A General Martyrology, Chapter 4
CHAP. IV. The Life of Judas Maccabeus.
AFter Matthias his death, Judas took upon him the government of the wars, and by the help of his brethren, and other Jews, he drave the enemies out of the countrey, purg…ng the land of all the uncleaness that had been brought into it. But when Apollonius, who was Antiochus his Generall in Samaria, heard of it, he gathered his Army together, and invaded Judea, against whom Maccabeus went forth, and after a terrible battel, overthrew him,Apollonius slain. slew Apollonius and many of his souldiers; took his Camp, and therein a very rich booty; and Judas gat Apollonius his sword for his part in the spoil. Then Seron Governor of Caelosyria gathered all his forces together, and hired many Apostate Jews to joyn with him, and so marched against Judas as far as Bethoron: Judas also advanced towards him, but when he perceived that his souldiers were unwilling to fight, by reason of the inequality of their numbers, and for that they had eaten no meat, but had fasted for a long time, he encouraged them, saying, that the means to obtain the victory, consisted not in the greatness of their number, but in their devotion towards God;Judas encouraged his souldiers. whereof they had evident examples in their forefathers, who with a small number, had often defeated many thousands of their enemies, &c. Hereby he so prevailed with his souldiers, that, dreadless of the number of their enemies, they all together ran upon Seron, and after a cruel fight, routed his Army, and slew him together with eight hundred of the Syrians;Seron slain. The rest escaped by flight.
Antiochus hearing of these things, was highly displeased, and therefore he assembled all his forces, and hired many mercenaries, but having mustered his Army, he found that his treasure failed him to pay so great a multitude; whereupon he resolved, first to go into Persia, to gather up his tributes: and in the meane time he made Lysias his Vicegerent, a man of greate esteem with him, and one that governed all the countries from Euphrates to the borders of Egypt: with him he also left some Elephants, and part of his Army, commanding him expresly, that when he had conquered Judaea he should make the inhabitants thereof his slaves,Antiochus his …rpel command. and sell them to those that would give most for them, and that he should destroy Jerusalem, and utterly abolish that race. Lysias having received this commandment, sent Ptolemy, Nicanor, and Gorgias (men of great authority about the King) with an Army of forty thousand Foot, and seven thousand Horsemen; to invade Jury; who marching as far as the City Emmaus, encamped in the field; and increased their Army with many Syrians, and Apostate Jews. There came also divers Merchants a long with them to buy the prisoners that should be taken, bringing gieues along with them to manacle the prisoners withall. Judas having viewed the Camp, and number of his enemies, encouraged his souldiers, exhorting them to repose their confidence and hope of victory in God: he also appointed a F…st, that they might humble themselves, and call upon God, by supplications and prayers,Fasting and prayer before the battel. for success in such an extreame danger. Then he told them that God would have compassion upon them, and give them strength to stand against their enemies, and to put them to shame. The next day he marshalled his Army by thousands, and by hundreds, and sent away all that were newly married, or that had lately bought pess…ssions, according to the Law. And t…en he said unto the rest: My countrymen and companions, His exhortation to his Armywe never yet had any occasion more necessary, wherein we ought to express our courages, and contemn dangers, then at this present; for now if you fight valiantly, you may recover your liberties, which ought the more to be prised, because thereby you may win opportunity to ser…e God, and so live an happy life: but if ye prove cowards in the fight, you shall be branded with perpetuall infamy, and hazard the utter extirpation of our Nation. Think therefore, that if you fight not, you must die: and on the contrary, assure your selves, that in fighting for your Religion, Laws and Liberty, you shall obtain immortall glory: be ready therefore, that to morrow morning you may bid your enemies battel. Immediately news was brought him, that Gorgias