Countrey of Coelosyria In this sort Lot escaped from the burning of Sodom As for Abraham Hedio Ruffinus chap. 20. he went and dwelt in Gerar in the Countrey of Palestine leading with him his Wife Sara in quality of his sister Gen. 20. 1 2 3 4 5 6. using the same subtilty which before he had practised for fear of the Egyptians for he feared Abimelech the King of that Countrey Abimelech surprised with the love of Sara who falling in love of Sara would have ravished her had he not been hindred by a most grievous sickness which God inflicted upon him so that being out of all hope of recovery at such time as he slept there appeared unto him a vision which told him that he should take heed lest he offered any outrage to the strangers Wife E who was come into his Countrey and after he was somewhat recovered he told his Friends how God had sent him that sickness in favour of the stranger and to preserve his Wife from violence for that she was not his Sister but his lawful Wife and he bid Abraham thenceforward be of good chear promising him that the honour of his Wife had remained inviolated This said he dismissed Abraham by the counsel of his Friends and told him that he needed not to suspect his Wife by reason she had suffered no villany Assuring him that God had care of her and that he delivered her in safety to him being to that end protected by his mighty power and in confirmation thereof he called God to record and the womans conscience vowing that he would not have taken her from him if he had known she had been Married moreover he F desired him to be at Peace with him and by his Prayers to appease Gods wrath which was kindled against him And said that if thenceforward he would stay with them he should want nothing 11 12 13. or if he listed to depart he promised him Guides and all other things for which he came into his Countrey Abraham answered him that he had in no sort dissembled with him in calling his Wife his Sister for that she was his Brothers Daughter and that he thought he could not safely travel thorow his Countrey except he had used this subtilty avowing moreover that he was sorry to have been the cause of his sickness which had befaln him that he heartily wisht his health and was ready to abide with him Whereupon Abimelech bestowed on him both Lands and Money and accorded to converse with him in all uprightness and without offer of offence and made a Covenant G and sware unto him at a certain Pit which was called Bersabe that is to say the Pit of swearing or Covenant which name that place retaineth until this day Not long after Abraham had a Son by Sara his Wife according as God had promised him and he called his name Isaac which in the Hebrew tongue signifieth laughter because Sara laughed H at such time as God said unto her she should bear a Son 14 15 16. having in her self no likelihood of conceiving Bersabe the pit of swearing by reason she was stricken in years For at that time she was ninety years old and Abraham one hundred when the child was born and on the eighth day after his birth he was circumcised which custom is yet continued amongst the Jews who circumcise on the eighth day Gen. 21 1 2 3 Isaac laughter CHAP. XII Of Ishmael The year of the World 2048. before Christs Nativity 1916. Abraham's Son and of the Arabians Posterity BUt the Arabians circumcise not till the age of thirteen years because Ishmael their I Ancestor and Abraham's Son by the Concubine was circumcised in the thirteenth year after he was born Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Of which Ishmael it behoveth to speak more exactly in this place Sara loved Ishmael begotten on her Servant Agar from the beginning Gen. 21. 9 10. with no less affection than if he had been her own Son The Jews were wont to circumcise on the eighth day so that he was brought up as Abrahams heir But after she had brought forth Isaac she thought it no more requisite that Ishmael should be brought up with her Son because he was elder and might after his Fathers decease become the Master The Arabians not before 13. years She incited Abraham therefore to send both him and his Mother to some other place but at first he gave no ear to Sara's request thinking it more than barbarous cruelty Abraham banisheth Ishmael and Agar to drive away a tender Child and his Mother destitute of all necessaries At length by the Commandment of God he listened to his Wifes counsel and K committed the Child unto his Mother being of himself as yet unapt to travel and giving them a Pitcher of Water and Bread he commanded them to go thither whither their necessity should drive them And when their Victuals failed them and their Water was consumed she laid the Child being faint and weak under an Oak and to the end that in her presence he should not breathe his last she went a little way from him At that time an Angel of God appeared unto her The Angel of God meeteth with Agar shewing her a Fountain hard by that place and charging her to look to the careful education of her Child because that by the conservation of Ishmael she was to expect great happiness Upon these promises she took comfort and falling into the company of shepherds she by their bounty was relieved in her distress The twelve Sons of Ishmael L Afterwards when Ishmael had attained Mans estate he Married a Wife of the Nation of the Egyptians from whence his Mother had her original by whom he had twelve Sons Gen. 25. namely Nahaioth Cedar Abdeel Edumas Massam Memas Masmes Chodam Theman Jetur The Region of Nabathaea Naphes Calmas all which inhabit the Lands which are between Euphrates and the Red Sea the name of which Countrey is Nabathaea These are they that began and made famous the Nation of the Arabians as well in respect of their prowess as of the dignity of Abraham CHAP. XIII Of Isaac Abraham's Legitimate Son M AS touching Isaac Abraham loved him with an entire and Fatherly affection as his only begotten Son born in his old age by the goodness of God Gen. 22. 1 2. The Child also addicting himself unto all vertue The year of the World 2074 before Christs Nativity 1890. careful to honor his Father and Mother and studious of the service of God invited both his parents the rather to affect and love him So that Abraham was very desirous to forsake this present life provided that he might leave behind him all the goods which he had unto his Son which through the mercy of God he happily effected Whereupon under tryal and conformity of his faith God appeared
Timaeus Z. Zophyrion Imprimatur Decem. 7. 1675. Geo. Hooper R mo D no. Arch. Cant. a Sacr. Domest A The Life of FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Son of Matthias Written by himself B FOrasmuch as I derive my Original Josephus Lineage by a long series of Ancestors from the Sacerdotal Race I may with some reason value my self upon the Nobleness of my Birth since as every Nation places the Grandeur of a Family in some certain marks of Honour that accompany it so amongst us 't is one of the most signal to have the administration of Holy things But I am not onely descended of the stock of the Priests I am also of the First of the Four and twenty Families of which it consists and whose Dignity is eminent above the rest To which I may add That by my Mothers side I reckon Kings amongst my Ancestors For the Branch of the Asmoneans from whom she descended for a C long time exercised both the High Priesthood and Princely Power among our Nation In this manner stands the order of the last of my Predecessors My great Grandfafathers Grandfather Simon sirnamed Psellus the stutterer lived at such time as Hircanus was High Priest the first of that Name and the Son of Simon the High Priest This Simon Psellus had Nine Sons the one of which was Matthias sirnamed Aphlias This Matthias took to Wife the Daughter of the High Priest Jonathan by whom he had one Son who was Matthias sirnamed Curtus who was born in the first year of Hircanus's Priesthood Matthias begat Joseph in the Ninth year of Alexander's Government and of Joseph came Matthias in the Tenth year of the Reign of Archelaus and Matthias begat me in the First year of the Empire of Caius Caesar Joseph the Son of Matthias was born in the first year of Caius Caesars Empire and the 4001 year of the world and the 39 after Christs birth I likewise have D Three Sons mine eldest is Hircanus who was born in the Fourth my next Justus who was born in the Seventh and Agrippa my last who was born in the Ninth year of Vespasians Empire This Genealogy of mine do I in this manner propose according as I have found it written in the Publick Registers to the end to confound the Calumnies of my Enemies My Father Matthias was considerable for his Extraction but more for his Justice and Authority in Jerusalem which is the Metropolis of our Countrey My bringing up during my tender years was with Matthias who was my Brother by the same Father and Mother with whom I happily profited in all kind of Science having a good Memory Joseph from his infancy very studious and addicted to learning and a quick Apprehension so that being yet a Child of Fourteen years of E Age I was praised by all Men in regard of the good Affection I had to Learning and the Priests and Noblest Citizens vouchsaf'd to ask my Opinion of things that concerned our Laws and Ordinances About the Age of Sixteen years my desire was to have a search and insight into the Sects of our Nation which are Three The first of the Pharisees which is the chiefest The second of the Sadduces And the third of the Esseans And this I did to the end I might choose the better of the Three when I understood them all For which cause with great Austerities and Labours I passed thorow them all and not content with this Experience after I had heard that a certain man called Banus lived in the Desart clothing himself with that which the Trees brought forth and feeding on no other kind of meat but what they freely yielded F and washing himself oftentimes by day and night in cold water to keep himself chaste I began to imitate his course of Life and after I had lived with him for the space of Three years and satisfied my desires I returned to the City at the Age of Nineteen years At this time I began to engage my self in the exercise of a civil Life Joseph a Pharisee following the Sect of the Pharisees which very neerly resembleth that Sect among the Grecians who are called Stoicks After I was Six and twenty years old it was my fortune to repair to Rome upon this occasion Whilst Foelix governed Judea certain Priests my familiars men of much honour and more virtue were upon some slight occasion bound and sent to Rome by his commandment to answer to what should be objected against G them in Caesar's presence Whereupon being desirous to do them service and having special intelligence that the Torments wherewith they were Martyred lessened not their Piety but that they lived contentedly on Figs and Nuts for this cause I departed for Rome and was encountred with many great and grievous hazards by Sea For the H ship Joseph's shipwrack wherein I sailed was wrackt in the midst of the Adriatick Sea and about Six hundred of us were forc't to swim all Night long and at Day-break by God's Providence a Cyrenian ship came in sight and both I and certain others to the number of Fourscore out-swimming the rest were taken up into it and saved After I had in this sort escaped I came to Dicaarchia which the Italians call at this day Puteoli and grew acquainted with Aliturus a Jew born who was a Comedian and in good reputation with Nero by whose means insinuating my self into the Emperess Poppea's knowledge Joseph obtaineth the Priests liberties I determined to beseech her to procure the liberty of those Priests with all expedition which she accordingly did and being gratified likewise by her with many great gifts I returned into my Countrey There I found the Commonwealth I much disquieted with Factions and Troubles The Jews seditious and divers too prone and ready to Rebel and withdraw their Allegiance from the Romans I inforced my self to repress the seditious and exhorted them to change their opinions representing before their eyes the quality of those against whom they enterprized War with whom they could neither compare in experience of War nor in good Fortune For this cause I advised them not to hazard the overthrow of themselves their Children and their Countrey by their rashness and rage Joseph dehorteth the Jews from sedition is suspected by them of treason To this effect I spake to them and instantly intreated them to desist from their unhappy resolution for that I foresaw that the end of this War would prove to our utter Ruine but I prevailed nothing with them The fury of desperate and dissolute men prevailed above reason for which cause fearing lest by K continual inforcing of one thing I should grow into hatred and suspition amongst them as if I favoured their enemies and they should put me to death seeing that the Fort of Antonia was already seized upon by the seditious I retired my self into the Sanctuary From whence after Manahem and the chiefest Revolters
Brother invented Musick Jubal inventes of Musick and the Psaltery and Harp And as touching Thobel one of his Sons by his other Wife Sella he surpassed all his other Brethren in courage and bravely managed the affairs of War by which means he got Riches and Means to maintain his G life with more pleasure than formerly 21 22. He it was that first invented the art of Forging and was Father to a Daughter named Naama But Lamech being well instructed in divine things and foreseeing that he should suffer punishment for the fratricide of Cain he told it to his two Wives So it was that during the life of Adam himself the successors of Cain were most H wicked Ver. 23 24. teaching and imitating one anothers wickedness the last of them proving always the worst The year of the World 70 before Christ's Nativity 2894. so that they were strangely inflamed to follow War and Theft and if perhaps some of them were more remiss than others in committing Murthers and outrages yet were they rapacious enough to spoil and possess the goods and heritages of other Men. But Adam the first Man made of Earth for the History requireth that I should return to speak of him after the death of Abel and the flight of Cain earnestly desired to have Children Cain the Father of hypocrits and evil Men. and accordingly he had many being about the age of two hundred and thirty years besides which after he had lived some seven hundred more at last he died amongst whose Children was Seth. Now for that it were too long to speak of all of them I will onely touch that which concerneth I Seth 25. Adams years 930. He being nourished and trained by his Father to the years of discretion studied virtue and left his descendants Heirs and followers of his sanctity who being all of them well born Gen. 4. 26. remained in the World free from all contention Gen. 5 3 4 5 and lived happily Seth the Son of Adam a vertuous Man so that it never hapned that any of them in any sort did injury to any Man To these we owe the science of Astronomy and all that which concerneth the Beauty and Order of the Heavens And to the end that their inventions might not wear out of the memories of Men nor perish before they were perfectly known insomuch as Adam had foretold them of the general destruction of all things after two sorts Two Pillers raised the one by the force of fire and the other by the violence and abundance of Waters they made two pillars the one of Brick and the other of Stone and ingraved K in each of them such things as they had invented to the end if that of Brick should be abolished by the overflowings and rage of Waters that other of Stone might remain and declare unto Men that which was imprinted thereon for their instructions That of Brick was destroyed by the deluge but the other of Stone is to be seen in the Countrey of Syna even to this present day CHAP. III. Of the Posterity of Adam till the Deluge from which God preserved Noah and his Family in the Ark. IN this manner Mankind liv'd for seven Generations Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. honouring one God the Lord L of all things and having always a respect of virtue But afterwards in process of time Gen. 5. 6. they degenerated from the ancient institutions of their fore-fathers Those whom Josephus nameth in this place Angels Moses calleth the Sons of God neither observing humane Laws nor continuing their accustomed service of God and they that before industroâ—â—sly exiercised themselves in virtue afterward with twice as zealous study followed wickedness and grew at last to that height of impiety that they provoked Gods heavy displeasure against them For the Angels of God marrying with the Daughters of Seth's descendants Gen. 6. 2. produc'd a race of insolent People contemners of all good by reason of the trust they had in their Forces Heb. 11. 7. and for their heinous actions not unlike the Giants which the Greeks mention in their Fables 2. Pet. 2. 7. 11. 13. But Noah perplexed and extremely M displeased with such their misdemeanors exhorted them to change their lives and amend their misdeeds and seeing them moved by no admonitions but wholly possessed with the pleasure which they took in vices he fearing lest they should kill him and his Family left them to their loosness and with his Wife Children and all his Family departed into another Countrey Noah departeth into another Countrey 13. Then God who lov'd him for his justice became so provoked with the malice and corruption of the rest of Mankind that he resolved to destroy all Creatures whatsoever in the World and to produce another new race innocent and repurged from all impiety He abridged also the time of their life so that they lived not any more so long as they were wont but onely attained the term of sixscore years and he covered the Land with Waters by which means all of them N were destroyed 14. Noahs Ark. onely Noah escaped by the means and way which God taught him He built an Ark of four stages in length three hundred Cubits in breadth fifty and in height thirty into this he entred with his Mother his Wife and his Children and their Wives 15. having provided himself of all things requisite both for their sustenance and use he closed also therein all sorts of living creatures Gen. 7. 2 7 8. two and two male and female for the conservation of every kind and of some of them seven couples The sides of this Ark were strong Noahs genealogy and the cover also so that no water could pierce the same and whatsoever storm might come The deluge it was able to resist it Thus was Noah by lineal descent the tenth from Adam saved with all his houshold for he was the Son of Lemech whose Father was Methusala the Son of Enos the Son of Jared the Son of Malaleel O who with divers other Brethren were begotten by Cainan who was the Son of Enos who was the Son of Seth who was the Son of Adam This destruction hapned in the A six hundredth year of Noah's age and the second month The year of the World 1656. before Christ's Nativity 1308. which was called Dius by the Macedonians and by the Hebrews Marsomane for so have the Egyptians distinguisht the year but Moses sets down Nisan for the first month in his Chronicles which is Xanthicus among the Macedonians for that in this month he brought the Israelites out of the thraldom of the Egyptians Nisan or Zanthicus is April to us He made this Law therefore that all things which appertain to divine service should take their beginning and reckoning from this month but in respect of civil matters as
that are called Hesperians in Aethiopia and Sabaeus founded the Sabeans M As for Nimrod the sixth son of Chus Nabrodes or Nâ—mbroth he setled his Colony upon the Confines of Babylon and tyrannized there as is before declared All the eight sons of Misraim occupied all the Countrey from Gaza unto Egypt Palestine so named of Philestine but onely one of the eight named Philistin hath left his name to the Countrey which he possess'd for the Greeks call a part thereof Palestine As touching the rest Lom Enam and Labim Nethem Phetrosim Chestem Chreesene and Chepthom we know neither of their actions nor of their names except Labim who planted a Colony in Lybia and gave his name to it For the Aethiopians whereof hereafter we shall make mention overthrew their Cities Canaan also had eleven sons The Children of Canaan amongst whom Sidonius built and named Sidon a City in N Phoenicia and Amathus built Amath which at this day the Inhabitants call Amatha though the Macedonians call it Epiphania which signifies famous from the name of one of its Princes Arudeus possessed the Isles of Arudus and Ariceus built the City of Arce upon mount Libanus As for the other seven Eveus Cheteus Jebuseus Eucleus Sineus Samarcus and Gorgeseus there is no memory remaining of them in Sacred Scriptures but onely their names For the Hebrews razed their Cities upon the occasions which I am going to relate After the Deluge Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. when the earth was established in its first estate Noah gave himself to Tillage Gen. 9. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. and planted Vineyards and when the Fruit thereof was ripe and he had pressed and made Wine thereof he drank and banquetted after he had done sacrifice being thereby made drunk and overpressed with sleep he lay discovered in a most unseemly O and shameful fashion which when Cham his younger son beheld he scornfully discover'd it to his Brothers who being asham'd cover'd their Father's nakedness with A reverence Noah is made drunk lieth naked and is scorned and curseth him that derideth him Which fact of his coming to the knowledge of Noah he wished all felicity to the two other and as touching Cham out of a fatherly tenderness he cursed him not but only his posterity after him who accordingly were punisht for the sin of their Forefather as we shall shew hereafter Sem the third son of Noah had five sons who inhabited the Countrey of Asia beginning at Euphrates Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. and extending to the Indian Ocean For Elimis the eldest left the Elimeans or Elamites for his Successors whence proceeded the Persians Assur the second built the City of Ninive Gen. 7. 1. and gave his Subjects the name of Assyrians who were rich above all the rest Of the Sons of Sem the third Son of Noah and of theirs and Abraham's Progeny Arphaxad the third named those of his command Arphaxadians who at this day are called Chaldeans Aram the fourth had the Arameans whom the Greeks call Syrians B And from Ludis the fifth came the Ludéans who at this day are called Lydians Of those four sons which Aram had Vses dwelt in the Region of Trachonites and built the City of Damascus scituate between Palestine and that part of Syria which is sirnamed Caeler or hollow Otrus obtained Armenia Gether Bactria Misas was father to the Mezaneans whose Countrey is called at this day the valley of Pasin Sale Arphaxad's son was Heber's father from whose name in times past the Hebrews were denominated Heber begat Jucta and Phaleg The original of the Hebrews who was so called for that he was born at such time as Lands came to be divided for Phaleg in Hebrew signifieth Division They that follow were the sons of Jucta Elmodad Saleph Azermoth Izrais Edoram Vzal Dael Ebal Ebemael Sapham Ophir Evilas and Jobel who occupied some parcel of that Region which was between Cophen a River C in India and the hither Syria Hitherto have we spoken of the Progeny of Sem now we come to speak of the Hebrews Abraham's Genealogy Phaleg the son of Heber begat Ragaus by whom was begot Seruch from whom Nachor descended and from Nachor Thares who was Abraham's father the tenth in account from Noah and born 292 years after the Deluge For Thares being 70 years old begat Abraham Nachor at 120 years of age begat Thares Nachor was born to Seruch when he was about the years of 132 of his life and Ragaus begat Seruch when he was 130 years old and about those years Phaleg begat Ragaus But Heber at 34 years of age begat Phaleg himself begotten by Sela when he was 135 years old which Sela was begotten by Arphaxad when he was 135 years of age And Arphaxad was the son of Sem and Grandson of Noah whom he begat two years after the Deluge Abraham had two D brothers Nachor and Aram of whom Aram left Lot for his son and Sara and Melcha for his daughters and afterwards dyed in the land of Canaan in a City called Vr of the Chaldees where his Sepulchre is to be seen even at this day His daughters were married Melcha to Nachor The year of the World 2950. before Christ's Nativity 2014. and Sara to Abraham But Thares growing weary of Chaldaea after the death of his son Aram he and his Family transported themselves into Charan a City of Mesopotamia in which place they buried Thares when he had lived the space of 250 years For about this time the life of man was abridged and grew more short until the time of Moses The term of man's life about this term 120. when the space of man's life limited by God himself was 120 years to which term Moses attained Nachor had eight children by Melcha his wife Vx Baux Manuel Zacham Azam Phaleg Jadelphus and Bathuel who were the legitimate sons of Nachor E But Tabaeus and Gadan Thavan and Macham were begotten by him on his Concubine Ruma To Bathuel one of the legitimate sons of Nachor was born a daughter named Rebecca and a son called Laban CHAP. VII How Abraham Gen. 12. 1. ad 4. the Author of our Nation departed from the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in the Countrey of the Canaanites which is now called Judea ABraham having no Issue adopted Lot the son of Aram's brother and brother to Sara his wife The year of the World 2204 before Chri 〈…〉 Nativity 1940. he departed out of the Countrey of Chaldee when he was 75 years old having had commandment from God to depart thence into Canaan in which Countrey F he remained and left the same to his Posterity after him He was a man accomplished in all things full of understanding and apt to persuade those that gave ear unto him without any default in his foresight and providence Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. For this cause
King of that Countrey where she then was K To this commandment of God Agar submitted her self with all obedience 9 10. and returning back again to her Mistriss she obtained pardon at her hands and after a while brought forth Ishmael which is as much as to say is Heard by God because God had heard the Mothers prayers 16 17. Ishmael was born to Abraham when he was fourscore and six years old but in the fourscore and nineteenth year of his age God appeared unto him and told him that he should have a Son by Sara charging him to call him Isaac and giving him to understand Isaac promised Gen. 17. 1 2 c. ad finem that great Nations and Kings should issue from his loynes who by force of Arms should conquer all the Countrey of Canaan from Sidon even unto Egypt Commanding him also that his Posterity should be circumcised in their privities and that this circumcision should be made the eighth day after the birth by reason that he L would not have Abraham's Posterity intermixed with other Nations But hereafter I will declare another cause of our circumcision Abraham also asked counsel of God touching Ishmael whether he should live or no and God told him that he should flourish many years and that he should become a Father of many worthy Nations Then gave Abraham thanks unto God and presently circumcised himself and his Son Ishmael with all his Family and Ishmael at that time was thirteen years old but Abraham about fourscore and nineteen years of age CHAP. XI The destruction of Sodom M ABout that time the inhabitants of Sodom became immeasurably proud Gen. 18. by reason of their affluence Hedio Ruffinus chap. 19. prosperity and great riches and committed outrages against men and impieties against God The sins of the Sodomites in such manner as they had forgotten the benefits which they had received at his hands hating strangers and giving up themselves to the Practice of unnatural and abominable Lusts Whereat God being displeased decreed to punish their intolerable Pride to ruine their City from the foundations and in such sort to make desolate their Countrey that from thence forward it should neither nourish plant nor bring forth Fruit. Abraham entertaineth Angels After God had pronounced this sentence against the Sodomites Abraham as he sate under the Oak at Mambres before the door of his Tent beheld N three Angels and supposing them to be Men and Strangers he arose and saluted them and approaching near unto them v. 1 2 3 4. 5. he desired them that they would accept of his entertainment and lodge with him Whereunto when they had condescended he commanded his Servants to bake them bread of the finest flower and having killed and roasted a Calf he set it before them as they sate under the oak which it seemed to him they did eat but they enquired of him where Sarah his Wife was to whom he answered that she was within on the Tent. They told him then that they would return again and that they should find her a Mother But when his Wife smiled thereat and said that it was impossible for her to bear Children The year of the World 2084. before Christs Nativity 1916. especially in that her self was at that time ninety years old and her Husband an hundred they discovered themselves O and declar'd that they were Angels of God and that they were sent one of them to assure him that he should have a Son the other two to destroy Sodom Which A when Abraham heard 9 10. he was sorry for the Sodomites and arising besought God that he would not destroy both the just and the unjust together 12 16. To whom God gave this answer that there was not one just Man among the Sodomites 17. ad 23. and that if he might but find ten The Angel promised Abraham that he shall have a Son and foretells the destruction of Sodem he would spare the City from punishment Whereupon Abraham held his peace and the Angels entered into Sodom where they were no sooner arrived but Lot invited them to take their lodging in his house for he was a Man much given to hospitality which he had learnt from the example of Abraham But the Sodomites perceiving that those young Men which were entered Lots house were of excellent beauty began to offer outrage and villany to their persons Gen. 19. 1. notwithstanding that Lot exhorted them to forbare The Angels enter Lot's house and not to offer villany to his guests but in some sort to have a respect to his B house telling them that rather then they should commit such a crime he would give them his Daughters to use at their pleasure v. 3 4. But he prevailed nothing with them whereupon God was in such wise provoked by their iniquity that he struck them with blindness so that they could not find the gate to enter into Lots house 5 6. and condemned the Sodomites to a general perdition 7 8. In order whereunto he commanded Lot to remove out of the City verse 11. with his Wife The year of the World 2948. before Christs Nativity 1916. and his two Daughters who were as yet unmarried and their betrothed Husbands but these last although forewarn'd by him contemned Lots advice and held him for a dotard Then did God shoot the arrows of his vengeance upon the City burning it and all the Inhabitants therein and desolating by the same fire all the Countries round about 12 13 14 24. in such sort as hath already been declared by me in the History C I writ of the Wars of the Jews The Sodomites are blinded But Lots Wife as they retired thence looking back towards the City Lot and his family are saved and more curiously beholding the destruction thereof contrary to the commandment of God was transformed into a Pillar of Salt which is to be seen even until this day 26. Lot himself and his Daughters fled and dwelt in a little Countrey which the fire had spared Lot fled to Zoar called Zoar which in Hebrew signifieth little In this place which was void of Men 30 ad 35. and scant of Victuals Lot dwelt a long time leading a solitary and poor life and his Daughters supposing that all Mankind was extingushed upon the earth subtilly circumventing their Father lay with him when he least suspected it 36 37 38. By this their approachment they bare him two Sons the elder a Son named Moab which is as much as to say The interpretation of the names of Moab and Ammon of my Father this is he that was the Father of the Moabites D which even at this day are a great Nation the younger Ammon which signifieth the Son of my Race or kind from whom the Ammonites descended and both these two Nations inhabit the
