murder and slaughter of one of his Friends Joseph being thus delivered from extream danger both from the D Romans Joseph resorteth to Vespasian with Nicanor and from those of his own Nation went with Nicanor to Vespasian All the Romans came about him to see him and pressing about their General they made a great noise some rejoycing that he was taken others crying out to punish him others striving to come near to behold him better and they who were afar off cryed out to kill that Enemy of the Romans Fame But those who were near and beheld him remembring his great Actions An example of Titus grace and mercy towards Joseph were astonished at his change of Fortune No Captain or Ruler but although before they were all moved against him yet now beholding him they begin to pity him especially Titus who being of a gentle disposition admired Josephs valour his constancy in adversity and considered his Age and thereby was moved to take compassion upon him remembring what a manner of man he had been during E the Wars and what he now was being fallen into his Enemies hands calling also to mind the power and force of Fortune and how uncertain the chance of War is and that humane affairs have no stedfastness His Example drew many minds to pity him so that Titus was the chief author of Josephs life Yet Vespasian caused him to be carefully kept as though he meant to send him to Caesar Which Joseph hearing requested that he might speak a word or two with him alone Whereupon all but his Son Titus departing Joseph hath private conference with Vespasian and two of his Friends Joseph spoke to him in these terms You think only that you have Joseph for your Captive but I am a Messenger to you of greater matters from God Joseph foretelleth Vespasian of his future honours Otherwise I knew my Country Laws and how it behoved the Generals of our Nation to die and not to be taken alive by their Enemies You will send me F to Nero Wherefore since Nero and those that are to succeed him before you have so little time to live you O Vespasian shall be Caesar and Emperor of Rome and Titus your Son after you keep me therefore in bonds with you for you are not only my Lord but Lord of all the World Sea and Land and all Man-kind And if I now fain these things in this state of mine own mind against God let me be reserved to greater punishment After he had thus spoken Vespasian gave small credit to his words thinking that Joseph fained these things of himself to save his Life yet by little and little he began to give credit to him because God put it in his mind to hope for the Empire and fore-told him of his Reign by many signs and tokens and he also found Joseph to tell the truth in other matters For one of Vespasians friends saying that it was strange that he knowing this G could not prophesie of the event of the War against Jotapata Josephs truth in all things and what was like to befal himself that so he might avoid those evils Joseph answered that he had foretold the Citizens of Jotapata that after seven and fourty dayes they should be destroyed and that the Romans should keep him alive in hold Vespasian secretly enquired of these H matters and finding by the relation of the Captives that it was true he began to give more credit to that which Joseph had told him concerning himself So he commanded Joseph to be kept Prisoner yet he gave him apparel and divers other things in most courteous manner Joseph is kept bound yet rewarded by Vespasian and Titus greatly honoured him The fourth day of July Vespasian returned to Ptolemais and from thence he came to the Sea-coast to Caesarea which is the greatest City of Judaea whose Inhabitants are for the most part Greeks The Inhabitants received the Army and the General with all friendship possible Caâ—sarea a great City by the Sea-side inhabited for the most part by Greeks both for that they loved the Romans and especially also for that they hated the Jews so that many intreated Vespasian to put Joseph to death But Vespasian judging this a rash Petition would make no answer to it and he left two Legions to Winter at Caesarea I because he saw it was a fit place and he sent the tenth and fifth to Scythopolis because he would not over-charge Cesarea with the whole Army Scythopolis This place is warm in Winter and exceeding hot in Summer by reason it is situate on a Plain by the Sea-coast CHAP. XV. How Joppa was taken by the Romans K IN the mean time a great multitude being gathered together Joppa the retreat of the Seditious and Thieves who either were seditious persons or thieves or such as had escaped out of the taken-Cities re-edified Joppa for their refuge which Cestius formerly had destroyed and seeing they could not find provision in the Countrey which was already wasted and left desolate by the War they purposed to become Pirates and so building Ships for that purpose they robbed the Phoenicians Syrians and Aegyptians not suffering any to pass those Seas without danger Vespasian understanding their practices sent Horse and Foot against Joppa who finding the City not guarded got into it in the night which the Inhabitants perceiving were so terrifi'd that they durst not make any resistance to expel L the Romans but they all fled to their Ships and there stayed all night a flight-shot from the shore Joppa is naturally no road for Ships for it is situated upon a turbulent Shore and on every side hath very high and eminent Rocks which trouble the Seas and make huge Waves In this place if we may believe the fable one may see the signs of Andromeda's Chains Of Andromeda read lib. 4. Ovid Metamorph When the North Wind blows it striketh the Waves against the Rocks and so causeth a dangerous Sea that it were far more safe to be in the midst of the Seas than at that Shore when the said Wind bloweth The Inhabitants of Joppa rode there all night A huge tempest drowneth those of Joppa in the Sea and by break of day the North Wind began to blow fiercely and drove some of the Ships one against another and others against the Rocks and many striving against Wind and Weather and seeking to get into the midst of the Sea for fear of the Rocky Shore and their Enemies there were drowned M They that escaped neither had any place of refuge nor hope of safety for the tempest drove them from the Sea and the Romans from the City so that the air was filled with cities of the people expecting to be drowned and with the noise and sound of the Ships beating one against another By this means some of the Inhabitants of Joppa were swallowed up by the
Evening yielded The fight of the Jews with the Romans in the Tower and offered themselves to be slain The Romans might have boasted that this Victory had been without blood-shed on their part had not Antonius a Centurion been slain treacherously Antonius slain by a Jew treacherously For one of them who fled into the Caves as many did requested Antonius to give him his hand in token that he might come out safe and without danger which he doing unadvisedly the Jew with I a spear struck him in the flank whereof he presently died The Romans that day slew all the people that they found and the days following they searcht all the secret places and drew those out of the Caves and Dens that had fled thither and slew all but Women and Infants 40000 Jews perish during the Siege and in the former battel so that they took away a thousand and two hundred Captives and the number of them who were slain during the siege and at such time as the City was taken amounted to fourty thousand Vespasian commanded the City to be destroyed and the Castles to be burnt Thus Jotapata was taken the thirteenth year of Nero's Reign on the first of July K CHAP. XIV How Joseph was taken and how he redeem'd his Life with Deeds and Words BUT especially above all others the Romans made diligent search for Joseph both for the animosity they had against him and also because Vespasian greatly desired to get him into his hands conceiving he being taken the greatest part of the War would then be ended so they sought him among the dead and amongst those that were L hid Joseph leaps into a deep trench and lieth hidden in a Cave but he fortune favouring him when the City was taken escaped from the midst of his Enemies and leapt into a deep Well which had a large Cave on the one side which they above could not perceive where he found fourty of the bravest of his men who had provision there for many days There in the day-time he lay hid and in the night he went forth to see if he could escape but perceiving that all places about were diligently watcht for to take him he returned again into the Cave and lay there two days Vespasian by Tribunes send Joseph assurance the third day a certain woman that had been with them in the Cave discovered him Then Vespasian sent two Tribunes to him to promise him safety and bring him before him the Tribunes names were Paulinus and Gallicanethus But Joseph would not accept the offer fearing that because he had been the Author of all M the Evils that the Romans had endured Nicanor the Tribune known to Joseph they sought him out to punish him till Vespasian sent Joseph Nicanor the third Tribune one of Josephs acquaintance Nicanor recounted to him how mild the Romans were towards them whom they had conquered and that the Roman Generals rather admired him for his Virtue than hated him Moreover that his General intended not to punish him which if he pleased he might do whether he yielded himself or no but to save him being so valiant a man adding also that if Vespasian meant ill he would never have imployed his Friend in such a message to use friendship so noble a Virtue to so evil a purpose as to work Treason and that he though Vespasian had been so minded would never have consented to have betrayed his friend Joseph For all Nicanors words he still hesitated as unresolved N what to do Whereat the Roman Souldiers being angry began to cast fire into the Cave but Vespasian hindred them being desirous to take Joseph alive Nicanor ceased not to intreat him and he perceiving how his Enemies began to be enraged and calling to mind the dreams he had had Josephs dream of the slaughter of the Jews wherein God had fore-shew'd him all the Jews calamities and what happy success should befal the Romans for he could interpret dreams and whatsoever God obscurely shewed being instructed in the Holy Books of the Prophets and himself a Priest as his Parents were being as it were now filled with the Spirit of God and the Dreams and Visions coming into his mind he prayed secretly to God after this manner Joseph filled with the Spirit of God secretly prayeth O great Creator of the Universe Seeing it pleaseth thee to ruin the Nation of the Jews and to send all good Fortune to the Romans and O that thou hast chosen me to foretell future events I submit to thy will and render my self to the Romans to save my life protesting that I mean not to go them to play the Traitor to my Country but as thy Minister And having thus spoken he yeilded himself to Nicanor H But they who were in the Cave with Joseph perceiving that he yeelded himself to the Romans flocked about him and cryed out What is become of all our love for our Laws Where are those generous Souls and true Jews to whom God when he created them inspired so great a contempt of Death Joseph consents to Nicanor Art thou O Joseph so desirous to live as to become a vile Bond-slave How soon hast thou forgotten thy self How many hast thou perswaded to embrace death for the sake of their liberty The Jews violence and expostulation against Joseph Truly thou hast but a shadow of valour and prudence in thee if thou dost hope that they will save thy life against whom thou hast so behav'd thy self or if they would save thee to desire life at their hands But seeing the Romans offer hath made thee forget thy self yet we to preserve the honour and credit of our Country will lend thee our Arms and Swords and so if thou be willing to die die like the General of the I Jews which if thou refuse to do thou shalt whether thou wilt or no die like a Traitor to thy Country When they had thus said they all threatned to kill him with their Swords if he yeilded to the Romans Joseph fearing their violence and being perswaded that if he died before he had revealed to his Nation the things which God had declared to him 〈◊〉 should fail in his duty to God he had recourse to the reasons which he thought most likely to prevail and spoke to this effect Wherefore Josephs Oration to his Countrymen O my Friends said he are you become murtherers of your selves Wherefore are ye so eager to divide things so united as the Soul and the Body are If any man imagine that my mind is changed the Romans know whether that be true or no. I confess K it is a thing most honourable to dye in War not any way but according to the Law of Arms to wit by the Conquerours hand If I entreat the Romans to spare my life then I am worthy to perish with mine own sword and hand But if they think good to spare
the Enemies Countrey who had committed themselves to my trust yet thinking that if it should so fall out that they fell into the Romans hands they would be safer than if by suffering them to remain in my Countrey I should see them opprest I adventured them thus Yet were they saved and the King pardon'd them And this was the end of this Tumult But they of Tiberias wrote to the King desiring him to send a Garrison into their Countrey The Tiberians Letters to Agrippa Seven stadia maketh almost a German mile on which condition they would submit to him As soon as I knew of it I went to them and they desired me that I would build them those Walls which I had promised them for they had already heard that Tarichea was invironed with Walls Whereunto I I condescended and gathering Materials I set the Workmen to their task But some three days after departing from Tiberias toward Tarichea which was thirty stades distant from thence by chance a Troop of Roman Horsmen were discovered not far from the City which the Inhabitants believ'd were the Kings Army Whereupon they presently began to utter many things in honour of the King Sedition and Rebellion in Tiberias and more in my reproach And presently a certain friend posted to me and told me what their mind was and how they intended to revolt from me Which when I understood I was wonderously troubled For I had sent back my men of War from Tarichea to their houses because the next day was the Sabbath for I would by no means that the Citizens of Tarichea should be charged or troubled with entertaining Soldiers And at all times when I remained in that City I took K no care of the guard of mine own person having had often proof of the affection of the Inhabitants towards me Joseph in danger for the Tiberians sake Being therefore at that time attended only with seven Soldiers and a few of my Friends I knew not what to determine For I thought it not fit to call back my Forces because the day was well nigh past and although they should have been with me the next morning yet they might not have taken Arms because our Laws forbid the same how great soever the occasion be that is offered And although I should have drawn forth the Taricheans and the strangers that were retired thither and under hope of prey have led them forth yet I saw that they were too feeble to resist the enemy On the other side I already perceived that if I stayed over-long the Army which was sent by the King being already entred the City would have excluded me I therefore determined to L use this stratagem I presently set a Guard at the gates of the City consisting of my most trusty Friends suffering no man to pass out of them and assembling the chief of every Family I commanded them to lanch their Boats into the Lake and to follow me with the Masters of their ships Joseph saileth to Tiberias After which both I and my Friends and seven other Soldiers betook us to a Bark and sailed toward Tiberias But when the Tiberians saw that no Forces were come from the King and that the whole Lake was covered with Barks amazed and fearing the ruine of their City for that they supposed the ships to be full of Soldiers they changed their sentiments And laying by their Weapons themselves with their Wives and Children came forth to meet me and receiv'd me with joyful acclamations for they though I had had no notice of their intents beseeching me that for the safety M of their City I would enter the same But I drawing near the City commanded the Masters of the Barks to cast Anchor far off the shore lest the Townsmen might perceive that the ships were empty And I my self drawing near with mine own Bark to them reproached them that contrary to their Oaths they had been so foolishly induced to revolt After which I promised them pardon if so be they would deliver me ten of their chiefest Nobility which when they had incontinently performed I shipt them in a Bark and sent them Prisoners to Tarichea Then I demanded ten more and I continu'd to use the same artifice till I had by little and little got all the Senate of Tiberias and many of the chiefest Citizens and sent them thither At length the rest of the multitude perceiving in how great danger they were they N besought me that I would punish the chief Author of this Conspiracy Clytus the Author of the Sedition in Tiberias who was called Clytus a bold and rash young man I was unresolv'd what to do being loth to kill one of my own Nation and yet it was expedient to punish him wherefore I commanded Levias one of my Guard to seize on him and cut off his hand Levias not daring for that he was alone to enter into so huge a multitude I for fear lest his Cowardise should be discovered by the Tiberians called Clytus unto me and said unto him Vngrateful and perfidious man as thou art since thou deservest to lose both thy hands I charge thee to become thine own Executioner left through delay thou procure thy further punishment And whereas with many prayers he besought me to grant him one of his hands Clytus cuts off his own left hand I hardly condescended At length of his own accord for fear he should lose both he took a Knife O and cut off his left hand and thus was this Tumult appeased A As soon as I returned to Taricheâ— and the Tiberians understood what stratagem I had used with them they were all amazed seeing how I had punished their ingratitude and disobedience without any bloodshed Afterwards I sent for such of the people of Tiberias as were in Prison amongst whom was Justus and his father Pistus and invited them to sup with me and during the repast I told them that I was not ignorant that the Roman Army excelled all Men of the world in power and force notwithstanding that I kept my self silent in the respect of the Seditious that were round about and I counselled them that they also would do the like in expectation of better days and yet that in the mean time they would not think amiss of my Government because no other could treat them better I reminded Justus also that before I came from Jerusalem the Galileans B had cut off his Brothers hands accusing him to have forged false Letters before the War and that after Philip's departure the Gamelites being at odds with the Babylonians slew Cares Philip's own Kinsman Joseph dismisseth the Tiberians whereas I had moderately punished his Brother-in-law Jesus who had married his Sister After this discourse during supper time I set Justus and his Friends Philip the Son of Jacim early in the Morning at liberty But before this came to pass it hapned that
