you doth mark it The continual sacrifice is already ceased a good while ago the annointed Priest is cut away and put down These things though they be most manifest yet your hearts cannot believe them And many other words spake Joseph full of admonition and consolation but the Jews refused to hear him When he had made an end therefore and the Seditious had so hardened their necks Titus turned him and departed out of Jerusalem saying Let us go hence lest their sins destroy us Wherefore he pitched his Tents without the City in the same place where he encamped at first For he was afraid both for himself and his Army lest they should be circumvented and closed in and slain cruelly in so great City as that was Certain of the Priests of that time and of the Nobles of the Town with other godly men did wisely provide for themselves and came forth to Titus submitting themselves to his mercy and were received of him peaceably with great honour whom Titus commanded to be conducted into the land of Goshen where in times past the Israelites dwelt in the dayes of Jacob their Father and Joseph Lord of Egypt Thither sent he them and gave it them in possession to them and to their heirs for ever after commanding a company of the Chaldees safely to conduct them till they came to the land of Goshen Titus directed his letter also to the Roman President which was set over Egypt to take pity of the Jews that he had placed in the land of Goshen to sustain and succour them and to see that no Roman nor other should do them harm or annoy them by any manner of means Many other also of the Jews coveted to go forth of Jerusalem but they were disappointed by the Seditious that they could not do as they intended And who can tell whether they were entangled with their own sins and destined to destruction with their seditious brethren when as their hands also were polluted with the cruelty and iniquity of the Seditious Wherefore the Seditious closed up all the walls about the Temple that none of the Jews which were in Jerusalem might get out to Titus When Titus knew that many of the Jews were desirous to flee unto him and could not because of the Seditious he went again to the place where he was before Joseph with him Whom when the people saw to be there with Titus they fell a weeping and said unto him We acknowledge our sins and the transgression of our fathers we have swerved out of the way against the Lord our God for we see now the mercy and gentlenesse of Titus the son of Caesar and that he taketh pity upon us but what can we do when it is not in our power to flee unto him because of the cruelty of the Seditious The Seâ—…itious hearing them talking with Joseph in the presence of Titus and that they spake reverenâ—…ly of him and honoured his father calling him Lord they ran upon them with their drawn swords to kill them Then crâ—…ed they unto Titus Dear Lord and Master rescue us The Romans therefore made speed to deliver them out of the hands of the Seâ—…itious So rose there a fray in the midst of the Temple between the Romans and the Jews The Romans fled into the place called Sanctum Sanctorum which was the holiest of all and the Jews followed after and slew them even there Titus standing without cryed unto Jehochanan and said unto him Hearest thou Jehochanan Iâ—… not thy 〈◊〉 yet great enough Wilt thâ—…u never make an end of mischief Where is the honour of thy God Is it not written in the Law of thy God of the Sanctum Sanctorum that no Stranger ought to come at it but only the high Priest and that but once a year because it is the holiest of all And now how darest thou be sâ—… bold to kill those that are escaped unto it And how dare you â—…ed the blood of the uncircumcised therein whom ye abhor and yet mix their blood with yours The Lord your GOD is my witnessâ—… that I would not have this House destroyed but your own wicked works and your own hands do pull it dâ—…wn And would God you would receive your peace which if it were once done we would honour this House of the Sanctuarie and Temple of the Lord yea we would depart away from you But your hearts are hardned like Iron and your necks and foreheads are become obstinate as Brasse to your own undoing For ye shall carrie your own sins and die in the Land of the Romans I and my fathers house are innocent and guiltlesse of your death as the Lord and his Temple in whose presence we stand shall bear us witnesse this day But when he saw that none of the Seditious gave any regard to his words he chose out of the Romans thirty thousand valiant fighting men and gave them commandment to take and occupy the entry of the Temple which is a holy Court and determined to go with them himself but his Nobles would not suffer him but willed him to remain upon a high place where he might behold his souldiers fight and when they see thee afar off their hearts shall be comforted and they shall fight according as thou wilt wish them but come not at the entry of the Temple thy self lest thou be destroyed amongst other Titus followed the counsel of his Captains and went not out at that time with his men to the battel He made chief Captains of that host of thirty thousand one Karilus and Rostius two great Commanders who had order to set upon the Jews that night when they should be asleep with wearinesse The Romans therefore doing after his commandment set upon the Jews but the Jews having intelligence of the matter kept diligent watch and withstood the Romans all the night But the Romans were not hasty to fight in the dark fearing lest it might turn to their own harm As soon therefore as it was day the Jews divided themselves and bestowed their Companies at the gates of the entrance and fought like men Karilus and Rostius beset the Temple round about that not one of the Jews might escape out and so the battel encreased between them for the space of seven dayes sometimes the Romans getting the upper hand of the Jews driving them within the entrance sometime the Jews encouraging themselves made the Romans retire and pursued them to the walls of the Antochia in this manner fought they these seven dayes Afterward the Romans turned back from the Jews and would not fight hand to hand with them any more Then Titus commanded the walls of the Antochia to be pulled down further that there might be place for all his host to enter The famine in the mean season grew more grievous so that no food was left For the Jews began now to issue out and steal Horses Asses and other beasts whatsoever they could catch even out of the Romans
was none but for the mercy in thy promises which is infinite so frequently made and so solemnly confirmed unto them But O! remember the Orator on thy right hand Christ Jesus our Lord which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and the Orator in thine own bosome thine essential and innate Clemency and let these prevail if it may stand with thy good will and pleasure that thy people the Jews may be received into the arms of thy mercy As once by a wilful and woful imprecation they drew the guilt of his blood on them and on their children So by thy free imputation drop the merit of his blood on them and on their children For the speeding of whose conversion be pleased to compose the many different judgements of Christians into one truth to unite their disagreeing affections in one love that our examples may no longer discourage but invite them to the embracing of the true Religion Oh mollifie the hearts rectifie the wills unvail the eyes unstop the eares of those thy people whom hitherto thou hast justly hardned Reveal to their understanding those Oracles which thou hast committed to their keeping That so our Saviour who long since hath been a light to lighten the Gentiles may in thy time be the glorie of thy people Israel that so there may be one Shepherd and one Sheepfold Grant this O Lord for Jesus Christ his sake to whom with Thee and the Holie Spirit be all Honour and Glory now and for ever more FINIS A Table and brief Description of the chief places mentioned in the History of Josephus ACo Ptolemais a City of Phoenicia called so from Ptolemy King of Egypt Aielona The name of a City belonging to the Levites and of a village not far from Nicopolis also the place whereabout at the prayer of Joshua the Sun stood still while the Canaanites were slain Alexandria A City in Egypt built by Alexander son of Philip King of Macedon built in the form of a Macedonian chlamys or cloak Antiochia A City in Syria lying on the Sea-coast built by King Antiochus Aossa A Town which Alexander King of the Jews wan and incompassed it with a triplâ—… wall Aram His country is at this day called Syria he was one of the sons of Shem the son of Noah Arabia A country lying on the East and North-East of the Holy Land and is divided into Feâ—…ix Deserta Petraea or Arabia the Happy the Desert and the Stony Ararat A Mountain of Armenia where Noahs Arke rested Askalon One of the five principal Cities of the Philistines built on the sea shore distant from Jerusalem 720. furlongs Asdotum A very strong City of the Philistines where Giants sometimes dwelt Assur Assyâ—…ia A Country lying near the Holy Land so named from Assur the son of Sem. Astaroth Karnaâ—…m A City in the tribe of Manasse on the other side of Jordan in the very corner of the country of Bashan in the confines of Arabia B BEthshemesh or Bethsemes A city belonging to the Priest lying in the Land of Juda in the lot of Dan afterward assigned to the Levites the people of this City were slain by the hand of God to the number of 50000. for looking into the Ark. Bitter A very strong City not far from Jerusalem which the Romans took by famine C CAppadocia A little country being part of Syria called by the Greeks Leuco-Syria Cedron A Brook which runs on the East side of Jerusalem between the city and mount Olivet Cephar Toco A town in Idumaea which Vespasian the Emperour wan Chaldaea A country lying North-East from Palestina the chief city whereof was Babylon Caesarea A Town lying not far from the sea in the Holy Land called also Turris Stratonis and Flavia Colonia 〈◊〉 very strong and re-builâ—… by Herod to keep thâ—… Jews from rebellion D DAmascus a City iâ—… Syria lying beyonâ—… mount Libanus six dayâ—… journey from Jerusalem watred with two navigable Rivers Abana and Pharphar E ELat A City in Idumaea upon the coast of the red sea Edom or Idumaea The country where the posterity of Esau lived so called from Edom the name of Esau signifying red Euphrates Called by Ezechiel Chebar it divides Babylon in the midst and runs into the Persian gulf G GAlilee A most fruitful part of the Holy land situate betwixt mount Libanus Samaria bounded on the North with Tyre on the South with the Samaritans country and the river Jordan on the west with the territory of Ptolemais and mount Carmel on the East it extends it self beyond the streams of Jordan Gamala A very strong and almost impregnable Town and Castle of Palestina which was built on the top of a hill like a bunch upon a Camels back whence the city took its name Gamala Gamal in Hebrew signifying a Camel Gaza One of the five principal Cities of the Philistines distant from the sea about two miles it was taken from the Canaanites by the tribe of Juda Caleb being their Commander Gerarta A City in the upper Galilee Gilboa The mountains upon which Saul and Jonathan his son were slain by the Philistines Gomorrha Acity of the Canaanites near to Sodom both which were consumed by fire from heaven Goschen A part of Egypt fruitfulin pastures where Jacob and the Patriarchs were placed by Pharaoh King of Egypt H HIerusalem called the Holy City was built on mountains in the midst of Judaea in the Tribe of Benjamin a place câ—…osen by God Himself builâ—… at first by the Jebusites by them called Jebus the king whereof Joshua slew Afterward David coming againâ—…t it the inhabitants were so confident of the impregnableness of it that in scorn they placed the lame and blind upon the walls as accounting them sufficient defenders of so strong a place But David by the help of Almighty God wan the city cast out the Jebusites â—…ebuilt it round fortified it with a Tower and dwelt in it making it the chief City of al the land of Canaan afterward by reason of the building of Solomons Temple in that place it was calleâ—… Hieroâ—…osyma that is Solomons Temple from the Greek name Next for the Idolatry shedding innocent blood in that place and land the Jews were carried captive into Babyâ—…on by Nebuchadnezzar the Temple and City were destroyed by fire by the Chaâ—…daeans but seventy years after that according as the Lord spake by the mouth of Jeremiah the Prophet the people of the Jews were by Cyrus sent out of Captivity into their own land with great gifts besides gold and silver and the vessels that had been taken out of the house of the Lord by Nebuchadnezzar with Zerubbabel 〈◊〉 the re-edifying of thâ—… Temple and furnishing 〈◊〉 it by Artaxerxes aftâ—… ward Nehemiah was 〈◊〉 thorised for the buildiâ—… of the wall of the City This being done and 〈◊〉 nished by Zerubbal and by Nehemiah the City being magnâ—… cently increased wâ—… buildings afterward 〈◊〉 the Machabees and Herod thirty eight
this unto our Lord the anointed of God He was the King and high Priest what though he were a sinner yet his death shall be an expiation for all his iniquities Therefore we will bewail him and mourn for him yea we will carry his coffin our selves on our necks and bury him as it becometh a Kings Majesty and so they did The time that he had raigned was xxvii years after him raigned his wife Alexandra in his stead for the Pharisees after they had finished the seventh day of the morning they committed the Kingdom unto her She had two sons by the King the Elder was called Hircanus the other Aristobulus Hircanus was a just man and a righteous but Aristobulus was a Warriour and a man of courage besides that of a familiar and loving countenance He favoured also the learned men and followed their instruction But Hircanus his elder brother loved the Pharisees On a time therefore when the Queen sate in the throne of her Kingdom she cal'd the antients of the Pharisees before her honored them and commanded to release and set at liberty all such Pharisees as the King her husband and her father in Law had cast in prison and taking the Pharisees by the hands she commanded all Israel to obey their ordinances Then made she Hircanus her son high Priest and Aristobulus Lieutenant of the Wars She sent also to all the Lands that her husband and father in Law had subdued and demanded the noble mens sons for pledges which she kept in Jerusalem So the Lord gave to the Queen quietness from all that were under her subjection She gave also the Pharisees authority over the learned sort putting them in their hands to order at their will Whereupon straight way they found one Dogrus a great man amongst the learned sort whom they slew and much people besides of the Ancients of that Sect so that the Sectaries were in great distress They gathered themselves together therefore and came to Aristobulus the Lieutenant of the wars and with him they came to the Queen saying unto her Thou knowest the enmity that is between us and the Pharisees which hate thy husband and father in law yea and thy children also We were his men of war that went with him in all his affairs aided him now thou hast given us into their hands to be murthered and banished out of the Land What will Hartam King of Arabia do when he heareth this that we shall forsake thee He will come and revenge him of all the battel that thy husband fought against him Yea the Pharisees will take his part and deliver thee and thy children into his hands that there shall not be left unto Hircanus the King and his Son Alexander thy husband any name or remnant at all The Queen gave them no word of answer whereat Aristobulus was angry and letted not to utter it to his mothers face but she would not hear him Wherefore Aristobulus counselled the Sectaries to go their waies and depart out of Jerusalem to choose them Cities in the land of Juda where they might dwell with their honor and not to suffer themselves to be slain under the Pharisees hands Wherefore departing from Jerusalem they dwelt in the Cities of Juda Not long after this it fortuned the Queen fell fore sick that she was like to dye whereof when Aristobulus heard he feared least the Pharisees would make his brother Hircanus King and at length apprehends him wherefore he fled away by night to the Ciâ—…y of the Saducees to be their head and make war upon his brother if he should presume to Raign He came therefore to the Prince of the Saducees called Galustius who was a good man of war And after he had gathered a strong army of the Saducees his mother the Queeen sent unto him that he should return unto her which he would not do but rather went to war with the nations that dwelt about him where he won twenty Cities and got him great renown thereby Now as the Queen his mother waxed sicker and sicker the chief Pharisees came unto her with her Son Hircanus weeping before her and saying how they were afraid of her son Aristobulus who if he should come into Jerusalem and take it he would deliver them up into the hands of the Saducees Unto whom she answered I am as you see at the point of death not able to talk much with you there is here in my house great treasure that my husband and my father gathered and their parents Kings of the posterity of Chasmonany take that to you and make my son Hircanus King over you If Aristobulus will disturb him and make war against him ye may leavy men of war therewith and succour him as you think good And even with this she fainted and dyed and was buried amongst her people after she had raigned nine years over Israel The Pharisees therefore and Priests with all the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Hircanus her son King in her stead Aristobulus hearing tidings of these things assembled his Army and came toward Jerusalem to fight against his brother But Hircanus met him and encountred with him nigh unto Jordan Jericho The Saducees of Aristobulus host were good men of war and too strong for the Pharisees wherefore Hircanus and the Pharisees had the overthrow at Aristobulus and the Saducees hands who with this victory proceeded forth to Jerusalem besiegeâ—… it and brought it to great distress Wherefore the Priests and the Ancient of the people consulted together and came forth to Aristobulus fell prostrate on the earth before him and besought him that he would not scatter abroad the inhabitants of the Lord. He condescended unto their desires upon these conditions that he should enter into Jerusalem with them and be King and his Brother Hircanus should be High Priest whereupon they agreed Then as Aristobulus entred into Jerusalem his brother came out of the Sanctuary to meet him and with embracing he kissed him So Aristobulus was King and Hircanus executed the office of the High Priest The Lord also gave Israel rest and peace for a while But afterward the Lord sent an evill spirit among them which was the cause of translating the Kingdom from the stock of Chasmonany and of the destruction of his posterity for the sin of Hircanus the great and the sin of Alexander his Son in that they shed so much innocent blood and drew Israel from the obedience of the Prophets unto the lies and trifles of the Saducees For thus it chanced The Saducees beat into Aristobulus head that as long as his Brother Hircanus lived he nor his Kingdom could never be established Whereupon Aristobulus devised how to make away Hircanus which thing a certain man called Autipater was aware of a man of most power in all Israel and thereto also a wise expert and learned in all wisdom both in the laws and in the knowledge of the Greek just of his word and prudent in any strange
