have_v not_o such_o jonathas_n success_n as_o he_o hope_v for_o he_o come_v to_o rome_n and_o bring_v jonathas_n and_o the_o rest_n bind_v with_o he_o think_v that_o no_o more_o inquiry_n will_v be_v make_v of_o the_o false_a accusation_n invent_v by_o himself_o but_o vespasian_n suspect_v the_o matter_n make_v diligent_a inquiry_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o find_v these_o crime_n injurious_o impose_v upon_o those_o man_n at_o titus_n entreaty_n he_o acquit_v they_o and_o punish_v jonathas_n according_a to_o his_o desert_n who_o be_v first_o whip_v be_v afterward_o burn_v alive_a and_o alive_a catullus_n at_o that_o time_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o mildness_n of_o the_o emperor_n have_v nothing_o say_v unto_o he_o but_o not_o long_o after_o he_o fall_v into_o a_o grievous_a disease_n and_o be_v cruel_o torment_v not_o only_o in_o body_n but_o also_o in_o mind_n for_o he_o be_v great_o terrify_v and_o still_o imagine_v to_o see_v the_o ghost_n of_o they_o who_o he_o have_v so_o unjust_o slay_v ready_a to_o kill_v he_o so_o that_o he_o cry_v out_o and_o not_o able_a to_o contain_v himself_o leap_v out_o of_o his_o bed_n as_o though_o he_o have_v be_v torture_v with_o torment_n and_o fire_n and_o this_o disease_n daily_o increase_v on_o his_o gut_n and_o bowel_n rot_v and_o issue_v out_o of_o he_o at_o last_o he_o die_v in_o this_o manner_n leave_v behind_o he_o a_o evident_a argument_n that_o the_o divine_a justice_n do_v punish_v impious_a malefactor_n and_o this_o be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o history_n which_o we_o promise_v to_o be_v set_v down_o jew_n with_o all_o fidelity_n for_o they_o that_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v the_o event_n of_o the_o war_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o roman_n and_o as_o for_o our_o stile_n we_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o reader_n but_o touch_v the_o verity_n of_o the_o history_n it_o be_v such_o as_o no_o man_n need_v to_o doubt_v of_o for_o i_o do_v affirm_v that_o to_o be_v the_o only_a scope_n which_o i_o aim_v at_o in_o this_o whole_a work_n the_o end_n of_o the_o seven_o and_o last_o book_n of_o flavius_n josephus_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o first_o book_n of_o flavius_n josephus_n the_o son_n of_o mathias_n write_v against_o apion_n as_o touch_v the_o antiqvitie_n of_o the_o jew_n isuppose_v o_o thou_o worthy_a among_o worthy_a man_n epaphroditus_n that_o i_o have_v sufficient_o testify_v unto_o they_o who_o shall_v read_v those_o book_n which_o i_o have_v write_v as_o touch_v the_o authentic_a history_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o our_o nation_n be_v most_o ancient_a and_o that_o they_o have_v have_v their_o original_n from_o themselves_o and_o have_v from_o the_o first_o beginning_n inhabit_v that_o country_n whereof_o they_o be_v now_o possess_v at_o this_o present_a to_o which_o effect_n i_o have_v gather_v out_o of_o our_o sacred_a write_n and_o publish_v in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n year_n a_o history_n contain_v the_o occurrence_n of_o five_o thousand_o year_n and_o for_o that_o i_o see_v their_o be_v diverse_a who_o be_v too_o much_o addict_v and_o seduce_v by_o the_o scandalous_a blasphemy_n and_o report_n which_o some_o of_o those_o who_o be_v jewd_o affect_v towards_o we_o have_v publish_v against_o we_o have_v misconceit_v and_o misbeleeved_a that_o which_o i_o have_v write_v of_o our_o antiquity_n and_o labour_n to_o approve_v our_o nation_n to_o be_v modern_a because_o none_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o most_o renown_a historio_fw-la grapher_n book_n among_o the_o grecian_n have_v think_v our_o ancestor_n worthy_a to_o be_v enrowl_v in_o their_o write_n i_o have_v for_o these_o cause_n hold_v it_o a_o part_n of_o my_o duty_n to_o write_v some_o short_a treatise_n hereupon_o both_o to_o reprove_v the_o evil_a intent_n and_o affect_v lie_v of_o those_o our_o calumner_n as_o also_o to_o correct_v their_o ignorance_n by_o teach_v those_o who_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n what_o the_o original_a of_o our_o motion_n be_v for_o proof_n whereof_o i_o will_v reduce_v no_o other_o testimony_n than_o those_o who_o from_o antiquity_n have_v be_v judge_v worthy_a of_o credit_n among_o the_o greek_n lay_v open_a before_o their_o eye_n that_o they_o who_o have_v slanderous_o and_o false_o write_v against_o we_o be_v convict_v by_o their_o own_o mouth_n i_o will_v also_o enforce_v myself_o to_o express_v the_o cause_n wherein_o very_a few_o grecian_n have_v make_v mention_n of_o we_o in_o their_o history_n and_o moreover_o i_o will_v make_v it_o know_v to_o those_o that_o be_v ignorant_a either_o in_o effect_n or_o in_o pretence_n who_o they_o have_v be_v that_o omit_v not_o our_o history_n first_o of_o all_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o a_o little_a marvel_n at_o those_o who_o in_o respect_n of_o antiquity_n suppose_v that_o the_o truth_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v gather_v from_o the_o greek_n and_o that_o they_o just_o may_v claim_v the_o honour_n and_o knowledge_n of_o faithful_a writing_n whereat_o they_o neither_o vouchsafe_v either_o we_o or_o any_o other_o the_o credit_n or_o truth_n in_o that_o we_o set_v down_o although_o i_o be_o able_a to_o prove_v that_o all_o thing_n have_v fall_v out_o quite_o contrary_a for_o which_o cause_n it_o behove_v we_o not_o to_o look_v unto_o man_n various_a opinion_n but_o to_o examine_v that_o antiquity_n which_o be_v right_a and_o gather_v the_o same_o by_o the_o effect_n for_o all_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v set_v down_o by_o the_o greek_n be_v new_a and_o of_o late_a memory_n and_o have_v be_v bring_v to_o execution_n in_o a_o manner_n but_o yesterday_o i_o mean_v the_o foundation_n of_o city_n the_o invention_n of_o art_n and_o the_o description_n of_o law_n and_o the_o late_a practice_n among_o they_o have_v be_v and_o be_v the_o diligent_a travail_n in_o history_n but_o among_o the_o egyptian_n chaldeis_fw-la and_o phoenician_n for_o i_o presume_v not_o to_o compare_v my_o countryman_n with_o they_o as_o they_o themselves_o confess_v the_o memory_n of_o their_o write_n be_v most_o ancient_a and_o infallible_a for_o all_o these_o nation_n dwell_v in_o such_o country_n as_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o corruption_n of_o air_n and_o have_v careful_o provide_v that_o none_o of_o those_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v do_v by_o they_o shall_v sleep_v in_o obscurity_n but_o shall_v be_v keep_v in_o memory_n in_o the_o public_a write_n of_o the_o learnede_a man_n whereas_o innumerable_a corruption_n have_v creep_v in_o among_o the_o greek_n by_o which_o the_o greece_n memory_n of_o thing_n forepast_a be_v deface_v but_o they_o always_o who_o have_v establish_v new_a estate_n have_v each_o of_o they_o suppose_v in_o their_o own_o behalf_n that_o whosoever_o be_v of_o they_o he_o be_v the_o first_o of_o the_o world_n yet_o notwithstanding_o they_o have_v have_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o letter_n very_o late_a and_o have_v attain_v the_o same_o with_o very_o great_a difficulty_n for_o they_o that_o speak_v of_o the_o most_o ancient_a use_n of_o the_o same_o do_v boast_n and_o glorify_v themselves_o that_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n letter_n thereof_o from_o the_o phoenician_n and_o cadmus_n yet_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o of_o they_o that_o can_v show_v any_o record_n of_o that_o time_n either_o in_o their_o temple_n or_o in_o their_o public_a register_n whereas_o after_o there_o arise_v a_o great_a doubt_n and_o question_n whether_o those_o letter_n be_v in_o use_n during_o their_o time_n who_o since_o have_v for_o the_o space_n of_o many_o year_n continue_v the_o siege_n before_o troy_n and_o in_o sooth_n their_o opinion_n who_o affirm_v