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
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
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
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
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
Aristotle in Clearchus recounting moreover at large his admirable abstinence and chastity Of whom they that are desirous to know more are recommended to Clearchus Hecateus 〈◊〉 brought up with King Alexander for I am loth to write any thing superfluous So now it is evident how Clearchus by the way of digression speaking of another matter maketh mention of us But Hecateus Abderita a Philosopher and one brought up with King Alexander and dwelling with Ptolomeus Lagus did not only briefly make mention of us but also writ a whole Book of our Nation the Jews out of which I will briefly note some few points that occur but first I will shew of what Antiquity he is For he recordeth the I time when Ptolomeus near unto Gaza fought with Demetrius which happened the eleventh year after Alexanders death in the hundred and seventeenth Olympiad as Castor writeth who speaking of this Olympiad saith That in this time Ptolomeus Lagus overcame Demetrius the son of Antigonus at Gaza in fight which Demetrius was called Poliorcetes and all men confess that Alexander died in the hundred and fourteenth Olympiad So that it is evident that at the time wherein Alexander lived our Nation flourished And Hecataeus saith That after that battel fought at Gaza Ptolomeus was made Lord of the places bordering about Syria and that many men hearing of the Clemency of Ptolomeus followed him into Egypt and conversed with him amongst the which one was called Ezekias K the Jews high Priest a man about threescore and six years old and of chief notice and dignity of all his Nation A thousand and five hundred Priests receive the Jews tenths and most prudent and eloquent one also who in all affairs had more experience than any man else He likewise reporteth That the number of the Jews Priests who received their tenths and rule all in general is a thousand and five hundred or thereabout And again making mention of the same Ezekias he saith This man being in reputation and honour and conversing with us by the help of some about him declared all things wherein we and this Nation differ and shewed unto us the place of his dwelling and the manner of his conversation which he had in writing After this Hecateus sheweth what manner of People we are and how religious in our L Laws and how that we will rather endure all torments and death it self than violate them in any thing and that we account it a worthy thing so to do adding moreover That being much hated of our neighbours and having suffered all Contumelies both at the hands of the Persian Kings and their Officers yet we could not be forced to change our Opinions but that we are continually exercised to give a reason thereof He also recordeth an example of the constancy of our mindes The Jews constancy against Alexander For Alexander quoth he being at Babylon and purposing to re-edifie the Temple of Bell commanded all his Souldiers to carry Timber to the building thereof and the Jews only disobeying his command endured many stripes and torments till such time as the King freed them from it And they saith he returning to their own Country destroyed all the Temples and Altars that they found there and M some of them were by the Officers therefore punished others escaped free Adding That we may justly be admired for these things and that our Nation is exceeding populous He shews likewise that many of us were carried Captives into Babylon and there served the Persians And that many more were disperst into Egypt after Alexanders death for a tumult begun in Syria He also recordeth the greatness of our Country The largeness of Jury and the fertility thereof They inhabit saith he a Country that hath almost thirty hundred thousand acres of most fertile ground Fifty â—â—ounds are almost six German 〈◊〉 for Jury is of this largeness and that in times past we inhabited a large and very great City which was very populous he speaketh also of the building of our Temple in this manner The Jews have many other Towns and Villages in every Province but they have N one most strong City the compass of whose Walls is fifty furlongs and in it inhabit a hundred and fifty thousand men and thâ—s City they called Jerusalem in the midst thereof is a building of stone with four Porches a hundred cubits about it hath also double Gates wherein is a foursquared Altar made of unhewn stones joyned together and it is twenty cubits square every way and ten cubits high and about it is a most huge Building wherein is on Altar and a Candlestick both of gold weighing two Talents and there is kept a continual Light night and day which never goeth forth But in it there is no Image nor Grove about it as about other Temples The Priests do dwell in the Temple and drink no Wine It is inhabited by the Priests who spend their time there in great continence both night and day absteining from all manner of Wine The same Author gives an account of an action perâ—ormed by one of our Nation who O was a Souldier under some of Alexanders successors and the Authors words are these A As I went saith he to the Red Sea a certain Jew one of the Horsemen that conducted us named Mosollamus a couragious man and one who excelled all Archers else both Greeks and other Nations This Jew every one hasting on forward of his journey and being will'd by a Soothsayer to stand asked for what cause the multitude stayed and went not forward Presently the Soothsayer shewed him a Bird which he diligently viewed and told the Jew that if that Bird did stand still in the place then it was expedient for them to stand and if the Bird did mount up and flie that then they ought to march on forward but if it slew towards the place from whence they came that then it was wisdom to retire The Jew hereat was silent yet drawing his Bow he shot an arrow and killed the Bird whereat the Soothsayer and certain others were offended and cursed him But he taking the unhappy Bird in his hand B said unto them Are ye so mad as to think that this Bird not having the foresight to preserve her self from this death is able to direct us in the success of our journey Had this Bird foreknown future events she would have eschewed this place for dread that Mosollamus a Jew should have strucken her with an arrow But we will now leave the testimony of Hecateus for every one that list may read his Book and there understand it more at large I will not omit the Testimony of Agatarchides Agatarchides his Testimony of the Jews a man of no evil in his own opinion yet indeed one who hath used detraction to our Nation This man speaking of Stratonice how leaving her husband Demetrius she came into Syria and how Seleucus would not
himself leave no room to doubt of his experience in Affairs Lastly His Life written by himself join'd with his History of the Jewish Wars make him sufficiently known And as for his manner of writing I think it needless to commend it since this Work manifests it so excellent everywhere particularly in the Nineteenth Book where he relates the Actions and Death of the Emperor Caligula which no Roman Author has done so accurately I think I may say without fear that there is not in Tacitus any History which surpasses that eloquent and judicious Narration I know some will wonder that after having mention'd the greatest Miracles he diminishes the belief of them by saying That he leaves every man at liberty to have such opinion thereof as he thinks fit But in my judgment he does it onely on this account That having compos'd this History chiefly for the Greeks and Romans as 't is easie to gather by his writing the same in Greek and not in Hebrew he fear'd their incredulity would render it suspected to them if he affirm'd positively the truth of things which seem'd to them impossible But whatever Reason induc'd him to use that Caution I pretend not to defend him either in those places or any others where he is not conformable to the Bible This alone is the Divine Fountain of written Truths which cannot be sought elsewhere without hazard of Error and one cannot excuse himself from condemning whatever is found contrary thereunto I do it with all my heart and there is no person but ought to do it in order to read this excellent History with satisfaction and without scruple Neither yet do I pretend to justifie this Author in some places where he speaks of the several sorts of Government nor as to some other particular sentiments which no body is oblig'd to follow Nor do I engage my self in any matter of Criticism the contests whereof I leave to such as are exercis'd in that sort of study If in some places as amongst others in the description of the Tabernacle and of the Table of Shew-bread some difference be found between this Translation and the Greek the cause thereof is that those passages are so corrupted in the Greek Text that all I could do was to bring them into the condition wherein they are II. Of the History of the Jewish War against the Romans c. If the History of the Jews advances its Author into the rank of the best Historians 't is plain that in that of their War against the Romans he has surpass'd himself Several reasons have concurr'd to render this History a Master-piece the greatness of the Subject the sentiments excited in his breast by the ruine of his Countrey and the share he had in the most considerable Events of that bloody War For what other Subjects can equal this great Siege which manifested to all the Earth that one City alone would have been the Rock of the Roman Glory had not God for punishment of its sins overthrown it by the storms of his wrath What sentiments of Grief can be more lively than those of a Jew and of a Priest who saw subverted the Laws of his own Nation whereof no other was ever so jealous and that magnificent Temple the object of his devotion and of his zeal reduc'd to ashes And what greater interest can an Historian have in his Work than to be oblig'd to bring into it the principal Actions of his own Life and to labour for his own Glory by an unflattering advancement of that of the Conquerors and by acquitting himself at the same time of what he ow'd to the generosity of those two excellent Princes Vespasian and Titus to whom the honour of having finish'd this great War was due But for asmuch as there are so many remarkable Occurrences in this History I think to do the Readers a pleasure in presenting them here with an Abstract thereof from which general Idea they may afterwards proceed to the particulars depending thereupon It is divided into seven Books The first Book and the second to the twenty eighth Chapter are an abridgment of the Jewish History from Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria who spoiled the Temple and went about to abolish Religion to Florus Governor of Judea whose avarice and cruelty were the chief occasion of that War which they maintain'd against the Romans This abridgment is so delightful that Josephus seems to have design'd to shew that he could like excellent Painters represent the same objects in different manners with so much art that it should be hard to know to which to give the preference For whereas these Histories are sometimes interrupted by the Narration of things hapned at the same time they are here written in a continu'd series and give the Readers the pleasure to behold in one Table what they saw before separately in several From the twenty eighth Chapter of the second Book to the end Josephus relates what pass'd in consequence of the troubles rais'd by Florus till the defeat of the Roman Army commanded by Cestius Gallus Governor of Syria In the beginning of the third Book Josephus shews the consternation of the Emperor Nero upon this ill success of his Arms which was likely to be follow'd with a revolt of all the East and how casting his eyes on all sides he found only Vespasian fit to bear the weight of so important a War and accordingly gave him the conduct thereof He relates afterwards in what manner this great Captain accompany'd with Titus his son enter'd into Galilee whereof our Author himself was Governor and besieg'd him in Jotapat where after the greatest resistance imaginable he was taken and led Prisoner to Vespasian and how Titus took divers other places and perform'd actions of incredible valor The fourth Book brings in Vespasian conquering the rest of Galilee the Jews beginning to tumultuate in Jerusalem the Factious who took the name of Zealots becoming Masters of the Temple under the conduct of John of Giscala Ananus the High-Priest stirring up the people to besiege them there the Idumaeans coming to their assistance exercising horrible cruelties and afterwards retiring Vespasian taking sundry places in Judea blocking up Jerusalem in order to besiege it and forbearing that design by reason of the troubles risen in the Empire before and after the death of the Emperors Nero Golba and Otho Simon son of Gioras another Head of the Factious receiv'd by the people into Jerusalem Vitellius who had seiz'd upon the Empire after Otho's death rendring himself odious and contemptible for his cruelty and debauchery the Army commanded by Vespasian declaring him Emperor And lastly Vitellius assassinated at Rome after the defeat of his Forces by Antonius Primus who had embrac'd Vespasian's party The fifth Book relates how a third Faction of which Eleazar was Head was form'd in Jerusalem That afterwards those three Factions were again reduc'd to two and in what manner they made War one against another It contains
S. Matth. 23. ver 38 36. All these things had been foretold by our Saviour and written by the Evangelists before the revolt of the Jews and at a time when there was not yet the least appearance of so strange a Revolution Now inasmuch as Prophecy is the greatest of miracles and the most powerful way whereby God Almighty authorizes his doctrine this Prophecy of Jesus Christ to which no other is comparable may be justly accounted the chief and most irrefragable evidence to mankind of his Divine Birth and Mission For as no other Prophecy was ever more clear so neither was any more punctually accomplisht Jerusalem was destroy'd to the ground by the first Army that besieg'd it there remain'd not the least footstep of that proud Temple the wonder of the Vniverse and the object of the Jews vanity and the calamities which ruin'd them answer'd precisely to that dreadful Prediction of our Saviour But to the end so great an Event might serve as well for the instruction of those that were to be born in afier-times as for those that were spectators of it it was necessary as I have said that the History should be written by an irreprochable Witness To which purpose 't was fit the Writer should be a Jew and not a Christian lest he might be suspected to have accommodated the Events to the Prophesies 'T was fit he should be a person of quality to the end he might be fully inform'd of all things 'T was fit he should see with his own eyes the wonderful things which he was to relate to the end he might be capable of credit And lastly 't was fit he should be a Man whose eloquence and judgment might be sutable to the greatness of such a subject All which qualifications so necessary to render this History compleat in all points meet so perfectly in Josephus that 't is evident God Almighty chose him expresly to persuade all reasonable persons of the truth of this marvellous occurrence 'T is certain that having contributed in this manner to the confirmation of the Gospel it appears not that he made any benefit thereof for himself or that he had any share in the blessings so plentifully poured down in his time upon all the earth But if there be reason to commiserate his unhappiness in this point there is some also to bless the Providence of God who has made his blindness serve to our advantage since the things he writes concerning his own Nation are in respect of the incredulous incomparably of more force for confirmation of the Christian Religion than if he had embrac'd Christianity so that we may apply to him in particular what the Apostle saith of all the Jews III. Josephus's Answer to Appion The next of the Works of Josephus besides his Life written by himself is an Answer in two Books to what Appoin and some others had written against his History of the Jews against the Antiquity of their Race against the Purity of their Laws and against the Conduct of Moses Nothing can be more solid than this Answer wherein Josephus proves invincibly the Antiquity of his Nation by the Egyptian Chaldean Phenician and even by the Greek Historians themselves He shews that all which Appion and those other Authors have alledg'd to the disadvantage of the Jews are ridiculous Fables as well as the plurality of their Gods and he excellently sets forth the greatness of the actions of Moses and the sanctity of the Laws which God gave the Jews by his intervention IV. The Martyrdom of the Maccabees The Martyrdom of the Maccabees follows next 'T is a piece which Erasmus so famous among the Learned calls a Masterpiece of Eloquence and I confess I understand not why having with reason so advantagious an opinion of it he paraphras'd it and not translated it Never was Copy more different from its Original 'T is hardly any of its principal Lineaments and if I mistake not nothing can more advance the reputation of Josephus than to see that so able a Man intending to embellish his Work has on the contrary so much diminisht the beauty of it and thereby shew'd how much Josephus is to be esteem'd for writing not after the manner of most of the Greeks in a long-winded style but closely and compendiously as affecting to say nothing but what is necessary And I cannot sufficiently wonder that no person hitherto has made a Translation of it from the Greek either into Latin or French at least to my knowledge For Genebrard instead of Translating Josephus has only Translated Erasmus For my part I have faithfully adhered to the original Greek without following that Paraphrase of Erasmus any where which invents names that are neither in Josephus nor the Bible for the mother of the Maccabees It should seem Josephus did not write this famous Martyrdom authoriz'd by the Holy Scripture but to prove the truth of a discourse which he makes in the beginning to shew that Reason is the Mistress of Passions and he attributes to it a power over them which there would be reason to wonder at if it were strange that a Jew should be ignorant that this power belongs only to the grace of Jesus Christ He is contented to declare that he means only a Reason accompany'd with justice and piety V. The Embassy of Philo to C. Caligula the Roman Emperor This is a brief account of all the Works of Josephus Now because Philo although a Jew as well as he writ also in Greek upon part of the same Subjects but handles the same rather as a Philosopher than an Historian and because none amongst all his Writings is so esteem'd as that of his Embassage to the Emperor C. Caligula of whom Josephus speaks particularly in the 10th Chapter of the 18th Book of the Jewish Antiquities I conceiv'd that this Piece having so great affinity therewith it would not be amiss to shew by a Translation of it the different manner of writing of these two great Persons That of Josephus is undoubtedly more compendious and has nothing of the Asiatic style so that he expresses that in few words which Philo doth sometimes in as many lines The History of that Emperor may be made up from the Writings of these two famous Authors inasmuch as Philo relates as particularly and eloquently the Actions of his Life as Josephus has written nobly and excellently the passages of his Death Both the one and the other were so extraordinary that 't is an advantage there remains such Images thereof to Posterity to animate good Princes to merit by their Virtue as great affection for their Memory as People have horror for those who have shew'd themselves unworthy of the rank which they held in the World It remains only to add That as this Volume comprehends all the ancient holy History so the Readers are desir'd to peruse it not only for Divertisement or Curiosity but also with an aim to profit by the useful Considerations for which
sequestred them for the space of seven days after which it was lawful for them to converse with Men. The like decreed he of those that had assisted at the burial of a dead Man whom he permitted not to converse with the other till seven days were expired It was also decreed by Law that he that had a flux of seed beyond seven days should sacrifice two Wethers one of which should be sacrific'd and the other given to the Priests Also that he that hath unnatural pollution should wash himself with cold water Goâ—orrhaâ— The like must Husbands do after they have had use of their Wives Of Lepers He likewise order'd that the Leprous should be separated for ever not permitting them to frequent any Mans company but esteeming them as little differing from the dead And if any one by his prayers made unto God was delivered D from this disease and his skin reduced to its native colour such an one presented himself before God with divers oblations and sacrifices Against them that object against Moses and his Followers that they fled out of Egypt for Leprosie of which we will speak hereafter Whence it appears how ridiculous a fable it is that Moses fled out of Egypt because he was a Leper and that all the Hebrews whom he conducted with him and brought into the Land of Canaan was troubled with that disease For if that were true Moses would not have made these ordinances to his own shame and if any other had proposed them he would have opposed himself against them especially since among divers other Nations there are Lepers who are held in great honour and who are so far from disdainand contempt that they have been made Generals of Armies and elected for Governors of Common-wealths having liberty to enter the Temples and to be present at the sacrifices E What therefore hindred Moses if he had been infected with this malady to make such Laws and ordain such Statutes among those People who honoured and obeyed him whereby such as were therewith infected might be preferred By which it is manifest that those things that are objected against him are rather of malice than probability But Moses being clean from such sickness and conversing amongst his Countrey-men which were untainted made these ordinances for them that were sick having regard to the honour of God But of these things let each Man censure as best liketh him He forbad women to enter into the Temple soon after their deliverance Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. or to assist at the sacrifice until forty days were expired if they had been brought a-bed of a Son The Laws of Women that are brought a-bed but if it were a Daughter he appointed that the number of the dayes should be F doubled and that when they should enter they should present their offerings to God whereof one part was consecrated and the other belonged to the Priests And if any one suspected that his Wife had committed adultery Numb 5. v. 15. ad finem he brought an Assar of Barly Meal and cast an handful thereof upon the Altar The Laws of adultery and jealousie and the rest was reserved for the maintenance of the Priests and then the Priest placing the Woman in the porch which is right over against the Tabernacle and taking the cover from her head writeth the name of God upon a Parchment and maketh her swear that she hath not violated her faith to her Husband and wish if she had transgressed the bounds of chastity that her right thigh might be put out of joynt her belly burst and death follow thereupon but if her Husband had been inconsiderately drawn into that suspition through excess of love then it pleased G God at the end of ten months to give her a Son And after such an oath ministred unto her the Priest dippeth in water the Parchment on which the name of God was written and then taking some of the earth of the Temple according as he findeth it and having mingled the same giveth it to the Woman to drink and if she had been H unjustly accused she became with child and brought forth happily but if she had falsified her faith to her husband and forsworn her self before God then dyed she a shameful death in the manner above mentioned You see what Laws Moses provided for the sacrifices and purifications Of adultery and incest He furthermore made these Laws which ensue He generally forebad Adultery judging it to be a great felicity if Men demeaned themselves honestly in Marriage and that both in politick Estates and private Families Exod. 22. it was a thing most profitable Deut. 17. that children should be born in Lawful Matrimony Levit. 18. 20 21 29. He condemn'd also as a horrid crime for a Man to have the use of his Mother or his Fathers Wife his Aunt or his Sister or his Sons Wife and detesteth it as a most I heinous and hideous offence He prohibited also the use of a Woman when she hath her monthly sickness also the lying with Beasts or boys by reason that such affections are abominable and against the transgressors of these Laws he established Capital punishments He willed also that the Priests should be more chaste than the rest for he not onely forbad them that which he prohibited others but moreover he enjoyned them not to marry Women that had been cast off or Slaves or Prisoners or Victualers and Taverners forsaken by their Husbands for any occasion whatsoever And touching the High-Priest Lev. 21. 7 8 9 he permitted him not to match with a Widow although it were Lawful for the other Priests and granted him onely liberty to take a Virgin to his Wife What Wife the High-Priest might marry with and to keep her The said High-Priest is also forbidden to approach a dead Man K although the other Priests are not forbidden to approach their Brothers Fathers and Mothers and children deceased Requiring that they should be sincere and true in all their words and actions He likewise ordained that the Priest which had any bodily defect should be maintained by the other Priests but in the mean time that he should not approach the Altar nor enter into the Temple willing that not onely they should be pure in that which concerned the divine service but also that they should study and endeavour to be so in all the actions of their life to the end that no Man might reproach them For which cause when they wore the habit of Priests besides their general obligation to be always pure and sober they were forbidden to drink Wine and they were to offer up entire L sacrifices and no ways maimed These Statutes did Moses make in the Desart and caus'd to be observ'd during his life Levit. 25. v. 2. ad 8. Afterwards he made others also which both the People might practise in that place The
could speak they would accuse you that without cause they are ill treated against all right and that if they had the power to depart from thence they would transplant themselves into L another Countrey But when the Battel is ended and the day is yours kill all those Enemies that resisted you in the Fight Deut. 20. 15 16 17. the rest reserve as your tributaries except the people of the Land of Canaan The Canaanites are wholly to be extinguished for they with all their Families are to be exterminated Beware also but especially in War that neither a Woman use a Mans apparel nor a Man that of a Womans These are the Laws which Moses left Deut. 30. 31 32 33 34. He gave them likewise certain Institutions which he had written forty years before whereof we will speak in another Treatise Some few dayes after for he assembled the people six days together he gave them his blessing and pronounced his maledictions against those which should not live according M to his Laws but should transgress the determinations thereof He read also unto them a Canticle of six measures which he had registred in the holy book containing a prediction of things to come according to which all things have and do fall out without varying any ways from the truth These Volumes and the Ark he gave to the Priests in which he also placed the ten Commandments written in the two Tables Deut. 25. 19. He committed also unto them the custody of the Tabernacle He likewise exhorted the people that when by force they had conquered the promised Countrey The Amalechites to be punished and were planted therein they should not forget the injury which the Amalechites had done them but that they should lead forth their Army against them and take vengeance of the wrongs they had done them at such time as they were in the Desart And N he commanded them that as soon as they had taken the Countrey of Canaan they should exterminate and extinguish all the people He commanded them also to erect an Altar towards the East not far from the City of Sichem between the two Mountains Garizim on the right hand and the other called Gebal on the left and that distributing the people into two parts six Tribes in every part they should place them on these Mountains And he commanded that the Levites and Priests should be with them and that they that were upon the Mountain of Garizim should pray to God to multiply his blessings upon them that are zealous of his service and careful of the conservation of his Laws which had been given them by Moses The six other also were appointed to answer them and when these six O last had prayed the six first were to answer them and confirm that which they had pronounced This done they pronounced maledictions against the transgressors each one A answering the other in ratification of that which had been spoken He reduced also into writing these blessings and curses to the intent that the memory thereof might never be suppressed or extinguished by time which he also being near his death caused to be written on the Altar on the two sides thereof and permitted the people to come near it onely that day and there to offer burnt offerings which is forbidden to them by the Law These ordinances did Moses establish and these the Hebrew Nation observe inviolably even unto this day On the next morning he re-assembled all the people with their Wives and Children he likewise commanded Deut. 29 1 ad 10. the slaves should be present binding them by an oath to maintain and keep the Laws Moses bindeth the Hebrews by an oath to keep the Law and that diligently tying themselves to the will of God they B should not so much esteem either their kindred or means or perils or any other cause whatsoever as thereby to be driven to neglect the Laws or depart from the ordinances thereof but whether any one of their kindred or any City whatsoever should seek to alter and disturb the same or strive to weaken the authority thereof that both in particular and publick they should expose themselves and endeavour to punish them and if they should fortune to take such a City they should raze and utterly deface the same and if it were possible not leave one stone upon another but destroy the foundation But if they were too feeble to take such a revenge yet that they should make it known that they were not consenting to their impiety Hereunto the whole multitude consented and promis'd with an oath He afterwards told them how the people should C know when the Sacrifices were agreeable unto God and how they ought to march out to Battel taking a sign from the stones of the High Priest's Rational of which I have fore-spoken Josua likewise during the life and in the presence of Moses Prophesied whatsoever he intended to perform for the profit of the people either abroad in the administration of War or at home in prescribing Laws and preparing them to that order of life which was newly prescribed them he told them that by instructions from God he Prophesied that if they violated their Countrey Religion they should not escape destruction their Countrey should be filled with Foreign Arms their Cities Sackt their Temple Burnt and themselves sold under the Spear and that they should serve a D Nation Deut. 33. 23. which would not be moved or touched with commiseration of their afflictions and miseries and at length they should too late and unprofitably repent of their error yet that God their establisher would restore the Cities to the ancient Citizens and the Temple to his people Deut. 34. 9. And that this should come to pass not onely once but also many times Moses exhorteth Josua Then did Moses also appoint Josua to lead his Army against the Canaanites promising him that God would be assisting to his actions and wishing all sort of happiness to the people Seeing that saith he I go unto mine Ancestors and God hath prefixed this day for my departure it is very just that living as yet and standing in your presence I give him thanks for the care and providence which he hath hitherto had of your affairs not onely in delivering E you from so many evils but also in largely imparting his blessings unto you and for that he hath alwayes favourably helpt me whilest I endeavoured by my labour and care to reduce your fortunes to a better state Deut. 3. 13. 23. for it is he which hath given both the beginning and the accomplishment Deut. 34. 9. making use of me but as his Minister and Servant in all that good which hath been done to his people For all which things I have thought requisite in departing from you to bless the goodness of God who in time to come shall have the care and charge of you
