The History of the Old Testament Methodized, Text (3 of 3)

The History of the Old Testament Methodized · Text (3 of 3)

p. 35Herod having ſettled the affairs of Galilee, appeared at Jeruſalem, but with a Guard (as his Father had adviſed him by Letter) yet a moderate one leſt he ſhould affright Hircanus. When he appeared before the Sanhedrin in his Royal Robes, and with his Guard, no body had the courage to ſay any thing to him, or accuſe him, till one of the Council called Sameas, a juſt man (and yet no hot-ſpirited man, as the Jewiſh Proverb ſhews; Be thou humble as Hillel, and not angry as Sameas) riſing up, inveighed againſt him for the manner of his Appearance, not ſuitable to the condition of a perſon ſummoned to anſwer for his faults; and blamed both Hircanus and the Council for their too great Indulgence, which he feared they would afterwards pay dearly for. And the event proved his words true, that very Council, and Hircanus himſelf being afterwards put to death by Herod when he was King.

The Council being inflamed with Sameas's words, had certainly now condemned him, had not Hircanus foreſeeing it, put off the buſineſs till the next day, and in the mean time privately adviſed Herod to ſhift for himſelf. Herod thereupon retired to Damaſcus, and viſited Sextus Ceſar (who loved him as his own Son) and then gave out, That he would no more appear though he were cited; at which they at Jeruſalem fretted, and perſwaded Hircanus, That all theſe things tended to his ruine. Herod having purchaſed of Sextus Ceſar the Government of Coeloſyria, diſdaining now that he had p. 36been commanded to come and plead his cauſe at Jeruſalem, marches towards the City with an Army, and if his Father and Brother had not met him, and otherwiſe perſwaded him, he had made miſchief enough. Having therefore made a ſhew of his power, he retreated. About this time Caelicius Baſſus in favour of Pompey, made away Sextus Ceſar, and got his Army to ſubmit to him; but divers of Ceſars party came to revenge his Kinſmans death, and a War enſued about Epamea, whither Antipater (mindful of the Benefits he had received from Ceſar) ſent his Sons with aid to aſſiſt Ceſars Captains. The War being drawn out in length, Statius Marcus was ſent to ſucceed Sextus, and in the mean time Julius Ceſar was ſtab'd in the Senate-houſe, which as it bred trouble and diſturbance to the whole Roman Empire, ſo neither did Judea eſcape without its ſhare thereof.

A Civil War inſuing, the chief Captains on both ſides, ran up and down to provide themſelves for it. Caſſius (one of them that ſlew Ceſar) came into Syria, where raiſing the Seige before Apamea, he drew both Marcus and Baſſus to his Party, and then taking upon him the Power of a General, and Title of Proconſul, he reduced to his obedience all the Cities of Syria, and levied men, and exacted grievous Contributions: But eſpecially he afflicted Judea, levying a Tax of above 700 Talents upon it. Antipater ſeeing the Commonwealth in trouble, and fearing Caſſius's Threats, appointed his two Sons to gather part of the money, and Malichus a Jew (that was an enemy of his) to gather another part, and ſome others, another part. But Herod bringing firſt of all an 100 Talents, which were impoſed upon Galilee (which belonged to his Government) became thereby much in Caſſius's favour. But under the other Governours divers Cities were ſet to Sale to make up the Sum. And the Tax (as it ſhould ſeem) came in ſo ſlowly, that Caſſius was exceedingly enraged, and was about to put Malichus (one of the Collectors) to death, had not Hircanus by ſending to him a 100 Talents of his own money by Antipater, appeaſed his fury. But Antipater was ill requited by Malichus for this. For as ſoon as Caſſius left Judea, Malichus practiced to take away Antipaters life, thinking that he being removed out of the way, they ſhould better provide for the ſecurity of Hircanus's Government. Antipater having an inckling of it, paſſed over Jordan, and gathered an Army, intending to revenge the Treachery; but Malichus (being a crafty Diſſembler) ſo denyed the matter with Oaths to his two Sons, that they reconciled him to their Father, who by his Interceſſion ſaved him out of the Hands of Marcus, Preſident of Syria, who underſtanding that Malichus attempted ſome Innovations in Judea, had reſolved to put him to death. But Antipater preſerved him to his own Deſtruction.

Caſſius and Marcus having gathered an Army, made Herod (for his good ſervices) Governour of Coeloſyria, and gave him forces both of Horſe and Foot, and alſo Ships at Sea, and promiſed to make him King of Judea, if they got the better againſt Anthony and young Ceſar.

Antipater not long after, being feaſted by Hircanus at Jeruſalem, Malichus corrupting the Kings Butler, poiſoned Antipater, and gathering a Band of Soldiers, ſeized on the Government of the City.

Antipaters Sons having notice of their Fathers death, Herod would have revenged it out of hand, and that by open force; but Phaſaelus thought it better to circumvent the Murderer in ſome more private way, leſt they ſhould ſeem the beginners of a Civil War. And therefore Malichus ſtifly denying he had any hand in Antipaters death, they ſeemed ſatisfied with his juſtifications, and Phaſaelus ſet himſelf to erect a Monument for his Father. Not long after, the Feaſt of Penticoſt approaching, Herod came up to Jeruſalem with a company of Soldiers at his Heels. Malichus hearing of his coming in this Equipage, was much ſtartled at it, and perſwaded Hircanus not to ſuffer him to enter the City; and Hircanus accordingly forbad him to approach ſo holy a ſolemnity with a Profane rout of Strangers. But he notwithſtanding got in by night, and ſo affrighted Malichus that he betook himſelf to his old Trade of diſſembling, and openly bewail'd with Tears the death of Antipater as his great Friend. So that for that time it was thought fit by Herods friends (for the ſhunning of Suſpicion) to treat him fairly. Yet Herod by Letters ſignified his Fathers death to Caſſius, who willed him by all means to revenge it; and gave order to the Tribunes then lying at Tyre, to aſſiſt him in his juſt endeavours.

p. 37Caſſius not long after having taken Laodicea, the Governours came flocking from all places to him bringing Crowns and Money, and Herod expected now that Malichus ſhould be puniſhed for the Murder of his Father.

Malichus being apprehenſive of the danger he was in, began to caſt about for his own ſecurity. And his Son being at that time kept in Tyre as an hoſtage, he reſolved to go in, and get him out by ſtealth, and carry him into Judea, whilſt Caſſius was buſied in the War againſt Antonius, to ſtir up the Nation of the Jews to revolt from the Romans, and then to depoſe Hircanus, and get the Kingdom to himſelf. Herod underſtanding ſomething of his deſign, prevented him: For inviting Hircanus and him to Supper with their company in Tyre, he ſent to the Tribunes to come out to meet them, who remembring the Commands of Caſſius, encountered Malichus on the Shore, and ſlew him there. Hircanus much ſtartled at this fact, asks, Who had ſlain Malichus? One of the Tribunes anſwered, The Command of Caſſius: At which he replied, Then Caſſius hath ſaved both me and my Countrey from him that plotted the deſtruction of both.

After Caſſius was gone out of Syria, there arofe a great ſtir at Jeruſalem. For Felix (who was left thereby Caſſius with Soldiers) in revenge of Malichus's death, ſet upon Phaſaelus, and it hapned, that at that very time Herod, being at Damaſcus with Fabius the Roman Captain, was fallen ſick, and ſo unable to come and help his Brother. Notwithſtanding Phaſaelus was hard enough for Felix, and forced him into a Tower, where he gave him quarter, and let him go with his life. But he expoſtulated highly with Hircanus, objecting ingratitude to him for taking Felix's part, and ſuffering the Brother of Malichus to ſeize divers Caſtles which he held at this preſent, and Maſſada among the reſt, the ſtrongeſt of all. But Herod (upon his recovery) gained from him all thoſe Caſtles, and let him go out of Maſſada upon compoſition.

