the truth for he of whom he speakth is that Adad that made War I in Samaria during the Reign of Achab King of Israel of whom we will speak hereafter But when David had led forth his Army against Damascus Jerusalem spoiled by Syssac King of Egypt and against the rest of the Countrey of Syria he reduced them all under his obedience placing garrisons in their Countrey and imposing tribute upon them He dedicated also to God in the City of Jerusalem the Golden quivers and Arms of Adads guard which afterward Syssac King of Egypt took when he vauquished Roboham his Nephew and carried away great riches out of the temple of Jerusalem as it shall be declared hereafter when we come to treat of that matter This King of the Hebrews being inspired by God who made him prosperous in all his warrs encamped before the chiefest cities of Adrezar that is to say Betha and Mazcon which he besieged took and spoiled where there was found great store of Gold K and Silver and of Brass 3 King 14. which was more precious then Gold whereof Solomon made that great vessel called the Sea The prey that was made in the War and other fair lavers as such time as he adorned and furnished the Temple of God When Thoy King of Amoth understood all which had hapned to Adarezer 2 Sam 8 6. c. and how his power and forces were destroyed he grew afraid of his own estate The King of the Amathens requireth a League at Davids hands and resolved to enter into a league and confederacy with David before he should come out against him and to that intent he sent his Son Adoram unto him to congratulate his success against Adarezer his Enemy and to contract an amity with him He sent him presents also namely vessels of antique worke of Gold of Silver and of Brass whereupon David made a league with him and received the presents that were sent unto him and afterwards honourably dismissed his Son both for the one L and the other and consecrated that to God which he had presented him together with the Gold and Silver which he had taken from the Cities and Nations that were subiect unto him For God did not only so far favour him as to make him victorious and happy in his own Warrs David compelleth the Idumeans to pay tribute by the Pole but having also sent Abisai Joabs Brother the Lieutenant of his Army against the Idumeans he likewise granted him victory for Abisai slew in the battel about eighteen thousand of them and filled all Idumea with garrisons imposing a tribute throughout the Countrey by the Pole The distribution of Offices This King loved justice of his own nature and the judgment which he gave was always most equitable He had for his Lieutenant General of his Armies Joab 2 King 9. and appointed Josaphat the Son of Achilles chief over the Registers After Abiather he established Sadock of the house of Phinees for M High Priest who was his friend Sisa was his Secretary Banaia the Son of Ioiada was Captain over his guard and all the Elders were ordinarily about him to guard and attend him He remembring himself also of the covenants and oaths that past 'twixt him and Jonathan the Son of Saul and of their amity and affection for amongst his other excellent qualities he was alwayes most eminent for his gratitude He caused inquiry to be made if any one of the house and family of Jonathan were left alive to the intent he might return the friendship he had received from Jonathan Whereupon a certain man named Ziba was brought unto him who was enfranchised by Saul that might inform him what one of his Race was alive C. 9. v. 1 c. who asked him if he knew any N of Jonathans Sons then living David maketh an enquiry if any of Jonathans kindred were left alive to whom he might make some return of the kindness which he had formerly received from their Father Who answered him that he had one Son remaining whose name was Mephibosheth who was lame of his legges for when the news came that both his Father and Grandfather were slain his Nurse hastily snatching up the child let him fall from her shoulders and so hurt him When he heard where he was brought up he sent unto the City of Labath to Machir with whom Mephibosheth was kept v. 7 8. and commanded him to be brought unto him Now when he came to Davids presence David giveth Mephibosheth his father Joâ—athans house and Sauls inheritance he cast himself on his face before him but the King exhorted him to be of good courage and to hope hereafter for better fortune and gave him his Fathers house with all the possessions that were purchased by Saul his grandfather appointing him to eat with him daily at his own table The young man did him reverence thanking him O for the Royal offers he had made him At that time David called for Siba and told him how he had given Mephibosheth his Fathers house and all Sauls purchases commanding A him to manure his possessions The year of the World 2910 before Christ's Nativity 1014. and to have a care of all things and to return the revenue to Jerusalem because Mephibosheth was every day to sit at his table charging both him and his fifteen Sons and twenty Servants to do him service After the King had thus disposed of him Siba did him reverence and after he had promised to perform whatsoever he had given him in charge v. 9. 10 11. he departed and Jonathans Son remained in Jerusalem David committeth the disposing of Mephibosheths Lands to Siba and commandeth him to make the return of his revenues in Jerusalem where he lived at the Kings table and was entertained and tended as carefully as if he had been his own Son he had a Son also called Mica These were the honours that those children which survived after Jonathan and Sauls death received at Davids hands About the same day died Nahas King of the Ammonites who during his life-time was Davids friend and his Son succeeded him in his Kingdom to whom David sent B Ambassadors to comfort him exhorting him to bear his Fathers death with patience assuring him that he would express no less love towards him than he did unto his Father Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. But the Governours of the Ammonites entertained this Embassage very contumeliously and not according as David had intended it and murmured against their King telling him that they were but spies sent by David to inquire into their forces 2 Sam. 10. v. 1 2 3 4. and discover the strength of their Countrey David sendeth Ambassadours to comfort the Son of the King of the Ammonites who are bâ—sely abused under a pretext of kindness advising him to stand upon his guard and not to give ear to
reason of the grief which he had conceiv'd Hereupon an Edict was publish'd That all they that were returned from the captivity should repair within two or three days to Jerusalem under the penalty that they who defaulted and came not within the prefixed time should be held as excommunicate and their goods confiscate to the publick treasury of the Temple by the ordinance of the Priests They of the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin came thither within three days on the 20 day of the ninth month call'd by the Hebrews Thebeth and by the Macedonians Appellaeus N And as soon as they were seated in the upper part of the Temple in the presence of the Elders Esdr 10. v. â— 10 11. Esdras arose and reprov'd them because they had transgress'd the Law in taking wives who were not of their Nation For which cause he told them that if they would do that which were agreeable unto God and profitable for themselves they should dismiss such wives Whereupon with a loud voice they all cried That they would do it willingly but that there was no small number of them and that it was the winter-season and the matter of that consequence as one or two days could not end it For which cause they thought it very needful that the execution were deferred for a while and that at the length some of the Princes who were free from that crime with certain other chosen Elders of every place should make inquisition after them that had married O wives contrary to the prescript of the Law Which being approv'd by them about the New Moon of the tenth month this Inquisition began which continued until the New Moon of the month ensuing and there were many of the family of Jesus the High-Priest Priest The year of the World 3516. before Christ's Nativity 458. and of the Priests Levites and Israelites that making more account of the observation A of the Laws than of the natural affections to their wives and children did presently put away their wives and those children they had by them and sacrificed certain Rams for a peace-offering unto God whose names it were needless to reckon up in this place When Esdras had in this manner reform'd the abuse committed by such marriages he so corrected the evil custom thereof that this confirmation continued firm and irrevocable for ever In the seventh month they solemniz'd the Feast of Tabernacles whereto when all the people were resorted they all came together in an open place in the Temple The reading of Moses Law towards the gate that looketh Eastward requiring Esdras that he would read Moses's B Ordinances unto them which he performed and standing up in the midst of the multitude Nehem. 8. v. 1. ad 11. he read the Law unto them from the morning until noon By which reading not only for the present but for the time to come they were informed of their duty and calling to mind that which was past they were so sorrowful that the tears fell from their eyes when they consider'd that if they had kept the Law they had not suffer'd any of those evils wherewith they had been afflicted But Esdras beholding them in that state advis'd them to repair home and to weep no more because that day was a solemn and holy day wherein they ought not to weep because it was forbidden But he commanded them rather to intend their feasts and pleasures and to make this good use of their remorse for their former sins that they might not fall into the like for the time to come They following Esdras exhortation began to celebrate the Solemnity and continued C their feast of Tabernacles eight days After which time they returned every one unto his house praising God in hymns and thanking Esdras for the reformation of those unlawful marriages which had been contracted with strangers after he had gotten great honour among the people he finish'd his days in an happy old age and was buried honorably in Jerusalem About the same time also died Joacim the High-Priest whose son Eliacim succeeded in his place After this it came to pass Nehem. 1. 1. ad 5. that a certain man that was one of the captive Jews and King Xerxes Butler called Nehemias walking before the City of Susa which was the Metropolitan City of Persia heard certain strangers that came from far upon their entrance into the City talking with one another in the Hebrew Tongue whereupon he drew D near unto them and ask'd them Whence they â—ame They answer'd That they came from Judea which as soon as he knew he inquir'd after the state of Jerusalem their native City and how the people fared To whom they answer'd That they werâ— in very bad state and that their City-walls were demolished and that the Nations round about them afflicted the Jews with many outrages making inroads into their Countrey and spoiling them daily so that divers of them were led away Prisoners yea some Citizens of Jerusalem and that the High-wayes were found full of dead bodies Hereupon Nehemias began to weep thorow the compassion he had of his distressed brethren and looking up towards Heaven How long said he O Lord wilt thou see our Nation thus afflicted without taking care of us Behold how we are made a prey to all men Whil'st thus he walked before the gate and E lamented bitterly word was brought him that the King was ready to sit down to his meat whereupon he hasted away to give his attendance according to his office As soon as Supper was done the King grew pleasant and casting his eyes upon Nehemias whom he perceiv'd to be heavy and disconsolate he ask'd him what he ailed Nehemias after he had besought God to give him persuasive words to discourse unto the King answer'd O King how is it possible but that I should be afflicted when I hear that the walls of Jerusalem which is my native Countrey are levelled with the ground and the Sepulchres and Monuments of my Predecessors are defaced and the gates of the City are burned Do me therefore this grace that I may go thither and repair it and finish the rest of the building of the Temple The King gave ear to his request and promis'd him his Letters assuring him That he F would address them to the Governors commanding them to do him honour and to furnish him with all things necessary to accomplish that which he intended For which cause said he cease to be afflicted and give thy attendance chearfully Hereupon Nehemias adored God and thanked the King for the promise he had made him and therefore by the joy he conceived he cleared that confusion and sorrow that before he bare in his countenance The next day the King called for him and gave him Letters unto Sadeas the Governor of Syria Phoenicia and Samaria in which he commanded him to honour Nehemias and to furnish him with all things necessary for that building