then it was lawful for them to assail them with open War Hereupon they sent certain Embassadors to the Gibeonites to complain of those youngmen that in perpetrating this indignity against the woman had violated the Law of God and to demand that they might suffer condign punishment by death for the same B But the Gibeonites would not yield up the young men esteeming it an indignity for them for fear of War to be obedient to other mens commandments They deny to yield them up hereupon the Israelites make an oath never to match their Daughters with any one of the Tribe of Benjamin and they levyed lead out against them an Army of four hundred thousand men for they thought themselves no wayes inferior unto others in feats of War both in respect of number and courage The rest of the Tribe also made great prâ—â—aration being all resolved mutually to defend themselves against whosoever should assail them When the Gibeonites answer was brought to the Israelites they sware an oath among themselves not to give their daughters in marriage to any Benjamite and to make War against them more bloody than that which their predecessors had made against the Canaanites They speedily therefore levied and led into the field an army of 400000. men against them The Benjamites Army consisted of 25600. armed men 500. of which were expert in shooting C and fighting with the left hand The battle was fought near Giba wherein the Benjamites put the Isralites to flight who were slain to the number of 22000. and more had been slaughtred that day had not the night suddenly overtaken them and ended the fight v. 25. The Benjamites joyfully returned to their Cities and the Isralites were discomfited by their defeat Twenty two thousand Israelites slain in battel The next day they once more renewed the battel and the Benjamites had the upper hand once again so that the Israelites lost eighteen thousand men more and thereupon forsook their camp thorow fear and retired to Bethel which was not far off Eighteen thousand Israelites more slain The day after they fasted and besought God by the mediation of Phinees the High Priest that it would please him to appease his wrath against them and that contenting himself with the two overthrows which he had sent them he would now D at last both give them his assistance and valour to encounter their enemies v. 29 ad 36. All which God promised them by the prophecy of Phinees The Israelites place one half of their battel in ambush and as if they â—â—ght with disadvantage they retired by little and little Whereupon they divided their Army into two parts and laid the one in ambush near the City In the mean time whilst the other half that made head against the Benjamites retired themselves to the intent their Enemies should assault them the Benjamites suddenly issued and set upon them that orderly retired and the more they retired on purpose to draw them the further from the Town the more eagerly the Enemy insisted so that all those who through age and weakness were left in the City sallied out to be companions and sharers in the future prey But when they were drawn far enough from the City the Hebrews stayed made head and fought against them Then gave they a sign to those that were E in ambush as was accorded amongst them who suddenly issuing out together rushed upon their Enemies with a great cry The Benjamites themselves so surprized knew not what to do but retiring into certain Barricadoes defended themselves with Arrows but all of them were slain except six hundred who making head and closely filletted and embattelled together thrust themselves desperately into the midst of their Enemies and by this means escaped to the neighboring mountains where they encamped All the rest to the number of 25. thousand or thereabouts were slain And the Israelites burned Giba utterly and slew both the women and children They excercised no less severity on the other Cities of Benjamin so much were they transported with fury v. 35. And for that Jabes a City of Gilead would not joyn with them in Battel against the F Benjamites Five and twenty thousand Benjamites slain and only six hundred escape alive they sent twelve thousand chosen men out of their â—â—â—panies to destroy the same who slew all those that bear Arms with their Wives and Children except four hundred Virgins So much rage and fury had they conceived upon the accident that chanced to this woman against the Benjamites for provoking them unto Arms which fury being somewhat appeased Jabes and other Cities of the Benjamites burned they were toucht with compassion seeing themselves deprived of one Tribe wherefore though they thought they had justly punished them for having offended against the Laws of God yet they appointed a fast and sent to recall those six hundred that were fled Judg. 21. and that held a certain Rock in the Desart which is called Rhos These messengers represented to them the concern that the other Tribes had for their misfortune à v. 41. ad finem but since there was no remedy The Israelites revoke the six hundred that were fled they ought to bear it with patience G and reunite themselves to those of their Nation to the end to hinder the utter ruin of their Tribe that they restor'd to them all their Lands and would give them back their Cattel The Benjamites acknowledging their justice and that they were condemned by the just judgment of God returned into the possessions of their Tribe And the Israelites H gave them in Marriage those 400 Virgins of Jabes and for the rest which were 200 they deliberated with themselves how they might provide them of Wives to the intent they might have issue And whereas in the beginning of the War it was decreed by an oath that none of them should match his Daughter with any of the Tribe of Benjamin Judg. 21 22 ad 25. there were some that thought good that the oath might be dispensed withall by reason it was made in wrath and with precipitation alledging further that it would not be displeasing to God The Israelites gave the Benjamites the 400 Virgins of Jabes in marriage if they might save a Tribe which was in danger to be utterly extinct That Perjury is a great sin not when inforced by necessity but when practised with an intent to do evil But when the Elders declar'd that they abhor'd the mention of Perjury there rose up a certain Man amongst them that said he knew a way I whereby without breach of oath the Benjamites might have Wives When and how an Oath ought to be kept And being commanded by the Senate to declare the same We have a custom thrice every year said he to assemble and keep a Feast at Siloe and for Companions we have both our Wives and Daughters as many
of these as they can 〈◊〉 let the Benjamites lay hold of without reproof neither being inhibited nor encouraged by us and if their Fathers shall be displeased therewith and shall require revenge we will say that they are in the fault who have negligently kept their Daughters and that we ought not too much to whet our wrath against the Benjamites for that we had too much already used the same toward them Ver. 20. ad fin This advice was approved by all and it was decreed The Benjamites are permitted to ravish them Wives That it was lawful for the Benjamites to seize and violently take to themselves Wives amongst them Now when the Feast was at hand the 200 Benjamites of K whom we have spoken came two by two and three by three and lay in ambush near the City amongst the Vines and other Thickets and close places in which they might hide themselves to surprize the Damsels who suspecting nothing securely and pleasantly wantoned on their way but the young men breaking from the ambush laid hold of them being scattered and divided here and there and after they had married them they departed home to labour their Land and began to study anew how to recover their former prosperity Thus the Tribe of Benjamin which was well nigh utterly exterminated was preserved by the wisdom of the Israelites and it flourished and increased in a little time as well in number of men as in all other things The like accident hapned to the Tribe of Dan Hedio Ruffin cap. 7. al. 4. which fell into the like mischief for this L cause which ensueth The Israelites about this time having forgotten the exercise of Arms Judg. 18. 2 c. and being onely occupied in Tilling their Land The Tribe of Dan oppressed by the Canaanites the Canaanites in contempt of them raised Forces not for that they were afraid for their own Estates but to the intent that defeating the Hebrews with some memorable overthrow they might more securely inhabit their Cities for the future They brought into the Field a great number of Footmen and Chariots and they drew Aschalon and Acharon two Cities within the lot of Judah into thier Confederacy and divers other Cities of the Champion Countrey so that the Tribe of Dan was driven into the Mountains having no place in the Champion where they might peaceably inhabit and for that they were neither able to recover their Lands from M the enemy nor had sufficient habitation for their number of Men they sent five Men of their Tribe into the Champion Countrey to see if they could find any place that were fit and convenient for them to establish and fix their Colonies These Men Travelled a days journey not far from the Mountain of Libranus and lower than the sources of Jordan bordering upon the great Plain of the City of Sidon In which place having observed that the Land was good and fertile in all sorts of fruits they made their report to their People who Travelling thither with their Army built a City in that place called Dan by the name of the son of Jacob so called and of their own Tribe Many adversities befell the Israelites from that time forwards They of Dan seek out a place to inhabit both by reason they were unexercised in Travel and for that they contemned Piety For having once forsaken the N observation of the Ordinances they abandon'd themselves to Pleasures living according to their own appetites so that they polluted themselves with those Vices which were most usual amongst the Canaanites O A CHAP. III The year of the World 2586. before Christ's Nativity 1438. How the people of Israel by reason of their wickedness were by God delivered to the servitude of the Assyrians FOr this cause the wrath of God was kindled against them Judg. 31. 2 3 4. in such sort that he abandon'd them and through their luxury they soon lost the felicity which they had gotten by infinite pains The Israelites oppressed by Schisart For Schisart King of the Assyrians levied and an Army against them killed a great number of their men in fight and either by force or composition took divers of their Cities and brought them under his subjection Many also willingly submitted B themselves to him through fear and payed great tribute enduring all kind of outrage for the space of eight years after which they were delivered by these means following CHAP. IV. Their liberty restored by Cenez A Certain man of the Tribe of Juda called Cenez a man of understanding and courage was advertised by a voice from Heaven Ibidem c. 3. v. 9 10 11. that he should not permit the Israelites to be reduced into so extreme necessity without taking care for them but adventure himself to set them at liberty Cenizus or as the holo Scripture speaks his Son Athaniel rigned eight years Upon which calling to him some few whom he knew C generous enough to fear no danger when a yoke so insupportable was to be shaken of They began with outting the throats of the Assyrian Garison which Schisart had placed over them This first success caus'd the number of his followers to increase a little more and more so that in a little time they seemed sufficient to equal the enemy in open field whereupon encountring him in one battel they overcame him and recovered their liberty and the rest of the scattered and confused Army retired toward Euphrates After Cenez had by this action given proof of his valour he received the government at the peoples hands and exercised the office of Judge forty years and died CHAP. V. D How the people were made subject to the Moabites and how by Jodes they were exempt from servitude AFter his death the government being void the affairs of the Israelites began again to fall to ruine Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. and the rather for that they neither yielded due honour to God Judg. 3. 12 ad 15. or obedience to the Laws whence it came to pass that Eglon King of the Moabites seeing the disorder of their policy made war against them Eglon King of the Moabites conquereth the Israelites and defeated them many times And for that he was a Prince of greater puissance than any of his Predecessors he weakened their Forces so that he constrained them to pay tribute This man removing his Court to Jericho and proud of his Victories omitted no E means whereby he might vex and molest the people so that they lived for the space of 18. years in great misery But God being moved with compassion of their calamities delivered them from their intolerable thraldom after this manner Jodes the Son of Gera of the Tribe of Benjamin a young man endow'd with Valour of mind and strength of body to attempt any worthy action dwelt at Jericho Jodes or Ehud insinuated himself into Eglons
calamities also were transported for which cause it was likewise sent from this place to another where it remained but a little while for the Inhabitants of the place being afflicted with the same Maladies which the other endured sent it to the Neighbor Cities and after this sort the Ark was conveyed to five Cities of the Philistines exacting as it were by those Plagues a Tribute of every one in punishment of the Sacriledge which they committed by retaining a thing consecrated to God At last wearied with so many evils and made examples unto others not to entertain the Ark which so grievously recompensed those that received the same 1 Sam. 5. 2 aâ— finem they conceiv'd there was no other way left O but to find out some good means to rid themselves of it When therefore the Princes of the five Cities of Geth Accaron Ascalon Gaza and Azot were assembled they consulted A amongst themselves what was best to be done and first of all it was propos'd to send back the Ark to those to whom it appertain'd since God scourg'd with so many Plagues those that receiv'd it into their Cities to testifie his indignation for the taking of it and to execute his vengeance of the Crime But some said that this resolution was unfit to be executed Consultation about the Ark. denying that those evils were to be imputed to the Captivity of the Ark whose power if it were so great as they imagin'd or if God had any care of the same he would never have permitted it to have fallen into the hands of Men of a contrary Religion and persuading them to bear these Misfortunes with an equrl mind and to account all these Calamities as effects of Nature which at certain periods of times is wont to produce in Mens Bodies in the Earth and in Plants and in other things B subject to her power such kind of alterations and changes Others more prudent and intelligent propos'd a third way which was neither to send away the Ark nor yet to retain it but to offer to God in the name of the five Cities five golden Statues in testimony of their gratitude because they had been preserved by his favor from that Plague from which by humane remedies it was impossible to escape and to offer also as many golden Mice like those that had spoiled their Countrey All these to be locked in a Chest and laid upon the Ark and the Ark to be plac't upon a new Cart made purposely to which they should yoke and tye two Kine that had new Calved locking up their Calves from them lest they should be an impediment to their Dams and to the intent that through the desire to see their young they might hasten the faster That done that C driving the Chariot to a place that had three wayes they should suffer them to draw that way that they listed and if they took the way of the Hebrews and travel'd towards their Countrey then they should assure themselves that the Ark was the cause of their evils The conclusion of the counsel as touching the sacred Ark. but if they drew another way let them said they be driven back again being most assured that the Ark hath no such virtue in it This counsel was approved by every one of the Assembly and presently executed having prepared all things they brought the Chariot into a high way that lookt three ways and leaving it there returned back again CHAP. II. D The Victory of the Hebrews under the Conduct of Samuel NOW when the Kine took the way which led to the Israelites 1 Sam. 6. 12 ad 18. and Travelled therein no otherwise than if some Men had led them the Governors of the Philistines follow'd them The sacred Ark cometh to Bethsama desirous to understand whither they went and in what place they would rest There is a Borough in the Tribe of Juda called Bethsama towards which they drew And although they had a very fair Plain before them yet would they not Travel any further The gratulation of the Bethsamites upon the arrival of the Ark. but rested the Chariot in that place The Inhabitants came to the spectacle and greatly rejoyced thereat for although it was Summer-time wherein every one was busied in gathering the fruits of the field yet when they perceived the Ark E they were so transported with joy that they laid aside the work which they had in hand and run presently to the Chariot Then taking down the Ark and the Coffer wherein the Statues of Gold and golden Rats were they laid them upon a stone in the field and after they had solemnly sacrificed and feasted together they offer'd up both the Chariot and Kine for a Burnt-offering unto God Which when the Philistines saw they returned back into their own Countrey to carry the News But Gods indignation and displeasure was kindled against the Bethsamites Ver. 16. so that 70 of them were slain because they had dar'd to touch the Ark Ruffinus writeth that God strook 70 of the greatest and 50000 of the common sort as it is 1 Sam. 6. 21. and with prophane hands not being Priests attempted to sustain it The Inhabitants lamented their loss and mourned for that their Countreymen were extinguished by no common death but by a punishment and plague sent F from God And acknowledging that they were unworthy that the Ark should remain with them they sent Messengers to the Governors and the rest of the Hebrews to let them understand that they had recovered the Ark out of the hands of the Philistines Whereupon order was given to place the same in Cariathiarim The Ark is transferred into Cariathiarim a City bordering upon the Bethsamites In that place there dwelt a Man of the Race of the Levites called Aminadab who had the honour and reputation of a good Man to his House the Ark was sent as to a place agreeable to God because there dwelt in the same a Man of so much virtue Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. His Sons had the charge of the Ark and continued in that service for the space of 20 years The punishment of the Israelites during which time it remained in Cariathiarim after it had remained only four months with the Philistines Whilst the Ark was in the City of Cariathiarim the G Israelites liv'd very Religiously and offer'd to God Prayers and Sacrifices shewing great devotion and forwardness in his service 1 Sam. 7. 3 ad 6. The Prophet Samuel perceiving this their good demeanor and supposing it a fit occasion to exhort them to liberty and the benefits which attend the same The year of the World 2851. before Christ's Nativity 1113. he accommodated his Speech to their Sentiments and spake to them H to this effect Ye men of Israel since at this present the Philistines cease not to molest you and God beginneth to shew himself merciful and
rain and told that he saw nothing at length going up the seventh time in descending he brought him this news that he saw B some black appearance in the Air not much unlike to a mans footstep When Elias understood this he sent unto Achab wishing him to retire himself within the City before the rain fell who had no sooner recover'd the City of Jezrael but that the Air was presently cover'd with thick clouds and a vehement wind intermixed with rain fell upon the earth 1 Reg. 19. 1 ad 4. and the Prophet seized by the Spirit of God ran with the Kings chariot as far as Jezrael a City of Asser Elias flieth from Jezabel When Jezebel Achab's Wife had notice what miracles Elias had perform'd and how he had slain her Prophets she was displeased and sent messengers unto him threatning him in like sort to revenge herself on him as he had slain her Prophets Which Elias fearing fled into the City of Bersabe which is upon the borders of the Tribe of Juda Gods care for his servantâ— bounding upon Idumaea in which place he left his servant and retired C himself into the Desart where whil'st he pray'd God that he would take him out of the World he fell asleep under a certain Tree and after he was awaked he arose and found bread and water ready prepared by him When he had eaten and was refreshed Mount Sinai Ver. 5 6. he went unto where it is said that Moses received the Law from God where finding out an hollow Cave God speaketh to Elias in the desart he entred into it and remained therein And being demanded by a certain voice which spake unto him he knew not from whence Wherefore he remained in that place and forsook the City He answer'd Because he had slain the Prophets of the false gods and because he had persuaded the people that there was but one onely God who ought to be honoured by all men and that for this cause he was sought for by the Kingâ— wife that he might be put to death The voice replied again and commanded him to shew D himself openly assuring him that he should understand that which it behoved him to perform Hereupon as soon as it was day he forsook the Cave and perceiv'd the earth to tremble under his feet Ver. 16. and after all things were appeased the voice which proceeded he knew not from whence Jehu King of Israel willed him That he should in no wayes be discomforted with that which he saw for that no one of his enemies should have power to hurt him charging him to return unto his house to the intent to proclaim Jehu the son of Nimsi King of the people and Azael of Damascus King of the Syrians Ver. 19. assuring him that in his place Elizeus calling Elizeus of the City of Abela should be Prophet and that the wicked people should be destroyed the one by Azael and the other by Jehu When Elias heard these things he return'd into the Countrey of the E Hebrews and met Elizeus the son of Saphat at the Cart and with him divers others driving before them twelve couple of Oxen he came near him and cast upon him his garment and he instantly began thereupon to prophetize so that forsaking his Oxen he followed Elias Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. ad 11. Yet required he that before his departure he might take leave of his Parents which when he had perform'd he committed them unto God and follow'd Elias 1 Kings 21. 1 ad 16. attending on him during all his life like his disciple and servant This issue had the affairs of this so excellent a Prophet The story of Naboth who was stoned to death for denying Achâ—b his Vineyard But a certain Citizen called Naboth of the City of Azar had a Vineyard near unto the lands of Achab who requir'd him to sell him the same at what price he thought convenient to the intent he might annex it to his own lands and make them one possession wishing him that if he would not sell it him F for silver to choose in exchange thereof any one field of his which he liked best Naboth answer'd him That he would not do it but that he intended to gather the fruit of his own land himself which he had received as an inheritance from his father The King no less troubled with the repulse than if he had lost his own inheritance would neither wash nor receive any sustenance Whereupon Jezabel his wife inquir'd after the cause of his discontent and how it came to pass that he neither washt nor eat he told her of Naboths rude behavior and how having offer'd all just and reasonable composition he could not obtain what he requested Hereupon Jezabel willed him to be of good cheer advised him to continue his ordinary entertainment because she herself would take upon her to revenge him on Naboth Whereupon she presently sent Letters in Achabs name to the Governors G of the Countrey whereby she enjoined them to celebrate a Fast and to assemble the people charging them that in that place Naboth should have a seat prepared for H him by reason of his birth and quality willing them afterwards that suborning three false Witnesses to depose against him that he had blasphemed God and the King they should by this means cause him to be stoned and put to death by the people All which was performed according as the Queen had written and Naboth accused by false witness for scandalizing God and the King was stoned by the people and put to death When Jezabel had tydings hereof she repaired to the Kings presence and told him That he should enjoy Naboths Vineyard and disburse nothing for it But God displeased with this her wickedness Ver. 17 ad 26. sent the Prophet Elias purposely to meet with Achab in Naboths ground Elias prophesieth what revenge God will take of Achab and Jezabel and to tell him That he unjustly possessed the lawful inheritance of another whom he had put to death As soon as the King perceived that he came I unto him supposing it to be unseemly for a King to be reproved he first of all confessed his fault and offer'd him to make restitution according as he should think fit Then did the Prophet foretell That in the same place where Naboths Carcass was consumed by Dogs that both his and his Queens blood should be shed and that all his Race should be destroyed for that they durst commit such an impiety and so wickedly murder against all Law so good and innocent a man These words made so great an impression upon Achab that he repented him of the offence he had committed Ver. 27 28. so that apparelling himself in sackcloth and walking barefoot Achab's repentance he tasted not any meat but confessed his sins with hopes to appease Gods wrath Whereupon God
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
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