misled by the sinister counsels of certain wicked persons and spake unto you certain words which seemed harsh in your ears you have forsaken him in your displeasure but in effect you have separated your selves from God and his Commandments Truly you should have pardoned a young man untrained and untaught in Oratory not onely for the rude words which he used but although his youth and L ignorance should have moved him to commit some churlish and indiscreet action and error yet should you have endured the same For the obligations which you had received from my Grandfather Solomon ought to have prevail'd with you to pass by the defects of his son my father But you have had no regard of all this neither then nor at this present but led forth a great Army against us But whereupon ground you the hope of your victory Is it on your Calves of gold Is it on your Altars on the mountains which are witnesses of your impiety and irreligion Is it your great number that surpasseth ours by far that maketh you confident Truly the force of many thousands is of no value where the Army fighteth in an unjust quarrel For in justice only and piety towards God consisteth the most assured hope of obtaining victory over a mans enemies which must needs be on our side who observe at all times the ordinances of our M God whom mens hands have not fashioned of corruptible matter nor the subtlety of a cunning King could forge to deceive a Commonalty but such an one whose work is the beginning and ending of all things I therefore advise you that presently you repent your selves and that taking a better way you desist from your War and acknowledge the Laws of your Forefathers and those Ordinances which have advanced you to so great felicity Thus spake Abias to the people But whil'st he yet continued his discourse Jeroboam sent certain of his Soldiers by by-wayes to inclose Abias within two straits Ver. 13. before his followers could discover them Now when Abias was thus inclosed in the midst of his enemies his Army began to be discomforted and to lose their courage but he encouraged them and exhorted them to put their trust in God who could not be inclosed by N his enemies so that altogether having called upon God to assist them and after that the Priests had sounded the Trumpet they thrust in amongst their enemies with great shout and God so blinded the understanding and abated the force of Jeroboams Soldiers that they fled and those on Abias side obtained the victory Never was there War recorded by the Historians either amongst the Greeks or Barbarians that was pursued with so great a slaughter as the Army of Jeroboam whereby it appeared that this wonderful and admirable victory came from God For they discomfited five hundred thousand of their enemies and took their most defenced places by force and spoiled them Bethel and Ithan also with their lands and signiories belonging unto them so that as long as Abias lived The death of Abias Jeroboam was never after able to raise any power since the loss he received Abias O survived after this his victory onely for the space of three years and was buried in Jerusalem 1 Reg. 15. 9. in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors leaving twenty two sons and sixteen daughters behind him Asa King of Juda. all which he begat on sixteen Women His son Asa succeeded him in the Kingdom The year of the World 2991. before Christ's Nativity 973. whose Mother was called Maacha under his Government the Countrey H of Israel enjoyed a firm peace for the space of ten years This is that which we have observed of Abias son of Rehoboam the son of Solomon Jeroboam the King of the ten Tribes dyed likewise after he had reigned twenty two years and Nadab his son succeeded him at such time as Asa had already reigned two years The son of Jeroboam governed two years resembling his father in impiety and wickedness During these two years he made War against Gaban a City of the Philistines and encamped thereabout to surprize it by force Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. aâ— 8. but being betrayed by the treachery of a certain friend of his called Baasa the son of Machil he dyed This Baasa taking possession of the Kingdom exterminated all the posterity of Jeroboam Asa's piety and it came to pass that they of Jeroboams Race that dyed in the City 1 Kings 15. 9 ad 24. were torn in pieces and devoured by Dogs and they that I were in the fields 2 Chron. 14. 1 ad finem were made a prey unto Birds according as God had foretold by his Prophet By this means the house of Jeroboam suffered a deserved punishment for their impiety and wickedness CHAP. VI. The Ethiopians besiege Jerusalem during the Reign of Asa and are repulsed BUT Asa King of Jerusalem was a man of an upright and honest life and one that feared God neither proposed he to himself any other rule of his Actions than the Divine Law He corrected whatsoever was vicious and irregular in his Kingdom purging K it from all impiety He had an Army of three hundred thousand men of the Tribe of Juda armed with Bucklers and Javelins and two hundred and fifty thousand of the Tribe of Benjamin bearing Bucklers and Bowes After he had reigned ten years Zaraeus King of Ethiopia came out against him with a great Army of nine hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horsemen with three hundred chariots and destroyed all the Land as far as Maresa a City of Juda in which place Asa met him and set his Army in aray against him The Ethiopians war against Asa in the valley of Saphath not far from the City Where seeing the great number of the Ethiopians he besought God that he would give him the victory over his enemies because he had not come forth against so formidable a power but in confidence of his assistance who had the power to make a few men superior unto many and the feeble to overcome the mighty L Whil'st Asa prayed thus unto God 2 Chron. 14 9 ad 14. a certain sign of victory was given him so being confirmed in that God had given him a token that he would assist him he assailed his enemies and slew a great number of the Ethiopians as for the rest that were put to flight he pursued them as far as the Countrey of Gerar and after they had conquered their Enemies they sacked the City of Gerar and brought from thence a great mass of gold and much spoil with Camels Dromedaries and Herds of divers kinds of Cattel When Asa had obtained at Gods hands such a victory Asa's victory and so great riches he returned back again to Jerusalem Ver. 12. and when he drew near unto the City the Prophet Azarias came out to meet them who stayed him and
which hapned to the Israelites according to the prophecy of Elizeus which he foretold unto Azael at such time as he prophecied unto him that he should reign over the Syrians and them of Damascus after that he had murthered his master Ioachas being in this extremity had his recourse to God in prayer and supplication beseeching him that it might please him to deliver him from the hands of Azael and not suffer him to be under subjection and thraldom unto him God that regardeth the penitent as if they had been innocent and that gently chastiseth those whom he might utterly exterminate if he so pleased gave him assurance against the War and danger so that the Countrey having obtained peace recovered her former state and prosperity When Ioachas was dead his Son succeeded him in the G government and began to reign over the Israelites in Samaria in the 37 year of Joas King of Juda. For this King of Israel was called Joas as well as he that reigned in H Jerusalem The year of the World 3089 before Christ's Nativity 875. he governed the Kingdom sixteen years He was a good man and was not like unto Ioachas his Father About this time Elizeus the Prophet was very old and fell sick the King of Israel came to visit him and finding him in the extremity and past hope of recovery he began to weep and lament calling him his Father and his armour because that during his life he had never occasion to use the sword against the Enemy Joas King of Israel and Samaria but that by means of his predictions he had alwayes the upper hand of them without fighting that now he departed this life and left him disarmed to the mercy of the Syrians and other his enemies so that he was not secure of liberty nor life but that he rather wished to die with him than live in those dangers Elizeus being moved with these complaints Elizeus foretelleth that Joas should overcome the Syrians thrice comforted the King that lamented in this I sort and commanding him to draw his Bow that he brought with him for the King had bent the same Elizeus said unto him 2 King 13. 20 21. Draw and he shot three Arrowes and gave over at the fourth Oh said Elizeus if thou hadst shot more Arrows thou hadst utterly ruined the Kingdom of the Syrians Elizeus death and the raising of a dead man to life that was cast into his Tombe and since thou hast contented thy self with shooting thrice only thou shalt overthrow the Syrians in three battels which thou shalt fight against them and shalt recover the Countrey they have taken from thy Father After the King understood these things he departed and not long after the Prophet died who was renowned for his justice and beloved of God who shewed miraculous and incredible works by his prophecies and such as the Hebrews ought to keep in perpetual remembrance and was buried magnificently according as it behoved a man who was so highly favoured K by God It chanced about that time 2 Chron. 25. 18 ad 25. that certain thieves having cast the body of a man that was murthered by them Joas trâ—bble victory upon the body of the Prophet where he lay buried the dead body returned to life Which made it appear that God had given him a power of working miracles not only in his life time but also after his death After the death of Azael King of Syria Adad his Son obtained the Kingdom against whom Joas King of Israel made War and having overcome him three times he recovered all that Countrey and those Cities and Towns that Azael his Father had conquered before him All which came to pass according as Elizeus had prophecied After that Joas was dead the Kingdom fell to Jeroboam his Son L CHAP. X. Amasias making War against Joas King of Israel is overcome THe tenth year of the reign of Joas King of Israel Hedio Ruffiâ—â—s chap. 9. Amasias reigned over the Tribe of Juda in Jerusalem his mother was called Judah and was a Citizen of Jerusalem Amasias King of Jerusalem He was very careful to maintaine justice notwithstanding he was very young 2 King 14 1 2. And having taken upon him the Government of the Kingdom he resolved with himself that he ought first of all to revenge the death of his father Joas who was traiterously slain by his friends he therefore laid hands on them and put them M all to the sword yet extended he not his displeasure to their children but conformed his actions according to the Laws of Moses 2 King 14. which faith that it is not lawful to punish their children for their Fathers offences Deut. 24. 16. He afterwards levied an Army of the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin and chose such as were in the flower of their years and about twenty years of age the number of which amounted to three hundred thousand men whom he divided into Centuries He sent also to the King of Israel and hired an hundred thousand of his armed men for an hundred talents of Silver because he intended to make War upon the Amalechites Idumaeans and Gabelites Now whilest he made this preparation and was in a readiness to undertake this exploit a certain Prophet counseled him to dismiss the Israelites that he had with him because they were wicked men N signifying unto him from God that if he were followed by them in that War he should be overcome and on the other side that he should have the upper hand over his Enemies if he fought with a few men according to Gods direction Hereupon the King was moved because he had already paid the Israelites their wages but the Prophet ceased not to exhort him to do that which was pleasing in Gods sight The dismission of the Isâ—aelites who would give him silver in abundance Hereupon he dismissed them telling them that he freely gave them their pay and he with the forces of his owne Kingdom marched out against those Nations 2 Chron. 25. 11 12 13. and fought with them and overcame them and slew ten thousand of them and took no less number of Prisoners whom he afterwards caused to be led to a high Rock that bounded upon Arabia Amasias vâ—ctory over the â—malechites and from thence cast them down headlong and O from all these Nations he recovered a great booty and brought home much riches Whilest Amasias stood upon these terms the Israelites that had taken wages of him and were cashiered by him conceived a displeasure against him supposing themselves to be injured by him The year of the World 3106. before Christ's Nativity 858. as if he had dismissed them for want of courage For which A cause they invaded his Country and spoiled it as far as Bethsemer and carried away a great quantity of Cattel and slew three thousand men But the victory
assured and left no wayes subject unto his children H As soon as he had conducted Caesar as far as the Sea The year of the World 3942. before Christ's Nativity 22 upon his return he builded a stately Temple of White Marble in honour of his Name in the countrey which belonged to Zenodorus near to a place which is called Panion which is a huge cave in the heart of a Mountain and a place of great pleasure under which there is a wide pool of immeasurable depth Herod buildeth a Temple near unto Panion which is full of standing Water and the upper part of the Mountain is very high From under this cave springs the fountain heads of the flood Jordan This place of it self so famous and delightful Herod remitteth the third part of his tribute was chosen out by Herod and adorned also with a Temple which he built in honour of Caesar At that time also he released the third part of those tributes which his subjects paid unto him to the end as he said that he might I relieve his subjects after the penury they had endured But the truth of his intention was that he did it to that end to win their favours who were â—inisterly affected towards him For they had conceived an hatred against him because all piety was in a manner abolished and the ordinances of the countrey in a sort disannulled by the means of those temples which he had built and each man privily murmured bitterly against him so that they were inclining to a mutiny But Herod with great discretion prevented it and cut off all occasions of insurrection commanding every one to mind his business forbidding them to make any assemblies in the City or to talk one with another under colour of walking abroad for pleasure or feasts sake Moreover he had sent out certain Intelligencers to discover all that which was done appointing grievous punishments for those that misliked his K Government For divers of them were led unto the Castle of Hircania some openly some privately where they were no sooner imprisoned but they were put to death and both in the City and in the countrey there were certain men appointed to take note of all such that used any assemblies upon any occasion whatsoever He was so concerned at his subjects distastes that as it is reported of him he took the habit of a private man and thrust himself in the night time into the company of the people to understand and gather what they thought of his government and those whom he found to be untractable and obstinate and would not be conformed to his will he dispatched them by one means or other Herod bindeth the people by an oath binding the rest of the people by an oath to serve him faithfully and constrained them to keep the oath they had sworn and to acknowledge his Soveraignty whereunto L divers through the fear they conceived easily condescended But they who had more courage Herod excuseth the Pharisees from swearing for Pollio's and Samea's sakes were discontented to see themselves constrained he cut them off by all means possible He required also an oath of divers of those Sectaries who followed the Pharisees Pollio and Sameas and notwithstanding they denied to take the oath yet he did not punish them as he did the other for their refusal The Esseans not much unlike the Pythagonists in respect and reverence of Pollio their Master From this rigor also were they exempt who amongst us are called Esseans which is a sort of men that live after that manner that Pythagoras did among the Grecians of whom I have more expresly discoursed in another place I think it not a matter to be overslipt neither varying from my History to report for what cause the King had so religious an opinion of those men There was a certain Essean M called Manahem who in his sect was accounted an upright and just man and one that had obtained from God the knowledge of things to come He seeing Herod one day at such time as he was very young and went to School saluted him and called him King of the Jews Herod supposing that Manahem knew him not or that he mocked him reproved him sharply for his speech saying that he acknowledged himself to be one of the common sort Manahem smiling hit him gently with his hand upon the back and said unto him Thou shalt be King and shalt have a happy reign for such is Gods pleasure and at that time remember thy self of the words that Manahem spake unto thee which shall serve for a testâ—mony to put thee in mind of thy mutable estate For it becommeth thee nothing more than by justice piety and equity to win the hearts of thy subjects yet know I by revelation from God N that thou wilt not follow these instructions for thou shalt forget and neglect both divine and humane laws though in other respects thou shalt be most fortunate and purchase eternal glory Yet shalt thou not escape Gods hands for he shall chastise thee in the latter time of thy life with a grievous punishment At that time Herod gave small regard to those his words Herod questioneth with Manahem about the continuance of his Kingdom and loveth the Esseans for his sake in that he had no hope that any such thing should happen but not long after as soon as he had obtained the Kingdom to the fulness of his felicity he in the greatness of his power sent for Manahem and asked him how long he should reign But he returned him a doubtful answer Which when Herod percâ—ived he asked him anew if he should reign ten years Whereunto Manahem answered And twenty and thirty without setting him down any prefixed term Herod O contenting himself herewith embraced Manahem and gave him licence to depart and continued his affections towards the Esseans for his sake I have thought good to register these things notwithstanding they may sâ—em uncredible to declare that divers of our nation have had communication with GOD by reason of their holiness CHAP. XIV A Herod buildeth a New Temple in Jerusalem The year of the World 3947. before Christs Nativity 17. after he had pulled down the Old IN the eighteenth year of his reign Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. al. 11. Herod after he had finished these many and admirable actions conceived in his mind a mighty project which was to re-edifie Gods Temple of greater bigness and answerable height Herod intendeth to re-edifie Gods Temple hoping that this work which was the most admirable of all those he had undertaken as indeed it was being finished would B eternize his memory Herod certifieth the people that he will re-edifie the Temple But fearing lest the people in regard of the greatness of the enterprize would be hardly drawn thereunto he determined to sound their intentions by his discourse and for that cause assembling
the crown and reward of Felicity as on the contrary that they who depart from the diligent observance thereof instead of succeeding in their designs how just soever the same may seem to themselves fall into all sort of misfortunes and into miseries without recovery For which cause I exhort all those that shall read these Books to conform themselves to the Will of God and to observe in Moses our excellent Law-giver how worthily he hath spoken of his Divine Nature how he hath manifested that all his Works are proportionable to his infinite Greatness and how his whole Narration thereof is pure and free from the vanity of Fables wherewith all other Histories are poysoned For the Antiquity alone of his History secures him from the suspition K that one might entertain of his having mingled any thing of fabulous in his writings inasmuch as he was born more than two thousand years ago which is a continuance of Ages to which the Poets neither durst refer the original of their gods neither the deeds or laws of men whereof they make mention But in pursuit of our History the sequel of our Discourse shall declare all things exactly and in the order which is observ'd in the Sacred Books For in compiling this Work I have promised neither to add nor to pretermit any thing And for that all whatsoever we shall declare doth almost wholly depend on the knowledge which the wisdom of our Lawmaker Moses hath given us thereof it is necessary before all other things that I speak somewhat of himself lest perhaps any man should wonder that in a History wherein it may seem that I ought to relate nothing but Actions pass'd and Precepts concerning manners nevertheless L I intermix so many things which concern the knowledge of Nature We ought therefore to know that Moses thought it most especially necessary for him that will either virtuously dispose his own life or impose Laws to other men to begin with the knowledge of God and after having attentively consider'd all his Works to strive as much as in him lieth to imitate his most perfect example and follow him with all diligence For it is impossible that a Law-giver being void of this contemplation should have good sense or that his writings should be of any moment to induce them unto virtue who should receive those Laws except before all things they learn that God who is the Father and Lord of all and that seeth all giveth happy life unto those that follow him and contrariwise invironeth them with great calamities who forsake the way of virtue and righteousness Moses therefore intending to instruct his Citizens in M this doctrine began not his Ordinances with the Treatise of Contracts and Covenants which we practise one with another as other Lawgivers are accustomed to do but he hath raised their minds to the knowledge of God taught them in what manner this World was made by him and shew'd them that the principal work among all those things which God made in the World is Man And after that he had made them capable of things concerning Piety then might he more easily persuade them in the rest Whereas other Lawgivers addicting themselves unto Fables have in their discourse imposed on their gods the infamy of sins committed by men and by that means have brought to pass that the wicked sort are yet more wicked and addicted to evil doing But our admirable Lawgiver after having declared that God is in himself all virtue pure and unspotted he shews that men also ought to endeavor to imitate the same and on those N that neither conceive nor believe those things he inflicteth a grievous and inevitable punishment I exhort the Reader therefore to examine our Writings according to these Rules for to those that consider after this manner nothing shall seem either absurd or unworthy the Majesty of God or of his love to men by reason that all things have their disposition conformable to the universal nature which our Lawgiver hath declared sometimes obscurely sometimes in convenient Allegories gravely and elsewhere expressing that manifestly and publishing that in plain words which ought openly to be made known The causes whereof if any man would search he might find need of a most deep and philosophical contemplation which I overslip at this present without staying longer thereon but if God shall give me time I will inforce my self to compose it in a Volume as soon as I shall have finished this Work For this present then I O will apply my self to relate those things which have been done beginning at the Creation of the World according as Moses hath taught us and I have found written in the Holy Scriptures A The First Book of the History of the JEWS drawn out of the Old Testament and continu'd to the Empire of NERO by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS under the Title of JEWISH ANTIQUITIES The Contents of the Chapters of the First Book 1. The Creation of the World Adam and Eve disobey the Command of God and are driven B out of the earthy Paradise 2. Cain kills his Brother Abel God banishes him for it His Posterity is as wicked as himself The Virtues of Seth the other Son of Adam 3. Of the Posterity of Adam till the Deluge from which God preserved Noah and his Family in the Ark. 4. Of the Tower of Babylon and the change of Tongues 5. How Noah's Posterity disperst themselves thorough the whole World 6. The Descendants of Noah down to Jacob. The several Countries which they possess'd 7. How Abraham the Author of our Nation departed from the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in the Countrey of the Canaanites which is now called Judea C 8. Abraham pressed by Famine departed into Egypt where having stayed awhile at last he returned back again 9. The overthrow of the Sodomites by the Assyrians Lot is taken Prisoner 10. Abraham parsueth the Assyrians and returneth victorious 11. The destruction of Sodom 12. Of Ishmael Abraham's Son and of the Arabians Posterity 13. Of Isaac Abraham's Legitimate Son 14. The death of Sarah Abraham's Wife Gen. 23. per totum 15. How the Nation of the Troglodytes descended from Chetura the Wife of Abraham 16. Of Abraham's death Gen. 25. 7 8. D 17. Of Isaac's Sons Esau and Jacob and of their Nativity and Education Gen. 25. 18. How Jacob fled into Mesopotamia for fear of his Brother Gen. 28. 19. Isaac dieth and is buried in Hebron Gen. 35. 29. CHAP. I. The Creation of the World Adam and Eve disobey the Command of God and are driven out of the earthly Paradise IN the Beginning God created Heaven and Earth The year of the World 1 before Christ's Nativity 3963. Now the Earth not being subject to sight but covered with thick darkness and traversed with an Air coming from E high God commanded that there should be Light and after the Light was made having considered the universal matter he separated
were drowned Nota. but that they themselves by their own wickedness had procured those punishments due upon themselves Hedi Ruffinus cap. 8. Man is the author of his death not God For had he desired that they should be extinguished he would not have brought them into the World For better it is not to grant life than to destroy those to whom it is given But said God through their contempt of my service and graces Gods covenant with Noah they have inforced me to destroy them with the rigor of this vengeance hereafter I will not so severely pursue and punish their iniquities K in my displeasure The year of the World 2007 before Christ's Nativiâ—y 1949. especially for thy sake And if hereafter at any time I shall send any tempest fear not how great and hideous soever the storms be for there shall be no more Deluge of water upon the earth In the mean time I command you to keep your hands innocent from murther and all man-slaughter and to punish those that commit wickedness The Rainbow the sign of atonement between God and Noah Gen. 9. 11 12 14. 15. I leave the use of all other living Creatures to your sustenance or service in as much as I have made you Lords over them all as well those that breathe upon the face of the earth as those that swim in the waters and such as inhabit and flie in the air but you shall not eat any blood in as much as therein consisteth the soul and life of living Creatures Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. And I declare unto you that I will forbare to draw the shafts of my displeasure against Men And I will give you the Rainbow for a sign of the L promise which I make to you Noahs age 950. years Noah lived after the Deluge 350 years and having spent all the rest of his life in happiness he died after he had lived in the world nine hundred and fifty years Neither is there cause why any Man comparing this our present age and the shortness thereof with the long life of the Antients should think that false which I have said neither followeth it that because our present life extendeth not to such a term and continuance of years therefore they of the former World attained not the age and long life which we publish of them For they being beloved of God and newly created by him using also a kind of nutriment agreeing with their natures and proper to prolong their lives it is no absurd thing to suppose that their lives were of that continuance M Why they in timâ—s past lived longer than we do considering that God gave them long life to the end that they should teach virtue and should conveniently practice those things which they had invented the Sciences of Astronomy and Geometry the demonstrations whereof they never had attained except they had lived at the least six hundred years For the great year is accomplished by that number of years The great year whereof all they bear me witness who either Greeks or Barbarians have written antient Histories For both Manethon who hath written the History of Egypt and Berosus who registred the acts and affairs of the Chaldeans together with Mochus Hestiaeus Hierom of Egypt who writ those of the Phoenicians and others accord with me in that which I have said Hesiodus also Hecataeus Hellanicus and Acusilas Ephorus and Nicolaus do declare that they of the first World lived one thousand years Notwithstanding N let every man judge of these things Gen. 9. 18 19. as best liketh him CHAP. IV. Of the Tower of Babylon and the change of Tongues NOah had three Sons Thâ— year of the World 1790 before Christ's Nativity 2174. Sem Japhet and Cham born one hundred years before the Deluge Gen. 10. per totum These first descended from the Mountains into the Plains and there made their habitation which when other Men perceived who for fear of the Deluge had fled the Plains Nâ—ah's three Sons and for that cause were loth to forsake the Mountains they gathered courage God commanded the posterity of Noah to inhabit the â—â—â—th and persuaded themselves to do the like and the Plain where they dwelt was called Sâ—â—â—ar And whereas they were commanded by God that by reason of the O increase and multitude of Men they should send Colonies to inhabit divers Countries of the World to the end no quarrels might grow betwixt them but A contrariwise in labouring and tilling a great quantity of ground they might gather great store of fruits they were so ignorant that they disobeyed God and falling into great calamities suffered the punishment of their offence Now God seeing their number continually increase he commanded them again to divide themselves into Colonies But they forgetting that the Goods which they possessed proceeded from him and his bounty and presuming that their force was the only cause of their abundance did not obey him Ver. 8 9. but rather suspected that God sought to betray them to the end that being thus divided he might the more easily destroy them Nimrod the Grandson of Cham one of Noah's Sons incited them in this sort to mock and contemn God He put them in the head that they should not believe that their prosperity proceeded from God but that they ought to attribute B it to their own valor which furnish'd them with so much riches so that in a little space he reduced their estate to a tyranny supposing by this onely means that he might make Men revolt against God if he might persuade them to submit themselves to his Government Chap. 11. 2 3 4. giving them to understand that if God should once more threaten a Deluge he would protect them against him and to that end build a Tower to whose top the water should not reach and also revenge the death of their Predecessors The stupid People gave ear to these persuasions of Nimrod supposing it to be pusillanimity in themselves if they should obey God For which cause they began to build the Tower with their uttermost industry neither was there any one idle in all that work yea so great was the number of Labourers that in a little time the work was raised to a height beyond all expectation C The thickness of it was so great that it obscured the height and it was built of burnt Brick 〈◊〉 and cimented and joined with a bituminous morter to the end that it might become the stronger God seeing their madness yet condemned them not to a general extermination by reason that they had made no profit by their example The confusion of Tongues who perished in the first Deluge but made them mutiny the one against another by changing of their tongue Ver. 6 7 8. so that by reason of their diversity of language they could not understand one another The place
