The Annals of the World

XII. 1.] as contradicting the institutions and rites of their Country, of which he was a most religious observer as Joseph testifies. [ lib. 19. cap. ult. ]

He slew James (the son of Zebedaeus) the brother of John with a sword, [ Acts XII. 2.] Clemens Alexandrinus ads moreover out of the Tradition our Ancestors in his seventh book Hypotypeseon, [apud Euseb. lib. 2. Histor. Eccles. cap. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . ] that this is the very same man that brought James into Judgment, and when he saw how freely he gave testimony of Jesus notwithstanding his most severe forbidding of him, ingeniously confessed, he was a Christian. When they were therefore brought both together to punishment, that he desired leave of James that he might suffer with him, and James considering a little of it, said, Peace be unto thee, and kissed him, and so afterwards they were both beheaded.

The King seeing that the death of James pleased the people, cast Peter into prison, in the days of Azimus, delivering him to 4 Quaternions, that is 16 soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. But there were prayers made daily in the Church for him, and an Angel of the Lord delivered him miraculously in the night; and he went to the house of Mary the mother of John Marcus, where many were congregated and at prayer, and telling them that they might certify James the son of Alphaeus and brother of our Lord, and the rest, of the manner of his deliverance, he went into another place. [ Acts XII. 3, 17.]

Herod being frustrate of his hope, in a rage commands the innocent keepers to be dragged to execution, and he going down to Cesarea stayed there. He was prejudiced in his mind against the Tyrians and Sidonians: whose land being not sufficient to maintain them (especially in that year of scarcity) they were forced to seek for themselves sustentation from Galilee and other places under Herod's jurisdiction. They came therefore unanimously to him by them mediation of Blastus the Kings Chamberlain, whom they had made their friend, desiring peace of him. A day being appointed, Herod in his Royal Attire, and sitting before the Tribunal, made a speech to them: the people with acclamations shouting out. 'It is the voice of a God, and not man. But presently an Angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give the glory to God; and being eaten up of worms he gave up the ghost. [ Acts XII. 3, 17.]

The very same History Josephus exemplifies: adding also the appearing of the owl, lest the divination of his German Prophet should seem void. He had now finished the third year of his reign [ the fourth now beginning ] when he came to Cesarea, which was formerly called Stratons tower, where he solemnized some yearly plays for Caesar's health: to which festivity a great multitude of Noble men and youngsters came together out of all the Province. On the second day of this celebrity, he goes all attired with his Princely Robes richly and curiously wrought with silver, which by the reflection of the rising Sun yielding an angelical or extraordinary luster, struck reverence into the spectators. And presently some wicked parisites with acclamations from a far off, saluted him God, desiring him to be propitious to them, for that hither to they had only honored him as a man, but now they saw there was something more in him than human. This impious adulation he neither refused nor repelled: and a little after looking up, he saw over his head an owl sitting upon a rope extended upon some occasion, and presently perceiving that as this was an indicium of his good fortune, so now of his ruin, he was struck to the very heart. Afterwards his belly began to torment him more and more grievously, wherefore turning to his friends, he said. Behold I who by your appellation am a God, am commanded out of this life, my certain fate giving the lie to your flattery, and I whom you saluted immortal, am forced to death, But I must endure the pleasure of the Heavens, for I have not lived ill, yea so happily that all men may call me blessed. Having spoken these things his pain grew worse and worse: and presently these things being di • vulged about the Country, the rumour went that he was adying; wherefore immediately all the people with their wives and children were in sackcloth after their country manner, praying to God for the health of their King, making all places ring with their lamentations and howling. And the King lying on a high bed and looking down and seeing the people prostrate on their faces, he could not forbear weeping. In fine his pain lasted in great extremity, and without intermission for five days space, and he then ended his life. [ Joseph. lib. 19. cap. ult. ]

Josephus attributes to him seven years reign, four under Gaius (deduceing three or four months; for Gaius himself did not rule four whole years) and three under Claudius; (adding in like manner three or four months) and adds further of him, that his yearly revenue came to one thousand two hundred myriades, which, he was so noble and liberal, did not suffice his expenses, but that he was fain to borrow money. [ Ibid. ]

Before the Kings death was divulged, Herod the Dynast of Chalcis, and Chelcias the Master of the Militia conferred together, and sent Ariston to kill Silas their common enemy, as if by the Kings command. [ Ibid. ]

Agrippa left of his posterity one son only, named Agrippa, at that time in the 17 year of his age, who was educated at Rome with Claudius, and three daughters, of whom Berenice was married to Herod her Uncle at the age of sixteen, and the other two he left Virgins: Mariamme ten years old betrothed by her father to Julius Archelaus the son of Chelcias, and Drusilla six years of age by him likewise betrothed to Epiphanes the son of Antiochus, King of the Comagenians. [ Ibid. ]

When it was certainly known that Agrippa was dead, the Caesareans and Sebastians (two Cities built by his father) cast out most unworthy reproaches against the dead Prince: and the common Soldiers, with one consent, dragging his and his daughters Statues out of the Palace, brought them into the brothels, and abused them in such calumnious wise, that it is a shame to tell: and making feasts and banquets in all public places, they fall to jollity, adorning themselves with garlands, and anointing their bodies, sacrificing, or making offerings to Charon, and even worshipping one another, for the joy they conceived by the death of the King. [ Id. ibid. ]

The Word of God being sowed, increased and multiplied. But Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had finished their ministry there, and took along with them John Mark. [ Acts XII. 24, 25.]

Claudius deprived the Rhodians of their liberty, because they had crucified certain Romans. [ Dio. lib. 60. pag. 681.]

When Claudius would have sent young Agrippa into his Kingdom, to succeed his father, his freed men and friends, who could do much with him, disuaded him, saying, It was dangerous to commit so great a Kingdom to so young a youth, who had scarce passed child-hood; and so very unfit to rule there, since it was a great burden for the stayedst man's soldiers. In which he could not deny but they spoke rationally and truly. [ Joseph. lib. 19. cap. ult. ] Although indeed their aim was at the praefectureship of that Kingdom, thereby to make themselves rich. Whither is to be referred that of Tacitus. [ lib. 9. hist. cap. 9.] Claudius the King being dead, or brought low, granted the prefecture of Judea to Roman Knights, or freed men.

Claudius therefore made Cuspius Fadus, President of Judea, and all the Kingdom of Agrippa, (which was much greater than the first Herod his grandfathers) honoring the dead King in this, that he would not being Marsus his enemy into his Kingdom: and chiefly gave Fadus in charge, severely to chastise the Caesareans and Sebastians for their injury to their dead King, and the contumely against his daughters yet living; and drew out the Caesarean band, and the Sebastian, with the fifth Cohort, to make war in Pontus: and substituted in their room Soldiers chosen out of the Romans, that were appointed to defend Syria. But afterwards the Soldiers sending an Ambassador to Claudius, obtained of him that they might stay in Judea, who in aftertimes were the beginning of most grievous calamity to the Jews, and the very seed of that war which grew up in the Presidentship of Florus. [ Joseph. lib. 19. fin. ]

Josephus writes in the beginning of his twentieth book, that having amov'd Marsus in • avour of his dead friend Agrippa, Claudius made Cassius Longinus Prefect of Syria in his stead, although for three years after this, Tacitus will have him to be President there.

The Jews that dwelt beyond the river Jordan, [Year of the World 4048] had a contest with the Philadelphians, about the limits of the Town Na • a, a place full of most warlike people. The Transamn • nsians, or the Jews beyond the River, without the knowledge or consent of their rulers, took arms, and slew many of the Philadelphians. Which when Caspius knew, he was very much offended, for that if the Philadelphians had done them any wrong, they would not make him acquainted, when as so they might have been righted, but did so rashly run to arms on their own heads. Therefore having laid hold of three of the ringleaders, he commanded they should be bound, one of these, by name Anibas, he executed; the other two, to wit Amaramus and Eleazar he banished. And not long after, he took and condemned Tholomaeus to death, who was chief of the robbers, and had in many things very much injured the Pamaeans and the Arabians, and did his endeavor to scour the whole Country of Judea of all robberies. [ Joseph. lib. 10. cap. 1.]

Cassius Longinus (or as Tacitus thinks, Vibius Marsus) being President of Syria, and coming to Jerusalem with his army, together with Caspius Fadus, Procurator of the Jews, called together the Priests and chief of the Jews, and plainly shown unto them the full purport of the Emperors commands; That the stole and other ornaments of the High Priest, in the Tower called Antonia, should be laid up and kept by the Romans, as it was wont to be before Vitellius his time. They durst not contradict them in anything, but desired leave to send an Ambassador to Caesar, to endeavor to gain that favor of him, that they might not be deprived of the privilege of keeping the holy stole, and that they would have so much patience as to remain Caesar's answer in it. They answered, That they might, if they would first give hostages for the performance of Caesar's will, and their security. They readily delivered up their children, and dispatch away Ambassadors. [ Joseph. lib. 15. cap. ult. & lib. 20. cap. 1.]

In the Church at Antioch there were Prophets, and Doctors, Barnabas and Simeon, Niger and Lucius, Cyrenaeus (and Manahem, who was educated together with Herod the Tetrarch) and Saul. All which serving God and fasting, the Holy Ghost commanded Barnabas and Saul to separate themselves from the rest, and set themselves to preaching the gospel. These being commended to God by the Church, with fasting and praying and imposition of hands, taking with them John Marc. a servant, they came to Seleucia, and from thence sailed into Cypru • , (Barnabas his Country) where amongst the Salaminians they first began to preach the word of God in the Synagogues of the Jews. [ Acts XIII. 1, 4.]

Travailing over that Island as far as Paphas, they there found a false prophet a Jew, Barjesu, sir-named Elymas or Magus, who endeavored to divert Sergius Paulus the ruler of that Country having a desire to hear Paul and Barnabas, Saul having sharply reproved this man he was presently struck with blindness, and the Proconsull being moved by this miracle and the Doctrine of the Gospel was converted to the faith. And from this time Saul is always found named by his new name Paul. Then he and those that came with him to Paphus went to Perga of Pamphilia, where John Marcus leaving them returns to Jerusalem. [ ibid. ]

The Hierosolymitan Ambassadors by the intercession of Agrippa, who was then with Claudius 〈◊〉 the confirmation of that privilege of keeping the Stole first granted them by Vitellius. And also prevailed for a rescript in this business from Claudius in the V. year of his Tribunal power to the Magistrates at Jerusalem. Dated the IV. Kalends of July by Rufus, and Pompeius Sylvanus Consuls, writing to Herod King, Chalcis, and Aristobulus the younger his most endeated friends, that herein he would gratify them. [ Joseph. lib. 15. cap. ult. & lib. 20. cap. 1.]

About the same time Herod the King of Chalcis petitions Claudius with success for the command of the temple and holy treasury, and the right of choosing the High-Priests. [ id. lib. 20. cap. 1.]

Claudius because that upon his birth day there would be an eclipse of the Sun, and in regard there had some prodigies happened, fearing least it might occasion some stir and tumult; before the time, he, in writing published not only that there would be an eclipse, but the very time, space, and all the natural causes of it, and demonstrated that it could be no otherwise, [ Dio. lib. 60. pag. 682.] Now the birth-day of Claudius fell upon the Kalends of August, [ id. ibid. pag. 667.] on which day the Sun almost two hours before noon was in eclipse to a fourth part of the Diameter.

Herod, King of Chalcis, amo • ing Simon Cantharas placed his son Josephus Canens (or Camydes) in the High Priest-hood. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 1.]

Theudas, a mere impostor, pretending himself to be a prophet, persuaded a great multitude of the Jews to take their riches with them, and follow him to Jordan; prom • sing them that he would divide the river and make them an easy way through; against these Fabius Caspius the Procurator of the Jews, sent out some troops of horse, who entering in upon the body of them at unawares, slew a great number of them, & took many alive, amongst the rest Theudas himself whose head they took off and brought it to Jerusalem. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 2. fin. ]

Paul and Barnabas leaving Perga came to Antioch in Pisidia, and entering into their Synagogues on the Sabbath day after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, are invited by the rulers of the Synagogue to teach, where Paul having made an excellent sermon, and being gone out of the Jews Synagogus, the Gentiles entreated that they would expound the same things to them the next Sabbath day, and the company being dissolved many devout Jews and religious Proselytes follow Paul and Barnabas who speaking to them admonished them to continue in the grace and favor of God. [ Acts XIII. 14. 43.]

The next Sabbath almost all the whole City came flocking to hear the word of God, but the Jews seeing the multitude were filled with envy and contradicted what Paul spoke • with whose blasphemies Paul and Barnabas being grievously offended they left the Jews, and preach only to the Gentiles: who with joy embracing the Gospel, all, as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed: and the word of God was divulged over that whole Nation: where the Jews being frustrated in their malicious design by the means of many religious women, (called by the Hebrews Proselytes of the gate ) both honorable and the chief in the City, they raised a commotion, and drove Paul and Barnabas out of their coasts, who shaking the dust of their feet against them, they came to Iconium and the Disciples were filled with joy, and the Holy Ghost. [ ib. 44, 52.]

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas entering the Synagogue of the Jews spake so, that both Jews and Greeks might believe. But the Jews, who were incredulous, exasperated and prejudiced the minds of the Grecians against the brethren. Yet they sta • ied there a great while and spoke freely as inspired by the Lord who gave testimony to the word of his grace, and did many miracles by their hands [ Acts XIV. 1, 2, 3.] At which time Thecla a noble maid of Iconium is thought to be converted to the faith of Christ: whose acts are notwithstanding most deservedly set down amongst the Apocrypha by the LXX. a Synod of Bishops had under Gelasius.

The multitude of Iconium being divided, some were for the Jews some for the Apostles: But when it came to pass that a strength both of Jews and Gentiles together with their chief Rulers came flocking to injure and stone them, they fled away into the cities of Lyconia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the Region thereabouts, and there preached the Gospel. [ Acts XIV. 4, 7.]

At Lystra a man lame from his mothers womb is curd by Paul in the Senate. Whenas the Lystrians would have sacrificed to Paul as Mercury, and Barnabas as Jupiter, They tearing their clothes denied that honor, and had much ado to restrain the multitude from sacrificing to them. Soon after the incredulous Jews coming thither from Iconium and Antioch, and having raised a tumult, and excited the people against them, the furious multitude drew Paul being stoned, as dead out of the city. But when his Disciples came about him, he rose and entered the city. [ Ibid. 8, 20.]

In this year, and it may be at this very time, Paul was wrapped into the third heavens, and heard unspeakable words: fourteen years before the later Epistle to the Corinthians was written. [Il Corinth. XII. 2, 3, 4.] Whither is thought to refer that of Triephon in Lucian, or the ancienter author of that Dialogue inscribed Philopatris. When I met that Jewish bald-pate, justly laughed at, who being wrapped up into the very third heavens thorough the air, learnt there those things that were most excellent and glorious, he renewed us by water, made us walk in the steps of the blessed, and redeemed us from the dominions of the wicked. So Triephon. God reigning on high, great, heavenly, and eternal, the Son of the Father, the Spirit proceeding from the Father, one of three, and three of one, and in like manner thus preaching as the Christians used.

Paulus with Barnabas going from Lystra, came to Derbe, where having preached the Gospel, they gained many to Christ. [ Acts XIV. 20, 21.]

Amongst many others that gave their names to Christ at this time, was Timothy with his holy mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois, who took care to teach him the Scriptures from his very infancy. He being in these parts, although as yet a very child, was an eye-witness of the sufferings of his spiritual father Paul at Antioch (in Pisidia) Iconium, and Lystra, (in Lycaonia) [ Acts XVI. 1, 2. Il Tim. l. 2, 5. & III, 11, 15.]

Paul and Barnabas going no further than Derbe, returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antiochia, confirming the minds of the Discip • es, and exhorting them to endure affliction for their faiths sake without wavering: and having constituted Bishops over them in every of their Churches, and praying for them with fasting, they commended them to God in whom they believed. Afterwards travelling over Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and having declared and published the word of the Lord at Perga, passed into Italy, and thence sailed to Antioch, whence they first went about the work, they afterwards performed; where to the congregated Churches declared what God had done by them, and how he had opened the door of Faith to the Gentiles. [ Acts. XIV. 21, 27.]

Tiberius Alexander is made Successor to Caspius Fidus, in the administration of the Jewish affairs, being the son of Alexander Alabarch of Alexandria (an old friend of Claudius's) who had forsaken the Jewish, his country religion. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 3.]

A little after this, the fame of it passing thorough all Judea, Helena the Queen of the Adebans (on the confines of Assyria and Mesopotamia) is converted by a certain Jew to the worship of the True God, and comes to visit the Temple at Jerusalem, that she might worship there the True God, and pay her vows, provided plentifully for her journey,; being diverted for a few days by her son Izates, who was then King, and afterwards coverted to the same Religion by Ananias the Jewish Merchant. Where when she saw many of the Jews even starving with famine, out of her own purse she sent some to Alexandria for a great quantity of wheat, others to Cyprus to fetch thence a great deal of figs to their rel • ef, who made a speedy return; and she divided all the store to those that wanted it. Her son also Izates, hearing what a distress they were in by famine, sent money to the chief Magistrates at Jerusalem. [ Id. ibid. cap. 2. & 3.]

Izates the King sent his five sons to Jerusalem to learn their language and customs exactly. His mother Helena also erected three Pyramids three stadias distant from Jerusalem. In which afterwards the bones of her son Izates were intombed. [ Id. cap. 2.] Which Monuments of Helena were extant, not only in the time of Josephus, but Eusebius also. [ Joseph. lib. 5. bell. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . in Greek, or lib. 6. cap. 6. & 7. in Latin. Euseb. lib. 2. Histor. Ecclesiast. cap. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . & Hier. Epist. 27.]

Paul and Barnabas stayed at Antioch with the Disciples a great while, [Year of the World 4050] [ Acts XIV. 28.] after which Paul, as it appears, propagated the Gospel even to Illirium; preaching such things to them concerning Christ, as they never heard before, Rom. XV. 19, 20.] and suffered those things which in his later Epistle to the Corinthian • , [ cap. XI. 24.] he commemorates: to wit, that as at Philippi afterwards, so twice elsewhere by the Gentiles he had been whipt with rods, and received 5 times 4 hundred stripes from the Jews; that he had thrice made shipwreck, and was all night in the deep. For since we find, that between the return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, and their going to the Council at Jerusalem, was 5 years, we cannot place these things better any where, than in so large a vacuum and silence in the History of the Church.

Valerius Asiaticus being again Consul, the Island Therasia rose out of the Aegean sea, [ Seneca, Natural. quaest. lib. 2. cap. 26. & lib. 6. cap. 21.] in a night wherein the Moon was eclipsed. [ Aurel. Victor. in Claudio. ] This eclipse was seen the very night between the last day of December, (which terminated that year in which Valerius Asiaticus was the second time Consul) and the Kalends of January, which begins the Consulships of Claudius Aug. IV. & L. Vitellius III. in whose time a little Island. before never seen, appeared near Thera, as Dio relates. [ lib. 60. pag. 685.]

James and Simon the sons of Judas of Galilee (who, [The Julian Period. 4760] in Qurinius his time solicited the Jews to a revolt) were crucified for it. [Year after Christ 47] [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 3.]

Herod the King of Chalcis, amoving Josephus the son of Camydas, constituted Ananias the son of Nehedaeus High Priest in his room. [ Id. ibid. ]

Gotarzes prepares to destroy Artabanus King of the Parthian, with his wife and son, [ Tacit. lib. 11. cap. 8,] But Artabanus dying, left his kingdom to Bardanes his son, [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 2.] For these two brothers Gotarzes and Bardanes, are rather to be thought Artabanus his sons with Josephus, than his brothers with Tacitus.

Bardanes being invited by the Parthians (who feared the cruelty of Gotarzes) to be their King; being a man prompt enough to all high and desperate designs, in two days space he invaded, three thousand stadia's oft, and assaulted Gotarzes (who was all in a fright at his coming, so altogether unexpectedly,) and without delay seized upon the next Provinces also; the Seleucians only denying him subjection. Against whom, as being also such as revolted from his father, he being more incensed than the present opportunity could well bear, is puzlled with the siege of that strong City, fortified on the one side by a river, and on the other with a very strong guard. In the intrim Gotarzes by the aid of the Dahae and Hyrcanians, recruits his forces, and renews the war, and thereupon Bardanes is forced to leave the siege of Seleucia, and pitch his tents in the Bactrian fields. [ Tacit. lib. 11. cap, 8.]

Hearing the news of the Parthians discord, and that they were various in the election of their King, Mithridates King of Armenia the Greater, by the advice of Claudius Caesar, re-marches into that kingdom, confiding in the power and wealth of his brother Pharasmanes, King of the Iberians; and indeed, the affairs of the East being so distracted and the people unresolved who to incline unto, he possessed himself of Armenia: the Roman soldiers subdueing the castles and strong forts whilst the Iberian army kept the field: nor did the Armenians resist, Demonactes their General who only durst design a battle being slain. Presently hereupon Cotys, King of Armenia the Less, made thitherward: but Caesar having taken him off the design by letters, all the countries came flocking in to Mithridates, who was something more stern than was convenient in his new kingdom. [ ibid. cap. 8, & 9.]

Gotarzes and Bardanes being about to join battle; Gotarzes discovering the treachery of the people to his brother, they shook hands and swore at an altar to revenge themselves upon one the others enemies, and to agree betwixt themselves. And Bardanes appearing fitter to hold the kingdom, Gotarzes to avoid all emulation, went quite away into Hyrcania. [ Ibid. cap. 9.]

At Bardanes his return thither Seleucia is delivered up unto him the seventh year after the defection. After this he invades the most strong Provinces, and had in his mind to recover Armenia; but was prevented by Vibius Marsus (or, according to Josephus Cassius Longinus rather) threatening war to the Ambassador of Syria. [ Ibid. ]

Ventidius Cumanus succeeded Tiberius Alexander in the government of the Jews, [The Julian Period. 4761] and Herod King of Chalcis brother of that great Agrippa died in the eighth year of Claudius his reign; leaving three sons behind him: of whom Aristobulus was by his former wife Mariamme, and of Berenice his brothers daughter, Bernicianus, and Hyrcanus. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 3.]

The Feast of the Passover drawing near, and much people flocking from all parts to the solemnity, Cumanus (after the example of the preceding Presidents) sets one Cohort for a guard upon the Porch of the Temple to restrain tumults if there should happen any. On the fourth day of the Feast, one of the soldiers showing his obscene parts to the multitude, they cried out (being enraged by that contumely.) That not only they, but he who they honored in that feast, was affronted by it, and some of the boldest of them railed against Cumanus saying this impudent soldier was sent by him. When Cumanus heard this he was not a little troubled: but yet desired the people to raise no commotions in the time of the feast; and when they still railed at him, he commanded the whole army to Antonia, a Castle close adjoining to the temple. The commonpeople, seeing the soldiers coming were afraid, and began to flee with such violence that being strained with the narrowness of the passage, and thinking the soldiers had pursued them, they oppressed and trod one another, so that 20000. of them were found dead, as Josephus hath it in the 4 chapter of the 20 book of his antiquities. But in his book of the Jewish wars we read that [cap. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , above ten thousand perished: where Rufinus reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 above thirty thousand: Eusebius as well in his Chronicle as his ecclesiastical History the second book, [ cap. 18. 19. & Orosius lib. 7. cap. 6.] retaining the very same number.

