Moses seeing that Pharao would not repent nor let the people of Israel depart he came vnto him and spake after this manner As long as you shall resist the ordinance of God who commaundeth you to suffer the Hebrewes to depart there is no meanes whereby you may be exempted from these mischiefes in doing that which you doe The King enraged at these words threatned him to cut off his head if once more he durst appeare in his presence to motion vnto him any such matter Moses answered him that he would no more speake vnto him as touching this matter but that both himselfe and the chiefest among the Aegyptians woulde exhorte the Hebrewes to depart which said he forsooke his presence But God intending to expresse that he meant yet once more to plague the Aegyptians and to constraine them to deliuer the Hebrewes he commaunded Moses to declare vnto the people that they should haue their sacrifice in a readinesse and hauing prepared it the thirteenth day of the moneth Xanthicus to celebrate the same the 14. of the said moneth by the Egyptians called Pharmuth and by the Hebrewes Nisan and Xanthicus by the Macedonians and that he should lead forth all the Hebrewes bearing with them all their goods Whereupon he who had the Hebrewes alreadie in a readinesse to depart and had distributed them by families kept them in one place and in the same order but when the fourteenth day was come all of them addressed to depart made sacrifice and with the bloud of the lambe purged their houses besprinkling them with branches of Isope And after they had supped they burned the flesh that remained as being on the point to addresse themselues to depart Whereupon euen at this day we retaine the said custome to sacrifice in like sort and do call this solemnitie Pascha which is as much to say as the passage by reason that on that day God leauing and ouerpassing the Hebrewes without harme stroke the Egyptians with sicknes for that plague in the night time cut off all the first begotten in Egypt so that by multitudes they that dwelt round about the pallace assembled them in the presence of the King and besought him to let the Hebrewes go for vvhich cause Pharao calling for Moses gaue order that they should depart the countrey supposing that assoone as they were gone Egypt should no more be afflicted with such like plagues Moreouer they honoured the Hebrewes with presents partly to the end they should depart vvith the more expedition partly for the neighborhood and acquaintance sake vvhich they had one with another And as they departed the Aegyptians wept and repented them of the euill vsage they had shewed vnto them but they tooke their way towards Latopolis at that time desert and in which place afterwards Babylon was builded at such time as Cambyses destroyed Aegypt The third day they came vnto Beelzephon neere vnto the red sea and for that they vvanted victuals by reason of the desart they tempered their meale with vvater and hardened it with a little heat and made cakes with vvhich they sustained themselues for the space of thirtie daies for they had not brought any more victuall out of Aegypt but as much as would serue them for that time and that which they had they dispensed verie sparingly rather feeding for necessitie then eating with sacietie For which cause in memorie of that want we celebrate a feast for the space of eight daies which we call the feast of Azymes that is to say of vnleauened bread But it is not easie to number the multitude of them that dislodged if we consider the women and children but of those that were of full age and fit to beare armes they were in number sixe hundreth thousand CHAP. VI. The Hebrewes depart out of Egypt vnder the conduct of Moses THey therefere forsooke Aegypt the fourteenth day of the moneth Xanthicus foure hundreth and thirtie yeares after Abraham our father came into Chanaan and in the two hundreth and fifteenth yeare after Iacob was transported into Aegypt the eightith yeare of Moses age who had Aaron to his brother three yeares elder than himselfe They caried also with them the bones of Ioseph according as he had commanded his sonnes But the Aegyptians repented themselues because they had suffered the Hebrewes to depart the King also was very sore moued supposing that which was fallen vpon them had happened by Moses meanes and they all concluded to pursue and follow after them They therefore armed themselues and furnished them with all their abiliments of warre intending to pursue them vnder intent to bring them backe if they might ouertake them for they said that God would no more be displeased against them for that alreadie they had giuen them leaue to depart They hoped likewise verie easily to bring them vnder subiection because they were all of them disarmed and wearied with trauaile They therefore inquired of euery one which way they held and hasted themselues to follow them although they knew the Region was very hard to trauell in not onely for those that were to march in troupe but also for those that were to iourney one by one And therefore did Moses conduct them this way to the end that if the Aegyptians should repent them of their dismission and should haste them to pursue them they might receiue the reward of their wickednes and the breach of their promise He chose this way likewise least the Palestines should vnderstand of their departure by reason they were displeased against the Hebrewes because of an auncient grudge which they bare them Now doth Palestine confine and border vpon Aegypt and therefore led he them not by the way that directly leadeth thither but he intended to bring them into Chanaan by conducting them farre about and thorow many calamities to the end that afterwards he might lead them to the mountaine of Sinai where they might offer sacrifice according to Gods commaundement As soone as the Egyptians ouertooke the Israelites they prepared themselues to fight trusting themselues to the number which they had and shut themselues into a place of securitie For with them there serued sixe hundreth chariots with fiftie thousand horsemen and two hundreth thousand armed footemen They had also stopped the passages wherethrough they thought the Hebrewes might escape enclosing them betwixt vnaccessible rockes and the sea on which place there abutteth a mountaine vnfrequented by reason of the daungerousnes of the way and by this meanes they excluded them from all hope of escape or flight For on the one side they were shut in by the mountaine that extended it selfe euen vnto the sea and on the other side by their campe pitched and embattailed before their faces to cut them off from the champion if so be they intended to flie that waies Seeing therefore that they were in no securitie but were hemmed in by the importunitie of the place and by
spoken and he likewise had magnificently requited her she returned backe againe into her owne countrey About the same time there was brought vnto the King from the countrey called the Region of gold a quantitie of precious stones and of pine trees This wood was imployed to make supporters in the temple and in the kings house and to make instruments of musicke likewise as Harpes and Cimbals on which the Leuites might praise God Amongst all the gifts that were euer presented vnto Salomon that which was giuen him at that time was most excellent in greatnesse and beautie But let no man thinke that the Pine wood which we speake of had any resemblance with that which we call by that name at this day or which the merchants to delude their chapmen sell for the same For they are like vnto figge trees but that they are more white cleerer which I thought good to manifest in this place least any man should be deceiued thorow ignorance in discerning the one from the other because the affaires of Salomon haue drawn vs to make mention of this matter The waight of gold which this nauy brought vnto the king was six hundreth sixtie and six talents besides that which the merchants bought themselues or that which the Kings and princes of Arabia had sent vnto him in way of present This gold caused he to be moulten downe and made therof two hundreth targets each one waying six hundreth sicles and three hundreth bucklers each of them waying three mines of gold and placed and hung them in the lodging of the wood of Libanus He caused also diuers vessels of gold precious stones to be made for the vse of his table laboured with as curious conceit as might be the rest of his necessaries also were of gold for nothing was either bought or sold for siluer For the King had many ships vpon the sea called Tharsis which vpon his coÌmaund carried diuers merchandise into the remote countries by vent wherof they brought him home much gold and siluer and much Iuorie and Aethiopian Moores and Apes and this nauigation in sayling to and ââ¦ro was finished in three yeeres The renowne and fame also of Salomons vertues and wisedome spred farre and neere thorow out all nations so that the kings of what countrey soeuer they were had a desire to see his presence because they beleeued not the report and desired to manifest their affection to him by magnificent presents They therefore sent him vessels of gold and of siluer scarlet robes and all sorts of aromatique drugs horses and chariots moyles and sumpterhorses wherein as it was reported vnto them the King tooke pleasure by reason of their force and beauty so that to the number of horses and chariots which he had before there were annexed foure hundreth more which had been sent him in way of present For before that he had a thousand chariots and twenty thousand goodly horse excellent for shape and swiftnesse so that the like were not to be found that were comparable with them for beauty and pace And that which gaue them the greater grace was that they had squires to backe them who were in their pride of youth of goodly personage to behold and surpassing all other in height hauing long locks which they daily intermixed with wires of gold that when as the sunne did reuerberate his beames vpon their heads they should be more glorious and bright The king mounted on his charior and apparelled in a white raiment was accustomed to ride abroad about the sunne rise inuironed with these yoong armed men hauing bowes and quiuers There was a certaine place called Ittan some eight leagues distant off of Ierusalem delightfull and enriched with gardens and pleasant fountaines of water whither he vsually and willingly retired himselfe for his pleasure vsing in all things a most admirable prouidence promptitude and taking pleasure in those things that were well contriued He forgot not likewise to make causeyes but caused the hie waies that led to Ierusalem where he made his aboad to be paued with blacke stone both to the intent to make them more accessible for those that trauailed to and fro as to shew the magnificence and riches of his gouernment He then diuided his chariots and placed them in such sort that in euery Citie there was a prefixed number and some few he kept about himselfe and those Cities he called the cities of Chariots he stored Ierusalem also with abundance of siluer so that it was as plentifull as stones and with Cedar wood whereof before that time there was no quantitie he so stored the countrey that it was as plentifully to be had as wilde figgetrees He commanded the merchants of Aegypt also to buy him certaine chariots drawne by two horses for the price of six hundreth dragmes of siluer which he sent vnto the kings of Syiria and to those on the other side of Euphrates Now although he were the most magnificent and intirely beloued of God surpassing both in prudence and riches all those that before him had the gouernment ouer the Hebrewes yet continued he not in this estate vntill the end For forsaking the obseruation of the ordinances of his fathers his latter yeers were not correspondent to his former conuersation which heretofore we haue declared for he grew altogither dissolute immoderately giuen ouer to women and was not content only with those of his own countrey but tooke also strange women for his wiues as Sidonians Tyrians Ammonites and Idumeans whereby he transgressed the lawes of mariage instituted by Moses who inhibited to marrie with those of forraine nations Afterwards he began to honour their gods also to gratifie and expresse the loue which he bare vnto them which thing the law-maker foreseeing hee had forbidden the Israelites to marrie with those that were not of their owne nation for feare least conforming themselues vnto forraine fashions they should fall and transgresse the ordinances of their forefathers and vndertake to honour those gods and forsake and forget the honour due vnto the true God But Salomon transported with these brutish pleasures made no account of these things but tooke him wiues of the daughters of princes and nobles to the number of 700. and three hundreth concubines besides the daughter of Pharao king of Aegypt By which meanes he was excessiuely ouercome by them in so much as he followed their examples and was forced to giue a testimony of the good will and extreame affection that he bare them in ordring his life according to the fashion of their countries As therefore he increased in yeeres and his iudgement grew weake he was in such sort misled that he could not retaine in memorie the customes of his countrey but grew more and more in neglect of God and continued the worship of those gods which were introduced by his wiues Before all this he chanced to sinne and default in the obseruation of the
al entering into a league togither sodainly inuaded Aegypt and Amenophis not biding the brunt fled into Aethipia leauing his wife great with child who hiding her selfe in caues dens did bring forth a child whom they called Messenes who afterward draue the Iewes into Syria being in number 200000. this done he recalled his father Amenophis out of Aethiopia And thus Chaeremon saith But I imagine that which I haue alreadie said to be sufficient to declare the vanitie of both these two men For if that which they report were true it were vnpossible that they should so much differ but they labour to deuise lies and write not any thing agreeable to other mens writings For Manethon faineth that the cause of the banishment of the lepers was the kings desire to see the Gods and Chaeremon saith that it was for that Isis after appeared vnto him in his sleepe Manethon also saith that Amenophis gaue the king that councell so to cleanse the countrey and Chaeremon saith that he that councelled the king was called Phiriphantes the number also of lepers hath nerie good consonance I warrant you Manethon saith they were almost fourscore hundreth Chaeremon saith two hundreth and fiftie thousand Moreouer Manethon writeth how that these lepers were first sent to a place to hew stones and afterward came to Auaris to dwell and that they hauing already begun wars in Aegypt that then they sent for helpe from Ierusalem And Chaeremon saith that they hauing left Aegypt found at Pelusia two hundreth and fourscore thousand men whom Amenophis had kept there with whom they ioyning againe returned and inuaded Aeigypt and then Amenophis fled into Aethiopia and which is worth the noting he setteth not downe what countrimen or to what purpose this great armie was whether Aegyptians or straungers neither doth he shew any reason why the king would not carie them into Aegypt Moreouer Chaeremon feineth a dreame of the lepers and Isis and reporteth that Ioseph together with Moses was expelled whereas Ioseph liued foure ages before Moses euerie age containing at least a hundreth and seuentie yeeres Rhamesses also Amenophis sonne according to Manethons historie being a young man fled into Aethiopia and was banished with his father and afterward assisted him in the wars whereas Chaeremon reporteth that he was borne in a caue after his fathers departure and that he getting the victorie did driue the Iewes into Syria who were in number two thousand O felicitie in lying for he neither told what nation those three hundred and fourescore thousand was nor yet how a hundred and fourescore thousand of them perished neither were they slaine in the fight or fled vnto Rhamesses and which it is most to be admired one cannot gather out of his words whom he calleth Iewes or whether he attribute this name vnto the two hundreth and fiftie thousand lepers or vnto the three hundreth and fourscore thou sand which were at Pelusium But it is folly to oppose my selfe against them who haue sufficienly contradicted themselues for had other men controlled their writings they had beene the more to be borne withall I will add Lysimachus vnto the two former who hath the same lye that they haue yet farre more absurd a fiction then theirs For he saith that at such time as Bocchoris raigned in Aegypt the people of the Iewes being scabbed and infected with leprosie fled into the temples to beg maintenance and that so many men were with this disease infected that a dearth and scarcitie fell vpon Aegypt Likewise that king Bocchoris went vnto Ammon to know of the Oracle what caused the death and that answere was made that if he would expell all lepers and vncleane persons from out of the temples into the desert that then the famine would cease and that he should drowne these lepers as if the sunne disdained that they should liue and that then he should purifie the temples and so the earth would againe yeeld fruit also that Bocchoris hauing this answere from the Oracle he called togither the Priestes and sacrificers and hauing gathered lepers and vncleane people togither he deliuered them to souldiers to be conducted into the desert and that then they should be lapt in lead and cast into the sea Moreouer they being drowned other diseased people there gathered together and were carried into the wildernesse to be destroyed and that they taking counsell one of another what to doe the night following they made great fiers and lights wherwith they terrified and draue away the souldiers that kept them and that they fasted the day following requesting God to bee mercifull vnto them and thâ⦠the next day one Moyses councelled them to goe all one way as thicke together as they could till such time as they came to some place inhabited and that he then commanded them neuer hereafter to bee friendly to any man but alwayes rather to giue bad councell then good and to destroy all Temples and Altars of the gods they came by vnto which councell they all agreeing iournyed together through the wildernesse and after much sorrow came to places inhabited Vsing men by whom they past iniuriously fiting Temples and robbing them at last in this manner they came vnto that place which they now call Iudaea and there building a Citie they began to dwell and of this fact called the Citie Hierosyla and shortly after growing more potent they for auoiding shame chaunged the name thereof and called it Ierusalem and themselues the inhabitants of Ierusalem This fellow found not that king which the two former speake of but hee ioyned a more new name and leauing the dreame and the Prophet he goeth to Ammon to know an answere of the old touching the scabbed and lepers for hee saith that a multitude was gathered together at the Temples but hee leaueth it vncertaine whether the Iewes onely were infected with this disease for he saith the people of the Iewes which people whether were they strangers or those that were borne in that Countrie Why dost thou call theÌ Iewes when they were Aegyptians If they were straungers why dost thou not tell of whence they were Or how came it to passe that the King hauing drowned so many of them in the Sea and left the rest in the wildernesse that still so many should bee left Or how did they passe the wildernesse and get the Countrie wee now inhabite and built a Citie and a Temple famous through all parts of the world Thou shouldest not onely haue told the name of our law maker but also what Countriman he was and of what parents and what moued him in his iournie to make such lawes against the gods and against men For if they were Aegyptians they would not so easily haue forgotten the religion where in they were brought vp or of what place else so euer they were they had some lawes or other which they had beene accustomed to keepe If they had vowed to haue borne
besiegeth Ierusalem 354. i 567. k l committeth Aristobulus to prison ibid. 567. c. taketh the temple 355. a. bestoweth the Priesthood on Hyreanus ibid. 356. spoileth not the Templâ⦠ibid. d. 567. carieth Aristobulus to Rome 568. h. headeth conspirators ibid. Popedius accused 491. 2. Popularitie of Alcimus 314. g h. Porch of the temple 195. e. fired 733. f. Port of Caesarea 305. e. Port made by Herode 587. d. Portion of Salpades daughters 88. c. Portion of Iudaea 647. b. Possession of Chanaan prophecied of 40. l. Posteritie of Ismael 17. a c. Posteritie of Giants extinguished 13. c. Posteritie of Iethro possessed of land 109. d Posteritie of Noah replenished the world 9. f. Posteritie of Esau ââ¦8 h i. of Iacob 40. l. Poison not to be vsed 96. h. Power giuen to saue 38. h i. Power of God euerie where 219. d. Power of kings wine and women 267. c. f. 268. h. Power of the soule 759. a. Power of Dauid and Salomon 789. c. Practise of Sââ¦on and Leui 27. a. Pray that the Israelites goe in warre 57. b c. 87. e f. 102. m. 103. f. Prayer of Noah 8. g. of Amram 42. g. of Moses 51. c. 79. b c c. of Iosuah 103. b. of Sampson 122. l. of Salomon 198. i l. of Samuel and the Israelites 129. d. e f. Prayse of Abraham 20. l. of Iacob 40. m. of Ioseph 41. a. of Iosuah 57. c. 108. m. of Moses 99. e. f. of Samuel 15â⦠f. of Saul 156. h. of Dauid 189. e. of Salomon 206. g. of Iosaphat 224. i. of Nehemias 276. k. of Ananus 680. m. of Eleazar 804. k. Praise giuen to God 52. g h. Prediction of things to come 98. a. Preparations for warre burned 312. g. Presents of Abraham 19. d. of Iacob 36. g. of the Aegyptians 49. d. of Abigail 152. k. of the Mesopotamians 168. c d. of the Queene of Ethiopia and of kings 203. b c f. of Ptolomey to the interpreters 295. b. of Herod 594. l. Preseruation of Moses 42. m. 43. c. of Daniel and his companions 259. f. Preseruation from bloudshed 152. l m Presidents in euerie Citie 91. d. and what manner of men they ought to be ibid. d. Pride of Amasias 237. d e. of Ozias 239. d. of Senacherib 245. c. of Nabuchodonosor 260. g. of Balthasar 261. c. of Iohn 685. a. Priests vestures 61. c d. e. Priests abstaine from wine 707. c. 775. a. Priests executed and why 739. c. high Priests number and succession 526. g c. 527. a c. Priesthood confirmed to Aaron and his sonnes 80. i. Priesthood to be transported foreshewed 126. g. Princes of Syria 270. m. Principalitie affected by Adonias 186. i. by Costabarus 400. i. 685. a. 691. c. 697. f. Priscus slaieth Ionathan 733. a. Prisoners dismissed 241. d c. Priuiledges granted to the Iewes 295. d. 364 g. c. 365. a c. 784. l m. Problemes of Hiram c. 770. l. Prodigies preceding Ierusalems destruction 738. i k c. 739. a c. Professors of wisedome burne themselues 759. c. Progenie of Iapheth 10. b. of Canaan 10. m. 11. b. of the sonnes of Sem 11. c d. of Chaââ¦s sons 10. l. of Iacob 39. c. of Aaron 526. g. of Herod 471. d. 472. g h i. Prohibition of armes and yron-worke 136. i. Profit how great redounded to king Pharao 40. i k. Promise of Gods assistance 89. c d. Promotion of Ioseph 34. g h. 39. b. Prophecie of Iacob touching his posteritie 40. l m. of the sacred Secretarie 41. d. of Balaam 85. a b. of Samuel 126. g. 140. i k. of Achias 204. l m. 205. d. of Iadon 207. c f. of Olda 249. b. Prophecie of the captiuitie and deliuerie 253. a b. Prophet Moses a good gouernour 99 e f. Prophet Nathan 166. h. 170. m. Achias 205. c. Iadon 207. c. Samaeas 209. c. Azarias 212. l. Elias 214. k. Gimon 213. a. Elizaeus 225. c. Esay 245. f. Ieremie 250. i. Ezechiel 251 c. Ionas 238. l. Naum 240. k. Aggaeus and Zacharias 271. b. Micheas 220. h. false Prophet discrediteth the true 208. l. ââ¦21 d. false Prophet decerueth the people 522. l. Prosperitie of Ioseph 32. b. of Salomon 202. m. 203. a b c. 206. g. of Ieroboam 239. a. Prosperitie maketh prowd 237. d c. 239. d. Prospect stopt vp 524. g. Prouidence of God in sauing Moses 42. k l. m. 43. a b. of the Israelites 99. a. Prouision of victuals 164. g. 578. m. 579. a. Prouision for the priests 276. k. Prouision of things necessarie for warre 648. g h. Prooues against Antipater 445. b c d. 604. h i k l. Prudence of Ioseph 33. c. 34. g. of Salomon 199. a. of Iosephus 652. l m. Ptolemais described 618. l. besieged 342. g. taken ibid. l. Prolomey Lagus obtaineth Aegypt 287. c. seazeth Ierusalem by a stratageme ibid 288 g. led the Iewes away captiue ibid. g h. Ptolomey Philadelphus caused the Iewes lawes to be translated c. 2. h. his librarie 288. k. his proclamation 289 c. his liberalitie 290. k l. his Epistle to Eleazar c. 290. l m. his gifts giuen to the temple 291. d c. 292. g. c. 293. a c. his banquet 294. g. Ptolomey Euergetes king of Aegypt 297. f. incensed against Onias ib. Ptolomey Philopater warreth against Antiochus 296. h. his death ibid. Pââ¦olomey Epiphanes king of Aegypt 302. h. his children ibid. Ptolomey Philometor circumuented 303. h. succoureth Alexander 325. b. his death complotted ib. c. refuseth the Diademe of Asia ibid. c. his fight and death 3ââ¦6 g. Ptolomey slaieth Simon 334. h. imprisoneth Hyrcanus mother and brethren ibid. his crueltie against them 560. m. murthereth them 561. a. Ptolomey Physcon 337. a. the Syrians request to him ib. Ptolomey Lathyrus 337. f. aydeth Antiochus ibid. commeth to ayde the Ptolemaidans 341. f. besiegeth Ptolemais and why 342. g. ouerthroweth Alexander ibid. k. driuen out of Aegypt 343. a. Ptolomey Mennaeus fined 353. b. adopteth Antigonus 368. h. Ptolomies wife robbed 536. m. is slaine 580. g. Punishment of Adam and Eue 4. l m. of the Serpent ibid. m. 5. a. of Sodome 15. c 16. g h of a false witnesse 91. f. of Homicide committed ib. f. 92. h. of Saul 140. i. of Iadon 208. i. of Senacherib 246. k. of Nabuchadnezzar 260. g. Punishment for honouring false gods 204. l m. 241. b c. Punishment of Aristobulus 340. i. Punishment for rauishers of virgins 793. c. Purgations of women 25. c. of Purification the manner 81. f. 82. g. Purifications vsed in the sacrifices 793. d. Purification of the body 793. e f. Pursuite of Laban after Iacob 25. a. of the Aegyptians afteâ⦠the Hebrewes 50. h. Putifar an Aegyptian Lord bought Ioseph 30. l m. Pythonissa of Endor 154. m. Q Quadratus Gouernour of Syria 621. c. decideth the Iewes and Samaritanes debate ibid. f. Quailes fell amidst the Hebrewes campe 55. a. 73. c. Qualities of the Aegyptians described 41. b. Quantitie of Gold 203.
Aristobulus 3. Hyrcaââ¦us The race of Herod Antipater Herod the great Archelaus the great Agrippa the son of Agrippa The names of such as were high Priests from the time of their departure out of Egypt vntill the building of the temple which was made by Salomon Aaron Eleazâ⦠Phinees Abiââ¦a Busqui Oses Heli Achitob Achimelech Ab aâ⦠haâ⦠Sadoc Achimaas Azarias From the building of the temple vntill the Captiuââ¦tie of Babylon Ioraâ⦠Ioses Axioram Sudeas Ioathan Urias Nerias Odeas Sellum Helcias From their returne out of Babylon vntill the Machabees time Sarââ¦ia Iosedech Iosâ⦠Ioacim Eliasib Eleazar Manasses Onias 2. Simon 2. Onias 3. Ioiada Ionathaâ⦠Iadus Onias 1. Simon 1. Iason Onias 4. Lysimachus Alcimus High Priests since the Machabees time vntill the last destruction and ouerthrow of that Citie and nation Simon Bââ¦thus Ioseph 1. Ioseph 2. Ioazar Eleazar Iosuah the son of Sias Ioazar Aââ¦us ãâã Theophâ⦠Sâ⦠Mattathias Elion Ioseph 3. Ananias Ismael Ioseph Annas Eleazar Simon Ioseph Caiphas Ionathan Iosuah the son of Daââ¦eus Iosuah the son of Gââ¦liel Matthias Phinees or Paââ¦s Kingâ⦠of Israel otherwise called kings of the ten tribes or of Samaria Ieroboam 1. Nadab Baasa Ela Zamri Amri Achab Ioram Iehu Ioachaâ⦠Ioas Ieroboam 2. Zacharie Manahem Pecha the son of Manahem Pecha the son of Romelia Oseas Kings of Assyria and Babylon Phulhelechus Phulassar Salmanassar Sennacherib Assaradon Berodach Benmerodach Nabuchodonosor 1. Nabuchodonosor the great Euilmerodach Neriglossorar Labosardach Baltassar Kings of Persia. Cyrus Cambyses Smerdes Magus Darius the son of Hystaspis Zerxes the son of Darius Artabanus the tyrant Artaxerxes w t a long hand Zerxes Sogdianus Darius the bastard Artaxerxes Mnemoâ⦠Artaxerxes Ochus Arsames Darius the son of Arsames Kings of Syria after the death of Alexander the great Seleucus Nicanor Antiochus Soter Antiochus surnamed God Seleucus Callinicus Seleucus Cerauââ¦s Antiochus the great Seleucus Philopator Antiochus Epiphanes Antiochus Eupator Demetrius Soter Alexander Epiphanes Demetrius Nicââ¦nor Antiochus Sedetes Demetrius Nicanor Alexander Zebina Antiochus Gryphus Antiochus Cyzicenâ⦠Seleucus Gryphius Antiochus Pius The kings of Egypt after the death of Alexander the great Ptolomey Soter Philadelphus Euergetes Philopator Epiphanes Philometor Euergetes Phiscon Lathyrus Alexander Auletes Cleopatra Kings of the Tyrians Abibalus Hiram Belastartus Abdastartus Astartus Astarimus Phelletes Ithoballus Badezor Mettâ⦠Pigmââ¦lion For the better vnderstanding of the Coines and measures whereof there is some mention made in this Historie obserue I pray you that which followeth Sath was a measure containing about some seuen pintes French The Epha contained three Saths The Core or Homer contained ten Ephas that is to say thirtie Saths and was the same measure both in drie and liquid things The Log contained a French pinte in measure The Hin contained twelue Logs The Bath contained as much as the Epha The Cad was a kinde of pitcher containing such a quantitie as a young maiden might well carrie The common Sicle contained the waight of foure ounces whether it were of gold siluer or of any other mettall The sacred or holy Sicle waied halfe an ounce of any mettall whatsoeuer The common Sicle of siluer was valued at about some shilling of our money The holy Siââ¦e of siluer was valued at about some two shââ¦llings The common Drachme was the eight part of an ounce The sacred Diachme was the fouââ¦th part of an ounce The Pound waied twelue ounces The ordinarie Taleâ⦠contained fiftie foure pounds eight ounces and a quarter of Troy waight in any mettall yet was it not currant money but a masse made vp after the manner of an ingot The sacred Talent contained one hundreth pounds Furthermore note this for your better knowledge that when as Iosephus quoteth the Olympiades without any specification of the yeeres therein contained he orderly comprehendeth the space of foure yeers compleat Furthermore where the Latin word Stadium hath diuers Significations amongst both Greekes and Latins as the ãâã betweene Pââ¦ie and Diodorus Siculus may well testifie and for that diuers of our English translators haue somenmes called it a Stade other whiââ¦e a Stound and otherwhiles improperly a Fuââ¦long I pray you in reading this Historie wheras any of these words occurre suppose them for one and the same measure of ground and according to the Greekes account which I suppose Iosephus most respected in this Historie conclude it to be either of 600. foote as the Olympique that is of 120. paces or as the Pyrââ¦hique which contained 1000. foote that is 200. paces As for the furlong either multiply him 8. times to make him a Stade or as an ouersight in the printing let it passe with the Errata The names of those Authors which are alleadged in this Historie A Acusilaus Agatharcidââ¦s Alexander Andrew Apioâ⦠Apollonius Molo Apollodorus Ariphanes Aristaeus Aristotle B Berosus C Cadmus Castor Chaeremon Chaerilus Clearcus Conon D Demetrius Phalereus Dius E Ephorus Euhemerus Eupolenââ¦us H Hecataeus Hellanicus Hermippus Hermogenes Herodotus Hesiodus Hestiaeus Hierââ¦m of Egypt Homer Hyââ¦rochides I Isidorâ⦠L Titus Liuius Lysimachus M Manethon Menander Mnaseas Mochus N Nicholas of Damas. P Pherecydes Philon Philostratuâ⦠Polybiâ⦠Polycratet Posidonius Pythagoras S Strabo T Thales Theodotus Theophilus Theopompus Theophrastus Thucydides Timaeus Z Zopyrion Francis Patritius de Regno lib. 2. cap. 10. Historiarum cognitio Regibus Ducibus Imperatoribus et omnibus principibus perquam necessaria habenda est quam Cicero appellat testem temporum vitae Magistram veram memoriae et veritatis nunciam GEntle reader let it stand with thy patience I beseech thee to correct those errors that shall occurre in this historie as fauourablie as wee haue ouerslipt them vnwillinglie and count it no lesse virtue in thee to wincke at them with discretion as for mee to let them passe thorowe ouer-sight if thou doe this hope better for thy sufferance shall make me circumspect if not according to that in Plautus Quod dedi non datum vellem quod reliquum est non dabo Errata Fol. 4. line 3. for who read which f. 21. l. 14. for sââ¦aightes read straightes Ibidem l. 50. for Sara read Rebecca f. 37. l. 42. for thou read you f. coâ⦠l. 45. for thou read you f. 134. l. 51. for deliuer them from those read deliuer those f. 261. l. 40. for Babylon read Ierusalem f. 274. l. 39. for be began read begââ¦n f. 279.l 38. for compassion read composition f. 299. l. 57 read for ould ould yeares ould yeares f. 361. l. 36. read for Iââ¦dea Iudaea f. ââ¦80 l. 40. for 15 read 50. f. 63â⦠l. 1. for aide read warre THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE MOST AVNCIENT HISTORIE OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY IOSEPH THE SONNE OF MATTHIAS A most excellent Preface containing the causes which induced the Author to write this Historie together with the contents and intents of the same CHAP. I. THEY that indeuour themselues to write Histories seeme not in my opinion to haue one and the same intent and
motiue but diuers and verie different causes of their labours for some of them are addicted to this studie vnder pretence to exemplifie their eloquence and vnder hope to purchase glorie thereby other some to the end to giue them content whose worthy actions they couch and commend in their writings haue intermitted no time nor to their power spared no labour Some there are that hauing beene present in person and eie witnesses in the execution of great affaires haue necessarily beene inforced to reduce and digest the same in writing neither wanted there some who seeing occurrences of high and necessarie consequence which otherwise had beene buried in ignorance haue beene incited in respect of common good to imploy both hand and head in the publishing thereof now of these forenamed causes the two last are they that incited me to the like For the warre which we had with the Romaines and the accidents and issues on both parts all which in person I beheld and to my perill I haue learned do compell me to declare the same and the rather for that there are some who in their writings haue depraued and peruerted the truth I haue therefore taken this worke in hand for that in my opinion the knowledge thereof will be both pleasing and profitable to the Graecians for it shal containe the antiquitie of our whole nation their forme of common-weale both translated and gathered out of the Antiquities and Chronicles of the Hebrewes Truth t is that heretofore and at such time also as I composed the Historie of the foresaid warre I had prââ¦ected and purposed with my selfe to lay open to the world how and whence the Iewes had their first originall what alterations in fortune they had falne into by what law-maker they had beene instructed in pietie and incited to the exercise of vertue how many warres they haue sustained by long and diuers times and finally how against their will they haue beene intangled in this last warre which they waged against the Romaines But for that the content of this matter was too ample and copious I haue separated it apart assigning thereunto this treatise accomplished from the beginning euen vnto the end afterwards in processe of time as it vsually hapneth to those that attempt matters of mightie consequence I was surprized with a certaine delay and slothfulnesse that withdrew me from the translation of so waightie a matter in an vnfamiliar and forraine language Yet some there were who inflamed with a desire of knowledge animated me in this action and especially Epaphroditus a man enamoured of all learning and who in especial tooke it for a pleasure to take knowledge of the diuers occurrences of common-weales as he that had beene agent in diuers affaires of importance and sundrie accidents in all which he hath shewed a maruaââ¦lous magnanimitie of courage with an vnmoueable resolution to follow vertue Being thus perswaded by him who is accustomed to incourage those vnto good actions whome hee perceiueth to be apte and prepared to performe things profitable and honest and that which is more being ashamed in my selfe that I should rather take delight to follow idlenesse than addict my selfe to any laudable exercise I inforced my seââ¦fe more couragiously then before time and besides all that which hath beene spoken I haue effectually considered with my selfe that our auncestors haue thought good to communicate and publish the knowledge of our Histories to the Grecians if so be that any of them were curious to vnderstand the same I haue found therfore that Ptolomey king of Egypt the second of the name highly affectioned to good letters and desirous to store and gather bookes was earnestly desirous that our lawe and the rules thereof and the prescript forme of ouâ⦠liuing should be translated into the Greeke tongue And as touching the hie Priest Eleazar who hath not been second in vertue to any other whatsoeuer he refused not to make the said King partaker of the effect of his desire to which he had wholy contradicted had it not beene the ordinarie course of our auncestors not to conceale from other men what thing soeuer was honest For which cause I haue helde it a matter no waies vndecent for me to follow the vertuous courage of that same great sacrificer and the rather for that at this day onely in as much as concerned learning I supposed many also to be no lesse affected to good letters then the king for he vndertooke not to haue all the writings which we had but those translators who were sent vnto him to Alexandria did onely communicate that vnto him which was in our lawe But those things that are found written in the sacred bookes of holy Scripture are infinite being such as containe in them the Historie of fiue thousand yeares in which diuers vnexpected chances sundry fortunes of warre and many changes of politike estates are discouered In some if any one haue a desire to reade this Historie he shall principally learne and apprehend that all things fall out happily and beyond their expectation to those men who obserue the will of God and are affraid to transgresse the lawes of his commandements and that God hath prepared for such the crowne and reward of felicitie Contrariwise if they shall depart from the diligent obseruance thereof that which is easie shall be made impossible and their indeuours in their opinion good shall end in incurable calamities For which cause I exhort all those that shall reade these bookes to fix their mind vpon God and that they approue our law-maker if as it worthely deserued he hath considered the diuine nature and attributed to the same such actions as are alwaies agreeable to his power and hath kept and continued his narration free from the vanitie of fables wherwith others are poisoned although in respect of the length of time and the antiquity of things he might without controule faine and imagine whatsoeuer vanities for hee was borne more then two thousand yeeres ago which is a continuance of ages to which the Poets neither durst referre the original of their Gods neither the deedes or lawes of men whereof they make mention But in pursuit of our Historie the sequell of our discourse shall declare all things exactly and in conuenient order For in compiling this worke I haue promised to adde nothing neither to pretermit any thing and for that all whatsoeuer we shall declare doth almost wholy depend on the wisedome of our law-maker Moses It is necessarie before all other things that I speake somewhat of himselfe least perhaps any man should wonder how this labour hauing been enterprised to discouer the words and workes of certaine persons is also employed for the greatest part in describing and discouering things that are naturall We ought therefore to know that Moses thought it most especially necessarie either for him that will rightly dispose his life or impose lawes to other men that first and in especiall he haue the knowledge of the nature
with the surprisall of his cosen Lot as also with the slaughter of his friends and neighbours presently addressed himselfe with all his followers to giue them succours and such diligence shewed he in pursuite of them that the fift night after he incountred the Assyrians neere to Dan which is one of the sources of Iordaine Where surprising them on the sodaine vnsuspitious and disarmed he killed those that were asleepe without suspition of his comming and they that were not yet asleepe and lay wallowing in their drunkennesse he easily defeated and put to flight pursuing them in such sort that the second day after he droue them all into Soba a Citie of Damasco declaring hereby that victorie consisteth not in the multitude of those that manage their armes but rather in the courage of those that fight and that a few generous hearts are more worth alwaies then a faint-hearted multitude For he had not with him aboue three hundreth and eighteene of his househould seruants and three of his friends to defeat this huge army so that whatsoeuer they were that escaped out of this slaughter by flight returned vnto their houses with ignominy As soone as Abraham had rescewed those prisoners of Sodome which were taken by the Syrians and his nephew Lot he returned into his countrey and met in his way with the King of Sodome in a place called the Kings field where also he was intertained by the King of Solyma called Melchisedech which is as much to say as the iust King for in trueth he was no lesse but was held worthy by reason of his iustice in all mens opinion to sacrifice as the high Priest of Almightie God This Solyma in processe of time was called Ierusalem This Melchisedech did friendly entertaine all the fellowers of Abraham not suffering them to want any thing that was fit for their sustenance but intertaining him also at his owne table he highly praised him and sung due hymnes of praise to the great God for that by his fauour he had vouchsafed to grant him victory Abraham on the other side presented him with the tenths of his spoyles but the King of Sodome remitted all the pray that was taken and onely required to be possessed of those Captiues which were of his countrey which condition he accepted not answering that he would receiue no profit of that pray but that which he must needly haue for the entertainment of his seruants Yet gaue he a portion vnto his friends who had succoured him the first whereof was called Eschol and the two other Ennerus and Mambres For this cause God praised Abraham saying thou shalt not want the reward which is due vnto thee for thy valiant actes To which he replied and what good shall I reape of this recompence if I haue no an heire to possesse it after my decease for as yet he had no issue Then did God promise him a sonne whose posteritie should be so multiplied that they might in number equall the starres of heauen which when he vnderstood he offered sacrifice vnto God following that commaundement which he had receiued he tooke therefore a Heifer of three yeares old a Goat of three yeares and a Ramme of three yeares and a Turtle and a Pigeon all which he deuided in twaine as he was commaunded the birds onely excepted But before the Altar was prepared at such time as the fowles houered about to haue part of the bloud of those beastes which were sacrificed he receiued an Oracle that told him that his progeny should haue euill neighbours in Aegypt for the space of foure hundreth yeares and that after they had suffered an insupportable seruitude they should at last obtaine the victorie ouer their enemies And after that they had by strong hand conquered the Chananites they should be Lords and possessors of their countries and Cities Abraham at that time dwelt neere to the Oake that was called Ogis in the countrey of Chanaan neere to the Citie of Hebron There being much grieued that his wife conceiued not he besought God to giue him an issue male God commaunded him to be of good cheere in all things and that being come from Mesopotamia vpon good occasions he also should haue children At that time Sara by the commaundement of God caused one of her handmaids which was an Aegyptian borne to enter in vnto her husband to the end he might haue issue by her now Agar as soone as she perceiued that she had conceiued began to contemne Sara aspiring to principality and supposing that her issue should succeed in the kingdome For which cause Abraham deliuered her vnto his wife to the ende she should punish her which she perceiuing she decreed to flie in that she was afraid of punishment beseeching God to haue mercy on her and as she trauailed on her way thorow the desart the Angell of God appeared vnto her coÌmanding her that she should returne vnto her master and mistris assuring her that if hereafter she would be more modest she should be better intreated and how at that present she was fallen into those miseries by reason she had proudly and insolently behaued her selfe towards her Mistris Telling her moreouer that if she disobeyed God and wandred any further she should die the death but that if she returned from whence she came she should be the mother of a sonne who should one day be king of that countrey where she then was To this commandement of God Agar submitted her selfe with all obedience and returning backe againe to her master and mistris she obtained pardon at their hands and after a while brought forth Ismael which is as much to say as Heard of God because God had heard the mothers prayers Ismael was borne to Abraham when he was fourescore and six yeares old but in the fourescore and nineteenth yeare of his age God appeared vnto him and tolde him that he should haue a sonne by Sara charging him to call him Isaac giuing him to vnderstand that great nations and kings shoud issue from his loines who by force of armes should conquer all the countrey of Chanaan from Sidon euen vnto Egypt Commanding him that his posteritie should be circumcised in their priuities and that this circumcision should be done the viij day after their birth by reason that he would not that Abrahams posteritie should be intermedled with other nations But hereafter will I declare the cause of our circumcision Abraham also asked counsell of God as touching Ismael whether he should liue or no who tolde him that he should flourish many yeares and that he should become a father of many worthy nations Then gaue Abraham thanks vnto God and presently circumcised himselfe his sonne Ismael with all his family and Ismael at that time was thirteene yeares olde but Abraham about fourescore and nineteene yeares of age CHAP. XII The punishment of Sodom ABout that time the inhabitants of Sodom became immeasurably proud
beware thou neither conceale any thing for feare or speake ought for flatterie or to feed me with falsehoods but tell me all things truely although they shall in a sort breed my discontent to heare them Me seemed that I walked by a riuer side and that I saw seuen wel fed and verie fat kine which retired themselues from the floud into the pasture and againe me thought that seuen others came from the pasture to encounter them who were verie leane and vgly to behold who when they had deuoured the seuen others that were fat and great yet neuer the more increased but were all of them miserably vexed with hunger But after this vision being awaked out of my sleepe and troubled in my minde thinking with my selfe what that vision might signifie being seazed by little and little by a pleasant slumber I fell a sleepe once againe And againe I saw a vision more prodigious then the former which doth likewise trouble and terrifie me the more For I saw seuen eares sprong out of one roote that hung downe and bowed their heads because they were loaden with graine readie to be reapt after which there appeared seuen other weake and languishing for want of dewe who deuouring those other great and full eares left me highly astonished Hereunto Ioseph answered This dreame O king although it hath been seene in two figures yet so it is that it importeth one and the same accident which is to ensue For both those oxen which are creatures borne and bred vp for the plough and labour which you saw deuoured by the leaner and those eares of corne consumed by the weaker foresignifie a famine scarcitie in Egypt for so many yeares as there were Oxen and eares of corne in good plight so that the fertilitie of these good yeares shall be consumed by the sterilitie of so many other yeares according to their number and there shall be such scarcitie of necessarie prouision that it shall be hard to preuent and supply their defects all which is signified by those seuen leane kine who hauing deuoured the good could not be satisfied by the same All these things God foretelleth vnto men not to the end they should be terrified and affrighted but that being forewarned they might prouide for themselues to the end they might more easily preuent the imminent danger If therefore thou shalt lay vp and store the aboundance of the plentifull yeares Egypt shall not feele the penurie that shall follow And when as the king admiring at Iosephs prudence and wisedome demanded after what maner he might prouide in the time of plentie how to preuent and redresse the future sterilitie hee warned and counsailed him that the Egyptians should vse parcimony and that that which remained of those yeares superfluitie might be reserued for future necessities He counselled him also to bind the husbandmen that they should hoard vp their corne in their barnes and only to distribute to the people as much as was sufficient and no more Hereupon the king not onely praising Iosephs counsell but also his interpretation of his dreames made him Lord and commissarie of all the store and commanded him to prouide whatsoeuer he thought necessarie in that behalfe either of his owne or of the peoples assuring him that he thought no man more necessarie to execute this counsell then himselfe who was the author thereof Hauing therefore this authoritie giuen him by the king to vse his owne signet and to be cloathed in purple he was conducted thorow all the countrey vpon a chariot and he assembled the labourers of corne and distributed to euerie one by measure that which they wanted for seede corne and for their nourishment without letting any man vnderstand for what cause he did it About this time had he already attained to thirtie yeares olde being held in great honour by the king and was for his incredible prudence surnamed by him Psontom phanechus which signifieth the discouerer of hidden things he was also honoured with a wife of great dignitie for by the procuratioÌ of the king he tooke to wife a virgin daughter to Putifar the Heliopolitan priest whose name was Asaneth by whom he begat children also before the famine began in Egypt The elder of whom was called Manasses which signifieth Obliuion because attaining better fortune he grew in obliuion of his former miserie but the yonger was called Ephraim which signifieth returne for that he was restored to the libertie of his auncestors Now when as according to Iosephs interpretation the seuen yeares of plentie and affluence were ouerpassed in Egypt the eight yeare of famine began to infest the land and for that the euill was vnexspected the headlong multitude grieuously trauailed with hunger and miserie began to flocke about the kings gates and garners Hereon the king called for Ioseph who presently distributing graine to those that wanted it became without controuersie the father and conseruer of the coÌminaltie Neither did he only make merchandize with those that inhabited that countrey but with strangers also deeming that the whole race of mankind was allied the one with the other and that it was conuenient that such as wanted should be succoured by their meanes who had better fortune And because the same calamitie both oppressed Chanaan and other kingdomes of the world Iacob also sent all his sonnes into Egypt to fetch come as soone as he vnderstood that strangers also had libertie to traffique in that place onely with himselfe he retained Beniamin whom he begat on Rachel and who was brother german vnto Ioseph who as soone as they arriued in Egypt repaired vnto Ioseph beseeching him that they might be permitted to buy come for nothing was done without his expresse command for euen then found each man fit occasion to honour the king when they bethought themselues howe to honour Ioseph He taking knowledge of his brothers who thought on nothing lesse then of him by reason that in his youth he was sold away by them and age had altered the lineaments of his face and besides no one of them might suspect that hee had attained to so great dignitie determined to trie and tempt them to the end he might the better gather how they were affected For he both denied them his licence to buy come coÌmanded them also to be apprehended for spies telling them that they were gathered of diuers nations and they fained kinred for how can it be saith he that a priuat man should bring vp so many worthy sonnes which felicitie scarcely and very seldome is granted vnto kings This did he to the end he might gather some intelligence of his father and in what estate he liued during the time of his absence and what was become of Beniamin his brother for he was sore afraid least they had offered the same hard measure to the lad which they had inflicted on him But they were stroken with a mighty feare
pietie and loue which you beare vnto your brother which I find to be greater then I did expect gathering my coniectures from those things which in times past haue hapned vnto me For to this end haue I done all this that I might make triall of your brotherly beneuolence whereof since you haue giuen me a notable proofe I will not ascribe that which you haue done vnto me to your natures but rather wholy to the will of God who hath at this present furnished you with all things which are profitable for you and will hereafter giue you greater things if he withdraw not his fauourable hand from vs. When as therefore I vnderstood of my fathers rather desired then hoped health and found you to be such as I desired you should be towards your brother I freely forget those iniuries which in times past were done vnto me rather making choice to giue you thankes as the ministers of Gods prouidence that against this time prouided for our common profit then remember me as then it seemed vnto me of your pretensed malice I therefore pray you that forgetting those things which are past you will be of courage and waxe confident suffering willingly the good euent of an ill intent neither that blushing at your former faults you should be any waies amated Let not therefore the euill sentence which in times past you pronounced against me any waies trouble you since you perceiue iâ⦠hath wanted effect but reioice ye at these workes of God and goÌ and tell your father that which you haue seene for feare least he being coÌsumed with immoderate care of you I my selfe be depriued of the chiefest fruit of my feliciti before he come to my presence and be made partaker of those benefits Wherfore depart you bringing with you him your wiues and children and all your kinred come backe vnto me for it were inconuenient my deare brethren that you should not be partakers of my felicitie especially since this famine is as yet to continue for the coââ¦e of fiue yeares This said ââ¦eph embraced his brethren but they were wholy confounded in teares and sorrow and the greaââ¦er was their repentance in that they had sinned against so kind a brother After all this there followed a banquet And the king vnderstanding that Iosephs brethren were arriued as if some good fortune had befallen him right hartily reioyced and he gaue them chariots laden with corne and gold and siluer with other presents to present their father with who enriched with diuers gifts some by their brother vnto his father other some to themselues but in especiall to Beniamin they returned home into their countrey But after that Iacob vnderstood by his sonnes in what estate his sonne Ioseph was that he had not only escaped from death which he had so long time bewailed but also that he liued in high prosperitie and ministred to the king of Egypt and had welnie the whole gouernment of the kingdome vnder his hands he easily beleeued all things that were told him acknowledged the great works of God and his goodnesse shewed vnto him although for a time it seemed to be intermitted And a little time after he addressed himselfe to go and visit his sonne Ioseph CHAP. IIII. How Iacob with all his progenie departed vnto his sonne BVt when he arriued neere the fountaine of Couenant he offered in that place a sacrifice vnto God and fearing least his children should inhabit Egypt by reason of the fertility of the place and that his posteritie by not returning backe into the land of Chanaan should leese the possession of that which God had promised them and furthermore doubting least that his iourney into Egypt being by him enterprised against the will of God should be ominous vnto his children and suspecting likewise least he should die before he came to Iosephs presence he was wonderfully perplexed in mind Whilest thus he rumina ted and examined these things in his thought he was surprised with a heauy sleepe during which time God appeared vnto him and called him twise by his name who asking who it was that called him God answered Doest thou not acknowledge O Iacob that God who hath both protected thee and thine auncestors and succoured you all in your necessities who contrarie to thy fathers purpose made thee Lord of his family and when as by thy selfe thou diddest trauell into Mesopotamia I brought to passe that being matched in wedlocke verie happily thou returnedst into thy countrey backe againe being blessed with many children and stored with much riches I also kept thy progenie in safety and when it seemed thou hadst lost Ioseph I raised him to that high steppe of dignitie wherein now he liueth and made him the next in person to the king of Egypt And now also am I come vnto thee vnto this end that I may guide thee in this thy iourney and that I may foââ¦ell thee that thou shalt leaue thy life betwixt the hands of Ioseph and that thy posteritie shall be mightie and famous for many ages and shall possesââ¦e that land the empire whereof I haue promised them Assured and made confident by this dreame he more willingly ââ¦astened both he his sons with all their progenie into Egypt whose number amounted to the summe of 70. Their names in that they are somewhat hard I had not written downe except it were to satisfie some who contend that we are Egyptians and not Mesopotamians The sonnes of Iacob therefore were twelue in number of whom Ioseph came thither long before them Now are the rest to be reckoned vp with euerie one of their progenies Ruben had foure sonnes Anoches Phalles Essaron and Charââ¦sus Simeon had sixe Iumilus Iaminus Puthodus Iachenus Gââ¦r Saar Leui also had three ââ¦lsemis Caathus and Mararis Iuda had likewise three Sala Pharââ¦s Zara with two sonnes of Phares Esrom and Amyrus Issachar had foure Thulas Phruras Iobus and Samaron Zabulon had three Saradus Elon and Ianel And these were the children ââ¦e had by Lea who also led with her Dina her daughter the number of whom amounteth to 33. But Rachel had two sonnes of which the elder who was called Ioseph had likewise two Manasses and Ephraim But Beniamin had ten Bolossus Baccharis Asabel Gââ¦a Naemanes Ises Aros Nomphthis Optais and Sarodus These foureteene added to those abouenamed make vp the number of fortie seuen And this was the legitimate issue of Iacob But on Bala Rachels handmaid Dan and Nephthalim who was attended by foure sonnes Eleinus Gunes Sares and Hellimus But Dan had onely one sonne called Vsis Now if those be added to the aboue named they make vp the number of 54. But Gad and Asser were borne by Zelpha Leas handmaid of these Gad was attended by seuen sonnes Zophonias Vgis Sunis Zabros Erines Erodes and Ariel Asser had one daughter and sixe male children whose names were Iomnes Essus Iubes Baris Abarus Melmiel
These fifteene being added to the foresaid fiftie foure make vp the number abouenamed together with Iacob But Ioseph vnderstanding that his father was at hand for Iuda posted before to giue him notice thereof he went out to meete him and incountered him neere to a towne called Heros who was seased with such extreame and vnexpected ioy that he had almost expired but Ioseph recoÌforced him being himself almost endangered thorow extreame ioy yet not in such extasie extremitie as his father afterwards desiring him to march softly onward he taking with him his fiue brethren hasted vnto the King signifying vnto him that his father with all his family were arriued Who no sooner vnderstood therof but that he ioifully asked Ioseph in what studies he tooke delight who answered him that his exercise was keeping of cattell and that he had no other trade And this answere made he to the intent they might not be deuided one from another but that liuing altogether they might take care of their father another reason was least emulation should happen betwixt them and the Aegyptians if so be they should be conuersant in the same studies for it was not lawfull for that nation to exercise the shepheards trade Now when Iacob was brought into the Kings presence and after he had done him reuerence and praied God for the prosperity both of him and his Realme Pharao asked him how long he had liued and when he vnderstood that he was a hundred and thirtie yeares old he admired at the age of the man and after he had certified him that his ancestors had liued farre longer time he commaunded him and his sonnes to dwel in Heliopolis where also the kings shepheards had their pastures But the famine increased in Egypt and the euill augmented more and more by reason that Nilus did not ouerflow the earth neither extended his armes ouer the same on the other side God raââ¦ned not vpon the earth moreouer in that the euill was vnsuspected it was more grieuous especially to the communaltie who had laid vp nothing neither did Ioseph giue them come without readie money which when they began to want they exchaunged their cattell and slaues for come but they that had lands sold a certaine portion thereof vnto the king for their prouision And when as by this meanes al these possessions caââ¦e into the kings hands they went to inhabite the one heere the other there to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their land the sacrificers only were excepted to whom the lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessitie reduced both the bodâ⦠minds of the wholenation into seruitude after such a maner that they esteemed no labour or meanes vnseemely that might serue them towards the maintenance of their sustenance But when the famine ceased the earth watered by the ouerflow of the floud began to regather her former fertility Ioseph visiting euery citie of the kingdom and assembling the multitude in euery one of them restored them the profits of thââ¦se lands which they had sold vnto the king exhorted theÌ to manure the same in no worse maner theÌ they would do their owne commaunding them to pay the fift part vnto the King which was due vnto him by his prerogatiue kingly right Who reioycing at this vnexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their tillage and by this meanes not onely Iosephs authoritie but also the pââ¦oples hearts were not a little tied vnto the King and the inheritance of the fift part of the proââ¦s remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their posteriââ¦e But Iacob after he had liued seuentene yeares in Aegypt ended his life betwixt the hands of his sonnes hauing first besought God to giue them prosperitie and aboundance and prophecied that euery one of their posteritie should attaine to the possession of a part of the land of Chanaan all which not long after came to passe Besides praising his sonne Ioseph for that forgetting the iniuries done vnto him he had bestowed diuers beneââ¦s on his brethren yea and such as well beseemed his benefactors he commaunded his sonnes that they should admit Ioseph sons Ephraim and Manasses into their number at such time as they should deuide the land of Chanaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he praied them to burie him in Hebron And he died at such time as he had liued one hundreth and fiftie yeares waââ¦ing three being second to none of his auncestors in pietie and obtained the reward which he ought iustly to possesse in that he was a man adorned with so many vertues But Ioseph by the Kings permission went and transported his fathers bodie into Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his brothers fearing to returne with him and refusing to follow him in that they suspected their father being dead that he would be reuenged on them in that they had not any friend left aliue vnder whose fauour they might hope for pardon he commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should suspect no euill and hauing brought them backe againe with him he gaue them great possessions neither did he euer intermit to entertaine them with botherly kindnes But he likewise died when he had liued one hundreth and ten yeares a man endowed with admirable vertue and prudent in all affaires and moderate in his gouernment by which meanes it came to passe that neither his fortaine birth neither his calamities whereof we haue spoken did any waies hinder him but ââ¦hat he was exalted and continued in high dignitie The rest of his brothers also hauing spent their liues in happines died in Aegypt whose bodies their sonnes and nephewes transported and buried in Hebron but Iosephs bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrewes into Chanaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Chanaan for hereunto had he bound them by oath But in that I am to declare this and other actions of this Nation I will first of all shew the cause why they departed out of Egypt CHAP. V. Of the affliction which the Hebrewes endured in Egypt for the space of foure hundreth yeares THe Aegyptians are a Nation addicted vnto delicacy and impatient of labour subiect onely to their pleasures and affecting gaine whence it came to passe that bearing hatred toward the Hebrewes and enuying their happines they were very euilly disposed towards them For seeing the race of the Israelites flourish and to abound in riches which they got by their labour and industrie they conceiued an opinion that their aduancement and increase would be the ouerthrow and decrease of the Aegyptians so that at length they forgot the benefits which Ioseph had done vnto them and after the royaltie was transported into an other family they committed diuers outrages against the Israelites and complotted against them in what manner they might more grieuously afflict