unto him and reckoned up all the benefits which he had bestowed on him how he had granted him victory over his enemies and how he had establisht and blest him N with present felicity by his favour for which cause he required him to sacrifice and make on oblation unto him of his Son Isaac 1 2. commanding him to conduct him to the Mountain of Morea and there to sacrifice him In doing whereof he should manifest the desire he had to serve him in preferring that which was agreeable to God before the life of his Son Abraham supposing that it was no ways lawful to disobey God but that he ought to submit himself to his will 3. Abraham's obedience as to him by whose providence all things had their being said nothing to his Wife concerning that which God had commanded him neither how he had determined the death of his Son neither did he make it known to any of his houshold-servants lest they might have diverted him from his resolution He therefore took his Son Isaac with two Servants loading an Asse with O such things as were requisite for sacrifice and travelled towards the Mountain his Servants attending him for two dayes and on the third day as soon as he perceived the Mountain A he left the rest of those that accompanied him in the Plain and attended only by his Son The year of the World 2074. before Christs Nativity 1890. he ascended up the Mountain upon which afterwards King David appointed that the Temple should be builded They carried with them also the rest of those things which were requisite for sacrifice save only the Beast that was to be offered About this time Isaac was five and twenty years old and did himself prepare the Altar and enquired of his Father what he should offer v. 7 8. considering that as yet they had no sheep for sacrifice Isaac was 25. years old when he should have been sacrificed Abraham answered him that God would furnish them being of power sufficient to give Men that in abundance whereof they have need and to deprive them of that they have and whereof they held themselves possessed if he were well pleased with their sacrifice Now as soon as the Altar was made ready and the Wood prepared and B laid upon the same 9. Abrahams oration at such time as his Son should have been sacrificed and all things in readiness he addressed his speech unto his Son in this manner My Son I beg'd thee of God with very earnest Prayers and ever since thou wert born into the world I have intermitted no care and diligence in thine education neither have I thought that any thing could make me more happy than at departing out of this World to see thee at mans estate and to leave thee the Heir and Lord of all my substance But since it hath pleased God that I should be thy Father and that the same God likewise now thinketh good that I should destroy thee generously submit and be contented to be sacrificed to him For in so doing I fulfil the Commandments of God who requireth at our hands that we do him this honour for the favours which he hath bestowed upon us in assisting us both in War and Peace Since therefore being born thou art to die I deem it reasonable that in regard it seemeth good unto C God that thou depart out of this life not by sickness nor by War nor by any other inconvenience that naturally hapneth unto Men but by being offer'd in sacrifice to him by thine owne Father that thou render thy Soul unto him in the midst of Prayers and the celebration of this sacrifice to the end he may receive and seat thee near himself Thou shalt then be the comfort of mine old age which is the cause for which I have nourished thee if thou procure for me assistance of God instead of that which I ought to receive from thee Isaac's answer Here Isaac with a noble heart like the gracious Son of so godly a Father heard all which his Father said with great contentment and answered that he would rather never have been born then once disobey the Ordinance of God and of his Father or shew himself averse to submit his will to both their pleasures considering that if his Father onely should command the same he D should do very ill if he disobeyed him which said he leapt upon the Altar and offered himself to the slaughter Which had surely hapned at that instant if God had not hindered it 10 11. for with a loud voyce he called Abraham by his name commanding him not to kill his Son and telling him that he had not given him that commandment because he took pleasure in humane blood neither for that by such impiety he would deprive him of that Son of whom it was his pleasure to make him the Father but that by this act he intended to prove his affection to see whether being commanded such a thing he would be obedient and for that he had made tryal of his faith and readiness and his disinteressed piety he did not repent him of that good he had done unto him that he would never forget to have care of him and his race whensoever he should pray unto E him 12 13. and that when the course of his years were happily ended he should leave a great dominion to those of his children which should be good and vertuous He told him moreover that he would multiply his race in divers Nations and that he would bestow great benefits upon them and that the memory of the chief of his offspring should be envyed of all Men for their greatness When God had spoken after this manner 16 17. it pleased him on the sudden no Man knoweth how to cause a Ram to appear thereabouts for a sacrifice God presenteth a Ram to Abraham to sacrifice in stead of Isaac And thus being delivered from all evils and inconveniences beyond their expectations after they had heard so many promises of so many blessings they embraced one another and celebrated the sacrifice which done they returned towards Sara in safety and pass'd the remainder of their lives in happiness F The year of the World 2087. before Christs Nativity 1878. God giving them his blessing in whatsoever they undertook CHAP. XIV The death of Sara Abraham's Wife Gen. 23. per totum NOt long after Sara died after she lived one hundred twenty and seven years and was Buried in Hebron where the Canaanites freely offered a place for Burial Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2â— yet Abraham chose rather to buy a place to bury in The age of Sara 127. of one Ephrem a Citizen of Hebron for four hundred sicles and there the Monuments both of himself and his posterity are built CHAP. XV. G How the Nation of the Troglodytes descended from Chetura the Wife of Abraham AFter this Abraham
obtained him through the mercy of God After him she bare three other Children Simeon whose name signifieth that God had heard her Levi The explication and names of Jacob's Sons which is as much as to say the firmness of society and last of all Juda which signifieth thanksgiving At that time Rachel fearing lest she should lose part of her Husbands love by reason of the fruitfulness of her Sister caused her Maid Bala to lye with him Gen. 30. by whom he had a Son called Dan that is to say the judgement of God Rachel brings in Jacob to Baâ—a and after him Nepthalim which signifieth ingenious by reason that she used subtilty to requite her Sisters fruitfulness Leah hereupon us'd the same artifice and gave her Maid Zelpha to Jacob Leah bringeth in Zelpha of whom he begat Gad which signifieth come O by chance Gen. 30. 14 15 16. and after him Asar that is to say benificent because that Leah was more honoured for the multitude of her Progeny A Ruben The year of the World 2206. before Christs Nativity 1758. the eldest of all the Sons of Lea brought his Mother apples of Mandrake which when Rachel perceived she desired her to give her part thereof for that she longed to taste of the same whereunto Lea would yield no consent replying That she ought to content her self in that she had the advantage in Jacobs love Rachel to mollifie the heart of her sister told her That she would be content that Jacob should lye with her that night which Jacob accordingly did and Lea once more had children namely Isachar Gen. 30. 8. which signifieth Come by hire and Zabulon which importeth a pledge of good will besides whom 24. she had a daughter also called Dinah Not long after this Rachel lay with Jacob and brought forth a son who was called Joseph which signifieth an addition During all this time which was for the space of twenty years Jacob B had the government of his Father-in-laws flocks Gen. 31. 1 2 3. but afterwards he thought good accompanied with his Wives to return to his own Inheritance Jacob with his Wives children and flocks flee without his Fathers privacy which when his Father-in-law perceived he would in no sort give his consent thereunto for which cause he covertly determined to forsake him To this intent he made trial of his Wives to see how they were affected towards his flight 19. Rachel beareth away with her her Fathers houshold gods who heartned him by their consents insomuch that Rachel having stolen the images of those gods which were honored in that Countrey fled away with her Sister and the two Maids and all their Children with the rest of all their substance Jacob also drove away the moity of the Cattel without the knowledge of Laban 23. Rachel also bare with her the images of the gods although she had been taught by Jacob to contemn them and yield them no honour but C she supposed The year of the World 2200. before Christs Nativity 1758. that if Laban pursued and overtook them by restoring them she might obtain his pardon But Laban a day after the departure of Jacob and his Wives had notice therof and being therewith much troubled he pursued after them intending to assault them by force and on the seventh day he overtook them upon a certain hill where they sat down to take their rest 24. Laban pursueth Jacob but God delivereth him from his purpose in that it was evening but God appearing to him in a dream commanded him to use no violence neither towards his Son-in-law nor his Daughters but rather to listen to a peaceable accord betwixt himself and Jacob assuring him that if in contempt of Jacobs weakness he should lift up his arm to assail him that he himself would join with Jacob to protect him The next day 26. Labans accusation against Jacob. Laban having received this command from God called Jacob unto him D to the end to confer together and to tell him what the night before he had beheld in his dream As soon as Jacob was come to him he began to accuse him alledging that he had received him into his house at such time as he came unto him being poor and naked of all means and had given him great abundance of Goods I have saith he given thee my Daughters in marriage hoping by that means to increase thy love towards me more and more but thou hast had neither respect of thy Mother neither of the acquaintance or parentage betwixt thee and me neither of the Wives which thou hast married nor of thy Children whose Grand-Father I am but hast dealt with me after an injurious and hostile manner driving away that which appertained unto me seducing my Daughters to abandon him that begat them and carrying away my houshold E gods with them which both I and my Predecessours have served and honoured and what none but men of War would have done unto their Enemies that hast thou done unto me yea thou that art my kinsman my Sisters Son the Husband of my Daughters my pledge and my familiar Servant hast dealt thus with me On the other side Jacob alledged for himself 31. Jacobs answer to Labans objection that God had not only made impression in his heart but that all men also are possest with the love of their Countrey and that after so long space of time it seemed good unto him to visit his native soil And concerning that crime saith he which thou objectest against me touching the prey if any other but thy self be judge thou shalt be convicted to have dealt unjustly with me for whereas thou oughtest to have rewarded me for the maintenance and increase I have made of thy F goods hast thou not done us great wrong to envie us a little part and portion thereof And for thy Daughters know this that they have not followed me as persons conveighed away by subtilty but under that love and duty which married Wives bare unto their Husbands 36. Jacobs accusation against Laban they do not therefore only follow me but they come after their Children These things alledged he for himself Further he replied and accused Laban because that being his Mothers Brother and having given him his Daughters to Wife he had notwithstanding bitterly vext him by his severe commandments to which he had been obedient during the space of twenty years that the toyles he had endured in order to his Marriage with Rachel had been grievous unto him notwithstanding that it was but a trifle in respect of that which he suffered afterwards which had he born him an G envious affection or hostile hatred Labans subtil dealing with Jacob. he could very well have escaped In truth Laban had dealt most unjustly with Jacob. For seeing that God assisted him in all that he enterprized Laban promised to give him all
Ambassadours of the Ammonites Then Jeptha prayed to God that it would please him to grant him victory and he made a vow that if he returned to his house in safety he would Sacrifice the first living creature that he should meet with at his return v. 30 ad 40. After this encountring the Enemy Jeptha maketh a vow he defeated and pursued him killing those that fled continually till he came O to the City of Minnith Then entring the Countrey of the Ammonites he destroyed divers Cities and carried away a great booty and so delivered his Nation from the A servitude which they had endured for the space of eighteen years The year of the World 2624. before Christ's Nativity 1270. But as he returned homeward he fell into such an inconvenience as was no ways answerable to his noble actions For the first person he met as he returned home was his only Daughter a Virgin of eighteen years who came out to meet him Whereupon melting into tears he began to check her He overcometh the Ammonites for that so hastily she had come forth to meet him by reason he had vow'd the first thing he met with to God But this accident was no ways displeasing to the Virgin who with a wounderful constancy answered her Father that a death which had for its cause the victory of her Father and the liberty of her Countrey could not but be very acceptable to her and that the only favour she desired of him was that he would please to grant her two months C. 11. v. 39 before she were sacrificed to the end she might B lament her youth Jeptha Sacrificeth his Daughter with her companions and that after that term her father might acquit himself of the vow which he had made Jeptha granted her the time she had limited which being expired C. 12. 1 2. c. he sacrificed his Daughter for a burnt-offering Which oblation of his The Ephraimites are incensed against Jeptha was neither conformable to the Law nor desired by God But he was resolved to accomplish his vow without considering what judgment men might make of it The Tribe of Ephraim hearing of his victories Judg. 12 declared War against him by reason he had not communicated to them his enterprise against the Ammonites that he might have the prey and the honour of the enterprise to himself He answered that being of his kindred they could not be ignorant that both he and his were assailed by War C and had besides that also been desired to give them their assistance whereunto they had answered very faintly and being requested would not be present Then he told them that that which they undertook was unlawful wicked in that not daring to encounter the Enemy they made no scruple to set upon their Brethren and Friends and he threatned them v. 6. that if they restrained not themselves he would by the assistance of God be revenged on them Almost forty thousand of the Ephraimites slain But these words of his were both neglected and despised so that he was forced to Arm himself against them and with an Host of men sent from Galaad v. 7. he made a great slaughter partly in pursuing those that fled partly also in preventing their passage who fled to Jordan Jeptha dieth the number of the slain amounted to about forty thousand Ibzan was for seven years space the Judge in Israel After Jeptha had governed six years he deceased and was buryed D in Sebei in the place where he was born and the Countrey of Galaad After his death Ibzan took upon him the Government He was of the Tribe of Juda of the City of Bethleem v. 11. and had sixty Children Elon reigned ten years thirty males and thirty females which he left all alive and married he died when he was very old without performing any thing worthy of memory during the space of his seven years Government he was buried in his own Countrey In like manner Elon a Zabulonite his successor did nothing memorable and during the term of ten years wherein he governed Abdon the Son of Elon and of the Tribe of Ephraim of the City of Pharathon was declared Soveraign Judge after Elon and is renowned only for his felicity in his Children the state of the Israelites being in peace v. 13 so that he exploited nothing worthy glory he had forty Sons who E had thirty Grand-children Abdoâ— Judge and rode accompanied with these seventy who were all of them expert Horse-men He left them all alive and died when he was very old and was magnificently buried in Pharathon CHAP. X. Of Samsons valour and how many mischiefs he did to the Philistines AFter his death Judg. 13. 1. the Philistines prevailed over the Israelites and exacted tribute from them for the space of forty years The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines From which misery they were deliver'd F after this manner Manoah an excellent man and chief of the Tribe of Dan without exception had a Wife most famous for her beauty and excelling all others of that time yet had he no Children by her Hedio Ruffinâ—â— chap. 13. al. 10. whereat he was very much grieved and made his continual prayers unto God and especially when they were retired to a Countrey house which they had near the City that it would please him to give him a lawful heir v. 3 4 5. He loved his Wife very passionately The Angel foretelleth Samsons birth and not without some jealousie on a day as the woman was there by her self an Angel of God appeared to her in form of a young man of incomparable beauty and shape and told her that he came from God to inform her that she should be the mother of a child perfectly beautiful and whose strength should be so extraordinary that as soon as he was enter'd into the vigour of youth he should G humble the Philistines but God forbad her to cut his Hair and commanded likewise that he should taste no other drink but water and after he had said thus he departed As soon as her Husband returned home again she told him all that the Angel had said unto her The year of the World 2783. before Christ's Nativity 1181. and so extol'd the beauty and good grace of the young messenger who appeared H unto her that these praises encreased his jealousie which she perceiving and being no less chast than fair prayed to God once more to send his Angel that her Husband might see him and be cur'd of his unjust suspition Her prayer was heard and the Angel presented himself again to the woman being apart from her Husband But she desired him to say till she called her Husband v. 9. ad 13. which when she had obtained The Angel appeareth once more unto Manoah she went and fetched Manoah who notwithstanding
not presume to come into his presence Absalom revoked by his father is commanded for a time to flie his presence because he was not disposed to see him so suddenly Whereupon he forbore to shew himself unto him and went and dwelt amongst his own Friends and Houshold Servants Neither was his beauty any way decreased by the sorrow he had conceived or for that his entertainment was far different from the quality of a Princes Son but he rather exceeded and grew more famous thereby so that for beauty and comeliness of person he excelled all others his Hair was so thick that it could scarcely be polled in eight days and weighed 200 shekels which amount to five pound He lived two years in Jerusalem and was the Father of G three Sons Ver. 27 28. and one Daughter which Roboam the Son of Salomon afterwards took to Wife Absaloms children born in Jerusalem of whom he begat a Son called Abia. In process of time he sent Messengers unto Joab to desire him that he would pacifie his Father and prevail with him to admit him to his presence The year of the World 2816. before Christ's Nativity 1040. that he might see him and submit himself unto him But receiving H no answer from Joab he sent his servants and commanded them to burn Joabs Corn-fields that joined unto his who hearing what had hapned unto him he came unto Absalom accusing him and asking him For what cause he had done him this injury To whom Absalom answered I have said he invented this stratagem to make thee come unto me seeing thou took'st no notice of the Address which I made V. 30 31 32 33. to desire thee to reconcile my Father unto me And now I beseech thee that thou wilt move my Father in my behalf otherwise I shall think my return more grievous than my banishment hath been Joab urged by the burning of his houses reconcileth Absaâ—om to his father if my Father shall yet continue his displeasure Joab was persuaded through the compassion he conceived of the necessity wherein he saw him and went and sollicited the King with whom he so effectually debated I as touching Absalom that altering his disposition he graciously sent and called for him As soon as he came unto his presence Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. Absalom cast himself prostrate on the ground asking pardon for his offences but David raised and lifted him up and promised that from thenceforth he would no more upbraid him with those misdeeds After these things had thus fallen out Absalom within a little space provided a great number of Horses and Chariots 2 Sam. 15. 1 ad 6. and entertained fifty Men for his Guard and every day early in the Morning presented himself before the Kings Palace Absalom subtilly affecteth his fathers Kingdom and talked with those that resorted thither about the tryal of their differences and whereas some of them lost their cause he talked with them according as he found them affected alledging That his Father had no good Counsellers and that perhaps he himself had in some things judged amiss and by these means K endeavored he to get the good will of all men telling them That if he had the like authority he would make them know by proof what his equity was Having by these plausible persuasions drawn the hearts of the common People unto him he was persuaded they would serve him in whatsoever he intended Four years after his reconciliation he came to his Father David desiring that he might go to Hebron and sacrifice unto God according as he had vowed at such time as he fled from his presence Which request when David had granted him he went thither being attended with a great concourse of People Ver. 10 ad 14. by reason he had appointed divers to meet him in that place Absalom proclaimed King amongst whom was Achitophel the Gelonite one of Davids Counsellers and 200 others of Jerusalem who altogether ignorant of his design assembled themselves in that place to be assistant to his Sacrifice by all whom he was declared King L according as he himself had commanded When the News hereof came unto Davids ears and he was assured how his Son had behaved himself he was much troubled for his impiety and arrogancy that he should so soon forget the pardon which he had obtained for his enormous Crimes and contrary to all Law plunge himself and hazard his Reputation in more grievous offences to pervert the state of the Kingdom which God had established to deprive his own Father of his Crown and Dignity wherefore he resolved to flie to the other side of Jordan Ver. 14. carrying with him his most trusty Friends to whom he represented the unbridled fury of Son David departed out of Jerusalem remitting all things unto God who judgeth all things and leaving the Government of his Royal House to the management M of his six Concubines Ver. 24. ad 30. he departed from Jerusalem David flying prohibiteth the High Priests to follow him to the intent to give him intelligence of that which did pass He was accompanied with a great number of People besides those 600 Soldiers who had followed him in his Banishment during Sauls life-time And although the High Priests Abiathar and Sadoc with all the Levites had resolved to depart with him yet persuaded he them to abide with the Ark assuring them that God would deliver them although the Ark should continue in its place He commanded Abiathar likewise to send him private intelligence of each occurrent that should happen reserving with him for most intimate and trusty Counsellers Achimaas the son of Sadoc and Jonathan the son of Abiathar But Ethéi the Gittite by no persuasions of the King could be induced to stay but contrary to his Command Ethei departed with David followed him whereby he more manifestly exprest his affection towards him Ver. 31. But as he went on his bare Feet up the Mountain of Olivet and all they N of his Train followed him Achitophel revolteth from David and followeth Absalom whose counsels David striveth by prayer to make frustrate intermixing their travel with bitter tears a certain Messenger came and certified him that Achitophhel was with Absalom Which report aggravated and increased his grief so that he besought God that it might please him to alienate the affection of Absalom from Achitophel that he might not give heed unto any of his counsels because Achitophel was a Man of a ripe judgment and ready execution in all that concerned him As soon as he came unto the top of the Mountain he beheld the City and as if he had utterly been banished from his Kingdom he began with abundance of tears Ver. 32 c. to call upon God Chusai is persuaded to submit to Absalom and to cross Achitophels counsels There met he with Chusai his sincere and
roofs for Temples For having pulled down some ancient Temples he builded that of Hercules and that of Astarte and made his first building of Hercules in the month of Peritien which is February and made War against the Eyceens who refused to pay their tributes and after he had brought them under his subjection H he returned to his own Palace In his time lived a young man called Abdemon who alwayes resolved those questions which Solomon King of Jerusalem proposed Dion also maketh mention of him in these terms After the decease of Abibale his son Hiram reigned he it was that fortified the quarter of the City to the Eastward and enlarged the same Dion maketh mention of Hiram and joined the Temple of Olympian Jupiter to the City which before that time was in another place and filled all the place between them with earth and adorned it with pendants of gold and afterwards going up to Libanus he hewed down timber to build Temples withall He said also that Solomon reigning at that time in Jerusalem sent unto Hiram certain subtile questions demanding the exposition thereof under this condition that if he explained them not Dion of Solomon by way of penalty he should pay a great Sum of money and afterwards that a certain I Tyrian called Abdemon expounded that which had been proposed and in lieu thereof proposed certain others which Solomon could not expound and for that occasion he paid a great Sum of money unto Hiram This is that which Dion writeth The King seeing that the City of Jerusalem wanted both Bulwarks and Towers to secure the same Solomon repaireth the walls of Jerusalem and erecteth towers and that the strength of it was no way answerable to the dignity thereof he repaired the walls and erected great Towers on the same Moreover he built certain Cities Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. which deserve to be commemorated amongst the most Renowned namely Ascor and Magedon and the City of Gaza in the Countrey of the Philistines against which Pharaoh King of Egypt led out his Army Solomon buildeth certain Cities Azor Mageâ—on Gaga Betachor Baleth and took it by force and after he had put all the Inhabitants thereof to the Sword he destroyed the same and he gave it in K dower unto his daughter which was married to Solomon For which cause the King fortified it seeing it to be already sufficiently fenced by nature and that it stood very commodiously for the War and to hinder the incursions of the enemy Not far from thence he fortified two other Cities whereof one was called Betachor and the other Baleth Besides these he built others which were Cities of recreation and pleasure by reason of the good temperature of the Air and the pleasantness of the fruits and in especially the sweet Rivers wherewith they were watered Afterwards entering into the Desart that is above Syria and conquering the same he built another great City two dayes journey distant from the higher Syria a dayes journey from Euphrates and six from the great Babylon The cause why this City was inhabited far from peopled quarters of Syria was L because in no place of the lower Countrey there was water to be found and in this City onely there were fountains and springs Thadamor or Palmira He therefore built this City and begirt it with strong walls and called it Thadamor which is the name which the Syrians term it by even at this day and amongst the Greeks it is called Palmyra And these were Solomons works in that time But since divers are inquisitive to know the reason why the Kings of Egypt that have been since Mineus the founder of Memphis Why the Egyptian Kings were called Pharaohs who reigned divers years before our great Ancestor Abraham till Solomons time for the space of more than Thirteen hundred years have been called Pharaohs deriving that name from one that reigned in the midtime between both I have thought fit to give some account of it The name of Pharaoh amongst the Egyptians signifieth as much as King But I suppose M that from their childhood they had other distinct names and that afterward when they are created Kings they take upon them that name which in their Mother-tongue signifieth no less than Authority For the Kings of Alexandria having been heretofore called by other names The Egyptian Kings called Pharaohs at such time as they take upon them the Kingdom they are called Ptolomies by the name of their first King The Roman Emperors likewise notwithstanding they have other names at the time of their birth Ptolomei yet are they called Caesars Caesars because the sovereignty and honour whereunto they are raised Herodotus writeth not the names of the Egyptian Kings imposeth that title on them and the name that was given them by their Fathers is no more retained For this cause it is that although Herodotus of Halicarnasseus saith that since Mineus the Founder of Memphis there have been Three hundred and thirty Kings of Egypt yet declareth he N not their names Nicaule Queen of Egypt and Ethiope cometh to Solomon because they were called Pharaohs For when after these a Woman had obtained the Kingdom he called her by her own proper name Nicaule whence it appeareth that the men who have been Kings were usually called by this name and that it had not been communicated unto this Woman for which cause it was necessary to declare her own first name For mine own part I have found in the Books of our Nation that since Pharaoh who was Father-in-law to Solomon none of the Kings of Egypt have been called by that name and that some little while after the forementioned Woman came unto Solomon who reigned in Egypt and Ethiopia of whom we shall speak hereafter But at this present I have made mention of it that it might appear that our Records and the Chronicles of the Egyptians agree in many things O But King Solomon conquered the Canaanites which till that time were not under his subjection and those that inhabited the mountain Libanus as far as the City of Amath A and made them Tributaries The year of the World 2953. before Christ's Nativity 1011. and chose out from amongst them every year such as he might employ in servile works and domestick affairs and tillage of the land For no Hebrew was a slave neither was it convenient that since God had subjected divers Nations under them whom they might make slaves of that they should tye those of their own Nation to that bondage 1 Kings 9. 16. ad 21. who were all of them employed in Arms and rather took delight to ride in Chariots and on Horses than to submit to any mean or servile employment Solomon compelleth the remainer of the Canaanites to pay Tribute Over the Canaanites whom he employed in his service he appointed Five hundred and fifty Commissaries who had their