thy Sisters husband to poyson me When Herod heard this he was exceedingly abashed that Joseph had disclosed his secret and began to mistrust with himself that which Salumith had told him that he had slept with his wife indeed and upon that detected that secret Therefore he departed out of his palace in a great anger and rage whereby Salumith perceived that he detested Marimi and therefore she accused her further suborning false accusers and forgers of lyes to witnesse that Marimi would have poisoned the King whereof she had divers presumptions also by her countenance She added moreover if thou saith she to the King let her escape thus she will speedily destroy thee and bereave thee of thy Kingdom the law giveth a man this counsâ—…l If any man go about to murther thee prevent him and slay him fiâ—…st With this and such like words she so moved the King that he commanded to bring Marimi forth and to be beheaded in the high street of the City And as she was brought forth into the Market place of the City all the women of the City followed her Alexandra her Mother also cursed and railed at her saying Come out thou that hast abhorred thy Husband and conspired against thy Lord Alexandra wept also as though it had been for the wickednesse that her daughter had committed thinking surely to please the King by that means and to blear his eyeâ—… if peradventure he might suffer her to live till she might have opportunity to poison him Marimi thus going to execution held her peace and looked neither to the right hand nor to the left nor yet feared death any thing knowing that she was innocent in deed and thought and therefore God would render her a good reward in the World to come wherefore she bared her Neck without fear and they cut off her head shedding the innocent blood But God made no delay in punishing the same for there fell a sore plague and pestilence in the house of Herod so that his chief servants his Noble women and Concubines died sore thereof yea throughout all Judea raigned vehemently which afflâ—…ctions all Israel knew well enough chanced unto them for the blood of Marimi They câ—…yed therefore unto the Lord saying wilt thou for the offence of one man deal so cruelly with the whole congregation the Lord took pity therefore upon the land and withdrew the plague from the people The King repented him also that he had shed blood without a cause and love so grew in his heart that he was sick and at deaths door Then Alexandra Marimis mother sought means how to poyson him which being uttered unto the King he commanded to apprehend her and to kill her In this manner dealt Herod with all the posterity of the Machabees leaving none alive that were called by the name Herod put to death also Josephat the husband of Salumith The King had two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus by Marimi his wife They were both at Rome when their Mother suffered for their Father the King had sent them thither to learn the Roman tongue When they heard tidings of their Mothers death they wept and mourned for her hating their Father for his cruelty Soon after the King their father recovered of his sickness was established in his Kingdom builded strong Cities and rose to great prosperity In the thirteenth year of his Raign therefell a great dearth in the land wherefore the King took out of his treasure much gold and silver and precious stones wherewith he sent into Egypt and procured plenty of corn and refreshed with bread all that lackt and were in distress of hunger yea he spared not his own proper goods And not only to the Israelits shewed he this liberality but also to all that came unto him out of other strange Nations hearing of his renown Moreover in all his wars he had good fortune Besides this he thought it good to renew the house of the Sanctuary whereupon he deliberated with the Israelits to have their advice for the building of it after the same quantity and measure that Solomon King of Israel had builded it For the Jews returning from captivity in the time of Coresch began to build it after the measure that Coresch prescribed them and not as it was before The King of Israel hearing that the King was purposed to pull down the Temple to the ground and build it afresh they made hâ—…m no answer fearing lest when he had pulled it down he would not be so hasty to build it up again But the King perceiving what they feared in their minds said he would not slack the matter nor rest till he had brought it to pass He said moreover that he would take out of his treasury plenty of gold and silver and give it to graving also precious stones stones of Thasies and Marble To the Carpenters also and Masons he would deliver Timber and Stones Gold and Silver Brass and Iron to make all things necessary to the work Wherefore if he pulled down the House he was able to build it straight waies again So he pulled down the House and repaired it again and finished it in length a hundred cubits al of white Marble so that the whole height of the stone was in all a hundred and twenty cubits For the Foundation was twenty cubits within the ground and a hundred above The breadth of every stone was twelve cubits and the thickness thereof eight cubits every stone was of like bigness The gates of the House he covered with fine gold and precious Stones finely set therein the thresholds were of Silver and the tops also He made also a Vine of gold a marvellous cunning piece of work the arms thereof or bigger branches were glittering gold the lesser branches slips or latest shoots of gold somewhat red and all above was yellow gold whereupon hung clusters of Crystall The Vine was so great that it weighed a thousand pound weight of pure gold In all the world was not the like to be seen He made also a porch and before the porch two walls of Silver marvellously and cunningly wrought Behind the house toward the West he made a court of a hundred fifty cubits long and a hundred in breadth which was paved with pure Marble Toward the south and north the length of the court was also a hundred and fifty cubits and a hundred in bredth He erected in it also a hundred and fifty Pillars of white Marble in 4 rancks The length of one ranck was fourty cubics and every Pillar was fourty cubits high and three cubits thick The pillars were all of like measure as the Court of the North side and of the South was also of like measure with all the pillars thereof Towards the east the court contained seven hundred and twenty cubits even to the brook Cedron no man ever saw the like building in all the world The Vine that he made placed he before the porch In â—…he extream parts of
man at that same time for at the commandment of Eleazar the Priest chief of the seditious he set first foot within the Romans camp Then began the Jewish warriours to be famous after they had once so manfully incountered with the Romans This done Castius and Agrippa sent their Embassadours once again to Jerusalem to Eleazar the son of Anani the Priest chief of the rebells that were in Judea and Jerusalem requiring peace and to come in league with Eleazar lest the people of the Jews should be utterly destroyed by the Romans incursions and invasions on every side But Eleazar refused to hear the Legates and slew one of them because he made too many words in perswading the peace and league Upon this Eleazar assembled the Priests and people together to go out and fight with Castius Castius perceiving how Eleazar and the people were affected and what minds they were of how they had utterly conspired to destroy the Romans that were there and to consume them clean having a sufficient trial also of the force and valiantness of the rebels he determined fully to go to Rome for he perceived he was not able to match with the seditious neither his own power to be compared with theirs Wherefore he would go see what end should come of the wars and what counsel Caesars Majesty would give Taking his journey therefore to the City Japho he found there letters of the Romans for thither was their army come From thence went he with them and his own army to Rome and made report to Caesar of such things as have chanced whereat Nero was much abashed and not only he but all the people of Rome were sore astonied to hear of the great puissance and valiantness of the Jews For which cause the Wars ceased for that year so that the Land of Judea was at great rest and quietnesse that year through Eleazers means the head Râ—…bel especially from the hands of wicked Castius that had sworn to revenge the Romans to extinguish the Jews and that he would destroy all the race of them as none should be left alive Therefore these are they that delivered Israel in the time of the second Temple out of the hands of their enemies what time as wars were moved against the Jews and their Country what time also commotions and tumults began in Israel The first War was made by Antiochus the wicked King of Macedonia who had determined not to leave one man in Israel His mischievousnesse proceeded so far that he slew the people of God the Sages and Wisemen Princes Elders and young men children great and small Israelits Levites also and Priests until all the chief men of Judea cast their heads together and went to Matthathias son of Jochanan the High Priest in the Mount of Modiit where he hid himself for the iniquity of Antiochus and his Rulers crying upon him and saying Deliver at this season the people of the Lord and never think to escape thy self whiles the most wicked enemy rangeth thus and runneth upon thy people and sheddeth thy blood For the blood of all Israel What is it but thy blood and the eyes of every man are fixed on thee hoping that thou should'st assist and aid them in this calamity that they may finde deliverance by thy means Matthathias hearing this wept bitterly and said Fear ye not nor let these Macedonians dismay you the Lord shall fight for you Be ye only quiet So then was Matthathias stirred and delivered Israel out of the hands of Antiochus and after he had overcome him he was high Priest for one year and then died In whose room succeeded Judas his son who executed the office in the Temple six years and was slain in battel Then his brother Jochanan was chief in the Temple eight years and died likewise in battel Afterward his brother Simeon was Ruler eighteen years whom Pâ—…olomy his Wifes father poisoned at a Banquet Then Jochanan his son succeeded his father in the office this is he that was named Hircanus first of that name so called because he vanquished a King of that name He reigned 31. years and died After him reigned Aristobulus one year he was called the great King because he first put the Royall Crown upon his head and turned the dignity of the high Priesthood into a Kingdom unhollowing and staining the holinesse thereof 480. years and 3. moneths after the returning of Israel from Babylon He being dead his brother Alexander reigned 27. years After whose death Alexandra his wife held the kingdom nine years and then died In whose stead succeeded her son Aristobulus and reigned 3. years In his time Pompey a Roman Captain came against Jerusalem wan it and apprehended Aristobulus bound him in irons and carried him captive to Rome in whose place he ordained Hircanus his brother to succeed who reigned forty years During his reign rebelled Antigonus son of Aristobulus Hircanus brother and with the aid of an Army of the Persians incountred with Hircanus took him prisoner and sent him to Babylon cutting off his eares that he should never after be meet either for the Priesthood or for the Kingdom Antigonus reigned three years In his dayes Herod fled and joyned himself with the Romans by whose help he slew Antigonus the third year of his reign and reigned after him 32. years and then died After Herod succeeded Archelaus his son who was taken by the Romans the ninth year of his reign laid in bonds and ended his life at Rome Next to him reigned Antipater his brother who changed his name and called himself Herod he reigned full ten years overcame and wasted Spain because the King of Spain had ravished and taken away his brothers Wife and there died After him followed Agrippa son of Aristobulus that was his brothers son he reigned three and twenty years after whose death his son Agrippa reigned twenty years This is that Agrippa of whom we now speak of and of the calamity that befell in his time upon Israel For all the while he reigned the Wars between the Romans and Israel never ceased until the people of Judea were led captive into the Province of the Romans at that time also the Temple was desolate I mean the desolation of the second Temple which we saw with our eyes builded and destroyed The 20. year of the reign of King Agrippa the 9. day of the 5. moneth that is called Ab viz. July Nero Caesar sent a Present for a burnt-offering to be offered in the Temple at Jerusalem requiring peace of the Elders and Sages of Judea and Jerusalem and that they would receive him into league with them saying My request is that you would offer my present to the Lord your God for his service and religion liketh me very well so that I desire you to joyn in league with me according as you have done with the Emperours of Rome my Predecessors in time past I have heard what Castius the Captain of mine Army hath
that were under the subjection of the Jews cast off the yoke from their necks and rebelled against the Dominion of Jerusalem joyning their power with the Roman Army to aid Vespasian and Titus For these were also subjects unto the Jews that sore had burthened them wherefore they came to help the Romans and to invade Jerusalem and the people of the Jews But the Edomites had not associated themselves unto Vespasian and Titus for they were in subjection to the Jews and served them so that not one of them aided the Romans For long before they had moved war against Jerusalem and could not get the victory but the Jews prevailed against them and subdued them Hircanus also the first King of the Jews circumcised them They dwelt also in Jerusalem kept watch and ward about the house of the Lord and his covenant without all rebellion against the Iews and Ierusolimites And at that present was thirty thousand of the best of the Edomites in Jerusalem which kept the walls and the house of the Lord. After this Vespasian and Titus with all their host took their journey from Acho and came to Galilee and in the mount they pitched their tents Wherefore when tidings was brought to Joseph how the host of the Romans lay upon the mount of Galilee and how Vespasian had sent before him a great power to repair the broken waies to fill the holes and cast down the hills to levell the way that his people might pass the better for he was sore moved against the Jews Joseph issued out of Zippory with all his power set upon them and slew them taking such vengeance of them as never was the like before for his God was with him Vespasian and Titus hearing of this determined to set upon Joseph at unawares and to beset all the waies that he should escape of no side but Joseph had intelligence of their coming wherefore he left Zippory and went to Tiberias whither Vespasian followed Joseph perceiving them coming fled from thence to Iorpata the biggest City in Galilee closed up the gates and there remained with his Army Then sent Vespasian certain Noble men Embassadours to Joseph to debate the matter with him in this wise Vespasian Generall of the Roman Army desireth to know what it should avail thee to be thus pend up within a walled town he wills thee rather to come forth to intreat of peace with him and to enter into a league together for it shall be to thy avail to serve Caesar Emperor of the Romans that thou mayest live and not be destroyed nor any of thy people with thee Then Joseph sent Embassadours again to Vespasian demanding truce for a few daies that he might deliberate upon the matter with the people and let them understand his words Peradventure saith he they will be perswaded to make peace with thee and then will we enter league with the Roman Empire So Vespasian ceased from fighting against Joseph permitting him to consult of the thing Upon that Joseph sent Embassadours to all the people at Jerusalem to the Priests Chief men Rulers and to the rest of the people giving them to understand Vespasians mind Ye shall understand brethren that Vespasian Generall of the Romans sent his Embassadors unto me enquiring What it would avail us to be stiffe against them and not rather to come forth and intreat of peace and to joyn in league together that we may serve the Emperour of the Romans so to save our lives and not to be destroyed And I pray ye why will ye lose your lives your wives your sons and daughters Why will ye all fall together on the sword that both they that should be left alive among you shall be led Captive out of your Countrey to a people that they never knew whose language they understand not and your Country to be made desolate your Sanctuary laid wast that there shall not be so much as one man left to enter into it Never suffer this you that be wise men but rather receive my counsell and come hither to us that we may deliberate together what conditions of peace we shall make for the safety of our lives rather than to be destroyed and that we may use the commodities of your Countrey being at peace therein For life and quietness is to be preferred before death and banishment The inhabitants therefore of Jerusalem both Priests Chief men Rulers and Noble men of Judea with the rest of the people sent unto Ioseph saying Take heed to thy self that thou never consent to this to receive conditions of peace with them but be strong to fight till such time as thou shalt consume them or till thou and all the people dye in battel and so shalt thou fight the battel of the Lord for his people and his Sanctuary with the Cities of our God in the mean season be it as it may but let thy power not be with them When Joseph heard the determination of the people of Ierusalem how all sorts with one consent willed by the Embassadors the continuance of the wars he was wonderfull wroth and in a great fury issued out with all his people and set them in array against Vespasian and the Roman host in which conflict were slain very many of the Jews and from that day forward Vespasian began fiercely to war upon the Iews He departed thence to the City Geerara a great City in the highest Galilee besieged it and won it razed it slew all the people Man Woman and Child Oxen Sheep Camels and Asses leaving nothing alive And then he said Now begin I to be revenged for the Romans which the Iews murthered in the land of Iudea From thence he departed and brought his Army to Iorpata where Joseph remained The first day that he incamped about Iorpata he relieved his souldiers with meat and drink plenty and made them good cheer then furnished he every man with weapons So on the next morning early the Roman Army gave a great shout and beset the City round about on every side In this business Ioseph stood upon a certain Tower from whence he beheld the huge camp of the Romans wherefore he sounded forth a Trumpet and gave a sign to battel issued out with the whole power of the Jews that he had with him and set upon the Romans camp at the foot of the hill continuing the fight from morning till night And when it began to be dark they ceased fighting and departed the one from the other the Jews to the town the Romans to their tents In this battel were many slain on both sides as well Jews as Romans The Romans advancing themselves proudly and stoutly said We will quickly vanquish this little Nation as we have subdued all other Nations that we have conquered that they shall annoy us no more and afterwards we shall be at rest The Jews also on the other side encouraged themselves against the Romans saying At this time we will all dye together for the
