The History of the Old Testament Methodized, Text (1 of 3)

The History of the Old Testament Methodized · Text (1 of 3)

p. 5To Artaxerxes Longimanus ſucceeded Darius Nothus in the Perſian Empire, and to him Artaxerxes Mnemon, and to him Darius Ochus, who marching with a great army againſt Sidon in Phaenicia, which had revolted from him and confederated with Egypt, the City was betrayed into his hands by Tennes the King thereof, and Mentor who commanded the Egyptian Auxiliaries. The Citizens ſeeing themſelves betrayed, in a mad paſſion ſet a fire to their houſes, and burnt themſelves, wives and children, and ſervants, ſo that above forty thouſand are ſaid to have periſhed in the flames: He now marches with his army towards Egypt, and takes Jericho in his way; and takes many Jews along with him out of Judea to ſerve him in his wars againſt Egypt. Having conquered Egypt, and returning to Babylon full of glory and ſpoils, he carried thither with him many of the Jews priſoners, ſending moſt of them into Hircania bordering upon the Caſpian Sea, and ſome he placed in Babylon it ſelf.

Jonathan or Johanan the Son of Joiada being High Prieſt at this time, had a Brother whoſe name was Joſua, this Joſua grew into great favour with Bagoſes, Ochus's General, inſomuch that he had a promiſe from him that he ſhould have the Prieſthood. Upon this he was ſo puft up that he preſumed to ſtrive with his Brother Johanan the High Prieſt in the very Temple, and ſo far provoked him that the High Prieſt kill'd him in that ſacred place. Bagoſes hearing this, endeavoured to enter the Temple, and when he was forbidden, he askt if they accounted him more impure than the carcaſs that lay within. And ſo forcibly entring the Temple he plundred it, and thence took occaſion to puniſh the Jews ſeven years for the death of Joſua; for two Lambs being conſtantly offered in the daily ſacrifice, he impoſed upon every one a tribute of fifty drachms, which amounted to the yearly rate of ſixty Attick Talents, Joſeph. Lib. 11. Chap. 7.

Johanan the High Prieſt was Father of Jaddus (who ſucceeded him in the Prieſthood) and of Manaſſes who married Nicaſo Sanballat's daughter, Neh. 13.28. It's ſaid one of the Sons, that is, Grandſons of Joiada Son of Eliaſhib was Son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. This Sanballat was a Cuthaean by birth, from whom the Samaritans had their original, and was by Darius King of Perſia made Governour of Samaria, and being deſirous by this band of affinity to hold in the better with the Jewiſh Nation he gave his daughter in marriage to Manaſſes.

Ochus being poyſoned by Bagoſes his General, and Arſes or Arſames his Son ſet up by him, and ſhortly after by him killed with all his children; at laſt Bagoſes ſet up Darius Codomannus a friend of his and made him King, the Royal family of Darius Hiſtaſpis being now extinct. Bagoſes ſhortly after repenting of what he had done, and being much vers'd in King-killing, he thought by poyſon to ſend Darius alſo after Ochus and Arſes. But the matter being diſcovered, Darius ſent for him▪ and forc'd him to drink the potion himſelf which he had provided for him.

The Elders at Jeruſalem being offended that Manaſſes, Jaddus's Brother, had contrary to their Law married a wife of a ſtrange Nation, required that he ſhould either put her away, or come no more at the Altar. Hereupon he goes to Sanballat his father-in-law, and tells him that his wife was dear unto him, but he muſt either part with her or his Prieſthood. Sanballat anſwered that he would ſo bring it about (in caſe he would keep his wife) that he ſhould not only be a Prieſt but an High Prieſt too. For he would build for him upon Mount Gerizim a Temple like that at Jeruſalem, to do which he doubted not but to obtain leave and authority from Darius. Hereupon Manaſſes continued with his father-in-law, and all the Prieſts and other Iſraelites who had married ſtrange wives reſorted to him, Sanballat furniſhing them with money, and giving them lands to till, and forwarding the ambition of his Son-in-law all that poſſibly he could. Joſeph. Antiq. Lib. 11. Cap. 8.

Alexander of Macedon now contends with Darius for the Empire of Aſia, and having won the Battels at Granicus and Iſſus, and driven Darius back into Perſia, he lays p. 6ſiege to Tyre, Sanballat revolts from Darius and goes over to Alexander at the beginning of the ſiege with 8000 men, and deſireth leave of him to build his new deſigned Temple, perſwading him it would he for his intereſt, that thereby the Jews being divided among themſelves might be the leſs able to reſiſt him. Alexander yielding to his requeſt, he returns and falls with great induſtry upon the work, and built the Temple, and made Manaſſes his Son-in-law High Prieſt of it, thinking thereby to leave a great honour to the poſterity of his daughter.

During the ſiege of Tyre, Alexander ſent to Jaddus the High Prieſt at Jeruſalem, demanding of him ſupplies and other proviſions, and withal ſuch tribute as was formerly paid to Darius. Jaddus anſwered that he was tyed by a former oath of Allegiance to Darius, and that he could not be free from that oath ſo long as Darius lived. Alexander being very angry hereat ſwore that as ſoon as he had taken Tyre he would march againſt that City. Accordingly as ſoon as he had taken Tyre he marched forthwith into Judea, going in perſon againſt thoſe places that would not of themſelves ſubmit. But when he was upon his march to Jeruſalem, Jaddus the High Prieſt terrified with his former threats, and now more eſpecially fearing his rage, betakes himſelf to God by prayer, and was by him warned in a dream that he ſhould make Holy-day in the City, and ſet wide open the Gates, and that he and the reſt of the Prieſts every one in his Prieſtly V…ſtments, and the people all cloth'd in white ſhould go forth to meet him. Alexander ſeeing this company coming meets them, and lighting from his horſe proſtrates himſelf before the High Prieſt, and adores that God whoſe name he ſaw engraven on the golden plate of his Miter. At which all his followers being amazed, Parmenio askt him the reaſon thereof? to whom he anſwered, That he worſhipped not the Prieſt but the God whom he ſerved, for that whilſt he was in Greece and conſulted about his Expedition into Aſia, ſuch a man as this, and ſo attired appea…d to him, and advis'd him to it, and promis'd him ſucceſs. Then going up to the City he aſcended to the Temple and ſacrificed to God as the Prieſts directed him. There they ſhewed him the Propheſie of Daniel, wherein was foretold that a Grecian ſhould obtain the Empire of the Perſians; he accounting himſelf the man exceedingly rejoyced thereat, and the next day offered the Jews whatſover they would ask of him. They requeſted that they might live after their own laws and cuſtoms, and that on every ſeventh year (in which they ſowed not) they might pay no tribute. All which he readily granted them. He offered them alſo, if they would follow him, the free exerciſe of their Religion; whereupon many preſently liſted themſelves to ſerve him. Then leading his forces to the neighbouring Cities he was friendly received by them.

Having now got all the Towns of Paleſtine into his hands, except Gaza (which held out againſt him) he came with his forces and ſat down before it, after two months he took it, himſelf having received two wounds during the ſiege. The men were ſlain to the number of 10000, the women and children made ſlaves, furniſhing the City with a new Colony gathered out of the places adjacent, he made it a Garriſon and Magazine for himſelf. Curtius Lib. 4. C. 10.

After this he marches for Egypt, ſubdues it, builds Alexandria, goeth to the Temple of Jupiter Hammon, and at his return the war yet depending with Darius, he removed to Tyre, from thence he paſſes Euphrates to meet with Darius, and beats him again at the Battel at Arbela or Gaugamela, and ſo was declared King of Aſia.

Darius thus vanquiſhed was forced to fly, and wandring up and down, at laſt was betrayed by his own ſervants (among whom Beſſus was chief) and being ignominiouſly bound with fetters, and mortally wounded by them, he died, after he had reigned ſeven years. And thus the Perſian Empire was diſſolved when it had laſted about 203 years, A. M. 3675. ante C. N. 328.

Alexander reigned ſix years and ten months after the death of Darius as Emperour of the Eaſt, and then falling into a Fever at Babylon drawn upon himſelf by intemperate drinking. He died A. M. 3681, ante C.N. 322**About this time and ſomething after flouriſhed many Schools of Greek Philoſophers, viz. the Academicks, Peripateticks, Stoicks, Epicureans, Cynicks, Scepticks, of whom it is not our buſineſs now to ſpeak..

After Alexander's death his Empire was ſhared among his great Commanders, and was divided (for the main) into four Kingdoms, viz. 1. the Kingdom of Macedonia; 2. of Aſia Minor; 3. of Syria; 4. of Egypt. Theſe two laſt, the one lying North, of the other South of Judea, did often grievouſly afflict that poor people lying between them.