his Force and came to Samaria and in a battel which he fought he slew Sellum And afterwards obtaining the Crown D he went from thence towards the City of Tapsa 2 King 15. 14. the Inhabitants whereof locked and barred their gates against him Manahem King of Israel and would not receive him in revenge whereof he spoiled all the Countrey round about and took the City by force and being highly incensed against the Tapsians for their insolence he put them all to the Sword not sparing their little children which was an incredible and barbarous cruelty Manahem reigned in the manner for the space of ten years The Tapsians slaughter continuing a most cruel and unbridled tyranny over this people Afterwards being assailed by Phul King of the Syrians he went not out against him neither practised to resist him but procured his peace for the sum of 1000 talents of silver which by way of composition he paid unto him The people furnished Manahem with this sum Peace bought with money by way of contribution paying fifty drachms apiece After his death he was buried in Samaria leaving behind him a Son to succeed him in E the kingdom whose name was Phaceias who imitating his Fathers cruelty enjoy'd the Soveraignty but two years for he was slain at a feast in the midst of his friends by a Treason practised against him by Phaceias the son of Romelias Phaceias who enjoyed the kingdom for the space of 20 years The translation of the Israâ—lites addicting himself to all impiety and wickedness But Teglaphalasser King of Assyria led forth his Army against the Israelites and spoiled all the Countrey of Galaad and that beyond Jordan and Galilee Cidida and Asor also and made all the Inhabitants thereof Prisoners and translated the kingdom to himself This is that which we have thought good to write touching the King of Assyria Jotham the son of Ozias reigned in Jerusalem over the Tribe of Juda he was the son of a daughter of Jerusalem called Jeresa There was no virtue wanting in this King for F he was devout towards God Jothams piety just towards Men and careful to repair the City for he willingly employed himself in restoring that which had need of reparation and ornament Ver. 34. He built Galleries and Porches about the Temple and repaired the walls that were fallen down he erected huge and impregnable Towers in a word he restored all that which was deficient in his kingdom He made War upon the Ammonites and overcoming them in battel he made all their Nation tributary and constrained them to pay him yearly 100 Talents Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. and 10000 Cores of Wheat and as many of Barley and his kingdom in such sort encreased The prophecy of the destruction of Ninivie as he was redoubted abroad and happy at home Now about the same time there lived a certain Prophet called Naum who prophesied the overthrow of the Assyrians and of the City of Ninivie and spake to this effect All the people G thereof shall be troubled Naum 2. 8 9 10. ad finem and put to flight and shall say the one unto the other Stay and abide take gold and silver and there shall be none that will receive it For they shall have more H care to save their bodies The year of the World 3204. before Christ's Nativity 760. than their goods for there shall be a great debate amongst them with lamentation their members shall lose their vigor and their faces shall be pale through fear whither shall the Lyons retreat or where shall the mother of the Lyons whelp rest her self Ninivie God saith unto thee I will destroy thee neither shall the Lyons that issue from thee govern the world any more To this effect did he prophesie and spake many other things to this intent which it is not material to repeat For I have omitted it purposely because I would not be troublesom to the Readers But all those things which he foretold touching Ninivie came to pass 115 years after I CHAP. XII Rasin King of Damascus maketh War against Jerusalem Achaz sendeth for the King of Assyria to assist him AFter that Jothan had lived One and forty years Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. and reigned sixteen he dyed and was buried in the Sepulchre of the Kings Achaz impiety after him the Kingdom fell to Achaz his Son who was a contemner of God and a Transgressor of the Ordinances of his Forefathers 2 King 15. 38. and conformed himself to the Customs of the Kings of Israel The sacrifice of his son for he erected Altars in the City of Jerusalem and sacrificed unto Idols offering up his own Son unto them after the manner of the Canaanites and committed divers such like offences 2 Kings 16. 1 2 3 4. During these impious Idolatries of his Rasin King of Syria and Damascus and Phaceias K King of Israel made War against him for these two were Confederates leading therefore both their Armies against Jerusalem they besieged it a long time yet without any success The punishment of impiety by reason the Walls were very strong But the King of Syria having seized the City of Elath near unto the Red Sea and slain all the Inhabitants thereof planted Syrians therein Esay 7. 11. putting all the Garison likewise to the Sword and all the Jews round about and carried away with him a great booty unto Damascus and afterwards returned home with his Army The King of Jerusalem understanding that the Syrians were retired 2 Chron. 28. 18 19. and supposing himself to be sufficient to fight against the King of Israel led forth his Forces against him The slaughter of the Army of Juda. and was overcome in battel because that God was incensed against him for his impieties which were without number For in that battel the Israelites slew L about Sixscore thousand Men amongst whom was Zacharias the son of Achiaz whom the General of the Army of the Israelites called Amias slew with Ericam the Governor of the whole Realm and took Elcan the General of the Tribe of Juda prisoner also They led away likewise a great number of Women and Children with a great booty and afterwards returned to Samaria At that time there was a certain Prophet living in Samaria whose name was Obel who coming out to meet the Army cryed with a loud voice unto the people That the victory which they had obtained was not through their own valor but by reason of the wrath of God conceived against Achaz King of Juda. He further reproved them for that not contenting themselves with the good success of that victory they had so far presumed as to make them of Juda and Benjamin Prisoners who M were of their own alliance he therefore counselled them to send them back unto their houses without any injury offered unto them
advanced towards Euphrates with an intent to repulse Nabuchodonosor H But he was overcome in battel The year of the World 33â—6 before Christ's Nativity 928. and lost divers thousands of his men Whereupon the Babylonian passing Euphrates seized all Syria as far as Pelusâ—um Judea only excepted The fourth year that Nabuchodonosor reigned over these conquered Countries and in the eighth year of the Reign of Joachim over the Hebrews the Babylolonian led forth his Army against the Jews with a mighty power threatning them to use all hostility 2 Kings 24. 11. ad 20. except Joachim would pay him Tribute Joachim fearing his threats bought his peace with silver and payed for three years space the Tributes that were imposed on him Joachim payeth Nabuchadnezzar tribute But in the third year understanding that the Egyptian was up in Arms against the Babylonian he denied the payment of the Tribute notwithstanding he was frustrated of his hope for the Egyptians were not so hardy as to make War All which the I Prophet Jeremy daily foretold him signifying unto him That he built his hope in vain upon the Egyptians and that it would fall out that the City should be overthrown by the King of Babylon Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. and Joachim himself should be delivered Prisoner into his hands But because there was no means for them to escape this justice all that which he said Joachim revolteth from the King of Babylon was nothing available For notwithstanding the People and Governors heard thereof yet made they no reckoning of the same but were displeased with those counsels which he proposed unto them accusing Jeremy as if he took pleasure to utter and publish ominous and adverse Presages against the King they likewise called him in question before the Kings Council and requir'd that he might be condemn'd Whereupon some of them gave sentence against him But others took a more discreet course and persuaded them to cause K the Prophet to depart out of the Kings house forbidding his Adversaries to do him any mischief since that he had not only foretold the future calamities of the City but that many before him had done the like as Micheas and divers others and yet that no one of them had suffer'd any evil by the Kings of their time but that contrariwise Micheas had been honour'd as a Prophet sent from God By these words they appeased the People and deliver'd Jeremy from the death intended against him This man wrote all his Prophesies Jeremy foretelleth the destruction of Jerusalem and read them to the People in their Fasts when they were assembled in the Temple in the ninth month of the fifth year of the Reign of Joachim which book he had composed touching that which should happen unto the City the Temple and the People When the Governors heard the same Jer. 22. 24. they took the book from him and commanded L that both he and his Secretary Baruch should withdraw themselves out of the sight of men and they took the book and presented it unto the King who in the presence of his Friends commanded his Secretary to read the same and after he had heard the contents thereof he waxed wroth and renting it in pieces cast it into the fire intending that it should never be seen He sent out likewise a strict Commission to seek out Jeremy and his Secretary Baruch and to lead them out to be punished But they were already fled that they might prevent his indignation CHAP. VII M Nabuchodonosor putteth Joachim to death and establisheth Joachin in the Kingdom NOT long after this Nabuchadnezzars entertainment into the city and cruelty he went out to meet the King of Babylon who was marched out to make War against him and being incredulous and careless of the Prophets Predictions he opened the gates unto him supposing that he intended him no evil But when the Babylonians were entered into the City the King observed not his promises but put all such to death as were in the flower and strength of their years 2 Kings 24. 1 ad 11. and spared none of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem Joachin of Jochonias King of Juda. with them also he slew their King Joachim and caused his body to be cast from the top of the walls and vouchsafed him no Sepulchre establishing Joachin his son King of the Countrey and of the City Moreover he took 3000 of N the most honourable Citizens of Jerusalem Prisoners and led them to Babylon with him amongst whom was the Prophet Ezekiel at that time very young in years This was the end of King Joachim who lived 36 years and reigned 11. Joachin that succeeded him in the Kingdom was the son of Nosta of Jerusalem and reigned three months and ten days O CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3346. before Christ's Nativity 618. A Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose and besiegeth Joachin and receiveth him upon composition AS soon as the Babylonian had bestowed the Kingdom of Judea on Joachin he was seized with a sudden fear Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. which made him suspect lest Joachin remembring himself of the injuries he had done unto him by the murther of his father might draw the Countrey into rebellion 2 King 25. 27. and revolt against him For which cause he sent out certain Forces and besieged Joachin in Jerusalem who being a man of a good nature and of an upright B heart was loth to forsake the City in that danger without a Governor considering that it was for his cause that the Common-weal was in that hazard For which cause taking his wife and his nearest akin with him he delivered them into the hands of the Captains that were sent against him Nabuchodonosor a Truce-breaker receiving an oath from them that neither they nor the City should receive any harm But this promise continued not a year for the King of Babylon observed it not but commanded his Captains to imprison all the youth and artificers that were in the City and to bring them bound unto him The number of them was 10832 persons besides Joachin his Mother and his near Allies whom they took Prisoners CHAP. IX C Sedechias is made King over Jerusalem by the Babylonians INstead of Joachin he appointed Sedechias his Uncle King of Jerusalem whom he bound by an oath that he should govern the Countrey without any innovation 2 King 24. 17. and that he should hold no intelligence with the Egyptians Sedechias King of Jerusalem seduced by his Courtiers and false Prophets giveth no ear to Jeremy This Sedechias was 21 years old at such time as he came unto the Kingdom and was Joachims brother by the mothers side he was a contemner of all laws and a preverter of ordinances For the young men that were about him were without the fear of God and all the people under his dominions D committed whatsoever
the four Winds of the World He hath written also that from them there shall arise another little one also which as God L who presented the Vision to him told him being grown to perfection should war against the whole Nation of the Jews and take the City by force and confound the Estate of the Temple and hinder the Sacrifices for one thousand two hundred ninety and six days Daniel writeth that he saw these things in the field of Susa and hath declared that God himself told him what that Vision signified which was that the Ram signified the Kingdoms of the Persians and the Medes His Horns signified the Kings that were to Reign in those Kingdoms and that the last Horn signified the last King who should surpass all the rest in Riches and Glory That the Goat signified that there should come a certain King among the Greeks who should fight at two several times with the Persian M and should overcome him in War and afterwards possess the whole Government And that by the great Horn that grew in the forehead of the Goat the first King was represented and how that after he was taken away four other should spring out of it And whereas every one of these turned themselves towards the four corners of the World it was a signe that after the death of the first he should have four successors that should part the Kingdom between them who neither should be his Allies or Children yet such notwithstanding as should command the world for many years That from them there should arise a certain King that should oppose himself against the Hebrew Nation and their Laws and should overthrow their policy spoil their Temple and be a lett that for three years space the Sacrifices should not be solemnized Now so hath it N happened that our Nation hath been so handled under Antiochus the famous as Daniel had foreseen and hath written divers years before all that which should happen At the same time Daniel wrote concerning the Empire of the Romans Daniels Predictions of the Roman Empire how it should destroy our Nation and hath left all these things in writing according as God declared them unto him so that they who read and consider those things that have happened Dan. 9. per totum admire Daniel for the Honour God dignified him with and find thereby that the Epicureans are mistaken who exclude all Divine Providence from intermedling with the concerns of humane life and affirm that God Governeth not the affairs of the World or that the World is ruled by a happy and incorruptible Essence which causeth all things to continue in their Being but say that the world is managed by O it self by casualty without any Conductor or such a one that hath care thereof For if it were so The Epicures error convicted and that it were destitute of a Soveraign Governor as we see Ships destitute of their Pilots to be drowned by the Winds and Chariots that have no Drivers to conduct them The year of the World 3416. before Christ's Nativity 538. to beat one against another even so should it perish and ruinate A it self by such an irregular motion By these things therefore that Daniel hath foretold I judge that they are far estranged from the Truth that affirm that God hath no care of humane affairs for if we see that all things happen casual then happen they not according to his Prophecy The Epicures error convicted But I have written hereof according as I have found and read and if any one will think otherwise let him continue his opinion as long as he pleaseth The Eleventh Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS B The Contents of the Chapters of the Eleventh Book 1. Cyrus King of Persia dismisseth the Jews from Babylon and permitteth them to return into their Countrey and contributeth towards the reparation of the Temple 2. The Kings Governours hinder the building of the Temple C 3. Cambyses commandeth the Jews that they should not build the Temple 4. Darius Hystaspis Son buildeth a Temple for the Jews 5. The bounty of Xerxes Darius Son toward the Hebrew Nation 6. How during Artaxerxes Reign the whole Nation of the Jews were almost extinguished through Amans treachery 7. Bagoses General of Artaxerxes the younger's Army doth much injury to the Jews 8. How bountiful Alexander of Macedon was unto the Jews CHAP. I. D Cyrus King of Persia dismisseth the Jews from Babylon and permitteth them to return into their Countrey and contributeth towards the building of the Temple THE first year of the Reign of Cyrus which was the 70 after that our Nation was translated from Judea to Babylon God had compassion on the captivity and calamity of his afflicted People The end of the Babylonian captivity after 70 years and accomplish'd that which he had foretold by the Prophet Jeremy Ezra 1. per totum before the destruction of the City The Edict of Cyrus King of Persia viz. That after they had served Nabuchodonosor and his posterity E for 70 years he would again restore them to their native Countrey where they should build a Temple and enjoy their former felicity For he awakened the Spirit of Cyrus and put it into his heart to write Letters throughout all Asia to this effect Thus saith King Cyrus since Almighty God hath made me King of the whole world I am perswaded that it is he whom the Jewish Nation do adore for he hath declared my name by his Prophets before I was born and hath said that I should build his Temple in Jerusalem which is in the Countrey of Judea Now Cyrus knew these things by Reading of a Book of Prophecies Esay Chap. 44. Ver. 5. ad 10. written by Esay two hundred and ten years before his time For he saith that God did secretly reveal these things unto F him Chap. 45. Ver. 1. ad 8. speaking to this effect I will that Cyrus whom I have declared King over many Nations shall send my people back into their Countrey of Judea and shall build my Temple Prophecy of Cyrus These things did Esay foretell one hundred and forty years before the ruine of the Temple Cyrus in reading these things being ravished in admiration of the Majesty of God was carried on with a great affection and zeal to finish that which was written He therefore called for all the Men of greatest account among the Jews that were in Babylon and told them that he gave them Licence to return into their Countrey Ver. 3. and to repair the City of Jerusalem Cyrus permitteth the Jews to return into their Countrey to build their Temple and City and to rebuild the Temple of God promising them that he himself would assist them And to that effect he wrote unto his Governnours and Princes of those Countreys that confined upon Judea charging them to
a Watch by reason that from that place a man may discover the City and Temple of Jerusalem The Phoenicians and Chaldeans that were in Alexanders Army grounding their hopes upon his displeasure doubted not but that he would give I them leave to sack the City and to hew the High-Priest in pieces but it fell out quite contrary for Alexander espying the People from afar in white Rayments and the Priests going before them in their Rochets and the High-Priest attired in a Robe of Purple broidered with Gold having his Mitre on his head and his plate of Gold wherein the Name of God was written Alexander himself marched forward before the rest of his company and fell prostrate on his face before that Name saluting first of all the High Priest and at the same instant all the Jews together saluted the King with one voice and encompassed him round about The Kings of Syria and the rest that saw that which hapned were wonderfully astonished and thought that the King was out of his wits Parmenio only drew near unto him and ask'd him what he meant to adore the Priest of the K Jews whereas all other men adored him To whom he answer'd I do not adore him but that God whom the Priest worshippeth for in my sleep I saw him in such a habit as I see him in at this present at such time as I was in Dio a City of Macedonia and whilest I consulted with my self by what means I might attain to the conquest of Asia he counselled me to make no delay but to march forward boldly assuring me that it would be he that would guide both me and mine Army and would deliver the Empire of the Persians into my hands Since that time I have not seen any one attired after the same manner and at this present beholding this man and calling to mind the vision and exhortation that he gave me in my sleep I hope that mine Army being conducted by divine providence I shall overcome Darius and discomfit the Persians and that my designs shall have a happy issue L When he had thus answer'd Parmenio Alexander's sacrifice in the Temple the confirmation of his conquest by Daniel's prophecy his bounty to the Jews he gave the High-Priest his hand and went with him into the City being conducted by the Priests after this when he came into the Temple he offered sacrifice according to the High-Priests direction whom he honoured likewise with very great reverence And when Jaddus shewed him the Prophecy of Daniel wherein he declared that a certain man of the Nation of the Greeks should destroy the Empire of the Persians and that in his opinion he was the man Alexander was very joyful and dismissed the multitude that attended him for that time The next day assembling the Jews he commanded them to let him know what favors they desired at his hands Whereupon the High-Priest answer'd That he desired that they might be permitted to live according to the Laws and Customs of their Forefathers and that every seventh year they M might be exempted from tributes Which was granted them fully They besought him likewise That by his permission the Jews that were in the Countries of Babylon and Media might live according to their laws And he promis'd them willingly to do all that which they desired He made Proclamation also among the People That if any one of them would bear Arms under him and live according to the custom of their Nation he was ready to receive them whereupon divers listed themselves under him in the Wars After that Alexander had thus behaved himself at Jerusalem he marched with his Army against the neighbouring Cities and wheresoever he went he was received with great affection But the Samaritans whose Metropolitan City at that time was Sichem scituate near unto the Mountain of Garizim in which there dwelt divers Jews also that were N revolted from their Nation seeing how favourably Alexander had received those of Jerusalem they resolved to profess themselves to be Jews For such is the nature of the Samaritans as we have declared heretofore that when the Jews are in affliction they renounce all alliance with them wherein they confess the truth But when they perceive our Affairs to be in prosperous condition The Samaritans be kinsmen to the Jews in prosperity strangers in adversity they endeavour to persuade the World that we are both sprung from the same original and are descended of the race of Ephraim and Manasses the sons of Joseph They came therefore to the Kings presence and met him near unto Jerusalem with great magnificence and demonstration of singular affection towards him And after that Alexander had entertained them they of Sichem approached near unto him being accompanied with those Men of War that Sanaballath had sent O unto the King beseeching him That he would visit their City and honour their Temple with his presence whereupon he promised That at his return he would visit them They required him also The year of the World 3632. before Christ's Nativity 332. That he would acquit them of the Tribute of the seventh year because they did A not sowe in the same He ask'd them Who they were that made that request They answer'd him That they were Hebrews but that they were called Sichemites by the Sidonians He ask'd them again If they were Jews And they said They were not Well said he I have made this grant unto the Jews The Temple on the Mount of Garizim when therefore I shall return and be more particularly informed I shall do that which shall be requisite Thus dismissed he the Sichemites but he commanded Sanaballaths Men of War to follow him into Egypt Onias son of Jaddus High-Priest promising in that place to give them possessions by lot which afterwards he did enjoining them to live in Garison in the City of Thebais to make good that Countrey After Alexander's death his Empire was divided amongst his Successors and the Temple built near unto Mount B Garizim remained entire And if any one were accused in Jerusalem for eating unlawful meats or for breaking the Sabbath or for any such like fault he fled unto the Sichemites saying That he was accused unjustly In that time deceased the High-Priest Jaddus and Onias his son succeeded him This was the state of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem at that time C D E F G H The Twelfth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3643. before Christ's Nativity 321. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Twelfth Book 1. Ptolomey the Son of Lagus is made Governour of Jerusalem and the rest of Judaea by a stratagem and leadeth divers Jews with him Prisoners into Egypt I 2. Ptolomey Philadelphus translateth the Laws of the Jews into the Greek tongue and dismissing divers Captives of that Nation he dedicateth many presents to the
may now be called the Temple of Jupiter of Grece by which means we shall be deliver'd from all trouble and being at liberty to F attend our Affairs we may the easier and more willingly pay you the greater Tributes To this request of the Samaritans the King answer'd sending them back their own Letter King Antiochus to Nicanor Health The Sidonians of Sichem have sent us this request to which we annex unto these our Letters Since they who were sent unto us to this intent have sufficiently made appear both to us and our Council that they are utterly strangers unto those Crimes wherewith the Jews are charged and are desirous to live according to the Laws of the Grecians we absolve them in as much as concerneth this Cause and their Temple which hereafter shall be called by the name of Jupiter of G Grece We have writen to the like effect also to Apollonius their Governor Given the 46th year and the eleventh of the month Hecatomhaeon which signifieth August H CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3799. before Christ's Nativity 165. Matthias and his sons sâ—ay those that were sent by King Antiochus to compel them to offer abominable Sacrifices and after betake themselves to the Desart They are followed by many others of whom a great number are stifled in their Caves because they would not defend themselves on the Sabbath-day Matthias abolisheth that Superstition and exhorts his sons to assert their priviledges and deliver their Countrey from bondage AT this time there dwelt a certain man in Modin a village of Jury whose name was Matthias who was the son of John who was the son of Simon the son of Asmonaeus I a Priest of the rank of Joarib born in Jerusalem This Matthias had 5 sons John call'd Gaddis Simon call'd Matthes Judas call'd Machabeus Eleazar named Auran Jonathan called Aphus This Matthias oftentimes complain'd unto his sons of the deplorable condition to which their Nation was reduc'd of the ruine of their City the desolation of their Temple The zeal and piety of Matthias and his sons and the miseries of the People telling them That it were better for them to die in the defence of the Laws and Religion of their Forefathers than to live dishonourably amidst so many calamities When therefore the Commissaries deputed by the King came unto Modin to constrain the Jews to perform that which was enjoin'd them and to command them to sacrifice according to the ordinance requiring Matthias who surpassed the rest in honour and other qualities but especially in excellency of descent and nobility K to begin first of all to offer sacrifice to the end that the rest might follow him and be induc'd by his example assuring him That the King would testifie his being well-pleased with his compliance by the rewards which he would suddenly send him Matthias answer'd That he would by no means commit that Idolatry assuring them That although all other Nations of the World either for love or fear of punishment should obey the Edicts of Antiochus yet that neither he nor any of his children would be induc'd to forsake their fathers Religion As soon as he had return'd this answer he held his peace and a certain Jew stepped forth to offer sacrifice according to Antiochus ordinance An Apostate slain by Matthias wherewith Matthias was so much displeas'd that both he and his sons fell upon him and with their swords hew'd him in pieces He slew Apelles the Kings Captain likewise and the Soldiers which he brought with him to compel L the people to commit impiety And not content herewith he overthrew the â—ltar crying out with a loud voice If said he any one be affected to the Laws of his Fathers and the service of God Matthias with his sons flieth into the desart let him follow me And this said he presently retir'd into the Desart with his sons leaving the Borough utterly unpeopled The rest after his example retir'd also into the Desart with their Wives and Children and made their habitation in Caves The Kings Captains having intelligence hereof gather'd those Forces that were at that time in the Cittadel of Jerusalem and pursued the Jews into the Desart And having overtaken them they labour'd first of all to make them submit themselves and to make choice of that which was most for their advantage rather than to endanger themselves and enforce them to chastise their disobedience with blood But the Jews nothing M mov'd herewith resolv'd rather to die than commit such an impiety Whereupon they who omitted no opportunity assailed the Jews on a Sabbath-day and burnt them within their Caves who neither resisted their Enemies nor so much as closed up the mouths of their Caves forbearing to make any resistance by reason of the day resolving with themselves not to violate the Sabbath-day for we are commanded to cease from all labour on that day The Jews are slain on the Sabbath-day which slaughter maketh Matthias more wary There were therefore about a thousand stifled in their Caves with their Wives and Children Yet notwithstanding divers escaped and joined themselves with Matthias whom they chose for their Captain who declared unto them That they ought to fight on the Sabbath-day assuring them That if they did not but scrupulously observed the Law they themselves should be enemies unto themselves if perhaps the Enemy should assail them N on that day and they should not stand upon their guard for by that means they should be destroyed without resistance Hereby he persuaded them to do as he had said and until this day it is a custom among us that if need require we make no difficulty to fight on the Sabbath-day Matthias rooteth out all Idolatry Matthias therefore having assembled a sufficient number of men about him destroyed the Altars and slew those that had forsaken their Religion as many of them as he could lay hands on For divers were scatter'd here and there among the Nations for fear he commanded these to circumcise their children that were not circumcised Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. driving those from every place whom Antiochus had ordain'd to see his Law executed After that Matthias had govern'd for the space of one year he fell sick of a dangerous disease whereupon he called for his sons and spake unto them after this manner My O sons I must now go that way which is destined unto all men I therefore exhort you to follow my advice and diligently to observe it remembring the intent of your father who hath begot and nourish'd you which is to maintain the Laws of our Countrey and to establish our State which is in danger to be overthrown and hold no correspondence with those that would betray it to the A Enemy Let it appear to all the World that ye are my children indeed strengthen your hearts with courage to overcome all force and necessity And assure your selves
