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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A46295	The wonderful, and most deplorable history of the latter times of the Jews with the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. Which history begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion whereunto is added a brief of the ten captivities; with the pourtrait of the Roman rams, and engines of battery, &c. As also of Jerusalem; with the fearful, and presaging apparitions that were seen in the air before her ruins. Moreover, there is a parallel of the late times and crimes in London, with those in Jerusalem.; Josippon. English. Abridgments.	Joseph ben Gorion, ha-Kohen, attributed name.; Howell, James, 1594?-1666.; Ibn Daud, Abraham ben David, Halevi, ca. 1110-ca. 1180.; Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661.	1671 (1671)	Wing J1086A; ESTC R216340	213,458	417

unto the Sages whom his father and grandfather slew and the injury commi●…ted to Honyauriga might return upon his head and be reyenged so that no remnant of the house of 〈◊〉 no name no residue no kinsman o●… posterity should be left alive Hircanus therefore took his journey toward Jerusalem and Herod came forth to meet him e●…mbraced him a●…d kissed him after brought him to his house and feasted him da●…y calling him his father before all men albeit in his heart he conspired to kill him which Alexandra his daughter and Mother in law to Herod knew well enough who opened it unto Hircanus but he would not credit her at the first till on a time he perceived the matter clear to be so then devised he how to flye to Maloc King of Arabia he sent therefore to Maloc to send him horses and a Chariot to flye withall but the Messenger dealt unfaithfully and lewdly with him for he brought Hircanus letters privily unto Herod who rewarded him well for his labour and bad him go to Maloc and to let him know what answer Maloc gave The Messenger upon this went and delivered the letters to Maloc who fulfilled Hircanus request sent him horses and a Charlot writing in this sort I have sent thee horses and horsemen come therefore unto me and whatsoever thy heart desireth I will do it for thy sake So the Messenger brought the answer secretly to Herod whereupon he sent straight to the place in which he understood Malocs men to lurk waiting for Hircanus and caused to apprehend them alive Then Herod commanded to call together the Elders before whom he willed also Hircanus to be brought and of him the King demanded tell me whither thou hast written any letter to Maloc King of Arabia he answered I writ none Then was Ristius the Messenger brought in as his acuser and the men of war also of Arabia that were apprehended who declared the whole matter before the Council so that Hircanus was quite dashed Then the King commanded him to be put to death and so was the kingdom established unto Herod The time that Hircanus raigned was 40. years and 6. moneths After the death of his mother he raigned 3. years and Aristobulus his brother removed him making him Priest Again 3. years after he returned to his kingdom and raigned 40. years Then Antigonus son of Aristobulus deposed him cutting off his ear and banished him out of the holy City So after when Herod his servant came to the kingdom he returned to Jerusalem and Herod shed his blood guiltless yet notwithstanding he had delivere●… Herod from the hands of the Elders who would have put him to death for the death of Hizkias From that time Hircanus wrought no evil in the sight of the Lord nor offended him in any great matter save only in this that he bare too much with Herod in shedding the innocent blood wherefore his own life went for the other Therefore happy is he that never forgetteth any part of his duty Marimi the daughter of Alexander the son of Aristobulus the Wife of Herod had a brother whose name was Aristobulus him Herod would in no wise promote to the high Priesthood because he feared the children of Chasmonany although his wife made earnest suite and lay sore upon him for the matter But the King made high Priest one that was nothing of the kindred of Chasmonany whose name was Haniel Notwithstanding when he had once dispatched Hircanus his wives Progenitors father of Alexandra his mother in law then he deposed Haniel the high Priest and preferred his wifes brother Aristobulus to the dignity who although he were but a child yet he was wise and of good understanding and beautifull withall so that in all Israel was not a goodlier nor hansomer young man than he was And this Haniel was the first that ever was deposed from that office of the high priest-hood for never did King of Israel attempt the like afore Herod who did this to quiet his wife and to fulfill his mother in laws mind notwithstanding this Alexandra his wives mother was not content nor satisfied for the death of her Father was such a grief but alwaies spake snappishly to the King that he committed her to ward Then she writ to Cleopatra Queen of Egypt