The works of Josephus with great diligence revised and amended according to the excellent French translation of Monsieur Arnauld D'Andilly : also the Embassy of Philo Judæus to the Emperor Caius Caligula :

ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNING THE WORKS OF Josephus.

I. Of the Jewish Antiquities.

THE Title alone of this History seems to recommend the same more than any Preface could do; inasmuch as, professing to deduce things from the Creation of the World, to reach as high as the Reign of Nero, and to derive the greatest part of its Relations from the Records of the Old Testament, it implies that no other can equal it, in Antiqui∣ty, in Continuance, and in Authority.

But that which further renders it (after the Holy Scripture) pre∣ferable to all other Histories, is, That whereas those have no other ground-work but the Actions of Men, this represents to us the Acti∣ons of God himself. There is seen resplendent everywhere in it his Power, his Government, his Goodness, and his Justice. His Power opens Seas, and divides Rivers, to give a dry passage to whole Armies, and cause the Walls of the strongest Cities to fall down without battery. His Government regulates all things, and gives such Laws as may be stil'd the Fountain from which has been drawn whatever wisdom there is in the World. His Goodness makes to fall from Heaven, and to issue from the bosome of Rocks, wherewith to satisfie the Hunger, and allay the Thirst of a great People in the driest Desarts. And all the Elements being as the Ministers of the Decrees which his Justice pronounces, the Water destroys by a Deluge those which it con∣demns, the Fire consumes them, the Air overthrows them by its Tempests, and the Earth opens it self to devour them. His Prophets foretell nothing, but they confirm the same by Miracles. They who command his Armies, undertake nothing but they atchieve it. And the Leaders of his Peo∣ple, being fill'd with his Spirit, act like Angels rather than Men.

Moses alone may be a Proof of all this. Never did so many eminent Qualities meet to∣gether in one Person; Nor did God ever shew in any Man under the Old Law, since the Fall of the First, how high the perfection of a Creature may rise, whom he vouchsafes to accumulate with his favors. Wherefore, since a great part of this History may in some sort be said to be the Work of that incomparable Lawgiver, because the same is wholly taken out of him, it ought to be read not only with Esteem, but also with Respect; and the sequel to the end of what is con∣tained in the Bible deserves no less, in regard it was dictated by the same Spirit of God which guided the Pen of Moses when he writ the five first Books of the sacred History.

But moreover, what might not be said of those admirable Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of David that great both King and Prophet, who deserv'd the unequal Elogium, of being a Man according to God's own heart; of Jonathan, that most accomplisht Prince, whose soul the Scripture saith was inseparably ty'd to that of that holy King; of the illustrious Mac∣cabees, whose Piety, equal to their Courage, effected an union of the Supreme Power attending Royalty, with the most Sacred Functions of the High-Priesthood; and lastly of Joseph, of Joshua, of Gideon, and of divers others, who may pass for perfect Models of Virtue, Con∣duct, and Valor. If the Heroes of Pagan Antiquity never atchiev'd anything comparable to these Heroes of God's People, whose Actions might pass for Fables, if it were not impiety to re∣fuse credit to them, there is no reason to wonder, since those Heathens had onely humane Force; but the hands of those whom God chose to fight under his Command, were arm'd with his invin∣cible help: and the example of Deborah, shews that even a Woman may become, in a moment, a great General of an Army.

Now if the Favors wherewith God cherishes those that are his, ought to induce Monarchs not to trust but in his assistance, the dreadful Punishments which he executes on those that lean on their own strength, oblige them to tremble; and the rejection of Saul, and divers other great Princes, instructs them, by the terrible representation of their Fall, to have recourse to God, that they may escape the like misfortunes.

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

Yet not only Princes, but Princesses also may find in this Book examples both to avoid and to imitate. Queen Jezabel is a dismal one both of impiety and punishment. And Queen Esther is a rare one of all the perfections, and of all the rewards which can render the virtue and felicity of a great and holy Princess admir'd.