Countrey of Coelosyria In this sort Lot escaped from the burning of Sodom As for Abraham Hedio Ruffinus chap. 20. he went and dwelt in Gerar in the Countrey of Palestine leading with him his Wife Sara in quality of his sister Gen. 20. 1 2 3 4 5 6. using the same subtilty which before he had practised for fear of the Egyptians for he feared Abimelech the King of that Countrey Abimelech surprised with the love of Sara who falling in love of Sara would have ravished her had he not been hindred by a most grievous sickness which God inflicted upon him so that being out of all hope of recovery at such time as he slept there appeared unto him a vision which told him that he should take heed lest he offered any outrage to the strangers Wife E who was come into his Countrey and after he was somewhat recovered he told his Friends how God had sent him that sickness in favour of the stranger and to preserve his Wife from violence for that she was not his Sister but his lawful Wife and he bid Abraham thenceforward be of good chear promising him that the honour of his Wife had remained inviolated This said he dismissed Abraham by the counsel of his Friends and told him that he needed not to suspect his Wife by reason she had suffered no villany Assuring him that God had care of her and that he delivered her in safety to him being to that end protected by his mighty power and in confirmation thereof he called God to record and the womans conscience vowing that he would not have taken her from him if he had known she had been Married moreover he F desired him to be at Peace with him and by his Prayers to appease Gods wrath which was kindled against him And said that if thenceforward he would stay with them he should want nothing 11 12 13. or if he listed to depart he promised him Guides and all other things for which he came into his Countrey Abraham answered him that he had in no sort dissembled with him in calling his Wife his Sister for that she was his Brothers Daughter and that he thought he could not safely travel thorow his Countrey except he had used this subtilty avowing moreover that he was sorry to have been the cause of his sickness which had befaln him that he heartily wisht his health and was ready to abide with him Whereupon Abimelech bestowed on him both Lands and Money and accorded to converse with him in all uprightness and without offer of offence and made a Covenant G and sware unto him at a certain Pit which was called Bersabe that is to say the Pit of swearing or Covenant which name that place retaineth until this day Not long after Abraham had a Son by Sara his Wife according as God had promised him and he called his name Isaac which in the Hebrew tongue signifieth laughter because Sara laughed H at such time as God said unto her she should bear a Son 14 15 16. having in her self no likelihood of conceiving Bersabe the pit of swearing by reason she was stricken in years For at that time she was ninety years old and Abraham one hundred when the child was born and on the eighth day after his birth he was circumcised which custom is yet continued amongst the Jews who circumcise on the eighth day Gen. 21 1 2 3 Isaac laughter CHAP. XII Of Ishmael The year of the World 2048. before Christs Nativity 1916. Abraham's Son and of the Arabians Posterity BUt the Arabians circumcise not till the age of thirteen years because Ishmael their I Ancestor and Abraham's Son by the Concubine was circumcised in the thirteenth year after he was born Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Of which Ishmael it behoveth to speak more exactly in this place Sara loved Ishmael begotten on her Servant Agar from the beginning Gen. 21. 9 10. with no less affection than if he had been her own Son The Jews were wont to circumcise on the eighth day so that he was brought up as Abrahams heir But after she had brought forth Isaac she thought it no more requisite that Ishmael should be brought up with her Son because he was elder and might after his Fathers decease become the Master The Arabians not before 13. years She incited Abraham therefore to send both him and his Mother to some other place but at first he gave no ear to Sara's request thinking it more than barbarous cruelty Abraham banisheth Ishmael and Agar to drive away a tender Child and his Mother destitute of all necessaries At length by the Commandment of God he listened to his Wifes counsel and K committed the Child unto his Mother being of himself as yet unapt to travel and giving them a Pitcher of Water and Bread he commanded them to go thither whither their necessity should drive them And when their Victuals failed them and their Water was consumed she laid the Child being faint and weak under an Oak and to the end that in her presence he should not breathe his last she went a little way from him At that time an Angel of God appeared unto her The Angel of God meeteth with Agar shewing her a Fountain hard by that place and charging her to look to the careful education of her Child because that by the conservation of Ishmael she was to expect great happiness Upon these promises she took comfort and falling into the company of shepherds she by their bounty was relieved in her distress The twelve Sons of Ishmael L Afterwards when Ishmael had attained Mans estate he Married a Wife of the Nation of the Egyptians from whence his Mother had her original by whom he had twelve Sons Gen. 25. namely Nahaioth Cedar Abdeel Edumas Massam Memas Masmes Chodam Theman Jetur The Region of Nabathaea Naphes Calmas all which inhabit the Lands which are between Euphrates and the Red Sea the name of which Countrey is Nabathaea These are they that began and made famous the Nation of the Arabians as well in respect of their prowess as of the dignity of Abraham CHAP. XIII Of Isaac Abraham's Legitimate Son M AS touching Isaac Abraham loved him with an entire and Fatherly affection as his only begotten Son born in his old age by the goodness of God Gen. 22. 1 2. The Child also addicting himself unto all vertue The year of the World 2074 before Christs Nativity 1890. careful to honor his Father and Mother and studious of the service of God invited both his parents the rather to affect and love him So that Abraham was very desirous to forsake this present life provided that he might leave behind him all the goods which he had unto his Son which through the mercy of God he happily effected Whereupon under tryal and conformity of his faith God appeared
answered E that they knew him well and that he was a Man of that reputation that his name could not be concealed that his Daughter was accustomed to feed her flock with them and that they wondered that she was not yet arrived of whom said they thou mayest perfectly understand all that thou desirest to know Whilest thus they pass'd the time in talk the Maiden drew near accompanied with her shepherds whom one of the company informed that Jacob was inquisitive after her Father who rejoycing after the manner of young Maidens asked him what he was and whence he came and what affair had brought him thither wishing she had the means to supply whatsoever his necessities required v. 9 ad 12. Jacob being mov'd not so much by the courtesie and Kindred as by her beauty Jacob's talk with Rachel Rachels excellent Beauty which was very extraordinary said unto her If thou art the Daughter of Laban F there is a greater and more ancient conjunction betwixt us than either thine or my birth for Abraham Aran and Nachor were Thares Sons Bathuel thy Grand father was Nachors Son Isaac my Father was the Son of Abraham and Sara the Daughter of Aran. There is yet a nearer and dearer relation between us for Rebecca my Mother is Sister unto Laban thy Father born of one Father and Mother so that we are Cousins and therefore am I come at this present to salute you and renew that ancient love which our alliance requireth at our hands But she remembring all those things which her Father was wont to report and discourse of Rebecca and knowing that her Parents were desirous to hear some news from her wept for joy and embracing the young Man said unto him Thou bringest a most desired and great pleasure to my Father and all his G family who never forgets thy Mother but oftentimes makes mention of her and would esteem it a great felicity to hear tidings from her Then she desired him to follow her to her Father lest any longer he might be deprived of so desired a pleasure This said she brought him to Laban where being acknowledged by his Uncle he both H by that means lived securely amongst his Friends v. 12. ad 23. Jacob 's talk with Laban and brought him great contentment by his unexpected access unto them Some dayes after Laban told him that he took so much contentment in his presence The year of the World 103. before Christs Nativity 1771 that he could not express it in words and desired him to manifest the cause that had induced him to leave his Father and Mother in their old age when they had most need of him and he promised him all assistance and favour in whatsoever case he had to make use of him Whereupon Jacob discoursed unto him the whole matter that Isaac had two Sons Esau and himself that his Brother because by his Mothers contrivance he had defrauded him of his Fathers Blessing sought to kill him as the ravisher of that principality from him that was destinated unto him by God and the intercepter of his Fathers other intentions that this with his mothers command I was the cause why he came thither as to his nearest relation by the Mothers side adding that next after God he hoped to find his greatest assistance and help in him his Uncle Whereupon Laban promising to him whatsoever humanity he could desire as well in respect of their common ancestors as for the love he bare unto his Mother towards whom although she were absent he would express his good affection in shewing himself well affected towards him that was there present he told him then that he would give him the charge of his flock and make him Master over all his shepherds and that when he thought good to return back again to his Friends he should depart with such rewards and honours as might well beseem a Friend so nearly allyed unto him v. 23 ad 26. Jacob for recomâ—ence requireth Rachel for his Wife Which when Jacob understood he answered That he would willingly K endure any sort of labour in Labans service and that his devoir towards him would be a delight to himself but that in lieu of his labours he required Rachel to Wife who deserved his esteem for her vertue and particularly for her goodness wherewith she had brought him thither declaring that the love which he bare unto her was the cause why he used those speeches The year of the World 2103. before the Nativity of Christ 1771. Laban being greatly delighted and contented with this his discourse granted him his consent to the Marriage telling him that he could not have wisht for a better Son-in-Law but with condition that he should sojourn a while with him for that he was no ways minded to send his Daughter among the Canaanites and that it repented him that by reason of Marriage his Sister had been carried into so far a Countrey Jacob accepted the condition and covenanted to abide L with him for seven years saying that he was glad to have found an occasion of making appear to him by his care and good service that he was not unworthy of his alliance When the time which was covenanted between them was expired 22. Jacob instead of Rachel lyeth with Leah and Jacob expected the contented possession of his love as was promised him Laban prepared a nuptial feast and when night drew on and Jacob least suspected he brought his Daughter Leah less fair in face 23. and elder in years and lay'd her in his Bed Jacob deceived by the darkness and for that he had drunk liberally lay with her but the day after discovering the deceit he complained hereof to Laban who asked him pardon alledging that he had not brought in Leah with intent to deceive him 27 ad 35 but that the custom of the Countrey which forbids to Marry the younger before the elder compelled him thereunto yet that the M same should no ways hinder but that he should Marry Rachel too on condition to serve him yet seven years more Herewith Jacob was pacified and suffered himself to be perswaded out of the love which he bear to Rachel and when the other seven years were expired he Married Rachel Now these Sisters had two Maid Servants which their Father had given them Lea's Maid was called Zelpha and Rachel's Bala they were no Slaves but only Subjects Leah liv'd in great grief to see that Jacob bare greater affection to her Sister than to her self bethinking her oftentimes that if she could have Children she should be better esteemed and loved by her husband for which cause she continually besought Almighty God that it would please him to give her issue whereupon it happened that God gave her a Son and Jacobs affection was turned towards N her for which cause she called him Ruben that is to say the Son of Vision because she had
their separation which was no less grievous unto them v. 41 42 43. than death it self Finally since there was no remedy exhorting one another to have in perpetual remembrance their faith and friendship they departed the one from the other C. 21. v. 1 2 ad 6. David flying from the persecution of Saul David cometh to Naban or Nob to Abimelech the High Priest retired to the City of Nob to Abimelech the Priest who wondred to see him come alone to him without either friend or Servant and desired to know the cause why he thus wandred without any attendance David told him that the King had sent him about some secret order which might not be communicated to him although he were desirous to know it and as touching my Servants C said he I have commanded them to attend me at a place appointed He further desired him v. 7 8 9 10. that he would give him such things as were necessary for his journey and some Arms David receiving Goliaths sword flieth to Geth to Achis King of the Philistines either Sword or Javelin Now in this place was present one of Sauls Servants called Doeg a Syrian by Nation and the Master of the Kings Mules The Priest answered him that he had no Arms by him except Goliaths Sword which he himself had hanged in the Tabernacle and dedicated to God at such time as he slew the Philistine David having gotten it fled out of the Countrey of the Hebrews and went to Gath a Countrey of the Philistines where Achis was King There being known by the Kings Servants he was discovered to be that David v. 11 12 13. that had slain so many thousand Philistines David counterfeits madness to escape the fury of Achis David fearing to be put to death by him and to fall into the same danger which he had escaped D by flying from Saul counterfeited himself mad so that he let the spittle issue out of his mouth and he counterfeited in all things so cunningly that he made the King of Gath believe that he was frantick 1. Sam. 22. v. 1 2. Whereupon the King was angry with his Servants that they had brought him a mad-man and commanded them forthwith to drive him out of his countrey Having in this sort escaped out of the Countrey of Gath he went to the Tribe of Juda where hiding himself in the Cave of Adullam he sent to his Brothers to let them understand that he was there They came to him with all their relations and divers others that either were in need or stood in fear of Saul resorted unto him offering to perform whatsoever he should command them they amounted in all to the number of four hundred David therefore being thus assured by the succours E and forces that came to him v. 3 4. dislodged from thence and went to the King of the Moabites David repairing to the Moabites committeth his Father and Mother to his protection beseeching him that he and those that accompanied him might remain in that Countrey till such time as he understood what would be the issue of his affairs The King vouchsafed him this favour and treated them very well all the time they were in his Countrey David went not out of it till he received instructions from the Prophet Samuel to abandon the Desart and return to the Tribe of Juda which he obeyed and coming to the City of Saron David commeth to Saron Saul feareth David made his abode there But when Saul understood that David had been seen with a number of men he fell into an extraordinary fear and trouble of mind for knowing both the conduct and courage of the man he thought that he would attempt no action that was not great and such as might endanger his Kingdom F For which cause assembling his Friends and Captains and those of his own Tribe in Gaba where he kept his Royal Court and which stands upon a little Hill called Arvon and accompanied with his Guards v. 7 8. and the Officers of his house he spake to them from his throne Sauls oration to his Captains friends and estates against David after this manner I cannot believe that you have forgotten the benefits wherewith I have enriched you and the honours to which I have advanced you But I would know of you whether you hope or expect greater from the Son of Jesse for I am not ignorant of the affection which you bear him and that my own Son hath inspired the same into you I know that Jonathan and he are united without my consent in a very strict alliance that they have confirmed the same by oath and that Jonathan assists David against me with all his power Yet are none of you concerned at these things but in great quiet you expect what will be the event of them G When the King had spoken thus and none of the assistants answered a word Doeg the Syrian Master of the Kings Mules rose up and said That he had seen David in the City of Nob whither he went to the High Priest Abimelech to ask counsel of him touching his affairs and that he had received from him such things as were needful to his journey H and Goliaths Sword and how he was safely conducted towards the place whither he pretended to go Hereupon Saul sent for the High Priest and all his kindred and spake thus unto them What wrong or displeasure have I done thee that thou hast entertained the Son of Jesse v. 9. and given him Victuals and Arms to him I say that seeketh but the means to possess himself of my Kingdom Doeg telleth Saul how he saw David in Nob with Abimelech what answer hast thou made him touching those demands he propounded to thee concerning his future fortunes canst thou be ignorant that he fled from me and what hatred he bears against both me and my family The High Priest denied none of these things but freely confessed that he had delivered him such things as were reported v. 10 11 12 13. but not with an intent to gratifie David but the King for I entertained him said he not as your Enemy Saul reproveth Abimelech for furnishing David with Victuals and Arms. but as your faithful Servant and one of the principal I Officers of your Army and which is more as your Son-in-law For who would have thought that one dignified with so much honour by you should be your Enemy nay rather who would not esteem him for your favourite and neerest friend And whereas he asked counsel of me touching Gods will v. 14. this is not the first time I have answered him but I have formerly done it often Abimelechs Apology to Sauls accusation of Treason And when he said he was sent by you about some speedy and secret business if I should have refused him those supplies which he required at my hands I might have