Ballez son to be put to death and is made King his Vices rendred him so odious to his Soldiers that they offered themselves up to Cleopatra Demetrius's Relict She married Antiochus Sother Demetrius's brother and made him be crowned King heovercame Tryphon who fled to Dora and from thence to Apamee where he was taken by force and killed Antiochus took a great liking to Simon the great Sacrificer or High-Priest I NOt long after the captivity of Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. Tryphon killed Antiochus the son of Alexander 1 Mac. 15. sirnamed Good notwithstanding he had the care and charge of his education for four years that he reigned Tryphon murthering Alexander obtaineth the Kingdom and spreading abroad a certain report That the young King in exercising himself fortuned to dye he sent his friends and familiars to the Soldiers promising them That if they would choose him King he would give them a great sum of money giving them to understand that Demetrius was a Prisoner among the Parthians and that if Antiochus his brother should obtain the kingdom he would punish them divers ways and revenge the revolt and rebellion which they were guilty of by forsaking him The Army hoping that if they bestow'd the kingdom on Tryphon Tryphon having obtained dominion discovereth his corrupt nature it would redound highly to their profit they proclaim'd him King But after he had attain'd the fulness of his desires he shewed K how malicious and wicked his nature was For when he was a private man he flatter'd the People Tryphons Army submit to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who married Antiochus Soter and committed the authority to his hands and made shew of moderation and by such allurements he drew them to do what he pleased but after he had taken possession of the kingdom he discover'd his hypocrisie and shew'd plainly that he was not unaptly call'd Tryphon that is to say Trifler or Mocker By which means he lost the hearts of the better sort and as for his Army it became so averse from him that it submitted it self to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who had at that time confin'd both her self and her children in Seleucia And whereas Antiochus sirnamed the Devout and brother to Demetrius was driven from place to place Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. and had not any City that would entertain him for fear of Tryphon Cleopatra sent unto him inviting him both to be her husband and to take possession of the kingdom L Antiochus having driven Tryphon out of Syria besieged him in Dora And hereunto did she the rather draw him partly for that she was thereunto persuaded by her friends and partly for the fear she had lest some one of Selucia should betray the City to Tryphon As soon as Antiochus was arrived in Seleucia and that from day to day his Forces encreased Tryphonâ— death he marched forth into the field and fought with Tryphon and overcame him in battel and drove him out of the higher Syria and pursu'd him as far as Phoenicia where after he had retired himself into Dora a strong and impregnable Castle he besieged him therein and sent Ambassadors to Simon the High-Priest of the Jews to confirm a friendship and confederacy with him Simon very courteously accepted his demands and presently sent Antiochus both money and victuals sufficient to furnish his Army at the siege of Dora so that in short space he was accepted amongst the number of his M entire friends Tryphon flying from Dora to Apamea was in that place besieged taken and slain after he had reigned three years CHAP. XIII Antiochus Sother's ingratitude to Simon Machabaeus They come to make War Simon gets alwayes the better and renews his alliance with the Romans BUT the innate avarice that was in Antiochus and the malignity of his nature made him forgetful of those offices and services that Simon had done him so that he sent N Sedebaeus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. his great friend with a mighty Army to invade Jewry and to surprize Simon But he having some privy intelligence of Antiochus's Treachery notwithstanding that at this time he was very old was so provoked with the injuries that Antiochus had done him that animated with courage more than became his age he went himself to the War as if as yet he had been but youthful Simon and his son expelleth Sedebaeus out of Jewry he therefore caused his son to march before with the best Soldiers of his Army and having left a number of his Soldiers in ambush in the hollow retreats of the mountains he executed all his designs without failing in any one of them so that after he had every way obtained the upper hand of his Enemies he ever after enjoyed his Government in peace during the remainder of his life and renewed likewise the confederacy with the Romans O CHAP. XIV The year of the World 3830. before Christ's Nativity 134. A Simon Machabaeus Prince of the Jews and High-Priest is betrayed and killed by his Son-in-law Ptolomey who at the same time makes his Relict and his two sons Prisoners HE governed Judea for the space of eight years and was at last slain at a banquet by the Treachery of Ptolomey his son-in-law Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. who seizing on Simons Wife and his two children 1 Mac. 6. and detaining them in Prison sent out certain of his Train besides to kill John the third son No faith nor trust no not in sons-in-law sirnamed Hircanus of Jerusalem But the young man having some inkling of their drift retired himself speedily into the City and avoided the danger that B they complotted against him assuring himself of the good will of the People in consideration of the benefits they had received at his fathers hands and the hatred that they bare unto Ptolomey who intending to enter the City-gates was sharply repulsed by the Citizens for they had already entertain'd Hircanus CHAP. XV. Hircanus Simon 's son besiegeth Ptolomey in Dagon Castle but his great love towards his mother and his brothers whom Ptolomey threatens to put to death if he storm'd the Castle made him forbear to assault it and raised the siege after which Ptolomey nevertheless put C them to death WHereupon Ptolomey retired unto a certain Castle situate beyond Jericho called Dagon Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. but Hircanus was made High-Priest in his fathers stead who after he had recommended himself to God Ptolomey besieged by Hircanus knowing the power of natural affection keepeth his mother and brethren prisoners whippeth them on the walls and threatneth to throw them down by the firstling Sacrifices that he offer'd marched out against Ptolomey his brother-in-law to make War upon him Now when he was fully resolved to besiege the place whither Ptolomey was retired he had the advantage in all other things but only by the affection that he bare unto
purgeth her self before the King and is reconciled and pacified his choller For he was so transported with the love that he bare unto his wife that he believed she had sufficiently purged her self of those slanders that had been forged against her yielding her most hearty thanks for her honest affection towards him and declaring unto her openly the great esteem D and love that he bare unto her At length as it often falleth out amongst Lovers they fell to tears and embraced each other with great affection for that she gave him no credit he endeavoured the more to draw her to belief Whereupon Mariamne said unto him It is not the act of a Lover to have commanded that if any thing should befall thee otherwise than well with Antony I should presently be put to death notwithstanding I have no wayes offended thee No sooner were these words out of her mouth but the King entred in a strange passion and giving over his embraces he cryed out with a loud voice and tore his hair saying That he had a most evident proof that Joseph had committed adultery with her for that he would not have discovered those things which he had spoken to him in secret except they had greatly trusted one another And in this emotion or rage E of jealousie he hardly contained himself from killing his wife Herod commandeth that Joseph should be slain and imprisoneth Alexandra But the force of love overcame him so much that he bridled his rage notwithstanding it was grievous and irksome unto him Yet he gave order that Joseph should be killed without either audience or justification of his innocency and as touching Alexandra who was the cause of all these troubles he kept her Prisoner About the same time there hapned troubles and revolutions in Syria for Cleopatra continually sollicited and importuned Antony Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. and whetted on his displeasure against all perswading him to remove them from their Governments and bestow the same on her self And for that Antony loved her extremely she was in great estimation and credit with him and being in her own nature inclined to covetousness she abstained from no F kind of corrupt dealing and wickedness Cleopatra very covetous For knowing that the Kingdom should descend unto her brother Cleopatra murthered her brother and sister she caused him to be poysoned when as he was but fifteen years old as for her sister Arsinoe she caused her to be slain by Antony's means being at her prayers in the Temple of Diana in Ephesus Moreover in what place soever she understood that there was any hope to get money whether it were in robbing of Temples or in breaking open of Sepulchres she would be possessed thereof neither was there any religious place so sacred from whence she took not away the Ornaments There was not any thing so prophane and prohibited which she laid not hands on to satisfie her unbribled avarice Neither was the whole World sufficient enough to content this stately Lady who was so much a slave to her own desires and her disordinate appetite that G all the riches in the World were not able to satisfie the same For this cause she constantly importuned Antonius to take from others to be liberal towards her and therefore H entring into Syria with him The year of the World 932. before Christ's Nativity 32. she presently contriv'd how she might get it into her possession For she caused Lysanias Ptolomeys son to be put to death objecting against him that he had private intelligence with the Parthians She begged Jewry also at Antonius's hands and required him besides that to dispossess the Kings of Arabia He was so possessed by this Woman Cleopatra contriveth Lysanias's death that he seemed not only to be bewitched with her words but also inchanted by her poysons to obey her in whatsoever she thought fit yet he was ashamed to commit so manifest injusties lest being so far over-ruled by her he should happen to offend in matters of more consequence Antonius giveth Cleopatra a portion deducted out of Jewry and Arabia Lest therefore either by denying her he should disoblige her or by condescending to her demands he should seem to be the wickedest man alive he deducted a several portion of both their dominions and presented her with the same He gave her likewise those Cities that are scituate between the floud Elutherius and Egypt except Tyre and Sidon which he knew to be free Cities of long continuance although by earnest sollicitation she thought to seize these also CHAP. V. Cleopatra goeth into Judea and used all her endeavors but in vain to make Herod fall in love with her Antonius having conquered Armenia giveth her great Presents K AFter that Cleopatra had obtained all these things Cleopatra cometh to Herod who instateth her in that part of Arabia and those revenues of Jericho that were given her and had accompanied Antonius as far as Euphrates who at that time went to make War in Armenia she returned back again and by the way visited Apamea and Damasco and at last took her progress into Jewry where King Herod met with her and assured that portion which had been given unto her in Arabia with all the revenues of Jericho unto her This Countrey bringeth forth that balm which of all other ointments is the most precious and onely groweth in that place An intemperate woman given to lust and also the finest Palm-trees in the World Being arrived in that place and grown inwardly familiar with Herod she sought to allure and draw him to her lust being of her self naturally addicted to such pleasures and intemperance or rather as it seemeth most likely she laid this foundation to intrap him under colour to L revenge her self of some injury by that means But in effect she generally manifested that she had a passionate love for Herod but he was not so kindly bent towards Cleopatra knowing how badly she was inclined towards all men and at that time he conceived the greater hatred against her Herod goeth about to put Cleopatra to death and is dissuaded by his friends because by that intemperance of hers she pretended to destroy him and although that from the beginning he had rejected her sollicitations yet he resolved to be reveng'd of her if so be by these her subtil undermindings she should continue her policies to betray him He asked counsel of all his friends whether having her in his possession he should put her to death For in so doing all those should be delivered from divers evils whom either in time past she had molested or hereafter she should bring in trouble Moreover that it should be profitable for M Antonius also whom without all doubt she would forsake if any occasion or necessity should enforce him to make tryal of her friendship But whilst he debated and discoursed upon this resolution his friends disswaded him
soever were presently punished In this his intemperance he imbrued his hands in the blood of divers of his friends as Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater sirnamed Gadias and Dositheus for this occasion that ensueth Costabarus was an Idumaean and one of the greatest account amongst his countreymen who was descended from the Priests of Cozas whom the Idumaeans esteem for a god before that Hircanus had obliged them to embrace the Jews Religion Herod being made King of the Jews appointed Costabarus to be Governor in Idumaea O and Gaza Costabarus whom Herod had matched with his sister Salome usurpeth in Idumaea giving him Salome his sister to wife after he had put Joseph to death to whom she had been married before as we have declared Costabarus seeing himself in this estate beyond his expectation grew more proud then this good fortune required and in a little time forgot himself so far that he thought himself dishonoured if he should perform that which Herod commanded him and scorned that the Idumaeans should be under the A Jews subjection notwithstanding they had received their manner of government from them He therefore sent messengers unto Cleopatra giving her to understand that Idumaea had alwayes been under her ancestors subjection and for that cause she ought upon just cause to demand and beg that countrey at Antonius hands and that for himself he was ready to become her servant All which he practised not to gratifie Cleopatra in any sort whatsoever but to the intent that if Herods fortunes should be any wayes weakned he might more easily by this means both enlarge and obtain the Kingdom of Idumaea And with these foolish hopes was he transported in regard of his birth and riches which he had heaped together by such dishonest means as he continually practised as he that intended B no small matters But notwithstanding Cleopatra's often and earnest petition to obtain his soveraignty Costabarus preserved by his wives intercession yet could she not obtain it at Antonius hands When Herod had notice of these covert and cunning practices he was ready to kill Costabarus But upon the earnest supplications of his sister and her mother he dismissed and pardoned him yet held him alwayes insuspicion by reason of this practice Not long after it hapned that Salome fell at debate with Costabarus for which cause she sent a Bill of divorce to her husband notwithstanding it were against the laws and ordinary customs of the Jews For according to our ordinances it is only lawful for the husband to do the same and as touching the wife notwithstanding she were separated yet it is not lawful for her to marry again except her husband first give her licence But Salome without respect of the laws of the countrey grounding C her self too much upon her own authority forsook her husband saying that she separated her self from her husband by reason of the great friendship which she bare unto her brother for that she had received some notice that Costabarus conspired against her with Antipater Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater and Dositheus accused before Herod Lysimachus and Dositheus And this accusation she confirmed by Babas children whom he had already kept with him in all security for the space of twelve years All which was true and at that time beyond all mens expectation wonderfully troubled Herod as soon as he heard it Babas sons preserved by Costabarus For as for Babas sons he had heretofore resolved to cut them off for that they had been alwayes disaffected towards him and all his enterprises but all that time he had let them pass because by continuance they were grown out of his remembrance Now the cause of this enmity and hatred which he bare towards them was gathered from this D ground when Antigonus enjoyed the soveraignty and Herod besieged the City of Jerusalem with an army those incommodities and necessities that ordinarily happen unto those that are besieged were the cause that divers acknowledged Herod and fixed their hopes upon him But Babas sons being in authority and besides that attended by a great number of men persevered in their faithful observation of Antigonus and blamed Herod continually encouraging the inhabitants to continue the Kingdom in those to whom it appâ—râ—â—ined by descent and they themselves followed that course which in their opinion was most profitable for the Commonweal But after that the City was surprized by Herod and he grew master of the estate Costabarus who was appointed to keep the City gates and to lie in wait that none of those who were accused to have forsaken the Kings side should escape knowing E that the sons of Babas were greatly esteemed and honoured among the people and foreseeing that their safety might be no small furtherance to himself if at any time there might ensue any alteration he discharged and hid them within his own possessions and notwithstanding that at that time he had protested to Herod by an oath that he knew not what was become of them yet though suspected of perjury he concealed them And afterwards when the King had by Proclamation promised a reward to him that should discover them and sought for them by all means neither then also would he confess the fact For being afraid lest he should be punished for his first denial he concealed them still not so much for their sake as for his own interest Now when the King had notice hereof by his sisters report Babas sons and others are accused before Herod and slain he sent to the place where F they were hidden and made kill them and all those that were guilty of the same crime so that no one of Hircanus kindred was now left alive but all of them being killed Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. who excelled in nobility and dignity he did what he pleased without any contradiction for which cause he by little and little forsook the ceremonies and ordinances of his Countrey Herod introduceth divers forrain customs and corrupted the decrees and institutions of their ancestors which he ought to have kept inviolable by his new and strange inventions In whose time there was a very great change and alteration of the ancient and good manner of living The year of the world 3939. before Christs Nativity 25. for all fell from bad to worse and the politick order whereby the people ought to be governed and kept within compass of their duty went to decay For first of all he ordained certain wrastlings from five years to five years in honour of Caesar and builded a G Theater for that purpose within Jerusalem The Theater and the Wrastling places He erected also a most huge Amphitheater within the Plain which were two Monuments worthy to be seen by reason of the sumptuousness thereof but wholly contrary to the fashions of the Jews For neither the H use nor the presentation of these spectacles hath ever been practised or taught by
the rather that fixing his eyes upon Herod he perceived him also to be moved and all that were present were sorry for the young Princes All men do pity the young men So that all who were present censured the King for the absurd and frivolous accusation framed against them their youth and handsomness made all the spectators so concerned at their misfortunes that there was nothing wherein they were not ready to assist them And much more after that Alexander had ingeniously refuted his father's accusations the accused remaining still D in the same posture and place and for grief fixing their eyes upon the ground At last some hope appeared so that the King himself seemed to need some excuse for having so rashly accused his sons without any certain proof of his accusations At last Caesar having a while deliberated with himself Caesar pronounceth the young men herein to have offended that they gave occasion of suspicion and he exhorteth the Father to be reconciled to his Children pronounced that the Princes were innocent of the crimes laid unto their charge Yet herein they were too blame that they had so behaved themselves that they gave their father occasion to suspect them And as for Herod he requested him to lay aside all suspicion and to be reconciled to his Children For it was unjustly done of him to believe such forged accusations against those whom he had begotten that he was fully perswaded that they would prove so dutiful to him for the future that he would not only forget that distaste that they had given E him but that he would also renew his former affection towards them and both parties endeavouring thus to re-establish the friendship and trust that ought to be between so near Relations their union would be greater and more sincere than ever Caesar having thus admonished the young men Herod is reconciled to his Children they prepared themselves to entreat their Father's wonted favour He not expecting so long came and embraced each of them one after another they weeping exceedingly and all those that were present both servants and others did the like Then giving humble thanks unto Caesar they departed together and Antipater with them Antipater friendly doth congratulate his brethren returned into his Fathers favour counterfeiting himself to congratulate their happiness for being reconciled unto his Father Within a few days after Herod gave Caesar three hundred Talents who F was now bestowing his gifts and presents at Rome and exercising his liberality upon the people And Caesar again bestowed upon him half of the revenues out of the Mines of the metal in Cyprus and the other half unto the overseer thereof and gracing him otherwise also Herod did give Caesar 300. talents he gave him leave to chuse which of his sons he pleased for to succeed him in his Kingdom or if he had rather to distribute it amongst them all which Herod presently would have done but Caesar would not permit him affirming that during his life he should keep it all whole and undivided Caesar gave Herod half his revenues out of the Mines of Cyprus and his sons should be subject unto him After this Herod returned again into Judea in whose absence the Trachonites that were no small part of his Kingdom The rebels are conquered were revolted yet by the industry of the Captains G he left to oversee all in his absence they were reduced again and forced to do as they were commanded As Herod and his sons were sailing towards home arriving at Eleusa a City of Cilicia which is now called Sabaste he found Archelaus there who was King of Cappadocia Archelaus did courteously entertain Herod and was very joyful H that his sons and he were made friends and that Alexander his son in Law had so well cleared himself and his brother of the crimes laid unto their charge And so each one bestowing upon the other princely gifts they departed taking their leave one of the other After this Herod being newly returned into Judea and calling the people together into the Temple told them all that had past in his absence from them and the courtesy of Caesar And told them also of other affairs that he thought fit for them to know and turning the latter end of his speech unto his Sons and exhorting the Courtiers and common people to concord he told them that his sons should reign after him and first of all Antipater and after him his sons that he had by Mariamne Alexander and Aristobulus In the mean time every one of them should honour him as King and I Lord notwithstanding his old age which for long experience was the fitter to govern seeing there was nothing in him wanting to keep both his Subjects and Children in their obedience and that the souldiers also if they only respected him should live in all happiness and felicity without molestation Having thus spoken he dismissed the people some thinking he had spoken according to equity others thinking clean contrary For having now as it were caused an emulation amongst his Children there was as it were already a shew of some mutation CHAP. IX K Herod having compleated the building of Caesarea dedicateth it to Augustus and entertaineth the people with stately Plays and Past-times He causeth other Towns to be built and several Monuments His extream Liberality to Strangers and his excessive rigour to his own Subjects ABout this time Caesarea was finished The year of the World 3957. before Christ's Nativity 7. the tenth year after it was begun to be built the 28. year of Herod's Reign in the 192. Olympiad In the dedication hereof there was great pomp and sumptuous preparations For all Musicians were brought thither to strive one with another who was most excellent in their Art and Champions L that wrastled being naked and anointed with oyl Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. al. 10. There was also a great many that fought with swords and a great number of wild Beasts and all things else that at such times were used and in account either at Rome or in other Countreys These sports were also consecrated unto Caesar Caesarea is finished and were to be renewed every fifth year All this provision the King at his own cost and charges provided to be brought from all places whatsoever Quinquennalâ— certamen to shew the greatness of his magnificence Julia Caesar's wife also bestowed much of her own to the furnishing hereof and sent many precious things out of Italy so that the worth of them all amounted to five hundred talents And a great company being gathered together to behold these sports he received all Embassadours sent unto him from other Nations to thank him for the benefits he had bestowed on M them and he lodged feasted and recreated them and being all day long amongst the people to see those sports at night he received them with banquets and shewing them
Greeks or Barbarians that make account of virtue which they have practised from all Antiquity which is that they possess their goods in common neither doth the richest among them make more use of his possessions than he that hath least of all They are at least four thousand in number who have neither Wives nor Slaves supposing that Women are the occasion of injustice and Slaves do cause insurrections E and living apart by themselves they serve one another and chuse out certain upright men among the Priests to gather the Fruits and Revenues of the Lands to the end they may be maintained and nourished thereby Plisti among the Danes In a word they follow the same course of life that they do Judas â—alilaeus the Author of the fourth Sect. who are called Plisti among the Danes The fourth Sect was founded by Judas of Galilee which accordeth altogether and in all things with the Pharisees but they are extremely zealous of their liberty acknowledging but one only God Lord and Master of all things and had rather both themselves with their dearest Children and Kindred should endure the most grievous and bitter torments that may be imagined than call any mortal man their Lord. Of which constancy of theirs I forbear to discourse any further at this time for it is sufficiently known unto divers who have been F eye-witnesses thereof neither do I fear lest any one should suppose those things to be incredible which I have said of them but rather that I have spoken less than they themselves make evident in contemning their grievous tortures and punishments which courage and magnanimity of theirs encreased very mightily amongst our Nation being kindled by the most grievous injuries which were offered us by Gessius Florus our Governour Gessius Florus 's injuries by which means at length it came to pass that they revolted and rebelled against the people of Rome Thus much concerning the Sects among the Jews CHAP. III. H Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso AFter that Cyrenius had confiscated Archelaus's Goods Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. and finished the valuation of I every man's Estate which happened thirty seven years after Antonies overthrow by Caesar in the Actian Battel he deposed Joazar from the Priestly Dignity Ananus the Son of Seth made High Priest in Joazar's place by reason of that Sedition which the people stirred up against him and established Ananus the Son of Seth in his place But Herod and Philip took each of them the possession of their Tetrarchy Alias cap. 6. and disposed of the Affairs thereof Herod inclosed Sephoris with a strong Wall Sephoris chief City of Galilee and made it the chiefest City and Ornament of Galilee He fortified also another City called Bataramphtha and named it Julias in honour of Julia the Emperour Caesar's Wife Betaramphtha called Julias Paneas Bethsaida Philip repaired Paneada situated near unto the head of Jordan and called it Caesarâ—a he repaired also the Borough of Bethsaida near unto the Lake of Genezareth and gave it the dignity of a City both for the number of the Inhabitants as for K other pre-eminencies Men's bones scattered in the Temple and called it Julia by Caesars Wives name As for Coponius the Governour in Judaea who as we have said was sent with Cyrenius in his time there hapned that which followeth At the Feast of Unlevened Bread which we call Pascha the custom was that the Priests opened the Temple Gates about midnight The year of the World 3974. after Christ's Nativity 12. at which time certain Samaritans who secretly entred into Jerusalem as soon as the Gates were open spred men's bones amidst the Porches and over all the Temple whereby it came to pass that the Priests began to keep a more diligent watch than they had done before Some little while after Hedio Ruffinus chap 4. Coponius returned to Rome and Marcus Ambivius succeeded him in the Government In his time Salome King Herod's Sister departing out of this life bequeathed unto Julia the City of Jamnia and all the Lands and Countrey round L about The year of the World 3975. after Christ's Nativity 13. she gave her also Phasaelis situate on the Plain and Archelais where there are divers Date Trees bearing most excellent fruit After Ambivius Annius Rufus had the Command in whose time died Augustus Caesar the second Roman Emperour after he had reigned fifty seven years six months and two days and had Antonius his Co-partner in the Monarchy for the space of fourteen years The year of the World 3977. after Christ's Nativity 15. He lived in the whole seventy seven years After Caesar succeeded Tiberius Nero the Son of Julia his Wife who was the third Roman Emperour He it was that sent the fifth Governour into Judaea whose name was Valerius Gratus who succeeded Annius Rufus This Gratus deposed Ananus and appointed Ismael the Son of Fabius High Priest The year of the World 3978. after Christ's Nativity 16. and after his decease for he lived but a M little while after Eleazar the Son of Ananus was made High Priest A year after this Eleazar was also deposed and the Priesthood was given to Simon the Son of Camithus who continuing in this dignity for a year's space and no longer Joseph called Caiphas succeeded him The year of the World 3979. after Christ's Nativity 17. After Gratus had behaved himself thus he returned to Rome after he had remained in Judaea for the space of eleven years After him came Pontius Pilate and succâ—eded him in the Government But Herod the Tetrarch being entertained into Tiberius's Friendship builded a City in honour of his name and called it Tiberias He planted it in the fruitfullest part of Galilee hard by the Lake Genezareth and near unto the natural Baths in the Borough called Emmans The year of the World 3980. after Christ's Nativity 18. This City was peopled by strangers who resorted thither from all parts and by divers of the Countreys N of Galilee some of which were constrained to inhabit the same Some of those likewise who were in authority repaired thither and from all Countreys many flocked thither who were not all assuredly held to be Free-men all which he made free and gave them great gifts on that condition that they should not abandon the City To some of them he gave houses already builded to others Lands very apt to be tilled knowing that the inhabiting of such a place was contrary to the Laws and Customs of his Countrey Tyberias builded and the
