Fairs and Markets appointed for Traffick he observed the ancient order of the year beginning in December Moses writes that the Deluge began the seven and twentieth day of the second month in the year two thousand two hundred fifty and six 11. after the Creation of the first Man Adam which time is carefully B calculated in Holy Writ Gen. 5 a v 3. ad finem in which the birth and death of great personages of that time are most exactly set down This comparison doth not exactly agree with the Hebrews and the 70 Interpretrs At such time then as Adam was 230 years old his Son Seth was born unto him and the same Adam lived 930 years Seth about the age of 250 years begat Enos who after he had lived 905 years left the Government of his affairs to his Son Cainan whom he had begotten about the 190 year of his age After that Cainan had lived 910 years he had his Son Malaleel begotten by him in the 170 year of his age The said Malaleel having lived 195 years died leaving his Son Jared Gen. 5. 24. who at the age of 162 years begat Enoch Enochs death is not written in holy Scriptures who lived 962 years After Enoch succeeded his Son Methusala begotten about the age of 162 years at such time as the said Enochs Father was yet alive and after that Enoch had lived 365 years he was taken C up unto God whence it cometh to pass that his decease hath not been mentioned by any writer Methusala the Son of Enoch in the year of his age 187 had Lamech for his Son who lived 782 years and to whom he left the Soveraignty having held the same 969 years And Lamech after he had governed 707 years declared his Son Noah Governor at such time as the said Lamech had lived 182 which Noah liv'd the space of 900 years All these years calculated into one sum make the number of 2256 yet to perfect this account we ought not to seek out the decease of the Personages for they lived in the same time that their Children and successors did Gen. 7. 4. but the onely thing we are to observe is their births In the Geek copy and Moses are 40 days â—v 17. ad 20. Now God having given the sign and the rain falling for the space D of forty dayes together the waters rose and overflowed the whole earth fourteen Cubits so that there was no means of flight or place of refuge for any But as soon as the rain was ceased The Latine Josephus 90. the water began to decrease by little and little for the space of one hundred and fifty days Gen. 8. 1. till the 27 day of the seventh month when Noah perceiving that the Ark was on ground upon the top of a certain Mountain of the Countrey of Armenia he opened the window and seeing the earth a little discover it self round about he conceived some better hope and began to comfort himself Some few dayes after when the water was ebbed somewhat more Noah sendeth a Raven out of the Ark. he sent out a Raven desiring to know if the rest of the earth were delivered from the waters and whether without danger he might go out of the Ark. 8. But the Raven finding the earth still cover'd with water returned unto E Noah who the seventh day after sent out a Dove to discover the state of the earth which returned bemired and bearing in its mouth an Olive branch whereby Noah perceived that the earth was freed from the Deluge and having still waited seven dayes more Noah forsaketh the Ark and sacrificeth to God he set at liberty all living Creatures that were in the Ark. But as soon as himself his Wife and his Family came forth he offered sacrifice unto God and Feasted and reioyced 16 17. both he and all his houshold The Armenians in their language have called the place where Noah descended Apobaterion which signifieth a descent and in that place even at this present the Inhabitants of the Countrey shew some remainers of the Ark. All Historians even the Barbarians have made mention of this Deluge and of the Ark amongst whom is Berosus the Caldean who setting down the occurrances F of this Deluge writeth after this manner Some say likewise that a certain part of this Ark is still seen in Armenia upon the Mountain of the Cordaeans and that some persons have brought from thence some of the Pitch wherewith it was Calked which the Men of that place are wont to use instead of a preservative against inchantment Hierome the Egyptian also who hath written of the Antiquities of the Phoenicians hath made mention of this matter Nicholas Damascen of Noahs Ark. as also Mnaseus with divers others Nicholas of Damascus likewise in his Ninety sixth Book speaketh hereof after this manner Above the Region of the Mineans there is a great Mountain in Armenia called Baris in which it is reported that divers retired themselves for safety during the time of the Deluge and there escaped and that a certain Man born on an Ark arrived on the highest top of that Mountain and that certain pieces G of that bottom had been kept there a long while 'T is probable this is the Man of whom Moses the Law giver of the Jews maketh mention But Noah fearing lest God having condemned all Men to a general perdition should every year overflow the earth after this manner offered burnt-sacrifice unto God beseeching him that hereafter he would H maintain the antient order The year of the World 1687. before Christ's Nativity 2307. and that no such great calamity might arrive by which all living Creatures might come in danger to be utterly destroyed and exterminated but that having inflicted deserv'd punishment on the wicked he would spare the Innocent whom in his mercy he had preserved from the past danger otherwise they should be more miserable Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. than those that had been buried in the waters if having beheld with trembling so strange a desolation they should not be preserv'd from the first but to perish by a second Gen. 8. 20. He prayed therefore that he would be pleased to accept of his sacrifice Noah praâ—eth God that he will drown the earth no more and in his mercy vouchsafe not to conceive hereafter a ruinous hate and displeasure against the earth to the end that he and his posterity might by their labours Till it and building them Cities might possess the same in peace wanting none of those commodities I which they enjoyed before the Deluge but that they might equal their fore-fathers in age and length of life Noah having in this sort finished his requests 12. God heareth Noahs Prayer God who loved him for the uprightness of his heart granted him his request and said he had not been the Author of their deaths who
them We ought indeed to grant the Superiority to the Grecians in all that concerneth Eloquence and the Ornament of Language but not in that which appertaineth to Antiquity or Truth of History and especially in what concerneth the truth of ancient History and what hath passed in every Country Wherefore as the Egyptians and Babylonians long since used all diligence in writing because their Priests were hereunto enjoyned who did most curiously treat of all such matters the same also did the Chaldees amongst the Babylonians and the Phoenicians also inhabiting amongst the Greeks taught them to use Registers both concerning publick K and private affairs which because all men confess I will omit to speak off I let pass also to recount what care our Nation hath had of this point no doubt greater than those Nations above mentioned had charging our High Priests and Prophets to execute this Office which Custom hath been observed even until this Age and if I may presume so far will be observed in all succeeding Ages as by my ensuing discourse I will endeavour to make manifest For our Nation did not only depute this Office to the most virtuous and religious men amongst them in the beginning and to such as were consecrated to the Service of God but they also provided to preserve the Line and Descent of Priests from all impurity and from being intermingled with others For no man amongst us can be a Priest who is not born of a Woman descended from the same L Line Neither in this case is any respect made either of Riches or Honours but the party who claimeth the dignity of Priesthood must by many Witnesses prove his Genealogy and that he is descended from Priests This Custom is not only of force in Judea but wheresoever else any of our Nation inhabit A custom which the Priests observed as in Egypt and Babylon and in any other place where continually the Priests in their Marriages have this respect not to marry with any Woman that is not of their own Line they send to Jerusalem the Name and Pedigree of the Woman whom they have married and all the Testimony hereof which they can deduce from her Ancestors Now if War molest our Nation as often it hath in the time of Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes of Pompey the Great Quintilius Varus and especially in this our Age then M those Priests who survive make new Genealogies and Pedigrees out of the ancient Registers for those that remain of the Sacerdotal Race And they marry none that have been Captives for fear they may have had commerce with strangers What more evident token can there be of the Priests integrity than that every Priest during the revolution of two thousand years is Registred together with the Names of their Fathers The Priests amongst the Jews are every one registred with the name of their Fathers and this custom contiuued two thousand years and if any one do erre or falsify any of the things before-said he is then interdicted from the Altar and from exercising any Priestly function So that in the Writings of such men all things must of necessity be true and as they ought to be for that neither all men are permitted to write nor yet any dissonance and disagreement is found in their Writings For such things as past in ancient times beyond the memory of men were only written by N our Prophets who had the knowledge thereof by inspiration from God himself but other things of latter time are only recorded by those who lived in the Age wherein the things they writ of were done The Books amongst us containing the Histories of all Ages are neither infinite nor one repugnant to another Two and twenty Books of holy Writ for all our Chronicle is contained in 22 Books to which Books it is impiety to deny credit Five of these Books were written by Moses comprehending Genealogies and the beginning of mankind with such notable events as hapned even from the beginning of the World til his death which is little less than three thousand years After the death of Moses till the time wherein Artaxerxes lived who was King of the O Persians and Son to Xerxes every one of the Prophets of our Nation wrote the History A of his time wherein be lived so that of these mens Writings we have thirteen Books the four other Books which make up the Number already mentioned are known to contain holy Hymns made to the praise of God and wholsome Precepts for mans life and conversation All things which from Artaxerxes until our time have hapned are also set down in writing yet the Books wherein they are registred do not deserve so much credit as the former of ancient times for that there was no certain succession of Prophets in that Age. Moreover it is evident that to the former works we give as great credit as to things which we our selves write and notwithstanding they have been so long written yet in all that time no man durst presume either to alter or to blot out any thing therein contained For all Jews even from their Cradle do believe these B Books to be sacred and divine and therefore give all credit possible unto them yea and would willingly suffer death rather than do the contrary Many Captives of our Nation have been cruelly tormented and divers ways put to death in open Theaters The Jews and Grecians are compared together only for that they would not commit any thing either in word or deed against their Laws nor violate the writings of their fore-fathers Now who amongst the Greeks did ever sustain the like Nay they are so far from doing it that none can be found among them who would suffer any loss in his goods or fortunes to preserve all the writings of their Nation from destruction and the reason hereof is because every one esteemeth the verity of their Histories to depend upon the will of the Writer And this they do also concerning their most ancient Historians and not C without cause for they every day see men of their own times writing Histories of matters long before past in former ages Some others have written of â—he Wars of the Jews wherein neither themselves were present neither yet do they vouchsafe to credit the writings of such as were then eye-witnesses thereof yea some among them have divulged Histories of such things as of late befel our Nation when themselves never have been in the place where such matters past as they writ of nor have lived in any neighbour place where they might have probable report how matters past but only compiling a few broken stories they most impudently arrogate to their patcht stuff the name of a History I my self have composed a most true History of the last War Joseph was present in all the Wars of the Jews and of every particular thing there done as well I might having been present
advanced towards Euphrates with an intent to repulse Nabuchodonosor H But he was overcome in battel The year of the World 33â—6 before Christ's Nativity 928. and lost divers thousands of his men Whereupon the Babylonian passing Euphrates seized all Syria as far as Pelusâ—um Judea only excepted The fourth year that Nabuchodonosor reigned over these conquered Countries and in the eighth year of the Reign of Joachim over the Hebrews the Babylolonian led forth his Army against the Jews with a mighty power threatning them to use all hostility 2 Kings 24. 11. ad 20. except Joachim would pay him Tribute Joachim fearing his threats bought his peace with silver and payed for three years space the Tributes that were imposed on him Joachim payeth Nabuchadnezzar tribute But in the third year understanding that the Egyptian was up in Arms against the Babylonian he denied the payment of the Tribute notwithstanding he was frustrated of his hope for the Egyptians were not so hardy as to make War All which the I Prophet Jeremy daily foretold him signifying unto him That he built his hope in vain upon the Egyptians and that it would fall out that the City should be overthrown by the King of Babylon Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. and Joachim himself should be delivered Prisoner into his hands But because there was no means for them to escape this justice all that which he said Joachim revolteth from the King of Babylon was nothing available For notwithstanding the People and Governors heard thereof yet made they no reckoning of the same but were displeased with those counsels which he proposed unto them accusing Jeremy as if he took pleasure to utter and publish ominous and adverse Presages against the King they likewise called him in question before the Kings Council and requir'd that he might be condemn'd Whereupon some of them gave sentence against him But others took a more discreet course and persuaded them to cause K the Prophet to depart out of the Kings house forbidding his Adversaries to do him any mischief since that he had not only foretold the future calamities of the City but that many before him had done the like as Micheas and divers others and yet that no one of them had suffer'd any evil by the Kings of their time but that contrariwise Micheas had been honour'd as a Prophet sent from God By these words they appeased the People and deliver'd Jeremy from the death intended against him This man wrote all his Prophesies Jeremy foretelleth the destruction of Jerusalem and read them to the People in their Fasts when they were assembled in the Temple in the ninth month of the fifth year of the Reign of Joachim which book he had composed touching that which should happen unto the City the Temple and the People When the Governors heard the same Jer. 22. 24. they took the book from him and commanded L that both he and his Secretary Baruch should withdraw themselves out of the sight of men and they took the book and presented it unto the King who in the presence of his Friends commanded his Secretary to read the same and after he had heard the contents thereof he waxed wroth and renting it in pieces cast it into the fire intending that it should never be seen He sent out likewise a strict Commission to seek out Jeremy and his Secretary Baruch and to lead them out to be punished But they were already fled that they might prevent his indignation CHAP. VII M Nabuchodonosor putteth Joachim to death and establisheth Joachin in the Kingdom NOT long after this Nabuchadnezzars entertainment into the city and cruelty he went out to meet the King of Babylon who was marched out to make War against him and being incredulous and careless of the Prophets Predictions he opened the gates unto him supposing that he intended him no evil But when the Babylonians were entered into the City the King observed not his promises but put all such to death as were in the flower and strength of their years 2 Kings 24. 1 ad 11. and spared none of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem Joachin of Jochonias King of Juda. with them also he slew their King Joachim and caused his body to be cast from the top of the walls and vouchsafed him no Sepulchre establishing Joachin his son King of the Countrey and of the City Moreover he took 3000 of N the most honourable Citizens of Jerusalem Prisoners and led them to Babylon with him amongst whom was the Prophet Ezekiel at that time very young in years This was the end of King Joachim who lived 36 years and reigned 11. Joachin that succeeded him in the Kingdom was the son of Nosta of Jerusalem and reigned three months and ten days O CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3346. before Christ's Nativity 618. A Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose and besiegeth Joachin and receiveth him upon composition AS soon as the Babylonian had bestowed the Kingdom of Judea on Joachin he was seized with a sudden fear Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. which made him suspect lest Joachin remembring himself of the injuries he had done unto him by the murther of his father might draw the Countrey into rebellion 2 King 25. 27. and revolt against him For which cause he sent out certain Forces and besieged Joachin in Jerusalem who being a man of a good nature and of an upright B heart was loth to forsake the City in that danger without a Governor considering that it was for his cause that the Common-weal was in that hazard For which cause taking his wife and his nearest akin with him he delivered them into the hands of the Captains that were sent against him Nabuchodonosor a Truce-breaker receiving an oath from them that neither they nor the City should receive any harm But this promise continued not a year for the King of Babylon observed it not but commanded his Captains to imprison all the youth and artificers that were in the City and to bring them bound unto him The number of them was 10832 persons besides Joachin his Mother and his near Allies whom they took Prisoners CHAP. IX C Sedechias is made King over Jerusalem by the Babylonians INstead of Joachin he appointed Sedechias his Uncle King of Jerusalem whom he bound by an oath that he should govern the Countrey without any innovation 2 King 24. 17. and that he should hold no intelligence with the Egyptians Sedechias King of Jerusalem seduced by his Courtiers and false Prophets giveth no ear to Jeremy This Sedechias was 21 years old at such time as he came unto the Kingdom and was Joachims brother by the mothers side he was a contemner of all laws and a preverter of ordinances For the young men that were about him were without the fear of God and all the people under his dominions D committed whatsoever
presently from thence to the other side of Jordan Josephs death where he past his life in receiving and gathering the tributes of the Barbarians Onias and after him Simon his Son High Priest In that time Seleucus sirnamed Soter the Son of Antiochus the great reigned in Asia At that time also died Joseph Hircanus Father who was a man of good repute and great courage who established the people of the Jews in a lasting Peace Hedio Ruffinus chaâ— â— and freed them from poverty and many disasters and collected the Tributs of Syria Phoenica and Samaria for the space of twenty two years His Uncle Onias died also about the same time leaving the Priest-hood to his Son Simon after G whose death his Son Onias was made High Priest to whom Arius King of Lacedemon sent an Embassage and letters the copy whereof heareafter ensueth CHAP. V The year of the World 3780. before Christ's Nativity 144. H Arius King of Lacedemon writes to Onias the High Priest to contract an Alliance with the Jews pretending that the Lacedemonians were descended from Abraham Hircanus builds a magnificent Paliace and kills himself for fear of falling into the hands of Antiocus Arius King of Lacedemon The Letter of the King of Lacedemon to the High Priest of the Jews to Onias Health WE have found out a certain writing wherein it is recorded that the Jews and Lacedemonians are of the same race 1 Mac. 12. and both of them desended from Abraham It is I therefore requisite that since we are brethren you let us know wherein we can serve you that we may have one common interest Demoteles our messenger bringeth you our letters written on a square leafe the seal whereof is an Eagle holding a Dragon in her talons Sedition among the people after Joseph's death These were the contents of the Lacedemonians letters After the death of Joseph it came to pass that the people began to mutinie in the quarrel of his Children For the elder brethren made War against Hircanus who was the younger by means whereof the People were divided The greater part of them followed the Elder faction Hircanus afflicteth the Arabians with continual war and the High Priest Simon also by reason of his affinity with them followed their party Whereupon Hircanus resolved to repair no more unto K Jerusalem but fixing his habitation on the other side of Jordan he made continual War against the Arabians Hircanus buildeth a strong Tower slaying a great number of them and taking many prisoners He built an huge Tower of white Marble from the bottome to the top and on it he placed the figures of many living Creatures in sculpture of greatheight About the same he cut a deep trench of water and having hewed the front of the Rock that stood over against the bulding he made divers caves therein many furlongs long He also made divers chambers therein Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria both to eat and sleep and dwell in He drew thither likewise currents of springing water in so great abundance that it gave much delight to those that dwelt there The Sons of Ptolomey Epiâ—hance philometor and Physcon and great ornament to the whole bulding The mouth of every Cave was so little that but one only man could enter at once which he therefore L made so narrow because they might the better serve for his security and refuge that if so be he were at any time assaulted by his bretheren Hircanus killeth himself he might avoyd the danger of surprisal Moreover he built within his Castle many large halls which he adorned with great and goodly Gardens Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. and this place thus built was called by him Tyre and is scituate between Arabia and Judaea 1 Mac. 1. on the other side of Jordan not far from the Countrey of Essedon He commanded in this Countrey seven years all that time that Seleucus reigned in Syria After whose death his brother Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes obtained the Kingdom Ptolomey also King of Egypt who was likewise called Epiphanes died and left two children very young behind him of whom the eldest was called Philometer and the younger Phiscon But when Hircanus perceived that Antiochus grew very powerful M he feared to be punished by him for his incursions made upon the Arabians whereupon he slew himself with his own hands and Antiochus enjoyed all his goods N O H CHAP. VI. The year of the World 3790. before Christ's Nativity 174. Onias sirnamed Menelaus seeing himself excluded from the High-Priesthood retires to Antiochus and renounceth the Religion of his forefathers Antiochus enters Egypt and being ready to make himself Master of it the Romans force him to retire ONias the High-Priest being dead about this time Antiochus gave the Priesthood to Jesus sirnamed Jason his brother For that son unto whom Onias had left the succession Onias sirnam'd Menelaus substituted in his place was as yet very young of whom we will speak in convenient time and I place This Jesus Onias brother was deprived of the Priesthood through the Kings displeasure conceived against him who gave it shortly after to his younger brother called Onias The Wars betwixt Jason and Menelaus For Simon had three sons who as we have declared successively possessed the Priesthood this Jesus caused himself to be called Jason as his other brother caused himself to be called Menelaus Apostates from the Jewish Religion whereas his name was Onias But Jesus who had first of all been established in the place of the High-Priest arose against Menelaus who was elected into the place after him So that the People were divided into Factions and Tobias sons were on Menelaus side but the greater number of the People followed Jason so that Menelaus and the sons of Tobias being much troubled by them retired to Antiochus telling him that they intended to forsake the Religion and Ordinances of their fathers K and to follow that of the King and to live after the manner of the Greeks exhorting him to give them licence to erect a place of Exercises in Jerusalem Which when Antiochus had granted them they so behaved themselves that there appeared no more sign of Circumcision in them so that at such time as they were naked there was no difference between them and the Greeks and neglecting all the ordinances and customs of their own Countrey they conformed themselves to the behaviour and manners of other Nations Antiochus having all things in his kingdom according to his hearts desire resolved to make War upon Egypt he contemned Ptolomy's son age who were not as yet capable to manage their affairs Arriving there near to Pelusium with a great power he circumvented by a stratagem the young Ptolomy Philometor and subdued Egypt for after L he had besieged Memphis Antiochus enforced to depart out of Egypt and taken it
was requisite for necessity or pleasure 12. Adam asketh pardon might have hapned of it self unto you by my only providence without any travel or care on your parts which if you had well used your life would have been very lovely and very happy Adam's punishment but you have scorned this mine Ordinance and broken my Commandments 13. Eves punishment For in that thou art silent at this time it proceedeth N not of respect but of evil of which thou findest thy self culpable Adam excuseth his sin as well as he could 17 18. The Seed of the Woman that is Christ shall bruise the Serpent's head and prayed God not to be incensed against him laying the fault of that which had hapned upon his Wife alledging that he had offended by reason he was deceived by her and the Woman accused the Serpent But God for his punishment because he had suffer'd himself to be overcome by the counsel of a Woman declared that the earth thenceforward never more of its own accord should bring forth fruit but only when they till'd it with the sweat of their countenance Gen. 3. 14 15. nor should it always yield all that was expected from it The Serpent's punishment And as touching Eve he chastised her with Child-bearing and throes in Travel for that being her self deceived by the Serpent she had drawn her Husband by the same means into extreme misery He took also from the Serpent his speech and O was displeased with him * Joseph's ignorance in understanding this place of Scripture by reason of the malice he had conceived against Adam and he put venom on his tongue declaring him an enemy both to Man and Woman whom A he commanded to bruise the head of the Serpent as well for that all the evil which chanced unto Men 14. proceeded from his head as also in that being assaulted in that part he is most easily put to death The year of the World 1. before Christ's Nativity 3963. Moreover having deprived him of his feet he condemned him to slide and trail himself along the earth After God had ordained them to suffer these punishments he drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of delights into nanother place CHAP. II. Cain kills his Brother Abel God banishes him for it His Posterity is as wicked as himself The virtues of Seth the other Son of Adam B BUt Adam and Eve had two male-children Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. the first whereof was called Cain which signifies acquisition and the second was called Abel which signifies mourning they had also three Daughters Gen. 4. v 1 2. These Brothers were of very different inclinations Of Cain and Abel Brethren Abel the younger honoured justice and supposing that God was present in all his actions he always and wholy fixed his thoughts on virtue and his exercise was keeping of sheep But Cain being a wicked Man 2. The year of the World 70. before Christ's Nativity 894. and addicted to unsatiable desire of profit was he that first found out the use of the Plough He killed his Brother for the cause which ensueth Having concluded among themselves to sacrifice unto God Cain offered the fruits of his labour and planting Abel presented milk and the firstlings of his fold which sacrifice of his was more acceptable to God in that it rather consisted of things produced of themselves by the order of nature 3. The sacrifice of Cain and Abel than that which Cains covetousness C had forcibly in a manner extorted from nature Hereupon Cain being enrag'd because his Brother Abel was more honoured by God than himself slew his Brother and having hidden his body out of sight 4. Weak reason in Josephus he thought the murder would be concealed But God well knowing the fact appeared to Cain and questioned him concerning his Brother what was become of him 5 6 7. Cain slew his Brother Abel for that for some days he had not seen him whereas before they had been always together Cain being troubled and ignorant what answer to make unto God said at first that he wondred what was the cause his Brother was so long absent 8. The talk betwixt God and Cain but afterwards being troubled that God continued the question and more closely press'd him he said he was not his Brothers keeper nor bound to take care of his affairs 9. 10 11 12. Then God reproved and convicted Cain of murthering his Brother D and ask'd him how he dar'd deny the knowledge of his brothers death where as he himself had slain him Notwithstanding God forbare to inflict upon him the punishment deserved for this murther by reason that Cain offer'd sacrifice and made request unto God that it would please him to remit somewhat of the severity of his justice against him Yet did God curse him and threaten to punish his Posterity to the seventh Generation Cain's banishment Then did he drive him and his Wife out of that Countrey whereat Cain being affrighted for fear of being encountred and devour'd by some Savage Beasts God commanded him to suspect no dangerous event for that cause 14. assuring him that he might safely travel thorow all Regions 15. without being either assaulted or seized by Savage Beasts and having set his mark upon him by which he E might be known he commanded him to depart the Countrey After that Cain accompanied with his Wife had travelled thorow divers Regions he made his abode at Nais 16. Cain is not bettered by Gods chastisements and in that place had several Children But he made not use of this chastisement for his better amendment but rather became worse and worse for he abandoned himself to all sensual pleasures making it his sport to outrage those with whom he conversed filling his house with riches gotten by rapine and violence and gathering together other wicked and debauch'd Men he taught them to commit all sorts of crimes and impieties he destroy'd that simplicity which Men before that time had used in their mutual societies Measures and Waights found out by Cain by the inventions of Measures and Weights the ignorance whereof was the cause that the life of Man was estranged from deceit but instead F and place of free and plain sincerity Enos the first City he introduced fraud and deceit He it was that first bounded the fields and built the first City and made a Wall and a rampire enforcing his Followers to dwell therein This City he named Enos by the name of Enos his first begotten Son Jared was the Son of Enos of Jared issued Malaleel whose Son was Methusala 1â— 18 20. who begot Lamech who had 77 Children by his two Wives Sella and Ada amongst whom Jobel the Son of Ada was the first that made Tents and took delight to lead a pastoral life contenting himself with the same Jubal his
Brother invented Musick Jubal inventes of Musick and the Psaltery and Harp And as touching Thobel one of his Sons by his other Wife Sella he surpassed all his other Brethren in courage and bravely managed the affairs of War by which means he got Riches and Means to maintain his G life with more pleasure than formerly 21 22. He it was that first invented the art of Forging and was Father to a Daughter named Naama But Lamech being well instructed in divine things and foreseeing that he should suffer punishment for the fratricide of Cain he told it to his two Wives So it was that during the life of Adam himself the successors of Cain were most H wicked Ver. 23 24. teaching and imitating one anothers wickedness the last of them proving always the worst The year of the World 70 before Christ's Nativity 2894. so that they were strangely inflamed to follow War and Theft and if perhaps some of them were more remiss than others in committing Murthers and outrages yet were they rapacious enough to spoil and possess the goods and heritages of other Men. But Adam the first Man made of Earth for the History requireth that I should return to speak of him after the death of Abel and the flight of Cain earnestly desired to have Children Cain the Father of hypocrits and evil Men. and accordingly he had many being about the age of two hundred and thirty years besides which after he had lived some seven hundred more at last he died amongst whose Children was Seth. Now for that it were too long to speak of all of them I will onely touch that which concerneth I Seth 25. Adams years 930. He being nourished and trained by his Father to the years of discretion studied virtue and left his descendants Heirs and followers of his sanctity who being all of them well born Gen. 4. 26. remained in the World free from all contention Gen. 5 3 4 5 and lived happily Seth the Son of Adam a vertuous Man so that it never hapned that any of them in any sort did injury to any Man To these we owe the science of Astronomy and all that which concerneth the Beauty and Order of the Heavens And to the end that their inventions might not wear out of the memories of Men nor perish before they were perfectly known insomuch as Adam had foretold them of the general destruction of all things after two sorts Two Pillers raised the one by the force of fire and the other by the violence and abundance of Waters they made two pillars the one of Brick and the other of Stone and ingraved K in each of them such things as they had invented to the end if that of Brick should be abolished by the overflowings and rage of Waters that other of Stone might remain and declare unto Men that which was imprinted thereon for their instructions That of Brick was destroyed by the deluge but the other of Stone is to be seen in the Countrey of Syna even to this present day CHAP. III. Of the Posterity of Adam till the Deluge from which God preserved Noah and his Family in the Ark. IN this manner Mankind liv'd for seven Generations Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. honouring one God the Lord L of all things and having always a respect of virtue But afterwards in process of time Gen. 5. 6. they degenerated from the ancient institutions of their fore-fathers Those whom Josephus nameth in this place Angels Moses calleth the Sons of God neither observing humane Laws nor continuing their accustomed service of God and they that before industroâ—â—sly exiercised themselves in virtue afterward with twice as zealous study followed wickedness and grew at last to that height of impiety that they provoked Gods heavy displeasure against them For the Angels of God marrying with the Daughters of Seth's descendants Gen. 6. 2. produc'd a race of insolent People contemners of all good by reason of the trust they had in their Forces Heb. 11. 7. and for their heinous actions not unlike the Giants which the Greeks mention in their Fables 2. Pet. 2. 7. 11. 13. But Noah perplexed and extremely M displeased with such their misdemeanors exhorted them to change their lives and amend their misdeeds and seeing them moved by no admonitions but wholly possessed with the pleasure which they took in vices he fearing lest they should kill him and his Family left them to their loosness and with his Wife Children and all his Family departed into another Countrey Noah departeth into another Countrey 13. Then God who lov'd him for his justice became so provoked with the malice and corruption of the rest of Mankind that he resolved to destroy all Creatures whatsoever in the World and to produce another new race innocent and repurged from all impiety He abridged also the time of their life so that they lived not any more so long as they were wont but onely attained the term of sixscore years and he covered the Land with Waters by which means all of them N were destroyed 14. Noahs Ark. onely Noah escaped by the means and way which God taught him He built an Ark of four stages in length three hundred Cubits in breadth fifty and in height thirty into this he entred with his Mother his Wife and his Children and their Wives 15. having provided himself of all things requisite both for their sustenance and use he closed also therein all sorts of living creatures Gen. 7. 2 7 8. two and two male and female for the conservation of every kind and of some of them seven couples The sides of this Ark were strong Noahs genealogy and the cover also so that no water could pierce the same and whatsoever storm might come The deluge it was able to resist it Thus was Noah by lineal descent the tenth from Adam saved with all his houshold for he was the Son of Lemech whose Father was Methusala the Son of Enos the Son of Jared the Son of Malaleel O who with divers other Brethren were begotten by Cainan who was the Son of Enos who was the Son of Seth who was the Son of Adam This destruction hapned in the A six hundredth year of Noah's age and the second month The year of the World 1656. before Christ's Nativity 1308. which was called Dius by the Macedonians and by the Hebrews Marsomane for so have the Egyptians distinguisht the year but Moses sets down Nisan for the first month in his Chronicles which is Xanthicus among the Macedonians for that in this month he brought the Israelites out of the thraldom of the Egyptians Nisan or Zanthicus is April to us He made this Law therefore that all things which appertain to divine service should take their beginning and reckoning from this month but in respect of civil matters as
that are called Hesperians in Aethiopia and Sabaeus founded the Sabeans M As for Nimrod the sixth son of Chus Nabrodes or Nâ—mbroth he setled his Colony upon the Confines of Babylon and tyrannized there as is before declared All the eight sons of Misraim occupied all the Countrey from Gaza unto Egypt Palestine so named of Philestine but onely one of the eight named Philistin hath left his name to the Countrey which he possess'd for the Greeks call a part thereof Palestine As touching the rest Lom Enam and Labim Nethem Phetrosim Chestem Chreesene and Chepthom we know neither of their actions nor of their names except Labim who planted a Colony in Lybia and gave his name to it For the Aethiopians whereof hereafter we shall make mention overthrew their Cities Canaan also had eleven sons The Children of Canaan amongst whom Sidonius built and named Sidon a City in N Phoenicia and Amathus built Amath which at this day the Inhabitants call Amatha though the Macedonians call it Epiphania which signifies famous from the name of one of its Princes Arudeus possessed the Isles of Arudus and Ariceus built the City of Arce upon mount Libanus As for the other seven Eveus Cheteus Jebuseus Eucleus Sineus Samarcus and Gorgeseus there is no memory remaining of them in Sacred Scriptures but onely their names For the Hebrews razed their Cities upon the occasions which I am going to relate After the Deluge Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. when the earth was established in its first estate Noah gave himself to Tillage Gen. 9. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. and planted Vineyards and when the Fruit thereof was ripe and he had pressed and made Wine thereof he drank and banquetted after he had done sacrifice being thereby made drunk and overpressed with sleep he lay discovered in a most unseemly O and shameful fashion which when Cham his younger son beheld he scornfully discover'd it to his Brothers who being asham'd cover'd their Father's nakedness with A reverence Noah is made drunk lieth naked and is scorned and curseth him that derideth him Which fact of his coming to the knowledge of Noah he wished all felicity to the two other and as touching Cham out of a fatherly tenderness he cursed him not but only his posterity after him who accordingly were punisht for the sin of their Forefather as we shall shew hereafter Sem the third son of Noah had five sons who inhabited the Countrey of Asia beginning at Euphrates Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. and extending to the Indian Ocean For Elimis the eldest left the Elimeans or Elamites for his Successors whence proceeded the Persians Assur the second built the City of Ninive Gen. 7. 1. and gave his Subjects the name of Assyrians who were rich above all the rest Of the Sons of Sem the third Son of Noah and of theirs and Abraham's Progeny Arphaxad the third named those of his command Arphaxadians who at this day are called Chaldeans Aram the fourth had the Arameans whom the Greeks call Syrians B And from Ludis the fifth came the Ludéans who at this day are called Lydians Of those four sons which Aram had Vses dwelt in the Region of Trachonites and built the City of Damascus scituate between Palestine and that part of Syria which is sirnamed Caeler or hollow Otrus obtained Armenia Gether Bactria Misas was father to the Mezaneans whose Countrey is called at this day the valley of Pasin Sale Arphaxad's son was Heber's father from whose name in times past the Hebrews were denominated Heber begat Jucta and Phaleg The original of the Hebrews who was so called for that he was born at such time as Lands came to be divided for Phaleg in Hebrew signifieth Division They that follow were the sons of Jucta Elmodad Saleph Azermoth Izrais Edoram Vzal Dael Ebal Ebemael Sapham Ophir Evilas and Jobel who occupied some parcel of that Region which was between Cophen a River C in India and the hither Syria Hitherto have we spoken of the Progeny of Sem now we come to speak of the Hebrews Abraham's Genealogy Phaleg the son of Heber begat Ragaus by whom was begot Seruch from whom Nachor descended and from Nachor Thares who was Abraham's father the tenth in account from Noah and born 292 years after the Deluge For Thares being 70 years old begat Abraham Nachor at 120 years of age begat Thares Nachor was born to Seruch when he was about the years of 132 of his life and Ragaus begat Seruch when he was 130 years old and about those years Phaleg begat Ragaus But Heber at 34 years of age begat Phaleg himself begotten by Sela when he was 135 years old which Sela was begotten by Arphaxad when he was 135 years of age And Arphaxad was the son of Sem and Grandson of Noah whom he begat two years after the Deluge Abraham had two D brothers Nachor and Aram of whom Aram left Lot for his son and Sara and Melcha for his daughters and afterwards dyed in the land of Canaan in a City called Vr of the Chaldees where his Sepulchre is to be seen even at this day His daughters were married Melcha to Nachor The year of the World 2950. before Christ's Nativity 2014. and Sara to Abraham But Thares growing weary of Chaldaea after the death of his son Aram he and his Family transported themselves into Charan a City of Mesopotamia in which place they buried Thares when he had lived the space of 250 years For about this time the life of man was abridged and grew more short until the time of Moses The term of man's life about this term 120. when the space of man's life limited by God himself was 120 years to which term Moses attained Nachor had eight children by Melcha his wife Vx Baux Manuel Zacham Azam Phaleg Jadelphus and Bathuel who were the legitimate sons of Nachor E But Tabaeus and Gadan Thavan and Macham were begotten by him on his Concubine Ruma To Bathuel one of the legitimate sons of Nachor was born a daughter named Rebecca and a son called Laban CHAP. VII How Abraham Gen. 12. 1. ad 4. the Author of our Nation departed from the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in the Countrey of the Canaanites which is now called Judea ABraham having no Issue adopted Lot the son of Aram's brother and brother to Sara his wife The year of the World 2204 before Chri 〈…〉 Nativity 1940. he departed out of the Countrey of Chaldee when he was 75 years old having had commandment from God to depart thence into Canaan in which Countrey F he remained and left the same to his Posterity after him He was a man accomplished in all things full of understanding and apt to persuade those that gave ear unto him without any default in his foresight and providence Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. For this cause
unto him and reckoned up all the benefits which he had bestowed on him how he had granted him victory over his enemies and how he had establisht and blest him N with present felicity by his favour for which cause he required him to sacrifice and make on oblation unto him of his Son Isaac 1 2. commanding him to conduct him to the Mountain of Morea and there to sacrifice him In doing whereof he should manifest the desire he had to serve him in preferring that which was agreeable to God before the life of his Son Abraham supposing that it was no ways lawful to disobey God but that he ought to submit himself to his will 3. Abraham's obedience as to him by whose providence all things had their being said nothing to his Wife concerning that which God had commanded him neither how he had determined the death of his Son neither did he make it known to any of his houshold-servants lest they might have diverted him from his resolution He therefore took his Son Isaac with two Servants loading an Asse with O such things as were requisite for sacrifice and travelled towards the Mountain his Servants attending him for two dayes and on the third day as soon as he perceived the Mountain A he left the rest of those that accompanied him in the Plain and attended only by his Son The year of the World 2074. before Christs Nativity 1890. he ascended up the Mountain upon which afterwards King David appointed that the Temple should be builded They carried with them also the rest of those things which were requisite for sacrifice save only the Beast that was to be offered About this time Isaac was five and twenty years old and did himself prepare the Altar and enquired of his Father what he should offer v. 7 8. considering that as yet they had no sheep for sacrifice Isaac was 25. years old when he should have been sacrificed Abraham answered him that God would furnish them being of power sufficient to give Men that in abundance whereof they have need and to deprive them of that they have and whereof they held themselves possessed if he were well pleased with their sacrifice Now as soon as the Altar was made ready and the Wood prepared and B laid upon the same 9. Abrahams oration at such time as his Son should have been sacrificed and all things in readiness he addressed his speech unto his Son in this manner My Son I beg'd thee of God with very earnest Prayers and ever since thou wert born into the world I have intermitted no care and diligence in thine education neither have I thought that any thing could make me more happy than at departing out of this World to see thee at mans estate and to leave thee the Heir and Lord of all my substance But since it hath pleased God that I should be thy Father and that the same God likewise now thinketh good that I should destroy thee generously submit and be contented to be sacrificed to him For in so doing I fulfil the Commandments of God who requireth at our hands that we do him this honour for the favours which he hath bestowed upon us in assisting us both in War and Peace Since therefore being born thou art to die I deem it reasonable that in regard it seemeth good unto C God that thou depart out of this life not by sickness nor by War nor by any other inconvenience that naturally hapneth unto Men but by being offer'd in sacrifice to him by thine owne Father that thou render thy Soul unto him in the midst of Prayers and the celebration of this sacrifice to the end he may receive and seat thee near himself Thou shalt then be the comfort of mine old age which is the cause for which I have nourished thee if thou procure for me assistance of God instead of that which I ought to receive from thee Isaac's answer Here Isaac with a noble heart like the gracious Son of so godly a Father heard all which his Father said with great contentment and answered that he would rather never have been born then once disobey the Ordinance of God and of his Father or shew himself averse to submit his will to both their pleasures considering that if his Father onely should command the same he D should do very ill if he disobeyed him which said he leapt upon the Altar and offered himself to the slaughter Which had surely hapned at that instant if God had not hindered it 10 11. for with a loud voyce he called Abraham by his name commanding him not to kill his Son and telling him that he had not given him that commandment because he took pleasure in humane blood neither for that by such impiety he would deprive him of that Son of whom it was his pleasure to make him the Father but that by this act he intended to prove his affection to see whether being commanded such a thing he would be obedient and for that he had made tryal of his faith and readiness and his disinteressed piety he did not repent him of that good he had done unto him that he would never forget to have care of him and his race whensoever he should pray unto E him 12 13. and that when the course of his years were happily ended he should leave a great dominion to those of his children which should be good and vertuous He told him moreover that he would multiply his race in divers Nations and that he would bestow great benefits upon them and that the memory of the chief of his offspring should be envyed of all Men for their greatness When God had spoken after this manner 16 17. it pleased him on the sudden no Man knoweth how to cause a Ram to appear thereabouts for a sacrifice God presenteth a Ram to Abraham to sacrifice in stead of Isaac And thus being delivered from all evils and inconveniences beyond their expectations after they had heard so many promises of so many blessings they embraced one another and celebrated the sacrifice which done they returned towards Sara in safety and pass'd the remainder of their lives in happiness F The year of the World 2087. before Christs Nativity 1878. God giving them his blessing in whatsoever they undertook CHAP. XIV The death of Sara Abraham's Wife Gen. 23. per totum NOt long after Sara died after she lived one hundred twenty and seven years and was Buried in Hebron where the Canaanites freely offered a place for Burial Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2â— yet Abraham chose rather to buy a place to bury in The age of Sara 127. of one Ephrem a Citizen of Hebron for four hundred sicles and there the Monuments both of himself and his posterity are built CHAP. XV. G How the Nation of the Troglodytes descended from Chetura the Wife of Abraham AFter this Abraham
his Countrey yet hath he refused all of them desiring rather to render this respect to those of his kindred and Nation set not light therefore by his good affection and desire For besides all other blessings and good fortunes which have happily befallen me in this my journey I have by Gods especial providence found out both the Maid and your house For at such time as I drew near the City and beheld many Virgins going to fetch Water I besought God that I might light upon this Maiden Hedio Ruffinus chap 28. and he vouchsafed me my desire ratifie therefore on your part this Marriage favoured by Gods providence and honour Abraham in granting your consent to this your Daughters Marriage Gen. 24. which I am sent to request at your hands with most entire affection Now they in that they both allowed a thing so advantageous C and perceived also that it was conformable to the will of God sent their Sister unto him under the conditions demanded 58 59 60. and Isaac married her being already in possession of all his Fathers goods by reason that the other Sons of Abraham were already departed to establish their Colonies in other Provinces CHAP. XVI Of Abraham's death Gen. 24. 7 8. A Few days after Isaac's Marriage Abraham deceased a Man full of vertue to his last end Abraham died after he had lived 175. years and honoured by God according to that entire love he hath to vertue D with great affection All the dayes of his life amounted to one hundred seventy and five years and he was buried in Hebron near his Wife Sara by his Sons Isaac and Ishmael CHAP. XVII Of Isaac's Sons Hedio Ruffinus chap. 26. Esau and Jacob and of their Nativity and Education Gen. 25. AFter the death of Abraham Gen. 25. 21 22 23 24. Rebecca Isaac's Wife became big with Child in an extraordinary manner and the time of her reckoning being near at hand Isaac was sore troubled and sought counsel at Gods hands who answered him that Rebecca should bring forth Twins and that of those two Sons two Nations should be E derived both which should be called by their names and that he who seemed to be the least of them should grow to be the greatest not long after according as God had foretold him she was brought to Bed of two Twins verse 24 25. the eldest of which was very Hairy all over his body The year of the World 2124. before Christs Nativity 1840. and as he came out of his Mothers Womb his younger Brother held him by the Heel the Father loved the elder who was called Esau and Seir by reason of his Hair which the Hebrews call Seir in their language but the younger who was called Jacob was dearly loved by his Mother Now it hapned that a great Famine reigned in the Land of Canaan Isaac resolved to retire himself to Egypt Isaac came unto Gerar. Gen. 26. 1 2. by reason of the plenty of that Countrey but he went and dwelt at Gerar according as God had commanded In which place King Abimelech received F and entertained him according to the Law of Hospitality and the League of Friendship which was betwixt Abraham his Father and him At first therefore he shewed him great signs of Friendship v. 6. but afterwards the envy he had conceived hindred him from persisting in the same Abimelech expelleth Isaac being moved thereunto by envy for perceiving that God was favourable unto Isaac and had an especial care over him he drave him out of his Countrey He retired not far from Gerar to a place called Pharan that is to say The Valley and as he there dig'd to find out Springs of Water Fauces Abimelech's Shepherds came and set upon him 13 14 15 16. and hindered him in such sort as he could not finish his purpose and for that he purposely retired from them they supposed they had gotten the Victory Shortly after when he began to dig in another place other Shepherds of Abimelech outraged G him again as at the first for which cause he left this Fountain imperfect also expecting a more convenient opportunity which was afterwards offered him by reason that the King gave him leave to dig whereupon he opened a Fountain and called it Rooboth which signifieth large As for the other two he called the first of them Escon H which is to say strife 19 20 21. and the other Sienna which signifieth Hostility Thus increased he daily more and more both in power and riches 26 27 28 29. But Abimelech supposing that his affluence would be many ways hurtful unto him and remembring that he had not faithfully entertained Friendship with him but in some sort given occasion of suspition by means of some heard measure fearing least hereafter the injuries fresh in memory should more distract him than their old and ancient plighted Friendship Abimelech reneweth friendship with Isaac 30 31 32 33. and misdoubting his revenge he repaired unto him and contracted a new League of amity with him having with him one of his chiefest Captains as an Arbiter between them by whose means he obtained whatsoever he required so courteous was Isaac and so ready in memory of his Fathers old covenant to forgive new injuries So Abimelech I having obtained his purpose returned to his house Esau one of the two Sons of Isaac having attained the age of forty years took two Wives Ada the Daughtr of Edom Esaâ— his Wives 34 35. and Alibama the Daughter of Esebion two Princes of the Canaanites and that of his own authority without his Fathers advice or privity who would not have consented had the matter been remitted unto him because he held it inconvenient to mix and joyn him or his in affinity with any dwellers or inhabitants of the Countrey This notwithstanding he would not displease his Son by commanding him to put away his Wives but determined with himself to conceal and keep the matter silent When Isaac was grown old and wholly deprived of his sight Gen. 27. 3 4 5. he called Esau his Son and told him that though through his blindness he could not see the day-light Isaac sendeth Esau on Hunting nor K serve God so exactly as he had wont to do yet he would give him his blessing before he dyed and therefore he willed him to go a Hunting and to make ready what he should catch for him that he might eat The year of the World 2186. before Christs Nativity 1778. and that after his repast he would pray to God that it would please him to be assistant unto him all his life-time and be a comforter and aid unto him Since he could not better employ the little time that he had to live than in imploring the favor of God for him 6 7 8 ad 30. Hereupon Esau went a Hunting but Rebecca in the meane
34. 1 2 3 4. he desir'd his Father that he might have her to Wife who listening thereunto went himself unto Jacob praying him to give Dina his Daughter in lawful Marriage to his Son Sichem The year of the World 2206 before Christ's Nativity 1758. Jacob not daring to refuse him by reason of his authority and quality and on the other side not thinking it to be either a thing lawful or convenient to match his Daughter with a stranger desired some time for deliberation Hereupon the King departed hoping that Jacob would listen to the Marriage But Jacob having discover'd unto his Sons the ravishment of their sister and the request of Emmor desir'd them to consider amongst themselves what was fit to be done in the matter C Ver. 21. 25. whereupon some held their peace not knowing what to say but Simeon and Levi the Brothers of the same womb with their sister complotted together this practice Simeon and Levi kill the Sichemites It was now a Festival of the Sichemites who intended nothing but pleasure and banquetting and the two Brethren taking this opportunity by night fell upon their first guards and killed them as they slept and from thence entering into the City they killed all the Males and with them the King and his Son but to the Women they offered no violence Gen. 35. 1 2. Which being executed without the knowledge of their Father Jacob digging up Laban's gods goeth and sacrificeth at Bethel they brought their sister back again Jacob was very much astonished at this accident so strangely executed and was greatly displeas'd with his Children but God appeared unto him and comforted him and commanded him to purifie his Tents and offer those Sacrifices which D he had vowed when first he went into Mesopotamia Ver. 16 17 18. and the Vision appeared unto him As he cleansed those which followed him Rachel dieth in Childbed he found the gods of Lâ—ban which Rachel had stoln Hedio Ruffinus cap. 28. and hid in Sichem in the earth under an oak without his knowledge Afterwards departing from thence he sacrificed in Bethel where he had seen the Vision at such time as he first of all took his journey into Mesopotamia and as he travelled in the Land of Ephrata Rachel died in Childbed and was buried there and she alone enjoyed not the honour of being buried in Hebron with those of her Parentage After he had made great lamentation he nam'd the Child which she bare at that time Benjamin by reason of the Pangs which kill'd his Mother These are all the Children of Jacob twelve Males and one Daughter of whom eight were born by his lawful Wives six of E Lea and two of Rachel and of their Maids four two of each of them whose names I have heretofore mention'd From thence went Jacob to Hebron a City of Canaan where his Father Isaac dwelt but he lost him also shortly after CHAP. XIX Isaac dieth and is buried in Hebron Gen. 35. 29. JAcob had not the comfort to find Rebecca his Mother still living The year of the World 2230 before Christ's Nativity 1734. and Isaac died in a little time after the arrival of his Son and was buried with his Wife by his Son Esau and Jacob in Hebron among their Fathers This Isaac was a man beloved of God and F guided by his special providence after the decease of Abraham and after he had passed his life in all virtue for the space of 185 years Isaac dieth 185 years old Gen. 35. he died O The Second Book of the HISTORY of the JEWS H Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Second Book 1. How Esau and Jacob Isaac's Sons divided their habitations and how Idumaea fell to Esau's lot and Canaan to Jacobs 2. How Joseph the youngest of Jacob's Sons by reason of his Dreams which foretold his future Felicity incurred his Brothers envy 3. How Joseph was sold by his Brethren into Egypt and grew in great authority in that I Countrey and how at length he had his Brothers under his power 4. How Jacob with all his Progeny came unto his Son 5. Of the affliction of the Hebrews in Egypt for the space of 400 years 6. How under the conduct of Moses they forsook Egypt 7. How the Red Sea divided itself and gave the Hebrews a passage at such time as they fled out of Egypt CHAP. I. How Esau and Jacob Isaac's Sons divided their inheritance and how Idumaea fell to Esau's lot and Canaan to Jacobs K AFter Isaac's death The year of the World 2238 before Christ's Nativity 1734. his two Sons divided their inheritance among themselves and neither of them remain'd in that same place which they had chosen before to make their abode but Esau leaving the City of Hebron to his Brother went and dwelt in Seir and was Lord of the Countrey of Idumaea which he named by his name calling it Edom for the occasion which followeth Isaac's Sons departed their habitations He being very young returned one day sore wearied with Travel and hungry from Hunting Gen. 36. 6 7. and finding his Brother dressing for himself a mess of Lentil-pottage which were very red in colour and further encreased his appetite Gen. 25. 53. 27. 36. he desir'd them at his hands that he might eat them But he taking the opportunity and occasion of his Brother Esau's hunger constrained him to forsake him Birth-right Esau the first begotten felleth his birth-right and to sell him the same on condition he L should give him them to eat Esau then press'd with Hunger resigned unto him his Birth-right Esau called Edom. and confirm'd it with a solemn Oath Hereupon his equals in age in way of mockery called him Edom by reason of his red meat for Edom in Hebrew signifieth red His Countrey likewise was hence called Edom. Gen. 36. per tot Esau's Sons and Posterity But the Greeks to the end they might make the name more agreeable called it Idumaea He became the Father of five Children of whom he had three by his Wife Alibama whose names were Jaus Jolam and Chore of the other two Aliphates was the Son of Ada and Raguel of Mosametha these Children had Esau Aliphates had five legitimate Children Theman Omar Opher Jotham Cenez for Amelech was illegitimate born by one of his Concubines whose name was Thesma These dwelt in the part of Idumaea which is called Gobolitis M and in that part which by reason of Amelech is called Amalechitis For Idumaea being in times past a Land of great extent continued the name of Idumaea thorow the whole Countrey and the particular Provinces of the same kept the names of those that first inhabited them CHAP. II. Joseph the youngest of Jacob's Children is envied by his Brothers Gen. 37. BUt Jacob attained to that felicity The year of the World