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
to Herod and desirous likewise to avoid Cleopatras suspitions wrote unto Herod that under some honest pretext he should send Alexandras son unto him with this addition if it might not seem C troublesome unto him Which matter when Herod understood he thought it no waies safe for him to send Aristobulus who was a hansome young man and little more at that time then sixteen years old and so nobly born considering that Antonius was at that present in such authority that no one in Rome was in greater credit then he and who besides that The causes why Aristobulus was not sent was very much addicted to his pleasures which he openly hunted after without fear of punishment in regard of his greatness and power He therefore wrote him this answer that if the young man should but only depart out of the Countrey all the Land would presently be filled with War and Troubles for that the Jews pretended alteration in Government and sought to innovate by prefering a new King When he had in this manner excused himself unto Antonius he resolved to entertain both the D younger Aristobulus and his Mother Alexandra with more respect Moreover his Wife Mariamne did continually importune him to give the Priest-hood to her brother alleadging that by that honour he might prevent the occasion of his journey For which cause assembling his friends together in councel Herod inveigheth against Alexandra for pretending to usurp the Kingdom he grievously accused Alexandra before them protesting that she secretly conspired against the Kingdom and that by the mediation of Cleopatra she laboured to dispossess him of the soveraignty to the intent that her Son by Antonius meanes might Govern in his sted Which practice of hers was so much the more unjust because she deprived her own Daughter of that honour wherein she was and raised up troubles likewise in that Kingdom which he had conquered with great labor and extreme danger Yet notwithstanding that he willingly E forgat that which was past and forgave those wrongs she had done against him and was ready notwithstanding to shew all kindness and courtesie both to her and hers He gave the High-Priesthood to young Aristobulus alleadging that heretofore he had established Ananel in that place for no other respect than for that Aristobulus was under years After that he had thus seriously and considerately discoursed in the presence of the Ladies Alexandra excuseth her selfe and having promise of the Priest Hâ—od for her son is reconciled to Herod and consistory of his friends Alexandra almost beside her self not only through the joy she had conceived by this unexpected good fortune but also for the fear she had to be suspected began to defend her self with tears and protestations saying that all whatsoever she had either practiced or done was to prefer her Son unto the Priesthood F whom she saw dishonoured but as touching the Kingdom that she had never pretended neither would if so be she should be presented therewith receive the same thinking her self for the present sufficiently honoured both for that she saw Aristobulus in that estate for the assurance that all her progeny should receive in that he was raised up in dignity above the rest Being therefore overcome by those favors she accepted willingly the honor for her Son and shewed her self obedient in all things requesting him that if she had committed any thing rashly and through inconsideration or passion either in respect of her children or by the loosness of her tongue he would be pleased to pardon her After these debates and interchangeable discourses on both sides they shook hands the one with the other in token of a more fixed and unfained friendship than was before G burying as they pretended all evill suspition or cause of unkindness H CHAP. III. The year of the World 3929. before Christ's Nativity 35. Herod deposeth Ananel from the dignitie of the High-Pristhood and confereth it upon Aristobulus he causeth Alexandra to be seized on and Aristobulus when they were about to make their escape by going to Cleopatra he feineth a reconciliation with them and afterwards causeth Aristobulus to be drowned bestowing a costly funeral on him I HEreupon Herod took away the Priest-hood instantly from Ananel Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. who was not that Countrey-man born as we have heretofore declared but was born amongst those Jews that inhabit and were planted beyond Euphrates by the Assyrians Herod taketh the Priest-hood from Ananel For divers thousand Jews inhabited the Countrey of Babylon and from thence took he his Original also being otherwise of the race of the Priests and well affected toward Herod for a long time before with whom he had familiar acquaintance He had prefered him to this honor when he was made King and degraded him likewise to appease the troubles of his famiely demeaning himself herein contrary to the law of the Countrey for whereas any one hath once been installed in that degree he is never to be displaced The first that transgressed this Ordinance The Priest-hood taken from three was Antiochus Epiphanes who dispossessed Josuh and prefered his brother Onias to this place The second was Aristobulus away from his K brother Hircanus and usurped it himself Herod was the third who gave the Priest-hood to Aristobulus establishing him in Ananels place before he was dead and by this means supposing that he had found out a remedy to appease the discords of his family he notwithstanding all this lived not without suspition what event would follow after this reconciliation for he feared Alexandra lest demeaning her self as she had done she should seek occasion hereafter to raise new troubles Alexandra suspected by Herod is spied and watched and her actions observed He commanded her therefore to contain herself within the royal Palace and to do nothing of her own authority Besides that he had appointed certain intelligencers who should diligently observe that nothing should be done without his knowledge no not concerning her particular expences and table All which things exasperated her against Herod for being full of L feminine pride she disdained to see her self thus wrongfully suspected desiring rather to suffer any thing than to be deprived of the liberty of free speech and under colour to be honoured to live continually in servitude and fear Whereupon she sent some of her trusty friends to Cleopatra to complain and lament the insuportable miseries of her present estate entreating her according to her power to give speedy relief Whereupon Cleopatra sent her word that both she and her Son should resort unto her into Egypt with as great secrecie as might be possible Upon which advice she practised this policy Alexandra pretending to flie into Egypt is betrayed by her servant She caused two Coffins to be made such as men were wont to bury their dead in in which she hid her self and her son comanding those servants of
to the days of Herod That being by enduring such misery now accustomed to the Yoke they had willingly subjected themselves to his Son Archelaus after that Herod his Father was dead Herod's Tyranny and cruelty notwithstanding he was the Son of such a Tyrant and had publickly mourned for the death of Herod L and offered Sacrifice for the prosperity of his Successor But he to shew himself Herod 's true Son began his Reign with the slaughter of three thousand Citizens and because he had so well deserved the Kingdom he offered so many men to God for Sacrifice and on a Festival Day The Jews beseech the Romans to have compassion on the remainder of the Jews filled the Temple with so many dead bodies Wherefore 't is not strange that they who escaped that Massacre consider their own calamity and as in Battel turn their faces against those who wounded them and beseech the Romans that they would think the remnant of the Jews worthy of compassion and not abandon and expose the residue of their Nation as a Prey to them by whom they are like to be most cruelly butchered but that it may please them to adjoyn their Countrey to Syria and to let them be ruled by the Romans that so they may find that the Jews though now counted seditious and rebellious M are under peaceable and quiet Governours a peaceable Nation With this Petition the Jews ended their Accusation Nicolaus defends Archelaus before Caesar and the rest After this Nicolaus stood up against them and first of all acquitted the King 's of the Crimes laid to their charge and then reproved his Countrey-men as people not to be easily Governed and of their own nature averse except forced to obey their King And by the way he also blamed the Kindred of Archelaus who joyned with his Accusers Caesar having heard what both parts could say dismissed the Assembly Caesar maketh Archelaus Ethnarch of Jewry And within few days after he gave Archelaus half the Kingdom with the Title of Ethnarch promising moreover to make him King if he behaved himself well the other half he divided into two Tetrarchies and gave the same to the rest of Herod's Sons The distribution of the Kingdom to Herod's Children one to Philip the other to Antipas who contended with Archelaus N for the Crown Antipas his Part lay from Galilee beyond the River Jordan the Revenues whereof amounted to two hundred Talents a year Philip had Batanaea and Trachonitis and Auranitis and part of what belonged to Zenodorus near Jamnia the Revenues whereof amounted to one hundred Talents a year Archelaus had in his Ethnarchy Idumaea and all Judaea and Samaria which was freed from the fourth part of the Tribute Those Cities that were under Archelaus's subjection because they had not rebelled with the rest These Cities also were given him Straton's Tower Sebaste Joppa and Jerusalem But Gaza and Gadara and Hippon Caesar took from the Kingdom and joyned them to Syria Archelaus's yearly Revenues amounted to four hundred Talents a year Caesar also besides that which Herod had left Salome Salome Princess of Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis as Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis gave her the Palace O at Ascalon all which amounted to threescore Talents a year But Caesar obliged her to live in the Countrey subject to Archelaus And having confirmed the rest A of Herod's Kindred the Legacies which in his Testament he had left them he gave his two Daughters that were Virgins over and above a hundred and fifty thousand Drachmes of Silver and married them to Pheroras's two Sons Lastly he divided that which Herod had bequeathed unto himself amounting unto a thousand Talents amongst his Sons leaving himself only some Jewels of small value which he reserved in honour and remembrance of the dead CHAP. V. B Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken AT the same time Ant. lib. 17. cap. 18. a certain young man a Jew born brought up by a Freed-man of Rome in the Town of Sidon A certain young man feigning himself to be that Alexander whom Herod slew deceiveth many being very like Alexander whom Herod had put to death went to Rome having one of his Countrey-men for his companion who knew very well the Estate of the Kingdom and by whose instructions he affirmed that they who should have put him and Aristobulus to death being moved to compassion let them go and put two others in their room like them With this tale he deceived many Jews living in Creet where he was honourably received From thence he sailed to Melos where he was entertained with greater pomp and enriching C himself he used such means that he got his Hosts which gave him entertainment to accompany him to Rome At his landing at Puteoli he received great Presents from the Jews who dwelt there especially those that were well affected to his Father honoured him as a King For he was so like Alexander that they that had seen Alexander and knew him well would have sworn he had been the same Wherefore when he arrived at Rome all the Jews desired to see him and an infinite multitude followed him whithersoever he went in the streets and they so doted upon him that they carried him in a Horse-litter and at their own proper cost and charges prepared for him a Royal Train But Augustus well remembred Alexander's visage for Herod had accused him before D him and although Caesar desireth to see the young man before he saw him he judged that he was some Impostor yet he made as though he believed all and sent one Celadus who knew Alexander well to bring this young man to him Celadus no sooner beheld him but forthwith he perceived the difference betwixt them and especially when he took notice of his hard flesh and servile shape he presently understood the whole matter But he could not but be greatly surprized at his bold speeches for when they demanded of him what was become of Aristobulus he answered that he was alive but on purpose tarried behind and lived in Cyprus because being asunder they could not both so easily be entrapped Celadus taking him apart from the rest of the Company told him that Caesar would save his life if he would truly confess by whose counsel he E feigned himself to be Alexander He accepting this proffer followed him to Caesar and declared to him the Jew who for lucre sake had made use of his likeness to Alexander confessing that he had received as great Gifts of the Cities by which he passed Caesar maketh the counterfeit Alexander a Galley-slave and executeth his Counsellor as they would have given Alexander if he had been alive Caesar laught at the Cheat and condemned this false Alexander to the Galleys but put the other Jew to death who had induced him to this Imposture And as for the Jews at Milo he thought