After Jaddus his Son Onias ſucceeded him in the Prieſthood at Jeruſalem.

p. 7Ptolemaeus Lagi the firſt King of Egypt after Alexander's death, ſubdued Paleſtine, and got Jeruſalem by a ſlight**Viz. He entreth Jeruſalem on a Sabbath-day under pretenſe to ſacrifice, and then ſurprizes the City., and carried thence a vaſt number of Jews into Egypt, out of which he ſelected many and took them into his army upon greater pay than ordinary. And finding that the Jews were moſt ſtrict obſervers of any Oaths they had taken, he committed many of his Garriſons and Caſtles to their cuſtody. And he placed many of them in Alexandria, ſuffering them to enjoy the ſame priviledges with the Macedonians. He ſent many of them alſo to inhabit Cyrene, from whom 'tis probable Simon the Cyrenian who bare the Croſs of Chriſt deſcended, Mat. 27.32. And other Cyrenian Jews of whom mention is made, Act. 2.10. and Ch. 6.9. Others of the Jews whom he brought out of Judea with him into Egypt he gave away for ſlaves among his Soldiers, not ſo much of his own inclination, as upon their importunity who deſired to have them rather than any other for their neceſſary uſes, and attendance in things belonging to the war.

Simon or Simeon the Juſt ſucceeded Onias in the Prieſthood; he was ſo called becauſe of his great zeal and ſervency in the worſhip of God, and the exceeding love he ever expreſt to his Country-men the Jews.

About this time as 'tis probable aroſe thoſe three famous Sects of Phariſees, Sadduces and Eſſenes ††Among the Jews there were ſome who thought they ought only to live by the preſcript of the Law, neither above nor below it. Others thought they were not to act according to the bare letter of the Law, but according to ſuch conſequences as might be deduced from it, and accordingly performed over and above what the Law required in the ſervice of God. Thoſe that ſtood to the letter of the Law were called Kerraim. Thoſe that beſides the letter of the Law did works of Supererogation were named Haſidim or Sancti, and afterwards they grew into a body call'd Haſidaeans. As long as this voluntary and ſupererogatory ſervice was free and ſpontaneous there was no ſchiſm; but when this Doctrine of the Haſidaeans came to be digeſted into precepts and Canons many doubts and diſputes daily aroſe, whence two Sects had their original. One which allowed only the Law it ſelf, and another which embraced the gloſſes and interpretations of it. From the latter, (being that of the Haſidaeans) ſprang up ſome who called themſelves Peruſchim or Separate, as thoſe who by reaſon of their holineſs were not only diſtinct and ſeparated from the vulgar, but from others alſo who would not come up to their ſtrict rules and injunctions. Theſe Peruſchim came by Greek writers to be called Phariſaei. Now as out of the Haſidaeans aroſe the Phariſees, ſo from among the Karraim, the Sadduces, ſo named from Sadoc. Antigonus the Maſter of this Sadoc, and Scholar to Simeon the Juſt, among other heads of Doctrine had taught that they ought not to be like ſervants who ſerved their Maſters mercinarily, and only for rewards; Sadoc and Baithus interpreted this good ſaying into a bad ſenſe, inferring from thence that there was no reward after this life, and thereupon denied the future ſtate, and Angels and Spirits, and ſo framed their Hereſie. The third Sect was that of the Eſſeni, who its probable ſprang from the Phariſees. They had skill in Phyſick, and thence ſome would derive their name from Aſa which ſignifieth to heal. They were accounted in ſome things more ſtrict than the Phariſees themſelves..

Simon dying and leaving behind him only one Son named Onias, then an infant, his brother Eleazar the Son of Onias the firſt took upon him the High Prieſthood of the Jews.

Ptolemaeus Philadelphus, ſecond King of Egypt, being a great favourer of learning, and all Liberal Arts and Sciences, in the ſeventh year of his reign built a very famous Library at Alexandria. He committed the care of getting Books of all ſorts, and out of all Countries to Demetrius Phalereus, who was not only a great Grammarian and Philoſopher, but alſo had been a great Stateſman, and an excellent Governour in Athens. Now to make this collection of Books he had this advantage, as 'tis reported of him, Ariſtotle at his death left his Library to Theophraſtus, and he at his death leſt his own and Ariſtotle's Books to Neleus Scepſius, and of him Ptolemy bought them, beſides others which he bought at Athens and Rhodes, and brought them all to Alexandria. 'Tis ſaid that he gathered together 20000 Books or Manuſcripts.

Demetrius Phalereus adviſed Ptolomy to ſend to have the holy writings of the Jews to be tranſlated out of the Hebrew into the Greek. But Ariſteas who was an attendant about him at that time, adviſed him for the purchaſing of that tranſlation, to ſet all the Jews (who were then ſlaves in Egypt) at liberty, and to ſend them home, which Ptolemy agreeing unto, 'tis ſaid the number of them came to One hundred thouſand ſouls, and every one of them coſt the King a hundred and twenty drachms, as Joſephus ſays. Now an hundred and twenty drachms make thirty Sicles or Stateres, which was the price of a ſlaves. See Exod. 21.32. At which rate our Saviour was ſold by Judas, ſo that the price which Ptolemy paid to redeem the Jews from their Maſters came to above 400 Talents. In which redemption the like price was paid for every ſucking child of them, together with their mothers whom they ſucked; whence it is that Joſephus ſays that Ptolemy paid in this kind upward of 460 Talents. Of theſe p. 8Jews Ptolemy took the younger ſort, and ableſt of them into his Army, and of the reſt, ſuch as he thought fit he employed in his private affairs, as he himſelf in his Letters to Eleazar the High Prieſt affirmeth. And with thoſe Letters he ſent alſo rich preſents to the uſe of the Temple at Jeruſalem by Andreas and Ariſtaeas his two ſervants to be delivered to the High Prieſt; as namely a Golden Table of two cubits long, and no leſs than half a cubit thick, all of ſolid gold; alſo twenty goblets of like gold, and thirty of ſilver, and precious ſtones to the number of five thouſand of very great value. Beſides which he ſent an hundred Talents to buy ſacrifices, and for other uſes of the Temple.

Eleazar the Prieſt receiving theſe preſents he choſe ſix principal men out of every Tribe (for after the Captivity there remained ſome of all the Tribes, as we have ſhewed before) and ſuch as were moſt eminent for gravity, learning and experience, who ſhould tranſlate Gods Law out of Hebrew into Greek; the particular names of which Seventy two Elders are expreſly delivered by Ariſtaeas.

Eleazar alſo ſent a Letter to the King full of reſpect and thankfulneſs when he ſent the Seventy two Interpreters to him, who coming to Alexandria preſented the King with ſuch gifts and preſents as Eleazar had ſent unto him, together with ſundry Parchments wherein the Law was written in Hebrew in golden letters, and the Parchments ſo joyned together, that the ſeaming of them could not be diſcerned by the eye of man. And it fell out that they came thither at a happy time, viz. when news came to him of a great victory obtained by his Navy at Sea againſt Antigonus. Ptolemy receiveth theſe Seventy two Interpreters with great reſpect, feaſts them ſeven days in a moſt magnificent manner, and afterwards appoints one Dorotheus to take care of them, and to ſupply them with all neceſſaries, not letting them want for any thing for their Table or otherwiſe. And the King himſelf would now and then put queſtions to them, ſome concerning affairs of State, ſome concerning Morality, whereunto they made him prudent and well adviſed anſwers, as we find in Ariſtaeas, who took all that he wrote out of the King's Diaries.

Three days after Demetrius led theſe Interpreters into the Iſle of Pharos, and there placed them in a goodly houſe, and far off from any noiſe or tumult, and there they ſet themſelves every one to his work of the Tranſlation, moſt exactly fitting it to the meaning of the Original, which done Demetrius cauſed it to be fairly exſcribed. Every day they ſat at it till three a Clock the afternoon, and then went and took their repaſt, having all things abundantly provided for them, and eſpecially their diet, which was of the ſame kind that was provided for the Kings own Table. Moreover every morning early they came to Court, and there having paid their reſpects to him, and wiſhed him a good morrow, returned to their place, and there having waſhed their hands (as their manner was) and prayed, they ſet themſelves to read and to interpret from point to point.

It ſo fell out that this work of the Seventy two Interpreters was finiſhed in ſeventy two days, as if it had been ſo caſt by them of ſet purpoſe. Which done, Demetrius calling them all together in the place where it was done, read it all over in the preſence of them all, and they as the Authors and finiſhers of ſo great and good a work were highly commended, and magnified by all the Jews there preſent. Demetrius alſo himſelf wanted not his ſhare of praiſes among them, and they beſought him that he would deliver a copy of the Law ſo tranſlated to their Rulers, which Was accordingly done.

