the Enemies Countrey who had committed themselves to my trust yet thinking that if it should so fall out that they fell into the Romans hands they would be safer than if by suffering them to remain in my Countrey I should see them opprest I adventured them thus Yet were they saved and the King pardon'd them And this was the end of this Tumult But they of Tiberias wrote to the King desiring him to send a Garrison into their Countrey The Tiberians Letters to Agrippa Seven stadia maketh almost a German mile on which condition they would submit to him As soon as I knew of it I went to them and they desired me that I would build them those Walls which I had promised them for they had already heard that Tarichea was invironed with Walls Whereunto I I condescended and gathering Materials I set the Workmen to their task But some three days after departing from Tiberias toward Tarichea which was thirty stades distant from thence by chance a Troop of Roman Horsmen were discovered not far from the City which the Inhabitants believ'd were the Kings Army Whereupon they presently began to utter many things in honour of the King Sedition and Rebellion in Tiberias and more in my reproach And presently a certain friend posted to me and told me what their mind was and how they intended to revolt from me Which when I understood I was wonderously troubled For I had sent back my men of War from Tarichea to their houses because the next day was the Sabbath for I would by no means that the Citizens of Tarichea should be charged or troubled with entertaining Soldiers And at all times when I remained in that City I took K no care of the guard of mine own person having had often proof of the affection of the Inhabitants towards me Joseph in danger for the Tiberians sake Being therefore at that time attended only with seven Soldiers and a few of my Friends I knew not what to determine For I thought it not fit to call back my Forces because the day was well nigh past and although they should have been with me the next morning yet they might not have taken Arms because our Laws forbid the same how great soever the occasion be that is offered And although I should have drawn forth the Taricheans and the strangers that were retired thither and under hope of prey have led them forth yet I saw that they were too feeble to resist the enemy On the other side I already perceived that if I stayed over-long the Army which was sent by the King being already entred the City would have excluded me I therefore determined to L use this stratagem I presently set a Guard at the gates of the City consisting of my most trusty Friends suffering no man to pass out of them and assembling the chief of every Family I commanded them to lanch their Boats into the Lake and to follow me with the Masters of their ships Joseph saileth to Tiberias After which both I and my Friends and seven other Soldiers betook us to a Bark and sailed toward Tiberias But when the Tiberians saw that no Forces were come from the King and that the whole Lake was covered with Barks amazed and fearing the ruine of their City for that they supposed the ships to be full of Soldiers they changed their sentiments And laying by their Weapons themselves with their Wives and Children came forth to meet me and receiv'd me with joyful acclamations for they though I had had no notice of their intents beseeching me that for the safety M of their City I would enter the same But I drawing near the City commanded the Masters of the Barks to cast Anchor far off the shore lest the Townsmen might perceive that the ships were empty And I my self drawing near with mine own Bark to them reproached them that contrary to their Oaths they had been so foolishly induced to revolt After which I promised them pardon if so be they would deliver me ten of their chiefest Nobility which when they had incontinently performed I shipt them in a Bark and sent them Prisoners to Tarichea Then I demanded ten more and I continu'd to use the same artifice till I had by little and little got all the Senate of Tiberias and many of the chiefest Citizens and sent them thither At length the rest of the multitude perceiving in how great danger they were they N besought me that I would punish the chief Author of this Conspiracy Clytus the Author of the Sedition in Tiberias who was called Clytus a bold and rash young man I was unresolv'd what to do being loth to kill one of my own Nation and yet it was expedient to punish him wherefore I commanded Levias one of my Guard to seize on him and cut off his hand Levias not daring for that he was alone to enter into so huge a multitude I for fear lest his Cowardise should be discovered by the Tiberians called Clytus unto me and said unto him Vngrateful and perfidious man as thou art since thou deservest to lose both thy hands I charge thee to become thine own Executioner left through delay thou procure thy further punishment And whereas with many prayers he besought me to grant him one of his hands Clytus cuts off his own left hand I hardly condescended At length of his own accord for fear he should lose both he took a Knife O and cut off his left hand and thus was this Tumult appeased A As soon as I returned to Taricheâ— and the Tiberians understood what stratagem I had used with them they were all amazed seeing how I had punished their ingratitude and disobedience without any bloodshed Afterwards I sent for such of the people of Tiberias as were in Prison amongst whom was Justus and his father Pistus and invited them to sup with me and during the repast I told them that I was not ignorant that the Roman Army excelled all Men of the world in power and force notwithstanding that I kept my self silent in the respect of the Seditious that were round about and I counselled them that they also would do the like in expectation of better days and yet that in the mean time they would not think amiss of my Government because no other could treat them better I reminded Justus also that before I came from Jerusalem the Galileans B had cut off his Brothers hands accusing him to have forged false Letters before the War and that after Philip's departure the Gamelites being at odds with the Babylonians slew Cares Philip's own Kinsman Joseph dismisseth the Tiberians whereas I had moderately punished his Brother-in-law Jesus who had married his Sister After this discourse during supper time I set Justus and his Friends Philip the Son of Jacim early in the Morning at liberty But before this came to pass it hapned that
committed no act of hostility and also spoiled all that was without the Cities and always repulsed the Inhabitants if at any time they took courage to revenge themselves Joseph seeing things in this posture assaulted the City Sephoris in hope to take it but before such time as it revolted unto the Romans he had compassed it with so strong Walls that the Romans themselves could not have taken it and so his hope was frustrate for neither by force nor fair means would the Sephorites yield to him Hereat the Romans being angry troubled the Country more than before they now neither night nor day ceased from destroying it but robbed and spoiled all they found and all men able to bear Arms they slew and made the rest their slaves Thus all Galilee K was filled with fire and sword and no man escaped that calamity only those saved themselves that fled into the Cities that Joseph had walled In the mean time Titus came to Alexandria during Winter sooner than he was expected Titus bringeth a mighty Army into Judaea and so received there the Souldiers that he was sent for and having a prosperous journey he quickly came to Ptolemais and finding his Father there to two of the chiefest Legions to wit the fifth and tenth he also adjoyned that fifteenth Legion that he brought with him and there followed them eighteen Companies five out of Caesarea one Troop of Horse and five Companies of Horse out of Syria ten of these Companies of Foot had in every one of them a thousand Men the rest only six hundred and thirteen and in every Troop of Horse were an hundred and twenty L The Princes that were Allies also brought great Aid for Antiochus Agrippa and Sohemus brought each of them two thousand Bowmen and a thousand Horse and Malchus King of Arabia brought five thousand Foot and one thousand Horse the most of his Foot were Archers so that the whole Army together with the Kings Aid amounted to the number of threescore thousand Horse and Foot together besides them that followed the camp who were a great multitude and inferiour to none but their Masters in warlike discipline for one cannot too much admire the Romans who so train up their servants in time of Peace that they are very fit for War So that whosoever well beholdeth their Military Disciplin he shall perceive that they gained not this their goodly Empire by chance and fortune but by their valour for they do M not only then begin to use weapons when they come to fight but they practise military discipline before they need and they are not idle in time of peace but always practise themselves therein without ceasing Their exercises are like War it self and every Souldier is every day inur'd to some sort of Weapon The diligence and labour of the Romans in providing things necessary for the Wars even as though they were fighting against the enemy so that hereby they easily indure the burthen and travel of War For no disorder makes them forget what to do neither doth fear dismay them nor continuance of Fight and War weary and tire them So that whosoever they fight against who are not so well expert in these affairs as they they always overcome them and one may well call their exercises amongst themselves conflicts without blood-shed and their wars conflicts with blood-shed They are not easily overcome N at unawares for in what Enemy-country soever they come they fight not before they have fortified their Camp about The industry of the Romans which they do not rashly nor pitch their Tents in marish or high places after a disordered manner for if the place be unequal they make it plain And they proportion their Camp four-square for they have many Smiths The order of the Romans in their Camp and all kind of Workmen needful which still follow the Army to perform such business And in the innermost part of the Camp they make Quarters whose outside resembleth a Wall with Towers equally distant one from another and between them Engines of War to cast Stones and such-like that all kind of shot may be in readiness They also build four Gates large and wide both for their Horse easily to come in at and also for themselves if need require to enter in or issue out speedily O Within the camp there are streets divided by certain spaces in the midst lodge A their Officers and the Pretorium or Generals Tent is like a Temple so that it seemeth a City and a Market full of shops made in an instant There are also seats built for the Chief Officers to judg of controversies if any arise between the Souldiers and others All this place and all things belonging thereto are made in an instant partly by reason of the multitude partly by the industry of such as work and if need require they compass it with a Trench four Cubits deep and as many broad Thus the Souldiers enclosed with their Arms live quietly in their Tents without disorder and all things are done with good advice and prudence whether they need Water or Corn or Wood they all go to dinner at the time appointed and all sleep at once and a Trumpet giveth notice when to watch and guard The reverence and obedience of the Roman Souldiers to their Cap-Captains and nothing is done that is not commanded B In the morning all the Souldiers come to their Captains to salute them the Captains go to the Tribunes and they all to the General who gives them a Watch-word and tells them what he thinks good and how they shall behave themselves towards those that are under them how in fight to demean themselves and when to assault and when to retire How the Romans forsake their Camp When they go forth of the Camp a Trumpet sounds and no man is idle but at the first notice takes away his Tent and makes all ready for departure Then the Trumpet soundeth again warning them to be ready and having loden their Beasts with their baggage they expect the sound again as though they were to run a race and at their departure they burn their Camp because it is easie to build the like again and also least afterwards it should advantage their Enemies When the C Trumpet hath sounded the third time which is a sign to set forward then they hasten those that are slow lest they break their ranks And a Herald standeth on the right hand of the General asking thrice if they be prepared to fight and they as often answer that they are holding up their right hands with courage and so they march on orderly every man keeping his rank The Armour of the Roman Footmen as though they were ready to give Battel The Footmen have a Head-piece a Breast-plate and a Sword on the left side and on the right side a Dagger The Footmen guarding the General have a Javelin and a Shield the
also the description of Jerusalem of the Towers Hippicos Phazael and Mariamne of the Castle Antonia of the Temple of the High Priest and of sundry other remarkable things the Siege of that great City form'd by Titus the incredible Works and prodigious Exploits of Valor done on both sides the grievous famine wherewith the City was afflicted and the strange Cruelties of the Factious The sixth Book represents the horrid miseries whereinto Jerusalem was reduc'd the continuation of the Siege with the same ardor as before and how after many Fights Titus having forc'd the first and second wall of the City took and ruin'd the Castle of Antonia and assaulted the Temple which was burnt notwithstanding all this Prince could do to prevent it and how at last he became Master of all the rest In the seventh and last of these Books 't is shew'd how Titus caus'd Jerusalem to be destroy'd saving only the Towers Hippicos Phazael and Mariamne In what manner he commended and rewarded his Army what Spectacles he gave to the Nations of Syria what horrible Persecutions were exercis'd upon the Jews in several Cities with what incredible joy the Emperor Vespasian and Titus who was declar'd Caesar were receiv'd into Rome what a magnificent Triumph they made how the Castles of Herodion Macheron and Massada the only places remaining to the Jews in Judea were taken and how those that defended this last all kill'd themselves with their Wives and Children This 〈◊〉 in general what this History of the Jewish War against the Romans contains And there are 〈◊〉 ornaments wherewith this great person has not enrich'd it He has omitted no occasion of embellishing it by elegant descriptions of Provinces Lakes Rivers Fountains Mountains several Rarities and Buildings whose magnificence would seem fabulous if what he relates thereof could be call'd in doubt when we see no person found that has dar'd to contradict him though the excellence of his History rais'd no small envy against him It may be said with truth that whether he speaks of the Romans Military Discipline or whether he represents Battels Tempests Shipwracks a Famine or a Triumph every thing is so lively set forth that he charms the attention of his Readers And I fear not to add that no other not excepting even Tacitus himself has excell'd more in Orations they are so noble strong and persuasive alwayes restrain'd within their own subject and proportion'd both to the persons to speak and to those that are spoken unto Moreover can the judgment and faithfulness of this Historian be too much commended for the moderation which he uses between the praises deserv'd by the Romans for finishing so great a War and those due to the Jews for having withstood the same although vanquish'd at last with invincible courage so that neither his gratitude for the obligations he had to Vespasian and Titus nor his love for his Countrey biass'd him contrary to justice more on the one side than the other But that which I account most estimable in him is that he never fails upon any occasion to praise Virtue to reprehend Vice and to make excellent reflections upon the admirable Providence of God and upon the fear which we ought to have of his dreadful judgments It may be boldly affirm'd That never was seen a greater example thereof than the ruine of that ungrateful Nation of that proud City and of that venerable Temple since although the Romans were Masters of the World and that this Siege was the work of one of the greatest Princes they glory to have had for Emperors the power of this victorious people and the heroical valor of Titus would have in vain undertaken this design if God had not chosen them to be the executioners of his Justice The blood of his Son shed the most horrid of all crimes was the onely true cause of the ruine of that unhappy City The heavy hand of God upon that wretched people caus'd that how terrible soever the War was that assaulted them without it was yet much more dreadful within by the cruelty of those unnatural Jews who more like Devils than Men destroy'd by the Sword and the Famine of which they were the Authors 1100000 persons and reduc'd the remainder to that pass that they could hope for no safety but from their Enemies by casting themselves into the arms of the Romans Such prodigious effects of vengeance for the death of a God might pass for incredible with those who have not the happiness to be enlightned with the light of the Gospel if they were not related by a Man of that very same Nation as considerable as Josephus was for his Birth for his quality of Priest and for his Virtue And methinks 't is visible that God minding to make use of his testimony to authorize such important truths preserv'd him by a miracle when after the taking of Josaphat of forty which were retir'd with him into a Cave the lot being cast so often to know who should be slain first he only and one other remain'd alive This shews that this Historian is to be consider'd with a different respect from all others since whereas they relate only humane Events although dependent on the orders of the Supreme Providence it appears that God cast his eye upon him to make him subservient to the greatest of his designs For we must not only consider the destruction of the Jews as the most dreadful effect that ever was of Gods justice and as the most dismal image of the vengeance which he will exercise at the last day against the Reprobate we must also behold it as one of the most illustrious proofs which it hath pleas'd him to give Men of the Divinity of his Son inasmuch as this prodigious Event had been foretold by our Saviour in precise and intelligible terms He had said to his Disciples shewing them the Temple of Jerusalem That all those goodly buildings should be so destroy'd that there should not be left one stone upon another S. Matth. 24. ver 2. S. Mark 13. ver 2. S. Luke 19. v. 44. And also That when they should see Jerusalem encompass'd with Armies they should know that its desolation was at hand S. Luke 21. ver 20. He had mention'd particularly the dreadful circumstances of this desolation He had said to them Woe to those that shall be with child or give suck in those dayes for there shall be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people And they shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all Nations and Jerusalem shall be troden down by the Gentiles S. Luke 21. ver 23 24. And lastly he had declar'd that the accomplishment of these Prophesies was ready to come to pass That the time was drawing nigh that their house should be left unto them desolate and that even such as were then living should see it Verily I say unto you All these things shall come upon this generation
thanks for this favor they shewed me I charged them to do no wrong nor attempt any spoil in the Countrey but to encamp amidst the fields contenting themselves with that provision they had brought with them because I was desirous to extinguish these Troubles without effusion of blood It hapned the same day that Jonathan's Messengers and Letters fell into their hands who had the guard of the passages by my appointment and according to my direction the Men were put in custody O as I gave order and finding the Letters that were brought me to be full of nothing but slanders and lyes written by the Ambassadors I said not a word to any Man A but thought it best policy to march towards them John and the Ambassadors Forces retire to Jesus's house But Jonathan's Soldiers having intelligence of my coming retir'd and with them John also to Jesus's house which was a great Tower nothing different from a Cittadel in which they lodg'd a good number of Soldiers and locked up all the other gates save one expecting that I should come that way to salute them In a word they had commanded their Soldiers that when I should enter they should suffer no Man else to enter with me but exclude all the rest For they made no other account but that by this means they might easily seize on me But they were deceiv'd of their hopes For having notice beforehand of their intent as soon as I came thither I entred into a â—â—dging that was right over against theirs and feigned that I went to take my rest Wheâ—eupon Jonathan's Soldiers supposing that I was B indeed asleep and safe went forth in all haste into the Plain and labour'd to dissuade my Soldiers from their fidelity because of my ill Government But all things fell out contrary to what they hop'd for as soon as they were discovered the Galileans gave a great shout testifying the good will they bare to me their Governor and they blamed the Ambassadors that without any cause of injury they were come to disturb the Publick peace and requir'd them to be gone for that they would admit no other Governor When these things were signified unto me Joseph presenteth himself among his Enemies I made no doubt to adventure my self forth among them to hear what these Ambassadors had to say against me Upon my arrival the whole Troop shouted for joy and applauded me with a loud voice giving me thanks for my just and peaceable Government C Jonathan and his Adherents hearing this were afraid lest the Galileans should set upon them and they should be in danger of their Lives and so they began to bethink themselves how they might escape But perceiving that they could not retire because I requir'd them instantly to stay they were so confounded that they seem'd out of their senses I therefore commanded the People to cease their shouting and planted the Soldiers of greatest trust in every passage to prevent John from charging them unawares After this I exhorted the People to betake them to their Weapons to the end that if the Enemy should suddenly assail them Joseph objecteth treachery against the Ambassadors they might not be put into disorder This done I first of all began to rip up to Jonathan and his Followers what Letters they had written and how they had certified me that they were sent by the Inhabitants of Jerusalem to D make an end of those differences that were between me and John and how they had requir'd me to come unto them Afterwards in the sequel of my discourse I produc'd their Letters in open view to the end they might not deny any thing seeing themselves convicted by their own hand-writing and spake thus addressing my speech to Jonathan If being accused by John In the mouth of two or three witnesses consisteth truth I should produce two or three witnesses that were men of reputation to testifie the sincerity of my action is it not evident that you O Jonathan and you his Collegues could not but acknowledge mine innocency and acquit me of that whereof I am accused But to the intent you may know that I have faithfully governed the estate of Galilee I am not contented to produce three witnesses but I produce all these whom you see before you Enquire of them how I have lived and whether I have governed this Countrey in all honesty and justice I adjure E you all therefore who are my Fellows and Friends of Galilee that you hide nothing of the truth but that before these men as if they were Judges you declare if I have done any thing that is contrary to right After I had spoke after this manner The Galileans testimony of Joseph's good Government all of them with one accord called me their Benefactor and Defender and gave testimony of my forepassed Government and exhorted me to continue the same hereafter And all of them affirmed by Oath that I had carefully prevented lest any Woman should be violated Joseph openly readeth Jonathan's Epistles or any Man by my means drawn into any injury or inconvenience This done I publickly read the two Letters in the presence of all the Galileans which were taken from Jonathan's Messengers by those who were appointed by me to beset the ways and were by them sent to me which letters F were full of injuries and falshoods accusing me that I had behaved my self rather like a Tyrant than a Governor towards them besides that there were divers other things in them written and urged very falsly These Letters said I were voluntarily offered me by those that carried the same For I was unwilling that mine Adversaries should know that I had beset the wayes lest they should forbear to write hereafter The People having heard this The wrath and fury of the people against Jonathan and his Fâ—llow Ambassadors were displeased and animated against Jonathan and his Followers and press'd on to murther them as they bad surely done had I not pacified the displeasure of the Galileans As for the Ambassadors that accompanied Jonathan I told them all that I pardoned whatsoever was past provided they would change their demeanor and upon their return into their Countrey truly report unto those who had G sent them how all things had past under my Government This they promis'd and I dismissed them notwithstanding that I knew they would perform nothing of that which they had promised But the whole multitude continuing their fury against them desired me to give them leave to punish with all rigor those who had committed this H slanderous act But I laboured all I could to perswade them to lay no hands upon them knowing full well that whatsoever Mutiny it be it cannot but breed prejudice to the Commonweal This notwithstanding the multitude would by no means be satisfied Joseph pacifieth Sedition without bloodshed but all of them ran in crouds with great fury to the
and spoil their Countrey The Tiberians hearing these Allegations and supposing them true cryed out saying That it behoved them not in that manner to delay time but to go and succor their Countreymen invironed with great dangers Whereupon I answer'd That I was ready to obey them and promis'd to C march forth against the Enemy with all expedition Joseph discovereth the subtilty of the Ambassadors Now I knew well the pretence of Jonathan and declar'd my opinion that since those Letters said that the Romans gather'd head in divers places it was requisite to divide our Power into five Companies appointing every one of them a Chieftain over them each of the Ambassadors to command one For it is an honor for good Men not only to give counsel but also when need requireth to be first in action and it lay not in my power to lead any more than one Company This my advice was pleasing to all the People who presently constrain'd these Men to march out to the War Ananias one of the Ambassadors a wicked man whereby it came to pass that they were greatly confused to see that they could not finish that which they had imagined because I crossed all their Enterprizes Hereupon one of their Party call'd Ananias a wicked and subtle Man counselled D the People to celebrate a solemn Fast the next day and gave direction at the same hour that all of them should gather together in that place without Arms to testifie before God that without his succors and assistance they were able to do nothing He spake this not for any Piety that was in him but to the end to surprize both me and my Followers unarm'd To this advice of his I was constrain'd to condescend to the end it might appear that I contemned not that which had so great an appearance of Religion Jonathan writeth to John to come unto him As soon therefore as we retired every one to our several Lodgings Jonathan and his Collegues writ to John to resort unto them early in the Morning with his Men of War and all the Power he could make for that they might easily lay hands on me and accomplish that which they had so long time long'd for He receiving this Letter willingly E obey'd The next day I commanded two of my stoutest and faithfullest Soldiers to hide their short Swords under their Gowns and to attend me to the end that if in any sort we were assailed by the Enemy we might defend our selves I put on my Curets also and girt my Sword by my side in such sort as no Man might perceive the same and came with them to the place of Prayer But Jesus as soon as I was entred with my Friends having the guard of the gate would not permit the rest of my Followers to enter with me and as we were ready to begin our Prayers according to the custom of the Countrey Jesus rising up demanded of me What was become of the Houshold-stuff that was taken out of the King's Palace when it was burnt Jesus talks with Joseph and where the bullion of silver was and with whom I had left the same all which F he mention'd that he might delay the time till John's approach I answer'd That I had put the same into the hands of Capella and ten of the chief Nobility of Tiberias and willed him to ask them whether it Joseph's debate with Jesus for twenty pieces of gold were true that I spake He did so and they confessed that they had it But what said he is become of those twenty pieces of Gold that you receiv'd by the sale of a certain weight of massive silver I answer'd him That I had deliver'd the same to the Ambassadors to defray their charges in their Voyage towards Jerusalem Hereupon Jonathan and his Collegues said That I had done amiss in employing the Publick Treasure to the use of those Ambassadors The People being displeas'd with this Malice And when I saw that a Commotion was likely to arise I thought best to animate the People the more against them I said That if I had done amiss in furnishing the Ambassadors out of the common G stock they should need to take no further displeasure for that for said I I will repay those twenty pieces of Gold out of mine own Purse Hereupon the People were incensed the more against them because they manifestly discover'd what hatred they wrongfully bare H unto me Jesus fearing lest some Disturbance might arise commanded the People to depart The Peoples love to Joseph and onely the Council to stay for that it was unpossible to examine matters discreetly where so much trouble and turmoil was The People cryed out That they would not leave me alone among them Whereupon there came one to Jesus who secretly informed him that John with his armed Men was at hand Jonathan being unable to contain and conceal his joy and God so providing for the conservation of my life since otherwise Joseph almost suddenly surprized by the Enemy is delivered from peril John and his Followers had certainly destroy'd me Forbear said he ye Tiberians to enquire of the twenty pieces of Gold Joseph meriteth not punishment for this matter but because he affecteth the Tyranny and by his words hath deceived the People of Galilee and gotten the Sovereignty to himself As he spake these words he and those of his Faction I offer'd to lay hands on me intending to murther me But those two whom I had with me perceiving their intent drew their Swords threatning those who attempted to offer me violence The People likewise gather'd stones to cast at Jonathan and pull'd me away violently from mine Enemies As I was getting away I saw John coming with his Troops whereupon crossing down a private way that led me to the Lake I got into a Boat and went by water to Tarichea avoiding this danger beyond all hope There immediately I sent for the chiefest Men of Galilee and told them how contrary to all right Joseph certifieth the Galileans how trayterously Jonathan and the Tiberians had dealt with him I had almost been murther'd by Jonathan and the Tiberians The Galileans were highly incens'd against them and conjur'd me without delay to make War against them K or if I list not my self to suffer them with all expedition to cut off both John and Jonathan with all their Followers I restrain'd them the best I could and represented to them that it was best to expect till such time as we knew what News our Ambassadors that were gone to Jerusalem would bring To the end to do nothing without their approbation and consent and by these means I persuaded them But John seeing that at that time his design had no success return'd back again to Gischala Some few days after our Ambassadors return'd from Jerusalem and certifi'd us that the People of Jerusalem were much displeas'd with Ananus the High