God But Balac was much incensed against him Ver. 11 12. exclaiming that he had not kept his promise for by great Rewards he had been by his Confederates drawn thither to curse them Balac being displeased reprehendeth Balaam and in stead of Exercrations against them he had given them the greatest Benediction The Prophet thus answer'd Thinkest thou said he that it lieth in our power as often as destinies are to be discovered to speak or conceal what we list Balaam's answer at such time as God speaketh in our mouths No he himself causeth us to utter those words which pleaseth him and he publisheth those Oracles by us which neither we know nor ever thought upon I have not forgotten the Request of the Madianites and I came hither to execute that which they desired at my hands but God M is more pâ—â—â—â—ful than my will who contrary to the will of God and for the particular favour of Men had purposed to speak otherwise but as soon as he entreth into our hearts he becomes absolâ—â—â— master of them Truly I had determined in my self to speak nothing in their praises neither was it in my mind to reckon up what God had decreed to bestow upon that Nation but because he hath purposed to advance their felicity and glory he put these words into my mouth Nevertheless since it is my desire to gratifie both thee and the Madianites whose Prayers I ought to consider let us erect new Altars and prepare other Sacrifices and make trial if God perhaps will be moved to grant me licence to curse this People Numb 14. 3 4. Hereunto Balac gave consent Balaam's Prophecy of things to come the Sacrifices were renew'd but Balaam could not obtain of God permission to curse the Israelites On the contrary falling on his face he predicted N the misfortunes of those Kingdoms and Cities which should oppose them of which some are not as yet built but by such things as have already happen'd to those that we know both on the Continent and in Islands even to our days we may gather most assuredly that what remaineth of this Prophecy to be fulfilled will surely take effect Balac being much displeas'd that the Israelites could not be cursed sent Balaam back again without honour Ver. 10 11. who as he came near Euphrates desir'd to see the King and the Princes of the Madianites Balaam's counsel against the Hebrews to whom he spake thus Since it is your desire O King and you Princes of Madian that I gratifie you although it be against the Will of God you shall hear all that I can say to you Hope not that any thing can extinguish the Race of the Hebrews either by War or Pestilence or Famine or any other chance for God hath care to preserve that Nation O from all evil so that no mischief can fall upon them whereby the whole multitude may be extinguished A though they may come into some affliction for a time yet they will afterwards flourish more than they did before being by such chastisement render'd more wise But if you desire to obtain some short Victory over them by this my counsel you shall bring your wishes to effect Send to their Camp the fairest of your daughters as trimly decked and beautified as is possible who by their beauty may conquer and by their love allure their hearts let these wander about and offer themselves to the conversation of the youngest and bravest amongst them and as soon as they see them enamour'd let them pretend to go away and being desir'd to stay let them not yield except they will be persuaded to forsake their Countrey Laws and the service of God from whom they received them and to adore the gods of the Madianites and Moabites Cap. 25. 1. ad 9. For by this means they shall incense God's wrath against themselves Having given B this advice The daughters of the Madianites come to the Camp of the Hebrews he departed Now when the Madianites according as they were counselled sent out their daughters the younger sort of the Hebrews became intangled with their beauty and conversing with them desir'd them not to deny them the pleasure and enjoyment of their beauty The young Women seeing them enamour'd made semblance of a desire to leave them and depart Whereupon the young Men earnestly intreated them to tarry and promis'd to marry them swearing that they would not only love them as their Wives but render them absolute Mistresses of themselves and all their Goods These promises they seal'd with Tears and the Women answer'd after this manner Valiant young Men we want not at home either riches or the affections of our Parents and friends neither come we hither to you for want of these things or to make sale of C our beauties but considering you as strangers for whom we have great esteem we have not disdained to shew you this civility Now therefore because you say you love us and are so troubled at this our departure we have thought good not to gainsay your entreaties if therefore you will plight your faith and promise us marriage which is the onely condition that can detain us we will willingly live with you as your lawful Wives but we fear lest when your lusts are satisfied you will with shame and contumely send us back again to our Parents which so reasonable apprehension of ours you ought to pardon These passionate Lovers promised to give their faith in what manner soever and refused no condition by reason of their extreme love Well then said the Virgins since you are so pleased and that you have Customs so different from other Nations that you use onely certain meats and drinks it is D necessary Ver. 1 2 3. if you will marry us to adore our gods For by no other argument can you persuade us The daughters of Madian allure the Israelites to Idolatry that your love is unfeigned except you honour as we do the same gods neither shall you be blamed if you honour the gods of that Countrey into which you are come considering that our gods are common unto all Nations whereas your God is adored by none but your selves Choose therefore said they either to conform your selves in opinion with other Men or seek out another World wherein you may live according to your particular ways and customs The Hebrews blinded with the love which they bare to the Virgins liked well their words Ver. 6. and consented to that which they said suffering themselves to be seduc'd according as they were invited The Hebrews blinded with the love of the Women revolt from the Laws of their Fathers so that they transgress'd the Ordinances of their Fathers in following strange gods to whom they offer'd Sacrifice according to the manner of the E Countrey They also fell to eat all those meats which were prohibited them by the Law and
was not delivered from his suspicion but desired him to relate to him all that he had signified to his Wife The Angel answered that it sufficed that she knew it whereupon he asked him what he was to the end that when his Son should be born he might give him presents and thanks The Angel answered that he had no need thereof by reason that he had not brought the good news of the birth of his I Son for any necessity that he had Manoah entreated him to stay and receive some token of kindness but he would not consent Finally being instantly pressed to abide and receive some gift Manoah kill'd a Kid and commanded his Wife to roast it And when all things were in readiness the Angel commanded them to lay the Bread and Flesh upon a Rock without dishes which being done he touched the Flesh with a wand which he had in his hand and suddenly a flaming fire consumed both the Bread and Flesh and the Angel was seen to ascend up into Heaven in the Smoke as it were in a Chariot Manoah was in great fear lest some inconvenience should happen unto him because they had seen God but his Wife comforted him assuring that God had appeared to them for their good Shortly after she became big with child and observed K all that had been commanded her v. 24. and when the Infant was born Samsons birth she called his name Samson which is as much as to say strong who soon grew to be of excellent beauty both of mind and body wearing his Hair unshorn and using sobriety in his diet whereby he gave some signs of what had been foretold concerning him It hapned on a day that there was a solemnity celebrated in Thamna a City of the Philistines whither Samson resorted with his Father and Mother and being surprised with love of one of the Damsels of that place he desired his Father and Mother that this maid might be given him in marriage which they refused alledging that she was not of the same Lineage Judg. 14. 5 6. and that God would provide him a match to the good and profit of his Nation Samson teareth a Lion in peices with his hands but in the end he prevailed so much that he espoused the Maiden L Now as he ordinarily walked to her Parents it happened one day that being disarmed he met with a Lion upon the way whom he grasped and strangled with his hands and having slain him he cast the body of the Beast into a Wood not far distant from the high way Another day returning in like sort to the Damsel he found a swarm of Bees which made their honey in the breast of the same Beast Samson marrieth one of the Daughters of the Philistines and he took three hony-combs which he carried with other presents to his intended Wife After this lie invited the Thamnites to the celebration of his marriage who for that they feared his strength under colour of doing him honour chose out thirty strong and valiant young men v. 1 2 3. to be seemingly his companions but in effect his Guardians to the end he might not attempt any commotion in the midst of the festivity Samson said M to his companions I will propose a question to you which if you can resolve I will give each of you a fine Linnen Shirt v. 12 13 14. and other vestments They being very desirous both to be reputed wise Samson propoundeth a riddle to the Thamnites and to gain the reward proposed pressed him to propound his question which he did in these terms He that devoureth all hath been himself the food of others and how terrible soever he was this food hath been no less sweet and agreeable They employ'd three dayes to find out the sense thereof but they could not and therefore they desired Samson's Spouse to get the secret from her Husband and disclose the same to them which if she refused they threatned to burn her to death Samson at the first notwithstanding her flatteries and sollicitations denied to tell it her at last she urged him so instantly and shed so many tears telling him that if he N did not expound the question to her she would take it for a certain sign that he hated her that at last he told her he had slain a Lion and how in him he had found the three honey-Combs which he brought to her v. 18. and not distrusting either fraud or guile he related the whole story to her Samsons Wife discovereth the riddle to the Thamnites and she afterwards reported the same to those that had employed her in the discovery When the seventh day was come and the question was to be decided the young men assembled themselves together about Sun-set and said There is nothing more terrible than a Lion nor any thing more pleasant to taste than honey v. 19 20. Whereunto Samson replied Samson killeth certain Ascalonites and his Wife marrieth with another you should adde that there is not any thing more dangerous than a woman for she it is that hath betray'd me and reported my words to you Notwithstanding all this he delivered that which he had promised them out of the booty O which he had taken from certain Ascalonites whom he encountred upon the way But he would not pardon his Wife and the woman seeing her self despised married A one of his friends The year of the World 2791 before Christ's Nativity 1173. who had in his behalf first sollicited the marriage Samson being more incensed by this injury resolved to revenge himself both on her and the whole Nation For which cause in the Summer time when the Corn was ready to be reapt he took three hundred Foxes to whose tayls having fastned flaming Torches he drove them into the Philistines fields of Corn Judg. 15. 