had four sons Elein Gunnes Sares and Hellim Dan had onely one son called Vsis Now if these be added to the abovenamed they make up the number of Fifty four But Gad and Asser were born by Zelpha Leah's handmaid Gad was attended by seven sons Zophonias Vgis Sunis Zabros Erines Erodes and Ariel Asser had one daughter Ver. 30. and six sons Jacob almost deceased for joy whose names were Jomnes Essus Juba Baris Abars Melmiel These D fifteen being added to the foresaid Fifty four make up the number Seventy together with Jacob. Gen. 47. 2. But Joseph understanding that his father was at hand for Juda posted before to give him notice thereof went out to meet him Joseph with his five Brethren and did so near a Town called Heros Jacob was fill'd with such extreme and unexpected joy that he had almost expired and that of Joseph was little less He desir'd his father to march onwards by easie journies and taking with him his five brethren hasted unto the King signifying unto him that his father with all his family were arrived The King no sooner understood it but he joyfully asked Joseph in what employments he took delight who answer'd him that his exercise was in keeping of Cattel and that he had no other Trade This answer he made to the intent they might not be divided one from another but that living E all together they might take care of their father another reason was lest emulation should happen betwixt them and the Egyptians if so be they should be conversant in the same profession Ver. 3 ad 10. whereas this people had little experience in the keeping of Cattel Jacob talketh with Pharaoh and is appointed to inhabit Heliopolis Now when Jacob was brought into the King's presence and had done him reverence and pray'd God for the prosperity both of him and his Realm Pharaoh ask'd him how old he was and he answer'd that he was an hundred and thirty years old at which when the King admir'd he added that his Ancestors had lived far longer Then Pharaoh appointed him and his sons to dwell in Heliopolis where also the King's shepherds had their pastures But the Famine increased in Egypt and the calamity was without remedy The famine in Egypt by reason that Nilus did not overflow the earth after its usual manner and on F the other side God rained not upon the earth Moreover in that the sterility was foreseen it was more grievous especially to the Commonalty who had laid up nothing neither did Joseph give them Corn without ready money Ver. 16 17 20. which when they began to want A great profit redounded to the King by this famine they exchang'd their Cattel and Slaves for Corn and they that had Lands sold a portion thereof unto the King for their provision And when by this means all these possessions came into the King's hands they went to inhabit here and there as they could to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their Land the Priests onely were excepted to whom the Lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessity reduced both the minds and bodies of the whole Nation into servitude after such a manner that they esteemed no labour or means unseemly that G might serve them towards their sustenance But when the Famine ceas'd and the earth water'd by the overflow of the River began to recover her former fertility Joseph visiting every City of the Kingdom and assembling the multitude in every one of them restored them the possession of those Lands which they had sold to the King The year of the World 2311. before Christ's Nativity 1653. and exhorted H them to manure the same in no worse manner than they would do their own on condition to pay the fifth part unto the King which was due unto him by his Prerogative and Kingly right The People rejoycing at this unexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their Tillage Joseph commanded them to pay the fifth part of their profits to the King and by this means not only Joseph's authority but also the Peoples hearts were not a little tyed unto the King and the inheritance of the fifth part of the profits remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their Posterity But Jacob after he had lived 17 years in Egypt ended his life in the arms of his Sons having first prayed God to give them prosperity and abundance and prophesied that every one of their posterities should attain to the possession of a part of the Land of Canaan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. as in process of time it came to pass Besides praising his Son Joseph for that forgetting I the injuries done unto him he had bestowed divers benefits on his Brethren yea and such as well beseemed his Benefactors he commanded his Sons that they should admit Joseph's Sons Gen. 49. 33. Ephraim and Manasses Jacob dyed when he was 147 years old into their number at such time as they should divide the Land of Canaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he prayed them to bury him in Hebron He liv'd 150 years wanting three being second to none of his Ancestors in piety Gen. 50. 13. and obtain'd the same blessing Jacob is buried in Hebron in that he was a man adorned with equal virtues Joseph by the King's permission transported his Fathers body to Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his Brothers fearing to return with him into Egypt in that they suspected lest their Father being dead he should be revenged on them in that they had not any Friend left alive under whose favor they might hope for pardon he K commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should fear no evil and having brought them back again with him he gave them great possessions neither did he ever cease to entertain them with brotherly kindness Joseph dyeth when he was 110 years old But he likewise dyed when he had lived 110 years a man endowed with admirable virtue prudent in all Affairs and moderate in his Government by which means it came to pass that neither his Foreign Birth nor his Calamities whereof we have spoken did any ways hinder him but that he was exalted and continued in high dignity Gen. 50. 22 ad 26. The rest of his Brothers also having spent their lives in happiness dyed in Egypt whose bodies their Sons and Nephews transported and buried in Hebron Joseph's Bones translated into Canaan but Joseph's bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrews into Canaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Canaan for hereunto had he L bound them by an Oath But being oblig'd to declare this and other actions of this Nation I will first of all shew the cause why they departed out of Egypt CHAP. V. Of the affliction which the
married to David having obtained that degree of honour by her modesty and beauty Now David had a Wife before named Ahinoam V. 39. ad finem whom he had married out of the City of Abesar As touching Michol the Daughter of Saul David marrieth Abigail Nabals wife and other-whiles his Wife Saul gave her to Wife at Lissa to the Son of Phalti of the City of Gethla After this certain Ziphians coming to Saul Saul marrieth his daughter Michol to another husband told him that David was returned again into their Countrey and that if it pleased him to assist them they might easily apprehend him Whereupon Saul took the Field with 3000 Men and being surprized by Night he encamped in a certain place called Siceleg 1 Sam. 26. v. 1 ad 9. F When David was certified that Saul was come forth against him The Ziphians once more labour to betray David in their Countrey he sent out certain Spies to whom he gave charge to bring him intelligence into what place at that time Saul was retired who ascertained him that he was at Siceleg he watched all that Night without the knowledge of any of his Followers and went into Sauls Camp attended only by Abisai his sister Servia's Son and Abimelech the Hittite V. 7 8 ad 13. Now whil'st Saul was asleep David once more attended by two entering into Sauls Camp stole away his Dart and his Pitcher of water and his General Abner with all his Soldiers David entred into the Kings Camp and although he knew the Kings Pavilion by his Javelin that stood at the door thereof yet slew he him not neither permitted he Abisai who was very forward to execute the slaughter But this he said that although the King were wicked yet since he was appointed by God himself he could not attempt any thing G against his life and be innocent for that it was Gods right to take vengeance on him to whom he had given the Kingdom and thus restrained he the others fury Yet to the intent he might certifie the King that having the opportunity to slay him he spared his life The year of the World 2891. before Christ's Nativity 1073. he bare away with him his Javelin and the Pitcher of water that stood by H Saul whil'st he slept without the knowledge of any of the Camp so much were they devoured and overwhelmed with sleep He therefore departed thence in all assurance having executed all that which either the time or his courage would permit him to do But after he had passed the River and had attained the top of a Mountain from whence he might be easily heard he cryed out to Sauls Soldiers and their General Abner so loud that he awaked them from their sleep and calling unto Abner as well as the common sort of Soldiers Ver. 14 ad 18. the General asked Who it was that called him to whom David answered David upbraideth Abner King Sauls General for suffering his Kings Javelin and Pitcher of water to be taken from him It is I the Son of Jesse your Fugitive but said he How cometh it to pass that thou who art so great and in chiefest authority about the King hast so small respect and guard of his person Thy sleep is more pleasant unto thee than to watch for his conservation Assuredly this I act of thine deserveth a capital punishment because thou neither hast discovered me nor any others before we entred the Camp or approached the King Behold here the Kings Javelin and his Pitcher of water by which you may perceive in what great danger he hath been even in the midst of you without any notice or discovery of yours Saul perceiving that it was Davids voice A ver 21 ad finem and seeing that through the negligence of his Guards Saul praiseth David and willeth him to be of good courage and exhorteth him to return to his own house it had been easie for him to have slain him which after so many provocations would not have seem'd strange to any man he acknowledged himself indebted to him for his life exhorting him to be assured and without suspecting any evil to return home unto his house because he was persuaded that he loved not himself so much as he was beloved by David notwithstanding that he had pursued him and for a long time K had chased him like a Fugitive constraining him by divers persecutions to forsake his dearest Friends and instead of rewarding his services had reduc'd him to the utmost extremities Hereupon David willed him to send some one of his Servants to bring back his Javelin and Pitcher of water protesting that God should be Judge of both their natures manners and actions who knew that that day also he had spared his Enemy whom if he had thought good he might have destroyed David having thus the second time spared Saul's life 1 Sam. 27. 1. and not willing to continue any longer in a Countrey David declareth his innocency to Saul where he might be in danger of falling at length into the hands of his Enemies he thought good to retire into the Countrey of the Philistines and sojourn there Saul desisteth to persecute David So that accompanied with 600 Men which he had with him he went to Achis L King of Gath one of their five Cities who received him kindly and gave him a place to dwell in Ver. 8 ad fin so that he abode in Gath having with him his two Wives Atchimaas and Abigail David with six hundred men and his two wives went into Palestine to Achis King of Gitia Which when Saul understood he troubled him no more because he had twice been in danger of his life whil'st he pursued him David held it not convenient to remain in the City of Gath and therefore requested the King of the Philistines that he would assign him some part of his Countrey where he might make his habitation because he feared to be chargeable to him if he remained in the City Achis assigned to him a Village called Siceleg David requireth a certain place at the Kings hands to make his habitation in which David after he obtained the Kingdom loved so well that he purchased the perpetual inheritance of it after he came to the Crown But hereof will we speak in another place The time that David lived amongst the Philistines M and in the Town of Siceleg were four months and twenty days during which time The King giveth him Siceleg by several excursions against the bordering Sarrites and Amalekites he spoiled their Countrey and returned back again with a great booty of Oxen and Camels yet brought he thence no Bondmen David spoiled the Sarrites and Amalekites and giveth part of the prey to the King persuading him that he took it from the Jews that inhabited the South Plain lest Achis by their means should thereby have intelligence
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
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 third year of the Hundred seventy and seven Olympiade and in the year that Q. Hortensius and Q. Metellus called the Cretensian were Consuls at Rome Aristobulus suddenly undertook the War against Hircanus Aristobulus and Hircanus strive for the kingdom and fought with him near unto Jericho where a great number of Hircanus's followers submitted themselves of their own accord to Aristobulus Through which accident Hircanus was forced to flie to the fortress of the higher City where Alexandra Aristobulus mother had imprisoned both his Wife and Children as before is I specified The rest of the faction for fear of his brother who had gotten the victory retired themselves within the precincts of the Temple The peace betwixt Hircanus and Aristobulus where they were besieged and taken After this a Peace was Treated of betwixt both the brethren and their difference was decided in this manner That Hircanus should pass the rest of his life without medling with State Affairs and Aristobulus should reign This League was ratified between them in the Temple and confirmed with oaths conjunction of hands and embraces in the sight of all the people which being finished Aristobulus retired himself into the Palace and Hircanus to Aristobulus lodging to lead a private and quiet life CHAP. II. K Antipater an Idumaean persuades Hircanus to flie and to retire himself to Aretas King of the Arabians who promiseth to re-establish him in the Kingdom of Judea BUT a certain friend of Hircanus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. by Nation an Idumaean and by name Antipater being very rich Antipater the Idumaean Hircanus 's friend and by nature both factious and industrious was as much Aristobulus's Enemy as Hircanus's Friend True it is that Nicholas Damascene writeth of this man That he was descended of the noblest amongst those Jews who returned from Babylon into Jewry Antipater of Judaea as Nicholas Damascenus implies first called Antipas but this he did on purpose to gratifie Herod Antipater's son who by a casualty became afterwards King of the Jews as we will express hereafter in time and place L convenient This Antipater was at the first called Antipas according to his fathers name who as it is reported was made Governor of all Idumaea by King Alexander and his Wife and afterwards made a League with the Arabians Gazeans and Ascalonites corrupting them and insinuating himself into their favors by divers great Presents bestowed upon them This young Antipater considering with himself what Aristobulus power was and fearing lest some mischief might befall him through the hatred the young King had conceived against him he communicated with certain of the greatest amongst the Jews and secretly and cunningly incensed them against Aristobulus Antipater incenseth the Princes of the Jews against Aristobulus telling them That they had done amiss both to see and suffer Aristobulus to detain the Kingdom unjustly in his hands and to dispossess his elder brother Hircanus to whom by right of inheritance it did belong He likewise M accosted and sounded Hircanus ordinarily with these words telling him That he lived in danger of his life and would doubtless be snared except he sought his own security and fled his evident danger alledging That Aristobulus 's friends would never cease to consult how they might shorten his life to the end that he might live in more security To these instigations of his Hircanus gave small credit for that of his own nature he was courteous and could not easily be induced or seduced by detractions but this negligence and carelesness in him was the cause that he was accounted a silly man On the contrary side Aristobulus was of a different and more heroick nature being more active in performance and careful to prevent Now although Antipater saw that Hircanus made small account of his instigations yet N ceased not daily to invent and propose new surmises and accusations urging Aristobulus's hatred and practice to murther him and prevailed so by his importunity that at last he persuaded him to flie to Aretas King of Arabia promising him That in so doing he would give him both aid and assistance Hircanus was the more easie to be induced to follow Antipater's advice for that Arabia was adjacent to Jewry Whereupon he first of all sent Antipater to Aretas to take assurance of him that he should not betray him into his Enemies hands if he should submit himself unto him and require his assistance When Antipater had received his assurance from the King he returned to Jerusalem unto Hircanus and not long after that took him away with him and departed the City by night and afterwards with great journies arrived at Petra where Aretas kept his Royal Court. And being O very familiar with the King he entreated him to re-establish him in the Kingdom of Jewry and did so much by his importunity and the Presents which he gave him that he H persuaded Aretas to attempt the matter The year of the World 3900. before Christ's Nativity 64. Whereupon Hircanus promised That if he confirmed him again in his Royal dignity he would upon the recovery of his Realm restore unto him those twelve Cities which his father Alexander had taken from the Arabians the names whereof are these that follow Medaba Nabello Livias Tharabasa Agalla Athona Zoara Orona Narissa Rydda Lusa Oryba Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. CHAP. III. Aristobulus is enforced to retire into the Castle of Jerusalem the King Aretas besiegeth him The cruelty of some Jews who stoned Onias a just man to death The punishment which I God inflicted upon them for it ARetas Aretas maketh War against Aristobulus and inforceth him to flie to Jerusalem induced by these promises was content to send forth an Army against Aristobulus and himself in person conducted in that expedition 50000 Men Foot and Horse and had so much the upper hand of his Enemy that divers after this victory of their own accord submitted themselves to Hircanus and Aristobulus perceiving himself to be destitute of all his friends and followers The Arabian besiegeth Aristobulus in the Temple fled unto Jerusalem The King of Arabia followed him with all expedition and besieged him in the Temple in this siege the common people assisted Hircanus neither were there any but the Priests only that stuck to Aristobulus's side The Jews 〈◊〉 into Egypt Whereupon Aretas drew up the Forces he had and busily set the Army K both of Jews and Arabians about the siege Whil'st these things were thus the feast of unleavened bread which we call the Passeover was at hand and the Princes of the Jews forsaking their Countrey were fled into Egypt About that time a certain man called Onias such an one who for his virtue was beloved of God and in times past had by his devout prayers and supplications in a time of drought obtained rain from God hid himself perceiving that this sedition would be
death Cleopatra long before that time desirous to assist her and having compassion of her misery undertook the matter and ceased not to incite Antony to revenge Aristobulus's death telling him that it was an unpardonable errour that Herod being created King in such a state whereunto he had no right should be suffered to practice such conspiracies again the true and lawful Kings Antony perswaded by these her words as soon as he came to Laodicea sent for Herod to the end that making his appearance he might answer that which might be objected against him concerning Aristobulus's death for he disliked the act notwithstanding that Herod himself had attempted it But although Herod was afraid of this accusation and did not a little suspect Cleopatra's displeasure K for that she ceased not continually to provoke Antony against him yet he obeyed his commands and transported himself thither the rather for that he durst not otherwise do notwithstanding he left his Uncle Joseph behind him committing the Government both of the Kingdom Herod ready to repair unto Antony commandeth Joseph to whose charge he committed the Kingdom to kill his wife and his private estate unto him giving him secret instructions to kill Mariamne if so be that Antony should happen to do him any mischief For he loved her so extremely by reason of her beauty that he supposed himself wronged if after his decease she should be beloved by another and he openly declared that all that misery which befel him proceeded from Antonies passion and intire affection and admiration of her beauty whereof he had formerly heard some report As soon therefore as he had disposed his affairs notwithstanding he had little hope of L good hap yet he repaired to Antony But Josepth governing that Kingdom that was committed to his hands conversed divers times upon this occasion with Mariamne and communicated oftentimes with her not only about publick affairs but also to do her that honour which so great a Princess deserved Therefore as he secretly convers'd with her witnessing the friendship and ardent affection which Herod bare unto her He found that neither she nor Alexandra did credit any such thing but rather laugh'd at it For which cause Joseph being too forward to express the Kings good will towards her proceeded so far that he discovered the commands that was given him thereby to make manifest that it was not possible for Herod to live without her and that if any inconvenience should happen unto M him he would not in death also be dis-joyned from her This discourse of Josephs was not interpreted by the Ladies as a demonstration of his good will but rather as a manifestation of Herods wickedness who dying desired also that they should perish and interpreted that which he had spoken as the testimony of his tyrannical and malicious heart At that time there was a rumour spread in the City of Jerusalem by Herods Enemies that Antony had so tormented him that he was dead Whereupon all those of the Kings house were troubled and especially the Ladies so that Alexandra incited Joseph to forsake the Palace A foolish rumour of Herods death and take the Ladies and retire under the protection of the Roman Legion who at that time was about the City for the security of the Kingdom under the Conduct of the Tribune Julius to the end first of all that if any trouble N should happen in the Kings house they might be by this means in safety having the Romans to be-friend them and afterwards for that they hoped that if Antony should see Mariamne she might obtain at his hands whatsoever she desired and that he would restore the Kingdom unto her and deprive her of nothing that concerned her or was answerable to her Royal estate But whilst they were in these deliberations there came Letters from Herod contrary to those reports Herod appeâ—seth Antony by Presents and certifieth his friends by Letters of his health and all mens expectation For as as soon he came unto Antony he compassed his favor by his many Presents which he had brought with him to that intent from Jerusalem and suddenly debated the matter with him he appeased him so that he was no more displeased against him and from that time forward Cleopatra's speeches O were but coldly received in regard of his so ample satisfaction For Antony said That there was no reason that a King should be answerable for that which he had done in his Kingdom for that in so doing he should no more be King but that when the honour is once given him The year of the World 3930. before Christ's Nativity 3â— he hath the authority likewise left him to use his regal Power Urging further A That it concerned Cleopatra likewise her self not to search too curiously into the affairs and Government of Kingdoms Herod shewed all this by his Letters and signified further what other honours he had received at Antoni's hands in Assemblies and Feasts to which he invited him always notwithstanding that Cleopatra seemed to be displeased therewith detracting him and being desirous to get the Kingdom of Jewry into her hands strove with all means possible to put him to death but that he had found Antony always an upright man and feared not henceforward that any evil should befal him and returning presently upon this he brought with him a more ample testimony of Antony's most assured affection both in respect of his own Kingdom and of his particular affairs B And as touching Cleopatra she pretended not to seek any further than that which she had because that Antony had given her Coelosyria instead of that which she had demanded forbearing thenceforward to mention Jewry any more because that Antony wholly rejected those suits After these Letters came unto their hands the trouble and disturbance wherein they were and the desire to retire unto the Romans as if Herod had been dead was wholly extinguished Yet their resolution was not hidden from the King for his sister Salome and his mother informed him of every particular at his arrival after he had parted from Antonius Joseph and Mariamne accused before Herod who was marching against the Parthians Salome likewise spake against Joseph her husband and slandered him objecting against him that he had Mariamnes company All which she spake through malice for that in a certain debate Mariamne C had in her rage despightfully hit her in the teeth with her obscure birth Herod who was always inflamed with the earnest affection which he bare unto his wife Mariamne was suddenly troubled hereat and although jealousie pressed him forward yet love restrained him and kept him from doing any thing rashly for which cause he called Mariamne aside and demanded of her in secret what familiar company she had kept with Joseph She by solemn oaths and by all possible allegations in her own defence appeased the King by little and little Mariamne excuseth and
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
a Tyrant being of himself a cholerick man implacable towards all men without any occasion having a natural inclination so cruel that the easiest pain whereunto he adjudged G those whom he condemned was death Notwithstanding therefore that every man took pleasure to hear the news yet did all conceal it until such time as they might be more fully assured through the fear of those miseries they foresaw if the matter should fall out otherways But Marsyas Agrippa's Free-man having certain H notice of Tiberius's death ran speedily to comfort his Master Agrippa with these good news and meeting with him as he came out of the Bath he made a sign unto him and told him in the Hebrew Tongue the Lyon was dead Agrippa conceiving that which he meant Marsyas Agrippa's Free-man certifieth him of Tiberius's death was ravished with joy and said unto him I will requite thee for all those benefits I have received at thy hands and especially for this good news provided that it prove true The Centurion who had the keeping of Agrippa considering what expedition Marsyas had used in running and the pleasure that Agrippa had conceived in his report he began to suspect some alteration and asked him what had happened and whereas he delayed to give him an answer he importuned him the more Whereupon Agrippa told him plainly what he had heard in that he had grown already intimately I familiar with him The Centurion rejoyced at this news as well as Agrippa hoping to speed the better thereby and made Agrippa good cheer But whilst they were in the midst of their Banquetting The rumour was spread in Rome that Tiberius was alive and drunk freely there came one unto them who told them that Tiberius was alive and that within few days he would come to Rome The Centurion troubled with this news for that he had committed a Capital crime in eating in the company of a Prisoner upon the news of Caesar's death and by rejoycing with him he drave Agrippa out of the place where he sate and reproachfully said unto him Thinkest thou said he that I know not how falsely thou spreadest the rumour of Caesar 's death yes be assured thou shalt answer thy lie with the loss of thy head This said he caused Agrippa to be bound whom before-time he had suffered to go at K liberty and shut him up in more close Prison than he had been before so that Agrippa was all that night long in this extream misery The next day the rumour was spread thorough the whole City that confirmed Tiberius's death and at that time every one boldly protested it There were some also who offered Sacrifices for this cause Caius certifieth the Senate and Piso of Tiberius's death and his Succession and willeth that Agrippa should be sent to his own Lodging And there came Letters also from Caius which were addressed to the Senate by which he assured them that Tiberius was dead and how the Empire was committed to his hands He writ another also to Piso who had the Guard of the City containing the like report and besides that commanding him to transfer Agrippa from the company of those Souldiers by whom he was kept to the same place where he was lodged before so that from that time forwards he grew confident For although he was L as yet a Prisoner yet lived he at his own discretion Caius arriving in Rome brought with him Tiberius's body which he burned most magnificently according to the custom of the Countrey Tiberius's Funeral And although he were very willing to set Agrippa at liberty the same day yet he was disswaded from it by Antonia not for any ill will she bare the Prisoner but in regard of Caius's honour lest thereby he should shew himself to be glad of Tiberius's death in setting him at liberty so speedily whom he had committed to Prison When therefore some few days were over he sent for him to his house and caused his hair to be cut and his garments changed and that done he set a Diadem upon his head Caius createth Agrippa King and giveth him two Tetrarchies and made him King of Philip's Tetrarchy to which he added Lysanias's Tetrarchy and changed his Chain of Iron into a Chain of Gold of the same M weight and sent Marullus into Judaea to govern there The second year of Caius's Reign Agrippa asked leave to repair into Judaea to dispose of his Kingdom purposing to return again when he had dispatched those Affairs Agrippa departeth into his Kingdom Which when the Emperour had granted him he came into Judaea and was seen and saluted for a King beyond all men's expectation serving thereby for a most notable example unto men to express unto them how great the power of Destiny is in humane Affairs The year of the World 4002. after Christ's Nativity 40. considering the poor estate wherein he had been before and the happiness which he enjoyed at that time Some termed him happy in that he resolutely followed his hopes others could scarcely believe that he was thus advanced N CHAP. IX Herodias Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. alias chap. 16. Herod the Tetrarch's Wife and King Agrippa's Sister being impatient to see her Brother reign in so much Prosperity compels her Husband to go to Rome to obtain a Crown also Herodias Agrippa's Sister envieth her Brothers happiness and inciteth her Husband to seek a Kingdom but Agrippa having written to Caius against him he banished him and his Wife to Lions in France HErodias Agrippa's Sister was married to Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea Shee envied her Brother to see him raised to so great Authority and to far greater O Dignity than her Husband enjoyed For which cause she was displeased that her Brother who fled out of his Countrey in that he wanted means to pay his debts was returned A in great Honour and State This alteration seemed unsufferable to her especially to see him apparelled like a King and environed with a great multitude of people so that it was impossible for her to hide her grief for which cause she incited her Husband and perswaded him to make a Voyage to Rome and to purchase as much as he possessed For said she I cannot endure to live if Agrippa Aristobulus 's Son condemned to die by the sentence of his own Father so poor and indigent that to redress his necessities wherewith he was daily pressed by his Creditors he was constrained at last to flee to Rome should return with such Titles of Honour and that her Husband who was a King's Son and was called to the Kingdom by his Father should live obscure and pass his life like a private man Husband said she if herefore it hath been no prejudice to thee to live in less Dignity B than thy Father hath done now at least desire that due honour which belongeth to thy Family neither think it sufferable
having their Swords I drawn had killed the formost before Caesar understood any thing of their coming had not Agrippa hastened to advertise him of the matter He told him that if he did not presently appease the Soldiers fury now raging against the Citizens all the Nobility would presently be destroyed and he should be left Emperour of a desolate place When Claudius heard this Claudius honourably entertains the Senate he repressed the Soldier 's fury and very honourably received the Senate into his Camp and went forth presently with them and offered Sacrifice to God as the manner is for the good Estate of the Empire and to give him thanks for that Sovereignty which he held of him Agrippa's Kingdom Also he presently made Agrippa King of all his Father's Dominions giving him likewise all that Augustus had given Herod The year of the World 4008. after Christ's Nativity 46. to wit Trachonitis and Auranitis and besides them another Countrey called K the Kingdom of Lysania and published this his Gift by Edict to the people and commanded the Senate to engrave that Donation in Brazen Tables and to place it in the Capitol Moreover he gave the Kingdom of Chalcis to his Brother Herod who was become also his Son-in-law by the marriage of Bernice his Daughter Agrippa now received greater Revenues of his Kingdom than he could desire which he spent not vainly but in building such a Wall about Jerusalem as had he finished it the Romans could never have taken it Ant. lib. 19. cap. 5. But before he could end that work he died in Caesarea having reigned three years with the Title of King Agrippa after he had reigned three years in Caesarea dies and other three years before with that of Tetrarch He left behind him three Daughters which he had by Cypris Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla and one Son by the same Wife named Agrippa who L because he was very young Claudius reduced the Kingdom into a Province and made Cuspius Fadus Governour thereof After whom succeeded Tiberius Alexander who nothing violating the Laws of the Nation Herod after he had reigned in Chalcis dieth ruled them in Peace After this Herod King of Chalcis died leaving behind him two Sons which he had by his Brother's Daughter Bernice to wit Bernicianus and Hircanus and by his first Wife Mariamne Ant. lib. 19. cap. 7 8. Aristobulus His other Brother also Aristobulus died a private person leaving one Daughter Jotapa And these were the Posterity of Aristobulus Son of King Herod by Mariamne Alexander and Aristobulus 's Genealogy whom he put to death But his elder Brother Alexander's Posterity reigned in the greater Armenia M CHAP. XI Of divers Tumults in Judaea and Samaria AFter the death of Herod who reigned in Chalcis Claudius created Agrippa the Son of the former Agrippa The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. King of Chalcis his Unkle's Kingdom And Cumanus was made Ruler of the other Province after Tiberius Alexander under whom many new tumults and calamities befel the Jews For when they were assembled together at the Feast of Unleavened bread in Jerusalem the Roman Soldiers standing in the Porch of N the Temple for always armed men kept that place upon Festival days A filthy fact and speech of a Soldier against the Jews on a Festival day lest the people gathered together should make any tumult one of the Soldiers taking up his coat turned his bare buttocks against the Jews faces speaking words as unseemly as was his gesture At which insolence the whole multitude began to murmur and they flocked about Cumanus requesting him to punish the Soldier for his misdemeanour And some of them rash young men and prone to Sedition began to revile the Soldiers and threw stones at them Cumanus feareth the people's 〈◊〉 Cumanus fearing that the whole multitude of the Jews would violently move against him called to him many armed Soldiers and sent them to seize the Gates of the Temple Some ten thousand men thronged to death The Jews being in great fear fled and left the Temple and there was such a throng that as they hasted to flee above ten thousand people O were prest and trodden to death So that this Festival day was turned into woful lamentations and mournings in every place This calamity was followed soon after by A another The year of the World 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. for near Bethoron one Stephanus Servant to Caesar carrying some rich houshold-stuff was robbed of it in the High-way But Cumanus sending for those in the Villages next adjoyning in order to discover the Thieves commanded them to be bound and brought to him because they had not taken the Thieves In one of which Villages a certain Soldier finding the Book of the Holy Scripture A Soldier cuts the Book of the Holy Scripture in pieces and burneth it cut it in pieces and burnt it Hereupon all the Jews of this Countrey gathered themselves together from all places being no less incensed than if they had seen their Countrey set on fire and carried by zeal for their Religion they forthwith went to Caesarea to Cumanus there beseeching him that the Soldier who had affronted God and their Law might not escape unpunished The Soldier executed that burned the Bible Cumanus perceiving that the Jews would not be appeased without B some satisfaction condemned the Soldier to death and sent him to Execution in their presence which done they all departed At the same time there arose a great difference between the Galileans and Samaritans A Galilean slain in Samaria for at a Village called Geman scituate in the great Plain of Samaria a certain Galilean of the number of the Jews that came to the Feast was slain For which fact many Galileans joyned together to be revenged of the Samaritans And the Principal of the Countrey went to Cumanus requesting him before any more harm were done to go into Galilee and punish the Authors of this Murther But Cumanus being busied in greater Affairs sent them away without granting their request When this murther was known in Jerusalem all the multitude left the solemnity of the Festival C and went to Samaria Eleazar and Alexander two Princes of the Jews exercise much cruelty refusing to be restrained by the Magistrates Of this their Tumult and Sedition the Son of Dinaeus called Eleazar and one Alexander were Captains who with violence entring the Borders of the Countrey of Lacrabatana killed man woman and child and burnt the Towns When Cumanus heard this he took the Cavalry of Sebaste and went to help them that were thus oppressed and he killed and made Prisoners many of them who took part with Eleazar Now the Magistrates of Jerusalem went out to the rest of the Jews which so wasted Samaria clothed in sack-cloth and ashes upon their heads and beseeched them not to seek revenge
He also commanded him as he hung to be pricked with awls that so the heat might pierce into the holes they made in his flesh Whilst thus he was tormented much blood like froth gathered about his head and face and he then spake in this manner O noble fight O valiant War O strife between piety and impiety These men have past their Agonies whose Crown of Martyrdom is the punishment of their persecutors I do most willingly B follow my brethren that as by blood I am conjoyned unto them so by death I may not be separated from them Devise O Tyrant some new Torment for these I have already overcome O master of cruelty Enemy of piety persecuter of justice we six Brethren have conquered the Kings power and what his Kingdom or the whole world could afford Thy fire is cold and heateth not The sixth brother sharply reproves Antiochus and the Kings weapons are bended and blunted in our bodies our God giveth us more courage to suffer than thou hast to punish and so the precept of God remaineth firm in us And as he thus spake one took hold of his tongue with a hot pair of tongs and so with the same torments that his brethren had suffered being fryed in a pan he gave up the Ghost C Six of the Brethren being now dead by diversity of torments only one of the seven remained alive with his mother named Jacob younger in year but not in constancy of mind than the rest of his brethren He presenting himself before the Tyrant moved him to compassion both for that he was left alone and the last of his brethren and also that he was to perish wherefore he called the child unto him and into a place where no instruments of torments were Jacob the seventh brother brought to torments and taking him by the hand he said thus unto him hoping to win him by fair speeches By thy brethrens calamity thou now well hast learned what is prepared for thee if thou disobey me deliver thy self therefore from these torments and I will give thee what honour my kingdom can afford thou shalt be a Magistrate and General of my Army and one of my Counsellors D But perceiving himself not to prevail he caused the young man's Mother to be called unto him who coming and standing near her Son the Tyrant said thus unto her Where are now O worthy woman all thy Children Behold of such a number if thou please the destiny affords thee one advise therefore thy Child and mollifie his obstinate mind by wholsom counsel The Mother having heard what the King said made her reverence to the King which done that the King might not understand her she spake in Hebrew to her Child as followeth Pitty thy Mother O son and comfort thy sorrowfull Mother who bare thee nine months in my E womb and gave thee suck three years and with great industry have brought thee up to this age I pray thee dear son consider the Heaven and Earth and all that in them is and know that God created them all of nothing who also of nothing created Mankind Fear not this Ethnick's pains and torments but imitate thy brethren and contemn death that in the day of mercy I may receive thee and thy brethen again in Heaven As his mother thus admonished him he in the Hebrew tongue requested to be unbound for that he had a secret to disclose to the King who being unfettered he presently ran to the torments prepared for there was a Frying-pan red hot that was prepared for such as were to suffer unto the which the Child coming remembring his brethren and beholding also the King he said unto him Cruel tyrant I now know thee not only to have been cruel against my brethren but even cruelty it self Wretch that thou F art who gave thee this purple and who exalted thee to this Kingdom and dignity even he whom thou in us dost persecute whose servants and worshippers thou killest and tormentest for which thy wickedness thy self shall suffer eternal fire and torments which shall have no end Thou art of higher dignity and authority in this world than other men yet he that made other men made thee also of the same nature that they are for all men are born and must die alike He that kills another sheweth that he himself may be killed thou tearest and tormentest thy own picture and image in vain thou in thy fury killest him whom not long since God created like thy self and according to the same law thou thinkest all lawful which thy Kingly power can command thou pullest out our tongues and tearest our bodies with flesh-books and consumest with fire but they who have already suffered this have received everlasting G joy for their reward and thou shalt answer for all the punishments inflicted upon them Think not that I expect any favour at thy hands I will follow my brethren and remain constant H in our Law The Tyrant hearing this was wroth and caused him to be tormented but his Mother in his torment comforted him and with her kind hands held his head when with violence of the tortures blood issued out of his mouth nose and privy parts the tormentors not ceasing till life in him was almost spent but they by Gods appointment gave over and so he took strength again to endure more than any of his brethren had done at last his Hands and Arms being cut off he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and cryed O Adonai O Sabaor be mercifull unto me and receive me into the company of my brethren The death of the youngest brother let thy wrath now cease and grant them mercy who by us do make intercession to thee Having said thus his tongue being pulled out he of his own accord went into the fiery I Frying pan and so to the great admiration of Antiochus died Behold how evident it is that reason can rule our affections seeing that Children hereby shewed more constancy Reason Mistress of our affection than the Tyrant could shew cruelty For it was reason's force that wrought in them that determination to suffer all torments rather than to forsake the way of Salvation These constant young men do fitly resemble inexpugnable Towers and them who after a great tempest and shipwrak do safely enter the harbour of Salvation A similitude of the waves who guiding their course amidst the boysâ—etous waves at last obtain the wished shore For every one of them strengthened the other by advice and good counsel The seven brethren exhort one another to suffer death manfully and none of them was so effeminate as to decline his Martyrdom None used delay herein but K one followed anothers example Let us therefore dy for our Law and imitate the three Children whom the Asyrians fury condemned to the fiery Furnace whose patience spread their fame even unto Heaven Whilst thus one of them exhorted the other
him in The keeper of the Prison dealeth friendly with Joseph and the comeliness of his person loosed him out of Bonds and by that means in some sort lessened his misery giving him also an allowance more liberal than the rest of the Prisoners had Now when they that were in the Prison as often as they had intermission from their labour conferred together as Men in misery are wont to do and questioned among themselves of the causes of their misfortunes a certain Butler of the Kings condemned by him in displeasure to be cast into Irons grew familiar with Joseph and for that he accounted him a prudent and provident Man he told him his Dream praying him that if any presage might be L gathered thereby he would expound it unto him lamenting his misfortune that he was not onely persecuted by the Kings displeasure but also when he should take his rest troubled from Heaven by Dreams For he said that in his sleep he beheld three great clusters of Grapes hanging on three Branches of a Vine which were all ripe and ready to be gathered and that he thought he pressed them into a Cup which the King held and that afterwards having strained the Must he offered it to the King and that he willingly drank thereof When he had shewed him his Dream he desired him that if he had any knowledge given him from God he would vouchsafe to interpret his Vision unto him Gen. 40. 5 9 ad 15. Joseph bade him be of good courage and expect that within three days he should be delivered from his Bonds The Butlers Dream expounded admitted again to the Kings service and M restored to his former credit For said he the Vine bringeth forth a fruit very good and profitable for Mans use by the use thereof faith and friendship is confirmed amongst them The year of the World 2238 before Christ's Nativity 1736. discords dissolved and troubles and sorrows asswaged in stead of which pleasures succeed Since said he as thou tellest me the King favorably received the Wine pressed out by thy hands know that thou hast a good Dream offered thee and that it signifieth thy deliverance from misery within three dayes according to the number of those Clusters which thou gatheredst in thy Dream Remember me therefore I pray thee as soon as the event hath approved this my prediction to be real and true and when thou art at liberty forget not us that are left here to lie in misery for I am not here thrust into Bonds for my wickedness but I am punished like a Malefactor for my N Vertue and Modesty in that I rather respected the honour of the house in which I lived and his credit who committed me to Prison than mine owne pleasure The Butler rejoyced greatly at the interpretation of his Dream and expected the event Now a certain other Man the Kings Baker being in the same Prison with the Butler and conceiving some hope through Joseph's so happy interpretation for that he likewise had seen a Vision desired him to expound unto him what interpretation was to be had of a Dream which he had had the night past and which he related in these words Me thought said he I caried three Baskets on my head The Bakers Dream v. 16. of which two were filled with bread and the other with flesh and divers other kind of cates such as are prepared for Kings But the Birds of the air hovering round about me devoured O all the victuals being nothing frighted by me although I endeavored to drive them away Which said he expected a presage no less fortunate than the former A But Joseph after he had attentively consider'd the circumstances of the Dream told him that he would rather have informed him of more favorable success than his Dream did portend The exposition of the Baker's Dream and that he had only two days left to live which were signified by the two Baskets but on the third he should be hanged and devoured by the Fowls which he could not drive from him Neither did it otherwise fall out with both of them than Joseph had foretold For upon the perfixed day the King celebrating the feast of his Nativity commanded that the Baker should be hanged Gen. 14. 1 ad 17. and the Butler delivered from his Bonds and restored to his former office But God delivered Joseph after he had for the space of two years spent histime in the misery of the Prison and was in the mean space no ways assisted by the ungrateful Butler by preordinating this means B and manner of his liberty Pharaoh the King of Egypt his Dream King Pharaoh having in one and the same night seen in his sleep two Dreams which he conceived were of ill presage to him though he had forgot the explication of them which had been made to him at the same time early in the morning calling before him the learnedst among the Egyptians he required the interpretation thereof Now when he could in no sort be satisfied by them he became more and more troubled which the Butler perceiving he called to mind Joseph and his wisdom and prudence in these sorts of conjectures and repairing unto the King told him of Joseph and of his Vision which he had whil'st he was in Prison together with Joseph's interpretation and the event thereof and how the same day the Master of the Bakers being condemned to the Gallows gave greater credit to his predictions C how he was kept Prisoner as a slave by Putiphar the Master of his houshold and that he was a Hebrew as himself said descended of good and honourable Parents Command him therefore said he to be sent for neither despise the Man for his present misery for thou maist manifestly understand by him Joseph delivered from bonds the signification of thy Dreams Hereupon the King sent for him presently and friendly taking him by the hand spake to him after this manner I understand by the report of my Servant that thou art prudent and therefore desire thee to shew me the interpretation of my Dreams in such manner as thou discoveredst his unto him and thou shalt do me an high pleasure but beware thou neither conceal any thing for fear nor speak for flattery nor feed me with falshoods but tell me all things truly although such as may breed my discontent to hear them D Me thought as I was walking by a River side Pharaoh's Dream of the seven kine I saw seven well fed and fat kine which came out of the River into the pasture and again me thought seven others came from the pasture to meet them which were very lean and ugly to behold these lean devoured the seven others that were fat and great yet were never the more increased but were all of them miserably vexed with hunger The year of the World 2231 before Christ's Nativity 1733. But after this
Egypt they abstained from his slaughter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. 7. Being therefore thus born and brought up when he increased in years he evidently by his virtue made it known unto the Egyptians that he was O born to abase their pride and to exalt the Hebrews by this occasion which ensueth The Ethiopians who confine upon Egypt having spoiled and destroyed the Countrey round A about them spoiled and made pillage of all the Goods of the Egyptians who incensed against them for the wrongs and injuries which they had done levied an Army intending to revenge them of that disgrace which their Enemies had offered them but in the Battel they were all put to flight so that many of them were slain and the rest shamefully flying Ver. 11. returned with ignominy worse than death into their own Countrey The Ethiopians proud with this good fortune The Egyptians war against the Ethiopians instantly pursued them and supposing it a cowardly part not to take the benefit of their present good fortune and conceiving an assured hope of conquering Egypt they enter'd the Countrey and generally wasted the same and having tasted of the sweetness of pillage without any temper or moderation in their Victory they were encouraged to attempt greater matters And whereas B they perceived that having wasted all the Neighbor-regions no man durst sally out to encounter them in Arms they marched forward toward Memphis even to the Sea arriving near no City that had the heart or durst make head against them By which calamities the Egyptians being much oppressed they send one to ask counsel of the Oracle by what means they might redress their miseries and when an answer was given them That they should choose an Hebrew to assist them in the Wars the King commanded his daughter to give them Moses who together with the Empire might govern the whole Army She taking an Oath of the King that no injury or violence should be offered him delivered him into his hands esteeming it to be a great good fortune for Moses that he was called to the succor of her Countrey and on the other side blaming the Priests C who were not ashamed to demand his aid and assistance The Egyptians require Moses to be their Captain whom they had adjudged to be slain as their common Enemy But Moses exhorted by Thermuthis and the King willingly took the charge upon him Whereat the Priests of both Nations were very joyful for the Egyptians hoped that when by his virtue and valor he had overcome their Enemies they afterwards might more easily dispatch and murther him by some treason and sinister means Moses marcheth against the Ethiopians and the Hebrews conceived an hope that they might get out of Egypt by reason that Moses was the General of the Army Moses therefore making haste before such time as the Enemies had any notice that he was dislodged he levied his Army and conducted them not along the banks of the River but through the main Land wherein he made manifest his most admirable prudence For the journey by Land being very D dangerous by reason of the multitude of Serpents which the Countrey thereabouts breeds of all sorts and some of that kind that the like thereof are not seen in any other place all different in malignity and horrible form and some winged ones who not only offend those that they encounter on the earth very privily but also towre very high in the Air and hover about to hurt those that are not aware of them he for the security of his Army and to the end he might march without any inconvenience invented this marvellous and admirable stratagem He caused two Paniers of Sedge to be made in form of Coffers and filled them with certain Birds called Ibis who are mortal Enemies to Serpents and before whom the Serpents flee and sometimes in flying from them like Harts they are laid hold of and swallowed by them Otherwise these Birds are managed E and made tame and are not harmful to any but to Serpents of whom I will now cease to write any further because the Greeks do already know what kind of Bird it is When therefore he arrived in the Countrey of Serpents The victory which Moses and the Egyptians had against the Ethiopians he let flie his Ibis against the venomous Beasts and made use of them to encounter the other And having marched in this sort he surprized the Ethiopians before they suspected him and suddenly charging them he overcame them in Battel spoiling them of the hope they had to conquer Egypt and entring the Towns of Ethiopia he razed them and made a great slaughter of the Inhabitants The Egyptian Army having tasted this happy success under the conduct of Moses omitted not the pursuit especially for that they saw that the Ethiopians were well nigh conquered Saba their chief City besieged or rather wholly destroyed and in the end having driven them F even to Saba the chief City of Ethiopia which Cambyses called Meroe for the love which he bore unto his sister who was so called they besieged them The City was strong and very hard to be assailed by reason of the River Nilus which environs it round about on the other side the Rivers of Astapus and Astaobora flow in so fiercely that they could neither break the course of the water nor wade over the stream for the City is built in an Island environed with a strong wall round about having great Ramparts betwixt the Rivers and the walls built to resist the inundations of the waters by reason whereof that the City could be very hardly taken although the opposite Army had found means to pass the water Now when Moses was much troubled that his Army profited nothing Tharbis the King of Ethiops daughter requireth love and marriage at Moses handsâ— by reason that the Enemy durst not encounter them in open field G behold what a chance hapned Tharbis the daughter of the King of Ethiopia beholding Moses as he approached with his Army near the walls of the City and seeing how valiantly he fought and behaved himself and wondring at the Exploits and Enterprises which he made The year of the World 2400. before Christ's Nativity 1564. which was the cause that the Egyptians almost despairing of their H estates and liberty were grown desperate and how the Ethiopians not long before esteemed the Conquerors and happy in their warlike exploits and fortunate executions were in the greatest extremity of danger she was surprized with love of him and for that this passion augmented more and more in her she sent to him seven of her most faithful houshold servants to offer him her love Which he accepted on condition that she should deliver the City into his hands promising her by a solemn Oath That when he was Master thereof he would take her to Wife without falsifying or breach of his promise