it alwayes to be thought that God likewise is Further that when they should have perpetrated this fact they should alwayes have their consciences as an armed Adversary against them which never would forsake them That it was an H impious fact to kill a Man 's own Brother although he had done him injury and much more meritorious to forgive a Mans Friend that had offended against him Moreover he said that Joseph had done them no wrong whose tender years rather required care and compassion at their hands than hate and tyranny Besides that the cause of his slaughter would aggravate their offence if it should be known that for envy of his future felicity they should take away his life all which good hap they likewise might participate by reason of consanguinity and that it was their duty to think that whatsoever blessing God imparted to Joseph was theirs and that for that cause they were to consider that God would be more displeased against them if they should endeavour to deprive him of his life whom he had esteemed and adjudged worthy of prosperity to I come Reuben alledging these and many other things dissuaded and laboured to divert them from shedding their Brothers blood But seeing that all these his motives could in no sort mollifie them and that they hastened the rather to perpetrate the Murther he counselled them that at leastwise they should allot him some milder kind of death telling them that he endeavoured all what in him lay at the first to dissuade them But since it was throughly resolved among them that he should not live that less mischief should follow of it if they would be ruled by his counsel for by that means their will should have effect yet a more mild and less hurtful v. 29. Reuben persuadeth them to cast Joseph into a Pit in comparison of Murther that it were better for them to withhold their hands and keep them immaculate by casting him into the next Pit and there leaving him in the hands of death To this counsel all of them agreed So Reuben K took Joseph Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. and bound him with cords and let him down easily into a Pit which was dry which done he departed to seek out a more convenient place for pasture But when Reuben was gon Juda one of Jacob's Sons espying certain Merchants of Arabia of the Countrey of the Ishmalites v. 27. who from the Countrey of Galaad carried spicery and Syrian Merchandise into Egypt counselled his Brothers to draw up Joseph out of the Well Joseph by the counsel of Juda is sold to the Arabian Merchants and to sell him to those Arabians assuring them by that means it would come to pass that Joseph should die the farther off from them amongst Strangers and as touching themselves they should he exempt from that pollution Which counsel of his being commended by them all 29. Reuben by night cometh to the Pit they drew Joseph out of the Pit and sold him to the Arabians for the summe of twenty pieces of Silver at such time as he was seventeen years L of age Now had Reuben resolved in himself to save Joseph without his Brothers privity for which cause coming by night unto the Pit he called him with a loud voice and seeing that he gave him no answer he began to conjecture with himself that his Brethren had put him to death he reproved them therefore very bitterly but after they had told him what was become of him he gave over his mourning After these things were thus passed the Brethren consulted among themselves in what sort they might clear themselves from their Fathers suspicion 31. and concluded among themselves to tear the Coat wherewith Joseph was attired when he came to them and which they had taken from him when they cast him into the Well to the end that having stained it in the Blood of a Goat 32. Josephs Brothers persuaded his Father that he is devoured by Wild-Beasts they might afterwards carry it to their Father and shew it him to the end he M might suppose that Joseph was slain by wild Beasts Which done they came unto the old Man who had already heard something of Joseph's misfortunes and told him that they had not seen their Brother Joseph neither could they assure him what mishap had befaln him but that notwithstanding they had found his Coat all bloodied and torn which made them suspect 34. Jacob bewaileth Joseph for dead that he was slain by some wild Beasts if so be he were sent unto them attired in that Coat But Jacob that hitherto expected more gentle tidings supposing and hoping that Joseph had only been captive gave over this opinion and took the Coat for a most assured testimony of his Sons death for he knew that he was apparelled therewith at such time as he sent him to his Brothers for which cause he lamented Joseph from that N time forward as certainly dead And such was the grief of his heart that he received no consolation but suffered himself to be persuaded by the Brothers that Joseph was slain by Savage Beasts He therefore sate him down being clothed in Sackcloth and charged with sorrow 27 28. Joseph is sold in Egypt to Putiphar and neither could his Sons by their counsels mitigate his moans nor he himself remit the rigour of his lamentation Now Joseph was sold by the Merchants and bought by Putiphar an Egyptian Lord and steward of King Pharaohs houshold who held him in high estimation and trained him up in all liberal Sciences Gen 39. 7 9 10. suffering him to live not after a servile but liberal manner and committing unto his charge the care of his houshold all which favours he made use of Yet was he no wayes diverted by these his priviledges and promotions from his habitual O virtue testifying hereby that prudence doth not submit to adverse fortune if a Man use the same orderly and not at that time only when fortune fawneth and flattereth A It fortuned not long after Gen. 39. 7 9 10 that his Masters Wife fell in love with him both for his beauty Putiphars Wife soliciteth Joseph to lie with her and for his wit and diligence and she imagin'd that if she open'd her mind to him she might easily enjoy him and that he would esteem it a part of his felicity to be loved by his Mistriss All which she fancied having onely regard to that servile condition wherein at that present he was and not to his manners which continued always virtuous notwithstanding any change that could happen unto him So she discover'd to him her passion and desir'd him to grant her an amorous encounter but he refused her demand alledging that it was a most wicked requital towards his Master if it should come to pass that he who had bought him and so greatly honoured him should receive so great an iniury and
to plead their common cause We come not hither said he as Spies but dire Famine whose furie we seek to prevent hath compelled us to come into this Countrey hoping in your humanity who as we have heard have not only made offer of sale of Corn and means of sustenance to your own Citizens but also to all strangers That we are Brothers and born of the same Father our very countenances testifie in that they vary not very much the one from the other Our Father is called Jacob by Nation an Hebrew who begat us his twelve Sons on four Women N and while we were all living our affairs were fortunate and prosperous but since the death of one of us whose name was Joseph our domestic fortunes began to grow to ruine Our Father languisheth in continual lamentations and his Tears do no less afflict us than in times past the untimely death of our dearest Brother did affect us Now are we come to buy Corn having left in our Fathers custody the youngest of our Brothers called Benjamin That thus it is if thou please to send any one unto our house thou mayest be assured Thus spake Ruben both on his own and his Brothers behalf to remove Joseph's sinister opinion of them who knowing that both his Father and Brother were in health V. 17. commanded them to be shut in Prison under pretence to call them to further examination Joseph commandeth his Brothers to Prison at better leisure Some three days O after calling them before him he began thus Since saith he you protest that you came not hither into this Kingdom on purpose either to prejudice the King or work A Treasons towards the State and that you pretend your selves to be the Sons of one Father you shall induce me to beleive that your allegations be true if leaving some one with me as pledge of your loyalties who shall be well entertained you bear hence your desired Corn to your Father and return again unto me bringing with you your Brother whom as you say you left behind you for this shall be an Argument that you lye not Amazed at these words and supposing that their extreme calamity was at hand they lamented their misfortune oftentimes expostulating amongst themselves that God did now punish them for their cruelty towards Joseph But Reuben reprehended their too late and unprofitable repentance saying That those afflictions which God the just revenger of innocency had inflicted on his impious Brothers v. 21. ought B patiently to be born Josephs Brothers repent them of that evil they had done unto him After this manner spake they one unto another supposing that no Man was present who understood the Hebrew Tongue and they all lamented being inwardly touched with the words of Reuben and condemned their perpetrated wickedness for which at that time they thought that God did most justly punish them Joseph beholding them in this perplexity and unable to dissemble any longer his Brotherly love by reason the Teares already began to burst out of his eyes which at that time he desired to conceal v. 24. departed from among them Not long after Joseph sendeth away his Brothers and onely retaineth Simeon returning again unto them he retained Simeon with him to be in the mean time as a pledge until their return and giving them licence to buy their Corn he commanded them to depart giving withall a speciall commandement to one C of his Servants that the Money which they had brought to buy Corn should secretly be shut up in their Sacks and they permitted to depart all which his Servant performed But Jacobs Sons returning into Canaan told their Father all that had hapned unto them in Egypt and how they were taken for Spies and Traitors to that Countrey and that when they protested that they were all Brethren and that the eleventh was left at home with their Father the Governour would not believe them Moreover that Simeon was left pledge with the Governour v. 36. until Benjamin should come thither to give testimony of their truth Jacob is sore grieved for Simeons absence and because Benjamin should depart from him whereupon they desired their Father without fear or sinister conceit to send their younger Brother with them But Jacob was displeased with that which his Sons had done and whereas he was not a little grieved that Simeon was left behind he D thought it worse then death also to be deprived of Benjamin and neither could Reuben with his Prayers offering his Sons for pledges that if any sinister fortune should fall upon Benjamin by the way Gen. 42. 1. ad 10. the Grandfather might revenge it on his Childeren persuade Jacob to yield consent but they uncertain what to do were more and more terrified Jacobs Sons but in especial Juda urge their Father to send Benjamin with them in that they found their Money inclosed in their Sacks of Corn. Now when Corn began already to fail them Jacob being compelled by force of Famine deliberated to send Benjamin with his other Brothers for they dar'd not return into Egypt without him And when necessity pressed them daily more and more and his Sons ceased not instantly to call upon him yet was he still doubtful and unresolved till at last Juda a Man vehement by nature began more freely to tell his Father that he was too E careful of his Brother Benjamin to whom nothing could happen without the will of God whither abroad or at home and that without this superfluous care of his Son Benjamin endangered his own and all their lives which could not subsist but by the relief which was to be had out of Pharaohs Countrey that he ought also to have care of the life of Simeon lest whilest he delayed to send Benjamin on the journey Simeon in the mean time should be slain by the Egyptians Moreover he exhorted him to commit the care of his Son to God v. 11 ad 14. promising to bring him back again in safety or else to die together with him Jacob sendeth his â—ons with presents into Egypt and proposing that certain Fruits of Canaan as Balm Stacte Terebinth and Honey should be sent as Presents to Joseph together with the double price of their Corn. Thus shedding Tears on both sides they depart from their Father F leaving him miserably tormented for the health of his Sons and contrariwise suspecting with themselves lest through his absence their Father should dye with sorow And so travelling into Egypt they mitigated their present grief with the hope of better fortune No sooner were they arrived there but they repaired unto Joseph being sore afraid lest it should be laid to their charge that by fraud and deceit they had carried away with them the price of their former Corn which presently before Joseph's steward vers 16. they carefully excused Jacobs Sons arrive in Egypt and Simeon is set
would subdue him and turn his terror to contempt and so much the more should the glory of his Army be enhaunced that so great and expert a Man at Arms should be subdued by a young unexperienced Soldier Saul admir'd G his hardiness and great courage yet by reason of his years told him That he was too feeble to encounter a Man so expert in feaâ—â— of Arms. David answer'd That which I promise you my Sovereign is â—pon the assurance that I have in God which heretofore I have proved by the succor which I have received at his hands For whil'st I fed my Fathers Flocks I H rescued a Lamb that was ravished out of my Fold out of a Lyons jaws and catching the wild Beast by the tail that with open mouth assaulted and sought to devour me I beat him to the ground and slew him With no less success I slew a Bear that set upon my Flock and I do not believe that this Philistine is more terrible than Lyons or Bears But that which gives me most assurance is that I cannot but think that his slanderous railings both against God Ver. 34 35 36. and Men David redeemed a Lamb from the jaws of a Lyon and slew him cannot longer escape the Divine arm of Justice which he so wickedly provoketh And for these Reasons I dare assure my self that he will assist me to tame his pride and to overcome him So much prevailed this extraordinary hardiness of the young Man that the King imploring I Gods assistance to second his courage David killed a Bear furnish'd him with his own Armor a Sword and a Helmet Ver. 38 39 40. and sent him forth to the Combat But David feeling the weight of his Armor David laying aside those Arms wherewith he was furnished to fight with Goliath marcheth forward with his sling against the Enemy and finding himself rather loaden than advantag'd by it said to the King These Arms Sir are proper for your Majesty who are able to make so good use of them but not for me wherefore I beseech you to leave me at liberty to fight as I please Saul granted his desire and he putting off his Armor took a staff in his hand and five stones which he gather'd on the bank of the Torrent and put into his Scrip his sling he bore in his right hand and being thus armed he marched forward to encounter his Enemy When the Barbarian saw him thus furnished he so much contemned him that in way of scorn he ask'd him Ver. 41 ad 47. Whether he thought him a Dog that he thus came forth to fight with him onely with stones David drawing near his Enemy is contemned Nay said David I esteem thee worser than a Dog These words so incensed K Goliath that he swore by his God That he would tear his Carkass in a thousand pieces and give them to the Beasts of the Field Davids talk with Goliath before the Combat and the Birds of the Air. But David answer'd Thou comest against me with thy Sword thy Javelin and Cuiress but I march out against thee trusting in the power of God who will destroy thee by my hand and with thee thy whole Army for this day will I take thy head from thy shoulders and cast the rest of thy body to the Dogs whom by thy rage thou resemblest and all Men shall know that God protects the Hebrews that his Providence conducts them that his help renders them invincible and that no strength nor arms can keep them from perishing whom he abandons The weight of the Philistines arms hindred him from marching readily so that he walkt step by step towards David contemning him and trusting to kill him easily both for that he was disarmed L and because he was young and of small stature CHAP. XI The single Combat betwixt David and Goliath and the slaughter of the Philistines that follow'd it DAvid advanc'd boldly against Goliath being assisted in an invisible manner by God and drawing one of the stones out of his Scrip Ver. 49 50 51. and fitting it to his Sling Davids victory against Goliath he threw it against Goliath which gave him such a stroke on the Forehead that it pierced him to the very Brain The Philistines flie and are discomfited so that he fell down suddenly dead and David running upon M him as he lay sprawling on the earth cut off his Head with his own Sword for he himself had none As soon as he was strucken down terror and confusion fell upon all the Army of the Philistines for seeing the most esteemed Warrior amongst them overthrown and slain they began to fear the issue of their Battel and resolved to flie which they did in great disorder and confusion hoping by that means to deliver themselves out of danger Ver. 52 53. But Saul and the whole Army of the Hebrews pursu'd them with great shouts and cries 30000 of the Philistines slain and in the pursuit made a great slaughter of them and drove them to the borders of Gath and even to the gates of Ascalon In this Battel there dyed on the Philistines side above Thirty thousand and the hurt and wounded were N twice as many Saul returning back to the Camp pillaged and burnt their Tents but David bore Goliaths head to his Pavilion 1 Sam. 18. 6 ad 9. and hung his Sword in the Tabernacle and consecrated the same to God But Saul afterward conceived a secret hatred against David upon this occasion Saul privily hateth David As he returned triumphant like a Conqueror with his Army the Women and Maidens singing and dancing to their Cymbals and Tymbrels in way of honour Saul from one of his chief Nobles maketh David a tribune to the end that being often drawn out by the enemy he might be slain came out to meet him the Women sung that Saul had slain thousands of the Philistines and the Virgins answer'd that David had slain Ten thousands which when Saul understood and saw that barely thousands were ascrib'd to him and Ten thousands to David he thought that after so glorious Acclamations there wanted nothing to David but the name of King For which cause he began to fear and suspect him and by O reason of this fear he thought he was too near his own person and therefore from being one of the chiefest in authority about him which was to be one of his chief Commanders A and guard he made him Captain over a 1000 rather respecting his own security than Davids honor to the intent that being often engag'd in encounters with the Enemye he might perish by some disaster or other But David having in all places the assistance of Almighty God returned alwayes with good success so that his extraordinary Valor acquir'd him an universal esteem and Michol Sauls Daughter that was about that time marriageable Ver. 17 ad 26. began to
suffering great Travels and after they had once more renewed the oath of mutual Amity and Faith between them for all the time of their lives calling God to witness with imprecations against him that should fail therein Jonathan left David somewhat eased in heart and disburthened of his fear and returned to his own home But the Ziphians to gratifie Saul told him v. 19. that David was amongst them and promised to deliver him prisoner into his hands The Ziphians certifie Saul of Davids abode in their Countrey if so be he would come out against him for if he would seize all the straights of the Countrey it should be impossible for him to flie into D any other place The King praised their fidelity and promised them to require it and to remunerate them shortly for this their good affection and withall sent out certain men to seek out David and to break over the Forest promising them that shortly he would follow after them Thus did the Governours and Princes of the Ziphians offer themselves to the King to search out and apprehend him expressing their affection therein not only in outward shew but also with their whole power labouring what they might that surprizing him they might deliver him into the Kings hands But their unjust desire had as unfortunate success wicked people as they were who being to incur no peril by concealing him from pursuit promised to betray him into the Kings hands through adulation and avarice v. 26. a man that was both vertous and wrongfully persecuted E to death by his Enemies David hearing of the Kings coming flieth to save himself For David being informed of their malice and of the Kings approach quitted those narrow straights wherein he then encamped and escaped to a certain Rock sâ—ituate in the Desart of Simon Saul continued to pursue him and knowing by the way that he had overcome the straights he came to the other side of the Rock where David had surely been taken had not the King been revoked by tidings which assured him that the Philistines had forcibly entred and spoyled his Kingdom v. 27 28. For he thought it more conveninet to revenge himself on those his publick and open Enemies Saul pursueth David and having circumvented him had taken him had not he received news that revoked him and to give succor to his Countrey and people being ready to be spoiled and wasted than out of desire to lay hands on a private Enemy to betray both his Countrey and Subjects to their Swords and thus was David saved beyond all expectation and F he retired himself to the straights of Engaddi But after Saul had repelled the Philistines certain news was brought him that David was in the straights of Engaddi whereupon presently taking with him three thousand of the choicest men in all his Army he led them speedily to the forenamed place and being not far from thence he perceived near the high way a deep and large Cave where David with his four hundred men were hid and he descended alone into the Cave to disburthen the necessities of nature This was presently discovered by one of Davids followers who told him that God had presented him a fit opportunity to revenge him on his Enemy 1 Sam. 24 5. and counselled him to cut off Sauls head David cut off the lap of Sauls Garment and to discharge himself thereby of further trouble But David arising and finding him out only cut off the lap of the vesture wherewith Saul was attired and presently G thereupon repented himself saying that it were a wicked deed in him to kill his Lord whom God by Election had raised to the estate of Majesty and Empire For said he although he be unjust toward me yet ought I not to be injurious towards him who is my Lord. But when Saul was gon out of the Cave David followed him and cryed with a loud H voice beseeching Saul to give him audience Saul turning back to him David cast himself prostrate at his feet according to the custome and spake after this manner How unworthy is it for thee O King that opening thy ears to scandalous backbiters and giving trust and credit to vain and loose men thou suspectest thy most faithfull friends whom thou rather oughtest to judge by their sincere and upright actions for words may be either false or true but the mind can be descovered by no more apparent arguments than by mens actions as at this present thou mayest judge David upbraideth Saul for his subtilities to seek his death who was innocent whether thou hast raishly believed them that make me guilty before thy Majesty of that crime that was never yet so much as in my thought and who have so much exasperated thee against me that day and night thou thinkest on nothing more than my destruction Seest thou not now how vain thy opinion is whereby they persuade thee that I I am an Enemy of thy house and earnestly desirous of thy death Or with what eyes thinkest thou doth God behold thy cruelty who seekest the death of him who having an opportunity offered him to be revenged on thee spareth thy life whose life were it in thy hands were assuredly lost For as easily might I have cut off thy head as this lap of thy garment and therewithall in confirmation of his words he shewed it him yet did I forbear this just revenge But God shall bear witness hereof and shall condemn him of us two that shall be found the most culpable Saul amazed to see how strangely his life had been preserved and to consider the vertue and generosity of David v. 10 ad 17. began to weep and David wept also but Saul said that he had greater cause to lament than he Saul acknowledged his malice and Davids innocency and requesteth him that when he hath obtained the Kingdom he would be favourable to his Family For said he by thy means have I received many benefits and thou at my hands hast been repayed with infinite K injuries This day hast thou testified that thou retainest the ancient justice of our ancestors who instead of taking away the lives of their Enemies when they found them at advantage accounted it glorious to spare them Now I no longer doubt that God hath reserved the Kingdom for thee and that the Empire of all the Hebrews attendeth thee Assure thou me therefore by an oath that thou wilt not exterminate my Race or remember those injuries that I have done unto thee but that sparing my posterity thou wilt keep them under thy protection David sware to him according as he had required and suffered him to return into his Realm and both he and his companies retired themselves to the straights of Maspha About the same time died Samuel the Prophet a man who for his merit was in great estimation amongst the Hebrews Samuels death and burial the testimony of L
unfeigned Friend whom when he beheld with his Garments rent with ashes on his Head and lamenting the unhappy change which he beheld David comforted him and exhorted him O not to be discouraged and besought him to return unto Absalom under colour that he had forsaken his part where diligently prying into his secrets he might oppose himself A against Achitophels counsels The year of the World 2920. before Christ's Nativity 1044. because he could not do him so considerable service in attending on him as he might in staying with Absalon Chusai being after this manner persuaded by David returned back to Jerusalem where presently after he met with Absalon who repaired thither In the mean time David marching onward a little further chanced to meet with Siba Mephibosheths Servant and Purveyor of all those Goods which David had given him 2 Sam. 16. 1 ad 5. for he was Jonathans Son who was the Son of Saul This Man drave before him two Asses loaden with Victuals which he presented to David and his company Siba accusing his master wrongfully is made owner of his riches to refresh themselves and being demanded Where he had left Mephibosheth In Jerusalem said he where he expecteth to be chosen King through the occasion of those troubles that have hapned and in memory of the benefits that divers men had B received at Sauls hands David displeased with this false report gave Siba all those riches which he had confer'd upon Mephibosheth in times past judging him more worthy of the same than Mephibosheth Wherewith Siba was very well contented When David drew near unto a place which is called Bachor Ver. 5 ad 9. a Kinsman of Sauls Simei's reviling of David called Simei the Son of Gera came out against him and cast stones at him and reviled him and the more Davids friends invironed and defended him the more obstinately persevered he in his reproofs and scandalous railings calling him Murtherer and Captain of the wicked charging him like an execrable Man to get him out of the Kingdom giving God thanks for that he had deprived him of his Kingdom by the means of his own son as a punishment for those Crimes which he had committed against his own Master C This his licentiousness moved all Davids followers to displeasure so that all of them were ready to revenge them on Simei and amongst the rest Abisai would have slain him Ver. 9 ad 15. but David would not permit him but commanded him to forbear For fear said he least to our present miseries we annex a further and new occasion David forbiddeth to kill Simei Forasmuch as concerneth my self I set light by this mad Dog and refer the matter to God who hath permitted him to be thus desperately bent against us Neither is it to be wondred at that I suffer my self to be thus abused by him sith mine own son is so wicked that he dareth openly declare himself my mortal enemy but God through his goodness will at length look upon us with an eye of mercy and his justice will certainly confound all those that have conspired to my ruine He therefore walked onward on his way not caring what Simei said who ran on the other side D of the Mountain railing and reviling him When David was arrived on the bank of Jordan he mustered and refreshed his Army who were wearied with their march mean while Absalon entring Jerusalem with Achitophel his Counseller Ver. 16 17 18. was saluted and applauded by the concourse of the people Chusai under a colour offereth his service to Absalon and amongst the rest Davids friend came unto him who prostrated himself before Absalons feet wishing him a long and happy Reign Absalon asked how it came to pass that he who was reputed to be one of Davids most intimate friends and esteemed alwayes to be most loyal and faithful unto him should at that time when occasion served to express his loyalty abandon him and submit himself to his enemy To whom Chusai answered readily That it became him to follow God and the good will of the people E Since therefore said he my Sovereign that both these are on your side it concerneth me to follow you because you have received the Kingdom from God If therefore you shall think fit to account me amongst your friends I will approve unto you my loyalty and affection in like manner as to your knowledge I have done unto your father who ought not to be displeased at that which hath hapned since the Kingdom is not removed into another house but remaineth in his own family because he who was his son received the same By these words he reconciled himself to Absalom Ver. 20 21 22. and removed all suspition Hereupon Achitophel was sent for to consult about their affairs in hand Achitophel persuadeth Absalon to lie with his fathers concubines who advised him to abuse all his fathers Concubines and make them his own For said he from that time forward the people will believe that you and he will never he reconciled and will be more ready to bear Arms and oppose your father F for your sake For hitherto said he they have unwillingly professed themselves to be his Enemies suspecting least a peace should be concluded betwixt the father and the son Absalom giving heed to this advice caused a Tent or Royal Pavilion to be pitched in the sight of all the people whereinto he entred and enjoyed his fathers Concubines And thus was accomplished what was foretold by Nathan the Prophet CHAP. IX Absalon's War against his Father 2 Sam. 17. 1. ad 14. his death and the discomfiture of his Army G WHen Absalon had done that which Achitophel had advis'd him Achitophels counsel persuading Absalon to pursue David he requested him once more to counsel him concerning that War which he had undertaken against his Father Chusai's opposition who required 10000 chosen Men by whose assistance he promised to kill David and to bring all that were with him under his subjection assuring him that Absalon's Kingdom would be then established The year of the World 2816 before Christ's Nativity 1040. when Davids head was cut off from his H shoulders This counsel pleased Absalon whereupon he sent for Chusai who was the chiefest amongst Davids friends for so David himself had termed him to whom he discovered the advice which Achitophel had given him and required him to give his opinion what he thought thereof who knowing very well that if Achitophels counsel were followed David would be in danger to be surprized and slain enforced all his arguments and counsels to the contrary For said he Sir you are sufficiently informed both what your Fathers valor is and their virtue that accompany him who hath fought many Battels and hath returned victorious over all his enemies It is not to be doubted but that he is at this present encamped in
