Israelites should wander in the Desart 40 years nor taste the sweetness and plenty of its fruits but they should live in the Desart without House or City for the space of forty years Yet hath he promised said he to give the Countrey to your children whom he will make Lords of the Goods and Heirs of those Possessions of which you have render'd your selves unworthy by your murmuring and disobedience B After Moses had discours'd these things in this manner The repentance of the people the People were in great sorrow and calamity and besought Moses that he would appease God's wrath conceiv'd against them beseeching him that forgetting their faults that were past in the Desart he would make good his promises to them Moses answer'd them That God was not incensed against them according to the manner of humane weakness but that he had given a just sentence against them In this place it is not to be suppos'd that Moses who was but a man only did appease so many multitudes of displeased men but that God assisted him Moses a man of great authority and brought to pass that the People were wrought upon by his words having by divers disobediences and by the calamities whereinto they were fall'n known that obedience was both good and profitable But what greater proof can be desir'd of C the eminent virtue of this Lawgiver and of the strange Authority he acquir'd thereby than that not only they who liv'd in his time but even at this day there is not any one amongst the Hebrews but takes himself oblig'd to obey the Ordinances made by him and regards him as present and ready to punish the Transgressors of the same There are besides divers great and evident signs of the more than humane virtue which was in him and amongst the rest this was not the least That of certain strangers that have Travel'd out of the Regions beyond Euphrates a four months journey to their great charges and with no less peril to honour our Temple and offer Sacrifice yet some have not obtain'd licence or permission to offer in that by our Laws it was not lawful for them to do it and some other without sacrificing others the Sacrifice half finish'd the D rest not permitted to enter the Temple have return'd back again to their homes without finishing their purpose choosing rather to submit to Moses's Law than to satisfie their own wills and that without the least repining or complaint So much did the opinion once conceiv'd of this man prevail that he is esteem'd more than a man out of the consideration that he had receiv'd Laws from God and deliver'd them to men Of late also The great scarcity during the Empire of Claudius not long before the Wars of the Jews during the Empire of Claudius when Ismael was High-Priest amongst us so great a Famine oppress'd our Nation that an Assar of Meal was sold for four drams and there was brought to the Feast of Azymes the quantity of seventy Cores which make 30 Sicilian and 40 Athenian Medimni almost two Bushels of ours none of the Priests were so bold as to eat one grain of it E notwithstanding the Countrey was in that extremity fearing the Law and God's displeasure extended always against sins conceal'd For which cause we ought not to wonder at that which hapned at that time considering that the Writings left by Moses are in such force even at this day that they themselves who hate us confess that God instituted our Government by the means and ministry of Moses and his virtue But of these things let every man think as it pleaseth him F G The Fourth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS H Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Fourth Book 1. The Fight of the Hebrews with the Canaanites and their overthrow by them without Moses's knowledge 2. The Sedition raised by Chore against Moses and his brother for the Priesthood 3. How the Authors of the Sedition were slain by God's judgment and the Priesthood confirmed I to Aaron and his sons 4. What chanced to the Hebrews in the Desart for the space of 38 years 5. How Moses overcame Sehon and Og Kings of the Amorites and overthrew their Armies 6. Of the Prophet Balaam 7. The Victory of the Hebrews against the Madianites and how the Countrey of the Amorites was granted by Moses to two and an half of the Tribes 8. Moses's Laws and how he was taken out of the World CHAP. I. K The Fight of the Hebrews with the Canaanites and their overthrow by them without Moses's knowledge WHilst thus the Hebrews passed their Lives in great penury and perplexity in the Desart Numb 14. 4. groaning under the burthen of their grievous Afflictions The Israelites without Gods or Moses command devise how to assail the Enemies there was nothing that more distracted and distemper'd them than this That God had forbidden them to fight with the Canaanites They would now no longer give ear unto Moses who persuaded them to Peace but growing confident in themselves that both without his L conduct and counsels they might easily obtain Victory over their Enemies they accused him as if he sought after no other thing but that they being daily pressed with great wants might be enforc'd continually to depend upon his counsels Whereupon they resolv'd upon a War against the Canaanites presuming with themselves that God would succor them not only in regard of Moses but also for that he had a general care of their Nation ever since the time of their Forefathers whom he had always held under his protection and by reason of whose virtues he had already granted them liberty They said likewise that if they fought valiantly God would give them Victory that they were strong enough to overcome their Enemies though they were left to themselves yea though Moses should endevor to estrange God from them In a word that M it was more for their advantage to govern themselves and that being redeem'd from the servitude of Egypt they ought not to suffer Moses to Tyrannize over them or to conform their Necks under his yoke in a vain belief that God had only discover'd to Moses that which was good for them by reason of the affection which he bare him As if all of them were not deriv'd from the loins of Abraham and that he onely were the Guide of all in foreknowing the things that should happen unto them by particular instruction from God That prudence oblig'd them to condemn his pride and fix their trust onely upon God for conquering the Countrey which he had promis'd them in spite of Moses's contradiction who for this cause hindred them pretending the Authority of God for it That therefore considering their necessity and the Desart which N daily more and more aggravated their misery they should prepare themselves couragiously to march against the
Enemy the Canaanites hoping that God would be their Guide Ver. 43. so as they needed not the assistance of their Lawgiver The Canaanites put the Hebrews to flight When this sentence was approv'd by a general consent they flock out in multitudes against their Enemies who neither affrighted by their boldness nor multitude valiantly resisted them who desperately charg'd them so that the better part of the Hebrews being slain they pursued the rest enforced shamefully to turn their backs even unto their Camp This overthrow hapning besides all mens opinion wondrously dejected the minds of the multitude so that they grew desperate of all future good fortune concluding that God had sent and inflicted that plague upon them because without his counsel and order O they had enterpriz'd the Battel But when Moses saw that his Countreymen were dismay'd with the overthrow which they had receiv'd and the Enemy grown proud with A their late Victory fearing likewise lest not content with their present success they should attempt further he determined to retire his Forces back again into the Desart And whereas the People promised thenceforward to be obedient to him being taught by their own misery that nothing would fall out prosperously unto them without the counsel and conduct of their Guide they disincamping themselves Moses retireth the people into the Desart retired into the Desart with this resolution that they would no more attempt a Battel against the Canaanites till they received a sign of their good success from Heaven But even as in a great Army it accustomably falleth out especially in time of trouble that the common multitude wax head-strong and disobedient to their Governors so did the like also happen amongst the Jews For whereas they were in number 600000 and even in their better B Fortunes sufficiently disobedient to their Governors so much the more were they exasperated by their wants and misfortunes Sedition against Moses both amongst themselves and against their Governor For which cause there arose so great a Sedition as neither among the Greeks or Barbarians the like was ever heard Which things without doubt had overthrown them being brought into so desperate an estate had not Moses forgetting the injury he had received which was no less than a purpose to stone him to death succoured and relieved their distressed Fortunes Neither did God utterly abandon the care of them but although they were contumelious against their Lawgiver and transgressed also against the Laws which he had delivered them by Moses yet delivered he them out of that danger of which without his special Providence there could be expected no C other but a lamentable issue This Sedition as also how Moses governed the estate when the troubles were ended we will now declare having first expressed the cause thereof CHAP. II. The Sedition raised by Chore against Moses and his Brother for the Priesthood CHore a Man noble by Birth Numb 16. 1. ad 4. and famous for his wealth amongst the Hebrews and endowed with a certain kind of popular Eloquence seeing Moses placed in the highest place of Authority Chore endeavoureth to persuade the multitude to mutiny against Moses was filled with jealousie and envy thereat For although he were of the same Tribe and Kindred yet he thought it a great indignity to himself to D be held his inferior being both more potent in Riches and his equal in Parentage For which cause he began to murmur and complain to the Levites which were of the same Tribe with him and his Kinsmen telling them That it was not to be suffered that Moses under a pretext of Communication with God should by ambitious policy to other mens prejudice onely study his own glory having of late against all sort of reason given the Priesthood to his Brother Aaron and distributed other dignities at his own pleasure like a King without the suffrage and approbation of the People That this injury done by him was not to be endured by reason that so covertly he had insinuated himself into the Government that before it could be observ'd the People would be brought into servitude For he that knoweth himself to be worthy of a Government endeavors to obtain the same by the consent of the People and not E by force and violence but they that despair by good means to attain thereunto do notwithstanding abstain from force lest they should lose the opinion of their goodness and honesty yet endeavor they by malicious subtilties to attain thereunto That it concerned the Commonweal to check the attempts of such Men lest of private they at last grow publick Enemies For what reason said he can Moses give why he hath bestowed the High Priesthood on Aaron and his Sons If God had decreed that this honour should be bestowed on one of the Tribe of Levi there were more reason that I should have it who am of the same Kindred with Moses and who surpass him both in riches and age On the contrary If this honour appertain to the most ancient of the Tribes that of Reuben ought by right to enjoy it namely Dathan and Abiram and Phalal Alias Baâ—â—â— who are the most ancient of that Tribe and the most powerful in riches These things F spake Chore under colour and pretence of the good of the Commonwealth but in effect only to raise a Tumult amongst the multitude and intrude into the office of the High Priest Ver. 35. Which discourse of his passing by little and little from one ear to another Two hundred and fifty men follow Chore's Faction amongst the multitude and multiplied by the envious and such as maligned Aaron at last brought all the Tribes into a mutiny so that 250 of the chiefest Nobles grew at length to be partakers of Chore's Conspiracy and all of these conspir'd together to take away the Priesthood from Moses's Brother and to transfer it to him The People likewise were in such sort incensed They cry out to stone Moses that they sought to stone Moses and ran all of them confusedly with noise and uproar crying out before the Tabernacle of God that the Tyrant was to be cut off and the People delivered from thraldom who under pretext G of Religion had insupportable thraldom imposed on them For if it were God that had chosen him to be High Priest he would have preferred such an one to the dignity who had been worthy and would not have confer'd it on those who were far inferior to others That if he had decreed to bestow it on Aaron he would have remitted the election H to the People and not left the disposition thereof to his Brother Although Moses was inform'd of Chore's treacherous Calumnies and saw the People highly incensed yet was be nothing at all abashed thereat but being satisfi'd in his Conscience that he had governed the estate uprightly and well assured that his Brother obtained the Priesthood not