Some who by flight escaped this tumult, in the Highway, about Bethoron, 100. stadia's from the City robbed Stephen the servant of Caesar, as he was travailing, and took all his packs of treasure. When Cumanus heard this he sent soldiers thither, with command to destroy the villages next adjoining to that place. In this havoc one of the soldiers brought out the books of the Mosaical Law which he found in one of those villages, and tore them in the sight of them all, railing exceedingly both against the Law and the Nation. When this news came to the Jews, gathering a great company they made for Cesarea, where Cumanus then resided, entreating him that he would revenge not their own, but the contempt and injury of their God. Then the Praesident, being afraid of the defection of the people, by the advice of his friends, put the soldier to death that had done the fact, and so appeased the tumult. [ Josep. ut supra. ]

Apollonius the Tyanean, upon his journey to the Indians, entered the City Babylon, the second month of the third year of Bardanes, and there conferred with the King. [ Philostrat. in vita Apollon. lib. 1. cap. 19. & 20. compared with Euseb. in Hierocl. ]

Gotarzes, repenting that he had yielded up his Kingdom, and recalling his nobility who were the more enslaved by the peace, he gathered a great force, and is met at the river Erindes in the passage whereof there was a great contest, and Bardanes had the better of it, and with good success proceeded and subdued the mid Countries to the river Gindes, which divides between the Dahae and the Arians, & there his success terminated: for the Parthians although Conquerors despised the enemy afar off; and therefore erecting monuments there, by which their riches were sufficiently manifest, (no tribute but that of the Arsacidae ever coming to any of that Nation:) Bardanes returned with great glory, and so much the sterner and more intolerable to his subjects. [ Tacit. lib. 11. cap. 10.]

Bardanes, going to Izates King of the Adialeni, persuaded him that he would join with him in war against the Romans; whom Izates endeavored to divert from his purpose, moderately recounting unto him the Roman acts and their power. Bardanes offended at this presently denounces war against Izates, but was prevented of prosecuting the same by death, [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 2.] for the Parthians, when they knew his mind, that he was resolved to wage war with the Romans at unawares, whilst he was intent at hunting slew him in his prime, the chief of all young Kings, and if he had as well obtained the love of his subjects as the fear of his enemies, he might have been numbered amongst the old ones. [ Id. ibid. Tacit. lib. 11 cap. 10.]

The Parthian affairs being disjointed by the death of Bardanes, they were again doubtful who should be King. Many inclined to Gotarzes, some to Maherdates (the son of Phraates the third, the son of Zenones the first) who was then pledge with the Romans. At last Gotarzes prevailed, and being possessed of the Palace, forced the Parthians by his luxury and cruelty to sent privately to Claudius, to send them Maherdates to be their King, [ Tacit. ibid. ] complaining of Gatarzes his cruelty, both to the nobility and comminalty; For first he exhausted his brothers, then his neighbors, then those farther off with slaughters, adding their wives big with child, their children small, so that being sluggish and licentious at home, and unfortunate in war, he covered his sloth by his cruelty. [ Id. lib. 12. cap. 10.]

When Didius, the Roman General had deposed Mithridates from the Kingdom of Bosphorus, and had constituted his son Cotys, a mad young blade, there, he led away thence the power of the army, leaving only some few Cohorts, under the command of Julius Aquila, a Roman Knight: with the new King. Mithridates having lost all, and wandering about, cited together the Nations, and gathered out of them all the runnagadoes; and in fine, got together an army, wherewith he deprived the King of the Daridae of, and enjoyed, his Kingdom. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 15.]

The Parthian Ambassadors being heard, Claudius sends Mithridates to be their King, advising him that he should not think of rule and servants, but of government and fellow Citizens, and that he should express mercy and Justice: and gave command to C. Cassius, who was President of Syria, that he should see the young man sat upon the bank of Euphrates. [ Id. ibid. cap. 11.]

At this time Cassius excelled all others in his skill in the laws, but was very ignorant in martial affairs: but in that he came to it peaceably, he renewed the ancient custom, exercising the Legions with the same care, as if an enemy had been invading, esteemed therefore worthy, the family of the Cassians and his ancestors, in those very Nations in high esteem. Now calling together those by whose vote Mahardates was chosen King, when he had pitched his Tents at Zeugma, where the river is very foordable; When the Noble Parthians, and the King of the Arabians, Acbarus (or Abgarus) were come, he, before them, admonished the young man Maherdates, that the edge of the Parthians would abate in this business by delay, and would turn to treachery, and therefore advised him to press on his design speedily: whose council desp • sing by the fraud of Acbarus, thinking, like a young man as he was, that all fortune consisted in luxury, he stayed at the Town Amissa many days. [ Ibid. cap. 12.]

When Mithradates was possessed of the Kingdom of the Daridae, and was thought now to be about to invade Bosphorus; Aquila and Cotys, destrusting their own power, because Zorsines, King of the Siracans (to Caucasus) had joined with Mithridates, they also seek foreign assistance, sending Ambassadors to Eunones, who ruled over the Nation of the Aorsori, (amongst the Scythians) whose society they easily obtained, showing how Mithridates rebelled against the Romans. Therefore they covenanted that Eunones should fight the horse-battles, and the Romans should look to the besieging of their Cities. [ Id. cap. 15.]

Then, having marshalled their body, they go on, the Romans and Bosphorans defending each wing of Aorsus before and behind; and thus having repulsed the enemy, they come to Soza, a Town of Dandarica, which was left by Mithridates, because the minds of the people were somewhat wavering towards him: they thought good to take it, and leave there a Garison, and so passed on to the Country of the Siracians; and having passed the river Panda, besieged Uspes, seated in a place senced both with walls and ditches, only the walls being not made of stone, but piles composed together, and earth, were something infirm, and the Towers being raised on high, the besieged were the more distressed with the pricks and fire-works. So that if night had not put an end to the conflict, they had besiged and taken it all in a day. [ Ibid. cap. 16.]

The next day Ambassadors, miserably entreating that they might go free, who were free born, offered ten thousand slaves; which the Conquerors despising, because it would be cruelty to slay them, when delivered up, and dangerous to keep such a company of prisoners, rather put it to the fortune and law of arms. And having given the soldiers, who scaled the walls, a sign to destroy: The rest being terrified by the destruction of the Uspenses, since eminent and • enced places could do no good, but they broke through rivers and all: Zorsines long considering whether it were better go on with Mithridates, or consult the affairs of his own distressed Country: at last his own affairs prevailed, and giving pledges, he fell down at the image of Caesar, in respect to the great glory of the Roman army, who were victorious, and yet not bloody, and then three days journey from the river Tanais. But in their return their fortune was far otherwise: for some of their ships in their return, touching upon the coast of the Tuarians, the Barbarians flocked together about them, and slew the Captain of their Cohort and many more. [ Ib. cap. 17.]

In the interim Mithridates, having no relief, consults whose mercy he had best implore. His brother Cotys, who was formerly his traitor, he feared would be his enemy. There was none of the Romans now of that authority, as that his promises could be much regarded, flying therefore to Eunones, and entering his Palace, casting himself upon his knees, says, Mithridates sought by sea and land so many years, behold, is now present of his own accord. Use as you please the son of great Achaemenes, for my enemies have taken all help else from me. Eunones being moved with the honor of the person, the change of fortune, and the generous petition, writes to Caesar, and sends Ambassadors to entreat him not to restore Mithridates his Kingdom, but that he would not triumph over him, nor put him to death. But Claudius being in doubt whether to punish or pardon him, at last was conquered, with the more merciful sentence. [ Ibid. cap. 18, 29, 20.]

When Carthenes sent for Mahardates to act the business, [Year of the World 4053] telling him it would be very easy, if he came without delay; he, being led away with evil council, came not strait to Mesopotamia, but fetched a compass through Armenia, a place unseasonable at that time, for that it was the beginning of winter. At last tired out with the sea and Mountains, when they drew near to the Champaign Country, they joined forces with Carthenes, and passing the river Tigris, they marched over Adiebana, whose King Iz • es openly entered friendship with Mahardates, but privately and more faithfully was a friend to Gotarzes. Notwithstanding in their journey they took the City 〈◊〉 , the most ancient seat of Assyria. [ Ibid. cap. 12. & 13.]

Mithridates of B • sphorus being brought to Rome by Cilones Procurator of Pontus, is said to have disputed with Caesar somewhat more highly than his condition required, and that he elevated his voice in these words. I am not sent back to thee, but returned: which if thou believest not, let me go again and see. His countenance also continued undaunted, when at the rostrum being hem'd on all sides with keepers, he was exposed to public view. Consular Ensigns are decreed to Cilones and to Aquila Praetorian. [ Id. cap. 21.]

When the Bythinians accused this Junius Cilones their Prefect for many and great bribes which he had taken, before Claudius, with very great clamours, and Claudius by reason of the multitude not understanding what they meant, asking those that stood by what they said, and being answered that they gave thanks to Junius; he believing it said, Let him therefore be their President two years more, [Dio. lib. 60. pag. 687.] At this time Cadius Ru • us at the accusation of the same Bythinians, is condemned of bribery by law. [ Tacit. Annal. 12. cap. 22. & Histor. lib. 1. cap. 77.]

The I • uraeans and Judaeans, their Kings Sohemus and Agrippa being dead, are added to the Province of Syria, [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 23.] Indeed the years of Agrippa the younger are hence to be deduced, and it appears out of Josephus, telling us that the beginning of the Jewish war (which fell upon the month May, according to our common account, the LXVI. year of Christ) was in the XVII. of King Agrippa, [ lib. 2. bell. cap. 13. fin. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . init. ] and out of the Grecian money to be taken notice of in the place, in which Judea was taken (about the month September, in the year of the same account LXX.) to be in the XXI year of Agrippa. And indeed Claudius did not bestow his fathers kingdom Judea upon Agrippa the younger, but his uncle Herod's of Chalcis; together with the power of the Temple and holy Treasury, and to choose High Priests, which was granted before to his uncle Herod. And his fathers kingdom was so added to Syria, that it should have Procurators notwithstanding there, by Caesar's election: Ventidius Cumanus (as formerly) retaining still at this time the administration of Judea and Galilee, and Felix being sent Procurator of Samaria, which was between them; which Felix was a freed-man of Claudius and his mother Antonia, who from her had the surname Antonius, and from him, Claudius. He was the brother of another freed-man, Pallantes, whom Tacitus notes to have been most affectionately beloved by his Patron Claudins. [ lib. 11. cap. 29.]

Gotarzes at the mountain Sambulon made vows to the god of the place with the especial religion of Hercules. [The Julian Period. 4763] But his army being not yet sufficiently stored, [Year after Christ 50] and increased, he made use of the River Corma for his defense. And although he was incited to battle by pursuits and messengers, with challenges, he delayed, and changed his station, and sending bribes to corrupt the faith and loyalty of his enemies. Of whom A • iabenus, and King Acbarus of the Arabians (of the Edessenians) with their army revolted, with a gentil-like levity, and because by experience it is known that the Barbarians would rather seek a King at Rome than find him. But Maherdates being stripped of his forces thus, and mistrusting those that remained, resolved to put it to the hazard of a battle. Nor did Gotarzes deny him battle, being grown high by the diminishing of his forces: and they fought with great slaughter and dubious event, until Carthenes having overcome his obverse wing, wheeled about with a circumference and came upon the back of his enemies. Then Mahardates, past all hope, and trusting to the promises of Parthaces his fathers client, is overcome by his deceit, and delivered up to the Conqueror. And he, blameing him not as a neighbor, or of the stock of Arsaces, but as a Roman and forreigner, cut off his ears in contempt of the Romans, and gave him his life to show his mercy. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 14.]

Josephus the son of Matthias at the age of fourteen, had attained to that praise in learning, that he was consulted about the more full sense and meaning of the Law, even by the High-priests and Primates of the City of Jerusalem: as he himself relates in the book of his Life.

Gotarzes being dead of a disease, Venones then President of the Medes being called to the rule there, had a short and most inglorious reign amongst them: and the Parthian kingdom was translated upon Volgoses his son; who, being of his mothers side the son only of a harlot, by the disagreement of his brothers attained the regiment. So Tacitus [ lib. 12. cap. 14. & 44.] Joseph. also writes, that Gotarzes being killed by treachery, his son Volgoses succeeded him, [ lib. 20. cap. 2.] adding further, that he distributed the kingdom to two brothers by the same father: viz. to one of them, Pacoius being the elder Media, and to the other and younger Tiridates Armenia.

A war arose betwixt the Armenians and Iberians, [The Julian Period. 4764] which was the cause of very great commotions betwixt the Romans and Parthians. [Year after Christ 51] Pharasm • nes obtained the Iberians by ancient possession, and his brother Mithridates the Armenians, by the help of the Romans. Pharasmanes had a son called Rhadamistus, of a most hansome, proper composure, of a very strong body, and much admired by the whole Country. When he began to affect his fathers Kingdom, and Pharasmenes fearing now, being in his decaying years, seeks to divert him, by putting another Phancy in his head, showing him Armenia, and telling him that he beat away the Parthians, and bestowed it upon Mithridates: but adding, That it was better to wave force and use cunning, and so taking him at unawares, they might easily eject him, and do what they pleased. So Rhadamistus, dissembles his discord to his father, which was not like that of a step-dame, goes to his Uncle, and by the sweetness of his behavour, enticed many things of himself, and many of his Nobles, and the chief of Armenia to commotions. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 44.]

Rhadamistus, taking upon him the show of reconciliation, returned to his father, and told him how far he had gone by fraud, and that the rest was to be performed by arms. In the interim Pharasmanes feignes causes of war, That he must war against the King of the Albanians, and that whilst he called the Romans to his aide, he should go and by his death revenge that injury of his brother. Also he delivered a great army to his son. He with a sudden eruption compelled Mithridates into the Castle Gorneas, much terrified, and deprived of the Country: the place was very safe, both by reason of the situation and the strong guard over whom Coelius Pollio was President, and Casperius was his Centurion. Rhadamistus in vain, and with great loss having attempted the fort, began to try if he could currupt the President with money, Casperius opposing it, least the King and A •• ie; and least Armenia, the gift of the Romans, should be sold with money. At last, when Poilio urged the number of the enemy, and Rhadamistus his fathers commands, having made a trace, he departs: saying, although he had affrighted Pharasmanes by wars, he should make T. Numidius Quadratus, President of Syria, acquainted in what state the affairs of Armenia stood. [ Ibid. cap. 45.]

The Sixt C • lippick Period begins.

After the departure of Casp • rius the Centurion, Pollio the Prefect, being, as it were, rid of his keeper, exhorts Mithridates to a league, with his elder brother Pharasmanes, relating to him also all other respects he was engaged in; as that he had his daughter in marriage, that he was Uncle to Rhadamistus, &c. Mithridates delaying the business, and suspecting the counsel of Pollio, for that he kept a hoor, and was given up to all manner of lust and luxury, and accounted Venial, or mercenary. Ca • parius in the interim requires of Pharasmanes, that the I • eria • s might be withdrawn from the siege. He incertainly and often gently answers him: but in the mean while sends privately to Rhadamistus, to hasten the gaining of the Castle by any means. He augments the prom • se of reward for their treachery, and Pollio privately persuades the Soldiers by delivering it up to consult their own safety, and the Countries peace. In which necessity Mithridates appoints the day and place of the conference, and goes out of the Castle. When first Rhadamistus, counterfeiting obedience, falls to embrace him, calling him father in law, and father: adding by an oath that he would injure him neither by sword nor poison, and presently leading him into a grove hard by, told him he had provided to sacrifice there, that by the witness of the gods, their peace might be confirmed. But there was Mithridates cast down and bound with chains, and at length the commands of Pharsamanes being received. Rhadamistus, as if mindful of his oath, cast down his father in law and Uncle, together with his own wife, and heaping many and heavy packs upon them, they so perished. His sons all, because they cried at their fathers death, he killed. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 46. & 47.]

Quadratus, when he heard Mithridates was betrayed and slain, and Armenia possessed by his murderers, calls a council, propounds the business, and whether it were to be revenged. Having a while debated in the business, many were of opinion to desist in it. But least they should seem to assent to such a wickedness, and Caesar should command them otherwise: messengers are sent to Pharasmanes, to require him to depart from the coasts of Armenia, and recall his son. [ Ib. cap. 48.]

Julius Pelignus was Procurator of Cappadocia, [Year of the World 4055] equally contemptible for his ridiculous person, as the sluggishness of his disposition: but very familiar formerly with Claudius, when he was a private man, and most affected with ease and sloth. This Pelignus, gathering together the Auxiliaries of the Provinces, as if he would recover Armenia, and preying rather upon his friends than his enemies, by the defection of his forces, and the incursions of the Barbarians, being left destitute, comes to Rhadamistus, and being overcome by his bribes, exhorts him again to take up the Kingly Ensigns, and was the very author and abettor to him in it. Which being divulged in dishonorable terms, least the rest should be branded with Pelignus fault, Helvidius Priscus is sent Ambassador with a Legion for a time, to take care of those disturbed affairs. He therefore passing the Mountain Taurus with all speed, composed more things by moderation than force. When he is commanded to return into Syria, lest the beginning of a war against the Parthians should arise: for Vologeses was supposed to have consulted the invading of Armenia; which having been enjoyed by his ancestors was wickedly compassed by a foreign King; he gathered an army, and prepared to bring his brother Tiridates into the Kingdom, that none of the family might be without a Kingdom, At the entering of the Parthians, the Iberians were overcome without a fight, and the Cities of Armenia, Artaxata and Tigranocerta came under their yoke. Upon this a grievous sharp winter, and want of Provision ensue betwixt which there grew a languishing sickness amongst them, which compelled Vologeses to desist proceeding further in the business at present. [ Id. cap. 49. & 50.]

Rhadamistus again invades Armenia, (it being void of a ruler) more cruelly than before, as if he came against revolters, and who in time would rebel. But they all, though accustomed to servitude, abandoned all patience, and ran to arms, inclosing the Palace, which put Rhadamistus to that that he had no other way to save himself, but by the swiftness of his horses, by which he conveyed away both himself and his wife Zenobia. And his wife being great with child, would notwithstanding (for that it was the first flight, and for fear of the enemy, together with her love to her husband) endure it. Afterwards with continued haste, her belly began to be over much jogged, and her bowels to torment her with gripings and pangs: she prays that she might rather die honorable, than live with the disgrace of captivity. He, at first, embraces her, cherishes, and helps her, sometimes wondering at her courage, sometimes even sick with fear, if he should leave her, somebody might light of her and wrong her. At last for the violence of his love, and being no baby in wicked exploits, he drew his saulchion, and having wounded her sufficiently, he drags her to the bank of the river Araxis, and flings her into it, least even her body should come into the enemies possession. He presently went through Iberia to his fathers Throne. In the mean time some shepherds found Zenobia, manifestly breathing and alive, and supposing that she was nobly born, by the comliness of her person, they bind up her wounds, and apply their Country Medicines: and when they knew her name and chance, they carried her to Artaxata; from whence being brought to Tiridates by the public charge, he receives her courteously, and useth her as a Queen. [ Ibid. cap. 50, 51.]

Certain professors of the Name of Christ, of the sect of the Pharisees, came down from Judea to Antioch, and said that the Christians of the Gentiles ought to be circumcised, and keep the Law of Moses, if they would be saved; disturbing the souls of many of the brethren in Syria and Silicia, with their perverse doctrine, against whom Paul and Barnabas stiffly oppose themselves. [ Acts XV. 1, 2, 5, 23, 24.] Paul calls them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , brethren brought in unawares. [Gal. II. 4.] Philastrius de Haeres. cap. 87. & Epiphanius. Heres. 28. say, That Cerinthus, that arch Heritick, was the first brocher of this opinion.

Paul, [The Julian Period. 4765] fourteen years after his going to Jerusalem, [Year after Christ 52] undertaken three years after his conversion, goes to Jerusalem with Barnabas, [ Gal. II. 1.] both of them being sent from the Church at Antioch with some others, that they might ask the judgment of the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, (whose names those disturbers had abused, to bolster out their opinion) concerning the controversy newly risen. [ Acts XV. 2, 3, 24.]

Paul goes up by Revelation, Titus a Grecian going up with him, whom he would not compel to be circumcised, least that he should seem to give place to the false brethren for a moment. [ Gal, II. 1, 5.]

Paul and Barnabas in their journey through Phenicia and Samaria, declare the conversion of the Gentiles to the great joy of all the brethren, and when they came to Jerusalem, were received by the Church, and of the Apostles and Presbyters, telling what things God had done by them. [ Acts XV. 3, 4.]

Paul communicated the Gospel that he had preached among the Gentiles, privately to the chief among the Apostles, James, Peter, and John, (who were thought to be Pillars) who when they saw that the Gospel among the Gentiles was committed unto him, as to Peter among the Jews, and perceived the grace that was given unto him, they gave the right hands of fellowship to him and Barnabas, that these should do the office of the Apostleship among the Gentiles, and they among the Jews, advising them only, that they should take care of relieving the poor at Jerusalem. [ Gal. II. 2, 7, 9, 10.]

In a council of the Apostles and Elders, held at Jerusalem, when after much disputing, Peter had spoken his opinion, Barnabas and Paul declared what great miracles God had done by them among the Gentiles: then James concluding, that it seemed good by the common decree of the Apostles, Elders, and of the whole Church, that no other thing should be laid upon the believing Gentiles, but that they should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood, to which purpose the Synods letters were written to them of Antioch, and to the rest of the brethren in Syria and Silicia: which they delivered to be carried to Antioch, to Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men in the Church, with Barnabas and Paul: who when they came to Antioch, and had delivered and read the letters, the brethren greatly rejoiced. Judas and also Silas, being Prophes also themselves, confirming them with many words. [ Acts XV. 6. 32.]

Somewhat after, Judas being returned to the Apostles, it seemed good to Silas to stay at Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas, with many others, preached the Gospel. [ Ibid. 33, 34, 35.]

Josephus, the son of Matthias, in the sixteenth year of his age, began with great and heard labor, to make trial of all three, viz. of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essines. [ Joseph. in his Life. ]

To Pallus, the freed man of Claudius, were decreed the Pretorian ornament, and 150000 Sesterces. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 53.]

When the Galileans go to the feast at Jerusalem, they must needs go through Samaria. [ John IV. 3, 4.] It happened that there was a Galilean killed, at a Village of the Samaritans, called Nais, otherwise Geman) whereupon there arose a fight between the Passengers and Villagers, in which many of the Galileans were lost: the Rulers taking this very heinously, stirred up the Jews to arms, exhorting them to defend their liberty: that servitude was troublesome of itself, but then it was intolerable, when it was joined with the injuries of their Subjects. Wherefore at Jerusalem, they leaving the feast, the common people being armed, invade Samaria: neither would they surcease, do what the Magistrates could. There were also called into their aide Eleazar, the son of Dineus, and Alexander, the Captains of the Thieves, who making an inroade upon the Samaritans, that bordered on the Country of Acrabatena, made a confused slaughter, sparing no age nor sex, and burnt also the Towns: but Cumanus knowing what was done, took with him one Troup of the Sebastian Horse, and four Cohorts of Foot, arming also the Samaritans, goes against the Jews; and when he had overtaken them, he slew many of them that followed Eleazar, but took more prisoners. Then the Rulers of Jerusalem, when they saw to what calamity they were brought, put on sack-cloth and ashes on their heads, beseeching the rest of the multitude that went to destroy the territories of Samaria, that they would leave off their design: setting before their eyes, how their Country would be destroyed, the Temple burnt, and their wives and children taken Captives. Wherefore they prayed them that laying aside their arms, every man would betake himself to his own arms: to which the Jews yielded, and went home, but the thieves retired again to their strong holds, and from that time Judea was full of thieves. [ Joseph. lib. Judaic. 2. cap. 11. Antiquit. lib. 20. cap. 5.]

The Governors of Samaria resorted to Numidius Quadratus, the President of Syria, who then dwelt at Tyrus, beseeching him that he would take vengeance of the Jews, who had plundered and fired their Towns. There were present at the same time some of the Jewish Nobility, as also Jonathan, the son of Ananus the High Priest; who answering what was objected against them, said, That the beginning of the tumult arose from the Samaritans themselves, who first committed a murder, but that Cumanus was the cause of all the calamities that followed; because being corrupted with money, he would not revenge that murder. Quadratus having heard them, deferred his sentence, saying, That then he would give his judgment, when he should come into Judea, and there more exactly know the truth of the matter; and so they departed and nothing was done. [ Id. ibid. ]

In the mean time Felix, by his unseasonable remedies, provokes the Jews to offend the more. Ventidius Cumanus, who had part of the province, being his rivall in all wickedness; which provinces they thus divided, that Cumanus should command the Galileans, and Felix the Samaritans, which Nations were always at odds, but then much more, through the contempt of their Governors. They therefore made inroads one on another, sent thieves and robbers to plunder, laid ambushes, and sometimes fought battles, and brought the spoils and preys to the Governors; who were glad of it at the first: but when the mischief grew to an height, they sent Soldiers to quell it, who were all slain, and the province had been all of a flame, had not Quadratus redressed it in time. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 54.]