When the work was thus finiſhed it was read all over to the King, who exceedingly admired the wiſdom of the Legiſlator, and commanded all poſſible care to be taken thereof, and that it ſhould be religiouſly laid up and kept. He alſo deſired the Interpreters themſelves that after their return home they would not fail to come often to him again. And he gave to every one of them three fair Gowns, two talents of gold, a cup of one talent, and the full furniture of a Chamber. And moreover to Eleazar the High Prieſt he ſent with them ten Bedſteads with ſilver feet, and rich furniture thereunto belonging; a cup of thirty talents, ten veſts of ſcarlet, and a Crown richly wrought, and about one hundred pieces of very fine linnen; and by his letters deſired him that if any of thoſe Interpreters had at any time a deſire to come and viſit him, he would not hinder them, for he much deſired to converſe with ſuch kind of men, and had rather ſpend his money upon them than any other way.

Antiochus Theos third King of Syria gave the Jews living in Ionia equal rights and p. 9priviledges with the Gentiles, and ſuffered them to enjoy their own Religion. He made ſundry times war upon Ptol. Philadelphus, and fought with him with all the forces he could raiſe out of the Oriental parts. Wherefore Ptolemy deſirous to put an end to this bloody war gave him his daughter Berenice to wife (while his former wife Laodice was yet living, by whom he had Seleucus Callinicus, and Antiochus Hierax) with an huge portion, which gives light to Dan. 11. v. 5, 6. But afterwards he put her away and took Laodice again, and ſhe was at laſt ſlain by the procurement of Seleucus Callinicus who ſucceeded his father in the Kingdom, which was the Original of many wars between the Kings of Syria and Egypt.

Manaſſes, Eleazar's Uncle, Brother to Onias the firſt, and S;on of Jaddus ſucceeded in the Prieſthood at Jeruſalem.

Ptol. Euergetes Son to Ptol. Philadelphus marches into Syria to revenge his Siſters death, and over-runs and conquers all before him; and then came down to Jeruſalem and there offered many ſacrifices of thankſgiving unto God, and dedicated to him many gifts in acknowledgment of ſo great a victory, and then returned into Egypt, (carrying with him many rich ſpoils and Images of their gods, which Cambyſes heretofore had taken out of Egypt at his being there) being called back by a ſedition of his own people. See Dan. 11.6, 7, 8, 9.

Ptol. Euergetes followed his father Philadelphus's ſteps in promoting learning, and the magnificence of the Library begun by him at Alexandria. He ſent for Eratoſthenes Cyrenaeus from Athens, and made him keeper of it. He took great care to get into his Library the works of ancient writers, where ever they could be procured. He borrowed from Athens the works of Sophocles, Euripides and Aeſchylus only to tranſcribe, and left them fifteen Talents in pawn, and then cauſed them to be written out very fair in parchment, and then retaining the Originals he ſent the Tranſcripts back, deſiring them to keep his pawn of fifteen Talents, and to ſuffer the Originals to remain with him.

Onias the ſecond, ſon of Simon the Juſt, after that Eleazar had executed the office of High Prieſt (becauſe he was then but a child when his father died) and after him alſo Manaſſes, (becauſe when he came to age he proved but a half-witted man) yet at laſt came to be High Prieſt among the Jews; in which office he carried himſelf very unworthily and baſely, and by his covetouſneſs drew the anger of Ptol. Euergetes upon him, for he refuſed to pay the tribute of twenty Talents of ſilver, which his Predeceſſors ever uſed to pay out of their own ſtore for the eaſe of their people. Hereupon Pt. Euergetes in a great rage ſent to him that if he did not ſpeedily ſend him his arrears of tribute, he would forthwith give away all his land amongſt his Souldiers, and plant new Colonies of his own there. Joſephus the ſon of Tobias a young man of ſingular prudence and virtue being advertiſed by his mother (who was the ſiſter of this Onias, and daughter of Simon the Juſt) of the coming of theſe meſſengers, he preſently came to Jeruſalem and undertook to go in an Embaſſie to Euergetes about this matter, and being come thither he ſo far inſinuated himſelf into the good liking and favour of the King, and Cleopatra the Queen, that he not only diverted this ſtorm which threatned his Country, but alſo obtained a company of 2000 Souldiers to levy the tributes, and other dues belonging to the King out of Coeloſyria, Phoenicia, Samaria and Judea. In which office he continued by the ſpace of twenty two years, and in that time doubled the Kings Revenues, and brought them from 8 to 16 thouſand Talents by the year, and brought into the Kings Exchequer all the goods of Felons, and other Confiſcations which formerly the Exchequer-men ſwallowed up, and ſhared among themſelves, Joſeph. 16. Ch. 3.4.

After the deceaſe of Onias the ſecond, his ſon Simon the ſecond ſucceeded in the Prieſthood.

About the year of the world 3787, when the ſecond Carthaginian war began between Annibal and the Romans, the Roman name began to be famous in the world, and their power look'd upon as formidable as any of the Kings either of Egypt, Syria, or Macedon.

Ptol. Philopator overthrew Antiochus Magnus King of Syria in a great fight near Raphia a City in Syria, and ſo got Raphia and thoſe places round about. The Jews ſending ſome of their Sanedrin to render him their ſervice, and to congratulate him after ſo great a victory, he promiſed to go thither, and to honour their City with his preſence. When he came he admired the beauty of their Temple, and would fain have gone into the Sanctum Sanctorum, whereinto it was not lawful for any to go p. 10ſave the High Prieſt only. The Jews vehemently oppoſing him therein, the King was more earneſt and bent upon it, whereupon all the Temple was filled with cryings and howlings, and the City with tumult. Then Simon the High Prieſt kneeling down between the Temple and the Altar, humbly ſought help from God in that time of trouble. Whereupon the King fell into ſuch an horrour of mind that he was unable to ſpeak, and ſo was carried half dead out of the Temple, 2 Mac. Ch. 1. & 2. Ptol. Philopator being returned into Egypt fell into all manner of looſe living and debauchery, and ſought by all means to turn the Jews of Alexandria from the worſhip of the true God, and ſome of thoſe that would not turn he cauſed to be ſlain, and ſome he marked with hot irons on their faces, and ſome with the ſign of an Ivy-leaf, becauſe that was the badg of Bacchus. Hereupon many abandoned their Religion in compliance to the King's will. Others bought their peace and ſaved their lives, and eſcaped their marking with hot irons for their money. But they who continued conſtant in the Religion of their forefathers continued alſo conſtant in their allegiance to the King, but would not converſe in any kind with thoſe of their own Nation who had apoſtatized from their Religion; whereupon their enemies preſently made this conſtruction of it, that they oppoſed the King in his power and Government, and ſought to turn away his ſubjects from their obedience. Upon this Philopator growing angry with the Jews, not only in Alexandria, but even throughout all Egypt, ſent out orders to have them all gathered together into one place, intending there to expoſe them to be deſtroyed by Elephants. And accordingly the Elephants being prepared and fill'd with wine mingled with myrrh that ſo they might be the more mad and fierce; it ſo happened that they inſtead of falling upon the Jews, ran upon the Kings Souldiers and trod them under foot, whereupon the King began to relent towards theſe poor priſoners, and not only ſaved them but feaſted them for ſeven days together. Ʋſh. p. 371.

Ptol. Philopator had by his Wife-ſiſter Euridice a ſon called Ptol. Epiphanes (who at the age of five years ſucceeded him in the Kingdom of Egypt) whoſe birth-day was firſt ſolemnly celebrated at home by all the great men and others of that part of Syria, and the Country thereabouts that was under his dominions; and then many of them made a journey to Alexandria there to wiſh him joy of his young ſon, among the reſt Joſephus the Jew (of whom before) Collector of his Tribute in Syria, Phoenicia, and Paleſtine, ſent his youngeſt ſon Hircanus to kiſs his hand, and with Letters to his Agent at Alexandria to furniſh him with moneys to buy the moſt rich and precious preſent for the King that the place did afford.

After Simon the ſecond ſucceeded his ſon Onias the third in the High Prieſthood, a good man, of a venerable aſpect, meek in his carriage, and very adviſed in his words, and one who from his youth framed himſelf to a virtuous life.

Pt. Philopator dying, left his ſon Pt. Epiphanes but five years old. Antiochus M. taking occaſion herefrom, confederates with Philip King of Macedon, that with their united forces they ſhould ſet upon the Kingdom of Egypt, Dan. 11. v. 14. and each ſhould enjoy thoſe parts of that Kingdom (if they conquered it) which lay next to them. Antiochus at laſt got Judea from Epiphanes, and Epiphanes by his General Scopas recovered it from him again, and ſhortly after loſt it again; ſo that Antiochus being now Lord of Judea, he grew friendly and kind to the Jews, who voluntarily ſubmitted to him, and aſſiſted him in the ſiege of the Caſtle of Samaria, into which Scopas had put a Garriſon.

