tection under Anthony, one of the triumvirate, who did more for him than he ever desired, for Herod's utmost aim was to obtain the crown for Aristobulus (grandson of Hyrcanus), whose sister, Mariamne, he had lately married; but Anthony gave the crown to Herod, contrary to the usual method of the Romans in like cases, for they were not accustomed to violate the rights of royal houses which had acknowledged them for protectors, and to give their crowns to strangers. Herod was, however, declared king of Judea by the senate; but it was not so easy for him to establish himself in the kingdom as to obtain the title from the Romans. Antigonus, not being inclined to resign a crown which had cost him so much pains to acquire, disputed it with him very vigorously for almost two years. At length Herod, with the assistance of the Romans, besieged and took Jerusalem; a dreadful carnage ensued, in which neither sex nor age was spared (year of the world, 3967). Antigonus was taken prisoner to Rome; but Herod could not rest while this branch of the royal family remained, so he procured his death, which, however, cost him a large sum of money. Thus ended the reign of the Asmoneans, after a duration of one hundred and twenty-nine years, from the beginning of the government of Judas Maccabeus. This event deserves our notice. This was the first time that the sovereign authority over the Jews was given to a stranger, an Idumean, and was certainly an indication that the sceptre was departing from Judah. Nor is there any reason to doubt but that the godly of that age beheld in this event the near approach of Him to whom the gathering of the people should be. (See Gen. xlix. 10.) The history of the dealings of God in His providence with various nations will throw light upon some of the prophetical parts of the sacred word of God. All the words of Scripture will be fulfilled; not one will fail. When all other writings are consigned to oblivion, these shall be had in everlasting remembrance. During the reign of Herod the Great, the Jews were involved in many troubles; for he was jealous, ambitious, cruel, and tyrannical. There remained of the Asmonean family, Hyrcanus, Alexandra, Aristobulus, and Mariamne; these four persons Herod was the means of extirpating: he was determined that family should no longer hold offices. The first who suffered at his hands was Hyrcanus. He was a quiet, peaceable man, and appeared little to regard who held the reins of government, so that he did but enjoy a tranquil life; yet he was put to death for supposed treason, of which most think him entirely ignorant. Aristobulus, by the intercession of his mother, Alexandra, obtained the office of high priest. He had enjoyed this about two years, when one day, as he was sacrificing in the temple in his pontifical robes, the people in general being struck with his graceful appearance, recognized in his countenance the dignity of his race, and, openly recalling to mind the noble actions of his ancestors, could not forbear to fill the temple and the city with his praises. This was enough to rouse the jealousy of Herod. He accordingly determined to delay no longer in the execution of the plot he had formed against his life; but, to conceal his design, he invited Aristobulus into the country, where he treated him with the greatest familiarity, and one day persuaded him to swim in the fish ponds. Herod had some of his courtiers ready, who went in also to swim, and, as if in sport, began to duck Aristobulus, but took care to keep him under water till he was quite dead. What must Mariamne's feelings have been to lose her only brother by the hands of her husband ? For though it was so artfully contrived, yet the horrid deed was well known. Herod endeavoured to make the people believe he was quite ignorant of what had happened; he therefore put on the appearance of great sorrow, and made a magnificent funeral. Alexandra was almost distracted with the thought of the murder of her son, but from motives of prudence concealed her grief, though she sought every opportunity to be revenged. For this purpose she applied to Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, who excited Anthony to investigate the whole affair, in order that justice might be executed. Anthony accordingly sent for Herod to answer to the accusation brought against him. Herod being obliged to obey the summons, committed the care of his kingdom and family, during his absence, to his uncle Joseph, with orders that, if Anthony should take away his life, he should instantly kill Mariamne, because he so passionately loved her, that be could not bear the thought that another should ever enjoy her affections. Joseph imprudently informed Mariamne of the king's order; but she, instead of considering it as a mark of his affection, looked upon it as a farther manifestation of his tyrannical and wicked disposition. Herod, having found means to satisfy Anthony, returned to his own country; his wife, however, received him very coldly, yet he was warm in his expressions to her. It happened one day that, being much enraged, he flew into a passion and was very near striking her. His own relations, taking this opportunity of bringing false accusa tions against her, she was tried for her life. Her judges, who paid more regard to the inclinations of Herod than to the evidence adduced, pronounced her guilty of the crimes laid to her charge, upon which she was publicly executed. The death of Mariamne almost threw Herod into a distraction of mind, and quite disabled him from attending to the affairs of the kingdom. At the same time there broke out a pestilence, by which vast numbers were carried off. This increased the king's distress, as the people said it was a judgment from God for Mariamne's death. The distress of his mind brought on disease of body; to alleviate which, he repaired to Samaria, where he consulted his physicians, but could find no relief from the agony he endured. Alexandra, the only surviving member of the Asmoneans, being at Jerusalem, endeavoured to gain possession of the fortresses, by interceding with the governors to give them up for Herod's children by Mariamne, but her applications were not attended with success. Herod in the mean time recovering, and being informed of her endeavours to corrupt the governors, caused her to be put to death. Some time after this Herod married another person of the name of Mariamne. He now gave himself up to all kinds of licentious gratifications, and introduced games and customs quite contrary to the principles of the Jews, which much irritated them against him. They looked upon him as their king only in name, esteeming him an enemy to the whole Jewish nation. Ten of the Jews bound themselves with an oath to kill the king, if it were possible. For this purpose they repaired to the theatre, with short swords under their gar ments; but Herod having obtained information of the plot, went to his palace, and sent for these men by name. When they came before the king they drew out their swords, and declared that their conspiracy was honest and holy, in behalf of the public discipline, which no good man would suffer to be violated though it cost him his life. They were immediately led to execution. After this Herod exercised many cruelties, putting whole families to death for the faults of some individuals. Finding the people discontented, he began to build forts and castles to keep them in awe. In the thirteenth year of his reign, Judea was afflicted with famine and pestilence. The great care which the king paid to the people at this time of distress, made them almost forget his former cruelties. He melted down all his plate to procure corn for the people, which he purchased at a vast expense from foreign countries. He also imported great quantities of wool for their clothing, the failure of the flocks for want of pasturage having occasioned a scarcity of that valuable article. (To be continued.) ANSWER TO ENIGMA IN THE LITTLE GLEANER FOR MARCH. HANDFULS of purpose, surely, For junior and senior, Of Gospel precepts purely, Are in the LITTLE GLEANER. May he who bears such gleaning |