it would cost much time and expence he denied their request permitting them nevertheless to pave their City with broad Stone Matthias the Son of Theophilus High Priest He took the Priesthood from Jesus the Son of Gamaliel and gave it to Matthias the Son of Theophilus in whose time the Wars betwixt the Romans and the Jews began But I think it not amiss Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. but very answerable to the course of this present History N to speak of the High Priests The Succession and number of the High Priests among the Jews and to shew how they had their beginning and to whom this honour may be lawfully communicated and how many they were in number until the end of the War The first of them was Aaron Moses's Brother after whose death his Children succeeded him and from that time forward the honour hath continued with their Successors For it is a Law observed by our Ancestors that no man should be admitted to the Priesthood There were eighty three High Priests in all except he be of Aaron's Posterity for albeit he were a King if so be that he were of another Line it was impossible for him to obtain the Priesthood All the Priests after Aaron who as we have said was the first until Phanasus whom the Seditious created Priest in the time of the War have been in number eighty three whereof thirteen have executed the Office from the time that O Moses erected God's Tabernacle in the Desart until such time as arriving in Judaea King Solomon builded a Temple to God For in the beginning the High Priesthood continued A with the Possessors for term of life but afterwards although the Priests were yet alive yet were there other Successors put in their rooms These thirteen were of Aaron's Posterity and obtained this degree in succession the one after the other Their first Government was Aristocracy which is the Government of the Nobility afterwards a Monarchy and at last a Royal Government The number of years wherein these thirteen flourished were six hundred and twelve years from the day that our Fathers departed out of Egypt under the conduct of Moses until the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon After these thirteen High Priests there were eighteen others who after Solomon's time succeeded one after another until the time that Nabuchodonozor King of Babylon B having encamped before the City took it and burned the Temple and transported our Nation into Babylon and led away the High Priest Josedech Prisoner The time of the Priesthood and continuance of these eighteen was four hundred sixty years six months and ten days so long as the Jews have had the Royal Government After the surprizal of Jerusalem by the Babylonians until such time as Cyrus King of Persia dismissed the Jews and gave them leave to return from Babylon into their own Countrey with permission to re-edifie their Temple there are seventy two years and at that time the Captives being returned Jesus the Son of Josedech took upon him the High Priesthood who with those of his Posterity to the number of fifteen have governed in a Democracy or Popular Government until the time of Antiochus surnamed C Eupator for the space of four hundred and fourteen years This Antiochus was the first who with his General Lysias displaced Onias surnamed Menelaus of his Priesthood commanding him to be killed at Berith and after he had driven his Son out of the Succession he established Jacim High Priest who notwithstanding was of Aaron's Race but not of his Family For this cause Onias the Son of Onias and Nephew to the deceased Onias retired himself into Egypt Where growing familiar with Ptolomey Philometor and Cleopatra his Wife he perswaded them to build a Temple in the Confines of Heliopolis not unlike to that of Jerusalem and to create a High Priest in the same of which Temple in Egypt we have made very oftentimes mention After that Jacim had held the Priestood for the space of three years he died without D Successor so the City remained seven years without a High Priest Again the Asmoneans recovered the Government of their Nation and after they had made War against the Macedonians they established Jonathan High Priest who exercised the Office seven years but afterwards he was killed in an Ambush and Treason conspired against him by Tryphon as we have declared elsewhere After him Simon his Brother undertook the Priesthood who was not long after killed treacherously by his Son-in-Law at a Banquet After him succeeded his Son Hircanus who enjoying this Dignity for the space of thirty one years died when he was very old leaving behind him Judas surnamed Aristobulus who dying left his Brother Alexander his Heir both of the Kingdom and High Priesthood After that Aristobulus had obtained the E Royal Government he enjoyed both Dignities one whole year For this Judas surnamed Aristobulus was the first that set the Diadem on his head causing himself to be called a King the which Alexander did continue for he also joyned the Kingdom with the High Priesthood and reigned twenty seven years And feeling himself draw near to his death he left in Alexandras his Wife's hands to dispose of the Priesthood as she pleased She therefore bestowed it on Hircanus and as for the Kingdom she kept it in her own hands nine years and afterwards died Her Son Hircanus was High Priest for so long time For after Alexandra's death his Brother Aristobulus made War against him and having overcome him he took the Kingdom from him and not only seized on the Crown but the Priesthood After he had reigned three F years and as many months Pompey repaired to Jerusalem and took it perforce and laying hold of Aristobulus sent him bound unto Rome with his Children After which he restored the Priesthood once more to Hircanus committing the Government of the Nation unto his hands forbidding him in the mean space to wear the Diadem Besides the first nine years Hircanus governed twenty and four But Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians passed Euphrates and made war against Hircanus and took him alive Prisoner and made Antigonus Aristobulus's Son King But after he had governed three years and three months Sosius and Herod took him alive perforce and Antonius sent him to Antioch where he was beheaded After that Herod was created King by the Romans there was never any High Priest created of G the Posterity of the Asmoneans for he gave the High Priesthood to certain men of obscure and base extraction who were of the Order of Priests Aristobulus only excepted This Aristobulus was Hircanus's Nephew who was a Prisoner among the Parthians and having given him the Priesthood he married Mariamne his Sister to the intent H to continue himself in the good liking of the people in remembrance of Hircanus But afterwards fearing lest all of them should turn to Aristobulus's
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
as the Prophet had foretold him and God N visited him with a disease in his bowels Ver. 19 20. whereof he dyed miserably the People likewise handled his body ignominiously supposing that being cut off in that sort by Gods displeasure he was unworthy of a Royal Funeral for he was not buried in the Sepulchre of the Kings neither was any honor done unto him He lived 40 years and reigned eight they made Ochozias King CHAP. IV. The King of Damascus maketh War against the King of Israel JOram King of Israel 2 Kings 8. 25 ad finem hoping to recover Ramath in Galaad from the Assyrians after he had made great preparations for War Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. led his Army against it In this siege he was hurt O by an Arrow shot by a certain Syrian and retir'd himself into the City of Jezrael untill he should recover of his wound Joram's expedition against â—amath leaving Jehu with his Army at Ramath who took the City intending to make War against the Syrians But Elizeus sent one of his disciples to Ramath gave him holy oyl The year of the World 3060. before Christ's Nativity 904. willed him to anoint Jehu and to say That God had chosen and anointed A him for King and after he had given him some other instructions he commanded him to depart as one that flieth making no man privy to it When this disciple of his came to the City he found Jehu in the midst of the Captains of War as Elizeus had told him and drawing near 2 Kings 9. 1. ad 6. he told him That he would communicate certain secrets unto him for which cause he arose and follow'd him Whereupon the young man taking out the oyl poured it on his head Jehu by Gods commandment anointed King saying That God had chosen him to exterminate the race of Achab and revenge the blood of the Prophets unjustly murthered by Jezabel and that both he and his house might be brought to nought in like sort as the sons of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and the children of Basa were extinguished for their impiety so that no one of the race of Achab might survive in the world As soon as he had spoken thus he issued out of the chamber that he might not B be discovered by any of the Army Ver. 11. Now when Jehu came out he returned to his place to his Captains who besought him to declare unto them wherefore the young man came unto him alledging that they supposed him to be out of his wits Truly said he you have divined well for he hath talked unto me after the manner of a mad man wherein he told them what he had said unto him namely how God had chosen him to be King over the people As soon as he had spoke Ver. 13. every one of them cast off their garments and spread them before him and sounding a Trumpet they proclaimed Jehu King who assembling his Army determined to conduct them toward the City of Jezrael against Joram who lay there to recover his wound which he had received at the siege of Ramath in Galaad as we have heretofore declared Thither also resorted in the way of friendship and consanguinity C Ochozias King of Jerusalem to visit Joram and to see how he was recovered of his wound for he was his nephew and son unto his sister as we have said before Jehu desirous to surprize Joram and his followers on the sudden gave command that none of the Soldiers should run before to give any intelligence of his repair unto Joram alledging that it should be a demonstration of their good will towards him whereas contrariwise they that did otherwise declared that they held him not for their King CHAP. V. Joram with all his Race is slain by Jehu Ochozias King of Jerusalem is likewise slain D THE Men of War were very joyful to execute this his command Ver. 17. ad 23. and guarded the ways that no Man might secretly steal into Jezrael and bare tydings of that which had hapned Mean-while Jehu attended by his choicest Horsemen and mounted in his Chariot marched towards Jezrael And when he drew near unto the City the Centinel that was appointed by Joram to discover those that repaired to the City perceived Jehu resorting thither with a multitude of attendants and told Joram that a Troop of Horsemen were at hand Whereupon a Scout was sent out to discover who they were who drawing near unto Jehu asked him what News there was in the Army telling him that the King was desirous to know the same Jehu willed him to take no care thereof but to folâ—ow after him The Centinel perceiving this certified Joram that the Messenger E whom he had sent went along with them that came and followed their General Whereupon the King sent out a Messenger the second time and Jehu commanded him to attend him as he did the first which the Câ—ntinel signified to Joram likewise who thereupon took his Chariot to meet them accompanied with Ochozias King of Jerusalem who as we have said was come to the City to see how the King was recovered of his hurt because he was allied unto him But Jehu marched on in good aray till Joram meeting him in the field of Naboth asked him how the Army did who instead of returning an answer reviled him bitterly and called him the son of a Poysoner and of an Harlot For which cause Joram fearing his turbulent spirit and suspecting he designed some Treason against him fled away as swiftly as his Chariot could be driven telling Ochozias F that they were both of them betrayed but Jehu flung a Dart at him and pierced him thorow the heart Ver. 24. Whereupon Joram instantly fell on his knees Jorams slaughter and dyed Hereupon Jehu commanded Badac to cast Jorams body into Naboths field remembring him of the Prophecy of Elias foretold to Achab Ver. 25 26. who murthered Naboth The truth of Elias Prophesie namely That he and his Race should dye in that field For sitting behind Achabs Chariot he heard these words pronounced by the Prophet in effect it so fell out as he had prophesied When Joram was fallen down Ochozias was afraid to be slain for which cause he turned his Chariot to take another way Ver. 27. hoping that Jehu would not discover him The death of Ochozias King of Jerusalem and his burial But he was overtaken in a steep way and was hurt with an Arrow whereupon he forsook his Chariot and being mounted on a swift Horse posted to Maggedo where after his wounds had been dressed G some few dayes he deceased and was carried to Jerusalem and buried there after he had reigned one year and surpassed his father in wickedness H CHAP. VI. Jehu reigneth over Israel and keepeth his Court in Samaria and after him his Progeny to the fourth generation