wife unto M. Antonius a Noble man of Rome declaring unto her all the mischief that Herod had done to the posterity of Chasmonany and desiring of her aid to whom Cleopatra made this answer if thou canst find the means to come to me secretly thou shalt perceive what I shall do for thee When Alexandra had read the Letter she sent to Aristobulus her son the high Priest shewing him that she would flye to the Sea Japho and from thence would take shipping into Egypt perswading him also to flye with her We will saith she make two Coffers one for me and another for thee and we will with rewards allure our Servants to carry out us privily whereby we may flye to save our lives This their device was perceived of one of Herods Servants who forthwith made the King privy unto it The King commanded his Servant that bewrayed them that when they did convey the Coffers they should bring them to him which the servant did So when the Coffers were brought to the Kings presence he caused them to be opened and took out Alexandra and her son Aristobulus to whom the King spake sharply and rebuked them sore But Alexandera answered him again as short insomuch that the King moved with anger flung away from her into his chamber saying It is better to fit solitary in a corner of the house than with a brawling and scolding woman in an open place The King dissembled the matter and shewed no great displeasure a year after As Aristobulus the high Priest apparralled in his Pontificial vestures stood in the temple nigh unto the Altar to offer sacrifices the Israelits beheld his beauty his wisdom and behaviour in the ministery whereat every man rejoyced praising God that had not taken all away but left one to revenge the injuries done to the house of Chasmonany The King hearing this was sore afraid and not a little displeased thinking to himself the Israelits would restore the Kingdom of their fathers unto him He perceived every mans heart to be enclined towards him Wherefore he deliberated a while and in the feast of the Tabernacles he removed to Jericho with all his houshold whereas he made a great feast to all his nobles and servants placing them every one after hi●… degree before him Aristobulus the high Priest he se●… upon the right hand And as they eat drank and made merry certain of the Kings servants were disposed to go swim in Jordan To these the King had given secret commandment that they should desire Aristobulus to go and bath with them in Jordan and then to drown him So when they were going they came to Aristobulus and moved him to keep them

Jehochanan took Eleazars part and defended him For Eleazar was alwayes Jehochanan's friend and aided him His father was high Priest and bare a great rule in Jerusalem wherefore Eleazar was of a great estimation and authority with the Elders so that they durst not apprehend him and his father also looked negligently unto him and let him do what he list because he had no more sons but him So he was the first that assembled naughty persons together and held ever on Jehochanans side from his first coming to Jerusalem And for his sake fell division and dissention between Jehochanan and Schimeon so that they became enemies and warred the one upon the other ever after as we shall declare hereafter CHAP. I. IN this while Vespasian had sent Antony and Mankiminus two Noble men and of his Council to Rome against Vitellius that they might make him out of the way and then would he come to Rome to receive the Imperial Crown there These two Captains went therefore and raised an Army by whose aid they set upon Vitellius and ●…w him not without much ado for there were slain that day at Rome 80. thousand good men of war When Vespasian had word that he was dispatched he made speed to Rome to his Coronation dividing first his Army into two parts whereof he took the one with him to Rome as a safegard for himself whatsoever should happen and the other he left with Titus his son to besiege Jerusalem withall So departing he left his son Titus at Alexandria commanding him to remain there till such time as he should signifie unto him otherwise by his Letters and shew him what he should do and that in no wise he should attempt the siege of Jerusalem in the mean space Titus answered I shall do dear Father according unto your commandment for to you it belongeth to command and unto me to obey Vespasian took with him King Agrippa and Munabas his son he fearing lest they would rebell and me Joseph Priest and prisoner also fast bound in chains for so had his Council moved him saying We cannot say the contrary but that we have found no sign of rebellion in Joseph hitherto neither think we that he hath gone about any but Who can tell when we are gone hence whether he will not flee to Jerusalem and help ●…o set them at unity and concord then they make him their King and after he be the sorer enemy unto us Besides this you shall have need of him in this journey he being a man of such great prudence and wisdom that whosoever followeth his co●…sel shall bring