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
company which he would not unlesse the King gave him leave wherefore he asked the king leave but he denied him at the first yet at length the young man intreated him so instantly that the king bad him do what he would He went therefore with the other young men to swim The king presently took his horse and returned to Jericho with all his train leaving the young men behind which continued swimming till Sun setting and as it began to be dark they drowned the Priest Aristobulus among them Wherof when tidings came to the king and it was known that he was dead the people wept and made great lamentation considering his Virtue Nobility and Beauty every man was full of sorrow that he should have so short a life and they bewailed so much that it was heard afar off But Marimi chiefly and Alexandra the young mans Mother could no wise be comforted Yea the king also wept made great mone for it repented him that he had done so wicked an act yet all the people knew well enough that the thing was procured by the king insomuch that Alexandra his Mother in law letted not to tell it him to his face that he was the murtherer of her husband and of her father and now last of all of her son to whom the King answered neither good nor bad From that day forwards there was continuall hatred between Alexandra and Marimi and Kiparim the mother of Herod and Salumith his Sister that came of base and servile blood For Marimi cast in their teeth to their faces that they were not of the seed of Israel but prophane unholy and of base birth Notwithstanding Herod loved Marimi as his life wherefore he would never displease her as long as she lived nor say so much to her as why saist thou so These things done Marcus Antonius a Noble man of Rome next unto Octavian Augustus King of Kings being sent by Augustus to war upon the Kings of the West Countries reigned in Egypt and by the provocation of his wife rebelled against Octavian Augustus made war with him both by the Sea and Land And forasmuch as Egypt is near adjoyning to the Land of Israel Herod joyned with him and helped him For Marcus Antonius had aided him before in such sort that no King durst meddle with him for fear of Marcus Antonius Whereupon when Marcus conspired against his Prince and master Herod aideth him with an Army with horsemen and with ships also against Octavian In which wars Octavian got the victory slew Antony and all his people coming by ship to the I le of Rhodes and so into the Land of Egypt Herod hearing that Marcus Antonius was slain and that Octavian Augustus was come into Egypt he fainted for fear of the displeasure of Octavian Yet at length he took heart unto him prepared a royall present to be carried before him and followed after himself to Octavian Augustus And setting forwards he called Joseph the husband of Salumith his sister whom he made chief of his houshold commanded him that if Octavian put him to death he should poyson Marimi his wife saying It should not be seemly for Kings that any mean man should marry with a Kings widdow and sleep with her upon the Kings bed So then he took his journey towards Octavian Augustus who then was at the Rhodes where he understood Octavian to be displeased with him for that he had ayded Marcus Antonius Therefore as soon as Herod came to Octavian Augustus presence having his crown upon his head he took it of and fell down prostrate upon the ground at Octavians feet saying Most Noble Emperour I confess my trespass against your Majesty that I loved Marcus Antonius my companion in league who was my neighbour and ayded me and is true that your Majesty since the time you made me King have heard of mine affairs that hapned unto me but never succoured me This Marcus Antonius did not so I confess therefore that in his wars against your Majesty I ayded him with an Army with Horse-men and ships Neither went I out with him for any wars upon mine own borders but whensoever I went with him I helped him to the uttermost of my power When he was falling I bolstered him up and whâ—…n he stumbled I raised him again Amâ—…gst all these I protest also that I would not be counted of your Majesty a breaker of league but now Marcus Antonius is dead Wherefore whether that it shall please your Majesty to restore me my former estate or no forasmuch as I have kept touch with Marcus Antonius against your Majesty amongst others if you put me to death you will do me no wrong but justice because by the Law of arms I have deserved death When Octavian Augustus heard him speak so he said unto him Arise thou King of Israel in peace be of good comfort and fear not for thou art worthy to be nigh yea next unto my person I know that Marcus Antonius was inticed by his wife and would not follow thy counsel for if he had I dare say he would never have conspired against me So he commanded the Crown to be set again upon Herods head and made a league with him Then they went both together toward Egypt to be revenged upon Cleopatra But that wicked woman when she saw her City to be overcome put on her most precious apparrel and sitting upon the throne of her Kingdom commanded a Viper to be brought unto her which as soon as she had â—…uffered to sting her brest she died As Octavian Augustus came to the Pallace and saw her sit there he rejoyced that he might be revenged of her and commanded to thrust her from her Throne but when they came to her and found her dead it grieved Octavian very sore In this while Joseph Salumiths husband disclosed unto Marimi that the King had commanded if it so happened to him to be put to death by Augustus that he should poyson her Whereupon Marimi conceived yet a greater hatred toward the King insomuch that when the King was returned in safety and sound and with honor also from Octavian and that all his men and whole houshold rejoyced greatly Marimi shewed no countenance of gladness no not when the King himself told her how greatly he was magnified and honored of Octavian Augustus but alwaies she was very sad Salumith the Kings Sister perceiving that Marimi so vexed the King she told him how Joseph her husband had lien with Marimi whiles he was with Augustus But Herod say what she could gave no credit to her words knowing that she envyed Marimi until at length he asked the cause of Marimi why she rejoyced not as others did when he returned in safety from Augustus but was very sad which shewed her to have rancor and malice in her heart towards him She answered Thou hast said heretofore that thou lovedst me above all thy other wives and concubines yet thou didst will Joseph
therefore he hired false witnesses to say they saw Alexander the Kings Son upon a cerâ—…ain night with his sword drawn before the Kings Palace minding to murther Antipater He suboâ—…ned also certain of the Kings servants to witness against Alexander that he should give them great rewards to allure them to his pleasure and to abuse them in unnaturaâ—…l venery which they refused Moreover that he desired them to poyson the King which they would not agree also to do Whereupon the King was sore displeased towards him commanding not only him but all that took his part or defended his integrity to be apprehended and put in prison that execution might be done upon them Then Alexander writ â—…nto Archelaus his Father in Law desiring him to come to Jerusalem to his Father Herod This Archelaus was a very wise man and a Noble Counsellor when he was come to Jerusalem Herod was very glad of his coming and demanded what matters brought him thither at that pâ—…esent he answered I have heard that Alexander thy Son and my Son in law hath attempted to rebell against thee It is not possible but my daughter his Wife should be accessary of this thing and yet she hath not shewed it unto thee wherefore â—…utterly detest her as one that hath conspired against thee yet neverthelesse I know well that for the love thou bearest unto me thou wouldest spare her for this cause I am come unto thee that when thou hast put him to death I also may slay my Daughter for it is better that we should make them away than they us Herod hearing this was very glad and gave credit to his