in a strange Land Certain evil disposed persons of the Roman souldiers went to Vespasian and said Sir you shall do well to command this man to be slain without mercy that hath been the destruction of so many of the people of the Romans This is the very same that shot the arrow and stuck you in the leg Put him to death and then shall ye be sure he shall never move war more amongst you If ye do not ye shall see him one day again raise an Army against us and destroy us But Joseph did find friendship at Titus Vespasian son's hands which came of the Lord. Therefore when he heard those wicked mens words that desired Vespasian to put Joseph to death he disapproved their advice and partly in mockage he taunted them saying Will you tell my Father what he hath to do will you give him so wicked counsel to kill that man that yieldeth himself to us upon the trust of our league and band of friendship which you now go about to break and frustrate Did not Captain Nicanor in my fathers name and Caesars with all the Roman host make a Covenant with him Take heed what you say Is it reason to break the Caesarean fidelity Moreover who can tell whether it may so happen that some of us be taken by the Jews like as Joseph is prisoner herc with us VVhen Vespasian heard his sons words it pleased him and he spared Joseph not suffering him to be slain but committed him to a certain Captain of his and carried him about with him through the Cities together with King Agrippa After this Vespasian removed his Camp to Thalmida which also is called Acho and from thence he went to Caesarea a great City When they of the City saw Joseph they cryed unto Vespasian Kill him kill him or else he will one day be an occasion to stir great wars against thee But Vespasian gave no ear to them Whiles he was at Caesarea tidings came to him that the Citizens of Papho invaded and spoiled the Isles that were subject under his Dominions with a Navy Vespasian hearing thereof commanded to lay wait for them that they might be met withal So there was an ambush laid witâ—…out the Town and it came to passe that when the Pyrates were gone out a roving Vespasian entred the Town and took it without great resistance because their souldiers were absent When the Rovers therefore returned with their Navy and saw the Romans in the City they laboured to set a land but suddenly a huge tempest and a mighty storm drove all their ships against the rocks that were in the sea shore for there was no haven for ships and there they were lost many of them and those that swam to land the Romans slew they that were drowned in the Sea and slain by the Romans were in number four thousand good men of War besides them that were slain in the Town 40000. all Jews This done Vespasian set forth Valericus and Taribus two Roman Colonels with his son Titus who went besieged and wan the Towns of defence that were in Galilee And thus did Titus use them They that yielded unto him he saved their lives and whosoever withstood him he slew Moreover all the Cities that belonged to Agrippa in Galilee he restored them unto him again only Tiarva excepted which he utterly rased and slew all the Males especially such as were apt to the Wars sold also their wives and children And this was the only City in all Galilee that Titus shewed such a rigour and extremity unto CHAP. VII VEspasian departing thence took his journey to Gamala which is a Citie upon the top of a Mountain the name thereof is called Gamala of an Hebrew word Gamal that signifieth to Requite or to do a good turn because it is the best City that belongeth to Agrippa and the inhabitants thereof were all very rich The City also called Seleucia was not far distant from it a Countrey replenished with good Towns Gardens Brookes and all kinde of fruitfull Trees Agrippa besought Vespasian that he would not destroy this City Let me go first saith he and offer them peace peradventure they will take it that they may save their lives from destruction Vespasian was entreated saying unto him Go and do as thou wilt for thine honour's sake I will do so much for thee So Agrippa went to them and spake friendlily and peaceably unto them and they received him in like manner but they meant deceit saying Thou art our Lord and King to whom therefore doth all that is of any price or to be desired in all Israel belong but unto thee Therefore come near unto us and debate the matter with thy Servants Agrippa crediting these Words came close up to the City and as he listned to them that talked with him one cast a great stone from the Wall which lighted just between his shoulders with such a violence that it struck him prostrate to the ground and brake his back with one of his arms also But his Servants stept to him took him up and carried him to Vespasian who seeing him so sore hurt sware he would never go from thence till he had taken the City and ordered them in like manner as he did at Tiarva to leave not a man therein The Roman Physicians did bestow such diligence about Agrippa that they cured him Vespasian in his rage against the Seleucians because they had wounded their King besieged and assaulted them The Jews within the Town encouraged one another saying Let us stick to it now and play the men for we have no other hope to save our lives seeing we have thus used the King Certain stout men of them therefore issued out and encountring with the Romans made a great slaughter amongst them After that the Romans made ready their Engins planted their battering Rams playing with them against the Walls and by that time night came beat so great a part thereof down to the earth that Vespasian and much people with him might enter at their pleasure But Vespasian gave commandment to his Army that they should not enter that night into the Town but stand and compasse the walls until the morrow that they might the better see how to win it Notwithstanding they would not be ruled by him but entred Then the Jews came upon them drew the chains crosse their streets and closing the wayes of the City intrapped them in such sort that they could go neither one way nor other After that settâ—…ng upon them beat them down even there so that they were all slain save ten men that fled with Vespasian and a Captain named Butius one of the best men of War in all the Roman Army yet him the Jews pursued and slew But Vespasian and his fled to the Mountains that he might be there in safegard and from thence he sent to Titus his son that was in Syria for the Roman Army that he had sent with him to Persia which
avoid his displeasure and danger of death for the contrary but if they refused to do it he would not spare any man whatsoever he were that should transgress his commandment but put him to death and give his body to be eaten of the fowls of the air They answered with one voice We are content with these conditions and will do whatsoever thou shalt command us After this Titus considering how earnestly the Jerusolemites were set one against another how they were become such cruel enemies that each of them conspired others death he caused the pits cisterns and trenches that were about Jerusalem to be damn'd up and stopt with earth that the wayes might be levelled for his Army This done he encampt himself nearer the walls Against which attempt the Jews issued not out of the City after their accustomed manner to put them back from the walls For Schimeon was otherwise busied he had entertained ten thousand men of the best of the Seditious Jews and joyned himself to Jacob the Edomite Captain of nine thousand Edomites with whom he had made a conspiracy utterly to destroy Captain Jehochanan And setting upon him they compelled him to flee into the court of the Temple where he remained in the gate of the entrance of the Temple with eight thousand and four hundred good men of war all well appointed in jacks Eleazar also was against him and joyned with Schimeon becoming an enemy to him that before had saved his life and so they both together assailed Jehochanan neglecting the defence of the Town By this means the Romans encamped themselves about the walls at their pleasure raising Towers and casting Trenches to plant their battering-Rams to beat down the walls The common people of the Jews â—…hat were under the rule and Government of the three Seditious Captains namely Schimeon Eleazar and Jehochanan which although they were ill enough all yet the tyranny of Jehochanan far passed Schimeon and Schimeon was far worse than Eleazar though Eleazar was the head Authour and first beginner of sedition in all Israel were amongst them as sheep ready to be killed For the foresaid seditious Captains â—…lew the people at their pleasure and divided them into bands casting lots upon them Who should have which so that one had anothers men and another man his And this did they not only with their own men but also with all the rest of the people in such wise that when the Romans made any assault then joyned they together as one man to resist the Romans to whom when they had given a repulse then would they return to their civil wars and fall together by the ears among themselves Extreme and dreadful was the civil conflict at that season between the foresaid Captains and so sore that the blood streamed down the channel out of the gates of Jerusalem like as a brook that runneth out of a fountain and welspring The Romans seeing it were moved with much pity so that they wept bitterly But Joseph that was among them was stricken with so great heavinesse that he burst out into a sorrowful lamentation lifting up his woeful voice in this wise Alas alas Jerusalem the city of the great King How shall I now call thee at this day or what name shall I give thee Sometimes thou waâ—… calâ—…ed Jebus of Jebusaeus that builded thee first in all this Land After that thy name was Zedek that is Justice whereupon King Jehoram was called Melchizedek for he was a righteous King and because he reigned in thee with justice therefore was thy name Zedek Then righteousnesse had abiding in thee and thy bright star that shined in thee was Zedek Moreover in his time wast thou called Schalem as the Scripture witnesseth and Melchizedek King of Schalem and that because the equitie of the people that dwelt in thee was then fulfilled For at that time Abraham our father of worthie memorie fell to worship God in thee and to take thee to his inheritance to plant in thee the root of good works Whereupon the Tabernacle of God remaineth in thee to this day as it was revealed unto the same our father Abraham In thee say I is the Sanctuarie of the Lord. For in that place did Abraham bind his onlie son upon the top of one of the hills that is called Mount Moriah holie and hallowed and therefore art thou called Jerusalem because our father Abraham of famous memory called the place of the Sanctuarie Adonajureth The Lord shall see then thy late name being Schalem this joyned to it made it Jiereshalem For the Lord God shall behold the place of thy Sanctuarie at what time it shall be Schalem that is pure uncorrupt without black or spot but whensoever it is polluted or defiled as it is at this day then will he turn away his face from it Furthermore thou art called Jerushalem therefore because that whoso understands the dignitie and worthiness of the place wherein thy Sanctuarie is shall bid the Angels of heaven to teach in it the doctrines of the holy Ghost and the spirit of wisdom and understanding wherewith little children and the unlearned in thy Land may be made wise He also that ministereth in the Temple had â—…n a garment of four colours Scarlet Violet Bâ—…sse and Purple Scarlet in respect of the heavens that be above the firmament Violet and Bysse colours which he made of flax because of the earth of which they came Finally Purple in respect of the sea where Purple is gotten Therefore when as the Priest came into the Temple to minister apparelled in these four colours he said before the Almighty God I am come to present my self here in thy sight O Lord of the world in four kinds of colours that represent the parts of thy world and in such wise do I appear before thee as though I should bring all the whole world into thy sight Moreover the aforesaid apparel was garnished with pure gold and precious stones after the likenesse of the Tribes of the sons of Jacob who was called Israel that in that garment he might have the soveraignty before the Angels that be above and by them prevail to bring the vertue of the holy Ghost by the which they should obtain wisdom that dwell in thee and prosper in their study and faith that they might have wisdom and understanding together His loyns also were girded with linnen flops wherewith he covered his secret parts for it becometh Priests most of all other persons to be shamefac'd and bashful especially when he should minister in the two Sanctuaries the outer and the inner which is the Sanctum Sanctorum or holiest of all In the outer the Priests minister as the High Priest commandeth them but in the inner that is the Sanctum Sanctorum entreth no man save the High Priest only and that but once a year For in it was the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord in which were laid up the two Tables of the Covenant that God made
which shall be to your commodity Then the people gave ear unto Joseph who spake unto them in this wise AN Oration of Josephus to the Citizens of Jerusalem YOu should ere this good people of Jerusalem have fought so earnestly whiles your Cities were yet standing and your Land replenished with people ere ever this mischief had lighted upon you Now that with murthers and slaughters amongst your selves having destroyed one another and polluted the Temple of the Sanctuary with the blood of the murthered and not spared your own lives you are become few in number a small sort of you left What hope have you to prevail Again you have provoked a valiant Nation which is ruler over all people and hath subdued all other Lands which also hath those Nations in subjection under him which sometimes reigned over you besides this you wage battell with the Romans without all discretion and wisdom without any remorse of this famous City without any regard of the Sanctuary of the Lord without any compassion of your own lives Neither yet do ye forsake your purpose for I perceive you continue in this self-will to withstand the Romans still which is nothing else than to spread abroad this calamity further both on the people of God and on his holy Temple Albeit I am not afraid only for this holy Temple and most renowned City lest it should be razed and destroyed but for the Sacrifices and burnt offerings lest they should cease as the daily sacrifice is ceased And why because we have sinned against our Lord God Wherefore is his shaddow departed from us Because that in this same Temple we have kept wars making it an habitation for the wicked a tabernacle of seditious persons yea even the Ministers and Holy men of God have ye murthered and within the walls of the Temple have ye shed innocent blood without measure See now dear brethren and mark what Ordnance what Engins what Instruments of destruction are prepared to beat down the Temple the fire is already kindled to set a fire the Sanctuary and loe even your very enemies are so pitifull of your Temple that they would not have it defaced But you dear brethren and friends why are ye led with no remorse of your selves that your enemies may once remove from you these Engins of war What have you now left to trust unto when as two of your walls are already battered down and one only remaineth You will say peradventure we put not our trust in our walls but in our God Are ye not aware that your God hath long agone given you over and hath turned him to your enemies because they have with greater honour and reverence worshiped his name than we which rebelliously are fallen away from him Wherefore God assisteth not us but our enemies insomuch that except it be in such countries whereas either for extream cold of the one side or exceeding heat on the other no man is able to abide all Lands all Nations are under their Dominion Tell me I pray you what hope have you seeing God hath made them a terrour unto all Nations upon the earth who serveth them Why will not you obey them that you may live and not perish Do ye not consider it is come to their turn to rule over all that God hath committed Dominion unto them and ayded them with his assistance Remember you not how God in times past aided the Egyptians insomuch that they obtained the dominion over all the whole world but afterward departed from them and assisted you to get the Soveraignty over other Nations After that forsook you again and gave the Empire to the Chaldeans Assyrians and Persians which reigned far and wide over many countries Now also hath he given them over and helpeth the Romans these many years so that they bear rule over all If you will object and say To what intent should God give the dominion unto the Romans or other Nations over the world and over his inheritance and people also which is an holy people a peculiar and special Nation of all the earth Should ye not be ashamed to say this With what discretion can you wonder at this knowing that all mankind one or other are the handy-work of God who exalteth whom he list and whom he listeth he thrusteth down Ye say Ye be the children of God and his proper possession and ye aspire to the Soveraignty therefore it cannot be that God should determine any thing upon you by chance fortune or sudden anger and displeasure I grant But wot ye what The shadow or protection of the Lord hath forsaken you becausâ—… of your sins and transgressions against the Teâ—…ple and his holy ministers How can you stay upon his help when as he hath withdrawn his loving countenance from you and your sins have made a divorce between you and him O my dear children and brethren let never this imagination enter into your hearts for it shall nothing avail you Why will you my dear brethren and friends make war upon the Romans when as they are Lords over Nations and pierced the streets of India and all the Isles of the Sea even to the great Ocean-Sea and from thence to all the parts of the East whose dominion extendeth to the extream parts of the earth Yea even to Britain which is environed on every side with seas whose people are huge like Giants of a big stature and of mighty courage most expert archers and valiant souldiers in battel To whom when the Captain of the Romans came they gave him the repulse and would not be subdued but when the Princes of the Romans came they brought them into subjection and seâ—…itude under the Romans But you say my brethren and friends you will rather all dye than serve the Prince of the Gentiles and that death is better for you than life to be driven to see with your eyes the calamities of the sanctuary of the people of God Search the Histories and Chronicles from the time of your Ancestours When was there any time wherein you were free from the yoak of the Gentiles Do you not know that Jacob our father of worthy memory who was alwaies with God took his journey into Egypt to be a stranger in a strange land amongst a proud kind of people left he his children houshold and cattell should perish with hunger There he had with him his twelve sons which he had begotten and dwelt there also with his small family for fear of the grievous famine that was at that time Remember you not when that Judas with his brethren went down into Egypt how Joseph was moved as a stranger to pick a quarrel against his brethren to bring them into bondage bearing yet in his mind what injury they had done unto him Wherefore some of them he cast in prison and hanged them at his pleasure with crafty accusations especially Judas who was the chief amongst them of whom all the Jews took their name who if