One Simon a Benjamite chief Keeper of the Temple falling into a contention with Onias the third now High Prieſt, when he could not get his will of him, went to Apollonius the Governour of Coeloſyria, and Phoenicia, (for Seleucus Philopator who ſucceeded Antioch. Magnus) and informed him that there was a vaſt ſum of money in the Treaſury of the Temple, of which the Prieſts made no uſe, and therefore it would do well in the Kings coffers; which when the King was made acquainted with, he preſently ſent away his Treaſurer Heliodorus to Jeruſalem to fetch him that money from thence; but when he came, Onias the High Prieſt told him that it was true there were ſome moneys in the Temple, but they were the moneys of Widows and Orphans, and were there depoſited only as in a place of ſafety, part of which alſo was the proper goods of Hircanus a very honourable perſon, and that all there amounted not to above 400 Talents of Silver, and 200 of Gold, and that ſuch was the holineſs of the place that it ought not to be violated. Heliodorus nothing perſwaded by this, enters p. 11the Temple, and was ſmitten by an Angel dead for the preſent, but being reſtored by the prayers of Onias, he returned to his Maſter Seleucus, declaring the holineſs of the place and the power of God, 2 Mac. Ch. 3.

Simon after this calumniated Onias, as if he (who had ſo well deſerved of his Nation) had been the cauſe of this miſchief and had forced Heliodorus to do what he did. Upon this matters proceeded ſo far that many murders were acted by Simon and his party in the City, and Apollonius waxed mad withal, and backt him in what he did, ſo that Onias was forced to go to Seleucus Philopater, and (as ſome ſay) got him baniſhed.

Antiochus Epiphanes **The beginning of Antiochus Epiphanes, and the Hiſtory of the Maccabees. An. M. 3829. Ant. C. N. 175.now obtains the Kingdom of Syria (putting by his Brothers ſon Demetrius, and the true heir to the Crown) who by reaſon of his mad and wild converſation was by ſome called Epimanes: He is ſtiled by the Angel in the 11th. of Dan. a vile perſon, and the little horn, Dan. 8.9.

Jaſon ſon of Simon the ſecond, being weary of the continued High Prieſthood of Onias the third his Brother, goes to Antiochus, and of him purchaſes the High Prieſthood to himſelf for 360 Talents of Silver, and a rent of eighty Talents, and not ſatisfying himſelf with wronging his Brother in this manner, he promiſed a 150 more for a licenſe to ſet up at Jeruſalem a place of exerciſe for the training up of youth after the faſhion of the heathen, and ſo the Greek rites and heatheniſh faſhions were introduced, whereby an inlet was made not only to Idolatry and profaneneſs, but alſo to that cruelty and bloodſhed which after enſued.

Jaſon three years after he had bought the High Prieſthood of Antiochus ſent Menelaus Brother of Simon the Benjamite (that Arch-Traytor to his Country, of whom we have before ſpoken) to the King to carry the moneys he had promiſed him, and to ſolicite his affairs. Menelaus making uſe of the opportunity, ſerves Jaſon in the ſame kind that he had ſerved Onias, and promiſing to the King 300 talents of ſilver more than Jaſon paid, procured the High Prieſthood for himſelf; and having thus gotten it by the Kings Mandat, he expelled Jaſon into the Country of the Ammonites, but took no care to pay any of the moneys he had promiſed to the King, 2 Maccab. 4.25, &c.

Antiochus having ſeized on Caeloſyria, Ptol. Philometor (who claimed it as belonging to him, being paſſed over to his Father as his Mothers portion) ſought to recover it out of his hands. Antiochus marching down towards Egypt overthrew Ptolomy's forces, and quickly got Egypt into his power, pretending nevertheleſs to have a kindneſs for young Philometor, and a care of his affairs.

Menelaus taking the opportunity of the Kings abſence took divers golden veſſels out of the Temple at Jeruſalem, ſome of which he gave away, and ſome he ſold to Tyre, and other places, for which being accuſed of Sacriledg by Onias the true High Prieſt, who had betaken himſelf to Sanctuary, he procured him to be taken out from thence and put to death. Going on in ſuch miſchiefs he was accuſed to the King, but bribing Ptolomy the ſon of Dorimenes (who had revolted to Antiochus, and was in great favour with him), he procured the death of his accuſers.

About this time Antiochus went down a ſecond time into Egypt with a great power, which he recovered again (the King thereof flying before him) and getting the fortified Towns into his hands there ſtaid, till the Jews procured his return to their own deſtruction.

A falſe rumour of Antiochus's death being ſpread abroad in Judea, Jaſon having got a thouſand men together ſet upon Jeruſalem, and getting the City into his hands, forced Menelaus into the Caſtle, and then made ſlaughters, not as if he had been among his own Countrymen and kindred, but among enemies and forreigners; yet he got not the Prieſthood, but was forc'd to betake himſelf back again into the Country of the Ammonites, where being accuſed before Aretas King of the Arabians, he fled from place to place like a Vagabond, hated of all men as a forſaker of the Law, and publick enemy to his Country, and died at laſt at Lacedemon.

Antiochus hearing in Egypt that the Jews rejoyced at the report of his death, and ſuſpecting by the ſedition ſtirred up by Jaſon that Judea would revolt, in a great rage departed thence, and came and ſat down before Jeruſalem, and took it by force, and giving no quarter for three days ſpace, there were forty thouſand ſlain, and as many more taken priſoners and ſold; and not contenting himſelf with this, he preſumed p. 12to go into the Temple, having that Arch-Traytor Menelaus for his guide, and rifled it of the holy veſſels; particularly he took away the Golden Altar of Incenſe, and the golden Candleſticks with all the veſſels belonging to them, the Table of the Shewbread, and the Vail, and the Crowns, and the golden Ornaments that were faſtned to the Temple-doors; he pulled off the gold from every thing that was covered with it, and likewiſe took the ſilver veſſels, and all the hidden treaſure which he could find. He alſo killed ſwine upon the Altar, and with the broath of the fleſh of them he ſprinkled the Temple. And having taken 1800 talents out of the Temple he ſpeedily went to Antioch, leaving behind him to afflict the people, Philip a Phrygian by Nation, but by manners a Barbarian, and Andronicus, and beſides them Menelaus more grievous unto and more ſpightful againſt his own Countrymen than either of the other.

Two years after he ſent Apollonius a cruel man with an Army of 22000 into Judea, commanding him to put to death all the young men he could meet with, and to ſell the women and children for ſlaves. Apollonius coming to Jeruſalem kept himſelf ſtill until the Sabbath, and then taking the opportunity of the ſolemnity of the day, he deſtroyed all that came to perform Religious duties, and marching with his forces about the City, he put to death a great multitude, and plundering the City he ſet it on fire in ſeveral places, deſtroying the houſes, and demoliſhing the walls round about, and led away many women and children into captivity, ſeizing on their cattel, whilſt Antiochus his Maſter was buſie again in his attempts upon Egypt.

During theſe horrid outrages Judas Maccabeus departed with ſome others, and liv'd in the mountains three years and ſix months, for which ſpace of time the daily ſacrifice ceaſed, and the Sanctuary lay deſolate, and the inhabitants of Jeruſalem fled, and their City became an habitation of ſtrangers.

The Samaritans ſeeing the Jews ſo miſerably handled, profeſſed themſelves to be by deſcent Sidonians, and thereupon obtained Letters from Antiochus to Apollonius his Preſident, that they ſhould not be involved in the calamities of the Jews, and that their Temple on Mount Gerizim as yet not honoured with the title of any God, ſhould from thenceforth be called the Temple of the Grecian Jupiter.