Antigonus the Son of Ariſtobulus about this time ſo bribed Fabius, that he ſuffered him to get for himſelf an army. He was alſo aided by Ptol. Mennaeus (who by Caſſius's means had ſubjected Tyre, and divers places in Syria, and three Caſtles in Galilee) and adher'd to him for the hatred he bore to Herod. But Herod going againſt thoſe Caſtles, had them ſurrendred to him by the Tyrians, whom he diſmiſſed very graciouſly out of reſpect to their City, and then marched againſt Antigonus, whom he overthrew in battel preſently after he had entred the Coaſts of Judea. Going to Jeruſalem he was very honourably received not only by the People, but by Hircanus alſo, who had of late agreed to receive him into his Family, having conſented to a Contract between him and Mariamne the Daughter of Alexander (eldeſt Son of Ariſtobulus) whom with young Ariſtobulus her brother he had by Alexandra, Hircanus's own Daughter. Herod by this Wife had afterwards three Sons and two Daughters, having by a former Wife (and his own Country-woman) Doris, his eldeſt Son Antipater.

Within a while after Caſſius and Brutus were overthrown at Philippi by Ceſar and Antony; of whom the former returning into Italy, the other came over into Aſia, which gave occaſion to new ſtirs in Judea.

Anthony being come into Bithinia, Ambaſſadors were ſent thither to him from all Countries; and among the reſt, ſome came from the chief of the Jews, to accuſe Phaſaelus and Herod, who uſurped (as they ſaid) all the Power, and Hircanus reigned only in ſhew. Herod went thither to defend himſelf, and ſo prevailed with his money that his Accuſers could do nothing againſt him. Anthony being come to Epheſus, an Ambaſſy was diſpatched to him in the name of Hircanus, and the whole Nation of the Jews, deſiring that all Captives that Caſſius had carried away out of Judea, might he ſet at liberty; which he readily granted, and ſent his Letters throughout the Provinces to effect it. As he was travelling into Syria, Cleopatra met him in Cilicia, to whoſe Allurements he wholly gave up himſelf. Being come to Daphne near Antioch, an hundred of the moſt conſiderable men among the Jews came to him to complain of Phaſaelus and Herod; but Anthony who knew their Father, and had been obliged by him, when he ſerved in Egypt under Gabinius, made them both Tetrarchs, leaving unto them the Government of all Judea, and clapt up fifteen of their Adverſaries in Priſon, and would have put them to death, had not Herod interceeded for them. Yet notwithſtanding the Jews were not ſo diſcouraged as to deſiſt; for inſtead of an hundred, now a thouſand reſolved to go to Tyre, there to complain to Anthony againſt the two Brothers; but he being already ſufficiently bribed by them, commanded the p. 38Magiſtrates of the place to kill them as perſons that attempted Innovations. Herod coming to the Jews, adviſed them to withdraw themſelves; and Hircanus alſo (who was there) ſhewed them the danger they were in, if they ſhould go on in their Purpoſe, But they contemning this advice, were preſently fallen upon by ſome of their own Countrymen that were there, as alſo by the Inhabitants of the Town; and part of them being ſlain, and others taken, the reſt got away and returned home. The people exceedingly clamour'd againſt Herod for this, at which Anthony was ſo far incenſed, that he ſlew thoſe he had in hold.

A year or two after, Pacorus ſon to the King of Parthia, and Barzaphernes one of his great Officers, ſeized upon Syria. Antigonus the Son of Ariſtobulus bargains with the Parthians, promiſing them a 1000 Talents to ſettle him in the Kingdom of Judea, and to kill Herod with his Friends. The Parthians undertake it, and in order to effect it, march with their Army into Judea. A ſtrong party of horſe under the command of Pacorus (Butler to the King of Parthia) are ſent before to make diſcoveries. The Jews about Carmel, and divers others joyn with them for the eſtabliſhing Antigonus. At laſt their number increaſing they came to Jeruſalem; they aſſault the Palace, but the two Brothers with their Friends beat them back. Many Skirmiſhes between them enſue; Antigonus whiled off the time as well as he could, ſtaying for the Feaſt of Pentecoſt, at which he expected multitudes of the Jews would come up, from whom he hoped for aſſiſtance. And accordingly multitudes came to the Feaſt, and ſo aſſiſted him, that he got all but the Palace, which Herod and his Brother manfully defended, and made Sallyes out to the great hurt of their Enemies. At laſt Antigonus deſired, that Pacorus the General of the Parthians might be admitted to be a Mediator between them. The Propoſal being accepted, Pacorus perſwades Phaſaelus to go as an Ambaſſador to Barzaphernes to treat with him about thoſe matters, having a deſign to entrap him. Phaſaelus ſuſpecting nothing, went (contrary to the mind of Herod) and with him went alſo Hircanus (an unheard of employment for the Prince himſelf) under the conduct of Pacorus. As ſoon as they came into Galilee, they were met by the Governours of the Towns there, and Barzaphernes entertained them very civilly; but ſhortly after they were both ſecured (in vain upbraiding the Barbarians with Perjury) and an Eunuch was diſpatched to Jeruſalem to get Herod by ſome means or other out of the City, if he could, and to apprehend him. But Herod preſently hearing of his Brothers Captivity, reſolved to ſhift for himſelf; and taking the opportunity of the Evening, got away with his Relations and Friends that night without the knowledge of the Enemy. And making all ſpeed he could to get into Idumea, his Mothers Litter was overthrown in the way, by which ſhe was in danger of death. Herod was ſo diſturb'd at this accident (fearing leſt the enemy ſhould overtake them whilſt they ſtayed there) that he was ready to kill himſelf with his own Sword; but being reſtrained by thoſe about him, he went on to Maſſada, a ſtrong fortifyed place in the Country of Arabia. A Party of the Parthians firſt, and then another of the Jews purſued him, but he beat them off. When he was come into Idumea, his brother Joſeph came to him, and perſwaded him to diſmiſs many of his followers, becauſe the Caſtle of Maſſada would not maintain them all, which he accordingly did, giving them money to bear their charges. But calling out the ableſt Soldiers from among them, he with them and his Relations marched on to Maſſada, and there diſpoſed of the Women and moſt of his Companions, there being plenty of all ſorts of Proviſions in the Caſtle. But he himſelf held on for Petra in Arabia the Metropolis of that Kingdom, hoping from that King (who was ſuch a Friend to his Father) to obtain help for the recovery of his Brothers Liberty. The Parthians, after his departure from Jeruſalem, plundred the City, and Palace, and waſted the Country, and deſtroyed the rich Town of Moriſſa; and ſo reducing Antigonus into Judea, delivered up Hircanus and Phaſaelus into his hands, he fearing that Hircanus by the favour of the people, might again be reſtored to the Kingdom; he cut off his ears, making him thereby uncapable of the Prieſthood, which by the Law was not to be given to any one that wanted any member. But Phaſaelus knowing that he was deſtined to death, ſeeing that he could not otherwiſe kill himſelf by reaſon of his chains, daſhed out his brains againſt a ſtone. The Parthians having thus ſetled Antigonus, when they departed took Hircanus along with them Priſoner into Parthia.

p. 39Herod knowing nothing of his Brothers death, was going as faſt as he could to the King of Arabia, hoping to get money of him either upon free gift, or truſt, to ranſome his Brother; and he carried with him Phaſaelus (his Brothers Son) a Child of ſeven years old, to leave him with him as a Pledge.