4 5 c. consuming by this means all their hope of Harvest The Philistines understanding that Samson had done this and conceiving the reason that induced him to it Samson burned the Philistines fruit sent a party of Soldiers to Thamna and burnt this woman alive with all her kindred as the cause of the loss that had hapned to them After Samson had slain divers Philistines in the Countrey he went and dwelt at Etam which is a strong Rock in the Tribe of Juda. For which cause the Philistines assailed that Tribe who B represented to them that there was no reason why they should suffer for those offences which were committed by Samson and especially since they payed them tribute The Philistines replied that unless they would be maintainers of his act of unjustice they must deliver Samson unto them They desirous that the Philistines might have no cause of quarrel against them came to the Rock to the number of 3000 men and there blamed Samson for those actions which he had done against the Philistines because they were a
Earth This Amri dyed in Samaria and Achab his Son was his Successor Hereby a Man may easily perceive what care the Divine Majesty hath of humane affairs and how he loveth the virtuous and utterly rooteth out the vicious For the Kings of Israel through their impiety in a short and successive course the one after the other O were cut off and confounded with all their Families But Asa King of Jerusalem and the two Tribes living happily in the favor of God for his piety and justice attained to a reverend and old age and after he had reigned one and forty years he dyed a good death The year of the World 3028. before Christ's Nativity 936. and after his death Jehoshaphat his son whom he begat on his wife Abida succeeded A him who in all things that concern'd piety or fortitude seem'd to emulate and equal his Grandfather David according as it shall be declar'd hereafter But Achab King of Israel made his abode in Samaria and govern'd the Kingdom for the space of 22 years without any alteration of those ordinances which his progenitors Kings of Israel had established alias chap. 10. but that he exceeded them daily in wickedness For he imitated all their impieties Asa dieth Jâ—hoshaphat succeedeth him but especially the Apostasie of Jeroboam for he adored those Calves that were erected by him and besides that 〈◊〉 far worse impieties than the former 2 Chron. 17 1 2. He took to wife Jezabel the daughter of Iâ—â—obal King of the Tyrians and Sidonians of whom he learnt to adore the gods of her Nation for she was a busie and audacious woman â— Kings 16. 30 31. and so insolent that she feared not to build a Temple in honour of Bell the god B of the Tyrians and to plant a Grove furnish'd with all kind of Trees and to ordain Priests and false Prophets also in honour of that god The King also took delight to have these Men oftentimes about him exceeding all other Kings before him in madness and malice Jezabel To him came a certain Prophet named Elias 1 Reg. 17. 1 ad 4. sent by Almighty God that was born in Thesbon in Galaad telling him that he fore-prophesied That neither dew nor rain should fall on the Earth a long time The dearth of victuals prophesied to the Israelites until that himself who was prepar'd to depart from him should appear again unto him and binding the same with an oath for the better confirmation thereof he retir'd himself to the Southward where he liv'd by a certain River from whence he fetcht his drink for his meat was daily brought him by Ravens C Now when the River through want of rain was grown dry God commanded him to repair unto Sareptha a City not far from Sidon and Tyre and scituate in the midst between them both where he should find a Widow-woman who would furnish him with food Ver. 4 5. As soon therefore as he drew near unto the gate Crows feed Elias he saw a woman that lived by her labour gathering of sticks and God gave him to understand that it was she to whom he was sent Ver. 9 ad 16. Whereupon he came unto her and saluted her praying her that she would bring him some water to cool his thrist The widow of Sareptha entertaing Elias neither flowre nor oyl fail and as she was ready to depart he called her back again and willed her to bring him some bread also Whereupon she sware unto him that she had nothing in her house but an handful of flowre and a little oyl and that she was come forth togather sticks to the end she might bake the same and make bread D for her self and her son and when they had eaten the same they must needs perish through famine because they had not any thing more left Go said the Prophet and be of good courage and conceive better hopes and when thou hast prepared meat for me bring it for I tell thee that thy flowre shall not fail nor thy pot of oyl be empty until God send rain upon the earth When the Prophet had spoken thus she approach'd unto him and performed that which he commanded and she herself had sufficient to feed upon and she gave the rest unto her son and to the Prophet so that they wanted nothing so long as the drought continued Menander maketh mention of this great drought in the acts of Ithobal King of the Tyrians Menander of the famine during the time of Elias speaking after this manner In this time there was a season without rain from the E Month of October until October in the next year after whereupon the Prince caused prayers and supplications to be made which were follow'd with great store of Thunder He built the City of Botris in Phoenicia and Auzate in Lybia Doubtless he expressed hereby the drought that hapned in Achab's time for about that time Ithobal reigned over the Tyrians as Menander â—â—stifieth in his History The woman of whom we have spoken heretofore that entertained the Prophet seeing her son fallen sick and lying sensless as if he had been already dead or yielding up the ghost wept and brake out into so great a passion that she forbore not to say that the cause of her misfortune was in that the Prophet was come into her house and had discover'd her sins and that he had been the cause that God for her punishment had taken away her onely son But he F comforted her and willed her to be of good courage and commanded her to bring the child unto him assuring her that he would restore him to life Now when she had brought him he took the child and carried him into his lodging and laid him on his bed 1 Kings 17. 17. ad finem and cryed unto God saying That since the loss of her onely son seem'd to be but an unequal recompence unto her that had so charitably received him he therefore besought him Elias restoreth the widows son to life that he would command the soul to return into the body and restore life unto the Infant Whereupon God having compassion on the mother and being willing to gratifie the Prophet and to the intent that no man might suppose that he came unto her to prejudice her he restored the child to life beyond all expectation For which the mother gave thanks unto the Prophet saying That by this means she was thorâ—wly persuaded G that God had spoken unto him Not long after he sought out Achab according as God had commanded him to let him know that he should have rain At that time the famine H reigned over the whole Countrey The year of the World 3040. before Christ's Nativity 924. and there was great want of necessary victuals so that Men did not only faint for want of bread but the Earth also for want of rain could not bring
with breach of his promise and contempt of his Majesty Furthermore he reproached him for his ingratitude in that having received the Royalty from his hands which he had G taken from Joachin to bestow on him he had notwithstanding employed all his Forces against his Benefactor H But said he that great God that hateth thy Treachery The year of the World 3356. before Christ's Nativity 6â—8 hath delivered thee into my hands and when he had spoken these words he caused Zedechias Friends and Children to be slain before his eyes with all his other prisoners afterwards commanding his eyes to be plucked out he led him to Babylon All which happened unto him according as the Prophets Jeremy and Ezekiel had foretold him V. 5. 6. 7. namely that he should be surprized and brought before the King of Babylon Zedechias hath his eyes pulled out and his Children slain before his face and should speak with him face to face and should see him with his eyes for so had Jeremy prophecied but being made blind and conducted to Babylon he should not see the City of Babylon according as Ezekiel had foretold All which may sufficiently express to those that know not the nature of God how divers and admirable his judgements be in disposing all things in good order and pre-signifying those things that are to come even as I in this place there appeareth a most signal example of humane error and incredulity How many and how long the Kings reigned that were of David's Line by which it was not lawful for them to avoid their future calamity nor shun their unalterable destiny Thus was the Race of the Kings extinguished that descended from David who were in number One and twenty that Reigned after him All of them together governed Five hundred and fourteen years V. 9. ad 18. six months and ten days adding thereunto the twenty years of the first King Saul The Temple the Palace and the City spoiled and burnt who was of another Tribe After this the Babylonian sent Nabuzaradan General of his Army unto Jerusalem to spoil the Temple giving him in charge to burn both it and the Kings Palace and to raze and level the City with the ground and afterwards to transport the People unto Babylon Nabuzaradan arrived there the eleventh year of the Reign of Zedechias and spoiled the Temple and carried away the Vessels that were consecrated K to Gods service both those of Gold as also those of Silver he took likewise the great Laver that was given by Solomon the Columns and Pillars of Brass with their Chapters likewise and the Tables and Candlesticks of Gold and after he had born away all things he burned the Temple the first day of the 5th month of the eleventh year of Zedechias Reign which was the eighteenth of Nabuchodonosor's He burned also the Kings Royal Palace and razed the City This Temple was burned 470 years six moneths and ten days after the foundation thereof and in the year 1062. six months and ten days after the departure of the people out of Egypt and 1950 years six months and ten days after the Deluge from the Creation of Adam V. 18. ad 22. until the ruin of the Temple there were three thousand five hundred and thirteen years six moneths and ten days The captivity of Babylon Thus have we set down the number of the years and L expressed in what time every thing hath been performed The General for the King of Babylon having destroyed the City and transported the People took prisoner the High Priest Sareas and his Collegue the Priest Saphan with the Governors and Keepers of the Temple which were three the Eunuch also which had the charge over the rest and seven of Zedechias friends and his Secretary besides sixty other Governors all which together with the Vessels which he had pillaged he sent to Reblatha a City of Syria unto the King of Babylon who commanded in that place that the High Priest and Governours should be beheaded as for the rest of the prisoners and Zedechias the King he carried them with him to Babylon he sent also in Bonds with the rest Josadoch the Son of Sareas the High Priest whom he had put to death in Reblatha M as we have before related And since we have reckoned up the race of the Kings that swayed the Scepter of Juda and given an account how long they Reigned it will not be unnecessary to recite the names of the High Priests The high Priests in Jerusalem and to report who they have been that have administred the Priesthood under the Kings Sadoc was the first High Priest of the Temple built by Solomon After him his Son Achimas succeeded in that Honour and after Achimas Azaras after whom succeeded Joram and after Joram Joschua after Joschua Axioram who had for his successor Phideas to Phideas succeeded Sudeas to Sudeas Julus to Julus Jotham to Jotham Vrias to Vrias Nerias to Nerias Odeas to Odeas Saldum to Saldum Elcias to Elcias Sareas to Sareas Josadoch who was carried away prisoner into Babylon all which have succeeded in the Priesthood by lineal descent N Jer. 52. 