left behind them but God desisted not to punish his wickedness by divers most grievous Plagues far more tedious than the former yea such as were dispersed over all the People E For their bodies were grievously tormented with ulcers C. 9. 3. and corrupted inwardly The fifth plague the plague and after this sort the greater part of the Egyptians perished But the King being not melted nor mollified by this Plague God rained down Hail upon them which never before that time was seen in Egypt Ver. 10. and further so great The sixth plague botches or rather greater than that which falleth to the Northward near the Pole Artique though it was a considerable time of Spring and spoiled all their fruit Ver. 23. After which an Army of Grashoppers devoured all those buds and fruits which were unhurt by the Hail The seventh plague hail so that all the hope which the Egyptians had of their Harvest C. 10. 14. was utterly overthrown These afflictions had been sufficient to persuade a man of the meanest wit except a Reprobate to grow wise The eighth plague grashoppers and make use of that which was most profitable for him But Pharaoh knowing the cause of F the same enforced himself to resist God not only through imprudence but malice so that he voluntarily destroy'd his poor Subjects He therefore commanded Moses to lead away the Hebrews with their Wives but that they should leave their substance behind them for a prey to the Egyptians to recompense them for what they had lost Moses answered That he demanded an unjust thing since that hereby they would not have wherewith to offer sacrifice to God C. 10. v. 22. Now while the time pass'd in these consultations a most dismal darkness overspread the land of Egypt The ninth plague darkness by reason of which many perish'd after sundry manners and others fear'd to run the same fate living in the most disconsolate condition imaginable This darkness being dispersed after three days and so many nights Moses seeing that Pharaoh would not repent nor let the people of Israel depart came unto G him and spake after this manner As long as you shall resist the Ordinance of God who commandeth you to suffer the Hebrews to depart there is no means whereby you may be exempted from these mischiefs in doing that which you do The King enraged at these words threatned him to cut off his head The year of the World 2454. before Christ's Nativity 1510. if once more he durst appear in his presence to motion H to him any such matter Moses answered him That he would no more speak unto him touching this matter but that shortly both himself and the chiefest amongst the Egyptians would entreat him and the Hebrews to depart which said he forsook his presence Ver. 28. But God intending to express that he meant yet once more to plague the Egyptians Pharaoh driveth away Moses and to constrain them to deliver the Hebrews commanded Moses to declare unto the people that they should have their sacrifice in a readiness on the thirteenth day of the month Xanthicus Exod. 12. 2. to celebrate the same the fourteenth of the said month by the Egyptians called Pharmuth Zanthicus amongst the Macedons is April as Suidas testifieth and by the Hebrews Nisan and Xanthicus by the Macedonians and that he should lead forth all the Hebrews carrying with them all their Goods Whereupon he who had the Hebrews already in a readiness to depart and had distributed them I by families kept them in one place and in the same order but when the fourteenth day was come all of them ready to depart offer'd sacrifice and with the blood of the Lamb purged their Houses besprinkling them with branches of Hyssop And after they had supt The Hebrews passeover signifieth a passage they burnt the flesh that remained as being at the point to depart Whereupon even at this day we retain the said custom to sacrifice in like sort and do call this solemnity Pascha which is as much as to say the passage by reason that on that day God leaving and overpassing the Hebrews without harm C. 12. 29. struck the Egyptians with sickness for a Plague in the night-time cut off all the first begotten in Egypt The tenth plague the first begotten amongst the Egyptians both men and beasts dye whereupon multitudes that dwelt round about the Palace assembled themselves in the presence of the King and besought him to let the Hebrews go for which cause Pharaoh calling Moses K gave order that they should depart the Countrey supposing that as soon as they were gone Egypt would be no more afflicted with such like Plagues Moreover they honoured the Hebrews with Presents partly to the end they should depart with the more expedition partly for the neighborhood and acquaintance sake which they had one with another And as they departed the Egyptians wept 33. The Israelites depart out of Egypt and repented them of the evil usage they had shewed them but they took their way towards Latopolis at that time desart and in which place afterwards Babylon was built at such time as Cambyses destroyed Egypt The third day they came unto Beelzephon near the Red Sea and for that they wanted victuals in this Desart they tempered their Meal with water and kneaded it as well as they could and bak't Cakes with which they sustained themselves for the space of thirty L dayes for they had brought no more provision out of Egypt than enough to serve them for that time at the end of which they were in want of food although they had liv'd very sparingly The feast of the Azymes rather feeding for necessity than eating to satiety For which cause in memory of that want The number of the children of Israel we celebrate a feast for the space of eight dayes which we call the feast of Azymes that is to say of unleavened bread But it is not easie to number the multitude of them that came out of Egypt if we consider the Women and Children but those that were of full age and fit to bear Arms were in number six hundred thousand M N O A CHAP. VI. The Hebrews depart out of Egypt under the conduct of Moses THus the Israelites departed out of Egypt the 14 day of the month Xanthicus 430 years after Abraham our Father came into Canâ—an and in the 215 year after Jacob went down into Egypt Exod. 14. 1 7 9. and in the eightieth year of Moses age who had Aaron to his Brother three years elder than himself The time of their departure out of Egypt they carried also with them the Bones of Joseph according as he had commanded his Sons But the Egyptians repented that they had suffer'd the Hebrews to depart Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. the King also was very
Intrals casting in also a branch of Cedar with a little Hyssop and Scarlet Wooll A man clean and chaste gather'd up all the ashes and put them in a clean place and all that needed to be purifi'd either for having touch'd one dead or been present at a Funeral cast some of these ashes into Fountain water wherein they dip a Branch of Hyssop and therewith besprinkled themselves the third and the seventh day after which they pass'd for purified Moses likewise ordained that the like ceremony should be used when they had conquered the Countrey whereof God had promised them the possession But after the Army that had so long mourned for the dead Sister of the General I were thus purified Numb 20. he led them thorow the Desart v. 23. 24. into Arabia and arriving in a place which the Arabians account for their Metropolitan City in times past called Arce and at this present Petra he spoke to Aaron to ascend up a high Mountain which serves for bounds to the Country because it was the place where he was to yield up his soul to God Aaron went up and in the sight of all the Army standing on a high place he put off his Priestly ornaments and gave them to his Son Eleazer to whom by eldership the succession appertained And thus in the sight of the People he died in the hundred twenty and third year of his age Ruffinus c. 4. on the first Moon of the month of August Hedio c. 5. called by the Athenians Numb 21. Hecatombeon by the Macedonians Lous and Sabba by the Hebrews Thus Moses lost in the same year his Sister and his Brother and all K the People mourned for him thirty dayes After this Moses remov'd his Camp from thence and pitched his Tents near unto a River called Arnon which springeth from the Mountains of Arabia and runneth along the Desart and then entreth into the Asphaltique Lake separating the Region of the Moabites from that of the Amorites The Countrey is so fertile Moses sent Ambassadors to Sehon King of the Amorites that it suffices to maintain all the inhabitants though very numerous To Sehon King of this Countrey Moses sent Ambassadors desiring passage thorow his Kingdom under such assurance as should best please him that no wrong should be offered neither to his Countrey nor the inhabitants thereof and he would pay the price of whatsoever his Souldiers took either in Victuals or Water But Sehon refused him and Arming his People pitched his Tents on the Banks of Arnon L being ready to oppose the Hebrews if they presumed to pass the River CHAP. V. Moses overcometh Sehon and Og Kings of the Amorites and distributeth their Countrey by Lot unto two Tribes and an half of the Hebrews BUt when Moses saw the Amorites disposed to hostility Numb 21. he judg'd that the injury and contempt was not to be endured v. 21. ad finem and considering the Hebrews were an untractable king of Men The Hebrews address themselves to â—ight against the Amorites and such as idleness and want together might perswade to renew their former seditions and tumults in order to prevent all the occasion he M asked counsel of God whether he would permit him to force his passage by the sword God not only allowed his purpose but also promised him Victory whereupon he determin'd upon a War with great confidence and animated and encouraged his Troops telling them that the time was now come wherein they might enterprize their long desired War with God's approbation and encouragement They rejoicing at this liberty that was granted them presently took Arms and being ranged in battel hasted to charge the Enemy On the other side the Amorite as soon as he saw them march forward and begin the onset forgetting his former fierceness was both himself terrified v. 35. and his Souldiers who before the fight of their Enemies were as cruel and bloody as Lyons now waxed as fearful and as meek as Lambs The Hebrews overthrow the Amorites and put them to flight So that they scarcely N had endured the first assault but they fled reposing the whole hope of their safety in their retreat to their Walled Towns which notwithstanding did nought at all avail them For no sooner did the Hebrews perceive that their Enemies began to flie and that their ranks were broken but they more eagerly charged them and put them to the rout And being extremely nimble and lightly Arm'd and besides very expert in using the Sling and all other weapons proper for fighting at distance either they overtook such as fled or with their Slings Darts and Arrows stopt the flight of those whom they could not overtake Psâ—l 135. 11. 12. 136. 17 18 19 So that there followed a very great slaughter especially near the River because those that fled being no less molested with thirst than with the pain of their wounds in that it was O Summer-time went thither to drink in great multitudes Sehon King of the Amorites slain Their King Sehon also was slain in this Fight And the Hebrews spoiled those that were slain and took A many Prisoners The year of the World 2493. before Christ's Nativity 1573. They had likewise great abundance of all kinds of Fruits in that the Harvest was not as yet gather'd Thus pass'd the Army thorow the whole Countrey foraging and spoiling the same without any resistance by reason that the Enemy and all his Forces were defeated This was the destruction which hapned to the Amorites who neither used their Counsel prudently Psal 135. 11 12. 136. 17 18 19. nor manag'd their War valiantly But the Hebrews possess'd their Countrey which is enclos'd between three Rivers after the manner of an Island For Arnon terminates the Southern Coasts thereof and Jobac the Northern Sehon King of the Amorites slain which flowing into Jordan loseth its name the Western Coasts is water'd by the River of Jordan Amidst this prosperity of the Israelites there arose a new Enemy against them The Hebrews possess the Land of the Amorites Og King of Galaad and of the Countrey of Gaulanitis was coming as a B Friend and Companion to assist Sehon and understood the loss of the Battel yet being very daring The scituation of the Land of the Amorites he was in hope to obtain a Victory and determined to make tryal both of his own Mens and his Enemies valour which hope of his fail'd him for he both died in the Battel Og King of Basan is slain with his Army and his whole Army was likewise defeated Moses no sooner passed over the floud of Jobac but entring Og's Kingdom he overthrew one City after another and destroy'd all the Inhabitants thereof who were exceeding rich Og was a man of a most gigantick stature and prodigious strength his Bed which was of Iron and which was found in his chief City
the will of God and the instructions of their Father who had no greater care than that they should acquit themselves well of C their duty CHAP. IV. How the people being displeased with the manners and government of the Sons of Samuel demanded a King WHen therefore the people saw v. 4 5 6. that the Sons of the Prophet committed so many outrages against their Lawes The Israelites report unto Samuel the leâ—wd behaviour of his Sons and beseech him to nominate a King that may reign over them and Policy they were greatly displeased and had recourse to their Father who dwelt in the City of Kamatha where relating to him the misdemeanours of his Sons they desired him that seeing his age rendred him unfit D to administer the affairs of the Common Weal he would nominate and elect a King over them who might both command their Nation and take vengeance on the Philistines for their many injuries This demanded of the people sensibly afflicted Samuels mind for he extremely loved justice and liked not Kingly government being of opinion that Aristocracy was the happiest of all governments Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. This matter so troubled him that v. 6. by reason of his care he could neither eat nor sleep but all night long he tossed and tumbled in his bed Samuel is discomforted through the peoples demand through the great agitation of his mind Whilst this his indisposition continued God appeared to him and comforted him bidding him not to be grieved at what the people had required that this injury not only concerned him but God himself whom they disclaimed for their King and Governor That this was not E the first time of their taking up this resolution v. 7 8. that they had inclined to it from the day that they departed out of Egypt Samuel â— comforted by God But ere it be long said he they shall repent themselves but too late when the evil is past remedy and they shall condemn themselves for their ingratitude towards me their God and towards thee their Prophet I will therefore that thou chuse them a King him that I shall nominate to thee after thou hast advertised them what evils they shall endure by their having a King and what inconveniences follow the change which so vehemently and unhappily they pursue The next day Samuel assembled the people about break of day and promised them that he would establish them a King God commandeth Samuel to create a King But saith he before I effect that which you request I must declare to you what condition you shall live in under subjection to royalty and F how many and grievous evils you shall be pressed with v. 10 ad 18. by those Kings that shall Govern you Samuel expresseth unto the Israelites those inconveniences they should suffer under a King Know therefore first of all that your Kings will take your Children from you and make some of them Coachmen and others Horsemen and Archers of their Guard others their Posts and Tribunes and Centurions some likewise their Handicrafts men and Armorers and Chariot-makers and Smiths and Forgers of Weapons and Husbandmen of his fields and Ploughers and diggers of his Vineyards neither is there any thing which they shall not be compelled to do after the manner of bond-slaves that are bought with money They shall take your Daughters also and make them their Perfumers Cooks and Bakers and they shall employ them in all servile offices wherein bond-maids are employed either by fear or punishment They shall take from you your substance and give it to their Eunuchs and other Servants They G shall take your flocks and distribute them amongst their Domesticks In a word you and all yours shall be subject not only to one King but also to his Servants When you endure these things then shall you call to remembrance what I have foretold you and with repentance beseech God The year of the World 2880. before Christ's Nativity 1804. that he will have mercy on you and give you speedy deliverance from the servitude H of your Kings but he will not respect your prayers but neglecting them will suffer you to bear the penalty of your imprudence and ingratitude Although these future inconveniences were foretold them yet did the people neglect them and not suffering the perverse opinion they had conceived in their minds to be altered or diverted they insisted with all obstinacy v. 19. and without care of future mischiefs that they might have a King created over them The people obstinately persevereth in craving a King because as they said it was necessary to have a King that might manage War for them to revenge them on their Enemies and repress their Forces and that there was nothing more reasonable than that they should be governed in the same sort as their Neighbours were Samuel finding his perswasions could prevail nothing at all with them and that they could not be diverted from their resolution He spake thus I Go your ways for this time every one of you to your houses and I will cause you to be assembled in a short time when God shall have informed me what King he will give you CHAP. V. Saul by the command of God is declared King THere was a man of the Tribe of Benjamin 1. Sam. 9. v. 1. ad 3. of Noble Birth and commendable manners called Cis who had a young Son named Saul who was tall of stature and had so much spirit and courage that he might well pass for an extroardinary man This Cis having fair Asses wherein for their handsomness he took more pleasure than K in any other kind of Cattel lost some of them which were strayed from the rest of his flock whereupon he sent his Son accompanied with a Servant to seek them out Saul having travelled in quest of them thorow all his Fathers Tribe journeyed thorow the rest of the Tribes without any tidings of them for which cause he determined to return home again for fear lest his Father should conceive some care and grief for him in his absence v. 3. As he arrived near the City of Ramath the Servant that followed him Saul seeketh the Asses that were lost told him that there dwelt a Prophet in that place who always foretold the truth and he counselled him to address to him with assurance that by him he should understand what was become of his Asses Saul answered that he had no money left to recompence the Prophet having consumed all they brought forth with them in their L journey His Servant replyed that he had still the fourth part of a Sicle which they might give him for he was ignorant that the Prophet was not wont to receive mony of any When they drew near the Gates of the City they met certain Maidens that went out to fetch water v. 6 ad 10. of whom Saul
worthiest of them all For he was not satisfied to redeem and deliver those of Jabeâ—s Saul kills the Ammonite and Naahs their King but he entred the Countrey of the Ammonites also and ravaged the same with his Army and after he had obtained a great booty both he and his Army Victoriously returned to their dwelling places The people highly pleased with this noble action atchieved by Saul Saul made his name famous amongst the Hebrews rejoyced that they had demanded a King and exclaimed against those that said it would be discommodious and unprofitable for the Common-wealth saying where are now these murmurers let them be put O to death Saul is praised by the people with other such like words that a people besotted with good success is wont to speak against them that oppose the same Saul commended the affection of A the people The year of the World 2810. before Christ's Nativity 1084. but swore that none should be put to death that day because it would not seem agreeable that the victory given them by God should be sullied with the blood of their Brethren but rather that it was more proper the time should be spent in feasting and jolity After this Samuel told them that they ought to confirm the Kingdom of Saul by a second Election Sauls lenity against his adversaries and to that end they assembled together in the City of Galgal according as he commanded them and there in the sight of all the people Samuel anointed Saul the second time with the consecrated Oyl v. 12 13. and proclaimed him King Thus was the Aristocracy and Government of the better sort amongst the Hebrews v. 14 15. turned into a Monarchy For under Moses and his successor Joshua Saul once more anointed King by Samuel who was General of the Army the form of the Commonwealths was Aristocratical After their death for the space of eighteen B years The distinct Governments of the Hebrews the people was without Government The Common-wealth not long after resumed its first form of Government and the supreme authority was given to him that was esteemed the most valiant in War and the most upright in doing Justice During which time such Magistrates were called Judges After this the Prophet Samuel assembled the people and spake to them after this manner 1 Sam. 12. 3 4. I conjure you by that great God that sent those two admirable Brothers Moses and Aaron to deliver our forefathers from the Egyptians Samuels justification of himself in the presence the people and their tyranny that without any consideration either of fear or favour or of any other passion you truly testifie whether I have committed any injustice either for interest avarice or affection Declare it If I have taken away any mans Calf or sheep ar any other thing whatsoever but that which I might lawfully take for C my relief and sustenance and at such hands as willingly offer me the same or if I have employed any Beasts to my service or use his cattel to my profit and his hinderance in these and such like if I have offended any man let him now accuse me in the presence of the King All of them cryed out with one voyce that no such fault had been committed by him but that he had Governed their Nation in Holiness and Justice After the people had thus publicky testified in behalf of Samuel he said unto them Since you have freely protested that you have no cause of wrong to charge against me v. 7. ad 16. hear I pray you wherewith I can justly accuse you Samuel expostulateth with the people and objecteth their sins and ingratitude You have griveously offended against the Majesty of God in that you have required a King at his hands you should have rather remembred that your old Father Jacob accompanied onely with his 70 Sons came into Egypt constrained thereunto by famine and D that in that Countrey divers thousands of persons issued from his loynes whom the Egyptians kept in captivity doing them extream outrages And when your fathers called upon God he wonderfully delivered them from the distresses wherein they were without giving them any King but sending them two Brothers Moses and Aaron who brought and conducted them into this Countrey which you possess at this present And although you participated these benefits from the hands of God yet you forget his religion and neglected piety This notwithstanding at such time as you have been conquered by your enemies he hath set you free assisting you first of all with the overthrow of the Assyrians and their forces then giving you victory over the Ammonites and Moabites and finally over the Philistines Now these great exploits were performed by you not under the conduct of a King but by the direction of Jephta E and Gedeon What folly therefore hath bewitched you to flie from God and to seek to live under the subjection of a King But I have named such an one unto you Whom God hath chosen to be your Governour Notwithstanding to the intent that I may give you a manifest testimony that Gods wrath is provoked against you because you have desired a King I will desire of God that he will make you see in this place and in the heart of Summer such a storm that there is not any one of you that hath ever seen the like Scarce had he spoken the words but suddenly there appeared great Lightning Thunder and Hail in confirmation of what the Prophet had said v. 16 17 18. so that amazed and confounded with fear A huge tempest falleth upon Samuels prayer all of them confessed that they had offended and desired the Prophet that with a good and fatherly affection he would beseech God to appease his wrath towards them and forgive them F this offence which they had committed through ignorance as he had pardoned their other negligences whereby they had transgressed his holy will All which Samuel promis'd them do to and be sought God that it would please him to pardon them the error which they had committed in this matter and to be appeased by his prayers After this he exhorted them to live uprightly and to keep in continual remembrance what evils had hapned unto them v. 20. ad finem for that they had forsaken the way of virtue and what wonders God had done An exhortation to the consideration of Gods assistance and benefits bestowed on the Israelites and what Laws he had given by Moses all which they ought to meditate on if they desired to be in safety and live happily with their King But if they failed herein he foretold them that both themselves and their Kings should be grievously punished Samuel having prophesied these things to the Hebrews dismissed them to G their own dwellings after he had confirmed the Kingdom to Saul the second time CHAP. VII The
Sons of Abiel He was very strong both in Horse and Chariots and against whatsoever Enemy he marched forth he always returned with victory Ver. 47. so that he reduced the affairs of the Hebrews to a happy state and so much increased their power Saul always Conqueror that they were feared by all those Nations that neighboured upon them But the chiefest of the youth that excelled either in strength or beauty he chose to be of his Guard CHAP. VIII L Sauls victory over the Amalekites BUT Samuel coming to Saul Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. told him that he was sent to him by God to admonish him how he had chosen him above the rest and preferred him to the Kingdom and for that cause that it behooved him to be obedient unto him in all things 1 Sam. 15. ◠◠3. because as he Ruled the People so God Rules both Kings Kingdoms and all things Thus therefore said he doth God command thee Since the Amalekites offer'd many injuries unto the Hebrews in the Desart whil'st in their departure out of Egypt they Travelled into that Region which they now inhabit Samuel by Gods commandment addresseth Saul to make War upon the Amalekites justice requireth that they be punish'd for that inhumanity Wherefore I give thee order to declare War against them and after M thou hast overcome them to extinguish them utterly without regard either of sex or years and this revenge shalt thou execute upon them in requital of those injuries they in times past offered to our Forefathers Neither shalt thou spare either Beast or Horse or Flock to apply them to thy profit or particular use but thou shalt offer all to God for a Burnt-offering and according as Moses commanded root out the name of the Amalekites from off the earth All these things did Saul promise to perform and conceiving that obedience consisted in the speedy execution of that which was enjoined him he presently assembled all his Forces together and mustering his Soldiers at Gilgal he found about 40000 Ver. 4. besides the Tribe of Juda which of it self afforded 30000 Men with these did Saul enter the Countrey of the Amalekites Saul mustering his people findeth in the Tribe of Juda only 30000 men and laid divers Ambushes near N a River not only to molest them with open War but also surprize them unawares and kill them amidst the High-ways he afterwards gave them Battel and put them to flight and discomfited their whole Army pursuing them that fled Which beginning having success answerable to what God had promised him he marched onwards and besieged the Cities of the Amalekites and besieged and took some of them by Engines others by Mines and Countermures raised on the outside Ver. 5 6. others by famine and want of water and divers other ways Saul razeth the Cities of the Amalekites And in those Cities which he overcame he neither spared Women nor Children not supposing their slaughter to be cruel or inhumane both for that they were his Enemies and for that he did nothing but according to Gods commandment towards whom disobedience would be a Crime He took 〈◊〉 Prisoner also who was O King of the Amalekites whose beauty and personage seemed unto him so goodly that he thought him worthy to be kept alive and so being led rather by his own inclination A than Gods commandment The year of the World 2883 before Christ's Nativity 1081. he us'd such clemency as was not lawful for him at that time For God so hated the Amalekites that he would not have their Infants spared though they ought in natural compassion to have been more pitied than the rest But Saul kept alive the King of his Enemies and the Author of all the Hebrews evils regarding more his beauty than Gods commandment This sin of his the People presently imitated for they spared Horses Ver. 7 8. and other kind of Cattel and made prey of them notwithstanding God had charged them to reserve nothing Saul taketh Agag the King of the Amalekites prisoner and keepeth him alive contrary to Gods Commandment They carried away with them all other Moveables and Riches and only consumed those things which were of smallest value by fire This victory had Saul over those People that dwell betwixt Polusium a City on the borders of Egypt and the Red Sea But he medled not with the Sichemites which B inhabit in the Province of Midian whom before the Battel he commanded to retire themselves lest they should partake the Calamities of the Amalekites for being they were allied to them by Raguel Moses Father-in-law the Hebrews had care of their safety Saul having obtained this victory Ver. 9. and rejoycing at his good success returned home as full of content The People contrary to that which God had ordained drive away the horse and cattel of the Amalekites as if he had pretermitted nothing of that which God had commanded him by the Prophet Samuel before his War with the Amalekites but had precisely observ'd all that was enjoin'd him But God was greatly displeased both that the King of the Amalekites was preserved and that the People had made prey of their Cattel for both these actions of theirs were expresly against Gods command For it was not to be tolerated even by a mortal King that they should neglect and contemn his Laws and C Decrees by whose only means they were further'd and favor'd in their victory For which cause God told the Prophet Samuel that he repented that he had made Saul their King considering that he infring'd his Commandments and govern'd himself according to his own will Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. When Samuel heard these words he was much troubled and pray'd to God all Night that he would appease his wrath and displeasure conceived against Saul Ver. 10. ad 24. but notwithstanding all the importunities and prayers which the Prophet made for him God displeased with Sauls disobedience Samuel striveth to reconcile Saul unto God God would in no sort be reconciled because he judg'd it not just that the sins which were committed by Saul should be remitted by Samuels intercession For sin never more augmenteth than when such as are offended are too remiss in their punishments for whil'st they would be reputed both for good and merciful they themselves D become the Authors of sin When therefore God had denied the Prophet his Request and it manifestly appear'd that no prayers or supplication could appease him as soon as it was day Too much indulgence and lenity confirmeth the wicked in their ungodliness Samuel repair'd to Saul who at that time remained in Gilgal As soon as the King saw him he run unto him and embraced him saying I give God thanks for the victory and all those things which he commanded me I have performed But Samuel answer'd How cometh it then to pass that I hear
Woman deserveth to be praised for although she knew that the King had prohibited the exercise of her Art whereby both she and her Family were well maintained and although before that time she had never seen Saul yet without remembring that it was he by whom her Art had been condemned The year of the World 2890. before Christ's Nativity 1074. she entertained him H not as a stranger or like the man she had never seen before but had compassion on him and comforted him exhorting him to eat although he refused it and presented him willingly with that little which she had in her poverty Which she did not upon any hope of recompence or preferment knowing well that Saul should shortly lose his life nor according to the ordinary course of men that naturally honour those that have bestowed some dignity upon them and become serviceable to those from whom they expect to receive some profit hereafter She therefore ought to be imitated and in her appeareth an excellent example of bounty approving that there is nothing more worthy of praise than to relieve those that are in necessity without expecting any recompence I since it is a piece of Generosity so agreeable to the nature of the Deity that in all probability nothing will more induce him than this to treat us also with the like favour I may add hereunto another Reflection which may be useful unto all Men but more especially to Kings Princes and Magistrates which may kindle in them a desire and affection to addict themselves to Noble actions and to encourage them to embrace dangers yea death it self and teach them to endure all difficulties whatsoever for their Countries cause 1 Sam. 31. 3 4. which we may see in this History of Saul For although he knew that which should befall him Josephus praiseth Saul for a worthy and valiant King in that foreknowing his danger and death he exposed himself to assured peril and that his death was at hand according as it had been foretold him yet resolved he not to avoid the same neither so loved he his life that for the conservation thereof he would deliver up his People into the hands of their Enemies K nor dishonour his Royal dignity but himself with his children and all his houshold exposed themselves to danger thinking it more honourable to die in fighting for his Subjects and far more expedient that his children should die like valiant Men than live in dishonor supposing that he should have sufficient Successors of his Race if he left behind him a perpetual memory and praise both of him and his For which cause in my opinion he was both just valiant and prudent and if any one either is or hath been like unto him I suppose that it becometh all Men to give testimony of such a Mans virtue For I think that the Historians and ancient Writers have not worthily intituled them with the stile of valiant Men who attaining some worthy actions attempted War under assured hope of victory and safety but they only that imitate Saul may deservedly be called just praise-worthy couragious hardy and contemners of all dangers L For what great thing is there in undertaking of the common hazard of War and tossed 'twixt hope and fear to use Fortunes favor if she fawn upon us But on the other side it is an assured sign of a valiant Man when without hope of any success and knowing his death at hand he is not afraid nor dismayed with such apprehensions but seeketh out with an invincible courage his most assured hazard This is the praise of Saul who is an example to all that desire to eternize their memory that should upon the like opportunity propose the same resolution to themselves but especially to Kings who by reason of the excellency of their Function ought not only to forbear to be evil but also strive to be eminently virtuous I could say more of M this generous argument of Sauls Valor but lest I should seem too affectionate I will return to our former purpose After that the Philistines were thus encamped 1 Sam. 28. 1 ad 5. and had numbred their Forces according to their Nations Kingdoms and Governors King Achis came at last with his company whom David followed 1 Sam. 29. 3 ad finem accompanied with 600 Soldiers whom when the Chieftains of the Philistines beheld Achis leadeth out David with him against the Hebrews and is reproved by the Chieftains of the Philistines for so doing they asked the King Whence those Hebrews came and what their Leaders name was Who answered That it was David who fled from Saul his Master and how he had entertained him again how David in recompence of the kindness he had received and to avenge himself on Saul was ready to fight for them against him But the Chieftains blamed him because he had chosen an Enemy for his Associate advising him to dismiss him lest he should as he might find occasion turn his Arms against them because N said they he hath now a fit opportunity to reconcile himself to his Master They therefore advis'd him to send David back with his 600 Soldiers unto the place which he had given to inhabit because it was the same David of whom the Damsels made Songs singing in praise of him that he had slain many thousand Philistines When the King of Geth understood these things he approved their counsel for which cause calling David unto him he said unto him The knowledge which I have had of your Valor and Fidelity Ver. 10. 11. hath made me desirous to employ you in this War but our Captains will not allow of it Achis dismisseth David wherefore retire thy self to the place which I have given thee without conceiving any evil suspition of me There shalt thou be in Garison to prevent the Enemy from foraging our Countrey and in so doing thou shalt partly assist me in the War Hereupon David departed O unto Siceleg according as the King had commanded him A But during the time that David was in the Camp and attended on the Philistines War The year of the World 2809. before christ's Naâ—ivity 1074. the Amalekites made an Incursion and took Siceleg by force and burnt the City and after they had gathered a great booty both in that place and in other villages of the Philistines Countrey they retired back again Now when David arrived at Siceleg and found it wholly spoiled and seeing likewise that his two Wives and the Wives of his Companions were Prisoners Ver. 1. 2 ad 6. together with their Children he presently rent his Garments The Amalekites in Davids absence spoil and burn Siceleg and â— carry away the prey and and abandoned himself to grief beside this his Companions were so much enraged with the Captivity of their Wives and Children that they were ready to stone him to death accusing him that he was the cause of
Women and Children beating their Breasts and lamenting for the King and his sons and tasting neither meat nor drink Ver. 11 12 13. This was the end of Saul according as Samuel had foretold him because he disobeyed God in his War against the Amalekites The Citizens of Jabes rescue the bodies of Saul and his sons and both bury and lament them and because he had slain Abimelech and all the Sacerdotal Race and destroyed the City of the Priests He Reigned during the life of Samuel the space of 18 years and 22 years after his death K L M N O A The Seventh Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Seventh Book 1. David is created King of one Tribe in Hebron over the rest Saul's Son obtaineth the Sovereignty 2. Ishboseth is slain by the treachery of his Servants and the whole Kingdom cometh unto B David 3. David having surprized the City and Citadel of Jerusalem driveth the Canaanites from thence and causeth the Jews to inhabit it 4. David assailed by the Philistines obtaineth a famous victory against them near unto Jerusalem 5. David overcometh the neighbouring Nations and imposeth tribute on them 6. They of Damascus are overcome by David 7. David overcomes the Mesopotamians 8. How through the intestine Wars of his family David was driven out of his Kingdom by his Son C 9. Absolon marching out with his Army against his Father is overthrown 10. The happy estate of David restored again unto his Kingdom 11. David in his life-time anointeth his Son Solomon King 12. The death of David and what he left his Son towards the building of the Temple CHAP. I. David is created King of one Tribe in Hebron over the rest Saul's Son obtaineth the Sovereignty D THis Battel was fought on the same day that David returned Conqueror to Siceleg after he had subdued the Amalekites But about three days after his return he that slew Saul and had escaped from the Battel having his garment rent and ashes upon his head came and cast himself prostrate before David and being asked from whence he came he answered from the Battel of the Israelites and certified David of the unhappy event 2 Sam. 1. v. 1 ad 12. telling him that many thousands of the Hebrews were slain and that Saul himself and his Sons were fallen in the conflict He likewise related how he himself retreated amongst the Hebrews An Amalechite certifieth David of Sauls death and in testimony thereof presenteth his bracelets and Crown when the King fled confessing that he had slain him that he might not fall alive into the hands of his enemy For said he Saul E having cast himself upon the point of his sword was so weak by reason of the agony of his wounds that he could not dispatch himself Thereupon he produced the bracelets and the Royal Crown which he took from him David perceiving no cause whereby he should doubt of his death whereof he had most evident and infallible testimonies rent his garments v. 12 and spent the day in weeping and lamenting with his companions but he was the more grieved for the loss of his dear friend Jonathan David lamenteth Saul and Jonathans death whom he acknowledged to be the preserver of his life And so affectionate shewed he himself towards Saul that although he had oftentimes been in danger to have been slain by him yet was he much troubled at his death v. 13 14 15. and not only so David commandeth the Amalâ—chite to be slain that killed Saul but he likewise put to death him that slew him telling him that he himself had accused himself for slaying the King and shown himself F by that parricide to be a true Amalekite He composed likewise Lamentations and Epitaphs in the praise of Saul and Jonathan which are yet extant After that he had thus honoured the King and performed his Lamentations and Obsequies he asked counsel of God by the Prophet 2 Sâ—m 2. 1 ad 7. What City of the Tribe of Juda he would give him to inhabit in David by Gods commandment cometh and dwelleth in Hebron and is declared King of the Tribe of Juda. who answered him That he would give him Hebron For which cause he forsook Siceleg and came and dwelt in Hebron and brought thither his Wives and his Army All the people of the Tribe resorted thither unto him and proclaimed him King where understanding how the Jabesins had buried Saul and his Sons he sent Ambassadors unto them both to praise and approve their actions assuring them that he allowed their act and would recompense that kindness which they had shewed to the dead giving them likewise G to understand David praiseth the Jebafines for burying Saul and his Sons that the Tribe of Juda had chosen him for their King But Abner the Son of Ner General of Sauls Army a man of great courage and a noble disposition understanding that Saul and Jonathan and his two other Brothers were dead came into the Camp The year of the World 2891. before Christ's Nativity 1873. and bringing with him the only Son of Saul that was left whose name was H Isboseth he passed to the other side of Jordan and proclaimed him King He appointed likewise for his Royal seat and place of residence a certain Countrey called in Hebrew Machare that is to say the Camp From thence he went with a select band of soldiers with a resolution to encounter those of the Tribe of Juda because they had chosen David for their Kings Against him marched out Joab the Son of Suri and of Sarvia Davids Sister General of his Army to encounter him accompanied with his Brothers Abisai and Azael v. 8 ad 12. and all Davids soldiers and arriving near a Fountain in Gabaa he drew up his Army in that place Abner the Son of Ner crowned Jeshboseth Sauls Son Abner proposing that before they joyned Battel they should try some of the soldiers of each party it was agreed between them that twelve of either side should be chosen out to decide the quarell Abner leadeth out his Army against the Tribe of Juda. These men marched out into a I certain place betwixt both Armyes and having darted their Javelins the one against the other came at last to their Swords and one taking his enemy by the hair they all of them slew one another v. 13. upon the place Hereupon the Armyes met and after a cruel Battel Abner with his followers were discomfited Joab with all Davids Army issueth out to meet him and flyng in great haste were pursued by Joab who incouraged his soldiers to follow them close without suffering any of them to escape But amongst the rest Joabs Brothers were hot upon the Chase and the youngest of them called Azael v. 15. gave special testimony of his
singing men who were appointed by the King went before it The King himself likewise played upon the Harp so that Michol Davids A Wife and Sauls Daughter The year of the World 2900 before Christ's Nativity 1004. seeing him mocked at him The Ark then being thus carried was placed in a Tabernacle erected by David who offered sacrifices of all sorts in such abundance that he feasted all the people both men women and children distributing unto every one a Cake and a portion of the sacrifice and after he had thus feasted the people David is mocked by his Wife Michol he dismissed them and retired unto his own house But Michol his Wife the Daughter of King Saul drawing neer unto him upon his return besought God for him v. 13 14 15 16. that it might please him in all other things she might express unto her husband all that which became her intire and unequal'd love towards him but in this she blamed him because that being so great and mighty a King he had dishhonoured himself in dancing and had thereby discovered that which became him not doing all this in company B of his Servants and handmaids To whom David answered that he was not ashamed of performing a thing so acceptable unto God as that was who prefered him before her Father and placed him above all others assuring her that he should oftentimes behave himself after that manner This Michol had no children by David but being married again to another to whom her Father had betrothed her after he took her from David she bear five Sons of whom we will speak hereafter 2 Sam. 7. 1 2 3 The King perceiving how by Gods assistance his affairs prospered daily more and more David decreeeth to build a Temple unto God thought that he could not without offence dwell in an house of Cedar and suffer the Ark to remain in a Tabernacle wherefore he designed to build a Temple unto God according as Moses had foretold and to this intent consulted with the Prophet Nathan who willed him to perform all that which he was minded to C accomplish assuring him that God would be assistant unto him which confirmed him in the resolutions he had taken But the same night God appeared unto Nathan commanding him to tell David v. 5. ad 17. that he accepted his will and commended his resolutions yet notwithstanding he permitted him not to proceed because he had embrewed his hands in the blood of many of his Enemies God certifieth David by Nathan that Solomon should build the Temple But after his decease which shall happen after he hath lived a long and prosperous life his Son Solomon to whom he shall leave the Kingdom after his death shall cause a Temple to be built promising him to assist the said Solomon even as the Father doth his Son and that he would continue the Kingdom in his Heirs v 18 ad finem And that if they shall happen at any time to offend him David giveth God thanks for the blessings which were promised him by Nathan he will only punish them with sickness and famine David hearing this was very joyful because D the Kingdom was assured to his heirs and for that his house should be renowned and presenting himself before the Ark he prostrated himself and gave God thanks for all the benefits he had bestowed on him for that from a poor and humble shepherd he had raised him to so great a heighth of Majesty and Glory that he had promised to to take care of his posterity and that he would secure the liberty of his people which he had asserted in delivering them from bondage CHAP. V. David overcoming the neighbouring Nations Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. imposeth tributes on them E NOt long time after this David Warreth against the Philistines and taketh a great part of the inheritance from them David made War upon the Philistines partly that he might avoid the suspition of sloth and idleness and partly that having according as God had foretold discomfited his Enemies he might leave a peaceable Kingdom to his posterity after him He therefore assembled his Army commanding them to be in a readiness to march and departing out of Jerusalem he made an inroade into the Countrey of the Philistines 2 Sam. 8. v. 1 2. whom he overcame in battle A great slaughter of the Moabites and took a great part of the Countrey from them by means whereof he enlarged the frontiers of the Hebrews He made war also against the Moabites whose Army being divided into two parts was by him defeated and overthrown 3 4. and many prisoners taken David overcometh the King of Sophona and tributes were imposed on them Afterwards he led out his Army against Adarezer Son of Ara King of Sophona and F giving him battel near the River Euphrates he slew about two thousand foot and five thousand Horse he took also almost a thousand Chariots the greater part whereof was wholly consumed and one hundred of them only reserved to his own use CHAP. VI 2 Sam. 8. v 6 7 8. They of Damascus are overcome by David Adad King of Damasco and Syria is overcome by David in battel A Dad King of Damascus and of Syria understanding that David had made War on Adarezar who was his feiend and confedarate raised great forces to assist him Nicholaus the Historiographer maketh mention of King Adads War with David But entering the field and encountering with David neare unto the River Euphrates G he was overcome and lost a great number of his Soldiers for in that battle there fell on his side twenty thousand and the rest fled Of this King Nicholas the Historiographer makes mention in the fourth Book of his History in these words A long time after the most puissant Prince of this Countrey called Adad governed in Damascus The year of the World 2904. before Christ's Nativity 1061. and over the rest of H Syria except Phoenicia who making War against David King of Judea and having oftentimes fought with him in his last encounter wherein he was overcome near the River Euphrates he signalized himself by such actions as were worthy of a great Captain and a great King Of another King of Syria that spoiled Samaria Moreover he speaketh of his Heirs that reighned successively after him That he being deceased his Sons reigned for ten generations after him each of them receiving from their father the same name and the same Kingdom after the manner of the Ptolomies of Egypt 2 Sam. 8. 1 ad 4. The third of these being more mighty than the rest and desirous to revenge himself of the injuries which were offered unto his grandfather led forth his Army against the Jews David imposeth tribute on the Syrians whom he subdued and destroyed the Countrey called at this day Samaria Wherein he varied not from
Seven men of Sauls kindred delivered to the Gabeonites to be puniâ—hed they executed them according to their pleasures and thereupon God incontinently sent down Rain and disposed the earth to bear fruit allaying the drought so that the Land of the Hebrews recovered again its former fruitfulness Not long after the King made War upon the Philistines and vanquished them in a great Battel but it so fell out that the King hotly pursuing the chase was left alone and discovered in his weariness by one of the Enemies called Aâ—mon v. 16. 17. the Son of Araph of the race of the Giants David in hazard of 〈◊〉 life is delivered by Abisai who beside his Sword had a Javelin O the point whereof weighed three hundred sicles and a coat of Mail this man turning back charged David very violently with an intent to kill the King of his enemies by reason that he saw him spent with travel But about the same instant Abisai Joabs Brother arrived in the place The year of the World 2924 before Christ's Nativity 1400. who stept between them ane preserved the King and slew his A Enemy The whole Army for a whill was very much concerned for the danger wherein the King had been and the chiefe Captains obliged him to promise with an oath that he would never for the future ingage himself in person lest he might fall into some disaster David perswaded to abstain from War by reason of his forwardness and by that means should deprive the people of a most excellent Prince whose wise conduct was the chief security of their happines The King having intelligence that the Philistines were assembled in the City of Gazara sent out an Army against them in which the Hittite Sobach one of Davids chief Captains behaved himself very valiantly v. 18 19 20. and got great reputation for he slew divers of them that vaunted themselves to be of the Race of the Giants Davids valiant Captains Sabath and that were very proud and puffed up with presumption of their valour and was the chief authour of that victory B which the Hebrews obtained After this last defeat the Philistines once more hazarded their fortunes against whom when David sent out an Army Nephan his kinsman shewed himself very valiant For fighting hand to hand against him that was accounted the most valiant Champion amongst all the Philistines he slew him and put the rest to flight very many of them dying in the Battel in process of time they re-incamped near unto a City not far from the Frontiers of the Countrey of the Hebrews Nephanus In this Army their was a man six Cubits high who had on either foot six toes and on either hand six fingers Against whom Jonathan the Son of Sama one of those that were sent by David in this Army fought hand to hand Jonathan and slew him so that approving himself to be the means of that victory C he bare away the honour of the Battel and praise of his valour for this Philistine boasted likewise that he was descended of the Race of the Giants After this Battel they warred no more on the Israelites Hereupon David delivered from War and danger and ever after enjoying a perfect peace composed Odes and Hymnes in praise of God in divers kinds of verse 2 Sam. 72. per totum for some were Trimeters other were Pentameters He made Instruments also David a Poet. and taught the Levites to praise God upon them on the Sabbath days and other Feasts Davids instruments of Musick The form of these Instruments was after this manner The Vaial was Composed of ten strings and plaid upon with a bow The Nable containeth twelve sounds of cords and is stricken with the fingers The Cymbals were large and made of Brass 2 Sam. 23. 8 9. of which it sufficeth in this sort to make some mention lest the nature of those D Instruments should wholy be unknown Davids thirty eight champions Now all those that were about the King were valiant men but amongst all the rest there were eight most notable and heroick men The noble actions of five of which I will declare which will give some specimen of that extraordinary and heroick courage by which they were able to conquer whole Nations The first of them was Issem the Son of Achem who having thrust himself into the midst of his disordered Enemies Issem never gave over fighting till he had slain nine hundred of them Eleazar After him was Eleazar the Son of Dodeias who had accompained the King in Sarphat He in a certain Battel wherein through the multitude of the Enemies the Israelites were affrighted and put to flight kept his place and faced the Enemy and rushing in among them made a great slaughter of them so that thorow the E great quantity of blood which he shed his Sword stuck fast to his hand and the Israelites seeing the Philistines put to flight by him came down and ran upon them and obtained a great victory over them For Eleazar slaughtered those that fled and the rest of the Army followed and spoiled those that were slain The third was the Son of Ilus called Sebas who fighting against the Philistines in a place called the Jaw and seeing the Hebrews to be afraid of their power and almost out of heart resisted them alone as if he had been an Army and slew some of them and pursued and put the rest to flight in that they were unable to sustain his force and violence These three performed with their own hands these great atchievments About that time that the King lived in Jerusalem the Army of the Philistines came out to make War upon him F and David as we have declared heretofore was gon up into the higher City to ask counsel of God what the event of that War should be and the Enemies being encamped in that Valley that extendeth it self as far as Bethleem a City some twenty Furlongs distant from Jerusalem David said to his companions There is very good water in the place where I was borne Sebas and especially that which is in the pit v. 13 ad 16. which is near unto the gate if any one will bring me of that water to drink I shall esteem it more than if he gave me gaeat riches Three Champions passe thorow the Enemies camp and drew water in Bethleem and brought it unto David These three men hearing these words instantly ran out and past thorow the Enemies Camp and went to Bethleem where having drawn water they returned back unto the King forcing their way through the midst of their Enemies declaring that the Philistines being afraid of their hardiness and great courage kept themselves G upon their guard and dared not charge them notwithstanding their small number But the King tasted not of this water which they brought him saying that it was
bought A with the danger of mens lives and therefore that it was no reason that he should drink thereof but he powred it out as an oblation unto God giving him thanks because he had delivered his Servants After these three followed Abisai Joabs Brother who slew six hundred of the Enemy in one day The fifth was Banaia of the race of the Levites who being defied by certain Brothers famous amongst the Moabites for their valour overcame them Abisai Moreover a certain Egyptian of a wonderful stature having defied him notwithstanding the said Banaia was naked and the other Armed yet charged he him Banaja and took away his Javelin and slew him To these foresaid acts of his a man may annex this as the most valiant or very nearly equalling the rest For it came to pass v. 18. that after a certain Snow a Lyon fell into a pit whose mouth was so narrow B that a man could not discern where it was Banaia slew an Egyptian with his own spear especially since it was at the same time covered with Snow where being inclosed and seeing no means to escape he roared out which when Banaia who passed that way heard he followed the voyce and drew near unto the place and afterwards went down into the pit where with a staffe he bare in his hand he fought with overcame and slew the Lyon The thirty three other were of like valour and courage v. 24. But King David being desirous to know how many thousand men he could number amongst the people Banaia slew a Lyon and forgetting the commandment ordained by Moses who had given order that if the people should be numbred Hedio Rufnus cap. 13. there should be payed unto God for every head half a sicle he commanded Joab to go and number all the people 2 Sam. 24. 1 ad 10. and although Joab represented it unto him as a C thing no wayes necessary David sendeth Joab to muster the people yet could he not persuade him but that he enjoyned him with all expedition to set forward on his way and muster the people of the Hebrews Hereupon Joab took with him the principals of the Tribes and the Scribes and went about the Countrey of the Hebrews to know how many there were and at the end of nine moneths and twenty days v. 9 10. he returned to Jerusalem to the King and presented him with the list of the people The summe of the Israelites that were numbred the Tribe of Benjamin only excepted for he neither numbred that Tribe nor the Tribe of Levi. The King when it was now too late perceiving that he had displeased God was very sorrowful and pensive The number of the other Israelites was of 900 thousand men able to bear Arms and to follow the War besides that the only Tribe of Juda contained 400 thousand men When the D Prophets had certified David how God was displeased with him he began to pray and beseech him that it might please him to appease his wrath and to pardon his offence Hereupon God sent the Prophet Gad unto him who brought him the choice of three things willing him to make choice which of the three he would endure either that Famine for seven years space should reign in his Countreys or that War for three moneths space should afflict the same wherein he should always have the worst or that the Plague and pestilence should rage for three days amongst the Hebrews Being thus troubled by reason of his difficult choice v. 12 13 14. amongst these imminent miseries and the Prophet urging him to return a short answer David having election of three sorts of punishments chose the Plague whereby God might be satisfied the King bethinking him that if he should ask Famine he should rather seem to respect his own E security than the Common-Wealth in that no danger might by that means touch him for that he had great store of Corn in his Barn and they were unfurnished and if for three months he should make choice to be overcome by the Enemy in that case also he might seem to have care of himself in that he had many strong Castles and a valiant Guard of men to attend his person he therefore made choice of a Plague that was both as incident to the Prince as the Subjects wherein each man is equally concerned in the danger saying That it was better to fall into the hands of God then into the hands of his Enemies When the Prophet had received this answer from him he reported it unto God who sent a Plague and mortality amongst the Hebrews which afflicted them so variously so that it was very heard to discern the malady which being but one F kind v. 15 16. yet notwithstanding it discovered it self by great variety of symptomes For one of them died after another A hugâ—â— slaughter of those that died of the pestilence that was inflicted by God and the sickness seizing them unawares brought a sudden dissolution of the spirits and swouning upon them so that some of them gave up the ghost with grievous torments and strange dolors Others were presently parched up through the burning agonies they endured and irrecoverable by any counsel or remedy departed in the midst of their tortures Others died strangled having their eyes suddenly darkned and blinded Others giving order for the burial of their houshold Servants died before they were thorowly interred and from the day-break at which time the pestilent mortality began to rage until dinner time v. 17. there died seventy thousand persons David prayed for the innocent people And now had the Angel of God stretched out his hand over Jerusalem G ready to inflict punishment thereon when the King put on sackcloth and prostrated himself on the ground beseeching God that it would please him to appease his anger and be content with the number of those that were already consumed with the pestilence Whilest thus he prayed The year of the World 2930. before Christ's Nativity 1034. lifting up his eyes he beheld the Angel of God hovering H in the air over Jerusalem with his naked Sword whereupon he besought God and said That it was he that was the shepherd who had deserved to be punished and not his flock who ought to be spared in that they had not any ways offended praying him to satisfie his displeasure upon him and his posterity and to spare the people Hereupon God giving ear unto his prayer ceased the Plague and sent the Prophet Gad unto him commanding him that he should presently repair to the threshing-floor of Oronna the Jebusite v. 18. and there build an Altar A comandment to build an Altar on which he should offer sacrifice unto God Which when David understood he neglected not this command but went presently to the appointed place When Oronna as he was threshing his Corn saw the