which he was now likely to do for David he began to fear some dieminution of his own greatness and that the Army was not like to continue under his command Abner being kindly entertained by David is friendly dismissed whereupon he endeavoured to persuade David to give no credit to the promises of Abner since he was very well assured that he had no other design than to settle the Crown upon Ishboseth that this whole treaty was nothing else but a meer trick to cheat him of his Kingdom and that Abner was returned with a great deal of joy because his designs were like to succeed so well But perceiving that these his subtilties took little effect with David v. 24 c. he attempted a more perilous exploit than the former For resolving with himself to kill Abner he sent out certain men after him whom he appointed that as soon as they should overtake him they should desire him in Davids D name to return with speed v. 26. because he had forgot to speak to him about some affairs of great importance When Abner heard the words of these messengers whoover took him in a place called Besira v. 27. some twenty Furlongs off of Hebron he struck out of the way without suspecting any treachery and Joab going before him embraced him with great kindness and like an affectionate friend and singling him from his other company and making as if he would inform him of certain secrets and having drawn him into a by-way beside the wall accompanied only with his Brother Abisai he drew his sword and thrust it into his short ribs of which wound Abner died surprised by the Treason of Joab who coloured that act of his with the revenge and death of his Brother Azael whom Abner E had slain whilst he was pursued by him in the first war at Hebron but in truth it was but the suspition of his greatness and honour fearing lest he should be deprived of his place Men inclined to ambition and avarice dare all things and Abner obtain the next degree of honour unto David Hereby may a man perceive how many and how mighty things men attempt and hazard for their avarice and ambition sake and to the end they may not be inferiour unto any others For when they desire to attain riches and honours they atchieve it by ten thousand mischiefs and at such time as they fear to be dispossest they strive to continue their estates by means more pernicious because they think it to be the less sin and that the unhappiness is less rather not to have obtained to any greatness and power than after the possession thereof to fall from it Thence it cometh that all of them intend and practise F many hazards and difficulty through the fear they have to forfeit their Grandeur But it sufficeth to have briefly touched this point David having notice of the murther of Abner conceived a great grief in his heart and called all his friends to witness lifting up his hands unto God and protesting that he was no partaker of the murther and that Abner had been slain without his knowledge He likewise uttered most grievous curses against the murtherer v. 31. his house and accomplices praying that they might be overtaken by that vengeance which useth to pursue the murtherer David with the whole people bewail Abner and honour his funeral for he greatly suspected lest he should be thought to be a party in that which had hapned unto Abner contrary to his Faith and promise which he had past unto him Moreover he commanded that all the people should weep and lament for him and that his Funerals should be honoured according G to the accustomed manner in renting of Garments and putting on Sackcloth and that the same should be done the Coffin being carried before which both he and the chiefest Governours of the Israelites followed beating on their Breasts and shedding tears The year of the World 2899. before Christ's Nativity 1065. and testifying the love which they bare unto him during his life and their sorow for H his death who had been murthered contrary to their will and intention He was Entombed in Hebron with great Magnificence and Epitaphs composed in his praise by David himself who setting himself on the Tomb first of all lamented and gave others an example to follow him And so much was he troubled at the death of Abner that he forbore all kind of meat until the Sun-set notwithstanding the instances of his friends who urged him to take meat which act of his purchased him much love amongst the people v 33 ad 35. For they that loved Abner were very glad to be witnesses of that honour which he did him at his death David sâ—lveth his honour and avoideth the suspicion of Abners death and that faith which he maintained in honouring him as if he had been his Kinsman or friend and not embasing him with a vile and contemptible Tomb as if he had been his Enemy And in general all of them were so much possessed I with the sweetness and Royal nature of King David that they believed he would have the like kindness for them as they saw him express for deceased Abner And by this means David happily maintained his credit and increased the peoples good opinion of him escaping thereby the suspition that he might in some sort have been accessary to his death He protested also unto the people that he conceived no small grief at the loss of so good a man declaring that it was a great prejudice to the State to be deprived of him maintained their peace by his good advice and ratified the same by his executions and Warlike valour But God said he who hath care of all things shall not suffer him to die unrevenged And he it is that shall bear me witness that it lieth not in my power to punish Joab and Abisai who have greater credit in the Army than K my self yet shall they not escape Gods justice for this fault Thus ended the life of Abner CHAP. II. Ishboseth is slain through the Treason of his followers the whole Kingdom devolveth unto David WHen Ishboseth Sauls Son Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. had notice of Abners death he was much troubled not only that he was deprived of his near kinsman but also of so great a personage as had setled the Crown on his head 2 Sam. 4. 1 ad 6. Neither did he himself long time remain alive L after him but by the Sons of Jeremon Banaoth and Than he was Traiterously slain These two being Benjamites and of the chiefest Nobility amongst them contrived to make away Ishboseth and thereby obtain a great reward from David supposing that such an act would merit the chiefest place and dignity in the Army For which cause finding Ishboseth alone in his house about mid-day laid on his bed and asleep and unattended by any
the truth for he of whom he speakth is that Adad that made War I in Samaria during the Reign of Achab King of Israel of whom we will speak hereafter But when David had led forth his Army against Damascus Jerusalem spoiled by Syssac King of Egypt and against the rest of the Countrey of Syria he reduced them all under his obedience placing garrisons in their Countrey and imposing tribute upon them He dedicated also to God in the City of Jerusalem the Golden quivers and Arms of Adads guard which afterward Syssac King of Egypt took when he vauquished Roboham his Nephew and carried away great riches out of the temple of Jerusalem as it shall be declared hereafter when we come to treat of that matter This King of the Hebrews being inspired by God who made him prosperous in all his warrs encamped before the chiefest cities of Adrezar that is to say Betha and Mazcon which he besieged took and spoiled where there was found great store of Gold K and Silver and of Brass 3 King 14. which was more precious then Gold whereof Solomon made that great vessel called the Sea The prey that was made in the War and other fair lavers as such time as he adorned and furnished the Temple of God When Thoy King of Amoth understood all which had hapned to Adarezer 2 Sam 8 6. c. and how his power and forces were destroyed he grew afraid of his own estate The King of the Amathens requireth a League at Davids hands and resolved to enter into a league and confederacy with David before he should come out against him and to that intent he sent his Son Adoram unto him to congratulate his success against Adarezer his Enemy and to contract an amity with him He sent him presents also namely vessels of antique worke of Gold of Silver and of Brass whereupon David made a league with him and received the presents that were sent unto him and afterwards honourably dismissed his Son both for the one L and the other and consecrated that to God which he had presented him together with the Gold and Silver which he had taken from the Cities and Nations that were subiect unto him For God did not only so far favour him as to make him victorious and happy in his own Warrs David compelleth the Idumeans to pay tribute by the Pole but having also sent Abisai Joabs Brother the Lieutenant of his Army against the Idumeans he likewise granted him victory for Abisai slew in the battel about eighteen thousand of them and filled all Idumea with garrisons imposing a tribute throughout the Countrey by the Pole The distribution of Offices This King loved justice of his own nature and the judgment which he gave was always most equitable He had for his Lieutenant General of his Armies Joab 2 King 9. and appointed Josaphat the Son of Achilles chief over the Registers After Abiather he established Sadock of the house of Phinees for M High Priest who was his friend Sisa was his Secretary Banaia the Son of Ioiada was Captain over his guard and all the Elders were ordinarily about him to guard and attend him He remembring himself also of the covenants and oaths that past 'twixt him and Jonathan the Son of Saul and of their amity and affection for amongst his other excellent qualities he was alwayes most eminent for his gratitude He caused inquiry to be made if any one of the house and family of Jonathan were left alive to the intent he might return the friendship he had received from Jonathan Whereupon a certain man named Ziba was brought unto him who was enfranchised by Saul that might inform him what one of his Race was alive C. 9. v. 1 c. who asked him if he knew any N of Jonathans Sons then living David maketh an enquiry if any of Jonathans kindred were left alive to whom he might make some return of the kindness which he had formerly received from their Father Who answered him that he had one Son remaining whose name was Mephibosheth who was lame of his legges for when the news came that both his Father and Grandfather were slain his Nurse hastily snatching up the child let him fall from her shoulders and so hurt him When he heard where he was brought up he sent unto the City of Labath to Machir with whom Mephibosheth was kept v. 7 8. and commanded him to be brought unto him Now when he came to Davids presence David giveth Mephibosheth his father Joâ—athans house and Sauls inheritance he cast himself on his face before him but the King exhorted him to be of good courage and to hope hereafter for better fortune and gave him his Fathers house with all the possessions that were purchased by Saul his grandfather appointing him to eat with him daily at his own table The young man did him reverence thanking him O for the Royal offers he had made him At that time David called for Siba and told him how he had given Mephibosheth his Fathers house and all Sauls purchases commanding A him to manure his possessions The year of the World 2910 before Christ's Nativity 1014. and to have a care of all things and to return the revenue to Jerusalem because Mephibosheth was every day to sit at his table charging both him and his fifteen Sons and twenty Servants to do him service After the King had thus disposed of him Siba did him reverence and after he had promised to perform whatsoever he had given him in charge v. 9. 10 11. he departed and Jonathans Son remained in Jerusalem David committeth the disposing of Mephibosheths Lands to Siba and commandeth him to make the return of his revenues in Jerusalem where he lived at the Kings table and was entertained and tended as carefully as if he had been his own Son he had a Son also called Mica These were the honours that those children which survived after Jonathan and Sauls death received at Davids hands About the same day died Nahas King of the Ammonites who during his life-time was Davids friend and his Son succeeded him in his Kingdom to whom David sent B Ambassadors to comfort him exhorting him to bear his Fathers death with patience assuring him that he would express no less love towards him than he did unto his Father Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. But the Governours of the Ammonites entertained this Embassage very contumeliously and not according as David had intended it and murmured against their King telling him that they were but spies sent by David to inquire into their forces 2 Sam. 10. v. 1 2 3 4. and discover the strength of their Countrey David sendeth Ambassadours to comfort the Son of the King of the Ammonites who are bâ—sely abused under a pretext of kindness advising him to stand upon his guard and not to give ear to
had contemned Fasting and praying unto God for the safety of the people Upon this reply Esther sent the same messenger back again unto Mardocheus commanding him to repair unto Susan and to call a general Assembly of all the Jews that remained there willing them for three days space to fast and abstain from all kind of meat for her safety and that both her self and her servants would do the like promising them that at that time she would present her self unto the King notwithstanding his contrary Edict and that if she must needs die she would willingly suffer it F Mardocheus observ'd her orders caused the people to fast and to pray unto God for her safety he likewise himself besought him That it might please him at that present to have compassion on their desolate and distressed Nation as he had done oftentimes heretofore and that as he had pardoned them at such time as they had offended so now also at this present he would deliver them from that perdition which was denounced against them For that they were not in danger to die infamously for any offence of their own but because he onely had incensed Haman in that he would not adore him or perform that honour unto him which is onely due to God for which cause in revenge he had contrived this mischief against them who would not transgress the divine ordinances The People likewise pray'd to the like effect beseeching God That he would have care of their preservation and preserve the Israelites in G what place soever they were from the misery at hand which was before their eyes and already expected by them Esther also besought God according to the manner of her Countrey H casting her self prostrate on the earth The year of the World 3554. before Christ's Nativity 410. cloathed in sackcloth and abstaining for three dayes space from meat and drink and what thing soever else was delectable beseeching God to have compassion on her That when she presented herself before the King she might have words fit to persuade and mollifie him and grace and beauty far more amiable than ever she had to the end that by those means she might be the better enabled to appease the King if so be he were displeased with her C. 5. 