1   To the bretheren, the Iewes that are through out Ægypt, the bretheren, the Iewes that are in Ierusalem, and that are in the countrie of Iurie, send health, and good peace. ^note

2   God doe good to you, and remember his testament, that he spake to Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob, his faithful seruantes:

3   and geue he

vnto you al an hart to worshippe him, and to doe his wil with a great hart, and a willing minde.

4   Open he your hart in his law, and in his precepts, and make peace.

5   Heare he your prayers, and be he reconciled vnto you, neither forsake he you in the euil time.

6   And now here we are praying for you.

7   When Demetrius reigned, in the yeare one hundreth sixtie nine, ^note we Iewes wrote vnto you in the tribulation, and violence, that came vpon vs in these yeares, since Iason reuolted from the holie land, and from the kingdom.

8   They burnt the gate, and shed innocent bloud and we prayed to our Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifice, and fine floore, and lighted the lampes, and setforth there breades.

9   And now celebrate ye the dayes of Scenopegia of the moneth Cesleu.

10   In the yeare one hundreth eightie eight, the people that is at Ierusalem, and in Iurie, and the senate, and ^note Iudas, to Aristobolus the maister of Ptolomee the king, who is of the stocke of the annointed priestes, and to those Iewes, that are in Ægypt health, and welfare.

11   Being deliuered by God out of great dangers, we geue him thankes magnifically, as who haue fought against such a king.

12   For he made them swarme out of Persis, that haue fought against vs, and the holie citie.

13   For when he was captaine in Persis, & with him a very great armie, he fel in the temple of Nania, being deceiued by the counsel of Naneaes priestes.

14   For Antiochus, & his freindes came to the place as to dwel with her, & that he might receiue much money vnder the title of a dowrie.

15   And when Naneaes priestes had layde it forth, and he with a few was entered within the compasse of the temple, they shut the temple,

16   when Antiochus was entered in: & a secrete entrance of the temple being opened, casting stones they stroke the duke, and them that were with him, and diuided them in peeces, and cutting of their heades they threw them forth.

17   Blessed be the God in al thinges, who hath deliuered vp the impious.

18   We therefore meaning to keepe the purification of the temple the fiue and twentith day of the moneth Casleu, thought it necessary to signifie vnto you: that you also may kepe the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was geuen when Nehemias, after the temple was built and the altar, offered sacrifice.

19   For when our fathers were caryed ^note into Persis, the priestes that then were the worshippers of God, taking the fire from the altar, hid it secretly in a valley where there was a pitte deepe,

and dry, and therin they saued it, so that the place was vnknowne to al men,

20   But when manie yeares had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias should be sent of the king of Persis: he sent the nephewes of those priestes, that had hid it, to seeke out the fire: and as they told vs, they found not fire, but ^notethicke water.

21   And he bad them draw, & bring vnto him: and the sacrifices, that were layd on, the priest Nehemias commanded to be sprinckled with the same water, and the wood, and the thinges that were layde therupon.

22   And as this was done, & the time was come that the sunne shone forth, which before was in a cloude, there ^note was kindled a great fire, so that al merueiled.

23   And al the priestes made prayer, whiles the sacrifice was consuming, Ionathas beginning, and the rest answering.

24   And the prayer of Nehemias was in this maner: O Lord God creatour of al, dreadful, and strong, iust, and merciful, which only art the good king,

25   only giuer, only iust, and omnipotent, and eternal, which deliuerest Israel from al euil, which madest the fathers elect, and didst sanctifie them.

26   Receiue the sacrifice for al thy people Israel, and kepe thy part, and sanctifie it.

27   Gather together our dispersion, deliuer them, that serue the Gentils, and regard the contemned & abhorred: that the Gentils may know that thou art our God.

28   Afflict them that oppresse vs, and that doe contumelie in pride.

29   Place thy people in thy holie place, as Moyses sayd.

30   And the priestes sang hymnes, til the sacrifice was consumed.

31   And when the sacrifice was consumed, of the rest of the water Nehemias c&obar;manded the greater stones to be throughly washed.

32   Which thing as it was done, out of them ^note was kindled a flame: but ^note by light also, that shined from the altar, it was consumed.

33   And as the thing was made manifest, it was told the king of the Persians, that in the place, wherin those priestes that were transported, had hid fire, there appeared water, with the which Nehemias, and they that were with him, purified the sacrifices.

34   And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter, made a temple for it, that he might approue that which was done.

35   And when he had approued it, he gaue to the priestes manie good thinges, and diuerse giftes, and taking them with his owne hand, he gaue to them. And Nehemias called this place ^note Nephthar, which is interpreted purification. But it is called with manie Nephi.

Chap. II. ^note Holie fire, and the booke of the law were conserued by Ieremie the prophet, in the transmigration into Babylon. 4. Likewise the Tabernacle of Moyses the Arke, and Altar of incense in a secrete place. 8. As Moyses had dedicated the Tabernacle, and Salomon the Temple: 14. so Iudas Machabeus clensing the Temple, and making a new Altar, instituted a feast of the Dedication therof. 20. The Preface of the Auctor abridging the historie of the Machabees written by Iason in fiue bookes.

1   And it is found in the descriptions of Ieremie the prophet, that he commanded them that went in transmigration, to take ^note the fire, as it was signified, & as he commanded them that were caried away in transmigration.

2   And he gaue them a law that they should not forget the precepts of our Lord, and that they should not erre in their mindes, seing the idols of gold, and siluer, and the ornaments of them.

3   And saying other like thinges, he exhorted them that they would not remoue the law from their hart.

4   And it was in the same writing, how the prophet commanded by the diuine answer made to him, that ^note the tabernacle, & the arke should folow in company with him, til he came forth into the mount in which Moyses ascended, and saw the inheritance of God.

5   And Ieremie coming thither found a place of a caue: & he brought the tabernacle, and the arke, and the altar of incense in thither, and stopped the doore.

6   And there came certaine withal, that folowed, to marke the place for themselues: and they could not finde it.

7   And as Ieremie vnderstood it, blaming them he sayd: that the place shal be vnknowne, til God gather together the congregation of the people, and become propicious:

8   and then our Lord wil shew these thinges, and the maiestie of our Lord shal appeare, & there shal be a cloude as it was also made manifest to Moyses, and as when Salomon prayed that the place might be sanctified to the great God, he did manifest these thinges.

9   For he handled wisedom magnifically: as hauing wisedome, did he offer the sacrifice of the dedication, and of the consummation of the temple.

10   As Moyses also prayed to our Lord, and as Salomon prayed, and fire came downe from heauen, and consumed the holocaust.

11   And Moyses sayd: Because that which was for sinne, was not eaten, it was consumed.

12   In like maner Salomon also eight dayes celebrated the dedication.

13   And these self same

thinges were put in the descriptions, and commentaries of Nehemias: and after what sort he making a librarie gathered together bookes of the prophetes, and of Dauid, and the epistles of the kinges, and concerning the donaries.

14   And in like maner ^note Iudas also such thinges as were fallen away by the warre that happened to vs, gathered them al together, and they are with vs.

15   If therfore you desire these thinges, send some that may fetch them vnto you.

16   We therfore meaning to kepe the purification haue written vnto you: You shal doe wel then, if you kepe these dayes.

17   And God that hath deliuered his people, and rendered the inheritance to al, the kingdom, and the priesthoode, and the sanctification,

18   as he promised in the law, we hope that he wil quickly haue mercie vpon vs, and wil gather vs together from vnder heauen into the holie place.

19   For he hath deliuered vs out of great perils, and hath purged the place. ^note

20    ^noteConcerning Iudas Machabeus, and his brethren, and of the purification of the great temple, and of the dedication of the altar, ^note

21   Yea and of the battels that perteyne to Antiochus the Noble, and his sonne Eupator:

22   and of the apparitions, that were made from heauen to them, that did manfully for the Iewes, so that being few they reuenged the whole countrie, and put to flight the barbarous multitude:

23   and repayred the most famous temple in al the world, and deliuered the citie, and the lawes that were abolished, were restored, our Lord with al clemencie being made propicious vnto them.

24   Also the thinges which by Iason the Cyrenean, are comprised in fiue bookes we haue attempted to abridge in one volume.

25   For considering the multitude of bookes, and ^notethe difficultie to them, that wil attempt the narrations of histories, because of the multitude of matters:

26   we haue bene careful for them that are willing to reade, that there might be delectation of the minde: and for the studious, that they may more easily comitte it to memorie: and that profite might ensewe to al that read it.

27   And to our owne selues in deede, which haue taken vpon vs this worke to make an abridgement, we haue taken in hand no easie labour, yea rather a businesful of watching and swette.

28   As they that prepare a feast, and seeke to condescend to other mens wil: for manie mens sakes we doe willingly susteyne the labour.

29   The ^note veritie certes concerning euery particular leauing to the auctors, and

our selues according to the forme that is geuen, studying to be briefe.

30   For as the builder of a new house must haue care of the whole building: but he that hath the care to paint, must seeke out the thinges that are apt for garnishing: so must it be esteemed also in vs.

31   For to gather together the vnderstanding, to order the speach, and curiously to discusse euerie particular part, agreeth to the auctor of an historie:

32   but to pursew the breuitie of speach, & to auoyde the exact declarations of thinges, is to be granted to him that abridgeth.

33   From hence then wil we begine the narration: of the preface let it be sufficient to haue sayd thus much. for it is a foolish thing before the historie to flow ouer, and in the historie to be shorte. ^note Chap. III. VVhen Ierusalem was in peace, and good order, by the care of Onias high priest, and king Seleucus fauoured pious workes, ^note 4. Simon a wicked churchwarden, betrayeth the treasure of the Sanctuarie: 7. VVherupon Heliodorus sent by the king, and after curteous intertainment, declaring that he must carie al the money to the king, is resisted by Onias with others, deuoutly commending the cause to God. 23. He neuertheles attempting the sacrilege, is terrified by a vision, sore beaten, and in desperate miserie, 31. by Onias sacrifice and prayers, is restored to health: 35. and returning home confesseth the powre of God.

1   Therefore when the holie ^note citie was inhabited in ^noteal peace, ^note the lawes also as yet were very wel kept, because of Onias ^note the high priest his pietie, & minde that hated euils, ^note

2   it came to passe that kinges also themselues, and princes esteemed the place worthie of high honour, and glorified the temple with verie great giftes:

3   so that Seleucus the king of Asia of his reuenewes allowed al the charges perteyning to the ministerie of the sacrifices.

4   But ^note Simon of the tribe of Beniamin, being appointed ouerseer of the temple, i contended, the prince of the priestes resisting him, to worke some wicked thing in the citie.

5   And ^note when he could not ouercome Onias, he came to Appollonius the sonne of Tharsaeas, who at that time was gouernour of Caelesyria, and Phaenicia:

6   and told him, that the treasurie at Ierusalem was ful of innumerable deale of money, and the common store to be infinite, which perteyne not to the account of the sacrifices: and that it is possible, al might fal into the kings powre.

7   And ^note when

Appollonius had made relation to the king, concerning the money that he was told of, he calling for Heliodorus, who was ouer his affayres, sent him with commission to transport the foresayde money.

8   And forthwith Heliodorus began to take his iourney, in shew in dede as if he would goe visite the cities through out Coelesyria and Phaenicia, but in very deede to accomplish the kings purpose.

9   But when he was come to Ierusalem, and was curteously receiued in the citie by the highpriest, he told of the the aduertisment geuen of the money: and opened for what cause he was come: and asked if these thinges were so in very deede.

10   Then the highpriest shewed that these were deposita, and the liuelihoods of widowes, and pupils:

11   but certaine of them to belong vnto Hircanus of Tobie a very noble man, among these thinges, which impious Simon had promoted, & the whole to be of siluer foure hundred talents, and of gold two hundred.

12   And that they should be deceiued which had committed it to the place, & the temple, that is honoured through out the whole world, to be a thing, for the reuerence, and holines therof altogether vnpossible.

13   But he by reason of those thinges, which he had in commission of the king, sayd in any wise that they must be caried to the king.

14   And on a day appointed, Heliodorus entered in to take order concerning these thinges. But there was noe smal trembling through out the whole citie.

15   And the priestes cast them selues before the altar with their priestes stoles, and inuocated him from heauen, which made the law of deposita, that he would kepe the thinges safe, from them that had deposed them.

16   But now he that saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in minde: for his face and colour being changed declared the inner sorow of the minde.

17   For there was a certaine pensiuenes powred about the man, and horrour of the bodie, wherby the sorow of his hart was made manifest to them that beheld him.

18   Others also came flocking together out of their houses: praying with publicke supplication, for that the place was to come into contempt.

19   And the wemen hauing their breast girded with heare clothes, came together through the stretes. Yea and the virgins ^note that were shut vp, came forth to Onias, and some to the walles, but some looked through the windowes:

20   and al stretching forth their handes vnto heauen, prayed.

21   For the expectation of the confuse multitude, and of the grand priest being in an agonie,

was miserable.

22   And these certes inuocated almightie God, that the thinges committed to them, might be performed with al integritie for them that had committed the same of trust.

23   But Heliodorus exercised that which he had decreed in the same place himself present with his gard about the treasurie.

24   But the spirit of almightie God made great euidence of his appearing, so that al which had presumed to obey him, falling by the vertue of God, were turned into dissolution and feare.

25   For ^note there appeared to them a certaine horse hauing a terrible rider, adorned with very rich harnesse: and he with feircenes stroke Heliodorus with his forefoote, and he that sate vpon him, seemed to haue armour of gold.

26   There appeared also two other yong men comely for strength, excellent of glorie, and beautiful in attyre: which stood about him, and on both sides whipped him, beating him with manie stripes without intermission.

27   And Heliodorus sodenly fel on the ground, & they tooke him being couered round about with much darkenes, and being set in a seate portatiue, they thrust him forth.

28   And he that with manie currers, and men of his garde entered into the foresayde treasurie, was caried no man geuing him succourse, the manifest powre of God being knowne.

29   And he in deede by the powre of God lay dumbe, and depriued of al hope, and health.

30   But they blessed our Lord, because he magnified his place: and the temple, that a little before was ful of feare and tumult, almightie God appearing, was filled with ioy and gladnes.

31   And then certaine of the freindes of Heliodorus forthwith desired Onias, that he would inuocate the highest to geue him life, who was at the very last gaspe.

32   And the high priest considering least perhaps the king might suspect some malice on the Iewes part downe aboute Heliodorns, offered for the health of the man an healthful host.

33   And when the highpriest by prayer obteyned, the selfe same yong men, clothed with the same garments, standing by Heliodorus, sayd: Geue thankes to Onias the priest: for him hath our Lord geuen thee life.

34   But thou being scourged of God, declare vnto al men the great workes and the powre of God. And these thinges being sayd, they appeared no more.

35   And Heliodorus hauing offered an host to God, and hauing promised great vowes to him, that granted him to liue, and geuing thankes to Onias, taking his armie againe returned to the king.

36   And he testified to al men those workes of the

great God, which he had seene before his owne eyes.

37   And when the king had asked Heliodorus; who was meete to be sent yet once more to Ierusalem, he sayd:

38   If thou haue anie enemie, or traytour to thy kingdome, send him thither, and thou shalt receiue him againe scourged, if yet he escape: because there is vndoubtedly in the place a certaine powre of God.

39   For he that hath his dwelling in the heauens, is the vifiter, and helper of that place, & them that come to doe euil, he striketh, and destroyeth.

40   Therefore concerning Heliodorus, and the keping of the treasurie so the matter standeth. Chap. IIII. Onias defamed & molested by Simon, repayreth to the king to procure peace. 7. Seleucus dying, & Antiochus reigning, Iason by promising money to the king, getteth the office of highpriest from his brother Onias: 10. and peruerteth religion: 12. setteth vp a wicked schoole, wherby manie are corrupted: 8. sendeth money for sacrifice to be offered to Hercules, which is imployed in making gallees. 21. Antiochus is receiued with great pompe into Ierusalem. 23. Menelaus by promise of more money getteth the high priesthood from Iason. 29. He also is deposed, and his brother Lisimachus put in the place. 32. Andronicus trayterously murdereth Onias. 36. and for the same is slaine by the kings commandment: 39. and Lysimachus by the people. 43. Menelaus accused escapeth by bribing, and the innocent are slaine.