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
that he in no sort was a Prophet nor had the spirit of Prophesie A By such like allegations he made the King believe that which he said and having wholly withdrawn his thoughts from God and good works and the observation of Gods laws he drew him to all wickedness and impiety by which act of his he displeased God and offended his laws and sought daily after no other thing than to invent some new and cursed wickedness that was far more heinous than all that which before time he had attempted This is all that at this time we have to write concerning Jeroboam Touching Rehoboam Solomons son who was King of the two Tribes as we have before declared he built these great and strong Cities Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. Bethleem Itama Thecos Bethsor Socoth Rehoboams defenced Cities Odolam Epan Maresa Zipha Adoraiâ— Lachis Saraim Elon and Hebron within the Confines of Juda. He built also other great Cities in the Countrey of the Benjamites B which he walled 2 Chron. 11. 5. and placed Garisons and Governors in every one of them and great store of Corn Wine and Oyl and generally in every City he made a great store-house with all sorts of provision 2 Chro. 11. 13. and victuals The godly Israelites return to Rehoboam with a great number of targets and launces To him the Priests and Levites joined themselves who were dispersed thorow Israel who came and dwelt in Jerusalem For they could not endure to be obliged to adore those Calves that Jeroboam had erected Ver. 18 19 20. and during the term of three years Rehoboams Wiâ—es and Children they increased the Kingdom of Rehoboam who being married to one of his own Line had three children and was afterwards married also to Maacha the daughter of Thamar daughter to Absalon who was of his Parentage likewise of whom he begat his son called Abiah He had also divers other children by other women but above all the rest he loved Maacha C most intirely He had eighteen wives married unto him according to the law and thirty concubines he had eight and twenty sons and threescore daughters and declared for his successor in the Kingdom Abiah the son of Maacha and committed all his Treasures and strong Forts unto his hands But Men most usually are corrupted by the flatteries of fortune as appeareth by this King For Rehoboam seeing his Kingdom thus increased bent himself to all unjust and impious actions and contemned the service of God the people also conformed themselves to his impieties For the life of the subject is oftentimes perverted by reason of the corrupt and dissolute life of their Princes and those that are inferiors beholding the riot of their superiors will easily be withdrawn from all modesty and follow those vices they profess as if they had been their professed D virtues Regis ad exemplum totâ—â— componitur orbis for should they do the contrary they would seem to mislike the actions of their Princes And thus it hapned under the Government of Rehoboam where the Subjects addicted themselves to all manner of impiety for they would not make profession of honesty for fear of offending their Prince in appearing to be more virtuous than he CHAP. IV. Susac King of Egypt after the spoil of Jerusalem carrieth away the riches of that City into Egypt E BUT God sent Susac King of Egypt to take vengeance for that wickedness 1 Chron. 12. â— which was committed against his Majesty by Rehoboam Alias cap. 5. whose actions Herodotus wrongfully ascribeth to Sesostris Susac invadeth Judea with great Forces For this Susac in the fifth year of Rehoboam's Reign assembled a huge Army of many thousands and brought them out against Rehoboam wherein it is reported that he had twelve hundred Chariots threescore thousand horsemen and four hundred thousand fooâ—men The greater part of these were Lybians and Ethiopians breaking therefore into the Hebrews Countrey with this power without stroke he seized the strongest places of the Kingdom of Rehoboam Ver. 2. ad 8. and fortified them and at last came and encamped before Jerusalem Jerusalem besieged But Rehoboam and his Associates seeing themselves begirt on every side by Susac's Army Sâ—mâ—â—â—s the Prophet reprehendeth the Jews of their impiety Samâ—â—â—s comforteth the people at last had recourse unto prayer yet could F he not move God to favor him with victory For the Prophet Samoeas threatned and told him That God would abandon both him and his in like manner as they had forsaken him and his service Which when they heard they suddenly lost their courage and seeing no means to escape they all of them began to confess that God had justly forsaken them because they had offended against him and perverted all his Laws But God seeing them thus disposed and making confession of their sins said unto the Prophet That he would not utterly destroy them yet notwithstanding that he would deliver them into the hands of the Egyptians to the end that they might learn whether it were more difficult to serve God or men When therefore King Susac had without bloodshed or resistance taken the City Ver. 9 10 c. and was received into the same by Rehoboam Jerusalem and the Temple are spoiled he kept not those Covenants that were made betwixt G them but spoiled the Temple and took away with him those Treasures that were dedicated unto God and the service of the King taking from thence innumerable thousands of gold and silver not leaving any thing behind him He carried away also those Targets and Bucklers of gold which were made by King Solomon neither left he behind A him the quiver of gold The year of the World 2975. before Christ's Nativity 989. which was offered by David and received by him of the King of Sophena which done he retired back again unto his own Countrey Of this expedition Herodotus of Halicarnassus maketh mention who differeth only in the name of the King and saith that he assailed divers Nations and subdued Palestina and Syria and took many men prisoners without any resistance What Herodotus wrote of this expedition whereby it is manifest that he meaneth no less than that our Nation hath been overcome by the Egyptians For he saith that in their gates who yielded themselves up unto him without making opposition as an eternal Reproach of their Cowardize and Luxury he erected Pillars which were figured with the secret parts of a woman For King Rehoboam was the only Prince that ever yielded up the City without opposition It is said that the Ethiopians have learnt of the B Egyptians the use of circumcision of the Prepuce For the Phoenicians and Syrians that are in Palestine confess that they have learnt it of the Egyptians But it is very manifest that no other are circumcised in Palestina or Syria but our selves But let each one speak of
Earth This Amri dyed in Samaria and Achab his Son was his Successor Hereby a Man may easily perceive what care the Divine Majesty hath of humane affairs and how he loveth the virtuous and utterly rooteth out the vicious For the Kings of Israel through their impiety in a short and successive course the one after the other O were cut off and confounded with all their Families But Asa King of Jerusalem and the two Tribes living happily in the favor of God for his piety and justice attained to a reverend and old age and after he had reigned one and forty years he dyed a good death The year of the World 3028. before Christ's Nativity 936. and after his death Jehoshaphat his son whom he begat on his wife Abida succeeded A him who in all things that concern'd piety or fortitude seem'd to emulate and equal his Grandfather David according as it shall be declar'd hereafter But Achab King of Israel made his abode in Samaria and govern'd the Kingdom for the space of 22 years without any alteration of those ordinances which his progenitors Kings of Israel had established alias chap. 10. but that he exceeded them daily in wickedness For he imitated all their impieties Asa dieth Jâ—hoshaphat succeedeth him but especially the Apostasie of Jeroboam for he adored those Calves that were erected by him and besides that 〈◊〉 far worse impieties than the former 2 Chron. 17 1 2. He took to wife Jezabel the daughter of Iâ—â—obal King of the Tyrians and Sidonians of whom he learnt to adore the gods of her Nation for she was a busie and audacious woman â— Kings 16. 30 31. and so insolent that she feared not to build a Temple in honour of Bell the god B of the Tyrians and to plant a Grove furnish'd with all kind of Trees and to ordain Priests and false Prophets also in honour of that god The King also took delight to have these Men oftentimes about him exceeding all other Kings before him in madness and malice Jezabel To him came a certain Prophet named Elias 1 Reg. 17. 1 ad 4. sent by Almighty God that was born in Thesbon in Galaad telling him that he fore-prophesied That neither dew nor rain should fall on the Earth a long time The dearth of victuals prophesied to the Israelites until that himself who was prepar'd to depart from him should appear again unto him and binding the same with an oath for the better confirmation thereof he retir'd himself to the Southward where he liv'd by a certain River from whence he fetcht his drink for his meat was daily brought him by Ravens C Now when the River through want of rain was grown dry God commanded him to repair unto Sareptha a City not far from Sidon and Tyre and scituate in the midst between them both where he should find a Widow-woman who would furnish him with food Ver. 4 5. As soon therefore as he drew near unto the gate Crows feed Elias he saw a woman that lived by her labour gathering of sticks and God gave him to understand that it was she to whom he was sent Ver. 9 ad 16. Whereupon he came unto her and saluted her praying her that she would bring him some water to cool his thrist The widow of Sareptha entertaing Elias neither flowre nor oyl fail and as she was ready to depart he called her back again and willed her to bring him some bread also Whereupon she sware unto him that she had nothing in her house but an handful of flowre and a little oyl and that she was come forth togather sticks to the end she might bake the same and make bread D for her self and her son and when they had eaten the same they must needs perish through famine because they had not any thing more left Go said the Prophet and be of good courage and conceive better hopes and when thou hast prepared meat for me bring it for I tell thee that thy flowre shall not fail nor thy pot of oyl be empty until God send rain upon the earth When the Prophet had spoken thus she approach'd unto him and performed that which he commanded and she herself had sufficient to feed upon and she gave the rest unto her son and to the Prophet so that they wanted nothing so long as the drought continued Menander maketh mention of this great drought in the acts of Ithobal King of the Tyrians Menander of the famine during the time of Elias speaking after this manner In this time there was a season without rain from the E Month of October until October in the next year after whereupon the Prince caused prayers and supplications to be made which were follow'd with great store of Thunder He built the City of Botris in Phoenicia and Auzate in Lybia Doubtless he expressed hereby the drought that hapned in Achab's time for about that time Ithobal reigned over the Tyrians as Menander â—â—stifieth in his History The woman of whom we have spoken heretofore that entertained the Prophet seeing her son fallen sick and lying sensless as if he had been already dead or yielding up the ghost wept and brake out into so great a passion that she forbore not to say that the cause of her misfortune was in that the Prophet was come into her house and had discover'd her sins and that he had been the cause that God for her punishment had taken away her onely son But he F comforted her and willed her to be of good courage and commanded her to bring the child unto him assuring her that he would restore him to life Now when she had brought him he took the child and carried him into his lodging and laid him on his bed 1 Kings 17. 17. ad finem and cryed unto God saying That since the loss of her onely son seem'd to be but an unequal recompence unto her that had so charitably received him he therefore besought him Elias restoreth the widows son to life that he would command the soul to return into the body and restore life unto the Infant Whereupon God having compassion on the mother and being willing to gratifie the Prophet and to the intent that no man might suppose that he came unto her to prejudice her he restored the child to life beyond all expectation For which the mother gave thanks unto the Prophet saying That by this means she was thorâ—wly persuaded G that God had spoken unto him Not long after he sought out Achab according as God had commanded him to let him know that he should have rain At that time the famine H reigned over the whole Countrey The year of the World 3040. before Christ's Nativity 924. and there was great want of necessary victuals so that Men did not only faint for want of bread but the Earth also for want of rain could not bring
that remained after the battel consulted with his friends how he might war against the Israelites Who advised him from thenceforth never more to fight with them in mountainous places for that their God was powerful upon the Mountains and for that cause they had been overcome by them but if he fought with them in the Plain both he and his should be assured to have the upper hand Moreover they counselled him that he should dismiss those Kings that he had confederated with him to the end that each of them might return into his own Countrey and that E in their stead he should retain their Forces over which he should ordain Chieftains besides to supply their places that were lost they advised him to levy Horsemen and Chariots thorow all his Countrey Adab supposing that they had discreetly counselled him in this matter ordered his Army according as they had advised And as soon as the Spring was come Ver. 23 ad 27. he assembled his Army Adad's second expedition against the Israelities and led them forth against the Israelites and coming near unto the City of Aphec he encamped in a plain field But Achab with his Forces marching out to meet him pitched his Tents near unto him although he were far inferiour both in force and number To him the Prophet appeared again telling him That God would once more give him the victory to make it known that his power was not only in the Mountains as the Syrians persuaded themselves but in the Plains also Thus continued F both the Armies and encamped the one against the other for the space of six days On the seventh when the Enemy forsook their Trenches early in the morning and placed themselves in battel-array Achab drew out his Army and faced them and presently charged them where after a long and dangerous fight between them the Enemies were put to flight and many of them slain in the chase For some of them were intangled with their own Chariots others slew those of their own party and some few of them found the means to flie unto their City of Aphec who perished likewise to the number of Seven and twenty thousand being slain by the walls that fell upon them besides One hundred thousand men that perished in the fight But Adad attended by some of his principal Officers went and hid himself in a Cave under the ground and they representing G unto him that the Kings of Israel were merciful and that there was hope of pardon to be had if after the manner of Suppliants they sent unto him Adad permitted them Whereupon they incontinently presented themselves to Achab cloathed in H Sackcloth The year of the World 3040. before Christ's Nativity 923. with Ropes about their Necks according to the manner of Supplicants amongst the Syrians telling him That Adad besought his Majesty to grant him his life promising on his behalf that from thenceforth he would alwayes continue his servant and acknowledge his favor Achab answer'd them That he was very glad that their King was as yet alive and had escaped from the fury of the fight offering him by them that kindness which one brother ought to shew unto another Ver. 31 ad 34. And sware unto them that he should offer him no wrong if he discover'd himself unto him Adad is received into favor by Achab and dismissed upon condition Whereupon they brought him from the place where he was hidden and presented him unto Achab who was mounted upon a Chariot Adad prostrated himself before him but Achab stretching out his hand made him come up unto him into his Chariot and kissed him willing him to be of good courage assuring I him That he should be no otherwise treated by him than as became the dignity of a King Hereupon Adad gave him thanks protesting That during his life-time he would never be forgetful of his favours promising him moreover to restore unto him those Cities which his Predecessors Kings of Syria had taken from the Israelites and that he should have as free access to Damascus as to Samaria After this Treaty confirmed by oath Achab gave him many worthy Presents Ver. 35. ad fiâ—â— and sent him back into his kingdom Thus ended the War betwixt Adad and the King of the Israelites After this a certain Prophet called Micheas came unto another Israelite commanding him to wound him upon the head assuring him That God was so pleased and had so commanded him When this Israelite would in no sort condescend hereunto he prophesied unto him That since he had disobeyed Gods commandment K he should meet with a Lyon which should rent him in pieces Which coming to pass according as it was foretold the Prophet addressed himself again unto another commanding him to do the like and when he had wounded him in the head he bound up the wound and came unto the King Achab was reproved for dismissing Adab telling him That he had been in the Wars and had received a Prisoner in charge from his Captains hands and that his Prisoner being fled from him he feared lest he that had committed him to his charge should for that cause take his life from him the rather for that he threatned no less Achab answer'd him That he was justly condemned Whereupon Micheas discover'd his head and made it known who he was And to this intent used the Prophet this artifice that his words might be of greater force and value For he told the King That God would chastise him because he had permitted the blasphemer L Adad to depart unpunished assuring him That God would cause him to be slain by Adad and suffer the people of Israel to be slaughtered by the Syrian Army The reward of learned Preachers The King displeased with the liberty and free speech of the Prophet commanded him to be cast into Prison and being vehemently affrighted with this his Prediction he departed home unto his house CHAP. IX The exemplary Piety of Jehoshaphat King of Juda his Prosperity his Military power He marrieth Joram his Son to a Daughter of Ahab King of Israel and assisteth him M with his Forces against Adad King of Syria HItherto have we spoken of Achab but now I must return unto Jehoshaphat King of Jerusalem Jehoshaphats piety who having enlarged his kingdom and planted Garisons in those Cities that were subject unto him and in those likewise which his Grandfather Abiah had possessed in the Tribe of Ephraim 2 Chron. 17. 1. at such time as Jeroboam reigned over the ten Tribes the King had perpetual assistance and favour at Gods hands in that he was a just and virtuous Prince studying day and night for nothing more than how he might please and honour God The Kings his Neighbors round about him honour'd him with Presents so that his riches and reputation were very great N In the third year of his Reign he assembled the
rather that he ought to conceive that the Prophet Elizeus had discovered all that which was intended against him V. 13 14 15. Whereupon he sent out his Soldiers with an express charge to know in what City Elizeus made his ordinary abode Elizeus besieged in Dothaim by his enemy who returning back brought him news that he remained in Dothaim For which cause Adad sent a great number of Horsemen and Chariots to Dothaim to lay hold on Elizeus who begirt the City by Night and laid watch round about the walls that no Man might escape them Early in the morning C when the Prophets servant had notice hereof and was advertised that the enemies sought to surprize Elizeus he fearfully hasted and discovered their intent to his Master who encouraged him and commanded him not to be afraid because he was assured of Gods help whereupon he prayed to God that at that present he would shew his power and assistance both toward the relief of his necessity Ver. 16 17. and the confirmation and encouragement of his servant The Angels about Elizeus the Prophet At that time God hearing his prayer represented to the Prophets servant a great number of Chariots and Horsemen that invironed Elizeus so that he laid his fear aside and was assured when he perceived these succors That done Elizeus besought God again That he would blind his enemies eyes and cause a thick cloud to fall upon them to the end they might not discover him Which done he presently thrust himself D amongst the thickest of his enemies demanding of them Whom they came 〈◊〉 seek for They answer'd him That they sought for the Prophet Elizeus he promis'd them to deliver him into their hands Ver. 18 19. if so be they would come with him into the City where he was Elizeus leadeth the Syrians blinded into Samaria where by his persuasion they are courteously entertained and presented by Joram and sent home They being blinded in eyes and depraved in their understanding followed the Prophet willingly who marched before them When therefore Elizeus had brought them into Samaria he willed King Joram to lock the gates and to inviron the Syrians with his Soldiers This done he prayed God that he would open the eyes of the Syrians and they being delivered from their blindness perceived that they were in the midst of their enemies Whereat being sore astonished and uncertain whence this divine and unexpected act had befallen them King Joram asked the Prophet Whether he should kill them E with darts But Elizeus forbade him to do so For said he it is a just and convenient matter that they who are taken in War should lose their life but that they had done no evil unto his Countrey but by Gods providence came thither without their own knowledge for which cause he counselled him to give them Presents and refresh them and afterwards to suffer them to depart without any injury Joram giving ear to the Prophets words entertained the Syrians magnificently and with great humanity and sent them back unto Adad their King to whom upon their arrival they declared all that which had hapned unto them Adad astonished at this unexpected event Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. and wondering at the power of the God of the Israelites and admiring the Prophet whom God so wonderously assisted he concluded from that time forward F never more to attempt the King of Israel in secret because he feared Elizeus but concluded to make open War against him hoping to have the upper hand of his enemies by means of the great number and force of his Army so that he issued out with a mighty power against Joram who supposing himself to be overmatched by the Syrian Army locked himself up within Samaria putting his trust and confidence in the fortification and strength of the walls thereof Ver. 24. Adad hoping to take the City if not by force at leastwise by famine Samaria besieged by the Syrians and default of things necessary drew near unto Samaria to besiege it But Joram was so destitute of convenient supplies that by reason of the incredible want of victuals an Asses head was sold in Samaria for 80 pieces of silver and a measure of Pigeons dung at five pieces of silver which they used instead of Salt neither G was there any thing that more troubled the King than that he feared lest some one constrained by famine should deliver or betray the City unto the enemy For which cause H he every day walked the round about the walls The year of the World 3050. before Christ's Nativity 914. and visited the Centinels of the City for fear lest any one should lie hidden within and with all care and diligence he gave order That if any one had such a sinister intent the means to execute the same should be taken from him And whereas a certain Woman cryed out unto him Have mercy upon me O King he incensed with wrath and supposing that she asked him some meat began to rail on her telling her That he had neither Grange nor Wine-press whereby he might any ways supply her necessity The Woman answer'd him Ver. 28. That she had no need thereof The famine so great in Samaria that Women eat their own children and that she was not troubled for want of food but onely desired that he would determine a debate betwixt her and another Woman whereupon he commanded her to express and declare what she required Hereupon I she said That she had made an agreement with another Woman her Neighbor and Friend that since the famine and scarcity was such as they could find no redress for the same that they should kill their children for each of them had one and in this sort should nourish one another As for my self said she I have first of all strangled mine and we have both of us yesterday eaten thereof but now she will not do the like but breaketh the accord betwixt us and concealeth her child Joram was grievously tormented to hear these words and rent his garments and cryed out with a loud voyce and afterwards wholly enraged against the Prophet he devised in his heart to put him to death because he prayed not unto God to grant him means to escape those evils that invironed them round about so that he sent a Man presently to cut off his head Ver. 31 32. who prepared himself with all expedition to K the slaughter Joram threaneth Elizeus's death But Elizeus was not ignorant of this resolution of the Kings for sitting at home with his Disciples in his house he told them That Joram the murtherers son sent a Man to take away his head Ver. 33. but said he when he that hath the matter in charge shall come hither suffer him not to enter but make him attend and stay at the gate for the King will follow him and will
state CHAP. VII Athalia reigned five years in Jerusalem and after she was slain by the C High Priest Joas is proclaimed King AThalia Hedio Rufâ—â—â—us cap. 7. Achabs daughter hearing news of the death of her Brother Joram and her Son Ochozias together with he utter ruine of all the Royal posterity bethought her self to extinguish Davids memory 2 King 12. 1 2 3. and in such sort to root it out that no one of that line should remain alive to enjoy the Kingdom hereafter Athalia rooteth out all the royal blood only Joas Ochozias Son is saved which when she had concluded in her heart she began to put in execution Yet notwithstanding one of Ochozias Sons escaped her bloody hands by this means Ochozias had a sister by his fathers side whose name was Josabetha who was married to Joiada the High Priest who entring into the Kings Palace and finding Joas at that time but one year of age hidden with his D nurse among the dead she took both him and his nurse and locked them up in a closet within the Temple where Joiada her husband and she did secretly preserve them for the space of five years during which time Athalia reigned in Jerusalem over the two Tribes About the seventh year v. 4 ad 12. Joiada conferred with five Centurions and perswaded them to oppose themselves with mutual consent against Athalias proceedings Joas by Joiada's means who was the High Priest is created King and to secure the Kingdom for little Joas Whereupon giving and receiving promises of secrecy the one unto the other they confidently addressed themselves to execute their intended purposes after this manner They whom the High Priest had chosen to execute this fact went thorow all the Countrey and gathered the Priests and Levites together with all the Governours of the Tribes and afterwards returned and brought them to Jerusalem E to the High Priest who made them take an oath that they would keep secret that which he should inform them of as a thing that required secrecy and men of courage and resolution to perform the same As soon as he had assured them by oath he brought forth the little child whom he had till that time preserved and said unto them Behold your King who is of that race which as you know was chosen by God to reign over you for ever I therefore think it fit that the third part of your Guard shall keep him within the Temple and that the fourth make their watch round about the same Another company shall have the guard of the great gate that leadeth to the Palace as for the rest of the people let them remain disarmed within the Temple and suffer no armed men to enter thereinto except the Priest only He appointed also another company F of Priests and Levites to be about the King with Javelins and drawn swords charging them that whosoever durst be so bold to enter the Temple armed they should presently put him to the sword and laying all fear aside to attend the safety and guard of the Kings person They being obedient to that which the High Priest had commanded them in effect expressed their readiness whereupon Joiada opening the Arsenal which in times past was prepared by David distributed amongst the Centurions Levites and Priests all the javelins quivers and all other sort of Arms that were therein and disposed all them that were armed round about the people joyned hand in hand to hinder any one from entering in amongst them that were not of that faction Afterwards bringing out the infant Joas into the midst of the company they set the Royal Crown on his G head and Joiada after he had anointed him with oyl proclaimed him King whereupon all the people rejoyced and clapping their hands cried out God save the King H Athalia hearing this noise and applause The year of the World 3067. before Christ's Nativity 897. beyond all hope was greatly troubled and with those soldiers which she had about her she hastily issued out of the Palace and coming to the Temple the Priests admitted her as for the rest of the men of War that followed her they that by the High Priests ordinance begirt the Temple would not suffer them to enter with her v. 13. ad finem Now when Athalia saw the child standing before the Tabernacle with the Royal Crown on his head Athalias punishment she rent her garments and storming through despite she cried out and commanded that the Traitor should be slain that had thus betrayed her and sought to dispossess her of her Kingdom But Joiada called the Centurions and commanded them to carry Athalia out to the brook Cedron and there to kill her because he would not permit that the Temple should be defiled with her cursed I blood Moreover he charged them that if any one should attempt to rescue her they should kill them likewise v. 17. Hereupon they that were appointed to execute this his command took her The King and the people joyned by oath to serve God and led her without the gates of the Kings Mules and there slew her After that Athalia was in this manner executed Joiada assembled the people and the men of War in the Temple binding them all by an Oath to yield the King their faithful service and to procure the prosperity of the Kingdom Secondly he made the King swear in like manner that he would maintain the service of God and in no manner disanul Moses Laws That done they ran unto Baals Temple which Athalia and her husband Joram had built to the dishonour of God and their fore-fathers and for the honour of Achab and levelled it with the ground and put to death their High K Priest called Mathan The charge and guard of the Temple Joiada committed to the Priests and Levites v. 18. according to the other establisht by David with commandment twice a day to offer their ordinary burnt offerings The restoring of Gods service and to make perfumes according to the Law He appointed also certain of the Levites to be porters to guard the Temple to the intent that no unclean thing should enter the same unespied and after he had ordained these things with the Centurions and Governors and with all the people he took Joas and led him out of the Temple and attended him to the Palace and having placed him on the Royal Throne all the people cried God save the King and banquetted and feasted for divers dayes Thus after the death of Athalia the City was at quiet 2. King 12. 1â— ad 16. Joas was seven years old at such time as he was made King his mother was L called Sabia Joas piety during Joiâ—das time and was of the Town Bersabe He carefully observed the Laws and highly affected the service of God all his life time and when he grew to mans estate he
married two Wives which the High Priest gave him by whom he had Sons and Daughters This is all that I have thought good to declare as concerning Joas both how he escaped Athalias treasons and obtained the Kingdom CHAP. VIII Azael King of Damascus levyeth an Army and first of all assaulteth the Israelites and after marcheth forward against Jerusalem M BUt Azael King of Syria making War against the Israelites and against their King Jehu 2 King 12. 18. destroyed the Countrey on the other side of Jordan and all the Eastern tract inhabited by the Reubenites Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. Gadites and Manassites Furthermore he burnt and spoiled Galaad The War between Azael and Jehu and Bathanaea violating and outraging all those that he met withall For Jehu went not out against him to resist him but being become a contemner of God and his Laws he died after he had reigned seven and twenty years over the Israelites he was buried in Samaria and left behind him Joas his Son to succeed him in his Kingdom But Joas King of Jerusalem was desirous to repair the Temple for which cause calling unto him Ioiada the High Priest he commanded him to send thorow all the Countrey the Levites and Priests and to levy upon every one of their heads half a sicle of silver for N the building and reparation of the Temple which was fallen to decay in Joram Athalia and her successors times 2 Choâ— 24. 4. ad 14. But the High Priest would not obey him herein knowing well no man would willingly disburs money But in the three and twentieth year of his reign The restoring of the Temple the King sent both for Joiada and the Levites also and expostulated with them for disobeying his commandment enjoyning them from that time forth to provide for the bulding of the Temple Whereupon the High Priest used present dispatch in levying the money wherewith the people were well pleased He therefore made a chest of wood closed on every side except that on the upper lid thereof there was a little cranny left open which he placed neer unto the Altar commanding that every one should offer according to his devotion and put in his offering thorow the cranny into O the coffer to be imployed in the repairing of the Temple whereunto all the people shewed themselves affectionate so that they gathered together a great quantity of Gold and Silver with great zeale and when the coffer was filled it was emptied and the account thereof taken and summ'd up by the Secretary and High Priest in the Kings presence The year of the World 3089. before Christ's Nativity 97â— A and afterwards was brought together into one place assigned for it which order was observed every day And when it was supposed that there was sufficient money gathered the High Priest Joiada and King Joas hired Masons and Carpenters and prepared great beams of excellent Timber After that the Temple was repaired they employed the remainder of Gold and Silver which was of no small quantity to make cups pots and vessels and other utensils and every day offered they sacrifice of great value upon the Altar and this custome was continued so long as Joiada lived But after his decease which hapned in the hundred and thirtieth year of his age Joas impiety after Joiadas death and how he was reproved by the Prophet after he had lived a just and upright life and was interred in the sepulchre of David in Jerusalem because he had established the Kingdom in B Davids posterity King Joas had no more care to serve God and with him the rest of the Governours of the people were corrupted so that they broke the laws and ordinances of their forefathers For which cause God being provoked by this change and incensed against the King and the rest 2 Chroâ— 24 17. ad 20. sent his Prophets unto them to protest against them and expostulate with them for their offences and to withdraw them from their iniquity But they pursued sin the more vehemently so that neither the punishments by which they who had offended God before-times had been plagued with all their posterities neither all the advertisements given them by the Prophets could induce them to amend or to forsake those sins wherein they were engaged but that which is worst King Joas stoned Zachary v. 21. Joiadas Son Zâ—chary stoned to death and put him to death in the Temple forgetting himself most ungratefully C of the benefits he had received from his Father And the occasion was for that Zachary having received a charge from God to prophesie came into the midst of the people and counâ—elled both them and him to follow justice foretelling them that they should be grievously punished except they did believe This Zachary did at his death call God to witness to judge of those calamities he endured suffering a violent death for the good counsel which he had given them and the benefits which his Father had in times past done unto Joas But many dayes passed not before the King suffered due punishment for these misdeeds For Azael King of the Syrians invaded his Countrey and after he had first of all ruinated Girta he marched forward with an intent to besiege him at last in Jerusalem Joas desperate of all succors emptied all the treasures of the D Temple and those of the Kings and took away the presents that were hung up in the Temple and sent them to the Syrians raising the siege by this means lest he should be drawn into hazard to lose all The spoil of the Temple The Syrians pacified with so great riches and abundant treasure Joas death suffered not his Army to pass to Jerusalem After this Joas was seized with a grievous sickness and to the intent that the death of Zachary the Son of Joiada might not escape unrevenged his friends conspired against him and he died by their hands He was entombed in Jerusalem but not in the sepulchre of his Ancestors because he had faln from God He lived seven and forty years CHAP. IX E Amasias King of Jerusalem made War against the Idumaeans and Amalechites and obtained the victory AMasias his Son succeeded him in the Kingdom 2 King 14. 1 ad 15. But in the 21 year of Joas's reign Ioachas the Son of Jehu took possession of the Kingdom of Israel in Samaria and reigned for the space of seventeen years Amasias King of Jerusalem But he followed not his Fathers steps but rather behaving himself impiously according as his predecessors in the Kingdom and contemners of God had done The forces of Israel weakned and restored by God For which cause the King of Syria subdued him and cut off a great part of his dominions and took his greatest Cities from him and defeated his Armies so that at length he had but ten thousand footmen and five hundred horsmen F All
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
threatning them that if they omitted it they might be assured that God would punish them After this admonition 2 Chron. 28. 9 ad 16. the Israelites assembled themselves together to consult upon this matter at which time Barachias one of the principal Governors of the State and three others with him The Israelites by the Prophets advice dismiss those prisoners they had taken of the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin alledged That it was not lawful for the Citizens to lead their Prisoners into the City for fear as they said that God should utterly extinguish them all For those sins said they which we have already committed and against which the Prophets have exclaimed are cause enough to incense God so that we have no cause to add new Impieties to the precedent When the Soldiers heard these words they permitted them to execute N all that which they held convenient to be done For which cause they took the Prisoners and discharged them and entertained them courteously and gave them money to furnish them in their journey and sent them home without offence and besides that these four persons conducted them onward of their journey as far as Jericho and when they drew near unto Jerusalem they returned back to Samaria CHAP. XIII The King of Assyria taketh Damascus by force killeth their King translateth the People into Media and planteth new Colonies in Damascus O WHen King Achaz had received this overthrow by the Israelites he sent unto Theglaphalazar King of Assyria requiring him to assist him in the War which he intended against the Israelites Syrians and them of Damascus promising to give him great Sums of money The year of the World 3055. before Christ's Nativity 909. and at that present also he sent him very large Presents Who A after he had considered on the Embassage came forth with his Army to assist Achaz and spoiling Syria and sacking Damascus he slew Rases their King also and transported them of Damascus into the higher Media and sent certain people of Assyria into Damascus He wrought much mischief likewise in the Countrey of Israel 2 Kings 16. 7 8 ad 16. and led away a great number of Prisoners from thence After that the Syrians had been subdued and weakned after this manner The translation of the Israelite Achaz took all the gold and silver that was in the Kings treasury and in the Temple of God and carried it unto Damascus and gave it to the King of Assyria according to the promise which he had made him Achaz giveth the gold and silver of the Temple to the King of the Assyrians and after much rejoycing he returned back again to Jerusalem B This King was so sensless and ignorant of his own profit that although he was vanquished in War by the Syrians yet ceased he not to adore their gods but persisted to honour them Achaz shutteth the doors of Gods Temple and honoureth strange gods as if he expected the victory by their means And although he were overcome the second time yet he continued to worship the Assyrian gods choosing rather to reverence any than the true God whom his Forefathers worshipped yea so far grew he in contempt and neglect of all true piety and at length he shut up the Temple-gates and prohibited the ordinary Sacrifices Ver. 20. having before that taken all the precious Presents out of the same Achaz death After he had in this sort committed these outrages against God he died when he was 36 years old and after he had reigned 16 years and left his son Ezechias to succeed him in the kingdom At that very time died Phaceias King of the Israelites by means of a certain conspiracy 2 Kings 17. 1 ad 6. which Oseas his intended friend wrought against him C who held the kingdom for the space of nine years shewing himself to be wicked and a contemner of God Oseas's impiety and punishment Against him Salmanasar King of Assyria raised a War and overcame him because God was not favourable unto him neither assistant to his enterprizes he was therefore subdued Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. and constrained to pay a certain tribute imposed upon him The fourth year of the Reign of Oseas 2 Kings 18. 1 c. Ezechias the son of Achaz and Abia a Citizen of Jerusalem reigned over the two Tribes He was a man of a virtuous disposition and one that loved justice and piety 2 Chron. 29. 1 c. for as soon as he came unto the kingdom he resolved with himself first of all that there was nothing more necessary and advantagious than the establishment of the service of God When therefore he had assembled the People the Priests and the Levites he began to discourse with them in these or such like words D There is no one of you but knoweth that for my fathers offences and for your irreverence and disregard to the service of God ye are fallen into many calamities because through your extreme madness you have suffered your selves to be persuaded to adore those whom he esteemed to be no gods Since therefore you have learnt to your own misery how pernicious a thing impiety is I exhort you that you purifie both your selves your Priests and your Levites from your former pollutions that yet at length you may assemble together and open the Temple and cleanse the same with ordinary Sacrifices to the end it may be restored to the ancient honour which heretofore it enjoyed for by this means God will be favourable unto us when his wrath shall be appeased that was kindled against us As soon as the King had spoken after this manner the Priests opened the Temple and after they had gathered the sacred vessels and cast all E uncleanness out of it they offered Sacrifices upon the Altar according to the custom Afterwards the King sent to all the Provinces under his dominion and gathered together the People of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread which had been intermitted a long time through the impiety of the Kings Predecessors He sent also unto the Israelites exhorting them to forsake the customs which of a long time they had wickedly observed and to return to the true and ancient manner of serving God certifying them that he would permit them to repair to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread promising them that he himself would solemnize the same with them also protesting that he did this not in respect of his own profit but through the desire he had to promote their felicity who should be happy if they obeyed this his counsel F When Ezechias Ambassadors came unto the Israelites Ezechias Ambassadors that were sent to the Israelites to exhort them to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread are slain by them and had delivered unto them the message that they had in charge so far were they from complying with
them that they mocked them and esteemed them to be mad and spit upon those Prophets that exhorted them to piety and foretold them the evils they should suffer if they served not the true God and finally they laid hold on them and put them to the sword And not contenting themselves with this presumption they attempted yet far worser things and never gave over until that God for a punishment of their impiety subjected them to their enemies 2 Chron. 29. as shall appear hereafter But divers of the Tribes of Manasses Zabulon and Issachar The Word of God is never without fruit respecting the good counsels of the Prophets submitted themselves to the service of God and repaired all together to Jerusalem to King Ezechias to honour G God As soon as they were arrived there Ezechias went up into the Temple accompanied with the Governors and all the People and offered there seven Bulls seven Rams H and as many Goats The year of the World 3618. before Christ's Nativity 746. and after that he and all the Governors had laid their hands upon the heads of the Sacrifice they deliver'd them to the Priest according as it appertained to them and they sacrificed and made burnt-offerings of them The Levites also assisting round about with Instruments of Musick sung Hymns and Songs unto God according as they had been taught by the ordinance of David Ezechias's sacrifice The other Priests had Trumpets which they used in consort to the tune of their Hymns Which done the King and all the People cast themselves prostrate upon the ground 2 Chron. 29. â—â— 20 21. and adored God and afterwards sacrificed seven Oxen an 100 Sheep and 200 Lambs The King likewise bestowed 600 Oxen and 3000 sheep upon the People to feast withall And when the Priests had joyfully perform'd all things according to the custom contain'd in the Law I the King sate down and eat with the People and gave thanks unto God And when the feast of unleavened bread was come they eat the Passeover and during the seven other dayes Ver. 30 31. they offer'd up their other Sacrifices The King gave in way of gratuity unto the People besides that which had been offer'd 2000 Oxen Reformation of Gods service and 7000 Sheep The Governors did the like and gave the People a 1000 Bulls and 1400 Sheep and thus was the feast solemnized which had not been so magnificently and devoutly celebrated since Solomon's time When the solemnity of this feast was past they journeyed and went thorow the Countrey and purifi'd it They purged the City likewise of all Idols and the King ordained that the daily Sacrifices should be made according to the Law upon his charge He enacted also That the People should pay the Tenths to the Priests and Levites K with the first-fruits to the intent they might wholly intend piety and never estrange themselves from the service of God By which means it came to pass that the People brought all kind of fruit to the Priests and Levites The King overcometh the Philistines which the King put up in certain store-houses which he had built to be distributed to every one of them their Wives and Children and by this means they returned again to their former purity in Religion After the King had disposed all things in this sort 2 Kings 19. he made War upon the Philistines Ezechias forsaketh the service of the King of Assyria and overcame them and seized all their Cities between Gaza and Geth About this time the King of Assyria sent unto him and threatned him That if he would not pay those Tributes which his father before him had paid unto him he would destroy all his Countrey Nevertheless Ezechias set light by his threats assuring himself in that piety and zeal he bore L towards God and in the Prophet Esay by whom he was exactly instructed touching all those things that were to succeed CHAP. XIV Salmanasar slayeth the King of Israel and leadeth the Israelites captive into the Countrey of Media WHen tydings was brought to Salmanasar King of Assyria that the King of Israel had privily sent unto Soan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. King of Egypt to request his assistance against the M Assyrians he was sore displeased and drew forth his Army against Samaria in the seventh year of the Reign of Oseas But the King of Israel withstood his entrance into the City by which means he was besieged therein for three years space and finally Samaria was taken by force 2 Kings 17 24. in the ninth year of Oseas and the seventh of Ezechias's Reign At which time all the Kingdom of Israel was destroy'd and all the People transported into the Countries of Media and Persia and amongst the rest King Oseas was taken Prisoner The King of Assyria caused certain Nations of a Countrey called Chut so stiled from a River of that name to remove their habitation and to dwell in Samaria and inhabit the Countrey of Israel As for the ten Tribes of Israel they were transported out of their Countrey 947 years The Israelites removed from their possessions are translated into the Region of the Chuthites since their Predecessors departing out of Egypt possessed N the Countrey of Canaan 800 years after the government of Joshua and 240 years seven months and seven dayes since they revolted from Roboam Davids Nephew to give the Kingdom to Jeroboam This was the end of the Israelites who transgressed the Laws and disobeyed the Prophets who foretold them of that calamity which should happen unto them except they repented them of their impieties The sedition that they rais'd against Roboam in taking his servant for their King was the original of their mischiefs For Jeroboam committing impiety against God and they imitating his wickedness caused God to be displeas'd with them so that he punish'd them according as they deserved But the King of Assyria ravaged and spoiled all Syria and Phoenicia with his Army and his name is found written in the Chronicles of the Tyrians for he made War against the Tyrians O at such time as Eulaleus reigned in Tyre whereof Menander maketh mention who wrote the History of Tyre which hath been Translated into the Greek Tongue The King Eluleus saith he reigned 36 years The year of the World 3224. before Christ's Nativity 740. and pursued the Chutheans that were revolted from A him by Sea and made them subject Against whom the King of Assyria sent forth his Army and invaded all Phoenicia and afterwards having made a Peace with them he returned back again into the Cities of Sydon Arce and old Tyre and divers other Cities revolted from the Tyrians and submitted themselves to the King of Assyria For this cause The Tyrians Chronicles touching the Wars of Salmanaâ—ar against the Tyrians written by Menander and for that they of Tyre did not obey him he drew his Army
forth once more against them and he was furnished by the Phoenicians with 60 ships and 800 rowers The Tyrians charging their ships with 12 of their vessels overthrew the Navy of the Assyrians and took about 500 men Prisoners which act of theirs wonderfully increased their honour But the King of Assyria returning back again planted a Garison upon the River set a guard upon the fountain heads to the intent the Tyrians might draw no water which act of B his continuing for the space of five years they were enforced to find and dig for new springs to sustain themselves These things are written in the Registers of the Tyrians themselves as also the exploits of the King of Assyria against them But these Chutheans from the Region of Chut which is in Persia Gods displeasure against the idolatrous Chuthites where there is a River of that name for that they were of five several Nations they brought with them each of them the god whom they honour'd in their Nation to the number of five gods whom they served after the manner of their Countrey Whereupon the true God was displeas'd and provok'd against them for a Plague fell amongst them that consumed them in such sort that they could find no remedy until they were told that they ought to adore the God of the Hebrews The Chutheans embrace the service of God and in prosperity claim kinred of the Jews and that therein consisted C their safety They therefore sent unto the King of Assyria requiring him to send them Priests from amongst the Israelites whom he had led away Prisoners in War By whose assistance they learnt the Law and the manner of Gods service and began very diligently to observe both by which means the Plague ceased And now even unto this day continue they in the same Religion and are called by the Hebrews Chutheans and Samaritans by the Greeks These as often as they find the Jews in prosperity call them their Cousins according to the variety and changes of time but if they perceive their fortunes to be on the declining hand then adjure they consanguinity and renounce their relation to them and say That they were planted in the Countrey and drawn thither from a foreign Nation But in time and place convenient we will speak of them more largely D E F G H The Tenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3231. before Christ's Nativity 733. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Tenth Book 1. Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Jerusalem 2. Ezechias having lived for a certain time in peace dyeth and leaveth his Son Manasses I to succeed him 3. The Kings of the Chaldees and the King of Babylon make War against Manasses and lead him away Captive 4. The History of King Josias 5. Josias death in battel he hindereth the King of Egypt from leading his Army against the Babylonians and the event thereof 6. The Army of Nabuchodonosor cometh into Syria 7. Nabuchodonosor putteth Joachim to death and maketh Joachin King 8. Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose besiegeth Joachim and is reconciled upon composition K 9. Sedechias is appointed King over Jerusalem 10. Jerusalem is taken and the people translated into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor 11. The Successors of Nabuchodonosor the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia CHAP. I. Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Jerusalem IN the Fourteenth year of the Reign of Ezechias King of the two Tribes 2 King 18 19. Senacherib L The destruction of Judea King of Assyria drew forth a huge Army against him and surprized all the Cities of Juda and Benjamin by strong hand To him Ezechias sent Ambassadors promising him obedience and such a Tribute as it should please him to impose When Senacherib had heard the Ambassadors he resolved on Peace and accepted Ezechias offer promising that he would depart as soon as he should have received Three hundred Talents of silver and Thirty Talents of gold swearing unto the Ambassadors The oath of Senacherib and his breach thereof That upon these conditions he would depart away without committing any outrage Ezechias giving credit to these words of his emptied the Treasuries and sent the prefixed sum to Senacherib hoping to be delivered from his enemy and the hazard wherein his Countrey stood But the Assyrians having received the money set light by their promises M so that Senacherib went in person to make War against the Egyptians and Ethiopians and left Rapsaces his General in Judaea with a great power accompanied with two of his chief Minions and Courtiers with commission to spoil Jerusalem The names of these two were Tharata and Anacheris As soon as they were encamped near unto the Walls they sent unto Ezechias and commanded him to come and speak with them but he through fear which he had conceived went not unto them but sent three of his most familiar friends Eliacim the Superintendent of his Realm Sobna and Joachas that had the commission of his Registers These three presented themselves before the Chieftains of the Assyrian Army whom when Rapsaces beheld he commanded them to return unto their Master and to tell him N That the great King Senacherib was desirous to know upon what hope he slighteth his Summons and refuseth to admit his Army into the City Is it perhaps because he hopeth the Egyptians will have the upper hand of the Kings Army If that be his hope doubtless he is deceived shewing himself to be like unto a man that stayeth himself upon a broken reed by which he is not only not supported but in his fall hath his hand pierced therewith He likewise wished him to conceive that this his expedition was not without the Will of God who as in times past hath given them the victory over the Israelites so now also is pleased to humble Ezechias and to make both him and his Subjects stoop under the Assyrian government Whil'st Rapsaces spake thus in the Hebrew language Ver. 17. wherein he was very skilful Eliacim fearing lest the multitude should be strucken with fear upon the hearing of these words besought him O to speak in the Syriack Tongue Rapsaces persuasion to cause Ezechias to submit But he sufficiently instructed what it was that he feared answer'd him with a louder voice in the Hebrew Tongue and told them They ought to give ear unto the Kings commandment and to yield themselves to his mercy because it concerned their security The year of the World 3231. before Christ's Nativity 737. I am not ignorant said he that both you and your King do flatter the people A with vain hopes and fraudulently allure them to bear Arms against us But if your Valor be ought at all and you suppose that you can raise the siege from your walls let us have same specimen of your courage and send out 2000