Neither did he long defer to put those Jews to death, that had killed the Roman Soldiers. Cumanus and Felix drew the matter at length, because Claudius; when he had heard the causes of the rebellion, gave authority to him of determining even of the Governors themselves. But Quadratus set Felix among the Judges, (because he was the brother of Pallas, the great Favorite at Rome) and received him into the Tribunal to him, that he might daunt his accusers, and so Cumanus is alone condemned for the faults that both had committed, and by that means he set the Province in peace. [ Id. Ibid. ]

The Nations of the Country, Cilicians, called Clites, having Trosobores (or Arosoboras) for their Captain, encamped upon rough Mountains, and from thence running down to the shores and Cities, plundered the husbandmen and Citizens, but most commonly the Merchants and Seamen. They besieged also the Cities of the Anemunenses, and also put to flight the horsemen sent from Syria, that were sent to their aid with their Captain Curtius Severus, because the places thereabouts were good to fight afoot, but naught for horsemen. Then Antiochus the King of that country, using fair words towards the common people, and policy towards their Captain, divided their forces: put to death Trosoborus, and some of the ring-leaders, and appeased the rest thorough his clemency. [ Id. ibid. cap. 55.]

Peter the Apostle coming to Antioch, did eat and familiarly converse with the believing Gentiles: but when certain brethren of the Jews came thither from James, he withdrew himself from the Gentiles: whose example also some Jews of the Church of Antioch followed; insomuch that Barnabas was carried away with their dissembling. This preposterous dissembling as being contrary to the Gospel, Paul not brooking, withstood him to the face; and sharply reproved his fearfulness before them all [ Gal. II. 11, 14.]

Quadratus coming to Samaria, [Year of the World 4056] commanded those that were accused to defend their cause, [The Julian Period. 4766] and found that the tumult began through the Samaritans fault. [Year after Christ 53] But going to Cesarea he knew that some Jews endeavored an innovation, wherefore he hanged those that Cumanus had taken alive and kept prisoners: then going to Lydda a Town as big as a City, sitting in the Tribunal hearing again the cause of the Samaritans, he learned from a certain Samaritan, that Dortus a Ruler of the Jews had persuaded the Jews to a revolt; whom he put to death: and struck off the head of eighteen Jews, who had been in the fight. [ Joseph. lib. 2. bell. cap. 11. & lib. Antiquit. 20. cap. 5.]

Quadratus sent to Caesar two of the chief Priests, Jonathan and Annanias, and his son Ananus, and some of the Nobility of the Jews, and likewise also some of the Nobility of the Samaritans; he commanded also Cumanus the Governor, and Celer the Tribune to go to Rome, to give an account to Caesar of that that they had done in the country. [ Id. ibid. ]

This being done, Quadratus fearing the Jews might make some innovation, went from Lydda to Jerusalem; where he finds all things quiet, and the people busy about their Feast of unleavened bread, and offering sacrifice: thinking therefore that they would be quiet, he left them busy at their Feast, and returned to Antioch. [ Id. ibid. ]

Cumanus and the Samaritans being sent to Rome, at an appointed day, are commanded to defend their cause; but they had got the favor of Caesar's freed-men and friends, and had gotten the day by their means, if King Agrippa the younger then living at Rome, and seeing the Rulers of the Jews over-powered by the favor of the great ones, had not by much entreaty obtained of Agrippina the wife of Claudius, to persuade her husband that he would fully hear the matter, and execute justice on those he found the authors of the sedition. Claudius yielded to their requests, and having heard the parties, and finding the Samaritans the beginners of the tumult, he put to death those that came before him to plead their cause. He punished Cumanus with banishment: and sending Celer the Tribune prisoner to Jerusalem, delivered him to the Jews to be punished, that he should be dragged through the City, and then have his head cut off. [ Id. ibid. ]

He then sent Claudius Felix the brother of Paulus, Governor into Judea, and that he should also command that Province, together with Samaria, and Galilee, [Id. ibid.] which Jonathan the High Priest had begged of Caesar for him. [Id. ibid. cap. 6.] Suetonius writes, That Claudius preferred Felix, one of his freed-men, to the command both of horse and foot, and to the government of Judea, and that he was the husband of three Queens. [ in Claud. cap. 28.] Tacitus writes, that being Governor of Judea, he thought he might do any wickedness securely, bearing himself upon his authority, [Annal. lib. 12. cap. 54.] and in the fifth book of his Histories, he further adds concerning his tyrannical government in Judea. Antonius Felix exercised regal power with a servile disposition by all cruelty and lust, having married Drusilla the neice of Cleopatra and Antonius: in that Claudius was the grandchild of the same Antonius and son of Felix.

When King Agrippa the younger had commanded Chalcis four years, Claudius after the 12 year of his Empire, took that from him, and gave him a greater: viz. the Tetrarchy of Philippi, to wit, Batanea, and Gaulanitis, together with Trachonitis, and also added Abila the Tetrarchy of Lysanias, which Vatus had governed. [ Josephus lib. Antiquit. 20. cap. 5. Belli. Judaic. lib. 2. cap. 11.]

The young man being thus advanced by Caesar's gifts, gave Drusilla his sister in marriage to Azazius the King of the Emisseniaus, that was circumcised: for Epiphanes the son of Antiochus the King of the Commagenians had refused her, because changing his mind, he would not embrace the Jewish Religion, as he had promised her father. He marries also Mariamme to Julius Archelaus the son of Chelcias, to whom she was betrothed by her father Agrippa. [ Id. ibid. lib. 20. cap. 5.]

Josephus the son of Matthias began to imitate the manner of living of one Banus, who living in the Wilderness, clad himself with what the trees brought forth, and used for his food those things that grew of themselves: and to keep himself chaste did often wash himself in cold water; and thus he lived three years. [ Joseph. in his Life. ]

Nero undertaking the cause of the Ilienses, in his speech rehearsed how the Romans were descended from Troy, and that Aeneas was the author of the Julian Family, and many other old things not unlike to fable, and so got that the Ilienses were freed from all public duties. [ Tacit. Annal. 12. cap. 58.] Claudius also remitted to them all tribute forever, as being the Founders of the Roman Nation, reading openly the Greek Epistle of the Senate and people of Rome, to King Seleucus, promising him friendship and alliance; but yet so, that he should acquit their kinsmen the Ilienses from all charges. [ Suetonius. in Claud. cap. 25.]

To the Rhodians also repenting of their old demerits, Claudius restored their liberty, which was both often taken away, or confirmed either as they had deserved in foreign wars, or offended by sedition at home. [ Suetonius. & Tacit. ut supra. ] Suetonius writes that he pleaded for the Rhodians and Ilienses in Greek before his father being Consul, viz. Claudius in his last Consulship, two years before [ in Nero cap. 7.] Claudius remits all tribute to the Apameans for five years, because they were ruined by an Earthquake. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. 58.]

After that Claudius propounded concerning the freeing the Coans from tribute. He alleged many things concerning their antiquity, as that the Argives even with Ceus the father of Latona (of whom the Island was named) were the ancient Inhabitants: then by the coming of Aesculapius the art of Physic was brought thither, and that he was famous to all posterity: naming them by their names, and in what ages they lived. Then saying that Zenophon his own Physician was a Coan, and descended from that Family: and that he had yielded to his entreaty, that they might hereafter be free from tribute, and be devoted to the service of that god. [ Id. ibid cap. 61.]

Paul asketh Barnabas to go again and visit the Churches where they had preached the Gospel; Barnabas determined to take John Mark with him, Paul thought it not good to take him, who had departed from them from Pamphylia, [ Acts XIII. 13.] and went not with them to the work: which Barnabas took ill, that such an infamy should lie upon his sisters son, [ Colos. IV. 10.] that the contention was so sharp, that they departed one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed into his own Country of Cyprus, but Paul being commended to the grace of God, having chosen Silas went into Syria and Silicia confirming the brethren. [ Acts XV. 36, 41.]

Paul coming to Derbe and Lystra found there among the Disciples, Timothy born of a Greek or Gentle father, but his mother was a believing Jew (Eunice) to whom all the brethren at Iconium and Lystra gave good testimony, him would Paul take with him, but that he might the sooner gain the Jews he caused to be circumcised. [ Acts XVI. 1, 2, 3.]

Paul and Silas as they passed through the Cities, delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained by the Apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem, and the Churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily. [ ibid. 45.]

Now when they had gone through Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, they were forbid by the Spirit to preach the word of God in Asia, and when they had come to Mysia they assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit not suffering them from Mysia they came down to Troas, then in his shape there seems to stand a man of Macedon before Paul, saying: come into Macedonia and help us. [Acts XVI. 6, 9.]

When he had seen this vision, we endeavoring to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us to preach the Gospel to them, saith Luke, [ Acts XVI. 10.] who speaking from henceforward of Paul and his companions in the first person whereas always before he had spoken in the third person, he doth sufficiently show that from that time he was a companion of Paul's in the preaching of the Gospel.

Paul and Silas with Luke and Timothy, [Year of the World 4057] loosing from Troas, came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis, and from thence to Philippi, the chief City of that part of Macedonia, and a Colony belonging to Italy; and they abode there certain days. [ Acts XVI. 11, 12.]

On the Sabbath day they went out of the City to the Rivers side, where was an house of prayer, and there spake unto the women that resorted thither; among which was Lydia, one that worshipped God, a seller of Purple in the City of Thyatira, attending unto the things that were spoken by Paul, the Lord opening her heart, believed in Christ: who when she was baptized and her household, entertained Paul and his companions. [ Ibid. 13, 14, 15.]

As they went afterwards to the place of prayer, an unclean spirit out of a servant that had the spirit of divination, cried after them many days; These men are the servants of the most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation: at which Paul being grieved, commanded the spirit in the name of Jesus to come out of her. And when the Masters of the maid saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they drew Paul and Silas into the Market-place, and did so much with the Rulers by their clamours, that both of them were publicly scourged, and cast into prison: where in the mid-night as they were praying and singing Psalms, there was a great Earthquake, and all the doors of the prison were opened, and all the prisoners bands were loosed: when therefore the Jailor being in desperation, would with his naked sword have killed himself, he is converted to the Faith by Paul and Silas, and baptized the same night with all his family, When it was day, the Magistrates sent them word that they might go out free, they expostulated the matter with them, concerning the shame and injury done them, because they had publicly scourged them and cast them into prison condemned, Whereupon the Magistrates came themselves and set them at liberty with honor, and besought them to depart the City: who entering into Lydia's house, comforted the brethren that came unto them, and so went out of the City. [ Ibid. 16. 40.]

As they journeyed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, the chief City of Macedonia, where was a Synagogue of the Jews, [ Acts XVII. 1, 2, 3.] There Paul writes, [I Thess. 11. 1.] after he was shamefully entreated at Philippi, he preached the Gospel with much contention: for as his custom was he went into the Synagogue of the Jews three Sabbaths together, and reasoned with them concerning Christ out of the Scriptures. Of whom some believing, there were joined to Paul and Silas of religious Greeks, a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. [ Acts XVII. 2, 3, 4.]

Paul taught the Thessalonians not only concerning Faith in Christ, but also concerning the future Apostasy of Antichrist, and his revelation. [II Thess. II. 5.]

When Paul stayed long at Thessalonica, he received once and again relief from the Philippians for his necessities. [ Phil. IV. 16.] But the Jews which believed not, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort raised an uproar in the City, they drew Jason (with whom Paul and his companion lodged) and certain brethren to the Magistrates, and accused them with great clamours. And when they had taken security from them, the brethren sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea. [ Acts XVII. 5, 10.]

Here also when they had entered into the Synagogue of the Jews, they diligently preached Christ out of the Scriptures, and the auditors comparing the things preached with the Scriptures, which when they found altogether to agree, many of them believed; both honorable women that were Greeks, and men not a few. And when the Jews of Thessalonica came thither, they stirred up the multitude against Paul; but then immediately the brethren sent them away, to go as it were to the Sea, but they brought him to Athens: receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy left at Berea that they should come unto him with all speed. [ Ibid. 10. 15.]

The Jews by the instigation of Chrestus continually tumulting, [The Julian Period. 4767] Claudius expels them to Rome, [Year after Christ 54] [ Suetonius. in Claud. cap. 25.] Suetonius, if I mistake not, mentions only Chrestus: for that Christ our Lord (for whom the Christians in another place by the same are denominated) is here meant I cannot yet persuade myself.

Paul whilst he waits for Silas and Timothy at Athens, did dispute in the Synagogue, with the Jews and devou • men, and daily in the market-place with such as met with him, disputing also with the Philosopher of the Epicurean and Stoic sect concerning Christ and the resurrection, then being brought into Marshill, as a fetter forth of strange gods, he to defend his cause in a most learned oration shows, both from the Altar dedicated to the unknown God, as also from the testimony of Aratus the Poet confirming that we are the offspring of God, that that God whom they ignorantly worship was he that was declared by him. [ Acts XVII. 16. 31.] for the God of the Jews among the Gentiles was called the unknown God, in the same sense, the uncertain God by Lucan in his second book of Pharsalia, the uncertain power by Trebellius Pollio, in the life of Claudius, and unnamed God, by Gaius Caligula, in Philo. in his legatio. to the same Gaius, to whom the inhabitants of mount Carmel, [ in Tacitus in the 2 book of his histories cap. 78.] did attribute neither image nor temple, but only an Altar and reverence, so the Athenians made an Altar to Mercy in the middle of their City without any image, Statius in his twelfth book of Thebais thus relates it.

Among those that were converted at this time by Paul, was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman, (or his wife as it seems to Ambrose, Chrysostom and Augustine) called Damaris, and some others with them. [ Acts XVII. 34.]

Felix the Governor of Judea, when he saw Drusilla the sister of King Agrippa, fell in love with her, and sent his friend Simon, a Jew by nation a Cypriot, that was a soothsayer, to persuade the woman to leave her husband, and marry him, promising that she should be happy if she did not refuse him, she unadvisedly, and willing to escape the troubles of her sister Berenice, who envied her for her beauty, consented to forsake the Jews religion and to marry Felix. But Berenice the widow of her Unckle Herod, when there was a report that she had lien with her brother King Agrippa, persuades Polemon that being circumcised he might marry he, thinking hereby that she might so prove it to be a lie, neither did Polemon refuse the match, being induced the rather because she was rich, but this marriage lasted not long, Berenice (as it was reported) through her intemperance departing from him, who being forsaken by his wife he immediately left the Jews religion. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 5.]

At the same time also Mariamme the third sister of King Agrippa, scorning Julius Archelaus the son of Chelcias, went and married Demetrius a chief man among the Jews of Alexandria both for birth and riches, and was at that time the Alabarcha. [ Id. ibid. ]

Paul sending back Silus and Timothy who had come to him from Bera, again into Macedonia, stays alone at Athens, and he had a great mind once and again to go to Thessalonica, but could not compass it, being hindered of Satan. Wherefore he sent Timothy thither, that he might confirm in the faith, and comfort the Thessalonians. [ Acts XVIII. 5. I. Thess. 11, 17, 18. III. 1, 2.]

In the mean time he left Athens and went to Corinth, where he found Aquila a Jew, and his wife Priscilla, who came lately from Italy, because Claudius had made a decree that all • Jews should depart from Rome: and because he was of the same craft of making tents with them, Paul abode with them and labored, and he reasoned in the Synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. [ Acts XVIII. 1, 5.]

Here Paul with his own hand baptized the family of Stephanus, [I. Cor. I, 16.] who were the first fruits of Achaia, and addicted themselves to the ministry of the Saints. [ ibid. XVI, 15.]

As Silas and Timothy came out of Macedonia, when the Jews withstood Paul preaching Christ with great zeal, and blasphemed: • haking his garments against them he turns aside unto the Gentiles, going into the house of one who was sir-named Just, one that worshipped God and lived near unto the Synagogue. [ Acts XVIII, 6, 7.]

Chrispus the ruler of the Synagogue believed in the Lord with all his family, and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized, [ ibid. 8.] of whom Paul baptized Chrispus and Gaius with his own hand. [I. Cor. I, 14.]

The Lord said in a vision to Paul by night, be not afraid but speak, and hold not thy peace, for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, for I have much people in this City, and he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of the Lord among them, [ Acts XVIII. 9, 10, 11.] together with Sylvanus (or Silas) and Timothy. [II. Cor. I, 19.]

After the return of Timothy from Macedonia, Paul with the same Timothy and Sylvanus (or Silas) wrote the first epistle to the Thessalonians, [I. Thess. III, 6.] in which when he had spoken something obscurely concerning the day of judgment, as if it were now at hand, [ cap. I. 1, 5.] he wrote a little after another epistle unto them, wherein he more clearly expounds that business, [I. Thess. II, 2, 3.] written verily when he had Sylvanus and Timothy for his companions in the ministry of the Gospel, [ cap. I. 1.] and after he had been with the Thessalonians, and they had embraced the saith of Christ, [ cap. II, 5.] so that Grotius was extremely mistaken, in thinking that it was written under Gaius Caligula.

The Parthians broke in and wasted Armenia, having driven out Rhadamistus, who had often enjoyed the Kingdom, and been often a fugitive, had now also forsaken that war. [ Tacit. Annal. lib. 13. cap. 6.] But when Bardanes son began to contend with Vologesus the King of the Parthians, the Parthians sorsook Armenia, as if they deferred the war. [ Id. ibid. cap. 7.]

Claudius died the III Ides of October, [Year of the World 4058] Asinius Marcellus, and Asinius Aviola being Consuls. [ Seneca. in Lud. de Mort. Claudii. Suetonius. in Claud. cap. 45. Dion. lib. 60. pag. 688.] When he had reigned thirteen years, eight month, and twenty-days. [ Dion. ibid. cum Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 5.] And in the middle of the same day, the gates of the Palace being suddenly thrown open, Nero, both the son in law and adopted son is declared Emperor. [ Tacit. lib. 12. cap. ult. ]

In the beginning of his new principality, Junius Silanus, Proconsul of Asia, a Noble man, and descended of the Caesar's, unknown to Nero, being scarce out of his childhood, and innocent; was taken away by the treachery of his mother Agrippina. The Ministers were P. Celer, a Knight of Rome, and Aelius, a freed man, they both had the charge of the Princes revenues in Asia: by these the Proconsul was poisoned at a feast. [ Tacit. lib. 13. cap. 1.]

The Ambassadors of Armenia pleading the cause of their Nation before Nero, his mother would needs come up into the seat of Audience, and sit with him: but that (the rest surprised with fear) Seneca advised him, to meet his mother, and so under color of doing his duty, prevented the discredit. [ Tacit. lib. 13. cap. 5.]

The report being brought to Rome, that the Parthians had possessed themselves of Armenia, Nero commanded the youth of the neighbor Provinces to be mustered, to supply the Legions of the East, and the Legions themselves to be planted nearer Armenia, and also the two old Kings, Agrippa (of Judea) and Jocchus (or Antiochus, rather Commagenus) that they should prepare their forces, to enter the bounds of the Parthians, and that bridges should be made over Euphrates: and he committed to Aristobulus the charge of Armenia the Less, and of the Country of Sophene to Sohemus, with the ornaments of a King. He set Domitius Corbulo to keep Armenia, and so divided, the forces of the East should remain in the Province of Syria, with Quadratus the Lieutenant thereof: and the like number of Citizens and Allies with Corbulo, with other Cohorts and Troops of Horse that wintered in Cappadocia, and gave command to the confederate Kings to be ready, as occasion of war should require. [ Ibid. cap. 5, 7, 8.]

In the first year of Nero's Empire, Azivus, King of the Emesenians, being dead, his brother succeeded him in the Principality. But Aristobulus, the son of Herod, King of Chalcis received of Nero the Principality of Armenia the Less, (as it is already said out of Tacitus) and to the Kingdom of Agrippa he added four Cities, with all the land belonging to them: in Galilee, Tiberias, and Tarichea: in Iturea beyond Jordan, Abila and Julias, with the land that was inhabited with fourteen Villages. [ Joseph. Antiquit. 20. cap. 6. Belli. 2. cap. 12.]

Domitius Corbulo, making all speed, at Aegeae, a City of Silicia, met Quadratus, who went thither on purpose, least if Corbulo had entered Syria, to receive the forces, all men's eyes had been cast upon him. Both of them sent messengers to Vologeses the King of the Parthians, That they desired peace rather than war, and therefore he should give hostages, and continue the like reverence to the people of Rome, as his Ancestors had done: and Vologeses, either that he might the better prepare for war, or that he might remove all competitours by the name of hostages, delivered the most noble of the family of the Arsacidae: and the Centurion Hostorius (or Histius) sent from Quadratus for the same purpose receives them. Which being known unto Corbulo, he commanded Arius Varus, the Captain of a foot company, to go and receive the hostages. Hereupon grew a quarrel between the Captain and the Centurion; and because they would not be a scorn to the strangers, the business is put to the Arbitrament of hostages, and the Lieutenants that conducted them: and they both for his new honors, and by a certain inclination of the enemies themselves, preferred Corbulo. Hereupon grew a jar between the Commanders, Quadratus complaining that that was taken from him that was compassed by his advice. Corbulo on the other side protesting, that the King was never drawn to offer hostages, until that he being chosen General, the Kings hopes were turned into fear. Nero, that he might compose the differences, published this order, That Quadratus and Corbulo, for their prosperous successes should have bayes added to their bundle of rods. [ Tacit. 13. cap. 8. & 9.]

In the beginning of Nero's reign, all Judea is filled with thieves and enchanters, and seducers of the unskillful multitude, whom Felix every day put to death as many as he took: but Eleazar, the son of Dinas, who had a great band of thieves about him, he persuaded him to come unto him, giving him his word, that he should suffer no brunt from him, and when he came, he bound him and sent him to Rome. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 6.]

When Felix could no longer endure Jonathan the High Priest, so often and so freely admonishing him concerning his better government of the Common-wealth of the Jews: He persuaded Dora, a great friend of Jonathan's, by promising him a great sum of money, to kill Jonathan by some assasinates. Certain therefore of them came into the City, under color of religion, with short swords hid privately under their garments, and mingling among his family, killed Jonathan: and because that murder was unpunished, invited by this licentiousness, came at every feast, hiding their swords after the same manner, being in the crowds, they freely killed some for private enemies, some being hired thereunto for money, not only in other parts of the City, but also in the Temple itself. [ Id. ibid. ]

And thus was the City infested with thieveries: and as touching deceivers and Magicians, they enticed and drew multitudes into the deserts, promising them that they would show them signs and wonders done by the power of God: but the multitude being thus persuaded, suffered the penalty of their folly, being recalled back by Felix, and put to death. [ Id. ibid. ]

At that time there was a certain Egyptian came into the Province, who termed himself a Prophet, who gathered together almost thirty (or rather four [ Acts XXI. 38.] thousand men, and brought them from the wilderness, unto the Mount of Olives, there he told them, That by his command they should see the walls of Jerusalem fall down, by which way they might enter into the City: which being reported to Felix, he brake in, and invaded this seduced multitude, with his Roman Horse and Foot; a great multitude also of the Jews helping him: he killed 400, and took 200. prisoners alive. The rest of the multitude being dispersed into their own Countries: but the Egyptian, with a few that escaped from the fight, was not known what became of him. [ Id. ibid. & lib. 2. belli. cap. 12.] Of whom Lysias the Captain speaks to St. Paul, [Acts XXI. 38.] Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the desert 4000 men that were murderers.

When Gallio was Proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth brought Paul before his judgment-seat: but he refusing to be Judge in these matters, and driving them from the judgment-seat, the Creeks took Sosthenes, the Ruler of the Synagogue, and beat him: but Gallio cared for none of these things. [ Acts XVIII. 12, 17.]