in the Countrey of Galilee and for this cause was greatly beloved by Cassius for he being prudent and discreet thought it no small policy at that time to win the Romans good will on other mens expences Under the other Governors the Cities were set to sale together with their Inhabitants and amongst them these four were the chiefest namely Gophna Emaus Lydda and Thamna for Cassius sold the people thereof to them that would give most Besides Cassius was so much transported with choler E that he had slain Malichus if Hircanus had not restrained his fury by sending him One hundred Talents of his own money by Antipater But as soon as Cassius was departed out of the Countrey of Judaea he practised Antipater's death supposing that his cutting off would assure Hircanus's state But Antipater was not ignorant of this his resolution for having an inkling thereof he got himself on the other side of Jordan and assembled an Army of Soldiers both Jews and Arabians Hereupon Malichus who was a politick and subtil fellow denied stoutly that he had intended any Treason Maâ—ichus layeth in wait to murther Antipater but forsweareth the same and is reconciled clearing himself with an Oath before Antipater and his Children that he had never any such intent especially seeing that Phasaelus held Jerusalem and Herod F had an Army at command And in the end perceiving the difficulty wherein he was he reconciled himself to Antipater and they agreed at that time that Marcus governed Syria who perceiving that Malichus began to raise troubles in Jewry resorted thither and there wanted little but that he had slain him had not Antipater by earnest request obtained his life CHAP. XIX Cassius and Marcus leaving Sâ—ria give Herod the command of the Army which they had raised promising to establish him King Malichus causeth Antipater to be poysoned Herod dissembleth with him BUT imprudent Antipater saved Malichus to his own mischief Cassius and Marâ—â—us make Herod Governor of Coelosyria For when Cassius G and Marcus had assembled their Army they committed all the charge into Herods hands and made him Governor of Coelosyria and delivered him great forces both of H Foot and Horse The year of the World 3923. before Christ's Nativity 41. and Ships by Sea They promised him likewise the Kingdom of Judaea after they had finished the War that was at that time betwixt them and Anthony and Caesar the younger Whereupon Malichus mightily fearing Antipaters power determined to destroy him and having corrupted Hircanus's Butler with Money with whom both of them celebrated a Feast he poysoned him Malichus causeth Antipater to be poisoned and afterwards assembling many Soldiers about him he made himself Master of the City When Herod and Phasaelus understood the traiterous conspiracy attempted against their Father they were grievously incensed against Malichus But he denied all and especial abjured the intent or practice of the murther Thus died Antipater a just and virtuous man and such an one as dearly loved his Countrey But Herod who was his younger son immediately resolved to I revenge his fathers death and came forth with an Army against Malichus But Phasaelus who was the elder resolved to circumvent him by policy lest he should raise a Civil War He therefore accepted of Malichus justifications and made a shew that he supposed that he had in no manner contrived Antipater's death and onely minded his Fathers Monument and Funerals Mean while Herod resorting to Samaria and finding it in a desperate condition restored the same and pacified the dissentions that were amongst the Inhabitants Not long after by reason of a Feast he came to Jerusalem with his Soldiers Malichus being afraid of his access perswaded Hircanus that he should not permit him to enter into the City whereunto Hircanus condescended alleadging that amongst the holy People it was not lawful to intermix a Troop of polluted K Men. But Herod slighted them that brought him this news and notwithstanding his command entred the City by night whereat Malichus was much amazed Whereupon according to his ordinary dissimulation he openly wept and bewailed the death of Antipater his especial friend but under-hand he prepared a guard for his own safety Notwithstanding it was thought fit by Herod's friends to take no notice of his dissimulation but to make shew that they were well-affected towards Malichus CHAP. XX. Cassius at Herod's entreaty sends orders to the Commanders of the Roman Troops to revenge L Antipater's death they stab Malichus Felix who commands the Roman Garison in Jerusalem attacketh Phasaelus who reduceth him to capitulate HErod having assured Cassius of Antipater his fathers death he knowing very well of what a wicked man Malichus was wrote back unto Herod that he should revenge the death of his father besides he sent secret Letters to the Captains that were in Tyre commanding them to aid and assist Herod in that just execution which he intended After that Cassius had taken Laodicea and the Inhabitants of the Countrey came together bringing with them Crowns and Silver to present him Herod expecting that Malichus should receive his punishment there but Malichus mistrusting their designs M when he was drawing near to Tyre in Phaenicia he contriv'd a greater enterprize For whereas his son was an hostage in Tyre he entred the City to draw him thence and afterwards return into Judaea taking that opportunity by reason of Cassius's troubles who marched to meet with Anthony he resolved to draw the people to an insurrection and to make himself Lord of the Countrey but God disappointed his unjust purposes For Herod being a man of a ripe judgment immediately discovered his intention and sent one of his servants before under the notion to prepare a banquet because he had told him formerly that he would entertein all his followers but in effect he sent him to the Captains to command them to go out with their Daggers and to meet Malichus who marching forth and meeting with him near the shore he N stabbed him Which act did so much astonish Hircanus that through amaze he grew speechless and being much moved he demanded of Herod's men how this accident had hapned and who it was that had killed Malichus which having heard and how nothing was done without Cassius's commannd he answered that all was well done Malichus being a wicked Man and a Traitor to his Countrey See here how Malichus was justly punished for the wickedness he committed against Antipater When Cassius was gone out of Syria there arose a new tumult in Judaea for Felix who was left in Jerusalem with an Army marched forth against Phasaelus and all the people were in arms For which cause Herod speedily repaired to Fabius Governor of Damasco and intending to succor his brother was prevented by a sickness so that O Phasaelus obtaining a victory by his own forces against Faelix enclosed him up in a Tower whence afterwards he dismissed him under
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
from angle to angle On the inside and near unto the top there was another wall of stone extended along the Eastern side having a double porch of equal greatness with that of the wall and placed in the midst of the Temple and openeth right upon the gates thereof which the Kings formerly had adorned Round about the L Temple were planted those spoils which were taken from the Barbarians which King Herod had placed there with all those spoils which he had taken from the Arabians In a corner on the North side there stood a very strong Fortress builded by the Asmonians who were Herods predecessours and had been both Kings and High Priests and had imposed a name on that Tower which was Baris in which they kept the Priestly Vesture wherewith the High Priest was wont to be adorned at that time only when he was to offer sacrifice King Herod kept the same in that place and there remained it after his death until the time of Tiberius Caesar under whom Vitellius Governor of Syria came unto Jerusalem where he was entertained by all the people with as great magnificence as was possible and being desirous to acknowledge the favour that he had received M at their hands being requested by them that they might have the keeping of the High Priests Ornaments he wrote unto Tiberius Caesar to grant them that favour and till the death of King Agrippa the Jews had the same in their possession But after that Agrippa was dead Cassius Longinus that governed Syria and Cuspius Fadus Lieutenant of Judaea commanded the Jews to return the same into the Fortress Antonia saying That the Romans ought to be Lords thereof as they had been in times past For which cause the Jews sent Embassadors to Claudius Caesar to request his favour therein who arriving at Rome found the young King Agrippa there who besought the Emperor that it might be lawful for him to have the keeping of the habit who commanded Vitellius the Governour of Syria to deliver it into his hands It was formerly kept under the N seal of the High Priest and the custody of the Treasurers and on the Eve of a certain solemn Feast the Treasurers went up to the Captain who kept the Fortress for the Romans and after they had opened their seal they took the habit and after the Feast was past they returned it back again unto the same place and shut it up under the same seal in the presence of the Captain After that Herod had in this manner builded this strong Tower for the security and guard of the Temple The Tower of Antonia he called it Antonia for the love of Antonius his friend and one of the chiefest men in Rome In the Western part of this porch there were four gates whereof the one opened upon the Kings Palace to which there was a direct way thorow the midst of the valley the two others led unto the suburbs and the fourth O opened upon the rest of the City and gave open passage unto the same by the means of a number of stairs by which men might descend to the foot of the valley and from thence there was an ascent by other stairs to ascend upwards For the City was scituate opposite to the Temple after the manner of a Theater which ended at this valley on the South side The year of the World 3955. before Christs Nativity 9. where on the very front of this square there was also another A gate in the middle equally distant from both corners and a stately Tripple Gallery the length whereof extended from the oriental valley as far as the Western It was impossible to extend it any further for it took up all the space This work was one of the most famous pieces that was ever seen under the Sun For the depth of the valley was so great that it was impossible for a man to see the bottom if he looked downward from the higher part and notwithstanding on the same he erected this porch of so great a height The porch builded aloft above the valley that but to look from the top thereof and to consider the depth as well of the Valley as the height of the Porch it would make a man giddy and his eye could not pierce unto the bottom of the same Those Galleries B were supported by four ranks of Pillars equally distant and a strong stone wall filled up the spaces that were between the pillars of the fourth rank the thickness of the pillars was such that one was as much as three men could fathom holding one another by the hand for each of them was twenty and seven foot about with a double base at the bottom The whole number of them was one hundred sixty and two they were engraven and damaskt with Corinthian work so that it moved admiration in those that beheld it Betwixt these four ranks of pillars there were three Porches containing in breadth each of them thirty foot and in length a stade or furlong and more than fifty foot in height That in the midst was in breadth once and half as much as these two and in height twice as much The floor was made of rare planks C engraven with divers figures and the roof thereof was far higher than any of the rest in which were certain huge beams morteised on which there were certain pillars builded united and joyned so together that it is incredible to those that have not seen it The inward court into which and no further the Jews might enter and admirable to him that beholdeth it for all the work seemed to be but one stone Such was the fashion of the circuit of the first Porch In the midst and not far off from the other stood the second whereunto there was an ascent made with few steps It was inclosed with a separation of stone with an Inscription forbidding any stranger to enter the same upon pain of death This inward porch both to the Southward and the Northward had three gates in rank equidistant the one from the other and toward the eastward had one great gate by which those D men entred who were cleansed with their wives For beyond that place it was not lawful for the women to have access But the third inward space was onely accessible by the Priests In it was the Temple and within it the Altar on which they were wont to offer up sacrifices unto God But Herod durst not enter into the interiour Sanctuary because he was not a Priest he committed that Fabrick to the Priests care which they accomplished in a year and a halfs time Herod had been eight years about the rest The dedication of the Temple The people were replenished with the fulness of joy and every one gave thanks unto God for that the whole Work was finished so speedily and wished all happiness to the King for his cost and diligence in the execution and
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
another of Antipholas's Brothers and the Mother I to them both confessed no less being constrained thereunto by force of violence and torture and acknowledged the Box. The King's Wife also who was the Daughter of the High Priest The King putteth away his Wife and blots his Son out of his Testament He degradeth Simon and instateth Matthias in the Priestood was accused of confederacy and concealment of all these Treasons For which cause Herod put her away from him and cancelled his Sons name out of his Testament wherein he had bequeathed him the Kingdom after his decease He displaced also his Father-in-law Simon the Son of Boethus from the Priesthood and placed Matthias the Son of Theophilus who was born in Jerusalem In the mean time Bathillus Antipater's Freeman returned from Rome who being tortured confessed that he brought a Poyson with him to deliver it to Antipater's Mother and Pheroras to the end that if the first Poyson were not effectual enough to dispatch the King they might K make use of this other to cut him off speedily There came Letters also to Herod's hands from his friends at Rome Archelaus Philip are accused by Antipaters means written and devised by Antipater's means to accuse Archelaus and Philip for very often they had refreshed the memory of Alexander and Aristobulus's death contrived by their Father and for that they lamented the miserable fate of them who were innocently betrayed and that now also they themselves were called back into their Countrey for no other cause but upon their arrival to be made partakers of their Brother 's miserable destiny These things did Antipater's friends certifie Herod of in that by many and mighty Presents he wrought them thereunto He himself also wrote unto his Father colourably after a manner excusing the young men and imputing their words unto their indiscretion and young years L Mean while he busied himself in accusing Syllaeus and courted the chiefest Romans buying divers Ornaments and Jewels to present them with to the value of two hundred Talents And it is to be wondred at that so great matters being in agitation against him seven months at least before his return into the Countrey of Judaea that no inkling thereof came unto his ears But the cause partly was the diligent search and watch that was kept upon the High-ways and partly the hatred that all men had conceived against Antipater For there was not any that would put themselves in hazard to procure his security M CHAP. VII Antipater being returned back into 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 HErod concealing his displeasure Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. answered Antipater his Son's Letters giving him a strict charge as soon as he had dispatched his affairs to hasten homeward lest his long absence should prove hurtful to him Herod writeth friendly Letters to Antipater and calleth him home from Rome He likewise after a temperate manner N complained unto him of his Mother promising notwithstanding to remit the fault upon his return and by all means he made shew to him of much kindness fearing lest he apprehending any suspicion should defer to hasten his return and lingring too long at Rome should contrive some treacherous stratagem to the prejudice of himself and the overthrow of his Kingdom Antipater received these Letters in Cilicia and had already received others at Tarentum by which he understood of Pheroras his Unkle's death whereat he was sore grieved not for the love he bare to Pheroras but for that he died before he had murthered his Father according as he had promised him As soon as he came to Celenderis a City of Cilicia he grew doubtful whether he should return or no and was grievously troubled at his Mother's disgraces O who was banished from the Court The opinions of his friends in his behalf were various for some of them counselled him to stay and expect the event of these troubles A in some place others on the other side advised him to delay no longer his return into his Countrey for that upon his arrival he might easily satisfie all those objections and accusations that were forged against him because his accusers had nothing else to strengthen their cause with but his absence This later advice pleased him best so that he betook himself to Sea Celenderis in Cilicia and at last arrived in the Port of Sebaste so called and builded by Herod to his great charge in honour of Caesar And now already it manifestly appeared that Antipater was upon his downfal Sebaste a Haven builded by Herod in honour of Caesar For no man came out to salute him no man entertained him as they did upon his departure when as all of them accompanied him with prayers and happy acclamations but contrariwise they boldly and openly spake against him and bitterly cursed him telling B him that he was justly punished for the wickedness that he had committed against his brothers Antipater upon his return is saluted by no man About the same time Quintilius Varus who was sent to succeed Saturnine in the Government of Syria was at Jerusalem Quintilius Varus Governour of Syria and drew thither at that instant upon Herods request to assist him with his Counsels in his present and weighty occasions Now whilest these two sate and cousulted together Antipater came in before any man expected him and in that purple garment and Royalty that he was accustomed to use entered the Palace The Guard of the Gates suffered him to enter in but they excluded all those that were with him This first of all affrighted and appaled his Spirits in that he already perceived into what calamity he was fallen and now also C when he drew near his Father he thrust him from him accusing him of the murder of his Brethren and reproaching him with that intent he had to poyson him telling him that the next day Varus should both hear and judge all his misdemeanours He altogether daunted at the greatness of that unexpected mischief which he both heard and saw departed presently from them wholly amazed and in the way met with his Mother and his Wife which was Antigonus's daughter who had been King of the Jews before Herod by whom he was advertised of all that which had happened and for that cause more diligently prepared himself for his tryal Herod calleth his Son in question before Quintilius Varus The next day Varus and Herod sate in judgement accompanied by their friends on both sides thither also D were cited the Kings kindred and his sister Salome and certain others who could discover his secret practices some of which had been tortured and namely Antipaters mothers servants who a little before his arrival had been apprehended with a letter to this
sat at their feet after divers discourses D held between them Agrippa began to speak after this manner unto Caius O said he would God the day were come wherein the old man departing out of this world would make you Governour thereof For his Son Tiberius would be no hindrance unto you for you might dispatch him Then should the World be happy and I likewise have my share in the Felicity Tiberius esteeming this his Accusation to be true and having of long time conceived a grudge against Agrippa for that notwithstanding he had commanded him to honour Tiberius who was his Nephew and Drusus's Son Agrippa had given small regard to his Commandment and had not honoured him but was wholly addicted unto Caius For which cause he said to Macron bind me this fellow He scarcely understanding that which he spake and no ways suspecting that he should give that Command E against Agrippa deferred the performance until such time as he might more exactly understand his mind When therefore Caesar turned into the Hippodrome and by chance met with Agrippa in the teeth This is he said he Macron whom I have commanded to be bound And demanding of him once more of whom he spake It is Agrippa said he Then had Agrippa recourse to submissive and humble Prayers refreshing the memory of his Son with whom he had been brought up alledging the education he had used towards his Nephew Tiberius but he prevailed nothing but was led away bound in those Purple Ornaments which he then wore At that time it was very hot weather Thaumastus Caius's Servant giveth Agrippa drink whom he promiseth to procure his Freedom and he was extreamly thirsty Whereupon espying Thaumastus one of Caius 's Servants who carried Water in a Pitcher he required F him to give him drink which when he had willingly bestowed on him he drank and afterwards said unto him This service thou hast done me in giving me drink shall do thee good one day For as soon as I escape out of these Bonds it shall not be long before I obtain thy liberty at Caius's hands for that thou hast not neglected to do me service in this my Imprisonment more than whilst I was in my Prosperity Neither deceived he the man's expectation of his promise but rewarded and gratified him For afterwards when he had obtained the Kingdom he begged Thaumastus 's liberty at Caius 's hands and made him his Steward and after his decease he gave order that he should serve in the same place with his Son Agrippa and his Daughter Bernice so that he died very old and much honoured But this happened afterward But at that time Agrippa stood before G the place bound with other Companions who likewise were in Bonds and through the grief he conceived he leaned against a certain Tree on which there sat an Owl One of those Prisoners who was by Nation a German beholding that Bird asked the Souldier that was fettered with him who he was that was apparelled in Purple and H understanding that his name was Agrippa and that he was a Jew and one of the Nobility of that Nation he desired the Soldier who to the end to guard him was chained with him to suffer him to draw near unto Agrippa and to have a little conference with him for that he had a great desire to ask him certain things concerning the Customs of his Countrey Which when he had obtained and having got near him he told him by an Interpreter of that which followeth Young man said he the sudden change that hath befallen thee at this present afflicteth and oppresseth thee with great and grievous Torment neither wilt thou easily believe that thou shalt escape from thy misery yet so doth the Divine Providence dispose of all things A certain German foretelleth Agrippa of his happy Fortunes to come and the manner of his death that thou shalt shortly be delivered Know therefore and I swear unto thee by the Gods both those of mine Ancestors and those also who I have residence and presidence in this place and who have procured us this Iron Chain that I will tell thee all not to yield thee pleasure by my vain discourse or to entertain thee with fruitless Consolation knowing well that when these Predictions shall happen to fail they will breed thee more sorrow than if thou hadst never heard of them But I have thought it good yea although it were with mine own danger to declare unto thee the Predictions of the Gods It cannot otherwise be but that shortly thou shalt be delivered from these Bonds and shalt be advanced to great honour and power so that those who at this day have compassion on thy Calamity shall envy thy Glory and thou shalt depart this life in great felicity and shalt leave thy Children mighty Possessions But bear this in thy remembrance that when thou shalt see this Bird once more thou must needs die within five days after These are those things which the Gods think meet to foretell thee by this Bird. As for my self I K have supposed I should do thee wrong if I should conceal this Prediction from thee having the fore-knowledg thereof I have therefore thought good to impart this joy unto thee whereby thorough hope of thy future profit thou mayest more easily endure thy present misfortune for which cause I beseech thee that as soon as thou shalt be partaker of this thy felicity thou wilt endeavour thy self to deliver us also from these Adversities This Presage of the German's seemed as ridiculous to Agrippa as admirable afterwards But Antonia being sore grieved at the young man's Calamity thought it not only a difficult matter for her to entreat Tiberius for him but altogether unprofitable in regard she should be repulsed yet she prevailed so much with Macron that he was L committed to the custody of such Soldiers who were of a more mild behaviour and had a Centurion appointed to keep him that suffered him to use his daily Bathings and gave his Friends and Servants leave to visit him by whose service and kindness his necessities might be relieved His Friend Silas also was admitted to speak with him and amongst his Free-men Marsyas and Stichus who brought him in such meats as he was delighted withal and Coverings under colour to sell them which by the permission of the Soldiers who had no less direction from Macron they spread by night for him to take his rest upon Agrippa lived six months in Prison See here the estate wherein Agrippa lived in Prison for the space of six Months But Tiberius being returned to Capreas began at first to be attainted with a certain lingring disease Tiberius falleth sick and sendeth for his Sons and for that his Sickness encreased more and M more he began to conceive a sinister hope of himself and commanded Euodus whom he most honoured amongst all his Free-men to bring him his Sons because he
his own but the Emperour's intent who would shortly have them taste his displeasure and enforce them to bear the burthen of his indignation who were so bold as to contradict him For himself it necessarily concerned him that since by the Emperour's favour he had received so great honour he should not commit any thing contrary to his Command I hold it said he a matter most just to employ my life and honour for you to the end that so huge a number of men should not be drawn into the danger of death and I will respect the excellency of the Laws of your Fathers for which you think you ought to undergo a War and danger neither is it lawful to suffer the Temple of God to be defiled F by the Authority of Princes I will therefore write to Caesar and acquaint him with your minds and in all that I may I will assist you to obtain your Request God whose power surpasseth all industry and humane force vouchsafe to conduct you and make you constant in the observation of your Laws and grant that he through excessive desire of humane glory commit not any thing that may offend God And if Caius be displeased and enforce his inevitable displeasure against me I will undertake all danger and endure all torments both in body and spirit to the end that I may not behold so many vertuous men as you are perish in your good and juct actions Go therefore each of you and ply your work and till your Lands I will send to Rome and will employ both my Friends and my self for you After he had spoken this he dismissed the Assembly praying the chiefest amongst G them to encourage the Husbandmen to ply their business and to confirm the rest of the people in their good hope he himself also ceased not to encourage them And truly God shewed his assistance to Petronius and assisted him in all his affairs For as soon as he had finished his discourse to the Jews there suddenly fell a great rain beyond all H humane expectation for the day was very fair neither was there any appearance of rain in the Air and all that year long there was an extream Drought so that men were past hope to have any moisture notwithstanding that sometime there appeared certain Clouds in the Heavens After a long and continual Drought there fell a sudden shower At that time therefore the water fell in great abundance and besides the expectation and opinion of men the Jews conceived hope that Petronius soliciting their cause should not be repulsed But Petronius was more amazed than all the rest seeing evidently that God undertook the affairs of the Jews and gave them testimony of his manifest assurance so that they that were their professed Adversaries Petronius writeth to Caius had no power to contradict them as he himself wrote to Caius at large with inductions and exhortations to the end he should not draw so many thousand I men into a desperate resolution and unhappy death for without War it was impossible for him ever to make them forsake their Religion Moreover that he would not cut off and lose the Revenue which he received of that Nation and would not erect a Trophy of an everlasting Curse and Malediction against himself Adding moreover what the power of their God was which he had so clearly declared that no man ought to doubt but that his merciful hand was over them This is the Contents of Petronius's Letters On the other side Agrippa honoureth Caius in Rome in reward thereof Caius willeth him to demand somewhat who desireth nothing else than that Petronius's Commission to erect the Statue be revoked King Agrippa who at that time was at Rome grew more and more in favour with Caius having entertained him at a Banquet wherein he was very desirous to exceed all others as well in sumptuousness as in all other sorts of delights K and pleasures yea he entertained him so nobly that not only others but also the Emperour himself could not attain to such magnificence so much he endeavoured to surpass all others through the great desire he had to content and satisfie Caesar in all things Caius was amazed at his courage and magnificence seeing Agrippa so willing to constrain himself above his power and means to abound in Silver and all this to the intent to please him For which cause Caesar in requital of his kindness intending to honour Agrippa to his uttermost power in granting him that which he most desired being one day warm with Wine invited him to drink a Carouse adding these words Agrippa I have heretofore known the honour thou hast shewed towards me and thou L hast expressed the earnest affection that thou bearest me in hazarding thy self in divers dangers into which thou hast been drawn during Tiberius's life time and hast omitted nothing no not in that which exceedeth thy power to shew thy affection towards me For which cause I think it should be a great shame for me if I should suffer my self to be overcome by thee in kindness without some answerable correspondence I will therefore put that in practice which I have heretofore omitted for all those things that hitherto I have bestowed on thee are of no reckoning My will is that thy merits should at this time be requited by such means as might for ever make thee happy Now he spake after this manner hoping that Agrippa would beg some great Province at his hands or the Revenues of some Cities M But although he had already prepared his demand yet he did not discover his intent but gave Caius this answer that whereas he had served him to the dislike of Tiberius it was not for the gain he expected heretofore and for the present also he did nothing under hope to be rich contenting himself that he was in the Emperour 's good favour That the benefits he had received of him were great yea exceeding all that which he durst ever have hoped For said he although they be but small in comparison of your Greatness yet in respect of my self who have received them and in my conceit they are very great Caius admiring his generosity insisted to press him to ask whatsoever he had a mind to being ready to grant it Whereupon Agrippa said Dread Prince since it is your good pleasure to think me worthy to be honoured by your Presents I N will not request any thing at your hands that may tend to enrich me for that by those goods you have already given me I am greatly honoured But I beseech and request one thing at your hands which will purchase you the reputation of Piety and will procure God to be propitious unto you in all your actions and which also will breed me much glory among those who shall hear that I have not been refused in my demand which concerneth me more than the necessities of this life I therefore beseech
