before Christ. Philip, being unable to cope with Lysias, retired to Egypt, in hopes of there gaining assistance.

About this time, Ptolemy Macron, governor of Cœlo-Syria and Palestine, repented himself of the share he had in the cruelties to the Jews, and strenuously endeavoured to procure for them a peace, which conduct being misrepresented, he was in consequence deposed, and the government given to Lysias, while Ptolemy, in despair from this disgrace, put an end to his life by poison. Antiochus Epiphanes having had no time to revoke in form his decree against the Jews, the court of Syria considered them still as rebels, and continued its endeavours to force them into compliance with its requests.

During all this time Judas continued actively to prosecute his success, which in order to check, Lysias raised an army of 80,000 foot, the entire cavalry of the kingdom, and eighty elephants, with which force he entered Judæa, and formed the siege of Bethsura, between Jerusalem and Idumæa. Judas and his army earnestly entreated the Lord for his all-powerful assistance, and resolutely marched out of Jerusalem to meet the enemy. It is said by their historian, that a horseman preceded them, arrayed in white,

having arms of gold, and bearing a lance in his hand, and that it was this sight inspired them with such amazing ardour and enthusiasm, that they killed and wounded vast numbers of their enemies, and forced the rest to make a precipitate retreat. Lysias, being weary of such an unsuccessful war, made a treaty with Judas, which was ratified by Antiochus, and in which it was stipulated that the cruel decree of Epiphanes should be revoked and cancelled, and their laws and religion tolerated in all places; but this peace was soon broken. Timotheus, one of the king's generals, raised an army of nearly 150,000 men, foot and horse, but Judas, although with very inferior numbers, attacked him with such courage as utterly to defeat him, with the loss of 30,000 men, which glorious victory was productive of great and numerous advantages to Judas and his people.

Notwithstanding this evident protection on the side of the Jews, another numerous army was raised against them, consisting of 120,000 foot, 20,000 horse, 32 elephants, and 300 chariots of war, which host, headed by the king himself and Lysias the regent, entered Judæa. Judas marched out, and stationed himself in front of the king's camp, having exhorted his

men to trust in the aid of their God, and to fight to the last gasp: afterwards, after having given his troops for the word of battle, ' Victory is of God,' he selected his bravest men, and beat up the king's quarters in the night-time, by which surprise he slew 4000 of his enemies, overwhelmed their camp with confusion, and retired himself with safety. From this the king perceived the great and enthusiastic valour of the Jews; nevertheless, he was confident that the number of his troops and elephants must eventually succeed, for which reason he determined to bring them to a general engagement, and he was met by the Jews with great intrepidity and slaughter of his troops. Eleazar, one of the brothers of Judas, seeing an elephant higher than the rest, adorned with the king's arms, and believing Antiochus himself to be upon it, furiously cut his way to the animal through all opposition, when, having performed this achievement, he placed himself underneath the beast, and thrust his spear into its belly in so deadly a manner, that it instantly fell and crushed him to death. Judas and his followers, having fought with the greatest resolution and bravery, were at length exhausted by fatigue, and forced to retire before the superior numbers

of the enemy. The king pursued them, and besieged Bethsura, which, after a long and brave defence, was, for want of provisions, compelled to capitulate. Antiochus then marched against Jerusalem, and besieged the temple, the defenders whereof were reduced to great extremities, but through the mercy of God were providentially relieved by an unexpected occurrence.

Philip, as was before observed, had retired into Egypt, thinking to obtain assistance at that court; but he soon found he was deceived in his calculations, the divisions arising between the two brothers, who reigned jointly, preventing them from attending to other affairs than their own. He then returned into the east, induced some Persian and Median troops to assist him, and, being favoured by the absence of the king, siezed upon the capital, which when Lysias heard, he thought it requisite to make peace with the Jews upon honourable and advantageous terms to them, Antiochus swearing to observe the conditions thereof. He was then allowed to enter the fortifications of the temple, the strength of which so alarmed him, that, in violation of his oath, he had them demolished before he set out for Syria. Philip was soon driven from Antioch, and an end put to his life.

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The disputes between the Ptolemies had by this time risen to such violence, that the younger, Physcon, expelled his brother Philometor, who proceeded with a few followers to Rome, to pray for assistance from the senate. His forlorn condition moved their pity, and they determined to reinstate him, agreeably to which resolution, they succeeded in bringing about an accommodation between the brothers. Libya and the province of Cyrene were assigned to Physcon, surnamed Evergetes; Philometor had Egypt and the island of Cyprus; and each sovereign was declared independent of the other. Fresh disputes however were caused by Physcon complaining that the partition was unequal, and that he ought to have the isle of Cyprus restored to him, and the Romans, being desirous of curtailing the power of Egypt, sided with Physcon; but, nevertheless, Philometor firmly persisted in standing by the original treaty. In the mean time the Cyrenæans, having heard of the cruel disposition of Physcon, conspired to oppose his entrance into their country, and beat him in an engagement; but, in the end, he found means to establish himself, and rendered himself so odious to his subjects, that they attacked him and left him for dead. When he recovered from