they were come against John the common plotter
against their interest, and would at the same time burn him, and that
city which had received him. Hereupon Josephus told them that he took
their good-will to him kindly, but still he restrained their fury,
and intended to subdue his enemies by prudent conduct, rather than by
slaying them; so he excepted those of every city which had joined in
this revolt with John, by name, who had readily been shown him by these
that came from every city, and caused public proclamation to be made,
that he would seize upon the effects of those that did not forsake
John within five days' time, and would burn both their houses and their
families with fire. Whereupon three thousand of John's party left him
immediately, who came to Josephus, and threw their arms down at his
feet. John then betook himself, together with his two thousand Syrian
runagates, from open attempts, to more secret ways of treachery.
Accordingly, he privately sent messengers to Jerusalem, to accuse
Josephus, as having to great power, and to let them know that he would
soon come as a tyrant to their metropolis, unless they prevented him.
This accusation the people were aware of beforehand, but had no regard
to it. However, some of the grandees, out of envy, and some of the
rulers also, sent money to John privately, that he might be able to get
together mercenary soldiers, in order to fight Josephus; they also made
a decree of themselves, and this for recalling him from his government,
yet did they not think that decree sufficient; so they sent withal two
thousand five hundred armed men, and four persons of the highest rank
amongst them; Joazar the son of Nomicus, and Ananias the son of Sadduk,
as also Simon and Judas the sons of Jonathan, all very able men in
speaking, that these persons might withdraw the good-will of the people
from Josephus. These had it in charge, that if he would voluntarily
come away, they should permit him to [come and] give an account of
his conduct; but if he obstinately insisted upon continuing in his
government, they should treat him as an enemy. Now Josephus's friends
had sent him word that an army was coming against him, but they gave
him no notice beforehand what the reason of their coming was, that being
only known among some secret councils of his enemies; and by this means
it was that four cities revolted from him immediately, Sepphoris, and
Gamala, and Gischala, and Tiberias. Yet did he r