with five thousand foot, and a thousand horsemen, was sent forth under the conduct of some fugitives, by night to fall upon him; whereupon he resolved the same night to break into the enemies Army whilest they were thus divided. Having therefore refreshed himself and Army, leaving many fires in his Camp thereby to deceive the enemy, he marched all night to seek them out. Gorgias finding that the Jews had forsaken their Camp, conceited that for fear they were fled into the mountains, and therefore he resolved to search them out diligently. But in the morning, …udas accompanied only with three thousand men and those but ill armed because of their poverty, shewed himself to the enemies that were at Emmaus, and having viewed their warlike discipline, and mighty number, and how well they were incamped, he encouraged his followers to fight v…liantly, telling them, that God would deliver their enemies into their hands, and thereupon causing his Trumpets to sound, he rushed in upon his enemies with such fury and resolution, as altogether affrighted and discouraged them;A wonderfull v…ctory. and having slaine such as resisted, he pursued the rest as farre as the plains of Idumaea, &c. In this fight …bout three thousand of the enemies were slain; yet would he not suffer his souldiers to take the spoil, telling them, that as yet they were to fight with Gorgias and his Army, but so soon as they had (through Gods mercy) with the lik… val…ur beaten them, they might then securely enrich themselves by the prey of all their enemies. Gorgias with his Army being upon an hill, and discovering the flight of their friends,Gorgias flies. and the Jews readinesse to give them battell, were so affrighted, that they also fled; whereupon Judas with his men returned to gather the pillage, and having found great store of gold, silver, scarlet and purple,Thanksgiving. he returned to his dwelling with joy, praising God for their happy success.
Lysias hearing of this overthrow was much enraged, and presently assembled another army of neer sixthy thousand chosen foot, and five thousand horsemen, wherewith he went to invade Judaea and encamped in Bethsura: Judas hearing of it, came forth against him with ten thousand men, and seeing the number of his enemies so farre to exceed his, he earnestly cried unto God, that it would please him to fight with, and for him;Prayer. and then charged the vanguard of the enemy with so great force, that he discomfited, and slew about five thousand of them, Lysias perceiving hereby the resolution of the Jews, Lysias beaten.who would rather die then lose their liberty, he returned with the rest of his Army unto Antioch, where he continued, and entertained many mercenaries, to make a greater Army for the conquest of the Jews: In the meane time Judas assembled the people, and told them, that having obtained so many victories, through the mercy of God, they ought now to go up to Jerusalem, and purifie the Temple that was desolate, and to offer unto God the sacrifices that were ordained by the Law.The Temple cleansed. Then going up with a great multitude of people he found the Temple desolate, the gates burned, and grass growing within the same: grieving therefore at so sad a spectacle, he began to weep, and all the people that were with him, and having chosen out some of his best souldiers, he commanded them to force the garisons which were in the fortresses, whilest himself purged the Temple. Then he caused to be made a Table, a Candlestick, and Altar for incense, all of gold; he put up a rail also, and set gates to the Temple: and having thrown down the Altar of burnt-offerings that was profaned by Antiochus, The service of God restored.he built a new one of stones neither hewed nor hammered: Then on the twenty fifth of Chasleu [September] were lights set in the Candlestick, perfumes laid upon the Altar, loaves set upon the Table, and sacrifices offered upon the new Altar, which was the same day three years wherein before the sacred service was changed into profane and hatefull impiety. Then did Judas with his country-men celebrate a feast unto the Lord for eight daies, praising God with Hymns and Psalms. He enclosed the City also with a wall, and built high Towers thereon, in which he planted Garisons against the incursions of the enemies. He fortified also the City of Betsura, that it might serve as a Fort against the enemy.
