§ 4. The Jews of Alexandria still distressed.
Flaccus the Jews enemies at Alexandria, they are thus happily rid of, but a worse, if worse may be, springeth, as it were out of his corruption at Rome. Helicon a Ser∣vant of Tiberius whilst he lived, and now of Caius, a fit man for such a master, the more to ingratiate himself into the Princes favour (yet had he it already in no ordinary measure) bendeth himself with the utmost of his Rhetorick and Eloquence, skill and flattery to traduce the people and Religion of the Jews, and to make them odious, and himself the more acceptable to the Emperour. The envious Alexandrians having by their Ambassadours espied this advantage, do spur him forward who needed no incita∣tion: with great presents and greater promises they urge him on to prosecute that ma∣licious accusation that he had begun: which he performed accordingly, with a renewed impetuousness, added to his present spleen by his future expectation, and present fee. The miserable Jews thus betrayed, lie under distress and under the Emperours displeasure for a season, and could not learn from whence it proceeded: But at last they address a num∣ber of petitioners to Rome to make their peace with Helicon, if possible, and to make an humble remonstrance to the Emperour of their state and grievances, and a petition for some remedy and redress. Their Legation and Ambassy they indeed presented not to the Prince till the next year, yet since Philo saith that they took their voyage in the very depth and middle of winter, it was not unproper to mention their preparation and setting forth, this year, and you shall hear of their business, and the success of it, when the next year comes in.