his matters to good and fortunate successe Vespasian liked well their advice and took him prisoner with him together with King Agrippa and his son albeit they had no irons upon them neither on hand or foot but only had their Keepers appointed them that they should not step aside And as Vespasian drew nigh Rome all the Citizens came forth to meet him and received him with great joy and mighty Shews Then he commanded that I should be put in prison but Agrippa and his son he let go at liberty The next day assembled all the Senate of Rome to create Vespasian Emperour after the manner of the Romans with whom was Agrippa and his son I also intreated the Jaylor to let me have Keepers with me and so to bring me to the place where he should be Crowned Caesar which the Jaylor granted me and went with me himself to the place and brought me where I might see all that was done Within few dayes after Vespasian took displeasure with Agrippa upon the information of certain evil disposed persons that had slandered him and perswaded Vespasian that he went about to rebell and how he had sent letters unto Jerusalem concerning the same matter wherefore Vespasian put both him and his son Munabas to death This befel three years and a half before the destruction of Jerusalem Moreover before this deed the continual Sacrifice ceased for a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes as it is written in Dan. Chap. 22. And from the time that the continual Sacrifice shall be taken away and abomination shall be put into desolation a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes The same year and moneth that Agrippa was put to death God moved the minde of Vespasian to remember me with his mercy wherefore he commanded that I should be fetched out of prison and brought to his presence And as I stood in irons before him Caesar bad me welcome and spake comfortably unto me saying Thou knowest very well that I have loved thee from the day I first saw thee and though I have kept thee continually in durance do not think I did it of any ill will or malice toward thee but rather thou mayest perswade thy self I did it lest the Roman Princes should disdain at thee and say See here is a fellow that in our wars hath endamaged us so greatly yet now goeth he check-mate with us in as great favour as we Let us kill him and put him out of the way But my friend Joseph be of good chear I will deliver thee from these iron-bands and thou shalt be with me in no worse case than one of my chief Princes I will send thee into Jewry to my son Titus to whom thou shalt be as a father and a counsellour Thou knowest Titus was he that took pity on thee and would not suffer thee to be put to death Yea he hath sundry times moved me to release thee of thy bonds and to honour thee which I have deferred to do only for this cause that I shewed thee I made him answer But how can I be quiet or in surety of my life as long as I am in thy company and thy sons seeing Agrippa and his son were suddenly put to death by you Caesar answered Hold thy peace Joseph I never looked for any goodnesse of Agrippa and his son Thou knowest not what they had wrought against my Majesty and how they went about to rebel thou hast born their bones with thy hands Doest thou not know I honoured him and his son in Jewry how I would not suffer any of my Army to annoy any of his Cities I answered Yes I know it was so as your Majesty saith Then said he But for all this hath Agrippa requited me again with evil For what time as the Nobles of Rome in Jewry went about to make me Empeperour thinking me somewhat more meet to rule the Empire than Vitellius Agrippa perswaded them that they should not make me Emperour affirming that there was nothing in me worthy wherefore they should promote me to that dignity And after when he came to Rome he went from one Bishop to another and caused them to go to the Bishops to accuse me of such crimes as in my conscience I knew nothing at all of By this I perceived that Agrippa's heart was full of rancour and rebellion and therefore I judged him

so feeble a person and of no great wit nor sought much the Kingdom yea till all nations that were about him whose Dominions our progenitours conquered began now to despise him to pass little for offending him to deny him tribute for his simplicity and mopishness with lack of courage When Aristobulus had said there stood up a great multitude of goodly and beautifull young men apparrelled in cloth of Hyacinth and purple with mighty targets upon them other ornaments of gold chrystal and precious stones affirming with one accord that Aristobulus said the truth namely that Hircanus was not favoured by the kingdom At which Pompeius marvelled saying Happy is this people having so many goodly men true in their words and wise Happy also were the Senate of Rome if they could bring to passe that this great Nation might be under their Governance So he took his journey to Jerusalem with Hircanus and Aristobulus But after Aristobulus perceived that Pompeius