that_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o use_n of_o those_o letter_n which_o be_v at_o this_o present_a allow_v and_o accustom_v among_o we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v refuse_v for_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o writing_n extant_a among_o the_o greek_n that_o be_v more_o ancient_a than_o homer_n poesy_n which_o poem_n as_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a have_v be_v in_o allowance_n and_o continuance_n since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o siege_n of_o troy_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v report_v that_o he_o leave_v no_o part_n of_o that_o his_o poesy_n in_o writing_n which_o be_v compose_v of_o diverse_a song_n and_o only_o sing_v by_o rote_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o contradiction_n in_o the_o same_o and_o as_o touch_v those_o who_o have_v undertake_v to_o write_v history_n among_o they_o i_o mean_v cadmus_n the_o milesian_n and_o acusilaus_n the_o argive_a and_o after_o he_o if_o there_o be_v any_o other_o they_o be_v not_o alive_a but_o very_o little_a time_n before_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o persian_n into_o greece_n furthermore_o they_o who_o among_o the_o greek_n be_v the_o
first_o that_o introduce_v philosophy_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o celestial_a and_o divine_a thing_n that_o be_v to_o say_v pherecydes_n the_o surian_a pythagoras_n and_o thales_n these_o all_o of_o they_o confess_v with_o one_o accord_n that_o be_v instruct_v by_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldeis_fw-la they_o have_v publish_v some_o few_o write_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a that_o be_v among_o the_o greek_n and_o it_o be_v hardly_o believe_v also_o that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o they_o what_o reason_n therefore_o have_v the_o greek_n to_o be_v so_o proud_a as_o if_o there_o be_v none_o but_o themselves_o only_o who_o know_v the_o affair_n of_o antiquity_n and_o can_v exact_o express_v their_o truth_n and_o verity_n or_o who_o can_v easy_o conjecture_v by_o their_o own_o writer_n themselves_o that_o their_o write_n be_v only_o upon_o hearsay_n and_o supposition_n and_o that_o their_o stile_n be_v only_o tie_v to_o their_o vain_a conjecture_n hence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o their_o book_n they_o cavil_v and_o reprove_v one_o another_o &_o make_v no_o conscience_n to_o maintain_v and_o write_v contradiction_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o i_o task_n myself_o to_o a_o fruitless_a labour_n if_o i_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o inform_v those_o who_o be_v better_o experience_v then_o myself_o in_o how_o many_o point_v hellanicus_n differ_v from_o acusilaus_n as_o touch_v the_o genealogy_n in_o how_o many_o place_n acusilaus_n have_v correct_v herodotus_n or_o how_o ephorus_n have_v approve_v that_o hellanicus_n be_v a_o liar_n in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o that_o which_o he_o recite_v ephorus_n have_v be_v reprove_v by_o timaeus_n and_o in_o general_a all_o they_o have_v tax_v herodotus_n neither_o have_v timaeus_n vouchsafe_v to_o accord_n with_o antiochus_n or_o philistus_n or_o callias_n in_o the_o history_n of_o sicâ—…ly_a neither_o have_v they_o who_o have_v write_v the_o history_n of_o athens_n or_o those_o who_o have_v entreat_v of_o the_o argoliques_n follow_v other_o what_o need_v i_o reckon_v up_o those_o who_o in_o particular_a have_v entreat_v of_o city_n or_o of_o succinct_a and_o short_a matter_n whereas_o in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o persian_a war_n and_o those_o exploit_n that_o be_v perform_v therein_o those_o of_o great_a authority_n be_v most_o at_o odds_n thucydides_n be_v accuse_v by_o some_o for_o a_o liar_n in_o diverse_a place_n notwithstanding_o that_o he_o jew_n seem_v to_o have_v describe_v the_o history_n of_o his_o time_n most_o exact_o but_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o discord_n be_v diverse_a and_o it_o may_v be_v that_o they_o who_o shall_v narrow_o pry_v into_o they_o shall_v find_v more_o for_o i_o own_o part_n those_o two_o which_o i_o shall_v here_o set_v down_o in_o my_o opinion_n be_v of_o great_a weight_n the_o first_o and_o in_o my_o judgement_n the_o chief_a be_v that_o among_o the_o greek_n from_o the_o beginning_n we_o have_v not_o be_v industrious_a to_o keep_v public_a register_n of_o such_o matter_n as_o happen_v in_o any_o time_n or_o place_n which_o have_v make_v they_o err_v and_o give_v those_o a_o privilege_n to_o lie_v who_o afterward_o will_v look_v to_o write_v any_o thing_n of_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v act_v long_o since_o neither_o be_v the_o other_o greek_n only_o to_o be_v touch_v with_o this_o negligence_n for_o not_o make_v account_n of_o such_o register_n but_o among_o the_o athenian_n also_o who_o be_v repute_v to_o be_v glorious_a for_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o country_n and_o who_o be_v exercise_v in_o science_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o they_o for_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o public_a write_n which_o they_o have_v be_v those_o capital_a law_n which_o be_v set_v down_o by_o their_o lawmaker_n draco_n who_o live_v but_o a_o little_a time_n before_o pisistratus_n tyranny_n what_o need_v we_o speak_v of_o the_o arcades_n who_o vaunt_v themselves_o of_o their_o antiquity_n for_o they_o have_v learn_v the_o use_n of_o letter_n with_o very_o great_a difficulty_n and_o sometime_o after_o this_o whereas_o therefore_o there_o be_v not_o any_o writing_n publish_v before_o that_o time_n which_o may_v instruct_v those_o that_o will_v learn_v or_o reprehend_v those_o that_o publish_a untruth_n from_o thence_o be_v it_o that_o so_o many_o difference_n have_v happen_v among_o historiographer_n a_o second_o cause_n be_v for_o that_o they_o who_o addict_v themselves_o to_o compose_v history_n do_v not_o busy_v themselves_o about_o the_o inquisition_n of_o the_o truth_n notwithstanding_o that_o each_o of_o they_o do_v historiographer_n ordinary_o promise_v no_o less_o but_o they_o labour_v to_o express_v how_o 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v and_o fix_v their_o whole_a study_n thereon_o as_o the_o only_a mean_n whereby_o they_o hope_v to_o obtain_v reputation_n above_o the_o rest_n some_o of_o they_o therefore_o addict_v their_o style_n to_o â—…ables_n othersome_a by_o flatter_a praise_n think_v to_o curry_v favour_n with_o king_n and_o city_n the_o rest_n enforce_v their_o study_n to_o accusation_n by_o obtain_v the_o work_n of_o the_o writer_n thereof_o under_o trust_n to_o get_v the_o more_o credit_n thereby_o in_o effect_n they_o have_v follow_v that_o coursd_v in_o compose_v their_o hitorie_n that_o be_v â—…uerie_n way_n different_a history_n from_o the_o true_a nature_n thereof_o for_o the_o assure_a sign_n of_o a_o perfect_a and_o true_a history_n be_v whereas_o all_o man_n accord_n both_o in_o word_n and_o write_a iâ—…_n soâ—…ing_v down_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o they_o who_o have_v write_v diverse_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o they_o be_v the_o â—…est_a among_o aâ—…_n thâ—…_n rest_n we_o ought_v therefore_o to_o grant_v the_o superiority_n to_o the_o grecian_n in_o all_o that_o which_o concenâ—…h_v eloquence_n and_o the_o ornament_n of_o language_n but_o not_o in_o that_o which_o appertain_v to_o antiquity_n or_o truth_n of_o history_n and_o especial_o when_o the_o question_n be_v that_o each_o man_n write_v as_o touch_v his_o own_o nation_n see_v therefore_o that_o both_o the_o egyptian_n and_o babylonian_n long_a time_n since_o use_v all_o diligence_n in_o writing_n in_o so_o much_o as_o their_o priest_n be_v hereunto_o enjoin_v who_o do_v most_o curious_o entreat_v of_o all_o such_o point_n the_o same_o also_o do_v the_o chaldeis_fw-la among_o the_o babylonian_n and_o the_o phoenician_n