he was supposed to surpass all men in virtue The wisdom of Abraham and was he that first undertook to rectifie the received erronious opinions of men touching the Deity He first of all did most manifestly preach and prove Abraham the first Preacher of the Word That there was but one God Governor and Maker of all things and that otherwise if any thing conferred or furthered our Felicity it hapned unto us not by our own workings but by his holy Will And this he observ'd and prov'd by what comes to pass both in the Earth and the Sea as also by those things which he saw daily occur by the influences of the Sun the Moon and other Stars namely that there is a certain G power that disposeth them and decently administreth all things without whose assistance nothing would be profitable unto us whereas nothing hath of it self any virtue but all things are obedient to his Omnipotent Will and for that cause honour and thanksgiving should wholly be ascribed to him For which advices and counsels of his H seeing the Chaldeans and Mesopotamians began to mutiny against him he thought it expedient to forsake that Countrey and follow the Will and Command of God and so went and dwelt at Canaan where being seated he built an Altar and sacrific'd unto God Berosus Berosus amongst other things maketh mention of our Father Abraham although he names him not when he speaketh after this manner After the Deluge and during the tenth Generation there dwelt amongst the Chaldeans a most just excellent and upright man and exercised in the knowledge of the Celestial bodies Hecataeus But Hecataeus makes not a bare mention of him but hath left a Volume which he hath written concerning him And as touching Nicolaus Damascenus Nicolaus Damascenus hear what he saith in the Fourth Book of his Histories Abraham reigned in Damascus where he was a stranger whither he arrived with his Army I from a Countrey scituate above Babylon called Chaldaea and a little while after departing out of that Region he went and dwelt with his People in a Countrey at that time called Canaan and at this day Judaea and his Posterity multiplied therein In another Treatise I will recite that which is reported of him The name of Abraham even at this day is honourable in the Countrey of Damascus Abraham's house and there is a Village to be seen which beareth his name and is called Abraham's house CHAP. VIII Abraham pressed by Famine departed into Egypt where having stay'd awhile at last he returned back again K AFter this when Famine had invaded the land of Canaan Abraham had intelligence that the Egyptians abounded in all plenty The year of the World 2026 before Christ's Nativity 1938. and decreed with himself to retire thither purposing also to confer with their Priests concerning their Notions of God and either to follow their belief if they were better grounded in the same than himself or to rectifie them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. if his judgment were better grounded than theirs He led with him his wife Sara and understanding that the Egyptians were much addicted to women to the end the King might not put him to death Gen. 12. 10. in order to enjoy his wife Sara Gen. 12. 13. 15. who was very beautiful he devised this excuse to say That she was his sister charging her that if the matter came in question she should not fail but confirm the same But no sooner L came they into Egypt but the like fortune encountred them as Abraham had before suspected The lust of the Egyptians 16 17. for the beauty of his wife was suddenly published in every place For which cause Pharaoh the King of that Nation desirous to see that with his eyes which he had heard with his ears he sought for sent and lusted after her but God withstood this his unbridled lust by afflicting the King's Subjects with a Plague and his State by Sedition Whereupon taking counsel of the Priests what remedy might be used and means sought to appease the Divine Majesty 18 19. they answer'd him That the cause of their afflictions proceeded from his intending violence to the stranger's wife Whereat being much affrighted the King first questioneth with the woman what she was and who her companion should be and at last resolv'd of the truth he excus'd himself to Abraham saying he suppos'd M her to be his sister not his wife and that his purpose was not to offer injury but seek alliance and giving him a great sum of money he gave him leave to confer with the most excellent and learned Priests among the Egyptians Abraham taught the Egyptians Religion and Arts. By this conference he grew into great estimation in regard of his virtues for whereas that Nation was divided into different Sects and Opinions and through mutual contempt and division were incens'd one against another he declar'd That all their different Opinions in Religion were most vain and void of all truth For these his disputations he was held in great regard among them and esteemed for a most wise and excellent personage not only in well understanding Abraham an â—â—cellent Astronomer but also in expressing and persuading that which he undertook to teach He imparted to them the Sciences of Arithmetick and Astronomy for before Abraham came N into Egypt the Egyptians were altogether ignorant of those Sciences but he first brought them from Chaldaea into Egypt and from thence are they deriv'd to the Greeks As soon as he return'd into Canaan Gen. 13. 1. he divided the Countrey with Lot and for that there grew a contention betwixt their shepherds The division of the fields between Abraham and Lot touching the bounds of the pastures where they fed their Cattel he gave Lot the choice and election of that Countrey which best pleased him retaining unto himself that which was left Thus pitching his Tents towards a mountain near the City Hebron which was by seven years more ancient than Tanis in Egypt he dwelt there But Lot chose the Plain near the River of Jordan not far from Sodom which in those days was a goodly City but at this present by the just judgment of God is utterly destroyed so that no memory remaineth thereof The causes of O which judgment shall be related hereafter A CHAP. IX The overthrow of the Sodomites by the Assyrians Lot is taken Prisoner AT this time the Assyrians were Lords over all Asia and the estate of Sodom flourished in all affluence Hedio Ruffinus chap. 17. riches and multitude of People and the Countrey was governed by five Kings Gen. 14. Ballas Bareas Senabarus Symoborus and Baleâ— each particularly seized of his Province and Kingdom Five Kings of Sodom Against these the Assyrians encamped themselves and having divided their Army into four parts under the conduct of four
vision being awaked out of my sleep and troubled in my mind what it might signifie being seized by little and little by a pleasant slumber I fell a sleep again And again I saw a vision more prodigious than the former and which likewise troubles and terrifies me more For I saw seven ears of Corn sprung out of one root that hung down and bowed their heads because they were loaden with grain ready to be reapt The year of the World 2238 before Christ's Nativity 1726. after which there appeared E seven other weak and dry ears which devouring those other great and full ears left me highly astonished Hereunto Joseph answered This Dream O King although it hath been seen in two figures yet it importeth one and the same accident which is to ensue For both those seven lean Oxen and those seven dry ears of Corn The interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream a v. 18. ad 36. which you saw devour the seven fat Oxen and seven full ears of Corn fore-signifie a Famine and scarcity in Egypt for so many years as there were Oxen and ears of Corn in good plight so that the fertility of these good years shall be consumed by the sterility of so many other years according to their number and there shall be such scarcity of necessary provision that it shall be hard to prevent and supply the defect all which is signified by those seven lean kine which having devoured the good could not be satisfied by the same All F these things God foretels unto Men not to the end they should be terrified and affrighted but that being forewarn'd they may provide for themselves and the more easily prevent the imminent danger If therefore thou shalt lay up and store the abundance of the plentiful years v. 47 48 49. Egypt shall not feel the penury that shall follow And when the King admiring Joseph's prudence and wisdom demanded after what manner he might provide in the time of plenty By Joseph â—s counsel the succeeding scarcity is made more tolerable to prevent and redress the future sterility he warned and counselled him that the Egyptians should use parsimony and that that which remained of those years superfluity might be reserved for future necessities He counselled him also to command the husbandmen to hoard up their Corn in their Barns and only to distribute to the People so much as was sufficient and no more Hereupon the G King not only praising Joseph's counsel v. 42 43. but also his interpretation of his Dreams made him Lord and Commissary of all his store Joseph is intitled by Pharaoh to great honours and commanded him to provide whatsoever he thought necessary for his service and the good of his People assuring him that he thought no Man more proper to execute this counsel than himself who H was the author thereof Having therefore this authority given him by the King to use his own signet and to be cloathed in Purple and to ride in a Chariot throughout all Egypt he stor'd up all the Corn in the Kings Granaries and distributed to every one by measure Hedio Ruffinus chap 5. that which they wanted for Seed-Corn and for their nourishment without letting any Man understand for what cause he did it He was now about thirty years old and was held in great honour by the King being for his extraordinary prudence sirnamed by him Psontomphanech which in the Egyptian language signifieth V. 50 51 52. The discoverer of hidden things he was also honoured with a Wife of great dignity Joseph marrieth a Wife in Egypt on whom he begat Manasses and Ephraim By the Kings order likewise he took to Wife a Virgin Daughter to Putifar I the Heliopolitan Priest whose name was Asaneth by whom be begat Children before the Famine began in Egypt The elder of which was called Manasses which signifieth Oblivion because attaining better fortune he grew into oblivion of his former misery but the younger was called Ephraim which signifieth Return for that he was restored to the liberty of his ancestors Now when according to Joseph's interpretation the seven years of plenty and affluence were past in Egypt the years of Famine began to infest the Land V. 54 55. and for that the evil was unexpected The Famine in Egypt the headlong multitude grievously pressed with hunger and misery began to flock about the Kings gates and Garners Whereupon the King called for Joseph who presently distributing Grain to those that wanted it became without controversie the Father and conserver of the commonalty Neither K did he only sell it those that inhabited that Countrey but to strangers also accounting the whole race of Mankind so allied together that 't is reasonable such as want Gen. 42. 1 2 c. should be supplied by those that have plenty Jacob sendeth his Sons into Egypt to buy Wheat And because the same calamity both oppressed Canaan and other Kingdoms of the world Jacob also sent all his Sons into Egypt to fetch Corn as soon as he understood that strangers also had liberty to traffique in that place only with himself he retained Benjamin whom he begat on Rachel and who was brother by the whole blood to Joseph When these ten Brethren arrived in Egypt they repaired to Joseph beseeching him that they might be permitted to buy corn for nothing was done without his express command it seem'd an honour done to the King to do honour to Joseph He taking knowledge of his Brothers who thought of nothing less than of him by L reason that in his youth he was sold away by them and age had altered the lineaments of his face V. 7 c. and besides none of them could imagine that he had attained to so great dignity determined to make trial of them Joseph soundeth this Brothers to the end he might understand his Fathers and Benjamins estate V. 10. to the end he might the better gather how they were affected For he both denyed them his licence to buy Corn and commanded them also to be apprehended for Spies telling them that they were of divers Nations though they feigned kindred for how can it be saith he that a private Man should bring up so many worthy Sons which felicity scarcely and very seldom is granted to Kings This did he to the end he might gather some intelligence of his Father and in what estate he lived Rubens answer unto Joseph both for himself and his Brothers during his absence and what was become of Benjamin his Brother for he was much afraid they had offered the same hard measure to the youth M which they had us'd to himself These words struck them with a great fear in regard of their imminent peril supposing that they had travelled this long journey all in vain and for that they saw their accusation must be answered Ruben the eldest of them began after this manner
