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[279]
He then called the Jews together to Tiberias, who came many ten thousands
in number; he also placed that army he now had with him opposite to them;
but did not discover his own meaning, but the commands of the emperor,
and told them that his wrath would, without delay, be executed on such
as had the courage to disobey what he had commanded, and this immediately;
and that it was fit for him, who had obtained so great a dignity by his
grant, not to contradict him in any thing: — "yet," said he, "I
do not think it just to have such a regard to my own safety and honor,
as to refuse to sacrifice them for your preservation, who are so many in
number, and endeavor to preserve the regard that is due to your law; which
as it hath come down to you from your forefathers, so do you esteem it
worthy of your utmost contention to preserve it: nor, with the supreme
assistance and power of God, will I be so hardy as to suffer your temple
to fall into contempt by the means of the imperial authority. I will, therefore,
send to Caius, and let him know what your resolutions are, and will assist
your suit as far as I am able, that you may not be exposed to suffer on
account of the honest designs you have proposed to yourselves; and may
God be your assistant, for his authority is beyond all the contrivance
and power of men; and may he procure you the preservation of your ancient
laws, and may not he be deprived, though without your consent, of his accustomed
honors. But if Caius be irritated, and turn the violence of his rage upon
me, I will rather undergo all that danger and that affliction that may
come either on my body or my soul, than see so many of you to perish, while
you are acting in so excellent a manner. Do you, therefore, every one of
you, go your way about your own occupations, and fall to the cultivation
of your ground; I will myself send to Rome, and will not refuse to serve
you in all things, both by myself and by my friends."
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