1   Bvt Simon the foresayde betrayer of the money, and of his countrie, ^note spake il of Onias, as though he had stirred vp Heliodorus to these thinges, and had bene the mouer of the euils:

2   and the prouider for the citie, and defender of his nation, and the emulatour of the law of God, he presumed to cal a secret betrayer of the kingdom.

3   But when the emnities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by certaine of Simons familiars:

4   Onias considering the peril of the contention, and that Appollonius being gouernour of Cælesyria, and Phænicia, was outragious, which encreased the malice of Simon, ^note went to the king,

5   not as an accuser of the citizens, but considering with himself the common profite of the whole multitude.

6   For he saw that without the kings prouidence it was vnpossible that peace should be made in those matters, & that Simon would not cease from his follie. ^note

7   But after Seleucus departure out of life, when Antiochus that was called the Noble, had taken the kingdom vpon him,

Iason the brother of Onias ambiciously sought the high priesthood: ^note

8   going to the king, promising him three hundred three score talents of siluer, and of other reuenewes foure score talents,

9   aboue this he promised also an hundred fiftie more, if leaue might be granted him to make a schole, and a place for youth, and to intitle them, that were at Ierusalem, Antiochians.

10   Which when the king had granted, and he had obteyned the princedom, forthwith he began to transport his countrie men to the heathen rite.

11   And these thinges being taken away, which of fauoure had bene decreed by kinges vnto the Iewes, and through Iohn the father of the Eupolemus, who was embassadour with the Romans concerning amitie and societie, he disanulling the lawful rites of the citizens, made wicked ordinances.

12   For he presumed vnder the verie castle to set vp a schoole, and to put al the goodliest youthes in brothel houses.

13   And this was not the beginning, but a certaine increase, and going forward of the heathen and strange conuersation, through the abhominable neuer heard before, of Iason the impious and not a priest.

14   So that the priestes were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but ^note the temple being contemned, & the sacrifices neglected, they hastened to be pertakers of the gamme of wrastling, and of the vniust maintenance therof, and in the exercise of the coyte.

15   And setting nought by the honours of their fathers, they esteemed the Greeke glories for the best:

16   by reason wherof they had dangerous contention, and they had emulation toward their ordinances, and in al thinges they coueted to be like to them, whom they had enemies and murderers.

17   For to doe impiously against the lawes of God escapeth not vnpunished, but this the time folowing wil declare.

18   And when the gamme vsed euerie fifth yeare was kept at Tyre, and the king was present,

19   the wicked Iason sent from Ierusalem sinful men, carying three hundred didrachmaes of siluer for the sacrifice of Hercules, which they that caryed it, requested that it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices, because it ought not, but that it might be deputed for other charges.

20   And these were offered in dede by him that sent them, vnto the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of them that were present they were geuen to the making of gallees. ^note

21   And Apollonius the sonne of Mnestheus being sent into Ægypt because of the nobles of Ptolomee Philometor the

king, ^note when Antiochus vnderstood that himself was made an alien from the affaires of the kingdom, prouiding for his owne commodities, departing thence he came to Ioppe, and from, thence to Ierusalem. ^note

22   And being magnifically receiued of Iason, and the citie, entered in with torch lights, and with prayses: and from thence he turned his armie into Phænicia.

23   And after the time of three yeares Iason sent Menelaus brother of the foresaide Simon, carying money to the king, and to bring answers of necessarie affayres.

24   But he being commended to the king; when he had magnified the presence of his power, wrested the high priesthood vpon him self, ouer bidding Iason three hundred talents of siluer.

25   And hauing receiued commission from the king, he came, hauing in deede nothing worthie of the priesthood: but bearing the mind of a cruel tyrant, and the wrath of a wilde beast.

26   And Iason indeede who had circumuented his owne brother, being himself deceiued was driuen out a fugitiue into the countrie of the Ammanites.

27   And ^note Menelaus obteyned the princedom: but concerning the money promised to the king he did nothing, wheras Softratus that was gouernour of the castel exacted it.

28   For to him perteyned the exacting of the tributes: for which cause they were both called out to the king.

29   And Menelaus was remoued from the priesthood, Lysimachus his brother succeeding: and Sostratus was made gouernour of the Cyprians.

30   And when these things were a doing, it chanced the Tharsians, and the Mallotians to moue sedition, because they were geuen for a gift to king Antiochus concubine.

31   The king therfore came in hast to pacifie them, one of his companions Adronicus being lefte substitute.

32   But Menelaus supposing that he had taken a conuenient time, stealing certaine vessels of gold out of the temple, gaue them to Adronicus, and others he had sould at Tyre, & in their neere cities:

33   Which thing when Onias vnderstood most certainly, he rebuked him, keeping himself in a safe place at Antioche beside Daphne.

34   Wherupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus, desired him to kil Onias. Who when he was come to Onias, and right handes being geuen with an oath (although he was suspected of him) had perswaded him to come out of the sanctuarie, immediatly he slew him, not reuerencing iustice.

35   For which cause not only the Iewes, but also other nations likewise were offended, and tooke it greuously for the vniust

murder of so great a man.

36   But when the king was returned out of the places of Cilicia, the Iewes went vnto him at Antioch, and also ^note the Greekes: complayning of the vniust murder of Onias.

37   Antiochus therefore was sorie in his minde for Onias, and being inclined to pitie, he shed teares, remembring the sobrietie and modestie of the deceased.

38   And his hart being incensed, he commanded Andronicus being spoiled of the purple, to be led about al the citie: and that in the same place, wherin he had committed the impiety vpon Onias, the sacrilegious person should be depriued of his life, our Lord repaying him worthie punishment.

39   And manie sacrilegies being committed of Lysimachus in the temple by the counsel of Menelaus, and the rumour being bruited abrode, the multitude gathered together against Lysimachus, much gold being now caryed out.

40   But the multitudes making insurrection, and their mindes replenished with anger, Lysimachus arming almost three thousand began to vse vniust handes, a certaine tyrant being captaine farre growne in age, and also in madnes.

41   But as they vnderstood the endeuour of Lysimachus, some tooke stones, some strong clubbles: and certaine threw ashes.

42   And manie in deede were wounded, & certaine also throwne to the ground, but al were put to flight: the sacrilegious person also himself they slew beside the treasurie.

43   Concerning these thinges therefore iudgement began to be commenced against Menelaus.

44   And when the king was come to Tyre, three men sent from the ancients, put vp the matter vnto him.

45   And when Menelaus was ouercome, he promised Ptolomee. to geue much money to perswade the king.

46   Ptolomee therfore went to the king being in a certaine courte, as it were to coole himself, and brought him from his purpose:

47   and Menelaus certes being guiltie of al the euil was quitted of the crimes: and the poore wretches, who if they had pleaded the cause euen before Scythians should be iudged innocent, them he commanded to death.

48   Quickly then did they vniustly suffer, which prosecuted the cause for the citie, & the people, and the sacred vessels.

49   For the which thing the Tyrians also being offended, were very liberal towards the burial of them.

50   But Menelaus because of their auarice that were in power, continewed in authoritie, increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens.

Chap. V. ^note Visions of armies fighting in the ayre appeare in Ierusalem fourtie dayes. 5. Iason with a thousand men surpriseth the citie, killeth, manie citizens, but is expulsed and dyeth myserably. 11. Antiochus persecuteth the Iewes, 15. spoyleth the temple, and prophaneth holie thinges. 27. Iudas with others flee into the desert.

1   At the same time Antiochus prepared a second iourney into Ægypt.

2   And it came to passe: that through out the whole citie of Ierusalem were senne for fourtie dayes in the ayre horsemen running hither & thither, hauing golden stoles, and speares, as it were companies armed, ^note

3   and coursing of horses set in orders by rankes, and that there were encounterings together neere hand, and shakings of sheildes, and a multitude of men in helmets with swordes drawen, and throwing of darts, and the glittering of golden armour, and of al kind of harnes.

4   Wherefore al prayed that the wonders might be turned to good.

5   But when there was a false rumour gone forth, as though Antiochus had bene parted this life, Iason taking vnto him no lesse then a thousand men, suddenly set vpon the citie: and the citizens flying together to the wal, at the last the citie being taken, Menelaus fled into the castel.

6   But Iason spared not his citizens in murder, nor considered, that prosperitie against kinsmen is a verie great euil, supposing that he should take the victorious spoiles of the enemies, and not of his citizens.

7   And the princedome verily he obteyned not, but receiued confusion, the end of his treacherie, and went againe a fugitiue into the countrie of the Ammanites.

8   At the last to his owne destruction being inclosed of Aretas the tyrant of the Arabians, flying from citie to citie, odious to al men, as an apostata from the lawes, and execrable, as an enemie of his countrie and citizens, he was thrust out into Egypt:

9   and he that had expelled manie out of their countrie, perished in a strange place, going to the Lacedemonians, as being like ^note for kindred sake to haue refuge there:

10   but he that cast away manie vnburyed, himself both vnlamented, and vnburyed is cast forth, neither enioying forrein buryal, nor partaker of the sepulcher of his fathers ^note .

11   These thinges therefore being done, the king suspected that the Iewes would forsake the societie: and for this departing out of Ægypt with a furious mind, he tooke the citie by armes. ^note

12   And he bad the souldiars kil, and not spare them that came in their way, to murder them that went vp into the houses.

13   Slaughters therfore were made of youngmen & old, and destructions of wemen and children, and murders of virgins and litle ones.

14   And there were in the whole three dayes foure score thousand slaine, fourtie thousand prisoners, and no lesse sold.

15   But neither do these thinges suffice, he presumed also to enter into the temple, in al the earth the most holie, Menelaus being his leader, who was betrayer of the lawes, and his countrie.

16   And with wicked handes taking the holie vessels, which by other kinges and cities were set for the ornament and the glorie of the place, he vnworthily handled and contaminated them.

17   So Antiochus being alienated in minde, considered not, that for the sinnes of them that inhabit the citie, God had bene angrie a litle: for the which also hapned the contempte about the place:

18   otherwise vnles it had chanced them to haue bene wrapped in manie sinnes, as Heliodorus, who was sent of Seleucus the king to spoile the treasurie, this man also immediately as he came had bene scourged, and repelled verily from his boldnes.

19   But ^note not the nation for the place, but the place for the nation hath God chosen.

20   And therefore the place also it self is made partaker of the peoples euils: but afterward it shal be partaker of the good thinges, and it that was forsaken in the wrath of almightie God, shal be exalted againe with great glorie in the reconciliation of the great Lord.

21   Therefore Antiochus hauing taken away out of the temple a thousand and eight hundred talents, spedily went backe to Antioch, thinking through pride, that he might bring the land to sayle vpon, & the sea to goe vpon, through haughtines of minde.

22   And he left also rulers to afflict the nation: at Ierusalem, Philip a Phrygian borne, more cruel of maners then he himself by whom he was appointed:

23   and in Garizim Andronicus and Menelaus, who lay more greiuously vpon the citizens then the rest.

24   And wheras he was set against the Iewes, he sent the odious prince Apollonius with an armie of two & twentie thousand, commanding him to kil al of perfect age, to sel the wemen and the young ones.

25   Who when he was come to Ierusalem, feyning peace, rested vntil the holie day of the Sabbath: and then the Iewes keping holie day, he commanded his men to take weapons.

26   And he murdered al that were gone forth to behold the gammes: & running through

the citie with armed men he slew a very greate multitude.

27   But Iudas Machabeus, who was ^note the tenth, was retyred into a desert place, and there amongst wilde beastes he led his life in the mountaines with his companie: and they abode eating meate of grasse, that they might not be partakers of the contamination. Chap. VI. The law of God is abolished, the temple prophaned, and named of Iupiter Olympius. 7. The feast of Bacchus is kept. 10. wemen with their circumcised children are slaine. 11. others for celebrating the sabbath (12. an admonition to the reader) 18. old Eleazarus constantly obseruing the law suffereth glorious death.

1   Bvt not long after the king sent a certaine ancient man of Antioch, that should compel the Iewes to remoue them selues from the lawes of their fathers and of God:

2   to contaminate also the temple that was in Ierusalem, and to cal it by the name of Iupiter Olympius: and in ^note Garizim, according as they were that inhabited the place, of Iupiter Hospitalis.

3   And the inuasion of the euiles was sore and grieucus to al:

4   for the temple was ful of the lecherie and glottonie of the Gentiles: & of them that played the harlots with whoores. And wemen thrusting themselues of their owne accord into the sacred houses, bringing in thouse thinges which were not lawful.

5   The altar also was ful of vnlawful thinges, which were forbidden by the lawes.

6   Aud neither were the Sabbaths kept, nor the soleme dayes of the fathers obserued neither plainely did anie man confesse him selfe to be a Iewe.

7   But they were led with bitter necessitie in the kings birth day to sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they were compelled to goe about crowned with Iuie vnto Bacchus.

8   And there went forth a decree into the next cities of the Gentiles, the Ptolomeans geuing the aduise, that they also in like manner should doe against the Iewes, that they might sacrifice:

9   and them that would not paste to the ordinances of the heathen, ^note they should kil. A man then might see the miserie.

10   For ^note two wemen were accused to haue circuncided their children: whom, the infantes hanging at their breasts, when they had openly led them about through the citie, they threwe downe headlong by the walles.

11   And others coming together to the next caues, & secretly ^note keping the day of the Sabbath, when

they were discouered to Philip, were burnt with fyre, because they feared for religion and obseruance, to helpe themselues with their hand.

12   But I beseech them that shal read this booke, ^note that they abhorre not for the aduersities, but that they account those thinges, which haue happened, not to be for the destruction, but for the chastening of our stocke.

13   For not to suffer sinners a long time to doe as they wil, but forthwith to punish, is a token of a great benefite.

14   For, not as in other nations our Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of iudgement shal come, he may punish them in the fulnes of sinnes:

15   so also doth he determine in vs, that our sinnes being come to the end, so at length he may punish vs.

16   For which cause he neuer certes remoueth away his mercie from vs: but chastening his people by aduersitie, he forsaketh them not.

17   But let these thinges be sayd of vs in few wordes for an admonition of the readers. And now we must come to the storie.

18   Therefore ^note Eleazarus one ^note of the chief of the Scribes, a man striken in age, and comely of countenance, with open mouth gaping was compelled to eate swines flesh.

19   But he embracing rather a most glorious death then an hateful life, went before voluntarily to the punishment.

20   And considering how he ought to come patiently susteyning, he determined not to committe vnlawful thinges for loue of life.

21   But they that stood by, moued with vnlawful pitie, for the old frendshipe of the man, taking him in secrete, desired that flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eate, that he ^note might feyne to haue eaten, as the king had commanded, of the flesh of the sacrifice:

22   that by this fact he might be deliuered from death: and for the old freindshipe of the man, they did him this courtesie.

23   But he begane to thinke vpon the worthie preeminence of his age and ancientnes, and the houre heares of natural nobilitie, & his doinges from a childe of very good conuersation, and according to the ordinances, and the holie law made of God, he answered quickly, saying: that he would rather ^note be sent vnto hel.

24   For it is not meete, quoth he, for our ^note age to feyne: that manie young men thinking, that Eleazarus of foure score yeare & tenne is passed to the life of Aliens:

25   they also through my dissimulation, and for a litle time of corruptible life, may be deceiued, and hereby I may purchase a stayne, and a curse to mine old age.

26   For

although at this present time I be deliuered from the punishments of men, yet neither aliue nor dead shal I escape the hand of the Almightie.

27   Wherfore in departing manfully out of this life, I shal appeare worthie of mine old age:

28   and to yong men I shal leaue a constant example, if with readie mind and stoutly I suffer an honest death, for the most graue and most holie lawes. These thinges being spoken, forthwith he was drawen to execution.

29   And they that led him, and had bene a litle before more milde, were turned into wrath for the wordes spoken of him, which they thought were vttered through arrogancie.

30   But when he was now in killing with the strokes, he groned, and sayd: O Lord, which hast the holie knowlege, thou knowest manifestly that wheras I might be deliuered from death, I doe susteyne sore paines of the bodie: but according to the soule, for thy feare I doe willingly suffer these thinges.