friendship when Archelaus perceived that Herod had a good opinion of him he altered his communication saying to the King First let us diligently examine and well try the cause forasmuch as there are many false witnesses and lying persons in the world and let us not shed innocent blood upon any uncertainty For Archelaus had a great suspiâ—…ion that Herod had given too leight credit knowing how ready he was to hear an evil tale which was the cause of the mischief that befell upon the people of his house Wel Herod thought his counsel good One of them that accused the kings children was Pheroras the kings brother and to say the truth he was the chief of all Herod loved Archelaus the king of Cappadocia as himself Archelaus perceiving turned his tale to rebuke the king saying Thou art now waxen old well stricken in years thou sufferest these backbiters to rule thee who stir thee to work all these mischiefs in thy house yea Pheroras thy brother hath falsely provoked thee against thy sons When Pheroras heard these words he was sore afraid for indeed he had seduced the king Therfore came Pheroras to Archelaus and besought him to save his life Archelaus answered him If thou wilt obtain pardon for thy wickedness come and fall before his feet and confess that thou hast spoken falsely against his sons then will I promise thee that he shall be merciful unâ—…o thee and to his sons Pheroras did so confessed that he had falsely accused the kings Sons Then Archelaus besought the king for pardon and he granted it after that he entreated him that the young men might be delivered out of prison which the king aâ—…so commanded to be done The young men therefore came before the king and fell down at his feet and the king was loving to them and embraced them kindly He made great joy also that Archelaus came in so good an hour unto him to whom he gave for a gift seven hundred pound weight of Gold with many precious Stones and Concubines and dismissed him But Antipater again suborned false accusers and writ counterfeit letters in the name of the kings sons to one of the Captains declaring how they would conspire and kill the king and by such means he encreased the enmities between them and their father many wayes that the king commanded them to be put in prison and most strong irons to be laid upon them Besides this Antipater had surprized and won the hearts of the kings chief Rulers and servaâ—…ts that they procured his Barber to bear false witnesse against Alexander how he hired him to kill the king at such time as he should shave his beard When the king heard his Barber speak he was much troubled in his mind insomuch that he said I am weary of my life to hear these pick-thanks that open my eares to fill my head with tales I can do no way better than to give charge that whosoever brings me any such accusations hereafter of any body he shall suffer death for it wherefore he commanded the Barber to be slain and his two sons to be brought forth and hanged upon Gallowses shedding their innocent blood Then rejoyced Antipater supposing himself to be as sure of the kingdom as though it were in his hands when he was not aware that although he were never so high aloft yet was there one higher than he who considered his doings Alexander had two sons Thigarus and Aristobulus And Aristobulus had three sons Herod Agrippa and Alexander When the King returned to Jerusalem for he was in Samaria by the Lake side when his sons were put to death he commanded that his nephews should be brought to the Court and taking pity on them imbraced and kissed them weeping very sore both he and all his servants for it greatly repented him for the hainous deed that he had done But when the time of mourning was past he called the chief of Israel together and said unto them I am now grown in age and waxen gray-headed uncertain how shortly I shall die I see here before me these little fatherlesse children which I never can behold without great anguish of mind for when I look upon them I call to remembrance what great dammage I have done unto their father in my furious outragiousnesse Now therefore I would commit them to the tuition and custody of some man that might be a Patron and as a Father unto them to succour them continually to his power All the people answered that he had well spoken He spake therefore unto his brother Pheroras Thou shalt be their Patron and Defender and shalt give thy Daughter to Thigarus Alexanders Son He also commanded his Son Antipater to give his Daughter to Herod Son of Aristobulus And the Marriages were knit and composition made in the Kings presence When Antipater marked the love that the King bare towards the Nephews he began to be in great care for Thigarus Alexanders Son had a Grand-father by the Mothers side a King of great power namely Archelaus King of Capadocia He falls down therefore at the Kings feet to dissolve and break the friendship that he bare towards his Nephews and to leave speaking in their cause as he had done but he prevailed not Therefore he left his father and went to Pheroras the kings brother made a confederacy with
avail tears Why do ye not rather go before me and I will follow as I may For what should I do now seeing God hath given me into the hands of a most cruel Tyrant who spareth neither mine age nor your youth But I trust we shall live together in the Light of the Lord And although I cannot be suffered now to see you enough yet when we shall come thither we shall be satisfied with beholding one another Go ye therefore my dear sons and prepare us a place O that I might go before you the Lord knoweth I would do it gladly But ye my sons marvel not at this that is chanced unto us for it is no new thing The like hapned before this in the time of the Chasmonanites when as Antiochus by his wickednesse put to death the seven brethren young men in the sight of their mother which was a righteous and godly woman who chanced to find this mercy at the Lords hands that she might â—…sse her sons and embrace them as they also kist one another before they died Although they were put to death by the cruelty of the uncircumcised King of the Macedonians yet obtained they that which is denied at this day to us that are put to death by Schimeon who haâ—…h â—…he name of an â—…sraelite who beareth also the Covenant of our father Abraham in his flesh And would to God that we might live in their â—…nne or place of rest which albeit it will not be granted yet we shall be their neighbours seeing that we also die for the Law of the Lord. Therefore be of good comfort my sons and lament not for my sake For I judge this my misery easier and not so great as the calamity of Zedekiah whose sons were first killed then his eyes put out by the King of Chaldea and he lived many years after we are so much the more happie in my mind because we shall die together Then said Amittai to Schimeons servant which should kill him Make speed I pray thee and kill me first before my children die then after kill them also that we may die together for it is more expedient for us than to see the Temple of the Lord turned into a butchery or slaughter-house to slay men in After cryed he to God saying I beseech thee O Lord God most High which dwellest in the Highest judge this Schimeon according to his works reward him according to his deservings For thou art the God Almighty and dreadfull Let not this Destroyer die therefore among the people of thy pasture but that his death may be severed from the death of other men Let him die a horrible and sudden death Let him have no time to confesse his sins and to return himself to thee that thou mayest receive him for thou wert wont to receive them which turn to thee by repentance for he is not worthy of repentance which hath spoiled and wasted many goodly things in thy Temple besides that hath murdered most holy men in the same To the intent therefore that thy judgements may be declared in him I beseech thee make him to be taken Captive of his enemies together with his wife children and family and all that ever love him Neither give unto his soul any part with the people of God nor let his portion be with the just men in thy Sanctuary for he