of Gods Oracles containeth an Italian bushel and an half But the Captain of the third part of the Army The punishment of Incredulity was he onely that enjoyed no part of this benefit for being appointed by the King to have the keeping of the gate and to restrain the multitude from headlong pressing out for fear lest thrusting one another some of them should be trodden under foot and slain he himself was trodden upon and slain according E as the Prophet had foretold for that he onely amongst the rest would not give credit to that which he had said touching the great abundance of victuals that they should enjoy When Adad King of the Syrians was safely returned to Damascus and knew that God had suffered such a confusion and fear to fall both on him and his Army 2 Kiâ—gs 8. 7. and that it had not hapned by reason that the Enemy sallied out upon him he was much discouraged to see that God was so displeased with him and through anguish and agony of mind fell sick and for that at that very time Elizeus was come unto Damascus Adad being informed thereof sent Azael who was one of his most trusty servants unto him to present him and consult with him concerning his sickness whether he should recover or F no Hereupon Azael loaded 40 Camels with the fairest and most honourable Presents Ver. 8 9. that either Damascus Elizâ—us is sent unto by Adad to enquire counsel of him aâ— touching his sickness or the Princes Royal Court afforded and repairing to Elizeus saluted him very courteously telling him That he was sent unto him by King Adad to present him and to ask counsel of him touching his malady Whether he should recover The Prophet told him That he should certainly dye but advised him not to carry the King any tydings thereof Azael hearing thereof was much grieved and Elizeus himself began to weep so that the tears fell from his eyes abundantly Ver. 11 12 13. in that he foresaw how many evils the People should suffer after the decease of Adad The Prophesie of Adads death and Azaels government And when Azael demanded him the cause wherefore he was so discomforted I weep said he for the compassion that I have of the People of Israel by reason of those calamities which they shall endure by thy means For thou G shalt kill the better sort of them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. and shalt burn their strongest Cities thou shalt murther their Infants and dash them against the stones and shalt open the Womens wombs that are with child H Azael answered The year of the World 3207. before Christ's Nativity 757. What force is there in me to execute these things Elizeus said unto him That God had certified him that he should be King of Syria When Azael was returned back unto Adad he signified nothing unto him but glad tydings touching his sickness but the next day he cast a wet cloth upon him and strangled him and seized the kingdom into his own hands This Prince was a man fit for government and well-beloved among the Syrians Ver. 18. and common People of Damascus who even until this day honour Adad and Azael his Successor as gods Joram's impiety by reason of their benefits and those Temples which were built by them which adorn the City of Damascus For every day do they celebrate feasts in memory of these Kings and honour of them by reason of their antiquity not knowing that they were modern and such as reigned not past 1100 years since But Joram I King of Israel hearing of the death of Adad began to give over his fear and cast off that suspition which he had conceived of him rejoycing that yet at last he might have liberty to live in peace The other Joram King of Jerusalem for he likewise was so called as we have heretofore declared by murthering of his brethren and his fathers friends who were Governors obtained the Kingdom and became so wicked and impious as he differed in nothing from the Kings of Israel who transgressed the first laws and ordinances of the Hebrews and perverted the service of God For Athalia Achabs daughter his Wife taught him to execute divers mischiefs and amongst the rest to adore strange gods This notwithstanding God would not altogether abolish his race by reason of his promise made unto David yet he omitted not daily to introduce new K impieties The Idumaeâ—ans revolt and corrupt the ancient laws of his forefathers Mean-while it came to pass that the Idumaeans revolted Ver. 22 and slew their King who had been before-time subject unto Jehoshaphat Jorams father and in his place established another to their own liking For which cause Joram invaded Idumaea by Night with his Horses and Chariots and spoiled the Countrey round about his Kingdom without passing any further yet profited he nothing in so doing for all of them revolted from him and amongst the rest the Inhabitants of the Countrey of Labia But so great was the fury of this Man that he constrained the People to ascend the high mountains 2 Chroâ— 21. 12. and adore strange gods Yet whil'st he behav'd himself in this manner Joram's wickedness reproved by Elias'â— Letters and utterly rooted out of his thoughts the laws of his forefathers there was a Letter brought unto him from the Prophet Elias which certified L him that God would do justice upon him because he had forsaken the wayes of his forefathers and followed the impieties of the Kings of Israel constraining the Tribe of Juda and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem to forsake the service of their God to serve Idols as Achab had constrained the Israelites to do Furthermore because he had murthered his brethren and slain upright and virtuous men The Prophet likewise certifi'd him by Letters what punishment he should suffer namely the ruine of his People the death of his Wives and Children and lastly his own death which should happen unto him by a sickness in his belly wherewith he should be so tormented that his intrails strangly rotting within him should drop out and that he himself should see his misery which should be such as neither might be recover'd by medicine or should ever leave him until M he had finished his days These things did Elias denounce unto him by his Letters CHAP. III. Joram's Army is discomfited all his sons are slain except one and himself finally dyeth a miserable death NOT long after The expedition of the Arabians against Joram the Arabians that dwell towards Ethiopia confederating themselves with other Barbarians invaded Joram's Countrey and spoiled the same and ran-sacked the Kings House and slew his Sons and Daughters and left him but one onely Son called Ochozias 2 Chron. 21. 16 17 18. who escaped from his Enemies hands After this adversity he himself was strucken with a long sickness according
depart out of this life and leave a lawful heir behind him When the Prophet according as he was commanded had brought these tydings to the King he doubted both the unexpected messenger and the mightiness of his disease for which cause he required some prodigious sign at Esaias's hands to the intent that he might certainly believe that he was sent as a messenger from God unto him for the truth of those things which either exceed our hope or reason are wont to be confirmed by these means Whereupon Esay asked him what sign he required and it should be given him He answered that he desired to see the shadow of the Sun go back ten degrees upon his Quadrant On this occasion the Prophet besought God that it would please him to confirm the King by this miracle Ver. 14 15. who seeing that which he desired was L suddenly delivered from his sickness The Assyrian Monarchy destroyed and went up into the Temple to worship and praise God At that time it hapned that the Monarchy of the Assyrians was destroyed by the Medes The Embassage of the King of Babylon to Ezechias whereof I will speak in another place Not long after Balad King of Babylon sent an Ambassador to Ezekias with Presents calling him his ally and friend who receiving his messengers he feasted them and shewed them his treasures his arsenal and all other magnificence that he had of gold and precious stones and after he had given them Presents for Balad he dismissed them Whereupon the Prophet Esay came unto him asking him from whence those Ambassadors came To whom Ezechias answered That they were of Babylon and came unto him from their King telling the Prophet how he had shewed them all that which he had to the end that having seen and observed his M riches and power Ver. 16 17 18. they might afterwards certifie the King thereof The captivity of Babylon foreprophesied by Esay Whereunto the Prophet replied saying Know thou that within a little time thy riches shall be transported into Babylon and thy children shall be made Eunuchs and being no more men shall be slaves unto the King of Babylon All which God gave him to understand before it hapned Ezechias was troubled to hear these tydings saying That he desired that his people might not fall into those miseries but since it was impossible to change the Decree of God he required that he might have peace during his life-time Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. Of this Balad King of Babylon Berosus maketh mention This Prophet truly divine and admirable for the verity of his Prophesies is accounted to have spoken nothing that was untrue but to have left in writing all that which he prophesied the truth whereof hath afterwards in effect appeared to posterity N Neither did he alone perform thus much Ver. â—â— but besides him twelve others have done the like 2 Chr. 32. 33. and all that which is hapned unto us Ezekias death either good or evil hath fallen out truly according to their Prophecies But hereafter we will speak of every one of them Now when Ezechias had lived his prefixed time according as we have before related and governed his kingdom in peace he died when he was 54 years old and in the 29 year of his Reign CHAP. III. The Kings of Chaldaea and Babylon war against Manasses and take him Prisoner O HIS son Manasses the son of Achiba a Woman born in Jerusalem succeeded him in the Kingdom This Man forsook his fathers wayes and abandoned himself to all manner of viciousness and debauchery but addicting himself to all the iniquities of the Israelites The year of the World 3147. before Christ's Nativity 717. who were destroyed because of their heinous sins committed against A God He was so impudent as he spared not to pollute the very Temple of God the City and the whole Countrey and being no longer to be restrain'd by any fear of the just vengeance of God he barbarously put to death many good and virtuous Men and spared not the very Prophets so that Jerusalem was overflown with blood For which cause God being provoked unto wrath by his heinous offences 2 Kings 21. 1 c. sent divers Prophets 2 Chron. 33. 1. ad 10. the one after the other both to the King and the people by whom he threatned to inflict the same calamities upon them Manasses impiety and cruelty which for contempt of Religion the Israelites their Brethren had a little before suffered But they not giving heed to their Predictions whose admonitions had they resepcted they might have prevented their imminent evils at length experimented the truth thereof Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. alias cap. 4. For whereas they persevered in their B accustomed and dissolute manners God stirred up the King of Chaldaea and Babylon against them who sending their Armies into Judaea and spoiling the whole Region at length surprized and led away Manasses Prisoner and made him liable to what punishment it should please them to inflict 2 Chron. 33. Then this miserable Prince taught by his own experience acknowledged his sin A v. 1. ad 13. and humbly besought God to have compassion on him His prayer was heard Manasses surprized and led Prisoner into Babylon and after his repentance restored to his kingdom and after some space of time the Babylonian sending him home restored him to his former government As soon as he was returned back to Jerusalem he made it appear by the change of his life that his repentance was sincere and endeavoured nothing more than to abolish the memory of his former actions and employed his whole care to establish the service of God He purged the Temple also and cleansed C the City Ver. 14 15 16. and from that time forward he addicted himself wholly to think how he might give God thanks Manasses purifieth the City and consecrateth the Temple again for that he had thus delivered him from ruine and how he might pass all the remnant of his life in his favour He taught the People likewise to do the like telling them what miseries they had endured within a few years because they had demeaned themselves impiously He repaired the Altar also and according to Moses Prescript Manasses death offered thereon solemn Sacrifices and after that he had provided those things that concerned the service of God 2 King 21. 18. he took care likewise for the security of the City of Jerusalem 2 Chr. 33. 2â— and repaired the old and ruined walls Amos King of Juda a wicked Prince and built some anew for the enlarging of the City he erected high Towers likewise furnishing the same with munition and victual sufficient for a City of defence And so much was he changed during D the rest of his life 2 Kings 22. 1. ad 8. that he was held most
that the Princes and Governours had concluded together to this effect that for 30 days space an intermission should be granted to the people during which time it was neither lawful for them to demand any thing neither of himself or of any man or God whatsoever and if any man should attempt any thing against this common decree it was ordered that he should be cast into the Lions Den. But the King not perceiving the drift of their malice nor how they sought by this device to entrap Daniel told them that he liked of the decree and promised to confirm the same and made a publick Edict wherein the Princes C resolutions were ratified Now whilest all men endeavoured through fear carefully and diligently to observe this Edict Daniel set light thereby and according to his accustomed manner standing in all mens sight he worshiped his God and prayed unto him Whereupon the Princes having got that occasion which they long expected came readily unto the King and accused Daniel for that he onely amongst the rest had presumed to infringe their Decree urging moreover that he did it not for his Religion sake but in contempt of the Kings Edict And because they feared lest Darius by reason of the great affection he bare unto Daniel should be ready to pardon him notwithstanding he had transgressed their Edict they pressed him earnestly to inflict the punishment which was threatened by the Law and to cast him into the Lions Den according to the D form of the Edict Darius hoping that God would deliver Daniel and that no harm should befall him by the jaws of wild Beasts v. 16. exhorted him patiently to endure that Trial. Daniel cast into the Lions Den. Now as soon as he was cast into the Den the King sealed up the Stone that closed the mouth thereof and departed spending all that night without repast or repose so much was he concerned in Daniels behalf And when the day was come as soon as he arose he came unto the Den and finding the Seal unbroken wherewith he had marked the Stone he opened the same and called unto Daniel with a loud voice asking him if he were in safety He hearing the King speak answered that he had received no hurt Whereupon Darius commanded that they should draw him out of the Lions Den. His adversaries perceiving that Daniel had escaped without harm because that God had taken E care of him would not that he should escape and thereupon told the King that the Lions did neither touch nor approach Daniel because they had been fed and gorged before For which cause the King displeased with their injurious malice commanded a quantity of flesh to be cast unto the Lions and when they were glutted he commanded that Daniels enemies should be cast among them Daniels enemies rent in pieces by the Lions to the intent he might know whether the Lions would touch them or no when they were gorged At which time Darius saw very manifestly v. 24. ad finem that God had by his power protected Daniel from death For as soon as the Nobles were cast into the Den the Lions spared not one of them but tore them all in pieces as if they had been hungry and without meat I suppose that these Lions having been a little before glutted with meat did not slay these men to satisfy their hunger but I rather F judge that their crimes provoked the rage and fury of the Beasts for when God pleaseth he maketh even unreasonable creatures to execute his vengeance against wicked men Daniels adversaries being thus destroyed Darius gave notice hereof to all the Subjects of his Provinces praising that God whom Daniel had adored saying that he was the only true God who had all power he honoured Daniel likewise with especial regard esteeming him amongst the chiefest of his Familiars He therefore being thus renowned because he was beloved by God built in Ecbatane in the Countrey of the Medes a magnificent Castle and a marvellous Monument that remaineth even unto this day which seemeth to those that look thereon that it is but newly built and made but that very day which they behold the same the Beauty G thereof seemeth so lively and perfect as that continuance of time doth in no sort deface it For it fareth with Buildings as with Men they wax old and are infeebled by years and lose their Beauty At this day all the Kings of Media H Persia and Parthia are entombed in this Castle and the charge thereof is committed to a Priest who is a Jew and this custome continueth even until this day Neither is that to be buried in silence which is worthy especial admiration in this man For all felicity that could be expected by a famous Prophet attended him and during his whole life-time Daniels Prophecies he was both most highly honoured by Kings and reverenced by the common sort and after his death his memory is immortal For all the Books which he left in writing are read amongst us even at this present and we have been perswaded by the reading thereof that Daniel had conference with God For he hath not only Prophecied of things to come as other Prophets have done but also hath determined the time wherein those things should happen And whereas other Prophets were I accustomed to foretell adversities and for that occasion were misliked both by Princes and their People Daniel foretold them always good successes so that he hath drawn unto him the good will of all men by reason of those pleasing Predictions that he pronounced and by the issues thereof he hath obtained a testimony of Truth and a reputation to have had in time a Spirit that was truly Divine and hath left us certain Writings by which he hath manifestly declared the immutability and exact certainty of his Prophecies It is said that being at Susa the Metropolitan City of Persia at such time as he walked abroad attended by his Familiars that there happened an Earthquake with a great noise so that he was left alone and all his companions fled from him And that K thereupon being sore troubled he fell upon his Face and both his Hands at which time some one touched him and commanded him to stand up and to see that which should happen to his Countrey-men after divers ages Dan. 7. 3. ad 27. Being therefore raised upright there was a great Ram shewed unto him Daniels Vision of the Ram and Goat by whom the Kings of Media and Persia were prefigured that had divers Horns the last whereof was the greatest of all Afterwards he looked towards the West and perceived a Goat carried thorow the Air that butted at the Ram and having encountred him twice had beaten and trampled him under his Feet Thirdly he saw a Goat in whose forehead there grew one great Horn onely which being broken four others brake out instead thereof bending each of them towards
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
he wept with all those that accompanied him And having chosen out certain of his best Soldiers he commanded them to assault the Garison that were in the Fortress whiles he himself purged the Temple Which command of his being exactly and resolutely fulfilled he sent for new Vessels a Candlestick a Table an Altar of Incense all made of Gold He put also veils or hangings to the doors accustomed to be spread abroad and made Gates to the Temple And having thrown down the Altar of burnt-offerings which had been prophaned by Antiochus he built a new one of all sorts of stones neither hewen nor hammered according to art The 25 day of the month of Chasleu with us September there were lights set upon the Candlesticks and perfumes F laid upon the Altar and loaves upon the Table and sacrifices offer'd upon the new Altar The Temple left desolate for 3 whole years space All which hapned the same day three years wherein the sacred Religion was changed into prophaness and impiety For the Temple was ruinated and left desolate by Antiochus and remained in that state for the space of three whole years For this desolation hapned in the 145th year 〈…〉 and the 25th day of the month call'd Apellaeus or August in the 153 Olympiad and the Temple was purified the same day in the year 148 and the 154 Olympiad This desolation of the Temple hapned according as Daniel had foretold four hundred and eight years before for he declared that the Macedonians should destroy it After that Judas had re-establish'd the service of the Temple 〈…〉 both he and his Countreymen G solemniz'd a feast for eight dayes omitting not any kind of lawful pleasure banquetting sumptuously and honouring God in Hymns and Psalms Thus rejoyced they H at this re-establishment The year of the World 3801. before Christ's Nativity 163. seeing that contrary to all hope after so long time they had recover'd the customs of their Countrey and their ancient Religion so that a Decree was made for those that should come after whereby it was commanded That for the space of eight dayes the rebuilding of the Temple should be solemnized with the ceremonies and ancient ordinances And ever since that time until this day we celebrate this feast called the Feast of Lights for this reason in my opinion because this so great felicity began to shine unto us as a light contrary to all hope He inclosed the City likewise with a wall and built high Towers thereon in which he placed Garisons against the incursions of the enemies He fortified the City of Bethsura also that it might serve as a Fort against the enemy I Whil'st these things passed thus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. the Nations round about displeased with the re-establishment and power of the Jews Machab. 5. slew divers of them whom they surprized by ambushes and treachery Judas maketh continual War with the neighbouring Nations On those Judas made continual War to hinder their incursions and to make them partakers of those evils they had inflicted upon the Jews So that invading Acrabathan he slew the Idumaeans that were descended from Esau and brought away a great prey out of their Countrey and shut up the sons of Baan their Prince who lay in wait for the Jews and having besieg'd them he overcame them setting fire on their Towers and killing all the men that were therein After this he departed from thence and made War upon the Ammonites who had a great and mighty Army under the conduct of Timotheus These he encounter'd and overcame and took their City of Jazor K and burnt it and led away their wives and children into captivity and afterwards returned into Judea The neighbouring Nations hearing of this assembled themselves together in Galaad against the Jews who inhabited the frontiers of Galaad who having retired to the Fort of Dathema sent Letters unto Judas to let him know That Timotheus intended to surprize the place whereunto they were retreated and requested him to deliver them from this danger And whil'st he was reading of these Letters certain messengers came unto him out of Galilee Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. to inform him that they were assaulted by the Inhabitants of Ptolemais Tyre Sidon and other People thereabouts L CHAP. XII The Exploits of Simon the brother of Judas Machabeus in Galilee Judas accompanied with Jonathan his brother obtaineth a victory over the Ammonites Some other performances of Judas JVdas that he might send relief to these two parties that were assaulted both at the same time commanded his brother Simon to take 3000 chosen men with him and to go and succour those Jews that were assailed in Galilee and himself accompanied with Jonathan his other brother and 8000 fighting men repaired unto the Countrey of Galaad leaving the government of the rest of the Forces in the hands of Joseph the son of M Zachary and Azarias commanding them to have a careful and diligent eye to Judea and not to engage with any one until his return Simon coming into Galilee fought against his enemies Simon overcometh his enemies in Galilee delivereth the Jews that were captive and discomfited them and afterwards pursuing them that fled as far as the gates of Ptolemais he slew about 3000 and after he had gather'd the spoils of such as were slain he set many Jews at liberty who were Prisoners and having restor'd them to their goods he retir'd back again to his Countrey But Judas Machabeus and Jonathan his brother having past Jordan and marched on the other side thereof for the space of three dayes Judas and Jonathan succor the Jews besieged in Galaad came at length to the Nabathaeans who peaceably came out to meet them by whom he understood the state of those that were in Galaad and how divers of them were in extreme want inclosed and besieged in Castles and Cities of the Countrey by N their enemies These likewise besought him to make haste and encounter the strangers and to seek the means to save their Countreymen Hereupon he returned into the Desart and first of all assailed the Inhabitants of Bosra and took their City and set it on fire Bosta taken and burnt killing all the men that were therein who were able to bear Arms. Neither was he contented therewith but when night drew on he marched towards another Castle where the Jews were inclosed and shut up by Timothy and his Army and coming up to them about break of day he surprized the Enemy at such time as they were raising their ladders to scale the walls and made ready their engines for battery whereupon he caused the Trumpets to sound and after he had encouraged his People to fight valiantly and faithfully for their kinsmen and friends Judas succoreth the besieged Jews being in great danger and had distributed his O Forces into three Battalions he set upon the Enemies reerward
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
Ballez son to be put to death and is made King his Vices rendred him so odious to his Soldiers that they offered themselves up to Cleopatra Demetrius's Relict She married Antiochus Sother Demetrius's brother and made him be crowned King heovercame Tryphon who fled to Dora and from thence to Apamee where he was taken by force and killed Antiochus took a great liking to Simon the great Sacrificer or High-Priest I NOt long after the captivity of Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. Tryphon killed Antiochus the son of Alexander 1 Mac. 15. sirnamed Good notwithstanding he had the care and charge of his education for four years that he reigned Tryphon murthering Alexander obtaineth the Kingdom and spreading abroad a certain report That the young King in exercising himself fortuned to dye he sent his friends and familiars to the Soldiers promising them That if they would choose him King he would give them a great sum of money giving them to understand that Demetrius was a Prisoner among the Parthians and that if Antiochus his brother should obtain the kingdom he would punish them divers ways and revenge the revolt and rebellion which they were guilty of by forsaking him The Army hoping that if they bestow'd the kingdom on Tryphon Tryphon having obtained dominion discovereth his corrupt nature it would redound highly to their profit they proclaim'd him King But after he had attain'd the fulness of his desires he shewed K how malicious and wicked his nature was For when he was a private man he flatter'd the People Tryphons Army submit to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who married Antiochus Soter and committed the authority to his hands and made shew of moderation and by such allurements he drew them to do what he pleased but after he had taken possession of the kingdom he discover'd his hypocrisie and shew'd plainly that he was not unaptly call'd Tryphon that is to say Trifler or Mocker By which means he lost the hearts of the better sort and as for his Army it became so averse from him that it submitted it self to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who had at that time confin'd both her self and her children in Seleucia And whereas Antiochus sirnamed the Devout and brother to Demetrius was driven from place to place Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. and had not any City that would entertain him for fear of Tryphon Cleopatra sent unto him inviting him both to be her husband and to take possession of the kingdom L Antiochus having driven Tryphon out of Syria besieged him in Dora And hereunto did she the rather draw him partly for that she was thereunto persuaded by her friends and partly for the fear she had lest some one of Selucia should betray the City to Tryphon As soon as Antiochus was arrived in Seleucia and that from day to day his Forces encreased Tryphonâ— death he marched forth into the field and fought with Tryphon and overcame him in battel and drove him out of the higher Syria and pursu'd him as far as Phoenicia where after he had retired himself into Dora a strong and impregnable Castle he besieged him therein and sent Ambassadors to Simon the High-Priest of the Jews to confirm a friendship and confederacy with him Simon very courteously accepted his demands and presently sent Antiochus both money and victuals sufficient to furnish his Army at the siege of Dora so that in short space he was accepted amongst the number of his M entire friends Tryphon flying from Dora to Apamea was in that place besieged taken and slain after he had reigned three years CHAP. XIII Antiochus Sother's ingratitude to Simon Machabaeus They come to make War Simon gets alwayes the better and renews his alliance with the Romans BUT the innate avarice that was in Antiochus and the malignity of his nature made him forgetful of those offices and services that Simon had done him so that he sent N Sedebaeus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. his great friend with a mighty Army to invade Jewry and to surprize Simon But he having some privy intelligence of Antiochus's Treachery notwithstanding that at this time he was very old was so provoked with the injuries that Antiochus had done him that animated with courage more than became his age he went himself to the War as if as yet he had been but youthful Simon and his son expelleth Sedebaeus out of Jewry he therefore caused his son to march before with the best Soldiers of his Army and having left a number of his Soldiers in ambush in the hollow retreats of the mountains he executed all his designs without failing in any one of them so that after he had every way obtained the upper hand of his Enemies he ever after enjoyed his Government in peace during the remainder of his life and renewed likewise the confederacy with the Romans O CHAP. XIV The year of the World 3830. before Christ's Nativity 134. A Simon Machabaeus Prince of the Jews and High-Priest is betrayed and killed by his Son-in-law Ptolomey who at the same time makes his Relict and his two sons Prisoners HE governed Judea for the space of eight years and was at last slain at a banquet by the Treachery of Ptolomey his son-in-law Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. who seizing on Simons Wife and his two children 1 Mac. 6. and detaining them in Prison sent out certain of his Train besides to kill John the third son No faith nor trust no not in sons-in-law sirnamed Hircanus of Jerusalem But the young man having some inkling of their drift retired himself speedily into the City and avoided the danger that B they complotted against him assuring himself of the good will of the People in consideration of the benefits they had received at his fathers hands and the hatred that they bare unto Ptolomey who intending to enter the City-gates was sharply repulsed by the Citizens for they had already entertain'd Hircanus CHAP. XV. Hircanus Simon 's son besiegeth Ptolomey in Dagon Castle but his great love towards his mother and his brothers whom Ptolomey threatens to put to death if he storm'd the Castle made him forbear to assault it and raised the siege after which Ptolomey nevertheless put C them to death WHereupon Ptolomey retired unto a certain Castle situate beyond Jericho called Dagon Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. but Hircanus was made High-Priest in his fathers stead who after he had recommended himself to God Ptolomey besieged by Hircanus knowing the power of natural affection keepeth his mother and brethren prisoners whippeth them on the walls and threatneth to throw them down by the firstling Sacrifices that he offer'd marched out against Ptolomey his brother-in-law to make War upon him Now when he was fully resolved to besiege the place whither Ptolomey was retired he had the advantage in all other things but only by the affection that he bare unto