31   And this man certes in this maner departed this life, leauing not only to yong men, but also to the whole nation the memorie of his death for an example of vertue and fortitude. Chap. VII. ^note The noble Martydome of seuen bretheren, refusing to eate swines flesh: and boldly admonishing king Antiochus of his damnable state. 41. Lastly the mother (hauing encoreged her sonnes) likewise dyeth gloriously.

1   And it came to passe, ^note that seuen brethren together with their mother being apprehended, to be compelled by the king to eate against the law swines flesh, were tormented with whippes and scourges.

2   But one of them which was the first, sayd thus: What seekest thou, and what wilt thou lerne of vs? we are readie to dye rather then to transgresse the lawes of God, coming from our fathers. ^note

3   The king therfore being wrath commanded frying pannes, and brasen pottes to be heated:

4   the which forth with being heated, he commanded his tongue, that had spoken first, to be cut out: and the skinne of his head being drawen of, the endes also of his handes and feete to be chopped of, the rest of his bretheren, and his mother looking on.

5   And when he was now made in al partes vnprofitable, he commanded fire to be put vnto him, and that breathing as yet he should be fried in the frying panne: wherin when he was long tormented, the rest together with the mother exhorted one an other to dye manfully,

6   saying: Our

Lord God wil behold the truth, and wil take pleasure in vs, as Moyses declared in the profession of the Canticle: And in his seruants he wil take pleasure.

7   That first therfore being dead in this maner, they brought the next to make him a mocking stocke: & the skinne of his head with the heares being drawen of, they asked if he would eate, before that he were punished throughout the whole bodie in euerie member.

8   But he answering in his countrie speach, said: I wil not doe it. Wherfore this also in the next place, receiued the torments of the first:

9   and being at the verie last gaspe, thus he said: Thou in dede ô most wicked man in this present life destroyeth vs: but the king of the world wil raise vs vp which dye for his lawes, in the resurrection of eternal life.

10   After him the third is had in derision, and being demanded his tongue, he quickly put it forth, and constantly stretched out his handes:

11   and with confidence he said: From heauen doe I possesse these, but for the lawes of God now doe I contemne these selfe same, because I hope that I shal receiue them againe of him.

12   So that the king, and they that were with him merueled at the yong mans courege, because he estemed the torments as nothing.

13   And this being thus dead, the fourth they vexed in like maner tormenting him.

14   And when he was now euen to dye, thus he said: It is better for them that are put to death by men to exspect hope of God, that they shal be raysed vp againe by him. For to thee there shal not be resurrection vnto life.

15   And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he looking vpon him,

16   sayd: Thou hauing power among men, wheras thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt: but thinke not that our stock is forsaken of God.

17   And doe thou patiently abide, and thou shalt see his great power, in what sort he wil torment thee, and thy seede.

18   After him they brought the sixth, and he beginning to dye, sayd thus: Be not deceiued vainely: for we suffer this for our owne sakes, sinning against our God, and thinges worthie of admiration are done in vs:

19   but doe not thinke that thou shalt escape vnpunished, for that thou hast attempted to fight against God.

20   But the mother aboue measure meruelous, and worthie of good mens memorie, which beholding her seuen sonnes perishing in one dayes space, bare it with a good hart, for the hope that she had in God:

21   exhorted euerie one of them in their countrie language manfully, being replenished with wisedome: and

ioyning a mans hart to a womans cogitation,

22   she sayd to them: I know not how you appeared in my wombe: for neither did I geue you spirit and soule and life, and the members of euerie one I my selfe framed not.

23   But in deede the Creator of the world, that hath formed the natiuitie of man, and that inuented the origine of al, & he wil restore againe with mercie vnto you spirit and life, as now you despise your selues for his lawes.

24   But Antiochus thinking himselfe contemned, and withal despising the voice of the vpbrayder, when the yonger was yet aliue, he did not only exhort with wordes, but also with oth he affirmed that he would make him rich & happie, and being turned from the lawes of his fathers, he would account him a freind, and geue him thinges necessarie.

25   But when the yong man was not inclined to these thinges, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deale with the yong man to saue his life.

26   And when he had exhorted her in manie wordes, ^note she promised that she would counsel her sonne.

27   Therfore bending towards him, ^note mocking the cruel tyrant, she sayd in her countrie language: My sonne haue pitie on me, which haue borne thee in my wombe nine moneths, and gaue thee milke for three yeares, and nourished thee, and brought thee vnto this age.

28   I beseech thee my sonne, that thou looke to heauen and earth, and to al thinges that are in them: and vnderstand that God of nothing made them and mankinde:

29   so shal it come to passe, that thou wilt not feare this tormenter but being made a worthie partaker with thy bretheren, take thou death, that in that mercie I may receiue thee againe with thy bretheren.

30   When she as yet was saying these thinges, the yong man sayd: For whom stay you? I obey not the commandement of the king, but the commandement of the law, which was geuen vs by Moyses.

31   But thou that art become the inuenter of al malice against the Hebrewes, shal not escape the hand of God.

32   For we for our sinnes doe suffer these thinges.

33   And if the Lord our God hath bene angrie with vs a litle for rebuke & correction: yet he wil be reconciled againe to his seruants.

34   But thou ô wicked, and of al men most flagicious, be not in vaine extolled with vaine hopes, inflamed against his seruantes.

35   For thou hast not yet escaped the iudgement of the almightie God, and him that beholdeth al thinges.

36   For my bretheren hauing now susteyned short payne, are become vnder the testament of eternal life: but thou by the

iudgement of God shalt receiue iust punishment for thy pride.

37   And I as also my brethren doe yeld my life and my bodie for the lawes of our fathers: inuocating God to be propicious to our nation quickly, and that thou with torments and stripes maist confesse that he onlie is God.

38   But in me and in my brethren shal the wrath of the Almightie cease, which hath iustly bene brought vpon al our stocke.

39   Then the king incensed with anger, raged against him more cruelly aboue al the rest, taking it grieuously that he was mocked.

40   And this same therfore died vnspotted, wholy trusting in our Lord.

41   And last of al after the sonnes the mother also was consumed.

42   Therfore of the sacrifices, and of the exceeding cruelties there is ynough sayd. ^note Chap. VIII. ^note Iudas Machabeus with six thousand men, commending their cause to God, ^note 6. prospereth in battel. 8. Philippe soliciting for more helpe, Nicanor and Gorgias are sent with twentie thousand men against Iudas. 12. whose men beginning to feare, and some flying he encoregeth the rest, 19. reciting manie examples of Gods assistance: 22. disposeth his armie, and preuayleth. 30. killing manie of Timothees and Bacchides men. 34. The principal hardly escaping by flight, acknowlege that God protecteth the Iewes.

1   Bvt Iudas Machabeus and they that were with him, went in secretely into the townes: and calling together their kinsemen and taking vnto them those that continewed in Iudaisme, they brought out to them six thousand men.

2   And ^notethey inuocated our Lord, that he would haue respect vnto his people that was troden of al, and would haue mercie on the temple, that was cotaminated of the impious:

3   he would haue pitie also vpon the destruction of the citie, which was forthwith to be made flat with the ground, and would heare the voice of the bloud crying to him:

4   he would remember also the most vniust deathes of innocent children, and the blasphemies done to his name, and would take indignation for them.

5   But Machabeus hauing gathered a multitude, became intolerable to the heathen: for the wrath of our Lord was turned into mercie.

6   And coming vpon the castels, and cities vnlooked for, he burnt them: & taking commodious places, he made not few slaughters of the enemies:

7   and especially in the nightes he was caried to such excursions, and the fame of his manlines was spred abrode euerie where. ^note

8   But ^note Philip seing the man to come forward by litle and litle, and that thinges for the more part succeeded with him prosperously, wrote to Ptolomee the gouernour of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, to geue ayde to the kinges affaires.

9   And he with spede sent Nicanor the sonne of Patroclus, of the principals of his freindes, geuing him of the nations mingled together, no lesse then twentie thousand armed men, to destroy vtterly al the stocke of the Iewes, adioyning also vnto him Gorgias a man of warre, and in martial affayres of very great experience.

10   And Nicanor appointed, that he would supplie vnto the king the tribute that was to be geuen to the Romanes, two thousand talents out of the captiuitie of the Iewes:

11   and forthwith he sent to the cities by the sea side, calling men together to the buying of the Iewish slaues, promising that he would sel ninetie slaues for a talent, not looking to the vengeance, which was to folow him from the Almightie.

12   But Iudas when he vnderstood it, shewed to those Iewes that were with him, the coming of Nicanor.

13   Of whom certaine fearing, and not crediting the iustice of God, fled away:

14   and others if they had any thing left, sold it, & withal besought our Lord, that he would deliuer them from the impious Nicanor, who had sold them before he came neere them:

15   and if not for them, yet ^note for the testament that was with their fathers, and for the inuocation of his holie & magnifical name vpon them.

16   But Machabeus calling together seuen thousand, that were with him, desired that they would not be reconciled to the enemies, nor feare the multitude of the enemies coming against them vniustly, but would fight manfully:

17   hauing before their eyes the contume lie, that was vniustly done by them to the holie place, and moreouer the iniurie also of the citie being made a laughing stocke, besides also the ordinances of the ancesters broken.

18   For they in dede trust to their weapons, sayd he, and to their boldnes also: but we trust in the Almightie Lord, who can vtterly destroy both them coming against vs, and the whole world with one becke.

19   And he admonished them also of the aydes of God, that were geuen to their fathers: and that vnder Sennacherib an hundred foure score fiue thousand perished.

20   And of the battel, that they had against the Galatians in Babylonia, how al they, when it came to the point, the Macedonians their felowes staggering, being only six thousand flewe an hundred twentie thousand,

by reason of the ayde geuen them from heauen, and for these thinges obteyned verie manie benefites. ^note

21   With these wordes they were made constant, and readie to dye for the lawes, and their countrie.

22   He appointed therfore his brethren captains ouer both orders, Simon, and Ioseph, and Ionathas, vnder euerie one putting a thousand and fiue hundreth.

23   Beside this also the holie booke being read vnto them by Esdras,

24   and a signe of Gods helpe being geuen, in the foreward the duke himself ioyned battel with Nicanor. And the Almightie being made their helper, they slew aboue nine thousand men: and the greater part of Nicanors armie being made weake with woundes, they forced to flee.

25   And taking away their money that came to buy them, they pursued them on euerie hand,

26   but they returned being taken short with the time: for it was the day before the Sabbath: for the which cause they continewed not pursewing them.

27   But gathering together the armour and spoiles of them, they kept the Sabbath: blessing our Lord that deliuered them this day, distilling the beginning of mercie vpon them.

28   But after the sabbath they diuided the spoyles to the feeble and to orphans, and to widowes: & the rest themselues had with their felowes.

29   These thinges therfore being done, and obsecration being made in common of al, they desired our merciful Lord, that he would be reconciled to his seruants vnto the end.

30   And of them that were with Timothee and Bacchides fighting against them, they slew aboue twentie thousand, & wanne the high holdes: and they diuided manie prayes, making equal portion to the feeble pupils, and widowes, yea and to the elder men.

31   And when they had diligently gathered together their armour, they layd al together in conuenient places, and the residue of the spoiles they caried to Ierusalem:

32   and Philarches that was with Timothee, they slewe, a wicked man, which in manie thinges had afflicted the Iewes.

33   And when they kept the feast of victorie in Ierusalem, him that had burnt the holie gates, that is, Callisthenes, when he was fled into a certaine house, they burnt, a worthie reward being repayed him for his impieties:

34   But the most impious Nicanor, who had brought a thousand merchants to the sale of the Iewes,

35   being humbled through the helpe of our Lord by them, whom he esteemed no bodie, laying aside his garment of glorie, fleeing by the midland, came alone to Antioch, hauing gotten

great infelicitie by the destruction of his armie.

36   And he that had promised that he would render tribute to the Romanes of the captiuitie of Ierusalem, now professed that the Iewes had God their protectour, & that for him they could not be wounded, because they folowed the lawes appointed by him. ^note Chap. IX. Antiochus repulsed from Persepolis, 3. and hearing that his armie is ouerthrowne in lurie: 9. wormes issuing from his bodie, intolerably stincking: 11. acknowlegeth his wicked desertes: 14. promiseth amendment, 18. writeth to the Iewes, praying them to obey him, and his sonne, 28. and dyeth miserably.

1   At that time Antiochus returned out of Persis dishonourably.

2   For he had entered into the citie which is called ^notePersipolis, and he attempted to spoile the temple, and to oppresse the citie: but the multitude running together to armes, they were pnt to flight: and so it chanced that Antiochus after his flight returned with dishonour.

3   And when he was come about Ecbatana, he vnderstood the thinges that were done to Nicanor and Timothee.

4   And swelling in anger, he thought that he might wreake the iniurie of them, that had put him to flight, vpon the Iewes. And therfore he commanded his chariotte to be driuen, iorneing without intermission, the heauenlie iudgement vrging him forward, because he spoke so proudly, that he would come to Ierusalem, & make it an heape of the sepulcher of the Iewes.

5   But he that seeth al thinges our Lord the God of Israel, stroke him with an vncurable and inuisible plague. For as he ended this verie speach, a cruel plague of the bowels tooke him, and bitter torments of the inner parts:

6   and in dede very iustly, as who had tormented the bowels of others with manie and new torments, albeit he by no meanes ceased from his malice.

7   And beside this replenished with pride, breathing fire in his minde against the Iewes, and commanding the matter to be hastened, it chanced him going with violence to fal from the chariot, and his limmes to be vexed with a greeuous bruising of the bodie.

8   And he that seemed to himself to rule euen ouer the waues of the sea, replenished with pride aboue the measure of man, and to weye the heights of mountaines in a balance, now being humbled to the ground was caried in a portatiue seate, testifying the manifest power of God in himself:

9   so that out of the bodie of the impious

man, wormes crawled abundantly, and his liue flesh fel of for paynes, with his smel also & stinke the armie was anoyed.

10   And he that a litle before thought to touch the starres of heauen, him no man could carie for the intolerable stinke.

11   Hereby therfore he begane, being brought from his great pride, to come to the knowlege of him self, admonished by the plague of God, his paines increasing euerie moment.

12   And when neither himself now could abide his owne stinke, thus he sayd: It is reason to be subiect to God, & a mortal man not to thinke of himself equally with God.

13   And this wicked man prayed to our Lord, ^note of whom he was not to obteyne mercie.

14   And the citie to the which he came in hast to haue brought it to the ground, & to haue made it a sepulchre of bodies heaped together, now wisheth to make it free:

15   And the Iewes whom he sayd he would not vouchsafe worthie, no not of burial, but would geue them to birds & wilde beastes to be spoiled, & destroy them with the litle ones, now he promiseth to make them equal with the Athenians.

16   The holie temple also, which before he had spoiled, he would adorne with goodlie donaries, and would multiplie the holie vessels, and of his reuenewes would allow the charges perteyning to the sacrifices.

17   Besides these thinges, that he would be a Iew also, & would walke through euerie place of the earth, and would declare the power of God.

18   But the paines ceasing not (for the iust iudgement of God was come vpon him) despayring he wrote to the Iewes by the maner of a supplication an epistle conteyning these words:

19   To his very good svbiectes the Iewes the king & prince Antiochus, much health, & welfare, and to be happie.

20   If you and your children farewel, & if thinges be with you to your mind, we geue very great thankes.

21   And I being in infirmitie, and mindeful of you benignely, being returned out of the places of Persis, & taken with a grieuous infirmitie, haue thought it necessarie to haue a care for the common profite:

22   not despayring of myself, but hauing great hope to escape the sicknes.

23   But considering that my father also, at what times he led his armie in the higher places, he shewed who should take the princedome after him:

24   that if any mishappe should chance, or hard tydings be told, they that were in the countries, knowing to whom the whole gouernement was committed, might not be trubled.

25   Besides this, considering that al the potestates, and bordering neighboures

wayte for times, and expect the euent, I haue appointed my sonne Antiochus king, whom, I hauing recourse oftentimes to the higher kingdoms did commend to manie of you: & I haue writen to him that which is set downe here beneath.

26   I pray you therfore, and desire you mindful of the benefits both publike and priuate, that euerie one keepe his fidelitie to me, and to my sonne.

27   For I trust that he wil deale modestly & gently, and folowing my purpose, and that he wil be common vnto you.

28   Therfore ^note the murderer, and blasphemer being very sore strooken, and as himself had handled others, in a strange countrie among the mountaynes, with a miserable death departed this life.