But the Arabian being perſwaded by his great ones to return the Treaſure which Antipater had depoſited with him, and not to afford Herod any Succour; he ſent ſome to meet him, and to command him to depart from his Borders, (pretending the Parthians had ſo commanded) but afterwards repenting of this ingratitude, he ſent after him, but could not overtake him; for hearing of his Brothers death, poſted towards Egypt as faſt as he could, where coming to Peluſium, the Mariners that were to ſail to Alexandria denyed him paſſage, but the Magiſtrates of the place honourably entertained him, and brought him to Cleopatra the Queen, who kindly received him, intending to uſe him in her Wars. But nothing could hinder him from haſting to Rome, though it was then the Winter ſeaſon, and though great ſtirs were reported to be in Italy. He came thither at laſt, though he had been grievouſly toſſed with tempeſts in his paſſage; and he came thither at a time, when not long before there had been an Agreement made betwixt Anthony and Ceſar, (the former having married Octavia the Siſter of the latter) and another betwixt them two and young Pompey, who then held Sicily, which was a time very convenient for his affairs. He made his Application firſt to Anthony, of whoſe favour he had formerly taſted, declaring to him the whole ſtory of the Parthians overrunning Judea; of his Brothers death; and the miſery of his Family now beſieged in a Caſtle; and how through great Tempeſts both at Sea and Land he had ventur'd to come to him as his only harbour and refuge, and withal did not ſpare to promiſe him a large Reward, if he would procure him to be declared by the Senate, King of Judea. Anthony being moved partly with pity, and partly by the memory of me former Friendſhip that had been between him and Antipater, and alſo highly diſpleaſed with Antigonus (whom he looked upon as a turbulent man, and an enemy to the Romans) was much inclined to favour Herod. Octavius Ceſar alſo becauſe Antipater had done good ſervice for Julius Ceſar in Egypt, and becauſe he was willing to gratifie Anthony, and out of a peculiar phanſie he had to the man for his courage, did willingly joyn with Anthony in his promotion. The Senate therefore being called, firſt Meſſala, then Atratomus brought forth Herod, and commended him to the Fathers, relating what good ſervices both his Father and himſelf had done for the Commonwealth, and withal they inveighed againſt Antigonus as a bitter enemy to the Romans; and that he had not only ſhewed himſelf ſo before, but of late, more eſpecially in calling in the Parthians. Then Anthony roſe up, and declared to them how much it would conduce to the ending of the Parthian War (which was now on foot) if Herod were made King. So that without any more a do he was ſo declared by the unanimous ſuffrages of them all. Then Anthony and Ceſar leading him between them (being accompanied with the Conſuls and other Magiſtrates) went up into the Capitol to do ſacrifiec, and to place there the Decree of the Senate according to cuſt…me. And this done, the new King was feaſted by Anthony. Thus Herod obtained the Soveraignty of Judea, A. M. 3965. about 35 years before the Birth of Chriſt (to the juſt Wonderment both of himſelf and others) having always feared that the Romans would never confer that honour and dignity upon him which was not wont to be beſtowed upon any, but thoſe of a Royal Stock. But this added to the wonder, that within ſeven days Anthony diſmiſſed him out of Italy. During Herods abſence Antigonus laid cloſe ſiege to the Caſtle of Maſſada (where Herod had left his Relations) abounding with all ſorts of proviſions, only Water was wanting, ſo that Joſeph had thoughts of getting away with 200 men into Arabia, the King whereof he now heard repented of his unkindneſs to his Brother. But this was prevented by a ſhower that fell by night, as if ſent on purpoſe from Heaven for their relief; whereupon they were ſo heartned as to ſally out upon the Beſiegers, whereof they cut off many.

In the mean time Ventidius the Roman General being ſent into Syria to expel the Parthians thence, after their retreat came into Judea, under pretence to help Joſeph, but indeed with intentions to extort a good Sum of money from Antigonus; which accordingly he did; and then drew off the greater part of his forces, but left Silo with a party behind, who was alſo to be pleaſed by Antigonus leſt he ſhould raiſe him ſome new Troubles.

p. 40But in the mean time Herod landed at Ptolemais, and having got together a good Company of Soldiers, haſted through Galilee againſt Antigonus, being aided by Ventidius and Silo, to whom Anthony had ſent expreſs order, that they ſhould place him in the Kingdom. Ventidius was then buſie in compoſing differences among the Cities, which the Incurſion of the Parthians had made▪ Herods forces encreaſing, he marched towards Maſſada for the relief of his Friends, which he accompliſhed, having firſt taken Joppa in his way; after which he marched up to Jeruſalem in ſpight of Antigonus, many of Silo's Soldiers joyning themſelves to him, and many of the Jews that were terrified by his power. Having encamped on the weſt ſide of the City, he commanded an Herauld to proclaim round about the Walls, that he came for the publick good, and for the Conſervation of the City, and that he would pardon all former injuries. On the other ſide Antigonus remonſtrated to Silo and the Romans, that it was unjuſtly done to give the Kingdom unto Herod, a private man, and an Idumaean, whereas it ought only to be given to one of the Prieſts Line. Silo being bribed by Antigonus, dealt privately with ſome of his Soldiers to begin a mutiny, requiring to be led into a place more plenteous of Proviſions. Hereupon the Army being in diſorder, and ready to diſlodge, Herod intreated the Captains and Soldiers, that they would not leave him now, he being ſent both by Ceſar and Anthony, and all the reſt of the Senate; and he would take care they ſhould not want Proviſions; and accordingly brought Plenty out of the Country, and ſo cut off all occaſion of Silo's departure. Then taking out a party conſiſting of Ten Companies, (half Jews, half Romans) he went to Jericho, which City he found forſaken of its Inhabitants. The Romans entring the Town, plundred it, finding it full of good booty. Then returning, he ſent the reſt of the Roman Army to winter quarters, which he appointed in Idumaea, Galilee, and Samaria. But Antigonus obtained of Silo, that part of his Army might quarter in Lydda, thereby endeavouring to curry favour with Antony. Thus the Romans lay idle all this ſeaſon in places abounding with all plenty.

However, Herod was not idle, but (ſending his Brother Joſeph into Idumaea with 400 Horſe, and 1000 Foot) went down into Galilee, to reduce ſome places held by Antigonus; and within a ſhort while brought all the Country into obedience (except thoſe men that lurked in Caves) and then giving to his Soldiers 150 Drachms a man; and more to the Captains, placed them alſo in Winter quarters. Silo a little after, came to him with his Captains who had Wintred with Antigonus, but he refuſed to maintain them any longer, and commanded the Inhabitants thereabout to ſpoil the Country of all neceſſaries, and taking with them ſuch Proviſions as they could carry away, to flee to the mountains, that ſo the Romans might periſh through want.

Ventidius being now engaged in Syria againſt the Parthians, ſent to Silo to come to him, and bring Herod along with him with his Forces. But Herod having ſent Silo to him, marched himſelf with his Soldiers againſt the Thieves that lurked in Caves, many of whom he deſtroyed. In the mean while Ventidius having in a Battel ſlain Pacorus and put the Parthians to flight, by Antony's command, ſent Machaeras, with two Legions, and 1000 Horſe to aſſiſt Herod againſt Antigonus; but being come, he would needs (contrary to Herods mind) go to Antigonus, pretending thereby he ſhould be able to diſcover and ſpie out his Deſigns. But Antigonus ſuſpecting him, would not admit him; then repenting he had not taken Herods advice, he went and ſecured himſelf in Emmaus; and out of madneſs at what had hapned to him, ſlew all Jews that came in his way, without any difference of Friend or Foe. Herod being hereat enraged, reſolved to go and complain to Antony, (who was then in perſon beſieging Samoſata upon the River Euphrates; but Machaeras intreated him to ſtay, or if he would needs go, however to leave his brother Joſeph with him to carry on the War againſt Antigonus; which latter he granted, yet charging his Brother not to venture all upon a Battel, nor contend with Machaeras. Then haſted he to Antony, taking with him Auxiliaries both of Horſe and Foot. At Antioch he met with many that deſired to go to Antony's Camp, but durſt not venture by reaſon the Barbarians had beſet the ways; but Herod taking the Conduct of them, and beating the Barbarians once or twice in the way, with great honour and reputation for his valour, arrived ſafe at Samoſata. Antony to do him honour, ſent out a little Army to meet him, and with great Praiſes and Embraces received him, and gave him great reſpect, being a King of his own making. Shortly after the Town being yielded up, Antony delivering to Socius p. 41the Government of Syria with an Army, and commending to him the affairs of Herod, went himſelf back into Egypt.

In the mean while Joſeph neglecting his Brothers Counſel, was ſlain in Judea, and Antigonus being Maſter of the Field, and having the dead bodies at his diſpoſe, was ſo enraged, that he whipped the dead body of Joſeph, although Pheroras his Brother offered 50 Talents to redeem it. Great Innovations upon Joſephs death enſued in that place, and in Galilee.