also_o inhabit_v among_o the_o greek_n use_v law_n both_o concern_v private_a and_o public_a affair_n which_o because_o all_o man_n confess_v it_o i_o will_v omiâ—…to_o speak_v of_o i_o let_v pass_v also_o to_o recount_v what_o care_n our_o nation_n have_v of_o this_o point_n no_o doubt_n great_a than_o those_o nation_n above_o mention_v have_v charge_v our_o high_a priest_n and_o prophet_n to_o execute_v this_o office_n which_o custom_n have_v be_v obscrue_v even_o until_o this_o our_o age_n yea_o and_o if_o i_o may_v presume_v so_o far_o will_v be_v observe_v in_o all_o succeed_a age_n as_o by_o the_o scope_n of_o my_o speech_n ensue_v i_o will_v endeavour_n to_o make_v manifest_a for_o our_o nation_n do_v not_o only_o depute_v this_o office_n to_o the_o most_o just_a man_n among_o they_o in_o the_o beginning_n and_o unto_o such_o as_o be_v alwaise_v ready_a to_o appease_v the_o heavy_a displeasure_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n kindle_v against_o they_o but_o they_o also_o provide_v to_o preserve_v the_o line_n and_o dissent_v of_o priest_n from_o all_o impurity_n and_o from_o be_v intermingle_v with_o other_o for_o no_o man_n among_o we_o can_v be_v a_o priest_n who_o be_v not_o bear_v of_o a_o woman_n descend_v from_o the_o priest_n line_n neither_o in_o this_o case_n be_v any_o respect_n make_v either_o of_o riches_n or_o observe_v honour_n but_o the_o party_n who_o claim_v the_o dignity_n of_o priesthood_n must_v by_o many_o witness_n prove_v his_o genealogy_n and_o that_o he_o be_v descend_v from_o priest_n this_o custom_n be_v not_o only_o of_o force_n in_o jewrie_n our_o own_o country_n but_o wheresoever_o else_o any_o of_o our_o nation_n inhabit_v as_o in_o egypt_n and_o babylon_n and_o in_o any_o other_o place_n where_o continual_o the_o priest_n in_o their_o marriage_n have_v this_o respect_n not_o to_o marry_v with_o any_o woman_n that_o be_v not_o of_o their_o own_o line_n and_o they_o send_v unto_o jerusalem_n the_o name_n and_o pedigree_n of_o the_o woman_n who_o they_o have_v marry_v and_o all_o testimony_n hereof_o which_o they_o can_v deduce_v from_o her_o ancestor_n now_o if_o war_n molest_v our_o nation_n as_o often_o they_o have_v in_o the_o time_n of_o antiochus_n surname_v epiphanes_n of_o pompey_n the_o great_a quintilius_n varo_n and_o especial_o in_o this_o our_o age_n than_o those_o priest_n who_o survive_v make_v new_a genealogy_n and_o pedigree_n out_o of_o our_o holy_a writ_n
a_o tumult_n begin_v in_o syria_n he_o also_o record_v the_o greatness_n of_o our_o country_n and_o the_o fertility_n thereof_o they_o inhabit_v quoth_v he_o a_o country_n that_o have_v almost_o thirty_o hundred_o thousand_o acre_n of_o most_o fertile_a ground_n for_o jury_n be_v of_o this_o largeness_n &_o that_o in_o time_n pass_v we_o inhabit_v a_o large_a and_o very_o great_a city_n which_o be_v very_o populous_a he_o speak_v also_o of_o the_o build_n of_o our_o temple_n in_o this_o manner_n the_o jew_n have_v many_o other_o town_n and_o village_n in_o every_o province_n but_o they_o have_v one_o most_o strong_a city_n the_o compass_n of_o who_o wall_n be_v fifty_o stound_n and_o in_o it_o inhabit_v a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o thousand_o man_n and_o this_o city_n they_o call_v jerusalem_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o it_o be_v a_o build_n of_o stone_n with_o four_o porch_n a_o hundred_o cubit_n about_o it_o have_v also_o double_a gate_n wherein_o be_v a_o four_o square_a altar_n make_v of_o unhewen_v stone_n join_v together_o and_o it_o be_v twenty_o cubit_n square_v every_o way_n and_o ten_o cubit_n high_a and_o about_o it_o be_v a_o most_o huge_a building_n where_o in_o be_v a_o altar_n and_o a_o candlestick_n both_o of_o gold_n weigh_v two_o talent_n and_o there_o be_v keep_v a_o continual_a light_a night_n and_o day_n which_o never_o go_v forth_o therein_o be_v no_o image_n nor_o gift_n notree_n nor_o wood_n grow_v there_o nor_o any_o thing_n of_o wine_n this_o sort_n therein_o inhabit_v priest_n both_o night_n and_o day_n celebrate_v certain_a purification_n and_o they_o drink_v no_o wine_n in_o the_o temple_n moreover_o he_o show_v how_o our_o nation_n war_v under_o alexander_n successor_n and_o he_o report_v that_o which_o he_o hear_v of_o a_o certain_a jew_n in_o the_o army_n and_o i_o will_v set_v down_o the_o author_n own_o word_n as_o i_o go_v quoth_v he_o to_o the_o red_a sea_n a_o certain_a jew_n one_o of_o the_o horseman_n that_o conduct_v we_o name_v mosollamus_fw-la who_o be_v a_o courageous_a man_n and_o one_o who_o excel_v all_o archer_n else_o both_o greek_n and_o other_o nation_n this_o jew_n every_o one_o haste_v on_o forward_o of_o his_o journey_n and_o be_v will_v by_o a_o soothsayer_n to_o stand_v he_o ask_v for_o what_o cause_n the_o multitude_n stay_v and_o go_v not_o forward_o present_o the_o soothsayer_n show_v he_o a_o bird_n which_o he_o diligent_o view_v and_o tell_v the_o jew_n that_o if_o that_o bird_n do_v stand_v still_o in_o the_o place_n that_o then_o it_o be_v expedient_a for_o they_o to_o stand_v and_o if_o the_o bird_n do_v mount_v up_o and_o fly_v that_o then_o they_o ought_v to_o march_v on_o forward_o but_o if_o it_o fly_v towards_o the_o place_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v that_o then_o it_o be_v wisdom_n to_o retire_v the_o jew_n hereat_o be_v silent_a yet_o draw_v his_o bow_n he_o shoot_v a_o arrow_n and_o kill_v the_o bird_n whereat_o the_o soothsayer_n and_o certain_a other_o be_v offend_v and_o curse_v he_o but_o he_o take_v the_o unhappy_a bird_n in_o his_o hand_n say_v unto_o they_o be_v you_o so_o mad_a as_o to_o think_v that_o this_o bird_n not_o have_v the_o foresight_n to_o preserve_v herself_o from_o this_o death_n be_v able_a to_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o success_n of_o our_o journey_n have_v this_o bird_n foreknow_v future_a event_n she_o will_v have_v eschew_v this_o place_n for_o dread_n that_o mosollamus_fw-la a_o jew_n shall_v have_v strike_v she_o with_o a_o arrow_n but_o we_o will_v now_o leave_v the_o testimony_n of_o hecataeus_n for_o every_o one_o that_o list_n may_v read_v his_o book_n and_o there_o understand_v this_o more_o at_o large_a i_o will_v not_o omit_v the_o testimony_n of_o agatarchides_n jew_n a_o man_n of_o no_o evil_a in_o his_o own_o opinion_n yet_o indeed_o one_o who_o have_v use_v detraction_n to_o our_o own_o nation_n this_o man_n speak_v of_o stratonice_n how_o leave_v her_o husband_n demetrius_n she_o come_v into_o syria_n and_o how_o seleucus_n will_v not_o marry_v she_o as_o she_o hope_v who_o have_v a_o army_n at_o babylon_n war_v against_o antioch_n and_o have_v take_v the_o city_n and_o that_o she_o flee_v into_o seleucia_n where_o as_o she_o may_v have_v make_v a_o more_o speedy_a escape_n by_o water_n but_o that_o she_o be_v forwarn_v in_o a_o sleep_n so_o to_o do_v &_o that_o she_o be_v there_o take_v and_o die_v etc._n etc._n agatarchides_n have_v use_v this_o preface_n and_o inveigh_v against_o stratonice_n superstition_n he_o use_v a_o example_n of_o our_o nation_n in_o this_o manner_n the_o people_n sabaoth_n that_o be_v call_v jew_n inhabit_v a_o most_o strong_a city_n which_o they_o call_v jerusalem_n these_o people_n be_v wont_a to_o rest_v upon_o the_o seven_o day_n and_o do_v neither_o bear_v arm_n nor_o till_o their_o ground_n nor_o do_v any_o other_o business_n upon_o that_o day_n but_o their_o custom_n be_v to_o remain_v in_o their_o temple_n and_o there_o with_o stretch_a out_o arm_n continue_v in_o prayer_n till_o night_n and_o so_o upon_o a_o time_n they_o persevere_v in_o that_o foolery_n while_o they_o shall_v have_v defend_v their_o city_n ptolomaeus_n lagus_n enter_v it_o with_o many_o people_n and_o a_o great_a army_n who_o great_o tyrannize_v over_o they_o and_o so_o they_o find_v by_o experience_n that_o the_o solemnity_n appoint_v by_o their_o law_n be_v prejudicial_a unto_o they_o such_o like_a church_n as_o this_o do_v teach_v they_o and_o all_o nation_n else_o to_o