But the nations round about them, being greatly displeased with this prosperity of the Jews, oppressed divers whom they surprised by ambushes and treachery;The Edomites overcome. whereupon Judas warred against them to hinder their incursions: he slew many of the Idumaeans, and brought away a great prey out of their country, and shut up the sonnes of Baan ▪ their Prince, who lay in waite for the Jews, and after a siege, he overcame them, setting fire on their Towers, and killing all the men that where therein. After this he made warre upon the Ammonites, who had a mighty Army under the conduct of Timotheus: The Ammonites overcome.with these he fought and overcame them, and took their City of Jazor, and burned it, leading their wives and children into captivity, and so returned into Judaea: But the neighbouring nations hearing of his departure, assembled themselves together against the Jews in Galaad, who retiring into the sort of Dathema, sent to Judas, requesting him to come and relieve them; and whilest he was reading their Letters, other messengers came out of Galile, informing him that they were assaulted by the inhabitants of Ptolomais, Tyre, and Sidon, and others there abouts. Hereupon Judas commanded his brother Simon to take three thousand chosen men, and with them to relieve those Jews that were assailed in Galile: and himself with his brother Jonathan, accompanied with eight thousand fighting men, marched into Galaad, leaving the rest of his forces under two other Captains, whom he commanded to have a watchfull eye over Judaea, yet not to joyn battell with any enemy till his returne.Simons victories in Galile. Simeon in Galile fought against his enemies, discomfited them, pursued them to the gates of Ptolemais, and slew about three thousand; and having gathered their spoils, he released many Jews that were prisoners, restored their goods to them, and so returned home. But Judas having passed Jordan, and marched three daies journey, he met the Na…athians, who told him that his brethren were besieged in their Castles and Cities, and some of them were already brought into great exrteamity and penury: Hereupon he first assailed the Inhabitants of Bosra, Judas taketh Bozra.tooke their City, set it on fire, and killed all the men that were able to bea… arms: then marching all night, he came early in the morning to the Castle, where the Jews were besieged by Tymothies Army. The enemies were just then raising their ladders to scale the walls, and applying their engins for battery: Then did he incourage his men to fight valiantly for their brethren that were in danger, and causing his Trumpets to sound, he distributed his forces into three battalions, wherewith he assaulted the enemies, but they, hearing that it was Mac…abaeus, Overcometh Timothy,were struck with so great a fear, that immediately they fled: Judas with his men pursuing them, slew about eight thousand, and then marching to Malla [a City of the enemies] he surprised it, slew all the men therein, and burnt it with fire; after which he destroyed Chaspomo, Bosor, and divers other places.
Shortly after Timothy leavied another great Army, hired many of the Syrians, and drew forth all his allies to his assistance; with these he marched to Jordan exhorting them valiantly to oppose the Jews and to hinder their passage over the river, telling them that if the Jews gat over, they were sure to be put to the worst: Judas hearing hereof, marched hastily against his enemies, and having passed the river, he presently set upon them,Timothy again overcome. killing some, and grievously affrighting the rest, who casting away their arms, immediately fled; some of them to save themselves fled into a Temple called Carnain, but Judas having taken the City and Temple, slew them and burnt the same. Then did he lead away with him all the Jews that lived in Galaad, together with their wives, children and substance, and brought them into Judaea.
When he drew near to the town of Ephron, they had baricadoed up his way that he could not pass: then did he send Ambassadors to them, to desire them to open his passage; which when they refused, he besieged the City, took it by assault, burned it down,Ephron destroyed. Thanksgiving for victory. A miracle of mercy. and slew all the men that were therein. After having passed over Jordan, they came into Judaea with great joy and gladnesse, praising God, and offering sacrifices of thanksgiving to him, for the safe return of his Army; for that in all those battels and encounters, he had not lost one Jew.
But whilest Judas and Simon were gone upon these expeditions, the two Captains which he had left to command the Garisons of Judaea, Vain-glory punished.being desirous to obtain the reputation of valiant men, tooke their forces, and went towards Jamnia; against whom Gorgias, Governor of that place, issued out, and slew two thousand of them; the rest fled to Judaea.The Idumaeans overcome.
