enemies had apprehended him attended by a few followers only and accompanied by his children and wives they brought him unto the Kings presence who no sooner beheld him but he called him wicked and perfidious and upbraided him
sat at their feet after divers discourses D held between them Agrippa began to speak after this manner unto Caius O said he would God the day were come wherein the old man departing out of this world would make you Governour thereof For his Son Tiberius would be no hindrance unto you for you might dispatch him Then should the World be happy and I likewise have my share in the Felicity Tiberius esteeming this his Accusation to be true and having of long time conceived a grudge against Agrippa for that notwithstanding he had commanded him to honour Tiberius who was his Nephew and Drusus's Son Agrippa had given small regard to his Commandment and had not honoured him but was wholly addicted unto Caius For which cause he said to Macron bind me this fellow He scarcely understanding that which he spake and no ways suspecting that he should give that Command E against Agrippa deferred the performance until such time as he might more exactly understand his mind When therefore Caesar turned into the Hippodrome and by chance met with Agrippa in the teeth This is he said he Macron whom I have commanded to be bound And demanding of him once more of whom he spake It is Agrippa said he Then had Agrippa recourse to submissive and humble Prayers refreshing the memory of his Son with whom he had been brought up alledging the education he had used towards his Nephew Tiberius but he prevailed nothing but was led away bound in those Purple Ornaments which he then wore At that time it was very hot weather Thaumastus Caius's Servant giveth Agrippa drink whom he promiseth to procure his Freedom and he was extreamly thirsty Whereupon espying Thaumastus one of Caius 's Servants who carried Water in a Pitcher he required F him to give him drink which when he had willingly bestowed on him he drank and afterwards said unto him This service thou hast done me in giving me drink shall do thee good one day For as soon as I escape out of these Bonds it shall not be long before I obtain thy liberty at Caius's hands for that thou hast not neglected to do me service in this my Imprisonment more than whilst I was in my Prosperity Neither deceived he the man's expectation of his promise but rewarded and gratified him For afterwards when he had obtained the Kingdom he begged Thaumastus 's liberty at Caius 's hands and made him his Steward and after his decease he gave order that he should serve in the same place with his Son Agrippa and his Daughter Bernice so that he died very old and much honoured But this happened afterward But at that time Agrippa stood before G the place bound with other Companions who likewise were in Bonds and through the grief he conceived he leaned against a certain Tree on which there sat an Owl One of those Prisoners who was by Nation a German beholding that Bird asked the Souldier that was fettered with him who he was that was apparelled in Purple and H understanding that his name was Agrippa and that he was a Jew and one of the Nobility of that Nation he desired the Soldier who to the end to guard him was chained with him to suffer him to draw near unto Agrippa and to have a little conference with him for that he had a great desire to ask him certain things concerning the Customs of his Countrey Which when he had obtained and having got near him he told him by an Interpreter of that which followeth Young man said he the sudden change that hath befallen thee at this present afflicteth and oppresseth thee with great and grievous Torment neither wilt thou easily believe that thou shalt escape from thy misery yet so doth the Divine Providence dispose of all things A certain German foretelleth Agrippa of his happy Fortunes to come and the manner of his death that thou shalt shortly be delivered Know therefore and I swear unto thee by the Gods both those of mine Ancestors and those also who I have residence and presidence in this place and who have procured us this Iron Chain that I will tell thee all not to yield thee pleasure by my vain discourse or to entertain thee with fruitless Consolation knowing well that when these Predictions shall happen to fail they will breed thee more sorrow than if thou hadst never heard of them But I have thought it good yea although it were with mine own danger to declare unto thee the Predictions of the Gods It cannot otherwise be but that shortly thou shalt be delivered from these Bonds and shalt be advanced to great honour and power so that those who at this day have compassion on thy Calamity shall envy thy Glory and thou shalt depart this life in great felicity and shalt leave thy Children mighty Possessions But bear this in thy remembrance that when thou shalt see this Bird once more thou must needs die within five days after These are those things which the Gods think meet to foretell thee by this Bird. As for my self I K have supposed I should do thee wrong if I should conceal this Prediction from thee having the fore-knowledg thereof I have therefore thought good to impart this joy unto thee whereby thorough hope of thy future profit thou mayest more easily endure thy present misfortune for which cause I beseech thee that as soon as thou shalt be partaker of this thy felicity thou wilt endeavour thy self to deliver us also from these Adversities This Presage of the German's seemed as ridiculous to Agrippa as admirable afterwards But Antonia being sore grieved at the young man's Calamity thought it not only a difficult matter for her to entreat Tiberius for him but altogether unprofitable in regard she should be repulsed yet she prevailed so much with Macron that he was L committed to the custody of such Soldiers who were of a more mild behaviour and had a Centurion appointed to keep him that suffered him to use his daily Bathings and gave his Friends and Servants leave to visit him by whose service and kindness his necessities might be relieved His Friend Silas also was admitted to speak with him and amongst his Free-men Marsyas and Stichus who brought him in such meats as he was delighted withal and Coverings under colour to sell them which by the permission of the Soldiers who had no less direction from Macron they spread by night for him to take his rest upon Agrippa lived six months in Prison See here the estate wherein Agrippa lived in Prison for the space of six Months But Tiberius being returned to Capreas began at first to be attainted with a certain lingring disease Tiberius falleth sick and sendeth for his Sons and for that his Sickness encreased more and M more he began to conceive a sinister hope of himself and commanded Euodus whom he most honoured amongst all his Free-men to bring him his Sons because he
prostrated himself at Sosius's feet beseeching him to be merciful unto him but Sosius nothing compassionating his calamity insulted over him and called him Antigona yet did he not permit him to depart free as a woman but put him in Prison Now when Herod had conquered his enemies he endeavoured to the utmost to repress the insolence of his Auxiliary Strangers who thronged to see the Temple and F the Holy Vessels that were therein but he withheld them not only by threatnings and entreaties but also by force believing himself less unhappy to be conquered than by obtaining the Victory to minister a means whereby those things which were not lawful to be revealed should be exposed to the eyes of prophane Strangers He also restrained the Soldiers from sacking the City and told Sosius that if the Romans would desolate the City both of men and money they would leave him King of a Desart Adding further that he esteemed not the Empire of the whole World to be a recompence for such a Massacre of his Subjects Hereunto Sosius answering that the Soldiers ought to have the sacking of the Town in recompence of that labour they had spent in the Siege Herod liberally bestows money upon the Soldiers Herod replyed that he had rather recompence them out of his G own Treasury and by this means he redeemed as it were the Relicks of his desolate Countrey and in the end performed that which he had promised for he bountifully rewarded every Soldier and Captain according to his merit and gave Sosius Presents worthy of a King This done Sosius dedicated a Golden Crown unto God and H so departed leading Antigonus Captive with him to the end to present him to Antonius This man desirous to continue his life and entertaining himself with this colâ— hope even until the last received in the end that reward which his faint heart desired and was beheaded Herod being now King Antigonus beheaded he made a distinction between the Citizens and those who had favoured him he used very honourably Ant. lib. 11. cap. 1. and put those to death who had followed Antigonus And when money sailed he distributed all his Kingly Ornaments and sent them to Antonius and his Company Yet did he not quie redeem himself from all troubles for Antonius being passionately enamoured on Cleopatra in all things yielded to her desire Cleopatra's cruelty against her Kindred And Cleopatra having raged so against her own Kindred that she had I not left one of them alive now turned her fury upon strangers and acousing the Nobility of Syria to Antonius she perswaded him to put them to death that she might thereby the easier obtain their Possession Afterwards her covetous mind thought to effect the same against the Arabians and the Jews also insomuch that she secretly went about to cause the Kings of those places Malichus and Herod to be put to death Antonius made a shew as though he would have granted her request yet he thought it great impiety to kill good men and so great Kings Notwithstanding he no more accounted them his friends but took a great quantity of