was this their exterminaâ—… for their Religion but for their notorious Criâ—…es as 〈◊〉 of wels â—…ounterfeiting of coins falsâ—…fying of 〈◊〉 and crucifying Christian children with other villanies This hapned in the year 1291. And sixteen years after France followed our example It was near upon 200. years after that Ferdinand dis-terred them out of Spain and five years after him Emanuel of Portugal did the like But the Countries whence they were last expeld was Naples and Sicily Anno 1539. In other parts of Christendom they reside yet in great numbers as in Germaâ—…y high and low Bohemia Lituania Poland and Russia In Italy also they are found but in no country which is subject to the King of Spain They live at Rom every quietly under the Pope's nose and St. Mark makes no scruple to entertain them at Venice In sundry places of the Ottoman Empire they are found very numerous so that it is thought Constantinople and Thessalonica only have near upon 20. thousand of them Asia is full of them as Aleppo Tripoli Damascus Rhodes and indeed all places of commerce and traffick There are numbers of them found also in Persia Arabia and about Cranganor in India And to come to Africk they have their Synagogues and Lumbards in Alexandria the Grand Cairo as also in Fesse in Tremisen and divers places in the Kingdom of Morocco There are about one hundred families yet left in Jerusalem But that place where they are most unmingled is Tiberias which the Turk gave to Mendez the Jew for some signal services Thither they oftentimes bring or send the bones of their dead friends who have left large Legacies to be interred from other places Besides those various visible judgments which have fallen upon the Nation of the Jews as the utter subversion of their Temple and City with the slaughter of above eleven hundred thousand souls during Titus siege Besides the degeneration of their Country of that Land which flowed with milk and honey into such a barren condition Besides their stragling confused course of life with the generall contempt and despicableness they fell into Besides the abjection 〈◊〉 their spirits and giddiness of their brains I say besides all these changes upon their minds it seems there is a kind of curse also fallen upon their bodies witness those uncouth looks and odd cast of eye whereby they are distinguished from other people As likewise that rankish kind of sent no better indeed then a stinck which is observed to be inherent and inseparable from most of them above all other Nations And I wish that England may not be troubled with that sent again The occasion of these sad calamities which fell down in such catarracts upon the Jews the discerning Reader shall discover in this ensuing story therefore very worthy of his perusal in regard they may serve for cautions to all people not to provoke the High Majesty of Heaven by such kind of sedition and profaneness they may serve as so many buoys to preserve them from sinking into such gulfs of miseries For if the naturall branches were not spared how can the wild olive think to escape the fire of his displeasure So with my hearty prayers to Heaven for the prosperity and welfare of this glorious City and that she may take fair warning by these Judgments I rest Your Humble and ready Servant JAMES HOWEL From the Prison of the Fleet 5. Feb. 1650. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION of ASIA AND The Holy Land ASia is twofold the Greater and the Less the Less is a part of the Greater and is at this day called Anatolia in respect of the Eastern situation thereof from Byzantium the Greater is now one of the four parts of the Earth by reason of the accession of America unto the former three before a third part and by the account of some according as Varro tels us one of the two parts of the same For whereas they of late accounted Europe Asia and Africa until America or the New world was found out others made Africâ—… a part of Europe so the parts of the earth were Europe one and Asia the other and no more By neither of these two accounts doth Asia get or lose any thing from the vulgar division only when the division is made into two parts Europe is a gainer Those which write of the name and etymology of Asia derive the word from Asia a woman daughter to Oceanus and Thetis wife to Iapetus mother to Prometheus This Genealogy if it be taken according to the letter there is no reason to suspect it fabulous why any man of understanding should doubt it and yet if the meaning of the fable be searched into it seems to carry in it this appearance of truth That Asia was named so from Oceanus the sea and Thetis the water or wife of the sea that in this part only of the world which before the deluge was peepled came the flood and destroyed mankind by water the reason of the etymology lying hid in the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 moisture The bounds of this part of the eartâ—… are the Aegean sea the Propont is and Black sea Paluâ—… Mâ—…eotis Tanais Duina which separate it from Europeâ—… but it is parted from Africk by the Red sea and Isthmusâ—… of Egypt In the first ages of the world this part of theâ—… earth was more renowned then Europe or any part thereof The affairs of Europe were very mean or at least in great obscurity before Xerxes expedition agaiâ—…st Greece which was after the Baby lonian Captivity of the Jews But in Asia was the wonderfull work of our Creation and of all other creatures wroughtâ—… in thiâ—… part our Saviour wrought our Redempâ—…on aâ—… shewed his miracles here was the glorious and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Chaldoeans signified by the Image Head in Daniel and that Monarchy of by the arms and brâ—…t of silver the Macâ—…donian kingdom of brasâ—… was 〈◊〉 in the Greater Asia is â—…uated the land of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so from Canaan the son of Ham the son dwelt there alâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that peopled part of it buâ—… it was 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Promise because God promâ—…sed thaâ—…land uâ—… 〈◊〉 posterity and the Holy Land as the country in 〈◊〉 the holy people dwelt which had the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and Priesthood This 〈◊〉 lies in 32. 〈◊〉 northward from 〈◊〉 equinoctâ—… it is nâ—… 〈◊〉 2â—… miles long nor doth the breadâ—… excâ—…d 50 accouâ—… 〈◊〉 paces to a mile A coâ—…ry so fruiâ—…full that the â—…pture from the mouth of God â—…lls us that it was a Land which flowed with milk and â—…ney and thaâ—…â—…his was the glory of all Lands Before the children of Israel drove out the inhabitants it was governed by 30. Kings and afterward it was divided into 2. Kingdoms in the daies of Rehoboam the son of Solomon David numbering the people of the Land found the account to be thirteen â—…undred thousand men of war excluding the Benjamites the tribe of
head and fled to the hill Then blowing their horns and making a shout together they rushed down upon the Grecians camp But when the Grecians saw that their grand Captain was slain they fled Chasmoname and his sons with all Israel followed the chase overthrew them and made great slaughter This done Mattathias the Priest went to Jerusalem puâ—…ified the Temple restored the worshipping of God and commanded all that were born during the time of Polipus to be circumcised for by the means of his inhibition they were uncircumâ—…sed Thus being established he sate upon the Throne of the Kiugdom and drove the Greeks out of the Land of Israel His kingdom endured one year which was the 212. year from the building of the second House After this he fell sick and like to die charged his sons to keep the observations of the Lord and to walk in his wayes also to play the men against the Grecians for the Religion of the Lord. Then brought he forth Judas a tall man a hardy and placing him in the Sanctuary took a horn of oyl and poured it upon his head whereat the Israelits clapped their hands and gave a great shout saying God save the King God save the King Soon after Judas gathered an Army of Israel and made an expedition against the Remnant of the Greeks that were left in the Holds of Israel and whatsoever he took in hand God gave it good successe Notwithstanding Antiochus sent against him a Puissant Army under the leading of one Captain Pelonius against whom Judas so warred that the Grecians went to wrack for he espied his time when they were destitute of victuals and speedily set upon them beat them down handsmooth and approached to Captain Pelonius slew the valiantest about him yea and him also When Antiochus heard this he was in a great rage wherefore he chose out a most valiant Captain called Lysias and sent him against Jerusalem with 1000. Horsemen and Footmen without number Judas having knowledge thereof commanded a Fast throughout all Israel for three dayes and afterwards took Muster of all his Army and made over them Captains of thousands hundreds fifties and tens These said to their souldiers Whosoever is afraid c. Whereupon many of the people returned home yet there remained 7500. of such courage all that one would not have run away for a hundred Lysias divided his Hoast into three parts committing them unto three Captains Nicanor Bagris and Ptolomy But after the Israelits had once given a great shout the Lord beat down the Greeks so that the Israelits destroyed nine thousand of their enemies and spoiled the whole Hoast and they that remained alive took themselves to flight The next day King Judas kept his Sabbath together with all Israel in the Temple for the battel was upon the sixth day The morrow after the Israelits returned to the spoil of those that were killed and after to pursue other that were not able to resist but they found none for they were fled into Astaroth Karnaum During the time of these Wars Antiochus invaded the Land of Persia for they had moved War against him and done injury wherefore he fought against him but having the overthrow at their hands he returned to Antiochia with great shame where also he found his Armies with another dishonour and foil Wherewith he was in such rage that he gathered together all the valiantest and best Warriours in all Grecia yea all that were able to bear weapons swearing he would bring with him such an Army that all the ground about Jerusalem should not suffice them to stand upon whom he would have with him even for his footmen only And he set forward his Horsemen with horses and wagons laden with all manner of munition for the Wars as Bows Shields Targets Swords and Spears Brestplates and Morions besides a great number of Elephants and such that twelve valiant men might fight upon one Elephant the Elephants being to them as a fortresse But King Judas taking heart to him put his trust in his God and joyned battel with him At length when he with the power of Israel approached to the Elephants they â—…lew them down right so that the Elephants roared the Horses and all the beasts that drew the baggage and furniture were very sore afraid King Antiochus also being mounted upon his Mare and not able to sit her in her flight was thrown down His servants therefore finding him took him up and bare him a while upon their shoulders and being a corpulent and grosse man they were not able to carry him further but cast him down in the way The Lord had plagued him also and his whole Host before with a dry scab or rotten mattier and with other most horrible diseases therefore as he saw all these things he confessed it to be the hand of God Whereupon he made a vow that if he escaped he would circumcise himself with all his souldiers and would convert them to the worshipping of the God of Israel but God heard him not He â—…ed therefore a foot as well as he might and died by the way through his grievous and sore diseases and Opiter his soâ—… reigned in his stead King Judas with all Israel returned with great joy to the house of the Lord offered sacrifice and as they had laid wood upon the Altar and the sacrifice upon that they called unto the Lord lovingly to accept their sacrifice and in the mean space fire came forth of the Altar by its own accord consuming the sacrifice and the wood the like never chanced unto them to this day This miracle was wrought the 25. day of the moneth Elul or August The King made an expedition also into Arabia to war upon the people thereof and made of them a great slaughter brought them into subjection and made them tributaries In his return he set upon a great City of the Greeks wan it and razed it After that he made a road into Greece ten dayes journey where came against him with a mighty Army the chief man in King Opiters Realm next his person but Judas discomfited him and all his people From whence he went to the City Sypolis that was under the Romans where came forth to meet him Godolias with a royal Present informing him that they had ever born the Israelits good will were their neighbours and shewed them pleasures The King examined the matter and found their words true so receiving their Presents departed thence After this Gorgorius a Captain of the Romans moved War with Judas but Judas struck a battel with him and destroyed his whole Army so that none escaped Opiter son of Antiochus hearing what acts Iudas â—…d in all Countries round about he mustred all his people levyed a puissant Army wherewith he came and besieged Bethar Then cryed Iudas and all Israel to their God with fasting and sacrifices The night after Iudas divided his men into certain bands commanding them to give the Grecians a Camisado
the Court he made also walks and galleries of such height that they that walked therein might easily see the waters running in the brook Cedron by the space of a Cubit Between the porch and the house also as though it were a vail or partition the King made a wall of Silver of half an handfull thick In the which was a door of beaten gold and upon the gate a sword of gold of twelve pound weight There were certain Posies graven in the sword as this What stranger soever approached nigh here let him dye for it So the things that Herod made in the Temple were wonderfull neither was there ever heard of in all the world any King that was able to erect such a building When the work was finished the King sent to Saroas his pastures for his Cattel from whence were brought him three hundred young Bullocks and very many sheep according to his Princely estate So then they dedicated and hallowed the house with great joy and gladness There was one certain day in the year when as the King was accustomed to make a great feast to all his Court to all his Nobles and Sages in Israel Against that self same day the King was minded to finish his works which made both him more glad and all his people The same also was commanded to be done in all the Provinces of his Kingdom sending his Letters by his Pursuivants to the Noble men Captains and Presidents of the Provinces that they would observe that day after the same manner every year The people also that were squandred in their enemies countries their head Rulers and Captains came out of every Country far and neer to see the House and the King for they could never believe it till they had seen it and when they had seen it it exceeded far that they had heard of it These things done the Kings two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus which he had by Marimi came home from Rome to Jerusalem in a great heat and fury with a strong company yea their hearts were very heavy also for Alexander the elder had married the King of Capadoci as Daughter and Aristobulus the Daughter of Salumith the King his Fathers Sister These coming to Jerusalem went not to the Court to do their duty to the King their Father neither would they see him whereby the King gathered they went devising some mischief against him Moreover all his men gave him warning to take heed of them and to keep his power or Guard about him He had a Wife of base stock out of the Country before he came to the Kingdom by whom he had a son named Antipater And when he had put Marimi his beloved wife to death he called home his wife which he had disdained before to his Court. Wherefore now seeing the two Sons of Marimi hated him he appointed Antipater his son to be heir apparant and to raise his estimation he gave him all his treasure made him Lord and ruler of all that he had affirming that he should raign after him This Antipater had a subtile wit and his talk was daily to his Father If it like your Majesty wherefore should you give me all these things when as these two Lions shall be ever in my top and ready to destroy me By such surmised means he raised discord and hatred between them and their father albeit the King was loath to hurt his two sons Not long after he took his journey to Rome to Octavian and his son Alexander waited on him hoping that Octavian would be a means for him to turn his fathers hatred from him and put all malice out of his mind When the King was come thither Octavian rejoyced much at his coming saying I have thought long to see thee To whom hast thou left the Land of Juda Herod answered for the homage that I owe unto my Lord the Emperour I am come to appear before him and to declare my chances with this my son his Servant So he told him the whole matter from the beginning to the end Then Octavian Augustus blamed the young man because he hated his Father The young man answered How can I otherwise do How can I forget the most chast womb that bare me which was the holy stock If I forget my mother that was slain guilâ—…less and without crime then let me forget my right hand These and such like words spake the young man not without tears in the presence of Octavian so that his bowels were much moved and the Noble men that were about Octavian could not abstain from weeping but lamented greatly Octavian first reproved Herod for his great transgression and cruelty then laboured he to pacify the young man with comfortable words bidding him to honor his Father and to submit himself unto him When he had done as he was willed for he would not strive against the Emperour's commandment Octavian took the young man by the hand and put it into Herods bosome Then his Father kissed and embraced him so that they both wept after that they took their leave and departed from Octavian who comforted them gave them a gift committing it into Herods hands Herod yet perceived that the hatred of the children of Marimi would not be appeased whereupon when he came home to Jerusalem he called together all the Elders of Israel and said unto them I had determined once to place one of my Sons Captain over the people of the Lord but I might not do it without the consent of Octavian Augustus Now therefore I have appointed my three Sons and have divided my Kingdom equally amongst them Help ye them against their enemies but in no wise shall ye help one of them against another And if ye perceive any breach of friendship between them do what lyeth in you to make it up Whereunto he made them swear presently in Jerusalem and the bond being made each man departed home to his house But for all this the hatred between Antipater and his two brethren was nothing diminished for he feared them because they were of the house of Chasmonany and allied with Kings of great power he suborned therefore false accusers to say unto the King that the young men sons of Marimi were determined to destroy him Likewise he set variance between Salumith and them for she was in greater estimation than he insomuch that the King did nothing without her counsell the same wrought he also between Pheroras the Kings brother and them But to Salumith he said doest thou not consider how the sons of Marimi know that their mother was put to death by thy counsell therefore if they may bring to pass to make the King away they will hew thee to pieces But when the young men heard this they came before the King and swore they never intended to hurt their Father and with weepâ—…ng they so perswaded the King that he believed them and they got his favour again whereat Antipater was not a little displeased