If great Personages find so great Examples here to lead them to avoid Vice, and embrace Vir∣tue, there is no person of any condition whatsoever but may profit likewise by so useful a Book. 'Tis of general benefit for all, so proper to imprint a respect of the Divine Majesty, by the view of so many effects of his infinite Power, and of his adorable Providence, that his heart must be very hard that is not affected therewith.

And how can Christians but be mov'd with such a holy respect, since the same History teaches us, that those illustrious and so celebrated Conquerors, Cyrus, Darius and Alexander, though Idolaters, could not forbear having a Veneration for the Majesty and the Ceremonies of that Temple which was but a Figure of the Christian Church.

But if this History be so excellent in it self, it must be confess'd that no man was so fit to write it, as he that gave it both to his own Age and to Posterity. For who could be better inform'd of the Customs and Manners of the Jews, than a Jew? Who could be better instructed of all the Ceremonies and Observations of the Law, than a Priest? Who could better relate the Events of so many Wars, than a great Captain? And who could better comprehend things, and make judicious Reflections upon them, than a man of great Quality, and a great States-man? Now all these qualifications concenter in Josephus. He was a Jew by birth. He was not only a Priest, but of the first of the four and twenty races of the Priests, who held the chief rank amongst those of their Nation. He was descended from the Asmonaean Kings. His great Exploits in War had made him admir'd even by the Romans. And the several great Employ∣ments, of which he so worthily acquitted himself, leave no room to doubt of his experience in Affairs.

Lastly, His Life written by himself, join'd with his History of the Jewish Wars, make him sufficiently known. And as for his manner of writing, I think it needless to commend it, since this Work manifests it so excellent everywhere; particularly in the Nineteenth Book, where he relates the Actions and Death of the Emperor Caligula, which no Roman Author has done so accurately; I think I may say without fear, that there is not in Tacitus any History which sur∣passes that eloquent and judicious Narration. I know some will wonder, that after having mention'd the greatest Miracles, he diminishes the belief of them, by saying, That he leaves every man at liberty to have such opinion thereof as he thinks fit. But in my judgment he does it onely on this account, That having compos'd this History chiefly for the Greeks and Romans, as 'tis easie to gather, by his writing the same in Greek, and not in Hebrew, he fear'd their incredulity would render it suspected to them, if he affirm'd positively the truth of things which seem'd to them impossible.

But whatever Reason induc'd him to use that Caution, I pretend not to defend him either in those places, or any others, where he is not conformable to the Bible. This alone is the Divine Fountain of written Truths, which cannot be sought elsewhere without hazard of Error; and one cannot excuse himself from condemning whatever is found contrary thereunto. I do it with all my heart; and there is no person but ought to do it, in order to read this excellent History with satisfaction, and without scruple.

Neither yet do I pretend to justifie this Author, in some places where he speaks of the several sorts of Government; nor as to some other particular sentiments, which no body is oblig'd to follow. Nor do I engage my self in any matter of Criticism, the contests whereof I leave to such as are exercis'd in that sort of study.

If in some places, as amongst others, in the description of the Tabernacle, and of the Table of Shew-bread, some difference be found between this Translation and the Greek, the cause thereof is, that those passages are so corrupted in the Greek Text, that all I could do, was to bring them into the condition wherein they are.

II. Of the History of the Jewish War against the Romans, &c.

If the History of the Jews, advances its Author into the rank of the best Historians, 'tis plain that in that of their War against the Romans, he has surpass'd himself. Several reasons have concurr'd to render this History a Master-piece; the greatness of the Subject; the senti∣ments excited in his breast, by the ruine of his Countrey; and the share he had in the most con∣siderable Events of that bloody War. For what other Subjects can equal this great Siege, which manifested to all the Earth, that one City alone would have been the Rock of the Ro∣man Glory, had not God, for punishment of its sins, overthrown it by the storms of his wrath? What sentiments of Grief can be more lively, than those of a Jew, and of a Priest, who saw subverted the Laws of his own Nation, whereof no other was ever so jealous, and that magnifi∣cent