such time as Joab Ader fled into Egypt General of Davids Army had conquer'd Idumaea and in the space of six months defeated all the youth and those that were capable to bear Arms he fled unto L Pharaoh King of Egypt Ader beseecheth Pharaoh to dismiss him that he might return into his Countâ—â—y who entertain'd him very courteously and gave him an house and lands for his maintenance and loved him dearly when he came to mans estate so that he married him to Taphines his wives sister on whom he begat a Son who was brought up with the Kings children who having intelligence in Egypt of David and Joabs death address'd himself unto Pharaoh and besought him to give him leave to repair into his own Countrey The King ask'd him what he wanted or what the cause was that mov'd him to be so forward to forsake him Notwithstanding therefore that he importuned and requested him divers times yet prevailed he not with him But when Solomons fortunes began to decline Ader returneth into Idumaea and from thence departeth into Syria by reason of his iniquities above-mentioned and the wrath of God provoked M against him Ader by Gods permission came into Idumaea after he had obtained leave of Pharaoh to depart But being unable to move the people to revolt from Solomon by reason of the strong Garisons he held Raas and Ader enemies to Solomon and knowing that without hazard of his own person he could move no alterations or innovation in that place he departed from thence and went into Syria where confederating himself with a certain man called Raas who was fled from his Master Adarezer King of Sophone and lived like an Outlaw in that Region he contracted friendship with him and a great sort of Outlaws and Thieves that were his followers and went into Syria and seizing on that Countrey proclaimed himself King thereof From whence making excursions into the lands of the Israelites he spoiled and pillaged the same during Solomons life-time Thus were N the Hebrews enforced to sustain those Outrages at Aders hands Moreover a certain Man called Jeroboam the son of Nebat by Nation a Jew rebelled against Solomon Ver. 26 ad 35. and raised his hopes above his estate persuaded thereunto by a Prophesie that concerned him Jeroboam rebelleth against Solomon and incited him unto the action For being left very young by his Father and carefully instructed by his Mother as soon as Solomon perceived him to be of a noble and couragious spirit he made him Commissary over the building of the Walls at such time as he immured and fortified Jerusalem In this office he behaved himself so well Ver. 30. that the King thought very well thereof and by way of recompence made him General over the Tribe of Joseph Achâ—as the Prophet foretelleth that he should be King over the ten Tribes Towards which whil'st he travelled from Jerusalem a certain Prophet met him upon the way who was of the City of Silâ— called O Achias who approaching near unto him and saluting him drew him out of the way into a place where none but themselves were present and there renting the garment which he wore upon his back in twelve pieces he commanded Jeroboam to take ten telling him That God had so decreed The year of the World 2971. before Christ's Nativity 993. and how he would rent the Government from Solomon and reserve A only one Tribe unto his son with that other which was annexed unto it by reason of the promise made to David and to thee said he he giveth the other ten because Solomon hath offended God and addicted himself to the love of strange Women and the service of foreign gods Now since thou knowest the cause wherefore God hath alienated the Kingdom from Solomon be thou just and observe the Laws for if thou behavest thy self in such sort as thou knowest David did a great reward of thy piety and recompence of thy observance attendeth thee so that thou shalt become as mighty as David hath been before thee Jeroboam confirmed in great hopes by these words of the Prophet being by nature haughty in years young and besides that Ver. 40. desirous of authority Jeroboam flieth into Egypt and remaineth there until Solomons death he took no rest but being possessed of the place of B General and remembring himself of that which had been told him by Achias he presently began to persuade the people to revolt from Solomon and to choose him for their King Solomon hearing news of this his design sought means to lay hands on him and to put him to death but Jeroboam preventing him fled unto Susac King of Egypt with whom he remained until the death of Solomon And thus for that time escaped he punishment and thus was he reserved to the fortune of a Kingdom CHAP. III. After the death of Solomon the people revolt from Rehoboam his Son and proclaim Jeroboam King of the Ten Tribes C BUT when Solomon was very old The death of Solomon he dyed after he had Reigned fourscore years and lived ninety four and was buried in Jerusalem of all Kings the most happy rich and prudent Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. al. 4. except that sin whereunto he was drawn by Women in his old age of whom and those calamities that presently after befell the Hebrews we have sufficiently spoken 1 Reg. 12. 1 ad 11. After the death of Solomon as soon as his son Rehoboam whom he begat upon an Ammonitish woman called Noma succeeded him in the Kingdom the Governors of the people sent certain messengers into Egypt to recall Jeroboam who arriving in the City of Sichem Rehoboam came thither also resolving in that Assembly of the Israelites to take the Kingdom upon himself by the peoples consent The people require Rehoboam to mitigate their burthen To him therefore the Princes D of the people resorted with Jeroboam beseeching him That he would remit somewhat of their servitude and shew himself more merciful than his father had been for that under his government they had been sorely oppressed assuring him that by that means his Kingdom should be the more secured if so be he had rather be beloved than feared He three days after promised them to return an answer to their demands and by that means drew them into suspition that upon the motion he misliked of the offers they had proposed for they thought it became his years to be affable and ready to deserve well yet remained there some hope in them Ver. 6 7 8. that they had not presently suffered a repulse Mean while he calling about him his fathers friends The wholesom advice of the Elders consulted what answer he should give the people they that wished his welfare and knew the nature of the people very well persuaded E him to speak familiarly unto the people and remitting a little of his Kingly
and said I cannot but commend the piety and love which you bear unto your Brother which I find to be greater than I did expect gathering my conjectures from those things which in times past have hapned unto me For to this end have I done all this that I might make trial of your brotherly affection whereof since you have given me a signal proof I will not ascribe that which you have done unto me to your natures but rather wholly to the Will of God who hath at this present furnished you with all things which are profitable for you and I hope will hereafter give you greater things by his special grace Seeing therefore I understand my Fathers rather desired than hoped K health and find you to be such as I desired you should be towards your Brother I freely forget those injuries which in times past were done unto me rather making choice to give you thanks as the Ministers of God's Providence that against this time provided for our common good than remembring your forepast malice I therefore pray you that forgetting those things which are past The year of the World 2231 before Christ's Nativity 1726. you will be of good courage and rejoyce that it hath pleased God to produce a good event of an ill intent Let not the evil sentence which in times past you pronounced against me any ways trouble you since you perceive it wanted effect but rejoyce at these Works of God and go and tell your Father that which you have seen lest being consumed with immoderate care of you I my self be deprived of the chiefest fruit of my felicity before he come to my presence and be made partaker of the same Wherefore depart you and bringing with L you him your Wives and Children and all your Kindred come back unto me for it were inconvenient my dear Brethren that you should not be partakers of my felicity especially since this Famine is as yet to continue for the term of five years This said Joseph embraced his Brethren but they were wholly confounded with tears and sorrow and the greater was their repentance Ver. 16. in that they had sinned against so kind a Brother After all this there follow'd a Banquet The King rejoyceth to know that Joseph's brothers were arrived Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. al. 4. v. 26 27 28. And the King understanding that Joseph 's Brethren were arrived he as if some good fortune had befaln him very heartily rejoyced and gave them Chariots laden with Corn and Gold and Silver with other Presents to present their Father with who enriched with divers gifts some from their Brother to his Father and others to themselves but especially to Benjamin returned home into their Countrey M Now when Jacob understood by his Sons in what estate his Son Joseph was that he had not only escaped death which he had so long time bewailed but also that he lived in high prosperity Jacob rejoyceth to hear the promotions and honors of Joseph and ministred to the King of Egypt and had in a manner the whole Government of the Kingdom in his hands he easily believed all things that were told him and acknowledged the great Works of God and his Goodness shewed unto him although for a time it seemed to be intermitted And a little time after he prepar'd himself to go and visit his Son Joseph CHAP. IV. How Jacob with all his Family went into Egypt N WHen Jacob arrived near the Fountain of Covenant he offered in that place a Sacrifice unto God and fearing lest his Children should inhabit Egypt by reason of the fertility of the place The year of the World 2239 before Christ's Nativity 1725. and that his posterity by not returning back into the Land of Canaan should lose the possession of that which God had promised them and furthermore doubting lest that his Journey into Egypt being by him enterprized without consulting the Will of God should be prejudicial to his Children suspecting likewise lest he should die before he came to Joseph's presence he was wonderfully perplexed in mind Whil'st thus he ruminated and cast these things in his mind he was surprized with a heavy sleep during which time God appeared unto him and called him O twice by his name Jacob asking who it was that called him God answer'd Dost thou not know O Jacob that God who hath both protected thee and thy Ancestors and succoured you A in all your necessities The year of the World 2293. before Christ's Nativity 1725. who contrary to thy father's purpose made thee lord of his family and when as by thy self thou didst travel into Mesopotamia did not I bring it to pass that being matched in wedlock very happily thou returnedst into thy Countrey back again being blessed with many children and stored with much riches Was it not I also that have kept thy family in safety and when it seemed thou hadst lost Joseph I raised him to that high step of dignity wherein now he liveth Gen. 46. 1 ad 5. and made him the next in dignity to the King of Egypt And now also I am come unto thee God appeareth to Jacob about the Fountain of Covenant to this end that I may guide thee in thy journey and that I may foretel thee that thou shalt depart this life in the arms of Joseph and that thy posterity shall be mighty and famous for many Ages and shall possess that Land the Empire whereof I have promised them Encourag'd and made confident by this dream he more willingly hastned B towards Egypt with his sons and his family whose number amounted to Threescore and ten Ver. 6 7 ad 26. Their names in that they are somewhat hard I should not mention were it not to satisfie some Jacob with his Sons and Nephews depart into Egypt who contend that we are Egyptians and not Mesopotamians The sons of Jacob therefore are twelve in number of whom Joseph came thither long before them The rest are these with their sons Reuben had four sons Enoch Phales Essalon and Charmis Jacob's Progeny Simeon had six Jumilas Jamin Puthod Jachen Zoar and Zaar Levi also had three Gelsem Chaath and Marari Juda had likewise three Sala Phares and Zara with two sons of Phares Esron and Amyr Issachar had four Thulas Phrusas Job and Samaron Zabulon had three Sarad Elon and Janel These were the children which Jacob had by Leah who also led with her Dinah her daughter the number of whom C amounted to Thirty three But Rachel had two sons of which the elder was called Joseph who had likewise two Manasses and Ephraim Benjamin had ten Bolossus Baccaris Asabel Gela Naman Ises Aros Nomphthis Optatis and Sarod These fourteen added to those abovenamed make up the number of Forty seven And this was the legitimate issue of Jacob. But by Bala Rachel's handmaid he had Dan and Nepthalim this latter
had four sons Elein Gunnes Sares and Hellim Dan had onely one son called Vsis Now if these be added to the abovenamed they make up the number of Fifty four But Gad and Asser were born by Zelpha Leah's handmaid Gad was attended by seven sons Zophonias Vgis Sunis Zabros Erines Erodes and Ariel Asser had one daughter Ver. 30. and six sons Jacob almost deceased for joy whose names were Jomnes Essus Juba Baris Abars Melmiel These D fifteen being added to the foresaid Fifty four make up the number Seventy together with Jacob. Gen. 47. 2. But Joseph understanding that his father was at hand for Juda posted before to give him notice thereof went out to meet him Joseph with his five Brethren and did so near a Town called Heros Jacob was fill'd with such extreme and unexpected joy that he had almost expired and that of Joseph was little less He desir'd his father to march onwards by easie journies and taking with him his five brethren hasted unto the King signifying unto him that his father with all his family were arrived The King no sooner understood it but he joyfully asked Joseph in what employments he took delight who answer'd him that his exercise was in keeping of Cattel and that he had no other Trade This answer he made to the intent they might not be divided one from another but that living E all together they might take care of their father another reason was lest emulation should happen betwixt them and the Egyptians if so be they should be conversant in the same profession Ver. 3 ad 10. whereas this people had little experience in the keeping of Cattel Jacob talketh with Pharaoh and is appointed to inhabit Heliopolis Now when Jacob was brought into the King's presence and had done him reverence and pray'd God for the prosperity both of him and his Realm Pharaoh ask'd him how old he was and he answer'd that he was an hundred and thirty years old at which when the King admir'd he added that his Ancestors had lived far longer Then Pharaoh appointed him and his sons to dwell in Heliopolis where also the King's shepherds had their pastures But the Famine increased in Egypt and the calamity was without remedy The famine in Egypt by reason that Nilus did not overflow the earth after its usual manner and on F the other side God rained not upon the earth Moreover in that the sterility was foreseen it was more grievous especially to the Commonalty who had laid up nothing neither did Joseph give them Corn without ready money Ver. 16 17 20. which when they began to want A great profit redounded to the King by this famine they exchang'd their Cattel and Slaves for Corn and they that had Lands sold a portion thereof unto the King for their provision And when by this means all these possessions came into the King's hands they went to inhabit here and there as they could to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their Land the Priests onely were excepted to whom the Lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessity reduced both the minds and bodies of the whole Nation into servitude after such a manner that they esteemed no labour or means unseemly that G might serve them towards their sustenance But when the Famine ceas'd and the earth water'd by the overflow of the River began to recover her former fertility Joseph visiting every City of the Kingdom and assembling the multitude in every one of them restored them the possession of those Lands which they had sold to the King The year of the World 2311. before Christ's Nativity 1653. and exhorted H them to manure the same in no worse manner than they would do their own on condition to pay the fifth part unto the King which was due unto him by his Prerogative and Kingly right The People rejoycing at this unexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their Tillage Joseph commanded them to pay the fifth part of their profits to the King and by this means not only Joseph's authority but also the Peoples hearts were not a little tyed unto the King and the inheritance of the fifth part of the profits remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their Posterity But Jacob after he had lived 17 years in Egypt ended his life in the arms of his Sons having first prayed God to give them prosperity and abundance and prophesied that every one of their posterities should attain to the possession of a part of the Land of Canaan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. as in process of time it came to pass Besides praising his Son Joseph for that forgetting I the injuries done unto him he had bestowed divers benefits on his Brethren yea and such as well beseemed his Benefactors he commanded his Sons that they should admit Joseph's Sons Gen. 49. 