29   But Philip his foster brother remoued his bodie: who fearing the sonne of Antiochus, went to Ptolomee Philometor into Ægypt. ^note Chap. X. ^note Iudas Machabeus clenseth the temple, and institueth the feast of dedication. 10. Young Antiochus Eupator reigning Ptolomeus of disgust killeth himself with poyson. 14. Iudas resisteth great forces of Gorgias, taketh certaine boldnes from the Idumeans, punisheth traytors, and killeth manie enimies. 24. In his battel against Timothee is miraculously assisted from heauen: 37. and finally killeth him.

1   Bvt Machabeus, and they that were with him, our Lord protecting them, ^note recouered the temple & the citie againe:

2   but the altars, which the aliens had set vp through the streets, and also the temples he threw downe.

3   And hauing purged the temple, they made an other altar: and out of fyred stones taking fire they offered sacrifices after two yeares, and set incense, and lampes, and the breads of proposition.

4   Which thinges being done, they besought our Lord prostrate on the ground, that they might no more fal into such euils: but and if they had sometime sinned, that they might be chastened of him more mildly, & not be deliuered to barbarous, & blasphemous men.

5   And what day the temple had bene polluted of the aliens, it happened that on the same day was made the purification, the fiue and twentith of the moneth, which was Casleu.

6   And with ioy eight dayes they kept in maner of tabernacles, remembring that a litle before they had kept the solemne day of Tabernacles in the mountaynes, and in dennes after the maner of beasts.

7   For the which cause they bare before them stalkes of herbs, and greene boughes, and palmes to

him, that gaue successe to clense his place.

8   And09Q0325 they decreed by common precept, and decree to al the nation of the Iewes euerie yeare to keepe these dayes.

9   And Antiochus that was called the Noble, his departure out of life was after this sort. ^note

10   But now of Eupator the sonne of Antiochus the impious, we wil tel the thinges that haue bene done, abbridging the euils that were done in the warres.

11   For he hauing taken vpon him the kingdom, appointed ouer the affaires of the king one Lysias general of the host of Phænicia and Syria.

12   For Ptolomee who was called Macer, determined to be a keeper of iustice toward the Iewes, and especially for the iniquitie, that was done against them, and to deale peaceably with them.

13   But being accused for this of his freinds to Eupator, when he was called oftentimes traytour, because he had left Cypres commited vnto him by Philometor, and remouing to Antiochus the Noble, had reuolted also from him, he ^note made an end of his life with poyson.

14   But ^note Gorgias being captayne of the places, taking vnto him strangers often warred against the Iewes.

15   And the Idumeans that kept the commodious holdes, receiued them that were chased from Ierusalem, and attempted to make battel.

16   And they that were with Machabeus, beseeching our Lord by prayers that he would be their helper, made an assault vpon the holdes of the Idumeans:

17   and sticking to it with great force, they wanne the places, killed them that came in the way, & slewe altogether no lesse then twentie thousand.

18   And wheras certaine were fled into two towres very strong, hauing al prouision to make resistance,

19   Machabeus for the expugning of them, leauing Simon and Ioseph, and also Zachæus, and such as were with them very manie, himself turned to those battels which forced more.

20   But they that were with Simon, being led with couetousnes, were perswaded with money by certaine that were in the towres: and taking seuentie thousand didrachmaes, they let certayne escape.

21   But when it was told Machabæus what was done, assembling the princes of the people he accused them, that they had sold their bretheren for money, their aduersaries being let goe.

22   These therfore being become traytours he slewe, and forthwith he tooke the two towres.

23   And with weapons and handes doing al thinges prosperously, in the two holdes he slewe more then twentie thousand.

24   And ^note Timothee, who before had bene ouercome of the Iewes, hauing called together

an armie of foren multitude, and gathering horsemen of Asia, came as to take Iurie by armes.

25   But Machabeus and they that were with him, when he approched, besought our Lord, sprinkling their head with earth, and being girded about the loynes with heareclothes,

26   lying flatte at the brimme of the altar, that he would be propicious to them, and an enemie to their enemies, and an aduersarie to their aduersaries, as the law saith.

27   And so after prayer taking weapons, going forth somewhat far out of the citie, and being come very neere the enemies they pitched.

28   And at the very first rising of the sunne both ioyned battel: these in deede hauing our Lord the suretie of victorie, and prosperitie with vertue: but they had courege for the captayne of the battel.

29   But when there was a sore fight, there appeared to the aduersaries from heauen fiue men vpon horses, comelie with golden bridles, conducting the Iewes:

30   of whom two hauing Machabeus betwen them, compassing him round about with their armour, kept him safe: and against the aduersaries they threw darts, & fire balles, wherby both confounded with blindnes, and filled with perturbation they fel.

31   And there were slaine twentie thousand fiue hundred, and horsemen six hundred.

32   But Timothee fled into Gazara a strong hold, wherof Chæreas was the captaine.

33   And Machabeus, and they that were with him ioyfully besieged the hold foure dayes.

34   But they that were within, trusting to the place, blasphemed aboue measure, & cast forth abominable wordes.

35   But when the fifth day appeared, ^note twentie yong men of them that were with Machabeus, incensed in their mindes because of the blasphemie, went manfully to the wal, and with fierce conrege going on, they scaled to the top:

36   Yea and the others also mounting vp, attempted to set the towres and the gates on fire, and to burne the blasphemers themselues aliue.

37   And the hold being sacked for two dayes together, they slewe Timothee that was found hyding himself in a certaine place: and his brother Chæreas, and Apollophanes they killed.

38   Which thinges being done, they blessed our Lord in hymnes and confessions, who did great thinges in Israel, and gaue them the victorie. ^note

Chap. XI. Lysias supposing with his armie of fourescore thousand footeme, & a great band of horsemen to subdue Ierusalem: 6. Iudas with his few praying God, and going to fight, an Angel, in forme of an horsemen, goeth before them: 10. so they setting vpon the enemies kil manie, & the rest flee. 13. Lysias perceiuing Gods powre, offereth to procure peace. 22. Wherto the king, agreeth, writing to him, 27. and to the Iewes. 34. The Romanes also write to the Iewes.

1   Bvt a litle after ^note Lysias the kings procuratour, and cosin, and chiefe ouer the assayers, being greatly offended with these thinges, that had hapened,

2   hauing gathered foure score thousand, and al the horsemen, came against the Iewes, thincking that taking the citie, he should make it an habitation for the Gentiles:

3   and he should haue the temple to make gayne of money, as the rest of the temples of the Gentiles, and euerie yeare the priesthood to be sold:

4   neuer recounting the powre of God, but furious in minde, he trusted in the multitude of foote men, and thousandes of horsemen, and in foure score elephants.

5   And he entred into Iurie, and approching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place from Ierusalem the space of fiue furlongs, he expugned that hold.

6   But as Machabeus, and they that were with him, vnderstood that the holdes were ex pugned, they besought our Lord with weeping and teares, and al the multitude together, ^note that he would send a good Angel to the sauing of Israel.

7   And Machabeus him self first taking weapons, exhorted the rest together with him, to aduenture, and to geue ayde to their bretheren.

8   And when they went forth together with prompt corege, at Ierusalem there appeared going before them an horseman in white clothing, with armour of gold, shaking a speare.

9   Then al they together blessed our merciful Lord, and tooke great corege: being readie to penetrate not only men, but also most fierce beastes, and walles of yron.

10   They went therfore promptly,

hauing an helper from heauen, and our Lord hauing pitie vpon them.

11   And like lyons running violently vpon the enimies, they ouerthrew of them eleuen thousand footmen, and of horsemen a thousand six hundred:

12   and they put to flight al, & very many of them being wounded scaped a way naked. Yea and Lysias him selfe shamefully fleeing escaped.

13   And because he was not senselesse recounting with him selfe, the diminution made on his side, and vnderstanding the Hebrewes to be inuincible, because they rested vpon the helpe of the almightie God, he sent vnto them:

14   and promised that he would consent to al thinges, that are iust, and that he would force the king to be their freind.

15   And Machabeus granted to Lysias requestes, in al things hauing respect to the commonwealth and whatsoeuer Machabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Iewes, the king granted it.

16   For there were epistles written to the Iewes from Lysias, conteyning this tenure: Lysias to the people of the Iewes health.

17   Iohn and Absalom that were sent from you, deliuering the wrytings, requested that I would accomplishe those thinges which by them were signified.

18   Therfore whatsoeuer might be brought to the king I declared vnto him: and that which the matters permitted I granted.

19   If therfore you kepe fideletie in the affayres & henceforward, also wil endeuour to be a cause of doing you good.

20   And concerning the rest, word for word I haue geuen commandement both to theise, and to them that are sent of me, to commune with you.

21   Fare ye wel. In the yeare an hundred fourtie eight, of the moneth Dioscorus the foure & twenteth day.

22   But the kings epistle conteyned these thinges: King Antiochus to Lysias ^note his brother, health.

23   Our father being translated amongst the goddes, we being willing that they that are in our kingdome should liue without truble, and employ diligence to their owne matters,

24   we haue heard that the Iewes consented not to my father to turne to the rite of the Greekes, but that they would keepe their owne institution, and therfore that they request vs their rites to be granted them.

25   Being therfore desirouse that this nation also be quiet, oradyning we haue decreed, that the temple be restored vnto them, that they might doe according to the custome of their ancestours.

26   Thou shalt do wel therfore if thou send to them, & geue the right hand, that our pleasure being knowen they may be of good cheere, & looke to their owne commodities.

27   But to the Iewes the kings epistle was in this manner:

27   King Antiochus to the senate of the Iewes, and to the rest of the Iewes health.

28   If you fare wel, you are so as we would: yea our selues also fare wel.

29   Menelaus came to vs, saying that you would come downe to your countrie men, that are with vs.

30   To them therfore that come and goe, vntil the thirtith day of the month Xanthicus, we geue the right handes of securitie,

31   that the Iewes may vse their owne meates, and their owne lawes, as also before: and that none of them by any meanes suffer molestation for these thinges, which haue bene done by ignorance.

32   And we haue sent also Menelaus to speake to you.

33   Fare ye wel. In the yeare an hundred fortie eight, of the moneth Xanthicus the fiftenth day.

34   And the Romans also sent an epistle, which is thus: Qvintvs Memmius, and Titus Manilius legats of the Romans, to the people of the Iewes health.

35   Concerning these thinges which Lysias the kings cosin hath granted you, we also haue granted.

36   But touching the thinges which he thought good to be referred to the king, send ye forthwith some bodie, conferring diligently among your selues, that we may decree as is conuenient for you: for we goe to Antioch.

37   And therfore make hast to write agayne, that we also may know of what minde you are.

38   Fate ye wel. In the yeare an hundred fourtie eight the fiftenth day of the moneth Xanthicus. Chap. XII. ^note VVhiles the Iewes haue peace with the king, others stil persecute them. 5. which Iudas reuengeth. 13. and in Caspin maketh great slaughter, and reposeth in Characa. 19. Tenne thousand of Timothees men are slayne. 20. whom Iudas pursuing killeth manie in Carnion: 34. taketh him, but releaseth him againe: 27. the like in Ephron. 32. Some Iewes are slaine in battel against Gorgias. 38. Iudas and his men are purified, and gathering the dead bodies, finde that some had taken vnlawful spoiles. 42. For whose soules he prayeth, and causeth sacrifice to be offered.

1   These couenants being made, Lysias went foreward to the king, and the Iewes gaue themselues to husbandrie.

2   But they that stayed there, ^note Timothie & ^note Appollonius the sonne of Gennaius, & also Ierom, & Demophon, besides these also Nicanor the gouerner of Cyprus, did not suffer them to liue in rest and quietnes.

3   And the Ioppites committed a certaine flagicious fact, which was this: They desired the Iewes with whom they dwelt, to goe into the botes, which they had

prepared, with their wiues & children, as though no secret emnities were betwen them.

4   Therfore according to the common decree of the citie, & they agreeing therto, & because of the peace suspecting nothing: when they were gone forward, into the depth, they drowned no lesse then two hundred.

5   Which crueltie Iudas as he vnderstood to be done vpon the men of his nation, commanded the men that were with him: and inuocating God the iust iudge,

6   he came against the murderers of his brethren, & the hauen he set on fire in the night, the botes he burnt, & them that were fled from the fire, he slew with the sword.

7   And when he had thus done these thinges, he departed as to returne againe, and to roote out al the Ioppites.

8   But when he vnderstood that they also, which were at Iamnia, would doe in like maner to the Iewes dwelling with them,

9   he came vpon the Iamnites also by night, and set the hauen on fyre with the shippes, so that the light of the fire appeared at Ierusalem ^note two hundred fourtie furlongs of.

10   When they were now departed thence nine furlongs, and made their iourney towards Timothee, the Arabians fiue thousand men, and fiue hundred horsemen ioyned battel with them.

11   And when there was a mightie battel, and by the helpe of God it had succeded prosperously, the rest of the Arabians that were ouercome, besought Iudas that the right hand might be geuen them, promising that they would geue pastures, and profite them, in other thinges.

12   And Iudas thinking in very deede that they might be profitable in manie thinges, promised peace, and right handes being taken, they departed to their tabernacles.

13   And he set also vpon a certaine citie strong with bridges, and enuironed with walles, which was inhabited with multitudes of heathen of al sortes, the name wherof is Caspin.

14   But they that were within, trusting in the firmenes of the walles, & the prouision of victuals, dealt the more slackly, with reuiling wordes prouoking Iudas, and blaspheming, and speaking such thinges as is not lawful to speake.

15   But Machabeus inuocating the great prince of the world, who without rammes and engines in Iesus time threwe downe Ierico, fiercely assaulted the walles.

16   And the citie being taken by the wil of our Lord he made innumerable slaughters, so that the poole adioyning of two furlongs in bredth, semed to runne died with bloud.

17   From thence they departed seuen hundred fiftie furlongs, and they came to Characa to those Iewes, that are called

^noteTubianeians:

18   and in those places they tooke not Timothee, and nothing being done he went backe, hauing left in a certaine place a very strong garrison.

19   But Dositheus, and Sosipater, who were captayns with Machabeus, slewe them that were left of Timothee in the hold, ten thousand men.

20   And Machabeus ordayning about him six thousand, and placing them by bandes, went forth against Timothee, who had with him an hundred twenty thousand footemen, & of horsemen two thousand fiue hundred.

21   And the coming of Iudas being knowen, Timothee sent the wemen and children, and the other baggage before into the fortresse, that is called Carnion: for it was inuincible, and hard to come by, by reason of the straites of the places.

22   And when the first band of Iudas had appeared, feare was stroken into the enemies, by the presence of God, who seeth al thinges, and they were put to flight one of an other, so that they were rather ouerthrowen of their owne companie, and were weakened with the strokes of their owne swordes.

23   But Iudas was exceding earnest punishnig the prophane men, and he ouerthrewe of them thirtie thousand men.

24   And Timothee him selfe fel into the handes of Dositheus and Sisipaters partes, and with manie prayers he besought that he might be let go aliue, because he had parents & brethren of manie of the Iewes, whom it might happen by his death to be deceiued.

25   And when he had geuen his faith that he would restore them according to the appointm&ebar;t they let him goe without harme, for the safetie of their brethren.

26   And Iudas came backe from Carnion, hauing slayne twentie fiue thousand.

27   After the flight and slaughter of these, he moued his armie to Ephron a strong citie, wherin a multitude dwelt of diuerse nations: & strong young men standing before the walles resisted manfully, & in this were manie engins, and prouision of dartes.

28   But when they had inuocated the Almightie, who with his power breaketh the forces of the enemies, they tooke the citie: and of them that were within they ouerthrew twentie fiue thousand.

29   From thence they departed to a citie of the Scythians, which was distant from Ierusalem six hundred furlongs.

30   But those Iewes that were with the Scythopolitans testifying that they were vsed curteously of them, euen in the times of miserie that they dealt modestly with them:

31   geuing them thankes, and exhorting them also thence forward to be fauourable toward their stock,

they came to Ierusalem the solemne day of the weekes approching.