10. 11. When Nebuchodonosor was come to Babylon he shut up Zedechias in prison where he kept him until he died Zedechias death and after his death he honoured him with a Royal Tomb. He likewise offered the Vessels that he had taken out of the Temple of Jerusalem unto his gods Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. and caused the people to inhabit the Countrey of Babylon delivering the High Priest from his Bonds The General Nabuzaradan that led the people away captive left the poorer sort in the Countrey of Judea and those also that voluntarily yielded themselves unto him over whom he appointed Godolias the Son of Aicam Governour a man that was both upright and noble commanding them to till the Land and to pay their assigned Tribute to the King C. 40. v 4. He delivered the Prophet Jeremy also out of prison Godolias Captain of the Fugitives persuading him to repair with him to the King of Babylon telling him that he had O received express commandment from the King to furnish him with all things necessary for that journey but if he were not contented to repair to Babylon he should declare unto him in what place he would make his abode to the intent he might certify the King thereof But the Prophet would not follow him or sojourn in any other place desiring rather to live amidst the ruins of his Countrey and among the pitious Reliques of his poor Nation When the General Nabuzaradan understood his resolution he gave charge to the Governour Godolias whom he left in Judea to have care of him Jeremy set at liberty by the Babylonian and richly offered and presented and to furnish him with all that which he wanted and after he had gratified him
by divine providence and that they furnished him with resons to maintain his sentiments The Translation of the Bible into the Greek tongue But the King protested in their presence that their conversation had infinitely contented and instructed him in that by their means he had obtained the good hap to be informed by them how to govern his Kingdom Whereupon he commanded that each of them should have three talents given him and that they should O be conveyed to their lodgings Some four days after Demetrius took them with him and led them over that trench of the Sea that containeth seven furlongs and that Bridge which joyneth the Island to the continent and toward the Northern part thereof he assigned them a loding remote from all noise The year of the World 3684. before Christ's Nativity 380. and fit for contemplation to A which place after he had brought them he besought them that since they had all those things that were necessary for the interpretation of their laws they would apply themselves unto it without any discontinuance of the work until they had brought it to perfection whereupon they imployed all the diligence that was possible to the end the interpretation might be exact intending only this from the morning untill three houres after noon after which time they imployed the rest of the day in their refection and to that end they were furnished in all aboundance with all sorts of victuals Besides Dorotheus presented them with a part of divers dishes which were prepared for the King for so had his Majesty commanded it Thus every morning entred they the Kings Palace and after they had saluted him they retired themselves to their accustomed B place and after they had washed their hands in the Sea water and were purified they sate down in that manner to prosecute their translation Now when the law was fully interpreted and the work was finished in the space of seventy and two days Demetrius assembled all the Jews in that place where the law had been translated and caused it to be read over in the presence of the interpreters themselves Which done the Assembly approved the Exposition of the Interpreters and praised Demetrius by whose suggestions they enjoyed so great a good They requested likewise that this Exposition should be perused and over-read by the Nobles and Governours After this both the Priest the Elders the Interpreters and the Magistrates of the People required that since this translation was so happily atchieved it might remain unaltered so C that no jot thereof might be changed Which resolution being allowed by all men it was ordered that if any man perceived any thing in that translation which was either exuberant or deficient he should consider thereupon and give notice thereof to the end it might be corrected dealing herein very discreetly to the end that that which had once been adjudged good should continue inviolable for ever The King therefore was highly contented seeing his endeavours and purpose in that behalf so happily and profitably finished but above all things he took pleasure in reading the Law admiring at the profound wisdom of the Law-maker and began to question with Demetrius by what means it came to pass that neither any Poet not Historiographer had made mention of that Law notwithstanding that in it self D it was so admirable To whom Demetrius gave this answer that no man was so hardy to touch that work by reason that it was Divine and every way venerable assuring him also that certain men who had attempted to set their hands thereto had been punished by God giving him to understand how Theopompus intending to reduce some part of that Law into his History Gods justice upon those Ethnicks that intermedled with the sacred Scriptures had ran mad for more then thirty dayes and that having some intermission of his fit he appeased God by prayer thereby easily conjecturing what was the cause of his malady Moreover he was certified by a Vision that appeared unto him in his sleep that this inconvenience befell him because he had too curiously searched into sacred and divine matters and had intended to communicate the same unto prophane and wicked men from which enterprise when he had desisted he recovered E his right wits again He likewise insinuated further that Theodestes the Tragick Poet intending to make mention in some of his Poems of a certain History written in the sacred Scriptures was strucken blind and acknowledging the cause hereof to proceed from his audacious presumption he was restored to his sight after he had appeased Gods displeasure When the King had considered on these words according as Demetrius had discoursed them unto him he prostrated himself on the earth and commanded that the books should be carefully kept to the end they might continue free from corruption Furthermore he exhorted the Translators to repair oftentimes unto him from Judea assuring them that in so doing the matter would redound both to their honor and profit telling them that for that time he thought good to dismiss them but when they should return unto F him again of their own motion they should obtain all that which their wisedom deserved or magnificence could impart unto them This said he gave them leave to depart The presents which the King bestowed upon the Interpreters and those he sent to Eleazer after he had given each of them three several suits of apparel two talents of gold and a cup that was in value worth a talent and a certain Bed or curious Couch to sit and banquet upon This gave he them for themselves But to Eleazer the High Priest he sent by them ten Couches whose feet were of silver and the furniture answerable and a vessel of thirty Talents Ten Purple Robes likewise and a magnificent Crown and one hundred pieces of fine linen and besides that he sent by way of present unto the Temple Ewers Basins and two Golden vessels beseeching Eleazer by his letters that if any one of his subjects had an inclination to come unto him he would permit G him assuring him that he would highly esteem the conversation of so learned men and that he had riches which he would imploy with great pleasure in such affairs Thus did Ptolomey Philadelphus esteem and honor the Jews A CHAP. III. The year of the World 3984. before Christ's Nativity 280. Favor received by the Jews from the Kings of Asia Antiochus the great contracts an alliance with the Ptolomey King of Egypt and gives him Cleopatra his Daughter in Marriage with severel Provinces for her Dowry and amongst the rest Judea Onias the Chief Priest insenseth the King of Egypt by refusing to pay the Tributes which was due THe Jews received honour likewise at the hands of the Kings of Asia because they had born Arms under them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. For Seleucus sirnamed Nicanor highly respected them The immunities and
will all in this place assemble to celebrate the praises of God according as it hath been foretold by the Prophet Isaias There shall be saith he a Temple for our Lord God in Egypt many other things also hath he foretold touching this place This is the substance of that which Onias wrote unto King Ptolomey And by his answer which he made hereunto a man may easily conjecture what piety was both in him and Cleopatra his sister and wife For they have returned the sin and transgression of the Law which through this means fell upon Onias's head by this answer that ensueth F King Ptolomey and Queen Cleopatra to Onias the High-Priest Health We have perused your Letters by which you desire us to give you leave to cleanse the Temple that is defaced at Leontopolis in the seignory of Heliopolis in the place called Bubastis in the Plain We marvel very much that a Temple built in a place so unclean and full of execrable Beasts should be acceptable unto God but since that you inform us that the Prophet Isaiah did long since prophesie the same we give you liberty if it may be done according to the Law and with this condition that we commit not any sin against God G Upon this answer Onias taking possession of the place built therein a Temple and erected an Altar unto God according to the model of the Temple of Jerusalem but H far less and less rich I think it no wayes requisite to declare the dimensions thereof nor the vessels belonging to it because I describe them particularly in my seventh book of the Wars and Captivity of the Jews neither wanted there some Levites and Priests who being of the same opinion with Onias officiated at the celebration of Divine Service A Temple built in Egypt by Ptolomey's consent But let this suffice for the present touching the Temple But it came to pass that the Jews of Alexandria and the Samaritans that brought in the Service and Worship of the Temple upon the mount Garizim under Alexander the Great The Wars of the Jews lib. 7. cap. 37. dissented from one another and debated their differences before Ptolomey For the Jews said That the Temple in Jerusalem built according to Moses laws and ordinances Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching their Temple was the lawful Temple but the Samaritans maintained That that which was built I on mount Garazim was the true Temple They therefore besought the King That it would please him to sit in judgment with the assistance of his friends to hear their allegations in this behalf and to condemn the party unto death who should be found faulty in his process Now the advocates which pleaded for the Samaritans were Sabbeus and Theodosius and Andronicus the son of Messalem defended the cause of those of Jerusalem and the other Jews And both of them swore both by God and the King That they would bring their proofs according to the Law beseeching Ptolomey to adjudge him to death whom he should find to have falsifi'd his oath The King therefore sat down with his friends to hear the cause and determine their differences But the Jews of Alexandria were much displeased with them that had drawn the preheminence of the Temple K at Jerusalem into question and were highly discontent that a Temple so ancient and famous and so esteemed and honoured through the whole World should be so disparaged When therefore the day of Audience was come Sabbeus and Theodosius suffered Andronicus to speak first who began to prove the lawfulness holiness and religion of the Temple in Jerusalem out of the Law and by the successive government of the High Priests who from father to son and from hand to hand had received this honour therein alledging That all the Kings of Asia had honoured the Majesty of that place with presents and rich oblations whereas neither in the record of men nor course of antiquity the Temple of Garizim had been in any estimation Hereunto he added such other reasons as persuaded the King that the Temple of Jerusalem was built according to L the ordinance of Moses and caused him to adjudge Sabbeus and Theodosius to death This may suffice to have spoken concerning the differences of the Jews of Alexandria and such things as befell them during Ptolomey Philometors time CHAP. VII Alexander Ballez finding himself by the death of Demetrius in the peaceable possession of the Realm of Syria espouseth the daughter of Ptolomey Philometor King of Egypt Great honour is done by Alexander to Jonathan the High-Priest M AFter that Demetrius was slain in the field as we have already related Alexander made himself King of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. and wrote to Ptolomey Philometor 1 Mac. 11. 