deliver his Brother Judah's Oration unto Joseph for Benjamin whereupon he addressed himself to Joseph and spake thus My Lord said he we confess that we are all B ready to suffer punishment though we have not all of us committed the offence but onely the youngest and though we suppose his life to be almost desperate yet our onely hope rests in your goodness and clemency We beseech you therefore that you will have compassion of us and be pleased to take counsel not of your just indignation but your native goodness since 't is proper to great minds as yours is to surmount those passions to which onely vulgar Souls give way and are wont to submit Consider I pray you whether it stand with your dignity to kill those who present themselves to be punished and desire in no sort to live except it be by the benefit of your mercy Suffer not your self to be deprived of this honour after you have delivered us from Famine and liberally furnished us with Corn to carry to our Family labouring under the same calamity For 't is one and the same bounty to continue them in life who are afflicted C with Famine and not to take it from them who have merited death And you shall save those whom you have fed and that life which you would not suffer to fail by Famine restore and give again whereby your clemency will be more commendable whil'st you give both life and those things likewise whereby life is maintained Moreover I think that God himself hath given you this occasion to declare your virtue that it may appear that you set lighter by the injuries offered unto you than by your will to do good and that you are not only liberal to them who are poor and innocent but merciful to those that are guilty For although it be a glorious thing to yield succor in adversities yet is a Prince no less honoured by his clemency especially in a cause that concerneth his particular interest for if they that remit small offences are followed by deserved praise what is it to restrain a Man's anger in a capital Crime Doth it not D very near approach the Divine clemency And had I not good experience by Joseph's death how grievously my Father taketh the want of his Children I would not so earnestly intreat for his safety who is so dear to him or if I did it should be only to contribute to the praise of your clemency The year of the World 2237 before Christ's Nativity 1726. and were there not some to whom our death would bring both grief and discontent we were willing all of us to suffer punishment But now whereas we have not so much commiseration of our selves though as yet we are but young and have not much tasted the pleasures of life as of our disconsolate Parent who is oppress'd not only with Age but Grief we beseech you not for our own sakes but for his to grant us life though at this day we are under your justice for our offence Assuredly he is a good Man and hath omitted nothing to render us like himself worthy he is never to taste or be tryed by any such calamity who now through our absence is discruciated E with care and sorrow Now if he should receive tydings of our death and the cause thereof he will not endure any more to live the infamy of our deaths will shorten his days and make his death by this means more unhappy yea rather than hear the rumor of our shame he would desire to die beforehand All these things considered although you are justly moved by this offence remit the revenge unto our Father and rather let your pity towards him than our iniquity towards you prevail Grant this favor to his old age since if deprived of our presence he neither will nor can desire to live yea grant it to the very name of a Father wherewith you are honoured your self so God the Father of all men will bless you in that name and prosper your Family whom also you shall honour if in respect of that common name you take compassion of our Father in considering the sorrow that he shall endure if he be deprived of F his children It now lieth in your power to give us that which you may deprive us of by that power which God hath given you and in doing us this favour you shall imitate the Nature of God Power given to save and in this respect become like unto him For since it lieth in your power to do both the one and the other it were better you did good than evil and contenting your self with your power not remember then to urge your revenge but only think that your power was given you to keep and preserve men and that the more mercy you extend towards many the more honour you redouble on your own head Now it lieth in your power by forgiving our Brothers error to give us all life For neither can we be safe except he be saved neither may we return home unto our Father except he return but here must we suffer whatsoever our Brother suffereth Neither do we crave any other mercy at your hand if we be repulsed in this but that you will iâ—flicâ— G one and the same punishment on us in no other manner than 〈◊〉 if we had been partakers of the Felony for this were better for us than that we our selves through â—orrow should offer â—â—â—lence to our own Souls I will not alledge or urge his youth or judgment as yet unripe neither will I alledge that pardon is usually granted to such but here will I make an end That whether we H be condemned in that I have not sufficiently pleaded his cause or whether we be absolved we may wholly ascribe this grace to your favour and clemency to whose praise this likewise shall be added That not only you have saved us but also in pardoning us the punishment which we have justly deserved you have had more care of us than we our selves If therefore it be your pleasure to adjudge him to die let me suffer for him and send him back unto our Father or if it please you to retain him for your slave I am more fit than he to do all sorts of services as you may perceive and I am ready to suffer all that which may be inflicted on me When Juda had spoken thus he humbled himself at Joseph 's feet endevouring as much as in him lay to mollifie and appease his anger in like sort also all the other Brothers prostrated themselves offering themselves to die for Benjamin I But Joseph moved with pity Gen. 45. 1 2. ad 16. and unable any longer to personate a displeased Man sent away all those that were present Joseph maketh himself known to his Brethren and being alone with them discovered himself unto his Brothers and in this sort to them only he disclosed himself
passages of their Country by which they thought their Enemy might break in preparing themselves to repell them with force and valor Yet no sooner did Phinees with his Forces charge them Cap. 3. 8. ad 18. but upon the first encounter so great a multitude of the Madianites was slain Five Kings of the Madianites slain that the number of the Carcasses could hardly be reckoned Neither were their Kings saved from the Sword these were Och Sur Robeas Vbes and Rechem from whom the chiefest City of the Arabians deriveth its name Otherwise Aâ—â—â—eme or Arca. and at this day retaineth O the same and is call'd Receme and by the Grecians Petra The Hebrews having thus put their Enemies to flight ravaged the Region and carried away with them great A spoils The year of the World 2493. before Christ's Nativity 1471. and killing all the Inhabitants thereof both Men and Women they onely spared the Virgins according to the command Phinees had received from Moses who returning home with his Army in safety brought with him a memorable and glorious prey of Oxen 52067 of Asses 60000 of gold and silver Vessels an incredible number which the Madianites were wont to use for their domestick occasions A great prey gotten from the Madianites so great was their great Riches and Luxury There were also led Captives about 30000 Virgins But Moses dividing the prey gave the fiftieth part thereof to Eleazar and the Priests and to the Levites another fiftieth Num. 27. 18. the remainder he distributed amongst the People who after this Battel lived in great security Deut. 3. 22. having gotten Riches by their Valor Moses appointed Joshua for his Successor and Peace also to enjoy the same Now for that Moses was well stricken in years he appointed Joshua to B succeed him in the Offices both of a Prophet a Prince and a Governor for God had so commanded that he should make choice of him to be his Successor in the principality for he was most expert in all divine and humane knowledge Numb 32. 1 5 c. being therein instructed by his Master Moses The Tribes of Reuben Gad and the half of Manasses require the land of the Amorites About that time the two Tribes of Gad and Reuben with the half Tribe of Manasses being abundantly stored with Cattel and all other manner of Riches by common consent requested Moses to give and assign to them in particular the Country of the Amorites which not long since they had conquered by the Sword for that it was full of rich Pastures But he suspecting that through fear they sought to withdraw themselves from the War with the Canaanites under pretext of care of their Cattel sharply reproved them saying that they were fearful and that their desire was to possess C that Land which was conquered by the Valor of the whole People to the end they might lead their lives in idleness and pleasure and not to bear Arms with the rest of the Host to help them to posses the Land beyond Jordan which God had promised them by overcoming those Nations which he commanded them to account for their Enemies These Tribes lest he should seem to be deservedly incensed against them answered that neither through fear they fled danger neither through sloth shunned labour but onely design'd to leave their prey in commodious places to the end they might be more fit to follow the War saying that they were ready if so be they might receive Cities for the defence and receipt of their Wives Children and Substance to follow the rest of the Army whithersoever they were conducted and to adventure their lives with them D for the common interest Moses satisfi'd with their reason in the presence of Eleazar the High Priest and Joshua with the rest of the Magistrates granted them the Land of the Amorites with this condition that together with the rest of the People they should march against their common Enemies Numb 35. 34 c. till the War were accomplished according to their desire accordingly having received that which they demanded they built them walled Cities Deut. 4. 43. and left their Children Josh 20. 8 9. Wives and Substance in the same Moses also built ten Cities in that Region which are to be reckoned in the number of those 48 abovemention'd in three whereof he appointed Sanctuaries The Cities of refuge and places of refuge which they only might take benefit of who fled thither for Casual Homicide and he appointed them their term of Exile till the time of the death of the High Priest under whom the E Manslaughter was committed at which time they might safely return into their Countrey And during the time of their Exile it was lawful for any of the Kin to take revenge upon the Offender by killing him only at such time as he was found without the City of Refuge which right he gave onely to those that were akin but not to others Now the Cities of Refuge were these in the Confines of Arabia Bosora in the Region of Galadena Numb 36. 1 2. Arimanum in the Countrey of Bazan Gaul Moses also ordained that after the Conquest of Canaan The daughters of Salpades have their inheritance in their fathers place three more Cities of the Levites should be appointed to that end that they might give refuge and habitation to such sort of Offenders At that time when one of the Magistrates called Salphates of the Tribe of Manasses was dead and had onely left Daughters behind him the Governors of the Tribe came unto Moses F and asked his counsel The history of Deuteronomy Whether they should inherit the Lands of their Father Moses answered them Ruffin cap. 5. That if they married within their Tribe they should inherit but if they made choice to marry themselves into another Tribe Hedio cap. 8. then they should lose their Patrimony in their own Deut. 41 c. ad 43. and for this cause made he this Ordinance to the end that every Tribe should continually possess its proper inheritance But whereas now there remained but 30 days only to fulfill the number of 40 years since their departure out of Egypt Moses summoning an Assembly in that place near to Jordan where now the City of Abila is scituate environed with fields beset with Palm-trees as soon as he saw the People ready to hear him spake unto them after this manner G CHAP. VIII H Moses Laws and how he was taken out of this world from the company of Men Deut. 4. MY dear friends Moses oration unto the people before his death and companions in my long Travels with whom I have run through so many dangers since it is thought requisite by God and mine age amounting to the number of one hundred and twenty years requireth no less that I must depart out of this life and
for them These thoughts produc'd in them a repentance of those things which through fury they had committed against him in the Desart so that all the People breaking out into tears would admit no consolation Laws made by Moses But Moses comforted them and desiring them to give over weeping encouraged them to observe faithfully the Laws of God Ruffin chap. 7. and so for this time the assembly dissolved The excuse of the writer of the History why he innovated the order of the Laws But before I proceed I C have thought fit to declare in this place what these Laws were to the end the Reader may know how worthy they are of the virtue of so great a Lawgiver as Moses and see what our customs have been even from the first institution of our Commonwealth For all those things are extant which this Man wrote so that we need not faign or affix any thing by way of ornament we have onely changed the order and those Laws which he scatteringly set down according as he received them from God we have generally digested into their places whereof I thought good to admonish the Reader for fear lest hereafter any of our Tribes coming to the view hereof should rashly accuse me of not having faithfully delivered the Writings and Justitutions of Moses First will I reckon up those Laws particularly which appertain to the publick institution D and policy of our Nation but those that concern private customs and contracts either betwixt our selves or foregin Nations I have deferred to be discoursed of in that commentary wherein by Gods assistance I intend to speak of our manners and of the reasons of those Laws After you have conquered the Land of Canaan Item the Israelites shall live in the Land of Canaan and built your Cities you shall in security reap the fruit of the Victory if by observation of these following Commandments you shall render your selves well pleasing to God Let there be one sacred City in the region of Canaan A sacred City and Temple in Canaan situate in a commodious and fertile place which God shall make choice of in the same let there be one only Temple built and one Altar erected of rough and unpolished stones but chosen with such care that when they shall E be joyn'd together they shall appear decent and agreable to the sight let not the Ascent of the same be made by steps but let the earth be easily and fitly raised But in any other City let there be neither Altar nor Temple For God is one and the Hebrew Nation is one Whosoever shall blaspheme God let him be stoned to death hanged on a Gibbet for a day Blasphemy against God and afterwards ignominiously and obscurely buried Deut. 4. Let all the Hebrews Levit. 16. 1 10 13. from their several Provinces assemble themselves thrice in the year in the sacred City and Temple Thrice in the year the Hebrewes ought to meet that they may give thanks to God for the benefits they have received and by their prayers implore his future assistance and that by their conversation and mutual entertainments they may increase their benevolence and F love one towards another For it is reasonable that they should know one another who are of the same stock and are govern'd by the same Laws For which purpose nothing is so fit as their meetings after this kind of manner which both by the sight and conversation cause deeper impression in the memory as contrariwise they that never see one another pass for strangers one to the other Besides let the tenth part of the fruits besides them that are due to the Priests and Levites which you are accustomed to sell in your Markets being reduced into ready money be spent on Sacrifices and Banquets in the sacred City For it is just to celebrate feasts to Gods honour Tenths of the fruits of the earth which we have received from his hands The hire of a Harlot G Let no Sacrifice be made of the Hire of an Harlot Deut. 23. 18. for neither doth any thing delight God which is gotten by ill wayes Micha 1. 7. or is there greater uncleanness than the shameful and unlawful mixture of our bodies Likewise if any man take reward for covering a bitch whether she be for the H chase or for the flock it is not lawful to make sacrifice unto God thereof Let no man speak ill of those gods which other Countries reverence Let no Man spoil any strange Temple nor take that which is dedicated to any god Let no man wear a Garment woven of Linnen and Woollen for it belongeth onely to the Priests Every seventh year Other gods when the People shall be assembled together in the sacred City to sacrifice at the feast of Tabernacles Deut. 1. the High Priest from a high Pulpit from whence he may be heard by the whole multitude shall read the whole Law publickly Linnen and Woollen so that neither Women nor Children shall be kept from hearing the same not yet slaves and bondmen Deut. 22. 11. For it is good that they retain the perpetual memory thereof alwayes imprinted in their minds Deut. 11. for so shall they sin the less The book of the Law is to be read on the feast of the Tabernacles in that they understand I what is decreed in the Law And the Laws likewise will be of more force in the conscience when they themselves shall hear the punishments which they threaten and with which those that dare to violate them shall be chastis'd so that the will to perform the Law shall never be inwardly extinguished and besides the remembrance will live in them how many plagues they incur by contempt thereof Let children especialy learn these Laws than which discipline there is not any more profitable for them nor more conducible to their felicity For which reason twice a day in the morning and in the evening they shall be minded for what benefits they are bound to God Deut. 11. 19. and how he deliver'd us out of the bondage of Egypt For it is a thing in nature reasonable Children shall learn the Law to give thanks to God as well in acknowledgement of the Goods K which we have before time received Deut. 6. 6 7 as in expectation of his future mercies The chief of these things also are to be written over our doors and worn on our arms and those things which declare his power and benificence are to be born about written on the head and arms The signs of the Law that the remembrance of Gods goodness towards his People may continually be renew'd In every City let there be chosen seven Governours such as are approved in Virtue and able for Justice The seven Presidents Let each one of these Magistrates have two Ministers of the Tribe of Levi. Honour to
and to acquit my self of that debt I leave you this in remembrance which is that you ought to serve and honour him and reverence the Ordinances which he hath given you whereby continuing his favour towards you he will grant you grace to preserve and keep this excellent gift Truly a Law-giver that were no more than a man would be greatly displeased with F those who should violate his Ordinances and set them at nought do not you therefore tempt God who is provoked unto anger when those Laws which he himself hath established and given you shall be contemned and neglected Whilst Moses pronounced these his last words and fore-told to the Tribes their several destinies Deut. 34. 8. and wish'd them a thousand blessings The Hebrews lamentation at Moses death the whole Multitude brake into tears and the women beating their Breasts shewed the sorrow they resented for his death The Children likewise lamented because that in their tender years they had understood the virtue and famous acts of Moses and betwixt the elder and younger sort there was as it were a conflict who should weep most bitterly for the one understanding of how worthy a Governor they were deprived lamented the time to come and the G other were perplexed because they should then lose him they before had sufficiently tasted and made tryal how great his virtue was But how great the compassion and complaint of the people was may be conjectured by this that then befell the Prophet For although he were assuredly persuaded that a man is not to lament at the instant of his H death because it happens to him both according to the Will of God and the Law of Nature yet beholding the affection of the People he could not restrain himself from tears After which he walkt towards the place where he was to dye and they all followed him weeping Then did Moses beckning with his hand warn them from afar off that they should stand still and keep their places and he desir'd them that were nearest him by word of mouth not to afflict him any longer by following him with so many testimonies of affection Accordingly to obey him they stood still and all together bewailed their calamity in so great and so general a loss only the Senators xEleazar the High Priest and the chief Captain Joshua accompanied him And when he was arrived on the Mountain called Abarim which is very high and scituate near Jericho I from whence he might discover the greater part of the Land of Canaan he dismissed the Elders and whil'st with mutual embraces he took his last leave of Eleazar and Joshua and discoursed with them a Cloud suddenly environed him and he was carried away into a certain Valley but the Holy Books which he left us say that he dyed fearing lest for the excellency of his virtue they might report that he was taken up into Heaven The whole time of his Life was 120 years the third part whereof wanting a month he spent in government of this great People Moses when he dyed was 120 years old Amongst the Hebrews Adar is the 12 month but amongst us it is called March He dyed the last month of the year and the first day of that month which the Macedonians call Dystros and our Countreymen Adar He was of all Men that ever liv'd the wisest and who in execution of his good counsels had no man to equal him Moreover in eloquence he was incomparable and K in dexterity and grace to entertain and persuade the People he had no second and so were his passions always govern'd by his wisdom that he seemed utterly to want them and only to know the names of those passions of which he saw the effects in other men Ver. 10. His skill in War may give him a rank amongst the greatest Captains Moses was a good Governor and a great Prophet and no man ever had the gift of Prophecy in so high a degree for his words seem'd so many Oracles and that as inspir'd to him by God himself The People mourned for him 30 days nor were they ever seized with so extreme grief as they were at this time when the Prophet dyed neither did he only leave behind him a present desire of him but a great estimation amongst all men who have ever chanced to read and examine his Writings and by them estimated his virtues And these are the things which I thought good to say of the L death of Moses M N O A The Fifth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHV'S The Contents of the Chapters of the Fifth Book 1. How Joshua General of the Hebrews having overcome and slain the Canaanites divided their Land amongst the Tribes by lot 2. How after the death of the General the Israelites neglecting the Ordinances of their Forefathers fell into extreme Calamities and through a Civil War that was raised B amongst them there were but 600 of the Tribe of Benjamin left alive 3. How for their impiety the People of Israel were delivered by God into Captivity under the Assyrians 4. Their Liberty by Cenez 5. How the People were once more overcome by the Moabites and exempt from servitude by Jodes otherwise called Ehud 6. How they were brought under the subjection of the Canaanites and restored to their liberty by Barac 7. How the Amalekites having entred the Countrey of the Israelites and conquered them possessed and spoiled the same for the space of seven years C 8. How Gideon delivered the People 9. How some Successors of Gideon waged War against the Neighbor Nations round about them 10. Of Samsâ—â—'s strength and what mischiefs he did in Palestine 11. How the Sons of Eli the Prophet were slain in Battel by the Palestines 12. How Eli hearing of the death of his Sons and the loss of the Ark fell down from his Seat and dyed CHAP. I. D How Joshua General of the Hebrews having overcome and slain the Canaanites divided their Land amongst the Tribes by lot Josh 2. AFter Moses was taken from amongst Men in the manner which I have declared the last duties were paid to him The year of the World 2494. before Christ's Nativity 1470. and the time of mourning was pass'd Joshua commanded the People to prepare themselves and to march forward to Battel He sent Spies likewise to Jericho who might both sound their minds Joshua sendeth Spies into Jericho and discover their Forces Soon after he dislodged and encamped in the open field intending with all expedition to pass the River of Jordan as soon as any opportunity offered it self Josh 2. 1 2 3. Then assembled he the Princes of the Tribes of Reuben E and Gad Joshua calleth to memory and reckoneth up what the Tribes of Gad Reuben and Manasses had promised Moses and of the half Tribe of Manasses for to this half Tribe the Countrey of the
After he had spoke to them after this manner he embraced in particular the chief of these Tribes who returned and their whole people with them This done he stayed in that place Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. but the rest of the people accompianed them onward with tears and they separated the one from the other Joshua 22. 10 11 12. with great grief But after the Tribe of Reuben and of Gad and the rest of the Manassites had passed over Jordan they built an Altar upon the Bank of the River The Israelites after they had past over Jordan builded an Altar on the Bank thereof that might serve for a memorial to posterity of the alliance which they had with those that dwelt on the other side of Jordan When the tidings E hereof came to their ears that dwelt on the further side of the River that they had built an Altar but they were ignorant of the cause of building it they supposed that seeking to innovate their Religion they would introduce the service of forein and false gods And being rashly stirred up with this suspition of the violation of their Religion they put themselves in Arms with a resolution to revenge themselves of those who had built that Altar for that they had forsaken the Laws and Ordinances of their fore-fathers For they supposed that they were not so far to respect their parentage or dignity as to forget the will of God and that service which was agreeable in his sight For which cause being in this manner incensed they prepared themselves to the expedition v. 13 14 15. But Joshua and the High-Priest Eleazar The Ambassage of the ten Tribes to the rest of the Israelites with the rest of the Elders F restrained them counselling them first of all to inquire what was their intention and afterward if it should appear that they did it with a sinister intent then they might lawfully invade them with the Sword Hereupon they sent Phinees the Son of Eleazar and ten other of the noblest among the Hebrews as Ambassadors to them to know what the intent and reason was why they had built that Altar on the bank of Jordan Now when these Ambassadors had past the River v 6. and were come amongst them they summoned an Assembly Phinees Oration to the Rubenites and Phinees standing up in the midst of them spoke after this manner G You have committed too heinous an offence saith he to be punisht only with words yet notwithstanding we have not upon the instant taken Arms to assault you in Battel nor had regard to the heinousness of your Crime to the intent to punish you but we are sent to you as Ambassadors in consideration of our alliance and for that as we suppose you may be H drawn by good persuasions to the acknowledgment and detestation of your fault to the end that when we are informed of the cause that hath induced you to erect this Altar it may not be thought that we have headlong thrust our selves into Arms against you if out of a good intent you have built the same and if it appear otherwise that the offence is justly charg'd upon you we may take revenge of the same according as reason requires For scarcely could we believe that you who are well-grounded in the knowledge of God and hearers of those Laws which he himself hath given you should since your departure from us and upon your arrival in your own Patrimony which you have obtained by lot by his favour and peaceably enjoy by his providence forget him so soon as to forsake the Tabernacle Ark and Altar and introduce strange gods to the intent to be partakers of the impieties of the Canaanites But if you repent I of your misdeed and persevere no longer in so great madness but reclaim your selves and return to your ancient Religion a Pardon is granted you but if you obstinately persist in your wickedness there is nothing which we will not do for the maintenance of our Religion and passing the River for defence of it or to speak more fitly of our God and accounting you no less hateful and impious than Canaanites we will treat you after the same manner as we have treated them For do not suppose that because you have past the River you are exempt from God's power because God is in all places and it is impossible for you to avoid either his power or his vengeance If the Province which you possess is an impediment to your salvation it were better for you to make a new division of Lands and leave this Region how plentiful soever It behooveth you therefore to renounce your Error as we conjure you to do by that love which you K bare to your Children and Wives and by the respect you hold of that which is most dear unto you that you inforce us not to wage War against you Resolve your selves therefore in this present matter assuring your selves that therein consisteth the issue whether you had rather perpetually enjoy your peace and safety by our persuasion or expose both you and yours to the peril of a bloody War After Phinees had finished this his Oration the chief of the Assembly answer'd him in this manner We never thought of altering the Vnion which joins us so near together Ver. 21. or of innovating any thing in that Religion of our Fathers The Reubenites answer we will alwayes persevere therein we know that there is one God the common Father of all the Hebrews and none but the Brazen Altar which is L before the Tabernacle shall receive our Sacrifices As for that which we have now erected and which breedeth in you at this present a cause of suspition we built it not to the intent to offer Sacrifices upon it but only to remain as a perpetual monument of our alliance and of our obligation to continue firm in the same belief but not to the end to make any alteration of Religion And that this was the onely cause which induced us to build the same we call God to witness wherefore instead of continuing to accuse us you ought for the future to have a better opinion of us than to suspect us of a Crime of which none of Abraham's Posterity can be guilty without deserving to lose his life As soon as Phinees had heard these things and praised their constancy he returned to Joshua Joshua dwelt in Sichem and gave him account of his Embassy in presence of the People who rejoycing M that they had no occasion of Civil War Josh 23. per totum or Bloodshed offered to God Sacrifices of Thanksgiving and presently dissolved the Assembly each man returning to his own home Joshuah's Exhortation at his death to the Magistrates and Elders amongst the Hebrews but Joshua chose his habitation in Sichem After twenty years Joshua being extremely old call'd to him the most honourable of every
City and the Elders and Magistrates and as many of the People as might commodiously be present and spake unto them First he called unto their remembrance the many benefits which God had bestowed upon them by means whereof from a poor and afflicted condition they had attained great riches and glory Then he exhorted them to observe his Commandments most Religiously to the end God might continue his merciful hand over them since they knew that his favour could be kept to them N by no other means but by their obedience He further told them that he thought himself oblig'd before he departed out of this life to admonish them of their duty Last of all Josh 24. 39. he desired them to accept well of that his good admonition and to be perpetually mindful of the same Joshuah's death As he ended these words he gave up the Ghost and dyed in the 110 year of his age whereof he spent 40 as Minister under Moses their chief Magistrate and after his death governed the Commonwealth 25 years A Man of incomparable prudence and eloquence wise and diligent in matters of Government and equally capable of the most important affairs of Peace and War in a word the most excellent Captain Governor of his time Ver. 33. He was buried in a City called Thamna belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim Eleazar's death About the same time likewise dyed Eleazar the High O Priest leaving the Priesthood to Phinees's Son his Sepulchre is seen at this day in the City Gabatha After their deaths Phinees being demanded by the People what God's A pleasure was The year of the World 2525. before Christ's Nativity 1439. and to whose charge the Wars against the Canaanites should be committed answered them that God commanded to give the Government to the Tribe of Judah which choosing that of Simeon for their Associates undertook the War with this condition that when they had utterly rooted out the remnant of the Canaanites out of their own Tribe Judg. 1. they should likewise employ themselves to extinguish all the Reliques of that Race amongst the other Tribes CHAP. II. How the Israelites after the death of their Emperor forgetting the Religion of their Forefathers fell into extreme Calamities and how through a Civil War raised amongst B them there were only 600 of the Tribe of Benjamin left alive BUt the Canaanites whose estate at that time was very potent expected them with a great Host about the City of Bezec Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. al. 2. having their Army conducted by the King of that place Judg. 1. 1 2 ad 5. called Adoni-Bezec which name signifieth Lord of the Bezecenities for Adoni in the Hebrew Tongue is Lord and these Men promised themselves the Victory by reason that Joshua was deceased Ten thousand Canaanites slain and Adoni-Bezec taken ver 6 7. Against these the two Tribes of Judah and Simâ—on fought very valiantly and slaying 10000 of them in the pursuit they took Adoni-Bezec Captive who having his hands and feet cut off acknowledged the divine justice for he confessed that he had used 72 Kings before times after the same manner In this condition C they conducted him near Jerusalem where departing out of this life they buried him Then they over-run the Countrey sacking and taking the Cities and after they had divers of them in their possession they besieged Jerusalem and entring the lower City they put all the Inhabitants to the Sword But the higher Town was very hard to be assaulted by reason of the Fortresses and strength of the Walls and the naturally strong situation of the place which was the cause that they rais'd their Camp to go and besiege Hebron which they took and slew all that were therein Amongst whom there were some of the Race of the Gyants whose stature was so prodigious their aspect so terrible and their voice so dreadful that it can scarce be believ'd their Bones are still to be seen at this day This City being very considerable was given to the Levites with 2000 D Cubits of Land round about the rest of the Countrey was freely given to Caleb according as Moses had commanded he having been one of those Spies which Moses sent to view the Land of Canaan Jethro's posterity who was the Father of Moses possessed of Lands They gave lands and possessions likewise to the posterity of Jethro the Madianite who was Father-in-law to Moses for that they had forsaken their own Territories and join'd themselves to the Israelites and been with them in the Desart The Tribes of Judah and Simeon took those Cities of the mountainous Countrey of Canaan and also those that were in the Plain near the Sea-coast namely Ascalon and Azoth But they could not take Gaza and Accaron for those Cities being in the Plain and defended with a great number of Chariots repelled those that assaulted the same to their disadvantage So these two Tribes having had good success in Wars retired E to their Cities to enjoy in peace the spoils which they had taken As for the Benjamites Ver. 16. to whom Jerusalem appertained The Israelites overcame not the Canaanites at one time they received the Inhabitants thereof as their Tributaries so that all being in peace and the one ceasing from slaughter and the other assured from danger they employed themselves in manuring the Countrey The rest of the Tribes did the like conforming themselves according to the example of the Benjamites Av. 22. ad 26. and contenting themselves to receive their Tributes they suffered the Canaanites to live in peace The Ephraimites recover Bethel by a stratagem The Tribe of Ephraim having long besieged the City of Bethel could not see such an end of their design as the length of time and the Travels they had taken in the Siege required and although they were very much toyled and wearied with the same yet they continued the Siege At last one of the Inhabitants F who was carrying Provisions thither fell into their hands whom they promis'd that if he would let them into the City they would save him and grant life and liberty likewise to all his Family He was persuaded and by his means they became Masters of the place he and his were spared but all the rest of the Inhabitants were put to the Sword From that time forwards the Israelites ceas'd to make War and employed themselves in Tillage of their Lands and husbanding their Fruits and being grown rich they followed the delights and pleasures of the World in such sort as they became dissolute and had no regard either of their ancient Discipline or the Laws of their Forefathers Whereupon God was highly incensed against them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. â—l 3. and he gave them to understand that contrary to his Command they had spared the Canaanites and that those Canaanites in G time to come Judg. 2. 1 ad
when Baracs Soldiers came to her she shewed them his dead body Thus a Woman according as Debora had foretold was the Author of this Victory But Barac A leading his Army to Asor Barac governeth the Israelites 40 years defeated and slew Jabin who came out against him with an Army razed his City to the ground govern'd the Israelites for the space of Forty years CHAP. VII How the Amalekites overcoming the Israelites destroyed their Countrey for the space of seven years B AFter the death of Barac and Debora The year of the World 2654. before Christ's Nativity 1310. which hapned almost about the same time the Midianites accompanied with the Amalekites and Arabians armed themselves against the Israelites and encountring them in open field overcame them in a great Battel and destroying their Fruits and Harvest carried away great Booty They continued these their incursions for the space of seven years and compelled the Israelites to forsake the Champain Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. and flie to the Mountains where digging themselves Caves and Houses under the earth Judg. 6. 1 2 3. they kept secretly hidden all which they had reserved from the fury of the Enemy The Midianites confederate with the Amalekites overcome the Israelites in a great Battel For the Midianites having taken their Harvest in the Summer time permitted them to Till their Lands in the Winter to the intent they might gather the fruits of their labour afterwards Thus lived they in perpetual famine and want neither was there any other hope or succor left them but onely by prayers and supplications C unto God CHAP. VIII How Gideon delivered the Israelites ABout that time as Gideon the Son of Joas God commandeth Gideon to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites one of the chiefest of the Tribe of Manasses was grinding some sheafs of Corn which he had secretly conveyed into his Press for he durst not do it openly for fear of the Enemy An Angel appeared to him in the form of a young man and told him That he was happy and beloved of God D 'T is a fair sign Judg. 6. 11 12 13. answer'd Gideon when I am forc't to use a Press instead of a Grange The Angel exhorted him to be of good courage and to endeavor to recover his Countries liberty Gideon answer'd That it was impossible by reason that the Tribe whereof he was descended had very few Men in it and that he was too young and incapable of affairs of that consequence God will supply all these defects said the Angel and under thy conduct will give the Israelites victory These things Gideon communicated to certain young men Judg. 7. 2 3 4. who willingly believing the Oracle answer'd That for the present they had Ten thousand Soldiers in readiness God commandeth Gideon to choose a few men to attempt any thing for their liberty But God appeared to Gideon in a dream and told him That Men being so vain that they are willing to owe nothing but to themselves and attribute their Victories to their own strength instead of attributing E them to his assistance The Victory is to be attributed to God he would make them know that 't was to him alone that they were indebted for them To which end he commanded him That about the mid-time of the day at such time as the heat was most vehement he should conduct his Army to the River and there diligently observe those that bowed themselves to drink which he might esteem for Men of Valor but all those that drank hastily and with noise should be marked as Men timerous and afraid of the Enemy Gideon did as God commanded and there were found but Three hundred Men that lifted water to their mouths with their hands without fear and trouble God commanded him to assail the Enemy with those Three hundred promising to give him the Victory At this time were they encamped upon the Bank of Jordan ready to pass the Ford the next Morning But Gideon F was troubled by reason that God had bid him assail the Enemy by night But God willing to deliver him of his fear commanded him to take one of his Soldiers with him and go to the Camp of the Midianites to see what pass'd there He obeyed and for his better assurance took with him one of his servants Now as he drew nigh a certain Tent Ver. 13 14. he perceived that they that were within the same were awake and heard one of them with a loud voice tell his Companion the dream which that Night he had had Gideon repaireth to the Enemies tents and by them is confirmed by a dream which was thus He thought he saw a Barley Cake which lookt as if not worth the taking up it rowled thorow all the Camp and first overthrew the Kings Tent and afterwards the Tents of all his Soldiers This dream answer'd his Companion signifi'd the loss of our whole Army The reason is that of all sorts of Corn Barley is G most contemptible and amongst all the Nations of Asia there are not at this day any People more contemned than the Israelites and in this respect they resemble Barley Now you know that they have gather'd Troops and form'd some design under the conduct of Gideon And whereas this Cake turned to overthrow our Tents I fear lest it H be a sign that God hath given the Victory to Gideon Gideon having overheard this Discourse conceived good hope and presently commanded his Followers to arm themselves after he had told to them the Dream of their Enemy Whereupon they speedily prepared themselves at his Command being encourag'd by so happy a presage to attempt any thing Ver 16 17 22. About the latter Watch of the Night Gideon led forth his Army and divided it into three Bands Gideon with 300 attempteth the fight and in every Band he put an Hundred Men all of these bare in their hands empty Pots in which were hidden burning Torches in such sort that the Enemy could not discover them when they sallied out Moreover they bare Rams Horns in their right hands which they used in stead of Trumpets The Enemies Camp took up much ground by reason they had a great number of Camels and though distributed I by Nations were all of them comprehended in one inclosure The Hebrews having had instructions from their Captain what to do at such time as they approached near their Enemies and the sign of the Battel being given they sounded their Horns and broke their Pots and with their flaming Lights fell into the Enemies Camp crying Victory Victory by the assistance of God and the strength of Gideon Trouble and Fear surprized the sleeping Enemy for this action was in the Night-time and God disposed all things to this issue that few of them fell by the Hebrews Sword but they themselves slew one another in great numbers by reason that they
Ambassadours of the Ammonites Then Jeptha prayed to God that it would please him to grant him victory and he made a vow that if he returned to his house in safety he would Sacrifice the first living creature that he should meet with at his return v. 30 ad 40. After this encountring the Enemy Jeptha maketh a vow he defeated and pursued him killing those that fled continually till he came O to the City of Minnith Then entring the Countrey of the Ammonites he destroyed divers Cities and carried away a great booty and so delivered his Nation from the A servitude which they had endured for the space of eighteen years The year of the World 2624. before Christ's Nativity 1270. But as he returned homeward he fell into such an inconvenience as was no ways answerable to his noble actions For the first person he met as he returned home was his only Daughter a Virgin of eighteen years who came out to meet him Whereupon melting into tears he began to check her He overcometh the Ammonites for that so hastily she had come forth to meet him by reason he had vow'd the first thing he met with to God But this accident was no ways displeasing to the Virgin who with a wounderful constancy answered her Father that a death which had for its cause the victory of her Father and the liberty of her Countrey could not but be very acceptable to her and that the only favour she desired of him was that he would please to grant her two months C. 11. v. 39 before she were sacrificed to the end she might B lament her youth Jeptha Sacrificeth his Daughter with her companions and that after that term her father might acquit himself of the vow which he had made Jeptha granted her the time she had limited which being expired C. 12. 1 2. c. he sacrificed his Daughter for a burnt-offering Which oblation of his The Ephraimites are incensed against Jeptha was neither conformable to the Law nor desired by God But he was resolved to accomplish his vow without considering what judgment men might make of it The Tribe of Ephraim hearing of his victories Judg. 12 declared War against him by reason he had not communicated to them his enterprise against the Ammonites that he might have the prey and the honour of the enterprise to himself He answered that being of his kindred they could not be ignorant that both he and his were assailed by War C and had besides that also been desired to give them their assistance whereunto they had answered very faintly and being requested would not be present Then he told them that that which they undertook was unlawful wicked in that not daring to encounter the Enemy they made no scruple to set upon their Brethren and Friends and he threatned them v. 6. that if they restrained not themselves he would by the assistance of God be revenged on them Almost forty thousand of the Ephraimites slain But these words of his were both neglected and despised so that he was forced to Arm himself against them and with an Host of men sent from Galaad v. 7. he made a great slaughter partly in pursuing those that fled partly also in preventing their passage who fled to Jordan Jeptha dieth the number of the slain amounted to about forty thousand Ibzan was for seven years space the Judge in Israel After Jeptha had governed six years he deceased and was buryed D in Sebei in the place where he was born and the Countrey of Galaad After his death Ibzan took upon him the Government He was of the Tribe of Juda of the City of Bethleem v. 11. and had sixty Children Elon reigned ten years thirty males and thirty females which he left all alive and married he died when he was very old without performing any thing worthy of memory during the space of his seven years Government he was buried in his own Countrey In like manner Elon a Zabulonite his successor did nothing memorable and during the term of ten years wherein he governed Abdon the Son of Elon and of the Tribe of Ephraim of the City of Pharathon was declared Soveraign Judge after Elon and is renowned only for his felicity in his Children the state of the Israelites being in peace v. 13 so that he exploited nothing worthy glory he had forty Sons who E had thirty Grand-children Abdoâ— Judge and rode accompanied with these seventy who were all of them expert Horse-men He left them all alive and died when he was very old and was magnificently buried in Pharathon CHAP. X. Of Samsons valour and how many mischiefs he did to the Philistines AFter his death Judg. 13. 1. the Philistines prevailed over the Israelites and exacted tribute from them for the space of forty years The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines From which misery they were deliver'd F after this manner Manoah an excellent man and chief of the Tribe of Dan without exception had a Wife most famous for her beauty and excelling all others of that time yet had he no Children by her Hedio Ruffinâ—â— chap. 13. al. 10. whereat he was very much grieved and made his continual prayers unto God and especially when they were retired to a Countrey house which they had near the City that it would please him to give him a lawful heir v. 3 4 5. He loved his Wife very passionately The Angel foretelleth Samsons birth and not without some jealousie on a day as the woman was there by her self an Angel of God appeared to her in form of a young man of incomparable beauty and shape and told her that he came from God to inform her that she should be the mother of a child perfectly beautiful and whose strength should be so extraordinary that as soon as he was enter'd into the vigour of youth he should G humble the Philistines but God forbad her to cut his Hair and commanded likewise that he should taste no other drink but water and after he had said thus he departed As soon as her Husband returned home again she told him all that the Angel had said unto her The year of the World 2783. before Christ's Nativity 1181. and so extol'd the beauty and good grace of the young messenger who appeared H unto her that these praises encreased his jealousie which she perceiving and being no less chast than fair prayed to God once more to send his Angel that her Husband might see him and be cur'd of his unjust suspition Her prayer was heard and the Angel presented himself again to the woman being apart from her Husband But she desired him to say till she called her Husband v. 9. ad 13. which when she had obtained The Angel appeareth once more unto Manoah she went and fetched Manoah who notwithstanding
worthiest of them all For he was not satisfied to redeem and deliver those of Jabeâ—s Saul kills the Ammonite and Naahs their King but he entred the Countrey of the Ammonites also and ravaged the same with his Army and after he had obtained a great booty both he and his Army Victoriously returned to their dwelling places The people highly pleased with this noble action atchieved by Saul Saul made his name famous amongst the Hebrews rejoyced that they had demanded a King and exclaimed against those that said it would be discommodious and unprofitable for the Common-wealth saying where are now these murmurers let them be put O to death Saul is praised by the people with other such like words that a people besotted with good success is wont to speak against them that oppose the same Saul commended the affection of A the people The year of the World 2810. before Christ's Nativity 1084. but swore that none should be put to death that day because it would not seem agreeable that the victory given them by God should be sullied with the blood of their Brethren but rather that it was more proper the time should be spent in feasting and jolity After this Samuel told them that they ought to confirm the Kingdom of Saul by a second Election Sauls lenity against his adversaries and to that end they assembled together in the City of Galgal according as he commanded them and there in the sight of all the people Samuel anointed Saul the second time with the consecrated Oyl v. 12 13. and proclaimed him King Thus was the Aristocracy and Government of the better sort amongst the Hebrews v. 14 15. turned into a Monarchy For under Moses and his successor Joshua Saul once more anointed King by Samuel who was General of the Army the form of the Commonwealths was Aristocratical After their death for the space of eighteen B years The distinct Governments of the Hebrews the people was without Government The Common-wealth not long after resumed its first form of Government and the supreme authority was given to him that was esteemed the most valiant in War and the most upright in doing Justice During which time such Magistrates were called Judges After this the Prophet Samuel assembled the people and spake to them after this manner 1 Sam. 12. 3 4. I conjure you by that great God that sent those two admirable Brothers Moses and Aaron to deliver our forefathers from the Egyptians Samuels justification of himself in the presence the people and their tyranny that without any consideration either of fear or favour or of any other passion you truly testifie whether I have committed any injustice either for interest avarice or affection Declare it If I have taken away any mans Calf or sheep ar any other thing whatsoever but that which I might lawfully take for C my relief and sustenance and at such hands as willingly offer me the same or if I have employed any Beasts to my service or use his cattel to my profit and his hinderance in these and such like if I have offended any man let him now accuse me in the presence of the King All of them cryed out with one voyce that no such fault had been committed by him but that he had Governed their Nation in Holiness and Justice After the people had thus publicky testified in behalf of Samuel he said unto them Since you have freely protested that you have no cause of wrong to charge against me v. 7. ad 16. hear I pray you wherewith I can justly accuse you Samuel expostulateth with the people and objecteth their sins and ingratitude You have griveously offended against the Majesty of God in that you have required a King at his hands you should have rather remembred that your old Father Jacob accompanied onely with his 70 Sons came into Egypt constrained thereunto by famine and D that in that Countrey divers thousands of persons issued from his loynes whom the Egyptians kept in captivity doing them extream outrages And when your fathers called upon God he wonderfully delivered them from the distresses wherein they were without giving them any King but sending them two Brothers Moses and Aaron who brought and conducted them into this Countrey which you possess at this present And although you participated these benefits from the hands of God yet you forget his religion and neglected piety This notwithstanding at such time as you have been conquered by your enemies he hath set you free assisting you first of all with the overthrow of the Assyrians and their forces then giving you victory over the Ammonites and Moabites and finally over the Philistines Now these great exploits were performed by you not under the conduct of a King but by the direction of Jephta E and Gedeon What folly therefore hath bewitched you to flie from God and to seek to live under the subjection of a King But I have named such an one unto you Whom God hath chosen to be your Governour Notwithstanding to the intent that I may give you a manifest testimony that Gods wrath is provoked against you because you have desired a King I will desire of God that he will make you see in this place and in the heart of Summer such a storm that there is not any one of you that hath ever seen the like Scarce had he spoken the words but suddenly there appeared great Lightning Thunder and Hail in confirmation of what the Prophet had said v. 16 17 18. so that amazed and confounded with fear A huge tempest falleth upon Samuels prayer all of them confessed that they had offended and desired the Prophet that with a good and fatherly affection he would beseech God to appease his wrath towards them and forgive them F this offence which they had committed through ignorance as he had pardoned their other negligences whereby they had transgressed his holy will All which Samuel promis'd them do to and be sought God that it would please him to pardon them the error which they had committed in this matter and to be appeased by his prayers After this he exhorted them to live uprightly and to keep in continual remembrance what evils had hapned unto them v. 20. ad finem for that they had forsaken the way of virtue and what wonders God had done An exhortation to the consideration of Gods assistance and benefits bestowed on the Israelites and what Laws he had given by Moses all which they ought to meditate on if they desired to be in safety and live happily with their King But if they failed herein he foretold them that both themselves and their Kings should be grievously punished Samuel having prophesied these things to the Hebrews dismissed them to G their own dwellings after he had confirmed the Kingdom to Saul the second time CHAP. VII The
be enamor'd with him that she could not hide her passion even from the King her Father Sauls daughter in love with David Saul instead of being displeas'd rejoyc'd at it hoping by that means the sooner to entrap David He gave ear thereto with some shew of allowance Saul subtilly objecteth David to slaughter under a colourable condition of slaughtering the Philistines and told them who spoke of it to him that he would willingly give him his Daughter to Wife for he reason'd thus with himself I will propose that I will give him my B Daughter in marriage on condition that he bring me six hundred Philistines heads and I am certain that being valiant and generous as he is he will with joy accept this condition because the more dangerous it is the more glory it will acquire to him and so exposing himself to all manner of dangers he will be slain by the hands of the Philistines Ver. 27 c. and that intention which I have conceived against him shall succeed according to mine own hearts desire Saul under covenant of 60â— Philistines heads promiseth David his daughter for I shall be delivered of him in sending him out of the world not by my means but by other mens hands Having taken this resolution he charged his Courtiers to sound Davids sentiments and how he stood affected to the marriage and they told him That the King bare him great kindness and so rejoyc'd that the People admir'd him that he would give him in marriage the Princess his Daughter David C answer'd Think you it a small matter to be Son-in-law to the King for my self I esteem otherwise considering mine own base condition who have neither reputation nor any honourable quality When Sauls servants had reported to him what answer David made them Tell him said he that I value not Goods or Presents for that were to expose my Daughter to sale and not to match her with an Husband I seek a Son-in-law that hath Valor and that is adorned with all Virtue such as is manifest and apparent in thee and my desire is that for the dowry of my Daughter thou give me neither gold nor silver nor any other wealth out of thy Fathers house but that thou make War upon the Philistines and six hundred of their heads shall be the most acceptable dower thou canst present me with My Daughter also desires above all the dowers to be married to a Man that is so ennobled and famous for the overthrow of the D Enemies of her Father and her Countrey When these words were reported to David he was very joyful thinking that Saul acted sincerely concerning this alliance and without delay or taking counsel or deliberation whether the thing were easie or impossible for him to execute he incontinently departed with his company to find out the Enemy and execute the condition upon which the marriage was promised him God assisted David in this occasion as in all others And after he had slain a great number of them and cut off six hundred of their Heads he returned and presented them to the King and in consideration thereof desired the performance of his promise E F G CHAP. XII H Saul admiring David's fortitude giveth him his Daughter to Wife BUT Saul 1 Sam. 18. 27 c. that could not flie from his promise because it would be a great dishonour to him to fail of his word and to have promised his Daughter under colour Saul marrieth Michol to David either to murther him or to put him upon the execution of things that were impossible deliver'd his Daughter Michol unto him Nevertheless he chang'd not his purpose Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. For perceiving that David was gracious in Gods sight and in good reputation among the People Saul resolveth to kill David he was afraid of him and being unable to conceal his fear of being I deprived of two things of such consequence as his Kingdom and Life he resolved to kill David Jonathan loves David and sheweth him his fathers determination and counselleth him to have care of his safety and stand on his guard giving Commission to his Son Jonathan and divers other of his Servants to execute the same But Jonathan amazed to see this change in his Father who in stead of the good liking he had of David in times past sought to injure him not in any slight sort but by taking away his life and on the other side being singularly affected towards him and respecting his virtue he communicated the secret intention of his Father to him counselling him to have a care of himself and to flie the next morning in the mean while he would go and salute his Father and as soon as occasion presented it self he would confer with him to know the cause of his displeasure against him to the intent he might pacifie the same conceiving it a matter unreasonable that he should be K deprived of life who had so well deserv'd of all the people and who in particular was his intimate Friend and in respect of his former merits if guilty of some offence deserved pardon I will tell thee afterwards said he what my Fathers resolution is David gave credit to his wholesom counsel and retired from the presence of the King CHAP. XIII How the King practised to murther David L THE next morning Jonathan came to Saul and finding him well disposed began to speak to him to this effect â— Sam. 19. 3 ad 6. concerning David Of what fault O Father either great or small Jonathan reckoneth up unto his father the good deserts of David praying him to pacifie his displeasure conceived against him have you found David guilty that you have commanded him to be put to death A Man that hath done you such signal service that hath reveng'd you upon the Philistines abated their Pride and advanc'd the Honour of the People of the Hebrews and hath delivered them from that disgrace and contempt under which they have layen for the space of Forty years being the onely person that dared to oppose himself against the proud defiances of that Gyant whom he so gloriously overcame and who since that time hath brought as many of the Philistines heads as were demanded of him in recompence whereof he hath taken my sister to Wife Be pleas'd to consider that his death would be a great grief to us not only upon account M of his virtue but also of his alliance with us and that by his death your Daughter will have the affliction to see her self a Widow as soon as she is a Wife Weigh these things and pacifie your displeasure and do no wrong to such a Man who hath been the Author of so good and great service as is the conservation of your person at such time as you were possessed and tormented with evil spirits Ver. 7. and the revenging you of your Enemies
whose vertue and the peoples observance towards him was expressed in this that they celebrated his funeral 1 Sam. 25. 1. with great pomp and when they had performed his rites they buried him in Ramath his Countrey and lamented his death many dayes not only as a common loss but as if each one of them had in particular been allied to him For he was a man naturally framed to all justice and Goodness and for these his vertues most acceptable to God He governed the people after the death of Eli the High Priest first in his own person Nabals flocks saved by David v. 6. for the space of twelve years and afterwards during the Reign of Saul eighteen years But in those places where David at that time remained there was a certain Ziphian in a Town called Emma a man very rich and owner of much cattel named Nabal for he had a Troop of three thousand Sheep and a Herd of a thousand M Goats David forbid his people to meddle with any of his goods for any necessity or pretext whatsoever because that to violate and take another mans goods was a wicked thing and contrary to Gods commandment He instructed them in this sort imagining with himself that he gratified a good man and such an one as deserved to be in like sort favoured but Nabal was a rude and churlish person and very mischievous yet had he a Wife that was good wise and fair v. 7. ad 12. To this Nabal did David send ten of his Servants about the time of his Sheep-shearing Davids Embassage to Nabal to require relief and his currâ—â—â— answer both to salute him and to wish him all sort of prosperity for many years and also to desire him that he would impart to him something for the sustenance of his company since his Shepherds could inform him that having long remained in the desart they had N been so far from doing his flocks any harm that they had rather seemed their Shepherds and keepers He added that whatsoever courtesie he should shew to David he should bestow it on a mindful and thankful personage Thus spake the Messengers to Nabal but he answered them very discourteously and rudely demanding of them what that David was and being informed that he was the Son of Jesse what said he a fugitive who hids himself for fear of falling into his Masters hands is become audacious and imperious v. 13 ad 17. David David â—allieth out against Nabal with 400 Armed men was grievously displeased at these words and commanded four hundred of his men to take their Weapons and follow him and two hundred to keep the Baggage for at that time he had six hundred and in this equipage he marched forward against O Nabal swearing that that very night he would utterly exterminate and root out all his Race and destroy his riches Neither was he only displeased that Nabal was ingrateful A towards them The year of the World 1889. before Christ's Nativity 1075. without respect of that humanity which they had shewed towards him and his but also that without any cause of injury offered he had injured and outraged him in words In the mean while certain Shepherds that tended Nabal 's Cattel told their Mistress that David having sent to her Husband to desire some small courtesie had not only obtained nothing but also received insupportable injuries whereas till that day he had suffered his flocks to be untouched telling her that that insolency of their Lord might breed them all much mischief A ver 18 ad 25. Which when Abigail heard for so was the Woman called she loaded divers Asses with all sorts of Presents Abigail Nabals Wife appeaseth David with Presents without giving any notice to her Husband who was so drunk that he was insensible and went towards David B who as he descended the straights of the Mountain marching towards Nabal accompanied with 400 Men met her As soon as Abigail perceived him she leaped from her Horse and falling on her face prostrated herself before him beseeching him to pass by Nabals words Ver. 35. knowing that Nabals nature was answerable to his name for in the Hebrew tongue Nabal signifieth a Fool. Nabal signifieth Folly she excused her self likewise saying That she saw none of them that were sent to her Husband For which cause said she I beseech thee to pardon us and to consider what cause thou hast to give God thanks that by my means he hath hindered thee from polluting thy hands in innocent blood for if thou remain pure and innocent from bloodshed thou wilt engage him to punish thy enemies and to bring upon their heads that destruction which was ready to fall upon that of Nabal I confess that thy anger against him is C just but be pleas'd to moderate it for my sake who have no share in his fault since Goodness and Clemency are virtues worthy of a Man whom God designs one day for a Kingdom accept of these small Presents which I offer thee David accepting her Presents gave her an answer after this manner Woman said he God of his goodness hath this day brought thee hither otherwise thou hadst not liv'd or seen the next morning For I have sworn that this night I would overthrow thy house and leave none alive of that ungrateful Mans family who hath so contumeliously abused both me and mine but now God hath put thee in mind wisely to prevent and pacifie my wrath As for Nabal Ver. 36 37 38. although at this present he be exempted by thy means from punishment yet shall he not escape Davids Prophecy of Nabal but he shall perish some other way This said he dismissed Abigail who D returning to her house and finding her Husband amidst his Companions laden with Wine told him nothing at that time of that which had hapned but the next day recounting to him what was pass'd he was so much terrified by the greatness of the danger that he dyed within ten dayes Ver. 38 39. Which when David understood he said that he was deservedly punished by God Nabal conceiveth so much sorrow and fear for his immodesty against David that he dieth Apoplecticâ—â— because his own wickedness was the cause of his punishment giving thanks unto God that he had not dipped his hands in blood and by this example he learnt that no wicked Man can escape Gods judgment and that humane affairs depend not on Chance as if neglected by God but that the good are rewarded and the wicked punished according to their wickedness He afterwards sent Messengers to Nabals Wife and caused her to come unto him to the intent he might E marry her An example of Gods Providence that no sin can escape unpunished She answered the Messengers That she thought herself unworthy to lie at his feet notwithstanding she repaired to him with a good equipage and was