is unworthy of them because he hath not only sinned himself but hath caused Israel to sin Wherefore let his judgement and sentence go forth from thy sight that he may see his Wife Children and his whole House led into captivity and bondage before his face Afterward let him die a strange death such as never man heard of Let him be killed by most cruel men which when they have smitten him may after quarter him also whiles he is yet alive and that he may see his children go into bondage Let him also be a curse before all that shall see him Moreover Let him perceive that my words and destiny is better than his when as I go unto Thee in that great Light which he shall be deprived of After these words Amittai said to the servant who was appointed to kill him I beseech thee Let me find so much favour at thy hands that when thou hast slain my sons thou wouldst kill me with the same sword while it is yet wet with the blood of my sons that our blood may be mingled and this may be a recreation to my soul. Kill me also in the fight of the Romans that they may avenge me and my sons upon this most cruel Schimeon they shall be witnesses against him that I was not their friend But would God my affaires were all in that state as they were before for then should they perceive me to be an enemy of Schimeons and a friend of theirs Would God I had withstood Schimeon at the first earnestly as I made War upon the Romans that I might have avoided his cruelty from the people of God When he had said all these things he prayed before God Almighty saying O God which dwellest in the Highest thou only art most mighty and fearful open now the eyes of thy judgements consider and judge betwixt me and seditious Schimeon whose malice is become unmeasurable upon the people of GOD that he which sheddeth the blood of them that fear thee in the midst of the Temple may be rebuked of thee with rebukings according to his works make speedy vengeance and prolong not and that for the deaths sake of thy Saints for thy judgements are the judgements of truth Then Schimeon gave commandment to four Cut-throats of his that three of them should kill Amittai's three sons before their Fathers face and the fourth should kill Amittai himself and so the blood of the sons was mixt with the blood of their father Afterward Schimeons servant took the body of Amittai and laid it upon the bodies of his sons as his desire was then tumbled them over the Walls After that Schimeon commanded that Chanacus the high Priest should be put to death whose body was cast unto the bodies of Amittai and his Sons Aristus also the Scribe one of the Noble men of Jerusalem was killed at the same time and â—…en just men more of his kindred and house because theâ—… mourned for the death of Aristus It hapned while Schimeon was killing of those ten certain substantial rich men passed by and were wonderfully amazed when they saw the thing saying one to another How long will God suffer the malice of Schimeon and will not search out the blood of just men nor revenge them Certain seditious persons hearing this told it unto Schimeon who commanded them to be apprehended and murthered the same day After this there passed by eleven of the Noble men of Jerusalem which seeing fourty two innocents to be put to death by Schimeon they lift up their eyes to the heavens and said O Lord God of Israel How long wilt
and to enter their Camp whiles it was dark which they did and slew very many of the best of the Grecians about 4000. preparing neverthelesse for the Field against the morrow where also the Israelites did beat down many of the Greeks In that Battel was slain Eleazar son of Mattathias the Kings brother For when he espied one with a golden sword upon the Elephant he thought him to be King Opiter who had 20. Elephants in his Army therefore he took heart to him and beat down the souldiers of the Greeks on both sides were they never so strong till he came to the Elephant And because the Elephant was so high that he could not reach them that sate upon him he thrust his sword into the belly of the beast to overthrow the King whereat the Elephant shrunk together and fell upon Eleazar that he died there for whose sake all Israel mourned and made great lamentation But Opiter hearing this straightway made suite to King Iudas for peace and a League to be made between them which after Iudas had consented unto he returned home into Greece again and by the way fell into the hands of his enemies that slew him After him succeeded Demetrius his enemy who was the cause of his death There were at that time certain evil disposed persons of the Jews that served the King of the Grecians in his Wars namely one Alkimus who went to the King of the Greeks at that time lying at Antiochia and stirred him to move War upon Israel and King Iudas By whose suggestion Demetrius sent against Iudas a Captain called Nicanor with a strong Army Hâ—… now coming to Jerusalem let Iudas understand thaâ—… he bare him good will and was desirous to make peace and to enter into a League with him Therefore as Iudas came forth accompanied with his brethren the sons of Chasmoname Nicanor met him in the way imbraced him and kissed him after that led him to his pavillion and set him upon his pavillion and set him upon his seat of Honour King Iudas aâ—…so after he returned from the Camp made unto Nâ—…canor a great feast calling him and his Noble men with him into Jerusalem where they eat and drank at the Kings Table King Iudas was yet unmarried wherefore Nâ—…canor moved him to take a Wife that he might have issue and not loose his succession whose counsel Iudas allowed This done the â—…ewd pick thank Alkimus declared to King Demetrius the League that Nicanor had made with King Iudas whereat Dâ—…metrius being wroth writ unto Nicanor that he had intel igence of his traiterous practises Nicanor was in Jerusalem when this Letter was delivered him When Iudas heard of the contents of the Letter he fled out of Jerusalem into Samaria where he sounded a Trumpet and gathered Israel together Nicanor upon these letters entred the House of the Lord to seek Judas but he found him not Then he examined the Priests who sware they knew not what was become of him After he had now sought him in every corner throughout Jerusalem aud could not find him in a fume he sware he would beat down the Temple and gathering together all his Host He made speed against Judas When he heard of Nicanors coming he issued out of Samaria to met him and after they had joyned battel Judas slew of the Greeks to the number of eighteen thousand Horsemen took Nicanor alive and was intended to kill him But Nicanor besought pardon of him alledging that the King knew well enough that he began not this battel with his good will but left he should transgresse the Commandment of the King his Master Wherefore saith he I humbly beseech your Majesty not to kill me and I will sweare unto you that I will never bear Arms against you nor annoy you any more Upon this the King made a League with him and dismissed him So he returned to the King his Master with shame enough After this Demetrius died and Lysia his son raigned in his stead yet the wicked men ceased not but moved against King Lysia to make a voyage in his own person with a puissant Army against Judas but having the overthrow of King Judas he fled unto Asdotum till he had strongly repaired again his Army Then came he the second time upon Judas in which conflict the Israelites were put to flight King Judas notwithstanding fled neither one way nor other but called to his men and exhorted them to return and stick to him yet they would not obey him So he abod alone with his drawn sword in his hand unto whom none of his enemies durst approach nigh but with chariots and horsemen they environed him and Archers shot at him wounding him sore till he fell down dead upon the ground and they that were about him were taken alive The time that he reigned over Israel was six years Many of the Greeks Captains were slain also in that battel and the King himself so wounded that he was fain to get him into his Country to be cured of his wounds After he had recovered his health he returned