ground from the limits of both their Countreys and a Vineyard in Jericho where Balm grew and gave her all the Cities on this side the River Eleâ—therus Tyre and Sidon only excepted Cleopatra's covetousness Now when K she had obtained the Dominion of these Cities she followed Antonius to Euphrates when he set forward to make War against the Parthians and afterwards by Apamia and Damascus she came into Judaea where Herod having something pacified her angry mind with great gifts obtained to pay her yearly two hundred Talents for that part of his Countrey which Antonius had given her and seeking by all means possible to get himself an interest in her favour he conducted her to Pelusium Not long after Antonius returned out of Parthia and brought Artibazes the Son of Tigranes Captive and gave him to Cleopatra with all the money and Prisoners that he had taken L CHAP. XIV Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake WHen War was declared between Augustus and Antonius The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 28. Herod prepared himself to attend Antonius seeing for the present all troubles were pacified in Judaea and he had already gotten the Castle of Hircanion which Antigonus's Sister had in her possession But Cleopatra craftily prevented him in this his journey so that he could M not go with Antonius Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. For she desiring the ruines of both the Kings as was before mentioned perswaded Antonius to cause Herod to make War against the Arabians whom if he overcame Cleopatra's subtil Treason against Herod then she should be made Queen of Arabia and if himself were overcome then she should be Queen of Judaea Intending hereby that one of these Potentates should ruine the other But this practice of hers succeeded greatly to Herod's advantage for first of all making head against those of Syria that were his enemies with all the power of Cavalry he could which was very considerable and meeting them near Diospolis Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. he overcame them though they valiantly resisted After which overthrow a mighty Army of the Arabians came to help them so that an infinite company was gathered together about Coelosyria expecting the Jews near the City called N Canatha Where King Herod meeting them purposed not to fight unadvisedly but to compass his Camp round about with a Wall but his Army puffed up with their former Victory would not be counselled but violently assaulted the Arabians and at the first onset put them to flight Herod pursuing his enemies was greatly endangered by the Treason of the Inhabitants of Canatha who were set on by Athenio one of Cleopatra's Captains who had always born him ill will for the Arabians encouraged by their help The Arabians defeat Herod's Army returned again to Battel and they two joyned their Forces together and set upon Herod in stony and difficult places and put his Army to flight and slew many of them those that escaped fled into a little Village hard by called Ormiza where the Arabians compassing them about took both the men and their Tents O with all their Furniture Not long after this overthrow of Herod's Soldiers he came and brought help but too late and to little purpose The cause of this defeat was A for that the Captains of his Army would not obey his Commandment for if they had been obedient Athenio had not had opportunity to work him that injury 〈…〉 navity 28. yet was he revenged upon the Arabians and daily made incursions upon their Borders and ceased not to invade and spoil them till by many defeats he had cried quittance with them for their one Victory While thus he pursued his enemies Another calamity
all of one sort Before they eat a Priest giveth thanks and no man may eat B any meat till this Prayer be made to God Likewise when dinner is ended they pray again for both before and after they give thanks to God the Giver of all And then putting off that Apparel as Sacred they apply themselves to their work till evening At supper they do as before causing their Guests to sup with them if by fortune any come Their house is never troubled with cries or tumults for every one is appointed to speak in his turn so that their silence produces respect in strangers The cause of this moderation is their continual sobriety and that every one is limited how much to eat or drink The Esseans in compassion and helping others have free choice in other things they are ruled by their Governour And although that in all other matters they are ruled by their Superior yet in these two to wit compassionating and helping they may do as they think good for every one may when he pleaseth help those whom he thinketh deserve C help and when he pleaseth give meat to them that are in need Yet may not they give any thing to their Kindred without the lieve of their Superior They take great care to suppress their anger they keep their promise and maintain peace and people account every word they speak of as much force The Esseans swear not as if they had bound it with an oath and they shun oaths worse than perjury for they esteem him a liar who is not to be believed without he call God to witness They study diligently ancient Writers chiefly gathering out of their Writings what is most convenient for the soul and the body Out of them they learn Remedies for Diseases and the Vertues of Herbs Stones and Mettals Those who are desirous to be of their Order do not straight way converse with them but for a year before live out of the Colledge and D have the same diet a little hatchet and such a girdle as is before spoken of and a white garment But at the years end if they perceive such a person to be continent they give him a diet more agreeing with their own and he is permitted to wash himself in cold water to the end to purifie himself yet is he not admitted in common amongst them The Esseans Vows and Covenants till for two years more they have observed his life and manners And at last when he is thought worthy he is admitted to their common company But before he is received to the common Table first he is to protest solemnly to honour and serve God with all his heart to observe Justice and Fidelity towards all men never willingly to hurt any man nor injure any for another man's command but always to hate the wicked and assist the good to keep his faith to all but especially to his Superiors E The Esseans circumspect in Justice because they hold their power from God To which they add that if he be put in Authority over others he never will abuse it to the prejudice of those that are under him and neither exceed the rest in apparel nor any other ambitious pomp that he will always love the truth and severely reprove liars and that he will keep his hands and soul pure from all theft and unjust gain and that he will not conceal any mysteries or secrets of their Religion from his companions nor reveal them to any strangers although he should be thereto threatned by death Adding moreover that he will never deliver any Doctrine save that which he hath received and diligently preserve the Books as well as the Names of those from whom they received it These Protestations they oblige those to take solemnly who enter into their Order to F the end to fortifie them against Vices Those of the Society who transgress notoriously they thrust out of their company and whosoever is so punished for the most part dieth a miserable death for it being not lawful for him to eat with any stranger he is reduced to feed on grass like beasts and so he perisheth through Famine For which cause oftentimes they are moved with compassion to receive many into their Order again when ready by Famine to yield up the ghost judging them to have endured pennance enough for their offences who with famine were almost brought to death's door They are very severe and just in their Judgments and to decide any matter there is never fewer of them than an hundred and that which is by them agreed upon is irrevocable Next after God they reverence their Law-giver insomuch that if any G one revile him they forthwith condemn him to death They take it for a great duty to obey their Elders and what is appointed by many so that if ten of them sit together no man of them must speak without he be licenced thereto by nine of the company They account it a great incivility to be in the midst of the Assembly or on H their right hand And they are more severe than any other Jews in observing the Sabbath for they do not only abstain from dressing meat which they dress the Evening before that day but also they may not remove any vessel out of its place nor satisfie the necessities of Nature The Esseans reverence the Sabbaths Upon other days they dig a pit a foot deep in the ground with the hatchet which as we before said every one at his entrance into their Order hath given him and then covering themselves diligently with their garment as if they feared to be irreverent to the light of Heaven in that pit they ease themselves and then cover their ordure with the earth they took out of the pit And this they do in most secret places And although this purging of their bodies be natural yet do they by washing purifie themselves after it as after great uncleanness Furthermore I amongst themselves they are divided into four Orders according to the time which they have continued this exercise of life and they that are Juniors bear such respect to the Seniors that if they do but touch one of them they are obliged to purifie themselves The Esseans live a long time as though they had touched a stranger They are long-liv'd so that most of them live an hundred years which I judge is by reason of their well ordered diet and their temperance They contemn adversity and by constancy and fortitude triumph over torments The Esseans constancy in the War with the Romans They prefer an honourable death before life The Wars which the Jews made against the Romans shewed what invincible courage and hardiness they have in all things for they suffered the breaking of the members of their bodies fire and Sword and all kind of Tortures rather than be brought to speak the least word against K their Lawgiver The year