conquering Egypt they generally wasted the same and hauing tasted of the sweetnesse of pillage without anie temper or moderation in their victorie they were incensed to attempt greater matters And whereas they perceiued that hauing wasted all their neighbour regions no man durst sally out to encounter them in armes they marched forward toward Memphis euen vnto the sea arriuing neere no Citie that either had the heart or durst make head against them By which calamities the Egyptians being ouersore oppressed they send one to take counsell of the Oracle in what manner they might preuent their miseries and when as an answer was giuen them that they should choose an Hebrew to assist them in the warres the king commanded his daughter to giue them Moses who together with the Empire might gouerne the whole armie She taking an oath of the king that no iniurie or violence should be offered him deliuered him into his hands esteeming it to be a great good fortune for Moses that he was called to the succours of her countrey and contrariwise she blamed the Sacrificers who were not ashamed to demaund his aid and assistance whom they had foreiudged and adiudged to be slaine as their common enemie But Moses exhorted by Thermuthis and the king willingly tooke the charge vpon him Whereat the Priests of both nations were verie ioyfull for the Egyptians hoped that when by his vertue and valouâ⦠he had ouercome their enemies they afterwards might more easily dispatch murther him by some treason and sinister meanes and the Hebrewes conceiued a hope that they might depart out of Egypt by reason that Moses was the Generall of the armie Moses therefore making haste before such time as the enemies had any notice that he was dislodged he leuied his army and conducted them not along the bankes of the riuer but through the maine land wherein he made manifest his most admirable prudence For the iourney by land being very dangerous by reason of the multitude of serpents for the countrey thereabouts breedeth vp al sorts of theÌ and some of that kind as the like thereof are not seene in anie place els all different in proprietie malignitie and horrible forme and amongst these likewise there are some winged and apt to fly who not only offend those that they encounter on the earth very priuily but also tower verie high in the aire who houer about to hurt those that are not aware of them he for the securitie of his armie and to the end he might march without anie inconuenience inuented this marueilous and admirable stratageme For he caused two paniers of sedge to be made in forme of cofers and filled them with certaine birds which were called Ibes who are mortall enemies to serpents and before whom the serpents flee and sometimes in flying from them like Harts they are laid hold of and swallowed by them Otherwise these birds are managed and made tame and are not harmefull to any but to serpents of whom I will now cease to write anie further because the Greekes do already know what kind of bird it is When as therefore he arriued in the countrie of serpents he let flie his Ibes against the venemous beasts and made vse of them to encounter the other and when he had marched in this sort he attained and surprised the Ethiopians before they suspected him and sodainly cââ¦arging them he ouercame them in battell spoyling them of the hope they had to conquer Egypt and entring the townes of Ethiopia he rased them and made a great slaughter of the inhabitants The Egyptian armie hauing tasted the happie successe that happened vnto them vnder the conduct of Moses intermitted not their occasion especially for that they saw that the Ethiopians were welnigh conquered or rather wholy destroyed and in the end hauing driuen them euen vnto Saba the chiefe citie of Ethiopia which Cambyses called Meroë for the loue which he bore vnto his sister who was so called they besieged them The Citie was strong and verie hard to be assailed by reason of the riuer Nilus which enuironed it round about on the other side the riuers of Astapus and Astaborra did flow in so freshly as they could neither breake the course of the water nor wade ouer the streame for the citie is builded in an Island inuironed with a strong wall round about hauing great rampiers betwixt the riuers and the walles built to resist the inundations of the waters which are the cause that the Citie may be very hardly taken although the opposite armie had found meanes to passe the water Now when Moses was verie sore grieued that his armie profited nothing by reason that the enemies durst not encounter them in open field behold what a chaunce happened Tharbis the daughter of the king of Ethiopia beholding Moses at such time as he approched with his armie neere vnto the walles of the Citie and seeing how valiantly he fought and behaued himselfe and wondering at the exploits and enterprises which he made which was the cause that the Egyptians almost despairing of their estates and libertie were growne so forward and how the Ethiopians not long before esteemed the conquereââ¦s and happie in their warlike exploits and fortunate executions were in the greatest extremitie of daunger she was surprised with his loue and for that this passion augmented more and more in her she sent vnto him seuen of heâ⦠most faithfull and houshold seruants to offer him her loue and intreat with him of mariage The which he accepted vnder that condition that she should deliuer the Citie into his hands promising her vnder a solemne oath that at such time as he were master thereof he would take her to wife without falsifying or breach of his promise The matter was no sooner motioned but the effect followed so that hauing surprised conquered the Ethiopians and after he had giââ¦en thankes vnto God Moses accomplished the mariage and sent the Egyptians backe againe into their countrey Who conceiued an occasion of hatred against Moses because he had beene the cause of their safetie and began seriously to consult and deuise amongst themselues how they might betray him sââ¦pecting least he by reason of the happie successe he had had should beginne to quicken and reuiue some alterations in Egypt they accused him therefore of murther before the King who alreadie of himselfe had him in suspicion as well in respect of this hatred he bare him for his noble cariage and courage during such time as he was generall as also for the feare he had conceiued of the destruction of Egypt foretold by his priestes who incessantly incited him against Moses so that the King was vpon the point to lay hands on him and mââ¦rther him But he hauing intelligence of those his practises escaped and fled secretly flying from his presence thorow the desart by which the enemies least suspected that he should haue fled and although at no
he sawe it turned into a bloodie colour Amased at these accidents he was commaunded to be of good courage and assured that he should haue great assistance Moreouer that he should vse these signes before all men to the end said God that all may beleeue that being sent by me thou dost all this according to my commaundements Furthermore I enioyne thee that without any further delay thou haste thee into Egypt and that thou ââ¦ell day and night without leesing time without delaying any more to succour the poore Hebrewes grieuously afflicted in Egypt Moses hauing no cause to distrust that which God had promised him and being confirmed by these things whereof he was both an eye witnesse and auditor he required God that if there were any occasion to expresse the like power in Egypt he would vouchsafe to further the effect beseeching him further that he would not conceale his name from him to whom he had participated the hearing of his voice and the sight of his presence that it might please him therefore to declare vnto him his name to the end that when he should offer sacrifice vnto him he might call vpon the same God declared vnto him his name which before time had beene concealed amongst men and of which also it is not lawfull for me to speake Moses wrought these signes not only at that time but also when or wheresoeuer he thought it requisite by all which he gaue further credit to the fire which had appeared vnto him and assured himselfe that God would be his fauourable defender that he would deliuer his brethren and intangle and enwrap the Egyptians in great calamities And after that he had vnderstood that Pharao King of Egypt was dead during whose life he fled from thence he requested Raguel that he would giue him leaue to depart into Egypt for the profit of those of his nation and taking with him Sephora who was Raguel daughter and his maried wife and Gerson and Eleazar his children which he had by her he departed to go into Egypt Now this name of Gerson in the Hebrew tongue signifieth Forraine and Eleazar signifieth fauoured by God in memory that Moses had escaped from amongst the Egyptians by the assistance of the God of his fathers And as he approched neere the mountaines Aaron his brother by the commaundement of God came forth to meete him to whom he declared all that which had happened vnto him in the mountaine and that which God had giuen him in charge And as they passed onward of their way the men of greatest estimation amongst the Hebrewes hauing intelligence of his comming came out to meete him to whom Moses presented the abouenamed tokens by reason that he could not perswade them by words and they being astonished at that which they had seene him doe beyond their expectation waxed confident and conceiued a good hope of all things seeing that God had a care of their safetie When he perceiued that the Hebrewes were readie to obey him and that they protested to follow him in al that which he should command them through the earnest desire they had to be at liberty he presented himselfe before the king who had newly vndertaken the gouernment and shewed him the great benefits he had done vnto the Egyptians at such time as they were despised by the Ethiopians who had spoyled all their countrey and how he had spared no trauell but sustained all the charge of the warre as if it had beene waged for his owne proper nation On the other side he opened vnto him the daungers which he had iniustly suffered for his recompence he afterwards discoursed vnto him that which had befallen him neere vnto the fountaine of Sinai and the talke which God had in that place with him and the signes in particular which had been shewed vnto him in confirmation of those things whereunto he was enioyned exhorting the King not to mistrust or impeach the ordinance of God The King hearing this began to mocke him but Moses made him see in effect the signes which were shewed vnto him neere to the mountaine of Sinai But the King waxed wroth and grieuously reuiled him accusing him for that in times past he fled away for feare to be slaine in Egypt and at this present returned thither vnder a subtill pretext cloaking his craft with magike and inchantment the more to afright him And at the same instant he called into his presence the priests of Egypt to let them see those signes and to make it manifest that the Egyptians were exercised in those sciences and that he onely was not master in those things the which he boasted to performe by Gods power but that they were but deceits shadowes of meruailes to deceiue the multitude whereupon the priests cast downe their rods and they became serpents Moses being nothing moued herewith said O King I despise not the wisedome of the Egyptians but I protest that that which I haue done doth so farre surpasse all their magike and art as there is difference betweene diuine and humane things I will therefore shew you that that which I do is not by enchantment nor vnder colour of apparent veritie but by the prouidence and power of God This said he cast his rod vpon the ground commaunding it to change it selfe into a serpent whereunto it obeyed and wandering here and there it deuoured all the rods of the Egyptians which seemed to be serpents vntill they were all of them consumed and that done Moses tooke his staffe into his hand againe and it reassumed his pristine forme But the King being neuer the more astonished but the rather incensed at that which was done said that this wisedome and subtilty of Moses should profit him nothing which he vsed in disgrace of the Egyptians He commaunded therefore the ouerseer of the workes who had the gouernment ouer the Hebrewes that he should remit nothing of their labour but that he should oppresse them with more tedious and grieuous taskes then they were wont to be put vnto whereupon where he was wont to allowe them straw to make their tile with he forbare after that time to giue them that allowance and taxing them in the day time to follow their worke he appointed them by night to find and bring in their straw doubling thereby the waight of their former labour Notwithstanding all this Moses would neither desist from his purpose in regard of the kings threatning nor the continuall cry of his countrimen neither was in any sort appauled thereat but with a confident and vnappauled mind in regard of both he wholy intended this to restore his countrimen to their desired libertie Hee therefore once againe accosted the King perswading him to dismisse the Hebrewes to the end they might repaire vnto the mountaine Sinai and sacrifice vnto God in that place for no lesse saith hee hath he commaunded neither can any resist his will For which cause he aduised
the King to endeuour himselfe least he should seeme to contemne his fauours to grant the people free passage for feare least if he should secretly forbid them the same he might accuse and condemne himselfe to suffer that which they in reason ought to endure who resist the wil and works of God for to those that stirre vp the wrath of God against themselues al kind of mishaps do flock and flow on euery side The earth befriendeth them not neyther smileth the ââ¦yre vpon them their children are not begotten according to nature but all things oppose themselues as enemies and contraries against them Moreouer he added that the Aegyptians should feele the plague after that the people of the Hebrewes should in despight of their resistance depart out of their countrey but in that the King despised these words of Moses and would not be conuerted most grieuous plagues fell vpon the land of Aegypt The which I will particularly set downe by reason that at that time the Aegyptians suffered those things which neuer before that time happened to any other people and for that cause likewise that I may testifie and declare that Moses hath not falsified or erred in any thing that he hath done and besides for that it is expedient for men to learne do those things which are agreeable to gods wil for feare least he being prouoked and incensed against them should punish them for their vniustice For first of all by the commaundement of God the riuers ouerflowed with bloud neyther was it possible for them to drinke notwithstanding they had no other fountaines of water neither was the water only coloured like bloud but when as likewise any one dranke therof it ingendred procured in him diuers dolors and grieuous gripings Such was the water to the Aegyptians but to the Hebrewes it seemed good and sweet in taste without any waies chaunging the nature thereof Hereupon the King not knowing what to doe and seeing this straunge accident and being afraid by reason of the Aegyptians permitted the Hebrewes to depart but no sooner was this plague ceased but he presently chaunged his mind and would not permit them liberty to depart for which cause God seeing his ingratitude and that he would not be warned notwithstanding he had deliuered him from the former calamitie he inflicted an other plague vpon the Aegyptians He therefore sent an infinite number of frogs vpon them that couered and infected the whole countrey and the riuers were so packed and stored with them in such manner that they that drewe water to drinke found it altogether infected with the putrefaction of them dying rotting in the waters so that the whole countrey was full of filthie mud by reason of the frogs that defaced died on the same They corrupted also their meats mingling themselues in their houses amidst their meat and drink creeping amidst their chambers from whence an odious stench exhaled by reason of the multitude of frogs that lay dead Now when the Aegyptians saw themselues so sore pressed with these euils the King commanded Moses that he should take the Hebrewes that he should depart and as soone as he had spoken this the multitude of frogs vanished and appeared no more neither on the earth nor in the water but that they retained their accustomed nature No sooner was the earth deliuered froÌ this curse but Pharao forgot the cause therof retained the Hebrewes anew as if he had a desire to experimeÌt the maner of diuers miseries he denied theÌ that issue which before time he had granted theÌ rather inforced therunto by his feare then forward good liking For this cause God once againe rewarded his fraud by sending him another plague for a multitude of lice swarmed from the bodies of the Aegyptians whence the wretched men perished wretchedly neither could they exterminate that race eyther by bathings or inunctions The king troubled with this calamity fearing the ruine of his people and bethinking him of the shamefull end therof he was constrained to remit the better part of his malignitie For as touching the Hebrewes he permitted them to depart but after the plague was appeased he required at their hands that they would leaue their wiues and children behind them for pledges till their returne and by this meanes he prouoked Gods wrath more heauily against him in that he supposed to delude his prouidence as if it had not beene God who in the Hebrewes behalfe had punished them but Moses that had plagued the Aegyptians For God filled their countrey with many and diuers sorts of beasts the like whereof before that time had not beene seene in that countrey which killed them vp so that the earth became desolate and vnmanured and if any one amongst them escaped from death they were afterwards destroyed by sicknes But notwithstanding all these the King still continuing obstinate in his wickednes and disobedient vnto God permitting onely that the women and men should depart that their children should be left behind them but God desisted not to punish his wickednes by diuers and most grieuous plagues farre more tedious then the former yea such as were dispersed ouer all the people For their bodies were grieuously tormented with vlcers and corrupted inwardly and after this sort the greater part of the Egyptians perished but whenas the King was neither moderated nor mollified by this plague God rained downe haile vpon them which neuer before that time was engendred in the ayre of Aegypt further so great or rather greater then that which falleth to the Northward neere to the Pole Attique in the midst of the spring and spoyled all their fruite After which an armie of grashoppers deuoured all those buds and fruits which were vnoffenced by the hayle so that all the hope which the Egyptians had of their haruest or fruite was vtterly ouerthrowne These aforesaid afflictions had beene sufficient to perswade a man of the meanest vvit except he had beene a reprobate to grow wise and make vse of that which was most profitable for him But Pharao knowing the causes of the same enforced himselfe to resist God not onely thorow imprudence but for malice so that voluntarily he betraied his commonweale He therefore commaunded Moses that he should lead away the Hebrewes with their wiues but that they should leaue their substance behind them for a pray in that they complained that after all these calamities they had nothing left them To whom Moses aunswered that he demaunded an vnlawfull matter by reason that they were to offer sacrifice vnto God of their pray or bootie Now whilest the time was spent in these consultations darknes altogether deuoyd of light ouerspred the land of Aegypt where through they died miserably in closing their eyes by reason of the thickenesse thereof so that they were afraid least the fogge should choake them which being dispersed after three daies and so many nights
them in the conquest of the countrey and that neyther the greatnes of the mountaines nor the depth of the riuers could hinder them that like valiant men were prepared to attempt especially God being their guide and readie to fight for them in that battell March forward therefore said they and laying aside all feare and being assured of the diuine succors follow vs with a bold courage whither soeuer we lead you With these words laboured they to appease the insulting multitude In the meane while Moses and Aaron falling prostrate on their faces besought God not for their owne safetie but that it would please him to restore the despairing multitude to a better mind who were troubled with so many present and instant necessities Whereupon sodainly a cloud appeared on the Tabernacle and gaue testimonie that God was there present which when Moses perceiued drawing his spirits vnto him he pressed into the presence of the multitude and told them how God was incited and whetted to take punishment of the outrage which they had committed against him yet not so seuerely as the iniquitie of their sinnes deserued but in that discipline which fathers are accustomed to vse for the instruction of their children For at such time as he stood before God in the Tabernacle and besought him with teares for the safetie of the multitude God had recounted vnto him how many benefits and fauours they had receiued from him and how vngratefull they shewed themselues towards him and that at the present being transported with the feare of the spies they had esteemed their reports more true then his promises Notwithstanding all which that he would not vtterly consume them all nor exterminate their whole race whom he had honoured aboue all the nations of the earth but that he would not grant them the grace to conquer the land of Chanaan neyther make them partakers thereof but would bring to passe that they should liue in the desart without house or Citie for the space of fortie yeares for punishment of their transgression Yet hath he promised said he to giue the countrey to your successors whom he will make Lords of their goods and heires of those possessions which you haue enuied your selues After that Moses had discoursed these things after this manner according to the ordinance of God the people were in great sorrow and calamitie and besought Moses that he would appease Gods wrath conceiued against them beseeching him that forgetting their faults that were past in the desart he would make them Lords of their enemies Cities Moses answered them that God was not incited against theÌ according to the maner of humane weaknes but that he had giuen a iust sentence against them In this place it is not to be supposed that Moses who was but a man onely did appease so many multitudes of displeased men but that God assisted him and brought to passe that the people were conquered with his words hauing by diuers disobediences and by the calamities whereinto they were fallen knowne that obedience was both good and commendable Furthermore for that Moses was admirable for his vertue and the force proceeding from his faith of whom not onely they haue spoken who liued in his time but euen at this day there is not any one amongst the Hebrewes who as if Moses were now here present to chastice him if he ran astray would not obey the ordinances made by him although he might make breach of them in secret There are besides diuers great and euident signes of the more then humane vertue which was in him and amongst the rest this was not the least that certaine straungers trauailing out of the Regions beyond Euphrates a foure months iourney to their great charges and with no lesse perill to honour our Temple and offer sacrifice yet could they not obtaine licence or permission to offer in that by our lawes it was not lawfull for them to doe it and some other without sacrificing other some the sacrifice halfe finished the rest not permitted to enter the Temple haue returned backe againe to their owne homes without finishing their purposes chosing rather to obey Moses law then their owne vvils yet being reproued therein by none but their owne consciences So much did the opinion once conceiued of this man preuaile that he is esteemed more then a man who is supposed to haue receiued lawes from God and to haue deliuered them to men Of late also not long before the warres of the Iewes during the Empire of Claudius and Ismael being high priest amongst vs when as so great a famine oppressed our nation that an Assar was sold for foure drams and there was brought to the feasts of Azymes the quantitie of seuentie Cores which make thirtie Sicilian and fortie Athenian Medin ni which are two bushels of ours almost some of the priests were not so bold as to eate one graine of Barley notwithstanding the countrey was in that extremitie fearing the law and Gods displeasure extended alwaies against sinnes concealed For which cause vve ought not to wonder at that which happened at that time considering that the writings left by Moses are in such force euen at this day that they themselues who hate vs confesse that he that hath instituted our gouernment is God by the meanes and ministerie of Moses and his vertue But of these things let euery man thinke as it pleaseth him THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 4 booke 1 The fight of the Hebrewes with the Chanaanites and their ouerthrow by them without Moses knowledge 2 The sedition raysed by Chore against Moses and his brother for the Priesthood 3 How the authors of the sedition were slaine by Gods iudgement and the Priesthood confirmed to Aaron and his sonnes 4 What chanced to the Hebrewes in the desart for the space of 38. yeares 5 How Moses ouercame Schon and Og Kings of the Amorites and ouerthrewe their armies 6 Of the prophet Balaam 7 The victorie of the Hebrewes against the Madianites and how the countrey of the Amorites was granted by Moses to two and a halfe of the Tribes 8 Moses lawes and how he was taken out of the world CHAP. I. The fight of the Hebrewes with the Chanaanites and their ouerthrow by them without Moses knowledge WHilest thus the Hebrewes passed their life in great penurie and perplexitie in the desart groning vnder the burthen of their grieuous afflictions there was nothing that more distracted and distempered them than this that God had forbidden them to hazard or enter battell against the Chanaanites neither would they now any longer giue eare vnto Moses who perswaded them to peace but waxed confident in themselues that both without his conduct and counsails they might easily obtaine victorie ouer their enemies and accused him likewise as if he sought after no other thing but that they being daily
pressed with great wants should be enforced continually to depend vpon his counsels Whereupon they embattailed themselues against the Chanaanites presuming with themselues that God would succour them not onely in regard of Moses but also for that he had a general care of their natioÌ euer since the time of their forefathers whom he had alwaies held vnder his protection and by reason of whose vertues he had alreadie granted them libertie They said likewise that if they would take the paines at that time and endeuour themselues that God would alwaies fight with them protesting that they were able to ouerrunne the nations although they were but themselues yea although Moses would endeuour to estraunge God from them In a word that it was behoouefull that all of them should be Lords of themselues and that being recomforted and redeemed from the seruitude of Egypt they ought not to suffer Moses to tyrannize ouer them or to conforme their liues to his will vnder this vaine beliefe that God had onely discouered to Moses that which was behoouefull for them by reason of the affection which he bare him As if all of them were not deriued from the loynes of Abraham and that he onely were the motiue of all in foreknowing the things that should happen vnto them by particular instruction from God That euen then they should seeme to be wise if condemning his pride and fixing their trust vpon God they would take possession of the countrey which he had promised them in spight of Moses contradiction who for this cause hindred them setting the name of God before them that therefore putting before their eies their necessitie and the desart which daily more and more aggrauated their miserie they should endeuour themselues couragiously to sally out against the enemie the Chanaanites alledging that God would be their guide so as they had no reason to expect the assistance of their lawmaker At last when this sentence was approued by a generall allowance they flocke out in multitudes against their enemies who neither affrighted by their fierce assault neither terrified with their infinite multitude valiantly resisted them who desperately charged them so that the better part of the Hebrewes being slaine they pursued the rest enforced shamefully to turne their backes euen vnto their campe This ouerthrow hapning beside all mens opinion wonderously deiected the minds of the multitude that they grew desperate of all future good fortune concluding that God had sent and inflicted that plague vpon them because without his counsell and fauour they had enterprised the battell But when Moses perceiued that both his owne countrimen were dismaid with the ouerthrow which they had and the enemie was waxen proud with their late victorie fearing likewise least not content with their present successe they should attempt further he determined to retire his forces backe againe into the desart And whereas the people promised thereafter to be obedient to him being taught by their owne miserie that nothing would fall out prosperously vnto them without the counsell and conduct of their guide they disincamping themselues retired into the desart vnder this resolution that they would no more attempt the battell against the Chanaanites before they receiued a signe of their good successe from heauen But euen as in a great army it accustomably falleth out especially in time of trouble that the common multitude wax headstrong and disobedient to their gouernours so did the like also happen amongst the Iewes for whereas they were in number sixe hundreth thousand and euen in their better fortunes seemed disobedient to their gouernours so much the more were they exasperated by their wants and misfortunes both amongst themselues as against their gouernour For which cause there arose so great a sedition as neither amongst the Greeks or Barbarians the like was euer heard of which things without doubt had ouerthrowne them being brought into so desperate an estate except Moses forgetting the iniurie he had receiued which was no lesse then a pretence to stone him to death had succoured and relieued their distressed fortunes Neither did God vtterly abandon the care of them but although they were contumelious against their law-maker and transgressed also against the lawes which hee had deliuered them by Moses yet deliuered he them out of that dangerous sedition of which without his especiall prouidence there could be expected no other but a lamentable issue This sedition as also how Moses gouerned the estate when the troubles were ended we will now declare hauing first expressed the cause thereof CHAP. II. The sedition raised by Chore against Moses and his brother for the Priesthood CHores a man noble in birth and famous for his wealth amongst the Hebrewes and endowed with a certaine kind of popular eloquence seeing Moses placed in the highest estate of dignitie was sore troubled and oppressed with enuie For although he were of the same Tribe and kinred yet thought he it to be a great indignitie in himselfe to be held his inferiour beeing both more enabled in riches and nothing inferiour in parentage For which cause he began to mutine and murmure amongst the Leuites which were of the same Tribe with him and his kinsmen telling them in vehement discourse that it was not to bee suffered nor permitted that Moses vnder a pretext of certaine diuinitie should by ambitious policie to other mens preiudice onely studie his owne glorie shewing them how of late without all law and right he had giuen the Priesthood to his brother Aaron and distributed other dignities at his owne pleasure like a king without the allowance and approbation of the people That this iniurie done by him was not to be endured by reason that so couertly he had insinuated himselfe into the gouernement that before he might be espied the people should be brought vnder seruitude For he that knoweth himselfe to be worthy of a gouernement striueth to obtaine the same by kind perswasions and consent of the people and not by force and violence but they that despaire by good meanes to attaine thereunto doe notwithstanding abstaine from force least they should lose the opinion of their goodnesse and honestie yet endeuour they by malicious subtilties to attaine thereunto That it concerned the common-weale to extinguish and roote out the subtill insinuations of such men least of priuate they should at last grow publike enemies For what reason said he can Moses yeeld why he hath bestowed the Priesthood on Aaron and his sonnes For if that God had decreed that this honour should be bestowed on one of the tribe of Leui there were more reason that I should haue it who am of the same kinred with Moses and who surpasse him both in riches age And if this honor appertained to the most ancient of the Tribes that those of Rubens loynes ought by right to enioy it namely Dathan and Abiram and Phalal who are the most ancient of that Tribe and the most powerfull in riches
of iustice in Bethel and that the other should giue audience at Bersabe diuiding the people and attributing each part to his particular Iudge In these was there a manifest example and infallible testimonie that children are not alwaies borne like vnto their fathers but that sometimes of euil parents there are good children bred as contrariwise at that time of a good father there were euill sonnes begotten For forsaking the instructions of their father they followed a quite contrarie course and oppressed iustice thorow corruptions and rewards and swallowed vp and surfeited in delights and pleasures they both contemned the will of God and the instructions of their father who had no other care then that the people should study to liue well and vprightly CHAP. IIII. How the people being displeased with the manners and gouernment of the sonnes of Samuel demanded a King WHen as therefore the people perceiued that the sonnes of the Prophet had committed so many outrages against their lawes and pollicie they were very sore displeased and had recourse vnto their father where hee dwelled in the Citie of Ramatha where reckoning vp vnto him the misdemeanors of his sonnes and how thorow the multitude of his yeares he was vnfit according to his accustomed manner to administer the affaires of the common weale they earnestly intreated and besought him that he would nominate and elect some King ouer them who might both command their nation and Empire and exact due punishment on the Palestines for their many and too oftentimes offered iniuries This resolution of the people grieuously tormented Samuels minde who by reason of his innated and vpright iustice misliked of the kingly authoritie as a stile and state too imperious for he greatly delighted himselfe in the Aristocracie or gouernment of the elders deeming no estate more conducible or auaileable for the securitie and prosperitie of the people then that was And so did this matter distemper and distract this man as by reason of his care he could neither tast food nor entertaine sleepe but all the night long tossed and tumbled in his bed during those tmies complotting imagining many things in his mind Whilest these his indispositions continued God appeared vnto him comforted him willing him not to be agrieued at that which the people had required but that he should suppose that this iniurie not onely concerned him but God himselfe whom they disclaimed also for their king and sole gouernour ouer them The effect whereof they had complotted from the day that they departed out of Aegypt but eare it be long said he they shall repent themselues yet shall not their repentance vndoe that which shall be done and it shall appeare by those counsailes they haue taken that they haue bin contemners ingratefull toward me by their own confession and towards thee also which hast been their Prophet I will therefore that thou choose them a king and such a one as I shall nominate vnto thee after thou hast aduertised them what euils they shall endure at such time as they shall haue a King and hast publikely declared vnto them what inconuenients follow the change which so vehemently and vnhappily they pursue When Samuel vnderstood these sayings he assembled the people about the breake of day and protested publikely vnto them that he would establish them a King But saith he before I shall effect that which you request I must expose and declare vnto you what estate you shall liue in being vnder the subiection of royaltie how many and grieuous euils you shall be pressed withall by those Kings that shal gouerne you Know therfore first of all that they will take your children from you make some of them coachmen and other some their horsemen and archers of their guard others their posts and tribunes and centurions some likewise their handicraftsmen and armorers and chariot-makers and smithes and forgers of other sorts of weapons besides husbandmen of his fields and plowes and diggers of his vineyards neither is there any thing which they shall not be coÌpelled to do after the manner of bondslaues that are bought with money They shall take your daughters also and make them their perfumers cookes and bakers and they shall imploy them in all seruile offices whereunto their chambermaides are to be imployed either by stripes or torture They shall take from you your substance and giue it to their Eunuches and guard They shall take your slocks and distribute them amongst their seruants In a word you and all yours shall serue one king and shall be of no better reckoning then the slaues of his houshold When you shall endure these paines then shall you call to remembrance all these things which I haue tolde you and with repentance you shall beseech God that he will haue mercie vpon you and giue you a speedy deliuerance from the seruitude of your kings but he shall not respect your prayers but neglecting and repulsing them shall suffer you to beare the penaltie of your euill counsaile Although these future inconueniences were foretold them yet did the people neglect and set light by them and not suffering that sinister opinion which before that time they had conceiued in their minds to be altered or frustrated in them they insisted with all obstinacie requiring without any care of future mishaps that they might haue a king created ouer them because as they said it was very necessary that they should haue a king that might wage warre with them to reuenge them on their enemies and represse their aduersaries forces and that there was no absurditie in it but that they might be gouerned in the same sort as their neighbours were Samuel perceiuing that his perswasions could preuaile nothing at all with them and that they could not be diuerted from that resolution wherein they persisted he spake thus Go your waies for this time euerie one of you vnto your houses and I will cause you to be assembled when the cause requireth and when God shall haue informed me what king he will giue you CHAP. V. Saul by the commandement of God is declared King THere was a certaine man of the tribe of Beniamin noble in birth and commendable in manners called Cis who had a yoong sonne faire in face great in body hauing a spirit and iudgement farre more excellent then were the lineaments and perfections of his body whose name was Saul This Cis hauing faire Asses wherein he tooke more pleasure then in any other kinde of cattell had lost certaine of them which were straied from the rest of his flocke whereupon he sent his son accompanied with a seruant to search seeke them out who hauing trauersed and trauailed in quest of them thorow all his fathers tribe iourneied thorow the rest of the tribes without any hope or inckling of them for which cause hee determined to returne home againe for feare least his father should conceiue some care and griefe in
people were mustered in the Citie of Bala In this suruey besides those of the tribe of Iuda there were numbred seuen hundreth thousand men and of the tribe of Iuda in particular there were seuentie thousand Hauing therefore passed Iordan and marched some ten cables length of Nilus which is about some three leagues all the night time before the sunne rise he attained the place whither he intended to conduct them and deuiding his army into three parts he assailed the enemie on euery side that expected no such encountry and fighting valiantly against them he slew diuers and amongst the rest Nahas king of the Ammonites This victorie made Sauls name famous amongst all the Hebrewes so that he was wonderfully praised and honoured for his valour so that if before that time any one had contemned him at that time they chaunged their opinions and honoured him and accounted him the worthiest of them all For he was not satisfied to redeeme and deliuer those of Iabes but he entred the countrey of the Ammonites also and forraged the same with his army and vtterly ouerthrew them and after he had obtained a great bootie and pray both he and his victoriously magnifically returnd to their dwelling places The people highly pleased with this noble action atchieued by Saul reioyced because they had chosen them so noble a King and exclaimed against those that said that it would be discommodious and vnprofitable for their common-weale saying where are now these murmurers let them be put to death with other such like words that a people besorted with some good successe is wont to speake and inforce against them that set light by the authors inducers of the same Saul receiued great content and comfort thorow this good liking and allowance of the people yet notwithstanding he swore that no one of their tribe should be put to death that day because it would not seeme conuenient nor agreeable that the victorie which was giuen them by God should be mixed with the bloud of their brethren but rather that it was more decent and comely that the time should be spent in feast and iollitie Hereupon Samuel told them that it behooued them to confirme the kingdome to Saul by a second election and to that end they assembled together in the Citie of Galgal according as he had commanded them and there in the sight of all the people Samuel annointed Saul the second time with the consecrated oyle and proclaimed him king arââ¦ew Thus was the Aristocracie and gouernment of the better sort amongst the Hebrewes turned into a Monarchie For vnder Moses and his disciple Iesus who gouerned the Empyre and armie at that time the nobilitie and elected worthie men ruled the state After whose death for the space of 18. whole yeares the people was without gouernment the common-weale not long after reassumed her pristine pollicie and the gouernment was giuen vnto him which was esteemed the most valiant in warre and the most vpright in doing of Iustice. All which time for this cause hath beene called the time of the Iudges After this the Prophet Samuel assembled the people and spake vnto them after this manner I coniure you by that great God that hath giuen life to those two brothers I meane Moses and Aaron and that hath deliuered your forefathers from the Egyptians and their tyranny that without any affection either of feare or shame or instigation of any other passion you truly testifie whether I haue committed any sinister or wicked act either for profit sake or for auarice or fauor Reproue me if I haue taken away any mans calfe or sheepe or any other thing-whatsoeuer but that which I might lawfully take for my reliefe and sustenance and at such hands as willingly offered me the same or if I haue drawen any mans beasts to my vse or vsed his cattell to my profit and his hinderance in these and such like if I haue offended any man let him now accuse me in the presence of the king All of them cried out with one voice that no such default had beene committed by him but that he had gouerned their nation in holines and iustice After that the people had thus publikely testified in the behalfe of Samuel he said vnto them Since you haue liberally freely protested that you haue no cause of wrong to vrge or inforce against me heare I pray you that wherewith I can iustly accuse you of You haue grieuously offended against the maiestie of God in that you haue required a king at his hands you should haue rather remembred that your old father Iacob accompanied onely with his 70. sons came into Egypt constrained thereunto by famine and that in that countrey diuers thousands of persons issued from his loynes whom the Egyptians kept in captiuitie offering them extreme outrages And whenas your fathers called vpon God how he wonderfully deliuered theÌ from the necessities wherin they were without giuing them any king contenting themselues with two brothers Moses and Aaron who brought and conducted you into this countrey which you possesse at this present And although you participated these benefits by the hands of God yet notwithstanding you haue not forborne both to forget religion and neglect pietie This notwithstanding at such time as you haue beene conquered by your enemies he hath set you free gracing you first of all with the ouerthrow of the Assyrians their forces secondly giuing you victorie ouer the Ammonites and Moabites and finally ouer the Philistines Now these great exploits were performed by you not vnder the conduct of a king but by the direction of Ieptha and Gedeon what folly therefore hath bewirched you to make you flie from God and to seeke to liue vnder the subiection of a king But I haue named such a one vnto you whom God hath chosen to be your gouernour NotwithstaÌding to the intent that I may giue you a manifest testimony that Gods wrath is whetted against you because you haue desired to haue a king I will striue to expresse it vnto you by visible signes done by God himselfe I will therefore require of God that he wil make you see in this place and in the hart of sommer such a storme that there is not any one of you that hath euer seene the like thereof Scarce had he spoken the words but that so dainly there fell great store of lightning thunder and haile in approbation of that which the Prophet had said so that amased and transported with feare all of them confessed that they had offended They notwithstanding professed that their errour was of ignorance not of obstinacie and besought the Prophet that with a good and fatherly affection he would beseech God to appease his wrath towards them and forgiue them their offences at that present which to their other grieuous negligences they had annexed and whereby they had transgressed his holy will All which Samuel promised them to
three sonnes Ionathan Iosuah and Melchi and two daughters Merob and Michal The generall of his army was Abner the sonne of his vnckle called Ner for Ner and Cis Sauls father were brothers and sonnes of Abiel He was verie rich both in horse and chariots and against whatsoeuer enemy he marched forth he alwaies returned with victorie so that he reduced the affaires of the Hebrewes to a happy estate and so much increased their power that they weare feared by all those nations that neighboured vpon them But the chiefest of the youth that either preuailed in strength or exceeded in beauty he chose to be of his guarde CHAP. VIII Sauls victorie against the Amalechites BVt Samuel comming vnto Saul told him that he was sent vnto him by God to admonish him how he had chosen him aboue the rest and preferred him to the kingdome for that cause that it behooued him to be obedient vnto him in all things because he ruled the people but God both kings kingdomes and all things Thus therefore said hee doth God command thee Since the Amalechites offered many iniuries vnto the Hebrewes in the desert whilest in their departure out of Aegypt they trauelled into that region which they now inhabite it behooueth thee to punish them by a most iust warre and hauing ouercome them that thou vtterly extinguish their memorie without regard of either sex or yeares and this reuenge shalt thou execute vpon them in repaiment of those iniuries they in times past offered to our forefathers Neither shalt thou spare either beast or horse or flocke to apply them to thy profit or particular vse but thou shalt consecrate all vnto God and according as Moses commanded it deface the name of the Amalechites from of the earth All these things did Saul promise to performe and supposing obedience consisted in this not onely in the acting but also the speedie execution of that which was enioyned him he presently assembled all his forces togither and mustring his souldiers at Galgal he found about fortie thousand besides the tribe of Iuda which of it selfe affoorded and allowed thirty thousand chosen men with these did Saul enter the countrey of the Amalechites and layd diuers ambushes neere vnto a riuer not onely to afflict them with open and hostile warre but also to enclose and surprise them at vnwares and kill them amidst their hie waies He charged them therefore and put them to flight and discomfited their whole army pursuing them that fled Which execution of his hauing that answerable successe according as God had promised him before he marched onwards and besieged the Cities of the Amalechites and ouercame some of them by batterie some by mines and countermures raised on the outside other some by famine and thirst and diuers other waies And in those Cities which he ouercame he neither spared women nor children neither supposing their murther to be cruell neither inhumane first for that he executed it vpon his enemie next for that he did nothing but according to Gods commandement towards whom his disobedience might redound to his vtter ouerthrow He tooke Agag prisoner also who was the king of the Amalechites whose beautie and personage seemed vnto him so well proportioned and perfect that he wondred thereat and thought him worthy to be kept aliue and that not by Gods commandement but ouercome by his owne affection vsurping vpon an vngranted priuiledge of mercie to his owne preiudice For God so hated the Amalechites that he spared not their infants who ought in naturall compassion to haue beene more pitied then the rest But Saul kept aliue the king of his enemies and the author of all the Hebrewes euils setting more by his beauty then Gods commandement This sinne of his the people presently imitated for they spared both horse and other kind of cattell and made pray of them notwithstanding that God had charged them to reserue nothing They caried away with them all other moueables and riches and only consumed those things which were of smalest valew by fire This victorie had Saul ouer those people that dwell betwixt Pelusium which is a Citie on the borders of Aegypt vnto the red sea But he medled not with the Sichemites which inhabite in the midst of the Madianites whom before the battell he had commaunded to retire themselues least they should partake the calamities of the Amalechites for in that they were allied vnto them by reason of Raguel Moses father in lawe the Hebrewes had cause to procure their safetie Saul hauing obtained this victorie reioycing at his good successe returned to his owne home as full of content as if he had pretermitted nothing of that which God had commanded him by the Prophet Samuel before his warre with the Amalechites but as if he had precisely obserued all that which was enioyned him But God was sore displeased both for that the king of the Amalechites was preserued and for that the people had made pray of their cattell for both these actions of theirs were expressely against Gods permission For it was not to be tolerated no not in a mortall king that they should neglect and contemne his lawes and decrees by whose onely meanes they were furthered and fauoured in their victorie For which cause God told the Prophet Samuel that he repented him in that he had chosen Saul for their king considering that he infringed his commandements and gouerned himselfe according to his owne appetites When Samuel heard these words he was sore troubled and besought God all the night long that he would appease his wrath and displeasure conceiued against Saul but notwithstanding al the importunities and praiers which the Prophet made for him God would in no sort be reconciled because it was inconuenient that the sinnes which were committed by Saul should be remitted by Samuels submission and intercession For sinne neuer more augmenteth and increaseth then when such as are offenced are too remisse in their punishments for whilest they would be reputed both for good and mercifull they themselues both vnwares and vnwitting become the authors of sinne When as therefore God had denied the Prophet his request and it manifestly appeared that no praiers or supplication might appease him as soone as it was day Samuel repaired to Saul who at that time remained in Galgal Now as soone as the king apperceiued him he ranne vnto him and embraced him saying I giue God thankes for the victorie and all those things which hee commanded me I haue performed But Samuel replied and said How commeth it then to passe that I heare this bleating of sheepe and bellowing of beasts thorow the army Saul answered that the people had reserued that cattell for sacrifice and that besides them all the nation of the Amalechites was exterminated according as God had commanded and that there was not any one remaining but that he onelie had reserued the king whom he would cause
betrothed her after he had rauished her from Dauid she bare fiue sonnes of whom we wil speake in their place The king perceiuing how by Gods assistance his affaires prospered daily more more thought that it should be a hainous offeÌce in him if he should dwel in houses made of Cedar high and well builded and neglecting the Arke suffer it to remaine vnder a pauilion for which cause he conceiued a desire to build a Temple vnto God according as Moses had foretold and to this intent consulted he with the Prophet Nathan who willed him to performe all that which he was minded to accomplish assuring him that God would be each way assistant vnto him for which cause he was verie heartily affected towards the building of the Temple But the same night God appeared vnto Nathan commaunding him to certifie Dauid that he accepted his will and that his affection was agreeable vnto him considering in especiall that no one before him had a thought to performe the like yet notwithstanding although his deliberation were such he permitted him not to finish the same by reason he had followed many warres and had embrewed his hands in the bloud of many of his enemies But after his decease which shall happen after he hath liued a long and prosperous life his sonne called Salomon to whom he shall leaue the kingdome after his death shall cause a Temple to be built vnto him promising him to assist and fauour the said Salomon euen as the father doth his sonne and that he would continue the royaltie in his heires and their successors And that if they shall happen to offend him he will onely punish them with sicknes and sterilitie Dauid vnderstanding these words which were deliuered him by the Prophet was verie ioyfull by reason that the royaltie was firmely assured to his heires and for that his house should be famous and renowmed and presenting himselfe before the Arke he prostrated himselfe and adored and gaue God thanks for all the benefits he had bestowed on him for that from a poore and humble shepheard he had raised him to so great a height of maiestie and glory and for that he had promised to haue care of his posteritie as erst he had had of the Hebrewes and their libertie This said after he had sung hymnes vnto God he departed CHAP. V. Dauid ouercomming the neighbouring nations imposeth tributes on them NOt long time after this Dauid thought it requisite to make warre vpon the Philistines partly to the intent he might auoid the suspition of sloth and idlenes and partly that hauing according as God had foretold discomfited his enemies he might leaue a peaceable kingdome to his posteritie after him He therefore assembled his army anew commanding theÌ to be in a readines to march forward to the warre whenas therefore he supposed that the armie was addressed he departed out of Ierusalem and made a road vpon the Philistines whom he ouercame in battell and tooke a great part of the countrey from them by meanes whereof he enlarged the frontires of the Hebrewes and translated the warre and led forth his forces against the Moabites whose army being deuided into two parts was by him defeated and ouerthrown and the rest were taken prisoners and tributes were imposed on them which they were bound to satisfie euery yeare Afterwards he led out his host against Adarezer sonne of Ara king of Sophona and waging battell with him neere vnto the riuer of Euphrates he slew about twentie thousand of his footmen and some fiue thousand of his horse he tooke also almost a thousand of his chariots the greater part whereof was wholy consumed and one hundreth of them onely reserued to his owne vse CHAP. VI. They of Damasco are ouercome by Dauid ADad king of Damasco and of Syria vnderstanding that Dauid had made warre on Adarezer who was both his friend and confederate issued forth with great forces to bee assistant vnto him and to deliuer him from his enemies according as he expected But entring field and waging battell with Dauid neere vnto the riuer of Euphrates he was ouercome and lost a great number of his souldiers for in that battell there were staine on his side by the Hebrew enemy to the number of twenty thousand and the rest fled Of this king Nicholas the Historiographer maketh mention in the fourth book of his histories in these words Sithence and long time after a certaine man of that countrey called Adad gouerned in Damasco and ouer the rest of Syria except Phoenicia who making warre against Dauid king of Iudaea and hauing oftentimes fought with him in his last encountrie wherein he was ouercome neere vnto the floud Euphrates he shewed himselfe more resolute then all other kings in force and valour Moreouer he speaketh of his heires how after his death they succeeded him both in royaltie and name the one after the other and saith thus He being deceased his sonnes raigned for ten generations after him each of them receiuing from their father the same name and the same kingdome after the manner of the Ptolomies of Aegypt The third of these being more mightie then the rest and desirous to reuenge himselfe in warre of these iniuries which were offered vnto his grandfather led foorth his army against the Iewes and destroyed the countrey called at this day Samatia Wherein he varied not any waies from the truth for he of whom he speaketh is that Adad that made warre in Samatia during the raigne of Achab king of Israell of whom we will speake hereafter in his place But when Dauid had led forth his campe against Damasco and against the rest of the countrey of Syria he reduced them all vnder his obeisance placing garrisons amidst their countrey and imposing tribute vpon them which they should pay vnto him He dedicated also to God in the Citie of Ierusalem the golden quiuers and armors which Adads guard were wont to weare which afterward Syssa king of Aegypt tooke at such time as he warred against Roboam his Nephew and carried away great riches out of the temple of Ierusalem as it shall be declared hereafter when as we shall come to intreat of that matter This king of the Hebrewes being inspired by God who made him prosperous in all his wars encamped before the goodliest Cities Adarezer had that is to say Betthea and Machon which he besieged tooke and spoyled where there was found great store of gold and siluer and of brasse which was of more estimation then gold whereof Salomon made that great vessell called the Sea and other faire lauers at such time as he adorned and furnished the temple of God When the king of Amath vnderstood of all that which had hapned to Adarezer and how his power and forces were destroied he grew affraid of his owne estate and resolued with himselfe to make a league confederacie with Dauid before he might come out against him
from the siege as we haue declared in an other place And againe a long time after this Herod also opened an other Cabinet from whence he tooke out a great summe And as touching the tombes of Princes no man defaced them because they were most magnificently builded for feare least they should be esteemed destroyers of monuments But for the present it sufficeth that I haue certified thus much THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 8. booke 1 How Salomon obtaining the kingdome expelled his enemies 2 Of the riches prudence and wisedome of Salomon and how first of all he builded the Temple in Ierusalem 3 How Salomon being dead the people reuolted from Roboam his sonne and made Hieroboam king of the ten tribes 4 How Susac king of the Aegyptians sacking Ierusalem caried away the riches of that Citie into Aegypt 5 The warre of Hieroboam against Abiam Roboams sonne and the slaughter of his armie and how Basanes the rooter out of Hieroboams posteritie occupied the kingdome 6 The irruption of the Aethipians into the land of the Hebrewes vnder Asa and the ouerthrow of their armie 7 Basans stocke being wholy rooted out amongst the Israelites Zamri ruled in Israel with his sonne Achab. 8 Adad king of Damasco and Syria encamping and fighting two seuerall times against Achab is ouerthrowne 9 Of Iosaphat king of Ierusalem 10 Achab being prouoked to warre by the Sryans is ouercome and slaine in the battell CHAP. I. How Salomon obtaining the kingdome expulsed his enemies WE haue declared in the former Booke what Dauid was how great his vertue hath beene what profits and benefits those of his nation receiued by him what warres and battels he worthily exployted and how happily at last through extremitie of age he departed out of this life But after that Salomon his sonne being at that time verie young had obtained the kingdome and was placed in his fathers throne according as Dauid had determined and the diuine power had decreed the whole people according to the common course in the election of newe Princes with happie acclamations wished him perpetuall felicitie in all his affaires and after his well gouerned estate and royaltie long many prosperous yeares But Adonias who during his fathers life time thought to possesse and seaze himselfe of the royall estate came vnto the kings mother and with all humilitie reuerence saluted her To whom Bethsabe said that if there were anything wherin she might sted him he should manifest it vnto her and that she would grant it him willingly Whereupon he began to say that it was a thing verie well knowen that the kingdome appertained vnto him both in regard of his age as also in respect of the fauour and good liking of the people but since that it had beene transferred vnto Salomon hir sonne by the will of God he was content therewith and would be his seruant being verie glad of the fortunate successe of his affaires He therefore besought her that she would solicite Salomon in his behalfe and perswade him to giue him Abisace to wife who had slept with Dauid for that he had not had any carnall company with her by reason of his age and that as yet she was fully possessed of her virginitie Bethsabe promised him to further his suit to the vtmost of hir power and willingly to employ her selfe toward the accomplishing of the marriage both for that the king was willing to gratifie her in whatsoeuer she should desire as also for that she would instantly intreat him so that he departed from her with assured hope of good successe in respect of his marriage Hereupon presently did Bethsabe addresse her selfe to the king intending to certifie him both what Adonias had requested and what she had granted When tidings came to Salomon that his mother came to visit him he went out to meete her and embraced her afterwards conducting her into the place where the royall treasure was he sate him downe and commaunded his seruants to place a seat on his right hand for his mother who setled by him spake vnto him after this manner My sonne vouchsafe me one fauour that I shall request at thy hands and send me not hence discontended and confused thorow thy refusall Salomon answered her that she should commaund him by reason that dutie tied him to the satisfaction and fauour of his mothers suites reprouing her for that insinuation she had vsed by reason that thereby she euidently expressed that she was not thorowly assured to obtaine her demaund but that she feared the refusall and repulse in the same she therefore required him to giue the Damsell Abisace for wife to Adonias his brother The King displeased at this her suit dismissed his mother alledging that Adonias hammered hie thoughts in his head that he woÌdred that in requiring Abisace to wife he had not requested SalomoÌ likewise to giue him place in the kingdome for Adonias was elder than he and had more mightie friends then he had namely the generall Ioab and the high Priest Abiathar For which cause he incontinently sent Banaia captaine of his guard to kill Adonias his brother Then calling vnto him the high Priest Abiathar The paines said he that thou hast endured by accompanying my father Dauid and attending and bearing the Arke with him make thee escape from death yet notwithstanding for that thou hast beene an assistant to Adonias and followed his faction I condemne thee to depart from my presence charging thee not to see my face any more but to retire thy selfe to thine owne house and there to liue in thy countrey vntill thou hast ended thy daies for hauing in this sort neglected me it is not conuenient that thou shouldest be in honour with me For this cause was the house of Ithamar depriued of the priestly dignitie according as God had foreprophecied to Eli one of the auncestors of Abiathar and translated to the race of Phinees and established in Sadoc Those of the race of Phinees who led a priuate life all that time that the Priesthood remained in the familie of Ithamar wherof Eli was the first were these Boccias the sonne of Ioseph Ioatham the sonne of Boccias Maraeoth the sonne of Ioatham Aropha the sonne of Maraeoth Achitob the sonne of Aropha Sadoc the sonne Achitob who was the first high Priest vnder king Dauid Ioab hauing tidings of the death of Adonias was seazed with sodaine and extreme feare for he loued him more than king Salomon and by reason of that friendship which he bare vnto him he iustly and vpon good grounds apprehended his owne danger and in this respect he fled vnto the altar hoping in that place to be secured in regard of that reuereÌce which the king bare vnto God But when Ioabs resolution was made knowne vnto the king he sent Banaia vnto him with commission to bring him from the