stood not to the promise he made him at the beginning or the Vine he set light by him and fled from him to Alexandria in Egypt whither Pompeius followed with his Host and besieged Alexandria From thence Aristobulus fled again to Jerusalem and Pompeius pursued him also thither writing to Aristobulus a letter of Truce and pardon So Aristobulus came forth unto him and Pompeius did him at that time no harm but demanded to be given unto him all the vessels of the House of the Lord which Aristobulus refused to do Pompeius in a rage caused to lay him fast in heavy iron chains and assaulted Je●…usalem battering the walls very sore till they of the town issued out against him and slew of his Host twelve thousand men After this had the Israelites civil Wars within Jerusalem because the siege was grevious unto them for they were ●…ivided into Factions one part said let us open the Gates to Pompeius and let him in that we may submit our selves under his protection The other said Let us fight against him unto death But much people disliked that so that that side prevailed that would yield Wherefore Pompeius entered the Town and the House of the Sanctuary killed much people of the Priests and the people of the Land made Hircanus King of Israel the second time and Antipater his Counsellor Moreover he set one Securus a Roman in the Country to receive the tribute departed leading Aristobulus with him bound in iron And because he took his journey toward Arabia Hircanus and Antipater went with him to conduct him Aristobulus thus being prisoner and his two sons with him it fortuned that one of them called Alexander escaped and having intelligence that Hircanus and his Counsellour were gone out of Jerusalem he came thither and rebelled against Hircanus made up the breaches of the wall that Pompeius had battered yea the Israelites resorted unto him and made him King in Hircanus place Whereupon he gathered an Army and went forth to meet with Hircanus as he came homeward from Pompeius where he gave Hircanus the overthrow and Securus the receiver of the tribute fled and escaped Then Alexander returned to Jerusalem from whence shortly after Gabianus a Roman with a strong Army compelled him to flee to Alexandria And being in the same place besieged also of Gabianus his Mother Aristobulus wife went forth to Gabianus weeping and besought him that he would not destroy her Son for whose sake he did Alexander no harm Gabianus therefore having gotten all the Land of Judea made Hircanus King of Jerusalem now the third time who set Roman Captains and Rulers in Jericho and in Zephori and through all the Land of Israel It fortuned after this that Aristobulus got out of prison at Rome and came into Israel to whom on every side resorted men in such sort that he had a puissant Host of Israel Whereof when he had taken Muster he chose out eight thousand of the best and with them went against Gabianus where was a sore Battel fought between them till the best of Aristobulus men were slain and only one thousand left wherewith he fled to the Mountains But the Romans followed the chase and slew them every man Yet Aristobulus would not yeild but fought alone although his Helmet was broken till he had divers sore wounds in his head and then fell he to the ground and the Romans took him yet alive brought him to Gabianus who comforted him commanding his Surgeons to heal him and after sent him to the Consul and Senate of Rome where he was put in prison yet once again And this the Senate taking pity of Aristobulus wife which was reported to be a very wise woman released her two sons out of Prison and set them at liberty Alexander the one of those could not be content but rebelled once again against Hircanus and the Romans Governours For he gathered together much people of Israel encountred with one of the Romans Governors that Gabianus had appointed and gave him the overthrow but proceeding further to fight with Gabinius had the worse and many of the Israelites were slain yet he escaped and fled This done Gabinius came to Jerusalem and renewed the kingdom of Israel to Hircanus the fourth time About this time one of the Senators Wives at Rome conceived a chi●…d and d●…ed in the birth and travel thereof They therefore that were about her straight-way ript her and got the child out alive whom they named Julius and because his mother was cut they called him Cae●…ar This child growing to great towardnesse and coming to mans estate the Consul and Senate sent him into the Wars and whatsoever he did he had go●…d fortune and prosperous successe He deprived the Grecians of the Empire and Dominion translating it to the Romans Many Provinces also besides that he did subdue and returning to Rome with a power attempted to get the Dominion and sole power over them But they had made solemn statutes in the time of their progenitors never to suffer any King among them or any man to have perpetual rule over them wherefore they w●…uld not make Julius king Upon this rose amongst them great and mortal Wars so