again came to Jerusalem and to all the Cities of Israel with the power of the Greeks wherewith he so afflicted them at that time for the space of four moneths after the death of Judas that the like tribulation was never seen in Israel In the mean season the Israelits resorted to Ionathas the son of Mattathias and made him King in Iuda's stead and were sworn unto him This Ionathas fought dâ—…vers great battels against the Greeks having the aid of one Samnus of the kindred of Alexander the first who had made a League with Ionathas and took his part against Grecia wasted and spoiled it sore till at length the King of the Grecians slew Ionathas by a train His reign over Israel was six years Then was Simeon his brother King in his stead against him came Antiochus the second King of the Grecians came to war but Simeon met him and laid first and an ambush to entrap the Greeks and then ordered his battel in array against Antiochus After that he with his whole Host made a face faining as they fled and retired till they perceived Antiochus who pursued them to be within their danger then the ambush brake forth upon the Greeks made a very great slaughter After this Simeon returned to Jerusalem with great joy Then sent Ptolomee King of Egypt an Embassage to Simeon King of Israel offering him his daughter in marriage To this request when King Simeon had consented Ptolomee came to Jerusalem where was made him a great Feast and they were allyed together Whereupon Antiochus King of the Grecians writ to Ptolomee King of Egypt privily to murther Simeon King of Israel Whom Ptolomee durst not but obey for at that time the King of Egypt was in subjection to the Greeks Therefore when Simeon came into Egypt to see his father in law Ptolomee he was received with great feasting but in the same
unto the Sages whom his father and grandfather slew and the injury commiâ—…ted to Honyauriga might return upon his head and be reyenged so that no remnant of the house of 〈◊〉 no name no residue no kinsman oâ—… posterity should be left alive Hircanus therefore took his journey toward Jerusalem and Herod came forth to meet him eâ—…mbraced him aâ—…d kissed him after brought him to his house and feasted him daâ—…y calling him his father before all men albeit in his heart he conspired to kill him which Alexandra his daughter and Mother in law to Herod knew well enough who opened it unto Hircanus but he would not credit her at the first till on a time he perceived the matter clear to be so then devised he how to flye to Maloc King of Arabia he sent therefore to Maloc to send him horses and a Chariot to flye withall but the Messenger dealt unfaithfully and lewdly with him for he brought Hircanus letters privily unto Herod who rewarded him well for his labour and bad him go to Maloc and to let him know what answer Maloc gave The Messenger upon this went and delivered the letters to Maloc who fulfilled Hircanus request sent him horses and a Charlot writing in this sort I have sent thee horses and horsemen come therefore unto me and whatsoever thy heart desireth I will do it for thy sake So the Messenger brought the answer secretly to Herod whereupon he sent straight to the place in which he understood Malocs men to lurk waiting for Hircanus and caused to apprehend them alive Then Herod commanded to call together the Elders before whom he willed also Hircanus to be brought and of him the King demanded tell me whither thou hast written any letter to Maloc King of Arabia he answered I writ none Then was Ristius the Messenger brought in as his acuser and the men of war also of Arabia that were apprehended who declared the whole matter before the Council so that Hircanus was quite dashed Then the King commanded him to be put to death and so was the kingdom established unto Herod The time that Hircanus raigned was 40. years and 6. moneths After the death of his mother he raigned 3. years and Aristobulus his brother removed him making him Priest Again 3. years after he returned to his kingdom and raigned 40. years Then Antigonus son of Aristobulus deposed him cutting off his ear and banished him out of the holy City So after when Herod his servant came to the kingdom he returned to Jerusalem and Herod shed his blood guiltless yet notwithstanding he had delivereâ—… Herod from the hands of the Elders who would have put him to death for the death of Hizkias From that time Hircanus wrought no evil in the sight of the Lord nor offended him in any great matter save only in this that he bare too much with Herod in shedding the innocent blood wherefore his own life went for the other Therefore happy is he that never forgetteth any part of his duty Marimi the daughter of Alexander the son of Aristobulus the Wife of Herod had a brother whose name was Aristobulus him Herod would in no wise promote to the high Priesthood because he feared the children of Chasmonany although his wife made earnest suite and lay sore upon him for the matter But the King made high Priest one that was nothing of the kindred of Chasmonany whose name was Haniel Notwithstanding when he had once dispatched Hircanus his wives Progenitors father of Alexandra his mother in law then he deposed Haniel the high Priest and preferred his wifes brother Aristobulus to the dignity who although he were but a child yet he was wise and of good understanding and beautifull withall so that in all Israel was not a goodlier nor hansomer young man than he was And this Haniel was the first that ever was deposed from that office of the high priest-hood for never did King of Israel attempt the like afore Herod who did this to quiet his wife and to fulfill his mother in laws mind notwithstanding this Alexandra his wives mother was not content nor satisfied for the death of her Father was such a grief but alwaies spake snappishly to the King that he committed her to ward Then she writ to Cleopatra Queen of Egypt wife unto M. Antonius a Noble man of Rome declaring unto her all the mischief that Herod had done to the posterity of Chasmonany and desiring of her aid to whom Cleopatra made this answer if thou canst find the means to come to me secretly thou shalt perceive what I shall do for thee When Alexandra had read the Letter she sent to Aristobulus her son the high Priest shewing him that she would flye to the Sea Japho and from thence would take shipping into Egypt perswading him also to flye with her We will saith she make two Coffers one for me and another for thee and we will with rewards allure our Servants to carry out us privily whereby we may flye to save our lives This their device was perceived of one of Herods Servants who forthwith made the King privy unto it The King commanded his Servant that bewrayed them that when they did convey the Coffers they should bring them to him which the servant did So when the Coffers were brought to the Kings presence he caused them to be opened and took out Alexandra and her son Aristobulus to whom the King spake sharply and rebuked them sore But Alexandera answered him again as short insomuch that the King moved with anger flung away from her into his chamber saying It is better to fit solitary in a corner of the house than with a brawling and scolding woman in an open place The King dissembled the matter and shewed no great displeasure a year after As Aristobulus the high Priest apparralled in his Pontificial vestures stood in the temple nigh unto the Altar to offer sacrifices the Israelits beheld his beauty his wisdom and behaviour in the ministery whereat every man rejoyced praising God that had not taken all away but left one to revenge the injuries done to the house of Chasmonany The King hearing this was sore afraid and not a little displeased thinking to himself the Israelits would restore the Kingdom of their fathers unto him He perceived every mans heart to be enclined towards him Wherefore he deliberated a while and in the feast of the Tabernacles he removed to Jericho with all his houshold whereas he made a great feast to all his nobles and servants placing them every one after hiâ—… degree before him Aristobulus the high Priest he seâ—… upon the right hand And as they eat drank and made merry certain of the Kings servants were disposed to go swim in Jordan To these the King had given secret commandment that they should desire Aristobulus to go and bath with them in Jordan and then to drown him So when they were going they came to Aristobulus and moved him to keep them