32   And after Pentecost they went against ^note Gorgias the gouernour of Idumea.

33   And he went forth with footemen three thousand, and horsemen foure hundred.

34   Who buckling together, it chanced few of the Iewes to be slayne.

35   But Dositheus one of the Bacenors an horseman, a valiant man, held Gorgias: and wheras he would haue taken him aliue, a certayne horseman of the Thracians came vpon him, and cut of his shoulder: and so Gorgias escaped into Maresa.

36   But they that were with Esdrin, fighting long, and being wearied, Iudas inuocated our Lord to be their helper, and captayne of the battel:

37   beginning in his countrey language, and with hymmes raising a crie, draue Gorgias souldiars into flight.

38   And Iudas hauing gathered an armie came into the citie Odollam: & when the seuenth day came on, being purifyed according to the custome, they kept the Sabbath in the same place.

39   And the day folowing Iudas came with his companie, to take away the bodies of them that were ouerthrowen, and with their kinsmen to lay them in the sepulchers of their fathers.

40   And they found vnder the coates of the slayne some ^noteof the donaryes of the idols, that were in Iamnia, from which the lawe forbiddeth the Iewes: therfore it was made playne to al, that for that cause they were slayne.

41   Al therfore blessed the iust iudgement of our Lord, who had made manifest the hidden thinges.

42   And so turning to prayers, they besought him, that the same offence, which was committed, might be forgotten. But the most valient Iudas exhorted the people to keepe themselues without sinne, seing before their eyes what was done, because of the sinnes of them that were ouerthrowen.

43   And ^note making a gathering, he sent twelue thousand drachmes of siluer to Ierusalem for sacrifice to be offered for sinne, wel and religiously thinking of the resurrection.

44   (for vnles he hoped that they that were slaine, should rise againe, it should seeme superfluous, and vaine to pray for the dead)

45   And because he considered that they, which had taken their sleepe ^note with godlines, had very good grace layd vp for them.

46   09Q0326It is therfore ^note a holie, and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sinnes. ^{note note}

Chap. XIII. Menelaus a fugitiue Iewe is put to death. 9. Antiochus with his great armie is defeated twise, with losse of manie men. 23. Philippe rebelling, peace is renewed. 24. And Iudas is made Lord of Ptolemais.

1   In the yeare an hundred fourtie nine Iudas vnderstood, that Antiochus Eupator came with a multitude agaynst Iurie,

2   and with him Lysias the procuratour, and cheefe ouer the affayres hauing with him of footemen ^note an hundred tenne thousand, & of horsemen fiue thousand, & elephants twentie

two, chariots with hookes three hundred.

3   And Menelaus also ioyned him selfe with them: and with much deceite besought Antiochus, not for the weale of his contrie, but hoping that he should be appoynted to the principalitie.

4   But the king of kinges stirred vp Antiochus mind against the sinner, & Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of al the euils, he commanded (as the custome is with them) that being apprehended he should be killed in the same place.

5   And there was in the same place a tower of fiftie cubites, hauing an heape of ashes on euerie side: this had a prospect steepe downe.

6   From thence he commanded the sacrilegious person to be throwne downe into the ashes, al thrusting him forward to death.

7   And by such law it chanced the transgressour of the law to dye: & Menelaus not to be put into the earth.

8   And in deede very iustly, because he committed manie offences toward the altar of God, the fyre and ashes wherof was holie: himself was condemned into the death of ashes.

9   But the king furiouse in mind, came to shew himselfe worse to the Iewes then his father.

10   Which thinges when Iudas vnderstood, he c&obar;manded the people that day and night they should inuocate our Lord, that as alwayes now also he would helpe them:

11   as who were afrayed to be depriued of the law, & their countrie, & the holie temple: and that he would not suffer the people that had of late taken breath a litle while, to be againe subdued to the blasphemous nations.

12   Al therfore doing it together, and crauinig mercie of our Lord with weeping & fastinges, being prostrate for three dayes continually, Iudas exhorted them to prepare them selues.

13   But he with the ancients consulted, before the king should bring his armie to Iurie, and winne the citie, to goe out, and to committe the euent of the thing to the iudgement of our Lord.

14   Committing therfore the power and charge of al to God, the creatour of the world, and hauing exhorted his companie to fight manfully, and to stand euen to death for the lawes, the temple, the citie, their countrie, and citizens: he placed his armie about Modin.

15   And hauing geuen a signe to his companie of ^note the victorie of God, with most valient yong men piked out, by night setting vpon the kings court, in the campe he slew foure thousand men, and the greatest of the elephants, with them that had bene placed thereupon,

16   and he filled the campe of the enemies with exceeding feare and perturbation, and the thinges being prosperously atcheiued, they departed.

17   And this was done when the day appeared, the protection of our Lord helping him.

18   But the king hauing taken a taste of the hardines of the Iewes, attempted the difficultie of the places by policie:

19   and he moued his campe to Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Iewes: but he was put to flight, he fel, he was diminished.

20   And to them that were within Iudas sent necessaries.

21   But one Rhodocus of the Iewes armie vttered the secretes to the enemies, who being sought for was apprehended, and shut vp.

22   Againe the king had talke with them that were in Bethsura: he gaue the right hand: he tooke it: he went away.

23   He ioyned battel with Iudas, he was ouercome. And as he vnderstood that Phillippe rebelled at Antioch, who was left ouer the affayres, dismayed in mynde intreating the Iewes, and yelding vnto them, he sweareth concerning al thinges that seemed reason, & being reconciled he offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and gaue hosts.

24   He embraced Machabeus, & made him gouernor & prince from Ptolemais euen to the Gerrenians.

25   But after, as he came to Ptolemais the Ptolemaians tooke greuously the couenant of amitie, being offended lest perhaps they would breake their league.

26   Then Lysias went vp to the iudgement seate, and declared the reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and in this maner the kinges iorney and returne proceded. ^note Chap. XIIII. Demetrius hauing taken certaine holdes from Antiochus, 3. Alcimus lately deposed from the office of high priest, 6. accuseth good men of disloyaltie, 11. others also incense Demetrius. 12. wherupon Nicanor being sent into Iurie, maketh Alcimus againe highpriest: 18. hath peace with Iudas, conuersing with him most familiærly. 26. But by Alcimus suggestion, seeketh to deliuer him into the kings handes: 30. otherwise threatneth to prophane the temple. 34. The priestes pray God to protect them. 37. Razias being accused, and pursued, 41. in extreme distresse killeth himself with meruelous corege of spirite.

1   Bvt after the space of three yeares Iudas vnderstood, and they that were with him, that Demetrius the sonne of Seleucus with a strong multitude, and with shippes was come vp by the port of Tripolis to commodious places,

2   and held the countries against Antiochus, and his gouernor Lysias.

3   And one ^note Alcimus that had bene highpriest, but voluntarily was

contaminated in the time of the confusion, considering that there was saftie for him by no means, nor accesse to the altar,

4   came to king Demetrius in the yeare an hundred fiftie, offering him a crowne of gold, & a palme, & besides these, ^note Talloes, which seemed to be of the temple. And that same day in deede he held his peace.

5   But hauing gotten a commodious time for his madnes, being called of Demetrius to counsel, and asked on what thing and counsels the Iewes rested, he answered:

6   They of the Iewes that are called ^note Assidians, of whom Iudas Machabeus is captaine, nourish battels, and moue seditions, neither doe they suffer the realme to be quiet.

7   For I also being defrawded of my ancestours glorie (I meane of the high priesthood) am come hither:

8   principally in deede keping fidelitie to the kings commodities, but secondly also prouiding for my citizens, forby their naughtines al our stocke is not a little vexed.

9   But al these thinges being knowen, ô king, prouide I pray thee, both for the countrie, & for our stocke according to thy humanitie published to al men.

10   For as long as Iudas is aliue, it is vnpossible that there be peace to the affayres.

11   And such thinges being sayd of him, the other freinds also behauing themselues as enemies against Iudas, incensed Demetrius. ^note

12   Who forth with sent Nicanor, chiefe ouer the elephants captaine into Iurie:

13   geuing him commission, that he should take Iudas himselfe: but them that were with him, he should disperse, & make Alcimus the high priest of the greatest temple. ^note

14   Then the nations, which had fled from Iudas out of Iurie, ioyned them selues by troupes with Nicanor, ^note esteming the miseries, and calamities of the Iewes the prosperities of their owne affayres.

15   The Iewes therfore hauing heard of Nicanors coming, & the assemblie of the nations, being sprinkled with earth besought him, that ordayned his people to kepe them for euer, and that protecteth his portion by euident signes.

16   And the captaine commanding forthwith they remoued from thence, and they came together to the castel of Dessau.

17   And Simon the brother of Iudas had ioyned battel with Nicanor: but he was made afrayd with the sodaine coming of the aduersaries.

18   Neuertheles Nicanor hearing the manlines of Iudas companions, and greatnes of courege, that they had for the conflicts of their countrie, was afrayde to make tryall by bloud.

19   Wherfore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, & Mathias before to geue and take the right handes.

20   And

when there was long cousultation of these thinges, and the captaine himself had moued it to the multitude, there was one sentence of them al to accord vnto amitie.

21   Therfore they appointed a day, wherin they might secretly deale among them selues, and seates were brought forth and sette for euery one.

22   But Iudas commanded armed men to be in places conuenient, lest perhaps some mischefe might sodainly arise from the enemies: & they made agreable communication.

23   Nicanor abode at Ierusalem, and did nothing vniustly, and the flockes of the multitudes, that had bene gathered together he diminished.

24   And he esteemed Iudas alwayes deare from the hart, and he was inclined to the man.

25   And he desired him to marrie a wife, and to beget children. He made a marriage, he liued quietly, and they liued in common.

26   But Alcimus seeing their charitie one towardes an other, and the couenantes, came to Demetrius, and sayd that Nicanor assented to forraine matters, and that he ment to make Iudas being a traytour to the kingdom, his successour.

27   Therfore the king being exasperated with this mans most wicked criminations, wrote to Nicanor, saying, that he in deede was greatly displeased for the couenant of their amitie: neuertheles that he commanded him to send Machabeus quickly prisoner to Antioch.

28   Which thinges being knowen Nicanor was amased, and tooke it greuously, if he should vndoe those thinges which they had couenanted, being nothing hurt of the man.

29   But ^note because he could not resist the king, he obserued oportunitie wherby to accomplish the commandement.

30   But Machabeus seeing that Nicanor dealt with him more austerely, and that he exhibited his accustomed meeting more sternely, vnderstanding this austeritie not to be of good, a few of his companie gathered together, he hid him self from Nicanor.

31   Which when he vnderstood that he was stoutly preuented of the man, he came to the most great & most holie temple: and the priestes offering the accustomed hostes, he commanded the man to be deliuered vnto him.

32   Who ^note saying with an oath, that they knew not where he was, that was demanded, stretching out his hand to the temple,

33   he sware, saying: Vnles you wil deliuer Iudas prisoner vnto me, I wil beate downe this temple of God to the flat ground, and wil digge downe the altar, and this temple I wil consecrate to ^note Liber pater.

34   And when he had sayd these thinges, he departed.

But the priestes stretching forth their hands vnto heauen, inuocated him that was alwayes the defender of their nation, saying thus:

35   Thou ô Lord of al, which lackest nothing, wouldest a temple of thy habitation to be made amongst vs.

36   And now ô Lord holie of al holies, preserue for euer this house impolluted, which of late hath bene clensed.

37   And Razias one of the ancients of Ierusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a louer of the citie, and wel reported of, who for his affection was called father of the Iewes.

38   This man long time kept the purpose of continencie in Iudaisme, and content to geue his bodie and life for perseuerance.

39   But Nicanor willing to manifest the hatred that he had against the Iewes, sent fiue hundred souldiars to take him.

40   for he thought if he had intrapped him, that he should doe the Iewes verie great hurt.

41   But the multitudes coueting to rush into his house, and to breake open the gate, & to set fyre therto, when he was in taking, ^note he strooke himselfe with a sword:

42   choosing to dye nobly rather then to be made subiect to sinners, and against his noble birth to suffer vnworthie iniuries.

43   But wheras for hast he had not made the wound with a sure stroke, and the multitudes brake in within the dores, running backe boldly to the wal, he threwe downe him selfe manfully headlong vnto the multitudes:

44   who quickly geuing place to his fal he fel vpon his necke.

45   And when he had breathed, incensed in minde he arose: and when his blood ranne with a great streame, & he was wounded with most greuous wounds, running he passed through the multitude:

46   and standing vpon a certaine steepe rocke, & now being become without bloud, gryping his bowels, with both handes he cast them vpon multitudes, inuocating the dominatour of life and spirit, that he would restore these to him againe: & so he departed this life. ^note Chap. XV. ^note Nicanor intending to assault Iudas on the sabbath day, 5. blasphemeth most proudly. 7. Iudas with al confidence in God encorregeth his men. 11. confirming them with the relation of a vision in slepe. 21. So he with feruent prayer, the enemie trusting his owne streingth, ioyneth battel. 27. and killeth thirtie fiue thousand, and Nicanor amongst the rest. Whose head, and hand cut of with the shoulder are hanged vp in Ierusalem: 33. his tongue geuen to the birdes, and a festiual day obserued. 38. And herewith the Auctor (of this second booke) concludeth the whole historie.

1   Bvt Nichanor as he vnderstood that Iudas was in the places of Samaria, he purposed with al violence to ioyne batel ^note the day of the Sabbath.

2   But the Iewes that of necessitie folowed him, saying do not so searcely and barbarousely, but geue honour to the day of the sanctification, and honour him that beholdeth al thinges:

3   that vnhappie man asked, if there were a powre in heauen, that commanded the sabbath day to be kept.

4   And they answering: There is the liuing Lord himself in heauen, the potent, that commanded the seuenth day to be kept.

5   But he sayd: And ^note I am potent vpon the earth, that commanded armes to be taken, and the kings affayres to be accomplished. Neuertheles he obteyned not to accomplish his counsel.

6   And Nicanor in dede puffed vp with exceeding pride, had thought to haue set vp a common victorious memorie of Iudas.

7   But Machabeus alwayes trusted with al hope that there would come ayde from God to them.

8   And exhorted his companie, that they should not feare at the coming of the nations, but should haue in minde the aydes geuen vnto them from heauen, and now should hope that they should haue the victorie from the Almightie.

9   And speaking vnto them out of the law, and the Prophetes, admonishing them also of the conflictes, that they had made before, he made them the more prompt:

10   and so their hartes being encoreged, withal he shewed the fraude of the Gentils, and their breaking of oathes.

11   And he armed euerie one of them, not with sense of buckler and speare, but with very good words, & exhortations, ^note declaring a dreame worthy to be credited, wherby he reioyced them al.

12   And the vision was in this maner: Onias who had bene the highpriest, a good and benigne man, reuerent to behold, modest of maners, and comelie of speach, and who from a childe was exercised in vertues, that he stretching forth the handes09Q0327 prayed for al the people of the Iewes.

13   After this that there appeared also an other man meruelous for age, and glorie, and for the port of great dignitie about him.

14   And that Onias answering sayd. This is a louer of his bretheren, & of the people of Israel: this is he that09Q0328 prayeth much for the people, & for the whole citie, Ieremie the Prophete of God.

15   And that Ieremie put forth his righthand, and ^note gaue vnto Iudas a sword of gold, saying:

16   Take the holie sword a gift from God, wherwith thou shalt ouerthrow the aduersaries of my people Israel.

17   Being

exhorted therefore with the wordes of Iudas exceding good, by which the coreges might be stured vp, and the hartes of the youngmen streingthned, they resolued to fight, and to encounter manfully: that manhood might decide the matter, because the holie citie, and the temple were in danger.

18    ^noteFor there was lesse care for their wiues, and children, and also for their bretheren, and kinsemen: but the greatest and principal feare was for the holines of the temple.

19   And they also that were in the citie, tooke no litle care for them that were to ioyne battel.

20   And when they did al hope that iudgement would be geuen, and the enimies were present, and the armie was set in aray, the beastes & horsemen disposed in conuenient place,

21   Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the varietie of the prouision of armour, and the fiercenes of the beastes, stretching forth his handes vnto heauen, he inuocated our Lord, that worketh wonders, who not according to the might of armes, but according as it pleaseth him, geueth victorie to the worthie.

