ners in this matter.

5. He then called the Jews together to Tiberias, who came many ten
thousands in number; he also placed that army he now had with him
opposite to them; but did not discover his own meaning, but the commands
of the emperor, and told them that his wrath would, without delay, be
executed on such as had the courage to disobey what he had commanded,
and this immediately; and that it was fit for him, who had obtained
so great a dignity by his grant, not to contradict him in any
thing:--"yet," said he, "I do not think it just to have such a regard
to my own safety and honor, as to refuse to sacrifice them for your
preservation, who are so many in number, and endeavor to preserve the
regard that is due to your law; which as it hath come down to you from
your forefathers, so do you esteem it worthy of your utmost contention
to preserve it: nor, with the supreme assistance and power of God, will
I be so hardy as to suffer your temple to fall into contempt by the
means of the imperial authority. I will, therefore, send to Caius, and
let him know what your resolutions are, and will assist your suit as far
as I am able, that you may not be exposed to suffer on account of the
honest designs you have proposed to yourselves; and may God be your
assistant, for his authority is beyond all the contrivance and power of
men; and may he procure you the preservation of your ancient laws, and
may not he be deprived, though without your consent, of his accustomed
honors. But if Caius be irritated, and turn the violence of his rage
upon me, I will rather undergo all that danger and that affliction
that may come either on my body or my soul, than see so many of you
to perish, while you are acting in so excellent a manner. Do you,
therefore, every one of you, go your way about your own occupations, and
fall to the cultivation of your ground; I will myself send to Rome, and
will not refuse to serve you in all things, both by myself and by my
friends."

6. When Petronius had said this, and had dismissed rite assembly of the
Jews, he desired the principal of them to take care of their husbandry,
and to speak kindly to the people, and encourage them to have good hope
of their affairs. Thus did he readily bring the multitude to be cheerful
again. And now did God show his presence to Petronius, and signify to
him that he would afford him his assistance in his whole design; for he
had no sooner finished the speech that he made to th