you that it will please you to give order that that Statue which you have charged Petronius to erect in the Temple of the Jews may never be put there This was Agrippa's request to the Emprour knowing very well how dangerous a matter it was and as much as concerned his life to demand any such thing at Caius's hands that was not answerable to his humour Caius on the one side moved O with the service Agrippa had done him and on the other side seeing how great an indignity it should be for him if before such an Assembly of Witnesses he should deny A that which he had so instantly pressed Agrippa to request as if suddenly he had repented himself and admiring Agrippa's virtue who having an opportunity in a moment to augment his particular Estate either by Revenues or other Commodities had preferred the Common Cause the Laws of his Countrey and Piety before all these he granted him his Supplication and wrote to Petronius praising him for that he had used such diligence in assembling his Army as also for all that whereof he had given him notice adding these words If said he you have already erected the Statue which I commanded you let it remain in the place but if it be not done be thou no more troublesome to the Jews but dismiss thine Army and repair thou in person to that place whither I have sent thee For I urge no more the erection of the Statue for the desire that I have to B gratifie Agrippa whom I entirely honour and in such sort as it is impossible for me to contradict any thing whatsoever that either he hath need of or shall require These were the Contents of those Letters which Caius wrote to Petronius before he understood that the Jews were like to revolt for they made it known that rather than they would endure the Statue they would hazard a War against the Romans Which when Caius understood he was extreamly troubled and being a man addicted to all villany and averse to all honesty and who gave place to no good counsel after he had conceived a displeasure against any man and who likewise thought it a great happiness for him to accomplish all that whatsoever he pleased he wrote again to Petronius Caius writeth to Petronius charging him to murther himself for neglecting his Command to this effect Since the Presents which the Jews have given thee have more prevailed C with thee than my Commands have done so that to please them thou hast despised that which I have enjoyned thee I make thy self the Judge how much thou hast deserved to incurr my displeasure to the end that thou mayest serve for an example to all those who shall come after thee that an Emperour's Commands ought not in any sort to be neglected Although this Epistle was both written and sent yet Petronius received it not during Caius's life time for they that carried it were stayed with cross Winds so that Petronius received those Letters that assured him of Caius's death before he received the other For God would not forget Petronius who exposed himself to great dangers for the love of the Jews and the honour of God And Caius being taken out of the world by God's wrath being kindled against him by reason that he affected Divine D honour received his reward and Petronius obtained favour both at Rome and through all the whole Government and especially among the principal Senators against whom Caius was accustomed to vomit up his cholerick Revenges He died a little after he had written the Letter to Petronius by which he threatned and denounced him death Hereafter I will declare the cause why he was taken out of this world and the manner how Treason was plotted against him Petronius receives Letters of Caius death before those whereby he was commanded to kill himself The Letter that brought the tidings of Caius's death was delivered to Petronius first and presently after he received that wherein he enjoyned him to kill himself He highly rejoyced at this his good luck and Caius's death and admired God's Providence who speedily and happily had rewarded him both for the honour that he bare unto his Temple and also for having E assisted the Jews Behold how Petronius escaped from death by an unexpected Providence CHAP. XII Two Jews called Asinaeus and Anilaeus both Brothers and of a mean extraction become so powerful near Babylon that they give enough to do to the Parthians Their Actions their Death The Grecians and Syrians who lived in Seleucia F unite against the Jews and kill fity thousand of them unawares IN those days there happened a grievous Commotion amongst those Jews that inhabited Mesopotamia and Babylon Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. alias cap. 20. and such Slaughters and Calamities as never the like hath been declared in our former Narrations A grievous Commotion among the Jews in Mesopotamia and Babylon which in regard I intend to report both particularly and seriously I will rip up the whole cause thereof from its first Original There was a City called Nearda belonging to Babylon stored with Inhabitants and enriched with many fruitful Possessions sufficient to sustain so great a multitude Moreover it was such as might be hardly invaded by the Enemy both for that the River Euphrates surrounded it and also for that it was fortified with G very strong Walls Upon the same River also there stood another City called Nisibis in which the Jews in respect of the strength of the place kept their Dragma which they were accustomed to offer unto God and the rest of their Votive money These two Cities therefore served them for two Store-houses The year of the world 4003. after Christs Nativity 41. and from thence according H as time required they sent the money they had gathered to Jerusalem and committed the Convoy thereof to divers thousands of men for fear it should be taken away by the Parthians who at that time had the Soveraignty in Babylon Among these Jews lived Asinaeus and Anilaeus two Brothers born in Nearda whose Father being dead Asinaeus and Anilaeus born in Nâ—arda retire into a certain place and great Companies flock unto them their Mother bound them to the Weavers trade for amongst those Nations it was accounted no indignity to follow that trade for both men and women exercise themselves therein It happened that their Master with whom they learn'd their occupation beat them one day for that they came somewhat late unto their work They taking this chastisement of his as if a great injury had been done unto them betook themselves to their weapons whereof there were great store in that I house and retired themselves into a place where the River divideth it self into two parts which naturally aboundeth with excellent pastures and such fruits as were reserved for the winter To these men there flocked a number of needy persons whom they armed
bridle his displeasure yet dissembled the same Cassius chargeth Herod by letters to revenge his fathers death and sent letters to Cassius wherein he complained of his fathers death Cassius already hated Malichus sufficiently and so he writ again to Herod willing him to revenge his father's death which that he might the better effect he secretly commanded the Captains of his Regiment to assist him Now for that after the surprizal of Laodicea all the best of the City came to Herod bringing presents and crowns he appointed this for a fit time of his intended revenge which Malichus suspecting as he was near Tyre he purposed secretly to get away his son who was there a pledge and to flee into Judaea But despair of his own safety urged him to greater matters for he hoped to incite the Jews to take Arms against the Romans N whilst Cassius was now busie in the War against Antonius so that he thought he might easily depose Hircanus and make himself King But God prevented these vain hopes For Herod suspecting he had some great design invited him and Hircanus to supper in order to which he made a shew as though he had sent one of his servants to cause a banquet to be prepared but indeed he sent him to the Roman Captains to tell them to lie in wait for Malichus who remembring what charge Cassius gave them The decree of fate laugheth at humane hope came forth of the City to the shore next adjoyning to the Town all armed with swords where compassing Malichus round about they killed him with many wounds Hircanus hereat astonished fell in a swoon and being scarcely come to himself Herod's Tribunes kill Malichus he demanded who killed Malichus one of the Captains answered that Cassius O gave the commandment whereupon he answered truly Cassius hath preserved me and my Country in killing him who was a Traitour to us both but whether herein A he spake as he thought The year of the World 3923. before Christ's Nativity 39. or that for fear he approved the fact it is uncertain Thus was Herod revenged upon Malichus CHAP. X. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 20. How Herod was accused and set free Felix cometh with an army against Phasaelus AFter Cassius was departed from Syria Phasaelus overcometh Felix and reproacheth Hircanus with ingratitude there arose another sedition in Jerusalem B for Felix came with an Army against Phasaelus to be revenged upon Herod for killing Malichus It chanced that Herod was at that time at Damascus with Fabius a Roman Captain and would have come to assist Phasaelus but by the way he fell sick so that he could not succour him but it so fell out that Phasaelus without any help did of himself overcome Felix and afterwards reproached Hircanus as ungrateful in that he had both favoured Felix and suffered Malichus's brother to seize upon divers place as already he had done and especially one of greatest strength called Massada Yet all these did not protect him from Herod who was no sooner recovered of his sickness but presently he retook them all and at Hircanus's request permitted him to depart He also chased Marion whom Cassius had made Prince of the Tyrians C out of Galilee who had got three Castles in that Country As for the Tyrians that he took he spared their lives and sent some away with rewards whereby he got the good will of the City and the hatred of the Tyrant Which Marion had gotten into his hands all Syria and for the hatred he bore to Herod took with him Antigonus Aristobulus's Son and marched against him and by Fabius's means whom Antigonus had gained to himself by money Antigonus Aristobulus's Son put to flight by Herod he also got Ptolemy to assist him in this expedition which Ptolemy was father-in-law to Antigonus and furnished him with all necessaries Herod likewise having prepar'd himself against them gave them battel in the entrance into Judea and got the victory and having put Antigonus to flight he returned to Jerusalem where he was honoured by all men for his courage in that victory so that even they D that before despised him now by reason of his affinity newly contracted with Hircanus sought his friendship and familiarity This Herod long before this time had a wife which was a noble woman of his own Country Doris Herod's first wife of good birth by whom he had Antipater named Doris and had by her a Son named Antipater but he then married Mariamne daughter of Alexander who was Aristobulus his son and of Alexandra Hircanus his daughter by reason whereof he came to be in favour with the King But when Cassius was slain near Philippi Caesar departed into Italy The chiefest Jews repair to Caesar to accuse Phasaelus and Herod and Antonius into Asia at which time the chief of the Jews came and accused Phasaelus and Herod alledging that they by force got unto themselves the rule of the Country and left Hircanus only the bare name of King But Herod being then present so wrought himself into Antonius's favour by a great sum of money E that he permitted not his enemies to speak one word more Ant. lib. 14. cap. 21. who thereupon returned home Afterward an hundred men of the most honourable amongst the Jews repaired to Daphne near Antioch to Antonius now doting on the love of Cleopatra and offered an accusation against the two brethren having chosen some of the greatest Quality and Eloquence to speak for them Messala undertook their defence being assisted by Hircanus Antonius having heard both parties demanded of Hircanus whom he thought the fittest to govern the Common-wealth who answered Herod and his brethren Whereat Antonius was exceeding glad for he had been most courteously entertained by Antipater when he came with Gabinius into Judea and thereupon he made them Tetrarchs Antonius maketh the two brothers Tetrarchs committing to them the rule of all Judaea F which when the Jews Ambassadors misliked he put fifteen of them in prison and was near resolving to put them to death the rest he sent away after he had treated them very ill The Jews once more complain against the two brothers Whereupon there arose greater tumults in Jerusalem and the Jews sent another Embassage of a thousand men to Tyre where Antonius resided with an intent to come against Jerusalem Antonius displeased with their murmurs and complaints commanded the Magistrates of Tyre to kill all they could catch of the Jews and to maintain their Authority Antonius commandeth in Zyre whom he himself had constituted Tetrarchs But Herod and Hircanus went to these Deputies who walk'd on the Sea-shore admonishing them earnestly to be contented lest by their indiscreet proceeding they should become not only the cause of their own deaths but also of War against their own Country G but because they would not be reclaimed by these admonitions Antonius sent
prostrated himself at Sosius's feet beseeching him to be merciful unto him but Sosius nothing compassionating his calamity insulted over him and called him Antigona yet did he not permit him to depart free as a woman but put him in Prison Now when Herod had conquered his enemies he endeavoured to the utmost to repress the insolence of his Auxiliary Strangers who thronged to see the Temple and F the Holy Vessels that were therein but he withheld them not only by threatnings and entreaties but also by force believing himself less unhappy to be conquered than by obtaining the Victory to minister a means whereby those things which were not lawful to be revealed should be exposed to the eyes of prophane Strangers He also restrained the Soldiers from sacking the City and told Sosius that if the Romans would desolate the City both of men and money they would leave him King of a Desart Adding further that he esteemed not the Empire of the whole World to be a recompence for such a Massacre of his Subjects Hereunto Sosius answering that the Soldiers ought to have the sacking of the Town in recompence of that labour they had spent in the Siege Herod liberally bestows money upon the Soldiers Herod replyed that he had rather recompence them out of his G own Treasury and by this means he redeemed as it were the Relicks of his desolate Countrey and in the end performed that which he had promised for he bountifully rewarded every Soldier and Captain according to his merit and gave Sosius Presents worthy of a King This done Sosius dedicated a Golden Crown unto God and H so departed leading Antigonus Captive with him to the end to present him to Antonius This man desirous to continue his life and entertaining himself with this colâ— hope even until the last received in the end that reward which his faint heart desired and was beheaded Herod being now King Antigonus beheaded he made a distinction between the Citizens and those who had favoured him he used very honourably Ant. lib. 11. cap. 1. and put those to death who had followed Antigonus And when money sailed he distributed all his Kingly Ornaments and sent them to Antonius and his Company Yet did he not quie redeem himself from all troubles for Antonius being passionately enamoured on Cleopatra in all things yielded to her desire Cleopatra's cruelty against her Kindred And Cleopatra having raged so against her own Kindred that she had I not left one of them alive now turned her fury upon strangers and acousing the Nobility of Syria to Antonius she perswaded him to put them to death that she might thereby the easier obtain their Possession Afterwards her covetous mind thought to effect the same against the Arabians and the Jews also insomuch that she secretly went about to cause the Kings of those places Malichus and Herod to be put to death Antonius made a shew as though he would have granted her request yet he thought it great impiety to kill good men and so great Kings Notwithstanding he no more accounted them his friends but took a great quantity of ground from the limits of both their Countreys and a Vineyard in Jericho where Balm grew and gave her all the Cities on this side the River Eleâ—therus Tyre and Sidon only excepted Cleopatra's covetousness Now when K she had obtained the Dominion of these Cities she followed Antonius to Euphrates when he set forward to make War against the Parthians and afterwards by Apamia and Damascus she came into Judaea where Herod having something pacified her angry mind with great gifts obtained to pay her yearly two hundred Talents for that part of his Countrey which Antonius had given her and seeking by all means possible to get himself an interest in her favour he conducted her to Pelusium Not long after Antonius returned out of Parthia and brought Artibazes the Son of Tigranes Captive and gave him to Cleopatra with all the money and Prisoners that he had taken L CHAP. XIV Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake WHen War was declared between Augustus and Antonius The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 28. Herod prepared himself to attend Antonius seeing for the present all troubles were pacified in Judaea and he had already gotten the Castle of Hircanion which Antigonus's Sister had in her possession But Cleopatra craftily prevented him in this his journey so that he could M not go with Antonius Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. For she desiring the ruines of both the Kings as was before mentioned perswaded Antonius to cause Herod to make War against the Arabians whom if he overcame Cleopatra's subtil Treason against Herod then she should be made Queen of Arabia and if himself were overcome then she should be Queen of Judaea Intending hereby that one of these Potentates should ruine the other But this practice of hers succeeded greatly to Herod's advantage for first of all making head against those of Syria that were his enemies with all the power of Cavalry he could which was very considerable and meeting them near Diospolis Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. he overcame them though they valiantly resisted After which overthrow a mighty Army of the Arabians came to help them so that an infinite company was gathered together about Coelosyria expecting the Jews near the City called N Canatha Where King Herod meeting them purposed not to fight unadvisedly but to compass his Camp round about with a Wall but his Army puffed up with their former Victory would not be counselled but violently assaulted the Arabians and at the first onset put them to flight Herod pursuing his enemies was greatly endangered by the Treason of the Inhabitants of Canatha who were set on by Athenio one of Cleopatra's Captains who had always born him ill will for the Arabians encouraged by their help The Arabians defeat Herod's Army returned again to Battel and they two joyned their Forces together and set upon Herod in stony and difficult places and put his Army to flight and slew many of them those that escaped fled into a little Village hard by called Ormiza where the Arabians compassing them about took both the men and their Tents O with all their Furniture Not long after this overthrow of Herod's Soldiers he came and brought help but too late and to little purpose The cause of this defeat was A for that the Captains of his Army would not obey his Commandment for if they had been obedient Athenio had not had opportunity to work him that injury 〈…〉 navity 28. yet was he revenged upon the Arabians and daily made incursions upon their Borders and ceased not to invade and spoil them till by many defeats he had cried quittance with them for their one Victory While thus he pursued his enemies Another calamity
her to bring forth the poyson and she making as though she went forth to fetch it cast her self headlong down from a Gallery thereby to prevent the torments which if she were convicted they would inflict upon her But by the providence of God as it should seem it came to pass that she fell not on her head but on her side and so escaped death to the end that God might inflict punishment upon Antipater And being brought to the King as soon as she was come to her self for she was amazed with the fall the King demanded of her wherefore she had done so and swore unto her if that she would truly disclose all he would pardon her but if she told an untruth her body should be torn in pieces with torment and not be buried She a while held her F peace Pheroras wife freely confesseth what was become of the Poyson and at last said Wherefore should I keep any thing secret seeing Pheroras is dead to save Antipater who hath caused all this mischief Hear O King and God who cannot be deceived be witness of the truth of what I shall say When I sate weeping by Pheroras as he lay a dying he called me to him and said See wife how much I was deceived concerning my Brothers love towards me for I hated and sought to kill him who thus loveth me and sorroweth so much for me though I am not yet dead but truly I am justly rewarded for my iniquity And now wife bring me hither the poyson which was left by Antipater in your keeping for my Brother and make it away before my face that I carry not with me to Hell a guilty Conscience for that crime So I brought it as he desired me and the most part of G it I cast into the fire where it was consumed and kept a litle thereof for fear of mischances and of you And having thus said she brought forth a box which had in it a very little of the poyson Hereupon the King tortured the brother and mother of Antiphilus and they also confessed that Antiphilus had brought a box out of Egypt H and that he received it from his brother who practised Physick at Alexandria Thus it seem'd that the Ghosts of Alexander and Aristobulus went about the whole Kingdom to discover the most hidden things and to draw testimonies and proofs from the mouths of those that were furthest from all suspicion For the Brothers of Mariamne daughter of Simon the High Priest being put to the rack confess'd that she was acquainted with this conspiracy Gods justice leaveth nothing unpunished Wherefore the King punish'd the mothers fault upon her child for having writ in his Will that Herod her son should succeed Antipater in the Kingdom now for her fault he raz'd him out I CHAP. XX. How Antipaters malicious practices against Herod were discover'd and punish'd THe arrival of Bathyllus was the last proof of Antipater's Crime and confirm'd all the rest This Bathyllus was one of his freed men and brought from Rome another sort of poyson compos'd of that of Asps and other Serpents to the end that if the first proved too weak and took not effect then Pheroras and his wife might make an end of the King with this And for the height of Antipater's wickedness he also had given this man Letters which he had written to Herod against K Archelaus and Philip his Brethren Antipater's treasons against Archelaus and Philip his brothers who were at that time brought up at Rome to study being very hopeful young men and for that Antipater feared they might be some hindrance to him in that which he expected he devis'd all means possible to make them away And the better to effect this purpose he counterfeited Letters in his friends name that were at Rome and for money got others to write that these two young men used in taunting wise to rail against their Father and openly to complain of the death of Alexander and Aristobulus and that they took it ill that they were sent for home for their Father had sent word that they should come away at which also Antipater was much troubled For before his departure from Judaea to Rome he procured such like Letters to be forged against them at Rome L and so delivering them to his Father to avoid all suspicion he seemed to excuse his Brethren affirming somethings that were written to be lyes other things to be offences whereunto young men were prone Antipater giveth a great sum of money to those that counterfeit letters against his Brothers At the same time he gave great sums of money to them in whose name he had written the Letters against his Brethren hereby as it were hiring them to be secret For the concealment of which subornation from Herod's knowledge he bought much rich Housholdstuff and Tapistry of curious work and Plate and many things more amounting by his account to the sum of two hundred Talents which he pretended was to be employed in presents in prosecuting the business against Syllaeus But the mischief which he provided against was inconsiderable in comparison of those which he had more reason to fear M and it cannot be sufficiently admired that though all those that had been tortured gave evidence against him how that he practised his Fathers death and the Letters witnessed how again he went about to make away other two of his Brethren yet for all this none of them who went out of Judea to Rome bare him so much good will as to give him intelligence what troubles were in the Court at home although it was seven months before he return'd to Judaea from Rome Peradventure they who were minded to tell him all were forced to hold their peace by consideration of the blood of Alexander and Aristobulus which cried for vengeance against him At last he sent Letters from Rome to his Father that now he would shortly return home Ant. lib. 18. cap. 8. and that Caesar had treated him very honourably The King desired greatly N to have the Traytor in his power Antipater is sollicited by Herod with many kind words to hasten his return and fearing that if he had inkling of matters he would look to himself feigned great kindness towards him and sent back again unto him very loving Letters willing him to hasten his return which if he did possibly he might obtain pardon for his Mothers offence for Antipater had understood that she was banished Antipater received a Letter at Tarentum whereby he understood the death of Pheroras and greatly lamented it which divers that knew nothing thought well of Yet as far as one may conjecture the cause of his grief was that his treason had not gone forward as he wished and that he feared lest that which had passed might come to light and lest the poyson should be found Yet when he came to Cilicia O and there received his Fathers
this most wicked and ingrateful of all men and is it now to be endured that he is so impudent as to dare to open his mouth in hope to colour all again with craft and deceit Beware Varus that he deceive you not for I know this beast and I even now see by his feigned tears how probable a tale he will tell This fellow once warned me that whilst Alexander lived I should beware of him and not put every one in trust with my person This is he who was wont to go before me into my bed-chamber and look about in every corner lest any should have lien in wait to have attempted any treason against me This is he who watched by me in my sleep and in whom I thought my self secure who comforted me when I mourned for them that were put to death This is he K who gave me good or ill characters of his Brethren when they were alive This was my defender and champion O Varus when I remember his crafts and subtilties and all his counterfeitings I wonder that I am yet alive and how I escaped the hand of such a traitor And seeing that fortune stirs up those of mine own house against me and that those that I most esteem are my greatest enemies I will bewail my hard fortune alone and not one that hath thirsted after my blood shall escape although proof be brought against every one of my children â— Thus his heart being surcharged with sorrow he was forced to break off his speech and presently he commanded Nicolas one of his friends to report all the proofs and evidences All this while Antipater lay prostrate at his Fathers feet Antipater's answer and excuse but now lifting up his L head he address'd to him and said You Sir your self made my Apology For how can he pass for a Parricide who as your self confess always watcht to preserve you from all dangers Which if you say I did feignedly is it probable that I would be so circumspect in other affairs and at other times and now in so weighty a matter play the part of a sensless man How could I think that such a design though kept secret from men could be hidden from God who seeth all things Was I ignorant what befel my Brethren whom God so punish'd for their wicked conspiracy against you Or what should cause me to aim at their life The hope of the Kingdom I possess'd it already Or a suspicion of your hatred towards me I knew you loved me passionately Or any fear which I had of you On the contrary I rendred you formidable to others by the care I took of your preservation M Was it want of money Nothing less for who might spend more than I Truly if I had been the wickedest person in the World or the cruellest beast upon earth yet I should have relented being overcome by the benefits of so loving a Father seing as your self said you recall'd and prefer'd me before so many Sons and being yet alive you proclaim'd me King and made me a spectacle to all men to envie through the benefits you bestowed upon me O wretch that I am O unhappy time of my absence out of my Countrie what an opportunity hath it given to malicious and calumniating people Yet O Father it was for your sake and about your affairs that I went to Rome to the end that Syllaeus might not triumph over your old age Antipater calleth Rome and Caesar to witness Rome can witness my piety and Caesar the Prince of the whole world who often called me a lover of my Father Receive here O Father his Letters far more N credible than those feigned calumniations against me let these plead my cause let these testifie my affection towards you remember how unwilling I was to go to Rome knowing I had here in this Country many secret enemies Thus you unwarily have been the cause of my ruine by forcing me to that voyage which has afforded envy time to frame accusations against me but now I will come to the proof of these matters Behold here I am who notwithstanding a Parricide yet never suffered any misfortune by sea or land is not this a sufficient argument of my innocency But I will not insist upon this proof of my innocence since I know that God hath permitted you to condem me already in your heart Only I conjure you give not credit to depositions extorted by torments let me be burned inflict all torments upon me spare not my body For if I am a Parricide I ought not to die without O all sort of torment Antipater accompanied these words with so many tears that he moved all that were present and Varus also to compassion but Herod only abstained A from weeping for his anger against his unnatural Son fix'd his mind upon the proof of his Crime And presently Nicolaus at the King's commandment made a long speech concerning Antipater ' s malice and artifices which he laid so open that he extinguish'd all pity in the minds of the hearers He ascrib'd all the mischief which had befallen that Kingdom unto him Nicolaus at the King's command beginneth a most heinous an bitter accusation against Antipater and especially the death of his two Brethren who through his calumniations were made away affirming also that he used treacherous practices against those yet alive fearing lest they should succeed in the Kingdom for he who had prepared poyson for his Father would much less spare his Brethren And then coming to the proof of his intent to poyson his Father he declared in order all the evidences thereof aggravating his offence by the B corrupting of Pheroras who by Antipater was drawn in to purpose the murther of his Brother and King Nicolaus's peroration and how he had also corrupted the King's dearest friends and so filled the whole Court with wickedness When he had accused him of many other things and brought proof thereof he ended his speech Then Varus commanded Antipater to make answer to these things The poyson tried upon a condemned man and seeing that he continued lying on the ground and said nothing more but God was witness of his innocency he called for the poyson and gave it one who was condemned to die who having drunk thereof presently died Then Varus talked apart with Herod and what was done there in that Council he writ unto Caesar and the next day he departed And when Herod had put Antipater in prison he sent messengers C unto Caesar to inform him of his hard fortune and calamity After this it was discoverd that Antipater design'd the death of Salome For one of Antiphilus servants came from Rome and brought Letters from Acme who was one of Julia's maids which she writ to the King telling him that she found a Letter of Salomes among Julia's which for good will she had sent him These Letters which she affirmed to be Salomes
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.