impiety in that sort to thrust a stranger into that manifest perdition whose life had been committed to their trust But since the storm more and more increased and grew so vehement that they wanted very little of being shipwrackt and being besides that incited by K Jonas himself and likewise by the fear they conceived to lose their lives they cast him into the Sea Jonah 2. per totum whereupon suddenly the storm ceased It was likewise said that being swallowed up by a great fish for the space of three days and three nights Jonâ—s cast into the Sea is devoured by a Wâ—ale and cast upon the coaâ—t of Ninivie foretelleth them of the loss of their Empire he was at the last vomited out and cast by the same fish on shore of the Euxine Sea alive and without any maim in any of his members There besought he God that he would pardon him the sin which he had committed and afterwards he went to the City of Ninivie where going up to a place from whence he might be heard he published with a loud voice unto them that they should lose the Empire of Asia which after he had pronounced he returned back again This recital have I made according as I have found it registred in writing L King Jeroboam having passed all his life time in prosperity and reigned for the space of forty years departed his life and was intombed in Samaria and Zachary his Son succeeded him in this Kingdom At the same time Ozias the Son of Amasias reigned in Jerusalem over the two Tribes 2 Reg. 14. 23. after that Jeroboam had already reigned fourteen years his Mother was called Achia Jeroboams death and was of the City of Jerusalem He was a man of good nature Ozias King of Juda. and such an one as loved justice of a noble courage and very laborious in providing for all occasions he made War against the Philistines and after that he had overcome them in battel he took Ita and Amnia two of their strong Forts and razed them This exploit being past he set upon the Arabians that bordered upon Egypt and after that having built a City upon the Red Sea he planted a Garison M therein He afterwards discomfited the Ammonites constraining them to pay him tribute and subdued all as far as the marshes of Egypt Ozias expedition and the repairing of the City After that he began to provide for the City of Jerusalem for he built it anew and repaired the walls thereof that had been beaten down or decayed either by continuance of time or by negligence of those Kings who were his predecessors 2 Chron. 26. 1 2 3 4 5. he repaired those also which the King of Israel had beaten down at such time as having taken Amasias prisoner he rode in triumph into the City Besides this he erected a number of Towers each of them one hundred and fifty Cubits high These inclosed he with walls to set Garisons therein and in divers barren places he caused divers fountain-heads to be made Ozias riches and Army for he had an infinite multitude of beasts of carriage and other cattel v. 8 9 10. in that the Countrey was fit for pasture N He took pleasure also in tillage for which cause he was often busied about his Land in sowing and planting the same He had about him a chosen Army to the number of three hundred and seventy thousand fighting men whose Generals Conductors and Captains were valiant and invincible men and were in number two thousand He taughâ— his soldiers to march in square battel in manner of the Macedonian Phalanx arming each of them with Swords Targets and Corselets of Brass with Arrows and Darts He made also great preparation of divers Engins to batter Cities and to shoot Stones and Darts besides divers hookes and other such like instruments But whil'st he was intent on these studies and preparations he grew insolent and proud and being puffed up with arrogance v. 6. he contemned that which endureth for ever that is O piety towards God and the observation of his commandments For which cause he was overthrown by his prosperity and fell into his fathers sins through the happiness and greatness of his estate wherein he could not moderately contain himself So that upon a certain solemn Feast-day The year of the World 3120. before Christ's Nativity 944. wherein all the People were assembled together he A attired himself in the High-Priests vestments and entered into the Temple to offer sacrifice unto God upon the golden Altar notwithstanding the High-Priest Azarias accompanied with fourscore Priests forbade him telling him That it was not lawful for him to sacrifice in that it was onely allowed in those that were of the posterity of the High-Priest Aaron Whil'st after this manner Azarias expostulated with him commanding him to go out of the Temple Ver. 17 18 19. and not to contradict the ordinances of God the King waxed wroth and threatned to take his life from him except he kept himself quiet Whereupon there fell a great trembling and earthquake and the Temple cleft in twain and a great light B of the Sun entered thereinto Ver. 20 21. and reflected on the Kings face in such manner that all his body was instantly covered with a leprosie Ozias transgresseth his vocation and is punished with a leprosie and compelled to depart out of the City and before the City in a place called Eroge the half of a Mountain that stood to the Eastward brake and fell and removed for the space of four stadia towards the Oriental Mountain where it rested so that the publick wayes were shut up and choaked and the Kings gardens of pleasure were wholly ruinated and disfigured When the Priests beheld the Kings face covered with a leprosie they told him what inconvenience had hapned unto him and enjoined him to depart out of the Town according to the custom of Men that were polluted Whereupon he wholly confused at so grievous an accident and having no more courage to speak obeyed the commandment that was given him enduring a lamentable punishment for his pride and for that he committed such impiety against God He therefore C remained without the City for a certain time and led a private life and his son Jotham succeeded him in the kingdom Finally he dyed through grief and discontent after he had accomplished 68 years whereof he reigned 52 and was buried in his Garden Zachary Jeroboams son having reigned six Months over the Israelites was slain by Treason complotted against him by a familiar friend of his called Sellum 2 Kings 25. 7 8 9. the son of Jabes who possessing the kingdom after him Zacharias slâ—ughter enjoyed not the same above 30 dayes For the General Manahem being at that time in the City of Tharsa and understanding of that which had hapned to Zachary departed thence with all
offering up Sacrifices unto God they besought him to shew himself favourable and merciful towards them The King likewise commanded the High-Priest that if there were any vessels in the Temple which were made by his Predecessors in honour of Idols and strange gods he should cast them out and after that a great number were found therein all of them were gather'd together and burnt and the ashes afterwards were scatter'd abroad And as touching the Priests that appertained to Idols that were not of the Race of Aaron he put them to death The truth of the divine oracles When these things were thus executed in Jerusalem he came afterwards to the plain Countrey and all that which Jeroboam had erected there in honour of Idols 1 Kings 13. 1. ad 4. he utterly defaced it and the bones of N the false Prophets were burnt upon the Altar that Jeroboam had built This had the Prophet foretold that came to Jeroboam at such time as he offered Sacrifice and told him in the presence of all the people all that which should happen namely That one of Davids posterity called Josias should do thâ—se things which Prophecy took effect 361 years after After this King Josias applied himself to the Israelites who had avoided the captivity and servitude of the Assyrians and persuaded them to forsake their impieties and the services they had performed to strange gods and to honour the sovereign and true God of their fathers and to cleave unto him He made a search also thorow every house borough and city fearing lest as yet there should be an Idol hidden He likewise sought out the Chariots that were made by his ancestors in honour of the Sun O and all that which was adored whatsoever it were and utterly abolished the same After he had in this sort purged the Countrey he assembled all the people in Jerusalem where he celebrated the Feast of unleavened bread which we call Easter Towards the performance whereof The year of the World 23â—â— before Christ's Nativity 643. he gave the people young kids and lambs to the number of 30000 A and 3000 Bullocks for burnt-offerings and the chief among the Levites distributed amongst the other Levites 500 Lambs and 500 Bullocks Having therefore such an abundance of Beasts they sacrificed according to the Law of Moses the Priests taking charge thereof 2 Kings 23. â— 11. and confirming the rest of the people by their example Neither was there ever such a solemnity kept by the Hebrews since the time of Samuel the Prophet because all things were done according to the Laws and the ancient Customs Tâ—e celebration of the Pâ—sseover which were observed in the time of their Fathers After this Josias lived in peace riches honour and estimation amongst all men Ver. 21 c. and thus ended his life Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. 〈◊〉 cap. 5. CHAP. V. B Divers Exploits of Nechao Nechao The Eâ—yptians 〈…〉 King of Egypt having gathered great Forces conducted his Army towards the River Euphrates to war against the Medes and Babylonians who had destroyed the Empire of Assyria for Nechao affected the government of all Asia Now when he drew near unto the City of Mende which was under Josias subjection King Josias denied him passage and would not suffer his Army to march thorow his Countrey For which cause Nechao sent an Herald unto him to let him understand That it was not against him that he made War 〈…〉 but that he bent his course towards Euphrates for which cause C he wished him in no sort to hinder his intended journey 2 Chrâ—n â—5 22 23 24. lest thereby he should be constrained to make War upon him An Epitâ—ph written by Jeremy on Josiâ—â— But Josias regarded not this demand of his but resolved himself to hinder his passage thorow his Countrey And I am persuaded that his evil Genius put him upon making this resistance to the end that he might have some occasion to do something against Nechao Ver. 25. For whil'st he set in order his Army and rode from one Band to another Which was the 〈…〉 being mounted upon his Chariot he was strucken with an Arrow that was shot by a certain Egyptian which put a stop to his proceedings For feeling himself oppressed with pain 〈…〉 by reason of his wound he commanded his Army to retire and returned himself to Jerusalem where he dyed of his wound and was buried with his Fathers with great magnificence after he had lived 39 years and reigned 31. For him D the people mourned with great heaviness 〈…〉 lamenting for many days The Prophet Jeremy also made an Elegy upon him in verse 〈…〉 which is as yet extant even in these days This Prophet foretold in writing those evils which should afterwards happen unto the City and the Captivity wherewith we are intangled at this present 〈…〉 and the surprisal of Babylon 〈…〉 Neither hath he alone foretold the same but the Prophet Ezekiel hath likewise done the like who first left two Books written of the same Argument These two Prophets were of the race of the Priests â—span â— But Jeremy kept in Jerusalem from the 14th year of the Reign of Josias 〈…〉 until the destruction of the City and Temple as in time and place convenient we will declare setting down those occurrences that hapned to this Prophet After the death of Josias hitherto mentioned his son Joaz succeeded him E in the Kingdom at such time as he was 23 years old he reigned in Jerusalem and his mothers name was Ametala he was a man full of impiety and of a malignant and perverse nature The King of Egypt returning from the War sent unto Joaz commanding him to meet him in Samath a City of Syria where he was no sooner arrived but he kept him Prisoner committing the Kingdom to Eliachim his brother on the Fathers side who was his elder brother likewise He changed his name likewise and call'd him Joachim he impos'd a Tribute also on Judea of 100 Talents of silver and a Talent of gold which Joachim paid and as touching Joaz he led him into Egypt where he finished his days after he had been King three months and ten days Now Joachims mother was called Zâ—buda of the City of Abuma He was a wicked person and of a malignant nature F having neither piety towards God nor respect towards men CHAP. VI. Nabuchodonosors Army cometh into Syria IN the fourth year of the Reign of Joachim 〈…〉 a certain man called Nabuchodonosor possessed the Kingdom of Babylon who at that time went out with a great Army against 〈◊〉 a City scituate near unto Euphrates resolving with himself to fight against Nechao King of Egypt under whose power all Syria was subject Nechao understanding G of the Babylonians intent and how great his Army was made very little account thereof but with a huge Army