22   And he sayd inuocating in this maner: Thou Lord which didst send thyne Angel in the time of Ezechias king of Iuda, and didst kil an hundred eightie fiue thousand of the campe of Sennacharib:

23   & now ô Dominatour of the heauens send thy good Angel before vs, in feare and trembling of the greatnes of thyne arme,

24   that they may be afrayde, which with blasphemie come against thyne holie people. And he in dede ended his prayer thus.

25   But Nicanor, and they that were with him, with trumpets & songues came nere.

26   But Iudas, and they that were with him, inuocating God by prayers ioyned battel:

27   with the hand in dede fighting, but in their hartes praying to our Lord, they ouerthrew no lesse then fiue and thirtie thousand, being greatly delighted with the presence of God.

28   And when they had ceased, and returned with ioy, they vnderstood that Nicanor was slaine, for al his armour.

29   A shout therfore being made, and a great crie, they blessed the Almightie Lord in their countrie language.

30   And Iudas, who by al meanes was in bodie and mind readie to dye for his citizens, commanded that Nicanors head, and hand with the shoulder being cut of, should be caried to Ierusalem.

31   Whither when he was come, hauing called his countrimen, and the Priestes to the altar, he sent also for them that were in the castel,

32   And shewing them the head of Nicanor, & the wicked hand, which he stretching forth against

holie house of almightie God, had mightely bragged.

33   The tongue also of impious Nicanor being cut out, he commanded to be geuen pecemeale to the birdes: and the hand of the furious man to be hanged vp against the temple.

34   Al therfore blessed the Lord of heauen, saying: Blessed be he, that hath kept his place vndefiled.

35   And he hung vp Nicanors head in the toppe of the castel, that it might be an euident, & manifest signe of the helpe of God.

36   Therfore al by common counsel decreed, by no meanes to let passe this day without solemnitie:

37   but to kepe the solemnitie the thirtenth day of the moneth Adar, which is called in the Syrian language, the day before Mardocheus day. ^note

38   These thinges therefore being done concerning Nicanor, & ^note from that time the citie being possessed of the Hebrewes, I also in these wil make an end of speaking.

39   And if wel, and as is competent for a storie that myself also would: but09Q0329 if not so worthely it resteth to be pardoned me.

40   For as to drinke alwayes wine, or alwayes water is hurtful, but to vse now one now an other is delectable: so to the readers, if the speach be alwayes exact, it wil not be gratful. Here therefore it shal be ended. ^{note note}

: from the captiuitie in Babylon to the coming of our Sauiour, nere the space of 640. yeares. ^note

Svch is the prouidence of Almightie God, that not obscurely, or as some times only, but manifestly, and without intermission his Diuine Maiestie is acknowleged, his name glorified, his Religion professed, and his preceptes obserued by a visible knowne Church, from the beginning of the world to the end therof, as we haue already shewed in the other fiue ages; and shal no lesse clerly declare the same in this sixth. ^note For albeit the peculiar people of God were for their sinnes caried forth of their countrie, and held captiues in Babylon seuentie yeares, and after their reduction were subiect to strangers ruling ouer them, and sometimes extremely afflicted with persecution, yet they stil perseuered in the same fayth and religion, had succession of Priestes, and of one Highpriest, with conseruation also of the royal line of Dauid, euen to Christ our eternal King and Priest.

First therfore concerning Articles of fayth and religion, the beleefe in one God was so generally confessed by the whole Iewish nation, that their Priestes and Prophetes did use it for a principle, in confirmation of other pointes, as wel doctrinal as moral. ^note So Malachie teaching that our neighbour is to be beloued, God to be serued, and his lawes to be kept: Is there not one Father of vs al (sayth he. ch. 2. v. 10.) Hath not one God created vs? Why then doth euerie one of vs despise his brother, violating the couenant of our fathers? More expresly Ieremie in his Epistle (Baruc. 6.) sheweth the vanitie and absurditie of manie goddes: exhorting the people to serue the one omnipotent God, saying to him sincerely in their hartes; (v. 5.) Thou oughtest to be adored ô Lord. Likewise, when the Magicians of Chaldea ascribed the knowlege of dreames to false goddes, Daniel with the other three children (ch. 2. v. 18) prayed the God of heauen: and the mysterie was reueled to Daniel. and he declared and expounded the kings dreame. Who therupon confessed to Daniel (v. 47.) In very dede your God is the God of goddes, and Lord of kinges.

The same three children (Daniel. 3.) were cast into the burning furnace, and Daniel into the lions denne (ch. 6. & 14.) readie to dye for their fayth in one God. For this fayth also Mardocheus, as is written in the booke of Esther, was persecuted, and he with al the people were in extreme danger. And the auctor of the booke of wisdome teacheth that one God is knowen by consideration of his creatures: Al men are vaine (sayth he. ch. 13. v. 1.) that by thinges sene, vnderstand not him that is: neither attending to the workes agnise who was the workman. So the auctor of Ecclesiasticus ch. 1. v. 8. profe&esset;th: There is one most high Creator omnipotent, and mightie king, and to be feared excedingly, sitting vpon the throne, the God of Dominion.

As for the high Mysterie of three Diuine Persons in one God not so commonly reueled in the old testament, yet was it knowen and in some sorte uttered: As Aggeus 2. v. 5. & 6. ^note I am with you, sayth the Lord of hostes, the word that I did couenant with you: when you came out of the land of Ægypt: and my Spirite shal be in the middes of you. VVhere, by the Lord of hosts, is commonly understood God the Father; by his spirite, God the Holie Ghost, and the word may signifie God the Sonne: of whose Incarnation the Prophete playnly speaketh in the next verses. For in this consisteth the couenant betwen God and his people, that they should kepe his word of precepts and commandments expressed in the law: and he would send them the word, his onlie Sonne the Second Diuine Person to redeme mankind. Againe the same three Persons seme to be distinguished in diuers places, God the Father is described according to mans smal capacitie, Daniel. 7. v. 9. thus: Thrones were sette, and the Ancient of dayes sate: his vesture white as snow, and the heares of his head as cleane wool, his throne flames of fire, his wheeles fire kindled. ^note He is called Ancient of dayes, not only because he is eternal, for so are the other two Diuine Persons, but this terme is attributed to the Father, because in order he is the beginning, from whom the other two Persons proceede [The Sonne by generation, the Holie Ghost from the Father and the Sonne by procession.] ^note To God the sonne the same Prophet Daniel prayeth: ch. 9. v. 17. saying: Now therfore heare ô our God, the petition of thy seruant, and his prayers: and shew thy face vpon thy Sanctuarie which is desert, for thyne owne sake: that is, for thyne owne merites: which can only be vnderstood of that Diuine Person, which is incarnate. ^note Zacharie, 12. v. 10. God speaking by the prophet sayth: I wil powre out vpon the house of Dauid, and vpon the inhabitantes of Ierusalem the spirite of grace and of prayers, which may easily be vnderstood to be the promise of the B. Trinitie: but that which immediatly foloweth: and they shal looke towards me, whom they

pearced, can only be spoken by the Second Diuine Person, who only is incarnate, and was pearced in his Passion. In the booke of wisdome is much written of wisdom increated, a terme appropriated to God the Sonne. especially ch. 2. 7. 8. 9. and 10. The like in Ecclesiasticus, ch. 1. 4. 24. And ch. 51. v. 14. is distinct mention of the Father & the Sonne, I haue inuocated (sayth the auctor, or anie faythful soule) our Lord, the Father of my Lord. There is likewise particular mention of the Holie Ghost in some places. ^note As 2. Esd. 9. v. 20. Thou gauest them the good Spirite, which should teach them. for the office of internal teaching is appropriated to the Holie Ghost. Ioan. 14. v. 17. and 16. v. 13. The Spirite of truth, and he shal teach you al truth. Ezec. 36. v. 27. I wil put my Spirite in the middes of you, and wil make that you walke in my precepts. Zach. 7. v. 12. The wordes which the Lord sent in his Spirite, by the hand of the former Prophetes. Sapient. 1. v. 5. The Holie Ghost of discipline wil flye from him that feaneth. Ecclesiasticus 1. v. 9. He created her in the Holie Ghost. 24. v. 29. They that eate me, shal yet hunger, and they that drinke me, shal yet thirst. Where God calleth the Holie Ghost (which is receiued by grace) himselsef. Because al three Diuine Persons are one God. ^note And that there be manie Dinine Persons in God, who is one in substance, is sufficiently signified by al those holie Scriptures, where God is called by the name Elohim, in the plural number; especially seing this name hath also the singular number, Eloha. As Iob. 12. v. 4. & 36. v. 2. Daniel. 2. v. 28. Habacuc. 1. v. 11. & 3. v. 3. which last place semeth most painly to speake of the Sonne of God, Eloha mitheman Iavo. God wil come from Theman, or from the South. And therfore where this word Elohim is vsed in the plural number (as in most places it is) it signifieth pluralitie of Persons in God.

Christs Incarnation is more clerly foreshewed by the Prophetes, who aboue other consolations, most especially comforted the people by their prophecies of Christ our Sauiour. ^note Ieremie 23. v. 5. I wil rayse vp to Dauid a iust branch, and he shal reigne a king, and shal be wise, and he shal doe iudgement and iustice in the earth. Ch. 31. v. 23. A woman shal compasse a man. Christ though in bodie a litle infant, yet in powre and wisedom was most perfect of al men, euen when he was in his mothers wombe. Ch. 33. v. 14. Behold the dayes wil come, sayth our Lord, and I wil rayse vp the good word. v. 15. I wil make the spring of iustice to bud forth vnto Dauid, & he shal do iudgement and iustice in the earth. Ieremies Lamentations are in greatest part of Christ and his Church. And some part can hardly be applied to anie other. ch. 3. v. 30. He shal geue the cheke to him that striketh him, he shal be filled with reproches, ch. 4. v. 20. Christ our Lord is taken in our sinnes. Baruch. 2. v. 35. ^note God promising

to reduce the people from Babylon, addeth: And I wil establish vnto them an other testament euerlasting (by Christ, whose kingdom is for euer) that I be their God, and they shal be my people. Ch. 3. v. 36. This is our God, and there shal none other be esteemed against him. v. 38. After these thinges he was sene vpon the earth, and was conuersant with men. Ezechiel peculiarly called by an Angel the sonne of man, was therin a special figure of our sauiour, who so calleth him self. ^note And the same prophet hath in plaine termes foreshewed the office of Christ, the true Pastor of al pastors. ch. 34. v. 25. I wil (sayth God by this prophet) rayse vp ouer them one Pastor, who shal feede them, my seruant Dauid. that is, Christ prefigured by Dauid. His admirable visions in the three first chapters, and nine last perteyne properly and principally to the new Testament of Christ, and his Church, shewing the abundance of grace and glorie geuen by him to the elect. Daniel. 7. v. 13. ^note With the cloudes of heauen there came in as it were the Sonne of man, and he came euen to the ancient of dayes, and in his sight they offered him. He came euen to the ancient of dayes, because in his Diuinitie he is equal to the Father: and in his humanitie he is offered to God in Sacrifice. v. 14 His powre is eternal: and his kingdom shal not be corrupted. ch. 9. v. 24. Seuentie wekes (of yeares) are abridged, that sinnes may be forgeuen, grace be infused, prophecies be fulfilled, and the Holie one of holies be annointed. Al which belong only to Christ. v. 26. After sixtie two wekes Christ shal be slaine. Aggeus. 2. v. 8. ^note The desired of al nations shal come. Zach 3. v. 8. ^note I wil bring my seruant the Orient. ch. 13. v. 7. Strike the Pastour, and the shepe shal be dispersed, fulfilled in Christs Passion Mat. 26. v. 21. Malach. 3. v. 2. ^note Forthwith shal come to his temple the Dominator, whom you seke, & the Angel of the testament, whom ye desire. The booke of wisdom. ch. 2. v. 12. describeth the malice of the wicked against Christ. ^note Let vs (say they) circumuent the iust, because he is vnprofitable to vs: and he is contrarie to our workes, and reprochfully obiecteth to vs the sinnes of the law. v. 13. He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God, and nameth him self the Sonne of God. Ecclesiasticus 24. v. 34. ^note God appointed to Dauid his seruant, to raise vp a king of him, most strong and sitting in the throne of honour for euer. Which eternal king proceeding from Dauid can be none but Christ our Sauiour. And al the praises of Patriarches, and Prophetes (in the last eight chapters) consist in their fayth, and expectation of Christ. Likewise the Priestes and people. 1. Mach. 14. v. 28. 35. and 49. shewed their fayth of Christ to come, when they established Simon, and his progenie in the gouernment and highpriesthood, for euer til there rise the faithful Prophet, to witte the Prophet of whom al the prophetes did speake (Luc. 24 v. 27.) ^note

Amongst the rest Ieremie, ch. 31. v. 23. and Ezechiel ch. 44. v. 2. make also especial mention of some singular priuileges of the most excellent virgin Mother of God. ^note Of whom also Iudith, and Esther were apparent figures, who receiued special graces for the benefite of their nation, and so did this singular Virgin receiue of God most eminent giftes, aboue al other mere creatures, for the benefite of the whole Church.

Of Angels the celestial spirites, is frequent mention in the holie Scriptures of this age. ^note Their multitude is innumerable, and therfore are insinuated to men by general termes. Daniel. 7. v. 10. Thousandes of thousandes ministered to him, and tenne thousand hundred thousandes assisted him. And their powre is most great, and to men most profitable. ^note An Angel defended the three children in the fornace, walking with them in the fire. Daniel. 3. v. 49 95. An other defended Daniel from the lions. ch. 6. v. 22. The same or an other caried Habacuc from Iurie into Babylon. Dan. 141 v. 35. and restored him in his place againe. ^note v. 38. The Archangel Gabriel instructed Daniel, ch. 8. v. 16. 17. ch. 9. v. 21. And ch. 10. v. 13. & 20. Other Angels the Patrones or Guardians of the Persians and Grecians, prayed for those countries; and S. Michael, v. 21. for the Iewes. An Angel spake in Zacharie, ch. 1. v. 9. An other Angel went to mete him. ch. 2. v. 3. And in respect of Angelical offices, both S. Iohn Baptist, and our Sauiour himself are figuratiuely called Angeles. Malach. 3. v. 1. No meruel therfore that Iudas Machabeus and his armie, 2. Machab. 11. v. 6. prayed for the assistance of a good Angel, which was granted them. v. 8. And so they went promptly, hauing an helper from heauen. v. 10. Their like prayer had the same effect in an other battel. 2. Machab. 15. v. 27.

Contrarie to these glorious Angeles are other spirites, at first created in grace, which falling into pride, and most obstinate malice are perpetual enimies to God their Creator, and to al mankind, continually calumniating the workes of God, and of al his seruantes, wherof they are called Diuels, or calumniators. ^note They neuer cease tempting al they can to euil, so to bring men to eternal death: For by the enuie of the diuel (Sap. 2. v. 7.) death (both of soule & bodie) came into this world. The iust stipend of sinne. Al sinnes offend God and please the diuels. But more particularly they desire to be honored as God with Sacrifice. Which therfore they require to them selues and their idols. ^note And for this sinne of Idolatrie, aboue al others, God is most prouoked to wrath: & for the same most especially punished his people: as the Prophet Baruch (chap. 4. v. 6.) signifieth to the people, saying: You are sold to the Gentils. & c. You are deliuered to their aduersaries: and geuing the reason why, he addeth: v. 7. For you haue exasperated him that made you, the eternal God immolating to diuels. And not to God.