33. Ephraim and Manasses Jacob dyed when he was 147 years old into their number at such time as they should divide the Land of Canaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he prayed them to bury him in Hebron He liv'd 150 years wanting three being second to none of his Ancestors in piety Gen. 50. 13. and obtain'd the same blessing Jacob is buried in Hebron in that he was a man adorned with equal virtues Joseph by the King's permission transported his Fathers body to Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his Brothers fearing to return with him into Egypt in that they suspected lest their Father being dead he should be revenged on them in that they had not any Friend left alive under whose favor they might hope for pardon he K commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should fear no evil and having brought them back again with him he gave them great possessions neither did he ever cease to entertain them with brotherly kindness Joseph dyeth when he was 110 years old But he likewise dyed when he had lived 110 years a man endowed with admirable virtue prudent in all Affairs and moderate in his Government by which means it came to pass that neither his Foreign Birth nor his Calamities whereof we have spoken did any ways hinder him but that he was exalted and continued in high dignity Gen. 50. 22 ad 26. The rest of his Brothers also having spent their lives in happiness dyed in Egypt whose bodies their Sons and Nephews transported and buried in Hebron Joseph's Bones translated into Canaan but Joseph's bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrews into Canaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Canaan for hereunto had he L bound them by an Oath But being oblig'd 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
Egypt they abstained from his slaughter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. 7. Being therefore thus born and brought up when he increased in years he evidently by his virtue made it known unto the Egyptians that he was O born to abase their pride and to exalt the Hebrews by this occasion which ensueth The Ethiopians who confine upon Egypt having spoiled and destroyed the Countrey round A about them spoiled and made pillage of all the Goods of the Egyptians who incensed against them for the wrongs and injuries which they had done levied an Army intending to revenge them of that disgrace which their Enemies had offered them but in the Battel they were all put to flight so that many of them were slain and the rest shamefully flying Ver. 11. returned with ignominy worse than death into their own Countrey The Ethiopians proud with this good fortune The Egyptians war against the Ethiopians instantly pursued them and supposing it a cowardly part not to take the benefit of their present good fortune and conceiving an assured hope of conquering Egypt they enter'd the Countrey and generally wasted the same and having tasted of the sweetness of pillage without any temper or moderation in their Victory they were encouraged to attempt greater matters And whereas B they perceived that having wasted all the Neighbor-regions no man durst sally out to encounter them in Arms they marched forward toward Memphis even to the Sea arriving near no City that had the heart or durst make head against them By which calamities the Egyptians being much oppressed they send one to ask counsel of the Oracle by what means they might redress their miseries and when an answer was given them That they should choose an Hebrew to assist them in the Wars the King commanded his daughter to give them Moses who together with the Empire might govern the whole Army She taking an Oath of the King that no injury or violence should be offered him delivered him into his hands esteeming it to be a great good fortune for Moses that he was called to the succor of her Countrey and on the other side blaming the Priests C who were not ashamed to demand his aid and assistance The Egyptians require Moses to be their Captain whom they had adjudged to be slain as their common Enemy But Moses exhorted by Thermuthis and the King willingly took the charge upon him Whereat the Priests of both Nations were very joyful for the Egyptians hoped that when by his virtue and valor he had overcome their Enemies they afterwards might more easily dispatch and murther him by some treason and sinister means Moses marcheth against the Ethiopians and the Hebrews conceived an hope that they might get out of Egypt by reason that Moses was the General of the Army Moses therefore making haste before such time as the Enemies had any notice that he was dislodged he levied his Army and conducted them not along the banks of the River but through the main Land wherein he made manifest his most admirable prudence For the journey by Land being very D dangerous by reason of the multitude of Serpents which the Countrey thereabouts breeds of all sorts and some of that kind that the like thereof are not seen in any other place all different in malignity and horrible form and some winged ones who not only offend those that they encounter on the earth very privily but also towre very high in the Air and hover about to hurt those that are not aware of them he for the security of his Army and to the end he might march without any inconvenience invented this marvellous and admirable stratagem He caused two Paniers of Sedge to be made in form of Coffers and filled them with certain Birds called Ibis who are mortal 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 E and made tame and are not harmful to any but to Serpents of whom I will now cease to write any further because the Greeks do already know what kind of Bird it is When therefore he arrived in the Countrey of Serpents The victory which Moses and the Egyptians had against the Ethiopians he let flie his Ibis against the venomous Beasts and made use of them to encounter the other And having marched in this sort he surprized the Ethiopians before they suspected him and suddenly charging them he overcame them in Battel spoiling them of the hope they had to conquer Egypt and entring the Towns of Ethiopia he razed them and made a great slaughter of the Inhabitants The Egyptian Army having tasted this happy success under the conduct of Moses omitted not the pursuit especially for that they saw that the Ethiopians were well nigh conquered Saba their chief City besieged or rather wholly destroyed and in the end having driven them F even to Saba the chief City of Ethiopia which Cambyses called Meroe for the love which he bore unto his sister who was so called they besieged them The City was strong and very hard to be assailed by reason of the River Nilus which environs it round about on the other side the Rivers of Astapus and Astaobora flow in so fiercely that they could neither break the course of the water nor wade over the stream for the City is built in an Island environed with a strong wall round about having great Ramparts betwixt the Rivers and the walls built to resist the inundations of the waters by reason whereof that the City could be very hardly taken although the opposite Army had found means to pass the water Now when Moses was much troubled that his Army profited nothing Tharbis the King of Ethiops daughter requireth love and marriage at Moses handsâ— by reason that the Enemy durst not encounter them in open field G behold what a chance hapned Tharbis the daughter of the King of Ethiopia beholding Moses as he approached with his Army near the walls of the City and seeing how valiantly he fought and behaved himself and wondring at the Exploits and Enterprises which he made The year of the World 2400. before Christ's Nativity 1564. which was the cause that the Egyptians almost despairing of their H estates and liberty were grown desperate and how the Ethiopians not long before esteemed the Conquerors and happy in their warlike exploits and fortunate executions were in the greatest extremity of danger she was surprized with love of him and for that this passion augmented more and more in her she sent to him seven of her most faithful houshold servants to offer him her love Which he accepted on condition that she should deliver the City into his hands promising her by a solemn Oath That when he was Master thereof he would take her to Wife without falsifying or breach of his promise
left behind them but God desisted not to punish his wickedness by divers most grievous Plagues far more tedious than the former yea such as were dispersed over all the People E For their bodies were grievously tormented with ulcers C. 9. 3. and corrupted inwardly The fifth plague the plague and after this sort the greater part of the Egyptians perished But the King being not melted nor mollified by this Plague God rained down Hail upon them which never before that time was seen in Egypt Ver. 10. and further so great The sixth plague botches or rather greater than that which falleth to the Northward near the Pole Artique though it was a considerable time of Spring and spoiled all their fruit Ver. 23. After which an Army of Grashoppers devoured all those buds and fruits which were unhurt by the Hail The seventh plague hail so that all the hope which the Egyptians had of their Harvest C. 10. 14. was utterly overthrown These afflictions had been sufficient to persuade a man of the meanest wit except a Reprobate to grow wise The eighth plague grashoppers and make use of that which was most profitable for him But Pharaoh knowing the cause of F the same enforced himself to resist God not only through imprudence but malice so that he voluntarily destroy'd his poor Subjects He therefore commanded Moses to lead away the Hebrews with their Wives but that they should leave their substance behind them for a prey to the Egyptians to recompense them for what they had lost Moses answered That he demanded an unjust thing since that hereby they would not have wherewith to offer sacrifice to God C. 10. v. 22. Now while the time pass'd in these consultations a most dismal darkness overspread the land of Egypt The ninth plague darkness by reason of which many perish'd after sundry manners and others fear'd to run the same fate living in the most disconsolate condition imaginable This darkness being dispersed after three days and so many nights Moses seeing that Pharaoh would not repent nor let the people of Israel depart came unto G him and spake after this manner As long as you shall resist the Ordinance of God who commandeth you to suffer the Hebrews to depart there is no means whereby you may be exempted from these mischiefs in doing that which you do The King enraged at these words threatned him to cut off his head The year of the World 2454. before Christ's Nativity 1510. if once more he durst appear in his presence to motion H to him any such matter Moses answered him That he would no more speak unto him touching this matter but that shortly both himself and the chiefest amongst the Egyptians would entreat him and the Hebrews to depart which said he forsook his presence Ver. 28. But God intending to express that he meant yet once more to plague the Egyptians Pharaoh driveth away Moses and to constrain them to deliver the Hebrews commanded Moses to declare unto the people that they should have their sacrifice in a readiness on the thirteenth day of the month Xanthicus Exod. 12. 2. to celebrate the same the fourteenth of the said month by the Egyptians called Pharmuth Zanthicus amongst the Macedons is April as Suidas testifieth and by the Hebrews Nisan and Xanthicus by the Macedonians and that he should lead forth all the Hebrews carrying with them all their Goods Whereupon he who had the Hebrews already in a readiness to depart and had distributed them I by families kept them in one place and in the same order but when the fourteenth day was come all of them ready to depart offer'd sacrifice and with the blood of the Lamb purged their Houses besprinkling them with branches of Hyssop And after they had supt The Hebrews passeover signifieth a passage they burnt the flesh that remained as being at the point to depart Whereupon even at this day we retain the said custom to sacrifice in like sort and do call this solemnity Pascha which is as much as to say the passage by reason that on that day God leaving and overpassing the Hebrews without harm C. 12. 29. struck the Egyptians with sickness for a Plague in the night-time cut off all the first begotten in Egypt The tenth plague the first begotten amongst the Egyptians both men and beasts dye whereupon multitudes that dwelt round about the Palace assembled themselves in the presence of the King and besought him to let the Hebrews go for which cause Pharaoh calling Moses K gave order that they should depart the Countrey supposing that as soon as they were gone Egypt would be no more afflicted with such like Plagues Moreover they honoured the Hebrews with Presents partly to the end they should depart with the more expedition partly for the neighborhood and acquaintance sake which they had one with another And as they departed the Egyptians wept 33. The Israelites depart out of Egypt and repented them of the evil usage they had shewed them but they took their way towards Latopolis at that time desart and in which place afterwards Babylon was built at such time as Cambyses destroyed Egypt The third day they came unto Beelzephon near the Red Sea and for that they wanted victuals in this Desart they tempered their Meal with water and kneaded it as well as they could and bak't Cakes with which they sustained themselves for the space of thirty L dayes for they had brought no more provision out of Egypt than enough to serve them for that time at the end of which they were in want of food although they had liv'd very sparingly The feast of the Azymes rather feeding for necessity than eating to satiety For which cause in memory of that want The number of the children of Israel we celebrate a feast for the space of eight dayes which we call the feast of Azymes that is to say of unleavened bread But it is not easie to number the multitude of them that came out of Egypt if we consider the Women and Children but those that were of full age and fit to bear Arms were in number six hundred thousand M N O A CHAP. VI. The Hebrews depart out of Egypt under the conduct of Moses THus the Israelites departed out of Egypt the 14 day of the month Xanthicus 430 years after Abraham our Father came into Canâ—an and in the 215 year after Jacob went down into Egypt Exod. 14. 1 7 9. and in the eightieth year of Moses age who had Aaron to his Brother three years elder than himself The time of their departure out of Egypt they carried also with them the Bones of Joseph according as he had commanded his Sons But the Egyptians repented that they had suffer'd the Hebrews to depart Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. the King also was very