altar and to conduct him to the iudgement seat that he might in that place iustifie his actions But Ioab said that he would neuer abandon the Temple but that he had rather die in that place than in another When Banaia had certified the king of this his answer he commanded him to cut off his head in the same place according as he required and that in that sort he should be punished by reason of the two murthers which he had cursedly committed vpon the persons of Abner and Amasa commanding that his bodie should be buried in the same place to the end that his sinnes should neuer depart from his race and that both Dauid and Salomon might be held guiltlesse of the death of Ioab This commaund of his Banaia executed and was afterward made generall of all the men of warre Moreouer the king established Sadoc soly in the place of Abiathar whom he had deposed He commanded Semei also to build him a house in Ierusalem and to keepe himselfe therein without passing the floud of Cedron for if he chanced to breake that commaundement the penaltie which he should incurre should be no lesse then death and to the more serious performance of this his iniunction he tied him by a solemne oath Semei thanked Salomon for the charge he had imposed on him and swore that he would fulfill the same so that forsaking his owne countrey he came and dwelt in Ierusalem where after he had soiourned for the space of three yeeres it hapned that he had newes that two of his fugitiue slaues had fled and retired themselues in Geth whereupon he went to finde them out and no sooner returned he backe againe with them but that the king had intelligence that he had neglected his commandement and that which is more that he had broken that oath which he made vnto God wherewith he was wroth For which cause calling him vnto him he spake after this manner Hast thou not sworne said he that thou wilt no waies abandon or issue out of this Citie to depart into an other Truely thou shalt not escape the penalty of thy periurie but I will see iustice done vpon thee for the same and for those outrages thou didst offer vnto my father during his flight at which time thou didst shew thy selfe to be a wicked man in all things to the end that thou maiest vnderstand that the wicked receiue no priuiledge although that their punishments be for the present deferred but at such time as they suppose themselues to be assured because they haue suffered no punishment their punishment is augmented and made more grieuous then it had been if they had presently beene executed for their offences Whereupon Banaia slew Semei according as he was commanded From that day forward Salomon had his royall estate secured and after that his enemies had receiued condigne punishment he tooke to wife the daughter of Pharao king of Aegypt and afterwards builded the walles of Ierusalem farre greater and more stronger then they were before and all the rest of his life he gouerned his common-weale in peace so that his youthly yeeres hindred him not from the obseruation of iustice and the maintenance of lawes neither excluded the remembrance of that which his father had charged him at the houre of his death but behauing himselfe in all things exactly he executed the affaires of his kingdome with that circumspection that such as excelled him in yeeres and were aduanced in prudence could not surpasse him CHAP. II. Of the wisedome prudence and riches of Salomon and how first of all he builded the Temple in Ierusalem AS soone as he came to Hebron he determined to pay his vowes vnto God on that brazen altar which was erected by Moses and sacrificed thereon in burnt offrings a thousand head of cattell which honourable deuotion of his was most acceptable vnto God For the very same night after he had appeared vnto him in a dreame he commaunded him to aske whatsoeuer blessing as he imagined sufficient to recompence this his pietie But Salomon required a most high and excellent thing which God doth most liberally bestow and men in like sort very happily receiue For he demanded neither gold nor siluer nor any otherkind of riches such as a youthly man would require for these are onely affected by the common sort when the other are onely worthy of the diuine magnificence But giue me said he O Lord a ripe iudgement and a good vnderstanding to the intent that by these meanes I may administer iustice to this people with truth and equitie With this demaund of his God was greatly delighted and promised him to giue him all other things wherof he had made no mention namely riches and glorie and aboue all these such an vnderstanding and wisedome as no one man either king or priuate hath had before him Moreouer that he would continue the kingdome in his family for many ages if so be that he continued in the waies of iustice and obeyed God in all things and walked in his fathers waies in imitating his chiefest vertues After that Salomon had receiued these blessings from God and was made happy by these promises he forsooke his bed and worshipping God returned vnto Ierusalem where he offered great sacrifices before the Tabernacle and magnifically feasted all those of his houshold About the same time a verie difficult iudgement was brought him to decide the resolution whereof was very hard to bee discouered And I haue thought it necessarie to declare the occasions whereon at that present the debate was grounded to the end that the readers may vnderstand the difficultie of the cause in question and that if they happen at any time to be assistant in such like affaires they might draw as it were from the counterfeit of this kings wisedome a perfect modle whereby they may directly shape an answere to such demaunds as shall be offered them Two women of loose and lustfull conuersation came vnto him one of which who seemed to haue suffered the iniurie began after this manner I O king said she and this woman dwell togither in one chamber but so it fortuned that both of vs on one day and at the same houre bare each of vs a sonne some three daies after we were brought a bed this woman lying by her infant hath in sleepe ouerlaid it and stifled it and hath taken my childe from betweene my knees and laid it by her and setled the dead childe whilest I slept in my bosome Now on the morrow when I thought to offer the teate vnto mine infant I found not mine owne but perceiued that her child lay dead by me for I knew it because I had exactly marked it This my childe I haue redemaunded at her hands and because I could not recouer it I haue made my recourse vnto your maiesties iustice O king for in that we were sole women and she is obstinate and feareth not to be
conuicted by any she persisteth in her obstinate denyall of the same After the king had heard this her demaund he inquired of the other if she had any thing to answere vnto this accusation But she denying the act and auerring that the childe which remained aliue was hers and that the dead one appertained to the other and besides that since no man appeared that might determine the controuersie but all the assistance were amazed at the obscuritie and difficultie of the debate the king at last bethought him of this pollicie He commanded that both the children should be brought before his presence as wel the liuing as the dead and calling one of his guard vnto him he commanded him with his naked sword to cut both the children into two parts to the intent that both of theÌ might take the halfe of the liuing the other halfe of the dead childe This sentence of his was secretly condemned by all the people accounting it very childish In the meane time the true mother began to exclaime and desire that the matter might not passe so far but rather that they should giue the whole childe that was aliue vnto the other for that it sufficed her so as she might see him liue that he might be supposed to be an others The aduerse part offered her selfe to behold the diuision of the infant and moreouer required that the true mother should be punished But the King coniecturing by the discourse both of the one and of the other which of their meanings was most vnfained adiudged the infant vnto her that cried first for that in equitie she was the true mother and condemned the wickednesse of the other who had murthered her owne childe and laboured as much as in her lay to procure the death of her companions innocent infant All the people tooke this iudgement for an assured proofe and signe of the kings prudence and wisedome and from that time forwardes they respected and honoured him as one that was endowed with a diuine spirit The chiesetaines and gouernours vnder him thorow all the kingdome were these Vri gouerned the countrey of Ephraim wherein was comprised the rule of Bethleem Aminadab commanded ouer the quarter of Dura and the sea coast and had espoused the daughter of Salomon The great plaine was subiected to Banaia the sonne of Achila who gouerned likewise all the countrey that extended towards Iordan Gabar commanded the Galaadites and Gaulonites as farre as the mountaine Libanus and had vnder him sixtie great cities and forts Achinadab gouerned all Galilee as farre as Sidon and had espoused also one of Salomons daughters called Basima Banacat had the countrey that confineth the sea neere to the Citie of Arce Saphat the mountaines Itabyr and Carmel and the land of Galilee as farre as Iordan Sonbeia gouerned the whole land of the Beniamites Tabar had all the gouernmenâ⦠ãâã the other side of Iordan and was elected gouernour generall ouer them all Thus about this time did the Hebrewes wonderfully increase in riches and the tribe of Iuda waxed opulent by reason that the people addicted themselues wholy to the tilling and manuring of their lands For their peace was vnder such assurance that being distracted by no warlike tumults and besides that fruitfully enioying a most desired libertie they especially intended this thing onely to encrease their priuate and particular estates The king also had other gouernors who ruled the Syrians and commanded other strange nations which are extended from Euphrates as farre as Aegypt who gathered the tribute of those nations for the king These Barbarians euerie day furnished the king for his owne table and the maintenance of his houshold with thirtie Cores of fine floure and sixtie of the courser ten fat oxen and twenty grasse beeues with a hundreth fat lambes All which things besides venison and buffalles taken in chase birds and fish were furnished daily by the Barbarians to serue the kings houshold He had likewise a great number of chariots so that he had fortie thousand mangers wherein his coach horses fed and besides these he had twelue thousand horsemen halfe whereof kept alwaies about the king in Ierusalem the rest were billetted in diuers villages belonging to the king and remained there And they that had the charge to furnish the kings expences prouided likewise necessarie prouender for the horses conueying it to that place wheresoeuer the king soiourned But so great was the wisedome and prudence which God had bestowed vpon Salomon that he surpassed all his progenitors and the Egyptians likewise who are esteemed the wisest of all men were farre behinde him in wit For he excelled all those that in that time were in the greatest account amongst the Hebrewes whose names I will not omit and these they were Ethan Eman Chalt and Dodan the sonne of Imaon He composed also a thousand and fiue hundreth bookes of odes and canticles and thirtie thousand bookes of Parables and Similitudes for to euery kind of plant he alluded his parable from Hysope vnto the Cedar The like did he of all liuing creatures that feed on the earth swimme in the waters or flie in the ayre for none of their natures was he ignorant of neither had he omitted to search the faculties in particular but examined discoursed on them all and had an inward speculation and knowledge of their seuerall and secret properties Hee obtained also by inspiration the arte of Magicke for the profit and health of men and the exorcising and casting out of diuels for he deuised certain incantations wherby the diseased are cured and left the methode of coniuration in writing whereby the diuels are enchanted and expelled so that neuer more they dare returne And this kind of healing to this day is very vsuall amongst those of our nation For I saw a certaine popular and priuate man amongst the Hebrewes in the presence of Vespasian his sonnes tribunes and other souldiers that cured diuers that were possessed And the manner of his cure was this He applied to the nose of the Demoniack a ring vnder the seale whereof was a roote of those things that Salomon had declared which drew the diuell out of the nostrils of the sicke as soone as he smelled the roote and as soone as the man was fallen he adiured him neuer more to returne intermixing some mention of Salomon and rehearsing those incantations that were inuented by him After this the said Eleazar being desirous to shew vnto them that were present the efficacie of his arte he set a pot or pitcher of water not farre from the place where the possessed stood and commanded the diuell at such time as he forsooke the man to ouerturne the pot and thereby to giue a signe vnto the assistants that he had forsaken the possessed which act of his manifestly declareth how great the science and wisedome of Salomon was For which cause I thought good in this place to make mention
heate To speake in a word all the building was made of white marble of Cedar of gold and of siluer the floores and walles were figured with diuersitie of flowers and of precious stones inchaced in gold after the maner of the Temple of God which shined with such like ornaments There was likewise erected a most mightie throne made in forme of a tribunall with sixe steps of pure iuorie on each side of which there stood two ramping lyons and the like number were placed aboue The stage of the Throne was after the forme of hands that laid hold on the king and he sate vpon a halfe Oxe looking backwards and this throne was all inuironed with gold Salomon builded all this that hath beene spoken of in the space of twentie yeeres being furnished by Hiram king of the Tyrians for these his buildings with great summes of gold and farre more greater of siluer besides a quantitie of Cedar and Pine trees Salomon also remunerated him and gaue him great presents and sent him euerie yeare sufficient of corne wine and oyle as we haue heretofore declared whereof he stood in great need by reason that his countrie was an Island And besides that he gaue him twentie cities in Galilee not farre distant from Tyre Hiram hauing visited them and not wel pleased with them sent vnto Salomon to certifie him therof that he had no vse for his cities and from that time forward they were called the countrie of Chebal which is as much to say in the Phoenician tongue as Vnpleasant Hiram likwise sent vnto Salomon certaine mysteries and difficult questions requiring him to decide the same and to dissolue those doubts and difficulties that occurred in his demaunds Salomon being a man of ripe iudgement and vnderstanding pretermitted none of them but after he had attained their resolution in his owne opinion and had gathered the sence he expressed and opened the same Of these two kings Menander who translated the antiquities of the Tyrians out of the Phoenician tongue into the Greeke maketh mention speaking after this maner After the decease of Abibale Hiram his sonne succeeded him in the kingdome who liued fiftie and three yeares and reigned thirtie and foure He annexed the field which is called Ample vnto the Island and dedicated a golden piller in Iupiters Temple He also caused a great quantitie of wood to bee hewed downe in the mountaine Libanus to make couers and roofes for temples For hauing pulled down some auncient temples he builded that of Hercules and that of Astrate and made this first building of Hercules in the moneth Peritien and made warre against the Eucecans who refused to pay their tributes and after he had once againe brought them vnder his subiection here turned to his owne pallace In his time liued the young sonne of Abdimon who alwaies resolued those questions which Salomon king of Ierusalem proposed Dius also maketh mention of him in these termes After the decease of Abibale his sonne Hiram raigned he it was that fortified the quarter of the Citie to the Eastward and enlarged the same and conioyned the temple of Olympian Iupiter to the Citie which before that time was in an other place and filled all the place betweene them with earth and adorned it with pendants of gold and afterwards going vp to Libanus he hewed downe timber to build temples withall He said also that Salomon raigning at that time in Ierusalem sent vnto Hiram certaine subtill questions demaunding the exposition thereof vnder this condition that if he declared them not in way of penaltie hee should pay a great summe of money and afterwards that a certaine Tyrian called Abdimon expounded that which had beene proposed and in lieu thereof proposed certaine others which Salomon could not expound and for that occasion he paid a great summe of money vnto Hiram This is it that Dius writeth The king seeing that the Citie wanted both bulwarks and towers to secure the same and that the strength of the same was no waies answerable to the dignitie thereof he repaired the walles and erected great towers on the same Moreouer he builded certaine Cities which deserue to be memorized among the most renowmed namely Asor and Magedon and for the third the citie of Gaza in the country of the Philistines against which Pharao king of Aegypt led out his army and tooke it by force and after he had put all the inhabitants thereof to the sword he destroyed the same and afterwards he gaue it in dower vnto his daughter which maried with Salomon For which cause the king fortified it seeing it to be alreadie sufficiently defenced by nature and that it stood verie commodiously for the warre and to hinder the inuasions of the enemie that might happen Not farre from thence he fortified two other Cities whereof one was called Betachor and the other Baleth Besides these he builded others which were Cities of recreation and pleasure by reason of the good temperature of the ayre and the pleasantnes of the fruits and in especiall the sweet streamie riuers wherewith they were watered Afterwards entering into the desart that is aboue Syria coÌquering the same he builded an other great city two daies iourney distant from the higher Syria a daies iourney from Euphrates and sixe from the great Babylon The cause why this Citie was inhabited farre from the ciuill and peopled quarters of Syria was because in no place of the lower countrey there was water to be found in this Citie only there were fountaines and springs He therefore builded this Citie and begirt it with strong walles and called it Thadamor which is the name which the Syrians tearme it by euen at this day and amongst the Greekes it is called Palmyra And these were Salomons works in that time But for that there are diuers that demaund the question how it commeth to passe that all the kings of Aegypt that haue beene since Minaeus the founder of Memphis and who raigned diuers yeeres before our great ancestor Abraham who I say haue beene till Salomons time for the space of more then thirteene hundred yeeres haue beene called Pharaohs deriuing that name from one that raigned in the mid time betweene both I haue thought it requisite to manifest the same to the intent to resolue that doubt and expresse the cause of that name The name of Pharao amongst the Aegyptians signifieth as much as King But I thinke that from their childhood they had other distinct names and that afterwards when they are created kings they take vpon them that name which in their mother toong signifieth no lesse then Authoritie For the kings of Alexandria hauing been before time called by other names at such time as they are introduced into the kingdome they are called Ptolemies by the name of their first king The Romaine Emperours likewise notwithstanding they haue other names at the time of their birth yet are they called Caesars because
the soueraigntie and honour whereunto they are raised imposeth that title on them and the name that was giuen them by their fathers is no more retained For this cause it is as I thinke that although Herodotus of Halicarnasseus saith that since Minos the founder of Memphis there haue been three hundreth and thirtie kings of Aegypt yet declareth he not their names because they were called Pharaohs For when after these a woman had obtained the kingdome he calleth her by her owne proper name Nicaule Whence it appeareth that the men who haue been kings were vsually called by this name and that it had not been communicated vnto this woman for which cause it was necessarie to declare her owne first name For mine owne part I haue found in the bookes of our nations that since Pharao who was father in law to Salomon no one of the kings of Aegypt haue been called by that name and that some little while after the aforenamed woman came vnto Salomon who raigned in Aegypt and Aethiopia of whom a little after we wil make some discourse And at this present I haue made mention of it to make it knowne that our records and the Chronicles of the Aegyptians accord in many things But King Salomon conquered the Chanaanites which till that time were not vnder his sub iection and those that inhabited the mountaine Libanus as farre as the Citie of Amath and made them tributaries and chose out amongst them euerie yeare such as he might employ in seruile actions and in domesticall businesse and tillage of the sand For no one Hebrew was a slaue neither was it conuenient that since God had subiected diuers nations vnder them whom they might make slaues of that they should tie those of their owne nation to that bondage who were all of them employed in armes and rather tooke delight to mount chariots and to ride horses then to drudge like slaues Ouer the Chanaanites whom he imployed in his seruice he appointed fiue hundreth and fiftie commissaries who had their charge and authoritie from the king and tasked them to those works and handy-labours wherin they imployed them He builded a nauy also in the gulph of Aegypt in a certaine place of the red sea called Asiongaber which is named Berenice not farre from the Citie of Elana which countrey in times past appertained to the Iewes And toward the building of this nauy he obtained of Hiram king of Tyre a very conuenient furtherance for he sent him modles of ships and men that were skilfull in nauigation whom he charged to saile with his procurers and factors to the countrey at that time called Ophir and at this present the Land of golde in the countrey of India to bring gold from thence who returned backe againe vnto the King after they had gathered about foure hundreth talents About this time the Queene of Aegypt and Aethiopia a woman adorned with wisedome and admirable in all other things hauing heard of the renowmed vertue and prudence of Salomon was touched with a desire both to see him as them also that were reported daily to attend him and for that cause came in person vnto the king vnder purpose to confirme her beliefe by experience and not by hearesay For oftentimes report is no other thing but a false opinion which is beleeued by one or other and is but only grounded on relation She therefore resolued to come and see him especially to make trial of his wisedome which she narrowly sisted by proposing certain difficult questions vnto him which she had conceiued in her minde She therfore repaired vnto Ierusalem with great pompe glorie and riches for she brought with her certaine Camels charged with gold odors and pretious stones of great valew After that the King had gratiously entertained her and honoured her in all thinges he easily comprehended in his minde those doubts which she had proposed vnto him and gaue her a more speedy solution of the same then might be expected so that she was rauished with the incredible wisedome of Salomon knowing by effect that it exceeded the report which she had heard of him But in especiall she wondered at his pallace considering the greatnesse and beautie thereof and aboue all the rich furniture and curious architecture of the same wherein she perceiued the great wisedome of the king But aboue all the house called Liban and the magnificence of his ordinarie table and the apparell and seruice of the same made her astonished The attire of his seruants likewise and the goodly order which they obserued in their seruice moreouer the sacrifices that were euery day offered vp vnto God and the care and diligence of the priests in discharging their offices rauished her more then all the rest when she obserued them daily and not able to contain her selfe within the termes of astonishment at that she saw she manifestly expressed how wonderfully she was affected expressing to the king in her plaine and publike discourse that she knew not what to thinke of those things which she had beheld O King she said all that which a man knoweth by hearesay may be misbeleeued But the renowme which is come vnto our eares as touching your riches both those which you haue in your selfe I meane your wisedome and prudence as those also which your kingdome hath brought you is neither false nor fained which notwithstanding yet doth it make your felicitie farre lesse then that which I see before mine eies for report dependeth only on hearesay neither giueth it so certaine a notice of things as the sight discouereth and representeth when one is neere vnto the same For mine owne part in that I gaue no credit to the greatnesse multitude of that I haue heard I haue seene farre more then I could expect and repute the people of the Hebrewes to be most happy and your seruants and friends most blessed who are continual witnesses and hearers of your wisedome And each one of you ought to giue God thanks that he hath so much loued this region the inhabitants therof that he hath established you in the royall seat I will discouer likewise how besides her words she expressed her affection she bare vnto the king in testifying the same by diuers presents which she offered vnto him For she gaue him twentie talents of gold an innumerable quantitie of sweet odors and precious stones It is said likewise that we haue that plant which distilleth balme and which our country bringeth forth at this day by the gift of this Princesse Salomon for his part requited her bouÌtiful presents with the like which she made choise of according to her own liking for there was nothing which she could require which he granted not vnto her shewing himselfe most ready to giue her satisfaction with a liberall and royall hart When the Queene of Aegypt and Aethiopia had receiued these fauors at the kings hands according as it hath been
law at such time as he made the similitudes of beasts of brasse to vnderprop the vessell called the great sea and those of Lyons which he caused to be set vnto his throne For that action of his ill beseemed him who had a most excellent and domesticall example of vertue in the person of his father besides the glorie that he had left him by being a faithfull seruant of God whence it came to passe that by neglecting to followe his steppes notwithstanding that God had exhorted him thereunto by appearing vnto him at two seuerall times he died most ignominiously There came therefore vnto him a prophet sent from God telling him that his sinnes were manifest and notorious in Gods sight threatning him that ere long he should repent the wickednesse he had committed Yet notwithstanding the realme should not be taken from him during his life because God had promised Dauid that he should be his successor in the same but after his decease his sonne should beare the penalty of the same not so as all the people should reuolt but that he would giue ten tribes vnto his seruant and leaue two vnto the grandchild of Dauid because he had loued God and by reason of the Citie of Ierusalem where it pleased him to make his habitation When Salomon heard these things he sorrowed and was sore troubled in that all his felicitie for which he toforetime was admired began to decline Neither passed there long time after this denunciation of the Prophet but that God so pleasing there rose vp an enemie against him who was called Ader by nation an Idumaean and of the princely stocke who vpon this occasion grounded his rebellion and insurrection For at such time as Ioab generall of Dauids army had conquered Idumaea and in the space of sixe moneths defeated all the youth and those that were capable to beare armes he fled vnto Pharao king of Aegypt who entertained him verie courteouly and gaue him an house and lands for his maintenance and loued him deerely when he came to mans estate so that he maried him with Taphines his wiues sister on whom he begat a sonne who was brought vp with the kings children who hauing intelligence in Aegypt of Dauid and Ioabs death addressed himselfe vnto Pharao and besought him to giue him leaue to repaire into his owne countrey The King asked him what he wanted or what the cause was that moued him to be so hastie to forsake him Notwithstanding therefore that he importuned and requested him diuers times yet preuailed he nothing with him for that time But when Salomons fortunes began to decline by reason of his iniquities aboue mentioned and the wrath of God prouoked against him Ader by Gods permission came into Idumea after he was liceÌsed by Pharao to depart But being vnable to moue the people to reuolt from Salomon by reason of the strong garrisons he held and knowing that without hazard of his owne person he could moue no alterations or innouation in that place he departed from thence went into Syria where coÌfederating himself with a certaine man called Raas who was fled from his master Adarezar king of Sophene and liued like an outlaw in that Region he contracted friendship with him and a great sort of outlawes and theeues that were his followers and went into Syria and taking seazure of that countrey proclaimed himselfe king thereof From whence making excursions into the lands of the Israelites he spoyled and pillaged the same during Salomons life time Thus were the Hebrewes enforced to sustaine these outrages at Aders hands Moreouer a certaine man called Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat by nation a Iewe rebelled against Salomon and raised his hopes aboue his estate perswaded thereunto by a prophecie that concerned him and incited him vnto the action For being left verie young by his father and carefully instructed by his mother as soone as Salomon perceiued him to be of a noble and couragious spirit he made him commissarie ouer the building of the wals at such time as he immured and fortified Ierusalem In this office he behaued himselfe so well that the king thought very well thereof and in way of recompence gaue him the estate of Generall ouer the tribe of Ioseph Towards which whilest he trauelled from Ierusalem a certaine Prophet met him vpon the way who was of the Citie of Silo called Achias who approching neere vnto him and saluting him drew him out of the way into a place where none but theÌselues were present there renting the garment which he wore vpon his backe into twelue peeces he commaunded Ieroboam to take ten telling him that God had so decreed and how he would rent the gouernment from Salomon and reserue only one tribe vnto his sonne with that other which was annexed vnto it by reason of the promise made vnto Dauid and to thee said he he giueth the other tenne because Salomon hath offended God and addicted himselfe to the loue of straunge women and the seruice of forraine gods Now since thou knowest the cause wherefore God hath alienated the kingdome from Salomon be thou iust and obserue thou the lawes for if thou behauest thy selfe in such sort as thou knowest Dauid did a great reward of thy pietie and recompence of thy obseruance attendeth thee so that thou shalt become as mightie as Dauid hath beene before thee Ieroboam confirmed in great hopes by these words of the Prophet being by nature haughtie in yeares young and besides that desirous of authoritie he tooke no rest but being possessed of the place of generall and remembring himselfe of that which had beene told him by Achias he presently beganne to perswade the people to reuolt from Salomon and to choose him for their king Salomon hearing newes of this his deliberation and enterprise sought the meanes to lay hands on him and to put him to death but Ieroboam preuenting him fled vnto Susac king of Egypt with whom hee remained vntill the death of Salomon And thus for that time escaped he punishment and thus was hee reserued to the fortune of a kingdome CHAP. III. After the death of Salomon the people reuolte from Roboam his sonne and proclaime Hieroboam king of the tenne tribes BVt when Salomon was very olde he died after he had raigned fourescore yeares and liued nintie foure and was buried in Ierusalem of all kings the most happy rich and prudent except that sinne wherunto he was drawen by women in his olde age of whom and those calamities that presently after befell the Hebrewes we haue sufficiently spoken After the death of Salomon as soone as his sonne Roboam whom he begat vpon an Ammonitish woman called Nooma succeeded him in the kingdome the gouernours of the people sent certaine messengers into Aegypt to recall Ieroboam who arriuing in the Citie of Sichem Roboam came thither also resoluing himself in that assembly of the Israelites to take the
thorow the waightinesse of the charge Consequently hee declared vnto him the death of him that had fortolde these signes that were to come and how he had been slaine by a Lyon For which cause he perswaded him to thinke that he in no sort was a Prophet neither any waies partaking with the truth of prophecie By such like allegations he made the King beleeue that which he said and hauing wholy distracted his thoughts from God and good workes and obseruation of Gods lawes hee drew him to all wickednesse and impietie by which act of his he outraged God and offended his lawes and sought daily after no other thing then to inuent some new and cursed wickednesse that was farre more hainous then all that which before time he had attempted This is all that at this time we haue to write as concerning Ieroboam As touching Roboam Salomons sonne who was King of the two Tribes as we haue before this declared he builded these great and strong Cities Bethleem Itama Thecos Bethsur Socoth Odolam Epan Maresa Zipha Adoraim Lachis Zicha Saraim Elon and Hebron which being within the confines of Iuda he builded first He builded also other great Cities in the countrey of the Beniamites which he walled and placed garrisons and gouernours in euery one of them and great store of corne wine and oyle and generally in euery Citie hee made a great storehouse with all sorts of prouision and victuals with an infinit number of targets and launces To him the Priests and Leuites annexed themselues who were dispersed thorow Israel who came and dwelt in Ierusalem For they tooke no pleasure to adore by compulsion those calues that Ieroboam had erected and during the terme of three yeeres they increased the kingdome of Roboam who being married to one of his owne line had three children and was afterwards married also with Maacha the daughter of Thamar daughter to Absalon who was of his parentage likewise of whom he begat his sonne called Abiah He had also diuers other children by other women but aboue all the rest he loued Maacha most intirely He had eighteene legitimate wiues married vnto him according to the law and thirtie concubines he had eight and twenty sons and threescore daughters and declared for his successor in the kingdome Abiah ãâã son of Maacha and committed all his treasures and strong sorts vnto his hands But mortall men most vsually are corrupted by the vntoward flatteries of wauering fortune as appeareth by this King For Roboam seeing his kingdome thus increased he bent himselfe to all vniust and impious actions and contemned the seruice of God the people also conformed themselues to his impieties For the life of the subiect is oftentimes peruerted by reason of the corrupt and dissolute life of their princes and those that are inferiours beholding the ryot of their superiours will easily be withdrawne from all modestie and follow those vices they professe as if they had beene their professed vertues for should they doe the contrarie they should seeme to disanull and mislike the actions of their Princes As it hapned vnder the gouernment of Roboam wherein the subiects addicted themselues to impietie and all errors for they would not make profession of honestie for feare least they should seeme to study the meanes to be offensiue vnto the king CHAP. IIII. Susac king of Aegypt after the spoile of Ierusalem transporteth the riches of that Citie into Aegypt BVt God sent Susac king of Aegypt to take vengeance for that excesse which was committed against his maiestie by Roboam whose actions Herodotus wrongfully ascribeth to Sesostris For this Susac in the fifth yeere of Roboams raigne assembled a huge army of diuers thousands of men and brought them out against Roboam wherein it is reported that hee had twelue hundreth chariots threescore thousand horsemen foure hundreth thousand footmen The greater part of these were Libyans and Aethiopians breaking in therefore into the Hebrewes countrey with this power without stroke-striking he seazed the strongest places of the kingdome of Roboam and fortified them and at last came and incamped before Ierusalem But Roboam and his associates seeing themselues begirt with a strong siege on euerie side by Susacs army at last had his recourse vnto praiers yet could he not moue God to incline and fauour him with the victorie For the prophet Samaeas threatned and told him that God would abandon both him and his in like sort as they had forsaken him and his seruice Which when they heard they sodainly lost their hearts and seeing no meanes to escape they all of them began to confesse that God had iustly forsaken them because they had shewed their impietie against him and had peruerted all his lawes But God seeing them thus disposed and making confession of their sinnes said vnto the prophet that he would not vtterly destroy them yet notwithstanding that he would deliuer them into the hands of the Aegyptians to the end that they might learne whether it were more difficult to serue God or men When as therefore king Susac had without bloudshed or resist taken and surprised the Citie and was receiued into the same by discomforted Roboam hee kept not those conuentions that were made betwixt them but spoiled the temple and tooke away with him those treasures that were dedicated vnto God and the seruice of the King rauishing from thence innumerable thousands of golde and of siluer not leauing any thing behind him He carried away also those targets and bucklers of gold which were made by King Salomon neither left he behind him the quiuer of gold which was offered by Dauid and receiued by him of the king of Sophena Which done he retired back againe into his own countrey Of this expedition Herodotus of Halicarnassus maketh mention who differeth only in the name of the King and saith that he assailed diuers nations and subdued Palestina and Syria and tooke many men prisoners without any resist wherby it is manifest that he meaneth no lesse then that our nation hath beene ouercome by the Aegyptian For he saith that in their gates who yeelded themselues vp vnto him without inforcement he erected pillars which were figured with the secret parts of a woman But our king Roboam yeelded vp the Citie into his hands without contradiction It is said that the Aethiopians haue learnt of the Aegyptians the vse of circumscissioÌ of the prepuce For the Phenicians and Syrians that are in Palestine confesse that they haue learnt it of the Aegyptians But it is a matter verie manifest that no other are circumcised in Palestine of Syria but our selues But let each one speake of these things according as him list After the retreat of Sisac king Roboam made shieldes and bucklers of brasse in steed of those of gold and gaue the like number vnto his guard and in steed of liuing in a braue army in a royall and princely estate he raigned after
telling her that he had neither graunge nor presse whereby he might any waies supply her necessitie The woman answered him that she had no need thereof and that she was not troubled for want of food but onely desired that hee would determine a debate betwixt her and an other woman Whereupon he commanded her to expresse and declare what she required Hereupon she said that she had made an accord with an other woman her neighbour and friend that since the famine and scarcitie was such as they could find no redresse for the same that they should kill their children for each of them had one and in this sort should nourish one another euery day As for my selfe said she I haue first of all strangled mine and we haue both of vs yesterday eaten thereof but now she will not doe the like but breaketh the accord betwixt vs and concealeth her childe Ioram was grieuously tormented to heare these words and rent his garments and cried out with a loud voice and afterwards wholy enraged against the Prophet he deuised in his heart to put him to death because he praied not vnto God to grant him meanes to escape those euils that inuironed them round about so that he sent a man presently to cut off his head who prepared himselfe with all expedition to the slaughter But Elizeus was not ignorant of this resolution of the kings for sitting at home with his disciples in his house he told them that Ioram the murtherers sonne sent a man to take away his head but said he when as he that hath the matter in charge shall come hither suffer him not to enter but make him attend and stay at the gate for the king will follow him and will resort vnto me in his owne person hauing altered his resolution and they according as they were commanded shut him out of the doores whom the king had sent Ioram repenting himselfe of that displeasure which he had conceiued against the Prophet and fearing least he that had the commission to murther him should speedily execute the same hasted himselfe all that he might to hinder the slaughter and saue Elizeus When as therfore he came into his presence he accused him for that he had not besought God to deliuer them from those many euils which they suffered considering that he himselfe was an eie-witnesse they were miserably consumed by them Elizeus promised him the next day about the same houre that the king came vnto him that he should haue so great aboundance of victuals that two measures of barley should be sold in the market for a sicle and a measure of flower for a sicle By these wordes of his the king with all his attendants were wonderfully comforted and made no difficultie to beleeue the Prophet because that before time they had beene ascertained by their experience of the truth of his prophecies and the expectation of this day was the cause that the necessitie and miserie of the present was more patiently endured But a certaine friend of the kings and the gouernour of the third part of his army on whose shoulder the king at that time hapned familiarly to leane spake vnto him after this manner Prophet thou tellest vs incredible matters for as it is impossible that God should raine downe heapes of barley and flower from heauen so cannot that which thou speakest come to passe To whom the Prophet replied Thou thy selfe said he shalt see the issue hereof but shalt partake no part thereof Which prediction of his had a most certaine effect according as hereafter it appeareth It was a custome in Samaria that they that were defiled with a leprosie should liue without the Citie walles for feare least their conuersation might infect others And at that time also there were some who for this cause had their dwelling without the gate These for that by reason of the extreme famine that raigned within the Citie they receiued no reliefe or sustenance out of the same and whether they had licence to returne into the Citie or whether they contained themselues in their houses they knew that they should assuredly perish by famine decreed amongst themselues to submit themselues to the enemies mercie to the end that if they spared them they might liue and if it hapned otherwaies that they might die with lesse torture Now hauing resolued vpon this deliberation amongst themselues they repaired by night vnto the enemies campe At that time God began to terrifie and trouble the Syrians and to fill their eares with a noise of chariots and armes as if an army had violently charged them Wherupon they grew suspitious and were so moued that they forsooke their tents and ranne vnto Adad and told him that Ioram King of the Israelites had entertained the king of Aegypt and the king of the Isles for his confederates whom he led out against them and how already they had heard the noise of them that approched to bid them the battell Adad whose eares wâ⦠filled with no lesse rumour then those of the people was amated and amazed at their sayings so that all of them abandoned their campe their horses beasts of cariage and riches and betooke them to flight with disorder and confusion Those leapeââ¦s that were retired from Samaria into the enemies campe and of whom we haue hertofore made some mention being neere vnto the camp perceiued that there was great silence in the same and no lesse aboundance of all things for which cause approching the same and entring into a tent they found no body therein for which cause they fell to eating and drinking and that done to beare away a quantity of rayment and gold which they hid without the campe Afterward resorting to an other tent they bare away likewise that which was therin and did the like by foure others without any encountrie or contradiction of any man and coniecturing therby that the enemies were retired they began to accuse themselues because they had not giuen notice thereof to Ioram and the inhabitants of Samaria For which cause drawing neere vnto the walles of the Citie they cried out vnto the watch giuing them to vnderstand in what state they had found the enemies campe who signified no lesse to Iorams guard so that at last it came vnto his eares Whereupon he presently sent for his friends and captaines and told them that the departure of the Syrians made him suspect some stratageme or ambush for they said he hauing lost their hope to surprise vs by famine are retired vnder an intent that when we shall issue and fall a spoiling of their campe they may come vpon vs and kill vs and afterwards take our Citie without any stroke strooken For which cause said he I aduise you to keepe good guard within the Citie and let this retreat of our enemies make vs the more considerate Some one of his counsaile praised this aduise of his and allowed his foresight aduising him to
I haue found it registred in writing King Ieroboam hauing passed all his life time in prosperitie and raigned for the space of fortie yeeres departed this life and was entombed in Samaria and Zacharie his sonne succeeded him in his kingdome At the same time Ozias the sonne of Amasias raigned in Ierusalem ouer the two tribes after that Ieroboam had already raigned foureteene yeeres his mother was called Achia and was of the Citie of Ierusalem He was a man of a good nature and such a one as loued iustice of noble courage and very laborious in prouiding for all occurrences he made warre against the Philistines and after he had ouercome them in battell he tooke Ita and Amnia two of their strong forts and raced them This exploit done he set vpon the Arabians that neighboured vpon Aegypt and after that hauing built a Citie vpon the red sea he planted a garrison therein He afterwards discomfited the Ammonites constraining them to pay him tribute and subdued all as farre as the marshes of Aegypt After that he began to prouide for the Citie of Ierusalem for he built it a new and repaired the walles thereof that had been beaten downe or decaied either by continuance of time or by the negligence of those kings who were his predecessors hee repaired those also which the King of Israel had beaten downe at such time as hauing taken Amasias prisoner he rode in triumph into the Citie Besides this he erected a number of towers each of them one hundreth and fiftie cubits hie These inclosed he with walles to set garrisons therein and in diuers barren places he caused diuers fountaine-heads to be made for he had an infinite multitude of beasts of carriage and other cattell in that the countrey was fit for pasture He tooke pleasure also in tillage for which cause he was often busied about his land in trimming sowing and planting the same He had about him a chosen army to the number of three hundreth and seuenty thousand fighting men whose generals conductors and captaines were valiant and inuincible men and were in number two thousand He taught his souldiers to march in a square battell in manner of the Macedonian Phalanx arming each of them with swords targets and corselets of brasse with arrowes and darts He made also great preparation of diuers engins to batter Cities and to shoote stones and darts besides diuers hookes and other such like instruments But whilest he was intent on these studies and preparations he grew insolent and proud and being puffed vp with mortall arrogance he contemned the immortall force which endureth for euer which is pietie towards God and the obseruation of his commandements For which cause he was ouerthrowne by his prosperitie and fell into his fathers sinnes thorow the happinesse and greatnesse of his estate wherein he could not moderately containe himselfe So that vpon a certaine solemne feast day wherein all the people were assembled togither he attired himselfe in the hie priests vestments and entred into the temple to offer sacrifice vnto God vpon the golden altar which notwithstanding the hie Priest Azarias accompanied with fourescore Priests inhibited him the same telling him that it was not lawfull for him to sacrifice in that it was onely allowed in those that were of the posteritie of the hic Priest Aaron Whilest after this manner Azarias expostulated with him commanding him to go out of the temple and not to contradict the ordinances of God the king waxed wrath and threatned to take his life from him except he kept himselfe quiet Whereupon there fell a great trembling and earthquake and the temple cleft in twaine and a great light of the funne entred thereinto and reflected on the kings face in such manner that all his body was instantly couered with a leprosie and before the Citie in a place called Eroge the halfe of a mountaine that stood to the Eastward brake and fell and rowled and remoued for the space of foure stadia towards the orientall mountaine where it rested so that the publique waies were shut vp and choaked and the kings gardens of pleasure were wholy ruinated and disfigured When the Priests beheld the kings face couered with a leprosie they told him what inconuenient had hapned vnto him and enioined him to depart out of the towne according to the custome of men that were polluted Wherupon he wholy confused at so grieuous an accident and hauing no more audacitie to speake obeied the commaundement that was giuen him enduring a pitifull and lamentable punishment for being elate and proud more then became humanitie and for that he committed such impietie against God He therefore remained without the Citie for a certaine time and led a priuate life and his son Iotham succeeded him in the kingdome Finally he died thorow griefe and discontent after he had accomplished threescore and eight yeares whereof he raigned fiftie two and was onely buried in his garden Zachary Ieroboams sonne hauing raigned sixe moneths ouer the Israelites was slaine by treason complotted against him by a familiar friend of his called Sellum the sonne of Iabes who possessing the kingdome after him enioyed not the same aboue thirtie daies For the generall Manahem being at that time in the Citie of Tharsa and vnderstanding of that which had hapned to Zachary departed thence with all his force and came to Samaria and in a battell which hee fought he slue Sellum And afterwards obtaining the crowne he went from thence towards the Citie of Tapsa the inhabitants whereof locked and barred their gates against him and would not receiue him in reuenge whereof he spoiled all the countrey round about and tooke the Citie by force being highly incensed against the Tapsians for their insolence he put theÌ all to the sword not sparing their little children which was an incredible barbarous cruelty in him Manahem raigned in this manner for the space of ten yeares continuing a most cruell and vnbridled tyranny ouer the people Afterwards being assailed by Phul king of the Syrians he went not out against him neither practised to resist him but procured his peace for the summe of a thousand talents of siluer which in way of composition he paid vnto him The people furnished Manahem with this summe in way of contribution paying fiftie drachmes a peece Anon after he died and was buried in Samaria leauing behind him a sonne to succeede him in the kingdome whose name was Phaceias who imitating his fathers crueltie possessed the soueraigntie but two yeares for he was slaine at a feast in the middest of his friends by a treason practised against him by Phaceias the son of Romelias who enioyed the kingdome for the space of twentie yeares addicting himselfe to all impietie and wickednes But Teglaphalassar king of Assyria led forth his army against the Israelites and spoiled all the countrey of Galaad and that beyond Iordan and Galilee Cydida and
the seruice of God By which meanes it came to passe that the people brought all kinde of fruit to the priests and Leuites which the king put vp in certaine storehouses which he had built to be distributed to euerie one of them their wiues and children and by this means they returned againe to their former puritie in religion After the King had disposed all things in this sort he made warre vpon the Philistines and ouercame them and seased all their Cities betweene Gaza and Geth About this time the king of Assyria sent vnto him and threatned him that if he would not pay him those tributes which his father before him had paid vnto him he would destroy all his countrey Neuerthelesse Ezechias set light by his threats assuring himselfe in that pietie and zeale he bore towards God and in the Prophet Esay by whom he was exactly instructed as touching all those things that were to succeed And for this present it shall suffice that we haue spoken thus much of this king CHAP. XIIII Salmanasar slayeth the king of Israel and leadeth the Israelites captiue into the countrey of Media WHen tydings was brought to Salmanasar King of Assyria that the king of Israel had priuily sent vnto Soan king of Aegypt to request his assistance in warre against the Assyrian he was sore displeased and drew forth his army against Samaria in the seuenth yeere of the raigne of Oseas But the King of Israel withstood his entrance into the Citie by which meanes he was besieged therein for three yeeres space and finally Samaria was taken by force in the ninth yeere of Oseas and the seuenth of Ezechias raigne At which time all the kingdome of Israel was destroied and all the people transported into the countries of Media and Persia and amongst the rest king Oseas was taken prisoner The King of Assyria caused certaine nations of a countrey which by reason it abutted vpon a certaine riuer in Persia called by that name was called Chut to remoue their habitation and to dwell in Samaria and inhabite the countrey of Israel As for the ten Tribes of Israel they were transported out of their countrey nine hundreth fortie seuen yeeres since their predecessors departing out of Aegypt possessed the countrey of Chanaan eight hundreth yeeres after the gouernment of Iosuah and two hundreth and forty yeares seuen moneths and seuen daies since they reuolted from Roboam Dauids nephew to giue the kingdome to Ieroboam This was the end of the Israelites who transgressed the lawes and disobeyed the Prophets who foretold them of that calamitie which should happen vnto them except they repented them of their impieties The sedition that they moued against Roboam establishing his seruant for their king was the originall of their mischiefes For Ieroboam committing impietie against God and they imitating his wickednesse preuailed so much as the maiestie of God grew displeased with them so that he punished them according as they deserued But the King of Assyria rauaged and spoiled all Syria and Phaenicia with his army his name is found written in the Chronicles of the Tyrians for he made warre against the Tyrians at such time as Elulat raigned in Tyre whereof Menander maketh mention who wrote the historie of Tyre and hath translated their Pantarches into the Greeke toong The King Elulat said he raigned six and thirtie yeeres and pursued the Chuteans that were reuolted from him by sea and made them subiect Against whom the King of Assyria sent forth his army and inuaded all Phaenicia and afterwards hauing couenanted a peace with them he returned backe againe The Cities of Sidon Arce and Paletyr and diuers other cities reuolted from the Tyrians and submitted themselues to the king of Assyria For this cause and for that they of Tyre did not obey him he drew his army forth once more against them and he was furnished by the Phaenicians with sixtie ships and eight hundreth rowers The Tyrians charging these ships with twelue of their vessels ouerthrew the nauy of the Assyrians and tooke about fiue hundreth men prisoners which act of theirs wonderfully increased their honour But the king of Assyria returning backe againe planted a garrison vpon the riuer and fortified the fountaine heads to the intent the Tyrians might draw no water which act of his continuing for the space of fiue yeeres they were inforced to find dig new fountaines to sustaine themselues These things are written in the registers of the Tyrians themselues as also the exploits of the king of Assyria against them But these Chuteans new inhabitants of Samaria for to this day their name remaineth there as hauing bin brought from the Region of Chut which is in Persia where there is a riuer of that name for that they were of fiue nations they brought with them each of them the god whom they honoured in their nation to the number of fiue gods whom they serued after the manner of their countrey Whereupon the true and supreme God was grieuously displeased and prouoked against them for a plague fell amongst them that consumed them in such sort that they could finde no remedie vntill such time as they had notice that it behooued them to adore the great God and that therein consisted their safetie They therefore sent vnto the king of Assyria requiring him to send them Priests from amongst the Israelites whom he had led away prisoners in war Which done they learning the law and the manner of Gods seruice by them began verie diligently to obserue both by which meanes the plague ceased sodainly And now euen vnto this day continue they in the same Religion and are called by the Hebrewes Chuteans and Samaritanes by the Greekes These as often as they finde the Iewes in prosperitie call them their cousins according to the varietie and changes of time but if they perceiue their fortunes to be on the declining hand then abiure they consanguinitie and renounce any lawfull parentage or amitie and say that they were planted in the countrey and drawne thither from a forraine nation But in time and place conuenient we shall speake of them more amply THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 10. booke 1 Senacharib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Ierusalem 2 Ezechias hauing liued for a certaine time in peace dieth and leaueth his sonne Manasses to succeed him 3 The Kings of the Chaldees and he of Babylon warre against Manasses and ledde him away prisoner 4 The historie of King Iosias 5 Iosias death in battell who hindered the King of Aegypt from leading his army against the Babylonians and the euent thereof 6 The army of Nabuchodonosor commeth into Syria 7 Nabuchodonosor putteth Ioacim to death and maketh Ioachin King 8 Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose besiegeth Ioachim and is reconciled vnder composition 9 Sedechias is appointed king ouer Ierusalem 10 Ierusalem is
taken and the people translated into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor 11 The successors of Nabuchodonosor the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus king of Persia. CHAP. I. Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Ierusalem IN the fourteenth yeere of the raigne of Ezechias King of the two Tribes Senacherib King of Assyria drewe forth a huge army against him and surprised all the Cities of Iuda and Beniamin by strong hand To him Ezechias sent embassadours promising him obedience and such a tribute as it should please him to impose When Senacherib had heard and considered vpon the embassadours instructions he resolued on peace and accepted Ezechias offer promising that he would depart in peace as soone as he had receiued three hundreth talents of siluer and thirtie talents of gold swearing an oth vnto the embassadors that vnder these conditions he would depart away without offering any outrage Ezechias giuing credit to these wordes of his emptied the treasuries and sent the prefixed summe to Senacherib hoping to be deliuered from his enemy and the hazard wherein his countrey stood But the Assyrians hauing receiued the money set light by their promises so that Senacherib went in person to make warre against the Aegyptians and Aethiopians and left Rapsaces his generall in Iudaea with a great power accompanied with two of his chiefest minions and courtiers with commission to spoile Ierusalem The names of these two were Tharata and Anachares As soone as they were encamped neere vnto the walles they sent vnto Ezechias and commaunded him to come and speake with them but he thorow feare which he had conceiued went not vnto them but sent three of his most familiar friends Eliacim the superintendent of his realme Sobna and Ioachus that had the commission of his registers These three presented themselues before the chiefetaines of the Assyrian army whom when Rapsaces had beheld he commaunded them to returne vnto their master and to tell him that the great king Senacherib was desirous to know vnder what hope he thus neglected his gouernment and obstinately refused to obey him and receiue his army into the Citie Is it perhaps because he hopeth the Aegyptians will haue the vpper hand of the kings army If that be his hope doubtlesse he is deceiued shewing himselfe to be like vnto a man that staieth himselfe vpon a broken reede by which hee is not onely not sustained but in his fall also hath his hand pierced therewith He likewise wished him to conceiue that this his expedition was not without the will of God who as in times past hath giuen them victorie ouer the Israelites so nowe also is pleased to humble Ezechias and to make both him and his subiects stoope vnder the Assyrian gouernment Whilest Rapsaces spake thus in the Hebrew language wherein he was very skilfull Eliacim searing least the multitude should be strooken with feare vpon the hearing of these words besought him to speake in the Syriack toong But he sufficiently instructed what it was that he feared answered him with a lowder voice in the Hebrewe toong and tolde them that they ought to giue eare vnto the kings commaundement and to yeelde themselues to his mercie because it concerned their securitie I am not ignorant said he that both you and your King doe perswade the people vnder a vaine hope and fraudulently allure them to beate armes against vs. But if your valour be ought at all and you suppose that you can leuy the siege from your walles I am ready to furnish you with two thousand horse giue you vs so many horsmen to approoue their valours but you cannot giue them that you haue not Why therefore delay you why yeeld you not to those that are too strong for you and are able euen in spite of your resist to ransacke your citie whereas you know that a willing submission is alwaies secure contrariwise whereas duetie is inforced there wanteth no perill of calamitie When both the Embassadours and the people had heard that which the Assyrian had spoken they reported the same to Ezechias who incontinently cast his royall garments off and cloathed himselfe in sackcloth carrying the countenance of a disconsolate man and casting himselfe prostrate vpon the earth after the manner of their countrey he besought God to be assistant vnto him since all other hope was vaine He sent also certaine of his friends and some Priests vnto the Prophet Esay requiring him to pray vnto God that since the sacrifice was offered vnto him for publike securitie it might please him to frustrate the enemies hopes and to haue pitie and compassion on his people When the Prophet had performed no lesse then he required he receiued an answere from God by which he assured the king and all them that were about him foretelling them that the enemies should be ouercome without stroke strooken should retire with shame and not with that aduantage which they bragde of at this present because God had alreadie determined how they should be ouerthrowne He foreprophecied also that Senacharib himselfe the king of Assyria should faile of his enterprise in Aegypt and that vpon his returne to his owne court he should be slaine At that verie time the Assyrian wrote letters to Ezechias in which he called him foole and mad man to thinke that he could warrantize himselfe from being his slaue yea his in especiall who had conquered diuers and far greater nations threatning him with vtter ruine at such time as he should surprise the Citie if he opened not the gates of Ierusalem willingly to entertaine his armie When Ezechias had red these letters he set light by them by reason of the confidence he had in God and hauing opened them he spred them in the temple And whilest he renewed his praiers vnto God for the saluation of the Citie and his subiects Esay the Prophet told him that his praier was heard that hereafter likewise they should manure their lands in peace securitie should enioy their possessions without feare Not long after the king of Assyria hauing but cold successe in his expedition against Aegypt returned back againe without doing any thing for this cause that ensueth He had lost much time in the siege of Pelusium at such time as he had alreadie raised certaine bulwarks as hie as the wall so that he waÌted nothing but to giue the assault newes was brought him that Tharsices king of Aethiopia brought an army to rescew the Aegyptians with an intent to take his way thorow the desart and sodainly to charge the Assyrian armie Senacharib troubled with these tidings speedily departed thence with his army But Herodotus saith that he made warre with Vulcans priest especially for that he was both a king and a priest Besieging Pelusium said hee for this cause he gaue ouer the siege The King of Aegypt called to his God for assistance by whose power the Arabians suffered much miserie But in this also he erreth in
that he setteth downe the Arabian for the Assyrian In one night said he there was such a multitude of mice that they gnew all the enemies bowes and other armes whence it came to passe that the king being disarmed withdrew his siege from Pelusium But Berosus a writer among the Chaldees maketh mention of Senacharib and how he raigned amongst the Assyrians and troubled both Asia and Aegypt with warre and declareth the maner in these words But Senacharib returning from the Aegyptian warre came before Ierusalem and receiued the army that was there at the hands of his gouernour Rhabsace and God caused a pestilent sicknesse to fall vpon his army which was so violent that the first night of the siege there died one hundreth fourescore and fiue thousand men with their gouernors and chieftains With which losse he was so affrighted and troubled that fearing to lose all his army he fled with those that remained retired himselfe into his kingdome to the citie called Niniue where after he had liued for a time he was traiterously slaine by Adramelech and Selenar his two elder sons and being dead was carried into his own temple called Arusche and his children were driuen out of the kingdome for committing the murther and retired themselues into Armenia and Asseradochus succeeded Senacharib Such was the end of the Assyrian army that came before Ierusalem CHAP. II. Ezechias hauing for a time remained in peace dieth and leaueth his sonne Manasses to succeed him KIng Ezechias being in this sort beyond al hope deliuered from his feares offered thanksgiuing and sacrifices vnto God with all the people acknowledging that there was no other cause that had slaine part of his enemies and put the rest to mortall feare neither that had deliuered Ierusalem from thraldome but only Gods succour and assistance And whilst he altogither intended and was occupied about the seruice of God he fell sicke of a grieuous disease so as the Physitions despaired of his health and his friends expected nothing but his death This sicknesse of his was accompanied with a grieuous care because hee had no children and sawe that he was now to depart the world and to leaue his house desart and his kingdome desolate Being therefore in this sort toyled with discontents he lamented and besought God that it would please him to lengthen his life a little time vntil he had children to succeed him and that he would vouchsafe that his soule might not be taken from him before he were the father of a sonne Hereupon God taking compassion of him and the rather because he was not grieued for that the pleasures of his kingdome were taken from him but for that he sought for a lawful heire to succeed him in the princedome he sent the Prophet Esay vnto him to assure him that after three daies he should be recouered of his sicknesse and that after he had liued some fifteene yeers more he should depart out of this life and leaue a lawfull heire behind him When the Prophet according as he was commanded had brought these tidings to the king he doubted both the vnexpected messenger and the mightinesse of his disease for which cause he required some prodigious signe at Esatas hands to the intent that he might certainly beleeue that he was sent as a messenger from God vnto him for the truth of those things which either exceede our hope or reason are wont to bee confirmed by these meanes Whereupon Esay asked him what signe he required and it should be giuen him For which cause he requested that since the declining sun had alreadie aduanced his shadow ten degrees within the royall lodging he would cause it to return vnto the place where it was before and ouerrun againe the same lines of shadow On this occasion the Prophet besought God that it would please him to confirme the king by this miracle who seeing that which he desired was sodainly deliuered from his sicknesse and ascended the temple to worship and praise God At that time it hapned that the monarchie of the Assyrians was destroied by the Medes whereof I will speake in another place Anon after Balad King of Babylon sent an Embassadour to Ezechias with presents calling him his allie and friend who receiuing his messengers willingly feasted them and shewed them his treasures his arsenall and all other magnificence that he had of gold and precious stones and after he had giuen them presents for Balad he dismissed them Whereupon the Prophet Esay came vnto him asking him from whence those embassadours came To whom Ezechias answered that they were of Babylon came vnto him from the king telling the Prophet how he had shewed them all that which he had to the end that hauing seene and obserued his riches and power they might afterwards certifie their king thereof Whereunto the Prophet replied saying Know thou that within a little time thy riches shall be transported into Babylon and thy children shall be made Eunuches and being no more men shall be slaues vnto the King of Babylon All which God gaue him to vnderstand before it hapned For which cause Ezechias was sore troubled to heare these tidings saying that he desired that his people might not fall into those miseries but since it was impossible to change the decree of God he required that he might haue peace during his life time Of this Balad king of Babylon Berosus maketh mention This Prophet truly diuine and admirable for the veritie of his prophecies is accounted to haue spoken nothing that was vntrue but to haue left in writing all that which he prophecied the truth whereof hath afterwards in effect appeared to posteritie Neither did he alone performe this much but besides him twelue others haue done the like and all that which is hapned vnto vs either good or euill hath fallen out truly according to their prophecies But hereafter we will speake of euerie one of them Now when as Ezechias had liued his prefixed time according as we haue forespoken and gouerned his kingdome in peace he died when he was fiftie foure yeeres olde and in the nine and twentith yeere of his raigne CHAP. III. The Kings of Chaldaea and Babylon warre against Manasses and take him prisoner HIs sonne Manasses the sonne of Achiba a woman borne in Ierusalem succeeded him in the kingdome This man forsooke his fathers waies and followed sinister customes expressing in his manners all kindes of mischiefe not omitting any impietie but addicting himselfe to all the iniquities of the Israelites who were destroied because of their sinnes committed against God He was so impudent as he spared not to pollute the verie temple of God the Citie and the whole countrey for making his entrie in despite of God he slew afterwards all those that were vertuous men among the Hebrewes And although he had no want of Prophets yet so it is that he killed euery day some so that