dignity according as God had foretold Eli one of the Ancestors of Abiathar and translated to the Race of Phinees and established in Sadoc Those of the Race of Phinees who led a private life all that time that the Priesthood remained in the family of Ithamar whereof Eli was the first were these Ver. 35. Boccias the son of Joseph Joathan the son of Boccias The genealogy of the High Priest Sadoc Mareoth the son of Joatham Aropha the son of Maraeoth Achitob the son of Aropha Sadoc the son of Achitob who was the first High Priest under King David Joab having heard of the death of Adonias was very much surprized for he loved him more than King Solomon and by reason of that friendship which he bare unto him he upon good grounds apprehended his own danger and in this respect he fled unto the K Altar hoping in that place to be secured in regard of that reverence which the King bare unto God But when Joabs resolution was made known unto the King he sent Benaia unto him with Commission to bring him from the Altar and to conduct him to the Judgment-seat that he might in that place justifie his actions but Joab said That he would never abandon the Temple but that he had rather dye in that place than in another When Benaia had certified the King of this his answer he commanded him to cut off his Head in the same place as he required and that in that sort he should be punished by reason of the two murthers which he had cursedly committed upon the persons of Abner and Amasa commanding that his body should be buried in the same place to the end that his sins should never depart from his Race Ver. â—8 ad 33. and that both David and Solomon might be held guiltless L of the death of those Men that had been murther'd by Joab Joab is slain This command of his Benaia executed Benaia is substituted in his place and was afterward made General of the Men of War Moreover the King established Sadoc solely in the place of Abiathar whom he had deposed He commanded Simei also to build him an House in Jerusalem to keep himself therein without passing the brook of Cedron for if he should break that commandment the penalty which he should incur should be no less than death and to the more serious performance of this his injuction he tyed him by a solemn oath Simei thanked Solomon for the charge he had imposed on him and swore that he would fulfill the same so that forsaking his own Countrey he came and dwelt in Jerusalem where after he had sojourned for the space of three years it hapned that he had news that two of his slaves had fled and M betaken themselves into Gath Ver. 35. whereupon he went to find them out and no sooner returned he back again with them Sadoc obtaineth Abiathars place in the Priesthood but that the King had intelligence that he had neglected his commandment and which is more that he had broken that oath which he made unto God Simei's punishment and death which incensed him very much Wherefore calling unto him he spake after this manner Hast thou not sworn said he that thou wilt not go out of this City to another Ver. 38. ad fin And dost thou think it a small matter to add Perjury to that other vilany which thou hast been guilty of in so scandalously reproaching my father of blessed memory when the rebellion of Absalom compell'd him to forsake the capital City of his Realm Prepare thy self therefore to suffer the punishment which thou deservest which shall be such as shall suffice to convince the World that though the punishments of the wicked are oftentimes late yet they are abundantly N recompenced by their sureness and severity Whereupon Benaia slew Simei according as he was commanded Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. From that day forward Solomon had his Royal estate secured and after that his enemies had received condign punishment he took to wife the daughter of Pharaoh King of Egypt 1 Kings 3. 1 ad 4. and afterwards builded the walls of Jerusalem far larger and stronger than they were before Solomon marrieth the King of Egypts daughter and establisheth the kingdom and all the rest of his life he governed his Common-weal in peace so that his youthful years hindered him not from the observation of justice and the maintenance of laws neither excluded the remembrance of that which his father had charged him at the hour of his death but behaving himself in all things exactly he executed the affairs of his kingdom with that circumspection that such as excelled him in years could not surpass him O A CHAP. II. Of the wisdom prudence and riches of Solomon and how first of all he builded the Temple in Jerusalem AS soon as he came to Hebron he determined to pay his vows unto God on that brazen Altar which was erected by Moses Ver. 5 ad 8. and sacrificed thereon in burnt-offerings a thousand head of Cattel God appeareth to Solomon by night in a dream and willeth him to ask that which most of all he desired which honourable devotion of his was most acceptable unto God For the very same night he had appeared unto him in a dream and commanded him to ask whatsoever blessing he thought fit as a recompence of this his piety But Solomon required a most excellent thing which God doth liberally bestow and Men very B happily receive For he demanded neither gold nor silver nor any other kind of riches such as a youthful Man would require for these are only affected by the common sort when the other are only worthy of the divine magnificence Ver. 9 ad 15. But give me said he O Lord Solomon requireth wisdom at Gods hands who with it giveth him riches and honours also a ripe judgment and a good understanding to the intent that by these means I may administer justice to this people with truth and equity With this demand of his God was well pleased and promised him to give him all other things whereof he had made no mention namely riches and glory and above all these such an understanding and wisdom as no King or private Man hath had before him Moreover that he would continue the Kingdom in his family for many ages if he continued in the wayes of justice and obeyed God in all things and walked in his fathers wayes and imitated his virtues C After that Solomon had received these blessings from God and was made happy by these promises he forsook his bed and worshipping God returned unto Jerusalem where he offered great Sacrifices before the Tabernacle and magnificently feasted all those of his Houshold About the same time a very difficult case was brought him to decide the resolution whereof was very hard to be discovered And I have thought it
such time as Joab Ader fled into Egypt General of Davids Army had conquer'd Idumaea and in the space of six months defeated all the youth and those that were capable to bear Arms he fled unto L Pharaoh King of Egypt Ader beseecheth Pharaoh to dismiss him that he might return into his Countâ—â—y who entertain'd him very courteously and gave him an house and lands for his maintenance and loved him dearly when he came to mans estate so that he married him to Taphines his wives sister on whom he begat a Son who was brought up with the Kings children who having intelligence in Egypt of David and Joabs death address'd himself unto Pharaoh and besought him to give him leave to repair into his own Countrey The King ask'd him what he wanted or what the cause was that mov'd him to be so forward to forsake him Notwithstanding therefore that he importuned and requested him divers times yet prevailed he not with him But when Solomons fortunes began to decline Ader returneth into Idumaea and from thence departeth into Syria by reason of his iniquities above-mentioned and the wrath of God provoked M against him Ader by Gods permission came into Idumaea after he had obtained leave of Pharaoh to depart But being unable to move the people to revolt from Solomon by reason of the strong Garisons he held Raas and Ader enemies to Solomon and knowing that without hazard of his own person he could move no alterations or innovation in that place he departed from thence and went into Syria where confederating himself with a certain man called Raas who was fled from his Master Adarezer King of Sophone and lived like an Outlaw in that Region he contracted friendship with him and a great sort of Outlaws and Thieves that were his followers and went into Syria and seizing on that Countrey proclaimed himself King thereof From whence making excursions into the lands of the Israelites he spoiled and pillaged the same during Solomons life-time Thus were N the Hebrews enforced to sustain those Outrages at Aders hands Moreover a certain Man called Jeroboam the son of Nebat by Nation a Jew rebelled against Solomon Ver. 26 ad 35. and raised his hopes above his estate persuaded thereunto by a Prophesie that concerned him Jeroboam rebelleth against Solomon and incited him unto the action For being left very young by his Father and carefully instructed by his Mother as soon as Solomon perceived him to be of a noble and couragious spirit he made him Commissary over the building of the Walls at such time as he immured and fortified Jerusalem In this office he behaved himself so well Ver. 30. that the King thought very well thereof and by way of recompence made him General over the Tribe of Joseph Achâ—as the Prophet foretelleth that he should be King over the ten Tribes Towards which whil'st he travelled from Jerusalem a certain Prophet met him upon the way who was of the City of Silâ— called O Achias who approaching near unto him and saluting him drew him out of the way into a place where none but themselves were present and there renting the garment which he wore upon his back in twelve pieces he commanded Jeroboam to take ten telling him That God had so decreed The year of the World 2971. before Christ's Nativity 993. and how he would rent the Government from Solomon and reserve A only one Tribe unto his son with that other which was annexed unto it by reason of the promise made to David and to thee said he he giveth the other ten because Solomon hath offended God and addicted himself to the love of strange Women and the service of foreign gods Now since thou knowest the cause wherefore God hath alienated the Kingdom from Solomon be thou just and observe the Laws for if thou behavest thy self in such sort as thou knowest David did a great reward of thy piety and recompence of thy observance attendeth thee so that thou shalt become as mighty as David hath been before thee Jeroboam confirmed in great hopes by these words of the Prophet being by nature haughty in years young and besides that Ver. 40. desirous of authority Jeroboam flieth into Egypt and remaineth there until Solomons death he took no rest but being possessed of the place of B General and remembring himself of that which had been told him by Achias he presently began to persuade the people to revolt from Solomon and to choose him for their King Solomon hearing news of this his design sought means to lay hands on him and to put him to death but Jeroboam preventing him fled unto Susac King of Egypt with whom he remained until the death of Solomon And thus for that time escaped he punishment and thus was he reserved to the fortune of a Kingdom CHAP. III. After the death of Solomon the people revolt from Rehoboam his Son and proclaim Jeroboam King of the Ten Tribes C BUT when Solomon was very old The death of Solomon he dyed after he had Reigned fourscore years and lived ninety four and was buried in Jerusalem of all Kings the most happy rich and prudent Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. al. 4. except that sin whereunto he was drawn by Women in his old age of whom and those calamities that presently after befell the Hebrews we have sufficiently spoken 1 Reg. 12. 1 ad 11. After the death of Solomon as soon as his son Rehoboam whom he begat upon an Ammonitish woman called Noma succeeded him in the Kingdom the Governors of the people sent certain messengers into Egypt to recall Jeroboam who arriving in the City of Sichem Rehoboam came thither also resolving in that Assembly of the Israelites to take the Kingdom upon himself by the peoples consent The people require Rehoboam to mitigate their burthen To him therefore the Princes D of the people resorted with Jeroboam beseeching him That he would remit somewhat of their servitude and shew himself more merciful than his father had been for that under his government they had been sorely oppressed assuring him that by that means his Kingdom should be the more secured if so be he had rather be beloved than feared He three days after promised them to return an answer to their demands and by that means drew them into suspition that upon the motion he misliked of the offers they had proposed for they thought it became his years to be affable and ready to deserve well yet remained there some hope in them Ver. 6 7 8. that they had not presently suffered a repulse Mean while he calling about him his fathers friends The wholesom advice of the Elders consulted what answer he should give the people they that wished his welfare and knew the nature of the people very well persuaded E him to speak familiarly unto the people and remitting a little of his Kingly
misled by the sinister counsels of certain wicked persons and spake unto you certain words which seemed harsh in your ears you have forsaken him in your displeasure but in effect you have separated your selves from God and his Commandments Truly you should have pardoned a young man untrained and untaught in Oratory not onely for the rude words which he used but although his youth and L ignorance should have moved him to commit some churlish and indiscreet action and error yet should you have endured the same For the obligations which you had received from my Grandfather Solomon ought to have prevail'd with you to pass by the defects of his son my father But you have had no regard of all this neither then nor at this present but led forth a great Army against us But whereupon ground you the hope of your victory Is it on your Calves of gold Is it on your Altars on the mountains which are witnesses of your impiety and irreligion Is it your great number that surpasseth ours by far that maketh you confident Truly the force of many thousands is of no value where the Army fighteth in an unjust quarrel For in justice only and piety towards God consisteth the most assured hope of obtaining victory over a mans enemies which must needs be on our side who observe at all times the ordinances of our M God whom mens hands have not fashioned of corruptible matter nor the subtlety of a cunning King could forge to deceive a Commonalty but such an one whose work is the beginning and ending of all things I therefore advise you that presently you repent your selves and that taking a better way you desist from your War and acknowledge the Laws of your Forefathers and those Ordinances which have advanced you to so great felicity Thus spake Abias to the people But whil'st he yet continued his discourse Jeroboam sent certain of his Soldiers by by-wayes to inclose Abias within two straits Ver. 13. before his followers could discover them Now when Abias was thus inclosed in the midst of his enemies his Army began to be discomforted and to lose their courage but he encouraged them and exhorted them to put their trust in God who could not be inclosed by N his enemies so that altogether having called upon God to assist them and after that the Priests had sounded the Trumpet they thrust in amongst their enemies with great shout and God so blinded the understanding and abated the force of Jeroboams Soldiers that they fled and those on Abias side obtained the victory Never was there War recorded by the Historians either amongst the Greeks or Barbarians that was pursued with so great a slaughter as the Army of Jeroboam whereby it appeared that this wonderful and admirable victory came from God For they discomfited five hundred thousand of their enemies and took their most defenced places by force and spoiled them Bethel and Ithan also with their lands and signiories belonging unto them so that as long as Abias lived The death of Abias Jeroboam was never after able to raise any power since the loss he received Abias O survived after this his victory onely for the space of three years and was buried in Jerusalem 1 Reg. 15. 9. in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors leaving twenty two sons and sixteen daughters behind him Asa King of Juda. all which he begat on sixteen Women His son Asa succeeded him in the Kingdom The year of the World 2991. before Christ's Nativity 973. whose Mother was called Maacha under his Government the Countrey H of Israel enjoyed a firm peace for the space of ten years This is that which we have observed of Abias son of Rehoboam the son of Solomon Jeroboam the King of the ten Tribes dyed likewise after he had reigned twenty two years and Nadab his son succeeded him at such time as Asa had already reigned two years The son of Jeroboam governed two years resembling his father in impiety and wickedness During these two years he made War against Gaban a City of the Philistines and encamped thereabout to surprize it by force Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. aâ— 8. but being betrayed by the treachery of a certain friend of his called Baasa the son of Machil he dyed This Baasa taking possession of the Kingdom exterminated all the posterity of Jeroboam Asa's piety and it came to pass that they of Jeroboams Race that dyed in the City 1 Kings 15. 9 ad 24. were torn in pieces and devoured by Dogs and they that I were in the fields 2 Chron. 14. 1 ad finem were made a prey unto Birds according as God had foretold by his Prophet By this means the house of Jeroboam suffered a deserved punishment for their impiety and wickedness CHAP. VI. The Ethiopians besiege Jerusalem during the Reign of Asa and are repulsed BUT Asa King of Jerusalem was a man of an upright and honest life and one that feared God neither proposed he to himself any other rule of his Actions than the Divine Law He corrected whatsoever was vicious and irregular in his Kingdom purging K it from all impiety He had an Army of three hundred thousand men of the Tribe of Juda armed with Bucklers and Javelins and two hundred and fifty thousand of the Tribe of Benjamin bearing Bucklers and Bowes After he had reigned ten years Zaraeus King of Ethiopia came out against him with a great Army of nine hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horsemen with three hundred chariots and destroyed all the Land as far as Maresa a City of Juda in which place Asa met him and set his Army in aray against him The Ethiopians war against Asa in the valley of Saphath not far from the City Where seeing the great number of the Ethiopians he besought God that he would give him the victory over his enemies because he had not come forth against so formidable a power but in confidence of his assistance who had the power to make a few men superior unto many and the feeble to overcome the mighty L Whil'st Asa prayed thus unto God 2 Chron. 14 9 ad 14. a certain sign of victory was given him so being confirmed in that God had given him a token that he would assist him he assailed his enemies and slew a great number of the Ethiopians as for the rest that were put to flight he pursued them as far as the Countrey of Gerar and after they had conquered their Enemies they sacked the City of Gerar and brought from thence a great mass of gold and much spoil with Camels Dromedaries and Herds of divers kinds of Cattel When Asa had obtained at Gods hands such a victory Asa's victory and so great riches he returned back again to Jerusalem Ver. 12. and when he drew near unto the City the Prophet Azarias came out to meet them who stayed him and
spake after this manner That sith they had obtained from God so notable a victory they ought to behave themselves like virtuous men and M such as feared God The exhortation of Azarias the Prophet conforming themselves unto his will in all things assuring them that if they persisted in the same God would give them victory over their enemies and all the happiness of this life but if they forsook the service of God they should fall into so great extremity that neither true Prophet or Priest should be found amongst them 2 Chron. 15. that should instruct them in righteousness ver 3 4. that their Cities should be overthrown and their Nation should be scattered over the face of the whole earth that they should live like Wanderers and Vagabonds In the mean while therefore while they had time he counselled them to live uprightly wishing them that they would not deprive themselves of that favor which God bare unto them When the King and all the people heard these words they were very joyful and every one was careful to serve God The King also sent out certain Deputies over the Countrey who were commanded N to see the laws duly executed In this state were the affairs of Asa King of the two Tribes Now will I return to Basa King of Israel Religion reneâ—ed in Israel who having slain Nadab the son of Jeroboam usurped the Kingdom He made his abode in the City of Thersa and reigned four and twenty years shewing himself more wicked than either Jeroboam or his son had been He miserably oppressed his Subjects and by his blasphemies dishonoured the Name of God Basa's impiety who sent the Prophet Gimon unto him 1 Reg. 1â— 1 ad 5. to foretell him that his whole race should perish and that his house should be persecuted with as many miseries as himself had inflicted on Jeroboams posterity because that having received the government from God he shewed himself ungrateful unto him for his goodness A Prophecy against Basa and governed his O people impiously and unjustly whereas justice and piety are both profitable unto those that practise them and well-pleasing unto God Moreover in that he had conformed H himself in his life The year of the World 3006. before Christ's Nativity 9â—8 to the dissolute course that Jeroboam used and had given himself over to follow the same vices he might deservedly expect to suffer the same punishment Although Baasa heard all those evils that should shortly fall on him and his posterity by reason of his wickedness yet he redeemed not the time nor endeavoured to obtain pardon of God by repenting himself of his sins but he continued still to engage himself further than before in all sorts of wickedness and became worse and worse to the utter ruine and confusion both of him and his houshold In the end he assembled an Army 1 Kings 15. 17 21. and assailed Ramoth once more 〈◊〉 was a great City some four Leagues distant from Jerusalem Baasa surprized Ramath and fortifi'd it which he took placed a Garison therein and fortifi'd it with a resolution from thence to make his inroads into Asa's Kingdom But Asa fearing the invasion I of his Enemy and considering that the Soldiers who were left in Ramath did grievously pillage the adjacent Countries sent Ambassadors to the King of Damascus with gold and silver to induce him to become an Associate in the War and to renew that amity between them Asa inciteth thoâ—e of Dâ—mascuâ— to invade Baasa which was begun betwixt their Fathers The King graciously received those treasures that were sent him and made a league with him and brake the truce which he had made with Baasa so that he sent the Governors of his Dominions against those Cities that were under Baasa's subjection with a commandment that they should destrâ—y them Of these they burnt some and ransackt others amongst which were Gelam Dan and Abelma Which when the King of Israel understood he gave over the fortifying of Ramath K and with all expedition turn'd to yield those of his subjects his assistance who were assaulted by the Enemy Alias chap. 9. But Asa in the mean while built two strong Towns The death of Baasa Gabath and Maspha of the materials which Baasa had prepar'd to build withall Baasa afterwards prevented by death had no more opportunity to make War against Asa He was buried in the City of Arsane and his son Ela succeeded him in his Kingdom who after he had reigned two years was traiterously slain by Zamri a Captain of half his Horsemen For whil'st Ela banquetted with Osa who was the steward of his house Zamri wrought so effectually that he persuaded some of his horsemen to assault Ela who at that time was alone and destitute of his Guards because all his Soldiers were at the siege of Gabathan a City of the Philistines L CHAP. VII Baasa's Off-spring being extinct Zamri reigned in Israel and after him Amri and his son Achab. AFter that Ela was slain Baasa's stock destroyed Zamri took the kingdom upon him and wholly rooted out Baasa's posterity according as the Prophet Gimon had foretold For after the same manner was his Family utterly overthrown for their impiety Ver. 11 1â— as Jeroboams progeny was extinguish'd for their iniquity as we have before declar'd For the Army which besieged Gabathan hearing news of the Kings death and that Zamri had murther'd him M and seized the kingdom they made Amri General of the Army and anointed him for their King who raising the siege before Gabathan came before the Royal City of Thersa which he besieged Divers factions of the people and took by force Zamri seeing the City destitute of defence had retired himself into the most secret place of the Palace where setting it on fire he burnt both himself and it Ver. 16. after he had reigned seven days Suddenly after this the Israelites fell at variance amongst themselves Amri King of Israel because some of 〈◊〉 thought to prefer Thaman to the kingdom and others were wholly addicted to Amri but they of Amri's side had the better and being of the better sort slew Thaman and made Amri Sovereign over the people The thirteenth year of Asa Amri began his Reign and was King for twelve years space six years govern'd he in Thersa and six in Mareon which the Greeks N call Samaria himself imposed this name of Samaria from the name of him whom he purchased the Mountain on which he built this City He differ'd in nothing from the other Kings his predecessors but in that he was worser than any of them for there was nothing which he left unattempted Ver. 28. that by daily impieties he might alienate the people from God Amri dyeth and Achab hâ—â— son succeeded him For which cause God being displeas'd exterminated him and his posterity from the face of the
Earth This Amri dyed in Samaria and Achab his Son was his Successor Hereby a Man may easily perceive what care the Divine Majesty hath of humane affairs and how he loveth the virtuous and utterly rooteth out the vicious For the Kings of Israel through their impiety in a short and successive course the one after the other O were cut off and confounded with all their Families But Asa King of Jerusalem and the two Tribes living happily in the favor of God for his piety and justice attained to a reverend and old age and after he had reigned one and forty years he dyed a good death The year of the World 3028. before Christ's Nativity 936. and after his death Jehoshaphat his son whom he begat on his wife Abida succeeded A him who in all things that concern'd piety or fortitude seem'd to emulate and equal his Grandfather David according as it shall be declar'd hereafter But Achab King of Israel made his abode in Samaria and govern'd the Kingdom for the space of 22 years without any alteration of those ordinances which his progenitors Kings of Israel had established alias chap. 10. but that he exceeded them daily in wickedness For he imitated all their impieties Asa dieth Jâ—hoshaphat succeedeth him but especially the Apostasie of Jeroboam for he adored those Calves that were erected by him and besides that 〈◊〉 far worse impieties than the former 2 Chron. 17 1 2. He took to wife Jezabel the daughter of Iâ—â—obal King of the Tyrians and Sidonians of whom he learnt to adore the gods of her Nation for she was a busie and audacious woman â— Kings 16. 30 31. and so insolent that she feared not to build a Temple in honour of Bell the god B of the Tyrians and to plant a Grove furnish'd with all kind of Trees and to ordain Priests and false Prophets also in honour of that god The King also took delight to have these Men oftentimes about him exceeding all other Kings before him in madness and malice Jezabel To him came a certain Prophet named Elias 1 Reg. 17. 1 ad 4. sent by Almighty God that was born in Thesbon in Galaad telling him that he fore-prophesied That neither dew nor rain should fall on the Earth a long time The dearth of victuals prophesied to the Israelites until that himself who was prepar'd to depart from him should appear again unto him and binding the same with an oath for the better confirmation thereof he retir'd himself to the Southward where he liv'd by a certain River from whence he fetcht his drink for his meat was daily brought him by Ravens C Now when the River through want of rain was grown dry God commanded him to repair unto Sareptha a City not far from Sidon and Tyre and scituate in the midst between them both where he should find a Widow-woman who would furnish him with food Ver. 4 5. As soon therefore as he drew near unto the gate Crows feed Elias he saw a woman that lived by her labour gathering of sticks and God gave him to understand that it was she to whom he was sent Ver. 9 ad 16. Whereupon he came unto her and saluted her praying her that she would bring him some water to cool his thrist The widow of Sareptha entertaing Elias neither flowre nor oyl fail and as she was ready to depart he called her back again and willed her to bring him some bread also Whereupon she sware unto him that she had nothing in her house but an handful of flowre and a little oyl and that she was come forth togather sticks to the end she might bake the same and make bread D for her self and her son and when they had eaten the same they must needs perish through famine because they had not any thing more left Go said the Prophet and be of good courage and conceive better hopes and when thou hast prepared meat for me bring it for I tell thee that thy flowre shall not fail nor thy pot of oyl be empty until God send rain upon the earth When the Prophet had spoken thus she approach'd unto him and performed that which he commanded and she herself had sufficient to feed upon and she gave the rest unto her son and to the Prophet so that they wanted nothing so long as the drought continued Menander maketh mention of this great drought in the acts of Ithobal King of the Tyrians Menander of the famine during the time of Elias speaking after this manner In this time there was a season without rain from the E Month of October until October in the next year after whereupon the Prince caused prayers and supplications to be made which were follow'd with great store of Thunder He built the City of Botris in Phoenicia and Auzate in Lybia Doubtless he expressed hereby the drought that hapned in Achab's time for about that time Ithobal reigned over the Tyrians as Menander â—â—stifieth in his History The woman of whom we have spoken heretofore that entertained the Prophet seeing her son fallen sick and lying sensless as if he had been already dead or yielding up the ghost wept and brake out into so great a passion that she forbore not to say that the cause of her misfortune was in that the Prophet was come into her house and had discover'd her sins and that he had been the cause that God for her punishment had taken away her onely son But he F comforted her and willed her to be of good courage and commanded her to bring the child unto him assuring her that he would restore him to life Now when she had brought him he took the child and carried him into his lodging and laid him on his bed 1 Kings 17. 17. ad finem and cryed unto God saying That since the loss of her onely son seem'd to be but an unequal recompence unto her that had so charitably received him he therefore besought him Elias restoreth the widows son to life that he would command the soul to return into the body and restore life unto the Infant Whereupon God having compassion on the mother and being willing to gratifie the Prophet and to the intent that no man might suppose that he came unto her to prejudice her he restored the child to life beyond all expectation For which the mother gave thanks unto the Prophet saying That by this means she was thorâ—wly persuaded G that God had spoken unto him Not long after he sought out Achab according as God had commanded him to let him know that he should have rain At that time the famine H reigned over the whole Countrey The year of the World 3040. before Christ's Nativity 924. and there was great want of necessary victuals so that Men did not only faint for want of bread but the Earth also for want of rain could not bring
led thence and kept Prisoner with Achmon the Governor of the City allowing him nothing but bread and water for his sustenance Thus marched these two Kings with their Armies against Ramath which is in Galaad Hedâ—o Râ—ffinus cap. 15. which when the King of Syria understood he drew his Army into the field and came out to meet them and encamped near unto Ramath 1 Kings 22. 28 ad 38. Now it was concluded betwixt these two confederate Kings that Achab should enter the battel in a private habit 2 Chron. 18. 28 ad fin and Jehoshaphat should be invested with the Royal ornaments and supply Achabs place to the intent that Micheas prediction might be made frustrate Achab and Jehosaphat War against the Syrians But notwithstanding this disguise Gods justice prevented him for Adad King I of Syria commanded his Army that they should put no one of the Enemy to the sword but only the King of Israel As soon as the battel was begun the Syrians perceiving Jehoshaphat in the front of the Army and conjecturing that it was Achab they made head all together against him and having invironed and pressed him very nearly they perceived that it was not he for which cause they retired back again But although they had fought from the morning until the evening Ver. 34. and had the upper hand yet slew they no man because they sought after no other but Achab to put him to the sword whom notwithstanding they could by no means meet withall Achab wounded by an arrow in the battel dyeth At length one of Adads servants called Aman shot at random amongst the Enemies and hurt Achab in the breast and shot him thorow the lungs K This hurt of his concealed he from his Soldiers for fear lest they should be discomforted For which cause he commanded his servant to drive his Chariot out of the battel for that he felt himself mortally wounded Ver. 38. and although he were in much pain yet sate he in his Chariot until Sun-set The dogs liâ—â— Achabs blood according to Elias prediction at which time he gave up the ghost When night came the Syrian Army withdrew themselves into their Camp and receiving tydings by an Herald that Achab was dead every one retired home unto his house but Achabs body was conveyed to Samaria and interred in that place As for his Chariot it was washed in the fountain of Jezrael 1 King 22. 28. because it was bloody by reason of the Kings hurt whereby the truth of Elias Prediction was ratified and confirmed 2 Chron. 18. 27. for the Dogs lickt his blood and from that time forward The oracles of the Prophets are to be reverenced the common Women continually washed themselves in that L fountain he dyed also in Ramath according as Micheas had prophesied Whereas therefore all things fell unto Achab according as two Prophets had foretold him it appeareth that we ought to honour and magnifie the Majesty of God and to reverence his Prophesies and to ascribe always more credit unto them than to the vain and plausible speech of flatterers and no less to respect them than things of infinite profit since by them we are divinely admonished what we ought to take heed of It behoveth us also to consider what force the Decree of God is of by examining those things which befell Achab. For it is impossible to avoid what God has fore-ordain'd notwithstanding that Men flatter themselves with vain hopes which inveigle them so far that finally they are overtaken in the snares thereof The matchless necessity of fate For this careless inconsideration was fatal to King Achab M in that he believed not his death which was foretold him but being deceived by the flattering persuasions of false Prophets ran headlong upon his own danger and ruine After him succeeded his son Ochozias N O The Ninth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3048. before Christ's Nativity 916. A Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Ninth Book 1. Joram Achabs Son overcometh the Moabites in battel 2. Joram King of Jerusalem obtaining the Crown killeth his brothers and his fathers friends 3. Jorams Army is overthrown by his Enemies and his Sons are slain only one excepted at B length he himself dieth a miserable death 4. The King of Damascus warreth against the King of Israel 5. Joram with all his posterity is slain by Jehu Ochozias King of Jerusalem is slain also 6. Jehu reigneth amongst the Israelites in Samaria and his posterity after him till the fourth generation 7. Athalia reigneth five years in Jerusalem and is slain by the High Priest Joas Ochozias Son is Proclaimed King 8. Azael King of Damascus gathereth an Army first against the Israelites and afterwards against Jerusalem 9. Amasias King of Jerusalem maketh War against the Idumaeans and Amalechites and obtaineth the victory C 10. Amasias making war against Joas King of the Israelites is overcome 11. Ozias overcometh the Nations round about him 12. Rasin or Rabe King of Damascus vexeth the inhabitants of Jerusalem with War Achar their King is compelled to call the King of Assyria to assist him 13. The King of Assyria taketh Damascus by force and slayeth the King and translateth the people into Media and planteth other Colonies in their City 14. Salmanazar taking the King of Israel captive translateth ten of the twelve Tribes into Media and causeth the Cuthaeans to inhabit their Countrey D CHAP. I. Joram Achabs Son overcometh the Moabites in battel AS soon as King Jehosaphat was returned back again to Jerusalem from the War wherein he had assisted Achab against Adad the King of Syria 2 Chron. 19. 2 v. 2. as we have before related the Prophet Iehu in his return came forth and met him Jehu the Prophet reprehended Jehosaphat for helping Achab. and reproved him because he had given Achab who had been an impious man his assistance assuring him that God was displeased with that his confederacy yet notwithstanding that he of his goodness had delivered him from his Enemies Jehosaphat reneweth the true service of God although he had provoked him to anger After this admonition Jehosaphat E began to offer sacrifices and thanksgivings and peace offerings unto God Which done he rode in progress about those Countries that were under his dominion v. 5. giving order that the people should be instructed in those ordinances which were delivered from God by the hands of Moses Jehosaphat placed Judges and Magistrates in every City aud exhorted his Subjects to the practice of piety He placed Judges likewise in every City commanding them to execute justice without respect of persons He charged them likewise that they should not be corrupted with rewards or seduced by dignity riches or Nobility but that they should do justice indifferently to all men knowing that God seeth
Afterwards calling unto them a certain Man that could cunningly play upon Instruments for so had the Prophet commanded whil'st he sung Elizeus was fill'd with the Spirit of God and enjoined the Kings to make certain Trenches in the Channel of the River Ver. 17. For said he you shall see the River full of water Elizeus fore-prophesieth store of water and their victory without either wind cloud or rain so that both the whole Army and all their Cattel shall be saved and sufficiently sustained and God will not only bestow these benefits on you but will give you the upper hand of your Enemies also and you shall surprize the fairest and strongest Cities of the Moabites and you shall cut down their Trees ruinate I their Countrey and fill up their Fountains and Rivers When the Prophet had spoken thus the next day before Sun-rise the River flowed abundantly with water for three days journey off Ver. 22 23. God had suffered a very violent rain to fall in Idumaea so that both the Soldiers and their Horses were sufficiently refreshed and watered A wonderful blindness of the Enemy grounded on the redness of the water that flowed When the Moabites were informed that the three Kings came out against them and took their way thorow the Desart their King assembled his Army and commanded them to keep the passage of the Mountains to the end they might hinder the Enemy from entering their Countrey unawares But beholding about the Sun-rise that the water of the River was blood-red for at that time it arose in the Countrey of Moab and at this hour the water is red they conceived a false opinion that the three Kings being pressed by thirst had K slain one another and that the River flowed with their blood Being in this sort seduced with this imagination they besought the King to give them leave to gather their Enemies spoils which when they had obtained they altogether inconsiderately marched forth as if to a Prey already prepar'd for them and came unto the Kings Camps with hope to find no Man to resist them But their hope deceived them for their Enemies environed them round about and some of them were cut in pieces the rest turned their backs and fled towards their own Countrey and the three Kings entering into the Territories of the Moabites destroyed thier Cities pillaged the Countrey broke down their Inclosures filling them with stones and mud taken out of the River cut down their fairest Trees stopped up the sources of their Waters and levelled their Walls with the L ground The King of the Moabites himself Ver. 24. seeing himself pursued and besieged and that his City was in danger to be taken by force The victory of the Hebrews against the Moabites sallied out very valiantly with 700 Men hoping by the swiftness of his Horse to break thorow the Israelites Camp on that side where he thought it was least guarded Which when he had attempted and could not execute Ver. 27. because he charged on that side which was best defended The King of the Moabites sacrificeth his own son he returned back again into the City and committed a desperate action for he took his eldest son who ought in right to succeed him in the kingdom and set him on the wall of the City and in the sight of all his Enemies offer'd him for a burnt-sacrifice unto God The Kings beholding this woful spectacle were moved with compassion and overcome with humanity left the siege and returned back again to their Countries After that Jehoshaphat M was returned into Jerusalem Jehoshaphats death he enjoyed a peaceable Government but lived not long after but dyed when he was 60 years old in the 25th year of his Reign and was magnificently buried in Jerusalem according as the Successor to Davids virtues and his kingdom ought to be interred CHAP. II. Joram obtaining the Kingdom of Jerusalem slayeth his brothers and his fathers friends JEhoshaphat King of Juda left behind him divers children the eldest of whom he appointed his Successor in the kingdom Joram Jehoshaphats son King of Jerusalem who was called Joram as his Uncle was who N was his Mothers Brother and Achabs Son lately King of Israel The King of the ten Tribes turning back unto Samaria kept with him the Prophet Elizeus whose actions I will here recite because they are notable and deserve to be registred in writing according as we have gathered them out of the Holy Scripture The widow of Obadiah who was sometime steward of Achabs house came unto him and told him That he was not ignorant that in that persecution wherein Jezabel sought to murther the Prophets her Husband saved one hundred of them for whose private maintenance he had borrowed much money of other men and that now being dead his Creditors strove to draw both her and her children into bondage 2 Kings 4. 1 ad 7. For which cause she besought him in consideration of this act to have compassion on her Elizeus commandeth the Widow to fill her empty vessels with oyl and to yield her some succor Hereupon Elizeus ask'd her If she had any thing O in her house she answer'd him That she had nothing but a very little oyl left her in an earthen Pot. Whereupon the Prophet commanded her to depart and to borrow divers empty vessels of her Neighbors that done he willed her to lock up her doors and to pour oyl into the vessels The year of the World 3050. before Christ's Nativity 924. because it was Gods pleasure to fill them all The Woman did according A as he had commanded her and all the vessels were found full so as none of them were empty whereof when she had certified the Prophet he advised her to go and sell her oyl and pay her Debts and when all was paid he assured her that there would be some remainder that might serve to sustain both her and her children By this means Elizeus discharged the Widow of her Debts 2 Kings 6. 9 ad 12. and that trouble which her Creditors intended against her He admonished Joram likewise by certain Messengers Elizeus adviseth Joram to avoid Adads ambush who lay in wait to kill him that he should take heed of a certain place wherein the Syrians lay in ambush intending to slay him by means of which admonition the King went not out on hunting But Adad being sore displeased because his ambushment was discovered began to suspect his own followers whereupon calling unto him his houshold servants he maliciously B termed them Traytors and furthermore threatned them with death for that they had discovered a matter which was onely committed to their trust unto his enemy Whereupon one of the assistants told him That he ought not to conceive that false opinion of them neither suspect that they had discovered his intended ambush to cut off his enemy but
state CHAP. VII Athalia reigned five years in Jerusalem and after she was slain by the C High Priest Joas is proclaimed King AThalia Hedio Rufâ—â—â—us cap. 7. Achabs daughter hearing news of the death of her Brother Joram and her Son Ochozias together with he utter ruine of all the Royal posterity bethought her self to extinguish Davids memory 2 King 12. 1 2 3. and in such sort to root it out that no one of that line should remain alive to enjoy the Kingdom hereafter Athalia rooteth out all the royal blood only Joas Ochozias Son is saved which when she had concluded in her heart she began to put in execution Yet notwithstanding one of Ochozias Sons escaped her bloody hands by this means Ochozias had a sister by his fathers side whose name was Josabetha who was married to Joiada the High Priest who entring into the Kings Palace and finding Joas at that time but one year of age hidden with his D nurse among the dead she took both him and his nurse and locked them up in a closet within the Temple where Joiada her husband and she did secretly preserve them for the space of five years during which time Athalia reigned in Jerusalem over the two Tribes About the seventh year v. 4 ad 12. Joiada conferred with five Centurions and perswaded them to oppose themselves with mutual consent against Athalias proceedings Joas by Joiada's means who was the High Priest is created King and to secure the Kingdom for little Joas Whereupon giving and receiving promises of secrecy the one unto the other they confidently addressed themselves to execute their intended purposes after this manner They whom the High Priest had chosen to execute this fact went thorow all the Countrey and gathered the Priests and Levites together with all the Governours of the Tribes and afterwards returned and brought them to Jerusalem E to the High Priest who made them take an oath that they would keep secret that which he should inform them of as a thing that required secrecy and men of courage and resolution to perform the same As soon as he had assured them by oath he brought forth the little child whom he had till that time preserved and said unto them Behold your King who is of that race which as you know was chosen by God to reign over you for ever I therefore think it fit that the third part of your Guard shall keep him within the Temple and that the fourth make their watch round about the same Another company shall have the guard of the great gate that leadeth to the Palace as for the rest of the people let them remain disarmed within the Temple and suffer no armed men to enter thereinto except the Priest only He appointed also another company F of Priests and Levites to be about the King with Javelins and drawn swords charging them that whosoever durst be so bold to enter the Temple armed they should presently put him to the sword and laying all fear aside to attend the safety and guard of the Kings person They being obedient to that which the High Priest had commanded them in effect expressed their readiness whereupon Joiada opening the Arsenal which in times past was prepared by David distributed amongst the Centurions Levites and Priests all the javelins quivers and all other sort of Arms that were therein and disposed all them that were armed round about the people joyned hand in hand to hinder any one from entering in amongst them that were not of that faction Afterwards bringing out the infant Joas into the midst of the company they set the Royal Crown on his G head and Joiada after he had anointed him with oyl proclaimed him King whereupon all the people rejoyced and clapping their hands cried out God save the King H Athalia hearing this noise and applause The year of the World 3067. before Christ's Nativity 897. beyond all hope was greatly troubled and with those soldiers which she had about her she hastily issued out of the Palace and coming to the Temple the Priests admitted her as for the rest of the men of War that followed her they that by the High Priests ordinance begirt the Temple would not suffer them to enter with her v. 13. ad finem Now when Athalia saw the child standing before the Tabernacle with the Royal Crown on his head Athalias punishment she rent her garments and storming through despite she cried out and commanded that the Traitor should be slain that had thus betrayed her and sought to dispossess her of her Kingdom But Joiada called the Centurions and commanded them to carry Athalia out to the brook Cedron and there to kill her because he would not permit that the Temple should be defiled with her cursed I blood Moreover he charged them that if any one should attempt to rescue her they should kill them likewise v. 17. Hereupon they that were appointed to execute this his command took her The King and the people joyned by oath to serve God and led her without the gates of the Kings Mules and there slew her After that Athalia was in this manner executed Joiada assembled the people and the men of War in the Temple binding them all by an Oath to yield the King their faithful service and to procure the prosperity of the Kingdom Secondly he made the King swear in like manner that he would maintain the service of God and in no manner disanul Moses Laws That done they ran unto Baals Temple which Athalia and her husband Joram had built to the dishonour of God and their fore-fathers and for the honour of Achab and levelled it with the ground and put to death their High K Priest called Mathan The charge and guard of the Temple Joiada committed to the Priests and Levites v. 18. according to the other establisht by David with commandment twice a day to offer their ordinary burnt offerings The restoring of Gods service and to make perfumes according to the Law He appointed also certain of the Levites to be porters to guard the Temple to the intent that no unclean thing should enter the same unespied and after he had ordained these things with the Centurions and Governors and with all the people he took Joas and led him out of the Temple and attended him to the Palace and having placed him on the Royal Throne all the people cried God save the King and banquetted and feasted for divers dayes Thus after the death of Athalia the City was at quiet 2. King 12. 1â— ad 16. Joas was seven years old at such time as he was made King his mother was L called Sabia Joas piety during Joiâ—das time and was of the Town Bersabe He carefully observed the Laws and highly affected the service of God all his life time and when he grew to mans estate he
married two Wives which the High Priest gave him by whom he had Sons and Daughters This is all that I have thought good to declare as concerning Joas both how he escaped Athalias treasons and obtained the Kingdom CHAP. VIII Azael King of Damascus levyeth an Army and first of all assaulteth the Israelites and after marcheth forward against Jerusalem M BUt Azael King of Syria making War against the Israelites and against their King Jehu 2 King 12. 18. destroyed the Countrey on the other side of Jordan and all the Eastern tract inhabited by the Reubenites Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. Gadites and Manassites Furthermore he burnt and spoiled Galaad The War between Azael and Jehu and Bathanaea violating and outraging all those that he met withall For Jehu went not out against him to resist him but being become a contemner of God and his Laws he died after he had reigned seven and twenty years over the Israelites he was buried in Samaria and left behind him Joas his Son to succeed him in his Kingdom But Joas King of Jerusalem was desirous to repair the Temple for which cause calling unto him Ioiada the High Priest he commanded him to send thorow all the Countrey the Levites and Priests and to levy upon every one of their heads half a sicle of silver for N the building and reparation of the Temple which was fallen to decay in Joram Athalia and her successors times 2 Choâ— 24. 4. ad 14. But the High Priest would not obey him herein knowing well no man would willingly disburs money But in the three and twentieth year of his reign The restoring of the Temple the King sent both for Joiada and the Levites also and expostulated with them for disobeying his commandment enjoyning them from that time forth to provide for the bulding of the Temple Whereupon the High Priest used present dispatch in levying the money wherewith the people were well pleased He therefore made a chest of wood closed on every side except that on the upper lid thereof there was a little cranny left open which he placed neer unto the Altar commanding that every one should offer according to his devotion and put in his offering thorow the cranny into O the coffer to be imployed in the repairing of the Temple whereunto all the people shewed themselves affectionate so that they gathered together a great quantity of Gold and Silver with great zeale and when the coffer was filled it was emptied and the account thereof taken and summ'd up by the Secretary and High Priest in the Kings presence The year of the World 3089. before Christ's Nativity 97â— A and afterwards was brought together into one place assigned for it which order was observed every day And when it was supposed that there was sufficient money gathered the High Priest Joiada and King Joas hired Masons and Carpenters and prepared great beams of excellent Timber After that the Temple was repaired they employed the remainder of Gold and Silver which was of no small quantity to make cups pots and vessels and other utensils and every day offered they sacrifice of great value upon the Altar and this custome was continued so long as Joiada lived But after his decease which hapned in the hundred and thirtieth year of his age Joas impiety after Joiadas death and how he was reproved by the Prophet after he had lived a just and upright life and was interred in the sepulchre of David in Jerusalem because he had established the Kingdom in B Davids posterity King Joas had no more care to serve God and with him the rest of the Governours of the people were corrupted so that they broke the laws and ordinances of their forefathers For which cause God being provoked by this change and incensed against the King and the rest 2 Chroâ— 24 17. ad 20. sent his Prophets unto them to protest against them and expostulate with them for their offences and to withdraw them from their iniquity But they pursued sin the more vehemently so that neither the punishments by which they who had offended God before-times had been plagued with all their posterities neither all the advertisements given them by the Prophets could induce them to amend or to forsake those sins wherein they were engaged but that which is worst King Joas stoned Zachary v. 21. Joiadas Son Zâ—chary stoned to death and put him to death in the Temple forgetting himself most ungratefully C of the benefits he had received from his Father And the occasion was for that Zachary having received a charge from God to prophesie came into the midst of the people and counâ—elled both them and him to follow justice foretelling them that they should be grievously punished except they did believe This Zachary did at his death call God to witness to judge of those calamities he endured suffering a violent death for the good counsel which he had given them and the benefits which his Father had in times past done unto Joas But many dayes passed not before the King suffered due punishment for these misdeeds For Azael King of the Syrians invaded his Countrey and after he had first of all ruinated Girta he marched forward with an intent to besiege him at last in Jerusalem Joas desperate of all succors emptied all the treasures of the D Temple and those of the Kings and took away the presents that were hung up in the Temple and sent them to the Syrians raising the siege by this means lest he should be drawn into hazard to lose all The spoil of the Temple The Syrians pacified with so great riches and abundant treasure Joas death suffered not his Army to pass to Jerusalem After this Joas was seized with a grievous sickness and to the intent that the death of Zachary the Son of Joiada might not escape unrevenged his friends conspired against him and he died by their hands He was entombed in Jerusalem but not in the sepulchre of his Ancestors because he had faln from God He lived seven and forty years CHAP. IX E Amasias King of Jerusalem made War against the Idumaeans and Amalechites and obtained the victory AMasias his Son succeeded him in the Kingdom 2 King 14. 1 ad 15. But in the 21 year of Joas's reign Ioachas the Son of Jehu took possession of the Kingdom of Israel in Samaria and reigned for the space of seventeen years Amasias King of Jerusalem But he followed not his Fathers steps but rather behaving himself impiously according as his predecessors in the Kingdom and contemners of God had done The forces of Israel weakned and restored by God For which cause the King of Syria subdued him and cut off a great part of his dominions and took his greatest Cities from him and defeated his Armies so that at length he had but ten thousand footmen and five hundred horsmen F All
his Force and came to Samaria and in a battel which he fought he slew Sellum And afterwards obtaining the Crown D he went from thence towards the City of Tapsa 2 King 15. 14. the Inhabitants whereof locked and barred their gates against him Manahem King of Israel and would not receive him in revenge whereof he spoiled all the Countrey round about and took the City by force and being highly incensed against the Tapsians for their insolence he put them all to the Sword not sparing their little children which was an incredible and barbarous cruelty Manahem reigned in the manner for the space of ten years The Tapsians slaughter continuing a most cruel and unbridled tyranny over this people Afterwards being assailed by Phul King of the Syrians he went not out against him neither practised to resist him but procured his peace for the sum of 1000 talents of silver which by way of composition he paid unto him The people furnished Manahem with this sum Peace bought with money by way of contribution paying fifty drachms apiece After his death he was buried in Samaria leaving behind him a Son to succeed him in E the kingdom whose name was Phaceias who imitating his Fathers cruelty enjoy'd the Soveraignty but two years for he was slain at a feast in the midst of his friends by a Treason practised against him by Phaceias the son of Romelias Phaceias who enjoyed the kingdom for the space of 20 years The translation of the Israâ—lites addicting himself to all impiety and wickedness But Teglaphalasser King of Assyria led forth his Army against the Israelites and spoiled all the Countrey of Galaad and that beyond Jordan and Galilee Cidida and Asor also and made all the Inhabitants thereof Prisoners and translated the kingdom to himself This is that which we have thought good to write touching the King of Assyria Jotham the son of Ozias reigned in Jerusalem over the Tribe of Juda he was the son of a daughter of Jerusalem called Jeresa There was no virtue wanting in this King for F he was devout towards God Jothams piety just towards Men and careful to repair the City for he willingly employed himself in restoring that which had need of reparation and ornament Ver. 34. He built Galleries and Porches about the Temple and repaired the walls that were fallen down he erected huge and impregnable Towers in a word he restored all that which was deficient in his kingdom He made War upon the Ammonites and overcoming them in battel he made all their Nation tributary and constrained them to pay him yearly 100 Talents Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. and 10000 Cores of Wheat and as many of Barley and his kingdom in such sort encreased The prophecy of the destruction of Ninivie as he was redoubted abroad and happy at home Now about the same time there lived a certain Prophet called Naum who prophesied the overthrow of the Assyrians and of the City of Ninivie and spake to this effect All the people G thereof shall be troubled Naum 2. 8 9 10. ad finem and put to flight and shall say the one unto the other Stay and abide take gold and silver and there shall be none that will receive it For they shall have more H care to save their bodies The year of the World 3204. before Christ's Nativity 760. than their goods for there shall be a great debate amongst them with lamentation their members shall lose their vigor and their faces shall be pale through fear whither shall the Lyons retreat or where shall the mother of the Lyons whelp rest her self Ninivie God saith unto thee I will destroy thee neither shall the Lyons that issue from thee govern the world any more To this effect did he prophesie and spake many other things to this intent which it is not material to repeat For I have omitted it purposely because I would not be troublesom to the Readers But all those things which he foretold touching Ninivie came to pass 115 years after I CHAP. XII Rasin King of Damascus maketh War against Jerusalem Achaz sendeth for the King of Assyria to assist him AFter that Jothan had lived One and forty years Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. and reigned sixteen he dyed and was buried in the Sepulchre of the Kings Achaz impiety after him the Kingdom fell to Achaz his Son who was a contemner of God and a Transgressor of the Ordinances of his Forefathers 2 King 15. 38. and conformed himself to the Customs of the Kings of Israel The sacrifice of his son for he erected Altars in the City of Jerusalem and sacrificed unto Idols offering up his own Son unto them after the manner of the Canaanites and committed divers such like offences 2 Kings 16. 1 2 3 4. During these impious Idolatries of his Rasin King of Syria and Damascus and Phaceias K King of Israel made War against him for these two were Confederates leading therefore both their Armies against Jerusalem they besieged it a long time yet without any success The punishment of impiety by reason the Walls were very strong But the King of Syria having seized the City of Elath near unto the Red Sea and slain all the Inhabitants thereof planted Syrians therein Esay 7. 11. putting all the Garison likewise to the Sword and all the Jews round about and carried away with him a great booty unto Damascus and afterwards returned home with his Army The King of Jerusalem understanding that the Syrians were retired 2 Chron. 28. 18 19. and supposing himself to be sufficient to fight against the King of Israel led forth his Forces against him The slaughter of the Army of Juda. and was overcome in battel because that God was incensed against him for his impieties which were without number For in that battel the Israelites slew L about Sixscore thousand Men amongst whom was Zacharias the son of Achiaz whom the General of the Army of the Israelites called Amias slew with Ericam the Governor of the whole Realm and took Elcan the General of the Tribe of Juda prisoner also They led away likewise a great number of Women and Children with a great booty and afterwards returned to Samaria At that time there was a certain Prophet living in Samaria whose name was Obel who coming out to meet the Army cryed with a loud voice unto the people That the victory which they had obtained was not through their own valor but by reason of the wrath of God conceived against Achaz King of Juda. He further reproved them for that not contenting themselves with the good success of that victory they had so far presumed as to make them of Juda and Benjamin Prisoners who M were of their own alliance he therefore counselled them to send them back unto their houses without any injury offered unto them