1 2 c. and to succor her brethren in extreme danger whereby the King might turn his anger against the enemies of the Jews Esther resorteth to the King to sollicit him in the behalf of the Jews and take compassion of their imminent danger which without his prevention would surely fall upon them After she had in this sort for three dayes space fasted and prayed she cast off her mourning attire and changed her habit attiring herself as became the Majesty of a Queen having two of her servants I on whom she leaned and the third that follow'd her carried up her train which was large and trailed on the ground and in this equipage came she unto the King having her cheeks stained with a modest blush bringing with her a Majesty mixed with beauty but her heart was not altogether free from fear But when she beheld the King sitting aloft on his Throne glorious in his garments embroider'd with gold and adorn'd with precious stones a fear suddenly fell upon her since he lookt not on her perhaps at first with a favourable countenance whereupon being astonished her limbs failed her her colour faded and she fell betwixt her handmaids arms into a swound Hereupon the King by the will of God changed his affection and suddenly leapt from his Throne and embracing her with both his arms he raised her up and kissed her and spake K comfortably unto her Praying her to be of good courage and not to suspect any misfortune for that she came unto him without any motion of his That the ordinance was only made for his Subjects but that she who was equal with him should fear nothing whereupon he took his Scepter in his hand and laid it on the Queens neck whereby he deliver'd her from all fear so that she recovered her vigor and courage and spake after this manner O King I cannot easily express unto you the inconvenience that is suddenly fallen upon me for as soon as I beheld the great and redoubted Majesty of your person my spirits forsook me and my heart failed me Now whil'st she spake these words with pain and feebleness the King was touched with compassion so as he animated and encouraged her and commanded her to expect nothing but good yea said he if thou demandest the half of L my Kingdom Ver. 4. 8. I will grant it thee But Esther only requested this at his hands that only he and his friend Haman would vouchsafe to grace her with their presence at her banquet which the King readily granted her Now when they were come unto the banquet and in the midst of their cups Ver. 9. the King commanded Esther to ask what she would and he would grant it her assuring her That he would refuse her in nothing yea although she demanded the half of his Kingdom But she deferred to discover her suit until the next day requiring him once more to repair with Haman unto her banquet When the King had promised to visit her again Haman departed with great joy for that he alone had the credit to banquet with the King and Esther and no other had ever obtained the like honour amongst any Kings of those Dominions But in his return M perceiving Mardocheus in the Court he was moved because that notwithstanding he had lookt upon him he had not done him honour when therefore he came home unto his house Hamans hatred against Mardocheus he called Zaraza his wife and his friends and told them what honour not only the King but the Queen also had done him and how he only with the King had supped that day with the Queen and was invited the next day also to banquet with the King notwithstanding he told them that he was discontented because he saw Mardocheus the Jew in the Court Zaraza his wife told him That he should cause a gallows to be raised fifty cubits high and that the next day he should demand licence of the King that Mardocheus might be hanged on the gibbet Haman approving of his wives counsel commanded his servants to prepare the Timber and erect the gallows in his Court to hang N Mardocheus thereon Ver. 14. which they diligently perform'd But God who knew what would come to pass mocked at Hamans cursed hope for the very same night he deprived the King of sleep who being not willing to spend the time idlely whil'st he was awake but to employ it in something that might be profitable for his Kingdom he commanded his Secretary to bring him the Chronicles of the Kings his Predecessors and of those things that were done by himself and to read them to him When therefore
priviledges granted to the Jews by Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria and permitted them to dwell in those Cities which he built in Asia and lower Syria and in Antioch which was the Metropolitane chief City Moreover he gave order that B they should be held in as great estimation as either the Macedonians or Greeks that inhabitted therein so that even unto this day that order is continued as it appeareth by this for that the Jews refusing to anoint themselves with forrain oyl do receive a certain sum of money from the Masters of the exercises in lieu of the Oyl Which when the people of Antioch intended to abolish during the present War Mutianus at that time Governour of Syria The priviledge in Antioch continued to the Jews opposed himself against them Again when Vespasian and his Son Titus had conquered the world although the Alexandrians and Antiochians desired that the priviledges which the Jews enjoyed might continue no longer yet could they not obtain it Whereby the humanity and valour of the Romans may appear and especially of Vespasian and Titus that notwithstanding they had received so great C trouble the Wars of the Jews and were so bitterly incensed against them for that they had not by laying down their Arms submitted themselves but had continued War against them to the uttermost yet they deprived them not of their privileges but put a stop to that displeasure which they had long before conceived against them and in like manner had no regard to the request of two so pusient Cities as Alexandria and Antioch wherefore they granted nothing in favour of them nor ordained any thing to the prejudice of those whom they had overcome in War so as to abolish one jot of those priviledges which they had in times past but said that they that had resisted them by Arms and who had been overcome were sufficiently punished for their obstinacy and as touching those that had not committed any offence they saw D no reason to deprive them of their rights and priviledges We know likewise that Marcus Agrippa was of the same opinion touching the Jews For whereas the Jonians were seditiously bent against them and besought Agrippa that it might be only lawful for them to make use of the priviledges which Antiochus Seleucus's Nephew whom the Greeks intituled by the Name of God had given them requiring that if the Jews were of their blood they might be tyed to adore the same gods which the Jonians worshipped When therefore this matter was referred to the determination of the Judges the Jews had the better and obtained the liberty to live according to their own Laws and Customs and he that at this time pleaded their cause was Nicholas Damascene For Agrippa pronounced That it was unlawful for them to innovate any thing And if any man desire E to have a more exact knowledge hereof let him read the 123 and 24 book of the Histories of Nicholas Neither ought this judgment of Agrippa's to seem in any sort strange for at that time our Nation had not by any Wars procured the Romans displeasure But upon just occasion may a man admire the magnanimity of Vespasian and of his son Titus who behaved themselves with such moderation after so great a War and such doubtful Battels as they had fought against us Antiochus the great King of Asia and Syria vexeth the Jews But to return to my purpose from whence I have digressed At such time as Antiochus the great reigned in Asia the Countrey of Jewry was much harassed and both the Jews and Inhabitants of Coelosyria endured many miseries For Antiochus making War against Ptolomey Philopater and his son called Ptolomey the famous they were miserably perplexed For whether Antiochus overcame or was overcome they were continually spoiled so that betwixt the prosperity and adversity of Antiochus F they fared like a ship tossed in a storm But at length after Antiochus had overcome Ptolomey he conquer'd Jewry After the death of Philopater his son sent a great Army into Coelosyria under the conduct of Scopas who seized a great number of those Cities and falling upon our Nation also he conquer'd it Not long after this Antiochus fought with Scopas near unto the River Jordan and obtained the victory discomfiting the greater part of the Enemies Army at which time Antiochus recover'd again those Cities of Coelosyria which were before taken by Scopas He took Samaria also which when the Jews perceived they submitted themselves of their own accord unto him and having received him into the City of Jerusalem they gave both his Army and his Elephants abundance of provision and willingly assisted him with their Forces to subdue those Garisons which G Scopas had placed in the fortresses of the higher City Whereupon Antiochus supposing it to be for his honour to acknowledge and remunerate the affection and forwardness which the Jews had expressed in his service wrote unto his Captains and Friends signifying unto them how forward the Jews had been in his Wars and to let them know that he was resolved to gratifie them for their service Hereafter I will insert the copy of his letters which he wrote in favour of them after A I have recited that which Polybius the Megalopolitane writeth to this purpose which I will recite out of the sixteenth Book of his histories Scopas saith he the General of Ptolomey Army marching towards the mid-land did in one winter overcome the whole nation of the Jews Ptolomey Epiphames King of Egypt wareth against the King of Syria He reciteth also in the same Book that after that Scopas had been overcome Antiochus seized Bathanaea Samaria Abila and Gadra and anon after the Jews which dwelt at Jerusalem where the Temple was joyned themselves with him and although we are to speake more amply and particularly of that appartition that hapned neare unto the Temple yet we shall defer the recital hereof untill another time This is that which Polybius hath written But to return unto our purpose I will recite B in this place the copy of those letters which were sent by the King King Antiochus to Ptolomey Health Whereas the Jews have given us most apparent testimony of there affection towards us Polybius the Megalopolitane of Scopas Ptolomeys Captain since the first time of our entrance into their Countrey and have magnificently entertained at such time as we were in person before their City by presenting themselves before us with all their Elders Antiochus Epistle to Ptolomy as touching the liberty of the Jews and have also furnished us largely with all that which was necessary for our Souldiers and our Elephants and have likewise taken Arms with us against the Aegyptian Garrison we have thought fit to afford them some satisfaction in repairing their City ruinated by casualties to the intent it might be inhabited and Peopled again by gathering together C those Jews that are scattered abroad in
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
make War upon him unless he paid him those Tributes which the people of the Jews ought and were wont to pay unto the Kings Ancestors heretofore And that he had certainly done had not Tryphon hindred him for he was forced to turn those Forces that he had prepar'd against Jonathan Demetrius thrust out of Antiâ—ch to make War upon Tryphon O who returning from Arabia into Syria with the younger Antiochus who at that time was under age he set the diadem upon his head All the Army likewise that had abandon'd Demetrius for contracting their Pay came and follow'd him and made open War against their Master The year of the World 3820. before Christ's Nativity 144. and under Antiochus and Tryphon fought with him and overcame A him seized his Elephants and made themselves Masters of the City of Antioch Whereupon Demetrius being wholly discomfited fled into Cilicia But the younger Antiochus sent Ambassadors and Letters to Jonathan calling him his Allie and Friend confirming the Priesthood unto him Jonathan for the favors and benefits he received at Tryphons and Antiochus's hands offereth and performeth his best endeavors against Demetrius and assigned him the four governments annexed to Judea and besides these he gave him vessels of gold a robe of purple with permission to wear the same he gave him also a pendent of gold and assured him that he esteemed of him as one of his friends and created his brother Simon General of his Army from the marches of Tyre as far as Egypt Jonathan finding such honours as these heaped upon him sent Ambassadors both unto him and Tryphon protesting That he was their Friend and Allie and that he would fight on his side against Demetrius of whom he had so great reason to complain B in that he had made no other return but ingratitude for all the services which he had done him But after that Antiochus had granted him leave to levy a great Army out of Syria and Phoenicia to fight against Demetrius he went into the neighbouring Cities and was by them very kindly received yet did they not afford him any Men of War Coming from thence unto Ascalon the Citizens in honourable aray came out to meet him with Presents whom together with the Cities of Coelofyria he exhorted to forsake Demetrius's part and to follow Antiochus to the end that joining themselves with him they might all of them combine their Forces against Demetrius and take vengeance of those mischiefs which they had oftentimes endur'd by his means and which if they prudently examin'd they had many reasons to prosecute their revenge After he had persuaded C these Cities to enter into confederation against Demetrius he came to Gaza to induce them likewise and reconcile them to Antiochus But he found the Gazeans to be of a far contrary disposition than that which he expected for they flatly resisted him and although they were intended to forsake Demetrius yet would they not join their Forces or submit the City to his government For which cause Jonathan besieged their City and spoiled their Countrey for with the one half of his Army he begirt Gaza and with the other half he over-ran the Countrey spoiling and burning the same The Gazeans seeing these miseries which they were constrain'd to endure and perceiving that no succors came unto them from Demetrius but that their own overthrow was at hand and their assistance far off and that which was worse most uncertain they thought it to be the D wisest part for them to forsake the one and follow the other Whereupon they sent messengers unto Jonathan protesting that they would be both his friends and confederates For men do unwillingly take knowledge of their profit before they have bought it to their sorrow and that which they neglected at first and was most expedient for them to perform before they were afflicted that do they earnestly hunt after at such time as they have been chastised Upon this submission of theirs Jonathan receiv'd them into favor and took pledges of them and sent them to Jerusalem and from thence marched he along the Countrey as far as Damasco And whereas an huge Host sent by Demetrius came out against him as far as the City Cedasa near unto Tyre and Galilee making their reckoning to divert Jonathan from Syria by succouring and relieving those of Galilee who were their confederates Jonathan E went out speedily to meet with them recommending the state of Judea to the charge of his brother Simon Simon Jonathan's brother taketh in Bethsura Who assembling all the power that was possible to be gather'd throughout all the Countrey encamped before Bethsura a strong Fort in Judea and besieg'd it for Demetrius being before-time seized thereof kept Garison therein as before this we have declar'd When as therefore Simon raised his Bulwarks and fitted his Engines to assault the City and employ'd all his study to surprize the same they that were besieged waxed afraid lest if he should take the Town by force they should lose their lives For which cause they sent an Herald unto Simon requesting him that he would permit them to depart out of Bethsura with the safety of their lives and goods and go unto Demetrius who satisfying their demands they presently departed out of the City F and he planted a Garison therein of their own men in place of the Macedonians In the mean while Jonathan who was in Galilee caused his Army to dislodge from a place called the waters of Genezareth where he was encamped and marched towards the Plain of Azot without any suspition that his Enemies had been planted thereabouts When as therefore Demetrius's Soldiers had intelligence the day before that Jonathan should march forward against them they laid an ambush for him which they placed near the mountain preparing the rest of their Forces to bid him battel in the Plain As soon as Jonathan perceiv'd their preparation to the battel he arranged his Army as conveniently as was possible but when they that lay in ambush arose and charged the Jews upon their backs they fearing to be enclosed and consequently easily slain began to flie so that all of them G abandoned Jonathan except some few to the number of 50 with Matthias the son of Absalom and Judas the son of Chapsaeus Lieutenant-Generals of Jonathan who boldly H entred and like desperate men charged the Enemy in the Vanguard with such fury that they made them amazed at their and compelled them to trust to their heels Which when they that had abandoned Jonathan perceiv'd they rallied and pursu'd them as far as Cedasa where the Enemies were encamped When Jonathan had obtain'd this glorious victory Jonathan putteth Demetrius's Soldiers to flight wherein there fell about 2000 of the Enemy he returned to Jerusalem and seeing that all things fell out according as he desir'd he sent Ambassadors unto Rome to renew the ancient league that was made betwixt