Agrippa and slew them their men and all the multitude that was with him in Jerusalem and Judea The Elders in Judea with the wisest and goodliest Israelites seeing what was done departed from Jerusalem fearing Nero and the cruelty of the Romans therefore they took the Town of Sion and remained there for they would not be taken of the Romans to be of the same confederacy with the other The seditious hearing that took the Temple of the Lord so sedition and civil wars fell between the Seditious and the Ancients For when Eleasar heard that the Elders and the heads of the people were fled to the Mount Sion he and his company set upon them prevailed against them and slew a great many of them Agrippa perceiving the power of the seditious grew apace he sent out of his camp where he lay without the Town two valiant Captains one named Darius the other Philippus with 6000. men to succour those Elders and Sages that were desirous of peace These prevailed against Eleasar and the seditious that took his part made a great slaughter of them skirmishing for the space of seven daies together and at length put them to flight and pursued them to the Temple From that time forth the wars increased more and more between Eleasar and his complices and Agrippa with his hoast and the Sages Elders and Princes that took their part Upon a time when the Captains of Agrippa entred the Temple certain cut-throat murderers raised by the seditious mixt themselves amongst the Kings bands and getting behind their backs wounded them with daggers that they had under their kets so that the Kings souldiers having Launces and great arming swords in their hands such as they use in the wars could not wield them in the press by this means many of them were slain and the seditious got the victory Thus Darius and Philippus with the Roman Army were put to flight and the Elders with the Sages that were desirous of peace departed out of town and fled to King Agrippa Then had Eleasar and the seditious the whole rule of the City and all to their great damage for the fury of the seditious increased to such outragiousness that they set a fire King Agrippa's house that he had in Jerusalem spoiled all his treasure and all that was any thing worth they divided amongst themselves They burnt the books of accounts and bills of debts every one that were in his Palace Beronice's house also the Kings sister they set on fire and they slew all the cunning Artificers that were Masters of the Kings works so their rule and power in the City grew every day more and more grievous then other CHAP. V. IN those daies dwelt the Jews and Aramites together in all the Cities of Syria amongst whom also was war waged for the Caesarians brought the Romans into the Town against the Jews and slew them as many as they could find in the Town The Damascians also conspired together to destroy all the Jews that dwelt amongst them which thing they kept secret from their wives because for the most part they favoured the Jews religion Therefore the Aramites upon a certain night armed for the purpose beset all the waies and entrances into the Town and houses also and slew about ten thousand of the Jews coming upon them unawares when they were in their beds nothing mistrusting any such matter When the Jews of Jerusalem heard how the Aramites had dealt with the Jews in their Countrey suddenly they put themselves in arms and in a fury and rage like as it had been Lions and Bears that had lost their whelps they ran to Damasco burnt their holds put the Damascians to the sword men women and children even the very sucking babes yea their Oxen Sheep Camels and Asses with all other Cattle leaving none alive And thus they dealt with many Cities of the Syrians slaying and killing them not sparing either old or young male or female but destroyed all in most cruel wise even the very Infants and sucklings they haled from their mothers breasts and murthered them insomuch that all the whole land was full of the stink of the dead bodies that were slain for there was no man left to bury the Carkases So the Jews wasted all the Land of the Aramites and had destroyed it had not Castius a Captain of the Romans delivered Syria and the Country of Zapha The people therefore departed wholly from Aram to return into Judea and in the way they came to Scithopolis a City in Syria intending to besiege it for it was yet left untouched and was very strong At that time also the Jews and Aramites dwelt together in it The Jews therefore that were without offered peace to the Jews that dwelt in the Town but they refused it and defied them railing at them and for their friendly offer requited them with approbrius words and with injuries also For those Jews that dwelt in the aforesaid City with the Aramites loved together like brethren and for the most part they were of the Leviticall tribe stout men and hardy The host of the Jews without the City said unto them We come friendly unto you and would aid you The other Jews within answered We will neither your friendship nor ayd The army of the Jews hearing that consented and agreed to raise their siege to go to Jerusalem and there to remain for they had a great booty of Gold and Silver that they had gotten together of the spoiles of Syria After this the Syrians that dwelt in Sithopolis said to one another put case the Jews return again and make war upon us surely if they should so do these Jews that dwell among us would joyn with them and deliver up the City into their hands and then would they be revenged upon us and destroy us as they have done the other Cities of Syria Therefore they agreed to say unto the Jews and inhabitants of the City with them We understand your country men will invade us again and make war upon us wherefore depart ye forth of the City with your wives and children and lodg in the wood nigh unto the City till their army be gone again and then you shall return unto us The Jews were content to fulfil their minds went out of the City and placed themselves in the wood There was amongst them a certain young man named Schimeon a good man of war fierce big-made and very strong withall he in the favour of the Gentiles had slain many Jews and destroyed much of the people of God For during the time that the Jews besieged Scithopolis he issued out continually and skirmished with the host of the Jews many times putting them to flight and never would suffer them to waste the Town or to do any harm to the inhabitants thereof Now as Schimeon with his father Saul an honest old man and the rest of the people of the Jews that dwelt in Scithopolis remained altogether bodily in the Wood
without mistrusting any harm the Romans joyned with the Syrians in great number entred the Wood and slew the Jews all that ever they could find to the number of thirteen thousand Schimeon himself with his father and their families had pitched their tents nigh unto a fair fountain that was in the Wood to whom when their enemies came to slay them and destroy their whole families Schimeon ran upon them with his drawn sword made a great slaughter of them and constrained them to retire But when a great multude environed him and he perceived all the rest of the Jews were slain he with the houshold only remaining neither saw he any way to escape he stept upon a little hill with his naked sword saying Hearken unto me ye Syrians and Romans and ye that dwell in Scithopolis I will speak unto you a few words full of lamentation Now I perceive that justly and not without a cause ye make war against me without any favour or consideration that I delivered you from the hosts of the Jews and never suffered them to do any displeasure to you your wives and children nor to your City as they had done to other Cities of Syria For I am he that for your sakes have warred against my Countrymen tâ—… please you withal yea both their blood and mine have I pledged unto you and have kept inviolated the love of strangers hating my own people of whom for your pleasures I have slain oft both the fathers and the children and now ye render evil for the good I have done unto you But indeed God of his just judgment hath stirred you up to reward me in this sort to murther me that hath so often preserved you Now therefore ye shall bear me witness that I shall sufficiently and sharply enough take vengeance of my own life not without rage and fury most severely because I have slain my fellows and friends I will therefore slay my self to be avenged of my self for my brothers blood that I have shed and so shall I be revenged of their blood and ye shall well perceive me to be of that courage that rather than ye shall slay me and after boast and brag how ye have killed Schimeon I will bereave my self of my life and punish the shedding of my brothers blood no otherwise than the Law punisheth a murtherer and man killer When he had spoken this his eyes were filled with blood and his face with rage and so inflamed with fury laying apart all pity ran and caught hold of his father haled him out of the Wood and slew him Then slew he his mother lest she should intreat him for the children and be sorry for their sakes That done his wife came running of her own accord and held her neck down to the sword lest she should be constrained to see her children dye Yea Schimeons children came and offered themselves to be slain lest they should see the death of their father or remain after him to be delivered to the enemies After this he slew all his whole family that not one of his should come into the hands of their enemies Finally he gathered their bodies together into one place like a valiant stout warrior and then boldly goared himself on his own sword lest any man else should impair his strength or boast that he had killed him All this Schimeon did with a great courage to take punishment of himself because he had bestowed his love rather upon strangers than upon his own people and to declare his force and manhood So he died an abominable and detestable death save only it was an argument of his haughty mind and great courage as it is said before Now when the Jews had thus rebelled against the Romans and slain their souldiers and Captains King Agrippa went to Rome and recounted unto Nero Caesar the Emperor of Rome all that was hapned whereupon Nero sent Captain Cassius that was at that time in Syria and had made war upon the King of Persia and vanquished him and all his power and subdued his dominions to the Romans and with him a puissant Army of the Romans commanding him to go into Judea to offer peace unto the people to comfort them and to bring them again into league with the Romans if it might be Cassius therefore took his journey towards Judea Agrippa met him in the way and informed him what had hapned unto him concerning the Jews how he had offered them peace and they would have none of it how also they had burnt his Palace and sacked it Cassius hearing that was very glad that he had gotten such an occasion to revenge the blood of the Romans and Syrians which the Jews had shed Wherefore he levied a mighty Army and came to Caesarea and wheresoever he did espy the goodliest buildings those caused he to be burnt From thence went he to the City Japho which he besieged both by land and Sea and at length wan it where he slew in the streets 84000 men After that he came to Jades where he first burnt all the Country about it and whomsoever he caught without the Town he slew them But the Citizens of Zippory went out to meet Cassius and besought him for peace whom he spared he came not nigh their Town nor slew any that dwelt in their Countrey The seditious Jews that were in the City of Zippory hearing of Cassius coming fled unto the mountains but in the way they lighted upon part of Cassius Army whereof they slew 200 men and woun ded their Captain Glaphira yet at length the seditious were put to flight and many of them-Glaphira with his horsmen pursued overthrew and destroyed the rest fled to the mountains Then Glaphira Captain of Cassius Army went to Cesarea that was subdued to the Romans there to cure his wounds that the Jews had given him Thence went he to Antipire which as he would have assaulted he perceived it to be furnished with a great power of the Iews and seditious These hearing Cassius also was coming they went purposely to fight with him but perceiving that Cassius power was very great they determined to encounter with him in the plain of Gibeon fifty miles from Ierusalem whereupon the Jews with their companies fained themselves to flye to the intent they might draw the Romans after them And within six daies they came to Gibeon and there rested Cassius pursued after them with all his hoast till he came to Gibeon which he besieged and assaulted also It chansed then upon one of the Sabbaths in the morning watch the Jews armed at all points issued out of the Town to give their enemies a Camisado so after they had given a token of war they marched toward the hoast of Cassius whereof they slew 515 horsmen and footmen twenty seven thousand with the loss of only 22. of their own company In that battell did well appear the valiantness of Mugbas a Captain of the Jews Army One Baudius also played the
Romans on the Persians and Jews giving in commandment to race their walled Cities to beat down whatsoever they found without sparing either man woman or child infants sucking babes or old folkes but to slay all So that Vespasian and Titus set forward with a chosen and pickt Army of the Romans passed the seas and came to Antiochia The Jews having intelligence of this chose out of their Captains three of the principal and most expert Warriours of whom I Joseph Priest that wrote this History was one who by the divine favour am not ignorant in feats of Arms and famous in Acts of Chievalry and Anani the High Priest and Eleazar his son To these three they committed the whole Land of Iudea dividing it to them by lot and gave them a furniture of war One third part therefore which was whole Galilee from the Land of Nephtali and beyond fell to Joseph the Priest son of Gorion to his honour and glory who for his worthinesse they named also Josephon because he was then anointed appointed and consecrated to the Wars The second lot came forth which fell unto Anani the Priest who had the City of Jerusalem and the country about it with a charge to repair the walls of the City to sustain the brunt of Vespasian if he should come so far The third lot fell to Eleazar the son of Anani the Priest to whom was joyned Captain Jehoscua and other Jewish Captainâ—… By the Vertue of this 〈◊〉 fell to him the whole Land of Edom from Elat to the Red Sea The rest of the Land from Jericho to Euphrates with that also that is beyond the river and all the Land of Mesopotamia fell to Captain Menasches lot To other Princes of Iudea and to the worthiest Priest they committed the fenced Cities from the limits and bounds of Jerusalem to Egypt Vespasian taking his journey with his host from Antiochia came and pitched his tents in Aramzofa For he had devised thus with his council First to invade Galilee and after to try what they could do in Iudea Ioseph Gorion having intelligence of this his purpose departed from Ierusalem to Galilee built up the Towns that were destroyed and repaired their walls gates bars and palaces ordained also Captains over the people to lead and govern them some of thousands some of hundreds Tribunes and Decurians He instructed the people also in feats of Wars what the sound of Trumpets signified what sound served to fall in array what to gather the souldiers together and what to divide them After he had instructed them in the knowledge and feats of War he said unto them thus Ye shall understand dear Israelites that ye go to fight at this present against your enemies wherefore let no fear overcome your hearts nor dismay you at the sight of your enemies but play the men and take a good courage to you to fight for your Cities for your Countrie and for your selves Be not afraid of death but rather be stout in defence of your Countrie that ye be not led away from it and to fight for the Sanctuary of the Lord that it be not stained and polluted with the uncleannesse of the Gentiles Consider that it is better to die in battel than to live in captivity and bondage Therefore when as ye shall come to joyn with your enemies and shall see any of them beaten down and attempt to rise again whosoever of you is by and seeth him remember the zeal of your God wherewith it becometh you to revenge his quarrel and being moved therewith strike him that he never rise again but if you shall see any of your fellows down being inclined with the zeal of your God rescue him from the hands of your enemies and if he be not yet killed cure him If he be dead ye shall do what ye can to bury him in the Israelites burial and so if we chuse rather to die than to live we shall prosper in our Wars we shall die for the Covenant of our God and deliver our souls bringing them to the light of life in Heaven After he had said this he chose out of the Iews 60000. footmen and but few horsemen And out of these he chose â—…00 of the best such as not one of them would shrink from ten ten from an hundred a hundred from a thousand a thousand from ten thousand With them Ioseph went to the Cities of Agrippa that were in Iudea to win them for Agrippa stuck to the Romans were it right or wrong with all the power he could make He went first to Tiarva a great City that belonged to Agrippa whereas both his treasure and munition of War lay When he approached the City he spake to the people upon the walls and offered them peace on condition that they should open the gates and deliver unto him all the treasure of Agrippa and all his jeweâ—…s this if they would do he then would spare them and kill none of them Were it it not better for you saith he to take part with them that defend the Sanctuary of God and his Inheritance than to joyn your aid with Agrippa which is confederate with your enemies and assaileth us augmenting the power of them that hate us so that he refuseth not to â—…ght against the Sanctuary of the Lord and the people of his Inheritance The men of the Town condescending to Joseph opened the gates and he entring the Town made peace with them and they delivered him all the kings treasures for they liked Iosephs words and consented to take such part as he took CHAP. VI. AT that time came news to Joseph that troubled him sore namely that Tiberias had rebelled and revolted from the people that dwelt in Jerusalem and were changed from his lot to become Vespasians subjects who had set a Roman Captain over them For reformation whereof he left his Army at Tiarva and took six hundred young men with him to Tiberias coming on it suddenly and at unawares And as he stood on the banks of Genesar he espied the Navy of the Romans that there lay at road to aid Vespasian which Iâ—… charged to be broken in pieces and to be scattered abroad in the sea The men of Tiberias therefore seeing the Ships dispersed in that fashion they conjectured it was done by some of Iosephs host wherefore the Romans fled to the Town got in and shut the gates Ioseph notwithstanding came to one gate of the City and cryed that the people might hear saying What meaneth this conspiracy of yours against me ye fight not against me but rather against the Lord God whose Covenant ye have transgressed and broke the Bond that we made with him Ye have also violated your oath that you sware by the God of Israel that we should fight against our enemies to abate their pride The people answered from the walls We beseech thee our Lord hear thy servants speak God forbid we should joyn with the Romans and not rather with the
