And from hence thofe Jews were called Hellenifis, or Grecizing Jews, because they used the Greek Language in their Synagogues; and by that Name they were diftinguished from the Hebrew Jews, who used only the Hebrew and Chaldee Languages in their Synagogues. And this Distinction we find made between them, Acts vi. 1. For the Word which we there tranflate Grecians, is in the Original 'EXAviser, i. e. Hellenifts. So Dr. Prideaux. 2 17 Q. But did not the Evangelifts and the Apostles, who were the Writers of the New Teftament, pay great Honour to this Greek Tranflation? A. Yes, they cited many Scriptures of the Old Teftament, according to this Translation, because it was the best Greek Translation they had; and it was by this Time well known amongit the Jews in Judea, as well as thofe who were fcattered round the Nations. 18 Q. Did the Jews in Judea continue in Peace under the Government of the Kings of Egypt ? A. The Succeffors of the four Generals of Alexander the Great, who divided the World amongst them, and particularly the Kings of Egypt and Syria, being frequently engaged in Wars for enlarging their Kingdoms, the Jews were reduced to very great Difficulties, and fometimes were at a Lofs what Side to chufe; they were in Danger on both Sides, and were fometimes diftreft and miferably grinded between the one and the other. 19 Q. Did they maintain the Purity of their Tem ple and Worship? A. They were often expofed to grievous Difficulties on this Account. When Ptolemy Philopater of Egypt, reigned over thofe Provinces, he would offer up Sacrifices to the God of Ifrael for his Success against Antiochus the Great, the Succeffor of Seleucus, King of Syria; and he was not content to stay in the outer Court, but he would have preffed into the Sanctuary, and even the Holy of Holies. 20 Q. How was he prevented from entering? A. The Priefts and the Levites, and all the Peo ple lifted up their Hands to God in Prayer, and when the King had paffed the inner Court, and was entering into the Temple, he was fmitten from God, with fuch Terror and Confufion of Mind, that he was carried out of the Place half-dead. 21 Q. But did not Ptolemy refent this afterwards? A. He purposed to be revenged on all the Jewish Nation; when he came to Alexandria he ordered them to facrifice to his Gods; and if they refused, he took away their Privileges which they had enjoyed in Egypt from the Time of Alexander the Great: He ordered them to be enrolled among the common People of Egypt, and to have the Mark of an Ivyleaf, the Badge of his God Bacchus, impreffed upon them by a hot Iron; and those who refused it, should be made Slaves, or put to Death. 22 Q. What did the Jews of Alexandria do on this Occafion? A. A few of them forfook their God to gain the Favour of their King: But many Thousands ftood firm to their Religion; and though feveral of them were enrolled, and branded with the Ivy-leaf against their Will, yet they fhewed a great Abhorrence of all their Countrymen, that facrificed to the Gods of the King. 23 Q. How did Ptolemy bear with this Conduct of theirs? A. He refolved to deftroy the whole Nation of the Jews; and therefore, firft he ordered all that lived any where in Egypt, to be brought in Chains to Alexandria to be flain by his Elephants. 24 Q And were they deftroyed according to the King's Appointment? A. The Elephants being made drunk with Wine and Frankincenfe, and let loofe upon thein, inftead of falling upon the Jews, they turned all their Rage upon the Spectators, and deftroyed great Numbers of them. 25 Q. What Influence had this upon the King? A. He durit no longer perfecute his Rage again ft them, but fearing the Vengeance of the God of I rael upon himself, he revoked his cruel Decrees, reftored their Privileges, and gave Leave to put to Death the Jews that had abandoned their Religion and worshipped Idols. Note, This Story is found in that which is called the third Book of Maccabees, written by fome ancient Jew under that Title, because it gives an Account of the Perfecution and Deliverance of the Jews as the first and fecond Book of Maccabees do; though this was tranfacted long before the Name of Maccabees arofe, and therefore it ought rather to have been called the firft Book than the third. It is not found among our Apocryphal Books, because it was never inferted in the Vulgar Latin Verfion of the Bible, but it is found in many of the Manufcripts of the Greek Septuagint, and particularly that of the Alexan drian Manufcript in the King's Library. SECT. IV. Of the Jewish Affairs under ANTIOCHUS the Great, SE LEUCUS, and ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES, Kings of Syria. 12. DID 1D the Jews afterwards at Jerufalem continue under the Government of the Ptole mies who were Kings of Egypt? A. When Ptolemy Philopater was dead, and Ptolemy Epiphanes came to the Crown, the Jews having been greatly perfecuted by the Ptolemies, fubmitted themfelves to Antiochus the Great, King of Syria; and when he came to Jerufalem in a folemn Proceffion, they went to meet him, and received him gladly. 2 Q. How did Antiochus reward them? 4. He granted them many Privileges, as he had done to their Countrymen who were fettled in Baby lonia and Mefopotamia, having always found the Men of that Nation faithful to him. 3Q. What Confidence did he put in them on this Account? A. He tranfported feveral of them from Babylonia to the Leffer Afia to keep his Forts and Garrifons, and gave them good Settlements there; whence fprang a great Part of the Jews that were found in that Country in the Apoftles Times. 4Q. What remarkable Events fell out in the Days of Seleucus Philopater, Son and Succeffor to Antiochus the Great. A. Simon a Benjamite, being made Governor of the Temple, fome Differences arofe between him and Onias the third, the High-Prieft, an excellent Man, concerning fome Disorders in the City: And when when Simon could not obtain his Will, he informed Apollonius the Governor of the Province under Seleucus that great Treasures were hid in the Temple ; whereupon Heliodorus the Treasurer, was fent to feize them. 5Q. How did the Hand of God appear against Heliodorus in his Attempt to enter the Temple? A. The Priefts and the People made great Outcries and Supplications to God, upon which Heliodorus is reported to have seen a Vision of a Horse, with a terrible Rider upon him, who fmote Heliodorus with his Fore-feet, and two young Men ap peared who fcourged him forely; upon which Heliodorus fell fuddenly to the Ground in Darkness and Confufion; but being reftored by the Prayers of O. nias, he acknowledged the Power of God, and departed from the City. Read this Story more at large, 2 Maccabees, Chap. iii. I confefs it seems to have fomething a little fabulous in the Air of it, as also other Stories in that Book. 6 Q. How came fo good a Man as Onias to be turned out of the Priesthood? A. When Antiochus Epiphanes fucceeded his Brother Seleucus in the Kingdom of Syria, Jafon bribed him with a large Sum of Money to turn out his own Brother Onias, banish him to Antioch, and confer the Priesthood on himself; not that he affected it as it was a Religious Office, but as it included the Power of Civil Government, 2 Mac. iv. 7. 7Q. What did this wicked Jafon do when he was High-Prieft? A. He erected a Place of Exercise at Jerufalem, for training up Youth according to the Fashion of the |