threatning them that if they omitted it they might be assured that God would punish them After this admonition 2 Chron. 28. 9 ad 16. the Israelites assembled themselves together to consult upon this matter at which time Barachias one of the principal Governors of the State and three others with him The Israelites by the Prophets advice dismiss those prisoners they had taken of the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin alledged That it was not lawful for the Citizens to lead their Prisoners into the City for fear as they said that God should utterly extinguish them all For those sins said they which we have already committed and against which the Prophets have exclaimed are cause enough to incense God so that we have no cause to add new Impieties to the precedent When the Soldiers heard these words they permitted them to execute N all that which they held convenient to be done For which cause they took the Prisoners and discharged them and entertained them courteously and gave them money to furnish them in their journey and sent them home without offence and besides that these four persons conducted them onward of their journey as far as Jericho and when they drew near unto Jerusalem they returned back to Samaria CHAP. XIII The King of Assyria taketh Damascus by force killeth their King translateth the People into Media and planteth new Colonies in Damascus O WHen King Achaz had received this overthrow by the Israelites he sent unto Theglaphalazar King of Assyria requiring him to assist him in the War which he intended against the Israelites Syrians and them of Damascus promising to give him great Sums of money The year of the World 3055. before Christ's Nativity 909. and at that present also he sent him very large Presents Who A after he had considered on the Embassage came forth with his Army to assist Achaz and spoiling Syria and sacking Damascus he slew Rases their King also and transported them of Damascus into the higher Media and sent certain people of Assyria into Damascus He wrought much mischief likewise in the Countrey of Israel 2 Kings 16. 7 8 ad 16. and led away a great number of Prisoners from thence After that the Syrians had been subdued and weakned after this manner The translation of the Israelite Achaz took all the gold and silver that was in the Kings treasury and in the Temple of God and carried it unto Damascus and gave it to the King of Assyria according to the promise which he had made him Achaz giveth the gold and silver of the Temple to the King of the Assyrians and after much rejoycing he returned back again to Jerusalem B This King was so sensless and ignorant of his own profit that although he was vanquished in War by the Syrians yet ceased he not to adore their gods but persisted to honour them Achaz shutteth the doors of Gods Temple and honoureth strange gods as if he expected the victory by their means And although he were overcome the second time yet he continued to worship the Assyrian gods choosing rather to reverence any than the true God whom his Forefathers worshipped yea so far grew he in contempt and neglect of all true piety and at length he shut up the Temple-gates and prohibited the ordinary Sacrifices Ver. 20. having before that taken all the precious Presents out of the same Achaz death After he had in this sort committed these outrages against God he died when he was 36 years old and after he had reigned 16 years and left his son Ezechias to succeed him in the kingdom At that very time died Phaceias King of the Israelites by means of a certain conspiracy 2 Kings 17. 1 ad 6. which Oseas his intended friend wrought against him C who held the kingdom for the space of nine years shewing himself to be wicked and a contemner of God Oseas's impiety and punishment Against him Salmanasar King of Assyria raised a War and overcame him because God was not favourable unto him neither assistant to his enterprizes he was therefore subdued Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. and constrained to pay a certain tribute imposed upon him The fourth year of the Reign of Oseas 2 Kings 18. 1 c. Ezechias the son of Achaz and Abia a Citizen of Jerusalem reigned over the two Tribes He was a man of a virtuous disposition and one that loved justice and piety 2 Chron. 29. 1 c. for as soon as he came unto the kingdom he resolved with himself first of all that there was nothing more necessary and advantagious than the establishment of the service of God When therefore he had assembled the People the Priests and the Levites he began to discourse with them in these or such like words D There is no one of you but knoweth that for my fathers offences and for your irreverence and disregard to the service of God ye are fallen into many calamities because through your extreme madness you have suffered your selves to be persuaded to adore those whom he esteemed to be no gods Since therefore you have learnt to your own misery how pernicious a thing impiety is I exhort you that you purifie both your selves your Priests and your Levites from your former pollutions that yet at length you may assemble together and open the Temple and cleanse the same with ordinary Sacrifices to the end it may be restored to the ancient honour which heretofore it enjoyed for by this means God will be favourable unto us when his wrath shall be appeased that was kindled against us As soon as the King had spoken after this manner the Priests opened the Temple and after they had gathered the sacred vessels and cast all E uncleanness out of it they offered Sacrifices upon the Altar according to the custom Afterwards the King sent to all the Provinces under his dominion and gathered together the People of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread which had been intermitted a long time through the impiety of the Kings Predecessors He sent also unto the Israelites exhorting them to forsake the customs which of a long time they had wickedly observed and to return to the true and ancient manner of serving God certifying them that he would permit them to repair to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread promising them that he himself would solemnize the same with them also protesting that he did this not in respect of his own profit but through the desire he had to promote their felicity who should be happy if they obeyed this his counsel F When Ezechias Ambassadors came unto the Israelites Ezechias Ambassadors that were sent to the Israelites to exhort them to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread are slain by them and had delivered unto them the message that they had in charge so far were they from complying with
depart out of this life and leave a lawful heir behind him When the Prophet according as he was commanded had brought these tydings to the King he doubted both the unexpected messenger and the mightiness of his disease for which cause he required some prodigious sign at Esaias's hands to the intent that he might certainly believe that he was sent as a messenger from God unto him for the truth of those things which either exceed our hope or reason are wont to be confirmed by these means Whereupon Esay asked him what sign he required and it should be given him He answered that he desired to see the shadow of the Sun go back ten degrees upon his Quadrant On this occasion the Prophet besought God that it would please him to confirm the King by this miracle Ver. 14 15. who seeing that which he desired was L suddenly delivered from his sickness The Assyrian Monarchy destroyed and went up into the Temple to worship and praise God At that time it hapned that the Monarchy of the Assyrians was destroyed by the Medes The Embassage of the King of Babylon to Ezechias whereof I will speak in another place Not long after Balad King of Babylon sent an Ambassador to Ezekias with Presents calling him his ally and friend who receiving his messengers he feasted them and shewed them his treasures his arsenal and all other magnificence that he had of gold and precious stones and after he had given them Presents for Balad he dismissed them Whereupon the Prophet Esay came unto him asking him from whence those Ambassadors came To whom Ezechias answered That they were of Babylon and came unto him from their King telling the Prophet how he had shewed them all that which he had to the end that having seen and observed his M riches and power Ver. 16 17 18. they might afterwards certifie the King thereof The captivity of Babylon foreprophesied by Esay Whereunto the Prophet replied saying Know thou that within a little time thy riches shall be transported into Babylon and thy children shall be made Eunuchs and being no more men shall be slaves unto the King of Babylon All which God gave him to understand before it hapned Ezechias was troubled to hear these tydings saying That he desired that his people might not fall into those miseries but since it was impossible to change the Decree of God he required that he might have peace during his life-time Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. Of this Balad King of Babylon Berosus maketh mention This Prophet truly divine and admirable for the verity of his Prophesies is accounted to have spoken nothing that was untrue but to have left in writing all that which he prophesied the truth whereof hath afterwards in effect appeared to posterity N Neither did he alone perform thus much Ver. â—â— but besides him twelve others have done the like 2 Chr. 32. 33. and all that which is hapned unto us Ezekias death either good or evil hath fallen out truly according to their Prophecies But hereafter we will speak of every one of them Now when Ezechias had lived his prefixed time according as we have before related and governed his kingdom in peace he died when he was 54 years old and in the 29 year of his Reign CHAP. III. The Kings of Chaldaea and Babylon war against Manasses and take him Prisoner O HIS son Manasses the son of Achiba a Woman born in Jerusalem succeeded him in the Kingdom This Man forsook his fathers wayes and abandoned himself to all manner of viciousness and debauchery but addicting himself to all the iniquities of the Israelites The year of the World 3147. before Christ's Nativity 717. who were destroyed because of their heinous sins committed against A God He was so impudent as he spared not to pollute the very Temple of God the City and the whole Countrey and being no longer to be restrain'd by any fear of the just vengeance of God he barbarously put to death many good and virtuous Men and spared not the very Prophets so that Jerusalem was overflown with blood For which cause God being provoked unto wrath by his heinous offences 2 Kings 21. 1 c. sent divers Prophets 2 Chron. 33. 1. ad 10. the one after the other both to the King and the people by whom he threatned to inflict the same calamities upon them Manasses impiety and cruelty which for contempt of Religion the Israelites their Brethren had a little before suffered But they not giving heed to their Predictions whose admonitions had they resepcted they might have prevented their imminent evils at length experimented the truth thereof Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. alias cap. 4. For whereas they persevered in their B accustomed and dissolute manners God stirred up the King of Chaldaea and Babylon against them who sending their Armies into Judaea and spoiling the whole Region at length surprized and led away Manasses Prisoner and made him liable to what punishment it should please them to inflict 2 Chron. 33. Then this miserable Prince taught by his own experience acknowledged his sin A v. 1. ad 13. and humbly besought God to have compassion on him His prayer was heard Manasses surprized and led Prisoner into Babylon and after his repentance restored to his kingdom and after some space of time the Babylonian sending him home restored him to his former government As soon as he was returned back to Jerusalem he made it appear by the change of his life that his repentance was sincere and endeavoured nothing more than to abolish the memory of his former actions and employed his whole care to establish the service of God He purged the Temple also and cleansed C the City Ver. 14 15 16. and from that time forward he addicted himself wholly to think how he might give God thanks Manasses purifieth the City and consecrateth the Temple again for that he had thus delivered him from ruine and how he might pass all the remnant of his life in his favour He taught the People likewise to do the like telling them what miseries they had endured within a few years because they had demeaned themselves impiously He repaired the Altar also and according to Moses Prescript Manasses death offered thereon solemn Sacrifices and after that he had provided those things that concerned the service of God 2 King 21. 18. he took care likewise for the security of the City of Jerusalem 2 Chr. 33. 2â— and repaired the old and ruined walls Amos King of Juda a wicked Prince and built some anew for the enlarging of the City he erected high Towers likewise furnishing the same with munition and victual sufficient for a City of defence And so much was he changed during D the rest of his life 2 Kings 22. 1. ad 8. that he was held most
happy and after that he began to serve God 1 Chron. 34. 1. ad 14. he invited many to the imitation of his virtues After he had lived 67 years he dyed in the 55th year of his Reign and was buried in his garden His kingdom came into the hands of his son Amon the son of Emalsema of the City of Jabath who imitating the Impieties to which his father addicted himself in his youth was slain in his own house by a conspiracy plotted by his own houshold-servants after he had lived 24 years and reigned two After his death the people slew his murtherers and he was buried with his father and the kingdom was given to his son Josias who was eight years old CHAP. IV. E The History of Josias THE Mother of Josias King of Juda was of the City of Bosceth and was called Jâ—da Josias King of Juda. This Prince was by nature so excellently disposed to all virtue that during the whole course of his life he proposed to himself no other example but that of his Predecessor King David 2 Chron. 34. 8. When he grew to be twelve years old he gave a manifest proof of his piety and justice Josias restoreth the true service of God for he drew the people to a conformable course of life and to the detestation and abolishing of Idols that were no gods and to the service of the onely and true God of their forefathers And considering the actions of his Predecessors he began to rectifie them in that wherein they were deficient with no less circumspection than if he had been an old man and that which he found to be advisedly F done by them he did promote and imitate And besides this wisdom which was innate to him he made use also of the advice and counsel of the Elders for following the laws 2 Kings 22. v. 4 24. both in respect of publick policy as also in religion he walked uprightly in that by observing them he could not err He made a particular inquiry both in Jerusalem Josias rooteth out Idolatry and the Countrey round about for those places where they had set up the worship of false gods and overthrew their altars and all those gifts that had been offered to them by his Predecessors were defaced and in this manner caused he the people to return to the service of God and to forsake the honour they did unto Idols He offered likewise the ordinary sacrifices and burnt-offerings upon the altar and established Judges and Magistrates to determine publick debates and to do each man right charging them G to have no less respect of equity than they had of their own lives He sent also thorow all the Countrey commanding that all those that would be Contributers either in gold or H silver The year of the World 332â— before Christ's Nativity 643. towards the reparation of the Temple should bring in their benevolence according to their abilities And when all the money was gathered together he appointed Superintendents both over the Temple as also over the charges that were defrayed in the reparation thereof namely Amasias who was Governor of the City and Saphan the Secretary and Joata who was over the Registers with the High-Priest Elcia who with all expedition and diligence provided workmen 2 Chron. 34. 9. ad 14. and all that which was requisite for the building The zeal of the people in the reparation of the Temple and began the work This sudden and speedy reparation of the Temple gave a manifest testimony of the Kings piety who when he had attained to the 18th year of his age sent Elcia the High-Priest and caused him to melt down the remainder of the money that was given towards the building of the Temple and to make vessels cups and I ewers for the service of the Altar He commanded also that all the gold and silver that was in the Treasury 2 Kings 22. 8. should be brought forth and employed after the like manner in cups and other vessels 2 Chr. 14. 15. Now whil'st the High-Priest search'd the Treasury he found the sacred Books of Moses in the Temple Moses sacred books found in the Temple which he brought and deliver'd to the Scribe Saphan who after he had perused the same presented them unto the King giving him to understand 2 King 32. 13. that all that which he had commanded was accomplished besides that he read the Books unto him 2 Chr. 34. 21. which when the King heard Olda thâ— Prophetess sent unto by Josias he rent his cloaths and called Elcia the High-Priest unto him and the Scribe Saphan with certain other of his inward friends 2 King 22. 15. ad finem and sent them unto the Prophetess Olda the wife of Sallum a man in high dignity and famous for his Nobility commanding them That when they came unto her they K should endeavor to appease Gods wrath 2 Chron. 34. 23. ad 28. and labour to recover his favor because it was to be feared The Prophecy of the Jews miseries that by reason that their ancestors had transgressed the Laws of Moses they should be in danger to be dispossessed of their Countrey and abandoned by all men should at length perish miserably When the Prophetess had heard the Kings commandment she willed those that were sent unto her to return unto the King and to certifie him from her That God had given sentence against them which might not be revoked by any prayers whatsoever namely that since they had transgressed the Law of Moses the people should perish and should be cast out of their Countrey and deprived of all their goods because they had not repented of the violation of his most holy Laws notwithstanding the Prophets had exhorted them to repentance and had foretold L the punishment of their impieties which should happen unto them to the end that they might believe that God is God and that he fails not in any thing that he hath foretold by his Prophets Furthermore she said That he forbore as yet to send these afflictions upon them for Josias sake who was a virtuous man but that after his decease God would pour out his wrath upon the people This Prophecy of the Woman they signifi'd unto the King who sent into all parts and assembled the People in Jerusalem commanding the Priests and Levites and generally all men 2 Chron. 34. 29. ad finem without distinction of age or person to be present in that Convention Now when they were assembled A lively image of a godly Prince he first of all caused the sacred books to be read and afterwards standing aloft upon his Throne he caused all the people to swear and promise that they should serve God and keep Moses Laws Whereupon all of them did willingly M approve of whatsoever he said promising to do that whereunto they were exhorted And therewithall
offering up Sacrifices unto God they besought him to shew himself favourable and merciful towards them The King likewise commanded the High-Priest that if there were any vessels in the Temple which were made by his Predecessors in honour of Idols and strange gods he should cast them out and after that a great number were found therein all of them were gather'd together and burnt and the ashes afterwards were scatter'd abroad And as touching the Priests that appertained to Idols that were not of the Race of Aaron he put them to death The truth of the divine oracles When these things were thus executed in Jerusalem he came afterwards to the plain Countrey and all that which Jeroboam had erected there in honour of Idols 1 Kings 13. 1. ad 4. he utterly defaced it and the bones of N the false Prophets were burnt upon the Altar that Jeroboam had built This had the Prophet foretold that came to Jeroboam at such time as he offered Sacrifice and told him in the presence of all the people all that which should happen namely That one of Davids posterity called Josias should do thâ—se things which Prophecy took effect 361 years after After this King Josias applied himself to the Israelites who had avoided the captivity and servitude of the Assyrians and persuaded them to forsake their impieties and the services they had performed to strange gods and to honour the sovereign and true God of their fathers and to cleave unto him He made a search also thorow every house borough and city fearing lest as yet there should be an Idol hidden He likewise sought out the Chariots that were made by his ancestors in honour of the Sun O and all that which was adored whatsoever it were and utterly abolished the same After he had in this sort purged the Countrey he assembled all the people in Jerusalem where he celebrated the Feast of unleavened bread which we call Easter Towards the performance whereof The year of the World 23â—â— before Christ's Nativity 643. he gave the people young kids and lambs to the number of 30000 A and 3000 Bullocks for burnt-offerings and the chief among the Levites distributed amongst the other Levites 500 Lambs and 500 Bullocks Having therefore such an abundance of Beasts they sacrificed according to the Law of Moses the Priests taking charge thereof 2 Kings 23. â— 11. and confirming the rest of the people by their example Neither was there ever such a solemnity kept by the Hebrews since the time of Samuel the Prophet because all things were done according to the Laws and the ancient Customs Tâ—e celebration of the Pâ—sseover which were observed in the time of their Fathers After this Josias lived in peace riches honour and estimation amongst all men Ver. 21 c. and thus ended his life Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. 〈◊〉 cap. 5. CHAP. V. B Divers Exploits of Nechao Nechao The Eâ—yptians 〈…〉 King of Egypt having gathered great Forces conducted his Army towards the River Euphrates to war against the Medes and Babylonians who had destroyed the Empire of Assyria for Nechao affected the government of all Asia Now when he drew near unto the City of Mende which was under Josias subjection King Josias denied him passage and would not suffer his Army to march thorow his Countrey For which cause Nechao sent an Herald unto him to let him understand That it was not against him that he made War 〈…〉 but that he bent his course towards Euphrates for which cause C he wished him in no sort to hinder his intended journey 2 Chrâ—n â—5 22 23 24. lest thereby he should be constrained to make War upon him An Epitâ—ph written by Jeremy on Josiâ—â— But Josias regarded not this demand of his but resolved himself to hinder his passage thorow his Countrey And I am persuaded that his evil Genius put him upon making this resistance to the end that he might have some occasion to do something against Nechao Ver. 25. For whil'st he set in order his Army and rode from one Band to another Which was the 〈…〉 being mounted upon his Chariot he was strucken with an Arrow that was shot by a certain Egyptian which put a stop to his proceedings For feeling himself oppressed with pain 〈…〉 by reason of his wound he commanded his Army to retire and returned himself to Jerusalem where he dyed of his wound and was buried with his Fathers with great magnificence after he had lived 39 years and reigned 31. For him D the people mourned with great heaviness 〈…〉 lamenting for many days The Prophet Jeremy also made an Elegy upon him in verse 〈…〉 which is as yet extant even in these days This Prophet foretold in writing those evils which should afterwards happen unto the City and the Captivity wherewith we are intangled at this present 〈…〉 and the surprisal of Babylon 〈…〉 Neither hath he alone foretold the same but the Prophet Ezekiel hath likewise done the like who first left two Books written of the same Argument These two Prophets were of the race of the Priests â—span â— But Jeremy kept in Jerusalem from the 14th year of the Reign of Josias 〈…〉 until the destruction of the City and Temple as in time and place convenient we will declare setting down those occurrences that hapned to this Prophet After the death of Josias hitherto mentioned his son Joaz succeeded him E in the Kingdom at such time as he was 23 years old he reigned in Jerusalem and his mothers name was Ametala he was a man full of impiety and of a malignant and perverse nature The King of Egypt returning from the War sent unto Joaz commanding him to meet him in Samath a City of Syria where he was no sooner arrived but he kept him Prisoner committing the Kingdom to Eliachim his brother on the Fathers side who was his elder brother likewise He changed his name likewise and call'd him Joachim he impos'd a Tribute also on Judea of 100 Talents of silver and a Talent of gold which Joachim paid and as touching Joaz he led him into Egypt where he finished his days after he had been King three months and ten days Now Joachims mother was called Zâ—buda of the City of Abuma He was a wicked person and of a malignant nature F having neither piety towards God nor respect towards men CHAP. VI. Nabuchodonosors Army cometh into Syria IN the fourth year of the Reign of Joachim 〈…〉 a certain man called Nabuchodonosor possessed the Kingdom of Babylon who at that time went out with a great Army against 〈◊〉 a City scituate near unto Euphrates resolving with himself to fight against Nechao King of Egypt under whose power all Syria was subject Nechao understanding G of the Babylonians intent and how great his Army was made very little account thereof but with a huge Army
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
they protesting that they could not fulfil his request he commanded them all to be slain But Daniel hearing how the King had condemned all the Sages to death and knowing that both he and his companions were concerned in that danger addressed himself to Ariochus the Captain of the Kings Guard requiring him to inform him for what cause the King had adjudged the Chaldees and Sages to be put to death and having told what had happened as touching the dream and how the King forgetting the E same had charged them to inform him therein and how they had answered that it was impossible for them to perform the same and how thereby they had provoked the King to displeasure he besought Ariochus to go unto the King and to procure one nights reprieve on the behalf of the Egyptians and Chaldees in that he hoped during that night to beseech God and intreat from him both the Dream and the signification thereof Hereupon Ariochus told the King what Daniel had requested and he thereupon respited the execution of the Magicians for that night until he might see what would become of Daniels promise who retiring himself with his companions into his chamber besought God all the night long to manifest unto him the dream and deliver the Magicians and Chaldees from the Kings wrath with whom both he and the rest of his companions were F like to dye except he might know what the King had dreamt the night past and what was the interpretation thereof Whereupon God having compassion of the danger wherein they were and taking pleasure in Daniels wisdom signified unto him both the dream and the signification thereof to the intent the King might be resolved of the meaning thereof Daniel having received the truth from God à v. 20. ad 24. arose very joyfully and certified his Brethren who had already lost all hope of life The Vision and the Revelation thereof opened to Daniel and thought on nothing but death and gave them courage and hope Having therefore rendred thanks unto God for that he had had compassion of their younger years as soon as it was day he went unto Ariochus requesting him that he might be brought to the Kings presence assuring him G that he would open unto him the dream which he had seen the night past Now when Daniel was brought unto the Kings Presence he besought him that he would not esteem him to H be more wise than the other Chaldeans and Magicians The year of the World 3363 before Christ's Nativity 601. in that whereas none of them could expound his Dream he did attempt to express the same for that came not to pass by reason of his experience or for that he was more industrious than they were but said he God hath had compassion on us that were in danger of death and at such time as I requested him to grant me and my Countrey-men life he hath certified me both of your Dream and the signification thereof I was not so much aggrieved for that in our innocency we were adjudged to death by thee as concerned for thy reputation and renown which was hazarded by condemning so many and so innocent and just men to death whereas that which you have required of them á v. 26 ad finem savoureth nothing of humane wit but is the only work of God Whilest therefore thou thoughtst in thy self Daniel telleth the King his Dream and the interpretation thereof who it was that should command the whole world after thy I self at such time as thou wert asleep God intending to let thee know all those that should govern after thee presented the with this Dream It seemed unto thee that thou sawest a great Statue whereof the Head was of Gold the Shoulders and Arms of Silver the Belly and Thighs of Brass Nebuchodonosors Dream of the four Monarchs of the world and the Legs and Feet of Iron Thou beheldest after that a great Stone that was drawn from a Mountain that fell upon the Statue and beat down and burst the same and left no whole piece thereof so that the Gold Silver Iron and Brass were powdered as small as dust whereupon a violent wind seemed to blow which by the fury and force thereof was born away and scattered into divers Countreys on the other side the stone grew so mighty that it seemed to fill the whole Earth This was that Vision that appeared unto you the signification whereof is expressed after this manner The Head K of Gold signifieth your self and those Kings of Babylon that have been before you The two Hands and Shoulders signify that your Empire shall be restored by two Kings the one part by the King of the East cloathed in Brass whose force shall be abated by another power resembling that of iron and he shall have the power over the whole Earth by reason of the nature of Into á v. 46 ad finem which is more strong than Gold Silver or Brass he told the King also what the Stone signified But for mine own part I thought it not expedient to express in this place Daniel and his fellows advanced to honour because the only design and intent of my Writings is to register such things as are past and not such matters as are to come But if any man be so curious as to enquire into these things and to understand such matters as are hidden let him read the Book of Daniel which he shall find amidst the Sacred Scriptures L When King Nabuchodonosor had heard those things and remembred himself of his Dream he was astonished at Daniels wisdom and casting himself prostrate on the Earth after the manner of those that adore God he embraced Daniel giving direction that sacrifice should be offered unto him as if he were God Moreover he called him by the name of God and committed the administration of his whole Kingdom to him and his companions who by reason of the conspiracies of their malignours and detractours The Kings Edict for honouring the Golden Statue happened to fall into most imminent and dreadful danger upon the occasion that ensueth The King built a Golden Image sixty Cubits high and six in bigness and erected it in a great Plain near unto Babylon and being ready to dedicate the same he assembled all the Governours and Princes of his Countreys M commanding them first of all Dan. 3. 1. ad 9. that as soon as they should hear the Trumpet sound they should prostrate themselves on the Earth to adore the Statue threatening that whosoever should do the contrary á v. 19 ad finem he should be cast into a burning Furnace whereas therefore all of them adored the Statue upon the sound of the Trumpet Daniel and his companions utterly refused to perform that duty Daniel and his kinsmen refusing to adore the Statue are cast into the Furnace alledging for their justification that they
would not transgress the Laws of their Countrey for which cause being apprehended they were instantly cast into the Furnace of Fire and protected therein by Gods providence escaped death beyond all mens expectation For the fire touched them not neither could it burn during their abode in the Furnace For God so defended their Bodies that they could not be consumed by fire N which miracle made them in great estimation with the King for that he saw that they were virtuous and beloved of God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Not long after this the King saw another Vision in his sleep which signified unto him that being cast from his Empire he should converse with Savage Beasts and that having lived in that estate in the Desart for the space of seven years he should recover his Kingdom again Having had this Dream he assembled the Magicians once more demanding their answer and the signification thereof But it was impossible for any one of them either to find out or declarethe meaning of this Dream unto the King Onely Daniel discovered the same and the effect was answerable to his prediction For the King passed the fore-limited time in the Desart Dan. 4. 1. ad 29. so that no man durst intermeddle O with the affairs of Estate during seven years The Dream and exposition hereof But after he had called upon God that it would please him to restore him to his Kingdom he repossessed the same again Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities according as I have found them written in Holy Books The year of the World 3381. before Christ's Nativity 5â—3 for in the entrance of my History I have A answered those objections so that I have openly protested that I will onely faithfully translate the Hebrew Histories into the Greek tongue and according to my promise relate that which is contained therein without adding any thing of mine own or concealing ought of another mans Nabuchodonosors death After that Nabuchodonosor had reigned fourty three years he dyed he was a man of good Conduct and more happy than any of his Predecessors Berosus maketh mention of his acts in the third Book of the Chaldaique History where he speaketh thus His Father Nabuchodonosor having notice that the Governour whom he had appointed over Egypt and the neighboring parts of Coelosyria and Phoenicia was revolted from him being at that time in himself unable to endure the troubles of War committed apart of his Forces unto his Son Nabuchodonosor who was in the flower of his age B and sent him forth against them Berosus of Nabuchodonosor Hedio Ruffinus chap 13. who encountring the Rebels and fighting with them overcame them and brought the Countrey under his subjection Mean while Nabuchodonosor the Father died of a sickness in Babylon after he had Reigned One and twenty years Nabuchodonosor the Son having notice of his Fathers death gave order to the affairs of Egypt and the rest of the Countrey and committing the care and transportation of the Jews Syrians Egyptians and Phoenicians to his friends to bring them to Babylon with his Army and Carriage he with a few Men made hasty journeys thorow the Desart And when he had taken the administration of the Kingdom upon him which in his absence was in the hands of the Chaldees and by their Chieftain was reserved until his return unto his use he became Lord of all his Fathers Empire When his prisoners were arrived he assigned them convenient C dwelling places in the Countrey of Babylon and with the spoils of War he magnificently repaired and decked the Temple of Bell and other places He enlarged the old City and repaired and beautified it with other buildings by means whereof they that would besiege the same were hindred from cutting off the current of the River to the prejudice of the Inhabitants He invironed it within with a treble Wall and outwardly with as mighty and as many enclosures and made all of burnt Brick The Walls were magnificently builded and the Gates bravely adorned in manner of Temples He caused a Palace to be builded near unto his Fathers antient Palace the magnificence and ornaments whereof I am not able to express onely this thing most memorable I have thought good to note that these great and pompous Buildings were finished in fifteen days In this Palace he had Vaults D raised so high that in outward appearance they seemed to be Mountains on which all sorts of Trees were planted He devised and prepared also a goodly Garden and called it the hanging Garden because his Wife having been brought up in the Countrey of Media desired at Babylon Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor to see some resemblance of her own Countrey Megasthenes in the fourth Book of his Indian History maketh mention of this Garden in that place where he enforced himself to prove Diocles. that this King surpassed Hercules in valour and execution of worthy actions Philostratus For he said that Nabuchodonosor overcame the chief City of Lybia and a great part of Spain Diocles in the Second Book of the Persian History and Philostratus in his Phoenician and Indian History make mention of this King saying that he overcame the City of Tyre at the end of thirteen years at such time as Ithobal E Reigned over the Tyrians This is the sum of all that which the Historiographers write as touching this King CHAP. XI Nabuchodonosors Successors the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia AFter Nabuchodonosors death Evilmerodach releaseth Jechonias from his long imprisonment his Son Evilmerodach obtained the Kingdom who incontinently delivered Jechonias King of Jerusalem out of prison and held him in the number of his most esteemed friends and gave him Presents and committed F the Government of the Palace of Babylon into his hands For his Father had not kept his promise with Jechonias 2 King 25. 27. when he surrendred himself his Wife Children and Friends into his hands Jer. 52. 31. ad finem in the behalf of his Countrey and to the intent that the City of Jerusalem should not be razed by those that besieged it Niglisar as we have heretofore declared Labophordach Evilmerodach died in the eighteenth year of his Reign Balthasar or Naboandel King of Babylon and Niglisar his Son obtained the Kingdom which he possessed fourty years and afterwards died After him the succession of the Kingdom came unto his Son called Labophordach which continued in him but for the space of nine moneths and after his death it came unto Balthasar who by the Babylonian was called Naboandel Against whom Cyrus King of Persia and Darius King of Media made War at such time as he was besieged in Babylon there hapned G a marvellous and prodigious spectacle H Balthasar sate upon a certain Festival day in a Royal Chamber The year of
the four Winds of the World He hath written also that from them there shall arise another little one also which as God L who presented the Vision to him told him being grown to perfection should war against the whole Nation of the Jews and take the City by force and confound the Estate of the Temple and hinder the Sacrifices for one thousand two hundred ninety and six days Daniel writeth that he saw these things in the field of Susa and hath declared that God himself told him what that Vision signified which was that the Ram signified the Kingdoms of the Persians and the Medes His Horns signified the Kings that were to Reign in those Kingdoms and that the last Horn signified the last King who should surpass all the rest in Riches and Glory That the Goat signified that there should come a certain King among the Greeks who should fight at two several times with the Persian M and should overcome him in War and afterwards possess the whole Government And that by the great Horn that grew in the forehead of the Goat the first King was represented and how that after he was taken away four other should spring out of it And whereas every one of these turned themselves towards the four corners of the World it was a signe that after the death of the first he should have four successors that should part the Kingdom between them who neither should be his Allies or Children yet such notwithstanding as should command the world for many years That from them there should arise a certain King that should oppose himself against the Hebrew Nation and their Laws and should overthrow their policy spoil their Temple and be a lett that for three years space the Sacrifices should not be solemnized Now so hath it N happened that our Nation hath been so handled under Antiochus the famous as Daniel had foreseen and hath written divers years before all that which should happen At the same time Daniel wrote concerning the Empire of the Romans Daniels Predictions of the Roman Empire how it should destroy our Nation and hath left all these things in writing according as God declared them unto him so that they who read and consider those things that have happened Dan. 9. per totum admire Daniel for the Honour God dignified him with and find thereby that the Epicureans are mistaken who exclude all Divine Providence from intermedling with the concerns of humane life and affirm that God Governeth not the affairs of the World or that the World is ruled by a happy and incorruptible Essence which causeth all things to continue in their Being but say that the world is managed by O it self by casualty without any Conductor or such a one that hath care thereof For if it were so The Epicures error convicted and that it were destitute of a Soveraign Governor as we see Ships destitute of their Pilots to be drowned by the Winds and Chariots that have no Drivers to conduct them The year of the World 3416. before Christ's Nativity 538. to beat one against another even so should it perish and ruinate A it self by such an irregular motion By these things therefore that Daniel hath foretold I judge that they are far estranged from the Truth that affirm that God hath no care of humane affairs for if we see that all things happen casual then happen they not according to his Prophecy The Epicures error convicted But I have written hereof according as I have found and read and if any one will think otherwise let him continue his opinion as long as he pleaseth The Eleventh Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS B The Contents of the Chapters of the Eleventh Book 1. Cyrus King of Persia dismisseth the Jews from Babylon and permitteth them to return into their Countrey and contributeth towards the reparation of the Temple 2. The Kings Governours hinder the building of the Temple C 3. Cambyses commandeth the Jews that they should not build the Temple 4. Darius Hystaspis Son buildeth a Temple for the Jews 5. The bounty of Xerxes Darius Son toward the Hebrew Nation 6. How during Artaxerxes Reign the whole Nation of the Jews were almost extinguished through Amans treachery 7. Bagoses General of Artaxerxes the younger's Army doth much injury to the Jews 8. How bountiful Alexander of Macedon was unto the Jews CHAP. I. D Cyrus King of Persia dismisseth the Jews from Babylon and permitteth them to return into their Countrey and contributeth towards the building of the Temple THE first year of the Reign of Cyrus which was the 70 after that our Nation was translated from Judea to Babylon God had compassion on the captivity and calamity of his afflicted People The end of the Babylonian captivity after 70 years and accomplish'd that which he had foretold by the Prophet Jeremy Ezra 1. per totum before the destruction of the City The Edict of Cyrus King of Persia viz. That after they had served Nabuchodonosor and his posterity E for 70 years he would again restore them to their native Countrey where they should build a Temple and enjoy their former felicity For he awakened the Spirit of Cyrus and put it into his heart to write Letters throughout all Asia to this effect Thus saith King Cyrus since Almighty God hath made me King of the whole world I am perswaded that it is he whom the Jewish Nation do adore for he hath declared my name by his Prophets before I was born and hath said that I should build his Temple in Jerusalem which is in the Countrey of Judea Now Cyrus knew these things by Reading of a Book of Prophecies Esay Chap. 44. Ver. 5. ad 10. written by Esay two hundred and ten years before his time For he saith that God did secretly reveal these things unto F him Chap. 45. Ver. 1. ad 8. speaking to this effect I will that Cyrus whom I have declared King over many Nations shall send my people back into their Countrey of Judea and shall build my Temple Prophecy of Cyrus These things did Esay foretell one hundred and forty years before the ruine of the Temple Cyrus in reading these things being ravished in admiration of the Majesty of God was carried on with a great affection and zeal to finish that which was written He therefore called for all the Men of greatest account among the Jews that were in Babylon and told them that he gave them Licence to return into their Countrey Ver. 3. and to repair the City of Jerusalem Cyrus permitteth the Jews to return into their Countrey to build their Temple and City and to rebuild the Temple of God promising them that he himself would assist them And to that effect he wrote unto his Governnours and Princes of those Countreys that confined upon Judea charging them to
from building the City or Temple and wrote back again after this manner The King Cambyses to Rathymus the Chancellour and to Belsen and Semelius Scribes and to all his other Counsellors and Inhabitants of Samaria and Phoenicia Health Having read your Letters I have commanded the Records of mine Ancestors to be examined and I find that the City of Jerusalem hath been always an enemy to their Kings and that the inhabitants thereof have always raised Sedition and Wars I have likewise found that their Kings have been mighty and that they have exacted from Syria and Phoenicia continual C Tributes Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. alias cap. 4. For this cause I have ordained that the Jews shall not be permitted to re-edify their City for fear lest the boldness of that people being thereby encouraged they should according to their former custom Darius the Son of Hystaspis made Emperour of the Persians practice a new Rebellion After the receipt of these Letters Rathymus and the Scribe Semâ—lius and those of their faction took horse and rode speedily to Jerusalem leading with them a great number of People and prohibiting the Jews from the building their City or Temple Thus was this work interrupted until the second year of the Reign of Darius Ezra 5. v. 6. ad finem King of Persia for the space of nine years For Cambyses reigned six years during which time he subdued Egypt and upon his re-return from thence he dyed in Damascus And after the death of Cambyses the Magi that held the Empire of the Persians for the space of one year being taken away the D chief of the seven principal Families of Persia made Darius the Son of Hystaspis King CHAP. IV. Darius gives leave to Zerobabel a Prince of the Jews to re-build the Temple a great number return to Jerusalem under his conduct and apply themselves to the work The Samaritans and others write to Darius to forbid them but he acts contrary to their desires E DArius Darius voweth to send the sacred Vessels to Ierusalem during the time that he lived a private life made a vow unto God that if he obtained the Kingdom he would send back unto the Temple of Jerusalem all those Vessels which were as yet remaining in Babylon It fell out that about the same time that he was made King Zerobabel Zerobabel who was appointed Governor over the Captive Jews came unto him from Jerusalem And being the Kings antient friend he with two others had three of the Principal Offices of the King's House conferred upon them and were placed the nearest about his person The first year of the Reign of Darius he entertained all his Courtiers with great pomp and magnificence both those of his Houshold and those also that were his Governors and Princes of Media and Persia and the Commanders in India confining upon Ethiopia with all the Chieftains F of his Army in one hundred twenty and seven Provinces Now after they had Feasted and were full of Wine they departed each of them unto their Lodgings to betake themselves to rest Darius propoundeth three questions to three of his Guard but King Darius being laid in his Bed reposed very little all the night long but passed the time without sleep Whereupon seeing he could not compose himself to rest he began to discourse with these three great Officers promising unto him that should most truly and aptly answer those questions that he should demand to grant him licence by way of reward to wear a Purple Garment and to drink in a Golden Cup to lye on a Golden Bed and to ride in a Chariot whose Horses should be harnassed with Gold and to wear the Tiara or linnen Wreath and a Golden Chain about his neck and sit in the next place to the King and should likewise G be called his Kinsman in regard of his Wisdom After he had made these large promises he demanded of the first whether Wine were the strongest of the second H Whether the King were stronger The year of the World 3443 before Christ's Nativity 521. of the third Whether Women or Truth were the strongest of the three As soon as he had deliver'd them these questions to deliberate upon he laid him down to rest Upon the morrow he sent for the Princes Chieftains and Governors of Persia and Media and afterwards sitting aloft in that Throne from whence he was accustomed to determine controversies between his subjects he commanded those three young men in the presence of that Princely Assembly publickly to resolve those questions which he had proposed Whereupon the first of them began after this manner to express the force of Wine The first expresseth the power of wine Noble Princes when I consider the force of Wine I find nothing that can surpass it for Wine disturbeth the judgment and maketh the Princes understanding like to that of a Child who hath I need of one that should always direct him It giveth the slave that freedom in discourse which his thraldom had deprived him of It equalleth the poor man to the rich It changeth and transformeth the soul assuageth the miserable mans grief and maketh the Prisoners forget their bonds and think themselves very rich so that they think not on mean things but talk of Talents and such things as appertain unto the most wealthy It causeth them to lose all apprehension both of Princes and Kings and taketh from them the remembrance of their friends and familiars It armeth them against their greatest friends and maketh them suppose their nearest relations to be strangers and when the Wine concocted by night and sleep hath forsaken them they rise and know not what they have committed in their drunkenness When the first of them had spoken thus in favor of Wine The second extolleth the Kings power he that had undertaken to K shew that nothing was equal to the power of Kings began after this manner Kings saith he have dominion over men Esdr 3 4. who govern the earth and at their pleasure can command the Sea to serve them Kings have power and dominion over those men who master and command the most untamed and mightiest creatures it therefore appeareth that their force and puissance exceedeth that of all these If they command their subjects to wage War and to expose themselves to danger they are obedient and if they send them out against their enemies they willingly obey them by reason of their force By their command they level Mountains beat down Walls and raze Towers And if they command their subjects to kill or be killed they resist not for fear lest they should seem to transgress the Kings commandment When they have obtained the victory all the glory and profit of the War redoundeth unto the King They likewise L that bear no Arms but intend the tillage of the earth after they have born all the toil they reap and
Temple of God 3. In what estimation the Jews were with the Kings of Asia and how the freedome of those Cities which they built was granted them 4. Joseph the Son of Tobias driveth away the Jews imminent calamity by reason of his friendship with King Ptolomey 5. The friendship and society between the Lacedaemonians and Onias the High Priest of the Jews 6. The Jews distracted by seditions call Antiochus to their assistance 7. How Antiochus leading his Army to Jerusalem and taking the City spoyled the Temple K 8. Antiochus forbiddeth the Jews to use the Laws of their forefathers the Son of Asmonaeus called Matthias contemned the King and put his Captains to flight 9. Mathias being dead Judas his Son succeeded him 10. Apollonius a Captain of Antiochus is overcome in Jewry and slain 11. The overthrow and death of Lysias and Gorgias sent out against the Jews 12. How dividing their Armys Simon overcame the Tyrants and Ptolomaidans and Judas the Ammonites 13. The death of Antiochus Epiphanes among the Persians 14. Antiochus Eupator overthrowing the Army of the Jews besieged Judas in the Temple 15. Antiochus giving over his siege plighteth a league of friendship with Judas L 16. Bacchides a Captain belonging to Demetrius being sent with his Army against the Jews returneth back to the King without success 17. Nicanor elected Captain after Bacchides and sent out against the Jews is slain with his whole Army 18 Bacchides sent out once more against the Jews overcometh them 19. How Judas being overcome in battle is slain CHAP. I. After the death of Alexander the Great his Army is divided amongst his Captains M Ptolomey one of the chife of them makes himself Master of Jerusalem by surprise sends several Colonies of Jews into Egypt and puts great confidence in them continual Wars betwixt the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Samaritans ALexander King of Macedon having overcome the Persians and establisht the state of the Jews according as hath been related departed this life The death of Alexander and the Wars of his succssors Whereupon his Dominions and Kingdoms fell into divers mens hands Antigonus made himself Governor of Asia Seleucus of Babylon and the bordering Nations Jerusalem surprized by policy and the Jews lead way captive Lysimachus had the Hellespont Cassander Macedon and N Ptolomey the Son of Lagus held Egypt Now when these men were at discord amongst themselves whilest each of them affected the soveraignty and fought the one against the other they raised divers great and bloody Wars which ruined many Cities and destroyed great numbers of their Inhabitants Syria had sufficient experience of all these miseries under the Government of Ptolomey the Son of Lagus surnamed Soter a Title which he little deserved He it was that seized on Jerusalem by a stratagem for he entred the City upon a Sabbath day under pretext to offer sacrifice and whilst the Jews suspected nothing but spent the day in ease and idleness he surprised the City without resistance and made the Citizens captives Agatharchides the Cnidian who wrote the Acts of Alexanders successors testifieth the same reproaching us of superstition as if by that means we lost our City O He writeth to this effect There is a certain Nation which are called Jews who inhabit a City which is call'd Jerusalem both strong and mighty They suffered it to fall into Ptolomeys hands because they would not stand upon their guard and through their unseasonable superstition they permitted themselves to be subdued by a Tyrant conquerour The year of the World 3634. before Christ's Nativity 321. See A here what Agatharchides saith in this place of our Nation But Ptolomey leading away with him divers prisoners from the better quarters of Judaea and the places near unto Jerusalem of Samaria and mount Garzim sent them into Egypt to inhabit there and being assured that those of Jerusalem were most firm in maintaining their oaths and promises according as it appeared by their answer made to Alexander when after the discomfiture of Darius he sent Ambassadors unto them he put divers of them into his Garrisons giving them the same priviledges in the City of Alexandria which the Macedonians had After he had received their oath that they should be faithful unto him and his successours in memory of the great trust and favours he had bestowed on them many of the other Jews likewise of their own accord went into Egypt partly B allured thereunto by the plenty of the countrey Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching the Temple partly by the liberality of Ptolomey towards their Nation Yet were there continual quarels betwixt their posterity and the Samaritans because they would keep and maintain the customes and ordinances of their forefathers whereupon divers wars arose amongst them For they of Jerusalem said that their Temple was the true Sanctuary of God and would have the offerings and sacrifices sent thither the Samaritans on the other side commanded them to be brought to the mount Garazim CHAP. II. Ptolomey Philadelphus caused the Laws of the Jews to be translated into C the Greek tongue and dismissing many Captive Jews dedicateth many presents to the Temple of God AFter the death of Ptolomeus Soter his Son Ptolomeus Philadelphus succeeded in the Kingdom of Egyptt Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. and held it for nine and thirty years space he it was that translated the law into the Greek tongue and delivered the Jews from that servitude wherein they were inthralled in Egypt to the number of sixscore thousand upon this occasion 〈◊〉 library of Ptolomey Phyladelphus Demetrius Phalereus Master of the Kings Library endeavoured to make a collection of all sorts of Books that were in the world and brought all which he thought would be agreeable to the King who was very curious in his collection of Books D The Kings demanding one day how many thousands of Volumes he had already gathered he answered him that he had already gott about two hundred thousand Volums but that shortly he hoped to have to the number of five hundred thousand Besides he told him that he had been lately informed that there ware divers Volumes among the Jews wherein many things touching their Laws and policies were written which were worthy to be known and deserved a place in so memorable and famous a Liberary but that it would be very difficult to translate them into the Greek tongue for their characters seem to have some relation to the Syriack and their pronunciation likewise is not much different from it notwithstanding they have their phrase proper and peculiar unto themselves But nevertheless he believed it might be done since his Majesty would E not think much of any charge the King approved of this proposal and wrote unto the High Priest of the Jews to help him to these books In the mean time a certaâ—n man called Aristaeus who was intirely beloved by
Joseph the Nephew of the High-Priest Onias obtains pardon for his Vncle of Ptolomy King of Egypt gets the favor of that Prince and raiseth a very considerable fortune for himself Hircanus the son of Joseph becomes a great Favourite of Ptolomy The death of Joseph BUt a certain man call'd Joseph The Taxation of the High-Priest for offending the King the son of Tobias and of Onias sister who was the High-Priest being young in years but honored in Jerusalem for his wisdom foresight and justice having certain notice by his mother of the arrival of this Ambassador came unto the City for he had been absent in the Village of Phicala where he was born and sharply reproved Onias his Uncle on the mothers side because he did not any wayes provide B for the security of his Countrey but sought to draw his Countreymen into a general hazard in that he retained in his hands that mony which was levied for the Tributeâ— whereby he told him that he had obtained the Government over the people and purchased the High Priesthood And that if he were so bewitched with mony that for the love of it he could have the patience to see his Countreymen in hazard and behold his Citizens suffer all that which cruelty could inflict upon them he advised him to repair to the King and to require him to bestow the whole or the half of the Tribute upon him Hereunto Onias answer'd That he would no more execute the Government and that if it was possible for him he was ready to give over the Priesthood rather than repair unto the King Whereupon Joseph asked him If he would permit him in the peoples behalf to go Ambassador to Ptolomy C Whereunto Onias answer'd That he gave him leave Upon this occasion Joseph went up into the Temple and summoned the people to a general Assembly exhorting them to be no ways troubled and to conceive no fear through the negligence of his Uncle Onias wishing them to be of good courage and promising them that he himself would go Ambassador unto the King and faithfully plead their Cause before him and persuade him that they had committed no insolent neglect or contempt against his Majesty which when the people understood they gave Joseph hearty thanks Whereupon he presently came down from the Temple and honorably entertained the Ambassadors that came from Ptolomy and having presented them with gifts of great value and feasted them magnificently for many dayes he sent them back to their Prince assuring them that he would in person follow D them And the rather was he incited to this journey because the Ambassador had persuaded him to come into Egypt under such assurance that he would obtain all his requests at Ptolomy's hands the rather for that he was won with the young mans free spirit and noble entertainment The Kings Ambassador honourably entertained who reporteth Joseph's liberality upon his return into his Countrey As soon as the Ambassador returned into Egypt he certified the King of Onias's ingratitude and Joseph's humanity certifying him that he would come in person to entreat pardon for the People for that offence they had committed against him and the rather for that he was in especial authority among the People and he so far enlarged himself in the praise of Joseph that both the King and Queen Cleopatra had a good opinion of him although he was as yet absent But Joseph sent unto Samaria to his Friends and E borrow'd money making preparation for his Voyage Having therefore furnished himself with Apparel Vessels and Horses and with almost twenty thousand drachms he arrived at Alexandria At that time it hapned that the Princes and Governors of Phoenicia and Syria repaired thither to farm their Tributes for the King was accustomed every year to sell them to the men of most respect in every City these meeting with Joseph on the way began to mock at his baseness and poverty But when he came to Alexandria and had intelligence that the King was at Memphis he set forward and went out to meet him When therefore the King accompanied with the Queen and Athenion his Friend who had discharged the place of Ambassador in Jerusalem came riding in his Chariot Athenion who had been F honorably entertained by Joseph perceiving him upon the way certified the King that it was he of whom he had spoken upon his return from Jerusalem protesting on his behalf that he was a virtuous and honorable young man Whereupon Ptolomy received him with more kindness than the rest and made him come up into his Chariot where he was no sooner seated but the King began to accuse Onias for what he had committed But Joseph said unto him Pardon him O King and have respect to his old age For you know that ordinarily old men and young children have one and the same understanding but from our selves who are young you shall have what you please to require without any pretext or cause of discontent G H This wise answer increased the affection which the King had allready conceived for him The year of the World 3770. before Christ's Nativity 194. whereupon he commanded that he should be lodged in his own Palace and that daily he should accompany him at his Table As soon as the King came back to Alexandria the Lords of Syria seeing Joseph sitting near unto the King were displeased and the day drawing near wherein they were to know what they should pay for their tribute they that were of the greatest quality in their countrey farmed it so that the Tributes of Coelosyria Phoenicia Judea and Samaria amounted together to eight thousand talents Whereupon Joseph arising blamed the farmers because they had designed amongst themselves to beat down the price of the tributes promising to give double and that he would likewise return the I forfeitures that were levied upon the goods of such as offended The tributes of Coelosyria committed to Joseph which were farmed together with the tributes The King gave ear to this discourse of his with great content and said that he approved the sale of these tributes unto Joseph who would hereby so considerably augment his revenue When therefore he was asked whether he could give suretie he made him answer with great confidence O King said he I will give thee such pledges as are both worthy and honorable and such as you cannot mistrust When therefore the King desired him to produce them I will said he O King present thee for sureties thy self and the Queen thy Wife that one of you may be surety for me to the other Ptolomey smiling hereat granted him the farm of the tribute without farther surety This favor of his displeased those Governours of the Cities that were come into Egypt in that K they saw themselves contemned and constrained to return with shame unto their houses But Joseph obtained 2000 footmen from the King that he might by their