own hand Such ye know the law thus punisheth Their right hand is cut off wherewith they forced themselves to die then they are left unburied as men that have destroyed their own souls By what reason then shall we kill our selves I would wish that we might be slain of our enemies rather than we should so shamefully murder ourselves whereby ever after we should be taken for man-slayers If any man kill himself as Saul whom he commended without doubt he committeth a haynous crime and such a one as no satisfaction can be made for Besides that he shall be reckoned faint-hearted and as one that despaireth of his recovery wherefore our fore-fathers have taught us A man ought not to despair of his safegard and deliverance which cometh of God no not when the knife is put to his throat to cut it For King Hezekiah of famous memory when he heard these words of Esaias that worthy Prophet Make thy Will and set thy things in order for thou shalt die and not escape Neverthelesse he fainted not nor ceased not to pray to God for the prolonging of his life in theworld that he might amend his life and send a better soul unto God Then the Lord God of Israel seeing his unwearied and strong hope with his repentance suffered him to live fifteen years longer But as for Saul he was not appointed King over Israel after the Lords mind but only by the people that craved of Samuel Give us a King to rule over us whereupon afterward God departed from Saul for he was not obedient to Gods will but went about by force to establish his kingdom The Lord then seeing the wickednesse of his heart gave him over and chose him another to be King over his people anointing David his servant whiles Saul was yet living which Saul perceiving persecuted David and laboured with all his endeavour to destroy him because he knew God was with him and prospered all that he did whereas contrarily all went backward with himself For these causes I say he chose rather to die than live he also would not live after the people of Israel were overthrown in the Mountains of Gilboa And in mine opinion he slew himself for nothing but because he was a faint-hearted coward and utterly despaired of his safegard For although he said Lest these uncircumcised come and run me through Yet if he had been of aâ—…valiant courage he would have stood to his defence to the death Peradventure God would have delivered him But he contrarily all in despair procured both himself and his son a shameful death But ye shall consider this he was an unmerciful King and therefore did God rid him out of the World For as he did not spare his own life nor his son's so did he not spare others And whereas ye alledge Aaron unto me I would know of you why he put himself between the living and the dead Was it not because he would turn away the plague from Israel If he had known that he himself should have been stricken therewith doubtlesse he would not have striven against the striker but trusting in the holinesse of his righteousnesse he stood before the Angel to deliver Israel from that misery Therefore I am not to be compared with Aaron albeit I am one of his children and never yet in all my life did I shrink to venture my life in the Wars of the Lord And now I am not determined to kill my self lest I should sin against God and spoil my soul of hope of salvation I know it well and it were more expedient for me to be slain of mine enemies then that I should kill my self And if ye say the word Let us go forth and suddenly set upon our enemies to kill or to be killed in this battel of the Lord and so shall we do well peradventure God will give them into our hands For God is able to save as well by a small Army as by a great Then if ye see me to be afraid of mine enemies sword ye shall thereby know me to be a coward and one that fawneth upon his enemies and hunteth for their favour But ye shall see me go before you as a valiant man nor once to turn my face from death What did ye ever see in me that you should judge me fearful Did ye ever know me refuse to fight within the Town of Jorpata I have ever kept my quarter and ward and every day have I fought with mine enemies whom I have not spared but impaired and that not a little whiles I defended that little City forty eight daves against them For I thought with my self peradventure I may drive away the enemies of the Lord out of our Land and divert them from Jerusalem that they go not thither And so have I fought with them till all my valiant souldiers be spent and none left but you I could no longer withstand their force yet I would not yeild my self as a prisoner unto them therefore I fled hither with you into this Cave Now therefore Brethren ye shall understand that death is commodious and good indeed which comes in time But it is neither good nor godly for a man to kill himself and his brother to go afterward for that deed into hell and perdition And what other thing can more clearly set forth a mans proud and haughty mind with his hope in God than for a man to suffer patiently whatsoever chanceth unto him until his end come Behold the Lions and other Beasts how they are wont to withstand their enemies that lie in wait for them to the intent they may save their lives whose armour is in their teeth and claws wherewith neverthelesse they hurt not themselves but use them against other that assault them till they either overcâ—…me or be overcome We although we have no warlike Weapons yet have Nature armed us as well as them For albeit we be not of such strength as they yet hath we such armour that we may defend our selves therewith both from man and beast But how can we break the band of love one to another that proceedeth from God who hath chosen us his people and inheritance to sanctifie him How then may we be enemies one against another and kill one another If that be true as ye cannot deny it that although we be many thousands yet we are counted as one soul and members of one body Then how can any man ever find in his heart to strike his own eyes or feet or any other of his members to destroy it except he be mad and besides himself Moreover dear Brethren and Friends consider to what end the Master of a ship doth abide the tempest of the Seas and striveth day and night with the floods thereof Doth he not do it to save the Ship and his life from death If so it be he shâ—…uld willingly for the same purpose put himself in jeopardy of Tempest or run on Rocks Would not the Merchant-men
Titus led into Jury Shortly after Vespasian gathered souldiers and repairing his Army joyned with Agrippa's company and returning to Seleucia wan it and slew every man leaving none alive and afterward going again to the Cities of Galilee took them serving them in like sort After that he came to the City called Nascela which was a walled Town and of all the Towns of defence throughout all Galilee none left but it This he besieged because thither resorted many cut-throats and wicked persons without the fear of God such as were robbers and rovers of the Land of Judea Amongst whom was a certain man named Jehochanan learned wise and prudent especially to do mischief a witty Counsellour and of such eloquence that he could perswade cunningly and disswade men from that they had purposed Besides this he was a murtherer ready to shed blood and to do any mischief a great robber and one that ever gaped for other mens goods by which means he was become very rich wherefore there resorted unto him all vain persons man-slayers rebells and ruffians like himself giving them large rewards that they might be of his fraternity his brethren and adherents and he to be their head Titus was sent to this City by his Father to offer them conditions of peace whither when he was come he sent his Embaâ—…adours to the Citizens to treate of peace with them whereunto the Citizens accorded were ready to enâ—…er into league with Titus When as this wicked Jehochanan perceived that the ancient men of the Town and the heads would accepâ—… of peace he commanded his companions to guard the wals to hinder them from speaking with the Romans saying that they themselves would return them an Answer So therefore seditious Jehochanan made answer to the Embassadors of Titus saying To morrow have we a solemn feast to the Lord God tell thy master Titus therefore that he grant us truce for 2 dais and the third day we wil give him answer wherwith Titus was content and deferred the assault for two dayes These things were done on Whit-sun-even which was called the Feast of weeks and harvest The night afore the third day appointed was come Jehochanan and his complices gat out of the Town and fled toward Jerusalem ere Titus knew thereof On the morrow he sent his Embassadors to demand their answer what they would do They answered we desire to enter into a league with you for we are yours and submit our selves to your pleasure upon the condition that none of the Romans hurt us either in our bodies or goods Titus upon this made peace with them confirming it by Writing sealed for the better assurance thereof So they opened the gates and Titus came into the Town with his whole Army and the Jews received him with great joy honouring him very much Then Titus enquired for Jehochanan and his confederates The Citizens declared unto him how he fled by night with all his unto Jerusalem Titus hearing that sent after to pursue him yet they found him not he had made such speed Notwithstanding many of the people that went out of the Town with him that they might escape the danger both men women and children old and impotent persons they overtook slew them every one and returned with a great spoil After this Titus won all the Cities in Galilee and set Rulers in them Then Vespasian dislodged from hence and came to the Mount Tabor which hath snow on it continually the height thereof is thirty furlongs and upon the top is a plain twenty three furlongs long Thither sent Vespasian one of his Captains called Palgorus which took the Mountain and the Town that stood thereon But here I will leave off the History of the other battels that were fought in other places in the Land of Israel and Galilee and speak no more of them in this Book for they be almost innumerable and we have made mention of them in the History of the Romans THE SECOND BOOK Containing The History of the siege of Jerusalem NOw will we describe the Batells of Jerusalem and how the City was besieged by the Romans wherein we will declare all things truly as our manner is and faithfully according to the verity of that that was done It came to passe therefore as Jehochanan the Galilean was fled to Jerusalem he found there men meet for his purpose injurious persons wicked men murderers deceivers blood-shedders an infinite number For out of all Countries within the Land of Judea there repaired thither all men of War to defend the Sanctuary of our God and Anani the high Priest received all that came These seeing Jehochanan anâ—… his valiantnesse revolted from Anani the high Priest and clave to him consulting with him concerning all their affairs So he conspired with these cut-throats to lay hands upon the riâ—… men of the City and to spoil them of their goods and this was their manner When they espyed any notable rich man of the City they would after this sort quarrel with him Art not thou he that hast sent letters to the Romans and to Vespasian to betray the City unto them Thus would they examine him before the people and when he would answer God forbid I shoulâ—… do so then would they bring in godless persons limbs of tâ—…e devil of their own company to bear false witness against him that he might be condemned to death by the law for a rebell Thus dealt they with Antipas and Lohia both Noble men and of the chief of the City and their goods with all their jewels the seditious seized for themselves They pick'd quarrels also with the â—…igh 〈◊〉 thrust them from their chairs that they could not execute their service Moreover they cast lots who should have the Priests office and who should be no Priest For they held the Priesthood and service of God for toyes gaudes and trifles So the lot fell upon one that was called Pani the son of Peniel a carterly husbandman ignorant of what belonged to the Priests office so that he was utterly unworthy of the Priesthood so light a matter made they of the Priesthood The good and the godly men of Jerusalem seeing the power of these ruffians and wicked persons bear such swinge they stuck together and determined to withstand them by force The people therefore earnestly moved with anâ—…ger set upon them and encouutred with them in such sort that the fight was great on both sides in the Streets in the Market-place in the Temple and in the entrance of the Temple till all the City was filled full of dead bodies and slain men For there was not so much as one street but there was some skirmishes in it The people at length got the upper-hand of the ruffians for they were eagerly set earnestly bent against them The seditious therefore seeing themselves not able to make their party good with the people fled every man into the Temple of the Lord shut it after them and there remained But
have been in such estate now be cast out of my dignity and be constrained to wander here and there as a banished man He went therefore through all the Cities of Iudea and Galilee causing to be proclaimed in the streets and market places and sent his letters where he could not come himself in this manner and form Whosoever listeth to be rid from the bondage of his master or hath had any injury in his Country or what servant soever desireth to be set at liberty or who so cannot abide the rule of his Father or Master all that be in debt and stand in fear of their Creditors or fear the Iews for shedding any innocent blood and therefore lurketh solitarily in woods or mountains if there be any man that is accused of any notorious crime and in any danger therefore To be short whosoever is disposed to rob and to do injury and wrong to haunt whores to steal to murther to eat and drink at other mens cost without labour of his hands let him resort to me I will deliver him from the yoak and danger of the laws and will find him his fill of booties and spoils There assembled unto him about twenty thousand men all Murtherers Theeves Rebels Lawless persons wicked and Seditious men Then began Schimeon also to vex the Israelites to turn all upside down wheresoever he came When the Citizens of Jerusalem the Priests Elders and Anani heard tidings of Schimeons despightfull wickedness how he held on stil oppressing the people of God they were very pensive saying Now will this fellow more trouble us than Jehochanan be he never so cruel They consulted therefore and agreed secretly to send a power against him that might suddenly fall upon him and overthrow him Peradventure say they they may slay him or take him alive before this wickedness grow to further inconvenience and joyn himself with our foes then shall they assail us both within the Town and without They sent out therefore against him a great Army of Israelits and Jews with Chariots and Horse-men and foot-men in great number which came where the Camp lay and found him in the corn fields destroying of the grain pulling down of barns and burning all both â—…orn and Olive trees Then the Jerusolemites divided their Army set upon Schimeons tents suddenly smote them down and made a great slaughter upon the Seditious But shortly after Schimeon gat the upper hand of the People of God for he came upon them in the night season and made a sore slaughter amongst them Then they that remained took themselves to flight towards Jerusalem and Schimeon pursued them killing them unto the hard gates of Jerusalem so that many of them were slain in the way and very few escaped After this Schimeon went and moved war upon the Edomites to subdue them unto himself which before were under the Dominion of the Jerusolemites And first he came to the City Asa otherwise called Gaza for it was the first City within the borders of Edom as men came from Jerusalem But the Edomites met him in the field in great number and joyned battel neither part had the Victory therefore at length they retired both Then was Schimeon in so great a rage when as he could not overcome these Edomites that he wisht him out of his life So he ceased fighting a while and encamped himself in the borders of the Land of Edom right against it and there abode thinking to set upon them at another time And as he was devising how to order all things there came unto him an Edomite called Jacob one of the chiefest men among them and a Warriour He hearing of Schimeon's Proclamation was moved to come and enter a League with him and thereupon saâ—…d unto him Never let it discomfort thee that thou couldest not overcome the Edomites at the first battel If thou wilt be ruled by my counsel thou shalt win all the Cities in the whole land and I will deliver them into thy hands Schimeon desired to know how therefore said he Let us hear thy counsel and shew us how it may be brought about and when it is come to passe then will we honour thee and regard thee accordingly Jacob said Give me one half of thine Army which I will lead with me into an ambush then shalt thou in the morning betimes set thy men in aray against the Edomites for a stale and when thou shalt perceive them to come against thee then make as though thou fleddest until thou hast staled them out of the Town into the fields to pursue thee Then will I with my men come out of our ambush and make speed to the gates where we shall kill the Warders and suddenly enter the Town and killing all that we find there set up a flag upon the Tower of the Town Then when the Edomites shall see that their hearts will be dead for sorrow and so mayest thou turn again upon them and beat them down at thy pleasure Or if thou like not this device hear yet another way I have been a Captain against them a long while therefore I will return in the night season into the Town if the Watch examine me from whence I come I will tell them I come from Schimeons Camp whither I went as a Spy Then will I go to the Elders of the Town and desire them to let me have a company of the best fouldiers and I will bring Schimeon into their hands if he set upon us again For I have viewed the Camp and his power and understand that he intends to morrow to fall on us which thou shalt do indeed And when thou seest me to issue out against thee thou shalt set thy Spear in the Rest and come towards me then will I take me to flight and cast a fear in the Edomites hearts that they shall flee also which done thou mayest pursue and slay them at thy pleasure overcome them and enter the Town then that Town great Asa once taken thou shalt quickly win all the rest When Schimeon heard this he went and deliberated with his own Councel and they liked the last advice best wherefore that they concluded upon So Jacob the Edomite returned by night to Asa and declared to the Ancients of the Town how he had been in Schimeons Camp and had viewed his Army whereby he had perceived good hope that he should deliver Schimeon into their hands shortly The Elders therefore made him grand Captain and chief of all their men of War charging every man in this wise Forasmuch as none of you are so expert in the knowledge of warfare as is Jacob therefore it behoveth you to follow him in all things If he set forward set ye forward whereas he pitcheth his tent pitch ye also if he stay stay ye if he fleeth fleeye To be short when he returneth then return ye and go not one hair breadth from that that he shall command you neither one way nor other Upon the next