sequestred them for the space of seven days after which it was lawful for them to converse with Men. The like decreed he of those that had assisted at the burial of a dead Man whom he permitted not to converse with the other till seven days were expired It was also decreed by Law that he that had a flux of seed beyond seven days should sacrifice two Wethers one of which should be sacrific'd and the other given to the Priests Also that he that hath unnatural pollution should wash himself with cold water Goâ—orrhaâ— The like must Husbands do after they have had use of their Wives Of Lepers He likewise order'd that the Leprous should be separated for ever not permitting them to frequent any Mans company but esteeming them as little differing from the dead And if any one by his prayers made unto God was delivered D from this disease and his skin reduced to its native colour such an one presented himself before God with divers oblations and sacrifices Against them that object against Moses and his Followers that they fled out of Egypt for Leprosie of which we will speak hereafter Whence it appears how ridiculous a fable it is that Moses fled out of Egypt because he was a Leper and that all the Hebrews whom he conducted with him and brought into the Land of Canaan was troubled with that disease For if that were true Moses would not have made these ordinances to his own shame and if any other had proposed them he would have opposed himself against them especially since among divers other Nations there are Lepers who are held in great honour and who are so far from disdainand contempt that they have been made Generals of Armies and elected for Governors of Common-wealths having liberty to enter the Temples and to be present at the sacrifices E What therefore hindred Moses if he had been infected with this malady to make such Laws and ordain such Statutes among those People who honoured and obeyed him whereby such as were therewith infected might be preferred By which it is manifest that those things that are objected against him are rather of malice than probability But Moses being clean from such sickness and conversing amongst his Countrey-men which were untainted made these ordinances for them that were sick having regard to the honour of God But of these things let each Man censure as best liketh him He forbad women to enter into the Temple soon after their deliverance Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. or to assist at the sacrifice until forty days were expired if they had been brought a-bed of a Son The Laws of Women that are brought a-bed but if it were a Daughter he appointed that the number of the dayes should be F doubled and that when they should enter they should present their offerings to God whereof one part was consecrated and the other belonged to the Priests And if any one suspected that his Wife had committed adultery Numb 5. v. 15. ad finem he brought an Assar of Barly Meal and cast an handful thereof upon the Altar The Laws of adultery and jealousie and the rest was reserved for the maintenance of the Priests and then the Priest placing the Woman in the porch which is right over against the Tabernacle and taking the cover from her head writeth the name of God upon a Parchment and maketh her swear that she hath not violated her faith to her Husband and wish if she had transgressed the bounds of chastity that her right thigh might be put out of joynt her belly burst and death follow thereupon but if her Husband had been inconsiderately drawn into that suspition through excess of love then it pleased G God at the end of ten months to give her a Son And after such an oath ministred unto her the Priest dippeth in water the Parchment on which the name of God was written and then taking some of the earth of the Temple according as he findeth it and having mingled the same giveth it to the Woman to drink and if she had been H unjustly accused she became with child and brought forth happily but if she had falsified her faith to her husband and forsworn her self before God then dyed she a shameful death in the manner above mentioned You see what Laws Moses provided for the sacrifices and purifications Of adultery and incest He furthermore made these Laws which ensue He generally forebad Adultery judging it to be a great felicity if Men demeaned themselves honestly in Marriage and that both in politick Estates and private Families Exod. 22. it was a thing most profitable Deut. 17. that children should be born in Lawful Matrimony Levit. 18. 20 21 29. He condemn'd also as a horrid crime for a Man to have the use of his Mother or his Fathers Wife his Aunt or his Sister or his Sons Wife and detesteth it as a most I heinous and hideous offence He prohibited also the use of a Woman when she hath her monthly sickness also the lying with Beasts or boys by reason that such affections are abominable and against the transgressors of these Laws he established Capital punishments He willed also that the Priests should be more chaste than the rest for he not onely forbad them that which he prohibited others but moreover he enjoyned them not to marry Women that had been cast off or Slaves or Prisoners or Victualers and Taverners forsaken by their Husbands for any occasion whatsoever And touching the High-Priest Lev. 21. 7 8 9 he permitted him not to match with a Widow although it were Lawful for the other Priests and granted him onely liberty to take a Virgin to his Wife What Wife the High-Priest might marry with and to keep her The said High-Priest is also forbidden to approach a dead Man K although the other Priests are not forbidden to approach their Brothers Fathers and Mothers and children deceased Requiring that they should be sincere and true in all their words and actions He likewise ordained that the Priest which had any bodily defect should be maintained by the other Priests but in the mean time that he should not approach the Altar nor enter into the Temple willing that not onely they should be pure in that which concerned the divine service but also that they should study and endeavour to be so in all the actions of their life to the end that no Man might reproach them For which cause when they wore the habit of Priests besides their general obligation to be always pure and sober they were forbidden to drink Wine and they were to offer up entire L sacrifices and no ways maimed These Statutes did Moses make in the Desart and caus'd to be observ'd during his life Levit. 25. v. 2. ad 8. Afterwards he made others also which both the People might practise in that place The
promising them that although by injurious speeches he had undeservedly been offended by them yet he would obtain of God for them store of flesh not for one day onely but also for many But they being incredulous and some one amongst them demanding Ver. 4. How he could make provision for so many thousand men God saith he and I The Israelites obtain Quails in the Desart although we be evil spoken of by you yet will we never desist to be careful for you and that shall you shortly perceive Scarce had he spoken this but that all the Camp was filled with Quails Psal 78. 24. of which every one took as many as he would Yet God not long after punished the insolency and mutiny of the Hebrews The graves of Concupiscence by the death of no small number from G whence at this day the place hath its name which for that cause was imposed thereon and it is called Cabrothaba that is to say The Sepulchres of Concupiscence CHAP. XIII H Of the Spies that were sent to search the Land of Canaan and how returning to the Israelites they discourag'd them with fear BUt after Moses had led them out of that place and brought them into a Countrey not so apt for habitation Hedio Ruffinus cap. 17. not far from the borders of the Canaanites call'd Pharan he called the People to a Council Num. 13. 1. ad 24. and standing up in the midst of them spake after this manner God saith he having decreed to grant you two great benefits Liberty and the Possession I of a happy Countrey hath made you already enjoy the one and will shortly make you masters of the other For we are upon the borders of Canaan from whence both the Cities and Kings are so far from driving us that the whole Nation being united together is not of power to expel us Let us therefore address our selves very confidently to attempt the matter for neither without fight Moses sendeth Spies to search the Land of Canaan will they resign the Title of their Countrey unto us nor without great conflicts can we obtain the Palm of Victory Let us therefore send out certain Spies to discover the Forces of the Countrey and how great their power is but above all things let us be at unity one with another and let us honour God who assisteth us in all dangers and fighteth for us After Moses had spoken this the People applauding his counsels chose Twelve out of the Noblest Families of the Tribes to go and view the Countrey out of every K Tribe one who beginning from the parts extending towards Egypt visited all the Countrey of the Canaanites until they came to the City of Amath and the Mountain of Libanus And having consider'd both the Land and the nature of the Inhabitants they return'd home again having spent 40 days in this journey Moreover they brought with them such fruits as the Countrey yielded and by the beauty thereof and by the abundance of riches which they reported to be in that Countrey they encourag'd the hearts of the People to fight valiantly but on the other side they dismay'd them with the difficulty of the Conquest saying that there were certain great Rivers unpassable both for their wideness and depth that there were therein also unaccessible Mountains and Cities fortifi'd both with Walls and Bulwarks Moreover they told them L that in Hebron they saw a race of Gyants and that they had seen nothing so terrible since their departure out of Egypt Thus the fear of these Messengers brought the rest of the multitude into a dangerous consternation and perplexity C. 13. 24. who conjecturing by their discourse The Spies drive fear into the Israelites that it was impossible to conquer the Land dissolving the Assembly returned each to their Houses C. 14. 1 2. lamenting with their Wives and Children saying That God had only in words promis'd many things The murmur of the people against Moses but that they saw no effects of them Moreover they blam'd Moses and revil'd both him and his brother Aaron the High-Priest And thus spent they all the Night in disquiet venting their discontents both against the one and the other But on the morrow they re-assembled their Council tumultuously with intention to stone Moses and his brother and then return back again to M Egypt from whence they came But two of the discoverers namely Josua the son of Nave of the Tribe of Ephraim and Caleb of the Tribe of Juda seeing this disorder and fearing the consequences of it Ver. 6. they went into the midst of them and appeas'd the multitude Josua and Caleb appease the people Praying them to be of good hope and not to accuse Almighty God of unfaithfulness by yielding certain slight belief to some who spreading vain rumors of the affairs of Cannan had terrified the credulous multitude but rather follow them who both would be the Actors and Conductors also of them in the Conquest of the Countrey and that neither the greatness of the Mountains nor the depth of the Rivers could hinder them that like valiant men were prepared to attempt especially God being their Guide and ready to fight for them in that Battel March forward therefore said they and laying aside all fear and being N assured of the divine succors follow us with a bold courage whithersoever we lead you Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. With these words labour'd they to appease the tumultuous multitude In the mean while Moses and Aaron falling prostrate on their faces besought God not for their own safety but that it would please him to restore the despairing multitude to a better mind who were troubled with so many present necessities and vain apprehensions of the future Whereupon suddenly a Cloud appear'd on the Tabernacle and gave testimony that God was there present Which when Moses perceiv'd being full of confidence he press'd into the midst of the multitude and told them That God was provoked to take punishment of the outrage which they had committed against him yet not so severely us the iniquity of their sins deserved but in that discipline which fathers are accustomed to use for O the amendment of their children For at such time as he stood before God in the Tabernacle and besought him with tears for the safety of the multitude God had recounted unto him how A many benefits and favours they had received from him and how ungrateful they shewed themselves towards him and that at the present being transported with passion and fear they had given more credit to the reports of the Spies than to his promises Notwithstanding all which he would not utterly consume them all nor exterminate their whole Race whom he had honoured above all the Nations of the earth but for punishment of their sin Ver. 23. 33. they should not possess the Land of Canaan The