by reason that he flying unto the enemy M menac'd them with the surprizal and utter ruine of their City The King in regard of the natural humanity and justice that was in him was not any wayes hereby provoked against Jeremy Jer. 39. 11 12. yet to the intent that he might not seem utterly to oppose the Governors The reward of godly Preachers in this life he deliver'd the Prophet into their hands to deal with him howsoever they pleased Who having obtained this liberty from the King entred the Prison on the sudden and laying hold on Jeremy they let him down into a Pit full of mud to the intent he might die in that place and be strangled by the filth in effect he was set therein up to the neck But one of the Kings servants an Ethiopian by Nation certifi'd the King of the Prophets affliction assuring him That his Friends and Governors did not justly so to thrust and bury the Prophet in the mud and cursedly to conspire against him N tiring him with bonds and tortures worse than death Whereupon the King hearing this was sorry that he had deliver'd the Prophet to the Governors and commanded the Ethiopian to take 30 men of his Court with him with cords and such other things necessary as might concern the safety of the Prophet charging him with all expedition to deliver him from that captivity Hereupon the Ethiopian furnish'd with men and necessary means drew the Prophet out of the mud and dismiss'd him without any guard That done the King sent for him in private demanding of him If he had any message to deliver him from God Zedechias neglecteth the Prophets good counsel for fear of the Governors praying him to let him understand whatsoever he knew as touching the success of the siege The Prophets answer was That although he should tell him yet it would not be believed and that if he should exhort him he would not give ear or listen unto him O But said he O King thy friends have condemned me to death as if I had been a most wicked Malefactor But where are they now at this present that have deceived thee and born thee in hand The year of the World 3354. before Christ's Nativity 610. saying That the Babylonian would not come and besiege thee Now will I take heed how A I tell thee the truth for fear lest thou condemn me to death Hereupon the King swore unto him That he should not die neither that he would deliver him into the hands of the Governors For which cause Jeremy grounding himself upon the faith which he had plighted unto him counselled the King to yield up the City to the Babilonians because that God had willed him to signifie unto the King that if he would save his life and avoid the imminent danger and save his City from utter ruine and preserve the Temple from burning he should submit or otherwise that none but he should be reputed to be the cause of all those evils that should happen unto the City and Citizens and of that calamity that should confound both him and all his family When the King heard this he told him B That he would do according as he had counselled him and perform whatsoever he thought necessary to be done but that he feared that his Subjects who were already gone over to the King of Babylon would do him ill offices with that King and that by their means he might be accused and deliver'd unto death But the Prophet encourag'd him telling him That his fear was in vain assuring him that he should suffer no evil if so be he yielded up the City and that neither his wife nor children nor the sacred Temple should suffer any mischief Upon these words the King dismissed Jeremy charging him to communicate the counsel that was held between them to no one of the Citizens no not to the Princes if they should ask of him wherefore the King had sent for him advising him to answer if so be they were inquisitive That he resorted to the King to request him that he might be no more imprisoned all which the Prophet performed but they pressed him very much to know C for what cause the King had sent for him CHAP. X. Jerusalem is taken and the People carried into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor MEan-while the Babylonian continued his violent siege against the City of Jerusalem 2 Kings 25. 1. c. and having raised Towers upon certain Bulwarks Jerusalem besieged eighteen months and at length taken he drave away by this means D all those that approached near unto the walls he raised also round about the City divers platforms that equalled the walls in height Mean-while the City was as valiantly and couragiously defended by the Inhabitants for neither Pestilence nor Famine plucked down their spirits And although that within the City they were tormented with these scourges yet were not their resolutions broken nor did the enemies inventions astonish them nor their engines afright them so that all the battel betwixt the Babylonians and Jews seem'd to be a tryal both of valor and art whil'st these do assuredly hope to surprize the City Ver. 5 6 7. and the other thought their safety consisteth herein Zedechias flieth by night and is surprized by the enemy if they ceased not by new inventions to frustrate their enemies endeavors And in this state continu'd they both for the space of 18 months until they were consumed by Famine E and by the darts that were shot against them by those that shot from the Towers At length the City was taken by the Princes of Babylon in the eleventh year of the Reign of Zedechias the ninth day of the fourth month who were put in trust by Nabuchodonosor to manage the siege for he himself made his abode in the City of Reblata Now if any man be desirous to know the names of them that had command at such time as Jerusalem was surpriz'd these they be Nergelear Aremantus Emegar Nabosar and Echarampsor The City being taken about midnight the Princes of the Enemies Army entred into the Temple which when Zedechias understood he took his wives and his children with the Princes and his friends and fled thorow a great valley by the desart which when the Babylonians understood by certain Jews that were revolted and had submitted themselves F unto them they arose early in the morning to pursue them and overtook and surprized them near unto Jericho Whereupon those Princes and friends of Zedechias that had taken their flight with him seeing the Enemies near unto them forsook him and scattering themselves here and there endeavour'd each of them to save himself When therefore the Enemies had apprehended him attended by a few followers only and accompanied by his children and wives they brought him unto the Kings presence who no sooner beheld him but he called him wicked and perfidious and upbraided him
perswading them to stay there to the end they might be consumed by the Babylonians Contemning therefore the counsel which God gave them by the Prophet Jer. 42. per totum both John and the rest of the multitude went into Egypt and led with them both Baruch and Jeremy The Prophecy of the Babylonian Army and the Jews captivity Whither they were no sooner come but God told the Prophet that the Babylonian should lead his Army into Egypt for which cause he willed him to foretell the people that Egypt should be destroyed and that they should partly be slain in that place and partly led captive to Babylon Which came in like manner to pass for in the fifth year after the destruction of Jerusalem which was the three and twentieth year of the Reign of Nabuchodonosor Nabuchodonosor in his own person L led his Army into Coelosyria and having conquered the same he made War upon the Ammonites and Moabites And after he had brought these Nations under his obeysance he went and fought against the King of Egypt and overcame him and after he had slain their King that governed at that time and planted another in his place he afterwards took the Jews that he found in that Countrey and carried them prisoners into Babylon By this means we have learned that the estate of the Hebrews hath been translated twice to the other side of Euphrates For the people of the ten Tribes during the Reign of Oseas were carried away captive by Salmanazar King of the Assyrians after he had taken Samaria and the two Tribes by Nabuchodonosor King of the Babylonians and Chaldees upon the taking in of Jerusalem True it is that Salmanazar after he had displeased M the Israelites planted the Chutheans in their place who before-time inhabited the innermost of the Countreys of Persia and Media and were called Samaritanes according to the name of the place which they inhabited but the Babylonian having led the two Tribes prisoners hath not planted any other people in their places For this cause Judea Jerusalem and the Temple remained desart for the space of seventy years and all the time that passed between the captivity of the Israelites until the destruction of the two Tribes was an hundred and thirty years six moneths and ten days but Nabuchodonosor chose the noblest young men amongst the Jews and such as were allied to King Zedechias and esteemed likewise for the good disposition and fair proportion of their Bodies and Faces and committed them to Masters to be instructed N commanding that every one of them should be gelded according as they were accustomed to deal with young Children of other Nations whom he subdued by force He allowed them Victuals from his own Table and they were taught and instructed in the Discipline of the Countrey and in the Chaldee Tongue These were very apt to learn Wisdom and for that cause he commanded that they should be Trained up in the exercise thereof Hedio Ruffinus Chap. 12. Of these were four of Zedechias kindred fair in Body and virtuous in their Nature Dan. 1. v. 6. 17. who were called Daniel Ananias Misael and Azarias whose names the Babylonians changed and appointed that they should be called by other names distinct and different from their own Daniels forwardness and his fellows towardnesâ— in studying Wisdom and good Letters Daniel was called Balthasar Ananias Sidrach Misael Misach and Azarias Abednagâ— These did the King esteem very highly for their O excellent nature and for the great affection that they had to attain unto Learning and Wisdom wherein they profited greatly and were for that cause highly esteemed by him and whereas Daniel and his kinsman thought good to live austerely and to ababstain from those Meats that came from the Kings Table The year of the World 3â—61 before Christ's Nativity 603. and in general from all things A that had life they went to Askenas the Eunuch who had the care and charge over them beseeching him to convert those Meats to his own use which were sent from the Kings Table and allow them Herbs and Dates and such things as had no life because they intended to hold that course of life and to forsake all others Askenas told them that he was ready to condescend unto their demands but that he feared lest being called for by the King they should be found to be lean in Body and discoloured in Face for without doubt following that Diet they must needs lose their Beauty and Complexion which might bring him in damage of his Head They perceiving that Askenas intended nought else but his security perswaded him to allow them but ten days of approbation under condition that if by that regiment of Diet their habitude of body B should not be any ways altered they might continue that course of life which they had intended from that day forwards but if they should be found lean and weak and less proportionable then they that fed upon the Kings allowance that then they should return to their accustomed Diet. Now it fell so out that not only their Bodies were better in growth but they seemed rather better fed and of a taller stature than the rest so that they that lived upon the Kings allowance seem'd lean and ill-favoured whereas Daniel and his companions made show as if they had been nourished with Dainties and brought up in abundance From that time forward Askenas took all that which was allowed the four young Men from the King Table and kept it to himself giving them instead thereof the Diet that they chose and delighted in They C having their spirits more pure and subtil to comprehend their Masters instructions and their Bodies more strong to endure labour for their spirits were not charged with diversity of meats nor their Bodies effeminated for the same cause attained the more readily to all that Doctrine that was taught them by the Hebrews and Chaldees Daniel especially having profited in Wisdom studied the interpretation of Dreams and God appeared unto him Two years after the Egyptian War King Nabuchodonosor dreamed a wonderful dream the explication whereof God gave unto him in his sleep but he forgat the same when he arose out of his Bed Dan. 2. 1. ad 16 And for that cause sent he for his Chaldees and Divines Nabuchodonosor dreaming forgetteth his Vision sendeth for the Magicians not able to discover his doubt he threateneth them with death telling them that he had dreamed a dream but that he had forgot the same commanding them to declare unto him what the dream was and the signification D thereof also Whereunto they answered that it was impossible for men to sound out the secret thereof notwithstanding they promised him that if he would declare his vision unto them they would cause him to understand the signification thereof Hereupon Nabuchodonosor threatened them with death except they represented his dream unto him and
they protesting that they could not fulfil his request he commanded them all to be slain But Daniel hearing how the King had condemned all the Sages to death and knowing that both he and his companions were concerned in that danger addressed himself to Ariochus the Captain of the Kings Guard requiring him to inform him for what cause the King had adjudged the Chaldees and Sages to be put to death and having told what had happened as touching the dream and how the King forgetting the E same had charged them to inform him therein and how they had answered that it was impossible for them to perform the same and how thereby they had provoked the King to displeasure he besought Ariochus to go unto the King and to procure one nights reprieve on the behalf of the Egyptians and Chaldees in that he hoped during that night to beseech God and intreat from him both the Dream and the signification thereof Hereupon Ariochus told the King what Daniel had requested and he thereupon respited the execution of the Magicians for that night until he might see what would become of Daniels promise who retiring himself with his companions into his chamber besought God all the night long to manifest unto him the dream and deliver the Magicians and Chaldees from the Kings wrath with whom both he and the rest of his companions were F like to dye except he might know what the King had dreamt the night past and what was the interpretation thereof Whereupon God having compassion of the danger wherein they were and taking pleasure in Daniels wisdom signified unto him both the dream and the signification thereof to the intent the King might be resolved of the meaning thereof Daniel having received the truth from God à v. 20. ad 24. arose very joyfully and certified his Brethren who had already lost all hope of life The Vision and the Revelation thereof opened to Daniel and thought on nothing but death and gave them courage and hope Having therefore rendred thanks unto God for that he had had compassion of their younger years as soon as it was day he went unto Ariochus requesting him that he might be brought to the Kings presence assuring him G that he would open unto him the dream which he had seen the night past Now when Daniel was brought unto the Kings Presence he besought him that he would not esteem him to H be more wise than the other Chaldeans and Magicians The year of the World 3363 before Christ's Nativity 601. in that whereas none of them could expound his Dream he did attempt to express the same for that came not to pass by reason of his experience or for that he was more industrious than they were but said he God hath had compassion on us that were in danger of death and at such time as I requested him to grant me and my Countrey-men life he hath certified me both of your Dream and the signification thereof I was not so much aggrieved for that in our innocency we were adjudged to death by thee as concerned for thy reputation and renown which was hazarded by condemning so many and so innocent and just men to death whereas that which you have required of them á v. 26 ad finem savoureth nothing of humane wit but is the only work of God Whilest therefore thou thoughtst in thy self Daniel telleth the King his Dream and the interpretation thereof who it was that should command the whole world after thy I self at such time as thou wert asleep God intending to let thee know all those that should govern after thee presented the with this Dream It seemed unto thee that thou sawest a great Statue whereof the Head was of Gold the Shoulders and Arms of Silver the Belly and Thighs of Brass Nebuchodonosors Dream of the four Monarchs of the world and the Legs and Feet of Iron Thou beheldest after that a great Stone that was drawn from a Mountain that fell upon the Statue and beat down and burst the same and left no whole piece thereof so that the Gold Silver Iron and Brass were powdered as small as dust whereupon a violent wind seemed to blow which by the fury and force thereof was born away and scattered into divers Countreys on the other side the stone grew so mighty that it seemed to fill the whole Earth This was that Vision that appeared unto you the signification whereof is expressed after this manner The Head K of Gold signifieth your self and those Kings of Babylon that have been before you The two Hands and Shoulders signify that your Empire shall be restored by two Kings the one part by the King of the East cloathed in Brass whose force shall be abated by another power resembling that of iron and he shall have the power over the whole Earth by reason of the nature of Into á v. 46 ad finem which is more strong than Gold Silver or Brass he told the King also what the Stone signified But for mine own part I thought it not expedient to express in this place Daniel and his fellows advanced to honour because the only design and intent of my Writings is to register such things as are past and not such matters as are to come But if any man be so curious as to enquire into these things and to understand such matters as are hidden let him read the Book of Daniel which he shall find amidst the Sacred Scriptures L When King Nabuchodonosor had heard those things and remembred himself of his Dream he was astonished at Daniels wisdom and casting himself prostrate on the Earth after the manner of those that adore God he embraced Daniel giving direction that sacrifice should be offered unto him as if he were God Moreover he called him by the name of God and committed the administration of his whole Kingdom to him and his companions who by reason of the conspiracies of their malignours and detractours The Kings Edict for honouring the Golden Statue happened to fall into most imminent and dreadful danger upon the occasion that ensueth The King built a Golden Image sixty Cubits high and six in bigness and erected it in a great Plain near unto Babylon and being ready to dedicate the same he assembled all the Governours and Princes of his Countreys M commanding them first of all Dan. 3. 1. ad 9. that as soon as they should hear the Trumpet sound they should prostrate themselves on the Earth to adore the Statue threatening that whosoever should do the contrary á v. 19 ad finem he should be cast into a burning Furnace whereas therefore all of them adored the Statue upon the sound of the Trumpet Daniel and his companions utterly refused to perform that duty Daniel and his kinsmen refusing to adore the Statue are cast into the Furnace alledging for their justification that they
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
from building the City or Temple and wrote back again after this manner The King Cambyses to Rathymus the Chancellour and to Belsen and Semelius Scribes and to all his other Counsellors and Inhabitants of Samaria and Phoenicia Health Having read your Letters I have commanded the Records of mine Ancestors to be examined and I find that the City of Jerusalem hath been always an enemy to their Kings and that the inhabitants thereof have always raised Sedition and Wars I have likewise found that their Kings have been mighty and that they have exacted from Syria and Phoenicia continual C Tributes Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. alias cap. 4. For this cause I have ordained that the Jews shall not be permitted to re-edify their City for fear lest the boldness of that people being thereby encouraged they should according to their former custom Darius the Son of Hystaspis made Emperour of the Persians practice a new Rebellion After the receipt of these Letters Rathymus and the Scribe Semâ—lius and those of their faction took horse and rode speedily to Jerusalem leading with them a great number of People and prohibiting the Jews from the building their City or Temple Thus was this work interrupted until the second year of the Reign of Darius Ezra 5. v. 6. ad finem King of Persia for the space of nine years For Cambyses reigned six years during which time he subdued Egypt and upon his re-return from thence he dyed in Damascus And after the death of Cambyses the Magi that held the Empire of the Persians for the space of one year being taken away the D chief of the seven principal Families of Persia made Darius the Son of Hystaspis King CHAP. IV. Darius gives leave to Zerobabel a Prince of the Jews to re-build the Temple a great number return to Jerusalem under his conduct and apply themselves to the work The Samaritans and others write to Darius to forbid them but he acts contrary to their desires E DArius Darius voweth to send the sacred Vessels to Ierusalem during the time that he lived a private life made a vow unto God that if he obtained the Kingdom he would send back unto the Temple of Jerusalem all those Vessels which were as yet remaining in Babylon It fell out that about the same time that he was made King Zerobabel Zerobabel who was appointed Governor over the Captive Jews came unto him from Jerusalem And being the Kings antient friend he with two others had three of the Principal Offices of the King's House conferred upon them and were placed the nearest about his person The first year of the Reign of Darius he entertained all his Courtiers with great pomp and magnificence both those of his Houshold and those also that were his Governors and Princes of Media and Persia and the Commanders in India confining upon Ethiopia with all the Chieftains F of his Army in one hundred twenty and seven Provinces Now after they had Feasted and were full of Wine they departed each of them unto their Lodgings to betake themselves to rest Darius propoundeth three questions to three of his Guard but King Darius being laid in his Bed reposed very little all the night long but passed the time without sleep Whereupon seeing he could not compose himself to rest he began to discourse with these three great Officers promising unto him that should most truly and aptly answer those questions that he should demand to grant him licence by way of reward to wear a Purple Garment and to drink in a Golden Cup to lye on a Golden Bed and to ride in a Chariot whose Horses should be harnassed with Gold and to wear the Tiara or linnen Wreath and a Golden Chain about his neck and sit in the next place to the King and should likewise G be called his Kinsman in regard of his Wisdom After he had made these large promises he demanded of the first whether Wine were the strongest of the second H Whether the King were stronger The year of the World 3443 before Christ's Nativity 521. of the third Whether Women or Truth were the strongest of the three As soon as he had deliver'd them these questions to deliberate upon he laid him down to rest Upon the morrow he sent for the Princes Chieftains and Governors of Persia and Media and afterwards sitting aloft in that Throne from whence he was accustomed to determine controversies between his subjects he commanded those three young men in the presence of that Princely Assembly publickly to resolve those questions which he had proposed Whereupon the first of them began after this manner to express the force of Wine The first expresseth the power of wine Noble Princes when I consider the force of Wine I find nothing that can surpass it for Wine disturbeth the judgment and maketh the Princes understanding like to that of a Child who hath I need of one that should always direct him It giveth the slave that freedom in discourse which his thraldom had deprived him of It equalleth the poor man to the rich It changeth and transformeth the soul assuageth the miserable mans grief and maketh the Prisoners forget their bonds and think themselves very rich so that they think not on mean things but talk of Talents and such things as appertain unto the most wealthy It causeth them to lose all apprehension both of Princes and Kings and taketh from them the remembrance of their friends and familiars It armeth them against their greatest friends and maketh them suppose their nearest relations to be strangers and when the Wine concocted by night and sleep hath forsaken them they rise and know not what they have committed in their drunkenness When the first of them had spoken thus in favor of Wine The second extolleth the Kings power he that had undertaken to K shew that nothing was equal to the power of Kings began after this manner Kings saith he have dominion over men Esdr 3 4. who govern the earth and at their pleasure can command the Sea to serve them Kings have power and dominion over those men who master and command the most untamed and mightiest creatures it therefore appeareth that their force and puissance exceedeth that of all these If they command their subjects to wage War and to expose themselves to danger they are obedient and if they send them out against their enemies they willingly obey them by reason of their force By their command they level Mountains beat down Walls and raze Towers And if they command their subjects to kill or be killed they resist not for fear lest they should seem to transgress the Kings commandment When they have obtained the victory all the glory and profit of the War redoundeth unto the King They likewise L that bear no Arms but intend the tillage of the earth after they have born all the toil they reap and
gather the fruits to the end they may pay the King his tribute And if he will or command any thing it must be performed without any delay Furthermore when the King is addicted to any pleasures or intendeth to enjoy his rest during the time that he sleepeth he is guarded by those that watch who are as it were tyed unto him through the fear and awe they have of him For not one of them dare forsake him when he sleepeth nor depart from him to follow their own affairs but intend those services only which he thinketh necessary which is the guard of his person Who therefore will not esteem the Kings force to be greater than any others since so many people obey him in whatsoever he commandeth After he had spoken to this effect Zorobabel the third expresseth the power of women and at length attributeth the palm unto truth Zorobabel who was the third began to speak of the M power of Women and Truth after this manner True it is that Wine hath much force and no less true that all men obey the King yet far more mighty is the power of a Woman For by a Woman the King was bred and brought into this world and those men that plant the Vineyards where Wines do grow are born and nourished by Women and generally there is not any thing which we enjoy not by their means For they weave us garments they have the care and custody of our houses neither is it possible for us to be severed from Women Yea they that possess much gold and abundance of silver and other things of great and inestimable price only upon the sight of a fair Woman forsake all these things and will follow after the beauty which they beheld and for the possession thereof content themselves to lose all things We forsake likewise our Father and Mother and the Countrey that hath bred us and forget our Friends N for our Wives sake yea we will willingly content our selves to dye with them Yet is there a greater and further demonstration of the most mighty power of a Woman For whatsoever we travel for all the pains that we endure both by Land and Sea to the intent we may reap some fruits of our labours do we not carry all this to give unto our Wives as unto those who were our Mistresses I have seen the King likewise who is so great a Lord endure a stroke on the ear by Apame the daughter of Rhapsaces his Concubine and patiently suffer her to take the Diadem from his head and set it on her own When she laughed he laughed and when she was displeased he was displeased and according as her passion changed so he complyed and humbly submitted his affection to her pleasures according as he saw her passionate or pleased But whil'st the Princes in way of admiration beheld one another he began to discourse O of Truth saying I have already declared what the force of Women is yet notwithstanding both the King and they are more feeble than Truth For whereas the earth is huge and vast the heaven likewise of an immeasurable height and the sun of unspeakable celerity and whereas the Will of God both governeth and moveth these things because God is just and A true it therefore followeth that Truth is the most mighty of all things against which injustice may no ways prevail Furthermore all other things notwithstanding they seem to be of value yet are they mortal and of little continuance but Truth is immortal and everlasting Moreover all those things which we receive thereby are neither mortal nor subject to the injuries of time Zorobabel obtained both praise and great rewards by his good discourse fortune or alteration but continue equal and separated from all stain of injustice When Zorobabel had spoken after this manner he made an end of his discourse whereupon all the Assembly began to pronounce that his Assertions were of most value and that only Verity had an immutable force and an undeterminable continuance Whereupon the King commanded him to ask what he would Ezra 6. 1. ad 15. as touching that which he had promised to give because he intended to grant it him as to the wisest and best learned amongst the B rest For said he thou shalt sit henceforth next unto me and shalt be called my friend When the King had spoken thus Zorobabel called to remembrance the vow that the King had made Darius being put in memory of his vow commandeth that the Temple should be restored if so be at any time he obtain'd the Kingdom namely That he would build Jerusalem and the Temple of God and restore those vessels likewise which were taken away by Nabuchodonosor and carried into Babylon For this said he O King is my request which you permitted me to ask and you promised me to grant at that time when I was judged wise and well-learned by you The King was well-pleased at his words and rising from his Throne Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. he kissed him He wrote also to his Governors and Princes that they should send away Zorobabel and those of his company to build the Temple Moreover he sent Letters to them of Syria and Phoenicia commanding them to cut down the Cedars C of Libanus and to send them to Jerusalem towards the building of the City publishing a Law that all Jews should be made free if they would resort unto Judea forbidding all Commissaries and Princes to impose any charge upon the Jews for the necessities of the Kingdom and commanding that all the Countrey which they should inhabit Darius Letters for the liberty possession and erection of the Temple granted to the Jews should be exempt from Tribute appointing the Idumaeans Samaritans and Coelosyrians to restore those lands unto the Jews which they unlawfully with-held which their Ancestors had heretofore possessed And besides that to deliver them by way of contribution 50 Talents of silver towards the building of the Temple permitting them to offer their ordinary Sacrifices 1 Esd 6. v. 7 8 ad 16. He likewise commanded that all the Necessaries and Vestments which either the High-Priest or the other Priests used in the service of God should D be furnished at his charge He appointed also that the Levites should have Instruments of Musick deliver'd unto them to praise God withall and that certain portions of land should be alotted for them that had the guard of the City and the Temple Moreover he allow'd them a certain Sum of money every year for their ordinary maintenance After this he sent back all those vessels which Cyrus heretofore had resolv'd to restore unto Jerusalem When Zorobabel had obtained these things above-named at the Kings hands he went out of the Palace Ver. 22. and lifting up his eyes unto Heaven he began to give God thanks That he had enabled him to appear more discreet than others before the King Glad
your customs ever since the time that Salmanazar King of Assyria removed us out of Chuthea and Media hither To these demands of theirs Zorobabel and Jesus the High-Priest and the Governors of the Tribes answer'd The Samaritans suppose to hinder the building of the Temple That it was impossible for them to admit of their assistance in the building of the Temple because they had received their first commandment from Cyrus to perform it and afterwards from Darius notwithstanding they gave them licence to worship therein offering them O that the Temple should be common to both C. 4. v. 1. ad 6. if they pleased yea and accessible to all other Nations that would repair thither to adore God The Chutheans for so were the Samaritans call'd hearing this were much offended and persuaded the other Nations of Syria to require the Princes who continued their authority since the time of Cyrus The year of the World 3â—44 before Christ's Nativity 520. and afterwards A ruled in Cambyses time to hinder the building of the Temple and to delay the Jews who were so intent and busie in their work Whereupon Sisin Governor in Syria and Phoenicia and Sarabazan accompanied with others came unto Jerusalem and demanded of the Chieftains of the Jews By whose permission they built the Temple which rather seemed to be a Fort than a Temple The Syrian Princes examine the cause why the Jews repair their City and Temple and for what cause they fortified their City with gates and so strong walls Zorobabel and Jesus the High-Priest answer'd That they were the servants of the living God and that their Temple had been built by one of their Kings who was rich and surpassed all other in virtue that afterward it had continued so long time in venerable estimation but by reason their fathers had been guilty of impiety against God Nabuchodonosor King of Babylon and Chaldaea 1 Esdras 5. v. 3. 4 5 6. having taken the City by force destroyed the same B and after he had spoiled the City he burned it and transported the people captive into Babylon But after that Cyrus King of Persia had obtained the Kingdom of Babylon he commanded by his express Letters sealed with his Royal Seal that they should re-edifie the Temple and ordained that all those Treasures which Nabuchodonosor carried from thence and of the consecrated vessels should be deliver'd to Zorobabel and the Treasurer Mithidrates to be conveyed to Jerusalem and placed again in the Temple as soon as it should be built And he commanded also that it should be presently re-edified appointing Abassar to repair to Jerusalem and give order for all that which was requisite who hastening thither as soon as he had received Cyrus's Letters did speedily lay the foundations anew From that time forward until this present it hath been hindered by the subtilty and malice of the neighbouring Nations who have always been C our Enemies so that as yet it remaineth imperfect If therefore it please you and you think good signifie what you hear by your letters to Darius to the end that examining the Registers of the Kings he may find that all things have proceeded after the manner which we have related When Zorobabel and Jesus had answer'd to this effect Sisin and they that accompanied him thought not good to hinder the building until such time as they had certified Darius hereof V. 1 2 3. for which cause they wrote unto him presently Aggeus and Zachary the Prophets Hereupon the Jews were much discomforted and troubled fearing lest the King should change his mind and put a stop to the building of Jerusalem and the Temple But two Prophets Aggeus and Zachary who were amongst them began to persuade them willing them to fear no ill D from the Persians because God had assur'd them that they should receive no harm hereupon the people gave credit to the Prophets and diligently intended their building without intermission When the Samaritans had after this manner written to Darius C. â— a v. 7. ad finem and accused the Jews unto him for fortifying their City and re-edifying their Temple and inform'd him how it seem'd rather to be a Fort The Samaritans endeavouring to hinder the reparation of the Temple and City do further it the more than some sacred place and had further alledg'd that it would be no profit unto him and moreover had produced Cambyses letters by which they were forbidden to build the Temple he understood that the re-establishment of Jerusalem stood not with the security of his state But when he had read Sisins letters and his associates he commanded that the Chronicles of the Kings should be search'd E and there was found in Echatane a City of the Medes in a Tower a certain Book in which these things were written C. 6. 4 5 6. The first year of the Reign of Cyrus Cyrus decree as 〈◊〉 the Temple and the Jews commandment was given to build the Temple of Jerusalem and the Altar therein It was likewise decreed that the heighth of the Temple should be sixty cubits and the breadth as many three stories of hewed stone and one story of the wood of that Countrey and it was ordained that the expence of that building should be deducted out of the Kings Revenues Moreover he commanded that restitution should be made unto the Inhabitants of Jerusalem of those vessels that were taken away by Nabuchodonosor and carried away to Babylon And the commission to effect all these things was given to Abassar Governor of Syria and Phoenicia and his companions to the end that they might depart from F these places and the Jews might be permitted to build therein Furthermore he ordained that the charge of this building should be gathered out of the Tributes of his Countries and that they should furnish the Jews with Bulls Weathers Lambs Goats Flower Oyl and Wine and all other things which the Priests should think meet to offer sacrifice to the intent that they might pray for the preservation of the King of Persia commanding that they that should transgress or oppose this commandment 〈…〉 3. 4. should be laid hold on and hanged on a Gibbet and that their goods should be confiscate to the Kings use Moreover he besought God that if any man went about to hinder the building of the Temple that he would execute his vengeance upon that person and punish him for his wickedness When Darius had found these things written in his Registries he wrote back to Sisin and his companions in this form G H King Darius to Sisin and Sarabazan The year of the World 3450. before Christ's Nativity 514. with their Associates health Having found amongst the Memorials of Cyrus the Copy of his Instructions for the building of the Temple Ver. 7 8. I have sent it you and my pleasure is that the Contents thereof be executed Farewell Darius
Domesticks Haman being honoured by all men is neglected by the Jews Now as often as Haman the son of Amadath an Amalechite came unto the Palace to visit the King all those that were either Persians or strangers according to the Kings especial direction did him honour But Mardocheus shew'd him no honour because the laws of the Jews forbade it Which when Haman had observ'd Esther 3. 1 2 3 4. he demanded whence he was And understanding that he was a Jew he was much displeas'd C. 5. 9. saying in himself That the Persians who were of a freer condition cast themselves prostrate before him and he that was but a slave disdained to do the like Intending therefore to revenge himself on Mardocheus he thought it not sufficient to procure his punishment at the Kings hands but resolv'd wholly to exterminate his Race for he was by Nature an Enemy to the Jews by reason that the Amalechites from whom he descended M had heretofore been conquer'd by them Whereupon he address'd himself unto the King and accus'd them saying That there was a certain cursed Nation spread through his whole Kingdom insociable and abhorring the customs of other men who used divers laws and ceremonies contrary to those of all other Nations and destructive of the fundamentals of his Kingdom so that the greatest favour he could do to his Subjects would be utterly to exterminate them And lest your Majesties Tribute should be any ways impaired by these means I promise you of mine own Revenues forty thousand talents of silver Ver. 6. desiring rather willingly to forbear so much money The destruction of the Jews granted unto Haman than that your Kingdom should be unpurged of such a cursed Race of men When Haman had made this his request the King answer'd That he forgave him the money and that he permitted him to deal with that Nation as he thought fit When Haman had obtain'd N his desire he presently sent forth an Edict thorow all Nations in the Kings Name to this effect The great King Artaxerxes unto his Governors of an Hundred and seven and twenty Provinces extending from India as far as Ethiopia health Having obtained the Empire over so many Nations and extended my dominion over the World according to mine own pleasure and being so little inclined to treat any of our Subjects with rigour that we rather take great pleasure in affording them some signal marks of our favor and goodness causing them to enjoy an happy peace it remains that we seek after those means O that may render this happiness perpetual to them Being therefore admonished by my friend Haman who for his wisdom and justice is more honoured than all other by me and for his approved fidelity hath the second place in authority under me that there is a certain race of men intermingled among you The year of the World 3549. before Christ's Nativity 415. enemies to all mankind using none but their own laws and such A that are different from others disobedient to their Kings and of depraved manners and customs that neither submit themselves to our Government nor promote the welfare and prosperity of our Empire I will and command That as soon as Haman shall have made known unto you this our pleasure a man whom we hold as dear as our father they be slain with their wives and children so as you spare none of them not permitting your compassion towards them to prevail over your obedience to us And this command we to be done the 14th day of the 12th month of this present year that in one day cutting off all our enemies hereafter ye may live in peace and security This Edict being spread thorow all places of the Countrey and publish'd in every B City all men prepar'd themselves against the prefixed day utterly to exterminate the Jews and no less diligence was there used in Susa the Metropolitan City Mean-while the King and Haman feasted and made good cheer whil'st the City hung in suspence being troubled with the expectation of the event of that which should follow But Mardocheus having intelligence hereof rent his garments put on sackcloth and cast ashes on his head walking thorow the City and crying That their Nation had not committed any crime deserving death The lamentation of the Jews upon the hearing of this Edict and using these or such like speeches he came unto the Kings Palace and stood before the gate because it was unlawful for him to enter thereinto in that habit The like also did the Jews that were in the Cities where those Edicts had been publish'd against them weeping and lamenting their miseries But when the News C hereof was brought unto the Queen Esther 4. 1 2 c. that Mardocheus stood before the Palace-gate in a deplorable condition she was much troubled and sent certain of her servants unto him to command him to change his attire but they could not persuade him to put off his sackcloth for the cause of his sorrow still remaining he could not think of laying aside the marks of it She therefore called unto her her Eunuch Acraâ—heus and sent him unto Mardocheus to know what accident had befaln him that made him put on his mourning habit and to afflict himself after that manner and not at her intreaty to lay aside those marks of his sorrow Hereupon Mardocheus told the Eunuch of the Edict made against the Jews and sent by the King unto all his Provinces the offer of the money that Haman likewise had tender'd to the King whereby he had bought the utter D ruine of his Nation at the Kings hands moreover he gave him the Copy of that which had been proclaim'd in Susan to be deliver'd unto Esther whom he intreated to beseech the King and to esteem it no dishonour to become a Suppliant to save her Nation and to preserve the Jews from that death whereunto at that time they were expos'd since Haman the next in honour to the King had accused the Jews and incens'd his Majesty against them When Esther understood this she sent again unto Mardocheus giving him to understand That she was not called for by the King and that whosoever entered unto him and was not called should die except the King would secure him by stretching out his golden Scepter for he unto whom the King was pleased to grant that favor although he were not called unto him yet suffered he not death but obtained pardon When these things were reported E by the Eunuch from Esther unto Mardocheus he commanded him to tell her That she ought not so much to tender the particular respect of her life as the lives of her whole Nation assuring her that if at that present she had not care of them their succor should onely proceed from God by some other means than this Ver. 16 17. but she and her fathers house should be destroyed by them whom she
they were brought and read A laudable custom in a King he found that a certain man whose name was there set down had received a great possession for reward of his virtue He read likewise of another that had obtained a recompence for his fidelity Esth 6. 1 2. and the like till at last he came to the place where the Eunuchs Bagotheus and Theodestes were noted down for a secret conspiracy O against the person of the King Ver. 3. 4. and how it was discover'd by Mardocheus Now when the Secretary having only recited this accident turned over to another History the King stayed him The year of the World 3554. before Christ's Nativity 410. and ask'd If he found therein written that he had given any recompence to Mardocheus A He answer'd That he found nothing set down Whereupon the King commanded him to give over and inquired of those to whom that office appertain'd what hour of the night it was and knowing that the morning was already discover'd he commanded that some one should certifie him which of his friends attended before the Palace At this time it hapned that Haman was found there who came thither sooner than he was accustomed with an intent to beseech the King that he might put Mardocheus to death When the officers had brought the King word that Haman was before the Palace they were commanded presently to call him in As soon as he came into the Kings presence he said unto him Since I am assured that no man hath so great an affection for me as thou hast I prithee give me thy counsel how I may condignly honour him as becometh my self whom I do B most affectionately love Haman thinking the advice he should give should be given for himself because he supposed that he only was beloved by the King more than all others counselled him that which in his opinion was the best after this manner If your Majesty shall think fit to express the favors towards the man for whom you pretend an extraordinary kindness Ver. 7 8 9. cause him to be mounted upon a brave Horse and let him be apparelled in a Royal habit and put a chain of gold about his neck and let some one of thy chiefest friends march before him and proclaim throughout the City That thus is the man honoured whom the King loveth The King with great satisfaction received this counsel which Haman thought he had given in favor of himself and turning towards him spake thus unto him Take one of my Horses a garment of purple and a chain of gold and seek out the Jew Mardocheus C and give them unto him and march thou before him making proclamation after that manner which you lately proposed For said he thou art my nearest friend and it is very fit that the execution of this thing be committed to thy trust which thou hast so faithfully counselled And this command I to be done because Mardocheus hath been the preserver of my life Haman upon the hearing of these words beyond all expectation was no less amazed than if he had been Thunder-struck but finding a necessity of giving obedience to a command that was so positive and express he went out having with him the horse the purple habit Ver. 10. and the chain of gold and meeting with Mardocheus before the Palace who was cloathed in sackcloth Honor offered to Mardocheus he appointed him to lay his mourning habit aside and to cloath himself in purple But he who was wholly ignorant of that which had hapned and D supposing that he mock'd him said O thou most wicked amongst men doest thou thus mock at our afflictions Notwithstanding being afterwards inform'd that the King had bestowed this honour on him for saving his life and discovering the treachery of those Eunuchs that would have slain him Ver. 11. he put on the purple robe that the King wore ordinarily and put the chain about his neck and afterwards mounting on his Horse he went round about the City Haman walking before him and crying Thus shall it be done to the man whom the King shall think fit to honour Ver. 12. Now after they had gone round the City Mardocheus gave his attendance on the King but Haman came not into the presence so much was he ashamed at that which had hapned Ver. 13. but going home he told his wife and friends with tears all that which had hapned who told him That it was no ways possible for him to revenge E himself as yet on Mardocheus because God did visibly afford him his assistance Whil'st they were thus speaking Esthers Eunuchs came to hasten Haman to the banquet Esther 7. 1. and Sabuchadas one of the Eunuchs seeing the Gibbet erected in Hamans lodging whereon he intended to execute Mardocheus demanded of one of the servants wherefore it was raised up And understanding that it was for the Queens Uncle whom Haman would require at the Kings hands to the end he might put him to death for that time he held his peace But when the King being seated with Haman at the banquet required the Queen to declare what she would require that he might grant her Ver. 2. she began to lament the danger of her people saying That she with her whole Nation were made a prey to the sword and that for that cause she brake out into that discourse For said she I F had not troubled your Majesty Ver. 3 4. nor been so much grieved if you had commanded that all the Jews should be sold and led away Captives to extreme misery for that affliction might have been born but since the utter destruction of our whole Nation is designed I could not but in this case have recourse to your Majesties clemency Ver. 5 6. The King much surprized with this discourse demanded who it was that formed that design whereupon she began publickly to accuse Haman saying That he alone was that wretched and envious man who had contrived their tragedy Hereupon the King was much troubled and arose from the banquet and went into the garden then began Haman to pray and beseech Esther to forgive him his offence And whil'st he was fallen upon her bed to beseech her favor the King entred and grew the more displeased at that he saw and said O thou cursed amongst men darest G thou attempt to violate my wife Haman was wholly confounded with this question so as H he had not a word to answer him Hereupon the Eunuch Sabuchadas steping forth accused him for that he had found him in his lodging erecting a gibbet for Mardocheus assuring the King that one of his houshold Servants had told him it at such time as he was sent to call him to the Banquet alledging moreover that the gibbet was fifty Cubits high 7 8 9 19. Which when the King understood he adjudged Haman to no other death but that which he intended
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
Temple of God 3. In what estimation the Jews were with the Kings of Asia and how the freedome of those Cities which they built was granted them 4. Joseph the Son of Tobias driveth away the Jews imminent calamity by reason of his friendship with King Ptolomey 5. The friendship and society between the Lacedaemonians and Onias the High Priest of the Jews 6. The Jews distracted by seditions call Antiochus to their assistance 7. How Antiochus leading his Army to Jerusalem and taking the City spoyled the Temple K 8. Antiochus forbiddeth the Jews to use the Laws of their forefathers the Son of Asmonaeus called Matthias contemned the King and put his Captains to flight 9. Mathias being dead Judas his Son succeeded him 10. Apollonius a Captain of Antiochus is overcome in Jewry and slain 11. The overthrow and death of Lysias and Gorgias sent out against the Jews 12. How dividing their Armys Simon overcame the Tyrants and Ptolomaidans and Judas the Ammonites 13. The death of Antiochus Epiphanes among the Persians 14. Antiochus Eupator overthrowing the Army of the Jews besieged Judas in the Temple 15. Antiochus giving over his siege plighteth a league of friendship with Judas L 16. Bacchides a Captain belonging to Demetrius being sent with his Army against the Jews returneth back to the King without success 17. Nicanor elected Captain after Bacchides and sent out against the Jews is slain with his whole Army 18 Bacchides sent out once more against the Jews overcometh them 19. How Judas being overcome in battle is slain CHAP. I. After the death of Alexander the Great his Army is divided amongst his Captains M Ptolomey one of the chife of them makes himself Master of Jerusalem by surprise sends several Colonies of Jews into Egypt and puts great confidence in them continual Wars betwixt the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Samaritans ALexander King of Macedon having overcome the Persians and establisht the state of the Jews according as hath been related departed this life The death of Alexander and the Wars of his succssors Whereupon his Dominions and Kingdoms fell into divers mens hands Antigonus made himself Governor of Asia Seleucus of Babylon and the bordering Nations Jerusalem surprized by policy and the Jews lead way captive Lysimachus had the Hellespont Cassander Macedon and N Ptolomey the Son of Lagus held Egypt Now when these men were at discord amongst themselves whilest each of them affected the soveraignty and fought the one against the other they raised divers great and bloody Wars which ruined many Cities and destroyed great numbers of their Inhabitants Syria had sufficient experience of all these miseries under the Government of Ptolomey the Son of Lagus surnamed Soter a Title which he little deserved He it was that seized on Jerusalem by a stratagem for he entred the City upon a Sabbath day under pretext to offer sacrifice and whilst the Jews suspected nothing but spent the day in ease and idleness he surprised the City without resistance and made the Citizens captives Agatharchides the Cnidian who wrote the Acts of Alexanders successors testifieth the same reproaching us of superstition as if by that means we lost our City O He writeth to this effect There is a certain Nation which are called Jews who inhabit a City which is call'd Jerusalem both strong and mighty They suffered it to fall into Ptolomeys hands because they would not stand upon their guard and through their unseasonable superstition they permitted themselves to be subdued by a Tyrant conquerour The year of the World 3634. before Christ's Nativity 321. See A here what Agatharchides saith in this place of our Nation But Ptolomey leading away with him divers prisoners from the better quarters of Judaea and the places near unto Jerusalem of Samaria and mount Garzim sent them into Egypt to inhabit there and being assured that those of Jerusalem were most firm in maintaining their oaths and promises according as it appeared by their answer made to Alexander when after the discomfiture of Darius he sent Ambassadors unto them he put divers of them into his Garrisons giving them the same priviledges in the City of Alexandria which the Macedonians had After he had received their oath that they should be faithful unto him and his successours in memory of the great trust and favours he had bestowed on them many of the other Jews likewise of their own accord went into Egypt partly B allured thereunto by the plenty of the countrey Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching the Temple partly by the liberality of Ptolomey towards their Nation Yet were there continual quarels betwixt their posterity and the Samaritans because they would keep and maintain the customes and ordinances of their forefathers whereupon divers wars arose amongst them For they of Jerusalem said that their Temple was the true Sanctuary of God and would have the offerings and sacrifices sent thither the Samaritans on the other side commanded them to be brought to the mount Garazim CHAP. II. Ptolomey Philadelphus caused the Laws of the Jews to be translated into C the Greek tongue and dismissing many Captive Jews dedicateth many presents to the Temple of God AFter the death of Ptolomeus Soter his Son Ptolomeus Philadelphus succeeded in the Kingdom of Egyptt Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. and held it for nine and thirty years space he it was that translated the law into the Greek tongue and delivered the Jews from that servitude wherein they were inthralled in Egypt to the number of sixscore thousand upon this occasion 〈◊〉 library of Ptolomey Phyladelphus Demetrius Phalereus Master of the Kings Library endeavoured to make a collection of all sorts of Books that were in the world and brought all which he thought would be agreeable to the King who was very curious in his collection of Books D The Kings demanding one day how many thousands of Volumes he had already gathered he answered him that he had already gott about two hundred thousand Volums but that shortly he hoped to have to the number of five hundred thousand Besides he told him that he had been lately informed that there ware divers Volumes among the Jews wherein many things touching their Laws and policies were written which were worthy to be known and deserved a place in so memorable and famous a Liberary but that it would be very difficult to translate them into the Greek tongue for their characters seem to have some relation to the Syriack and their pronunciation likewise is not much different from it notwithstanding they have their phrase proper and peculiar unto themselves But nevertheless he believed it might be done since his Majesty would E not think much of any charge the King approved of this proposal and wrote unto the High Priest of the Jews to help him to these books In the mean time a certaâ—n man called Aristaeus who was intirely beloved by
