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 apprised 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, respectfully 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 refpecting 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 Exercife 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 Palaeftine.

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 firft invaded Judæa, and laid clofe fiege 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

"it should be granted her, even to the half of "his Kingdom."

The Queen, encouraged by his courtefy, moft fubmiffively addressed him :

"If I have found favour in thy fight, O King, " let my life be given me at my petition, and my "people at my requeft; I, and my people are fold, to be deftroyed, to be flain, and to "perish."

The King, wonderfully aftonifhed, enquired,

"Who is he? where is he? who thus prefumes ?** And Efther replies,

The adverfary, the enemy, is this wicked "Haman."

L

Haman was all confufion-fore afraid-The King arose from the Banquet in high wrath-walked out into the Palace Garden-Haman availed. himself of the moment, fell down proftrate before the Queen, and while he was most earnestly fuing for his life, the King walks back again into the Hall. He mifconftrued Haman's abafement and and fubmiffive pofture. To prevent aggravation, the Officers in waiting covered Haman's mouth,

and