was so populous yet I think they spared them only for pity sake because they saw they were D quiet and not seditious The Inhabitants also of Gerasa did no harm to the Jews amongst them but when they desired to depart they conducted them safely to the end of their Borders In the Kingdom also of Agrippa much cruelty was shewed against the Jews for he being gone to Cestius Gallus at Antioch left the Rule of his Countrey to one of his Friends named Varus Kinsman to King Sohemus to whom there came seventy of the chief Nobility of the Countrey of Batanaea requesting a Garrison to repress those that should attempt Rebellion amongst them Varus kills seventy Jews in their journey Varus instead of receiving them well sent certain of the King's Soldiers by night and killed them all as they were coming to him He committed this Murther without Agrippa his consent only for Avarice But being emboldened by this Fact he ruined the whole Realm E still continuing such Cruelties and Violences against his Nation till such time as Agrippa understood thereof who for Sohemus's sake durst not put him to death but dispossessed him of his place In the mean while the Revolters took the Castle of Cypros which is situate above Jericho The Romans yield up their Castle in Macheron to the Jews and after they had killed the Garrison they destroyed the Fortress At the same time a multitude of Jews laid Siege before the Castle of Macheron and perswaded the Soldiers left in Garrison to yield the Castle who fearing that if they denyed they should be compelled thereto delivered it to them upon condition that they might quietly depart Which done the Jews place a strong Garrison in it F CHAP. XXI Fifty thousand Jews slain at Alexandria THe Citizens of Alexandria had always a quarrel against the Jews that lived with them since the time that Alexander the Great for their help against the Egyptians permitted them to inhabit Alexandria and to have the same Privileges with the Grecians This Honour and Privilege was also continued to them by the Successors of Alexander who also gave them a certain place in the City to dwell in that they G might live more commodiously and not be mingled with the Gentiles And permitted them also to call themselves Macedonians Afterwards when Egypt was brought under the rule of the Romans neither Caesar nor the following Emperors diminished the Jews Privileges which Alexander had given them But there were daily contests H between them and the Greeks and although the Judges on both parts still punished those that were in fault yet the Sedition more and more encreased and though all Cities else were filled with Troubles yet here the Tumult was most vehement For when the Alexandrians had called together the people Sedition in Alexandria between the Greeks and Jews to determine of an Embassage to Nero certain Jews mingled themselves amongst the Greeks and so went into the Amphitheatre Who being espyed by their Adversaries the Greeks cryed out that the Jews were enemies and came as Spies and so they laid violent hands upon them Some of them fled only three of them were taken by the Greeks whom they drew to a place to burn them alive All the Jews of the City came to succour them and I first they threw stones at them and then taking fire-brands they ran in a rage into the Amphitheatre and threatned to burn all the people there assembled which they had done Tiberius Alexander exhorteth the seditious Jews to keep peace if Tiberius Alexander Governour of the City had not appeased their fury who did not at first use Force of Arms against them but sent some of their chief men to perswade them to cease and not to incite the Roman Army against them But the seditious Jews refused this advice and mocked Tiberius Who seeing that they would not otherwise be appeased sent two Legions of Romans and five thousand other Soldiers who by chance came out of Lybia and gave them charge not only to kill them but also to fire their houses and take their Goods The Soldiers presently went into the place called Delta where the Jews were gathered together and did as they were commanded though not without a bloody Victory For the Jews gathering themselves K together placed those amongst them that were best armed in the Front who held out for a long time But when they began to flee they were massacred like Beasts some of them were killed in the field some were burnt in their houses the Romans first taking what they found and sparing neither Infants nor Old men but killing all Ages and Sexes A cruel victory wherein fifty thousand Jews were slain So that all that place flowed with blood for there were slain fifty thousand Jews and all the rest had been extinguished had not Alexander moved to compassion by their entreaties commanded the Soldiers to leave off who being obedient to him presently departed But the people of Alexandria were hardly withdrawn from the Massacre because of the hatred which they had conceived against the Jews and with much ado they were withheld from tyrannizing over the L dead bodies And this befel the Jews of Alexandria CHAP. XXII Of the Massacre of the Jews by Cestius Gallus CEstius Gallus now thought it time to bestir himself Huge companies of the Romans for as much as the Jews were now hated every where and taking with him the twelfth Legion out of Antioch two thousand chosen Foot and four Companies of Horse out of the other Legions M and with them the King's Forces that came to help him to wit two thousand Horsemen of Antioch three thousand Foot all Bow-men and three thousand Foot sent by Agrippa a thousand Horse and four thousand which Sohemus brought whereof the third part were Horse the rest Foot and for the most part Bow-men he went towards Ptolemais Many joyned themselves to them out of every City who though they were not so skilful in War as the Romans yet their hatred was more than theirs Agrippa himself was there with Cestius Zabulon a strong City of Galilee spoiled and burnt commanding those he brought There Cestius taking a part of the Army went to Zabulon which is the strongest City of Galilee called also Andron and parts the Borders of the Jews from Ptolemais and when he found it desolate of Inhabitants who were fled into the Mountains but full of Riches N giving licence to the Soldiers to sack it he afterwards set it on fire although he admired the beauty thereof for it was not inferior to Tyre or Sidon or Beritum and after spoiled all the Territories about it When he had burnt all the Villages thereabout he returned to Ptolemais The Syrians and especially those of Berith stayed still behind to get Booties The Jews kill two thousand Syrians Which when the Jews understood and that Cestius was departed they took
one Gate upon them and the Romans the other and many thus enclosed perished by their fellows Swords and an infinite number by the rage of the Romans 12000 Jews slain having no courage to resist and revenge themselves For the Inhumanity of their own Citizens and terrour of their Enemies together utterly discouraged them and so they died all in number 12000 cursing not the Romans but the Jews their own Country-men Trajan thinking that the City was now destitute E of fighting men or if any were within that they durst not resist being thus terrified Titus with his Forces coâ—mes to Japha reserved the taking of the City for the General and sent Messengers to him requesting him to send his Son Titus to accomplish the Victory Vespasian fearing that yet there would be some resistance sent Titus with 500 Horse and 1000 Foot who hastening thither placed Trajan on the left side of the Town and himself on the right so the Romans on every side scaled the Walls and the Galileans having a while resisted A sharp Skirmish within the Town between the Galileans and the Romans at length left them Then Titus and his followers leaping down got into the City and began a vehement fight with them that were assembled therein some valiantly issuing out of the Narrow streets and assaulting them and the Women casting such things as they could get upon the Romans from the tops of their F houses and thus they held battel six hours When their fighting men were all slain then the Old Men and Children and all the other Company both in the streets and in their houses were soon dispatcht that none of them were left alive save only Infants who with the Women were led Captives The number of them that were slain both in the City and in the first conflict amounted to 15000 and the number of those that were led into Captivity were 1130. This Massacre of the Galileans hapned the 25th day of June G A CHAP. XII How Cerealis Conquered the Samaritans THe Samaritans also were partakers of the sad Effects of this bloody War The Assembly of the Samaritans on the Mountain Garizin They assembled themselves together upon Mount Garizin which they accounted a sacred place But this Assembly gave cause to believe that not warned by their neighbours harms not with any advice or judgement considering their own infirmity and the Romans power they began to be tumultuous Vespasian foreseeing this thought B good to prevent them and although all the Region of Samaria had Roman Garisons in it yet the great multitude assembled made it reasonable to fear them Wherefore he sent thither Cerealis the Tribune of the fifth Legion with six hundred Horse and three thousand Foot Cerealis thought it not the best way to go unto the Mountain and attaque the whole multitude there who were so numerous but he commanded his Souldiers to beleagure the Mountain about at the Foot thereof and to keep there all the day There hapned at that time a vehement heat and the