that Julius slew a great many of them and without number When Pompeius understood that Caesar raigned at Rome and had killed the Consul and Senate with all the Nobility of Rome he gathered together his whole Army out of Arabia and made toward him Julius having intelligence of his coming against him sent for Aristobulus out of prison spake friendly unto him gave him a power and made him grand Captain thereof bidding him to go and encounter with Pompeius Indeed his Army was a strong Army and he himself a King of no small prowess and valiantnesse Pompeius hearing that Aristobulus came against him was sore afraid of his valiantnesse and of his Host wherefore he sent to the inhabitants of Jerusalem that were under his obedience that they should present Aristobulus with some gift whereby they might

stones And another like chance hapned A stone came and hit one of Josephs men of war a valiant man in such sort that it divided his head from his body and made it fly a large mile off At the same time one of the Roman souldiers devised with himself how to hit Joseph with a venomed arrow and gat him under a wall where Joseph was to accomplish his purpose but Joseph espied him and cryed to him Hold thy hand thou wicked fellow and do not kill me With that the fellow started somewhat aside being afraid at Josephs voice and suddenly the Jews out of the Town poured hot Oyl upon him from the wall and his skin was scalded off and he ran away naked howling and yelling to the Romans Camp where he died Vespasian and his son Titus were fully determined to continue the assault until the 47. day notwithstanding the walls were so high that they could not win the Town Yet at length the men were so spent within the Town that they that remained alive were so wearied with toyling that they were not able any longer to furnish theirwatch upon the wall This upon a certain night Vespasian and Titus understanding scaled the walls at a quarter where watchmen were lacking and after them many more of the Roman souldiers followed which went down on the inside and brake open the great gate of the Town whereat entred the whole Army of the Romans And being within the Town sounded their Trumpets and shouted to battel The Jews with the alarum tumult and hurly burly of the Romans awaked out of their sleep and were sore afraid Notwithstanding every man took him to his weapon and drew to the Market-place as fast as they might They had made the Market-place of the Town so large of purpose that if any businesse should happen there might come together the whole City if they would and as they looked about them they saw the Roman Army entring in at the Town by the way that came from the great gate Then fought they with the Romans and divided even in the Market-place where they stood exhorting one another and saying Let us die here fighting and never suffer our selves to be taken alive But Joseph and forty men with him worthy men all fled away into a wood where they found a ●…ain Cave and hid themselves therein All the 〈◊〉 of the Citizens were slain in that conflict for they would not yield nor commit themselves to the Romans they trusted them so little For on a time a certain Jew besought a Roman souldier to save his life and the Roman sware unto him saying God deal thus and thus with me if I slay thee therefore yield and come hither to me The Jew required him to give his right hand that he might trust him and the Roman reached him his left hand The Jew being dismayed in that great fear mark't not that it was his left hand But when the Roman had once hold of him he kept him fast with that hand and with his right took his sword slew the Jew that then was naked having cast away his weapon upon trust of the Roman When the Jews saw how the Roman regarded not his oath but slew the Jew that upon the trust of his promise and oath had yielded himself unto him they determined to die altogether and never to trust the Romans Whereupon they resolved with themselves utterly to die for the holinesse of the Lord God of Israel but in so doing they slew much people of the Romans and far more than they had done in any other battel yet at length the City was taken When Vespasian had knowledge where Joseph and his company was he sent Nicanor Pilerinus and Callicanus with him to Joseph to will him to come forth and he should have his life and not be slain upon that Joseph debated the matter with them that were with him in the Den requiring their advice For my part saith he if ye will follow my counsel I think it best we go unto them but upon this condition That they will make us a formal assurance of our lives effectually as we shall require them which done I doubt not but Vespasian when we come unto him will extend his favour towards us When these men perceived Joseph to be inclined to yield unto the Romans they said We marvel at thee O Prince Joseph at thee we say that wast chosen out of thousands of people and promoted to the Priesthood and Kingdom to sanctifie and hallow the Lord God of Israel who wast