Ordinances of the Jews for that Tiberias was builded in a place full of Sepulchres Phraates King of the Parthians slain by the Treason of Phraataces his Son and our Law saith he that converseth in those places is held unclean and defiled for the space of seven days At that very time Phraates King of Parthia died being treacherously killed by his Son O Phraataces for this cause After that Phraates had begotten many lawful Children he took an Italian woman to be his Concubine called Thermusa whom with other A Presents Julius Caesar had sent unto him The year of the World 3990. after Christ's Nativity 28. After he had begorten on her his Son Phraataces he was so much besotted with her beauty that he took her to his Wife and held her in high esteme She that might perswade him unto all that she pleased enforced her self to the uttermost to make her Son King of Parthia and seeing that she might not attain thereunto Thermusa Phraataces 's Mother except she had first found out the means to deliver her self of Phraates's lawful Children she perswaded him to send them Hostages to Rome In a word they were presently sent away because Phraates had not the power to contradict Thermusa's Will and only Phraataces was brought up in State Affairs who thinking the time too tedious and long if he should expect the Kingdom till his Father was dead conspired against him by the instigation and furtherance of his Mother with whom B as it was thought he committed Incest Phraataces slain In effect being equally attainted of those two enormous Crimes both for the murther of his Father and Incest committed with his Mother he was generally hated by his Subjects who rebelled against him before he was setled in his Kingdom By this means his Fortune was overthrown and he died The Noble men among the Parthians perceiving that it was impossible for them to maintain their State without a King and that their King ought lineally to be descended of the Race of the Arsacians because by custom they might not chuse any out of another stock and supposing that their Ordinances had too much already been broken and that it would redound to their great dishonour if the Kingdom should be continued in the hands of such a man who was descended from an Italian Concubine they sent C Ambassadours to require Herod to come and be their King Herod sent for by the Parthians and slain in hunting who otherwise was hated of all the people and accused of extreme cruelty In a word he was an unsociable man and extreamly cholerick notwithstanding he was of the Blood of the Arsacides they therefore flocked about him and killed him at a Banquet made at a certain Sacrifice for the custom of the Parthians was that every one bare his weapon or as the common report was that he was killed when he was a hunting For this cause they sent Ambassadours to Rome requiring that one of those that were Hostages there might be their King and one Vonones was sent unto them who was preferred above all his Brethren For he seemed to be capable of that high Degree of honour as to command two of the greatest Sovereignties that were under the Sun the one of his own Nation D the other of a Foreign Dominion But the Barbarians who are by nature inconstant and most insolent shortly after repented themselves for they disdained to execute the Command of a Slave for so called they a Pledg saying that the Parthians had not a King given them by right of War but that which was the greatest abuse that could befall them by an injury offered them in the time of a shameful Peace For which cause they speedily sent for Artabanus King of Media who was of the Race of the Arsacides To this request of theirs he willingly condescended and came unto them with his Army and Vonones marched forward against him At the first encounter although the common sort among the Parthians favoured Artabanus yet he was overcome Vonones King of the Parthians put to flight by Artabanus and fled to the Mountains of Media But not long after having assembled a E greater Army he once more set upon Vonones and defeated him at which time Vonones retired himself with some Horse-men of his into Seleucia But Artabanus having made a great slaughter of those that fled and wholly abashed the minds of the Barbarians he retired to the City of Ctesiphon with those people that accompanied him and was afterwards made King of Parthia Vonones arrived in Armenia and at the first sought to make himself King over that Nation sending to this effect certain Ambassadours to Rome but Tiberius repulsed his suit in respect of his Cowardice but the rather because Artabanus by an express Embassage had threatned him with War For those of the greatest power among the Armenians who are those that dwell about the Flood Niphates maintained Artabanus's Title Vonones submits to Syllanus Governour of Syria and Vonones destitute of all hope to obtain the F Kingdom yielded himself to Syllanus who was Governour of Syria and in regard that he had been brought up at Rome he was kept in Syria and Artabanus gave Armenia to Orodes Orodes King of Armenia one of his Sons Antiochus King of the Comagenes died also at that time Antiochus King of Comagena and there fell a debate betwixt the Commons and the Nobility so that both parties sent their Ambassadours to Rome The Nobles demanded that the Kingdom might be reduced into divers Provinces and the people requested that they might be honoured by a King Germanicus poysoned by Piso's means as they had been accustomed The Senate decreed that Germanicus should be sent to settle the affairs of the East Fortune thereby presenting him with the occasion of his ruine For when he arrived in the East and orderly disposed all things he was poysoned by Piso whereof he died as is declared in another place CHAP. IV. H The Jews are so highly offended that Pilat Governour of Judea had suffered the Imperial Standards to be brought into Jerusalem having the Emperour's Picture on them that he was forced to cause them to be carried out again The Commendations and Praises of JESUS CHRIST A horrid injury done to a Roman Lady by the Goddess Isis's Priests how Tyberius punished them PIlate Governour of Judaea led his Army from Caesarea to Jerusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. alias chap. 8. where he wintered them with an intent to bring in Caesar's Standards into the City in contempt I of our Law Pilate bringeth Caesar's Statues to Jerusalem and upon the peoples instant motion transferreth them to Caesarea which forbiddeth us to make images For which cause those Governours that were before him were wont to make their entries into the City without such Pictures or Paintings Pilate was the first who unawares and by night entred Jerusalem
acts and gests of Monobazus during his reign But during Fadus Government in Judaea Theudas perswadeth the people that with a word he will cause Jordan to divide it self yield them passage he with his followers are slain a certain Magician called Theudas perswaded a great number of the people to take all their goods and substance and to follow him to the River of Jordan for he said he was a Prophet and told them that the River should divide it self into two parts upon his commandment and yield them free passage By these words of his he deceived divers of them But Fadus sent some troops of Horse who charged them on the sudden and killed a great number of them and took divers of them Prisoners alive amongst whom was Theudas O whose head was stricken off and was afterwards carried to Jerusalem This is that which befel the Jews under Fadus's Government A CHAP. III. The year of the World 4010. after Christ's Nativity 48. Tiberius Alexander succeeds Fadus in the Government of Judaea and Cumanus succeeds Alexander Herod King of Chalcis's death his Children Claudius the Emperour giveth his Dominions to Agrippa AFter Fadus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. alias chap. 8. succeeded Tiberius Alexander the Son of that Alexander who had been Governour of Alexandria a man of as great Riches as any one of his time and place Tiberius Alexander Governour of Judaea who surpassed likewise his Son Alexander in piety who forsook the Religion B of his Forefathers At that time there hapned a great Famine in Jewry during which Queen Helena sent huge summs of money into Egypt and bought Corn and distributed the same to those that were in want James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee crucified according as I have said before At the same time James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee who had busied themselves to incite the people to resist the Government of the Romans were put to death at such time as Cyrenius valued each man's Goods as we have heretofore declared These did Alexander command to be crucified The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. Herod King of Chalcis took away the Sovereign Priesthood from Joseph the Son of Camydas and transferred it to Ananias the Son of Nebedaeus After Tiberius Alexander succeeded Cumanus The died Herod who was Brother to King Agrippa the Great in the eighth year of Claudius Caesar He left behind C him three Sons Aristobulus whom he had by his first Wife Bernicianus and Hircanus by Bernice his Brother's Daughter Claudius Caesar gave this Kingdom to Agrippa the younger During the time that Cumanus governed there happened a Sedition in Judaea whereby divers Jews miscarried The cause of all which accidents I will rip up from the Original CHAP. IV. The horrid Insolence of a Roman Soldier causeth the death of twenty thousand Jews D Another Soldier 's Insolence AT the time of the Feast of Pascha during which time the Jews are accustomed to feed on unleavened bread a great number of people assembled themselves from all parts Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. to the City of Jerusalem Alias 10. Whereupon Cumanus fearing lest by this occasion there should arise some Commotion he gave order that a Company of his Souldiers should be armed and should keep their Guard in the Porches of the Temple to the end if any trouble should happen they might repress it Those Governours who had been his Predecessors had done the like in such manner of Assemblies It came to pass In the Feast of Pascha a certain Soldier shewing his Privy Members moveth a Sedition among the people whereby twenty thousand Jews lost their lives on the fourth day of the Feast that a certain Soldier discovering those Privities E which were undecent to be seen shewed them before the people wherewith they that beheld the same were much displeased and provoked saying that the dishonour was not done to them but to God And some of the boldest of them uttered certain speeches against Cumanus saying that the Soldier was set on by him which when Cumanus understood he was in like manner grievously offended in regard of those injuries yet exhorted those whom he saw too forward to keep the Peace for fear lest a Sedition should arise during the time of the Feast And seeing they would no ways obey him but contrariwise they ceased not to injure and revile him he commanded that all the Forces he had should be in Arms and retire themselves into the Fort of Antonia that was near unto the Temple as we have heretofore declared F The people seeing the armed Soldiers were afraid and began to fly and because the places thorough which they issued were but narrow they imagined that they were pursued by their enemies so that they thrust on one another in their flight and divers of them were thronged to death Stephen Caesar's Servant robbed in his Journey for which cause Cumanus spoileth the Villages near to the place where the Robbery was done In this mutiny there died twenty thousand men and after this instead of a Feast there was nothing but mourning and without bethinking themselves of their Prayers and Sacrifices all of them began to weep and lament So great a mischief sprung from the insolence of one Soldier This first lamentation was scarcely finished before a second succeeded the same For some of those who had a part in this Mutiny being about a hundred stades from the City robbed one Stephen that was Caesar's Servant in the High way and took from him all that G which he had Which when Cumanus understood he presently sent some of his Soldiers to spoil those Villages which were nearest to the place where the Fact was committed and to bring the chiefest Inhabitants thereof in Bonds unto him In this pillage a certain Soldier found a Book of the Law of Moses in one of those Villages which he H took and brought and before them all tore it in pieces with horrid Blasphemies and vile speeches against the Law and whole Nation The Jews understanding hereof suddenly assembled themselves in great numbers and ran to Caesarea where Cumanus kept for that present A certain Soldier teareth the Books of Moses's Law and therefore is beheaded by Cumanus's commandment requiring him that he would revenge not their cause but God's whose Law was on that sort dishonoured signifying unto him that it was impossible for them to live so long as their Law was thus contemned Cumanus fearing lest a second mutiny and uproar should be raised among the people by counsel of his Friends cut off the Soldier 's head who had committed that Crime against the Law and by this means appeased the Sedition that was ready to take head I CHAP. V. A great Quarrel between the Jews of Galilee and the Samaritans who bribe Cumanus Governour of Judaea Quadratus Governour of Syria
side he caused him to be killed by finding out a means to cause him to be stifled at such time as he bathed himself in a Fish-pond near to Jericho Aristobulus slain by Herod as we have declared before this After him he bestowed the Priesthood no more on any of the Line of the Asmoneans Archelaus his Son supra l 15. c. 3. followed his Father's steps in respect of the Priesthood and from that time forward the Romans have enjoyed the Sovereignty over Jewry All they then that have exercised the Priesthood from Herod's time until the day that Titus took the City and the Temple have been in all twenty and eight All the continuance of their Government was one hundred and seven years Some of these governed during Herod's I life and in the days of Archelaus his Son But after these two were dead the Government was Aristocratical or of the Nobility wherein the Priests had the Government over the whole Nation Thus much have we thought fit to speak at this time concerning the High Priests CHAP. IX How Florus Albinus's Successor offered many injuries to the Jews which constrained them to take Arms against the Romans K GEssius Florus being sent by Nero to succeed Albinus filled all Judaea with many mischiefs and miseries The year of the World 4028. after Christ's Nativity 66. He was a Clazomenian born and was married to a certain Woman called Cleopatra no less mischievous than himself who being beloved by Poppea Nero's Wife obtained this Dignity for him He behaved himself so insolently and violently in all his Government Gessius Florus Governour of Judaea that through the great injustice he committed the Jews praised Albinus as if he had been their Benefactor For he concealed his mischief taking care lest it should be discovered But Gessius Florus behaved himself so Gessius Florus worse than Albinus as if he had been sent to make open shew and sale of his Villanies published his injustice in the ears of our Nation without omitting any injustice in executing L and inflicting punishment on the innocent For he was pitiless and covetous and made no difference between Noble and Ignoble and was not ashamed to be partaker with Thieves of whom there were divers who made it their profession to steal without any fear in that they were assured of their safety because he was partaker with them The year of the World 4030. after Christs Nativity 68. And in a word there was no moderation in him so that the poor Jews being unable to endure such insolence were constrained to abandon their own houses and to fly their Countrey and remain in some more commodious place of security yea though it were among strangers What need I speak any more he that constrained us to draw our Swords against the Romans Florus the original cause of the Wars of the Jews was Florus we made this account that it was better for us to die all at once than to perish by little and little M In short the War began the second year of Florus's Government in that Province which was the twelfth year of Nero's Empire The beginning of the Wars but they that desire to know exactly all that which we have been constrained both to do and suffer may persue may Books of the Wars of the Jews For which cause in this place I will end this ancient History This ancient History containeth all that which hath been reported to be done since the first Creation of man The Epilogue of the Antiquities of the Jews until the twelfth year of Nero's Empire omitting nothing that hath befallen the Jews as well in Egypt as in Syria and Palestine All that likewise which we have been enforced to suffer under the Assyrians and Babylonians as also our Estate under the Persians and Macedonians and finally under the Romans N All this as I suppose I have compiled and gathered together with careful diligence and I have enforced my self to recite the number of those who have been High Priests for the space of two thousand years I have also collected the Succession of Kings their Actions and Government with the power of their Monarchies according as it is amply described in Holy Scriptures as also I have promised in the beginning of my History Moreover I dare boldly say that whatsoever I set down is so true that there is no man either Jew or of what Nation soever yea although he should have employed the uttermost of his power could more exactly communicate the same unto the Greeks than I have done For in their Confessions and Opinions who are of our Nation Joseph expert in the Greek and Hebrew Tongue I have such knowledge in that which concerneth our O Doctrine as I surpass them all And as for the Grecian Disciplines I have studied and learned the Tongue although I cannot boast of the familiar and fit Pronunciation A of the same for that I have lived in the Countrey For amongst us we make but slender reckoning of those who are exercised in divers Tongues for that this Study is accounted Prophane by us and common not only to free persons but also unto slaves and they only are esteemed to have profited in Wisdom who fully know the Contents of the Law and who can expound the Holy Scriptures For this cause although divers have busied themselves in this exercise of writing Histories yet there are scarcely two or three of them that have written successfully and have received the Fruits of their Labours And it may be that it will not be thought amiss if I freely speak somewhat of my Progeny and Life considering that there are men at this day living who can approve or reprove me in that I set down This Volume was written And in this place I will make an end of B my Antient History which I have reduced into twenty Books containing sixty thousand Verses The year of the World 4057. after Christ's Nativity 95. And if God grant me life I will shortly treat of our Wars and the events of the same that have happened hitherto which is the thirteenth year of Domitianus Caesar's Empire and the fifty sixth year of my Age. Moreover I am resolved to discover in four Books the divers Opinions of the Sects of the Jews as touching God and his Essence and our Laws according to which certain things are permitted us and others are forbidden The End of the Antiquities of the Jews THE Lamentable Tragical HISTORY OF THE WARS AND UTTER RUINE OF THE JEWS Comprised in Seven BOOKS BY FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Son of MATTHIAS Formerly Translated into English By Tho. Lodge D. M. P. And now Revised the Translation refined according to the late French Copy of it Published by Monsieur Arnauld D' Andilly LONDON Printed for Abel Roper Nathanael Ranew Jonathan Robinson and Obadiah Tomlins 1675. A THE B PREFACE C In which the Author taxeth divers
that if Antigonus came armed they should kill him himself then lodging in a certain Castle which in times past was called Bari and afterwards Antonia by Herod in honour of Antonius with this Commission that if Antigonus came unarmed they should let him pass if otherwise they should kill him He sent certain Messengers also to Antigonus requiring him to repair unto him dis-armed But the wicked Queen prevented this good intent of his by a subtil stratagem complotted by those that with her conspired against him The Queen 's cunning Stratagem against Antigonus for she perswaded those that were to carry this message to discover nothing of what the King had commanded them but to tell Antigonus that his Brother having intelligence that he had brought very goodly Armour with other C fair Furniture for War from Galilee desired him to come to him arm'd as he was that he might have the pleasure to see him in his Warlike Ornaments Antigonus suspecteth not his Brother Which when Antigonus understood who by reason of his Brother's affection suspected no mischief he armed himself and resorted to him intending to content him with his appearance But no sooner arrived he in the strait which is called the Tower of Straton but the Guard of Aristobulus set upon him and slaughtered him yielding by this means a demonstrative testimony that Detraction is able to destroy all good nature and friendship and that there is no union of affection so great as it can always resist the attempts of envy to ruine it In this Occurrence there happened a thing which cannot be too much admired Judas the Prophet foretelleth Antigonus's death D One Judas who was of the Sect of the Esseans had so certain a knowledge of the Future that his Predictions were never found false This man beholding Antigonus pass thorough the Temple cried out to his familiars who attended him in no small number as ordinarily divers of his Disciples did Ah how happy were it for me at this present if I were dead since truth is dead before me and one of my Predictions is found faulty For behold Antigonus yet liveth who should this day have died in the Tower of Straton which is distant from this place six hundred furlongs and 't is now the fourth hour of the day now therefore is the time wherein my Divination shall be falsified Having spoken to this effect the old man sat down being altogether disconsolate and pensive within a while after it was told him that Antigonus was slain in a place under E ground called the Tower of Straton being of the same name with that at Caesarea which is scituate upon the Sea-coast which conformity of names was the cause that Judas staggered in his Divination The sorrow which incontinently seized Aristobulus Aristobulus through the grief he conceived at his Brother's death falleth sick for committing this hainous Murther augmented his sickness in such sort that his Soul was continually troubled with the thought of his sin and his body through extream heat of passion became dried up and the grief that he felt was so vehement that his Entrails became exulcerated so that he voided blood in great abundance And it so fell out by God's Providence that one of his Servants who was deputed to that Office bearing out that blood which came from him A Servant spilleth blood in the same place where Antigonus was slain missed his way and came to that place where Antigonus had F been slain where still there appeared some signs and stains of the blood of Antigonus on which he poured out the blood of the Murtherer Aristobulus Which when they perceived who stood hard by imagining that the Servant had purposely spilled the blood in that place as it were in Sacrifice to the Ghost of that Prince they cryed out so loud that Aristobulus hearing their cry demanded the cause thereof and the more that each man feared to discover the same to him the more instantly he desired to understand the truth so that at length after he had used threats he was certified of what had passed Whereupon his eyes were suddenly filled with tears and in vehement agony of mind The eye of God discovereth every sin he cryed out and said How could I hope but that the great eye of the Divine Majesty should see my wicked acts and the sudden vengeance of my Brother's blood G pursue and overtake me Aristobulus dieth miserably How long O thou miserable Body wilt thou detain my Soul from being sacrificed to the vengeance of my Mother and Brother's death Why do I thus lingeringly languish in offering a part of my blood unto them Let them take it all at once and let not the Divine Vengeance laugh any longer to see the effusion of mine Entrails The year of the World 3862. before Christ's Nativity 100 H This said he died after he had only reigned one year His Wife after his death delivered his Brother Alexander from Prison and established him King who was both the eldest and seemed to be the most moderate among the rest of his Brethren Ant. l. 13. c. 9 But growing by this means both proud and potent he put one of his Brethren to death Alexander advanced to the Kingdom useth much cruelty for aspiring after the Kingdom but spared the other alive for that he contented himself with a private and contemplative life He made War also against Ptolomey that was called Lathyrus who had surprized the City of Asoth and put a great number of his enemies to the Sword nevertheless Ptolomey's side obtained the Victory But retiring himself into the Countrey of Egypt by reason that his Mother Cleopatra pursued him with open War Alexander forcibly entred the City I of Gadara Alexander is overthrown by Theodore and the Fort of Amath one of the greatest of all those that were beyond Jordan in which place Theodore Zeno's Son had hoarded up his chiefest and most precious moveables which he took but enjoyed not long for Theodore suddenly setting upon him recovered all that which was his and furthermore laid hands on the King's Carriage in seizing which he slaughtered many Jews to the number of ten thousand But Alexander after he had recovered this loss invaded the Frontire Towns upon the Sea-coast and won Rapha Gaza and Anthedon which afterwards by King Herod was called Agrippias The Sedition of the Jews against Alexander upon a Festival day But after he had conquered these places the common sort of the Jews raised a mutiny against him during a certain solemn and holy Feast as Mutinies and Seditions are commonly raised at Banquets and it is K thought that he could not have prevailed against those Rebels had he not been assisted by the Pisidians and Cilicians whom he hired to help him for the Syrians he refused to hire by reason of their natural hatred they bare against the Jews Having therefore slain
business for which cause labouring under his disease Ant. lib. 13. cap. 22. he applied himself to War and toiling above his strength amidst those tumults he yielded up the Ghost in the thirty seventh year of his Reign leaving the Kingdom to Alexandra his Wife Alexandra Alexander's Wife through the opinion of Vertue obtaineth the Kingdom fully accounting that the Jews would in all things obey her because that she always misliking and seeking to hinder his cruelty and iniquity had won the hearts of the people Neither was he deceived for she being admired for her piety amongst them they easily submitted to her the rather F for that she was well acquainted with the Customs of her Countrey and even from her Childhood detested them who violated our holy Laws Hircanus first made High Priest and afterwards King She had by Alexander two Sons the eldest was called Hircanus whom by reason of his years she made High Priest and because of his dull nature she thought that though he were in Princely Authority yet he would molest no man As for the youngest Son Aristobulus because he was of a hot spirit she was willing that he should lead a private life Now there was a certain Sect among the Jews The Pharisees getting in favour with the Queen are made her chief Governours and enjoy all honours which were called Pharisees who joyned themselves with the Queen These people were thought to be of the godliest sort and to be more skilful than others in interpreting the Scriptures and Alexandra favoured them the more because she was much given to Religion These having by G little and little insinuated themselves into her favour domineer'd at their pleasure displacing disposing imprisoning and restoring to liberty whom they pleased for no other purpose but that they might enjoy the Profits and Commodities of the Kingdom leaving to Alexandra nothing but the Expences and care of the Government H This Queen was always desirous of high attempts and daily studied to encrease her wealth She levied two Armies and hired many strangers whereby she not only strengthened her own Countrey but also made her self feared by other Nations Alexandra willingly obeyeth the Pharisees She ruled others but her self was ruled by the Pharisees who at last killed Diogenes a gallant man and highly in favour with King Alexander affirming that through his counsel the King commanded those eight hundred before-mentioned to be crucified The Pharisees by their envy and Accusations are the death of many good men And further they perswaded the Queen Alexandra that she should put to death all others through whose counsel Alexander her Husband had been incited against those eight hundred The Queen being blinded with Superstition thought it unlawful to deny any thing which they requested so that they put to death whom they I pleased till such time as the chiefest of those who were in this danger in humble wise came to Aristobulus Aristobulus expostulateth with his Mother who perswaded his Mother to spare some and to banish others who she thought had deserved punishment which Exiles dispersed themselves through the whole Countrey Now Alexandra sent an Army to Damascus and because Ptolomey daily vexed the City she took it without doing any thing worthy of memory She also solicited Tigranes King of Armenia with Gifts and Promises who with an Army had besieged Ptolemais wherein Cleopatra was but he for fear of troubles in his own Countrey in that Lucullus had entred into Armenia withdrew himself from thence Shortly after Alexandra falling sick Aristobulus proclaimeth himself King her youngest Son Aristobulus with his Servants K which were many in number all trusty and in the heat of their youth got all the Castles Alexandra imprisoneth Aristobulus's Wife and Children and hiring Soldiers with the money he found in those Castles he proclaimed himself King But Alexandra pitying the complaints of Hircanus imprisoned the Wife and Children of Aristobulus in a Castle near the North part of the Temple which in old time was called Baris as we said before afterwards Antonia from Antonius The year of the World 3863. before Christ's Nativity â—â— as in like manner Sebaste and Agrippias other Cities were named of Augustus and Agrippa But Alexandra died before she could revenge Hircanus of the wrongs which Aristobulus had done him This Queen reigned nine years and left Hircanus in possession of all whom during her life time she had advanced to the Kingdom But Aristobulus being both stronger in power Alexandra dieth and Hircanus succeedeth her in the Kingdom and greater in authority encountred with his L Brother about Jericho where many of Hircanus's Soldiers forsaking their King fled to Aristobulus so that he and the remnant that followed him were forced to fly into the Castle called Antonia where he found Hostages to redeem them for as we have already said Aristobulus his Wife and Children were imprisoned in that place Ant. l. 14 c. 1. And lest any worse mis-hap should betide him The Brethren contending for the Kingdom are accorded upon certain conditions he concluded a Peace upon condition that Aristobulus should be King and that he as Brother to the King should enjoy some other Dignities Upon these conditions they were made friends in the Temple where in the presence of all the people they friendly embraced each other which when they had done Ant. lib. 14. cap. 2 3 4. they changed houses and Aristobulus went to the King's Palace and Hircanus to Aristobulus's house M CHAP. V. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians Antipater perswadeth Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and to crave his assistance to recover his Kingdom and of the taking of Jerusalem NOw a sudden fear invaded all the enemies of Aristobulus when they saw him contrary to all expectation made King and especially Antipater above all others whom Aristobulus had long hated This Antipater was an Idumaean born and for Nobility and Riches the chief and best reputed of his Nation This man perswaded N Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and crave his help to set him in his Kingdom He exhorted Aretas likewise to receive Hircanus and to help him to recover his Kingdom Antipater with Hircanus fly from Jerusalem by night to Aretas King of Arabia speaking much against the manners of Aristobulus and praising Hircanus adding that he being King of so famous a Nation ought to assist those who were unjustly oppressed and that Hircanus had manifest injury offered him being forced to forsake his Kingdom which by the right of Succession was due unto him After he had thus made his way he took in the night time Hircanus and fled with him out of the City and making all haste possible they arrived safe at a Town called Petra a Town where the King 's of Arabia are accustomed to keep their Court there he delivered Hircanus into the King's