Samaritans wanted Water Want of water in the Mountain Garizin It was then Summer and the People had not provided themselves with Victuals so that many in one day only for want of drink died of thirst others preferring death before the misery they endured fled to the Romans of whom Cerealis learned C that those that yet remained on the Mount were even dis-heartned by the misery they endured Wherefore he ascended the Mountain and compassing about the Enemies with his Army he first exhorted them to yield and promised them all their lives if they would cast down their weapons but nothing prevailing with them he set upon them 11600 Samaritans slain and killed them all in number 11600. This was done the 27th day of June These were the miseries that befel the Samaritans CHAP. XIII D How Jotapata was Taken THe Citizens of Jotapata having endured this hard Siege beyond all expectation seven and fourty dayes the Romans Mounts were now raised higher than their Walls A fugitive certifieth the weak estate of the Citizens of Jotapata and how few they were On the same day one of the City fled to Vespasian and told him in what case the City stood and how few Citizens were left and that with daily watchings and fighting they were far spent so that they were not able to resist any more and that they might be taken by policy if they were followed for in the last part of the night being weary they ceased from their labour and slept till the Morning wherefore he perswaded E Vespasian to assanlt them at that time But Vespasian knowing how faithful the Jews were one unto another and how they contemned all punishment gave little credit to this Run-away For a little before one of Jotapata being taken could not by any torments be compelled to confess or disclose the Estate of the City the fire nothing moved him and so at last he was crucified laughing and scorning death Yet a probable conjecture which he had perswaded him to give some credit to this Traitors words and for that he knew no great harm could befall him if he so assaulted the City as the Traitor advised he commanded the man to be kept and put all his army in readiness to assault the Town At the hour appointed he made towards the Wall with silence Titus marcht first accompanied with one Domitius Sabinus a Tribune F and some choice men of the fifteenth Legion who killing the Sentinels entred into the City and after them entered Sextus Cerealis and Placidus with their Companies so the Castle was taken The Romans 〈◊〉 the City whilest the Jews sleep and the Enemies were in the midst of the Town and it was fair day-light and yet the Townsmen knew nothing being now fast asleep after their great labours and watchings and they that watcht could see nothing there was so thick a mist by chance that Morning and the rest never wakened till Death was at their door and that they perceived their Calamity and Destruction The Romans mindful of all that had befallen them in the time of the siege The Romans have 〈…〉 compassion neither spared nor pitied any one but driving the people out of the higher part of the City into the lower they massacred them all They that would have fought could not for the narrowness of the G place and so being cumbred for want of room and sliding down the banks for haste H their Enemies still pursuing them they were easily slain Many of Josephs Guard seeing that they could not fight gathered themselves together in a corner of the City and slew themselves that the Romans might not kill them But some of the Watchmen who first perceived the City to be taken fled into a Tower and resisted a while this Tower was situate in the North-side of the City and at last being invironed with their Enemies towards
him And you that I I may omit your iniquity done within the City which though I would I could not sufficiently decipher do revile and attempt to kill me for giving you wholsom Counsel for your good only for that I put you in mind of your sins which you have not patience to hear The same happened also when Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes besieged the City God was highly displeased at our Ancestors permited them to be slain the Town spoiled and this Holy-place for three years and six months to be made desolate What should I shew unto you any more examples Who first incited the Romans against the Jews Was it not the impiety of our own Countrey-Men that did it Whence was our bondage at that time Did it not proceed from the Sedition of our Ancestors Josephs bitter invective against them when the fury of Aristobulus and Hircanus brought Pompey into our City and God subdued them by the Romans being grown unworthy of K liberty and at length after a three months siege though they were not so great offenders as you are and better able to abide the siege yet they yielded themselves Are we ignorant of the end of Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus who invaded the Kingdom and brought our Nation again into subjection God laying this bondage upon them being provoked by the iniquity of our Nation Herod the Son of Antipater brought Sosius and the Roman Army and besieged the City six months and at last for the greatness of our iniquity it was taken and punished and sacked by the Enemies Thus you evidently see that our Nation never prevail'd by force of Arms. And assure your selves that even now the City will be taken It is meet therefore that you who keep this Holy-place commit your selves wholly to God and then you need not fear the forces of your Enemies when your piety assures L you of Gods help and succour The Jews sins against the Laws But what one Article of Gods Law have you observed Nay what have you not done that he forbad How far greater is your impiety than theirs and yet they suddenly perished for their sins For making small account of secret sins as Stealing Deceit and Adulteries you violently take away mens Goods by force you murder whom you please devise new ways to sin have made the Holy Temple the place of your impieties and what the Romans themselves did adore is by your own Nation polluted and defiled whilst you derogate from the honour of our Religion by the impiety of your actions and yet hope for his help whom you have so heinously offended you are very just people and obedient The Romans use the same manner of overthrow against the Jews as the Assyrians did and it is with pure hands you beg assistance of God Did our King pray so unto God when he obteined that in one night so many of the Assyrians should be destroyed Or M do the Romans commit such impiety as the Assyrians did that you may hope of the like revenge upon them The Assyrian received a sum of Money to save the City and yet not regarding his Oath indeavoured to destroy it The Romans do only request the same Tribute that was paid by our Ancestors and if they may have it will never destroy the City nor touch our Holy things They will also permit you to enjoy freely your Familes and Possessions God knoweth when to revenge and suffer your Laws to remain inviolate It is madness for you to hope that God will punish just men as he did sinners and impious persons seeing he can punish as he pleases To be short he destroyed the Assyrians the first night they encamped before the City And if he had purposed to deliver you and punish the Romans he would have done it when Pompey and Sosius came against the City or when Vespasian wasted Galilee or now N when Titus made his assault The Fountains that before-time were dry now slow to Titus But neither Pompey nor Sosius suffered any harm and both of them took the City Vespasian prospered so well in his Wars against you that he hath got the whole Empire And the Fountains which yielded you no Water before do give it to Titus in abundance For you know that before his coming the Fountains without the City and Siloa were so dry that Water was sold by measure yet now they flow plentifully and do not only serve his Army but water all the Gardens about What this wonder foretelleth you have already experienced when the King of Babylon came with his Army and destroyed the City took it and fired it and the Temple notwithstanding that as I am perswaded the Jews at that time were not so wicked as now I think therefore that God hath forsaken this Holy place and is gone over to your Enemies Will not a good man fly a wicked house O and abhor the impiety of the Inhabitants And do you think that God will abide your impiety A who beholdeth all secrets and knoweth all things that are hid But what is secret amongst you Or what do you seek to find Nay what do you that your Enemies do not know All your iniquities are apparent and your contention with one another is who shall be most impious and with as much labour endeavour to be Vitious as others do to be Vertuous Yet for all this it is not too late to amend God is wont to shew mercy to those who confess and be peditent God's wrath will be appeased if ye acknowledg your sins and be penitent for your offences Throw away your Arms then and pity your Country now ruined by your own means Turn your Eyes and behold the beauty of the Place whose ruine you seek How brave a City how magnificent a Temple how rich with the Gifts of all Nations Who would fire these who would desire the ruin of these Or what is there B in the World that better deserveth to be preserved O hard-hearted people more blockish and insensible than Stones Or if you do not pity your Temple let your Families move you look upon your Children your Wives and your Parents all ready to be consumed either with Sword or Famine I am sensible my Wife my Children and Family must perish with you and there was a time when they would have been considered and it may be thought it is to save their lives I give this advice but kill them and sacrifice me for your welfare I am prepared to die if my death may be a means to preserve you in being Whilst Joseph made this speech unto them the Tears trickled down his Cheeks but the Seditious being nothing moved Joseph love and constancy towards his Country replyed that it was not safe for them to yeild The C people however were perswaded to fly and selling their possessions and what they had at small rates they swallow'd down the Gold which they received lest
