desired that the messengers would conceal the of mine, told him of it,) I was very much thing, and not let it come among many, for that troubled, as discovering thereby, that my fel he would take care to have Josephus removed low-citizens proved so ungrateful to me, as out of Galilee very quickly. So he called for out of envy, to give order that I should be John's brother, [Simon,] and charged him, that slain; my father earnestly pressed me also in they should send presents to Ananus and his his letter to come to him, for that he longed to friends; for, as he said, they might probably by see his son before he died. I informed my that means persuade them to change their friends of these things, and that in three days minds. And indeed Simon did at length thus time I should leave the country, and go home. compass what he aimed at, for Ananus, and Upon hearing this they were all very sorry, and those with him being corrupted by bribes, desired me, with tears in their eyes, not to leave agreed to expel me out of Galilee, without them to be destroyed; for so they thought hey making the rest of the citizens acquainted with should be, if I were deprived of the comman what they were doing. Accordingly they re- over them: but as I did not grant their request, solved to send men of distinction as to their but was taking care of my own safety, the families, and of distinction as to their learning Galileans, out of their dread of the consealso. Two of these were of the populace, Jo-quences of my departure, that they should then nathan* and Ananias, by sect of the Pharisees; be at the mercy of the robbers, sent messenwhile the third, Jozar, was of the stock of the priests, and a Pharisee also; and Simon, the last of them, was of the youngest of the high priests. These had it given them in charge, that, when they were come to the multitude of the Galileans, they should ask them what was the reason of their love to me? and if they said, that it was because I was born at Jerusalem, they should reply, that they four were all born at the same place; and if they should say, it was because I was well versed in their law, they should reply, that neither were they unacquainted with the practices of their country; out if, besides these, they should say, they loved me because I was a priest, they should reply, that two of these were priests also.

40. Now, when they had given Jonathan and his companions these instructions, they gave them forty thousand [drachmæ] out of the public money: but when they heard that there was a certain Galilean that then sojourned at Jerusalem, whose name was Jesus, who had about him a band of six hundred armed men, they sent for him, and gave him three months' pay, and gave him orders to follow Jonathan and his companions, and be obedient to them. They also gave money to three hundred men that were citizens of Jerusalem, to maintain them all, and ordered them also to follow the ambassadors; and when they had complied, and were gotten ready for the march, Jonathan and his companions went out with them, having along with them John's brother, and a hundred armed men. The charge that was given them by those that sent them was this, that if I would voluntarily lay down my arms, they should send me alive to the city Jerusalem; but that in case I opposed them, they should kill me, and fear nothing, for that it was their command for them so to do. They also wrote to John to make all ready for fighting me, and gave order to the inhabitants of Sepphoris, and Gabara, and Tiberias, to send auxiliaries to John.

41. Now, as my father wrote me an account of this, (for Jesus, the son of Gamala, who was present in that council, a friend and companion

*This Jonathan is also taken notice of in the Latin notes, as the same that is mentioned by the rabbins in Porta Mosis.

gers over all Galilee to inform them of my resolution to leave them. Whereupon, as soon as they heard it, they got together in great numbers, from all parts, with their wives and children; and as they did, as it appeared to me, not more out of their affection to me, than out of their fear on their own account; for while I staid with them, they supposed that they should suffer no harm. So they all came into the great plain, wherein I lived, the name of which was Asochis.

42. But wonderful it was what a dream 1 saw that very night; for when I had betaken myself to my bed, as grieved and disturbed at the news that had been written to me, it seemed to me, that a certain person stood by me,* and said, "O Josephus! leave off to afflict thy soul, and put away all fear; for what now grieves thee will render thee very considerable, and in all respects most happy; for theu shalt get over not only these difficulties, but many others, with great success. However, be not cast down, but remember that thou art to fight with the Romans." When I had seen this dream, I got up with an intention of going down to the plain. Now when the whole multitude of the Galileans, among whom were the women and children, saw me, they threw themselves down upon their faces, and, with tears in their eyes, besought me not to leave them exposed to their enemies, nor to go away and permit their country to be injured by them But when I did not comply with their entreaties, they compelled me to take an oath, that I would stay with them: they also cast abundance of reproaches upon the people of Jerusalem, that they would not let their country enjoy peace.