He gave besides this two vessels of Gold scaled from the bottom as far as the half part of the Cup and besides that inriched with divers precious Stones curiously enchased And in the midst of them there was a labyrinth a Cubit high made of all sorts of precious Stones and at the foot thereof were ingraven spires after the manner of twigs and M fast by them a certain fold like unto a net made in oval fashion that ascended even unto the brimes The midst thereof was filled with little targets of the bigness of four fingers made of precious Stones and round about the edges thereof were Lillies ivy flowers and vines with their clusters of grapes engraven round about This was the beauty and excellency of those two Cups each of them containing twenty and four pints There were also others made of Silver so transparent as if they had been of the purest Chrystal thorow which all things that were put into them were manifestly discovered He caused also thirty ewers to be made in which all the Gold that was not covered with precious stones was shadowed with ivy leaves and vine branches most curiously engraven and all these things were not only curiously wrought N by the wonderfull cunning of the workemen but were in like manner seconded by an ambitious diligence of the King who thinking it not enough that without sparing for any thing he had undertaken the charge did oftentimes forsaking his most serious affairs visit the shops and examine the workes and that which more and more increased their diligence was because they saw him so intent upon the work And these were the presents which were sent by this King to be dedicated in the Temple of Jerusalem The 70 Interpreters 〈…〉 All which being consecrated and layed up in the Temple by the High-Priest Eleazar after he had greatly honoured those that brought them thither and given them certain presents to be tendered in his behalf unto the King O he dismissed and sent them back again No sooner were they arrived in Alexandaria but the King having notice thereof and how the seventy two Elders were come with H them he sent to seek out his Ambassadors The year of the World 3684. before Christ's Nativity 280. Andrew and Aristaeus who came and presented him with letters from the High-Priest Eleazar and answered him to all which he demanded of them And being desirous to communicate with the Elders that came from Jerusalem to expound and interpret the Law he contrary to his ordinary custom and manner dismissed all those that came to him about private business to whome he was accustomed to give audience every fifth day as he used monthly to forrain Ambassadors Having therefore for that time dismissed them he kept those by him whom Eleazar had sent unto him who coming to his presence accompained with those presents which the High-Priest had delivered them to present unto him with the Original where in the Law was written in Golden Letters he asked them I where their books were and they discovering and opening them shewed them unto him After the King had seen them he was very much astonished to see the parchments so delicate and to behold the whole form thereof so perfectly conjoyned that it was impossible to discover the seames and he told them that he gave them thanks that were come unto him and unto him that had sent them but more especially unto God who was the Author of these laws Whereupon the Elders and those that assited them cried out altogether and wished that all good hap might befall the King who through the excessive joy that he conceived burst out into tears For naturally extream joy as well as great griefis the cause of tears After he had commanded that these books should be committed to their trust who were deputed to that office at length he saluted K the Elders telling them that it was very requisite after he should have treated with them concerning the occasion of their coming to take care of their particular entertainment In a word he confessed unto them that their coming was so acceptable unto him that he promised them so long time as he lived he would every year renew and honour the memory of that day and by good hap it was the very same day wherein he overcame Antigonus by Sea His pleasure was also that they should be his guests and he caused divers goodly lodgings to be assigned them under the Castle Nicanor likewise who had the charge to entertain strangers commanded Dorotheus who was ordinarily imployed in the same to prepare for every one of them such things as were necessary for their diet and entertainment For so was it ordained L by the King that in every City there should be a Commissary appointed to provide for forrainers that should come to that place to the intent they might be treated according to their own customes intending thereby that their entertainment should be the more agreeable unto them and that they might be the less tired with forrain novelties This custome of his was put in practice at this time by Dorotheus's care and exact diligence who in his own person disposed all that which was necessary for 〈◊〉 hospitality He prepared two places to banquet in in two several parts according as the King had commanded him so that some of them might sit on either side of him and the rest might be placed near unto his Table omitting nothing of that which concerned their honour When they were in this manner placed the King commanded Dorotheus M to entertain them as he was wont to do those who repaired unto his Court from Judaea Hereupon he dismissed the Egyptian Priest and others that were wont to make the ordinary prayers which done he commanded that one of the Elders called Elisaeus who was a Priest should bless the Table whereupon he standing upright in the midst of them all besought God to bless both the King and his Subjects with all happiness Whereupon there arose an applause and acclamation of all men which being ceased they fell to their banquet and made good cheer with that which was set before them When the King had kept silence so long as he thought convenient he began at last to Play the Philosopher The banquet that Ptolomey made for the Jews and their prayers before meat asking of every one of them certain questions in Physick praying them to discuss the same and when each of them in order had very pertinently N answered to the question that was propounded unto them the King took great pleasure therein and for twelve days space he continued this feast Whoso desireth to know the questions that were proposed unto them in particular let them read the Book which Aristaeus hath written to that effect The King was astonished at their answers and the Philosopher Menedemus confessed that they confirmed him in his opinion that all things were administred
divers places and planting them again in the same And in especial to the end that the service of God may be renewed we have set down a certain sum of money to be imployed in sacrifices and in buying Beasts for their offerings Wine Oyl and incense that is to say twenty thousand sicles of Silver and for sine Floure according to the law of the place one thousand four hundred and sixty measures of Wheat and three hundred seventy and five measures of salt And my will is that all these things that are above-named be delivered unto them according to the form of our ordinance We likewise command that the work of the Temple be finished with the galleries and other necessary buildings and that all the Timber be brought out of Judea and other places and especially out of Libanus without any tax or tallage which exemption also shall D take effect in all other necessaryes that are requisite towards the reparation of so famous a Temple My pleasure likewise is that all they of the same Nation govern their State according to their own laws Let the antient Priests and Scribes of the Temple also and the singing men be freed from all taxations that are payed by the powl and the tributes of the Crown and all other whatsoever And to the end that the City may be the sooner built I grant unto all them that inhabit the same as this present or that hereafter transport themselves thither within the month of October to inhabit the same with exemption from all charges for three years space We forgive them moreover the third part of their tributes to the intent they may recover their losses We will also that those Citizens that have been forcibly led from thence into servitude be set at liberty both they themselves and also those that are of their E alliance commanding their goods to be restored unto them Farewell These are the contents of this Letter The Edict of Antiochus the great in honor of the Temple And to yeild the more honour unto the Temple he sent an edict thorow all his Kingdom to this effect That it should not be lawfull for any stranger to enter within the inclosure of the Temple without the Jews permission except those that should be purified according to the law and custom of the place That no man should bring into the city any flesh of Horses Mules wild or tame Asses Leopards Foxes or Hares or Generally of any Cattel prohibited to be eaten by the laws of the Jews That it should not be lawful likewise for any man to bring their Skins into the City or to nourish any such beasts in the same but that it might be only lawfull to use these beasts which might be sacrificed unto God according to the law of their ancestors That F whosoever should not observe these laws he should pay three thousand drachmes of silver unto the Priests Furthermore to express his piety and fidelity towards us at such time as he heard of the troubles that happned in Phrygia and Lydia he wrought also unto Zeuxis Governour of one of the higher Provinces and his intire friend commanding him to send certain of our Nation from Babylon to Phrygia writing unto him unto this effect G H King Antiochus to Zeuxis his Father The year of the World 3790. before Christ's Nativity 204. Health Vnderstanding that those of Lydia and Phrygia are newly fallen into Rebellion I have thought good according to my duty to prevent the same and whilest I consulted with my friends what was to be done Antiochus's Epistle to Zeuxis in which he maketh honourable mention of the Jews it hath been thought fit that two thousand Families of the Jews should be sent thither all which should be drawn out of Mesopotamia and Babylon to plant them in Garisons and places of security For I am persuaded of their good affection and zeal towards us both in respect of their devotion towards God as also from the testimony which our Predecessors have given them namely that they are faithful and ready to execute that wherein I they are employed Moreover it is our pleasure that notwithstanding all difficulties you cause them to pass thither and permit them to live according to their own Laws Now when they shall arrive in that place thou shalt bestow on every one of them ground to build them houses on with sufficient Lands both for Tillage and to plant their Vineyards in for which they shall pay no Tribute for ten years space and during such time as they may gather of their own for their sustenance they shall be allowed their provision of Corn for themselves and their servants Our will is also that they who shall be employed on necessary affairs be sufficiently provided of that they need to the intent that being so bountifully dealt withall by us they may shew themselves the more affectionate in that which concerneth us Thou shalt give order also to the uttermost of thy power that this Nation be no wayes oppressed or injured by any man Farewell K Hitherto we have sufficiently declared what friendship Antiochus the Great bare unto the Jews Antiochus's friendship and confederacy with Ptolomy After this Antiochus contracted an alliance and friendship with Ptolomy who gave him his daughter Cleopatra in marriage and assigned him for her dowry Coelosyria The Samaritans molest the Jews Samaria Judea and Phoenicia and because these two Kings divided the Tributes between them the chiefest in authority in every Province collected from their Countrey and paid the Sum agreed upon to the Kings Treasury At that time the Samaritans puffed up with their prosperity vexed the Jews spoiling their Countrey Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. and leading them away Prisoners by force This hapned under the High-Priest Onias Onias the High-Priest provoketh the King of Egypt for non-payment of his Tribute For after the decease of Eleazar Manasses his Uncle obtained the Priesthood L and after the death of Manasses Onias the son of Simon sirnamed the Just enjoyed this dignity Simon was brother to Eleazar as I have heretofore related This Onias was of no great capacity and withall was very covetous by which means he failed to pay the twenty Talents of silver which his Predecessors were wont to pay to the Kings of Egypt of the Tribute which the People paid unto him Whereupon Ptolomy Evergetes the father of Philopater was grievously incensed against him so as he sent an Ambassador to Jerusalem to accuse him because he failed to pay his accustomed Tribute threatning him that if henceforth he received it not he would divide the Countrey amongst his Soldiers and send them to inhabit it When the Jews heard this they were much troubled but Onias was no whit moved thereby because he was wholly given over to covetousness M N O CHAP. IV. The year of the World 3774. before Christ's Nativity 194. A
Joseph the Nephew of the High-Priest Onias obtains pardon for his Vncle of Ptolomy King of Egypt gets the favor of that Prince and raiseth a very considerable fortune for himself Hircanus the son of Joseph becomes a great Favourite of Ptolomy The death of Joseph BUt a certain man call'd Joseph The Taxation of the High-Priest for offending the King the son of Tobias and of Onias sister who was the High-Priest being young in years but honored in Jerusalem for his wisdom foresight and justice having certain notice by his mother of the arrival of this Ambassador came unto the City for he had been absent in the Village of Phicala where he was born and sharply reproved Onias his Uncle on the mothers side because he did not any wayes provide B for the security of his Countrey but sought to draw his Countreymen into a general hazard in that he retained in his hands that mony which was levied for the Tributeâ— whereby he told him that he had obtained the Government over the people and purchased the High Priesthood And that if he were so bewitched with mony that for the love of it he could have the patience to see his Countreymen in hazard and behold his Citizens suffer all that which cruelty could inflict upon them he advised him to repair to the King and to require him to bestow the whole or the half of the Tribute upon him Hereunto Onias answer'd That he would no more execute the Government and that if it was possible for him he was ready to give over the Priesthood rather than repair unto the King Whereupon Joseph asked him If he would permit him in the peoples behalf to go Ambassador to Ptolomy C Whereunto Onias answer'd That he gave him leave Upon this occasion Joseph went up into the Temple and summoned the people to a general Assembly exhorting them to be no ways troubled and to conceive no fear through the negligence of his Uncle Onias wishing them to be of good courage and promising them that he himself would go Ambassador unto the King and faithfully plead their Cause before him and persuade him that they had committed no insolent neglect or contempt against his Majesty which when the people understood they gave Joseph hearty thanks Whereupon he presently came down from the Temple and honorably entertained the Ambassadors that came from Ptolomy and having presented them with gifts of great value and feasted them magnificently for many dayes he sent them back to their Prince assuring them that he would in person follow D them And the rather was he incited to this journey because the Ambassador had persuaded him to come into Egypt under such assurance that he would obtain all his requests at Ptolomy's hands the rather for that he was won with the young mans free spirit and noble entertainment The Kings Ambassador honourably entertained who reporteth Joseph's liberality upon his return into his Countrey As soon as the Ambassador returned into Egypt he certified the King of Onias's ingratitude and Joseph's humanity certifying him that he would come in person to entreat pardon for the People for that offence they had committed against him and the rather for that he was in especial authority among the People and he so far enlarged himself in the praise of Joseph that both the King and Queen Cleopatra had a good opinion of him although he was as yet absent But Joseph sent unto Samaria to his Friends and E borrow'd money making preparation for his Voyage Having therefore furnished himself with Apparel Vessels and Horses and with almost twenty thousand drachms he arrived at Alexandria At that time it hapned that the Princes and Governors of Phoenicia and Syria repaired thither to farm their Tributes for the King was accustomed every year to sell them to the men of most respect in every City these meeting with Joseph on the way began to mock at his baseness and poverty But when he came to Alexandria and had intelligence that the King was at Memphis he set forward and went out to meet him When therefore the King accompanied with the Queen and Athenion his Friend who had discharged the place of Ambassador in Jerusalem came riding in his Chariot Athenion who had been F honorably entertained by Joseph perceiving him upon the way certified the King that it was he of whom he had spoken upon his return from Jerusalem protesting on his behalf that he was a virtuous and honorable young man Whereupon Ptolomy received him with more kindness than the rest and made him come up into his Chariot where he was no sooner seated but the King began to accuse Onias for what he had committed But Joseph said unto him Pardon him O King and have respect to his old age For you know that ordinarily old men and young children have one and the same understanding but from our selves who are young you shall have what you please to require without any pretext or cause of discontent G H This wise answer increased the affection which the King had allready conceived for him The year of the World 3770. before Christ's Nativity 194. whereupon he commanded that he should be lodged in his own Palace and that daily he should accompany him at his Table As soon as the King came back to Alexandria the Lords of Syria seeing Joseph sitting near unto the King were displeased and the day drawing near wherein they were to know what they should pay for their tribute they that were of the greatest quality in their countrey farmed it so that the Tributes of Coelosyria Phoenicia Judea and Samaria amounted together to eight thousand talents Whereupon Joseph arising blamed the farmers because they had designed amongst themselves to beat down the price of the tributes promising to give double and that he would likewise return the I forfeitures that were levied upon the goods of such as offended The tributes of Coelosyria committed to Joseph which were farmed together with the tributes The King gave ear to this discourse of his with great content and said that he approved the sale of these tributes unto Joseph who would hereby so considerably augment his revenue When therefore he was asked whether he could give suretie he made him answer with great confidence O King said he I will give thee such pledges as are both worthy and honorable and such as you cannot mistrust When therefore the King desired him to produce them I will said he O King present thee for sureties thy self and the Queen thy Wife that one of you may be surety for me to the other Ptolomey smiling hereat granted him the farm of the tribute without farther surety This favor of his displeased those Governours of the Cities that were come into Egypt in that K they saw themselves contemned and constrained to return with shame unto their houses But Joseph obtained 2000 footmen from the King that he might by their
presently from thence to the other side of Jordan Josephs death where he past his life in receiving and gathering the tributes of the Barbarians Onias and after him Simon his Son High Priest In that time Seleucus sirnamed Soter the Son of Antiochus the great reigned in Asia At that time also died Joseph Hircanus Father who was a man of good repute and great courage who established the people of the Jews in a lasting Peace Hedio Ruffinus chaâ— â— and freed them from poverty and many disasters and collected the Tributs of Syria Phoenica and Samaria for the space of twenty two years His Uncle Onias died also about the same time leaving the Priest-hood to his Son Simon after G whose death his Son Onias was made High Priest to whom Arius King of Lacedemon sent an Embassage and letters the copy whereof heareafter ensueth CHAP. V The year of the World 3780. before Christ's Nativity 144. H Arius King of Lacedemon writes to Onias the High Priest to contract an Alliance with the Jews pretending that the Lacedemonians were descended from Abraham Hircanus builds a magnificent Paliace and kills himself for fear of falling into the hands of Antiocus Arius King of Lacedemon The Letter of the King of Lacedemon to the High Priest of the Jews to Onias Health WE have found out a certain writing wherein it is recorded that the Jews and Lacedemonians are of the same race 1 Mac. 12. and both of them desended from Abraham It is I therefore requisite that since we are brethren you let us know wherein we can serve you that we may have one common interest Demoteles our messenger bringeth you our letters written on a square leafe the seal whereof is an Eagle holding a Dragon in her talons Sedition among the people after Joseph's death These were the contents of the Lacedemonians letters After the death of Joseph it came to pass that the people began to mutinie in the quarrel of his Children For the elder brethren made War against Hircanus who was the younger by means whereof the People were divided The greater part of them followed the Elder faction Hircanus afflicteth the Arabians with continual war and the High Priest Simon also by reason of his affinity with them followed their party Whereupon Hircanus resolved to repair no more unto K Jerusalem but fixing his habitation on the other side of Jordan he made continual War against the Arabians Hircanus buildeth a strong Tower slaying a great number of them and taking many prisoners He built an huge Tower of white Marble from the bottome to the top and on it he placed the figures of many living Creatures in sculpture of greatheight About the same he cut a deep trench of water and having hewed the front of the Rock that stood over against the bulding he made divers caves therein many furlongs long He also made divers chambers therein Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria both to eat and sleep and dwell in He drew thither likewise currents of springing water in so great abundance that it gave much delight to those that dwelt there The Sons of Ptolomey Epiâ—hance philometor and Physcon and great ornament to the whole bulding The mouth of every Cave was so little that but one only man could enter at once which he therefore L made so narrow because they might the better serve for his security and refuge that if so be he were at any time assaulted by his bretheren Hircanus killeth himself he might avoyd the danger of surprisal Moreover he built within his Castle many large halls which he adorned with great and goodly Gardens Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. and this place thus built was called by him Tyre and is scituate between Arabia and Judaea 1 Mac. 1. on the other side of Jordan not far from the Countrey of Essedon He commanded in this Countrey seven years all that time that Seleucus reigned in Syria After whose death his brother Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes obtained the Kingdom Ptolomey also King of Egypt who was likewise called Epiphanes died and left two children very young behind him of whom the eldest was called Philometer and the younger Phiscon But when Hircanus perceived that Antiochus grew very powerful M he feared to be punished by him for his incursions made upon the Arabians whereupon he slew himself with his own hands and Antiochus enjoyed all his goods N O H CHAP. VI. The year of the World 3790. before Christ's Nativity 174. Onias sirnamed Menelaus seeing himself excluded from the High-Priesthood retires to Antiochus and renounceth the Religion of his forefathers Antiochus enters Egypt and being ready to make himself Master of it the Romans force him to retire ONias the High-Priest being dead about this time Antiochus gave the Priesthood to Jesus sirnamed Jason his brother For that son unto whom Onias had left the succession Onias sirnam'd Menelaus substituted in his place was as yet very young of whom we will speak in convenient time and I place This Jesus Onias brother was deprived of the Priesthood through the Kings displeasure conceived against him who gave it shortly after to his younger brother called Onias The Wars betwixt Jason and Menelaus For Simon had three sons who as we have declared successively possessed the Priesthood this Jesus caused himself to be called Jason as his other brother caused himself to be called Menelaus Apostates from the Jewish Religion whereas his name was Onias But Jesus who had first of all been established in the place of the High-Priest arose against Menelaus who was elected into the place after him So that the People were divided into Factions and Tobias sons were on Menelaus side but the greater number of the People followed Jason so that Menelaus and the sons of Tobias being much troubled by them retired to Antiochus telling him that they intended to forsake the Religion and Ordinances of their fathers K and to follow that of the King and to live after the manner of the Greeks exhorting him to give them licence to erect a place of Exercises in Jerusalem Which when Antiochus had granted them they so behaved themselves that there appeared no more sign of Circumcision in them so that at such time as they were naked there was no difference between them and the Greeks and neglecting all the ordinances and customs of their own Countrey they conformed themselves to the behaviour and manners of other Nations Antiochus having all things in his kingdom according to his hearts desire resolved to make War upon Egypt he contemned Ptolomy's son age who were not as yet capable to manage their affairs Arriving there near to Pelusium with a great power he circumvented by a stratagem the young Ptolomy Philometor and subdued Egypt for after L he had besieged Memphis Antiochus enforced to depart out of Egypt and taken it
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
in the Countrey of Persia For since he had only intended to commit Sacriledge but had not effected it he merited not to suffer punishment for it And if it seemeth good unto Polybius that Antiochus was punish'd by death L upon this occasion it is far more likely to be true that his death befell him for the Sacriledge he had committed in the Temple of Jerusalem But our purpose is not to argue against those that maintain that Polybius's reasons are of greater truth and consequence than ours are CHAP. XIV Antiochus Eupator succeeds his father Epiphanes Judas Machabeus lays siege to the Cittadel at Jerusalem Antiochus comes against him with a great Army and besiegeth Bethsura they both raise their sieges and come to a pitch'd Battel The wonderful M courage and the death of Eleazar one of the brothers of Judas Antiochus takes Bethsura and besiegeth the Temple of Jerusalem but when the Jews were reduced to the greatest extremity he raiseth the siege upon the news that was brought him of Philip's having caused himself to be proclaimed King of Persia BEfore Antiochus gave up the ghost Antiochus appointeth Philip Governor of his kingdom and committeth his son Antiochus to his charge he called for Philip one of his chief friends and made him Governor of his kingdom And having deliver'd his Diadem into his hands his Royal Robe and his Ring and Jewels he charg'd him to deliver them to his son Antiochus entreating him to take care of his education and to secure the kingdom N for him until he came to years of discretion This done Antiochus died the 149 year of the kingdom of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. After that Lysias had certifi'd the people of the Kings death he proclaim'd his son Antiochus whom at that time he had in his protection King sirnaming him Eupator Lysias createth Antiochus the younger King and sirnameth him Eupator according to the instructions that were given him About that time the Garison and Apostates that were in the Fortress of Jerusalem did much mischief unto the Jews For setting upon them that went up to the Temple to worship and offer Sacrifice The Macedonians in the Castle of Jerusalem do much harm to the Jews they slew them for the Fortress commanded the Temple For this cause Judas resolved to cut off these Garisons and to that intent he assembled all the people and besieged it This enterprize was undertook in the year 150 after that Seleucus had usurped the government of those Countries Having therefore made him certain Engines O and raised divers Platforms he industriously continued the siege But divers of those Apostates that were revolted Judas Machabeus besiegeth the Castle and of that Garison came out by night and assembling together such men as were as malicious as themselves they came unto King Antiochus beseeching him The year of the World 3803. before Christ's Nativity 161. That he would not suffer them to be abused by those of our Nation nor to be neglected A by him since their sufferings proceeded only from their having devoted themselves to his fathers service for whose sake they had forsaken their own Religion and follow'd his Laws and Ordinances Furthermore they told him That the Fortress was in danger to be surprized by Judas and his Associates The fugitive Jews flie out of the Castle and require Antiochus's assistance except some present succors were sent unto them When Antiochus the younger had notice hereof he was displeased and sent for his Captains and Friends commanding them to hire strangers and to list all those in his kingdom who were of years to bear Arms so that he gather'd in short time an Army of 100000 Foot and 20000 Horse and 32 Elephants and with this equipage marched out of Antioch committing his Army to Lysias Antiochus marcheth into Judea with his Army As soon as he came into Idumaea he went up unto Bethsura a walled City B and very difficult to be taken which he besieged but with such a disadvantage that the Bethsurians resisting him valiantly Bethsura besieged and sallying out upon him burnt those Engines which he had prepar'd for the battery of the Town When therefore a long time was consumed about the siege Judas with his forces encountreth the King at Beth-zacharia Judas having intelligence of the Kings approach raised his Camp from before the Castle of Jerusalem and marching forward to meet the Enemy he encamped in a certain streight in a place call'd Beth-zacharia about 70 furlongs from the Enemy The King having notice thereof raised his siege from Bethsura and marched toward the streight where Judas's Army was encamped and about the morning he set his Soldiers in battel aray He first of all caused his Elephants to march one after another through the streight for that it was impossible for them to march in a square body About every Elephant were 1000 Footmen and 500 Horsemen These Elephants bare high Towers on C their backs fill'd with Archers The rest of his Forces he caused to march two several wayes by the mountains under the conduct of his most trusty friends commanding them to charge their Enemies with a great shout and to discover their golden and brazen bucklers to the end the reflection thereof might dazle the eyes of the Jews whereupon the mountains resounded with the fearful cryes of Antiochus Army yet was not Judas any wayes discourag'd at it Eleazar Judas's brother killeth an Elephant For receiving the charge with a great courage he slew almost 600 of the forlorn hope But Eleazar sirnamed Auran Judas's brother seeing a huge Elephant among the rest with trappings somewhat extraordinary and supposing that the King was mounted thereon Judas returneth to Jerusalem and Antiochus followeth him he made towards him with a mighty courage and after he had slain divers of those that invironed the Elephant and scatter'd the rest he thrust D his sword into the belly of the beast and wounded him to death but the Elephant falling upon Eleazar slew him with his weight and thus honourably diedthis worthy man after that he had slain a great number of his Enemies and sold his life at a dear rate Judas seeing his Enemies Forces so great in number retir'd back to Jerusalem to continue his siege and Antiâ—chus sent part of his Army to Bethsura to take it and with the rest he himself marched toward Jerusalem The Bethsurites being afraid of this mighty Army of the King and seeing their necessary provisions failed The Bethsurites yield up their City yielded up their City after they had taken the Kings oath that he would offer no violence so that when Antiochus was Master of the City he offer'd them no injury The Temple of Jerusalem besieged only he thrust them out disarmed from the City and placed a Garison E therein He spent a long time also in besieging the Temple of Jerusalem
will all in this place assemble to celebrate the praises of God according as it hath been foretold by the Prophet Isaias There shall be saith he a Temple for our Lord God in Egypt many other things also hath he foretold touching this place This is the substance of that which Onias wrote unto King Ptolomey And by his answer which he made hereunto a man may easily conjecture what piety was both in him and Cleopatra his sister and wife For they have returned the sin and transgression of the Law which through this means fell upon Onias's head by this answer that ensueth F King Ptolomey and Queen Cleopatra to Onias the High-Priest Health We have perused your Letters by which you desire us to give you leave to cleanse the Temple that is defaced at Leontopolis in the seignory of Heliopolis in the place called Bubastis in the Plain We marvel very much that a Temple built in a place so unclean and full of execrable Beasts should be acceptable unto God but since that you inform us that the Prophet Isaiah did long since prophesie the same we give you liberty if it may be done according to the Law and with this condition that we commit not any sin against God G Upon this answer Onias taking possession of the place built therein a Temple and erected an Altar unto God according to the model of the Temple of Jerusalem but H far less and less rich I think it no wayes requisite to declare the dimensions thereof nor the vessels belonging to it because I describe them particularly in my seventh book of the Wars and Captivity of the Jews neither wanted there some Levites and Priests who being of the same opinion with Onias officiated at the celebration of Divine Service A Temple built in Egypt by Ptolomey's consent But let this suffice for the present touching the Temple But it came to pass that the Jews of Alexandria and the Samaritans that brought in the Service and Worship of the Temple upon the mount Garizim under Alexander the Great The Wars of the Jews lib. 7. cap. 37. dissented from one another and debated their differences before Ptolomey For the Jews said That the Temple in Jerusalem built according to Moses laws and ordinances Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching their Temple was the lawful Temple but the Samaritans maintained That that which was built I on mount Garazim was the true Temple They therefore besought the King That it would please him to sit in judgment with the assistance of his friends to hear their allegations in this behalf and to condemn the party unto death who should be found faulty in his process Now the advocates which pleaded for the Samaritans were Sabbeus and Theodosius and Andronicus the son of Messalem defended the cause of those of Jerusalem and the other Jews And both of them swore both by God and the King That they would bring their proofs according to the Law beseeching Ptolomey to adjudge him to death whom he should find to have falsifi'd his oath The King therefore sat down with his friends to hear the cause and determine their differences But the Jews of Alexandria were much displeased with them that had drawn the preheminence of the Temple K at Jerusalem into question and were highly discontent that a Temple so ancient and famous and so esteemed and honoured through the whole World should be so disparaged When therefore the day of Audience was come Sabbeus and Theodosius suffered Andronicus to speak first who began to prove the lawfulness holiness and religion of the Temple in Jerusalem out of the Law and by the successive government of the High Priests who from father to son and from hand to hand had received this honour therein alledging That all the Kings of Asia had honoured the Majesty of that place with presents and rich oblations whereas neither in the record of men nor course of antiquity the Temple of Garizim had been in any estimation Hereunto he added such other reasons as persuaded the King that the Temple of Jerusalem was built according to L the ordinance of Moses and caused him to adjudge Sabbeus and Theodosius to death This may suffice to have spoken concerning the differences of the Jews of Alexandria and such things as befell them during Ptolomey Philometors time CHAP. VII Alexander Ballez finding himself by the death of Demetrius in the peaceable possession of the Realm of Syria espouseth the daughter of Ptolomey Philometor King of Egypt Great honour is done by Alexander to Jonathan the High-Priest M AFter that Demetrius was slain in the field as we have already related Alexander made himself King of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. and wrote to Ptolomey Philometor 1 Mac. 11. 1. desiring his daughter Alexander King of Syria marrieth Cleopatra Ptolomeys daughter the Princess Cleopatra in marriage telling him That it was not below his dignity to contract affinity with him since he had obtained his fathers Empire by the favor of God and had overcome Demetrius Ptolomey yielding a willing ear to his request wrote back That he was very glad that he had recovered his fathers kingdom promising him to give him his daughter in marriage assuring him that he would meet him at Ptolomais and bring his daughter unto him to that place and there celebrate the Nuptials After he had written these Letters Ptolomey made haste to Ptolomais and led with him his daughter Cleopatra where meeting with Alexander according to their appointment he deliver'd him his daughter N and gave her a dowry worthy of so great a King Unto the solemnizing of his marriage Alexander by Letters invited the High-Priest Jonathan commanding him to come to him to Ptolomais He went thither and presented magnificent Presents to both the Kings he was highly honour'd by both insomuch as Alexander constrained him to put off his ordinary garments and to put on a purple robe and after that to sit upon a royal Throne commanding his Captains to march before him through the City and to command by publick Edict That no man should dare to speak anything against him nor offer him any cause of discontent All which the Captains performed so that they who purposely and maliciously came thither to accuse him seeing the honour that was done unto him by the King fled away lest the mischief which they designed for him should fall upon O their own heads This King Alexander loved Jonathan so intirely that he afforded him the chief place amongst his dearest friends CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3818. before Christ's Nativity 146. A Demetrius Nicanor the son of King Demetrius entreth into Cilicia with an Army King Alexander Ballez gives the command of his to Apollonius who with very ill success sets upon Jonathan the High-Priest who defeats him takes Azot and burns the Temple of Dagon Ptolemey Philometor King of Egypt
Jews to entertain a foreign Army There was also a friendship and alliance betwixt him and Antiochus whom he entertain'd in the City with all his Army and furnish'd him largely and magnificently with all that which was necessary for the same and that which is O more Antiochus having undertaken an Expedition against the Parthians Hircanus marched also in his company Nicholas Damascene beareth witness hereof writing after this manner in his History Antiochus erected a Pageant near the flood Lycus after he had overcome Indates General of the Army of the Parthians The year of the World 3838. before Christ's Nativity 126. and abode there two days at Hircanus the Jews A request by reason of a solemn Feast at that time in which it was not lawful for the Jews to travel wherein he is no ways mistaken For the Feast of Pentecost was at that present the next day after the Sabbath and it is not lawful for us neither in our Sabbaths nor Feasts to journey any ways Antiochus slain in the conflict against the Parthians Antiochus fighting against Arsaces King of the Parthians lost the greater part of his Army and was himself slain His brother Demetrius succeeded him in the kingdom of Syria whom Arsaces had set at liberty at such time as Antiochus came into the kingdom of the Parthians as we have declared heretofore in another place CHAP. XVII B Hircanus after King Antiochus's death took back again many places in Syria and reneweth his alliance with the Romans King Demetrius is overcome by Alexander Zebinus who was descended of King Seleucus is taken afterwards in Tyre and dieth miserably Antiochus Gripus being his son overcometh Alexander who is killed in the battel Antiochus Syzicus who was his brother on the mothers side being Antiochus Sother's son maketh War against him and Hircanus in the mean time reigns peaceably in Judea HIrcanus hearing news of Antiochus death Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. led forth his Army with all Expedition against the Cities of Syria Hircanus surprizeth divers Cities of Syria and layeth desolate the temple that was built on the hill Garizim hoping to find them unprovided both of garisons and means of defence as in effect it came to pass He therefore took the City of Medaba at C the end of six months after that his Army had suffer'd many calamities Afterwards he seized Samega and the Cities thereabout the Cities of Sichem and Garizim also where the Cutheans dwelt who had a Temple there made according to the model of the Temple of Jerusalem which Alexander the great permitted Sanaballath to build in favor of his Son-in-law Manasses The Idumaeans conquered by Hircanus admit circumcision and the laws of the Jews brother to the High-Priest Jaddus as we have heretofore declar'd which Temple was laid desolate 200 years after it was built Hircanus also took certain Fortresses and Cities of Idumaea as Adora and Marissa and after he had subdu'd all the Idumaeans he permitted them to inhabit the Countrey under this condition That they should consent to be circumcised and to live according to the Laws and Religion of the Jews D They through the desire they had to live in the place where they were born submitted themselves to be circumcis'd and to live according to the customs and ordinances of the Jews and from that day forward they were comprehended within the number of the Jews Hiâ—canus maketh a league with the Romans Whil'st thus Hircanus was High-Priest he thought good to renew the amity betwixt the Jews and the Romans and to this effect he sent an Embassage with Letters unto the Senate As soon as the Senate had receiv'd his Letters they made alliance with him to this effect ensuing Fanius M. F. Pr. assembled the Senate in the field of Mars the eighth day of February in the presence of L. Manlius L. F. Mentina and C. Sempronius C. F. Falerna concerning that which Simon the son of Dositheus Apollonius the son of Alexander Diodorus the son of Jason men of good reputation and honour and sent Ambassadors E by the People of the Jews have proposed who have dealt with us as touching the confederation and amity that this Nation had with the Romans and have likewise conferred as touching the affairs of State namely that Joppa and the Ports thereof Gazara and the Fountains thereunto belonging and those other Cities of the Countrey which Antiochus took from them contrary to the decree of the Senate should be restor'd unto them and that it may not be lawful for the Kings Soldiers to pass through their Countrey neither any of those Provinces that are under their government and that those things which were attempted by Antiochus during this War contrary to the arrest and decree of the Senate should be declar'd void to the end that the Ambassadors sent in the Senates behalf may provide for the restitution of those things which Antiochus had spoilt them of and may rate and set down the damages which the Countrey hath F receiv'd by this War Item That Letters of recommendation should be written in the behalf of the Jewish Ambassadors to the Kings and free People for their secure and safe return into their Countrey It hath been held convenient to make and ratifie this ordinance to the end to renew friendship and alliance with men of so good respect sent unto them by a Nation so good and faithful towards them And as touching the Letters the answer was That they should be written at such time as the affairs of the Senate would permit them any leisure and that from this time forward they would have care that no injury should be offer'd them And the Pretor Fanius was commanded also to deliver the Ambassadors money out of the common Purse to bear their charges home into their Countrey And thus did Fanius dismiss the Ambassadors of the Jews after he had given them money out of the common Treasury with the decree of G the Senate addressed to those that should conduct them and give them a sure convoy or safeguard to return into their Countrey And this was the state of the affairs during Hircanus Priesthood H But King Demetrius being sharply whetted to make War against Hircanus The year of the World 3844. before Christ's Nativity 120. could have neither time nor opportunity to fulfill his desire by reason that both the Syrians and his Soldiers were become his Enemies because of his wickedness of life For they sent Ambassadors to Ptolomey sirnamed Physcon to require him to send some one of Seleucus's race unto them Demetrius being overcome by Alexander is slain to be establish'd King Whereupon Ptolomey sent them Alexander sirnamed Zebina accompanied with an Army who giving battel to Demetrius worsted him and constrain'd him to flie to his Wife Cleopatra to Ptolomais who neither accepting nor entertaining him Hedio Ruffinus cap. 17. he was constrain'd to retire
of some continuance This man therefore being surprized and brought into the Camp of the Jews they required him that as by his prayers he had obtained water so at that time likewise he would by his imprecations incense God against Aristobulus and his adherents But whereas he refused and excused himself he was at last constrained by the people to perform their request so that standing L up in the midst of them he spake after this manner O God King of the whole world since they who are at this present here with me are thy people and those that are besieged are thy Priests I humbly beseech thee that when they shall require thee to be incensed against their brethren thou wilt not hear them and when as likewise they shall provoke thee against the other Onias contradicting the Jews petition is stoned to death thou wilt not respect them Hereupon a certain sort of reprobate Soldiers amongst the Jews hearing these words of his stoneth him to death But God immediately punished this cruelty in them and the murther of Onias so cursedly perpetrated was revenged by this means which ensueth Aristobulus and the Priests being besieged the feast of Eastâ—r or the Passeover fell out during which time it was an usual custom among the Jews to honour God with many sacrifices M Now they who were with Aristobulite not having any beasts to offer up in sacrifice they requested the other Jews that were without That they might have some delivered unto them for their money Whereunto it was answered That if they would give one thousand drachnis for every head they should have some delivered into them To this demand of theirs Aristobulus and the Priests that were with him willingly condescended and let down the prefixed price and deliver'd the same from the wall but the others after they had received the money deliver'd them not those beasts which they desired them to sell them to sacrifice but they were so impious that they falsified their oaths not only toward men Breach of faith and the revenge thereof but defrauded God also in denying that which they had promised toward the furnishing of their sacrifice For which cause the Priests being defrauded in this N manner contrary to the oath and protestations of their adversaries besought God to shew vengeance on their Countreymen that had committed this heinous and perjurious impiety neither did God defer their punishment but immediately after he sent a great and violent Wind that spoiled all the fruits of the Countrey so that a measure of Wheat was sold for eleven drachms O CHAP. IV. A Scaurus being sent by Pompey into Syria Aristobulus gained his friendship He forced King Aretas to raise the siege of Jerusalem Aristobulus gaineth a Battel against Aretas and Hircanus MEanwhile Pompey sent Scaurus into Syria himself being in person detained in Armenia Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. in pursuit of the War betwixt him and Tigranes When Scaurus came unto Damascus Hircanus and Aristobulus send Ambassadors unto Scaurus he found that Metellus and Lollius had newly taken the City for which B cause he marched on towards Jewry where being arrived certain Ambassadors came unto him in the behalf of Aristobulus and others also in the name of Hircanus requiring alliance and confederacy in the behalf of them both and offering from each of them a Tribute of 400 Talents But Scaurus preferred Aristobulus's promises because he was the ablest Scaurus is presented and of the noblest spirit and withall more moderate in his demand whereas Hircanus was poor and covetous notwithstanding he demanded greater things than his brother did for it was a harder matter to subdue a City that was so strong than to beat a company of runnagate Nabatheans and scarcely well animated to prosecute that War Aristobulus maketh War against Aretas and Hircanus For these causes therefore he receiving his money raised the siege commanding Aretas to return which if he refused he declared him an Enemy to Rome This done Scaurus returned to Damascus and Aristobulus led forth his Army against Aretas and C Hircanus and fighting with them in a place called Papyron he obtained the victory and killed about some 7000 of his Enemies amongst the number of which was â—ephalius Antipater's brother CHAP. V. Pompey cometh into the lower Syria Aristobulus sends him a rich Present Antipater repaireth to him in Hircanus's behalf Both the brothers case was stated to Pompey who defers the decision of it till he reduce the Nabatheans Aristobulus without expecting till then retired into Judea D NOt long after this Pompey cometh into Syria and Aristobulus sendeth a Royal Present unto him Pompey came unto Damascus and as he travelled through Coelosyria divers Ambassadors resorted unto him from all parts of Syria Egypt and Judea For Aristobulus sent him a Present of great value namely a golden Vine of 500 Talents price Hereof Strabo the Cappadocian maketh mention in these words There came an Ambassador out of Egypt bearing a Crown of 4000 pieces of gold and another from Jewry with a Vine or Garden and the workmanship was called Terpole that is to say Recreation I have seen this Vine at Rome in the Temple of Jupiter Capitoline having the inscription of Alexander King of the Jews Antipater for Hircanus and Nicodemus for Aristobulus come as Ambassadors to Pompey and it was esteemed and valued at 500 Talents It is said that Aristobulus Prince of the Jews sent the same E Straight after this there came other fresh Ambassadors to Pompey Antipater from Hircanus and Nicodemus from Aristobulus who accused those that had taken money namely Gabimus for that he first of all had received 300 Talents besides other Presents and secondly Scaurus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. who had received 400 alledging that by that means they had incensed them against him A Castle destroyed in Apamea He therefore gave direction that they should repair unto him about the Spring each of them to justifie and maintain their several Rights as for himself he drew his Forces from their wintering places and marched towards Damascus destroying in his way a certain Fortress which Antiochus the Cyzicenian had fortified in Apamaea He visited also the Countrey of Ptolomey Mennaeus who was a wicked and perverse man Ptolomey Mennaeus fined at a great sum of money and no wayes differed from Dionysius Tripolitane who was punished F with the loss of his head and was united also with him in friendship and affinity yet acquitted of the death he deserved by the means of a 1000 Talents Ransom which Ptolomey distributed among his Soldiers for their pay He demolished likewise the Castle of Lysias wherein a Jew called Sylas tyrannized and passing by the Cities of Heliopolis and Chalcis and having likewise ascended the mountain which is between them he came to Coelosyria and from Pella repaired to Damascus In which place he gave audience to
lost but 50. Mithridates wrote hereof unto Caesar and shew'd him that Antipater was the cause of the victory and of their preservation so that Caesar ever afterward highly commended him and in all his War made use of Antipater in his most dangerous attempts so that Antipater was grievously wounded in divers fights and behav'd himself bravely Now after that the War was finished Caesar came by Sea into Syria and bestowed great C honours as well on Hircanus to whom he confirmed the High-Priesthood as on Antipater Caesar confirmeth Hircanus in the Priesthood and maketh Antipater a Citizen of Rome whom he made a free Citizen of Rome and granted him all other priviledges belonging thereunto Divers report that Hircanus himself was in this War and that he came into Egypt which Strabo the Cappadocian affirmeth speaking after this manner by the authority of Asinius after that Mithridates had entred Egypt with Hircanus the High-Priest of the Jews The same Strabo in another place speaketh thus by the authority of Hypsicrates Strabo That Mithridates went alone and that Antipater was sent for into Ascalon where he prepared 3000 Soldiers Asinius because he was Governor of Judea and encouraged the rest of the Governors Hypsicrates and Hircanus the High-Priest also had a part in this War Thus far Strabo At that time came Antigonus Aristobulus's son to Caesar lamenting his father who had been D poysoned in his service and how his brother had his head struck off by Scipio beseeching him to have compassion of him Antigonus Aristobulus 's son accuseth Hircanus and Antipater before Caesar being thrust out of his Kingdom He accused Hircanus and Antipater also for their tyrannical and violent government over their Nation and injuries offered to himself Antipater being at that time present answered for himself to those points wherein he was accused declaring That Antigonus and his friends were factious and seditious men Antipater's answer to his objection as for himself how much he had done and how many exploits he had executed in the late War whereof Caesar himself was a witness Moreover he avowed that Aristobulus had been justly led twice into captivity to Rome Antipater made Governor over Judea for that he had been alwayes an Enemy and no wayes well affectioned towards the Romans And as for his brother who was beheaded by Scipio he averred that he was justly punished by him for his Roberies and not injuriously E and outragiously as he pretended After that Antipater had spoken to this effect Caesar declared Hircanus High-Priest and gave Antipater any government whatsoever he liked best who according to his choice was appointed Governor of Judea CHAP. XVI Caesar giveth leave to Hircanus to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem Honours conferred on Hircanus by the Republick of Athens Antipater causeth the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem F MOreover Hedio Ruffinus cap. 17. al. 18. Caesar permitted Hircanus to repair the Walls of Jerusalem according to his humble suit For after that Pompey had beaten them down they lay levelled with the earth Hircâ—nus by Caesar's permission repaireth the walls of Jerusalem and he commanded the Consuls at Rome that his Decree should be Registred in the Capitol in these words following Valerius the son of Lucius the Pretor hath related to the Senate assembled in the Temple of Concord the 13 day of December in the presence of L. Caponius the son of Lucius and Caius Papyrius Quirinus The Senates Decree as touching their league with the Jews the requests made by Alexander the son of Jason Numenius the son of Antiochus and Alexander the son of Dorotheus Ambassadors in the behalf of the Jews Men of good Repute and our Allies and proposed by them for renewing the ancient favors they have received from the Romans and in testimony of the alliance have brought us a vial and G buckler of gold of 50000 Crowns price requiring our Letters might be given them addressed to the free Cities and the Kings our Confederates to grant them passage through the Countries H and Ports with all security The year of the World 3919. before Christ's Nativity 45. and without any offence And we have thought good to make friendship and alliance with them and to grant them all that which they require in accepting the buckler brought by them This hapned in the time that Hircanus was High-Priest and Prince and in the ninth year of his Princedom in the month of July Hircanus was in like sort honour'd by the people of Athens for many favors that they received at his hands They sent him also a Decree which they ratified in his behalf the tenor whereof ensueth The year wherein Dionysius the son of Asclepiades was Governor Hircanus honoured by the Athenians and Priest in the month of July and on the 20 day this Arrest or Decree of the Athenians was deliver'd to the Governors by the Pretor Agathocles Eucles the son of Menander the Alimusian hath written I in the 11 of March in the general Assembly and placed it in the Theatre and the suffrages were gathered by Dorotheus the High-Priest with the chief assistants of the people Dionysius the son of Dionysius published the same Since that Hircanus the son of Alexander the High-Priest and Prince of the Jews continued his good affection towards all the people and in especial towards every Citizen of Athens and hath shewed them many friendships receiving with all humanity those Athenians that come unto him whether they resort thither as Ambassadors or for any other particular occasion whatsoever and sendeth them back after they have provided them of safe conduct whereof we have heretofore had testimony by the report of Theodosius the son of Theodorus Simeus who hath made recital unto the people of his worthiness and of the will he hath to do us all the good that is possible We have thought good to honour K him by sending him a crown of told in testimony of his courtesies according to our custom and law and by erecting a brazen statue unto him in the Temple of Demus and the Graces Our will is also that this be proclaimed by a Herald in the Theatre during the Bacchanals when the new Tragedies are play'd Likewise in the solemnities Panathean and Eleusynian and at the publick Exercises We will also that the Governors provide that all that which we have advised for the honour favour affection and good will towards this man as he hath well deserved be diligently performed to the end that thereby it may appear how our Nation rewards and entertains such men that are virtuous and to the intent that the honour we impart unto him may encourage others to be the better affected toward us It is likewise decreed that amongst all the Athenians there be certain Ambassadors chosen who shall bear this Decree unto him and exhort L him to do whatsoever is profitable for our common