fly_v unto_o dream_n which_o their_o law_n teach_v never_o consider_v that_o humane_a policy_n can_v prevail_v against_o that_o which_o must_v necessary_o happen_v agatarchides_n think_v this_o which_o he_o report_v of_o we_o to_o be_v ridiculous_a but_o they_o who_o weigh_v it_o with_o indifferency_n shall_v perceive_v that_o it_o be_v great_a commendation_n to_o our_o nation_n who_o rather_o suffer_v their_o country_n and_o our_o safety_n to_o be_v lose_v and_o endamage_v then_o to_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o god_n i_o think_v i_o be_o thus_o able_a to_o show_v that_o many_o writer_n omit_v to_o make_v mention_n of_o our_o nation_n not_o for_o that_o they_o know_v we_o not_o but_o for_o envy_n for_o jerome_n who_o write_v a_o book_n of_o succession_n in_o the_o jew_n same_o time_n that_o hecataeus_n live_v who_o be_v a_o friend_n unto_o king_n antigonus_n and_o be_v precedent_n of_o syria_n never_o mention_v we_o in_o all_o his_o history_n notwithstanding_o he_o be_v bring_v up_o almost_o in_o our_o country_n but_o haecataeus_fw-la write_v a_o book_n of_o we_o so_o different_a be_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o one_o of_o they_o think_v our_o nation_n worthy_a to_o be_v diligent_o record_v the_o other_o through_o malice_n be_v hinder_v from_o speak_v the_o truth_n yet_o the_o history_n of_o the_o chaldies_n egyptian_n and_o phaenician_o may_v suffice_v to_o prove_v our_o antiquity_n together_o with_o the_o greek_a writer_n for_o beside_o those_o before_o mention_v theophrastus_n also_o theodotus_n manaseas_n ariphanes_n hermogenes_n euemeus_fw-la conon_n zopyrion_n and_o many_o other_o no_o doubt_n for_o i_o have_v not_o peruse_v all_o man_n book_n have_v manifest_o restify_v of_o us._n for_o many_o of_o the_o foresay_a man_n be_v blind_v with_o error_n as_o not_o have_v gread_v our_o holy_a scripture_n yet_o they_o all_o joint_o testify_v our_o antiquity_n for_o which_o i_o now_o allege_v they_o true_o demetrius_n phalereus_n philon_n the_o elder_a and_o eupolemus_n do_v not_o much_o err_v from_o the_o truth_n and_o therefore_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v bear_v with_o alâ—…_n for_o they_o be_v not_o so_o skilful_a as_o to_o search_v our_o write_n with_o so_o much_o curiosity_n be_v come_v thus_o far_o it_o rest_v that_o i_o now_o present_v one_o point_n more_o whereof_o i_o make_v mention_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o book_n to_o wit_n that_o i_o declare_v the_o detraction_n and_o â—…aunders_n slanderous_a report_n of_o diverse_a concern_v our_o nation_n to_o be_v false_a and_o void_a of_o truth_n and_o i_o will_v use_v the_o testimony_n of_o those_o writer_n who_o record_n that_o the_o lie_a historiographer_n at_o such_o time_n as_o they_o commit_v to_o write_v the_o foresay_a detraction_n do_v also_o even_o against_o themselves_o register_v such_o like_a slander_n as_o they_o do_v against_o us._n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o all_o those_o who_o be_v conversant_a in_o history_n can_v testify_v that_o the_o like_a have_v be_v do_v by_o most_o writer_n for_o certain_a private_a hatred_n or_o such_o like_a respect_n for_o some_o of_o the_o gentile_n have_v attempt_v to_o deface_v the_o honour_n and_o reputation_n of_o the_o most_o renown_a city_n and_o to_o defame_v the_o manner_n of_o their_o inhabitant_n thus_o do_v theopompus_n
altar_n and_o to_o conduct_v he_o to_o the_o judgement_n seat_n that_o he_o may_v in_o that_o place_n justify_v his_o action_n but_o joab_n say_v that_o he_o will_v never_o abandon_v the_o temple_n but_o that_o he_o have_v rather_o die_v in_o that_o place_n than_o in_o another_o when_o banaia_n have_v certify_v the_o king_n of_o this_o his_o answer_n he_o command_v he_o to_o cut_v off_o his_o head_n in_o the_o same_o place_n according_a as_o he_o require_v and_o that_o in_o that_o sort_n he_o shall_v be_v punish_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o two_o murder_n which_o he_o have_v curse_o commit_v upon_o the_o person_n of_o abner_n and_o amasa_n command_v that_o his_o body_n shall_v be_v bury_v in_o the_o same_o place_n to_o the_o end_n that_o his_o sin_n shall_v never_o depart_v from_o his_o race_n and_o that_o both_o david_n and_o solomon_n may_v be_v hold_v guiltless_a of_o the_o death_n of_o joab_n this_o command_n of_o his_o banaia_n place_n execute_v and_o be_v afterward_o make_v general_a of_o all_o the_o man_n of_o war_n moreover_o the_o king_n establish_v sadoc_n sole_o in_o the_o place_n of_o abiathar_n who_o he_o have_v depose_v he_o command_v semei_n also_o death_n to_o build_v he_o a_o house_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o to_o keep_v himself_o therein_o without_o pass_v the_o flood_n of_o cedron_n for_o if_o he_o chance_v to_o break_v that_o commandment_n the_o penalty_n which_o he_o shall_v incur_v shall_v be_v no_o less_o than_o death_n and_o to_o the_o more_o serious_a performance_n of_o this_o his_o injunction_n he_o tie_v he_o by_o a_o solemn_a oath_n semei_n thank_v solomon_n for_o the_o charge_n he_o have_v impose_v on_o he_o and_o swear_v that_o he_o will_v fulfil_v the_o same_o so_o that_o forsake_v his_o own_o country_n he_o come_v and_o dwell_v in_o jerusalem_n where_o after_o he_o have_v sojourn_v for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n it_o happen_v that_o he_o have_v news_n that_o two_o of_o his_o fugitive_a slave_n have_v flee_v and_o retire_v themselves_o in_o geth_z whereupon_o he_o go_v to_o find_v they_o out_o and_o no_o soon_o return_v he_o back_o again_o with_o they_o but_o that_o the_o king_n have_v intelligence_n that_o he_o have_v neglect_v his_o commandment_n and_o that_o which_o be_v more_o that_o he_o have_v break_v that_o oath_n which_o he_o make_v unto_o god_n wherewith_o he_o be_v wroth_a for_o which_o cause_n call_v he_o unto_o he_o he_o speak_v after_o this_o manner_n have_v thou_o not_o swear_v say_v he_o that_o thou_o will_v no_o way_n abandon_v or_o issue_v out_o of_o this_o city_n to_o depart_v into_o a_o other_o true_o thou_o shall_v not_o escape_v the_o penalty_n of_o thy_o perjury_n but_o i_o will_v see_v justice_n do_v upon_o thou_o for_o the_o same_o and_o for_o those_o outrage_n thou_o do_v offer_v unto_o my_o father_n during_o his_o flight_n at_o which_o time_n thou_o do_v show_v thyself_o to_o be_v a_o wicked_a man_n in_o all_o thing_n to_o the_o end_n that_o thou_o may_v understand_v that_o the_o wicked_a receive_v no_o privilege_n although_o that_o their_o punishment_n be_v for_o the_o present_a defer_v but_o at_o such_o time_n as_o they_o suppose_v themselves_o to_o be_v assure_v because_o they_o have_v suffer_v no_o punishment_n their_o punishment_n be_v augment_v and_o make_v more_o grievous_a than_o it_o have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v present_o be_v execute_v for_o their_o offence_n whereupon_o banaia_n slay_v semei_n according_a as_o he_o be_v command_v from_o that_o day_n forward_a solomon_n kingdom_n have_v his_o royal_a estate_n secure_v and_o after_o that_o his_o enemy_n have_v receive_v condign_a punishment_n he_o take_v to_o wife_n the_o daughter_n of_o pharaoh_n king_n of_o egypt_n and_o afterward_o build_v the_o wall_n of_o jerusalem_n far_o great_a and_o more_o strong_a than_o they_o be_v before_o and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o life_n he_o govern_v his_o commonweal_n in_o peace_n so_o that_o his_o youthly_a year_n hinder_v he_o not_o from_o the_o observation_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o maintenance_n of_o law_n neither_o exclude_v the_o remembrance_n of_o that_o which_o his_o father_n have_v charge_v he_o at_o the_o hour_n of_o his_o death_n but_o behave_v himself_o in_o all_o thing_n exact_o he_o execute_v the_o affair_n of_o his_o kingdom_n with_o that_o circumspection_n that_o such_o as_o excel_v he_o in_o year_n and_o be_v advance_v in_o prudence_n can_v not_o surpass_v he_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o wisdom_n prudence_n and_o