Temple, the object of his devotion and of his zeal, reduc'd to ashes? And what greater in∣terest can an Historian have in his Work, than to be oblig'd to bring into it the principal Acti∣ons of his own Life; and to labour for his own Glory, by an unflattering advancement of that of the Conquerors; and by acquitting himself at the same time of what he ow'd to the genero∣sity of those two excellent Princes Vespasian and Titus, to whom the honour of having finish'd this great War was due.

But for asmuch as there are so many remarkable Occurrences in this History, I think to do the Readers a pleasure, in presenting them here with an Abstract thereof, from which general Idea they may afterwards proceed to the particulars depending thereupon. It is divided into seven Books.

The first Book, and the second, to the twenty eighth Chapter, are an abridgment of the Jewish History, from Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria (who spoiled the Temple, and went about to abolish Religion) to Florus, Governor of Judea, whose avarice and cruelty were the chief oc∣casion of that War which they maintain'd against the Romans. This abridgment is so delight∣ful, that Josephus seems to have design'd to shew that he could, like excellent Painters, represent the same objects in different manners, with so much art, that it should be hard to know to which to give the preference. For whereas these Histories are sometimes interrupted by the Narration of things hapned at the same time, they are here written in a continu'd series, and give the Readers the pleasure to behold in one Table, what they saw before separately in several. From the twenty eighth Chapter of the second Book to the end, Josephus relates what pass'd in conse∣quence of the troubles rais'd by Florus, till the defeat of the Roman Army commanded by Cestius Gallus, Governor of Syria.

In the beginning of the third Book, Josephus shews the consternation of the Emperor Nero upon this ill success of his Arms, which was likely to be follow'd with a revolt of all the East; and how casting his eyes on all sides, he found only Vespasian fit to bear the weight of so impor∣tant a War, and accordingly gave him the conduct thereof. He relates afterwards in what man∣ner this great Captain, accompany'd with Titus his son, enter'd into Galilee, whereof our Au∣thor himself was Governor, and besieg'd him in Jotapat; where, after the greatest resistance imaginable, he was taken and led Prisoner to Vespasian: and how Titus took divers other pla∣ces, and perform'd actions of incredible valor.

The fourth Book brings in Vespasian conquering the rest of Galilee; the Jews beginning to tumultuate in Jerusalem, the Factious, who took the name of Zealots, becoming Masters of the Temple under the conduct of John of Giscala, Ananus the High-Priest stirring up the people to besiege them there; the Idumaeans coming to their assistance, exercising horrible cruelties, and afterwards retiring; Vespasian taking sundry places in Judea, blocking up Jerusalem, in or∣der to besiege it; and forbearing that design, by reason of the troubles risen in the Empire, be∣fore and after the death of the Emperors Nero, Golba and Otho; Simon, son of Gioras, another Head of the Factious, receiv'd by the people into Jerusalem; Vitellius, who had seiz'd upon the Empire after Otho's death, rendring himself odious and contemptible for his cruelty and debauchery; the Army commanded by Vespasian, declaring him Emperor: And lastly, Vitellius assassinated at Rome, after the defeat of his Forces, by Antonius Primus, who had embrac'd Vespasian's party.

The fifth Book relates how a third Faction, of which Eleazar was Head, was form'd in Jeru∣salem; That afterwards those three Factions were again reduc'd to two, and in what manner they made War one against another. It contains also the description of Jerusalem, of the Towers Hippicos, Phazael and Mariamne, of the Castle Antonia, of the Temple, of the High Priest, and of sundry other remarkable things; the Siege of that great City form'd by Titus; the incredible Works, and prodigious Exploits of Valor done on both sides; the grievous famine wherewith the City was afflicted, and the strange Cruelties of the Factious.