defeat Machaera Herod on the other side went about the enemies Countrey and took five Towns and destroyed two thousand of the Inhabitants and firing the houses returned to his Army near a Village called Cana. Every day there came flocking to him a very great number of Jews both from Jericho and other parts of the Countrey some out of hatred to Antigonus and others out of love of change and an esteem of Herod Whilst thus he hasted to fight Pappus with his men neither fearing the multitude nor strength of their enemies came fiercely upon them and offered Battel Which being begun those that were not engaged against Herod resisted a while but Herod remembring his Brother's death ventured more than the rest to the end to be revenged upon them that were the Authors thereof M and so he easily overcame the enemies and still assaulting the fresh men put them all to flight There was a mighty slaughter for many being forced to flee into the Village from whence they came he pursued them and slew an infinite number though all the houses and house-tops were full of armed men to defend it After he had slain those that were abroad he overthrew the houses and so forced them that were within to come forth Others he killed in Companies with the ruines of the houses wherein they were and if any one chanced to escape the Soldiers without killed them So that the heaps of dead bodies were so great The number of the Carcases hinder the Soldiers passage that they who had the Victory could not pass thorough the streets for them Those of the Countrey were so dismayed with this overthrow that the whole multitude of them fled away and Herod by the benefit of N his good fortune had even then come to Jerusalem had not a great storm hindred him which was the only cause that at that time he got not a full Conquest and Antigonus was not utterly overthrown who through fear and desperation was preparing to leave the City But Herod towards night having given his friends leave to depart to refresh themselves being himself heated with his Armour after the manner of Soldiers entred into a Bath accompanied only with one Page And as he was there three of his enemies that had escaped out of the Battel and came to the Bath to hide themselves seeing the King there were so terrified with the King's Presence although at that time he was naked and weaponless that they thought of nothing but flight and being no body was present there to surprize them they escaped and Herod was very O well contented that he had no harm by them Herod beheadeth Pappus Antigonus 's Captain The next day he beheaded Pappus who was the General of Antigonus his Army and sent his head to his Brother Pheroras to comfort him for their common loss for Pappus was he that slew Joseph A The Winter being past The year of the World 3928. before Christ's Nativity 34. he with his Army came to Jerusalem and besieged it pitching his Tents before the Temple where it was easiest to take the City and where formerly Pompey had entred it It was now the third year after Herod had been declared King at Rome Now when he had quartered his Army as he thought best for his purpose Aâ—t lib. 14. cap. 12. and divided the Suburbs he caused three Rampiers to be raised for Towers to be built upon them and leaving there his trusty friends that would not slack their business Jerusalem besieged he went to Samaria to visit Mariamne the Daughter of Alexander who was Son to Aristobulus formerly as we before made mention espoused to him And he wedded her even in the time of the Siege to shew how he contemned his enemies After his Marriage-rites were performed he returned to Jerusalem with a far greater B Army Sosius also seconded him with a great Army of Foot and Horse whom he sent before him through the midst of the Countrey and he himself came after by Phoenicia Now when all his whole Army was joyned together The year of the world 3929. before Christ's Nativity 33. to the number of about eleven Legions of Foot and six thousand Horse besides the Syrians that came to help him which were no small number he laid his Assault and Battery to the Northermost Wall He grounded his Right upon the Decree of the Senate whereby he was declared to be King The Jews valiantly defend themselves Sosius also was warranted by Antonius's Letters whereby he commanded him to help Herod with all the Forces under his Command Mean-while the Jews that were within the City were diversly troubled for the weaker sort gathering themselves together about the Temple deplored their unhappiness and envied C the felicity of those that died before they were reduced to these miseries But those who were hardiest among them joyning themselves together robbed and took away what they could especially Victuals from those places that were next the City so that they neither left meat for Horses nor Men And the valiantest of them all being set to defend the Walls against those that besieged them hindred the Adversaries from erecting their Batteries by some new device Neither did they any ways prevail so much as by their Mines The King sought to repress the Excursions of the Plunderers by placing an Ambush of men to intercept them and relieved the want and scarcity of Victuals by fetching Provision from places far distant But notwithstanding they in fight failed not to express incredible valour yet did the military experience of the D Romans surpass them A wall no sooner began to totter but they wrought with so great diligence to make another that this was finished before that was fallen In a word they neither spared hands nor Engines but were all of them determined to fight it out to the last And although they were besieged by two so potent Armies yet they defended the Town five months Herod's Soldiers after five months Siege enter the City But at last certain of Herod's bravest men by a breach entered the City and the Romans the like on another side Those places nearest the Temple were the first that they seized upon afterwards the whole Army entring the City it was lamentable to see how in every corner the people were massacred Slaughter in Jerusalem for the Romans being displeased that the Siege continued so long time became more cruel and Herod's Army endeavoured to let none of the adverse part escape E So that many were slain both in the streets and in their own houses yea even then also when they fled into the Temple without respect of Age or Sex For although the King commanded the Soldiers to spare the people yet for all that they never restrained their cruel hands but like mad men raged against all men women and children Sosius taketh Antigonus Antigonus not considering his former condition came and
Antonia He built himself also a Palace in the upper part of the City Herod's Buildings and in it two very great Apartments so rich and admirable that no Temple was to be compared to them He termed one of them Caesarea and the other Agrippias in honour of Augustus and Agrippa But it was not only by Palaces that he would preserve his Name to Posterity and immortalize F his memory but in the Countrey of Samaria he built a fair City with a Wall which was about twenty stades in circuit and called it Sebaste and he sent thither six thousand Inhabitants giving them a most fertile Soil and sundry Privileges There also amongst other Buildings he erected a very fair Temple and dedicated it to Caesar About this Temple there was a piece of ground containing three stades and an half For this Testimony of Herod's affection Caesar added to his Dominion another Countrey In gratitude for which Herod erected another Temple of White Marble to him near the head of Jordan in a place called Panium where there is a Mountain rising very high into the air at the side whereof is an obscure Valley where there are high Rocks that by spouts of water falling on them are made hollow so that the water standing in G their concavity till they run over The Fountain head of Jordan falleth down with a stream of such a depth as is admirable At the foot of this Valley on the outside spring certain Fountains which many think to be the head of the River Jordan which whether it be true or no we will declare hereafter At Jericho also between the Castle of Cyprus and the other ancient Palaces he erected H other Buildings fairer and more commodious than the former calling them after the names of Augustus and Agrippa Finally there was no convenient place in the whole Kingdom wherein he erected not something in honour of Caesar and having in every place of his own Kingdom devised and dedicated Temples unto him in Syria also where he ruled he did the like founding in many Cites Temples which he called by the name of Caesar Aud perceiving that amongst the Cities of the Sea-coast there was one called Straton's Tower which being very old and ruinated and for the scituation thereof deserving reparation and cost he repaired it with White Stone and built a very Royal Palace therein in which work more than in any other he shewed how great and high his mind was For this stands in the midst between Dora I and Joppa in a Coast where there was no Port or Haven so that they who sail from Phaenicia into Egypt are in great danger by reason of the violent Winds that blow from Africa whose blasts enforce the water with such violence against the Rocks on the shore that the waves rebounding back again a good way within the Sea make the whole Sea tempestuous Herod makes a greater Port than that of Pâ—rarum .. But the King by his liberality and cost overcoming nature built Stations for Ships And although the nature of the place was altogether contrary to his intent yet he so overcame all difficulty that the Sea could do that Building no harm And it was so goodly and beautiful to behold that one would have thought there had been no difficulty in this admirable work An apt description of a Haven For having measured out a sit place for the Port he laid a Foundation twenty ells deep of Stone K whereof most of them were fifty foot long nine foot thick and ten foot broad and some bigger and all the bottom of the Haven where the water came was laid with these stones Which done he raised a Mole of two hundred foot whereof one hundred foot served to break the violence of the waves the other hundred foot served for a Foundation of the Wall wherewith the Haven was compassed and on which were built many goodly Towers the greatest and fairest whereof he called Drusius after the name of Drusus the Son of the Empress Livia Wife of Augustus Within the Port there were very many Vaults also to store such Merchandize as was brought into the Haven and divers other Vaults for Sea men to lodg in A very pleasant Descent which might serve for a Walk encompassed the whole Port The entrance hereunto L was on the North side for by reason of the scituation of the place the North Wind there is the calmest On either side of the entrance were three great Colosses set on Pilasters those on the left hand are propped up by a Tower being a solid Rock of Stone But at the entrance on the right hand were two huge stones joyned together which make a greater Tower than the other There is also a house adjoyning to the Haven built of white Stone The Streets of the City leading to this place are of one bigness and proportion Upon a Hill opposite to the mouth of the Haven he built a Temple very beautiful and exceeding great which he dedicated to Caesar wherein was placed Caesar's Statue full as great as that of Jupiter at Olympus for it was made after that Model and M another of Rome like that of Juno at Argos The City he built for the benefit of the Inhabitants of the Province Caesarea in times past called the Tower of Straton and the Port or Haven for Commerce All this he did in honour of Caesar after whose name he called it Caesarea And that nothing might be wanting to render it worthy so glorious a name he added to so many great works the fairest Market-place in the World Ant. lib 15. cap. 10. 12. besides a Theatre and an Amphitheatre not inferiour to the rest Ant. lib. 17. cap. 5. He also appointed Games and Spectacles to be celebrated every fifth year in honour of Augustus And himself first began them in the 192 Olympiade and he proposed great rewards not only to the Victors but also to the second and third after them Agrippium Moreover he repaired Anthedon which was destroyed by the Wars and called it Agrippina in honour of Agrippa whose name he caused to be engraven N over the Portal he built to the Temple Antipatris Nether was he unmindful of his Parents for in the richest Soil of the whole Kingdom he built a City in memory of his Father and by his name called it Antipatris being in a very rich Soil both for Woods and Rivers Cyprus At Jericho also he built a very goodly and strong Castle and called it Cyprus Phasaelus's Tower in honour of his Mother He likewise built a Tower in memory of his Brother Phasaelus at Jerusalem and called it Phasaelus his Tower of the strength and beauty of which we shall speak hereafter He also called another City Phasaelus which is scituate in a Valley beyond Jericho towards the North. Having thus eternized the memory of his Friends and Kindred he did not forget to
do the like for himself for he built a Castle on a Mountain near Arabia having on one O side a strong place of defence Herodium and this Castle he called Herodium after his own name By the same name also he called a Mount sixty stades from Jerusalem artificially made A in manner of a woman's Dug which he adorned on the top with round Turrets and round about it he built Princely houses gallantly adorned both within and without He also brought water from a great distance with great cost and charges and made a pair of stairs of pure White Marble to go up which had two hundred steps For the whole Hill was made by Art and was of an exceeding height At the foot thereof likewise he built another Palace and houses to receive his Friends and their Carriages Herodium a Castle resembling a City so that this Castle for the abundance of all necessary Lodgings seemed a City and yet was all the King's Palace Having erected thus many Buildings he shewed his great mind in strange Cities likewise for at Tripolis and Damascus and Ptolemais Herod's bounty to all men he built publick Colledges for instructing Youth He built the Wall of Byblis B and Seats Porches Temples and Markets at Berytus and Tyre At Sidon and Damascus he built a Theatre and a Water-conduit at Laodicea a Sea-town At Ascalon he built Fountains or Lakes very sumptuous and Baths with Pillars that for greatness and good work were miraculous To other places he gave Forrests and Ports and to many Cities added Fields as though they had been Fellow-cities of his Kingdom And to others as to Coos he gave Annual Revenues for ever to the end they might never lose the remembrance of the obligation they had to him Moreover he gave all poor people Corn and he often and in sundry places lent the Rhodians money to build a Navy of Ships Herod famous through the World At his own proper cost he repaired the Temple of Apollo Pythius which had been burnt What shall I say of his liberality towards them C of Lycia and Samos or his magnificent Gifts towards all the people of Jonia Nay and the Athenians The year of the World 3954. before Christ's Nativity 8. Lacedemonians Nicopolites and the Citizens of Pergamus and Mysia received very many benefits at his hands He paved also a large Street in Antioch of Syria which was in length twenty stades and that with fair Marble This Street before that time was so full of dirt that no man could go thorough it And all along it he built Galleries that people might go dry thorough it in rainy weather Some may say that these benefits thus bestowed were for the proper use of those people on whom he bestowed them but no man can deny but that which he did for the Citizens of Elis was not only common to those of Achaia but to all the World where the Games called Olympica Certamina were solemnized For Herod seeing D them decay only for want of maintenance and that this was the only remainder of all the ancient Monuments of Greece he not only in his person at that time became one of the proposers of rewards in that Olympiade in which he went to Rome but also gave a yearly stipend to maintain the same lest for want they should be left off It is not to be told what Debts and Tributes he remitted for he delivered the Phasaelites and Balaneotes and other Towns of Cilicia from the payment of a yearly Tribute yet was he not so liberal to them as he would have been fearing lest the envy of some might accuse him of some further meaning if he should be more bountiful to the Cities than those that were the owners thereof Herod a great hunter He exercised his body likewise in exercises fit for so valiant a mind for he was a very skilful hunter wherein he had always his E purpose by reason of his skill in riding so that in one day he killed forty Wild Beasts That Countrey hath many Boars but it hath more store of Harts and Wild Asses He was such a Warrier that no man was able to encounter with him so that many were astonished to see him with what force and exactness he cast the Dart and drew the Bow Herod besides the vertue of mind and body had the blessings of Fortune Besides the Vertue both of his mind and body he had also good Fortune for very seldom the event of War was otherwise than he expected if it sometimes fell out contrary it was not through his fault but through the rashness of his Soldiers or else through Treason F CHAP. XVII Of the disagreement between Herod and his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus BUt his private and domestical sorrows troubled his publick felicity Ant. lib. 1â— cap. 3 8. lib. 16. cap. 13. and most adverse fortune befel him through the means of a woman whom he loved as himself For being now made King he put away his Wife which he first married a Lady born in Jerusalem Herod expelleth Antipater out of the City and killeth Hircanus his Wife's Uncle whose name was Doris and married Mariamne the Daughter of Alexander the Son of Aristobulus which caused troubles in his house both before but especially after his return from Rome For he banished his eldest Son Antipater G whom he had by Doris out of the City only for his Children's sake that he had by Mariamne licencing him only at Festival times to come to the City in regard of some suspicion of Treason intended against him And afterwards he slew Hircanus his wifes Uncle notwithstanding that he returned out of Parthia unto him because he H suspected that he intended some treason against him Barzapharnes after he had taken all Syria had carried him away prisoner with him But his own Countreymen that dwelt beyond Euphrates in commiseration redeemed him from thraldom and had he been counselled by them and not come to Herod he had not been killed but the marriage of his Niece caused his death for for that cause and especially for the love of his native soil he came thither That which moved Herod to kill him was not for that he sought the Kingdom but because he had right to the Kingdom Herod's children by Mariamne Herod had five Children by Mariamne two Daughters and three Sons The youngest was sent to Rome to study where he died The other two he brought up like Princes both for their Mothers Nobility and for that they were born after he I was King But that which above all was most prevalent in their favour was the love he bare to Mariamne which from day to day tormented him more violently in such sort that he seem'd insensible of those griefs which this his best beloved caused to him For Mariamne hated him as much as he loved her and having a just cause and colour of
discontent and moreover being emboldened by the love which he bare her Mariamne hatefully upbraideth Herod with Hircanus's death she every day upbraided him with that which he had done to Hircanus her Uncle and to her Brother Aristobulus For Herod spared him not although he was a Child but after he had made him High Priest in the seventeenth year of his age he presently put him to death after he had so honoured him who when he came to the Altar clothed in sacred attire upon a Festival day all the people K wept for joy which caused so great a jealousie in Herod that the same night he sent him to Jericho to be drowned in a Lake by the Galatians who had received commission to perform the murther These things did Mariamne daily cast in Herod's teeth and upbraided both his Mother and Sister with very sharp and reproachful words Herod's Mother and Sister do falsly accuse Mariamne to him yet he so loved her that notwithstanding all this he held his peace But the women were set on fire and that they might the rather move Herod against her they accused her of adultery and of many other things which bare a shew of truth objecting against her that she had sent her picture into Egypt to Antonius and that through immoderate lust she did what she could to make her self known unto him who doted upon womens love and was of sufficient power to do what wrong L he pleased Hereat Herod was much moved Herod secretly chargeth Joseph to kill his wife especially for that he was jealous of her whom he loved bethinking himself upon the cruelty of Cleopatra for whose sake King Lysanias and Malichus King of Arabia were put to death and now he measured not the danger by the loss of his wife but by his own death which he feared For which cause being drawn by his affairs into the Country he gave secret commandment to Joseph his Sister Salomes husband whom he knew to be trusty and one who for affinity was his well-willer to kill his wife Mariamne if so be Antonius should have killed him But Joseph not maliciously but simply to shew how greatly the King loved her disclosed that secret unto her and she when Herod was returned and amongst other talk M with many Oaths sware that he never loved woman but her Indeed said she it may well be known how greatly you love me by the commandment you gave to Joseph whom you charged to kill me Herod's suspicion betwixt Joseph and his wife Herod hearing this which he thought to be secret was like a mad man and presently perswaded himself that Joseph would never have disclosed that commandment of his except he had abused her so that hereupon he became furious and leaping out of his bed he walked up and down the Palace whereupon his Sister Salome having fit opportunity confirmed his suspicion of Joseph For which cause Herod growing now raging mad with jealousie commanded both of them to be killed Which being done his wrath was seconded by Repentance and after his anger ceased Herod commandeth both Joseph and Mariamne to be slain the passion of love was presently renewed yea so great was N the power of his affection that he would not believe she was dead but spake unto her as though she were alive until in process of time being ascertained of her funeral he equalled the affection he bare her during her life by the vehemency of his passion for her death Mariamnes Sons inheritors of her displeasure Mariamnes Sons succeeded their Mother in her hatred and recogitating what an impious act it was they accounted their Father as a mortal enemy both before and after they went to study at Rome and especially after they returned again into Judea The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. For as they grew in years so did the violence of their revenge increase And being now marriageable one of them married the Daughter of their Aunt Salome who accused their Mother the other married the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia And now to their hatred was joyned a liberty to speak O more freely against their Father and by this occasion of their boldness many were animated to calumniate them so that some did openly tell the King that both his A Sons sought to work treason against him and that the one of them prepared an Army to help the other to revenge the death of their Mother and that the other to wit he that was Son-in-law to Archelaus purposed to flee and accuse Herod before Caesar Herod giving ear to those calumniations sent for Antipater whom he had by Doris Herod's debate with those Sons he had by Mariamne to the end he might defend him against his two Sons and sought to advance him above them But they thought this alteration intolerable seeing one whose Mother was but a private woman so preferred and they exalted with their own Nobleness of Birth could not contain their indignation but upon every occasion shewed themselves offended Ant. lib. 16. cap. 4. by reason of which imprudence they were every day less accounted of As for Antipater he wrought himself into favour for he B knew how to flatter his Father Antipater by disgracing his Brothers is declared his Fathers heir and raised many slanders on his two Brethren partly invented by himself partly divulged by some of his Favourites whom he set awork about the matter till at last he put his Brethren out of all hope of having the Kingdom For he was now by the Kings Will and testament declared King so that he was sent as a King to Caesar in a Kingly habit and pomp only he wore no Crown and in time he so prevailed that he wrought his Mother into Mariamnes stead Herod accuseth Alexander before Caesar and with flatteries and calumniations so moved the King that he began to deliberate about putting his Sons to death For which cause he conducted his Son Alexander with him to Rome and accused him before Caesar that he had given him poyson But he with much ado having obtained lieve to plead his own cause and that before C a Judge more wise than Herod or Antipater he modestly held his peace in all things his Father had offended in and first of all he cleared his Brother Aristobulus from that crime in which he was involved with himself And afterwards he inveighed against Antipater's subtilty and complained of those injuries which had been offered him having beside the equity of his cause sufficient eloquence to acquit himself for he was a vehement Orator and knew well how to perswade Last of all he objected that his Father having a desire to put both him and his Brother to death A reconciliation between Herod and his Sons had laid an accusation upon him whereat the whole Audience wept and Caesar was so moved that not regarding the accusations that
their swords The Jews as if they had agreed together fell all down at once and offered their naked necks to the stroke of the sword crying out that they would rather lose their lives than suffer their Religion to be prophaned E Then Pilate admiring the constancy of the people in their Religion presently commanded the said Ensigns to be taken out of the City of Jerusalem After this he caused another tumult among them for they have a sacred Treasure called Corban The year of the World 3998. after Christ's Nativity 39. which Pilate resolv'd to make use of to bring water into the City four hundred furlongs off for this cause the people murmured so that when Pilate came to Jerusalem they flocked about his Tribunal to make their complaint Pilate foreseeing a tumult caused Soldiers secretly armed to mingle themselves among the people in private apparrel Pilate beateth the seditious with clubs and commanded them not to use their swords but to beat those with clubs whom they saw make such clamours And when he had thus plotted F the matter sitting in his Tribunal he gave a sign unto the Soldiers and presently the Jews were beaten and many of them partly with blows and partly trodden upon by the multitude The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 36. died miserably The multitude amazed at the calamity of those that were slain held their tongues For this cause Agrippa Son of Aristobulus whom Herod the King his Father put to death Agrippa Aristobulus's Son hateth Tiberius and insinuateth himself into Caius Caligula's friendship went to Rome and accused him to Caesar Tiberius not admitting his accusation he remained still at Rome and sought the favour of other great men there and especially he courted Caius the Son of Germanicus he being yet a private person and upon a certain day having invited him to a banquet he stretched forth his hands and openly pray'd Almighty God in stead of Tiberius Caesar he might see him Lord of all the world Tiberius having notice hereof by one of his familiar friends caused Agrippa to be imprisoned where G he endured hard and strait imprisonment till the death of Tiberius which was six months after Tiberius reigned 22 years six months and 3 days After he was dead having reigned two and twenty years six months and three days Caius Caesar who succeeded him in the Empire freed him from prison The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 39. and gave him the Tetrarchy of Philip who was newly deceased and the title H of King When Agrippa came into his Kingdom Herod the Tetrarch began to envy his estate and Herodias his wife still urged him forward in hope that he should be made a King also for said she thou wantest that dignity only through slothfulness because thou wouldest not go to Caesar Caius Caesar giveth the Tetrarchy to Agrippa 〈◊〉 's Son and maketh him a King for if Agrippa be made a King being before but a private man how canst thou doubt to be made a King who art already a Tetrarch Herod herewith perswaded went to Caius Caesar who greatly reproached his ambition insomuch as he fled into Spain for Agrippa had followed him to Rome to accuse him before Caesar and Caius gave him Herod's Tetrarchy And so Herod remained in Spain with his wife till his death Ant. l. 18. 〈◊〉 Herod and his wife remain in Spain I CHAP. IX The Emperour Caius orders Petronius Governour of Syria to constrain the Jews by arms to receive his Statue into the Temple The year of the World 4002. after Christ's Nativity 40. Petronius forbears to do it The death of Caius saves him from punishment CAius Caesar so abused his Authority Ant. lib. 18. c 15. that he would be thought to be a god and so called Caius Caesar calleth and reputeth himself a God Also he put many Noble men of his Country to death by his cruelty which he likewise extended even to Judaea for he sent Petronius with an K army to Jerusalem commanding him to set his Statues in the Temple and if the Jews refused to receive them The fear the Jews had of Petronius's Army that those who withstood him should be put to the sword and the rest led away captive Almighty God did otherwise dispose this proud commandment But Petronius accompanied with three Legions and many assistants out of Syria came with all speed from Antioch to Judaea many of the Jews would not believe any war towards notwithstanding that they heard a general report thereof and they that believed it could not bethink themselves of any means to resist Suddenly all were in a great fear for the Army was now come to Ptolemais The description of Ptolemais which City is situate by the Sea-shoar in Galilee in a fair Field and on the East-side it is compassed with Mountains distant from it threescore furlongs L which belong to Galilee on the South-side it is invested with Mount Carmel which is distant an hundred and twenty furlongs on the North-side it is environed with an exceeding high Mountain which the Inhabitants call the Tyrians Ladder this Mountain is an hundred paces distant from the City Two miles from this City there is a River running by called Pelus a very little one near which is the admirable Sepulchre of Memnon Sand like Glass near Memnon's Sepulchre which is a hundred cubits high and of a concave form In this place is seen a sort of Sand as transparent as Glass which many ships carry away for Balast but though they empty the place of it yet that place is presently after covered with the like sand again For there are winds which as it were on purpose carry this sand from the higher places round about it thither and this M sand being put into the furnace is presently changed into Chrystal or Glass And that which in my opinion is more to be wondred at is that the sand being so turned into Glass if afterward any part thereof be cast upon the brink of this place it is again turned into ordinary sand And this is the nature of that place Now the Jews with their wives and children gathered themselves together in the field where the City Ptolemais is situate and humbly besought Petronius not to violate their Country-laws but to have compassion on them Petronius seeing the multitude that humbly sued to him and how earnestly they sought his favour left Caesar's statues at Ptolemais and himself went from thence to Galilee and at Tiberias called all the Jews and Nobility together Petronius certifieth the Jews of the Romans power and Caesar's threats he represents to them the power of the N Romans and how dreadful Caesar's threatnings ought to be to them adding moreover that the Jews supplication was indeed a contumely seeing all Nations under the dominion of the Romans the Jews only excepted had