also appointed Captain General of so great an host and hast seen with thine eyes the shameful reproach of thy people with the displeasures and damages of thy Sheep that thou hast yet any desire to live in this dishonour What seest thou that thou wouldest desire to live Should'st thou not rather desire death than life Peradventure thou perswadest thy self that they call unto thee to save thy life or for thy commodity but without doubt this were a vain perswasion For they call thee for none other intent than to take thee alive and to brag how they took Joseph that was consecrated and addicted to the Wars and make it an argument that their power prospereth Now therefore our dear Brother and our Prince consider that this they will do yea if they save thy life But put the case they put thee to death Were it not better for thee to die on thine own sword than on theirs yea if it were for nothing but this it is better for thee to die than live lest thou should'st hear their reproaches their upbraidings and their quarrellings and if they preserve thee alive never think they do it for thy good but rather for thy ignominy and shame which is far more grievous than death it self Wherefore our dear Brother and our Prince What comes in thy mind that thou purposest to live after that thou hast lost thy people and thy brethren And to what purpose serveth thy life after they be 〈◊〉 one Mark diligently what Moses of worthy memory our Master did how he spake before God touching the people of Israel O pardon their sins saith he or else blot me quite out of thy book whi●…h thou hast written He would not live after the destruction of his people although the Almighty said unto him Let me alone that I may wreak mine anger upon them and consume them Why dost thou not call unto thy remembrance Aaron his brother that went betwixt life and death in withstanding the Angel that plagued the people and offered himself to die for his people that the plague might cease from Israel Where is King Saul and his son Jonathan that foughtfor the people of God and died in the field Could not Saul have saved his life and his sons both if he had been so disposed But he when he saw Israel had the overthrow in the battel he had no desire to live longer but chose to die rather than to

live and would not be separated from his brethren neither in life nor death as well he as Jonathan his son these were dearly beloved and most amiable men as the Scripture termeth them Why doest thou not remember our dear Prince the righteousnesse of David the anointed of the Lord who seeing a most grievous pestilence to rage upon the people of Israel said Let thy hand O Lord I beseech thee be turn'd upon me and my fathers house For I am he that have sinned I have transgressed as for these thy sheep What have they done What have they offended Where is the holy Law smothered and stifled in thy heart Art not thou an anointed Priest that hast declared and taught us the Holy Law whereby we might learn how to love our Lord GOD with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength If it be so that the service of God consists not in this that we should love him whom he loveth and die for his Covenant and Sanctuary together with his servants that be slain for the unity of the name of the Lord wherein standeth it then Hast not thou oft-times taught and proved unto us how that every man that dieth in the wars for the Lord his Sanctuary his people and his Law he is to be counted in the Lords lot and made worthy to go unto the great Light and shall not see everlasting darknesse Art not thou that Joseph the Priest that hast cryed so often in battel I am Joseph the Priest consecrated to battel that have vowed my life for the people of the Lord his Sanctuary and his Land But now when thou hast yielded thy self unto them and they order thee despitefully What wilt thou say unto them or what amends canst thou have at their hands I put the case they cast in thy teeth and say thy words be lyes How shalt thou avoid the reproach Art thou not he that said'st that we should fight for the people of God until we die in the conflict and in so doing death should be ransome for our sins and that we were sure to go to that great Light that is the light of life Which if it be true according as thou hast said Why then wilt thou shun death and not follow thy people that are gone before thee to that same light Ever hitherto thou hast had the upper hand wheresoever thou cam'st insomuch that they that heard of thee trembled for fear and now wilt thou yield thy life to captivity to the Romans as a vile slave Shall not this thy dishonour redound also to the people of God Thou art a Prince a King and a Priest Wilt thou be bound in chains Every man shall say This is he that gave his souldiers and the rest of the people to die but saved himself and his own life So when they had made an end of talk each man drew out his sword and came to him in the midst of the Cave saying Hearest thou Joseph our Prince if thou wilt be ruled by us