r, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he
struck himself with his sword:

He struck himself, etc... St. Augustine, (Epist. 61, ad Dulcitium, et
lib. 2, cap. 23, ad Epist. 2, Gaud.) discussing this fact of Razias,
says, that the holy scripture relates it, but doth not praise it, as to
be admired or imitated, and that either it was not well done by him, or
at least not proper in this time of grace.

14:42. Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the
wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.

14:43. But whereas through haste he missed of giving a sure wound, and
the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and
manfully threw himself down to the crowd:

14:44. But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst
of the neck.

He came upon the midst of the neck... Venit per mediam cervicem. In the
Greek it is keneona, which signifies a void place, where there is no
building.

14:45. And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind, he
arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was
grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:

14:46. And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without
blood, grasping his bowels, with both hands he cast them upon the
throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to
him again: and so he departed this life.

2 Machabees Chapter 15

Judas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The
conclusion.

15:1. But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of
Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence, on the sabbath
day.

15:2. And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do
not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is
sanctified: and reverence him that beholdeth all things:

15:3. That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that
had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.

15:4. And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in
heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept.

15:5. Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to
take arms, and to do the king's business. Nevertheless he prevailed not
to accomplish his design.

15:6. So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to
set up a public monument of his victory over Judas.

15:7. But Machabeus ever trusted with all hope