43. When I heard this, and saw what sorrow the people were in, I was moved with compassion to them, and thought it became me to undergo the most manifest hazards for the sake of so great a multitude; so I let them know 1 would stay with them. And when I had given order that five thousand of them should come to me armed, and with provisions for their

This I take to be the first of Josephus's remarkable or divine dreams, which were predictive of the great things that afterwards came to pass: of which see more in the note on Antiq. B. iii. ch. viii. sect. 9. The other is in the Waz B. iii. ch. viii. sect. 3. 9.

ngintenance, I sent the rest away to their own friends to stay, and ordered my servant to get homes; and when those five thousand were some wine ready. I also opened the letter come, I took them, together with three thou- | so that nobody could perceive it; and, unsand of the soldiers that were with me before, derstanding thereby presently the purport of and eighty horsemen, and marched to the vil- the writing, I sealed it up again, and appeared lage of Chabolo, situated in the confines of as if I had not yet read it, but only held it in Ptolemais, and there kept my forces together, my hands. I ordered twenty drachmæ should pretending to get ready to fight with Placidus, be given the soldier, for the charges of his who was come with two cohorts of footmen, journey; and when he took the money, and and one troop of horsemen, and was sent said he thanked me for it, I perceived that he thither by Cestius Gallus, to burn those villages loved money, and that he was to be caugh of Galilee that were near Ptolemais. Upon chiefly by that means, and I said to him, "If whose casting up a bank before the city Ptole- thou wilt but drink with us, thou shalt have a nais, I also pitched my camp at about the drachmæ for every glass thou drinkest." So distance of sixty furlongs from that village. he gladly embraced this proposal, and drank And now we frequently brought out our forces a great deal of wine, in order to get the more as if we would fight, but proceeded no farther money, and was so drunk that at last he could than skirmishes at a distance; for when Placi- not keep the secrets he was entrusted with, but dus perceived that I was earnest to come to a discovered them, without my putting questions battle, he was afraid, and avoided it. Yet he to him, viz. that a treacherous design was condid not remove from the neighborhood of trived against me, and that I was doomed to Ptolemais. die by those that sent him. When I heard this, I wrote back this answer: "Josephus to Jonathan and those that are with him, sendeth greeting: Upon the information that you are come in health into Galilee, I rejoice, and this especially, because I can now resign the care of public affairs here into your hands, and return into my native country, which is what I have desired to do a great while; and I confess

44. About this time it was that Jonathan and his fellow-legates came. They were sent, as we have said already, by Simon, and Ananus the high priest. And Jonathan contrived how he might catch me by treachery; for he durst not make any attempt upon me openly. So he wrote me the following epistle: "Jonathan, and those that are with him, and are sent by the people of Jerusalem, to Josephus, sendI ought not only to come to you as far as Xagreeting: We are sent by the principal men loth, but farther, and this without your comof Jerusalem, who have heard that John of mands. But I desire you to excuse me, beGischala hath laid many shares for thee, to cause I cannot do it now, since I watch the rebuke him, and to exhort him to be subject to motions of Placidus, who hath a mind to go up thee hereafter. We are also desirous to consult into Galilee; and this I do here at Chabolo. with thee about our common concerns, and Do you therefore, on the receipt of this epistle what is fit to be done. We therefore desire come hither to me. Fare you well." thee to come to us quickly, and to bring only a few men with thee, for this village will not contain a great number of soldiers." Thus it was that they wrote, as expecting one of these two things, either that I should come without armed men, and then they should have me wholly in their power; or, if I came with a great number, they should judge me to be a public enemy. Now it was a horseman who brought the letter, a man at other times bold, and one that had served in the army under the king. It was the second hour of the night that he came, when I was feasting with my friends, and the principal of the Galileans. This man, upon my servant's telling me, that a certain horseman of the Jewish nation was come, was called in at my command, but did not so much as salute me at all, but held out a letter, and said, "This letter is sent thee by those that are come from Jerusalem. Do thou write an answer to it quickly, for I am obliged to return to them very soon." Now my guests could not but wonder at the boldness of the soldier. But I desired him to sit down and sup with us; but when he refused so to do, I neld the letter in my hands as I received it, and fell a talking with my guests about other matters, But a few hours afterward, I got up, and, when I had lismissed the rest to go to heir beds, I bid only four of my intimate