all of one sort Before they eat a Priest giveth thanks and no man may eat B any meat till this Prayer be made to God Likewise when dinner is ended they pray again for both before and after they give thanks to God the Giver of all And then putting off that Apparel as Sacred they apply themselves to their work till evening At supper they do as before causing their Guests to sup with them if by fortune any come Their house is never troubled with cries or tumults for every one is appointed to speak in his turn so that their silence produces respect in strangers The cause of this moderation is their continual sobriety and that every one is limited how much to eat or drink The Esseans in compassion and helping others have free choice in other things they are ruled by their Governour And although that in all other matters they are ruled by their Superior yet in these two to wit compassionating and helping they may do as they think good for every one may when he pleaseth help those whom he thinketh deserve C help and when he pleaseth give meat to them that are in need Yet may not they give any thing to their Kindred without the lieve of their Superior They take great care to suppress their anger they keep their promise and maintain peace and people account every word they speak of as much force The Esseans swear not as if they had bound it with an oath and they shun oaths worse than perjury for they esteem him a liar who is not to be believed without he call God to witness They study diligently ancient Writers chiefly gathering out of their Writings what is most convenient for the soul and the body Out of them they learn Remedies for Diseases and the Vertues of Herbs Stones and Mettals Those who are desirous to be of their Order do not straight way converse with them but for a year before live out of the Colledge and D have the same diet a little hatchet and such a girdle as is before spoken of and a white garment But at the years end if they perceive such a person to be continent they give him a diet more agreeing with their own and he is permitted to wash himself in cold water to the end to purifie himself yet is he not admitted in common amongst them The Esseans Vows and Covenants till for two years more they have observed his life and manners And at last when he is thought worthy he is admitted to their common company But before he is received to the common Table first he is to protest solemnly to honour and serve God with all his heart to observe Justice and Fidelity towards all men never willingly to hurt any man nor injure any for another man's command but always to hate the wicked and assist the good to keep his faith to all but especially to his Superiors E The Esseans circumspect in Justice because they hold their power from God To which they add that if he be put in Authority over others he never will abuse it to the prejudice of those that are under him and neither exceed the rest in apparel nor any other ambitious pomp that he will always love the truth and severely reprove liars and that he will keep his hands and soul pure from all theft and unjust gain and that he will not conceal any mysteries or secrets of their Religion from his companions nor reveal them to any strangers although he should be thereto threatned by death Adding moreover that he will never deliver any Doctrine save that which he hath received and diligently preserve the Books as well as the Names of those from whom they received it These Protestations they oblige those to take solemnly who enter into their Order to F the end to fortifie them against Vices Those of the Society who transgress notoriously they thrust out of their company and whosoever is so punished for the most part dieth a miserable death for it being not lawful for him to eat with any stranger he is reduced to feed on grass like beasts and so he perisheth through Famine For which cause oftentimes they are moved with compassion to receive many into their Order again when ready by Famine to yield up the ghost judging them to have endured pennance enough for their offences who with famine were almost brought to death's door They are very severe and just in their Judgments and to decide any matter there is never fewer of them than an hundred and that which is by them agreed upon is irrevocable Next after God they reverence their Law-giver insomuch that if any G one revile him they forthwith condemn him to death They take it for a great duty to obey their Elders and what is appointed by many so that if ten of them sit together no man of them must speak without he be licenced thereto by nine of the company They account it a great incivility to be in the midst of the Assembly or on H their right hand And they are more severe than any other Jews in observing the Sabbath for they do not only abstain from dressing meat which they dress the Evening before that day but also they may not remove any vessel out of its place nor satisfie the necessities of Nature The Esseans reverence the Sabbaths Upon other days they dig a pit a foot deep in the ground with the hatchet which as we before said every one at his entrance into their Order hath given him and then covering themselves diligently with their garment as if they feared to be irreverent to the light of Heaven in that pit they ease themselves and then cover their ordure with the earth they took out of the pit And this they do in most secret places And although this purging of their bodies be natural yet do they by washing purifie themselves after it as after great uncleanness Furthermore I amongst themselves they are divided into four Orders according to the time which they have continued this exercise of life and they that are Juniors bear such respect to the Seniors that if they do but touch one of them they are obliged to purifie themselves The Esseans live a long time as though they had touched a stranger They are long-liv'd so that most of them live an hundred years which I judge is by reason of their well ordered diet and their temperance They contemn adversity and by constancy and fortitude triumph over torments The Esseans constancy in the War with the Romans They prefer an honourable death before life The Wars which the Jews made against the Romans shewed what invincible courage and hardiness they have in all things for they suffered the breaking of the members of their bodies fire and Sword and all kind of Tortures rather than be brought to speak the least word against K their Lawgiver The year
already placed Caesar's Statues in their Temples among those of their gods and herein they did as it were revolt from the Emperour and affront him their Governour who represented his person They answered it was against the Laws and Customs of their Country for it was not lawful for them to have the Image of God much less of a man and that they were not only forbidden by the Law to have an Image in the Temple but also to have it in any prophane place Petronius replied if you observe your Laws so religiously I must also observe my Lord's command for if I do not but spare you O I shall be justly punished and 't is not to me but to him you must make your addresses for I my self as well as you am subject to him At these words the whole A multitude cried out together that before they would see their Religion violated they would willingly expose themselves to any danger When the noise of the people was ceased Petronius said Are ye then prepared and minded to fight against Caesar The Jews answered No we every day offer sacrifices for Caesar and the Romans But if Caesar must needs place his Image in the Temple he must first kill us all with our wives and children The constancy of the Jews Hereat Petronius greatly marvelled and was moved to compassion when he beheld the constancy of the Jews in their Religion and so great a multitude prepared to die for it And for that time they departed nothing being done The next day following he assembled only the Nobility of the Jews Petronius once more assembleth the Jews and threatens them and spoke to them both generally and one by one exhorting them to obey B Caesar's command and sometime admonishing them otherwhile threatning them and putting them in mind of the power of the Romans and Caesar's indignation and that he must of necessity do as he was commanded But they were moved by none of these Whereupon Petronius fearing the ground would be left untilled for it was now seed-time and all the people had remained idle in the City for fifty days space calling them together he said that he would go about a thing which might greatly endanger him self Petronius sendeth to Caesar and signifieth the Jews supplication For said he I will either God assisting me appease Caesar's wrath or else I will lose mine own life to save such a multitude as you are And dismissing the people who made daily prayers to God for him he led his Army from Ptolemais to Antioch from whence he presently sent to Caesar in all haste recounting C to him with how great an Army he went into Judea and that all the whole Nation made supplication to him whose request and humble suit if he denied he must utterly destroy the men and their Country for they remained resolute in their Countrey-religion and vehemently resisted any new Law Caius writ an answer of these Letters to Petronius threatning him that it should cost him his life because he made no more haste to execute his command The messengers that brought these Letters were tossed in a tempest upon the Sea three whole months together Petronius receives letters of Caesar's death but others coming after them to bring news of Caius's death had a prosperous wind so Petronius received the Letters of Caius Caesar's death twenty seven days before the other threatning Letters came D CHAP. V. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa CAius Caesar being assassinated The year of the World 4005. after Christ's Nativity 43. after he had reigned three years and six months Claudius was made Emperour by the Army which was at Rome The Senate by the instigation of the Consuls Sentius Saturninus and Pomponius Secundus commanded three Legions of Soldiers to keep the City during the Council holden in the E Capitol Ant. lib. 19. cap. 3. and abhorring Caius Caesar's cruelty they determined to fight against Claudius and to reduce the Empire to the ancient Government that as before-time so for ever after Caius reigned three years and six months those should rule that the Senate judged worthy It chanced that at this time Agrippa came to Rome and the Senate sent to him requesting him to come and take place in their Council Claudius also desired him to take part with the Army intending to use his help where need required Agrippa is chosen both betwixt the Senate and Claudius for an arbiter Agrippa perceiving that Claudius was in a manner already Emperour for his power he took part with him who presently sent him as Ambassadour to the Senate to tell them his purpose how that first of all the Soldiers whether he would or no set him in that dignity and it had been in him an undiscreet part to have forsaken such an offer from the Soldiers who F did it for good will that if he had refused it his life had been in danger and it was sufficient danger that he had been elected Emperour Moreover he purposed to rule not as a Tyrant but as a good Prince for he would be contented only with the Title of Emperour and do nothing without the common consent of them all And although he was not naturally inclined to modest and courteous behaviour yet he had a sufficient example to beware that he abused not his authority by Caius Caesar's death The Senates answer to Agrippa Agrippa carried this message to the Senate who answered as though they trusted to their Soldiers and the Justice of their Cause that they would not thrust themselves into voluntary bondage Claudius receiving this answer sent Agrippa again to tell them that nothing could cause him to abandon them by whom he was made Emperour G and that he was forced to make war against them with whom he was very loath to contest and therefore willed them to chuse a place out of the City for the battel to be fought in for it stood with no reason to deface the City with civil wars and Massacres for the obstinacy of some few Agrippa did this message also to the Senate H and one of the Soldiers that were for the Senate drew his Sword and said Fellow Soldiers what should move us to massacre our Friends and Kindred and Parents who follow Claudius especially seeing we have an Emperour with whom we can find no fault unto whom we should rather go forth with Congratulations than with Arms. When he had said this he passed thorough the midst of the Court and all the Soldiers followed him The Senate The Senate follow the Soldiers to Claudius being thus left desolate and abandoned by their Forces began to be in great fear and seeing it was no standing out for them they followed the Soldiers and went to Claudius Before the City Walls there met them some that endeavour-to shew themselves dutiful to Claudius for his Fortunes sake who
was so populous yet I think they spared them only for pity sake because they saw they were D quiet and not seditious The Inhabitants also of Gerasa did no harm to the Jews amongst them but when they desired to depart they conducted them safely to the end of their Borders In the Kingdom also of Agrippa much cruelty was shewed against the Jews for he being gone to Cestius Gallus at Antioch left the Rule of his Countrey to one of his Friends named Varus Kinsman to King Sohemus to whom there came seventy of the chief Nobility of the Countrey of Batanaea requesting a Garrison to repress those that should attempt Rebellion amongst them Varus kills seventy Jews in their journey Varus instead of receiving them well sent certain of the King's Soldiers by night and killed them all as they were coming to him He committed this Murther without Agrippa his consent only for Avarice But being emboldened by this Fact he ruined the whole Realm E still continuing such Cruelties and Violences against his Nation till such time as Agrippa understood thereof who for Sohemus's sake durst not put him to death but dispossessed him of his place In the mean while the Revolters took the Castle of Cypros which is situate above Jericho The Romans yield up their Castle in Macheron to the Jews and after they had killed the Garrison they destroyed the Fortress At the same time a multitude of Jews laid Siege before the Castle of Macheron and perswaded the Soldiers left in Garrison to yield the Castle who fearing that if they denyed they should be compelled thereto delivered it to them upon condition that they might quietly depart Which done the Jews place a strong Garrison in it F CHAP. XXI Fifty thousand Jews slain at Alexandria THe Citizens of Alexandria had always a quarrel against the Jews that lived with them since the time that Alexander the Great for their help against the Egyptians permitted them to inhabit Alexandria and to have the same Privileges with the Grecians This Honour and Privilege was also continued to them by the Successors of Alexander who also gave them a certain place in the City to dwell in that they G might live more commodiously and not be mingled with the Gentiles And permitted them also to call themselves Macedonians Afterwards when Egypt was brought under the rule of the Romans neither Caesar nor the following Emperors diminished the Jews Privileges which Alexander had given them But there were daily contests H between them and the Greeks and although the Judges on both parts still punished those that were in fault yet the Sedition more and more encreased and though all Cities else were filled with Troubles yet here the Tumult was most vehement For when the Alexandrians had called together the people Sedition in Alexandria between the Greeks and Jews to determine of an Embassage to Nero certain Jews mingled themselves amongst the Greeks and so went into the Amphitheatre Who being espyed by their Adversaries the Greeks cryed out that the Jews were enemies and came as Spies and so they laid violent hands upon them Some of them fled only three of them were taken by the Greeks whom they drew to a place to burn them alive All the Jews of the City came to succour them and I first they threw stones at them and then taking fire-brands they ran in a rage into the Amphitheatre and threatned to burn all the people there assembled which they had done Tiberius Alexander exhorteth the seditious Jews to keep peace if Tiberius Alexander Governour of the City had not appeased their fury who did not at first use Force of Arms against them but sent some of their chief men to perswade them to cease and not to incite the Roman Army against them But the seditious Jews refused this advice and mocked Tiberius Who seeing that they would not otherwise be appeased sent two Legions of Romans and five thousand other Soldiers who by chance came out of Lybia and gave them charge not only to kill them but also to fire their houses and take their Goods The Soldiers presently went into the place called Delta where the Jews were gathered together and did as they were commanded though not without a bloody Victory For the Jews gathering themselves K together placed those amongst them that were best armed in the Front who held out for a long time But when they began to flee they were massacred like Beasts some of them were killed in the field some were burnt in their houses the Romans first taking what they found and sparing neither Infants nor Old men but killing all Ages and Sexes A cruel victory wherein fifty thousand Jews were slain So that all that place flowed with blood for there were slain fifty thousand Jews and all the rest had been extinguished had not Alexander moved to compassion by their entreaties commanded the Soldiers to leave off who being obedient to him presently departed But the people of Alexandria were hardly withdrawn from the Massacre because of the hatred which they had conceived against the Jews and with much ado they were withheld from tyrannizing over the L dead bodies And this befel the Jews of Alexandria CHAP. XXII Of the Massacre of the Jews by Cestius Gallus CEstius Gallus now thought it time to bestir himself Huge companies of the Romans for as much as the Jews were now hated every where and taking with him the twelfth Legion out of Antioch two thousand chosen Foot and four Companies of Horse out of the other Legions M and with them the King's Forces that came to help him to wit two thousand Horsemen of Antioch three thousand Foot all Bow-men and three thousand Foot sent by Agrippa a thousand Horse and four thousand which Sohemus brought whereof the third part were Horse the rest Foot and for the most part Bow-men he went towards Ptolemais Many joyned themselves to them out of every City who though they were not so skilful in War as the Romans yet their hatred was more than theirs Agrippa himself was there with Cestius Zabulon a strong City of Galilee spoiled and burnt commanding those he brought There Cestius taking a part of the Army went to Zabulon which is the strongest City of Galilee called also Andron and parts the Borders of the Jews from Ptolemais and when he found it desolate of Inhabitants who were fled into the Mountains but full of Riches N giving licence to the Soldiers to sack it he afterwards set it on fire although he admired the beauty thereof for it was not inferior to Tyre or Sidon or Beritum and after spoiled all the Territories about it When he had burnt all the Villages thereabout he returned to Ptolemais The Syrians and especially those of Berith stayed still behind to get Booties The Jews kill two thousand Syrians Which when the Jews understood and that Cestius was departed they took
one Gate upon them and the Romans the other and many thus enclosed perished by their fellows Swords and an infinite number by the rage of the Romans 12000 Jews slain having no courage to resist and revenge themselves For the Inhumanity of their own Citizens and terrour of their Enemies together utterly discouraged them and so they died all in number 12000 cursing not the Romans but the Jews their own Country-men Trajan thinking that the City was now destitute E of fighting men or if any were within that they durst not resist being thus terrified Titus with his Forces coâ—mes to Japha reserved the taking of the City for the General and sent Messengers to him requesting him to send his Son Titus to accomplish the Victory Vespasian fearing that yet there would be some resistance sent Titus with 500 Horse and 1000 Foot who hastening thither placed Trajan on the left side of the Town and himself on the right so the Romans on every side scaled the Walls and the Galileans having a while resisted A sharp Skirmish within the Town between the Galileans and the Romans at length left them Then Titus and his followers leaping down got into the City and began a vehement fight with them that were assembled therein some valiantly issuing out of the Narrow streets and assaulting them and the Women casting such things as they could get upon the Romans from the tops of their F houses and thus they held battel six hours When their fighting men were all slain then the Old Men and Children and all the other Company both in the streets and in their houses were soon dispatcht that none of them were left alive save only Infants who with the Women were led Captives The number of them that were slain both in the City and in the first conflict amounted to 15000 and the number of those that were led into Captivity were 1130. This Massacre of the Galileans hapned the 25th day of June G A CHAP. XII How Cerealis Conquered the Samaritans THe Samaritans also were partakers of the sad Effects of this bloody War The Assembly of the Samaritans on the Mountain Garizin They assembled themselves together upon Mount Garizin which they accounted a sacred place But this Assembly gave cause to believe that not warned by their neighbours harms not with any advice or judgement considering their own infirmity and the Romans power they began to be tumultuous Vespasian foreseeing this thought B good to prevent them and although all the Region of Samaria had Roman Garisons in it yet the great multitude assembled made it reasonable to fear them Wherefore he sent thither Cerealis the Tribune of the fifth Legion with six hundred Horse and three thousand Foot Cerealis thought it not the best way to go unto the Mountain and attaque the whole multitude there who were so numerous but he commanded his Souldiers to beleagure the Mountain about at the Foot thereof and to keep there all the day There hapned at that time a vehement heat and the Samaritans wanted Water Want of water in the Mountain Garizin It was then Summer and the People had not provided themselves with Victuals so that many in one day only for want of drink died of thirst others preferring death before the misery they endured fled to the Romans of whom Cerealis learned C that those that yet remained on the Mount were even dis-heartned by the misery they endured Wherefore he ascended the Mountain and compassing about the Enemies with his Army he first exhorted them to yield and promised them all their lives if they would cast down their weapons but nothing prevailing with them he set upon them 11600 Samaritans slain and killed them all in number 11600. This was done the 27th day of June These were the miseries that befel the Samaritans CHAP. XIII D How Jotapata was Taken THe Citizens of Jotapata having endured this hard Siege beyond all expectation seven and fourty dayes the Romans Mounts were now raised higher than their Walls A fugitive certifieth the weak estate of the Citizens of Jotapata and how few they were On the same day one of the City fled to Vespasian and told him in what case the City stood and how few Citizens were left and that with daily watchings and fighting they were far spent so that they were not able to resist any more and that they might be taken by policy if they were followed for in the last part of the night being weary they ceased from their labour and slept till the Morning wherefore he perswaded E Vespasian to assanlt them at that time But Vespasian knowing how faithful the Jews were one unto another and how they contemned all punishment gave little credit to this Run-away For a little before one of Jotapata being taken could not by any torments be compelled to confess or disclose the Estate of the City the fire nothing moved him and so at last he was crucified laughing and scorning death Yet a probable conjecture which he had perswaded him to give some credit to this Traitors words and for that he knew no great harm could befall him if he so assaulted the City as the Traitor advised he commanded the man to be kept and put all his army in readiness to assault the Town At the hour appointed he made towards the Wall with silence Titus marcht first accompanied with one Domitius Sabinus a Tribune F and some choice men of the fifteenth Legion who killing the Sentinels entred into the City and after them entered Sextus Cerealis and Placidus with their Companies so the Castle was taken The Romans 〈◊〉 the City whilest the Jews sleep and the Enemies were in the midst of the Town and it was fair day-light and yet the Townsmen knew nothing being now fast asleep after their great labours and watchings and they that watcht could see nothing there was so thick a mist by chance that Morning and the rest never wakened till Death was at their door and that they perceived their Calamity and Destruction The Romans mindful of all that had befallen them in the time of the siege The Romans have 〈…〉 compassion neither spared nor pitied any one but driving the people out of the higher part of the City into the lower they massacred them all They that would have fought could not for the narrowness of the G place and so being cumbred for want of room and sliding down the banks for haste H their Enemies still pursuing them they were easily slain Many of Josephs Guard seeing that they could not fight gathered themselves together in a corner of the City and slew themselves that the Romans might not kill them But some of the Watchmen who first perceived the City to be taken fled into a Tower and resisted a while this Tower was situate in the North-side of the City and at last being invironed with their Enemies towards