riches_n of_o solomon_n and_o how_o first_o of_o all_o he_o build_v the_o temple_n in_o jerusalem_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o come_v to_o hebron_n he_o determine_v to_o pay_v his_o vow_n unto_o god_n on_o that_o brazen_a altar_n which_o be_v erect_v by_o moses_n and_o sacrifice_v thereon_o in_o burn_a offering_n a_o thousand_o desire_v head_n of_o cattle_n which_o honourable_a devotion_n of_o his_o be_v most_o acceptable_a unto_o god_n for_o the_o very_a same_o night_n after_o he_o have_v appear_v unto_o he_o in_o a_o dream_n he_o command_v he_o to_o ask_v whatsoever_o blessing_n as_o he_o imagine_v sufficient_a to_o recompense_v this_o his_o piety_n but_o solomon_n require_v a_o most_o high_a and_o excellent_a thing_n which_o god_n do_v most_o liberal_o bestow_v and_o man_n in_o like_a sort_n very_o happy_o receive_v for_o he_o demand_v neither_o gold_n nor_o silver_n nor_o any_o otherkind_a of_o riches_n such_o as_o a_o youthly_a man_n will_v require_v for_o these_o be_v only_o affect_v by_o the_o common_a sort_n when_o the_o other_o be_v only_o worthy_a of_o the_o divine_a magnificence_n but_o give_v i_o say_v he_o o_o lord_n a_o ripe_a judgement_n and_o a_o good_a understanding_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o by_o these_o mean_n i_o may_v administer_v justice_n to_o this_o people_n with_o truth_n and_o equity_n with_o this_o demand_n of_o his_o god_n be_v great_o delight_v and_o promise_v also_o he_o to_o give_v he_o all_o other_o thing_n whereof_o he_o have_v make_v no_o mention_n namely_o riches_n and_o glory_n and_o above_o all_o these_o such_o a_o understanding_n and_o wisdom_n as_o no_o one_o man_n either_o king_n or_o private_a have_v have_v before_o he_o moreover_o that_o he_o will_v continue_v the_o kingdom_n in_o his_o family_n for_o many_o age_n if_o so_o be_v that_o he_o continue_v in_o the_o way_n of_o justice_n and_o obey_v god_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o walk_v in_o his_o father_n way_n in_o imitate_v his_o chief_a virtue_n after_o that_o solomon_n have_v receive_v these_o blessing_n from_o god_n and_o be_v make_v happy_a by_o these_o promise_n he_o forsake_v his_o bed_n and_o worship_v god_n return_v unto_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o offer_v great_a sacrifice_n before_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o magnifical_o feast_v all_o those_o of_o his_o household_n about_o the_o same_o time_n a_o very_a difficult_a judgement_n be_v bring_v he_o to_o decide_v the_o resolution_n whereof_o be_v very_o hard_o to_o be_v discover_v and_o i_o have_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o declare_v the_o occasion_n whereon_o at_o that_o present_a the_o debate_n be_v ground_v to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o reader_n may_v understand_v the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o cause_n in_o question_n and_o that_o if_o they_o happen_v at_o any_o time_n to_o be_v assistant_n in_o such_o like_a affair_n they_o may_v draw_v as_o it_o be_v from_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o this_o king_n wisdom_n a_o perfect_a model_n whereby_o they_o may_v direct_o shape_v a_o answer_n to_o such_o demand_n as_o shall_v be_v offer_v they_o child_n two_o woman_n of_o loose_a and_o lustful_a conversation_n come_v unto_o he_o one_o of_o which_o who_o seem_v to_o have_v suffer_v the_o injury_n begin_v after_o this_o manner_n i_o o_o king_n say_v she_o and_o this_o woman_n dwell_v together_o in_o one_o chamber_n but_o so_o it_o fortune_v that_o both_o of_o we_o on_o one_o day_n and_o at_o the_o same_o hour_n bear_v each_o of_o we_o a_o son_n some_o three_o day_n after_o we_o be_v bring_v a_o bed_n this_o woman_n lie_v by_o her_o infant_n have_v in_o sleep_n overlay_v it_o and_o stifle_v it_o and_o have_v take_v my_o child_n from_o between_o my_o knee_n and_o lay_v it_o by_o she_o and_o settle_v the_o dead_a child_n while_o i_o sleep_v in_o my_o bosom_n now_o on_o the_o morrow_n when_o i_o think_v to_o offer_v the_o teat_n unto_o my_o infant_n i_o find_v not_o my_o own_o but_o perceive_v that_o her_o child_n lie_v dead_a by_o i_o for_o i_o know_v it_o because_o i_o have_v exact_o mark_v it_o this_o my_o child_n i_o have_v redemaund_v at_o her_o hand_n and_o because_o i_o can_v not_o recover_v it_o i_o have_v make_v my_o recourse_n unto_o your_o majesty_n justice_n o_o king_n for_o in_o that_o we_o be_v sole_a woman_n and_o she_o be_v obstinate_a and_o fear_v not_o to_o be_v
a_o office_n of_o kindness_n from_o a_o friend_n for_o by_o give_v we_o bewray_v our_o well_o wish_v and_o by_o receive_v we_o proportion_n and_o continue_v friendship_n upon_o this_o ground_n i_o pray_v you_o build_v the_o good_a entertainment_n of_o my_o present_n and_o nourish_v this_o good_a custom_n in_o i_o which_o be_v usual_a both_o among_o grecian_n and_o latin_n i_o mean_v my_o translation_n which_o if_o it_o please_v you_o i_o have_v my_o wish_n as_o for_o my_o maligner_n i_o expect_v no_o worse_o from_o they_o then_o jason_n the_o thassalian_a who_o be_v assail_v and_o wound_v by_o a_o enemy_n who_o have_v a_o intent_n to_o kill_v he_o have_v a_o impostumation_n open_v that_o save_v his_o life_n their_o stab_n and_o stroke_n of_o disgrace_n shall_v cure_v and_o heal_v the_o hide_a and_o neglect_a infirmity_n of_o my_o mind_n and_o notwithstanding_o i_o shall_v both_o genio_fw-la &_o ingenio_fw-la live_v to_o love_v you_o and_o lament_v their_o want_n of_o charâ—…ie_n thus_o hearty_o commend_v i_o i_o hasty_o take_v my_o leave_n be_v tie_v prentice_n of_o late_a to_o other_o man_n importunity_n your_o love_a friend_n tho._n lodge_n the_o first_o of_o those_o seven_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o flavius_n josephus_n the_o son_n of_o mathias_n as_o touch_v the_o war_n and_o destruction_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o preface_n in_o which_o the_o author_n tax_v diverse_a historiographer_n of_o untruth_n and_o declare_v his_o intent_n and_o specifi_v the_o principal_a point_n of_o this_o history_n for_o as_o much_o as_o the_o war_n which_o be_v enterprise_v betwixt_o the_o jew_n and_o roman_n have_v among_o all_o other_o be_v the_o great_a that_o either_o have_v be_v attempt_v in_o our_o age_n or_o hear_v of_o in_o any_o other_o either_o between_o city_n or_o city_n or_o nation_n against_o nation_n there_o have_v be_v some_o who_o rather_o build_v their_o discourse_n on_o the_o vain_a and_o write_v improbable_a report_n of_o other_o then_o their_o own_o judgement_n have_v according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o orator_n make_v a_o history_n of_o their_o hearsay_n and_o have_v fill_v their_o discourse_n not_o only_o with_o vanity_n but_o also_o with_o contradiction_n other_o there_o be_v who_o for_o that_o they_o be_v eye_n witness_n or_o actor_n of_o the_o same_o have_v according_a to_o their_o own_o fancy_n prefer_v many_o lie_n either_o to_o flatter_v the_o roman_n or_o exercise_v their_o hatred_n against_o the_o jew_n forge_v somewhile_o accusation_n otherwhiles_o break_v out_o into_o praise_n without_o any_o observation_n of_o jew_n historical_a veriâ—…e_n for_o this_o cause_n i_o joseph_n the_o son_n of_o mathias_n by_o birth_n a_o hebrew_n and_o a_o citizen_n and_o priest_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o these_o war_n bare_a arm_n against_o the_o roman_n and_o afterward_o be_v thereunto_o force_v by_o necessity_n be_v present_a at_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v attempt_v and_o prosecute_v in_o those_o war_n have_v think_v good_a to_o discourse_v in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n in_o favour_n of_o all_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n all_o that_o which_o heretofore_o in_o my_o own_o language_n i_o have_v impart_v to_o those_o barbarian_n that_o inhabit_v the_o east_n for_o at_o such_o time_n as_o i_o have_v already_o speak_v as_o these_o most_o bitter_a and_o busy_a war_n take_v their_o beginning_n