45. When I had written thus, and given the letter to be carried by the soldier, I sent along with him thirty of the Galileans of the best cha racters, and gave them instructions to salute those ambassadors, but to say nothing else to them. I also gave orders to as many of those armed men, whom I esteemed most faithful to me, to go along with the others, every one with him whom he was to guard, lest some conversation might pass between those whom I sent and those that were with Jonathan. So these men went [to Jonathan.] But, when Jonathan and his partners had failed in this their first attempt, they sent me another letter, the contents whereof were as follows: "Jonathan and those with him, to Josephus, send greeting: We require thee to come to us to the village Gabaroth, on the third day, without any armed men, that we may hear what thou hast to lay to the charge of John [of Gischala."] When they had written this letter, they saluted the Galileans whom I sent, and came to Japha, which was the largest village of all Galilee, and encompassed with very strong walls, and had a great number of inhabitants in it. There the multitude of men with their wives and children met them, and exclaimed loudly against them, and desired them to be gone, and not to envy them the advantage of an excellent commander. With these clamors, Jonathan and his partners were

greatly provoked, although they durst not show | friends, with six hundred armed men, to the

borders of Galilee, in order to watch the roads, that led from this country to the city Jerusalem, and gave him charge to lay hold of such as travelled with letters about them, to keep the men in bonds upon the place, but to send me the letters.

their anger openly; so they made them no anwer, but went to other villages. But still the same clamors met them from all the people, who said, "Nobody should persuade them to have any other commander besides Josephus." So Jonathan and his partners went away from them without success, and came to Sepphoris, 47. When I had laid these commands upon the greatest city of all Galilee. Now the men them, I gave them orders, and bid them to take of that city who inclined to the Romans in their arms and bring three days' provision with their sentiments, met them indeed, but neither thein, and be with me the next day. I also praised nor reproached me; and when they parted those that were about me into four parts, were gone down from Sepphoris to Asochis, and ordained those of them that were the most the people of that place made a clamor against faithful to be a guard to my body. I also them, as those of Japha had done. Where- set over them centurions, and commanded them upon they were able to contain themselves to take care that not a soldier whom they did no longer, but ordered the armed men that were not know should mingle himself among them. with them to beat those that made the clamor Now on the fifth day following, when I was in with their clubs. And when they came to Ga-Gabaroth, I found the entire plain that was bebara, John met them, with three thousand arm-fore the village full of armed men, who were ed men; but, as I understood by their letter, that they had resolved to fight against me, I arose from Chabolo, with three thousand armed men also, but left in my camp one of my fastest friends, and came to Jotapata, as desirous to be near them, the distance being no more than forty furlongs. Whence I wrote thus to them: "If you are very desirous that I should come to you, you know there are two hundred and forty cities and villages in Galilee, I will come to any of them which you please, excepting Gabara and Gischala; the one of which is John's native city, and the other in confederacy and friendship with him."