him And you that I I may omit your iniquity done within the City which though I would I could not sufficiently decipher do revile and attempt to kill me for giving you wholsom Counsel for your good only for that I put you in mind of your sins which you have not patience to hear The same happened also when Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes besieged the City God was highly displeased at our Ancestors permited them to be slain the Town spoiled and this Holy-place for three years and six months to be made desolate What should I shew unto you any more examples Who first incited the Romans against the Jews Was it not the impiety of our own Countrey-Men that did it Whence was our bondage at that time Did it not proceed from the Sedition of our Ancestors Josephs bitter invective against them when the fury of Aristobulus and Hircanus brought Pompey into our City and God subdued them by the Romans being grown unworthy of K liberty and at length after a three months siege though they were not so great offenders as you are and better able to abide the siege yet they yielded themselves Are we ignorant of the end of Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus who invaded the Kingdom and brought our Nation again into subjection God laying this bondage upon them being provoked by the iniquity of our Nation Herod the Son of Antipater brought Sosius and the Roman Army and besieged the City six months and at last for the greatness of our iniquity it was taken and punished and sacked by the Enemies Thus you evidently see that our Nation never prevail'd by force of Arms. And assure your selves that even now the City will be taken It is meet therefore that you who keep this Holy-place commit your selves wholly to God and then you need not fear the forces of your Enemies when your piety assures L you of Gods help and succour The Jews sins against the Laws But what one Article of Gods Law have you observed Nay what have you not done that he forbad How far greater is your impiety than theirs and yet they suddenly perished for their sins For making small account of secret sins as Stealing Deceit and Adulteries you violently take away mens Goods by force you murder whom you please devise new ways to sin have made the Holy Temple the place of your impieties and what the Romans themselves did adore is by your own Nation polluted and defiled whilst you derogate from the honour of our Religion by the impiety of your actions and yet hope for his help whom you have so heinously offended you are very just people and obedient The Romans use the same manner of overthrow against the Jews as the Assyrians did and it is with pure hands you beg assistance of God Did our King pray so unto God when he obteined that in one night so many of the Assyrians should be destroyed Or M do the Romans commit such impiety as the Assyrians did that you may hope of the like revenge upon them The Assyrian received a sum of Money to save the City and yet not regarding his Oath indeavoured to destroy it The Romans do only request the same Tribute that was paid by our Ancestors and if they may have it will never destroy the City nor touch our Holy things They will also permit you to enjoy freely your Familes and Possessions God knoweth when to revenge and suffer your Laws to remain inviolate It is madness for you to hope that God will punish just men as he did sinners and impious persons seeing he can punish as he pleases To be short he destroyed the Assyrians the first night they encamped before the City And if he had purposed to deliver you and punish the Romans he would have done it when Pompey and Sosius came against the City or when Vespasian wasted Galilee or now N when Titus made his assault The Fountains that before-time were dry now slow to Titus But neither Pompey nor Sosius suffered any harm and both of them took the City Vespasian prospered so well in his Wars against you that he hath got the whole Empire And the Fountains which yielded you no Water before do give it to Titus in abundance For you know that before his coming the Fountains without the City and Siloa were so dry that Water was sold by measure yet now they flow plentifully and do not only serve his Army but water all the Gardens about What this wonder foretelleth you have already experienced when the King of Babylon came with his Army and destroyed the City took it and fired it and the Temple notwithstanding that as I am perswaded the Jews at that time were not so wicked as now I think therefore that God hath forsaken this Holy place and is gone over to your Enemies Will not a good man fly a wicked house O and abhor the impiety of the Inhabitants And do you think that God will abide your impiety A who beholdeth all secrets and knoweth all things that are hid But what is secret amongst you Or what do you seek to find Nay what do you that your Enemies do not know All your iniquities are apparent and your contention with one another is who shall be most impious and with as much labour endeavour to be Vitious as others do to be Vertuous Yet for all this it is not too late to amend God is wont to shew mercy to those who confess and be peditent God's wrath will be appeased if ye acknowledg your sins and be penitent for your offences Throw away your Arms then and pity your Country now ruined by your own means Turn your Eyes and behold the beauty of the Place whose ruine you seek How brave a City how magnificent a Temple how rich with the Gifts of all Nations Who would fire these who would desire the ruin of these Or what is there B in the World that better deserveth to be preserved O hard-hearted people more blockish and insensible than Stones Or if you do not pity your Temple let your Families move you look upon your Children your Wives and your Parents all ready to be consumed either with Sword or Famine I am sensible my Wife my Children and Family must perish with you and there was a time when they would have been considered and it may be thought it is to save their lives I give this advice but kill them and sacrifice me for your welfare I am prepared to die if my death may be a means to preserve you in being Whilst Joseph made this speech unto them the Tears trickled down his Cheeks but the Seditious being nothing moved Joseph love and constancy towards his Country replyed that it was not safe for them to yeild The C people however were perswaded to fly and selling their possessions and what they had at small rates they swallow'd down the Gold which they received lest
suffering him to clear himself And he put to death likewise his three Sons with him for the fourth was before this time fled to Titus Matthias requested Simon that he might be put to death before his Sons but Simon in regard that by his means he had gotten the City caused him to be executed last of all And so he was killed upon the murthered bodies of his Sons in a place where the Romans might behold him for so Simon commanded Ananus his Executioner who was the Son of Bamadus This man was the most cruel of all Simon 's followers Ananus one of the cruellest Souldiers about Simon who even when he was to kill Matthias derided him asking whether they could now help him to whom he sought to fly and he permitted not their bodies N to be buried After them Ananias a Priest the Son of Masbalus a Nobleman and chief Secretary to the Council Ananius the Priest with fifteen of the noblest people slain a valiant strong man born at Emaus and with him fifteen of the chiefest men in the City were put to death They took also Joseph's Father and kept him in prison and with the publick voice of a Crier proclaimed that no man should talk with him Josephs Father taken nor visit him pretending fear of Treason and whosoever bewailed his estate Jâ—das consultation with his companions he was put to death without any Tryal It happened that a certain man called Judas the Son of Judas who was one of Simon 's Captains and Governour of one of the Towers of the City being moved with compassion towards these that perished without desert and more with fear of his own life assembled together ten of his most trusty Souldiers and said to them How long shall we endure O these Calamities or what hope have we of life in being obedient to the most impious of all A Famine consumes our City the Romans are almost within our Walls and Simon is cruel and faithless even towards these that have well deserved at his hands and we are in daily fear of his cruelty On the contrary the Romans keep their Faith inviolably Wherefore let us deliver this Tower to them and so save our selves and our City And what punishmnt c an Simon suffer which he ha's not deserved The ten men to whom in this manner he brake his mind agreed hereunto and so he in the morning sent the rest of his Souldiers under his command into divers places that they might not perceive his intent and at the third hour of the day standing upon the Tower he called the Romans and told them his design But some of the Romans proudly contemned the offer others scarcely believed them and the rest made no speed to come In the mean B time while Titus with certain armed men came unto the Wall Simon had notice of the matter Joseph wounded in the head with a stone the Rumour is spread through he City and speedily got to the Tower and slew those that were within in the sight of the Romans and cast down their bodies over the Wall Joseph going about the Wall and coming thither for he never ceased requesting the Jews to remember their desperate estate was struck on the head with a stone and so amazed with the blow that he fell down whereupon presently the Jews made a Salley out of the City and had carried him away prisoner into the City had not Titus sent men to defend him and whilst they fought Joseph was carried away scarcely knowing what was done The Seditious with loud cries rejoyced as having slain him whose death they chiefly desired and so they reported within the City Hereupon the people C were most sorrowfull verily believing him to be slain by whose intercession they had confidence of favour from the Romans When Josephs Mother who was in prison heard this she said to those of Jotapata that were her Keepers that she had no hope ever to see her Son again and with many tears lamenting to her Maidens Is this the benefit said she of my having born a Son Joseph recovereth of his wound that I shall not bury him by whom I hoped to have been buried my self But this false report did not long grieve her nor comfort the Thieves for Joseph was quickly healed of his wound and recovered and shewing himself he cryed out to them That ere long they should find he would be revenged on them for his wound And he ceased not to exhort the people to remain faithful to the Romans But the D Seditious seeing him alive were astonished Many that fled from Famine at home met with more speedy death among the Romans and the people conceived good hope Many present necessity urging them leapt over the Wall and fled to the Romans divers with stones going forth under pretence to fight with the Romans yielded themselves but they had worse Fortune there than within the City being now more harmed by plenty of Victuals which they found amongst the Romans than with the Famine they suffered in the City for being become by Famine all swollen as though they had the Dropsie upon the sudden filling of their empty Bodies they burst and so all died save only those who being wary did by little and little accustom their bodies to food which they had long wanted Yet they who thus escaped fell into another grievous misfortune for one of the Jews that fled to the Romans was found E amongst the Syrians gathering Gold out of his own dung which he had swallowed as is before said for that the Seditious did search all and take that they could find from them and there was very great store of Gold in the City so that that was sold for twelve Atticks which before was worth twenty five This device being discovered in one presently a report was spread all over the whole Camp that the Jews that fled from the City came full of Gold Whereupon the Arabians and Syrians ript up the Bellies of their poor suppliants to see if they could find any Gold or Silver within them And I am perswaded that there was no greater calamity befell the Jews than this Two thousand Jews imbowelled in one night Titus displeased at this cursed act for in one night the Bellies of two thousand Jews were ript up Titus hearing of this cruelty resolved to cause the Authors hereof to be compassed round with Horsemen F and slain with Darts and he had done it had not the multitude of offenders much exceeded that of the Jews that were so murthered Wherefore he called together the Leaders of these Auxiliary Troops and the Roman Captains for some of the Romans also had committed this fault and said to them in anger Is it possible that any amongst your Souldiers are so barbarous to commit such horrid Acts for uncertain gain and are not ashamed to enrich themselves after so execrable a manner what shall the
May there was seen a Vision beyond all belief and perhaps that which D I am to recount might seem a Fable if some were not now alive that beheld it and if that Calamity worthy to be so foretold had not ensued Before the Sun-rise were seen in the Air all over the Country Chariots full of armed men in battel aray passing along in the Clouds The fifth armed Chariots men seen in the air and begirting the City And upon the Feast day called Pentecost at night the Priests going into the Inner Temple to offer their wonted Sacrifice at first felt the place to move and tremble and afterward they heard a voice which said Let us depart hence The sixth a voice in the inward Temple And that which was most wonderful of all one Jesus the Son of Ananus an ordinary Pesant four years before the War begun when the City flourished in Peace and Riches The seventh Jesus a Countryman's cry and death coming to the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in the Temple at Jerusalem suddenly began to cry out thus A Voice from the East a Voice from the West E a Voice from the four Winds a Voice against Jerusalem and the Temple a Voice against Men and Women newly married a Voice against all this People And thus crying night and day he went about all the streets of the City Some of the best quality not able to suffer words of so ill presage caused him to be taken and severely scourged which he endured without speaking the least word to defend himself or to complain of so hard treatment but he continued repeating the same words The Magistrates then thinking as indeed it was that the man spake thus through some divine motion led him to Albinus General of the Romans where being beaten till his bones appeared he never entreated nor wept but as well as he could with a mournful voice he cryed Wo wo to Jerusalem Albinus asked him what he was and whence and wherefore he said so F but he made him no answer Yet he ceased not to bewail the misery of Jerusalem till Albinus thinking him to be out of his wits suffered him to depart After which till the time of War this man was never seen to speak to any one but still without ceasing he cryed Wo wo to Jerusalem Neither did he ever Curse any one though every day some one or other did beat him nor did he ever thank any one that offered him meat All that he spake to any man was this heavy Prophecy He went crying as is said chiefly upon holy-dayes Jesus for seven years and five months cried about the City doing so continually for the space of seven years and five months and his voice never waxed hoarse nor weary till in the time of the Siege beholding what he foretold them he ceased and then once again upon the Walls going about the City A stone from an Engine killeth Jesus with a loud voice he cryed Wo wo to the City Temple and People and lastly G he said Wo also to my self Which words were no sooner uttered but a Stone shot out of an Engine smote him and so he yielded up the Ghost lamenting them all If any one diligently consider all these things he will find that God hath a care of H mankind and doth foreshew betime what is most expedient for them and that they through their own madness voluntarily perish in their wickedness For the Jews when the Castle Antonia was taken made the Temple four-square notwithstanding that it was written in the holy Scripture that the City and Temple should be taken when the Temple was made four-square But that which chiefly incited them to this War was a doubtful Prophecy likewise found in the holy Scriptures That at the same time one in their Dominions should be Monarch of the whole World And many wise men were deceived in their Interpretation The Jews interpreting the signs to their own good liâ—king are their Countries 〈◊〉 and the cause of their own calamity making account that he should be one of their own Nation but indeed thereby was foretold Vespasian's Empire But men cannot prevent Destiny though they foresee it Thus the Jews interpreted some of the Signs I as they pleased and at others they laughed till by the ruine of their Country and their own woful overthrow their error was discovered to them CHAP. XIII How Titus was made Emperour and of the Death of the Priests AFter the Seditious were fled into the City whilst all the Temple and places there K about were still on fire the Romans placing their Engines over against the East-gate of the Temple and there offering sacrifice to God with great shouts they declared Titus Emperor Gold was sold for half price The Romans got much Spoil and Booty so that they sold Gold in Syria for half the value And among those Priests that kept on the Wall a Child being thirsty desired drink of the Roman Watchmen saying that he was thirsty They pitying both his years and his need gave him their hands that he should have no harm and then he came down and drunk and filled a bottle which he brought with him and when he had done he ran up again to his fellows and none of the watchmen were able to overtake him The craft of a Boy and they could only upbraid him with falshood But he answered That he had done nothing but that which he and they intended for they did not give him their L hands to secure him to remain with them but only to come down and take water which he had done The Roman watchmen greatly admired the subtilty of one that was but a Child The fifth day The Priests â—â—ave pardon but Titus commands them to be led to execution the Priests being almost famished came down and the watchmen carried them to Titus whom they besought to grant them their lives But he answered them That the time of pardon was past seeing that was destroyed for the sake of which he might have pardoned them and that it was meet that the Priests should perish with the Temple and so he commanded them to be put to death Then the Tyrants with their followers being on every side beset by the Romans The Seditious summon Titus to a Parley and having no way to flee they being thus beleagured round requested to speak with Titus who out of his natural gentleness yielded to their request his friends also perswading him thereto that at least he might M save the City judging indeed that now the Seditious had already their minds and so he went to the West part of the Inner Temple for there was a Gate built above a Gallery and a Bridge that joyned the Temple and City together which was then between Titus and the Tyrants Many Souldiers on both parts flocked about their Generals the Jews about Simon and John hoping
for pardon the Romans about Titus desirous to hear what he would say unto them and Titus having commanded his Souldiers to be quiet and to forbear shooting Arrows spoke to them first in token of his Victory by an Interpreter to this effect Titus Oration to the Jews by an Interpreter Are ye not wearied said he with the Calamities suffered by your Country You who without considering our power and your own weakness have with rash fury destroyed your People City and Temple Your selves also have justly deserved N to perish who since Pompey first Conquered you have never ceased to be Seditious and at last have openly declared War against the Romans Did you trust to your multitude You have seen that a small parcel of the Roman Army hath sufficiently resisted you Or did you expect forreign aid What Nation is not under our Dominion And who would rather make choice of the Jews than of the Romans Did you trust in your strength of Body Why you know the Germans serve us Or in the strength of your Walls What Wall or what greater hinderance than the Ocean wherewith the Britains invironed have yielded to the Roman Forces Or to your Courage and politick Counsel of your Captains You have already heard that the Carthaginians have been by us surprized The Romans humanity incited the Jews against them It was therefore the Romans humanity that incited you against themselves who first of all permitted you to possess your Country and gave you Kings of O your own Nation and after all this we kept your Laws inviolate and suffered you to live A as your selves desired not only in your own Country but also amongst other Nations and which is the greatest of all our benefits bestowed upon you we permitted you to gather Contributions and Gifts to the maintenance of your Temple and Sacrifices to God of all which we neither forbad any to be brought unto you nor hindred any that would offer to your Temple but suffered you our Enemies to be made richer than our selves so that you have used our own money against us Having received so many benefits at our hands you have now diâ—gorged your selves upon us and like spiteful Serpents spit your poyson upon them that made much of you Let us omit that by Nero's negligence you became forgetful of your duty and like some Member in the Body broken or shrunk you being still tamultuous at last were taken in a greater offence and were encouraged with immoderate desires to hope for unlawful liberty My B Father came into your Country not to punish you for your Revolt against Cestius but by good counsel and gentleness to reduce you to good order And whereas if he had come to destroy your Nation he ought first to have cut down the very Root to have come to this City and destroyed it with the Inhabitants he rather chose first to enter Galilee and the places adjoyning that in the mean time you might repent you and consider of your Estate But this his mercy towards you was held for cowardliness and weakness in him and by our long-suffering you were emboldned against us and when Nero was dead you did as treacherous subjects are wont to do and took occasion by our civil dissention to revolt from us and whilst my Father and I were gone into Aegypt you prepared your selves for a War against us neither were you ashamed to oppose us when my Father was declared Emperour whom notwithstanding you had found most C gentle Captains unto you At last when the Empire fell to us and all things being now quieted all Nations with gifts and presents came to congratulate us behold again the Jews shewed themselves our Enemies and you sent an Embassador beyond Euphrates only to get aid to your Rebellion You wall'd and fortified your Towns anew and falling into factions among your selves at last you came to a Civil War all which none but the most vile people in the world would have committed Wherefore being commanded by my Faâ—her who was now urged thereunto I came against this City with a heavy charge yet did I rejoyce when I heard that the People desired Peace Before I exercised Hostility against you I exhorted you to Peace after the War was begnn I desisted a while from using severity I spared all those that of their own accord fled to me and kept my Promise to them pitying those that were Captives D I punished only those that drew you into this War and till forced so to do I set not the Rams against your Walls but alwayes restrained my Souldiers so much desirous of your blood As often as I overcame you so often did I exhort you to peace as though I had been vanquished Again when I approached the Temple I willingly omitting the Law of Arms requested you to spare both it and the holy things offering you leave to depart and promising you safety or licensing you to fight another time in another place if so you thought good All these my Offers you refused and with your own hands fired your Temple And now you wicked wretches dare to present your selves before me in Arms. What thing can you now preserve so excellent 〈◊〉 that which is already perished What pardon can you expect seeing your Temple is destroyed nay even now you stand armed not so much as counterfeiting E submission at the last cast O wretches with what hope Is not your People dead Is not your Temple destroyed and your City now in my hands yea and your lives too And can you imagine after this to end them by an honourable death I will not strive with your obstinacy yet if you will cast down your weapons and yield to my discretion Titus grants the Jews life on condition they should lay aside their weapons and submit themselves I will spare your lives and I shall reserve the rest to my self to use as a good Master who punishes not but with regret even the most unpardonable crimes To this they answered That they could not yield themselves to him though he gave them his word having vowed the contrary but they requested licence to depart with their Wives and Children into the Desart and leave the City to the Romans Titus was greatly enraged that they being in a manner already his Captives should impose upon him Conditions F as though they were Victors and he commanded a Herald to tell them that henceforth they should not flie to him nor hope that he would receive them that he would pardon none and that they might employ all their force to fight and save themselves as they could for he would now in all things use the Law of Arms and so he permitted the Souldiers to sack the City and set it on fire The same day they did nothing The Souldiers set the City on fire but the next day following they fired the Councel house the Palace Acra and Ophia the place of
be fortified as a Principal defence F against the Neighbouring Arabians For it was aptly situate upon a Mountain whence one might behold their borders Wherefore making a large Wall he built a City there in the place that enters into the Castle he also compassed the very top thereof with another Wall and in the corner he placed Towers that were 60 Cubits high and in the very midst of all he built a Palace for largeness and beauty admirable and he made many Cisterns to receive Water in convenient places Wonderful store of Arrows and other Engines in this Tower which served the people abundantly striving as it were with nature that the places which she had made Strong he by Art might make yet inexpugnable He also laid up there in store Arms and warlike Engines and also all provisions wherewith the Inhabitans might be able to hold out a long siege G In the Kings Palace Rue of admirable greatness grew the Herb called Rue which was very admirable for the greatness for no Figtree was taller or broader then it and it was reported that it had continued ever since Herods time The year of the World 4037. after the Nativity of Christ 75. and had endured longer had not the Jews ruined it when H they took the place In the Valley that lieth on the North side of the City there is a place called Baaras where also groweth a Root of the same name the colour whereof resembleth flame and it shineth at night like the Sun-beams and is not easie to be pulled up till one cast upon it the Urine of a Woman or her flowers whosoever toucheth it is sure to dy except he carry the Root hanging on his hand It is also gathered another way without danger How Baaras is to be gathered after this manner They dig all round about it so that they leave a very little of the Root covered with Earth and then they tie a Dog to it Another fashion how to dig the Roots who striving to follow his Master who makes as though he would go away easily pulleth up the Root and the Dog presently dieth as it were in his stead that seeketh to get it but afterward none that handleth it or taketh I it need to stand in fear thereof This Herb notwithstanding all this danger is diligently sought out for the vertue it hath For it driveth away Devils which are the Souls of wicked men out of mens bodies if it be applyed unto them whereas otherwise if they had no help these Devils possessing their bodies would kill them Hot Baths out of that place also do spring certain hot Waters very different in taste one from another for some are bitter some sweet there are also sources of cold Waters one near another in a Plain but which is most admirable there is a Cave hard by not very deep environed with an eminent Rock above from which there stands out as it were two Duggs or Paps hard by one another and out of one of them floweth very cold Water out of the other very hot which mingled together K make a pleasant bath and serve to cure many Diseases and especially all pains of the sinews In the same place also are mines of Sulpher and Alum Bassus having viewed this place on every side resolved to besiege it and he endeavoured to fill up the Valley that was on the East side and so make away to it which he began to do hastning to raise a very high Mount in order to batter the Castle The Jews that were forreigners dwelt in the lower City Those that were inhabitants constrained the Jews that were strangers to go into the lower City judging them an unprofitable multitude and so they caused them to endure the first brunt of the Enemies and they themselves kept the Castle both for that it was strong and easie to defend and that they L hop'd that by yielding the place to the Romans The conflict of the Jews with the Romans they might obtain pardon of them Yet first they purposed to make Trial if they could avoid the siege and therfore very couragiously every day they made excursions Eleazar a Jew strong in hand and fierce in bold attempts and fought with those they met and many were slain on both parts Fortune and opportunity sometime caused one side to be victors sometime another for the Jews got the best when they could assault the Romans unawares and the Romans overcame when they were aware of the Jews coming and armed themselves But the siege was not ended by these Skirmishes at length a chance befel which obliged the Jews to yield the Castle Amongst those that were besieged was one Eleazar a young man very hardy and bold in any enterprize and who oftentimes made excursions and sought to M hinder the Romans work whom always in every fight he greatly endammaged and by his valour and adventurous courage gave those that were his fellows opportunity to assault the Romans and to fly again and retire in safety himself being always the last that so retired It hapned one day that the fight being ended and both parts separated he as it were contemning all men and thinking that none of his Enemies durst undertake to Combate with him stayed without the Gate speaking to those that were upon the Wall and giving great attention to them Then one Rufus an Aegyptian one of the Roman Army spying this opportunity ran upon him so suddenly that he unawares took him all unarmed as he was and they upon the Walls stood amazed whilst Rufus led him into the Roman Camp N Then the General of the Romans caused him to be led into a place where they in the City might see him and there to have all his Cloaths taken off and to be whipp'd the misfortune of this young man greatly discouraged the Jews so that all the City was melted into Tears for the calamity of this one man Bassus seeing this contriv'd this device against them in order to move them to compassion so that for to save him they should yeild their Castle Eleazar's calamity moveth the Jews to submit themselves which fell out as he desired He presently commanded a Cross to be erected as though he would presently have crucified Eleazar which sight greatly moved them in the Castle to sorrow whereupon with loud cries they lamented saying that this calamity was insupportable O Eleazar besought them not to neglect him who was now to die a most miserable A death and moreover to provide for their own safety in yielding the Castle unto the Roman Forces and success They moved with his words and many also within the City intreating for him for he came of great Parentage and had many Kindred though contrary to their natures compassion took place in them and so sending some of their company speedily they desired to parley declaring that they would yield the Castle
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