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
and in their will they brake the Crib Gen. 29. Crib for an Oxe Least the King should deride them and ask what hath a man to do with an Oxe The seventh And Moses took his wife and his sons and set them upon that that could bear a man Exod. 4. That that could bear a man for an Ass least the King should delude our Master Moses because he rod on an Ass and that he should not say how should an Ass bear a woman and two children He would never have done it if he had not been a begger The eighth And the dwelling of the Children of Israel in Egypt and other lands was 430. years Exod. 12. Notwithstanding they abode not in Egypt but 210. years and that is that their father Jacob told them Descend ye the letters of the which word in Hebrew signify 210 thither Furthermore the computation of 430. years is from the year that Isaac was born which was the holy seed unto Abraham The ninth And unto the little ones of the children of Israel stretched he not his hand Exod. 4. Little ones for Princes As who would say yea also unto their little ones he stretched not his hand Because he should not say the great men escaped but the children of the sons of Israel escaped not The tenth I took of them nothing of value Numb 16. Of value for an ass Least he should say he took not an Ass but he took one reward The eleventh Which things thy Lord God hath divided that they may shine on all People Deut. 4. That they may shine is added Least he should take an argument thereof and say Loe the Holy and blessed Lord hath divided them to all People and hath given them Licence to worship them The twelfth He went and worshiped strange gods which I commanded not to worship Deut. 17. To worship is added Least he should say now hast thou called them to strange worshiping of gods The thirteenth They Translated an Hare Little feet because the Kings wife was called Hare least he should say the Jews mock't me When these Seventy elders had Translated the Law into the Greek Tougue Ptolomy rejoycing much in their wisdom honored them with Princely apparel and great rewards brought them home again merry and glad Moreover he sent by them oblations to our God At that time there were many that condescend to follow the Laws of the Grecians but these Seventy refused Not long after Captain Seleâ—…cus Ptolomyes companion in Office died in whose stead Antiochus reigned in Macedonia This Antiochus making war upon Ptolomy bereft him of all his Dominions and slew him After that he subdued the Land of Israel then under the Regiment of Ptolomy and waxed very proud He hated Israel also because they loved Ptolomy and aided him in thâ—… wars against him This is that Antiochus that builded a great City upon the sea coast and called it Antiochia wherein he made a golden Idol commanding that the children of Israel should be brought unto it and worship it But some of them chose rather to suffer death for the religion of their God and some other fell from the Synagogue their mother Church Before this he took away also their Sabbath their New Moon and league of Circumcision forbidding that in any wise they should observe these Commandments in any place throughout all his Dominions For the which he put many of the Israelites to death and oppressed them more then did ever any of their enemies or adversaries The second man in honor next himself in Jerusalem was one Polipus he erected an Image in the Temple commanding the people of Israel to worship it and whosoever was disobedient to be slain Therefore he put to death Hanna and her seven children as it is mentioned in other places When Antiochus perceived this it increased his hatred towards Israel insomuch that he did his endeavour that none of them should escape or be left alive except such as would worship the Image Then fled many of the Israelites to the mount Modiit and to Jericho because of the law of Polipus and Antiochus his lord having to their Governour the high Priest Mattathias son of John otherwise called Casmoname The Priest enjoyned them to fast and punish themselves before the Lord with weeping sackcloth and ashes And after this he saith unto them if ye will jeopard your lives for the holy Lord why dye we like women Let us go and fight with Polipus and if we dye we shall dye with honor parad venture the Holy and blessed God will help us and will not root out the remnant of Israel To this counsel every man assembled and made a covenant with him upon this thing Polipus hearing this gathered his forces together and made towards them to destroy them and what Israelite soever he found in his way he slew him Mattathias the Priest and all the remnant of Israel understanding that Polipus came against them they went up the mount Modiit with their wives and children Then put he himself and his sons in aâ—…or He had five sons Judas the eldest the next Johonathan the third Joachan the fourth Schimeen the fift Eleazar All these were va iant men of war When Polipus came to them he craftily spake to Mattathias saying Thou art one of the chiefmen in Israel and a man of honor and estimation Come down therefore and all that be with thee worship the Image and strive not against the King that ye may live and not be destroyed Thou shalt be their Prince also if thou shalt be conformable But the Priest in no wise would be seduced by him but rather cursed and reviled him Mattathias had an Altar at the foot of the hill whereupon when he had offered sacrifice to the most blessed God there came one of the wicked Israelites out of Polipus Camp and killed upon it a swine This villain was young and lusty but the Priest was old yet when he saw what this lewd fellow had done crying to his God to strengthen him he challenged a combat between himself and the fellow Which thing being liked both of the fellow and of Polipus with his whole army Mattathias came down with his drawn sword in his hand and the fellow stood against him ready to receive him But the Priest rushing upon him by the assistance of his God overcame him cut off his head and cast his carcass upon the Altar whereat Polipus and his whole Hoast were much astonied beholding one another The Priest stood still by the Altar crying which of you will come to me man for man Then Polipus picked out a strong champion the best of all his army and brought him out of the arreis of his hoast to teach him his lesson how he should behave himself with the Priest The Priest therefore drew toward the camp with his naked sword in his hand as though he came to joyn with their champion but leaving him he turned his sword upon Polipus struck of his
time he had poison given that he died thereof Besides this also his son which came with him Ptolomee cast in prison These things justly chanced unto Simeon for that he had transgressed the word of the Lord that forbad all alliance with the Gentiles The time that he reignover Israel was eighteen years Then John his son reigned in his stead who was called Hircanus in the Greek Tongue The same-Ptolomy king of Egypt invaded Israel with all the power that he could make But John the son of Simeon met him and the Lord overthrew Ptolomy with his whole Host that they were slain of the Israelites and pursued to the City Dagon about which time the Israelites made trenches and besieged it Now within the Town they had the mother of king Hircanus whom Ptolomy caused to be set upon the walls and to be scourged with whips in the sight of her son When Hircanus saw the great affliction of his mother he would have raised his siege and departed from Ptolomy But his mother called unto him and said My dear son John regard not my trouble for all chastenings come from God Proceed manfully with thy siege against this City for it is in great distresse and revenge me thy father and brother murthered by Ptolomy The king followed her advise and manfully raised a Mount from the