for they who kept it defended it valiantly For against every Engine the King built and raised up against them they erected a contrary Engine They only wanted victuals because their old provision was consumed and the ground had not been manured that year because it was the seventh in which according to the Law the Countrey ought not to be tilled which was the cause that divers of those that were besieged fled away privately for want of victuals insomuch that very few remained for the defence of the Temple In this condition were they who were besieg'd in the Temple But when King Antiochus and Lysias the General had received notice Antiochus hearing news of Philips intent to invade Persia giveth over his siege to meet him that Philip coming out of Persia intended to make himself Lord of the Countrey they concluded to give F over the siege for that time and to march forwards against Philip without giving any notice thereof to his Soldiers He only commanded that Lysias should call a Council of his Captains and without discovering of his design against Philip to tell them That he raised the siege because the place was very strong and his Army began to want victuals and the publick affairs required his presence in other parts of his Dominions Furthermore he thought it expedient to capitulate with the besieged and contract friendship with all the Nation of the Jews promising them the free exercise of their Religion because they rebelled only that they were deprived of it and he was assured that having the grant thereof they would live peaceably and he might safely return into his own Countrey When Lysias had declared these Reasons all the Army and the Captains approved thereof G H CHAP. XV. King Antiochus Eupator makes peace with the Jews but contrary to his promise he demolisheth the Wall that encompassed the Temple He cuts off the head of the High-Priest Onias sirnamed Menelaus and confers that honour upon Alcim Onias the Nephew of Menelaus retires into Egypt where the King and Queen Cleopatra his Wife permit him to build a Temple at Heliopolis in imitation of that at Jerusalem IN pursuance of this resolution Antiochus maketh peace with Judas King Antiochus sent a Herald to Judas and those that I were besieged with him promising them peace with permission to live according to their Religion The wall of the Temple defaced Which conditions they willingly embrac'd and having taken an oath of assurance from the King they surrendred up the Temple Whereupon Antiochus entred into it Onias otherwayes called Menelaus led away Prisoner and seeing it to be a place so well fortifi'd he contrary to his oath commanded his Army to level the Wall that inviron'd it even with the ground which done he return'd to Antioch leading away with him the High-Priest Onias who was called Menelaus For Lysias had counselled the King to murther Menelaus if he intended that the Jews should live in peace and the rather because it was he only who was the Author of all those evils by reason of the counsel he had given to Antiochus his father to inforce the Jews to forsake their Religion The King for that cause sent Menelaus unto Beraea K a City of Syria where he commanded him to be put to death after he had enjoy'd the High-Priesthood ten years Alcim or Jacimus made High-Priest He was a wicked man and to raise himself to that great honour and authority had caused several of our Nation to violate our most holy Laws As soon therefore as Menelaus was dead Alcim was made High-Priest who was called Jacimus Now when Antiochus found that Philip had already conquer'd a great part of his Countrey he fought with him and taking him Prisoner he put him to death But Onias the son of the High-Priest Philip slain by Antiochus whom as we have heretofore declared was left an Orphan in his infancy seeing that the King had slain his Uncle Menelaus Onias the High-Priests son built a Temple in Egypt resembling that at Jerusalem and given the Priesthood to Alcim who was not of the race of the Priests and had transferred this honour into another family at the persuasion of Lysias he fled unto Ptolomy King of L Egypt where being honourably entertained by the King and his Queen Cleopatra he obtained a place at Heliopolis where he built a Temple like unto that which was at Jerusalem whereof we shall hereafter have a more fit opportunity to speak CHAP. XVI Demetrius the son of Seleucus escapes from Rome comes into Syria and causeth himself to be crowned King and puts to death King Antiochus and Lysias He sends Bacchides with an Army into Judea to exterminate Judas and his party and to establish Alcim in the High-Priesthood he proceeds with great cruelty but Judas compels M him to retire to Demetrius for fresh supplies AT that time Demetrius the son of Seleucus fled from Rome Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. and took possession of Tripolis in Syria and after he had set the Diadem upon his own head and had levied and hired certain Soldiers 1 Machab. 7. he invaded the kingdom Demetrius seizeth Tripolis and other Cities of â—yria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias where he was received to the general content of all men who submitting themselves unto him laid hold on the King Antiochus and Lysias and brought them alive unto him but he forthwith commanded that they should be put to death after that Antiochus had reigned two years To this new elected King divers Jews banish'd for their impiety and with them the High-Priest Alcim resorted Alcim the High-Priest with Apostates accuseth Judas before Demetrius who in general accused their own Nation and principally Judas N and his brethren objecting against them that they had slain his friends and all such as were on his side and that among all those that were in the kingdom and expected his coming some of them were slain and the rest being driven from their native Countrey were banish'd into other places Wherefore he desired him that he would send some one of his friends to take notice of the outrages committed by Judas and his brethren Demetrius was much moved by these reports and for that cause sent Bacchides who was in times past much esteemed by Antiochus Epiphanes for his valor and to whose government at that time all Mesopotamia was committed To whom he gave an Army joining with him the High-Priest Alcim with Commission to kill Judas and his Confederates Bacchides departing from Antioch with his Army came into Judea and sent an Herald unto Judas O and his brethren to treat with him upon certain Articles of Peace because his intent was to surprize them by some treachery But Judas suspecting his design gave little heed unto him for in that he came thither with so great an Army he easily conjectured that he intended no Peace
of the Sabbath-day to set upon him hoping that he would not defend himself on that day because of the prohibition of the Law But he contrary to his expectation encouraged his Soldiers and declared unto them how it concerned their lives to be valiant for that it was impossible for them to escape because they were shut up in the midst betwixt the River and the Enemy for they had the Enemy before them and the River on their backs As soon therefore as he had made his Prayer unto his God That it might please him to grant him the victory he set upon the Enemy with great resolution and slew a great number of them and perceiving how Bacchides assaulted him with great fierceness he stretched out his right hand to strike him but he preventing the stroke by stepping aside Jonathan and his companions leapt into the River and so saved E themselves by swimming over to the other side of Jordan because the Enemy durst not pass the Water to pursue them Whereupon Bacchides returned incontinently to the Castle of Jerusalem after he had lost about 2000 of his men After this he fortifi'd divers Cities which were before ruinated namely Jericho Emaus Bethoron Bethella Thamnata Pharathon Techoa and Gazara and built in every of them certain Towers and great and strong Walls and afterwards he planted Garisons therein to sally out upon the Jews and vex them but especially he fortifi'd the Cittadel of Jerusalem in which he kept for hostages the children of the principal men of Judea About that time there came a certain man to Jonathan and his brother Simon bringing them news The Castle of Jerâ—salem 〈◊〉 that the sons of Amareus would solemnize their Nuptials and were to lead F the Bride which was daughter to one of the noblest amongst the Arabians from the City of Gabatha and it was intended that she should be conducted with great magnificence and pomp Jonathan and his brother supposing that a fit opportunity was offer'd them to revenge their brothers death Simon revengeth his brother Johns blood on the sons of Amaraeus and to punish the Medabanes for the wrongs they had done unto their brother they took with them the greatest Forces that they could and marched towards Medaba where they lay in ambush under the side of an hill But when they saw them that led the Bride and accompanied the Bridegroom and a great Troop of their Friends likewise according to the manner of Marriages they brake out of their ambush and put them all to the sword and after they had seized their jewels and all the other booty of that company that follow'd them they retired back again joyfully G having accomplish'd their design and thus revenged they the death of their brother John upon the sons of Amareus For not only these alone but their friends that accompanied H them with their Wives and Children The year of the World 3880. before Christ's Nativity 156. were all of them slain to the number of 400. And in this manner Simon and Jonathan returned into the marshes aforesaid and abode there But Bacchides having fortified all the Garisons of Judea returned back unto the King And at that time the state of the Jews was in peace for the space nigh two years But the wicked Demetrius by the sollicitation of the fugitives sendeth Bacchides against Jonathan with an Army and such as were revolted from the Religion of the Jews seeing that Jonathan and his followers conversed in the Countrey with great assurance by reason of the Peace they sent certain Ambassadors unto King Demetrius requiring him to send them Bacchides who might apprehend Jonathan declaring that it might easily be done and that in one night breaking in upon them he might murther them all before they I were aware When Bacchides by the King's commandment came into Jewry he wrote unto all his Friends Bacchides displeased with the Apostates for that they could not surprize Jonathan killeth 50 of them both Jews and also his other Allies requiring them to lay hold on Jonathan but when by no policy nor prowess of theirs they were able to apprehend him for that Jonathan having notice of their ambushes stood upon his guard Bacchides the Macedonian was displeased with the Apostates and Fugitives objecting against them that they had deceived both the King and him and laying hold on fifty of the principal of them he put them to death But Jonathan and his brother with those of their company Jonathan and his brother besieged in Bethalaga retired themselves into Bethalaga a certain village in the desart for fear of Bacchides in which place he built Towers and Walls to keep his Garison in more security Bacchides having notice of it took the Army that he had with him and those K Jews that were his Confederates and marched forward against Jonathan and approaching those fortifications that were made by him he besieged him for many dayes But Jonathan Jonathan stealing out of the City assaileth Bacchides by night for all his siege and violence was not a whit terrifi'd but stood out valiantly and leaving his brother Simon in the City to make head against Bacchides he secretly stole out and gather'd a great number of Soldiers that favor'd his proceedings and in the night-time couragiously brake into Bacchides Camp and after he had there slain a number of his men Bacchides revengeth himself on the fugitives and is enforced to retreat he gave his brother Simon notice of his coming who as soon as he heard the noise in the Enemies Camp hastily issued forth with his Soldiers and burnt all the Macedonians Engines and made a great slaughter of them Bacchides seeing that he was circumvented by his Enemies and that both before and behind he was pressed L by them being astonished at this so unexpected an encounter was almost out of his wits so much was he troubled at the issue of his siege that fell out altogether contrary to his expectation for which cause he discharged all his choler upon those Apostates supposing he was abused by them who had sent unto the King and had caused him to be sent thither so that he thought of nothing now but raising the siege and returning home with as little dishonour as he could CHAP. II. Jonathan constraineth Bacchides to make peace with the Jews and to depart out of the M Countrey WHen Jonathan knew his intentions 1 Mac. 9. he sent an Ambassador unto him to conclude a Peace betwixt them Bacchides maketh peace with Jonathan with this condition That they should each of them deliver up those Prisoners that were taken on either side Bacchides judging the Proposal to be honourable Jonathan liveth at Macâ—mas punishing the wicked and that a fit occasion was now offered him whereupon he might raise his siege without any disgrace promised Jonathan his friendship so that both of them swore from that time forward
made great complaints unto him and demanded justice at his hand because the Temple of Dagon was burnt and destroyed accusing Jonathan for the firing thereof and the slaughter of many People therein K But Ptolomey hearing these accusations answered not a word But when Jonathan came to meet him at Joppa Jonathan meeteth with Ptolomey and is honourably entertained by him he courted him with Royal Presents and all the Honour that was possible and after he had conducted him as far as the River called Eleutherus he dismissed him and sent him back to Jerusalem When Ptolomey was come to Ptolomais he hardly escaped death and that contrary to all expectation by the contrivance of Alexander Treason intended against Ptolomey and discovered for which cause he taketh away his daughter from Alexander and giveth her to Demetrius for his wife and his friend Ammonius which Treachery being discover'd Ptolomey wrote unto Alexander requiring him That Ammonius might be punished for his Treason and Conspiracies practised against him according to the heinousness of the offence But seeing that Alexander deliver'd him not up into his hands he conjectured and concluded that he himself was the Author thereof and conceived a great displeasure against this perfidious L Prince who had heretofore very much disobliged the Inhabitants of Antioch by protecting this same Ammonius from whom they had received a great deal of mischief but in the end Ammonius was punisht for these his outrages and disgracefully slain like a woman whil'st in a womans attire he sought to hide himself as we have related in another place At that time Ptolomey began to repent of bestowing his daughter in marriage on Alexander and for refusing Demetrius to be his friend and confederate so that he broke off the affinity that he had with him and after he had withdrawn his daughter from him he presently sent Ambassadors unto Demetrius to confirm a league of peace and amity with him promising him to bestow his daughter upon him in marriage and to establish M him in his fathers kingdom Demetrius very joyful to hear of this Embassage accepted both of the league and the marriage There only remained one difficulty for Ptolomey to surmount which was how he might persuade the Antiochians to admit Demetrius against whom they were so much incensed for the indignities which his father Demetrius had offered them but this difficulty he overcame by this means The Antiochians hated Alexander because of Ammonius as we have related before and by that means were the more easily drawn to drive him out of the City He perceiving himself to be thrust out of Antioch came into Cilicia Whereupon Ptolomey came unto Antioch and was both by the Citizens and Soldiers therein proclaimed King and was constrained to take two Diadems the one as King of Asia the other as King of Egypt But he being a man naturally N very just prudent moderate and not at all ambitious and unwilling to displease the Romans Ptolomey persuaded the Antiochians to accept Demetrius for their King and refused the Diadem of Asia he call'd together the Inhabitants of Antioch and prevailed so far with them that at last he persuaded them to accept of Demetrius for their King assuring them That if he should receive that kindness at their hands he would no more keep in memory those things that had fallen out betwixt them and his fathe protesting for his own part that he would instruct him both how to order the course of his life honestly and to manage his publick affairs with justice and promising them that if he attempted to do any thing that should be unworthy of a good Prince he himself would be the most ready to chastise him for his own part he would content himself to be King of Egypt And by this means the Antiochians were induced to receive Demetrius O But when Alexander was departed out of Cilicia with a great Army and was come into Syria and had burnt and spoiled the Countrey of Antioch Ptolomey accompanied with his son Demetrius The year of the World 3814. before Christ's Nativity 146. for he had already married his daughter unto him came forth A with their Armies and obtained a complete victory by overcoming Alexander who was constrained to flie into Arabia It came to pass in that battel that Ptolomies Horse hearing the noise of an Elephant was troubled and stumbled in such a manner that he threw his Master on the ground Alexander being overcome flâ—eth into Arabia and is slain in that place which when his Enemies perceiv'd they ran all together upon him and gave him divers wounds in the head whereby he was in danger to have been slain unless his Guard had rescu'd him notwithstanding he was so dangerously wounded that for four days he remained without any sense on the fifth day when he began to come to himself Zabel the Prince of Arabia who had beheaded Alexander sent his head unto Ptolomey Ptolomey's death wherewith he was well-pleased but this joy lasted not long for some few days after he died himself This Alexander sirnamed Balles reigned for the space B of five years as we have elsewhere related Demetrius sirnamed Nicanor having obtained the kingdom quickly discover'd his ill nature and treated Ptolomies Army very unworthily forgetting both the confederacy and affinity that he had contracted with him by Cleopatra his wife who was Ptolomey's daughter But the Men of War hating his ingratitude fled into Alexandria for their own security notwithstanding they left the Elephants in his power and possession But the High-Priest Jonathan having assembled an Army of all the Countrey of Judea Jonathan appeaseth Demetrius by Presents began to besiege the Castle of Jerusalem where there was a Garison of the Macedonians and a great number of wicked Apostates that were fallen from the Jewish Religion who in the beginning slighted the Engines that Jonathan had raised to take that C place in the strength whereof they reposed too much confidence But in the end some of them breaking out by night came unto Demetrius and told him of the siege at which he was displeased and taking a strong Army with him he departed from Antioch to make War upon Jonathan When he came to Ptolomais he wrote to Jonathan and commanded him to come unto him notwithstanding Jonathan gave not over the siege but took the Elders and Priests with him with gold and silver robes and a great quantity of Presents intended for Demetrius and when he had deliver'd them to him he appeased his wrath and after he had received many honours at his hands he obtained the confirmation of his Priesthood in as ample manner as he enjoyed it during the time of his Predecessors and although the wicked Jews accused him yet did not D Demetrius give any credit to them Moreover Jonathan requiring that for the whole Countrey of Jewry and for the three governments of Samaria Joppa and
prophane hands For I already perceive that the prophane Nations despise us and contemn you as if you had no Leader Simon succeedeth his brothers Judas and Jonathan and I know already that they are marching forward to fight you By these words Simon heartned the People who were distracted with fear so that they revived their spirits and conceived better hope Simon sendeth Jonathan Absalons son to Joppa to expulse the inhabitants thereof Tryphon by fraudulent promises under certain conditions persuadeth Simon that his brother should be set at liberty Whereupon all of them cried with a loud voice That Simon was their General and that he was to succeed his two valiant brethren N Judas and Jonathan in the Government and that as touching themselves they would be obedient in all things that he should command them He therefore assembled in one instant all the men at Arms in that Countrey and hastened to repair the City walls fortifying them with high and strong Towers and sent a certain friend of his called Jonathan the son of Absalon with an Army to Joppa commanding him to turn out the Inhabitants of that City from thence feraing they would submit themselves to Tryphon as for himself he remained in Jerusalem to secure the same Tryphon departing from Ptolomais with a great Army came into Judea leading his Prisoner Jonathan with him Whereupon Simon and his Army went out against him as far as Addida a City scituate upon a Mountain at the foot whereof beginneth the Champain O Countrey of Judea Tryphon knowing that Simon was made Governor of the Jews sent messengers unto him intending to circumvent him by Treason and Policy giving him to understand That if he were desirous of his brothers enlargement he should send him one hundred Talents of silver The year of the World 3821. before Christ's Nativity 143. and two of Jonathans children for hostages to assure him that being A set at liberty he should not withdraw Judea from the obedience of the King For till that present he was held and kept Prisoner by reason of the money which he ow'd the King Simon was no ways ignorant of this cunning intent of Tryphons but knew well enough that he should both lose his money if he should deliver the same and that his brother should not be enlarged no though his children were deliver'd for hostages on the other side he feared lest the People should judge sinisterly of him as if he had been the cause of his brothers death both by not delivering the money neither yet the children Having therefore assembled the Army he declar'd unto them what Tryphon demanded telling them That the whole scope of his actions were nothing else but treacherous stratagems and subtilities yet notwithstanding he told them That he had rather send both the money and the B children to Tryphon than by refusing his conditions and demands to be accused to have neglected the life of his brother Simon sent therefore both the money and children of Jonathan but Tryphon having receiv'd both kept not his promise but detain'd Jonathan and leading his Army thorow the Countrey intended to pass by Idumaea to repair to Jerusalem He came therefore to Dora a City in Idumaea and thitherward marched Simon to encounter with him encamping always right over against him They that were in the Castle of Jerusalem hearing news hereof sent Tryphon word that he should hasten and come unto them and send them munition whereupon he addressed his Horsemen pretending that very night to ride unto Jerusalem but the snow about that time fell in such abundance that it covered the way in such sort and was so thick as the Horses could not C Travel which hindred his repair to Jerusalem For which cause he departed from thence and came into Coelosyria Jonathan is slain by Tryphon and speedily invading the Countrey of Galaad he put Jonathan to death in that place and after he had buried him there he returned to Antioch But Simon sent unto Basca and transported his brothers bones and interred them in his Countrey Modin in his fathers Sepulchre and all the People mourned and lamented for him many days Simon also built a great monument of white and polished marble for his father and brethren Jonathans Monument and rais'd it to a great height and garnish'd it round about with galleries and pillars all of one piece which was an admirable Work to behold Besides that he erected seven Pyramids for his father mother and brethren for each of them one so great and so fair as they caused admiration in those that beheld them and are D as yet to be seen at this present day So great was Simons care that Jonathan and the rest of his family should be honour'd with so magnificent a Sepulchre which Jonathan dyed after he had exercis'd the place of High-Priest and possessed the Government for four years Thus much as touching his death As soon as Simon had taken possession of the High-Priesthood by the election of the People the very first year of his Government he acquitted the People of the Tribute which they were wont to pay to the Macedonians This liberty and exemption from Tribute hapned amongst the Jews one hundred and seventy years since the time that Seleucus The Jews discharged of Tributes sirnamed Nicanor obtain'd the kingdom of Syria And in so great honour was Simon amongst the People that in their private Contracts and publick Letters the date E began Simons authority From the first year of Simon the Benefactor and Governor of the Jewish Nation For they prospered greatly under his Government and had the victory of all their neighbouring Enemies round about them For he destroy'd the Cities of Gaza Joppa and Jamnia he demolished or slighted also the Cittadel of Jerusalem and level'd it with the ground Simon razeth the Castle of Jerusalem to the intent the Enemies might never seize on it any more nor retreat thither to endamage the City as they had done before Which when he had brought to pass he thought it not amiss but very profitable to level the Hill whereon the Castle stood to the intent the Temple might be the eminentest place All this he persuaded the People to do in a common Assembly representing to them how much they had suffer'd by the Garisons and how much they were like to suffer hereafter if a stranger should once F more be master of the kingdom and build a Cittadel in that place By these exhortations he persuaded the People to finish these Works and all of them began to work without intermission both day and night so that in the space of three years they level'd the mountain and from that time forward there was nothing but the Temple that commanded the City See here what Simon perform'd hitherto G H CHAP. XII The year of the World 3824. before Christ's Nativity 140. Tryphon caused Antiochus Alexander
and hated Ptolomey the son of Mennaeus Aretas led his Army into Jewry N and got a victory against Alexander near to Addida which done he retired out of Judea Aretas King of Câ—oelosyria upon a composition made between them Moreover once more Alexander marched towards the City of Dion and took it And afterwards he led his Army against Essa where Zeno had hoarded up his chiefest riches Certain Cities taken by Alexander and before he assailed the Fortress he invironed the place with three huge Walls which he built round about it and having taken it by force he marched to Gaulana and Seleucia which having overcome he made himself Master of a valley called the valley of Antiochus with the Fortress of Gamala And objecting many crimes against Demetrius the Lord of those places he dispossessed him of his government Then after he had made War for the space of three whole years he returned into his Countrey where the Jews entertained him willingly O by reason of the happy exploits which he had atchieved About the same time the Jews were already possessed of the Cities of Syria Idumaea and Phoenicia of the Tower of Straton Apollonia Joppa Jamnia Azor Gaza Anthedon Raphia Rhinocura all which were near unto the Sea and in the firm land on the one A side of Idumaea as Adora Marissa and all Samaria the Mounts Carmel and Itabyr and herewith Scythopolis Gadara Gaulanitis Seleucia Gabala and of Moab Essebon Medaba Lemba Orona Telithon and Zara Antonia of Cilicia and Pella This last City was destroy'd by them The Jews are Lords of the Cities of the Syrians Idumaeans and Phaenicians because the Inhabitants would not promise to be converted to the Religion of the Jews with divers others of the principal Cities of Syria also which were conquer'd by them After this King Alexander fell sick by the means of a surfeit and drunkenness and for the space of three years he was sick of a Quartane Ague Nevertheless he continued alwayes in the Camp Pella destroyed and razed until such time that being wearied with toyle he died on the B borders of the Countrey of the Gerasens Alexander's sickness as he besieged Regaba which is a Castle situate on the other side of Jordan The Queen perceiving that he was at deaths door and that there remained neither hope of life nor recovery she began to weep and lament and to beat her breasts because both she and her children were likely now to be left desolate and in these words she bemoaned her self unto him To whom wilt thou leave both me and thy children in the state wherein we are Or why should we survive or live one after another considering that thou assuredly knowest that the hearts of thy people are averse from us Hereupon the King comforted her and gave her this counsel That if she would assure the Kingdom both unto her self and her children she should behave her self according to his direction Alexander instructeth his wife how she should reign securely which was first to conceal his death and not to suffer his Soldiers to have notice thereof until she had taken this Castle Which done he advised her to repair to Jerusalem C in pomp and triumph and that being there she should bestow some authority upon the Pharisees The authority of the Pharisees among the people who would sound her praise and obtain her the peoples favor For said he these kind of men are in great esteem and credit with the people and can do much hurt unto those they hate and benefit them very mightily towards whom they are well affected For the people easily believeth them when they find fault with any man notwithstanding it be of envy and that himself also had incur'd the displeasure of the people for their sakes in that he had offended them When as therefore said he thou shalt arrive in Jerusalem send thou for the chiefest amongst them and pray them to come unto thee and after you have shewed them my dead body use the most plausible speech that you can and give them permission to dispose of my body as they D please whether it be their pleasure to interdict and deny me funeral in that they have received many indignities by me or whether to be revenged they will offer any ignominy to my body and promise you them that you will do nothing in the administration or government of the Kingdom but by thier advice If in this sort you frame both your manners and discourse towards them it will come to pass that I shall be buried by them with great magnificence which otherwise I could not be by any other means because they will offer no outrage to my body no although you should permit them and besides that you shall neigâ— in more assurance and quiet Having given his Wife these advertisements Alexander's death he gave up the ghost after he had reigned 27 years and lived 49. CHAP. XXIV E King Alexander leaveth two sons Hircanus who was High-Priest and Aristobulus their mother Queen Alexandra gaineth the favor of the People through the Pharisees means having given them great authority she consents through their persuasion to put the most faithful of the King her husbands servants to death and to please the rest of them she giveth them the Government of the most considerable places Tygranes King of Armenias invasion into Syria Aristobulus endeavoureth to make himself King The death of Queen Alexandra AFter that Alexander had taken the Castle of Ragaba she conferreth with the Pharisees F Alexander's funeral according to her Husbands counsel and committed unto their discretion not only that which concerned her Husbands funerals but also the government of the kingdom whereby she not only appeased the displeasure which formerly they had conceived against Alexander but also obtained their good will and friendship They came and declaimed amongst the people making an oration of the actions and deeds of Alexander lamenting everywhere that they had lost a good King Hedio Ruffinus cap. 22. and by praising him they incited the people to great grief and lamentation Hircanus and Aristobulus Alexander's sons so that they buried him with more magnificence than any King that reigned before him This Alexander left two sons behind him the one called Hircanus the other Aristobulus and by his Testament committed the government G of the kingdom to Alexandra his Wife For Hircanus was uncapable to manage affairs and rather delighted in peace and quiet and Aristobulus who was the younger H was both active and fit for government The year of the World 3890. before Christ's Nativity 74. The people were well affected towards Alexandra because she had manifestly expressed how greatly she misliked her Husbands misgovernment She appointed Hircanus High-Priest both in regard of his age as also for that by nature he was addicted to peace and quiet and committed all things to the
lest he should revenge himself on those who had abused his servants and it was thought fit that both his Wife and Children should be committed to the Castle that adjoined to the Temple But from all parts round about there resorted Soldiers to Aristobulus so that he was attended K like a King for in the space of some 15 dayes he took 22 Forts whither he made his retreats and assembled an Army of Soldiers and levied them amongst the Lords that inhabited Libanus and Trachonitis For the multitude had alwayes resort 〈◊〉 the stronger side supposing that if they submit thereunto willingly and maintain and authorize the same that they shall draw some profit thereby as being those that were the occasion of the confirmation of his Monarchy Hereupon the ancient Jews and Hircanus repaired unto the Queen Hircanus and the Elders inform the Queen and accuse Aristobulus humbly intreating her to take some mature counsel and good advice concerning the present affairs because that Aristobulus her son was already very near Lord of the whole Countrey since he had so many Forts under his command Besides that it was inconvenient and undecent for them to consult L without her express order Alexandra's death notwithstanding she were grievously sick but that the present danger compelled them The Queen desired them to do that which they thought should be most profitable for the Commonweal telling them That they had many means for that their Nation was mighty great and strong and had great store both of money and riches in the common Treasury shewing them that because she knew that she had not long to live she had no more reason to take care of those affairs Having spoken thus she died after she had reigned nine years and lived in all 73. This Woman was endued with greater excellency than could be expected from one of her sex and expressed both in her actions and ordinances how fit she was to govern a kingdom and how unworthy some Princes are of the dignities they have amongst men For making more account of the present than future occurrences M and neglecting all other things in respect of those which are requisite in a moderate Government she never upon any instigation whatsoever perverted justice notwithstanding her family fell into such inconveniencies that the same sovereignty which she had obtained by divers dangers and labours was not long after that ruinated and lost for her scare effeminate desires For she gave ear unto those who were ill-affected towards her posterity Alexandra's Family incur much trouble and left the Kingdom destitute of such as were fit to govern so that the Government which she enjoyed during her life-time was after her death distracted with infinite troubles and calamities wherewith her family was involved And notwithstanding her Government after this manner yet during her life-time she kept the kingdom N in peace And thus died Alexandra O A The Fourteenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year 〈…〉 World 3899. before Christ's Nativity 65. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Fourteenth Book 1. How after the death of Alexandra her youngest son Aristobulus made War against his brother Hircanus for the Kingdom who obtaining the victory compelled Hircanus B to flie into a Castle in Jerusalem And how after it was concluded between them that Aristobulus should be King and Hircanus live as a private man without dignity 2. Of the race of Antipater and how he purchased renown great power and authority both to himself and his children and the flight of Hircanus to Aretas King of Arabia 3. Aristobulus being vanquished is pursued as far as Jerusalem 4. Hircanus and Aristobulus send Ambassadors to Scaurus to request his aid and succor 5. Aristobulus and Hircanus present themselves before Pompey to debate their Titles touching the Kingdom 6. Pompey is seized of the Fortresses by a warlike stratagem 7. They of Jerusalem shut their gates against the Romans C 8. Pompey taketh the Temple and lower part of the City by force 9. Scaurus maketh War against Aretas and by the persuasion and sollicitation of Antipater maketh a league with him 10. Alexander being overcome by Gabinius retireth himself into a Castle where he is shut up and besieged 11. Aristobulus escaping out of Prison flieth from Rome who being taken again in Judea by Gabinius is sent back Prisoner to Rome 12. Crassus warring against the Parthians passeth thorow Jewry and spoileth the Treasury of the Temple 13. Pompey retireth into Epirus and Scipio cometh into Syria D 14. Caesar's voyage into Egypt wherein the Jews do him faithful service 15. Antipater's valiant acts and the amity betwixt him and Caesar 16. Caesar's Letters and the Senates decree as touching the friendship betwixt the Jews and Romans 17. Antipater committeth the government of Galilee to his son Herod and that of Jerusalem to Phasaelus his other son and how Sextus Caesar advanced Herod to great honour and dignity 18. Cassius afflicteth Jewry and exacteth 800 Talents 19. Malichus poysoneth Antipater 20. Herod putteth Malichus to death by Cassius's commandment E 21. Antigonus the son of Aristobulus seeking to recover his fathers Kingdom by the aid of the King of Tyre is discomfited and driven out of Judea by Herod 22. Herod meeting Antonius in Bithinia winneth his favor with a great sum of money to the intent he should give no ear to his accusers 23. Antonius arriving in Syria establisheth Herod and Phasaelus for Tetrarchs 24. The Parthians make War in Syria to restore Antigonus to the Kingdom 25. The Parthians take Hircanus and Phasaelus Prisoners and lead them away 26. Herod at Rome is declared King of Jewry by the Senate 27. Herod returneth from Rome and fighteth against Antigonus F 28. Antigonus is discomfited by Sosius and Herod CHAP. I. After the death of Queen Alexandra Hircanus and Aristobulus her two sons come to battel Aristobulus gets the victory and afterwards in a Treaty Aristobulus though youngest is to have the Crown and Hircanus is contented to live privately WE have already Treated in our former Book both of the Acts and Death of Queen Alexandra it now remaineth at this present to prosecute and continue the sequel of our History to the end that we G neither omit any thing through ignorance The office and duty of an Historiographer nor bury it in forgetfulness For they that make profession to write Histories and to recite such things as are observed by Antiquity ought not only studiously to conform their stile but also to beautifie the same with ornaments of eloquence that the Reader may peruse their H Writings with the more delectation But above all things they must have an especial care to set down the Truth exactly that they who know not how these things came to pass may be the more duly and fitly informed When as therefore Hircanus had taken upon him the High-Priesthood in
the Jews and their Princes Hircanus and Aristobulus who were at odds the one against the other Aristobulus and Hircanus accused by the Jews before Pompey concerning their particular interests the Jews complained against Hircanus and Aristobulus both and alledged that they would not be governed by Kings because their custom was to obey Gods Priests whom they honoured affirming that these G two brethren who were descended of the race of Priests endeavoured to draw their Nation under a different form of government and to reduce them under slavery Hircanus H complained The year of the World 3902. before Christ's Nativity 62. that being the elder born he had been deprived of his inheritance by Aristobulus and had only but a small portion of the Countrey alotted him because Aristobulus had seized the rest by force He complained likewise of those incursions that both by Land and Sea Aristobulus's followers had endamaged their Frontiers with For the people had not revolted if he had not been a violent and turbulent man To this accusation of his Aristobulus's Apology before Pompey a thousand of the principallest of the Jews drawn on by Antipater's persuasion subscribed But Aristobulus answered That Hircanus was dispossessed of the Kingdom by reason of his incapacity and natural defects alledging for himself That the government was forced on him of necessity lest it should be transported to others he protested that he challenged no other title than that which his father Alexander I had had He brought in also for his Witnesses certain arrogant young men who were hated for their pomp purple Robes their curiosity in painting and curling their Hair and other braveries which they presented not like men that intended to hear a Case decided but rather to shew their vanity After that Pompey had heard them he condemn'd Aristobulus's violence but for that time he dismiss'd them after some favorable and gracious conference promising them that he would come into their Countrey Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. and determine their differences after he had seen the Region of the Nabatheans commanding them in the meanwhile to live in peace He used Aristobulus likewise very kindly fearing lest he should incense the people and shut up his passage which notwithstanding came to pass For Aristobulus came into the City of Delion and from thence K went into Judea without regarding what Pompey had commanded him CHAP. VI. Pompey is offended at Aristobulus's retreat He marcheth against him Their several meetings without taking any effect POmpey hearing this was very much displeased and taking with him his Army which he had prepared against the Nabatheans with the supplies he had in Damascus and the rest of Syria Pompey marcheth out against Aristobulus besides the other Roman companies that he had he marched forth L against Aristobulus when he had passed Pella and Sâ—â—hopolis he came to Coreas which is the entrance into Judea drawing toward the heart of the Countrey There he found a strong Castle situate upon the top of a mountain called Alexandrion Aristobulus descendeth from his Fortress to confer with Pompey whither Aristobulus was retired He sent to invite him to come and parley with him who persuaded by the counsel of many of his best friends by no means to make War against the Romans Aristobulus delivereth the Fortresses to Pompey's hands came down to him and after he had debated his title with his brother concerning the Kingdom Pompey permitted him to return again into his Castle And this he did two or three times alwayes flattering Pompey through the hope he had of the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. Meanwhile he retired himself and fortified the place and made preparation for the War lest Pompey should alot the Kingdom to Hircanus Pompey commanded him to M deliver up the fortresses that he held Mithridates King of Pontus slain by his son Pharnaces and to write with his own hand to the Captains of the Garisons who otherwise would not have obeyed him Aristobulus submitted but was so displeased that he repaired to Jerusalem on purpose to make preparations for War Immediately after Pompey marched towards him with his Army and a messenger coming from Pontus brought him news of Mithridates's death who was slain by his son Pharnaces N O CHAP. VII The year of the World 3903. before Christ's Nativity 61. H Aristobulus repents cometh to Pompey and treateth with him But his Soldiers refusing to deliver the money that he had promised and to receive the Romans into Jerusalem Pompey keepeth him Prisoner and besiegeth the Temple where Aristobulus's men were retired POmpey having encamped near Jericho where there was a number of Date-trees and where also groweth that balm which is the most precious Gabinius coming to receive the money Aristobulus had promised hath the City Gates shut against him of all other ointments distilling from a little shrub which is opened and slit by a sharp cutting stone the next morning he marched towards Jerusalem Aristobulus being sorry for his misbehavior came unto him offering him money and promising him to receive I him into Jerusalem he intreated him to lay aside all quarrels and to order all as he thought fit without coming to War Whereupon Pompey pardon'd him and condescended to his request Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. and sent Gabinius with his Soldiers both to receive the money as also to enter the City Pompey besiegeth Jerusalem but could do neither for Aristobulus's Soldiers would not permit that any promise should be perform'd which Pompey took so ill that after he had committed Aristobulus to Prison he went in person against the City which was strongly fortified on every side except toward the quarter that extendeth Northward which was easie to be beaten down for this side is invironed with a large and deep Valley compassing the Temple which is inclosed with a very strong stone Wall K CHAP. VIII Pompey after a three months siege took the Temple of Jerusalem by assault and forbeareth plundering of it He lessens the Jews power He leaveth Scaurus to command his Army carrieth Aristobulus Prisoner to Rome with Alexander and Antigonus his two sons and his two daughters Alexander maketh his escape out of Prison IN the mean time the City of Jerusalem was divided for some thought good to yield up the City to Pompey Jerusalem partly betrayed partly besieged by Pompey others that were of Aristobulus's faction counselled that the gates should be kept shut and preparation for War should be made because the Romans L detained Aristobulus Prisoner The last prevailing seized the Temple and breaking down the bridge which was betwixt it and the City resolved to stand on their defence But the others not only deliver'd the City into Pompey's hands but the Royal Palace also who sent Piso his Lieutenant thither with his Forces to take possession thereof and to plant his Garisons therein
Province But as we have undertaken the War for the Empire and in defence of Justice and Piety we have punished these ungrateful disloyal and perfidious persons Our will is that you suffer our allies to live in peace and as touching that which you have obtained of our adversaries our pleasure is that you restore the same to those that are dispossessed For none of them had obtained either Province or Army by the consent of the Senate but had usurped them by force and afterwards bestowed them on those who have been Ministers of their impieties and injustice But since they have been punished according to their L deserts we require that our Allies enjoy their own without any hindrance and if you hold any places at this present which belong to Hircanus Prince of the Jews that were seized since the time that Caius Cassius by an unjust War invaded our Provinces restore them unto him without offering to hinder him from the possession of his own And if you have or pretend to have any right in them when I shall repair to those places it shall be lawful for you to debate your right and we will so judge that our allies shall receive no wrong Marcus Antonius Emperor to the Governors Senate and People of Tyre Health I have sent you my Edict my pleasure is that you carefully consider it and that you register it among your publick Records in Roman and Greek letters and set it up in Writing in an M open place to the end that it may be read by all Men. Marcus Antonius Emperor and Triumvir in the presence of the Tyrians assembled for their publick affairs hath declared That Caius Cassius during the troubles by the assistance of his Souldiers hath usurped another mans Province and hath in like sort spoiled our Allies and hath ransackt the Nation of the Jews who are friends to the people of Rome and for that by our valor we have repressed his insolence by our Edicts and Judgments we will correct his offences to the end that all things may be restored to our Allies and that all whatsoever hath been sold and appertained to the Jews whether they be Prisoners or Possessions be restored to their Masters to the end that each Man may be at liberty as he was before and that each mans possession may be restored to his first owner And my pleasure is N That whosoever disobeyeth this Ordinance he may be punished accordingly He wrote to the like effect to the Sidonians Antiochians and Arabians all which we will insert in a convenient place to testifie what account the Romans made of our Nation O CHAP. XXIII The year of the World 3924. Cefore Christ's Nativity 41. A The beginning of Antonius's love for Cleopatra he is very severe to those Jews who came to accuse Herod and Phasaelas Antigonus Aristobulus's son contracteth a friendship with the Parthians AFter this Antonius went into Syria Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. and Cleopatra came forth to meet him near unto Silicia Cleopatra cometh into Cilicia to Antonius and entangled him in her love At that time also One hundred of the chiefest among the Jews came in Embassage to him to accuse Herod and Phasaelus they had chosen the most esteemed Orator that might be found Messala likewise undertook the B defence of the young men that were accused Herod accuseth by one hundred Jews before Antonius and made them answer Hircanus also was there in person who was already by marriage allied unto them After that Antonius had heard both the one and the other in the City of Daphen he demanded of Hircanas which of both the parties governed the Common-weal best who returned him answer That they who were on Herod's side were most studious of the publick good Antonius maketh Phasaelus and Herod Tetrarchs Antonius who long since had born a good affection towards them by reason of the ancient hospitality that he had received of their father during the time Gabinius was in Judaea established them both Governors of the fourth part committing to their hands the affairs in Judaea and to this effect wrote Letters and committed fourteen of their enemies to prison had not Herod interceeded for their lives he had C condemned them to death Ten thousand Jews repair to Tyre to accuse Herod who are partly slain partly wouned and partly put to flight Notwithstanding this as soon as they returned from their Embassage they could not contain themselves in quiet but resorted once more unto Antonius to the number of 10000 to the City of Tyre where Antonius was But Antonius already corrupted by store of mony by Herod and his brother who commanded in that place ordained that the Embassadors of the Jews should be punished for that they had attempted to make new disturbances and he confirmed Herod's Government At that time Herod walking by the Sea side came unto them advising both them and Hircanus who at that present was with them to give over their appeal lest some misfortune should befal them Which they not regarding certain Jews and Inhabitants of that City all at once ran upon them killed some of them and hurt others and the rest taking their D flight towards their Counerey ever afterwards contained themselves and lived in quiet through the fear the had conceived But when the people ceased not to exclaim and protest against Herod Antonius was so displeased that he commanded all those whom he held prisoners to be put to death The year after 〈◊〉 the Kings son and Barzapharnes a Prince among the Parthians invaded and seized Syria About this time Ptolomey died the son of Mennaeus and his son Lysias reigned in his stead who plighted friendship with Antigonus the son of Aristobulus who obtained his favor at his hands by the councel and sollicitation of a certain Prince of great authority and credit with him E CHAP. XXIV Antigonus being assisted by the Parthians besiegeth Phasaelus and Herod in the Palace of Jerusalem but in vain Hircanus and Phasaelus are perswaded to repair to Barsapharnes ANtigonus having promised the Parthians to give them One thousand Talents of Silver Hedio Ruffinus chap. 22. and five hundred Women Antigonus promiseth the Parthians a great sum of money to 〈◊〉 him in the Kingdom if so be they would deprive Hircanus of the Kingdom and restore it unto him and withal put Herod and his friends to death The F Parthians undertook it and marched towards Judaea though they had not received as yet any of Antigonus's Money Pachorus led his Troops along the Sea-coast and Barzapharnes conducted his more within the Land The Tyrians shut their Gates against Pacorus Pacorus sendeth Horsemâ—n to Antigonus in Judaea but the Sidonians and Ptolomaidans received him into their City He sent a body of Horse into Jewry to discover the estate of the Countrey and to give succors to Antigonus The commander of these Horse was
adventure considerable attempts Herod flyeth to Malchus King of Arabia to borrow money For he went unto Malchus King of the Arabians to whom formerly he had shewed much courtesie hoping to receive the like of him in this time of his great necessity and to draw some money from him either by interest or gift For being ignorant of his brothers death he endeavoured to redeem him speedily from his Enemies by paying his Ransom which amounted to Three hundred Talents and for that cause he led with him the son of Phasaelus who was only seven years old to leave him in pledge amongst the Arabians for the sum that was demanded L But certain messengers came to him from Malchus Herod is commanded out of Arabia and flyeth into Egypt from thence after some storms he repaired to Rome where he certifieth Antonius of that which had befallen him who charged him in the Kings behalf to retire back again for that the Parthians had enjoyned him that he should neither receive nor retain Herod And used this colourable pretence because he would not pay his debts and hereunto was perswaded by the advice of the greatest in authority among the Arabians who pretended thereby to make themselves masters of that treasure that Antipater had committed to their custody Herod answered them That he repaired not into their Countrey to give them cause of any trouble but onely to consult with them about certain matters of great importance touching his own estate and that afterwards he was resolved to depart and withdraw himself into Egypt as secretly as might be possible He returned therefore to a certain Temple where he had left divers of M his followers and the next day he came to Rhinocâ—ra in which place he heard tidings of his brothers death But afterwards Malchus repented himself of his ingratitude and speedily sent after Herod but he could not overtake him for he had gotten far on his way and was already arrived near to Pelusium where being denyed his passage to Alexandria in those ships that were there he addressed himself to the Magistrates of the place who highly respected and honoured him and sent him to the City where Cleopatra was who entertained him kindly yet notwithstanding she could not perswade him to remain with her Whereupon he repaired towards Rome notwithstanding the Winter and those grievous troubles that at the very same time afflicted Italy as it was reported Embarking himself therefore to sail into Pamphilia he was tost with a most N cruel storm so that with great danger at last he arrived in Rhodes having been inforced in the tempest to cast into the Sea great part of his goods There he met with Sappinas and Ptolomey two of his endeared friends He found also the City of Rhodes had suffered much misery by Cassius's Wars and although his means were very short yet he helped them in what he might and caused their Walls to be repaired notwithstanding that by so doing he greatly hindred himself After that he caused a little Frigot to be built and embarked himself with his friends to repair into Italy and arrived at Arundusium and from thence went to Rome The first to whom he discovered his misfortunes was Marcus Antonius to whom he reported all the occurrances in Judaea and how his brother Phasaelus was taken by the Parthians and slain and how O Hircanus was imprisoned with him The manner also how they had established Antigonus King under promise to give them One thousand Talents and Five hundred of the fairest Women whom he intended to chuse out of his own race Lastly how he stole away by night and rescued them and escaping his Enemies hands had afterwards endured A many miseries Besides that his friends were in great danger and left besieged for which cause he had sailed by Winter and despised all dangers only to seek for assistance at his hands on whom depended his hope and last refuge CHAP. XXVâ—â—I Herod through Antonius's and Augustus's assistance is declared King of the Jews at Rome Antigonus besiegeth Massada defended by Joseph Herod's Brother ANtonius hearing of all those alterations that had befallen Herod Hedio Ruffinus cap. 23. al. 25. had compassion of B his misery bethinking himself of the estate and condition of great men who are likewise subject to no less casualties and the rather was he induced to do him good Antonius loved Herod and hated Antigonus both in remembrance of the friendship he had with Antipater his father and also by reason of Herods promises of certain sums of money if he were made King by his means Caesar Augustus Herods friend as he had been formerly declared Tetrarch But that which most moved him hereunto was the hatred which he bare unto Antigonus whom he accounted to be a mutinous man and an Enemy to the Romans On the other side Caesar was well inclined to succor him both in regard of those Armies which Antipater had brought into Egypt in his fathers service as also because of the good hospitality and kindness that he had shewed him in all things and especially to gratifie Antonius who was well affected C towards Herod Whereupon the Senate being assembled Messala and Atratinus brought forth Herod Herod admitted into the Senate and declared King and after they had praised him and recited the favors which the Romans had received by his father and the great affection and good will which he bare to the people of Rome they accused and declared Antigonus the Romans Enemy not only for his ancient crimes but also that in contempt of the Romans he had received the Kingdom from the Parthians Whilst the Senate was sore displeased at the report of these things Antonius arose and declared openly before them all that in furtherance of the Parthian War it were not amiss that Herod should be made King which opinion of his was generally allowed and finally ratified The principal demonstration of the love and affection which Antonius bare unto Herod Herod intending the Kingdom for his Wifes brother enjoyeth the same himself was that he D not only obtained him the Kingdom beyond all hope for he never thought that the Romans would grant that dignity unto him who were wont to reserve that honour to those of the Kings blood and therefore he intended to have demanded it for his Wifes Brother Alexander Herod ascendeth the Capitol with Antonius and Caesaâ— and Nephew to Aristobulus by the Fathers side and to Hircanus by the Mother which Alexander Herod afterwards put to death as shall be declared in time and place but also for that within the term of seven dayes he sent him out of Italy with the unexpected titles of his felicity As soon as the Senate was risen Antonius and Caesar went forth leading Herod between them and being accompanied by the Consuls and other Magistrates went up into the Capitol to do sacrifice and to place there this Decree
instantly to preserve it to the utmost asking him Herod sore troubled in pacifying the strangers If the Romans would leave him King of a Desart after they had voided the City of men and goods alledging furthermore That he esteemed the government of the whole World of no value The spoil of the City hindred in regard of the life of one of his Citizens Sosius answer'd That it was reason that the pillage should be given to the Soldiers who had born the hazard of the siege whereunto Herod answer'd That he would satisfie every man out of his own Treasury and by this means he ransom'd the rest of the City by fulfilling those promises for he gave many mighty gifts unto every one of the Soldiers and by proportion unto the Captains but above K all he royally rewarded Sosius so that every one of them departed very well satisfied These calamities hapned in the City of Jerusalem in the year wherein Marcus Agrippa and Canidius Gallus were Consuls When Jerusalem was taken which was in the 185 Olympiade in the third month on the dayes wherein the solemn Fast was celebrated as if this affliction had jumpt together in one instant with that of Pompeys which had hapned that very day 27 years Sosius offered a Crown of gold unto God and afterwards departed from Jerusalem leading Antigonus Prisoner with him unto Antonius But Herod fearing lest if Antigonus should be kept by Antonius and sent to Rome he should debate his Title with him before the Senate by protest Herod bribeth Antonius with mony to make away Antigonus that he was descended of the Royal Line whereas Herod was but a Plebeian and common person and that although he had offended the Romans and L thereby might not deserve to be King yet at least his Children who were of the Princely Line The end of the Asmonean family and the extinction of their Priesthood were not to be denied their Title Herod I say fearing these things prevailed so much by force of his money with Antonius that he caused him to put Antigonus to death so that at that time Herod was truly deliver'd from all his fear Thus ended the estate of the Asmoneans after 126 years This family was famous both for their Nobility and also by reason of their Sacerdotal dignity and for the noble actions and exploits which their Ancestors had atchieved for our Nation but they lost their authority through their mutual factions which sovereignty was derived to Herod Antipater's son who was ignoble by birth and of mean friends who were subjects and vassals to Kings See here what we have received from our Ancestors as touching the end of M the race of the Asmoneans N O The Fifteenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3930. before Christ's Nativity 34. A Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Fifteenth Book 1. Jerusalem being overcome by Sosius and Herod Antigonus is beheaded by Antony's commandment Herod maketh away the chief friends of Antigonus 2. How Hircanus being dismissed by the Parthians returneth to Herod 3. Herod after he had made Aristobulus his wife Mariamnes brother High-Priest B practiseth and worketh his death 4. Cleopatra thirsting after the Kingdoms of Jewry and Arabia laboureth to beg a part of them at Antony's hands 5. The arrival of Queen Cleopatra in Judea 6. Herod maketh War against Aretas at such time as Antony was overthrown by Caesar in the Actiac War 7. Of the earthquake in Jewry 8. Herod's Oration to his Army 9. Herod intending to repair unto Caesar doth of necessity kill Hircanus C 10. How Herod obtained the continuance of his Kingdom of Judea at Caesar's hands 11. Herod maketh away Mariamne through false calumniations of her Enemies 12. Of the famine that afflicted the land of Jewry 13. The building of Caesarea 14. Herod buildeth a new Temple in Jerusalem CHAP. I. Antony causeth Antigonus King of the Jews to be beheaded D IN the former Book I have declared how Sosius and Herod took the City of Jerusalem by force Herod preferreth his Favorites and killeth his enemies and with it Antigonus Prisoner Now we will also declare that which hath subsequently followed for after that Herod had obtained the absolute government over the whole land of Judea he advanced all those among the common people The Pharisees honoured by him who favoured his proceedings as for those who were opposed against him there passed not a day wherein some one or other of them suffered not punishment Pollio fore-prophesied Herods Tyranny But amongst the rest Pollio the Pharisee and Sameas his Disciple were highly honoured by him For during the time of the siege of Jerusalem they counselled the Inhabitants to receive and entertain Herod for which cause he respected them accordingly E Some are of opinion that Sameas made this Prediction This Pollio heretofore when Herod was found guilty of death foretold to Hircanus and the rest of the Judges That being absolved by them he should one day inflict punishment on them all Which Prediction God in process of time approv'd by the event no sooner therefore became he Master of Jerusalem The slaughter of them that were of Antigonus's faction but he gather'd together all the rich Houshold goods that was in the Palace and furthermore having robb'd the rich men of their goods and by this means raised a great sum of gold and silver he sent great Presents to Antony and his friends Moreover he condemn'd 45 of Antigonus's principal and noblest Favourites to death setting a Watch about their doors that none of them might be carried out under colour of being dead The dead bodies likewise were trodden under foot and all the gold F silver or jewels that was to be found amongst them was carried to the King and converted to his use so that there was no end of these miseries For the covetousness of the Conqueror whose greedy and thirsty desire could hardly be quenched laid hold on whatsoever was theirs And because it was the seventh year it necessarily came to pass that the Land was left uncultivated for we are forbidden to sowe in this year Antony having taken Antigonus Prisoner Antigonus beheaded resolv'd to keep him in Prison until the time of his triumph Strabo of Anâ—igonus But after that he had heard the Jews were ready to rebel and continu'd their good affection towards Antigonus in regard of the hatred they conceiv'd against Herod he concluded with himself to take his head from him at Antioch for the Jews could scarcely contain themselves Strabo of Cappadocia testifieth no less in these words G Antony having brought Antigonus the Jew to Antioch caused his head to be cut off and was the first among the Romans that hath caused a King to be beheaded in this manner supposing H that the Jews might never otherwise be induced to change
