fied
with what hath already happened; for had he been willing to afflict us
still more thereby, he had not changed his mind so soon. And as for the
war we are engaged in, he hath himself demonstrated that he is willing
it should go on, and that he knows it to be a just war; for while some
of the people in the country have perished, all you who were in arms
have suffered nothing, but are all preserved alive; whereby God makes it
plain to us, that if you had universally, with your children and wives,
been in the army, it had come to pass that you had not undergone any
thing that would have much hurt you. Consider these things, and, what
is more than all the rest, that you have God at all times for your
Protector; and prosecute these men with a just bravery, who, in point of
friendship, are unjust, in their battles perfidious, towards ambassadors
impious, and always inferior to you in valor."

4. When the Jews heard this speech, they were much raised in their
minds, and more disposed to fight than before. So Herod, when he had
offered the sacrifices appointed by the law [10] made haste, and took
them, and led them against the Arabians; and in order to that passed
over Jordan, and pitched his camp near to that of the enemy. He also
thought fit to seize upon a certain castle that lay in the midst of
them, as hoping it would be for his advantage, and would the sooner
produce a battle; and that if there were occasion for delay, he
should by it have his camp fortified; and as the Arabians had the same
intentions upon that place, a contest arose about it; at first they were
but skirmishes, after which there came more soldiers, and it proved a
sort of fight, and some fell on both sides, till those of the Arabian
side were beaten and retreated. This was no small encouragement to the
Jews immediately; and when Herod observed that the enemy's army was
disposed to any thing rather than to come to an engagement, he ventured
boldly to attempt the bulwark itself, and to pull it to pieces, and so
to get nearer to their camp, in order to fight them; for when they were
forced out of their trenches, they went out in disorder, and had not
the least alacrity, or hope of victory; yet did they fight hand to hand,
because they were more in number than the Jews, and because they were in
such a disposition of war that they were under a necessity of coming on
boldly; so they came to a terrible battle, while not a few fell on each
side. However, at