This Gallio was the brother of L. Anneus Seneca, (who together with Burrhus, commanded all things at Rome, under his young Scholar Nero) who deriding the deifieing of Claudius, that was taken away by poison, said, That he was taken up to Heaven by a hook, as Dion saith in the end of his 60 book, there is extant the book of Controversies, of Marcus Anneus Seneca, the Father to the three Sons, Novatus, Seneca, and Melas. The second of these L. Seneca in his consolation to his Mother Helvia teacheth, that one of his brother by his industry got honors, the other contemned them. By the first understanding Novatus, who being adopted by Junius Gallio (who was banished by Tiberius, as we have declared at the end of the year the of World, 4035. out of Tacitus) was also called Gallio, and was by the same Seneca called Lord, as being his elder brother, as Lipsius notes upon the place of the Epistle 104. This was wont to be the speech of my Lord Gallio, who began to have a fever, being in Achaia, and presently took shipping, crying, That it was not the disease of the body but of the place.

When Paul had stayed many days at Corinth, [Year of the World 4059] after the tumult that was made before Gallio's Tribunal, [The Julian Period. 4769] after he had taken his leave of the brethren, [Year after Christ 56] he sets sails from the port of Cenchrea; and sailing into Syria, he came first to Ephesus, where entering into a Synagogue, he reasoned with the Jews: and when they desired him to tarry longer with them, he consented not, saying, That he must by all means keep the feast that cometh at Jerusalem: but promising that he would return to them again, if God will: and bidding them farewell, leaving Aquila and Priscilla there, he sailed from thence to Ephesus, with the rest of his companions. [ Acts XVIII. 18, 22.]

Paul going from Cesarea (Stratonis) to salute the Church of Jerusalem, went down to Antioch, (of Syria) and when he had stayed there some time, he departed, and went over in order all the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the Disciples, [ Ibid. 22, 23.] where he is received by the Galatians, as an Angel of God, or Jesus Christ himself. [ Galat. IV. 14.] Among other things he appointed that the collections for the poor should be set apart every Lord's day. [I. Corinth. XVI. 1, 2.]

Josephus, the son of Matthias, after the three years that he had lived with Banus in the wilderness, returns to Jerusalem, being now fourteen years old, he began to meddle with public affairs, following the Sect of the Pharisees, which comes nearest to the Sect of the Stoics among the Grecians. [ Joseph. in his Life. ]

A certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and powerful in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus, and being instructed in the way of the Lord, and fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John: and he began to speak freely in the Synagogue; whom when Aquilla and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of the Lord more fully. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren exhorted him, and wrote to the Disciples to receive him: who when he was come helped them who had believed, for with great contention he convinced the Jews publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. [ Acts XVIII. 24, 28.]

When Apollos was at Corinth, [Year of the World 4060] Paul having passed through the upper coasts, [The Julian Period. 4770] ( viz. Galatia and Phrygia) came to Ephesus, [Year after Christ 57] where he found twelve Disciples, which knew only the baptism of John, but had not yet received the Holy Ghost, by the imposition of hands: who being farther instructed by him in the doctrine of Christ. When he had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. Then he went into the Synagogue, and spake freely, disputing and persuading the things concerning the Kingdom of God. [ Acts XIX. 1, 8.]

When some Jews were hardened and believed not, but spake evil of the way of the Lord, Paul in the view of the multitude, departing from them, separated the Disciples, daily disputing in the School of one Tyrannus: and this he did by the space of two whole years; so that all that dwelt in Asia, both Jews and Greeks heard the word of the Lord Jesus: and many miracles were done by the hand of Paul: so that handkerchifes and aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and evil spirits went out of them. [ Ibid. 9. 12.]

Asia accusing P. Celer, because Caesar could not absolve him, he delayed his trial, till he should die by old age; for Celer having killed Sylanus the Proconsul, cloaked all his other wickedness, by the greatness of that villainy. [ Tacit. lib. 13. cap. 33.]

The Cilicians accused Cossutianus Capito, as one bespotted and defiled with all vices, and thought that he had the same authority, to do wickedly in the Province, as he had exercised in the City: but he being turmoiled with this overthwart accusation, let fall his defense, and was condemned of extortion. [ Id. Ibid. ] to whom (according to Lipsius) is to be referred that of Juvenal in the eighth Satire.

And that of Quintilian. [lib. 6. cap. 1.] The accuser of Cossutianus seemed to us young men to speak bravely, it was in Greek, but to this sense, He was ashamed to be afraid of Caesar.

Great suits prevailed so much for Epirus Marcellus, of whom the Lycians demanded restitution, that some of the accusors were banished, as though they had endangered an innocent man. [ Tacit. lib. 13, 33.]

The war about the getting of Armenia, [Year of the World 4061] that was drawn at length between the Romans and Parthians, [The Julian Period. 4771] by mild beginnings, [Year after Christ 58] was now hotly pursued, because neither would Vologeses suffer his brother Tiridates to be devested of that Kingdom, that he had invested him with, or let him accept it as the gift of another: and Corbulo thought it worthy the greatness of the people of Rome, to recover what was in former time gotten by Lucullus and Pompey. Corbulo, to prepare his army to this war, fashioned it after the old severity and discipline; and entering Armenia, dismantled some Castles, and burnt Artaxata, Tiridates not daring to give him battle. [ Tacit. lib. 13. from cap. 34. to 41.]

Seven exorcists of the Jews, the sons of Scaeva a chief Priest calling over them that had unclean spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, did adjure them by Jesus whom Paul preached, on whom he that had the unclean spirit leaped, and compelled them to fly out of the house wounded and naked, which when it was known both to the Jews and Greeks which dwelt at Ephesus, fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, and many that believed came and confessed and shown their deeds, many also of them that used curious arts, brought their books together and burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver, so mightily grew the word and prevailed. [ Acts XIX 13, 20.]

The Galatians, immediately after the departure of Paul from them [ Acts XVIII. 23.] being seduced by false brethren, thought that they were to be justified by the works of the Law, whom he calls from their error by a vehement Epistle written unto them concerning that matters. [ Gal. 1. 6, 7.]

Paul thought in his mind, [Year of the World 4062] when he had passed thorough Macedonia and Achaia, [The Julian Period. 4772] to go to Jerusalem, [Year after Christ 59] saying, after I have been there, I must see Rome also. [ Acts XIX. 21.] And first he purposed to come to Corinth, and from thence to go into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to Corinth, and so to go to Judea, [ I Cor. I. 15, 16.] whither he had consigned the collections for the poor Saints at Jerusalem to be sent: from thence he appointed to go to Rome, and so to take a journey into Spain. [ Rom. XV. 24, 28.]

Paul agitating these things in his mind, sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, but he himself stayed in Asia for a season, [ Acts XIX. 22.] viz. of Lydia, in which he seems to have preached the Gospel, to the Cities that were near to Ephesus, by the space of nine months, which with the two years that he taught in the School of Tyrannus, and the three months being added that he taught in the Synagogue of Ephesus, will make up the three years that he saith he labored in Asia, [ Acts XX, 15, 31.] a great door being opened unto him although there were many adversaries. [ I. Cor. XVI. 9.]

Campania perceived the eclipse that happened the last of April, Vipsanius and Fonteius being Consuls between seven and eight of the clock in the morning, Corbulo the general in Armenia wrote that it was seen between ten and eleven, [ Pliny. lib. 2. cap. 70.] at Rome the eclipse was seen in the middle of their sacrificings, that were made by the decree of the Senate, for the cause of Agrippina that was killed by her son, so that the stars were seen. [ Xiphilin. out of Dion. with Tacitus. lib. 14. cap. 12.]

Then arose a Schism in the Church of Corinth, [Year of the World 4063] which was shown unto him by those that were of the house of Chloe, some saying that they were of Paul, some of Apollos, some of Cephas, and some of Christ. [ I Cor. I. 11, 12, & III. 3, 4.] Apollos with some other brethren went from Corinth to Paul into Asia, [ ibid. XVI. 12.] by whom the Corinthians write to Paul and ask his advice, about the matter of Marriage and Single life. [ Ibid. VII. 1.]

Paul together with Sosthenes the Ruler of the Synagogue at Corinth, being converted to the Faith of Christ, (Timothy being then absent) [ I Cor. XVI. 10. with Acts XIX. 22.] from Asia, (of Lydia, where he then was) wrote the first Epistle to the Corinthians by Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, that were sent from them to visit the Apostle. Apollos refusing to return so suddenly back with them. [ I Cor. I. 1. & XVI. 13, 17, 19.]

In that Epistle he commanded the incestuous Corinthian that had married his fathers wife, to be delivered to Satan, [ Chap. V.] and corrects the error that had crept into the Church; as well the errors of practice, as that chief erour of opinion, (taken out of the sink of the Sadducees) denying the Resurrection to come, [ cap. XV.] signifying unto them, that he will come unto them, and set in order the things that remain, [ cap. IV. 18, 19, & XI. 34.] as he passeth by into Macedonia; but first he will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost; [XVI. 5, 6, 7. cap. XVI. 5, 8.] which his purpose, some unlooked for occasion suddenly hindered.

For Demetrius a Silver-smith, who made silver Shrines for Diana, fearing that he should lose his profit, calling together the workmen of the same craft, raised a tumult against Paul, as he that would persuade not only the Ephesians, but almost all the whole multitude of Asia, that they were not gods that were made with hands. Who having caught Gaius and Aristarchus Macedonians, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed into the Theatre: and when Paul would have gone in thither, the disciples and some of the chief men of Asia (that provided for the Plays to be seen in the Theatre) his friends would not suffer him to go out unto the people; and when Alexander the Jew would have made his defense to the people, there was a great cry among the people almost for two hours: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. At length the tumult being appeased by the wisdom of the Town-clark, Paul calling the brethren together took his leave, and departed for to go into Macedonia. [ Acts XIX. 24, 41. and XX. 1.]

Aquila and Priscilla going from Ephesus, returned to Rome, after they had laid down their own necks for to save Paul: [ Rom. XVI. 3, 4.] with [I Cor. XVI. 19.] the Jews everywhere returning to Rome, the Edict of Claudius for their expulsion after his death wearing our of date. [ Acts XXVIII. 17, 21.]

Paul coming from Ephesus to Troas, although there was a door open unto him of the Lord to preach the Gospel, yet being troubled because he found not Titus there (whom he had sent to the Corinthians with another brother,) he sailed from thence into Macedonia, [II. Cor. II. 12, 13, with XII. 18.] which after he had gone over, he exhorted the brethren with much exhortation. [ Acts XX, 2.]

And when his affliction there did not remit, but without were fightings, within were fears, the coming of Titus brought comfort unto him, and the joyful message that he brought concerning the stare of the Corinthians, [II. Cor. II, 5, 16,] by whose example he provoked the Macedonians to provide collections for to be sent to Jerusalem, saying that Achaia was ready a year ago, [ ibid. IX. 2.] by whose example they being moved, iin much trial of affliction, yea, and beyond their power, they shown themselves liberal. [ ibid. VIII. 1, 5.]

The Apostle having learned from Titus the success of his first epistle, [The Julian Period. 4773] wrote together with Timothy the second epistle to the Corinthians, [Year after Christ 60] in which after he had reckoned up the great affliction that he had suffered in Asia, by the procurement of Demetrius, he protests that he came not unto them as he had intended, only that he might spare them, [ cap. I. 8, 9, 17, 23.] and desires them that they would pardon the incestuous Corinthian upon his repentance, [ cap. VI. 5, 11.] he sent Titus unto them again, with another brother whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches, (who is thought to be Luke) that their collections to be sent to Jerusalem, might be in readiness when he came thither himself. [ cap. VIII. 16, 19, & IX. 3. 4, 5.]

Paul went from Macedonia into Greece, where he stayed three months; [ Acts XX. 2, 3.] within which time coming to Corinth, he received the collections in Achaia for the relief of the believers at Jerusalem, [ 1. Cor. XVI. 3, 4, 5, with II. Cor. IX. 4.]

That that famous epistle to the Romans was written from Corinth, Origen confirms by many reasons in his preface to the exposition of that epistle, it was indicted by Paul, written by the hand of Tertius, and sent by Phebe a servant of the Church of Cenchrea near Corinth, [ Rom. XVI. 1.] at what time the Apostle was about to take his journey to Jerusalem with the collections of Macedonia and Achaia. [ Rom. XV. 25, 26.]

When the Apostle thought to go directly from thence into Syria, that he might carry the collections to Jerusalem, he was laid wait for by the Jews, whereupon he thought it best to return into Macedonia, from whence he came, and from thence to pass into Asia properly so called. [ Acts XX, 3, 4.]

Paul sent away before him from Philippi in Macedonia into Asia, the companions of his journey, Sopater or Sosipater, [ Rom. XVI. 11.] of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, with Tychicus and Trophimu: of Asia: who expected him at Troas, but he himself with Luke and the rest, sailing away from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, came unto them within five days to Troas, and tarried there seven days. [ ibid. 4, 5, 6.]

On the eighth day which was the first of the week, the Disciples being gathered together to break bread. Paul preached unto them, he being to go away the next day, and continued his discourse unto midnight, where he restores to life Eutychus a young man that fell down from the third lost in the room where they were gathered together. [ ibid. 7. 12.]

From hence Paul went a foot unto Assos, where Luke and his other companions going by ship, took him in and came to Mytelene; and when they had sailed from thence, the day following they came over against Chios, and the next day arrived at Samos, and when they had tarried at Trogyllium, the day following they came to Miletus. [ ibid. 13, 14, 15.]

And Paul made hast that he might possibly be at Jerusalem at the feast of Pentecost willing therefore to pass by Ephesus, he sent messengers from Miletus to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church, whom he in a most grave speech warns of their duty, and seriously exhorts them to the performance of the same, then kneeling down he prayed with them, and they all wept, but sorrowing most of all because he had said (as he then thought it would come to pass) that they should see his face no more. [ ibid. 16, 38.]

After they had launched from Troas, they came with straight course to Coos; and the day following to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara: then going into a ship that sailed to Phenicia, they discovered Cyprus, and leaving it on the left hand, they came to Tyrus. [ Acts XXI. 1, 2, 3.]

There having found Disciples they tarried seven days, who said unto Paul by the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem; but he kneeling down on the shore, prayed with them: then taking ship, he came from Tyrus to Ptolemais; and there having saluted the brethren, the next day he came to Cesarea, (Stratonis) Where he stayed many days with Philip the Evangelist, who was one of the Seven, [ Acts VI. 5.] and had four daughters, Virgins, that did prophesy; and there came a Prophet from Judea called Agabus, who binding his own hands and feet, foretold the bonds that waited for him; who when he could not be persuaded by the brethren, that he should not cast himself into such imminent danger, he came to Jerusalem: the Disciples accompanying him from Cesarea, and bringing with them one Mnasor of Cyprus, an old Disciple, with whom he should lodge. [ Ibid. 4. 16,]

Here being most gladly received of the Church, by the advice of James and all the Elders of Jerusalem, to wash off the calumny that was spread of him, (to wit, that he taught ane exhorted the Jews that believed in Christ, (of whom there were then many thousands) to forsake the observation of the Law of Moses) he joined himself to four men that were believing Jews that had made the vow, of the Nazarite: and purifying himself with them according to the command of the law. But all this did no good: for when some of the unbelieving and rebellious Jews of Asia, (which came to Jerusalem to the feast) saw him in the Temple, with great clamour and noise they stirred up the people, feigned this crime, that he had brought Trophimus, a Gentile of Ephesus, into the Temple, and had profaned the Temple. And as they were about to kill him, there came the chief Captain (Claudius Lysias) with a band of men, and took Paul out of their hands, and led him into the Castles where, by the permission of the chief Captain, he spake unto the people as they were in the tumult, a speech in the Hebrew tongue. [ Acts ibid. 17, 40.]

The Jews being enraged, and more vehemently crying out against him, by reason of his speech, the chief Captain commands him to be examined by scourging: from which punishment he is freed, by his declaring that he was a Roman: and when the chief Captain desired to know of what crime he was accused by the Jews; the next day he commanded the chief Priests and all their Council to come together, and set Paul before them, having loosed him from his bands. [ Acts XXII.]

As Paul was beginning to plead his cause before the Council, Ananias the High Priest (the son of Nebideus, who, although he was deprived of the High Priesthood, yet seems to be President of the Council) as before him Annas, or Ananus was, that was the father in law of Caiaphas) commanded him to be smitten on the mouth; wherefore he is severely rebuked of Paul, by the name of whited wall. Then Paul proclaiming openly that he was a Pharisee, and that he was called into judgment for the hope of the resurrection. Then arose a dissension between the Sadducees that accused him, and the Pharisees that excused him: but the chief Captain fearing least he should be torn in pieces by them, as they were contending, took Paul from among them with his soldiers, and brought him into the Castle: to whom the Lord appearing the next night, comforted him as he was sad, and animates him to greater things, foretelling him that he must bear witness of him at Rome also. [ Acts XXIII. 1, 11.]

And when it was day, more than forty of the zealous Jews bound themselves under a curse, that they would neither eat not drink till they had killed Paul: which their laying in wait, the chief Captain knowing from Paul's sisters son, in the third hour of the night, he sent Paul with a guard of Soldiers to Felix, the Governor of the Province; by whom he is brought in the night to Antipatris, and the next day to Cesarea: where he is commanded by Felix to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall. [ Ibid. 12, 35.] All which things are to be acted within the space of one week; as may be understood, from Acts XXIV. verses. 1. and 11. compared together.

Five days after Paul being accused by Ananias and the Elders, by the mouth of Tertullus an Orator, before the Governor at Cesarea, clears himself from their false accusations; twelve days after the violence that was offered him in the Temple, when as now Felix had governed the Jews many years, for this was now the tenth year of his government, he having heard them, defers his sentence to another time, commanding a Centurion that Paul should be kept, and to let him have liberty, and that none of his acquaintance should be forbidden to minister or come unto him. [ Acts XXIV. 1, 23.]

After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla which was a Jew, (the sister of King Agrippa) another Drusilla besides that was the wife of Felix, that was the daughter of Juba, the King of Mauritania, the Neice of Antony and Cleopatra, he called for Paul: and heard him trembling, reasoning of faith in Christ, righteousness, and temperance, and judgment to come; and he spake with Paul the oftener, hoping that he would redeem himself with money, having him in bonds two whole years. [ Ibid. 24, 27.]

Corbulo had Tigranocerta yielded unto him, who also subdued all Armenia. [ Tacit. lib. 14. from the 13 chap. to the 26.]

Tigranes the son of Alexander (the son of that Alexander that was put to death by his father Herod the Great) and of Glaphira (the daughter of Archelaus the King of Cappadocia) who was kept Hostage at Rome a long time, even unto servile Patience was sent by Nero to take that kingdom, he was not received there by a general consent, the ancient love they bare the Arsacidae remaining still amongst some of them; but the most hating the pride of the Parthians, desired a King to be given them rather from Rome. He had also a guard given him, a thousand Legionary soldiers, three Band of allies, and two wings of Horse: to the end he might more easily defend his new kingdom. Part of Armenia as it lay nearest to everyone, was commanded to obey, part Nipolis (Thrasipolis) part Aristobulus and Antiochus. [ Id. ibid. cap. 26. with Joseph. lib. 18. cap. 7. fin. ]

Corbulo went into Syria, that wanted a Governor by reason of the death of Ventidius (Numidius) Quadratus the Lieutenant there, and it was committed to his charge. [ Tacit. lib. 14. cap. 26.]

In the same year Laodice one of the most famous Cities of Asia, destroyed by an Earthquake, recovered again by her own wealth. [ Id. ibid. cap. 27.]

Tarquinius Priscus was condemned for extortion, [Year of the World 4064] at the suite of the Bythinians, [The Julian Period. 4774] at which the Senator greatly rejoiced, [Year after Christ 61] remembering that his Proconsul Statibius Taurus, was condemned by him. [ Id ibid. cap. 46. with lib. 12. cap. 59.]

There arose a contention at Cesarea Stratonis, between the Jews and the Syrians about the equallity of power in the City. The Jews being rich, reproached the Syrians, who though they were poorer in respect of wealth, yet they bore themselves high, by reason that many that served the Romans in their wars about those places, were country-men of Cesarea and Sebaste; and so gave the Jews as good as they brought. Afterwards they began to throw stones one at another, so that many were slain and hurt on both sides; but yet the Jews had the Victory: whom when Felix required to leave off their debate, and they obeyed not, he sent soldiers among them who killed many, and took many prisoners; and granted also to his soldiers the plunder of many rich houses: but the more honorable and fuller of modesty of the Jews fearing the like misery might befall themselves, besought Felix that he would sound a retreat, and to spare that which yet remained, and that he would pardon them upon their repentance: to which the Governor yielded at their entreaty. [ Joseph. lib 20. cap. 6.]

At the same time King Agrippa conferred the High Priesthood on Israel the son of Phabius. There arose also a dissention between the chief Priests and the rest of the Priests and Rulers of Jerusalem, and they each went guarded with a company of most bold and seditious men, who decided their debates with reproaches and throwing stones. Neither was there any to restrain them, as though the City wanted Magistrates: and the impudency of the High Priest grew to such an height, that they durst send their servants to the very corn-floors to take away the Tithes that were due to the Priests: so that many poor Priests died for want of food. So much did the violence of the seditious prevail above justice. [ Id. ibid. ]

Mark the Evangelist who first preached Christ at Alexandria, [Year of the World 4065] died in the 8 year of Nero, and was buried at Alexandria; [ Jerosme. Scriptor. Eccles. Catalog. ] after whom the Elders of Alexandria chose one from among themselves, whom they placed in a higher degree, and called him a Bishop: after the manner, as if an army should choose a General, or the Deacons choose one from among themselves whom they know to be industrious, and should call him Arch-Deacon. [ Id. in Epist. 85. ad Euagrium. ] And they chose Anianus a man both dear unto God for his piety, and also admirable in all things: who was the first bishop of the Church of Alexandria after Mark, and was there twelve years. From the eighth year of Nero, to the fourth of Domitian, [ Id. in Catalog. with Euseb. in Chronic. & Eccles. Histor. lib. 2. cap. 23. & lib. 3. cap. 12.]

Vologeses the King of the Parthians, [The Julian Period. 4775] endeavors to restore his brother Tiridates that was thrust out of Armenia, [Year after Christ 62] to which end he sent one army into Armenia, and another into Syria. Corbulo sends part of his army to Tigranes King of Armenia, and he himself drives the Parthians out of Syria, and so threatens the Parthians, that they leave off the war, and send Ambassadors to sue for peace; who are dismissed by Nero, without their suit being granted: and Caesennius Paetus is preferred to be General for the defense of Armenia. [ Tacit. lib. 15. cap. from 1. to the 7.]

Felix seeing this sedition between the Jews and Syrians of Cesarea still to continue, sent some of the Nobility of both sides as Ambassadors to Nero, to argue their cause before him. [ Joseph. lib. 2. bell. cap. 12.] He also sent prisoners to Rome for a very small fault, some Priests, good and honest men, to plead their own cause before Nero. [ Id. in his own Life. ] He also left Paul the Apostle, whom he had kept prisoner two whole years at Cesarea, to show the Jews a pleasure, still a prisoner there, when he had received Portius Festus from Nero his successor, in the Province. [ Acts XXIV. 27.]

Festus, when he was come into the Province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem: before whom when the High Priest, and the Rulers of the Jews accused Paul, desiring that he might be brought from Cesarea to Jerusalem, with an intent to lay wait and kill him in the journey. Which Festus refusing, commanded Paul's accusars to to come to Cesarea: and having tarried there not above ten days, he goes down to Cesarea; and the next day sitting in his Tribunal, he heard the Jews accusing Paul, and Paul clearing himself from their accusations: and Festus being willing to pleasure the Jews, asked Paul if he would be judged at Jerusalem before him, of that matter that he was accused of: Paul, who knew with what intent, and by whose advice he asked that question, and fearing some treachery from the Jews, denied to go thither, and appealed to Caesar: whose appeal, Festus, after he had conferred with the Council, admitted. [ Acts XXV. 1, 12.]