hers that were privy to her design to carry them out in the night time and to go directly towards M the Sea where there was a Bark in readiness prepared to convoy them into Egypt But Esop one of her houshold servants declared this enterprize of hers to Sabbion on of Alexandras friends supposing that he had been made privy thereunto who had no sooner inkling thereof but for that beforetimes he was Herods enemy by reason he was suspected to have been one of those that sought to poyson Antipatar he resolved by discovery of this secret flight to convert Herods hatred into friendship and presently discovered Alexandras secret enterprize to the King Who dissembling the matter until it was upon the point of execution surprized her at such time as she thought to fly and yet notwithstanding he pardoned her that fault in that he durst not decree any punishment against her though he could have found in his heart to have used severity N for that Cleopatra would not have contained her self had she but had such an occasion offered her to express her hatred against Herod Herod contriveth Aristobulus death For which cause under the colour of a high and magnanimous spirit he made shew to pardon her of his meere clemency yet inwardly resolved to destroy young Aristobulus yet not rashly upon the instant lest the act should grow apparent and palpable Now the feast of Tabernacles was at hand which was one of those that was ceremoniously and solemnly celebrated among us for which cause he concealed his intents during the festival dayes intending both in himself and in the presence and company of the people to follow all kind of pleasure and delight yet his envy incited him to hasten the execution of his will Aristobulus was at that time some seventeen O years old who when he approached the Altar to offer sacrifices according to the law apparelled in the High Priests Ornaments to perform the ceremonies he who for amiable countenance and good stature surpassed the tenderness of his years expressing in his countenance the dignity and Nobility of his Race The year of the World 39â—1 Before Christ's Nativity 33. drew the eyes and good affections A of all the people unto him so that they openly called to remembrance the noble actions of Aristobulus his Grand-Father All the people being therefore surmounted by their affections and at that present time being all of them overjoyed they brake out by little and little into acclamations mixt with wishes and prayers so that the good will the people bare to Aristobulus discovered it self openly and they manifestly although too hastily in such a Kingdom declared what evils they generaly endured For all which causes Herod concluded to execute that which he had plotted against Aristobulus As soon therefore as the feast was over-passed he went into Jericho where Alexandra entertained him In that place he used Aristobulus with all kindness to draw him to secure some place playing with him and counterfeting to sport after the fashion B of the young men to gratifie him Now the place where they sported being too hot they quickly wearied left their sport and went out together to take fresh air and finding a pleasant shade under certain Arbours and near certain fish-pools which were largely spred round about they beheld certain of their Servants and Friends that swom therein with whom not long after Aristobulus began to swim being perswaded thereunto by Herod Whereupon Herods confederates who were deputed to execute the murther laid hands on him and thrust him under the water pretending to duck him in sport and never gave him over untill such time as they had stifled him in the water This hapned about the evening and after this manner died Aristobulus after he had lived in all for the space of eighteen years and administred the Priest-hood one whole C year Aristobulus is drowned by Herods direction Ananel restored to the Priest-hood and after this Ananel presently recovered his former dignity When this accident was reported to the women all of them burst out in tears and were transported with strange lamentations which they uttered over the dead body All the City also was mightily troubled neither was there any private family that thought not it self touched by this inconvenience but imagined the loss in particular to concern himself and no other But above all when Alexandra had notice of this wicked deed she was more passionate and perplexed than any other being so much the more discomforted for that she knew how all things had hapned But the fear of a far greater mischief constrained her to repress her passion so that divers times she was ready to bereave her of her own life The lamentation for Aristobulus death and dispatch her self out of misery with her own hands D But she contained her self to the end that surviving and living after her son who was so fraudulently destroyed and prolonging her own life without giving any suspition or shadow that she might with more opportunity expect the occasion to revenge her self For which cause she dissembled all things concealed her grief and made shew that she knew nothing of that which was either intended or had hapned As for Herod he laboured by all means to perswade the strangers that this death had befallen Aristobulus without his knowledg and did not only prepare that which was requisite for the funeral but made shew to be truly sorrowful and it may be that in remembrance of Aristobulus beauty and flourishing young years he was realy touched with compassion notwithstanding Herods counterfeit sorrow that he imagined that his death should be a means of his own security E demeaning himself in all things circumspectly with intent to purge himself of that crime But especially he shewed his great magnificence in the interring of his body both in the furnishing and preparation of the Herse as in the perfumes and other things thereunto belonging in such sort as the grief which the Ladies had conceived was pacified after this manner of consolation F G H CHAP. IV. The year of the World 393â— before Christ's Nativity 165. Herod is obliged to repair to Antonius to clear himself from Aristobulus's death he winneth him with Presents He gave order before his way-going to his Brother-in-Law Joseph to put Mariamne to death if Antonius should condemn him to die Joseph revealed it imprudently to this Princess and Herod put him to death for being jealous of him and Mariamne Cleopatra's unsatiable ambition and avarice BUT none of all these things could either move or mollifie Alexandra but daily more and more she increased her sorrow and in the height of her tears kindled her wrath with a desire of revenge Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herods Treasons and her sons traiterous murther She therefore acquainted Cleopatra by her private I Letters of Herods Treasons and her sons most miserable and untimely
they submitted themselves to Herod whom to their own sorrow they had approved to be a valiant Souldier CHAP. IX Antonius is overcome by Augustus in the Battle of Actium Herod put Hircanus to death his pretence for it he resolveth to repair to Augustus his orders before his way going M HErod puffed up with his successful fortune Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. returned back into his own Countrey having obtained great reputation by his valour and vertue But when he supposed his State to be most assured Herod dismaied at Antonies overthrow he grew in danger both to lose his dignity and life by reason of that victory that Caesar obtained against Antony in the Actian War For at that time he not only supposed himself to be utterly overthrown but both his friends and Enemies that were round about him lost their hopes for that it was unlikely that he should escape unpunished with Antony Whereby it came to pass that his friends could not conceal their despair and his Enemies under their colourable and dissembled griefs covered their joy promising themselves thereafter a better and N pleasing administration of the Common-Wealth Hereupon Herod perceiving that except Hircanus Herod determineth to make away Hircanus there was not any one of the blood Royal alive determined to cut him off resolving with himself that if he hapned to escape the danger a man who at that time was worthier the Kingdom then himself should not claime the Crown and if any misfortune should befall him in regard of Caesar he desired to dispossess Hircanus of the Kingdom in regard of the envy which he bare him for that he was the only man who deserved to be advanced to that dignity Alexandra solliciteth Hiranus her father to require assistance at Malchus hands Whilest thus he was tormented in his thoughts he had an occasion offered him by Hircanus own followers to execute his intention For Hircanus being of a milde and gentle nature during all his life-time O forbare to entermeddle with State affairs committing all things to fortune and contenting himself with whatsoever condition it pleased her to allot him But Alexandra being an ambitious woman and unable to conceal with modesty the hope she conceived of change sollicited her father that he should not any longer endure the subiection of Herod who was the very scourge of their family but rather A that he should stand upon his own guard and reserve himself to his better fortune She gave him counsel to write unto Malchus who had the Government of Arabia requesting him to grant him both protection and entertainment for that if Herod should chance to be cut off by Caesars displeasure doubtless the Kingdom would return unto him both in regard of his Nobility as also of the peoples favour These perswasions of hers Hircanus at the first repulsed but afterwards being overcome by the importunity of the woman Alexandra solliciteth Hircanus her father to require assistance at Malchus hands who ceased not day and night to sing the same Song of future hope and of Herods Treasons he gave certain Letters to a friend of his written to the Arabian wherein he required him to send him certain Horsemen who might conduct him to the Asphaltite Lake which lieth distant from the confines of Jerusalem some three hundred Furlongs And therefore he committed these Letters to Dositheus trust both B for that he favoured Hircanus and his Daughter Three hundred furlongs contain nine Germane Miles and seemed likely for divers causes to hate Herod for he was Josephs kinsman who was killed by Herod and not long before certain of his Brothers were put to death amongst others at Tyre by Antonies command yet for none of those considerations continued he faithful to Hircanus For he preferring the present favour of the King that then reigned to the rest discovered the Letter unto the King who first of all giving him thanks required one office of friendship more at his hands which was that folding up the Letter and sealing it he should conveigh and deliver the same to Malchus and return his answer for that it neerly concerned him if he knew his resolution also Which when Dositheus had diligently performed the Arabian returned this answer for that it neerly concerned him if he knew C his resolution also Hircanus by Herods commands is put to death Which when Dositheus had diligently performed the Arabian returned this answer that he was ready to entertain both himself and his whole family and all those Jews likewise which were of this faction promising to send him a band of Soldiers who should be able to conduct him safely thither and should be obedient to his command in all things Now as soon as Herod had seized on these Letters he called for Hircanus and demanded of him whether he had any confederacy with Malchus he denied it but Herod protesting and bringing forth his Letter in an open assembly commanded him afterwards to be put to death Thus are these matters Registred in Herods commentaries for by some they are delivered otherwise namely that he was executed not for this crime which he had committed but for some Treasons against the King For D they Write to this effect that Herod at a certain banquet dissembling his suspition demanded of Hircanus whether he had received any Letters from Malchus and that he answered that he had received Letters but such as contained nothing else but compliments Hircanus dieth guiltless He asked him also whether he had received any present and when he had answered that he had received nothing but four Coursers for his Saddle the King wrested this to a Capitall offence of corruption and treason Hircanus life and commanded him presently to be led to death Now that he died guiltless they alledge this for a most approved argument namely his gentle disposition who evenin his youthful years never gave sign or appearance of rashness or pride or signification of audaciousness no not even then when he had the royal government in his hands but in the freedome E of authority disposed of the most things by Antipaters advice But at that time he was more then fourescore years old and knew that Herods estate was secured and that there is no likelyhood that he would remove from beyond Eufrates where he lived in great repute to live under Herods Jurisdiction or to engage in any trouble contrary to his humor and so far different from his nature so that all these things seem to be fained by Herod Thus ended Hircanus life after his variable and adverse fortunes wherewith during all his life time he was afflicted For when his mother Alexandra lived he was created High Priest of the Jews and obtained that honor for the space of nine years and after his mothers death he had scarcely governed the Kingdom for the space of three F months but that he was expulsed by his brother Aristobulus
they were excellent and especially Alexander the eldest of them It had been enough for him suppose he had condemned them either to have kept them in perpetual Prison or banished them into some far Countrey seeing that he was assured of the Roman Power under whose protection he neither needed to have feared invasion nor secret Treason against him For to put them to death only to satisfie his own furious will what else doth it argue but only an impious liberty casting K off all Fatherly humanity and kindness especially seeing that he was aged whose years could neither plead ignorance nor that he was deceived For neither was he the more excused by the delay he used nay it had been a less offence if amazed with some sudden news he had been incited to so hainous an offence But after so long deliberation at last to effect such a matter betokens a bloody mind and hardened in wickedness as he shewed afterwards not sparing the rest whom before he held most dear Who though they were less to be pitied in that they justly suffered yet was it an argument of his like cruelty in that he abstained not from their deaths also But we will speak of this hereafter L M N O A THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Seventeenth Book 1. Antipater endeavoureth to hasten his Father's death that he may reign in his place The Children that Herod had by his nine Wives C 2. Of Zamaris a Babilonish Jew a man of singular virtue 3. Antipater Pheroras and his Wife conspire against Herod Salome acquainteth him with it he causeth some Pharisees who were of this Conspiracy to be put to death He endeavoureth to make Pheroras repudiate his Wife but he cannot be perswaded to it 4. Herod sendeth Antipater to Augustus with his Will by which he declareth him his Successor Syllaeus bribeth one of Herod's Guards to kill him but the plot is discovered 5. Pheroras's death D 6. Pheroras's Wife is accused and Herod is advertised of Antipater's Conspiracies 7. Antipater being returned back unto Judaea from Rome is convicted in the presence of Varus Governour of Syria for having endeavoured to poyson the King his Father Herod causeth him to be imprisoned and writeth to Augustus on that Subject 8. The Golden Eagle that Herod had consecrated and fixed on the Portal of the Temple is pulled off the severe punishment that he inflicteth for it The King 's terrible sickness and the cruel orders that he giveth to his Sister Salome and to her husband E 9. Augustus referreth it to Herod to dispose of Antipater as he pleaseth Herod falling into a relapse of his Torments desireth to kill himself Achiavus one of his Grand-children hindreth him It is reported that he is dead Antipater endeavoureth in vain to bribe his Keeper to set him at liberty as soon as Herod heareth of it he sendeth one to kill him 10. Herod altereth his Will declareth Archelaus his Successor he dieth five days after Antipater Herod's glorious Funeral ordained by Archelaus the peoples great acclamation in favour of Archelaus 11. Some Jews who demanded satisfaction for Judas and Matthias and others deaths F whom Herod caused to be burned for having pulled down the Eagle at the Portal of the Temple make an Insurrection which obligeth Archelaus to cause three thousand of them to be put to death He goeth afterwards to Rome to be confirmed King by Augustus His Brother Antipas who pretends to have right to the Crown repaireth thither also the Cause is pleaded before Augustus 12. A great Rebellion in Judea whilest Archelaus was at Rome Varus Governour of Syria stoppeth it Philip Archelaus's Brother goeth also to Rome in hopes to obtain one part of the Kingdom The Jews send Ambassadours to Augustus G to free them from their obedience to Kings and to re-unite them to Syria They complain to him against Archelaus and abhor the memory of Herod 13. Caesar confirms Herod's Testament and appointeth his Children to be his Successors H 14. An Impostor counterfeits himself to be Alexander Herod's Son Augustus finds out the Cheat and sends him to the Galleys 15. Archelaus marrieth Glaphyra his Brother Alexander's Widow Augustus having heard several of the Jews complaints of him confineth him to Vienna in France and uniteth his possessions to Syria Glaphyra's death CHAP. I. I Antipater endeavoureth to hasten his Father's death that he may reign in his place The Children that Herod had by his nine Wives AFter that Antipater had made away his Brothers through the extreme impiety and unbridled fury wherewith Herod their Father was incensed against them yet he did not immediately obtain that which undoubtedly he hoped for For being freed of K that fear he conceived lest his Brothers should be partakers with him in the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. he found it a difficult and dangerous matter to find the means how to obtain it Antipater after he had made away his Brothers grew hateful both to the Souldiers and the people so strange and hainous a hatred had all the Nation conceived against him On the other side in shewing himself proud and lofty he more and more encreased that hatred which the Souldiers had conceived against him in whom the security of the Kingdom consisted if it should fortune to fall out that the people should attempt any alteration All which mischiefs were procured by his own sins and the unnatural murther of his Brothers Antipater governed the Kingdom with his Father Nevertheless he governed the Kingdom with his Father living only in less Authority than himself Herod also reposed more confidence in L him even in those things for which he was worthy to lose his head For the King conceived that in confirmation of his good affection towards him Antipater had accused his Brethren to continue his Father in security and not for any hatred he bore unto them more than to his Father though indeed he hated them for his Father's sake being transported with fury But all these were but as so many stratagems to insinuate himself into Herod's Counsels and Favours and these did he craftily make use of to cut off the occasion lest any should prevent or accuse him of that which he pretended to do and that Herod might be deprived of all relief if so be that Antipater should beâ—â— his Forces against him Antipater wisheth his Father's death For the Treason he complotted against his Brothers proceeded from the hatred he bare unto his Father But at that time he was the more egged on to prosecute M his intended purposes without any delay For if Herod should happen to die it was most sure that the Kingdom should be his and should his life continue any longer time and the practice Antipater went about should be discovered seeing himself invironed with these dangers he
advertised of Antipater's Conspiracies AFter Pheroras's death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. two of his Freemen who were Taphnites by birth and such as Pheroras in his life time Pheroras's Free-men accuse his Wife for poysoning him both only trusted and dearly loved came unto Herod requiring him not to suffer his Brother's death to pass unpunished but to O make diligent enquiry of that unfortunate and unexpected disastre Herod gave ear to their suit perceiving that the matters they importuned him in were likely and very A credible Whereupon they told him that Pheroras the day before his unexpected sickness had supt with his Wife and that having received an unaccustomed Poyson with his meat he was dead That this Poyson had been brought thither by a woman of Arabia who in her speech protested that it was some Potion to encrease love but in effect it was to bring Pheroras to his end For the women of Arabia amongst all others are skilful in Poysons and are great Sorcerers and she that was charged with this fact was esteemed a great friend and favourer of Syllaeus's best beloved That Pheroras's Mother and his Wife's Sister went into those Quarters on purpose to buy that Poyson and returned back and brought this woman with them the day before the Supper Herod tortureth the Ladies Bond-women and soundeth out Antipater's and their secrets The King moved by these words of theirs tortured both those Maid-servants B of theirs who were their Bond-women as also certain other of their free servants Now when the fact could not be extorted by reason that none of them confessed it at length she that was last of all put to her tryal overcome by the pains she endured said nothing else but that she prayed God that Antipater's Mother might feel the like torments since she was the cause of all these mischiefs which they endured These words of hers made Herod the more eager and inquisitive so that by force of tortures he wrought out all the secrets of these women their Banquets their secret Assemblies and those very words that Herod had spoken apart betwixt his Son and himself which had been reported unto the women that Pheroras entertained namely C that he would give him one hundred Talents provided that he would use no conference with Pheroras Moreover they reckoned up the hatred that Antipater bare unto his Father the complaints that he made unto his Mother of the too long life and continuance of his Father for that in regard of himself he was already grown old so that although the Kingdom should fall into his hands presently yet he could receive but very little contentment thereby Moreover he alledged that divers Brothers and Brothers Children were brought up together with him so that he might not securely hope for any thing for that already if he should fortune to die the Kingdom was to descend not to his Son but to his Brother Besides this he was accustomed to accuse the King of divers cruelties committed by him and of that murther which he executed D upon the persons of his Children That for fear lest he should practice his Tyranny against those that remained Antipater had found out the device to be summoned to Rome and Pheroras withdrew himself into his Tetrarchy These words which as he knew had reference to that which his Sister had often informed him of were not by him held incredible so that being pressed with the malice of Antipater Herod thrusted Doris Antipater's Mother out of his Palace he sequestred Doris his Mother from his presence robbing her before her departure of all her Jewels which were valued at many Talents and from that time forward he shewed himself more favourable towards those women of Pheroras's houshold But nothing did more whet Herod's displeasure against Antipater than did a certain Samaritan Antipater the Samaritan declareth how Antipater the King's Son had provided Poyson for his Father who was also called Antipater who had the ordering of E the Affairs of Antipater the King's Son For he being brought in question and tortured declared among other things that Antipater had mixed a mortal Poyson and delivered the same to Pheroras his Uncle commanding him to practice the King's death in his absence and by that means least suspected That this Poyson was brought out of Egypt by one called Antiphilus Antipater's friend That it was sent to Pheroras by one called Theudion Antipater's Mother's Brother That this Poyson was kept by Pheroras's Wife Pheroras's Wife confesseth that she hath the Poyson and casts her self down headlong from the Roof and was committed by her Husband to her custody She being examined by the King hereupon confessed no less and hasting forth as if she intended to fetch the same she cast her self down headlong from the top of the house yet she did not kill her self because she fell upon her feet After she was recovered out of her swoun and the King F had promised all security both to her self and her Family if so be she would discover the truth and contrariwise threatned her with extreme torments if she obstinately continued in concealing these Treasons She sware she would discover all things according as they were acted and as many men thought at that time she told nothing but the truth That Poyson said she was brought by Antiphilus out of Egypt and bought there by the means of a Brother of his who was a Physician After this Theudion brought it to our house and I having received it from Pheroras 's hands kept the same but bought by your Son Antipater to poyson you that are his Father Now therefore after that my Husband fell sick and you in kindness came to visit and comfort him he being moved with compassion and conquered by your brotherly kindness G and by your good affection and loving care in giving order for his health called me unto him and said Oh Wife Antipater hath circumvented me whilst by his pestilent counsels and poysoning practices he desireth to cut off his Father and deprive me of a kind Brother Now therefore since I perceive there is no part of my Brother's love and H natural affection diminished towards me wherewith he was wont to entertain me and that my last hour of life approacheth God forbid that being ready to sleep with my Fore-fathers I should present them with a Ghost soil'd and sweltered in my Brother's blood Dispatch therefore and burn this poyson before mine eyes Hereupon said she I presently brought it forth according as my Husband commanded me and burnt the greatest part of the Poyson and the rest I have reserved that if after my Husband's death your Majesty should use me unkindly it might serve me to escape those extremities that would betide me After she had spoken thus she brought forth before them the Poyson and the box wherein it was kept The year of the World 3962. before Christ's Nativity 2. After her
that by detesting their malice thou mightest insinnate N thy self into the favour of their Father and thine that afterwards thou mightest more cunningly and securely bring him to his end which at length thou hast attempted to perform For whilst thou adjudgest thy guilty Brothers to death and sparest their Confederates thou makest it manifest in all men's eyes that thou hast a kindness for them whose assistance thou mightest hereafter use in oppressing thy Father Thou hast therefore enjoyed a double pleasure the one openly as if rejoycing and glorying that by thy Brother's death thou hast atchieved a matter of honour the other secretly with endeavouring by greater wickedness but more secret fraud to make an end of thy Father the revenger of whose injuries thou pretendest to be For if thou hadst truly detested their malice thou hadst never esteemed the same to be worthy of thy imitation for thou hadst not cut them off for committing O such Capital offences as were answerable unto thine but for that they had a more just Title to succeed in the Kingdom than thou hast And thou hast thought good to mix the A murther of thy Father with the massacred bodies of thy Brothers lest thou shouldst be suddenly convinced in thy conspiracies against them and to the end that the punishment that thou well deservest to suffer should light upon thy infortunate Father projecting with your self such a parricide and so unusual and hainous a murther that to this day the like thereof hath not been heard of amongst men For thou being his Son hast practised these Treasons not only against thy Father but against him that loved thee above measure and did thee good beyond expectation with whom thou hast actual participation of the Government of the Kingdom and who had appointed thee his Heir in the same being no ways hindered either for the present or in times past to participate the pleasure of Soveraignty and being assured of the hope of Succession both by the will and writing of thy B Father But you have measured the course of your affairs not according to Herod's virtue but according to your own appetite and malice intending to deprive such a Father of his part who granted you the whole and seeking in effect to murther him whom in words you pretended heretofore to protect from injury And not content your self to practise these treacheries you have infected your Mother also with no less corruption and instead of love that should have been amongst Brethren you have filled your Family with mutinies and hatreds And besides all these things thou hast been so audacious as to call thy Father beast being of thy self more malignant than those beasts which are most venomous using thine own venom against thy dearest friends and such as have best deserved at thy hands strengthening thy self with his Guard and divers treacheries both of men and C women against one old man as if thy cursed mind alone were not sufficient to satisfie thy hatred And now after so many men and women Slaves and Freemen tortured for thy cause after the open and manifest testimonies of thy parties in the conspiracy thou art so impudent as yet to contradict the truth and thou that lately hopedst to deprive thy Father of his life doest now as much as in thee lieth endeavour to abolish that Law that was instituted against Malefactors in thy kind and herewithal O Varus equity and all whatsoever is Justice in the world Dost thou therefore accuse them of falshood who were examined in torments to the end thou mightest endanger their credit who were the preservers of thy Fathers life Shall we believe thee more than them in their torments Wilt thou not O Varus deliver the King from the injury of those who are his own flesh and D blood Wilt thou not put this wicked beast to death who hath murthered his Brothers to pretend a love towards his Father and who hath at last been discovered to be the most mortal enemy of them all to the intent that at one instant he might establish the Kingdom in himself Thou knowest that Parricide is no private crime Parricide that publick injury of life and nature but a publick injury to life and nature which is no less loathsome in the thought than it is in the act which whoso punisheth not is of himself guilty of an injury offered to our common mother nature After these Speeches he added certain points concerning Antipater's Mother which through feminine frailty had been blabbed out by her to wit that she had asked counsel of Soothsayers and Conjurers to whom the Kingdom should befall and E that she had offered Sacrifices and made Prayers for the death of the King And moreover he declared what lascivious pranks Antipater had played with Pheroras's women in banqueting and amorous and wanton dalliances The informations likewise that were presented by such as were tortured with sundry testimonies of divers men some suborned the other found out to be immediately produced and confirmed For each man seeing that Antipater was exposed to the accusations of those men who had the Government in their hands and that the good fortune that had long accompanied him had openly delivered him into the hands of his enemies they immediately discovered the insatiable hatred which they had conceived against him whereas before the fear that they had of him enforced them to be silent yet he F was not so much burdened with other mens hatreds as with his own wickedness namely his deadly hatred against his Father his breach of amity amongst his Brethren whereby he filled the Kings Houshold with seditions and murthers of some complotted and acted by others neither giving place to hatred according to Justice nor to amity according to good affection but according as it might stand with his profit Which because divers men perceived long before that time they judged of events according as they had reason and the rather because that being void of hatred they spake but their opinions And whereas heretofore they had cried with a loud voice against him at such time as they were shut up at this time when they were deprived of their fear they declared all things that they knew And whereas there G were produced divers of the mischiefs committed by him Antipater accused by all men yet there seemed nothing to be feigned for that the accusers neither spake in favour of the King neither concealed any thing for fear of danger but condemned all Antipater's wicked actions and judged him worthy of death and punishment The year of the World 3962. before Christ's Nativity 1. not so much for his Fathers security as H for his own demerit Neither did they only accuse him who were by justice tied thereunto but divers voluntary witnesses also brought in their evidence so that although he was a very cunning dissembler and colourer of his lies and most impudent in their assertions yet he
desire he had of long life hath after this sort dealt with those of his Blood And it may be conjectured by these his last Commands that he had nothing in him that savoured of any humanity for that departing out of the World he had such a mind that all C the Nation and all such as were most affectionate towards him should be driven to sorrow and desolation commanding that in every house one should be killed yea such as had not in any sort offended him and were not accused of one mis-deed committed against any other whereas they that have any vertue finding themselves at that state have been accustomed to lay aside the hatred which they have before born unto their enemies D CHAP. IX Augustus referreth it to Herod to dispose of Antipater as he pleaseth Herod falling into a relapse of his Torments desireth to kill himself Achiabus one of his Grand-children hindreth him It is reported that he is dead Antipater endeavoureth in vain to bribe his Keeper to set him at liberty as soon as Herod heareth of it he sendeth one to kill him WHilst he delivered these instructions to his Kindred Letters are sent from Rome that Acme was executed by Caesar's Command and that he had Authority to use he received Letters from those Ambassadours which he had sent to Rome unto Caesar the effect whereof E was that Acme was put to death by Caesar's Command who was displeased with her for that she had been of Antipater's Conspiracy who was remitted to Herod's pleasure like a King and Father to use him as best pleased him either to exile and banish him or if it please him to put him to death Herod receiving these News recovered his Spirits a little through the pleasure he received in the Contents of those Letters Antipater as his pleasure both of Acme's death and of the power that was granted him to punish his Son But being assailed afresh by grievous Dolours and urged with a desire to eat Herod calling for a Knife an Apple intendeth to stab himself he called for an Apple and a Knife for he was accustomed to pare his Apples himself and cut a little and afterwards to eat it When as therefore he had gotten hold of the Knife he looked round about him determining to give F himself a mortal Wound therewith and had certainly done it had not Achiabus his Grand-child hastily stept within him Achiabus with holdeth his hand and stayed his hand and called for assistance At that time the sorrow and lamentation was renewed in all the Palace as if the King had been already dead Antipater thinking his Father to be dead dealeth with his Keeper for his delivery which Herod hearing of commandeth him to be slain And Antipater certainly believing that his Father was departed began to hope and confirmed no less in his words that being delivered out of Prison he should obtain the possession of the Kingdom without any difficulty and treated with the Jaylour concerning his deliverance offering him great Presents both in hand and hereafter as if there had been no other question but of that But so far was the Jaylour from obeying that which Antipater demanded that he went and acquainted the King what his intent was and what offers he made him Herod who had already conceived G a sinister opinion of his Son hearing what the Jaylour had said began to exclaim and to beat his head although he was at the uttermost gasp and lifting himself up upon his elbows he commanded that one of his Guards should presently go kill him and that done he should be buried in the Castle of Hircanion without H any honour CHAP. X. Herod altereth his Will declareth Archelaus his Successor he dieth five days after Antipater Herod's glorious Funeral ordained by Archelaus the peoples great acclamation in favour of Archelaus I AFter this Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. having changed his mind he made a new Testament For he appointed Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee and of Peraea Herod's Will is changed whereas before he had instituted him for his Successor in the Kingdom He created Archelaus King he gave the Provinces of Gaulonites Trachonites Batanea and Paneade to Philip his Son and Archelaus's Brother by the Mother's side to be Tetrarch over those places He gave his Sister Salome Jamnia Azot and Phaselis with fifty thousand Crowns of Gold He provided also for his other Kins-men all whom he left rich in money which he gave them and revenews which he assigned them His Legacy to Caesar and Julia his Wife He gave Caesar ten Millions of Drachmes in Silver amounting to the summ of eleven hundred thousand Francks besides a great quantity K of Gold and Silver Plate and of precious Moveables To Julia Caesar's Wife and to certain others he bequeathed five millions of Drachmes amounting to five hundred and fifty thousand Francks Herod's death or thereabout After he had in this manner disposed all things some five days after he had caused Antipater to be executed he departed this life having reigned after Antigonus's death for the space of thirty and four years and thirty and seven years after he was elected and approved King by the Romans A man without respect cruel and severe towards all men Slave to his wrath Lord of the Laws yet so favoured by fortune as no man more for from a private man he became a King and being environed with many dangers he always happily escaped and he lived also a very long time Herod's mutable strange Fortune And as concerning his Family and Children in his L own opinion he was happy in that he overcame his enemies but in my opinion he was most unfortunate Before the King's death was thorowly known Salome and Alexas after the King's death dismiss the Jews that were shut up in the Hippodrome Salome and Alexas discharged those that were locked up in the Hippodrome and sent every one of them home unto his own house telling them that the King commanded them to depart and follow their houshold Affairs and till their Land wherein they performed a most noble action and benefitted the whole Nation with an especial good turn After the King's death was bruted abroad Salome and Alexas caused all the Army to be assembled in the Aâ—phitheatre in Jericho and first of all they caused Herod's Letters to be read which were addressed to the Souldiers Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. in which he gave them thanks for the fidelity and M good will which they had expressed towards him Herods thanksgiving to his Army and testament read Archelaus is applauded by the people praying them to continue the same to Archelaus his Son whom he had appointed to be their King after him That done Ptolomey to whom the King had committed the custody of his Seal recited his Testament which was to take no effect except that Caesar approved the
acts and gests of Monobazus during his reign But during Fadus Government in Judaea Theudas perswadeth the people that with a word he will cause Jordan to divide it self yield them passage he with his followers are slain a certain Magician called Theudas perswaded a great number of the people to take all their goods and substance and to follow him to the River of Jordan for he said he was a Prophet and told them that the River should divide it self into two parts upon his commandment and yield them free passage By these words of his he deceived divers of them But Fadus sent some troops of Horse who charged them on the sudden and killed a great number of them and took divers of them Prisoners alive amongst whom was Theudas O whose head was stricken off and was afterwards carried to Jerusalem This is that which befel the Jews under Fadus's Government A CHAP. III. The year of the World 4010. after Christ's Nativity 48. Tiberius Alexander succeeds Fadus in the Government of Judaea and Cumanus succeeds Alexander Herod King of Chalcis's death his Children Claudius the Emperour giveth his Dominions to Agrippa AFter Fadus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. alias chap. 8. succeeded Tiberius Alexander the Son of that Alexander who had been Governour of Alexandria a man of as great Riches as any one of his time and place Tiberius Alexander Governour of Judaea who surpassed likewise his Son Alexander in piety who forsook the Religion B of his Forefathers At that time there hapned a great Famine in Jewry during which Queen Helena sent huge summs of money into Egypt and bought Corn and distributed the same to those that were in want James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee crucified according as I have said before At the same time James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee who had busied themselves to incite the people to resist the Government of the Romans were put to death at such time as Cyrenius valued each man's Goods as we have heretofore declared These did Alexander command to be crucified The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. Herod King of Chalcis took away the Sovereign Priesthood from Joseph the Son of Camydas and transferred it to Ananias the Son of Nebedaeus After Tiberius Alexander succeeded Cumanus The died Herod who was Brother to King Agrippa the Great in the eighth year of Claudius Caesar He left behind C him three Sons Aristobulus whom he had by his first Wife Bernicianus and Hircanus by Bernice his Brother's Daughter Claudius Caesar gave this Kingdom to Agrippa the younger During the time that Cumanus governed there happened a Sedition in Judaea whereby divers Jews miscarried The cause of all which accidents I will rip up from the Original CHAP. IV. The horrid Insolence of a Roman Soldier causeth the death of twenty thousand Jews D Another Soldier 's Insolence AT the time of the Feast of Pascha during which time the Jews are accustomed to feed on unleavened bread a great number of people assembled themselves from all parts Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. to the City of Jerusalem Alias 10. Whereupon Cumanus fearing lest by this occasion there should arise some Commotion he gave order that a Company of his Souldiers should be armed and should keep their Guard in the Porches of the Temple to the end if any trouble should happen they might repress it Those Governours who had been his Predecessors had done the like in such manner of Assemblies It came to pass In the Feast of Pascha a certain Soldier shewing his Privy Members moveth a Sedition among the people whereby twenty thousand Jews lost their lives on the fourth day of the Feast that a certain Soldier discovering those Privities E which were undecent to be seen shewed them before the people wherewith they that beheld the same were much displeased and provoked saying that the dishonour was not done to them but to God And some of the boldest of them uttered certain speeches against Cumanus saying that the Soldier was set on by him which when Cumanus understood he was in like manner grievously offended in regard of those injuries yet exhorted those whom he saw too forward to keep the Peace for fear lest a Sedition should arise during the time of the Feast And seeing they would no ways obey him but contrariwise they ceased not to injure and revile him he commanded that all the Forces he had should be in Arms and retire themselves into the Fort of Antonia that was near unto the Temple as we have heretofore declared F The people seeing the armed Soldiers were afraid and began to fly and because the places thorough which they issued were but narrow they imagined that they were pursued by their enemies so that they thrust on one another in their flight and divers of them were thronged to death Stephen Caesar's Servant robbed in his Journey for which cause Cumanus spoileth the Villages near to the place where the Robbery was done In this mutiny there died twenty thousand men and after this instead of a Feast there was nothing but mourning and without bethinking themselves of their Prayers and Sacrifices all of them began to weep and lament So great a mischief sprung from the insolence of one Soldier This first lamentation was scarcely finished before a second succeeded the same For some of those who had a part in this Mutiny being about a hundred stades from the City robbed one Stephen that was Caesar's Servant in the High way and took from him all that G which he had Which when Cumanus understood he presently sent some of his Soldiers to spoil those Villages which were nearest to the place where the Fact was committed and to bring the chiefest Inhabitants thereof in Bonds unto him In this pillage a certain Soldier found a Book of the Law of Moses in one of those Villages which he H took and brought and before them all tore it in pieces with horrid Blasphemies and vile speeches against the Law and whole Nation The Jews understanding hereof suddenly assembled themselves in great numbers and ran to Caesarea where Cumanus kept for that present A certain Soldier teareth the Books of Moses's Law and therefore is beheaded by Cumanus's commandment requiring him that he would revenge not their cause but God's whose Law was on that sort dishonoured signifying unto him that it was impossible for them to live so long as their Law was thus contemned Cumanus fearing lest a second mutiny and uproar should be raised among the people by counsel of his Friends cut off the Soldier 's head who had committed that Crime against the Law and by this means appeased the Sedition that was ready to take head I CHAP. V. A great Quarrel between the Jews of Galilee and the Samaritans who bribe Cumanus Governour of Judaea Quadratus Governour of Syria
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
The strife between the High Priests and the Priests to seize the Tenths that were due unto the Priests whereby it came to pass that some poor Priests died for want so much did the violence of the Seditious at that time prevail ahove all right CHAP. VII I Festus succeeds Foelix in the Government of Judaea The Inhabitants of Caesarea obtain of Nero to have the Jews Freedom recalled King Agrippa causeth an Apartment to be built from whence all that was done about the Temple might be seen the people of Jerusalem cause a high Wall to be built to hinder it by the Emperour's Authority AFter that Portius Festus had been sent by Nero to succeed Foelix in the Government K of Judaea Alias 19. the chiefest of those Jews that inhabited Caesarea Foelix accused repaired to Rome to accuse Foelix and without all doubt he had been punished for the injuries he had committed against the Jews if Nero had not pardoned him upon his Brother Palas's submission and entreaty who importuned him and was at that time in great reputation with him Hedio Rufffinus cap. 14. Furthermore two of the chiefest amongst the Syrians wrought Berillus who had sometimes been Nero's Master and at that time was Secretary of Estate in the Greek Tongue by mighty Bribes to beg of Nero the revocation of the Right and Title which the Jews enjoyed in the Government and Administration of the Commonweal For which cause Berillus solicited the Emperour and obtained a Letter from him which was the cause of those mischiefs that afterwards happened in our Nation for the Jews of Caesarea understanding what Commission the Syrians had gotten L were so much the more encouraged to make War Therefore The Cut-throats among the Jews as soon as Festus was arrived in Judaea he found the Countrey grievously afflicted with Robberies and the whole Countrey was ruined with Fire and Sword The Thieves likewise at that time encreased mightily they used short Swords after the manner of a Persian Cymetre and crooked like the Roman Faulchion with which they killed divers For thrusting themselves into the press of the people that came in great multitudes on the Festival days to celebrate God's service they killed those very easily whom they pleased and oftentimes repairing to their enemies Villages Festus discomfiteth a great deceiver with all his followers they spoiled and burnt them But Festus sent divers Forces M both of Horse and Foot against certain Jews that were seduced by an Enchanter who had promised them to free them from all their troubles if they would follow him into the Desart they killed both the deceiver and the deceived that followed him At that time King Agrippa erected a stately Building within the Palace at Jerusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. near unto the Porch alias chap. 10. This Palace in times past appertained to the Asmoneans and was scituate in a high place with a fine Prospect from whence they might with pleasure behold the City of Jerusalem wherein the King took great delight and beheld from thence that which was done in the Temple The chiefest men of Jerusalem stop up the Prospect of Agrippa's house The chiefest men of Jerusalem seeing this Building were very much displeased for neither doth our Custom or Law permit that any one should look on that which is done in the Temple and especially N forbiddeth that any man should behold the Sacrifices and Oblations They therefore builded a high Wall upon the Gallery which was within the Temple on the West side which did not only hinder the sight of the Royal Chamber but also that of the Gallery without the Temple on the West side where the Romans kept Guard near unto the Temple on the Festival days Herewith was King Agrippa highly displeased and the Governour Festus far more than he who commanded them to pull down the Wall But they besought him that he would give them Licence to send their Ambassadours to Nero to this intent alledging that it was impossible for them to live if any part of their Temple should be beaten down Which being granted them they sent ten of their chiefest Nobility and with them Ismael the High O Priest and Chelcias the Treasurer of the Temple unto Nero who no sooner heard their suit but he pardoned them not only for that they had done but he commanded A that the building should remain as it was All which he did in favour of his Wife Poppea who was entreated by the Jews she being a devout Princess to sue for them She therefore commanded the ten Ambassadours to return and kept Chelcias and Ismael for Pledges with her The King understanding how all things had past gave the High Priesthood to Joseph Joseph Cabi the Son of Simon made High Priest surnamed Cabi which was the Son of Simon who in times past had been High Priest CHAP. VIII B Albinus succeeds Festus in the Government of Judaea and King Agrippa giveth and taketh away often the High Priesthood Ananus the High Priest causeth Saint James to be put to death Agrippa enlargeth the City of Caesarea and calleth it Neronias The Favours he granted to the Levites The List of the High Priests since Aaron CAesar being advertised of Festus's death Albinus Governour of Judaea sent Albinus to govern Judaea But King Agrippa commanded Joseph to lead a private life and advanced in his stead a certain man called Ananus Ananus the Son of Ananus High Priest the Son of Ananus who was reported to have been most happy for he had five Sons all which supplied the place of the High Priest after himself C had long time before them enjoyed it the like whereof hath never happened to any of our Priests Hedio Ruffinus chap 16. The younger Ananus who as we said was advanced to this place was a rash and head-strong man that followed the Sect of the Saducees who as we have already declared were amongst all other the Jews Alias 21. the most severe in executing Justice Ananus had five Sons that succeeded him in the Priesthood Whereas therefore Ananus was of this disposition he thought that he had a fit occasion offered him to do what he pleased after Festus's death and whilst Albinus was as yet upon his way He therefore ascended and sat down in the Tribunal assisted by the Judges and caused James the Brother of JESUS who was called CHRIST The year of the World 4025. after Christ's Nativity 63. to appear before him with certain others and accused them for transgressing the Law and Blasphemy against God and caused him to be stoned to death They D that were men of upright Conscience within the City and diligent observers of the Law were very much displeased with this Act and sent secretly to the King beseeching him to prohibit Ananus James the Brother of our Lord stoned that hereafter he
it would cost much time and expence he denied their request permitting them nevertheless to pave their City with broad Stone Matthias the Son of Theophilus High Priest He took the Priesthood from Jesus the Son of Gamaliel and gave it to Matthias the Son of Theophilus in whose time the Wars betwixt the Romans and the Jews began But I think it not amiss Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. but very answerable to the course of this present History N to speak of the High Priests The Succession and number of the High Priests among the Jews and to shew how they had their beginning and to whom this honour may be lawfully communicated and how many they were in number until the end of the War The first of them was Aaron Moses's Brother after whose death his Children succeeded him and from that time forward the honour hath continued with their Successors For it is a Law observed by our Ancestors that no man should be admitted to the Priesthood There were eighty three High Priests in all except he be of Aaron's Posterity for albeit he were a King if so be that he were of another Line it was impossible for him to obtain the Priesthood All the Priests after Aaron who as we have said was the first until Phanasus whom the Seditious created Priest in the time of the War have been in number eighty three whereof thirteen have executed the Office from the time that O Moses erected God's Tabernacle in the Desart until such time as arriving in Judaea King Solomon builded a Temple to God For in the beginning the High Priesthood continued A with the Possessors for term of life but afterwards although the Priests were yet alive yet were there other Successors put in their rooms These thirteen were of Aaron's Posterity and obtained this degree in succession the one after the other Their first Government was Aristocracy which is the Government of the Nobility afterwards a Monarchy and at last a Royal Government The number of years wherein these thirteen flourished were six hundred and twelve years from the day that our Fathers departed out of Egypt under the conduct of Moses until the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon After these thirteen High Priests there were eighteen others who after Solomon's time succeeded one after another until the time that Nabuchodonozor King of Babylon B having encamped before the City took it and burned the Temple and transported our Nation into Babylon and led away the High Priest Josedech Prisoner The time of the Priesthood and continuance of these eighteen was four hundred sixty years six months and ten days so long as the Jews have had the Royal Government After the surprizal of Jerusalem by the Babylonians until such time as Cyrus King of Persia dismissed the Jews and gave them leave to return from Babylon into their own Countrey with permission to re-edifie their Temple there are seventy two years and at that time the Captives being returned Jesus the Son of Josedech took upon him the High Priesthood who with those of his Posterity to the number of fifteen have governed in a Democracy or Popular Government until the time of Antiochus surnamed C Eupator for the space of four hundred and fourteen years This Antiochus was the first who with his General Lysias displaced Onias surnamed Menelaus of his Priesthood commanding him to be killed at Berith and after he had driven his Son out of the Succession he established Jacim High Priest who notwithstanding was of Aaron's Race but not of his Family For this cause Onias the Son of Onias and Nephew to the deceased Onias retired himself into Egypt Where growing familiar with Ptolomey Philometor and Cleopatra his Wife he perswaded them to build a Temple in the Confines of Heliopolis not unlike to that of Jerusalem and to create a High Priest in the same of which Temple in Egypt we have made very oftentimes mention After that Jacim had held the Priestood for the space of three years he died without D Successor so the City remained seven years without a High Priest Again the Asmoneans recovered the Government of their Nation and after they had made War against the Macedonians they established Jonathan High Priest who exercised the Office seven years but afterwards he was killed in an Ambush and Treason conspired against him by Tryphon as we have declared elsewhere After him Simon his Brother undertook the Priesthood who was not long after killed treacherously by his Son-in-Law at a Banquet After him succeeded his Son Hircanus who enjoying this Dignity for the space of thirty one years died when he was very old leaving behind him Judas surnamed Aristobulus who dying left his Brother Alexander his Heir both of the Kingdom and High Priesthood After that Aristobulus had obtained the E Royal Government he enjoyed both Dignities one whole year For this Judas surnamed Aristobulus was the first that set the Diadem on his head causing himself to be called a King the which Alexander did continue for he also joyned the Kingdom with the High Priesthood and reigned twenty seven years And feeling himself draw near to his death he left in Alexandras his Wife's hands to dispose of the Priesthood as she pleased She therefore bestowed it on Hircanus and as for the Kingdom she kept it in her own hands nine years and afterwards died Her Son Hircanus was High Priest for so long time For after Alexandra's death his Brother Aristobulus made War against him and having overcome him he took the Kingdom from him and not only seized on the Crown but the Priesthood After he had reigned three F years and as many months Pompey repaired to Jerusalem and took it perforce and laying hold of Aristobulus sent him bound unto Rome with his Children After which he restored the Priesthood once more to Hircanus committing the Government of the Nation unto his hands forbidding him in the mean space to wear the Diadem Besides the first nine years Hircanus governed twenty and four But Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians passed Euphrates and made war against Hircanus and took him alive Prisoner and made Antigonus Aristobulus's Son King But after he had governed three years and three months Sosius and Herod took him alive perforce and Antonius sent him to Antioch where he was beheaded After that Herod was created King by the Romans there was never any High Priest created of G the Posterity of the Asmoneans for he gave the High Priesthood to certain men of obscure and base extraction who were of the Order of Priests Aristobulus only excepted This Aristobulus was Hircanus's Nephew who was a Prisoner among the Parthians and having given him the Priesthood he married Mariamne his Sister to the intent H to continue himself in the good liking of the people in remembrance of Hircanus But afterwards fearing lest all of them should turn to Aristobulus's
do in the design they had in writing For such as in times past published any worthy History endeavoured to write that which they themselves had seen and they were Eye-witnesses of those Affairs they committed to writing they more effectually performed all that they promised because they accounted it an act of dishonesty to report and publish Lyes in stead of History And truly in my opinion that man is worthy commendation who striveth by his studious endeavours to Register not only the Occurrences of times past but also those memorable events that have happened in N his own days And he only and truly is to be accounted industrious not that altereth and pruneth at his pleasure another man's Works but he that of himself compileth an History whereof no man hath before written For my own part being a stranger I have spared no labour and expence to declare the truth of these events in the ears of the Greeks and Romans For as touching their own learned men their mouths are always open where their own interest publick or private is concerned but if they come to a History Who may rightly be called a Historiographer wherein they should both tell truth and with great labour enquire of those things that are past here the travel is too tedious the bit is in their teeth so that they leave the matter to their performance who are uncapable and unapt both in stile and study to register the Actions of Princes and great O Captains whereby it appears that the Grecians make as little account of the truth of History as we esteem and seek it A Now to discover unto you the Original of the Jews what their Estate hath been in times past and after what manner they departed out of Egypt to shew what Countreys they conquered and what Colonies they planted were in my judgment both impertinent and to little purpose considering that divers of mine own Nation have before my time written an exact History of the actions of our Ancestors yea many Greeks also have translated these men's Writings into their own Tongue without much deviating from the truth I will therefore begin my History in that time where these Writers and our own Prophets have ended theirs and set down at large all those Wars that happened in my time As for those things that precede B my particular knowledge I will only touch them briefly and in a word or two First I will relate how Antiochus Antiochus Epiphanes the first Author and Fountain of the Wars of the Jews surnamed Epiphanes took the City of Jerusalem and possessed the same for the space of three years and six months and how he was driven out of that Countrey at last by the Asmoneans After this I will set down the Dissentions that happened amongst Antiochus's Successors for the Kingdom and how by this means they drew Pompey and the Romans into their Affairs The Epitome of the Wars of the Jews How Herod likewise the Son of Antipater being assisted by Sosius put an end to the Rule of the Asmonean Princes And how in Augustus Caesar's time after the death of Herod and during the Government of Quintilius Varus a Sedition was raised among the people And how in the twelfth year of Nero's Reign the War began What C likewise happened in Cestius's time and what Warlike Exploits the Jews performed in their first Attempts and Revolts how they strengthened the Cities and Forts about them and how Nero hearing of the great Overthrow which his Army received under Cestius their General and fearing lest he should lose all made Titus Vespasian General of his Army who being attended by his eldest Son came into Judaea accompanied with as great a number of Romans as he could possibly gather how a great number of his Allies were defeated in Galilee what Cities they took in that Province either by Assault or by Composition Besides all these things I will express what Order and Discipline the Romans observe in their Wars and how they are accustomed to exercise their Soldiers I will describe also the places and nature D of the Countrey of Galilee and Judaea together with the Mountains Lakes and Fountains thereof with all the Properties of the same not forgetting those miseries which the Captive Cities suffered and how they were surprized All which together with all those evils and miseries which during those troubles befell my self I will discourse with all truth and diligence the rather because I publish them to many who are no ways ignorant of them After this The signs and changes after Nero's death I will set down how upon the declining and downfall of the Jews Nero died and how at such time as Vespasian had undertaken the Expedition to Jerusalem he was recalled from it to receive the Imperial Dignity and how when E he returned into Egypt to establish that Province the Jews began to mutiny among themselves how many Tyrants arose among them who hatched much civil discord and debate in their Government Moreover how Titus departing out of Egypt came the second time into Judaea and ranged over the Countrey and how and where he levied and encamped his Armies How and how often the City was vexed by Seditions especially at such time as he himself was present What Onsets he gave Titus besiegeth Jerusalem and how many Mounts he raised in begirting the City with a triple Wall The strength and Provision of the City The manners and Sacrifices of the Jews The Scituation and Plat-form of the Temple and the Altars therein The Rites and Ceremonies used on Festival days The seven Purifications and the Offices of the Priests The Garments also of the High F Priest and the Holy Sanctuary of the Temple All which I will recount without any dissimulation or swerving from the truth of History After this I will relate what cruelty the Tyrants used towards their own Countrey-men The Humanity of the Romans towards the Jews what Humanity the Romans shewed to strangers and how often Titus who desired to save both the City and Temple exhorted the Seditious to mutual Amity Furthermore I will report how the people of the Jews after the many and grievous Calamities which they suffered in the Siege by War Sedition and Hunger were at length reduced into servitude after the taking of that great and potent City Neither will I omit the slaughter of such as deserted their Nation neither the punishment inflicted on those that were Captive The burning of the Temple and the overthrow of the City I will set down how the Temple was burnt against Caesar's Will and G what an infinite Mass of Sacred Treasure was consumed by the Fire and what signs and wonders happened before the same The Captivity also of the Tyrants themselves and the number of those that were led away into Captivity and what miseries they H endured How the Romans continuing their Wars utterly ruined the