The sixth Book represents the horrid miseries whereinto Jerusalem was reduc'd; the conti∣nuation of the Siege with the same ardor as before; and how, after many Fights, Titus having forc'd the first and second wall of the City, took and ruin'd the Castle of Antonia, and assault∣ed the Temple which was burnt, notwithstanding all this Prince could do to prevent it; and how at last he became Master of all the rest.

In the seventh and last of these Books, 'tis shew'd how Titus caus'd Jerusalem to be destroy'd, saving only the Towers Hippicos, Phazael and Mariamne: In what manner he commended and rewarded his Army; what Spectacles he gave to the Nations of Syria; what horrible Persecuti∣ons were exercis'd upon the Jews in several Cities; with what incredible joy the Emperor Ves∣pasian, and Titus, who was declar'd Caesar, were receiv'd into Rome; what a magnificent Triumph they made; how the Castles of Herodion, Macheron, and Massada, the only places remaining to the Jews in Judea, were taken; and how those that defended this last, all kill'd themselves with their Wives and Children.

This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in general what this History of the Jewish War against the Romans contains. And there are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ornaments wherewith this great person has not enrich'd it. He has omitted no oc∣casion of embellishing it, by elegant descriptions of Provinces, Lakes, Rivers, Fountains, Moun∣tains, several Rarities, and Buildings, whose magnificence would seem fabulous, if what he re∣lates thereof could be call'd in doubt, when we see no person found that has dar'd to contradict him, though the excellence of his History rais'd no small envy against him.

It may be said with truth, that whether he speaks of the Romans Military Discipline, or whether he represents Battels, Tempests, Shipwracks, a Famine or a Triumph, every thing is so lively set forth, that he charms the attention of his Readers. And I fear not to add that no other, not excepting even Tacitus himself, has excell'd more in Orations; they are so noble; strong and persuasive alwayes restrain'd within their own subject, and proportion'd both to the persons to speak, and to those that are spoken unto.

Moreover, can the judgment and faithfulness of this Historian be too much commended, for the moderation which he uses between the praises deserv'd by the Romans for finishing so great a War, and those due to the Jews for having withstood the same, although vanquish'd at last, with invincible courage? so that neither his gratitude for the obligations he had to Vespasian and Titus, nor his love for his Countrey, biass'd him contrary to justice more on the one side than the other.

But that which I account most estimable in him, is, that he never fails upon any occasion to praise Virtue, to reprehend Vice, and to make excellent reflections upon the admirable Providence of God, and upon the fear which we ought to have of his dreadful judgments.

It may be boldly affirm'd, That never was seen a greater example thereof, than the ruine of that ungrateful Nation, of that proud City, and of that venerable Temple; since although the Romans were Masters of the World, and that this Siege was the work of one of the greatest Princes they glory to have had for Emperors, the power of this victorious people, and the heroi∣cal valor of Titus, would have in vain undertaken this design, if God had not chosen them to be the executioners of his Justice. The blood of his Son shed, the most horrid of all crimes, was the onely true cause of the ruine of that unhappy City. The heavy hand of God upon that wretched people, caus'd that how terrible soever the War was that assaulted them without, it was yet much more dreadful within, by the cruelty of those unnatural Jews, who more like Devils than Men, destroy'd by the Sword and the Famine, of which they were the Authors, 1100000 persons; and reduc'd the remainder to that pass, that they could hope for no safety but from their Enemies, by casting themselves into the arms of the Romans. Such prodigious effects of vengeance for the death of a God, might pass for incredible with those who have not the happi∣ness to be enlightned with the light of the Gospel, if they were not related by a Man of that very same Nation as considerable as Josephus was, for his Birth, for his quality of Priest, and for his Virtue. And methinks 'tis visible, that God minding to make use of his testimony to authorize such important truths, preserv'd him by a miracle, when after the taking of Josaphat, of forty which were retir'd with him into a Cave, the lot being cast so often to know who should be slain first, he only and one other remain'd alive.

