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the antiquities of the jews-1-第278章

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Augustus Germanicus was published; for permitting the Jews to
observe the laws of their country; not to obey the same; but have
acted in entire opposition thereto; as forbidding the Jews to
assemble together in the synagogue; by removing Caesar's statue;
and setting it up therein; and thereby have offended not only the
Jews; but the emperor himself; whose statue is more commodiously
placed in his own temple than in a foreign one; where is the
place of assembling together; while it is but a part of natural
justice; that every one should have the power over the place
belonging peculiarly to themselves; according to the
determination of Caesar; … to say nothing of my own
determination; which it would be ridiculous to mention after the
emperor's edict; which gives the Jews leave to make use of their
own customs; as also gives order that they enjoy equally the
rights of citizens with the Greeks themselves; … I therefore
ordain that Proculus Vitellius; the centurion; bring those men to
me; who; contrary to Augustus's edict; have been so insolent as
to do this thing; at which those very men; who appear to be of
principal reputation among them; have an indignation also; and
allege for themselves; 'that it was not done with their consent;
but by the violence of the multitude; that they may give an
account of what hath been done。 I also exhort the principal
magistrates among them; unless they have a mind to have this
action esteemed to be done with their consent; to inform the
centurion of those that were guilty of it; and take care that no
handle be hence taken for raising a sedition or quarrel among
them; which those seem to me to treat after who encourage such
doings; while both I myself; and king Agrippa; for whom I have
the highest honor; have nothing more under our care; than that
the nation of the Jews may have no occasion given them of getting
together; under the pretense of avenging themselves; and become
tumultuous。 And that it may be more publicly known what Augustus
hath resolved about this whole matter; I have subjoined those
edicts which he hath lately caused to be published at Alexandria;
and which; although they may be well known to all; yet did king
Agrippa; for whom I have the highest honor; read them at that
time before my tribunal; and pleaded that the Jews ought not to
be deprived of those rights which Augustus hath granted them。 I
therefore charge you; that you do not; for the time to come; seek
for any occasion of sedition or disturbance; but that every one
be allowed to follow their own religious customs。〃

4。 Thus did Petronius take care of this matter; that such a
breach of the law might be corrected; and that no such thing
might be attempted afterwards against the Jews。 And now king
Agrippa took the 'high' priesthood away from Simon Cantheras; and
put Jonathan; the son of Ananus; into it again; and owned that he
was more worthy of that dignity than the other。 But this was not
a thing acceptable to him; to recover that his former dignity。 So
he refused it; and said; 〃O king! I rejoice in the honor that
thou hast for me; and take it kindly that thou wouldst give me
such a dignity of thy own inclinations; although God hath judged
that I am not at all worthy of the high priesthood。 I am
satisfied with having once put on the sacred garments; for I then
put them on after a more holy manner than I should now receive
them again。 But if thou desirest that a person more worthy than
myself should have this honorable employment; give me leave to
name thee such a one。 I have a brother that is pure from all sin
against God; and of all offenses against thyself; I recommend him
to thee; as one that is fit for this dignity。〃 So the king was
pleased with these words of his; and passed by Jonathan; and;
according to his brother's desire; bestowed the high priesthood
upon Matthias。 Nor was it long before Marcus succeeded Petronius;
as president of Syria。

CHAPTER 7。

Concerning Silas And On What Account It Was That King Agrippa Was
Angry At Him。 How Agrippa Began To Encompass Jerusalem With A
Wall; And What Benefits He Bestowed On The Inhabitants Of
Berytus。

1。 Now Silas; the general of the king's horse; because he had
been faithful to him under all his misfortunes; and had never
refused to be a partaker with him in any of his dangers; but had
oftentimes undergone the most hazardous dangers for him; was full
of assurance; and thought he might expect a sort of equality with
the king; on account of the firmness of the friendship he had
showed to him。 Accordingly; he would no where let the king sit as
his superior; and took the like liberty in speaking to him upon
all occasions; till he became troublesome to the king; when they
were merry together; extolling himself beyond measure; and oft
putting the king in mind of the severity of fortune he had
undergone; that he might; by way of ostentation; demonstrate What
zeal he had showed in his service; and was continually harping
upon this string; what pains he had taken for him; and much
enlarged still upon that subject。 The repetition of this so
frequently seemed to reproach the king; insomuch that he took
this ungovernable liberty of talking very ill at his hands。 For
the commemoration of times when men have been under ignominy; is
by no means agreeable to them; and he is a very silly man who is
perpetually relating to a person what kindness he had done him。
At last; therefore; Silas had so thoroughly provoked the king's
indignation; that he acted rather out of passion than good
consideration; and did not only turn Silas out of his place; as
general of his horse; but sent him in bonds into his own country。
But the edge of his anger wore off by length of time; and made
room for more just reasonings as to his judgment about this man;
and he considered how many labors he had undergone for his sake。
So when Agrippa was solemnizing his birth…day; and he gave
festival entertainments to all his subjects; he sent for Silas on
the sudden to be his guest。 But as he was a very frank man; he
thought he had now a just handle given him to be angry; which he
could not conceal from those that came for him; but said to them;
〃What honor is this the king invites me to; which I conclude will
soon be over? For the king hath not let me keep those original
marks of the good…will I bore him; which I once had from him; but
he hath plundered me; and that unjustly also。 Does he think that
I can leave off that liberty of speech; which; upon the
consciousness of my deserts; I shall use more loudly than before;
and shall relate how many misfortunes I have been delivered from;
how many labors I have undergone for him; whereby I procured him
deliverance and respect; as a reward for which I have borne the
hardships of bonds and a dark prison? I shall never forget this
usage。 Nay; perhaps; my very soul; when it is departed out of the
body; will not forget the glorious actions I did on his account。〃
This was the clamor he made; and he ordered the messengers to
tell it to the king。 So he perceived that Silas was incurable in
his folly; and still suffered him to lie in prison。

2。 As for the walls of Jerusalem; that were adjoining to the new
city 'Bezetha'; he repaired them at the expense of the public;
and built them wider in breadth; and higher in altitude; and he
had made them too strong for all human power to demolish; unless
Marcus; the then president of Syria; had by letter informed
Claudius Caesar of what he was doing。 And when Claudius had some
suspicion of attempts for innovation; he sent to Agrippa to leave
off the building of those walls presently。 So he obeyed; as not
thinking it proper to contradict Claudius。

3。 Now this king was by nature very beneficent and liberal in his
gifts; and very ambitious to oblige people with such large
donations; and he made himself very illustrious by the many
chargeable presents he made them。 He took delight in giving; and
rejoiced in living with good reputation。 He was not at all like
that Herod who reigned before him; for that Herod was
ill…natured; and severe in his punishments; and had no mercy on
them that he hated; and every one perceived that he was more
friendly to the Greeks than to the Jews; for he adorned foreign
cities with large presents in money; with building them baths and
theatres besides; nay; in some of those places he erected
temples; and porticoes in others; but he did not vouchsafe to
raise one of the least edifices in any Jewish city; or make them
any donation that was worth mentioning。 But Agrippa's temper was
mild; and equally liberal to all men。 He was humane to
foreigners; and made them sensible of his liberality。 He was in
like manner rather of a gentle and compassionate temper。
Accordingly; he loved to live continually at Jerusalem; and was
exactly careful in the observance of the laws of his country。 He
therefore kept himself entirely pure; nor did any day pass over
his head without its appointed sacrifice。

4。 However; there was a certain mall of the Jewish nation at
Jerusalem; who appeared to be very accurate in the knowledge of
the law。 His name was Simon。 This man got together an assembly;
while the k
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