Fortresses of their Captives The Romans triumph over the Jews Finally how Titus travelling thorough the whole Countrey established a Form of Government and afterward returning into Italy triumphed with much honour All these things I have comprehended in seven Books endeavouring as much as in me lieth The cause why he wrote this History to avoid all occasion of reproof from those men who know these Affairs and were Actors in the War Which I have done for their sakes who love truth And according to that Order and Form I promised I will begin my History A THE FIRST BOOK Of the B WARS of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the First Book 1. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons C 2. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus 3. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodore and Demetrius 4. Of the War of Alexander King of the Jews with Antiochus and Aretas and of Aristobulus and Hircanus 5. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians and of the taking of Jerusalem 6. Of the War of Alexander with Hircanus and also of Aristobulus 7. Of the death of Aristobulus and the War undertaken by Antipater and Mithridates 8. How Antipater was accused before Caesar of the Priesthood of Hircanus and how Herod made War 9. Caesar's death Cassius comes into Syria Herod ingratiates with him Malichus poysons D Antipater who had sav'd his life For which Herod causes him to be slain 10. How Herod was accused and set free 11. Of the War of the Parthians against the Jews and of Herod's Flight and Fortune 12. Of Herod's War for the recovering of Jerusalem after his return from Rome and how he warred against the Thieves 13. Of the death of Joseph How Herod besieged Jerusalem and how Antigonus was slain 14. Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake 15. How Herod was confirmed in the peaceable Possession of the Kingdom of Judaea by Augustus E Caesar 16. Of the Cities and Monuments repaired and builded by Herod and of his felicity and liberality towards strangers 17. Of the disagreement between Herod and his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus 18. Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod 19. How Herod should have been poysoned and how the Treason was discovered 20. How Antipater's malicious practices against Herod were discovered and punished 21. Of the Golden Eagle and of Antipater's and Herod's death F CHAP. I. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The Overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons AT such time as Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes made War against Ptolomey the Sixth King of Egypt The year of the World 3800. before Christ's Nativity 162. for the whole Dominion of Syria those of the chiefest Authority and Nobility among the Jews were divided into two Parties And that of Onias the High Priest being become the G strongest expelled the Sons of Tobias out of the City who fleeing to Antiochus for refuge besought him in all humility that he would lead his Forces into Judaea offering themselves to be his Guides in the Expedition Antiochus who had long desired such an occasion easily condescended to their request H and levying a great Army he entred their Countrey took Jerusalem and slew most part of them who favoured Ptolomey He gave his Soldiers liberty to sack the City spoiled the Temple of the great Riches which were in it and for the space of three years and six months forbad the Sacrifices Ant. l. 12. c. 6. which before time were accustomed to be offered every day to God in that place Antiochus being stirred up by Tubias's Sons invadeth Judaea and surpriseth Jerusalem Whereupon Onias the High Priest fled to Ptolomey of whom having obtained the grant of a piece of Land within the Liberties and Precincts of Heliopolis he built a Town and Temple there resembling the City and Sanctuary of Jerusalem of which we shall speak in due place But Antiochus not satisfied with the unexpected surprize of the City nor with the pillage and slaughter of the Citizens Ant. l. 15. c. 4. was so far transported by his passions and incenssed I with the remembrance of those toyls which he had sustained during this War The High-Priest Onias flieth to Ptolomey that he compelled the Jews to renounce their Religion to forbear the Circumcision of their Children and to immolate Swine upon the Altar The abhorrence which the chiefest and honestest amongst them Ant. l. 12. c. 7. could not refrain to declare against these Abominations Antiochus altereth the Customs of the Jews cost them their lives For Bacchides who was Governour of all the Garisons of Judaea by the appointment of Antiochus being naturally very cruel omitted no occasion to execute his wicked Orders insomuch that he particularly tormented such as were of Noble Birth and Quality Bacchides's cruelty towards the Jews and every day represented to them the fresh face and memory of the desolation of their City But at length a Tyranny so insupportable animated those that suffered it to attempt the means of freeing themselves K from it Ant. l. 1. c. 8. and of executing revenge upon the Authors Matthias or Mathathias Maccabaeus the Son of Asmoneus Matthias confederated with others maketh War against Antiochus one of the Priests who dwelt in a Village called Modin accompanied with his five Sons and his own houshold armed with Swords slew Bacchides and fearing the power and multitude of the enemy's Garrisons presently retired himself into the Mountains Thither resorted divers of the people unto him by which conflux growing more confident and couragious he descended from the Mountains and overcoming the Captains of Antiochus drave them out of the Borders of Judaea By many instances of such happy success he became so renown'd that he was by common consent of the people whom he had delivered from the subjection of strangers made their Ruler And when he died he left his eldest Son who was called L Judas to succeed him in the Government This brave Son of so brave a Father could not doubt of the endeavours which Antiochus would use to revenge the losses he had received and therefore he gathered together an Army of his own Countrey-men and was the first among the Jews that made a League with the Romans Antiochus failed not as he had foreseen to enter into Judaea with a powerful Army and this great Captain repell'd him with a great Overthrow And whilst the remembrance of this Victory was yet fresh in men's minds he assaulted the Garrison of Jerusalem which as yet was entire in which Conflict he forced them to forsake the high Town which is called Holy and betake themselves to the lower part And having recovered the
But his Mother being no way dismayed with the stripes which she endured nor with the death wherewith she was threatned lifted up her hands to her Son beseeching him that he would not in regard of her miseries be moved to spare so impious a person for she should esteem her death G happy if so be Ptolemy might receive just punishment for the villany which he had impiously committed against their house Hircanus seeing the resolute mind of his Mother and hearing her entreaty was moved to assault the Castle but straightway seeing her beaten and torn he relented with compassion and his mind agitated with H different Sentiments was full of confusion and trouble By which means the Siege continued long and the Jubilee year was come which falleth out every seventh year Ptolomey was no sooner delivered from the Siege by this occasion but he put Hircanus's Mother and his Brethren to death Ptolâ—maeus murthereth Hircanus's Mother and Brethren and afterwards fled to Zeno the Tyrant of Philadelphia who was also surnamed Cotylas In the mean while Antiochus to be revenged for the Victory which Simon had got over his Generals entred with an Army into Judaea and besieged Hircanus in Jerusalem who opening the Sepulchre of David who had been one of the richest of all the Kings of Judaea took more than three thousand Talents from thence The year of the world 3839. before Christ's Nativity 123. of which he gave three hundred to Antiochus and so obliged him to depart the Countrey This I Hircanus was the first Prince that entertained Forreign Soldiers But so soon as Antiochus had bent his Power and Forces against the Medes he took that opportunity to revenge himself Antiochus upon the payment of three hundred Talents raiseth his Siege and presently assaulted the Towers of Syria assuring himself he should find them as indeed they were void of Soldiers to defend them He made himself Master of Medaba Samea Sichem and Garizim and subdued the Cuthaeans who inhabit the places adjoyning to the Temple that was built in imitation of that which is at Jerusalem Ant. lib. 13. cap. 15. Moreover he took many Cities of Idumaea and amongst the rest Doteon and Marisa and coming into Samaria which Herod afterwards rebuilt and called Sebaste he besieged it on every side Ariâ—â—obulus and Antigonus besiege Sâ—basâ—â— and left his two Sons Aristobulus and Antigonus to continue the Siege They omitted nothing to the purpose and there came such a Famine K in the City that the Inhabitants were constrained to eat very unaccustomed Meats In this extremity they desired aid of Antiochus surnamed Spondius who speedily came to relieve them but he was overcome by Aristobulus and Antigonus and was pursued by them to Scythopolis whither he retired himself But they returning again to Samaria Sebasâ— overthrown and spoiled straitned the City and at last taking it by force destroyed the same and led away their Inhabitants Captives Whilst thus Fortune favoured them they ceased not to pursue their good success but led their Army beyond Scythopolis and shared between them all the Land of Mount Carmel L CHAP. III. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodorus and Demetrius THis Felicity and good hap of Hircanus and his Sons was accompanied with the envy of many of his Countrey-men and their discontent was the cause of an open Rebellion The Seditious overcome in War For divers of the Jews rising up in Arms against them were so much over-ruled by their ambitious passion that they could not contain themselves from the prosecution of an open and bloody War Hircanus after he had happily governed the Countrey for thirty three years space dieth wherein notwithstanding they were put to the worst From that day forward Hircanus passed the remainder of his life in all M tranquillity and happiness and after he had governed the Commonwealth for the space of thirty and three years he departed this life leaving behind him five valiant Sons He was a man of more than ordinary felicity being possessed of three excellent endowments together for he was the Prince of his Countrey High Priest and a Prophet The year of the world 3861. before Christ's Nativity 101. to whom God spake and gave him the knowledge of future accidents He foresaw and foretold that his two eldest Sons should not continue long in the Government whose ends are worth rehearsal being very different from their Father's felicity for the eldest Son Aristobulus after his Father's death changed the Principality into a Kingdom and was the first that put a Crown on his head four hundred twenty one years Ant. lib. 13. cap. 19. and three months after the deliverance of the people from the Captivity of Babylon N As for Antigonus who was his second Brother and whom in appearance he seemed to love most entirely he made him partaker of his Dignity and committed the rest of them to Prison He imprisoned his Mother also for that she had contended with him for the Government of which Hircanus had made her Regent Aristobulus famisheth his Mother And he was so given over to all kind of cruelty that he not only kept her Prisoner in Bonds but also put her to death by Famine Aristobulus loved Antigonus very dearly To which Impiety he added that of killing his own Brother Antigonus whom he had entirely loved and made Partner with him in the Kingdom For by reason of certain scandalous slanders which his envious and malignant Courtiers contrived and invented against him he commanded him to be put to death Upon their first information Aristobulus swayed by Brotherly affection gave them no O credit conceiving those Accusations to proceed from envy rather than any good ground But when Antigonus returned from the War at that Festival time wherein A according to the custom of our Countrey we celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles it happened that Aristobulus fell sick Antigonus therefore about the end of those Festival days attended with a great Equipage and Train of armed men ascended up into the Temple to offer Sacrifice and to pray God for the health of the King his Brother Hereupon certain cursed and wicked detractors repaired to the King and told him that this great Guard of Soldiers which accompanied Antigonus Antigonus in honour of his Brother ascended up into the Temple and his magnificent Pomp shew'd that he was not contented with the honour he had done him in associating him in the Royalty but was minded to possess it wholly to himself in which resolution they said he was come accompanied with so many Soldiers Antigonus falsly accused to his Brother that it could not be doubted but that it was to murther him Aristobulus though unwillingly yet at B last being won to believe them desirous to hide his suspicion commanded his Guard to hide themselves in a certain place under ground Aristobulus commandeth his Guard
that if Antigonus came armed they should kill him himself then lodging in a certain Castle which in times past was called Bari and afterwards Antonia by Herod in honour of Antonius with this Commission that if Antigonus came unarmed they should let him pass if otherwise they should kill him He sent certain Messengers also to Antigonus requiring him to repair unto him dis-armed But the wicked Queen prevented this good intent of his by a subtil stratagem complotted by those that with her conspired against him The Queen 's cunning Stratagem against Antigonus for she perswaded those that were to carry this message to discover nothing of what the King had commanded them but to tell Antigonus that his Brother having intelligence that he had brought very goodly Armour with other C fair Furniture for War from Galilee desired him to come to him arm'd as he was that he might have the pleasure to see him in his Warlike Ornaments Antigonus suspecteth not his Brother Which when Antigonus understood who by reason of his Brother's affection suspected no mischief he armed himself and resorted to him intending to content him with his appearance But no sooner arrived he in the strait which is called the Tower of Straton but the Guard of Aristobulus set upon him and slaughtered him yielding by this means a demonstrative testimony that Detraction is able to destroy all good nature and friendship and that there is no union of affection so great as it can always resist the attempts of envy to ruine it In this Occurrence there happened a thing which cannot be too much admired Judas the Prophet foretelleth Antigonus's death D One Judas who was of the Sect of the Esseans had so certain a knowledge of the Future that his Predictions were never found false This man beholding Antigonus pass thorough the Temple cried out to his familiars who attended him in no small number as ordinarily divers of his Disciples did Ah how happy were it for me at this present if I were dead since truth is dead before me and one of my Predictions is found faulty For behold Antigonus yet liveth who should this day have died in the Tower of Straton which is distant from this place six hundred furlongs and 't is now the fourth hour of the day now therefore is the time wherein my Divination shall be falsified Having spoken to this effect the old man sat down being altogether disconsolate and pensive within a while after it was told him that Antigonus was slain in a place under E ground called the Tower of Straton being of the same name with that at Caesarea which is scituate upon the Sea-coast which conformity of names was the cause that Judas staggered in his Divination The sorrow which incontinently seized Aristobulus Aristobulus through the grief he conceived at his Brother's death falleth sick for committing this hainous Murther augmented his sickness in such sort that his Soul was continually troubled with the thought of his sin and his body through extream heat of passion became dried up and the grief that he felt was so vehement that his Entrails became exulcerated so that he voided blood in great abundance And it so fell out by God's Providence that one of his Servants who was deputed to that Office bearing out that blood which came from him A Servant spilleth blood in the same place where Antigonus was slain missed his way and came to that place where Antigonus had F been slain where still there appeared some signs and stains of the blood of Antigonus on which he poured out the blood of the Murtherer Aristobulus Which when they perceived who stood hard by imagining that the Servant had purposely spilled the blood in that place as it were in Sacrifice to the Ghost of that Prince they cryed out so loud that Aristobulus hearing their cry demanded the cause thereof and the more that each man feared to discover the same to him the more instantly he desired to understand the truth so that at length after he had used threats he was certified of what had passed Whereupon his eyes were suddenly filled with tears and in vehement agony of mind The eye of God discovereth every sin he cryed out and said How could I hope but that the great eye of the Divine Majesty should see my wicked acts and the sudden vengeance of my Brother's blood G pursue and overtake me Aristobulus dieth miserably How long O thou miserable Body wilt thou detain my Soul from being sacrificed to the vengeance of my Mother and Brother's death Why do I thus lingeringly languish in offering a part of my blood unto them Let them take it all at once and let not the Divine Vengeance laugh any longer to see the effusion of mine Entrails The year of the World 3862. before Christ's Nativity 100 H This said he died after he had only reigned one year His Wife after his death delivered his Brother Alexander from Prison and established him King who was both the eldest and seemed to be the most moderate among the rest of his Brethren Ant. l. 13. c. 9 But growing by this means both proud and potent he put one of his Brethren to death Alexander advanced to the Kingdom useth much cruelty for aspiring after the Kingdom but spared the other alive for that he contented himself with a private and contemplative life He made War also against Ptolomey that was called Lathyrus who had surprized the City of Asoth and put a great number of his enemies to the Sword nevertheless Ptolomey's side obtained the Victory But retiring himself into the Countrey of Egypt by reason that his Mother Cleopatra pursued him with open War Alexander forcibly entred the City I of Gadara Alexander is overthrown by Theodore and the Fort of Amath one of the greatest of all those that were beyond Jordan in which place Theodore Zeno's Son had hoarded up his chiefest and most precious moveables which he took but enjoyed not long for Theodore suddenly setting upon him recovered all that which was his and furthermore laid hands on the King's Carriage in seizing which he slaughtered many Jews to the number of ten thousand But Alexander after he had recovered this loss invaded the Frontire Towns upon the Sea-coast and won Rapha Gaza and Anthedon which afterwards by King Herod was called Agrippias The Sedition of the Jews against Alexander upon a Festival day But after he had conquered these places the common sort of the Jews raised a mutiny against him during a certain solemn and holy Feast as Mutinies and Seditions are commonly raised at Banquets and it is K thought that he could not have prevailed against those Rebels had he not been assisted by the Pisidians and Cilicians whom he hired to help him for the Syrians he refused to hire by reason of their natural hatred they bare against the Jews Having therefore slain
discontent and moreover being emboldened by the love which he bare her Mariamne hatefully upbraideth Herod with Hircanus's death she every day upbraided him with that which he had done to Hircanus her Uncle and to her Brother Aristobulus For Herod spared him not although he was a Child but after he had made him High Priest in the seventeenth year of his age he presently put him to death after he had so honoured him who when he came to the Altar clothed in sacred attire upon a Festival day all the people K wept for joy which caused so great a jealousie in Herod that the same night he sent him to Jericho to be drowned in a Lake by the Galatians who had received commission to perform the murther These things did Mariamne daily cast in Herod's teeth and upbraided both his Mother and Sister with very sharp and reproachful words Herod's Mother and Sister do falsly accuse Mariamne to him yet he so loved her that notwithstanding all this he held his peace But the women were set on fire and that they might the rather move Herod against her they accused her of adultery and of many other things which bare a shew of truth objecting against her that she had sent her picture into Egypt to Antonius and that through immoderate lust she did what she could to make her self known unto him who doted upon womens love and was of sufficient power to do what wrong L he pleased Hereat Herod was much moved Herod secretly chargeth Joseph to kill his wife especially for that he was jealous of her whom he loved bethinking himself upon the cruelty of Cleopatra for whose sake King Lysanias and Malichus King of Arabia were put to death and now he measured not the danger by the loss of his wife but by his own death which he feared For which cause being drawn by his affairs into the Country he gave secret commandment to Joseph his Sister Salomes husband whom he knew to be trusty and one who for affinity was his well-willer to kill his wife Mariamne if so be Antonius should have killed him But Joseph not maliciously but simply to shew how greatly the King loved her disclosed that secret unto her and she when Herod was returned and amongst other talk M with many Oaths sware that he never loved woman but her Indeed said she it may well be known how greatly you love me by the commandment you gave to Joseph whom you charged to kill me Herod's suspicion betwixt Joseph and his wife Herod hearing this which he thought to be secret was like a mad man and presently perswaded himself that Joseph would never have disclosed that commandment of his except he had abused her so that hereupon he became furious and leaping out of his bed he walked up and down the Palace whereupon his Sister Salome having fit opportunity confirmed his suspicion of Joseph For which cause Herod growing now raging mad with jealousie commanded both of them to be killed Which being done his wrath was seconded by Repentance and after his anger ceased Herod commandeth both Joseph and Mariamne to be slain the passion of love was presently renewed yea so great was N the power of his affection that he would not believe she was dead but spake unto her as though she were alive until in process of time being ascertained of her funeral he equalled the affection he bare her during her life by the vehemency of his passion for her death Mariamnes Sons inheritors of her displeasure Mariamnes Sons succeeded their Mother in her hatred and recogitating what an impious act it was they accounted their Father as a mortal enemy both before and after they went to study at Rome and especially after they returned again into Judea The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. For as they grew in years so did the violence of their revenge increase And being now marriageable one of them married the Daughter of their Aunt Salome who accused their Mother the other married the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia And now to their hatred was joyned a liberty to speak O more freely against their Father and by this occasion of their boldness many were animated to calumniate them so that some did openly tell the King that both his A Sons sought to work treason against him and that the one of them prepared an Army to help the other to revenge the death of their Mother and that the other to wit he that was Son-in-law to Archelaus purposed to flee and accuse Herod before Caesar Herod giving ear to those calumniations sent for Antipater whom he had by Doris Herod's debate with those Sons he had by Mariamne to the end he might defend him against his two Sons and sought to advance him above them But they thought this alteration intolerable seeing one whose Mother was but a private woman so preferred and they exalted with their own Nobleness of Birth could not contain their indignation but upon every occasion shewed themselves offended Ant. lib. 16. cap. 4. by reason of which imprudence they were every day less accounted of As for Antipater he wrought himself into favour for he B knew how to flatter his Father Antipater by disgracing his Brothers is declared his Fathers heir and raised many slanders on his two Brethren partly invented by himself partly divulged by some of his Favourites whom he set awork about the matter till at last he put his Brethren out of all hope of having the Kingdom For he was now by the Kings Will and testament declared King so that he was sent as a King to Caesar in a Kingly habit and pomp only he wore no Crown and in time he so prevailed that he wrought his Mother into Mariamnes stead Herod accuseth Alexander before Caesar and with flatteries and calumniations so moved the King that he began to deliberate about putting his Sons to death For which cause he conducted his Son Alexander with him to Rome and accused him before Caesar that he had given him poyson But he with much ado having obtained lieve to plead his own cause and that before C a Judge more wise than Herod or Antipater he modestly held his peace in all things his Father had offended in and first of all he cleared his Brother Aristobulus from that crime in which he was involved with himself And afterwards he inveighed against Antipater's subtilty and complained of those injuries which had been offered him having beside the equity of his cause sufficient eloquence to acquit himself for he was a vehement Orator and knew well how to perswade Last of all he objected that his Father having a desire to put both him and his Brother to death A reconciliation between Herod and his Sons had laid an accusation upon him whereat the whole Audience wept and Caesar was so moved that not regarding the accusations that
could not be so severe as to judge other men's Sons to death The two other Delegates also affirmed the same and some others followed their advice But Volumnius was the first that pronounced the sorrowful Sentence after whom all the rest followed some to flatter Herod some for hatred they bare him but none for any indignation against the young men Then all Judaea and Syria expected an end of this Tragedy yet no man thought Herod such a Tyrant as to put his two Sons to death Herod caused his Sons to be brought to Tyre and from F thence by Ship he conveighed them to Caesarea bethinking himself what death he should put them to Tyro an old Soldier exclaimeth against Herod's cruelty In the mean time there was an old Soldier of the King 's named Tyro who had a Son belonging to Alexander and highly in his favour and he himself greatly loved the two young men who being very much grieved in mind at that which had past went about crying that Justice was trodden under foot Truth opprest the Sentiments of Nature extinguished and the Actions of Men full of iniquity and whatsoever else grief could put into the mind of a man who nothing esteemed his own life At last this Tyro came boldly to the King and said unto him O King thou seemest to me most unhappy who givest credit to wicked and vile persons against thy dearest Sons for Pheroras and Salome thou believest before thine own Children whom G notwithstanding thou hast often sound to have deserved death and thou perceivest not that they do this to the intent to make thee want lawful Successors and leave thee none but Antipater whom in their hearts they would have King because they can rule him as they list But bethink thy self O King how all thy Soldiers will hate him for the death of H his two Brethren for there is no man that doth not pity the two young men and many of the Nobility are displeased hereat After he had spoken this he named them who were displeased Whereupon the King commanded them and him and his Son to be laid hold on Tyro with his Son are by the King's Command laid hands on And presently one of the King's Barbers named Tryphon shewing himself to be in I know not what fury came forth and said to Herod Tyro perswaded me to kill thee with my Razor promising me that if I would so do Alexander would give me a great reward Herod hearing this caused Tyro and his Son and the Barber to be tortured Ant. lib. 16. cap. 13. the two former denied all and the Barber affirmed nothing more than he had already said Then he commanded Tyro to be more tormented whereupon Another false Accusation against Tyro his Son moved with compassion towards his Father promised to disclose all I the matter to the King if he would pardon his Father and being released of his torments presently declared that his Father through Alexander's means and procurement was purposed to have killed him Many that were present thought it was a device of the young man to free his Father from torments but others were perswaded that it was true Upon this Herod made a speech unto the people wherein he inveighed against the Officers of his Army and Tyro and made the people arm themselves Herod commandeth his Sons to be strangled and to be buried with Alexander their Mother's Uncle and kill them with staves and stones After which he sent his Sons to Sebaste which was not far from Caesarea and there he caused them to be strangled and having quickly dispatched the matter he ordered them to be brought to the Castle Alexandrium there to be buried with their Mother's Uncle And this was the K end of Alexander and Aristobulus CHAP. XVIII Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod ANtipater now hoped without all controversie to succeed in the Kingdom Ant. lib. 17. cap. 21. but he became generally hated of the whole Nation for it was openly known that he by false calumniations had caused his Brethren's death And on the other side L he stood in no little fear of their Children whom he perceived to begin to grow to years For Alexander had by Glaphyra two Sons Tygranes and Alexander and Aristobulus had by Bernice Daughter to Salome five Children to wit three Sons Herod Agrippa and Aristobulus and two Daughters Herodias and Mariamne Herod after he had put Alexander to death sent away Glaphyra with her Dowry into Cappadocia and married Bernice Aristobulus's Wife to Antipater's Uncle for Antipater had devised this Match to become friends with Salome whom before he hated and envied Antipater striveth by Gifts and Bribes to creep into men's favours He also by his great Gifts sought to get Pheroras's favour and the Friendship of such as were Friends to Caesar sending to that end great summs of money to Rome He gave Saturninus and all the rest great Riches in Syria But the more he M gave the more he was hated of all men for every one considered his Presents not as proofs of his Liberality but as effects of his Fear so that he got not the love of them upon whom he bestowed them and they to whom he gave nothing were so much the more his enemies Yet he continued his bounty rather than diminished it when he saw against his expectation Herod made much of these Orphans whose Parents he had slain Intending to shew how much he repented their deaths by the pity and compassion he took of their Children For assembling together his friends he caused the Children to be placed by him and the tears standing in his eyes he said Since my ill Fortune hath taken away from me the Fathers of these Children Herod grievously bemoneth his Sons expressing the same by his commisseration towards their Children there is no care so great which Nature and my compassion of their present condition obligeth me not to N take of them Wherefore I will endeavour that seeing I have been a most unfortunate Father I may be a most affectionate Grand-father and leave them who are most dear unto me to reign after me In order whereunto Brother Pheroras said he I betroth your Daughter to Alexander 's eldest Son to the end that this Alliance may oblige you to serve in stead of a Father to him and to your Son Antipater said he I assure the Daughter of Aristobulus Herod betrotheth his Nephews that so you may be the same to her and my Son Herod Grand-son by his Mother to Simon the High Priest shall marry her Sisster This is my will and pleasure touching this matter and let no man who loveth me seek to alter it And I beseech Almighty God to prosper these Marriages to the good of my Countrey and of these my Nephews and to look upon these Children with a more favourable eye than he did upon their Fathers O Having thus spoken
Another proof against Antipater contained many invectives against Herod and many accusations But these Letters were feigned by Antipater who for money had perswaded Acme to write them in her own name as the Letter that she writ to Antipater evidently shewed for she writ as followeth I have writ to your Father as you requested me and sent also other Letters and I assure D my self he will not spare his sister if he do but read the Letters You may do well seeing I have performed all your requests to be mindful of your promise This Letter against Salome and others being found to be counterfeited the King began to doubt that Alexander was made away by such counterfeited Letters and he remember'd that he had almost put his Sister to death through Antipater's device Wherefore he resolved no longer to delay to punish him for all yet was he hindred by a great sickness from accomplishing his purpose Herod intendeth Antipater's punishment and therefore blotteth his name out of his Testament He only sent Letters to Caesar concerning Acme's treachery and false accusation of Salome and changed his Testament and blotted out the name of Antipater and in his room writ Antipas leaving out Archelaus and Philippus who were the elder Brethren because Antipater had render'd them odious to him E He bequeathed to Augustus a thousand Talents beside many other rich gifts and to his Wife the Empress and Children and Kindred and Freed men about five hundred he also gave great gifts to others either in land or money and left to his Sister Salome great riches CHAP. XXI Of the Golden Eagle and of Antipater's and Herod's death F HErod's disease increased partly through age and especially by his grief and sorrow Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. for he was now threescore and ten years old and his mind was so troubled for the death of his Children that though he were in health yet he took no pleasure in any thing and his sickness was so much the more grievous to him because that Antipater was yet alive but he purposed to put him to death as soon as he was recovered of his sickness To increase his calamity there arose a tumult among the people There were in the City two Doctors reputed very skilful in our Country-laws One of them was named Judas the Son of Sariphaeus the other was called Matthias the Son of Margalote These two were followed by a great number of young men so that when they expounded the Law they had an assemby like a great Army G And hearing that the King partly by grief and partly by his disease was very like to die they told their acquaintance that now it was a fit time to revenge the injury which God received by those profane works which were made against his express Commandment The year of the World 3963. after Christ's Nativity 1. which forbids to place the Images or likeness of H any living thing in the Temple This they said because the King had set a Golden Eagle upon the chief Porch of the Temple which they exhorted the young men to take away saying that it was meritorious although danger might ensue thereon yea Judas and Matthias perswade the people to pull down the Golden Eagle even to die for their Countrey-laws For they that died for such a cause should enjoy everlasting life and glory And that many unwise men ignorant of that Doctrine so loved their lives that they chose rather to die by sickness than to spend their lives in so glorious an enterprize Whilst they spoke thus there was a rumour spread that the King was now at the last gasp whereby the young men being encouraged about Noon when many were walking in the Temple they let themselves down from the top of the Temple with great ropes and so with hatchets cut down the Eagle I Whereof the Captain of the Soldiers being advertised The young men that pulled down the Eagle are brought before Herod and are examined he went with a great many Soldiers speedily to the Temple and took almost forty of the young men and carried them to the King Who asked them if that were true that they were so bold as to cut down the Golden Eagle They confessed they had done it Then he demanded by whose Commandment They answered by the Commandment of the Law After this it was asked them why they who were presently to die were so joyful They answered Because after death they hoped to enjoy Eternal Bliss The King hereat was so greatly moved with anger that for all his disease he went forth and made a Speech to the people wherein he inveighed against these persons as Sacrilegious who under pretence and colour of their Countrey-laws and Religion attempted some great matter K and he adjudged them as impious people worthy of death The people fearing that he would torture many to learn who had favoured the act requested him that only the Authors and Actors of that Crime might receive punishment and that he would remit the offence to all the people besides The young men with the Ring leaders condemned to die The King with much ado entreated caused the young men that let themselves down with Cords and the two Doctors to be burned and the rest which were taken in the act to be beheaded After this the King's sickness spread over his whole body and he was afflicted with most grievous pains The King troubled with many diseases For he had a great Fever and an Itch over all his body which was intolerable and a dayly Collick and his feet were swelled as though he had the Dropsie Ant. l. 17. c. 9. His belly also was swelled and his privy members putrified so that the worms L bred in the putrified places He was also grievously tormented with difficulty of breath and a Convulsion of the whole body so that some said that this was a punishment laid upon him Herod seeketh remedy in his sickness at the hot Baths for the death of the two Doctors Herod notwithstanding he was afflicted with so many and grievous sicknesses yet he was desirous to live and sought remedy in hope of health At last he passed over Jordan where he used the warm Waters of Calliroe which run into the Lake of Asphaltites and are so sweet that men use to drink of them There the Physicians caused his body to be bathed in hot Oyl and he was therewith so weakened that his sense failed and he was as though he were dead whereat those that were about him being troubled with their cries they caused him to look up and now despairing of life he caused fifty Drachmes M to be distributed to every Soldier and great Summs of money to the Captains and his friends As he returned Herod full of melancholy When he came to Jericho he was in a very great likelihood to die and his melancholly put into his head a wicked
resolution For he caused the chief men of every Town and Village in all Judaea to be assembled together and then he shut them up in a place called the Hippodrome And calling unto him his Sister Salome and Alexas her Husband I know said he that the Jews will make Feasts for joy of my death yet if you will do what I desire it shall be mourned for and I shall have a remarkable Funeral As soon as I have given up the Ghost cause my Soldiers to encompass these men whom I have here in hold and kill them all By this means all Judaea and every N Hous-hold thereof shall have cause to lament The Ambassadors signifie 〈◊〉 death and bring Letters that authorize Herod to punish Antipater After he had commanded this to be done those whom he had sent to Rome brought him Letters wherein was shewed how Acme Julia's Servant was by Caesar's Command put to death and Antipater adjudged worthy to die yet Caesar writ that if his Father had rather banish him he permitted it Herod with this news was something pleased yet presently his pains and a vehement Cough seized him with that violence so that he thought to hasten his own death Herod overcome with pain would have 〈◊〉 himself and taking an Apple in his hand he called for a Knife for he was accustomed to cut the meat which he did eat and then looking about him lest any standing by should hinder him he lift up his arm to strike himself But Achab his Nephew run hastily to him and stayed his hand and presently there was made great lamentation O throughout all the King's Palace Ant. lib. 1◠cap. 16. as though the King had been dead Antipater having speedy news hereof took courage and promised the Keepers a piece of money to A let him go But the chiefest of them did not only deny to do it but also went presently to the King and told him what Antipater requested Herod hearing this lifted up his voice with more strength than was meet for a sick man and commanded his Guard to go and kill Antipater and bury him in the Castle called Hircanion And now again he altered his Testament Antipater's death and appointed Archelaus his eldest Son King and Antipas his younger Brother Tetrarch Five days after the death of his Son Antipater Herod died Ant. lib. 17. cap. 12. having reigned thirty and four years after he slew Antigonus and thirty seven years after the Romans had declared him King In many things he was as fortunate as any man for being born but a private person he got the Crown and kept it and left it to his Posterity But in his Domestick Affairs he was most unfortunate B Salome before it was known to the Soldiers that the King was dead went forth with her Husband and released all those that were in Hold whom the King had commanded to be slain saying that the King's mind was altered and therefore he gave them all Licence to depart Herod's death signified to the Soldiers And after their departure the King's death was published to the King's Soldiers who together with the other multitude were assembled in the Amphitheatre at Jericho by Ptolomey Keeper of the King's Seal who made a Speech to them and told them that Herod was now happy and he comforted the multitude and read unto them a Letter which the King left wherein he earnestly requested the Soldiers to favour and love his Successor After the Epistle read he recited the King's Testament wherein Philip was appointed Heir of Trachonitis and the places thereunto C adjoyning Antipas Tetrarch and Archelaus King He commanded his Ring to be carried to Caesar to whom he referred the cognizance and disposal of all with full Authority requiring that as to any thing else his said Testament should be performed This was no sooner read Archelaus proclaimed King after his Father's decease but presently the Skies were filled with the voices and cries of the people who congratulated Archelaus and the Soldiers and the People promised to serve him faithfully and wished him a happy Reign This done the next care was about the King's Funeral on which Archelaus spared no cost but buried the King with all Royal Pomp possible Herod's pompous Funeral The Herse whereon he was carried was adorned with Gold and Precious Stones upon it lay a Bed wrought with Purple whereupon was D laid the dead Corps of the King covered also with Purple a Crown and Diadem of pure Gold on his head and a Scepter in his Right hand About the Herse were his Sons and Kinsfolk and the Guard and Bands of Thracians Germans and Gauls all went before in order as though they had gone to Wars The rest of the Soldiers in Warlike order followed their Captains and Leaders and five hundred of his Servants and Freed-men carried Perfumes And thus the Corps was carried the space of two hundred furlongs from Jericho to the Castle of Herodion where as himself had appointed it was interred H THE SECOND BOOK OF THE WARS of the JEWS I Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Second Book 1. Of Herod's Successor Archelaus how he entred into the Temple and the Mutiny that arose for the revenge of those that were executed for taking away the Golden Eagle 2. Of the Fight and Massacre in Jerusalem between the Jews and the Sabinians K 3. Varus Governour of Syria for the Romans represseth the Insurrections in Judea 4. How the Jews had an Ethnarch constituted over them 5. Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken 6. Of the Banishment and Death of Archelaus 7. Of Judas the Galilean who established a fourth Sect and of the three Sects amongst the Jews 8. Of the Cities which Philip and Herod built and of Pilat's Government L 9. The Emperour Caius orders Petronius Governour of Syria to constrain the Jews by Arms to receive his Statue into the Temple Petronius forbears to do it The death of Caius saves him from Punishment 10. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa 11. Of divers Tumults in Judea and Samaria 12. Of the Tumults in Judea under Foelix 13. Of Albinus and Florus Presidents of Judea M 14. Of Florus his cruelty against the Jews of Caesarea and Jerusalem 15. Of another Oppression of the Citizens of Jerusalem by Florus 16. Of Politianus the Tribune King Agrippa's Speech to the Jews exhorting them to obey the Romans 17. Of the Rebellion which the Jews begun against the Romans 18. Of the death of Ananias the High Priest Manahem and the Roman Soldiers 19. Of the great Massacre of the Jews at Caesarea and in all Syria N 20. Cruelties exercised against the Jews in divers other Cities and particularly by Varus 21. Fifty thousand Jews slain at Alexandria 22. Of the Massacre of the Jews by Cestius Gallus 23.
that they had punishment sufficient in losing all that which they had laid out and bestowed upon him F CHAP. VI. Of the Banishment and Death of Archelaus ARchelaus being now made Prince Ant. lib. 17. cap. 19. remembred the contests past and in revenge thereof Archelaus banished for his Tyranny and his goods confiscated he ill treated not only the Jews but also the Samaritans But in the ninth year of his Reign the Jews and Samaritans sent Ambassadours against him to Caesar by whom he was banished to Vienna a City of Gallia and all his Goods confiscated 'T is reported that before he was summoned to appear before Caesar he had a strange Dream Archelaus's Dream of the Oxen and ears of Corn. in which he saw nine great Ears of Corn devoured by Oxen and G presently sending for some Chaldeans he demanded what that Dream betokened Some interpreted it one way and some another but one Simon an Essean told him that the nine Ears of Corn betokened the number of years he had reigned and the Oxen signified the change of his Fortune for as much as these creatures in labouring H the Land turned up and altered the face of it And therefore nine years being past since he had been established Prince he was to prepare himself for death Five days after this Interpretation Archelaus was sent for to Rome to answer before Augustus the things whereof he was accused I have also thought it worth rehearsing to set down the Dream of his Wife Glaphyra Daughter to Archelaus King of Cappadocia who was first married to Alexander Brother to this man and Son to King Herod by whom he was put to death as we have said before After whose death she was married to Juba King of Lybia and he being dead she returned home to her Father where living in her Widowhood Archelaus refusing Mariamne marrieth Glaphyra Archelaus the Ethnarch beholding her was so inflamed with her love that presently he divorced his Wife Mariamne and married her Soon I after she came into Judaea she dreamed that she saw Alexander her first Husband standing before her and saying unto her Glaphyra saw Alexander in her sleep It had been enough for thee to have married the King of Lybia but thou not contented therewith comest again to my house greedy of a third Husband and which is worst of all art now married to mine own Brother I will not conceal nor dissemble this injury which thou dost me but I will recover thee against thy will And she scarcely lived two days after she had related this Dream to her friends CHAP. VII K Of Judas the Galilean who established a fourth Sect and of the three Sects amongst the Jews AFter that Archelaus's Dominions were reduced into a Province Ant. lib. 18. cap. 12. a certain Roman Knight called Coponius was made Governour thereof During his Administration The year of the World 3973. after Christ's Nativity 11. a certain Galilean named Judas incited his Countrey-men to revolt reproaching them for paying Tribute to the Romans and for being subject to any but to God This Judas was Author of a new Sect of his own devising nothing like other Sects For there are three Sects of Philosophers amongst the Jews one is that of the Pharisees L Three Sects among the Jews of which the Esseans were the best another of the Sadducees and the third of the Esseans which is the most famous of all the three The Esseans are Jews born but live in the greatest union together imaginable They consider all Pleasures as Vices that are to be avoided and esteem Continence and Victory over the Passions as the greatest Vertues They reject Marriage and account other men's Children put to them to be taught whilst young The Esseans Doctrine of Marriage as their own Kins-men whom they diligently instruct in their Manners and Opinions not for that they condemn Marriage and Propagation of Mankind but to avoid women's incontinence for they think that none of them keep themselves true to one man Among the Esseans goods are common Also they contemn Riches and all things with them are common and no man amongst them is richer than other And they have a Law amongst themselves M that whosoever will embrace their Sect he must make his Goods common for so neither any amongst them seems abject for Poverty nor any great for Riches but they have as it were all equal Patrimonies like Brethren They account it a shame to anoint the body with Oyl and if any man though against his Will be anointed therewith they use all diligence to wipe it away And they account themselves fine enough if their Cloaths be white They have amongst them Stewards to oversee all things for their common benefit who are chosen from amongst them by a common consent Their Revenue is distributed according to the need that every one haâ—h The Esseans Hospitality They have not one certain City but are dispersed in many Cities and if any of their Sect though a stranger come to them from another place they give N him any thing they have as if he were their ancient Acquaintance In like manner they go boldly to those whom they never in their lives saw before as though they were familiarly acquainted with them And therefore when they take a journey they only arm themselves against Thieves and carry nothing with them else In every City there is one appointed whose Office is to receive and lodge those of their Sect that come thither and to see that they neither want Cloaths nor any thing else necessary for them The Esseans Appâ—â—el All Children under Government brought up by them go apparelled alike and they never change their Apparel nor Shooes except they have worn out their first Apparel Among themselves they neither buy nor sell but every man that hath any thing which another wanteth giveth him it and taketh that of O him which himself needeth yea every one of them may take any thing he hath need of from whom he pleaseth without any change Above all towards God they A are very Religious for before the Son rise they speak of nothing but holy things and then they make certain Vows and Prayers after the custom of their Countrey as it were praying that God would please to make it rise upon the earth After this every one is dismissed to practice the Art he knoweth And when every one hath diligently laboured till eleven a clock Their Religion and labour they all meet together again and being covered with linen cloaths they wash their bodies with cold water and having thus purged themselves they go to their Cells into which no man that is not of their Sect is admitted And then they come to the Refectory as into a holy Temple where all sitting down with silence there is set before every man in order a loaf and a little mess of pottage
of the World 3979. after Christ's Nativity 17. or to eat meats forbidden They could not be forced to any of these neither would they entreat the Torturers nor shew any sorrow amidst their torments Yea in the midst of their pains they scoffed at their Tormentors and joyfully yielded up their souls as though they hoped to pass to a better life For it is an Opinion amongst them The Esseans esteem the soul immortal but they believe not the Resurrection of the dead that the body is mortal and corruptible but the souls remain ever immortal and being of a most Pure and Etherial Substance wrap themselves in bodies as in prisons being drawn thereunto by some natural inclination But when they are delivered out of these Carnal Bonds then presently as freed from a long Bondage they joyfully mount into the Air. And of the good souls they say as did the Grecians The Grecians opinion of the soul of man that they live beyond the Ocean in a place of Pleasure where they are L never molested with rain nor snow nor heat but have always a sweet and pleasant Air. But the wicked souls as they say go into a place very tempestuous where there is always Winter weather always lamentations of those who for ever are to be punished For I judge that the Greeks are of this opinion when they say there is an Isle for the vertuous whom they call Heroes and half-gods and that the souls of the wicked go to a place in Hell where it is feigned that some are tormented as Sysiphus Tantalus Ixion and Titius These Esseans also believe that they are created immortal that they may be induced to Virtue and averted from Vice that the good are rendred better in this life by the hope of being happy after death and that the wicked who imagine they can hide their evil actions in this world are punished for them in the other with M eternal torments This is the Esseans Opinion touching the excellency of the soul from which we see very few of those depart The Esseans prophesie who have once embraced it There are also some among them who promise to foretel things to come which faculty is obtained as well by the studying of Holy Books and Ancient Prophecies as by the care they take of sanctifying themselves And their predictions seldom fail There is another sort of Esseans There is a Colledge of the Esseans that differeth from the former in the point of Marriage agreeing with the former both in apparel diet and kind of life and observance of the same Laws and Ordinances only they differ in the matter of Marriage Affirming that to abstain from Marriage tends to abolish mankind For say they if all men should follow this opinion presently all mankind would perish Notwithstanding these people use such moderation that for three N years space they observe the women they intend to marry and then if they appear sound enough to bear Children they marry them None of them lie with their Wives when they are with child to shew that they do not marry to satisfie Lust but to have Children When their Wives wash themselves they are covered with a Garment as the men are and this is the manner and custom of this Sect. Of the two former Sects The second Sect of the Pharisees the Pharisees are said to be most skilful in Interpreting the Laws The chief Article of their belief is that all things are to be attributed to God and Fate yet so that every man may in many things of his own power do good or ill though destiny may help much therein And that the souls of men are all incorruptible but only the souls of good men go into other bodies and the souls of wicked men are sent O into everlasting pain The third of the Sadducees But the Sadduces deny Fate and affirm that as God is the Author of no evil so he takes no heed to what men do that a man hath power to do A well or ill and every man may chuse whether he will be good or bad and they generally deny both pains and rewards for souls after this life The Pharisees are as sociable and loving one to another as the Sadduces are at discord among themselves living like savage beasts and as uncourteous to their own Sect as to strangers This is all which I have to speak concerning the Philosophers among the Jews Now I will return to my purpose CHAP. VIII B Of the Cities which Philip and Herod built and of Pilates Government ARchelaus his Ethnarchy being now made a Province Ant. l. 18. c. 7. the rest of his Brethren to wit The year of the World 3997. after Christ's Nativity 35. Philip and Herod who was surnamed Antipas continued to govern their Tetrarchies And Salome dying left Julia by her Testament the Toparchy which she ruled as also Jamnia and a ground set with Palm-trees in Phasaelis When Tiberius the Son of Livia upon the death of Augustus after he had reigned seven and fifty years six months and two days was made Emperour of Rome Philip built a City near the head of Jordan in the Country of Paneade and called it Caesarea and another he built in the lower part of Gaulanitis and named it Tiberias and another in C Paerea on this side Jordan which he named Julias Pilate being sent by Tiberius to be Governour over the Jews caused in the night some Ensign on which was the Image of Caesar to be brought into Jerusalem which thing within three days after caused a great tumult among the Jews for they who beheld this action were astonished and consider'd it as a violation of the Law of their Country which forbids expresly any Picture or Image of men or other creatures to be brought into the City At their lamentation who were in the City The people would not condescend to Pilate to alter their Country-laws there was gathered together a great multitude out of the villages adjoyning and they went presently to Pilate then at Caesarea beseeching him earnestly that the Images might be taken away out of Jerusalem and that the Laws of their Countrey might remain inviolated When Pilate denied their suit D they prostrated themselves before his house and there remained lying upon their faces for five days and nights without moving On the sixth day Pilate sitting in his Tribunal-seat call'd all the Jews together before him as though there he would have given them an answer but on the sudden a company of armed Soldiers for so it was provided compassed the Jews about on all sides The Jews were hereat amazed Pilate admiring the constancy of the Jews in their Religion sent the Statues from Jerusalem seeing that which they expected not Then Pilate told them that except they would receive the Images of Caesar he would kill them all and to that end made a sign unto the Soldiers to draw
their swords The Jews as if they had agreed together fell all down at once and offered their naked necks to the stroke of the sword crying out that they would rather lose their lives than suffer their Religion to be prophaned E Then Pilate admiring the constancy of the people in their Religion presently commanded the said Ensigns to be taken out of the City of Jerusalem After this he caused another tumult among them for they have a sacred Treasure called Corban The year of the World 3998. after Christ's Nativity 39. which Pilate resolv'd to make use of to bring water into the City four hundred furlongs off for this cause the people murmured so that when Pilate came to Jerusalem they flocked about his Tribunal to make their complaint Pilate foreseeing a tumult caused Soldiers secretly armed to mingle themselves among the people in private apparrel Pilate beateth the seditious with clubs and commanded them not to use their swords but to beat those with clubs whom they saw make such clamours And when he had thus plotted F the matter sitting in his Tribunal he gave a sign unto the Soldiers and presently the Jews were beaten and many of them partly with blows and partly trodden upon by the multitude The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 36. died miserably The multitude amazed at the calamity of those that were slain held their tongues For this cause Agrippa Son of Aristobulus whom Herod the King his Father put to death Agrippa Aristobulus's Son hateth Tiberius and insinuateth himself into Caius Caligula's friendship went to Rome and accused him to Caesar Tiberius not admitting his accusation he remained still at Rome and sought the favour of other great men there and especially he courted Caius the Son of Germanicus he being yet a private person and upon a certain day having invited him to a banquet he stretched forth his hands and openly pray'd Almighty God in stead of Tiberius Caesar he might see him Lord of all the world Tiberius having notice hereof by one of his familiar friends caused Agrippa to be imprisoned where G he endured hard and strait imprisonment till the death of Tiberius which was six months after Tiberius reigned 22 years six months and 3 days After he was dead having reigned two and twenty years six months and three days Caius Caesar who succeeded him in the Empire freed him from prison The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 39. and gave him the Tetrarchy of Philip who was newly deceased and the title H of King When Agrippa came into his Kingdom Herod the Tetrarch began to envy his estate and Herodias his wife still urged him forward in hope that he should be made a King also for said she thou wantest that dignity only through slothfulness because thou wouldest not go to Caesar Caius Caesar giveth the Tetrarchy to Agrippa 〈◊〉 's Son and maketh him a King for if Agrippa be made a King being before but a private man how canst thou doubt to be made a King who art already a Tetrarch Herod herewith perswaded went to Caius Caesar who greatly reproached his ambition insomuch as he fled into Spain for Agrippa had followed him to Rome to accuse him before Caesar and Caius gave him Herod's Tetrarchy And so Herod remained in Spain with his wife till his death Ant. l. 18. 〈◊〉 Herod and his wife remain in Spain I CHAP. IX The Emperour Caius orders Petronius Governour of Syria to constrain the Jews by arms to receive his Statue into the Temple The year of the World 4002. after Christ's Nativity 40. Petronius forbears to do it The death of Caius saves him from punishment CAius Caesar so abused his Authority Ant. lib. 18. c 15. that he would be thought to be a god and so called Caius Caesar calleth and reputeth himself a God Also he put many Noble men of his Country to death by his cruelty which he likewise extended even to Judaea for he sent Petronius with an K army to Jerusalem commanding him to set his Statues in the Temple and if the Jews refused to receive them The fear the Jews had of Petronius's Army that those who withstood him should be put to the sword and the rest led away captive Almighty God did otherwise dispose this proud commandment But Petronius accompanied with three Legions and many assistants out of Syria came with all speed from Antioch to Judaea many of the Jews would not believe any war towards notwithstanding that they heard a general report thereof and they that believed it could not bethink themselves of any means to resist Suddenly all were in a great fear for the Army was now come to Ptolemais The description of Ptolemais which City is situate by the Sea-shoar in Galilee in a fair Field and on the East-side it is compassed with Mountains distant from it threescore furlongs L which belong to Galilee on the South-side it is invested with Mount Carmel which is distant an hundred and twenty furlongs on the North-side it is environed with an exceeding high Mountain which the Inhabitants call the Tyrians Ladder this Mountain is an hundred paces distant from the City Two miles from this City there is a River running by called Pelus a very little one near which is the admirable Sepulchre of Memnon Sand like Glass near Memnon's Sepulchre which is a hundred cubits high and of a concave form In this place is seen a sort of Sand as transparent as Glass which many ships carry away for Balast but though they empty the place of it yet that place is presently after covered with the like sand again For there are winds which as it were on purpose carry this sand from the higher places round about it thither and this M sand being put into the furnace is presently changed into Chrystal or Glass And that which in my opinion is more to be wondred at is that the sand being so turned into Glass if afterward any part thereof be cast upon the brink of this place it is again turned into ordinary sand And this is the nature of that place Now the Jews with their wives and children gathered themselves together in the field where the City Ptolemais is situate and humbly besought Petronius not to violate their Country-laws but to have compassion on them Petronius seeing the multitude that humbly sued to him and how earnestly they sought his favour left Caesar's statues at Ptolemais and himself went from thence to Galilee and at Tiberias called all the Jews and Nobility together Petronius certifieth the Jews of the Romans power and Caesar's threats he represents to them the power of the N Romans and how dreadful Caesar's threatnings ought to be to them adding moreover that the Jews supplication was indeed a contumely seeing all Nations under the dominion of the Romans the Jews only excepted had
already placed Caesar's Statues in their Temples among those of their gods and herein they did as it were revolt from the Emperour and affront him their Governour who represented his person They answered it was against the Laws and Customs of their Country for it was not lawful for them to have the Image of God much less of a man and that they were not only forbidden by the Law to have an Image in the Temple but also to have it in any prophane place Petronius replied if you observe your Laws so religiously I must also observe my Lord's command for if I do not but spare you O I shall be justly punished and 't is not to me but to him you must make your addresses for I my self as well as you am subject to him At these words the whole A multitude cried out together that before they would see their Religion violated they would willingly expose themselves to any danger When the noise of the people was ceased Petronius said Are ye then prepared and minded to fight against Caesar The Jews answered No we every day offer sacrifices for Caesar and the Romans But if Caesar must needs place his Image in the Temple he must first kill us all with our wives and children The constancy of the Jews Hereat Petronius greatly marvelled and was moved to compassion when he beheld the constancy of the Jews in their Religion and so great a multitude prepared to die for it And for that time they departed nothing being done The next day following he assembled only the Nobility of the Jews Petronius once more assembleth the Jews and threatens them and spoke to them both generally and one by one exhorting them to obey B Caesar's command and sometime admonishing them otherwhile threatning them and putting them in mind of the power of the Romans and Caesar's indignation and that he must of necessity do as he was commanded But they were moved by none of these Whereupon Petronius fearing the ground would be left untilled for it was now seed-time and all the people had remained idle in the City for fifty days space calling them together he said that he would go about a thing which might greatly endanger him self Petronius sendeth to Caesar and signifieth the Jews supplication For said he I will either God assisting me appease Caesar's wrath or else I will lose mine own life to save such a multitude as you are And dismissing the people who made daily prayers to God for him he led his Army from Ptolemais to Antioch from whence he presently sent to Caesar in all haste recounting C to him with how great an Army he went into Judea and that all the whole Nation made supplication to him whose request and humble suit if he denied he must utterly destroy the men and their Country for they remained resolute in their Countrey-religion and vehemently resisted any new Law Caius writ an answer of these Letters to Petronius threatning him that it should cost him his life because he made no more haste to execute his command The messengers that brought these Letters were tossed in a tempest upon the Sea three whole months together Petronius receives letters of Caesar's death but others coming after them to bring news of Caius's death had a prosperous wind so Petronius received the Letters of Caius Caesar's death twenty seven days before the other threatning Letters came D CHAP. V. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa CAius Caesar being assassinated The year of the World 4005. after Christ's Nativity 43. after he had reigned three years and six months Claudius was made Emperour by the Army which was at Rome The Senate by the instigation of the Consuls Sentius Saturninus and Pomponius Secundus commanded three Legions of Soldiers to keep the City during the Council holden in the E Capitol Ant. lib. 19. cap. 3. and abhorring Caius Caesar's cruelty they determined to fight against Claudius and to reduce the Empire to the ancient Government that as before-time so for ever after Caius reigned three years and six months those should rule that the Senate judged worthy It chanced that at this time Agrippa came to Rome and the Senate sent to him requesting him to come and take place in their Council Claudius also desired him to take part with the Army intending to use his help where need required Agrippa is chosen both betwixt the Senate and Claudius for an arbiter Agrippa perceiving that Claudius was in a manner already Emperour for his power he took part with him who presently sent him as Ambassadour to the Senate to tell them his purpose how that first of all the Soldiers whether he would or no set him in that dignity and it had been in him an undiscreet part to have forsaken such an offer from the Soldiers who F did it for good will that if he had refused it his life had been in danger and it was sufficient danger that he had been elected Emperour Moreover he purposed to rule not as a Tyrant but as a good Prince for he would be contented only with the Title of Emperour and do nothing without the common consent of them all And although he was not naturally inclined to modest and courteous behaviour yet he had a sufficient example to beware that he abused not his authority by Caius Caesar's death The Senates answer to Agrippa Agrippa carried this message to the Senate who answered as though they trusted to their Soldiers and the Justice of their Cause that they would not thrust themselves into voluntary bondage Claudius receiving this answer sent Agrippa again to tell them that nothing could cause him to abandon them by whom he was made Emperour G and that he was forced to make war against them with whom he was very loath to contest and therefore willed them to chuse a place out of the City for the battel to be fought in for it stood with no reason to deface the City with civil wars and Massacres for the obstinacy of some few Agrippa did this message also to the Senate H and one of the Soldiers that were for the Senate drew his Sword and said Fellow Soldiers what should move us to massacre our Friends and Kindred and Parents who follow Claudius especially seeing we have an Emperour with whom we can find no fault unto whom we should rather go forth with Congratulations than with Arms. When he had said this he passed thorough the midst of the Court and all the Soldiers followed him The Senate The Senate follow the Soldiers to Claudius being thus left desolate and abandoned by their Forces began to be in great fear and seeing it was no standing out for them they followed the Soldiers and went to Claudius Before the City Walls there met them some that endeavour-to shew themselves dutiful to Claudius for his Fortunes sake who