already placed Caesar's Statues in their Temples among those of their gods and herein they did as it were revolt from the Emperour and affront him their Governour who represented his person They answered it was against the Laws and Customs of their Country for it was not lawful for them to have the Image of God much less of a man and that they were not only forbidden by the Law to have an Image in the Temple but also to have it in any prophane place Petronius replied if you observe your Laws so religiously I must also observe my Lord's command for if I do not but spare you O I shall be justly punished and 't is not to me but to him you must make your addresses for I my self as well as you am subject to him At these words the whole A multitude cried out together that before they would see their Religion violated they would willingly expose themselves to any danger When the noise of the people was ceased Petronius said Are ye then prepared and minded to fight against Caesar The Jews answered No we every day offer sacrifices for Caesar and the Romans But if Caesar must needs place his Image in the Temple he must first kill us all with our wives and children The constancy of the Jews Hereat Petronius greatly marvelled and was moved to compassion when he beheld the constancy of the Jews in their Religion and so great a multitude prepared to die for it And for that time they departed nothing being done The next day following he assembled only the Nobility of the Jews Petronius once more assembleth the Jews and threatens them and spoke to them both generally and one by one exhorting them to obey B Caesar's command and sometime admonishing them otherwhile threatning them and putting them in mind of the power of the Romans and Caesar's indignation and that he must of necessity do as he was commanded But they were moved by none of these Whereupon Petronius fearing the ground would be left untilled for it was now seed-time and all the people had remained idle in the City for fifty days space calling them together he said that he would go about a thing which might greatly endanger him self Petronius sendeth to Caesar and signifieth the Jews supplication For said he I will either God assisting me appease Caesar's wrath or else I will lose mine own life to save such a multitude as you are And dismissing the people who made daily prayers to God for him he led his Army from Ptolemais to Antioch from whence he presently sent to Caesar in all haste recounting C to him with how great an Army he went into Judea and that all the whole Nation made supplication to him whose request and humble suit if he denied he must utterly destroy the men and their Country for they remained resolute in their Countrey-religion and vehemently resisted any new Law Caius writ an answer of these Letters to Petronius threatning him that it should cost him his life because he made no more haste to execute his command The messengers that brought these Letters were tossed in a tempest upon the Sea three whole months together Petronius receives letters of Caesar's death but others coming after them to bring news of Caius's death had a prosperous wind so Petronius received the Letters of Caius Caesar's death twenty seven days before the other threatning Letters came D CHAP. V. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa CAius Caesar being assassinated The year of the World 4005. after Christ's Nativity 43. after he had reigned three years and six months Claudius was made Emperour by the Army which was at Rome The Senate by the instigation of the Consuls Sentius Saturninus and Pomponius Secundus commanded three Legions of Soldiers to keep the City during the Council holden in the E Capitol Ant. lib. 19. cap. 3. and abhorring Caius Caesar's cruelty they determined to fight against Claudius and to reduce the Empire to the ancient Government that as before-time so for ever after Caius reigned three years and six months those should rule that the Senate judged worthy It chanced that at this time Agrippa came to Rome and the Senate sent to him requesting him to come and take place in their Council Claudius also desired him to take part with the Army intending to use his help where need required Agrippa is chosen both betwixt the Senate and Claudius for an arbiter Agrippa perceiving that Claudius was in a manner already Emperour for his power he took part with him who presently sent him as Ambassadour to the Senate to tell them his purpose how that first of all the Soldiers whether he would or no set him in that dignity and it had been in him an undiscreet part to have forsaken such an offer from the Soldiers who F did it for good will that if he had refused it his life had been in danger and it was sufficient danger that he had been elected Emperour Moreover he purposed to rule not as a Tyrant but as a good Prince for he would be contented only with the Title of Emperour and do nothing without the common consent of them all And although he was not naturally inclined to modest and courteous behaviour yet he had a sufficient example to beware that he abused not his authority by Caius Caesar's death The Senates answer to Agrippa Agrippa carried this message to the Senate who answered as though they trusted to their Soldiers and the Justice of their Cause that they would not thrust themselves into voluntary bondage Claudius receiving this answer sent Agrippa again to tell them that nothing could cause him to abandon them by whom he was made Emperour G and that he was forced to make war against them with whom he was very loath to contest and therefore willed them to chuse a place out of the City for the battel to be fought in for it stood with no reason to deface the City with civil wars and Massacres for the obstinacy of some few Agrippa did this message also to the Senate H and one of the Soldiers that were for the Senate drew his Sword and said Fellow Soldiers what should move us to massacre our Friends and Kindred and Parents who follow Claudius especially seeing we have an Emperour with whom we can find no fault unto whom we should rather go forth with Congratulations than with Arms. When he had said this he passed thorough the midst of the Court and all the Soldiers followed him The Senate The Senate follow the Soldiers to Claudius being thus left desolate and abandoned by their Forces began to be in great fear and seeing it was no standing out for them they followed the Soldiers and went to Claudius Before the City Walls there met them some that endeavour-to shew themselves dutiful to Claudius for his Fortunes sake who
the whole world beside What hope can you have to encourage you against the Romans But some of you will say that bondage is a grievous thing But how much more should the Greeks think so that were thought to be the noblest Nation under heaven and had such large dominions yet now obey the Roman Governours as also the Macedonians do who have greater cause than you to seek their liberty 500 Cities of Asia obey the Romans What shall I say of the five hundred Cities of Asia do they B not all obey one ruler and the authority of one Consul without any garrison What shall I speak of the Enochians Colchians the people of Taurus the inhabitants of Hellespont and Pontus and about Maeotis who in times past had no masters no not of their own Nation yet now three thousand Soldiers keep them in awe and forty long Gallies keep peaceably those seas that were never sailed on before What think you the Bythinians Cappadocians and those of Pamphilia Lydia and Cilicia could say for their liberty who notwithstanding peaceably pay tribute to the Romans What of the Thracians whose country is five days journey in breadth and seven in length far more inaccessible and stronger than yours by reason of the mountains of Snow and Ice yet do they obey two thousand Romans who are in garrison Beside them the Illyrians whose country C reacheth to Dalmatia and Ister are kept in obedience only by two Legions with help of whom they also resist the Dacians The Dalmatians themselves who have so often attempted their own liberty and still as their wealth increased rebelled are now in peace under one Legion of the Romans The defence of France Nay if any have reason to rebel 't is the Gauls whose country is by nature strong being on the East-side compassed with the Alpes on the North with the River of Rhene on the South with the Pyrenaean mountains on the West with the Ocean Notwithstanding having amongst them three hundred and five Nations and as it were the very fountain of plenty of all sort of goods and commodities wherewith they inrich the whole World yet do they pay tribute to the Romans and account that their happiness depends upon that of the Romans and that neither for want of D courage in them or their ancestors who fourscore years long fought for their liberty They could not see without astonishment that the valour of the Romans was attended with such success that they gained more by fortune than they did by courage in all their wars Yet now they obey a thousand and two hundred Soldiers having almost against every Soldier a City Neither could the Spaniards The Spaniards subject to the Romans though Gold grew in their Countrey keep themselves from being subject to the Romans Nor the Portugals and the Warlike Cantabrians for all the distance of Sea and Land between them and Rome The Ocean whose waves beating against the shoar terrifie the Inhabitants adjoyning could not stay them but they passed it and carried an Army beyond the Pillars of Hercules and passed the tops of the Pyrenaean E Mountains which reach to the Clouds and so made all those people subject to them And for all that they were so Warlike a Nation and so far from Rome the Romans have left only one Legion for Garrison amongst them The Germans multitude vertue and huge stature Which of you hath not heard of the multitude of the Germans whose Vertue and mighty bodies I think you have often seen for in every Country the Romans have them for Captives Yet they whose Countrey is so large having hearts far bigger than their bodies and souls that contemn death and are more cruel than brute beasts yet are they now limited by the River Rhine and kept in subjection by eight Legions of Romans and those that were taken were made slaves and the rest chose rather to save themselves by flight than fight Moreover you who have such confidence in the Walls of Jerusalem consider the Walls of Britain The Britains subject to the Romans which Countrey though compassed F with the Ocean and almost as great as our whole World the Romans sailing to it have conquered The Parthians and four Legions keep that so populous an Island What shall I say more when the Parthians a most Warlike people who lately reigned over so many Nations and abound in so much Wealth are now compelled to send Hostages to Rome Nay you may see all the Nobility of the East at Rome where with the Pretext of Peace they shadow their Captivity The Carthaginians made subject by Scipio's hands Almost all the Nations under the Sun tremble and dread the Roman Puissance and will you only War against them Do you not consider what befell the Carthaginians who boasted themselves of that great Hannibal and were sprung from the Noble Race of the Phenicians yet at last were destroyed by Scipio Neither the Syrenaeans who descended from the Lacedemonians The Romans govern the Moors nor all the Race of the Marmaridans extending as far as G the Desarts which are very scarce of Waters nor the Syrtes nor the Nazomonians nor the Moors nor the innumerable multitude of the Numidians have been able to resist the power of the Romans who by force of Arms have conquered that third part of the World the Nations whereof can hardly be numbred which from the Sea Atlantick and Hercules's H Pillars unto the Red Sea containeth all Ethiopia and innumerable Cities Who besides that they pay so much Fruits and Corn to the Romans as for eight months in every year will keep and sustain all the people of Rome do also pay Tribute and moreover assist them any way they can and never murmur at it as you do And there is only one Legion left to keep them in obedience But what should I need to tell you of Forreign Examples to convince you of the Power of the Romans seeing you may well understand it by what they have done in Egypt your neighbour Countrey which reaching to Aethiopia and Arabia the Happy and bordering upon India and having in it an infinite number of people besides the Inhabitants of Alexandria which is easie to be counted Alexandria acknowledgeth the power of the Romans by the Tribute paid of every person by the Poll yet they disdain not to live under the Dominion of the Romans I Alexandria is both populous and very rich in length thirty Furlongs in breadth ten and pays more Tribute in a month than you do in a whole year and besides their money finds all Rome with Corn four months in the year And is on every side compassed about either with a vast Wilderness by which none can pass or the fierce Sea which is boundless or with great and strong Rivers or muddy and durty Quagmires and Marish-grounds Yet all this little avails them to withstand the force of the Romans
them We ought indeed to grant the Superiority to the Grecians in all that concerneth Eloquence and the Ornament of Language but not in that which appertaineth to Antiquity or Truth of History and especially in what concerneth the truth of ancient History and what hath passed in every Country Wherefore as the Egyptians and Babylonians long since used all diligence in writing because their Priests were hereunto enjoyned who did most curiously treat of all such matters the same also did the Chaldees amongst the Babylonians and the Phoenicians also inhabiting amongst the Greeks taught them to use Registers both concerning publick K and private affairs which because all men confess I will omit to speak off I let pass also to recount what care our Nation hath had of this point no doubt greater than those Nations above mentioned had charging our High Priests and Prophets to execute this Office which Custom hath been observed even until this Age and if I may presume so far will be observed in all succeeding Ages as by my ensuing discourse I will endeavour to make manifest For our Nation did not only depute this Office to the most virtuous and religious men amongst them in the beginning and to such as were consecrated to the Service of God but they also provided to preserve the Line and Descent of Priests from all impurity and from being intermingled with others For no man amongst us can be a Priest who is not born of a Woman descended from the same L Line Neither in this case is any respect made either of Riches or Honours but the party who claimeth the dignity of Priesthood must by many Witnesses prove his Genealogy and that he is descended from Priests This Custom is not only of force in Judea but wheresoever else any of our Nation inhabit A custom which the Priests observed as in Egypt and Babylon and in any other place where continually the Priests in their Marriages have this respect not to marry with any Woman that is not of their own Line they send to Jerusalem the Name and Pedigree of the Woman whom they have married and all the Testimony hereof which they can deduce from her Ancestors Now if War molest our Nation as often it hath in the time of Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes of Pompey the Great Quintilius Varus and especially in this our Age then M those Priests who survive make new Genealogies and Pedigrees out of the ancient Registers for those that remain of the Sacerdotal Race And they marry none that have been Captives for fear they may have had commerce with strangers What more evident token can there be of the Priests integrity than that every Priest during the revolution of two thousand years is Registred together with the Names of their Fathers The Priests amongst the Jews are every one registred with the name of their Fathers and this custom contiuued two thousand years and if any one do erre or falsify any of the things before-said he is then interdicted from the Altar and from exercising any Priestly function So that in the Writings of such men all things must of necessity be true and as they ought to be for that neither all men are permitted to write nor yet any dissonance and disagreement is found in their Writings For such things as past in ancient times beyond the memory of men were only written by N our Prophets who had the knowledge thereof by inspiration from God himself but other things of latter time are only recorded by those who lived in the Age wherein the things they writ of were done The Books amongst us containing the Histories of all Ages are neither infinite nor one repugnant to another Two and twenty Books of holy Writ for all our Chronicle is contained in 22 Books to which Books it is impiety to deny credit Five of these Books were written by Moses comprehending Genealogies and the beginning of mankind with such notable events as hapned even from the beginning of the World til his death which is little less than three thousand years After the death of Moses till the time wherein Artaxerxes lived who was King of the O Persians and Son to Xerxes every one of the Prophets of our Nation wrote the History A of his time wherein be lived so that of these mens Writings we have thirteen Books the four other Books which make up the Number already mentioned are known to contain holy Hymns made to the praise of God and wholsome Precepts for mans life and conversation All things which from Artaxerxes until our time have hapned are also set down in writing yet the Books wherein they are registred do not deserve so much credit as the former of ancient times for that there was no certain succession of Prophets in that Age. Moreover it is evident that to the former works we give as great credit as to things which we our selves write and notwithstanding they have been so long written yet in all that time no man durst presume either to alter or to blot out any thing therein contained For all Jews even from their Cradle do believe these B Books to be sacred and divine and therefore give all credit possible unto them yea and would willingly suffer death rather than do the contrary Many Captives of our Nation have been cruelly tormented and divers ways put to death in open Theaters The Jews and Grecians are compared together only for that they would not commit any thing either in word or deed against their Laws nor violate the writings of their fore-fathers Now who amongst the Greeks did ever sustain the like Nay they are so far from doing it that none can be found among them who would suffer any loss in his goods or fortunes to preserve all the writings of their Nation from destruction and the reason hereof is because every one esteemeth the verity of their Histories to depend upon the will of the Writer And this they do also concerning their most ancient Historians and not C without cause for they every day see men of their own times writing Histories of matters long before past in former ages Some others have written of â—he Wars of the Jews wherein neither themselves were present neither yet do they vouchsafe to credit the writings of such as were then eye-witnesses thereof yea some among them have divulged Histories of such things as of late befel our Nation when themselves never have been in the place where such matters past as they writ of nor have lived in any neighbour place where they might have probable report how matters past but only compiling a few broken stories they most impudently arrogate to their patcht stuff the name of a History I my self have composed a most true History of the last War Joseph was present in all the Wars of the Jews and of every particular thing there done as well I might having been present
thousand men are no one of them all met him Did he in the time of War find the Towns and Villages by which he past without any Watch-men Well to pass the rest The B gates of our Temple were threesore Cubits high The gates of the Temple twenty Cubits broad all covered with Gold yea almost all of clean Gold and these Gates every day were shut by two hundred men and it was too impious a thing to leave them open Is it then credible that this Candle-bearer could easily open them who alone was judged to have the Asses head So that now it remaineth doubtful whether Zabidus did bring back again the Asses head or else Appion took it of him and brought it again to our Temple that there Antiochus might find it and so Appion might have another occasion of lying Appions lye concerning the oath is confuted He also belieth us concerning the oath which he saith we Jews do take swearing by the God of Heaven and Earth and Sea never to favour any stranger and especially the Greeks This lyar might better have said not to favour any stranger and C especially the Egyptians and so his former lyes and these should have better corresponded if our Ancestors had been expelled by their Predecessors out of Egypt not for their wickedness but for their calamity But we are so far from the Greeks that we scarcely ever think of them so that no man can say that there is any emnity between us and the Greeks But contrariwise many of them have embraced our Religion and some of them therein persevered others again have forsaken it yet none of them will say that he heard this oath spoken of among us but it should seem that only Appion heard of it in that he himself forged it Truly his wisdom and great providence is worthy to be admired as shall hereafter appear for he to prove these his lyes to be true saith that it is a certain testimony that the Laws we observe D are most unjust and that we worship not God as we ought to do in that we are subject to divers Nations Appion upbraideth the Jews with captivity and our City endured many calamities Whereas touching themselves they are of a City that flourisheth in absolute Authority accustomed to govern from the foundation thereof and not to serve the Romans In effect who can resist their valour Truely no man but Appion would ever have flouted us herewith seeing that few Cities so flourish and reign over other that they again at no one time have been brought into subjection for many Nations are subject to others only the Egyptians are freed from the Captivity of such as rule Europe and Asia for that as they say the gods fleeing into their Country were saved by entring into the bodies of Beasts Yet have they not indeed had one days liberty since the beginning of E the World neither under the Government of their own Princes nor under strangers I will not stand to reckon how often the Persians have wasted their City destroyed their Temples and slain their supposed Gods For it is not decent that I should imitate herein Appions foolishness neither am I calling to memory what befel the Athenians and Lacedemonians the last of which are recorded to have been most valiant and the first to have been most devout and Religious neither will I reckon up those most godly Kings amongst whom Crâ—esus was one who notwithstanding fell into great calamities Moreover I will not recount how the Castle of Athens was set on fire and the Temples of Ephesus and Delphos likewise and many others There is now F one Appion a new accuser of the Jews who upbraideth them with their calamities forgetting the misery that hath befallen his Country-men the Egyptians but he was blinded with the fable of Sesostris whom he saith to have been King of Egypt David's and Solomon's power We could report and boast of our Kings David and Solomon who subdued many Nations unto them but it is not fit here to speak of them But Appion was ignorant of that which all the World knoweth to wit that the Egyptians have served first the Persians and afterwards the Macedonians and that as bond-slaves whereas we remaining in free liberty reigned over all the Cities about us 120 years even unto the time of Pompey the Great and when all the other Kings were subdued by the Romans only our Kings for their fidelity and friendship towards them were dear unto them O but G this sticketh upon Appions Stomach that we have not had any famous men of our Nation who have invented Arts and Sciences and been excellent in wisdom such as Socrates Zeno Appion praiseth himself Cleanthes and others whom he setteth down and which is most to be H admired Appion puts himself into the number of these famous men and saith that Alexandria is blessed and happy that hath deserved to have such a Citizen as he is and great reason that he should testifie that of himself which all men else perceive in him to wit that he is an impudent deceitful fellow both of corrupt life and manners So that the Alexandrians had just cause to be sorry that they ever had any better opinion of him But that our Nation had men equal at least unto those whom he mentioneth all men know that please to read the Book of our Antiquity The rest that his accusation containeth it is not amiss to let pass without answer for that it rather impeacheth the Egyptians his own Country-men than us for he doth complain of us for Sacrificing ordinary Beasts and abstaining from Swines flesh and laughed I at our Circumcision Why the Jews do Sacrifice common beasts and do not eat Swines flesh Touching the Sacrificing of Beasts we do as all Nations else do and Appion inveighing against our sacrificing sheweth himself to be an Egyptian for were he either a Grecian or a Macedonian he would not be herewith offended for both Greeks and Macedonians do vow to Sacrifice Hecatombs to their gods and use Priests in their banquets and yet for all this the World is not desolate of living creatures as Appion â—eareth But were all men so mad as the Egyptians it would indeed be desolate of men and filled with cruel Beasts which they supposing them to be gods do diligently nourish If any man shall ask of Appion whom of all the Egyptians he judged to be a wise man and most religious towards their gods The Egyptian Priests circumcised and eat no Swines flesh no doubt he would answer the Priests For K they say that their first Kings in the beginning gave them these two commandements in charge first to seek wisdom and next to worship the gods they also are all of them circumcised and abstain from Swines flesh and no other Egyptian Sacrificeth with them unto their gods Appion therefore was surely blind when instead of detracting
persons who had had the boldness to violate it of which without instancing in Forreign Examples I shall recount such as are domestick to your Majesty K When Marcus Agrippa your Grandfather in favour to King Herod my Grandfather condescended to visit Judea and coast along the Shore to Jerusalem he was so taken with the Magnificence of the Temple with its Ornaments the diversity of the Orders of the Priests with their Vestments and particularly with the habit of the Chief-Priest with the formality of their Sacrifices and the Devotion of those who assisted That he could not forbear testifying his admiration He took so much pleasure in the contemplation of these things that there was not a day past whilst he remained at Jerusalem but he visited them all offered magnificent Presents and granted to the Inhabitants of that great City all that they could desire but exemption from Taxes Herod paid him all the honour he could devise and having received much greater L from him attended him in person to the Sea-side the People flocking from all parts to throw boughs and flowers in his way accompanying him with a thousand Benedictions Is it not Sir a thing known all the World over that the Emperour Tiberius your great Uncle during the 23 years of his reign had the same respect for our Temple not suffering any body to make the least alteration in the Orders observed there Upon which account though otherwise I was a great sufferer by him I cannot contein from recounting an action that redounded much to his honour and I know you take delight in hearing the Truth Pilate the then Governour of Judea consecrated to him in the Palace of Herod at Jerusalem certain guilt Bucklers not so much in honour to M him as hatred to our Nation There was no Image ingraven upon the Bucklers nor no Inscription but the Name of him who dedicated them and the Name of him to whom they were dedicated Nevertheless the People tumultuated in such manner that they imployed the four sons of the King the other Princes of the Blood and the most considerable Persons of our Nation to perswade Pilate to cause the Buckers to be removed by reason it was contrary to the Customs of their Ancestors which Customs neither Kings nor Emperours had ever infring'd before and seeing Pilate who was of a violent and obstinate nature did seem to refuse them they cryed out Have a care of troubling the Peace which we enjoy Have a care how you provoke us to Revolt and to War 'T is not by the violation of our Laws that he Emperor is to be honoured you N must find another pretence to colour so unjust an Enterprize and so insupportable to us for this magnanimous Prince is far from intrenching upon our Customs If you have any Commission to that purpose any Letter or other Order to authorize you in what you do let us see it and we will depute persons to wait upon him with our humble Remonstrances These words exasperated Pilate yet gave him much trouble for he feared that if they sent their Deputies they would inform the Emperour of his Exactions Injustices and horrible Cruelties by which he had afflicted many innocent persons and put as many to death In so great an anxiety Pilate notwithstanding his Passion and Severity knew not what way to steer He durst not take away the Bucklers because they had been consecrated and if he durst have ventured upon that he could not frame himself to comply O with the People and besides he knew the mind of Tiberius A Those who interceded for the Jews perceiving that though he dissembled it what he could yet he repented of what he had done writ a Letter to Tiberius with great instance and respect and there needs no further proof of its effects than that after he had signified his displeasure to Pilate in his immediate Answer he sent to him his Commands to remove the Bucklers to the Temple at Cesaria which was built in honour to Augustus and it was done accordingly by which invention all due respect was paid to the Emperour without any invasion of our Laws Those Bucklers had no image upon them and yet now our Controversie is about a Statue Those Bucklers were placed only in the Palace of the Governour and this Statue must be set up in the Sanctuary a place so holy that there is only the high Priest permitted B to enter and that only one time in the year after a solemn Fast to burn Perfumes in honour to God and by his humble Prayers to implore his blessing on our whole Nation for the next year If any other not only of the Comonalty but of the Priests not excepting him who is next to the high Priest presumes to enter or if the high Priest himself enters it above once a year or more times that very day in which he has liberty to enter than what is allowed by our Law it will cost him his Life nothing can save him so peremptory has our great Lawgiver been in his Orders for the reverencing this holy Place and for the making it inaccessible You are not then to doubt great Sir but your Statue shall be no sooner erected but several of the Priests will rather kill themselves their Wives and their Children than be spectators of such C violence to their Laws Thus it was that Tiberius acted upon this occasion and as to that Prince the happiest that ever govern'd the Empire your most excellent Predecessor who having given Peace to the whole World deserved for his virtue and great exploits the glorious name of Augustus when he understood that we admitted not into our Temple any visible Image as being improper to represent an invisible God he admired the Piety and Knowledge of our Nation being learned himself and accustomed to pass the greatest part of his time at meals in discourse of Philosophical points that be had been taught by the greatest Masters and in the Conversation of learned Men which he kept constantly about him that his Mind might receive its repast as well as his D Body I could instance in several other things evincing his kindness to our Nation but I shall content my self with two Being informed that there was a neglect in bringing in our First-Fruits he sent to the Governours of the Provinces in Asia to permit only the Jews to assemble together because their meetings were not like the Bacchanals to drink and debauch and contrive against the Peace of the Publick but Academies of Virtue where People were instructed to love Justice and Temperance and as to their First-Fruits which were sent annually to Jerusalem they were imployed only to offer Sacrifices to God in the Temple Wherefore this great Prince expresly forbad every body for molesting E the Jews in what related to their Meetings and First-Fruits If these were not the very words I am sure it was the sence as your Majesty