practiseth great cruelties there several Wars concerning the kingdom of Syria The greatest part of the Jews extreme hatred against their King Alexander They call Demetrius Eucerus to their aid HE afterwards set upon Sephor a City near unto Azoch Ptolomey assaulteth Sephor from whence he departed with the loss of many men with an intent to fight with Alexander who came B forth to encounter him Hecatontamachi or the Warriors by hundreds and met with him near unto Jordan in a place called Asophon and encamped right over against the Enemy He had in his Vanguard 8000 men but the rest of his Forces not finding themselves so well armed were fearful to engage who carried brazen Bucklers Ptolomey's Vanguard also had Bucklers after the same fashion Philostephanus the Camp-master did not a little encourage them For he caused them to pass the River which separated the two Camps which Alexander would not oppose promising himself the victory if his Enemies could not retreat In the beginning of the skirmish each one of them fought with answerable valor so that a great number of them fell on both sides Alexander's overthrow But Philostephanus perceiving that Alexander's Army had the better he took a part of his followers and speedily seconded those who were ready to flie The C Wing of the Jews Vanguard seeing themselves freshly charged and not succoured by any means began to flie and so far were those that marched next them from yielding them assistance that all of them became partners in one shameful flight But they of Ptolomeys side behaved themselves far otherwise for they pursued and slew them and after they had put them in disorder they charged them so hotly that they blunted their Weapons and wearied their Arms with killing them It is reported that 30000 were slain in the battel Timagenes saith 50000 as for the rest some of them were taken Prisoners Ptolomey to the end he might afflict the Jews with more terror causeth his Soldiers to eat mans flesh and othersome fled unto their Houses After that Ptolomey had obtained this victory he over-ran and spoiled the whole Countrey and in the evening he quartered himself in certain Villages of Judea which he found full of Women and Children and D commanded his Soldiers without respect of person to cut their Throats and to chop them into pieces and afterwards to cast the morsels into a boyling Cauldron and when they were well boiled to eat the same All which he acted to the intent that they that were fled from the battel and retired to their own Habitations should know that their Enemies would eat mens flesh that by this means they might be more afraid of them Strabo and Nicholas report Ptolomais taken by force that they demeaned themselves after this manner as I have declared And Ptolomey took Ptolomais also by force as I have made known elsewhere But Cleopatra perceiving how her son prospered and how he had spoilt Jewry without any prejudice Cleopatra prepareth an Army against her son and subdued the City of Gaza she concluded with her self that she ought E not to suffer him to go on after that manner considering it was upon the borders of Egypt whose soveraignty he affected For which cause she suddenly marched out against him with an Army both by Sea and Land committing the command of her whole Forces to Chelcias and Ananias both Jews and sent the greater part of her riches into the Isle of Coos with her Nephews and her Will to be reserved and kept there in safety And after she had commanded her son Alexander to set sail toward Phoenicia with a great Navy because the Inhabitants of that Countrey were revolted she her self came to Ptolomais and besieged it when she perceived that they refused to grant her entry Ptolomey made haste to depart out of Syria and to enter Egypt hoping to be Master thereof when he should find the Countrey unarmed but he was deceived At that time it fortuned F Ptolomey driven out of Egypt that Chelcias one of the two Generals of Cleopatra's Army dyed in Coelosyria being in pursuit of Ptolomey Cleopatra having tydings of her sons enterprise and that the success and fortune he expected in Egypt had failed him she sent part of her Army to drive him out of the Countrey so that he was enforced to return back again out of Egypt Ptolomais besieged and taken by Cleopatra and to go and spend his Winter at Gaza Meanwhile Cleopatra besieged and took the City of Ptolomais whither Alexander resorted unto her with great Presents she received him very kindly in regard Ptolomey had used him so ill he having now no other recourse left him but to her favour and assistance Upon his arrival certain of her familiars counselled her to lay hands on him and to seize the Countrey and not to permit that so great number of Jews and so valiant men should become Subjects unto one man But Ananias gave G her counsel to the contrary alledging That she should commit an act of great injustice if she should depose him who was her Allie from the Government who was beside that very nearly H allied unto her The year of the World 3873. before Christ's Nativity 91. For said he I would you should know that by committing this wrong you shall raise in all the rest of the Jews a heinous hatred against you Cleopatra conforming her self to Ananias counsel resolved with her self to offer Alexander no injury but in stead thereof she entertain'd him as her allie and friend at Scythopolis a City of Coelosyria Now when Alexander perceived Alexander's peace with Cleopatra renewed that he was freed from the fear which he had conceived of Ptolomey he incontinently drew his Army into Coelosyria and after six months siege took Gadaâ—a he took shortly after Amath also which is a great Fortress belonging to the Inhabitants about Jordan where Theodore Alexander taketh Gadara the son of Zenon had hoarded up the richest and best part of his substance who surprising the Jews unawares slew about 10000 of them and pill aged Alexanders baggage I This did not any wayes astonish Alexander but notwithstanding the disaster he marched forward toward the Cities Raphia and Anthedon which Herod afterwards called Agrippias situate on the Sea-coasts and took them perforce and seeing that Ptolomey was retired from Gaza into Cyprus and that Cleopatra his mother was in Egypt he besieged the City of Gaza Alexander besiegeth Gaza and spoilt all the Countrey round about it by reason of the displeasure which he had conceived against the Citizens Apollodotus by night invadeth the Camp of the Jews for that they had sought Ptolomey's assistance against him Apollodotus Captain of the Gazeans made a sally by night and entred the Camp of the Jews having only with him 2000 foreign Soldiers and 1000 of his own followers And as long as the night lasted the
the Kings chief Cup-bearer who was also called Pacorus The Jews inhabiting about Mount Caâ—el joyn themselves with Antigonus Certain Jews inhabiting about the Carmel joined themselves with Antigonus and were prepared with him to invade his Enemies he conceived some hope that he might by their means reduce a certain part of the Countrey under his Government which is called Drymae and other Jews joining with him in the way perswaded G him to press forward as far as Jerusalem where being seconded by others and his followers already much increased in number they put themselves in a posture to assault the Kings Palace The two Brothers viz. Phasaelus and Herod with their followfollowers H attacked them in the Market-place The year of the World 3952. before Christ's Nativity 39. repulsed the Enemy and drove him into the Temple Which done they sent armed men into the houses near adjoining to guard them but the people rushing in upon them and seeing they were destitute of aid burned both them and the houses wherein they were But this cruelty of theirs was presently revenged by Herod Pentecost who in a skirmish that he had with them killed a great number of them Herod fighteth with his enemies in the suburbs And whereas there were daily skirmishes between both parties the enemies expected until the people assembled from all parts of the Countrey should repair to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost Which being come many thousands of men assembled about the Temple both armed and unarmed who seized both the Temple and the City except the Kings house onely which Herod I made good with a few Men of War The Wall thereof Phasaelus his Brother defended Herod with a company of his followers sallied out upon the Enmy who were planted in the suburbs and fighting valiantly against them he put divers thousands of them to flight whereof some retired into the City others into the Temple the rest into a certain Bulwark near at hand In this battel Phasaelus shewed no little valor Pacorus Conductor of the Parthians Pacorus Chieftain of the Parthians entring the City perswadeth Phasaelus to go Embassador to Barzapharnes came into the City with some few Horsemen at Antigonus's request making shew that he came to appease the sedition but the scope of his coming was to obtain the soveraignty for Antigonus After that Phasaelus was come out to meet him and courteously entertain'd him in his house Pacorus perswaded him to go Embassador with him to Barzapharnes intending under this pretence to surprise K him He suspecting no treacheries was easily perswaded notwithstanding that Herod misliked the course who knowing the perfidious manner of the Barbarians exhorted him rather to assail Pacorus and to assault and oppress his Forces when they were come unto him Nevertheless Hircanus and Phasaelus undertook this Embassage and Pacorus leaving with Herod Two hundred Horsemen and Ten of those whom they call Free-men conducted the Embassadors Now as soon as they came into Galilee the Governors of the Cities in that Countrey came forth armed to meet them Barzapharnes also at the first gave them friendly entertainment and honoured them with Presents but shortly after he began to practise treachery The Parthians complot treacheries against Phasaelus For Phasaelus and his attendants were conducted to a lodging that adjoined the Sea where hearing tidings that Antigonus L had promised One thousand Talents and Five hundred Virgins to the Parthians he began already to suspect the Barbarians For a certain friend of his had given him an inkling that there were treasons intended against him that very night and that his lodging was privily beset with a Guard And surely they had been surprised had they not expected that the Parthians who were round about Jerusalem should have seized on Herod fearing lest he having an inkling of their disaster should betake himself to flight This was shortly confirmed to be true by the guards that arrived For which cause there were some of Phasaelus's friends who counselled him that without any more delay he should betake him to his Horse and fly from thence and amongst the rest Ofilius was most earnest who had discovered this plot by Saramalla a rich Syrian who M offered them his ships that road hard by to further their flight Phasaelus would neither forsake Hircanus nor leave his Brother Herod in danger but repairing to Barzapharnes he told him that he did him wrong to use these sinister practises against him For that if he had need of money he was more likely to receive it at his hands than from Antigonus and that it was an intollerable injustice to put Embassadors to death who came unto him upon his honour and had no ways offended him But the Barbarian hearing these things protested by an Oath that not one point of that which he had suspected was true whereupon he presently went to Pacorus CHAP. XXV Barzapharnes detaineth Phasaelus and Hircanus Prisoners sendeth to Jerusalem to secure Herod N whoretireth by night with his Men and his Relations he is set upon by the way but getteth always the upper-hand Phasaelus killeth himself The King of the Arabian's ingratitude torwards Herod he goeth to Rome AS soon as Barzapharnes was gone Hircanus and Phasaelus surprised by the Parthians some of the Parthians took Hircanus and Phasaelus prisoners who mightily detested his perjuries But the Eunuch that was sent unto Herod had instructions given him to intice him without the City Walls and afterwards to apprehend him But Herod was forewarned of this treachery by certain Messengers who were sent by Phasaelus to give him notice thereof who being intercepted by the enemy in the way and Herod getteth notice thereof he addressed himself to Pacorus and those in greatest authority among the Parthians who subtilly dissembled O notwithstanding they knew how all things went telling him that he should do well to repair with them without the Wall to go and meet those Messengers who brought him Letters who had not as yet been seized by their adversaries but came to acquaint him that Phasaelus was well But Herod gave them no credit because he was already otherways advertised of his brothers surprisal and had also far greater suspition of the Parthians A by the sollicitation of Hircanus's daughter whom he had married And although the rest made no account of her advertisements yet Herod gave credit unto her for that she was a most wise woman The Parthians lâ—y a plot to surprise Herod he discovereth iâ— and preventeth them by flight Now whilst the Parthians were in deliberation what were best to be done in that it was held no policy to make open assault upon such a man they deferred the whole matter until the next morning Whilst thus they were debating of their differences Herod who rather gaving credit to that which he had heard as concerning his brother and touching the treasons intended against him by the
Parthians than to his adversaries as soon as it was night concluded to make use of the time and to make away without staying any longer amongst those uncertain dangers which his enemies intended against him For which cause he fled B with those Forces he had with him and mounting his mother his sister and his betrothed whom he was to marry who was Alexander's daughter the niece of Aristobulus and her mother who was Hircanus's daughter and her younger brother with all their family and train he departed into Idumaea without suspition of the enemy Amongst whom there was not one so hard-hearted who seeing such a pitiful spectacle could not be moved to compassion beholding the mothers drag away their little children and abandon their Countrey with tears and complaints and that which was worse to leave their friends in bondage without any hope of comfort or redress But Herod mastered these misfortunes by his invincible courage Herod comforteth his friends in their flight and for that he was C a constant man in all fortunes he exhorted every one of them whom he met in the way to be of good courage and not abandon themselves to immeasurable sorrow for that by such means they might hinder his retreat on which their sole and securest conservation depended Herod seeing his mothers chariot overturned is ready to murther himself whereupon they for their part endeavoured themselves to digest their griefs according to Herod's exhortation Mean-while he hardly refrained from laying violent hands on himself by reason of the Chariot wherein his mother rode which overturned and had almost slain her yea so much did this casualty terrifie him for fear lest the enemy in pursuit should surprise him during these delays so that he drew and prepared his sword to kill himself had not some assistants and followers stept in to him and stayed the stroke beseeching him instantly not to forsake D them and leave them subject to the enemies violence assuring him that it was not the part of a valiant man to respect his own private interest and neglect his friends danger By these perswasions he was induced to hold his hands both by reason of the apprehension of these words which were spoken unto him as also for that he was over-ruled by the multitude of those who would not permit his hand to execute his will so that taking up his mother and doing her all the service that the time permitted he followed on his way and with the speediest and nearest means he could he retired toward the Castle of Massada where in the way he oftentimes fought against the Parthians that charged and pursued him Herod retiring towards Massada is assailed by the Parthians but he always got the victory The Jews also pursued him during his flight for scarcely had he travelled sixty furlogs out of the City but that they E assailed him in the high-way but he put them to flight and obtained the victory not like a desperate man enforced thereunto through necessity but like a discreet clear couraged and valiant Soldier So that in the very place where he obtained the victory against the Jews after he was made King he builded a most sumptuous Palace and a City which he called Herodium Whilst he remained at Ressa a borough of Idumaea Joseph his brother came forth to meet him and to consult with him concerning their present condition and to know of him what should become of that great multitude that followed him considering that they had no Soldiers in pay and the Castle of Massada whither they intended too fly was too little to hold all the people for which cause he sent away many to the number of Nine thousand willing them to F disperse themselves here and there in the Countrey of Idumaea and for the better dispatch of their journey he furnished them with victuals As for himself he took with him his most able Soldiers and Friends and repaired to the Castle of Massada in which place he left the women and their train to the number of Eight hundred or thereabouts The Paathians sâ—oil the Cititizens of Jerusalem and destroy Marissa and furnishing the place with Corn Water and other Provisions necessary he went unto Petra the chiefest City of Arabia As soon as it was day the Parthians plundered all that Herod left in Jerusalem and amongst other things they spoiled the Palace but they medled not with Hircanus's money which amounted to some 300 Talents They left divers other things them behind also that appertained to Herod and especially that which had been transported into Idumaea by his providence Neither G were the Parthians content with the spoil of the City but they forraged all the Countrey round about and ruined Marissa a very rich City H Thus Antigonus brought back into his Countrey by the King of the Parthians received Hircanus and Phasaelus that were Prisoners yet he was vehemently dipleased because the women was escaped whom according to his promise he intended to have delivered with the money and fearing lest Hircanus through the favor of the people should be re-established in his Kingdom who then was Prisoner in the custody of the Parthians he cut off both his ears Antigonus restored to the Kingdom by the Parthians cutteth off Hirâ—arus's â—ars to prevent his re-instalment in the Priesthood depriving him by that means from enjoying the Priesthood any more by reason of that maim because the Law commanded that they who are in that dignity should be sound in all their members But Phasaelus is to be admired for his great courage at that time for understanding that he must needs die he was no wayes disheartned with death but that which he esteemed most miserable I and dishonourable was that he must needs die by the hands of his Enemy Seeing therefore that he could not dispatch himself by other means because he was bound and chained he knockt out his own brains against a stone Phasaelus dasheth out his own brains and so ended his life with as great honour as may be imagined in such a desperate estate depriving his Enemy of that power which he intended to practise in tyrannizing over him at his pleasure Antigonus putteth poyson into Phasaelus's wounds instead of curing him It is said that the wound being very deep Antigonus sent privily Chirurgions to cure him and that under colour of healing him they should put poyson into the same wherethrough he might die But before Phasaelus gave up the ghost he understood by a certain womans that his brother Herod had escaped from his Enemies for which cause K he endured his death with far greater cheerfulness and constancy seeing that he left behind him such a man as would revenge his death and punish his Enemies But Herod was no ways discomfited with the greatness of those adversities which invironed him round about but was the more whetted on to find out new inventions and to
adventure considerable attempts Herod flyeth to Malchus King of Arabia to borrow money For he went unto Malchus King of the Arabians to whom formerly he had shewed much courtesie hoping to receive the like of him in this time of his great necessity and to draw some money from him either by interest or gift For being ignorant of his brothers death he endeavoured to redeem him speedily from his Enemies by paying his Ransom which amounted to Three hundred Talents and for that cause he led with him the son of Phasaelus who was only seven years old to leave him in pledge amongst the Arabians for the sum that was demanded L But certain messengers came to him from Malchus Herod is commanded out of Arabia and flyeth into Egypt from thence after some storms he repaired to Rome where he certifieth Antonius of that which had befallen him who charged him in the Kings behalf to retire back again for that the Parthians had enjoyned him that he should neither receive nor retain Herod And used this colourable pretence because he would not pay his debts and hereunto was perswaded by the advice of the greatest in authority among the Arabians who pretended thereby to make themselves masters of that treasure that Antipater had committed to their custody Herod answered them That he repaired not into their Countrey to give them cause of any trouble but onely to consult with them about certain matters of great importance touching his own estate and that afterwards he was resolved to depart and withdraw himself into Egypt as secretly as might be possible He returned therefore to a certain Temple where he had left divers of M his followers and the next day he came to Rhinocâ—ra in which place he heard tidings of his brothers death But afterwards Malchus repented himself of his ingratitude and speedily sent after Herod but he could not overtake him for he had gotten far on his way and was already arrived near to Pelusium where being denyed his passage to Alexandria in those ships that were there he addressed himself to the Magistrates of the place who highly respected and honoured him and sent him to the City where Cleopatra was who entertained him kindly yet notwithstanding she could not perswade him to remain with her Whereupon he repaired towards Rome notwithstanding the Winter and those grievous troubles that at the very same time afflicted Italy as it was reported Embarking himself therefore to sail into Pamphilia he was tost with a most N cruel storm so that with great danger at last he arrived in Rhodes having been inforced in the tempest to cast into the Sea great part of his goods There he met with Sappinas and Ptolomey two of his endeared friends He found also the City of Rhodes had suffered much misery by Cassius's Wars and although his means were very short yet he helped them in what he might and caused their Walls to be repaired notwithstanding that by so doing he greatly hindred himself After that he caused a little Frigot to be built and embarked himself with his friends to repair into Italy and arrived at Arundusium and from thence went to Rome The first to whom he discovered his misfortunes was Marcus Antonius to whom he reported all the occurrances in Judaea and how his brother Phasaelus was taken by the Parthians and slain and how O Hircanus was imprisoned with him The manner also how they had established Antigonus King under promise to give them One thousand Talents and Five hundred of the fairest Women whom he intended to chuse out of his own race Lastly how he stole away by night and rescued them and escaping his Enemies hands had afterwards endured A many miseries Besides that his friends were in great danger and left besieged for which cause he had sailed by Winter and despised all dangers only to seek for assistance at his hands on whom depended his hope and last refuge CHAP. XXVâ—â—I Herod through Antonius's and Augustus's assistance is declared King of the Jews at Rome Antigonus besiegeth Massada defended by Joseph Herod's Brother ANtonius hearing of all those alterations that had befallen Herod Hedio Ruffinus cap. 23. al. 25. had compassion of B his misery bethinking himself of the estate and condition of great men who are likewise subject to no less casualties and the rather was he induced to do him good Antonius loved Herod and hated Antigonus both in remembrance of the friendship he had with Antipater his father and also by reason of Herods promises of certain sums of money if he were made King by his means Caesar Augustus Herods friend as he had been formerly declared Tetrarch But that which most moved him hereunto was the hatred which he bare unto Antigonus whom he accounted to be a mutinous man and an Enemy to the Romans On the other side Caesar was well inclined to succor him both in regard of those Armies which Antipater had brought into Egypt in his fathers service as also because of the good hospitality and kindness that he had shewed him in all things and especially to gratifie Antonius who was well affected C towards Herod Whereupon the Senate being assembled Messala and Atratinus brought forth Herod Herod admitted into the Senate and declared King and after they had praised him and recited the favors which the Romans had received by his father and the great affection and good will which he bare to the people of Rome they accused and declared Antigonus the Romans Enemy not only for his ancient crimes but also that in contempt of the Romans he had received the Kingdom from the Parthians Whilst the Senate was sore displeased at the report of these things Antonius arose and declared openly before them all that in furtherance of the Parthian War it were not amiss that Herod should be made King which opinion of his was generally allowed and finally ratified The principal demonstration of the love and affection which Antonius bare unto Herod Herod intending the Kingdom for his Wifes brother enjoyeth the same himself was that he D not only obtained him the Kingdom beyond all hope for he never thought that the Romans would grant that dignity unto him who were wont to reserve that honour to those of the Kings blood and therefore he intended to have demanded it for his Wifes Brother Alexander Herod ascendeth the Capitol with Antonius and Caesaâ— and Nephew to Aristobulus by the Fathers side and to Hircanus by the Mother which Alexander Herod afterwards put to death as shall be declared in time and place but also for that within the term of seven dayes he sent him out of Italy with the unexpected titles of his felicity As soon as the Senate was risen Antonius and Caesar went forth leading Herod between them and being accompanied by the Consuls and other Magistrates went up into the Capitol to do sacrifice and to place there this Decree
appertaineth unto them Whilest they debated the matter after this manner between them and grew to hot and injurious taunts the one against the other Antigonus commanded his men to assail those that were near unto the wall who shooting many Arrows with O great courage against them drove them easily from the Tower they kept At that time Silon gave manifest proof that he had been corrupted by money for he suborned divers of his Soldiers who cried out that they wanted victuals and demanded greater pay for their maintenance and requested that they might be placed in some convenient garrisons to winter in The year of the World 3929. before Christ's Nativity 35. for that the places round about the City were desolate A because all necessaries for maintenance of life had been taken away and wasted by Antigonus Soldiers Thus was the whole Army discomposed so that each of them prepared themselves to dislodge But Herod importuned and cried out upon the Captains and Soldiers that were under Silons charge telling them that it concerned them not to abandon him whom Caesar Antony and the Senate of Rome had sent thither That for his own part he would give order that they should have abundance of whatsoever they demanded Silon suborneth some of his Soldiers to take an occasion to depart from Jerusalem and immediatly after he deprived Silon of all colour and pretext of flight for he caused an incredible quantity of victuals to be brought them and commanded his friends that inhabited the confines of Samaria to bring them Corn Wine Oyl Cattel and all other such provision from Jericho to the end that from that time B forward the Souldiers might want nothing Antigonus was not ignorant thereof so that he presently sent men thorowout the Countrey Herod procured furnished the army with victuals and abundant munition to intercept and surprize the purvâ—iors and victualars Who following Antigonus command assembled a great number of Soldiers near unto Jericho and encamping in the mountains espied and watched those that brought the victuals Mean-while Herod lay still but took with him ten companies five of Roman Soldiers Antigonus sendeth out Soldiers to surprize Herods victualers and five of the Jews with home he intermixed some forrain Soldiers with some few horsemen and came to Jericho where being arrived he seized on the Town which was abandoned by the inhabitants of whom five hundred with their Wives and Children were retired into the top of the mountains whom he took and afterwards set at liberty but the Roman Soldiers entring into their houses and finding them full of all sorts of moveables The Romans sent to their Garisons to winter they plundred them And the King C having left a Garrison in Jericho dismissed the Roman Army to go and winter in the Countries lately surrendred unto him namely in Idumaea Galilee and Samaria Antigonus also purchased his favour at Silons hands by store of bribes that part of his Army was lodged in Lydda all which he did to currie favour with Antony Whilest thus the Romans lived in all abundance and bare no Arms Herod would not be idle but sent his brother Joseph in Idumaea with a thousand foot and four hundred horse and himself resorted to Samaria where his mother and his other praents kept who were removed out of Massada After this he went into Galilee to surprize certain Castles which were held by Antigonus Garrisons and being arrived at Sephoris during a great snow after that Antigonus Garrisons were gone out of the foresaid D Castles Robbers he found a great abundance of all sorts of necessary provision And there having notice of certain thieves who inhabited in Caves he sent a troop of horse with three companys of foot Herod fighteth with his enemies in Galilee and overcometh them and bringeth all Galilee under his subection against them whom he commanded to punish those robbers the place where they lay was not far from a borough called Arbela and fourty dayes after he himself with all his Army marched thither where the enemies charged him fiercely that the left wing of his squadaon retreated but he coming on with his main battel put them to flight who were already almost masters of the field and made those of his followers that fled face about and to pursue their enemies as far as the flood Jordan who fled some one way and some another so that he drew all Galilee under his subjection except those that lurked in the Caves He distributed money E also amongst his Soldiers and gave each Soldier an hundred and fifty drachmes and far more unto their officers and afterwards sent them to winter in Garrisons near at hand About this time Silon and his Captains Antigonus refuseth to victual the Romane army who had passed the Winter in the said Garrisons came unto him Antigonus would no more furnish them with victuals for he gave them maintenance for no more time then a month commanding those that dwelt round about them to spoil the Countrey and afterwards to retire themselves into the mountains to the end that the Romans might be destitute of necessary maintenance and by that means might be consumed with famine Herod gave Pheroras his youngest brother the charge of that provision commanding him to inclose the fort of Alexandrion with F a wall who speedily brought to pass that the Soldiers had all sorts of necessaries at command Ventius sendeth for Silon to War against the Parthians re-edefied also the fort of Alexandrion which had been laid desolate About that time Antony was in Hthenes and Ventidius was in Syria who having sent for Silon to accompany him against the Parthians did first of all charge him to assist Herod in that War and afterwards to excite the provincial confederates to further his War But Herod dismissing Silon and his company to follow their destinated Wars with Ventidius did in his own person lead out his Soldiers against those thieves that lived in dens These Caves were situate in the most highest and inaccessible Mountains impregnable through narrow paths environed with sharp Rocks wherein the robbers inhabited secretly with all their families King Herod caused a certain number of Coffers to be G made fast to iron Chains which he caused to be let down by an Engins from the top H hill to ascend the same from beneath The year of the World 3927. before Christ's Nativity 37. neither from above to creep downward against them These Chests were filled with Soldiers armed with great Hooks to draw these thieves unto them and to break their necks headlong from the height to the bottom But the use of these Coffers was dangerous for it was necessary to let them down an infinite depth into the caves especially for that the thieves had necessary provision among them notwithstanding when they had gotten down none of the Thieves durst peep out of the mouths of their