the Kings chief Cup-bearer who was also called Pacorus The Jews inhabiting about Mount Caâ—el joyn themselves with Antigonus Certain Jews inhabiting about the Carmel joined themselves with Antigonus and were prepared with him to invade his Enemies he conceived some hope that he might by their means reduce a certain part of the Countrey under his Government which is called Drymae and other Jews joining with him in the way perswaded G him to press forward as far as Jerusalem where being seconded by others and his followers already much increased in number they put themselves in a posture to assault the Kings Palace The two Brothers viz. Phasaelus and Herod with their followfollowers H attacked them in the Market-place The year of the World 3952. before Christ's Nativity 39. repulsed the Enemy and drove him into the Temple Which done they sent armed men into the houses near adjoining to guard them but the people rushing in upon them and seeing they were destitute of aid burned both them and the houses wherein they were But this cruelty of theirs was presently revenged by Herod Pentecost who in a skirmish that he had with them killed a great number of them Herod fighteth with his enemies in the suburbs And whereas there were daily skirmishes between both parties the enemies expected until the people assembled from all parts of the Countrey should repair to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost Which being come many thousands of men assembled about the Temple both armed and unarmed who seized both the Temple and the City except the Kings house onely which Herod I made good with a few Men of War The Wall thereof Phasaelus his Brother defended Herod with a company of his followers sallied out upon the Enmy who were planted in the suburbs and fighting valiantly against them he put divers thousands of them to flight whereof some retired into the City others into the Temple the rest into a certain Bulwark near at hand In this battel Phasaelus shewed no little valor Pacorus Conductor of the Parthians Pacorus Chieftain of the Parthians entring the City perswadeth Phasaelus to go Embassador to Barzapharnes came into the City with some few Horsemen at Antigonus's request making shew that he came to appease the sedition but the scope of his coming was to obtain the soveraignty for Antigonus After that Phasaelus was come out to meet him and courteously entertain'd him in his house Pacorus perswaded him to go Embassador with him to Barzapharnes intending under this pretence to surprise K him He suspecting no treacheries was easily perswaded notwithstanding that Herod misliked the course who knowing the perfidious manner of the Barbarians exhorted him rather to assail Pacorus and to assault and oppress his Forces when they were come unto him Nevertheless Hircanus and Phasaelus undertook this Embassage and Pacorus leaving with Herod Two hundred Horsemen and Ten of those whom they call Free-men conducted the Embassadors Now as soon as they came into Galilee the Governors of the Cities in that Countrey came forth armed to meet them Barzapharnes also at the first gave them friendly entertainment and honoured them with Presents but shortly after he began to practise treachery The Parthians complot treacheries against Phasaelus For Phasaelus and his attendants were conducted to a lodging that adjoined the Sea where hearing tidings that Antigonus L had promised One thousand Talents and Five hundred Virgins to the Parthians he began already to suspect the Barbarians For a certain friend of his had given him an inkling that there were treasons intended against him that very night and that his lodging was privily beset with a Guard And surely they had been surprised had they not expected that the Parthians who were round about Jerusalem should have seized on Herod fearing lest he having an inkling of their disaster should betake himself to flight This was shortly confirmed to be true by the guards that arrived For which cause there were some of Phasaelus's friends who counselled him that without any more delay he should betake him to his Horse and fly from thence and amongst the rest Ofilius was most earnest who had discovered this plot by Saramalla a rich Syrian who M offered them his ships that road hard by to further their flight Phasaelus would neither forsake Hircanus nor leave his Brother Herod in danger but repairing to Barzapharnes he told him that he did him wrong to use these sinister practises against him For that if he had need of money he was more likely to receive it at his hands than from Antigonus and that it was an intollerable injustice to put Embassadors to death who came unto him upon his honour and had no ways offended him But the Barbarian hearing these things protested by an Oath that not one point of that which he had suspected was true whereupon he presently went to Pacorus CHAP. XXV Barzapharnes detaineth Phasaelus and Hircanus Prisoners sendeth to Jerusalem to secure Herod N whoretireth by night with his Men and his Relations he is set upon by the way but getteth always the upper-hand Phasaelus killeth himself The King of the Arabian's ingratitude torwards Herod he goeth to Rome AS soon as Barzapharnes was gone Hircanus and Phasaelus surprised by the Parthians some of the Parthians took Hircanus and Phasaelus prisoners who mightily detested his perjuries But the Eunuch that was sent unto Herod had instructions given him to intice him without the City Walls and afterwards to apprehend him But Herod was forewarned of this treachery by certain Messengers who were sent by Phasaelus to give him notice thereof who being intercepted by the enemy in the way and Herod getteth notice thereof he addressed himself to Pacorus and those in greatest authority among the Parthians who subtilly dissembled O notwithstanding they knew how all things went telling him that he should do well to repair with them without the Wall to go and meet those Messengers who brought him Letters who had not as yet been seized by their adversaries but came to acquaint him that Phasaelus was well But Herod gave them no credit because he was already otherways advertised of his brothers surprisal and had also far greater suspition of the Parthians A by the sollicitation of Hircanus's daughter whom he had married And although the rest made no account of her advertisements yet Herod gave credit unto her for that she was a most wise woman The Parthians lâ—y a plot to surprise Herod he discovereth iâ— and preventeth them by flight Now whilst the Parthians were in deliberation what were best to be done in that it was held no policy to make open assault upon such a man they deferred the whole matter until the next morning Whilst thus they were debating of their differences Herod who rather gaving credit to that which he had heard as concerning his brother and touching the treasons intended against him by the
appertaineth unto them Whilest they debated the matter after this manner between them and grew to hot and injurious taunts the one against the other Antigonus commanded his men to assail those that were near unto the wall who shooting many Arrows with O great courage against them drove them easily from the Tower they kept At that time Silon gave manifest proof that he had been corrupted by money for he suborned divers of his Soldiers who cried out that they wanted victuals and demanded greater pay for their maintenance and requested that they might be placed in some convenient garrisons to winter in The year of the World 3929. before Christ's Nativity 35. for that the places round about the City were desolate A because all necessaries for maintenance of life had been taken away and wasted by Antigonus Soldiers Thus was the whole Army discomposed so that each of them prepared themselves to dislodge But Herod importuned and cried out upon the Captains and Soldiers that were under Silons charge telling them that it concerned them not to abandon him whom Caesar Antony and the Senate of Rome had sent thither That for his own part he would give order that they should have abundance of whatsoever they demanded Silon suborneth some of his Soldiers to take an occasion to depart from Jerusalem and immediatly after he deprived Silon of all colour and pretext of flight for he caused an incredible quantity of victuals to be brought them and commanded his friends that inhabited the confines of Samaria to bring them Corn Wine Oyl Cattel and all other such provision from Jericho to the end that from that time B forward the Souldiers might want nothing Antigonus was not ignorant thereof so that he presently sent men thorowout the Countrey Herod procured furnished the army with victuals and abundant munition to intercept and surprize the purvâ—iors and victualars Who following Antigonus command assembled a great number of Soldiers near unto Jericho and encamping in the mountains espied and watched those that brought the victuals Mean-while Herod lay still but took with him ten companies five of Roman Soldiers Antigonus sendeth out Soldiers to surprize Herods victualers and five of the Jews with home he intermixed some forrain Soldiers with some few horsemen and came to Jericho where being arrived he seized on the Town which was abandoned by the inhabitants of whom five hundred with their Wives and Children were retired into the top of the mountains whom he took and afterwards set at liberty but the Roman Soldiers entring into their houses and finding them full of all sorts of moveables The Romans sent to their Garisons to winter they plundred them And the King C having left a Garrison in Jericho dismissed the Roman Army to go and winter in the Countries lately surrendred unto him namely in Idumaea Galilee and Samaria Antigonus also purchased his favour at Silons hands by store of bribes that part of his Army was lodged in Lydda all which he did to currie favour with Antony Whilest thus the Romans lived in all abundance and bare no Arms Herod would not be idle but sent his brother Joseph in Idumaea with a thousand foot and four hundred horse and himself resorted to Samaria where his mother and his other praents kept who were removed out of Massada After this he went into Galilee to surprize certain Castles which were held by Antigonus Garrisons and being arrived at Sephoris during a great snow after that Antigonus Garrisons were gone out of the foresaid D Castles Robbers he found a great abundance of all sorts of necessary provision And there having notice of certain thieves who inhabited in Caves he sent a troop of horse with three companys of foot Herod fighteth with his enemies in Galilee and overcometh them and bringeth all Galilee under his subection against them whom he commanded to punish those robbers the place where they lay was not far from a borough called Arbela and fourty dayes after he himself with all his Army marched thither where the enemies charged him fiercely that the left wing of his squadaon retreated but he coming on with his main battel put them to flight who were already almost masters of the field and made those of his followers that fled face about and to pursue their enemies as far as the flood Jordan who fled some one way and some another so that he drew all Galilee under his subjection except those that lurked in the Caves He distributed money E also amongst his Soldiers and gave each Soldier an hundred and fifty drachmes and far more unto their officers and afterwards sent them to winter in Garrisons near at hand About this time Silon and his Captains Antigonus refuseth to victual the Romane army who had passed the Winter in the said Garrisons came unto him Antigonus would no more furnish them with victuals for he gave them maintenance for no more time then a month commanding those that dwelt round about them to spoil the Countrey and afterwards to retire themselves into the mountains to the end that the Romans might be destitute of necessary maintenance and by that means might be consumed with famine Herod gave Pheroras his youngest brother the charge of that provision commanding him to inclose the fort of Alexandrion with F a wall who speedily brought to pass that the Soldiers had all sorts of necessaries at command Ventius sendeth for Silon to War against the Parthians re-edefied also the fort of Alexandrion which had been laid desolate About that time Antony was in Hthenes and Ventidius was in Syria who having sent for Silon to accompany him against the Parthians did first of all charge him to assist Herod in that War and afterwards to excite the provincial confederates to further his War But Herod dismissing Silon and his company to follow their destinated Wars with Ventidius did in his own person lead out his Soldiers against those thieves that lived in dens These Caves were situate in the most highest and inaccessible Mountains impregnable through narrow paths environed with sharp Rocks wherein the robbers inhabited secretly with all their families King Herod caused a certain number of Coffers to be G made fast to iron Chains which he caused to be let down by an Engins from the top H hill to ascend the same from beneath The year of the World 3927. before Christ's Nativity 37. neither from above to creep downward against them These Chests were filled with Soldiers armed with great Hooks to draw these thieves unto them and to break their necks headlong from the height to the bottom But the use of these Coffers was dangerous for it was necessary to let them down an infinite depth into the caves especially for that the thieves had necessary provision among them notwithstanding when they had gotten down none of the Thieves durst peep out of the mouths of their
instantly to preserve it to the utmost asking him Herod sore troubled in pacifying the strangers If the Romans would leave him King of a Desart after they had voided the City of men and goods alledging furthermore That he esteemed the government of the whole World of no value The spoil of the City hindred in regard of the life of one of his Citizens Sosius answer'd That it was reason that the pillage should be given to the Soldiers who had born the hazard of the siege whereunto Herod answer'd That he would satisfie every man out of his own Treasury and by this means he ransom'd the rest of the City by fulfilling those promises for he gave many mighty gifts unto every one of the Soldiers and by proportion unto the Captains but above K all he royally rewarded Sosius so that every one of them departed very well satisfied These calamities hapned in the City of Jerusalem in the year wherein Marcus Agrippa and Canidius Gallus were Consuls When Jerusalem was taken which was in the 185 Olympiade in the third month on the dayes wherein the solemn Fast was celebrated as if this affliction had jumpt together in one instant with that of Pompeys which had hapned that very day 27 years Sosius offered a Crown of gold unto God and afterwards departed from Jerusalem leading Antigonus Prisoner with him unto Antonius But Herod fearing lest if Antigonus should be kept by Antonius and sent to Rome he should debate his Title with him before the Senate by protest Herod bribeth Antonius with mony to make away Antigonus that he was descended of the Royal Line whereas Herod was but a Plebeian and common person and that although he had offended the Romans and L thereby might not deserve to be King yet at least his Children who were of the Princely Line The end of the Asmonean family and the extinction of their Priesthood were not to be denied their Title Herod I say fearing these things prevailed so much by force of his money with Antonius that he caused him to put Antigonus to death so that at that time Herod was truly deliver'd from all his fear Thus ended the estate of the Asmoneans after 126 years This family was famous both for their Nobility and also by reason of their Sacerdotal dignity and for the noble actions and exploits which their Ancestors had atchieved for our Nation but they lost their authority through their mutual factions which sovereignty was derived to Herod Antipater's son who was ignoble by birth and of mean friends who were subjects and vassals to Kings See here what we have received from our Ancestors as touching the end of M the race of the Asmoneans N O The Fifteenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3930. before Christ's Nativity 34. A Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Fifteenth Book 1. Jerusalem being overcome by Sosius and Herod Antigonus is beheaded by Antony's commandment Herod maketh away the chief friends of Antigonus 2. How Hircanus being dismissed by the Parthians returneth to Herod 3. Herod after he had made Aristobulus his wife Mariamnes brother High-Priest B practiseth and worketh his death 4. Cleopatra thirsting after the Kingdoms of Jewry and Arabia laboureth to beg a part of them at Antony's hands 5. The arrival of Queen Cleopatra in Judea 6. Herod maketh War against Aretas at such time as Antony was overthrown by Caesar in the Actiac War 7. Of the earthquake in Jewry 8. Herod's Oration to his Army 9. Herod intending to repair unto Caesar doth of necessity kill Hircanus C 10. How Herod obtained the continuance of his Kingdom of Judea at Caesar's hands 11. Herod maketh away Mariamne through false calumniations of her Enemies 12. Of the famine that afflicted the land of Jewry 13. The building of Caesarea 14. Herod buildeth a new Temple in Jerusalem CHAP. I. Antony causeth Antigonus King of the Jews to be beheaded D IN the former Book I have declared how Sosius and Herod took the City of Jerusalem by force Herod preferreth his Favorites and killeth his enemies and with it Antigonus Prisoner Now we will also declare that which hath subsequently followed for after that Herod had obtained the absolute government over the whole land of Judea he advanced all those among the common people The Pharisees honoured by him who favoured his proceedings as for those who were opposed against him there passed not a day wherein some one or other of them suffered not punishment Pollio fore-prophesied Herods Tyranny But amongst the rest Pollio the Pharisee and Sameas his Disciple were highly honoured by him For during the time of the siege of Jerusalem they counselled the Inhabitants to receive and entertain Herod for which cause he respected them accordingly E Some are of opinion that Sameas made this Prediction This Pollio heretofore when Herod was found guilty of death foretold to Hircanus and the rest of the Judges That being absolved by them he should one day inflict punishment on them all Which Prediction God in process of time approv'd by the event no sooner therefore became he Master of Jerusalem The slaughter of them that were of Antigonus's faction but he gather'd together all the rich Houshold goods that was in the Palace and furthermore having robb'd the rich men of their goods and by this means raised a great sum of gold and silver he sent great Presents to Antony and his friends Moreover he condemn'd 45 of Antigonus's principal and noblest Favourites to death setting a Watch about their doors that none of them might be carried out under colour of being dead The dead bodies likewise were trodden under foot and all the gold F silver or jewels that was to be found amongst them was carried to the King and converted to his use so that there was no end of these miseries For the covetousness of the Conqueror whose greedy and thirsty desire could hardly be quenched laid hold on whatsoever was theirs And because it was the seventh year it necessarily came to pass that the Land was left uncultivated for we are forbidden to sowe in this year Antony having taken Antigonus Prisoner Antigonus beheaded resolv'd to keep him in Prison until the time of his triumph Strabo of Anâ—igonus But after that he had heard the Jews were ready to rebel and continu'd their good affection towards Antigonus in regard of the hatred they conceiv'd against Herod he concluded with himself to take his head from him at Antioch for the Jews could scarcely contain themselves Strabo of Cappadocia testifieth no less in these words G Antony having brought Antigonus the Jew to Antioch caused his head to be cut off and was the first among the Romans that hath caused a King to be beheaded in this manner supposing H that the Jews might never otherwise be induced to change
by this means more grievously wound himself Herods sister and his mother incense the King by slandâ—rous reports against Mariamne through the desire he bare unto his deceased delight Whilst thus he was tortured in his passions and conceived sinister opinions against Mariamne his Wife Salome his sister and his mother having an inkling of his discontents thought that they had gotten a fit opportunity to express and execute their hatred towards Mariamne for which cause they conferred with Herod and whetted his spleen and displeasure with variety of slanders sufficient at one assault to engender hatred and kindle his jealousie against her To these reproaches of theirs he lent no unwilling ears yet L he had not the heart to attempt any thing against his Wife or to give free credit to their report notwithstanding his displeasure increased and was inflamed more and more against her for that neither she could colour her cares and discontents nor he contain himself from exchanging his love into hatred and perhaps at that time he had published some fatal doom against her had not a happy messenger brought him word that Anthony and Cleopatra being dead Anthony and Cleopatra slain Caesar was become Lord of Egypt for which cause Caesar Lord of Egypt hasting forward to meet and entertain him he left his family in that present estate Upon his departure he recommended Mariamne to Sohemus giving him great thanks for the care he had had of her Sohemus honoured by Herod with dignities and granting him in way of gratuity a part of Jewry to govern M When Herod was arrived in Egypt Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. and had friendly and familiarly conferred with Caesar he was highly honoured by him for Caesar gave him those four hundred French men that were of Cleopatra's guard Caesar enlargeth Herods dominions and restored that part of his Countrey unto him again which was taken away and spoiled by her He annexed also unto his Kingdom Gadara Hippon and Samaria and on the Sea Coasts the Cities of Gaza Anthedon Joppe with the Tower of Straton which when he had obtained he grew more mighty than before and after he had accompanied Caesar as far as Antioch he returned into his own Countrey Upon his arrival he found that fortune which was favourable unto him abroad too froward at home especially in regard of his Wife in whose affection he seemed to be most happy For he was as inwardly touched with the lawful love of N Mariamne Mariamne a froward woman as any other of whom the Histories make report and as for her she was both chaste and faithfull unto him yet she had a certain womanly imperfection and natural frowardness which was the cause that she presumed too much upon the intire affection wherewith her husband was intangled so that without regard of his person who had power and authority over others she entertained him oftentimes very outragiously All which endured he patiently without any shew of discontent But Mariamne upbraided and publickly reproached both the Kings mother and sister telling them that they were but abjectly and basely born Whereupon there grew a great enmity and unincoverable hatred between the Ladies and from thence also there arose an occasion of greater accusations and calumniation O than before These suspitions were nourished amongst them for the space of one whole year after Herods return from Caesar and at length this long contriv'd hatred brake out violently upon this occasion that ensueth Whenas about mid-day the King had withdrawn himself into his Chamber to take his rest The year of the World 3936. before Christ's Nativity 28. he called Mariamne to him to A sport with her being incited thereunto by the great affection that he bare unto her Upon this his command she came unto him yet would she not lie with him nor entertain his courtings with friendly acceptance but upbraided him bitterly with her fathers and brothers death The King took these reproachful words in very evil part and was almost ready to strike her but his sister hearing a greater stir and noise than was usual sent the Butler who long before that time was suborned by her whom she commanded to tell the King that Mariamne had prepared a drink for him to incite and quicken him unto love Charging him moreover that if the King in hearing him speak of this potion should seem to be moved therewith that then he should proceed further in his discourse He therefore being in this manner before-hand instructed B what he ought to do at that very instant was sent to discover his treachery unto the King for which cause with a sober and stayed countenance he entred in unto him being seriously and well prepared to discourse and told him that Mariamne had bribed him to present his Majesty with an amorous cup of drink Now when he perceived that the King was troubled with these words he prosecuted his discourse alledging that the potion was a certain medicine which Mariamne had given him the vertue whereof he knew not which he had received according as he had told him knowing that it concerned both his own security and the Kings safety Herod who before this was highly displeased hearing these words was so much C the more incensed for which cause he presently commanded Mariamne's most faithful servant to be examined by torments as concerning the poison supposing that it was impossible for her to undertake any thing whatsoever without his privity He being tried and tormented after this cruel manner confessed nothing of that for which he was tortured but declared unto the King that the hatred which his wife had conceived against him proceeded from certain words that Sohemus had told her Scarcely had he finished these words but that the King cryed out with a loud voice saying That Sohemus who before time had been most faithfull both to him and his Kingdom would not have declared these his privy commands Sohemus suspected by Herod in Mariamnes behalf is put to death except there had been some more inward familiarity and secrecy betwixt him and Mariamne for which cause he presently D commanded his Ministers to lay hands on Sohemus and to put him to death As for his wife he drew her to her tryal and to this effect he assembled his most familiar friends Mariamne is accused by Herod and condemned and imprisoned before whom he began to accuse her with great spight and spleen as touching these potions and poisons aforesaid wherein he used intemperate and unseemly speches and such as for their bitterness did ill become him in cause of justice so that in the end the assistants seeing the scope of his desire pronounced sentence of death against her Mariamne by Salomes instigations is led to execution which being past both he and all other the assistants were of his opinion that she should not so speedily be executed but that she should be kept
present and of certain men that were lately come out of Syria also whether Herod had led an Army out of the limits of his own Kingdom Which they not denying and Caesar not vouchsafing to hear the cause why his displeasure against Herod was greatly encreased so that he writ threatning Letters unto him telling him that hitherto he had used him as a Friend The Arabians and Trachonites understanding that Caesar was offended with Herod rejoyce thereat but hereafter he would use him as a Subject which also Syllaeus signified unto the Arabians By which Letters they were made proud and would G neither render unto him the Thieves that were escaped nor restore the money he lent their King nor pay him rent for the pasture-ground that they hired of him Moreover the Trachonites hearing this rebelled against the Garrison of the Idumaeans and joyning with the Arabian Thieves The year of the World 3960. before Christ's Nativity 4. who wasted their Countrey not so much respecting H their own gain as their revenge and particular profit they did many mischiefs and exercised great cruelty against them Herod did put up all injuries and durst not once mutter Caesar being offended with him for the which cause he was not so couragious nor valiant as he was before Caesar offended with Herod For first of all Caesar would not admit his Ambassadours whom he sent to plead his cause before Caesar and Herod again sending other Ambassadours Caesar sent them back again their business undone Wherefore Herod being in this perplexity greatly feared Syllaeus who being now at Rome did easily perswade Caesar any thing for Caesar was very credulous and Syllaeus aimed at some greater matter Obodas dying Eneas succeeded him in the Arabian Kingdom For Obodas dying Eneas succeeded him in the Kingdom of Arabia changing his name called himself Aretas whom Syllaeus by I forged calumniations did seek to depose from the Crown and usurp the Kingdom unto himself giving great summs of money unto the Courtiers and promising great summs unto Caesar whom he now perceived to be angry against Aretas for that without his consent he presumed to take upon him the government of the Kingdom But at last he also sent letters and gifts unto Caesar and amongst the rest a Crown of Gold worth many Talents and in those letters he accused Syllaeus who as an impious and disloyal servant had poysoned his King Obodas in whose life-time he had also invaded the Government of the Kingdom committing Adultery with the Arabians Wives getting together other men's money Caesar would not give Audience to the Arabian Ambassadours thereby to obtain the Kingdom Caesar would not permit these Ambassadours to have Audience but refusing their gifts suffered K them to depart without obtaining that they came for In the mean time the affairs of Judea and Arabia every day became worse and worse every one seeking to trouble the estate of both Kingdoms and no man endeavouring to quiet them For the King of Arabia was not yet established in his Kingdom and therefore could not control his Subjects And Herod feared that if he did defend himself he should so much the more incite Caesar against him and so was forced to put up all injuries that were done unto him Herod sent Nicholaus Damasâ—â—ne to Caesar And finding no end of his miseries he at length determined to send again to Rome Ambassadours to see if by the help of friends Caesar might be perswaded to think better of him and so committed that Embassage unto Nicholaus of Damasco and sent him to Rome L CHAP. XVI Herod more incensed than ever against his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus by several Aspersions causeth them to be imprisoned Augustus is made sensible of Syllaeus's wickedness condemns him to die confirms Aretas in the Kingdom of Arabia he is sorry for having had so ill an opinion of Herod adviseth him to call a great Assembly at Berite where his Sons after new complaints given in against them are to be judged M IN the mean time the dissention of Herod's house was much encreased Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. al. 17. by the augmentation of hatred against his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus and although at all other times his Court was never void of suspicion Eurycles a Lacedemonian insinuateth himself into Herod's familiarity which is a pernicious evil to Kings and Princes yet at that time especially this mischief was in his principal vigour and force For one Eurcyles a Lacedemonian and a Noble man of his Countrey but having a turbulent wit given over to flattery and pleasure yet cunningly dissembling both vices coming unto Herod and giving him gifts and receiving greater gifts at his hands was by him courteously entertained and familiarly conversing with him brought it so to pass that he was esteemed amongst his especial friends This Eurycles N lodged at Antipater's house Eurycles insinuated himself into Alexander's friendship being also familiar with Alexander for their often meeting one another For he said that Archelaus King of Cappadocia and himself was great friends and therefore he counterfeited himself to reverence Glaphyra very much and all men judging him indifferent in all parties he diligently noted whatsoever past and every word that was spoken seeking by all means he could matter to gratifie others carrying of tales and with such flattering fair speeches he insinuated himself into every man's friendship that he seemed Alexander's only trusty friend and that all his endeavours with others were only for to be more serviceable to Alexander in his concerns And by this his deceit he so insinuated himself into Alexander's favour that the young Prince thought him to be his only friend unto whom he O might impart his secrets so that Alexander shewed him how much he was grieved for not being in his Father's favour and related his Mother's misfortune and that A Antipater had now gotten all authority and dignity from him and his Brother and was the only man that could do all and that these injuries were no longer tolerable their Father being now incited against them that now he would neither admit them unto his Councils nor Banquets And he committed his griefs as he then thought into his friends bosom Eurycles observing all Alexander's words and actions related them to Antipater and Herod But Eurycles told Antipater all affirming that thought it nothing concerned him yet he could not but speak of it for the greatness of the present danger desiring him to beware of Alexander who did not stick openly to shew what mind he bare but did as it were manifestly shew that he desired to make away his Father Which done he received of Antipater most rich gifts and pledges of his good will towards him at length he perswaded him to B relate his news himself unto Herod The King gave an attentive ear whilst he related Alexander's malice and was so moved with the
circumstances that he conceived a deadly hatred against his Son which also without further delay he did make manifest Eurycles by craft got money of Archelaus for he rewarded Eurycles for his pains with fifty Talents Which he having received went unto Archelaus and speaking well of Alexander acquainted him how instrumental he had been in reconciling him unto his Father and receiving of him also a summ of money he departed before his malice was discovered and returned into his Countrey and using the like shifts there also he was at last by his Countreymen banished from Lacedemonia Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Furthermore Herod not content now as before to hear only that which was told him of Alexander and Aristobulus Herod doth give ear unto the accusers of Alexander and Aristobulus did himself also C conceive a proper hatred against them observing all things and making diligent enquiry though no man accused them and permitting all men to speak what they pleased against them And amongst the rest Evaratus of Cous had conspired with Alexander and he seemed now to hear no talk more willingly than this and such like But then greater misfortunes than all the rest befell the two Princes false accusations never ceasing to be forged against them and every one as it were striving to accuse them of some crime or other unto the King pretending the care they had of his safety Herod had two Champions Jucundus and Tyrannus confess that Alexander did solicite them to kill Herod as he was a hunting Jucundus and Tyrannus both acceptable unto him for their strength and tall stature and bigness of body These two for some offence were banished the Court and received into Alexander's service and placed amongst D his Guards and for that they were very active he bestowed many gifts and much money upon them Whereat the King presently conceiving suspicion began to torture them and after many torments they confessed that Alexander had hired them to kill Herod as he was a hunting wild Beasts for so it might easily be bruited abroad that he falling off his horse fell upon his own Lance and so was killed which once before had almost happened unto him They also declared unto him that certain gold was hidden and buried in the stable And they also accused Herod's chief Huntsman that at Alexander's command he had given Alexander's Servants the King's Lances and his Armour After them the Governour of the Castle of Alexandrium was taken and examined upon tortures and it was objected against him that he promised to receive E them into the Castle and deliver unto them the King's Treasure there But he denying it his own Son affirmed all to be true and brought forth Letters to testifie the same How Alexander writ unto the Captain of Alexandrium to receive him resembling Alexander's hand written to this effect So soon as by God's assistance we have done that which we intend to do we will presently come unto you be careful therefore that according to your promise you do receive us into your Castle Herod having had a view of these Letters did now without any doubt believe that indeed some treacherous practice was plotted against him by his Sons Diophantus the Scribe doth counterfeit other men's hands But Alexander affirmed that Diophantus the Secretary had counterfeited his hand and that the Letter was Antipater's device For Diophantus was accounted cunning in such matters and afterward being taken with the like he was therefore put to death And the King F produced them that had been tortured at Jericho before the people to accuse his Sons where they were stoned to death and the people hereat moved would also have killed Alexander and Aristobulus with the same death But Herod by the means of Ptolomeus and Pheroras did restrain them Alexander and Aristobulus are imprisoned and Aristobulus warneth his Mother in law and commanded the young Princes to be cast into prison and there to be kept so close that no man was admitted unto them but many â—pies were set who should narrowly mark all their actions and words and now they were accounted as condemned men both by other men's opinions and also by their own One of them to wit Aristobulus for grief inviting his Aunt and Mother in Law to compassionate his present calamity and to hate him that was the Author hereof affirmed that she also was in great danger being accused in hope to G marry with Syllaeus to have signified unto him by Letters all that past in Herod's Court. Which words the woman presently came and told to her Brother Herod The King no longer able to bridle his fury commanded them both to be bound and kept in several places The year of the World 3960. before Christ's Nativity 4. one from another and each of them to write what they had plotted against H their Father And being thus commanded they wrote that they neither prepared Treason nor yet thought of any Treason against him only they purposed to fly because they perceived that they could no longer live here because they were so suspected Alexander confesseth to Herod that he purposed to fly to Archelaus and in continual care At that time a Prince of Cappadocia came Ambassadour from Archelaus named Mela who was one of the greatest Lords of the Countrey And Herod desiring to shew his Son's malice he sent for Alexander out of prison commanding him to relate how and after what order or whither they meant to fly he answered unto Archelaus who had also promised them to send them to Rome Mela Ambassadour of Archelaus King of Cappadocia but that they had no further intent or purpose to effect any unlawful practice against their Father and that all other accusations were false And that he requested I that Tyrannus and the rest might have been better examined but Antipater prevented that who by his own forged rumours spred amongst the people did cause them to hasten their deaths Which being said Herod commanded both him and Mela to be led unto Glaphyra Claphyra Alexander's wife is demanded if she knew of any Treason against Herod that she might be asked whether she were any way privy to the conspiracy against Herod And coming unto her the woman seeing her husband bound presently tore her hair and being amazed with great compassion cried out The young man's cheeks were also bedewed with tears so that a long time after those that were present amazed and moved to compassion at this miserable sight could neither speak nor do the King's command At last Ptolomeus to whose charge Alexander was committed desiring him to speak whether his Wife was privy to his intent he K answered How could it be otherwise who is dearer unto me than mine own life being Mother of my Children then she answered crying out aloud that she was privy to nothing that was any harm yet quoth she if it will avail
that by detesting their malice thou mightest insinnate N thy self into the favour of their Father and thine that afterwards thou mightest more cunningly and securely bring him to his end which at length thou hast attempted to perform For whilst thou adjudgest thy guilty Brothers to death and sparest their Confederates thou makest it manifest in all men's eyes that thou hast a kindness for them whose assistance thou mightest hereafter use in oppressing thy Father Thou hast therefore enjoyed a double pleasure the one openly as if rejoycing and glorying that by thy Brother's death thou hast atchieved a matter of honour the other secretly with endeavouring by greater wickedness but more secret fraud to make an end of thy Father the revenger of whose injuries thou pretendest to be For if thou hadst truly detested their malice thou hadst never esteemed the same to be worthy of thy imitation for thou hadst not cut them off for committing O such Capital offences as were answerable unto thine but for that they had a more just Title to succeed in the Kingdom than thou hast And thou hast thought good to mix the A murther of thy Father with the massacred bodies of thy Brothers lest thou shouldst be suddenly convinced in thy conspiracies against them and to the end that the punishment that thou well deservest to suffer should light upon thy infortunate Father projecting with your self such a parricide and so unusual and hainous a murther that to this day the like thereof hath not been heard of amongst men For thou being his Son hast practised these Treasons not only against thy Father but against him that loved thee above measure and did thee good beyond expectation with whom thou hast actual participation of the Government of the Kingdom and who had appointed thee his Heir in the same being no ways hindered either for the present or in times past to participate the pleasure of Soveraignty and being assured of the hope of Succession both by the will and writing of thy B Father But you have measured the course of your affairs not according to Herod's virtue but according to your own appetite and malice intending to deprive such a Father of his part who granted you the whole and seeking in effect to murther him whom in words you pretended heretofore to protect from injury And not content your self to practise these treacheries you have infected your Mother also with no less corruption and instead of love that should have been amongst Brethren you have filled your Family with mutinies and hatreds And besides all these things thou hast been so audacious as to call thy Father beast being of thy self more malignant than those beasts which are most venomous using thine own venom against thy dearest friends and such as have best deserved at thy hands strengthening thy self with his Guard and divers treacheries both of men and C women against one old man as if thy cursed mind alone were not sufficient to satisfie thy hatred And now after so many men and women Slaves and Freemen tortured for thy cause after the open and manifest testimonies of thy parties in the conspiracy thou art so impudent as yet to contradict the truth and thou that lately hopedst to deprive thy Father of his life doest now as much as in thee lieth endeavour to abolish that Law that was instituted against Malefactors in thy kind and herewithal O Varus equity and all whatsoever is Justice in the world Dost thou therefore accuse them of falshood who were examined in torments to the end thou mightest endanger their credit who were the preservers of thy Fathers life Shall we believe thee more than them in their torments Wilt thou not O Varus deliver the King from the injury of those who are his own flesh and D blood Wilt thou not put this wicked beast to death who hath murthered his Brothers to pretend a love towards his Father and who hath at last been discovered to be the most mortal enemy of them all to the intent that at one instant he might establish the Kingdom in himself Thou knowest that Parricide is no private crime Parricide that publick injury of life and nature but a publick injury to life and nature which is no less loathsome in the thought than it is in the act which whoso punisheth not is of himself guilty of an injury offered to our common mother nature After these Speeches he added certain points concerning Antipater's Mother which through feminine frailty had been blabbed out by her to wit that she had asked counsel of Soothsayers and Conjurers to whom the Kingdom should befall and E that she had offered Sacrifices and made Prayers for the death of the King And moreover he declared what lascivious pranks Antipater had played with Pheroras's women in banqueting and amorous and wanton dalliances The informations likewise that were presented by such as were tortured with sundry testimonies of divers men some suborned the other found out to be immediately produced and confirmed For each man seeing that Antipater was exposed to the accusations of those men who had the Government in their hands and that the good fortune that had long accompanied him had openly delivered him into the hands of his enemies they immediately discovered the insatiable hatred which they had conceived against him whereas before the fear that they had of him enforced them to be silent yet he F was not so much burdened with other mens hatreds as with his own wickedness namely his deadly hatred against his Father his breach of amity amongst his Brethren whereby he filled the Kings Houshold with seditions and murthers of some complotted and acted by others neither giving place to hatred according to Justice nor to amity according to good affection but according as it might stand with his profit Which because divers men perceived long before that time they judged of events according as they had reason and the rather because that being void of hatred they spake but their opinions And whereas heretofore they had cried with a loud voice against him at such time as they were shut up at this time when they were deprived of their fear they declared all things that they knew And whereas there G were produced divers of the mischiefs committed by him Antipater accused by all men yet there seemed nothing to be feigned for that the accusers neither spake in favour of the King neither concealed any thing for fear of danger but condemned all Antipater's wicked actions and judged him worthy of death and punishment The year of the World 3962. before Christ's Nativity 1. not so much for his Fathers security as H for his own demerit Neither did they only accuse him who were by justice tied thereunto but divers voluntary witnesses also brought in their evidence so that although he was a very cunning dissembler and colourer of his lies and most impudent in their assertions yet he
done before And in the mean while he sent certain Messengers with Letters to Caesar to accuse his Son and to declare wherein Acme had been his Confederate producing the Copy of the Letters These Ambassadours therefore repaired to Rome instructed in those things they were to answer to those Interrogatories that should be offered them and with them he sent these Letters C CHAP. VIII The Golden Eagle that Herod had consecrated and fixed on the Portal of the Temple is pulled off The severe Punishment that he inflicteth for it The King 's terrible Sickness and the cruel Orders that he giveth to his Sister Salome and to her Husband D WHilst Herod's Ambassadours were on their Journey to Rome with his Orders Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. he fell sick and made his Will appointed his youngest Son to succeed him in the Kingdom for through Antipater's instigations Herod falling sick maketh his Will and leaveth the Succession of his Kingdom with his other Goods to his Friends and Kinsfolks Herod impatient in his old age and wondrous wayward he had conceived a hatred against Archelaus and Philip. He sent also a thousand Talents unto Caesar and five hundred to his Wife and to his Children Friends and Free-men He bestowed also Money Rents and Lands upon his own Children He gave his Sister Salome an ample Possession because she had always persevered in loving him and had never offended him And having lost all hope of recovery for that he was about 70 years old he became very touchy and froward in whatsoever his affairs The cause hereof was that opinion he had conceived that he grew contemptible and that the whole Nation took pleasure in those mis-haps which befel him which some of those who were favoured by the people made him the rather believe upon this occasion which ensueth Amongst those that were most learned among the Jews Judas the Son of Sariphaeus and Matthias the Son of Margalothus the E most excellent Interpreters of the Laws and Ordinances of the Countrey and for this cause were in greatest esteem amongst the people by reason that they instructed and trained up the Youth for all those that desired to obtain Vertue spent all their time with them understanding that the King's sickness was dangerous The year of the World 3963. after Christ's Nativity 1. they incensed the younger sort counselling them to overthrow all those works that the King had caused to be made contrary to the Law and Custom of the Countrey to the end that they fighting for Piety might obtain the reward that attendeth the same For in that the King had undertaken and done many things contrary to the Law divers unaccustomed miseries had befallen him and namely that sickness wherewith he was detained For Herod had done divers things contrary to the ancient Law against which Judas and Matthias exclaimed openly A Golden Eagle upon the greatest Gate of the Temple For he had erected over the Portal of the great Temple an Eagle of Gold of great value Now the Law prohibiteth that they who pretend to live according to the same should in any sort erect any Image or represent any Figures of living Creatures F whatsoever For this cause these Doctors counselled them to pull down that Eagle telling them that although the matter seemed very dangerous Contempt of death yet ought they to prefer an honest death before a pleasant life if so be it be employed for the defence of their Countrey-laws and Religion For in so doing they should obtain immortal praise for the present and a memorable and eternal glory in time to come neither that they should protract the execution thereof for fear of danger since death was a thing that could not be avoided so that since by the general course of Nature they must needs die it should become them bravely to forsake their lives with praise and honour in embracing Vertue For to die in the execution of some noble exploit which cannot be atchieved without hazard of danger their Children should be richly rewarded with the fruits thereof and their other Parents that should outlive them of what Sex soever should reap the fruits of that glory which was honourably atchieved by them In these or such like words they encouraged the young men About that time there was a rumour spread that the King was dead which gave very great furtherance G to the Doctors resolution For at Noon they went up into the Temple they pulled and hewed down the Eagle with their Axes in the sight and assembly of a great number of people that were in the Temple Now when the tidings hereof came unto the ears of the King's Captain he fearing H lest some further and more fatal tumult might be raised drew out a strong Company of Souldiers with him to repulse those that were assembled to hew down the Eagle and charging the rude and disarmed multitude who were gathered together he easily killed and dispersed the most as for those forty young men that valiantly prepared themselves to resist he apprehended them and with them the Authors of Sedition The young men pulling down the golden Eagle hew it in pieces with their Axes Judas and Matthias who scorned to submit themselves and led them to the King who demanding of them how they durst deface the sacred Image They answered that long before that time they had resolved it and that now according as they had resolved they had like valiant men performed the same For we said they maintain the honour of God and the Doctrine of our Law whereof we are Disciples neither ought you to admire that with contempt of your Ordinances we have preferred the Laws of our Forefathers which Moses hath left us in writing according as he was suggested and taught them by God Judas and Matthias with forty other young men being brought to the King's presence justifie their actions with joy and the King sendeth them bound to Jericho Neither do we refuse any death or punishment which thou shalt inflict upon us being assured in our Consciences that we suffer not for Impiety but Piety's sake Thus spake they all I of them continuing the like constant boldness in their answers as they had shewed in their actions being also ready constantly to endure any punishment for that which they had attempted Hereupon the King commanded them to be bound and sent them to Jericho Then calling before him those principal Jews who had the Government under him and being brought into their Assembly upon his Pallat by reason of his weakness he recited unto them the numberless toils he had endured for their sakes in like manner how upon his great charges he had repaired and re-edified the Temple whereas the Asmoneans for the space of 125 years wherein they reigned could not perform such a Building to the honour of God Moreover he signified unto them how he had adorned the same with precious Gifts
Sabinus also by his Letters accused Archelaus to Caesar but Archelaus by Ptolomey exhibited unto Caesar a Supplication containing his Right and Title unto the Kingdom his Father's Testaments and the account of the Money which Herod his Father had sealed up together with his Ring and expected the issue D But when he had read these Letters and those which Varus and Sabinus had sent him and understood what summs of money he had left and what the yearly Revenue was and how Antipas challenged the Kingdom and appropriated it to himself according as his Letters mention he assembled all his friends to have their advice thereupon Amongst them was Caius the Son of Agrippa and his Daughter Julia adopted by him whom he caused to sit in the chiefest place which done he commanded the Assistants to speak what they would concerning this matter At that Antipater Salome 's Son a man very eloquent Antipater Salome 's Son accuseth Archelaus before Augustus Caesar and a great Adversary to Archelaus spake first saying That it was a mockery for him at that time to speak of the Kingdom considering that before Caesar had granted it him he had already seized the Forces of the State when as upon a Festival day E he had killed so many who although they had deserved that punishment yet ought the justice thereof to have been reserved to a lawful Power and not to have been usurped by him either being King with Caesar's prejudice whose Authority he had contemned or by being a private man which was a great oversight For which cause he undeservedly at this time hoped for his approbation whom already as much as in him lay he had deprived of the Title and Authority of his Allowance Moreover he objected against him that of his own Authority he had changed certain Officers of the Army and that he had seated himself in the Royal Throne and like a King had determined certain causes and had granted certain demands of the people That he had left nothing undone which he might have performed had Caesar confirmed his Title He alledged also that they who were enclosed in the Hippodrome F were dismissed by him and divers other acts partly true partly probable in regard of the ambition of young men who desirous to govern do ordinarily commit such things Besides this his neglect in mourning for his Father and withal his rare Banquets all night long at that very time his Father died whereat the people began to mutiny seeing the small regard he had of his Father's death from whom he had received so great Goods and Honours How all the day long be made a shew of his sorrow and tears in his Pavilion but all the night he took pleasure like a King and being such if Caesar should grant him the Kingdom he would behave himself no less unkindly towards him than he had done to his most kind Father That it was no less than an odious crime in him to delight himself with Songs and Dances at his Father's death as if he had been his enemy That he G now came to Caesar's Presence to the intent to obtain the Kingdom by his consent whereas already he had behaved himself no otherwise than if he had already been established King by his Authority But most of all he exaggerated the Slaughter he had committed in the Temple and the Impiety perpetrated so near to the Feast of Easter at which time divers H both Strangers and Citizens had been killed after the manner of Sacrifices and the Temple filled with Carcases not by a stranger but by him who under the colour of Religion desireth the Government of the Kingdom to the end he might satisfie the injustice of his nature in exercising each way his Tyranny towards all men for which cause his Father never thought nor ever dreamt to substitute him King in his place For he knew both his life and disposition and by his former Testament and that of greatest force had ordained his Adversary Antipater to be King For he had been allotted the Kingdom by his Father not when his mind was dead before his body but when both his Judgment was sound and his body in health Yea although at that time Archelaus's Father had such a conceit of him as in his later Testament he pretendeth yet that he had already declared what kind of King he was I like to be who contemned Caesar's Authority in confirming the Kingdom and being as yet a private man doubted not to murther the Citizens in the Temple This said Antipater to give greater credit to his words bringing divers of his Kindred as Witnesses of that he had said ended his Oration Whereupon Nicholaus arose Nicholaus excuseth Archelaus and alledged in Archelau 's behalf as touching the slaughter that it was to be imputed to their impiety who could not be restrained from their Tumults and Uproars before Archelaus was enforced to appease them by force alledging That they were so much the more guilty for that they had not only exercised their malice but also had enforced others to attempt so great a revenge against them for their insolency seemed in appearance to concern Archelaus yet in a sort their contumacy K pertained to Caesar's ruine For those that had been sent by him to appease and redress their sedition were against all Law and right charged and killed by them without respect of God or regard of the solemn Feast Whose defence Antipater was not ashamed of without respect of equity so that he might satisfie that hatred which he bare unto Archelaus That therefore it was their fault who first of all abstained not from injury but whetted those Swords which were drawn in maintenance of the peace against their own bosoms He enforced all other things also whereof they had accused Archelaus against themselves saying that none of these things were done without their consents and that the offence was not so grievous as they intended it should be esteemed to the end they might discredit Archelaus So great a desire was in them to hurt their Kinsman a man both well L respected and affected by his Father as also kind and officious towards them in all things that concerned them As for the Testament that it was made by the King when he was in perfect estate of mind and body and of greater force than the former because the Authority and confirmation thereof was ascribed unto Caesar the Sovereign of the World Further that Caesar would not imitate them in that wrong they did unto Herod who being during his life-time bountifully graced by him by many benefits do now after his death go about to violate his last and truest Testament but that rather like a Friend and Confederate he would confirm his Will who like his faithful and sworn well-willer had committed all things to his trust For that there must needs be a great difference between M their Malice and Caesar's Vertue
