Chap. 2.
How Iudea was dispeopled of Iews by Adrian the Emperour.
THreescore years after,* 1.1 Adrian the Emperour rebuilt the ci∣ty of Jerusalem, changing the situation somewhat west∣ward, and the name thereof to Aelia. To despite the Christi∣ans, he built a* 1.2 temple over our Saviours grave, with the images of Jupiter and Venus, another at B••thl••h••m, to Adonis her mi∣nion: and to enrage the Jews, did engrave swine over the gates of the city: Who storming at the profanation of their land, brake into open rebellion, but were subdued by Julius Severus the Emperours lieutenant, an experienced captain, and many thousands slain, with Bencochab their counterfeit Messias (for so he termed himself) that is, the sonne of a star, usurping that prophesie,* 1.3 Out of Iacob shall a star arise; though he proved but a fading comet, whose blazing portended the ruine of that nation. The captives, by order from Adrian, were transported into Spain; the countrey laid waste, which parted with her peo∣ple and fruitfulnesse both together. Indeed pilgrims to this day here and there light on parcels of rich ground in Palestine: which God may seem to have left, that men may tast the former sweetnesse of the land, before it was sowred for the peoples sinnes; and that they may guesse the goodnesse of the cloth by the finenesse of the shreds. But it is barren for the generality: the streams of milk and hony wherewith once it flowed, are now drained dry; and the* 1.4 whole face of the land looketh sad, not so