Field They that Mow and Reap Corn ought not to gather up all the ears too exactly but leave some for those that are in necessity to the end to succor them They likewse that plant Vines ought to leave some clusters for the poor and some fruit on the Olive-Trees to the intent that they that have none of these may gather something for their relief for the owners of the Field shall be so far from suffering damage by the negligent gathering of their Corn that on the contrary they shall draw profit form their charity for God will bring to pass that their Land who regard not their particular profit but have care of the nourishment of those that are in necessity shall be far F more fat and fertile to bring forth its fruit Neither is the mouth of the Ox to be muzled Deut. 25. 4. at such time as he treadeth the Corn in the Mow Oxen treading or grinding For it standeth not with reason that they who have been partakers of the labour and have travelled for the encrease of the fruits should be restrained from all use and benefit thereof Deut. 23 24. Neither ought the Traveller in his journey be denied to gather and taste the fruits of Autumn Travellers are not to be driven away from ripe fruits but he is to be permitted to take the same freely whether he be of the Countrey or a stranger who shall depart joyfully in that they have been made partakers of such Fruit but it is not lawful for them to carry any away with them They likewise that gather Grapes ought not to forbid any man to taste of them G as they bear them to the Press for it is an unjust thing that the goods which are given by the will of God for the sustenance of man should be denied them that desire to taste the fruit which God gives us in a season which suddenly passes away Yea they are to be invited that through modesty make nice to touch the same if H they be Israelites for such are to be esteem'd Friends and Masters of what we have The year of the World 2493. before Christ's Nativity 1571. in that they are of the same race and if Strangers we ought to exercise hospitality towards them with out thinking that we lose any thing by the small present we make them of the fruits which we have by God's bounty Nor is it to be supposed ill imployed which in way of courtesie a man permitteth another to take since it is God that furnisheth and giveth the abundance of all things not to the end to enjoy the same in private but also to bestow them liberally And he it is that by this means would declare unto other people the good will he beareth to the people of Israel and the felicity whereof he maketh them partakers by reason that in that abundance which they have his will is that other men should have part thereof But I whosoever shall do the contrary let him be chastised for his sordidness and in publick receive thirty nine stripes because of a free man he maketh himself a slave to his gain and so dishonours himself Thirty nine stripes It shall very well become you said Moses since you have tasted miseries both in Egypt and the Desart Deut. 25. 3. that you have compassion of those who are in like estate and for that you are made rich by Gods mercy and providence The Law laid on 40. but the Jews of superstition use but 39. as you may see it behoveth and becometh you to impart somewhat to the indigent who at the present are in that condition in which you were Besides the two Tenths which I commanded you yearly to pay 2. Cor. 11. 24 the one to the Levites The Tenth for the poor The first-fruits and the other for your Festivals you shall for every year pay a third to be K distributed among the poor Widows and Orphans When a man hath gathered his First-fruits Deut. 26 2 3. c. he shall bring them to the Temple and after he hath given thanks unto God that the Land which he hath given him in possession hath brought forth fruit and accomplished that Sacrifice which the Law commandeth him to make he shall give the first-fruits to the Priests And after he hath done all that which concerneth him to do as well concerning the Tenths of the Levites as those ordained for the Feasts being ready to return home let him present himself at the door of the Temple and give thanks to God That having delivered them from the grievous servitude of Egypt he hath given them a plentiful and ample Land to enjoy and making protestation that he hath paid the Tenths according to L Moses Law let him beseech God that he will be favourable both to himself in privaâ—t and the Hebrews in publick and that he will continue those goods unto him which hitherto he hath bestowed upon him and of his great goodness and mercy vouchsafe to encrease them Let those that are of full years to be married Of Marriage match themselves with virtuous Virgins Lev. 21. 13 14. and such as are born of honest Parents And he that will not take a Virgin to Wife Free-men ought not to marry Servants let him not meddle with one that is married to another man lest he breed discontent and sorrow to her first husband Let not free-men match themselves with such as are slaves or bondwomen although they be thereunto moved by love for it is a thing praise worthy The marriage of an Harlot and honorable to surmount a mans affectionss Let no man marry with an harlot M whose sacrifice God refuseth by reason she hath dishonor'd her body besides that the children the more laudably and virtuously inclin'd who are of virtuous parents than those who issue from a shameful alliance contracted by unchaste affection The penalty of a woman married for a Virgin and not found so Deut. 24. If any one that is married for a virgin be afterwards found to the contrary let her be brought before the Judge and let her Husband produce all the signs he can of his suspition and let the new-married Wife's cause be defended by her Father or Brother or by them that are next in blood and if the Wife be found innocent let her return and dwell with him that hath accused her who may not any more refuse her except she give him great occasions whereunto she cannot contradict But he that without cause and rashly shall accuse and slander his Wâ—fe shall be punished with thirty nine stripes and in way of amends N shall pay fifty Sicles to her Father But if it be proved that she hath been deflowred and hath been common then shall she be stoned to death for that she hath not chastly conserved her Virginity till the time of her lawful marriage and if she
practiseth great cruelties there several Wars concerning the kingdom of Syria The greatest part of the Jews extreme hatred against their King Alexander They call Demetrius Eucerus to their aid HE afterwards set upon Sephor a City near unto Azoch Ptolomey assaulteth Sephor from whence he departed with the loss of many men with an intent to fight with Alexander who came B forth to encounter him Hecatontamachi or the Warriors by hundreds and met with him near unto Jordan in a place called Asophon and encamped right over against the Enemy He had in his Vanguard 8000 men but the rest of his Forces not finding themselves so well armed were fearful to engage who carried brazen Bucklers Ptolomey's Vanguard also had Bucklers after the same fashion Philostephanus the Camp-master did not a little encourage them For he caused them to pass the River which separated the two Camps which Alexander would not oppose promising himself the victory if his Enemies could not retreat In the beginning of the skirmish each one of them fought with answerable valor so that a great number of them fell on both sides Alexander's overthrow But Philostephanus perceiving that Alexander's Army had the better he took a part of his followers and speedily seconded those who were ready to flie The C Wing of the Jews Vanguard seeing themselves freshly charged and not succoured by any means began to flie and so far were those that marched next them from yielding them assistance that all of them became partners in one shameful flight But they of Ptolomeys side behaved themselves far otherwise for they pursued and slew them and after they had put them in disorder they charged them so hotly that they blunted their Weapons and wearied their Arms with killing them It is reported that 30000 were slain in the battel Timagenes saith 50000 as for the rest some of them were taken Prisoners Ptolomey to the end he might afflict the Jews with more terror causeth his Soldiers to eat mans flesh and othersome fled unto their Houses After that Ptolomey had obtained this victory he over-ran and spoiled the whole Countrey and in the evening he quartered himself in certain Villages of Judea which he found full of Women and Children and D commanded his Soldiers without respect of person to cut their Throats and to chop them into pieces and afterwards to cast the morsels into a boyling Cauldron and when they were well boiled to eat the same All which he acted to the intent that they that were fled from the battel and retired to their own Habitations should know that their Enemies would eat mens flesh that by this means they might be more afraid of them Strabo and Nicholas report Ptolomais taken by force that they demeaned themselves after this manner as I have declared And Ptolomey took Ptolomais also by force as I have made known elsewhere But Cleopatra perceiving how her son prospered and how he had spoilt Jewry without any prejudice Cleopatra prepareth an Army against her son and subdued the City of Gaza she concluded with her self that she ought E not to suffer him to go on after that manner considering it was upon the borders of Egypt whose soveraignty he affected For which cause she suddenly marched out against him with an Army both by Sea and Land committing the command of her whole Forces to Chelcias and Ananias both Jews and sent the greater part of her riches into the Isle of Coos with her Nephews and her Will to be reserved and kept there in safety And after she had commanded her son Alexander to set sail toward Phoenicia with a great Navy because the Inhabitants of that Countrey were revolted she her self came to Ptolomais and besieged it when she perceived that they refused to grant her entry Ptolomey made haste to depart out of Syria and to enter Egypt hoping to be Master thereof when he should find the Countrey unarmed but he was deceived At that time it fortuned F Ptolomey driven out of Egypt that Chelcias one of the two Generals of Cleopatra's Army dyed in Coelosyria being in pursuit of Ptolomey Cleopatra having tydings of her sons enterprise and that the success and fortune he expected in Egypt had failed him she sent part of her Army to drive him out of the Countrey so that he was enforced to return back again out of Egypt Ptolomais besieged and taken by Cleopatra and to go and spend his Winter at Gaza Meanwhile Cleopatra besieged and took the City of Ptolomais whither Alexander resorted unto her with great Presents she received him very kindly in regard Ptolomey had used him so ill he having now no other recourse left him but to her favour and assistance Upon his arrival certain of her familiars counselled her to lay hands on him and to seize the Countrey and not to permit that so great number of Jews and so valiant men should become Subjects unto one man But Ananias gave G her counsel to the contrary alledging That she should commit an act of great injustice if she should depose him who was her Allie from the Government who was beside that very nearly H allied unto her The year of the World 3873. before Christ's Nativity 91. For said he I would you should know that by committing this wrong you shall raise in all the rest of the Jews a heinous hatred against you Cleopatra conforming her self to Ananias counsel resolved with her self to offer Alexander no injury but in stead thereof she entertain'd him as her allie and friend at Scythopolis a City of Coelosyria Now when Alexander perceived Alexander's peace with Cleopatra renewed that he was freed from the fear which he had conceived of Ptolomey he incontinently drew his Army into Coelosyria and after six months siege took Gadaâ—a he took shortly after Amath also which is a great Fortress belonging to the Inhabitants about Jordan where Theodore Alexander taketh Gadara the son of Zenon had hoarded up the richest and best part of his substance who surprising the Jews unawares slew about 10000 of them and pill aged Alexanders baggage I This did not any wayes astonish Alexander but notwithstanding the disaster he marched forward toward the Cities Raphia and Anthedon which Herod afterwards called Agrippias situate on the Sea-coasts and took them perforce and seeing that Ptolomey was retired from Gaza into Cyprus and that Cleopatra his mother was in Egypt he besieged the City of Gaza Alexander besiegeth Gaza and spoilt all the Countrey round about it by reason of the displeasure which he had conceived against the Citizens Apollodotus by night invadeth the Camp of the Jews for that they had sought Ptolomey's assistance against him Apollodotus Captain of the Gazeans made a sally by night and entred the Camp of the Jews having only with him 2000 foreign Soldiers and 1000 of his own followers And as long as the night lasted the