1. desiring his daughter Alexander King of Syria marrieth Cleopatra Ptolomeys daughter the Princess Cleopatra in marriage telling him That it was not below his dignity to contract affinity with him since he had obtained his fathers Empire by the favor of God and had overcome Demetrius Ptolomey yielding a willing ear to his request wrote back That he was very glad that he had recovered his fathers kingdom promising him to give him his daughter in marriage assuring him that he would meet him at Ptolomais and bring his daughter unto him to that place and there celebrate the Nuptials After he had written these Letters Ptolomey made haste to Ptolomais and led with him his daughter Cleopatra where meeting with Alexander according to their appointment he deliver'd him his daughter N and gave her a dowry worthy of so great a King Unto the solemnizing of his marriage Alexander by Letters invited the High-Priest Jonathan commanding him to come to him to Ptolomais He went thither and presented magnificent Presents to both the Kings he was highly honour'd by both insomuch as Alexander constrained him to put off his ordinary garments and to put on a purple robe and after that to sit upon a royal Throne commanding his Captains to march before him through the City and to command by publick Edict That no man should dare to speak anything against him nor offer him any cause of discontent All which the Captains performed so that they who purposely and maliciously came thither to accuse him seeing the honour that was done unto him by the King fled away lest the mischief which they designed for him should fall upon O their own heads This King Alexander loved Jonathan so intirely that he afforded him the chief place amongst his dearest friends CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3818. before Christ's Nativity 146. A Demetrius Nicanor the son of King Demetrius entreth into Cilicia with an Army King Alexander Ballez gives the command of his to Apollonius who with very ill success sets upon Jonathan the High-Priest who defeats him takes Azot and burns the Temple of Dagon Ptolemey Philometor King of Egypt
of which building Nicholaus also a writer of that time maketh mention but he speaketh not how they went into the Sepulchre of David thinking that therein he should not keep Decorum if he should make mention thereof Wherein he followed this accustomed order for his Writings were to come to the ears of the King yet living wherein he did only curry favour mentioning only that that might redound unto the King's credit So that many of his open and wicked pranks he did either colour under some other pretence or else all ways possible he endeavoured to hide them For he doth as it were tell a tale of Herod's cruelty against Mariamne and his Sons as though he did thereby deserve credit and praise accusing her of Adultery D and them as Traitors unto their Father and this he doth all along too much extolling the King 's good deeds Joseph came of the Priestly Line of the Asmonians and too diligently excusing his iniquities But as I have said we must pardon him who did not so much write to leave a memory of things done unto after Ages as to gratifie and please his King But I who come of the lineage of the Asmonian Kings and execute the office of a Priest account it a shame to lie and do intend to relate the History of all things that were acted and done yet with a reverence for Herod's Posterity who do also now bear sway and rule yet with their pardon and leave I must prefer the truth to their inclinations After the Sepulchre was thus violated A discord in Herod's house Herod's house began to decay whether revenge lighting upon that part which was already scarce sound or whether by mere E chance such calamity at that time befel him as might justly be thought the reward of impiety For there was a discord in the Court not unlike to Civil Wars every one striving against other with hatred and forged accusations Antipater's crafty plotting against his Brethren But especially Antipater's politick practice against his Brethren was to be noted who entangled them by other men's forged accusations himself oftentimes seemed to take upon him their defence that making a shew of good will unto them he might secretly oppress them the sooner and he did so craftily circumvent his Father that his Father esteemed him to be his only Conserver Wherefore the King commanded Ptolomens his chief Secretary of State to conceal nothing of the affairs of the Kingdom from Antipater who imparted all to his Mother so that all things were done according as they pleased and F they made him displeased with those against whom they knew the King's displeasure might redound unto their profit But Mariamne's Children were every day more and more provoked disdaining to give place unto their inferiours The women at discord and variance their Wives did the like and Alexander's Wife Glaphyra who was the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia did greatly envy and disdain Salome and she also her again both for the love that she bare unto her Husband and for that she disdained as women are wont that her Daughter married unto Aristobulus should be in equal honour with her Pheroras also the King's Brother had a hand in this contention Pheroras refused the King's Daughter offered him to Wife about a private cause of suspicion and hatred For he fell so far in love with one of his maids that he refused the Kings Daughter offered unto him rather G making choice of his maid Herod took this in very ill part seeing his Brother who had received so many benefits at his hands and was almost his fellow in his Kingdom by his means not to shew the like brotherly affection to him again as he ought And seeing he could not disswade him from that madness he married his Daughter unto H Phasaelus his Son And afterwards thinking that his Brother's mind towards his maid was satisfied he complained of his injurious dealing in repulsing his Daughter offered unto him to Wife he offered him another of his Daughters named Cypros Then Ptolomeus advised Pheroras not to contemn his Brother's offer and persist in such folly still telling him it was mere madness to incur the King's displeasure on such an account Pheroras understanding this counsel profitable for him having obtained pardon at the King's hands sent away his maid by whom he had a Son and promised the King to marry this his other Daughter and appointed the thirteenth day after to celebrate his Marriage making a solemn Oath unto the King never after that time to use the company of that woman whom he had put away The time appointed being expired I he fell so far in love with the former woman that he would not stand to his promise but again accompanied with his maid Then Herod not able any longer to contain himself used many speeches whereby he evidently shewed his mind to be alienated from his Brother And there were many who taking this opportunity did by forged calumnies encrease his aversion so that now there was no day nor hour past wherein he did not still hear some new combustions and stirs amongst his dearest friends Salome enticed her Daughter to betray her husband's secrets For Salome being so offended at Mariamne's Children did not permit her Daughter married to Aristobulus to enjoy mutual love and comfort of her Husband enticing her to bewray her Husband's secrets and if there happened any small occasions of offence as often it falleth out she should the K more aggravate them with suspicions whereby she also learned all their secrets and made the young Princess hate her Husband And she to please her Mother related how that often when her Husband and Alexander were alone that they were wont to talk of Mariamne their Mother and use reproachful words against their Father and threatning that if they ever did obtain the Kingdom they would make the Sons of the King whom he had by other Wives Notaries and Town-Clerks and so they might reap profit of their Learning which they had attained to and whensoever they saw any of the Kings Wives wear any of Mariamne's apparel that then they vowed instead of that attire to cloath them with Sack-cloth and shut them up where they should never see the Sun Salome presently told all this to the King who though he were L much grieved hereat yet he chose rather to seek to amend it than to punish them and thus notwithstanding he was daily more and more put out of humour believing all reports whatsoever yet he contented himself with chiding of them and seemed satisfied with their excuses But presently the mischief was again set on foot for Pheroras the King's Brother meeting Alexander who as we have said was Glaphyra her Husband who was Daughter to Archelaus he told him that he heard by Salome that Herod was so far in love with Glaphyra that he could not shake off this affection Herod