Herod underſtanding theſe things, being furniſhed by Socius with two Legions, he marched into Galilee, where meeting the enemy, he fought with them, and worſted them, and took the Caſtle that ſome of them fled into. Thence haſting to Jericho, he there feaſted many honourable perſons; and after the feaſt was ended, and the Gueſts gone, and himſelf had retired to his Lodging, the Room in which they had ſupped, being now empty of Company, fell down, and did no body any harm; whereupon he was accounted as one eſpecially owned by God, who had ſo wonderfully preſerved him Not long after he got five Towns into his hands, wherein he put to the Sword 2000. Garriſon Soldiers, and then went againſt Pappus, whom Antigonus had ſent into Samaria. Pappus gave him Battel very boldly, but his Army was overthrown by him, and himſelf taken Priſoner; and Herod in revenge of his Brothers death, did great Execution upon them; by which defeat Antigonus's Intereſt was quite broken. Next day he cut off Pappus's Head, and ſent it to his Brother Pheroras in revenge of his Brother Joſephs death, whom it ſeems Pappus ſlew. The extremity of the Weather being over, Herod marches up to Jeruſalem and lays ſiege to it in the third year after he had been declared King by the Romans, intending to uſe the ſame manner of aſſault that Pompey had made formerly againſt the Temple. Socius alſo came up to him to Jeruſalem, ſo that both carried on the ſiege with an army of eleven Legions, and 6000 horſe. The Defendants with great courage made reſiſtance, doing all that could reaſonably be expected from them, though much ſtraitned for proviſions, it being the Sabbatical year. They held out five months, though there was ſo great an army beſieging them. At length twenty of Herods ſtouteſt Souldiers got upon the walls, and then the Centurions of Socius. The outward part of the Temple being taken, and the lower City, the Jews fled into the inward part, at length by a general aſſault, that was taken alſo, and then all places were filled with ſlaughters; the Romans being enraged that they had held out ſo long, and the Jews out of malice and particular grudges ſeeking to deſtroy all of the contrary faction, the reverence of the Temple not abating their rage. Antigonus came and fell at Socius's feet, who inſulting over him, called him Madam Antigona, and put him in priſon and ſet keepers over him. Herod did what he could to reſtrain the Souldiers from exerciſing ſuch extream violence, and to keep the profane multitude from violating the Temple, and from plundring the City, asking Socius, If the Romans intended to make him King of a wilderneſs? and added, that he ſhould think the victory worſe than an overthrow if they proceeded to ſuch extremities. At length he was fain to redeem the City from further plunderings by his own moneys, wherewith he rewarded the Romans, and ſent them away ſufficiently inriched.

Socius having offered a Crown of Gold to God departed from Jeruſalem, leading Antigonus with him priſoner to Antony. This diſaſter befell Jeruſalem in the third month, on the 28th. day of which the Jews were wont to celebrate a ſolemn faſt in memory of the Roll that was burnt by Jehoiakim, and it was taken on the ſame day it had been taken by Pompey ſeveral years before. Herod fearing that if Anthony ſhould carry Antigonus to Rome, he would there obtain favour of the Senate as being of the Royal race, and procure the Kingdom at their hands, if not for himſelf, yet for his children, who never had ill deſerved of the Romans, he procured Antony to diſpatch him out of the way, who pretending the unquietneſs of the Jews, for his ſake cauſed him to be beheaded at Antioch. And ſo the Principality of the Aſmonaeans came to an end, after it had ſtood 126 years, and had been freed from the yoke of Syria 98 years, and Herod a forreigner was confirmed in the Soveraignty over Judea by the Romans.

Of theſe miſerable times (among others) were ſpectators, Zachary the Prieſt, with his wife Elizabeth, of the relicts of Davids ſtock Heli and Joſeph; Anna alſo the Propheteſs of the Tribe of Aſſer, and Simeon who was aſſur'd from God he ſhould not ſee death till he had ſeen the Lords Chriſt.

p. 42Herod being thus ſetled in the Kingdom, in the third year after he was made King by the Romans, advanced thoſe of his own faction, and put to death many of the contrary party; among others he put to death all thoſe Judges of the great Sanhedrin, who had accuſed him of capital crimes before he was King, except Pollio the Phariſee, and his diſciple Sameas whom he highly honoured.

During theſe things the King of the Parthians had courteouſly treated the captive High-Prieſt Hircanus, who hearing that Herod was made King, began to conceive hopes of favour from him, becauſe he had ſaved his life when he was called into queſtion, and therefore thought of returning into his own Country. To which he was at laſt perſwaded, having received courteous invitations from Herod, who ſtrove to get the poor old man into his clutches; and when he came, Herod received him with all honour and reſpect, and gave him the upper hand in all Aſſemblies, and calling him Father, lull'd him on leſt he ſhould ſuſpect any treachery.

Then he preferred to the High-Prieſthood an old friend of his one Ananelus, ſending for him from Babylon, a man of obſcure parentage, derived from thoſe Jews that were carry'd away beyond Euphrates, but of the race of the Prieſts, paſſing by Ariſtobulus the Grandſon of Ariſtobulus the King, and Brother to his own wife Mariamne.

Alexandra the Mother of Mariamne being exceedingly enraged at this, and Mariamne continually following him with intreaties that he would reſtore the High Prieſthood to her Brother (to whom of right it belonged) whither moved by theſe things, or that Antony deſiring to ſee the youth Ariſtobulus for the ſame of his beauty, he feared the Romans might advance him, or however it was, to ſtay him at home, he gave him the Prieſthood (putting out Ananelus) and excuſed his not ſending him to Antony by the inclination of the Jews to rebellion. Perceiving him therefore to be in extraordinary favour with the Jews, and that Alexandra plotted the eſcape of her ſelf and her Son into Egypt (where ſhe expected aid and aſſiſtance from Cleopatra) Herod cauſed him to be duckt to death as he was bathing himſelf, in the eighteenth year of his age; and then feigning to be very ſorrowful for his death, he buried him with a moſt magnificent funeral, and then made Ananelus High-Prieſt again.

Alexandra certifies Cleopatra by Letters of this horrid treachery of Herod, who exceedingly pittying her misfortune, urged Antony exceedingly to revenge the young mans death. Antony when he came into Laodicea, ſent for Herod to come to him to anſwer the crime objected againſt him. He therefore leaving the care of the Kingdom to his Ʋncle Joſeph, gave him private inſtructions, that if any thing otherwiſe than well ſhould befall him, he ſhould put his wife Mariamne to death, for he ſo loved her that he would not have any one to enjoy her though after his death. And then going to Antony he quickly appeaſed him by gifts and preſents, and made his peace with him, notwithſtanding the endeavours of Cleopatra.

Joſeph now governing the Kingdom in Herod's abſence, did often converſe with Mariamne, partly upon buſineſs, and partly out of civility, and frequently in diſcourſe with her he laboured to aſſure her how paſſionately Herod loved her, which diſcourſe being laughed at by the Ladies (eſpecially Alexandra) he was tranſported with ſuch a deſire of evidencing the Kings love to her, that he told her what private command the King had given him, ſuppoſing this would appear to be a certain argument of his love, that he could not endure to live without her, nor in death to be disjoyned from her. But theſe words were otherwiſe interpreted by the Ladies, as ſavouring of a tyrannical mind. Upon Herods return Solome (who bore a grudg to Mariamne becauſe ſhe had upbraided her with her obſcure birth) accuſes her husband Joſeph to Herod, as if he had been too familiar with Mariamne. But Mariamne when ſhe had by a ſolemn oath purg'd her ſelf of that crime, Herod told her how much he loved her. She replied, That it was not the part of a loving husband to command, that if he ſhould die that his wife ſhould be put to death. Herod ſuppoſing this ſecret could never have been known if ſhe had not had over much familiarity with Joſeph, he was ſo tranſported with rage that he was about to kill her, but he reſtrained himſelf. However he commanded Joſeph to be put to death, not ſo much as ſuffering him to come into his preſence. He alſo caſt Alexandra into priſon.

In the Civil Wars Herod joyned with Antony, and was by him deſired (having forces ſufficient) to chaſtiſe the Arabians, who it ſeems denied to pay the Tribute impoſed on them, which he did, and though at his firſt attempt he miſcarried, yet afterwards he quite overthrew and brought them under.

p. 43Cleopatra having accompanied Antony in his journey to Armenia as far as Euphrates, in her return came into Judea, where ſhe was nobly entertained by Herod, and had duly paid her the Tributes of the Countries of Judea and Arabia, which Antony had given her, though thoſe great gifts exceedingly offended the people of Rome.