been declared King at Rome and encamping in the places which were fittest for battery he took up his own quarter before the Temple as Pompey had done formerly Having therefore erected three bulwarks in three places he built Towers thereon by means of a great quantity of Wood which he caused to be cut down round about the place and having pâ—t the siege in a forwardness he went to Samaria to marry Mariamna who was Alexander's daughter and Aristobulus's Grand-daughter with whom he had been contracted as we have already L told you M N O CHAP. XXVIII A Herod assisted by Sosius General of a Roman Army taketh Jerusalem by force buyeth the Plunder from the Soldiers in favor of the City Sosius taketh Antigonus Prisoner and carrieth him away to Antonius AFter this Marriage was solemniz'd Hedio Ruffinus cap. 26. Al. 27. Sosius repaireth thither through the Countrey of Phoenicia and having first of all sent his Army through the Continent he himself also resorted thither with many Foot and Horse thither also repaired the King from Samaria Sosius and Herod lead a mighty Army against Jerusalem with a considerable Army to join with the old Bands for he had about 30000 B Men. All these assembled themselves together near unto the Walls of Jerusalem and planted their siege nigh unto the Wall of the City that extendeth towards the Northward The Army consisted of eleven Legions of Foot with 6000 Horse besides the Auxiliaries that came from Syria Two Generals commanded this Army namely Sosius who was sent by Antonius to succor Herod and Herod himself who made War for himself with an intent that having dispossessed Antigonus whom he had proclaimed Enemy to Rome he himself might be King in his place according to the Senates decree Those Jews that were within the Walls that is to say almost all the Nation resisted the Herodians with great courage boasting much of the Temple of the Lord and wishing all good success to the people namely that God would deliver them from all dangers C and spoiling all provision without the City that was either behoveful for the use of man and beast by their secret excursions they made the besiegers destitute of victuals Herod preventeth the dearth Which inconvenience Herod prevented having laid ambushes to out them off As for victuals he made much provision be brought from remote places so that within a very little space they had abundance of all that which was necessary in the Camp He erected also with no less care three bulwarks by the diligent labour of a great number of Workmen for it was Summer-time and neither was the air incommodious or negligence of the Workmen such but that they presently furnish'd and finish'd them Afterwards having raised their Engines upon them they batter'd the Wall with as much violence and diligence as was possible notwithstanding all this they did no wayes daunt D those that were within who for their parts used all the cunning imaginable to defend themselves and by divers sallies set on fire the Enemies Engines and burnt not only those that were half made but those that were wholly perfected and when necessity drave them to close fighting The Jews without fear resist those that besieged them they shew no less valor than the Romans but they were inferior to them in skill and martial discipline And when as the first Wall was beaten down they built up a new and countermined against those Mines that were made by the Enemy so that they fought under-ground hand to hand Thus using despair rather than courage they resisted to the uttermost notwithstanding they were besieged by a great Army and pressed by famine and want of victuals for the year wherein the siege was continued was the seventh in which the earth was unmanured which by us is called E the year of rest But at last 20 chosen Soldiers first of all mounted upon the Wall and after them one of Sosius's Centurions for the first Wall was taken in the fortieth day after the siege and the second on the fiftieth and some galleries were burnt which were near unto the Temple which as Herod said were burnt by Antigonus to bring him into more hatred among the Jews When the outward part of the Temple and the lower part of the City were taken The outward part of the Temple and the lower City taken the Jews fled into the Temple and into the higher Town lest the Romans should hinder them from offering their daily and ordinary sacrifices unto God and they sent Aâ—â—â—dors to their Enemies to require that it might be lawful for them only to bring in certain beasts to offer them for sacrifices VVhich F Herod their King granted them The Jews flâ—e to the upper City and the Temple Jerusalem taken hoping by this means that they would submit themselves and yield up the places But perceiving that his opinion failed him herein and that they obstinately resisted him to continue the sovereignty in Antigonus he gave the assault and took the City by force where all places were presently filled with murthers in that the Romans were displeased because they had continued the siege so long and the Jews that were on Herods side enforced them utterly to destroy all those that were of the contrary party so that slaughters ranged and reigned everywhere both in porches and in the houses whereinto they entred Neither did the religious reverence of the Temple save those Suppliants that resorted thither for safety but without compassion both old and young were put to death neither did their murthering hand spare or refrain from Women nay not so much as from young Infants And although the King requested G them to forbear yet no man gave over but all sorts of persons were murthered by them without respect either of sex or age Antigonus inconsiderate of that estate wherein he H had been or the fortune and disaster that at that present attended him came down from the Tower and humbled himself on his knees before Sosius's feet who having no compassion of the change of that estate wherein he saw him outragiously mocked him calling him Madam Antigona yet he left him not without guard after the manner of a Woman Antigonus submitteth himself to Sosius but fast bound for his further assurance But Herod was busied in devising how he might moderate his associates and strangers after he had the upper hand over his Enemies for the strangers swarmed into the City and not only into the Temple but also into the Sanctuary He therefore exhorted some and threatned others and restrained the rest by force of arms and he was more troubled at that present in being a Conqueror than if he had been conquered for that those things that were not lawful to be I seen were beheld by prophane men He prevented likewise the spoil of the City as much as in him lay beseeching Sosius most
their opinions and receive Herod yet this opinion of his was not answerable to equity For notwithstanding whatsoever violence he did devise yet could they not be induced to call him King in so high esteem and account held they their former King But Antony supposed that that infamy would obscure his renown and lessen the general hatred they bare to Herod See here what Strabo writeth As soon as the High-Priest Hircanus who was Prisoner among the Parthians heard that Herod had taken possession of the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus câ—ap 2. he returned back unto him Hircanus hearing tydings that Herod had obtained the Kingdom returneth unto him being deliver'd after this manner following Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians had taken Hircanus who was first High-Priest and afterwards King and with him Phasaelus Herods brother and led them away Prisoners with them into their own Countrey Phasaelus I not able to endure the dishonour of imprisonment and preferring an honourable death before a reproachful and ignominious life murther'd himself as I have heretofore declar'd CHAP. II. Phraates King of the Parthians letteth his Prisoner Hircanus return into Judea Herod to make sure of him contributeth hereunto and giveth the High-Priesthood to a man of no account Alexandra Herod's Mother-in-law and Aristobulus's Mother addresseth her self to Cleopatra to obtain this function for her son through Antonius's means Herod K discovereth it gives that employment to Aristobulus and feigneth to be reconciled to Alexandra PHraates Hircanus heighly honoure in Babylon by the Jews King of Parthia understanding how nobly Hircanus was descended who was brought Prisoner unto him entertain'd him graciously and for this cause drew him out of Prison permitting him to converse in Babylon in which place there were a great number of Jews who honour'd Hircanus very much and no less than their High-Priest and King The like also did all they of that Nation inhabiting as far as Euphrates which did not a little content Hircanus But after that he was advertised that Herod was possessed of the Kingdom Hircanus leaving his Countrey expecteth favor at Herods hands he transferred his hopes another way being of his own nature tenderly L affected towards his friends expecting that one day Herod would requite him for that he had deliver'd him from death whereunto he was condemned and in danger likewise of the penalty and punishment He began therefore to consult with the Jews about his journey who in way of duty and love came to visit him and who prayed him and importuned him to continue with them offering him all service and honour assuring him that he should in no less manner be respected among them than their High-Priest and King yea in far higher regard than he might any wayes be in his own Countrey by reason of the maim he had in his body through Antigonus's tyranny alledging that Kings do not ordinarily call to their remembrance those pleasures that they have received in their mean condition because that with their estates they change both their manners M and inclinations But notwithstanding all these or such like Allegations yet could not Hircanus be withdrawn from the desire he had to repair homeward Herod also wrote unto him That he should require Phraates and the Jews that inhabited his Kingdom in no sort to envy his felicity in that he should partake with him both in dignity and royalty alledging that the time was now come wherein he might acknowledge the kindness he had received by being heretofore nourished and preserved by him Samaralla Herods Ambassador to Phraates With these Letters he sent Samaralla likewise in quality of an Ambassador to Phraates furnish'd with great and rich Presents endeavouring by that means to win him that he in no wayes should hinder his good intent towards one that had so highly deserved it at his hands yet his protestations were not answerable to his pretence For insomuch as he governed not with that uprightness N which became a just King he feared lest some alteration might befall him according to his demerits for which cause he sought to get Hircanus under his power or at least wise to dispatch him out of his life which he afterwards performed When therefore Herod had persuaded the Parthian to dismiss Hircanus Herod highly honoureth Hircanus and the Jews to furnish him with money sufficient to bear his expence in his journey he received him with all honour In common Assemblies he gave him alwayes the highest place and in the time of Festivals he made him alwayes sit down before him and the more closely to deceive him he called him brother Herod giveth the High-Priesthood to Anâ—nel endeavouring by all means wholly to take away all colour and suspition of treachery neither omitted he any other stratagems whereby he might any ways further or promote his cause and yet by these means occasioned no small sedition in his O own family For fearing lest any one among the Nobility should be established High-Priest he sent to Babylon for a certain man of a base extraction called Ananel and gave him the Priesthood For which cause Alexandra grew suddenly displeased not being able to endure that afront The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 34. This woman was Hircanus daughter and Alexanders wife A who was King Aristobulus son who had two children by her husband the one very beautiful who was called Aristobulus the other was Mariamne who was likewise fair and married to Herod She was highly displeased to see her son so much undervalued that during his life another was called to the honor of High-priesthood for which cause she wrote unto Cleopatra by the means of a certain Musician beseeching her to beg the High-Priesthood at Antonius hands for her son Alexandra solliciteth Antonius by Cleopatras mediation for the High Priesthood for her son Which Cleopatra did most willingly but Antonius made little reckoning of those suits A certain friend of his called Gellius who was come into Jewry about certain of his affairs and who had seen Aristobulus fell in love with him by reason of his beauty and admiring likewise his tall stature and allured by Mariamnes admirable beauty he openly protested that he accounted Alexandra B a happy Mother in her children and discoursing to this effect with her he perswaded her to send the pictures of her two children to Antonius for that if he should but behold them he would refuse him nothing wherein he should request his friendship Alexandra perswaded by these words â—ent their pictures unto Antonius Gellius also made the matter more wonderful telling him that the children seemed rather to be ingendred of no mortal strain Antonius requireth Aristâ—bulus at Herods hands but by some divine power endeavoring as much as in him lay that Antonius might be allured to affection them Who supposing it to be a matter ill beseeming him to send for Mariamne who was married
death Cleopatra long before that time desirous to assist her and having compassion of her misery undertook the matter and ceased not to incite Antony to revenge Aristobulus's death telling him that it was an unpardonable errour that Herod being created King in such a state whereunto he had no right should be suffered to practice such conspiracies again the true and lawful Kings Antony perswaded by these her words as soon as he came to Laodicea sent for Herod to the end that making his appearance he might answer that which might be objected against him concerning Aristobulus's death for he disliked the act notwithstanding that Herod himself had attempted it But although Herod was afraid of this accusation and did not a little suspect Cleopatra's displeasure K for that she ceased not continually to provoke Antony against him yet he obeyed his commands and transported himself thither the rather for that he durst not otherwise do notwithstanding he left his Uncle Joseph behind him committing the Government both of the Kingdom Herod ready to repair unto Antony commandeth Joseph to whose charge he committed the Kingdom to kill his wife and his private estate unto him giving him secret instructions to kill Mariamne if so be that Antony should happen to do him any mischief For he loved her so extremely by reason of her beauty that he supposed himself wronged if after his decease she should be beloved by another and he openly declared that all that misery which befel him proceeded from Antonies passion and intire affection and admiration of her beauty whereof he had formerly heard some report As soon therefore as he had disposed his affairs notwithstanding he had little hope of L good hap yet he repaired to Antony But Josepth governing that Kingdom that was committed to his hands conversed divers times upon this occasion with Mariamne and communicated oftentimes with her not only about publick affairs but also to do her that honour which so great a Princess deserved Therefore as he secretly convers'd with her witnessing the friendship and ardent affection which Herod bare unto her He found that neither she nor Alexandra did credit any such thing but rather laugh'd at it For which cause Joseph being too forward to express the Kings good will towards her proceeded so far that he discovered the commands that was given him thereby to make manifest that it was not possible for Herod to live without her and that if any inconvenience should happen unto M him he would not in death also be dis-joyned from her This discourse of Josephs was not interpreted by the Ladies as a demonstration of his good will but rather as a manifestation of Herods wickedness who dying desired also that they should perish and interpreted that which he had spoken as the testimony of his tyrannical and malicious heart At that time there was a rumour spread in the City of Jerusalem by Herods Enemies that Antony had so tormented him that he was dead Whereupon all those of the Kings house were troubled and especially the Ladies so that Alexandra incited Joseph to forsake the Palace A foolish rumour of Herods death and take the Ladies and retire under the protection of the Roman Legion who at that time was about the City for the security of the Kingdom under the Conduct of the Tribune Julius to the end first of all that if any trouble N should happen in the Kings house they might be by this means in safety having the Romans to be-friend them and afterwards for that they hoped that if Antony should see Mariamne she might obtain at his hands whatsoever she desired and that he would restore the Kingdom unto her and deprive her of nothing that concerned her or was answerable to her Royal estate But whilst they were in these deliberations there came Letters from Herod contrary to those reports Herod appeâ—seth Antony by Presents and certifieth his friends by Letters of his health and all mens expectation For as as soon he came unto Antony he compassed his favor by his many Presents which he had brought with him to that intent from Jerusalem and suddenly debated the matter with him he appeased him so that he was no more displeased against him and from that time forward Cleopatra's speeches O were but coldly received in regard of his so ample satisfaction For Antony said That there was no reason that a King should be answerable for that which he had done in his Kingdom for that in so doing he should no more be King but that when the honour is once given him The year of the World 3930. before Christ's Nativity 3â— he hath the authority likewise left him to use his regal Power Urging further A That it concerned Cleopatra likewise her self not to search too curiously into the affairs and Government of Kingdoms Herod shewed all this by his Letters and signified further what other honours he had received at Antoni's hands in Assemblies and Feasts to which he invited him always notwithstanding that Cleopatra seemed to be displeased therewith detracting him and being desirous to get the Kingdom of Jewry into her hands strove with all means possible to put him to death but that he had found Antony always an upright man and feared not henceforward that any evil should befal him and returning presently upon this he brought with him a more ample testimony of Antony's most assured affection both in respect of his own Kingdom and of his particular affairs B And as touching Cleopatra she pretended not to seek any further than that which she had because that Antony had given her Coelosyria instead of that which she had demanded forbearing thenceforward to mention Jewry any more because that Antony wholly rejected those suits After these Letters came unto their hands the trouble and disturbance wherein they were and the desire to retire unto the Romans as if Herod had been dead was wholly extinguished Yet their resolution was not hidden from the King for his sister Salome and his mother informed him of every particular at his arrival after he had parted from Antonius Joseph and Mariamne accused before Herod who was marching against the Parthians Salome likewise spake against Joseph her husband and slandered him objecting against him that he had Mariamnes company All which she spake through malice for that in a certain debate Mariamne C had in her rage despightfully hit her in the teeth with her obscure birth Herod who was always inflamed with the earnest affection which he bare unto his wife Mariamne was suddenly troubled hereat and although jealousie pressed him forward yet love restrained him and kept him from doing any thing rashly for which cause he called Mariamne aside and demanded of her in secret what familiar company she had kept with Joseph She by solemn oaths and by all possible allegations in her own defence appeased the King by little and little Mariamne excuseth and
and afterwards restored by Pompeys assistance and receiving all his former honours he lived in full possession of them for the space of fourty years After this he was once more dispossessed by Antigonus and being maimed in his body lived certain years in captivity among the Parthians from whence not long after he returned home and though he had many things promised him by Herod yet after so many alterations of fortune he obtained nothing at his hands and that which amongst all the rest is most of all to be lamented as we have said he was unjustly put to death an innocent and in his old age For he was a lover of justice and an observer of perpetual modesty and governed his Kingdom for the most part by other mens direction being only guilty in himself of ignorance and the love G of idleness Truly Antipater and Herod by this mans goodness obtained so great riches For which deserts of his against all Law and right he was cruelly put to death H But Herod after Hircanus's death addressed himself to perform his journey towards Caesar and having little hope of any good fortune in regard of his friendship with Antonius he grew desperately jealous of Alexandra lest she taking opportunity of the time should incite the people to rebel and fill the Kingdom with domestical sedition for which cause Herods disposition of his affairs before he repaired to Caesar committing the Government to his brother Pheroras he left his mother Cypros his sister and all his Kindred in the Castle of Massada and commanded his brother that if any misfortune should befal him he should retain the Kingdom in his own hands and maintain it As for his Wife Mariamne for that by reason of certain dislikes betwixt her his mother and sister he left her with her mother in the Castle of Alexandrion and committed them to the custody of his Treasurer Joseph and Sohemus the Iturean I and with her the keeping of his Castles both which had always been his faithful friends and to whom in way of honour he committed the custody of these Princely Ladies But he gave them also this command That if they should be certainly informed that any sinister mishap had befallen him they should presently kill them both and to the utmost of their power continue the Kingdom in his Children and his Brother Pheroras CHAP. X. Herod speaketh so generously to Augustus that he obtained his favor he accompanieth him K into Egypt and receiveth him with such an extraordinary magnificence that it put him in repute with all the Romans AFter he had in this sort given order for all his affairs Herod cometh to Caesar and declareth unto him what pleasures he had done Antony promising him no less duty and love if so be he might be received into his favor he took shipping to Rhodes to meet with Caesar And as soon as he arrived in that City he took the Crown from his Head and laid it apart but as for his other Princely ornaments he changed them not and being admitted to Caesars presence he gave a more ample testimony of the greatness of his courage than ever for he neither addressed his speech to intreat his favor according to the custom of suppliants neither presented he any request as if he had in any sort offended him but gave account of all that which he had done without being daunted L in the least For he freely confessed before Caesar that he had intirely loved Antonius and that to the utmost of his power he had done him service to the end that he might obtain the soveraignty and the Empire of the World not by joining his Forces unto his in that he was otherwise imployed in the Arabian War but in furnishing him both with Wheat and Money and that this was the least office which it behoved him to perform towards Antonius for that being once his professed friend it behoved him not onely to imploy his best endeavors on his so Princely benefactor but also to hazard both his head and happiness to deliver him from perils All which said he I have not performed according as I ought to have done yet notwithstanding I know that at such time as he was overcome in the Actian Battel I did not alter my affection with M his fortune neither did I restrain my self for although I befriended not Antonius with my presence and assistance in the Actian War yet at least I assisted him with my counsel assuring him that he had but one onely means left him for his security and prevention of his utter ruine which was to put Cleopatra to death for that by cutting her off he might enjoy her estate and might more easily obtain his peace and pacifie thy displeasure against him And for that he gave but slender regard to these my admonitions by his own sottishness and indiscretion he hath hurt himself and profited you because as I said he did not follow my counsel Now therefore O Caesar in regard of the hatred which you bear unto Antony you condemn my friendship also I will not deny that which I have done neither am I afraid freely and publickly to protest how much I have loved him but if without regard of persons N you consider how kindly I am affected towards my benefactors and how resolute and constant a friend I am and how mindful of kindness the effect of that which I have done may make me known unto thee For if the name be onely changed the friendship notwithstanding may remain and deserve a due praise By these words which were manifest testimonies of his resolute and noble courage he so inwardly indeared himself unto Caesar Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. who was a magnificent and worthy Monarch Caesar confirmeth Herods authority that he converted this his accusation into an occasion to win and work him to be his friend for which cause Caesar setting the Crown upon his head exhorted him that he should no less respect his friendship than he had in former times Antonies and withal did him much honour certifying him moreover that Capidius had written unto O him how much Herod had assisted him in his Wars that he had with the Monarchs of Syria Herod seeing that he was thus entertained and that contrary to his expectation the Kingdom was more surely confirmed unto him than before time both by Caesars bounty and also by the decree of the Senate The year of the World 3935. before Christ's Nativity 29. which he had practised to obtain for A his greater assurance accompanied Caesar as far as Aegypt presenting both himself and his friends with many rich gifts beyond the proportion of his estate endeavoring by these means both to win their favor and to shew also the greatness of his courage requiring moreover at Caesars hands Herod conducteth Caesar toward Egypt and presenteth him with many sumptuous gifts that Alexander who was one of Antonies
dearest friends might not be sought out to be punished yet notwithstanding he could not obtain the same by reason of an Oath that Caesar had past before he sollicited him That done he returned back again unto Jewry with greater honour and assurance than before whereby he struck them with wonderful amazement who expected his contrary success as if by Gods special providence he alwayes over-went his dangers Herod entertaineth both Caesar and his Army very heroically to his great honour Therefore he prepared himself to entertain Caesar who returned out of Syria B to take his journey into Egypt and received him at Ptolomais with all Royal honour and gave his Army Presents with all abundance of Provision so that he was accounted for one of Caesars most affectionate friends and rode about with him when he took the view of his Army he entertained him also and his friends with One hundred and fifty Men adorned with most rich and sumptuous apparel And for that they were to pass thorow a Countrey wherein there was great scarcity of Water he furnished them with both Water and Wine so that they needed neither of them He gave Caesar also Eight hundred Talents Herod giveth Caesar 800 Talents and so royally satisfi'd he all Men that they confessed themselves to have had a far greater entertainment than the Revenues and Profits of his Kingdom could afford them By which means he gave the more ample testimony of his C forward friendship and free affection to deserve well and making use of the opportunity of the time he obtained the reputation of a Prince of an heroick and noble spirit so that he was held inferiour unto no man for the good entertainment which he gave to the chiefest Romans in their return from Egypt CHAP. XI Mariamne giveth Herod so cold a reception when he returned from Caesar that being joined to the aspersions which Herod's mother and sister laid upon her he had infallibly caused her to be put to death at that very instant But he is engaged to return to Augustus he put-her to death at his back-coming The business of Alexandra Mariamne's Mother D Herod's despair after Mariamne's death he falleth dangerously sick Alexandra endeavoureth to make herself Mistris of the two Forts of Jerusalem he made her be put to death and Costobarus and others follow he instituteth Plays and Shews in Honor of Augustus by which he doth so irritate the most part of the Jews that ten of them undertak to kill him he putteth them to death He buildeth many Forts and rebuilds a very fine and a strong Town upon the ruins of Samaria which he names Sebaste BUT as soon as he returned unto his Kingdom Mariamne and Alexandra displeased with Herod he found all his Houshold troubled and both his Wife Mariamne and her Mother Alexandra grievously displeased with him For they supposed and not without cause that they were not shut up in that E Castle for their securities sake but as it were in a Prison so that in as much as they neithay might make use of other Mens nor enjoy their own goods they were highly discontented Mariamne also supposed that her Husband did but dissemble his love rather for his own profit than for any entire affection he bare towards her But nothing more grieved her than that she had not any hope to live after him if so be he should happen to die especially for the order he had left concerning her neither could she ever forget what commands he had before that time left with Joseph so that by all means possible she laboured to win the affections of those that had the charge of her and especially Sohemus knowing very well that her safety depended wholly on his hands Who in the beginning behaved himself very wisely and faithfully containing himself F very circumspectively within the bounds of his commission but after these Ladies had with pretty presents and feminine flatteries wrought and mollifi'd him by little and little at last he blabbed out all that which the King had commanded him Sohemus discovereth the Kings secrets especially for that he hoped not that he should return with the same power and authority which before he had and for that cause he thought thus in himself that without incurring any danger in regard of Herod he might greatly gratifie the Ladies who in all likelihood should not be deprived of that dignity wherein they were at that time but would return them the like kindness when Mariamne should be Queen or next unto the King Furthermore he hoped that if Herod also should return with all things answerable to his desires that he would perform nothing without his Wifes consent or upbraid him G with the act if she contradicted for he knew too well that the King loved her so that it was impossible to equal or express his affections and for these causes he disclosed H the trust that was committed unto him But Mariamne was very sore displeased to hear that there was no end of her miseries but they were altogether united and tied to the dangers of Herod and she oftentimes wished that he might never more return again in safety supposing that her life with him should be very intolerable all which she afterwards dissembled not but openly confessed that which afflicted her with discontent For when as Herod beyond all expectation arrived in his Countrey being adorned with mighty fortune he first of all as it became him acquainted his Wife with his good tydings and happy success whom onely amongst all other his friends and Wives he embraced and saluted Herod but coldly entertained by his wife Mariamne for the pleasing conversation and affection that was in her But she while he repeated unto her these fortunate events of his affairs rather entertained I the same with a displeasant attention than applauding joy Neither could her great sincerity cover the agitation of her mind For when he folded his arms about her neck she unfolded her sorrow in her sighes so simple and unfeigned were her affections and seemed rather to be displeased than appeased by his narrations Whereupon Herod was sore troubled Herod's sorrows to see his wifes affections distracted and changed perceiving these things not onely suspected but also fully manifest but above all things he was distracted when he considered the incredible and apparent hatred that his Wife had conceived against him which incensed him so that he could not resist the love that had attainted him so that he neither could continue in wrath nor listen long to peace and being unresolved in himself he now was attempted by this straight distracted by a contrary affection so much was his mind tossed between K love and hatred when oftentimes he desired to punish the womans pride his heart by loves mediation failed him in the enterprize For nothing did more torment him than this fear lest executing his displeasure against her he should