that their auncestors had transgressed the lawes of Moses they should be in danger to be dispossessed of their countrey and abandoned by all men should at length perish miserably When the prophetesse had heard the kings commandement she willed those that were sent vnto her to returne vnto the king and to certifie him from her that God had giuen a sentence against them which might not be reuoked by any praiers whatsoeuer namely that since they had transgressed the law of Moses the people should perish and should be cast out of their countrey and depriued of al their goods that they had and for that they haue not grown to amendment in so long time notwithstanding the prophets had exhorted them to repentance and had foretold the punishment of their impieties which should happen vnto them to the end that they might beleeue that God is God and that he faileth not in any thing that he hath foretold by his prophets Furthermore she said that he forbore as yet to send these afflictions vpon them for Iosias sake who was a vertuous man but that after his decease God would poure his intended punishments vpon the people This prophecie of the woman they signified vnto the king who sent into all parts and assembled the people in Ierusalem commanding the Priests and Leuites and generally all men without distinction of age or person to be present in that conuention Now when they were assembled he first of all caused the sacred bookes to be read and afterwards standing aloft vpon his throne he caused all the people to sweare and promise that they would serue God and keepe Moses lawes Whereupon all of them did willingly approoue whatsoeuer he said promising to doe that whereunto they were exhorted And therewithall offering vp present sacrifices vnto God they besought him to shew himselfe fauourable and mercifull towards them The king likewise commanded the hie priest that if there were any necessarie in the temple which were made by his predecessors in honour of Idols and strange Gods he should cast it out And after that a great quantitie was found therein all of it was gathered togither and burnt and the ashes afterwards were scattered here and there And as touching the Priests that appertained to Idols that were not of the race of Aaron he put them to death When these things were thus executed in Ierusalem he came afterwards to the plaine countrey and all that which Ieroboam had erected there in honour of Idols he vtterly defaced it and the bones of the false Prophets were burnt vpon the altar that Ieroboam had builded This had the prophet foretold that came to Ieroboam at such time as he offered sacrifice and told him in the presence of all the people all that which should happen namely that one of Dauids posteritie called Iosias should doe these abouenamed things which prophecie tooke effect three hundreth sixtie and one yeere after After this King Iosias transported himselfe to the Israelites who had auoided the captiuitie and seruitude of the Assyrians and perswaded them to forsake their impieties and the seruices they had performed to strange Gods and to honour the soueraigne and true God of their fathers and to cleaue vnto him He made a search also thorow euerie house borough and citie fearing least as yet there should be any Idol hidden Hee likewise sought out the chariots that were made by his auncestors in honour of the sunne and all that which was adored whatsoeuer it were and vtterly abolished the same After hee had in this sort purged the countrey he assembled all the people in Ierusalem where he celebrated the feast of vnleauened bread and the solemnitie of Easter Towards the performance whereof he gaue the people young kiddes and lambes to the number of thirtie thousand and three thousand bullocks for burnt offrings and the chiefe amongst the Leuites distributed amongst the other Leuites fiue hundreth lambs and fiue hundreth bullocks Hauing therefore such an abundance of beasts they sacrificed according to the law of Moses the priests taking charge thereof and confirming the rest of the people by their example Neither was there euer such a solemnitie kept by the Hebrewes since the time of Samuel the Prophet because all things were done according to the lawes and auncient customes which were obserued in the time of their fathers After this Iosias liued in peace riches honour and estimation amongst all men and thus finished his life CHAP. V. Diuers exploits of Nechao NEchao King of Aegypt hauing gathered great forces conducted his army towards the floud Euphrates to warre against the Medes and Babylonians who had destroied the empire of Assyria for Nechao affected the gouernment of all Asia Now when he drew neere vnto the Citie of Mende which was vnder Iosias subiection King Iosias denied him passage and would not suffer his army to march thorow his countrey For which cause Nechao sent a Herauld vnto him to let him vnderstand that it was not against him that he made warre but that he bent his course towards Euphrates for which cause he wished him in no sort to hinder his intended iourney least thereby he should be constrained to make warre vpon him But Iosias respected not this demaund of his but resolued himselfe to hinder his passage thorow his countrey And truely I suppose that the destinies pricked him forward to this arrogance to the end he might haue some occasion to doe something against Nechao For whilest he disposed his army and rode from one band to an other being mounted vpon his chariot he was strooken with an arrow that was shot by a certaine Aegyptian which cooled and tempered the spleene he had in warre For feeling himselfe sorely ouerpressed with paine by reason of his wound he commanded his army to retire and returned himselfe to Ierusalem where he died of his wound and was buried with his fathers with great magnificence after he had liued nine and thirtie yeeres and raigned thirtie and one For him the people mourned with great heauinesse lamenting and sorrowing for many daies The Prophet Ieremy also made a deploration ouer him in lamentable verse which is as yet extant euen in these daies This Prophet left in writing those euils that should afterwards happen vnto the citie and the captiuitie wherewith we are entangled at this present and the surprisall of Babylon Neither hath he alone foretold the same but the Prophet Ezechiel hath likewise done the like who first left two bookes written of the same argument These two Prophets were of the race of the Priests But Ieremy kept in Ierusalem from the fourteenth yeere of the raigne of Iosias vntill the destruction of the Citie and temple as in time and place conuenient we will declare setting downe those occurrences that hapned to this Prophet After the death of Iosias heretofore mentioned his sonne Ioaz succeeded him in the kindome at such time as he was
twenty and three yeers olde who raigned in Ierusalem his mothers name was Ametala he was a man full of impietie and of a malignant and peruerse nature The King of Aegypt returning from the warre sent vnto Ioaz commanding him to meet with him in Samath a Citie of Syria where he was no sooner arriued but he kept him prisoner committing the kingdome to Eliacim his brother on the fathers side who was his elder brother likewise He changed his name also and called him Ioachim he imposed atribute also on Iudaea of one hundreth talents of siluer and a talent of golde which Ioachim paid And as touching Ioaz hee led him into Aegypt where he finished his daies after he had been king three moneths and ten daies Now Ioachims mother was called Zabuda of the Citie of Abuma He was a wicked person and of a malignant nature hauing neither pietie towardes God nor respect of equitie towardes men CHAP. VI. Nabuchodonosors army commeth into Syria IN the fourth yeere of his raigne a certaine man called Nabuchodonosor possessed the kingdome of Babylon who at that time went out with a great army against Carchabesa a Citie scituate neere vnto Euphrates resoluing with himselfe to fight against Nechao king of Aegypt vnder whose power all Syria was subiect Nechao vnderstanding of the Babylonians intent and how great his army was made verie little account thereof but with a huge army addressed himselfe towards Euphrates with an intent to repulse Nabuchodonosor But he was ouercome in battell and lost diuers thousands of his men Whereupon the Babylonian passing Euphrates seazed all Syria as far as Pelusium Iudaea onely excepted The fourth yeere that Nabuchodonosor raigned ouer these conquered countries the eight yeere of the raigne of Ioachim ouer the Hebrewes the Babylonians led forth his army against the Iewes with a mightie power threatning them to vse al hostility except Ioachim would pay him tribute Ioachim fearing his threats bought his peace with siluer and paid him for three yeers space the tributes that were imposed on him But in the third yeere vnderstanding that the Aegyptian was vp in armes against the Babylonian he denied the paiment of the tribute notwithstanding he was frustrated of his hope for the Aegyptians were not so hardy as to make warre All which the Prophet Ieremy daily foretold him signifying vnto him that he builded his hope in vaine vpon the Aegyptians and that it would fall out that the Citie should be ouerthrowne by the king of Babylon and Ioachim himselfe should be deliuered prisoner into his hands But because there was no meanes for them to escape this iustice all that which he said was nothing auailable For notwithstanding the people and gouernours heard thereof yet made they no reckoning of the same but were displeased with those counsailes which he proposed vnto them accusing Ieremy as if he tooke pleasure to vtter and publish ominous and aduerse presages against the king they likewise called him in question before the kings counsaile and required that he might be condemned Whereupon some of them gaue sentence against him the rest reproouing the aduise of the elders that were thus addicted tooke a more discreete course and caused the Prophet to depart out of the kings house forbidding his aduersaries to doe him any mischiefe they protesting that he had not only foretolde the future calamities of the city but that many before him had done the like as Micheas and diuers others yet that no one of them had suffered any euill by the kings of their time but that contrariwise Micheas had been honoured as a Prophet sent from God By these words they appeased the people and deliuered Ieremy from the death intended against him This man wrote all his prophecies and red them to the people in their fasts and assembled them in the temple in the ninth moneth of the fifth yeere of the raigne of Ioachim which booke he had composed touching that which should happen vnto the Citie the temple and the people When the gouernours heard the same they tooke the booke from him and commanded that both he and his secretarie Baruch should withdraw themselues out of the sight of men and they tooke the booke and presented it vnto the king who in the presence of his friends commanded his secretarie to reade the same and after he had heard the contents thereof he waxed wondrous wroth and renting it in pieces cast it into the fire intending that it should neuer be seene He sent out likewise a strickt commission to seeke out Ieremy and his secretarie Baruch and to lead them out to be punished But they had preuented his indignation CHAP. VII Nabuchodonosor putteth Ioachim to death and establisheth Ioachin in the kingdome NOt long after this he went out to meete the king of Babylon who was marched out to make warre against him and being incredulous and carelesse of the Prophets predictions he opened the gates vnto him supposing that he intended him no euill But when the Babylonians were entred into the Citie the King obserued not his promises but put all such to death as were in the flower and beautie of their yeeres and spared none of the inhabitants of Ierusalem with them also he slew their king Ioachim and caused his body to be cast from the toppe of the wals and vouchsafed him no sepulture establishing Ioachin his sonne King of the countrey and of the citie Moreouer he tooke three thousand of the most honourable Citizens of Ierusalem prisoners and led them to Babylon with him amongst whom was the Prophet Ezechiel at that time very yoong in yeers This was the end of king Ioachim who liued thirty six yeeres and raigned eleuen Ioachin that succeeded him in the kingdome was the sonne of Nosta of Ierusalem and raigned three moneths and ten daies CHAP. VIII Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose and besiegeth Ioachin and receiueth him vnder composition AS soone as the Babylonian had bestowed the kingdome of Iudaea on Ioachin he was seazed with a sodaine feare which made him suspect least Ioachin remembring himselfe of the iniuries he had done vnto him by the murther of his father might draw the countrey into rebellion and reuolt against him For which cause he sent out certaine forces and besieged Ioachin in Ierusalem who being a man of a good nature and of an vpright heart was loth to forsake the Citie in that danger without a gouernour considering that it was for his cause that the common weale was in that hazard For which cause taking his wife and his neerest akin with him he deliuered them into the hands of the captaines that were sent against him receiuing an oth from them that neither they nor the Citie should receiue any harme But this promise continued not a yeere for the King of Babylon obserued it not but commanded his captaines to imprison all the youth and artificers that were in the Citie and to bring
sworne he would keepe it to his vse Furthermore he reproched him for his ingratitude in that hauing receiued the royaltie from his hands which he had taken from Ioachin to bestow it on him he had notwithstanding employed all his forces against his benefactor But said he that great God that hateth thy trecherie hath deliuered thee into my hands and when he had spoken these words he caused Zedechias friends and children to be slaine before his eies with all his other prisoners afterwards commaunding his eies to be plucked out he led him to Babylon All which hapned vnto him according as the prophets Ieremie and Ezechiel had foretolde him namely that he should be surprised and brought before the king of Babylon and should speake with him face to face and should see him with his eies for so had Ieremy prophecied but being made blind and conducted to Babylon he should not see the Citie of Babylon according as Ezechiel had foretold All which may sufficiently expresse to those that knowe not the nature of God how diuers and admirable his iudgements be in disposing all things in good order and presignifying those things that are to come euen as in this place there appeareth a most signall example of humaine errour and incredulitie by which it was not lawfull for them to auoid their future calamitie neither shunne their vnremoueable destinie Thus was the race of the kings extinguished that descended from Dauid who were in number one and twentie that raigned after him All of them together gouerned fiue hundreth and fourteene yeares sixe moneths and ten daies adding thereunto the twentie yeares of the first king Saul who was of an other tribe After this the Babylonian sent Nabuzardan general of his army vnto Ierusalem to spoile the temple giuing him in charge to burne both it and the kings pallace and to race and leuell the Citie with the ground and afterwards to transport the people into Babylon Who arriued there the eleuenth yeare of the raigne of Sedechias spoyled the temple caried away the vessels that were coÌsecrated to Gods seruice both those of gold as also them of siluer he tooke likewise the great lauer that was giuen by Salomon The columnes and pillars of brasse with their chapters likewise and the tables and candlestickes of gold and after he had borne away all things he burned the temple the first day of the fist moneth of the eleuenth yeare of Sedechias raigne which was the eighteenth of Nabuchodonosors gouernment He burned also the kings royall pallace and raced the Citie This temple was burned 470. yeares sixe moneths and 10 daies after the foundation therof in the yeare 1062. six monethes ten daies after the departure of the people out of Aegypt 1950. yeres six moneths ten daies after the Deluge from the creation of Adam vntil the ruine of the temple there were three thousand fiue hundreth and thirteen yeares six moneths and ten daies Thus haue we set downe the number of the yeares and orderly expressed what and in what time euerie thing hath beene performed The generall for the king of Babylon hauing destroyed the Citie and transported the people tooke prisoners the high Priest Sareas and his fellow in office the Priest Sephan with the gouernours and keepers of the Temple which were three the Eunuch also which had the charge ouer the rest and seuen of Sedechias friends and his secretarie besides sixty other gouernours al which together with the vessels which he had pillaged he sent to Reblatha a Citie of Syria vnto the king of Babylon who commaunded in that place that the high Priest and gouernours should be beheaded as for the rest of the prisoners and Sedechias the king he carried them with him to Babylon he sent also in bonds with the rest Iosadoch the son of Sareas the high Priest whom he had put to death in Reblatha as we haue heretofore declared And for that we haue reckned vp the race of the kings set down likewise what they were and how long they continued me seemeth that it shall not be vnnecessarie to recite the names of the high Priests and to report who they haue beene that haue administred the priesthood vnder the kings Sadoc was the first high Priest of the temple builded by Salomon After him his sonne Achimas succeeded in that honour and after Achimas Azarias after whom succeeded Ioram and after Ioram Ioschua after Ioschua Axioram who had for his successor Phideas to Phideas succeeded Sudeas to Sudeas Iulus to Iulus Iotham to Iotham Vrias to Vrias Nerias to Nerias Odeas to Odeas Saldum to Saldum Elcias to Elcias Sareas to Sareas Iosadoch who was carried away prisoner into Babylon all which haue succeeded in the priesthood by lineall descent When Nabuchodonosor was come to Babylon he shut vp Sedechias in prison where he kept him vntill he died and after his death he honoured him with a royall tombe He likewise offered the vessels that he had taken out of the temple of Ierusalem vnto his gods and caused the people to inhabite the countrey of Babylon deliuering the high priest from his bonds The generall Nabuzardan that led the people away captiue left the poorer sort in the country of Iudaea those also that voluntarily yeelded themselues vnto him ouer whom hee appointed Godolias the sonne of Aicam gouernour a man that was both vpright and noble commanding them to till the land and to pay their assigned tribute to the king He drew the Prophet Ieremy also out of prison perswading him to repaire with him to the king of Babylon telling him that he had receiued expresse commaundement from the king to furnish him with all thinges necessarie for that iourney but if he were not contented to repaire to Babylon he should declare to him in what place he would make his aboad to the intent he might certifie the king thereof But the Prophet would not follow him neither depart or soiourne in any other place desiring rather to liue amidst the ruines of his countrey and among the pitious reliques of his poore nation When the generall Nabuzardan vnderstood his resolution he gaue charge to the gouernor Godolias whom he left in Iudaea to haue care of him and to furnish him with all that which he wanted and after he had gratified him with presents he departed Meane while Ieremy dwelt in the Citie of Masphath praying Nabuzardan that he would send him his disciple Baruch the son of Neria a man of a noble family and excellently learned in that countrey language Nowe when as these that during the siege of Ierusalem were retired out of the Citie vnderstood of the retreat of the Babylonians they assembled togither from all parts and came to Masphath to Godolias vnder the conduct of Iohn the sonne of Careas and Iezanais and Sareas and others And besides these a certaine man called Ismael of the bloud royall a wicked
and fraudulent man who during the siege of the Citie had retired himselfe to Bathal king of the Ammonites and had soiourned with him during all the troubles Who being in this sort assembled before him Godolias counselled to remaine in that countrey without any feare of the Babylonians promising that in manuring their land they should incurre no inconuenience All which he confirmed vnto them by an oth adding further that if any disturbance were offered to any man he would readily assist him He gaue each one this aduise likewise to inhabite any Citie that best liked them promising them to send them thither with such things as appertained to them to build them houses and furnish their habitations promising them that when time serued hee would make their prouision of corne wine and oyle for their maintenance during the winter time which when he had proposed these conditions vnto them he gaue them leaue to depart and inhabite the countrey wheresoeuer they best liked Now when the rumour ran amongst the people of Iudaea that Godolias had thus curreously entertained those that were fugitiues and how he had permitted them to inhabite and till the countrey prouided that they paid their tribute to the Babylonian diuers of them repaired incontinently to him and inhabited the countrey And Iohn and the other gouernours being with him and assured both of his clemencie and courtesie begaÌ intirely to loue him For which cause they told him that Bathal king of the Ammonites had sent Ismael to murther him by some treacherie that by that meanes he might haue the dominion ouer the Israelites that remained in that he was of the bloud royal Assuring him that the means of his deliuerance from that treason was if so be he would commaund them to kill Ismael in secret assuring him on the contrarie side that they feared that if Ismael should happen to kill him their whole nation that remained was like to fall to vtter ruine But Godolias tolde them plainly that these stratagems they intended were practized against a man that had receiued pleasure at his hands and that it was not likely that he whom he had succoured during the time of his necessitie would be so wicked or impious against his benefactor as to attempt to murther him whom in any occasion or necessitie he could not but to his great shame and indignitie either flie or forsake Yea said he although those things are true which you informe me of yet had I rather die then oppresse a man that hath committed his life to my trust For which cause Ihon and the rest seeing their perswasions were in vaine departed from him Some thirtie daies after Ismael accompanied with ten men came to Masphath to Godolias who receiued them with presents and magnificent entertainment so that to expresse to Ismael and his companions how hartily they were welcome Godolias drunke so hard that he was somwhat ouerseene with wine Now when Ismael perceiued him to be in that key and ouerloaden with drinke and sleepe he stept vnto him with his ten associates cut both his throat and theirs who kept him company at the banquet after which murther he issued out by night and slew all the Iewes that were left in the citie those Babylonian soldiers also that were left in garrison in that place The next day there came fourescore men of the countrey to Godolias with presents being vtterly ignorant of that which had hapned Ismael knowing them called them vnto him as if he intended to bring them to Godolias and as soone as they were entred he locked the court and slew them and afterwards cast their bodies into a deepe ditch to the intent they might not be discouered Of this number there were some that escaped who besought him that they might not be put to death before they had deliuered certaine moueables garments and corne that they had hidden in the field which when Ismael vnderstood he spared them But he kept them prisoners that were in Masphath with their wiues and children in the number of whom were the daughters of Sedecias whom Nabuzardan had left with Godolias This done he retired backe againe to the king of the Ammonites Iohn and the gouernours of his company vnderstanding of the actes committed by Ismael in Masphath and aboue all of the murther of Godolias they were wonderfully displeased so that each of them assembling his priuate force issued forth to pursue and persecute Ismael whom they ouertooke neere vnto a fountaine in Hebron The prisoners that were with Ismael seeing Iohn his confederates tooke courage supposing that it was some succours that came to helpe them and forsooke him that led them and began to ioyne with Iohns followers and thus fledde Ismael with his eight men to the king of the Ammonites Iohn gathering togither all those whom he had rescued from Ismaels hands both Eunuches women and children retired into a certaine place called Mandra where he soiourned all that day resoluing from thence to depart into Aegypt fearing least the Babylonians should put him to death if they should remaine in Iudaea for that they would be displeased with the death of Godolias whom they had planted in the gouernment Being thus plunged and perplexed with these deliberations they addressed themselues to the Prophet Ieremy beseeching him to enquire of God and to certifie them what it behooued them to do in this their doubtfull estate binding themselues by an oth to doe that which Ieremy should commaund them Hereupon the Prophet promised that he would aske counsell of God for them and some ten daies after God appeared vnto him and willed him to certifie Iohn the gouernours and the rest of the people that if they inhabited Iudaea he would assist them and haue care of them and keepe them so as the Babylonians whom they feared should doe them no harme but if they departed into Aegypt he would abandon them and would be so incensed against them that he would thrall them in the like miserie as their brethren had indured in times past Whilest the Prophet thus warned them from God they would not beleeue him in that he commanded them to remaine in that place by Gods prescript ordinance but they imagined that vnder a false pretext of Gods commaund he had counselled them thereto but that in effect he spake in fauour of his disciple Baruch perswading them to stay there to the end they might be consumed by the Babylonians contemning therefore the counsell which God gaue them by the Prophet both Iohn and the rest of the multitude went into Aegypt and led with them both Baruch and Ieremy Whither they were no sooner come but God told the prophet that the Babylonian should lead his army into Aegypt for which cause he willed him to foretel the people that Aegypt should be destroyed and that they should partly be slaine in that place and partly led captiue to Babylon Which came in like manner to passe for
in the fift yeere after the destruction of Ierusalem which was the three and twentith yeere of the raigne of Nabuchodonosor Nabuchodonosor in his owne person led his army into Coelosyria and hauing conquered the same he made warre vpon the Ammonites and Moabites And after he had brought these nations vnder his obeisance he went and sought against the king of Aegypt and ouercame him and after he had slaine their king that gouerned at that time and planted an other in his place he afterwards tooke the Iewes that he found in that countrey and carried them prisoners into Babylon By this means we haue learned that the state of the Hebrewes being brought to this point hath bin translated twise to the other side of Euphrates For the people of the two tribes were captiued by the Assyrians during the raigne of Oseas and consequently that of the two tribes vnder Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians and Chaldees vpon the taking in of Ierusalem True it is that Salmanazar after he had displaced the Israelites planted the Chutheans in their place who beforetime inhabited the innermost of the countries of Persia and Media and were called Samaritanes according to the name of the place which they inhabited but the Babylonian hauing led the two tribes prisoners hath not planted any other people in their places For this cause Iudaea Ierusalem and the temple remained desert for the space of seuentie yeeres and all the time that passed betweene the captiuitie of the Israelites vntill the destruction of the two tribes was a hundreth and thirtie yeeres six moneths and ten daies But Nabuchodonosor chose the most noblest yoong men amongst the Iewes and such as were allied to king Sedecias and esteemed likewise for the good disposition and faire proportion of their bodies and faces and committed them to masters to be instructed commaunding that euery one of them should be gelded according as they were accustomed to deale with yoong children of other nations whom he subdued by force He allowed them victuall from his owne table and they were taught and instructed in the disciplines of the countrey and in the Chaldeetoong These were verie apte to learne wisedome and for that cause he commanded that they should be trained vp in the exercise thereof Of these there were foure of Zedechias kindred faire in body and vertuous in nature who were called Daniel Ananias Misael and Azarias whose names the Babylonian changed and willed them to be called by other names distinct and different from their own Daniel was called Balthasar Ananias Sidrach Misael Misach and Azarias Abdenago These did the king esteeme very highly for their excellent nature and for the great affection that they had to attaine vnto learning and wisedome wherein they profited greatly and were for that cause highly reckoned of by him And whereas Daniel and his kinsemen thought good to liue austerely and to abstaine from those meates that came from the kings table and in generall from all things that had life they went vnto Askenas the Eunuch who had the care and charge ouer them beseeching him to conuert those meates to his owne vse which were sent them from the kings table and to allow them herbes and dates and such things as had no life because they intended to hold that course of life and to forsake all other Askenas told them that he was ready to condescend vnto their demaunds but that he feared least being called for by the king they should be found to be leane in body and discoloured in face for without doubt in following that diet they must needly lose their colours and be lesse dispost in comparison of others which might be the cause to bring him into hazard of his head They perceiuing that Askenas intended nought els but his securitie perswaded him to allow them but ten daies of approbation vnder condition that if by that regiment of diet their habitude of body should not be any waies altered they might continue in that fashion of life and diet which they had intended from that day forwards but if they should be found leane and weake and lesse proportionable then they that sed vpon the kings allowance that then they should returne to their accustomed diet Now it so fell out that not onely their bodies were better in growth but they seemed rather better fed and of a taller statute then the rest so that they that liued vpon the kings ordinarie seemed leane and wearish where as Daniel and his companions made shew as if they had beene nourished with dainties and brought vp in aboundance From that time forward Askenas tooke all that which was allowed the foure yoong men from the kings table and boldly kept it to himselfe giuing them in steed thereof the diet that they chose and delighted in They hauing their spirits more pure and subtill to comprehend their masters instructions and their bodies more strong to endure labour for their spirits were not charged with diuersitie of meates nor their bodies effeminated for the same cause attained the more readily to all that doctrine that was taught them by the Hebrewes and Chaldees Daniel especially hauing profited in wisedome studied the interpretation of dreames and God appeared vnto him Two yeeres after the surprisall of Aegypt king Nabuchodonosor dreamed a wonderfull dreame the issue whereof God made him see in a dreame but he forgat the same when he arose out of his bed And for that cause sent he for his Chaldees and diuines telling them that he had dreampt a dreame but that he had forgot the same commanding them to declare vnto him what the dreame was and the signification thereof also Whereunto they answered that it was impossible for men to sound out the secret thereof notwithstanding they promised him that if he would declare his vision vnto them they would cause him to vnderstand the signification thereof Hereupon Nabuchodonosor threatned them with death except they represented his dreame vnto him and they protesting that they could not fulfill his request he commanded them all to be slaine But Daniel hearing how the King had condemned all the sages to death and knowing that both he and his companions had part in that danger addressed himselfe to Ariochus the captaine of the Kings guard requiring him to informe him for what cause the king had adiudged the Chaldees and sages to be put to death And hauing intelligence what had hapned as touching the dream how the king by forgetting the same had charged them to informe him therin how they had answered that it was impossible for them to performe the same and how thereby they had prouoked the king to displeasure he besought Ariochus to go vnto the king and to procure one nights repriue in the behalfe of the Aegyptians and Chaldees in that he hoped during that night time to beseech God and intreat from him both the dreame and the signification thereof Hereupon Ariochus told the king what Daniel had requested
that they that disobey and contradict these thinges shall be hanged on the gibbet and that their goods be confiscate These were the contents of his letters Now the number of those that returned togither from the captiuitie into Ierusalem was fortie two thousand foure hundreth sixtie two CHAP. II. The Gouernours for the King doe hinder the building of the Temple WHilest these men laid the foundations of the Temple and were verie affectionately busie about the building thereof the nations that bordered vpon them and in especiall the Chuteans whom Salmanazar king of Assyria sent from Persia and Media to inhabite in Samaria at such time as he translated the people of the ten tribes incited the princes and gouernours to interdict the Iewes from raising and building their citie and reedifying the temple Who corrupted with siluer sold their negligence and delay to the Chuteans which they vsed in those buildings For Cyrus intending his other wars was ignorant hereof and hauing conducted his army against the Massagetes it was his hap incontinently to finish his life When as therfore Cambyses his sonne had obtained the kingdome they of Syria and Phoenicia the Ammonites Moabites and Samaritanes wrote their letters to Cambyses in these termes O King thy seruants Rathimus the secretarie Semelius the Scribe and those men that are counsellers in Syria and Phoenicia giue thee to vnderstand that those Iewes that were led captiue into Babylon are returned backe into this countrey and doe build a wicked and rebellious Citie and repaire the places and walles of the same and reedifie their temple likewise Know therefore that if these things be permitted to be finished that they will no more endure to be thy subiects and tributaries but will oppose themselues against their kings holding it more fitter to commaund then to obey We haue therefore thought good that whilest they are thus on working and affectionat in rearing their temple to write vnto your maiestie to the intent you may not neglect to examine your fathers records wherein you shall alwaies finde that the Iewes haue been rebels and enemies to their kings and that their Citie hath been for this cause laid desolate vntill this present We haue thought good to signifie thus much to your maiestie which perhaps is vnknown vnto you because that if this Citie be once more reinhabited and inclosed with a wall your way is shut vp from passing into Coelesyria and Phoenice CHAP. III. Cambyses inhibiteth the Iewes to build the Temple WHen Cambyses had red this letter in that he was by nature both wicked and malicious he grew inwardly iealous and displeased at the contents thereof and wrote backe againe after this manner The King Cambyses to Rathymus the secretarie of his casuall euents and to Belsem and Semelius scribes and to al his other counsellers and inhabitants in Samaria Phoenicia health Hauing red your letters I haue commanded the records of mine auncestors to be examined and I finde that the Citie of Ierusalem hath bin alwaies enemy to their kings and that the inhabitants thereof haue alwaies raised sedition and wars I haue likewise found that their kings haue bin mightie and violent and that they haue vexed Syria Phoenicia with continuall tributes For this cause I haue ordained that the Iewes shall not be permitted to reedifie their Citie for feare least their malice should augment by such occasion which they haue continually vsed against their kings Incontinently after the receipt and reading of these letters Rathymus and the sââ¦ibe Semelius and those of their faction tooke their horse and rode hastily to Ierusalem leading with them a great number of people prohibiting the Iewes from the building either of their Citie or temple Thus was this worke interrupted vntill the second yeere of the raigne of Darius king of Persia for the space of nine yeeres For Cambyses raigned six yeeres during which time he subdued Aegypt and vpon his returne from thence he died in Damasco And after the death of Cambyses the Magi that held the Empire of the Persians for the space of one yeere being taken away the seuen families of Persia made Darius the sonne of Hystaspis king CHAP. IIII. Darius the sonne of Hystaspis causeth the Temple to bee builded THis Darius during the time that he liued a priuate life made a yow vnto God that if he obtained the kingdome he would send backe vnto the temple of Ierusalem all those vessels which were as yet remaining in Babylon It fortuned that about the same time Zorobabel who was appointed gouernour ouer the captiue Iewes came vnto him from Ierusalem For he was the kings auncient friend for which cause he with other two were chosen to be of his guard and obtained thereby that honor which he expected The first yeere of the raigne of Darius he entertained all his courtiers with great pompe and magnificence both those of his houshold as they also that were his gouernors and Princes of Media and Persia and the commanders in India confining vpon Aethiopia with all the chieftaines of his army in one hundreth twenty seuen prouinces Now after they had made great cheere and were full of wine they departed each of them vnto their lodgings to betake themselues to rest But king Darius laid in his bed reposed verie little all the night long but passed the time without sleepe for which cause seeing he could take no rest he began to deuise and discourse with three of his guard promising him that should most truely and aptly answere those questions that he should demaund to grant him licence in way of reward to weare a purple garment and to drinke in golden cups to lie on a gilded bed and to ride in a chariot harnessed with gold and to beare the Tiara or linnen wreath and weare a golden chaine about his necke and sit in the next place vnto the king and should likewise bee called his kinsman in regard of his wisedome After he had made these large promises he demanded of the first whether wine were the strongest of the second whether the king were stronger of the third whether women or truth were the most strongest of the three And as soone as he had deliuered them these questions to deliberate vpon he laid him downe to rest Vpon the next morrow he sent for the princes chiefetaines and gouernours of Persia and Media and afterwards sitting aloft in that throne from whence he was accustomed to determine the differents among his subiects he commanded those three yoong men of his guard in the presence of that princely assistance publikely to yeeld their resolution of those questions he had proposed vnto them Whereupon the first of them began after this manner to expresse the force of wine Noble princes when I consider the force of wine I find nothing that may surmount the same For wine entangleth and deceiueth the vnderstanding and maketh the princes vnderstanding like to the poore
of Lydia and Phrygia are newly growne to rebellion I haue thought good according to my duty to preuent the same and whilest I consulted with my friends what was to be done it hath been thought fit that two thousand families of the Iewes with all their housholds should be sent thither all which should be drawne out of Mesopotamia and Babylon to plant them in garrisons and places of securitie For I am perswaded of their good affection and zeale towards vs both in respect of their deuotion towards God as also for the testimony which our predecessors haue borne of them namely that they are faithfull and ready to execute that wherein they are imployed And although it be a difficult matter to remooue them yet resolue I my selfe that it shall be done and withall I permit them to liue according to their lawes Now when as they shall arriue in that place thou shalt bestow on euery one of them places to build them houses on with sufficient lands both for tillage and to plant their vineyards in for which they shall pay no tribute for ten yeeres space and during such time as they may gather of their owne for their sustenance they shall be allowed their prouision of corne for them and their seruants Our will is also that they who shall be employed in necessarie affaires be sufficiently prouided of that they neede to the intent that being so bountifully delt withall by vs they may shew themselues the more affectionate in that which concerneth vs. Thou shalt giue order also to the vttermost of thy power that this nation be no waies ouerpressed or interessed by any man Farewell Hitherto haue we sufficiently declared what friendship Antiochus the great bare vnto the Iewes After this Antiochus contracted alliance and friendship with Ptolomey who gaue him his daughter Cleopatra in mariage and assigned him for her dowry Coelesyria Samaria Iudaea and Phoenicia and for that these two kings deuided the tributes betweene them the chiefest in authoritie in euerie prouince redeemed the exaction of their countrey and paid the summe agreed vpon to the kings treasurie At that time the Samaritanes puffed vp with their prosperitie vexed the Iewes spoyling their countrey and leading them away prisoners perforce This hapned vnder the high Priest Onias For after the decease of Eleazar Manasses his vncle obtained the Priesthood and after the death of Manasses Onias the sonne of Simon surnamed the Iust enioyed this dignitie Simon was brother to Eleazar as I haue heretofore declared This Onias was of no great capacitie and withall was very couetous by which meanes he failed to paye the twenty talents of siluer which his predecessors were woont to pay to the kings of Aegypt of that tribute which the people paid vnto him Whereupon Ptolomey Euergetes the father of Philopator was grieuously incensed against him so as he sent an embassadour to Ierusalem to accuse him for that he failed to pay his accustomed tribute threatning him that if hence forward he receiued it not he would deuide his countrey amongst his souldiers and send them to inhabite the same When the Iewes were ascertained of his complaints they were confused and amazed but Onias was no whit mooued thereby because he was wholy giuen ouer to couetousnesse CHAP. IIII. Ioseph the sonne of Tobias preuenteth the imminent calamitie of the Iewes and becommeth Ptolomies friend BVt a certaine man called Ioseph the sonne of Tobias and of Onias sister who was the high Priest being yoong in yeeres but honoured in Ierusalem for his wisedome foresight and iustice hauing certaine notice by his mother of the arriuall of this Embassadour came vnto the Citie for he had been ablent in the village of Phicala where he was borne and sharpely reprooued Onias his vncle on the mothers side for that he did not any waies prouide for the securitie of his Citizens but sought to draw his countrymen into a generall hazard for that he retained in his hands that money which was leuied for the tribute Whereby he told him that he had obtained the gouernment ouer the people and purchased the high priesthood And that if he were so bewitched with money that for the loue of the same he could haue the patience to see his countrie in hazard and behold his Citizens also suffer all that which cruelty could inflict vpon them he counsailed him to repaire vnto the king and to require him to bestow the whole or the halfe of the Tribute vpon him Hereunto Onias answered that he would no more execute the gouernment and that if it were possible for him he was ready to giue ouer the priesthood and that therefore he would not repaire vnto the king because he was not any waies moued with these occurrences Whereupon Ioseph asked him if hee would permit him in the peoples behalfe to go Embassadour vnto Ptolomey Whereunto Onias answered that he gaue him free leaue Vpon this occasion Ioseph went vp into the temple and summoned the people to a generall assembly exhorting them to be no waies troubled and to conceiue no feare thorow the negligence of his vncle Onias requesting them to be confident in heart and estraunged from all sinister suspition promising them that he himselfe would go in Embassage vnto the king and faithfully pleade their cause before him and perswade him that they had committed no insolent neglect or contempt against his maiestie Which when the people vnderstood they gaue Ioseph harty thankes Whereupon he presently came downe from the temple and honourably entertained the Embassadors that came from Ptolomey and hauing presented them with gifts of great price and feasted them magnificently for many daies he sent them backe vnto their Prince assuring them that he himselfe would in person follow them And the rather was he incited to this iourney because the Embassador had perswaded him to repaire into Aegypt vnder such assurance that he would obtaine all his requests at Ptolomeies hands the rather for that he was woon with the yoong mans free spirit and noble entertainment Assoone as the Embassadour returned into Aegypt he certified the king of Onias ingratitude and Iosephs humanitie certifying him that he would come in person to intreat pardon for the people for that offence they had committed against him and the rather for that he was in especiall authoritie among the people and so farre vsurped he vpon Iosephs praises that both the king and the Queene Cleopatra had a good opinion of him notwithstanding he was as yet absent But Ioseph sent vnto Samaria vnto his friends and borrowed money making his preparation for his voiage Hauing therefore furnished himselfe with apparell vessels and horses with the expence of almost twenty thousand drachmes he arriued in Alexandria At that very time it chanced that the Princes and gouernours of Phoenicia and Syria repaired thither to buy their tributes for the king was accustomed euery yeere to sell them to the men of most respect in euery Citie
These meeting with Ioseph on the way began to mocke at his basenesse and pouertie But when he came to Alexandria and had intelligence that the king was at Memphis he set forward and went out to meet him When as therefore the king accompanied with the queen and Athenion his friend who had discharged the place of Embassadour in Ierusalem came riding onward in his chariot Athenion who had been honourably entertained by Ioseph perceiuing him vpon the way certified the king that it was he of whom he had spoken vpon his returne from Ierusalem protesting on his behalfe that he was both a good and honourable yoong man Whereupon Ptolomey embraced him aboue the rest and made him mount his chariot Where he was no sooner seated but the king began to accuse Onias for that which he had committed But Ioseph said vnto him Pardon him O King and haue respect to his old old yeeres For you know that ordinarily old men yong children haue one and the same vnderstanding but for our selues who are young you shall haue what you please to require without any pretext or cause of discontent Hereupon the king tooke pleasure in the good behauiour and pleasant discourse of the young man and began to loue him the more as if he had receiued a present attestation of his wisedome whereupon he commaunded that he should be lodged in his owne pallace and that daily he should accompany him at his princely table As soone as the king came back to Alexandria the Lords of Syria seeing Ioseph sitting neere vnto the king were sore displeased and the day drawing neere wherein they were to receiue the assurance of their tribute they that were of the greatest reckoning in their countrey farmed the same so that the tributes of Coelesyria Phaenicia Iudaea and Samaria amounted together to eight thousand talents Whereupon Ioseph arising blamed the farmers for that they had plotted amongst themselues to beate downe the price of the tributes promising to giue the double and that he would likewise returne the forfeitures that were leuied vpon the goods of such as offended which were farmed together with the tributes The king gaue eare to this discourse of his with great content and said that he approoued the sale of these tributes vnto Ioseph who in this sort augmented his reuenue When as therefore he was demanded whether he could giue sureties he made him answere with a bold courage O king said he I will giue thee such pledges as are both worthy and honourable and such as you cannot mistrust Whenas therefore the king instanted him to produce them I wâ⦠said he O king present thee for sureties thy selfe the Queene thy wife that one of you may be a suretie for me to the other Ptolomey smiling hereat granted him the farme of the tribute without further suretie This fauour of his displeased those gouernours of the Cities that were come into Aegypt in that they saw themselues contemned and constrained to returne with shame vnto their houses But Ioseph obtained two thousand footmen from the king to the end to enforce the tribute from those Cities who were negligent in their paiments and after he had borrowed fiue hundreth talents of the kings friends in Alexandria hee departed into Syria As soone as he came to Ascalon he demaunded the payment of the tribute at the Citizens hands which they not onely refused to performe but moreouer vpbraided him with iniurious words For which cause laying hold on about some twentie of the principals among them he put them to death and hauing gathered their substances togither he sent the King some thousand talents certifying him of that which he had done Ptolomey admiring at his wisedome and allowing of his execution permitted him to dispose of all things at his pleasure The Syrians vnderstanding hereof were sore abashed and perceiuing that the Acalonites were slaine by Ioseph thorow the seueritie of his iustice and their disobedience they opened him the gates and receiued him willingly and payed him their tributes Wheras also the Scythopolitanes in way of coÌtumacy refused to lay down according to order their accustomed tributes he slue the chiefest amongst them the confiscations of whose goods he sent vnto the king When as therefore he had gathered much siluer and made great gaines of the purchase of the tributes to the intent to establish and make his power of more continuance he liberally employed his gettings considering with himselfe that it was a part of wisedome to keepe and entertaine his good happe by those riches which he himselfe had gotten For he sent many presents both to the King and Queene and bestowed liberall bountie both on their familiars and fauourites and also on all those which had any authoritie credit or fauour in the court to win and bind them vnto him by his beneuolence And in this felicitie of his continued he the terme of twentie two yeares during which time he was the father of seuen children by one wife and of an other called Hircanus whom he begot on the daughter of his brother Solymius whom he married vpon this occasion which ensueth Walking vpon a time in Alexandria in the company of his brother who led with him his daughter alreadie mariageable to the intent to bestow her vpon some Iewe of good qualitie whilest he sate at meat with the king there entred into the banquet a certain faire damsel trained vp in dancing with whom growing enamored he told his brother thereof praying him that since by the lawes of their countrey it was forbidden that a Iew might marry with a stranger that he would hide his fault and be a faithfull assistant vnto him to the end that he might enioy her whom his heart desired His brother promised him to shew his willing forwardnes herein and in the meane time he adorned and decked his owne daughter and brought her by night vnto his bed whereupon he lay with her not knowing who she was by reason he had drunke ouermuch and had her company Which comming to passe diuers times he was as yet farre more burningly inflamed with the loue of this dancer and told his brother that he was in daunger to be enamoured all his life time and that notwithstanding the king would not grant her vnto him His brother told him that he ought not to vexe himselfe promising him that he should assuredly enioie her whom he loued and that already she was his wife opening vnto him how all things had hapned and how he had rather wrong his owne daughter then to suffer his brother to fall into dishonour After that Ioseph had praised the kind natural affection of his brother towards him he tooke his daughter to wife who bare him a sonne called Hircanus as it hath beene said Who being thirteene yeares olde gaue testimonie of that naturall spirit and dexteritie that was in him by reason whereof his brethren conceiued a certaine hatred against him
vnto him See here my liege what store of bones are before Hircanus hereby you may coniecture that his father hath fleeced all Syria as he hath bared these bones of flesh The king laughing at Triphons words asked Hircanus how he came by so many bones before him Not without great cause said he O king for dogs deuoure the flesh with the bones as these doe in which speech he glanced at those who sate with him at the table because they had no bones before theÌ but men eat the flesh and cast the bones away as I do because I am a man The king wondring at his discreet answere commanded all the rest to applaud him in approbation of his witty vrbanity The next day he sought out all the kings friends and the principals in court and saluted them one by one enquiring of their seruants what presents they would court the king with vpon the birth of his sonne Who told him that some of them would giue twelue talents and othersome that were in dignitie would present him according to their abilitie Whereupon Hircanus made a shew of discontent in that he wanted power to offer such a present pretending that he had no more but fiue talents All which these seruants presently reported to their masters who were very ioyfull thereat for the hope they had conceiued that Ioseph should be blamed and would offend the King thorow the abiectnesse of his present Now when the day of the solemnitie was come and they likewise that pretended to present the king most magnificently offered no more then twenty talents Hircanus presented the hundreth yoong Lads he had bought to the King and the virgins vnto Cleopatra for whom he had paid a talent by the powle At this vnexpected magnificence of his gift all men were amazed but beside this he gaue gifts of diuers talents to the King and Queenes fauourites and seruants and their attendants whereby he warranted himselfe from the danger that might fall vnto him by their meanes For the brothers of Hircanus had written vnto them to murther him Ptolomey was highly delighted in the great magnificence of this yoong man and willed him to aske whatsoeuer gift he best liked at his hands But he required no other thing but that it would please the King to recommend him by his letters to his father and brethren When as therefore the king had singularly honoured him and had giuen him many bountifull rewards he wrote vnto his father and his brethren and all his gouernours and commissaries and in that sort sent him away His brothers hearing newes how hee had in all things highly contented the king and that he returned with great glorie they issued out to meet with him with an intent to murther him with their fathers knowledge For he being displeased with him by reason of his aboue named large expence had no care to warrantize him yet concealed he his discontent for feare of the king But when his brothers came and encountred him on the way he slew diuers of those that accompanied them and two of his brethren also were left slaine vpon the place and the rest fled to Ierusalem vnto their father And when as vpon his repaire vnto Ierusalem he perceiued that no man entertained him he waxed affraid and departed presently from thence to the other side of Iordan where he past his life in receiuing and gathering the tributes of the Barbarians In that time Seleucus surnamed Soter the sonne of Antiochus the great raigned in Asia At that time also died Ioseph Hircanus father who was a man of good conceit and great courage who established the people of the Iewes in their entire peace and had released them from prouertie and many desasters and had held the tributes of Syria Phoenicia and Samaria for the space of twenty two yeers His vncle Onias died also about the same time leauing the priesthood to his sonne Simon after whose death his sonne Onias was made high priest to whom Arius king of Lacedemon sent an embassade and letters the copy whereof hereafter ensueth CHAP. V. The frienship and societie of the Lacedemonians with Onias the high Priest of the Iewes ARius King of Lacedemon to Onias Health We haue found out a certaine writing wherin it is recorded that the Iewes and Lacedemonians are of the same race and both of them descended from Abraham It is therefore requisite that since you are our brethren that you giue vs to vnderstand wherein we may pleasure you The like will we doe also and will repute that which is yours to be ours as that which is ours shall in communitie be yours Demoteles our messenger bringeth you our letters foulded in square the seale whereof is an Aegle holding a Dragon in hertalous These were the contents of the Lacedemonians letters After the death of Ioseph it came to passe that the people began to mutine in the quarrell of his children For the elder brethren made warre against Hircanus who was the yoonger by meanes whereof the people were deuided The greater part of them followed the Elder faction and the high Priest Simon also by reason of his affinitie with them followed their partie Whereupon Hircanus resolued to repaire no more vnto Ierusalem but fixing his habitation on the other side of Iordan he made continuall warre against the Arabians slaying a great number of them and taking many prisoners He builded a huge tower of white marble from the bottome to the toppe and on the same planted he the figures of many liuing creatures in sculpture of great height About the same he drew and forced a deepe trench of flowing water and hauing hewed the front of the rocke that stood opposite against his building hee made diuers caues therein many furlongs long He made also diuers chambers therein both to eate sleepe and dwell in He drew thither likewise currants of springing water in so great abundance that it gaue much delight to those that dwelt there and great ornament to the whole building The mouth of euery caue was so little that but one only man could enter at once which he therfore made so narrow because they might the better serue for his securitie and refuge that if so be he were at any time assailed by his brethren he might auoid the danger of surprisall Moreouer he builded many huge halles which he adorned with great and goodly gardens and this place thus builded was called by him Tyre and is scituate betweene Arabia and Iudaea on the other side of Iordan not far from the countrey of Essebonitis He commanded in this countrey some seuen yeeres all that time that Seleucus raigned in Syria After whose death his brother Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes obtained the kingdome Ptolomey also King of Aegypt who was likewise called Epiphanes died and left two children very young behind him of whom the eldest was called Philometor and the yonger Physcon When as therfore Hircanus perceiued that
Antiochus grew mighty and strong and feared to be punished by him for his executions done against the Arabians he slew himselfe with his own hands and Antiochus enioied all his goods CHAP. VI. A mutinie of the rich Iewes the one against the other ONias the high Priest being dead about this time Antiochus gaue the priesthood to Iesus his brother For that sonne vnto whom Onias had left the succession was as yet verie yoong of whom we will speake in conuenient time and place This Iesus Onias brother was depriued of the priesthood thorow the kings displeasure conceiued against him who gaue it shortly after to his yonger brother called Onias For Simon had three sonnes who as we haue declared successiuely possessed the priesthood this Iesus caused himselfe to be called Iason as his other brother caused himselfe to be called Menelaus whereas his name was Onias But Iesus who had first of all been established in the place of the high priest arose against Menelaus who was elected in the place after him The people therefore were deuided into factions and Tobias sonnes were on Menelaus side but the greater number of people followed Iason so that Menelaus and the sonnes of Tobias being grieuously vexed by them retired themselues to Antiochus giuing him to vnderstand that it was their intent to forsake the religion and ordinances of their fathers and to follow that of the kings and to liue after the manner of the Greeks exhorting him to giue them licence to erect a place of Exercises in Ierusalem Which when Antiochus had granted them they so demeaned themselues that there appeared no more signe of Circumcision in them so that at such time as they were naked there was no difference betweene them and the Greekes and neglecting all the ordinances and customes of their countrey they conformed themselues to the behauiour and manners of other nations Antiochus hauing all things in his kingdome according to his hearts desire resolued to make warre in Aegypt desiring to be possessed of the same both for that he contemned Ptolomeies sonnes age who were as yet weake as also for that they were not as yet capeable to manage their so mighty estates Arriuing therfore neer to Pelusium with a great power he circumuented by a subtil pollicie the yong Ptolomey Philometor and subdued Aegypt for after he had besieged Memphis and taken the same he came to Alexandria with an intent to besiege the Citie and to lay hold of the king who was therein But he was driuen not onely from Alexandria but also out of all Aegypt by the sommons that was sent him in the name of the Romans who commaunded him to depart and dislodge his army out of that countrey as we haue heretofore declared in an other place Now will I more largely and particularly discourse the actes and gests of this king who ouercame Iudaea and spoiled the temple For hauing onely made a briefe mention of him in my former workes I thinke it necessarie in this place to make a more exact recitall of his Historie CHAP. VII Antiochus leadeth out his army against Ierusalem taketh the Citie and spoileth the Temple AFter that King Antiochus was returned out of Aegypt and for the feare of the Romans had forsaken that countrey he led his army against Ierusalem and encamped before the Citie and surprised it by surrender in that the gates of the Citie were set open vnto him by those of his faction all which hapned in the hundreth fortie and third yeere of the raigne begun by Seleucus Now when he faw himselfe Lord and master of Ierusalem he slew diuers of the contrarie faction and after he had gathered togither many great and rich spoiles he returned backe to Antioch This misfortune hapned some two yeeres after the surprisall of the Citie in the hundreth fortie and fiue yeere of the raigne of that family on the fiue twentith day of that moneth which we call Chasleu and the Macedons Apellaeus the Romans December in the hundreth fiftie three Olympiade at which time he neither spared them who gaue him peaceable entrance and opened him the gates and effected him the means to spoile the inestimable riches of the temple with greater freedome but being no lesse tyrannous to the friend then to the offender he spared neither For hauing seene what quantity of gold was in the temple and how huge a number of presents and precious ornaments were in the same he was so ouercome with couetousnesse that he brake and violated all conuentions and conditions After therefore he had spoiled the temple and carried away the vessels dedicated vnto God the golden candlesticke the golden altar the table of shew bread the censors and pulled downe the curtaines made of fine linnen and scarlet after he had emptied the treasures that were hidden and left nothing behind him of any valew he drowned all the Iewes in grieuous lamentations For he inhibited and forbad them to offer their vsuall and daily sacrifice vnto God according to the prescript order of the law and after he had spoiled the whole Citie he slew a part of the inhabitants and carried away the rest of them into captiuitie with their wiues and children to the number of ten thousand Furthermore he burned the fairest buildings of the Citie and rased the walles and raised a fortresse in the lower Citie For the temple was as it were a high cittadel commaunding the rest For this cause hauing inclosed it ââ¦ith high walles and towers he planted a garrison of Macedonians therein with whom remained the rabble and skumme of the wicked Apostate Iewes who were giuen ouer to all impieties and who also afflicted their fellow Citizens with many and mischieuous iniuries The King also commaunded that an Altar should be erected in the temple on which he caused swine to be slaughtered offering sacrifice contrary to the religion and ordinance of the Iewes He constrained them likewise to forsake their deuotion towards God and to adore those Idols whom he reuerenced for Gods building in euery Citie and Burrough both Temples Altars on which he ordinarily caused swine to be offered He forbadde them likewise to circumcise their children threatning to punish him whosoeuer he were that was found to do the contrary Moreouer he chose certaine ouersecrs that should constraine them to fulfill his commandement so that a great number of Iewes some of their owne accord othersome for feare of the threatned punishment endeuoured themselues to satisfie the kings decree But those men who were of vpright hearts and valiant minds little respected these menaces For hauing more respect to their lawes and customes then to the torments wherewith they were menaced if they performed not the edict they were beaten and exposed to most cruell punishment for many daies amidst the which they yeelded vp the ghost For after they were whipt and maimed in their bodies they were crucified and tortured aliue they strangled the women also