Afterwards Judas and his brethren warred against the Idumaeans, took divers of their Cities, and with a great booty returned home with great joy. Antiochus in the meane time being in Persia, heard of a wealthy City called Elymais, in which was a rich Temple of Diana, &c. thither he went, and besieged it, but the inhabitants sallied out, and with great losse drave him from thence, whereupon he returned to Babylon: there also news was brought unto him of the overthrow of his Captains in Judaea, and that the Jews were grown strong; which together with his former defeat, so wrought upon him, that he fell sick, and finding no hope of recovery, he called his most familiar friends to him, and told them that his sicknesse was violent and desperate, and that he was plagued with this grevous affliction, for that he had tormented the people of the Jews, destroyed their Temple,Antiochus his horrible death. committed horrible sacriledge, and contemned the reverence of God; but now he vowed, that if it would please the Lord to restore him, he would become a Jew, and do many great things for the people of God; as also that he would goe through all the known world to declare the power of God. Notwithstanding which, the Lord knowing his hypocrisie continued to plague him after a terrible manner: he had a remedilesse pain in his bowels, and intollerable torments in all his inward parts: His body bred abundance of worms, which continually crawled out of the same: yea, he so rotted above ground, that by reason of the intollerable stink, no man could endure to come near him, neither could he himselfe indure the same: and thus this vile person who had formerly in a proud and insolent manner protested that he would make Jerusalem a common burying place,Gods judgemente on Persecator…. and the streets thereof to run with the bloud of Gods people; by Gods just judgement ended his life in extream misery: but before his death, he called Philip one of his chief Captains, and made him governour of his kingdom, requiring him to be very carefull of his son Antiochus.
Then was Antiochus proclaimed King, and sirnamed Eupator:Antiochus Eupa…tor. About which time the Garisons, and Apostates that were in the Fortress at Jerusalem, did much mischief to the Jews; for setting unawares upon those that came to the Temple to worship, and to offer their sacrifices, they slew them: Hereupon Judas resolved to cut off these Garisons, and to that end he assembled all the people, and besieged them, and having made certain Engins, and raised divers Rams, he earnestly prosecuted the siege: but divers of those Apostates escaping by night, went to Antiochus, desiring him not to suffer them to perish, who for his fathers sake, had forsaken their Religion, &c. Then did Antiochus send for his Captains, commanding them to raise a mighty Army, which accordingly they did, gathering together a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and thirty two Elephants; with these Forces he departed out of Antioch, and made Lysias Generall of his Army:Bethsura besieged. Then did he besiege Bethsura, a strong City, but the inhabitants valiantly resisted him, and sallying out, burned his Engines which he had prepared for battery. The King continuing the siege for a longe time, Judas hearing of it, raised his siege from before the Castle of Jerusalem, and marched towards Antiochus his Army, and when he came neer to the enemies Camp, he lodged his Army in certain streights, called Beth-zacharia.
The King hearing thereof, raised his siege from Bethsura, and marched to wards the streight where Judas with his Army was; The King first caused his Elephants to march thorow the streight; about each Elephant were a thousand Footmen, and a hundred Horsemen for his guard, each Elephant carried a Tower on his back, furnished with Archers: the rest of his Forces he caused to march two waies by the mountaines, commanding them with huge shouts and cries to assail their enemies, and to uncover their golden and brazen bucklers, that the reflection thereof might dazle the eies of the Jews; yet was not Judas at all amated, but entertained the Army with a noble courage, slaying about six hnundred of the forlorn hope: But Eleazer, Judas brother, seeing a huge Elephant armed with royall trappings, supposing that the King was upon him, he ran against him with a noble courage, and having slain divers that were about the Elephant, he thrust his sword into the belly of the beast,Eleazer slew, and is slain by an Elephent. so that the Elephant falling upon him, slew him with his weight.
Judas seeing the great strength of his enemies, retired back to Jerusalem; and Antiochus sent back part of his Army against Bethsura, and with the rest, he marched on towards Jerusalem. The Bethsurites despairing of relief, and their provisions failing them, surrendred their City,Bethsura surrendred. having the Kings oath that no out-rage should be offered to them, yet he thrust them out of the City and placed a Garison in it. He spent also along time in besieging the Temple at Jerusalem, they within defending it gallantly;The Temple besieged. for against every Engine that the King erected, they set up a contrary Engine: Their only want was of victuals, because (it being the seventh year) the Land had not been tilled; whereupon divers of them fled away secretly, so that very few remained for the defence of the Temple. But behold the good providence of God! just then came tidings to Antiochus, A speciall providence.that Philip coming out of Persia, intended to make himself Lord and Master of the country, Antiochus concluded to give over the siege and to march against Philip; but first he sent an Herauld to Judas, promising them peace, and liberty to live according to their Religion, which conditions Judas accepting of, took an oath from the King for performance, and so surrendred up the Temple. Whereupon Antiochus entred the same, and seeing it so impregnable a pl…ce,Perfidiousness. contrary to his oah he commanded his Army to levell the wall that environed it, and then he returned to Antioch, leading away with him Onias, surnamed M…nalaus, the High-Priest, whom, by the counsell of Lysias, he put to death,A just judgement. because he had advised his father to enforce the Jews to forsake their Religion: A just reward for so wicked a fact.