of brute beasts which according to nature bear rule one over another Notwithstanding in mankind it should never have come to passe that the bigger should so have dominion over the lesse unlesse for their sins for the the which they are so punished that one is compelled to bow his neck under anothers yoke Now therefore my dear people take humility and meeknesse unto you never covet to alter the law of Nature but rather receive my words and follow my counsell Obey the Romans prepared and ready to make league with you according to their bountifulnesse that ye may live and do full well CHAP. II. WHen Joseph had spoken these things in the hearing of the Citizens of Jerusalem they burst out and wept gnashing with their teeth and railed at Joseph over the walls hurling stones and darts at him to have killed him Therefore when Joseph saw they would not follow his counsel butwere so stiffe-necked he began to rebuke them crying unto them in this wise Wo to all froward people and such as rebell against the Lord God! What mean ye you wretches what have ye to leane unto that ye are so stubborn when neverthelesse the Lord is gone from you For you are wicked people and have sinned against him How can your sins be purged which you have committed in the Temple of the Lord by shedding of innocent blood without all mercy Ye are most guilty for ye have fought in the Temple and Sanctuary of the Lord ye have defiled it with dead bodies of them which ye have slain in the very midst thereof Besides ye have prophaned and unhallowed the Name of the Lord with making of Wars upon the Sabbath day upon your solemn and festival daâ—…es Tell me now ye froward rebels whether did ever your forefathers prevail against their enemies with spear and shield but rather with prayer pennance and purenesse of heart wherewith they served God and again he delivered them But you what have you to trust unto when as ye are unfaithful Your shelter and protection is departed from you and your Lord God aideth your enemies whose power he maintaineth to destroy you if you imaâ—…ine to be delivered with your swords and speares you are fouly deceived whereas God would not that ye should escape the hands of your enemies Open your eyes and see what David the annointed of the Lord said For the Lord will save neither by sword nor spear Call to your remembrance ye very fools Abraham your father which begot you by what means he overcame Pharaoh the King of Egypt who violently had taken away Sarah his wife from him surely none other way did he obtain the victory then by prayer to the Lord who stirred the spirit of Pharaoh and put him in mind to restore his wife Sarah clean and undefiled Abraham was quiet in his bed and at rest from all troubles but Pharaoh that great Lord and Ruler was punished in the mean season with great plagues because of Sarah whom he had taken to him by violence to deflower her which God would not suffer but rather uncovered Pharaohs flesh that he was fain to shew the secret parts of his body to Physitians to see if they could heal them But who can cure the infirmities which God sends or who knows his intents For who knew that Hezekiahs biles could be healed with a plaister of figs or Naman the Syrian's leprosie with the wâ—…ter of Jordan or the bitter water with wormwood Wherefore when as no man could cure Pharaoh he was fain to speak Abraham fair and to intreat him to pray to God to take away from him his plague and so by his prayer Pharaoh recovered Then Pharaoh apparelled Sarah in precious garments gave her gifts of Gold and Silver and precious Stones and sent her home honest pure and holy to Abraham living then at his own house â—…saac when he was driven out by Abimelech King of the Philistins and had with him the bond servants of his fathers houshold to the number of 800. and 18. with whom Abraham had discomfited five Kings beside many other more of his family so that he had been strong enough to have invadâ—… the Philistines yet he would not do it but with all meeknesse and humilâ—…ty he used himself towards the King of that Country Notwithstanding after he was driven out of the Land the Philistines came unto him and entreated him saying We perceive the Lord God is with thee c. as it is written in the Scripture What shall we say of Jacob when he fâ—…ed from the presence of his brother Esau he carried nothing with him but a bare staffe wherewith he passed ovâ—…r the River Jordan as it is wâ—…itten With my staffe passed I this Jordan His Ammunition that he took with him for his journey was prayâ—…r wherewith he made all his wars That was it for the which God assisted him when he went away to Laban and when he returned from him when also he was delivered out of the hands of his brother Esau who sought to kill him And this also he did bâ—… the way as he returned when he wrestled with a certain man that overcame him O Lord Who is able to number the mercies of the Lord and the marvels which he wrought with our fathers of worthy memory Abraham Isaac and Jacâ—…b What should I speak of Moses our shepherd the man of God that feared the cruelty of Pharoah until he writ in the Law that he had called the name of his son Eleazar for he said the God of his father helped him and delivered him out of the hands of Pharaoh And when he came before Pharaoh to deliver Israel out of his hands and to lead them out of Egypt With what things else overcame he the Tyrant withal then with prayer Did he not overthrow the pride of Pharaoh and his Charmers only with the Rod of the Lord which he had with him Wherewith also he smote Egypt with ten plagues aâ—…d divided the Sea into twelve parts And at the red Sea Moses resisted not Pharaoh and his host with force of Arms but with pâ—…ayer wherefore Pharaoh and all his were drowned in the bottom of the Sea But Moses sung a song of praise unto our God while the souldiers of the Egyptians perished that came against Moses and the people of Israel with weapons horses and chariots Notwithstandiug by Moses prayer they weâ—…e overwhelmed all in the Sea so that not one of them escaped Who is ignoraut of this that prayer is of more force than all instruments of war that it speedeth and hasteneth the help of the Lord and his saving health Do you not know when Joshua the minister of Moses passed over Jordan that he was a warlike man and had with him very many most valiant souldiers neverthelesse he destroyed not the seven walls of Jericho by force of War but only with prayer and with shouts and noise of the Priests of the Lord our forefathers Know ye not that
Priest Mâ—…reover Titus was minded to have put Rabby Gamaliel father of Râ—…hbag to death but Rabby Jochâ—… son of 〈◊〉 made suice for him and obtained pardon for his life This Râ—…bby Jochanan was he that came forth of Jerusalem in the beginning when Vâ—…spasian father of Titus came first against Jerusalem whom Vespasian honoured greatly insomuch that when he returned to Rome he commended this Râ—…bby Jochanan to his son Titus commanding him to honour him for he perceived he was a wise man Titus râ—…igned two years after he had taken Jerusalem anâ—… died He was a very eloquent 〈◊〉 expert in the Laâ—…ne and Greek Tongue and writ divers Works in both Tongues He loved most intirely justice and equity for he wasted the City of Jerusalem against his will and being compelled thereunto â—…ea all the mischief that came upon it hapned through the malice and naugâ—…ness of the Seditious as we have touched before THE Ten Captivities OF THE JEWES THe Israelites were Ten times led into Captivity Four times by the hands of Sanherib and Four times by Nabuchadnezzar Once by Vespasian and Once by superstitious Adrian First invaded them Sanherib and transporthe Rubenites the Gadites and the half tribe of Manosseh He took away also the golden Calf which Jeroboam the son of Nebat had made He led them into Helah Habor to the River of Gozan and to the â—…ities of the Medes This Captivity was in the time of Pekah the son of Remaliah The second Captivity Hosea the son of Ela remained and slue Pekah the son of Remalâ—…h After he became the servant and subject of Sanherib seven years Then came Sanherib the second time and carried away the tribes of Asar Isachar Zebulon and Nephtali of whom he let go free only one of every eight He took away also another â—…alf that was in Bethel After the death of Ahaz raigned Zedekia his son in his stead four years The fourth year of whose raign Sanherib came and intrenched about Samarâ—…a besieging it three years and at length took it in the sixt year of the raign of Hizkiahu So led he away the Israelites that were in Samaria the tribe of Ephraim and Mannasse This is the third Captivity When Nebuchadnezzar had raigned eight years he made wars against Jerusalem bringing with him the Chutean Hereticks out of Babylon Ethiopia Hemates Avim and Sepharvavim and as he warred upon Judea he took in that Country a hundred and fifty Cities in the which there were two tribes Juda and Simeon whom he took with him and caused them forthwith to be led into Halah and Habar untill the King of the Ethiopians rebelled against him whose kingdom was on the hinder parts of Egypt Then taking Juda and Simeon with him he made war with the King of Ethiopia So the holy and blessed God placed them in the dark mountains Here was four Captivities whereby ten tribes went into exile by Sanherib There remained yet of Juda one hundred and ten thousand and of Benjamin one hundred and thirty thousand in the City of Jerusalem over whom raigned Hizkiahu Moreover Sanherib came out of Ethiopia against Jerusalem again leading with him one hundred and ten thousand but the holy Lord overthrew him there as it is written And the Angel of the Lord issuing forth smote in the house of Asar 175 thousand men His people therefore was slain and no man left but Sanherib and his two sons and Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuzaraden this slaughter was in the fourteenth year of Hizkâ—… From which overthrow untill the time that Nebuchadnezzar invaded the Jews in the raign of Jehojakim were a hundred and seven years The fourth year of Jehojakim came Nebuchadnezzar the first time and carried away three thousand and twenty and three of the tribes of Juda and Benjamin and of other tribes seven thousand all the able men and all their power binding them with chains This is the fift captivity Seven years after this Captivity came Nebuchadnezzar another time unto Dophna a City of Antioch from whence he led four thousand and six hundred of the tribe of Juda and of Benjamin fifty thousand of the other tribes seven thousand This transmigration made he in Babylon which is the sixt Captivity Furthermore betwixt the sixt bondage and the seventh were nine years of the raign of Zidkiahu When Nebuchadnezzar had raigned nineteen years he came the third time unto Jerusalem and overcoming Zidkiahu he burnt the Temple and took away the Pillars the brazen Sea and the furnitures that Solomon made and all the vessels of the house of the Lord and the â—…reasures of the house of the King which was in Jerusalem all the vessels he sent to Babylon He slew also of the Israelites nine hundred and one thousand besides them that were slain to revenge the blood of Zacharias The Levites stood singing a song whiles â—…laughter was made of them but they were not able to finish it before the enemies entred the Temple and found them standing in their place with harps in their hands Therefore he carried away in this Captivity the Levites which were of the seed of Moses six hundred thousand whom when the Gentiles had brought unto the Rivers of Babylon they demanded of the Jews Sing us a song of Sion And by and by they gnawed off the tops of their fingers with their teeth saying How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange Land And the blessed Lord seeing that they would not sing a song he enlarged them and placed them on the further side of Sambatia Moreover he translated and carried away eight hundred and thirty two thousand which were all of the tribe of Juda and Benjamin whereof he left in Jerusalem six thousand setting over them for their Ruler Gedalia the son of Ahikam who was slain after by Ishmael the son of Natania whereupon the Isrâ—…elites being afraid fled from their Country into Egypt This is the seventh transmigration and 〈◊〉 The 27. year of the raign of Nebuchadnezzar he â—…ook Egypt and Tyre drowned the Jews that were therein and the Nations which descended of Amon and Moab and of the Land bordering upon Israel and led Jeremy and Baruch with them into Egypt This is the eighth Captivity Then the Israelites that remained alive in Egypt departed unto Alexandria and remained in it untill they grew and increased unto many thousands and who so saw not their glory saw no glory in his time For there was in it the Sanctuary the Altar the offerings incenses the ordinance of bread of faces the houses of studies and schools without number men of great substance riches and power But wicked Troganus made war upon them and slew very many of them After came Alexander against them who slew also many of them These are the eight Captivities or bondages which befell in the first House and time of the first Temple After the desolation of the first House seventy years Cyrus the son of Esther sent unto Nehemiah Zerubbabel
Adrian the Emperour re-buâ—…lt the City of Jerusalem changing the situation somewhat â—…westward and the name thereof to Aeliâ—… To despight the Christians he built a Temple over our Saviours grave with the Images of Jupiter and Venus another at Bethlehem to Adonis her Minion Anâ—… to enrage the Jews did engrave Swine over the Gates of the City Who storming at the proâ—…ation of their Land brake â—…o open Rebellion but were subdued by Julius Severus the Emperour's Lievtenant an experienced Captain and many thousands slain with Bencochab their counterfeit Messias for so he termed himself that is the son of a Star usurping that Prophesie Out of Jacob shall a Star arise thougâ—… he proved but a fading Comet whose Blazing portended the ruine of that Nation The Captives by order from Adrian were transported into Spain the Country laid waste which parted with her people and fruitfulnesse both together Indeed Pilgrimes to this day here and there light on parcells of rich ground in Palestine which God may seem to have left that men may taste the former sweetnesse of the Land before it was soured for the peoples sins and that they may guesse the goodness of the cloth by the â—…inenesse of the shreds But it is barren for the generality The streams of Milk and Honey wherewith once it flowed are now drained dry and the whole face of the Land looketh sad not so much for want of dressing as because God hath frowned on it Yet great was the over-sight of Adrian thus totally to unpeople a Province and to bequeâ—…th it to Foxes and Leopards Though his memory was excellent yet here he forgot the old 〈◊〉 â—…le who to prevent desolations where they â—…ooted out the Natives planted iâ—… Colonies of their own people And surely the Country recovered not a competency of Inhabitants for some hundred years aâ—…ter For though many Pilgrims came thither in after-ages yet they came rather to visiâ—… than to dwell And such as remained there moâ—… embracing single liveâ—… were no breeders for posterity If any say that Adrian did wilfully neglect this Land and prostitute it to ruine for the rebellion of the people yet all account it small policy in him in punishing the Jews to hurt his own Empire and by his vastation to leave fair and clear footing for forrein enemies to fasten on this Country and from thence to invade the neighbouring Dominions as after the Persians and Saracens easily over ran and dispeopled Palestine And no wonder if a thick Medow were quickly mown But to return to the Jews Such stragglers of them not considerable in number asescaped this banishment into Spain for few hands reap so clean as to leave no gleanings were forbidden to enter into Jerusalem or so much as to behold it from any rise or advantage of ground Yet they obtained of the after-Emperours once a year namely on the tenth of August whereon their City was taken to go in and bewail the destruction of their Temple and people bargaining with the Souldiers who waited on them to give so much for so long abiding there and if they exceeded the time they conditioned for they must stretch their purses to a higher rate So what St. Hierom noteth they who bought Christs blood were then glad to buy their own tears Thus the main Body of the Jews was brought into Spain and yet they stretched their out-limbs into every Country So that it was as hard to find a populous City without a common sink as without a company of Jews They grew fat on the barest pasture by Usury and Brokage though often squeezed by those Christians amongst whom they lived counting them Dogs and therefore easily finding a stick to beat them And alwaies in any tumâ—…lt when any fence of order was broken the Jews â—…ay next harmes as at the 〈◊〉 of Richard the first when the Eâ—… â—…de great Feasts but the pillaged Jews paid the shot At last for their many villanies as falâ—…fying of â—…oin poisoning of Springs crucifying of Christian children they were slain in some places and finally banished out of others Out of England Anno 1291. by Edward the First France 1307. by Philip the Fair Spain 1492. by Ferdinand Portugal 1497. by Emmanuel But had these two later Kings banished all Jewish blood out of their Countries they must have emptied the veins of their best Subjects as descendedâ—… from them Still they are found in great numbers in Turky chiefly in Salomiâ—…i where they enjoy the freest slavery and they who in our Saviours time so scorned Publicans are now most employed in that offiâ—… to be the Turks Toll-gatherers Likewise iâ—… the Popish parts of Germany in Polaâ—…d 〈◊〉 Pantheon of all Religions and Amsterdan may be forfeited to the King of Spain wheâ—… she cannot shew a pattern of this as of all other Sects Lastly they are thick in the Popeâ—… Dominions where they are kept as a â—…estimony of the truth of the Scriptures and foyl to Christianity but chiefly in pretence to convert them But his Holinesse's converting faculty worketh the strongest at the greatest distance For the Indians he turneth to his Religion and these Jews he converteth to his Profit Some are of opinion of the general Calling of the Jews And no doubt those that dissent from them in their judgements concur in their wishes and desires Yet are there three grand hinderances of their Conversion First the offence taken and given by the Papists amongst whom they live by their worshipping of Images the Jews being zelots of the second Commandment Secondly because on their conversion they must renounce all their goods as ill gotten and they will scarce enter in at the door of our Church when first they are to climbe over so high a threshold Lastly they are debarred from the use of the new Testament the means of their salvation And thus we leave them in a state most pitiful and little pitied To give you then a right Character in brief They are a people that know how to comply with the times and the condition which they live in especially if their profit be concerned in it reviled like dogs and used like slaves yet never shew so much as an angry countenance A Nation which will thrive wheresoever they come yet most by Usury and Brokage not lending any thing but on pawns and those once forfeited never more redeemable The best of both Sexes are said to have an unsavorâ—… ranknesse not incident if not caused by 〈◊〉 â—…o other people from whom they are as different in their habit as in their Religion And â—…s or that they retain still Circumcision as the badg â—…gnisance of their Nation but mâ—…ngled with many Ceremonies not prescribed by the Law nor observed by the Antients placing a void chair for the Prophet Elias whom they believe to be present though unseen at the Solemnity And upon this they are so besotted that they conceive the Female Sex uncapable of eternal life because not capable of Circumcision And