first we shall slay thee as a Lord and a great Prince and thou shalt chuse what death thou wilt die that thou mayest die honourably But if thou refuse to die honestly assure thy self of this we will every man set upon thee and kill thee Joseph answered Indeed I know my brethren that your words are just and true For who is so mad to desire to live in this hurly burly and would God that he would call my soul unto him and receive it unto him also For I am not ignorant that it were more expedient for me to die then to live for the great troubles that have passed through my heart but he knoweth the secrets of mens hearts and it is he that giveth life unto men It is our GOD that closeth souls within the bodies and letteth them out again because he is the living God in whose hands remain the souls and spirits of all living creatures He hath left with us the spirit of life and closed it up within our bodies What is he that will open that he hath shut How shall we loose that he would have knit fast within us Do ye not all know how the life is a thing that he hath left us to keep and that we are his servants If then we cast away life before that God take it Shall he not worthily be displeased with us so that we shall not find life in the place of the living with Abraham our father of famous memory and with those just and godly men our forefathers Do ye not know that they went not unto God before they were called and when they were called they came and so dealt God with all the holy and godly men To Moses our Master of worthy memory the elect of God ye know that the Lord God of Israel said Get thee upon this mountain Abiram and so he did but he would not have done it of himself had not God called him whereby ye may see it is not lawful for a man to surrender his life unto the Living GOD except he require it again Take example I pray you of Job what time he curst the day that he was born in Might he not either have hanged himself or have run upon a knife or at the least have followed his wife's counsel to curse God and die Notwithstanding he abode patiently in most extream pain waiting till God demanded again his life and then restored it unto his Lord God and would not restore it undemanded but tarried till his appointed time came King David also of famous memory said Lead thou my life out of this pinfold and prison For he knew that the life was inclosed in the body and that none might let it forth but God I wot well that death is a great commodity so that the soul may return in his due time unto God that gave it us I know it also That he that dieth in the Wars of the Lord he shall come to the great Light But I know not what can appease Gods wrath towards the soul of that man that killeth himself and maketh haste to restore his soul before his time and without the Lords calling Wherefore my friends and my brethren I would ye should know it I am no more coward than you and I do not disagree with you because I am of a faint heart for fear of these present calamities but this I know I should commit a hainous offence against the Lord if I should kill my self And how say ye you Princes that stick unto your God to you I speak Tell me who shall make intercession unto God for us if we should commit this sin and each kill one another Would not a man judge him a slave a fool a froward person a rebel and a desperate man that should be forced with any misery to be so mad that because all things fall not out as he would wish would therefore hang or desperately murder himself with his

in a strange Land Certain evil disposed persons of the Roman souldiers went to Vespasian and said Sir you shall do well to command this man to be slain without mercy that hath been the destruction of so many of the people of the Romans This is the very same that shot the arrow and stuck you in the leg Put him to death and then shall ye be sure he shall never move war more amongst you If ye do not ye shall see him one day again raise an Army against us and destroy us But Joseph did find friendship at Titus Vespasian son's hands which came of the Lord. Therefore when he heard those wicked mens words that desired Vespasian to put Joseph to death he disapproved their advice and partly in mockage he taunted them saying Will you tell my Father what he hath to do will you give him so wicked counsel to kill that man that yieldeth himself to us upon the trust of our league and band of friendship which you now go about to break and frustrate Did not Captain Nicanor in my fathers name and Caesars with all the Roman host make a Covenant with him Take heed what you say Is it reason to break the Caesarean fidelity Moreover who can tell whether it may so happen that some of us be taken by the Jews like as Joseph is prisoner herc with us VVhen Vespasian heard his sons words it pleased him and he spared Joseph not suffering him to be slain but committed him to a certain Captain of his and carried him about with him through the Cities together with King Agrippa After this Vespasian removed his