After certain days, Agrippa the King, and Betenice his sister, came to Cesarea, to salute the new Governor: and when the had tarried there many days. Festus, not knowing what to write to Caesar concerning Paul, consulted with Agrippa about that business; who when he had said that he would willingly hear him himself. The next day Agrippa and Berenice with much pomp came into the place of hearing, together with the Captains, and the principal men of the City, and Paul, at Festus command, is brought out before them, being bound with a chain. [ Ibid. 13, 27.] Who in an eloquent oration, so clears his innocence, that although to the Governor, who was ignorant of these things, he seemed to be mad; yet the King, who was exercised in the Scriptures, he had almost persuaded to be a Christian: and by the judgment of the whole Council, he was thought to have done nothing worthy of death or bonds, and that moreover he might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar [ Acts XXVI.]

The Rulers of the Jews that dwelt at Cesarea, went to Rome to accuse Felix, and he had suffered punishment for the injuries he had done the Jews, unless Nero had pardoned him at the entreaties of his brother Pallas, who was in great favor at that time with his Prince, [ Jeseph. lib. 20. cap. 7.] Although afterward the same Pallas, because he kept from Nero an huge deal of money by his living so long, may be thought to be poisoned by him this same year. [ Tacit. lib. 14. cap. ult. ]

Two principal men of the Syrians of Cesarea; with a great sum of money, bribed Beryllus, who had been Nero's School-master, but was then his secretary for the Greek tongue, that he would get the Emperors letters pattents, by which the Jews might be deprived of all authority in the City, which they had in common with Syrian inhabitants; which thing he easily obtained. Which when the Jews of Cesarea understood, they continued in their seditions, even unto the beginning of the wars of the Jews, which took their beginning especially from hence. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 7.]

Festus coming into Judea, found it grievously afflicted with thieves, everywhere spoiling the Villages, of whom the most cruel were called cut-throats, of which there were a great number, from their short crooked swords, like the Persian Cymetre, with which thrusting themselves into the press of people (as it is said) that came to Jerusalem to celebrate, as God commanded, their festival days, they might easily kill as many as they would; who also being armed, went to the Villages of their enemies, and having plundered them, burnt them. [ Ibid. ] These Festus carefully pursued, and took great store of the thieves, and put not a few of them to death. [ Id. lib. 2. bell. cap. 12. and beginning of 13.]

When it was decreed that Paul should be sent to Caesar, he was delivered to Julius, a Centurion of Augustus band, with some other prisoners: who put him into a ship of Adramytium, that was to go to Asia, Aristarchus of Macedonia, besides Timothy and Luke accompanying him; the next day they touched at Sidon, where Julius courteously entreating Paul, permitted him to go visit his friends, and to refresh himself: going from thence they sailed by Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when they had sailed over the sea of Silicia and Pamphylia, they came to Myra, a City of Lycia: where when the Centurion had found a ship, whose sign was Castor and Pollux, going into Italy, he put the Captives in her: and when they had sailed slowly many days, were scarce come over against Cnidus, they sailed under Crete, over against Salmone, and hardly passing by it, they came to the fair Havens in the Isle of Crete. [ Acts XXVII. 1, 8.]

When the fast (that solemn fast of the expiation, [Year of the World 4066] used to be kept every year by the Jews on the seventh month, and tenth day) was past, and that sailing began to be dangerous, Paul foreseeing the damage to come, advised them to winter there; but when that port seemed unconvenient to winter there, they determined to winter in another port of Crete called Phenice, and as they were sailing thither the southwind at the first favoring them, but a little after there arose a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon, by which they were carried to a little island called Clauda; then being caught and tossed by the great tempest, they lightened the ship, and the third day with their own hands they cast out the tackling of the ship, neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, but when all hope of safety was taken away, it was revealed to Paul by an Angel in the night, that he must be brought before Caesar, and that God had given him all that sailed with him in the ship in the fourth watch of the night, as they were driven up and down in Adria, the shipmen deemed that they were nigh some country, which they found afterwards to be the island Melita, and as they strove to make in thither, the ship was broken by the violence of the tempest, but the men some swimming, and some on the plankes and broken pieces of the ship were all saved and came safe to land. [ ibid. 9. 44.]

After they had escaped they were courteously received by the inhabitants of Melitus, who making a fire to dry their clothes, and Paul standing in the chimney, shook off a viper from his hand and had no hurt, they were wrapped into admiration of him, and said he was a god, here they lodged three days with Publius a chief man of the island, whose father lying sick of a fever and the bloody flux was healed by Paul, others also which had diseases in the island were healed. [XXVIII. I, 9.]

Cesennius Paetus, not having sufficiently fortified his wintering camps, nor provision of corn made, marcheth with all hast over the mount Taurus, and took a few Castles and some prey, and by long journeys having overrun the places he could not hold, and the provisions which he had taken, being corrupted, he came back again, and wrote letters to Caesar in high words, as though the war had been finished, but void of matter. [ Tacit. lib. 15. cap. 8.]

In the mean time Corbulo had a special care to furnish the bank of Euphrates with more Garrisons, and frighted Vologeses from entering Syria. Whereupon Vologeses turned against Paetus, and pressed him so sore, that he forced him to a dishonorable peace, of which Monobazus, King of Adiabena, is called to be a witness. The Fortresses that Corbulo had built on the other side of Euphrates were demolished, and the Armenians left to their own wills. But at Rome there were Trophies and Tryumphal Arches set up in the midst of the Capitoline Mount, for honor of the victory over the Parthians, which were done by the decree of the Senate, the war being yet fresh, neither were they taken down, only for a fair show, not regarding the truth. [ Id. ibid. from cap. 9. to 18.]

Paul and his companions being highly honored by them of Melitus, [The Julian Period. 4776] and furnished with all things necessary, [Year after Christ 63] after three month that they had been there, they went in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the Island, and came to Syracuse: where they tarried three days; from whence fetching a compass, they came to Rhegium, and within one day the South wind blew, and the next day they came to Pu • eoli, where they found brethren, who desired them that they would stay with them seven days, and so they went toward Rome, [ Acts XXVIII. 10, 14.] in the ninth year of Nero's reign.

The brethren went from Rome to meet Paul as far as Appii Forum, and the three Taverns: and when they came to Rome, the Centurion delivered the prisoners to the Captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a Soldier that kept him. After three days, calling together the chief of the Jews that were at Rome, he declared unto them the cause, why he was sent prisoner to Rome, and that he was compelled to appeal unto Caesar. And when they denied that they had received any letter from Judea concerning him, but said, That this her esie was everywhere spoken against: and when they had appointed him a day, there came unto him to his lodging, to whom he expounded Christ out of the Law and the Prophets, from morning unto evening: and some assented unto the things that were spoken, and believed not: to whom after he pronounced their judgment out of Isaiah; leaving them, he turned to the Gentiles, and he remained in his own hired house two whole years, and received all that came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things that concern the Lord Jesus Christ, no man forbidding him. [ Acts XXVIII. 14. 31.]

Onesiphorus very diligently sought out Paul at Rome, and found him, and refreshed him. [ II Tim. I. 16, 17.]

In the beginning of the Spring, the Ambassadors of the Parthians brought to Rome the messages and letters of King Vologeses, desiring that Armenia (which they had already taken) might be given unto them, and that a peace might be confirmed. But both these things being denied, the government of Syria is committed to Cintius (as Governor) the management of the war to Corbulo: and the fifteenth Legion is brought out of Pannonia under the conduct of Marius Cellus. Also the Tetrarchs and Kings and Prefects and Governors, and those that ruled the neighbor Provinces, are commanded to obey Corbulo, in as high a manner, having his power enlarged, as Pompey had given him by the people of Rome, when he undertook the war against the Pirates. Paetus being commanded home, Nero thought it enough (when Paetus feared greater matters) to scoff at him, saying, That he would presently pardon him, lest he that was so ready to be afraid, should fall sick with too much pensiveness. [ Tacit. lib. 15. cap. 24, & 25.]

Corbulo, after he had mustered his army, went into Armenia, where the Ambassadors of Vologeses met him, and desire peace: but Tiridates being compelled to come into the Roman Camp; took off his Crown, and laid it at Caesar's Image, and agreed to go to Rome to him to take it of him again: but with this condition, that he might first go visit his family and friends: in the mean time he leaves his daughter an Hostage, and delivered supplicatory letters to Nero. As he went away, he found Pacorus with the Medes, and Vologeses at Ecbatana. [ Tacit. lib. 15. cap. from 26. to 31.]

In Judea Festus sent forces both of Horse and Foot against a certain impostor a Magician, who drew men after him into the Wilderness, being deceived by his promises, that they should be freed from all their misfortunes; but those that went, and the seducer himself are killed by the soldiers that were sent. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 7.]

At the same time King Agrippa built a stately house near the porch in the Palace of Jerusalem, which in time past belonged to the Hasmoneans, and was situate in an high place, from whence a fair prospect lay open to all Jerusalem: which the chief men of Jerusalem taking ill, that for a private house the sacrifices and all things that were done in the Temple might easily be seen, built an high wall, which not only hindered the prospect of the Kings house, but of the west porch also without the Temple, in which the Roman soldiers kept guard on the Feast days, for the keeping of the Temple. At which act not only the king, but also Festus the Governor of the province was offended; and commanded to pull it down: But ten chief men (by his permission) were sent Ambassadors to Nero about this business, together with Ishmael the High Priest, and Chelcias the keeper of the holy Treasure. Nero having heard their Embassy, not only forgave the Jews, but suffered the way to stand as it did, gratifying herein his wife Poppea, who favoring the Jews Religion, became their intercessor, who also suffered the ten men to return, but kept Ishmael and Chelcias as Hostages with her; which when Agrippa knew, he took away the High Priesthood from Ishmael, and gave it to Joseph surnamed Cabis, the son of Simon, sometime High Priest. [ Id. ibid. ]

Josephus the son of Matthias, hearing that some Priests his familiar friends that were sent prisoners to Rome by Felix, had not in their calamity cast off the care of their Religion, but that they lived on Nuts and Figs; that he might find some way to deliver them, in the 26 years of his age went to Rome, having passed many dangers in his journey by sea: for their ship being sunk in the midst of the Adriatic sea, for of 600 that had swam all night, about 80 that swam more fortunately were taken into a ship of Cyrene and so saved. Among whom was Josephus, who being set ashore, came to Dicearcha, (or Puteoli, as the Italians call it) where he falls into the acquaintance of one Aliturus a Player, who was a Jew, and in reputation with Nero: by him he was made known to Poppea the Empresse, and by her means presently got the Priests free. [ Id. in his Life. ]

Festus dying in the Province, Nero sent Albinus his successor into Judea. But King Agrippa took away the High Priesthood from Joseph, and gave it to Ananus, the son of Annas, or that Ananus who had enjoyed formerly the High Priesthood even to satiety, he had five sons that enjoyed that dignity, which had never happened to any of the High Priests before. [ Id. lib. 20. cap. 8.]

Ananus the new High Priest of the sect of the Sadducees, a bold and heady man, thinking it a fit time seeing Festus was dead, and Albinus on his way, called a Council of the Judges, and brought James the brother of Jesus before them, who with some other accused of transgressing the Law, he delivers to be stoned. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 8.] This James the brother of the Lord, in the time of the Passover was thrown down from a pinnacle of the Temple and stoned, and one of them which was a Fuller, with a bar with which he was wont to press his clothes, struck him on the head with it and killed him. This Eusebius relates in the fifth book of the History of Hegesippus, [ lib. 2. Histor. Ecclesiast. cap. 22.]

This murder of James much displeased all the good men, and observerers of the Law. Whereupon they sent a messenger privately to King Agrippa, desiring him that he would command Ananus that no such thing should be done anymore. Some also met Abinus as he came from the City of Alexandria, and informed him that Ananus had no power to call a Council without his leave. He being persuaded by their words, wrote a sharp letter to Ananus, wherein he threatened to punish him: and Agrippa also for the same cause within three months took the High Priesthood from him, and gave it to Jesus the son of Damaces. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 8.] But among the Christians, after the death of James, Simon the son of Cleophas is constituted Bishop of the Church of Jerusalem. [ Euseb. lib. Histor. Ecclesiast. cap. 26.]

Albinus as soon as he came to Jerusalem, he employed all his care and study, that he might keep the Country in quiet, by putting to death many thieves: and Ananus the High Priest (the son of Nebedeus) increased every day more and more in the love and esteem of the people, and he was honored of all men for his liberality; and Albinus also daily honored the High Priest for his gifts. But Ananias had very bad servants, who getting a company of headstrong men, went from farm to farm, and took away the T • he of the Priests, and beat those that refused to render them. Some of the Priests also did the same, nobody being able to restrain them: and many of the Priests that were maintained by the Tithes, were even starved for hunger. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 8.]

The thieves at the Feast that then was (of Pentecost) entered Jerusalem by night and took alive the Secretary of Captain Eleazar the son of Ananias the High Priest. Him they carried away, and then sent to Ananias, one that should promise in their name, that if he would persuade Albinas to free ten of theirs that he had taken captive, they would deliver the Secretary: which thing Ananius obtained of Albinus, mere necessity compelling it. This was the beginning of greater calamities; for the thieves always found some trick to intercept some of Ananias his kindred, whom they would never deliver, until they had freed some of their own; wherefore being increased both in boldness and number, they spoiled the whole Country, [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 8.]

At this time King Agrippa enlarged the walls of Cesarea Philippi, and changing the name, called it Neronias: at Berytus also he built a Theatre at huge charges, and set forth every year sports, for which he assigned a great sum of money. He also gave to the people of Berytus corn, and oil to each man: and he adorned that City with Statues, set up in divers places, and with Images of antick work, and transferred almost all the Ornaments of his kingdom into that City: for which cause his subjects began to hate him, because he disfurnished them of their Ornaments, to adorn a strange City. [ Id. ibid. ]

Four years before the Jewish war, [Year of the World 4067] (that was managed by Vespasian) when the City of Jerusalem enjoyed both peace and plenty, one Jesus the son of Ananus, a country man, and one of the common people, coming to the Feast of Tabernacles, began suddenly to cry out; A voice from the East, a voice from the West, a voice from the four Winds; a voice against Jerusalem and the Temple, a voice against new married man and women, a voice against all this people: and crying thus night and day, he went thorough all the streets of the City. Some of the Nobility disdaining any token of adversity, took the fellow and scourged him with many stripes: but he spake nothing secretly for himself, nor unto them that scourged him, but continued still in the same cry. But the Magistrates thinking it rather to be some motion in him from God, brought him to the Roman Captain, where being beaten till his bones appeared, he neither made entreaty, nor shed a tear; but as well as he could framing a weeping voice, at every stroke, he answered, Woe, Woe, to Jerusalem, Albinus then asked them, who he was, and where he was born, and why he still cried after this manner; but he answered nothing; yet he ceased not to bewail the City, till Albinus thinking he was mad, suffered him to depart. He cried thus most on the Feast days, and that for 7 years space (or rather 6, as it is in Phot. Biblioth. cod. 47.) and five months, and yet was neither hoarse nor weary; at last he was killed by a stone shot out of an Engin, in the time of the siege. [ Id. lib. 7. bell. cap. 12.]

At the command of King Agrippa, Jesus the son of Gamaliel succeeded in the High Priesthood, Jesus the son of Damneus very unwillingly yielding it up. Whereupon there arose a discord between them; for having gotten to them companies of resolute young fellows, they came from words, to throwing of stones; but amongst the rest Ananias was richest, and by his bounty got most of his side. Costabarus also and Saul got each of them a band of rascally people, these were of the Blood-Royal, and beloved for their nearness of blood to Agrippa, yet were violent, and as ready as any too in spoiling the weaker sort. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 8.]

From this time especially began the Common-wealth of the Jews every day to grow worse and worse, [ Id. ibid. ] and the seeds of the future destruction were then sown, through multitudes of Commanders that then governed. [ Id. lib. 2. belli. cap. 13.]

But Albinus the Governor did not only take away from private men their goods, under color of justice, but burdened the Nation in general by exaction of greater tribute; but even those thieves that the soldiers of the City had taken, and those whom the former governors had left in prison, he set free, if their kindred would give him money; and he that did not give him money was kept in prison as a most heinous offender. [ Id. ibid. ]

At the same time also, the insolency of them that desired innovation in the City of Jerusalem increased; of whom those that were rich, bribed Albinus to wink at their moving sedition, and the common people that could not be in quiet, joined themselves with Albinus his party. Each of them had a troop of rascal people about him, and Albinus himself was over them all as a Tyrant and a Prince of the Thieves, and used the help of his guard to rob the meaner sort: and so it was that those whose houses were ransacked, held their peace, and those that escaped were glad to be officious to them, that they knew deserved death, for fear they should suffer the same things. [ Ibid. ]

Nero, Rome being on a fire, beheld the burning of it from Mecenas tower, and being much delighted with the beauty of the flames, sang the destruction of Troy in his plaiers habit, likening the present evil to the old ruins, [ Tacit. lib. 15. cap. 38, 39, 40. Suetonius. in Neron. cap. 38. Xiphilin in Dion. ] some there were that noted, that this fire began on the XIV. Kalends of July, on which the Senones after they had taken the City set it on fire, others went so far in their curiosity, that they reckoned the very days and months that were between the two burnings, [ Tacit. ibid. cap. 41.] as if they had said there were just between them 448. years, 5376. months, and 167632. days.

For to extinguish the rumour, Nero falsely accused, and punished most grievously with exquisite torment, those whom the vulgar called Christians, first therefore they were apprehended, w • o confessed themselves Christians, then an huge multitude are convicted by their detection, not so much for setting the City on fire, as for the hatred of all men against them, scorns also were added to their sufferings, some were covered with beasts skins to be torn with dogs, some were crucified, and some burnt, and when the day failed, they were burnt to give light by night. Nero made his garden fit for that spectacle, and set forth shows in the Cirgue, when he himself was among the common people in the habit of a waggoner, or standing in airing whereupon pity was taken on them, seeing they suffered not for any common good, but to satisfy one man's cruelty, [ Tacit. lib. 15. cap. 44.] for the illustrating of which the words of an old Scholiast are brought, upon that of Juvenal in his first Satyr.

If thou touch Tigillinus, thou shalt be burnt alive, as it was in the shows of Nero, of whom he commanded torches to be made, that they might give light to the spectators; and they were fastened through their throat that they might not bow themselves. Nero clothed Malefactours with pitch paper and wax, and so set them to the fire.

This was the first persecution that was raised against the Christians by the Roman Emperors, of which Suetonius as an heathen man speaks in Nerone. cap. 16. The Christians are punished a kind of men of a new and pernicious superstition, but Tertullian as a Christian in his Apologetic cap. 5. Search your records, then you shall find, that Nero was the first that used Caesar's sword against this sect at that time much increasing at Rome: but we glory in such a dedicatour of our condemnation, for he that understands himself, cannot but understand that nothing can be condemned by Nero but some great good.

Cestius Gallus is by Nero sent Governor into Syria and Gessius Florus into Judea, [Year of the World 4068] this Florus was a Clazomenian by birth, he married Cleopatra a wicked woman: by whose means, as being a friend of the Empresse Poppaea, she got this government for him. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 9.]

Alo • us hearing that Florus was come to succeed him, and willing to gratify the Citizens of Jerusalem, he called before him all the prisoners, and those that were notoriously guilty of any capital crime he put to death, the rest, who for smaller offenses were cast in prison, he remanded them to prison against, and delivered them upon their fines, and after this manner the prisons were emptied, but Judea was filled with thieves. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 8.]

In the mean time, the Levites whose office was to sing hymns in the Temple, went to King Agrippa, and by their entreaty persuaded him, that he would call a council, and permit unto them the use of the linen roab, which was then only granted, to the Priests, for said they, this new custom would conduce much for the perpetual memory of his reign. Wherefore the King by the advice of his council, permitted to those that sang the hymns, that laying aside their former habit, they should wear a linen garment as they desired, at their entreaty also he allowed another part of the same tribe, that was addicted to the services of the temple to learn to sing the sacred hymns. [ ibid. ]

The Philippians sent Epaphroditus with money to Rome, to visit Paul in prison, and to minister to him in his necessities, who joining himself to Paul, as both an helper and fellow soldier for the work of Christ, making no account of his life, put himself in danger of death, for he fell into a grievous disease. [ Philip. II. 25, 30, with IV. 10, 14, 18.]

Paul being aged and in prison gained to Christ, Onesimus a servant that fled from Colossae from his Master Philemon. [ Philem. 9, 10, 15. with Coloss. IV.]

Timothy, that was kept prisoner with Paul, is set at liberty. [ Hebrews XIII. 23.]

Paul wrote the Epistle to the Philippians by Epaphraditus, after he had recovered his health, hoping also that in a short time he should send Timothy unto them, as soon as he shall know their state, trusting also that he himself shall come shortly unto them, [ Philip. II. 2, 19, 29.] at which time Paul's bonds for Christ were famous in all the Court, some even of Caesar's Palace being converted to the faith. [ Cap. I. 12, 13. & IV. 12.] For being sent into prison by Caesar, he was more known in his family, and so made the house of persecution the Church of Christ. [ Jerosm. in Comment. to Philemon. ]

Paul writes an Epistle to Colossae to Philemon, by his servant Onesimus, in which he reconciles and commends him to his Master, signifying that he hopes he shall be freed from prison, and desiring him to prepare him a lodging: and by the same Onesimus and Tychicus, Paul wrote an Epistle out of Prison, to the Colossians, whom he had never seen, but were instructed in the doctrine of Christ by Epaphras. [ Coloss. I. 7, 8. & II. 1. IV. 7, 9, 18.] At that time besides Timothy (whose name is prefixed to both the Epistles) there were with Paul at Rome) of the circumcision, his companion in bonds, Aristarchus of Thessalonica, [ Acts XX. 4.] Mark, Barnabas his sisters son, concerning whom he gives the Colossians command to receive him, if he come unto them, and Je • us which is called Justus; of the others, Luke the beloved Pysician, Demas and Epaphras, whose great affection the Apostle commends not to the Colossians only, (with whom Archippus supplied his ministry, now he was absent) but also towards them that are of Laodicea and Hierapolis. [ Col. IV. 10, 14. 17. Philem. 23, 24.]

The same Tychicus, the companion of his travel from Asia. [ Acts XX. 4.] Paul sent them also into Asia, that from him the brethren might know his affairs, with an Epistle wrote by him to the Ephesians. [Ephes. VI. 21, 22.] Which Tertullian [ lib. 5. against Marcion. cap. 11. & 17. and Epiphanius in Haeres. 42.] shows was said by Marcion the Heritick, to be that that underwent the name of the Epistle to the Laodiceaens: which Grotius thinks to be credible enough to be done by him out of the credit of the Church of Laodicea, affirm • ng that there was no cause why he should tell a lie in this business: and gathers from thence that the Epistle to the Ephesians, and also to the Laodiceans, was written in the same words: where it is to be noted in some old books (as it appears out of the second lib. of Basil, against Eunomius, and of Jerome’s Commentary upon this place of the Apostle) it was generally entitled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , or (as it was wont to be done in the copies of letters that were to be sent to divers places, To the Saints which are at 0000000, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus, as if it had been sent first to Ephesus, as the Metropolis of Asia: and thence to be sent to the rest of the Churches of that Province, (the name of each Church being interserted) to some of which, whom Paul never saw, those words of his seem especially to look. After I heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and love unto all the Saints, [cap. 1. 15.] and, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward, &c. [cap. III. 24.] which perhaps Marcian thought might rather agree to the Laodiceans, who had not seen the Apostle present▪ in body, [ Colos. II. 1.] than to the Ephesians, with whom he conversed so long together. [ Acts XIX. 8, 10. XX. 31.]

About the same time Paul wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews, Timothy being set at liberty, but gone from him some whither for a time, with whom if he come shortly, he promiseth to see them; in the mean time he sent them salutations from the brethren from Italy. [ Heb. XXIII. 23, 24.]