suffering him to clear himself And he put to death likewise his three Sons with him for the fourth was before this time fled to Titus Matthias requested Simon that he might be put to death before his Sons but Simon in regard that by his means he had gotten the City caused him to be executed last of all And so he was killed upon the murthered bodies of his Sons in a place where the Romans might behold him for so Simon commanded Ananus his Executioner who was the Son of Bamadus This man was the most cruel of all Simon 's followers Ananus one of the cruellest Souldiers about Simon who even when he was to kill Matthias derided him asking whether they could now help him to whom he sought to fly and he permitted not their bodies N to be buried After them Ananias a Priest the Son of Masbalus a Nobleman and chief Secretary to the Council Ananius the Priest with fifteen of the noblest people slain a valiant strong man born at Emaus and with him fifteen of the chiefest men in the City were put to death They took also Joseph's Father and kept him in prison and with the publick voice of a Crier proclaimed that no man should talk with him Josephs Father taken nor visit him pretending fear of Treason and whosoever bewailed his estate Jâ—das consultation with his companions he was put to death without any Tryal It happened that a certain man called Judas the Son of Judas who was one of Simon 's Captains and Governour of one of the Towers of the City being moved with compassion towards these that perished without desert and more with fear of his own life assembled together ten of his most trusty Souldiers and said to them How long shall we endure O these Calamities or what hope have we of life in being obedient to the most impious of all A Famine consumes our City the Romans are almost within our Walls and Simon is cruel and faithless even towards these that have well deserved at his hands and we are in daily fear of his cruelty On the contrary the Romans keep their Faith inviolably Wherefore let us deliver this Tower to them and so save our selves and our City And what punishmnt c an Simon suffer which he ha's not deserved The ten men to whom in this manner he brake his mind agreed hereunto and so he in the morning sent the rest of his Souldiers under his command into divers places that they might not perceive his intent and at the third hour of the day standing upon the Tower he called the Romans and told them his design But some of the Romans proudly contemned the offer others scarcely believed them and the rest made no speed to come In the mean B time while Titus with certain armed men came unto the Wall Simon had notice of the matter Joseph wounded in the head with a stone the Rumour is spread through he City and speedily got to the Tower and slew those that were within in the sight of the Romans and cast down their bodies over the Wall Joseph going about the Wall and coming thither for he never ceased requesting the Jews to remember their desperate estate was struck on the head with a stone and so amazed with the blow that he fell down whereupon presently the Jews made a Salley out of the City and had carried him away prisoner into the City had not Titus sent men to defend him and whilst they fought Joseph was carried away scarcely knowing what was done The Seditious with loud cries rejoyced as having slain him whose death they chiefly desired and so they reported within the City Hereupon the people C were most sorrowfull verily believing him to be slain by whose intercession they had confidence of favour from the Romans When Josephs Mother who was in prison heard this she said to those of Jotapata that were her Keepers that she had no hope ever to see her Son again and with many tears lamenting to her Maidens Is this the benefit said she of my having born a Son Joseph recovereth of his wound that I shall not bury him by whom I hoped to have been buried my self But this false report did not long grieve her nor comfort the Thieves for Joseph was quickly healed of his wound and recovered and shewing himself he cryed out to them That ere long they should find he would be revenged on them for his wound And he ceased not to exhort the people to remain faithful to the Romans But the D Seditious seeing him alive were astonished Many that fled from Famine at home met with more speedy death among the Romans and the people conceived good hope Many present necessity urging them leapt over the Wall and fled to the Romans divers with stones going forth under pretence to fight with the Romans yielded themselves but they had worse Fortune there than within the City being now more harmed by plenty of Victuals which they found amongst the Romans than with the Famine they suffered in the City for being become by Famine all swollen as though they had the Dropsie upon the sudden filling of their empty Bodies they burst and so all died save only those who being wary did by little and little accustom their bodies to food which they had long wanted Yet they who thus escaped fell into another grievous misfortune for one of the Jews that fled to the Romans was found E amongst the Syrians gathering Gold out of his own dung which he had swallowed as is before said for that the Seditious did search all and take that they could find from them and there was very great store of Gold in the City so that that was sold for twelve Atticks which before was worth twenty five This device being discovered in one presently a report was spread all over the whole Camp that the Jews that fled from the City came full of Gold Whereupon the Arabians and Syrians ript up the Bellies of their poor suppliants to see if they could find any Gold or Silver within them And I am perswaded that there was no greater calamity befell the Jews than this Two thousand Jews imbowelled in one night Titus displeased at this cursed act for in one night the Bellies of two thousand Jews were ript up Titus hearing of this cruelty resolved to cause the Authors hereof to be compassed round with Horsemen F and slain with Darts and he had done it had not the multitude of offenders much exceeded that of the Jews that were so murthered Wherefore he called together the Leaders of these Auxiliary Troops and the Roman Captains for some of the Romans also had committed this fault and said to them in anger Is it possible that any amongst your Souldiers are so barbarous to commit such horrid Acts for uncertain gain and are not ashamed to enrich themselves after so execrable a manner what shall the
May there was seen a Vision beyond all belief and perhaps that which D I am to recount might seem a Fable if some were not now alive that beheld it and if that Calamity worthy to be so foretold had not ensued Before the Sun-rise were seen in the Air all over the Country Chariots full of armed men in battel aray passing along in the Clouds The fifth armed Chariots men seen in the air and begirting the City And upon the Feast day called Pentecost at night the Priests going into the Inner Temple to offer their wonted Sacrifice at first felt the place to move and tremble and afterward they heard a voice which said Let us depart hence The sixth a voice in the inward Temple And that which was most wonderful of all one Jesus the Son of Ananus an ordinary Pesant four years before the War begun when the City flourished in Peace and Riches The seventh Jesus a Countryman's cry and death coming to the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in the Temple at Jerusalem suddenly began to cry out thus A Voice from the East a Voice from the West E a Voice from the four Winds a Voice against Jerusalem and the Temple a Voice against Men and Women newly married a Voice against all this People And thus crying night and day he went about all the streets of the City Some of the best quality not able to suffer words of so ill presage caused him to be taken and severely scourged which he endured without speaking the least word to defend himself or to complain of so hard treatment but he continued repeating the same words The Magistrates then thinking as indeed it was that the man spake thus through some divine motion led him to Albinus General of the Romans where being beaten till his bones appeared he never entreated nor wept but as well as he could with a mournful voice he cryed Wo wo to Jerusalem Albinus asked him what he was and whence and wherefore he said so F but he made him no answer Yet he ceased not to bewail the misery of Jerusalem till Albinus thinking him to be out of his wits suffered him to depart After which till the time of War this man was never seen to speak to any one but still without ceasing he cryed Wo wo to Jerusalem Neither did he ever Curse any one though every day some one or other did beat him nor did he ever thank any one that offered him meat All that he spake to any man was this heavy Prophecy He went crying as is said chiefly upon holy-dayes Jesus for seven years and five months cried about the City doing so continually for the space of seven years and five months and his voice never waxed hoarse nor weary till in the time of the Siege beholding what he foretold them he ceased and then once again upon the Walls going about the City A stone from an Engine killeth Jesus with a loud voice he cryed Wo wo to the City Temple and People and lastly G he said Wo also to my self Which words were no sooner uttered but a Stone shot out of an Engine smote him and so he yielded up the Ghost lamenting them all If any one diligently consider all these things he will find that God hath a care of H mankind and doth foreshew betime what is most expedient