it over us, as if
we had received that principle of subjection from our ancestors; yet did
they undergo many and great wars for the sake of liberty, nor were they
so far overcome by the power of the Egyptians, or the Medes, but that
still they did what they thought fit, notwithstanding their commands to
the contrary. And what occasion is there now for a war with the Romans?
[I meddle not with determining whether it be an advantageous and
profitable war or not.] What pretense is there for it? Is it not that
we may enjoy our liberty? Besides, shall we not bear the lords of the
habitable earth to be lords over us, and yet bear tyrants of our own
country? Although I must say that submission to foreigners may be borne,
because fortune hath already doomed us to it, while submission to wicked
people of our own nation is too unmanly, and brought upon us by our own
consent. However, since I have had occasion to mention the Romans, I
will not conceal a thing that, as I am speaking, comes into my mind, and
affects me considerably; it is this, that though we should be taken by
them, [God forbid the event should be so!] yet can we undergo nothing
that will be harder to be borne than what these men have already brought
upon us. How then can we avoid shedding of tears, when we see the Roman
donations in our temple, while we withal see those of our own nation
taking our spoils, and plundering our glorious metropolis, and
slaughtering our men, from which enormities those Romans themselves
would have abstained? to see those Romans never going beyond the bounds
allotted to profane persons, nor venturing to break in upon any of our
sacred customs; nay, having a horror on their minds when they view at a
distance those sacred walls; while some that have been born in this very
country, and brought up in our customs, and called Jews, do walk about
in the midst of the holy places, at the very time when their hands are
still warm with the slaughter of their own countrymen. Besides, can
any one be afraid of a war abroad, and that with such as will have
comparatively much greater moderation than our own people have? For
truly, if we may suit our words to the things they represent, it is
probable one may hereafter find the Romans to be the supporters of our
laws, and those within ourselves the subverters of them. And now I am
persuaded that every one of you here comes satisfied before I speak that
these overthrowers of our liberties deserve to be des