to Herod and desirous likewise to avoid Cleopatras suspitions wrote unto Herod that under some honest pretext he should send Alexandras son unto him with this addition if it might not seem C troublesome unto him Which matter when Herod understood he thought it no waies safe for him to send Aristobulus who was a hansome young man and little more at that time then sixteen years old and so nobly born considering that Antonius was at that present in such authority that no one in Rome was in greater credit then he and who besides that The causes why Aristobulus was not sent was very much addicted to his pleasures which he openly hunted after without fear of punishment in regard of his greatness and power He therefore wrote him this answer that if the young man should but only depart out of the Countrey all the Land would presently be filled with War and Troubles for that the Jews pretended alteration in Government and sought to innovate by prefering a new King When he had in this manner excused himself unto Antonius he resolved to entertain both the D younger Aristobulus and his Mother Alexandra with more respect Moreover his Wife Mariamne did continually importune him to give the Priest-hood to her brother alleadging that by that honour he might prevent the occasion of his journey For which cause assembling his friends together in councel Herod inveigheth against Alexandra for pretending to usurp the Kingdom he grievously accused Alexandra before them protesting that she secretly conspired against the Kingdom and that by the mediation of Cleopatra she laboured to dispossess him of the soveraignty to the intent that her Son by Antonius meanes might Govern in his sted Which practice of hers was so much the more unjust because she deprived her own Daughter of that honour wherein she was and raised up troubles likewise in that Kingdom which he had conquered with great labor and extreme danger Yet notwithstanding that he willingly E forgat that which was past and forgave those wrongs she had done against him and was ready notwithstanding to shew all kindness and courtesie both to her and hers He gave the High-Priesthood to young Aristobulus alleadging that heretofore he had established Ananel in that place for no other respect than for that Aristobulus was under years After that he had thus seriously and considerately discoursed in the presence of the Ladies Alexandra excuseth her selfe and having promise of the Priest Hâ—od for her son is reconciled to Herod and consistory of his friends Alexandra almost beside her self not only through the joy she had conceived by this unexpected good fortune but also for the fear she had to be suspected began to defend her self with tears and protestations saying that all whatsoever she had either practiced or done was to prefer her Son unto the Priesthood F whom she saw dishonoured but as touching the Kingdom that she had never pretended neither would if so be she should be presented therewith receive the same thinking her self for the present sufficiently honoured both for that she saw Aristobulus in that estate for the assurance that all her progeny should receive in that he was raised up in dignity above the rest Being therefore overcome by those favors she accepted willingly the honor for her Son and shewed her self obedient in all things requesting him that if she had committed any thing rashly and through inconsideration or passion either in respect of her children or by the loosness of her tongue he would be pleased to pardon her After these debates and interchangeable discourses on both sides they shook hands the one with the other in token of a more fixed and unfained friendship than was before G burying as they pretended all evill suspition or cause of unkindness H CHAP. III. The year of the World 3929. before Christ's Nativity 35. Herod deposeth Ananel from the dignitie of the High-Pristhood and confereth it upon Aristobulus he causeth Alexandra to be seized on and Aristobulus when they were about to make their escape by going to Cleopatra he feineth a reconciliation with them and afterwards causeth Aristobulus to be drowned bestowing a costly funeral on him I HEreupon Herod took away the Priest-hood instantly from Ananel Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. who was not that Countrey-man born as we have heretofore declared but was born amongst those Jews that inhabit and were planted beyond Euphrates by the Assyrians Herod taketh the Priest-hood from Ananel For divers thousand Jews inhabited the Countrey of Babylon and from thence took he his Original also being otherwise of the race of the Priests and well affected toward Herod for a long time before with whom he had familiar acquaintance He had prefered him to this honor when he was made King and degraded him likewise to appease the troubles of his famiely demeaning himself herein contrary to the law of the Countrey for whereas any one hath once been installed in that degree he is never to be displaced The first that transgressed this Ordinance The Priest-hood taken from three was Antiochus Epiphanes who dispossessed Josuh and prefered his brother Onias to this place The second was Aristobulus away from his K brother Hircanus and usurped it himself Herod was the third who gave the Priest-hood to Aristobulus establishing him in Ananels place before he was dead and by this means supposing that he had found out a remedy to appease the discords of his family he notwithstanding all this lived not without suspition what event would follow after this reconciliation for he feared Alexandra lest demeaning her self as she had done she should seek occasion hereafter to raise new troubles Alexandra suspected by Herod is spied and watched and her actions observed He commanded her therefore to contain herself within the royal Palace and to do nothing of her own authority Besides that he had appointed certain intelligencers who should diligently observe that nothing should be done without his knowledge no not concerning her particular expences and table All which things exasperated her against Herod for being full of L feminine pride she disdained to see her self thus wrongfully suspected desiring rather to suffer any thing than to be deprived of the liberty of free speech and under colour to be honoured to live continually in servitude and fear Whereupon she sent some of her trusty friends to Cleopatra to complain and lament the insuportable miseries of her present estate entreating her according to her power to give speedy relief Whereupon Cleopatra sent her word that both she and her Son should resort unto her into Egypt with as great secrecie as might be possible Upon which advice she practised this policy Alexandra pretending to flie into Egypt is betrayed by her servant She caused two Coffins to be made such as men were wont to bury their dead in in which she hid her self and her son comanding those servants of
dearest friends might not be sought out to be punished yet notwithstanding he could not obtain the same by reason of an Oath that Caesar had past before he sollicited him That done he returned back again unto Jewry with greater honour and assurance than before whereby he struck them with wonderful amazement who expected his contrary success as if by Gods special providence he alwayes over-went his dangers Herod entertaineth both Caesar and his Army very heroically to his great honour Therefore he prepared himself to entertain Caesar who returned out of Syria B to take his journey into Egypt and received him at Ptolomais with all Royal honour and gave his Army Presents with all abundance of Provision so that he was accounted for one of Caesars most affectionate friends and rode about with him when he took the view of his Army he entertained him also and his friends with One hundred and fifty Men adorned with most rich and sumptuous apparel And for that they were to pass thorow a Countrey wherein there was great scarcity of Water he furnished them with both Water and Wine so that they needed neither of them He gave Caesar also Eight hundred Talents Herod giveth Caesar 800 Talents and so royally satisfi'd he all Men that they confessed themselves to have had a far greater entertainment than the Revenues and Profits of his Kingdom could afford them By which means he gave the more ample testimony of his C forward friendship and free affection to deserve well and making use of the opportunity of the time he obtained the reputation of a Prince of an heroick and noble spirit so that he was held inferiour unto no man for the good entertainment which he gave to the chiefest Romans in their return from Egypt CHAP. XI Mariamne giveth Herod so cold a reception when he returned from Caesar that being joined to the aspersions which Herod's mother and sister laid upon her he had infallibly caused her to be put to death at that very instant But he is engaged to return to Augustus he put-her to death at his back-coming The business of Alexandra Mariamne's Mother D Herod's despair after Mariamne's death he falleth dangerously sick Alexandra endeavoureth to make herself Mistris of the two Forts of Jerusalem he made her be put to death and Costobarus and others follow he instituteth Plays and Shews in Honor of Augustus by which he doth so irritate the most part of the Jews that ten of them undertak to kill him he putteth them to death He buildeth many Forts and rebuilds a very fine and a strong Town upon the ruins of Samaria which he names Sebaste BUT as soon as he returned unto his Kingdom Mariamne and Alexandra displeased with Herod he found all his Houshold troubled and both his Wife Mariamne and her Mother Alexandra grievously displeased with him For they supposed and not without cause that they were not shut up in that E Castle for their securities sake but as it were in a Prison so that in as much as they neithay might make use of other Mens nor enjoy their own goods they were highly discontented Mariamne also supposed that her Husband did but dissemble his love rather for his own profit than for any entire affection he bare towards her But nothing more grieved her than that she had not any hope to live after him if so be he should happen to die especially for the order he had left concerning her neither could she ever forget what commands he had before that time left with Joseph so that by all means possible she laboured to win the affections of those that had the charge of her and especially Sohemus knowing very well that her safety depended wholly on his hands Who in the beginning behaved himself very wisely and faithfully containing himself F very circumspectively within the bounds of his commission but after these Ladies had with pretty presents and feminine flatteries wrought and mollifi'd him by little and little at last he blabbed out all that which the King had commanded him Sohemus discovereth the Kings secrets especially for that he hoped not that he should return with the same power and authority which before he had and for that cause he thought thus in himself that without incurring any danger in regard of Herod he might greatly gratifie the Ladies who in all likelihood should not be deprived of that dignity wherein they were at that time but would return them the like kindness when Mariamne should be Queen or next unto the King Furthermore he hoped that if Herod also should return with all things answerable to his desires that he would perform nothing without his Wifes consent or upbraid him G with the act if she contradicted for he knew too well that the King loved her so that it was impossible to equal or express his affections and for these causes he disclosed H the trust that was committed unto him But Mariamne was very sore displeased to hear that there was no end of her miseries but they were altogether united and tied to the dangers of Herod and she oftentimes wished that he might never more return again in safety supposing that her life with him should be very intolerable all which she afterwards dissembled not but openly confessed that which afflicted her with discontent For when as Herod beyond all expectation arrived in his Countrey being adorned with mighty fortune he first of all as it became him acquainted his Wife with his good tydings and happy success whom onely amongst all other his friends and Wives he embraced and saluted Herod but coldly entertained by his wife Mariamne for the pleasing conversation and affection that was in her But she while he repeated unto her these fortunate events of his affairs rather entertained I the same with a displeasant attention than applauding joy Neither could her great sincerity cover the agitation of her mind For when he folded his arms about her neck she unfolded her sorrow in her sighes so simple and unfeigned were her affections and seemed rather to be displeased than appeased by his narrations Whereupon Herod was sore troubled Herod's sorrows to see his wifes affections distracted and changed perceiving these things not onely suspected but also fully manifest but above all things he was distracted when he considered the incredible and apparent hatred that his Wife had conceived against him which incensed him so that he could not resist the love that had attainted him so that he neither could continue in wrath nor listen long to peace and being unresolved in himself he now was attempted by this straight distracted by a contrary affection so much was his mind tossed between K love and hatred when oftentimes he desired to punish the womans pride his heart by loves mediation failed him in the enterprize For nothing did more torment him than this fear lest executing his displeasure against her he should
his magnificence and gained great praise and commendations for a worthy King For he in all things so provided that the last was more pleasing and greateful than the first and caused him to be more admired And it is reported that Caesar himself and Agrippa often did say Caesar and Agrippa commend Herod's magnanimity that Herod's magnanimity was greater than his present revenues could bear and that he well deserved an Empire as big as all Syria and Egypt These sports being ended he builded another Town in a Field called Capharsaba Antipatris is built chusing for it a watery soil fit for plants the City was compassed with a River and he also planted round about it a Wood full of fine Trees This Town he called N Antipatris after his father's name Antipater After which he also builded a Castle about Jericho Cypron is built called after his mother's name Cypron which was very strongly fortified and adorned within with rare and sumptuous edifices And not forgetting his brother he dedicated unto him most stately buildings for first he built a Tower as big as Pharo in the City The Tower Town of Phasaelus is built in remembrance of his dead brother and called it by his name Phasaelus which also was the strongest Fort in all the City After this he builded a Town near unto the Valley of Jericho towards the North whereby the fields that before almost lay desart were now tilled and inhabited by the townsmen so that of them it was named Phasaelus-field It were hard to relate all his liberality in particular shewed both unto the Cities of Syria and Greeâ—a and all other places wheresoever O he came For he helped many either by building publick places or if there were any new works begun and not finished for want of money by giving them money A to finish them the chiefest among all which were that he builded at his own cost and charge the Temple of Apollo at Rhodes and gave them many talents of silver to build their ships He also builded the greatest part of the publick houses and places in the City of Actium which Caesar built for the Nicopolitans there inhabiting and that with his own proper cost and charges Herod built the Temple of Pythias He also for the Antiochians inhabiting the greatest City of Syria builded Arches on each side of the greater street that goeth quite thorow the midst of the City and doth as it were part it in two and the street it self that lay open he paved with polished stone which work was as great a conveniency to the inhabitants as a beauty unto their City He also helped to maintain the sports at Olympus with yearly revenues The sports of Olympus that for want of maintenance began to decay B So that by his means there were more solemn sacrifices and all things more sumptuous to please them that came to behold them For which liberality he was declared perpetual Master and Maintainer of those sports Why Herod was liberal to strangers and cruel to his own nation It is admirable to see in one man such diversity of minds For on the one side if we consider his liberality towards all men we must needs say he was of a most free and bountiful nature contrariwise if we consider the injuries and cruelty he shewed against his subjects and dearest friends we must confess him to have been a hard man and intractable and who passed all bounds of modesty so that we would think him to have been of two contrary dispositions But I am otherwise perswaded and think that both these did proceed from one matter For because he thirsted after glory and honour and wholly applied himself C thereunto he became liberal wheresoever he was in hope either to reap present thanks for his labour or a future remembrance Wherefore spending above his revenues for this matter he was forced to be chargeable to his subjects for it was necessary that he that so lavishly bestowed such huge summs of money upon others should some where get it though with evil means Lastly seeing himself for such like injuries hated of his subjects he thought it a hard matter to gett their good wills which he could do no ways else but by remitting the tribute they paid him Wherefore he abused the hatred of his people for his own commodity For if any one of them did not tolerate that slavery wherein they lived or did endeavour to shake off the yoke of his dominion against such he used a prodigious cruelty and injured them no less D than if they had been his enemies without regarding friendship or kindred for that he desired alone to be honoured of all men Herod greedy of honour And how greedy of honour he was we may guess by the honours he did unto Caesar Agrippa and others of their friends For he desired to be an example to his subjects that as he himself honoured men better than himself so they should all honour him likewise thereby declaring what thing he did naturally most desire But the Jews Religion doth not permit them license to honour Potentates who of necessity ought to have greater care and respect of right and equity than of such officiousness towards superiours for it was disprofit enough unto the Jews that they could not with Statues and Temples obtain the King's favour and with like flatteries satisfie the fond appetites of a vain-glorious man And this E seemeth to me to be the reason that Herod was unjust and hard towards his friends and to those whom he made partakers of his counsels and enterprizes and free and bountiful towards strangers CHAP. X. Testimonies of the Roman Emperours Affection towards the Jews THe Asian and Cyrenian Jews were greatly afflicted by the Citizens of those Countreys F Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. who having had the same privileges granted unto them by the ancient Kings that the Citizens had The Jews of Asia and Cyrene being afflicted by the inhabitants there send an Embassage to Caesar and do obtain of him immunity were now greatly injured by the Grecians as though they carried money out of the Countrey and were prejudicial unto the rest of the inhabitants And the Grecians making no end of their injuries they were constrained by Embassadours to complain of them unto Caesar who wrote unto every Province that it was his pleasure that the Jews should enjoy like privileges with the other inhabitants of the countrey The copy of which writing we have here set down that it may the better appear how the Roman Emperours of ancient times were affected unto our Nation Caesar Augustus Pont. Max. Trib. potestatis thus decreeth For as much as the Nation G of the Jews hath always been trusty unto the Romans not only at this day but also in all former Ages and especially in the time of our father Caesar the Emperour under Hircanus their High Priest I