the_o roman_n be_v at_o civil_a war_n among_o themselves_o and_o as_o touch_v the_o jew_n who_o be_v in_o year_n valiant_a and_o in_o wit_n turbulent_a they_o be_v both_o strong_a in_o power_n and_o rich_a in_o money_n do_v so_o insolent_o abuse_v the_o time_n that_o be_v animate_v by_o the_o greatness_n of_o those_o sedition_n and_o trouble_n have_v somewhile_o swim_v in_o hope_n sometime_o swelter_a in_o fear_n of_o possess_v or_o lose_v certain_a sovereignty_n in_o the_o east_n for_o the_o jew_n hope_v be_v that_o all_o those_o of_o their_o nation_n even_o they_o who_o inhabit_v the_o part_n beyond_o euphrates_n will_v have_v both_o follow_v they_o in_o their_o rebellion_n and_o second_v their_o folly_n with_o their_o force_n moreover_o at_o that_o time_n the_o frenchman_n who_o border_v upon_o the_o roman_n suffer_v they_o not_o to_o live_v in_o peace_n and_o the_o german_n also_o begin_v to_o take_v arm_n final_o after_o the_o death_n of_o nero_n trouble_n sedition_n reign_v every_o where_o so_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o opportunity_n of_o these_o time_n many_o man_n go_v about_o to_o make_v themselves_o king_n and_o the_o soldier_n whet_v on_o with_o the_o covetous_a desire_n of_o gain_n desire_v nothing_o more_o than_o trouble_n and_o alteration_n for_o which_o cause_n i_o think_v it_o a_o matter_n both_o worthy_a reproof_n and_o ill_o beseem_v my_o reputation_n if_o in_o so_o weighty_a affair_n i_o shall_v suffer_v the_o truth_n to_o be_v smother_v in_o incertainty_n and_o shall_v permit_v the_o parthian_n babylonian_n and_o the_o further_a distant_a before_o arabian_n and_o those_o of_o our_o nation_n inhabit_v beyond_o euphrates_n together_o with_o the_o adiabenite_n to_o obtain_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o those_o event_n by_o my_o industry_n while_o the_o grecian_n &_o diverse_a of_o those_o who_o have_v not_o bear_v arm_n with_o the_o roman_n be_v distract_v with_o faction_n &_o deceive_v by_o adulation_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a hereof_o yet_o some_o of_o these_o there_o be_v who_o notwithstanding_o their_o false_a information_n stick_v not_o to_o write_v history_n not_o only_o void_a of_o all_o truth_n but_o also_o no_o way_n answerable_a to_o their_o subject_n which_o they_o undertake_v for_o while_o they_o labour_v to_o dignify_v and_o extol_v the_o roman_n they_o altogether_o suppress_v the_o fame_n and_o fortune_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o can_v i_o conjecture_v by_o what_o mean_v they_o may_v be_v hold_v great_a who_o triumph_n in_o the_o conquest_n of_o man_n so_o obscure_a and_o abject_a nay_o while_o they_o thus_o extol_v jerusalem_n the_o roman_n valour_n in_o conquer_a the_o jew_n they_o nothing_o at_o all_o respect_n the_o continuance_n of_o the_o war_n nor_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o roman_a soldier_n nor_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o captain_n who_o title_n be_v much_o embase_v if_o they_o have_v labour_v so_o much_o to_o conquer_v jerusalem_n shall_v have_v any_o thing_n derogate_a from_o the_o honour_n and_o prosperity_n of_o their_o attempt_n for_o i_o own_o part_n i_o be_o not_o resolve_v to_o contradict_v those_o who_o shall_v enhance_v the_o glory_n and_o noble_a action_n of_o the_o roman_n neiher_n to_o extol_v and_o dignify_v the_o desert_n of_o my_o own_o nation_n but_o my_o resolution_n be_v in_o all_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n to_o set_v down_o each_o occurrent_a without_o respect_n or_o partiality_n towards_o either_o part_n in_o performance_n whereof_o i_o will_v fashion_v my_o discourse_n according_a to_o the_o matter_n i_o entreat_v of_o and_o as_o my_o grief_n and_o sorrow_n shall_v invite_v i_o to_o lament_v the_o misery_n of_o my_o country_n for_o the_o civil_a dissension_n that_o dismember_v the_o same_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o bring_v it_o to_o confusion_n and_o those_o tyrant_n that_o reign_v among_o we_o be_v such_o who_o forcible_o draw_v the_o roman_n with_o sword_n and_o sire_n to_o seek_v the_o desolation_n of_o our_o holy_a temple_n the_o truth_n whereof_o titus_n caesar_n himself_o can_v justify_v who_o destroy_v the_o same_o and_o who_o during_o all_o those_o war_n still_o pity_v the_o jew_n people_n for_o that_o they_o as_o he_o well_o perceive_v be_v keep_v in_o awe_n by_o â—…he_o seditious_a and_o who_o oftentimes_o of_o his_o own_o accord_n defer_v the_o surprisal_n of_o the_o city_n purposely_o protract_v the_o siege_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o author_n of_o the_o sedition_n and_o bloody_a war_n may_v have_v leisure_n to_o repent_v and_o submit_v themselves_o now_o if_o any_o man_n think_v that_o i_o write_v this_o as_o one_o that_o exclaim_v against_o the_o tyrant_n and_o their_o the_o every_n or_o that_o in_o bewail_v the_o misery_n of_o my_o lose_a country_n i_o accuse_v their_o villainy_n moment_n and_o thereby_o transgress_v the_o limit_n of_o a_o history_n let_v it_o be_v impute_v to_o my_o grief_n and_o so_o pardon_v for_o among_o all_o the_o city_n that_o be_v ever_o govern_v by_o the_o roman_n our_o city_n only_o attain_v to_o the_o top_n of_o felicity_n which_o now_o alas_o be_v bring_v into_o extreme_a misery_n captivity_n and_o desolation_n nay_o if_o all_o the_o misfortune_n &_o calamity_n which_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n have_v see_v be_v compare_v with_o the_o infelicity_n and_o fall_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v slight_a and_o of_o no_o moment_n and_o to_o increase_v our_o sorrow_n no_o foreigner_n but_o our_o own_o familiar_a friend_n and_o
for_o the_o foresay_a woman_n that_o be_v not_o devour_v by_o the_o fury_n of_o war_n for_o they_o come_v unto_o these_o woman_n not_o fear_v the_o company_n of_o stranger_n among_o who_o they_o liâ—…e_v yea_o this_o be_v a_o evident_a year_n token_n of_o the_o priest_n integrity_n that_o every_o priest_n during_o the_o revolution_n of_o two_o thousand_o year_n be_v register_v together_o with_o the_o name_n of_o their_o father_n and_o if_o any_o one_o do_v err_v or_o falsify_v any_o of_o the_o thing_n beforesaid_a he_o be_v then_o interdict_v from_o the_o altar_n and_o from_o exercise_v any_o priestly_a function_n so_o that_o in_o the_o write_n of_o such_o man_n all_o thing_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v true_a and_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v for_o that_o neither_o all_o man_n be_v permit_v to_o write_v nor_o yet_o any_o dissonance_n and_o disagreement_n be_v find_v in_o their_o write_n for_o such_o thing_n as_o past_a in_o ancient_a time_n quite_o beyond_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n be_v only_o write_v by_o our_o prophet_n who_o have_v the_o knowledge_n thereof_o by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n himself_o but_o other_o thing_n of_o latter_a time_n be_v only_o record_v by_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n wherein_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o be_v do_v the_o book_n among_o we_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o all_o age_n be_v neither_o infinite_a nor_o one_o repugnant_a to_o another_o for_o all_o our_o chronicle_n be_v contain_v in_o writ_n two_o and_o twenty_o book_n to_o which_o book_n it_o be_v impiety_n to_o deny_v credit_n five_o of_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o moses_n comprehend_v genealogy_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o mankind_n and_o such_o notable_a event_n as_o happen_v even_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o his_o death_n which_o be_v little_o less_o than_o three_o thousand_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o moses_n until_o the_o time_n wherein_o artaxerxes_n live_v who_o be_v king_n of_o the_o persian_n and_o son_n to_o xerxes_n the_o prophet_n of_o our_o nation_n every_o one_o write_v the_o history_n of_o his_o time_n wherein_o he_o live_v so_o that_o