which he battered the walls with Engines of Iron like Chariots till they began to shake Wherefore many of the souldiers of the Town fled and their companies began to shatter Ptolomy seeing this commanded to afflict his mother yet more and to increase her scourgings until the entrails of Hircanus was moved that he could not abide longer to see his mother so cruelly handled but leave the siege and let Ptolomy escape who neverthelesse killed his mother and fled into Egypt In the fourth year of king Hircanus reign Pius king of Greece came and besieged Jerusalem with a great power and strength whom Hircanus was not able to meet and encounter withal in the field but suffered himself to be closed up in the City The king of the Grecians therefore raised great towers against the City apart from the wall digged a trench and cast up a mount Then planted they their Engins named Pâ—…ams against the gates so that the City was hard besieged for they beat down one of the Turrets that stood upon the wall whereat all Israel was afraid and agreed together to issue out and skirmish with them whatsoever should come thereon life or death Which although Hircanus liked not yet they did so and slew many of their enemies and put them also to flight that they were constrained to encamp themselves further off from Jerusalem Then the Israelites came to the towers that the Greeks had builded and razed them to the ground Thus they issued out daily skirmishing with Pius until the Feast of the Tabernacles Then sent Hircanus to Pius desiring him that he would grant them Truce and let them be at peace while the Feast lasted His request Pius granted and sent a fat Oxe to be offered to the God of Israel covering his horns with beaten gold and dressing him with fillets of christal other precious stones clad also in a garment of Purple and divers other precious cloaths He sent moreover plate both of silver and gold full of divers kinds of spices all to be offered unto the Lord. When Hircanus saw this he went out unto Pius and after he had made peace with him he made him and his chief men of War a great Feast and gave him a Present of Iâ—…I C. pound weight of Gold He went also with Pius to aid him against the King of Persia that at that time rebelled against him But he tarried there not long because the time of Pentecost was at hand Wherefore Hircanus and the Host of Israel returned but Pius and his Army of the Grecians proceeded Whom the king of the Persians met in the field slew Pius himself and vanquished the residue that almost none remained VVhereof when tydings came to Hircanus he was very glad and returned to Jerusalem with peace and joy After this Hircanus made many great Battels with the Nations about him and had ever victory He also came to the Mount of Corizim where he won a fort of the Sectaries and Samaritans and razed the Temple that the Sectaries had there as their house of Sanctuary which they builded by the licence of Alexander the first king of the Greeks He that built it was Manasse the Priest brother to Simeon the just But Hircanus the high Priest pulled it down two hundred years after that it was builded From thence he went to the Gity of Samaria and besieged it This was the mâ—…ther City of the Samaritans and Sectaries which was brought to such distresse by the long siege of Hircanus that they within were fain to eat the carcases of Dogs The feast of Propitiation then at hand Hircanus made speed to Jerusalem to execute his office at that feast for he was high Priest appointed for Generals of his Army Aristobulus his eldest son and his second Antigonus In the mean season they within the Town writ to the king of Greece to come to succour them which he did with a great power But these two young men the kings sons went to meet them with the strength of the Israelites and gave them the overthrow killing them up almost every one to the number of twenty one thousand fighting men and the rest fled That done the young men returned to the siege of Samaria King Hircanus their father had tidings of the coming of the Grecians against his sons so that he perceived they should have the Grecians of the one side of them and the Samaritans and Sectaries of the other but he knew nothing what was hapned for that victory chanced the ninth day of Tisre or September His heart therefore was careful for his sons and for Israel notwithstanding he proceeded in his office according as the feast required as he entred into the house of Sanctum Sanctorum or the Most Holiest to offer incense and to call for mercy for his children and for his Army he heard a voice speaking unto him Never trouble thy mind with thy children and with the Host of Israel for yesterday the Lord of mercy heard them and according to the greatnesse of his goodness for thy Fathers sakes Let thy heart therefore be right and thy hands pure So the King going out of the Sanctuary declared it to the people Whereupon the next day he sent post to Samaria and was assure dry certified again that this was true VVherefore King Hircanus was magnified greatly of all Israel for they knew that the blessed Lord accepted his doings inspiring him with the holy Ghost and increasing his kingdom and Priesthood After this he took journey to Samaria besieged it a whole year and at length wan it slew all also that bare life within He razed the walls the palace and
live and would not be separated from his brethren neither in life nor death as well he as Jonathan his son these were dearly beloved and most amiable men as the Scripture termeth them Why doest thou not remember our dear Prince the righteousnesse of David the anointed of the Lord who seeing a most grievous pestilence to rage upon the people of Israel said Let thy hand O Lord I beseech thee be turn'd upon me and my fathers house For I am he that have sinned I have transgressed as for these thy sheep What have they done What have they offended Where is the holy Law smothered and stifled in thy heart Art not thou an anointed Priest that hast declared and taught us the Holy Law whereby we might learn how to love our Lord GOD with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength If it be so that the service of God consists not in this that we should love him whom he loveth and die for his Covenant and Sanctuary together with his servants that be slain for the unity of the name of the Lord wherein standeth it then Hast not thou oft-times taught and proved unto us how that every man that dieth in the wars for the Lord his Sanctuary his people and his Law he is to be counted in the Lords lot and made worthy to go unto the great Light and shall not see everlasting darknesse Art not thou that Joseph the Priest that hast cryed so often in battel I am Joseph the Priest consecrated to battel that have vowed my life for the people of the Lord his Sanctuary and his Land But now when thou hast yielded thy self unto them and they order thee despitefully What wilt thou say unto them or what amends canst thou have at their hands I put the case they cast in thy teeth and say thy words be lyes How shalt thou avoid the reproach Art thou not he that said'st that we should fight for the people of God until we die in the conflict and in so doing death should be ransome for our sins and that we were sure to go to that great Light that is the light of life Which if it be true according as thou hast said Why then wilt thou shun death and not follow thy people that are gone before thee to that same light Ever hitherto thou hast had the upper hand wheresoever thou cam'st insomuch that they that heard of thee trembled for fear and now wilt thou yield thy life to captivity to the Romans as a vile slave Shall not this thy dishonour redound also to the people of God Thou art a Prince a King and a Priest Wilt thou be bound in chains Every man shall say This is he that gave his souldiers and the rest of the people to die but saved himself and his own life So when they had made an end of talk each man drew out his sword and came to him in the midst of the Cave saying Hearest thou Joseph our Prince if thou wilt be ruled by us first we shall slay thee as a Lord and a great Prince and thou shalt chuse