close prisoner in some sure place in the Palace But by Salomes sollicitations Herod was incited to hasten her death for that she alledged that the King ought to fear lest some sedition E should be raised amongst the people if he should keep her alive in prison And by this means Mariamne was led unto her death Alexandra her mother considering the estate of the time and fearing no less mischief from Herods hands than her daughter was assured of she undecently changed her mind and abjectly laid aside her former courage and magnanimity For intending to make it known that she was neither party nor privy to those crimes wherewith Mariamne was charged she went out to meet her daughter and entertained her injuriously protesting publickly that she was a wicked woman Alexandra undecently striveth to acquit her self of Mariamnes Treason and ungrateful towards he husband and that she well deserved the punishment that was adjudged her for that she durst be F so bold to attempt so heinous a fact respecting to requite her husbands entire love with her unfeigned loyalty Whilst thus dishonestly she counterfeited her displeasure and was ready to pull Mariamne by the hair the assistants according to her desert condemned her generally for her hypocrisie but she that was led to be punished convicted her self by her mild behaviour for first of all she gave her no answer neither was any ways altered by her reproaches neither would so much as cast her eye upon her making it appear that she discreetly concealed and covered her mothers imperfections and was aggrieved that she had so openly shewed so great indignity expressing for her own part a constant behaviour and going to her death without change of colour so that those that beheld her perceived in her a kind of manifest courage and G nobility even in her utmost extremity H Thus died Mariamne having been a woman that excelled both in continence and courage notwithstanding that she failed somewhat in affability and impatience of nature for the rest of her parts she was an admirable and pleasing beauty and of such a carriage in those companies wherein she was entertained that it was impossible to express the same in that she surpassed all those of her time which was the principal cause that she lived not graciously and contentedly with the King For being entertained by him who intirely loved her and from whom she received nothing that might discontent her she presumed upon a great and intemperate liberty in her discourse She digested also the loss of her friends very hardly according as in open terms she made known unto the King whereby also it came to pass I that both Herods mother and sister and himself likewise grew at odds with her After her death the King began more powerfully to be inflamed in his affections Herods miserable estate and moan after the death of his wife who before as we have declared was already miserably distracted For neither did he love after the common manner of married folk but whereas almost even unto madness he nourished this his desire he could not be induced by the too unbridled manners of his wife to allay the heat of his affection but that daily more and more by doating on her he increased the same And all that time especially he supposed that God was displeased with him for the death of Mariamne Oftentimes he did invocate her name using such lamentable expressions that did not become the Majesty of a King And notwithstanding he devised all kinds of delights and sports that might be imagined by preparing banquets and inviting K guests with Princely hospitality to pass away the time yet all those profited him nothing for which cause he gave over the charge and administration of his Kingdom At length he was so besotted with grief A plague invadeth Jerusalem that oftentimes he commanded his servants to call his wife Mariamne as if she had been alive Whilest thus he was afflicted there came a pestilence within the City that consumed a great part of the people and most of the nobility and all interpreted that this punishment was inflicted by God upon them for the unjust death of the Queen Herod falleth grievâ—usly sick Thus the Kings discontents being by this means increased he at last hid himself in a solitary wilderness under pretext of hunting where afflicting himself incessantly at last he fell into a most grievous sickness This disease of his was an inflammation or pain in the neck he seemed also in some sort to rave and grow mad neither L could any remedies relieve him of his agony but when the sickness seemed rather to increase all men at last grew almost desperate of his recovery For which cause his Physician partly in respect of the contumacy of his disease partly because in so great a danger there was not any free election of dyet they gave him leave to taste whatsoever best pleased his appetite committing the uncertain event of his health to the hands of fortune Whilest thus he continued in Samaria Alxandra in Herods absence seeketh to get the possession of the Castles which now is called Sebaste Alexandra being at that time in Jerusalem having notice of this his condition endeavored to reduce all the strong fortresses that were within the City under her subjection the one of which was hard by the Temple the other was situate within the City for they that are Masters of these keep all the rest of the nation under their awe because that without these neither the usual and M daily sacrifices may be performed neither may the Jews live without such sacrifices and oblations who had rather lose their lives than contemn their religion She therefore solicited those that had the government thereof to surrender them up to her and Herods children begotten of her daughter Mariamne lest he being dead they should be seised on by others and if it should fortune him to recover his health in the mean while they mâ—ght be kept and held by no man more securely than such as were his nearest friends This suit and solicitation of hers was but coldly received and the Captains who at all times shewed themselves always faithful at that time were the rather far more constant in their duty both for that they hated Alexandra and also that they thought it a great offence to despair of the health of their Prince Herods counsellors certifie him of Alexandras intent For these were the Kings old friends and one of them was Herods own Nephew N whose name was Achiabus For which cause they sent presently messengers unto him to shew him Alexandra's intent who having heard these news presently commanded her to be put to death Alâ—xandra put to death and at length overcoming his sickness he grew so badly affected both in body and mind that he grew hateful unto all men so that all those who offended him and for how little cause
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
age and beloved of him whom Alexander much accounted of This fellow many times amidst the multitudes exclaimed that truth and equity were banished out of the world and that in their stead malice and untruth reigned Whereby there was such a mist and a fog caused over the whole world that no man could see his own errors This his free Speech though it was not without danger yet all men hereat were moved for that he had some reason to shew his fortitude in so dangerous a time and every one was willing to hear his Speech and though themselves for fear were silent yet did they not reprehend him for speaking freely For the expectation of the event of so great mischief was able to have wrested from every one of them words of commiseration B Tyro with great audacity also came unto the King and begged of him that he might talk with him alone Tyro speaketh to Herod and not observing modesty he and the Captains were imprisoned which the King granting he used these words with great lamentation I can no longer O my King suppress this my grief which causeth me so boldly to speak though with my own peril yet if it please thee my King that which I intend to speak shall be for thine advantage Where now my Lord are thy wits Where is thy couragious mind ever hitherto able to match all difficult businesses whatever How happeneth it that thou hast so few Friends and Kindred For I account not them Kinsmen or Friends that permit such wickedness and hatred in thy Court which was most happy and fortunate And what art thou unto thy self Wilt thou not look and see what is done Wilt thou put to death C the two young Princes born unto thee by the Queen thy Wife who abound in all vertue and commit thy self now in thy old age unto one only Son who nourisheth impious Hopes and Designs and to thy Kindred who by thy own censure have often deserved death Dost thou not perceive that the people keeping themselves quiet and still do both condemn the errour of thy Friends and also pity and compassionate the two Princes Moreover all thy Soldiers and the Captains themselves have compassion on them and curse the Authors of this unfortunate calamity The King at first took these words of Tyro in good part as being admonished of the perfidious dealing of them about him and his own calamity But Tyro immodestly and Soldier like urging the King and for his own simplicity not able to D discern what fitted that time the King at last thought this rather a turbulent upbraiding him than a friendly adomonition and asking who those Captains and Soldiers were he commanded them all and Tyro also to be bound and kept in prison Then one Tripho the Kings Barber taking hereat occasion told the King that Tyro had often sollicited him Tyro is by his Son and a Barber accused to have practised Treason against the King as he shav'd the King to cut his throat with his razor promising him for recompence great rewards and that he should be one of Alexander's chief Friends Having spoken these words the King commanded him to be apprehended and the Barber and Tyro and his Son to be tortured Tyro his Son seeing his Father in most miserable torments and that he still persisted in them and by the Kings displeasure conjecturing that there was no hope of life told them that tortured E his Father that he would confess all the truth conditionally that his Father and himself might be no more tormented and having his request granted he told them that it was agreed that Tyro with his own hand should have killed the King for he could get opportunity to come unto the King when no man else was with him and so he would kill him and for Alexander's sake endure any torments whatsoever This spoken he delivered himself and his Father from further tortures but it is uncertain whether the tale he told was true or whether he devised it to free them both from torments Then Herod now laying all doubt aside if before he were in any thought what death his Sons should die Tyro with 300 Captains are accused before the people and slain Alexander and Aristobulus strangled at Sebaste and buried in Alexandrium and leaving no place to repentance and mercy he hastened to execute his purpose and producing 300 Captains and Tyro and F his Son and the Barber his accuser he accused them all before the people and the people throwing any thing that came to their hands at them they killed them every one And Alexander and Aristobulus was carried unto Sebaste and there by their Fathers command were strangled and their bodies carried by night into the Castle Alexandrium where there Grand-father by their Mothers side and many of their Progenitors lay buried But perhaps some will not marvel that a hatred so long a breeding should in the end so prevail that it overcame natural affections But one may justly doubt whether the fault were in the young Princes who exasperated by a hard Father so long time The cause of these calamities was Destiny and Gods Providence fell into such a hatred of him or whether it is to be imputed unto his unkindness and immoderate desire of Honour and Rule who could G not abide any to be his equal but rather chusing to do all at his own pleasure Or rather unto Fortune whose power the wisest living is not able to resist Wherefore I am perswaded Fortune hath predestinated all humane actions so that they must have a necessary event And this inevitable force we call Fate or fatal Destiny H for that there is nothing which it effecteth not But it sufficeth briefly to have touched this high matter which of it self is very difficult which attributeth something unto our actions and examineth the causes of the variety of our actions which speculation is already comprised in the two Volumes of our Law Wherein Alexander and Aristobulus offended Furthermore touching the Princes fault we may accuse their youthful arrogancy and their pride who did give too great ear to their Father's accusers and for that they were unjust searchers into his life and actions and that they maliciously suspected him and could not rule their tongues Herod's shameful errour not to be excused but hereby gave double occasion to their Adversaries and matters unto those tale-bearers that sought to get the King's favour But their Father 's shameful fault cannot be excused who suffered himself so to be over-ruled with passion that he I put them to death that were begotten of his own body without any proof or argument of the crimes laid unto their charge yea two young Princes of excellent feature of body not only beloved of their own Nation but also of strangers they were dextrous in all Exercises and commendable in Military Affairs and eloquent in Civil Discourses For in all these things
that City Yet Herod did not continue long time in that mind although by the A means he had given him he had not satisfied his Kinsman's necessities For being in the City of Tyre in a certain company where he drank immoderately Agrippa esteemed it for an extream injury that Herod had upbraided him with his poverty and hit him in the teeth that he maintained him at his charge For which cause he withdrew himself to Flaccus Herod taunteth Agrippa with his Poverty who had been sometimes Consul at Rome and for the present was President of Syria with whom he had been very familiar at Rome Flaccus received him very kindly and had also done the like a good while before to Aristobulus Agrippa's Brother who were both at variance between themselves yet Agrippa retireth himself to Flaccus notwithstanding this Dissention between them Flaccus entertained them both with equal favour But Aristobulus remitted nothing of his hatred he bare his Brother and never rested till he had B drawn Flaccus into dislike with his Brother Aristobulus draweth Agrippa into Flaccus's disfavour upon this occasion The Inhabitants of Damasco contending with the Sidonians about their limits and being to debate their cause before Flaccus knowing what interest Agrippa had in him they besought him that he would further their Cause promising him a great Summ of money whereupon he addressed himself in what he could to further those of Damasco But Aristobulus who had an inkling of this conclusion and promise accused his Brother to Flaccus and after enquiry was made and he found guilty of the Fact Agrippa grew out of the Presidents favour and falling again into extream poverty he came to Ptolemais and having no way to subsist he resolved to go into Italy And seeing he wanted Money he commanded Marsyas his Free-man that by all means whatsoever he should seek to C take up Money upon Interest He spake unto Protus who was Agrippa's Mother's Freeman who by the Testament of his deceased Mistress was left unto Antonius's protection that upon his Master's Bill and Promise he would lend him some Money But he alledging that Agrippa before that time owed him money Agrippa by Marsyas's means borroweth money of Protus extorted from Marsyas a Bill of his hand for twenty thousand Attick Drachmes deducting out of that Summ two thousand and five hundred which Marsyas took for himself which he might the more easily do for that Agrippa could not otherwise chuse Having therefore received this money he went to Anthedon where getting Shipping he prepared himself for the journey But when Herennius Capito who was Treasurer of Jamnia understood of his being D there Agrippa whilst Herennius Capito extorteth money at his hands flieth to Alexandria by night he sent his Souldiers to him to exact three hundred thousand silver Drachmes at his hands for which he stood indebted to Caesar's Treasurer during his being at Rome by which means he was enforced to stay Whereupon he made a shew that he would obey their demand but as soon as it was night he caused the Cables of the Ship to be cut and cast off and sailed to Alexandria there he requested Alexander Alabarcha to lend him two hundred thousand Drachmes in Silver he protested that he would trust him with nothing Agrippa borroweth money at Alexandria But admiring Cypros his Wife 's constant love toward her Husband and her many other Virtues he upon her promise condescended to do him a kindness Whereupon in present money he payed him five Talents in Alexandria and promised to deliver him the rest of the money at Puteol fearing Agrippa's unthriftiness E Thus Cypros having furnished her Husband for his Journey into Italy returned her self and her Children into Judaea by Land Agrippa arriveth at Puteol and is admitted to Caesar's presence But Agrippa as soon as he arrived at Puteol wrote unto Tiberius Caesar who lived in Capreas signifying unto him that he came to do his duty beseeching him that he would grant him free and favourable access Tiberius with all expedition returned him a very kind answer assuring him that he would be very glad to see him safely arrived in Capreas In a word as soon as he was arrived Caesar expressed and made it known that his affection was answerable to his Letters and both embraced him and lodged him The next day Caesar received Letters from Herennius Capito who advertised him that Agrippa owed three hundred thousand Drachmes of Silver which he borrowed and payed not at the time prefixed F and that when the appointed time of payment was come he was fled out of the Countrey and by this occasion he had deprived him of the means to constrain him to make satisfaction When Caesar had read these Letters he was highly displeased and commanded those of his â—â—mber that they should not admit Agrippa to his presence until such time as he had liâ—â—â—arged that debt Agrippa borroweth three hundred thousand drachmes of Antonia Germanicus's Claudius's Mother But he nothing daunted at Caesar's displeasure required Antonia Germanicus and Claudius's Mother who was afterwards Emperour to lend him the summ of three hundred thousand Drachmes to the end he might not lose Caesar's friendship Who remembring her Bernice Agrippa's Mother and with what familiarity they had conversed together and how Agrippa likewise had been brought up with Claudius her Son lent G him that money Caius commended to Agrippa's charge Whereupon he paying the debt without any contradiction enjoyed the Princes favour and was so reconciled to Caesar that he committed his Nephew to Agrippa's charge commanding him to attend him always whithersoever he went Being by this benefit bound and tied to Antonia he began to reverence her Nephew H Caius who was gracious in all mens eyes and honoured in memory of his Parents At that time by chance there was one Allius a Samaritan Caesar's Free-man of whom he borrowed ten hundred thousand Drachmes of Silver and payed Antonia her due and kept the rest Allius Caesars Free-man lendeth Agrippa money the more honourably to attend and wait on Caius By whom being entertained with most inward familiarity it happened one day that riding in the same Coach with him Agrippa wisht for they two were alone that Tiberius might shortly surrender the Kingdom and Empire unto Caius who was each way more worthy than he These words of his were overheard by the Coachman called Eutychus who was Agrippa's Free-man who for the time spoke not a word thereof But being afterwards accused for stealing Agrippa's garment as he indeed had done and brought I back again after he had fled away to Piso who was the Governour of the City he asked him why he fled Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. who answered that he had certain secrets which he desired to reveal unto Caesar Eutychus Agrippa's Free-man bethinks him to accuse Agrippa to the Emperour that appertained to his
profit and safety for which cause he was sent by him in Bonds to Capreas Tiberius according to his dilatory manner wherein no King or Tyrant ever equalled him held him Prisoner For neither did he presently admit any Ambassadours neither sent he Successors to those who were Governours of his Provinces when the former were dead and was no less negligent in yielding audience to his Prisoners But when his friends at any time questioned him why he used these accustomed delays he answered them that he deferred the Ambassadours after that manner lest if he should suddenly dispatch them they should instantly return K with new whereby it should come to pass that he should be continually troubled in entertaining and dismissing them And as for his Offices For what cause Tiberius changed not his Governors he left them in their hands to whom he had committed them in regard of his Subjects welfare For naturally all Magistracy is subject to Avarice but especially strangers induce those who exercise the same to gather and ingross the more eagerly when as the time of their Authority is short and of small assurance whereas if they should continue in the same for a long time in regard of the gain they had made and the much profit they had raised they would be afterwards less greedy to extort further Now if he should send others to succeed them on a sudden it were impossible for him to content them notwithstanding their many Bribes whereas in L giving them time to fill their purses when they had gotten well they would abate the furious desire of Lucre which they affected before And to this purpose he told them an example of a poor man that was a Lazar to whose wounds a great number of Flies assembled themselves and covered the same at sight whereof some by fortune arriving there and having compassion of his misery and supposing that the cause why he repulsed them not proceeded from his disability approached near to help him but he prayed them to let him alone Whereupon they demanding the cause wherefore he that was hurt refused to be delivered from so irksome an evil he answered them for that they should do him more wrong if those flies were driven away for that being already full of blood they prick me not said he neither suck me so earnestly M but give me some ease whereas if new should light on my wound which were hungry and should seize my flesh in that desperate estate that I am they would procure my death For these causes he said that seeing his Subjects already consumed by so many exactions he thought it a good policy in him and a better provision for them not to send them new Governours continually who might after the manner of flies suck them to the quick especially if to their innate covetousness he should add the fear of their sudden displacing Now to prove that to be true which I have declared of Tiberius's disposition this action of his may suffice to justifie me For having been Emperour for the space of twenty two years all those Governours which he sent into Jewry were two namely Gratus Why Caesar would not give Audience to his Prisoners and Pilat his Successor neither carried he himself otherwise towards N the rest of his Subjects of the Empire And as for his Prisoners the reason why he delayed so much to give them Audience was to the end that they who had been condemned to death 〈◊〉 not speedily be delivered from those torments Agrippa solliciteth Antonia to bring Eutichus to his Answer wherewith he threatned them and which they had deserved by their wickedness For whilst he kept them in that pain their misery encreased the more For this cause Eutychus could not obtain Audience at his hands but was a long time detained Prisoner Antonia very much honoured by Tiberius Afterwards in process of time Tiberius transported himself from Capreas to Tusculanum which was distant from Rome some hundred Furlongs There did Agrippa sollicite Antonia to cause Eutychus to be called to his answer Antonia discovereth Sejanus's Conspiracy to Caesar concerning the accusation which he pretended against him Now O Antonia was in great favour with Tiberius both in regard of the affinity that was between them in that she was Drusus's Wife who was Tiberius's as in respect of A her Modesty For she being young continued in her Widowhood and would not Marry with any other notwithstanding Augustus importuned her to wed but lived always in honour without blame Besides that she had done Tiberius a great pleasure for at such time as Sejanus his Friend and a man of great account in those days by reason he had the Government of the Army practised a Conspiracy against him whereunto divers of the Senate and of his Free-men and of his Souldiers likewise were accessary yet she brought all their intents to nothing This Attempt had taken a great head and Sejanus had finished his purpose had not Antonia used more advised courage than Sejanus did in executing his Treason For having discovered the danger that threatned Tiberius she wrote and sent her express Letters by Pallas one of B her trusty Servants unto him to Capreas to assure him in particular of the whole Contrivance of the Conspiracy Caesar having true understanding thereof caused Sejanus and his Confederates to be executed Therefore though before that time he honoured Antonia greatly yet he did afterwards honour her far more so that he trusted her in all things When therefore she entreated him to give Eutychus Audience Tiberius answered If said he Eutychus hath falsly objected any thing against Agrippa it sufficeth that he endure that Punishment that I have enjoyned him But if in the Torture he maintain that which he hath spoken to be true it is to be feared lest Agrippa intending to punish his Free-man do rather heap the Punishment upon his own head When Antonia had reported this answer of his to Agrippa Agrippa urgeth Eutychus trial and for certain speeches 〈◊〉 his is cast into Bonds he did the more instantly sollicite her requiring her C that the matter might be brought to tryal And for that Agrippa ceased not to importune her Antonia took the occasion which was this Tiberius being after Dinner time carried in his Litter and having Caius and Agrippa before him she walking by the Litter besought him to call Eutychus to his Tryal Whereunto he replyed The Gods said he know that that which I do I do it not of mine own will but for the necessity I am pressed with upon your request And having spoken thus he commanded Macron Sejanus's Successor to bring Eutychus before him which was performed with all expedition Whereupon Tiberius asked him what he had to say against him who had made a Free-man of him My Sovereign said he Caius that is here present and Agrippa rode one day together in the same Coach and I
it would cost much time and expence he denied their request permitting them nevertheless to pave their City with broad Stone Matthias the Son of Theophilus High Priest He took the Priesthood from Jesus the Son of Gamaliel and gave it to Matthias the Son of Theophilus in whose time the Wars betwixt the Romans and the Jews began But I think it not amiss Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. but very answerable to the course of this present History N to speak of the High Priests The Succession and number of the High Priests among the Jews and to shew how they had their beginning and to whom this honour may be lawfully communicated and how many they were in number until the end of the War The first of them was Aaron Moses's Brother after whose death his Children succeeded him and from that time forward the honour hath continued with their Successors For it is a Law observed by our Ancestors that no man should be admitted to the Priesthood There were eighty three High Priests in all except he be of Aaron's Posterity for albeit he were a King if so be that he were of another Line it was impossible for him to obtain the Priesthood All the Priests after Aaron who as we have said was the first until Phanasus whom the Seditious created Priest in the time of the War have been in number eighty three whereof thirteen have executed the Office from the time that O Moses erected God's Tabernacle in the Desart until such time as arriving in Judaea King Solomon builded a Temple to God For in the beginning the High Priesthood continued A with the Possessors for term of life but afterwards although the Priests were yet alive yet were there other Successors put in their rooms These thirteen were of Aaron's Posterity and obtained this degree in succession the one after the other Their first Government was Aristocracy which is the Government of the Nobility afterwards a Monarchy and at last a Royal Government The number of years wherein these thirteen flourished were six hundred and twelve years from the day that our Fathers departed out of Egypt under the conduct of Moses until the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon After these thirteen High Priests there were eighteen others who after Solomon's time succeeded one after another until the time that Nabuchodonozor King of Babylon B having encamped before the City took it and burned the Temple and transported our Nation into Babylon and led away the High Priest Josedech Prisoner The time of the Priesthood and continuance of these eighteen was four hundred sixty years six months and ten days so long as the Jews have had the Royal Government After the surprizal of Jerusalem by the Babylonians until such time as Cyrus King of Persia dismissed the Jews and gave them leave to return from Babylon into their own Countrey with permission to re-edifie their Temple there are seventy two years and at that time the Captives being returned Jesus the Son of Josedech took upon him the High Priesthood who with those of his Posterity to the number of fifteen have governed in a Democracy or Popular Government until the time of Antiochus surnamed C Eupator for the space of four hundred and fourteen years This Antiochus was the first who with his General Lysias displaced Onias surnamed Menelaus of his Priesthood commanding him to be killed at Berith and after he had driven his Son out of the Succession he established Jacim High Priest who notwithstanding was of Aaron's Race but not of his Family For this cause Onias the Son of Onias and Nephew to the deceased Onias retired himself into Egypt Where growing familiar with Ptolomey Philometor and Cleopatra his Wife he perswaded them to build a Temple in the Confines of Heliopolis not unlike to that of Jerusalem and to create a High Priest in the same of which Temple in Egypt we have made very oftentimes mention After that Jacim had held the Priestood for the space of three years he died without D Successor so the City remained seven years without a High Priest Again the Asmoneans recovered the Government of their Nation and after they had made War against the Macedonians they established Jonathan High Priest who exercised the Office seven years but afterwards he was killed in an Ambush and Treason conspired against him by Tryphon as we have declared elsewhere After him Simon his Brother undertook the Priesthood who was not long after killed treacherously by his Son-in-Law at a Banquet After him succeeded his Son Hircanus who enjoying this Dignity for the space of thirty one years died when he was very old leaving behind him Judas surnamed Aristobulus who dying left his Brother Alexander his Heir both of the Kingdom and High Priesthood After that Aristobulus had obtained the E Royal Government he enjoyed both Dignities one whole year For this Judas surnamed Aristobulus was the first that set the Diadem on his head causing himself to be called a King the which Alexander did continue for he also joyned the Kingdom with the High Priesthood and reigned twenty seven years And feeling himself draw near to his death he left in Alexandras his Wife's hands to dispose of the Priesthood as she pleased She therefore bestowed it on Hircanus and as for the Kingdom she kept it in her own hands nine years and afterwards died Her Son Hircanus was High Priest for so long time For after Alexandra's death his Brother Aristobulus made War against him and having overcome him he took the Kingdom from him and not only seized on the Crown but the Priesthood After he had reigned three F years and as many months Pompey repaired to Jerusalem and took it perforce and laying hold of Aristobulus sent him bound unto Rome with his Children After which he restored the Priesthood once more to Hircanus committing the Government of the Nation unto his hands forbidding him in the mean space to wear the Diadem Besides the first nine years Hircanus governed twenty and four But Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians passed Euphrates and made war against Hircanus and took him alive Prisoner and made Antigonus Aristobulus's Son King But after he had governed three years and three months Sosius and Herod took him alive perforce and Antonius sent him to Antioch where he was beheaded After that Herod was created King by the Romans there was never any High Priest created of G the Posterity of the Asmoneans for he gave the High Priesthood to certain men of obscure and base extraction who were of the Order of Priests Aristobulus only excepted This Aristobulus was Hircanus's Nephew who was a Prisoner among the Parthians and having given him the Priesthood he married Mariamne his Sister to the intent H to continue himself in the good liking of the people in remembrance of Hircanus But afterwards fearing lest all of them should turn to Aristobulus's