without discouering of his deliberation or enterprise against Philip and to tel them that for these reasons he leuied the siege first for the length thereof next for the strength of the place lastly for want of victuals and for many affaires that required some circumspect and carefull foresight in his kingdome Furthermore for that he thought it most expedient to capitulate with the besieged and contract friendship with all the nation of the Iewes promising and permitting them the exercise of their religion because they onely rebelled for that they were depriued of the same and for that he was assured that hauing the grant thereof they would each of them returne into their owne countries When Lysias had expressed and published these reasons all the army and the captaines approoued the same CHAP. XV. Antiochus giueth ouer his siege from before the Citie and entreth a league and alliance with Iudas WHereupon Antiochus sent a herauld to Iudas and those that were besieged with him promising them peace with permission to liue according to their religion Which conditions they willingly entertained and hauing taken an oath and assurance from the king they surrendred vp the temple Wherupon Antiochus entred the same and seeing it to be a place so well fortified he contrarie to his oath commanded his army to leuell the wall that enuironed the same with the ground which done he returned to Antioch leading away with him the high Priest Onias who was called Menelaus For Lysias had counselled the king to murther Menelaus if he intended that the Iewes should line in peace without any commotion and the rather because it was he onely who was the author of all these euils by reason of the counsaile he had giuen to Antiochus his father to inforce the Iewes to forsake their religion The King for that cause sent Menelaus vnto Beroea a Citie of Syria where he commanded him to be put to death after he had enioyed the high priesthood for the terme of ten yeeres He was a wicked and impious man who for his onely ambitious desire of authoritie had inforced our nation to reuolt from their religion As soone therefore as Menelaus was dead Alcimus was made high priest who was called Iacimus Now when Antiochus found that Philip had already conquered a great part of his countrey he fought with him and taking him prisoner slew him But Onias the sonne of the high priest whom as we haue heretofore declared was left an Orphan in his infancie seeing that the king had slaine his vncle Menelaus and giuen the priesthood to Alcimus who was not of the race of the priests and had transferred this honour into another family at the perswasion of Lysias he fled vnto Ptolomey King of Aegypt where being honourably entertained by the King and his Queene Cleopatra he obtained a place in the Heliopolitane signiorie where he builded a temple like vnto that which was at Ierusalem whereof wee shall hereafter haue more fit opportunitie to speake CHAP. XVI Bacchides generall of Demetrius army commeth to make warre against the Iewes and returneth backe againe vnto the king without performance of any thing AT that time Demetrius Seleucus sonne fled to Rome and tooke possession of Tripolis in Syria and after he had set the diademe vpon his head and had leuied and hired certaine souldiers he inuaded the kingdome where he was receiued to the generall content of all men who submitting themselues vnto him laid hold on the king Antiochus and Lysias and brought them aliue vnto him but he incontinently commanded that they should be put to death after that Antiochus had raigned two yeeres as we haue already declared in an other place To this new elected king diuers Iewes banished for their impietie and with them the high priest Alcimus made their resort who in general accused their nation and as principals Iudas and his brethren obiecting against them that they had slaine his friends and all such as were on his side and that among all those that were in the kingdome and expected his comming some of them were slaine and that the rest being driuen from their natiue countrey were banished into other places requiring him that he would send some one of his friends to take knowledge of the outrages committed by Iudas and his brethren Demetrius was much moued by these reports of theirs and for that cause sent Bacchides who was in times past much esteemed by Antiochus Epiphanes for his valour and to whose gouernment at that time all Mesopotamia was committed To whom he gaue an army ioyning with him the high priest Alcimus with commission to kill Iudas and his confederates Bacchides departing from Antioch with his army came into Iudaea and sent a certaine herauld to Iudas and his brethren to intreat with him vpon certaine articles of peace because his intent was to surprise them by some subtiltie and treacherie But Iudas smelling his drift gaue little trust vnto him for in that he came thither with so great an army he easily coniectured that he intended no peace but to make warre notwithstanding some of the people gaue eare vnto the peaceable proclamation of Bacchides and supposing that there was no sinister intent in Alcimus who was their countriman they submitted themselues vnder his gouernment Hauing therefore receiued an oth from them both that neither they nor any of their followers should any waies be endomaged by them they committed themselues to their protection But Bacchides setting light by his oth slue three score of them and by this breach of his faith towards these he caused others who intended to submit themselues to forsake and fly his gouernment As soone as therefore he had remooued his army from Ierusalem he came vnto the village of Bethzeth and there apprehending many of those which had fled and some others among the people he slue them all commaunding all those that liued in the countrey to obey Alcimus to whom he left in that place for the gard of his person a part of his army and that done he returned vnto Antioch to King Demetrius In the meane while Alcimus intending to assure his estate and gouernment and supposing that it should be so much the better confirmed if so be he could obtaine the good wil of the people he vsed all kind of plausible familiar speech vnto theÌ and deuising with euery man pleasantly graciously he adioyned in short time great forces to those which he had before amongst whom there were many fugitiues and vngodly men by whose helpe and assistance he marched thorow the countrey killing all those whom he found to be of Iudas faction Iudas perceiuing that Alcimus hauing gathered great forces had alreadie slaine diuers of the most vprightest men and such as feared God in all his nation he addressed himselfe also to ouerrunne the countrey and slue as many of Alcimus partakers as he could meet with Who perceiuing in himself that he was
friends Moreouer in way of present I send you a purple robe and a crowne of gold exhorting you that since you are thus honoured by vs you will in like sort yeeld vs an answerable respect and friendshio Ionathan hauing receiued this letter inuested himselfe in the habite of the high Priest and the day of the feast of the Tabernacles which was the fourth yeere after the death of his brother Iudas For during al that time there had not been any high priest He assembled also a great number of souldiers and caused a great quantitie of armors and weapons to be forged When Demetrius heard these newes he was much troubled and accused himselfe of sloth and too much negligence in looking to his affaires for that he had not preuented Alexander in the courteous entertainment of Ionathan but had suffered him to take the benefit of this occasion He sent letters likewise to Ionathan and the people containing that which followeth King Demetrius to Ionathan and to all the nation of the Iewes Health Since you haue obserued the friendship that you beare vnto vs and haue not entangled your selues with our enemies notwithstanding their diuers sollicitations we praise your fidelity and pray you to perseuere in the same estate assuring you that you shall receiue the like fauours from vs in all integritie For I will forgiue you the greater part of the tributes and taxes that you haue vsually paid either to the kings my predecessors or to me and from this time forward I acquite you from those tributes you are to pay hereafter And moreouer I release you of the price of salt and of the gold which you were woont to giue vnto vs for our crowne We likewise acquite you of the thirds of the fruit of your lands and the halfe of the fruit of your trees which heretofore you haue been accustomed to pay me to keepe and hold them peaceably from this time forward I acquite you also at this present for euer of all that which the inhabitants of Iudaea and the three prouinces annexed therunto Samaria Galilee and Peraea are bound to pay me willing and commanding that the Citie of Ierusalem be held sacred and to haue the right of the freedome exempt from all tributes and tenths both in it selfe also all the countrey belonging thereunto And I commit the fortresse in the same to the hands of Ionathan the high Priest permitting him to plant such a garrison therein as in his opinion shall be held both honest and lawfull and such as will faithfully maintaine it to his vse I will also that all the Iewes who are imprisoned in my countrey be set at libertie Moreouer it is my pleasure that no horses of the Iewes be taken vp to runne post for vs. I grant also on the Sabboths and other festiuall daies yea three daies also before euery one of those feasts libertie and freedome be vsed And my will is that the Iewes who inhabit within my dominions be likewise freed of all molestations The like priuiledge grant I them that will beare armes with me to the number of thirty thousand who in what place soeuer they shall be shall haue no worser entertainment then mine owne army and part of them will I place in my garrisons the rest shall be of my guard and I will make them captaines in my court and will permit them to liue according to the ordinances of their countrey which they shall obserue and I wil also that the three gouernments annexed to Iudaea be made subiect vnto the same lawes My pleasure is in like manner that the high Priest shall take order that no Iew adore in any other temple then in Ierusalem and of mine owne charge I giue euery yeere a hundreth and fiftie thousand sicles of siluer to be emploied in making sacrifices and that which shall be ouer and aboue those sacrifices my pleasure is that it shall be yours Moreouer I acquite the Priests and ministers of the teÌple of the ten thousand drachmes of siluer which the kings leuied on the temple because they appertaine vnto the Priests who serue in the temple as I haue been rightly enformed I grant also to all those who shall repaire vnto the temple of Ierusalem for refuge and within the precincts thereof whether it be for money due vnto the king or for any other cause that they be acquit thereof and receiue not any domage in their goods I permit also that the temple be repaired and builded at my charge My will is also that the walles of the Citie be reedefied and that certaine towers be builded about the same at my costs Furthermore if there be any places fit to build fortresses and strong holes in through all the countrey of Iudaea and to place garrisons in them my will is that all this be done and fortified at the charges leuied out of mine owne coffers These are the promises and offers that Demetrius made vnto the Iewes But king Alexander hauing gathered great forces as wel of strange hired soldiers as of those who in Syria had reuolted from Demetrius led foorth his whole army against the enemy and after the ensignes were displaied and the onset giuen the left wing of Demetrius compelled Alexanders souldiers that fought against it to flie and his men pursuing them hard at heeles spoiled their campe But the right wing in which the king himselfe was being forced to retire was discomfited and as for the rest they betooke them all to flight but Demetrius fighting valiantly slew some of his enemies and in pursuing other some who could not endure his fierce assault was in the end by setting spurres to his horse mainly carried into a deepe and muddy bogge whereinto by misaduenture his horse fell and being vnable to get out he was slaine in that place For being discouered by his enemies they turned backe vpon him and hauing inclosed him they altogither shot their arrowes against him who being on foote and fighting valiantly was at length slaine after he had receiued diuers wounds and was no more able to sustaine himselfe Thus died Demetrius who departed this life the eleuenth yeere of his raigne as we haue discoursed in an other place CHAP. VI. Onias winneth the fauour of Ptolomey Philometor and obtaineth leaue of him to build a temple in Aegypt which was called the temple of Onias BVt Onias the sonne of the high priest called also Onias who flying out of his countrey liued in Alexandria with Ptolomey Philometor as we haue heretofore declared seeing all Iudaea destroied by the Macedonians and their kings and intending in his heart to purchase an immortall memorie he determined to beseech the king Ptolomey and the queene Cleopatra by letters that it might be lawfull for him to build a temple in Aegypt resembling in all points that which was at Ierusalem and that he might haue liberty to plant Leuites and Priests in the same of his owne kinred And hereunto was
About the same time king Ptolomy Philometor set out an army by sea and another by land to repaire into Syria and to succour his sonne in law Alexander and in his way all the Cities entertained him verie affectionately according as Alexander had commaunded them and conducted him as farre as the Citie of Azot in which place all of them exclaimed before him and chalenged Iustice at his hand for that the temple of Dagon was burned and destroyed accusing Ionathan for the firing thereof and the slaughter of many people therein But Ptolomey hearing these accusations answered them not a word But when Ionathan came forth to meete him at Ioppe he courted him with royall presents and all the honour that was possible and after hee had kept him company as farre as the flood called Eleutherus he dismissed him and sent him backe to Ierusalem When Ptolomey was come to Ptolemais he hardly escaped death and that contrarie to all expectation by Alexanders owne complotting and Ammonius his friends mediation Which trechery being discouered Ptolomey wrote vnto Alexander requiring him that Ammonius might be punished for his treasons and conspiracies practised against him which in their natures required a seuere and cruell punishment But seeing that Alexander deliuered him not vp into his hands he coniectured and concluded that he himselfe was the authour thereof and conceiued a hainous displeasure against him In like manner before that time Alexander had offended the Antiochians by the meanes of the said Ammonius who had loaden them with many wrongs and incommodities but in the end Ammonius was punished for these his ouââ¦agious misdemeanors and disgracefully slaine like a woman whilest in a womans attire he fought to hide himselfe as we haue expressed it in another place At that time Ptolomey began to accuse himselfe for bestowing his daughter in mariage on Alexander and for resusing Demetrius to be his friend and confederate so that he brake off the affinitie that he had with him and after he had withdrawen his daughter from him he presently sent Embassadors vnto Demetrius to confirme a league of peace and affinitie with him promising him to bestow his daughter vpon him in mariage and to establish him in his fathers kingdome Demetrius verie ioyfull to heare of this Embassage accepted both of the confederation and marriage There onely remained one difficulty for Ptolomey to surmount which was how he might perswade the Antiochians to admit Demetrius against whom they were so grieuously incesed for the indignities which his father Demetrius had offered them but this difficulty ouercame he by this meanes that ensueth The Antiochians hated Alexander because of Ammonius as we haue expressed heretofore and by that meanes were the more easily drawen to driue him out of the Citie He perceiuing himselfe to be thrust out of Antioch came into Cilicia Whereupon Ptolomey came vnto Antioch and was both by the Citizens and soldiers therein ptoclaimed king and was constrained to take two Diademes the one as king of Asia the other asking of Aegypt Hee was a man of a gentle and iust nature no waies ambitions but such a one as prudently did forecast what was to ensue stââ¦riuing by all meanes possible to auoid the hatred and iealousie of the Romans For which cause assembling the Antiochians together he wrought so much with them that at last he perswaded them to accept of Demetrius assuring them that if he should receiue that benefit at their hands he would no more keepe in memory those things that had fallen out betwixt them and his father protesting for his own part that he would instruct him both how to order the course of his life honestly to manage his publike affaires rightly and promising theÌ that if he attempted to worke them any inconuenient he himself would be the formost to chastice him alledging for his own part that he would content himselfe to be king of Aegypt And by this meanes the Antiochians were induced to receiue Demetrius But when as Alexander was departed out of Cilicia with a gââ¦eat army and was come into Syria and had burned and spoiled the countrey of the Antiochians Ptolomey accompanied with his sonne Demetrius for he had alreadie maried his daughter vnto him issued out with their armies and obtained a ioint and mutuall victorie by ouercomming Alexander who was constrained to flie into Arabia It came to passe in that conflict that Ptolomeies horse hearing the noise of an Elephant was troubled and stumbled in such sort as he threw his master on the ground which when his enemies perceiued they ran al togither vpon him and gaue him diuers wounds in the head whereby he was in danger to haue been slaine vnlesse his guard had rescued him notwithstanding he was so sicke for foure daies space that he could neither heare nor speake But Zabel the potentate of Arabia beheaded Alexander and sent his head vnto Ptolomey who being somewhat come vnto himselfe after his wounds on the fift day and hauing some knowledge heard and saw togither a thing both delightfull in his eare and pleasant in his eie which was the death and the head of his enemy But some few daies after he died himselfe beââ¦ng full of ioy in that he saw his enemies fall This Alexander surnamed Balles raigned for the space of fiue yeeres as we haue elsewhere declared Demetrius surnamed Nicanor hauing obtained the kingdome began thorow his malice to dismember Ptolomeies army forgetting both the confederacy and affinitie that he had with him by reason of Cleopatra his wife who was Ptolomeies daughter But the men of warre hating his ingratitude fled into Alexandria to warrantize themselues from his wickednesse notwithstanding they left the Elephants in his power and possession But the high Priest Ionathan hauing assembled an army of all the countrey of Iudaea began to besiege the castle of Ierusalem where there was a garrison of the Macedonians and a great number of wicked Apostates that were fallen from the Iewish religion who in the beginning set light by the engines that Ionathan had raised to surprise the place in the strength whereof they reposed too much confidence But in the end some of these miscreants breaking out by night came vnto Demetrius and certified him of the siege who was sore displeased thereat taking a strong army with him departed from Antioch to make warre vpon Ionathan At such time as he came to Ptolemais he wrote to Ionathan and commanded him to come vnto him notwithstanding Ionathan gaue not ouer the siege but tooke the Elders and the Priests with him with gold and siluer robes a great quantitie of presents to beare vnto Demetrius and when he had deliuered them into his hands he appeased his wrath and after he had receiued many honors at his hands he obtained the confirmation of his priesthood in as ample manner as hee enioyed it duââ¦g the times of his predecessors And although the miscreant Iewes accused him yet did
without expecting that I should sacrifice my bloud poured out so many times to those whom I haue so traiterously slaine Whilest he pronounced these words he died after hee had raigned one yeere He was called Philelles that is to say a louer of the Greeks Thus after he had prouted his countrie many wayes and subdued the Iurreans and ioyned the greater port of the countrey ââ¦o Iudaea and had constrained them likewise who should remaine in that countrey to be circââ¦sed and to liue according to the lawes of the Iewes he died thus miserably He was by nature curtious and verie shame fast as Strabo testifieth speaking after this maner by the authoritie of Timagenes This was a curteous man and profitable to his countrimen the lewes in many things for he enlarged their countrie and conquered a part of the nations of the Iââ¦eans whom he tied ââ¦to him by the bond of circumcision CHAP. XX. The exploits of Alexander king of the Iewes WHen Aristobulus was dead Salome his wife 9whom the Greekes called Alexandra set his brothers at libertie whom as we haue heretofore declared he had shut vp prisoners and made Iannaeus who was called Alexander king who both in age and modesty surpassed all the other brethren but such mishap had he that from his birth day vpward his father had coÌceiued so great a hate against him that he neuer admitted him to his presence so long as he liued The cause whereof as it is reported was this When as Hircanus loued Aristobulus and Antigonus who were his two eldest sons with most intire affection God appeared vnto him in his sleep of whom he demanded who should be he that should succeed him Wherupon God presented vnto his sight the semblance of Alexander wherewith he grew discontent in that he conceiued that he should be heire of all his goods and so much preuailed displeasure with him that as soone as he was borne he sent him out of his presence into Galilee to be nourished and brought vp in that place But God hath apparantly prooued that he lied not to Hircanus For after Aristobulus death he taking possession of the kingdome caused one of his two brethren to be put to death who affected and laboured to make himselfe king and as for the other who resolued himselfe to liue in idlenes and pleasure he honoured him greatly After that he had established his estate according as he thought it most expedient he led foorth his army against Ptolemais and hauing obtained the vpper hand in the battell he couped vp the men within their Citie and afterward besieged and entrenched about the same For amongst all the Cities of the sea coast these two only namely Ptolemais and Gaza remained as yet vnconquered and there was no opposite left but Zoilus who was seased of the tower of Straton and Dora where he gouerned Whilest Antiochus Philometor and Antiochus Cyzicenus were thus at debate and warre the one against the other and consumed each others forces the Ptolemaidans had not any succour from them But whilest they were trauailed with this siege Zoilus who held the tower of Straton and Dora assisted them with that army he had vnder him and gaue them some succours by reason that since these two kings were whetted with intestine troubles and warres he cast how to aduance himselfe to the crowne and soueraigntie For these two kings seemed to neglect their owne dangers resembling herein those wrastlers who though being wearied with fight yet are ashamed to submit vnto their aduersarie but giue themselues a breathing time that they may the better be hartned to encounter The only hopes they had were in the kings of Aegypt and in Ptolomey Lathyrus who held the Isle of Cyprus at that time whither he retired himselfe after he had been driuen out of his kingdome by Cleopatra his mother To him the Ptolemaidans sent Embassadours as vnto their allie requiring him to come and deliuer them from Alexanders hands into which they were in danger to fall These embassadours perswaded him that if he would passe into Syria he should haue both Zoilus to friend and those of Gaza to his followers in the rescue of the Ptolemaidans and moreouer they assured him that the Sidonians and diuers others would second him and by this meanes so encouraged him with promises that he hasted himselfe to set saile But in the meane space Demaenetus who was both eloquent and in great authoritie with the Citizens made the Ptolemaidans change their resolution telling them that it was much better for them to hazard themselues in some vncertaine danger wherewith the Iewes threatned them then to deliuer themselues into the hands of such a master from whom they could expect nothing but manifest seruitude And moreouer not onely to sustaine a present war but that which is more an imminent warre from Aegypt for that Cleopatra would not permit that Ptolomey should leuy an army of the neighbouring nations but would come against them with a great power and would enforce her selfe also to thrust her sonne out of Cyprus And as for Ptolomey if he were frustrate of his hope yet might he notwithstanding once more returne againe to Cyprus where as they were to expect no lesse but extreme danger Now although that Ptolomey being at sea vnderstood how the Ptolemaidans had changed their opinion yet continued he his course onward and landing in the port of Sycamine he caused his army who were of foote and horse to the number of thirtie thousand men to take land and with them he approched Ptolemais and perceiuing that vpon his encamping they of the Citie admitted not his embassadors neither in any sort gaue eare vnto them he was wondrously perplexed But after Zoilus and they of Gaza were come vnto him requiring him to yeeld them assistance for that their countrey was destroied by the Iewes and by Alexander For which cause Alexander raised his siege from before Ptolemais for feare of Ptolomey and retiring his army into his owne countrey he began to vse this stratageme For couertly he incited Cleopatra against Ptolomey and openly he made a shew of amitie and confederation with Ptolomey promising him to giue him foure hundreth talents of siluer prouided that he would deliuer him of the tyrant Zoilus and assigne those possessions held by him vnto the Iewes Ptolomey hauing made a peace and league with Alexander did at that time willingly lay hold on Zoilus but after that he vnderstood that Alexander had sent and incensed his mother against him he brake all accord and went and besieged Ptolemais that would not entertaine him After therefore he had left his lieutenants at the siege with part of his forces he departed with the rest to enter vpon and spoile the countrey of Iudaea Alexander perceiuing Ptolomies intent assembled about fiftie thousand fighting men of his owne countrey or as some historians haue written eightie thousand with whom he went
maidseruants of theirs who were their bondwomen as also certaine other of their free seruants Now when the fact would not be extorted by reason that none of them confessed the same at length shee that was last of all put to her triall ouercome by the paines shee endured said nought else but that shee praied God that Antipaters mother might feele the like torments since shee was the cause of all those mischiefes which they endured These words of hers made Herode the more eager and inquisitiue so that by force of tortures he wrought out all the secrets of these women their banquets their secret assemblies and those verie words that Herode had spoken apart betwixt his sonne and himselfe which had beene reported vnto the women that Pheroras entertained namely that he would giue him one hundreth talents prouided he would vse no conference with Pheroras Moreouer they reckoned vp the hatred that Antipater bare vnto his father the complaints that he made vnto his mother of the too long life and continuance of his father for that in regard of himselfe he was already waxen olde so that although the kingdome should fall into his hands presently yet could he receiue but verie little contentment thereby Moreouer hee alleadged that diuers brothers and brothers children were brought vp togither with him so that he might not securely hope for any thing for that already if he should fortune to die the kingdome was to descend not to his sonne but to his brother besides this he was accustomed to accuse the king of diuers cruelties committed by him and of that murther which he executed vpon the persons of his children That for feare least he should practise his tyrannie against those that remained Antipater had found out the deuise to be summoned to Rome and Pheroras withdrew himselfe into his Tetrarchy These words which as he knew had reference vnto that which his sister had often informed him of were not by him held incredible so that being pressed with the malice of Antipater he sequestred Doris his mother from his presence spoiling her before her departure of all her iewels which were valued at many talents and from that time forward he shewed himselfe more fauourable towards those women of Pheroras household But nothing did more whet Herods displeasure against Antipater then did a certaine Samaritane who was also called Antipater who had the ordering of the affaires of Antipater the kings sonne For he being brought in question and tortured declared amongst other things that Antipater had mixed a mortall poison and deliuered the same to Pheroras his vncle commanding him to practise the kings death in his absence and by that meanes least suspected That this poison was brought out of Aegypt by one called Antiphilus Antipaters friend That it was sent to Pheroras by one called Theudion Antipaters mothers brother That this poison was kept by Pheroras wife and was committed by her husband to her custodie She being examined by the king hereupon confessed no lesse hastning forth as if she intended to fetch the same she cast her selfe downe headlond from the toppe of the house yet did she not murther her selfe because she fell vpon her feet Now after she was recouered out of her swoune and the king had promised all securitie both to her selfe and her family if so be she would discouer the truth and contrariwise threatned her with extreme torments if she obstinately continued in concealing these treasons she sware that she would discouer all things according as they were acted and as many men thought at that time she tolde nothing but the truth That poison said she was brought by Antiphilus out of Aegypt and bought there by the meanes of a brother of his who was a physition After this Theudion brought it to our house and I hauing receiued it from Pheroras hands kept the same but bought by your sonne Antipater to poison you that are his father Now therefore after that my husband fell sicke and you in kindnesse came to visit and comfort him he being mooued with compassion and conquered by your brotherly kindenesse by your good affection and louing care in giuing order for his health called me vnto him and said O Wife Antipater hath circumuented me whilest by his pestilent counsailes and poisoning practises he desireth to cut off his father and depriue me of a kinde brother Now therfore since as I perceiue there is no part of my brothers louing and naturall affection diminished towards me wherewith he was wont to entertaine me and that my latest houre of life approcheth God forbid that being ready to sleepe with my forefathers I should present them with a ghost soiled and sweltred in my brothers bloud Dispatch therefore and burne this poison before mine eies Hereupon said she I presently brought it forth according as my husband commaunded me and burnt the greatest part of the poison and the rest I reserued that if after my husbands death your grace should vse me vnkindly it might serue me to escape those extremities that would betide me After she had spoken thus she brought forth before them all the poison and the box wherein it was kept After her another of Antiphilus brothers and the mother to them both confessed no lesse being constrained thereunto by force and violence of torture and acknowledged the box The kings wife also who was the daughter of the high priest was accused for confederacie and concealement of all these treasons For which cause Herode put her away from him and raced his sonnes name out of his testament wherein he had bequeathed him the kingdome after his decease He displaced also his father in law Simon the sonne of Boëthus from the priesthood and placed Matthias the sonne of Theophilus who was borne in Ierusalem in his steed In the meane space Bathillus Antipaters freeman returned from Rome who being tortured confessed that he brought a poison with him to deliuer it to Antipaters mother and Pheroras to the ende that if the first poison were not effectuall enough to dispatch the king they might make vse of this other to cut him off speedily There came letters also to Herods hands from his friends in Rome written and deuised by Antipaters meanes to accuse Archelaus and Philip for that verie often they had refreshed the memorie of Alexander and Aristobulus death contriued by their father and for that they lamented the miserable fate of them who were innocently betraied and that now also they themselues were called backe into their countrey for no other cause but vpon their arriuall to be made partakers of their brothers miserable destinie These things did Antipaters friends certifie Herod of in that by many and mightie presents he wrought them thereunto He himselfe also wrote vnto his father colourably after a maner excusing the young men and imputing their words to their indiscretion young yeers Meane while he busied himselfe in accusing Syllaeus and coutted the chiefest Romans buying
were taken by him To the performance whereof Ananias perswaded Albinus by manifest reason and by obtaining his demaund encreased and begat a number of miseries For the theeues vsed all the wilie meanes they could deuise in apprehending some one of Ananias house and when they had taken any one of them aliue they would not deliuer him except before they might haue one of their owne deliuered So that increasing both in courage and number they waxed more more insolent to afflict the countrey At the same time king Agrippa enlarged the citie of Caesarea surnamed Philippi and in honour of Nero called it Neronias He builded also to his great charge a Theater in fauour of the Berytians wherein euerie yeere he spent diuers thousands of siluer in sports He distributed oyle and corne to euery one of the people and garnished all the citie with most anticke and goodly counterfaited portraitures vpon the porches Briefely he welny transported into the citie all the ornamnts of the rest of his kingdom for which cause his subiects began to hate him seeing he depriued theÌ of their rare ornaments to adorn one strange citie Iesus the sonne of Gamaliel succeeded in the priesthood which the king had giuen him and taken away from Iesus the sonne of Damneus who resigned him his place against his will Whereupon there arose a discord betweene them For hauing assembled their resolutest followers they grew from bitter words to fatall blowes and stones But amongst all the rest Ananias was the richest in wealth and by his bountie reconciled the more vnto him Costobarus also and Saul gathered each of them a band of rascall and desperate men These two were of the bloud royall and by reason of their affinitie and alliance with Agrippa they were well beloued ââ¦or which cause they were outragious and violent in spoiling and rauishing the fortunes of the weaker sort From this time forward the estate of our Citie grewe desperate encrcasing daily more and more in wickednesse When Albinas vnderstood that Gessius Florus came to succeed him desirous that they of Ierusalem should acknowledge some good turne at his hands he called before him all those prisoners that were notoriously guiltie of murther and caused them to be executed As for those that were imprisoned vpon any small or sleight cause vpon paiment of their fines he deliuered them and in so doing the prison was cleansed of malefactors and from that time the countrey remained full of theeues and Robbers The Leuites who were ordained to sing the hymnes vnto God sollicited the king to assemble the councell and thereby to permiâ⦠them to weare the linnen Robe which the priests were accustomed to vse telling him that such an ordinance would dignifie his estate verie much in that he would be alwaies famous in memory of this new establishment This suit of theirs was easily respected and admitted For the king after he had consulted with those who were his assistants suffered the Leuites that sung the hymnes to lay aside their ordinarie Robe and to apparrell themselues in linnen as best liked them He permitted also that another part of the Leuites who intended the seruice of the temple should learne to sing the hymnes and psalmes according ââ¦s they had required All which he did contrarie to the ordinances of the countrey which being broken there was nought else to be expected but punishment At that time was the building of the temple finished And the people perceiuing that more then eighteene thousand workmen should be idle and depriued of wages whereupon they were accustomed to liue in trauailing in the building of the temple on the other side being Ioath to reserue their money thorow the feare they had of the Romanes to prouide that these workmen in the intertainment of whom they resolued to employ their treasure for if any one of them trauailed but one howre in the day he was sodainly paide his wages they requested the king that it might please him to repaire the Easterne gate on the outward part of the temple scituate in a descent the wals whereof were in height foure hundreth cubits made of square stones of white marble from the top to the bottome and euery stone twentie foot long and six foot thicke This worke was first builded by king Salomon who was the first that builded our temple But the king to whom Claudius Caesar had giuen the commission of building the temple thinking with himselfe that it was verie easie to breake it downe but very hard to build it vp and that to reedifie the porch it would cost much time and expence he denied their request permitting them neuerthelesse to paue their citie with broad stone Hee tooke the priesthoode from Iesus the sonne of Gamaliel and gaue it to Matthias the sonne of Theophilus In whose time the warre betwixt the Romanes and Iewes grew to the first head But I thinke it not amisse but verie answerable to the course of this present historie to speake of the priests and to shew how they had their beginning and to whom this honour may be lawfully communicated and how many they were in number vntill the end of the warre The first of them was Aaron Moses 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 obserued by our auncestors that no man shall be admitted to the priesthood except he be of Aarons posteritie for albeit he were a king if so be that he were of an other line it was impossible for him to obtaine the priesthood All the priests after Aaron who as we haue said was the first vntill Phanasus whom the seditious created priest in the time of the warre haue been in number 83. whereof 13 haue executed the office from the time that Moses erected Gods tabernacle in the desart vntil such time as arriuing in Iudaea king Salomon builded a temple to God For in the beginning the hie priesthood continued with the possessors for terme of life but afterwards although the priests were yet aliue yet were there other successors planted in their roomes These thirteene were of Aarons posteritie and obtained this degree in succession the one after the other Their first gouernment was Aristocratia which is the gouernment of the nobilitie afterwards a monarchy and finally a royall gouernment The number of yeers wherein these thirteene flourished were sixe hundreth and twelue yeeres from the day that our fathers departed out of Aegypt vnder the conduct of Moses vntill the edification of the temple that was builded in Ierusalem by king Salomon After these thirteene high priests there were eighteene others who after Salomons time succeeded one after another vntill the time that Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon hauing encamped before the Citie tooke the same and burned the temple and transported our nation into Babylon and led away the high priest Iosedech prisoner The time of the priesthood
one of the maids were tortured apart all their examinations agreed so that now it was euident wherfore Antipater had compacted to go to Rome and Pheroras beyond the riuer Iordan For they were often wont to say that Herode hauing killed Alexander and Aristobulus now he vvould come to them and their wiues and that it was vnlike that he would spare any one who spared not Mariamme and her sonnes and therefore it was best to flie as farre as it was possible from such a beast And that Antipater was wont often to complaine vnto his mother that now he grew gray-haired and his father waxed young and lustie and that it might so chaunce that hee should neuer liue to bee king or if euer his father died he should enioy the pleasure of the kingdome but a short time And moreouer the heads of Hydra that is to say Alexanders and Aristobulus sons began to spring vp againe and that his father had iniuriously cut off all hope from his sonnes appointing none of them to succeed him but the sonne of Mariamme wherein he was perswaded that he doted if so be hee thought his wil should be of force for he would take such an order that he would leaue none of all his progenie aliue and that Herod was the greatest hater of his sonnes of any father in the world and was not therewithall contented but he also hated his owne brethren Furthermore that he not long ago gaue him an hundreth talents that he should haue no conference with Pheroras and when Pheroras asked wherein they hurt him Antipater answered I would to God that he would take away all men else and leaue onely vs two naked so that he would grant vs life but quoth he it is impossible to escape this dangerous beast who will not suffer men openly to shew friendship to one another Lastly though we now secretly meete yet if we beare the hearts and hands of men the time will be when we may talke and meete openly The maides in torments disclosed these speeches and that Pheroras was determined to fly with them into Petra Herod beleeued all their sayingâ⦠and the rather for that which was said concerning the hundreth talents For he said nothing of them to any one but to Antipater And first of all he bent his furie against Doris Antipaters mother and taking from her all the ornaments which he had bestowed vpon her and bought with many talents he banished her When his wrath was somewhat appeased he released Pheroras maids from torments and now he became timorous and feareful and prone to any suspition torturing many that were innocent for feare he should let any escape that were guiltie Hereupon he set vpon Antipater the Samaritane who was procurator for his sonne Antipater who through torments confessed that his sonne Antipater had procured poyson out of Aegypt to kill him by the meanes of a friend of Antiphilus which poyson Theudion Antipaters vncle tooke of him and deliuered to Pheroras whom Antipater charged to dispatch Herod whilest he was at Rome far from suspition and that Pheroras gaue his wife the poyson to keepe Wherefore the king calling for her commaunded her to bring forth that which was deliuered vnto her And she making as though she would haue gone forth to fetch it cast her selfe downe from a house top thereby to preuent the torments which if she were connicted they would inflict vpon her But by the prouidence of God as it should seem it came so to passe that she fel not on her head but vpon her side so escaped death to the end that God might inflict punishment vpon Antipater And being brought vnto the king so soone as she began to come to her selfe for she was amazed with the fall the king demanded of her wherefore she had done so and sware vnto her that if she would truly disclose all he would pardon her for all but if she told an vntruth her bodie should be tome in peeces with torments and not be buried She a while held her peace and at last sayd Wherefore should I keepe any thing secret seeing Pheroras is dead to saue Antipater who hath caused all our ouerthrowes Heare O king and God be witnesse of the truth hereof who cannot be deceiued When I sate weeping by Pheroras as he lay a dying he called me vnto him and said see wife how much I am deceiued concerning my brothers loue towards me for I hated sought to kill him who thus loueth me and sorroweth so much for me though I am not yet dead but truly I am iustly rewarded for my iniquity And now wife bring me hither the poison which was left by Antipater in thy keeping for my brother make it away before my face that I carrie not with me to hell a guiltie conscience for that crime So I brought it as he willed me the most part of the poison I cast into the fire where it was ââ¦onsumed kept a little therof to my self for feare of mischances and of thee And hauing thus said she brought forth a box which had in it a very little of the poison And then the king tortured the brother mother of Antiphilus and they also confessed that Antiphilus brought a boxe out of Aegypt and that he receiued poison from his brother who practised physicke at Alexandria The ghosts also of Alexander and Aristobulus went all about the whole kingdome and became as it were spies to giue notice of such things as were vncertaine who also caused those that dwelt in the vttermost parts of the kingdome to come and giue euidence of such things as were suspected At last it was proued that Mariamme the daughter of the high Priest was acquainted with these conspiracies for her brethren being tortured did confesse it Wherefore the king reuenged the mothers fault vpon her child for hauing writ in his will that Herod her sonne should succeed Antipater in the kingdome now for her fault he blotted that out CHAP. XX. How Antipaters malicious practises against Herod were knowne and reuenged AFter all this Bathyllus ioyned himselfe with Antipater as it were to adde the last hand vnto all his practises This Bathyllus was one of his libertines who brought another sort of poyson to wit of Aspes and the poison also of other serpents that if the first proued too weake and tooke not effect that then Pheroras and his wife should make an end of the King with these And beside these shamefull practises of his against his father hee also had letters which he had counterfeited against his brethren For Archelaus and Philip two of the kings sonnes were at that time at Rome to studie who were verie toward young men and for that Antipater feared they might be some hinderance to him in that which he expected hee hasted by all meanes possible to make them away And the better to effect his purpose he counterfeited letters in his friends names that were
bring foorth presently all those that had vsed any opprobrious words against him threatning to be reuenged vpon them except they did it The Iewes made answere that the people intended nothing but peace and quietnesse requesting that they that had offended in words might obtaine pardon For it was no maruell in so great a multitude if there were some rash and foolish young men and that it was vnpossible to discerne all that offended seeing euery one was now penitent for that which was done and at least for feare would denie it And that if he were carefull to conserue and maintaine the quietnesse of the nation and preserue the Citie stil to obey the Romans he then must rather pardon a few seditious for so many good mens sake then to reuenge himselfe of a few wicked persons to hurt and molest so many that thought no harme Hereat Florus wrath was encreased and presently he commanded the souldiers to sacke the market place which was in the higher part of the Citie where things were solde and put all they met or found vnto the sword The souldiers who were desirous of gaine hauing now authoritie from their ruler did not only sacke the place they were sent vnto but also all houses and murthered the inhabitants All streets and gates were filled with them that sought to flie and the dead bodies of them that did light into the souldiers hands no sort of spoiling was omitted They also apprehended many of the nobilitie and brought them to Florus and he causing them to be whipt afterward hanged them vp And there were slaine that day of men women and children for they spared not infants six hundreth and thirtie Which did not afflict the Iewes so much as to see the sodaine crueltie and tyrannie of the Romans Florus then doing that none before durst euer presume to doe for he caused knights before the tribunall seate to be whipped and after hanged them vp who though they were Iewes borne yet receiued they that dignitie from the Romans CHAP. XV. Of another opperession of the Citizens of Ierusalem by Florus his meanes AT the same time king Agrippa was gone to Alexandria to entertaine Alexander whom Nero sent to be ruler ouer Aegypt his sister Berenice in the meane while remained in Ierusalem who seeing the cruelty of the souldiers was much grieued and often sent the lieutenants of her horsemen and her owne guard vnto Florus requesting him to abstaine from the slaughter of the citizens But he neither regarding the multitude of them that were slain nor the dignitie of her that entreated but only his priuate gaine and what he could gather by oppression and rapine denied her request so that the rage of the souldiers extended it selfe also against the Queene For they did not onely before her face beate and kill all that came in their way but they had also killed her had she not fled into the pallace where she watcht all night keeping a trusty guard about her fearing that the soldiers would breake in vpon her She came to Ierusalem to fulfill her vow to God for it is the custome that if any be afflicted with a grieuous sicknesse or be in any other destresse they must abide in prayer thirtie daies before they offer sacrifice and abstaine from wine and shaue their haire which custome Queene Berenice then obseruing stood also barefoot before Florus his tribunall seat to entreat him whom he not only contemned but also put her in danger of her life This was done the sixteenth day of May. The day after the multitude gathered togither in the vpper part of the Citie in the market place with great cries murmured that so manie were slaine and especially vsed contumelious words against Florus which the nobilitie and high priests fearing their deaths apprehended beseeching them to abstaine from such words as had alreadie caused that calamitie in the citie and not to prouoke Florus vnto greater indignation And so the multitude was pacified for their sakes who entreated and hoped that hereafter Florus would desist from such crueltie Florus when he saw the multitude quieted was sorie and that he might againe prouoke them he assembled togither the nobilitie and high Priests telling them that it would be an argument that the people did not seeke alteration any more if they would go in courteous wise and meete the souldiers which were comming from Caesarea whereof were two legions Hauing thus assembled the Iewes togither to go meet the souldiers he also sent and commaunded the Centurions not to salute the Iewes who came to meet them and if therefore the Iewes were offended and gaue any hard speeches they should fall vpon them with their weapons The high priests assembling the Iewes togither in the temple besought them to go solemnly to meet and entertaine the souldiers for feare of a greater inconuenience Notwithstanding their counsell those that were seditious refused to do as they were requested and others for griefe of them that were slaine tooke part with the seditious Then all the Priests and Leuites brought forth the holy vessels and ornaments of the temple and with Harpes songs and musicall instruments came before the multitude beseeching them to endeuour that the honour and pompe of the temple might still remaine not to incite the Romans through contumelious words to sacke the temple There might you see the chiefe of the high Priests with ashes vpon their heads and cloathes rent so that their naked breasts were perceiued calling euerie noble man by his name and speaking vnto al the multitude requested not for a small offence to betray their whole countrie to them who still gaped after the destruction thereof For what commoditie should the Romans reape by the Iewes salutation and what amendement of their miseries could they expect if they did not go to meet them Contrariwise if they would go to them in solemne sort then they tooke from Florus al occasion of persecution saued their countrey from ruine themselues from further calamities Adding that it was a great shame that such a multitude should be led away with a few seditious persons that it was more fit that so many should force those few seditious people to obey them ioyne with them in opinion With these perswasions they did mollifie the malice of the Iewes and also perswade many of the seditious people some with threats and some with reuerence of themselues to be pacified And so they going before all the people followed went out to meet the Roman souldiers And comming neere them they saluted them who answering nothing againe those of the Iewes that were seditious began to rayle against Florus by whose consent this was done and presently the souldiers apprehending them did beat them with clubs and the rest flying the Roman horsemen pursued them and trode vpon them with their horses Many were slaine by the Romanes and more were killed in the throng
resist the Romans but also God himselfe Nechias at that time king of Aegypt who also was called Pharao came and with an infinite armie tooke away Queene Sara the mother of our nation And what did our first father Abraham in this case Did he with weapons and armes reuenge this iniurie hauing vnder his commaund three hundreth and eighteene Captaines and vnder them an infinite multitude Or did he rather desist from warre perceiuing God not to accompanie him Wherefore lifting vp pure and vndefiled hands towards this holy place which now you haue defiled and prophaned he chose God an inuincible helper to aide him And was not the Queene the second night after sent home againe vnto him vntouched And the Aegyptian adoring this holy place which yee haue polluted with murders of your owne nation and trembling at the visions he saw in the night time fled rewarding the Hebrewes with gold and siluer whom he perceiued to bee so beloued of God Shall I recount vnto you the going of our auncestors into Aegypt who hauing for fower hundreth yeeres beene slaues vnto the Aegyptian tyrants and kings and able to haue reuenged themselues by force of armes yet did they rather expect and staie Gods leasure Who knoweth not that then Aegypt in reuenge of the Hebrewes was filled with all kinds of serpents and infected with all diseases and the earth became so barren that Nilus waxed drie the ten plagues followed one another without ceasing whereby our auncestors were safely deliuered without any bloudshed for God conducted them as willing to reserue them for his Priests When the Assyrians had taken away from vs the holy Arke did not Palestina and Dagon repent that fact did not all the nation of them that tooke it weepe and lament therefore For their priuie parts being putrified their bowels and the meate they did eate ranne out there and so with vncleane hands they were forced to bring it backe againe with Cymbals and trumpets thereby to make satisfaction for their offence It was God that did this for our ancestors because that they laying their arms aside wholy resigned theÌselues to his pleasure Was Senacherib king of Assyria comming with all the power of Asia and incamping himselfe before this Citie ouercome by humane force Did not our auncestors leauing armes flie to praiers and by an Angell God in one night destroyed an infinite armie And the next day the Assyrian rising found a hundred fourescore and fiue thousand of his men dead and so fled with the rest from the Hebrewes being vnarmed and not pursuing him You know also that in the captiuitie of Babylon where the people liued the space of seuentie yeeres they got not their libertie till such time as God put in Cyrus heart to suffer them to go into their owne countrie Who still assisting them they againe as the priests in old time were wont did serue and reuerence their helper In briefe our ancestors did neuer atchieue any great matter by force of armes neither did they leaue any thing vndone wherein they expected Gods helpe but still remaining quiet at home they ouercame their enemies through his prouidence And when they did fight after their owne wils they alwaies failed of their expectation For when Zedechias our king contrarie to the admonition of the Prophet Ieremie did goe foorth and fight with the king of Babylon then besieging the Citie both he and all his were taken and this Citie destroyed Yet consider how farre your Captaines are inferiour vnto that King and your selues vnto the people of those times For Ieremie crying vp and downe the Citie and saying that God was offended at their iniquitie and that except they did yeeld the same it should be taken by force yet did not the King nor any of the people lay hands vpon him And you that I may omit your iniquitie done within the Citie which though I would I could not sufficiently discipher doe attempt to kill me and vse rayling speeches against me who once gaue you holesome counsell for your good onely for that I put you in mind of your sinnes you not enduring to heare of that which you daily commit This same betided also when Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes besieged the Citie God being highly displeased at our auncestors who going out in armes against him were all slaine the towne spoyled and this holy place for three yeeres and sixe months made desolate What should I shew vnto you any more examples Who first incited the Romanes themselues against the Iewes Was it not the impietie of our owne Countrimen that did it Whence began our bondage at that time Did it not proceede from the sedition of our auncestors when the furie of Aristobulus and Hyrcanus brought Pompey into our Citie and so God subdued them vnto the Romans being now vnworthie of libertie And at length hauing for three months space endured a siege being not so great offenders as you are and better able to abide the siege then you yet did they yeeld themselues Are we ignorant of the end of Antigonus the sonne of Aristobulus who inuading the kingdome brought our nation againe into subiection God so laying this bondage vpon them for that he was moued at the iniquitie of our nation And Herode the sonne of Antipater brought Sosius and the Romane armie and besieged the Citie round sixe months space and at last for the greatnesse of their iniquitie was taken and punished for their offences and the Citie sacked by the enemies So you euidently see that our nation did neuer preuaile by force of armes And assure your selues that the Citie will be taken by this siege It is meet therfore that you who keepe this holy place wholy commit your selues to Gods wil and pleasure then feare not the forces of the enemies when by reason of your pietie you are assured of Gods helpe and succour But what one parcell of Gods law haue you obserued Nay what mischiefe haue you left vndone that hee detesteth not How farre greater is your impietie then theirs that did sodainly perish for their sinnes For you making small accompt of secret sinnes to wit stealing deceit and adulteries do violently take away mens goods by open force and murder whom yee please anâ⦠haue deuised new wayes to sinne Moreouer you haue made the holy Temple a place of all these your impieties and the seate that the Romanes did adore is by our owne nation polluted much derogating from the honour of our religion by your impious facts Last of al you hope of his helpe whom you haue so hainously offended Truely you are verie iust people and obedient and with pure hands you aske helpe of God Did our king thus pray vnto God when he obtained that in one night so many of the Assyrians should bee destroyed Or doe the Romanes commit such impietie as the Assyrians did that you may hope of the like reuenge against them for he hauing
minding to go and search the foresaid places being entred into them were forced to retire yet others for lucre sake treading on the dead carcasses searched the dead bodies if they could find any thing for much riches were hidden in the vaults and couetousnes omitted no way to gaine Moreouer many were taken out from thence whom the tyrants had bound who euen in their extremitie ceased not to tyrannize yet God plagued them both according to their deserts for Iohn being now almost famished with his brethren in a vault besought the Romans to saue his life And Simon hauing long striuen with necessitie as we shall hereafter make mention of at last yeelded himselfe who was kept for the triumph and Iohn was condemned to perpetuall prison Then they destroyed the wals and fired the outward parts of the Citie CHAP. XVIII A briefe historie of the Citie of Ierusalem THus was Ierusalem taken the second yeere of Vespasians raigne on the eight day of September and hauing beene alreadie fiue times before surprised it was finally againe destroyed First Asochaeus king of Aegypt and after him Antiochus then Pompey and after them Herode with Sosius tooke the Citie and yet destroyed it not But before them the King of Babilon destroyed it when hee had inioyed the same a thousand three hundreth and threescore yeeres eight moneths and sixe daye after it was first built but hee that first built it was one of the Princes of the Cananeans in his owne language called the iust king For he indeed was so therefore was the first Priest that sacrificed vnto God and dedicating a Temple called the Citie Solyma but Dauid the king of the Iewes hauing driuen out the Cananeans gaue it vnto his people to bee inhabited and after foure hundreth threescore foure yeeres and three moneths it was destroyed by the Babilonians and from king Dauid who was the first Iewe that raigned there vntill the time that Titus destroyed it were a thousand one hundred seuentie and nine yeeres and from the time that it was first erected vntill it was by him destroyed were two thousand one hundred and seuentie seuen yeeres yet neither the antiquitie nor riches nor the same thereof now spread all ouer the world nor the glorie of religion did any thing profit or hinder it from being destroyed Such was the end of the besieging of Ierusalem When there was none left to kill nor any thing remaining for the soldiers to get that now their was nothing against which the souldiers could shew their outrage for they would haue spared nothing that they could haue spoiled Caesar commaunded them to destroy the Citie and Temple onely yet leauing standing certaine towers that were more beautifull and stronger then the rest to wit Phasaelus Hippicos and Mariamme and the wall that was on the West side meaning there to keepe a garrison and that they should be monuments of the Romans vertue who had surprised a Citie so well fortified as it appeared by them All the rest of the Citie they so plained that they who had not seene it before would not beleeue that it had beene euer inhabited This was the end of their madnesse who were alwayes giuen vnto sedition in Ierusalem a most worthie Citie and famous amongst all nations CHAP. XIX How the souldiers were rewarded CAesar determined to leaue the tenth legion for a garrison in Ierusalem with some troupes of horsemen and other companies of footemen and all wars being now ended he purposed to thanke the whole armie for their valiant acts and reward the most couragious for their deserts And placing a great tribunall in the middest before the campe standing in it with the chiefe peeres about him from whence the whole armie might heare him hee gaue them heartie thankes for that of their good will towards him they had patiently abode with him during those warres praising them for their loyaltie during all the foresaid time and that in many skirmiges they had shewed themselues valiant and by their valour had enlarged the dominions of their countrie likewise they had now giuen al nations to vnderstand that neither the multitude of enemies nor strong holds nor greatnesse of Cities nor rashnesse nor barbarous crueltie of their aduersaries could euer resist the forces of the Romanes nor escape their hands notwithstanding that in many things fortune fauoured them adding that it was a credite for them to haue ended those warres that had continued a long time which was all that they hoped for at their comming and which was most glorie of all vnto them that those Captaines whom they had elected to be the Romane Emperours were well liked and imbraced of all men all standing to their appointment and acknowledging themselues beholding to them that elected them Moreouer that hee admired them and loued them all for that euerie one shewed himselfe valiant and couragious affirming that he would now recompence those with honours and due desert who had behaued theÌselues most valiantly most hasarded themselues effected worthy deeds whosoeuer was more forward theÌ the rest should haue a reward according to his desert And that he would be more diligent in honouring theÌ that had bin his companions in that warre then in punishing their offences then presently hee willed them to whom it appertained to nominate them who had valiantly behaued themselues in those warres and had performed anie worthie exployt which being done hee called euerie one by his name and praised them as greatly reioycing at the valour of his Countrimen crowning them with crownes of gold put chaines of gold about their neckes and gaue them large speares of gold and ensignes made of siluer he also preferred euery one of them gaue them of the spoyle precious garments with gold and siluer verie plentiously and thus hauing rewarded euerie one according to his merite and praising God with all his armie hee descended with great applause out of the tribunall and went and offered sacrifices for the victorie ââ¦nd hauing gathered a great multitude of Oxen about the Altar to sacrifice them hee offered them all and there with feasted his armie and himselfe three dayes with all his nobilitie dismissing all the souldiers to depart whether they would or thought good appointing the tenth legion to keepe Ierusalem and did not send it backe vnto Euphrates where before it was He banished also the twelfth legion out of all Syria remembring that vnder Cestius his gouernment they fled from the Iewes being before at Raphanaeas which he sent vnto Malââ¦o that is situate by Euphrates in the confines of Armaenia Cappadocia and the other two ââ¦e kept with himselfe as sufficient to guard him into Aegypt which were the fift and fifteenth legions And comming to Caesarea by the Sea coast hee theâ⦠laide vp all his spoyles and caused the captiues to be kept because that the winter season permitted him not to saile into Italy CHAP. XX.