what death thou wilt die that thou mayest die honourably But if thou refuse to die honestly assure thy self of this we will every man set upon thee and kill thee Joseph answered Indeed I know my brethren that your words are just and true For who is so mad to desire to live in this hurly burly and would God that he would call my soul unto him and receive it unto him also For I am not ignorant that it were more expedient for me to die then to live for the great troubles that have passed through my heart but he knoweth the secrets of mens hearts and it is he that giveth life unto men It is our GOD that closeth souls within the bodies and letteth them out again because he is the living God in whose hands remain the souls and spirits of all living creatures He hath left with us the spirit of life and closed it up within our bodies What is he that will open that he hath shut How shall we loose that he would have knit fast within us Do ye not all know how the life is a thing that he hath left us to keep and that we are his servants If then we cast away life before that God take it Shall he not worthily be displeased with us so that we shall not find life in the place of the living with Abraham our father of famous memory and with those just and godly men our forefathers Do ye not know that they went not unto God before they were called and when they were called they came and so dealt God with all the holy and godly men To Moses our Master of worthy memory the elect of God ye know that the Lord God of Israel said Get thee upon this mountain Abiram and so he did but he would not have done it of himself had not God called him whereby ye may see it is not lawful for a man to surrender his life unto the Living GOD except he require it again Take example I pray you of Job what time he curst the day that he was born in Might he not either have hanged himself or have run upon a knife or at the least have followed his wife's counsel to curse God and die Notwithstanding he abode patiently in most extream pain waiting till God demanded again his life and then restored it unto his Lord God and would not restore it undemanded but tarried till his appointed time came King David also of famous memory said Lead thou my life out of this pinfold and prison For he knew that the life was inclosed in the body and that none might let it forth but God I wot well that death is a great commodity so that the soul may return in his due time unto God that gave it us I know it also That he that dieth in the Wars of the Lord he shall come to the great Light But I know not what can appease Gods wrath towards the soul of that man that killeth himself and maketh haste to restore his soul before his time and without the Lords calling Wherefore my friends and my brethren I would ye should know it I am no more coward than you and I do not disagree with you because I am of a faint heart for fear of these present calamities but this I know I should commit a hainous offence against the Lord if I should kill my self And how say ye you Princes that stick unto your God to you I speak Tell me who shall make intercession unto God for us if we should commit this sin and each kill one another Would not a man judge him a slave a fool a froward person a rebel and a desperate man that should be forced with any misery to be so mad that because all things fall not out as he would wish would therefore hang or desperately murder himself with his
of the second couple cast lots between themselves in the presence of Joseph and the one killed the other then he that remained chose him one of the third couple to slay him And in this manner did they all till they were all slain and none left alive but Joseph and his fellow who said unto Joseph Go to let us cast lots that we may go to our Brethren Joseph answered We will do so if thou be so disposed but first hear me I pray thee speak a few things in thy ears Tell me Have not these sinners rebelled against God in this murdering of themselves so shamefully neither could I by any means disswade them nor divert them from this opinion Wherefore should we two fin against God so grievously and against our own souls If the lot should so fall that I should kill thee I should be counted a man-slayer and that worthily and it may so chance I shall escape after thee and save my life but if the lot should so fall that thou shouldest slay me thou should'st be taken also for a murderer and peradventure thou should'st not escape after me yea although thou thinkest that thou may est But assure thy self of this we lose our hope in God in as much as we sin against our own souls For all these men that thou seest here dead Lo they have sinned against their own souls dying without discipline and good order If thou wilt say How shall we do by reason of the oath that we have sworn Dost thou not know that he that breaketh a wicked oath doth nothing wickedly himself therein For a man is not constrained to perform any oath unto God but to the keeping of his Laws and hereupon is it that David saith I have sworn and will perform for neither vow nor oath that is made against the Commandments of God can be ratified before God And what more is before we swear our fathers sware first long ago at the Mount of Sinai that they and their children should keep the Law of the Lord. Moses also made a Covenant with them upon the same and not only with them that were there but also with us How then dare we be so bold to swear to break the Law of God and become man-killers Seeing it is one of the ten Commandments expresly Thou shalt not kill Wherefore my Brother thou shalt understand that we need not be solicitous nor careful for the oath that we have made but rather to break it for God will never be displeased with us for that For I being afraid of these wicked persons that lie now here dead invented this subtile means and way to swear that I might save my life Now therefore my Brother if thou wilt be ruled by mine advice thou shalt save thy life and mine and I will cast no lots nor perform the oath that we made which is noâ—… good in the Law if thou wilt not I will wiâ—…stand thee and fight with thee to kill thee and spare my self And with this Joseph leapt back and drâ—…w out his sword standin over against him at his defence to see what his fellow 〈◊〉 answer His companion hearing 〈◊〉 â—…ed neither hand nor foot against him but said Lo I am content do what thou thinkest good because thou art a man of God And blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath not withdrawn his mercy from me but made me to be in thy lot whereby my soul is saved from going to hell Thy lot is a just lot For the Lord will not leave the scourge of sinners upon the lot of the just Much besides this spake Josephs Companion to him for he was sore afraid of him lest he should have killed him if they had encountred together for Joseph was a better man of his hands and therefore Joseph chose him into his lot that he might be able to make his party good with him In this point Joseph played the wise mans part for he escaped by this means both from the hands of those wicked fools and also from his fellow Therefore Joseph called out of the Cave to Captain Nicanor and said to him in this wise Wilt thou promise me that neither thou nor any of thy men that be here with thee or in the Romans Camp shall kill us before thou hast brought us unto Vespasian and let him do with us as he thinketh good Nicanor answered So and so deal God with me if I fulfil not thy request if so be thou wilt come forth unto me together with the men that thou hast with thee Joseph answered him I will come forth to thee and so many more of us as be alive for it is come to passe that some of us be dead in the Cave wherefore how can they come forth Then said Nicanor Never think friend Joseph that I come to deceive thee Come forth and trust in thy GOD for thou needest not to fear Joseph said Swear unto me this by the God of Israel although he be unknown to thee Nicanor answered I swear unto thee by that God that made the World by his wisdom that thou needest not to fear me but boldly mayest come forth unto me So Nicanor made a covenant with