The building of the Temple being now finished, [The Julian Period. 4778] and the people seeing that about 180000 workmen lived idly, [Year after Christ 65] that were heretofore wont to get their living by working in the Temple; and being loath that the Holy Treasure should be reserved for a prey to the Romans, and desiring also to provide for the workmen, so that if they wrought but one hour they were presently paid: they persuaded King Agrippa, to repair the Eastern Porch; this Porch hung over a deep and narrow valley, and was upheld by a wall of 400 cubits high, the length of every stone being 20 cubits, and the thickness six. This was the work of King Solomon, who first built the Temple. But the King, to whose care claudius Caesar had committed the charge of the Temple, thinking with himself, that any great building might easily be pulled down, but hardly set up, especially this Porch, that would cost much time and much money, denied their request; but yet forbad them not to pave their City with white stone, if they would. [ Joseph. lib. 28. cap. 8.]

Paul, the two years in which being detained in free custody, he taught the Gospel at Rome, being ended, [ Acts XXIII. 30.] he seems to have gone from thence into Asia, and at Colossae to have lodged with Philemon. [ Philem. 22.]

In the feast day of unleavened bread, which fell this year on the eighth day of Xanthicus, or April, about nine of the clock at night, between the Altar and the Temple, there shined such a light, that it might have been thought to be midday, which continued half an hour. In the same feast day also, a Cow that was led to sacrifice, brought forth a Lamb in the middle of the Temple. The East Gate also of the Temple, being brass and mighty heavy, and at evening could scarce be shut by twenty men, and was locked with bars of Iron, and had bolts that were let down deep into a threshold, made all of one stone, was seen, about six of the clock in the night, to open of its own accord. These things being told the Magistrate by the keepers of the Temple, as they went their round, he came up himself, and could scarce shut it. [ Joseph. lib. 2. bell. 12.]

On the 2 • day of Artemisius, or May, before Sun set, there were seen in the air Iron Chariots all over the Country, and armies in battle array, passing along in the clouds, and begirting the City: and in the Feast of Pentechost, the Priests going into the inner Temple by night, according to their custom, to celebrate divine service, at first they found the place to move and make a noise, and afterwards they heard a sudden voice, which said, Let us depart hence. [Joseph. ibid. ]

Paul preacheth the Gospel in the Isle of Crete, where he left Titus, that he might set in order the things that were wanting, and ordain Elders in every City there. [ Titus. I. 5.]

King Agrippa having taken the Priesthood from Jesus, the son of Gamaliel, gave it to Matthias, the son of Theophilus, the beginning of the Jewish war was when he was High Priest. [ Joseph. lib. 20. cap. 8.]

Josephus having received many gifts from the Empresse Poppea, and returning into his own Country, found among them perfect signs of innovations, and rebellions, whom he in vain endeavors to dissuade from their unhappy undertakings. [ Id. in his Lif • . ]

For Gessius Florus so outrageously abused his author • ty, that the Jews desired Albinus again, as one that was their benefactor; for he was wicked and injurious as privately as he could possibly. But contrariwise Florus, as if he had been sent to make open show of his villainies, bragged publicly of the injuries he did the Nation, leaving nothing undone to the height of iniquity in rapines and punishments: he was inflexible to any mercy, insatiable in his gainings, equally snatching at small and great things, so much that he went shares with the thieves, for many used that trade, and paid part of the booty to him; there being no means or end of their injuries, so that the miserable Jews not able to endure the ravening insolencies of the thieves, were constrained to abandon both their houses and religion, and to fly to strange Countries, judging that they might more commodiously live anywhere, even among Barbarians. [ Id. lib. 20. Antiquit. cap. 9. & lib. 2. bell. 2. cap. 13.]

Poppea, Nero's wife, being great with child and sick, upbraided Nero, as he returned late from driving his Chariot, whom in his anger he killed, with a kick of his foot; this was after the end of his quinquennal pastime celebrated the second time, for Nero his first prize was instituted in the LX. year of Christ. [ Suetonius. in Nero. cap. 35. Tacit. lib. 16. cap. 2. 6.]

Paul having stayed sometime at Ephesus, left Timothy there, whilst he went thence into Macedonia, that Timothy might govern that Church in his absence, [ I. Tim. I. 3. III. 14, 15.] being in Macedonia he tarried with the Philippians, as he had formerly promised them. [ Phil. I. 25, 26. & II. 24.]

Paul wrote his former Epistle to Timothy, [Year of the World 4069] in which he declares that he had delivered Hymaeneus and Alexander, making shipwreck of the Faith, over to Satan, that being chastised they might learn not to blaspheme, [I Tim. I. 20.] for Hymenaeus did deny the Resurrection to come, as did Philetus, saying, that it is past already, [II Tim. II. 17, 18.] and Alexander was that Coppersmith, that did Paul so much evil, and so greatly withstood his preaching. [II Tim. IV. 14, 15.]

Paul also wrote another Epistle to Titus into Crete, desiring that when he shall send Artemus or Tychicus unto him, he would come to him to Nicopolis, (famoused for the Victory at Actium) where he appointed to winter, and also that he should bring diligently Zenas the Lawyer, and Apollo on their journey, that they should want nothing. [ Tit. III. 12, 13.]

Winter being past, [The Julian Period. 4779] Paul returned to Ephesus to Timothy: [Year after Christ 66] and went to Troas and there left his cloak. Erastus abode at Corinth, of which he was Chamberlain, [ Rom. XVI, 23.] Paul left Trophimus at Miletum sick. [I Tim. III. 14. II Tim. IV. 13. 20.]

Cestius Gallus coming from Antioch to Jerusalem, desiring to signify to Nero the strength and flourishing estate of the City, who contemned the Nation, desired of the High Priests, if it were possible, that they would number the multitude: and they (for it was the day of the Passover) killed sacrifices from the ninth hour to the eleventh, and there were 255600 sacrifices, to the eating of which, ten, and sometime twenty, met to each sacrifice. [ Joseph. lib. 7. belli. cap. 17. Latin. Edit. or lib. 6. cap. 45. Edit. Graec. ]

There came about Gallus a multitude, not less than 300000 Jews and besought him, that he would take pity on the calamities of their Nation, calling upon him that he would remove Florus that plaguer of their Common-wealth. Who although he was in the sight of the people, and in Gallus his presence, was not only not moved, but laughted at their cries against him. Cestius at that time appeasing the rage of the people, promising that he would make Florus more gentle unto them, went back again unto Antiochia. Florus brought him as far a Cesarea, deceiving him with lies, devising with himself to make a war upon the Nation of the Jews, by which way only he thought he could best hide his own villainies; for as long as the peace continued, he should always have the Jews his accusers to Caesar: but if he could make them revolt, that then the envy of his lesser impieties would be taken from him by their greater offense: and to the end that the Nation might revolt from the Roman Empire, he more earnestly every day increased their calamities. [ Idem. lib. 2. bell. cap. 12.] Paul coming to Rome the second time, is heard and quitted by Nero: of which thus himself in [II Tim. IV. 16, 17.] In my first answer, no man stood with me, but all forsook me: I pray God it be not laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion. So that as before for two years, so now again for an whole year, he preached the Gospel to all Nations that came from every place flocking to Rome, as their common Country.

Demas left Paul, embracing the present world, and went to Thessalonica: Crescens into Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia, only Luke remained with Paul at Rome. [II Tim. IV. 10, 11.]

There was an old and constant opinion that was commonly talked of over all the East: that there was a Prophesy, that there should come from Judea those that should be masters of all. It was afterwards manifest by the event that this was foretold of the Roman Emperor. The Jews applying this Prophesy to themselves rebelled. Saith Suetonius [ in Vespasiano. cap. 4.] The Jews patience endured [ Saith Tacitus lib. Hist. 5. cap. 10.] until Gessius Florus was Governor; under him the war began, to wit, in the Artemisian month, or our May; in the twelfth year of Nero's Empire, the 17 of the reign of Agrippa, the second of the government of Gessius Florus. [ Joseph. lib. 1. belli. cap. 13. & lib. 20. Antiquit. cap. ult. ] We have fully described by Josephus in the later part of the second book, and the five following books, the History of that war: a breviary of which we have hither transferred, taken out of the abridgement of the Jewish History of that most eminent man Ludovicus Cappel.

Nero passing into Greece, tarried there till winter. [ Xiphilin. ex Dion. ]

King Agrippa in a long Oration dehorts the Jews from war, but in vain; for a little while after he was gone from Jerusalem, some of the seditious possess themselves of the strong Castle Massada unawares, and put to the sword all the Romans they found there. At Jerusalem also Eleazar the son of Ananias the High Priest, and Commander of the soldiers of the Temple, a bold and factious young man, persuaded the Priests that they should not offer any sacrifices, but only of the Jews, nay not those that were to be offered for Caesar or the Romans. Which rash act when the Governors of the City, being peaceable men, judged to be intolerable, and saw that it was an argument of open rebellion, yet could they not dissuade the seditious from this opinion, whereupon they sent messengers to Cesarea to Florus, and to King Agrippa, desiring them that they would presently send forces, and repress the rebellion in the beginning. Florus, who did desire there should be a revolt, neglected it: but Agrippa sent a thousand horsemen, who together with the rulers and Priests, and the rest of the multitude that loved peace, seized upon and held the upper City against the seditious who kept the temple and the lower City, there were continual skirmishes between them for seven days together, but upon the feast day of their carrying wood into the temple, many murderers were received into the temple, who with the rest, set upon the Kings soldiers, and forcing them from the upper part of the City, drove them into Herod's palace, and burnt the place where the records were kept, and the palace of the Hasmonaeans (which was then Agrippa's court) and Ananias the High-Priests house, the next day which was the 15. of August, they take the Castle of Antonia after two days siege, kill all the Roman soldiers there, and set the Castle on fire. A little after they set upon the Kings palace, (Manahemus the son of Judas Galilaeus being then Captain, who after he had taken the Castle of Massada, and plundered Herod's armory, brought his murderers armed into Jerusalem,) which having taken and burnt, Manahemus seizeth upon the tyranny, but immediately after he is killed in the Temple as he was at his prayers, by Eleazar the Captain of the Temple, his guard also are thrust out, who return to Massada, Eleazar the son of Jairus being their Captain, who was a kin to Manahemus, the seditious also of Jerusalem upon the very Sabbath day put to death the Romans, who after the palace was won by assault, had retired into the Castles of Hippico, Phasaelus, and Mariamme, where being besieged, and yielding upon composition, and delive • ing their arms, yet against their oath, were put to death.

The same day at Cesarea, all the Jews that dwelt there; at the instigation of Florus are massacred by the heathens of Cesarea to the number of 20000. by which the Jews through the whole Country are so vexed, that they wast all the villages of the Syrians and the neighbor Cities as Philadelphia, Gerasa, Ptolemais, Pella, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippo, Gaulanitis, Sebaste, Askelon, Anthedon, and Gaza. Then there was a general slaughter by the Syrians, of the Jews that went through all Syria, partly out of the old hatred against the Jews, and their religion, and partly for the love of plunder, and desire of revenge, only they of Antiochia, Apamea, an • Sidonia spared the Jews that dwelt amongst them, but at Alexandria the Metrop • lis of Egypt, upon a sedition that was raised there were in one day 50000. Jews killed, by two Roman legions that were let in upon them.

Cestius Gallus, the Governors of Syria being vexed with the commotions, comes from Antioch into Judea with the 12 Legion and the King Agrippa's soldiers, and other forces, and from Ptolemais invades Joppe and burns it, he sends Cesennius Gallus into Galilea, which he pacifies being entertained at Sephoris, and comes to Cesarea.

Peter and Paul are warned by revelation from the Lord, of their approaching departure out of this life. [II. Pet. 1, 14. II. Tim. IV. 6, 7.]

Peter wrote his second epistle to the Hebrews dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bythinia. [II. Pet. III. 1. with I. Pet. I. 1.]

Paul sent his second epistle to Timothy to Ephesus, by Tychicus, where the family of Onesiphorus was: after Aquila and Priscilla having left Rome, were returned thither again, [II. Tim. IV. 12, 19.] in which he desires Timothy that he • old come to him before winter, and bring with him Mark, as very profitable for h •• to the ministry, [ ibid. 9. 11, 21.] and sends him salutations from Eubulus Puden • and Linus, and Claudia. [ ibid. 21.]

Cestius Gallus in the feast of Tabernacles, [Year of the World 4070] after he had burnt Lydda, marcheth towards Jerusalem, whom the men of Jerusalem meet about sixty furlongs ftom thence, and there fight a perilous battle near Bethoron, but fresh forces coming to Cestius, he forceth them into the City, into which he also brake, the fourth of October, and held the lower part of the City, (as also Bezetha, and Caenopolis) then he assaults the Temple and the upper City, and had easily taken it, if he had more valiantly continued the assault, the people favoring the Romans, and the seditious only withstanding them.

But Cestius when he was near taking the Temple, without any good reason why, raised the siege, and retreates to Antipatris, having lost in his march many both Romans and auxiliaries, and many also killed by the Jews who pursued them, with a great part of their baggage and ammunition, and engines and slings, and other arms that the Romans threw away in their flight, which afterward the Jews made use of for their own defense against the siege of Titus. And this was done on the eighth of November in the twelfth year of Nero: (to wit, being ended) for the thirteeneth year of Nero had begun on the thirteeneth of the precedent October.

The Jews puffed up with this Victory being returned to Jerusalem, create Joseph the son of Gorion, and the High Priest Governors of the City, and send many Commanders into each Provinces, and Governments of places; and among the rest they send Joseph, (the writer of this war of the Jews) into Galilee: in which after he had fortified many Towns, and walled them, and ordered all things for to endu • e a war, he expected the invasion of the Romans.

In the mean while there are many commotions, and many and frequent rebellions of the Cities against him, by the subtlety and fraud of John the son of a certain Levite, and by the envy of some of the Governors of Jerusalem, who desired to have the government of Galilee taken from him; but Joseph brake the neck of all their endeavors, arts, and councils, and avoided them by his prudence and patience; who also forced that John to flee to Jerusalem with his forces out of Giscala a Town of Galilee which he had fortified. But at Jerusalem Ananias the Governor of the City, prepares all things necessary for the sustaining of the war, repairs the walls, and provides that warlike instruments, and darts, and arms, be made thorough the whole City. He endeavors to reconcile those that they called the Zealots, but in vain. He endeavors also to apprehend Simon the son of Giora, who exercised the every, and affected the Tyranny, by sending soldiers against him; but he with his party fled to the thieves that kept Massada, from whence they with their robberies infested all the Country of Judea and Idumaea.

Moreover Cestius having sent messengers to Nero (who was then in Acha • a) declares unto him the troubled state of Judea. Nero being much moved with this news, commands Vespasian thither, and Vespasian having received this command, sent his son Titus to Alexandria, to bring from thence the fifth and tenth Legion into Judea, and he himself goes by land from Achaia into Asia, and from thence comes into Syria and Antiochia.

Peter and Paul had foretold at Rome, [The Julian Period. 4780] that it should come to pass that after a little time, [Year after Christ 67] God would send a King that should overcome the Jews, and that should lay their City equal with the ground, and should besiege them being pined with hunger and thirst: and then it should come to pass that they should eat one the other, and consume one the other; and at last, that they should come into their enemies hands, and should see their wives most grievously tormented in their sight, and their virgins to be violated and prostituted; their sons to be torn asunder, and their little ones to be dashed a pieces: and to be short, all things to be wasted by fire and sword, and themselves forever banished out of their own lands, and all this because they exalted themselves above the most loving and approved son of God. [ Lactan. lib. 4. cap. 21.]

Vespasian at Antioch gathers together the Roman forces and the aides from the Kings, from whence he comes to Ptolemais, and recovers Sepphoris that favored the Romans.

Titus came to his father to Ptolemais sooner then could have been hoped for, by reason of winter; their own forces and the auxiliaries being come together, are in number threescore thousand of Horse and Foot, besides their servants and the baggage.

Vespasian inroding Galilee, burnt and wasted the City of the Gadarenes, which he took at the first assault; thence coming to Jotapata on the 21 day of May, he fights against it.

On the 29 of June (which last day of that month falls to be within the reign of Nero) Paul was beheaded at Rome: as the Records both of the Eastern and Western Church confirm: whereupon Chrysostom undoubtedly affirms, that the day of his death was more certainly known, then that of Alexander himself, [ in II Cor. Homil. 26.] Dionysius the Bishop of the Corinthians affirms in an Epistle to the Romans, that Peter also suffered Martyrdom at the same time with him, [ in Eusebius, lib. 2. Histor. Ecclesiast. cap. 24.] whom also Origin relates in the third Tome of his Commentaries upon Genesis, that at Rome he was crucified with his head downwards (as he had desired) [ • bid. lib. 3. Hist. cap. 1.] the prediction of Christ being then fulfilled which he made upon him, [ John XXI. 18, 19.] When thou art old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

Vespasian after forty days siege takes Jotapata by force, and overthrows it, and burns it, after it was valiantly defended by Joseph, who was Governor then, on the Kalends of June, in the 13 year of Nero, he takes Joseph as he lay hid in a Cave, gives him his life, but keeps him prisoner.

Jotapata being destroyed, Vespasian retires with his army to Cesarea, and there places two Legions, to refresh themselves after the siege, a third to the same end and purpose he sends to Scythopolis; he himself goes to Cesarea Philippi, where he with his army is feasted by King Agrippa for twenty days: there he prepares for the sieges of Tiberias and Tarichea, they of Tiberias immediately yield, and at the entreaty of King Agrippa it is granted that the City shall not be rased, but Taricha, after it had suffered a siege, is taken by storm.

These Cities being recovered or overthrown, almost all Galilee inclined to the Romans, except Gamala in Gaulanitis, and Giscala, and the Mountain Itaburium.

Gamala, [Year of the World 4071] after an whole months siege was taken the 23 of October, and overthrown: and a little after also the Mountain Itaburium was taken by the Romans. Titus sets upon Giscala, which was kept by John, with his party of the seditious. John seems to like of the conditions of peace that were offered by Titus, but in the night he with his party fled out of the City, and betakes himself to Jerusalem. Titus spares the City, but puts a Garison there, and comes to Cesarea, but Vespasian going from Cesarea to Iamnia and Azotus, conquers them both, and returns again to Cesarea.

In the mean while there was a great dissention thorough all Judea, some desiring war, others being willing to remain under the protection of the Romans. Whereupon there were whole troops of thieves gathered together, all over Judea, who plundered them, that were desirous of peace; and being loaded with their plunder, were received into Jerusalem, and there fill all things with murders, dissensions, discords, and rapines, and first they cast Antipas, and a great many Noble men, and the chief of the City into prison, and shortly after put them to death, without any trial, falsely accusing them, that they would have delivered the City to the Romans: and when the people would have risen up against them, they seize upon the Temple, and use it as a Bullwork against the people, and there create an High Priest by lots, one Phannius, (or Phanazus ) a rude and unskillful man, and one that was not of the order of the Priesthood.

Against these Zealots, (for so they called themselves) Ananus, and the Nobler Priest, stir up and arm the people, and set upon them in the very Temple, and force them into the inner Temple. The Zealots sent letters privately to the Captains of the Idumeans, wherein they accuse Ananus of treachery; and complain, that whilst they are fighting for liberty, they are besieged in the Temple, and call the Idumeans to their assistance. They presently fly thither with 20000 men, and being privately let into the City and Temple by night by the Zealots, there is great slaughter, and burnings, and rapines made by both sides upon them of Jerusalem. For there were 80000 killed that night, and in the following days they killed Ananus, and others of the nobility, to the number of 12000, besides an infinite number of the common people. But a little after the Idumeans began to repent themselves, when they saw the wickedness of the Zealots, and could perceive no sign of treachery in the Nobility, (of which they were accused) and so setting at liberty 2000 which they held in prison, the Idumeans left Jerusalem, and returned home: they being gone, the Zealots began to use more cruelty against the Nobility than formerly, for they would not suffer the Noble men, after they had slain them, to be buried, but those especially, who they suspected, that they would fly to the Romans: for they kept all the passages, and diligently observed them that would fly, whom they killed, and let them lie unburied.

In the mean time there arose a dissention amongst the Zealots, that John who fled from Gescala to Jerusalem, affecting their Tyranny, and others not enduring him to be their superior, who they before had accounted their equal; but they thus disagreeing among themselves, were very unanimous, in the robbing of the common people, nay all Judea, as if it followed the example of the Metropolis, to wit, Jerusalem, was very full of thieves, and most miserably vexed.

With these discords, by which the Jews destroyed each orher, and by the cries of those that fled to him, entreating to preserve and free their Country from this sedition, Vespasian was incited, and prepares for the siege of Jerusalem, and that he might leave nothing behind him, to trouble him, whilst he was at the siege at Jerusalem; he comes with his army to Gadara, to quench those relics of war and tumult, is the Country beyond the River, he being called thither by the moderate men of the City, who had rather have peace than war; and presently takes the City; the seditious being fled: and sending Placidus with his horse to pursue them, and put them all to the sword, and so possesseth himself of all the Country beyond the river, even to the lake Asphaltis, except the Castle of Macherun, and so having appointed Garrisons through the Towns and winter quarters for his soldiers, he comes to Cesarea and there winters.

Vespasian having received news of the stirs that were raised in Gaul by Vindex, [The Julian Period. 4781] who had armed the Gauls against the Romans, [Year after Christ 68] made him more earnest to finish the war against the Jews, wherefote in the beginning of the spring, he leads his army out of Cesarea, and runs through all Judea, and Idumea, and wasting it, brings back his army, and leads them through Samaria to Jericho, from whence the inhabitants fly into the mountain Country opposite to Jerusalem, but he pursues them, and beating them from the hills, by setting cittadels at Jericho and other places, begirts the Jews on every side.

Some promised to themselves (Nero being forsaken) the government of the East, some the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but most the recovery of their ancient fortune. [ Suetonius. in Nero. cap. 40.]

Nero pronounced of himself that he was undone, when he heard that Galba and Spain had tevolted from him, [ id. ihid. cap. 42.] and at length he slew himself on the ninth day of June, when he had reigned thirteen years and eight months.

On the Kalends of January in Germany, [The Julian Period. 4782] the images of Galba are thrown down, [Year after Christ 69] and on the third day Vitellius is saluted Emperor by the army, and on the 15. day of the same month Galba is killed, seven months after the death of Nero. [ Tacit. Histor. lib. 1.]

Galba being taken out of the way, Otho is created Emperor by the soldiers, not knowing that Vitellius had taken upon him the Empire. Dio writes that he was killed the 90. day of his reign, and Suetonius that he was buried the 95.

Tiberius Alexander the Governor of Egypt was the first that swore the Legions to Vespasian on the Ralends of July, which day of his entrance into the empire was afterwards kept a festival, then the Jewish army on the V. Ides of July swore to him, [ Suet. in Vespasian. cap. 6. with Tacit. lib. 2. histor. cap. 79.] Dio notes that there was but one year and 22. days between the death of Nero and the beginning of the reign of Vespasian.

When Vespasian, being returned to Cesarea, prepared to go with his whole army to besiege Jerusalem, news was brought him of Nero's death, which news having received, he deferrs the war against the Jews, and sends his son Titus to Galba, who had succeeded to Nero, to know his pleasure concerning the Jewish war. Titus going by ship to Achaia, heard there that Galba was killed, whereupon he presently returns to his father to Cesarea, they being in suspense, (and the Empire as it were tottering) deferred the wars of Judea, and being afraid least some hurt should come unto their own Country, they thought it not a convenient time to invade a strange Country.

In the mean time Simon the son of Giora, (concerning whom something is spoken formerly) a bold and valiant young man went from Massada, whither he had fled to the murderers into the mountain Country of Judea, and by promises of liberty to servants, and rewards to the freemen, in short time got a band of thieves, and by little and little increasing his forces, he wasted not only villages, but invades Cities, he came also in short time to that power, that he conquered all Idumea, and wasted Judea, and at last came before Jerusalem, where pitching his tents, he became a terror both to them of Jerusalem, and to the Zealots also, and thus were the Citizens of Jerusalem grievously oppressed on both sides, within by the Zealots whom John commanded, and without by Simon a most cruel man, in the mean time the Idumeans who were of John's party, and were among his forces, falling at variance with him and fighting with him killed many of the Zealots, and then, taking John's palace and burning it, forced him with his party to fly into the temple, but then they fearing, as also did the Citizens, least that by night he should make an excursion into the City, and burn it, they took counsel, and send for Simon, and admit him into the City, that they might defend themselves against him, whom having received they assault the temple, but the Zealots fighting valiantly, they seek to win it by assault.