of_o these_o man_n write_n we_o have_v thirteen_o book_n the_o four_o other_o book_n which_o make_v up_o the_o number_n already_o mention_v be_v know_v to_o contain_v holy_a hymn_n dedicate_v unto_o god_n and_o wholesome_a precept_n for_o man_n life_n and_o conversation_n all_o thing_n which_o from_o artaxerxes_n until_o our_o time_n have_v happen_v be_v also_o set_v down_o in_o writing_n yet_o the_o book_n wherein_o they_o be_v register_v do_v not_o deserve_v so_o much_o credit_n as_o the_o former_a of_o ancient_a time_n for_o that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a successor_n of_o prophet_n in_o this_o age_n moreover_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o to_o the_o former_a work_n we_o give_v as_o great_a credit_n as_o to_o the_o thing_n we_o ourselves_o write_v and_o notwithstanding_o they_o have_v be_v so_o long_o write_v yet_o in_o all_o that_o time_n no_o man_n dare_v presume_v either_o to_o alter_v or_o to_o blot_v out_o any_o thing_n therein_o contain_v for_o all_o jew_n even_o from_o their_o cradle_n do_v believe_v these_o book_n to_o be_v sacred_a holy_a and_o divine_a and_o therefore_o do_v give_v all_o credit_n possible_a unto_o they_o and_o so_o will_v willing_o suffer_v death_n rather_o than_o to_o do_v the_o contrary_a many_o captive_n also_o of_o our_o nation_n have_v already_o be_v cruel_o torment_v and_o diverse_a way_n put_v to_o death_n in_o open_a theater_n only_o for_o that_o they_o will_v not_o commit_v any_o thing_n either_o in_o word_n or_o deed_n against_o their_o law_n nor_o violate_v the_o write_n of_o their_o forefather_n now_o who_o among_o the_o greek_n do_v ever_o sustain_v the_o like_a nay_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v it_o that_o none_o can_v be_v find_v among_o they_o who_o together_o will_v any_o loss_n in_o his_o good_n or_o fortune_n thereby_o to_o preserve_v all_o the_o write_n of_o their_o nation_n from_o perdition_n and_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v that_o every_o one_o esteem_v the_o verity_n of_o their_o history_n to_o depend_v upon_o the_o will_n of_o the_o writer_n and_o this_o they_o do_v also_o of_o their_o most_o ancient_a historiographer_n and_o not_o without_o cause_n for_o they_o every_o day_n see_v man_n of_o their_o own_o time_n write_v history_n of_o matter_n pass_v long_o before_o in_o former_a age_n wherein_o neither_o themselves_o be_v present_a neither_o yet_o vouchsafe_v they_o to_o credit_v the_o write_n of_o such_o as_o be_v then_o eye_n witness_n thereof_o yea_o some_o among_o jew_n they_o have_v diwlge_v history_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o of_o late_o befall_v our_o nation_n when_o themselves_o never_o have_v be_v in_o the_o place_n where_o such_o matter_n past_a as_o they_o do_v write_v of_o war_n nor_o have_v live_v in_o any_o neighbour_n place_n where_o they_o may_v have_v probable_a report_n how_o matter_n past_a but_o only_o make_v a_o few_o centones_n or_o break_a news_n they_o most_o impudent_o arrogate_v unto_o therr_n patch_v stuff_n the_o name_n of_o a_o history_n i_o myself_o have_v compose_v a_o most_o true_a history_n of_o those_o war_n and_o of_o enerie_n particular_a thing_n there_o do_v as_o well_o i_o may_v have_v be_v present_a in_o all_o those_o affair_n for_o i_o be_v captain_n of_o the_o jew_n galilean_n among_o our_o nation_n so_o long_o as_o any_o resistance_n can_v be_v make_v aga_v the_o roman_n and_o then_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o i_o be_v take_v by_o the_o roman_n and_o be_v prisoner_n unto_o titus_n and_o vespasian_n they_o cause_v i_o to_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o past_a first_o in_o bond_n and_o fetter_n &_o afterward_o free_v from_o they_o i_o be_v bring_v from_o alexandria_n with_o titus_n when_o he_o go_v to_o the_o siege_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o nothing_o can_v then_o pass_v whereof_o i_o have_v not_o notice_n for_o behold_v the_o roman_a army_n i_o commit_v to_o write_v all_o thing_n with_o all_o possible_a diligence_n myself_o also_o do_v only_o manage_v all_o matter_n disclose_v unto_o the_o roman_n by_o such_o as_o yield_v themselves_o for_o that_o i_o only_o do_v perfect_o understand_v they_o last_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o have_v now_o leisure_n all_o business_n be_v past_a i_o use_v the_o help_n of_o some_o for_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o so_o i_o publish_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o have_v rome_n happen_v in_o the_o foresay_a war_n which_o history_n of_o i_o be_v so_o true_a that_o i_o fear_v not_o to_o call_v vespasian_n and_o titus_n emperor_n in_o those_o war_n to_o witness_v for_o they_o i_o first_o give_v a_o copy_n of_o that_o book_n to_o they_o afterward_o to_o many_o noble_a roman_n who_o also_o be_v present_a in_o those_o war_n i_o sell_v also_o many_o of_o they_o to_o our_o own_o nation_n to_o such_o as_o understand_v the_o greek_a language_n among_o who_o be_v julius_n archilaus_n herode_fw-la the_o honest_a and_o the_o most_o worthy_a king_n agrippa_n who_o all_o do_v testify_v that_o my_o history_n contain_v nothing_o but_o truth_n who_o will_v not_o have_v be_v silent_a if_o in_o any_o thing_n either_o for_o ignorance_n or_o flattery_n i_o have_v change_v or_o omit_v any_o particular_a yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o some_o ill_n dispose_v person_n endeavour_n to_o discredit_v my_o history_n as_o though_o they_o be_v dispute_v pro_fw-la and_o contra_fw-la among_o child_n in_o school_n be_v sometime_o on_o a_o sudden_a too_o for_o a_o feign_a accusation_n and_o otherwise_o to_o feign_v a_o slanderous_a and_o sudden_a detraction_n never_o consider_v that_o many_o he_o who_o promise_v other_o man_n a_o true_a relation_n of_o matter_n past_a must_v either_o be_v privy_a unto_o they_o by_o his_o own_o knowledge_n as_o have_v be_v present_a in_o the_o affair_n or_o else_o have_v that_o which_o he_o speak_v from_o other_o man_n mouth_n by_o report_n of_o they_o who_o know_v they_o both_o which_o i_o have_v do_v for_o i_o gather_v my_o other_o book_n of_o antiquity_n out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v myself_o a_o priest_n and_o skilful_a in_o our_o law_n and_o the_o history_n of_o our_o war_n i_o have_v write_v myself_o be_v a_o agent_n in_o many_o matter_n history_n therein_o contain_v and_o a_o eye_n witness_n of_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o nothing_o be_v say_v or_o do_v whereof_o i_o have_v not_o notice_n how_o then_o can_v any_o man_n excuse_v they_o from_o impudency_n and_o malice_n who_o labour_n against_o i_o to_o prove_v my_o relation_n false_a they_o perhaps_o allege_v that_o they_o have_v read_v the_o commentary_n contain_v the_o emperor_n act_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o they_o be_v not_o present_a in_o any_o action_n repugnant_a to_o that_o