for they who kept it defended it valiantly For against every Engine the King built and raised up against them they erected a contrary Engine They only wanted victuals because their old provision was consumed and the ground had not been manured that year because it was the seventh in which according to the Law the Countrey ought not to be tilled which was the cause that divers of those that were besieged fled away privately for want of victuals insomuch that very few remained for the defence of the Temple In this condition were they who were besieg'd in the Temple But when King Antiochus and Lysias the General had received notice Antiochus hearing news of Philips intent to invade Persia giveth over his siege to meet him that Philip coming out of Persia intended to make himself Lord of the Countrey they concluded to give F over the siege for that time and to march forwards against Philip without giving any notice thereof to his Soldiers He only commanded that Lysias should call a Council of his Captains and without discovering of his design against Philip to tell them That he raised the siege because the place was very strong and his Army began to want victuals and the publick affairs required his presence in other parts of his Dominions Furthermore he thought it expedient to capitulate with the besieged and contract friendship with all the Nation of the Jews promising them the free exercise of their Religion because they rebelled only that they were deprived of it and he was assured that having the grant thereof they would live peaceably and he might safely return into his own Countrey When Lysias had declared these Reasons all the Army and the Captains approved thereof G H CHAP. XV. King Antiochus Eupator makes peace with the Jews but contrary to his promise he demolisheth the Wall that encompassed the Temple He cuts off the head of the High-Priest Onias sirnamed Menelaus and confers that honour upon Alcim Onias the Nephew of Menelaus retires into Egypt where the King and Queen Cleopatra his Wife permit him to build a Temple at Heliopolis in imitation of that at Jerusalem IN pursuance of this resolution Antiochus maketh peace with Judas King Antiochus sent a Herald to Judas and those that I were besieged with him promising them peace with permission to live according to their Religion The wall of the Temple defaced Which conditions they willingly embrac'd and having taken an oath of assurance from the King they surrendred up the Temple Whereupon Antiochus entred into it Onias otherwayes called Menelaus led away Prisoner and seeing it to be a place so well fortifi'd he contrary to his oath commanded his Army to level the Wall that inviron'd it even with the ground which done he return'd to Antioch leading away with him the High-Priest Onias who was called Menelaus For Lysias had counselled the King to murther Menelaus if he intended that the Jews should live in peace and the rather because it was he only who was the Author of all those evils by reason of the counsel he had given to Antiochus his father to inforce the Jews to forsake their Religion The King for that cause sent Menelaus unto Beraea K a City of Syria where he commanded him to be put to death after he had enjoy'd the High-Priesthood ten years Alcim or Jacimus made High-Priest He was a wicked man and to raise himself to that great honour and authority had caused several of our Nation to violate our most holy Laws As soon therefore as Menelaus was dead Alcim was made High-Priest who was called Jacimus Now when Antiochus found that Philip had already conquer'd a great part of his Countrey he fought with him and taking him Prisoner he put him to death But Onias the son of the High-Priest Philip slain by Antiochus whom as we have heretofore declared was left an Orphan in his infancy seeing that the King had slain his Uncle Menelaus Onias the High-Priests son built a Temple in Egypt resembling that at Jerusalem and given the Priesthood to Alcim who was not of the race of the Priests and had transferred this honour into another family at the persuasion of Lysias he fled unto Ptolomy King of L Egypt where being honourably entertained by the King and his Queen Cleopatra he obtained a place at Heliopolis where he built a Temple like unto that which was at Jerusalem whereof we shall hereafter have a more fit opportunity to speak CHAP. XVI Demetrius the son of Seleucus escapes from Rome comes into Syria and causeth himself to be crowned King and puts to death King Antiochus and Lysias He sends Bacchides with an Army into Judea to exterminate Judas and his party and to establish Alcim in the High-Priesthood he proceeds with great cruelty but Judas compels M him to retire to Demetrius for fresh supplies AT that time Demetrius the son of Seleucus fled from Rome Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. and took possession of Tripolis in Syria and after he had set the Diadem upon his own head and had levied and hired certain Soldiers 1 Machab. 7. he invaded the kingdom Demetrius seizeth Tripolis and other Cities of â—yria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias where he was received to the general content of all men who submitting themselves unto him laid hold on the King Antiochus and Lysias and brought them alive unto him but he forthwith commanded that they should be put to death after that Antiochus had reigned two years To this new elected King divers Jews banish'd for their impiety and with them the High-Priest Alcim resorted Alcim the High-Priest with Apostates accuseth Judas before Demetrius who in general accused their own Nation and principally Judas N and his brethren objecting against them that they had slain his friends and all such as were on his side and that among all those that were in the kingdom and expected his coming some of them were slain and the rest being driven from their native Countrey were banish'd into other places Wherefore he desired him that he would send some one of his friends to take notice of the outrages committed by Judas and his brethren Demetrius was much moved by these reports and for that cause sent Bacchides who was in times past much esteemed by Antiochus Epiphanes for his valor and to whose government at that time all Mesopotamia was committed To whom he gave an Army joining with him the High-Priest Alcim with Commission to kill Judas and his Confederates Bacchides departing from Antioch with his Army came into Judea and sent an Herald unto Judas O and his brethren to treat with him upon certain Articles of Peace because his intent was to surprize them by some treachery But Judas suspecting his design gave little heed unto him for in that he came thither with so great an Army he easily conjectured that he intended no Peace
adventure considerable attempts Herod flyeth to Malchus King of Arabia to borrow money For he went unto Malchus King of the Arabians to whom formerly he had shewed much courtesie hoping to receive the like of him in this time of his great necessity and to draw some money from him either by interest or gift For being ignorant of his brothers death he endeavoured to redeem him speedily from his Enemies by paying his Ransom which amounted to Three hundred Talents and for that cause he led with him the son of Phasaelus who was only seven years old to leave him in pledge amongst the Arabians for the sum that was demanded L But certain messengers came to him from Malchus Herod is commanded out of Arabia and flyeth into Egypt from thence after some storms he repaired to Rome where he certifieth Antonius of that which had befallen him who charged him in the Kings behalf to retire back again for that the Parthians had enjoyned him that he should neither receive nor retain Herod And used this colourable pretence because he would not pay his debts and hereunto was perswaded by the advice of the greatest in authority among the Arabians who pretended thereby to make themselves masters of that treasure that Antipater had committed to their custody Herod answered them That he repaired not into their Countrey to give them cause of any trouble but onely to consult with them about certain matters of great importance touching his own estate and that afterwards he was resolved to depart and withdraw himself into Egypt as secretly as might be possible He returned therefore to a certain Temple where he had left divers of M his followers and the next day he came to Rhinocâ—ra in which place he heard tidings of his brothers death But afterwards Malchus repented himself of his ingratitude and speedily sent after Herod but he could not overtake him for he had gotten far on his way and was already arrived near to Pelusium where being denyed his passage to Alexandria in those ships that were there he addressed himself to the Magistrates of the place who highly respected and honoured him and sent him to the City where Cleopatra was who entertained him kindly yet notwithstanding she could not perswade him to remain with her Whereupon he repaired towards Rome notwithstanding the Winter and those grievous troubles that at the very same time afflicted Italy as it was reported Embarking himself therefore to sail into Pamphilia he was tost with a most N cruel storm so that with great danger at last he arrived in Rhodes having been inforced in the tempest to cast into the Sea great part of his goods There he met with Sappinas and Ptolomey two of his endeared friends He found also the City of Rhodes had suffered much misery by Cassius's Wars and although his means were very short yet he helped them in what he might and caused their Walls to be repaired notwithstanding that by so doing he greatly hindred himself After that he caused a little Frigot to be built and embarked himself with his friends to repair into Italy and arrived at Arundusium and from thence went to Rome The first to whom he discovered his misfortunes was Marcus Antonius to whom he reported all the occurrances in Judaea and how his brother Phasaelus was taken by the Parthians and slain and how O Hircanus was imprisoned with him The manner also how they had established Antigonus King under promise to give them One thousand Talents and Five hundred of the fairest Women whom he intended to chuse out of his own race Lastly how he stole away by night and rescued them and escaping his Enemies hands had afterwards endured A many miseries Besides that his friends were in great danger and left besieged for which cause he had sailed by Winter and despised all dangers only to seek for assistance at his hands on whom depended his hope and last refuge CHAP. XXVâ—â—I Herod through Antonius's and Augustus's assistance is declared King of the Jews at Rome Antigonus besiegeth Massada defended by Joseph Herod's Brother ANtonius hearing of all those alterations that had befallen Herod Hedio Ruffinus cap. 23. al. 25. had compassion of B his misery bethinking himself of the estate and condition of great men who are likewise subject to no less casualties and the rather was he induced to do him good Antonius loved Herod and hated Antigonus both in remembrance of the friendship he had with Antipater his father and also by reason of Herods promises of certain sums of money if he were made King by his means Caesar Augustus Herods friend as he had been formerly declared Tetrarch But that which most moved him hereunto was the hatred which he bare unto Antigonus whom he accounted to be a mutinous man and an Enemy to the Romans On the other side Caesar was well inclined to succor him both in regard of those Armies which Antipater had brought into Egypt in his fathers service as also because of the good hospitality and kindness that he had shewed him in all things and especially to gratifie Antonius who was well affected C towards Herod Whereupon the Senate being assembled Messala and Atratinus brought forth Herod Herod admitted into the Senate and declared King and after they had praised him and recited the favors which the Romans had received by his father and the great affection and good will which he bare to the people of Rome they accused and declared Antigonus the Romans Enemy not only for his ancient crimes but also that in contempt of the Romans he had received the Kingdom from the Parthians Whilst the Senate was sore displeased at the report of these things Antonius arose and declared openly before them all that in furtherance of the Parthian War it were not amiss that Herod should be made King which opinion of his was generally allowed and finally ratified The principal demonstration of the love and affection which Antonius bare unto Herod Herod intending the Kingdom for his Wifes brother enjoyeth the same himself was that he D not only obtained him the Kingdom beyond all hope for he never thought that the Romans would grant that dignity unto him who were wont to reserve that honour to those of the Kings blood and therefore he intended to have demanded it for his Wifes Brother Alexander Herod ascendeth the Capitol with Antonius and Caesaâ— and Nephew to Aristobulus by the Fathers side and to Hircanus by the Mother which Alexander Herod afterwards put to death as shall be declared in time and place but also for that within the term of seven dayes he sent him out of Italy with the unexpected titles of his felicity As soon as the Senate was risen Antonius and Caesar went forth leading Herod between them and being accompanied by the Consuls and other Magistrates went up into the Capitol to do sacrifice and to place there this Decree