of the castle which is thus scituate It is enuironed round with a huge stone verie high on euerie side and the valley vnderneath is so deepe that one cannot see the bottome all rockie and inaccessible to all liuing creatures saue onely that in two places there is a difficult passage vnto it one of them is from the lake Asphaltites towards the East and the easiest of the two is the West ââ¦side the first is called a snake taking his name of the straiââ¦es and crooked turnings for the rocke that is eminent seemeth as if it were broken insunder and by little and little often returneth againe vnto it selfe and it is by little little extended in length so that he that goeth that way can make no haste but must step with one foot first vpon them and the other vpon another must stand vpon one foot whilest he remoueth the other and he that falleth is sure to be slaine in the fall for there is such a hollow place on either side between the rocks that it is able to terrifie the boldest man aliue WheÌ thou hast gone thirtie stoundes by this way then thou commest to the top of the hill which is not steepe at the top but hath a plaine aboue it and Ionathas the high priest was the first that built a castle in this place and called it Massada and Herode after him bestowed great labour and cost in building that place for he enuironed it all with a wall seuen stounds circuite all of white stone twelue cubits high and eight cubits broad and placed vpon it seuen and twentie towers that were fiftie cubits high by the which men passed into the houses that were round about the wall within for the king appointed the top of the hill for tillage because it was a more fertile and fatter soyle then any ground else so that if at any time they within the castle wanted prouision from other places yet they might not be famished hauing this to finde them He also builded in this place a pallace for himselfe the way to which was on the West side within the Castle wall whose prospect vvas toward the North and enuironed the same vvith a most strong wall and in the corners thereof he built foure most firme towers three score cubits high verie sumptuous within hauing diuers roomes and galleries and bathes supported in euerie place with pillars euere one of vvhich was one onely stone the vvals thereof vvere of solide stone of diuers colours and to euerie house and in the top of the hill and round about the pallaee he hewed certaine cesternes out of the rocke ãâã to beare water so that by this meanes water vvas as plentifull as though they had fountaines within the castle There was a way vnto the castle vnder the ground from the Kings pallace which they that were without could not perceiue the way aboue ground was inaccessible for as wee haue alreadie said the way on the East side no man could passe and as for that on the West side it was stopped vp with a tower built in the striect thereof distant a thousand cubites from the Castle by which it was impossible to passe and it was not easie to get it by force and the more leasurely they went the neerer they were to danger And thus was this fortresse strenghned both by art and nature The prouision within the Castle was admirable both for the magnificence thereof and also for the long time it had continued for there was corne sufficient for many yeeres and Wine and Oyle and diuers other prouision and heapes of dates All which Eleazar found readie there hauing deceitfully obtained the Castle with his Sicarians which prouision was all as sound and as fresh as though it had newly beene laid vp in store notwithstanding that from the time it remained there vnto the time that the Romans tooke it were a hundred yeeres and the Romanes found the reliques of the fruite incorrupted and one may iustly thinke that the cause hereof is the ayre about the Castle which by reason of the height of the place is most pure and free from all earthly corruption Therewas also found all manner of Armour in great quantitie which Herode made and would haue armed ten thousand men also vnwrought yron brasse and lead so that one may iudge that prouision to haue beene reserued for some great cause It is reported that Herode prepared that Castle for his refuge when hee doubted two great daungers first that the people of the Iewes would depose him and make them Kinges whose auncestors had before reigned The other which was more dangerous then the first was for that he feared Cleopatra Queene of Aegypt who not concealing her intent did often request Antonius that Herode might be slaine and that shee might haue the kingdome of the Iewes giuen to her And it was a great maruaile that Antonius doting so vpon her did not fulfill her request Herode for these occasions hauing bââ¦ilded Massada left it furnished as the last bulwarke for the Romanes to make warre against the Iewes For the Generall of the Romanes hauing now compassed all the place without it with a wall as is before said to the end that none might escape he did verie wisely and so began to assault the Castle finding one onely place that would beaââ¦e a mount For behind the tower that on the West side stopped vp the passage into the Castle and pallace there was a great rocke verie large and long yet not so high as Massada by three hundred cubites This rocke was called Leuce which signifieth white When Silua had gotten this rocke and ascended it he commanded his souldiers to build a mount thereupon and they chearefully labouring raised a sodaine mount two hundred cubites high by reason of the height it seemed not firme nor sufficient enough to beare the engines but vppon it was built a Tribunall with great stones fiftie cubites high and as many cubites broade and the engines were such as first Vespasian and after him Titus deuised two batter walles with and so they made a tower threescore cubites high all plated about with yron Now the Romans with many shot did driue the Iewes off from the Castle wals not suffering them to lifâ⦠vp their heads And Silua hauing builded a mightie Ramme caused the wall to bee continually beaten therewith but it could scarcely enter vpon it and the Sicarians quickly preuented that building another wall within which could not bee broken with the Ramme being yet soft and so would breake the force thereof for they did sawe timber in peeces and as it were made two rayles and then filled the space betweene the two rayles with earth and with other planckes they kept the earth from falling downe so that they made a worke like the wall of a house and for that it yeelded vnto the blowes of the Ramme being soft earth the Ramme could not
the sacred tongue signifieth a King and Sos a shepheard or shepheards according to the common speech and Hicsos is a compound word Some say these people were Arabians but in other coppies I find that Hicsos is not interpreted kings shepheards but shepheards that were captiues for Hic and Hac also when it is pronounced doth in the Egyptian tongue signifie a captiue and this latter exposition seemeth to me to bee the truest for it is more agreeable with the historie Wherefore Manathon reporteth these foresaide kinges and sheapheards to haue ruled Egypt fiue hundreth and eleuen yeares and after these the king of Thebes and the king of the residue of Egypt vniting their forces togither inuaded the sayde sheapheards and held on great and long wars against them and that the sayde sheapheards were ouercome by the king Alisfragumthosis also that then they lost all Egypt which hee had in their power and that they were shut vp in a place called Auaris conteining ten thousand acres of ground which as Manathon reporteth these shepheards enuironed round about with a huge wall to the end that all their whole prouision might be fortified and all their prayses which they got defended Moreouer that Themosis sonne of the saide Alisfragumthosis endeuored by force to subdue them and for this cause besieged them with foure hundreth and foure score thousand armed men and at last despairing to take them by siege he couenanted with them that they should safly depart out of Egypt whether they would and that they vpon these conditions togither with all their families and goods and cattle departed out of Egypt into the wildernes so into Syria being in number two hundreth fortie thousand that fearing the puissaunce of the Assirians who at that time raigned in Asia they builded a citie in the countrie now called Iudea which they made so large as that it might receiue them all and this citie they called Ierusalem Further the saide Manathon in an other booke of the Egyptians affaires sayth that in the holy writings he sendeth the foresaide shepheards called captiues wherein he saith most true For our auncesters were wont to feede cattle so leading a pastorall life were called shepheards neither are they vniustly called captiues for our forefather Ioseph tould the king of Egypt that he was a captiue and long time after hee called his brethren into Egypt by the kinges commaund but wee will hereafter examine this point more straightly I will now cite the testimonie of the Egyptians concerning this point and also relate the words of Manethon touching the time when this befell who sayeth as followeth After that the nation of shepheards were departed out of Egypt vnto Ierusalem king Themosis who droue them out of the land raigned twentie fiue yeares and foure moneths and then dyed and his sonne Chebron succeeded him who raigned thirteene yeares and after him Amenophis twentie yeares and seuen moneths next his sister Amesses one and twentie yeares and nine moneths then raigned Mephios twelue yeares and nine moneths Mephamuthosis twentie fiue yeares and ten moneths Thimosis nine yeares and eight moneths Amenophis thirtie yeares and ten moneths Orus thirtie sixe yeeres and fiue moneths after him his daughter Achencheres twelue yeeres and one moneth and the brother of Rathotis nine yeeres Achencheres twelue yeeres and fiue moneths an other Achencheres twelue yeeres and three moneths Armais foure yeeres and one moneth Armesis one yeere and foure moneths Armesesmiamus threescore and sixe yeeres and two moneths Amenophis nineteene yeeres and sixe moneths Moreouer that Sethosis hauing made readie a huge armie both of foote and horse and also a Nauie at Sea left the gouernment of Aegypt vnto his brother Armais and permitted vnto him all other kingly authoritie onely forbidding him to weare a Diademe and to oppresse the Queene mother to his children commaunding him also to abstaine from the rest of the Kings concubines And Sethosis himselfe went to Cyprus and Phaenicia against the Assirians and Medes and subdued them all partly by the sword partly by feare of his power and greatnesse and being proud of all this his fortunate successe he bent himselfe against the Easterne Countrie and destroyed with fire and sword the Cities of that place with whole Prouinces and spending much time in these warres his brother Armais whome hee left in Egypt did without feare commit all that hee forbad him to doe for hee oppressed the Queene violently and dayly lay with the rest of the Kings concubines and being thereto councelled by his friends hee put a Crowne vpon his head and rebelled against his brother Also that he who was then ââ¦hiefe of the Egyptians holy customes sent letters vnto Sethosis containing all that had happened and how Armais had rebelled against him who returning to Pelusia came and enioyed againe his owne kingdome which by his name was called Egypt for Manethon writeth that this Sethosis was named Egyptus and his brother Armais Danaus Thus farre Manethon out of whome it is euident by computation of the foresaid times that our nation was deliuered out of Egypt three hundred nintie and three yeeres before Danaus and inhabited this Countrie of Iudaea so long before Danaus came vnto Argos notwithstanding the Inhabitants of Argos boast that their Citie is most auncient Wherefore Manethon recounteth two things for vs out of the Egyptian letters first that we came from another place to them afterwards went out of their Countrie againe and that so long agoe as it was almost a thousand yeeres before the Troyan warres Touching those things which Manethon professeth himselfe not to haue gathered out of the writings of the Egyptians who did write out of certaine tales and reports I will hereafter shew how they are alleadged without any reason for them For I will once againe leaue these and go to the testimonie of the Phaenicians which they writ concerning our nation The Tyrians therefore haue Chronicles of verie great antiquitie which they haue kept with all diligence concerning that which hath beene done amongst them and indeed they are worthie of memorie Amongst these Recordes it is written that king Salomon built a Temple at Ierusalem a hundred fortie three yeeres and eight months before the Tyrians erected Carthage So they haue registred the building of our Temple for Hiramus king of the Tyrians was our kings Salomons friend obliged vnto him for his fathers sake who for this cause also of his owne liberalitie gaue Salomon a hundred and twentie talents of gold towardes the building of the Temple and cut downe the most goodly wood called Libanus which hee bestowed vpon him to make the roofe of the Temple withall for which bountie Salomon gaue him againe manie liberall gifts and among the rest a Countrie of Galilee named Zabulon but Salomons wisedome was the chiefe cause of this Kings friendship towards him For they sent problemes one to the other to bee answered and Salomon in his answeres appeared
most wittie as also hee did in many things else and euen vntill this day many of their Epistles sent one vnto another are kept amongst the Tyrians And that I doe not feare the authoritie amongst the Tyrians I will proue by the testimonie of Dius a man who by common consent hath faithfully written the Phaenician Historie wherein he writeth as followeth After the death of Abibalus Hiramus his sonne reigned in his steade who increased the number of his Easterne Cities and inlarged Ierusalem hee also ioyned the Temple of Iupiter Olimpius situate in an Iland vnto it filling vp the water with earth and adorned it with golden gifts After this ascending into Libanus he cut downe the wood to build Temples and that the king of Ierusalem named Salomon sent vnto him certaine riddles to be expounded and he againe the like vnto him couenanting together that he who could not tel the meaning of one an others riddles should pay vnto the other a some of money and that Hiramus confessing he could not expound Salomons riddles did pay vnto him much money Lastly that one Abdemonus a Tyrian did expound the said riddles and writ more vnto Salomon which if Salomon could not interpret hee should pay vnto Hircanus a sum of mony this testimonie Dius beareth vs concerning the foresaid matter But I will now recount the words of Menander an Ephesian who hath registred the acts of al kings both at home and abroad endeuouring to make a true historie out of the writings of enerie country This man writing of the Tyrian kings and comming to Hiramus he saith thus of him Abibalus dying there succeeded in the kingdome his son Hiramus who liued 34. yeers this king with a rampier conioyned Eurichorus and erected there a pillar of gold in Iupiters temple and went into the woods and cut downe the Cedars of Libanus to make couerings for the temples of which pulling downe the olde he erected new and dedicated the temple of Hercules and Astartus but that to Hercules in the moneth of Peritius and then the other to Astartus when he wââ¦an army went against the Tyrians who did not pay him tribute whom when he had subdued he returned againe At this time also liued Abdemonus a seruant vnto the king who was wont to expound the parables which king Salomon of Ierusalem sent vnto king Hiramus now how long it was from this kings time till the building of Carthage we may thus calculate After the death of Hiramus his sonne Beleastartus succeeded him who liued fortie and three yeeres and raigned ââ¦en after him his sonne Abdastartus who liued twentie yeeres and raigned nine but this king was treacherously slaine by the foure sonnes of his nurse the eldest of whom raigned twelue yeeres Next whom Astartus the sonne of Beleastartus who liued fortie and foure yeeres and raigned twelue after him ruled his brother Astarimus who liued fiftie and foure yeeres and sate in the kingdome nine then he was slaine of his brother Phelletes who raigned eight moneths and liued fiftie yeeres and was slaine by a priest of Astarta named Ithobalus who liued three score and eight and raigned thirtie two yeeres him succeeded his sonne Badezorus who liued fortie fiue yeeres and raigned six yeeres to him succeeded his sonne Mettinus who liued thirtie two yeeres and raigned nine After him Pigmalion who liued fiftie sixe yeeres and raigned fortie in the seuenth yeere of whose raigne his sister Dido builded a Citie in Africa and named it Carthage so that from the time of king Hiramus vnto the building of Carthage is by this computation a hundreth fiftie fiue yeeres and two moneths and for as much as the temple of Ierusalem was built in the twelfth yeere of Hiramus his raigne the computation of the time since that yeere vntill the building of Carthage is 143. yeeres and 8. moneths What need we alleadge more seeing this testimonie of the Phoenicians The truth is now sufficiently made manifest for our auncestors must needs haue come into this countrey we inhabite before such time as they built a temple in it as I haue also made manifest in my bookes of Antiquitie collected out of our holy Scripture I will now speake of that which the Chaldeis writ of vs in their histories which do much agree in all other matters with those of our nation And first let Berosus be my witnesse who was a Chaldean borne yet a man famous and knowne vnto all that loue learning for he in the Grecian tongue did write Astronomie and the Chaldeis Philosophie Berosus imitating the most auncient histories writeth of the diluge and how mankinde was therein extinguished and he in all things imitateth Moses He also speaketh of the Arke wherein our forefather was preserued and affirmeth that it was carried vnto the tops of the mountaines in Armenia after this he prosecuteth the Genealogie of all that raigned from Noe vntil Nabulassarus king of the Babylonians and Chaldeans He likewise setteth down how long euerie one raigned and in prosecuting the deeds of this king he recounteth how he sent his sonne Nabuchodonosor into Aegypt and to our countrey with great power who finding them rebels subdued them and burnt the temple at Ierusalem and so departed carrying with him all our nation into Babylon whereupon our Citie was desolate seuentie yeeres vntill the raigne of Cyrus king of the Persians Moreouer he affirmeth that the Babylonian kept Aegypt Syria Phoenicia and Arabia exacting more of his subiects then euer any king of Babylon or Chaldea had done before his time And the words of Berosus must needs be to this effect Nabulassarus his father hearing that his substitute in Aegypt Caelesyria and Phoenicia had rebelled he himselfe not being able to take such paines committed these affaires vnto his sonne Nabuchodonosor and gaue vnto him a part of his army for that he was in the ââ¦ower of his age and sent him against him and Nabuchodonosor fighting with the said Champion ouerthrew him and subdued the countrey which of olde belonged vnto them and at the same time his father Nabulassarus fell sick in Babylon and died hauing raigned twentie nine yeeres But Nabuchodonosor long after vnderstanding his fathers death he disposed of Aegypt and other prouinces as he thought good and taking the captiues of Iudaea Phoenicia and the Syrians that liued in Aegypt he committed them to certaine of his friends to be brouglit with other carriage and his army to Babylon and so he himselfe accompanied with a verie few to his iourney to Babylon through the desart and finding that the Chaldeis ruled all and that their nobilitie reserued the kingdome for him he was made king and commanded houses to be built for the captiues that were comming in the most conuenient places of Babylon and he of the spoile beautified the temple of Belus and other places most richly and built a new citie without the wall of the olde and prouiding least hereafter the
to Athens and Polycrates to Lacedaemon and the Author that writ Tripoliticum for it was not Theopompus as some suppose vsed the Citie of Thebes verie hardly and Timaeus in his Histories of the foresaid places doth many times detract both them and others And this they doe calumniating the most excellent that are in something or other some for enuie and malice others that their fond babling may make them famous and so indeede it doth amongst fooles that are knowne to haue no sound iudgement but wise men will condemne their malice To bee short this is the cause of so many slaunderous reports forged against our nation Some to gratifie the Aegyptians haue attempted to depriue the truth and so haue neither reported the veritie concerning our auncestors comming into Egypt nor touching their departure from thence and they haue had many causes of malice and enuie vrging them hereto And chiefely for that our progenitors in their countrie waxed mightie and so departing to their owne Countrie were made happie and fortunate Secondly the diuersitie of our two religions made great discorde and variance amongst vs our religion so farre excelling theirs in pietie as the diuine essence of God excelleth vnreasonable creatures for they commonly worshippe such bruite beastes for gods and euerie one worshipeth diuers kinds vaine and foolish men who from the beginning haue beene accustomed to such sottish opinions as would not permit them to imitate vs in our diuine religion and conformable to reason and yet seeing many fauour and followe our religion they were hereby incited to such hatred that to derogate from vs they feared not to falsifie their owne auncient Recordes not considering that in so doing they were led through a blind passion to wit against themselues Moreouer I will proue all I haue now spoken to bee true by one mans words whom a little before being a famous Historiographer we haue produced as a witnesse of our antiquitie Manethon therefore who professeth himselfe to haue gathered the Egyptian Historie out of their holy writings hauing by way of a Preface recounted how our predecessors came into Egypt with many thousands and there conquered the Inhabitants hee afterwards confesseth that loosing all their possessions in Egypt they got that Countrie which is now called Iewrie and in it builded a Citie named Ierusalem and a Temple and thus farre hee imitateth auncient writers And then vsurping to himselfe authoritie to lie protesting that hee will inââ¦ert into his Historie ââ¦aine reports diuulged amongst the common people hee reporteth things of the Iewes all together incredible intending to mixe with our nation the Lepers of the Egyptians and other sicke people of other Countries who as he saith being abhominable to the Egyptians made an escape froÌ thence affirming also that they had a King named Amenophis which is a fained name and therefore he durst not presume to speake determinately of the time of his reigne whereas hee speaketh exactly of the reigne of all other kings Hereupon also he addeth certaine fables forgetting himselfe that he reported the shepheards departure out of Egypt to Ierusalem to haue beene almost fiue hundred and eighteene yeeres before his time for king Themusis reigned when they departed out of Egypt from whome the time that other kings did reigne vntill the two brethren Sethâ⦠and Hermeus accomplisheth the terme of three hundred fourescore and thirteene yeeres Hee also saith that the eldest of these two Sethon was called Egyptus and the other Hermââ¦as was called Danaus whome his brother Sethon expelled and afterward reigned fiftie ââ¦ne yeeres and after him Rampses his eldest sonne reigned threescore and sixe yeers Hauing therfore confessed our auncestors to haue departed out of Egypt so many yeeres beââ¦e now lastly hee addeth that Amenophis was their king who was a contemplator of the gods as Orus their king before him was and that one Amenophis a Priest the soââ¦e of Papius did in all things most excellently accomplish his desire which Priest seemed to participate of some ââ¦ne nature for he excelled in wisedome could foretell things to come and that he gaue the king his surname that he might also see the gods if so be he would ãâã to clense the countrey from Lepers and other vncleane people Wherat the king reioycing gathered togither all the impotent people of his land amounting to the number of foure score thousand and sent them and other Aegyptians appointed to this worke into the East part of Nilus there to hew and square stones And that amongst them there were also certaine learned priests infected wich leprosie also that this diuine priest Amenophis greatly feared least the indignation of the gods would fall vpon the king and himselfe who had perswaded and councelled the king to doe violence vnto the foresaid Lepars likewise that he said that because he vsed the helpe of vncleane persons they should obtaine dominion ouer Aegypâ⦠for thirteene yeeres yet durst he not presume to signifie this vnto the king but he killed himselfe leauing this written in a booke where men might finde it and the king hauing notice hereof fell into great sorrow and heauinesse This done he speaketh as followeth So the king being requested for their quietnesse and defence to assigne them a Citie to inhabite he appointed vnto them a desolate place called Auaris which had been the shepheards Citie this Citie the auncient diuines call Triphonis but they hauing gotten the possession of this place fit for rebellion they made choice of one of the priests of Heliopolis to be their captaine whose name was Osarsiphus and bound themselues with an oath to obay him in all things and he presently made a law that they should neither worship the gods of the Aegyptians nor that they should abstaine from those beasts which the Aegyptians count holy and that they should marrie with none but such as they iudged to be their friends Hauing ordained this and many things els contrarie to the Aegyptians religion he commanded them wiââ¦h great labour to enuiron their Citie with a wall and to make preparation to warre against king Amenophis and he himselfe making choice of some priests and a few other vncleane persons sent to Ierusalem to the shepheards which were driuen out of Aegypt by king Themusis declaring vnto them their owne and their fellowes iniuries and requesting them to leuie an army to fight with them against Aegypt promising them free entrance into Auaris the countrey where their forefathers inhabited and that he would furnish them with all necessaries telling them that they should now fight in so happy a time as that without all doubt they might conquer the countrey The shepheards hereat reioycing all of them armed themselues to the number of two hundred thousand and leauing their Citie they came to Auaris But Amenophis king of Aegypt hearing of their inuasion and remembring what Amenophis the sonne of the priest Papius had left in writing was in great feare and
presently assembling togither the people of Aegypt and consulting with the princes of his countrey he sent all holy beasts and all that the priests esteemed before him giuing the priests especiall charge to hide their Idols and he commended his sonne Sethones who also by his father Rampses was called Ramesses being but fiue yeeres olde vnto the custodie of a friend of his and then accompanied with three hundred fighting men he met his enemies but would not fight with them fearing least he should fight against the pleasure of the gods and so he retired himselfe vnto Memphis and taking Apis and the rest of the Aegyptian gods hee with all his troupes of Aegyptians tooke shippe and fled into Aethiopia For the king of Aethiopia vpon curtesie obeied him and for this cause he entertained him his followers prouided all necessaries for them for that fatall thirteen yeers banishment and this was done in Aethiopia In the meane time the inhabitants of Ierusalem came downe into the country with the vncleane Aegyptians and did so tyrannize ouer the inhabitants that all their beholders iudged their victorie to be full of crueltie for not contented to fire the cities and townes and to commit all manner of sacriledge and to destroy the Idols of the gods they did also most cruelly teare in pieces the sacred beasts and forced the priests and prophets to lay violent hands vpon them and kill them after which deed they draue them out of the countrey naked It is therefore reported that a Heliopolitan priest Osarsiphus by name made lawes for them and statutes to gouerne them This priest was called Osarsiphus taking his name from the God of Heliopolis called Osiris who being now thus conuersant with this people changed his name and called himselfe Moses Thus the Aegyptians report of the Iewes and many things els which for breuitie sake I omit Manethon furthermore writeth that afterward Amenophis the king came with a great power out of Aethiopia and his son Rampses with him accoÌpanied with a great army and that ioining battell with the shepheards and polluted persons he gaue them an ouerthrow and pursued them vnto the borders of Syria And this is Manethons report but for as much as he writeth olde wiues tales dotages and lies I will by manifest reason conuince him first distinguishing that whereof I am to speake hereafter He of his owne accord granteth and confesseth that our auncestors at first were not Aegyptians but strangers that came thither from another place and conquered the countrey and againe departed from thence I will now out of his owne writings endeuour to shew that the weake people of Aegypt were not mixed with vs and that Moses who indeed was our conducter out of Aegypt and liued many ages before was no Lepar He therfore first of all setteth downe a ridiculous cause of this forementioned faction which was that king Amenophis was desirous to see the gods Which gods trow yee he could already see the Oxe the Goate the Crocodile and the Munkey but the God of heauen how could he see And why had Amenophis this desire forsooth because a certaine king one of his predecessors had seene them he therefore knowing by him what things they were and how he came to the sight of them needed no new deuice to accomplish his desire but perhaps the foresaid prophet was a man of great wisedome by whom the king had confidence to attaine his desire but if so he had been how chanceth it that he was so vnwise he could not perceiue that it was an impossible thing to satisfie the kings desire for that which he promised was not brought to passe Or what reason mooued him to thinke that the gates were inuisible because of Lepars and weake people The gods are offended with mens impieties not with the defects of their bodies And how was it possible that at one instant so many thousand Lepars and infirme persons should be gathered togither or wherein did not the king obay the Prophet he commaunded that the Lepars and infirme persons should be exiled the countrey and the king did not banish them the countrey but sent them to hew stones as though he had needed workemen and not purposed to cleanse the countrey from Lepars Lastly he saith that the Prophet foreseeing that Aegypt was to suffer and fearing the wrath of the gods he killed himselfe and left his minde in a booke written vnto the king How chanced it then that the prophet did not at first foresee his own death and so opposed himselfe vnto the kings desire to see the gods or wherefore did he feare such calamities as were not to fall in his life or what great miserie hanged ouer his head which might worthily cause him to kill himselfe to preuent it But let vs heare that which followeth more sottish then all the rest The king quoth he hearing this and stroken with feare did not for all this expell those Lepars he ought to haue exiled but at their request gaue them as he saith a Citie wherein before time the shepheards did inhabite called Auaris whereinto they being come they made a priest of Heliopolis their prince who deuised lawes for them commaunding them neither to adore the gods nor to abstaine from offering violence to such beasts as amongst the Aegyptians are sacred but that they should kill and spoile all things that they should marrie with none but such as were their confederates that he bound the people with an oath to keepe those lawes and that they fortified Auaris to fight against the king Adding moreouer that he sent to Ierusalem for helpe promising to yeeld Auaris vnto them being a place sometime possessed by their ancestors and that they from that place leading their forces might easily subdue all Aegypt he then saith that the Aegyptian king Amenophis came against them with three hundreth thousand and yet for that he would not striue againct the decree of the gods he fled into Aethiopia and carried with him Apis and other holy beasts and that the inhabitants of Ierusalem comming downe inuaded the land fired the townes and Cities slew their nobles vsed all sort of crueltie possible and that the priests name who made lawes and statutes for them to liue vnder was one of Heliopolis Osarsiphus by name deriuing the same from Osiris the god of Heliopolis and that this man changing his name was afterward called Moses Moreouer that Amenophis hauing liued in banishment thirtie yeeres came with a strong power out of Aethiopia and fighting with the shepheards and polluted he slew many of them and put the rest to flight pursuing them vnto the borders of Syria Manethon remembreth not that heere againe he telleth a verie vnskilfull tale for although the Lepars and impotent persons were offended with the king for appointing them to hew stones yet is it to be thought that they receiuing their owne desire at the kings hands to wit a Citie to dwell in
that now they againe became the kings welwillers Supposing also their hatred still continued towards him they rather should haue attempted reuenge by treason against him then towards all their nation wherin they had many deare friends and alliance And although they had purposed to warre against these men yet would they not haue been so impious as to haue rebelled against the gods and to haue violated the lawes wherein they were brought vp We haue therefore cause to thanke Manethon in that he cleareth vs and affirmeth his owne countrimen yea a priest to be authors of this impietie and that by oath bound themselues so to doe But is it not against all reason that neither any of their countrimen nor kinsmen rebelled with them but that the poore distressed people were glad to send to Ierusalem for succour But what societie or friendship had they with the people of Ierusalem of whom they came to demaund help Why they were more their enemies then the rest of their countrimen were all of quite different manners from vs. They of Ierusalem as he saith presently did as they were willed to do in hope that according as they were promised they might subdue Aegypt were they ignoraÌt of that countrey out of the which they had beene driuen by force had they liued in pouertie or miserie perhaps they might haue beene induced to haue done it but seeing they inhabited a fortunate and rich citie and passed a goodly fertile soile far better then Aegypt what might moue them therto what reason had they at the request of their ancient enemies and they also so diseased as they of Ierusalem could not abide their owne friends amongst them that had the like diseases to thrust them selues into daunger they could nor foreknow the kings intent to flie for as Manethon himselfe saith he met them at Pelusia with three hundreth thousand men And this they that went to warre well knew But what reason had they to coniecture that the kings mind would change and he flie Then he saith the armie of Ierusalem getting the granaries of Aegypt into their hands did much harme and this he vpbraideth them withall as who should say they were not requested to come as enemies or as though these matters be to be cast in souldiers teethes that are straungers and sent for from out of another countrey when as the Aegyptians themselues had before their comming done the like and bound themselues by an oath to performe the same But short time after Amenophis fought with his enemies and got the victorie of them and put them to flight and pursued them vnto the borders of Syria As though that Aegypt were a contrie so easily to be wonne by any man that at any place or part thereof inuadeth it and that the souldiers of Ierusalem hauing now by the lawes of armes possessed that and knowing Amenophis to be yet aliue would not haue fortified that part of the countrey where by he might haue inuaded them hauing all opportunity to doe it or at least they would haue gotten more helpe from one place or another Amenophis as he saith pursued them euen vnto Syria through the sandie and drie places as though it were easie for an armie that had nothing else to doe but to march on forward to passe leasurely thorough them To conclude therefore our nation neither came of the Aegyptians as Manethon confesseth neither was it mingled with the deseased of that countrie for it is probable that many of those sicke people perished in the stone works many in the great fight and battaile and the rest of them in the flight It now remaineth that I refute that which he speaketh of Moses The Aegyptians do all agree that this man was a diuine person and one to be admired but they commit great impietie in labouring to challenge him for their contriman saying that he was a a priest of Heliopolis banished with the rest for leprosie For he is recorded to haue liued fiue hundreth and eighteene yeeres before this time and to haue guided our auncestors out of Aegypt into that countrey wherein we now inhabite and his owne words testifie his bodie to haue beene cleane from that disease of leprosie for he commaundeth all lepers to be expelled out of the townes and villages and to liue a part by themselues also to be clothed in some torne garment that whosoeuer toucheth them or commeth vnder the same roofe with theÌ is to be accounted an vncleane person And if so be a leper happen to be cured of that disease he appointed certaine purifications clensings and bathes of fortunate waters and all his haire should be shaued off and that then after many and sundrie sacrifices he should be admitted into the holy citie But contrariwise had he bin vrged with that misfortune and calamitie himselfe he would surely haue beene more prouident more mercifull to such as should haue beene afflicted with that disease He did not onely make these seuere lawes against lepers but he also interdicted all that wanted any ioint or parcell of the bodie from being priests or exercising any office at the Altar yea he also appointed that if any priest should haue any of these defects bââ¦tide him after he was a priest that then he should be be depriued of the dignitie How can it then be probable that to his owne preiudice and discredit he would haue enacted such lawes Also the changing of his name is incredible for he was called as he saith Osarsiph which nothing agreeth with the transmutation of his name but his true name betokeneth that Moses was saued from the water For Moy in the Hebrew tongue signifieth Water But I haue now sufficiently as I thinke declared how Manethon whilst he followed the auncient writers did not much erre but when he fell to olde wiues tales he then either absurdly feined them of his owne head or else for hatred he bare to our nation beleeued them I now thinke it not amisse to examine alittle the words of Chaeremon who professing himselfe to write the Aegyptian historie maketh mention of the sameking Amenophis his sonne Rhamesses as Manethon doth and he reporteth that Isis appeared to Amenophis in his sleepe checking him for that her temple was destroyed and that Phiritiphantes a holy scribe told the king that if he would expell all polluted and vncleane persons our of Aegypt that then he should not be any more terrified with these night visions Moreouer that hereupon he making search for all sicke and diseased persons he banished them out of his land to the number of two hundreth and fiftie thousand and that their captaines were called Moses and Ioseph holy scribes also that theis Aegyptian names were so that Moses was named Tisithes and Ioseph Petesephus and that they came vnto Pelusium where they found three hundreth and fourescore thousand left thereby Amenophis whom he would not permit to come into Aegypt also that they
fiftie yeeres before the foundations of Carthage The truth whereof I haue heretofore approued out of the records of the Phoenicians who report that Hyrââ¦m was Salomons friend who builded the temple in Ierusalem and that he furnished him with much timber and other matter toward the finishing of that building Now Salomon builded the temple sixe hundreth and twelue yeeres after the departure of the Israelites out of Aegypt and after he had inconsiderately reckened the number of those which were driuen out of Egypt in like manner as Lysimachus had done namely of one hundred and ten thousand men he yeeldeth a most admirable reason and such as may be easily beleeued from whence he pretendeth that the name of Sabath was deriued For saith he after they had trauailed for the space of six daies there grew certaine inflamations in their groines by reason whereof they rested on the seuenth day being safely arriued in the countrey which at this day is called Iudaea because the Egyptians cal Sabatosis an Vlcer that groweth about the groine Who can otherwise chuse but laugh at this fopperie or contrariwise who would not hate such an impudent custome in writing and coyning of lies For he reporteth as farre as a man may coniecture by his writings that all the Iewes who were to the number of one hundred and tenne thousand persons had these Vlcers in their secrets Now had all of them beene haulte lame blinde and sickely as Apion reporteth they could not haue iournied one day but since they trauailed thorow the desart and vanquished all armies that resisted them it is no likely matter that all of them were sicke of a disease in their priuy parts euerie seuenth day neither is it naturally possible that such a disease should befall so many thousand men in their iourney and that they euerie day should trauell a certaine space and a limited march neither standeth it with any probabilitie but rather a manifest absurditie that any such thing should befall them but this admirable Apion saith that they arriued in Iudaea within the space of sixe daies Againe he writeth that Moses ascending vp the mount Sinai which is betwixt Arabia and Aegypt hid himselfe in that place for the space of fortie daies and descending from thence gaue lawes vnto the Iewes But how I pray you was it possible for him to remaine fortie daies in a desart without water or how could all the Iewes within six daies trauell from Aegypt into Iewrie As for his Grammaticall diuination of the word Sabaoth it sauoureth too much of impudencie or at least of ignorance for these words Sabbo and Sabatum doe greatly differ for Sabatum in the Iewes language signifieth rest from worke but Sabbo in the Aegyptian tongue betokeneth a disease about the priuie parts as Apion saith See here what cauilling fictions this Aegyptian Apion vseth concerning Moses and our departure out of Aegypt wherein he counterfeiteth and coineth absurdities vnthought of by any others Shall we then wonder if he belie our forefathers who maketh no bones to belie himselfe for being brone at Oasis a towne in Aegypt this heigh vnreputed honour of the Aegyptians forsweareth both his countrey and nation and counterfeiting himselfe to be an Alexandrian he ratifieth his nations wickednesse No maruell then though he terme them Aegyptians whom he hateth and raileth against for if he had not been perswaded that the Aegyptians were wicked base people he would neuer haue denied himselfe to be their countriman for such as prowdly boast of their famous countrey esteeme it a credit to beare the denomination thereof and reprehend such as without iust cause make themselues of their nation Wherefore the Aegyptians are one of these two waies affected towards vs Iewes for either they claime vs to be their countrimen as glorying of vs and their countrey or else for that they and their countrey being infamous they desire that we should be partakers of their ignominie But indeed this worthy Apion seemeth so to inueigh against vs as thereby rewarding the Alexandrians for bestowing their Cities vpon him and knowing them to be at variance with the Iewes of Alexandria he as it were casteth a bone betweene them and raileth not onely on the Iewes of that Citie but of all wheresoeuer but he belieth both of them most impudently But let vs examine those hainous and enormous matters and as he saith such as are not to be suffered of which he accuseth the Alexandrian Iewes Comming quoth he out of Syria they seated themselues neere the sea coast where there was no hauen neere vnto the surges of the water Now if this place which they inhabited were ignominious yet it followeth not that the Iewes owne countrey was so also yet herein Apion raileth against Alexandria which he maketh his owne countrey for the sea coast is part of Alexandria and as all men iudge the best place thereof to dwell in Now if the Iewes by force of armes so vanquished this place that they could neuer since be driuen out of it it is no discredit to them but rather an argument of the valour But Alexander gaue them that place to inhabite and the Macedonians did allot them as great priuiledges as the Alexandrians had I know not what Apion would haue said if the Iewes had dwelt about Necropolis and not about the kings seate their tribes being euen at this time called Macedonians If therefore Apion haue read the Epistles of king Alexander and Ptolomaeus Lagus or others their successors kings of Egypt or seene the pillars that are erected in Alexandria containing the priuiledges that Caesar the great granted vnto the Iewes if I say he knew of these and yet did presume to write the contrarie then he was a bad fellow but if he was ignorant hereof he was then an vnlearned person The like ignorance also discouereth he where he wonders that the Iewes that were in Alexandria were called Alexandrians For all that are on Colonie though verie different people yet doe they all beare the name of their founder and that I may shun prolixitie the Iewes of Antioch are called Antiochians for Seleucus the founder made them also Citizens the like may also be said of the Iewes of Ephesus and at the other Ionia who by the kings gifts enioy the same priuiledges with the rest of the Citizens The Romans also of their clemencie haue granted the name of their nation which is no small gift not only to priuate persons but to great nations in generall To be short the auncient Spaniards the Tyrrhenes Sabines are called Romans or if Apion will take away this denomination of the Citie wherein men inhabite let him cease to call himselfe an Alexandrian for he being borne in the hart of Aegypt can no wise be an Alexandrian if the priuiledge of the Citie be taken from him as he would haue it from vs. And the Lords of the whole world the Romans haue amongst all other nations onely
prohibited the Aegyptians from hauing the priuiledges of any Citie and so this gallant gentleman being himselfe incapable of dignitie endeuoreth likewise to hinder them from it who haue true right vnto it For Alexander labouring with all diligence to build that Citie did not make choice of vs for want of people to furnish the same withall but for that he bestowed the libertie thereof vpon vs as a reward and testimonie of our vertue and fidelitie endeuouring indeed to honour and credit our nation thereby for Hecataeus reporteth that Alexander for the Iewes good seruice and fidelitie bestowed vpon them the countrey of Samaria and freed them from paying tribute for it The same good affection towards the Iewes of Alexandria Ptolomaeus Lagus continued after him for he deliuered into their hands the strong holds of Aegypt for that he iudged that their valour and fidelitie would keepe them and intending to make himselfe Lord of Cyren and other places in Lybia he sent certaine Iewes to inhabite the same After him Ptolomaeus Philadelphus did not onely release and set free all captiues of our nation in his countrey but also did many times remit their paiments of money and which was the principall point of all he desired to be instructed in our lawes and holy scriptures for this cause sent vnto vs requesting that we would send him some learned men to interpret them vnto him and that this might be performed with more diligence he committed the care hereof not to any but Demetrius Phalerius Andreas Aristeus Demetrius being the onely mirror of learning in his age the other two being Esquires of his own body neither would he haue euer desired to haue bin instructed in our lawes and customes if he had despised vs had not rather admired vs. But Apion know that almost all the Macedonian kings his successors in order did peculiarly affect our nation For Ptolomaeus the third which was also called Euergetes coÌquering Syria by force did no sacrifice vnto the gods of Egypt for his victory but came to IerusaleÌ there after our maner sacrificed many hosts vnto our God to him dedicated gifts worthy of such a victory Ptolomaeus also surnamed Philometor his wife Cleopatra coÌmitted the rule of his whole kingdom vnto the Iews Onias Dositheus both Iews were generals of his army whose credit Apion detractes wheras he rather ought to haue admired them haue thanked them for deliuering Alexandria whereof he maketh himselfe a citizen For when there was a rebellion in Cleopatras kingdome and all was in perill to be destroyed these two men deliuered Alexandria from ciuill warres But Apion saith that after this Onias came and brought a little armie into the citie at such time as Thermus the Roman Embassadour was there present True it is and that fact of his was most iust For Ptolomaeus Physcon after the death of his father Ptolomaeus Philometor comming out of Cyrene endeuored to expell the Queene Cleopatra and the kings sonnes to the ende that he contrary to all iustice might possesse the kingdome and this was the cause why Onias tooke armes against him in Cleopatras behalfe not forsaking his fidelitie vnto kinges in the time of necessitie yet God himselfe did manifestly witnesse his iustice in this actiom For when Ptolomaeus Physcon presumed to fight against Onias his armie and tooke all the Iewes their wiues and childrenthat were in the Citie and bound them and stripping them naked cast them before Elephants to be destroyed and to the intent that the Elephants might the rather treade vpon them made the said beasts dronken all things fell out contrarie to his expectation for the Elephants forsaking the Iewes which were cast before them did fall vpon Ptolomaeus his friends that stood by and slew many of them which done there appeared vnto Ptolomaeus a most horrible vision forbidding him to harme the Iewes and his chiefest best beloued concubine also whom some cal Ithaca other Herene came vnto him besought him to abstaine from such impietie wherrupon he being sorie did penance for that he had alreadie committed and that which he thought to commit so that the Iewes of Alexandria celebrate this day in remembrance that vpon it God did manifestly deliuer them yet Apion who speaketh well of no man accuseth the lewes of impietie for bearing armes against Physcon whereas indeed he ought rather to haue commended them for it But Apion extolleth Cleopatra the last Queene of Alexandria onely for that she was vniust and ingratefull vnto vs when he rather ought to haue reproued her in whom all impietie and wickednes raigned both concerning her owne kinred and her husbands who loued her and also generally against all the Romans and the Emperours his bene factors who killed her owne sister Arsinoe in the temple who had not any wife offended her shealso trecherously slew her owne brother and destroyed her auncestors Gods and sepulchers and receiuing the kingdome from the first Caesars gift she ingratefully rebelled against his son and successor and infecting Antonie with her poisoned drinks and amorous enchauntments she made him rebell against his countrey and to be vnconstant to his own friends depriuing some of kingly dignitie and compelling others to be instruments of her impietie And what else shall we say of her who in the battaile by sea sorced Antonius her owne husband who also had many children by her to yeeld himselfe the Empire and armie vnto her and become one of her followers Lastly when Alexandria was taken by Caesar she was so cruelly minded that not remembring her owne estate she accounted this her safetie if with her owne hand she might kill the Iewes that she might be cruell and trothlesse to euery bodie Is it not a glorie thinke you to vs that as Apion reporteth in the time of dearth and famine wheat was so plentiful in Iury that it was not solde by measure But Cleopatra was punished as she deserued And we call great Caesar himselfe to witnesse of our fidelitie and the seruice we did him against the Aegyptians the Senate also and their decrees and the writings of Augustus Caesar wherein our deserts are testified These letters Apion ought to haue read and to haue examined all testimonies of vs which were left first by Alexander and then by all the Ptolomees and what the Senate of Rome decreed and the mightie Emperours And if so be Germanicus could not get corne to suffice all the inhabitants of Alexandria that was a token of scarcitie and dearth and not the Iewes fault For what all Emperours thought of the Alexandrian Iewes it is manifest enough for the Iewes want of corne was not onely left vnsupplied but also the want of other Alexandrians But they haue alwaies kept that wherewith the auncient Princes did put them in trust to wit the keeping of the riuer and whole countey as not being thought vnfit for their
long time together warred against the Idumaeans Zabidus departing out of a Citie of Idumaea where Apollo was worshipped came vnto the Iewes promising them to deliuer vnto them Apollo the Dorians god and bring him vnto their Temple if so bee that all of them would there assemble themselues together and that afterwards Zabidus did make a most excellent kind of wooden instrument and placed in it three ranckes of Candles and put it vpon him and so walked like a starre gliding on the ground for that shape he resembled to them that were a farre off from him And that the Iewes hereat seeing this straunge vision admired and were astonished and standing a farre off they were all silent and how by this shift Zabidus easily got into their Temple and tooke away the golden Asses head for so hee writeth plainely and so to haue returned speedily to Dora Wherefore we may say that Apion leadeth an Asse to wit himselfe with fooleries and lies for hee nameth places that are not and setteth downe Cities to himselfe vnknowne for Idumaea is a Prouince neere vnto vs and bordering vpon Gara and there is no Citie in it called Dora but in Phaenicia neere vnto the hill Carmelus there is a Citie of that name yet nothing consonant to Apions slaunders for it is foure dayes iourney from Iudaea Why therefore doth he so rashly accuse vs for not worshipping the same gods that other nations doe seeing as he saith our predecessors did so easily beleeue that Apollo would come vnto them and that he walked vpon the earth with starres vpon his backe Perhaps indeed they had neuer before seene a candle or lampe themselues hauing so many or is it likely that he walking thus quite through our countrie where so many thousand men are no one of them al met him Did he in time of warre finde the townes and villages by which he past without any watchmen Well I omit the rest The gates of our temple were three score cubites high twentie cubites broad all couered with gold yea almost all of cleane gold and these gates euerie day were shut by two hundreth men and it was too impious a thing to leaue them open is it then credible that this candlebearer could easily open them who alone was iudged to haue the asses head So that now it remaineth doubtfull whether Zabidus did bring backe againe the asses head or els Apion tooke it of him and brought it againe to our temple that there Antiochus might finde it and so Apion might haue another occasion of lying He also belieth vs concerning the oath which he saith we Iewes doe take swearing by the God of heauen and earth and sea neuer to fauour any stranger and especially the Greekes This liar might better haue said not to fauour any stranger and especially the Aegyptians and so his former lies and these should haue had better correspondence with the beginning if our auncestors had been expelled by their predecessors out of Aegypt not for their wickednesse but for their owne calamitie But we are so far from the Greeks that we scarcely euer thinke of them so that no man can say that there is any enmitie betweene vs and the Greekes But contrariwise many of them haue embraced our religion and some of them therein perseuered others againe haue forsaken it yet none of them will say that he heard this oath spoken amongst vs but it should seeme that onely Apion heard of it in that he himselfe indeed forged it Truely his great wisedome and prouidence is woorthy to be admired as shall hereafter appeare for he to prooue these his lies to be true saith that it is a certaine testimonie that the lawes we obserue are most vniust and that we worship not God as we ought to do in that we were subiect to diuers nations and our Citie endured many calamities Where as touching themselues they are of a Citie that flourisheth in absolute authoritie accustomed to gouerne from the foundation thereof and not to serue the Romans In effect who can resist their valour Truely no man but Apion would euer haue flowted vs herewith seeing that few Cities so flourish and raigne ouer other that they againe at no one time haue been brought into subiection For many nations are subiect to others onely the Aegyptians are freed from the captiuitie of such as rule Europe and Asia for that as they say the gods flying into their countrey were saued by entring into the bodies of beasts Yet haue they not indeed had any one daies libertie since the beginning of the world neither vnder the gouernment of their owne princes nor vnder strangers I will not stand to recken how often the Persians haue wasted their Citie destroied their temples and slaine their supposed gods For it is not decent that I should imitate herein Apions foolishnesse neither am I calling to memorie what befell the Athenians and Lacedaemonians the last of which are recorded to haue beene most valiant and the first to haue beene most deuout and religious neither will I recken vp those most godly kings amongst whom Craesus was one who notwithstanding fell into great calamities Moreouer I will not recount how the Castle of Athens was set on fire and the temples of Ephesus and Delphos likewise and many others There is now one Apion a new accuser of the Iewes who vpbraideth them with their calamities forgetting quite all miserie that hath befallen his countrimen the Aegyptians but he was blinded with the fable of Sesostris whom he saith to haue been king of Aegypt We could report and boast of our kings Dauid and Salomon who subdued many nations vnto them but it is not fit here to speake of them But Apion was ignorant of that which all the world knoweth to wit that the Aegyptians haue serued first to the Persians and afterwards to the Macedonians and that as bondslaues where we remaining in free libertie raigned ouer all Cities round about vs 120. yeeres euen vnto the time of Pompey the great and when all the other kings were subdued by the Romans onely our kings for their fidelitie and friendship towards them were deare vnto them Oh but this sticketh vpon Apions stomacke that we haue not had any famous men of our nation who haue inuented artes and sciences and been excellent in wisedome such as Socrates Zeno Cleanthes and others whom he setteth downe were and which is most to be admired Apion putteth himselfe in the number of these famous men and saith that Alexandria is blessed and happy that hath deserued to haue such a Citizen as he is and great reason that he himselfe should testifie that of himselfe which all men else perceiue in him to wit that hee is an impudent deceitefull fellow both of corrupt life and manners So that any Alexandrians had iust cause to be sorie that they euer had any better opinion of him But that our nation had men equall at least vnto those
it desired For example sake reason cannot hinder thee from being angrie but it can so worke that thou commit no impietie when thou art angrie in like manner it cannot hinder thee from desiring filthy pleasure yet can it cause thee not to yeeld vnto it Reason therefore cannot vtterly extinguish vice but onely bridleth it Witnesse in this the example of holy Dauid who fighting against strangers with great successe and being at euening wearie and faint he came vnto his princely tabernacle that was guarded by his souldiers where he found them all at meate yet himselfe being thirstie durst not drinke notwithstanding water was hard by onely for that religion disswaded him for he had vowed not to drinke before he had conquered his enemies He also forbad his men to drinke so that they might fight more couragiously if not for that they were valiant at least for that they might so haue drinke Whilest thus his thirst encreased three young men of strong bodies armed themselues and taking with them a vessell to put water in they went vnto the enemies campe and there assaulted the watchmen who for feare of death fled and so they past thorow the campe till such time as they came where the water was and taking some from thence they brought it to the king But holy Dauid so bridled his humane appetite that by reason he quenched his desire and shewed an excellent token of patience teaching how the feare of God was to be preferred before all things For taking the water he had much wished for and which had been gotten with such danger he presently powred it on the ground as a sacrifice to God chusing rather to die for thirst then to offend the diuine maiestie yet reason is not so forcible that it is able without due consideration to represse the inordinate motions of the minde and mitigate the griefe of the bodie But it is now time to come to our historie yet is not this former discourse to be thought impertinent for that it is somewhat appertaining to the matter ensuing Such was the wisedome and fidelitie of our forefathers that Seleucus king of Asia enriched our priests and being a man of another religion did ascribe all his actions and worthy deedes to the religion and faith of our auncestors But wicked mens madnesse could not herewith be satisfied For one Simon hating the high priest Onias and finding no waies or meanes to be reuenged of him in his owne countrey he went vnto Appolonius Gouernour of Syria Phoenicia and Cilicia and before him in a publike assembly tolde him that he could helpe the king to an infinite treasure for quoth he there is hidden in Ierusalem an infinite deale of golde and siluer which by right belongeth vnto king Seleucus Appolonius hearing this praised and commended Simon and confiscated the golde and siluer to the treasure house of Seleucus and hauing authoritie from the king to get it he leuied an army and so accompanied with Simon came vnto our country purposing if any violence were offered to vse the defence of his souldiers When the treasure house of our temple was now a sacking Onias wept bitterly and said that it was a heauy sight to them to whom this treasure was committed to see it or any part of it taken away But Appolonius neither respecting the teares and entreaties of the olde men women nor children pressed into the temple they all praying God to punish him and to defend their temple Being now with a great guard of armed men entred into the holy temple there appeared certaine angels on horsebacke with weapons in their hands and shining with a fierie flame about them and they daunted the courage of this infidell Appolonius who presently fell downe flat vpon his face and lying so a great while at last he came a little to himselfe and rising vp he leaned vpon his shoulder who kept the temple not being able to stand alone he was so terrified with the vision he had seene When he came a little to himselfe and was in some hope of recouerie he stretched both his hands towards heauen and himselfe despairing to obtaine pardon for his offence committed hee besought the Hebrewes to spoile whose temple he came to make intercession for him himselfe with teares crauing pardon for his offence and not onely acknowledging his fault but also confessing himselfe to haue deserued death and all punishment possible Holy Onias seeing this and fearing also that if Appolonius should then die the Hebrewes would be suspected to haue made him away he made prayers to God for him and so obtained his enemies life Appolonius presently hasted to Seleucus to let him vnderstand what had happened but when he came he found Seleucus dead and Antiochus raigning in his steed a man of tyrannous nature who bare an auncient grudge to Onias the high priest and therefore made Iason his brother high priest in his steed Iason promising Antiochus in lieu of this good turne to pay him three thousand six hundreth and threescore talents of siluer euerie yeere This Iason being now made high priest and chiefe amongst all the nation of the Iewes hee presently forced all the people to impietie and to forsake religion so that to build bathes he hindred the defence and building of the temple and all Doctors of our nation conspired with him in this iniquitie But hereat God was presently wroth who being displeased it was not needfull to seeke forraine enemies for Antiochus himselfe was incited to rage against them Who warring against Ptolomaeus king of Aegypt he heard it reported that the Iewes did deeme him to be dead yet was he verie gallantly entertained by the inhabitants of Ierusalem and presently after the fight he made an edict that who so amongst the Iewes refused to offer sacrifice to the gods that he should presently die vpon the wheele But the godly minded of our nation did little esteeme this edict yea the women circumcising their infants as our lawe requireth did afterward cast themselues downe headlong to the end that they might so obtain a present death without longer delay Antiochus perceiuing that the seueritie of his edict could not compell the Hebrewes to forsake their religion but that men voluntarily did chuse death he sitting in an eminent place from whence all the Iewes might behold him calling all of them togither he caused swines flesh to be sacrificed vpon the altar and to be offered to euerie Hebrew to eate Amongst this whole multitude assembled from all places was one Eleazar a priest well instructed in learning and the feare of God a man of aged yeeres and of a verie reuerent countenaunce one that was knowne to all men and famous for his vertue To this man Antiochus said thus Be aduised by me holy olde man to eschew those torments prepared for such as are obstinate preserue thy reuerent age and contemne not the benefit of this life take
a. high priesthood confirmed to him 80. g h i. giueth his stoole to Eleazar 82. h. his death ibid. h. Aarons rod fructifieth 81. a. Abdon Iudge of Israel 120. k. renowmed for his issue ibid. k. Abel second son of Adam 5. a. is commended ibid. a b. is stain by his brother and why ibid b c. Abias leuieth an army 211 b. ouercommeth Ieroboam 211. f. dieth 212. g. his issue ibid. Abiathar escapes Sauls hands 149. d. telleth Dauid of his families slaughter 150. g. asketh counsell of God 157. b. dispossessed of the priesthood 191. d. holpe Adonias 186. l. Abigal pacifieth Dauid 152 k l m. after married to Dauid 153. b. Abihu Aarons son burned 67. a. and why ibid a. Abimelech king of Gerar enamoured of Sara 16 i. plagued for taking her ibid i. made a couenant with Abraham ibid l. expelleth Isaac his countrey 21. b. after maketh a league with him ibid. c. d. Abimelech Gedeons bastard sonne 117. c. killeth 69. of his brethren and vsurpeth ibid. e f. practiseth against the Sichemites 118. i k. slaieth them and sacketh their Citie ib. l. burned the Sichemites fled to the rock 118. l m. taketh Tebez 119. a. is wounded and slaine ibid. Abiram rebellious 79. a b. he and those that were with him swallowed vp 80. g. Abisai ouercommeth the Idumaeans 167. c. sent against the Ammonites 169. a. Abisai 183. c. Abisace nourisheth Dauid 186. i. Abner Sauls vncle 132. l. questioneth with Saul ibid. m. Generall of his army 147. c. maketh Isboseth king 160. g. reuolteth from Isboseth 161. a. killeth Azael 160. perswadeth the Gouernours to create Dauid king 161. c d. is slaine 162. g. Abraham son of Thares 11. c. tenth from Noe ib. e. taught the Aegyptians religion artes 13. b c. first preacher of the word 12. i. his wisedome ib. an Astronomer 12. k. 13. c. an Arithmetitian ibid. c. his house 12. l. oppressed by famine ibid. m. deuided the land with Lot 13. c. rescueth Lot and the Sodomites 14. h. A son promised him 14. k. 15. b. foretolde his progenie to be euill intreated 14. k l. circumcised himselfe and Ismael 15. b. entertaineth Angels and entreateth for the Sodomites ib. d e. intended to offer his son 18. h. k. marrieth Chetura 19. prouideth a wife for his son ib. d. dieth 20. l. is commended ibid. Absence of Dauid excused 147. c d. Absolon killeth Amnon 173. a. fled to Gessur 173. c. reuoked from banishment and how ibid. d e. affecteth the kingdome 174. k. proclaimed king ibid. l. passeth ouer Iordan 177. d. his ouerthrow 178. h. slaine by Ioab ib. i. Abundance foretold 40. l. Abundance of siluer 204. h. Abundance of victuals foreshewed 228. i k. effected 229. d. Abundance of victuall shewed 722. g h. Acclamation of the people 451. c. Accusation of Laban against Iacob 25. b. of Iacob against him ib. d e. of Putifars wife against Ioseph 32. g. of Doeg against Achimelech 149. a. of Aristobulus and Hyrcanus 353. b c. of Antipater against his brethren 595. f. of Herod and Nicholaus 602. m. 603. a. 604. h. of Antipater against Archelaus 609. d. of the Iewes 612. k. Achab son of Amri king of Israel 214. h. followeth impieties ibid. tooke to wife Iesabell ibid. seeketh Elias 215. c. coueteth Naboths vineyard 217. b. his repentance ibid. f. twise ouercommeth the Syrians 219. a b d. reprooued for dismissing Adad 220. h i. imprisoneth Micheas and why 220. i. 221. b. reiected his aduice 221. e. f. wounded dieth 222. g h. Achabs 70. sons 232. Achar stole the spoiles dedicated to God 102 m. hid them in his tent 103. a. found guiltie and put to death ibid. c. d. Achaz of Iuda sacrificeth his son 241. a. serueth Idols ib. a b. 242. g. ouerthrown in battell 241. c. hireth Theglaphalasar 241. f. shutteth the temple gates 242. h. dieth ibid. Achias reprooued Salomon 204. l. foretold Ieroboam to be king ouer 10. tribes 205. c. Achis a king of the Philistines 148. h. leadeth out Dauid against the Hebrewes 156. k. dismisseth him and why ibid. l m. Achitophels counsell against Dauid 176. a. hangeth himselfe 177. b. Acmes letter to Antipater 446. m. 447. a. executed 450. g. Acquaintance of Rebecca with Abrahams seruant 20. g. Act of Saul most malicious 149. d. an Action how said to be good 140. h. Action of Saul and his people 139. e. Acts of the Israelites 109. b c d e f. Acts of Simon against the Zelous 692. h. c. Act most cruell 723. c. d. Actian warre 584 h. Adad king of Damasco ouercome 167. a. Adad king of Syria proposeth conditions to Achab 218. h i. k. ouerthrowne 217. a. his second expedition ibid. c. taken prisoner is dismissed ibid. d e. discomfiteth and slaieth Achab 222. g. h. asketh counsell of Elizaeus 229. c. his death foretold 229. f. Adam created and how 3. f. placed in paradice 4. g. forbidden the tree of knowledge onely 4. h. transgresseth ibid. i. cast out of Paradice 5. a. begot Cain and Abel ibid. a and other children also 6. g. his age and death ibid. g h. 7. b. prophecied of a twofold destruction ibid. h. Adar a moneth of the Hebrewes 99. e. Ader enemie to Salomon 205. a. spoiled the landes of the Israelites 205. c. Adoni-bezec taken 109. c. punished confesseth Gods iustice ibid. c. Adonias affecteth the kingdome 186. i. flieth to the Altar 187. d. requireth Abisace 291. a c. slaine ibid. c. Aduersities befell the Israelites 113. c. and why ibid. c. Aduice of Raguel allowed 58. i. of the Elders reiected 206. i. of young men accepted ibid. l. Adulteresse her policie 32. g h. Adulterie 71. b. punished 94. h. Adulterie of Elies sonnes 125. b. Adulterie of Dauid 169. d. Affaires of Ioseph 639 b. Affection of Ioseph toward his brethren 38. l. of Ionathan to Dauid 144 m. Affinitie of Iacob with Rachel 23. b. of Saul and Ionathan with Dauid 144. i. 145. b. of Demetrius with Ptolemey 326. h. Affliction of the Hebrewes with the causes thereof 41 b c d. 46. g. l. 47. e. Africa from whence it tooke his name 19. c. Agag king of the Amalechites taken 139. c. spared and why ibid c. put to death 140. l m. and why ibid. Agar Saraes handmaid 14. m. contemned her mistris and why ibid. m. fled commanded to returne 14. m. 15. a. promised happines 17. c. brought forth Ismael ibid. a. cast out with her sonne 17. b. comforted ibid c. Age of Isaac at his offring 18. g. when he died 27. d. Age of the fathers before the floud 7. a b c. Age of Abraham 20. l. of Iacob 40. m. Aggaeus the prophet encourageth the Iewes 271. b. Agreement of the seditious 700. m. 710. h. Agrippa offereth 100. fat Oxen 413. c. reconciled to the Ilyensians 414. g. confirmeth the Iewes priuiledges 415. c. writeth to the Ephesians 422. h. Agrippa becommeth poore 472. i. k. borroweth money 473. b c e admitted to Caesars
corrupted 520. i. banisned 521. a. Cunning of Dauid in playing on the haipe 141. e. Cups of gold 197. b. Curse against him that builds Iericho 102. l. Custome of the countrey 24. g. Custome obserued in sacrifices 68. l m. Custome of warre 97. c d. Custome in Samaria 228. l. Custome laudable in a king 280. l. Custome to punish slaiers of themselues 659. f. Custome of the Romans 711. d. Custome of the Priests 766. i l. c. Cutthroates among the Iewes 523. c. Cyprus a Castle 588. g. Cyrenaeus taxeth Iudaea 462. l. Cyrus lung of Persia 26â⦠b. ouerthroweth Balthazar and taââ¦th Babylon 262. h. dismisseth the Iewes 265. a b c. permitteth to build Cââ¦e and Temple 265. b c. his decree touching the temple 271. c d. Cyzicenus king of Syria see Antiochus D Dagon fell downe 127. c. Dares of creasion six 3. d e. the seuenth sanctified ibid. e. the day lengthened 104. m. Dalila foundeth Sampson 123. a. betraieth him ibid. b c. Darââ¦aseens kill 10000. Iewes 639. c d. N. Damascenus testimonie of Abraham 12. k. Damasco countrey of Abraham ââ¦2 k. Damsels intice the Hebrewes to idolatrie 8ââ¦9 d. 86. g. Dan the sonne of Iacob 24. k. what it signiseth ibid. k. his issue 40. g. Daniels austere life 258. g h. expounds Nauchodonosors dreame 259. c d. aduaunced to honour ibid. 262. g f e. his fellowes cast into the furnace 259. f. interpreteth the writing 262. g. cast into the Lyons dentie 262. l. his vision of the Ram and Goat 263. d ãâã his predictions of the Roman Empire 264. h Datius king of the Medes 261. b. surpriseth Babylon 262. h. causeth Daniels enemiâ⦠to be cast to the Lyons 263. a. Darius son of Hystaspis maketh a vow 263. a. performeth it 268. l m. propoundeth three questions 267. b. his letters for building the temple c. 268. m. 269. a. he restoreth the vessels c. ibid. b. his Epistle to the prefects of Syria 171. c. Darius king of Persia ouerthrowne 285. 2. Darknesse separated c. 3. d. Darknesse of Aegypt 49. a b. Dart of Saul 153. c d. Darts profit not the Iewes 709. d. Dathan rebellious 79. a. he with his companio were swallowed vp 80. g. Daughters of Salpades inheritance 88. c. Daughters of the Madianites 85. d. allure the Hebrewes to Idolatrie 86. g. Dauid annointed king 141. b c. seased with Gods spirit 141. d. caseth Sauls vexation ibid. d e f. killeth a Lyon and a Beare 142. k. m. ouercommeth Goliab 143. c d. killeth six hundreth l'hilistines and marrieth Michol 144. k. l. vanquisheth the Palestines 145. d. discouereth Sauls affection towards him 146. h. complaineth to Ionathan 146. k l. receieth Goliahs sword 148 g h. counterfaiteth madnesse and why 148. i. his care of his parents ibid. k. defendeth Cilla 150. h. flieth to the Ziphians 150. k. escapeth Sauls hands and how 151. a. twise saueth Sauls life 151. b c. 153. c d. testifieth his innocencie ibid. c. 154. g. spareth Nabals flocks 152. g. incensed against Nabal and why ib. i. is appeased ibid. l. m. vpbraideth Abner 153. d e. dwelleth at Siceleg and spoilet the Satrites c. 154. i. recouereth his vites and slaieth the Amalechites 157. b c. lamenteth Saul and Ionathan c. 159. c f. chosen king by one tribe c. 160. g. requireth Michol 161. b c. purgeth himselfe of Abners death 162. i. k l. surpriseth Ierusalem 164. h i. vanquisheth the Palestines 165 b c. transporteth the Arke and how ibid. c e. intended to build a temple 166. h. gaue God thankes ibid. k. reuengeth his Embassadours 169. b c d. marrieth Bethsabe 170. l. repenteth his sinne 171. b. mourneth for his sonne 171. ibid. c d. expelled his kingdome 177. b. his entertainment at Mahanaim 177. c. commandeth to spare his sonne 177. f. bewaileth Absalons death 179. a. granteth Amasa pardon 179. c. his concubines sequestred 181. c. distributeth offices 182. b. deliuered out of perill ibid. l. perswaded to abstaine from warre ibid. lus 38. champions 183. c. c. sendeth Ioab to muster the people 184. h. of three punishments offered chooseth the plague 184. k. prayeth for the innocent people ibid. l. commanded to build an Altar ibid. m. gathereth store of yron c. 185. d. counselled Salomon to honour God ibid. f. groweth olde and numbe 186. h. numbreth the Leuites 187. e. confirmeth the kingdome of Salomon ibid. commendeth Salomon to the tribes 188. h. his counsell to Salomon 189. c. willeth Salomon to punish Ioab 189. d. commendeth Berzillais sonnes to Salomon 189. his age raigne and vertues ib. f. Dauncing of the maidens of Israel 243. e. of Dauids before the Arke 165. e f. Daunger of the Israelites 50. i k l. 51. d. c. of Dauid 144. m. 145. c f. 150. i k l m. 151. a b. of the Sephorites 534. a. of ââ¦cims sonne 532. g. of Ioseph 537. c. 538. g. 539. a. 641. c d. of Herode 577. c. of Titus 700. h. Dead ââ¦e vnburied 721. d. c. Dead bodie raised 236. m. Dealing of Laban with Iacob 25. d c. Dealing of Saul with Dauid colourable 144. g h i. Death of the fathers 6. k. 7. a c. Death of the seuen brethren 800 k l. 801. a. 802. g. 803. c. Death of Abraham 20. l. of Isaac 27. d. of Rachel ibid. c. of Iacob 40. m. of Ioseph 41. a. of Moses 99. b c. of Samuel 151. f. of Salomon 206. g. Death of the first begotten 49. d. Death of the leader discomfort to the souldier 222. h. Dearth of victuals prophecied 214. k. Debate compââ¦itted 157. d. c. Debate of the Iewes and Samaritanes 322. m. 323. 2. Debate of Herode with his sonnes 590. b. Debate betwixt the Ladies 598. m. Debora a prophetesse 115. a. encouraged Barac ibid. c. Decease of Herode 605 i k. Declamation of Sentius 499. a b. Deceit of Florus 624. k. of Iohn 676. g. of the Iewes 702. l m. Deciding of hard controuersies referred to Moses 58. i. Decree of the Romans 315. c. of Cyrus 271. c d. Decree of destinie 714. g. Dedication of the Tabernacle and Priests 66. l. Defence of Moses c. 790. i k. Defence of Nicholaus 609. c. 613. a. 459. b. Defie of the enemie 142. i. 145. b. Deflouring of Dina 26. m. of Thamar 172. i. k. Deflouring of a Virgine 94. i. Deliuerance of the Israelites out of Egypt 50. g. l. from danger 51. d e. f. Deluge or floud 6. i. the cause thereof ibid. when it hapned 7. a b. destroyed all saue those in the Arke 6. decreased 7. d. Demetrius exhortatorie letter 290. g. Demetrius Seleucus slaieth Lysias and Antiochus 313. d. maketh himselfe king ib. d. sendeth Nicanor against Iudas 314. i. sendeth Bacchides against Ionathan 319. b. maketh peace with Ionathan 320. i. 321. b. fighteth with Alexander and is slame 321. c. Demetrius Nicanor ouercommeth Alexander 326. g. obtaineth the kingdome ibid. incurreth the ââ¦tred of his souldiers ibid.