Joseph and his fellow confirming and ratifying it in writing after the manner of the Romans and reaching it into the Cave upon a spear holding the point of the â—…pear in his own hand Joseph took the writing read it and believed Nicanor Then came he forth to Nicanor and his fellow with him When Nicanor sitting upon his seat of State that was made him in the wood nigh to the Cave saw Joseph come toward him he rose up and embracing him kissed him set him on his right hand and wept with him abundantly he honoured his fellow also placing him between Pollerinus and Gallicanus whom he had then present with him Then Nicanor asked him for the rest of the men that were with him desiring that they should come forth and he would honour them also and do them no harm Joseph declared the whole matter unto him and told him what was become of them Nicanor hearing of the pertinacious stubbornness of the Jews hearts and their wicked intents was wonderfulâ—…y moved So then he rose and went from thence with Joseph and his companion unto Vespasian When the Roman Army saw Joseph they were greatly astonied and gave a mighty shout some rejoyced that Joseph was taken saying This is good luck that our eyes shall see our long expected desire Other lamented and let tears fall from their eyes with pensive hearts saying Is not this that worthy man who made all the Roman host to quake for fear and whose fame and renown was known throughout all Lands How is it come to pass that so mighty a man is taken in his own Country and amongst his own people If this chanceth unto such a man to be taken in his own Land in the midst of his families and friends How shall we escape
Anani the high Priest seeing the wicked to be fled to the Temple wiâ—…ed the people to cease their fighting with them in the Temple of the Lord left they should pollute it with the blood and dead caâ—…kasses of those wicked persons The people therefore left off the fight Then Anani beset the Temple round about with 6000. of the choisest and ablest men of the people well armed all of them with jackes and sallets and as well weapon'd with every man a sword a target and a spear or pike to keep the Temple that they should not come forth Moreover Anani cast in his mind that besides the invading them in the Temple which were nowaies seemly it should also be as great a damage if the people of the Lord should assault one another in that place For these causes he sent Embassadors to Jehochanan the Galilean chief Captain of the seditious and thieves offering him peace but Jehochanan refused it For the seditious had sent for the Edomites to come and aid them The Edomites had been ever from their first beginning very valiant and warlike-men yet they were subject to the Jews For Hircanus King of Juda had conquered them and caused them to be circumcised binding such of them as were the best Warriours to this service to stand in arms and keep watch and ward upon the walls of Jerusalem day and night and the rest of them to pay tribute to the Jews Upon a certain night came two and twenty thousand of these Edomites all good men of War against Jerusalem When Anani the Priest and the people that were with him heard the noise of the Edomites Army he went upon the walls and demanded of them what they were from whence they came and whither they would They answered We are Edomites and came out of Idumea to visit the Lord God and his Temple and to see in what case his people standeth for thus we come according to our accustomed manner as ever heretofore Anani answered You are dissemblers and not as your words do shew neither come ye to seek God and his Sanctuary nor yet to aid his people but rather to the supporting of Jehochanan grand Captain of Thieves Were it not better for you to assist the Sanctuary of God than these sinfull seditious persons that covet nothing els then to lay waste the House of God and to destroy his People They in the most holy City of God do shed the blood of Just Godly and Innocent men through whose wickedness the Romans have the upper hand of us because we have civil wars at home with the Seditious and external with the Romans Yea the wickedness of the Seditious is grown so far that the most part of us had rather be slain by the Romans than of our brethren the Jews If so be ye be come to maintain them ye shall understand that ye offend our Lord God exceedingly to help sinners and murtherers that tread the people of God under their feet like as men tread grapes in a wine-press and make the Temple of the Lord a dwelling-place of man-killers and wicked persons Ye say Ye come to seek the Lord how is it then that ye are thus in Arms after the manner of war Ye shall understand we shut not the gates of the Town because of you lest ye should come in after your accustomed manner but because of your armour and weapons that you have with you whâ—…ch are instruments of destruction a very unmeet fashion to come and visit the Lord You should rather have comeâ—…with offerings sacrifices confession and praise Notwithstanding if ye will enter into the Town for devotion sake ye are welcome but ye must lay away your weapons and so enter in peaceably The Edomites answered We marvell not a little at thee which art the high Priest our Lord and mediator and at the rest of the Priests of the Lord with the Elders and Judges of the people that be present with thee and your woâ—…ds seem strange in our ears For we understand you take us for your enemies and thereupon you stop us of our entrance into the City to visit the Lord God after our accustomed manner In that we be armed as ye object unto us Do ye not know that Vespasian draweth nigh to come to this holy City This we hearing of was the cause that we took our weapons with us to come to ayd you and keep the Town as we have been wont these many years But how should ye gather this that we come to support the wicked and seditious that be with you when as from the first day that ever we and our fathers were circumcised we never swarved fâ—…om the Law and commandments of the Lord Tell us if there be any commandmeâ—…t in the Law that biddeth a man to strengthen and maintain the power of the wicked to the which we are bound to hearken and to ayd these God forbid we should do this for we all both that be here and the other Edomites also be servants of the Lord and his people to maintain and defend the Law the people and the house of the Lord. Whiles they were thus talking together there arose up a great cloud and lightnings were seen with fire and darkness with mighty thunderâ—…claps and showers of hail that all that saw it were wonderfully afraid Wherefore the people fled wholly left not only the walls but Anani also for they could not abide to tarry any longer But Anani took heart unto him and abode it to mark those horrible signs of heaven which did appear that he might judge what they betokened The Figure of a fearful Comet And he gave his Judgment indeed but not according to the truth that the thunder and hail with darkness signified Gods help by the hope whereof they should defend the Sanctuary of the Lord. So likewise judged all the Elders that were with him without perceiving that all these signs betokened the evils that should come upon Jerusalem and all Israel When they that were shut in the Temple perceived that they that kept the Watch before the gate of the Temple were fled also for fear of the tempest they went and opened the doors of the Temple and in that darkness which although it was so great that one could not see another for the thickness thereof neither durst any of the Town once look out of his doors they were so afraid of those terrible signs of the Element yet came those desperate fellows the Seditious out of the Temple drew toward the walls without all fear with saws and other instruments to cut asunder the barrs of the gates And when the crashing of the thunder and hail was greatest then laboured they hardest in wresting asunder the locks and bolts of the gates lest they should be perceived And ever when the thunder clap was past then stayed they and left off till it came again Thus plaid they till they had broken and opened the gates and let the Edomites