estate of those that were alive was far more desperate whom he not only frighted with perpetual terrour and severity but also with injurious hands had not abstained from their M Goods By which means it came to pass that he not only builded but beautified Foreign Cities inhabited by Foreign Nations to the end he might the rather utterly spoil those by exaction which were situated and seated in his own Countrey And that he enforced his Nation to extream Poverty which he received in most happy Estate whilst he spoiled those Nobles of their Estates who upon weak probabilities were condemned to die or granting them Life deprived them of their Possessions And whereas yearly Tributes were imposed on every one yet severally were the ravenous and covetous desires of his Friends and Courtiers to be satisfied yea and of his servants also who had the Authority to exact these things and by this means they might redeem their injurious wickedness As for the deflouring of Virgins and the shameful betraying N of a Matron's chastity they covered them under silence for that it is a great comfort to those that suffer such abuses if their disgraces be but known to a few In short that Herod had no other ways governed than as if the Government had been committed to a most wild Beast For which cause whereas in times past that Nation had been afflicted with many Calamities and Murthers yet that there is no example extant amongst their Monuments of Antiquity that may be compared with their present Calamity under Herod For which cause upon just respects they had with one consent named Archelaus their King supposing that whatsoever King might befall them he would always demean himself more affably than Herod had done and that to honour Archelaus they had mourned with him for his Father to gratifie him in O other things to the intent they might obtain his good affection But he without delay and all at once had made manifest to the whole Nation what opinion they were A to conceive of him notwithstanding that as yet he was not confirmed King for that it lay in Caesar's hands to grant it and as if he had been afraid lest he should assuredly be acknowledged for his Father's Son he had shewed an example of his Vertue Moderation and good Government that he would use towards his Subjects by the first Act which he had committed not only against God but also against men For in the Temple it self he hath caused three thousand of his Countrey-men to be killed in stead of Sacrifices And how can he chuse but be justly hated who besides his other cruelties objecteth against us the Crime of Rebellion and Mutiny The effect of their request therefore was this that they might not any more be governed by a King nor any such like Government but that they might be united unto Syria and submit B themselves under their Governours that should be sent thither That in so doing it should truly appear whether they were sedicious and addicted to changes or whether they would live in peace Nicholaus excuseth Herod and Archelaus when they had favourable Governours After the Jews had spoken to this effect Nicholaus discharged the Kings of those Accusations that were objected against them and namely Herod who as he said had never been accused all his life-time and that it was no reason that they who justly accusing him might have caused him to be punished during his life-time should now address their Accusations against him after he was dead And as touching those things which were objected concerning Archelaus's actions it ought to be imputed to their insolence for that engaging themselves in matters contrary to Law and having begun to murther those who C sought to appease the tumult they accused such as had kept them in obedience Besides this he objected against them that they were addicted to alterations and took pleasure to stir up Seditions for that they knew not what thing it was to obey Justice and the Laws and that there was no Nation in the World so head-strong as that of the Jews for that they would have the upper hand over all Thus spake Nicholaus CHAP. XIII Caesar confirms Herod's Testament and appointeth his Children to be his Successors D WHen Caesar had heard these things Caesar maketh Archelaus an Ethnarch and bestoweth one half of the Kingdom on Philip and Antipas he dismissed the Assembly But some few days after desirous to make an end of this matter declared Archelaus not King but Lord of half that Government that appertained to Herod promising him to bestow a Royal Dignity upon him if so be he behaved himself vertuously according as it became him As for the other Moyety he divided it between two of Herod's Sons Philip and Antipas who debated with his Brother Archelaus for the whole Kingdom The same Antipas also had the Countrey on the other side Jordan and Galilee with two hundred Talents of yearly Revenue As for Philip he had Bathanea Trachonitis and Auranitis and part of the Palace that was called by Zenodorus's name with one hundred E Talents As for Archelaus he had Idumaea Judaea and Samaria which were discharged of the fourth part of the Tributes by Caesar for that they had joyned themselves with the rest of the people during the time of the Sedition Besides that Archelaus had the Tower of Straton Sebaste Joppe and Jerusalem For Gaza Gadara and Hippon were Cities of Greece which Caesar had separated and adjoyned to Syria Archelaus had five hundred Talents of yearly Rent out of his Countrey Thus was the Patrimony divided among Herod's Sons Salome As for Salome besides that which her Brother had given her in his Will which were the Cities of Jamnia Azot Phasaelis and half a Million of money Caesar granted her a Royal house in Ascalon so as she received in the whole sixty Talents of yearly Revenue and had her house allotted her within the Dominion F of Archelaus All Herod's Kindred received that which was bequeathed unto them by his Testament Two of his Daughters that were unmarried were endowed by Caesar with a quarter of a Millon of money which he gave them besides their Father's Portion Herod's two Daughters that were Virgins married to Pheroras's Sons and they were married to Pheroras's Sons Moreover he gave Herod's Sons all which he had given him by the Testament amounting to the summ of one thousand and five hundred Talents contenting himself only to receive some few movables not so much for the value as in remembrance of the King who had given them CHAP. XIV The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. H An Impostor counterfeits himself to be Alexander Herod's Son Augustus finds out his Cheat and sends him to the Galleys AVgustus having thus ordained Herod's Succession Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. a young man and a Jew born brought up in the City of
in his Tetrarchy should be kept within the bounds of the same Countrey CHAP. VII K A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity MEan while Aretas King of Arabia Petraea and Herod fell at strife the one with the other Herod the Tetrarch putteth away Aretas Daughter and marrieth Herodias his Brother Herod's Wife for this cause that ensueth Herod the Tetrarch married Aretas's Daughter with whom he had lived married a very long time Afterwards taking his journey towards Rome he lodged with Herod his half Brother by the L Father's side for Herod was the Son of Simon 's Daughter which Simon was the High Priest and there being surprised with the love of Herodias his Brother's Wife which was the Daughter of Aristobulus their Brother and Sister to the Great Agrippa he was so bold as to propose Marriage to her which was to be performed as soon as he returned back from Rome and to repudiate Aretas's Daughter After he had ratified those Covenants he continued his Voyage to Rome from whence he no sooner returned and performed that for which he went but his Wife who had some privy notice of the Conventions which were made betwixt him and Herodias before he suspected that she knew thereof required him to send her to the Castle of Macheron Herod's Wife returned into her own Countrey which was the Frontier Town M betwixt Herod's and Aretas's Countreys without acquainting him any ways with her intent Herod condescended unto her request thinking she was ignorant of his drift But she long before that time had taken order with the Governour of Macheron which at that time was under her Father's Government to prepare all things for her journey where being arrived she speedily posted into Arabia under the Convoy of those Governours who received and conducted her the one after the other As soon as she arrived in her Father's Court she presently acquainted him with Herod's resolution whence arose the beginning of this discord between them Therefore they both of them assembled their Armies upon the Confines of the Countrey of Gamalite and fought under the Conduct of the two Generals to whom they had committed N their Armies Herod's Army discomfited by the Arabians In this Battel Herod's Army was wholly defeated through the Treason that was plotted against him by certain banished men of Philip's Tetrarchy which were in pay with Herod Tiberius got notice of all this by those Letters which Herod had written unto him Tiberius commandeth Vitellius to make War against Aretas and being very much displeased with Aretas for his proud attempt he commanded Vitellius to make War against him desiring him that if he could take him alive he should send him bound unto him but if dead he should send him his head Divers Jews were of the opinion that Herod's Army was overthrown by the just vengeance of God who punished him most justly because of the Execution which he caused to be done on John sirnamed Baptist Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. alias cap. 14. For he had put this man to death who O was endued with all Virtue and who exhorted the Jews to addict themselves thereto and to practice Justice towards men and Piety towards God exhorting them to be A baptized and telling them that Baptism should at that time be agreeable unto God if they should renounce not only their sins but if to the purity of their bodies they should add the cleanness of their Souls re-purified by Justice And whereas it came to pass that divers flocked and followed him to hear his Doctrine Herod feared lest his Subjects allured by his Doctrine and Perswasions should be drawn to revolt For it seemed that they would subscribe in all things to his advice he therefore thought it better to prevent a mischief by putting him to death than to expect some suddain Commotion John Baptist slain by Herod which he might afterwards repent Upon this suspicion Herod caused him to be bound and sent to the Castle of Macheron whereof we have spoken heretofore and there he was put to death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. The Jews were of opinion that in revenge of B this so grievous a sin Herod's Army against whom God was displeased had been subject to their utter ruine and overthrow Vitellius leadeth his Army against the King of Arabia But Vitellius being resolved to make War against Aretas gathered together two Legions and all those Horse or Foot that he could assemble amongst those Kings who were the Romans Allies and marching towards Petra he stayed at Ptolemais because he pretended to pass by Judaea Which when the principal Nobles amongst the Jews had notice of The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 39. they went out to meet him beseeching him that he would not pass thorough that Countrey because it was a custom amongst them not to see any Images born such as he had of divers colours in his Army Vitellius repaireth to Jerusalem and displaceth Jonathan and preferreth his Brother Whereunto he condescended and having changed his purpose he caused his Army to march thorough the great Plain As for himself he came to Jerusalem C accompanied with Herod the Tetrarch and his Friends to offer Sacrifice to God upon the next Festival day where he was most magnificently received by all the people of the Jews He stayed for the space of three days during which time deposed Jonathan from the High Priesthood and gave it to Theophilus his Brother The fourth day Letters came to him Caius Caligula succeedeth after Tiberius that advertised him of Tiberius's death for which cause he commanded the Oath of Fidelity should be ministred to the people in the new Emperour Caius's behalf He called back his Army also and sent them to their Winter Quarters because it was not lawful for him to prosecute the War by reason the Empire was fallen unto Caius It is said Aretas gathereth by Auguries that it was impossible for the Army to come to Petra that Aretas hearing news of Vitellius's Expedition or Voyage and after he D had taken counsel of the Augurs said that the Army should not advance as far as Petra because he that had the command of the Expedition or he that obeyed his Ordinance in conducting the same or he against whom the Army was conducted should die Vitellius therefore retired to Antioch A year before the death of Tiberius Agrippa Aristobulus's Son came to Rome to treat with the Emperour about certain Affairs But before I speak any thing hereof I will relate Herod's Progeny both for that it is pertinent to this present Narration and also that the greatness of God's Providence may
Fortresses of their Captives The Romans triumph over the Jews Finally how Titus travelling thorough the whole Countrey established a Form of Government and afterward returning into Italy triumphed with much honour All these things I have comprehended in seven Books endeavouring as much as in me lieth The cause why he wrote this History to avoid all occasion of reproof from those men who know these Affairs and were Actors in the War Which I have done for their sakes who love truth And according to that Order and Form I promised I will begin my History A THE FIRST BOOK Of the B WARS of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the First Book 1. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons C 2. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus 3. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodore and Demetrius 4. Of the War of Alexander King of the Jews with Antiochus and Aretas and of Aristobulus and Hircanus 5. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians and of the taking of Jerusalem 6. Of the War of Alexander with Hircanus and also of Aristobulus 7. Of the death of Aristobulus and the War undertaken by Antipater and Mithridates 8. How Antipater was accused before Caesar of the Priesthood of Hircanus and how Herod made War 9. Caesar's death Cassius comes into Syria Herod ingratiates with him Malichus poysons D Antipater who had sav'd his life For which Herod causes him to be slain 10. How Herod was accused and set free 11. Of the War of the Parthians against the Jews and of Herod's Flight and Fortune 12. Of Herod's War for the recovering of Jerusalem after his return from Rome and how he warred against the Thieves 13. Of the death of Joseph How Herod besieged Jerusalem and how Antigonus was slain 14. Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake 15. How Herod was confirmed in the peaceable Possession of the Kingdom of Judaea by Augustus E Caesar 16. Of the Cities and Monuments repaired and builded by Herod and of his felicity and liberality towards strangers 17. Of the disagreement between Herod and his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus 18. Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod 19. How Herod should have been poysoned and how the Treason was discovered 20. How Antipater's malicious practices against Herod were discovered and punished 21. Of the Golden Eagle and of Antipater's and Herod's death F CHAP. I. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The Overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons AT such time as Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes made War against Ptolomey the Sixth King of Egypt The year of the World 3800. before Christ's Nativity 162. for the whole Dominion of Syria those of the chiefest Authority and Nobility among the Jews were divided into two Parties And that of Onias the High Priest being become the G strongest expelled the Sons of Tobias out of the City who fleeing to Antiochus for refuge besought him in all humility that he would lead his Forces into Judaea offering themselves to be his Guides in the Expedition Antiochus who had long desired such an occasion easily condescended to their request H and levying a great Army he entred their Countrey took Jerusalem and slew most part of them who favoured Ptolomey He gave his Soldiers liberty to sack the City spoiled the Temple of the great Riches which were in it and for the space of three years and six months forbad the Sacrifices Ant. l. 12. c. 6. which before time were accustomed to be offered every day to God in that place Antiochus being stirred up by Tubias's Sons invadeth Judaea and surpriseth Jerusalem Whereupon Onias the High Priest fled to Ptolomey of whom having obtained the grant of a piece of Land within the Liberties and Precincts of Heliopolis he built a Town and Temple there resembling the City and Sanctuary of Jerusalem of which we shall speak in due place But Antiochus not satisfied with the unexpected surprize of the City nor with the pillage and slaughter of the Citizens Ant. l. 15. c. 4. was so far transported by his passions and incenssed I with the remembrance of those toyls which he had sustained during this War The High-Priest Onias flieth to Ptolomey that he compelled the Jews to renounce their Religion to forbear the Circumcision of their Children and to immolate Swine upon the Altar The abhorrence which the chiefest and honestest amongst them Ant. l. 12. c. 7. could not refrain to declare against these Abominations Antiochus altereth the Customs of the Jews cost them their lives For Bacchides who was Governour of all the Garisons of Judaea by the appointment of Antiochus being naturally very cruel omitted no occasion to execute his wicked Orders insomuch that he particularly tormented such as were of Noble Birth and Quality Bacchides's cruelty towards the Jews and every day represented to them the fresh face and memory of the desolation of their City But at length a Tyranny so insupportable animated those that suffered it to attempt the means of freeing themselves K from it Ant. l. 1. c. 8. and of executing revenge upon the Authors Matthias or Mathathias Maccabaeus the Son of Asmoneus Matthias confederated with others maketh War against Antiochus one of the Priests who dwelt in a Village called Modin accompanied with his five Sons and his own houshold armed with Swords slew Bacchides and fearing the power and multitude of the enemy's Garrisons presently retired himself into the Mountains Thither resorted divers of the people unto him by which conflux growing more confident and couragious he descended from the Mountains and overcoming the Captains of Antiochus drave them out of the Borders of Judaea By many instances of such happy success he became so renown'd that he was by common consent of the people whom he had delivered from the subjection of strangers made their Ruler And when he died he left his eldest Son who was called L Judas to succeed him in the Government This brave Son of so brave a Father could not doubt of the endeavours which Antiochus would use to revenge the losses he had received and therefore he gathered together an Army of his own Countrey-men and was the first among the Jews that made a League with the Romans Antiochus failed not as he had foreseen to enter into Judaea with a powerful Army and this great Captain repell'd him with a great Overthrow And whilst the remembrance of this Victory was yet fresh in men's minds he assaulted the Garrison of Jerusalem which as yet was entire in which Conflict he forced them to forsake the high Town which is called Holy and betake themselves to the lower part And having recovered the
But his Mother being no way dismayed with the stripes which she endured nor with the death wherewith she was threatned lifted up her hands to her Son beseeching him that he would not in regard of her miseries be moved to spare so impious a person for she should esteem her death G happy if so be Ptolemy might receive just punishment for the villany which he had impiously committed against their house Hircanus seeing the resolute mind of his Mother and hearing her entreaty was moved to assault the Castle but straightway seeing her beaten and torn he relented with compassion and his mind agitated with H different Sentiments was full of confusion and trouble By which means the Siege continued long and the Jubilee year was come which falleth out every seventh year Ptolomey was no sooner delivered from the Siege by this occasion but he put Hircanus's Mother and his Brethren to death Ptolâ—maeus murthereth Hircanus's Mother and Brethren and afterwards fled to Zeno the Tyrant of Philadelphia who was also surnamed Cotylas In the mean while Antiochus to be revenged for the Victory which Simon had got over his Generals entred with an Army into Judaea and besieged Hircanus in Jerusalem who opening the Sepulchre of David who had been one of the richest of all the Kings of Judaea took more than three thousand Talents from thence The year of the world 3839. before Christ's Nativity 123. of which he gave three hundred to Antiochus and so obliged him to depart the Countrey This I Hircanus was the first Prince that entertained Forreign Soldiers But so soon as Antiochus had bent his Power and Forces against the Medes he took that opportunity to revenge himself Antiochus upon the payment of three hundred Talents raiseth his Siege and presently assaulted the Towers of Syria assuring himself he should find them as indeed they were void of Soldiers to defend them He made himself Master of Medaba Samea Sichem and Garizim and subdued the Cuthaeans who inhabit the places adjoyning to the Temple that was built in imitation of that which is at Jerusalem Ant. lib. 13. cap. 15. Moreover he took many Cities of Idumaea and amongst the rest Doteon and Marisa and coming into Samaria which Herod afterwards rebuilt and called Sebaste he besieged it on every side Ariâ—â—obulus and Antigonus besiege Sâ—basâ—â— and left his two Sons Aristobulus and Antigonus to continue the Siege They omitted nothing to the purpose and there came such a Famine K in the City that the Inhabitants were constrained to eat very unaccustomed Meats In this extremity they desired aid of Antiochus surnamed Spondius who speedily came to relieve them but he was overcome by Aristobulus and Antigonus and was pursued by them to Scythopolis whither he retired himself But they returning again to Samaria Sebasâ— overthrown and spoiled straitned the City and at last taking it by force destroyed the same and led away their Inhabitants Captives Whilst thus Fortune favoured them they ceased not to pursue their good success but led their Army beyond Scythopolis and shared between them all the Land of Mount Carmel L CHAP. III. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodorus and Demetrius THis Felicity and good hap of Hircanus and his Sons was accompanied with the envy of many of his Countrey-men and their discontent was the cause of an open Rebellion The Seditious overcome in War For divers of the Jews rising up in Arms against them were so much over-ruled by their ambitious passion that they could not contain themselves from the prosecution of an open and bloody War Hircanus after he had happily governed the Countrey for thirty three years space dieth wherein notwithstanding they were put to the worst From that day forward Hircanus passed the remainder of his life in all M tranquillity and happiness and after he had governed the Commonwealth for the space of thirty and three years he departed this life leaving behind him five valiant Sons He was a man of more than ordinary felicity being possessed of three excellent endowments together for he was the Prince of his Countrey High Priest and a Prophet The year of the world 3861. before Christ's Nativity 101. to whom God spake and gave him the knowledge of future accidents He foresaw and foretold that his two eldest Sons should not continue long in the Government whose ends are worth rehearsal being very different from their Father's felicity for the eldest Son Aristobulus after his Father's death changed the Principality into a Kingdom and was the first that put a Crown on his head four hundred twenty one years Ant. lib. 13. cap. 19. and three months after the deliverance of the people from the Captivity of Babylon N As for Antigonus who was his second Brother and whom in appearance he seemed to love most entirely he made him partaker of his Dignity and committed the rest of them to Prison He imprisoned his Mother also for that she had contended with him for the Government of which Hircanus had made her Regent Aristobulus famisheth his Mother And he was so given over to all kind of cruelty that he not only kept her Prisoner in Bonds but also put her to death by Famine Aristobulus loved Antigonus very dearly To which Impiety he added that of killing his own Brother Antigonus whom he had entirely loved and made Partner with him in the Kingdom For by reason of certain scandalous slanders which his envious and malignant Courtiers contrived and invented against him he commanded him to be put to death Upon their first information Aristobulus swayed by Brotherly affection gave them no O credit conceiving those Accusations to proceed from envy rather than any good ground But when Antigonus returned from the War at that Festival time wherein A according to the custom of our Countrey we celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles it happened that Aristobulus fell sick Antigonus therefore about the end of those Festival days attended with a great Equipage and Train of armed men ascended up into the Temple to offer Sacrifice and to pray God for the health of the King his Brother Hereupon certain cursed and wicked detractors repaired to the King and told him that this great Guard of Soldiers which accompanied Antigonus Antigonus in honour of his Brother ascended up into the Temple and his magnificent Pomp shew'd that he was not contented with the honour he had done him in associating him in the Royalty but was minded to possess it wholly to himself in which resolution they said he was come accompanied with so many Soldiers Antigonus falsly accused to his Brother that it could not be doubted but that it was to murther him Aristobulus though unwillingly yet at B last being won to believe them desirous to hide his suspicion commanded his Guard to hide themselves in a certain place under ground Aristobulus commandeth his Guard
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
prostrated himself at Sosius's feet beseeching him to be merciful unto him but Sosius nothing compassionating his calamity insulted over him and called him Antigona yet did he not permit him to depart free as a woman but put him in Prison Now when Herod had conquered his enemies he endeavoured to the utmost to repress the insolence of his Auxiliary Strangers who thronged to see the Temple and F the Holy Vessels that were therein but he withheld them not only by threatnings and entreaties but also by force believing himself less unhappy to be conquered than by obtaining the Victory to minister a means whereby those things which were not lawful to be revealed should be exposed to the eyes of prophane Strangers He also restrained the Soldiers from sacking the City and told Sosius that if the Romans would desolate the City both of men and money they would leave him King of a Desart Adding further that he esteemed not the Empire of the whole World to be a recompence for such a Massacre of his Subjects Hereunto Sosius answering that the Soldiers ought to have the sacking of the Town in recompence of that labour they had spent in the Siege Herod liberally bestows money upon the Soldiers Herod replyed that he had rather recompence them out of his G own Treasury and by this means he redeemed as it were the Relicks of his desolate Countrey and in the end performed that which he had promised for he bountifully rewarded every Soldier and Captain according to his merit and gave Sosius Presents worthy of a King This done Sosius dedicated a Golden Crown unto God and H so departed leading Antigonus Captive with him to the end to present him to Antonius This man desirous to continue his life and entertaining himself with this colâ— hope even until the last received in the end that reward which his faint heart desired and was beheaded Herod being now King Antigonus beheaded he made a distinction between the Citizens and those who had favoured him he used very honourably Ant. lib. 11. cap. 1. and put those to death who had followed Antigonus And when money sailed he distributed all his Kingly Ornaments and sent them to Antonius and his Company Yet did he not quie redeem himself from all troubles for Antonius being passionately enamoured on Cleopatra in all things yielded to her desire Cleopatra's cruelty against her Kindred And Cleopatra having raged so against her own Kindred that she had I not left one of them alive now turned her fury upon strangers and acousing the Nobility of Syria to Antonius she perswaded him to put them to death that she might thereby the easier obtain their Possession Afterwards her covetous mind thought to effect the same against the Arabians and the Jews also insomuch that she secretly went about to cause the Kings of those places Malichus and Herod to be put to death Antonius made a shew as though he would have granted her request yet he thought it great impiety to kill good men and so great Kings Notwithstanding he no more accounted them his friends but took a great quantity of ground from the limits of both their Countreys and a Vineyard in Jericho where Balm grew and gave her all the Cities on this side the River Eleâ—therus Tyre and Sidon only excepted Cleopatra's covetousness Now when K she had obtained the Dominion of these Cities she followed Antonius to Euphrates when he set forward to make War against the Parthians and afterwards by Apamia and Damascus she came into Judaea where Herod having something pacified her angry mind with great gifts obtained to pay her yearly two hundred Talents for that part of his Countrey which Antonius had given her and seeking by all means possible to get himself an interest in her favour he conducted her to Pelusium Not long after Antonius returned out of Parthia and brought Artibazes the Son of Tigranes Captive and gave him to Cleopatra with all the money and Prisoners that he had taken L CHAP. XIV Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake WHen War was declared between Augustus and Antonius The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 28. Herod prepared himself to attend Antonius seeing for the present all troubles were pacified in Judaea and he had already gotten the Castle of Hircanion which Antigonus's Sister had in her possession But Cleopatra craftily prevented him in this his journey so that he could M not go with Antonius Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. For she desiring the ruines of both the Kings as was before mentioned perswaded Antonius to cause Herod to make War against the Arabians whom if he overcame Cleopatra's subtil Treason against Herod then she should be made Queen of Arabia and if himself were overcome then she should be Queen of Judaea Intending hereby that one of these Potentates should ruine the other But this practice of hers succeeded greatly to Herod's advantage for first of all making head against those of Syria that were his enemies with all the power of Cavalry he could which was very considerable and meeting them near Diospolis Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. he overcame them though they valiantly resisted After which overthrow a mighty Army of the Arabians came to help them so that an infinite company was gathered together about Coelosyria expecting the Jews near the City called N Canatha Where King Herod meeting them purposed not to fight unadvisedly but to compass his Camp round about with a Wall but his Army puffed up with their former Victory would not be counselled but violently assaulted the Arabians and at the first onset put them to flight Herod pursuing his enemies was greatly endangered by the Treason of the Inhabitants of Canatha who were set on by Athenio one of Cleopatra's Captains who had always born him ill will for the Arabians encouraged by their help The Arabians defeat Herod's Army returned again to Battel and they two joyned their Forces together and set upon Herod in stony and difficult places and put his Army to flight and slew many of them those that escaped fled into a little Village hard by called Ormiza where the Arabians compassing them about took both the men and their Tents O with all their Furniture Not long after this overthrow of Herod's Soldiers he came and brought help but too late and to little purpose The cause of this defeat was A for that the Captains of his Army would not obey his Commandment for if they had been obedient Athenio had not had opportunity to work him that injury 〈…〉 navity 28. yet was he revenged upon the Arabians and daily made incursions upon their Borders and ceased not to invade and spoil them till by many defeats he had cried quittance with them for their one Victory While thus he pursued his enemies Another calamity
by their Offices for one of them was his Butler the other was his Cook and the third waited upon him in his Bed-chamber These three Alexander with great gifts corrupted G Which the King understanding by torments forced them to confess and declare with what promises they were thereto by Alexander induced and how he had deceived them by affirming that there was no trusting to Herod who was a morose old man The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. and that he died his hair to make himself seem young and that in despight of H him he would be his Successor and then he would be revenged upon his enemies and make his friends happy and especially them And that the whole Nobility secretly joyned with him and the Captains of the Army and Governours privily came to him Herod feareth his Son Alexander Hereat Herod was so terrified that he durst not presently divulge their confessions but night and day he sent out spies to learn what was said or done and whom he suspected them he presently killed so that his whole Kingdom was full of Blood-shed For every one as his malice moved him feigned Calumniations and many desirous of Blood-shed abused the King's passion as they pleased against their enemies Credit was given to every lie and no man was so soon accused but presently he was punished and he who presently before accused others was now accused himself and I carried to be punished with him whom he had accused Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. For the King's jealousy shortned the time of Trial for their lives and he became so tyrannous that he afforded not a good look Herod's cruelty even to them that were not accused but shewed himself most fierce and violent to his dearest friends So that he banished many out of his Kingdom and railed against such as he had no power over Antipater encreased this mischief more and more by employing all his friends to accomplish the ruine of Alexander By whose rumours and tales the King was so possessed that he fancied always that he saw Alexander before him with a drawn Sword Herod casteth Alexander into Prison and tortured his friends For which cause he suddenly cast him in Prison and tortured his friends many of which died in torments because they would not confess more than in conscience was true Others not able to endure the torments K were forced to confess that Alexander and his Brother Aristobulus designed Treason against their Father and that they expected their time till he went a hunting resolving with themselves that having killed him they would presently flee to Rome Although these and such like Calumniations were no ways probable yet extremity of pain forced men to invent them and the King willingly believed them as it were comforting himself thereby that he might not be thought to have imprisoned his Son unjustly Alexander perceiving that it was impossible for him to remove his Father's suspicion Alexander during his imprisonment wrote four Books against his enemies thought it best to yield himself guilty and so he made four Writings wherein he confessed the Treason and nominated his partakers therein namely Pheroras and Salome who were the chief which later he said had been so impudently L unchaste as to come in the night to him without his consent and lie in his bed These Writings which charged the greatest amongst the Nobility with most heinous matters were in Herod's hands when Archelaus fearing his Son-in-law and Daughter to be in great danger speedily came into Judaea and by his prudence appeased the King's wrath For so soon as he came to Herod he cryed Where is that wicked Son-in-law of mine or where may I see the face of that wretch that goeth about to murther his Father that I may tear him in pieces with mine own hands and marry my Daughter to a better Husband For although she be not privy to his counsel yet 't is enough to make her infamous that she is Wife to such a man Nay I admire your patience who are in such danger Archelaus King of Cappadocia and suffer Alexander yet to live For I came thus hastily out of Cappadocia thinking M he had been put to death to talk with you concerning my Daughter whom I married to him for your sake Wherefore now let us take counsel what to do with them both and seeing you are too Father-like and not able to punish your Son your treacherous Son let 〈◊〉 change rooms and let me be in your place to revenge you How great soever Herod's choler was this discourse of Archelaus disarmed it And Herod shewed him the Books that Alexander had writ Archelaus and Herod consult upon Alexander's Book and upon reading every Chapter with deliberation Archelaus took occasion fit for his purpose and by little and little laid all the fault on Pheroras and those that were accused in the Book And perceiving the King to give ear unto him Let us said he consider whether the young man hath not been circumvented by the treachery of so many malicious persons and not of himself formed a design against N you For there appears no cause why he should fall into such wickedness who already enjoyed the honours of the Kingdom and hoped to succeed you therein had he not been perswaded thereto by other men who seeing him a young man enticed him to such an attempt For we see that by such persons not only young men but also old men and most Noble Families Herod is incensed against his Brother Pheroras yea and whole Kingdomes are ruinated Herod upon these speeches began somewhat to relent and abate his animosity against Alexander but encreased it towards Pheroras for he was the Subject of the whole Book Pheroras perceiving the King so to trust to Archelaus's friendship that he was led by him to do what he pleased he in humble manner came to Archelans seeking humbly for succour at his hands of whom he had not deserved any favour Archelaus answered him that he knew O no ways to obtain his Pardon who was guilty of so heinous Crimes and convicted manifestly to have practised High Treason against the King 's own Person and to be A the cause of all these miseries that had now befallen the young man except that he would lay aside all subtil dealing and denying of his Fact and confess the Crimes whereof he was accused and so humbly go to his Brother who loved him dearly and crave pardon promising that if he would so do he would do him what good he could Pheroras attired in a mourning garment with tears falleth before Herod's feet and craveth pardon Hereupon Pheroras obeyed Archelaus's counsel and putting on a black Attire in a pitiful manner and with tears he prostrated himself at Herod's feet and craving pardon obtained it confessing himself to be a most wicked and vile person and to be guilty of all that
was said he mocked So that in every thing he found his Father's affection turned from him and that he was only favourable to Antipater so that he would die with all his heart if he failed of his purpose If he killed him his Father-in-law Archelaus would afford him safety to whom he might easily flee And after he would go to Caesar who as yet knew not Herod's manners and he would not stand before him then as he did L before terrified because his Father was present neither would he only speak of his own wrongs but of the wrongs of the whole Nation who were oppressed by exactions even to the death And then he would lay open on what pleasures and after what sort the money gotten with Blood was consumed and who and what kind of men they were that were thereby enriched and what was the cause of the affliction of the City and there he would bewail the death of his Unkle and his Mother and unfold all Herod's wickedness which being once made manifest to the World no man would account him a Murtherer of his Father Eurycles having falsly reported this of Alexander to Herod fell presently to praise and extol Antipater affirming that he only loved his Father and hindred such practices M The King Another false Accusation of Alexander and his Brother moves Herod to indignation yet not throughly appeased for that which was past grew into exceeding fury and Antipater again suborned other false Witnesses against him who affirmed that they were wont to have secret talk with Jucundus and Tyrannus who sometimes were Officers of the King's Cavalry and now displaced for some offence they had committed Whereupon Herod being very angry presently tortured them and they affirmed Diophantus the King's Notary writeth feigned Letters in Alexander's name that they were ignorant of all that which was laid to their charge But there was found and brought to the King a Letter pretended to be written by Alexander to the Governour of the Castle of Alexandrium requesting him that he would receive him and his Brother Aristobulus into the Castle when he had killed his Father and to assist them both with Arms and other Necessaries Alexander affirmed N that this Letter was counterfeited by Diophantus the King's Secretary who was both malicious and could counterfeit any one's hand and who afterwards having counterfeited many was at last for the same put to death Herod caused the Governour of the Castle to be tortured but he confessed nothing that was laid against him and although he had no good proof of any thing yet he commanded his two Sons to be kept in hold He likewise termed Eurycles who was the Incendiary of his house and the breeder of all the mischief Author of his safety and one who had well deserved at his hands and gave him fifty Talents Who departing from Judaea before matters were well known went to Archelaus and feigning that he had reconciled Alexander and Herod he received there a piece of money O From thence he went into Achaia and spent that which he had evilly got in as bad manner as he had got it Lastly he was accused to Caesar that he had caused dissension A in all Achaia and spoiled the Cities for which cause he was banished And this was the punishment that was inflicted upon him for his treachery to Alexander and Aristobulus It is not amiss here in this place to compare Avaratus of Cous unto this Eurycles who being a dear friend to Alexander Cous Evaratus and arriving about the same time that Eurycles did being put to his Oath sware that he heard the young men say nothing though indeed his Oath nothing prevailed nor profited them for Herod would only hear and give ear to Accusations and he highly esteemed them that would believe them with him and shew themselves moved thereat Moreover Ant. lib. 16. cap. 12. Salome encreased his rage against his Sons for Aristobulus minding to B engage her to assist him being his Mother-in-law and his Aunt sent to her to look to her self as though the King was minded to put her to death because it was reported to him that she purposed to marry with the King's enemy Syllaeus the Arabian to whom she privily revealed the King's Secrets This was the utter ruine of the young men Herod by Salome's counsel imprisoneth his Sons wherewith they were overthrown as it were with a violent Tempest For presently Salome went to the King and told him of what Aristobulus had admonished her And he becoming outrageous caused both his Sons to be bound and imprisoned in several places Then he he sent Volumnius General of his Army and Olympus one of his familiar Friends The year of the World 3961. before Christ's Nativity 1. to Caesar to carry the Informations against his Sons in writing who sailing to Rome after their arrival delivered the King's Letters And Caesar was very sorry C for the young men yet he permitted the Father to do what he would to his Children and so writ to him that he should have license to do what he thought good Yet he signified to him that he should do better to call his Nobles together and let them make enquiry concerning the Treasons and then if he found them guilty of those things whereof they were accused to put them to death Hereupon Herod Ant. lib. 16. cap. 13. according to Caesar's direction went to to Berytum and there gathered an Assembly to sit in Judgment Herod gathereth a Council against Alexander and Aristobulus the chief in that Judgment were the Governnours that Caesar in his Letters appointed Saturninus and Pedanius presided and with them Volumnius Intendant of the Province next the King's Kindred and Salome and Pheâ—oras and then the Nobility of Syria Archelaus only excepted who D because he was Father-in-law to his Son Herod suspected him to be partial But he suffered not his Sons to come into Judgment for he knew that the very sight of them would have moved all men to compassion And moreover if they were permitted to speak for themselves that Alexander would easily have acquitted them both For which cause they were kept in Platan Herod accuseth his Sons in open Judgment a Village of Sidonia The King beginning his Oration was as vehement as though they had been present against whom he spake But he was half afraid to object any Treason against them because he had no proof thereof and therefore he aggravated their opprobrious words injuries and offences which they had committed against him which he affirmed to be more unsufferable than death E At last when no man contradicted him he began to complain of their silence Herod's sentence against his Sons which seemed to condemn him and thereupon requested every one to give their verdict And first of all Saturninus condemned his Sons but not to die saying that he had three Sons present and he
Letters before mentioned he then made great haste homeward When he came to Celenderis he began to reflect more upon his Mothers A disgrace his mind as it were presaging some sinister fortune And the wiser sort of his friends about him counselled him not to go to his Father till such time as he were certain for what cause his Mother was banished and divorced For it was to be feared that he would be accused also of the same Crime that was laid to his Mothers charge But the more imprudent being rather desirous to see their Country than to contrive what was expedient for Antipater pressed him to make haste lest his long delay should breed any suspicion in his Father and lest thereby he should give occasion to malignant people to raise slanders For said they if any thing had passed against you it was in your absence and were you in presence no man durst do or speak against you and it were a very unwise part for uncertain suspicions B to deprive himself of certain felicity and not to return speedily to his Father and receive a Crown from his hands which he could place upon no other head but his This counsel as his ill fortune would have it Antipater followed and so arrived in the in the Haven of Caesarea Antipater hated in Caesarea having passed Sebaste where contrary to his expectation he was much surpriz'd that all men eschewed his company and no man came near him For although he was always hated yet before they durst not shew their hatred But now they abstained from coming to him for fear of the King because the rumour of those things which Antipater had done was known in every City and to every man only Antipater himself was ignorant thereof For there was never any man brought thither with greater pomp than he when he was to sail to Rome C and never man more basely entertained at his return And now apprehending the danger at home he craftily made himself ignorant thereof and notwithstanding that he was almost dead for fear yet in his countenance he counterfeited confidence For he could not now possibly make any escape nor rid himself out of the present danger and yet he heard no certain news of matters at Court because the King by an Edict had forbidden all men to give him notice thereof So that many times he comforted himself thus that either all matters concerning him were yet secret or if any thing was come to light that he by policy and impudence could acquit himself thereof for those two were his only weapons Being thus determined he went to the Kings Palace alone without any of his friends and followers who at the very D first gate were most contumeliously repulsed By chance Varus the Ruler of Syria was there and then boldly going into his Father's presence he advanced boldly near him Antipater's entertainment at his Fathers hands to salute him But Herod putting him back with his hands and shaking his head cried out What thou that hast attempted to murther thy Father darest thou yet presume to offer to embrace me being guilty of so many treasons Mayest thou perish wretch as thy crimes deserve Come not near me till thou hast cleared thy self of all that is laid to thy charge for thou shalt have justice and Varus shall be thy Judge who is by good fortune now here Go and premeditate how to acquit thee against to morrow which is all the time I will give thee to do it Hereat Antipater was so astonished with fear that he was not able to reply any E thing but silently went away Presently his Mother and his Wife came to him and told him all the proofs of treasons against him then he considered with himself how to answer every point The next day the King called an assembly of his friends and kindred Antipater is judged before Varus and to them admitted Antipater 's friends and he and Varus sitting in judgment commanded all proofs to brought and the witnesses to appear amongst whom were certain of Antipater 's Mothers servants lately apprehended who had Letters from her to carry to him to this effect Forasmuch as all things are known to thy Father beware that thou return not unto him before thou hast obtained some warrant of thy safety from Caesar These and others being brought in Antipater also came in after them and prostrating himself before his Fathers feet he said I beseech you F Sir bear no prejudicate opinion against me and lend me an open ear whilest I purge my self for if you please to give me lieve I will prove my self guiltless Herod commanding him to hold his tongue spake thus unto Varus I know well Varus that you or any other just and indifferent Judge Herod's accusation against Antipater will find Antipater to have deserved death But I fear lest you conceive an aversion against me and think me worthy so great afflictions for having been so unfortunate as to have brought such children into the world And yet this should move you to pity me Herod's kindness towards his children who have been so merciful to and careful for such wicked caitifs For I had already appointed those young men that are dead to be Kings and brought them up at Rome and gotten them Caesar's favour but they whom I had so much honoured and exalted to the Crown became traytors against my life Their death G was very advantageous to Antipater whose security I sought thereby because he was a young man and the next that should succeed me but this cruel beast hath discharged his rage upon my self and thinks my life too long and is grieved that I live to be old and hath attempted to make himself King The year of the World 3961. before Christ's Nativity 1. no other way but by murthering his Father For H which I know no other reason but that I called him out of the Country where he lived abscurely and casting off those Sons whom I had begotten of a great Queen appointed this to be heir of my Kingdom I confess my error that I incited them against me by having for Antipater's sake deprived them of their right Herod loved Antipater above the rest and bestowed many benefits on him For wherein had I so well deserved of them as of Antipater unto whom during my life-time I committed the sway and rule of my Kingdom and openly in my Will and Testament declared him my successor Besides other gratifications I bestowed upon him the yearly revenue of fifty Talents And lately when he was to sail to Rome I gave him three hundred Talents and commended him to Caesar as the only Son of all my house who had regard to his Fathers life And what was the offence of the others compared with Antipaters what proofs were produced I against them equal to those that have shewed me more clearly than the day the conspiracy framed against me by
Another proof against Antipater contained many invectives against Herod and many accusations But these Letters were feigned by Antipater who for money had perswaded Acme to write them in her own name as the Letter that she writ to Antipater evidently shewed for she writ as followeth I have writ to your Father as you requested me and sent also other Letters and I assure D my self he will not spare his sister if he do but read the Letters You may do well seeing I have performed all your requests to be mindful of your promise This Letter against Salome and others being found to be counterfeited the King began to doubt that Alexander was made away by such counterfeited Letters and he remember'd that he had almost put his Sister to death through Antipater's device Wherefore he resolved no longer to delay to punish him for all yet was he hindred by a great sickness from accomplishing his purpose Herod intendeth Antipater's punishment and therefore blotteth his name out of his Testament He only sent Letters to Caesar concerning Acme's treachery and false accusation of Salome and changed his Testament and blotted out the name of Antipater and in his room writ Antipas leaving out Archelaus and Philippus who were the elder Brethren because Antipater had render'd them odious to him E He bequeathed to Augustus a thousand Talents beside many other rich gifts and to his Wife the Empress and Children and Kindred and Freed men about five hundred he also gave great gifts to others either in land or money and left to his Sister Salome great riches CHAP. XXI Of the Golden Eagle and of Antipater's and Herod's death F HErod's disease increased partly through age and especially by his grief and sorrow Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. for he was now threescore and ten years old and his mind was so troubled for the death of his Children that though he were in health yet he took no pleasure in any thing and his sickness was so much the more grievous to him because that Antipater was yet alive but he purposed to put him to death as soon as he was recovered of his sickness To increase his calamity there arose a tumult among the people There were in the City two Doctors reputed very skilful in our Country-laws One of them was named Judas the Son of Sariphaeus the other was called Matthias the Son of Margalote These two were followed by a great number of young men so that when they expounded the Law they had an assemby like a great Army G And hearing that the King partly by grief and partly by his disease was very like to die they told their acquaintance that now it was a fit time to revenge the injury which God received by those profane works which were made against his express Commandment The year of the World 3963. after Christ's Nativity 1. which forbids to place the Images or likeness of H any living thing in the Temple This they said because the King had set a Golden Eagle upon the chief Porch of the Temple which they exhorted the young men to take away saying that it was meritorious although danger might ensue thereon yea Judas and Matthias perswade the people to pull down the Golden Eagle even to die for their Countrey-laws For they that died for such a cause should enjoy everlasting life and glory And that many unwise men ignorant of that Doctrine so loved their lives that they chose rather to die by sickness than to spend their lives in so glorious an enterprize Whilst they spoke thus there was a rumour spread that the King was now at the last gasp whereby the young men being encouraged about Noon when many were walking in the Temple they let themselves down from the top of the Temple with great ropes and so with hatchets cut down the Eagle I Whereof the Captain of the Soldiers being advertised The young men that pulled down the Eagle are brought before Herod and are examined he went with a great many Soldiers speedily to the Temple and took almost forty of the young men and carried them to the King Who asked them if that were true that they were so bold as to cut down the Golden Eagle They confessed they had done it Then he demanded by whose Commandment They answered by the Commandment of the Law After this it was asked them why they who were presently to die were so joyful They answered Because after death they hoped to enjoy Eternal Bliss The King hereat was so greatly moved with anger that for all his disease he went forth and made a Speech to the people wherein he inveighed against these persons as Sacrilegious who under pretence and colour of their Countrey-laws and Religion attempted some great matter K and he adjudged them as impious people worthy of death The people fearing that he would torture many to learn who had favoured the act requested him that only the Authors and Actors of that Crime might receive punishment and that he would remit the offence to all the people besides The young men with the Ring leaders condemned to die The King with much ado entreated caused the young men that let themselves down with Cords and the two Doctors to be burned and the rest which were taken in the act to be beheaded After this the King's sickness spread over his whole body and he was afflicted with most grievous pains The King troubled with many diseases For he had a great Fever and an Itch over all his body which was intolerable and a dayly Collick and his feet were swelled as though he had the Dropsie Ant. l. 17. c. 9. His belly also was swelled and his privy members putrified so that the worms L bred in the putrified places He was also grievously tormented with difficulty of breath and a Convulsion of the whole body so that some said that this was a punishment laid upon him Herod seeketh remedy in his sickness at the hot Baths for the death of the two Doctors Herod notwithstanding he was afflicted with so many and grievous sicknesses yet he was desirous to live and sought remedy in hope of health At last he passed over Jordan where he used the warm Waters of Calliroe which run into the Lake of Asphaltites and are so sweet that men use to drink of them There the Physicians caused his body to be bathed in hot Oyl and he was therewith so weakened that his sense failed and he was as though he were dead whereat those that were about him being troubled with their cries they caused him to look up and now despairing of life he caused fifty Drachmes M to be distributed to every Soldier and great Summs of money to the Captains and his friends As he returned Herod full of melancholy When he came to Jericho he was in a very great likelihood to die and his melancholly put into his head a wicked
fought with them and killed one Arius a Centurion and forty of the most valiant amongst them upon the place the rest being in like danger through the help of Gratus with the Soldiers of Sebaste escaped The End and 〈◊〉 of the War After they had done many things in this manner against their own Countrey-men O as well as strangers at last three of them were taken the eldest by Archelaus and the two other who were eldest after him fell into the hands of Gratus and A Ptolomey and the fourth yielded himself to Archelaus upon Composition Such was the success of the bold Enterprize of these five men But at that time a War of Thieves filled all Judaea with Troubles and Robberies CHAP. â— Varus Governour of Syria for the Romans represses the Insurrections in Judea WHen Varus had Ant. lib. 17. cap. 16. by the Letters of Sabinus understood the danger wherein the B whole Legion was Varus assisteth the Romans against the Jews being besieged in Jerusalem he hasted to succour them But first he went to Ptolemais with two other Legions and four Cornets of Horse where he had appointed the King's Forces and the other Auxiliary Troops to meet him As he passed by Beritus the Inhabitants gave him fifteen hundred men Also Aretas the King of Arabia for the hatred he bare to Herod sent him a great number both of Horse and Foot As soon as the Host was assembled Varus incontinently directed part of his Army into Galilee adjoyning to Ptolemais and appointed a friend of his the Son of Caius their Governour who presently put all to flight against whom he was sent and having taken the Castle of Sephoris he fired it and made all the Inhabitants thereof Slaves Varus taketh divers Cities and Castles of Judaea Varus with the rest of the Army went to Samaria and C took it yet he did the City no harm because he found that amidst all these Tumults they had been quiet When he had pitched his Tents at a Village called Arus which belonged to Ptolomey the Arabians sacked it for they hated those that loved Herod From thence they went to Sampho another strong Burrough which they in like manner sacked and destroyed without sparing any thing All was filled with the slaughter and fires which the Arabians made Emmaus burnt there was no end nor hindrance of their Avarice Also Varus commanded Emmaus to be burnt being angry for the death of Arius and the rest that were slain there and the Inhabitants thereof abandoned it every one by flight seeking to save himself Varus cometh to Jerusalem with his Army and with his only Presence dismayeth the Jews From thence he went to Jerusalem and at his approach the Jews that besieged the Roman Legion fled and scattered themselves D some here some there all about the Countrey They that remained in the City excused themselves that they were not consenting to the Tumult but that for the Celebration of the Feast they permitted those Seditious to come into the City affirming that they had rather have been besieged together with the Romans than have joyned with those of the Sedition and so they laid the cause of that Tumult upon others But first Josephus The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. Archelaus's Cousin with Gratus and Rufus went to meet him leading the King's Army and the Sibastians and the Roman Soldiers adorned in their accustomed Apparel Sabinus durst not be seen by Varus and therefore got him out of the Town before and went to the Sea-coast Varus divided his Army and sent some Parties into the Countrey Varus crucified two thousand of the Seditious to seek the Authors of the Tumult And those that E were brought to him who were in less fault he committed to Prison those who were the chiefest he crucified to the number of two thousand And understanding that in Idumaea there yet remained ten thousand men in Arms he presently sent the Arabians home because he perceived that they did not serve as they that came to help him but as they themselves pleased wasting the Countrey against his Orders and so accompanied with his own Army he hastned against the Enemies But they without any fight through Achiab's Counsel yielded themselves to Varus And he pardoned the Common Soldiers and sent the Captains to Caesar to answer the matter Varus's mercy and bounty to the Idumeans Who pardoning most of them yet punished some that were of Herod's Kindred because they had rebelled against their own King Varus having F thus quieted the Estate of Judea and Jerusalem left in the Fortress of Jerusalem the same Legion that was there before and departed to Antioch CHAP. IV. H How the Jews had an Ethnarch constituted over them The year of the world 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. NOw Archelaus met a new obsâ—acle at Rome Ant. lib. 17. cap. 17. for the Jews who before the Sedition with the lieve of Varus were gone to Rome to crave the liberty of their Countrey Ethnarcha Ruler or Governour Those who went as Ambassadours in their Countrey 's behalf were fifty in number and they were assisted by more than eight thousand Jews that lived at Rome The Jews call Archelaus in question Whereupon Caesar called a Council of the Nobility of Rome in the stately Temple of Apollo which he had built on Mount Palatine The whole Body of the I Jews appeared with the Legats against Archelaus and his friends Archelaus's Kindred neither came with him nor with the rest of the Jews with him they would not joyn for envy and with the Jews they durst not for shame Amongst them also was Philip the Brother of Archelaus whom Varus sent in courteous manner to assist his Brother or to the end that if it should please Caesar to divide Herod's Kingdom among his Children he might have a part The Ambassadours spoke first and began to declaim against Herod's Memory First of all they said that they found him not a King but the most cruel Tyrant that ever was and that he had murthered many and those whom he left alive endured such misery as they thought themselves far more unhappy than those that were so butchered A bitter Accusation of the Jews against Herod and his Sons For said they he was not only contented K to tear his Subject's bodies with torments but also defaced and ruined the Cities of his own Countrey to adorn and beautifie the Cities of Strangers And he permitted Forreigners to massacre the Jews without revenge And instead of their ancient and wonted happiness which Judea enjoyed by a Religious observation of the Laws the Countrey was by him made so poor and so wasted with Injustice that within these few years that Herod reigned they have suffered more Murthers and Massacres than all their Ancestors had from the time of their departure out of Babylon in the Reign of Xerxes