close prisoner in some sure place in the Palace But by Salomes sollicitations Herod was incited to hasten her death for that she alledged that the King ought to fear lest some sedition E should be raised amongst the people if he should keep her alive in prison And by this means Mariamne was led unto her death Alexandra her mother considering the estate of the time and fearing no less mischief from Herods hands than her daughter was assured of she undecently changed her mind and abjectly laid aside her former courage and magnanimity For intending to make it known that she was neither party nor privy to those crimes wherewith Mariamne was charged she went out to meet her daughter and entertained her injuriously protesting publickly that she was a wicked woman Alexandra undecently striveth to acquit her self of Mariamnes Treason and ungrateful towards he husband and that she well deserved the punishment that was adjudged her for that she durst be F so bold to attempt so heinous a fact respecting to requite her husbands entire love with her unfeigned loyalty Whilst thus dishonestly she counterfeited her displeasure and was ready to pull Mariamne by the hair the assistants according to her desert condemned her generally for her hypocrisie but she that was led to be punished convicted her self by her mild behaviour for first of all she gave her no answer neither was any ways altered by her reproaches neither would so much as cast her eye upon her making it appear that she discreetly concealed and covered her mothers imperfections and was aggrieved that she had so openly shewed so great indignity expressing for her own part a constant behaviour and going to her death without change of colour so that those that beheld her perceived in her a kind of manifest courage and G nobility even in her utmost extremity H Thus died Mariamne having been a woman that excelled both in continence and courage notwithstanding that she failed somewhat in affability and impatience of nature for the rest of her parts she was an admirable and pleasing beauty and of such a carriage in those companies wherein she was entertained that it was impossible to express the same in that she surpassed all those of her time which was the principal cause that she lived not graciously and contentedly with the King For being entertained by him who intirely loved her and from whom she received nothing that might discontent her she presumed upon a great and intemperate liberty in her discourse She digested also the loss of her friends very hardly according as in open terms she made known unto the King whereby also it came to pass I that both Herods mother and sister and himself likewise grew at odds with her After her death the King began more powerfully to be inflamed in his affections Herods miserable estate and moan after the death of his wife who before as we have declared was already miserably distracted For neither did he love after the common manner of married folk but whereas almost even unto madness he nourished this his desire he could not be induced by the too unbridled manners of his wife to allay the heat of his affection but that daily more and more by doating on her he increased the same And all that time especially he supposed that God was displeased with him for the death of Mariamne Oftentimes he did invocate her name using such lamentable expressions that did not become the Majesty of a King And notwithstanding he devised all kinds of delights and sports that might be imagined by preparing banquets and inviting K guests with Princely hospitality to pass away the time yet all those profited him nothing for which cause he gave over the charge and administration of his Kingdom At length he was so besotted with grief A plague invadeth Jerusalem that oftentimes he commanded his servants to call his wife Mariamne as if she had been alive Whilest thus he was afflicted there came a pestilence within the City that consumed a great part of the people and most of the nobility and all interpreted that this punishment was inflicted by God upon them for the unjust death of the Queen Herod falleth grievâ—usly sick Thus the Kings discontents being by this means increased he at last hid himself in a solitary wilderness under pretext of hunting where afflicting himself incessantly at last he fell into a most grievous sickness This disease of his was an inflammation or pain in the neck he seemed also in some sort to rave and grow mad neither L could any remedies relieve him of his agony but when the sickness seemed rather to increase all men at last grew almost desperate of his recovery For which cause his Physician partly in respect of the contumacy of his disease partly because in so great a danger there was not any free election of dyet they gave him leave to taste whatsoever best pleased his appetite committing the uncertain event of his health to the hands of fortune Whilest thus he continued in Samaria Alxandra in Herods absence seeketh to get the possession of the Castles which now is called Sebaste Alexandra being at that time in Jerusalem having notice of this his condition endeavored to reduce all the strong fortresses that were within the City under her subjection the one of which was hard by the Temple the other was situate within the City for they that are Masters of these keep all the rest of the nation under their awe because that without these neither the usual and M daily sacrifices may be performed neither may the Jews live without such sacrifices and oblations who had rather lose their lives than contemn their religion She therefore solicited those that had the government thereof to surrender them up to her and Herods children begotten of her daughter Mariamne lest he being dead they should be seised on by others and if it should fortune him to recover his health in the mean while they mâ—ght be kept and held by no man more securely than such as were his nearest friends This suit and solicitation of hers was but coldly received and the Captains who at all times shewed themselves always faithful at that time were the rather far more constant in their duty both for that they hated Alexandra and also that they thought it a great offence to despair of the health of their Prince Herods counsellors certifie him of Alexandras intent For these were the Kings old friends and one of them was Herods own Nephew N whose name was Achiabus For which cause they sent presently messengers unto him to shew him Alexandra's intent who having heard these news presently commanded her to be put to death Alâ—xandra put to death and at length overcoming his sickness he grew so badly affected both in body and mind that he grew hateful unto all men so that all those who offended him and for how little cause
lastly with the spoil of the treasury yet they assembled a Troop of the valiantest Soldiers and besieged the Palace threatning to burn the same with Sabinus and all other the Romans that were therein The Palace besieged by the Jews except they speedily departed and in so doing they promised both them and Sabinus all assurance and security whereby it came to pass that divers of them that I were in the Palace issued out and submitted themselves unto them But Rufus and Gratus having three thousand of those valiant Soldiers under their command Rufus and Gratus Captains of Herod's Army joyn with the Romans who had served Herod joyned themselves with the Romans The like did those Horsemen which followed Rufus who in like manner submitted themselves to their direction yet for all this the Jews continued and intended their Siege undermining their walls and exhorting the Romans to depart and not to deprive them of their liberty which they had long enjoyed under their Predecessors Sabinus was willing to depart from thence with his Soldiers yet durst not trust them in regard of their former attempt and he suspected the too liberal offer his enemies had made him but neglected it because he expected Varus K At the same time infinite other troubles were raised in divers other places of Judaea according as every one either was incensed with a desire of gain Hedio and Ruffinus cap. 15. or a will to revenge For two thousand Soldiers who had formerly served under Herod and being at that time cashier'd Divers tumults in Jewry lived at home assembling themselves together assailed those of the Kings faction who made head against them under the conduct of Herod's Nephew Aciabus Two thousand of Herod's Soldiers assail the Kings people who never daring to encounter them in a place of equal advantage in that they were old Soldiers and well exercised in war defended himself in that he held and kept himself as near as he could in the mountains and places of advantage Moreover Judas the Son of Ezechias the Arch-thief whom Herod overcame with so much difficulty at Sephoris a City in Galilee Judas Ezechias's Son the Arch-thief gathering unto him a band of desperate men L made incursions upon the King's Dominions And having taken all those Arms and Weapons which he might recover in that place he armed from the first to the last all those Souldiers that were with him he took away all that money which was reserved for the King in that place and affrighting the Inhabitants round about him he spoiled all those with whomsoever he met aspiring to the Kingdom not that he thought himself well enough qualified for that dignity but because he had gotten such freedom in wickedness he took the boldness to do any thing Whilst these troubles ranged in every place Simon also who had been one of Herod's servants Simon Herod 's Servant and both for his shape stature and strength was esteemed amongst all men undertook the Kingdom and being attended by a mighty Army and proclaimed M King by them who were a wicked and unbridled multitude and perswading himself that he was worthy to be King before any other he first of all set the Palace on fire in Jericho and spoiled all that was therein He burnt also divers other Royal Palaces belonging to the King which were in divers places of the Countrey giving them free license who were his followers in the Action to bear away the Prey that remained And far more licentious pranks had he played had not his practises been speedily and wisely prevented For Gratus who with the King's Soldiers had joyned himself winh the Romans Gratus conflict with Simon and gathered all the Forces that he had went out against this Simon And after a fierce Battel they on the other side of Jordan were put to flight and fighting rather with courage than Military Discipline they were overcome N And whilst Simon Simon beheaded in crossing a Valley sought to save himself by flight Gratus met with him and cut off his head About the same time also The Jews almost enraged in rebellion the Royal Palace of Amatha that was hard by Jordan was burnt by men of as bad disposition as Simon was And thus thorow the whole Nation reigned this raging Rebellion for that the Countrey had no King who by his Vertue might govern and moderate the people for that the strangers who were sent to repress these mutinies Athronges strong in body and goodly in stature attempteth the Royal Dignity did rather incense them through their Violence and Avarice For a certain obscure and base man neither esteemed for Vertue nor worthy of regard for his Riches but being a Shepherd utterly unknown before and only famous for his huge stature and strength called Athronges was so audacious to aspire to Royal O Dignity and took pleasure to offer violence not valuing his life and exposing himself to all hazards for the only unbridled affection he bare to Soveraignty He A had four Brothers of as goodly stature as himself The year of the World 3965. before Christ's Nativity 3. who were esteemed for men of valour and execution whereby they imagined they had the means offered them to obtain the Kingdom Each one of these had the Command over a Company For a great company of people resorted daily unto them the charge of whom was committed unto his Brethren at such time as any occasion of War was offered and he in the mean while wearing the Diadem on his head ordered counselled and commanded all things The Power of this Gallant endured a long time who was not called King for nothing for he disposed all things according to his own pleasure and both he and his Brethren were flesh'd with the slaughter of the Romans and those of the King's side whom he hated alike these by reason of the insolence they B had used during Herod's life-time the other in regard of those injuries which lately they supposed themselves to have received by them This hatred of theirs daily encreased more and more and there was no man that could escape their hands both in respect of the gain sought and for the custom they had to shed Blood They therefore at that time set upon the Romans and surprised them on the sudden near to Emmaus at such time as they carried Victuals and Munition unto their Camp and having enclosed their Centurion Arius with forty of their most valiant Footmen they shot him thorough with their Darts The rest that expected nothing less than death were saved by Gratus who came in upon them with the King's Souldiers whereupon leaving the dead bodies they retired Continuing their War C after this manner a long time according as occasion was offered they had done much mischief to the Romans and far more injury to the Nation of the Jews At last they were surprised the one in an