After this in the year of the World 3837, Antiochus by a publick Edict commanded all Nations that were ſubject unto him to obſerve the ſame way of worſhip that he did, and laying aſide their peculiar cuſtoms to profeſs the ſame Religion with the Greeks, and to conform thereunto, threatning death to all ſuch as ſhould be found unconformable. And he appointed Overſeers over every people and Nation who ſhould compel them to uniformity, 1 Mac. 1.41, &c. Into Judea and Samaria he ſent an old man of Athens, that he ſhould force the Jews to depart from the obſervation of the Divine Law, and defile the Temple at Jeruſalem, and impoſe the name of Jupiter Olimpius upon it. And upon the Temple of Gerizim he impoſed the name of Jupiter Hoſpitalis, or Protector of ſtrangers. He alſo commanded the ſacrifices to be left off, he prohibited the Sabbath, he commanded them to defile the Sanctuary, to erect Altars, Groves and Chappels to Idols, and that they ſhould ſacrifice ſwine and other unclean beaſts, and ſhould ſuffer their children to remain uncircumciſed, and ſhould forget the Law and the Ordinances of God, and made it a crime to profeſs the Jewiſh Religion. Moreover order was ſent to the Neighbouring Cities of the Greeks that they ſhould compell the Jews to partake of their ſacrifices, and kill thoſe that would not come over to their rites; ſo that many of the Jews for fear obeyed, and ſacrificed to Idols. The Temple was now filled with riot and revelling by the Gentiles, who within the circuit thereof defiled themſelves with women, and committed other abominations. And on the 15th. day of the month Caſleu they erected the Abomination of Deſolation (that is the deteſtable Idol of Jupiter Olympius) upon the Altar, and built Idol-altars throughout the Cities of Judah, and burnt incenſe at the doors of their houſes, and in the ſtreets, and ſome were compelled to go in proceſſion to Bacchus carrying Ivy; they cut in pieces the Books of the Law which they found, and burnt them in the fire, and with whomſoever they were found, or whoever approved of them, they were by the Kings command to be put to death. Yet notwithſtanding there were many that ſtood out and would not conform to the Kings Edict, nor defile themſelves, at which the King being enraged, he cauſed divers to be brought before him, reſolving to inforce them by torments to taſte impure meats, and to abjure Judaiſm, and upon refuſal he racked them and put them to death. Among others, Eleazar of the Prieſtly family an eminent Scribe, and expert in the knowledg of the p. 13Law, of ninety years of age, was very eminent for his courage, who neither yielding to eat ſwines fleſh, nor diſſembling to have eaten it, choſe rather to undergo the moſt cruel torments than to violate the Law. After him ſeven young men that were Brethren, together with their moſt courageous Mother, were brought before Antiochus at Antioch, who refuſing to eat ſwines fleſh, after they had been exquiſitely tortur'd with new-invented torments, rendred their pious ſouls unto God. The Martyrdom of thoſe perſons is deſcribed in the ſeventh Chapter of the ſecond Book of Maccabees.

The rage of this perſecution coming to Modin a Town ſituate between Rama and Emmaus, it there found ſome oppoſition. Mattathias the Son of Jonathan a Prieſt of Jeruſalem of the family of Joarib (which was the firſt among the 24 courſes, 1 Chron. 24.7.) dwelt here at this time with his five Sons; among whom his Son Judas was called Maccabeus; and Joſephus ſays their Father Mattathias was the ſon of Aſamoneus **Or rather the Grand…on of Simeon Sirnamed Aſomonaeus., and from him that Sirname deſcended to his poſterity.††David in the 68. Pſal. 32. v. uſeth the word Haſmonim to expreſs Princes and great men.Ps 32

Mattathias was earneſtly preſt by the Kings Officers to ſacrifice on the Heathen Altars, but he utterly refuſed to do it, yea he proceeded ſo far as to kill a certain Jew whom he beheld ſo ſacrificing, and after that he ſlew the Kings Commiſſioner who forced the people to ſacrifice, and threw down the Altar. Being ſo far engaged he exhorted all that had any zeal for the Law of God to follow him, and ſo with his five Sons he fled into the Mountains, leaving all their goods behind them in the City.

Many went after him and lived with their wives and children in dens and caves, which when it was diſcovered to Philip Governour for the King at Jeruſalem, the Garriſon-Souldiers were preſently drawn out to purſue them, who falling on many of them on the Sabbath-day, (and they not at all reſiſting in honour to the day) they deſtroyed the number of about a thouſand perſons of them.

When Mattathias and his friends were informed of this, they much lamented the caſe of their Brethren, and decreed that from thence forward if they ſhould be aſſaulted by their enemies on the Sabbath-day they would reſiſt them with arms. Then the Aſidaeans a ſort of religious men joyning with him, and ſeveral others who daily fled out of the Country, he made up a little army, and therewith proſecuted the wicked ones, and marching up and down, threw down Altars, circumciſed all children whom they found uncircumciſed in the coaſts of Iſrael, and purſued the ſons of pride, and the work ſucceeded very proſperouſly in their hands. After Mattathias had been Captain of this wandring company for the ſpace of a year, he died, having firſt exhorted his Sons to piety and a valiant defence of the Law of God, and having appointed his Son Simon for a Counſellor, and his Son Judas Sirnamed Maccabeus for a Captain to them. His Sons buried him in the Sepulchers of their Fathers at Modin, and the Iſraelites bewailed him with great lamentation, 1 Mac. 2.

Judas being aſſiſted by his Brethren and ſuch as followed his Father, fell upon the enemy, burnt divers of their Towns, and ſeized upon ſeveral commodious places, (coming uſually upon them in the night) inſomuch that he forced many of them to quit the land. Apollonius the Governour of Samaria coming againſt him, Judas overthrew and ſlew him, and getting his Sword, ever after uſed it in the wars. After this he overthrew Seron the Governour of Caeloſyria, who marched againſt him with the forces under his command, his whole army was routed by Judas, and eight hundred ſlain on the place, the reſt fled into the land of the Philiſtines near the Sea-coaſt.

Antiochus hearing of this ſucceſs of Judas, was exceedingly enraged at it, and levying all the ſtrength of his Kingdom, and giving them a years pay, he commanded them to be in readineſs; he purpoſed to have marched immediately againſt Maccabeus, but he found his Treaſury much exhauſted by the pay of his Army, and he ſaw he had loſt 300 Talents of yearly tribute by the Jews revolting from him, and much alſo which he was wont to receive from other places who were in combuſtion, becauſe he would force them to quit their ancient rites. For his perſecution raged even in the Grecian Cities, inſomuch that he ſpared not the very Gentiles, but endeavoured to make them abjure their ancient ſuperſtitions, and to come up to a conformity of worſhip with himſelf, and by theſe things his revenues were much impaired. Fearing therefore he ſhould not have enough to defray his charges and gratuities, (wherein he took a pride to exceed all his Anceſtors) he reſolved to make a progreſs firſt into Perſia, and the upper Countries to gather the Tributes thereof, and fill his coffers. But before his departure he made Lyſias his kinſman Governour of the Regions betwixt p. 14Euphrates and Egypt, (committing to his care his young Son Eupator) and gave him half his forces, and this alſo in charge to blot out the Nation of the Jews utterly, and to give their Country to be inhabited by ſtrangers.

Philip the Governour of Jeruſalem obſerving how that Judas grew ſtronger and ſtronger every day, wrote unto Ptolemy (Son of Dorymenes) Governour of Coeloſyria and Cilicia to lend his helping hand to the Kings affairs, who preſently diſpatching Nicanor (one of his chiefeſt friends) with 20000 men, purpoſed to root out the whole ſtock of the Jews; and to him alſo he joyned Gorgias a man of great experience in Military affairs. Lyfias alſo diſpatched away Ptolomy himſelf as a reſerve to them, ſo that under theſe three Commanders, Ptolomy, Nicanor, and Gorgias were muſtered 40000 foot, and 7000 horſe, who marching with this their great army, pitched by Emmaus in the plain Country. Antiochus was at this time behind hand with his tribute to the Romans, the ſum of 2000 Talents, and Nicanor making ſure of the victory before hand, reſolved to wipe off that ſcore by the ſale of the captive Jews; and to that end invited out of the Cities near the Sea-coaſt a thouſand Merchants, promiſing that he would allow ninety ſlaves for a Talent; which was no ſooner divulged but the Merchants of the Country with their Attendants repair to the Camp to purchaſe the Jews for ſlaves, great Companies alſo flocked out of Syria, and other parts to barter for the ſame commodities.

The Heathen now holding Jeruſalem and the Temple, Judas Maccabeus in this great extremity removed with his Army to Mizpeh (for there before the building of the Temple was the Iſraelites place of Worſhip, 1 Sam. 7.5, 6.) and there he proclaimed a faſt, and with moſt ſervent prayers importuned the Lords help againſt this formidable hoſt, for he had with him but ſix or ſeven thouſand againſt the vaſt power of the enemy. After this ſuch as had betrothed wives, planted vineyards, or were fearful he diſmiſſed according to the Law, Deut. 20, 6, 7, 8. and then divided his army into four Squadrons, and appointing his Brothers to command them, committed to each 1500 Souldiers; ſo the Army removed and pitched on the South-ſide of Emmaus oppoſite to the enemy. That night Gorgias had a deſign to ſurprize them unawares, and to that end took along with him 5000 foot, and a 1000 choice horſe, and came towards the Jews Camp, having the Garriſon-Souldiers of Sion-fort for his convoy. Judas having notice hereof, wiſely turned it to his advantage, reſolving to march ſtraightways to Emmaus, and ſo to fall upon Nicanor in the abſence of the other, who was the more experienced Captain. Gorgias arriving at the Jews Camp, and finding no body there, thought they had fled for fear of him into the mountains, and ſo he ſought for them there, but they being got to Nicanor engaged him; in the morning Judas having firſt encouraged his men, and given the word in the help of God, through the aſſiſtance of the Almighty they routed Nicanor's whole army, laying above 5000 dead upon the place, and had the chaſe of the reſt a great way. Among others who were thus vanquiſhed were the Merchants, who (nothing doubting of the victory) followed the Kings army in hope to get a good bargain of the captives, and now became a prey themſelves, and the Jews ſeized on their money which they brought to buy them. And when they had had a long purſuit of them, but being prevented by time, they ſounded a retreat; for the evening on which the Sabbath began drawing on, after they had gathered up the Armes of the vanquiſhed Hoſt, and taken the ſpoils from them, they compoſed themſelves for the celebration of the Sabbath, magnifying the mercy of God for this ſo marvelous a victory, 2 Mac. 8. Gorgias returning from his fruitleſs expedition, and perceiving by the ſmoke of the Tents ſet on fire, that that other diviſion of their army was routed, and ſeeing Judas on the plain ſtanding in Battalia with his forces ready to receive them, they all ſhifted for themſelves. The coaſt thus cleared, Judas returned to the ſpoil, where he found plenty of gold, ſilk, and purple, (which the Phoenician Merchants had left behind them) and much wealth, all which the Souldiers ſhared among themſelves, having firſt deducted a portion for the maimed Souldiers, widows and orphans. Then with joint ſupplication they deſired the Lord to continue ſtill to be gracious unto them.