for them and that they through their own madness voluntarily perish in their wickedness For the Jews when the Castle Antonia was taken made the Temple four-square notwithstanding that it was written in the holy Scripture that the City and Temple should be taken when the Temple was made four-square But that which chiefly incited them to this War was a doubtful Prophecy likewise found in the holy Scriptures That at the same time one in their Dominions should be Monarch of the whole World And many wise men were deceived in their Interpretation The Jews interpreting the signs to their own good liâ—king are their Countries 〈◊〉 and the cause of their own calamity making account that he should be one of their own Nation but indeed thereby was foretold Vespasian's Empire But men cannot prevent Destiny though they foresee it Thus the Jews interpreted some of the Signs I as they pleased and at others they laughed till by the ruine of their Country and their own woful overthrow their error was discovered to them CHAP. XIII How Titus was made Emperour and of the Death of the Priests AFter the Seditious were fled into the City whilst all the Temple and places there K about were still on fire the Romans placing their Engines over against the East-gate of the Temple and there offering sacrifice to God with great shouts they declared Titus Emperor Gold was sold for half price The Romans got much Spoil and Booty so that they sold Gold in Syria for half the value And among those Priests that kept on the Wall a Child being thirsty desired drink of the Roman Watchmen saying that he was thirsty They pitying both his years and his need gave him their hands that he should have no harm and then he came down and drunk and filled a bottle which he brought with him and when he had done he ran up again to his fellows and none of the watchmen were able to overtake him The craft of a Boy and they could only upbraid him with falshood But he answered That he had done nothing but that which he and they intended for they did not give him their L hands to secure him to remain with them but only to come down and take water which he had done The Roman watchmen greatly admired the subtilty of one that was but a Child The fifth day The Priests â—â—ave pardon but Titus commands them to be led to execution the Priests being almost famished came down and the watchmen carried them to Titus whom they besought to grant them their lives But he answered them That the time of pardon was past seeing that was destroyed for the sake of which he might have pardoned them and that it was meet that the Priests should perish with the Temple and so he commanded them to be put to death Then the Tyrants with their followers being on every side beset by the Romans The Seditious summon Titus to a Parley and having no way to flee they being thus beleagured round requested to speak with Titus who out of his natural gentleness yielded to their request his friends also perswading him thereto that at least he might M save the City judging indeed that now the Seditious had already their minds and so he went to the West part of the Inner Temple for there was a Gate built above a Gallery and a Bridge that joyned the Temple and City together which was then between Titus and the Tyrants Many Souldiers on both parts flocked about their Generals the Jews about Simon and John hoping
for pardon the Romans about Titus desirous to hear what he would say unto them and Titus having commanded his Souldiers to be quiet and to forbear shooting Arrows spoke to them first in token of his Victory by an Interpreter to this effect Titus Oration to the Jews by an Interpreter Are ye not wearied said he with the Calamities suffered by your Country You who without considering our power and your own weakness have with rash fury destroyed your People City and Temple Your selves also have justly deserved N to perish who since Pompey first Conquered you have never ceased to be Seditious and at last have openly declared War against the Romans Did you trust to your multitude You have seen that a small parcel of the Roman Army hath sufficiently resisted you Or did you expect forreign aid What Nation is not under our Dominion And who would rather make choice of the Jews than of the Romans Did you trust in your strength of Body Why you know the Germans serve us Or in the strength of your Walls What Wall or what greater hinderance than the Ocean wherewith the Britains invironed have yielded to the Roman Forces Or to your Courage and politick Counsel of your Captains You have already heard that the Carthaginians have been by us surprized The Romans humanity incited the Jews against them It was therefore the Romans humanity that incited you against themselves who first of all permitted you to possess your Country and gave you Kings of O your own Nation and after all this we kept your Laws inviolate and suffered you to live A as your selves desired not only in your own Country but also amongst other Nations and which is the greatest of all our benefits bestowed upon you we permitted you to gather Contributions and Gifts to the maintenance of your Temple and Sacrifices to God of all which we neither forbad any to be brought unto you nor hindred any that would offer to your Temple but suffered you our Enemies to be made richer than our selves so that you have used our own money against us Having received so many benefits at our hands you have now diâ—gorged your selves upon us and like spiteful Serpents spit your poyson upon them that made much of you Let us omit that by Nero's negligence you became forgetful of your duty and like some Member in the Body broken or shrunk you being still tamultuous at last were taken in a greater offence and were encouraged with immoderate desires to hope for unlawful liberty My B Father came into your Country not to punish you for your Revolt against Cestius but by good counsel and gentleness to reduce you to good order And whereas if he had come to destroy your Nation he ought first to have cut down the very Root to have come to this City and destroyed it with the Inhabitants he rather chose first to enter Galilee and the places adjoyning that in the mean time you might repent you and consider of your Estate But this his mercy towards you was held for cowardliness and weakness in him and by our long-suffering you were emboldned against us and when Nero was dead you did as treacherous subjects are wont to do and took occasion by our civil dissention to revolt from us and whilst my Father and I were gone into Aegypt you prepared your selves for a War against us neither were you ashamed to oppose us when my Father was declared Emperour whom notwithstanding you had found most C gentle Captains unto you At last when the Empire fell to us and all things being now quieted all Nations with gifts and presents came to congratulate us behold again the Jews shewed themselves our Enemies and you sent an Embassador beyond Euphrates only to get aid to your Rebellion You wall'd and fortified your Towns anew and falling into factions among your selves at last you came to a Civil War all which none but the most vile people in the world would have committed Wherefore being commanded by my Faâ—her who was now urged thereunto I came against this City with a heavy charge yet did I rejoyce when I heard that the People desired Peace Before I exercised Hostility against you I exhorted you to Peace after the War was begnn I desisted a while from using severity I spared all those that of their own accord fled to me and kept my Promise to them pitying those that were Captives D I punished only those that drew you into this War and till forced so to do I set not the Rams against your Walls but alwayes restrained my Souldiers so much desirous of your blood As often as I overcame you so often did I exhort you to peace as though I had been vanquished Again when I approached the Temple I willingly omitting the Law of Arms requested you to spare both it and the holy things offering you leave to depart and promising you safety or licensing you to fight another time in another place if so you thought good All these my Offers you refused and with your own hands fired your Temple And now you wicked wretches dare to present your selves before me in Arms. What thing can you now preserve so excellent 〈◊〉 that which is already perished What pardon can you expect seeing your Temple is destroyed nay even now you stand armed not so much as counterfeiting E submission at the last cast O wretches with what hope Is not your People dead Is not your Temple destroyed and your City now in my hands yea and your lives too And can you imagine after this to end them by an honourable death I will not strive with your obstinacy yet if you will cast down your weapons and yield to my discretion Titus grants the Jews life on condition they should lay aside their weapons and submit themselves I will spare your lives and I shall reserve the rest to my self to use as a good Master who punishes not but with regret even the most unpardonable crimes To this they answered That they could not yield themselves to him though he gave them his word having vowed the contrary but they requested licence to depart with their Wives and Children into the Desart and leave the City to the Romans Titus was greatly enraged that they being in a manner already his Captives should impose upon him Conditions F as though they were Victors and he commanded a Herald to tell them that henceforth they should not flie to him nor hope that he would receive them that he would pardon none and that they might employ all their force to fight and save themselves as they could for he would now in all things use the Law of Arms and so he permitted the Souldiers to sack the City and set it on fire The same day they did nothing The Souldiers set the City on fire but the next day following they fired the Councel house the Palace Acra and Ophia the place of