beauty one of them was his Butler the other his Cook and the third his Chamberlain whom also he was wont to employ in serious affairs of his Kingdom Some one or other informed the King that these three Eunuchs were corrupted by his Son Alexander The Sons hatred towards their Father is bewrayed with great summs of money and being upon Tortures examined if they had accompanied with him they confessed all yet they affirmed that they knew no practice of his attempted against his Father But their torments being encreased by Antipater's Favourites they were forced to confess that Alexander secretly hated his Father and he exhorted them to forsake Herod who was now good for nothing who dissembled his age by painting G his face to make himself seem younger than he was and colouring his head and beard black which were already grown very white through age But rather set their minds upon him who would in despight of his Father enjoy his Kingdom due unto him and that then he would advance them to the highest honours of the Kingdom For he H had not only title unto it by his birth but also was now prepared likewise to invade it and that he had many of the Captains of the souldiers and many of the King's friends on his side who were prepared to do or endure any thing for his sake Herod hearing this fear and anger did seize on him by reason that his Son's words seemed both insolent and threatning and being for both these causes in a rage he feared some greater matter to be put in practice against him which he could not suddenly having so little warning avoid And not daring to make open enquiry he set secret spies a work to tell him how all matters stood himself now mistrusting all men and accounting it his security to mistrust all even them that deserved it not and not moderating his suspicious mind now whosoever was the nearest to him was the I more suspected Herod crediteth all tales and so putteth many to death unjustly as of most power to injure him As for others that were but only named by his spies he presently esteemed it his safety to put them to death Then they of his houshold every one being careful to save himself were one turned against another every one esteeming it his own safety to prevent others by accusing them unto Herod which done presently they incited other men's envy against him and every one of them to desire such measure as they had measured unto others and thus they also revenged their private Quarrels and presently after they themselves were taken and did by other mens means suffer the like being entrapped in the same trap they set for their enemies For the King did quickly repent for having put very many to death who were not convicted yet for all that he was K not hereby admonished to beware of the like hereafter but on his repentance for their death raged so far as to cause him to inflict the same punishment upon the accusers which he had done upon them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. The Court was in such a lamentable condition that he commanded many of his dearest friends and them especially whose fidelity he had formerly experienced Herod denieth to be familiar with Andromachus and Gemellus not to come in his sight nor within his Court-gates For he did now shake off the friendship between Andromachus and Gemellus and himself who were his ancient friends and oftentimes had gone Ambassadours for him and always been of his counsel and had been tutors unto his Children in whom he had always reposed more trust than in any others the one of them for that his Son Demetrius was familiar with Alexander and Gemellus for that he knew him to L be a friend to Alexander for he was one of them that had brought him up and had travelled with him to Rome And no doubt but he had censured them with some more heavy sentence had it not been that they were so eminent persons Wherefore at that time he was contented to have banished them and deprived them of all their authority to the end that having disgraced these good men he might the more freely play the Tyrant Antipater the cause of all mischief Antipater was the cause of all this mischief who from the first time that he perceived his Father to be fearful and suspicious still after that joyned with him as Counseller and as it were encreased his rage and cruelty and then he gallantly played his part Many were tortured and examined for Alexander's cause endeavouring that whosoever would resist him should be made away Wherefore Andromachus and the rest of his friends being now banished the M Court the King presently tortured all that he imagined any way to favour Alexander to see if they were guilty or if they knew of any treason to be practised against him but they knowing nothing to inform him of died amidst their torments Where he so much the more tortured others for that contrary to his opinion he found not so much as an evil thought against him Antipater craftily interpreting it that they had rather in torments conceal the truth than to shew themselves not trusty to their masters and friends wherefore many being taken he caused them to be tortured to get something out of some of them At last one amongst the rest not able to endure those torments imposed upon him said that he had often heard Alexander say when any one commended his tall stature or skilful shooting and the rest of his vertues that nature had N bestowed upon him these qualities to his prejudice for his Father through envy hereat was offended so that when he talked with him he did on purpose draw his body together lest his Father should perceive the tallness of his stature and that when he went a hunting with him he on purpose did miss the mark he could have hit because he knew his Father could not endure that he should be commended And whilst these words were considered and pondred and his torments intermitted he accused Alexander again to have conspired with his Brother Aristobulus to kill his Father when he was hunting and then to fly with speed unto Rome and beg the Kingdom of Caesar There were also found some of Aristobulus his Letters written unto his Brother complaining of the injurious dealing of his Father who had given O certain Possessions to Antipater the yearly revenues whereof amounted to two hundred Talents Then Herod thinking himself to have probability enough his former A suspicion was now confirmed and so he took Alexander and cast him in prison and again he began to doubt because he did scarcely believe the informations against him neither could he devise any cause wherefore they should seek to commit Treason against him And those complaints seemed childish neither was it probable that having openly killed his Father Alexander
and Faith which was renowned thorough the whole world For which cause he would not judge his Decree to be inconsiderately past who left his Succession to his well deserving Son and referred all things to his trust For that it was unlikely that he should err in the choice of his Successour who had so discreetly submitted all things to Caesar's judgment After this manner Nicholaus also finished his discourse Hereupon Caesar courteously raised Archelaus Caesar pronounceth Archelaus to be worthy of the Kingdom who lay prostrate and humbled before his feet telling him that he was most worthy to be King by giving an apparent Testimony that he was constant in his resolutions pretending that he would do nothing but that which should be answerable to Herod 's Testament and Archelaus 's profit and seeing the young man was confirmed in some good hope with this his promise Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. he determined nothing N more for that time but dismissing the Council he debated with himself whether he should ratifie the Kingdom to Archelaus only or divide it amongst Herod 's Kindred especially since they all had need of his assistance O A CHAP. XII A great Rebellion in Judea whilest Archelaus was at Rome Varus Governour of Syria stoppeth it Philip Archealus's Brother goeth also to Rome in hopes to obtain one part of the Kingdom The Jews send Ambassadours to Augustus to free them from their obedience to Kings and to re-unite them to Syria They complain to him against Archelaus and abhor the memory of Herod B BUt before Caesar had determined any thing certainly in this behalf Marthalce Archelaus's Mother dieth Marthalce Archelaus's Mother died of a Sickness and Varus the President of the Jews in Syria had sent Letters Varus pacifieth the Seditions at Jerusalem which assured the Emperour of the Rebellion of the Jews For after Archelaus's departure all the Nation was in an Uproar To pacifie which Varus resorted thither and punished the Authors of the same and after he had appeased all things he returned to Antioch leaving a Regiment of Soldiers in Jerusalem to restrain the factious Innovations amongst the Jews yet he prevailed nothing by his policy Alias cap. 15 For as soon as Varus was gone Sabinus who was Overseer of Caesar's Affairs remaining in that place Sabinus's Avarice raiseth a great Sedition in Jerusalem at the Feast of Pentecost grievously burthened the Jews trusting to that power that was left him and supposing that he was already enabled to withstand the multitude C For he armed divers Souldiers and made use of them to oppress the Jews and to provoke them to Sedition For he took upon him to surprise their Fortresses and by force to make search after the King's Treasures for his private Lucre and Covetousness sake When therefore the Feast of Whitsuntide was come which is one of our Festivals divers thousands from all parts repaired to Jerusalem not only for Religion's sake but also for despite and hatred they had conceived against those Violencies and Injuries which Sabinus had offered them And not only were those of Judaea grievously offended but divers also resorted out of Galilee and Idumaea from Jericho and the Cities situate on the other side Jordan desiring all of them to be revenged on Sabinus And dividing their Camp into three Bands after this manner one part of D them took up the Hippodrome and of the other two the one seized the Southern Quarter of the Temple and the other the Eastern and the third which were in the Hippodrome were planted to the Westward where the King's Palace stood and thus prepared they all things that were necessary to set upon the Romans whom they had besieged on all sides At that time Sabinus fearing their number and resolution who were resolved either to die or overcome sent present Letters unto Varus requiring him with all expedition to send him a supply because the Regiment that was left by him was in great danger and must needs utterly perish without his speedy rescue As for himself he withdrew into the Tower and Dungeon of the Castle Phaselus which was a Fortress so called in honour of Herod's Brother who was killed by the Parthians E and from the top thereof made a sign to the Romans that they should salley out upon the Jews being afraid to trust himself to his own Friends expecting that the rest should expose their lives to danger in maintenance of his safety which his extream Covetousness had endangered A most blooddy Battel fought betwixt the Romans and Jews near unto the Temple and their lives also The Romans having made this Sally there arose a desperate skirmish wherein the Romans divers ways had the upper hand yet the Jews were no ways discomforted notwithstanding they had lost many men but wheeled about so long till at last they seized the outward Galleries and those that encompassed the Temple and in that place there was a hot Assault for they flung down stones with their hands and slings and there were certain Archers mixed among them who having recovered a place of advantage grievously gauled the Romans which F were below in that they had no means to avoid their shot but were so exposed thereunto that their Enemies had the better And with this disadvantage the Romans fought a long time till at length being enraged to see their enemies have such an advantage they secretly fired the Galleries and Porches without any discovery of those that were therein which Fire brought thither by many and fed with such matter as would speedily flame immediately took hold of the Roof because the Roof was covered with Pitch and Wax gilded over so that these great and excellent Buildings were burnt down to nothing in a moment Divers Jews are slain and burned in the Roof of the Porches and they that were resorted thither were all of them consumed before they were aware For some of them fell with the Roof of the Galleries others shot at and killed by those that stood round about others G despairing of their lives and amazed at the mischief either cast themselves into the fire or killed themselves with their own Swords and all those that retired in hopes to save themselves by that way they ascended were encountred by the Romans who killed them all because they were disarmed though furiously desperate so that not one H of them that ascended the Porches escaped with his life Afterwards the Romans thrusting forward one another by those ways where the fire was least entred the Treasure house where the sacred money was kept by which means a great part thereof was stoln away by the Soldiers A great part of the sacred treasure taken away by the Soldiers and Sabinus to all mens knowledge carried away four hundred Talents But the Jews being afflicted with a double calamity first of all with the loss of their Friends in that fight and
cause which followeth Hircanus the High Priest the first of that name having builded a Tower near unto the Temple did for the most part make his Residence therein and there kept his Vestments that were committed to his charge the rather for that he only had the Authority to put them on and return them into their place at such time as he came down into the City and put on his accustomed Raiment His Successors did the same till Herod being exalted to the Kingdom and seeing this Tower to be strongly situated builded the same most magnificently and called it Antonia in honour of Antony his great friend And having found these Vestments in the place he retained them with him assuring himself the people would attempt nothing against him Archelaus his Son and Successor B in the Kingdom kept the same course that Herod had done But after that the Romans had obtained the Sovereignty thereof they kept the High Priest's Ornaments in their hands and reserved them in a place builded for that purpose under the Seal of the Priests and the Governour of those that kept the Sacred Treasure lighted the Lamp every day in that place Every seventh day before the Feast the Governour delivered them into the High Priest's hands and after they were purified he put them on to do Divine Service and the next day after the Feast he returned them again to the same place where they were kept before which custom was observed thrice every year in the time of a Fast Vitellius advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to the Priesthood and degradeth Joseph sirnamed Caiaphas But Vitellius returned those Ornaments into the hands of the Priests according to the ancient Orders leaving them to be used when need required commanding the C Governour to trouble himself no more about the place where they should be kept After he had done this favour to the Nation of the Jews he deposed the High Priest Joseph sirnamed Caiaphas and advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to that Dignity and afterwards returned to Antioch At that time he received Letters from Tiberius by which he commanded him to capitulate and conclude a Friendship with Artabanus the King of the Parthians whose hatred he suspected and feared lest seizing on Armenia he should work farther mischief against the State of Rome desiring him to assure the League by Hostages and namely with Artabanus's Son After Tiberius had written these Letters above mentioned unto Vitellius he perswaded the Kings of Iberia and Alania by great store of D money that with all expedition they should make War against Artabanus But the Iberians would not be drawn thereunto yet they suffered the Alanes to march thorough their Countrey and opened them their Gates of the Mount Caspius to give them passage to invade Artabanus The Parthians lose Armenia Thus once more was Armenia conquered and the Countrey of the Parthians was invaded whereby the chiefest among them were killed The King's Son also was killed in those Conflicts with divers Thousands of his Army Such things as hapned between Vitellius and Artabanus Moreover Vitellius having sent money to a Kinsman and Friend of Artabanus pretended to corrupt him to make Artabanus away But Artabanus perceiving the Plot that was intended against him and seeing that he could not escape because it was attempted by a great number of the best accounted Nobles within his E Court ceased to pass any further And seeing himself most apparently environed and thinking that under the colour of Friendship he was fraudulently betrayed he thought it better to retire himself into the Provinces of the higher Countrey and there to save himself Artabanus