Camp to Thalmida which also is called Acho and from thence he went to Caesarea a great City When they of the City saw Joseph they cryed unto Vespasian Kill him kill him or else he will one day be an occasion to stir great wars against thee But Vespasian gave no ear to them Whiles he was at Caesarea tidings came to him that the Citizens of Papho invaded and spoiled the Isles that were subject under his Dominions with a Navy Vespasian hearing thereof commanded to lay wait for them that they might be met withal So there was an ambush laid wit●…out the Town and it came to passe that when the Pyrates were gone out a roving Vespasian entred the Town and took it without great resistance because their souldiers were absent When the Rovers therefore returned with their Navy and saw the Romans in the City they laboured to set a land but suddenly a huge tempest and a mighty storm drove all their ships against the rocks that were in the sea shore for there was no haven for ships and there they were lost many of them and those that swam to land the Romans slew they that were drowned in the Sea and slain by the Romans were in number four thousand good men of War besides them that were slain in the Town 40000. all Jews This done Vespasian set forth Valericus and Taribus two Roman Colonels with his son Titus who went besieged and wan the Towns of defence that were in Galilee And thus did Titus use them They that yielded unto him he saved their lives and whosoever withstood him he slew Moreover all the Cities that belonged to Agrippa in Galilee he restored them unto him again only Tiarva excepted which he utterly rased and slew all the Males especially such as were apt to the Wars sold also their wives and children And this was the only City in all Galilee that Titus shewed such a rigour and extremity unto CHAP. VII VEspasian departing thence took his journey to Gamala which is a Citie upon the top of a Mountain the name thereof is called Gamala of an Hebrew word Gamal that signifieth to Requite or to do a good turn because it is the best City that belongeth to Agrippa and the inhabitants thereof were all very rich The City also called Seleucia was not far distant from it a Countrey replenished with good Towns Gardens Brookes and all kinde of fruitfull Trees Agrippa besought Vespasian that he would not destroy this City Let me go first saith he and offer them peace peradventure they will take it that they may save their lives from destruction Vespasian was entreated saying unto him Go and do as thou wilt for thine honour's sake I will do so much for thee So Agrippa went to them and spake friendlily and peaceably unto them and they received him in like manner but they meant deceit saying Thou art our Lord and King to whom therefore doth all that is of any price or to be desired in all Israel belong but unto thee Therefore come near unto us and debate the matter with thy Servants Agrippa crediting these Words came close up to the City and as he listned to them that talked with him one cast a great stone from the Wall which lighted just between his shoulders with such a violence that it struck him prostrate to the ground and brake his back with one of his arms also But his Servants stept to him took him up and carried him to Vespasian who seeing him so sore hurt sware he would never go from thence till he had taken the City and ordered them in like manner as he did at Tiarva to leave not a man therein The Roman Physicians did bestow such diligence about Agrippa that they cured him Vespasian in his rage against the Seleucians because they had wounded their King besieged and assaulted them The Jews within the Town encouraged one another saying Let us stick to it now and play the men for we have no other hope to save our lives seeing we have thus used the King Certain stout men of them therefore issued out and encountring with the Romans made a great slaughter amongst them After that the Romans made ready their Engins planted their battering Rams playing with them against the Walls and by that time night came beat so great a part thereof down to the earth that Vespasian and much people with him might enter at their pleasure But Vespasian gave commandment to his Army that they should not enter that night into the Town but stand and compasse the walls until the morrow that they might the better see how to win it Notwithstanding they would not be ruled by him but entred Then the Jews came upon them drew the chains crosse their streets and closing the wayes of the City intrapped them in such sort that they could go neither one way nor other After that sett●…ng upon them beat them down even there so that they were all slain save ten men that fled with Vespasian and a Captain named Butius one of the best men of War in all the Roman Army yet him the Jews pursued and slew But Vespasian and his fled to the Mountains that he might be there in safegard and from thence he sent to Titus his son that was in Syria for the Roman Army that he had sent with him to Persia which