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and did" carry away captives into Egypt their gods with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold;" and the same Ptolemy Evergetes did "continue more years than the king of the north :" for he lived four years after the death of Seleucus Callinicus.

To the faithful servants of God, who made his word their study, and his strength their confidence, the literal accomplishment of these predictions must have proved a source of comfort and encouragement, amidst the commotions which disturbed all parts of the known world at this time. They must have seen that, "The Lord is king, be the people never so impatient;" and have felt assured that, "He reigneth in the midst of the heathen, be the earth never so unquiet."

LETTER XXIX.

On his return from his expedition into Syria, Ptolemy visited Jerusalem, and offered sacrifices there to the God of Israel, in acknowledgment of the victories he had obtained. From this circumstance it is inferred that the predictions of his success were shown to him; and that he was thereby induced to ascribe it to the Lord, whose prophet had so clearly and circumstantially foretold it. We may easily suppose that Ptolemy, being thus rendered: favourable to the Jews, would be disposed to continue to them all the privileges they had hitherto enjoyed under his predecessors: and as there is no par ticular occurrence on record during twenty years, we i may conclude that they enjoyed peace and safety under

his government. In the twenty-first year of his reign, however, they had nearly forfeited his favour and protection, through the avarice of Onias, who had neglected the payment of the annual tribute during several years. Ptolemy, much displeased at this omission, sent Athenion an officer of his court to Jerusalem, to demand immediate payment of all that was due to him; and to threaten the Jews that he would dispossess them of their country, if they did not comply with his demand. The arrival of Athenion caused a general consternation in Jerusalem, no one knowing what ought to be done: for Onias, who had brought this distress upon the people, had neither talent nor activity to extricate them from it: besides which he was too old and infirm to be of use in such an emergency. In this dilemma one of his sisters sent for her son named Joseph, who was absent at his country house; telling him what had happened, and requiring his immediate presence in Jerusalem. This young man was much beloved and respected by his countrymen for his prudence, and the consistent piety of his character; and he was made the happy instrument of their deliverance from the impending danger. On his arrival he reproached his uncle for the distress to which he had reduced the nation; and told him that he could not do less than go in person and explain the affair to the king. Onias, however, declaring that he would rather resign his office than undertake such a journey, Joseph offered to go in his stead; and having obtained his consent, he proposed this measure to the people for their concurrence also desiring them to repress their fears, as he had no doubt of being able to appease the king's displeasure. The people thanked him for thus undertaking their cause; and rejoiced in the hope of that success which

he anticipated, and which his piety and prudence taught them to expect. When Joseph had thus tranquillized the public mind, he went to seek Athenion, and invited him to reside in his house during his stay at Jerusalem. Having secured him for his guest, he succeeded in obtaining his good opinion by a display of munificent hospitality and kindness: and when Athenion was about to depart he presented him with many gifts of great value; by which means he secured a fair representation to the king; and a favourable reception for himself at the Egyptian court, whither he promised to follow Athenión shortly; in order to afford the king full satisfaction respecting the tribute. Athenion was so well pleased with Joseph, that on his return to Alexandria he spoke of him in such terms, as made the king desirous of seeing him; and greatly prepossessed him in his favour. Joseph did not long delay his embassy; but set out as soon as the needful preparations were made. On his way he fell in with a company of nobles from Syria and Phoenicia, who were going into Egypt to make terms with Ptolemy for the farming of his revenues in those provinces. As they all travelled with splendid equipages to impress the Egyptians with a notion of their greatness, the more quiet retinue of Joseph became the subject of their raillery. He however continued with them during the rest of their journey; and by attending to their conversation, gained some very useful knowledge, of which he afterwards availed himself very profitably. When Joseph arrived at Alexandria the king was absent; but learning that he was at Memphis, he did not await his return, but followed him thither. On his way he met the king, who, with the queen and Athenion, was travelling towards Alexandria. Joseph was no sooner

perceived by Athenion than he pointed him out to the king, as the person of whom he had spoken so favour ably. Ptolemy immediately desired him to come up into his chariot, and there entered into conversation with him on the subject of his embassy. Joseph pleaded his uncle's cause so well, urging his advanced age and incapacity as an excuse for his neglect, that Ptolemy was no less satisfied with the apology, than with the advocate who made it; for among other marks of his favour he ordered him to reside in his palace at Alexandria, and assigned him a place at his own table. Joseph had it in his power to requite the king's kindness shortly after; for when the day arrived on which the revenues were to be disposed of to the highest bidder, and the nobles who had travelled with him offered only eight thousand talents for the whole, he openly reproved them, for under-rating their value; and offered more than double that sum, to farm them on his own account. The information Joseph had gained from these nobles on the journey enabled him to make this offer, with which the king was very well pleased; but as it was so large an increase Ptolemy demanded what security he would give for the fulfilment of his engagement. Joseph replied that his securities were unexceptionable; and being desired to name them, he fixed on the king and the queen to be bound to each other for the performance of his agreement. The king laughed at this facetious appointment, and granted him the charge he desired without farther hesitation. Joseph's next care was to borrow five hundred talents at Alexandria, in order to pay the arrears of tribute for his uncle; and when this was done, he requested a guard of two thousand soldiers from the king, that he might be properly assisted in the

execution of his new office. With this retinue he shortly after quitted Egypt and returned towards Judea. On his way he stopped at Askelon to demand the king's tribute, which being insolently refused, he made an example of the principal offenders; causing their estates to be confiscated, and sending the amount of the forfeitures to Ptolemy. He was obliged to pursue the same measures at Scythopolis, another city in Palestine; but these two examples sufficed to confirm his power, and to render all other cities submissive: so that he afterwards collected the tribute without any opposition. When he sent in his accounts to the king, they were so satisfactory, that he was continued in his office not only during the rest of his reign, but during those of succeeding princes, till the provinces he farmed fell into the hands of Antiochus the Great, twenty-two years after. Ptolemy Evergetes died after having reigned twenty-five years: he was succeeded by his son Ptolemy Philopator, who did not resemble his father, nor any of his predecessors in character; for he was vicious, profligate, and tyrannical. Antiochus king of Syria, thinking the accession of such a prince afforded him a good opportunity for regaining the provinces Evergetes had taken from Seleucus, made war upon him for this purpose. The contest lasted till the fifth year of Philopator, when the two kings met at Raphia, and a battle ensued in which Ptolemy was victorious. This victory was decisive; as it obliged Antiochus to yield the disputed territories to the king of Egypt. The Jews suffered greatly during this war; for the supineness of Onias, added to his age, rendered his administration very defective: so that no measures were taken for the welfare and security of the people. Their