The same al the Prophetes teach, and withal that Sacrifice is the souereigne seruice due to God only, and not to any creature, how excellent soeuer. ^note But of Sacrifice there is so much written, that it were ouer long and nedeles to recite the places. It importeth more to obserue the predictions of the most excellent, and perfect Sacrifice of the new Testament. ^note Malachie. 1. v. 11. From the rising of the sunne (sayth God by this Prophet) euen to the going downe, there is sacrificing, and there is offered in my name a cleane oblation. In the old testament they offered cattel, & birdes, by powring out their bloud about the altar, and drawing forth their bowels. For purging and clensing wherof there was much washing and labour: but now in the Church of Christ, is the cleane Sacrifice of our Lords bodie and bloud, in formes of bread and wine. ^note It is also in itself so pure, that it can not be polluted (as the old sacricrifices were, v. 12.) by vnworthie Priestes, but is alwayes auaylable to some or other, ex opere operato. According to that the same Prophet testifieth ch. 3. v. 4. The Sacrifice of Iuda and Ierusalem shal please our Lord. Which is necessarily vnderstood of the Christians sacrifice: for els this place were contrarie to that which God sayd to the Iewish priestes, ch. 1. v. 10. I haue no wil in you, and I wil not receiue gift at your hand. Daniel also prophecieth, ch. 9. v. 27. that in the half of the weke the hoste and the sacrifice shal fayle. Ch. 12. v. 11. The continual sacrifice shal be taken away, therby signifying that not only after the figure, the Sacrifice prefigured should succede (for els there should be no daylie Sacrifice at al in the new Testament, which Malachie sayth plainly there shal be, not in one, or in fewe places, but from the rising of the sunne, euen to the going downe, & c.) but also that both the old and new sacrifices should be taken away in their seueral times. ^note For so our Sauiour (Mat. 24. v. 15.) applieth the next wordes of this prophecie, and abomination of desolation shal be set vp, not only as a signe before the destruction of Ierusalem, but also of the end of the world. ^note Verified in part as in the figure, when the temple was destroyed, & diuers prophanations made in the same place: but more especially shal be fulfilled by Antichrist, abolishing the holie Sacrifice of Christs bodie and bloud, so much as he shal be suffered: as S. Hyppolitus writeth, lib. de Antichristo. & in oratione de consummatione mundi. Agreable to S. Ireneus. li. 4. c. 32. & li. 5. in fine S. Ierom. in Dan. 12. Theodoretus in eundem locum, and S. Chrisostom in opere imperfecto. Yea some Hebrew Rabbins acknowlege Transsubstantion, in the Eucharist. as R. Dauid Kimhi witnesseth vpon these wordes of Osee. 14. v. 8. ^note They shal liue with wheate, and shal spring as a vine: Manie of our Doctores (sayth he) expound this, that there shal be mutation of nature in wheate, in the times of our Redemer Christ.

This Rabbi Dauid also, and the Chaldee Paraphrasis expound Ezechiels

prophecie, ch. 36. v. 25. I wil powre out vpon you cleane water, of the remission of sinne, though they signifie not by what particular meanes. ^note Which Christian Doctors vndoubtedly explicate of the Sacrament of Baptisme. And likewise his other prophecie, ch. 47. v. 1. waters issued forth vnder the threshold of the house towards the East, can not be vnderstood of anie other waters then of Baptisme.

The purifications, oblations, and other workes of penance practised by the people, after their returne from captiuitie, written. ^note 2. Esd. 9. 10. 13. testifie their obseruation of the law in this point, by which the Sacrament of penance in the new testament was prefigured.

In like sorte the continuance of Priesthood, and priestlie functions is manifest in the bookes of Esdras, and of other Prophetes, which prefigured the Sacrament of holie. ^note Orders, in the Church of Christ.

In these times also the feastes instituted by the law, were obserued with more or le&esset;e solemnitie, as time, place, and other opportunities serued. ^note As Esdras testifieth. li. 1. c. 3. v. 2. Iosue (the highpriest) and Zorobabel (the duke) after their returne from captiuitie, built an altar (not withstanding the threates of infidels) and offered vpon it holocaust to our Lord morning and euening. And they made the solemnitie of tabernacles, and other feastes, as wel in the Calendes, as in al the solemnities of our Lord, though the temple was not yet built againe (v. 6.) And afterwards vpon new occasion, Iudas Machabeus, 1. Mach. 4. & 2. Mach. 10. instituted a new feast, which our sauiour obserued Ioan. 10. v. 12.

The like obseruation was kept of fastes. ^note For amongst the feastes which were al duly performed (1. Esd. 3. v. 5.) one was of Expiation which consisted in fasting from euen to euen. Leuit. 23. Num. 29. And besides the ordinarie, Esdras appointed a peculiar fast for special purposes, 1. Esd. 8. v. 21. ^note And I proclamed (sayth he) a fast, beside the riuer Ahaua, that we might be afflicted before the Lord our God: and might desire of him a right way for vs, and our children. And (v. 23.) we fasted and besought our God hereby: and it fel out prosperously vnto vs. Againe, 2. Esd. 9. v. 1. The children of Israel came together in fasting, and sackclothes, and earth vpon them. See more of fasting, Iudith. 4. & 9. Esther 5. & 14. Zachar. 8. And of abstinence from certaine meates according to the law, Daniel 1. & 9. Iudith. 10. & 12. 2. Mach. 6. & 7. ^note

More generally the whole forme of good life is excellently prescribid in the bookes of wisdom and Ecclesiasticus. ^note Where vnder the general vertues of Wisdom and Iustice, al are admonished to seeke diligently to know God, and to serue him. As much as to say, to haue fayth and good workes: the two feete, and legges, on which the godlie walke vnto life euerlasting. Let one shorte sentence here serue for example (wishing al men to reade more

in the bookes themselues) Sap. 6. v. 18. 19. & 20. is this gradation. The beginning of wisdom is the true desire of discipline; the care of discipline is loue; & loue is the keeping of her lawes: and the keping of the lawes is the consummation of incorruption: & incorruption maketh to be next to God. ^note These are the steppes from earth to heauen, from this vale of miseries to eternal happines. first A true and sincere desire of discipline, or of Gods true seruice: 2. This desire or care of discipline bredeth loue of God: 3. loue is the keping of lawes, the commandments of God: for he that sayth he loueth God, and kepeth not his commandments is a liar: 4. keping the lawes is the consummation of incorruption: making the soule perfect in vertues, and free from corruption of sinnes: 5. and this incorruption maketh to be next to God, ioyning man with God, which is the perfect beatitude of eternal life. And so he concludeth, v. 22. Therfore (from first to last by degrees) desire of wisdom leadeth to the euerlasting kingdom. Yet must we vnderstand that neither the first steppe of good desire, nor anie of the rest is in a mans owne powre as of himself, so much as to thinke a good thought, but Gods grace preuenteth sturreth men vp, and continually assisteth, in al good beginninges progresse, and perseuirance, as the same diuine auctor teacheth a litle before, v. 14. wisdom preuenteth them that couete her, that she first may shew herself vnto them. ^note Then to admitte, or refuse is in their powre, that haue good motions. And therfore sinne is rightly imputed, and damnation iustly inflicted vpon the wicked, because as Nehemias (2. Esd. 9. v. 17.) testifieth of the vngratful people, they would not heare. And they hardened their neckes, and gaue the head to returne to their seruitude, as it were by contention, or striuing against God, through their owne free wil; which appeareth here to remaine in sinners. On the other side the same Nehemias in confidence of reward for good workes, and of his voluntarie cooperating with Gods grace, feared not to pray (2. Esd. 5. v. 19) in these wordes: Remember me my God to good, according to al thinges which I haue done to this people. ^note

Some men moreouer besides the commandments of the law, voluntarily profe&esset;ed a peculiar state of holie life, a plaine figure, or rather an example of Euangelical counsels. ^note As in the former ages the Nazerites, whose rule is prescribed Numeri 6. practised by Sampson (Iudic. 13.) and Samuel (1. Reg. 1.) and the Rechabites (Ieve. 35.) so in this last age next before Christ the Assideans, or Esseni. 1. Mach. 2. v. 42. of whom Iudas Machabeus in his time was head or captaine. 2. Mach. 14. v. 6. Ieremie the prophet (ch. 16 v. 2.) by Gods ordinance liued single vnmaried al the time of the captiuitie. Thou shalt not take a wife, and thou shalt not haue sonnes and daughters in this place: to witte, in Ierusalem. ^note Neither did be marie

when he was afterwardes in. Ægypt. But of his owne accord remayned a virgin al his life, as S. Ierom writeth, li 1. aduers. Iouinianum.

Prayers of Sainctes after they are departed from this world is manifestly deduced of the sacred text, Iere. 15. v. 1. of Moyses and Samuel, not to be heard if they should pray for the people, whom God had decreed to punish, were consequently to be heard in some other case. ^note And more expresly. 2. Mach. 15. v. 12. & 14. is recorded that Onias, and Ieremie did pray for al the people, and for al the holie citie. Reuerent estimation of Reliques, and other holie thinges is manifest by the fact of the same Prophet Ieremie, who by Gods ordinance (2. Mach 2. v. 1. & 5.) hid the holie fire, and the Tabernacle, and the Arke, & the Altar of incense in a caue. that they should not be prophaned by infidels ransaking Ierusalem, and the temple: Other holie ornaments also, and vesseles were restored by the fauorable king Cyrus, 1. Esd. 1. v. 7. & ch. 8. v. 30. ^{note note} In figure also of the holie Crosse on which Christ was to redeme mankind, those that mourned for the abominations in Ierusalem (Ezec. 9.) vvere signed in their foreheades vvith the letter Thau, or. T. and so were saued from the common slaughter of the vnsigned. ^note

Prayer and Sacrifice for the dead is likewise clere, 2. Mach. 12. v. 43. &c. if either the text may be admitted for Canonical, saying (v. 46.) ^note It is a holie and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead; or for good testimonie of Iudas fact; being Highpriest, and doing that which the whole Church practised, and which the Iewes yet obserue to this day.

Of the General Resurrection, is good testimnie in the same place v. 43. and 44. as the ground of Iudas his pietie towardos the dead, wel and religiously thincking of the Resurrection. ^note For vnles he hoped that they which were slaine should rise againe, it should seme superfluous, and vaine to pray for the dead. But seing he did beleue the Resurrection, he did right wel and piously. And seing the beleefe of resurrection is true, it foloweth, as this auctor inferreth, that it is a holie thing to pray for the dead.

Malachie the last of the Prophetes, in the last chapter foresheweth, and describeth the General iudgement, in the end of this world: wherin the wicked shal be condemned, and the iust eternally rewarded. ^note Which day shal come (sayth he) kindled as a furnace. Al that do impietie (dying in that state) shal be stubble, and that day shal inflame them. ^note And there shal rise to you that feare my name, the Sunne of iustice, and health in his winges, or glorious beames, healing and curing al bodylie infirmities, and defectes. Before which day he foretelleth of two signes, v. 5. The coming of Elias the Prophet. and. v. 6. & the conuersion of the Iewes to Christ. ^note And thus much may here suffice, for particular pointes of religion in this age.

It resteth to view the state and gouernment of the Church in this time. ^note Which may be considered according to the foure Monarchies of heathen nations: the Chaldees; the Medes & Persians; the Grecians; and the Romanes: Vnder the Chaldees, whose Emperial citie was Babylon, they were in captiuitie seuentie yeares. By the Medes and Persians (for that Monarchie consisted of those two nations) they were released from captiuitie with manie fauoures, yet sometimes afflicted. Vnder the Monarchie of the Grecians, they were partly in extreme persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes, and of other Grecian kinges and princes, partly in warres for defence of Gods lawes. Before and after which persecution and warres, as wel vnder the Grecians, as the Romans til Christs Passion the Church was for most part in peace, yet some times afflicted. But omitting manie intricate difficulties about the times and reignes of sundrie heathen kinges, it wil suffice our purpose to shew the general state of the Iewish nation, with their owne particular gouerners spiritual and temporal, with more or le&esset;e fauour of forreine Princes.

First therfore concerning their estate in their captiuitie in Babylon, we may here obserue Gods prouidence, in that before the citie and temple of Ierusalem were destroyed, and the whole nation made captiue, Ioachin (otherwise called Iechonias) the sonne of Ioachaz (who was also called Iechonias) king of Iuda was transported into Babylon, and his mother, and manie other principal persons. ^note 4. Reg. 24. v. 15. Likewise Iosedech sonne of Saraias highpriest (1. Paral. 6. v. 15.) was caried into Babylon. ^note And in the meane time Sedecias (vncle to Ioachin) reigned in Iuda, who in the eleuenth yeare, was taken and caried captiue into Babylon, and there died, Ioachin yet liuing in prison. And Saraias the Highpriest with others, was slayne in Rebla, when Ierusalem was destroyed. 4. Reg. 25. v. 18. & 21. To whom Iosedech succeded in the highpriesthood. So that both the i&esset;ue of Dauid, in the right line of our Sauiours genealogie, and the Highpriest of Aarons stocke, were in Babylon before the whole bodie of the nation was brought thither. This Iechonias (or Ioachin) remained in prison, til the death of Nabuchodonosor, the space of thirtie seuen yeares, and was then deliuered by Euilmerodach, and by him entertayned courteously as a prince, 4. Reg. 25. v. 27. ^note He maried there and had i&esset;ue Salathiel; and Salathiel had Zorobabel. Who together with Iosue sonne of Iosedech highpriest, & Esdras, Nehemias, & others recited 1. Esd. 2. conducted the children of Israel from Babylon into their countrie. There were also in a former transmigration Daniel, and the other three children Ananias, Misael, & Azarias, (of the royal or principal bloud) in the third yeare of Ioakim (otherwise called Eliacim sonne of Iosias. 4. Reg. 23. v. 34.) king of Iuda. ^note Dan. 1. v. 1. 6. These with others were caried as hostages into Babylon, and brought vp more liberally. Where seruing God sincerely, abstayning from vnlawful

meates, were protected by God, much also estemed and promoted in that place. For Daniel about the age of twelue yeares, conuinced the two wicked iudges, and deliuered Susanna from their cruel handes. ^note Dan. 13. And afterwardes for declaring and interpreting the kings dreame (Dan. 2.) and excellent wisdom, and gift of prophecie was admired by al, aduanced by the king: but maligned by certaine enuious sorcerers, and great men. Wherby he was sometimes in great danger, but stil deliuered by Gods powre protecting him. ^note Dan. 6. & 14. The other three children were likewise aduanced. Dan. 2. v. 49. and therfore by diuers enuied, and for refusing to adore an idol set up by Nabuchodonosor were cast into a hote burning furnace, and there preserued. Dan. 3.

Ieremie, who before this time begane to prophecie whiles he was a childe; (Iere. 1.) continued in the time of captiuitie, in Ierusalem and Iurie, with much affliction, and stil prophecying finally dyed in Ægypt. ^note Baruch his scribe, and also a Prophete, went sometimes into Babylon, and returned into Iurie (Baruch. 1.) instructing and exhorting the people.

Ezechiel was caried with king Iechonias, and Iosedech into Babylon, and there prophecied (ch. 1. v. 2.) part of the same time with Daniel, in great part the same thinges with Ieremie. ^note And during the captiuitie, king Iechonias; Iosedech the highpriest, Ieremie, Baruch, Ezechiel prophetes, & innumerable others (some Martyres, and manie Confessors) parted from this world. But Daniel yet liued. And in place of Iosedech Highpriest Iosue succeded, and the progenie of king Iechonias continuing in Salathiel, and Zorobabel, the nation had them and other eminent men, with temporal dependence vpon forreine princes in the next Monarchie of the Medes and Persians.

For when Darius king of Medes had slaine Baltazar king of the Chaldees, and so po&esset;e&esset;ed Babylon, with the whole countrie he brought the Monarchie to the Medes & Persians. ^note Dan. 5. v. 31. and within the space of one yeare he dyed; and Cyrus succeding granted leaue to al the Iewes to returne into Iurie; and there to build vp their temple, and citie of Ierusalem, which Nabuchodonosor had destroyed. ^note At which time Daniel had his vision, that Christ our Sauiour should come into the world, within seuentie weekes (of seuen yeares to the weke, that is, in foure hundred ninetie yeares) after the perfect finishing of the temple. and citie. Dan. 9. v. 24. & 25. But when they were so built againe, that the wekes beganne to be counted, is very obscure: as it was the wil of God, that the prophecie, being certayne in itself, should not be ouer clere to euerie mans vnderstanding, but as likewise manie other prophecies, shut and sealed. Dan. 12. v. 6. 9. 13.