against Claudius and Calisthus was thereby thanked for a benefit which he no ways deserved Those that were about Chaereas day by day followed the action very slowly notwithstanding that he willingly delayed not The year of the World 4005. after Christ's Nativity 43. but thought on all occasions fit to finish his H purpose in for that he might assail him at such time at he ascended up into the Capitol or even then when he solemnized those Ceremonies which he had instituted in honour of his Daughter or at such time as he stood in the Palace to scatter Gold and Silver among the people by casting him from the top of the Palace into the Market place or at such time as he celebrated those Mysteries Chaereas expecteth the occasion to assail Caius that were introduced by him For no man suspected Chaereas so discreetly had he behaved himself in all things and he perswaded himself that no man would have thought that he should lay violent hands on Caius And although he had done nothing to any effect yet so it is that the power of the Gods was sufficient to give him force and to kill him without drawing weapon Chaereas was sore displeased against his companions in respect that he I feared that they would let slip their occasion and although they perfectly knew that he intended it for the maintenance of the Laws and for the good of them all yet did they request him to delay a little for fear lest in the execution he should in some sort miscarry and for that cause the City might be brought in trouble by the informations that would be made of that act and that at length when Caius should be so much the better provided against them they should not know how to shew their virtue when the time required that they should assault and set upon him They therefore thought it good that the opportunity to set forward this business should be the time in which the Games of the Palace were celebrated which were solemnized in honour of Caesar who first of all disanulled the Peoples Authority and K appropriated it to himself This Solemnity is celebrated in a Tent before the Palace where the noble Citizens with their wives and children remained to behold the sport and Caesar himself likewise At that time they concluded that it would be an easie matter for them The final conclusion of the Confederates as touching Caius death when so many thousands of people should be shut up in so narrow a place so that he who would step formost to give the stroke might very easily be succoured for that he could have no assistance although his Guard should have the courage and desire to defend him Chaereas resolved upon this and it was concluded that the first day of those sports that were next at hand the deed should be done but their adventure was greater than their conclusion For the delay was such as the third day was almost past and hardly could they be drawn to attempt L the matter on the third day At which time Chaereas assembled all the Confederates and told them that the opportunity of time had overslipt them accused and reproached them of slackness in that execution which had been so virtuously resolved among them and that it was to be feared lest if any should be discovered the whole matter should be frustrate by which means Caius might grow more cruel than he was before See we not said he that by how much liberty we take from our selves by so much we augment Caius tyranny whereas we ought first of all to obtain security for our selves and afterwards purchase perpetual felicity to others the greatest glory whereof shall redound unto our selves Now they having nothing to reply against so honourable a resolution and yet notwithstanding no ways enforcing themselves towards the action M but remaining altogether amazed without one word speaking Chaereas spake thus Most noble and generous Gentlemen what is the cause that we linger and delay in this manner See you not that this day is the last day of the Games and that Caius is ready to go to Sea for he hath determined to sail into Alexandria and to see Egypt truly it will be a small honour for us if we suffer him to escape out of our hands to the end that both by land and Sea he may triumph over the Romans negligence How can we chuse but condemn our selves justly and challenge nothing but dishonour if some Egyptian supposing that men of free condition could not any longer endure his insolence should put the matter in execution For mine own part I will dream no longer N upon your consultations but this very day will I hazard my self and betide me what can I will sustain all fortunes with pleasure and courage For I am a man of that mind that no danger can be so great or grievous to daunt me or draw me from so worthy an enterprize which some other will put in execution if I delay depriving me of the greatest honour and glory that the world can afford for its deliverance This said he departed with an intent to attempt and end the matter and encouraged the rest to do the like so that all of them were desirous to set hand to the enterprize without any further delay The custom was that the Captains of the Guard entred the Palace with their swords by their sides and in such equipage they asked the Emperor the Watch-word At that time it fortuned that it was Chaereas turn to fetch the O Watch-word a great number of people had flocked to the Palace to take up their places to behold the Games with great press and noise wherein Caius was A greatly delighted for there was no distinction of place either for Senators or Knights but each one sate together confusedly men and women slaves and freemen Caius arriving there first had offered sacrifice in honour of Caesar Augustus in whose honour likewise those sports were solemnized It came to pass that whilest those Beasts were embowelled that were appointed for sacrifice Asprenas Gown who at that time was Senator Caius sacrificeth to Augustus Caesar Asprenas was besprinkled with blood whereat Caius began to laugh yet notwithstanding this was a presage for Asprenas For he was slain that very day that Caius was It is reported that Caius at that time contrary to his own nature behaved himself most affably towards all men so that all the assistance were astonished to behold the courtesie that he used After the sacrifice was done he sate him B down to behold the Pastimes and had about him the most noble of his friends and familiars The Theatre Now was there every year a Theatre builded according to this form and fashion that ensueth It had two gates the one towards the open yard the other opening upon the porch by which the actors had their egress and regress without disturbance of
deny For all the Egyptians in general are our Enemies and among the Phoenicians they especially of Tyre which I cannot justly say of the Chaldees who having been Princes over our Nation and because of their affinity and alliance with our Countrymen have in their Chronicles made mention of the Jews When I have proved what I now aver and refeld the slanderous reports against us I will then also N shew who amongst the Greeks have spoken of us that so the Greeks may also be deprived of this shift and refuge to excuse their malicious lies falsly forged against our Nation And first of all I will begin with the Writings of the Egyptians Manethon an Egyptian Writer who as they well know do nothing at all favour us Manethon an Egyptian born skilful in the Greek tongue as by his Works appears for he writ in Greek compiling a History of the Customs and Religion of his fore-Fathers collected as himself reporteth out of the Egyptian holy Writings often reprehendeth Herodotus of falshood through ignorance in the affairs of the Egyptians This Manethon in his second Book of the Egyptian Customs saith thus I will set down his own Words because I use them as a witness We have a King saith he named Timaeus in whose Reign God being angry with us contrary to all O expectation an obscure People took courage came from the East and pitching their Tents A in our Country over-ran it and no man resisted them and committing our Princes to bonds they burnt our Cities and destroyed the Temples of our gods and behaved themselves most cruelly against the Inhabitans killing many of them and making Slaves of the rest with their Wives and Children Finally they chose a King of their own and gave him the Government of our Country his Name was Saltis who coming to Memphis made the higher and lower Provinces Tributaries Saltis 〈◊〉 the Egyptians leaving Garrisons in the strong holds and fortifying certain places in the East And weighing with himself that the Assyrians were more potent than he and would in probability invade his Country he found out in this Province an ancient City called Saite fit for his purpose as being scituate on the East side of the River Bubastis which by an ancient Divine was called Avaris he repaired this City compassed it B with vast Walls and put a Garison in it of two hundred thousand armed men Saltis made this incursion in harvest time to the intent that he might both pay his Souldiers and be a terrour unto other people and after he had reigued nineteen years he died After him succeeded anothe King called Baeon who reigned four and forty years next to him Aphinas who reighned thirty six years and seven months then Aphosis who reigned threescore and one years and then Iandas who reigned fifty years and one month after them also reigned Alsis nine and forty years and two months and these six were the first Kings amongst them Kings Shepherds ever destroying and warring upon the Egyptians and labouring to extinguish their race This Nation was called Hicsos which signifieth Kings shepherds For Hic in the sacred Tongue signifieth a King and Sos C a Shepherd or shepherds according to the common speech and Hicsos is a compound word Some say these People were Arabians but in other Copies I find that Hicsos is not interpreted Kings shepherds but shepherds that were Captives For Hic and Hac also when it is pronounced doth in the Egyptian tongue signify a Captive and this latter exposition seemeth to me to be the truest for it is more agreeable with the History Wherefore Manethon reporteth these foresaid Kings and Shepherds to have ruled Egypt five hundred and eleven years and after these the King of Thebes and the King of the Residue of Egypt uniting their forces invaded the said Shepherds had great and long Wars with them and that the said Shepherds were overcome by the King Alisfragumthosis that then they lost all Egypt which had been in their power that they D were shut up in a place called Avarus containing ten thousand acres of ground which as Manethon reporteth these Shepherds environed round about with a huge Wall to the end that their whole Provision might be within their Fortifications and the prey which they got in a condition to be defended That Themosis Son of the said Alisfragumthosis endeavoured by force to subdue them and for this cause besieged them with four hundred and 80000 men That at last despairing to take them by force he capitulated with them that they should safely depart out of Egypt whither they would and that they upon these Conditions together with all their Families and Goods and Cattel departed out of Egypt into the Wilderness and so into Syria being in number two hundred and forty thousand and that fearing the puissance of the Assyrians E who at that time reigned in Asia they builded a City in the Country now called Judaea which they made so large that it might receive them all and this City they called Jerusalem Further the said Manethon in another Book of the Egyptian Affairs saith That in the holy Writings he findeth the feresaid Shepherds called Captives wherein he saith true For our Ancestors were wont to feed cattel and so leading a pastoral life were called Shepherds neither are they unjustly called Captives For our fore-Father Joseph told the King of Egypt that he was a Captive and long time after called his Brethren into Egypt by the Kings Command but we will hereafter examin this point more straitly I will now cite the Testimony of the Egyptians concerning this point and relate the words of Manethon touching the time when this befel who saith F as followeth After that the Nation of Shepherds were departed out of Egypt unto Jerusalem King Themosis who drave them out of the Land reigned twenty five years and four months and then died And his Son Chebron succeeded him who reigned thirteen years and after him Amenophis twenty years and seven months next his Sister Amesses one and twenty years and nine months then reigned Mephios twelve years and nine months and Mephamuthosis twenty five years and ten months Themosis nine years and eight months Amenophis thirty years and ten months Orus thirty six years and five months after him his Daughter Achemcheres twelve years and one months and the Brother of Rathotis nine years Achencheres twelve years and five months another Achencheres G twelve years and three months Armais four years and one month Armesis one year and four months Armesesmiamus threescore and six years and two months Amenophis nineteen years and six months Sethosis King of Egypt made his Brother Armais Governour of his Country Moreover that Sethosis having prepar'd a huge Army H both of foot and horse and a Navy at Sea left the Government of Egypt unto his Brother Armais investing him with soveraign Authority only he forbad him
why had Amenophis this desire Forsooth because a certain King one of his Predecessors had seen them he therefore knowing by him what things they were and how he came to the sight of them needed no new device to accomplish his desire But perhaps the foresaid Prophet was a Man of great G wisdom by whom the King had confidence to attain his desire if so he had been how chanceth it that he was so unwise not to perceive that it was an impossible thing to satisfy the Kings desire for that which he promised was not brought to pass Or what H reason moved him to think that the Gods were invisible because of the Leprosie and infirmity of the people The Gods are offended with mens impieties not with the defects of their bodies And how was it possible that at one instant so many thousand Lepers and infirm persons should be gathered together or wherein did not the King obey the Prophet He commanded that the Lepers and infirme persons should be exiled the Country and the King did not banish them the Country but sent them to hew Stones as though he had needed workmen and not purposed to cleanse the Country from Lepers Lastly he saith that the Prophet foreseeing that Egypt was to suffer and fearing the wrath of the Gods killed himself and left his mind in a Book written unto the King How chanced it then that the Prophet did not at first foresee his own death and so oppose I himself to the Kings desire to see the Gods Or wherefore did he fear such calamities as were not to fall in his life or what great misery hanged over his head which might worthily cause him to kill himself to prevent it But let us hear that which followeth more sottish than all the rest The King saith he heariug this Manethon's words repeated and striken with fear did not however expel those Lepers he ought to have exiled but at their request gave them as he saith a City wherein before time the Shepherds did inhabit called Avaris whereinto being come they made a Priest of Heliopolis their Prince who devised Laws for them commanding them neither to adore the Gods nor to abstain from offering violence to such beasts as amongst the Egyptians are sacred but that they should kill and K spoil all things that they should marry with none but such as were their confederates that he bound the people with an oath to keep those Laws and that they fortified Avaris to fight against the King Adding moreover that he sent to Jerusalem for help promising to yield Avaris unto them being a place sometime possessed by their Ancestors and that they from that place leading their Forces might easily subdue all Egypt he then saith that the Egyptian King Amenophis came against them with 300000 and yet for that he would not strive against the decree of the Gods he fled into Aethiopia and carried with him Apis and other Holy Beasts and that the inhabitants of Jerusalem coming down invaded the Land fired the Towns and Cities slew their Nobles used all sorts of