In the ſeventh year of Herod's reign (reckoning from the death of Antigonus) Octavius Caeſar overcame Antony at Actium. In the beginning of the ſpring that year there hapned ſuch a dreadful Earthquake in Judea, that 10000 were deſtroyed with the fall and ruins of houſes.

About this time Hillel a Babylonian of the ſtock of David flouriſhed at Jeruſalem, of whoſe diſciples Jonathan was one, the ſon of Ʋzziah, the famous Author of the Chaldee Paraphraſe, from a difference between this Hillel and Sameas or Shammai (of whom before) the Phariſees were divided into two Sects, concerning whom ſee Jerome, Lib. 3. Com. on Iſa. Ch. 8. v. 14. There were great differences afterwards between the Scholars of Hillel and Shammai, and now began the Titles of Rabban and Rabbi. See Dr. Lightfoot's Harmon. Sect. 8.

Alexandra now hoping that Herod would be puniſhed by Caeſar (to whom he was an enemy, having aſſiſted Antony) counſelled her Father Hircanus not any longer to endure theſe afflictions of their family, but to go to Malchus King of Arabia and ſeek protection from him. The old man was at laſt prevailed with to ſend to the Arabian for this purpoſe, and employing one Doſitheus a friend of his in this ſecret buſineſs (who had many obligations upon him to be faithful to his truſt) yet he to curry favour with Herod ſhewed him the Letter. The King thanking him for that kindneſs to him, having read it, deſired him to new-ſeal it and carry it to the Arabian, and to receive his anſwer and bring it to him. The Arabian wrote back that he was ready to receive him and his family, and the Jews of that party. Upon this Herod produces theſe matters, and this confederacy before the Sanhedrin, and ſo cauſeth Hircanus to be put to death.

Having thus diſpatched Hircanus, he thought then of going to make his peace with Caeſar, therefore committing the care of his Kingdom to Pheroras his Brother, he diſpoſed of his Mother and his Siſter Salome, and ſeveral of his kindred in the Caſtle of Maſſada; but Mariamne (who for ſome differences would not live with his Mother) and Alexandra he placed in Alexandrion, committing the cuſtody of them to his Treaſurer Joſeph, and one Sohemus an Iturean, with this private inſtruction, that if any ſiniſter thing ſhould befall him they ſhould preſently put both of them to death, and to the utmoſt of their power continue the Kingdom to his children. Having thus ordered matters, he poſts to Rhodes to meet with Caeſar there, whither being come he only laid aſide his Crown, but for his other Princely ornaments he altered nothing. Being admitted into Caeſar's preſence with great conſtancy and magnanimity of ſpirit he plainly avowed and owned the love and affection he had born to Antony, as alſo the ſuccours he had ſent him; adding alſo that he was ready with the ſame faithfulneſs and affection to ſerve Ceſar; which ſo wrought upon this brave and magnanimous Prince, that he liked him exceedingly, and confirmed him in the Kingdom, and took him into intimate friendſhip with himſelf.

Afterwards as Ceſar paſſed through Syria into Egypt, Herod entertained him with all Royal magnificence at Ptolemais, and gave plenty of victuals to his Army: He alſo preſented Ceſar with eight hundred Talents, and furniſhed his Army in their march to Peluſium, (through places that were barren and wanted water) both with wine and water, ſo that he procured from them the reputation of a noble and Heroick ſpirit.

Herod upon his return to his own Kingdom found his wife Mariamne very cool in her affections towards him, ſo that at all the careſſes he made to her ſhe would deeply ſigh (for ſhe had got out of Sohemus by her feminine inſinuations the ſecret command that Herod had given him concerning her ſelf and her Mother.) Being by this and the falſe accuſations of his ſiſter Salome, and his Mother Cypra much incens'd againſt her, he had thoughts of putting her to death, but news coming then to him of the death of Antony and Cleopatra, and that Ceſar had won Egypt, he haſted down to him and left his family as it was. Ceſar highly honoured him, and reſtored to him part of his Country which Cleopatra (upon Antony's gift) had ſeized upon; and further added to his Kingdom Gadara, Hippon, and Samaria, and by the Sea-ſide Gaza, Anthedon, Joppa, and the Tower of Straton, which was no ſmall acceſſion to the ſplendor of his Kingdom.

p. 44Caeſar having ſetled all things in Egypt as he thought fit, march'd with his forces into Syria, whither alſo Herod attended him as far as Antioch.

After Herod's return from Caeſar by the ſpace of one whole year, ſuſpitions daily increaſed between him and Mariamne; ſhe often upbraiding him with the death of her Grandfather Hircanus, and her Brother Ariſtobulus. Solome perceiving diſcontents to grow high between them, ſuborned a Butler who came and told the King that he was ſolicited by Mariamne to deliver unto him a love-potion, which whatſoever it was, he had by him. Hereupon Herod examined the moſt faithful ſervants of Mariamne by torture, who confeſſed nothing but that ſhe was offended at ſomething that Sohemus had declared to her, which when the King heard, he cried out that Sohemus (who had been ever faithful to him) would never have revealed thoſe things to her had there not been ſome more ſecret familiarity between them than was fit, and thereupon commanded Sohemus immediately to be put to death. Then calling a Council of his friends, he there accuſed his wife for practiſing to poyſon him; they perceiving the Kings mind by general conſent condemned her, and ſo ſhe was put to death, the execution being haſtened by Solome's inſtigation. When ſhe was dead Herod was almoſt mad for grief that the deed was done (for he loved her extreamly) neither could he by any delights or feaſtings divert his Melancholy, but was forc'd to yield to his grief, and his paſſion prevailing upon him, he would often bid his ſervants call Mariamne, as though ſhe were alive. So that caſting off the care of his Kingdom, he retired to Samaria (called then Sebaſte in honour of Auguſtus) which was called by the Greeks foreign from the ſplendor of his dignity, and the honour they gave him ſomething greater than humane.

As Herod was thus affected there came a Plague which ſwept away a great part both of the Nobility and people, this being interpreted as a judgment from God for the unjuſt death of the Queen. Herod's diſcontents increaſing, he at laſt fell into a great ſickneſs, ſo that his Phyſicians almoſt deſpaired of him. During his ſickneſs Alexandra (now living at Jeruſalem) endeavoured to get the two Caſtles of the City into her own hands, (one of them joined to the Temple, the other was within the City) and dealt with the Governours of them to that purpoſe, that they would deliver them to her for the children of Mariamne, leſt if the King ſhould die they ſhould be ſeized on by others. But the Governours being faithful to Herod ſent Meſſengers preſently to him to acquaint him with Alexandra's deſign, who thereupon ordered ſhe ſhould forthwith be put to death. Then recovering from his ſickneſs he returned to Jeruſalem, but was grown ſo cruel that he was ready for the leaſt cauſe to put any one to death. A difference ariſing between Coſtobarus an Idumean, and his wife Solome the ſiſter of Herod, ſhe contrary to the cuſtom of the Jews ſent him a bill of divorce, and accuſed him to Herod, that he with Lyſimachus, Antipater, and Doſitheus were practiſing ſome innovations; upon which Herod ſent and ſlew them, with others that were conceived to be of their party, endeavouring that none ſhould remain of the kindred of Hircanus, or indeed any other perſons of worth and power that might reſiſt him.

Herod now departed more and more from his Countries cuſtom, violating them with ſtrange inventions; for he inſtituted wreſtlings every fifth year in honour of Caeſar; for the exhibiting of which he built a Theater in Jeruſalem, and an Amphitheater in the Plain, both of them very ſumptuous for the workmanſhip, but clean contrary to the Jewiſh cuſtoms. To theſe he invited all ſuch as were skill'd in wreſtling, and that excelled in Muſick, and playing on inſtruments. And hanging his Theater with Trophies, much diſtaſted the people, as being principled by their Religion againſt Pictures.

Ten Citizens of Jeruſalem about that time conſpiring againſt him were diſcovered and put to death.

In the thirteenth year of his reign, that he might be more ſecure from Conſpiracies, he began to fortifie Samaria called Sebaſte. Alſo he built another fort as a bridle to the Nation, namely the Tower of Straton, and in Galilee Galalus, in Poraea Eſthmonitis, which Caſtles being ſo conveniently placed he by them kept the people in awe.