After this Judas overthrew Timotheus and Bacchides, both of the Kings party, and killed above 20000 men, and made themſelves maſters of many ſtrong holds, and divided among themſelves much ſpoil, always admitting the maimed, orphans, widows, and aged perſons into equal portions with themſelves.

p. 15Lyſias was exceedingly vext that things fell out ſo contrary to his expectation, and therefore the next year invaded Judea with an Army of 60000 choice foot, and 5000 horſe. Judas (having firſt implored the Divine aſſiſtance) meets him with an army of 10000 men. Lyſias received ſuch a blow that with the loſs of 5000 men he was glad to retreat to Antioch, intending greater preparations for his next expedition.

Judas and his Brethren having now ſome reſpite from their enemies, march with all their forces to Jeruſalem and recover the Temple, and all the City, except Sion-fort. The Altars and Chappels which the enemy had built in the open ſtreets they demoliſhed. And by the aſſiſtance of the Prieſts they cleanſed the Temple, built a new Altar, repaired the holy, and Holy of Holies, hallowed the Courts, made new holy Veſſels, brought into the Temple the Candleſtick, the Altar of Incenſe, and the Table of ſhew-bread, and ſo they burnt Incenſe upon the Altar, lighted the Lamps which were in the Candleſtick, and placed ſhew-bread upon the Table, and ſpread the Vails, and finiſhed whatever they had taken in hand. Then on the 15th. of the ninth month called Caſleu (two years after he had ſucceeded his Father in the Government, but three years compleat ſince the Gentiles firſt ſacrificed in that place) having furniſhed themſelves with fire by ſtriking ſtones one againſt another, they offered ſacrifice according to the Law upon their new Altar of Burnt-offerings; ſo that on the very ſame day of the ſame month on which the Gentiles profaned the old Altar, Judas conſecrated this new one.

This Dedication was celebrated with Songs and Hymns, and Inſtruments of Muſick very joyfully, and all the people fell proſtrate on the ground, and worſhipped the God of Heaven who had ſo proſpered them; beſeeching him that he would not ſuffer them to fall again into ſuch calamities, but that if they offended him he himſelf would puniſh them, and not ſuffer them to fall into the hands of the barbarous Gentiles. They kept this feaſt of Dedication eight days, and ordained that it ſhould be kept yearly for the ſame ſpace of time, and ſhould begin the 25th of the ſame month Caſleu. In the Goſpel, Joh. 10.22. 'tis called the feaſt of Dedication.

Whilſt theſe things were doing, Antiochus Epiphanes proſpers in his wars againſt Artaxias King of Armenia, and in the upper Countries, though in his attempt to plunder the Temple of Venus or Diana at Elemais in Perſia, he was repelled by the inhabitants, and cauſed ſhamefully to retreat. In his return homewards, hearing firſt of the overthrow of Nicanor and Timotheus, and then of the defeat of Lyſias, and the throwing down of the Idol of Jupiter Olympius, and fortifying of the Sanctuary, he fell into an extream rage, and reſolved to be revenged on the Jews, proudly vaunting that he would make Jeruſalem the common burying place of them when he ſhould come thither. Scarce had he made an end of threatning when he was ſtricken with an extream torment in his bowels, but being brought thereby to no better a temper of mind, he breathed out menaces againſt the Jews ſtill, and calling to his Chariot-driver to make haſt, it hapned that in this his ſo furious career he fell out of his Chariot, and was much bruiſed by the fall, and his limbs put out of joint; and after that being carried to and fro in a horſe-litter, worms bred ſo faſt in his body that his fleſh rotted, ſo that none could endure to carry him for the noiſomeneſs of the ſtench, being forced to ſtay at Taba a Town in Perſia in this pitiful plight, deſpairing of recovery, he openly acknowledged all thoſe miſeries to have fallen upon him for the injuries he had done to the Jews. When he could no longer endure his own ſmell, he ſaid, It is meet to ſubmit to God, and for mortal man not to ſet himſelf in competition with God. He vowed if God would reſtore him, to grant to the Jews a free exerciſe of their Religion, and of their own laws and cuſtoms, and that he would beautifie the Temple with moſt rare gifts, and reſtore all the holy veſſels, and that with advantage, and defray the charges of the Sacrifices out of his own Exchequer, and that he himſelf would turn Jew, and go through the whole habitable world declaring the power of God. But when he ſaw his end to draw nigh, he cauſed moſt kind Letters to be written to the Jews deſiring them to ſtand faithful to his Son. Then conſtituting Philip the Guardian and Protector of his Son (who was but nine years old) till he ſhould come to age; he died, and that a miſerable death, in a ſtrange land, after he had reigned twelve years.

Antiochus his Son, Sirnamed Eupator, ſucceeds him: Lyſias who had brought him up would not part, with the Government of him, whereupon Philip (who was appointed his Guardian by his Father) fled into Egypt.

Gorgias who had the command of thoſe parts about Judea, fomented a continual p. 16war with the Jews, and with him joyned the Idumeans, who entertained all the Jeruſalem-runagadoes, and infeſted the Jews, and did what they could to keep the war on foot; againſt thoſe therefore Judas Maccabaeus marches, takes divers places, and puts 20000 of them to the ſword. After which ſetting upon the Ammonites he overthrew them in divers engagements, and taking Jazer with the Territories thereunto belonging returned into Judea. Timotheus the General of the Ammonites hereat enraged and gathering together multitudes of forreign forces, came as if he would devour Judea. But Judas and thoſe that were with him, having humbled themſelves, and ſought to the Lord for help, marched out of Jeruſalem againſt them, and being encouraged by an Apparition of Horſemen in the Heavens fighting for them, they ſlew of the enemy 20500 Foot, and 600 horſe; Timotheus himſelf fled to Gazara a ſtrong Garriſon kept by his Brother, but that being taken, he was pulled out of a cave (where he had hid himſelf) and ſlain with his Brother.

After this the Gentiles about Galaad and Galilee ſorely afflicting the Jews of thoſe parts, Maccabaeus divided his Army into three Brigades, one whereof conſiſting of 3000 men he gave to his Brother Simon to relieve them of Galilee; the ſecond, to Joſeph the Son of Zachariah to defend Judea, charging them not to fight with any enemy till his return; with the third, he marched himſelf to the ſuccour of thoſe of Galaad. Simon notwithſtanding fought many Battels with the enemy, and killed many of them. And Judas had the like ſucceſs, taking many Towns, and putting many thouſand to the ſword. But thoſe that were left at home, deſiring, upon the report of theſe things, to atchieve ſome military glory, marched to Jamnia, whence Gorgias iſſuing out put them to flight, and following the chaſe as far as the borders of Judea, killed about 2000 of them. So dangerous a thing is preſumption and vainglory.

Lyſias the Kings Protector and chief Miniſter was extreamly vexed to hear of Judas's ſucceſs, therefore muſtering together near eighty thouſand men, and all the horſe he could make, marches into Judea, reſolving to make Jeruſalem an habitation for the Greeks, and the Temple Tributary, and to ſet the High Prieſthood to ſale every year. Being entred into Judea, he lays ſiege to Bethſura nigh to Jeruſalem. But Maccabaeus engaging with him, killed 11000 of his foot with 1600 horſemen, and forced him with the reſt, (many of them being wounded and diſarmed) to ſhift for themſelves. Lyſias conſidering with himſelf what loſs he had ſuſtained, and how God fought for the Jews, he ſent to them to treat of peace, and according to his promiſe brought the King to yield to ſuch reaſonable terms as were demanded by Maccabaeus; but this peace was quickly broken by thoſe of the Kings Captains that had the command of the places adjacent, who would not ſuffer the Jews to be quiet. And the Citizens of Joppa alſo having by fair ſpeeches inticed two hundred Jews which dwelt among them into their ſhips, put from ſhore and threw them all over-board. When Judas heard of this piece of villany he came by night to Joppa, and fired their Port and Navy. And underſtanding that the inhabitants of Jamnia had ſome ſuch deſign againſt thoſe Jews that lived with them, he did the ſame by night to their Port and Fleet alſo.