be fortified as a Principal defence F against the Neighbouring Arabians For it was aptly situate upon a Mountain whence one might behold their borders Wherefore making a large Wall he built a City there in the place that enters into the Castle he also compassed the very top thereof with another Wall and in the corner he placed Towers that were 60 Cubits high and in the very midst of all he built a Palace for largeness and beauty admirable and he made many Cisterns to receive Water in convenient places Wonderful store of Arrows and other Engines in this Tower which served the people abundantly striving as it were with nature that the places which she had made Strong he by Art might make yet inexpugnable He also laid up there in store Arms and warlike Engines and also all provisions wherewith the Inhabitans might be able to hold out a long siege G In the Kings Palace Rue of admirable greatness grew the Herb called Rue which was very admirable for the greatness for no Figtree was taller or broader then it and it was reported that it had continued ever since Herods time The year of the World 4037. after the Nativity of Christ 75. and had endured longer had not the Jews ruined it when H they took the place In the Valley that lieth on the North side of the City there is a place called Baaras where also groweth a Root of the same name the colour whereof resembleth flame and it shineth at night like the Sun-beams and is not easie to be pulled up till one cast upon it the Urine of a Woman or her flowers whosoever toucheth it is sure to dy except he carry the Root hanging on his hand It is also gathered another way without danger How Baaras is to be gathered after this manner They dig all round about it so that they leave a very little of the Root covered with Earth and then they tie a Dog to it Another fashion how to dig the Roots who striving to follow his Master who makes as though he would go away easily pulleth up the Root and the Dog presently dieth as it were in his stead that seeketh to get it but afterward none that handleth it or taketh I it need to stand in fear thereof This Herb notwithstanding all this danger is diligently sought out for the vertue it hath For it driveth away Devils which are the Souls of wicked men out of mens bodies if it be applyed unto them whereas otherwise if they had no help these Devils possessing their bodies would kill them Hot Baths out of that place also do spring certain hot Waters very different in taste one from another for some are bitter some sweet there are also sources of cold Waters one near another in a Plain but which is most admirable there is a Cave hard by not very deep environed with an eminent Rock above from which there stands out as it were two Duggs or Paps hard by one another and out of one of them floweth very cold Water out of the other very hot which mingled together K make a pleasant bath and serve to cure many Diseases and especially all pains of the sinews In the same place also are mines of Sulpher and Alum Bassus having viewed this place on every side resolved to besiege it and he endeavoured to fill up the Valley that was on the East side and so make away to it which he began to do hastning to raise a very high Mount in order to batter the Castle The Jews that were forreigners dwelt in the lower City Those that were inhabitants constrained the Jews that were strangers to go into the lower City judging them an unprofitable multitude and so they caused them to endure the first brunt of the Enemies and they themselves kept the Castle both for that it was strong and easie to defend and that they L hop'd that by yielding the place to the Romans The conflict of the Jews with the Romans they might obtain pardon of them Yet first they purposed to make Trial if they could avoid the siege and therfore very couragiously every day they made excursions Eleazar a Jew strong in hand and fierce in bold attempts and fought with those they met and many were slain on both parts Fortune and opportunity sometime caused one side to be victors sometime another for the Jews got the best when they could assault the Romans unawares and the Romans overcame when they were aware of the Jews coming and armed themselves But the siege was not ended by these Skirmishes at length a chance befel which obliged the Jews to yield the Castle Amongst those that were besieged was one Eleazar a young man very hardy and bold in any enterprize and who oftentimes made excursions and sought to M hinder the Romans work whom always in every fight he greatly endammaged and by his valour and adventurous courage gave those that were his fellows opportunity to assault the Romans and to fly again and retire in safety himself being always the last that so retired It hapned one day that the fight being ended and both parts separated he as it were contemning all men and thinking that none of his Enemies durst undertake to Combate with him stayed without the Gate speaking to those that were upon the Wall and giving great attention to them Then one Rufus an Aegyptian one of the Roman Army spying this opportunity ran upon him so suddenly that he unawares took him all unarmed as he was and they upon the Walls stood amazed whilst Rufus led him into the Roman Camp N Then the General of the Romans caused him to be led into a place where they in the City might see him and there to have all his Cloaths taken off and to be whipp'd the misfortune of this young man greatly discouraged the Jews so that all the City was melted into Tears for the calamity of this one man Bassus seeing this contriv'd this device against them in order to move them to compassion so that for to save him they should yeild their Castle Eleazar's calamity moveth the Jews to submit themselves which fell out as he desired He presently commanded a Cross to be erected as though he would presently have crucified Eleazar which sight greatly moved them in the Castle to sorrow whereupon with loud cries they lamented saying that this calamity was insupportable O Eleazar besought them not to neglect him who was now to die a most miserable A death and moreover to provide for their own safety in yielding the Castle unto the Roman Forces and success They moved with his words and many also within the City intreating for him for he came of great Parentage and had many Kindred though contrary to their natures compassion took place in them and so sending some of their company speedily they desired to parley declaring that they would yield the Castle
men for if that I command you to commit a sin yet do not you offend in doing it The young mens constancy seeing you commit it only upon compulsion But the young Youths inflamed with a divine Spirit and Sense contemned so many kinds of torments L and despised the Tyrants threats and flatteries and their constancy for they gave him no just occasion put the Tyrant into a great rage By this it is evident how much Reason is master over Passion for if any slothful man not before trained up to it should of a sudden come to such a push at the very sight of such torments his mind would be troubled his countenance appalled his Legs under him would have trembled and he with fear have been confounded so that he would presently have retracted and professed himself unable to bear up against so many and so grievous torments saying My self being unwise what should I have made choice of Whether to endure these torments or accept of their promised benefits Whether I should have been moved to pity mine M own age or to compassionate my mother God would not have denied pardon for this deed I being forced thereunto and by doing it though against my will I shall get the Kings favour But where Reason and advice taketh place and hath well trained the mind to perfection the other consequently followeth As by the example of these brethren I will declare who as it were all with one voice denied to eat the sacrificed Swines flesh as they were commanded Wherefore said they O Tyrant dost thou persecute us that are innocent The seven brethren reply to Antiochus We both desire and wish to die and will until such time as death expelleth life firmly keep that which God commanded and Moses taught us And thou Tyrant do not seek to seduce us by pretending love towards us thou lover of injustice master of cruelty deviser of iniquity the N pardon which thou doest offer is to us more painful than punishment we contemn death and esteem not thy words as being by our late master Eleazar taught to despise them Why then doest thou suppose such pusillanimity to be in us young men seeing of late thou foundest such courage in an old man We follow him thou canst not try and know our minds except by tearing our bodies thou search them out We will safely and securely suffer for our God any thing and leaving this Earth we shall be entertained into Heaven and thou for so Tyrannizing most cruelly upon innocent Souls shalt be reserved to eternal fire The Tyrant enraged Antiochus commanded Maccabâ—us to be racked that he could neither prevail by fair promises nor by threatnings caused them to be beaten with Bulls pizzles and first of all he commanded Maccabeus the eldest of the seven brethren to be stript and stretched out upon a O Rack and his hands to be bound behind him and then to be most cruelly beaten A who wearied his tormenters by his suffering so great the force of vertue is in such manner that they desired more to leave beating him than he requested they should leave This done he was put upon a wheel and a weight hanged at his feet and so stretched round about it that his sinews and entrails brake and his pains increased yet being overcome with pain his mouth was not for all this stopped or hindred from calling upon God who beheld all and reproving the Tyrant for devising those torments for the Innocent he took strength and is said to have cried out after this manner