This year very grievous calamities befell the Country of the Jews: 1. There was a continual drought, upon which a famine followed, and after that the plague. Herod upon this to ſupply the publick neceſſities took and melted all the gold and ſilver that was in the Palace, not ſparing any thing though of never ſo coſtly workmanſhip, nay not his own veſſels that were for his daily uſe. Having made money of all he ſent it into Egypt, where at that time under Caeſar Petronius was Governour, who though he p. 45had multitudes who at that time fled to him for the like neceſſity, yet being Herod's friend he readily gave his men leave to export corn, aſſiſting them both in the buying, and in the carriage of it. When the corn was come into Judea Herod very carefully divided it, firſt to ſuch who were moſt in need, and took care that the ancient and ſickly ſhould not want; and by this means he recovered himſelf into the affections, and good liking of the people again.

He alſo provided for his ſubjects againſt the ſharpneſs of winter that none ſhould want clothing, for their cattel being dead, their wool and other things failed. He helped alſo the Neighbour-cities of the Syrians with corn, ſo that by his providence and bounty he began to be renowned both at home and abroad.

He now marries another Mariamne, eſteemed the moſt beautiful woman of that age, the daughter of Simon a Prieſt, whom he preferred to the High-Prieſthood, putting out Jeſus the Son of Phabes.

After this he imployed his time and treaſure in ſumptuous and royal buildings, as particularly that of Caeſarea formerly called the Tower of Straton, which he began in the ſixteenth year of his reign, and in twelve years finiſhed it. He built for himſelf alſo a Palace in Sion very ſtately, and a Town about ſixteen furlongs from Jeruſalem, which he called Herodion.

He now ſends his Sons Alexander and Ariſtobulus (whom he had by Mariamne the Aſmonaean) to Rome to Caeſar, to be there brought up, for whom their lodging was prepar'd at Pollio's houſe the great friend of Herod. Caeſar entertained the young men very courteouſly, and gave Herod power to make which of his Sons he pleaſed heir of his Kingdom.

Auguſtus gave the Tetrarchy of Zenodorus to Herod, which was ſeated between Galilee and Trachona; he made him alſo one of the Governours of Syria, and commanded the Governours of that Province to do nothing without his advice. Herod alſo begged a Tetrarchy of Caeſar for his Brother Pheroras, on whom he beſtowed an hundred Talents out of the revenues of his own Kingdom.

At Panium near the Fountain-heads of Jordan he built a goodly Temple in honour of Caeſar, of white marble. He remitted alſo to his ſubjects ſome part of their Tribute under colour that they ſhould have ſome eaſe after the dearth, but indeed to appeaſe their minds which he ſaw were offended at ſuch kind of buildings, which ſeemed to tend to nothing but the deſtruction of Religion and good manners.

To prevent diſturbances he forbad private meetings, and too frequent feaſtings. He had ſpies that mingled themſelves in all companies; yea he would ſometimes go himſelf diſguiſed among the people to hear what they ſaid of him and his Government. The diſaffected to him he took a courſe to puniſh, and the reſt he bound unto him by an oath which he exacted of them.

After this in the eighteenth year of his reign, taking down (at leaſt for the moſt part) the old Temple at Jeruſalem, (as Joſephus reports, Lib. 14. Ch. 14.) he built another much more ſtately and magnificent, having provided very great white ſtones **See Mark 13.1.Mark 13:1, (whereof ſome were 25 cubits long, twelve broad, and eight in height) and other materials for the work in the ſpace of two years. He began to build it forty ſix years before the firſt Paſſover of the Miniſtry of Chriſt, ſee Job. 2.20. where we may read the words, forty and ſix years (reckoning to this time) hath this Temple been built. The building the Temple under Zerubbabel began in the firſt year of the Monarchy of Cyrus, and was after twenty years time finiſhed in the ſixth year of Darius the Son of Hiſtaſpis. But this magnificent building of Herod's was finiſhed in nine years and an half.

The inward Temple containing the Holy and Holy of Holies was finiſhed in a year and an half. In all which time (it's reported) that it never rained in the day-time but only in the nights. Then in the eight years following the Porches, the Ranges, and the reſt of the building about the Temple were all finiſhed. He celebrated the Dedication of the Temple on his own birth-day, ſacrificing three hundred Oxen to the great joy of the people.

Theſe things done, Herod ſets ſail for Italy to ſalute Caeſar, and ſee his Sons, and paſſing by Greece was not only preſent but made Judg at the Olympick Exerciſes, and beſtowing ſome Annual revenue upon them (that they might be the more ſplendid) for this bounty he is declared perpetual Judg of thoſe Exerciſes. Coming to Rome, Caeſar courteouſly received him, and deliver'd to him his Sons well educated and inſtructed p. 46in all the Liberal Arts and Sciences. Being returned home with his Sons Alexander and Ariſtobulus, they being grown to mans eſtate he provided them wives; for Alexander, Bernice the daughter of Salome; for Ariſtobulus, Glaphira the daughter of Archelaus King of the Cappadocians. Theſe young men gained the love and affection of the people exceedingly, but Salome and her followers feared they would ſometime or other revenge their Mothers death, and therefore ſhe and Pheroras, Herod's Brother practic'd againſt them, infuſing into their father ſuſpition of them, as if they were not well affected towards him, but exclaimed greatly againſt the Authors of their Mothers death. Herod troubled hereat called to Court Antipater his eldeſt Son, begotten by him when he was a private man (whom he had baniſhed the City in favour of theſe two Sons, only giving him liberty to come thither on Feſtival days) that ſetting him up againſt them he might make them more careful of their behaviour. But they were thereby the more incenſed, and Antipater (making uſe of his time) got more and more into his Fathers affections, and at his intreaty brought to Court alſo his mother Doris, whom (being a woman of mean parentage Herod put away when he married Mariamne.)

Herod hearing that Agrippa, Caeſar's great friend, and Son-in-law, (having married Julia his daughter) was come into Aſia, he went to him and invited him into Judea, and entertained him magnificently in all the Cities and Caſtles he had newly built, ſhewing him his buildings, and preſenting him and his friends with all the delights he could. Then conducting him to Jeruſalem, all the Citizens met him in their beſt habit with joyful acclamations. Agrippa having ſacrificed an Hecatomb to God, feaſted the people; and the winter drawing on he made haſt to ſail to Ionia. As ſoon as it was ſpring Herod hearing that Agrippa was going with an Army to Boſphorus, made haſt to go to him, he overtook him at Sinope a City in Pontus, bringing ſome Auxiliaries with him for his ſervice. Agrippa embraced him with ſingular affection, and made him partaker of his Counſels. And afterwards in their return Agrippa was ready to gratifie Herod in any thing, and at his intreaty relieved the neceſſities of many that made uſe of his Interceſſion. He procured for the Iews that dwelt in Jonia a …onfirmation of the priviledges formerly granted them (which the Grecians would not ſuffer them to enjoy) and that none ſhould moleſt them for living after their Countries Laws. Then with mutual embraces they took their leaves each of other. Herod in few days arrived at Caeſarea, and thence came to Jeruſalem, where calling the people together, he gave them an account of his journey, and how he had procured liberty for the Ionian Jews, and to ingratiate himſelf the more with them, he declared he was willing to remit unto them the fourth part of their Tribute. The people exceedingly pleaſed herewith wiſhed all happineſs to the King.

Agrippa after ten years Government in Aſia, being now to return to Rome, Herod went again to ſalute him, and take leave of him, and taking (of all his Sons) only Antipater with him, he delivered him to Agrippa to be brought to Caeſar that he might by his means obtain the Emperour's favour. Antipater accordingly was much honoured at Rome, being commended to ſeveral friends and great perſons by his Fathers Letters. From thence he was not wanting by his Letters to whet his Fathers diſpleaſure againſt his Brothers the Sons of Mariamne, and ſeemed very ſollicitous of his Fathers ſafety, though aiming at the ſucceſſion thereby.