why had Amenophis this desire Forsooth because a certain King one of his Predecessors had seen them he therefore knowing by him what things they were and how he came to the sight of them needed no new device to accomplish his desire But perhaps the foresaid Prophet was a Man of great G wisdom by whom the King had confidence to attain his desire if so he had been how chanceth it that he was so unwise not to perceive that it was an impossible thing to satisfy the Kings desire for that which he promised was not brought to pass Or what H reason moved him to think that the Gods were invisible because of the Leprosie and infirmity of the people The Gods are offended with mens impieties not with the defects of their bodies And how was it possible that at one instant so many thousand Lepers and infirm persons should be gathered together or wherein did not the King obey the Prophet He commanded that the Lepers and infirme persons should be exiled the Country and the King did not banish them the Country but sent them to hew Stones as though he had needed workmen and not purposed to cleanse the Country from Lepers Lastly he saith that the Prophet foreseeing that Egypt was to suffer and fearing the wrath of the Gods killed himself and left his mind in a Book written unto the King How chanced it then that the Prophet did not at first foresee his own death and so oppose I himself to the Kings desire to see the Gods Or wherefore did he fear such calamities as were not to fall in his life or what great misery hanged over his head which might worthily cause him to kill himself to prevent it But let us hear that which followeth more sottish than all the rest The King saith he heariug this Manethon's words repeated and striken with fear did not however expel those Lepers he ought to have exiled but at their request gave them as he saith a City wherein before time the Shepherds did inhabit called Avaris whereinto being come they made a Priest of Heliopolis their Prince who devised Laws for them commanding them neither to adore the Gods nor to abstain from offering violence to such beasts as amongst the Egyptians are sacred but that they should kill and K spoil all things that they should marry with none but such as were their confederates that he bound the people with an oath to keep those Laws and that they fortified Avaris to fight against the King Adding moreover that he sent to Jerusalem for help promising to yield Avaris unto them being a place sometime possessed by their Ancestors and that they from that place leading their Forces might easily subdue all Egypt he then saith that the Egyptian King Amenophis came against them with 300000 and yet for that he would not strive against the decree of the Gods he fled into Aethiopia and carried with him Apis and other Holy Beasts and that the inhabitants of Jerusalem coming down invaded the Land fired the Towns and Cities slew their Nobles used all sorts of cruelty possible and that the Priests name who made Laws and Statutes for L them to live under was one of Heliopolis Osarsiphus by name deriving the same from Osiris the God of Heliopolis and that this man changing his name was afterward called Moses Moreover that Amenophis having lived in banishment thirty years came with a strong power out of Aethiopia and fighting with the shepherds and polluted he slew many of them and put the rest to flight pursuing them unto the borders of Syria Manethon remembreth not that here again he telleth a very unlikely tale for although the Lepers and impotent persons were offended with the King for appointing them to hew Stones yet it is to be thought that receiving their own desire at the Kings hands afterwards to wit a City to dwell in that then they again became the Kings well-willers Supposing also their hatred still continued towards him they rather should have M attempted revenge by treason against him than towards all their Nation wherein they had many dear friends and alliance And although they had purposed to War against these men yet would they not have been so impious as to have rebelled against the Gods and to have violated the Laws wherein they were brought up We have therefore cause to thank Manethon A confutation of Manethon's words alledged in that he cleareth us and affirmeth his own country-men yea a Priest to be authors of this impiety and that by oath they bound themselves so to do What can be more extravigant than to say that neither any of their country-men nor kinsmen rebelled with them but that the poor distressed people were glad to send to Jerusalem for succour But what society or friendship had they with the people of Jerusalem of whom they came to demand help N Why they were more their Enemies than the rest of their Country-men and were all of quite different manners from us They of Jerusalem as he saith presently did as they were willed to do in hope that according as they were promised they might subdue Egypt Were they ignorant of that Country out of which they had been driven by force had they lived in poverty or misery perhaps they might have been induced to have done it but seeing they inhabited a fortunate and rich City and possessed a goodly fertile soil far better than Egypt what might move them thereto What reason had they at the request of their ancient Enemies and they also so diseased as they of Jerusalem could not abide their own friends among them that had the O like diseases to thrust themselves into danger they could not fore-know the Kings A intent to fly as for Manethon himself he saith he met them at Pelusia with 300000 men And this they that went to War well knew But what reason had they to conjecture that the Kings mind would change and he flye As to what he charges upon the Auxiliaries from Jerusalem that they seized upon the stores and secur'd all the Corn that was in Egypt which brought great distress and exigence upon the people hath he forgot that considering they entred as Enemies they are not thereby to be reproached Rapacity being unavoidable among Souldiers especially if Strangers and Conquerours Hath he forgot he said before that the Lepers had done the same formerly and had to that purpose obliged themselves by oath and that he assured us that some years after Amenophis repelled the Jerusalem-Confederats and Lepers slew B many of them drove them out of those parts and pursued them to the very borders of Syria as if Egypt was a Country so easily conquer'd or that those who were then in possession meerly by conquest would not upon the first alarme of Amenophis's march have block'd up the passages and secured the Avenues on that side towards Aethiope which they might easily have done and
also some are desolate others newly erected as men please Whereas contrariwise they ought most constantly to keep their opinion of God and his Religion Apollonius Molon was one of these proud Fools but those Grecians that followed the B true Philosophy were not ignorant of what I have said of the Nature and Essence of God but agreed with us in our Opinions and laughed at these ridiculous Fictions Which Plato well seeing Plato decreed that no Poet should be permitted in a Common-wealth affirmeth that Poets are not to be permitted in a Common-wealth and sendeth Homer away very honourably crowned and anointed lest that he with his Fables should destroy or deprave the true opinion of God For Plato of all others especially imitated our Law-maker as he did herein also commanding his Citizens that all of them should perfectly learn his Laws and that for no casualty any strange forreign Custom should be admitted into their City but that their Common-wealth should be pure and they persist in the observation of their Laws But Apollonius Molon not respecting this inveigheth against us for not receiving into our society C men of strange opinions in Religion whereas not only we do so but commonly all Greeks yea and the most prudent amongst them The Lacedemonians expelled all strangers The Lacedemonians did expel all strangers and did not permit their Citizens to travel into other Countries fearing that both wayes their Laws might be corrupted They therefore are to be spoken against rather than we seeing they neither admit strangers to converse with them nor to inhabit amongst them nor impart their Religion unto them but we though not desirous to learn the Religion of other Nations yet do we not deny to impart ours to strangers who desire to embrace it which if I be not deceived is a token of magnanimity and clemency in us but this shall suffice concerning the Lacedemonians D Apollonius was ignorant how matters stood with the Athenians The Athenians manners who boast that their City was free to all Nations But they did most severely and without all mercy punish those that did but speak any word against their God For what was the cause of Socrates his death he neither betrayed the City to Enemies nor destroyed their Temples but only swore by a strange Oath which as he said whether in jest or in earnest a Devil taught him and for this offence he was put to death by drinking Hemlock his Accusers alledging that he corrupted young men and contemned the Laws and Religion of his Country Socrates a Citizen of Athens Anaxagoras And this Socrates sustained being a Citizen of Athens Anaxagoras was of Clazomenia and for that he affirmed the Sun which the Athenians worshipped for God to be a fiery stone he was by the sentence of some few condemned E to dye They also proclaimed that whosoever would kill Diagoras of Melus should be rewarded with a talent for his labour A talent is 600 Crowns only for that this Diagoras was said to deride their mysteries Protagoras also had been by them taken and put to death had he not escaped only for that they supposed him to have written certain doubts of the Athenian gods And what wonder is it that they used their men at this rate when they practised the same cruelty upon their Women one of their she Priests being put to death for worshiping a strange God their Laws appointing that who ever brought a strange God into their City should be punished with death It is therefore evident that they who enacted such strait Laws believed not the gods of other Nations for had they believed in them they would not have deprived themselves of the benefit of many F gods The very Scythians who delighted in man slaughter so much The Scythians that they very little differed from bruit Beasts yet did they think themselves bound to maintain their own Laws as best so that they slew Anacharsis a famous Greek that came unto them only for that he seemed to attribute too much unto the Grecian gods yea thou mayest find many among the Persians who for this cause have been tortured And it is evident that Apollonius approved the Persian Laws The Persians manners for when the Greeks admired their fortitude and concord of opinions concerning God I mean the fortitude they shewed at the burning of their Temples this Apollonius in all things imitated the Persians violating other mens Wives and putting out their Childrens Eyes whereas our Laws adjudg him G to death that so useth unreasonable beasts And neither the fear and terrour of Potentates nor the favour of them whom all men reverence could ever cause us to forsake or abandon these Laws The Jews constancy in their Laws neither do we exercise fortitude to deprive other men of their H goods and fortunes by War but to keep our own Laws and we who patiently put up all other injury yet if any man do in our Religion provoke us we presently seek revenge not respecting our own ability yea though thereby we work our own utter ruine and calamity What therefore should move us to imitate the Laws of other Nations when they that made those Laws yea even the Law-makers themselves did transgress them or how can the Lacedemonians avoid reproach for their inhospitality and neglecting marriage Against the Law-makers of the Gentiles Or the Elians and Thebans for accompanying with men contrary to the Law of Nature which fact most shameful they deemed good and necessary Yea not content to do so themselves they also ascribed the like unto their gods to be done by them which the Greeks also now of late have done and for this cause they I refused to marry with their own Women judging their satisfaction to be contrary to the prescript of Nature The injustice of Law-makers But I will speak no more of punishment neither how great malefactors those first Law-makers freed from punishment being bribed with money and how unjust they were in the Laws appertaining to Wedlock It is long to examine what great occasions of Impiety they gave For many have already long ago forsaken their Laws The Jews strict observation of the Law which cannot be said of us who for our Laws have suffered loss of our Cities Fortunes and Lives we keeping and persisting in our Laws even unto death and if any Jew be in a strange Country where there is a Tyrant King yet doth not he so fear him that he would for his command in any jot transgress our Laws If therefore we do valorously endure thus much for our Laws all men must needs K grant our Laws to be very good But if they say we suffer all these Calamities to maintain wicked or naughty Laws what punishment are they not worthy of who having as they say better Laws than we do so easily forsake them whereas we do maintain ours even with our Lives
men for if that I command you to commit a sin yet do not you offend in doing it The young mens constancy seeing you commit it only upon compulsion But the young Youths inflamed with a divine Spirit and Sense contemned so many kinds of torments L and despised the Tyrants threats and flatteries and their constancy for they gave him no just occasion put the Tyrant into a great rage By this it is evident how much Reason is master over Passion for if any slothful man not before trained up to it should of a sudden come to such a push at the very sight of such torments his mind would be troubled his countenance appalled his Legs under him would have trembled and he with fear have been confounded so that he would presently have retracted and professed himself unable to bear up against so many and so grievous torments saying My self being unwise what should I have made choice of Whether to endure these torments or accept of their promised benefits Whether I should have been moved to pity mine M own age or to compassionate my mother God would not have denied pardon for this deed I being forced thereunto and by doing it though against my will I shall get the Kings favour But where Reason and advice taketh place and hath well trained the mind to perfection the other consequently followeth As by the example of these brethren I will declare who as it were all with one voice denied to eat the sacrificed Swines flesh as they were commanded Wherefore said they O Tyrant dost thou persecute us that are innocent The seven brethren reply to Antiochus We both desire and wish to die and will until such time as death expelleth life firmly keep that which God commanded and Moses taught us And thou Tyrant do not seek to seduce us by pretending love towards us thou lover of injustice master of cruelty deviser of iniquity the N pardon which thou doest offer is to us more painful than punishment we contemn death and esteem not thy words as being by our late master Eleazar taught to despise them Why then doest thou suppose such pusillanimity to be in us young men seeing of late thou foundest such courage in an old man We follow him thou canst not try and know our minds except by tearing our bodies thou search them out We will safely and securely suffer for our God any thing and leaving this Earth we shall be entertained into Heaven and thou for so Tyrannizing most cruelly upon innocent Souls shalt be reserved to eternal fire The Tyrant enraged Antiochus commanded Maccabâ—us to be racked that he could neither prevail by fair promises nor by threatnings caused them to be beaten with Bulls pizzles and first of all he commanded Maccabeus the eldest of the seven brethren to be stript and stretched out upon a O Rack and his hands to be bound behind him and then to be most cruelly beaten A who wearied his tormenters by his suffering so great the force of vertue is in such manner that they desired more to leave beating him than he requested they should leave This done he was put upon a wheel and a weight hanged at his feet and so stretched round about it that his sinews and entrails brake and his pains increased yet being overcome with pain his mouth was not for all this stopped or hindred from calling upon God who beheld all and reproving the Tyrant for devising those torments for the Innocent he took strength and is said to have cried out after this manner Bloody Tyrant who persecutest the Majesty of God I whom thou thus tormentest am no Witch nor one who have murthered and killed another man but one who dies for justice observing B the Law and for Charity Then when the torturers overcome with compassion perswaded him to submit to the Kings pleasure he answered O ye wicked ministers of Tyranny your wheels are not so sharp and cruel that I thereby will be forced to forsake Heaven whereon my mind is fixed tear my flesh yea if you so please rost it at the fire torture and torment each parcel of my body with several cruelty you shall for all this find your selves unable to force us young men to impiety The death of the eldest brother As he thus spake a fire was kindled and he as he was upon the Wheel racked was so thrown into the fire and thus he was by flames and torments so burned that C his bowels appeared his mind nothing moved when his flesh yielded to the tortures who amidst his pangs cryed thus unto his brethren O beloved brethren learn of me an example of vertue consider the strength of an invincible courage contemn and despise the alluring baits of this world and rather obey God than this Tyrant who can if be please humble the proud and mighty and exalt the lowly and dejected As thus he spake he was taken out of the flame and flaid alive his tongue was pulled out of his mouth and he put into a frying pan and so he departed out of this life to the great admiration of all that beheld him and the joy of his brethren and mother and went before them to Heaven there to prepare a Kingdom for himself and them The second brother brought D After him the second brother called Aber was haled by the Souldiers and before the Tyrant asked him whether he would relent he caused all those torments to be shewed him thereby to terrifie him but he nothing thereat moved and denying to eat of that foresaid Sacrifice his hands were bound with Iron chains and he being hanged up by them the skin of his body was flain off from the Crown of his head unto his knees so that the entrails in his brest appeared naked yet in such manner as he might abide greater torments For he was cast before a cruel Libard thirsting most extremely after blood to the intent that he might devour with his teeth the rest of his body but the beast smelling of him no doubt by the great handy work of Almighty God forgot his cruelty and turning away his face did no hurt to the E Martyr But hereat the Tyrants rage increased and the Martyr by suffering such-torments was made more constant crying aloud O how pleasant is that death unto me which is caused by all sorts of torments for Gods sake yea so much the more pleasant for that I assuredly hope to find reward for it in heaven Let these torments inflicted upon me O Tyrant satisfie thy cruelty for my paâ—n is not by thy tortures increased but rather my pleasure as thou shalt find by my patience in this Agony More willing am I to suffer than thou to punish yet my pain in suffering is less than thine by inflicting the same upon me I am tormented for vertue and observing the Law and the justice of God shall banish thee from thy Regal seat Thou by
the Israelites 77. C. spoiled and their utter ruine foretold ibid. and 118. N. overcome the Israelites 135 B. are destroyed 156. O. burnt Siceleg 173. A. Amarames Moses Father See Amram Amasias K. of Juda 246. E. revengeth his fathers death 247. M. overcometh the Amalechites ibid. O. reproved and why 248. A. commandeth Joas to yield him homage ibid. D. his army flies and he taken prisoner ibid. E. is slain ibid. F. Amasa slain 194. O. Amazement of the seditious 775. G. Ambition 177. E. of Adonias 199. D. of John 698. M. of Eleazar 711. F. An Ambush laid for the Ainites 124. I. Ambushes of Saul for David 167. E. c. of Adad for Joram 238. A. Amnon deflowreth Thamar 186. L. M. Ammonites oppress the Israelites 138. M. and are overcome 139. A. injure Davids Embassadours 183. C. revenge wrought on them ibid. F. War against Josaphat 234. G. kill one another 235. K. Amorites overcome 104. M. their Country possessed by the Hebrews 105. B. Amos a wicked King 258. D. is slain ibid. Amphitheater built by Herod 410. G. 415. L. Amram Moses father 63. B. prayeth to God 63. B. casts Moses into the river and why 63. G. Amri King of Israel 225. M. slew Thaman ibid. his impiety and death ibid. N. Ananias death 631. C. Ananus High Priest 539. B. Ananias High Priest slain 736. N. Ananus stoneth James 539. C. Ananus Governour of Jerusalem 637. F. his invective against the zealous 689. A. disposeth his souldiers ibid. slain 694. K. Ananus a cruel souldier 636. K. Achimelech entertaineth David 165. B. delivers him Goliabs sword ibid. C. accused to Saul 166. I. and slain 166. K. Ancestors conceal not honest things 25. G. Angels guarded Elizaeus 238. C. Angels i. sons of God 30. L. Angel resisteth Balaam 105. F. Angels promise Abraham a son 39. A. enter Lots house ibid. foretel the destruction of Sodom ibid. Angel appeared to Agar 38. I. 40. K. to Jacob 45. B. 48. M. to Manaach his wife 139. F. foretelleth her Samâ—oâ—s birth ibid. F. worketh a miracle 140. K. 238. C. Anger See Wrath. Anilaeus receiveth charge from Artabanus 499. E. killeth a noble man 500. I. reproved and accused ibid. M. taketh Mithridates prisoner 500. O. Anna wife of Elcana prayed to God for a son 143. G. bare Samuel and consecrated him to God 144. I. Annius taketh Gerasa 702. N. Answer of Simon to Jesus Oration 691. A. Answer of Isaac 41. C. of Balaam to Balac 106. M. of God to Joshuah 124. H. of Achab to the Syrians 229. O. of Caesar to Herod 582. H. of Antipater to Herod 600. L. of John 684. M. of Eleazar to Antiochus 818. I. of Alexander 295. K. Antaeus against whom Hercules made war 42. I. Antigonus copartner in the Kingdom 349. D. his death complotted ibid. F. effected 350. H. 561. C. Antigonus accuseth Hircanus and Antipater 370. D. 568. H. promiseth the Parthians money and why 380. F. restored to the Kingdom 383. H. cutteth off Hircanus ears ibid. H. declared an enemy to the Romans 384. C. 577. E. upbraideth Herod 385. N. getteth Massada 575. A. repulseth Herods power ibid. surpriseth Herods victuallers 386. B. cruelly handleth Josephs carcass 577. O. submitteth himself to Sosius 391. H. put to death ibid. L. Antiochus the Great vexeth the Jews 305. E. recovers Cities of Coelosyria ibid. F. his Epistle to Ptolomy 306. his Edict in honour of the Temple 306. his Epistle to Zeuxis 307. I. Antiochus Epiphanes departeth Egypt 313. L. spoileth the Temple of Jerusalem ibid. N. abrogates Gods Laws 214. G. inforceth the Jews to Idolatry ibid. tortureth Eleazar 818. M. slayeth him 819. H. forbiddeth the Jews to use their Laws 314. G. c. invades Judaea again 317. I. departeth into Persia ibid. besiegeth Elymas 321. I. falleth sick and dieth ibid. K. Antiochus Eupater created King 321. N. marcheth into Judaea 312. B. fighteth with Judas Macchabeus ibid. C. marcheth against Philip ibid. E. entreth a league with Judas 323. I. slayeth Philip ibid. K. displaceth Onias ibid. is slain ibid. M. Antiochus son of Alexander 337. I. crowned King ibid. discomfited Demetrius 338. A. favoureth Jonathan ibid. Antiochus marrieth Cleopatra 343. K. putteth Triphon to flight ibid. L. warreth against Hircanus 345. I. permitteth a truce ibid. K. slain 346. A. Antiochus Gryphus overcometh Alexander 347. I. his War against his brother ibid. slain 353. M. Antiochus Cyzicenus warreth against his brother 347. K. 351. B. put to flight 347. N. slain 353. M. Antiochus Eusebius puts Seleucus to flight 353. N. slayeth Seleucus brother ibid. dieth ibid. O. Antiochus Seleucus slayeth his Uncle 353. M. burned ibid. N. Antiochus Dionysius King 355. K. thrust out of his Kingdom ibid. slain 345. M. Antiochus perfidious to his Citizens 762. M. N. Antiochus King of Comagena accused 77. O. his choice c. ibid. M. reconciled to Caesar ibid. N. Antipas Herods son 606. K. claimeth the Kingdom ibid. accuseth Archelaus 606. L. hath part of the Kingdom with Archelaus 471. D. Antipater the Idumaean 360. K. incenseth the Princes against Aristobulus 360. M. relieveth Gabinius 367. M. his wife and children 369. A. c. gathereth souldiers for Caesars service ibid. E. made a citizen of Rome and Governour over Judaea 370. C. D. E. 567. F. makes his sons Governours 372. B. perswadeth Hircanus to flye 564. N. his exploits 567. C. poisoned 377. H. 570. K. Antipater banished 585. G. advanced 426. M. inciteth his father against his brothers 426. N. his congratulation 429. F. plotteth against his brethren 433. E. 588. L. cause of mischief 436. M. governeth the Kingdom c. 448. L. practiseth his fathers death ibid. M. 598. M. could not deceive his Aunt 448. N. hateth his brothers children 449. C. his treasons 599. F. accuseth Syllaeus 598. L. 452. K. studieth to win favour 594. M. conspireth against his father 594. L. accused by Herod 455. E. 599. F. answereth his fathers objections 456. H. hated of all 599. B. 457. G. hath liberty to justifie himself ibid. D. put to death 461. G. 603. A. Antipater accuseth Antipater 453. E. Antipater accuseth Archelaus 465. E. 606. L. M. Antipatris built 430. N. burned 635. C. Antiphilus letter to Antipater 456. M. blamed 459. B. Antiquity of the Jews proved 784. M. See Arguments Antiquities when written 543. B. Antonia described 722. A. not unlike a City ibid. C. Antonius writeth to Hircanus 378. G. writeth in the Jews behalf 379. K. maketh Tetrarchs 380. C. loveth Herod 384. B. maketh Herod King ibid. C. requireth Aristobulus 394. B. giveth Cleopatra a portion of Judaea and Arabia 399. H. conquereth Armenia ibid. M. Aphrica once called Lybia 42. I. Apollonius accuseth the Jews 806. M. Apollonius sent to rob the Temple 417. B. acknowledged his offence ibid. C. General of Antiochus army 316. E. discomfited and slain ibid. E. Apollonius Davus put to flight 334. E. Apology of Achimelech 166. K. of Aristobulus 363. H. Apostacy of the Priests 294. A. Apostates
