firmness and becoming refentment, abhorring the bafeness and the infult, the venerable Priest preferred the fad alternative, a bloody and immediate execution.

After Eleazar the feven heroic youths, all brothers, together with their mother, were ftretched on the rack, one after the other, enduring the moft exquifite torments, with a courage and firmness almost incredible, whilft their highly fpirited mother, divefted of the weakness of her fex, ftood by each of her fuffering fons, affuring him and infpiring him with the glorious and near profpect of an Immortal reward; laft of all, fhe was herself facrificed to the Tyrant's fury, and died with the fame intrepidity and refolution with which she had fo nobly inspirited her fons.

After Antiochus's return to Syria, Mattathias's party greatly increased, and as foon as they became powerful they left their faftneffes, caves and rocks, took the field, courageously entered the Cities, pulled down the Images and Heathen altars, caufed the male children to be circumcifed, and put to death the Syrian officers, the foldiery, and their apoftatifing countrymen ; after which they opened all the Synagogues, reeftablished the Jewish worship, and the folemnities of Sacrifice. Mattathias quite worn out with

the

the fore fatigues, exertions and warfare he had undergone, affembled his fons, and informed them God was punishing Judæa for the pride, oppreffion and impiety of the People:

"But," fays he, " be ye, my fons, valiant "and zealous for the Law of the God of Israel, expose your lives in its defence, there is a

glorious reward annexed to perfeverance: Let "me bring back to your memory the zeal, in"trepidity and spirit of your ancestors, to ani"mate your hope, and encourage you to a

cr

fteady reliance on the power and the protec"tion of God." Thus infpired, my dear children, and thus courageous in the defence of your Laws, your Liberties and your Religion, you will not, you cannot fail of fuccefs. My "Son Simon has fhewed himself a man of con"fummate wisdom, follow his advice as a Father " and a Counsellor; Judas is well known for his "valour and conduct, let him be your General, "head your army and lead you out to battle. My valiant Sons, God Almighty prosper you "and crown your valour with glory, honour and fuccefs."

After this tender and affectionate interview, this his laft leave and dying advice, Mattathias in a good old age expired, and they buried him

at

at Modin with his Ancestors; and all the faithful wept.

Judas Maccabeus on the dying request and laft directions of his Father, and the confent and appointment of his brothers, took on him the command of the forces, and erected his ftandard; with diftinguished valour he led them forth to battle, both against the Syrian Heathen, and fuch of their countrymen as had afsented to their worship. Judas chose for a motto on his colours:

"Who is like to thee among the Gods, O Jehovah."

In Hebrew the initials of the fentence make the word, Maccabees. His gallant troops confifting of men refolute and religious, grew every day more and more numerous, and quickly enabled him to purfue the plan and wife intentions of his Father, and he went round the cities of Judah, broke to pieces all the idols and their altars, and cut off the Idolaters, and Apoftates. Judas fet about repairing their fortifications, built them new fortreffes and garrifoned them. After many Lignal, and fome glorious and most astonishing victories, He drove out the Syrians from the

Judas Maccabeus. Before Christ, 166.

city of Jerufalem and retook it: Heaps of rub bish covered the city; the fanctuary had lain long defolate; the houses, palaces, and even the gates were burnt down, the altars and holy places profaned or demolished, and the grand area and court of the Sanctuary was over-run with briers. Judas and his men rent their cloaths, covered their heads with duft, and filled the air with lamentations, and tokens of the livelieft forrow. Judas employed all hands, he fet about cleanfing and removing the rubbish both from the city and the temple, dedicating them all anew to the fervice of God; He appointed the priests, caused a new altar to be erected; a golden table, an altar of incenfe, the golden candlestick were each of them made and replaced, and He allotted all his rich spoils, and dedicated all his treasures to the fervice of the Temple. This folemn dedication lafted eight days, and was celebrated with great joy and illuminations at every man's door the whole time; whence it was called the Feaft of Lights, and was annually commemorated throughout the city. Judas governed the Jews with high fpirit, magnanimity and good conduct; he re-established their religion, and advantaged the common wealth very greatly by a respectful alliance with Rome: But after having fo bravely fought their battles, and encountered with many difficulties and difcourage

ments,

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ments, this virtuous and very gallant General was flain in the field of battle, refolutely engaging with only eight hundred men, a most formidable army; his own troops had on this occafion deferted him, and Judas fword in hand died fighting for his country. Jonathan and Simon his two brothers affectionately mourned over a fate fo unfortunate, and honourably buried him at Modin, in the fepulchre of his Fathers. Under a government fo threatened, amidst dangers and alarm, thofe of the Jews who ftill retained a love for their religion, and their country, affembled in a body, and elected Jonathan their General, defiring to fight under his ftandard, and invested him with the authority and powers of his late brother. Jonathan foon found himself at the -head of a formidable party and a numerous army, and by his bravery and good conduct, he eftablished himself and his government more and more every day.

A Civil War at this time broke out in Syria. Demetrius and Alexander were opponents; both Princes endeavoured to gain Jonathan over to their party. Alexander fent his propofals firft, He would appoint Jonathan to the dignity of the High-priesthood, and diftinguish him by the title of the King's Friend, and he ordered him a