Herod being by theſe artifices exceedingly incenſed againſt his two Sons Alexander and Ariſtobulus, ſailed with them to Rome to accuſe them before Caeſar, and carried with him Nicholas Damaſcene in the ſame Ship, with whom he ſtudied Philoſophy. Auguſtus being gone to Aquileia, thither Herod went to him, and the young men being there accuſed before Caeſar of an intention to poyſon their Father, they ſo cleared themſelves and by their tears and other evidences ſo manifeſted their innocency, that Caeſar reconciled them to their Father. Then after thanks returned to the Emperour, they departed and Antipater with them, feigning himſelf glad that they were received again into favour.

Herod having given three hundred Talents to Caeſar, and been very liberal (as his cuſtom was in all places) to the people of Rome, Caeſar beſtowed on him half the profits of the Mines of Cyprus, and gave him liberty to make which of his Sons he pleaſed his Succeſſor; or if he would, to diſtribute his Kingdom among them all; which p. 47Herod preſently would have done, but Ceſar would not allow that he ſhould part with the Government during his life. In Herods abſence the Inhabitants of Trachonitis (a conſiderable part of his Kingdom) rebelled, but were reduced again to obedience by his Captains. But ſome of them leaving their Country, fled into Arabia Nabataea, where they were entertained by Syllaeus the Adminiſtrator of the Kingdom (who was an enemy to Herod, becauſe he denyed him his Siſter Salome to Wife) and he granted them a place well fortified.

Herod being returned into Judea, he called the Chief men of the Jews together, and told them what had paſſed in his late Voyage, and declared unto them, that his Sons ſhould reign after him, firſt Antipater, then Alexander, and then Ariſtobulus, whom he had by Mariamne. Caeſarea Stratonis was now finiſhed in the 28th. year of his reign; for the Dedication of which, there were very ſolemn, and moſt pompous Preparations, Muſicians, and Wreſtlers, and Sword-Players, and Wild Beaſts, and whatever was in account of that kind either at Rome, or in other Nations, being now brought thither. Theſe ſports were conſecrated to Ceſar, and to be renewed every fifth year. The day he ſpent in Sports, and the night in Banquets and Revellings, and ſo between both he ſpent his time very well.

After this, he began to build another Town in a Field called Capharſala, which after his Fathers name he called Antipatris, and a Caſtle, which after his Mothers name he called Cyprus. In honour alſo of his dead Brother he built a fair Town which he called Phaſaelus in the valley of Jericho, from whence the Country thereabouts is called Phaſaelis. Having waſted his wealth by his extravagant expences, and now wanting money, after the example of John Hircanus, by night without the knowledge of the people, he opened Davids Sepulchre, in which he found no money, but ſtore of coſtly attire, and Ornaments of Gold, which he took away. After this 'twas obſerved, that his Family was grievouſly afflicted, nothing being heard among them but Broils and Accuſations one of another.

As for Antipater, he accuſed and calumniated his Brother Alexander, inſomuch that his Father committed him to Priſon. Thoſe of Trachonitis (who had fled to Syllaeus) being encreaſed in number, infeſted not only Judea, but Coeloſyria alſo, with Inrodes and Incurſions. Syllaeus is hereupon complained of by Herod to Saturnius and Volumnius, Preſidents of Syria. Herod requires the 60 Talents which he had lent Obodas King of Arabia under Syllaeus's Security; and demands alſo, That the Plunderers protected by him ſhould be delivered up. The matter being debated before the Preſidents, they determined, that Herods demands were reaſonable, and that Syllaeus ſhould perform them. Syllaeus unwilling to ſtand this their Determination, went to Rome. The Preſidents therefore gave Herod leave to enter Arabia with an Army, and to proſecute thoſe obſtinate people there; which he accordingly did, and ſuddenly took the Caſtle which thoſe Plunderers kept. But an Arabian Captain with his forces coming to their aid, Herod joyns Battel with him and overthrows him; the Captain himſelf being ſlain, and his forces routed. But Letters were ſpeeded to Rome to Syllaeus, which repreſented things far otherwiſe, and aggravated every thing in ſo odious a manner, that Ceſar by thoſe Lyes, and ſuch falſe repreſentations as Syllaeus had made unto him, was ſo incenſed againſt Herod, that he wrote to him menacing Letters, becauſe he had preſumed to march with an Army out of his own Kingdom, and thrice denyed his Ambaſſadors audience, that were ſent by him to acquaint him with the true State of things. The Rebels and Arabians taking hold of this occaſion, did him much miſchief, which he was glad to put up for the preſent, for fear of further provoking Ceſar, but ſent Nicholas Damaſcenus to Rome to plead his cauſe, who ſo laid open Syllaeus's Forgeries, and how he had circumvented the Emperor in the cauſe of Herod, that Ceſar condemned Syllaeus, remanding him again into the Province, that when he had ſatisfied the Debt (before mentioned) he might be puniſhed, and was perfectly reconciled to Herod.

Whilſt Herod was thus out with Ceſar, the former diſcords in his Family were exceedingly heightned by the Artifices of Eurichus a Lacedemonian, who winding himſelf into Alexanders acquaintance, betrayed him firſt to Antipater, and then to Herod himſelf. Herod making inquiry into his Sons actions, put to death by the vehemency of Tortures, many both of his own and his Sons Friends. Alexander being examined, denyed all Accuſations, except that he intended with his Wife to fly to Archelaus King of Cappadocia her Father.

p. 48Herod ſends Letters to Ceſar complaining of his Sons, and deſires his Imperial Majeſty to give him direction what to do in that difficult affair. The Emperor returns anſwer, That he ſhould call a Council at Beritus, and joyn with them the Preſidents of Syria, and Archelaus King of Cappadocia, and other Noble men his Friends; and that they ſhould together determine concerning that matter. Herod hereupon convened all thoſe Ceſar had appointed, (except only Archelaus) to Berytus, and in an Aſſembly of 150 Men, declaimed moſt furiouſly againſt his Sons, not producing any Proof at all, more than that they intended to fly; and not ſuffering them to be preſent to anſwer for themſelves. Saturninus who had been Conſul, and had run through all honours, gave his opinion, that the Sons of Herod were to be condemned, but not to be put to death; and his three Sons were of the ſame opinion. But Volumnius declared, that they ought to be puniſhed with death, whoſe opinion the major part followed. Then the King took his Sons along with him to Tyre, where an old Soldier named Tyro, ſmartly reprehended him for the ſeverity intended towards his Sons. Alexander and Ariſtobulus being led to Sebaſte, were there ſtrangled by their Fathers command, and their bodies buried in the Caſtle Alexandrion, where Alexander their Grandfather by their Mothers ſide, and many others of their Progenitors were buried.

Antipater, after the death of his Brothers, began now to plot the Deſtruction of his Father, and drew Pheroras the Brother of Herod to his ſide, and ſome of the Kings Women that were moſt addicted to the Sect of the Phariſees, but not Salome who conſtantly adhered to her Brother Herod. The Phariſees had refuſed to ſwear fealty to the King, who being for this fined; the Wife of Pheroras paid their Fine, to whom in requital (they being accounted wiſe to know things to come) they foretold, that the Kingdom ſhould be taken from Herod and his Children, and ſhould be transferred on her, and that her Husband, and their Children. Theſe things Salome made known to Herod, and they had ſollicited and corrupted many of his Courtiers with Bribes; in which fault Herod having taken ſome of the Phariſees, he put them to death, and ſome others alſo whom he found had conſpired with them. Then he urged Pheroras to put away his Wife, which he refuſing to do, he forbad Antipater Pheroras's company.

Antipater, that he might remove all ſuſpicion of his Father from him, procured by his Friends at Rome to be ſent for thither by Ceſar. He accordingly going, Herod ſent by him great Preſents and his Will, in which he declared, that Antipater ſhould be King; but if he died, then Herod his Son by Mariamne daughter of Simon the High Prieſt.

Pheroras being baniſhed into his Treachery, there fell ſick; Herod viſits him, and ſeeks help for him, but he died within a few days after, whoſe body was brought to Jeruſalem, and there honourably buryed by Herod.