Encounter betwixt them and Gratus the other in fighting against Ptolomey Athronges his Brethren taken The eldest was taken by Archelaus and the last being dis-heartened with the Accidents and seeing no means to escape for besides his other mishaps his Souldiers were afflicted with sickness he with the rest upon Archelaus's Faith and Oath submitted himself unto him But this was done some little while after At this time all Judaea was full of Robberies Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. and as many seditious Assemblies as drew together so many Kings were there elected who were raised to the utter ruine of D the Commonweal Amongst the rest the Romans were they that smarted least but the Murthers were executed against those that were out of the Countrey But Varus understanding by Sabinus's Letters in what dangers they were and fearing the utter overthrow of his third Legion he took with him the two other for to the uttermost in Syria there were but three and with the assistance of the Kings and Tetrarchs he hasted into Jewry to relieve those that were besieged commanding those that were sent out before he dislodged to meet him at Ptolemais and passing by the City of the Berythians he received a thousand and five hundred Soldiers at their hands to attend him in his War Aretas also who was Lord of Petra drawing himself into Confederacy with the Romans in regard of that hatred he bare Herod sent him E Horse and Foot When all these Forces were assembled at Ptolemais he delivered a part thereof to his Son and one of his Friends commanding them to make War against the Galileans who bordered uopn that City who entring that Countrey and putting all those to flight whosoever durst make head against him he took Sephoris and selling the Inhabitants under the Spear he consumed the City with fire Varus himself marching towards Samaria with his Army violenced not the City in that he knew it was free from the Contagion of the Seditious but he pitched his Camp in a certain Village Arus burned by the Arabians which was Ptolomey's Possession called Arus The same did the Arabians burn revenging themselves on Herod's Friend for his sake and marching forward Sampho and Emmaus burned the Arabians spoiled also another Village called Sampho and for that it was F strongly fortified burned it Besides in that journey nothing escaped their hands but they put all to Fire and Sword For both Emmaus was burned by Varus's Command and in revenge of his Soldiers that were killed in that place it was left desolate and void of Inhabitants Varus repaireth to Jerusalem and delivereth the Legion that was besieged From thence drawing near to Jerusalem those Jews that besieged the Legion of that side upon the sudden view and approach of the Army of the Romans fearfully fled giving over that Siege which they intended But those Jews of Jerusalem being sharply reproved by Varus alledged in their excuse that the people in regard of the Feast were assembled in that place and that the War was not begun by their consent but undertaken by their boldness who resorted thither from divers places and that they were so far off from assailing the Romans that they rather G seemed to be besieged by them And long before this Joseph King Herod's Nephew Gratus and Rufus with their Soldiers were gone out to meet Varus and those Romans that had sustained the Siege had done no less But as for Sabinus he would not appear in Varus's presence by stealing away privily out of the City he fled towards H the Sea Then Varus sending a part of his Army thorough the whole Countrey sought out those Authors of this Sedition and those that were noted men in the action some of which who were most guilty were punished the rest were delivered Of those that were punished for this occasion The Punishment of the Conspirators there were about two thousand crucified and that done seeing that this Army stood him in little stead he dismissed them For divers disorders and injuries contrary to Varus's express Command were acted by his Souldiers who sought after nothing more than to encrease their means by other men's miseries And hearing that ten thousand Jews were assembled together he hasted to apprehend them but they not daring to hazard their fortune in a fight with him by Achiabus's advice submitted themselves But Varus having pardoned the people for I their Rebellion sent all those that were the Ring-leaders thereof to Caesar who pardoned divers of them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. al. 17. But he chastised certain of Herod's Allies and such as bare Arms with them for that neither in regard of Kindred nor respect of Justice they had abstained from Insurrection After that Varus had thus appeased all the troubles in Jewry and left the first Legion in Garrison in Jerusalem he returned to Antioch But Archelaus was crossed in Rome by another Occurrent that arose upon this occasion The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. Certain Ambassadours of the Jews resorted thither by Varus's permission requiring that it might be lawful for them to live according to their own Laws these presented themselves to the number of fifty and were back'd by eight thousand Jews K that inhabited the City The Embassage of the Jews to Rome And when Caesar had assembled the Council of his Friends and chief Citizens in Apollo's Temple which he had builded to his mighty charge thither resorted the Ambassadours Archelaus the Ambassadours of the Jews appear before Caesar who were followed by a Troop of Jews and Archelaus also attended by his Friends But the King's Kindred neither stood by Archelaus in regard of the hate they bare him and yet disdained to assist the Ambassadours for that they were ashamed in Caesar's presence to oppose themselves against their nearest Friend and Kinsman Philip Herod ' s Son Philip also was present at that time who by Varus's perswasion resorted thither out of Syria especially to plead for his Brother to whom Varus wished all good fortune Besides that hoping not a little that if the Jews should obtain the liberty to live according to their Laws it might come to pass L that the Kingdom being divided amongst Herod's Children he might also light on some part thereof Therefore after the Ambassadours of the Jews had obtained Licence to propose their demands pretending with themselves wholly to exstinguish the Royalty The Ambassadours of the Jews rip up Herod's and Archelaus's iniquity They began to rip up Herod's disgraces alledging how only in name he had been a King whereas otherwise he had used all the Tyrannous practices that the wickedest person could have invented towards the destruction of his Nation and that not content with these he had of his own head practised and invented new Neither that it needed to reckon up how many he had deprived of life when the
The strife between the High Priests and the Priests to seize the Tenths that were due unto the Priests whereby it came to pass that some poor Priests died for want so much did the violence of the Seditious at that time prevail ahove all right CHAP. VII I Festus succeeds Foelix in the Government of Judaea The Inhabitants of Caesarea obtain of Nero to have the Jews Freedom recalled King Agrippa causeth an Apartment to be built from whence all that was done about the Temple might be seen the people of Jerusalem cause a high Wall to be built to hinder it by the Emperour's Authority AFter that Portius Festus had been sent by Nero to succeed Foelix in the Government K of Judaea Alias 19. the chiefest of those Jews that inhabited Caesarea Foelix accused repaired to Rome to accuse Foelix and without all doubt he had been punished for the injuries he had committed against the Jews if Nero had not pardoned him upon his Brother Palas's submission and entreaty who importuned him and was at that time in great reputation with him Hedio Rufffinus cap. 14. Furthermore two of the chiefest amongst the Syrians wrought Berillus who had sometimes been Nero's Master and at that time was Secretary of Estate in the Greek Tongue by mighty Bribes to beg of Nero the revocation of the Right and Title which the Jews enjoyed in the Government and Administration of the Commonweal For which cause Berillus solicited the Emperour and obtained a Letter from him which was the cause of those mischiefs that afterwards happened in our Nation for the Jews of Caesarea understanding what Commission the Syrians had gotten L were so much the more encouraged to make War Therefore The Cut-throats among the Jews as soon as Festus was arrived in Judaea he found the Countrey grievously afflicted with Robberies and the whole Countrey was ruined with Fire and Sword The Thieves likewise at that time encreased mightily they used short Swords after the manner of a Persian Cymetre and crooked like the Roman Faulchion with which they killed divers For thrusting themselves into the press of the people that came in great multitudes on the Festival days to celebrate God's service they killed those very easily whom they pleased and oftentimes repairing to their enemies Villages Festus discomfiteth a great deceiver with all his followers they spoiled and burnt them But Festus sent divers Forces M both of Horse and Foot against certain Jews that were seduced by an Enchanter who had promised them to free them from all their troubles if they would follow him into the Desart they killed both the deceiver and the deceived that followed him At that time King Agrippa erected a stately Building within the Palace at Jerusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. near unto the Porch alias chap. 10. This Palace in times past appertained to the Asmoneans and was scituate in a high place with a fine Prospect from whence they might with pleasure behold the City of Jerusalem wherein the King took great delight and beheld from thence that which was done in the Temple The chiefest men of Jerusalem stop up the Prospect of Agrippa's house The chiefest men of Jerusalem seeing this Building were very much displeased for neither doth our Custom or Law permit that any one should look on that which is done in the Temple and especially N forbiddeth that any man should behold the Sacrifices and Oblations They therefore builded a high Wall upon the Gallery which was within the Temple on the West side which did not only hinder the sight of the Royal Chamber but also that of the Gallery without the Temple on the West side where the Romans kept Guard near unto the Temple on the Festival days Herewith was King Agrippa highly displeased and the Governour Festus far more than he who commanded them to pull down the Wall But they besought him that he would give them Licence to send their Ambassadours to Nero to this intent alledging that it was impossible for them to live if any part of their Temple should be beaten down Which being granted them they sent ten of their chiefest Nobility and with them Ismael the High O Priest and Chelcias the Treasurer of the Temple unto Nero who no sooner heard their suit but he pardoned them not only for that they had done but he commanded A that the building should remain as it was All which he did in favour of his Wife Poppea who was entreated by the Jews she being a devout Princess to sue for them She therefore commanded the ten Ambassadours to return and kept Chelcias and Ismael for Pledges with her The King understanding how all things had past gave the High Priesthood to Joseph Joseph Cabi the Son of Simon made High Priest surnamed Cabi which was the Son of Simon who in times past had been High Priest CHAP. VIII B Albinus succeeds Festus in the Government of Judaea and King Agrippa giveth and taketh away often the High Priesthood Ananus the High Priest causeth Saint James to be put to death Agrippa enlargeth the City of Caesarea and calleth it Neronias The Favours he granted to the Levites The List of the High Priests since Aaron CAesar being advertised of Festus's death Albinus Governour of Judaea sent Albinus to govern Judaea But King Agrippa commanded Joseph to lead a private life and advanced in his stead a certain man called Ananus Ananus the Son of Ananus High Priest the Son of Ananus who was reported to have been most happy for he had five Sons all which supplied the place of the High Priest after himself C had long time before them enjoyed it the like whereof hath never happened to any of our Priests Hedio Ruffinus chap 16. The younger Ananus who as we said was advanced to this place was a rash and head-strong man that followed the Sect of the Saducees who as we have already declared were amongst all other the Jews Alias 21. the most severe in executing Justice Ananus had five Sons that succeeded him in the Priesthood Whereas therefore Ananus was of this disposition he thought that he had a fit occasion offered him to do what he pleased after Festus's death and whilst Albinus was as yet upon his way He therefore ascended and sat down in the Tribunal assisted by the Judges and caused James the Brother of JESUS who was called CHRIST The year of the World 4025. after Christ's Nativity 63. to appear before him with certain others and accused them for transgressing the Law and Blasphemy against God and caused him to be stoned to death They D that were men of upright Conscience within the City and diligent observers of the Law were very much displeased with this Act and sent secretly to the King beseeching him to prohibit Ananus James the Brother of our Lord stoned that hereafter he
