s, they fall to work according to their own inclinations,
as if they believed that God was unconcerned in human affairs; but when
once they are found out, and are in danger of undergoing the punishment
due to their crimes, they endeavor to overthrow all the evidence against
them by appealing to God; which was the very thing which Antipater now
did; for whereas he had done everything as if there were no God in the
world, when he was on all sides distressed by justice, and when he had
no other advantage to expect from any legal proofs, by which he might
disprove the accusations laid against him, he impudently abused the
majesty of God, and ascribed it to his power that he had been preserved
hitherto; and produced before them all what difficulties he had ever
undergone in his bold acting for his father's preservation.

7. So when Varus, upon asking Antipater what he had to say for himself,
found that he had nothing to say besides his appeal to God, and saw that
there was no end of that, he bid them bring the potion before the court,
that he might see what virtue still remained in it; and when it was
brought, and one that was condemned to die had drank it by Varus's
command, he died presently. Then Varus got up, and departed out of
the court, and went away the day following to Antioch, where his usual
residence was, because that was the palace of the Syrians; upon which
Herod laid his son in bonds. But what were Varus's discourses to Herod
was not known to the generality, and upon what words it was that he went
away; though it was also generally supposed that whatsoever Herod did
afterward about his son was done with his approbation. But when Herod
had bound his son, he sent letters to Rome to Caesar about him, and
such messengers withal as should, by word of mouth, inform Caesar of
Antipater's wickedness. Now at this very time there was seized a letter
of Antiphilus, written to Antipater out of Egypt [for he lived there];
and when it was opened by the king, it was found to contain what
follows: "I have sent thee Acme's letter, and hazarded my own life; for
thou knowest that I am in danger from two families, if I be discovered.
I wish thee good success in thy affair." These were the contents of this
letter; but the king made inquiry about the other letter also, for it
did not appear; and Antiphilus's slave, who brought that letter which
had been read, denied that he had received the other. But while the king
was in doubt abo