Vespasian having left Cesarea, comes to Berytus and Antioch, from whence he sends Mutianus with forces into Italy; but he himself goes to Alexandria.

In Moesia Antonius Primus that followed Vespasians party, [Year of the World 4073] leads the third Legion into Italy against the party of Vitellius, and in a fight at Cremona against the Vitellians, he puts them to flight, and beats them, then coming to Rome and being joined with Mutianus in the midst of the City, he overthrows Vitellus's army, and dragging Vitellius himself thorough the Market-place, there cuts his throat. Mutianus makes Domitian the son of Vespasian Prince of the Empire, in the mean time that his father came out of Syria.

Vespasian hearing these things at Alexandria, [The Julian Period. 4783] sends his son Titus with forces into Judea, [Year after Christ 70] for to finish the rest of the war of Judea; but he himself faileth into Italy.

Moreover whilst Titus stayed at Alexandria, the City of Jerusalem was divided into a threefold faction. For Simon whom the Citizens of Jerusalem had sent against John, and admitted into the City, kept the higher City, and some part of the Tower: and John with his Zealots had possessed the Temple and the other part of the lower City: and the last faction is divided again into two; For Eleazar who was the first Commander and Captain of the Zealots, taking it in dudgeon that John by his boldness and subtlety got the government to himself, and to do all things at his own pleasure, departs from him, and taking some followers with him, possesseth himself by them, of the inner part of the Temple, and from thence fights against John. Eleazar was inferior to John in number of men, but his superior in the si • e and quality of the place: and so upon John who held the outward circuit of the Temple and the Porches there lay a double war, one against Eleazar, and the other against Simon: and so some fighting against others, they burnt many things about the Temple, and spoiled the corn, and many necessaries for victual, which might have sufficed them a long time, which things being spoiled and consumed, they were oppressed with famine afterwards, when they were besiged by the Romans.

Titus coming from Alexandria to Cesarea, and there gathering his forces together, to wit, four Legions, and the auxiliaries of the neighbor Kings, marcheth towards Jerusalem, and pitcheth his Camp some six or seven furlongs off the City, a little before the Feast of unleavened bread, and by that means shut up within the City an infinite multitude of men, that had after the custom gone up to the Feast, by which in a short time a most cruel famine oppresseth the City; where all food and nourishment is in short time consumed, a most horride and memorable example whereof happened at that time there, of a mother that devoured her own child: and in the Feast day of unleavened bread, being the 14 of April, whenas Eleazar, who had seized upon the inner Temple, had opened the gate of the Temple that the people might sacrifice, John taking hold of this opportunity, sends privately many of his party armed privately with swords under their garments, who being admitted into the Temple with the rest of the multitude, set upon Eleazar, and seize upon the inner Temple, together with the slaughter of many of the Zealots; and so the faction that was threefold, is now made twofold; to wit, one of Johns who were in number 8400. and the other of Simon's, with whom were 10000 men, besides 5000. Idumeans.

Titus coming near the walls, pitched his Camp near the Tower Psephina, and presently raising a mount, shakes the wall with a Ram, and beats it down by force▪ and on the seventh of May breaks into the City, the first wall being beaten down, and the Jews retiring inwards, he possesseth himself of the North quarter of the City, even to the Castle of Antonia, and the valley of Cedron. On the fifth day, after a certain Tower of the second wall being shaken and beaten down with the Ram from the North quarter, he gets the new lower City; from which he is repulsed again by the Jews: but on the fourth day after he repossesseth it, and addresseth himself for t • e assault of the third wall. And on the 12 of May, commands four mounts to be raised, two at the Castle of Antonia, by which he hoped to gain the Temple, and two at John the High Priests Tomb, by which he hoped to gain the upper City; but John resisted the Romans at Antonia, and Simon at Johns Tomb. Those mounts being perfected on the 29 of May which were making 17 days, and the Romans beg •• ing to shake the wall, John by a mine from Antonia casts down one mount, anb bu •• s it, and Simon the second day after in a sally that he made, sets on fire two mounts opposite to him, together with the Rams and other Engines, and the Jews set upon the Romans in their Camp; but by Titus his coming from Antonia, they are again forced into the City.

The former mounts being spoiled and burnt, Titus thought fit to raise new ones from which he might assault the City, and also to compass the City with a wall that none might flee out of it, nor anything be brought into it. Whereupon in three days space he built a wall about the City, of the circuit of 39 furlongs, and about the wall he built 13 Castles, each Castle containing ten furlongs: whereupon famine so prevailed in the City, and so cruelly raged, that not only the common people died of it, but the seditious also were mightily oppressed by it: and so great was the number of them that perished by famine and pestilence, that from the 14 of April, (on which day the siege began) to the Kalends of July, that thorough one gate (as Mannaeus one that fled, and was to take the account reported) there were carried out 115800 carcases of poor people that were buried at the common charge, besides those that were buried by their kinsmen and friends: a little after it was known from them that fled, that there were 600000 that were carried out of the gates to burial: and whereas afterwards there were not enow to bury the poor, they cast them in great heaps together in empty houses, and shut the doors upon them: and the manner of burial of them was no other, then throwing them over the walls and filling up the ditches with them.

In the mean time Simon within the City refrained not from murders and rapines; for he put to death Matthias the High Priest, being accused of treachery, as though he would have fled to the Romans, (and by whose means he was let into the City) with three of his sons, and fifteen of the noblest of the people, all of them uncondemned: and moreover he raged with such cruelty, that Judas, one of his Captains, hating his cruelty, had a consuta • tion of delivering a Town to the Romans, of which he had the charge: but being prevented by Simon, he with ten that were of counsel with him, were put to death: and John being compelled by necessity, converts to his own and to profane uses, the holy things of the Temple, as Vessels of Gold and Silver, and the money of the Temple: nay, he was compelled to distribute to his Soldiers the very Oil and Wine which was dedicated for divine service.

Titus also fetching materials from every place, and cutting down woods, and all trees, even to 90 furlongs off, with great labor within 21 days, caused new Mounts to be raised, and he made four about Antonia, one upon every side of the Castle. Which when John had cowardly and in vain attempted, they were repulsed by the Romans: and the Romans, on the Kalends of July, began to bring the Ram to the wall of Antonia, by which a breach being made on the fifth of July, they brake into Antonia, and pursue the flying Jews, even into the Temple. But after a long skirmish the Romans being for some time repulsed; on the 17 of July (on which day the continual sacrifice termed by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , was not solemnised for very want of men.) Josephus (by Titus his command) in vain exhorts the seditious to a yielding: and on the seventh day after, he brings his Mounts nearer, the materials of which were brought an hundred furlongs off, and overturning the foundations of Antonia, made an easy ascent unto the Temple, and breaking in by Antonia, seizeth upon the North and West Porches of the outward range of the Temple: part of which Porches, especially that that was joined to Antonia, was burnt and overthrown by the Jews, and two days after, the other part was burnt by the Romans, Sc. 24. of July, the Jews not quenching the fire, but letting it run on, that so the porch might be clearly separated from Antonia.

On the 27 day the Jews again burn the West Porch to the bridge that leadeth to the Gallery, whither many Romans getting up were burnt, (the Jews flying for the nonce) But on the day after, the Romans burnt all the North Porch, even to the Eastern Porch.

And on the eighth of August, when as Titus prevailed nothing by battering with the Ram the wall of the inner Temple, neither by undermining the foundations of the gates, by reason of the greatness and strong cementing of the stones; neither could the Romans by their ladders get up into the Porches, the Jews still beating them back from above: at last, that that he had deferred to do for the reverence of the place being compelled by necessity he did; Sc. He commanded the gates of the inner Temple to be set on fire: which being on fire, the Porches which were joining to them were all on a flame also; The Jews beholding and wondering at it, but not endeavoring to stop and quench the fire for very amazedness, and so the Porches burnt all that day, and the following night. And whereas Titus and his Captains had determined to keep the Temple from firing, he could by no means bring it to pass. For on the tenth of August, when as the Romans which kept Corps due guard in the outward range of the Temple, being provoked by the Jews, had made a charge upon them who quenched the fire of the inner range, and had driven them into the very Temple, a Roman Soldier took a flaming fire brand, and getting upon his fellows shoulders, casts the fire through the golden window into the houses and chambers that were built on the North side of the Temple, which immediately taking fire, burnt the Temple also which joined unto them, Titus in vain commanding his his Soldiers to quench the fire. And this was done in the second year of Vespasian, in the same month, and the same day of the month that it was formerly burnt by Nebuchadnesar.

After the Temple was pillaged and burnt, and the Ensigns set on the East gate of the Temple; and having done sacrifice, Titus is proclaimed Emperor by the army; and then he from the bridge, by which the Temple is joined to the City upon a Gallery, exhorts by an interpreter, the seditious to yield, who had fled into the upper City who when they refused, although he offered them their lives, to commit themselves to his arbitrament, and asked that they might have leave to depart the City with their wives and children, and to go into the wilderness: at which Titus taking scorn, threatens them with utter destruction, commanding all the lower City to be set on fire, and the Palace Acra which he had seized on: but the higher City which was seated on a steep Rock, he began to assault, and beginning to arise his mounts on the 20 of August, and perfecting them on the seventh of September, he brings his Engines to the wall • s, wherein having made a breach, the Tyrants flee with their guards for fea • and amazement, and on the eighth of September, the Romans brake in and destroyed all with fire and sword.

Dio notes that Jerusalem was destroyed on a Saturday, which day the Jews most religiously observe; whether having respect to the day of the Cities being taken, (for the eighth of September fell this year on a Sabbath-day) or of the Cities being destroyed: for Titus commanded all the City and Temple to be rased to the foundation, and to be laid plain, (and also to be ploughed according to the custom) except the West part of the wall only, and three Tow • s, Hippicon, Phasaelus. and Mariamme, which for their great beauty and strength, he had a mind to leave for a monument to postery, of the magnificence of that City.

When as Titus had thus taken the City, and had filled all places with dead bodies, the neighbor Nations would needs have him crowned, but he answered them, that he was unworthy of that honor: for it was not he that was the author of the work, but that he had given his hands to God, that had shown his anger against the Jews. [ Philostratus in vita Apollonii, l. 6. c. 14.] Yet there are coins of Titus, marked with a Trophy, and a Tryumphal Chariot: as also of Vespasian, with the image of a woman sitting sorrowful under a Palm Tree, and with the inscription, (JUDEA CAPTA S. C.) as also money was coined about the end of the 21 year of King Agrippa, with an inscription in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . ( i. e. ) Vespasian Emperor and Caesar, Judea was taken in the year 21 of Agrippa.

Titus having finished the war, [Year of the World 4074] rewarded the Soldiers, and commits the custody of Jerusalem to the tenth Legion, but the twelfth Legion which had fought unfortunately under Cestius he banished out of Syria, and sent them to Euphrates, in the confines of Armenia and Cappadocia, he himself with the fifth and fifteenth Legion, came to Cesarea on the sea cost, whither he gathered together all the prey and spoils and the Captives, because the winter season forbad him to sails into Italy.

The two Tyrants, John and Simon, were taken as they▪ lay hid in the vaults of Jerusalem; of whom John was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, and Simon was reserved for the Triumph. In the same vaults were found 2000 men, who either per • shed for hunger, or each killed the other, rather then they would yield themselves to the Romans.

Titus tarried at Cesarea, where he celebrated the birth-day of his brother Domi • ian, (which fell on the 30 of December, where the number of the Jews that perished with fighting with wild beasts, and that burned with fire, and that sell by fighting one against the other, exceeded the number of 2500.

Afterwards Titus came to Berytus in Phenicia, [The Julian Period. 4784] where he tarried longer, [Year after Christ 71] and solemnised the birth-day of his father, (Sc. of his Empire: which as we have taught out of Suetonius and Tacitus was wont to be observed on the Kalends of July) with great magnificence, there a multitude of Captives also perished in the like manner as before.

Titus going to see Antiochia and other Cities of Syria, and then by Judea and Jerusalem, being accompanied with the fifth and fifteenth Legion, goes into Egypt to Alexandria, and from thence sails to Rome, where he was wellcomed hom •• by all men, and, together with his father, Tryumphed for the conquest of Judea.

The two Captains of the seditious, John and Simon, were led in that Triumph, and 700 other Jews that excelled in strength and beauty, of whom Simon only suffered death. (called by Dio Barpores) The law also of the Jews was carried in this Tryumph, as the last of the spoils, which, together with the purple veils of the Sanctuary were laid up in the Palace.

From this victory both father and son got the name of Emperor; yet neither of them was called Judaicus, although many other things, and especially Tryu • phal Arches were decreed for them, [ Xiphilin. ex Dion. ] and there remains yet at the foot of the hill Palatine, a Marble Tryumphal Arch, erected to the honor of Titus, ou • of which there is a copy expressed by Villalpandus of the instruments of the Temple that were carried in Triumph. [ Tom. 2. explanat. on Ezekiel. lib. 5. cap. 7. pag. 587.]

Lucilius Bassus was sent Lieutenant into Judea, [Year of the World 4075] who receiving the army from Cenalis Vitellianus, had the Castle Herodian with the Garrison yielded unto him: and shortly after, he took the strong Castle Machaeron beyond Jordan by assault.

It happened even in our time, [The Julian Period. 4785] that neither Sun nor Moon were seen, [Year after Christ 72] for 12. ( others say 15. days ) the Vespasians being Emperors, the father the third time ( perhaps the fourth ) and the son the second time being Consuls: saith Pliny, [lib. 2. cap. 13.] which some think was foretold by our Savior. [Matthew, XXIV. 29.]

Caesar wrote to Tiberius Maximus the Governor of Judea, that he should sell all the land of the Jews. He imposed also a tribute upon all the Jews wheresoever they lived; and commanded them to bring in every year into the Capitol two drachmes as they were wont to pay in former time to the Temple of Jerusalem.

In the fourth year of Vespasian, Cesennius Paetus, Governor of Syria, drove Antiochus the King of Commagene out of his kingdom, who himself fled into Silicia, and his son unto the Parthians: but both of them being afterwards reconciled to Vespasian, he is restored to his kingdom. [ Joseph. ]

The Abani brake into Media, [The Julian Period. 4786] and waste it all over, [Year after Christ 73] the King Pacorus fleeing before them; they afterwards pass into Armenia, to whom Tiridates the King opposing himself, he is almost taken in the very battle. [ Id. ]

Amongst the Jews, [Year of the World 4079] Bassus being dead, Publius Silva succeeds in the government of Judea. He on the 15 day of April wins by force that impregnable Castle of Massada, that was seized upon by Eleazar, the Nephew of Judas Galitaeus, the Captain of the thieves: all the thieves that were in the Castle to the number of 900, with their wives and children, at the persuasion of Eleazar putting each other to death, having first burnt the Castle with all the housholdstuff, lest they should come into the power of the Romans: and so all the relics of the Jewish wars are taken away, and all Judea is quieted.

Many of the thieves that escaped from Judea, fled & came into Egypt to Alexandria, where they solicit the Jews to revolt: but the common people being persuaded by their Rulers fell upon those thieves, and took 600 hundred of them, whom they deliver to the Romans to be punished: the rest that escaped into Egypt and Thebes were also taken. Concerning which business, Caesar having advice, he commandeth Lupus, then Governor of Alexandria, that he should pull down the Temple of the Jews (that was built a long while agone in Egypt, by Onias the brother of the High Priest,) But Lupus did no more than take away some gifts out of the Temple, and so shut it up: but Paulinus his successor in the government, having taken away all the gifts, and shutting up the doors, made an order that none should come thither; so that there was not so much as any footstep of Religion left there.

A certain Jew, a weaver, Jonathan by name, escaped to Cyrene, where raising a tumult, he drew 2000 Jews into the Wilderness: when Catullus (or Catulus) the Governor of Libia Pentapolis, sending Horse and Foot, easily overthrew them. Jonathan being brought before him, he falsely accused the most wealthy of the Jews to be the chief authors of this project: to whose accusations Catullus willingly giving ear, he put 3000 of them to death at once. And this he did the more securely, because he confiscated their estates to Caesar's revenues, Jonathan also is sent prisoner by him with others that were taken to Rome to Vespasian, that he might accuse the most honest of them that lived at Rome and Alexandria of innovation. Who affirmed also amongst others, that Josephus the Writer of the Jewish History, sent to him both arms, and money. But Vespasian, knowing that this accusation was not lawfully brought against these men, he at Titus his entreaty acquitted them: but deservedly punisheth Jonathan; for having first scourged him, he was burnt alive. Catullus also through the mercy of the Princes suffered then no chastisement, but not long after he was taken with a complicated and incurable disease, and he was tortured and tormented in his mind (for he thought he saw the ghosts of them that he had killed always before him) at last his guts and bowels rotting and issuing out of him, he died. [ Joseph. lib. 7. bell. cap. ult. and in his Life. ]

Here Joseph endeth the History of the destruction of Judea: who being taken in this war, and made a freeman by Flarius Vespasian the Emperor, took the name of Flarius from his Patron.

Cornelius and Suetonius relate that there were 600000. Jews killed in this war, but Josephus a Jew, and a commander in that war, and who deserved thanks and pardon from Vespasian for foretelling him he should be Emperor, writes that 1000000. perished by sword and famine, and of the rest of the Jews that were dispersed all the world over, and put to death divers ways, the number is said to be 90000. So Orosius [ lib. 7. cap. 9.] but I find not the number of 600000. of them that were killed in Suetonius, in Josephus [ lib. 6. belli. cap. 17.] the number of captives is 97000, but the other number of 1100000 is only of them that perished in the six months siege of Jerusalem, but of those that perished out of Jerusalem, through the whole seven years, Justius Lipsius made this catalogue out of Josephus. [ in lib. 2. de Constantia. cap. 21.]

• At Jerusalem, first killed by the command of Florus. 630.
• By the inhabitants of Cesarea in hatred to them and their religion. 20000.
• At Scythopolis (a City of Syria.) 30000.
• At Askelon in Palestine by the inhabitants also. 2500.
• Likewise at Ptolemais. 2000
• At Alexandria in Egypt under Tib. Alexander the President. 50000.
• At Damascus. 10000.
• At the taking of Joppe by Cesius Florus. 8400.
• In a certain mountain called Cabulo. 2000.
• In a fight at Askelon. 10000.
• By an ambuscado. 8000.
• At Aphaca when it was taken. 15000.
• Slain at mount Garizim. 11600.
• At Jotapa, in which Joseph himself was 30000.
• At Joppe when it was taken were drowned 4200.
• Slain at Tarichaea 6500.
• At Gamala as well killed as that threw themselves down 9000.
• Neither was any one that was of that City saved, but only two women that were sisters.
• When they forsook Giskala, killed in the flight 2000.
• Slain of the Gadarenes, besides an infinite that leapt into the river 13000.
• Slain in the villages of Idumea 10000.
• At Gerasium 1000.
• At Macheron 1700.
• In the wood of Jardes 3000.
• In the Castle of Massada, that slew themselves 960.
• In Cyrene by Catulus the Governor 3000.

Which number of the dead, being added to the 1100000. that perished at the siege of Jerusalem, makes up the number of 1337490. an innumerable company being omitted that perished through famine, banishment, and other miseries. Justus Tiberiensis in his Chronicle of the Kings of the Jews, shows that Agrippa the last King of the race of Herod, had his Kingdom augmented by Vespasian, [ apud Photi. in Bibliotheca. cod. 33.] Dio relates that he had Praetorian honors given him, his sister Berenice that came to Rome with him dwelt in the Palace: for Titus was so in love with her that he made her believe he would marry her, and she carried all things as if she had been his wife, but Titus when he knew that the people of Rome did not take it well, he put her away, [ Suetonius. in Tit. cap. 7. & Xiphilin. ex Dion. ] Of the rest of Herod's progeny, the observation of Josephus is very memorable, [ lib. 18. Antiquit. cap. 7.] That they all failed, although it was very numerous, within an hundred years. And this was the Period of the Jewish affairs.

IN the third Column of the Numbers, being the Title over the pages, [ The year before Christ ] hath escaped instead of [ The year after Christ ] from page 792. to the end: Which over-sight be pleased courteously to mend with your pen.

A Perfect INDEX TO THE WHOLE WORK.

Wherein you have all the several Heads referred to their particular years, either of the Julian Period, or the Year of the World; betwixt which you may distinguish by A. M▪ always placed before that number that points to the Year of the World, and J. P. before those that lead you to the year of the Julian Period: with the distinctions of the time of the year by the four letters, a, b, c, and d; according to the direction in the end of the Epistle to the Reader.