cruelty possible and that the Priests name who made Laws and Statutes for L them to live under was one of Heliopolis Osarsiphus by name deriving the same from Osiris the God of Heliopolis and that this man changing his name was afterward called Moses Moreover that Amenophis having lived in banishment thirty years came with a strong power out of Aethiopia and fighting with the shepherds and polluted he slew many of them and put the rest to flight pursuing them unto the borders of Syria Manethon remembreth not that here again he telleth a very unlikely tale for although the Lepers and impotent persons were offended with the King for appointing them to hew Stones yet it is to be thought that receiving their own desire at the Kings hands afterwards to wit a City to dwell in that then they again became the Kings well-willers Supposing also their hatred still continued towards him they rather should have M attempted revenge by treason against him than towards all their Nation wherein they had many dear friends and alliance And although they had purposed to War against these men yet would they not have been so impious as to have rebelled against the Gods and to have violated the Laws wherein they were brought up We have therefore cause to thank Manethon A confutation of Manethon's words alledged in that he cleareth us and affirmeth his own country-men yea a Priest to be authors of this impiety and that by oath they bound themselves so to do What can be more extravigant than to say that neither any of their country-men nor kinsmen rebelled with them but that the poor distressed people were glad to send to Jerusalem for succour But what society or friendship had they with the people of Jerusalem of whom they came to demand help N Why they were more their Enemies than the rest of their Country-men and were all of quite different manners from us They of Jerusalem as he saith presently did as they were willed to do in hope that according as they were promised they might subdue Egypt Were they ignorant of that Country out of which they had been driven by force had they lived in poverty or misery perhaps they might have been induced to have done it but seeing they inhabited a fortunate and rich City and possessed a goodly fertile soil far better than Egypt what might move them thereto What reason had they at the request of their ancient Enemies and they also so diseased as they of Jerusalem could not abide their own friends among them that had the O like diseases to thrust themselves into danger they could not fore-know the Kings A intent to fly as for Manethon himself he saith he met them at Pelusia with 300000 men And this they that went to War well knew But what reason had they to conjecture that the Kings mind would change and he flye As to what he charges upon the Auxiliaries from Jerusalem that they seized upon the stores and secur'd all the Corn that was in Egypt which brought great distress and exigence upon the people hath he forgot that considering they entred as Enemies they are not thereby to be reproached Rapacity being unavoidable among Souldiers especially if Strangers and Conquerours Hath he forgot he said before that the Lepers had done the same formerly and had to that purpose obliged themselves by oath and that he assured us that some years after Amenophis repelled the Jerusalem-Confederats and Lepers slew B many of them drove them out of those parts and pursued them to the very borders of Syria as if Egypt was a Country so easily conquer'd or that those who were then in possession meerly by conquest would not upon the first alarme of Amenophis's march have block'd up the passages and secured the Avenues on that side towards Aethiope which they might easily have done and
drawn together what forces they had pleased to defend them And is it not as improbable when he says that that Prince made not only a great slaughter among them but pursued them with his whole army cross the Desart to the very frontiers of Syria whereas it is notoriously known that Desart is so dry that there being no Water to be found in the whole tract it is almost impossible for an entire Army to march through it though there was no Enemy to give them C impediment To conclude therefore our Nation neither came of the Egyptians as Manethon confesseth The Epilogue that the Jews came not of the Egyptians neither was mingled with the diseased of that Country for it is probable that many of those sick people perished in the Stone-works many in the great fight and battel and the rest of them in the flight It now remaineth that I refute that which he speaks of Moses The Egyptians do all agree that this man was a divine person An answer to Manethons slanders touching Moses and one to be admired and they commit great impiety in labouring to challenge him for their Country-man saying that he was a Priest of Heliopolis banished with the rest for leprosie For he is recorded to have lived five hundred and eighteen years before this time and to have guided our Ancestors out of Egypt Moses was not a Leper into that Country wherein we now inhabit D and his own words testifiy his body to have been clean from that Disease of Leprosie for he commandeth all Lepers to be expelled out of the Towns and Villages and to live apart by themselves To be cloathed in different Garments and declared that whosoever touched them or came under the same roof with them should be accounted unclean And if a Leper happened to be cured of that disease he appointed certain purifications cleansings and baths of fortunate waters and all his hair should be shaved off and that then after many and sundry Sacrifices he should be admitted into the holy City Certainly had he been visited with that infection and calamity himself he would surely have been more gentle and merciful to such as should have been E afflicted with that Disease He did not only make these severe Laws against Lepers but he also interdicted all that wanted any joynt or parcel of the body from being Priests or exercising any office at the Alter Moses took his name of Moy which in the Egyptian tongue signifieth Water yea he also appointed that if any Priest should have any of these defects betide him after he was a Priest that then he should be deprived of the dignity How can it then be probable that to his own prejudice and discredit he would have enacted such Laws And as to what he says about changing his name Osarsiph into Moses it is as incredible as the rest there being no analogy between them the name of Moses importing preservation from the Water for Moy among the Egyptians signifies Water Against Cheremon the Historiographer and now I suppose I have made it apparent that Manethon whilst he kept himself F to the writings of the ancients did not err much but when he left them he forsook the truth and fell upon ridiculous stories which he either invented himself or beleived out of prejudice to our nation I now think it not amiss to examine a little the words of Chaeremon who professing himself to write the Egyptian History maketh mention of the same King Amenophis his Son Rhamses as Manethon doth and reporteth that the Goddess Isis appeared to Amenophis in his sleep checking him for that her Temple was destroyed and that Phiritiphantes a holy Scribe told the King that if he would expel all polluted and unclean persons out of Egypt that then he should not be any more terrified with these night-visions Moreover that hereupon making search for all sick and diseased persons he banished them out of his Land to the number of 250000. And that their Captains were called Moses and Joseph holy Scribes G also that these Egyptians names were so that Moses was named â—isithes and Joseph Petesephus and that they came to Pelusium where they found 380000 left there by Amenohpis whom he would not permit to come into Egypt also they all entring into H a league together suddenly invaded Egypt and Amenophis not abiding the brunt fled into Aethiopia leaving his wife great with child who hiding her self in caves and dens did bring forth a child whom they called Messenes Messenes Son of Amenophis who afterward drove the Jews into Syria being in number 200000 and this done he recalled his Father Amenophis out of Aethiopia And thus Chaeremon saith But I imagine that which I have already said to be sufficient to declare the vanity of both these Writers For if that which they report were true it were impossible that they should so much differ but they labour to devise lyes and write nothing agreeable to other mens writings Manethon's Chaeremon's history compared together For Manethon feigneth that the cause of the banishment of the Lepers was the â—ings desire to see the Gods and Chaeremon saith that it was for I that Isis after appeared unto him in his sleep Manetâ—on also saith that Amenophis gave the King that counsel so to cleanse the Country and Chaeremon saith that he that counselled the King was called Phiritipâ—antes Nor do they agree better in their numbers Manethon reports them 80000 the other 250000. Manethon says these Lepers were sent directly to the Quarries to work there in the squaring of Stone and that afterwards Avaris was given them for a Quarter where having begun their War they sent Embassadors to Jerusalem to get that City into Confederacy Chaeremon tells us on the other side that when they were forced out of Egypt they found at Pelusium 380000 men whom Amenophis had repulsed that joyning with them they returned againe into Egypt and compelled Amenophis to fly into Aethiopia But that which is most observable K is that an Author that was so exact in the Story of the apparition of Isis should forget to let us know from whence this great Army of 380000 did come whether they were Egyptians or Strangers and for what reason Amenophis refused to admit them Moreover The difference between Manethon's and Chaeremâ—n's History Chaeremon feigneth a dream of the Lepers and Isis and reporteth that Joseph together with Moses was expelled whereas Joseph lived four ages before Moses every age containing at least a hundred and seventy years Ramesses also Amenophis Son according to Manethons History being a young man fled into Aethiopia and was banished with his Father and afterwards assisted him in the Wars whereas Chaeremon reporteth that he was born in a Cave after his Fathers departure and that he getting the victory did drive the Jews into Syria who were in number two hundred thousand L
and taken 271. O. Babylonians require Anilaeus 501. F. slay the Jews 502. K. Babylonian veil 721. A. Bacchides sent against Judas 323. N. useth tyranny and treachery 324. B. fights with Judas 326. B. is slain ibid. murthereth those of Judas faction 328. B. practiseth against Jonathan ib. C. revengeth himself on the fugitives 329. K. maketh peace with Jonathan ibid. M. Bagoses General of Artaxerxes army 293. H. offereth outrage to the Jews ibid. Bakers dream expounded 54. O. hanged 55. A. Bala Rachels handmaid 46. O. bare Napthalim and Dan ibid. P. Balaam a Diviner or Prophet 105. E. denieth to go with Balacs Embassadours ibid. F. cometh to Balac 106. I. prophesieth good to befal the Israelites 106. K. his counsel to Balac and the Midianites ibid O. Balac sends an Embassage to the Midianites 105. E. also to 〈◊〉 Balaam ibid. E. reproveth him and why 106. L. follows Balaams counsel 107. B. Balin a King of Syria 37. A. Ballas a King of Assyria 37. A. Balm 215. F. 235. A. Balthasar his pride 271. H. his vision of the hand ibid. slain 271. N. Banaia slays an Aegyptian 197. B. kills a Lyon 197. B. substituted in Joabs place 204. L. Banishment of Cain 29. E. of the diviners 171. B. of Absalon 187. C. of Antipater 585. G. of Doris 453. D. of Pheroras 596. L. Banquet of Laban and Jacob 48. I. of Samuel to Saul 150 N. and of him to David 158. M. of Saul 165. B. of David to the people 181. A. of Artaxerxes 286. D. of Ptolomy 303. N. of Archelaus 463. A. of Herod 483. F. Barak appointed General 134. L. Puts Sisera to flight ibid. N. slew Jabin and governed Israel forty years 135. A. Bareas one of the five Kings of Assyria 37. A. Baruch Jeremies Secretary 261. L. dismissed 266. B. Barzapharnes seizeth upon Syria 572. I. instateth Antigonus ibid. Barzillais excuse to David 194. I. Battel between Joshuah and the Canaanites 125. D. between the Benjamites and Israelites 131. C. between Saul and the Philistines 173. E. between Joab and Absalon 191. D. Battel of Herod 400. D. Battel between the Romans and the Jews 467. E. Battery of Jotapata 666. K. of Jerusalem 723. B. 724. L. Baths 768. K. Baths of Calliroes 460. M. 602. L. Bathuel son of Nachor 35. E. father of Rebecca and Labas ibid. G. Beam of Gold 368. B. Bearing of arms inhibited 154. I. Beasts venemous a plague of Egypt 69. D. Beauty of superiour bodies 30. I. Beauty of body not to be respected 158. I. Beauty of Sara 36. K. of Rachel 45. F. of Joseph 53. A. of David and his brethren 158. L. M. of Bethsaâ—e 184. K. Bed of Iron 105. B. Beginning of the War of the Jews 622. I. Behaviour of Rachel toward Jacob 45. F. Bellies of the Jews ripped for Gold 737. F. Beneficence of Xerxes 282. B. C. Benefits of God recited 74. L. M. Benefits of Herod 585. A. B. Benjamin Jacobs son by Rachel 44. D. goeth into Egypt 57. F. what happened to him there 58. I. attached and imprisoned 58. N. Benjamites expert in shooting 131. C. overthrew the other tribes twice ibid. C. D. twenty five thousand slain and why 131. F. only six hundred escape ibid. F. take them wives by force 132. H. I. Bernice her request to Florus 623. F. Berosus a Chaldaean Writer 787. D. Berosus 36. H. his testimony of Abraham ibid. of Senacherib 256. E. of Nabuchodonosor 270. B. Bethsabe the pit of swearing 40. A. Beseleel a Work-master of the Tabernacle 80. L. 89. C. Bethel what it signifies 45. D. Bethsabe defiled by David 184. I. bare him a son 185. B. brought forth Solomon 185. C. certifieth David of Adonias c. 199. E. Birth-day of Vespasian celebrated 762. I. of Pharaoh 55. A. Birth-right of Esau sold 50. L. Birth of Moses 63. E. Birth of Samson 140. K. Bitterness of the waters 73. D. E. changed 74. H. Blasphemy against God 111. E. Blasphemer of God to be stoned 111. E. Blaspheming of Goliab 159. C. D. E. Blessing of God upon the Israelites 74. L. M. Blessing of Isaac and Jacob 44. M. of Jacob on his sons 62. I Blessing of Moses to the Israelites 118. M. Blindness of the enemy and how 237. I. 238. D. Blindness of the Jews 736. K. 753. B. Bloud royal destroyed 240. D. Bodies celestial their beauty and order 30. I. Body of Jacob translated into Hebron 62. K. of his sons brought thither also ibid. Bodies of Saul and his sons hung up 174. I. Boldness of the Jews 715. E. Bondage of the Israelites See servitude Bones of Joseph translated 62. L. 71. A. Book of Moses Law 111. B. C. when to be read 112. H. holy Book 118. M. found and read 259. I. K. Books of holy Writ how many 782. N. Book of Jeremy 261. L. burnt ibid. L. Boos friend to Naomi and Ruth 142. D. eshorts his kinsman to marry Ruth 143. D. espouseth Ruth 143. D. begetteth Obed ibid. E. Booty of Oxen and Camel 100. O. of Sheep c. 687. O. Borders of Galilee 659. C. D. of Judaea 659. E. of the possession of the nine Tribes and an half 126. K. Borrowed things must be repaid 116. I. Botches a plague of Egypt 69. D. Bounds of Land are not to be removed 113. B. Bounds of the nine Tribes and halfs possession 126. L. c. Bounds of Egypt 708. L. Bowls or Ewers 210. C. Bounty requited 215. F. Bounty of Ezechias 253. H. I. Bounty of Alexander to the Jews 295. L. Bounty of Herod to all men 585. A. B. of Caesar to Archelaus 607 C. of Titus 728. M. Brazen Altar 211. I. vessels pertaining to the same 211. I. Brazen Gate of the Temple openeth of it self 753. B. Breach of Gods law loss of his favour 704. H. I. Breach of oath 255. M. 368. C. of faith 361. N. Breadth of the Ark of Noab 30. N. Bread of proposition or shew-bread 92. N. Brethren Cain and Abel 29. B. Brethren of Joseph hate him and complot his death 51. D. sell him 52. K. perswade their father that he was devoured of beasts ibid. N. repent of the evil they did to Joseph 57. B. return out of Egypt ibid. D go thither again ibid. D. stayed in their journey and accused of theft 58. I. K. died 62. K. L. Seven Brethren tormented and put to death 821. A. B. 822. H. I. 823. A. B. Bribery of Elies sons 143. F. of Antonius 391. L. of Ventidius 384. F. 575. C. of Silo ibid. 575. C. of Antipater 594. M. N. Brothers of Abraham 35. D. of Joseph 50. M. of Antipater 588. L. M. Brothers bewail their mother 589. C. excuse themselves ibid. D. Broil at Caesarea 537. E. at Jerusalem 638. H. Building of the Temple 208. M. inhibited 277. N. permitted 278. C. D. E. Bulwarks builded by the Romans 733. D. Burial of Sara 42. F. of Abraham 43. D. of Isaac 49. F. of Jacob 62. L. M. of Samuel 168. L. of Jadon 220. E. of
