ance. Jonathan, now leaving Micmash, settled at Jerusalem, where he rebuilt the fortifications of the sanctuary; and repaired the city on all sides. When Alexander Balas heard of the offers made to Jonathan by Demetrius, he also sent proposals of alliance; constituting him high priest of the Jews, and presenting him a crown of gold and a purple robe in token of the princely dignity with which he desired to invest him. Demetrius on the other hand, fearing to lose the support of Jonathan, went far beyond his rival in the promises he made; but the Jews recollecting his former cruel treatment of them, and considering his present conduct as nothing more than the effect of his critical circumstances, declared in favour of Alexander. At the feast of tabernacles which happened about this time, Jonathan, with the consent of the people, put on the pontifical robe, and officiated as high priest. He was descended from Joarib, and was probably on that account entitled to the holy office, which had now been vacant seven years from the death of Alcimus. In the contest for the crown of Syria, Demetrius at first gained some advantages; but Alexander having very powerful allies in the kings of Egypt, Cappadocia, and Pergamus, besides the support of the Romans and of Jonathan, was still able to keep the field. Demetrius finding such a formidable enemy to encounter, sent his two sons with a considerable treasure to Cnidus; and then resolved to bring all his forces together and try the issue of another battle. In the beginning of the engagement his left wing defeated the right of the enemy; but while they too ardently followed up this advantage their right wing was overpowered and their king slain. By this victory Alexander gained possession of the Syrian empire; and in order to establish himself the more firmly in it, he sent to demand Cleopatra daughter of Ptolemy king of Egypt, in marriage. The latter consenting to his demand, brought the princess to Ptolemais; where the nuptials were solemnized with great splendour. Jonathan was invited on this occasion, and treated with distinguished marks of favour by both the kings. Some of his old enemies, the apostate Jews, more enraged than ever, sought to prefer accusations against him; but the king would hear none of them: and even caused a proclamation to be issued, that no one should presume to speak ill of him. About this time Onias, who had fled into Egypt, when Alcimus was raised to the priesthood, and who had there made his services very acceptable to the king, obtained a grant from him to build a temple like that at Jerusalem. He had no great difficulty in persuading Ptolemy that his revenue would be increased and his authority over the Jews strengthened by preventing their frequent journeys to Jerusalem; but he did not find it so easy to bring those of his own nation to a conformity with his views; since they considered it sinful to offer sacrifices any where else. To satisfy them on this subject, he wrested a passage of the prophet Isaiah,* which refers to the Gospel kingdom; and explained it so as to serve his purpose. Having thus obtained the consent of the Jews in Egypt, he erected a temple in the prefecture of Heliopolis, of which he was governor; and where he had built a city called after his own name, Onion. In this temple, which nearly resembled that at Jerusalem, though it was somewhat smaller, he established a form of worship corresponding in all respects with the rites of the Jewish Church; and hav* Isaiah xix. 18-21. ing obtained a grant of the high priesthood for himself and his descendants, he ordained priests and Levites to officiate therein continually.* When Alexander Balas had fully established himself in the Syrian kingdom, he gave way to sloth and luxury; totally neglecting the affairs of government, which were managed by one of his favourites named Ammonius. The cruel tyranny of this man caused great discontent throughout the kingdom, which being known to Demetrius, son of the late king, he hired a band of Cretan soldiers; and landed with them in Cilicia; where so many joined him, that he soon got possession of that country. Alexander, roused by this invasion, prepared to repel it; and hearing that Apollonius, governor of Colo-Syria and Phoenicia had declared for Demetrius, he solicited the aid of his father-in-law Ptolemy king of Egypt. Jonathan still preserving his fidelity to Alexander, was challenged proudly by Apollonius, who had collected a large force at Jamnia. He was not long in accepting the challenge; for marching out of Jerusalem with ten thousand men, he took the city of Joppa; and after that engaging Apollonius in the open field, defeated him. The vanquished general fled to Azotus,+ whither Jonathan pursued him; and having taken the place, set fire to it, and consumed the temple of Dagon, in which many of the fugitives had sought refuge. He then proceeded to several other cities, treating all who resisted him in the same manner; and having thus reduced the rebels, he returned with great spoils to Jerusalem. When Alexander heard of these victories obtained on his behalf, he sent Jonathan * This temple was destroyed by order of Vespasian, soon after the destruction of that at Jerusalem; and about 224 years from the time of its erection. + Formerly Ashdod. a buckle of gold like those worn by the royal family; and bestowed on him the city of Ekron with the lands belonging to it. Ptolemy Philometor, arriving with a large army to assist Alexander, was met at Joppa by Jonathan, who attended him to Ptolemais. Here the king of Egypt, having discovered a plot against his life, demanded that the author of it should be given up to him. This was no other than Ammonius, who suspecting that Ptolemy came to seize the kingdom of Syria for himself, determined to cut him off. When Alexander refused to give up his minister, Ptolemy concluded that he knew and approved the treachery; therefore taking away his daughter, he gave her to Demetrius, and assisted him to gain the kingdom. Alexander being vanquished in battle, fled to Arabia, where he was treacherously slain; and Ptolemy did not long survive: for a dangerous wound he had received in the engagement carried him off in a few days. This year was distinguished by the destruction of Corinth and Carthage. In that of the former the last ray of Grecian power was extinguished; and by that of the latter, Rome was left without a rival, to subdue all things and to break in pieces and bruise, till she should establish that dominion predicted by Daniel, as the kingdom that should be strong as iron. LETTER XXXVIII. pos On the death of Alexander Balas, Demetrius took session of Syria without farther opposition, and assumed the surname of Nicator (the conqueror); but the misconduct of his favourite, Lasthenes, to whom he intrusted the government, added to his own cruelty, rashness, and folly, soon alienated his subjects, and drove them into rebellion against him. Jonathan, in the meantime, being left unmolested in his government, endeavoured to reduce the fortress of Acra, which still remained as a source of annoyance to the people. The garrison sent a complaint to Demetrius, who coming to Ptolemais cited Jonathan thither to answer the accusation. The latter, giving orders to continue the siege, went to the king; by whom he was not only exculpated, but treated with favour and distinction: being confirmed in the office of high priest, and enrolled on the list of the king's friends. By his request also Demetrius remitted all the tribute and customs which had been imposed by the Syrian princes; and made a grant of territory to be added to Judea, on condition of Jonathan's paying three hundred talents. The disaffection of the Syrians towards Demetrius was no sooner perceived by Tryphon, an officer of the late king, than he determined to avail himself of it for the promotion of his own ambitious views. He therefore went into Arabia to Zabdiel a prince of that country, to whom Alexander Balas had committed his infant son; and desired to have the young prince given up to him, that he might place him on the throne of his father. Zabdiel was not at first willing to comply with this proposal; but Tryphon continuing to urge it a long time, gained his point at last; and brought the prince, named Antiochus, into Syria. Jonathan, on his return to Jerusalem, still went on with the siege of Acra; but as he could not succeed in reducing the garrison, he sent an embassy to the king, begging him to withdraw it. The people of Antioch at this time were manifesting their discontent by tumults |