I had appointed to watch the roads; so the men were themselves kept upon the place, as my orders were, but I got the letters, which were full of reproaches and lies: and I intended to fall upon these men without saying a word of these matters to any body.

come out of Galilee to assist me; many others of the multitude also, out of the village, ran along with me. But as soon as I had taken my place, and began to speak to them, they all made an acclamation, and called me the benefactor and savior of the country. And when I had made them my acknowledgments, and thanked them, [for their affection to me,] I also advised them to fight* with nobody, nor to spoil the country; but to pitch their tents in the plain, and be content with the sustenance they had brought with them; for I told them that I had a mind to compose these troubles without shedding any blood. Now it came to pass, that 46. When Jonathan and his partners had re- on the very same day those who were sent by ceived this letter, they wrote me no more an-John with letters, fell among the guards whom swers, but called a council of their friends together, and taking John into their consultation, they took counsel together by what means they might attack me. John's opinion was, that they should write to all the cities and villages that were in Galilee; for that there must be certainly one or two persons in every one of them that were at variance with me, and that they should be invited to come to oppose me as an enemy. He would also have them send this resolution of theirs to the city Jerusalem, that its citizens, upon the knowledge of my being adjudged to be an enemy by the Galileans, might themselves also confirm that determination. He said also, that when this was done, even those Galileans who were well affected to me would desert me out of fear. When John had given them this counsel, what he had said was very agreeable to the rest of them. I was also made acquainted with these affairs about the third hour of the night, by the means of one Saccheus, who had belonged to them, but now deserted them and came over to me, and told me what they were about; so I perceived that no time was to be lost. Accordingly I gave command to Jacob, an armed man of my guard, whom I esteemed faithful to me, to take two hundred men, and to guard the passages that led from Gabara to Galilee, and to seize upon the passengers, and send them to me, especially such as were caught with letters about them: I also sent Jeremias himself, one of my

48. Now as soon as Jonathan and his companions heard of my coming, they took all their own friends, and John with them, and retired to the house of Jesus, which indeed was a large castle, and no way unlike a citadel; so they privately laid a band of armed men therein, and shut all the other doors but one, which they kept open; and they expected that I should come out of the road to them, to salute them. And indeed they had given orders to the armed men, that when I came they should let nobody besides me come in, but should exclude others; as supposing that, by this means, they should easily get me under their power: but they were deceived in their expectation; for I perceived what snares they had laid for me. Now as soon as I was got off my journey, I took up my lodgings over against them, and pretended to be asleep; so Jonathan and his party, thinking that I was really asleep, and at rest, made

• Josephus's directions to his soldiers here are much the to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with same that John the Baptist gave, Luke iii. 14, "Do violenes your wages." Whence Dr. Hudson confirms this conjecture that Josephus, in some things, was, even now, a follower the note on sect. 2. of John the Baptist; which is no way improbable. Ser

haste to go down into the plain, to persuade the | I have lived, and whether I have not behaved people that I was an ill governor. But the myself with all decency, and after a virtuous matter proved otherwise, for upon their appear- manner among them. And I further conance, there was a cry made by the Galileans jure you, O Galileans, to hide no part of the immediately, declaring their good opinion of truth, but to speak before these men as before me as their governor; and they made a clamor judges, whether I have in any thing acted against Jonathan and his partners, for coming otherwise than well." to them when they had suffered no harm, and as though they would overturn their happy settlement; and desired them by all means to go back again, for that they would never be persuaded to have any other to rule over them but myself. When I heard of this, I did not fear to go down into the midst of them; I went therefore myself down presently to hear what Jonathan and his companions said. As soon as I appeared, there was immediately an acclaination made to me by the whole multitude, and a cry in my commendation by them, who confessed their thanks were owing to me for my good government of them.

the country. And I said to them, that "in case nicate from one to another, if they learned any they be moved with what you say, you shall desire the community to write to me, and to enjoin me to continue in Galilee, and to order Jonathan and his colleagues to depart out of it." When I had suggested these instructions to them, and while they were getting themselves ready as fast as they could, I sent them on this errand on the third day after they had been assembled; I also sent five hundred armed men with them [as a guard.] I then wrote to my friends in Samaria, to take care that they might safely pass through the country: for Samaria was already under the Romans, and it was absolutely necessary for those that go quickly [to Jerusalem] to pass through that country; for in that road you may, in three days' time, go from Galilee to Jerusalem. I also went myself, and conducted the old men as far as the bounds of Galilee, and set guards in the roads; that it might not be easily known by any one that these men were gone. And when I had thus done, I went and abode at Japha.