having their Swords I drawn had killed the formost before Caesar understood any thing of their coming had not Agrippa hastened to advertise him of the matter He told him that if he did not presently appease the Soldiers fury now raging against the Citizens all the Nobility would presently be destroyed and he should be left Emperour of a desolate place When Claudius heard this Claudius honourably entertains the Senate he repressed the Soldier 's fury and very honourably received the Senate into his Camp and went forth presently with them and offered Sacrifice to God as the manner is for the good Estate of the Empire and to give him thanks for that Sovereignty which he held of him Agrippa's Kingdom Also he presently made Agrippa King of all his Father's Dominions giving him likewise all that Augustus had given Herod The year of the World 4008. after Christ's Nativity 46. to wit Trachonitis and Auranitis and besides them another Countrey called K the Kingdom of Lysania and published this his Gift by Edict to the people and commanded the Senate to engrave that Donation in Brazen Tables and to place it in the Capitol Moreover he gave the Kingdom of Chalcis to his Brother Herod who was become also his Son-in-law by the marriage of Bernice his Daughter Agrippa now received greater Revenues of his Kingdom than he could desire which he spent not vainly but in building such a Wall about Jerusalem as had he finished it the Romans could never have taken it Ant. lib. 19. cap. 5. But before he could end that work he died in Caesarea having reigned three years with the Title of King Agrippa after he had reigned three years in Caesarea dies and other three years before with that of Tetrarch He left behind him three Daughters which he had by Cypris Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla and one Son by the same Wife named Agrippa who L because he was very young Claudius reduced the Kingdom into a Province and made Cuspius Fadus Governour thereof After whom succeeded Tiberius Alexander who nothing violating the Laws of the Nation Herod after he had reigned in Chalcis dieth ruled them in Peace After this Herod King of Chalcis died leaving behind him two Sons which he had by his Brother's Daughter Bernice to wit Bernicianus and Hircanus and by his first Wife Mariamne Ant. lib. 19. cap. 7 8. Aristobulus His other Brother also Aristobulus died a private person leaving one Daughter Jotapa And these were the Posterity of Aristobulus Son of King Herod by Mariamne Alexander and Aristobulus 's Genealogy whom he put to death But his elder Brother Alexander's Posterity reigned in the greater Armenia M CHAP. XI Of divers Tumults in Judaea and Samaria AFter the death of Herod who reigned in Chalcis Claudius created Agrippa the Son of the former Agrippa The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. King of Chalcis his Unkle's Kingdom And Cumanus was made Ruler of the other Province after Tiberius Alexander under whom many new tumults and calamities befel the Jews For when they were assembled together at the Feast of Unleavened bread in Jerusalem the Roman Soldiers standing in the Porch of N the Temple for always armed men kept that place upon Festival days A filthy fact and speech of a Soldier against the Jews on a Festival day lest the people gathered together should make any tumult one of the Soldiers taking up his coat turned his bare buttocks against the Jews faces speaking words as unseemly as was his gesture At which insolence the whole multitude began to murmur and they flocked about Cumanus requesting him to punish the Soldier for his misdemeanour And some of them rash young men and prone to Sedition began to revile the Soldiers and threw stones at them Cumanus feareth the people's 〈◊〉 Cumanus fearing that the whole multitude of the Jews would violently move against him called to him many armed Soldiers and sent them to seize the Gates of the Temple Some ten thousand men thronged to death The Jews being in great fear fled and left the Temple and there was such a throng that as they hasted to flee above ten thousand people O were prest and trodden to death So that this Festival day was turned into woful lamentations and mournings in every place This calamity was followed soon after by A another The year of the World 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. for near Bethoron one Stephanus Servant to Caesar carrying some rich houshold-stuff was robbed of it in the High-way But Cumanus sending for those in the Villages next adjoyning in order to discover the Thieves commanded them to be bound and brought to him because they had not taken the Thieves In one of which Villages a certain Soldier finding the Book of the Holy Scripture A Soldier cuts the Book of the Holy Scripture in pieces and burneth it cut it in pieces and burnt it Hereupon all the Jews of this Countrey gathered themselves together from all places being no less incensed than if they had seen their Countrey set on fire and carried by zeal for their Religion they forthwith went to Caesarea to Cumanus there beseeching him that the Soldier who had affronted God and their Law might not escape unpunished The Soldier executed that burned the Bible Cumanus perceiving that the Jews would not be appeased without B some satisfaction condemned the Soldier to death and sent him to Execution in their presence which done they all departed At the same time there arose a great difference between the Galileans and Samaritans A Galilean slain in Samaria for at a Village called Geman scituate in the great Plain of Samaria a certain Galilean of the number of the Jews that came to the Feast was slain For which fact many Galileans joyned together to be revenged of the Samaritans And the Principal of the Countrey went to Cumanus requesting him before any more harm were done to go into Galilee and punish the Authors of this Murther But Cumanus being busied in greater Affairs sent them away without granting their request When this murther was known in Jerusalem all the multitude left the solemnity of the Festival C and went to Samaria Eleazar and Alexander two Princes of the Jews exercise much cruelty refusing to be restrained by the Magistrates Of this their Tumult and Sedition the Son of Dinaeus called Eleazar and one Alexander were Captains who with violence entring the Borders of the Countrey of Lacrabatana killed man woman and child and burnt the Towns When Cumanus heard this he took the Cavalry of Sebaste and went to help them that were thus oppressed and he killed and made Prisoners many of them who took part with Eleazar Now the Magistrates of Jerusalem went out to the rest of the Jews which so wasted Samaria clothed in sack-cloth and ashes upon their heads and beseeched them not to seek revenge
to fix the seat of his Dominion over the people He chose for his Guard a good number of his followers Foelix overthroweth the Egyptian Foelix foreseeing his intent met him with his Legions of Romans and a great number of other Jews and fighting against him the Egyptian being defeated fled and many that were with him were taken and committed to Prison and the rest of the multitude dispersed themselves into their Countrey These N being thus repressed The Thieves and Magicians work much mischief to many men another part as it happeneth in a sick body began to rise For some Magicians and Thieves being gathered together exhorted the people to shake off the Roman Yoke and threatned present death to those that continued to suffer so shameful a Servitude so that they forced them who were contented with their subjection to the Romans The year of the World 4020. after Christ's Nativity 58. to disobey them These people being dispersed all over the Countrey robbed and sacked rich men's houses killed them and fired the Villages so that all Judaea was in extream fear of them and every day their cruelty encreased At this time arose another tumult at Caesarea Ant lib. 10. cap. 13. between the Jews that dwelt there and the Syrians The Jews challenged the City to be theirs because it was founded by O Herod who was a Jew But the Syrians denying not that the builder of the City was a Jew yet affirmed that it ought to pass for a Greek City for said they the A Founder would not have placed in it Shrines and Statues if he had meant that it should have belonged to the Jews Hereupon there arose a great controversie among the Jews and Syrians so that the matter came to blows and every day those that were the hardiest of both parts fought together For the wiser sort of the Jews could not restrain those of their Nation from being seditious A Fight between the Jews and Syrians about Caesarea and the Greeks scorned to give place to the Jews The Jews surpassed them in Riches and strength of body and the Grecians trusted to the help of the Roman Soldiers for a great many of the Roman Army being levied in Syria were ready to assist the Syrians because of Kindred and Consanguinity Sedition and Slaughter among the Jews The Officers that commanded them endeavoured to appease the Tumult and took those that were most seditious and beat them and cast them into Prison B But the punishment of those that were apprehended terrified not the rest on the contrary they were hereby more tumultuous Foelix finding them at blows as he passed into the great Market-place commanded the Jews who had the advantage to retire and because they obeyed not he sent for Soldiers who slew them and plundered their Goods The Sedition being still on foot he sent some of the Nobility on either Part The year of the World 4024. after Christ's Nativity 62. to Nero to plead their Cause before him Festus succeeded Foelix who vigorously persecuted them that troubled the Countrey and destroyed many Thieves C CHAP. XIII Of Albinus and Florus Presidents of Judaea ALbinus Ant. lib. 20. cap 15. who succeeded Festus followed not his steps for there was no mischief so great Albinus President of Judaea full of all wickedness which he was not guilty of For he not only took away by force men's Goods from them under colour of Justice and at his own pleasure exacted a greater Tribute but also freed and let loose any one whom either the Magistrates of the City took or his Predecessors had left in Prison so that their Friends would give a piece of money and they only who were not able to give money were imprisoned D as most hainous Offenders The Seditious bribe Albinus to wink at their Robberies At this time they in Jerusalem that desired alteration began to take courage and those that were rich among them feed Albinus with money to have his Protection and the common people that loved not to be in quiet were much pleased with Albinus's Government and each of the most wicked had a Troop of Thieves after him But Albinus himself was over them all as chief of the Thieves whom he used as his Guard to rob the meaner sort They whose houses were sacked and spoiled were glad to hold their peace and they who yet had esscaped were glad to be very officious towards those who deserved death for fear they should suffer it In general no men could trust one another Every one trembled under the Rule of so many Tyrants And all these mischiefs were the Seeds of the Servitude E which after befel this miserable City Notwithstanding that Albinus was of such behaviour The year of the World 4028. after Christ's Nativity 66. yet Gessius Florus who succeeded him so behaved himself that in comparison of him Albinus might have been thought a good Governour For Albinus did all things secretly and craftily but Gessius committed any iniquity how great soever so openly as though he gloried in mischief Ant. lib 20. cap. 16. and behaved himself not as a Ruler of the Countrey but as a hangman sent to execute Malefactors omitting no manner of Theft nor any means whereby he might afflict the people Gessius Florus succeeded Albinus and proved worse than Albinus Where he ought to have shewed pity there he was a Tyrant and where he ought to have been ashamed there he shewed himself shameless No man ever could invent more means to betray the truth and devise more subtil ways to do F harm than he for it sufficed him not for his own gain to abuse men one by one at his pleasure The Covetousness of Florus spoileth whole Cities but he wasted and spoiled whole Cities at once and destroyed the people in great multitudes He was not ashamed by the publick voice of a Cryer to proclaim it thorough the whole Countrey lawful for any one that would to rob and steal so that they would bring him a part of their Booty In brief his Avarice was such that the Countrey was almost left desolate people forsaking their own native home and fleeing into strange Lands And all the time that Cestius Gallus was Governour of Syria no man durst go to him to make any complaint against Florus But when at the Feast of Unleavened Bread Gallus came to Jerusalem there met him a multitude of the Jews above three hundred thousand all beseeching him to help and succour their G afflicted Countrey and banish Florus who was the very Pest of their Nation Yet Florus was so impudent that being with Gallus and hearing these Out-cries against him he was no whit moved but laughed at it Cestius for that time appeased the people promising that hereafter he would make Florus more gentle unto them and H so returned to Antioch Florus conducted him to Caesarea and justified
they be watered with Water drawn before Sun-rise The cause why the ground about Jericho is fruitful by the blowing of a mild and temperate wind it is refreshed and it receives a contrary nature In Winter-time it is almost luke-warm and temperate to them that go into it The Air here is so temperate The Air temperate and Warm that when it snoweth in other parts of Judea and is extreme cold the Inhabitants in this place only wear a linen Garment This Country is distant from I Jerusalem a hundred and fifty Furlongs and threescore from Jordan and all the ground betwixt it and Jerusalem is desart and stony and so likewise between it and Jordan and Asphaltites though it be lower ground than the other Thus we have sufficiently declared the fertility of Jericho CHAP. V. The Description of the Lake Asphaltites IT is worth the labour to describe the Lake Asphaltites An admirable property of the Asphaltite Lake which is Salt and uncapable K of feeding Fish yet what ever is cast into it how weighty soever it be it swimmeth above the Water so that one though he would on purpose cannot sink to the bottom Vespasian coming thither to see it took men who could not swim and caus'd their hands to be bound behind them and cast them into the midst thereof and all of them came up to the Top of the Water as if some Wind had forc'd them from the bottom Moreover it is admirable how this Lake thrice in every day changeth colour and shineth diversly according as the beams of the Sun sundry ways fall upon it And in many places it casteth up pieces of black Bitumen in greatness and shape like a Bull without a head and these float above the Water They that get L their living upon this Water by gathering this Bitumen draw it to their Boats and it is so tough and clammy that having filled their Boats herewith it is not easie for them to get them away but their Boat is as it were fastened and hangeth upon the rest of that mass of bituminous matter till it be separated from it by the terms or urine of a Woman This bitumenous matter is good to close the rifts of Ships and also to cure many diseases The Land of Sodom is near unto the Lake Asphaltites This Lake is five hundred and eighty Furlongs long extending to Zoar which is in Arabia and it is a hundred and fifty Furlongs broad Near this Lake is the Land of Sodom and Gomorrah sometime both fertil and rich now all burnt having been for the impiety of the Inhabitants consumed with lightning and thunder To be short one may here behold as it were the reliques of that M fire that by Gods appointment destroyed the place for one may yet see some remainders of those five Cities and Trees and Fruits springing up in the ashes which fruit to the Eye seemeth like other fruits but if you handle them they fall into ashes and smoak Teâ—tul Apolog c. 39. And so the History of the destruction of Sodom is verifi'd to the Eye of them that behold it CHAP. VI. How Gerasa was destroyed of Nero's Death and of Galba and Otho N VEspasian desirous to besiege Jerusalem on every side built Castles at Jericho and Adida and left there Garisons of the Souldiers that came to assist him and also Romans with them L. Annius taketh Gerasa And he sent L. Annius to Gerasa with a Body of Foot and Horse who at the first assault took the City and slew a thousand young men who had not time to flie and made whole Families Slaves giving the Souldiers the spoil of their goods and so firing their Houses he went to other places adjoyning They who were able fled and the weaker sort who could not flie were slain and whatsoever came in their way they consumed with fire Thus all places both Mountains and Plains O being wasted and ruined with War the Inhabitants of Jerusalem had no whither to go A when they desired to flie from the Zelots by whom they were kept in The year of the World 4033. after the Nativity of Christ 71. And they themselves who were against the Romans were also kept in the City being on every side enclosed and encompassed with the Roman Army After Vespasian was returned to Cesarea and with all his Army purposed to go to Jerusalem Vespasian hath tydings of Nerâ—es death news was brought him that Nero was slain having reigned thirteen years and eight dayes Touching whom I will not recount how he dishonour'd the Empire committing the whole sway of all the Common-wealth to two most wicked men to wit Nimphidius and Tigillinus who were of least worth amongst all his Freed-men and how being betrayed by these two men he was forsaken of all his Guards and so fled only with four trusty Freed-men into the Suburbs and there kill'd himself And how that B sometime after they that deposed him were punished for that offence And how the Wars ended in Gallia Galba and that Galba being created Emperour returned to Rome out Spain and how he was accused of Cowardize by the Souldiers and by them killed in the Market-place Otho as one of base condition Vitellius and how Otho was declared Emperour and led his Souldiers against Vitellius also Vitellius his troubles and his fight before the Capitol and how Antonius Primus and Mutianus slew Vitellius and so appeased the German Troops and the Civil War Of all these I have forborn to speak because I presume both the Greeks and Romans have written these things at large yet I have briefly recapitulated this to continue my History After Vespasian heard this news Vespasian deferreth his siege at Jerusalem he deferred the Siege of Jerusalem expecting who C should be created Emperour after Nero. And when he was certified that Galba reigned he determined to do nothing but lie quiet till such time as he should write to him his mind whether he would have him proceed in the War against the Jews And he sent to him his Son Titus both to salute him and also to know his pleasure concerning the Jews Likewise King Agrippa went with Titus for the same cause to Galba But as they were passing by Achaia with long Ships in Winter time as the Custome is news was brought that Galba was slain having reigned seven Months and seven dayes After whom succeeded Otho who governed the Empire three Months Agrippa not dismayed with this alteration still kept on his Journey to Rome But Titus as God would have it returned from Achaia to Syria Galba is slain and Otho governeth and so to Caesarea to his Father They D both were in suspence what would ensue and who should be be Emperour the Empire being so full of trouble and so they neglected the War against the Jews fearing for their own Country and therefore thinking it an unfit
on condition that they might safely depart away and Eleazar might likewise be restored to them Which offer of theirs the Romans accepted and the Jews in the lower part of the City having intelligence of this agreement resolved likewise to fly away in the night but so soon as they had opened their Gates those that had agreed with Bassus B gave him intelligence thereof either envying that their Country men should escape or else fearing that Bassus would punish them for their flight yet for all this the most valiant of those that fled who got out before the rest escaped the rest were slain to the number of one thousand seven hundred men 1700 Jews slain by the Romans the Women and Children were made bondslaves And Bassus thinking it meet to keep his promise to them of the Castle permitted them safely to depart and restored Eleazar to them C CHAP. XXVI Of the Jews that Bassus slew and how the Emperor caused the Lands of Judea to be sold THis done Bassus prepared to carry his Army into the Forrest called Jardes Jardes a wood invironed by the Romans where he had notice that many Jews were assembled together having escaped from Jerusalem and Machera during the Siege So coming to the place and finding it to be as it was reported to him he first of all invironed it with Horsemen that if any of the Jews sought to escape the Horsemen might dispatch them and he commanded the D Footmen to cut down the Wood into which they had fled to hide themselves So through necessity the Jews were constrained to fight in hope by a couragious Charge to make a passage for themselves Wherefore with a great Cry they violently assaulted those by whom they were invironed and the Romans valiantly received them and by their valour and the Jews desperation the fight endured a long time yet the event of the Battle was favourable to the Romans of whom only twelve were slain and very few wounded 3000 Jews slain but all the Jews were slain in the fight being in number three thousand and also their Captain Judas the Son of Jairus of whom we have already made mention and who during the siege of Jerusalem was Commander of a Company there and hid himself in a certain Cave and secretly escaped from thence At that time Caesar E writ to Liberius Maximus his Governour A tribute imposed by Caesar on all the Jews and to Bassus to fell all the Lands of Judea for he would not build any more Cities but appropriated it to himself leaving there only eight hundred Souldiers and giving them a place to dwell in called Emaus thirty furlongs distant from Jerusalem and he imposed a Tribute upon all Jews wheresoever they lived commanding every one of them every year to pay two Drachms to the Capitol according as in former times they were wont to pay to the Temple of Jerusalem and this was the miserable estate of the Jews at that time F G CHAP. XXVII H Of the Death of King Antiochus and how the Alans invaded Armenia IN the fourth year of Vespasian's Reign it hapned that Antiochus King of Comagenaâ— with all his family fell into great misfortune upon this occasion Cesennius Petus President of Syria accuseth Antiochus before Caesar Cesennius Petus Governour of Syria either for envy or for that indeed it was so for it is not well known sent Letters to Caesar declaring to him that Antiochus was determined to revolt from the Romans together with his Son Epiphanes that he had made a League with I the King of the Parthians and that therefore it was necessary to prevent them in time lest if they first began to revolt openly they might trouble all the Roman Empire with War Caesar did not neglect this news for that the nearness of both the Kings Countries one to another seemed to require that they should be quickly prevented for Samosata the greatest City of Comagena is situate upon Euphrates and so might both easily receive the Parthians and be a strong Hold for them and also there they might easily pass over the River Wherefore Vespasian sent word to Petus That he permitted him to do what he thought expedient and he forthwith Antiochus thinking nothing suddenly entred into Comagena with the sixth Legion and certain other Companies of Foot and K some Troops of Horse accompanied with Aristobulus King of Chalcis and Sohemus King of Emesa who came to assist him They entred the Country without any fight for none of the inhabitants offered to resist Antiochus is suddenly invaded by Cesennius Antiochus though surprised with this unexpected news yet did not so much as think of any War against the Romans but determined to leave the whole Kingdom in that estate that then it was in and with his Wife and Children to depart from thence hoping hereby to clear himself to the Romans from that which they suspected of him and going almost a hundred and thirty furlongs from the City into a Plain there he encamped Petus sent men to Samosata to take it as they easily did and were left to keep the City whilst he with the rest of the Souldiers purpose to go against Antiochus But the King though by necessity urged thereto yet would L not fight against the Romans but bewailing his misfortune endured patienrly all whatsoever But his two Sons being lusty strong young men and skilfull in martial affairs could not easily abstain from fight in this their distress Wherefore they had recourse to their forces and in a great fight that endured a whole day they shewed their Valour and came off with little loss Antiochus chuseth rather to depart out of his Country with his Wife and Children than to fight with the Romans Yet Antiochus after this fight would not any longer abide in his Country but taking his Wife and Daughters he fled into Cilicia and thereby discouraged his Souldiers who dispairing to keep the Kingdom for him revolted to the Romans But Epiphanes and the rest were forced to seek to save themselves before such time as they were left destitute and so accompanied with ten Horsemen they passed the River Euphrates And so being out of danger they went to Vologesus by whom they were received Antiochus flieth with his wife into Câ—licia not as Fugitives but with great honour and according to their degree M as though they yet possessed their ancient dignity Petus coming to Tarsus of Cilicia sent a Centurion to arrest and carry Antiochus bound to Rome Epiphanes flieth to Velogeâ—us the King of Parthia But Vespasian permitted not the King to be so ill treated considering more the old Friendship between them than the offence which he believed had given occasion to this War Wherefore he commanded that in the way as he came he should be unbound and stay a while at Lacedemon and forbear his journey towards Rome allowing him money sufficient to
to wear the Crown and to oppress the Queen who was Mother to his Children commanding him also to abstain from his Concubines After which Sethosis himself went to Cyprus and Phoenicia against the Assyrians and Medes and subdued them partly by the sword partly by the fear of his power and greatness and being transported with his success he advanced against the Eastern Country and destroyed with fire and sword the Cities and Provinces of that place and spending much time in these Wars his brother Armais whom he left in Egypt did without fear commit all that he forbad him to do for he oppressed the Queen violently and daily lay with the rest of the Kings Concubines and I being counselled by his friends he put a Crown upon his head and rebelled against his Brother of which he who was then Chief of the Egyptians holy Customs sent Letters unto Sethosis containing all that had happened and how Armais had rebelled against him That Sethosis returning to Pelusia Whereupon Egypt took his Name recovered his own Kingdom and by his name it was called Egypt for Manethon writeth that this Sethosis was named Egyptus and his brother Armais Danaus Thus far Manethon from whom it is evident by computation of the foresaid times that our Nation was delivered out of Egypt three hundred ninety and three years before Danaus and inhabited this Country of Judea so long before Danaus came unto Argos notwithstanding the Inhabitants of Argos boast their City is most ancient K Wherefore Manethon recounteth two things for us out of the Egyptian letters Manethon sheweth the Jews coming into Egypt and their departure first That we came from another place to them afterwards went out of their Country again and that so long ago as it was almost a thousand years before the Trojan Wars Touching those things which Manethon professeth himself to have gathered elsewhere than out of the Writings of the Egyptians who wrote down whatever was reported I will shew with how little reason they are alleadged For I will once again leave these and refer to the testimony of the Phenicians concerning our Nation The Tyrians therefore have Chronicles of very great Antiquity which they have kept with all dilligence concerning that which hath been done among them and indeed they are worthy of memory L Amongst these Records it is written Solomon built a Temple in Jerusalem 143 years and eight months before the Tyrians built Carthage That King Solomon built a Temple at Jerusalem a hundred fourty three years and eight moneths before the Tyrians erected Carthage So they have registred the building of our Temple for Hircanus King of the Tyrians was our King Solomons friend obliged to him for his fathers sake who for this cause also of of his own liberality gave Solomon a hundred and twenty talents of gold towards the building of the Temple The friendship of the Tyrians King and King Solomon cut down the noble Wood called Libanus and bestowed upon him to make the roof of the Temple for which bounty Solomon returned him many great Presents and among the rest a Country of Galilee named Zabulon But Solomons Wisdom was the chief cause of this Kings Friendship towards him Problems of Hircanus and Solomon For they sent Problems one to the other to be answered and Solomon in his Answers appeared most witty M as also he did in many things else and even until this day many of the Epistles sent one to another are kept among the Tyrians But not depending wholly upon the Authority of the Tyrians I will prove by the Testimony of Dius a man who by common consent hath faithfully written the Phenician History who writeth as followeth After the death of Abibalus Hircanus his son reigned in his stead who encreased the number of his Eastern Cities and inlarged Jerusalem he also joyned the Temple of Jupiter Olympius scituate in an Island unto it filling up the water with Earth and adorned it with gold After this ascending into Libanus he cut down the Wood to build Temples and the N King of Jerusalem named Solomon sent unto him certain Riddles to be expounded and he again the like unto him covenanting together that he who could not tell the meaning of one anothers Riddles should pay unto the other a sum of money and that Hircanus confessing he could not expound Solomons Riddles did pay unto him much money Lastly that one Abdemonus a Tyrian did expound the said Riddles and writ more unto Solomon which if Solomon could not interpret he should pay unto Hircanus a sum of money and this testimony Dius beareth us concerning the foresaid matter But I will now recount the words of Menander an Ephesian The testimony of Menander the Ephesian who registred the Acts of all Kings both at home and abroad endeavouring to make a true History out of the O Writings of every Country This man writing of the Tyrian Kings and coming to A Hyramus The Genealogy of King Hyramus saith thus of him Abibalus dying there succeeded in the Kingdom his Son Hyramus who lived 34 years and this King with a Rampire conjoyned Eurichorus and erected there a Pillar of Gold in Jupiter's Temple and went into the Woods and cut down the Cedars of Libanus to make coverings for the Temples with which pulling down the old he erected new and dedicated Temples to Hercules and Astartus But that to Hercules in the Month of Peritius and the other to Astartus when he with an Army went against the Tyrians who pai'd him no tribute and when he had subdued them he returned again At this time lived Abdemonus a servant unto the King whose business it was to expound the parables which King Solomon of Jerusalem sent unto King Hyramus and B how long it was from this Kings time till the building of Carthage we may thus calculate After the death of Hyramus his Son Beleastartus succeeded him lived forty and three years and reigned seven after him his Son Abdastartus who lived twenty years and reigned nine but this King was treacherously slain by the four Sons of his Nurse the eldest of which reigned twelve years Next succeeded Astartus the Son of Beleastartus who lived fifty and four years and reigned twelve after him his Brother Astarimus who lived fifty and four years and Governed nine then he was slain of his brother Phelletes who reigned eight mouths and lived fifty years and was slain by a Priest of Astarta named Ithobalus who lived threescore and eight and reigned thirty two years he was succeeded by his Son Badezorus who lived forty five C years and reigned six years to him succeeded his Son Mettinus who lived thirty two years and reigned nine After him Pigmalion who lived fifty six years and reigned forty Carthge built in Africk by Dido Pigmlion's Sister in the seventh year of whose reign his Sister Dido builded a City in Africa and
named it Carthage so that from the time of King Hyramus unto the building of Carthage is by this computation a hundred fifty five years and two Months and for as much as the Temple of Jerusalem was built in the twelfth year of Hyramus his reign the computation of the time since that year until the building of Cartbage is a hundred forty three years and eight Months What need we more beside this testimony of the Phoenicians The truth is now sufficiently made manifest for our Ancestors must needs have come into this Country we inhabit before such time as they D built a Temple in it as I have also prov'd in my Books of Antiquity collected out of our Holy Scripture I will now speak of that which the Chaldees writ of us in their Histories Berosus the Historiographer a Chaldean which do much agree in all other Matters with those of our Nation And first let Berosus be my witness who was a Chaldean born a man famous and known unto all that love learning for he in the Greek tongue writ Astronomy and the Philosophy of the Chaldeans Berosus imitating the most ancient Histories writeth of the Deluge how mankind was therein extinguished and he in all things imitateth Moses He also speaketh of the Ark wherein our forefather was preserved and affirmeth that it was carried into the tops of the Mountains in Armenia after this he prosecuteth the Genealogy of all that reigned E from Noe Nabulassarus Father to Nabuchodonosor the King of Babylon and Chaldea until Nabulassarus King of the Babylonians and Chaldeans He likewise setteth down how long every one reigned and in prosecuting the deeds of this King he recounteh how he sent his Son Nabuchodonosor into Egypt our Country with great power who finding them in rebellion subdued them and burnt the Temple at Jerusalem Nabuchodonosor conquered the rebels and so departed carrying with him all our Nation into Babylon whereupon our City was desolate seventy years until the reign of Cyrus King of the Persians Moreover he affirmeth that this Babylonian kept in subjection Egypt Syria Phoenicia and Arabia exacting more of them than ever any King of Babylon or Chaldea had done before his time And the words of Berosus must needs be to this effect Nabulassarus his Father hearing that his Substitute in Egypt Coelosyria and Phoenicia had rebelled he himself F not being able to take such pains committed his Affairs unto his his Son Nabuchodonosor gave him a part of his Army for that he was in the flower of his age and sent him against him Nabuchodonosor fighting with the said Substitute overthrew him and subdued the Country which of old belonged unto them and at the same time his Father Nabulassarus fell sick in Babylon Nabuchodonosor succeedeth in his Fathers Kingdom and died having Reigned twenty nine years But Nabuchodonosor long after understanding his Fathers death disposed of Egypt and other Provinces as he thought good and taking the Captives of Judea Phoenicia and the Syrians that lived in Egypt he committed them to certain of his friends to be brought after with his Carriages and Army to Babylon and so he himself accompanied with a very few took his jorney to Babylon through the Desart being G arriv'd he found the Chaldees ruled all and that their Nobility reserved the Kingdom for him he was made King and commanded Houses to be built for the Captives that H were coming in the most convenient places of Babylon and with the spoil he beautified the Temple of Belus and other places most richly and built a new City without the Wall of the old and providing lest hereafter the Enemies might turn the River and so have access unto the City he invironed the inner City with three several Walls and the outmost City likewise the Walls whereof were made of Brick but the Walls of the inner City were of Brick and Bitumen this done he builded most sumptuous Gates which might have become Temples 〈…〉 and moreover neer unto his Fathers Palace he builded another far greater and more costly than they the beauty and costliness whereof were hard and perhaps tedious to express Yet this we will say and it is considerable that this rich and incredibly beautiful Palace was builded in fifteen days in I it he erected Rocks of Stone like Mountains beset with all sorts of Trees he made a famous Mount and supported it with Pillars for his Wife having been brought up in the Country of the Medes desired to have a prospect into the fields and Mountains according to their way 〈…〉 This he relateth of the forementioned King and many things more in his Book of the affairs of the Chaldeans wherein he reproveth the Greek Writers who falsly affirme that Sâ—miramis the Assyrian Queen built Babylon and that they falsly report those wonderful works about Babylon to have been by her made and finished We must needs think that the Chaldean History is true seeing it agreeth with that of the Phoenicians which Berosus writ of the King of Babylon who subverted both Phaenicia and K all Syria with them also accordeth Philostratus in his History of the siege of Tyria and Megasthenes also in his fourth Book of the affairs of India The King of Babylon excelled Hercules in strength and 〈…〉 where he laboureth to prove that the said King excelled Hercules in strength and valour affirming that he subdued the greatest part of Africk and Spain and that the Temple of Jerusalem was burnt by the Babylonians and again re-edified by Cyrus and we may prove it out of Berosus who in his third book saith as followeth Nabuchodonosor having begun the third Wall fell sick and died when he had reigned forty three years and his Son Evelmeradochus succeed him who for his iniquity and licenciousness was treacherously slain by his Sisters Husband named Niriglissoroor after he had reigned two years He being dead the Traytor Niriglissoroor usurped the Kingdom and reigned four years L whose Son then a child was mace King called by name Laborosardochus and he reigned nine months The Walls of Babylon built of brick and bitumen who for corruptness of his manners was slain by his own Friends after whose death they who slew him consulting together made one Nabonidus a Babylonian King At this time the Walls of Brick and Bitumen about the River of Babylon were built In the eighth year of this Kings reign Cyrus coming with an Army out of Persia conquered all Asia and came with his Forces against Babylon but the King of Babylon having notice of his coming levied an Army advanc'd against him and gaue him Battel but being overcome he with a very few of his men was forced to flye into Borsippa Cyrus now besieged Babylon and purposed to destroy the outward Walls thereof but finding them too strong and impenetrable he returned to Bersippa to besiege Nabonidus the King of Babylon Cyrus
〈◊〉 Nabonidus from Babylon who was fled thither But Nabonidus M not abiding the event of War yielded himself unto Cyrus who dealt mercifully with him and gave him a Territory in Carmania but expelled him out of Babylon so Nabonidus led the rest of his life in that Province This History agreeth with ours for in our writings we find that Nabuchodonosor in the eighteenth year of of his reign destroyed our Temple and that it so remained threescore and ten years also that in the second year of King Cyrus the foundations thereof were laid again and was finished and reâ—edified in the second year of King Darius's reign This done I will also relate the Histories of the Phoenicians The testimony of the Phoenicians touching the Jews Antiquity to re-inforce what we say for they make their computation after this manner In the reign of King Ithobalus Nabuchodonosor besieged Tyre thirteen years after whom Baal reigned ten years next him Judges were appointed N towit they that follow Eâ—nibalus the Son of Balachus judged two Months Chelbis the Son of Abdaeus ten Months Abbarus the High-Priest three Months Mytomus and Gerastus Sons of Abdilimos judged six years after whom Balatorus reigned one year and after his death the Tyrians called Merbalus from Babylon and made him King and he reigned four years and he then dying they sent also to Babylon for his Brother Iromus who reigned twenty years in whose reign Cyrus obtained the Persian Empire so that this whole time is fifty four years and three Months for Nabuchodonosor began to besiege Tyre in the seventh year of his reign and in the fourteenth year of King Iromus his reign Cyrus was made Emperour of Persia O A Wherefore both the Chaldean and Tyrian Historigraphers agree with us concerning our Temple The Chaldees and Tyrians agree with the Jews History So that the Antiquity of our Nation above mentioned is now made manifest and without all controversie And that which is already alledged to this end may be sufficient for them who are not purposely contentious To satisfie therefore such as believe the Writings of other Nations of little or no Authority and will give credit to nothing but what is transmitted from the Greeks I shall produce Testimony from such of them as have been acquainted and writ of our Laws Pythagoras a Samian born a person of great Antiquity and Reputation above the rest of the Philosophers for Wisdom and Holiness of Life was not only conversant in our Laws but observed them in many things as is testified particularly by Hermippus B an eminent and exact Historian Herimippus writings and testimony of Pythagoras who in his first Book of Pythagoras gives us an account That a Crotonian called Calliphon a great friend of Pythagoras being dead his Soul accompanied Pythagoras night and day inculcating and pursuing him with Instructions and among the rest That he would be careful how he passed by a place where his Ass had stumbled That he would drink none but pure Water and that he would be cautious of speaking ill of any Body following therein the Customes of the Greeks and Thracians and what that Author said is most true for it is certain a great part of his Phylosophy was deduc'd from the Laws of the Jews Our Nation in times past was well known to divers Cities so that many of them do now observe our Customs and others esteem them worth the imitation as Theophrastus C doth witness in his Book intituled De Legibus Theophrastus for he saith that the Tyrian Laws forbid to swear by any strange God Corban the gift of God and amongst these prohibited Oaths he reckoneth the Oath called Corban which is used only amongst the Jews and in our Language signifieth the Gift of God Herodotus of Halicarnassus knew our Nation also Herodotus the Halicarnassian touching the Jews Circumcision and in a manner maketh mention of it for speaking of the Colchians he saith thus in his second Book The Colchians Egyptians and Aethiopians only amongst all other Nations did use Circumcision of old for the Phoenicians and Syrians living in Palestina do confess themselves to have learned this Custom from the Egyptians and the Syrians living near unto Thermodoontes and the River Parthenius and their Neighbours the Macronians are reported but lately to have learnt it of D the Colchians and these are they only that use Circumcision and they do like unto the Egyptians but I am not able to say whether the Egyptians or Aethiopians learn'd it of the other Herodotus therefore affirmeth the Syrians in Palestina did use Circumcision and it is manifest that of all the Inhabitants of Palestina the Jews only use it which he knowing writeth so of them Cherilus also an ancient Poet maketh mention of our Nation Cherilus an ancient Poet his Testimony of the Jews and affirmeth that our Country-men warred under Xerxes against the Greeks and enumerating the Nations which followed him at last he speakes thus of ours E A People strange followed this Royal throng Their-Language was th' unknown Phoenician tongue In th'hills of Solymus their dwelling was Near to a Lake for greatness which did pass Their heads were shav'd and for their heads attire They wore an Horse-skin dried at the fire It is evident as I think that he speaketh of the Jews Asphaltites the Lake for the Mountains of Solymus are in our Country and that Lake also called Asphaltites which is the greatest and vastest of all Lakes that are in Syria And that the Jews were not known only of the Greeks F but also admired of them is easire to prove not out of the obscurest Writers but by the Testimony of their wisest Philosophers The testimony of Clearchus disciple of Aristotle touching the Jews For Clearchus disciple unto Aristotle and the best amongst all the Peripateticks in his first Book De somno brings in a certain Dialogue his Master Aristotle discoursing of a Jew that he knew in this manner It would be too long to entertain you about the whole Nation I shall content my self to give you a hint only of this mans admirable wisdom Hyperochides told him He could not do them a greater favour I will begin then said Aristotle according to the Rules of Rhetorick with what relates to his Nation He was born a Jew in the lower Syria whose present Inhabitants are descended from the Philosophers of the Indians who among them are called Calani but among the Syrians Jews as living in Jewry whose principal City is G called Jerusalem and very hard to be pronounced This man entertained many strangers who came from the higher Country down unto the Sea-Coast was very eloquent and couragious As I was travelling one time with some af my Disciples in Asia this person made us a visit H and in his Conference with us we found that much was to be learned by his Conversation Thus far
bare so great a share in the publick felicity that there was nothing wanting to his desires In all the Towns there was nothing to be seen but Altars and Victims and Sacrifices and Priests in their white Robes with Garlands of flowers upon their head All places were full of Chearfulness Feasting Playing Musick Running of Horses Banqueting Dancing to the Flute D and the Harp and all other Divertisments imaginable No difference to be discerned in the contentment of either Rich or Poor Common Persons or Persons of Quality Masters and Servants or Creditor and Debtor The felicity of that time was equal to all conditions and what was verified then made it almost credible what the Poets had said formerly in their fables of the age of Saturn And in this manner they passed seven compleat Months CHAP. II. E The Emperour Caius having Reigned but seven Months fell desperatly ill The great concernment which all the Provinces expressed for it their incredible joy at his recovery The next Month this happy Emperour fell into a great fit of sickness for having left his old way of living soberly and temperately which preserves people in health and was the way he took whilst Tiberius was alive he plunged himself into Intemperance and Luxury He drank much Wine eat to excess bath'd unseasonably cram'd himself till he could not keep what he had taken down and when he had disgorged crammed himself again He gave himself up wholly to Women and to pleasures F more unnaturally criminal in short he abandoned himself to all other disorders that were most likely to alter that Temperament and Harmony of body and mind which Temperance maintains in health and vigour whereas Intemperance weakens it and exposes it to Distempers that are most commonly mortal It was then about the beginning of Autumn which is the last Season in the year that is proper for Navigation and the time in which those who traffick in forreign parts return home By this means the news of his sickness was in a moment carried all over the World and changed their joy into sadness The Towns and the houses were generally full of mourning and affliction and the Emperours sickness became the distemper of all the Provinces and theirs was the greatest because his infirmity was only in G his body but theirs in their minds apprehending to loose with their peace the injoyment of all those good things which were concomitant with it and having observed the death of their Emperors attended commonly with Famine and other calamities that H that are the consequents of War they could not see any thing so likely to exempt them as the health of their Prince His sickness beginning to abate the news was immediately spread abroad and carried joy to the very ends of the Earth For nothing is more nimble than fame and every body expected the news of his recovery with incredible patience and when it arrived every body believed himself recovered with him and restored to his former felicity It is not remembred that any joy was ever so general all people seeming to have passed as it were in a Moment from a savage and rustick to a soft and a sociable life from Desarts to Towns from Disorder to Order and all by their happiness in being under the conduct of a bountiful and legitimate Prince I CHAP. III. The Emperor Caius abandons himself to all sorts of Debauchery and with horrid ingratitude and terrible cruelty obliges young Tiberius the Emperor's Grand-son to kill himself BUT it was quickly discernable that the Spirit of man is blind in its imaginations that he is ignorant of what is most for his advantage and that he takes the K shadow many times for the substance For this Prince who was consider'd as an admirable Benefactor and one whose Muniâ—icence and Favours were spread all over Europe and Asia became a Monster for cruelty or to speak more properly he discovered that humour which though born with him he had dissembled till that time The Emperour Tiberius had by his Son â—rusus who dyed before him this young Tiberius and by his Nephew Germanicus he had Caius Caligula whom he preferred to Tiberius in the Succession of the Empire upon condition that he should acknowledg the greatness of the benefit by the manner of his comportment with his Grand-Child But Caius instead of being concernd for having received that by Adoption which belonged to young Tiberius by Succession prov'd ingratfull and carried it to that excess of Inhumanity that L not contented to have defeated him of his Empire he caused him to be put to death upon pretence of practices against him as if a person of his age had been capable of so great a design but many people are of opinion that if young Tiberius had had some few years more over his head his Grandfather would doubtless have made him his Successor and laid aside Caius of whom he began already to be jealous And this was the way which Caius took to execute his detestable Resolution upon a Person with whom in justice he ought to have parted the Soveraignty He caused the young Tiberius to appear before him assembled his friends and told them I love Tiberius not only as my Kinsman but as my Brother and I wish with all my heart it was in my power to take him presently as a partner into the Government that I might M thereby fulfil the last will and Testament of his Grand Father But you see the tenderness of his years and that he is fitter to have a Governor than to be a Governor himself Were it not for that what joy what ease would it be to me to have discharge my self of part of so great a burden as it is to manage and conduct so many several Nations Seeing then the affection which I bear him obliges me to it I think good to declare to you that I am resolved to serve and take care of him not only as a Governour but as a Father by which name I desire he may call me and I shall call him Son for the future When Caius by this Artifice had deluded all that were present and by his counterfeit Adoption rather rob'd than confer'd upon the poor Prince that part of the Empire N to which he might lawfully have pretended there was nothing left that might obstruct his falling into that Snare which he had laid for him for the Laws of the Romans do give the Parents an absolute power over their Children and then the Supream degree of authority in which he was established left no man in a Capacity to question any thing he did So that looking upon this young Prince as an Enemy he treated him accordingly without respect to his age or any consideration that he had been brought up by the Emperor with hopes of succeding him in the Government for after his Father Drusus was dead the Emperour took him into his tuition and used him
and arrows 767 f. Storm 693 b. Stratagem of Moses 65 d. of the Ephraimites 129 e. of Joab 183 e. of Ptolomy 297 n. of Joseph 9 d. of Cestius 637 b. of Joseph 640 l. 641 e. 665 b. of the Jews 747 e. Straton's tower or Caesarea 412 c. 414 g. Streights of Engaddi 167 f. Strength of Sampson 141 e. and 142 k. Strength of Eleazar 666 o. of Netiras c. ib. Strife among the Priests 538 h. Stripes thirty nine 114 i. Stuff to build the Tabernacle of 80 l m. Subjection of the Israelites to the Moabites 133 d. to the Canaanites 134 k. to the Palestines 139 f. to the Assyrians 252 a. Subtilty of the Serpent 28 l. Subtilty of Jacob 44 k. of Lea and Rachel 46 o. of Laban 46 l. of Phara 62 o. of King Naas 151 g. of Michol 163 c. of Saul 168 i. of a woman 187 c. of the false Prophet 220 d. of Silo 578 l m. of Florus 624 i. Succession of the high Priests 540 n. Successor of Moses who 109 b. Successors of Alexander 297 m n. Successors of David 181 d. Successors of Nabuchodonosor 220 f. Sum of the Israelites taken 197 c. Sum of gold silver c. towards the building of the Temple 199 b. Sun made 23 e. the end course and motion thereof ib. e. Sun stood still 225 c. goes back 157 l. Superstition of the people reproved 223 k l. Supplication of Moses to God 74 o. Supplication of Joachas 246 f. Supplication of the Jews sent to Caius 617 c d. Supplication of the Israelites 148 k l. Supplies sent to Titus 677 c. Surprisal of the Ark 144 n. of Rabatha 180 i. Susac invadeth Judea 221 e. spoileth Jerusalem and the Temple ibid g. Sustenance faileth the Israelites 74 i. Swearing amongst the ancient Jews 42 k. and the manner thereof ibid. imposed and why 259 l. Sword of Goliah 160 m. 165 c. Sycophants of Agrippa 524 h. Syllaeus governeth the King's affairs 435 b. desireth Salome to wife 435 c d. accuseth Herod to Caesar 439 e. deferreth the payment of Herod's money ib. condemned to die 443 d. Symoborus one of the five Kings of Assyria 37 a. Syrians war against Achab 229 l. discomfitted 239 c. ib. f. led away captive 252 a. Syrians against David 181 g. T. Tabernacle builded 81 b. erected in the desart ib. d c. dedicated 89 d. and when ib. d. placed in Siloe 125 e. Table set in the Tabernacle 84 m. Tables of the ten Commandments 79f 80k placed in the Ark 84 h. Table of gold 211 i. 301 â— Talents 565 a. 568 l m. Talents of Gold 216 i. Talent how much 813 e. Tales credited 436 i. Talions law or law of like for like 117 b. Talk betwixt God and Cain 29 c. Talk of Jacob with Rachel 45 f. Talk of Laban with Jacob 46 h. Talk of David with Goliah 160 l. Tapsians put to the sword 250 e. and why ib. e. Tarichea besieged 676 k. taken 677 e f. Taricheans vanquished by Sea 679 h i. Task of the workmen of Solomon 207 d e. Task more grievous imposed c. 68 l. Taxation of the Jews 476 k. Tears of Esau 44 n. Tediousness of the Hebrews Journey 73 d e f. Teglaphalassar King of Assyria 251 o. led away the Israelites captive 252 a. slayeth Rasis and taketh the Syrians prisoners 252 a. gold and silver given him ibid. b. Temperance of Saul 151 f. Tempest after Samuel's prayer 153 f. Tempest caused by Jonas 249 i. Tempest drowned those of Joppe 674 m. Tempest of miseries assails Jerusalem 698 o. Temple when builded 207 f. height length and breadth thereof 208 m. with all the other things belonging thereunto 209. when consecrated 210 g. spoiled 221 g cleansed 252 e. repaired 249 h. burned 265 i k. began to be builded 279 k. finished 281 i. dedicated ib. g. desolate three years 318 f. repurged ib. burned 476 m the strongest fortress of the City 688 h. builded on a strong hill 719 f. consumed with fire 750 m. One Temple to be builded and why 111 e. Temples of Idolaters to be destroyed 111 a. Temple on mount Garizim 296 a. laid desolate 346 c. Temples builded by Herod 417 h. Temple of Apollo 431 a. Temple of Isis pulled down and why 481 f. Temple builded by Vespasian 767 c. Temple of Onias shut up 778 k. Tempting of the Serpent 24 i. of Josephs mistress 53 ab c. Ten Commandments 79 e. Tenths of the fruits 111 g. Tenths for the poor Levites and Festivals 114 k. Term of man's life 35 e. Term of exile for chance medley 109 d. Terror among the enemies 235 l. 239 o. Testament of Herod 459 d. altered 601 e. Testimonies of the Jews antiquity 786 o. 787 d. 788 n. 789 b c d. 791 c. Thanksgiving of the Israelites for their deliverance 72 n Tharbis the King's daughter of Aethiopia 65 g. enamoured of Moses ibid. g. yieldeth the City of Saba and is Married to Moses ibid. i. Thares Abraham's Father 35 c. went out of Chaldea to Charran ibid. d. his age and death ibid. Thargal a Captain of the Assyrians 37 b. sacked Syria and extinguished the Gyants 37 b. Theatre built by Herod 410 g. Theft committed how punished 116 l. Thermuthis Pharaoh's daughter 64 i. taketh Moses out of the water ib. i. adopteth him for her son and preserveth him from death 64 m. Theudas the Magician 532 o. his perswasion to the people ibid. Thieves confident 636 m. Thieves apprehend Ananias's kindred 539 f. Thieves taken by Herod 438 n. Thieves murder in the day 620 l. work much mischief ib. n. Thieves spoil the Country 686 k. make a high Priest 686 n. Thievery punished 416 b. 438 m n. Things unclean 93 b. Thirst oppressed the Israelites 75 e. Thirst of the Arabians 403 k. Thirst of Sampson 141 d. of David 816 m. Thobel a warrier 29 c. invented the Art of Forging ibid. g. Thola a Judg of Israel 138 i. Tholomaeus the Arch-Thief 527 d. Ten thousand thronged to death 618 o. Thraldom of the Canaanites 215 b. Three admirable works 721 b. Three valiant Jews 733 g. Threefold sedition divided into two parts 714 k. Thrice in the year the Hebrews ought to meet 111 f. Throne of Solomon 213 d. Thucidides History 781 e. Tiberians meet Joseph 6 k. their Letters to Agrippa 10 i. intend war against Joseph 18 o. submit themselves to Vespasian 675 f. 676 b. Tiberias builded 478 n. in danger of ruiue 22 i. recovered 641 e. Tiberius Emperour 478 m. rejecteth Venones suit 479 e. punished Isis Priests 481 f. thrusteth the Jews out of Rome 482 k. his league with Artabanus 483 f. his death 485 c. why he deferred to give audience to Embassadors and Prisoners 488 n. c. why changed not Governours ibid. k. addicted to the Mathematicks 491 l. recommendeth the Empire to Caius ibid. d. his Funeral 492 l. Tiberius a Governour of Judaea 533 b. crucifieth the Sons of Judas ibid. c. Tiberius a Governour
and afterwards restored by Pompeys assistance and receiving all his former honours he lived in full possession of them for the space of fourty years After this he was once more dispossessed by Antigonus and being maimed in his body lived certain years in captivity among the Parthians from whence not long after he returned home and though he had many things promised him by Herod yet after so many alterations of fortune he obtained nothing at his hands and that which amongst all the rest is most of all to be lamented as we have said he was unjustly put to death an innocent and in his old age For he was a lover of justice and an observer of perpetual modesty and governed his Kingdom for the most part by other mens direction being only guilty in himself of ignorance and the love G of idleness Truly Antipater and Herod by this mans goodness obtained so great riches For which deserts of his against all Law and right he was cruelly put to death H But Herod after Hircanus's death addressed himself to perform his journey towards Caesar and having little hope of any good fortune in regard of his friendship with Antonius he grew desperately jealous of Alexandra lest she taking opportunity of the time should incite the people to rebel and fill the Kingdom with domestical sedition for which cause Herods disposition of his affairs before he repaired to Caesar committing the Government to his brother Pheroras he left his mother Cypros his sister and all his Kindred in the Castle of Massada and commanded his brother that if any misfortune should befal him he should retain the Kingdom in his own hands and maintain it As for his Wife Mariamne for that by reason of certain dislikes betwixt her his mother and sister he left her with her mother in the Castle of Alexandrion and committed them to the custody of his Treasurer Joseph and Sohemus the Iturean I and with her the keeping of his Castles both which had always been his faithful friends and to whom in way of honour he committed the custody of these Princely Ladies But he gave them also this command That if they should be certainly informed that any sinister mishap had befallen him they should presently kill them both and to the utmost of their power continue the Kingdom in his Children and his Brother Pheroras CHAP. X. Herod speaketh so generously to Augustus that he obtained his favor he accompanieth him K into Egypt and receiveth him with such an extraordinary magnificence that it put him in repute with all the Romans AFter he had in this sort given order for all his affairs Herod cometh to Caesar and declareth unto him what pleasures he had done Antony promising him no less duty and love if so be he might be received into his favor he took shipping to Rhodes to meet with Caesar And as soon as he arrived in that City he took the Crown from his Head and laid it apart but as for his other Princely ornaments he changed them not and being admitted to Caesars presence he gave a more ample testimony of the greatness of his courage than ever for he neither addressed his speech to intreat his favor according to the custom of suppliants neither presented he any request as if he had in any sort offended him but gave account of all that which he had done without being daunted L in the least For he freely confessed before Caesar that he had intirely loved Antonius and that to the utmost of his power he had done him service to the end that he might obtain the soveraignty and the Empire of the World not by joining his Forces unto his in that he was otherwise imployed in the Arabian War but in furnishing him both with Wheat and Money and that this was the least office which it behoved him to perform towards Antonius for that being once his professed friend it behoved him not onely to imploy his best endeavors on his so Princely benefactor but also to hazard both his head and happiness to deliver him from perils All which said he I have not performed according as I ought to have done yet notwithstanding I know that at such time as he was overcome in the Actian Battel I did not alter my affection with M his fortune neither did I restrain my self for although I befriended not Antonius with my presence and assistance in the Actian War yet at least I assisted him with my counsel assuring him that he had but one onely means left him for his security and prevention of his utter ruine which was to put Cleopatra to death for that by cutting her off he might enjoy her estate and might more easily obtain his peace and pacifie thy displeasure against him And for that he gave but slender regard to these my admonitions by his own sottishness and indiscretion he hath hurt himself and profited you because as I said he did not follow my counsel Now therefore O Caesar in regard of the hatred which you bear unto Antony you condemn my friendship also I will not deny that which I have done neither am I afraid freely and publickly to protest how much I have loved him but if without regard of persons N you consider how kindly I am affected towards my benefactors and how resolute and constant a friend I am and how mindful of kindness the effect of that which I have done may make me known unto thee For if the name be onely changed the friendship notwithstanding may remain and deserve a due praise By these words which were manifest testimonies of his resolute and noble courage he so inwardly indeared himself unto Caesar Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. who was a magnificent and worthy Monarch Caesar confirmeth Herods authority that he converted this his accusation into an occasion to win and work him to be his friend for which cause Caesar setting the Crown upon his head exhorted him that he should no less respect his friendship than he had in former times Antonies and withal did him much honour certifying him moreover that Capidius had written unto O him how much Herod had assisted him in his Wars that he had with the Monarchs of Syria Herod seeing that he was thus entertained and that contrary to his expectation the Kingdom was more surely confirmed unto him than before time both by Caesars bounty and also by the decree of the Senate The year of the World 3935. before Christ's Nativity 29. which he had practised to obtain for A his greater assurance accompanied Caesar as far as Aegypt presenting both himself and his friends with many rich gifts beyond the proportion of his estate endeavoring by these means both to win their favor and to shew also the greatness of his courage requiring moreover at Caesars hands Herod conducteth Caesar toward Egypt and presenteth him with many sumptuous gifts that Alexander who was one of Antonies