eight thousand of the Rebels Alexander assaileth the Castle of Amath and razeth it he warred upon Arabia and overcoming the Galaadites and Moabites and imposing upon them a Tribute he returned to besiege Amath But Theodorus daunted with his prosperous success and finding the Castle without any to defend it razed it to the ground After this he assaulted Obodas King of the Arabians who having laid Ambushments in the Countrey of Galaad in a place fit for such a purpose discomfitted him and his whole Army being driven into a deep Valley where they were pestered with a multitude of Camels L But Alexander escaped to Jerusalem where the people who had conceived a hatred against him being encouraged by his great loss and slaughter of men began again to rebel but then also he overcame them and in six years space in sundry Battels slew above fifty thousand Jews Notwithstanding he never rejoyced in his Victory because the strength of his Countrey was consumed thereby For which cause giving over his Wars he began to seek the people's favour by sweet and mild courses but they so much hated his inconstant and variable manners that when he demanded of them what he should do to win their favours they answered that he should die and that scarcely they could pardon him if so be he were dead who had done them so much mischief The Jews sent to Demetrius surnamed Eucerus for help who in M hope of great rewards Demetrius cometh to help the Jews came and joyned his Forces with the Jews about Sichem being three thousand Horse and forty thousand Foot Alexander met them both with a thousand Horse Ant. lib. 13. cap. 20. and six thousand Foot that were strangers besides ten thousand Jews that remain'd faithful to him Before the fight began the two Kings sent Messengers to one another's Army The War betwixt Demetrius and Alexander wherein Demetrius is Conqueror perswading one another's men to forsake their Colours and Captains For Demetrius hoped that Alexander's hired men would have forsaken his service and come unto him and Alexander hoped that the Jews that followed Demetrius would have left Demetrius and come to him But when both parts perceived that the Jews continued obstinate in their purpose and the Greeks kept their fidelity the two Armies encountred in which Encounter Demetrius had the upper hand N although Alexander's Hirelings evidently shewed their strength and courage But the end of this Victory was such The Jews revolt from Demetrius as neither party expected for they who sent for Demetrius after his Victory forsook him and Fortune changing her Colours six thousand Jews fled to Alexander into the Mountains whither for safety he had betaken himself This revolt much displeased and discouraged Demetrius so that he now thought that Alexander uniting his Forces was able to give him Battel and he feared that all the Jews would at that present follow Alexander for which cause he returned home Yet the rest of the Jews Alexander's immoderate wrath who crucified eight hundred Captives having thus lost the help of Demetrius would not desist from their Rebellion but they so long warred with Alexander till at last the most of them being slain he drave the rest into the City of Bemezeli and when he had surprized and O sack'd the City he led them Captive to Jerusalem But immoderate anger turned his cruelty into impiety for having crucified eight hundred Captives in the midst of the A City he killed their Wives and the Children he massacred before their Mother's Faces and this pitiful spectacle he beheld with pleasure as he was drinking and making merry with his Concubines Whereat the people were so terrified that the night after eight thousand of the contrary part fled out of the Countrey of Judaea and stayed in Banishment Alexander ceaseth from War during the life of Alexander Thus after he had by such actions sought the tranquility of his Kingdom which he obtained not but with long time and great difficulty he ceased to make War against his Countrey CHAP. IV. B Of the War of Alexander King of the Jews with Antiochus and Aretas and of Aristobulus and Hircanus AFter this Alexander feareth Antiochus Demetrius 's Brother Antiochus who likewise was called Dyonisius Brother to Demetrius and the last of all the race of Seleucus raised up new broils against Alexander who fearing him because he had overcome the Arabians drew a deep Trench along that ground which lieth between Antipatris and the Sea-coast of Joppa and before the Trench he built a very high Wall and raised Towers of wood to hinder his enemies passage But all this could not keep out Antiochus who burning the Towers C and filling up the Trenches entred and passed over them with his Forces But not tarrying at that time to revenge himself of him who had thus forbidden him passage he presently marched forward against the Arabians The King of the Arabians invadeth Antiochus's Soldiers unawares Aretas King of Arabia retiring himself into certain places of his Countrey which were fittest for defence and returning suddenly to Battel with his Horse who were in number ten thousand rushed suddenly upon Antiochus's Soldiers and found them unprovided so that a hot Skirmish began betwixt them The King of Arabia puts Antiochus's Forces to flight and killeth a great number of them in which the Soldiers of Antiochus whilst he lived shewed themselves valiant though they were on every side massacred by the Arabians but so soon as he was slain who was always ready to assist those that were in danger all of them fled and the greatest part of them were slain in the Battel and in flight As for D those that escaped they fled to the Town of Cana where all except very few died for hunger After this the people of Damascus being incited with the hatred they bare to Ptolomey the Son of Menneus They of Damascus and Aretas against Alexander sent for Aretas and established him King over Coelosyria who warring against Judaea and overcoming Alexander in Battel retired upon Composition Alexander having taken Pella resorted once more to the Town of Gerasa in that he was desirous to get Theodorus's Riches and took the place notwithstanding that it was fortified with three Walls and that upon every Wall there was planted a Garrison He took Gaulan and Seleucia and that Town which is called the Valley of Antiochus Moreover having taken Gamala which was a very strong Castle and imprisoned the Governour thereof who was called Demetrius because he was a wicked E person he returned into Judaea after he had spent three years in War where for his prosperous success he was joyfully received of his Nation But no sooner ceased he from War Alexander sick of a Quartane Fever but he fell sick of a Quartane Ague and he thought that he should drive away his sickness if he employed himself in some
Procurator Fabatus Caesar's Governour discovereth Syllaeus secrets not for Caesar but for Herod wherewith Fabatus was moved and being as yet in great estimation with Herod he disclosed Syllaeus's his secrets and signified to the King how that Syllaeus had corrupted Corinthus K one of his Guard whom he advised to be taken and kept in hold The King more easily hearkned to his counsel because Corinthus though always brought up in the Kings Court yet was born in Arabia Wherefore he presently took him and two other Arabians that were found with him one of them was Syllaeus's friend and the other Phylarchus Upon their examination they confessed that Corinthus for a great sum of money was hired to kill the King After this they were sent to Saturnius Governour of Syria and by him to Rome CHAP. XIX L How Herod should have been poysoned and how the treason was discovered HErod still urged Pheroras to forsake his Wife Herod banisheth his Brother Pheroras and his wife for he knew not how else to punish her having many matters against her which because he would not yield to at last he was so moved that he banish'd them both Pheroras taking this injury patiently departed to his Tetrarchy taking an Oath that his banishment should endure as long as Herod lived and that whilest he lived he would never come any more to him And accordingly he would not come to visit him when he was sick notwithstanding he was often sent for when as he thought he lay on his death-bed M and would gladly have imparted something to him but contrary to all hope he recovered and afterwards Pheroras fell sick At which time Herod shewed his patient and humble mind for he went to him and very kindly sought help for him but he was too far spent Pheroras died and was buried in Jerusa and a few days after died and although Herod loved him until his dying day yet was it bruted abroad that he poysoned him Herod caused his body to be brought to Jerusalem and commanded all the Nation to mourn and buried him with a sumptuous funeral Thus one of the Murtherers of Alexander and Aristobulus came to this end but shortly after the revenge of that wicked fact fell upon Antipater Ant. l. 17. c. 7. who was the chief Author thereof For certain freed men that belonged to Pheroras came in mournful manner to Herod and complained to him that N his Brother Pheroras was poysoned and that his own Wife had given him a drink which as soon as he had drunk he presently fell sick that two days before his sickness A Witch of Arabia there came a Witch out of Arabia sent for by his Mother and Sister to give him a Love-potion and that shee in stead thereof through Syllaeus's inducements had given him poyson for she was of Syllaeus's acquaintance The King moved with this discourse caused divers of Pheroras freed men and freed women to be put to torture The confession of the women in their tortures and one of them impatient of the pain exclaimed in this wise O God ruler of heaven and earth revenge us upon Antipater's Mother who is the cause of these our evils When the King understood thus much he became more eager to search out the truth and the woman disclosed Antipater's O Mothers intelligence with Pheroras and the other women and their secret meetings and that when Pheroras and Antipater came from the Palace they used to A spend all the night in feasting not suffering any servant or domestick to be in the room with them and one of the Libertines wives reveiled this And when every one of the women were tortured apart all their examinations agreed so that now it was evident wherefore Antipater had complotted to go to Rome and Pheroras beyond the River Jordan For they were often wont to say that Herod having killed Alexander and Aristobulus would next come to us and our wives and that it was unlike that he would spare any one who spared not Mariamne and her Sons and therefore it was best to flee as far as possible from such a wild beast They also depos'd that Antipater was often wont to complain to his Mother that now he grew gray-haired his Father became young and lusty that himself might die perhaps B before him and that though his Father died first yet he should enjoy the pleasure of the Kingdom but a short time That moreover the heads of Hydra that is to say Alexander and Aristobulus's Sons began to spring up again and that he could not reasonably hope to leave the Kingdom to his Sons since Herod had declar'd that he would have it go after him to Herod the Son of Mariamne wherein he was perswaded that he doated if so be he thought his Will should be of force for he would take such an order that he would have none of all his Progeny alive and that Herod was the greatest hater of his Sons of any Father in the World and was not therewithal contented but he also hated his own Brethren A proof whereof was that he not long ago gave him a hundred talents that he should have no more C commerce with Pheroras and that when Pheroras asked wherein he had hurt him Antipater answered I would to God that he would take away all from us to our shirts and leave us only our lives but said he it is impossible to escape this dangerous Beast who will not not suffer men openly to shew friendship to one another Thus we are reduc'd to that pass that we cannot meet but in secret yet if we bear the hearts and hands of men the time will be when we may talk and meet openly The women in torments disclosed these speeches and that Pheroras was determined to flee with the rest to Petra Herod believed all these sayings and the rather because of that which was said concerning the hundred talents For he said nothing of the same to any one but to Antipater D Now first of all he turn'd his fury upon Doris Doris Antipaters Mother is spoiled of her Jewels and thrust out of the Palace Antipater's Mother and taking from her all the Jewels which he had bestowed upon her of the value of many talents he banish'd her When his wrath was somewhat appeased he released Pheroras's women from torments yet he became so prone to suspicion that he tortured many that were innocent lest he should let any escape that were guilty Amongst others Antipater the Samaritan who was Steward to his Son Antipater through torments confessed that his Son Antipater had procured poyson out of Egypt to kill him by means of a friend of Antiphilus which poyson Theudion Antipater's Uncle took of him and delivered to Pheroras whom Antipater charged to dispatch Herod whilst he was at Rome far from suspicion and that Pheroras gave his Wife the poyson to E keep Whereupon the King calling for her commanded
and the rest flying the Roman horsemen pursued M them and trode upon them with their horses Many were slain by the Romans and more were killed in the throng The slaughter of the Jews one tumbling upon another There was a great throng in the gates of the City for every one hasting and striving to get in hindred themselves and others Many died most miserably in the throng and some were stifled and some prest to death and trodden upon so that their neighbours coming to bury them could not know them The Soldiers also cruelly assaulted them killing all that they could come to and hindred the people from going in by the gate called Bezetha The seditious for fear lest Florus should seize their spoils flee to the Temple because they desired first to recover the Temple and the Castle called Antonia At the same time Florus coming with a party of Soldiers out of the Palace pursued N them thither striving to get the Castle yet he did not prevail for the people made resistance and threw down stones from the houses tops and killed many of the Romans Florus taketh the spoils and entreth the Temple who being pester'd with stones and darts cast from aloft could not resist the people who on every side came against them but retired themselves to the rest of the army at the King's Palace Those that were seditious fearing that Florus would again assault them Florus seeing the Jews in expugnâ—ble in the Temple 〈◊〉 his violence and 〈◊〉 a band behind him goeth to Caesarea and by the Castle Antonia get entrance into the Temple got upon the Galleries that reached from the Porch of the Temple to Antonia and beat them down hereby to defeat the covetousness of Florus who greedily gaped after the sacred Treasure and strived to enter by Antonia into the Temple to take it but seeing the Porches beaten down he offered no more violence And calling O together the high Priests and Nobility he said that he was content to depart out of the City but he would leave them as great a garrison as they would request Whereunto A they answered that nothing should be alter'd if he would leave one company to keep all quiet provided he left not that which lately so ill treated the people because the people would not easily brook them for that which they had suffered at their hands Florus as he was requested changing the garrison with the rest of the army went to Caesarea CHAP. XVI Of Politianus the Tribune King Agrippa's speech to the Jews exhorting them to B obey the Romans FLorus yet devised another way to stir the Jews to rebellion for he sent word to Cestius that the Jews were revolted impudently belying them to have committed that which indeed they endured at his hands The Nobles of Jerusalem and Bernice certified Cestius of all that Florus had done Cestius 〈◊〉 President of 〈◊〉 consulteth with the Princes what were â—est to be done He receiving Letters from both parties deliberated with his Officers what to do Some counselled Cestius to go into Judea with an army and punish the Jews if they were revolted and if they were not then to confirm them in their obedience Yet it pleased him better to send some about him thither before to bring him true news of their estate and what had C hapned Politianus is sent to Jerusalem and meets with Agrippa So he sent Politianus the Tribune who in his way met with Agrippa in Jamnia as he was returning from Alexandria and told him all for what and from whom he was sent Here also were present the Priests and the chief of the Jews to welcome Agrippa and having saluted him as courteously as they could they presently bewayled the misery which had befaln their Nation and the cruelty of Florus Which although Agrippa compassionated yet he made as if he were angry with the Jews whom he greatly pitied purposing hereby to allay their passions in stead of further irritating them by testifying the same sentiments to revenge All the better sort who for the sake of their lands and estates desired quietness well perceived that the Kings reprehension was not of malice but for their good D Also the people of Jerusalem went out to meet the King threescore furlongs off The multitude of the people go out to meet Agrippa and Politianus and received him and Politianus very courteously yet the women lamented the death of their husbands slain and with tears moved the whole multiude to sorrow who besought Agrippa to have compassion on their Nation and entreated also Politianus to go into the City and behold what Florus had done There they shewed him the Market-place desart and the houses destroyed and by means of Agrippa they perswaded him to go round about the City as far as Siloa only with one man and behold with his eyes what Florus had done and that they were obedient to the Romans in all things Politianus assembleth the people and inciteth them to peace and after returns to Cestius and only were enemies to Florus who had used them so cruelly Politianus having gone about the whole City ascended into the Temple E where he well perceived many arguments of the Jews fidelity towards the Romans and calling the people there together he praised their loyalty and exhorted them still to continue in like obedience and worshipped God and the holy places as far as the Law permitted him The Jews require the King that 〈…〉 be some Ambassadours sent to Rome to complain of Florus to Nero. and so he returned to Cestius After his departure the multitude of the Jews came to Agrippa and the high Priests requesting them to send Ambassadours against Florus to Nero because otherwise they should give occasion to think it a voluntary rebellion by not complaining of such murthers For Florus would make him believe that they had rebelled except they went to him to shew that Florus gave first occasion and it was certain that the multitude would not be quieted if any one hindred that Embassage Agrippa thought F it would be an hateful matter to send Ambassadours to Rome to accuse Florus and on the other side he perceived that it was to no purpose to contradict the Jews who were ready now to rebel wherefore calling the people together he made a speech to them having seated his sister Bernice in an eminent place in the house of the Asmoneans The porch wherein he called them together was in such a place that it overlook'd all the higher part of the City for there was only a bridge between it and the Temple which joyned this and that together and there he spake to the Jews in manner following Agrippa's 〈◊〉 to the Jews If I saw that you were resolved to make war against the Romans and that the better part of the the people were not inclined to peace I would not have come unto you nor
guard his own person And the hirelings only excepted the rest of the Soldiers were provided for by the Cities for every N City before mentioned sent one half of their men for Soldiers and the other half they kept to provide Victuals for them that one part being employed in War the other might do such business as the City required O A CHAP. XXVI Of Joseph's danger and escape and of the malice of John of Giscala WHilst Joseph thus ordered the Estate of Galilee John a notable dissembler and a thirsty murtherer under hope of gain there arose a Traytor born in Giscala John the Son of Levias a most subtil and deceitful man who by vile means was now become the richest person in that Countrey having before been very poor and unable to put his Villanies in practice He could lie at his pleasure and thought deceit a Virtue which he used even towards his dearest friends he was also a B great Counterfeiter of Humanity and yet for the hope of gain became a cruel Murtherer He always aimed at high matters with an aspiring mind and at first nourished his hope with small Villanies For first he was a Thief alone and lived in Woods and solitary places at last he got to him a company of audacious people like himself at first small but afterwards he greatly encreased it He also had a great care to chuse no weak persons but such as were strong of body valiant of mind and skilful in Martial Affairs Of these he gathered four hundred most of them out of Tyre and the Villages thereabout and with them he wasted all Galilee and killed many of those whom the fear of War had driven thither This man long time before had desired to be General of a formed Army and aspired to greater matters only the want C of money hindred him And perceiving that Joseph considered him as a serviceable man he perswaded him to suffer him to build the Walls of that place where he was born and which was now desolate and to accomplish this he gathered great summs of money of the richer sort After which having perswaded Joseph to give order to all the Jews that were dispersed over all Syria that they should send no Oyl to the neighbouring places save only that which was made by their own Nation he caused great quantities of Oyl to be brought to the Confines of Galilee and buying four Barrels for a piece of Tyrian money which amounted to four Attick Groats he sold them again to the Syrian Jews the half of one Barrel for as much as all four cost him And for that Galilee abounded with Oyls and especially at that time he conveyed it to D such places where there was great want John employeth the money he got against him by whose means he gained it and none was brought but by himself By this means he gathered an infinite mass of Money which presently he turned to the prejudice of him who had given him licence to get it And thinking that if he could depose Joseph he might come to be Ruler over Galilee he commanded his followers to rob and spoil more than they did before and so to trouble the Countrey that he might either kill the Governour treacherously if he sought to redress it or if he neglected it to accuse him of slothfulness and so make him odious to the people Moreover he had already given out speeches that Joseph went about to betray Galilee to the Romans and he devised many things to this effect to work Joseph's Overthrow It happened that at that time Agrippa's President robbed some of the Village of Dabarita who watched in the E field set upon Ptolomey who was Steward to King Agrippa and his Sister Bernice and plundered all his Carriages wherein was much costly Apparel and many Silver Vessels and six hundred pieces of Gold And for that they could not carry this secretly they brought all the whole Booty to Joseph at Tarichea who reproving them for offering violence to the King's Servants commanded the things to be kept at the house of Aeneas who was one of the richest men in the Town and should restore them to the owner when time served wherein thinking to do himself great good he brought himself into much danger For the Thieves being offended that they received no part thereof and seeing that Joseph would restore to Agrippa and his Sister Bernice that which they had laboured for they went round about the Villages in the F night Ten thousand Armed men come out against Joseph and spred this false report in every place that Joseph was a Traytor to his Countrey and with the same rumour also they filled the Cities thereabout So that early in the next morning ten thousand men armed assembled themselves together in the Theatre at Tarichea the greatest part of them cryed out in their fury that the Traytor Joseph ought to be stoned others that he ought to be burned and John himself with one Jesus the Son of Sapphias All Joseph's Friends and Guard save four flee from him who at that time was a Magistrate in Tiberias omitted nothing to animate the people yet more against him All the Friends of Joseph and his Guards being terrified with such a multitude fled four only excepted Joseph in the mean while was asleep and had he slept a little longer they had set his house on fire The Tumult awakened him and the four that remained with him G counselled him to flee But he not dismayed for that he was left alone nor that so great a multitude came against him went boldly towards them with his Garment all torn and Ashes upon his head holding his hands behind him and his Sword upon his neck At this sight they that bare him good will especially the people of Tarichea H were moved to compassion but the Countrey people who thought he overlaid them with Taxes and Tributes cursed him and bad him bring forth the publick Treasure and confess his Treason for seeing him in this plight they thought he would not deny any thing whereof he was accused and that he came so only to move them to compassion in order to obtain pardon for his offence This his humility stood him in good stead for hereby those that before were enraged against him now began one to fall out with another in his behalf when he promised to confess the whole matter Joseph's Oration in the Seditious And having obtained licence to speak he said I was never minded to send back that money to Agrippa nor to keep it to my private use For God forbid that I should ever hold him for my friend who is your open Enemy or that I should so seek my I own profit as thereby to damnifie you all But O ye men of Tarichea for as much as I perceived that your City especially had great need to be fortified and that you were not able to
did as they were commanded Then Titus with all force possible C charg'd with his Horse upon the Enemies and all followed him with an huge cry spreading themselves in such order that they occupied as much ground as the Jews and so appeared more than indeed they were The Jews though terrified by their fierceness yet stood the first assault but in the end dismaied and put out of order with their Lances The Jews flie into the City and trampled on by the Horsmen every one fled as fast as he could into the City The Romans killed some as they fled others as they overtook them many for haste tumbling one upon another A bitter dissention and sedition in the City and they prevented all that fled to the Walls and drove them back again into the field so that of this great multitude a very few were sav'd who got into the City Now at their return into the City there fell a great dissention for the Inhabitants considering their own Estate and the event of all former Wars and especially D of this last fight misliked the War and desired peace but the strangers that had fled from other places thither and were in great number would needs continue it and so one part began a contest against the other which proceeded so far that by their outcries they seem'd ready to take Arms. Titus being not far from the Wall heard these tumults within the City Titus Oration to the Roman Souldiers and cried out to the Romans This is the hour follow Souldiers wherein God hath given the Jews into our hands why do we defer the time any longer why do we not take the Victory offered do you not hear the cryes within they who escaped our hands are at variance amongst themselves the City is ours if we make haste and take courage Nothing worthy renown can be atchieved without danger Let us not only prevent our enemies concord which necessity will soon effect but also our own Forces before any fresh aid come to us E that besides the Victory being so few over so huge a multitude we may also divide the spoil of the City among us Jesus with his followers flyeth into the fields No sooner had he thus spoken but presently he mounted upon his Horse and rode into the Lake and so passed into the City and all the Souldiers followed him They that defended the Walls were so amazed at his boldness that none made resistance against him as he came but Jesus with his followers leaving the quarter which was his to defend fled into the fields others flying towards the Lake fell into their Enemies hands who came that way against them and so were slaughter'd as they were getting into their Ships others were slain as they were swimming to overtake the Ships that were new lanch'd froâ— the Shore and there was a great slaughter of men all over the City For the strangers that fled not made some resistance but the Townsmen did F not offer to defend themselvs for they abstained from fight hoping for pardon because they had not approved the War At last Titus having slain the factious took compassion upon the Citizens and saved their lives Titus certifies his Father of his exploits and Victory and caused the Slaughter to cease They who escaped to the Lake seeing the City taken remov'd as far as they could from their Enemies Titus sent Horsemen to let his Father understand what he had done Vespasian was very glad of his Sons glorious success whereby a great part of the War was ended He commanded the City to be Guarded round about to the intent that none might scape away alive And the next day he came down to the Lake and commanded Ships to be built to pursue those that had escaped by it and having many workmen and great store of matter to build them withal his command soon effected G A CHAP. XVIII The Description of the Lake of Genezareth and the Fountain of Jordan THE Lake of Genezareth taketh its name from the Country adjoyning to it the breadth thereof is fourty furlongs the length a hundred The Water of this Lake is sweet and good to drink and more subtil than ordinarily the Waters of other places are and it is very clear near the shoar and more cool to drink than either that of the River or Fountain yea it is always more cold than one would judge such a Lake B to be of that largeness for the Water being set in the Sun doth not lose its coldness when the Inhabitants expose it to the Sun in Summer to allay the natural coldness thereof The Fountain of Jordan There are in it many sorts of Fishes nothing like the Fishes of other places either in shape or taste The River Jordan passeth through the midst of it It is thought that Panium is the head and Fountain of it but in truth it hath its Original from Phiala from whence it passeth under ground a hundred and thirty Furlongs from Caesarea towards that way which leads unto Trachonitis on the right-hand This Source is called Phiala by reason of its roundness for it is as round as a Wheel and the Water still keepeth within the brink of Phiala never encreasing nor diminishing No man knew that this was the head of Jordan till Philip the Tetrarch of Traconitis found C it to be so for he casting straws into Phiala found them afterward carried to Panium which before that time was thought to be the Fountain of Jordan Panium though it be naturally beautified yet by Agrippa's cost and charges it was much more adorned Jordan beginneth with a deep River out of this Den The Description of Genezareth and passeth along the Marish places and dirty Lake of Semechonitis and from thence 120 Furlongs to the City Julias and in the way divideth the Lake Genezareth The fertility of Genezareth and passing a great way further into the Wilderness at last it falleth into the Lake called Asphaltites Upon the Lake Genezareth there bordereth a Country of the same Name naturally beautiful and admirable for there is no kind of Plant which will not grow there and the Inhabitants have replenished it with Plants and Trees of all sorts and the temperature of the Air well agreeth D with all sort of Fruit-Trees for there are an infinite Company of Nut-trees which of all Trees especially require a cold soil there are also abundance of Palms which desire great heat likewise great store of Figs and Olives which require a temperate Air so that one may justly say that through the bounty of Nature so different and opposite qualities are here together united and at one time as it were all difference of seasons of the year conjoyn for good purpose And it doth not only nourish these Fruits but also conserveth for ten whole Moneths Figs Grapes and all other Fruits all the year long The length and breadth of