Bloody Tyrant who persecutest the Majesty of God I whom thou thus tormentest am no Witch nor one who have murthered and killed another man but one who dies for justice observing B the Law and for Charity Then when the torturers overcome with compassion perswaded him to submit to the Kings pleasure he answered O ye wicked ministers of Tyranny your wheels are not so sharp and cruel that I thereby will be forced to forsake Heaven whereon my mind is fixed tear my flesh yea if you so please rost it at the fire torture and torment each parcel of my body with several cruelty you shall for all this find your selves unable to force us young men to impiety The death of the eldest brother As he thus spake a fire was kindled and he as he was upon the Wheel racked was so thrown into the fire and thus he was by flames and torments so burned that C his bowels appeared his mind nothing moved when his flesh yielded to the tortures who amidst his pangs cryed thus unto his brethren O beloved brethren learn of me an example of vertue consider the strength of an invincible courage contemn and despise the alluring baits of this world and rather obey God than this Tyrant who can if be please humble the proud and mighty and exalt the lowly and dejected As thus he spake he was taken out of the flame and flaid alive his tongue was pulled out of his mouth and he put into a frying pan and so he departed out of this life to the great admiration of all that beheld him and the joy of his brethren and mother and went before them to Heaven there to prepare a Kingdom for himself and them The second brother brought D After him the second brother called Aber was haled by the Souldiers and before the Tyrant asked him whether he would relent he caused all those torments to be shewed him thereby to terrifie him but he nothing thereat moved and denying to eat of that foresaid Sacrifice his hands were bound with Iron chains and he being hanged up by them the skin of his body was flain off from the Crown of his head unto his knees so that the entrails in his brest appeared naked yet in such manner as he might abide greater torments For he was cast before a cruel Libard thirsting most extremely after blood to the intent that he might devour with his teeth the rest of his body but the beast smelling of him no doubt by the great handy work of Almighty God forgot his cruelty and turning away his face did no hurt to the E Martyr But hereat the Tyrants rage increased and the Martyr by suffering such-torments was made more constant crying aloud O how pleasant is that death unto me which is caused by all sorts of torments for Gods sake yea so much the more pleasant for that I assuredly hope to find reward for it in heaven Let these torments inflicted upon me O Tyrant satisfie thy cruelty for my paâ—n is not by thy tortures increased but rather my pleasure as thou shalt find by my patience in this Agony More willing am I to suffer than thou to punish yet my pain in suffering is less than thine by inflicting the same upon me I am tormented for vertue and observing the Law and the justice of God shall banish thee from thy Regal seat Thou by
the Israelites 77. C. spoiled and their utter ruine foretold ibid. and 118. N. overcome the Israelites 135 B. are destroyed 156. O. burnt Siceleg 173. A. Amarames Moses Father See Amram Amasias K. of Juda 246. E. revengeth his fathers death 247. M. overcometh the Amalechites ibid. O. reproved and why 248. A. commandeth Joas to yield him homage ibid. D. his army flies and he taken prisoner ibid. E. is slain ibid. F. Amasa slain 194. O. Amazement of the seditious 775. G. Ambition 177. E. of Adonias 199. D. of John 698. M. of Eleazar 711. F. An Ambush laid for the Ainites 124. I. Ambushes of Saul for David 167. E. c. of Adad for Joram 238. A. Amnon deflowreth Thamar 186. L. M. Ammonites oppress the Israelites 138. M. and are overcome 139. A. injure Davids Embassadours 183. C. revenge wrought on them ibid. F. War against Josaphat 234. G. kill one another 235. K. Amorites overcome 104. M. their Country possessed by the Hebrews 105. B. Amos a wicked King 258. D. is slain ibid. Amphitheater built by Herod 410. G. 415. L. Amram Moses father 63. B. prayeth to God 63. B. casts Moses into the river and why 63. G. Amri King of Israel 225. M. slew Thaman ibid. his impiety and death ibid. N. Ananias death 631. C. Ananus High Priest 539. B. Ananias High Priest slain 736. N. Ananus stoneth James 539. C. Ananus Governour of Jerusalem 637. F. his invective against the zealous 689. A. disposeth his souldiers ibid. slain 694. K. Ananus a cruel souldier 636. K. Achimelech entertaineth David 165. B. delivers him Goliabs sword ibid. C. accused to Saul 166. I. and slain 166. K. Ancestors conceal not honest things 25. G. Angels guarded Elizaeus 238. C. Angels i. sons of God 30. L. Angel resisteth Balaam 105. F. Angels promise Abraham a son 39. A. enter Lots house ibid. foretel the destruction of Sodom ibid. Angel appeared to Agar 38. I. 40. K. to Jacob 45. B. 48. M. to Manaach his wife 139. F. foretelleth her Samâ—oâ—s birth ibid. F. worketh a miracle 140. K. 238. C. Anger See Wrath. Anilaeus receiveth charge from Artabanus 499. E. killeth a noble man 500. I. reproved and accused ibid. M. taketh Mithridates prisoner 500. O. Anna wife of Elcana prayed to God for a son 143. G. bare Samuel and consecrated him to God 144. I. Annius taketh Gerasa 702. N. Answer of Simon to Jesus Oration 691. A. Answer of Isaac 41. C. of Balaam to Balac 106. M. of God to Joshuah 124. H. of Achab to the Syrians 229. O. of Caesar to Herod 582. H. of Antipater to Herod 600. L. of John 684. M. of Eleazar to Antiochus 818. I. of Alexander 295. K. Antaeus against whom Hercules made war 42. I. Antigonus copartner in the Kingdom 349. D. his death complotted ibid. F. effected 350. H. 561. C. Antigonus accuseth Hircanus and Antipater 370. D. 568. H. promiseth the Parthians money and why 380. F. restored to the Kingdom 383. H. cutteth off Hircanus ears ibid. H. declared an enemy to the Romans 384. C. 577. E. upbraideth Herod 385. N. getteth Massada 575. A. repulseth Herods power ibid. surpriseth Herods victuallers 386. B. cruelly handleth Josephs carcass 577. O. submitteth himself to Sosius 391. H. put to death ibid. L. Antiochus the Great vexeth the Jews 305. E. recovers Cities of Coelosyria ibid. F. his Epistle to Ptolomy 306. his Edict in honour of the Temple 306. his Epistle to Zeuxis 307. I. Antiochus Epiphanes departeth Egypt 313. L. spoileth the Temple of Jerusalem ibid. N. abrogates Gods Laws 214. G. inforceth the Jews to Idolatry ibid. tortureth Eleazar 818. M. slayeth him 819. H. forbiddeth the Jews to use their Laws 314. G. c. invades Judaea again 317. I. departeth into Persia ibid. besiegeth Elymas 321. I. falleth sick and dieth ibid. K. Antiochus Eupater created King 321. N. marcheth into Judaea 312. B. fighteth with Judas Macchabeus ibid. C. marcheth against Philip ibid. E. entreth a league with Judas 323. I. slayeth Philip ibid. K. displaceth Onias ibid. is slain ibid. M. Antiochus son of Alexander 337. I. crowned King ibid. discomfited Demetrius 338. A. favoureth Jonathan ibid. Antiochus marrieth Cleopatra 343. K. putteth Triphon to flight ibid. L. warreth against Hircanus 345. I. permitteth a truce ibid. K. slain 346. A. Antiochus Gryphus overcometh Alexander 347. I. his War against his brother ibid. slain 353. M. Antiochus Cyzicenus warreth against his brother 347. K. 351. B. put to flight 347. N. slain 353. M. Antiochus Eusebius puts Seleucus to flight 353. N. slayeth Seleucus brother ibid. dieth ibid. O. Antiochus Seleucus slayeth his Uncle 353. M. burned ibid. N. Antiochus Dionysius King 355. K. thrust out of his Kingdom ibid. slain 345. M. Antiochus perfidious to his Citizens 762. M. N. Antiochus King of Comagena accused 77. O. his choice c. ibid. M. reconciled to Caesar ibid. N. Antipas Herods son 606. K. claimeth the Kingdom ibid. accuseth Archelaus 606. L. hath part of the Kingdom with Archelaus 471. D. Antipater the Idumaean 360. K. incenseth the Princes against Aristobulus 360. M. relieveth Gabinius 367. M. his wife and children 369. A. c. gathereth souldiers for Caesars service ibid. E. made a citizen of Rome and Governour over Judaea 370. C. D. E. 567. F. makes his sons Governours 372. B. perswadeth Hircanus to flye 564. N. his exploits 567. C. poisoned 377. H. 570. K. Antipater banished 585. G. advanced 426. M. inciteth his father against his brothers 426. N. his congratulation 429. F. plotteth against his brethren 433. E. 588. L. cause of mischief 436. M. governeth the Kingdom c. 448. L. practiseth his fathers death ibid. M. 598. M. could not deceive his Aunt 448. N. hateth his brothers children 449. C. his treasons 599. F. accuseth Syllaeus 598. L. 452. K. studieth to win favour 594. M. conspireth against his father 594. L. accused by Herod 455. E. 599. F. answereth his fathers objections 456. H. hated of all 599. B. 457. G. hath liberty to justifie himself ibid. D. put to death 461. G. 603. A. Antipater accuseth Antipater 453. E. Antipater accuseth Archelaus 465. E. 606. L. M. Antipatris built 430. N. burned 635. C. Antiphilus letter to Antipater 456. M. blamed 459. B. Antiquity of the Jews proved 784. M. See Arguments Antiquities when written 543. B. Antonia described 722. A. not unlike a City ibid. C. Antonius writeth to Hircanus 378. G. writeth in the Jews behalf 379. K. maketh Tetrarchs 380. C. loveth Herod 384. B. maketh Herod King ibid. C. requireth Aristobulus 394. B. giveth Cleopatra a portion of Judaea and Arabia 399. H. conquereth Armenia ibid. M. Aphrica once called Lybia 42. I. Apollonius accuseth the Jews 806. M. Apollonius sent to rob the Temple 417. B. acknowledged his offence ibid. C. General of Antiochus army 316. E. discomfited and slain ibid. E. Apollonius Davus put to flight 334. E. Apology of Achimelech 166. K. of Aristobulus 363. H. Apostacy of the Priests 294. A. Apostates