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
two Hills compassed with deep Vallies which Hills being rocky and steep were every way inaccessible The oldest of the three Walls by reason of the Valley about it and the Hill whereon it stood could not easily be taken The Fountain of Silo. for beside the difficulty of the situation it was very strongly built and repaired by David Solomon and other Kings This Wall beginning at the Tower called Hippicos The oldest Wall passeth on to that called Xystus and so to the Palace and at last endeth in the West porch of the Temple on the other side towards the West it begins at the same Tower and passing by the place that is called Betiso it descends to the Gate of the Esseans and so into the South and from thence again it bendeth into the East where is also Solomons Pond and reacheth unto the place called Ophlan I The Second Wall where it is joyned unto the East Porch of the Temple The second Wall beginning at the Gate that is called Genath which is a Gate of the former Wall and encompassing the North part of the City it reacheth to Antonia a Castle so called The third Wall beginneth at the Tower Hippicos The third Wall from whence it goeth to the North-part and from thence to the Tower Psephina over against the Sepulchre of Helena that was Queen of Adiabena Mother of King Izates and passing along by the Kings Caves it turneth towards the Tower near the Monument of Fullo and in the Valley called Cedron it joyneth with the old Wall Agrippa encompassed that part of the City that he built with this Wall it being before all open and without defence The City grew afterwards so populous that by little and little they were forced to inhabit without L the Walls and this Wall reacheth a great way being joyned unto the Hill next the City on the North side of the Temple There was also a fourth Hill inhabited Bezetha the fourth Hill named Bezetha situate against Antonia but separated from it with very deep Ditches made on purpose to render the approaches to the Fort Antonia more dangerous and difficult the deepness of which ditches made the Fort seem higher than it was This place being added unto the City is called in that Country-language Bezetha which signifieth the new City And the Inhabitants desired it might be fortified Agrippa's cost in building the Wall Agrippa Father to this Agrippa that finisht the Wall begun the Wall aforementioned But fearing Claudius Caesar hearing how sumptuous a Wall he built should suspect him for designing to revolt he only laid the Foundation of it and left it K unfinished The City could never have been taken by force had he finished that Wall as he began it being built twenty Cubits long and ten Cubits broad with hard Stone which could neither easily be undermined nor battered with Engines and this Wall was built ten Cubits high and no doubt had been raised higher had not the liberality of the founder been checked Yet afterwards by the Jews industry the same Wall was raised twenty Cubits high the Battlements hereof were two Cubits high and the Tower three Cubits and in all it was twenty four Cubits high as before Upon the Wall were three Towers twenty Cubits broad and twenty Cubits high M built four-square very strong and of as firm a foundation as the Wall it self which for the building and fair stone was not inferiour to the Temple above Within this strong Tower which reacheth twenty Cubits high were Rooms for men to lodg in and Cisterns to receive Rain-Water and large turning stairs to every Room in it and this third Wall had four-score and ten of these Towers The third Wall had 90. Towers and between every Tower were two hundred Cubits space The middle Wall had fourteen Towers and the old Wall had threescore and the compass of the whole City was three and thirty Furlongs And although the third Wall was admirable yet the Tower of Psephina which was built upon a Corner of the Wall Psephina was 70. Cubits high between the North and the West part of the City was more admirable against which part Titus had encamped himself for N it was seventy Cubits high had eight Angles and was so fair a Prospect that from thence upon a clear Sun-shine day one might perceive Arabia and see the uttermost parts of all the dominions of the Hebrews unto the Sea Just opposite to this was the Tower Hippicos and near unto it were other two that King Herod builded upon the old Wall which in bigness beauty and strength surpassed all the rest in the World For King Herod Herod called three Towers by the names of three his most dearest Friendâ— besides his natural liberality and desire to adorn this City pleased himself so much in beautifying these Towers that they excell'd all other and then he dedicated them to three most renowned persons whose names they also did bear to wit to his Brother his Friend and his Wife she as is aforesaid having been put to death for jealousie and the other two been slain in the Wars after they had fought O and performed valiantly The Tower Hippicos called by the name of his Friend had A four Corners and every one of them was five and twenty Cubits broad as many in length and thirty Cubits in height being no place hollow and above the high places and stone-work there was a Well to receive Rain-water twenty Cubits deep above it were houses with double roofs twenty five Cubits high and divided into many rooms Hippicos 85 Cubits high and above them were Battlements two Cubits high and Turrets three Cubits high so that the whole height was accounted to be eighty five Cubits The second Tower that by his Brothers name he called Phaselus Phaselus 90 Cubits high was in breadth and length fourty Cubits and so many Cubits high in figure of a square Pillar all which height was solid and not hollow within and above this a Porch ten Cubits high decked with Turrets and Pinacles Over the midst of this Porch he built another B Tower distinguished into goodly Rooms and sumptuous Baths that it should not want any thing necessary for a Prince on the Top it was beautified with Turrets and Pinacles so that all its height was almost fourscore and ten Cubits And it resembled the Tower Pharus at Alexandria wherein continual light is kept to guide the Seamen that sail thither but this was of greater circumference In this house at that time Simon lodged and tyrannized over the people The third Tower was according to the Queens Name Mariamme a goodly Tower 55 Cubits high called Mariamme the Wife of Herod twenty Cubits high all solid and other twenty Cubits broad having more magnificent and beautiful Houses and Lodgings than the rest For the King thought it meet that the Tower called by his Wives name should be
more beautiful than the other who only C bare the names of men but they were stronger than this that bare the name of a Woman This Tower was in all fifty five Cubits high These three Towers were of great height yet by reason of their situation they seemed far higher for the old Wall whereupon they were built was placed upon high ground and the top of the Hill whereupon they stood was above thirty Cubits high whereby their height was much increased The richness also was admirable for it was not ordinary stone but all White Marble every stone being twenty Cubits long ten Cubits broad five Cubits thick and all so ingeniously contrived that every stone by it self seemed a Tower and every Tower seemed to be but one Stone These were placed on the North side of the City and adjoyning to them within the City D was the Kings Palace surpassing all that can be spoken of it being for greatness and excellent work to be compared to the richest buildings in the World It was compassed about with a Wall thirty Cubits high adorned with goodly Towers round about The Kings Palace every one of like distance from other beautified with dwelling Houses and Lodgings for a hundred of the Nobility The variety of the Marble it was built withal was admirable for there was no sort how rare or costly soever but was there The Ceiling of the Rooms for the length of the Beams and the beauty thereof passed all credit and then their number and richness of their furniture was extraordinary In every room there were many Vessels of gold and silver and many Porches round about one answerable unto another and Pillars in every one There were many pleasant Walks with E divers Trees and many Allies with Fountains and Waters-works and Cisterns adorned with Brazen Images from which ran out Water and about the Water many Dove-houses full of tame Pigeons But it is impossible sufficiently to declare the riches and beauty of the Kings Palace and a grief to think what goodly things and how rich The Kings Palace burnt by the Theives and Rebels the Theives did there set on fire for these things were not burnt by the Romans but by the Seditious Thieves as is before said at the beginning of this Rebellion who consumed all with fire even from the Castle Antonia from whence the fire came and destroyed the Kings Palace and the Covers and Tops of the three Towers The Temple was as is before said built upon a hard Mountain and at the first The Temple built upon a most strong Hill the Plain upon the top thereof was scarcely big enough to contain it and the F Temple-yard the Hill being very steep But when King Solomon who also built the Temple had compassed the East part thereof with a Wall he also placed a Porch upon the Rampire and so for many ages after it lay unfenced on other parts wherefore the People every day bringing earth thither at last made it plain and large enough and breaking down the North Wall they took in all that space which the Temple had formerly taken up and the Hill being now inclosed with a threefold Wall it was a work beyond all imagination In the finishing whereof many Ages were spent All the sacred Treasures spent in the building of the Temple and all the holy Treasure offered to God even from all parts of the World was employed therein as well in the Buildings of the higher as of the lower part of the Temple the foundations whereof were laid three hundred Cubits deep G and in many places more yet could not all the Foundations be seen being buried in Valleys that were filled up to make them equal with the strait streets of the City The stones of this building were of fourty Cubits for the abundance of treasure and H liberality of the people did effect that which was scarcely possible and that which all men thought could never have come to pass in time and by industry came to perfection The building was answerable unto these Foundations The Porches were built of white Marble-stone sustained by Pillars For all the Porches were double and every one was supported by Pillars each of them being five and twenty Cubits high and all of one piece and of white Marble the top whereof was all of Cedar whose natural beauty for the good joyning of the wood and polishing thereof did astonish all that beheld it being adorned neither with painting nor carved works These Porches were thirty Cubits broad and the compass of them altogether with the Fort of Antonia was six Furlongs The Court was curiously wrought and paved I with all sorts of stones The way to the Second Temple was inclosed with stones of Lattice-work which were three Cubits high and most beautifully wrought in which were placed certain Pillars equally distant one from another to shew the Law of purification some being written upon in Latine letters others in Greek forbidding all strangers to enter into the Holy-place for the second Temple is called the Holy-place To go unto the second from the first we must pass fourteen stairs and it was foursquare aloft and enclosed with a Wall by itself whose outside being forty Cubits high was all covered with stairs to ascend up into it and within it was five and twenty Cubits high for all the part of the inner side was unseen because it was built on the descent of a Hill After the fourteen Stairs there was a Plain made level with the K Wall of three hundred Cubits from thence passed on five other Stairs which lead to the Gates whereof on the North-side and the South there were eight four on each side A peculiar place destinated for Women for Religion sake and two on the East For it was necessary that there should be a peculiar place for Women to exercise their devotion in which also was enclosed with a Wall And so it was necessary there should be two doors and against the first Gate there was opposite unto it one Gate on the North-side and another on the South both separated from the rest whereby we entred the Womens appartment for it was not lawful for any to pass by any other Gate unto the Women neither could they go beyond their own door because of the Wall for that place was common both to the Women of that Nation and all strange Women that came for Religion sake There was no L Gate on the West part but a Wall that reacheth along in that place Between the Gates were Porches opposite one against another reaching from the Wall unto the Treasure-house supported with great and goodly Pillars being as plain and as big as they below Some of the Gates were of Gold some of Silver and one of Corinthian Brass The Gates were covered with Gold and Silver as also the posts and foreparts thereof were one only excepted that was covered with
Justice and the fire came to Queen Helens Palace which was scituate in the midst of Acra also the houses and streets of the City full of dead Bodies were set on fire The same day the Sons and Brethren of King Izates and with them many Persons of quality assembled together Caesar constan in his resolution and supplicated Caesar to pardon them G and he though incensed against them all yet not changing his manner received them to mercy and put them all in Prison and afterward carried that Kings Sons and Kinsmen to Rome there to remain as Hostages CHAP. XIV The year of the World 4034. after the Nativity of Christ 72. H The Seditious get into the Palace pillage it and kill there 8400 of the People who had fled thither for refuge THE Seditious went to the Kings Palace where many had left their wealth because it was a strong place The Seditious resorting to the Kings house take away the treasure and driving the Romans from thence they slew all the people there assembled amounting to the number of 8400 and carried away all the Money and they took there two Roman Souldiers alive one a Horseman and the other a Footman I and they slew the footman and drew him all along the City as it were in the Body of that one revenging themselves upon all the Romans But the Horseman affirming that he had something to say to them which would greatly profit them and save their lives The punishment of a Roman Souldier taken by the Jews he was carried to Simon and not having there any thing to say Simon delivered him to one of his Captains called Ardala to be slain and he brought him where the Romans might behold him with his hands bound behind him and a veil before his eyes meaning there to behead him but he whilst the Jew drew out his Sword escaped to the Romans Titus would not put him to death because he had escaped from the Enemies yet deeming him unworthy to be a Roman Souldier who suffered himself to be taken alive he took from him his arms and discharged him from bearing them any more K which to a man of Courage was worse than Death The next day the Romans putting the Seditious to flight that were in the lower City fired all as far as Siloa rejoycing that the Town was destroyed yet they got no booties because the Seditious had already robbed and spoiled all The Jews are arrogant in the midst of their calamity and carried it into the higher City For they nothing repented them of their wickedness but were as arrogant as though they had been in prosperity so that with joy they beheld the City on fire and said That they desired death for that the People being slain the Temple destroyed the City on fire they should leave nothing to their Enemies Yet Joseph in this extremity laboured to save the Reliques of the City The Jews refuse to submit themselves to the Romans yet are they unable to wage war with them much inveighing against their cruelty and earnestly exhorting them to save themselves but he nothing profited by all this being only derided for his labour for neither L would they yield to the Romans for their Oaths sake nor were they able to fight with the Romans being now as it were besieged round by them yet their accustomed murthers encouraged them to more Thus dispersed all over the City they lurked in the ruines lying in wait for those that sought to flee to the Romans many of them were taken and slain for Famine had so weakned them that they could not flie and any death was more elegible than Famine So that many fled to the Romans having no promise nor hope to be spared by them and feared not to expose themselves to the fury of the Seditious who never ceased from murther The Tyrants uttermosâ— hope was in their Vaults And now there was no place in the whole Câ—â—y void but was fill'd with dead bodies who either perished by Famine or Cruelty But the Tyrants and M factious Thieves placed their last refuge in the Vaults where they hoped whatsoever hapned to hide themselves that they could not be found and so after the City was destroyed to escape which was only their vain fancy For they could neither be hid from God nor the Romans yet at that time they trusted in those Caves from whence they fired the City more than the Romans Rapine and slaughter in the Vaults and cruelly murdered those that having escaped the flames fled into secret places and spoiled them also if in any place they found any meat though all bloody yet they took it and eat it and now they fell to fight one with another about the spoil they got And I doubt not but if they had not been prevented by the destruction of the City their cruelty would have been such that they would have eaten the bodies of dead men N O A CHAP. XV. How the higher part of the City was assaulted and how some of the Jews fled unto Titus TItus perceiving that the higher part of the City could not be won without Mounts being situate in a soil round about which were high and deep Precipices on the twentieth day of August he set all his Souldiers on work and the carrying of Wood for B that purpose was very painful all Trees within 100 furlongs off the City being already cut down and used in the former Work as is before-said So the four Legions raised a Mount on the West side of the City and the Auxiliaries made a Mount against the Porch The Idumeans consult in their assembly about their submission Bridge and Tower which Simon during his War with John had built About this time the Captains of the Idumeans assembling together deliberated to yield themselves and sent five of their Company to Titus beseeching him to receive them to mercy and he hoping that the Tyrant would yield after them who were the greatest part of his Army with much difficulty granted them Life and so sent them back to their fellows But Simon having notice of their design presently slew those five that were sent to Titus and taking the Captains the chief of whom was James the Son of C Sosa he put them in Prison and carefully watcht the Idumaeans who now having no chief Commanders knew not what to do But the Guard could not hinder them from fleeing for although many of them were killed yet divers fled and escaped and were all received by the Romans Titus's courtesie being such that he remembred not his former Orders to the contrary And now the Souldiers abstained from murthers and minded only the getting of Wealth the common People they sold with their Wives and Children for a small price many being exposed to sale and few coming to buy them Titus having published that none should flie unto him without their families
their force Sin cannot shun Gods justice but yielding himself unto them having cruelly butchered many G under pretence of false Criminations to wit for having revolted to the Romans But impiety cannot escape Gods vengeance neither is the Divine justice of so weak force but that it can at one time or other punish those that violate it and it many H times inflicteth grievous punishment upon men when they think they have escaped all are not presently punished which also Simon felt after he fell into the Romans hands his comming out of the earth caus'd a great many more of the Seditious at that time to be taken in the Caves A great multitude of the Seditious taken in Vaults When Caesar was returned to Caesarea by the Sea-Coast Simon was presented bound to him and he commanded that he should be reserved for his Triumph which he purposed to make at Rome After making some abode in that place he celebrated his brother Domitian's birth-day with great solemnity In a shew in Caesarea two thousand five hundred Jews dies in this solemnity he brought forth divers Jews whose punishment he had of purpose deferred till this time the number of all that perished there with fighting against Beasts and amongst themselves Titus celebrateth Vespasians Birth-day and by fire amounted to more than 2500 men Yet the Romans thought all I these punishments too light and easie for them After this Titus went to Beritus which is a City in Phoenicia and a Colony of the Romans and here also he made some long abode and celebrated the birth of the Emperour his Father with far greater Solemnity then the former as well in giving divers Shews to the people as in great expence and Sumptuousness and causing many Captives to perish as before CHAP. XXI K Of the Calamity of the Jews at Antioch AT the same time the Jews who liv'd at Antioch were in great misery for the whole City was incited against them both for some new crimes laid to their charge and for certain offences before committed which necessarily I must recount before I proceed The Nation of the Jews was mixed amongst almost all Nations of the World The Nation of the Jews intermixed among the people of the World and especially amongst the Syrians by reason of their vicinity and many of them were at Antiochia because it was a great City and the Kings that succeeded Antiochus permitted them freely to inhabit there and to injoy all the liberties of the City For Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes destroyed Jerusalem and sacked the Temple but L his Successors restored all the Brass vessels that were taken from the Temple to the Jews to be used in their Synagogue at Antioch A number of Jews in Antioch and permitted them to have the same liberties in the City that the Greeks enjoyed and the other Kings also of latter times used them after the like sort so that their number greatly encreased and they enlarged their Temple and enriched it with sundry offerings and oftentimes gain'd some Pagans to be of their Religion and so rendred them also a part of their Nation Now about the time that the War broke out and Vespasian arrived in Syria the Jews begun to be generally hated of all men A Jew called Antiochus is the cause of their mighty misery in Antioch and one of them named Antiochus of considerable parentage whose Father was chief of all the Jews in Antioch at such time as the people of Antioch were assembled in the Theater came in amongst them and accused M his own Father and the rest of the Jews to have conspired together to burn the City in the night time and he nam'd some other Stranger-Jews to them as Conspirators with the rest The people hearing this could not repress their rage but presently caused those that were accused to be burnt in the Theater and made great speed to set upon all the Jews hoping that by speedy dispatch they might preserve their Country which otherwise was like to perish Antiochus perfidious to his Citizens Antiochus to enrage them the more offer'd to sacrifice according to the custom of the Pagans thereby as it were assuring the Antiochians Antiochus forbiddeth to Sanctifie the seventh day that he hated the Jews and their customs moving them also to compel all the rest of the Jews to do the like and whosoever refused so to do were to be judged Traitors The Antiochians followed his counsel but few Jews would N obey and they that denied to sacrifice were slain Then Antiochus receiving a party of Souldiers from the Roman Governours became most cruel against his Country-men and would not permit them to keep holy the Seventh day but in it obliged them to do all labour and business that they were acustomed to do upon any other day and he so urged them hereto that within short time the seventh day was not only violated among them of Antioch but also in other places and Cities round about The Jews at Antioch having endured this persecution Another calamity at Antioch fell into another as great calamity whereof I intend to speak It hapned that the foursquare Market and the publick Places where all Writings and Registers were kept as also the Kings House were burnt and the fire so encreased that with much ado it was hindred O from firing the whole City Of this fact Antiochus accused the Jews thereby inciting A the Antiochians against them The year of the World 4035. after the Nativity of Christ 73. and it was not hard for him to believe his calumniatious although they had not hated them before by reason of that which lately past so that now they almost perswaded themselves that they had seen the Jews put fire to the houses and so in a great rage all of them set upon those that were accused Wherefore Collega the Lievtenant-Governour had much ado to pacifie the people notwithstanding that he reqeusted them to permit him to inform Caesar of all that was past For Vespasian had already sent Cesennius Portus to be Governour of Syria but he was not as yet arrived there Then Collega making diligent enquiry of the matter found out the truth A sort of wicked men by means they were indebted burn the Market-place and and the publick Records and not one of the Jews accused by Antiochus was prov'd guilty for certain impious people had done all this mischief being indebted thinking that if they burnt B the market-place and the publick writings then their debts could not be required at their hands Nevertheless the Jews lived in great fear and expected the event of these forged accusations CHAP. XXII How Vespasian at his return was received by the Romans C AFter Titus had received Letters from his Father The City of Rome entertaineth Vespasian with all willingness and pomp that he was arrived in Italy and that all the Cities
be fortified as a Principal defence F against the Neighbouring Arabians For it was aptly situate upon a Mountain whence one might behold their borders Wherefore making a large Wall he built a City there in the place that enters into the Castle he also compassed the very top thereof with another Wall and in the corner he placed Towers that were 60 Cubits high and in the very midst of all he built a Palace for largeness and beauty admirable and he made many Cisterns to receive Water in convenient places Wonderful store of Arrows and other Engines in this Tower which served the people abundantly striving as it were with nature that the places which she had made Strong he by Art might make yet inexpugnable He also laid up there in store Arms and warlike Engines and also all provisions wherewith the Inhabitans might be able to hold out a long siege G In the Kings Palace Rue of admirable greatness grew the Herb called Rue which was very admirable for the greatness for no Figtree was taller or broader then it and it was reported that it had continued ever since Herods time The year of the World 4037. after the Nativity of Christ 75. and had endured longer had not the Jews ruined it when H they took the place In the Valley that lieth on the North side of the City there is a place called Baaras where also groweth a Root of the same name the colour whereof resembleth flame and it shineth at night like the Sun-beams and is not easie to be pulled up till one cast upon it the Urine of a Woman or her flowers whosoever toucheth it is sure to dy except he carry the Root hanging on his hand It is also gathered another way without danger How Baaras is to be gathered after this manner They dig all round about it so that they leave a very little of the Root covered with Earth and then they tie a Dog to it Another fashion how to dig the Roots who striving to follow his Master who makes as though he would go away easily pulleth up the Root and the Dog presently dieth as it were in his stead that seeketh to get it but afterward none that handleth it or taketh I it need to stand in fear thereof This Herb notwithstanding all this danger is diligently sought out for the vertue it hath For it driveth away Devils which are the Souls of wicked men out of mens bodies if it be applyed unto them whereas otherwise if they had no help these Devils possessing their bodies would kill them Hot Baths out of that place also do spring certain hot Waters very different in taste one from another for some are bitter some sweet there are also sources of cold Waters one near another in a Plain but which is most admirable there is a Cave hard by not very deep environed with an eminent Rock above from which there stands out as it were two Duggs or Paps hard by one another and out of one of them floweth very cold Water out of the other very hot which mingled together K make a pleasant bath and serve to cure many Diseases and especially all pains of the sinews In the same place also are mines of Sulpher and Alum Bassus having viewed this place on every side resolved to besiege it and he endeavoured to fill up the Valley that was on the East side and so make away to it which he began to do hastning to raise a very high Mount in order to batter the Castle The Jews that were forreigners dwelt in the lower City Those that were inhabitants constrained the Jews that were strangers to go into the lower City judging them an unprofitable multitude and so they caused them to endure the first brunt of the Enemies and they themselves kept the Castle both for that it was strong and easie to defend and that they L hop'd that by yielding the place to the Romans The conflict of the Jews with the Romans they might obtain pardon of them Yet first they purposed to make Trial if they could avoid the siege and therfore very couragiously every day they made excursions Eleazar a Jew strong in hand and fierce in bold attempts and fought with those they met and many were slain on both parts Fortune and opportunity sometime caused one side to be victors sometime another for the Jews got the best when they could assault the Romans unawares and the Romans overcame when they were aware of the Jews coming and armed themselves But the siege was not ended by these Skirmishes at length a chance befel which obliged the Jews to yield the Castle Amongst those that were besieged was one Eleazar a young man very hardy and bold in any enterprize and who oftentimes made excursions and sought to M hinder the Romans work whom always in every fight he greatly endammaged and by his valour and adventurous courage gave those that were his fellows opportunity to assault the Romans and to fly again and retire in safety himself being always the last that so retired It hapned one day that the fight being ended and both parts separated he as it were contemning all men and thinking that none of his Enemies durst undertake to Combate with him stayed without the Gate speaking to those that were upon the Wall and giving great attention to them Then one Rufus an Aegyptian one of the Roman Army spying this opportunity ran upon him so suddenly that he unawares took him all unarmed as he was and they upon the Walls stood amazed whilst Rufus led him into the Roman Camp N Then the General of the Romans caused him to be led into a place where they in the City might see him and there to have all his Cloaths taken off and to be whipp'd the misfortune of this young man greatly discouraged the Jews so that all the City was melted into Tears for the calamity of this one man Bassus seeing this contriv'd this device against them in order to move them to compassion so that for to save him they should yeild their Castle Eleazar's calamity moveth the Jews to submit themselves which fell out as he desired He presently commanded a Cross to be erected as though he would presently have crucified Eleazar which sight greatly moved them in the Castle to sorrow whereupon with loud cries they lamented saying that this calamity was insupportable O Eleazar besought them not to neglect him who was now to die a most miserable A death and moreover to provide for their own safety in yielding the Castle unto the Roman Forces and success They moved with his words and many also within the City intreating for him for he came of great Parentage and had many Kindred though contrary to their natures compassion took place in them and so sending some of their company speedily they desired to parley declaring that they would yield the Castle
O felicity in lying for he neither told what Nation those three hundred and fourscore thousand were nor yet how a hundred and fourscore thousand of them perished neither were they slain in the fight or fled unto Ramesses and which is most to be admired one cannot gather out of his words whom he calleth Jews or whether he attribute this name unto the two hundred and fifty thousand Lepers or unto the three hundred and fourscore thousand which were at Pelusium But it is folly to oppose my self against them who have sufficiently contradicted themselves for had other men controlled their Writings they had been the more to be born withal Lysimachus is reproved for lying Lysimachus was another of the same Stamp and one that not only seconds but surpasses them in their Lyes in so much that we need no more than the M extravigance of his Story to prove his hatred to our Nation He tells us that in the reign of Bocchâ—r King of Egypt the Jews that were Leprous or otherwise infected resorted in such numbers to the Temples to beg the charity of the people that they communicated their distempers to the Egyptians According to Lysimachus the scabbed and Leprous Jews were to be conveighed into the Wilderness and caâ—â— into the Sea Bocchor consulted the Oracle of Ammon and received this answer that he should purifie the Temples and send into the desart all those sick and infectious people upon whom the Sun could shine no longer without regret and that by so doing the Earth should recover its primitive fertility That hereupon the said Prince by advice of his Priests assembled all those diseased persons delivered them into the hands of certain Souldiers who lap'd some of them in lead and threw them into the Sea conducting the rest into the wilderness and leaving N them there to be destroyed by Famine That in that distress the poor people consulted together made great fires kept strong Guards all night and fasted very solemnly thereby to make their Gods more propitious and that a certain person called Moses advised them to remove the next day and march on till they found better quarters to trust no man to give no man good Counsel that ask'd them to ruine the Temples and Altars where ever they came and that this Counsel having been approved they passed the Wilderness and after much trouble and frequent distresses arrived in a Country that was inhabited where they gave the first instances of their crulelty by abusing the Natives and robbing their Temples in which course they continued till they came at length to Judea where they built a City and called it Jâ—rosula which is O as much as to say the â—poil of holy things but that growing afterwards more Potent A they changed that name as too infamous and called it Jerusalem and themselves inhabitants of Jerusalem This fellow found not that King which the two former speak of but he joyned a more new name and leaving the Dream and the Prophet goeth to Ammon for an answer touching the scabbed and Lepers he saith that a multitude was gathered together at the Temples Lysinius his opinion confuted but he leaveth it uncertain whether the Jews only were infected with this Disease for he saith the people of the Jews or whether they were strangers and such as were born in that Country If they were Jews why doest thou call them Egyptians If they were strangers why dost thou not tell of whence they were Or how came it to pass the King having drowned so many of them in the Sea and left B the rest in the Wilderness that still so many should be left how did they pass the Wilderness and get the Country we now inhabit and build a City and a Temple famous through all parts of the World Thou shouldest not only have told the name of our Law-maker but also what Country-man he was and of what Parents and what moved him in his journey to make such laws against the gods and against men For if they were Egyptians they would not so easily have forgotten the Religion wherein they were brought up or of what place else soever they were they had some laws or other which they had been accustomed to keep If they had vowed to have born no good will unto them by whom they were driven out of their Country they had some just occasion so to do But to undertake War against all the World and deprive themselves C of all friendship and help of mortal men doth not shew their sottishness so much as the foolishness of him who belies them who most impudently affirmeth that their City took the name of Church-spoiling and afterward changed it For what cause forsooth did they change the name thereof Nothing is to be said against an impudent lye marry for that the former name was ignominious to their posterity But the Gentleman underdood not that Jerusalem signifieth otherwise in Hebrew than in Greek And therefore what should I stand to inveigh against a lie so impudently told But this book having been long enough I will begin another in which I shall endeavour to acquaint my self of what I have undertaken D E F G The SECOND BOOK H OF THE ANTIQVITY of the JEVVS Written by I FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS Against APPION of ALEXANDRIA And dedicated to EPAPHRODITUS K THrice honoured and beloved Epaphroditus I have in my former Books so far forth as I was warranted by truth proved the Antiquity of our Nation out of the Writings of the Phoenicians Chaldees and Egyptians And for the further confirmation thereof I have produced the Testimony of divers Greek Authors Furthermore I have opposed my self against Manethon and Cheremon and divers others It remains now that I convince those who defied me more particularly and gives an L answer to Appion Appion wrote something very coldly though indeed I am scarce satisfied that he deserves it For as touching part of what he hath written it seemeth to be one the same with that which the rest have written And as touching the rest it is very cold and barren The greatest part thereof is stuffed with follies and detractions and betrayeth his ignorance shewing him to be a Man both loose in condition and turbulent in his life And forasmuch as divers men are so weak in their judgments that they rather suffer themselves to be won by these follies than to be wrought upon by that which is written with better consideration vainly doting on detractions and growing discontent to give ear to other mens well deserved praises I have thought it necessary to examine his Labours the rather for that he hath written against us as if he intended to accuse us before a M Tribunal and convict us by publick trial For I see that it is an ordinary course for the most part of men to hug and take pleasure though perhaps he that beginneth to blame another
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
year of the World 2880. before Christ's Nativity 1084. H The Philistines assailing the Hebrews are overcome in Battel BUT when the King had Mustered his Men 1 Sam. 13. 1 ad 4. and chosen out 3000 of the best Soldiers he appointed 2000 of them for the guard of his Person and with them went and dwelt at Bethel Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. The rest he gave in chrge to his Son Jonathan and sent them to Gaba Saul elected 2000 for his own guard and 1000 for Jonathans to attend and guard him there who follow'd by them valiantly overcame a Garison of the Philistines near to Gebal For the Philistines of Gaba having gotten a Victory over them had taken their Arms from them and seized and fortified both with Men and Munition the strongest Cities of their Countrey prohibiting them to bear Arms and I in general the use of any Iron Saul overcometh the Philistines by reason of which Inhibition if their Husbandmen had at anytime need of any Iron work as of Plough-shares Mattocks or any such other Instrument fit for manuring or tillage of their Lands they were inforced to seek it and get it forged amongst the Philistines Now when the Philistines understood that their Garison was defeated Ver. 5. they were extremely mov'd The Philistines prepare to invade the Israelites and conceiving that the injury and outrage was not to be suffered they armed themselves against the Jews and marcht out embattelled with 300000 Footmen 30000 Chariots and 6000 Horse encamping with their whole Host near the City of Machmas Which when Saul the King of the Hebrews understood he marched toward the City of Gilgal and as he Travelled thorow the Countrey he animated and encouraged K the People to preserve their liberty proclaiming War against the Philistines whose Forces he so little feared that he mocked thereat saying That they deserved not to be feared for their multitudes nor any danger which might accrue by an Encounter with them But when Sauls Soldiers were certified of the true number of their Enemies Ver. 6 7 8. they were dismayed The Israelites dismay'd at the report of the Army of the Philistines so that some of them hid themselves in Dens and places under the earth others fled on the other side of Jordan into the Countrey of the Gadites and Reubenites But Saul sent for the Prophet to consult with him about the War who gave him answer that he should attend in the same place where he was and prepare Beasts for Sacrifice because that within seven days he would come to him and sacrifice on the seventh day Ver. 9 10. which done he might encounter the Enemy According to this direction of the L Prophet he expected Saul sacrificeth contrary to God and the Prophets direction yet observed not intirely all that Samuel had enjoined him For when he perceived that he was somewhat slack in coming and that his Soldiers left him he took the Beasts that were prepared for the Sacrifice and offer'd a Burnt-offering but afterwards understanding that Samuel was arrived he went out to meet him and do him honour Samuel accuseth Saul Samuel told him that he had done amiss by reason that neglecting that which was commanded him Ver. 11 12. he had presum'd before his arrival to offer the Sacrifices which were to be made to God for the People Saul excused himself alledging That he had stayed during the term of 7 days which were appointed him but that necessity and the departure of his Soldiers upon intelligence that the enemies Army had left Machmas and was coming to Gilgal had induced him to offer Sacrifice Samuel replyed saying Thou M hadst done more advisedly if thou hadst obeyed and not by thy hastiness contemned God whose Minister and Prophet I am for by thine obedience thou mightest have gotten an assurance and continuance of thy Kingdom to thy self and the succession to thy Posterity This said being displeased with what had hapned he returned back to his own house Hedio Ruffinus and Saul with 600 Soldiers only accompanied with his Son Jonathan came to the City of Gabeon The greater part of these Men were disarmed by reason that the Countrey was destitute of Iron and Workmen expert in forging Armor for the Philistines permitted them not to have any Gilgal as we have declared a little before Ver. 22 23. The Philistines dividing their Army into three Battels invaded the Countrey of the Hebrews so many wayes The Philistines spoil the Countrey of the Hebrews destroying and ravaging all things in the sight of King Saul and his Son N who neither could inhibit their incursions nor by reason of their multitudes make head against them Both he therefore and his Son and Achias the High Priest sate down upon a Hillock 1 Sam. 14. 1 ad 4. and seeing the Countrey spoiled round about them they were much dismayed But Sauls Son proposed to his Armor-bearer to enter secretly into the Enemies Camp Jonathan with his Harness-bearer do privily enter the Enemies Camps and raise an Uproar and Alarum in the same who willingly promising and offering him his service to adventure with him in all occasions and places with the hazard of his life they both of them descended from the Mountain and marched directly towards the Enemies Camp who had pitched their Tents on a high pointed Rock which extended it self in length with three angles and was each way begirt with a Bank as it were a Wall and Fortification against the incursion of their Enemies For O which cause they kept their watch somewhat too carelesly because the place was so fortified by nature that no man could ascend or assail them but with disadvantage When A they got near the Camp Jonathan encouraged his Companion to assail the Enemy after this manner If saith he they espie us and will us to ascend let us take this Summons of theirs for an assured token that our design shall succeed but if they hold their peace and call us not let us return back again As they approached the Enemies Host about break of day the Philistines said one to another Ver. 11 12. the Hebrews creep out of their Caves and Dens then cryed they out to Jonathan and his Armor-bearer saying Come hither come hither to us to receive the punishment of your audacious enterprize Jonathan heard these words with joy as a certain presage that God favor'd his enterprize and parted with his Armor-bearer from the place where they were first discovered answering them that he would shortly visit them So withdrawing B himself on the other side of the Rock which by reason of the scituation thereof was left unguarded Ver. 12 13 14 15. and overcoming the difficulty of the place with great labor at last they came where the Enemy was Jonathan slayeth a certain number in the enemies camp the rest
would not transgress the Laws of their Countrey for which cause being apprehended they were instantly cast into the Furnace of Fire and protected therein by Gods providence escaped death beyond all mens expectation For the fire touched them not neither could it burn during their abode in the Furnace For God so defended their Bodies that they could not be consumed by fire N which miracle made them in great estimation with the King for that he saw that they were virtuous and beloved of God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Not long after this the King saw another Vision in his sleep which signified unto him that being cast from his Empire he should converse with Savage Beasts and that having lived in that estate in the Desart for the space of seven years he should recover his Kingdom again Having had this Dream he assembled the Magicians once more demanding their answer and the signification thereof But it was impossible for any one of them either to find out or declarethe meaning of this Dream unto the King Onely Daniel discovered the same and the effect was answerable to his prediction For the King passed the fore-limited time in the Desart Dan. 4. 1. ad 29. so that no man durst intermeddle O with the affairs of Estate during seven years The Dream and exposition hereof But after he had called upon God that it would please him to restore him to his Kingdom he repossessed the same again Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities according as I have found them written in Holy Books The year of the World 3381. before Christ's Nativity 5â—3 for in the entrance of my History I have A answered those objections so that I have openly protested that I will onely faithfully translate the Hebrew Histories into the Greek tongue and according to my promise relate that which is contained therein without adding any thing of mine own or concealing ought of another mans Nabuchodonosors death After that Nabuchodonosor had reigned fourty three years he dyed he was a man of good Conduct and more happy than any of his Predecessors Berosus maketh mention of his acts in the third Book of the Chaldaique History where he speaketh thus His Father Nabuchodonosor having notice that the Governour whom he had appointed over Egypt and the neighboring parts of Coelosyria and Phoenicia was revolted from him being at that time in himself unable to endure the troubles of War committed apart of his Forces unto his Son Nabuchodonosor who was in the flower of his age B and sent him forth against them Berosus of Nabuchodonosor Hedio Ruffinus chap 13. who encountring the Rebels and fighting with them overcame them and brought the Countrey under his subjection Mean while Nabuchodonosor the Father died of a sickness in Babylon after he had Reigned One and twenty years Nabuchodonosor the Son having notice of his Fathers death gave order to the affairs of Egypt and the rest of the Countrey and committing the care and transportation of the Jews Syrians Egyptians and Phoenicians to his friends to bring them to Babylon with his Army and Carriage he with a few Men made hasty journeys thorow the Desart And when he had taken the administration of the Kingdom upon him which in his absence was in the hands of the Chaldees and by their Chieftain was reserved until his return unto his use he became Lord of all his Fathers Empire When his prisoners were arrived he assigned them convenient C dwelling places in the Countrey of Babylon and with the spoils of War he magnificently repaired and decked the Temple of Bell and other places He enlarged the old City and repaired and beautified it with other buildings by means whereof they that would besiege the same were hindred from cutting off the current of the River to the prejudice of the Inhabitants He invironed it within with a treble Wall and outwardly with as mighty and as many enclosures and made all of burnt Brick The Walls were magnificently builded and the Gates bravely adorned in manner of Temples He caused a Palace to be builded near unto his Fathers antient Palace the magnificence and ornaments whereof I am not able to express onely this thing most memorable I have thought good to note that these great and pompous Buildings were finished in fifteen days In this Palace he had Vaults D raised so high that in outward appearance they seemed to be Mountains on which all sorts of Trees were planted He devised and prepared also a goodly Garden and called it the hanging Garden because his Wife having been brought up in the Countrey of Media desired at Babylon Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor to see some resemblance of her own Countrey Megasthenes in the fourth Book of his Indian History maketh mention of this Garden in that place where he enforced himself to prove Diocles. that this King surpassed Hercules in valour and execution of worthy actions Philostratus For he said that Nabuchodonosor overcame the chief City of Lybia and a great part of Spain Diocles in the Second Book of the Persian History and Philostratus in his Phoenician and Indian History make mention of this King saying that he overcame the City of Tyre at the end of thirteen years at such time as Ithobal E Reigned over the Tyrians This is the sum of all that which the Historiographers write as touching this King CHAP. XI Nabuchodonosors Successors the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia AFter Nabuchodonosors death Evilmerodach releaseth Jechonias from his long imprisonment his Son Evilmerodach obtained the Kingdom who incontinently delivered Jechonias King of Jerusalem out of prison and held him in the number of his most esteemed friends and gave him Presents and committed F the Government of the Palace of Babylon into his hands For his Father had not kept his promise with Jechonias 2 King 25. 27. when he surrendred himself his Wife Children and Friends into his hands Jer. 52. 31. ad finem in the behalf of his Countrey and to the intent that the City of Jerusalem should not be razed by those that besieged it Niglisar as we have heretofore declared Labophordach Evilmerodach died in the eighteenth year of his Reign Balthasar or Naboandel King of Babylon and Niglisar his Son obtained the Kingdom which he possessed fourty years and afterwards died After him the succession of the Kingdom came unto his Son called Labophordach which continued in him but for the space of nine moneths and after his death it came unto Balthasar who by the Babylonian was called Naboandel Against whom Cyrus King of Persia and Darius King of Media made War at such time as he was besieged in Babylon there hapned G a marvellous and prodigious spectacle H Balthasar sate upon a certain Festival day in a Royal Chamber The year of
the World 3421. before Christ's Nativity 543. where he was served with great store of Vessels fit for his Majesty and with him at the Banquet there sate his Concubines and most intimate friends At which time to shew his Magnificence he caused those Vessels to be brought out of the Temple of his God which Nabuchodonosor his predecessor fearing to employ to his own use had stored up in his Idols Temple Dan. 5. 5 6 7 ad 30. But Balthasar was so puffed with pride Baâ—thasar seeth a hand thrust out of a Wall and writing certain Syâ—lables that he drank out of them and employed them to his own use Now came it to pass that whilest he quaffed and blasphemed the Name of God he saw a hand issuing from a Wall which wrote on the same certain words by which Vision being somewhat terrified he assembled his Magicians and Chaldees and all that sort of people who amongst those barbarous Nations made profession to interpret I Prodigies and Dreams to the intent they might signify unto him the meaning and signification of that Writing Now when these Magicians had told them that they could not give an interpretation of it the King was sore vexed and troubled at this unexpected Vision whereupon he caused it to be proclaimed thorow his Countrey that whosoever should read that Writing and declare the meaning thereof he would give him a Golden Chain and a Purple Robe such as the King of the Chaldees wore and besides all this the third part of his Empire After this Proclamation the Magicians assembled tegether with a great concourse and were far more diligent and inquisitive to find out the signification of the Writing but they advanced nothing more than at the first Mean while the Kings Grandmother seeing him wholly dejected in mind began to comfort K him and to tell him that there was a certain man amongst the prisoners of Juda led thither at such time as Nabuchodonosor destroyed Jerusalem whose name was Daniel a man wise and expert in searching out of things that were onely known unto God who evidently expounded that which Nabuchodonosor required at such time as no other man could satisfy his demand Whereupon the King called him unto his Presence and telling him what proofs he had heard of his Wisdom and of that Divine Spirit that was in him and how he onely was fit to interpret those things which were concealed from other mens knowledge he prayed him to inform him what that hand-writing signified promising him in reward thereof a Purple Garment a Golden Chain and the third part of his Empire to the end that being honoured with these rewards for his wisdom L he might grow famous amongst all men who demanding the reason should know the intent why he was honoured But Daniel refusing all these Presents of his in that the wisdom that is given from above is not corrupted thereby but is freely imparted to those that have need thereof told him that that Writing did foretell the end of his life because he had not learned to fear God neither to lift up his thoughts higher than humane nature notwithstanding he had seen the chastisement wherewith his predecessor had been punished for the outrages he committed against God For that Nabuchodonosor having been driven to lead his life amongst Beasts by reason of his Impieties after divers requests and supplications had obtained mercy and was returned unto humane conversation and into his own Kingdom for which cause all the time of M his life he praised Almighty God the Governour of all things whereas he had omitted to do the like and had blasphemed the name of God and had debauched himself with his Concubines in the Vessels dedicated to God For this cause God was displeased with him and certified him by his Writing what end he should expect Whereupon he expounded the Writings after this manner Mane which is as much to say as number sheweth that God hath numbred the days of thy Life and Reign which shall endure but a little while Thekel signifieth a balance God therefore said he weighing the government sheweth that it shall be overthrown Phares this word signifieth a fragment God shall break thy Kingdom and divide it among the Medes and Persians When the King had heard this interpretation he was very sorrowful according N as the nature of things so disasterous and so apparent required Notwithstanding he delayed not to bestow those Presents which he had promised the Prophet although as he well perceived the words boaded him ill yet he gave him all that which he promised him v. 2. ad 29. considering with himself Daniel interpreteth the Writing to the King that it was his own destiny that he ought to accuse and not Daniel who like an honest man had declared the Truth notwithstanding it were very unwelcome to his ear Not long after this Balthasar and the City were overthrown and taken by Cyrus King of Persia and his Army The King performed his promises to Daniel For this was that Balthasar under whom and in the seventeenth year of whose Reign the surprisal of Babylon hapened This as far as I could gather was the end of King Nebuchodonosors posterity v. 31. O Darius Babylon surprized by Cyrus King of Persia who with his ally Cyrus had destroyed the state of the Babylonians was threescore and two years old at such a time as he took Babylon He was Astyages Son and is otherways called by the Greeks He took the Prophet Daniel and led him with him into Media The year of the World 3425. before Christ's Nativity 539. and kept him near unto him doing him much honour for he was of the number A of three Governours whom he constituted over three hundred and threescore Provinces for so had Darius commanded it Now Daniel being thus honoured and beloved by Darius and trusted by him in all things for that God was with him was much hated as they usually are The force of envy who have the greatest interest in Princes favours Whereas therefore they that were jealous of the good esteem which he had with Darius soughâ— occasion to calumniate and backbite him Daniels honour and uprightness he warily cut off all opportunity thereof for he would neither be bribed with Silver nor corrupted with Presents supposing it to be an act of much dishonesty to receive gifts after a man had done any courtesies Hedio and Ruffinus chap. 14. He therefore gave his maligners no manner of ground to detract from his reputation But they still persisted in their malice Dan. 6. Ã v. 4. ad 15. and all other attempts failing they thought upon one at last by B which they imagined they might destroy him For they perceiving that Daniel did thrice every day make his Pray'rs unto God they supposed that they had found a just pretext to work his ruine Whereupon they came unto Darius certifying him