death amongst the Pharisees who were the principal Authors of this Advice and with them also the Eunuch Bagoas and Carus who was his darling and one of the finest men of that time He afterwards cut off all those amongst his houshold Servants who were of the Pharisees Faction for the Pharisees had perswaded Bagoas that this new King whom they prognosticated would not only consider him as his Benefactor and Father but that he himself should also marry and find himself capable to beget Children D But after that Herod had punished those amongst the Pharisees Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. who were convicted to have been of the Conspiracy Herod accuseth Pheroras's Wife and commandeth him to put her away he assembled a Council of his friends before whom he accused Pheroras's Wife and ripped up the injuries that were done unto his Daughters as it hath been declared ascribing the same to the pride of this woman objecting it for a crime against her for having injured his Honour Besides this he accused her that she had of set purpose stirr'd up Mutinies and by all means possible both in words and deeds contrary to all Law of Nature stirred up debate betwixt him and his Brother and that the Fine that he had imposed upon his Adversaries was satisfied at her charge so that no jot of that Conspiracy was contrived without her consent For which causes said he Brother Pheroras it shall not be amiss for you of your own accord E to drive such a wretched woman from you before you be requested and the Sentence be pronounced against her otherwise she will be the cause to kindle a War betwixt you and me For if you will continue the Friendship and Brotherhood betwixt you and me seperate your self from her In so doing I will account you for my Brother and you shall lose nothing by the affection which I bear unto you For the bond of Brotherly love cannot continue safe and inviolable unless you put her away Now although Pheroras was moved with the importance and weight of this discourse Pheroras refuseth to put away his Wife yet he said that for the love he bare unto his Wife he would forget nothing of that duty which Consanguinity required at his hands in regard of his Brother but that he had rather die than live without her company Herod interdicteth Pheroras and Antipater their privy meetings and forbiddeth the Ladies no less whom he loved more dearly than his life Herod although he took this answer F of his Brother 's for a most grievous injury yet forbare he to discover his displeasure towards him He only forbad Antipater and his Mother and in like manner Pheroras to frequent the one with the other any more He commanded the women likewise that they should give over their familiar entertainments the one with the other which all of them promised to perform Yet this notwithstanding upon fit opportunities and occasions they visited one another and Antipater and Pheroras feasted one another by night The report also went that Antipater had the company of Pheroras's Wife and that his Mother was the means and instrument of their privy meeting G CHAP. IV. H Herod sendeth Antipater to Augustus with his Will by which he declareth him his Successor Syllaeus bribeth one of Herod's Guards to kill him but the plot is discovered ANtipater suspecting his Father's distastes Herod sendeth Antipater to Caesar and fearing lest his hatred should bring him into hazard he wrote unto his friends in Rome requiring them to write their Letters unto Herod requesting him to send Antipater unto Caesar with all expedition as was possible Which being brought to pass Herod sent him thither with divers Royal I Presents and gave him his Testament and Will with him wherein he had bequeathed the Kingdom to Antipater And if it should happen that Antipater should die before him then he bequeathed the same to his Son Herod whom he had by the High Priest's Daughter About the same time Syllaeus the Arabian repaired to Rome notwithstanding he had neglected those things which Caesar had commanded him Antipater accused him before Caesar Antipater accuseth Syllaeus at Rome before Caesar for the same faults wherewith he was charged by Nicholaus Syllaeus also was accused by Aretas for murthering divers of the best account in the City of Petra countrary to his mind amongst the which was Sohemus a man of much virtue and honour and Probatus Aretas accuseth Syllaeus for killing Probatus and others Caesar's Servant of which Crimes Syllaeus was accused upon this occasion which ensueth There was a certain man of K Corinthus who was one of the King's Guard and one he put very great trust in Syllaeus perswaded him by store of money and Bribes to kill Herod which he promised to perform Probatus made privy to Syllaeus's mind he presently told it to the King who caused him to be apprehended and tortured A Traytor that sought the King's death is apprehended who confessed the whole matter He laid hands also on two Arabians perswaded by this Corinthian's confession one of which was a man of Command in his Countrey and the other was Syllaeus's chief friend They being examined confessed that they came thither to solicite with many exhortations the Corinthian to execute the murther and to assist him if he stood in need of them Which being fully proved by Herod before Saturnine he sent them to Rome there more amply to be proceeded against and so to be punished L CHAP. V. Pheroras's death HErod perceiving that his Brother Pheroras did constantly continue his affection towards his Wife he commanded him to retire himself into his own Dominions whereupon he willingly departed to his Tetrarchy An Oath solemnly observed protesting by many solemn Oaths that he would never more return into the City unless he were assured that Herod was M dead Not long after it hapned that the King fell sick he was sent for to receive certain secret instructions as from the mouth of a dying man but Pheroras would not obey him in regard of his Oath Notwithstanding Herod dealt more kindly with him and continued his love and affection towards him Pheroras in his Sickness is visited by Herod and being dead is honourably buried by him for he came to Pheroras as soon as he heard of his first Sickness without being sent for And after he was deceased he sent his body to Jerusalem and honourably entombed him in that place and grievously lamented his death This was the beginning of Antipater's mis-haps who at that time was gone to Rome For it was God's pleasure that at last he should be punished for the murther of his Brethren I will discourse of this at large that it may serve for an example to many Kings how they ought to practice and follow Virtue in all their N actions CHAP. VI. Pheroras's Wife is accused and Herod is
same Thereupon all of them began to applaud and honour Archelaus for their King The Souldiers flocked about him in Troops accompanied with their Captains promising him to serve him with no less good will and affection Alias cap. 12 than they had done his Father praying God to yield him his assistance At that time also the King's Hearse was prepared Herod's Corps is buried with great pomp solemnity in Herodion and Archelaus gave order that his Obsequies should be most royally performed and bestowed all the Furniture that was N requisite for that Funeral and Princely Interrment He was carried out in a Gilded Litter adorned with divers precious Stones the Cover thereof was of Azure colour The dead body was apparelled in a Purple Raiment having a Diadem upon his head over which there was a Crown of Gold and a Scepter put in his right hand About this Litter marched a great number of his Children and Kinsfolk and after them followed his Souldiers disposed in Bands and Troops according to the custom of every Nation The first of these were the Archers of his Guard after them went the Thracians The Germans and French served under Herod and lastly marched the Germans and Galatians all of them in their Warlike Dress and Discipline After them followed all the Army marching in order as when they were drawn up in Batalia each one under his Captain Next these followed five O hundred of his Houshold Servants bearing Perfumes And all these in his Equipage marched to the Castle of Herodion distant some eight Furlongs off For there he was A entombed according to the Tenour of his Testament Thus died Herod Archelaus continued his Mourning for seven days space in honour of his Father For the Law of the Countrey ordaineth no less And after he had feasted the people and laid aside his mourning Apparel he ascended up into the Temple All the way as he went all the people with Shouts and Acclamations Archelaus banqueteth the people cried God save the King and with Prayers and Praises honoured him to their uttermost And he being conducted up to a high Throne of Gold which was made on purpose entertained the people very graciously taking pleasure in their Acclamations and Congratulations that they bestowed upon him He gave them thanks also For that they had blotted out of their remembrance the injuries that his Father had done unto them protesting in B his own behalf that he would certainly take care to requite their kindness with an entire affection He likewise told them that for the present he accepted not the Title of King because the honour was bequeathed him with this condition that Caesar should ratifie his Father's Testament For this cause although the Souldiers that were in Jericho were so kind to set the Diadem upon his head yet he would not accept of that uncertain honour because it was not resolved whether Caesar who was the principal Party in the Gift would grant him the Government or no. He protested likewise Archelaus promises that with Caesar's approbation he will carefully intend the desires and profits of the people that if his Affairs succeeded according to his desire he would not in honour forget their love or leave their good affection unrequited C And that in the mean while he would enforce himself by all means to further those things that concerned them and entertain them with more kindness than his Father had done But they according as it is the custom of the common people thinking that those that enter into such Dignities declare and open their minds at the first day The more Archelaus spake kindly and courteously unto them the more they applauded him and presented him with divers Petitions for Grants and Donations from him Some of them cried out unto him that he should take off some part of their yearly Taxes Others cryed to him to deliver those Prisoners that were committed by Herod of whom divers had pined a long time in Prison Others instantly urged him to cut off those Tributes which had been imposed by him upon Bargains and Sales D which was to pay the half of the Bargain Whereunto Archelaus did not any ways contradict striving to the uttermost of his power to please the people for he knew very well that their good affection would be no small advantage towards him in the confirmation of his Kingdom That done he sacrificed unto God and afterward fell to banqueting and entertainment of his Friends CHAP. XI E Some Jews who demanded satisfaction for Judas and Matthias and others deaths whom Herod caused to be burned for having pulled down the Eagle off the Portal of the Temple make an Insurrection which obligeth Archelaus to cause three thousand of them to be put to death He goeth afterwards to Rome to be confirmed King by Augustus His Brother Antipas who pretends to have a right to the Crown repaireth thither also the Cause is pleaded before Augustus MEan while Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. al. 13. some amongst the Jews who were desirous of Revolutions in their F private Conventicles bewailed Matthias and his Confederates whom Herod had put to death and condemned The seditious people bewail Matthias and those that were executed with them for defacing the Golden Eagle because that after their decease they had neither been publickly honoured nor lamented by reason of the fear that the people had conceived of Herod For which cause at that time they required with lamentations and out-cries that their Obsequies might be solemnized and as if the dead bodies had received some satisfaction by their tears and exclamations they uttered many odious and disgraceful expressions against Herod and assembling themselves together they requested Archelaus to do them Justice against those that during Herod's life They would be revenged on Herod's friends and would depose the High Priest were in Authority and especially they demanded that the High Priest who was advanced by his Father should be deposed and that another more G lawful and upright might be placed in his stead to exercise the High Priest's Function Now though Archelaus was sore displeased at these violent proceedings yet notwithstanding he conformed himself to their humour in that he was with all expedition to repair unto Rome The year of the World 3964. after Christ's Nativity 2. to understand and attend Caesar's pleasure Therefore he called H for the General of his Army commanding him to perswade them not to seek revenge for those men who were dead notwithstanding they were their friends because whatsoever was done was done according to Law and that no enquiry might be made thereof except to the great prejudice of his reputation and hazard of his state in regard of the uncertainty of the time that it was more expedient for him to study for the maintenance of peace until such time as being established in the Kingdom by Caesar's consent he should return
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