l. discomfited 328. g. taken prisoner 330. l. put to flight refused by his wife dieth 337. 2. Demetrius Eucaerus king of Damasco 344. ouercommeth Alexander ibid. l. m. besiegeth his brother Philip. 335. c. Departure of Israel from Egypt 49. d c. 50. g. of Cestius c. 638. h i. Depulsion of the Iewes libertie c. 628. i. Description of tho theeues caues 579. c. of Prolemais 618. l. of Galilee 646. k. of the countrey beyond the floud 646. m. of Samaria 647 a. of Iurie 647. b. of the lake Genezar 665. c. of Ierusalem 703. e f. of Iericho 687. d c. of Antonia 708. h. of the Temple and Porches 788. g h. good Deserts of Dauid 145. b c. not to be forgotten ibid. d. 577. a. Desire of gold 423. b. Desolation through Ierusalem 685. c. Desolation lamented 750. g. Destinie 714. g. Destruction of Sodom 16. g. of Senacheribs host 246. k. Destruction of all things foretold 6. h. Destruction of Iudaea 245. b. Destruction of the Iewes 666. k. Destruction of Ierusalem 715. c. see Ierusalem Determination of God 730. h. Detractions of writers concerning the Iewes 776. g c. 777. f. c. 778. i k. 779. a. c. Deuise of Ioseph against the Ram 653. e f. of Artorius 733. c. Deuotion of the Israelites 129. b. a Dew descended from heauen 55. a. called Manna ibid. a. Diadem of Asia refused 325. c. Difficulties of the Hebrewes see daungers Dignitie royall concealed 133. a. Diligence of the Romans 648. g. Dina the daughter of Iacob 24. l. rauished by Sichem 26 m. desired in marriage by ãâã but denied ibid. m. 27. a. Diophantus counterfaiteth letters 596. g. Discipline of the Romaâ⦠6ââ¦8 g c. Discomfiture of Sauls armie 157. f. Discontents renued 626. g. Discord in Iurie 672. h. Discord domesticall ââ¦73 b c d e. 416. h i. 423. d. Discord whence ariseth 591. b. Discord betweene the Idumaeans and Zealous 692. k. Discord of the Iewes and Alexandrians 786. Discourtesie shewed 19. ãâã Discretion of Gedeon 117. c of the Roman souldiers 669. a. Disease called by the Egyptians Sabatosis 783. d. Diseases of Herode 605. d. Dismission of the Israelites 237. c. Disobedience of Saul 139. c d. of the Israelites ibid. c d c. f. Iadon 208. h. of Ionas 238. l. Disobedience 94. m. 95. a. cause of calamitie 110. g c. 111. a. c 113. d. 114. g. ibid. m. 125. b. 126. g. c. Displeasure of God against Baalam 84. g h. against Saul and his people 139. c. against the Chuthites 245. i. against Senacherib 246. k. Displeasure of Titus 723. c. d. of Balac against Baalam 84. l. of Saul against Dauid 144. m pacified 145 c. of Florus against the Iewes 625. c. of the Israelites 130. m. Disposition of the armie 72. i. Disproofe of the Zealous fiction 677. c of Apions 783. d c. 786. h i. a Dissembler 640. l. Dissension at Tarichea 664. k. between Iohn and Simon 718 g. Distinction of the Hebrewes gouernment 135. b. Distribution of the Iewes 744. h. Distribution of the spoiles and pray 57. b c. 87. c. 103. f 104. g. Distribution of Herodes kingdome 459. d. Distresse of the Israelites 53. d e f. Diuision of the land of Canaan 106. h. Diuision of the land betweene Abraham and Lot 13. i. Diuision of the Tabernacle 62. i. of the Temple 196. g. of Iudaea 647. b. of the priests 187. f. Diuiners banished 154. l. Diuell seeketh to abolish the Bible 304. h. Doctrine of Elias confirmed 216. h i. Doctrine of the Esseans 614. m. Doeg master of the kings mules 148. h. 149. a. accuseth Achimelech and why ibid. a. slaieth the priests ibid. c d. Dogs lick Achabs bloud 222. h. deuoure Iezabels carcas 232. k Domitian subdueth the Germans 749. b. Doris Herods wife 368 i. thrust out of the pallace 441. i. spoiled of her Iewels 600. k. Dorites place Caesars statue in the synagogue 407. f. Dortus crucified 520. k. Dowrie of Salpades daughter 88. l. Dreame of Ioseph 28. l m. 29. a b. of the Butler 32 k. of the Baker 33 a. of Pharao ibid. b c. of a Madianite 116. k l. of Nabuchodonosor 258. k. of Herod 581. a. of Archelaus 614. i. of Glaphyra ibid. k. Drowfinesse of Abner and his souldiers 153. c. Dutie of a king 141. c. E Eagle of gold 447. f. pulled downe 448. h. 604. m. 605. a b. Eagle the ensigne of the Romans 640. k. 650. g. a signe of victorie ibid. g. 7. full Eares of come 7. thinne or withered what 33. c. f. Earth created 3. c d. richly endowed ibid. couered with darknesse 3. c. cursed for mans sake 4. l. called a virgine and why 3. f. swallowed vp Dathan and Abiram 80. g. Earthquake 239. c. 130. g. Earthquake killeth 10000. men 391. b c. 584. i. Easter or the Paschall solmnized 102. h. Ebutius against Ioseph 536. h. Eclipse 448. m. Edict in behalfe of the Iewes 365. c. Edict of king Pharao 41. d. of Cyrus 265. b. Edict of restraint 60. l. Edict of Saul broken 137. f. of Nabuchodonosor 259. c. Edom a name giuen to Esau 28. h. his countrey ibid. h. Education of Iacob and Esau 20. m. 21. a. of Moses 43. c. Effects of Gods spirit 141. d. Effects of the euill spirit 141. d. Aegypt described 694. i k. length and breadth thereof ibid. of whom so called 770. h. an Aegyptian Prophet gathers 30000. 622. l m. Aegyptian priests circumcised 790. h i. Aegyptians pay the fift part of their profits 40. l. solde their possessions c. ibid. i k. to what things addicted 41. b. war against the Aethiopians 43. e f. require Moses for their captaine 44. h. afflicted with plagues 48. 49. weepe at the departure of the Hebrewes 49. e. pursue them 50. h. drowned in the red sea 51. f. worship beasts 786. g. h. Eglon subdueth the Israelites 114. g. killed by Ehud ibid. k. Eliud killeth Eglon 114. i. putteth the Moabites to flight ib. k l. Eie of God discouereth sin 563. Eies pulled out 123. c. 255. a. Ela son of Basa 213. d. slaine by Zamri ibid. Elcana father of Samuel 125. c. loued Anna ibid. c. Elders resolued to make Dauid king 161. d. Elders counsell reiected 206. i. ââ¦0 Elders rule Galilee 639. e f. Eleazar high priest praised 2. h. Eleazar Moses sonne 46. m. Eleazar Aarons sonne 80. i. affixed his censor to the Altar and why ib. i. succeedeth his father 82. ââ¦dieth 108. m. Eleazar killeth an Elephant 312. i. slaine 559. c. Eleazar vpbraideth Hyrcanus 338. k. Eleazar an archtheese surprised 622. i. Eleazar exerciseth crueltie 621. Eleazar one of the Zelous 676. m. caused the Idumaeans to be sent for ibid. m. 677. a. Eleazar kils himselfe 690. l. Eleazar taken 753. b c. whipt ibid. exhorteth the Iewes to submit 753. c. Eleazar captaine of the Sicarians 755. d. besieged in Massada 756. i. sheweth the Romans tyrannie 760. k. Eleazar brought vnto
ibid. b. desolated 726. g. Iudas Machabaeus 306. i. slaieth Apollonius and discomsiteth the Syrians ibid. k. m. his oration to his souldiers 307. twise discomfiteth Lysias 308. g h k. purged the Temple 308. l. 309. a. warreth with the neighbouring nations 309. c. b. succoureth the Iewes in Galaad 309. f. 310. g. his admirable victorie ibid. k. besiegeth the Castle in Ierusalem 312. c. and why ibid. his league with Antiochus 313. a. slaieth Alcimus partakers 374. h. putteth Nicanââ¦o flight 315. a. couenanteth peace with the Romans 315. c. abandoned of his men ibid. f. is slaine 316. i. 560. g. Iudas the Essean a Prophet 340. h 562. l. Iudas the Archtheefe 456. i. Iudas Galilaeus sect 464. g. Iudge corrupted with money 368. k l. Iudges ââ¦ualities 91. d. their office 223. c d. placed in euerie citie of Iuda ibid. c. Iudgement Teat in seuerââ¦ll cities 130. k. Iulian his valour and death 729. a b c. Iulius Ant. for the Iewes 422. k. Iupiter Enyelius reliques 9. e. Iustice is Gods power 91. e. Iustice of God 244. mâ⦠leaues nothing vnpunished 601. 2. Iustice oppressed 130. l. Iustice neglected 566. h. Iustice of the Esseans 616. g. Iustification of Samuel 135. c. Iustus incitoth the people to rebellion 531. c d. reproued 549. b. his countrey Tiberias ibid. accused 553. c. condemned to death 550. i. his booke when published 150. k. desireth to commaund Galilee 552. i. Izates king of Adiabenaâ⦠514. i. learneth the service of God ibid. disswaded from circuââ¦cision 515. a b. writeth ãâã the Parthians c. 516. i. calleth vpon God 517. f. deliuereth the kingdome to his brother 518. ãâã h. dieth ibid. K Keeper of the prisons entreatie of Ioseph 3â⦠i. Kind of liuing most miserable 717. c d. Kindnes of Agrippa 544. g. kinds of sacrifice two 68. h. i. Kindnes pretended 601. f. Kindnes of Herode 603. a. sat Kine and leane what they signifie 33. d e f. ãâã King desited 130 m. Kings field 14. i. 33. e f. 5. Kings of the Madianites slaine 87. e. of a King to be elected what things are required 92. h. i. the Kings of Canaan warre against the Hebrewes 105. a. they and their whole ãâã put to the sword ibid. b. 31. Kings ouercome by the Hebrewes 105. c. Kings of Egypt why called Pharaohs 201. f. 102. g. Kings of Alexandria called Ptolomies 202. g. King of Moab sacrificeth his sonne 226. i. King inioyned by oath to serue God 234. l. Kingdome of Salomon rent 204. m. 205. d. a Kingdome how continued 141. c. Kingdome promised to Iehues posteritie 233. e. Kingdome of Herode deuided 459. d. Kingdome not giuen but the honours thereof 591. b. Kingdome of Agrippa 620. k. Kinred 20. i. 23. e. Kinsman 25. c. Knowledge of celestiall bodies 6. h. Knowledge of good and euill 4. i. L Laban Bethuels sonne 21. g. consenteth to Rebeccaes mariage 20. k. entertaineth lacob 23. d c. appointeth him master of his shepheards ibid. f. deceiueth him 24. h. 25. d. pursueth after him 25. a. maketh a couenant with him ibid. b e f. his goods 24. m. 25. e. Labour of the Esseans 615. d. of the Roman souldiers 648. g. ceaslesse 721. a b. Ladder of Iacob 22. k. l. Ladies at variance 598. m. Lake Asphaltites 13. f. described 687. c. the propertie therof ib. Lake of Genezar 665. a. Lakes Asphaltites and Teberias 687. e f. Lamech his wiues and issue 5. f. Lamech Methusalas sonne 6. m. 7. a. Lamentation of Esau and why 22. l. Lamentation of Iacob 30. l of the Hebrewes 99. c. Lamentation of thirtie daies 94. l. m. Lamentation for Abner 16â⦠i. for Aristobulus 381. l. Land of the Amorites possessed 83. b. Land markes not to be remoued 92. i. Land of Canaan deuided by Lots 106. h. c. Land of Sodome where 688. m. Lap of Sauls garment 151. b. Largesse of Titus to his souldiers 746. g. Largenesse of Iurie 774. l. Lauer how sustained 196. k. round lauers ibid. m. a Law most cruell 41. c. Lawes made by Moses 90. i. Lawes of adulterie and iealoufie 71. b. of the seuenth yeere 71. c f. of the fathers forsaken 86. h. of the plough 92. k. of like for like 96. i. of violence ibid. h. of warre 72. h. i. 97. c d. against wal-breakers 412. l. against forsakers of their places 720. h. Lawes of the Iewes of great antiquitie 798. f. Lawmakets of the Gentiles 797. d. Lawes of the Gentiles 798. g. Lea Labans daughter 24. g. substituted in Rachels place ibid h hare to Iacob foure sons ibid. i. k. League of Isaac with Abimelech 21. c. of Dauid with Hiram 164. i. of him with Salomon 195. a. of Hyreanus with the Romans 336. i k. Learning of Daniel 258. g. of Ioseph 529. d. Legacies of Herode 450. k l. Legions of the Romans 647. e. 699. c d. Lending vpon vsurie vnlawfull 9â⦠c. Length of the Arke of Noah 6 l. m. Length of the Temple 195. c. Lenitie of Saul 135. a. Lenitie of Magistrates 139. f. Leapers driuen out of the Citie 70. k. l. 229. b. 239. f. 240. g. Leprosie of Ozias 239. f. Letters of Dauid 170. g. of Senacherib 246. g. of Artaxerxes for the securitie of the Iewes 282. i. of Ptolemy 290. m of Eleazar 291. b. of Demetrius 326. k. Leui sonne of Iacob 24. i. slew the Sicheââ¦ites 27. a. his sons 39. f. Leuites wife 110. h i. abused dieth c. 111. a. b. tribe of Leui sacred to God 70. h. Leuites sing hymnes 224. g. numbred 187. e. Liberalitie of the enchantresse 155. c. of Herod 588. k. of Helena 515. e f. of Izates ibid. Liberue of the Israelites 50. g. l. restored 113. c. Libertie of speech 220. h i. 585. e d. Libertie a precions thing 499. b. Liberties granted to the Iewes 784. i k l m. Librarie of Ptol. Philadelphus 288. k. Lice a plague of Aegypt 48. k Lic of Posidoââ¦us c. confuted 786. l. Liâ⦠of Appion concerning our oath 789. b. Life of Moses 791. a. b. Life of subiects like to their princes 209. b c. Light created 3. d. called day ib. d. Lightnings horrible when 59. a. Lightnings on the enemies 130. g. Limits of the nine tribes and halfes possession 106. h c. Limits of a kingdome enlarged 238. k. Line of Achab rooted out 233. a. Line of Ioseph 529. b. Linnen and woollen garment 91. b. Logion or rational of the high priest 64. h. Longinus breaketh into the Iewes army 711. ãâã Losse of the Arke 126. l. and why ib. Losse of Sauls kingdome foretolde 140. i. and why ib. of the Empire of Asia 239. a. Losse of the Generall dismaies the souldiers 222. h. Lot sonne of Aram 11. f. had choise of the land 13. c. led away captiue ibid. f. rescued 14. h. receiueth Angels 15. e f. fled to Zoar 16. g. committed incest ib. h. Lots wife 16. g. Lots cast 103. d. 106. h c. 133. c. 238. l m.
182. m. 183. c. Sabboth 3. called a day of rest and why ibid. c. Sabinus repaireth to Ierusalem 453. c. and why ibid. 608. l. 610. h i. Sabinus pursueth those that slue Caius 496. h. alloweth not of Claudius 505. c. killeth himselfe 506. h. Sabinus tooke the Capitol 696. h. slaine ibid. i. Sabinus valiant 728. g. slaine ibid. h. Sacks of chaffe 653. f. Sacred sanctuarie 706. l. Sacrifice acceptable to God 140. h. Sacrifice of Cain and Abel 5. b. Sacrifice of Noah 7. c. of Iacob 27. b. Sacrifices of the Princes of the tribes 67. e. f. Sacrifice of thanksgiuing 68. i k. Sacrifice for sinne 68. k. Sacrifice of Penticost 69. f. Sacrifice of Salomon at the dedication of the Temple 199. d. Sacrifice of Samuel 129. f. Sacrifice of Ezechias 243. a b. Sacrifice of Herode 585. b. Sacrifice of the olde testament 66. h. 793. c. Sacrifice consumed of it selfe 66. m. Sacrilege of Achar 102. m. punished with death 103. d. of Crassus 359. m. 569. c. of Iohn 724. g. Sadoc sent to Dauid 176. m. being pursued is hidden 177. a. Sadoc established high Priest 191. f. 192. g. Sadduces a sect 329. e. 463. e. 617. c. their opinion 617. b c. Safetie of Dauid respected 144. m. Sale of the Iewes 666. k. Salmanasar king of Assyria 242. h i. ouercommeth Oseas and why ibid. h i. taketh Oseas prisoner and transporteth the Israelites 243. e f. spoiled Syria and Phoenicia 244. g. Salome accused Mariamme 397. d. accuseth Alexander c. 416. k. entiseth her daughter c. 424. h. denied to Syllaeus in marriage 425. c d. excuseth her selfe ibid. a. mââ¦th Alexis 437. c. discouereth conspiracies 439 b. releaseth the Nobles 450. m. 606. h. princesse of Iamnia 613. b. dieth 464. l. Salomons coronation 189. a b. king of Israel 190. m. requireth wisedome of God 192. k. marrieth a wife ibid. i. decideth the two womens debate 193. b c. buildeth the temple 195. d. prayeth to God 198. i k. 199. a. exhorteth the people to praise God ibid c. builded a pallace 200. h. dissolueth hard questions 201. a. repaireth the wals of Ierusalem ibid. d. buildeth Cities 201. d e f. maketh the Chanaanites tributarie 202. buildeth a nauie ibid. k. remunerateth Nicaule the Queene 203. c. marrieth strange wiues 204. i. committeth Idolatrie ibid. i. his punishment decounced ibid. l m. had enemies raised against him 205. a. dieth 206. g. Saltis subdued the Aegyptians 769. a. Samaria besieged 227. f. of whom so called 214. g. taken 243. e. described 647. a. Samaritans hinder the building of the temple 266. h i. 270. l. their offer reiected ibidem k Iewes enemies 272. h. kinsmen to the Iewes when 286. k l. disdaine the Iewes 304. i. send letters to Antiochus ibid. k. contend with the Iewes 322. m. 323. a. accuse the Iewes 520. h. their strife with the Iewes 621. f. 11000. slaine 657. c. Samaeas reprooueth the Iewes impietie 209. e. comforteth the people ibid. Samaeas his admonition 362. m. honoured 363 a. Sampson killeth a Lyon 121. d. marrieth a wife ib. e. propoundeth a riddle ibid. e f. his actes against the Philistines 12â⦠h i k l m. prayeth and why 122. l. betraied by Dalila 123. c. the slaughter of the Philistines and of himselfe ibid. d. Samuel his paââ¦ents 125. c. consecrated to God ibid. e. God called him tââ¦ise ibid. f. foreshewed the death of Eli and his sonnes 126. g. offereth sacrifice 129. m. comforteth the people ibid. his victorie and recouerie of lands 130. h i. committeth the common weale to his sonnes ibid. i k. troubled and why 131. a b. bidden to create a king ibid. c. sheweth the peoples estate vnder a king 131. c. annoinieth Saul king 132. k. iustiââ¦ieth himselfe and why 135. c. striueth to reconcile Saul to God 139. e. killeth Agag 140. l m. telleth Saul of Gods displeasure 140. i. annointeth Dauid king 141. a b c. his death buriall and praise 151. f. Sanabalââ¦ath gouernour of the Samaritans 284. h. followeth Alexander 285. b. buildeth a temple ibid. Sanctuarie 62. h. 196. g. 198. h. Sanctuaries or places of refuge for whom 88. k. Sand like glasse 618. l. Sara daughter of Aram 11. f. Abrahams wife 12. a m. her beautie 13. a. king of Aegypt enamoured on her ibid. a. bringeth Agar to Abraham 14. m. her age when she conceiued Isaac 15. c. preserued from Abimelech and how 16. i. brought foorth Isaac ibid. caused Ismael to be expelled c. 17. b. affecteth Isaac ibid. b d. her death 19. a. Saraeus high priest tooke prisoner 255. d. Saturninus president of Syria 428. l. 429. a. permitteth Herod to enter Arabia ibid. b. his indifferent sentence 434. h. Saul seeketh the lost Asses 132. g. annointed king by Gods commandement ibid. i k. confirmed therein 132. l. hideth himselfe 133. c d. saluted by the people for their king 133. d. promiseth the Iabasites assistance 134 i k. killeth k. Naas 134. l. sacrificeth and is reprooued 136. l. ouercommeth the Philistines 137. e. would haue slaine Ionathan 138. i k. alwaies a conquerour ibid. i. taketh and spareth Agag 139. c d e. slaieth the Amalechites and raseth their Cities ib. b c. offendeth God ibid. d e. loseth his kingdome and why 240. h i. denied pardon renteth Samuels garment ib. i k. slew the Philistines 143. d. resolueth to kill Dauid 144. g h l. darteth his Iauelin at Dauid 145. e. prophecieth 146. i. questioneth about Dauids absence c. 147. c d e. maketh an oration to his captaines 148. l. m. pursueth Dauid 150. k l. 151. a b. condemneth himselfe and iustifieth Dauid ib. d e. pursueth Dauid againe and his life saued 153. c e. banisheth diuiners 154. l. by a sorceresse is foretold the euent of the battell 155. a b c. praised 156. h i. is slaine 158. g h. Scarcitie foresignified 33. e f. how to be preuented 34. g h. among the Israelites 73. a. very greaâ⦠in Claudius his time 75. a b. in Samaria 227. f. 228. g. Scarcitie of corne 744. h. Scaurus maketh peace with Aristobulus 352. k. president of Coelesyria 356. g. his warre against Aretas ibid. h. 566. h. bribed ibid. Science of the celestiall bodies 6. h. Schisar king of the Assyrians 113. d. oppressed the Israelites ibid. d. Scopas generall of Ptolomies army 296. i. discomsited ibid. ouercommeth the Iewes 296. k. Scythopolitans kill 3000. Iewes 634. l. Sea of Pamphilia deuided it selfe 52. h. red Sea deuided at the stroke of Moses rod 51. d. returning to his course drowneth the Aegyptians ibid. e. brazen Sea 196. k. Sebas 183. d. Sebaste a hauen 443. b. Secretarie of priest foretelleth Moses greatnes 41. d e. willeth him to be sââ¦lled 43. c. Securitie promised to Rahab and hers 101. c d. Sects of the Iewes 329. e. 463. d. 614. l. Secrets of Syllaeus disclosed 599. d. Sedechias a false prophet 221. d. contradicteth Micheas ibid d e. Sedechias king of Iuda 252. h. reuolteth ibid. seduced 252. i. 253. a
c. neglecteth the Prophets counsell ibid. surprised 154. l m. his eies put out 255. a. his death ib. f. Sedition against Moses 73. a. 76. m. 80. k l. of Chore for the priesthood 77. b c d. Sedition against Roboam 206. l. 243. f. of the Samaritans against the Iewes 288. h i. among the people 302. i. of the Iewes 480. g. betwixt Senat and people 503. f. Sedition at the passeouer 452. l. betweene the Iewes and Samaritans 519. f. for the golden Eagle 608. h. in Ierusalem 610. h. 6ââ¦3 b ãâã betweene Greekes and Iewes 635. c. a threefold sedition 697. e. tooke the Citie 709. a. Seditious more impious then the Sodomites 724. h. Seditious 623. b c. beaten 618. g. bribe Albinus 623. d. flie to the temple and why 629. l. gaue not eare to those in authoritie 631. f. put the Romans to flight 662. l. agree among themselues 700. l m. 710. h. challenge the sodden childe 734 l. summon Titus to parley 739. f. take away the kings treasure 741. c d. their vtmost hope 742. g. kept in Acra and in Vaults 743. a. Seed of the woman 4. l. shall bruise the serpents head ib. l. Seeds at first grew out of the earth 3. d. Seeds not to be mixed togither 92. l. Sehon king of the Amorites denieth passage to the Hebrewes 82. i. ouerthrowne by them ibid. l m. is slaine 83. a. Seir what it signifies 21. a. Seir Esaus dwelling place 26. l. Seleucus Nicanor priuiledgeth the Iewes 295. d. Selecus Soter raigneth in Asia 302. g. Sem Noahs third sonne 9. a. couereth his fathers shame 11. ãâã his progenie ibid. d. Semechoââ¦tis a lake 667. b. Semiramis built not Babylon 772. h. Senaar a plaine 9. a. Senabarus one of the fiue kings of Assyria 13. e. Senacherib surpriseth the Cities of Iuda 245. b. besiegeth Ierusalem ibid b c. his army striken with the pestilence 246. k. himselfe slaine ib. Senate perswadeth Claudius to resigne 503. b. Senates decree c. 360. m. Senates answere to Agrippa 620. g. their repaire to Claudius 620. i. Sencelesnesse of Achaz 242. g. Sentence against Herods sonnes 596. m. Sephora Moses wife 46. m. Sephoris walied 464. i. spoyled 551. d. entertaineth the Romans 636. m. Sepulchre of Dauid 190. g. of Memnon 618. l. Serpents tempting of Eua 4. i. his subtiltie ibid. h. his punishment ib. m. 5. a. enemy to man 4. m. wherin his strength lieth and how easily killed ibid. m. Serpents verie hurtfull destroyed 44. i k. Seruants of Elizeus 227. b. Seruants of Salomon happie and why 203. c. Seruant of Abraham taketh his oth 19. d. his praier and eare in discharge of his message 19. c. 20. g h i k. Seruiââ¦e of God neglected 242. h. Seruice of forraine Gods 204. i k. 237. d. 242. h. Seruice of Antipater 577. c. Seruices of the Gabeonites 104. k. Seruitude of the Egyptians great 40. k. of the Hebrewes insupportable 41. c. 46. g l. 47. c. Seruitude of the Israelites 113. d. and why ibid. e. 114. g. m. 715. a. c. Seth sonne of Adam 6. h. a vertuous man ibid. h. left a godly issue ibid. h. his age and death 7. b. Sethosis king of Egypt 770. Seuen men of Sauls kinred punished 1ââ¦2 k. Seuentie Iewes with Iohn and Simon sent into Italy 750. h. Seuentie interpreters 293. b. 785. a. Seueritie of Herode 407. a. Sextus Caesar gouernour of Syria 362. g. writeth in Herodes behalfe ibid. l. selfeth the presidents place 363. b. slaine 366. g. 572. k. Sheepshearing of Nabal 152. h. of Absalon 172. m. Shewes at Caââ¦sarea 746. i. Ships of Salomon 203. e. of Iosaphat c. 224. i. Shipwracke of Iosephus 530. l. Siba manureth Mephiboseths lands 168. h. accuseth him getteth his goods 180. i k. Siba sonne of Bochri 181. incenseth the people to rebellion 181. c. besieged by Ioab 182. g. his punishment ibid. h. Sibils prophecie of Babel 9. c. Sicarians 755. d. besieged 756. i. authors of new calamitie 761. e. taken 762. g. Sichama Iosuahs habitation 108. k. Sichem defloureth Dina 26. m. desireth to marrie her ibid. m. is slaine 27. a. Sichemites slaine 27. a. Sichemites constitute Abimelech their ruler 116. c. banish him 118. h. are slaine and their Citie sackt ibid. k l m. c. Sicknes of Ieroboams sonne 210. i. Sicknes of Ochozias 224. k. Sicknes of Ioram 130. k l. Sicknes of Adad 229. f. Sicknes of Ezechias 246. m. Sicknes of Herode 447. d. Sicle 66. g. Siege of Ierusalem 164. g. 245. a ãâã deferred 689. d. Signes of the law 91. c. Signe of Ezechias recouerie 257. a b. Signes before the destruction of Ierusalem 738. i k. c. 739. a. c. Signe of a true historie 766. g h. Signification of the golden head 259. c. Silas captaine of the kings guard 552. m. Silas groweth into hatred 509. a. Silon corrupted with money 376. g. Silua besiegeth Massada 756. i. Simei pardoned 190. g. punished 192. g h. Simeon the sonne of Iacob 24. i. why so called ibid. i. he and Leui slew the Sichemites 27. a. left as a pledge with Ioseph 35. d e. his sonnes 39. e f. Similitude 117. f. 271. a b 685. c. Simon succoureth the Galileans 309. e. taketh Bethsura 328. l. declared high Priest 331. c d. animateth the people against Tryphon ibid. c. his authoritie 332. m. raceth the Castle of Ierusalem 333. a. maketh warre against Antiothus 333. f. 334. g. traiterously slaine 334. h. 560. k. Simon degraded 442. i. Simon affecteth the crowne 456. k l. 611. b. Simons counsel against Ioseph 540. k. m. Simon the Galilean 614. l. deuiser of a sect ibid. Simon killeth many of his countrimen 634. l. m. his parents wife c. 635. a. Simon the sonne of Giora committeth rapines and murders 644. g h. Simon of Garasa 690. g. assembleth the theeues ibid. spoyleth Idumaea 691. b c. assaulteth the temple 693. a. his campe 708. l m. apprehended 744. m. 746. l. kept for the triumph ibid drawen through Rome with a halter 751. d. Singing looke song Single combate 142. h. Sinne escapes not vnpunished 153. a. Sinnes of the Iewes against the law 716. g h. Sinne cannot escape Gods Iustice 746. m. Sisara captaine of Iabins host 115. a. put to flight and slaine ibid. d e. Situation of the land of the Amorites 83. b. Situation of the higher Calilee 646. k. Situation of Iotapata 651. c. Situation of Gamala 667 c. Situation of Massada 755. d. Sixe thousand Iewes consumed with fire 738. g. Skirmish of the Romans with the Iewes 610. i k. Skirmish betweene the Galileans and Romans 656. m. Skirmish of Simon and Iohn 698. h i. Slaughter one of another 117. d. 137. d. 224. h. Slaughter on the Sabboth day 633. f. Slauerie of the Hebrewes see seruitude Slaughter of Achimelech and his familie 149. c d. Slaughter of Ochozias seruants 233 a. Slaughter of Baals priests 233. d. Slaughter of Azarias 420. g.
names of Iacobs sons Gen. 30. Rachel bringes in Iacob to Bala Lea bringeth in Zelpha The yeare of the world 2206. before Christs birth 1758. Gen. 31. Iacob with his wiues childré and flocks flye without his fathers priuity Rachel beareth away with her her fathers household gods Labon pursueth Iacob but God deliuereth him from his purpose The yeare of the world 22â⦠before the Naââ¦itie of Christ. 1758. Labans accusation against Iacob Iacobs answer to Labans obiection Iacobs accusation against Laban Labans subtill dealing with Iacob Labans couenant with Iacob Genes 32. The yeare of the world 2206. before Christs Natiuâ⦠1758. Iacob sendeth messengers to his brother Esau. Genesis 38. Iacob reconcileth his brother with rewards Iacob wrastleth with an Angel and is called Israel Iacob saluteth his brother Esau. Gen. 34. Iacob commeth to Scenas The history of Dina Iacobs daughter The yeare of the world 2206. before Christs birth 17â⦠Simeon and Leui kill the Sââ¦chemites Genes 35. Iacob digging vp Labans godâ⦠goeth and sacrificeth at Bethel Rachel dieth in childbed Hedio Ruââ¦finus chap. 28. The yeare of the world 2230. before Christs birth 1734. Isaac dieth 185 yeares old Gen. 35. The yeare of the world 2230. before Christs Natiuitie 1734. Isaacs sonnes departed their habitations Esau the first begotten sââ¦lleth his birth right Esau called Edom. Gen. 36. Esaus sonnes and posterity The yeare of the world 2206. before Christs birth 1658. Gen 37. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. Iacobs sonnes hated their brother Ioseph Iosephs dreame The yeare of the world 2206. before the birth of Christ. 1758. Iosephs dreame of the Sonne Moone and Starres The interpretation of Iosephs dreame Iosephs brothers complot his death Sicima a fit place to grase in Ioseph commeth vnto his brothers who resolue to murther him Ruben disswââ¦deth his brothers death The yeare of the world 2217. before Christs natiuiâ⦠1747. The yeare of the world 2217. before Christs Naetiuitie 1747. Ruben perswadeth them to cast Ioseph into a pit Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. Genes 37. 39. Ioseph by Iudas counsell is sold to the Arabian merchants Ruben by night commeth to the pit Iosephs brothers perswade his father that he is deuoured by wild beasts Iacob be waileth Ioseph for dead Ioseph is sold in Egypt to Putifar Putifars wife soliciteth Ioseph to lie with her The yeare of the world 2217. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1747. Putifars wife complotteth a second subtilty to allure Ioseph Ioseph once more repulseth the assaults of her lust Ioseph leauing his rayment behinde him fled from the adulteresse The yeare of the world 2217. before Christs Natiuitie 1747. The adulteresse accusation against Ioseph Ioseph is cast into prison Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. Gen. 39. Iosephs patience in bonds The keeper of the prison dealeth friendly wiâ⦠Ioseph The butlers dreame expounded The yeare of the world 2238. before Christs birth 1736. ââ¦n the yeare of the world 2228. before Christes Natiuity 1726. The yeare of the world 2228. before the birth of Christ. 1736. The Bakers dreame The exposition of the Bakers dreame Genes 41. Pharao the King of Egypts dreame Ioseph is deliuered from bonds Pharaos dreame of the seuen kine The yeare of the world 2231. before Christs natiuitie 1733. The yeare of the world 2238. before Christs birth 1726. The interpretation of Pharaos dreame The yeare of the world 2238. before Christs birth 1726. By Iosephs counsell the succeeding scarcitie is made more tollerable Ioseph is entitled by Pharao to great honours Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Ioseph marieth a wife in Egypt on whom he begat Manasses Ephraim The famine in Egypt Iacob sendeth his sonnes into Egypt to buy wheat Genesis 42. Ioseph souÌdeth his brothers to the end he might vnderstand his fathers and Beniamins estate Rubens answer vnto Ioseph both for himselfe and his brothers The yeare of the world 2238. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1726. Ioseph commaundeth his brothers to prison Iosephs brothers repent them of that euill they had done vnto him Ioseph sendeth away his brothers and only retaineth Simeon Iacob is sore grieued for Simeons absence and because Beniamin should depart from him Genes 39. Iacobs sonnes but in especiall Iuda vrge their father to send Beniamin with them The yeare of the world 2238. before Christs Natiuitie 1726. Iacob sendeth his sonnes with presents into Egypt Iacobs sonnes arriue in Egypt and Simeon is set at liberty Ioseph vnknowen to his brethren saluteth both them and Beniamin Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. Gen. 44. Ioseph tempââ¦eth Beniamins brothers whether they would assist him Iosephs brethren are staid in their iourny Iacobs sonnes are accused of theft The yeare of ãâã world 2238. before the ãâã of Christ. 1726. Beniamin is attached for theâ⦠Iudas oratió vn to Ioseph for Beniamin The yeare of the world 2238. befââ¦e Christs birth 1726. Power giuen to saue Gen. 40. Ioseph maketh himself known to his brethren In the yeare of the world 2ââ¦38 before Christes Natiuity 1726. The king reioyceth to know that Iosephs brotherâ⦠were arriued Hedio Ruââ¦nus ch 7. al. 4 Iacob reioyceth to heare the promotions and honours of Ioseph The yeare of the world 2239. before the birth of Christ. 1725. Genes 46. God appeareth to Iacob abouâ⦠the fountaine of couenant Iacob with his ââ¦onnes and nephews depart into Egypt Iacobs progenie The yeare of the world 1293. before Christs birth 1725. Iacob almost decââ¦ased for ioy Ioseph with his fiue brethren reââ¦orteth to Piââ¦arao Gââ¦sis 47. Iacob talketh with Pharao and is appointed to inhabite Heliopolis The famine in Egypt The yeare of the world 2245. before Christs birth 1719. A great pâ⦠redounded to the king by this famine Ioseph commanded them to pay the fift part of their profits to the king Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Iacob died when ââ¦e was 147. yeares old Iacob is buried in Hebron The yeare of the world 2311. before the Naââ¦uitie of Christ. ãâã Ioseph dieth when he was 110. years old Iosephâ⦠hoââ¦es translated into Chanaââ¦n The history of the booke of Exodus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Exod. 1. The enuie of the Egyptians towards the Hebrewes The yeare of the world 2353. before Christs natiuitâ⦠1611. The Hebrewes insupportable seruitude The prophecy as touching Moses Pharao commaunded that all the male children of the Israelites should be done to death Exod 2. The yeare of the world 2373. before Christs Natiuitie 1591. Amarames Moses father praieth God to be mercifull to the Hebrewes Moses birth Moses ââ¦ast into the floud Thermuthis Pharaos daugh ter causeth Moses to be taken out of the ââ¦uer The yeare of the world 2273. before the birth of Christ. 1591. The yeare of the world 2376. before Christs natiuitie 1588. Moses whence he receiued his name Moses the seuenth after Abraham Moses the adopted sonne of Thermuthis daughter vnto Pharao Moses deliuered from death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. al. 7. The Egyptians warre against the Ethiopians The yeare of the ââ¦ld 2376.
before Christs Natiâ⦠1588. The Egyptians require Moses to be their Captaine Moses marcheth against the EthiopiaÌs The victorie which Moses and the Egyptions had agââ¦inst the Ethiopians Saba their chiefe citie besieged Tharbis the ãâã of Ethiops daughter requireth loue and mariage at Moses hands The yeare of the world 2376. before Christs birth 1588. The yeare of the world 2400. before the birth of Christ. 156â⦠The Egyptianâ⦠seeke to betray Moses Exod. 2. The yeare of the world 2413. before Christs birth 1551. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. ââ¦l 8. Moses flieth to the Citie of Madââ¦n Moses assââ¦teth ãâã daughteâ⦠against the shepheaââ¦ds Raguel marieth one of his daughters to Moses Heââ¦o Ruââ¦nus ch 12. ââ¦l 9 The yeare of the world 1454. before Christs Natiuitie 1510. Exod. 3. God appeareth to Moses in the bush God conuinceth Moses the Israelites by miracles to the end they might put trust in his promises Moses rod is turned into a serpent Moses hand is made white Moses cowreth water on the earth and it turneth to bloud Moses is sent into Egypt to deliuer the Israelites Hedio Ruffinus chap. ââ¦3 al. 10. The yeare of the world 2454 before Christs birth 1ââ¦10 Moses departeth from Madian to go into Egypt Moses two sons Gerson Eleazar Moses intertayned by the Hebrewes sheweth them his miracles Exod. 5. 7. Moses perswadeth the king of Egypt to dis misse the Israelits Moses sheweth Pharao his miracles Moses ââ¦od deuoureth the rods of the Egyptians Pharao enioyneth the Hebrewes to more grieuous taskes Exod. 6. Moses once more perswadeth the king to dismisse the Hebrewes The yeare of the world 2454. before Christs Natiutie 1510. The first plague of the Egyptians water turned into bloud Exod. 7. Exod. 8. 9. An other plague of frogs The third plague lice The fourth plague venemous beasts The fift plague the plague The six plague borches The seuenth plague haile The eight plague Grashoppers The yeare of the world 2454. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1510. The ninth plague darknes Pharao driueth away Moses Exod. 10. 11. 12. Xanthicus amongst the Macedons is April as Suidas testifieth The Hebrewes passeouer signi fieth a passage The tenth plague the first begotten amongst the Egyptians both man beastes die The Israelites depart out of Egypt The feast of the Azymes The number of the children of Israel The yeare of the world 2454. before Christs birth 1510. The time of their departure out of Egypt Exââ¦d 12. Iosephs bones Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. al. 11. The Egyptians pursue the Hebrewes Why Moses conducted them thorow Palestine The Israelites are encompassed by the Egyptian multitudes and depart to the red sea Exod. 14. The perplexity of the Iââ¦raelites being enclosed by the Egyptians Moses exhorteth the people to put their trust in God In the yeare of the world 2454. before Christes Natiuity 1510. When God is most ready to helpe vs. Moses prayer vnto God The red sea diuideth it selfe The Hebreweâ⦠passe through the red sea the Egyptians are drowned therein The yeare of the world 2454. before Christâ⦠bââ¦th 2510. Exod. 15. The Israelites with Moses sing songes for their deliuerance The sea of Pamphilia deuided it selfe for Alexanders soldiers to passe there thorow The wind and tide driue the EgyptiaÌ armes into the Hebrewes campe The years of the world 2454. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 2510. The Israelites in the desart are distressed for want of water Mara signifieth bitternes Exod. 15. Moses beseecheth God to change the bitter waters into sweet The Israelites came to Elim where they began to murmure against Moses for want of sustenance The yeare of the world 1454. before Christs Natiuitie 1510. Exod. 16. Moses exhorteth the people to re member those benefits they had receiued at Gods hands Moses reckoneth vp vnto the people all the beneââ¦ts which God had done vnto them Moses imploreth Gods helpe In the yeare of the world 2454. before Christes Natiuity 1510. God sendeth quailes into the Hebewes armie God feedeth the Israelites with Mannâ⦠A commaundement how muââ¦h Manna should be gathered Manna what it signifieth Exod 17. The Israelites fed 40. yeares space on Manna The Israelites arriue at Raphidim and are trauailed with thirst Moses striketh the rocke with his rod and there issueth water The yeare of the world 2454. before Christs Natiââ¦tie 1510. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. Exod. 17. The Amalechites warre against the Israelites Moses encourageth the people to expect nothing else but victorie Iosuah made captaine ouer the Israelites The yeare of the world 2454. before Christs birth 1510. The Israelites recouer a gââ¦eat praie in the campe of the Amalecââ¦es The distribution of the ââ¦poiles pray The prediction of the vtter ruine of the Amalechites The Israelites come to the mountaine of Sinai Heââ¦o Ruffinuâ⦠chap. 3. Exod. 10. Raguel commeth to Moses to the desart of Sinai Hedio Ruffinus ch 4. Raguel otherwise called Iethro Moses father in law counselleth him to choose Iudges amoÌgst the Israelites The yeare of the world 2454. before Christs Natiuitie 1510. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Moses alloweth his father in laws aduice Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. Moses ascendeth the mountaine of Sinai The yeare of the world 2454 before Christs birth 1510. Horrible lightnings about the mountaine of Sunai Moses oration to the Israelites The people of Israel heareth God speaking vnto theÌ from the mountaine of Sinai The Ten commandements Exod 20. Deuter. 5. The yeare of the world 2454. before Christs Natiuitie 1510. Exod. 21. Exod. 24. Moses remayned on the mountaine fortie daies fortie nights Moses fasted fortie daies nightes Moses two Tables Exod. 35. The Israelites with great ioy addresse themselues to the building of the Tabernacle Exod. 36. Beseleel and Eliab are workmasters of the Tabernacle The people are restrained byedict from brin ââ¦ing any more offrings toward the building of the Tabernacle The yeare of the world 2455. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1509. Exod. 36. Hedio Ruffinus chap 7. Moses crecteth a Tabernacle in the desart The first court of the Temple The Tabernacle The yeare of the world 2455. before Christs Natiuitie 1509. The Sanctuary The signification of the diuision of the Tabernacle Exod. 37. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Cherubin The Tables of the law placed in the Arke Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. The Table The yeare of the world 2455. before Christs birth 1509. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. The golden candlesticke The Altar of incense Exod. 38. Hedio Ruffinus ch 11. Exod. 39. The Priests vestures Manacasses Chetomene Abaneth Massabassanes Masnaempthes The high priests ornaments Methir The yeare of the world 2455. before Christs Natiuitie 1509. Ephod Essen seu Logion The high priests triple golden crown Sideritis In the yeare of the world 2455. before Christes Natiuity 1509. The signification of the fabrike of the Tabernacle the priests ornament Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Exod 28. 29. 30. 40. God
asked counsel of God The yeare of the world 2890. before Christs birth 1074. Saul repaireth to Endor to aske counsaile of a ãâã Saul commandeth the witch to raise Samuels ghost Saul complaineth him of his miseries to Samuel and asketh his aduise Samuels ghost certifieth Saul of the euent of his battell against the Philistines Saul through sodain sorrow sel in a swoun The enchantres intreateth him to refresh himselfe and take some refection An example of courtesie and liberalitie in the enchantresse The yeare of the world 2890. before Christs Natiuitie 1074. Iosephus praiseth Saul for a worthy and valiant king in that foreknowing his daunger and death he exposed himselfe to assuredperil 1. Reg. 29. Achis leadeth out Dauid with him against the Hebrewes and is reproued by the chiââ¦taines of the Palestines for so doing Achis dismisseth Dauid The yeare of the world 2890. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1074. The Amalechites in Dauids absence spoile and burne Siceleg and cary away the pray Dauid taketh counsell of God whether he will assist him to recouer his wiues and goods out of the hands of the Amalechites Dauid guided by an Egyptian slaue ouertaketh the Amalechites Dauid assaileth the Amalechites and maketh a great slaughter of them and recouereth the whole pray Dauid compââ¦mitteth the debate betwixt those that pursued the chace and those that keptt he baggage touching the pillage 1. Reg. 31. Saul and his sons seeing their army ouercome by the Philistines are desperately dismaid and slaine The yeare of the world 2890. before Christes Natiuity 1074. Saul striueth to kil himselfe and being vnable vseth the assistance of a young Amalechite The Hebrewes that inhabit the valley beyond Iordan leauing their townes fly to defenced cities The Palestines hung vp the bodies of Saul and his sons The Citizens of Iabes rescue the bodies of Saul and his sons and both bury and lament them The yeare of the world 2891. before Christs birth 1073. 2. Reg. 1. An Amalechite certifieth Dauid of Sauls death and in testimony thereof presenteth his bracelets and crowne Dauid lamenteth Saul and Ionathans death Dauid commandeth the Amalechite to be slaine that killed Saul The yeare of the world 2891 before Christs birth 1073. Dauid by Gods commaundement commeth and dwelleth at Hebron and is declared king of the tribe of Iuda Dauid praiseth the Iabesines for burying Saul and his sonnes Abner the son of Neâ⦠crowneth Isboseth Sauls sonne Abner leadeth out his army against the tribe of Iuda Ioab with all Dauids army issueth out to meet him Twelue soldiers fight and kill one another and Abners side are ouerthrowne Azael Ioabs brother pursueth Abner Abner in his flight killeth Azael Ioab Abisai pursued Abner till sunne set Ioab sounding a retreat restraineth his soldiers How many on each side died in the battell 2 Reg 3. The beginning of ciuill warre amongst the Hebrewes The yeare of the world 2891. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1073. Dauid had sixe sonnes borne in Hebron Abner bridled and gouerned the multitude so that along time they were subiect to Isboseth Abner sendeth embassadours to Dauid in Hebron to ââ¦e a couenant with him Dauid requireth his wife Michol at Abners hands Abner consulteth with the ââ¦lders and gouerners of the army to reuolt to Dauid The elders captaines perswaded by Abner ââ¦llow Dauid The Beniamites accord with Abner ãâã ãâã to Dauid and certifieth him there oâ⦠Abner being kindly intertained by Dauid is friendly ly dismissed The yeare of the ââ¦orld 2899. before Christs Natiuity 1065. Men inclined to ambition and auarice date al things Dauid with the whole people bewaile Abner and honour his funerals Dauid salueth his honour and auoideth the suspition of Abners death The yeare of the world 2899. before Christs Natiuitie 106 5. Hedio Ruffinus ââ¦hap ãâã 2 Reg 4. Isboseth hand is brought to Dauid Dauids sharpe inuectiue against then urtherers of Isboseth and their punishment 2. Reg. 5. The nobles of the Hebrewes retaire to Dauid to Hebron and declate him king Dauid entertained the nobles kindly The armed soldiers that came to Dauid The yeare of the world 1899. before Christs Natiuitie 1065. Hediâ⦠Ruffinus chap. 3. The siege of Ierusalem vndertaken by Dauid Dauid surpriseth the lower towne Dauid gettââ¦th the vââ¦per towne The valour of Dauids soldiers in especiall of Ioab Daââ¦id expelleth the Iebusââ¦tes out of the towne and citie of Ierusalem The league of ââ¦hip betwââ¦ââ¦iram Daââ¦id How Ierusalem was called Solyma and what mention Homâ⦠made therof The years since Ioââ¦uaââ¦s conquest to this time 515. Oââ¦phon a Iebusite friend to Dauid 2. Reg. 24. Dauids sonnes borne in Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. The yeare of the world 2899. before Christââ¦ââ¦rth 1065. The Palestines mouing warre against Dauid are partly staine or put to ââ¦light The Palestines inuaded the Hebrewes with a mightie army gathered out of sundry nations The Palestines flight 2. Reg. 6. Dauids commaund as touching the traÌsportation of the Arke Oza stretching out his hand to stay the Arke is sodainly stroken dead Dauid placeth the Arke in Obed. Edomes house who prospereth there through in all felicitie The Arke transported into Dauids house and placed in a tabernacle Dauid is mocked by his wife Michol The ââ¦re of the ãâã ãâã beâ⦠Chriâ⦠bâ⦠10ââ¦4 2. Reg. 7. Dauid decree eth to build a temââ¦le vnto God God certifieth Dauid by Nathan that Salomon should build the teÌple Dââ¦uid giueth Gââ¦d thanks ââ¦or the blessings which were promised him by NathaÌ Hedio Ruffââ¦us chap. 5. Dauid warreth against the Palestines and ââ¦keth a great part of the inââ¦eritance from them 2. Reg 8. A greate slaughter of the Moabites Dauid ouercommeth the king of Sophona The yeare of the world 2904. before Christs Natiuitie 1064. Adad king of Damasco and Syria is ouercome by Dauid in battell Nicholaus the historiographer maketh meÌtion of king Adads warre with Dauid Of an other king of Syria that spoyled Samaria 3. King 20. Dauid imposeth tribute on the Syrians whom he subdued 2. Reg. 8. Ierusalem spoiled by Syââ¦ac king of Egypt 3. Reg. 14. The pray thaâ⦠was made in the warre 2. Reg. 8. The king of the Amatheâ⦠requireth a league at Dauids hands Dauid ââ¦ompelled the Idumeans to pay tribute by the pole The distribution of offices 2. Reg. 9. The yeare of the world 2900. before Christs Natiuitie 1064. Dauid maketh an enquirie if any of Ionathans kinred were left aliue Dauid giueth Mephiboseth his father Ionatââ¦ans house Sauls inheritance Dauid committeds the disposing of Mephiboserhs lands to Siba and commaundeth him to make the returne of his reuenues in Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. 2. Reg. 10. Dauid sendeth embassadors to comfort the sonne of the king of the Ammonites who are basely abused Dauid is sore displeased with the iniury offered to his embassadors intending reuenge The Ammonites hire their confederates and prepare for the warre against Dauid Dauid sendeth out Ioab with the choisest flower
of the Israelites that were numbred Dauid hauing election of three sorts of punishment chose the plague A huge slaughter of those that died of the pastââ¦lence that was iââ¦flicted by God Dauid prayed for the innocent people A commaundement to ââ¦ld an Altar The yeare of the world 2930. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1034. Oronna the Iebusite supra lib. 7. ch 3 called Orphona Oronna giueth Dauid his floore The summe that was paied for the threshing floore The place of the Altar that was built Gen 22. Supra li. 1. ch 13 Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. The workmen allotted for the building of the Temple 1 Paral. 22. Dauid gathereth great store of iron brasse wood The building of Salomons Temple is commaunded Dauid counââ¦elleth Salomon ââ¦o honour God The yeare of the world 2930. before Christs Natiuity 1034. The treasure that was gathered towards the building of the Temple The assistants that Salomon had in building the teÌple The commandement as touching the Arke and laying vp al other sacred vtensils within the Temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. Dauid groweth old and numbe Abisace warmeth him 3. Reg. 1. Adonias affecteth the kingdome The yeare of the world 2931. before Christ birth 1033. Bethsabe by NathaÌs perswa sion certifieth Daiud of Adonias vsurpatioÌ The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs Natiuitie 1033. The kingdome is confirmed to Salomon by an oth Salomon is annointed king and placed in his fathers throne Adonias for feare of the kings displeasure flieth from his banquet and taketh hold of the hornes of the Altar Dauid numbreth the Leuites and distribuith their offices 1. Paral 13. The diuision of the Priests into 24. kinreds 2. Paral. 24. The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs Natiuitie 1033. He deuided the Leuites into 24. parts Moses posteritie appointed to keepe the diuine treasure 1 Paral. 26. The army deuided into 12 parts 1. Paral. 27. Dauid assembling the gouernors of the tribes commendeth his son Salomon to theÌ 1. Paral. 28. Dauid giueth his sonne the modle of the Temple The princes of the people gaue a huge summe of gold siluer brasse precious stones towards the building of the Temple The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs birth 1033. 1 Par. 29. The ââ¦fices and ââ¦stiuall solemââ¦ed vpon Salomons coronation Hedio Ruffinus ch 16. 3. Reg. 2. Dauids last counsaile to Salomon Dauid willeth Salomon to punish Ioab Dauid coÌmendeth Berzillai sonnes to Salomon How Simei should be punished The yeares of the age and raigne togither with the vertues of Dauid The yeare of the world 2923 before Christs birth 10â⦠The sumptuous sepulchre of Dauid Hircanus taââ¦th a huge summe of money out of Dauids tombe Herode spoyleth Dauids sepulcher The reare of the world 2931. before Christ birth 1033. 3. Reg. 2. Salomon king of Israel after Dauids death The yeare of the world 2931. before Christi Natiuitie 1033. Adonias requireth Abisace to wife Adonias is slaine Abiathar is dispossessed of the priesthood The genealogy of the high Priest Sadoc Ioab is slaine Banaia is substituted in his place The yeare of the world 29ââ¦1 before Christs Natiuitie 1033. Sadoc obtaineth Abiathars place in the Priesthood Simeies punishment and death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. 3. Reg 3. Salomon marieth the king of Egypts daughter and establisheth the kingdome God appeareth to Salomon by night in a dreame and willeth him to ââ¦ke that which most of all he desired Salomon requireth wisedome at Gods hands who with it giueth him riches and honours also The yeare of the world 2931. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1033. Two women accuse one an other for ââ¦chaunge of their children Salomon coÌmandeth both the children to be deuided into two parts Salomon by the speech and gesture of the women discouereth the true mother Salomons gouernours and captaines 3. Reg 4. The happy peace of the Israelites in Salomons time Salomons daily expences Salomons chariots and horsemen The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs Natiuity 1033. Salomons prudence and wisedome Salomons methode in coniuration whereby he cast out diuels The author in this place abuseth the giftes of God bestowed on Salomon in extending them to those artes which are sorbidden by the expresse word of God A Iew casteth out diuels Hirams embassadours to Salomon 3. Reg 5. Salomon requireth carpenters and workemen from Hiram Hiram promiseth Salomon wood and in steed thereof requireth corne The yeare of the world 2931. before Christs birth 1033. The truth of Iosephs history The king sendeth Hâ⦠great quantity of wheat oyle and wine The order of the carpenters in Libanus The order of the malons and other workmen Hedio Ruffinus ch 9. 3. Reg. 6. When the building of the temple began The depth of the foundatioÌs of the temple The height length and breadth of the temple The porch before the teÌple The cels which were builded in the circuit of the temple The beames and wals beautified with gold The yeare of the ãâã 2933 before Christs birth 1031. Winding staires The temple deuided into two parts Two cherubims The pauement gates and all other things in the temple beautified with gold Salomon sendeth to Hiram for Vram a cunning workman 3. Reg. 7. A vessel called the brasen sea Ten brasen bases of the lauer Ten round lauers The yeare of the world 2933. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1031. The vse of the sea and the other ten lauers The Altar and vessels appertaining to the same The Table of sacââ¦ed bread The candlesticke The cuppes and vials The bowles The censors Priestâ⦠garmeÌâ⦠Instruments of musicke The inclosure before the temple The Fanâ⦠The huge treÌches where in the foundation of the temple was laid filled Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4 3. Reg 8. Salomons temple was consecrated in the moneth of October The Arke is caried into the temple The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs Natiuity 1023. The Priests place the arke of God in the sanctuarie and in it the tables of stone wherin the tenne commaundements were written The candlesticke table and altar of gold The bââ¦asen altar A cloud in the tabeinacle Salomons praier vnto God Godimmeasurable The cause why the temple was builded God is true in his promises Salomons praier wherein he thanketh God for his benefits and beseecheth his future protection The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs Natiuitie 1023. Salomon humbly beleecheth God that he will protect this temple as his own house He prââ¦ieth that ââ¦angers may be heard aâ⦠ãâã this place A ãâã from heauen consumeth Salomons sacrifies 3. Reg. 8. Salomon exhorteth the people to praise God and to giue him thanke and to pray vnto him 3. Reg. 8. Salomons sacrifices in the dedication of the Temple The feast of Tabernacles The king dismisseth the people 3. Reg. 9. God appeareth againe to Salomon and promiseth him all blessings if he swarued not from his fathers precepts A grieuous commination against the Israelites if they fall from the way
of righteousnes The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs Natiuitie 1023. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Salomons pallace finished in thirteene yeares The haule The tribunall The Queenes house and other pallaces of pleasure The ornameÌts of Salomons pallace Chambers of pleasure with household stuffe of gold 3. Reg. 10. Salomons throne made of Iuory 3. Reg. 5. The yeare of the world 2941. before Christs birth 1023. Salomons gratuitie to Hiram for the benefits he receiued 3. Reg. 9. 3. Reg 5. Salomon interpreteth certaine hidden questions sent vnto him by Hiram Menander the Historiographer maketh meÌâ⦠of HiraÌ and Salomon Dius maketh mention of Hiram Dius of Salomon Salomon repaireth the wals of Ierusalem and erecteth towers Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. Salomon buildeth certaine cities Azor Magedon Gaza Betachor Baleth Thadamor or Palmyra Why the Egyptian kings were called Pharaohs The yeare of the world 2953. before Christs birth 1011. The Egyptian kings called Pharaohs Ptolemei Caesares Herodotus writeth not the names of the EgyptiaÌ kings Nicaule queen of Egypt and Ethiop commeth to Salomon 3. Reg 10. Salomon compelleth the remainder of the Chananites to pay tribute The thraldom of the Chananites 3. Reg. 10. The queene of Egypt and Ethiope reforteth to Salomon The queene of Ethiope wondreth at Salomons wisdome The yeare of the world 2953. before Christs Natiuitie 1011. The queene of Ethiope praileth Salomons wisedome The Queene giueth Salomon many sumptuous presents Salomon remunerateth the Queens bountie Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The precious timber that was brought to Salomon SalomoÌs ships spent three yeares in their iourney Many kings present Salomon with sundry presents The horses and other gifts presented to Salomon The yeare of the world 2953. before Christs Natiuitie 1011. Ittan The waies about Ierusalem paued with flint The cities of Chariots The aboundance of siluer in Solomons time Egyptian horses 3. Reg. 11. Solomon marrying straunge women is seduced by theÌ The reare of the world 2964. before Christs birth 1000. The punishment inflicted on Salomon far honouring strange gods The yeare of the world 2964. before Christs birth Aooo Ider enemie to Salomon Ader fled into Egypt Ader beseecheth Pharao to dismisle him that he might returne into his countrey Ader returneth into Idumaea and from thence departeth into Syria Raas and Adet enemies to Salomon IeroboaÌ rebelleth against Salomon Achias the Prophet sore-telleth that he should be king ouer the ten tribes Ieroboam flieth into Egypt and remaineth there vntil Salomons death The yeare of the world 2964. before Christs Natiuity 1000. The death of Salomon Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. al. 4. 3. Reg. 12. The people require RoboaÌ to mitigate their burthen The holsome aduise of the elders The yeare of the world 2971. before Christs birth 993. Roboam reiecteth the aduise of the elders and followeth the counsaile of the yonger The Israelites moued with their ââ¦pulse reuolt from Roboam The yeare of the world 2971. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 993. Roboam intéding to make waââ¦e on those tribes that ââ¦uolted is inhibited The court and pallace of Ieroboam Why IeroboaÌs calues were made Ieroboam perswadeth the people to Idolatrie The neglect of Gods seruice is the cause of all euill 3. Reg. 13. The prophecie against the Altar in Bethel The prophecie is confirmed by a miracle Ieroboams withered hand restored The yeare of the world 2971. before Christs Natiuitie 993. Hedio Ruffinus ch 9. The Prophet is brought backe by the subtilty and fraud of the false Prophet The disobedience of the Prophet his punishment and buriall Iadons prophecy is detracted to Ieroboam by the false Prophet Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Roboams defenced cities ãâã Paral. 11. The yeare of the world 29ââ¦1 before Christs birth 993. The godly Israelites returne to Roboam Roboams wiââ¦es and children Regiâ⦠ad exempium totus compââ¦itur orbis Alias chap. 5. Susac inuadeth Iudea with great forces Ierusalem besieged Samaeas the Prophet reprehendeth the Iewes of their impietie 2. Paral. 2. Samaeas comforteth the people Ierusalem and the temple are spoyled 3. Reg 1â⦠What Herodotus wrote of this expeditioÌ The yeare of the world 2975. before Christs Natiuity 989. Roboam for the golden shields and bucklers maketh new of beasse Roboam dieth and Abias raigneth after him The yeare of the world 29ââ¦8 before Christs birth 976. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. 3. Reg. 14. Ieroboams impietie Ieroboams son falleth sicke his mother is sent to Achias the Prophet The punishmeÌt of Ieroboam and the misery of the people foreprophecied The yeare of the world 2988. before Christs Natiuitie 976. Alias chap. 6. The expedition of Ieroboam against Abias king of Iuda Abias leuied an army against Ieroboam Abias oration to the Hebrewes wherein he vpbraideth them of their superstition and forsaking of their religion The yeare of the world 2988. before Christs birth 976. The death of Abias 3. Reg. 15. Asa king of Iuda The yeare of the world 2991. before Christs natiuitie 973. The yeare of the world 2992. before Christ birth 972. The yeare of the world 2993. before Christs birth 971 Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. al. 8. Asas pietie 3. Reg 15. The EthiopiaÌs warre against Asa. 2. Paral. 14. The yeare of the world 3000. before Christs birth 964. Asas victorie The exhortation of Azarias the Prophet 2. Paral 15. The yeare of the world 3000. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 964. Religion renewed in Israle Basaes impietie 3. Reg. 16. A prophecy against Basa Basa surprised Ramath and fortifieth it The yeare of the world 3006. before Christs birth 958. Asa inciteth those of Damasco to inuade Bala The yeare of the world 3016. before the birth of Christ. 948. Alias chap 9. The death of Basa The yeare of the world 3017. before Christs birth 947. Basaes stocke destroyed The yeare of the world 3017. before Christs Natiuitie 947. Diuers factioÌs of the people Amri king of Israel The yeare of the world 3021. before Christs birth 943. Amri dieth and Achab his sonne succeedeth him The yeare of the world 3028. before Christs birth 9ââ¦6 Alias chap. 10. Asa dieth Iosophat succeedeth him The yeare of the world 3031. before the birth of Christ. 933. Iezabel 3. Reg. 17. The dearth of victuals prophecied to the Israelites The yeare of the world 3037. before Christs birth 927 Crowes feed Elias The widow of Sareptha entertaining Elias neither flowre not oyle faile Menander of the famine during the time of Elias The yeare of the world 3037. before Christs Natiuitie 927. Elias restoreth the wââ¦wes sonne to lââ¦e 3. Reg. 18. Elias is sent by God to prophecy fault to Achab. The yeare of the world 3040. before Christs birth 924. Achab seeketh for Elias Obediah coÌcea leth and sustaineth a hundreth prophets Achab accuseth Elias of impietie Elias reproueth the superstition of the people The yeare of the world 3040 before Christs birth 924. Elias doctrine and office confirmed by miracle Fire from heauen deuoureth the sacrifice Bels priests slains