This shews that this Historian is to be consider'd with a different respect from all others, since whereas they relate only humane Events although dependent on the orders of the Supreme Provi∣dence, it appears that God cast his eye upon him to make him subservient to the greatest of his de∣signs.

For we must not only consider the destruction of the Jews as the most dreadful effect that ever was of Gods justice, and as the most dismal image of the vengeance which he will exercise at the last day against the Reprobate; we must also behold it as one of the most illustrious proofs which it hath pleas'd him to give Men of the Divinity of his Son; inasmuch as this prodigious Event had been foretold by our Saviour in precise and intelligible terms. He had said to his Disciples shewing them the Temple of Jerusalem, That all those goodly buildings should be so destroy'd, that there should not be left one stone upon another, S. Matth. 24. ver. 2. S. Mark 13. ver. 2. S. Luke 19. v. 44. And also, That when they should see Jerusalem encompass'd with Armies, they should know that its desolation was at hand, S. Luke 21. ver. 20.

He had mention'd particularly the dreadful circumstances of this desolation. He had said to them, Woe to those that shall be with child or give suck in those dayes; for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all Nations, and Jerusalem shall be troden down by the Gentiles, S. Luke 21. ver. 23, 24.

And lastly he had declar'd, that the accomplishment of these Prophesies was ready to come to pass; That the time was drawing nigh that their house should be left unto them deso∣late: and that even such as were then living should see it, Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation, S. Matth. 23. ver. 38, & 36.

All these things had been foretold by our Saviour, and written by the Evangelists before the revolt of the Jews, and at a time when there was not yet the least appearance of so strange a Re∣volution.

Now inasmuch as Prophecy is the greatest of miracles, and the most powerful way whereby God Almighty authorizes his doctrine, this Prophecy of Jesus Christ, to which no other is compa∣rable, may be justly accounted the chief and most irrefragable evidence to mankind of his Divine Birth and Mission. For as no other Prophecy was ever more clear, so neither was any more pun∣ctually accomplisht. Jerusalem was destroy'd to the ground by the first Army that besieg'd it; there remain'd not the least footstep of that proud Temple, the wonder of the Ʋniverse, and the object of the Jews vanity; and the calamities which ruin'd them, answer'd precisely to that dreadful Prediction of our Saviour.

But to the end so great an Event might serve as well for the instruction of those that were to be born in afier-times, as for those that were spectators of it, it was necessary, as I have said, that the History should be written by an irreprochable Witness. To which purpose 'twas fit the Writer should be a Jew, and not a Christian, lest he might be suspected to have accommodated the Events to the Prophesies. 'Twas fit he should be a person of quality, to the end he might be fully inform'd of all things. 'Twas fit he should see with his own eyes the wonderful things which he was to relate, to the end he might be capable of credit. And lastly 'twas fit he should be a Man, whose eloquence and judgment might be sutable to the greatness of such a subject.

All which qualifications, so necessary to render this History compleat in all points, meet so perfectly in Josephus, that 'tis evident God Almighty chose him expresly to persuade all reasona∣ble persons of the truth of this marvellous occurrence.

'Tis certain, that having contributed in this manner to the confirmation of the Gospel, it ap∣pears not that he made any benefit thereof for himself, or that he had any share in the blessings so plentifully poured down in his time upon all the earth. But if there be reason to commiserate his unhappiness in this point, there is some also to bless the Providence of God, who has made his blindness serve to our advantage; since the things he writes concerning his own Nation, are, in respect of the incredulous, incomparably of more force for confirmation of the Christian Re∣ligion, than if he had embrac'd Christianity: so that we may apply to him in particular what the Apostle saith of all the Jews.