Antiochus finding that Philip had already conquered much of his country, went straite against him, fought with him, and slew him.
Presently after Demetrius the son of Seleucus took possession of Tripolis in Syria, and setting the Diadem upon his own head, he leavied an Army, and invaded the Kingdom of Antiochus. The people generally submitted themselves to him, and laying hold of Antiochus and Lysias, they brought them both to Demetrius, Antiochus slain by Demetriuswho caused them to be slain.
To this new King, divers Jews (banished for their impiety) together with Alcimus their High-Priest, resorted, a…cusing their Nation,The wickednes of Apostates. and in particular Judas and his brethren for killing their friends, and banishing such as were friends to Demetrius. Demetrius was much moved with these reports, and therefore he sent a greate Army under Bacchides, a valiant and experienced Captain,Bacchides sent against Judas. with commission to kill Judas and his confederates. Bacchides with his Army marched into Judea, sending an Herauld to Judas and his brethren, pretending peace, when he intended to surprize them by subtilty and treachery. But Judas seeing that he came with so great an Army, found out his drift, and would not trust him: yet many of the people were deceived with his Proclamation of peace, and therefore submitted to live under his government, first having received an oath from him, that neither they, nor any of their followers should be endamaged: but when they had committed themselves to him, he falsified his oath,Perjury. Perfidiousness. and slew sixty of them.
Then removing his Army from Jerusalem, he came to the village of Bethzeth, where, apprehending many of the Jews, he slew them all, and commanded the rest in the country to obey Alcimus, with whom he left a part of his Army, and so returned to Antioch unto demetrius.
Alcimus by his feigned and familiar deportment, drew many more of the wicked Jews to joyn with him,Alcimus his subtilty and cruelty. and then he went with his Army thorow the country, and slew all that took part with Judas. Judas perceiving that hereby many upright men, and such as feared God were slain; he also with his Army went thorow the Land, and slew all the Apostates that were of Alcimus his faction. Whereupon Alcimus repaired to Demetrius, and made greivous complaints against Judas; who fearing that if Judas prospered, it would be prejudiciall to his estate,Nicanor sent against Judas he sent Nicanor to make warre against him, and having furnished him with a sufficient Army, he commanded him that he should not spare any one of that Nation.
Nicanor coming to Jerusalem; offered no act of hostility, endeavouring to entrap Judas by subtilty,His subtility. sending him a peaceable message, wherein he protested that he would do him no injury, and that he came only to express the good affections of Demetrius to the Nation of the Jews.
Judas and his brethren being deceived with this glozing message entertained him and his Army. Nicanor then saluted Judas, but whilest he was conferring with him, he gave a sign to his souldiers to lay hands on him;Judas in danger. but Judas discovering the treason, brake from him, and escaped to his Army. Then did Nicanor resolve to make open war upon him, and bad him battel near to a Burrough called Capar-salama, where he obtained the victory, and constrained Judas to retreat into the Fortress at Jerusalem;Judas forced to retreat. there did Nicanor besiege him for a while, and then retired; at which time certain of the Priests and Elders met him, and having done their reverence, they shewed him those sacrifices which they intended to offer to God for the Kings prosperity; but he blaspheming, threatned them, that if they did not deliver Judas into his hands,Nicanors blasphemy. he would destroy the Temple at his return. Hereupon the Priests wept abundantly, praying unto God to defend the Temple, together with those which called on his Name therein, from the outrage of their enemies.