prophets giueth no eare to Ieremy Ezechiel prophecieth the destruction of the temple The yeare of the world 3354. before Christ birth 610. Sedechias reuolt from the Babylonian Hedio and Ruffinus chap. 10. The king of Egypt comming to rescue the king of IerusaleÌ is ouerthrowne by Nabuchodonosor with all his army and driuen out of Syria The yeare of the world 3346. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 618. Sedechias seduced by false prophets The prophecy of the captiuitie of Babylon and the deliuerie Ier. 25. 29. 37. The yeare of the world 3354. before Christs birth 610. Ierusalem besieged 4 Reg. 25. Ier. 39. Two mightie enemies Famine and pestilence Ieremy perswadeth them to yeeld The reward of godly preachers in this life Sedechias neglecteth the prophets good counsaile for feare of the gouernours The yeare of the world 3354 before Christs birth 610. Ierusalem besieged eighteene moneths and at length taken The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs birth 608. Sedecias flyeth by night and is suprised by the enemie The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs Natiuitie 608. Sedechias hath his eies pulled out and his children slaine before his face How many and how long the kings raigned that were of Dauids luie The temple the pallace and the citie spoiled and burnt The captiuitle of Babylon The high Priests in Ierusalem Sedecias death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs birth 608. Godolias captaine of the fugitiues Ieremy set at libertie by the Baby lonian and richly offered and presented Baruch dismissed out of prison The Iewes resort to Masphath to Godolias The yeare of the world 3356. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 608. Iohn releaseth limaels captiues Iohn asketh counsaile of God and being informed refuseth the same Ier. 42. 43. The prophecy of the Babylonian armie and the Iewes captiuitie The yeare of the world 3361. before Christ birth 603. The yeare of the world 3361 before Christs birth 603. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Dan 1. Daniels forwardnes and his fellowes towardnes in studying wisedome and good letters The yeare of the world 3363. before Christs natiuite 601. Dan. 2. Nauchodonosor dreaming forgetteth his vision sendeth for the magitions not able to discouer his doubts he threatneth them with death The yeare of the world 3ââ¦63 before Christs birth 601. The vision and the Rouelation thereof opened to Daniel Daniel telleth the king his dreame and the enterpretation thereof Nabuchodonosors dreame of the foure monarches of the world Daniel and his fellowes aduanced to honour The yeare of the world 3364 before Christs birth 600 The kings edict for honouring the goldeÌ statue Dan. 3. Daniel and his kinsmen refusing to adore the statue are cast into the furnace The yeare of the world 3364. before Christs Natiuitie 600. The yeare of the ââ¦ld 3369. before Christs naââ¦uitie 595. Dan. 4. The dreame and exposition thereof Nabucââ¦odosors death The yeare of the world 3381. before Christs birth 583. Berosus of Nabuchodosor Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor Dââ¦ocles Philostratus The yeare of the world 3382. before Christs Natiuitie 582. Euilmerodach releaseth lechonias from his long imprisonment 4. Reg 25. Ierem. 52. Niglisar Labosardach Balthasar or Naboandel king of Babylâ⦠The yeare of thâ⦠world 3421. before Christs birth 543. Dan. 5 Balthasar seeââ¦h a hand thrust out of a wall and writing certaine sillables The yeare of the world 3425. before the birth of Christ. 539. ââ¦he yeare of the ââ¦rld ââ¦25 before Christs birth 9ââ¦9 Daniel interpreteth the writing to the king The king performeth his promises to Daniel Babylon surprised by Cyrus king of Persia. The force of enuie Daniels honour and vprightnes Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. Dan. 6. Daniel cast into the Lions denne The yeare of the world 3425. before Christs birth 539. Daniels enemies rent in pieces by the Lions Daniels prophecies Daniels vision of the Ramme and Goat by whom the king of Media and Persia were prefiguted Dan. 2. The yeare of the world 3425. before Christs Natiuitie 539. Daniels predictions of the Romane Empyre Dan. 9. The Epicures errour conuicted The yeare of the world 3426. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 538. The end of the Babylonian captiuitie after seuentie yeares 1. Esd. 1. 3. Esd. 2. The edict of Cyrus king of Persia. Esay chap. 44. 45. his prophecy of Cyrus Cyrus permitteth the Iewes to returne into their countrey to build their temple citie The vessels belonging to the temple sent backe from Babylon to Ierusalem Cyrus mandate to the princes of Syria The yeare of the ââ¦orld 3426. before Chriss birth 538. The number of the Iewes that returned from the captiuity of Babylon to Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. 1. Esd. 4. The Samaritanes inhibite the Iewes from building the temple Alias cap. 3. The letters of the SamaritaÌs and others written to Cambysis as touching the reedifying of the citie and teÌple of Ierusalem The yeare of the world 3435. before Christs birth 529. Cambyses answere wherein he inhibiteth the Iewes from building the citie or temple The yeare of thâ⦠world 3443. before Christ birth 521. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. al. chap 4. Darius the son of Hystaspis made emperour of the Persians 1. Esd. 5. 6. Darius voweth to send the sacred vessels to Ierusalem Zorooabel Darââ¦us propoundeth three questions to three of his gard 3. Esd. 4. The first expresseth the power of wine The second extelleth the kings power 3. Esd 4. The yeare of the world 3443. before Christs birth 521. Zorobabel the third expresseth the power of women and at length attributeth the palme vnto truth Zorobabel obtained both praise great rewards by his good discourse Darius being put in memory of his vow commandeth that the temple should be restored Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. The yeare of tââ¦e world 3443. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 521. Darius letters for the liberty possession and erection of the temple granted to the Iewes 1. Esd. 6. Glad tidings brought to the Iewes The Iewes depart from Babylon to Ierusalem 3. Esd. 5. The number of the Iewes that went ouâ⦠of Babylon 3. Esd. 2. Zorobabel chieftaine and Iesus high priest of this company 1. Esd. 3. The yeare of the ââ¦orld 3443 before Christs birth 521. The feast of Tabernacles The temple began to be built The Samaritans desirous to further the building of the temple are reiected The Samaritanes suppose to hinder the building of the temple The Syrian princes examine the cause why the Iewes repaire their citie and teÌple The yeare of the world 3444. before Christs birth 520. 1. Esdras 5. Aggeus and Zachary the Prophets The Satharitans indeuouring to hinder the reparatioÌ of the temple and citie doe further it the more Cyrus decree as touching the temple and the Iewes The yeare of the world 3450. before Christs birth 514. 3. Esdras 6. Darius epistle to the prefects of Syria The finishing of the temple The yeare of the ââ¦orld 3450. before Christs
Natiuitie 514. The temple dedicated 23. of March or as it is in the first of Esdras 6. dedicated the third of March The passeouer celebrated The forme of commonweale in Ierusalem The Samaritanes mightie enemies of the Iewes The embassage of the Iewes to Darius The yeare of the world 3464. before Christs Natinitie 500. A commandement to supply the charge of the building of the temple and sacrifices Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. ãâã Esd. 7. Xerxes king of Persia. Esdras learned in the law Xerxes fauoureth the Iewes The yeare of the world 3506. before Christ birth 458. Esdras assembled the Iewes that dwelt in Babylon Esdras repaireth to IerusaleÌ and coÌmitteth the vessels and other precious presents to the treasurers haÌds The yeare of the world 3506. before Christs birth 458. Esdras praiers for the Leuites that had married strangers ãâã Esd. 9. ãâã Esd. 10. The reading of Moses law 2. Esd. 8. The yeare of the world 3506. before Christs birth 458. 2. Esdras 1. The yeare of the world 3519. before Christs natiuitie 445. Nehemias hauing gotten licence and authority to build the wals of Ierusalem inciteth the people thereunto 2. Esd. 2. The yeare of the world 3519. before Christs Natiuitie 445. ãâã Esd. 4. 6. The ardent care in building the wals of Ierusalem The wals of Ierusalem finished The yeare of the world 3527. before Christs Natiuitie 437. Prouifion for the priests 2. Esd. 10. The death of Nehemias Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. Esiher 1. The yeare of the world 3543. before Christs natiuitie 521. The yeare of the world 3543. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 421. Assuerus sendeth for Vasthi to grace his feasts she refuteth and therefore is cast off by him The yeare of the world 3545. before Christs birth 419. The yeare of the world 3549. before the birth of Christ. 41â⦠The maiden Esther made Queene Esther 2. Mardocheus came from Babylon to Susa. The yeare of the world 3ââ¦49 before Christs birth 415. The kings coÌmand that no mââ¦n ââ¦uld appââ¦oth his thââ¦e except hââ¦ââ¦re called ãâã 4. Mââ¦chtus dââ¦couereth the ãâã Esther 2. Aman being hoââ¦ured by all men is neglected by the Iewes Esther 3. The deââ¦ruction of the Iewes granted vnto Aman. The yeare of the world 3549. before Christ birth 415. The lamentation of the Iewes vpon the hearing of this edict Esther 4. The yeare of the world 3ââ¦54 before Christs birtâ⦠410. Fasting praiers vnto God for the safetie of the people Esther resorteth to the king to solicite him in the bahalfe of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3554. before Christs birth 410. Amans hatred against Mardochaeus Alaudable custome in a king Esther 6. The yeare of thâ⦠world 3554. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 410. Honour offered to Mardochaeus Esiher 7. Aman hauing all his trecheries and cruelty discouered in the banquet is adiudged to the gallowes The yeare of the world 3554 before Christs birth 410. Esther 8. Amans goods bestowed on Mardochaeus The kings letters for the securitie of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3554. before Christs birth 410. The Iewes reuenge them on their enemies Esther 9. Phrurae ââ¦festa Mardocheus authoritie The yeare of the world 3560. before Christs birth 404. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7â⦠The reuenge taken on Iohn for slaying his brother The yeare of the world 3ââ¦84 before Christs Natiuitie 380. The yeare of the world ââ¦599 before Christs Natiuitie 365. Iaddus high priest whose brother Manasses marrieth Sanaballaths daughter The yeare of the world 3608. before Christs natiuitie 356. Alexander made king after Philip his father king of Maced on The yeare of the world 3629. before Christs birth 335. The yeare of the world 3630. before the birth of Christ. 334. Manasses vnder hope of greater fortunes retaineth the for raine wife he had The Apostacie of the priests Hedio Ruffinus ââ¦hop 8. The yeare of the world 3630. before Christ birth 334. Alexanders victory against Darius Manasses enioyeth his desire Alexander intending to befiege Ierusalem meeteth with the hie priest and people in white and is honorably receiued by theÌ and doth theÌ honour in memory of his vision that appeared vnto him in the like habit The yeare of the world 3630. before Christs birth 334. Alexanders sacrifice in the temple the confirmation of his conquest by Daniels prophecy his bountie to the Iewes The Samaritans be kinsmeÌ to the Iewes in prosperity strangers in aduersitie The ââ¦eare of the world ââ¦632 be fore Christs birth 332. The temple on the mount of Garizim Onias sonne of Iaddus high priest The yeare of the world ââ¦635 before Christs Natiuitie 329. The death of Alexander and the ware of his successors The yeare of the world 3643. before Christs birth 32â⦠The yeare of the world 3643. be fore Christs Natiuitie 321. Ierusalem surprised by pollicy and the Iewes led away captiue Sedition betwixt the Iewes and Samaritanes as touching the temple The yeare of the world 3680. before Christs natiuitie 284. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. The library of Ptolomey Philadelphus The yeare of the world 3684. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 280. The king of Egypts proclamation touching the liberty of the Iewes sollicited by Aristaeus The yeare of the world 3684 before Christs birth 280. Demetrius exhortatory letter to Ptolomey as touching his library The kings liberality towards the Iewes Prolomeis epistle to Eleazar for interpreters to traÌslate the Bible The yeare of the world 3684. before Christs birth 280. Eleazars letters in aunswere to Prolomey The description of those presents which Ptolomey dedicated in the temple of Ierusalem The golden table The yeare of the world 3684. before Christs birth 280. Two golden standing cups The yeare of the world 3684. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 280. Two siluer staÌding cups Thirtie viols Ptolomeis charge and diligence in the finishing of his presents The 70. interpreters comming to Alexandria are royally entertained The yeare of the world 3684 before Christs birth 280. The banquet that Ptolomey made for the Iewes and their praiers before meat The translatioÌ of the Bible into the Greek tongue Gods iustice vpon those Ethnickes that intermedled with the sacred scriptures The yeare of the world 3684. before Christs birth 280. The presents which the king bestowed vpon the interpreters and those he sent to Eleazar Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. The immunitââ¦es and priuiledges granted the Iewes by Seleucus Nicanor king of Syria The priuiledge in Antioch continued to the Iewes The yeare of the world 3684. before Christs Natiuitie 280. Antiochus the great king of Asia and Syria vexeth the Iewes The yeare of the world 3742. before Christs natiuitie 222. Ptolomey Epiphanes king of Egypt warreth against the kings of Syria The yeare of the world 3760. before Christs birth 204 Polybius the Megalopolitane of Scopas Ptolomeis captaine Antiochus Epistle to Ptolomey as touching the libertie of Iewes The yeare of the world 3760. before Christ birth 204. The edict of Antiochus the great in honor of the
temple Antiochus Epistle to Zeuxis in which he maketh honourable mention of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3764. before Christs birth 200. Antiochus friendship and confederacy with Ptolomey The Samaritanes molest the Iewes The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs Natiuitie 194. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Onias the hââ¦gh priest prouoketh the king of Egypt for non paiment of his tribute The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs birth 194. The taxatioÌ of the hie priest for offending the king The kings embassadour honourably entertained who reporteth Iosephs liberality vpon his returne into his countrey The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs birth 194. The tributes of Coelesyria coÌmitted to Ioseph The Ascalonites and Scythopolitans punished for their conteÌpt Iosephs welth and children The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs Natiuitie 194. Hyrcanus ofspring and towardnes Ioseph sendeth his sonne Hircanus to Ptolomey The yeare of the world 3780. before Christs birth 184. Treason intended against Hircanus The yeare of the world 3780. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 184. Hircanus apology of his actions Hircanus iests Hircanus sounding what other meÌ would giue gauemore then the rest for which he receiueth another kingly reward Hircanus brothers assailing him on the way are slaine and discomfited The yeare of the world 3780. before Christs birth 184. Iosephs death Onias and after him Simon his sonne high priest Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. The letter of the king of Lacedemon to the high priest of the Iewes 1. Machab. 12. Sedition amongst the people after Iosephs death Hircanus afflicteth the Arabians with continual war Hircanus buildeth a strong tower The yeare of the world 3790. before Christs Natiuitie 174. Antiochus Epiphanes king of Syria The sonnes of Prolomey Epiphanes Philometor and Physcon Hircanus killeth himselfe Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. 1. Macchab. 1. Iesus created high Priest by Antiochus Epiphanes Iesus depriued of the priesthoode The yeare the of world 3790. before Christs birth 174. Onias surnamed Menelaus substituted in his place The wars betwixt Iason and Menelaus Apostates froÌ the Iewish religion Antiochus enforced to depart out of Egypt The history of Antiochus Epiphanes Antiochus entring IerusaleÌ spoileth the temple The yeare of the world 3796. before Christs birth 168. The yeare of the world 3798. before Christs birth 166. The yeare of the world 379â⦠before Christs birth 166. Antiochus abrogating Gods law thorow extreme tyranny enforceth the Iewes to Idolatry and fortifieth the temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The deuil seekehth to abolish the Bible The variable wits of the Samaritanes which made them so odious in the sight of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3799. before Christs birth 165. The yeare of the world 3799. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 165. The zeale and piety of Matthias and his sonnes An Apostata slaine by Matthias Matthias with his sons Hieth into the desart The Iewes are slaine on the Sabbath day which slaughter maketh Matthias more werie Matthias rooteth out all Idolatry Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Matthias exhorteth his sons to pietie fortitude and concord The yeare of the world 3799 before Christs birth 165. ãâã Macchab. 3. Matthias death Iudas Machabaeus appointed gouernor Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Iudas Machabaeus ouercoÌmeth Apollonius in battell Seron gouernour of Coelesyria is put to flight in Iudaea The yeare of the world 3799. before Christs birth 165. Antiochus preparation to inuade Iudaea Antiochus committing his kingdome prouinces and sonne to Lysias charge departeth into Persia The yeare of the world 3800. before Christs birth 164. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Ptolomey Gorgias aand Nicanors war in Iudaea Iudas oration to his soldiers 1. Machab. 4. The yeare of the world 38ââ¦0 before Christs Natiuitie 164. Iudas ouercommeth Lysias army Iudas gathereâ⦠a huge ãâã ãâã once ãâã ãâã ãâã and loâ⦠fiue thousand of his soldiers The temple of Ierusalem The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. The temple left desolate for three whole yeeres space Dan. 12. The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. The festiuall solemnized for the reestablishment of the temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 21. Mach. 5. Iudas maketh continuall warre with the neighbouring nations Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. Simo ouercoÌming his enemies in Galilee deliuereth the Iewes that were captiue Iudas and Ionathas succour the Iews besieged in Galaad Bosra taken and burnt The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. Iudas succoureth the besieged Iewes Timothies soldiers slaine Malla taken and buââ¦nt Chaspoma and Bosor takeÌ Timothy gathereth new forces and is ouercome by Iudas The Iewes are brought out of the country of Galaad into Iuââ¦aea Ephron besieged burnt An admirable victory of Iudas Machabaeus who in all these conflictes lost not one man Ioseph and Zachary ouercome by Gorgias lose two thousand ââ¦olgiers Chebron and Marissa besieged The yeare of the world 38ââ¦1 before Christs birth 163. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. 1. Mac. ãâã Antiochus desirous to spoile Dianaes teÌple besiegeth Elymias and is shamefully repulsed to Babylon The yeare of the world 3802. before Christs birth 162. Antiochus Epiphanes burdned with cares falleth sicke Polybius Megalopolitan of the cause of Antiochus sicknes Antiochus appointeth Philip gouernour of his kingdome and committeth his sonne Antiochus to his charge Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. Lysias createth Antiochus the yonger king and surnameth him Eupator The Macedons in the castle of Ierusalem doe much harme ââ¦o the Iewes Iudas Machabaeus besiegeth the castle The fugitiue Iewes fly out of the castle and require Antiochus assistance The yeare of the world 3803. before Christs Natiuitie 161. Antiochus marcheth into Iudae a with his army Bethsura besieged Iudas with his forces encountreth the king at Bethzacharia Eleazar Iudas brother killeth an Elephant Iudas returneth to Ierusalem and Antiochus followeth him The Bethsurites yeeld vp their citie The temple of Ierusalem besieged Antiochus hearing newes of Philips intent to inuade Persia giueth ouer his siege to meet him The yeare of the world 3803. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 161. Antiochus maketh peace with Iudas The wal of the teÌple defaced Onias otherwaies called Menelaus led away prisoner Alcimus or lacimus made high priest The yeare of the world 3804. before Christs birth 160. Philip slaine by Antiochus Onias the high priests sonne builded a teÌple in Egypt resembling that at Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. 1. Machab. 7. Demetrius seazeth Tripolis and other cities of Syria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias Alcimus the high priest with Apostates accuseth Iudas before Demetrius Bacchides killeth diuers that trust his oth The yeare of the world 3804 before Christs birth 160. Bacchides vseth great tyranny in Bethzeth Alcimus vseth popularity and familiarity to win the peoples hearts and killeth all such as were of Iudas factioÌ Iudas resisteth Alcimus power Alcimus accuseth Iudas to Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. Demetrius sendeth Nicanor against Iudas Nicanor dissembling with Iudas
against Hircanus with a great army and is disswaded from war by his father Antipater and his brother Phasaeluâ⦠Hedio Ruffinus chap. 19. Hircanus embassadours to Caesar. The Iewes much honoured by the kings of Europe Asia Iulius Caesar testified in a braien pillar that the Iewes were free citizens of Alexandria Iulius Caesars decree as touching the honors immunities and priuiledges granted to thâ⦠Iewes The yeare of the world 3922. before Christs birth 42. The yeare of the world 3922. before the Naââ¦itie of Christ. 42. M. Antonius and P. Dolobella bring Hircanus embassadors into the Senate Dolobeâ⦠letters ââ¦o thâ⦠Ephesians Lucius Lucullus in the French Lentulus in the Latine being Consul maketh an edict in behalfe of the Iewes Iosephus conclusion concerning these edicts The yeere of the world 3922. before Christs Natiuitie 42. Caecilius Bassuâ⦠murthereth Sextus Caesar. Marcus succeedeth Sextus in Syria Caesar slaine by Cassius and Brutus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 20 Cassius commeth into Syria and exacteth more theÌ 700. talents of siluer from the Iewes Herode winneth Cassius heart by the money he leuieth in Galilee The yeare of the world 3923. before Christs birth 41. Malichus layeth in wait to muââ¦er Antipater but forsweareth the same and is reconciled Cassius and Marcus make Herode gouernour of Coelesyria The yeare of the world 3923. before Christs birth 41 Malichus causeth Antipater to be poisoned The yeare of the world 3924. before the birth of Christ. 40. The yeare of the world 3924. before Christs Natiuitie 40. Faelix assaileth Phasaelus in Ierusalem and is ouercome by him Ptolomey MeÌnaeus adopteth Antigonus Aristobulus son Herode expelleth Antigonus out of Iurie Herode marrieth Maââ¦aÌme Hircanus neece by his daughter Doris Herods wife The iudge corrupted with money Hircanus embassadours present Antonius with a crowne of gold require the captiue Iewes liberty sold by Cassius Antonius writeth to Hircanus as touching Brutus and Cassius actions and deathes The yeare of the world 3924. before Christs birth 40. Marcus Antonius writeth to the magistrates of Tyre to restore Hircanus and the Iewes their lands goods and liberty The yeare of the world 3924. before Christs birth 40. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 21. Cleopatra coÌmeth into Cilicia to Antonius Herode accused by one hundreth Iews before Antonius Antonius maketh Phasaclus and Herode Tetrarches A thousand Iewes repaire to Tyre to accuse Herode who are partly slaine partly wounded and partly put to flight The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 23. Antigonus promiseth the Parthians a great summe of money to install him in the kingdome Pacorus sendeth horsemen to Antigonus in Iudaea The Iewes inhabiting about mount Carmel ioyne themselues with Antigonus The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Penticost Herode fighteth with his enemies in the suburbes Pacorus chieftaine of the Parthians entering the citie perswadeth Phasaelus to go embassador to Barzapharnes The Parthians complot trecheries against Phasaelus Hircanus and Phasaelus surprised by the Parthians The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs Natiuitie 39. The Parthians lay a plot to surprise Herod ãâã discouereth iâ⦠and preuenteth them by flight Herode comforteth his friends in their flight Herode seeing his mothers chariot ouerturned is ready to murther himselfe Herode retiring toward Massada is assailed by the Parthians The Parthians spoile the citizens of Ierusalem and destroy Marissa The yearâ⦠of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Antigonus restored to the kingdome by the Parthians cuââ¦th off Hircanus cares to preuent his reinstalment in the Priesthood Phasaelus dash eth out his owne braines Antigonus putteth poison into Phasaelus wounds in steed of curing him Herode flieth to Malchus king of Arabia to borow mony Herode is comanded out of Arabia and flieth into Egypts from thence after some stormes he repaireth to Rome where he certifieth Antonius of thatwhich had befallen him The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 23. al. 25. Antonius loued Herode and hated Antigonus Caesar Augustus Herodes friend Herode admitted into the Senate and declared king Herode intending the kingdome for his wiues brother enioyeth the same himselfe Herode ascendeth the Capitol with Antonius Caesar. Herodes family besieged by Antigonus in Massada Ventidius vnder pretext to helpe Ioseph fisheth to get money of Antigonus The yeare of the world 3926. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 38. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2â⦠al. 16. Herode returning backe out of Italy leadeth forth his army against Antigonus Herode assaulteth Ioppe and taketh it Many submit themselues to Herode Ressa taken Massada deliuered from the siege after which Herode marcheth towards Ierusalem Herode proclaimeth about the wals of Ierusalem that he repaired thither for the good of the people the common-weale Antigonus vpbraideth Herode that he is but halfe a Iewe and of no kingly race The enemie repulseth Herodes power from the wall The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs Natiuitie 37. Silon suââ¦orneth some of his soldiers to take an occasion to depart from IerusaleÌ Herode procured and furnished the army with victuals and ãâã ââ¦ion Antigonus sendeth out soldiers to surprise Herodes victualers The Romans sent to their garrisons to winter Robbers Herode fighteth with his enemies in Galilee and ouercommeth them and bringeth all Galilee vnder his subiection Antigonus refuseth to victuall the Roman army Ventidius sendeth for Silon to war against the Parthians The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs birth 37. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 25. Herode leadeth his soldiers against those theeues that held the caues Herode letteth downe his soldiers from the top of the mountaine in cofers A certaine old man killeth his wife and seuen of his sons and at last casteth himselfe headlong from the rocke Herode retireth toward Samaria to fight with Antigonus Herodo punisheth the rebels in Galilee Ventidius ouercommeth Pacorus and the Parthians in battell Machaeras killeth many Iewes Herode resoluing to depart to Antonius and to accuse Machaeras is reconciled by him and leaueth his brother Ioseph with an armiâ⦠behind him The yeere of the world 3927. before Christs Natiuitie 37. Herode repaireth to Antonius at the siege of Samosata in the way killeth many Barbarians Herode was honourably entertained by Antonius and his host The yeare of the world 3928. before the birth of Christ. ââ¦6 Sosius hath the army committed to his charge by Antonius who departeth into Egypt Ioseph Herods brother is slain by Antigonus The Galileans reuolt from Herode Machaeras fortifieth Geth Herode departeth from Daphne a suburbe of Antioch into Galilee Herode fighteth with the Galileans ouercommeth them and driueth them into a castle The yeare of the world 3928. before Christs birth 36. The house wherein Herod soleÌnized his feast fell downe when the guests were gone without any mans detriment Herode wounded by his enemies Antigonus sendeth Pappus to Samaria Fight in the
houses The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs natiuitie 35. Herode being alone and naked in his house escaped vnhurt amoÌgst many armed enemies Herode sendeth Pappus head to his brother Phaeroras Herode besiegeth IerusaleÌ Herode repaireth to Samaria to marrie Alexanders daughter The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 26. al. 27. Sofiââ¦s and Herode lead a mightie army against Ierusalem Herode preuenteth the dearth The Iewes without feare resist those that besieged them The outward part of the temple and the lower citie taken The Iewes flye to the vpper citie and the temple IerusaleÌ taken The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Antigonus submitteth himselfe to Sosius Herode sore troubled in pacifying the straungers The spoile of the citie hindred When Ierusalâ⦠was taken Herode bribeth Antonius with money to make away Antigonus The end of the Asmonean family and the extinction of their priest hood The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 3 4. Herode preferreth his fauorites and killeth his enemies The Pharisees honoured by him Pollio fore-prophecied Herodes tyrannie The slaughter of them that were of Antigonus ââ¦action The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Antigonus beheaded Strabo of Antigonus Hedio Ruffinus chap. ãâã Hircanâ⦠heating ââ¦idings that Herode had obtained the kingdome returneth vnto him Hircanus highly honoured in Babylon by the Iewes Hircanus leauing his country expecteth fauour at Herodes hands Saramalla Herodes embasdour to Phraates Herode highly honoureth Hircanus The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 34. Herode giueth the high priesthood to Ananel Alexandra soliciteth Antonius by Cleopatras mediation for the high priesthood for hir sonne Antonius requireth Aristobulus at Herods hands The causes why Aristobulus was not sent Herode inueieth against Alexandra for pretending to vsurpe the kingdome Alexandra excuseth herselfe and hauing promise of the priesthood for hir sonne is reconciled to Herode The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. Herode taketh the Priesthood from Ananel The Priesthood taken from three Alexandra suspected by Herode is spied and watched and her actions obserued Alexandra pretending to flie into Egypt is betraied by her seruant Herode contriueth Aristobulus death The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 33. Aristobulus is drowned by Herodes direction Ananell restored to the priesthood The lamentation for Aristobulus death Herodes counterfait sorrow The yeare of the world 3931. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 33. Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herodes treasons and her sonnes traiterous murther Herode readie to repaire vnto Antony commaundeth Ioseph to whose charge he coÌmitted the kingdome to kill his wife A foolish rumour of Herodes death Herode appeaseth Anthony by presents and certifieth his friends by letters of his health The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs Natiuitie 32. Ioseph and Mariamme accused before Herode Mariamme excuseth purgeth hir selfe before the king and is reconciled Herode commandeth that Ioseph should be slaine and imprisoneth Alexandra Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Cleopatra verie couetous Cleopatra murthereth her brother and sister The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 32. Cleopatra contrieth Lysanias death Antonius giueth Cleopatra a portion deducted out of Iury and Arabia Cleopatra coÌmeth to Herode who enstateth hir in that the part of Arabia these reuenewes of lericho that were giuen her An intemperate woman giuen to lust Herode goeth about to put Cleopatra to death and is disswaded by his ââ¦riends Antonius conquereth Armenia Herode bringeth Cleopatra onward off her way towards Egypt The yeââ¦e of the world 3933. before Christs birth 31. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Herode leuieth an army to assist Antonius against Octauian Herode is incited by letters to the Arabian warre Herodes battels and conquests The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Cleopatras chieftaine ouerthroweth Herode The Arabians returning to the barrell kill those that flie and cake the campe The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. An earthquake in Iudaea killeth ten thousand men The Arabians kill the Embassadours of the lewes Herode comforteth the Iewes that were out of heart for their former losses Herode comforteth and exhorteth his soldiers The cause of warre against the Arabians The yeere of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Legates inuiolable With whom soeuer Iustice is there is God also The yeare of the world 3935. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 19. The Arabians are ouercome by Herode The Arabians enforced by thirst require truce at Herodes hands Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Herode dismaied at Antonius ouerthrow The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Herode determineth to make away Hircanus Alexandra solliciteth Hircanus her father to require assistance at Malchus haÌds Three hundreth furlongs containe nine Germaine miles Hircanus by Herodes commaund is put to death Hircanus dieth guiltlesse Hircanus life The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Herodes disposition of his affaires before he repaired to Caesar. Herode commeth to Caesar and declareth vnto him what pleasures he had done Antony promising him no lesse dutie and loue if so be he might be receiued into his fauour The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Caesar confirmeth Herodes authoritie Herode conducteth Caesar toward Egypt and presenteth him with many sumptuous gifts Herode inter taineth both Caesar and his at my verie heroically Herode giueth Caesar eight hundreth talents Mariamme and Alexandra displeased with Herode The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Sohcmus discoueteth the kings secrets Herode but coldly entertained by his wife MariaÌme Herodes sorrowes to see his wiues affections distracted and chaunged Hrodes siââ¦t ãâã and his mother incense the king by slaunderous reports against Mariamme Antony and Cleopatra slain Caesar Lord of Egypt Sohemus honoured by Horod with dignities Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Caesar enlargeth Herodes dominions The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Mariamme a froward womaÌ The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs birth 28 Sohemus suspected by Herode in Mariammes behalfe is put to death Mariamme is accused by Herode and condemned and imprisoned Mariamme by Salomes instigations is led to execution The yeare of the world 3936. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 28. Alexandra vndecently striueth to acquit her selfe of Mariammes treason Herods miserable estate moane after the death of his wife A plague inuadeth IerusaleÌ Herode falleth grieuously sicke Alexandra in Herodes absence seeketh to get the possession of the castles The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs Natiuitie 28. Herodes councellors certifie him of Alexandras intent Alexandra put to death Costabarus whom Herode had matched with his sister Salome vsurpeth in Idumaea Costabarus preserued by his wiues intercession Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater
after Christs birth 71. Caecinna is apprehended for treason Vespasian honours Caecinna with vnexpected honors is acquââ¦ed of treasoâ⦠Sabinus taketh the capitol anâ⦠leaueth Vitellius Vitellius slaine The people of Rome proclaime Vespasian Emperour Titusrepaireth to Ierusalem Titus commeth to Caesarea and gethereth his forces there The yeââ¦re of thâ⦠world 4034. after Christs birth 72. A three fold sedition in Ierusalem The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The fight betweene Iohn and Eleazar Simon Iohn skirmish in the temple Great slaughter in the temple Iohn assaulted on both sides They of Ierusalem had well nie burnt all their Corne. A wretched calamitie in Ierusalem The yeare of ââ¦he world 4034. after the ãâã of Cââ¦st 7â⦠Lamentation and mouââ¦ng in ãâã The crueltie of the sedâ⦠in Ierââ¦alem Iohn made vse of the wood that was kept for holy vses to make engines of The order of Titus army Tiââ¦us coÌmeth to Iudaea The yeare of the ââ¦ld 4034 aftâ⦠Câ⦠birth 7â⦠Titus repaireth to Ierusalem to found the dispositioÌs of the people Titus in danger Titus fighteth valiantly with his enemies Titus putteth his enemies to flight and returneth in safetie to his camp Titus campe was 7. stades off the Citie The seditious agree among themselââ¦es The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The citizens assaile the Romans The Iewes driue the Romans froÌ their campe The fight of the Iewes with the Romans The Romans are dispersed by the Iewes and driuen to the mountaine Titus valour against the Iewes Feare and trouble among the Romans The Iewes fight in their retreat and are driuen into the valley The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Iohn entreth and seaseth the inward temple and all the furniture therof putteth the Zealous to flight and raiseth a mightie sedition A threefold sedition deuided into two parts Whatsoeuer abouââ¦ââ¦alem ãâã hollow or troubled withâ⦠vallies is filled vp The alacritie of the souldiers among the Romans contrary to Titus ãâã The yearâ⦠of thâ⦠world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The victorie of the Iewes Caesars sharpe Oration to his souldiers The Romane souldiers beseech Titus for their fellowes in armes How and in what places Titus befieged Ierusalem The treble wall of Ierusalem The Castle of Dauid Acra sustaineth the lower part of the Citie The yeere of the world 4034 after Christs birth 7â⦠The fountaine Siloa The older wall The second wall The third wall ââ¦ezetha the fourth hill Agrippas cost in building the wall The third wall had 50. towers Psephina was seuentie cubits hie Herod called three towers by the names of three his most deerest friends The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. Hippico 85. cuââ¦its high Phasaelus 90. cubits higâ⦠Mariamme a goodly tower 55. cubits high The kings pallace The kings pallace burnt by the theeues and rebels The temple builded vpon a most strong hill All the sacred treasures spent in the building of the temple The yeare of the world 4034 after Christs birth 72. The porches were builded of white marble stone sustained by pillars A peculiar place destinated for women for religion sake Some of the gates were of gold some of siluer and one of Corinthian brasse The sacred sanctuaââ¦ie The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The Babylonian vaile of admirable workmanship The signification of the vaile Three admible works The candlesticke the table and censor The outward court of the temple couered with many plates of gold The priests in the old testament abstained from wine and were sober The hie priests garment The yeere of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The precious stones in the high priests garment The description of Antonia Antonia not much vnlike the citie Fifteene thousand follow Simon Simons campe against Iohn The yeere of thâ⦠world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The sedition tooke the City and the Romans ouercame tooke the sedition Titus circuring the wall seeketh which way he should attempt his batterie Nicanor is wounded with an arrow in the left shoulder The darts did the Iewes little good because they were not expert in vsing them The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. ââ¦tus comman deth the wall to be battered in three places The seditious forgetting their haââ¦ed and discords ioyne in one The ramme shaketh a corner of a tower Titus putteth the Iewes to flight and driueth them into the Citie Iohn Captaine of the Idumaeans by the shot of an arrow that woundeth him in the brest dieth The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 71. Nicon that is to say Vistor the Romans great ramme The Romans get the first wall The Iewes conflict with the Romans The Iewes boldnesse The custome of the Romans to conquer Longinus breaketh into the midst of the Iewes army and disturbeth it The yeare of the world 4034 after Christs birth 72. Castor a subtill and politique Iewe. Mercie in wars hurtfull Titus taketh the second wall The yeere of thâ⦠world 4034. after Christs birth 72. They interpret war like Titus humanity for cowardize The Romans are driuen out by the Iewes The Iewes courage increaseth The people in want and many die for hunger Titus once more getteâ⦠the second wal Titus surceasing the siege commaundeth money to be distributed to all his soldiers The yeere of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Destinie had decreed that the innocent should perish with the nocent and the citie with the seditious The Romans in their labour are hindred by the Iewes Titus bountie towards the Iewes Iosephs Oration the Iewess Fortune and God for the Romans Famine in the Citie The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The Emperor striueth to bee at peace with the Romans Ioseph tippeth vp the ancient Histories and some ââ¦aine Nechias a king of Egypt The Hebrewes vnder the tyrannie of Egypt foure hun dreth yeeres The sacred Arke taken away by the Assirians and restored to the Iewes Senacherib king of Assyria The captiuitie of Babylon The destruction of IerusaleÌ by the King of Babylon Iosephs bitter inuectiue against them The yeere of the world 4034 after Christs birth 72. The Iewes sins against the lawes The Romans vse the same maner of ouerthrow against the Iewes as the Assyrians did God knoweth when to reuenge The fountains that before time were dââ¦y now flow to Titus God is wont to shew mercie to those who con fesse and be penitent The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. Iosephs loue and constancie towards his countrey The people flie with their money A wonderfull famine in the Citie The argument of store of meat A miserable kind of liuing and a spectacle of great compassion The souldiers enter the houses take the meat vnchueÌd out of the Citizens mouths The yeare of the world 4034 after Christs birth 72. The honorable and rich are drawne before the tyrants The
flieth with his wife into Cilicia Epiphanes flieth to Vologesus the king of Parthia Antiochus taken The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Antiochus reconciled to Caesar. The Alans enter Media to spoile the same Armenia wasted The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 The time among the Iewes which was most fruitful in all manner of impiety Iohn Giscala The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Simon sonne of Giora The Idumaeans The Zealous The end of the Iewes answerable to their liues Silua the captaine of the Romans besiegeth Massada The scituation of Massada The iourney by the rock called the Snake The top more fruitfull and fatter soile the the plaine Herods pallace The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A ââ¦ower to the Westside Great store of prouision in the Castle Fruit for a hundreth yeeres kept vncorrupt Herode suspecting a double perill builded this place for a refuge There was but one place about Massada to raise a mount to batter one The Citie battered with a large Ramme and by Siluas appointment Firebrands daââ¦ââ¦ed against the walâ⦠The North wind diuerting the flame turneth it vpon the Romanâ⦠The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eleazars Oration to his companions Eleazar conteâ⦠Gods wrââ¦t ââ¦o bee kââ¦led against tââ¦e people The punish ãâã ââ¦ese ãâã which ãâã ââ¦es ââ¦n ãâã attempâ⦠agââ¦inst the ââ¦es ãâã graue ãâã ââ¦en lâ⦠ãâã maintained Eleazars Oraââ¦n as touchââ¦g the immor talitie of the soule The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A soule tied in a mortal body The power of the soule Sleepe the argument of the immortalniâ⦠of the soule The professors of wisedome among the indians burne themselues An exhortation to contemn death drawne from the time and place Example taken from the Iews that were staine in Caesââ¦a The Calamitie of the Iewes in Scithopoliâ⦠The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eighteen thousand Iews slain in Syria and threescore thousand in Aegypt The calamitie of those Iewes who were taken by the Romans Ierusalem the Metropolitane citie razed froÌ the foundations We are borne to die and the most strongest cannot auoid the same Eleazar telleth the Iewes of the Romans tyrannie It is a happines among the Iewes to die free The yeare of the world 4ââ¦38 after Christs birth 76. The Iewes gathering all their goods togither cast theÌ into the fire Ten chosen by lot to kill the rest of the Iewes The Romans expect the fight The Romans admire at the Iewes fortitude and obstinate contempt of death The murtherers authors of new calamitie The Iewes assemble and consult about the murtherers The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Diuers sorts of torments and tortures inflicted on them who reââ¦use Caesars soueraintie Onias by Ptoââ¦es consent buildeth a citie and temple in Egypt Onias temple built in Egypt Lupus shutteth the Iewes out of the temple The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 A part of Ionathans companions were taken and slaine the rest kept captiue aliue and brought to Catullus Three thousand Iewes slaine by Catullus Ioseph by Catullus perswasion is accused by Ionathas Ionathas being first beaten is burnt aliue The conclusion of the seuen bookes of the warres of the Iewes The historie of the antiquitie containeth the euents of fiue thousand yeers The causes that moued him to write this book All things among the Greekes are moderne but such things as were done among the Egyp tians Chaldies and Phaenicians are of happie memorie and venerable antiquitie Innumerable corruptions inuaded Greece The Phoenicians and Cadmus the first inuentors of letters Among the Greekes there is not any writing more ancient then Homers poem Thucidides writ a most exact historie of his time The causes of discord among the Iewes Another cause of their discord recorded by the Graecian Historiographers The signe of a true historie A custome which the priests obserued The priests amongst the Iewes are euerie one registred with the name of their fathers and this custome hath continued 2000 yeers Two and twentie bookes of holy writ The Iewes and Greeks are compared together Some others haue written of the wars of the Iewes Ioseph was present in all the wars of the Iewes Ioseph did write the historie of the Iewes wars being at Rome Ioseph sold his bookes to many Some do derogate from Iosephs historie Two things which Ioseph entendeth The Iewes careto bring vp their ââ¦heildreÌ The ancient Iewes had no need to trafficke with the Graecians The Romans were lately knowne to the Greekes Certaine Historiographers report Spaine to be onely one citie Arguments to proue the Iewes of more antiquitie then the Greeks Manethon an Egyptian writer Saltis subdued the Egyptians Kings shepheards Sethosis king of Egypt made his brother Ar mais Gouernour of his Countrie Where upon Egypt tooke his name Manethon sheweth the Iewes comming into Egypt and their departure Salomon built a ââ¦emple in ãâã 143. yeeres and eight months before the Tyrians builded Carthage The friendship of the Tyrian king and oâ⦠king Salomon Problemes of Hiramus and Salomon The testimony of Menander the Ephesian The Genealogie of king Hiramus Carthage built in Affricke by Dido Pigmalions sister Berosus the Historiographer a Chaldean Nabulassarus father to Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon and Chaldea Nabuchodonosor conquered the rebels Nabuchodonosor succeedeth in his fathers kingdome Nabuchodonosor builded a pallace Semiramis did not build Babylon The king of Babylon excelled Hercules in strength and noble valorous deeds The wals of Babylon built of bricke and bytumen Cyrus expelled Nabodââ¦us from Babylon The testimony of the Phoenicians touching the Iewes Antiquitie Nabuchodonozor besieged Tyre The Chaldaeis and Tyrians agree with the Iewes historie Hermippus writings and testimony of Pythagoras Theophrastus Corban the gift of God Herodotus the Halicarnassian touching the Iewes circumcision Chaerilus an ancient Poet his testimonie of the Iewes Asphaltites the lake The testimony of Clearchus disciple of Aristotle touching the Iewes Hecataeus Abderita brought vp with king Alexander A thousand fiue hundreth priests receiue the Iewes tenths The Iewes constancy against Alexander The largnes of Iurie Fiftie stounds are almost sixe Germaine miles The Priests do dwell in the Temple and drink no wine Agatarchides his testimonie of the Iewes The Iewes Sabaoth Why certaine writers omit to speake of the Iewes The last part against certain detractions ââ¦aunders The cause of malice betweene the Egyptians and Iewes The Egyptians Idolatrie Manethon an Egyption Historiographer Manethons fabulous reports of the Egyptian Lepers Osarsiphus captââ¦ine of Auaââ¦is The warre of the banished against the Aegyptians The Aegyptian king fled into Aethiopia and was by the Aethiopian king courteously entertained Osarsiphus was afterwards called Moses Manethons lies are confuted Manethons words repeated A conââ¦utation of Manethons words alleadged The Epiloge that the Iewet came not of the Egyptians An answere vnto Manethous slanders touching
Ioas treble victory The yeare of the world 3ââ¦03 before the Natiuitie of Christ. 86â⦠Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Amasias king of Ierusalem 4. Reg. 14. Deâ⦠24. The yeare of the world 3106. before Christs birth 858. The dismission of the Israelits 2 Paral. 25. Amasias victory ouer the Amalechites Amasias iâ⦠reprehendedââ¦y a proohet for his idolatry The yeare of the world 3106. before Christs Natiuitie 858. Amasias expedition against Ioas king of Israel Amasias taken prisoner by the king of Israel Ierusalem ruinated The temple spoyled Amasias slaine The yeare of the world 3120. before Christs birth 844. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. 4. Reg. 14. The enlargement of the kingdome of Israel Ionas 1 Ionas seÌt vnto Niniue flieth the presence of God and ascending a ship is cast in a strome into the sea The yeare of the world 3120. before Christs Natiuitie 844. Ionas cast into the sea is deuou red by a whale and cast vpon the coast of Niniue foretelleth them of the losse of their empire Ionas 2. 3. 4. Reg. 14. 15 Ieroboams death Ozias king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3136. before Christs birth 828. Ozias expedition and the repaiting of the city 2. Paral. 26. The yeare of the world 3150. before Christs natiuitie 814. Ozias riches and army Ozias transgresseth his vocation and is punished with a leprosie and compelled to depart out of the city The yeare of the world 3170. before Christ birth 794. The yeare of the world 3170. before Christs birth 794. Zacharias slaughter 4. Reg. 35. Manahem king of Israel The yeare of the world 3174. before the birth of Christ. 790. The Tapsians slaughter Peace bought with money The yeare of the world 3185. before Christs birth 779. Phaceias The translatioÌ of the Israelits The yeare of the world 3187. before Christs birth 777. Iothams piety Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The prophecy of the destruction of Niniue Naum. 2. The yeare of the world 3204. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 760. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Achaz impiety The sacrifice of his sonne The punishment of impietie Esay 7. 4. Reg. 16. The slaughter of the army of Iuda 4. Reg. 16. The Israelites by the prophets aduice dismisse those prisoners they had takeÌ of the tribes of Iuda and Beniamin The yeare of the world 3207. before Christs birth 757. The yeare of the world 3207. before Christs birth 757. 4. Reg. 16 17. The translatioÌ of the Israelites Achaz giueth the gold and siluer of the temple to the king of the Assyrians Achaz shutteth the doors of Gods temple and honoureth straÌge gods Achaz death The yeare of the world 3215. before Christs birth 749. Oseas impietie and punishment Hedio Ruffinus chap 14. 4 Reg 17. The pietie of Ezechias king of Iuda Ezechias embassadours that were sent to the Israelites to exhort them to celebrate the feast of vnleuened bread are slaine by them 2. Paral. 29. 30 The word of God is neuer without fruit The yeare of the world 3218. before Christs Natiuitie 746. Ezechias sacrifice Reformation of Gods seruice The yeare of the world 3224. before Christs birth 740. The king ouercommeth the Philistines Ezechias forsaketh the seruice of the king of Assyria Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. 4. Reg. 17. The Israelites remoued from their possessions are translated into the region of the Chuthites The yeare of the world 3224 before Christs birth 740. The Tyrians Chronicles touching the wars of Salmanazar against the Tyrians written by Menander Gods displeasure against the idolatrous Chuthites The Chuteans embrace the seruice of God and in prosperitie claime kindred of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3231. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 733. 4. Reg. 18. The destruction of Iudaea The oth of Senacherib and his breach thereof Rapsaces perswasion to cause Ezechias submit 4. Reg. 19. Ezechias in aduersity hath recourse to God he is coÌsorted by Esay The yeare of the world 3231. before Christs Natiuity 733. Herodotus of Senacharib Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. The punishment of Senacharib for displeasing God Patricides Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. 4. Reg. 20. Ezechias sicknesse and the prolongation of his life assured by miracle The yeare of the world 3231. before Christs Natiuitie 733. The Assyrian Monarchie destroied The embassage of the king of Babylon to Ezechias The captiuitie of Babylon foreprophecied by Esay The yeare of the world 3232. before Christs birth 732. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Ezechias death 4. Reg. 21. Manasses impiety and cruelty The yeare of the world 3247. before Christs birth 717. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Alias cap. 4. The yeare of the world 3247. before Christs Natiuitie 717. Manasses surprised and led prisoner into Babylon and after his repentance restored to his kingdome The yeare of the world 3288. before Christs birth 676. Manasses purifieth the citie and consecrateth the temple againe The yeare of the world 3302. before Christs birth 662. Manasses death Amos king of Iuda a wicked prince The yeare of the world 3304. before the birth of Christ. 660. Iosias king of Iudae 4 Reg. 22. Iosias restoreth the true seruice of God The feare of the world 3307. before Christs birth 657. Iosias rooteth outidolairie The yeare of the world 3321. be fore Christ birth 643. Iudges The zeale of the people in the reparation of the temple The yeare of the world 3321. before Christs birth 643. Moses sacred bookes found in the temple Olda the prophetesse sent vnto by Iosias The pophecie of the Iewes miserie 4 Reg. 23. A liuely image of a godly prince The truth of the diuine oracles 3. Reg. 13. The celebration of the passeouer The yeare of the world 3321. before Christs birth 643. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Alias cap. 5. The yeare of the world 3334. before Christs birth 630. The Egyptians worke their passage thorow Iudaea 4. Reg. 23. Iosias death An Epitaph written by Ieremy on Iosias 2. Paral. 25. Ieremy prophecieth the captiuitie of Babylon In what time Ieremie liued Ioaz king of Iuda 4. Reg. 23. 2. Paral 36. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Alias chap. 6. Eliacim called Ioachim made king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3335. before Christs birth 629. The yeare of the world 3336. before the birth of Christ. 628. Nabuchodo nosor king of Babylon warreth against the Egyptians The yeare of the world 3336. before Christs birth 628. Ioachim paseth Nabuchadnezzar tribute 4. Reg. 24. The yeare of the world 3343. before Christs natiuitie 621. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Ioachim reuolteth from the king of Babylon The yeare of the world 3345. before Christs Natiuity 619. Ieremy foretelleth the destruction of Ierusalem Ier. 22. Nabuchadnezzars entertainment into the citie and his crueltie 4. Reg. 24. 2. Paral. 36. Ioachin or Iechonias king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3346. before Christs Natiuitie 618. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. 4. Reg. 25. Nabuchodonosor a truce ââ¦eaker Sedechias king of Ierusalem seduced by his courteours false