rostored to his Kingdom by the Danes and Swedes rather than to put himself in hazard and resort unto them who had already betrayed and forsaken him Arriving in that place he assembled a a great number of Soldiers of the Countreys of Danes and Swedes and having fought against them who had opposed themselves against him he recovered his Kingdom A League betwixt Vitellius and Artabanus When Tiberius had tidings hereof he endeavoured to draw Artabanus into Friendship with him which when Artabanus had notice of he willingly admitted so that Artabanus and Vitellius met together near Euphrates and by the means of a F Bridge that was builded upon the River Herod's Banquet in the midst of Euphrates they debated the matter together being each of them attended by their Guards After that they had concluded the Peace Herod the Tetrarch feasted them in a very magnificent Pavilion erected in the midst of the River Artabanus sendeth Tiberius his Son in Hostage and a Jew seven cubits high with great cost And not long after Vitellius sent Darius Artabanus's Son in Hostage to Rome with divers Presents amongst which there was a man seven Cubits high a Jew born who was named Eleazar who was called a Giant by reason of his stature That done Vitellius returned to Antioch and Artabanus to Babylon But Herod desirous to be the first that should advertise Caesar of the receipt of these Hostages Herod advertiseth the Emperour of all things before Vitellius's Letters came to his hands sent an express with Letters by which he fully satisfied him of all that which had hapned omitting nothing for the Consul to acquaint him so that after Vitellius's Letters G were brought unto him and that Caesar had already assured him of the true information that Herod had given him Vitellius was much troubled and suspecting lest he had received a greater injury than the matter made shew for he conceived in his heart a secret spight which continued until Tiberius was dead and Caius obtained the H Empire At that time also Philip Herod's Brother died in the twentieth year of Tiberius's Reign after he had reigned himself for the space of seven and thirty years in Trachonitis Gaulonitis and Bathanaea During all the time of his Government he behaved himself very peaceably for he made his abode within his own Dominion He walked being accompanied with a small number of his chosen servants and had that seat carried after him wherein he was accustomed to fit and do justice to the end that if any one presented himself and required his assistance he might without delay do him right Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. alias chap. 13. For upon the first motion the seat was placed in that part wherein the Plaintiff met him and being seated therein he examined the cause punishing those that I were guilty and absolving the innocent He died in Juliade and was buried in the Sepulchre which he himself had caused to be built The year of the World 4000. after Christ's Nativity 38. and his Obsequies were performed with great Solemnity and Majesty And for that he left no Heirs Males behind him Tiberius seized on his Estate which he united to the Government of Syria ordaining that the Tributes that were gained
profit and safety for which cause he was sent by him in Bonds to Capreas Tiberius according to his dilatory manner wherein no King or Tyrant ever equalled him held him Prisoner For neither did he presently admit any Ambassadours neither sent he Successors to those who were Governours of his Provinces when the former were dead and was no less negligent in yielding audience to his Prisoners But when his friends at any time questioned him why he used these accustomed delays he answered them that he deferred the Ambassadours after that manner lest if he should suddenly dispatch them they should instantly return K with new whereby it should come to pass that he should be continually troubled in entertaining and dismissing them And as for his Offices For what cause Tiberius changed not his Governors he left them in their hands to whom he had committed them in regard of his Subjects welfare For naturally all Magistracy is subject to Avarice but especially strangers induce those who exercise the same to gather and ingross the more eagerly when as the time of their Authority is short and of small assurance whereas if they should continue in the same for a long time in regard of the gain they had made and the much profit they had raised they would be afterwards less greedy to extort further Now if he should send others to succeed them on a sudden it were impossible for him to content them notwithstanding their many Bribes whereas in L giving them time to fill their purses when they had gotten well they would abate the furious desire of Lucre which they affected before And to this purpose he told them an example of a poor man that was a Lazar to whose wounds a great number of Flies assembled themselves and covered the same at sight whereof some by fortune arriving there and having compassion of his misery and supposing that the cause why he repulsed them not proceeded from his disability approached near to help him but he prayed them to let him alone Whereupon they demanding the cause wherefore he that was hurt refused to be delivered from so irksome an evil he answered them for that they should do him more wrong if those flies were driven away for that being already full of blood they prick me not said he neither suck me so earnestly M but give me some ease whereas if new should light on my wound which were hungry and should seize my flesh in that desperate estate that I am they would procure my death For these causes he said that seeing his Subjects already consumed by so many exactions he thought it a good policy in him and a better provision for them not to send them new Governours continually who might after the manner of flies suck them to the quick especially if to their innate covetousness he should add the fear of their sudden displacing Now to prove that to be true which I have declared of Tiberius's disposition this action of his may suffice to justifie me For having been Emperour for the space of twenty two years all those Governours which he sent into Jewry were two namely Gratus Why Caesar would not give Audience to his Prisoners and Pilat his Successor neither carried he himself otherwise towards N the rest of his Subjects of the Empire And as for his Prisoners the reason why he delayed so much to give them Audience was to the end that they who had been condemned to death 〈◊〉 not speedily be delivered from those torments Agrippa solliciteth Antonia to bring Eutichus to his Answer wherewith he threatned them and which they had deserved by their wickedness For whilst he kept them in that pain their misery encreased the more For this cause Eutychus could not obtain Audience at his hands but was a long time detained Prisoner Antonia very much honoured by Tiberius Afterwards in process of time Tiberius transported himself from Capreas to Tusculanum which was distant from Rome some hundred Furlongs There did Agrippa sollicite Antonia to cause Eutychus to be called to his answer Antonia discovereth Sejanus's Conspiracy to Caesar concerning the accusation which he pretended against him Now O Antonia was in great favour with Tiberius both in regard of the affinity that was between them in that she was Drusus's Wife who was Tiberius's as in respect of A her Modesty For she being young continued in her Widowhood and would not Marry with any other notwithstanding Augustus importuned her to wed but lived always in honour without blame Besides that she had done Tiberius a great pleasure for at such time as Sejanus his Friend and a man of great account in those days by reason he had the Government of the Army practised a Conspiracy against him whereunto divers of the Senate and of his Free-men and of his Souldiers likewise were accessary yet she brought all their intents to nothing This Attempt had taken a great head and Sejanus had finished his purpose had not Antonia used more advised courage than Sejanus did in executing his Treason For having discovered the danger that threatned Tiberius she wrote and sent her express Letters by Pallas one of B her trusty Servants unto him to Capreas to assure him in particular of the whole Contrivance of the Conspiracy Caesar having true understanding thereof caused Sejanus and his Confederates to be executed Therefore though before that time he honoured Antonia greatly yet he did afterwards honour her far more so that he trusted her in all things When therefore she entreated him to give Eutychus Audience Tiberius answered If said he Eutychus hath falsly objected any thing against Agrippa it sufficeth that he endure that Punishment that I have enjoyned him But if in the Torture he maintain that which he hath spoken to be true it is to be feared lest Agrippa intending to punish his Free-man do rather heap the Punishment upon his own head When Antonia had reported this answer of his to Agrippa Agrippa urgeth Eutychus trial and for certain speeches 〈◊〉 his is cast into Bonds he did the more instantly sollicite her requiring her C that the matter might be brought to tryal And for that Agrippa ceased not to importune her Antonia took the occasion which was this Tiberius being after Dinner time carried in his Litter and having Caius and Agrippa before him she walking by the Litter besought him to call Eutychus to his Tryal Whereunto he replyed The Gods said he know that that which I do I do it not of mine own will but for the necessity I am pressed with upon your request And having spoken thus he commanded Macron Sejanus's Successor to bring Eutychus before him which was performed with all expedition Whereupon Tiberius asked him what he had to say against him who had made a Free-man of him My Sovereign said he Caius that is here present and Agrippa rode one day together in the same Coach and I
the wrongs he had done to the Estate of the Parthians Never said the King will I give my consent to betray a man who hath committed himself to my protection and hath given me his hand and who buildeth upon the Oath I have past unto him in the name of the Gods But if thou be a valiant man in feats of Arms thou hast no need to make me forswear my self but when his Brother and he shall depart from hence assail him and overcome him by thy valour provided that I be not privy to thy attempt And afterwards calling Asinaeus to him in the morning It is time said he that thou return homeward for fear thou provoke divers of the Captains of my Court which Artabanus committeth the Territories of Babylon to Asinaeus's charge and dismisseth him with Gifts contrary to my will will endeavour to kill thee I commit the Countrey of Babylon E to thy protection and guard which by thy care and vigilancy shall remain exempt from all Robberies and other such Calaemities Reason it is that I procure thy good because I have engaged mine Honour and Faith irrevocably unto thee not upon any light matter but for things that importane thee as nearly as thy life This said he gave him certain Presents and presently dismissed him Now as soon as he returned home to his own Fortress he fortified the places both those which were already secured and the other which as yet no man had attempted to fortifie And in short time he grew to that greatness that no man of so obscure Fortune and beginning attained before him Neither contented with the Honours of the Babylonians he was also held in great account by the Captains of the Parthians who were sent to govern in the neighbouring Provinces F yea so much encreased his Authority with his Power that all Mesopotamia was at his Command In this Felicity and encreasing Glory of his he continued for the space of fifteen years which never began to decay until such time as neglecting the ancient Study of Virtue and contemning the Laws of his Fore-fathers both he and his factious followers being drowned in pleasure yielded themselves Captive to Foreign Lust It fortuned that a certain Governour of those Parthians came into that Countrey accompanied with his Wife not only endowed with other Perfections but also admired for her incomparable Comliness and Beauty whom Anilaeus killeth a Noble man of the Parthians and leadeth away his Wife without ever seeing her only by report of her Beauty Anilaeus Asinaeus's Brother loved entirely and when as by no one of his allurements he could obtain G her favour neither had any other hope to enjoy the Lady he could not bridle his unruly Lust but he made War against her Husband and killing the Parthian in their first Conflict his Wife became his both in subjection and Bed-service which thing was the Original of many mighty Calamities both to himself and to H his Brother For when having lost her former Husband she was led away Captive she carried with her the Images of the Gods of her Countrey which she highly esteemed according as it was the custom of those that inhabited that place to have their Gods whom they adore in their houses whom when they travel into a Foreign Countrey they carry about with them She therefore brought them with her and used them according to the fashion of her Countrey at the first secretly but after she was known for Anilaeus's Wife then she adored them according to the custom and with the same service which she used during her first Husband's days sacrificing to her Gods Their chiefest friends seeing this Anilaeus being reproved for his Wife's Idolatry killeth one of his Friends first of all reproved them for that Anilaeus committed I such things that were no ways used among the Hebrews and altogether repugnant to their Laws for that he had married a woman of a Foreign Nation that contradicted and violated their accustomed Religion for which cause they advised him to beware lest in submitting themselves too much to their unbridled pleasures they should lose the honour and power they had received from God even until that present But seeing their perswasions profited nothing and that Anilaeus likewise had villanously killed one of his dearest Friends who had somewhat too freely reproved him who at such time as he lay a dying being touched with the zeal of the Laws of his Ancestors and with grief against his Murtherer wished that Asinaeus and Anilaeus and all their Associates might die the like death they for that they were transgressors of the Law the other K for that they succoured not themselves in that oppression which they suffered for the maintenance of their Laws They were sore displeased yet notwithstanding they contained themselves calling to their remembrance that their felicity proceeded from no other cause but from the valour of those Brethren But when they understood that the Parthian Gods were adored by this woman they bethought them that it behoved them not any more to bear with Anilaeus in contempt of their Laws for which cause addressing themselves to Asinaeus in great Assemblies they exclaimed against Anilaeus saying that he ought although at first he had no power to dispose of himself yet now at last to correct this errour before it should redound to their publick Plague For that both the Marriage was dis-allowed L in all men's eyes as altogether contrary to their Laws and that the superstitious observance of the Gods which the woman presumed to use was an apparent injury offered to the true God Anilaeus is accused before his Brother Asinaeus but he winketh at his fault But he although he knew that his Brother's fault would breed some great inconvenience both to himself and his followers yet being overcome with Brotherly affection he easily pardoned his Brother ascribing his errour to the violence of his unbridled passion But whereas daily more and more he was tired with exclamations and greater reproofs at length he admonished his Brother of the matter chiding him for that which was past and desiring him to amend the errour hereafter by sending home the woman unto her Kindred Yet this admonition of his took no effect with him Asinaeus poysoned by the Parthian woman for the woman perceiving that the rumour that was M raised among the people was for her sake and being afraid lest for her love sake Anilaeus should incurr some danger she poysoned Asinaeus to the end that her love being in Authority she might more freely practise her impiety Now when Anilaeus had gotten the Government into his own hands he drew out his Forces against certain Villages belonging to Mithridates one of the chiefest among the Parthians and Artabanus's Son in Law which Villages he spoiled and carried away men sheep and other riches When Mithridates who at that time was resident in those Quarters understood of the spoil of his