would not be quiet he left one Legion of the three which he brought out of Syria Sabinus seizeth the King's Treasure and laboureth to get possession of his Fortresses in the City and so returned to Antioch But Sabinus coming afterwards to Jerusalem was the cause that the Jews began a new Broil For he forced the Garrisons to render to him the Castles and rigorously made search for the King's Treasure And he was not only assisted by those that Varus left there but also he had a great multitude of his own Servants all armed to further his Avarice And in the Feast of Pentecost so called because it happens at the end of seven times seven days the People gathered themselves together not for Religion's sake but for anger F and hatred so that there was an infinite multitude of people which came out of Galilee Three Camps of the Jews and Idumaea and Jericho and the Countreys beyond Jordan Yet the Jews which were Inhabitants of the City surpassed the rest both in number and courage and they therefore parted themselves into three Bands and made three Camps one on the North side of the Temple another on the South towards the Hippodrome the third on the West near the Palace and so they besieged the Romans on every side Sabinus greatly fearing them both for their multitude and for their courage sent many Letters to Varus earnestly requesting him with all speed to bring succour for if he did not Sabinus getteth into the highest Tower of the strongest Castle the whole Legion would be destroyed He himself got into the highest Tower of the Castle of Phasaelus so called from the name of Herod's Brother whom G the Parthians killed and from thence he gave a sign to the Roman Soldiers to issue out suddenly upon their enemies for himself was in such a fear that he durst not come down to the Soldiers of whom he was Commander The Soldiers obeying his Command attacked the Temple and there fought a fierce Battel with the Jews who H having none to assist them and being unexperienced in Warlike Affairs were soon conquered by them that were skilful At last many Jews got upon the Porches and cast Darts at them from the Pinacles so that they killed many But the other could not revenge themselves of them A Skirmish between the Jews and Romans who fought against them from so high a place neither could they sustain the force of them who joyned Battel with them till at last the Romans fired the Porches which for greatness and curious work were admirable The Romans fire the Porches By this means many Jews were either destroyed with the suddain fire or else leaping down amidst their enemies were by them slain others going backward were cast headlong from the Wall others despairing of life killed themselves with their own Swords and they who privily came down the Walls being assaulted by the Romans I and astonished with fear were easily overcome Till at last all being either put to the Sword or fled through fear the Treasure dedicated to God was left destitute of Keepers so that the Soldiers took away thereof about four hundred Talents and that which they left Sabinus got But this loss of men and money stirred up many more Jews and those more brave than the first against the Romans whom they besieged in the King's Place and threatned all their destructions unless they would presently depart from thence Yet promising Sabinus and the Legion lieve to depart if he so liked Part of the King's Soldiers who of their own accord fled to them assisted them But the most Warlike and valiant amongst them were three thousand men of Herod's Army whose Leaders K were Ruâ—us and Gratus one of the Foot and the other of the Horse both which although they had had no Soldiers with them might yet for their Valour and Counsel have been considerable to the Party of the Romans The Jews earnestly continued the Siege and assaulted the Castle-Walls crying upon Sabinus to depart and not to hinder them now after so long time to recover their Countrey 's Liberty Sabinus though with all his heart he wished himself away yet he durst not trust them but he suspected that their courtesie was but a plot to entrap him And on the other side hoping that Varus would come and help him he still endured the danger of the Siege At the same time there were tumults in many place of Judaea Ant lib. 17. cap. 15. and many through opportunity of the time aspired to the Kingdom For in Idumaea two thousand old Soldiers L who had born Arms under Herod gathering together and having armed themselves went to attack the King's Forces commanded by Achiab Herod's Nephew who because they were old Soldiers and very well armed durst not meet them in the Field but withdrew into some Fortresses At Sephoris also a Town of Galilee Judas the Son of Ezechias Captain of the Thieves which formerly were defeated by King Herod and had wasted the Countrey gathered together a great multitude and brake into the King's Armory and armed all his Company and fought against them who affected the Royal Dignity Simon one of the King's Servants taketh the Kingdom upon him Also beyond the River one Simon who had been Herod's Servant being a goodly man and of a huge stature put a Crown upon his own head and gathering together a company of Vagrants went about with them to M Jericho and burnt the King's Palace and many fair and sumptuous houses there and so got a great Booty there and he had surely fired all other Buildings of Note had not Gratus Captain of the King's Footmen made haste to fight him with the Bow-men of Trachon and the most Warlike men of Sebaste Simon lost many men in this Encounter and when he fled into a strait Valley Gratus overtook him and cut him overthwart the neck so that he fell to the ground In like manner other of the King's Palaces near Jordan by Bethara were burnt by a multitude of other Rebels gathered together in Bands from beyond the River Athrongaeus a Shepherd usurpeth the Kingdom At this time a Shepherd named Athrongaeus pretended to make himself King His Birth was so low that formerly he had been but a simple Shepherd and he had no other merit but that he was very large N and strong of body and despised death With this resolution he armed his four Brethren each of which had a Company armed and they were as his Lieutenants to make Incursions whilst he like a King meddled only with great Affairs and wore a Crown upon his head And thus he continued a long time wasting the Countrey and killing not only the Romans and King's Soldiers but also the Jews if there was hope to gain any thing by them One day he met a Company of the Romans at Emmaus who carried Corn and Armour unto the Legion he
joy for his recovery pag. 829 CHAP. III. Caius abandons himself to all kind of Debauchery and with horrible ingratitude and dreadful cruelty constrains Tiberius Grandson to the Emperour Tiberius to kill himself pag. 830 CHAP. IV. Caius puts to death Macro Colonel of the Pretorian Guards to whom he was obliged both for his Empire and Life pag. 831 CHAP. V. Caius puts to death Marcus Syllanus his Father in Law because he gave him wise Counsel And that Murder is followed by many others pag. 833 CHAP. VI. Caius requires to be reverenc'd as a Demi-God pag. 834 CHAP. VII The folly of Caius increasing he requires to be worshiped as a God and imitates Mercury Apollo and Mars pag. 835 CHAP. VIII Caius enraged against the Jews because they would not reverence him as a Demi-god like other People pag. 837 CHAP. IX The Inhabitants of Alexandria take advantage of the displeasure of Caius to commit great cruelty and outrage upon the Jews They destroy most part of their Oratories and set up the Emperors Statues though no such thing had ever been attempted in the Reigns of Augustus or Tiberius The Praises of Augustus ibid. CHAP. X. Caius being already incensed against the Jews of Alexandria is much exasperated by the Calumnies of Helico formerly an Egyptian Slave but now in great favour with the Emperour pag. 840 CHAP. XI The Jews of Alexandria send Embassadors to Caius to represent their grievances of which number Philo was chief Caius receives them kindly in appearance but Philo judg'd very well that he was not to be trusted pag. 841 CHAP. XII Philo and his Collegues are informed that Caius had sent Orders to Petronius Governour of Syria to cause his Statue to be set up in the Temple of Jerusalem p. 842 CHAP. XIII Petronius being sensible of the Injustice and ill Consequences of it is much troubled about the execution of that Order pag. 844 CHAP. XIV Petronius Orders a Statue to be made but very slowly he endeavours to perswade the Jews to admit it but in vain The Jews assemble from all places unanimously conjuring him against the Execution of that Order and to give them leave to send Embassadors to the Emperour pag. 845 CHAP. XV. Petronius affected with their Reasons and thinking it unsafe to run them into despair writes to Caius on purpose to gain time Caius is inraged but dissembles it in his Answer to Petronius pag. 846 CHAP. XVI King Agrippa comes to Rome and finding from Caius his own mouth his design of Erecting his Statue in the Temple of Jerusalem He falls into fainting fits being recollected be writes to the Emperour pag. 848 CHAP. XVII Caius relents upon Agrippa's Letter writes to Petronius to alter nothing in the Temple but repents immediately He causeth a Statue to be made privately in Rome and sent as privately to Jerusalem when he was to go to Alexandria he continues his resolution to be owned there as a God His Injustice and Cruelty pag. 851 CHAP. XVIII The Passion wherewith Caius treated Philo and the rest of the Embassadors pag. 852 A TABLE of the Chiefest and most Memorable Things which are handled in This WORK A. AAron Moses brother 67. G. cometh to meet him ibid. 1. holdeth up Moses hands 77. A. elected High Priest 88. M. his sons 89. A. High Priesthood confirmed to him 102. K. giveth his Priestly Ornaments to Eleazar 104. I. his death ibid. K. Aarons Rod fructifieth 103. A. Abdon Judge of Israel 139. E. renowned for his issue ibid. F. Abel second son of Adam 29. B. is commended ibid. C. is slain by his brother and why ibid. C. Abias levieth an Army 223. I. overcometh Jeroboam ibid. N. dieth ibid. O. his issue ibid. Abiathar escapes Sauls hands 166. L. telleth David of his Families slaughter ibid. asketh counsel of God 173. B. dispossessed of the Priesthood 104. I. helps Adonias 199. D. Abigail pacifieth David 169. B. C. after married to David ibid. E. Abibu Aarons son burned 89. G. and why ibid. G. Abimelech King of Geraer enamoured of Sara 39. E. plagued for taking her ibid. E. made a covenant with Abraham ibid. G. expelleth Isaac his Country 43. F. after makes a league with him 44. I. Abimelech Gideons bastard son 137. B. killeth 69 of his brethren and usurpeth ibid. B. practiseth against the Sichemites ibid. E. slayeth him and sacketh their City ibid. G. burned the Sichemites fled to the rock 138. H. taketh Tabez ibid. K. is wounded and slain ibid. K. Abiram rebellious 101. C. he and those that were with him swallowed up 102. H. Abisai overcometh the Idumaeans 182. L. sent against the Ammonites 183. E. Abisaei's valour 197. A. Abisag nourisheth David 199. C. Abner Sauls Uncle 151. B. questioneth with Saul ibid. B. General of his Army 164. M. maketh Isboseth King 176. H. revolteth from Isboseth ibid. O. Killeth Azael ibid. K. perswadeth the Governours to create David King 177. B. is slain 177. D. E. Abraham son of Thares 35. C. tenth from Noe ibid. C. taught the Egyptians Religion and Arts 36. M. first Preacher of the word 35. F. his wisdom ibid. an Astronomer 36. M. and an Arithmetician ibid. M. his house 36. I. oppressed by Famine ibid. K. divided the Land with Lot 36. K. rescueth Lot from the Sodomites 37. E. son promised him ibid. F. foretold his progeny to be evil entreated 38. H. circumcised himself and Ismael 38. L. entertaineth Angels and entreateth for the Sodomites ibid. N. intended to offer his son 41. B. C. marrieth Chetura ibid. G. provideth a wife for his son 42. K. dieth 43. D. is commended ibid. Absence of David excused 164. L. Absalon killeth Amnon 186. O. fled to Gessur 187. C. revoked from banishment and how ibid. F. affecteth the Kingdom 188. K. proclaimed King ibid. L. passeth over Jordan 191. B. his overthrow 191. E. slain by Joab ibid. F. Abundance foretold 61. G. Abundance of Silver 216. M. Abundance of victuals foreshewed 239. M. affected 240. E. Abundance of victuals shewed 736. I. Acclamation of the people 463. A. Accusation of Laban against Jacob 47. D. of Jacob against him ibid. F. of Putifars wife against Joseph 54. H. of Doeg against Achimelech 166. I. of Aristobulus and Hircanus 362. E. F. of Antipater against his brethren 592. M. of Nicolaus 601. B. of Antipater against Archelaus 606. M. of the Jews 610. K. Achab. son of Amri King of Israel 225. N. followeth impieties ibid. took to wife Jezabel 226. B. seeketh Elias 227. H. covets Naboths vineyard 228. F. his repentance 229. K. twice overcometh the Syrians 213. C. D. reproved for dismissing Adad 231. K. imprisoneth Michaias and why 233. H. rejected his advice ibid. I. wounded dieth ibid. K. Achabs seventy sons 243. K. Achar stole the spoils dedicated to God 123. E. hid them in his tent ibid. found guilty and put to death 124. I. Achaz King of Judah sacrificeth his son 251. I. serves Idols ibid. overthrown in battel ibid. O. hireth Theglaphalasar ibid.