Pheroras dying in this ſickneſs, after his death his Wife was accuſed as if ſhe had poiſoned him. Herod inquiring into this matter, by little and little began to find out a treaſonable Conſpiracy of his Son Antipater againſt himſelf; namely, how that he going to Rome had delivered a deadly poyſon to Pheroras that was ſent by Antiphilus (one of his Friends) out of Egypt, to be given to the King in his abſence, and that it was kept by Pheroras his Wife: She being examined, confeſſed the ſame, that it was committed to her charge; but added alſo how that her husband when ſick, and when Herod came ſo kindly to viſit him, was ſo overcome with his love, that he forbad her to give it him. Among the acceſſaries of this Conſpiracy was Herods own Wife, the daughter of the High Prieſt. Hereupon Herod put her away (which was a great favour; he put others to death for a leſſer matter) and depoſed her Father from the Prieſthood, and preferred Matthias the Son of Theophilus to his place, and put her Son Herod out of his Will, whom he had appointed his Succeſſor, and put Doris alſo Antipaters Mother out of the Court, taking her Jewels from her. Not long after Bathillus the freed man of Antipater coming from Rome, being tortured, confeſſed, that he had brought with him a poiſon to deliver to Pheroras, wherewith the King might be certainly and ſpeedily diſpatched, in caſe the other ſhould fail.

Antipater got ſome to write from Rome to his Father how Archelaus and Philip (Herods two younger Sons that were at Rome to ſtudy) often rub'd up the Sore of the Murder of Alexander and Ariſtobulus, pitying the misfortune of their innocent Brethren; and he when he wrote to his Father about them, as it were excuſing them, would impute their ſpeeches to their age.

p. 49During theſe things JESƲS CHRIST the Son of God is born two years after the Wiſe men came to Herod to Jeruſalem, and there are taught, that the Birthplace of Chriſt was at Bethlehem; they return no more to Herod, being ſo directed by God in a Dream. Herod being thus diſappointed, killed all the Children that were at Bethlehem, and in all the Coaſts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time of the Stars being firſt ſeen in the Eaſt, which he had learned from the Magi. Among which Children 'tis ſaid, that a young Son of Herods was one, which when Auguſtus heard of, he ſaid, 'Twas better to be Herods Hogg than his Son; for under pretence of Religion, he would not touch an Hogg, or eat Swines fleſh, but made it no great difficulty to deſtroy his own Children. See Macrob. lib. 2. ch. 4.

Antipater all this while hears nothing of the death of Pheroras, or of thoſe things that were ready to be alledged againſt him, but returns to Jeruſalem ignorant of all theſe Paſſages. When he came thither, he entred the Palace in his Purple Garment which he was wont to wear, but the Guards at the Gates ſuffered none of his followers to enter in with him. When he addreſſed himſelf to his Father, he thruſt him away from him with indignation, reproaching him with the murder of his Brethren, and his intention to poiſon his Father. It hapned that Quintillius Varus Preſident of Syria was now at Jeruſalem. The next day therefore the King and Varus ſitting in Judgment, Antipater was brought before them, and being not able to purge himſelf, all things being made ſo clear and evident, (and the poiſon it ſelf produced, which being give to a condemned man, diſpatched him immediately) hereupon he was committed to Priſon; and Herod ſignified to Ceſar by Letters all theſe matters, and alſo ſent Ambaſſadors to him, who by word of mouth, might acquaint him more fully with this curſed Treaſon of Antipater.

Herod now falls ſick, and in his ſickneſs was exceeding impatient, but his Diſtemper was much encreaſed by this accident. Judas the Son of Sariphaeus, and Matthias the Son of Margalothus (two of the moſt learned men among the Jews, and the beſt Interpreters of their Law.) hearing that the Kings ſickneſs was incurable, perſwaded ſome young men that were their Scholars, to throw down the Golden Eagle that was ſet up by Herod over the great Gate of the Temple. The young men accordingly went up at Noon-day, and with Axes hewed down the Eagle, a great multitude beholding it. Immediately, about forty of theſe young men were taken by the Captain of the Caſtle, and (together with their Maſters) brought before Herod, where they confidently defending what they had done; he calling the Rulers of the Jews together, took away the High Prieſthood from Matthias (as not altogether a ſtranger to this buſineſs) and put Joazar into his place, the Brother of his Wife Mariamne the Daughter of Simon the High Prieſt. But he burned alive the other Matthias (that was a Promoter of this Sedition) and his Companions.

Then Herods diſeaſe began to grow worſe; for he burned with an inward heat, he was vexed with a ravenous and inſatiable Appetite; he was tortured with Ʋlcers in his Bowels, and pains of the Cholick; His Feet ſwelled and his Thighs; his Body rotted, and was full of crawling Worms; to all which, he was troubled with Convulſions, and difficulty of breathing. He uſed all means poſſible for his Recovery, and was carried to the hot Baths beyond Jordan: Thence he returned to Jericho. Perceiving now that he muſt die, and ſuppoſing that the Jews would much rejoyce in his death, by Proclamation he calls together from every place to Jericho, ſome of the moſt Noble of the Jews, and ſhuts up thoſe of them that came in the Hippodrome, giving command to his Siſter Salome, and her husband Alexas, that as ſoon as he was dead, they ſhould cauſe all thoſe Jews to be killed, that the people might have cauſe of Lamentation at his death, which otherwiſe he thought they would rejoyce at. Before his death he received Letters from Ceſar, that he might do with his Son Antipater as he pleaſed. Being afreſh tormented with his diſtemper, he went to ſtab himſelf, but was prevented by thoſe about him.

Antipater thinking his Father had been dead, began to tamper with his Keeper about his Liberty, that he might ſeize upon the Kingdom. But his Keeper went and revealed it to Herod, who was thereupon ſo inraged, that he commanded one of the Guard to go inſtantly and kill him, and that he ſhould be buried in the Caſtle of Hircanion without any honour; which was done accordingly five days before Herod died. To ſuch an end came he who had wrought the ruine of his Brethren, and had made ſuch ſad broils in his Fathers houſe.

p. 50Herod now makes a new Will, in which he leaves the Kingdom to Archelaus (his eldeſt Son by his ſecond wife Mariamne). Herod Antipas he makes Tetrarch of Galilee and Petrea, or the Country beyond Jordan; Philip he makes Tetrarch of Trachonitis, Gaulonitis, Batanea (that is the Land called Baſan) and Paneada, nearer the heads of Jordan. To Salome his Siſter he gave Jamnia, Azotus, and Phaſaelis, and fifty thouſand drachms; to ſeveral of his Kindred he gave money and yearly Penſions; and to Ceſar and Livia his Wife he left great Legacies.

Herod having thus ordered matters five days after he had put Antipater to death he died himſelf about the 25th. of our November, having enjoyed the Kingdom 34 years from his Conqueſt over Antigonus, but 37 years from the time he was firſt made King by the Romans, and about the 70 year of his age. Solome and Alexas before the death of the King was known, diſcharged thoſe Nobles that were ſhut up in the Hippodrome.

Then was the Kings death declared, and all the Soldiers called into the Theater at Jericho, and there they firſt read the Kings Letters to the Soldiers, in which giving them thanks for their fidelity and love to him, he deſires them, that they would do the like for his Son Archelaus, whom he had appointed his Succeſſor in the Kingdom. Then the Kings Teſtament was read; then was there a ſhout for joy that Archelaus was King; the people praying God to proſper him.

A Royal Funeral was prepared by Archelaus for his Father: The Body was carried in Funeral Pomp from Jericho to the Caſtle Herodion (where he himſelf had appointed it to be buried) they going each day but Eight Furlongs, or an Italian Mile. It was carried in a Golden Litter ſet with precious Stones, Bearing-Cloth of Purple. The Body alſo was cloathed with Purple, and a Diadem on his head, and a Scepter in his right hand, and over his head hung a Crown of Gold. His Son and Kindred marched about the Litter; then followed the Soldiers marſhalled according to their ſeveral Nations; then 500 Servants bearing Perfumes.

The Ceremony of the Funeral being ended, Archelaus coming to Jeruſalem, ſolemnized a Mourning for his Father ſeven days, according to the Jewiſh Cuſtom, and at the end of the Mourning made a Funeral Banquet to the multitude. After this, going up to the Temple, and there ſitting on a Golden Throne, he ſpake very graciouſly to the people, but withal ſaid, He would not take upon him the name of King, till Ceſar had confirmed his Fathers Teſtament.

FINIS.