them whom they had just reason to fear at revengers of their impieties Wherefore if you make any account of these mens prayers vouchsafe laying your Weapons aside to come into our City like Friends and be your selves Judges between us and them whom you come to help .. Jesus requireth the Idumeans to judge the discrences between the Zealots and them And consider what favour we shew them who permit them to plead their own causes before you they being guilty of so hainous crimes and having put to death persons of such account never accused nor permitted to speak for themselves yet this favour we will grant them for your sake But if you continue your indignation against us and refuse this offer to be our Judges then let us entreat you that L leaving both parts you would neither imbrue your hands in our blood nor lend your aid to those miscreants against your Mother-City And if you suspect any of us to be Confederates with the Romans you may keep all the passages and then seek to defend your Metropolis when you have proof of any such matter as is alledged against us and punish the Authors of that Treason when you have convicted them The enemies cannot prevent you because you are already planted so near the City The end of Jesus Oration to the Idumeans If you like none of these marvel not that we shut our gates against you coming in an armed and hostile manner But the Idumeans being angry were not moved hereby and so much the more for that entrance into the City was denied them and their Generals were exceedingly displeased thinking it shameful to lay down their Arms at the command of others who had no Authority over them K Then one of the Captains named Simon Simons answer to Jesus the Son of Cathla having with much ado gotten his Souldiers to be silent stood up in a place where the High Priests might hear him and said That he now did not wonder that those who maintained Liberty were besieged in the Temple since they of the City now shut their Gates against them the City being common and free for all the Nation and that perhaps they were ready to open the City Gates to receive the Romans That they spake to the Idumeans from a Tower and commanded them to cast down their Arms The Idumaeans are displeased because the City gates were lockt against them which they had taken only for the Liberty of the City when they durst not trust their own Nation to keep the same and yet would have them Judges of the discord and that accusing others for killing some not convicted they themselves would condemn M all our whole Nation by the ignominy they did to their Country-men against whom they had now shut the City gates which were open to all strangers to enter into for Religion-sake Did we make haste saith he towards you to fight against our own Nation when we came only to preserve your Liberty The reproaches the Idumaeans object against the high Priest and Citizens But this is as true as that they whom you thus besiege have wronged you and as the accusation you forge against them But your keeping in hold those that are the defenders of the Common-wealth shutting the City gates against Men of your own Blood you impose upon us contumelious commands Who can any longer endure this your mockery that perceiveth how contradictory your allegations are For who can justly accuse those that ye keep shut up in the Temple because they presumed to punish Traytors whom you grace with the title of Noble and Innocent because they were your Confederates Only in N this they are blame-worthy that they did not begin with you first but left alive such members of that Conspiracy Except also you will say that the Idâ—means shut you out of your City you your selves not permitting us to come and offer Sacrifice But though they were too merciful yet we the Idumeans will preserve the House of God and will fight for the common good of our Country and will be revenged both of the Enemies that are without the City and the Traytors within And here will we remain before the City till either the Romans come and deliver you or till you change your minds and bethink your selves what advantage it is to have Liberty O A CHAP. VII Of the Massacre of the Jews by the Idumeans ALL the Idumeans assented with a loud cry to these speeches of Simon And Jesus departed sorrowful seeing that the Idumeans would agree to no reason and that thereby their City should suffer a double War For the Idumeans were no less disquieted who took the matter in great disdain that they were not permitted to enter into B the City and also because they thought the Zealots so strong as they had believed and they themselves were ashamed that they could not help them so that many repented that they were come thither The Idumeans pitch their Tabernacles near the Walls Yet would they not for shame return nothing being done by them and so rashly placing their Tabernacles near the City walls they determined to stay there But that night there arose a most furious Tempest for there was a great stormy Wind A huge Storm and an exceeding great Rain mixt with fearful Thunder and horrible Lightning and an Earthquake with strange Noises so that all men thought this motion of the Earth would overturn the whole order of Nature or at least portend some great Calamity The Idumeans and Townsmen were both of one mind For they thought that God was angry with them for bearing Arms against their Metropolis C and perswaded themselves that they could not escape death if they continued in their purpose Ananus and his followers perswaded themselves that they had now overcome them without War and that God had fought for them against the Idumeans But they were false Prophets and what they judged would befall their Enemies fell upon themselves In the mean while the Idumeans lay as close together as they could and covered their heads with their Shields by which means the Rain did them not so much harm The Zealots consult to break open the Gates to assail the Watch and let in the Idumeans The Zealots were concern'd for the Idumeans more than for themselves and devised which way they might succour them The boldest amongst them advised the rest by force to set upon the Guard and so to get into the City and open the Gates to the Idumeans that were come to help them for it was easie to surprize the Watch by D reason that many of them were unarmed and unfit for War and the Citizens could not easily be assembled together seeing every man because of the Tempest kept his house And though there were danger in the attempt yet were it better to endure all mischiefs that might ensue than to permit such an Army shamefully to perish
Captains about Josephs liberty who was yet in hold But calling Mutianus and the rest of his friends C together first of all he told them how Valiant Joseph had been and what difficulty he had to win Jotapata only because of his Valour and then his Prophecies which at that time he esteemed only Fables fained for fear but now time and event had proved them true Wherefore it seemed an unreasonable thing that he who had been the foreteller of his Exaltation and a Messenger to him from God should still continue in bonds like a Captive and be left in adversity So calling for Joseph he commanded him to be set at liberty This fact of his made the Captains under him hope for great reward at his hands seeing he had been so kind to a stranger Titus being there present said It is meet O Father that as you acquit Joseph from Captivity so you also take away the shame of that which he hath already endured For if we D not only unty his Chains but also break them in sunder he shall be as though he had never been in bondage for this is the manner used for redress when any one being guiltless is commited to bonds Vespasian hereto agreed and so one came with an Axe and hewed his Chains in pieces Thus was Joseph rewarded for his Prophecy and thenceforward he was esteemed worthy to be believed CHAP. XIII Of Vetellius his Death and Manners E WHen Vespasian had answered the Embassadors and disposed of all the Commands of his Army according to every ones merit he went to Antioch and there deliberated whither to go first Vespasian bethinks himself to return to Rome and it seemed best to him to go to Rome rather than to Alexandria for he knew that Alexandria was quiet firm but Rome was held by Vitellius Wherefore he sent Mutianus into Italy with many Troops of Foot and Horse who fearing to go by Sea went thorow Cappadocia and Phrygia for it was Winter-time Antonius Primus who was Governour of Moesia brought from thence the third Legion remaining there and march'd against Vitellius Vitellius sent Caecinna to meet him with a great Army who departing from Rome met with Antonius at Cremona a Town of Lombardy F situate upon the confines of Italy but beholding the discipline order of his Forces he durst not fight with them and thinking it very dangerous to flie design'd to revolt and so calling to him the Centurions and Tribunes of his Army he perswaded them to go and joyn with Antonius after he had extenuated Vitellius his Power and extolled that of Vespasian Cecinna perswades the Souldiers to forsake Vitellius and honour Vespasian affirming the first to have only the bare name of the Emperour and the last to have also all Vertues meet for an Emperour Moreover that it would be better for them to do that of their own accord which otherwise they should be compelled to and seeing themselves already surpassed in number it was Prudence to prevent all danger For Vespasian was able without their assistance to subdue all the rest but Vitellius was not able with their help to keep that he had And speaking to this effect he perswaded G them to all that he would have done And so with his whole Army joyn'd with Antonius The same night the Souldiers repenting themselves of what they had done and also lest fearing Vitellius should get the upper hand who sent them against Antonius drew H their Swords and would have slain Cecinna And they had done it had not the Tribunes come and entreated them to the contrary wherefore they did not kill him but kept him bound meaning to send him to Vitellius as a Traitor Primus Antonius hearing this went with his Army and assaulted them who revolted from him Caecinna is apprel ended for Treason and they a while resisted yet at last forced to retire they fled to Cremona and Primus accompanied with Horsemen prevented their escape and so slew most of them before they got into the City and afterward setting upon it he gave his Souldiers the spoil of it Many Merchants of other Countries many Townsmen were slain all Vitellius Army consisting of 30200 men Antonius lost in this battel 4500 of those whom he brought out of Moesia And delivering Cecinna from Prison Vespasian honours Caecinna with unexpected honours and is acquitted of Treason he sent him to carry the news hereof to Vespasian who praised I him for his fact and honoured him above his expectation in reward of his Treason Sabinus who was at Rome hearing that Antonius was at hand greatly rejoyced and took courage and gathering together the Companies of the City-watch in the night-time he seiz'd on the Capitol Sabinus takes the Capitol and leaves Vitellius and in the morning many of the Nobles joyned with him amongst others Domitian his Brothers Son who was a great cause and help to obtain the Victory Vitellius little esteeming Primus turned his anger against Sabinus and those that had revolted with him as it were naturally thirsting after the blood of the Nobility he sent all the Army he brought out of Germany with him to assault the Capitol where many valiant deeds were shewed on both parts and at last the Germans being most in number got the Capitol Hill Domitian with many brave Noblemen as it K were by Gods providence escaped safe the rest of the multitude were there slain Sabinus was carried to Vitellius and by his commandment instantly put to death and the Souldiers taking away all the gifts and treasure in the Temple set it one fire The day after Antonius arrived Vitellius slain and Vitellius his Souldiers met him there was fighting in three several places of the City the forces of Vitellius were all defeated whereupon Vitellius came out of his Palace drunk and full gorged with delicate meat he was imediately seiz'd upon and drawn thorow the midst of the streets and after many contumelies slain having reigned Eight months and five days if he had lived longer the whole Empire had scarce been sufficient to have maintained his Gluttony There were slain above 50000 of other people And this was done the third day of October The day after L Mutianus with his Army entred Rome and repressed the Souldiers of Antonius who still sought about in every place for Vitellius's Souldiers The people of Rome proclaim Vespasian Emperour and many of his favourites and slew whom they thought good not examining any matter by reason of their fury and bringing out Domitian he declared to the people that he was to govern the City till his Father came The people being delivered from fear proclaimed Vespasian Emperour and made Feasts and Triumphs both under one for his establishing in the Empire and for joy that Vitellius was deposed CHAP. XIV M How Titus was sent by his Father against the Jews WHen Vespasian came to Alexandria
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
others burnt others halfe eaten of wild Beasts were reserved alive for the second meal The calamity of those Jews who were taken by the Romans the most miserable of all are those that are yet alive who often wish for death and cannot find it Where is now that potent City that was once the Capital City of E all our Nation so strengthened with Walls so fortified with Towers Castles to defend those Walls scarcely able to contain the provisions for War having in it so vast a multitude of men to fight for it Jerusalem the Metropolitan City razed from the foundations wherin God himself was thought to dwell What is now become of it It is razed down even to the very foundations and scarce any memory â—r reliques thereof left standing the whole people destroyed only a few old and unhappy men survive who sit among the Ashes of the Temple and a few Women whom the Enemies reserved to satisfie their filthy lust And will any amongst us considering all these things desire to behold the light of the Sun although he could live without molestation who is such an Enemy to his Native soil who is so effeminate or desirous of his life that he doth not grieve to have lived till this time would God we had been all in our graves before we had seen that sacred City fired by a hostile hand before we beheld F the Holy Temple destroyed by impious fire and seeing that the hope we had to be revenged on our Enemies is now vanished and that we are left alone in misery and necessity let us hasten to die well and take compassion on our selves our Wives and Children and that whilst we have time For we are all born to die and all that are begotten by us and the strongest men living cannot avoid it but injury and bondage and to see our Wives and Children abused before our faces is no necessity proceeding from Nature but they only are forced to endure it We are born to die and the strongest cannot avoid the same who when they might have died without it did refuse for fear We first of all trusting to our strength rebelled against the Romans afterwards they exhorted us to obedience but wee denied which of them then will not be enraged against us if they can take us alive Most miserable shall those young men be whose strength will endure many torments and those G old men will move compassion whose aged years cannot suffer tortures one shall see his Wife carried away from him and another his Son having his hands bound behind him cry out to his Father for help who now whilst they are free from the thraldom of their Enemies may H gloriously assist us with their Swords Let us with our Wives and Children die Freemen let us together depart out of this life This our Religion commandeth this our Wives and Children perswade God himself hath driven us to this necessity for this purpose The Romans would have it otherwise Eleazar tells the Jews of the Romans Tyranny who fear lest any of us should perish and not fall into their hands alive Let us therefore hasten that instead of their hope whereby they verily perswaded themselves to take us alive we may contrary to their expectation daunt them with sudden admiration of our glorious deaths It is a happiness among the Jews to die fice Whilst Eleazar was yet speaking and desirous still to continue his exhortation they interrupted him every one now in a fury bent to follow his advice made haste to effect it and as though they had been urged by some Spirit thereto one laboured to prevent I another in the execution thereof judging him to shew most valour and fortitude that first dispatched himself They were also desirous to kill their Wives and Children with themselves And which is most strange their minds were nothing altered when they came to effect this bloody work but with the same resolution they had when they heard Eleazars speech every one retained his good affection towards his Friends yet permitting reason to take no place and perswading themselves that thus they had well provided for their Children they embraced their Wives and Children for their last farewel and took their leaves of them kissing them with Tears and then all at once slew them as though it had been done by the hands of other men and not their own comforting themselves in being forced so to do and that hereby they should escape the tyranny and K cruelty of their Enemies Finally no man was so cowardly who durst not venture on this action so every one of them killed his dearest friends O miserable people whom necessity forced to slay their Wives and Children and to account this action the very least of all their miseries After which not enduring the grief that ensued upon this fact and thinking that in living any while after them they should injure those whom they had slain they with all speed possible gathered all their riches together and set them one fire which done they elected ten by lot who should kill the rest and every one prostrating himself upon his Wife and Children and embracing them in his Arms was slain willingly by those that executed that wrethched office who having without fear dispatched them they cast lots whose fortune it should be to kill all the L rest The Jews gathering all their goods together cast them into the fire and he upon whom the lot should fall was to kill the other nine and lastly himself upon them all and every one so encouraged one another that there was no difference between those that were to be killed and those that were to kill and so the rest offered themselves to death which done he who was the last of all being yet alive went amongst the dead bodies and searched to see if any still lived that needed his hand in so great a multitude of slain people Ten chosen by lot to kill the rest of the Jews and finding all of them dispatched he went and fired the Palace which done he with all his force thrust his Sword into his own body up to the Hilts and so fell down by his dearest Friends In this manner they perished with a belief that they left not one person alive to fall into the Romans hands but a certain old Woman and another who was Eleazars Cousin M who in learning and wisdom surpassed all other Women and fiue Children hid themselves in a Cave wherein Water was reserved to drink whilst the rest were busied in this Massacre the slain were in number nine hundred and sixty accounting Women and Children The Romans expect the fight This calamity hapned the fifteenth day of April In the morning the Romans expecting that the Jews would encounter them made Bridges from their Mounts to the Walls and so assaulted the Walls and seeing none of the Enemies appear but all the Walls
He also commanded him as he hung to be pricked with awls that so the heat might pierce into the holes they made in his flesh Whilst thus he was tormented much blood like froth gathered about his head and face and he then spake in this manner O noble fight O valiant War O strife between piety and impiety These men have past their Agonies whose Crown of Martyrdom is the punishment of their persecutors I do most willingly B follow my brethren that as by blood I am conjoyned unto them so by death I may not be separated from them Devise O Tyrant some new Torment for these I have already overcome O master of cruelty Enemy of piety persecuter of justice we six Brethren have conquered the Kings power and what his Kingdom or the whole world could afford Thy fire is cold and heateth not The sixth brother sharply reproves Antiochus and the Kings weapons are bended and blunted in our bodies our God giveth us more courage to suffer than thou hast to punish and so the precept of God remaineth firm in us And as he thus spake one took hold of his tongue with a hot pair of tongs and so with the same torments that his brethren had suffered being fryed in a pan he gave up the Ghost C Six of the Brethren being now dead by diversity of torments only one of the seven remained alive with his mother named Jacob younger in year but not in constancy of mind than the rest of his brethren He presenting himself before the Tyrant moved him to compassion both for that he was left alone and the last of his brethren and also that he was to perish wherefore he called the child unto him and into a place where no instruments of torments were Jacob the seventh brother brought to torments and taking him by the hand he said thus unto him hoping to win him by fair speeches By thy brethrens calamity thou now well hast learned what is prepared for thee if thou disobey me deliver thy self therefore from these torments and I will give thee what honour my kingdom can afford thou shalt be a Magistrate and General of my Army and one of my Counsellors D But perceiving himself not to prevail he caused the young man's Mother to be called unto him who coming and standing near her Son the Tyrant said thus unto her Where are now O worthy woman all thy Children Behold of such a number if thou please the destiny affords thee one advise therefore thy Child and mollifie his obstinate mind by wholsom counsel The Mother having heard what the King said made her reverence to the King which done that the King might not understand her she spake in Hebrew to her Child as followeth Pitty thy Mother O son and comfort thy sorrowfull Mother who bare thee nine months in my E womb and gave thee suck three years and with great industry have brought thee up to this age I pray thee dear son consider the Heaven and Earth and all that in them is and know that God created them all of nothing who also of nothing created Mankind Fear not this Ethnick's pains and torments but imitate thy brethren and contemn death that in the day of mercy I may receive thee and thy brethen again in Heaven As his mother thus admonished him he in the Hebrew tongue requested to be unbound for that he had a secret to disclose to the King who being unfettered he presently ran to the torments prepared for there was a Frying-pan red hot that was prepared for such as were to suffer unto the which the Child coming remembring his brethren and beholding also the King he said unto him Cruel tyrant I now know thee not only to have been cruel against my brethren but even cruelty it self Wretch that thou F art who gave thee this purple and who exalted thee to this Kingdom and dignity even he whom thou in us dost persecute whose servants and worshippers thou killest and tormentest for which thy wickedness thy self shall suffer eternal fire and torments which shall have no end Thou art of higher dignity and authority in this world than other men yet he that made other men made thee also of the same nature that they are for all men are born and must die alike He that kills another sheweth that he himself may be killed thou tearest and tormentest thy own picture and image in vain thou in thy fury killest him whom not long since God created like thy self and according to the same law thou thinkest all lawful which thy Kingly power can command thou pullest out our tongues and tearest our bodies with flesh-books and consumest with fire but they who have already suffered this have received everlasting G joy for their reward and thou shalt answer for all the punishments inflicted upon them Think not that I expect any favour at thy hands I will follow my brethren and remain constant H in our Law The Tyrant hearing this was wroth and caused him to be tormented but his Mother in his torment comforted him and with her kind hands held his head when with violence of the tortures blood issued out of his mouth nose and privy parts the tormentors not ceasing till life in him was almost spent but they by Gods appointment gave over and so he took strength again to endure more than any of his brethren had done at last his Hands and Arms being cut off he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and cryed O Adonai O Sabaor be mercifull unto me and receive me into the company of my brethren The death of the youngest brother let thy wrath now cease and grant them mercy who by us do make intercession to thee Having said thus his tongue being pulled out he of his own accord went into the fiery I Frying pan and so to the great admiration of Antiochus died Behold how evident it is that reason can rule our affections seeing that Children hereby shewed more constancy Reason Mistress of our affection than the Tyrant could shew cruelty For it was reason's force that wrought in them that determination to suffer all torments rather than to forsake the way of Salvation These constant young men do fitly resemble inexpugnable Towers and them who after a great tempest and shipwrak do safely enter the harbour of Salvation A similitude of the waves who guiding their course amidst the boysâ—etous waves at last obtain the wished shore For every one of them strengthened the other by advice and good counsel The seven brethren exhort one another to suffer death manfully and none of them was so effeminate as to decline his Martyrdom None used delay herein but K one followed anothers example Let us therefore dy for our Law and imitate the three Children whom the Asyrians fury condemned to the fiery Furnace whose patience spread their fame even unto Heaven Whilst thus one of them exhorted the other
it came to pass that none of them offended but each one resolute in his Religion took example of the virtue courage and constancy of their fore-father Isaac who understanding that it was God's will that he should be Sacrificed refused not to submit his body to his Fathers Sword Let us said they yield our Souls to him of whom we receied both Soul and Body It is a small matter for us to suffer loss of these members seeing that we shall in lieu of them receive everlasting bliss Abraham Isaac and Jacob do joyfully expect us as L Co-heirs of their Kingdom let us glorifie that womb wherein we were for ten months space let none of us be more coward than the other nor none of us degenerate from the other True brotherhood we that were all begotten of one Father and sucked of one milk must in all things resemble one another we had one teacher and one law inviolate And in this golden bond of concord were these brethren linked together and none of them mourned to see the other tormented but all rejoyced at the others death O Children whose dignity surpasseth the Royalty of Kings and Princes whose glory and virtue is unspeakable None of you were terrified with fear but you so hastened to your deaths as though you had been to go to bliss and felicity you were truly brethren who even by death were linked together A pledge and sign of brotherly amity God hath greatly in you magnified our Nation in you M shewed us all an example of fortitude whom therefore I think he caused to be so many in number as were the days wherein he created the World so that these seven brethren may resemble the seven days wherein all things were made And why should we so admire this fortitude in these young men when a woman armed her self with contempt of death Who indeed is not to be called a Mother but to be honoured with a higher title than humane frailty can afford who bare into this World so many triumphs For the Mother seeing her Children dead was with a kind and godly zeal inflamed also to suffer The mothers grief and no marvel seeing that the very brute beasts if they perceive violence offered to their young do expose themselves to perils in their defence and protect them with their wings teeth and tallons yea and every one that is any way able to N make resistance opposeth herself to the Enemy to defend her young And not only brute Beasts do this but even Bees do defend their young and their honey threatning their Stings to them that offer to tast thereof and more esteeming the good of their young than their own lives But this zealous mother directed by the Spirit of God and the dictates of reason incouragd her Children to dy and being to dy after them chose rather to be a spectator of their death than otherwise When all her family had suffered she as the last and glory of them all came to execution despising the Tyrants threats offering her motherly brest to those torments which her Children had suffered O blessed stock and blessed increase of the self same womb Why should I not affirm that in all lineaments and feature of O the body you are like your mother and if this be a commendation in them that beside A features of the body receive nothing of their Mother I will say more of you that you are like your mother in Fortitude Vertue and Religion and that you so in all things resemble her that you are every way equal unto her save only herein that she with her Eyes beheld the immanity of your torments and was afterward as constant in her own Martyrdom as you in yours She therefore herein excelled you that she suffered seven torments before she came to suffer in her own person The mother suffereth seven torments before she was tormented feared in every one of them lest she should be overcome But O thou example of all women I cannot tell whether thou barest these Children in thy womb or createdst them who couldst with dry Eyes look upon them whilst they were torn in pieces yea I say little affirming that thou B patiently didst behold those sights for even thou thy self didst exhort them thereunto thou rejoycedst to see one of them torn in pieces with Flesh-hooks the other to be racked upon the Wheel the third to be bound and beaten thou joyfully admiredst the others burning and exhortedst the rest not to be terrified here with and although whilst thou beheld'st their torments thy grief was greater than that which thou hadst in Child-birth yet didst thou bear a lightsome and chearful countenance as though it had been one triumphing While they were a killing thou didst laugh and seeing only one of all thy Children left hereat thou didst nothing relent Can I describe how every one perished seeing thou their mother didst laugh at their deaths and when their sinews were cut in two their heads flaid their tongues pulled forth by the Roots their C hands broken their bodies in the fire and cast upon Iron plates red-hot and upon Wheels and their ribs pulled in sunder and many other torments for which we want names Never was any Swan which if you will believe antiquity Sings sweetest before her death comparble to the Funeral notes of thy dying Children And you blessed ofspring were not overcome by that Syren's enchantments but to honour God scrupled not to leave your Mother without Children And she being as pious brave on her side chose rather to want you for a time than to incur eternal damnation wishing rather that the bodies of her Children should be tormented than their Souls Well she knew that nothing was more frail and infirm than our bodies which though persecution be wanting are often killed with Agues and other Maladies Who is D ignorant that shipwrack is incident to Sailers disasters to them that travel sudden death to those that live at ease sudden casualty by fire and by the hands of Theives and a thousand other ways to dispatch our lives Seeing then that our mortal bodies are subject to so many miseries to bring us to our end who would not make choice of a quick dispatch A similitude from the Deluge whereby we lose goods of this World and gain life everlasting O thou most reverend of all women the credit of thy Nation and honour of our Religion who like the Ark of Noe didst persist inviolate amongst such stormy Waves for as the Arke withstood the force of the deluge and being built strongly with firm boards did not suffer any thing within it to perish so thou sufferedst not the Tyrant to overcome the holy Ghost which thou hadst received in thy heart Behold of what force and efficacy Reason is which oftentimes maketh men inferiour E to women For neither was Daniel so tortured at the sight of the Lions nor