blusht to commit such Villanies openly in the sight of them who had saved their lives and that their misdemeanours and impieties would be imputed to the Idumeans because they neither hindred their mischievous Practices nor forsook their Society That therefore it was their part seeing it was now evident that the report of Treason was only Calumny and that no assault by the Romans was to be feared and that the City was impregnable provided there were no domestick divisions to depart home and by forsaking the Society of the Impious to acquit themselves of their Impiety as being by N them deceived and so against their Wills made partakers thereof The Idumeans were hereby perswaded The Idumeans depart out of Jerusalem and first of all they freed those that were in Prison in number two thousand of the Vulgar and presently leaving the City they went to Simon of whom we will speak hereafter and so they departed home Their sudden departure was against the expectation of both parts for the People not knowing the Idmmeans were sorry for what they had done rejoyced as now delivered from their Enemies and the Zealots grew more insolent and proud as though they never had needed help and now were delivered from those in consideration of whom they abstained from some Villanies Whereupon they used no delay to effect all their Villany for they spent not much time in taking advice but whatsoever seemed best to them presently without any delay they put it in practice But O especially they murthered those men that were wise and valiant for they envied the A Nobility for their Virtue they thought it a principal point first to be effected not to leave any one man of account alive Wherefore they slew amongst the rest Gorion a Noble-man of great Birth and Dignity who loved his Country was very bountiful and a lover of Liberty so that there was none amongst the Jews like him but for his desire of Liberty Gorion's Death and Niger Peraita and his other Virtues he was put to death Neither could Niger Peraita escape their hands a man who in War against the Romans had shewed himself valiant and although he often cried out and shewed the scars of his Wounds received in defence of his Country yet they ceased not for all this most shamefully to drag him thorow the City and being led out of the City despairing of life he entreated that B he might be buried Niger's Prayers took effect as the end testifieth But the barbarous People denied his request and slew him At his death he besought God that the Romans might come and revenge it upon them and that Plague Famine and Civil Discord might light upon their City God heard his Prayers and sent upon them all which he imprecated and first of all they were plagued with Civil Wars amongst themselves Niger being thus slain they were freed from the fear they had of him that he would resist their wickedness Many of the Common People were by some forged tale or other put to death Some were slain because they had formerly born Arms against them and they who were innocent in all points were put to death for some occasion devised in the time of peace and they who did not converse with them were murdered as those that contemned them and they C that freely and friendly conversed with them were slain as those that sought to betray them In short the greatest offenders and the least were all punished alike to wit with death for no man escaped except he were either poor or of very base condition CHAP. II. The Civil Discords amongst the Jews D IN the mean while the Roman Officers had their Eyes open upon what passed in the City of Jerusalem The Souldiers incite Vespasian to resort to Jerusalem and seeing the Citizens at great variance among themselves they thought this to be for their great advantage Wherefore they pressed Vespasian their General not to lose this opportunity affirming that it was Gods providence who fought for them that the Jews should be at Civil Discord among themselves and that therefore he should not overslip so good an occasion lest the Jews should quickly be friends again one with another either by the weariness of Civil War or else repenting themselves of that which they had done To whom Vespasian answered That they were ignorant what was to be done Vespasian expecteth Victory by the civil dissention of his Enemies and desirous rather as it were in a Theater to shew their forces and strength than with him to consider what was profitable and expedient For E said he if we presently assault them our coming will make concord amongst our Enemies and so we shall bring upon our selves their forces yet firm and strong but by expecting a little while we shall have less ado to conquer them their chiefest forces being destroyed by their own Civil War God is more our friend than you are aware of who without our labour and pain will deliver the Jews into our hands and will give us the Victory without endangering our Army Wherefore it is rather our part to be beholders of the Tragedy than to fight against men desirous of death and troubled with the greatest evil possible to wit domestical Sedition and Civil War And if any think that the Victory is not glorious because gotten without fight let him know and consider the uncertain events of War and that it is better if it be possible to get a Victory without bloodshed then therewith to hazard a Defeat For they who by F Counsel and Advice do any worthy Act deserve no less praise than they who by force of Arms atchieve a Victory Moreover in the mean time that the Enemies destroy one another our Souldiers may take rest and so be stronger and better able to fight when need shall require Besides it seems not that there is much haste required to get the Victory for the Jews neither prepare Arms nor Engines of War nor levie any Forces nor seek for Aid and so by delay no damage can ensue but they will Plague one another more by Civil War than our Army can by attacquing their City And therefore whether we consider Prudence or Glory we have nothing to do but let them ruine themselves for in case we should even at this present make our selves Masters of that great City so it would be justly said that the Victory was not to be imputed to us but to their discord G The Captains all consented Many Citizens to fly the Zealous resorted to Vespasian and thought this advice of Vespasian best and presently it appeared how profitable this Counsel was For every day many Jews fled to him to escape the hands of the Zealots though it was dangerous to flie because all the ways were guarded with Watch-men And if any man upon any occasion whatsoever were H taken upon the way he was presently killed as one
in all those affairs For I was D Captian of the Galileans amongst our Nation so long as any resistance could be made against the Romans and then it so fell out that I was taken by the Romans and being Prisoner to Titus and Vespasian they caused me to be an eye-witness of all things that past First In bonds and fretters and afterwards freed from them I was brought from Alexandria with Titus when he went to the Seige of Jerusalem So that nothing could then pass whereof I had not notice For beholding the Roman Army I committed to writing all things with all possible diligence My self did only manage all matters disclosed to the Romans by such as yielded themselves Joseph writ the History of the Jews wars being at Rome for that I only did perfectly understand them Lastly Being at Rome and having leisure after all business was past I used the help of some Friends for the skill of the Greek tongue and so I published a E History of all that had hapened in the foresaid War which History of mine is so true that I fear not to call Vespasian and Titus the chief Commanders in that War to witness for them I first gave a Copy of that Book to them and afterwards to many noble Romans who also were present in the War I sold also many of them to our own Nation to such as understood the Greek language amongst whom were Julius Archelaus Herod Some do derogate from Josephs History a Man of great vertue and to the most worthy King Agrippa who all do testify that my History containeth nothing but truth and who would not have been silent if either for ignorance or flattery I had changed or omitted any particular Yet notwithstanding all this some ill disposed Persons endeavour to discredit my History as though they were disputing pro and contra amongst children in schools never considering F that he who promiseth other men a true Relation of things past must either be privy to them by his own knowledg as having been present in the affairs or else have that which he speaketh from other mens mouths by report of those who know them both which I have done For I gathered my other Books of Antiquity out of holy Scripture being my self a Priest and skilful in our Law and the History of our War I have written my self being an Agent in many matters therein contained and an eye-wirness of the rest so that nothing was said or done whereof I had not notice How then can any one excuse them from impudency and malice who labour against me to prove my Relation false Perhaps they alledge that they have read the Commentaries of Vespasian and Titus yet for all this they were not present in any action repugnant G to that which my History recounteth Thus as I thought necessary I have made a digression to shew how they are able to H perform their word who discrediting my History promise to set down the truth in writing I have also sufficiently as I think demonstrated that the registring of things is more ancient amongst other Nations than amongst the Greeks I will now first of all dispute against those who labour to prove our Nation of no Antiquity because as they say no Greek Writer maketh any mention of it Two things which Joseph intendeth This done I will bring forth proof and testimony of the Antiquity thereof out of other Writers and so I will shew that their malice who seek to discredit our Nation First therefore our Nation neither inhabiteth a Country bordering upon the Sea nor are we delighted in merchandise nor for this cause wearied with pilgrimages from place to place The Jews care to bring up their Children But our Cities lye far from the Sea in a most fertile soil which we cultivate with all industry and our I whole endeavours are how to get food for our Children The ancient Jews had no need to traffick with the Grecians and to keep our country Laws and to leave to our posterity the knowledg of Piety in which work we think all our Age ought to be employed Beside all this we have a form of living different from all other Nations All which concurring together we had no need to traffick with the Greeks as the Egyptians and the Phoenicians do who give themselves to bargaining and merchandise only for the covetousness of money Neither were our Ancestors delighted in thefts and robberies nor did our Fathers make war upon any Nation for desire of larger possessions nowithstanding our Country was furnished with many thousands of strong warlike men Wherefore the Phoenicians sailing to the Greeks to traffick with them they were thus made known to them and by them the Egyptians K and all other Nations sailing upon the Seas brought Merchandise into Greece The Medes also and Persians were known to them after such time as they reigned over Asia and the Persians brought war even into Europe Moreover the Greeks knew the Thracians because they were their Neighbours and the Scythians by sailing to Pontus and finally all that were disposed to write knew all the Nations bordering either upon the Eastern and Western Seas but such as dwelt far from the Sea-coast were long time unknown as also appears in Europe For neither Thucidides nor Herodotus nor any other of that time make any mention of Rome notwithstanding that so long since it was mighty and made so great Wars because it was but lately that the Greeks heard of it The Romans were lately known to the Greeks Yea their most exact Writers L and particularly Ephorus were so ignorant of the French and Spaniards that they thought the Spaniards to be a People only denominated from one City Certain Historiographers report Spain to be only one City wherein they inhabited whereas the whole World now knoweth them to inhabit a vast Country and a great part of the Western World Likewise the said Greek Writers relate the manners of the foresaid People to be such as neither are nor were ever used among them And the only cause why they were ignorant of the Truth was the distance of place and these Writers would seem to tell something which others of former time had not spoken of No marvel therefore though our Nation was unknown and none of them in their Writings made any mention of us being both so far from the Sea and living after a different manner M Suppose therefore I should deny the Greeks to be of any antiquity and to prove my assertion should conclude their Nation to be modern because our Histories make no mention of them Arguments to prove the Jews of more antiquity than the Greeks would they not laugh at this reason and use the Testimony of their neighbour Nations to prove their Antiquity I therefore may argue in like manner and use the Testimony of the Egyptians and Phoenicians whose Record the Greeks cannot
his parents next after God and commandeth that those Children that do not shew themselves grateful unto them The honour due to Parents or in any thing do grieve them that they should be stoned to death It also commandeth all young men to reverence old Men because God is Elder to us all It permitteth not friends to conceal any impiety for God is not their friend who doth not disclose them And if friends fall out that do know one anothers secrets yet they are commanded not to bewray them If any Judge take a bribe he is to be punished with death for omitting Justice and assisting the guilty Against theft and usury No man must take any thing away that he himself placed not and no man must take that which is not his own No man for lending must take usury M and many such like things our Law commandeth concerning cause of Communion between us and others It is also not amiss to recount how our Law-maker provided for the entertaining of strangers amongst us For he seemeth so to have provided that to our knowledge we neither corrupt our own Laws nor deny to impart them to others but he entertaineth all liberally that will come and live under our Laws judging the community of mans life not so much to consist in the Nation whereof we come as in the unity of our minds and conversation He forbiddeth others that are strangers and come not with that intent to be admitted to our solemnities yet he commanded us to exhibit unto them all other things necessary and that we should give unto all men fire water meat and bury N them being dead He hath also most mildly determined how we ought to deal with our Enemies that we neither destroy their Country with fire nor cut down their Fruit-trees We are also forbidden to rob and spoil those that are slain in fight and deal injuriously with our Captives How we ought to 〈…〉 Enemies and especially if they be Women yea he so endeavoured to teach us humanity and mildness that he provided that we use even unreasonable beasts courteously and only employ them to serve our lawful need and no further for he forbiddeth us to kill any tame thing bred in houses and that we should not kill the old birds and their young together and because many wild Beasts enemies to mankind do assist us in our labours he commanded to spare them also And in every point he O established humanity and mildness amongst us using as is beforesaid Laws to direct A us therein enacting also other how they who infringe the foresaid Laws may be with all severity punished For the punishment allotted to the violaters hereof is for the most part death As if any man commit Alultery ravish a Virgin use the sin against nature with another or suffer himself to be so abused We also have Laws concerning our Servants A repetition of the precepts of the Law and our Measures and Weights and unlawful bargains and sales or deceit if either one take any thing that is another mans or which is not his own all these are to be punished not as other Nations punish them but much more grievously But whosoever either injureth his Parents or committeth impiety against God he shall presently be destroyed But they that observe this Law are rewarded not with gold or silver nor with a Crown beset with precious stone but B every one having his Conscience to witness doth greatly profit and gain Eternity as both our Law-maker prophesieth and God himself doth most assuredly promise to them that observe them The reward of such as keep the Law And if it chance that we be forced to suffer death for them yet do we joyfully go to execution nothing doubting but that we shall so exchange this Life for a better I should be loth to report this if our deeds did not make it manifest for many of our forefathers only for that they refused to speak against our Laws or otherwise than our Laws permitted have most manfully and constantly endured all torments and death it self If our Nation were unknown to all the world and that this our voluntary observaâ—ion C of our Laws were not manifest to all the people if any man should report unto the Greeks that either he had read this which I have declared or else that he had found People in a strange Land such as we be having so pious and honest opinions concerning God and who had for many ages persevered therein I doubt not but they would all admire and wonder hereat considering the great mutability amongst themselves To be short The continuance of the Laws amongst the Jews there are some who stick not to deride them who have lately written of the Government of Common wealths and Laws as though they had written things fabulous and altogether impossible And to speak nothing of other Philosophers who have written of this Argument that divine Plato amongst the Greeks a man who in honest life Plato admired amongst the Greeks virtuous speech and sound Philosophy excelled all others this man is D almost continually scoffed at by them who in their own conceit are skilful in civil affairs and brought in to their Comedies Whereas whosoever considereth his Writings with diligence shall often and easily find matter agreeable with most mens manners yea this Plato himself confesseth that he dare not by reason of the common peoples ignorance set down the true opinion of God But many think Plato's words full of vanity Lycurgus the Law-mâ—ker amongst the Lacedemonians and licentiousness and admire Lycurgus and the City of Sparta for that it so long time persevered in his Laws It is therefore an evident demonstration of Virtue to remain in their Laws But if those who so admire the Lacedemonians do compare them with us and the time during the which their Laws were in force with the time of our Common-wealth they shall find that ours hath E continued more than two thousand years They shall also find that the Lacedemonians did only perfectly observe their Laws during such time as they were in prosperity and liberty and that when their Fortune changed they then became unmindful of their Laws But we who have felt many thousand mis-haps by reason of the often change of Princes in Asia have not in these our last miseries and evils forsaken our Law Neither can any man say that liberty and licentious Life is the cause why we so diligently observe them The Jews compared with the Lacedemonians seeing that whoso please may see sufficient proof that they tye us to more strict Life and laborious than those of the Lacedemonians did them For they neither tilled the Earth nor used any handy-craft but ceasing from all labours and pains-taking F lived in their City fat and in fair liking having both their meat and all other necessaries provided and prepared for them by others