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Antiochus forbiddeth the Iewes to vse their lawes, onely Matthias the sonne of [ M] Asmonaeas contradicteth him, and obtaineth the victory against Antiochus captaines.
AT that same time there dwelt a certaine man in Modin (a village of Iury) whose name was Matthias, who was the sonne of Iohn, and who was the sonne of Simon, the sonne of Asmonaeus a Priest of the ranke of Ioarib, borne in Ierusalem: This Matthias had fiue sons,
Iohn called Gaddis, Simon called Matthes, Iudas called Machabaeus, Eleazar named Auran, and [ A] Ionathas called Apphus. This Matthias oftentimes complained vnto his sonnes, as touching the miserable estate of their commonweale, the sacke of their Citie, the sacriledge of the temple, and the miseries of the people, telling them that it were better for them to die for the law, then to liue in ignominie. When as therefore the commissaries deputed by the King, came vnto the Borough of Modim, to constraine the Iewes to performe that which was enioyned them, and to commaund them to sacrifice, according to the ordinance; requiring Matthias (who surpassed the rest in honour, and other qualities, but in especiall in excellency of descent and nobilitie) to begin first of all to offer sacrifice, to the end that the rest might follow him and be induced by his example; promising him that in so doing, the King would honour him greatly. Matthias answe∣red thereunto, that he would in no sort commit that idolatrie, assuring them that notwithstanding [ B] al other nations of the world, either in respect of loue, or for feare of iustice should obey the edicts of Antiochus; yet that neither he, nor any of his children could or would be induced to forsake their fathers religion. Now as soone as he had returned this answere, and held his peace, a cer∣taine Iew stepped forth to offer sacrifice, according to Antiochus ordinance; wherewith Mat∣thias was in such sort displeased, that both he and his sonnes fell vpon him, and with their swords hewed him to peeces. He slew Apelles the kings captaine likewise, with certaine other soldiers, who would haue withstood him. And not content herewith, he ouerthrew the Altar, crying out with a loud voice: If (said he) any one be affectioned to the lawes of his fathers, and the seruice of God, let him follow me: and this said, he sodainly retired himselfe into the desart with his sons, leauing the borough vtterly dispossessed. The rest doing the like, retired themselues into the desart, [ C] with their wiues and children, and made their habitation in certaine caues. The Kings captains hauing intelligence hereof, gathered those forces that were at that time in the Cittadel of Ierusa∣lem, and pursued the Iewes into the desart. And hauing ouertaken them, they laboured first of all to make them submit themselues, and to make choice of that which stood with their profit, ra∣ther then to indaunger themselues, and inforce them to chastice their disobedience, with bloud in warre. But the Iewes respected them not a whit, but contradicted them in their demands, who had alreadie concluded and resolued among themselues, rather to die then commit such an impietie: For which cause they (who omitted no oportunitie) assailed the Iewes on a Sabbath day, and burned them within their caues, who neither resisted their enemies, nor so much as clo∣sed vp the mouths of their caues: And therefore abstained they from all defence by reason of the [ D] day, resoluing with themselues in no sort to violate the Sabbath day (for we are commaunded to cease from all labour, on that day.) There were therefore about some thousand stifled in their caues, accounting both men, women and children. Yet notwithstanding diuers escaped, who ioyned themselues with Matthias, whom they appointed likewise for their captaine; who de∣clared vnto them that they ought to fight on the Sabbath daie, assuring them that if they did it not, but scrupulously obserued the law, they themselues should be enemies vnto themselues, if perhaps the enemy should assaile them that day, and should not stand vpon their garde: for by that meanes they should be destroyed without resist. By these words he perswaded them to doe as he had said: and vntill this day it is a custome among vs, that if need require we make no dif∣ficulty to fight on the Sabbath day. Matthias therefore hauing assembled a sufficient number of [ E] men about him, destroyed the Altars, and slue those that had forsaken their religion, as many of them as he could lay hands on. For diuers were scattered heere and there among the nations, for the feare they had; these commaunded he to circumcise their children that were not cir∣cumcised; driuing those from euery place, whom King Antiochus had ordained to see his law executed.
After therefore Matthias had gouerned for the space of one yeere, he fell sicke of a most de∣sperate disease; for which cause he called for his sonnes, and spake vnto them after this manner. My sonnes, I must now walke the way that is destinated vnto all men: I therefore recom∣mend and exhort you to follow my deliberation, and diligently to obserue the same, remem∣bring you of the intent of me your father, who haue begot and nourished you, which is, to main∣taine [ F] the lawes of our countrey, and to establish our estate, which is vpon the point to be ouer∣throwen, except you submit vnto those who either voluntarily or forcibly betray the same: shew your selues therefore to be worthy sons of me who am your father; strengthen your hearts with courage to ouercome all force and necessitie; thinking with your selues, that if God see that you be such, he will not forsake you, but taking pleasure in your vertue, he will once more grant you the fauour to recouer your former peace and liberty, and will establish you in assured possession
of your auncient lawes. True it is, our bodies are mortall and subiect vnto destinie, but the me∣morie [ G] of our vertuous actions are enfranchised by immortalitie: being therefore stirred vp with the loue thereof, striue and bestirre your selues to obtaine honour, to the end that proiecting mighty things, you make no difficultie to hazard your liues in the execution of the same. Aboue al things, I exhort you vnto cōcord, to the end that in whatsoeuer one of you shal be found more naturally apt and fitted then another, he may prosecute the same without any contradiction of the rest. I charge you also to obserue and obey your brother Simon (who is a politique and vali∣ant man) in whatsoeuer he shall counsaile you. As touching your chiefetaine, you shall serue vnder Machabaeus, because he is both valiant and strong: for he shall reuenge the iniuries and out∣rages, which haue been done to our nation, and put our enemies to flight: second him therfore with men of valour, and such as feare God: and by this means you shall augment your forces. [ H]
The yeare of the world. 3799. be∣fore the Natiui∣tie of Christ. 165. The zeale and piety of Mat∣thias and his sonnes.
An Apostata slaine by Mat∣thias.
Matthias with his sons Hieth into the desart
The Iewes are slaine on the Sabbath day, which slaugh∣ter maketh Matthias more werie.
Matthias roo∣teth out all I∣dolatry.
Hedio & Ruf∣finus. chap. 8.
Matthias ex∣horteth his sons to pietie, fortitude and concord.
The yeare of the world, 3799 be∣fore Christs birth 165.