Judas now marching againſt Timotheus, the Nomades of Arabia ſet upon him to the number of 5000 Foot, and 500 Horſe, where after an hot diſpute, the Arabians were worſted, but afterwards upon an engagement to ſupply him with Cattel, obtained a peace from him. Shortly after this he ſtormed the City Caſpis, wherein was ſuch a ſlaughter made of the inhabitants that a lake thereto adjoyning ſeemed to be full of blood. Removing from thence he came to the Jews called Tobieni inhabiting the land of Tob, concerning which mention is made in the Book of Judges, Ch. 11. Timotheus was drawn off from that place, but had left behind him a very ſtrong Garriſon, which Doſitheus and Soſipater (two of Judas's Captains) ventured upon, and taking it, put to the ſword about 10000 men.

Upon this Timotheus levies a new Army conſiſting of 120000 Foot, and 2500 Horſe of all Nations round about him, and mercenary Arabians, ſending the women and children into a ſtrong Town called Carnion. He incamped againſt Raphon on the other ſide the Brook Judas approaching with his forces gave this great Army ſuch a total rout, that ſome fled one way, and ſome another, and Judas purſued them with ſuch earneſtneſs that he ſlew near thirty thouſand of them; and Timotheus himſelf falling into the hands of Doſitheus and Soſipater, obtained his liberty upon promiſe of ſetting at liberty ſuch of the Jews as he had in his power.

p. 17Judas then proceeding took Carnion whither many of the enemy had fled, he put to the ſword 25000 men, fired their Temple, and demoliſhed their City.

After this he gathered together all the Jews with their wives and children which were in Galaad to bring them into Judea. And being come as far as Ephron (which was a great City well fortified, through which they were to paſs) the Citizens denied them paſſage, and ſhut their gates againſt them; hereupon they aſſaulted the City and took it, after a day and a nights battery, and demoliſhed the City to the ground, took all the ſpoil, killed all the males near 25000 in number, and ſo marched to Jeruſalem to the Feaſt of Pentecoſt.

The Feaſt being over, Judas taking 3000 Foot, and 400 Horſe along with him, went and fought with Gorgias, whom Doſitheus had once taken, but leading him away a Thracian Trooper made up towards him, and cut off his ſhoulder, and ſo reſcued Gorgias, who made his eſcape into Mariſſa. After this victory the Jews coming to ſtrip and bury ſuch of their own party as had fallen that day, found under their coats certain things dedicated to the Idols of Jamnia, which was prohibited them by the Law, Deut. 7.25, 26. ſo that it appeared to them that this was the cauſe of their death, they therefore betook themſelves by prayer unto God, intreating him that this miſcarriage might not be charged upon them all.

After this Judas with his Brethren ſubdued the Edomites and the Philiſtines, burnt their Idols, and overthrew their Altars, and then returned into Judea; and obſerving that Antiochus's Souldiers which were Garriſon'd in the Tower at Jeruſalem did infeſt the Jews about the Sanctuary, he with all the people beſieged them cloſe, but ſome of them with certain Jewiſh fugitives getting out, went ſtrait to Antiochus Eupator, and perſwaded him with expedition to come and give a check to the growing power of the Jews.

Antiochus gathering together all his friends and Captains, and a mighty Army (concerning the number of which the two Books of Maccabees differ) in a great rage marched thither, intending to deal worſe with the Jews than his Father had done. And with him Menelaus the uſurping High Prieſt joyned, hoping thereby to recover the Prieſthood. Judas hearing of theſe preparations, commanded the people that they ſhould call upon God day and night, that he would pleaſe to grant them his wonted aſſiſtance. Antiochus marching into Judea aſſaults Bethſura or Bethhoron, where Judas by night with a choice party fell upon his Camp, and piercing as far as his own Tent, ſlew 4000 men, and giving an alarm to the whole Army, at break of the day ſafely retreated; whereupon the King marched towards him next day, and they coming to an engagement Antiochus loſt ſeveral hundreds more, but the Jews ſeeing themſelves overpowered retreated. The King then returned to the ſiege, and they not being well ſtored with proviſion (this being the Sabbatical year) at laſt yielded up the Town upon compoſition. Antiochus having herein placed a Garriſon, marched up to Jeruſalem, and there made all proviſion poſſible for the gaining of it, all manner of Engines being raiſed for the caſting of fire and ſtones, but the beſieged defended themſelves bravely (though proviſions were very ſhort with them) and the famine prevailed ſo much among them that they were in danger of falling into the Kings hands; but before he could finiſh his work, news came that Philip (whom his father had appointed to be Guardian) being returned out of Egypt, was coming with the forces that Epiphanes had left in Perſia and Media to recover his right uſurped by Lyſias. Hereupon both he and his Captains were preſently perſwaded by Lyſias, (becauſe the place was ſtrong, and proviſions began to fail in the Leaguer, and the affairs of the Kingdom required it) to make peace with the beſieged, and with the whole Nation of the Jews upon ſuch terms as they required. Then returning to Ptolemais, the inhabitants thereof (being great enemies to the Jews) ſtickled hard to perſwade him to break the League, but Lyſias ſo well argued the matter among them that he quieted their minds, and confirmed the peace; ſo that the Inveſtiture of the commanding power in the Haſmoneans took its riſe from the time of this peace agreed on betwixt Antiochus Eupator and Maccabeus.

The King haſting thence towards Antioch, brought along with him as a priſoner Menelaus the High Prieſt, whom Lyſias accuſed as an Incendiary, and the cauſe of the war, whereupon by order from the King he was let down into a Tower filled with aſhes, and there miſerably ended his life, ten years after he had firſt uſurped the Prieſthood.

p. 18Menelaus being thus taken out of the way, the King ſubſtituted in his room one Alcimus a man every whit as bad as he. Indeed he was of Aaron's progeny, but not of the High Prieſts blood, and Lyſias perſwaded the King to transfer that dignity into another family. Onias the Son of Onias the third, ſeeing the High Prieſthood conferred on Alcimus, went into Egypt, and after he had well inſinuated himſelf into the affections of Ptol. Philometor and Cleopatra his wife, obtained of them leave to build a Temple to God in the juriſdiction of Heliopolis, anſwering to that at Jeruſalem, and that they would conſtitute him High Prieſt there. See more of this in Ʋſher, p. 467.

Antiochus coming to Antioch found Philip Maſter thereof, but ſetting upon it he took it by force, and taking Philip therein put him to death, and ſo quickly quieted thoſe ſtirs, being reſerved with Lyſias his Guardian (though but a little time) for others more dangerous.

Demetrius Soter Son of Seleucus Philopator (the right heir to the Kingdom) now eſcaping from Rome quickly got the Kingdom, and put to death Eupator and Lyſias his Guardian.

Alcimus who had procured from Eupator to be made High Prieſt, being not now receiv…d nor owned by the people, for that in the days of Epiphanes he had wilfully defiled himſelf, came to Demetrius with other Apoſtates to get the Prieſthood confirmed to him. He accuſed his Countrymen, eſpecially the Haſmoneans (viz. Judas and his Brethren) as guilty of cutting off the Kings friends, and baniſhing them out of the Country. Hereupon Demetrius ſent Bacchides the Governour of Meſopotamia (his truſty friend) with great forces into Judea, and confirmed the High Prieſthood to Alcimus, whom he ſent back with him. All their deſign was (being arrived there) by fair ſpeeches to get Judas and his Brethren into their hands but they gave no credit to them. Many of the Scribes went out to them to ſeek peace, expecting they ſhould have obtained it of Alcimus, who was of the ſeed of Aaron, and had now great power in the army, but having gotten them into his hands, he moſt wickedly contrary to agreement and his oath put ſixty of them to death, all in one day, by which perfidiouſneſs many being terrified fled from the City. Then Bacchides going from Jeruſalem cauſed many that had fled from him, and ſeveral others of the Jews to be ſlain and caſt into a great pit, and ſo committing the care of the Country to Alcimus (for the defence of which he left him ſome forces) he returned unto the King.