news from those that were left in the city. On the next day, therefore, they all came into the Proseucha;* it was a large edifice, and capable of receiving a great number of people: thither Jonathan went in, and though he durst not openly speak of a revolt, yet did he say that their city stood in need of a better governor than it then had. But Jesus, who was the ruler, made no scruple to speak out, and said openly, "O fellow-citizens! it is better for you to be in subjection to four than to one; and those such as are of high birth, and not without reputation for their wisdom;" and pointed to Jonathan and his colleagues. Upon his saying this, Justus came in and commended him for what he had said, and persuaded some of the people to be of his mind also. But the multitude were not pleased with what was said, and had certainly gone into a tumult, unless the sixth hour which was now come had dissolved the assembly, at which hour our law requires us to go to dinner on Sabbath-days: so 53. Now Jonathan and his colleagues having Jonathan and his colleagues put off their failed of accomplishing what they would have council till the next day, and went off without done against me, they sent John back to Gis- success. When I was informed of these afchala, but went themselves to the city Tiberias, fairs, I determined to go to the city of Tibeexpecting it would submit itself to them; and rias in the morning. Accordingly, on the next this was founded on a letter which Jesus, their day, about the first hour of the day, I came then governor, had written them, promising to Tiberias, and found the multitude althat if they came, the multitude would receive ready assembled in the Proseucha; but on them and chose to be under their government; what account they had gotten together, those so they went their ways with this expectation. that were assembled did not know. But when But Silas, who, as I said, had been left curator Jonathan and his colleagues saw me there unof Tiberias by me, informed me of this, and de-expectedly, they were in disorder; after which sired me to make haste thither. According- they raised a report of their own contrivance, ly I complied with his advice immediately, and came thither, but found myself in danger of my life from the following occasion: Jonathan and his colleagues had been at Tiberias, and had persuaded a great many of such as had a quarrel with me to desert me; but when they heard of my coming they were in fear for themselves, and came to me, and when they bad saluted me, they said, that I was a happy man in having behaved myself so well in the government of Galilee; and they congratulated me upon the honors that were paid me; for they said, that my glory was a credit to them, ince they had been my teachers and fellow citizens; and they said farther, that it was but just that they should prefer my friendship to them rather than John's, and that they would have immediately gone home,but that they staid that they might deliver up John into my power; and when they said this they took their oaths of it, and those such as are inost tremendous amongst us, and such as I did not think fit to disbelieve. However, they desired me to lodge Bomewhere else; because the next day was the Sabbath, and that it was not fit the city of Tiberias should be disturbed [on that day.]

54. So I suspected nothing, and went away to Tarichea; yet did I withal leave some to make inquiry in the city how matters went, and whether any thing was said about me; also set many persons all the way that led from Tariches to Tiberias that they might commu

I

that Roman horsemen were seen at a place called Union, in the borders of Galilee, thirty furlongs distant from the city. Upon which report Jonathan and his colleagues cunningly exhorted me not to neglect this matter, nor to suffer the land to be spoiled by the enemy. And this they said with a design to remove me out of the city, under the pretence of the wan of extraordinary assistance, while they might dispose the city to be my enemy.

55. As for myself, although I knew of their design, yet did I comply with what they proposed, lest the people of Tiberias should have occasion to suppose, that I was not careful of their security. I therefore went out; but when I was at the place, I found not the least footsteps of any enemy, so I returned as fast as ever I could, and found the whole council assembled, and the body of the people gotten together, and Jonathan and his colleagues bringing vehement accusations against me, as one who had no concern to ease them of the burdens of war, and as one that lived luxuriously. And as they were discoursing thus, they produced four letters as written to them, from some people that lived at the borders of

*It is worth noting here that there was now a great Proseucha, or place of prayer, in the city Tiberias itself, though were within them; of them see Le Moyne on Polycarp's such Proseucha used to be out of cities, as the synagogues epistle, page 76. It is also worth our remark, that the Jews in the days of Josephus used to dine at the sixth hour of

noon; and that in obedience to their notions of the law of Moses also.