III. Josephus's Answer to Appion.

The next of the Works of Josephus, besides his Life written by himself, is an Answer in two Books to what Appoin and some others had written against his History of the Jews, against the Antiquity of their Race, against the Purity of their Laws, and against the Conduct of Moses. Nothing can be more solid than this Answer, wherein Josephus proves invincibly the Antiquity of his Nation by the Egyptian, Chaldean, Phenician, and even by the Greek Historians them∣selves. He shews that all which Appion and those other Authors have alledg'd to the disadvan∣tage of the Jews, are ridiculous Fables, as well as the plurality of their Gods; and he excellent∣ly sets forth the greatness of the actions of Moses, and the sanctity of the Laws which God gave the Jews by his intervention.

IV. The Martyrdom of the Maccabees.

The Martyrdom of the Maccabees follows next. 'Tis a piece which Erasmus, so famous among the Learned, calls a Masterpiece of Eloquence: and I confess I understand not why ha∣ving with reason so advantagious an opinion of it, he paraphras'd it, and not translated it. Never was Copy more different from its Original. 'Tis hardly any of its principal Lineaments; and, if I mistake not, nothing can more advance the reputation of Josephus, than to see that so able a Man intending to embellish his Work, has, on the contrary, so much diminisht the beauty of it, and thereby shew'd how much Josephus is to be esteem'd for writing, not after the manner of most of the Greeks in a long-winded style, but closely and compendiously, as affecting to say nothing but what is necessary. And I cannot sufficiently wonder, that no person hitherto has made a Translation of it from the Greek either into Latin or French, at least to my know∣ledge. For Genebrard, instead of Translating Josephus, has only Translated Erasmus. For my part I have faithfully adhered to the original Greek, without following that Paraphrase of Erasmus any where, which invents names that are neither in Josephus, nor the Bible, for the mother of the Maccabees. It should seem Josephus did not write this famous Martyrdom authoriz'd by the Holy Scripture, but to prove the truth of a discourse which he makes in the be∣ginning, to shew that Reason is the Mistress of Passions; and he attributes to it a power over them, which there would be reason to wonder at, if it were strange that a Jew should be ignorant that this power belongs only to the grace of Jesus Christ. He is contented to declare that he means only a Reason accompany'd with justice and piety.

V. The Embassy of Philo to C. Caligula the Roman Emperor.

This is a brief account of all the Works of Josephus. Now because Philo, although a Jew as well as he, writ also in Greek upon part of the same Subjects, but handles the same rather as a Philosopher, than an Historian; and because none amongst all his Writings is so esteem'd as that of his Embassage to the Emperor C. Caligula, of whom Josephus speaks particularly in the 10th Chapter of the 18th Book of the Jewish Antiquities, I conceiv'd that this Piece ha∣ving so great affinity therewith, it would not be amiss to shew by a Translation of it, the dif∣ferent manner of writing of these two great Persons. That of Josephus is undoubtedly more compendious, and has nothing of the Asiatic style; so that he expresses that in few words, which Philo doth sometimes in as many lines. The History of that Emperor may be made up from the Writings of these two famous Authors, inasmuch as Philo relates as particularly and eloquently the Actions of his Life, as Josephus has written nobly and excellently the passages of his Death. Both the one and the other were so extraordinary, that 'tis an advantage there re∣mains such Images thereof to Posterity, to animate good Princes to merit by their Virtue as great affection for their Memory, as People have horror for those who have shew'd themselves unwor∣thy of the rank which they held in the World.

It remains only to add, That as this Volume comprehends all the ancient holy History, so the Readers are desir'd to peruse it not only for Divertisement or Curiosity, but also with an aim to profit by the useful Considerations for which it affords so much matter. And that whereas the old Translation of Doctor Lodge was, not undeservedly, complain'd of on many accounts; much pains hath been taken in this Edition to amend it, as the Reader will easily find by com∣paring it with the former. If it be not so complete as could be wish'd, the Reader is desir'd to accept candidly what has been done for his satisfaction; and to consider, that though an old re∣pair'd Building can hardly have all the beauty, yet it may have all the conveniency of a new Fabrick.