by their Offices for one of them was his Butler the other was his Cook and the third waited upon him in his Bed-chamber These three Alexander with great gifts corrupted G Which the King understanding by torments forced them to confess and declare with what promises they were thereto by Alexander induced and how he had deceived them by affirming that there was no trusting to Herod who was a morose old man The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. and that he died his hair to make himself seem young and that in despight of H him he would be his Successor and then he would be revenged upon his enemies and make his friends happy and especially them And that the whole Nobility secretly joyned with him and the Captains of the Army and Governours privily came to him Herod feareth his Son Alexander Hereat Herod was so terrified that he durst not presently divulge their confessions but night and day he sent out spies to learn what was said or done and whom he suspected them he presently killed so that his whole Kingdom was full of Blood-shed For every one as his malice moved him feigned Calumniations and many desirous of Blood-shed abused the King's passion as they pleased against their enemies Credit was given to every lie and no man was so soon accused but presently he was punished and he who presently before accused others was now accused himself and I carried to be punished with him whom he had accused Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. For the King's jealousy shortned the time of Trial for their lives and he became so tyrannous that he afforded not a good look Herod's cruelty even to them that were not accused but shewed himself most fierce and violent to his dearest friends So that he banished many out of his Kingdom and railed against such as he had no power over Antipater encreased this mischief more and more by employing all his friends to accomplish the ruine of Alexander By whose rumours and tales the King was so possessed that he fancied always that he saw Alexander before him with a drawn Sword Herod casteth Alexander into Prison and tortured his friends For which cause he suddenly cast him in Prison and tortured his friends many of which died in torments because they would not confess more than in conscience was true Others not able to endure the torments K were forced to confess that Alexander and his Brother Aristobulus designed Treason against their Father and that they expected their time till he went a hunting resolving with themselves that having killed him they would presently flee to Rome Although these and such like Calumniations were no ways probable yet extremity of pain forced men to invent them and the King willingly believed them as it were comforting himself thereby that he might not be thought to have imprisoned his Son unjustly Alexander perceiving that it was impossible for him to remove his Father's suspicion Alexander during his imprisonment wrote four Books against his enemies thought it best to yield himself guilty and so he made four Writings wherein he confessed the Treason and nominated his partakers therein namely Pheroras and Salome who were the chief which later he said had been so impudently L unchaste as to come in the night to him without his consent and lie in his bed These Writings which charged the greatest amongst the Nobility with most heinous matters were in Herod's hands when Archelaus fearing his Son-in-law and Daughter to be in great danger speedily came into Judaea and by his prudence appeased the King's wrath For so soon as he came to Herod he cryed Where is that wicked Son-in-law of mine or where may I see the face of that wretch that goeth about to murther his Father that I may tear him in pieces with mine own hands and marry my Daughter to a better Husband For although she be not privy to his counsel yet 't is enough to make her infamous that she is Wife to such a man Nay I admire your patience who are in such danger Archelaus King of Cappadocia and suffer Alexander yet to live For I came thus hastily out of Cappadocia thinking M he had been put to death to talk with you concerning my Daughter whom I married to him for your sake Wherefore now let us take counsel what to do with them both and seeing you are too Father-like and not able to punish your Son your treacherous Son let 〈◊〉 change rooms and let me be in your place to revenge you How great soever Herod's choler was this discourse of Archelaus disarmed it And Herod shewed him the Books that Alexander had writ Archelaus and Herod consult upon Alexander's Book and upon reading every Chapter with deliberation Archelaus took occasion fit for his purpose and by little and little laid all the fault on Pheroras and those that were accused in the Book And perceiving the King to give ear unto him Let us said he consider whether the young man hath not been circumvented by the treachery of so many malicious persons and not of himself formed a design against N you For there appears no cause why he should fall into such wickedness who already enjoyed the honours of the Kingdom and hoped to succeed you therein had he not been perswaded thereto by other men who seeing him a young man enticed him to such an attempt For we see that by such persons not only young men but also old men and most Noble Families Herod is incensed against his Brother Pheroras yea and whole Kingdomes are ruinated Herod upon these speeches began somewhat to relent and abate his animosity against Alexander but encreased it towards Pheroras for he was the Subject of the whole Book Pheroras perceiving the King so to trust to Archelaus's friendship that he was led by him to do what he pleased he in humble manner came to Archelans seeking humbly for succour at his hands of whom he had not deserved any favour Archelaus answered him that he knew O no ways to obtain his Pardon who was guilty of so heinous Crimes and convicted manifestly to have practised High Treason against the King 's own Person and to be A the cause of all these miseries that had now befallen the young man except that he would lay aside all subtil dealing and denying of his Fact and confess the Crimes whereof he was accused and so humbly go to his Brother who loved him dearly and crave pardon promising that if he would so do he would do him what good he could Pheroras attired in a mourning garment with tears falleth before Herod's feet and craveth pardon Hereupon Pheroras obeyed Archelaus's counsel and putting on a black Attire in a pitiful manner and with tears he prostrated himself at Herod's feet and craving pardon obtained it confessing himself to be a most wicked and vile person and to be guilty of all that
murder and slaughter of one of his Friends Joseph being thus delivered from extream danger both from the D Romans Joseph resorteth to Vespasian with Nicanor and from those of his own Nation went with Nicanor to Vespasian All the Romans came about him to see him and pressing about their General they made a great noise some rejoycing that he was taken others crying out to punish him others striving to come near to behold him better and they who were afar off cryed out to kill that Enemy of the Romans Fame But those who were near and beheld him remembring his great Actions An example of Titus grace and mercy towards Joseph were astonished at his change of Fortune No Captain or Ruler but although before they were all moved against him yet now beholding him they begin to pity him especially Titus who being of a gentle disposition admired Josephs valour his constancy in adversity and considered his Age and thereby was moved to take compassion upon him remembring what a manner of man he had been during E the Wars and what he now was being fallen into his Enemies hands calling also to mind the power and force of Fortune and how uncertain the chance of War is and that humane affairs have no stedfastness His Example drew many minds to pity him so that Titus was the chief author of Josephs life Yet Vespasian caused him to be carefully kept as though he meant to send him to Caesar Which Joseph hearing requested that he might speak a word or two with him alone Whereupon all but his Son Titus departing Joseph hath private conference with Vespasian and two of his Friends Joseph spoke to him in these terms You think only that you have Joseph for your Captive but I am a Messenger to you of greater matters from God Joseph foretelleth Vespasian of his future honours Otherwise I knew my Country Laws and how it behoved the Generals of our Nation to die and not to be taken alive by their Enemies You will send me F to Nero Wherefore since Nero and those that are to succeed him before you have so little time to live you O Vespasian shall be Caesar and Emperor of Rome and Titus your Son after you keep me therefore in bonds with you for you are not only my Lord but Lord of all the World Sea and Land and all Man-kind And if I now fain these things in this state of mine own mind against God let me be reserved to greater punishment After he had thus spoken Vespasian gave small credit to his words thinking that Joseph fained these things of himself to save his Life yet by little and little he began to give credit to him because God put it in his mind to hope for the Empire and fore-told him of his Reign by many signs and tokens and he also found Joseph to tell the truth in other matters For one of Vespasians friends saying that it was strange that he knowing this G could not prophesie of the event of the War against Jotapata Josephs truth in all things and what was like to befal himself that so he might avoid those evils Joseph answered that he had foretold the Citizens of Jotapata that after seven and fourty dayes they should be destroyed and that the Romans should keep him alive in hold Vespasian secretly enquired of these H matters and finding by the relation of the Captives that it was true he began to give more credit to that which Joseph had told him concerning himself So he commanded Joseph to be kept Prisoner yet he gave him apparel and divers other things in most courteous manner Joseph is kept bound yet rewarded by Vespasian and Titus greatly honoured him The fourth day of July Vespasian returned to Ptolemais and from thence he came to the Sea-coast to Caesarea which is the greatest City of Judaea whose Inhabitants are for the most part Greeks The Inhabitants received the Army and the General with all friendship possible Caâ—sarea a great City by the Sea-side inhabited for the most part by Greeks both for that they loved the Romans and especially also for that they hated the Jews so that many intreated Vespasian to put Joseph to death But Vespasian judging this a rash Petition would make no answer to it and he left two Legions to Winter at Caesarea I because he saw it was a fit place and he sent the tenth and fifth to Scythopolis because he would not over-charge Cesarea with the whole Army Scythopolis This place is warm in Winter and exceeding hot in Summer by reason it is situate on a Plain by the Sea-coast CHAP. XV. How Joppa was taken by the Romans K IN the mean time a great multitude being gathered together Joppa the retreat of the Seditious and Thieves who either were seditious persons or thieves or such as had escaped out of the taken-Cities re-edified Joppa for their refuge which Cestius formerly had destroyed and seeing they could not find provision in the Countrey which was already wasted and left desolate by the War they purposed to become Pirates and so building Ships for that purpose they robbed the Phoenicians Syrians and Aegyptians not suffering any to pass those Seas without danger Vespasian understanding their practices sent Horse and Foot against Joppa who finding the City not guarded got into it in the night which the Inhabitants perceiving were so terrifi'd that they durst not make any resistance to expel L the Romans but they all fled to their Ships and there stayed all night a flight-shot from the shore Joppa is naturally no road for Ships for it is situated upon a turbulent Shore and on every side hath very high and eminent Rocks which trouble the Seas and make huge Waves In this place if we may believe the fable one may see the signs of Andromeda's Chains Of Andromeda read lib. 4. Ovid Metamorph When the North Wind blows it striketh the Waves against the Rocks and so causeth a dangerous Sea that it were far more safe to be in the midst of the Seas than at that Shore when the said Wind bloweth The Inhabitants of Joppa rode there all night A huge tempest drowneth those of Joppa in the Sea and by break of day the North Wind began to blow fiercely and drove some of the Ships one against another and others against the Rocks and many striving against Wind and Weather and seeking to get into the midst of the Sea for fear of the Rocky Shore and their Enemies there were drowned M They that escaped neither had any place of refuge nor hope of safety for the tempest drove them from the Sea and the Romans from the City so that the air was filled with cities of the people expecting to be drowned and with the noise and sound of the Ships beating one against another By this means some of the Inhabitants of Joppa were swallowed up by the