Sect. I. Agippa his actions at Ierusalem after his returne from Rome.

Agrippa returned the last yeere to Ierusalem, where as wee observed and saw before, hee performed much ceremonious∣nesse, and changed the High priest, slew Iames and impriso∣ned Peter. Besides these things hee remitted a tribute to the men of Ierusalem, for their kindnesse in entertaining of him: he obtained the letters of Petronius to the men of Dor for the removall of Caesars statue, which some seditious men had set up in their Synagogue: Hee removed Cantharas from the high-priesthood againe, and placed Matthias in his stead. Hee im∣prisoned Silas the master of his horse for his free discourse concerning his service done to him in the time of his cala∣mity and poverty, but on his birth day festivall hee inlarged him againe, where he continuing still in the same freedome of speech, he imprisoned him againe. He began to fortifie Ie∣rusalem, and to make it exceeding strong, but Marsus (the present governour of Syria in stead of Petronius) got letters from Claudius to stop his worke, as suspitious towards inno∣vation. Hee was exceedingly observant of his Countries Lawes, and much care and cost hee bestowed on sacrifices, yet was he challenged by one *Simon that tooke on him to bee a teacher, for an unholy man and one unfit to come into the Temple: which Simon hee sent for to Caesarea, where hee questioned with him about the words, and disswaded him without punishment but with a reward.

Hee built sumptuous things in Berytus, as a Theater, Am∣phitheater, Page  331 baths, porches, and such like magnificences, and set 700. and 700. condemned men to fight tog•ther for pastime, and so destroyed them. From thence hee went to Tib•rius of Galilee whither divers Kings came to him to visit: And so did Marsus also the Governour of Syria; but hee seeing so many Kings together with him (for they were five) hee suspected the matter as tending to innovation, and therefore hee com∣manded them home. Herod after this went downe to Caesarea, and there hee made sports and showes in honour of Caesar; and on the second day being most gorgeously apparelled, and the Sunne shining very bright upon his bright cloathing, his flatterers saluted him for a god, and cried out to him; Bee mercifull unto us, hitherto have wee feared thee as a man, hi• hence∣forward wee will acknowledge thee to bee of a nature more excellent then mortall frail•ie can attaine unto. The wretched King re∣proved not this abominable flattery, but did digest it: And not long after hee espied his Owle which the Germane had foretold to bee the Omen of his death. And suddainly hee was seized with miserable gripings in his belly, which came upon him with vehement extremity, whereupon turning himselfe to∣wards his friends, Lo, saith he, he whom yee esteeme for a God is doo∣med to die; and destiny shall evidently confute you in those flattering & false speeches which you lately used concerning mee. For I who have been adored by you as one immortall, am now under the hands of death: And so his griefes and torments increasing, his death drew on a pace: whereupon hee was removed into the palace, and all the people put on sackcloth and lay on the ground praying for him, which hee beholding could not refraine from teares: And so after five dayes hee gave up the Ghost be∣ing now 54. yeers old, and having raigned 7. yeers, 4. yeers in the time of Caius and 3. under Claudius: He left a son behind him of 17. yeers old named also Agrippa, and three daughters, Bernice, Mariamme and Drusilla. Before his death was publish∣ed, his brother Herod the Prince of Chalcis, and Chelchias the Kings Lievtenant, caused Silas to be put to death.