years after the death of Christ Titus son to Vespasian sack't the City and destroyed it leaving it only a garrison for the Roman souldiers Sixty five yearâ—… after that the Jews falling into rebellion Hadrian the Emperour of Rome utterly destroyed what Titus left standing and commanded salt to be sown where the City stood And thus was fulfilled what was spoken by our Saviour touching the Temple that there should not be left one stone upon another Hurcan or Hurcania a region in the greater Asia having on the East the Caspian sea on the South Armenia upon the North Albania on the West Iberia I â—…buam or Jamnua a â—…illage of the upper Gaâ—…ee standing upon a very â—…eep ground which Joseâ—…hus being Governour of Galilee fortified against the Romans â—…ericho A city in the south part of the Land of Canaan situated in a fruitful soil where grew balm roses sugar-canes and abundance of dates whence it was called the City of Palms Joppe or Japho a sea town and port of Judaea built on a high Promontory from whence materials of Timber and Stones were brought to the building of Solomons Temple from Mount Libanus or Lebanon Jordan in Hebrew Jorden the fairest and biggest river in all Palestina springing up at the foot of Mount Libanus running on the South of Canaan passing by many famous places at length falls into the Lake of Sodom Jorpata or Jatopatae an exceeding strong city of Jerusalem standing all well-nigh upon a Rock accessible only upon the North side K KAtiim or Cittim the Nations of the Greeks so called in Gen. 10. and in Balams prophesie Kittim saith he shall afflict Ashur and Eber. L LAgarith a City of Edom won by Vespasian M MAcedonia a Country lying in Greece in the western part of it it was the country of King Philip Alexander his son which wan to the Greeks the Persian Empire Maidai or Media a country having upon the South Pâ—…rsia upon the North the Hyrcanian-sea on the West Armenia Syria on the East Hyrcania and Parâ—…hia which country took its name from Madai one of the sons of Japhet Mesopotamia a Country which lyeth betwixt the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates from which situation it was so called as lying in the midst of Rivers Moriah a Mountain joyning very near to Jerusalem upon the East side of that City a very steep rockie place in this place Abraham offered to sacrifice his son Isaac and afterward upon this Mountain was Solomons Temple built Moâ—…nt Olivet So called from the plenty of Olives whiâ—…h grew here lying on the East side of Jerusalem and separated from the higher city by the valley of Cedron Into this Mountain our Savâ—…our Christ often repaired and offered up his prayers here unto his Father N NIcopolis a City of the Holy Land otherwise called Emaus S SAmaria a City standing in the tribe of Ephrâ—…im which after that the ten Tribes fell off from the tribe of Judah was made the Metropolis of the ten revolting Tribes called Sebaste in honour of Augustus the Emperour Scythopolis a city in Syria Sennaar The land of Chaldea where the Tower of Babel began to be builded Seleucia a city on the farther side of Jordan in the country called Gualonitis so named from Seleucus King of Syria Sichem a country near He bron belonging to Hamoâ—… the Father of Sichem from whence it is though he gave the name of hâ—… son to that country of which he was Prince and by some it is thought to be the name of that city called in the Gospel Sichar a city of refuge peculiar to the Levites a principal City of Samaria Sodom a city which stood in the Land of â—…anaan where now is the Dead-sea destroyed by fire from heaven for their sins Sidon a Haven and Mart Town of Phoenicia being the border of the Land of promise toward thenorth and in the Lot of the tribe of Zabulon although it was never conquered nor possest by them Sinai The Mountain otherwise named Horeb upon which the Almighty gave the Law to Moses by the ministery of Angels It was called Sinai from the word in the Holy Tongue signifying a Bush because God appeared there to Moses in a Bush in a flame of fire the Bush not consumed Sion The Hill and City built on that Hill called the City of David taken by him from the Jebusites lying on the North side of the City of Jâ—…rusalem upon which the Temple was built Siloe a Fountain rising out at the foot of Mâ—…unt Sion in the West part of the valley of Jehosaphat a very clear sweet and large Spring it runs into the brook Cedron Schiloh or Silo The highest Mountain of all that are about Jerusalem Or higher than any other Mountain in the Holy Land likewise the name of the City that stands upon that Hill where the Ark continued a long time with the Tabernacle of the Covenant till it was taken by the Philistines for which cause the people of Israel used to meet at this place and offer sacrifices until the time of Samuel the Prophet Afterward for the sins of the Israelites the City was destroyed and the Altar demolished T TIarva a city in Galilee which Vespasian took razed and put all the men to the sword and sold their wives and children Tiberias A city so named in honour of Tiberius Caesar by Herod the Tetrarch standing near the Lake of Gennezaret called also the Sea of Tiberias it is the utmost bound of the lower Galilee Eastward Tyre a city renowned in holy Scripture built upon a rock and upon all sides incompassed by the sea wherefore the Prophet cals her the city in the heart of the sea a city of incredible riches by the abundance of her merchandise by the speâ—…ial appointment of God and foretellings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prophets Isaiah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made a prey to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King of Babylon and afterward to Alexander son of Philip King of Maceâ—… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 in the that part of the sea whicâ—… ran betwixt the maiâ—… land and the city witâ—… stones earth and timber and made it continent tâ—… the land first Nebuchadâ—…nezzar but in short timâ—… after that city was rebuilt and the bar of thâ—… sea quite demolished sâ—… the city restord to its former strength but Alexander stopt up the sea again sackt the city and crucified many of thâ—… chief men of the city tâ—… this day that little whicâ—… remains of it is annexed firmely to the Continent It stood in the territory 〈◊〉 the tribe of Ashur bâ—… had Kings of her own haâ—… ving never been in thâ—… hands of the Israelits A short view of the whole Matter By Th. F. A true Character of the Jews as they are at this day With the Hopes and Desires of all good men for their Conversion A Prayer unto God for their Conversion FINIS Tho Fuller D D. late Preacher at S. Mary Savoy Westm.
hearing he brought his whole Army thither against the Seditious and killed many of them the rest fled to Mount Sinai The next day the Romans set fire on the Sanctum Sanctorum laying Wood to the doors that were covered over with gold and then firing it so after the gold waxed hot and the timber burnt the Sanctum Sanctorum was open that all men might see it in the ninth day of the filth month which was the very same day that it was open also in the time of the Chaldees The Romans therefore rushing into the Sanctum Sanctorum gave a great shout while it burnt which when Titus heard he hastened to quench the fire and save the Sanctum Sanctorum but he could not do it because it was set on fire in so many places thereupon Titus cried unto them that they should forbear but they would not hear him For as a vehement floud of Waters breaketh through all things and drives them down before it with such a furious violence the Gentiles rushed upon the Lords Temple the fire flaming every where out of meaâ—…ure When Titus saw he could not restrain them from the Sanctum Sanctorum with words he drew out his Sword blaming the Captains of his own people and others that were not Romans he killed and he cried out so long and so loud upon them that he was grown hoarse The Priests that were within the Sanctum Sanctorum withstood the Romans stoutly till they were able no longer to lift up their hands Wherefore when they saw there was no other safeguard left they leaped into the fire and divers other Jews with them and so burnt all together saying What should we live any longer now there is no Temple Yet Titus ceased not to strike the people and chase them from the Temple and being grown so weary that all his strength fail'd him he fell upon the ground and forbore crying upon them any further After that the Sanctum Sanctorum was burnt Titus arose and entring thereinâ—…o he saw the glory and magnificence thereof and believed it was the house of the Lord for as yet the fire had not consumed all therefore he said Now I well perceive that this is no other then the House of God and the dwelling of the King of Heaven neither was it for nought that the Jews stood so earnestly in defence thereof nor did the Gentiles also without good cause send gold and silver to this Temple from the farthest parts of the World for great is the glory of it and it surpasseth all the Roman and Temples of the Gentiles that ever I saw The God of Heaven who is the God of this House take vengeance of the Seditious whose mischievâ—…us and hainous deeds have brought this evil upon them CHAP. IV. THe Seditious that yet remained at Jerusalem seeing the Sanctum Sanctorum to be burnt they set the rest of the Temple a fire themselves with all the houses that were filled with treasure and all sorts of precious jewels and where they knew there remained yet some victuals they set it also on fire lest the Romans should receive benefit thereby After this the Romans quenched the fire and set up their Idols and images in the Temple offering burnt offerings unto them and blaspheming mocking and railing at the Jews and their laws in presence of their Idols About that time arose one who 〈◊〉 a lye unto the Seditious that remained yet in Jerusalem exhorting them to play the men and oppose their enemies for now saith he shall the Temple be built by it self without humane hands that God may declare his power unâ—…o the Romans who now glory in themâ—…elves to have overcome the Jews therefore if you fight stoutly this day the Temple shall erect it self hereupon the Seditious set furiously upon the Romans and slue many of them which made the Romans who had favoured them formerly to kill them like sheep These things hapned because they gave credit to a false Prophet and marked not the signs that appeared formerly For the year next before the coming of Vespasian there was seen a star on the Temple so bright as if a man had so many drawn swords in his hands And the same time this Star appeared which was at the solemn passover that whole night the Temple was light and clear as mid-day and continued so seaven nights together Understanding men knew well enough that this was an ill augury though others thought it good The same time also they brought a heifer for a sacrifice which when she was knocked down she calved a Lamb. Besides there was a certain gate called the East gate that was never opened nor shut but twenty men had enough to do about it and the creaking of the hinges might be heard a far off This gate was found open without any mans help and they could not shut it till a great number joyned their strength Moreover there was discerned on the Sanctum Sanctorum a whole night long the face of a man wonderfull terrible There appeared also the same time four Chariots with horsemen and great blasts in the skie coming towards Jerusalem In the feast of the weeks the Priest likewise heard a man walking in the Temple and saying with a great and wonderfull terrible voice Come let us go away out of this Temple let us hence away But especially there was one surpassed all these a certain man in the City of a base degree called Joshua began to cry upon the feast of Tabernacles in this wise A voice from the East a voice from the West a voice from the four winds of the Heavens a voice against Jerusalem a voice against the Temple a voice against the bridegroom a voice against the bride and a voice against the whole people Thus he cried very oft so that they of Jerusalem hated him and said unto him Why criest thou alwaies this cry But the Governour of the City for bad them to wrong him supposing he was mad Therefore for four years space he never left crying out Wo to Jerusalem and to the Sanctuary thereof When the wars had begun and the Town was besieged it fortuned as he wandred upon the walls he added this aâ—…so unto his cry Woe unto my self and with that a stone came out of an Engin from the Camp that dashed out his brains At that time also there was a Writing found graven in an old stone What time the building of the Temple shall be brought to a four square then it shall be destroyed Now when the Antochia was taken and razed by the Romans and the Walls of the Temple were all bruised the Jews making speed to repair the ruines and dilapidations without remembrance of the old Writing they made the Temple four square Besides these words were found in the Walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum When the whole building of the Temple shall be four square then shall a King reign over Israel and that King and Ruler shall reign over all the Land
of Israel Some interpreâ—…ed this of the King of Israel but the Priests said It is the King of the Romans The whole Roman Army being now come into the Temple and the Jews fled to Moâ—…nt Sion the Romans set up their â—…dols in the Lords Temple and railed at the Jews It happened that there came down to the Romans a little boy of the Priests from Mount Sion to a Captain of the Wall Keeper of the Temple desiring him to give him some water he taking pity on the boy gave him some the boy taking the vessel the water was in first drank himself then ran away with the rest the Captain made shew to run after him but let him go of puâ—…pose Once when the Romans were at their sacrifice with Titus some Priests came and besought him that he would not kill them he answered Why do you wish to live now and not rather dye with your brethren who have suffered death for Gods sake and for the sake of this House whereupon he commanded they should be all slain After Schimeon and Jehochanan sent to Titus for peace he answered This thing ye seek too late but how cometh it to pass that you beg your lives now being so few and that ye have wasted all things so desperately ye desire life and yet persevere in your malice still holding your swords in your hands have we not now taken your City Temple and the Sanctum Sanctorum What is there left for you to put hope in Therefore cast away your swords and lay down your armour and then if you come to me I know what I hâ—…ve to do peradventure I shall be gracious unto you Schimeon and Jehochanan answered We have sworn by the Lord our God who is God of Heaven and Earth thâ—…t we will never bear thy yoak nor serve thee or make any peace to be subject to thee therefore if it be thy pleasure to shew us mercy we will take our journey into the wilderness in granting this we will report to have found favour if not we will remain in this place to see what manner of death we shall dye Titus hearing this was much incensed and said remains the pride of your hearts and the hardness of your neck still with you though ye be Captives dare ye yet be so bold as to say ye have sworn not to endure our yoak Then Titus gave commandment to the Romans not to omit any opportunity to set upon the Seditious and by one means or other to destroy Schimeon and Jehochanan There was at that time a certain man of the Royall Blood whose name was Serach he accompanied with all his brethren and Sons that were there with him of the Kings blood came down from the Moâ—…nt Sion â—…o Titus who received them honorably and gently ordered them When Jehochanan and Schimeon understood that Serach and the reâ—…t were gone and had yielded themselves to Titus they went and set fire upon all â—…at was in the Kings Pallace that the Romans should have no â—…modity thereby From thence they went to the Temple where they found certain Commanders and Captains whom Titus had put in authority about the Temple of whom thâ—…ee were chief one Captain of the hoâ—…semen tâ—…e second of the Chariots and the third of the footmâ—…n him they killed and took hâ—…s companion alive One of them besought thâ—…m that had taken him that he might be bâ—…ought to Schimeon their Captain Let him saith he do with me as he list and in this one thing let me finâ—… favour at your hands They agreed and brought him to Schimeon who commanded his servants as soon as he was come to slay him But while he that was appointed to this business made delay and killed him not by and by he whipt down off the hill escaped and came to Titus who commanded him out of his sight being wroth with him that he had not fought unto death rather then to be taken alive But with the Jews was he wonderfully displeased that they had so despighâ—…ully ordered his men wherefore he commanded to kill all the Jews as many as could be found in the â—…ets of the City whom he would have spared before and caused proclamation to be made throughout all his Camp for their safety Then died many of the Jews â—…o that every place was full of dead bodies The men of War of the Edomâ—…tes which were with Schimeon perceiving how the matter went sent Embassadors to Titus to desire pâ—…ace and to save their lives which when it came to Schimeons ear he went unto them and slew the chief of them and their Noblemen the rest of the people of the Edomites fled unto Titus From that time forth Titus commanded his men to use no more cruelty to the Jews Soon after fled Jehochanan and Sâ—…himeon and hid themselves in certain caves The rest of the chief men of the Jews that were with them seeing them now to be fled came down from the Mount to Titus and fell down upon their faces before him upon the ground whom Titus received gently As for the Seditious that were witâ—… Schimeon and Jehochanan they fought till they all died together Then came forth unto Titus one Joshua a Priest son of Schaftai the High Priest bringing with him two Candlesticks of gold which were in the Sanctuary and the Tables of gold with other vessels of silver and gold and also the holy vestures decked with gold and precious stones all those he gave to Titus who made him chief Priest over them that remained next unto Joseph the Priest for Titus gave Joseph authority as well over the Priests and Leviâ—…es as over the whole people oâ—… the Jews Then was Gorion the Father of Joseph that writ this History brought out of prison with his wife and children among whom was one Bonian Josephs younger brother he was a very wise and godly Priest by whom God bestowed many benefits upon â—…e Israelites for Titus left him at Jerusalem and took him not with him as he did Joseph Josephs father lived after the City was taken twenty moneths and died They took also one Phineas a Priest who was keeper of the treasure-house he bewrayed and detected to the Romans all the Treasures of the Priests and their Vestments He gave also unto Titus a most precious oil with sweet odours and perfumes and garments also of purple which the Kings of the second Temple had given Wherefore both this Phineas and Joshua whom we mentioned before transgressed the Covenant of the Lord and offended God in that they deâ—…ivered his Jewels to the enemies of his people which they ought not to have done but rather to have died for the glory of the Lord as the other Priests did which cast themselves into the fire Thus was the City of Jerusalem taken with all the precious things that were therein And Tiâ—…us went up to Mount Sion took it and razed the walls thereof Three dayes after Jehochanan sore vext with hunger left