A. A.
• AAron born. J. P. 3140

A. B.
• Abbarus High Priest. J. P. 4153
• Abdon judges Israel, J. P. 3549
• Abel is slain by his brother. J. P. 840
• Abia reigns. 3756
• Vanquisheth Jeroboam. J. P. 3759
• Abimelech slays his 50 brothers. 3478
• He spoils the City Shechem, is slain. 3481
• Abraham is born. J. P. 2718
• Called out of Vz of the Chaldees. 2792
• To avoid the famine goes down into Egypt. 2793
• Returns with Lot into Canaan. 2794
• Is circumcised. 2817
• Offers his son Isacc. 2843
• Dyes. 2893
• Absalom after 3 years banishment returns to Jerusalem. 3687
• After two years is admitted to his fathers presence. 3689
• Began to alienate the affections of the people to his father. 3690
• Attempted his fathers Crown. 3691
• And is slain by Jonathan the same year.
• Abydus besieged and taken. 4513
• Befieged again. 4524

A. C.
• Acenchres, daughter of Orus, Queen of Egypt 3806
• Acenchres son of Rotholes, King of Egypt. 3107
• After him another Acenchres reigned there. 3120
• Ahab covets Naboth's vineyard, 3815
• Constitutes his son Achasias King under him 3816
• Assaulting Ramoth Gilead he is slain. 3817
• Achaz the son of Jothamus born. 3952
• He succeeds his father. 3975
• Is vanquished. 3973
• Serves the Assyrian. 3972
• Dies. 3988
• Achazia born. 3807
• Falling sick consults Baal-zebub. 3818
• Dies. 3829
• Achaeus. 4496 4497
• The Achaeans condemn Araeus and Alcibiades. 4530
• Achiabus prevents Herod (the Infanticide ) designing his death. sup. A. M. 4001
• Achillas commands the messengers brought to him to be slam, is killed by Arsinoe. intr. A. M. 3957
• Acme the maid of Livia sends feigned Epistle to Herod. J. P. 3710
• Is slain by Herod. An. M. 4001
• Addo, or Addius, wounds Gaius. J. P. 4716

A. E.
• Aegialcus begins his reign over the Sicionians in Peloponese. J. P. 2625
• Aegyptius the Magician carries about 4000 men. 4768
• Aegyptius, calls the land Aeria by his own name, 3230
• After nine years spent in foreign Expeditions, he returns to Pelusium. 5232
• His fifty sons slain by Danaus' s fifty daughters. 3240
• The government by twelve in Egypt. 4029
• The Egyptians revolt from the Persians 4222
• Revolt again. 4254
• Reduced again to the Persians 4260
• Egypt subjugated to Persia. 4364
• The Egyptians revolt. 4499
• Aelius Gallus, Prefect of Egypt, is sent into Arabia. 4690
• By the perfidiousness of Syllaeus, undergoes great difficulties. 4690
• His army contracts diseases by reason of the water and herbs. ibid.
• He demolishes a Town in Arabia felix 4691
• Returns from his Arabian Expedition. A. M. 3982
• Aelius Sejanus poisons Drusus Tiberius his son, having adulterated his wife. 4736
• Falsly accuses the Jews to Tiberius. ibid.
• Is slain. A. M, 4035
• Amilius his actions. 4524
• Aemilius Macer, the Poet of Veron, died in Asia. 4698
• L. Aemilius Paulus overcomes Perseus. A. M. 3836. c.
• Goes about Greece, and institutes plays at Amphipolis. A. M. 3838
• Aeneas, King of Arabia of the Nabataeans. A. M. 3998
• sends in vain to Caesar. J. P. 4078
• Aesopus comes to Sardis, and thence to Delphi, and is there unjustly condemned. 4153
• Ethiopians fleeing from Indus pitched about Egypt. 3099
• Aetolians Anacleteria: 4518

A. G.
• Agabus foretells St. Paul's imprisonment. J. P. 4773
• Agathocles dies. 4425
• Is slain by the father of Lysimachus, 4431
• Agathocles 4507, 4510
• Agesilaus is sent by the Lacedemonians with forces against the Persians. 4318
• Keeps the Covenants made with Tisaphernes, although he broke his oath; the same year, destroys Phrygia and the neighbouring places, drives away Tissaphernes army. 4219
• He constituteth Pisander over the Navy, 4320.
• the same year is recalled from being of the Ephori, is derided by the King of Egypt, 4352
• He dies. 4353
• Agesipolis King of Sparta. 4531

A. L.
• Alani destroy Media. J. P. 4786
• Albinus succeeds Festus in the Province of Judea. 4776
• Afflicts the Jews with injustice. 4777
• Alcetas kills himself. 4894
• Alchaudonius joins with Bassus, being hired thereunto. 4669
• Alcibiades and Chalcidaeus cause many to revolt from the Athenians. 4302
• Alcibiades his demands, 4303
• Returns in favor with the Athenians, returns to Samos with a great spoil. ibid.
• He is cast into prison by Tissaphernes. 4306
• Overcomns Pharnabazes. ibid.
• Is made General of the War 4207. flees into Thracia with money, 4310.
• Dies, and is buried. ibid.
• Alcimus is made Priest. A. M. 3842
• His Priesthood confirmed by Demetrius Soter, ib. d.
• Against his Covenant he kills 60 of the Scribes in one day. ibid.
• Presents a golden Crown to Demetrius. A. M. 3853 a.
• Accuses Judas Macchabaeus. ib.
• Brings Nicanor before the King. J. P. 4553.
• Ends his life in great torment. A. M. 3844 c.
• Alexander born, J. P. 4358
• Succeeds Philip, 4378
• Overcomes the Triballi, and returns to quiet Greece. 4378
• He spares the Athenians, besieges Thebes, by Hecataeus means catches▪ Attalus, spoils Thebes, spares Pindarus his house, visits Diogenes. ib.
• His dream. 4380
• Passes into Asia, his army, casts a spear into Asia, he visits Achilles Tomb, sacrifices, passes Granica▪ overcomes the Persians in the Adrastian fields, possesses himself of the Sardians, comes to Ephesus, takes away Oligarchy, sacrifices to Diana, takes Miletum, contends against Carias, frees the Grecian Cities, declares Ada Queen of Caria, levels with the ground Halicarnassus, gives the Macedonian soldiers leave to winter with their Wives, sends Permenion to Sardis, takes many Towns. ib.
• He makes for Myliada. 4381
• At Phasaelis he receives a message that there was treason plotted for to take away his life. ib.
• He takes many Towns in Pisidia, Pamphilia and Phrygia, comes to Gordium, and cuts the knot. ib.
• Subdues the whole Country to the river Halys, invades the Fort at Pylae, is in danger by the coldness of the water of Cydnus, overcomes Orotobates the the Persian, amongst the Solons he sacrifices to Esculapius and Minerva, defeats the vast army of Darius, uses Darius his mother and daughter civilly. ib.
• Erecting three Altars, he makes for Syria, Isles and Crowns are presented to him. ib.
• He goes to the City Maratha, where letters are delivered him by Darius. ib.
• He takes Byblus and Sidonia, where Strato had succeeded Ochus, and constituted Abdalonymus King there. ib.
• He threatens run to the Tyrians, writes to Jaddus, 4382
• Subdues Arabia, Sails to Tyre, rejects Darius his conditions of peace. ib.
• Sacrifices to Hercules, invades Judea, worships Jaddus, grants the Jews requests, subdues Egypt, builds Alexandria, goes to the Oracle of Ammon, and is saluted jupiters son, put Darius to flight, and comes to Susa. 4383
• Takes Persepolis, id. leads his Soldiers through frost and snow, id. takes the rest of the Cities of Persia, and burns Persepolis. 4384
• He pursues Darius, id. how long he reigned. id. his courtesy towards Darius, id. gave himself to the Persian luxury. id. burns the soldiers luggage, plots are laid against him, id. he takes the Macedonian letters: what he did to the end of that year. 4384.
• His soldiers die with drinking water. 4385
• Conveighs his army over the river upon hides. ibid. is wounded with an arrow, ibid. is in danger at Cyropolis, ib. builds Alexandria at Tanais. ibid.
• Overcomes the Scythians, comes to the river Oxus. ibid.
• Divides his army into five parts, having subdued the Sogdians, kills a Lion. ib.
• Mourns for Clytus, and for the deaths of Philippus and Erygius, overcomes Petra, commands divine worship to himself. 4386.
• Makes for India. 4387
• Is wounded in the leg. ib. boasts he will excel Hercules, ib. takes many Cities in India, passes the river Indus, and celebrates plays, ib. gets over Hydaspes. ib. his vanity on the other side of the river Hydaspes, id. the insolence of his Captains, ibid. The rest of his acts amongst the Indians. 4388
• He is wounded. ib. His marriage with Statira, Gives noble wives to his friends. His cruelty. He prepares to sails over Tigris and Euphrates. 4389
• His largesse to his soldiers, to some he gives golden Crowns. He instructs the Persian youth in Macedonian arms. Takes up the Persian modes, rejecting the Macedonian customs. He admits the suppliant Macedonians to kiss him. He makes a banquet for nine thousand guests. His mourning for Hephaestion. ib. He enters Babylon, neglecting the admonitions of the diviners. How he answered the Ambassadors sent to him from all about. He accuseth Aesculapius. Sends the brazen statues back to Athens. He makes most magnificent Exequies for Hephaestion, to whom he sacrifices, and dedicates a Temple. 4390
• This year, in which he died, his Navy at Babylon digged a Haven. He prepares his Navy against the Arabians; derides the Soothsayers. A certain Mariner put his Crown on his own head. When and how he died. 4390 & 4391
• He appoints a Temple to be erected to Belus in Babylon. His dream. His enterprises a little before his death. ib. He is taken with a disease whilst drinking. How long he was sick. What he said on his death-bed. How long he lived, and reigned. ib. Who succeeded him. ib. How long he lay dead on the earth. ib. Two years unburied. ib. Alexanders. Testament and successors. ibid.
• Alexander Balas seeks the friendship of Jonathan. A. M. 3851. d.
• Demetrius being slain, he takes Cleopatra, the daughter of Ptolemaeus Philometor, to wife. J. P. 4564
• He honors Jonathan. ib. He gives himself to sloth. J. P. 4566
• Hearing of the Expedition of Demetrius from Phoenicia, he hasts to Antioch. ibid.
• He consults the oracle of Apollo of Sarpedon▪ ant. A. M. 3859
• According to the answer of the oracle he is slain in Arabia. ib. A. M. 3859
• Alexander, a certain young man is suborned by the Antiochians for the son of Antiochus. juxta A. M. 3851 a.
• Alexander (another) professing himself to be the son of Perseus, flees into Dardania for fear of Me • ellus. sup. A. M. 3858
• Alexander Jannaeus is born to John Hyrcanus. A. M. 3877
• Begets his son Hyrcanus. A. M. 3892
• Is made King of the Jews. sup. J. P. 4609
• Is overcome by Ptolemaeus Lathurus. infr. J. P. 4610
• Enters into league with Cleopatra. sup. J. P. 4612
• He takes Gaza, and spoils it. sup. A. M. 3907
• He takes Dia. A. M. 3920
• Conquers Essa. infr. J. P. 4630
• Likewise Gaulana and Seleucia. sup. A. M. 3922.
• Throws Demetrius out of his Kingdom. infr. A. M. 3923
• Is sick of a Quartan Ague. J. P. 4633
• Dying, advises his wife by no means to offend the Pharisees. sup. J. P. 4636
• Alexander, the brother of Ptolemaeus Lathurus, succeeds his brother in the Kingdom of Egypt. sup▪ J. P. 46 • 8
• Alexander, the Father of Alexander the younger, being first overcome in war▪ died. infr. J. P. 4626
• Alexander Zebinas is made King of Syria. sup. J. P. 4588
• Is merciful to the conquerd subjects. J. P. 4590
• The people forsake him. J. P. 4592
• Commits Sacrilege. ib.
• Is overcome by Antiochus Grypus, and flees to Antiochia. ib. is slain. ib. infr.
• Alexander Polyhistor. A. M. sup. 3924
• Alexander, the son of Ptolemaeus, the Matricide, kills his wife Cleopatra. A. M. 3924
• Alexander, the second King of Egypt, expelled. J. P. 4649
• By his Testament makes the people of Rome his heirs in the Kingdom. infr. A. M. 3940
• Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, vexes Judea with incursions. J. P. 4657
• Being conquered by Gabinius, offers up his Castles. ibid.
• Is again overcome. infr. J. P. 4659
• Is put to death. infr. J. P. 4665
• Alexander King of the Arabians, taken in the Actian battle, and being led in Triumph by Octavianus, is put to death. infr. J. P. 4685
• Alexander, the son of Herod, is reconciled to his father, by his father-in-law Archelaus. infr. A. M. 3996
• He and his brother Aristobulus are strangled by his fathers command. sup. J. P. 4709
• Alexander is detected a counterfeit by Caesar. sup. A. M. 4002
• Alexander Lysimachus conquered by Gaius, is set at liberty by Claudius. infr. J. P. 4754
• Alexandra, the daughter of Hircanus, writes to Cleopatra, to solicit Antonius in the cause of her son Aristobulus. infr. J. P. 4678
• being privately about to convey herself and her son Aristobulus into Egypt, is taken. sup. A. M. 4670
• Deplores the miserable death of her son to Cleopatra by letters. infr. J. P. 4680
• Is cast into prison by Herod's command. infr. J. P. 4680
• Fearing the like from Herod, approves her daughter Mariamme's death. sup. J. P. 4686
• When in Herod's sickness she endeavors to gain the forts into her possession, she is put to death by him. infr. J. P. 4686
• Alexandrians being about to clear themselves from the accusations of Ptolemaeus against them at Rome, are by him some of them murdered, the rest deterred from following their cause. infr. J. P. 4657
• Are overcome by Gabinius. J. P. 4659
• The Alexandrians six Gaius his statues in the Porches of the Jews. infr. J. P, 4751
• Are cruel to the Jews. ib. Paulo post.
• Alexus, or Alexander, of Laodicea being sent from Antonius to Herod, revolts from him, and stays with Herod. infr. J. P, 4684
• Is slain at Caesar's command. ibid,

A. M.
• Amasias born. J. P. 3851.
• Is beaten and taken at Bethshemesh. 3888
• Is slain. 3904
• Amasis made King by the Rebels. 4141
• Reigns in Egypt. 4145
• Revolts from Cyrus, 4183
• Leaves this World. 4189
• M. Ambivius, second Procuratour, is sent by Augustus into Judea. sup. A. M. 4015
• Amisus is taken by Lucullus. J. P. 4644
• Ammonius kills Antigonus and Laodice. J. P. 4566
• Hiding himself in a woman's guise, is found and slain. sup. A. M. 3859
• Amenophis reigns in Egypt. A. J. P. 2928
• Amenophis his reign. 3019
• Am-essis reigns in Egypt. J. P. 2949
• Amyntas is constituted chief in Galatia by Antonius. infr. J. P. 4678
• Falls over to Augustns. infr. J. P. 4683
• Amnon defiles his sister 3682
• Is slain by Absalom. 3684
• Amon is born. 4049
• succeeds his father 4071
• Is slain. 4073
• Amyntas with the Grecians is slain. 4382

A. N.
• Ananelus receives the High Priesthood from Herod. infr. J. P. 4678
• Ananias, the son of Zebedaeus is constituted High Priest, J. P. 4760
• Ananus being new High Priest, delivers James the brother of Jesus, and others, to be stoned. infr. J. P. 4176
• Loses his High Priesthood. ibid.
• Anaxagoras dies. 4286
• Anaxibius the Laconian by treachery is slain by Ephicrates. 4326
• Anaximander the Milesian is born. 4103
• leaves this World. 4167
• Anaximenes succeeds Anaximander. 4167
• Andriscas of Adramitium feigns himself to be the son of Perseus. J. P. 4562
• Is taken by Demetrius and sent to Rome, where he is neglected through contempt. ibid.
• Stealing privately from Rome, hepossesses himself of Macedonia. infr. A. M. 3855
• Overcomes the Roman army. sup. J. P. 4566
• Wasts Thessaly ibid.
• He grows cruel. ibid.
• He is by Byzes petty king of Thrace, betrayed into the hands of Metellas. sup. A. M. 3857
• Andronicus kills Ontas. sup. J. P. 4544
• He is slain in the same place by the command of Antiochus. ibid.
• Anianus, the first Bishop of the Church of Alexandria. A. M. 4065
• Anna, a Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel. A. M. 3909, J. P. 4626
• Annius Rufus, the third Procuratonr of Judea. sup. A. M. 4017
• Antalcidas becomes master of the seas. 4327
• Antenor, the Legate of Perseus, is sent to Rhodes with seven ships. infr. J. P. 4547
• Meets with those were sent by Eumenes to Attalus unawares. sup. A. M. 3836. c.
• Antigonus sends Athanaeus against the Nabataeans, and gathers bitumen out of Asphaltis. 4403
• Makes peace with Cassander Ptolemaeus, and Lysimachus. ibid.
• Commands Cleopatra to be slain. 4406
• His Acts. 4406, and 4394, 4395, 4396, 3397. to 4412
• He is slain. 4412
• Antigonus Demetrius. 4430
• Antigonus his civility to Pyrrhus. 4442
• Antigonus Gonatas. 4434
• Antigonus Gonatas. 4437, and 4440
• Departs this life. 4471
• Antigonus, the brother of Aristobulus, is slain. A. M. 3899
• Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, complains to Caesar of injuries he had done him. infr. 3957. c.
• Invading Judea, repelled by Herod. A. M. 3963
• Having reduced it, receives Hircanus and Phasaslus, bound, by the Parthian King. infr. J. P. 4674
• Is declared an enemy to Rome. sup. A. M. 3965
• Overcomes Josephus, the brother of Herod, and uses him, being dead, cruelly. infr. A. M. 2966
• Sends Pappus General into Samaria. infr. A. M. 3966
• Is led bound to Antonius. infr. J. P. 4677
• Is put to death by him. ib. infr.
• Antiochia. 4414
• Antiochus Soter is in love with his mother in law. 4432
• Dies. 4434
• Antiochus Soter makes laws for the Jews Cities in Ionia. 4453
• Redeems himself from the Galls. 4472
• Antiochus Hierax. 4487
• Antiochus Magnus. 4492, 4493, 4494, to 4516
• Besieges Corasesium. 4517
• Winters at Ephesus. 4517
• Is rejected by the Romans. 4518
• Suffers shipwreck. ibid.
• Favors the Jews. 4520
• Sends Ambassadors to Rome. 4521.
• Gives one daughter in marriage to Ptolemaeus. the other to Ariarathes. 4521
• Falls in love with a Virgin. 4523
• His Navy is overcome by the Romans. ib.
• He sues for a peace. ib.
• Sends back his son to Scipio. 5424
• Antiochus his army is conquered. ibid.
• He loses Asia. 4526
• His sacrilege and death. ib. 4526
• Antiochus Epiphanes, called Epimanes. J. P. 4536
• He attains the Magistracy, by the votes of the people, the time of his reign computed. ib.
• Having made a league of friendship with Eumenes, he rules Syria, and the bordering Nations most powerfully. ibid.
• Sent Ambassadors to Rome, the chiefest of which was Apollonius. A. M. 3831
• He lies near upon Egypt. J. P. 4543
• Complains to the Romans, that he is invaded by Ptolemaeus. sup. A. M. 3834
• He overcomes Ptolemaeus his Captains in a battle. ib. spares the young King. ibid.
• Enters Egypt, and spoils it. infr. J. P. 4344
• He goes up against Jerusalem, and possesses himself of the City. ibid.
• He slays forty thousand, and sells so many. ib.
• He spoils the Temple, and kills swine upon the Altar. ib. Making a third Expedition, he reduced Egypt into his power. J. P. 4545
• Besieges Alexandria. A. M. 3836. a.
• Leads his army into Syria. ibid.
• Is offended at the peace made between the two Ptolomies. infr. J. P, 4546
• Sends Apollonius against the Cities of Judea. infr. A. M. 3836. c.
• He commands all the Nations subject to him to be of the same religion with the Greeks. A. M. 3837
• He sends some to the Cities of Judea, to compel them to follow the Rites of the Gentiles. ib.
• The abominable Idol of Jupiter Olympius is placed upon the Altar. ibid.
• He compels men by torments to adjure the Jewish religion. J. P. 4547
• He declares there were plays to be exhibited at Daphne. infr. J. P. 4548
• He deforms their magnificence. in. infr.
• He dissembles courtesy by Tiberius Gracchus. ib.
• He considers of going against Persis. A. M. 3839
• He takes Artaxias King of the Armenians. infr. A. M. 4549
• Attempting Persepolis, is repelled by the Citizens. J. P. 4550
• Hearing of the flight of those in Judea, he is extreme angry. sup. A. M. 3840. c.
• He is tormented with an immedicable disease in his bowels, ibid. acknowledges he suffers that misery for the injuries he had done the Jews. ib. Vows to give the Jews liberty to live according to their own laws. ibid. He died the 149 years of the Grecian account. ibid.
• Antiochus Theos is fraudulently slain by his Tutor. infr. J. P. 4571
• Antiochus, afterwards called Grypus, is born. sup. A. M. 3863
• He obtains the name of King. sup. A. M. 3882
• He prepares himself against his brother Antiochus Cizicenus his rival in the Kingdom. sup. A. M. 3891
• Overcomes him. ib. is overcome by him. J. P. 4602
• They divide the Empire. ib. He is slain by the treachery of Heracleon. sup. A. M. 3908
• Antiochus, the son of Demetrius Soter, who was called Sidetes, sends letters to Simon the Priest. sup. A. M. 3864
• He receives Cleopatra the daughter of his brother in marriage. infr. A. M. 3865
• He threatens Simon. ib. comes into Judea. infr. J. P. 4579
• Leads an army against the Parthians. infr. A. M. 3873
• His luxury. ib. His victory. ib. His death. infr, J. P. 4584
• Antiochus Cyzicenus gives himself to luxnry. infr. A. M. 3893
• Both the brothers are despised by John Hyrcanus. A. M. 3894
• Cizicenus brings aid to the Samaritans, is overcome by Aristobulus his soldiers. A. M. 3895
• Antiochus Eusebes, the Diadem being put upon him, presently makes war upon Seleucus. A. M. 3911
• Being overcome flies to the Parthians. A. M. 3912
• Antiochus Asiatichus insinuates himself into the Kingdom of Syria. infr. J. P. 4645
• He and his brother come to Rome to seek the Kingdom of Egypt. sup. J. P. 4642
• Asiaticus returns from Rome into his father Kingdom. sup. A. M. 3934
• Comes to Syracuse, where he is spoiled by Verres. ib. sup. A. M. 3934
• Antiochus Comagenus is compelled to sue for peace by P. Ventidius. infr. J. P. 4675
• Being condemned in the Senate, is slain. A. M. 3976
• Antiochus being deprived of his Kingdom, receives Co •• agena from Claudius. infr. J. P. 4754
• Being expelled the Kingdom, together with his son, is restored by Vespatianus. sup. J. P. 4786
• Antiochians revolt from Demetrius. sup. A. M. 3851
• forsake Alexander. infr. J. P. 4568
• Antipas (or Antipater) begets Herod, afterwards, King of the Jews. J. P. 4642.
• Is betrayed by Aristobulus. infr. J. P. 4648
• Comes with Hyrcanus to Aretas the King of the Arabians. sup. J. P. 4645
• Antipaters Gests. 4406, 4394
• Antipaters virtue. infr. A. M. 3957. b.
• Antipater created Procurator of Judea. infr. A. M. 3957. c.
• He commits Galilea to the care of Herod the Second. ibid.
• He dies by poison. infr. J. P. 4671
• Antipater, the son of Herod, being now preferred before Alexander and Aristobulus, is sent to Rome, A. M. 3992
• He inflamed his father against the sons of Mariamme. ib. involving his brothers in false accusations, by others, he takes upon him to defend them. infr. J. P. 4759
• Having removed his brothers out of the way, he intended likewise to make away with his father. infr. J. P. 4709
• He marries the daughter of Aristobulus. ibid.
• Plots against his father. ib. Is sent by his father to Augustus. ib. Is said to have prepared poison for his father. sup. A. M. 4000
• Is recalled from Rome to Judea by his father. infr. J. P. 4710
• He is convicted of preparing the poison for his father, before Quintilius Varus. ib. Is slain by his fathers command. A. M. 4001
• Antipatris is built by Herod. A. M. 3995
• Antissa is destined to ruin by the Romans. A. M.
• Antonius Creticus ends the unhappy war with his life. sup. A. M. 3934
• Antonius the First, taking Vespasians part, routs Vitellius his army, and cuts his throat. A. M. 4073
• L. Antonius, Consul, suffers a siege by Octavianus. infr. J. P. 4674
• M. Antonius wars with good success in Silicia. J. P. 4612
• Depopulates Sicilia, and all the Provinces. J. P. 4640
• Takes Pelusium. A. M. 3949
• He grows famous for many victories. J. P. 4659
• He buries the body of Archelaus. ibid.
• Admits Cornelius Dolabella his Colleague in the Consulship. infr. J. P. 4670
• Entertains Octavius proudly, ib. infr.
• Corrupts the books of Julius Caesar. ibid.
• Is chosen General of the Macedonian forces. ibid. infr.
• Comes to Brindisi. ib. infr.
• He finds the Soldiers disobedient. ib. infr.
• Being affrighted, speaks not a word of Caesar in the Senate. sup. J. P. 4671
• Besieges Decimus Brutus at Mutina. sup. J. P. 4671
• His letters to Hirtius the Consul, and Caesar the Propraetor. ib. infr.
• He is adjudged an enemy. ib. infr.
• Being overcome by Octavius Caesar, he flees pitifully out of Italy. ibid.
• Joynes with M. Lepidus in Gaul. ibid.
• Commands Hortensius to be executed. infr. A. M. 3963
• Because his freed-man had buried his coat of male with Brutus, he commands he should be slain. ib. infr.
• He passes over into Greece, J. P. 4673
• Thence he sails into Asia. ib, infr.
• He admits Choraulas, into Court. ib. He receives Bithynia from Apuleius, receives Herod courteously, enters Ephesus. Benignly entertains the Ambassadors of the Jews. ib. infr.
• He is implacable to all the privies to the death of Caesar. ib. infr.
• He lays heavy tribute upon the Provinces of Syria. ib. infr.
• He makes Phasaelus and Herod Tetrarchs of Judea. ib. infr.
• He makes towards Cleopatra, now returned into Egypt. A. M. 3964
• His vanity. ib. infr.
• Deteins the Ambassador sent to him from the Italian Colonies. ib.
• Going against the Parthians, he came even unto Tyrus. J. P. 4674
• Takes Octavia to wife ib. infr.
• He holds the Kingdom in division with Octavius Lepidus, possessing the Provinces of Africa. ib. infr.
• Is forced by Genethliachus the Egyptian to separate from Octavianus. infr. A. M. 3965
• He appells certain Kings upon his own head. ib. infr.
• He carries his wife Octavia with him into Grecia, Plays the Gymnasiarch at Athens. ib. infr.
• Triumphs and Supplications are decreed him by the Senate. infr. J. P. 4675
• He besieges Samosata. ib. is terrified with a Prodigy. A. M. 3966
• He calls Cleopatra into Syria. A. M. 3968
• He is said to have filthy familiarity with Glaphyra. ib. infr.
• He admits Artabazes, King of the Arabians, to his Council ib. infr.
• Sending back Cleopatra, he goes into Armenia.