of the Roman Horsemen 661. D. Fury of Florus Soldier 623. F. G. GAbaens lust and villany 130. L. would not deliver the authors thereof 131. B. destroyed and their City burned 331. F. Gibeonites send Embassadours to Joshuah 124. M. perswade Joshuah to make a league with them ibid. M. appointed to publick Ministeries 125. A. Gabinus overcometh Alexander 266. D. 569. D. repaireth Cities in Jury ibid. takes Aristobulus 367. K. overcomes the Nabathaeans 568. L. Gad the son of Jacob 46. O. what it signifies ibid. O. his children 61. B. Gadara besieged and taken 353. H. 663. B. Gadareans accuse Herod 416. B. entertain Vespasian 699. G. Gaal assisted the Sichemites to gather their fruits 137. D. E. banished out of Sichem ibid. F. Galaad a pillar 48. I. Galaadites besieged by Naas 152. N. and succoured by Saul ibid. M. Galba foretold to the Emperour 491. C. slain 703. B. A Galilean slain 619. C. his death cause of a tumult ibid. E. Galileans murthered 534. L. revenge themselves ibid. their faith and love toward Joseph 6. H. desire to invade Tiberias 6. N. intreat Joseph to stay 12. O. their testimony of Joseph 15. E. flock to Joseph 641. A. Galilee described 659. B. the length and breadth thereof ibid. C. Galley built by Herod 577. C. Gamala faithful to Rome 623. G. how scituated 680. M. inexpugnable ibid. N. taken 683. E. Games Circensian 505. I. Ganges called also Phison 28. K. Gardens c. about Jericho 701. F. Garden of pleasure 28. I. Adam placed there ibid. I. Garment of Joseph 53. E. Garment of linnen and woollen 112. H. Garment of the Priest 210. C. Garment of the High Priests 721. F. Garrison of the Philistines won 154. I. Garrison placed in Syria 182. I. in Idumaea ibid. L. Gedeon called and encouraged 435. D. his men and means ibid. E. obtains the victory and how 136. H. kills Oreb and Zeb and pacifies Ephraim ibid. L. M. Gehon a River of Paradise 28. K. called also Nilus ibid. K. Germans Caesars Guard 410. O. resort to the Theatre 512. K. their fury pacified ibid. Germanicus poisoned 479. F. Genealogy of Noe 30. O. of Abraham 35. C. of Ely 145. C. of Shadoc 204. I. of Alexander and Aristobulus 618. M. Generals of Armies 121. E. 164. M. 176. H. 204. L. 255. M. 265. I. 283. F. 293. H. Genezar the lake described 678. C. the length and breadth thereof ibid. D. E. Gerson Moses son 67. G. Ghost of Samuel 171. C. certifies Saul of his end ibid. E. Giants engendred 30. M. horrible to look on 129. C. Giants extinguished 37. B. Gifts of the Princes of the Tribes 90. M. of the Kings to Solomon 216. K. L. Gifts of Herod 585. B. 591. F. of Antipater 574. I. 598. L. Gimon a Prophet 224. O. foretels the miseries of Basa and his race ibid. O. Giscala burned 3. F. Gladness of Anna 144. I. Glaphira wife of Alexander 422. O. Archelaus daughter ibid. encreaseth suspicion 589. B. examined 441. I. sent back to her father 449. B. 594. E. her dream 473. G. Gleanings to be left for the poor 113. E. Gluttony of Vitellius 710. K. God created the world 27. F. resteth the seventh day ibid. G. speaks to Adam 28. M. punisheth him Evah and the Serpent 28. N. O. sends the Deluge 30. O. willeth the Earth to be inhabited 32. O. appears to Jacob 60. A. his Providence in saving Moses 64. H. and 64. N. appeareth to Moses 66. O. feeds the Israelites c. 75. B. C. comforteth Samuel 149. E. certifieth him whom to create King 150. M. sends him to Bethlem 158. K. appears twice to Salomon 205. B. 212. E. speaketh to Elias 228. D. Gods favour to the Romans 628. K. 728. O. knows when to revenge 730. M. Godliness of Ancestors remembred 63. B. Gods of Laban digged up 49. D. Gods of other Countries 112. H. Godoliâ—s Captain of the fugitives 265. O. slain 266. E. Gold in great quantity 77. C. 108. O. 123. B. 124. K. L. sold for half the price 754. K. Golden Statue erected 269. M. Golden Eagle 459. F. Golden Chain 520. M. Goliah the Philistine 159. C. challengeth a single combat ibid. C. encountred and slain 160. M. Gomar Japhers son 33. G. his Progeny ibid G. Gonorrhoea a Running of the Reins 93. C. Good deserts not to be forgotten 162. L. Goodliness of personage not respected 158. N. Goods that are found 115. M. Goods of Archeâ—aus confiscate 611. G. common 614. G. of Aman 291. I. Gorions death c. 697. A. Government of the Romans how far c. 661. G. Government of the Tribe of Juda 129. A. Of Governments the best kind 113. A. Governments of the Hebrews distinct 153. B. Government of the Jews changed 567. G. What Governour to be chosen 78. I. 112. L. The Governour Moses commended 120. K. Governours of Salomon 206. H. I. Governour of both Galilees who 638. I. Grapes not to be forbidden the gatherers 113. G. Grashoppers one of the plagues of Egypt 69. F. Gratuity of Solomon 213. F. Gratulation of the Jews scorned 623. A. Gratulation of the Bethsamites 147. E. of Herod 586. I. of the people 463. A. B. Gratus conflict 463. M. See Fight Graves of concupiscence 95. G. Grief causeth or hindreth passion 816. H. Ground about Jericho fruitful 702. I. H. HAbit or form of Elias 236. B. Habitations of Isaacs sons 50. K. L. Hail one of the plagues of Egypt 69. E. Haman honoured by all but the Jews 287. L. his petition for the Jews ruine ibid. his hatred against Mardoche 289. M. his treachery discovered 291. H. judged to the Gallows ibid. his goods bestowed on Mardoche ibid. I. Hand of Moses 67. C. Hand of Jeroboam withered 220. B. restored ibid. B. Handmaids of Jacobs wives 46. M. N. Harbours 415. I. Ill Harvest of the Egyptians destroyed 69. F. Hatred of Josephs brethren 50. O. of the Egyptians to the Hebrews 62. M. of Saul against David 160. N. of Absalon against Amnon 180. M. of the Souldiers against Demetrius 336. G. of sons to the father 435. F. Haven of Caius 516. L. Haven described 517. D. Heaven created 28. E. and how placed ibid. Hebrew Slave when to be freed 116. M. Hebrews Original 35. B. of whom so called ibid. C. their insupportable servitude 62. N. O. and ibid. G. chiefest of them meet Moses 68. H. perswaded to obey ibid. H. celebrated their Passover 70. I. departed out of Egypt ibid. K. and go thorow the Red Sea 71. K. sing songs of praise 72. N. fight with the Canaanites 98. N. overthrow the Amorites 104. N. possess their land 105. B. revolt from the Laws of their Fathers 187. E. overcome the Midianites 108. O. bound by oath to keep the Law 119. B. overthrow the Canaanites 125. E. bring the Ark into battel 144. M. feed on bloudy flesh 155. E. Hebron a place of burial 41. F. 43. D. 49. F. 62. K. Hebron the City taken 120. C. Davids royal seat 179. E. Hecataeus
Jews of Caesar's threats 616 n. writeth to Caius 496 i. receiveth Letters of Caius's death 497 â— 617 d. his Letter to the Dorâ—res 521 c. Phaceias King of Israel 250 â— his impiety and wickedness ibid. e. slew 120000 Jews 251 l. took Achaz's son Prisoner ib. m. was slain 252 c. Pharao enamoured of Sara 36 l. plagâ—ed ib. m. Pharao his dreams 55 b c. delivereth Joseph from bonds ib. c. advanceth him to great honour 55 g. rejoyceth at the arrival of Joseph's brethren 60 m. enquireth Jacob's age 61 e. restored the profits of his subject's lands 62 h. Pharao killeth the male children 62 o. would have killed Moses 64 n. and 66 k. his death 67 f. Pharao counselled to dismiss the Hebrews 68 i. not moved with miracles layeth heavier tasks on them ib. l. advised once more ibid. â— driveth away Moses 70 h. dismisseth the Israelites ib. k. his host drowned 72 k. Pharisees a sect 339 m. 477 a. greedy of revenge 357 i. exempt from swearing 417 l. would not swear obedience 451 c. 463 d. their opinion 614 n. Pharos a tower 708 m. Phasaelus his government 372 c. vanquisheth Foelix 377 o. 571 b. made Tetrarch 380 c. 571 e. taken prisoner 371 n. dasheth out his brains 383 i. Phasaelus Tower and City 530 n. 584 n. Pheroras made Tetrarch 416 g. accuseth Alexander and Aristobulus 426 l. refuseth the Kings daughter 433 g. blamed for Alexanders offence 438 l. pardoned ibid. deceived 450 m. refuseth to put away his wife 451 f. banished 596 m. falleth sick and dieth 452 m. 596 n. his wise accused 452 o. she confesseth the poyson 453 f. Philip rebelleth against Antiochus 322 f. is slain 323 k. Philip King of Syria 355 i. besiegeth Demetrius 355 h. Philip Herod's son 471 d. hath part of the Kingdom 471 d. repaireth Cities 478 â— Philo Judaeus's defence c. 494 i. Philistines overcame the Israelites 139 f. exacted tribute of them 139 f. put to flight 1â—8 m. invade the Israelâ—ites 154 k. are overcome 155 b c. and 160 m. discomfit Sauls army 173 f. overcome by David 180 i. k. by Ozias 249 l. by Ezechias 253 k. Phineas the son of Eleazar 108 k. slayeth Zambrias and Chosbi ib. l. overthrew the Madianites 108 l m. his Oration to the two tribes and half 127 g. succeeded Eleazar 128 o. foretold the Israelites their victory c. 131 d. Phineas Elies son 143 e his wickedness and impiety ib. e. is slain 144 n. his wife then bare Ichabod 145 c. Phison a flood of Paradise 28 k. called also Ganges ib. k. Phora 28 k. Phraates King of Parthia slain 478 o. Phul King of the Syrians 250 d. for money made a peace ibid. d. Piety profitable 224 n o. Piety of Ancestors remembred 63 b. Piety contemned cause of calamities 132 n. 133 d. 144 k c. 168 i. 252 c d. Piety of Asa 224 i. of Josaphat 231 m. of Jotham 250 f. of Ezechias 252 d. of Josias 258 〈◊〉 and 259 h i. c. of Matthias c. 315 i. Pigeons dung sold 23â— g. Pilate succeedeth Gratus 480 i. bringeth Caesar's statues to Jerusalem 480 i. not admitted 480 k. crucifieth Christ 480 m. putteth Samaritans to flight 482 l. accused ib. sendeth the statues from Jerusalem 480 k. beateth the seditious 615 f. Pillage taken 255 l. Pillars raised 30 k. A Pillar called Galaad 48 i. Pitcher of water 169 g. Pit to be senced 117 c. Pit of swearing 40 h. Pits bituminous 37 b. Pity of Joseph towards his brethren 60 i. Placidus repulsed at Jotapata 692 i. his victory 682 o. burneth Bethenabris â—00 i. Placing of the vessels c. in the Temple 250 b c. and 21â— d. 211 h l. Plagues of Egypt 68 o. 69 a b c d e f g. 70 k. Plague in David's time 19â— f. Plague invadeth Judea 409 k. 412 g. Plat-forms erected 669 a. Plants sprang at first out of the earth 27 f. Plants not of four years growth 113 c. Plato admired 811 d. permitteth not Poets c. 813 b. Pledge to be restored to the poor 116 k. Plenty fore-signified 55 e f. Plotting of Antipater 433 e. The Plough found out and by whom 29 b. Poem of Homer 781 b. Poets cause multitudes of gods 813 a. Poyson tryed c. 458 k l. 601 b. Policy of Rebecca c. for her son 44 l. of Jacob to pacifie his brother 48 m. of the Gabeonites 124 m. of Joseph 9 e. â—0 k. 1â— e. of Jonathan 16 m. of Joseph 642 h. 665 c. 668 h. 10 l m. Politianus meets with Agrippa c. 625 c. inciteth the people to peace ib. e. Pompey Governour of Syria 362 d. marcheth against Aristobulus 363 l. 36â— h. besiegeth Jerusalem 36â— l. committeth Aristobulus to prison ib. 565 g. taketh the Temple 365 k. bestoweth the Priesthood on Hircanus ib. 366 o. spoileth not the Temple ib. d. 566 m. carrieth Aristobulus to Rome 567 a. beheadeth conspirators 56â— n o. Popedius accused 5â—5 f. Popularity of Alcimus 324 b c. Porch of the Temple 208 m. â—ired 747 a. Port of Caesarea 415 i. Port made by Herod 584 i k. Portion of Salpades daughters 109 f. Portion of Judea 659 f. Possession of Canaan prophecâ—ed of 62 i. Posterity of Ismael 40 l. Posterity of Giants extinguished 37 b. Posterity of Jethro possessed of Land 129 d. Posterity of Noah replenished the world 32 o. Posterity of Esau 50 l. of Jacob 61 b. Poyson not to be used 1â—7 a. Power given to save 59 f. Power of God every where 230 f. Power of Kings Wine and Women 277 i k l. Power of the soul â—74 l. Power of David and Solomon 805 f. Practice of Simeon and Levi 49 c. Prey that the Israelites got in war 77 b c. 109 a. 123 â— 124 l. Prayer of Noah 32 â— of Amram 63 b. of Moses 72 i. 101 d c. of Joshuah 123 f. of Samson 142 k of Solomon 211 k. of Samuel and the Israelites 148 k l. Praise of Abraham 43 d. of Jacob 62 i. of Joseph 62 k. of Joshua 77 c. and 128 n of Moses 120 k. of Samuel 16â— l. of Saul 172 k. of David 202 e. of Solomon 218 c. of Josaphat 235 m. of Nehemias 285 k. of Ananus 694 n. of Eleazar 819 d. Praise given to God 70 k l. Prediction of things to come â—18 m. Preparations for war burned 322 b. Presents of Abraham 42 k. of Jacob 57 e. of the Egyptians 70 k. of Abigail 169 b. of the Mesopotamians 184 i. of the Queen of Aethiopia and of Kings 215 f. 216 l. of Ptolomy to the Interpreters 392 o. of Herod 591 d. Preservation of Moses 63 g. 64 n. of Daniel and his companions 269 n. Preservation from blood-shed 169 b. Presidents in every City 112 k. and what manner of men they ought to be ibid. k. Pride of Amasias 248 a. of Ozias 249 o. of Senacherib 255 n. of Nebuchodonosor 269 n. of Balthasar 271 h. of John 698 m. Priest's