which_o my_o history_n recount_v thus_o have_v i_o as_o i_o think_v it_o necessary_a make_v a_o digression_n to_o show_v how_o they_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v their_o word_n who_o discredit_v my_o history_n promise_v to_o set_v down_o truth_n in_o writing_n i_o have_v also_o sufficient_o as_o i_o think_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o register_n of_o thing_n be_v more_o ancient_a among_o other_o nation_n then_o among_o the_o greek_n i_o will_v now_o first_o of_o all_o dispute_n against_o those_o who_o with_o all_o might_n and_o main_a labour_n to_o prove_v our_o nation_n of_o no_o antiquity_n for_o that_o as_o they_o say_v no_o greek_a intend_v writer_n make_v any_o mention_n of_o it_o this_o do_v i_o will_v bring_v forth_o proof_n and_o testimone_v of_o the_o antiquity_n hereof_o out_o of_o other_o writer_n and_o so_o i_o will_v show_v that_o their_o tongue_n be_v no_o slander_n who_o seek_v to_o discredit_v our_o nation_n first_o therefore_o our_o nation_n neither_o inhabit_v a_o country_n border_v upon_o the_o sea_n neither_o be_v we_o delight_v in_o merchandise_n nor_o for_o this_o cause_n weary_v with_o pilgrimage_n from_o place_n to_o place_n but_o our_o city_n be_v situate_a far_o from_o the_o sea_n in_o a_o most_o fertile_a soil_n which_o we_o till_o with_o all_o industry_n and_o our_o whole_a endeavour_n be_v how_o to_o get_v food_n for_o our_o grecian_n child_n and_o to_o keep_v our_o country_n â—…awes_v and_o how_o to_o leave_v unto_o our_o posterity_n the_o knowledge_n of_o piety_n which_o work_n we_o think_v all_o our_o age_n ought_v to_o be_v employ_v in_o beside_o all_o this_o before_o mention_v we_o haâ—…e_v a_o form_n of_o live_v different_a from_o all_o other_o nation_n all_o which_o concur_v together_o we_o have_v no_o need_n to_o traffic_v with_o the_o greek_n as_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o phaenitian_n do_v who_o give_v themselves_o to_o bargain_v and_o merchandise_n only_o for_o coveteousnes_n of_o money_n neither_o be_v our_o ancestor_n delight_v in_o theft_n and_o robbery_n nor_o do_v our_o father_n make_v war_n upon_o any_o nation_n for_o desire_n of_o large_a possession_n notwithstanding_o our_o country_n be_v furnish_v with_o many_o thousand_o of_o strong_a warlike_a man_n wherefore_o the_o phaenician_o sail_v unto_o the_o greek_n to_o traffic_v with_o they_o they_o be_v thus_o make_v know_v unto_o they_o and_o by_o they_o the_o egyptian_n and_o all_o other_o nation_n who_o sail_v upon_o the_o sea_n bring_v merchandise_n into_o greece_n the_o mede_n also_o and_o persian_n be_v know_v unto_o they_o after_o such_o time_n as_o they_o open_o reign_v over_o asia_n and_o the_o persian_n war_v even_o unto_o the_o other_o opposite_a continent_n moreover_o the_o greek_n know_v the_o thracian_n because_o they_o be_v their_o neighbour_n and_o the_o scythian_n by_o sail_v to_o pontus_n and_o final_o all_o that_o be_v dispose_v to_o write_v know_v all_o the_o nation_n border_v either_o upon_o the_o eastern_a &_o western_a sea_n but_o such_o as_o dwell_v far_o from_o the_o sea_n &_o sea_n coast_n be_v long_a time_n unknown_a as_o also_o appear_v in_o city_n europe_n for_o neither_o thucydides_n nor_o herodotus_n nor_o any_o other_o of_o that_o time_n make_v any_o mention_n of_o rome_n notwithstanding_o that_o so_o long_o since_o it_o be_v so_o mighty_a and_o make_v so_o great_a war_n yet_o at_o last_o with_o much_o ado_n the_o greek_n hear_v of_o it_o yea_o their_o most_o curious_a writer_n and_o namely_o ephorus_n be_v so_o ignorant_a of_o the_o frenchman_n &_o spaniard_n that_o they_o think_v the_o spaniard_n to_o be_v a_o people_n only_o denominate_v of_o one_o city_n wherein_o they_o inhabit_v whereas_o the_o whole_a world_n now_o know_v they_o to_o inhabit_v a_o vast_a country_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o western_a world_n likewise_o the_o say_a greek_a writer_n relate_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o foresay_a people_n to_o be_v such_o as_o neither_o be_v nor_o be_v ever_o use_v among_o they_o and_o the_o only_a cause_n why_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o distance_n of_o the_o place_n and_o these_o writer_n will_v seem_v to_o tell_v something_o which_o other_o of_o former_a time_n have_v not_o speak_v of_o no_o marvel_n therefore_o though_o our_o nation_n be_v unknowen_a and_o none_o of_o they_o in_o their_o write_n make_v any_o mention_n of_o we_o be_v both_o so_o far_o from_o the_o sea_n and_o live_v after_o a_o different_a manner_n put_v case_n therefore_o that_o i_o deny_v the_o greek_n to_o be_v of_o any_o antiquity_n and_o to_o prove_v my_o assertion_n shall_v conclude_v their_o nation_n to_o be_v modern_a for_o that_o our_o history_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o they_o will_v they_o not_o laugh_v at_o this_o reason_n and_o use_v the_o testimony_n of_o their_o neighbour_n nation_n to_o prove_v their_o antiquity_n i_o therefore_o will_v do_v the_o like_a and_o use_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o egyptian_n &_o phaenician_o greek_n who_o record_n the_o greek_n can_v deny_v for_o all_o egyptian_n in_o general_n be_v our_o enemy_n and_o among_o the_o phaenician_o they_o especial_o of_o tyre_n which_o i_o can_v just_o say_v of_o the_o chaldeis_fw-la who_o have_v be_v prince_n over_o our_o nation_n and_o because_o of_o their_o affinity_n and_o alliance_n with_o our_o countryman_n have_v in_o their_o chronicle_n make_v mention_v of_o the_o jew_n yet_o when_o i_o have_v prove_v what_o i_o now_o aver_v and_o refell_v the_o slanderous_a report_n against_o we_o i_o will_v then_o also_o show_v who_o among_o the_o greek_n speak_v of_o we_o that_o so_o the_o greek_n may_v also_o be_v deprive_v of_o this_o shift_n and_o refuge_n to_o excuse_v their_o malicious_a lie_n false_o forge_v against_o our_o nation_n and_o first_o of_o all_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o write_n writer_n of_o the_o egyptian_n who_o as_o they_o well_o know_v do_v nothing_o at_o all_o favour_n us._n wherefore_o manethon_n a_o egyptian_a bear_v skilful_a in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n as_o by_o his_o work_n appear_v for_o he_o write_v in_o greek_a compile_v a_o history_n of_o the_o custom_n and_o religion_n of_o his_o forefather_n collect_v as_o himself_o report_v out_o of_o the_o egyptian_n holy_a write_n often_o reprehend_v herodotus_n who_o be_v indeed_o ignorant_a do_v much_o help_n the_o egyptian_n this_o manethon_n in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o the_o egyptian_a custom_n say_v thus_o i_o will_v set_v down_o his_o own_o word_n because_o i_o use_v they_o for_o a_o witness_n we_o have_v a_o king_n quoth_v he_o name_v timaus_n in_o who_o reign_n god_n be_v angry_a with_o we_o contrary_a to_o all_o expectation_n a_o obscure_a people_n take_v courage_n come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o pitch_v their_o tent_n in_o our_o country_n conquer_v it_o by_o force_n no_o man_n resist_v they_o &_o commit_v our_o prince_n to_o bond_n do_v final_o burn_v our_o city_n and_o destroy_v the_o temple_n of_o our_o god_n &_o behave_v themselves_o most_o cruel_o against_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n kill_v many_o of_o they_o and_o make_v slave_n of_o the_o rest_n with_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n final_o they_o choose_v a_o king_n among_o themselves_o who_o shall_v be_v then_o of_o our_o country_n his_o name_n be_v saltis_n who_o come_v to_o memphis_n make_v both_o the_o high_o and_o low_a province_n tributary_n leave_v garrison_n in_o strong_a hold_n and_o fortify_v those_o place_n in_o egyptian_n the_o east_n likewise_o foresee_v that_o the_o assyrian_n be_v more_o mighty_a than_o he_o and_o will_v invade_v his_o country_n he_o find_v out_o in_o this_o province_n a_o city_n call_v saite_z fit_a for_o his_o purpose_n be_v situate_a on_o the_o east_n side_n of_o the_o river_n bubastis_n which_o by_o a_o ancient_a divine_a be_v call_v auaris_fw-la he_o build_v up_o this_o city_n and_o compass_v it_o with_o most_o huge_a wall_n and_o place_v in_o it_o two_o hundred_o thousand_o arm_a man_n to_o keep_v it_o this_o saltis_n come_v in_o harvest_n time_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o he_o may_v both_o pay_v his_o soldier_n and_o be_v a_o terror_n unto_o other_o people_n and_o after_o he_o have_v reign_v nineteen_o year_n he_o die_v after_o he_o succeed_v another_o king_n call_v baeon_n who_o reign_v four_o and_o forty_o year_n next_o to_o he_o aphinas_fw-la who_o reign_v thirty_o six_o year_n and_o seven_o month_n than_o aphocis_n who_o reign_v threescore_o and_o one_o year_n and_o then_o jandas_n who_o reign_v fifty_o year_n and_o one_o month_n after_o they_o all_o reign_v assis_n nine_o and_o forty_o year_n and_o two_o month_n and_o these_o six_o be_v the_o first_o king_n among_o they_o ever_o destroy_v and_o war_a upon_o the_o egyptian_n and_o labour_v to_o extinguish_v their_o race_n this_o nation_n be_v call_v hiscos_n which_o signify_v king_n shepherd_n for_o hic_fw-la in_o