Jews of Caesar's threats 616 n. writeth to Caius 496 i. receiveth Letters of Caius's death 497 â— 617 d. his Letter to the Dorâ—res 521 c. Phaceias King of Israel 250 â— his impiety and wickedness ibid. e. slew 120000 Jews 251 l. took Achaz's son Prisoner ib. m. was slain 252 c. Pharao enamoured of Sara 36 l. plagâ—ed ib. m. Pharao his dreams 55 b c. delivereth Joseph from bonds ib. c. advanceth him to great honour 55 g. rejoyceth at the arrival of Joseph's brethren 60 m. enquireth Jacob's age 61 e. restored the profits of his subject's lands 62 h. Pharao killeth the male children 62 o. would have killed Moses 64 n. and 66 k. his death 67 f. Pharao counselled to dismiss the Hebrews 68 i. not moved with miracles layeth heavier tasks on them ib. l. advised once more ibid. â— driveth away Moses 70 h. dismisseth the Israelites ib. k. his host drowned 72 k. Pharisees a sect 339 m. 477 a. greedy of revenge 357 i. exempt from swearing 417 l. would not swear obedience 451 c. 463 d. their opinion 614 n. Pharos a tower 708 m. Phasaelus his government 372 c. vanquisheth Foelix 377 o. 571 b. made Tetrarch 380 c. 571 e. taken prisoner 371 n. dasheth out his brains 383 i. Phasaelus Tower and City 530 n. 584 n. Pheroras made Tetrarch 416 g. accuseth Alexander and Aristobulus 426 l. refuseth the Kings daughter 433 g. blamed for Alexanders offence 438 l. pardoned ibid. deceived 450 m. refuseth to put away his wife 451 f. banished 596 m. falleth sick and dieth 452 m. 596 n. his wise accused 452 o. she confesseth the poyson 453 f. Philip rebelleth against Antiochus 322 f. is slain 323 k. Philip King of Syria 355 i. besiegeth Demetrius 355 h. Philip Herod's son 471 d. hath part of the Kingdom 471 d. repaireth Cities 478 â— Philo Judaeus's defence c. 494 i. Philistines overcame the Israelites 139 f. exacted tribute of them 139 f. put to flight 1â—8 m. invade the Israelâ—ites 154 k. are overcome 155 b c. and 160 m. discomfit Sauls army 173 f. overcome by David 180 i. k. by Ozias 249 l. by Ezechias 253 k. Phineas the son of Eleazar 108 k. slayeth Zambrias and Chosbi ib. l. overthrew the Madianites 108 l m. his Oration to the two tribes and half 127 g. succeeded Eleazar 128 o. foretold the Israelites their victory c. 131 d. Phineas Elies son 143 e his wickedness and impiety ib. e. is slain 144 n. his wife then bare Ichabod 145 c. Phison a flood of Paradise 28 k. called also Ganges ib. k. Phora 28 k. Phraates King of Parthia slain 478 o. Phul King of the Syrians 250 d. for money made a peace ibid. d. Piety profitable 224 n o. Piety of Ancestors remembred 63 b. Piety contemned cause of calamities 132 n. 133 d. 144 k c. 168 i. 252 c d. Piety of Asa 224 i. of Josaphat 231 m. of Jotham 250 f. of Ezechias 252 d. of Josias 258 〈◊〉 and 259 h i. c. of Matthias c. 315 i. Pigeons dung sold 23â— g. Pilate succeedeth Gratus 480 i. bringeth Caesar's statues to Jerusalem 480 i. not admitted 480 k. crucifieth Christ 480 m. putteth Samaritans to flight 482 l. accused ib. sendeth the statues from Jerusalem 480 k. beateth the seditious 615 f. Pillage taken 255 l. Pillars raised 30 k. A Pillar called Galaad 48 i. Pitcher of water 169 g. Pit to be senced 117 c. Pit of swearing 40 h. Pits bituminous 37 b. Pity of Joseph towards his brethren 60 i. Placidus repulsed at Jotapata 692 i. his victory 682 o. burneth Bethenabris â—00 i. Placing of the vessels c. in the Temple 250 b c. and 21â— d. 211 h l. Plagues of Egypt 68 o. 69 a b c d e f g. 70 k. Plague in David's time 19â— f. Plague invadeth Judea 409 k. 412 g. Plat-forms erected 669 a. Plants sprang at first out of the earth 27 f. Plants not of four years growth 113 c. Plato admired 811 d. permitteth not Poets c. 813 b. Pledge to be restored to the poor 116 k. Plenty fore-signified 55 e f. Plotting of Antipater 433 e. The Plough found out and by whom 29 b. Poem of Homer 781 b. Poets cause multitudes of gods 813 a. Poyson tryed c. 458 k l. 601 b. Policy of Rebecca c. for her son 44 l. of Jacob to pacifie his brother 48 m. of the Gabeonites 124 m. of Joseph 9 e. â—0 k. 1â— e. of Jonathan 16 m. of Joseph 642 h. 665 c. 668 h. 10 l m. Politianus meets with Agrippa c. 625 c. inciteth the people to peace ib. e. Pompey Governour of Syria 362 d. marcheth against Aristobulus 363 l. 36â— h. besiegeth Jerusalem 36â— l. committeth Aristobulus to prison ib. 565 g. taketh the Temple 365 k. bestoweth the Priesthood on Hircanus ib. 366 o. spoileth not the Temple ib. d. 566 m. carrieth Aristobulus to Rome 567 a. beheadeth conspirators 56â— n o. Popedius accused 5â—5 f. Popularity of Alcimus 324 b c. Porch of the Temple 208 m. â—ired 747 a. Port of Caesarea 415 i. Port made by Herod 584 i k. Portion of Salpades daughters 109 f. Portion of Judea 659 f. Possession of Canaan prophecâ—ed of 62 i. Posterity of Ismael 40 l. Posterity of Giants extinguished 37 b. Posterity of Jethro possessed of Land 129 d. Posterity of Noah replenished the world 32 o. Posterity of Esau 50 l. of Jacob 61 b. Poyson not to be used 1â—7 a. Power given to save 59 f. Power of God every where 230 f. Power of Kings Wine and Women 277 i k l. Power of the soul â—74 l. Power of David and Solomon 805 f. Practice of Simeon and Levi 49 c. Prey that the Israelites got in war 77 b c. 109 a. 123 â— 124 l. Prayer of Noah 32 â— of Amram 63 b. of Moses 72 i. 101 d c. of Joshuah 123 f. of Samson 142 k of Solomon 211 k. of Samuel and the Israelites 148 k l. Praise of Abraham 43 d. of Jacob 62 i. of Joseph 62 k. of Joshua 77 c. and 128 n of Moses 120 k. of Samuel 16â— l. of Saul 172 k. of David 202 e. of Solomon 218 c. of Josaphat 235 m. of Nehemias 285 k. of Ananus 694 n. of Eleazar 819 d. Praise given to God 70 k l. Prediction of things to come â—18 m. Preparations for war burned 322 b. Presents of Abraham 42 k. of Jacob 57 e. of the Egyptians 70 k. of Abigail 169 b. of the Mesopotamians 184 i. of the Queen of Aethiopia and of Kings 215 f. 216 l. of Ptolomy to the Interpreters 392 o. of Herod 591 d. Preservation of Moses 63 g. 64 n. of Daniel and his companions 269 n. Preservation from blood-shed 169 b. Presidents in every City 112 k. and what manner of men they ought to be ibid. k. Pride of Amasias 248 a. of Ozias 249 o. of Senacherib 255 n. of Nebuchodonosor 269 n. of Balthasar 271 h. of John 698 m. Priest's
Timotheus's Soldiers perceiving that it was Machabeus whose valor and good fortune they had already experienced to their great loss they without delay betook themselves to flight But Judas with his Army followed after them and slew about 8000 of them and marching toward Malla A a City of the enemies he surprized it and slew all the men therein and afterwards consumed it with fire After this departing thence he took and destroyed Chaspoma Bosor and divers other places in Galaad Shortly after Timothy's Soldiers slain Timothy levied another great Army and drew out with him all his Allies to his succor and a number of Arabians whom he had hired with this Army of his passed he the River Malla taken and burnt and encamped near unto a Town called Rapha exhorting his Soldiers to behave themselves like valiant men against their Enemies the Jews Chaspoma and Bosor taken and to hinder their passage because all their hopes of victory depended upon the securing of that Pass Judas understanding that Timotheus was prepared to fight Timothy gathereth new Forces and is overcome by Judas took with him all his Forces and marched hastily against the Enemy so that having passed the River he set upon them B killing divers of them that resisted and terrifying the rest who casting away their Arms were constrained to flie There were some of them who saved themselves by their swiftness and some by retreating into a Temple called Carnain where they were in hope to be secured and so to escape but after that Judas had taken the City where the Temple was he slew them and burnt it and caused all his Enemies to perish either by the sword or by fire After this overthrow he led away with him from Galaad all the Jews their wives and children The Jews are brought out of the Countrey of Galaad into Judea and substance and brought them with him unto Judea When as therefore he drew near unto the Town of Ephron which was scituate directly in his way so that it was impossible for him to march any other wayes in his return home without going very much about and putting himself to great inconveniencies he sent Messengers C to the Inhabitants Ephron besieged and burnt to pray them to open their gates and to grant him free passage through their City for they had made barricadoes of stones to cut off the passage But when therefore the Ephronites would give no ear unto him he besieged their City for a day and nights space and took and burnt it and slew all the men that were therein and afterwards went onward on his way and so great a number was there of those that were slain that he marched upon the bodies of dead men After they had past Jordan An admirable victory of Judas Machabeus who in all these conflicts lost not one man they came into a great Plain wherein the City of Bethsan by the Greeks called Scythopolis stood from whence they departed and came into Judea with joy and gladness singing and praising God and using their accustomed pastimes and songs of victory This done he offer'd up sacrifices of Thanksgiving for their happy D success and the safety of his Army especially since in all those battels and encounters he had not lost one Jew Joseph and Zachary overcome by Gorgias lose 2000 Soldiers In the mean while two Captains to wit Joseph the son of Zachary and Azarias who were left for the guard of Judea whil'st Simon went into the Countrey of Galilee against those of Ptolemais and Judas and Jonathan his brother were in Galaad against the Ammonites desirous also to obtain the honour and reputation of valiant men by some notable exploit marched with the Forces under their command towards Jamnia Against these came forth Gorgias who was Governor in that place and charg'd them in that manner that the Jews lost 2000 men and fled as far as the Marches of Judea This mischief fell upon them because they had disobey'd Judas's commandment who had prohibited E them to fight with any before his return And this gives us just cause more and more to admire the providence and excellent conduct of this great Captain of the Jews Judas and his brethren making War against the Idumeans Chebron and Marissa besieged gave them no respite but continually charging them on every side they took also the City of Chebron and destroyed all the fortifications thereof and burnt the Towers spoiling all the Countrey of the enemies and razed the City of Marissa likewise Afterwards coming to Azor they took and spoiled it and carried away a great quantity of booty from thence and returned back into Judea in safety F G H CHAP. XIII King Antiochus Epiphanes being forced shamefully to raise his siege from before Elymais a Town in Persia where he designed to pillage a Temple consecrated to Diana and troubled for the defeat of several of his Captains which he sent against the Jews dyeth for grief AT this time Antiochus passing through the upper Provinces of his Kingdom understood that there was a very wealthy City in Persia called Elymais Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. in which I there was a Temple dedicated to Diana 1 Mac. 6. full of all sorts of Presents wherein also he was inform'd Antiochus desirous to spoil Diana's Temple besiegeth Elymais and is shamefully repulsed to Babylon that the shield and Cuirasse of Alexander was kept who was Philip King of Macedons son Hereupon he resolv'd to make himself Master of the place and forthwith besieg'd it And the Inhabitants thereof being neither affrighted with his approach nor terrifi'd with his siege made a stout resistance so that he failed of his purpose For they drave him from their City and sallying out upon him they pursu'd him so hotly that he fled back to Babylon and lost a great number of his men After this defeat Antiochus Epipiphanes burden'd with cares falleth sick and frustration of his hope news was brought him of the overthrow of his Captains whom he had left to War against the Jews and how they of Jewry were now the stronger and had the upper hand This trouble seconding his former discontent K touched him so nearly Polybius Megalopolitane of the cause of Antiochus sickness that he fell sick and his disease aggravated with other accidents increasing he knew well that he should die and therefore he call'd for his most familiar friends and told them That his sickness was violent and desperate and that he deserv'd this affliction because be had persecuted the people of the Jews and destroyed their Temple committed horrible Sacriledge and contemned that God which they adored And whil'st he thus spake unto them he gave up the ghost So that I wonder at Polybius the Megalopolitane who is in other things a good Historian who writeth That Antiochus died because he would have spoiled the Temple of Diana
in the Countrey of Persia For since he had only intended to commit Sacriledge but had not effected it he merited not to suffer punishment for it And if it seemeth good unto Polybius that Antiochus was punish'd by death L upon this occasion it is far more likely to be true that his death befell him for the Sacriledge he had committed in the Temple of Jerusalem But our purpose is not to argue against those that maintain that Polybius's reasons are of greater truth and consequence than ours are CHAP. XIV Antiochus Eupator succeeds his father Epiphanes Judas Machabeus lays siege to the Cittadel at Jerusalem Antiochus comes against him with a great Army and besiegeth Bethsura they both raise their sieges and come to a pitch'd Battel The wonderful M courage and the death of Eleazar one of the brothers of Judas Antiochus takes Bethsura and besiegeth the Temple of Jerusalem but when the Jews were reduced to the greatest extremity he raiseth the siege upon the news that was brought him of Philip's having caused himself to be proclaimed King of Persia BEfore Antiochus gave up the ghost Antiochus appointeth Philip Governor of his kingdom and committeth his son Antiochus to his charge he called for Philip one of his chief friends and made him Governor of his kingdom And having deliver'd his Diadem into his hands his Royal Robe and his Ring and Jewels he charg'd him to deliver them to his son Antiochus entreating him to take care of his education and to secure the kingdom N for him until he came to years of discretion This done Antiochus died the 149 year of the kingdom of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. After that Lysias had certifi'd the people of the Kings death he proclaim'd his son Antiochus whom at that time he had in his protection King sirnaming him Eupator Lysias createth Antiochus the younger King and sirnameth him Eupator according to the instructions that were given him About that time the Garison and Apostates that were in the Fortress of Jerusalem did much mischief unto the Jews For setting upon them that went up to the Temple to worship and offer Sacrifice The Macedonians in the Castle of Jerusalem do much harm to the Jews they slew them for the Fortress commanded the Temple For this cause Judas resolved to cut off these Garisons and to that intent he assembled all the people and besieged it This enterprize was undertook in the year 150 after that Seleucus had usurped the government of those Countries Having therefore made him certain Engines O and raised divers Platforms he industriously continued the siege But divers of those Apostates that were revolted Judas Machabeus besiegeth the Castle and of that Garison came out by night and assembling together such men as were as malicious as themselves they came unto King Antiochus beseeching him The year of the World 3803. before Christ's Nativity 161. That he would not suffer them to be abused by those of our Nation nor to be neglected A by him since their sufferings proceeded only from their having devoted themselves to his fathers service for whose sake they had forsaken their own Religion and follow'd his Laws and Ordinances Furthermore they told him That the Fortress was in danger to be surprized by Judas and his Associates The fugitive Jews flie out of the Castle and require Antiochus's assistance except some present succors were sent unto them When Antiochus the younger had notice hereof he was displeased and sent for his Captains and Friends commanding them to hire strangers and to list all those in his kingdom who were of years to bear Arms so that he gather'd in short time an Army of 100000 Foot and 20000 Horse and 32 Elephants and with this equipage marched out of Antioch committing his Army to Lysias Antiochus marcheth into Judea with his Army As soon as he came into Idumaea he went up unto Bethsura a walled City B and very difficult to be taken which he besieged but with such a disadvantage that the Bethsurians resisting him valiantly Bethsura besieged and sallying out upon him burnt those Engines which he had prepar'd for the battery of the Town When therefore a long time was consumed about the siege Judas with his forces encountreth the King at Beth-zacharia Judas having intelligence of the Kings approach raised his Camp from before the Castle of Jerusalem and marching forward to meet the Enemy he encamped in a certain streight in a place call'd Beth-zacharia about 70 furlongs from the Enemy The King having notice thereof raised his siege from Bethsura and marched toward the streight where Judas's Army was encamped and about the morning he set his Soldiers in battel aray He first of all caused his Elephants to march one after another through the streight for that it was impossible for them to march in a square body About every Elephant were 1000 Footmen and 500 Horsemen These Elephants bare high Towers on C their backs fill'd with Archers The rest of his Forces he caused to march two several wayes by the mountains under the conduct of his most trusty friends commanding them to charge their Enemies with a great shout and to discover their golden and brazen bucklers to the end the reflection thereof might dazle the eyes of the Jews whereupon the mountains resounded with the fearful cryes of Antiochus Army yet was not Judas any wayes discourag'd at it Eleazar Judas's brother killeth an Elephant For receiving the charge with a great courage he slew almost 600 of the forlorn hope But Eleazar sirnamed Auran Judas's brother seeing a huge Elephant among the rest with trappings somewhat extraordinary and supposing that the King was mounted thereon Judas returneth to Jerusalem and Antiochus followeth him he made towards him with a mighty courage and after he had slain divers of those that invironed the Elephant and scatter'd the rest he thrust D his sword into the belly of the beast and wounded him to death but the Elephant falling upon Eleazar slew him with his weight and thus honourably diedthis worthy man after that he had slain a great number of his Enemies and sold his life at a dear rate Judas seeing his Enemies Forces so great in number retir'd back to Jerusalem to continue his siege and Antiâ—chus sent part of his Army to Bethsura to take it and with the rest he himself marched toward Jerusalem The Bethsurites being afraid of this mighty Army of the King and seeing their necessary provisions failed The Bethsurites yield up their City yielded up their City after they had taken the Kings oath that he would offer no violence so that when Antiochus was Master of the City he offer'd them no injury The Temple of Jerusalem besieged only he thrust them out disarmed from the City and placed a Garison E therein He spent a long time also in besieging the Temple of Jerusalem
sent for Archelaus also and esteeming it too base an indignity for him to write unto him Go said he unto him with all expedition and bring him unto me without delay He posting forward with all diligence at length arrived in Judaea where he found Archelaus banqueting with his friends and having acquainted him with Caesar's Commands Archelaus banished and confined he hastened him away As soon as he came to Rome after that Caesar had heard his Accusers and his justification he banished him and confined him in the City of Vienna in France and confiscated all his Goods But before Archelaus was sent for to Rome he reported unto his friends this Dream which ensueth He thought that he saw ten Ears full of Wheat and very ripe which E the Oxen were eating and as soon as he awaked he conceived an opinion that his Vision presaged some great matter For which cause he sent for certain Sooth-sayers who made it their profession to interpret Dreams Now whilst they were debating one with another for they differed for the most part in their exposition a certain man called Simon Simon the Essean interpreteth Archelaus's Vision an Essean having first of all obtained security and licence to speak said that the Vision prognosticated that a great alteration should befal in Archelaus's Estate to his prejudice For the Oxen signified Afflictions in respect that those kind of creatures do ordinarily labour and as for the change of Estate it was signified by this in that the earth being laboured by the Oxen altered its condition and shape and as touching the ten Ears of Corn they signified the like number of years F And therefore when as one Summer should be overpast that then the time of Archelaus's Sovereignty should be at an end Thus interpreted he this Dream And the fifth day after the Vision thereof Archelaus's Agent by Caesar's Command came into Jewry to summon him to Rome Some such like matter happened to Glaphyra his Wife also the Daughter of King Archelaus She as we have said married Alexander Herod's Son when she was a Maid and Brother to this Archelaus who being put to death by his Father she was married the second time to Juba King of Mauritania and he also being dead she living with her Father in Cappadocia was married to Archelaus who put away Mariamne his Wife for the love he bare unto Glaphyra She living with Archelaus Glaphyra's Dream had such a Dream She thought she saw Alexander by her she cherishing and G embracing him he checked her saying Glaphyra Thou verifiest that Proverb which saith Women have no Loyalty For having given me thy faith and married with me at such time as thou wert a Virgin and born Children by me thou hast forgotten and neglected my love thorough the desire thou hast had to be married the second time H Neither wast thou contented to have done me this wrong but hast taken unto thee likewise a third Husband lewdly intruding thy self into my Family and being married to Archelaus thou art content to admit my Brother for thy Husband Notwithstanding this I will not forget the love that I have born thee but will deliver thee from him who hath done thee this reproach by retaining thee for mine own as heretofore thou hast been After that she had told this Vision to some women that were her Familiars she died very shortly after Which accident I have thought good to register in this place in that I was to treat of those things and otherwise the matter seemeth to be a notable example containing a most certain argument of the Immortality of Souls and God's Providence And if any one think these things incredible let I him keep his opinion to himself and no ways contradict those who by such events are incited to the study of Virtue Cyrenius Censor of Syria Now when the Government of Archelaus was united to Syria Cyrenius who had been Consul was sent by Caesar to tax Syria and to dispose of Archelaus's house A THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighteenth Book 1. Judas and Sadoc taking an opportunity by vertue of the Tax which was imposed upon C all Judea endeavour to establish a fourth Sectary and kindled a great Civil War 2. Of the four sorts of Sectaries that were among the Jews 3. Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso D 4. The Jews are so highly offended that Pilat Governour of Judea had suffered the Imperial Standards to be brought into Jerusalem having the Emperour's Picture on them that he was forced to cause them to be carried out again The Commendations and Praises of JESUS CHRIST A horrid injury done to a Roman Lady by the Goddess Isis's Priests how Tyberius punished them 5. Tyberius causeth all the Jews to be banished from Rome Pilat punisheth the Samaritans for having drawn themselves together in Arms They accuse him to Vitellius Governour of Syria who sends him to Rome to clear himself 6. Vitellius restoreth the High Priest's Vestments to the Jews to keep as they did formerly E He treateth in Tyberius's behalf with Artobanus King of the Parthians The cause of his hatred against Herod the Tetrarch Philip Tetrarch of Trachonitis of Gaulanitis and of Bathanaea dieth without Children his Dominions are reunited to Syria 7. A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity 8. By what several Accidents of Fortune Agrippa surnamed the Great who was Aristobulus's F Son and Herod the Great 's Grand-child and Mariamne's was made King of the Jews by the Emperour Caius Caligula as soon as he had succeeded Tyberius 9. Herodias Herod the Tetrarch's Wife and King Agrippa's Sister being impatient to see her Brother reign in so much Prosperity compels her Husband to go to Rome to obtain a Crown also but Agrippa having written to Caius against him he banisheth him and his Wife to Lions in France 10. The Sedition of the Jews and Grecians in the City of Alexandria 11. Caius commands Petronius Governour of Syria to compel the Jews by force of Arms G to receive his Statue in the Temple but Petronius mollified by their Prayers writeth to Caius in the Jews behalf 12. Two Jews called Asinaeus and Anilaeus both Brother and of a mean extraction become so powerful near Babylon that they give
enough to do to the Parthians H Their Actions their Death The Grecians and Syrians who lived in Sylesia unite against the Jews and kill fity thousand of them unawares CHAP. I. Judas and Sadoc taking an opportunity by vertue of the Tax which was imposed upon all Judea endeavour to establish a fourth Sectary and kindled a great Civil War I CYrenius the Roman Senator having passed through all Degrees The year of the World 3973. after Christ's Nativity 11. Offices and Dignities until such time as he obtained the Consulship a man of great account was sent into Syria by Caesar's order to do justice among the people and to sess and tax every man's goods Coponius a Captain of Horse was sent with him who was appointed to be Governour of all Jewry Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Cyrenius therefore came into Judea which was already united to Syria to tax the Goods of the Inhabitants thereof Cyrenius is sent by Caesar into Syria to execute Justice in that place and to confiscate Archelaus's Substance And although at the first the Jews thought this Tax very unreasonable yet notwithstanding K without contradiction they submitted themselves being perswaded thereunto by the counsel of the High Priest Joazar the Son of Boethus But after this there arose a certain Jew called Judas the Gaulanite Coponius Prefect of Judaea born in the Town of Gamala who having a certain man called Sadoc the Pharisee Confederate with him laboured to stir up the people to Rebellion The Taxation of the people of the Jews alledging that the Sess was no other thing but a confession of their servitude exhorting all the Nation to maintain their liberty and putting them in hope that they thereby should happily establish their estates Alias chap. 3. and enjoy their goods with security and besides this obtain both honour and glory in prosecution of such an enterprise Moreover that God would not afford them a more assured way to settle their Fortunes than by this means namely if they would employ themselves L in the execution of their designs and if having conceived in their minds high and noble attempts they forbore not to accomplish the same notwithstanding the execution cost them their lives These speeches of theirs were entertained by the people with great pleasure and by the same they were the more confirmed and heartened to Rebellion So that there was no kind of evil which these men set not abroach yea the whole Nation was so full of miseries that it was impossible to relate them For the Wars went on with such fury that it was impossible to restrain the violence thereof so that they neither spared friends nor enemies but were wholly given over to the spoil Slaughters Thefts Seditions and Famine in Judaea There was nothing but Robberies and Murthers of the Nobility under pretence to establish the state of the Commonweal but in effect for their private profit M sake whereby the Cities were ruined with Seditions and Murthers in which the Inhabitants killed one another after a strange manner of fury and desire they had not to spare any that was not of their Faction They were afflicted with Forreign Enemies and Famine yet none of these could pacifie their fury nor make them forbear to destroy Cities and shed innocent Blood till at length the horrible mischief took such a head The Temple of Jerusalem burnt that they consumed the Temple of God and burned all the stately buildings So dangerous a thing it is to change the Customs and Manners of a Countrey For Judas and Sadoc having introduced and raised a fourth Sect Judas and Sadoâ— the Authors of the fourth Sect. and tying the Sectaries to their command filled the whole Commonweal with many troubles and planted the roots of those mischiefs which afterwards spred abroad from this unaccustomed N Sect. For which cause I think it not amiss to discourse briefly of these Sectaries opinions whereby so many evils have fallen upon our Nation A CHAP. II. Of the four sorts of Sectaries that were among the Jews THere were three Sects among the Jews of long continuance and Antiquity Hedio Ruffinus c. 11. al 5 that of the Esseans that of the Saducees and that of those who were called Pharisees Of these we have spoken in our second Book Three Sects of whom mention is made in the second Book of the Wars of the Jews of the Wars of the Jews and yet now I think it not amiss to speak somewhat of them in this place also The Pharisees use a very austere and strict kind of life and addict not themselves to any delicacy but diligently B follow that which their reason induceth them unto They honour their Elders neither dare they reply or reproach them for their admonitions They attribute all things unto fate The Pharisees Doctrine and yet they take not an assent of will from man supposing that God tempereth all things in such sort that by his Ordinance and man's will all things are performed good or evil They believe also that the Souls of men are immortal and that after death they receive their reward according as they have addicted themselves to virtue or vice in their life times the one to lie in perpetual Prison the other to rise again very shortly For which cause they are in great esteem among the people and all that which appertaineth to the service of God whether they be Prayers or Sacrifices all things are done according as they give direction So ample a Testimony C do the Cities yield of their wisdom The Saducees opinion temperance and honest life But the Saducees are of that opinion that the Souls of men perish with their Bodies They observe no other thing but that which is in the Law and hold it a Virtue to dispute with their Masters concerning the Decrees of their Sect. Their opinion is entertained by very few yet such who for the most part are men of the best account there is hardly any thing done without their advice And when they are advanced to any honours they are enforced to allow of that which the Pharisees shall propose otherwise the common people will not endure them The Esseans Opinion The Esseans attribute unto God the Government and disposition of all things They say that the Souls of men are immortal and all the uttermost of their endeavour and delight is to maintain Justice and Equity They send their Offerings D unto the Temple yet sacrifice they not with other men by reason they use more sacred and different Ceremonies for which cause they are secluded out of the common Temple The Esseans life and manners and sacrifice a-part Otherwise they are men of most reconciled behaviour and such as are wholly addicted to cultivate their Land They have one custom which is worthy admiration and such a one as is not to be found amongst any other either