Nicanor coming neer to Bethoron, received a greate supply of souldiers out of Syria. Judas also was about thirty furlongs distant from him not having above a thousand men, yet he exhorted them not to fear the multitude of their enemies, but to set couragiously upon them, expecting help from God;A terrible battel. and so encountering with Nicanor, there was a very doubtfull conflict, yet Judas had the upper hand, and slew a great number of the enemies. Nicanor himselfe also fighting valiantly, was slain; whereupon his Army fled: but Judas speedily pursuing, made a great slaughter,Nicanor slain. and by sound of trumpet, giving notice to the neighbouring places, the inhabitants thereof betook themselves to their weapons, and meeting those that fled, they slew them, so that no one escaped from this battel, though they were at least nine thousand men.
Then ensued a little peace to the Jews. Shortly after Alcimus the High-priest, intending to beat down an old wall of the Sanctuary, was suddenly striken by God, became speechless, and fell to the ground, and having endured many grievous torments for many dayes,A just judgement. he died miserably. Then did the people by a generall consent give his place to Judas: who hearing of the great power and victories of the Romans, sent two of his intimate friends to Rome, to intreate the Romans to be their Allies and Confederates,Judas sends to the Romans. and to write to Demetrius to give over his wars against the Jews.
The Embassadors coming to Rome, were intertained by the Senate, and friendship concluded betwixt them, upon these conditions; That none under the Romans should war against the Jews, A league between the Jews and Romans.nor furnish their enemies with Victuals, Ships or Silver: That if any enemies should assail the Jevvs, the Romans should succour them to the uttermost of their povver; that if any made vvar upon the Romans, the Jevvs should succour them; that if the Jevvs vvould add or diminish any thing from this Association, it should be done vvith the common advice of the Romans; and that vvhat should so be ordained, should remain irrevocable.
Nicanors death, and the discomfiture of his Army being reported to Demetrius, he sent another Army under Bacchides, vvho coming into Judaea, and hearing that Judas vvas encamped at Bethzeth, Bacchides sent …gainst Judas twenty thousand.he marched against him vvith tvventy thousand footmen, and tvvo thousand horsemen. Judas had not in all above tvvo thousand men, vvho seeing the multitude of Bacchides Army, vvere afraid, so that some, forsaking the Camp, fled avvay, insomuch as there then remained vvith Judas but eight hundred men. His enemies also pressed so upon him, that he had no time to re-assemble his Forces, yet he resolved to fight vvith those eight hundred men, vvhom he exhorted to be of good courage, and to fight valiantly: but they answered, That they were not able to make head against so great an Army, and therefore they adviced him to retire, and stand on his guard, till he had gathered more Forces: Judas replied,Judas his resolution. God forbid that the Sun should see me turn my back upon the enemies; though I die, and spend my last blood in this battle, yet will I never soil my former worthy actions by an ignominious flight. And so having encouraged his souldiers, he commanded them without apprehension of danger, to bend themselves altogether against the enemy. Bacchides drew out his Army, arranged them in battle, placing his horse-men in the wings, his Archers, and light-armed men in the front, and then the Macedonian Phalanx, and so causing his Trumpets to sound, and his Souldiers to shout, he charged his enemies. Judas did the like, and encountred Bacchides, so that there was a most cruel conflict, which continued till Sun-set.A terrible battel.
Judas perceiving that Bacchides, and the flower of his Army fought in the right wing, he chose out the most resolute of his Souldiers, and drew them towards that quarter, and set upon them, brake their squadron, and thrusting into the midst of them, he forced them to flie, and pursued them as far as to the mount Aza; but the left wing followed Judas, and so enclosed him on the back part. He seeing himself thus enclosed, resolved with his followers to fight it out to the last. He slew a great number of his enemies, till at last he was so wearied, that …he fell to the ground, and was there slain: His souldiers seeing him dead, betook themselves to flight. Simon and Jonathan his brothers, by intreaty recovered his body, carried it to Modim, Judas slain.where they interred it, all the people weeping divers days for him; and Jonathan his brother succeeded him in the Government.