After his departure Alcimus ſtriving all he could to confirm himſelf in the Prieſthood made great havock of the people. Hereupon Judas went out through the whole Country, taking vengeance on ſuch as had revolted from him, and ſo terrified thoſe that adhered to Alcimus, that they were forced to keep themſelves within their Garriſons, and durſt not make any more incurſions into the Country. Alcimus apprehending danger to himſelf from theſe proceedings goes once more to Demetrius carrying along with him a Crown of Gold to preſent unto him. For Judas and his party increaſing in power would not ſuffer him to come near to the holy Altar, at which being enraged he eagerly accuſed them to the King as authors of all the commotions and diſturbances in Judea; further complaining that he was deprived of the Prieſthood, (the honour, as he ſaid, of his Anceſtors) and further affirmed that as long as Maccabeus lived the Kings affairs could not be ſecure. This being ſeconded by ſome ill-willers to the Jews, and his friends, Demetrius was ſo inflamed, that ſending for Nicanor one of his chiefeſt Princes, and a bitter enemy to the Jews, made him General againſt Judea, giving him order to deſtroy Judas, and diſperſe his aſſociates the Aſſideans, and to ſettle Alcimus in the High Prieſthood.

The Jews, upon the report of Nicanors approach, and the Aſsociation of ſeveral Gentiles with him, caſt duſt upon their heads, and made their Supplication to God. And it ſo happened, that after a ſhort skirmiſh betwixt Simon (Judas's Brother) and a party of Nicanors near the Village Deſſaro. Nicanor underſtanding the Courage and Reſolution of Judas and his Party in defending their Country, he was unwilling to run the hazard of a Battel, but ſent to parle with the Jews, and to make peace with them, upon mutual engagements of fidelity each to other. And Articles being agreed upon between them, the two Captains met, and the Conference proved very ſucceſsful, and cloſed in a League without the Kings Privity. Nicanor after this, abode a while in Jeruſalem, and diſmiſſed the Companies he had collected, and was ſo taken with Judas, that he continued with him ſome time, and loved him in his heart, and lived ſo p. 19friendly and familiarly with him, that he perſwaded him to marry a Wife.

But when that wretched fellow Alcimus obſerved this Correſpondence between them, he addreſſed himſelf a third time to Demetrius, and accuſed Nicanor as having ſome treacherous Deſign in agitation againſt the King, who was ſo inraged by thoſe Calumnies, that he ſent Nicanor word, That he took very ill thoſe his Intercourſes with Judas, commanding him forthwith to ſend him to him bound to Antioch. Nicanor was very loath to do this, becauſe it was a violation of the Articles of Peace between them, which Judas had not in the leaſt manner broken; yet becauſe he knew not how to reſiſt the Kings command, he watched a convenient time to do it by a Stratagem.

Judas obſerving how Nicanor was grown more reſerved to him than formerly, and that his dealings were more rough than uſually they had been, began to ſuſpect ſomething, and gathering together many of his Aſſociates, he withdrew himſelf. Nicanor following him with a great party to Jeruſalem, under pretence of a Parle with him, had prepared ſome to ſeize upon him; which Judas having notice of, got away, and would ſee him no more. When Nicanor ſaw his deſign was diſcovered, he marched with his forces againſt Judas, and fought with him near Capherſalama; in which Encounter Nicanor loſt near 5000 of his men, and the reſt fled to the City of David.

After this Nicanor came up to Mount Sion, and ſome of the Prieſts with the Elders of the people went forth of the Sanctuary to ſalute him peaceably, and ſhew him the Burnt-Offering that was offered for the King. But he jearing and ſcoffing at it, demanded Judas to be delivered unto him. And they affirming with an Oath, that they knew not where he was; he ſtretched out his hand againſt the Temple and ſwore, that except Judas and his Aſſociates were delivered up unto him, he would, when he ſhould return in peace, ſet the Sanctuary on fire, demoliſh the Altar, and build there a ſtately Temple to Bacchus. The Prieſts hearing this went in, and ſtanding before the Altar, with Tears begged of God, That he would fruſtrate this wicked mans intention, and avenge his Blaſphemies on him and his hoſt.

Nicanor hearing that Judas was gone from Jeruſalem into the parts of Samaria, he went and pitched his Tents in Bethoron, where he met new ſupplies out of Syria. But Judas pitched in Hadaſa with only 3000 men. Nicanor did what he could to engage in battle on the Sabbath-day, vvhichwhich the Jews (vvho vvere conſtrained to follovv him) friendly dehorting him from, (out of reverence to the day, and to God the Inſtitutor thereof) he with moſt horrid Blaſphemy ſlighted what they ſaid. As for Maccabaeus he encouraged his Party, recalling to their minds their former Encounters, and declaring unto them a Dream of his, wherein there was repreſented unto him Onias the 3d. praying for the people; and the Prophet Jeremy reaching unto him a golden Sword, whereby he much cheared their Spirits. The Jews being now well armed with Prayers and a ſure confidence in God, on the 13th. day of the laſt month Adar, fell upon the Enemy. Nicanor himſelf was one of the firſt that fell in the fight, which when his Army ſaw, they caſt away their Arms and fled; and the Iſraelites following the chaſe ſlew 30000 of them. Then they fell upon the Spoil, and finding Nicanors Body, they cut off his head and hands, and carried him to Jeruſalem, where they hung his head upon an high Tower with his right hand which he had ſtretched out ſo proudly againſt the Houſe of God; and his blaſphemous Tongue Judas commanded ſhould be chopp'd in pieces, and given to the Birds of the Air. In commemoration of this Victory it was Enacted, That the 13th. day of the month Adar, (the day before the Feaſt of Mordecai) ſhould be yearly kept as a day of thanksgiving, and publick rejoycing, as the Author of the ſecond Book of Maccabees tells us, who with this ſtory finiſhed his Work, being the Epitome of the Five Books of Jaſon, a Jew of Cyrene.

After Nicanor's death, Judea for a while had reſt from Wars. During which time Judas hearing of the great power of the Romans, and their Humanity towards ſuch as were in diſtreſs, underſtanding alſo in what great fear Demetrius ſtood of them, he ſent Eupolemus the ſon of John, and Jaſon ſon of Eleazer, as Agents, to the Senate of Rome in the name of himſelf, his Brother, and the Common-wealth of the Jews, to negotiate an Alliance and Aſſociation with them, hoping thereby to free their necks from that heavy yoak of Demetrius, and the Empire of the Greeks.

After Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his Army were cut off in the late fight with Judas, he diſpatch'd Bacchides and Alcimus a ſecond time into Judea, and with them the right wing, and better part of his Army, who marching on the way that leads to p. 20Galgala, took in their march Maſſadath which is in Arbela, and put multitudes to the Sword. From thence they removed to Jeruſalem, and from thence to Berea with Twenty thouſand Foot, and Two thouſand Horſe, to ſeek out Maccabaeus. Judas pitched in Eleaſa having only 3000 men with him. The Jews ſeeing the number of the enemy ſo great, began to be afraid, and many of them fled away; in ſo much that all forſook Judas, ſave only 800; with theſe he charged Bacchides's great Army, and fought from morning to night, and routed the right wing in which Bacchides himſelf was, but they on the left wing perceiving this, and preſſing hard upon Judas, and thoſe that were with him, ſlew him fighting valiantly; and as ſoon as he fell, the reſt of his men fled, and ſhifted for themſelves. Judas was ſlain in the 6th. year after he had led the people from the death of his Father, and A. M. 3844.

After the death of Judas, wicked men diſcovered themſelves in all the Coaſts of Iſrael, who before play'd leaſt in ſight for fear of Him: And by reaſon of the great Famine that hapned in thoſe days, almoſt the whole Country joyned with them, and ſubmitted themſelves to Bacchides, that they might the more commodiouſly be ſupplied with proviſion. Bacchides advanced thoſe wicked men to be Governours in the Country; who when they lighted upon any of Judas's Friends, brought them to him, who reviled them, and revenged himſelf upon them, ſo that there had not been ſo great an Affliction ſince the days that the Prophets ceaſed from among them. 1 Mac. 9.23, 27.

But ſuch of the Jews as could do it, aſſembled themſelves together, and choſe Jonathan (Judas's Brother) Captain in his room; which Bacchides hearing of, ſought to kill him; but he underſtanding thereof, fled into the deſert of Tekoa, and ſent his Brother John with a b…d of Soldiers to deſire the Nabathites (that were Arabians) that they might leave their Carriages with them. But the Children of Iambri out of Medaba met with them upon the way, and ſlew John and his Company; and having ſeized upon the Spoil, went their way. But no great joy had they of their Booty; for Jonathan and his Brother Simon hearing they were about to make a great Marriage, and bring the Bride from Medaba with great Pomp (being the Daughter of one of their Nobleſt Princes) they went, and hiding themſelves under the Covert of the Mountain, when the Bridegroom and his Friends came forth with Timbrels and Inſtruments of Muſick, roſe up out of the Ambuſh, ſlew 400 of them, and took the Spoil. So having revenged the death of their Brother, they returned again into the Marſhes of Judea. 1 Mac. 9.