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 vestures, 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 pafs. The King ftruck with the fight of the Venerable Prelate, his graceful and magnificent drefs, 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 wit neffed, 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 refpecting himself, fignally fore-telling his many glorious victories and wide extended Dominions, whereupon the Jews obtained exemption from tribute one year in seven, 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 generous friend, the Jews fuftained a very great loss: as Judæa lay between Syria and Egypt, it became at different times in bondage and subjection to them both.

Ptolemy King of Egypt with' a formidable Army firft invaded Judæa, and laid clofe fiege to its Capital. Ptolemy well aware of the Hebrew Laws and the strictness of Jewish Worship, ordered on their Sabbath a general Storm and all his Engines to work: He thus made himself Vol. II. H Mafter

Mafter of the City without oppofition or refiftance and led away Captive one hundred thoufand Jews.

JUDAA remained under fubjection to Egypt five years. Simon furnamed the Juft was their Sovereign Pontiff, at this time Simon died after He had distinguishingly honoured the HighPriesthood nine years; highly eminent was this great and good Man for his Sanctity, Integrity and Patriotifm. Simon was the laft member remaining of the Great Synagogue, confifting of one hundred and twenty. He had unweariedly meployed himself in completing the Canon of the Holy Scriptures and finally fettling the jewish Liturgy:

"The Books Simon added to the facred Canon were, the two books of the Chronicles, the "books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Efther and Ma"lachi."

Simon was fucceeded in his high Office by Eleazar his Brother, his Son being an infant, and Eleazar officiated as High Prieft fifteen years. He left a Son named Onias at the

age

of

Eleazar.

Manaffes.

Onias the Second.

thirty,

thirty, but his Son was fet afide in order to make way for his Great Uncle Manaffes, and Manaffes was Uncle to Simon the Juft. The High Prieft was very far advanced in years when He affumed the Dignity: Manaffes died foon after, and Onias his grand Nephew now thirty two fucceeded him.

ONIAS unlike his Ancestors was bafe, fordid, felfish and indolent, fo avaritious, his money was his God: his Avarice and meanness were moft wretchedly ill-timed, and at length arrived to so high a pitch as to induce him to put · into his own Coffers, the tribute money he had engaged to pay to Syria, the fhameful detection and enquiry occafioned much diftrefs and trouble to his country.

Ar the Death of Onias, Simon the fecond was nominated to the High Priest-hood and fucceeded his Father: A Pontiff of amiable manners, true Dignity, and Piety, Zealous for God, of distinguished honour, conduct and bravery. At the Death of Simon the fecond, Onias the third took upon him the Government, and became their High Prieft, He alfo was a highly

worthy Character of fignal Clemency, benevolence and Piety: It was in the eighth year of his Pontificate, the Jews loft their good friend and Protector, Antiochus King of Syria, and Antiochus was fucceeded in his Government by Seleu

cus.

JUDEA had enjoyed a profound peace now for fome years, and preferved and preferved a strict adherence to her Religion and Laws: the Common-wealth was arrived at high honours, courted by fovereign Princes, and the Jews had received many fumptuous and magnificent Prefents, and rich offerings to the Temple.

AFTER Onias had thus wifely and religiously governed and inftructed the People four and twenty years, the High Priest-hood was treacherously taken from him by Jafon, one of his Brothers. At the Death of Selencus King of Syria, Jafon was informed of the empty Coffers of the Kingdom: The Young Prince his Son on his coming to the Crown, found the treasury quite exhausted, and his Country impoverished by the large tribute, his Predeceffors had annually paid to Rome: Jason took the advantage of Young

Jafon.

Antiochus's