vestures 86 m. Priests registred 782 m. Priests abstain from wine 721 f. 790 o. Priests executed and why 754 m High Priests number and succession 540 n. Priesthood confirmed to Aaron and his sons 102 k. Priesthood to be transported fore-shewed 144 k. Princes of Syria 280 a. Principality affected by Adonias 199 d. by Costabarus 409 o. 698 m. 705 d. 711 f. Priscus slayeth Jonathan 747 c. Prisoners dismissed 251 n. Privileges granted to the Jews 305 b. 373 o c. 374 b c d. 375 h i k. Problems of Hiram c. 786 m. Prodigies preceding Jerusalem's destruction 753 a b c. Professors of wisdom burn themselves 774 n. Progâ—ny of Japheth 33 g. of Canaan 34 n. of the Sons of Sem 35 a. of Cham's sons 34 k. of Jacob 61 b. of Aaron 〈◊〉 n. of Herod 485 d. 480 h i. Prohibition of arms and iron-work 154 i. Profit how great redounded to King Pharaoh 61 f. Promise of God's assistance 110 k l. Promotion of Joseph 55 g. Prophecy of Jacob touching his posterity 62 i k. of the sacred Secretary 62 n. of Balaam 106 k. of Samuel 144 l 157 f. of Achias 217 k. 218 o. of Jadon 220 a. of Olda 259 k. Prophecy of the Captivity and delivery 263 h i. Prophet Moses a good Governour 1â—0 k. Prophet Nathan 181 c. 185 c. Achias 217 k. Jadon 217 o. Samaeus 221 f. Azarias 224 m. Elias 227 h. Gimon 224 m. Elizaeus 236 g. Esay 256 b. Jeremy 260 e. Ezechiel 261 n. Jonas 248 g. Naum 250 g. Aggaeus and Zacharias 280 d. Micheas 232 d. False Prophet discrediteth the true 220 f. 232 â— False Prophet deceiveth the people 537 d. Prosperity of Joseph 55 d. of Solomon 215 d e f g c. of Jeroboam 249 l. Prosperity maketh proud 247 a. 249 o. Prospect stopt up 538 n. Providence of God in saving Moses 63 f g. 64 n. of the Israelites 119 e. Provision of victuals 179 c. 576 h i. Provision for the Priests 285 m. Provision of things necessary for war 660 m n. Proves against Antipater 457 b c. 601 b c. Prudence of Joseph 55 c. 56 i. of Solomon 206 k. of Josephus 665 a b. Ptolemais described 616 l. besieged 351 b taken 352 d. Ptolomy Lagus obtaineth Egypt 297 m. seizeth Jerusalem by a stratagem ibid. 298 n. led the Jews away captive ib. n o. Ptolomy Philadelphus caused the Jews to be translated c. 297 n. his library 298 d. his Proclamation 299 k. his liberality 300 c. his Epistle to Eleazar c. 300 e. his gifts given to the Temple 301 d e. 302 i c. 303 h. c. his banqueâ— 303 n. Ptolomy Euergetes King of Egypt 307 l. incensed against Onias ibid. Ptolomy Philopater warreth against Antiochus 305 e. his death ibid. f. Ptolomy Epiphanes King of Egypt 312 g. his children ib. Ptolomy Philometor circumvented 313 h. succoureth Alexander 335 i. his death complotted ib. k. refuseth the Diadem of Asia ib. n. his fight and death 336 b. Ptolomy slayeth Simon 344 b. imprisoneth Hircanus's mother and brethren ib. his cruelty against them 344 d. murthereth them 344 e. Ptolomy Physcon 347 h. the Syrians request to him ib. Ptolomy Lathyrus 347 n. aideth Antiochus ib. cometh to aid â—he Ptolemaidans 351 c. besiegeth Ptolemais and why 351 f. overthroweth Alexander 352 c. driven out of Egypt 352 f. Ptolomy Mennaeus fined 362 f. adopteth Antigonus 378 b. Ptolomy's wife robbed 538 k. is slain 577 b. Punishment of Adam and Eve 28 n. of the Serpent ib. m. of Sodom 39 b c. a false witness 112 n. of Homicide committed ibid. n. of Saul 157 e. of Jadon 220 e. of Senacherib 256 f. of Nebuchadnezzar 260 g Punishment for honouring false Gods 217 i. 251 k l. Punishment of Aristobulus 350 i. Punishment of ravishers of Virgins 810 i. Purgations of women 48 i. Of Purifications the manner 123 g. 124 h. Purification used in the sacrifices 809 f. Purification of the body 810 i. Pursuit of Laban after Jacob 47 c. of the Egyptians after the Hebrews 71 b. Potephar an Egyptian Lord bought Joseph 52 n o. Publick Records burnt 763 b. Q Quadratus Governour of Syria 619 e. decideth the Jews and Samaritans debate ib. f. Quails fell amidst the Hebrews camp 75 b. 95 g. Qualities of the Egyptians described 62 m. Quantity of gold 216 i. Queen's house or palace 213 c. Queen of Aethiopia look Nicaule Queen Vasti refuseth to come to the banquet 286 d. deposed ibid. d e. Hard Questions dissolved 213 f g. Questions of Artaxerxes 277 i k l. Quintilius Varus Governour of Syria 445 b. pacifieth the seditious 467 b. delivereth the legion 469 f. assisteth the Romans 609 b. taketh Cities and Castles ibid. c. crucifieth the seditious 609 â— R. Rachel daughter of Laban 45 f. bringeth Jacob to her Father 46 h. stealeth away her Father's gods 47 b. how she hid them 47 b. taught by Jacob to contemn them ib. dieth in childbed 49 d. Race of the Chanaanites to be rooted out 126 n. Race of Gyants remained 129 d. Race of Achimelech murthered 166 k. Rage of Antiochus 817 d. Raguel a Priest of Madian 66 l. Father in law to Moses ib. m. cometh to Moses in Sinai 77 f. Rahab hid the spies 122 h. requireth of them an oath and why ibid. i. her and all hers saved 123 c. Reign of David 202 â— f. of Solomon 216 c. of Josaphat 237 m. of Herod 462 k. of Tiberius 615 g of Caius 617 â— of Agrippa 618 l. of Claudius 619 g. Railing of Goliah 159 d e. Rainbow a sign of atonement 32 l. Rain fore prophesied 227 h. Raising of a dead man 247 i. A Ram offered in Isaac's stead 41 e f. Ram an Engine 660 k. described ib. shaketh the tower 714 l. Rampires builded by the Romans 733 e. Rapines committed by day 686 l. Rapsaces Chieftain of the Assyrian Army 255 n. perswadeth Ezechias to submit ib. o. Rasis warreth against Achas 251 k. seizeth Elath ib. k. slain 252 a. Rational 87 d. Ravishment of Dinah revenged 49 b. punished ib. c. Rayment of Joseph 53 f. a proof against him 54 i. Rayment taken in war 127 a. Reading of the law 284. Reason described 815 d. hath dominion over passions ibid. d. Rebecca daughter of Bathuel 35 e. sister to Laban ib. â— sheweth courtesie to Abraham's servant 42 n. 43 â— procures his entertainment ib. b. married to Isaac 43 c. brought forth two twins ib. e. her devise for her son 44 l. Rebellion of Chore 101 c. of Siba 194 l m of the Antiochians 337 l m. of the Jews against the Romans 629 b Rebellion of Scythians and Sarmates 764 m. Rebellioâ—s punished 102 l. Rebels kill an Ambassadour 635 g. Rebels conquered 429 g. Reconciliation of Absalom 188 i. of Herod and his sons 587 d. of Pheroras with Herod 438 i. Records of the Greeks for the Jews antiquity 784 m. 785 a c. Reformation of God's Service 253 i k. Religion contemned cause