REIGNS OF THE HIGH PRIESTS BEING A CONTINUATION THE JEWISH HISTORY, FROM THE PERIOD WHERE THE OLD TESTAMENT FINISHES то THE REIGN OF HEROD, Forty Years before the Appearance of ESSAY XVIII. HE laft Governor fent to JUDEA from TH the Court of Perfia was NEHEMIAH: after his Viceroyship, Judæa was added to the Prefecture of Syria, and the Jews became fubjects to the reigning Conquerors of that Empire: TheHigh Prieft for the time being was vefted with the Authority and regulation of Church and State, and the Hebrews paid a yearly tribute to Syria.* Jehoida § the High Prieft at this time died and was fucceeded by his Son Jonathan. + Jonathan + maintained the Authority together with the Dignity of the Prieft-hood, in full exercife of their power as delegated by Syria two and thirty years, at which time Jonathan died and JADUA his Son affumed both the Authority and Office of the Prieft-hood, in room of his Father. *Before Chrift 409. § Jehoida. Jonathan. + Jadua. At At this time Alexander, in the hour of Victory with his Laurel Crown returned in all his Glory and Triumph from the reduction of Tyre, and total overthrow of the Tyrian Empire: With his victorious troops, Alexander was on the full march against Jerufalem: Jadua (the High Prieft) forely alarmed and apprifed of his intentions arrayed himself in his Pontifical Robes, habited all his Priefts in their refpective, dreffes, and accompanied by a concourfe of People all in white veftures, made a folemn Proceffion to a rifing ground a little out of the City, and placed themselves on an eminence by the fide of which Alexander and his Army were to pass. The King ftruck with the fight of the Venerable Prelate, his graceful and magnificent dress, the Name of God emblazoned on his front and encircled by his Priefts, Alexander was feized with a panick, a facred and religious awe, he advanced reverentially towards him, refpectfully bowing, he embraced him, and worshiped the facred Divinity infcribed on his Mitre: The King, then directing his Army to follow, marched flowly on attended by the High Prieft and all his Retinue through the City of Jerufalem to the Temple, Alexander there with reverence himself witneffed, the Devotion and ceremonious Pomp of Jewish Worship and the Solemnities of Sacrifice. The The High Prieft with great propriety, while now in the Temple, pointed out to the Conqueror all the Prophefies respecting himself, fignally fore-telling his many glorious victories and wide extended Dominions, whereupon the Jews obtained exemption from tribute one year in feven, and a free Charter for the Exercise of their Religion and Laws. And Alexander ever after diftinguished the Jews by many honours, and fignal favours in every part of his Kingdom both in and out of Palæftine. In the twentieth year of his pontificate Jadua died, Onias his Son fuccéeded him, and Onias retained the Dignity twenty-one years. By the Death of Alexander, their very gencrous friend, the Jews fuftained a very great lofs: as Judæa lay between Syria and Egypt, it became at different times in bondage and fubjection to them both. Ptolemy King of Egypt with' a formidable Army first invaded Judæa, and laid close siege to its Capital. Ptolemy well aware of the Hebrew Laws and the ftri&tnefs of Jewish Worship, ordered on their Sabbath a general Storm and all his Engines to work: He thus made himself Vol. II. H Mafter |