In this time of the Medes and Persians Monarchie, Mardocheus remayning in Chaldea, after the relaxation had that vision in a dreame, Esther. 11. after which folowed the historie of him, & Quene Esther, and

wicked Aman; with the danger and deliuerie of al the Iewes in those partes. ^{note note note}

Some thinke it likewise probable, that the historie of Iudith happened after the captiuitie; though others suppose that it was in the time of Mana&esset;es king of Iuda. which not being our purpose to discusse and decide, we wil passe to thinges more certayne. ^note

The prophetes Aggeus & Zachatias nere twentie yeares after the relaxation, earnestly exhorted the princes & people to build vp the temple which had bene begunne, and now was neglected vpon vaine feare, thincking, the time was not yet come of building the house of our Lord. ^note Aggeus. 1. v. 2. Wherupon the prophet reproueth them, expostulating thus: Why, is it time for you to dwel in embowed houses, and this house (of our Lord) desert? And a&esset;ureth them. v. 10. that their ground should remaine barren, and ch. 2. v. 15. their sacrifices vngratful, til they should build the temple: promising moreouer that this new temple should be more glorious by Christs personal presence therin, then the former temple built by Salomon. But especially the Church of Christ prefigured by the temple, should farre excel the Synagoge of the old testament. ^note ch. 2. v. 10. Great shal be the glorie of this last house more then of the first. Which Zacharie confirmeth inuiting the Gentiles to come, and the Iewes to returne into Christs Church: ch. 2. v. 6. O flee out of the land of the North, sayth our Lord, because into the foure windes of heauen, haue I dispersed you. v. 7. O Sion flee thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. And by diuers other visions and prophecies they forshew the conuersion of the Gentiles, and reiection of the Iewes for their obduration, but in the end they also shal be conuerted.

Malachie prophecied after the finishing of the temple, exhorting al to offer their sacrifices with puritie of hart, reprehending both priestes and people for not so doing. ^note ch. 1. He also foresheweth the reiection of the Iewes, & calling of the Gentiles, with the change of the old sacrifices, and institution of a new farre more excellent, and more effectual, to be offered euerie where (v. 10. & 11.) He concludeth his prophecie ch. 4. foretelling the terrible day of Iudgement, and life or death euerlasting.

These later prophetes yet liuing, as Iosephus, Eusebius, Theodoretus and others testifie in their histories, the Grecians obtained so great a Monarchie by king Alexander the Great of Macedo, that being parted after his death amongst manie, yet al were great kingdomes, some longer some shorter time. ^note In the beginning wherof when king Alexander came to Ierusalem, as Iosephus writeth. ^note li. 11. c. 8. Antiquit. Iaddus the highpriest going forth in his pontifical attyre to mete him, the same king straightwayes fel downe at his feete with al reuerence. And being demanded by his freindes, the princes of his armie, why he so much honored the highpriest, he answered, that he honored

not the man for himself, but for his office, and God in him, who had appeared to him in slepe in that very habite, and ornaments, when be in Macedonia discoursed in his minde of making battel against the Persians, promising him assured victorie. Shortly after this it happened, that Manasses an Apostata highpriest, by intercession of Sanaballat, whose daughter he had vnlawfully maried, obtayned licence to build a temple in Garizim, which the Samaritanes afterwards pretended to be more ancient then the temple of Ierusalem, against which our Sauiour gaue sentence. ^note Ioan. 4. v. 22. It was also decided by king Ptolomeus in Alexandria (as Iosephus witne&esset;eth. li. 13. c. 6.) by way of arbitrament, finding that the temple of Ierusalem, and the Highpriestes therof had a perpetual succession from Salomons time, and that their pretence of Iacobs adoring in Garizim was not to the purpose, seing there was no succession, that temple being lately built. Neuertheles the same Ptolomeus to gratifie Onias an other Apostata, sonne of good Onias Highpriest and Martyri (2. Macab. 4. v. 34.) gaue leaue to build an other temple in Ægypt, which stood likewise in schisme against the true temple of Ierusalem, wresting to their purpose the prophecie of Isaie. ^note ch. 19. v. 19. In that day there shal be an altar of our Lord in the middes of Ægypt. Which S. Ierom sheweth to be vnderstood of the Church of Christ. Before this last schismatical temple, and after the former were the Seuentie two Interpreters, or Translators of the Hebrew Bible into Greke. of whom S. Ierom and al ancient Fathers speake much, & esteme of very great & Canonical auctoritie. ^note

In the time of the Grecians Monarchie, prophane lerning florished more then before, and Philosophers abunded, but differed excedingly amongst them selues, and al erred in the principles both of Natural & Moral knowlege. ^note For wheras in dede God omnipotent was the only maker of the whole world, and al thinges therein, al these Philosophers supposed and taught, that some material thing was coeternal with God: and so they put the same thing to haue bene the beginning of al other thinges. Which some say was the water, some the Ayre, some the Earth, some the Fyre, some al these foure Elements, some the Atomos, or indiuisible smal bodies, some one thing some an other. ^note Wherof S. Epiphanius writeth in compendio contra bæreses. And the like absurde conceiptes they had of the chiefe Good, or Summum bonum. ^note Which the Pithagorians thought to be not hing els but a certayne immortalitie of the soule, and so, as it may stil be in a bodie. And therfore seing both men and beastes do dye, they held opinion, that when a soule parteth out of one bodie, it goeth into an other. Yea and maketh transmigration from one species or kind to an other. As from a mans bodie into the bodie of a horse, or an oxe; and contrariwise from a brute beast into a man againe, and from one beast into an other. The Stoikes put the chiefe good in vertues, but could reach no further then to a certayne contentment of ioy in

their minde, not knowing the reward of vertues to consist in seeing God. ^note Platonikes, or Achademikes conceiued more of God, and pure spirites, but thought both corporal and spiritual creatures were coeternal with God. ^note The Peripatetikes placed the chiefe good, or felicitie in the aggregation of best spiritual, corporal, and worldlie thinges together. ^note The Epicures esteemed carnal and bodilie pleasures aboue al. ^note And al these and their folowers iudged so diuersly of the right true felicitie, contradicting and condemning ech others opinions, that they were multiplied into innumerable Sectes. ^note As S. Augustin declareth out of Marcus Varro: and opposeth against them al, the one assured fayth and iudgement of Gods Church, in his 19. booke de ciuit. Dei. c. 4. And concludeth with the Royal Prophet, and S. Paul, that their cogitations are vaine, which wil haue happines to be in anie other thing but in seing God; or to be obtained by anie other meanes, without Gods grace. And not only before & since, but also in the same times the auctors of The Bookes of wisdom & Ecclesiasticus taught right doctrine against those erronious Philosophers.

For profession also of true fayth and religion the Machabees both suffered, and labored most notably, when king Antiochus Epiphanes (1. Mach. 1. v. 43.) wrote to al his kingdom, that al the people should be one, and euerie one should leaue his owne law. ^note And whosoeuer should not doe according to the word of Antiochus they should dye. ^note Against which most wicked decree, and cruel execution therof, Gods grace so abunded that (v. 65.) manie of the people of Israel, determined with themselues, that they would not eate the vncleane thinges: and they chose rather to dye, then to be defiled with vncleane meates: and that they would not breake the holy law of God, & so were murthered: As is more particularly recorded, 2. Mach. 5. v. 14. how there were in the space of three dayes fourescore thousand slayne, fourtie thousand inprisoned, & no lesse sold. ^note After this with more pretence of iustice, but with more malice, endeuoring to terrifie others, & to draw them to yelde, or make shew of conformitie to wicked lawes, ch. 6. v. 10. Two wemen were accused to haue circumcised their sonnes, whom when they had led about through the citie, with the infants hanging at their breastes, they threw downe headlong by the walles. ^note And v. 11. other people were burnt with fire, for secretly keping the day of the Sabbath. ^note Thirdly, v. 18. Eleazarus being urged to eate swines flesh, and intreated by his familiar freindes, to make shew of conformitie, would neither eate, nor feyne to eate it, but dyed most constantly, leauing an example of vertue & fortitude. Fourthly seuen bretheren and their mother (2. Mach. 7.) yelded also their liues in most glorious Martyrdom, because they would not yelde conformitie to wicked lawes. ^note

After which heroical constancie in suffering, it was also Gods prouidence, that others should shew their fortitude, in deliuering his Church from these calamities and dangers. ^note For Matthathias of the tribe of Leui, and stocke of Aaron Priest, and (after the apostasie of Iason. li. 2. c. 4. v. 10.) ^note Highpriest, lamenting the pitiful state of Gods people, with resolute mind, and inuincible corege resisting wicked Antiochus (1. Mach. 2.) of iust Zele with his owne handes slew one, who for feare of death was readie to offer sacrifice to idols, & withal killed the kings commissioner, who came to compel men to committe idolatrie: and then gathered troupes to defend so hohie a cause. Against whom the enimies fighting on the Sabbath dayes killed manie, which of scruple would not resist. But vpon further consideration, the rest resolued to defend themselues also on the Sabbath day, if they were assaulted.

Next to him succeded his sonne Iudas Machabeus in both the offices of Highpriest & General captaine: who (as good order required (first pursued the wicked (towitte amongst his owne subiectes) inquiring them out, and such as trubled his people, them he burned with fire. ^note 1. Mach. 3. v. 5. and his enimies were repelled for feare of him: al the workers of iniquitie were trubled: and saluation was directed in his hand. For he and his folowers 2. Mach. 8. v. 2. inuocated our Lord, that he would haue respect to his owne people; the temple; the citie; heare the voice of bloud crying vnto him, remember the most vniust deathes of innocentes, and the blasphemies done to his name. ^note so he with a few (hauing made this preparation by prayer) ouerthrew the armies of Antiochus, with their foure principal captaines Apollonius (1. Mach. 3. v. 11.) and (v. 23.) Seron, (ch. 4.) Gorgias, and Lysias. Then clensing the temple (v. 36. & li. 2. ch. 10.) renewed the holie vessels, which were destroyed by Antiochus, and dedicated a new altar. ^note v. 47. & 56.

And whiles Iudas with his bretheren deliuered the people from al bordering enimies. 1. Mach. 5. & li. 2. ch. 10. & 11. Antiochus Epiphanes li. 1. c. 6. & li. 2. ch. 9. dyed most miserably. ^note And his young sonne Antiochus Eupator reigned. Against whose captaines Iudas had stil more victories. li. 2. ch. 12. & 13. Then folowed the last battel of Nicanor sent by king Demetrius, where he was slaine by Iudas forces, in the middes of his armie. ^note li. 1. ch. 7. & li. 2. ch. 15. wherof Demetrius hearing sent new forces with Bacchides and Alcimus, and more then two partes of Iudas smal campe fleying away, he with only eight hundred. li. 1. ch. 9. setting vpon the enemies defeated the strongest part of their armie: but an other part coming at his backe, great slaughter was made on both sides, and Iudas after manie heroical actes was now slaine in battel, dying with most renowmed glorie. v. 18. al good men lamenting his death. ^note

After him Ionathas his brother succeded Highpriest, and general captaine, ch. 9. v. 28. who managing the common affayres with great wisdom, pietie, and corege; the wicked vsurper Alcimus, who not long before swearing that he would not hurt the Assideans, presently killed threescore of them in one day. ^note li. 1. ch. 7. v. 15. and beginning to deface the temple, was sodenly strooken with a palsie, and dyed miserably, li. 1. ch. 9. v. 54. ^note Ionathas prospering against the enimies confirmed league with the Romanes and Lacedemonians, ch. 12. At last was deceiued, and both he and his sonnes were trecherously, slaine by Tryphon, ch. 13. So Simon his brother was made Highpriest, and captaine general by publique consent. ^note ch. 14. Who after manie noble actes, ch. 15. was also vilanously slaine with two of his sonnes, by his sonne in law Ptolomee. And his other sonne Ioannes Hyrcanus succeded, ch. 16. ^note In his dayes the Iewes in Ierusalem writte to their bretheren in Ægypt, exhorting them not to frequent the schismatical temple in Ægypt, but to kepe the feastes which were instituted in Ierusalem. Thus much of the trublesome state of the Church, reduced to peace by the Machabees.

Shortly after which time, the Romane kingdom hauing bene often increased in the space of nere seuen hundred yeares from the building of Rome, was by Pompeius the great, subduing the East countries, extended so farre, that as Plinie writeth. ^note li. 7. c. 26. Asia Minor was now as it were the middle part, which before was the vttermost borders of their dominions. And the same Pompeius, amongst the rest, taking Ierusalem, brought the Iewes vnder the Romane Empyre, nere fourescore yeares before Christ, vnder whom they enioyed some liberties, til Herod Ascalonita a stranger borne (his father an Idumean, his mother an Arabique) was first made gouernour of Galelee, then Tetrach of Iudea, and afterwards king therof. ^note Who being aduanced by the Romanes to royal dignitie, endeuouring by sundrie benefites to get the peoples fauoure, amongst other thinges enlarged and adorned their Temple, making it as it were a new edifice, in comparison of that which was built after the captiuitie: yea more excellent as some thinke, then that which Salomon built. ^note But this new king made saile of spiritual offices. Namely he sold the office of the Highpriest for money, and that from yeare to yeare, or for shorte and limited time. In him was fulfilled the prophecie of the Patriarch Iacob, Gen 49. geuing it for a signe that Christ our Redemer should presently come into this world, saying: The scepter shal not be taken away from Iudas, and a duke out of his thigh, til he do come that is to be sent, and the same shal be the expectation of the Gentiles. ^note And therfore Herod hearing by the Sages, that the true king of Iewes was borne, in extreme furie murdered the innocent Infantes. Mat. 2. And so both Iewes and Gentiles were admonished that the Messias was borne of the seede, and right line of King Dauid. Whose Genealogie before the captiuitie we noted in

the fifth age of the world to Ioachaz sonne of Iosias. Now therfore to prosecute the same, we must obserue, that wheras S. Mathew sayth: Iosias begate Iechonias, by this Iechonias he meaneth Ioachaz, otherwise called Iechonias; or els he ascribeth the nephew to the grandfather as his sonne. ^note For Iosias was slaine at least eleuen yeares before Iechonias the father of Salathiel was borne. And thus later Iechonias was also called Ioachin, the first of the third Tessaradechad, so the second Salathiel. the 3. Zorobabel: 4. Abiud, 5. Eliachim, 6. Azor. 7. Sadoc. 8. Achim, 9. Eliud, 10. Eleazar, 11. Mathan, 12. Iacob, 13. Ioseph. the husband of Marie, of whom was borne the fouretenth, Iesvs Christ. And this knowen by tradition, not written before S. Matthewes Gospel.

The succession also of the Highpriestes, declared in our former Recapitulations of the fourth and fifth ages, from Aaron to Iosedech, who was Highpriest in the captiuitie, after that his father Saraias was slaine, 4. Reg. 25. v. 18. continued, as partly by holie scriptures, the rest by other auctors appeareth in this order: After the same Iosedech, his sonne Iosue, then Ioachim, Eliachim, Eliasib, Ioiada, Ionathan, Iaddus, in the time of king Alexander: Onias the first, Simon Priscus, Eleazarus, by whom the Seuentie two Interpreters were sent to king Ptolomeus Philodelphus. ^note Manasses, who became an Apostata, Onias the second, Simon the second, of whom is worthie mention, Eccli. 50. Onias the third, whose brother Iason obtayned the office of the king by symonie, and became an Apostata, so was neuer lawful, neither those that folowed him. Menelaus of the tribe of Beniamin. Lisimachus his brother, & vicar. Alcimus though of Aarons stocke, yet for his Apostasie vnlawful. Al which time the true Highpriestes were of the Machabees, Matthathias & his sonnes Iudas, Ionathas, and Simon, his sonne Ioannes Hyrcanus. Then Aristobulus, Alexander, an other Hyrcanus, in whose time Pompeius tooke Ierusalem, Antigonus, after whom Herod put Anaelus in the office for money. ^note And so the rest or most of them that folowed were symoniacal. Aristobulus, Iosue, Simon, Mathias, Iosephus, Iozarus, Eleazarus, Iosue, Anna, Ismael, Eleazarus, Simon, and Caiphas. Who in councel (Ioan. 11. v. 49.) gaue sentence (which himselfe vnderstood not) that it was expedient, that one man dye for the people, and the whole nation perish not. Which the holie Euangelist ascribeth to his office, being highpriest of that yeare, he prophecied that Iesvs should dye for the nation: and not only for the nation, but to gather into one the children of God, that were dispersed.

Iesvs Redemer, correct in vs our errors, gather the dispersed, conserue them that are and shalbe gathered, make al one flocke in one fould vnder one Pastour, thy selfe Iesvs Christ. ^note To whom with the Father, and the Holie Ghost be al thankes, praise, honour, and glorie, now and for euer and euer. Amen.

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